Characterization of root agravitropism induced by genetic, chemical, and developmental constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, R.; Fondren, W. M.; Marcum, H.

1987-01-01

The patterns and rates of organelle redistribution in columella (i.e., putative statocyte) cells of agravitropic agt mutants of Zea mays are not significantly different from those of columella cells in graviresponsive roots. Graviresponsive roots of Z. mays are characterized by a strongly polar movement of 45Ca2+ across the root tip from the upper to the lower side. Horizontally-oriented roots of agt mutants exhibit only a minimal polar transport of 45Ca2+. Exogenously-induced asymmetries of Ca result in curvature of agt roots toward the Ca source. A similar curvature can be induced by a Ca asymmetry in normally nongraviresponsive (i.e., lateral) roots of Phaseolus vulgaris. Similarly, root curvature can be induced by placing the roots perpendicular to an electric field. This electrotropism increased with 1) currents between 8-35 mA, and 2) time between 1-9 hr when the current is constant. Electrotropism is reduced significantly by treating roots with triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), an inhibitor of auxin transport. These results suggest that 1) if graviperception occurs via the sedimentation of amyloplasts in columella cells, then nongraviresponsive roots apparently sense gravity as do graviresponsive roots, 2) exogenously-induced asymmetries of a gravitropic effector (i.e., Ca) can induce curvature of normally nongraviresponsive roots, 3) the gravity-induced downward movement of exogenously-applied 45Ca2+ across tips of graviresponsive roots does not occur in nongraviresponsive roots, 4) placing roots in an electrical field (i.e., one favoring the movement of ions such as Ca2+) induces root curvature, and 5) electrically-induced curvature is apparently dependent on auxin transport. These results are discussed relative to a model to account for the lack of graviresponsiveness by these roots.

Functional states of rat cortical circuits during the unpredictable availability of a reward-related cue

PubMed Central

Fernández-Lamo, Iván; Sánchez-Campusano, Raudel; Gruart, Agnès; Delgado-García M, José M.

2016-01-01

Proper performance of acquired abilities can be disturbed by the unexpected occurrence of external changes. Rats trained with an operant conditioning task (to press a lever in order to obtain a food pellet) using a fixed-ratio (1:1) schedule were subsequently placed in a Skinner box in which the lever could be removed randomly. Field postsynaptic potentials (fPSPs) were chronically evoked in perforant pathway-hippocampal CA1 (PP-CA1), CA1-subiculum (CA1-SUB), CA1-medial prefrontal cortex (CA1-mPFC), mPFC-nucleus accumbens (mPFC-NAc), and mPFC-basolateral amygdala (mPFC-BLA) synapses during lever IN and lever OUT situations. While lever presses were accompanied by a significant increase in fPSP slopes at the five synapses, the unpredictable absence of the lever were accompanied by decreased fPSP slopes in all, except PP-CA1 synapses. Spectral analysis of local field potentials (LFPs) recorded when the animal approached the corresponding area in the lever OUT situation presented lower spectral powers than during lever IN occasions for all recording sites, apart from CA1. Thus, the unpredictable availability of a reward-related cue modified the activity of cortical and subcortical areas related with the acquisition of operant learning tasks, suggesting an immediate functional reorganization of these neural circuits to address the changed situation and to modify ongoing behaviors accordingly. PMID:27869181

Place field assembly distribution encodes preferred locations

PubMed Central

Mamad, Omar; Stumpp, Lars; McNamara, Harold M.; Ramakrishnan, Charu; Deisseroth, Karl; Reilly, Richard B.

2017-01-01

The hippocampus is the main locus of episodic memory formation and the neurons there encode the spatial map of the environment. Hippocampal place cells represent location, but their role in the learning of preferential location remains unclear. The hippocampus may encode locations independently from the stimuli and events that are associated with these locations. We have discovered a unique population code for the experience-dependent value of the context. The degree of reward-driven navigation preference highly correlates with the spatial distribution of the place fields recorded in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. We show place field clustering towards rewarded locations. Optogenetic manipulation of the ventral tegmental area demonstrates that the experience-dependent place field assembly distribution is directed by tegmental dopaminergic activity. The ability of the place cells to remap parallels the acquisition of reward context. Our findings present key evidence that the hippocampal neurons are not merely mapping the static environment but also store the concurrent context reward value, enabling episodic memory for past experience to support future adaptive behavior. PMID:28898248

Dendritic GIRK Channels Gate the Integration Window, Plateau Potentials, and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity in Dorsal But Not Ventral CA1 Neurons

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Studies comparing neuronal activity at the dorsal and ventral poles of the hippocampus have shown that the scale of spatial information increases and the precision with which space is represented declines from the dorsal to ventral end. These dorsoventral differences in neuronal output and spatial representation could arise due to differences in computations performed by dorsal and ventral CA1 neurons. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by quantifying the differences in dendritic integration and synaptic plasticity between dorsal and ventral CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus. Using a combination of somatic and dendritic patch-clamp recordings, we show that the threshold for LTP induction is higher in dorsal CA1 neurons and that a G-protein-coupled inward-rectifying potassium channel mediated regulation of dendritic plateau potentials and dendritic excitability underlies this gating. By contrast, similar regulation of LTP is absent in ventral CA1 neurons. Additionally, we show that generation of plateau potentials and LTP induction in dorsal CA1 neurons depends on the coincident activation of Schaffer collateral and temporoammonic inputs at the distal apical dendrites. The ventral CA1 dendrites, however, can generate plateau potentials in response to temporally dispersed excitatory inputs. Overall, our results highlight the dorsoventral differences in dendritic computation that could account for the dorsoventral differences in spatial representation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dorsal and ventral parts of the hippocampus encode spatial information at very different scales. Whereas the place-specific firing fields are small and precise at the dorsal end of the hippocampus, neurons at the ventral end have comparatively larger place fields. Here, we show that the dorsal CA1 neurons have a higher threshold for LTP induction and require coincident timing of excitatory synaptic inputs for the generation of dendritic plateau potentials. By contrast, ventral CA1 neurons can integrate temporally dispersed inputs and have a lower threshold for LTP. Together, these dorsoventral differences in the threshold for LTP induction could account for the differences in scale of spatial representation at the dorsal and ventral ends of the hippocampus. PMID:28280255

Dendritic GIRK Channels Gate the Integration Window, Plateau Potentials, and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity in Dorsal But Not Ventral CA1 Neurons.

PubMed

Malik, Ruchi; Johnston, Daniel

2017-04-05

Studies comparing neuronal activity at the dorsal and ventral poles of the hippocampus have shown that the scale of spatial information increases and the precision with which space is represented declines from the dorsal to ventral end. These dorsoventral differences in neuronal output and spatial representation could arise due to differences in computations performed by dorsal and ventral CA1 neurons. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by quantifying the differences in dendritic integration and synaptic plasticity between dorsal and ventral CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampus. Using a combination of somatic and dendritic patch-clamp recordings, we show that the threshold for LTP induction is higher in dorsal CA1 neurons and that a G-protein-coupled inward-rectifying potassium channel mediated regulation of dendritic plateau potentials and dendritic excitability underlies this gating. By contrast, similar regulation of LTP is absent in ventral CA1 neurons. Additionally, we show that generation of plateau potentials and LTP induction in dorsal CA1 neurons depends on the coincident activation of Schaffer collateral and temporoammonic inputs at the distal apical dendrites. The ventral CA1 dendrites, however, can generate plateau potentials in response to temporally dispersed excitatory inputs. Overall, our results highlight the dorsoventral differences in dendritic computation that could account for the dorsoventral differences in spatial representation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dorsal and ventral parts of the hippocampus encode spatial information at very different scales. Whereas the place-specific firing fields are small and precise at the dorsal end of the hippocampus, neurons at the ventral end have comparatively larger place fields. Here, we show that the dorsal CA1 neurons have a higher threshold for LTP induction and require coincident timing of excitatory synaptic inputs for the generation of dendritic plateau potentials. By contrast, ventral CA1 neurons can integrate temporally dispersed inputs and have a lower threshold for LTP. Together, these dorsoventral differences in the threshold for LTP induction could account for the differences in scale of spatial representation at the dorsal and ventral ends of the hippocampus. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/373940-16$15.00/0.

Experience-Related Changes in Place Cell Responses to New Sensory Configuration That Does Not Occur in the Natural Environment in the Rat Hippocampus

PubMed Central

Zou, Dan; Nishimaru, Hiroshi; Matsumoto, Jumpei; Takamura, Yusaku; Ono, Taketoshi; Nishijo, Hisao

2017-01-01

The hippocampal formation (HF) is implicated in a comparator that detects sensory conflict (mismatch) among convergent inputs. This suggests that new place cells encoding the new configuration with sensory mismatch develop after the HF learns to accept the new configuration as a match. To investigate this issue, HF CA1 place cell activity in rats was analyzed after the adaptation of the rats to the same sensory mismatch condition. The rats were placed on a treadmill on a stage that was translocated in a figure 8-shaped pathway. We recorded HF neuronal activities under three conditions; (1) an initial control session, in which both the stage and the treadmill moved forward, (2) a backward (mismatch) session, in which the stage was translocated backward while the rats locomoted forward on the treadmill, and (3) the second control session. Of the 161 HF neurons, 56 place-differential activities were recorded from the HF CA1 subfield. These place-differential activities were categorized into four types; forward-related, backward-related, both-translocation-related, and session-dependent. Forward-related activities showed predominant spatial firings in the forward sessions, while backward-related activities showed predominant spatial firings in the backward sessions. Both-translocation-related activities showed consistent spatial firings in both the forward and backward conditions. On the other hand, session-dependent activities showed different spatial firings across the sessions. Detailed analyses of the place fields indicated that mean place field sizes were larger in the forward-related, backward-related, and both-translocation-related activities than in the session-dependent activities. Furthermore, firing rate distributions in the place fields were negatively skewed and asymmetric, which is similar to place field changes that occur after repeated experience. These results demonstrate that the HF encodes a naturally impossible new configuration of sensory inputs after adaptation, suggesting that the HF is capable of updating its stored memory to accept a new configuration as a match by repeated experience. PMID:28878682

Influence of local objects on hippocampal representations: landmark vectors and memory

PubMed Central

Deshmukh, Sachin S.; Knierim, James J.

2013-01-01

The hippocampus is thought to represent nonspatial information in the context of spatial information. An animal can derive both spatial information as well as nonspatial information from the objects (landmarks) it encounters as it moves around in an environment. Here, we demonstrate correlates of both object-derived spatial as well as nonspatial information in the hippocampus of rats foraging in the presence of objects. We describe a new form of CA1 place cells, called landmark-vector cells, that encode spatial locations as a vector relationship to local landmarks. Such landmark vector relationships can be dynamically encoded. Of the 26 CA1 neurons that developed new fields in the course of a day’s recording sessions, in 8 cases the new fields were located at a similar distance and direction from a landmark as the initial field was located relative to a different landmark. We also demonstrate object-location memory in the hippocampus. When objects were removed from an environment or moved to new locations, a small number of neurons in CA1 and CA3 increased firing at the locations where the objects used to be. In some neurons, this increase occurred only in one location, indicating object +place conjunctive memory; in other neurons the increase in firing was seen at multiple locations where an object used to be. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the spatially restricted firing of hippocampal neurons encode multiple types of information regarding the relationship between an animal’s location and the location of objects in its environment. PMID:23447419

Social and novel contexts modify hippocampal CA2 representations of space

PubMed Central

Alexander, Georgia M.; Farris, Shannon; Pirone, Jason R.; Zheng, Chenguang; Colgin, Laura L.; Dudek, Serena M.

2016-01-01

The hippocampus supports a cognitive map of space and is critical for encoding declarative memory (who, what, when and where). Recent studies have implicated hippocampal subfield CA2 in social and contextual memory but how it does so remains unknown. Here we find that in adult male rats, presentation of a social stimulus (novel or familiar rat) or a novel object induces global remapping of place fields in CA2 with no effect on neuronal firing rate or immediate early gene expression. This remapping did not occur in CA1, suggesting this effect is specific for CA2. Thus, modification of existing spatial representations might be a potential mechanism by which CA2 encodes social and novel contextual information. PMID:26806606

Cav1.2, but not Cav1.3, L-type calcium channel subtype mediates nicotine-induced conditioned place preference in miceo.

PubMed

Liu, Yudan; Harding, Meghan; Dore, Jules; Chen, Xihua

2017-04-03

Nicotine use is one of the most common forms of drug addiction. Although L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) are involved in nicotine addiction, the contribution of the two primary LTCC subtypes (Ca v 1.2 and 1.3) is unknown. This study aims to determine the contribution of these two LTCC subtypes to nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) responses by using transgenic mouse models that do not express Ca v 1.3 (Ca v 1.3 -/- ) or contain a mutation in the dihydropyridine (DHP) site of the Ca v 1.2 (Ca v 1.2DHP -/- ). We found a hyperbolic dose dependent nicotine (0.1-1mg/kg; 0.5mg/kg optimum) effect on place preference in wild type (WT) mice, that could be prevented by the DHP LTCC blocker nifedipine pretreatment. Similarly, Ca v 1.3 -/- mice showed nicotine-induced place preference which was antagonized by nifedipine. In contrast, nifedipine pretreatment of Ca v 1.2DHP -/- mice had no effect on nicotine-induced CPP responses, suggesting an involvement of Ca v 1.2 subtype in the nicotine-induced CPP response. Nifedipine alone failed to produce either conditioned place aversion or CPP in WT mice. These results collectively indicate Ca v 1.2, but not Ca v 1.3 LTCC subtype regulates, at least in part, the reinforcing effects of nicotine use. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hippocampal place cell instability after lesions of the head direction cell network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calton, Jeffrey L.; Stackman, Robert W.; Goodridge, Jeremy P.; Archey, William B.; Dudchenko, Paul A.; Taube, Jeffrey S.; Oman, C. M. (Principal Investigator)

2003-01-01

The occurrence of cells that encode spatial location (place cells) or head direction (HD cells) in the rat limbic system suggests that these cell types are important for spatial navigation. We sought to determine whether place fields of hippocampal CA1 place cells would be altered in animals receiving lesions of brain areas containing HD cells. Rats received bilateral lesions of anterodorsal thalamic nuclei (ADN), postsubiculum (PoS), or sham lesions, before place cell recording. Although place cells from lesioned animals did not differ from controls on many place-field characteristics, such as place-field size and infield firing rate, the signal was significantly degraded with respect to measures of outfield firing rate, spatial coherence, and information content. Surprisingly, place cells from lesioned animals were more likely modulated by the directional heading of the animal. Rotation of the landmark cue showed that place fields from PoS-lesioned animals were not controlled by the cue and shifted unpredictably between sessions. Although fields from ADN-lesioned animals tended to have less landmark control than fields from control animals, this impairment was mild compared with cells recorded from PoS-lesioned animals. Removal of the prominent visual cue also led to instability of place-field representations in PoS-lesioned, but not ADN-lesioned, animals. Together, these findings suggest that an intact HD system is not necessary for the maintenance of place fields, but lesions of brain areas that convey the HD signal can degrade this signal, and lesions of the PoS might lead to perceptual or mnemonic deficits, leading to place-field instability between sessions.

Evidence for encoding versus retrieval scheduling in the hippocampus by theta phase and acetylcholine

PubMed Central

Douchamps, Vincent; Jeewajee, Ali; Blundell, Pam; Burgess, Neil; Lever, Colin

2013-01-01

The formation of new memories requires new information to be encoded in the face of proactive interference from the past. Two solutions have been proposed for hippocampal region CA1: 1) acetylcholine, released in novelty, selectively suppresses excitatory projections to CA1 from CA3 (mediating the products of retrieval), while sparing entorhinal inputs (mediating novel sensory information); 2) encoding preferentially occurs at the pyramidal-layer theta peak, coincident with input from entorhinal cortex, and retrieval occurs at the trough, coincident with input from CA3, consistent with theta-phase-dependent synaptic plasticity. We examined three predictions of these models: 1) In novel environments, the preferred theta phase of CA1 place cell firing should shift closer to the CA1 pyramidal-layer theta peak, shifting the encoding-retrieval balance towards encoding; 2) The encoding-related shift in novel environments should be disrupted by cholinergic antagonism; 3) In familiar environments, cholinergic antagonism should shift the preferred theta firing phase closer to the theta trough, shifting the encoding-retrieval balance even further towards retrieval. We tested these predictions by recording from CA1 pyramidal cells in freely moving rats as they foraged in open field environments under the influence of scopolamine (an amnestic cholinergic antagonist) or vehicle (saline). Results confirmed all three predictions, supporting both the theta phase and cholinergic models of encoding-vs-retrieval dynamics. Also consistent with cholinergic enhancement of encoding, scopolamine attenuated the formation of distinct spatial representations in a new environment, reducing the extent of place cell “remapping”. PMID:23678113

Relocating cued goals induces population remapping in CA1 related to memory performance in a two-platform water task in rats.

