Aging is related to cognitive decline, and it has been reported that aging disrupts some resting state brain networks. However, most studies have focused on the default mode network and ignored other resting state networks. In this study, we measured resting state activity using fMRI and explored whether cognitive decline with aging is related to disrupted resting state networks. Independent component analysis was used to evaluate functional connectivity. Notably, the connectivity within the salience network that consisted of the bilateral insula and the anterior cingulated cortex decreased with aging; the impairment of functional connectivity was correlated with measured decreases in individual cognitive abilities. Furthermore, certain internetwork connectivities (salience to auditory, default mode to visual, etc.) also decreased with aging. These results suggest that (1) aging affects not only the default mode network but also other networks, specifically the salience network; (2) aging affects internetwork connectivity; and (3) disruption of the salience network is related to cognitive decline in elderly people.

\s=b\In an attempt to devise a screening test for aldosterone\x=req-\ producing adenoma (APA) among hypertensive patients, the serum sodium and potassium levels, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration, and aldosterone-PRA ratio were measured in 348 patients with hypertension. Nine patients with a substantially elevated aldosterone-PRA ratio were selected and hospitalized for further investigations. All

Physical properties of DyB4 have been studied by magnetization, specific heat, and ultrasonic measurements. The magnetic entropy change and ultrasonic properties in intermediate phase II indicate that the degeneracy of internal degrees of freedom is not fully lifted in spite of the formation of magnetic order. The ultrasonic attenuation and huge softening of C44 in phase II suggest the existence of electric-quadrupolar (orbital) fluctuations of 4f -electrons. These unusual properties originate from a geometrical quadrupolar frustration.

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