PubMed

Lee, Justin Quinn; LeDuke, Deryn O; Chua, Kate; McDonald, Robert J; Sutherland, Robert J

2018-06-01

The activity of CA1 neurons in the rodent hippocampus represents multiple aspects of learning episodes, including cue and place information. Previous reports on cue and place representation in CA1 have examined activity in single neurons and population recordings during free exploration of an environment or when actions are directed to either cue or place aspects of memory tasks. To better understand cue and place memory representation in CA1, and how these interact during goal-directed navigation, we investigated population activity in CA1 during memory encoding and retrieval in a novel water task with two visibly distinct platforms, using mRNA for immediate early genes Arc and Homer1a as markers of neural activity. After training, relocating cues to new places induces an extensive, perhaps global, remapping of the memory code that is accompanied by altered navigation and rapid learning of new cue-place information. In addition, we have found a significant relationship between the extent of reactivation and overall cue choice accuracy. These findings demonstrate an important relationship between population remapping in CA1 and memory-guided behavior. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Impaired hippocampal place cell dynamics in a mouse model of the 22q11.2 deletion

PubMed Central

Zaremba, Jeffrey D; Diamantopoulou, Anastasia; Danielson, Nathan B; Grosmark, Andres D; Kaifosh, Patrick W; Bowler, John C; Liao, Zhenrui; Sparks, Fraser T; Gogos, Joseph A; Losonczy, Attila

2018-01-01

Hippocampal place cells represent the cellular substrate of episodic memory. Place cell ensembles reorganize to support learning but must also maintain stable representations to facilitate memory recall. Despite extensive research, the learning-related role of place cell dynamics in health and disease remains elusive. Using chronic two-photon Ca2+ imaging in hippocampal area CA1 of wild-type and Df(16)A+/− mice, an animal model of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, one of the most common genetic risk factors for cognitive dysfunction and schizophrenia, we found that goal-oriented learning in wild-type mice was supported by stable spatial maps and robust remapping of place fields toward the goal location. Df(16)A+/− mice showed a significant learning deficit accompanied by reduced spatial map stability and the absence of goal-directed place cell reorganization. These results expand our understanding of the hippocampal ensemble dynamics supporting cognitive flexibility and demonstrate their importance in a model of 22q11.2-associated cognitive dysfunction. PMID:28869582

Theta phase precession of grid and place cell firing in open environments

PubMed Central

Jeewajee, A.; Barry, C.; Douchamps, V.; Manson, D.; Lever, C.; Burgess, N.

2014-01-01

Place and grid cells in the rodent hippocampal formation tend to fire spikes at successively earlier phases relative to the local field potential theta rhythm as the animal runs through the cell's firing field on a linear track. However, this ‘phase precession’ effect is less well characterized during foraging in two-dimensional open field environments. Here, we mapped runs through the firing fields onto a unit circle to pool data from multiple runs. We asked which of seven behavioural and physiological variables show the best circular–linear correlation with the theta phase of spikes from place cells in hippocampal area CA1 and from grid cells from superficial layers of medial entorhinal cortex. The best correlate was the distance to the firing field peak projected onto the animal's current running direction. This was significantly stronger than other correlates, such as instantaneous firing rate and time-in-field, but similar in strength to correlates with other measures of distance travelled through the firing field. Phase precession was stronger in place cells than grid cells overall, and robust phase precession was seen in traversals through firing field peripheries (although somewhat less than in traversals through the centre), consistent with phase coding of displacement along the current direction. This type of phase coding, of place field distance ahead of or behind the animal, may be useful for allowing calculation of goal directions during navigation. PMID:24366140

Sharp wave ripples during learning stabilize hippocampal spatial map

PubMed Central

Roux, Lisa; Hu, Bo; Eichler, Ronny; Stark, Eran; Buzsáki, György

2017-01-01

Cognitive representation of the environment requires a stable hippocampal map but the mechanisms maintaining map representation are unknown. Because sharp wave-ripples (SPW-R) orchestrate both retrospective and prospective spatial information, we hypothesized that disrupting neuronal activity during SPW-Rs affects spatial representation. Mice learned daily a new set of three goal locations on a multi-well maze. We used closed-loop SPW-R detection at goal locations to trigger optogenetic silencing of a subset of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Control place cells (non-silenced or silenced outside SPW-Rs) largely maintained the location of their place fields after learning and showed increased spatial information content. In contrast, the place fields of SPW-R-silenced place cells remapped, and their spatial information remained unaltered. SPW-R silencing did not impact the firing rates or the proportions of place cells. These results suggest that interference with SPW-R-associated activity during learning prevents the stabilization and refinement of the hippocampal map. PMID:28394323

Dynamic NMDAR-mediated properties of place cells during the object place memory task.

PubMed

Faust, Thomas W; Robbiati, Sergio; Huerta, Tomás S; Huerta, Patricio T

2013-01-01

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in the hippocampus participate in encoding and recalling the location of objects in the environment, but the ensemble mechanisms by which NMDARs mediate these processes have not been completely elucidated. To address this issue, we examined the firing patterns of place cells in the dorsal CA1 area of the hippocampus of mice (n = 7) that performed an object place memory (OPM) task, consisting of familiarization (T1), sample (T2), and choice (T3) trials, after systemic injection of 3-[(±)2-carboxypiperazin-4yl]propyl-1-phosphate (CPP), a specific NMDAR antagonist. Place cell properties under CPP (CPP-PCs) were compared to those after control saline injection (SAL-PCs) in the same mice. We analyzed place cells across the OPM task to determine whether they signaled the introduction or movement of objects by NMDAR-mediated changes of their spatial coding. On T2, when two objects were first introduced to a familiar chamber, CPP-PCs and SAL-PCs showed stable, vanishing or moving place fields in addition to changes in spatial information (SI). These metrics were comparable between groups. Remarkably, previously inactive CPP-PCs (with place fields emerging de novo on T2) had significantly weaker SI increases than SAL-PCs. On T3, when one object was moved, CPP-PCs showed reduced center-of-mass (COM) shift of their place fields. Indeed, a subset of SAL-PCs with large COM shifts (>7 cm) was largely absent in the CPP condition. Notably, for SAL-PCs that exhibited COM shifts, those initially close to the moving object followed the trajectory of the object, whereas those far from the object did the opposite. Our results strongly suggest that the SI changes and COM shifts of place fields that occur during the OPM task reflect key dynamic properties that are mediated by NMDARs and might be responsible for binding object identity with location.

Dynamic NMDAR-mediated properties of place cells during the object place memory task

PubMed Central

Faust, Thomas W.; Robbiati, Sergio; Huerta, Tomás S.; Huerta, Patricio T.

2013-01-01

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in the hippocampus participate in encoding and recalling the location of objects in the environment, but the ensemble mechanisms by which NMDARs mediate these processes have not been completely elucidated. To address this issue, we examined the firing patterns of place cells in the dorsal CA1 area of the hippocampus of mice (n = 7) that performed an object place memory (OPM) task, consisting of familiarization (T1), sample (T2), and choice (T3) trials, after systemic injection of 3-[(±)2-carboxypiperazin-4yl]propyl-1-phosphate (CPP), a specific NMDAR antagonist. Place cell properties under CPP (CPP–PCs) were compared to those after control saline injection (SAL–PCs) in the same mice. We analyzed place cells across the OPM task to determine whether they signaled the introduction or movement of objects by NMDAR-mediated changes of their spatial coding. On T2, when two objects were first introduced to a familiar chamber, CPP–PCs and SAL–PCs showed stable, vanishing or moving place fields in addition to changes in spatial information (SI). These metrics were comparable between groups. Remarkably, previously inactive CPP–PCs (with place fields emerging de novo on T2) had significantly weaker SI increases than SAL–PCs. On T3, when one object was moved, CPP–PCs showed reduced center-of-mass (COM) shift of their place fields. Indeed, a subset of SAL–PCs with large COM shifts (>7 cm) was largely absent in the CPP condition. Notably, for SAL–PCs that exhibited COM shifts, those initially close to the moving object followed the trajectory of the object, whereas those far from the object did the opposite. Our results strongly suggest that the SI changes and COM shifts of place fields that occur during the OPM task reflect key dynamic properties that are mediated by NMDARs and might be responsible for binding object identity with location. PMID:24381547

Perirhinal cortical inactivation impairs object-in-place memory and disrupts task-dependent firing in hippocampal CA1, but not in CA3.

PubMed

Lee, Inah; Park, Seong-Beom

2013-01-01

Objects and their locations can associatively define an event and a conjoint representation of object-place can form an event memory. Remembering how to respond to a certain object in a spatial context is dependent on both hippocampus and perirhinal cortex (PER). However, the relative functional contributions of the two regions are largely unknown in object-place associative memory. We investigated the PER influence on hippocampal firing in a goal-directed object-place memory task by comparing the firing patterns of CA1 and CA3 of the dorsal hippocampus between conditions of PER muscimol inactivation and vehicle control infusions. Rats were required to choose one of the two objects in a specific spatial context (regardless of the object positions in the context), which was shown to be dependent on both hippocampus and PER. Inactivation of PER with muscimol (MUS) severely disrupted performance of well-trained rats, resulting in response bias (i.e., choosing any object on a particular side). MUS did not significantly alter the baseline firing rates of hippocampal neurons. We measured the similarity in firing patterns between two trial conditions in which the same target objects were chosen on opposite sides within the same arm [object-in-place (O-P) strategy] and compared the results with the similarity in firing between two trial conditions in which the rat chose any object encountered on a particular side [response-in-place (R-P) strategy]. We found that the similarity in firing patterns for O-P trials was significantly reduced with MUS compared to control conditions (CTs). Importantly, this was largely because MUS injections affected the O-P firing patterns in CA1 neurons, but not in CA3. The results suggest that PER is critical for goal-directed organization of object-place associative memory in the hippocampus presumably by influencing how object information is associated with spatial information in CA1 according to task demand.

Calcium spiking activity and baseline calcium levels in ROS 17/2.8 cells exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF).

PubMed

Shahidain, R; Mullins, R D; Sisken, J E

2001-02-01

To determine whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields can alter average free cytosolic calcium ion concentrations [Ca2+]i and transient increases in [Ca2+]i in populations of ROS 17/2.8 cells. Cells loaded with the calcium-selective luminescent photoprotein, aequorin, were placed in the bottom of a sample chamber, which was inserted into the gap of a previously described air gap reactor system where they were exposed either to sinusoidal magnetic fields at a variety of frequencies and flux densities or to sham conditions. Real-time recordings of photon counts due to aequorin luminescence were obtained and data were analysed with the use of probit plots. Probit plots of data obtained from cells exposed to the various magnetic fields were virtually superimposable over the data obtained for the same cultures during pre- and post-exposure sham or no-field periods. These experiments provided no evidence for any effects of ELF EMF, either positive or negative, on either average [Ca2+]i or on transient increases in [Ca2+]i.

Influences of Ru-doping on the magnetic properties of Ca0.85Pr0.15Mn1- x Ru x O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phan, T. L.; Zhang, Y. D.; Yu, S. C.; Thanh, P. Q.; Yen, P. D. H.

2012-11-01

CaMnO3 is an antiferromagnet, in which the super-exchange interaction taking place between Mn4+ ions plays an important role. The doping of a small amount of 15% Pr into the Ca site, Ca0.85Pr0.15MnO3, leads to the appearance of Mn3+ ions, and introduces the ferromagnetic (FM) double-exchange interaction between Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions, which is dominant in a narrow temperature range of 90 ˜ 115 K. The FM interaction becomes strong for Ca0.85Pr0.15MnO3 doped with 4 and 8% Ru into the Mn site ( i.e., Ca0.85Pr0.15Mn1- x Ru x O3 with x = 0.04 and 0.08). The Curie temperature obtained for x = 0.04 and 0.08 are about 135 and 180 K, respectively. While the FM interaction in the former is dominant due to Mn3+-Mn4+ exchange pairs, the latter has the contribution of Ru ions. This results in remarkable differences in the features of their FM-paramagnetic phase transitions and their coercive fields H c .

Turtle Bayou - 1936 to 1983: case history of a major gas field in south Louisiana

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cronquist, C.

1983-01-01

Turtle Bayou field, located in the middle Miocene trend in S. Louisiana, is nearing the end of a productive life which spans over 30 yr. Discovered by Shell Oil Co. in 1949 after unsuccessful attempts by 2 other majors, the field is a typical, low relief, moderately faulted Gulf Coast structure, probably associated with deep salt movement. The productive interval includes 22 separate gas-bearing sands in a regressive sequence of sands and shales from approx. 6500 to 12,000 ft. Now estimated to have contained ca 1.2 trillion scf of gas in place, cumulative production through 1982 was 702 billion scf.more » Cumulative condensate-gas ratio has been 20 bbl/million. Recovery mechanisms in individual reservoirs include strong bottom water drive, partial edgewater drive, and pressure depletion. Recovery efficiencies in major reservoirs range from 40 to 75% of original gas in place.« less

An analysis of neural receptive field plasticity by point process adaptive filtering

PubMed Central

Brown, Emery N.; Nguyen, David P.; Frank, Loren M.; Wilson, Matthew A.; Solo, Victor

2001-01-01

Neural receptive fields are plastic: with experience, neurons in many brain regions change their spiking responses to relevant stimuli. Analysis of receptive field plasticity from experimental measurements is crucial for understanding how neural systems adapt their representations of relevant biological information. Current analysis methods using histogram estimates of spike rate functions in nonoverlapping temporal windows do not track the evolution of receptive field plasticity on a fine time scale. Adaptive signal processing is an established engineering paradigm for estimating time-varying system parameters from experimental measurements. We present an adaptive filter algorithm for tracking neural receptive field plasticity based on point process models of spike train activity. We derive an instantaneous steepest descent algorithm by using as the criterion function the instantaneous log likelihood of a point process spike train model. We apply the point process adaptive filter algorithm in a study of spatial (place) receptive field properties of simulated and actual spike train data from rat CA1 hippocampal neurons. A stability analysis of the algorithm is sketched in the Appendix. The adaptive algorithm can update the place field parameter estimates on a millisecond time scale. It reliably tracked the migration, changes in scale, and changes in maximum firing rate characteristic of hippocampal place fields in a rat running on a linear track. Point process adaptive filtering offers an analytic method for studying the dynamics of neural receptive fields. PMID:11593043

How vision and movement combine in the hippocampal place code.

PubMed

Chen, Guifen; King, John A; Burgess, Neil; O'Keefe, John

2013-01-02

How do external environmental and internal movement-related information combine to tell us where we are? We examined the neural representation of environmental location provided by hippocampal place cells while mice navigated a virtual reality environment in which both types of information could be manipulated. Extracellular recordings were made from region CA1 of head-fixed mice navigating a virtual linear track and running in a similar real environment. Despite the absence of vestibular motion signals, normal place cell firing and theta rhythmicity were found. Visual information alone was sufficient for localized firing in 25% of place cells and to maintain a local field potential theta rhythm (but with significantly reduced power). Additional movement-related information was required for normally localized firing by the remaining 75% of place cells. Trials in which movement and visual information were put into conflict showed that they combined nonlinearly to control firing location, and that the relative influence of movement versus visual information varied widely across place cells. However, within this heterogeneity, the behavior of fully half of the place cells conformed to a model of path integration in which the presence of visual cues at the start of each run together with subsequent movement-related updating of position was sufficient to maintain normal fields.

Morphometric Parameters of Pyramidal Cells in CA1-CA4 Fields in the Hippocampus of Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus).

PubMed

Łuszczewska-Sierakowska, Iwona; Wawrzyniak-Gacek, Agata; Guz, Tomasz; Tatara, Marcin R; Charuta, Anna

2015-01-01

The aim of the study was a quantitative examination of neurons of hippocampal subfields (CA1-CA4) in mature male Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus; syn. Alopex lagopus). The preparations were dyed using cresyl violet. Histological preparations were used to morphometricaly analyze the neurons of hippocampus. This analysis included the following parameters: average size of cells in μm, periphery of cells in μm, average cell area in μm2, percentage of cells in area and size of the largest and smallest cells in μm in CA1-CA4 fields. Morphometric observations show that the cells involved in hippocampal formation in polar fox in all layers CA1 -CA4 differ in size, shape, cell area and nucleus area. The size of the cell area in CA3 is the largest and fluctuates around 249.4 μm2, whereas in CA2 the cell area is 184.1 μm2. The cells of the CA2 field are densely arranged, pyramidal and contain a small amount of cytoplasm; their size fluctuates. Cells of CA2 and CA4 had the largest diameter of about 23.6 μm, whereas cells of the CA3 field had the smallest diameter of about 8.3 μm.

Hippocampal place-cell firing during movement in three-dimensional space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knierim, J. J.; McNaughton, B. L.

2001-01-01

"Place" cells of the rat hippocampus are coupled to "head direction" cells of the thalamus and limbic cortex. Head direction cells are sensitive to head direction in the horizontal plane only, which leads to the question of whether place cells similarly encode locations in the horizontal plane only, ignoring the z axis, or whether they encode locations in three dimensions. This question was addressed by recording from ensembles of CA1 pyramidal cells while rats traversed a rectangular track that could be tilted and rotated to different three-dimensional orientations. Cells were analyzed to determine whether their firing was bound to the external, three-dimensional cues of the environment, to the two-dimensional rectangular surface, or to some combination of these cues. Tilting the track 45 degrees generally provoked a partial remapping of the rectangular surface in that some cells maintained their place fields, whereas other cells either gained new place fields, lost existing fields, or changed their firing locations arbitrarily. When the tilted track was rotated relative to the distal landmarks, most place fields remapped, but a number of cells maintained the same place field relative to the x-y coordinate frame of the laboratory, ignoring the z axis. No more cells were bound to the local reference frame of the recording apparatus than would be predicted by chance. The partial remapping demonstrated that the place cell system was sensitive to the three-dimensional manipulations of the recording apparatus. Nonetheless the results were not consistent with an explicit three-dimensional tuning of individual hippocampal neurons nor were they consistent with a model in which different sets of cells are tightly coupled to different sets of environmental cues. The results are most consistent with the statement that hippocampal neurons can change their "tuning functions" in arbitrary ways when features of the sensory input or behavioral context are altered. Understanding the rules that govern the remapping phenomenon holds promise for deciphering the neural circuitry underlying hippocampal function.

Is the place cell a "supple" engram?

PubMed

Routtenberg, Aryeh

2015-06-01

This short note, which honors Nobelists O'Keefe and the Mosers, asks how the patterning of inputs to a single place cell regulates its firing. Because the combination of inputs to a single CA1 place cell is very large, the generally accepted view is rejected that inputs to a place cell are relatively restricted, near identical repetition upon re-presentation of the environment. The alternative proposed here is that when any 100 excitatory inputs are fired activating a subset combination, which is a large number, selected from the 30,000 synapses, this leads to CA1 cell firing. The selection of the combination of inputs is a very large number it nonetheless leads to the conclusion that even though the same cell dutifully fires when the animal is in an identical location, the inputs that fire the place cell are nonetheless obligatorily non-identical. This CA1 input combinatorial proposal may help us understand the physiological underpinnings of the memory mechanism arising from supple synapses (Routtenberg (2013), Hippocampus 23:202-206). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cyclotron-based of plant gravisensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordyum, E.; Kalinina, Ia.; Bogatina, N.; Kondrachuk, A.

Roots exhibit positive gravitropism they grow in the direction of a gravitational vector while shoots respond negatively and grow opposite to a gravitational vector We first demonstrated the inversion of roots gravitropism from positive to negative one under gravistimulation in the weak combined magnetic field WCMF consisted of permanent magnetic field PMF with the magnitude of order of 50 mu T and altering magnetic field AMF with the 6 mu T magnitude and a frequency of 32 Hz It was found that the effect of inversion has a resonance nature It means that in the interval of frequencies 1-45 Hz inversion of root gravitropism occurs only at frequency 32 Hz 2-3-day old cress seedlings were gravistimulated in moist chambers which are placed in mu -metal shields Inside mu -metal shields combined magnetic fields have been created The magnitude of magnetic fields was measured by a flux-gate magnetometer Experiments were performed in darkness at temperature 20 pm 1 0 C We measured the divergence angle of a growing root from its horizontal position After 1 h of gravistimulation in the WCMF we observed negative gravitropism of cress roots i e they grow in the opposite direction to a gravitational vector Frequency of 32 Hz for the magnitude of the PMF applied formally corresponds to cyclotron frequency of Ca 2 ions This indicates possible participation of calcium ions in root gravitropism There are many evidences of resonance effects of the WCMF on the biological processes that involve Ca 2 but the nature of

TRPP2-dependent Ca2+ signaling in dorso-lateral mesoderm is required for kidney field establishment in Xenopus.

PubMed

Futel, Mélinée; Leclerc, Catherine; Le Bouffant, Ronan; Buisson, Isabelle; Néant, Isabelle; Umbhauer, Muriel; Moreau, Marc; Riou, Jean-François

2015-03-01

In Xenopus laevis embryos, kidney field specification is dependent on retinoic acid (RA) and coincides with a dramatic increase of Ca(2+) transients, but the role of Ca(2+) signaling in the kidney field is unknown. Here, we identify TRPP2, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of channel proteins encoded by the pkd2 gene, as a central component of Ca(2+) signaling in the kidney field. TRPP2 is strongly expressed at the plasma membrane where it might regulate extracellular Ca(2+) entry. Knockdown of pkd2 in the kidney field results in the downregulation of pax8, but not of other kidney field genes (lhx1, osr1 and osr2). We further show that inhibition of Ca(2+) signaling with an inducible Ca(2+) chelator also causes downregulation of pax8, and that pkd2 knockdown results in a severe inhibition of Ca(2+) transients in kidney field explants. Finally, we show that disruption of RA results both in an inhibition of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and of TRPP2 incorporation into the plasma membrane of kidney field cells. We propose that TRPP2-dependent Ca(2+) signaling is a key component of pax8 regulation in the kidney field downstream of RA-mediated non-transcriptional control of TRPP2. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Investigation of a calcium-responsive contrast agent in cellular model systems: feasibility for use as a smart molecular probe in functional MRI.

PubMed

Angelovski, Goran; Gottschalk, Sven; Milošević, Milena; Engelmann, Jörn; Hagberg, Gisela E; Kadjane, Pascal; Andjus, Pavle; Logothetis, Nikos K

2014-05-21

Responsive or smart contrast agents (SCAs) represent a promising direction for development of novel functional MRI (fMRI) methods for the eventual noninvasive assessment of brain function. In particular, SCAs that respond to Ca(2+) may allow tracking neuronal activity independent of brain vasculature, thus avoiding the characteristic limitations of current fMRI techniques. Here we report an in vitro proof-of-principle study with a Ca(2+)-sensitive, Gd(3+)-based SCA in an attempt to validate its potential use as a functional in vivo marker. First, we quantified its relaxometric response in a complex 3D cell culture model. Subsequently, we examined potential changes in the functionality of primary glial cells following administration of this SCA. Monitoring intracellular Ca(2+) showed that, despite a reduction in the Ca(2+) level, transport of Ca(2+) through the plasma membrane remained unaffected, while stimulation with ATP induced Ca(2+)-transients suggested normal cellular signaling in the presence of low millimolar SCA concentrations. SCAs merely lowered the intracellular Ca(2+) level. Finally, we estimated the longitudinal relaxation times (T1) for an idealized in vivo fMRI experiment with SCA, for extracellular Ca(2+) concentration level changes expected during intense neuronal activity which takes place upon repetitive stimulation. The values we obtained indicate changes in T1 of around 1-6%, sufficient to be robustly detectable using modern MRI methods in high field scanners. Our results encourage further attempts to develop even more potent SCAs and appropriate fMRI protocols. This would result in novel methods that allow monitoring of essential physiological processes at the cellular and molecular level.

Control of recollection by slow gamma dominating mid-frequency gamma in hippocampus CA1

PubMed Central

Dvorak, Dino; Radwan, Basma; Sparks, Fraser T.; Talbot, Zoe Nicole

2018-01-01

Behavior is used to assess memory and cognitive deficits in animals like Fmr1-null mice that model Fragile X Syndrome, but behavior is a proxy for unknown neural events that define cognitive variables like recollection. We identified an electrophysiological signature of recollection in mouse dorsal Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) hippocampus. During a shocked-place avoidance task, slow gamma (SG) (30–50 Hz) dominates mid-frequency gamma (MG) (70–90 Hz) oscillations 2–3 s before successful avoidance, but not failures. Wild-type (WT) but not Fmr1-null mice rapidly adapt to relocating the shock; concurrently, SG/MG maxima (SGdom) decrease in WT but not in cognitively inflexible Fmr1-null mice. During SGdom, putative pyramidal cell ensembles represent distant locations; during place avoidance, these are avoided places. During shock relocation, WT ensembles represent distant locations near the currently correct shock zone, but Fmr1-null ensembles represent the formerly correct zone. These findings indicate that recollection occurs when CA1 SG dominates MG and that accurate recollection of inappropriate memories explains Fmr1-null cognitive inflexibility. PMID:29346381

Comparison of 0.46% calcium diets with and without added anions with a 0.7% calcium anionic diet as a means to reduce periparturient hypocalcemia.

PubMed

Goff, Jesse P; Koszewski, Nicholas J

2018-06-01

Most studies demonstrating that diets with low dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) reduce hypocalcemia in cows add enough anions to the diet to reduce urine pH below 7.0. One objective of these experiments was to determine whether there is any benefit to periparturient plasma Ca concentration if diet anion addition results in a lesser degree of acidification of the cow and urine pH does not go below 7.0. Another method for reducing hypocalcemia involves feeding a prepartal diet that is Ca deficient. This places the cow in negative Ca balance before calving, stimulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D secretion before calving and thus promoting Ca homeostasis at calving. As practiced in the field, low-Ca diets are often about 0.5% Ca. Our second objective was to determine whether a 0.46% Ca diet would be sufficiently low in Ca to stimulate PTH secretion before calving. A meta-analysis of the literature suggests that a 0.5% Ca, low-DCAD diet will reduce hypocalcemia better than a 0.7% Ca diet. A third objective was to compare periparturient plasma Ca in cows fed 0.46 or 0.72% Ca diets with similar DCAD. In experiment 1, anions (primarily chloride) or anions plus Ca were added to a 1.4% K basal diet to create the following diets: 0.46% Ca and +167 mEq/kg of DCAD, 0.46% Ca and -13 mEq/kg of DCAD, and 0.72% Ca and -17 mEq/kg of DCAD. In experiment 2, the same amounts of anion were added to a 2.05% K basal diet to create the following diets: 0.46% Ca and +327 mEq/kg of DCAD, 0.46% Ca and +146 mEq/kg of DCAD, and 0.72% Ca and +140 mEq/kg of DCAD. In experiment 1, cows fed the diet with 0.46% Ca and +167 mEq/kg of DCAD had significantly lower plasma Ca concentration after calving than cows fed the 0.46 or 0.72% Ca diets with anions. Periparturient plasma Ca concentrations did not differ in cows fed the low-DCAD diets with 0.46 or 0.72% Ca. Urine pH was reduced from 8.27 in the diet with 0.46% Ca and +167 mEq/kg of DCAD to 7.07 and 7.41 in the 0.46 and 0.72% Ca anion diets, respectively. Precalving plasma PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations were similar in cows fed the 0.46% Ca diets and the 0.72% Ca diets, suggesting that the 0.46% Ca diets were not low enough in Ca to place the cow in negative Ca balance before calving. In experiment 2, adding the anion supplements to a 2.05% K diet did not reduce urine pH below 8.0. Periparturient plasma Ca concentrations did not differ in cows in any group in experiment 2. Precalving diets that are 0.46% Ca fed ad libitum are too high in Ca to stimulate Ca homeostasis before calving. Adding anions to a diet can benefit periparturient cow plasma Ca concentration, but only if it alters acid-base status enough to reduce urine pH below 7.5. The Authors. Published by FASS Inc. and Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).

Flux-lattice melting, anisotropy, and the role of interlayer coupling in Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duran, C.; Yazyi, J.; de La Cruz, F.; Bishop, D. J.; Mitzi, D. B.; Kapitulnik, A.

1991-10-01

We have used the high-Q mechanical-oscillator technique to probe the vortex-lattice structure in high-quality Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O single crystals over a wide range of magnetic fields (200 Oe to 40 kOe), and relative orientations θ between the magnetic field and the crystalline c^ axis. In addition to the large softening and dissipation peak previously observed and interpreted as due to flux-lattice melting, another distinctly different peak at higher temperatures is seen. The temperatures where the dissipation peaks take place are solely defined by the parallel component of the field cosθ, while the restoring force on the oscillator is due to both field components. We suggest that the two peaks are due to the softening of interplanar coupling at the low-temperature peak, and melting or depinning of the two-dimensional pancake vortices at the higher-temperature peak.

Greenhouse gas budget from a rice paddy field in the Albufera of Valencia, Spain.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meijide, Ana; López-Ballesteros, Ana; Calvo-Roselló, Esperanza; López-Jiménez, Ramón; Recio-Huetos, Jaime; Calatayud, Vicent; Carrara, Arnaud; Serrano-Ortiz, Penelope

2017-04-01

Rice paddy fields are large sources of anthropogenic methane (CH4) and therefore many studies have assessed CH4 fluxes from rice paddy fields, mainly in Asia where most of the rice cultivation takes place. However, rice is also cultivated in the Mediterranean, where climatic and management conditions greatly differ. In the Albufera of Valencia, the largest freshwater lagoon in Spain, rice paddy fields have the particularity of being flooded not only while the rice grows, but also after the harvest during the winter. These flooding conditions might result in emissions which are very specific of this ecosystem, and cannot be extrapolated from other studies. We studied CH4 fluxes in a rice paddy field in the Albufera of Valencia at different stages of rice cultivation using the eddy covariance technique and static chambers. We additionally measured carbon dioxide (CO2), water fluxes and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes with eddy covariance and chamber methods respectively, in order to obtain a full greenhouse gas (GHG) budget. Our study also aimed at providing a mechanistic understanding of GHG emissions at different stages of rice cultivation, and therefore we also used the Enhanced and Normalized Vegetation Indexes (EVI and NDVI, respectively), derived from remote sensing images. The general ecosystem functioning encompasses three different phases. The first one, over the autumn and the winter, a biological dormancy period causes low CO2 emissions (ca. 1-5 µmol m-2 s-1), which coincides with the EVI and NDVI. The intermittent flooding taking place during this period is expected to cause CH4 emissions. Then, during the spring months (March-May), larger CO2 respiratory emissions take place during the daytime (> 5 µmol m-2 s-1) due to an increase in air temperature, which turn to neutral at the end of spring due to the start of photosynthesis by the rice. The third phase corresponds to the vegetation growth, when the net CO2 uptake increases gradually up to maximum CO2 sequestration rates of ca. 40 µmol m-2 s-1. During this period, the higher air temperature together with the flooding allows for the development of rice plants, resulting in the highest EVI and NDVI values (0.59 and 0.85, respectively) and nighttime maximum CO2 emissions (5-10 µmol m-2 s-1). These conditions also favor the production of CH4, which make the rice paddy field a CH4 source. The ecosystem behaved as a N2O sink during most of the study period. Positive N2O emissions were only observed at the beginning of the vegetation growth phase, which seems to be related to fertilizer application.

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

MedlinePlus

... Mail: 800-999-NORD (6673) Spastic Paraplegia Foundation 1605 Goularte Place Fremont CA Fremont, CA 94539-7241 ... Mail: 800-999-NORD (6673) Spastic Paraplegia Foundation 1605 Goularte Place Fremont CA Fremont, CA 94539-7241 ...

Differing Presynaptic Contributions to LTP and Associative Learning in Behaving Mice

PubMed Central

Madroñal, Noelia; Gruart, Agnès; Delgado-García, José M.

2009-01-01

The hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse is an excellent experimental model for studying the interactions between short- and long-term plastic changes taking place following high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of Schaffer collaterals and during the acquisition and extinction of a classical eyeblink conditioning in behaving mice. Input/output curves and a full-range paired-pulse study enabled determining the optimal intensities and inter-stimulus intervals for evoking paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) or depression (PPD) at the CA3-CA1 synapse. Long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by HFS lasted ≈10 days. HFS-induced LTP evoked an initial depression of basal PPF. Recovery of PPF baseline values was a steady and progressive process lasting ≈20 days, i.e., longer than the total duration of the LTP. In a subsequent series of experiments, we checked whether PPF was affected similarly during activity-dependent synaptic changes. Animals were conditioned using a trace paradigm, with a tone as a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an electrical shock to the trigeminal nerve as an unconditioned stimulus (US). A pair of pulses (40 ms interval) was presented to the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway to evoke field EPSPs (fEPSPs) during the CS-US interval. Basal PPF decreased steadily across conditioning sessions (i.e., in the opposite direction to that during LTP), reaching a minimum value during the 10th conditioning session. Thus, LTP and classical eyeblink conditioning share some presynaptic mechanisms, but with an opposite evolution. Furthermore, PPF and PPD might play a homeostatic role during long-term plastic changes at the CA3-CA1 synapse. PMID:19636387

Cryogenic setup for trapped ion quantum computing.

PubMed

Brandl, M F; van Mourik, M W; Postler, L; Nolf, A; Lakhmanskiy, K; Paiva, R R; Möller, S; Daniilidis, N; Häffner, H; Kaushal, V; Ruster, T; Warschburger, C; Kaufmann, H; Poschinger, U G; Schmidt-Kaler, F; Schindler, P; Monz, T; Blatt, R

2016-11-01

We report on the design of a cryogenic setup for trapped ion quantum computing containing a segmented surface electrode trap. The heat shield of our cryostat is designed to attenuate alternating magnetic field noise, resulting in 120 dB reduction of 50 Hz noise along the magnetic field axis. We combine this efficient magnetic shielding with high optical access required for single ion addressing as well as for efficient state detection by placing two lenses each with numerical aperture 0.23 inside the inner heat shield. The cryostat design incorporates vibration isolation to avoid decoherence of optical qubits due to the motion of the cryostat. We measure vibrations of the cryostat of less than ±20 nm over 2 s. In addition to the cryogenic apparatus, we describe the setup required for an operation with 40 Ca + and 88 Sr + ions. The instability of the laser manipulating the optical qubits in 40 Ca + is characterized by yielding a minimum of its Allan deviation of 2.4 ⋅ 10 -15 at 0.33 s. To evaluate the performance of the apparatus, we trapped 40 Ca + ions, obtaining a heating rate of 2.14(16) phonons/s and a Gaussian decay of the Ramsey contrast with a 1/e-time of 18.2(8) ms.

Brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are involved in stress-induced potentiation of nicotine reward in rats.

PubMed

Javadi, Parastoo; Rezayof, Ameneh; Sardari, Maryam; Ghasemzadeh, Zahra

2017-07-01

The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the dorsal hippocampus (CA1 regions), the medial prefrontal cortex or the basolateral amygdala in the effect of acute or sub-chronic stress on nicotine-induced conditioned place preference. Our results indicated that subcutaneous administration of nicotine (0.2 mg/kg) induced significant conditioned place preference. Exposure to acute or sub-chronic elevated platform stress potentiated the response of an ineffective dose of nicotine. Pre-conditioning intra-CA1 (0.5-4 µg/rat) or intra-medial prefrontal cortex (0.2-0.3 µg/rat) microinjection of mecamylamine (a non-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist) reversed acute stress-induced potentiation of nicotine reward as measured in the conditioned place preference paradigm. By contrast, pre-conditioning intra-basolateral amygdala microinjection of mecamylamine (4 µg/rat) potentiated the effects of acute stress on nicotine reward. Our findings also showed that intra-CA1 or intra-medial prefrontal cortex, but not intra-basolateral amygdala, microinjection of mecamylamine (4 µg/rat) prevented the effect of sub-chronic stress on nicotine reward. These findings suggest that exposure to elevated platform stress potentiates the rewarding effect of nicotine which may be associated with the involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It seems that there is a different contribution of the basolateral amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex or the CA1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in stress-induced potentiation of nicotine-induced conditioned place preference.

Ca and Sr Isotope Sytematics in Mid-Ocean Ridge Hydrothermal Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pester, N. J.; Syverson, D. D.; Higgins, J. A.; Seyfried, W. E., Jr.

2016-12-01

We report a comprehensive suite of Ca isotopic data (δ44/40Ca) from mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal fluids, standardized relative to seawater. Samples were acquired from 7 different vent fields on the EPR, JdFR and MAR during expeditions between 1999 and 2014. All endmember hydrothermal fluids (within analytical uncertainty) reflect an entirely MORB-dominated signal (-1.0 to -1.2 ‰). This rather uniform signal, despite variable fluid chemistries and a mixture of mafic to ultramafic host lithologies, is somewhat surprising given the noteworthy Ca concentrations in both the hydrothermal fluids and precursor seawater. One explanation for this observation involves the change in anhydrite (CaSO4) saturation with increasing temperature, and the molal concentration ratio of [Mg]:[Ca]:[SO4] in modern seawater of 53:10:28. The near quantitative removal of seawater Mg to silicate alteration phases, favorable at all temperatures, is largely charge balanced by exchange for basaltic Ca, and this process alone can account for the majority of the rock dominated δ44/40Casw signal. That these values are equivalent to MORB, however, suggests a high proportion of this Mg-Ca exchange occurs after seawater Ca precipitates as anhydrite in lower temperature (recharge) regimes of the hydrothermal system, aided by the low [Ca]/[SO4]. 87/86Sr ratios of hydrothermal fluids exhibit a seawater signal of 20 to 30% and Sr is therefore not quantitatively removed during incipient anhydrite formation. Strontium mobility in hydrothermal systems is still poorly understood, but the offset between the Ca and Sr isotopic signatures is consistent with near-equilibrium partitioning of Sr into anhydrite observed in recent experiments. Such observations from modern MOR systems place important constraints on the role of hydrothermal fluxes in paleo-seawater evolution, such as feedbacks involving significant variability in [Mg]:[Ca]:[SO4] ratios of seawater suggested over much of the Phanerozoic.

A quantitative theory of the functions of the hippocampal CA3 network in memory

PubMed Central

Rolls, Edmund T.

2013-01-01

A quantitative computational theory of the operation of the hippocampal CA3 system as an autoassociation or attractor network used in episodic memory system is described. In this theory, the CA3 system operates as a single attractor or autoassociation network to enable rapid, one-trial, associations between any spatial location (place in rodents, or spatial view in primates) and an object or reward, and to provide for completion of the whole memory during recall from any part. The theory is extended to associations between time and object or reward to implement temporal order memory, also important in episodic memory. The dentate gyrus (DG) performs pattern separation by competitive learning to produce sparse representations suitable for setting up new representations in CA3 during learning, producing for example neurons with place-like fields from entorhinal cortex grid cells. The dentate granule cells produce by the very small number of mossy fiber (MF) connections to CA3 a randomizing pattern separation effect important during learning but not recall that separates out the patterns represented by CA3 firing to be very different from each other, which is optimal for an unstructured episodic memory system in which each memory must be kept distinct from other memories. The direct perforant path (pp) input to CA3 is quantitatively appropriate to provide the cue for recall in CA3, but not for learning. Tests of the theory including hippocampal subregion analyses and hippocampal NMDA receptor knockouts are described, and support the theory. PMID:23805074

Hippocampal CA1 local field potential oscillations induced by olfactory cue of liked food.

PubMed

Samerphob, Nifareeda; Cheaha, Dania; Chatpun, Surapong; Kumarnsit, Ekkasit

2017-07-01

Eating motivation is induced not only by negative energy balance but also food related cues. However, neural processing for acquisition of learned food preference remains to be established. This study aimed to identify hippocampal neural signaling in response to olfactory cue (chocolate scent) after completion of repetitive chocolate sessions. Male Swiss albino mice implanted with intracranial electrode into the hippocampus were used for local field potential (LFP) recording. Animals were given chocolate sessions (a piece of 2g chocolate per each mouse to eat on day 1, 3, 5 and 7). Hippocampal CA1 LFP signals and exploratory behavior of animals receiving chocolate scent were analyzed before and after chocolate sessions. The experiment was performed in a place preference-like apparatus with the zones of normal food pellet and chocolate (both kept in a small perforated cup for smell dispersion) at the opposite ends. Following chocolate sessions, time spent in a chocolate zone and CA1 LFP patterns were analyzed in comparison to control levels. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant increase in time spent seeking for chocolate. Frequency analysis of LFP power spectra revealed significant increases in delta and theta powers. Phase-amplitude analysis showed significant increase in maximal modulation index and decrease in frequency for phase of theta-high gamma coupling. Taken together, neural signaling in the hippocampus was sensitive to chocolate olfactory cue that might underlie learning process in response to repeated chocolate consumptions that primed intense food approaching behavior. Ultimately, these LFP patterns might reflect motivation to eat and predict feeding probability. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Prognostic factors for in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrests. A review of 760 cases].

PubMed

Fontanals, Jaume; Magaldi, Marta; Caballero, Ángel; Fontanals, Montserrat

2016-07-15

The aim of this study is to analyse in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrests (CA) that took place in conventional wards and evaluate their prognostic factors. Retrospective review of in-hospital CA which occurred in our hospital over a 9-year period. CA that took place in intensive care areas, emergency rooms and operating theatres were excluded from the study. The following data were collected: demographic data, cause and initial rhythm of CA, internal control data, time, place, methods and results after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (recovery of spontaneous circulation, [ROSC], and survival at discharge [SAD]) and neurologic performance at discharge. Results were analysed with SPSS(®) v. 20 predictive analytics software. Average age was 66.9±17.5 years; 63.5% male. CA team arrived in 1.75±0.74min on average, and the average length of CPR was 25.8±16.10min. First rhythm: a) shockable rhythms=22.1%; b) asystole=66.2%, and c) pulseless electrical activity=11.7%. ROSC=51% and SAD=24.8%. Factors associated with a better prognostic (P<.05): age, reason for hospital admission, patient's previous physical condition, principal cause of CA, number of defibrillations and average length of CPR. Despite having studied several variables as prognostic factors for CA and some of them being statistically significant, early prediction for survival for an in-hospital CA remains uncertain. Our study suggests that applying rational organisational measures, 25% of in-hospital CA could be discharged from hospital in good condition, and therefore, these organisational and educational measures should be extended to large hospitals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Dentate network activity is necessary for spatial working memory by supporting CA3 sharp-wave ripple generation and prospective firing of CA3 neurons.

PubMed

Sasaki, Takuya; Piatti, Verónica C; Hwaun, Ernie; Ahmadi, Siavash; Lisman, John E; Leutgeb, Stefan; Leutgeb, Jill K

2018-02-01

Complex spatial working memory tasks have been shown to require both hippocampal sharp-wave ripple (SWR) activity and dentate gyrus (DG) neuronal activity. We therefore asked whether DG inputs to CA3 contribute to spatial working memory by promoting SWR generation. Recordings from DG and CA3 while rats performed a dentate-dependent working memory task on an eight-arm radial maze revealed that the activity of dentate neurons and the incidence rate of SWRs both increased during reward consumption. We then found reduced reward-related CA3 SWR generation without direct input from dentate granule neurons. Furthermore, CA3 cells with place fields in not-yet-visited arms preferentially fired during SWRs at reward locations, and these prospective CA3 firing patterns were more pronounced for correct trials and were dentate-dependent. These results indicate that coordination of CA3 neuronal activity patterns by DG is necessary for the generation of neuronal firing patterns that support goal-directed behavior and memory.

76 FR 75560 - National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-02

... Auburn City Hall and Fire House, (Auburn, CA MPS) 1103 High St., Auburn, 11000935 Auburn Fire House No. 1, (Auburn, CA MPS) El Dorado St. & Lincoln Way, Auburn, 11000936 Auburn Fire House No. 2, (Auburn, CA MPS... St., San Francisco, 11000944 COLORADO Boulder County Cardinal Mill, (Metal Mining and Tourist Era...

Primary Prevention of Congenital Anomalies: Special Focus on Environmental Chemicals and other Toxicants, Maternal Health and Health Services and Infectious Diseases.

PubMed

Taruscio, Domenica; Baldi, Francesca; Carbone, Pietro; Neville, Amanda J; Rezza, Giovanni; Rizzo, Caterina; Mantovani, Alberto

2017-01-01

Congenital anomalies (CA) represent an important fraction of rare diseases, due to the critical role of non-genetic factors in their pathogenesis. CA are the main group of rare diseases in which primary prevention measures will have a beneficial impact. Indeed, since 2013 the European Union has endorsed a body of evidence-based recommendations for CA primary prevention; the recommendations aim at facilitating the inclusion of primary prevention actions the National Rare Disease Plans of EU Member States and encompass different public health fields, from environment through to maternal diseases and lifestyles.The chapter overviews and discusses the assessment of main risk factors for CA, such as environmental toxicants, maternal health and lifestyles and infections, with a special attention to issues that are emerging or need more knowledge.Overall, the availability of CA registries is important for estimating the health burden of CA, identifying possible hotspots, assessing the impact of interventions and addressing further, fit-to-purpose research.The integration of relevant public health actions that are already in place (e.g., control of noxious chemicals, vaccination programmes, public health services addressing chronic maternal conditions) can increase the affordability and sustainability of CA primary prevention. In developing countries with less primary prevention in place and limited overall resources, a first recognition phase may be pivotal in order to identify priority targets. In the meanwhile, policy makers should be made aware that primary prevention of RD supports publicly endorsed societal values like the knowledge-based promotion of health, empowerment, equity and social inclusiveness.

77 FR 31032 - National Institute on Aging; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-24

... applications. Place: Marina del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. Contact Person: Bita... applications. Place: Marina del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. Contact Person: Ramesh... and evaluate grant applications. Place: Marina del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292...

Study of grain boundary transparency in (Y b1 -xC ax) B a2C u3O bicrystal thin films over a wide temperature, field, and field orientation range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Pei; Abraimov, Dmytro; Polyanskii, Anatolii; Kametani, Fumitake; Larbalestier, David

2015-03-01

The residual low-angle grain boundary (GB) network is still the most important current-limiting mechanism operating in biaxially textured rare-earth barium-copper-oxide (REBCO) coated conductors. While Ca doping is well established to improve supercurrent flow across low-angle GBs in weak fields at high temperatures, Ca doping also depresses Tc, making it so far impractical for high-temperature applications of REBCO coated conductors. On the other hand, high-field-magnet applications of REBCO require low temperatures. Here we systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Ca doping in improving the GB transparency, rGB=JcGB/ Jcgrain , of low-angle Y b1 -xC axBaCuO [001] tilt bicrystal films down to 10 K and with magnetic fields perpendicular and parallel to the film surfaces, while varying the Ca and oxygen doping level. Using low-temperature scanning laser microscopy and magneto-optical imaging, we found rGB to strongly depend on the angle between magnetic field and the GB plane and clearly identified regimes in which JcGB can exceed Jcgrain(rGB>1 ) where the GB pinning is optimized by the field being parallel to the GB dislocations. However, even in this favorable situation, we found that rGB became much smaller at lower temperatures. Calculations of the GB Ca segregation profile predict that the high-Jc channels between the GB dislocation cores are almost Ca free. It may be therefore that the positive effects of Ca doping seen by many authors near Tc are partly a consequence of the higher Tc of these Ca-free channels.

Residual antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine digluconate and camphorated p-monochlorophenol in calcium hydroxide-based root canal dressings.

PubMed

Soares, Janir Alves; Leonardo, Mario Roberto; Tanomaru Filho, Mário; Silva, Léa Assed Bezerra da; Ito, Izabel Yoko

2007-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the residual antibacterial activity of several calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]-based pastes, placed in root canals of dogs' teeth with induced chronic periapical lesions. Root canals were instrumented with the ProFile rotary system and filled with 4 pastes: G1 (n=16): Ca(OH)2 paste + anesthetic solution; G2 (n=20): Calen paste + camphorated p-monochlorophenol (CMCP); G3 (n=18): Calen; and G4 (n=18): Ca(OH)2 paste + 2% chlorhexidine digluconate. After 21 days, the pastes were removed with size 60 K-files and placed on Petri plates with agar inoculated with Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341. Pastes that were not placed into root canals served as control. After pre-diffusion, incubation and optimization, the inhibition zones of bacterial growth were measured and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test at 5% significance level. All pastes showed residual antibacterial activity. The control samples had larger halos (p<0.05). The mean residual antibacterial activity halos in G1, G2, G3 and G4 were 7.6; 10.4; 17.7 and 21.4 mm, respectively. The zones of bacterial growth of G4 were significantly larger than those of G1 and G2 (p<0.05). In conclusion, regardless of the vehicle and antiseptic, all Ca(OH)2-based pastes showed different degrees of measurable residual antibacterial activity. Furthermore, unlike CMCP, chlorhexidine increased significantly the antibacterial activity of Ca(OH)2.

Facile solution synthesis of hexagonal Alq3 nanorods and their field emission properties.

PubMed

Hu, Jin-Song; Ji, Heng-Xing; Cao, An-Min; Huang, Zheng-Xi; Zhang, Yang; Wan, Li-Jun; Xia, An-Dong; Yu, Da-Peng; Meng, Xiang-Min; Lee, Shuit-Tong

2007-08-07

A facile self-assembly growth route assisted by surfactant has been developed to synthesize tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminium (Alq(3)) nanorods with regular hexagonal shape and good crystallinity, which exhibit field-emission characteristics with a very low turn-on field of ca. 3.1 V microm(-1) and a high field-enhancement factor of ca. 1300.

Stable carbon isotope ratio in atmospheric CO2 collected by new diffusive devices.

PubMed

Proto, Antonio; Cucciniello, Raffaele; Rossi, Federico; Motta, Oriana

2014-02-01

In this paper, stable carbon isotope ratios (δ (13)C) were determined in the atmosphere by using a Ca-based sorbent, CaO/Ca12Al14O33 75:25 w/w, for passively collecting atmospheric CO2, in both field and laboratory experiments. Field measurements were conducted in three environments characterized by different carbon dioxide sources. In particular, the environments under consideration were a rather heavily trafficked road, where the source of CO2 is mostly vehicle exhaust, a rural unpolluted area, and a private kitchen where the major source of CO2 was gas combustion. Samplers were exposed to the free atmosphere for 3 days in order to allow collection of sufficient CO2 for δ(13)C analysis, then the collected CO2 was desorbed from the adsorbent with acid treatment, and directly analyzed by nondispersive infrared (NDIR) instrument. δ (13)C results confirmed that the samplers collected representative CO2 samples and no fractionation occurred during passive trapping, as also confirmed by an appositely designed experiment conducted in the laboratory. Passive sampling using CaO/Ca12Al14O33 75:25 w/w proved to be an easy and reliable method to collect atmospheric carbon dioxide for δ (13)C analysis in both indoor and outdoor places.

The influence of electron discharge and magnetic field on calcium carbonate (CaCO{sub 3}) precipitation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Putro, Triswantoro, E-mail: tris@physics.its.ac.id; Endarko, E-mail: endarko@physics.its.ac.id

The influences of electron discharge and magnetic field on calcium carbonate (CaCO{sub 3}) precipitation in water have been successfully investigated. The study used three pairs of magnetic field 0.1 T whilst the electron discharge was generated from television flyback transformer type BW00607 and stainless steel SUS 304 as an electrode. The water sample with an initial condition of 230 mg/L placed in the reactor with flow rate 375 mL/minutes, result showed that the electron discharge can be reduced contain of calcium carbonate the water sample around 17.39% within 2 hours. Meanwhile for the same long period of treatment and flow rate, aroundmore » 56.69% from initial condition of 520 mg/L of calcium carbonate in the water sample can be achieved by three pairs of magnetic field 0.1 T. When the combination of three pairs of magnetic field 0.1 T and the electron discharge used for treatment, the result showed that the combination of electron discharge and magnetic field methods can be used to precipitate calcium carbonate in the water sample 300 mg/L around 76.66% for 2 hours of treatment. The study then investigated the influence of the polar position of the magnetic field on calcium carbonate precipitation. Two positions of magnetic field were tested namely the system with alternated polar magnetics and the system without inversion of the polar magnetics. The influence of the polar position showed that the percentage reduction in levels of calcium carbonate in the water sample (360 mg/L) is significant different. Result showed that the system without inversion of the polar magnetics is generally lower than the system with alternated polar magnetics, with reduction level at 30.55 and 57.69%, respectively.« less

Functional imaging of hippocampal place cells at cellular resolution during virtual navigation

PubMed Central

Dombeck, Daniel A.; Harvey, Christopher D.; Tian, Lin; Looger, Loren L.; Tank, David W.

2010-01-01

Spatial navigation is a widely employed behavior in rodent studies of neuronal circuits underlying cognition, learning and memory. In vivo microscopy combined with genetically-encoded indicators provides important new tools to study neuronal circuits, but has been technically difficult to apply during navigation. We describe methods to image the activity of hippocampal CA1 neurons with sub-cellular resolution in behaving mice. Neurons expressing the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP3 were imaged through a chronic hippocampal window. Head-fixed mice performed spatial behaviors within a setup combining a virtual reality system and a custom built two-photon microscope. Populations of place cells were optically identified, and the correlation between the location of their place fields in the virtual environment and their anatomical location in the local circuit was measured. The combination of virtual reality and high-resolution functional imaging should allow for a new generation of studies to probe neuronal circuit dynamics during behavior. PMID:20890294

Modification of dendritic development.

PubMed

Feria-Velasco, Alfredo; del Angel, Alma Rosa; Gonzalez-Burgos, Ignacio

2002-01-01

Since 1890 Ramón y Cajal strongly defended the theory that dendrites and their processes and spines had a function of not just nutrient transport to the cell body, but they had an important conductive role in neural impulse transmission. He extensively discussed and supported this theory in the Volume 1 of his extraordinary book Textura del Sistema Nervioso del Hombre y de los Vertebrados. Also, Don Santiago significantly contributed to a detailed description of the various neural components of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex during development. Extensive investigation has been done in the last Century related to the functional role of these complex brain regions, and their association with learning, memory and some limbic functions. Likewise, the organization and expression of neuropsychological qualities such as memory, exploratory behavior and spatial orientation, among others, depend on the integrity and adequate functional activity of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. It is known that brain serotonin synthesis and release depend directly and proportionally on the availability of its precursor, tryptophan (TRY). By using a chronic TRY restriction model in rats, we studied their place learning ability in correlation with the dendritic spine density of pyramidal neurons in field CA1 of the hippocampus during postnatal development. We have also reported alterations in the maturation pattern of the ability for spontaneous alternation and task performance evaluating short-term memory, as well as adverse effects on the density of dendritic spines of hippocampal CA1 field pyramidal neurons and on the dendritic arborization and the number of dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons from the third layer of the prefrontal cortex using the same model of TRY restriction. The findings obtained in these studies employing a modified Golgi method, can be interpreted as a trans-synaptic plastic response due to understimulation of serotoninergic receptors located in the hippocampal Ammon's horn and, particularly, on the CA1 field pyramidal neurons, as well as on afferences to the hippocampus which needs to be further investigated.

The 1980-81 AFOSR-HTTM (Heat Transfer and Turbulence Mechanics)-Stanford Conference on Complex Turbulent Flows: Comparison of Computation and Experiment. Volume 2. Taxonomies, Reporters’ Summaries, Evaluation, and Conclusions

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

247-1 Moffett Field, CA 94035li W. Kordulla "NASA-Ames Research Center Mail Stop 202A-1 "Moffett Field, CA 94035 -. E. Krause Aerodynamiaches Inatitut...University Stanford, CA 94305 Wolfgang Rodi SFB 80 Universitat Karlsruhe Kaiserstrasse 12 D-75 Karlsruhe 1, W. Germany Robert Rogallo NASA-Ames Research Cntr

Hippocampal place cell encoding of sloping terrain.

PubMed

Porter, Blake S; Schmidt, Robert; Bilkey, David K

2018-05-21

Effective navigation relies on knowledge of one's environment. A challenge to effective navigation is accounting for the time and energy costs of routes. Irregular terrain in ecological environments poses a difficult navigational problem as organisms ought to avoid effortful slopes to minimize travel costs. Route planning and navigation have previously been shown to involve hippocampal place cells and their ability to encode and store information about an organism's environment. However, little is known about how place cells may encode the slope of space and associated energy costs as experiments are traditionally carried out in flat, horizontal environments. We set out to investigate how dorsal-CA1 place cells in rats encode systematic changes to the slope of an environment by tilting a shuttle box from flat to 15° and 25° while minimizing external cue change. Overall, place cell encoding of tilted space was as robust as their encoding of flat ground as measured by traditional place cell metrics such as firing rates, spatial information, coherence, and field size. A large majority of place cells did, however, respond to slope by undergoing partial, complex remapping when the environment was shifted from one tilt angle to another. The propensity for place cells to remap did not, however, depend on the vertical distance the field shifted. Changes in slope also altered the temporal coding of information as measured by the rate of theta phase precession of place cell spikes, which decreased with increasing tilt angles. Together these observations indicate that place cells are sensitive to relatively small changes in terrain slope and that terrain slope may be an important source of information for organizing place cell ensembles. The terrain slope information encoded by place cells could be utilized by efferent regions to determine energetically advantageous routes to goal locations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Precipitation patterns during channel flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jamtveit, B.; Hawkins, C.; Benning, L. G.; Meier, D.; Hammer, O.; Angheluta, L.

2013-12-01

Mineral precipitation during channelized fluid flow is widespread in a wide variety of geological systems. It is also a common and costly phenomenon in many industrial processes that involve fluid flow in pipelines. It is often referred to as scale formation and encountered in a large number of industries, including paper production, chemical manufacturing, cement operations, food processing, as well as non-renewable (i.e. oil and gas) and renewable (i.e. geothermal) energy production. We have studied the incipient stages of growth of amorphous silica on steel plates emplaced into the central areas of the ca. 1 meter in diameter sized pipelines used at the hydrothermal power plant at Hellisheidi, Iceland (with a capacity of ca 300 MW electricity and 100 MW hot water). Silica precipitation takes place over a period of ca. 2 months at approximately 120°C and a flow rate around 1 m/s. The growth produces asymmetric ca. 1mm high dendritic structures ';leaning' towards the incoming fluid flow. A novel phase-field model combined with the lattice Boltzmann method is introduced to study how the growth morphologies vary under different hydrodynamic conditions, including non-laminar systems with turbulent mixing. The model accurately predicts the observed morphologies and is directly relevant for understanding the more general problem of precipitation influenced by turbulent mixing during flow in channels with rough walls and even for porous flow. Reference: Hawkins, C., Angheluta, L., Hammer, Ø., and Jamtveit, B., Precipitation dendrites in channel flow. Europhysics Letters, 102, 54001

Changing and shielded magnetic fields suppress c-Fos expression in the navigation circuit: input from the magnetosensory system contributes to the internal representation of space in a subterranean rodent

PubMed Central

Burger, Tomáš; Lucová, Marcela; Moritz, Regina E.; Oelschläger, Helmut H. A.; Druga, Rastislav; Burda, Hynek; Wiltschko, Wolfgang; Wiltschko, Roswitha; Němec, Pavel

2010-01-01

The neural substrate subserving magnetoreception and magnetic orientation in mammals is largely unknown. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the processing of magnetic sensory information takes place in the superior colliculus. Here, the effects of magnetic field conditions on neuronal activity in the rodent navigation circuit were assessed by quantifying c-Fos expression. Ansell's mole-rats (Fukomys anselli), a mammalian model to study the mechanisms of magnetic compass orientation, were subjected to natural, periodically changing, and shielded magnetic fields while exploring an unfamiliar circular arena. In the undisturbed local geomagnetic field, the exploration of the novel environment and/or nesting behaviour induced c-Fos expression throughout the head direction system and the entorhinal–hippocampal spatial representation system. This induction was significantly suppressed by exposure to periodically changing and/or shielded magnetic fields; discrete decreases in c-Fos were seen in the dorsal tegmental nucleus, the anterodorsal and the laterodorsal thalamic nuclei, the postsubiculum, the retrosplenial and entorhinal cortices, and the hippocampus. Moreover, in inactive animals, magnetic field intensity manipulation suppressed c-Fos expression in the CA1 and CA3 fields of the hippocampus and the dorsal subiculum, but induced expression in the polymorph layer of the dentate gyrus. These findings suggest that key constituents of the rodent navigation circuit contain populations of neurons responsive to magnetic stimuli. Thus, magnetic information may be integrated with multimodal sensory and motor information into a common spatial representation of allocentric space within this circuit. PMID:20219838

Changing and shielded magnetic fields suppress c-Fos expression in the navigation circuit: input from the magnetosensory system contributes to the internal representation of space in a subterranean rodent.

PubMed

Burger, Tomás; Lucová, Marcela; Moritz, Regina E; Oelschläger, Helmut H A; Druga, Rastislav; Burda, Hynek; Wiltschko, Wolfgang; Wiltschko, Roswitha; Nemec, Pavel

2010-09-06

The neural substrate subserving magnetoreception and magnetic orientation in mammals is largely unknown. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the processing of magnetic sensory information takes place in the superior colliculus. Here, the effects of magnetic field conditions on neuronal activity in the rodent navigation circuit were assessed by quantifying c-Fos expression. Ansell's mole-rats (Fukomys anselli), a mammalian model to study the mechanisms of magnetic compass orientation, were subjected to natural, periodically changing, and shielded magnetic fields while exploring an unfamiliar circular arena. In the undisturbed local geomagnetic field, the exploration of the novel environment and/or nesting behaviour induced c-Fos expression throughout the head direction system and the entorhinal-hippocampal spatial representation system. This induction was significantly suppressed by exposure to periodically changing and/or shielded magnetic fields; discrete decreases in c-Fos were seen in the dorsal tegmental nucleus, the anterodorsal and the laterodorsal thalamic nuclei, the postsubiculum, the retrosplenial and entorhinal cortices, and the hippocampus. Moreover, in inactive animals, magnetic field intensity manipulation suppressed c-Fos expression in the CA1 and CA3 fields of the hippocampus and the dorsal subiculum, but induced expression in the polymorph layer of the dentate gyrus. These findings suggest that key constituents of the rodent navigation circuit contain populations of neurons responsive to magnetic stimuli. Thus, magnetic information may be integrated with multimodal sensory and motor information into a common spatial representation of allocentric space within this circuit.

Adhesion of in situ precipitated calcium carbonate in the presence and absence of magnetic field in quiescent conditions on different solid surfaces.

PubMed

Chibowski, Emil; Hołysz, Lucyna; Szcześ, Aleksandra

2003-11-01

Deposition of in situ precipitated calcium carbonate from Na(2)CO(3) and CaCl2 solutions on different substrates, i.e. stainless steel, copper, aluminium, and glass, was investigated at different temperatures, 20 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 60 degrees C and 80 degrees C, both in the absence and presence of S-S 0.1T magnetic field (MF). It was found that in quiescent conditions during 2h the amounts deposited firmly on the surfaces decreased with increasing temperature. If MF was present the deposition was reduced at all temperatures, and depended on the nature of the substrate. The largest MF effect was found on glass at 60 degrees C, which amounted 50% reduction of the deposit. However, at 80 degrees C no deposition was found in the presence of MF on aluminium surface. At this temperature the reproducibility of the experiments was poor, and an additional effect due to the metal surface corrosion (especially that of aluminium and copper) may be thought in alkaline environment of the experiments (pH ca. 10). Based on optical microscope photographs, it was concluded that the amounts of crystallographic forms of CaCO3 depended on the nature of substrate on which the precipitation and then the adhesion took place. To some extent the ratios of CaCO3 forms precipitated were different in the bulk phase than on the substrate surfaces at the same temperature, and this conclusion was based on the X-ray diffractograms. Some possible mechanisms causing MF effects are discussed.

Biological effects due to weak magnetic field on plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belyavskaya, N. A.

2004-01-01

Throughout the evolution process, Earth's magnetic field (MF, about 50 μT) was a natural component of the environment for living organisms. Biological objects, flying on planned long-term interplanetary missions, would experience much weaker magnetic fields, since galactic MF is known to be 0.1-1 nT. However, the role of weak magnetic fields and their influence on functioning of biological organisms are still insufficiently understood, and is actively studied. Numerous experiments with seedlings of different plant species placed in weak magnetic field have shown that the growth of their primary roots is inhibited during early germination stages in comparison with control. The proliferative activity and cell reproduction in meristem of plant roots are reduced in weak magnetic field. Cell reproductive cycle slows down due to the expansion of G 1 phase in many plant species (and of G 2 phase in flax and lentil roots), while other phases of cell cycle remain relatively stabile. In plant cells exposed to weak magnetic field, the functional activity of genome at early pre-replicate period is shown to decrease. Weak magnetic field causes intensification of protein synthesis and disintegration in plant roots. At ultrastructural level, changes in distribution of condensed chromatin and nucleolus compactization in nuclei, noticeable accumulation of lipid bodies, development of a lytic compartment (vacuoles, cytosegresomes and paramural bodies), and reduction of phytoferritin in plastids in meristem cells were observed in pea roots exposed to weak magnetic field. Mitochondria were found to be very sensitive to weak magnetic field: their size and relative volume in cells increase, matrix becomes electron-transparent, and cristae reduce. Cytochemical studies indicate that cells of plant roots exposed to weak magnetic field show Ca 2+ over-saturation in all organelles and in cytoplasm unlike the control ones. The data presented suggest that prolonged exposures of plants to weak magnetic field may cause different biological effects at the cellular, tissue and organ levels. They may be functionally related to systems that regulate plant metabolism including the intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis. However, our understanding of very complex fundamental mechanisms and sites of interactions between weak magnetic fields and biological systems is still incomplete and still deserve strong research efforts.

Effects of hypergravic fields on serotonergic neuromodulation in the rat hippocampus.

PubMed

Horrigan, D J; Fuller, C A; Horowitz, J M

1997-10-01

The effects of 7 day exposure to 2G fields on serotonergic modulation at two synapses on a hippocampal pathway were examined by recording dentate gyrus and CA1 pyramidal cell layer electrical activity. Serotonin decreased the amplitude of the population spike (synchronous action potentials in hundreds of neurons) in both the dentate gyrus and CA1 regions of rats exposed to 2G fields for 7 days. The inhibition, averaging 26 +/- 4% (mean +/- SEM) in the dentate gyrus and 80 +/- 5% in the CA1 region, was not significantly different from inhibitory responses observed in 1G controls. The 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT mimicked this inhibition in the dentate and CA1 regions of 1G rats. 8-OH-DPAT responses were not affected by exposure to 2G fields. We conclude that the hippocampus contains surplus 5-HT receptors so that decreases in receptor density reported in receptor binding studies do not result in a decrease in modulatory capability. A model to account for the physiological pathway that relates gravitational field strength to 5-HT receptor density without changing the effectiveness of 5-HT neuromodulation is discussed.

Magnetoresistance measurements in Ferro -- Antiferromagnetic bilayers based on the Ca-doped lanthanum manganite system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, M. E.; Marin, L.; Ramirez, G.; Prieto, P.

2011-03-01

We studied the isothermal magnetic field dependence of the resistance behavior in ferromagnetic--antiferromagnetic interface based on the Ca-doped lanthanum manganite system at temperatures below Neel temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer. We studied the influence of the thickness of the AF-layer, tAF , and F-layer, tF , on the ZFC and FC magnetoresistance (MR) in La 2/3 Ca 1/3 Mn O3 (tF) / La 1/3 Ca 2(3 Mn O3 (tAF) bilayers. HFC was 400 Oe and the applied magnetic field, H. We systematically varied the tF and tAF thickness, maintaining constant the total bilayer thickness (d = tF +tAF) . We found that MR has hysteretic behavior as observed in [ La 2/3 Ca 1/3 Mn O3 (tF) / La 1/3 Ca 2(3 Mn O3 (tAF) ]N superlattices, but; MR increases with the increasing field from H=0 to a maximum and then decreases continuously. This behavior also appears for negative fields in both ZFC and FC loops. The position and magnitude of the maximum is not symmetric with respect to the axis H=0. Work supported by CENM-COLCIENCIAS contract RC-0043-(2005).

Direct measurement of adenosine release during hypoxia in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice

PubMed Central

Dale, Nicholas; Pearson, Tim; Frenguelli, Bruno G

2000-01-01

We have used an enzyme-based, twin-barrelled sensor to measure adenosine release during hypoxia in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices in conjunction with simultaneous extracellular field recordings of excitatory synaptic transmission. When loaded with a combination of adenosine deaminase, nucleoside phosphorylase and xanthine oxidase, the sensor responded linearly to exogenous adenosine over the concentration range 10 nM to 20 μM. Without enzymes, the sensor when placed on the surface of hippocampal slices recorded a very small net signal during hypoxia of 40 ± 43 pA (mean ±s.e.m.; n = 7). Only when one barrel was loaded with the complete sequence of enzymes and the other with the last two in the cascade did the sensor record a large net difference signal during hypoxia (1226 ± 423 pA; n = 7). This signal increased progressively during the hypoxic episode, scaled with the hypoxic depression of the simultaneously recorded field excitatory postsynaptic potential and was greatly reduced (67 ± 6.5 %; n = 9) by coformycin (0.5-2 μM), a selective inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, the first enzyme in the enzymic cascade within the sensor. For 5 min hypoxic episodes, the sensor recorded a peak concentration of adenosine of 5.6 ± 1.2 μM (n = 16) with an IC50 for the depression of transmission of approximately 3 μM. In slices pre-incubated for 3-6 h in nominally Ca2+-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 5 min of hypoxia resulted in an approximately 9-fold greater release of adenosine (48.9 ± 17.7 μM; n = 6). High extracellular Ca2+ (4 mM) both reduced the adenosine signal recorded by the sensor during hypoxia (3.5 ± 0.6 μM; n = 4) and delayed the hypoxic depression of excitatory synaptic transmission. PMID:10878107

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 (ACVRL1/ALK1) Expression in the Rat and Human Hippocampus: Decline in CA3 During Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Adams, Stephanie L; Benayoun, Laurent; Tilton, Kathy; Mellott, Tiffany J; Seshadri, Sudha; Blusztajn, Jan Krzysztof; Delalle, Ivana

2018-01-01

The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes signaling defects mediated by the transforming growth factor β-bone morphogenetic protein-growth and differentiation factor (TGFβ-BMP-GDF) family of proteins. In animal models of AD, administration of BMP9/GDF2 improves memory and reduces amyloidosis. The best characterized type I receptor of BMP9 is ALK1. We characterized ALK1 expression in the hippocampus using immunohistochemistry. In the rat, ALK1 immunoreactivity was found in CA pyramidal neurons, most frequently and robustly in the CA2 and CA3 fields. In addition, there were sporadic ALK1-immunoreactive cells in the stratum oriens, mainly in CA1. The ALK1 expression pattern in human hippocampus was similar to that of rat. Pyramidal neurons within the CA2, CA3, and CA4 were strongly ALK1-immunoreactive in hippocampi of cognitively intact subjects with no neurofibrillary tangles. ALK1 signal was found in the axons of alveus and fimbria, and in the neuropil across CA fields. Relatively strongest ALK1 neuropil signal was observed in CA1 where pyramidal neurons were occasionally ALK1-immunoractive. As in the rat, horizontally oriented neurons in the stratum oriens of CA1 were both ALK1- and GAD67-immunoreactive. Analysis of ALK1 immunoreactivity across stages of AD pathology revealed that disease progression was characterized by overall reduction of the ALK1 signal in CA3 in advanced, but not early, stages of AD. These data suggest that the CA3 pyramidal neurons may remain responsive to the ALK1 ligands, e.g., BMP9, during initial stages of AD and that ALK1 may constitute a therapeutic target in early and moderate AD.

Archaeological Study of CA-VEN-110, Ventura, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

technoeconomic studies of artifacts, on the other. The recovery, analysis , and interpretation of the data to be sought will - constitute a major step toward...associated with plant processing will be immediately overwrapped and removed promptly from the field for technical analysis . The laboratory supervisor...Places. Preservation is recommended, with mitigation by data recov- ery and further analysis needed if total conservation is not possible

Sublayer-Specific Coding Dynamics during Spatial Navigation and Learning in Hippocampal Area CA1.

PubMed

Danielson, Nathan B; Zaremba, Jeffrey D; Kaifosh, Patrick; Bowler, John; Ladow, Max; Losonczy, Attila

2016-08-03

The mammalian hippocampus is critical for spatial information processing and episodic memory. Its primary output cells, CA1 pyramidal cells (CA1 PCs), vary in genetics, morphology, connectivity, and electrophysiological properties. It is therefore possible that distinct CA1 PC subpopulations encode different features of the environment and differentially contribute to learning. To test this hypothesis, we optically monitored activity in deep and superficial CA1 PCs segregated along the radial axis of the mouse hippocampus and assessed the relationship between sublayer dynamics and learning. Superficial place maps were more stable than deep during head-fixed exploration. Deep maps, however, were preferentially stabilized during goal-oriented learning, and representation of the reward zone by deep cells predicted task performance. These findings demonstrate that superficial CA1 PCs provide a more stable map of an environment, while their counterparts in the deep sublayer provide a more flexible representation that is shaped by learning about salient features in the environment. VIDEO ABSTRACT. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of propofol on CA1 pyramidal cell excitability and GABAA-mediated inhibition in the rat hippocampal slice.

PubMed

Albertson, T E; Walby, W F; Stark, L G; Joy, R M

1996-05-24

An in vitro paired-pulse orthodromic stimulation technique was used to examine the effects of propofol on excitatory afferent terminals, CA1 pyramidal cells and recurrent collateral evoked inhibition in the rat hippocampal slice. Hippocampal slices 400 microns thick were perfused with oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid, and electrodes were placed in the CA1 region to record extracellular field population spike (PS) or excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) responses to stimulation of Schaffer collateral/commissural fibers. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated recurrent inhibition was measured using a paired-pulse technique. The major effect of propofol (7-28 microM) was a dose and time dependent increase in the intensity and duration of GABA-mediated inhibition. This propofol effect could be rapidly and completely reversed by exposure to known GABAA antagonists, including picrotoxin, bicuculline and pentylenetetrazol. It was also reversed by the chloride channel antagonist, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). It was not antagonized by central (flumazenil) or peripheral (PK11195) benzodiazepine antagonists. Reversal of endogenous inhibition was also noted with the antagonists picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazol. Input/output curves constructed using stimulus propofol caused only a small enhancement of EPSPs at higher stimulus intensities but had no effect on PS amplitudes. These studies are consistent with propofol having a GABAA-chloride channel mechanism causing its effect on recurrent collateral evoked inhibition in the rat hippocampal slice.

Functional Division of Hippocampal Area CA1 Via Modulatory Gating of Entorhinal Cortical Inputs

PubMed Central

Ito, Hiroshi T.; Schuman, Erin M.

2013-01-01

The hippocampus receives two streams of information, spatial and nonspatial, via major afferent inputs from the medial (MEC) and lateral entorhinal cortexes (LEC). The MEC and LEC projections in the temporoammonic pathway are topographically organized along the transverse-axis of area CA1. The potential for functional segregation of area CA1, however, remains relatively unexplored. Here, we demonstrated differential novelty-induced c-Fos expression along the transverse-axis of area CA1 corresponding to topographic projections of MEC and LEC inputs. We found that, while novel place exposure induced a uniform c-Fos expression along the transverse-axis of area CA1, novel object exposure primarily activated the distal half of CA1 neurons. In hippocampal slices, we observed distinct presynaptic properties between LEC and MEC terminals, and application of either DA or NE produced a largely selective influence on one set of inputs (LEC). Finally, we demonstrated that differential c-Fos expression along the transverse axis of area CA1 was largely abolished by an antagonist of neuromodulatory receptors, clozapine. Our results suggest that neuromodulators can control topographic TA projections allowing the hippocampus to differentially encode new information along the transverse axis of area CA1. PMID:21240920

Luminescence of Mn4+ ions in CaTiO3 and MgTiO3 perovskites: Relationship of experimental spectroscopic data and crystal field calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Đorđević, Vesna; Brik, Mikhail G.; Srivastava, Alok M.; Medić, Mina; Vulić, Predrag; Glais, Estelle; Viana, Bruno; Dramićanin, Miroslav D.

2017-12-01

Herein, the synthesis, structural and crystal field analysis and optical spectroscopy of Mn4+ doped metal titanates ATiO3 (A = Ca, Mg) are presented. Materials of desired phase were prepared by molten salt assisted sol-gel method in the powder form. Crystallographic data of samples were obtained by refinement of X-ray diffraction measurements. From experimental excitation and emission spectra and structural data, crystal field parameters and energy levels of Mn4+ in CaTiO3 and MgTiO3 were calculated by the exchange charge model of crystal-field theory. It is found that crystalline field strength is lower (Dq = 1831 cm-1) in the rhombohedral Ilmenite MgTiO3 structure due to the relatively longer average Mn4+sbnd O2- bond distance (2.059 Å), and higher (Dq = 2017 cm-1) in orthorhombic CaTiO3 which possess shorter average Mn4+sbnd O2- bond distance (1.956 Å). Spectral positions of the Mn4+2Eg → 4A2g transition maxima is 709 nm in MgTiO3 and 717 nm in CaTiO3 respectively in good agreement with calculated values.

Effect of high-dose phytase and citric acid, alone or in combination, on growth performance of broilers given diets severely limited in available phosphorus.

PubMed

Taheri, H R; Jabbari, Z; Adibnia, S; Shahir, M H; Hosseini, S A

2015-01-01

1. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of high-dose phytase alone or in combination with citric acid (CA) in the diet severely limited in available phosphorus (P) on performance, plasma P and plasma Ca of broilers from 22 to 42 d of age. 2. In Trial 1, 297 21-d-old female chicks were placed into 27 pens and allocated to 9 maize-soybean meal-based dietary treatments, which were a positive control [PC, 4.23 g/kg non-phytate P (NPP)] and 8 negative control (NC, 1.35 g/kg NPP) groups consisting of two concentrations of CA (0 and 20 g/kg) and 4 concentrations of phytase (0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 U/kg) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. In Trial 2, 192 21-d-old male chicks were placed into 24 pens and allocated to 6 wheat-canola meal-based dietary treatments, which were a PC (4.2 g/kg NPP), a NC (1.68 g/kg NPP) and 4 NC groups consisting of two concentrations of CA (0 and 20 g/kg) and two concentrations of phytase (2000 and 4000 U/kg) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. 3. In both trials, birds fed on the PC had significantly higher average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), plasma P and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) and plasma Ca than those of birds fed on the NC. CA supplementation significantly increased ADG and ADFI. There was a significant interaction between CA and phytase on plasma P where CA improved the effect of phytase on plasma P. In Trial 1, phytase addition improved ADG, ADFI, FCR and plasma Ca linearly. 4. Briefly, this research showed the interaction effect between CA and phytase on plasma P when broilers were fed on diets based on maize-soybean meal or wheat-canola meal. The results showed that CA supplementation lowered the concentration of phytase that is needed in low NPP diets to increase plasma P.

Pharmacological analysis of calcium transients in response to gravity vector change in Arabidopsis hypocotyls and petioles.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toyota, M.; Furuichi, T.; Tatsumi, H.; Sokabe, M.

Plants regulate their growth and morphology in response to gravity field known as gravitropism in general In the process of gravitropism gravity sensing will form the critical earliest event which is supposed to take place in specialized cells statocytes such as columella cells and shoot endodermal cells Although gravistimulation is assumed to be converted into certain intracellular signals the underlying transduction mechanisms have hardly been explored One of the potential candidates for the intracellular signals is an increase in the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration Ca 2 c Here we measured Ca 2 c changes induced by gravistimulation in seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing aequorin as a calcium reporter When a plate of seedlings was turned through 180 r Ca 2 c transiently increased within 50 s and decayed exponentially with a time constant of ca 60 s The amplitude of the Ca 2 c increase was independent of the angular velocity of the rotation The Ca 2 c increase was reversibly blocked by extracellularly applied potential mechanosensitive channel blockers La 3 Gd 3 or a Ca 2 chelator BAPTA indicating that it arose from Ca 2 -influx via Ca 2 -permeable channel s on the plasma membrane Furthermore the Ca 2 c increase was attenuated by actin-disrupting drugs latrunculin B cytochalasin B but not by microtuble-disrupting drugs oryzalin nocodazole indicating that the activation of

Phase Equilibria in the System "FeO"-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO at Different CaO/SiO2 Ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Kyoung-oh; Ma, Xiaodong; Zhu, Jinming; Xu, Haifa; Wang, Geoff; Zhao, Baojun

2017-06-01

The "FeO"-containing slags play an important role in the operation of an ironmaking blast furnace (BF), in particular the primary slags such as the system "FeO"-CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-2 mass pct MgO with CaO/SiO2 weight ratios of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 saturated with metallic iron. To investigate the characteristics of such a slag system and its behavior in BF, the phase equilibria and liquidus temperatures in the slag system have been experimentally determined using the high-temperature equilibration and quenching technique followed by an electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA). Isotherms between 1553 K and 1603 K (1280 °C and 1330 °C) were determined in the primary phase fields of dicalcium silicate, melilite, spinel, and monoxide [(Mg,Fe2+)O]. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of (CaO + SiO2)-Al2O3-"FeO" with a fixed MgO concentration at 2 mass pct and at CaO/SiO2 ratios of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 have been discussed, respectively, simplifying the complexity of the slag system for easy understanding and applying in BF operation. It was found that the liquidus temperatures increase in melilite and spinel primary phase fields, but decrease in dicalcium silicate and monoxide primary phase fields with increasing Al2O3/(CaO + SiO2) ratio. In addition, the liquidus temperatures decrease with increasing "FeO" concentration in dicalcium silicate and melilite primary phase fields, while showing an increasing trend in the spinel and monoxide primary phase fields. The data resulted from this study can be used to improve and optimize currently available database of thermodynamic models used in FactSage.

Extinction of Contextual Cocaine Memories Requires Cav1.2 within D1R-Expressing Cells and Recruits Hippocampal Cav1.2-Dependent Signaling Mechanisms.

PubMed

Burgdorf, Caitlin E; Schierberl, Kathryn C; Lee, Anni S; Fischer, Delaney K; Van Kempen, Tracey A; Mudragel, Vladimir; Huganir, Richard L; Milner, Teresa A; Glass, Michael J; Rajadhyaksha, Anjali M

2017-12-06

Exposure to cocaine-associated contextual cues contributes significantly to relapse. Extinction of these contextual associations, which involves a new form of learning, reduces cocaine-seeking behavior; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. We report that extinction, but not acquisition, of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in male mice increased Ca v 1.2 L-type Ca 2+ channel mRNA and protein in postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in drug-context associations. Moreover, viral-mediated deletion of Ca v 1.2 in the dorsal hippocampus attenuated extinction of cocaine CPP. Molecular studies examining downstream Ca v 1.2 targets revealed that extinction recruited calcium/calmodulin (Ca 2+ /CaMK)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) to the hippocampal PSD. This occurred in parallel with an increase in phosphorylation of the AMPA GluA1 receptor subunit at serine 831 (S831), a CaMKII site, along with an increase in total PSD GluA1. The necessity of S831 GluA1 was further demonstrated by the lack of extinction in S831A GluA1 phosphomutant mice. Of note hippocampal GluA1 levels remained unaltered at the PSD, but were reduced near the PSD and at perisynaptic sites of dendritic spines in extinction-resistant S831A mutant mice. Finally, conditional knock-out of Ca v 1.2 in dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)-expressing cells resulted in attenuation of cocaine CPP extinction and lack of extinction-dependent changes in hippocampal PSD CaMKII expression and S831 GluA1 phosphorylation. In summary, we demonstrate an essential role for the hippocampal Ca v 1.2/CaMKII/S831 GluA1 pathway in cocaine CPP extinction, with data supporting contribution of hippocampal D1R-expressing cells in this process. These findings demonstrate a novel role for Ca v 1.2 channels in extinction of contextual cocaine-associated memories. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Continued drug-seeking behavior, a defining characteristic of cocaine addiction, can be precipitated by contextual cues, yet the molecular mechanisms required for extinction of these context-specific memories remain poorly understood. Here, we have uncovered a novel and selective role of the Ca v 1.2 L-type Ca 2+ channel and its downstream signaling pathway in the hippocampus that mediate extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). We additionally provide evidence that supports a role of Ca v 1.2 within dopamine D1 receptor-expressing cells of the hippocampus for extinction of cocaine CPP. Therefore, these findings reveal a previously unknown role of Ca v 1.2 channels within the hippocampus and in D1 receptor-expressing cells in extinction of cocaine-associated memories, providing a framework for further exploration of mechanisms underlying extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/3711895-18$15.00/0.

1. BUILDING 283, SOUTH SIDE OF CA.19471950 ADDITION (ONEANDONEHALFSTORY, GABLEROOFED ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. BUILDING 283, SOUTH SIDE OF CA.1947-1950 ADDITION (ONE-AND-ONE-HALF-STORY, GABLE-ROOFED STRUCTURE AND ONE-STORY, FLAT-ROOFED STRUCTURE) AND WEST SIDE OF CA. 1926 WAREHOUSE (TWO-STORY, GABLE-ROOFED STRUCTURE). - Presidio of San Francisco, Warehouse & Auto Shop, Crissy Field North cantonment, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA

Phase precession through acceleration of local theta rhythm: a biophysical model for the interaction between place cells and local inhibitory neurons.

PubMed

Castro, Luísa; Aguiar, Paulo

2012-08-01

Phase precession is one of the most well known examples within the temporal coding hypothesis. Here we present a biophysical spiking model for phase precession in hippocampal CA1 which focuses on the interaction between place cells and local inhibitory interneurons. The model's functional block is composed of a place cell (PC) connected with a local inhibitory cell (IC) which is modulated by the population theta rhythm. Both cells receive excitatory inputs from the entorhinal cortex (EC). These inputs are both theta modulated and space modulated. The dynamics of the two neuron types are described by integrate-and-fire models with conductance synapses, and the EC inputs are described using non-homogeneous Poisson processes. Phase precession in our model is caused by increased drive to specific PC/IC pairs when the animal is in their place field. The excitation increases the IC's firing rate, and this modulates the PC's firing rate such that both cells precess relative to theta. Our model implies that phase coding in place cells may not be independent from rate coding. The absence of restrictive connectivity constraints in this model predicts the generation of phase precession in any network with similar architecture and subject to a clocking rhythm, independently of the involvement in spatial tasks.

15. NORTHEAST CORNER, SOLDIER FIELD, LOOKING SOUTHEAST TOWARD THE GYMNASIUM, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

15. NORTHEAST CORNER, SOLDIER FIELD, LOOKING SOUTHEAST TOWARD THE GYMNASIUM, SHOWING EAST DITCH AND A SECTION OF LOW WALL. No date, probably ca. 1935. Photographer unknown. Original silver gelatin print measures 13.1 cm by 7.3 cm, flush mounted on mat board. - Presidio of Monterey, Soldier Field, Monterey, Monterey County, CA

Effects of magnetic impurities on upper critical fields in the high-T c superconductor La-doped CaFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Soon-Gil; Shin, Soohyeon; Jang, Harim; Mikheenko, Pavlo; Johansen, Tom H.; Park, Tuson

2017-08-01

We investigate the effects of magnetic impurities on the upper critical field (μ 0 H c2) in La-doped CaFe2As2 (LaCa122) single crystals. The magnetic field dependency of the superconducting transition temperature (T c) for LaCa122 is rapidly suppressed at low fields up to ˜1 kOe despite its large μ 0 H c2(0) value on the order of tens of Tesla, resulting in a large positive curvature of μ 0 H c2(T) near T c. The magnetization hysteresis (M-H) loop at temperatures above T c shows a ferromagnetic-like signal and the M(H) value rapidly increases with increasing magnetic field up to ˜1 kOe. Taken together with the linear suppression of T c with the magnetization in the normal state, these results suggest that the large upward curvature of μ 0 H c2(T) near T c in La-doped CaFe2As2 mainly originates from the suppression of superconductivity due to the presence of magnetic impurities.

Near-infrared quantum-cutting luminescence and energy transfer properties of Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+},Ce{sup 3+} phosphors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dong, S. L.; Lin, H. H., E-mail: linhh@hstc.edu.cn, E-mail: qyzhang@scut.edu.cn; Yu, T.

2014-07-14

The phosphors Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+} by co-doping Ce{sup 3+} have been synthesized by conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction method. Their spectroscopic properties in the UV-VIS-NIR range have been investigated. The first 5d crystal field level location and stokes shift have been determined from the UV excitation and emission spectra of Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Ce{sup 3+}. The three-photon NIR quantum-cutting luminescence of Tm{sup 3+} assigned to the electronic transitions of {sup 1}G{sub 4}→{sup 3}H{sub 4}, {sup 3}H{sub 4}→{sup 3}F{sub 4} and {sup 3}F{sub 4}→{sup 3}H{sub 6} is observed, whether in Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+} or Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{supmore » 3+},Ce{sup 3+}. The energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Tm{sup 3+} takes place with energy-transfer efficiency up to 34.5% for the Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Tm{sup 3+},Ce{sup 3+}. A cross relaxation scheme using the 5d states of Ce{sup 3+} and f-f transition of Tm{sup 3+} is proposed. The mechanism is revealed from energy level and decay measurements. The results show that the broadband absorption of Ce{sup 3+} sensitizer not only extends the spectrum conversion in UV region but also greatly enhances the photoluminescence intensities of the three-photon quantum cutting luminescence of Tm{sup 3+} doped Ca{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}.« less

Stochastic modeling for dynamics of HIV-1 infection using cellular automata: A review.

PubMed

Precharattana, Monamorn

2016-02-01

Recently, the description of immune response by discrete models has emerged to play an important role to study the problems in the area of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, leading to AIDS. As infection of target immune cells by HIV-1 mainly takes place in the lymphoid tissue, cellular automata (CA) models thus represent a significant step in understanding when the infected population is dispersed. Motivated by these, the studies of the dynamics of HIV-1 infection using CA in memory have been presented to recognize how CA have been developed for HIV-1 dynamics, which issues have been studied already and which issues still are objectives in future studies.

Social place-cells in the bat hippocampus.

PubMed

Omer, David B; Maimon, Shir R; Las, Liora; Ulanovsky, Nachum

2018-01-12

Social animals have to know the spatial positions of conspecifics. However, it is unknown how the position of others is represented in the brain. We designed a spatial observational-learning task, in which an observer bat mimicked a demonstrator bat while we recorded hippocampal dorsal-CA1 neurons from the observer bat. A neuronal subpopulation represented the position of the other bat, in allocentric coordinates. About half of these "social place-cells" represented also the observer's own position-that is, were place cells. The representation of the demonstrator bat did not reflect self-movement or trajectory planning by the observer. Some neurons represented also the position of inanimate moving objects; however, their representation differed from the representation of the demonstrator bat. This suggests a role for hippocampal CA1 neurons in social-spatial cognition. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Far-infrared and dc magnetotransport of CaMnO3-CaRuO3 superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yordanov, P.; Boris, A. V.; Freeland, J. W.; Kavich, J. J.; Chakhalian, J.; Lee, H. N.; Keimer, B.

2011-07-01

We report temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent measurements of the dc resistivity and the far-infrared reflectivity (FIR) (photon energies ℏω=50-700 cm-1) of superlattices comprising ten consecutive unit cells of the antiferromagnetic insulator CaMnO3, and four to ten unit cells of the correlated paramagnetic metal CaRuO3. Below the Néel temperature of CaMnO3, the dc resistivity exhibits a logarithmic divergence upon cooling, which is associated with a large negative, isotropic magnetoresistance. The ω→0 extrapolation of the resistivity extracted from the FIR reflectivity, on the other hand, shows a much weaker temperature and field dependence. We attribute this behavior to scattering of itinerant charge carriers in CaRuO3 from sparse, spatially isolated magnetic defects at the CaMnO3-CaRuO3 interfaces. This field-tunable “transport bottleneck” effect may prove useful for functional metal-oxide devices.

Role of Reuniens Nucleus Projections to the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and to the Hippocampal Pyramidal CA1 Area in Associative Learning

PubMed Central

Eleore, Lyndell; López-Ramos, Juan Carlos; Guerra-Narbona, Rafael; Delgado-García, José M.

2011-01-01

We studied the interactions between short- and long-term plastic changes taking place during the acquisition of a classical eyeblink conditioning and following high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the reuniens nucleus in behaving mice. Synaptic changes in strength were studied at the reuniens-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the reuniens-CA1 synapses. Input/output curves and a paired-pulse study enabled determining the functional capabilities of the two synapses and the optimal intensities to be applied at the reuniens nucleus during classical eyeblink conditioning and for HFS applied to the reuniens nucleus. Animals were conditioned using a trace paradigm, with a tone as conditioned stimulus (CS) and an electric shock to the trigeminal nerve as unconditioned stimulus (US). A single pulse was presented to the reuniens nucleus to evoke field EPSPs (fEPSPs) in mPFC and CA1 areas during the CS-US interval. No significant changes in synaptic strength were observed at the reuniens-mPFC and reuniens-CA1 synapses during the acquisition of eyelid conditioned responses (CRs). Two successive HFS sessions carried out during the first two conditioning days decreased the percentage of CRs, without evoking any long-term potentiation (LTP) at the recording sites. HFS of the reuniens nucleus also prevented the proper acquisition of an object discrimination task. A subsequent study revealed that HFS of the reuniens nucleus evoked a significant decrease of paired-pulse facilitation. In conclusion, reuniens nucleus projections to prefrontal and hippocampal circuits seem to participate in the acquisition of associative learning through a mechanism that does not required the development of LTP. PMID:21858159

All Prime Contract Awards by State or Country, Place, and Contractor, FY83, Part 5 (LaGrange, Indiana-Escanaba, Michigan).

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

N00104-83-CA014 B C A 1 2 2 1361 000 AS DEPTH CHARGE EXPLOSIVE COMPO 8 A 3 4 J 018 1 B J 1 J 174 2 E JA116 4000 N00104-83-CA014 B C A 1 2 2 1386 000 A6... EXPLOSIVE ORD DISPOSAL TOOL- 8 A 6 4 J 018 1 B J 1 E 84 2 A JA116 1398 N00104-63-CA026 B C A 1 3 2 1361 000 AS DEPTH CHARGE EXPLOSIVE COMPO 8 A 3 4 J...CA088 B C A 1 2 2 1356 000 AS TORPEDO EXPLOSIVE COMPONENTS 8 A 3 5 A 1001 5 B J 1 H 195 2 G PAIOt A700 N00140-83-CBA83 B C Z 1 2 2 R414 000 51 MOT

The stability of Cl-CO3-scapolite relative to plagioclase + CaCO3 + CaSO4 in the presence of NaCl brines as a function of P-T-XNaCl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harlov, D. E.; Budzyn, B.

2008-12-01

Cl-CO3-scapolite [(Na,Ca)4[Al3 (Al,Si) 3 Si3 O24](Cl, CO3 , SO4 )] occurs as a common partial to total alteration of plagioclase in deep-crustal xenoliths, skarns, marbles, gabbros, metabasites, calc-silicate gneisses, as well as in quartzofeldspathic granulite-facies rocks in general (Moecher and Essene, 1990, J Petrol 31, 997). Alteration of plagioclase to Cl-CO3-scapolite is presumed due to metasomatism by CO2-NaCl-H2O fluids (Satish-Kumar and Santosh, 1998, Geol Mag 135, 27). Previous experimental work on CO3-scapolite has focused on reversing the equilibrium 3 CaAl2 Si2 O8 + CaCO3 = Ca4 Al6 Si6 O24 CO3 in either pure CO2 (Goldschmidt and Newton, 1977, Am Mineral 62, 1063) or in CO2-H2O (Huckenholz and Seiberl, 1989 Abs IGC 28, 2.79). These experiments have determined that the anorthite- calcite-scapolite equilibrium is nearly pressure-invariant in P-T space (200 to 1500 MPa) occurring at approximately 790 to 820 °C (Huckenholz and Seiberl, 1989). In this study, a series of experiments, involving the equilibrium 3 Plagioclase(An60) + 0.5 CaCO3 + 0.5 CaSO4 = [(Na,Ca)4[Al3 (Al,Si)3 Si3 O24](Cl, CO3, SO4 )] plus an NaCl brine (10/90, 20/80, 30/70, and 50/50 molar NaCl/H2O) have been done at 500, 1000, and 1500 MPa and 600 to 900 °C. Natural plagioclase and scapolite, along with synthetic calcite and anhydrite, were lightly ground together in equi-molar amounts in ethanol. The mineral mix (10 mg) + NaCl brine (5 mg), or pure H2O (1.5 mg), were loaded into 3 mm diameter/1.3 mm long Pt capsules which were arc-welded shut, folded, and placed horizontally in a CaF2 setup (with graphite oven), such that the thermocouple tip touched the Pt capsule, or placed in a hydrothermal autoclave (600 and 700 °C; 500 MPa) with an internal thermocouple. A series of duplicate experiments for the same mineral mix, at the same P-T conditions, were done utilizing pure H2O as the flux. The H2O-only experiments duplicated the P-T reversals of Huckenholz and Seiberl (1989). In contrast, the NaCl/H2 O experiments indicate that the stability field of Cl-CO3-scapolite (SiO2 =52.1, Al2O3=24.9, CaO=11.9, Na2O=7.60, Cl=1.86, CO3=2.00, SO4=0.45), relative to plagioclase, greatly expands in the presence of NaCl brines at NaCl concentrations above 10 percent NaCl such that Cl-CO2-scapolite is stable over 600 to 900 °C and 500 to 1500 MPa. This result further strengthens the proposition that NaCl brines, coupled with CO2-bearing fluids, can be and probably are involved during high-grade scapolitization of plagioclase-bearing rocks in the mid to lower crust and upper mantle.

Effects of dorsal hippocampal orexin-2 receptor antagonism on the acquisition, expression, and extinction of morphine-induced place preference in rats.

PubMed

Sadeghi, Bahman; Ezzatpanah, Somayeh; Haghparast, Abbas

2016-06-01

Orexinergic system is involved in reward processing and drug addiction. Here, we investigated the effect of intrahippocampal CA1 administration of orexin-2 receptor (OX2r) antagonist on the acquisition, expression, and extinction of morphine-induced place preference in rats. Conditioned place preference (CPP) was induced by subcutaneous injection of morphine (5 mg/kg) during a 3-day conditioning phase. Three experimental plots were designed; TCS OX2 29 as a selective antagonist of orexin-2 receptors (OX2rs) was dissolved in DMSO, prepared in solutions with different concentrations (1, 3, 10, and 30 nM), and was bilaterally microinjected into the CA1 and some neighboring regions (0.5 μl/side). Conditioning scores and locomotor activities were recorded during the test. Results demonstrate that intra-CA1 administration of the OX2r antagonist attenuates the induction of morphine CPP during the acquisition and expression phases. Effect of TCS OX2 29 on reduction of morphine CPP was dose-dependent and was more pronounced during the acquisition than the expression. Furthermore, higher concentrations of TCS OX2 29 facilitated the extinction of morphine-induced CPP and reduced extinction latency period. Nevertheless, administration of TCS OX2 29 solutions did not have any influence on locomotor activity of all phases. Our findings suggest that OX2rs in the CA1 region of hippocampus are involved in the development of the acquisition and expression of morphine CPP. Moreover, blockade of OX2rs could facilitate extinction and may abrogate or extinguish the ability of drug-related cues, implying that the antagonist might be considered as a propitious therapeutic agent in suppressing drug-seeking behavior.

The series Bi2Sr2Ca(n-1) Cu(n)O(2n+4) (1 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 5): Phase stability and superconducting properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deguire, Mark R.; Bansal, Narottam P.; Farrell, David E.; Finan, Valerie; Kim, Cheol J.; Hills, Bethanie J.; Allen, Christopher J.

1989-01-01

Phase relations at 850 and 870 C, melting transitions in air, oxygen, and helium were studied for Bi(2.1)Sr(1.9) CuO6 and for the Bi2Sr2Ca(n-1) Cu(n)O(2n+4) for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and infinity (CaCuO2). Up to 870 C, the n = 2 composition resides in the compatibility tetrahedron bounded by Bi(2+x)(Sr,Ca)(3-y) Cu2O8, (Sr,Ca)14 Cu24O41, Ca2CuO3, and a Bi-Sr-Ca-O phase. The n is greater than or equal to 3 compositions reside in the compatibility tetrahedron Bi(2+x)(Sr,Ca)(3-y) Cu2O8 - (Sr,Ca)14 Cu24O41 - Ca2CuO3 - CuO up to 850 C. However, Bi(2+x)Sr(4-y) Cu3O10 forms for n is greater than or equal to 3 after extended heating at 870 C. Bi(2+x)Sr(2-y) CuO6 and Bi(2+x)(Sr,Ca)(3-y) Cu2O8 melt in air at 914 C and 895 C respectively. During melting, all of the compositions studied lose 1 to 2 percent by weight of oxygen from the reduction of copper. Bi(2+x)Sr(2-y) CuO6, Bi(2+n)(Sr,Ca)(3-y) Cu2O8, and Bi(2+x)(Sr,Ca)(4-y) Cu3O10 exhibit crystallographic alignment in a magnetic field, with the c-axes orienting parallel to the field.

Liming effects on cadmium stabilization in upland soil affected by gold mining activity.

PubMed

Hong, Chang Oh; Lee, Do Kyoung; Chung, Doug Young; Kim, Pil Joo

2007-05-01

To reduce cadmium (Cd) uptake of plants cultivated in heavy metal-contaminated soil, the best liming material was selected in the incubation test. The effect of the selected material was evaluated in the field. In the incubation experimentation, CaCO(3), Ca(OH)(2), CaSO(4).2H(2)O, and oyster shell meal were mixed with soil at rates corresponding to 0, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 mg Ca kg(-1). The limed soil was moistened to 70% of field moisture capacity, and incubated at 25 degrees C for 4 weeks. Ca(OH)(2) was found to be more efficient on reducing soil NH(4)OAc extractable Cd concentration, due to pH increase induced net negative charge. The selected Ca(OH)(2) was applied at rates 0, 2, 4, 8 Mg ha(-1) and then cultivated radish (Raphanus sativa L.) in the field. NH(4)OAc extractable Cd concentration of soil and plant Cd concentration decreased significantly with increasing Ca(OH)(2) rate, since alkaline-liming material markedly increased net negative charge of soil induced by pH increase, and decreased bioavailable Cd fractions (exchangeable + acidic and reducible Cd fraction) during radish cultivation. Cadmium uptake of radish could be reduced by about 50% by amending with about 5 Mg ha(-1) Ca(OH)(2) without adverse effect on radish yield and growth. The increase of net negative charge of soil by Ca(OH)(2) application may suppress Cd uptake and the competition between Ca(2+) and Cd(2+) may additionally affect the suppression of Cd uptake.

Localization of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and the 2-AG synthesizing (DAGLα) and degrading (MAGL, FAAH) enzymes in cells expressing the Ca2+-binding proteins calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the adult rat hippocampus

PubMed Central

Rivera, Patricia; Arrabal, Sergio; Cifuentes, Manuel; Grondona, Jesús M.; Pérez-Martín, Margarita; Rubio, Leticia; Vargas, Antonio; Serrano, Antonia; Pavón, Francisco J.; Suárez, Juan; Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando

2014-01-01

The retrograde suppression of the synaptic transmission by the endocannabinoid sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is mediated by the cannabinoid CB1 receptors and requires the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and the activation of specific 2-AG synthesizing (i.e., DAGLα) enzymes. However, the anatomical organization of the neuronal substrates that express 2-AG/CB1 signaling system-related molecules associated with selective Ca2+-binding proteins (CaBPs) is still unknown. For this purpose, we used double-label immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy for the characterization of the expression of the 2-AG/CB1 signaling system (CB1 receptor, DAGLα, MAGL, and FAAH) and the CaBPs calbindin D28k, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the rat hippocampus. CB1, DAGLα, and MAGL labeling was mainly localized in fibers and neuropil, which were differentially organized depending on the hippocampal CaBPs-expressing cells. CB+1 fiber terminals localized in all hippocampal principal cell layers were tightly attached to calbindin+ cells (granular and pyramidal neurons), and calretinin+ and parvalbumin+ interneurons. DAGLα neuropil labeling was selectively found surrounding calbindin+ principal cells in the dentate gyrus and CA1, and in the calretinin+ and parvalbumin+ interneurons in the pyramidal cell layers of the CA1/3 fields. MAGL+ terminals were only observed around CA1 calbindin+ pyramidal cells, CA1/3 calretinin+ interneurons and CA3 parvalbumin+ interneurons localized in the pyramidal cell layers. Interestingly, calbindin+ pyramidal cells expressed FAAH specifically in the CA1 field. The identification of anatomically related-neuronal substrates that expressed 2-AG/CB1 signaling system and selective CaBPs should be considered when analyzing the cannabinoid signaling associated with hippocampal functions. PMID:25018703

Hippocampal place cell and inhibitory neuron activity in disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 mutant mice: implications for working memory deficits

PubMed Central

Mesbah-Oskui, Lia; Georgiou, John; Roder, John C

2015-01-01

Background: Despite the prevalence of working memory deficits in schizophrenia, the neuronal mechanisms mediating these deficits are not fully understood. Importantly, deficits in spatial working memory are identified in numerous mouse models that exhibit schizophrenia-like endophenotypes. The hippocampus is one of the major brain regions that actively encodes spatial location, possessing pyramidal neurons, commonly referred to as ‘place cells’, that fire in a location-specific manner. This study tests the hypothesis that mice with a schizophrenia-like endophenotype exhibit impaired encoding of spatial location in the hippocampus. Aims: To characterize hippocampal place cell activity in mice that exhibit a schizophrenia-like endophenotype. Methods: We recorded CA1 place cell activity in six control mice and six mice that carry a point mutation in the disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 gene (Disc1-L100P) and have previously been shown to exhibit deficits in spatial working memory. Results: The spatial specificity and stability of Disc1-L100P place cells were similar to wild-type place cells. Importantly, however, Disc1-L100P place cells exhibited a higher propensity to increase their firing rate in a single, large location of the environment, rather than multiple smaller locations, indicating a generalization in their spatial selectivity. Alterations in the signaling and numbers of CA1 putative inhibitory interneurons and decreased hippocampal theta (5–12 Hz) power were also identified in the Disc1-L100P mice. Conclusions: The generalized spatial selectivity of Disc1-L100P place cells suggests a simplification of the ensemble place codes that encode individual locations and subserve spatial working memory. Moreover, these results suggest that deficient working memory in schizophrenia results from an impaired ability to uniquely code the individual components of a memory sequence. PMID:27280123

Core temperature is regulated, although at a lower temperature, in rats exposed to hypergravic fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monson, C. B.; Horowitz, J. M.; Horwitz, B. A.

1988-01-01

1. In rats acclimated to 23 degrees C (RT rats) or 5 degrees C (CA rats), core temperature (Tc), tail temperature (Tt) and oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured during exposure to a hypergravic field. 2. Rats were exposed for 5.5 h to a 3 g field while ambient temperature (Ta) was varied. For the first 2 h, Ta was 25 degrees C; then Ta was raised to 34 degrees C for 1.5 h. During this period of warm exposure, Tc increased 4 degrees C in both RT and CA rats. Finally, Ta was returned to 25 degrees C for 2 h, and Tc decreased toward the levels measured prior to warm exposure. 3. In a second experiment at 3 g, RT and CA rats were exposed to cold (12 degrees C) after two hours at 25 degrees C. During the one hour cold exposure, Tc fell 1.5 degrees C in RT and 0.5 degree C in CA rats. After cold exposure, when ambient temperature was again 25 degrees C, Tc of RT and CA rats returned toward the levels measured prior to the thermal disturbance. 4. Rats appear to regulate their temperature, albeit at a lower level, in a 3 g field.

ICP-AES Determination of Mineral Content in Boletus tomentipes Collected from Different Sites of China.

PubMed

Wang, Xue-mei; Zhang, Ji; Li, Tao; Li, Jie-qing; Wang, Yuan-zhong; Liu, Hong-gao

2015-05-01

P, Na, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, As, Cd, Co, Cr and Ni, contents have been examined in caps and stipes of Boletus tomentipes collected from different sites of Yunnan province, southwest China. The elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) with microwave digestion. P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu were the most abundant amongst elements determined in Boletus tomentipes. The caps were richer in P, Mg, Zn and Cd, and the stipes in Ca, Co and Ni. Cluster analysis showed a difference between Puer (BT7 and BT8) and other places. The PCA explained about 77% of the total variance, and the minerals differentiating these places were P (PC1) together with Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, As and Ni, Na (PC2) together with Cd, and Zn (PC3). The results of this study imply that element concentrations of a mushroom are mutative when collected from the different bedrock soil geochemistry.

The effects of high voltage transmission lines on honey bees. Interim report. [765 kV transmission line

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greenberg, B.; Kunich, J.C.; Bindokas, V.P.

1978-10-01

Results of the first year's field study of possible effects on honey bees of a 765 kV transmission line are reported. Conventional hives and metal-free hives, shielded and unshielded, were placed under the line (E-field, ca. 7 kV/m) and in a control area (E-field, ca. 10 V/m) about 400 m away. Bees in unshielded conventional hives under the line weighed less, stored little honey whose moisture content was subnormal (hive weight gain was essentially zero), propolyzed hive entrances excessively but not completely, produced fewer pupae but normal numbers of eggs and larvae, and failed to survive the winter. Unshielded metal-freemore » hives under the line had the following normal features: bee weight; hive weight gain; honey moisture content; and number of eggs, larvae, and pupae. Their abnormal features were: propolization of hive entrances, but at a slower rate and to a lesser extent than conventional hives; aggressive clusters of bees at lower front hive corners; poor overwintering survival; and possibly higher hemocyte counts.« less

The right hippocampus leads the bilateral integration of gamma-parsed lateralized information

PubMed Central

Benito, Nuria; Martín-Vázquez, Gonzalo; Makarova, Julia; Makarov, Valeri A; Herreras, Oscar

2016-01-01

It is unclear whether the two hippocampal lobes convey similar or different activities and how they cooperate. Spatial discrimination of electric fields in anesthetized rats allowed us to compare the pathway-specific field potentials corresponding to the gamma-paced CA3 output (CA1 Schaffer potentials) and CA3 somatic inhibition within and between sides. Bilateral excitatory Schaffer gamma waves are generally larger and lead from the right hemisphere with only moderate covariation of amplitude, and drive CA1 pyramidal units more strongly than unilateral waves. CA3 waves lock to the ipsilateral Schaffer potentials, although bilateral coherence was weak. Notably, Schaffer activity may run laterally, as seen after the disruption of the connecting pathways. Thus, asymmetric operations promote the entrainment of CA3-autonomous gamma oscillators bilaterally, synchronizing lateralized gamma strings to converge optimally on CA1 targets. The findings support the view that interhippocampal connections integrate different aspects of information that flow through the left and right lobes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.16658.001 PMID:27599221

Characterization of stress-induced suppression of long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 field of freely moving rats.

PubMed

Hirata, Riki; Togashi, Hiroko; Matsumoto, Machiko; Yamaguchi, Taku; Izumi, Takeshi; Yoshioka, Mitsuhiro

2008-08-21

Several lines of evidence have shown that exposure to stress impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 field of the hippocampus, but the detailed mechanisms for this effect remain to be clarified. The present study elucidated the synaptic mechanism of stress-induced LTP suppression in conscious, freely moving rats using electrophysiological approaches. Open field stress (i.e., novel environment stress) and elevated platform stress (i.e., uncontrollable stress) were employed. Basal synaptic transmission was significantly reduced during exposure to elevated platform stress but not during exposure to open field stress. LTP induction was blocked by elevated platform stress but not influenced by open field stress. Significant increases in serum corticosterone levels were observed in the elevated platform stress group compared with the open field stress group. Furthermore, LTP suppression induced by elevated platform stress was prevented by pretreatment with an anxiolytic drug diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). These results suggest that stress-induced LTP suppression depends on the relative intensity of the stressor. The inhibitory synaptic response induced by an intense psychological stress, such as elevated platform stress, may be attributable to LTP impairment in the CA1 field of the hippocampus.

Effects of GABA and bicuculline on N-methyl-D-aspartate- and quisqualate-induced reductions in extracellular free calcium in area CA1 of the hippocampal slice.

PubMed

Hamon, B; Heinemann, U

1986-01-01

Decreases in extracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]o) and concomitant field potentials were recorded from the dendritic and cell body layers of the CA1 field in transverse hippocampal slices. They were elicited by tetanic stimulation of Schaffer collaterals and commissural fibers or by iontophoretic application of the excitatory amino acids N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and quisqualate (Quis). Under control conditions, decreases in [Ca2+]o were found to be maximal in stratum pyramidale (SP). In stratum radiatum (SR), 100 micron away from SP, decreases in [Ca2+]o were half the size of those observed in SP. Bicuculline methiodide, bath-applied at concentrations of 10-100 microM, enhanced the reductions in [Ca2+]o, increased the field potentials in all layers and also induced "spontaneous" epileptiform activity. In the presence of bicuculline, the decreases in [Ca2+]o were particularly enhanced in SR and were often greater than those recorded in SP. This was the case for changes in [Ca2+]o induced either by repetitive electrical stimulation or by application of NMDA and Quis. When synaptic transmission was blocked by perfusing the slices with a low Ca2+ medium, all NMDA and Quis-induced changes in [Ca2+]o were predictably reduced but there was a relative enhancement of changes in [Ca2+]o in SR with respect to those in SP. We propose that, under normal conditions, an inhibitory control mediated by GABA limits the reductions of [Ca2+]o particularly in SR. In support of this proposal, we found that bath-applied GABA had a depressant action on changes in [Ca2+]o.

Flux flow induced microwave absorption in high temperature superconductor Bi 2-XPb XSr 2Ca N-1Cu NO 4+2N

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owens, F. J.

1990-12-01

Direct measurements of microwave absorption without use of rf H field modulation in granular composites of the 115 K superconductor Bi 2-XPb XSr 2Ca N-1Cu NO 4+2N as a function of magnetic field above 0.1 T reveal a continuing increase of absorption of microwave energy increasing magnetic field. The temperature and magnetic field dependence of the absorption are very different from the low magnetic field (<0.01 T) absorption arising from weak links in the material. The magnetic field and temperature dependence are consistent with the behavior of thermally activated flux flow resistance suggesting the absorption is due to flux creep.

Selective Impairment of Spatial Cognition Caused by Autoantibodies to the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor

PubMed Central

Chang, Eric H.; Volpe, Bruce T.; Mackay, Meggan; Aranow, Cynthia; Watson, Philip; Kowal, Czeslawa; Storbeck, Justin; Mattis, Paul; Berlin, RoseAnn; Chen, Huiyi; Mader, Simone; Huerta, Tomás S.; Huerta, Patricio T.; Diamond, Betty

2015-01-01

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience cognitive abnormalities in multiple domains including processing speed, executive function, and memory. Here we show that SLE patients carrying antibodies that bind DNA and the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), termed DNRAbs, displayed a selective impairment in spatial recall. Neural recordings in a mouse model of SLE, in which circulating DNRAbs penetrate the hippocampus, revealed that CA1 place cells exhibited a significant expansion in place field size. Structural analysis showed that hippocampal pyramidal cells had substantial reductions in their dendritic processes and spines. Strikingly, these abnormalities became evident at a time when DNRAbs were no longer detectable in the hippocampus. These results suggest that antibody-mediated neurocognitive impairments may be highly specific, and that spatial cognition may be particularly vulnerable to DNRAb-mediated structural and functional injury to hippocampal cells that evolves after the triggering insult is no longer present. PMID:26286205

Electric Field Control of Interfacial Ferromagnetism in CaMnO3/CaRuO3 Heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grutter, A. J.; Kirby, B. J.; Gray, M. T.; Flint, C. L.; Alaan, U. S.; Suzuki, Y.; Borchers, J. A.

2015-07-01

New mechanisms for achieving direct electric field control of ferromagnetism are highly desirable in the development of functional magnetic interfaces. To that end, we have probed the electric field dependence of the emergent ferromagnetic layer at CaRuO3/CaMnO3 interfaces in bilayers fabricated on SrTiO3. Using polarized neutron reflectometry, we are able to detect the ferromagnetic signal arising from a single atomic monolayer of CaMnO3, manifested as a spin asymmetry in the reflectivity. We find that the application of an electric field of 600 kV /m across the bilayer induces a significant increase in this spin asymmetry. Modeling of the reflectivity suggests that this increase corresponds to a transition from canted antiferromagnetism to full ferromagnetic alignment of the Mn4 + ions at the interface. This increase from 1 μB to 2.5 - 3.0 μB per Mn is indicative of a strong magnetoelectric coupling effect, and such direct electric field control of the magnetization at an interface has significant potential for spintronic applications.

Calcium localization in lettuce leaves with and without tipburn: comparison of controlled-environment and field-grown plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barta, D. J.; Tibbitts, T. W.

1991-01-01

An electron microprobe was used to determine tissue concentrations of Ca across 20-mm-long leaves of 'Green Lakes' crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with and without tipburn injury. Concentrations within the fifth and 14th leaves, counted from the cotyledons, from plants grown under controlled-environment conditions were compared to concentrations within similar leaves obtained from plants grown under field conditions. Only the 14th leaf from plants grown under controlled-environment conditions developed tipburn. Injured areas on these leaves had Ca concentrations as low as 0.2 to 0.3 mg g-1 dry weight. Uninjured areas of tipburned leaves contained from 0.4 to 0.5 mg g-1 dry weight. Concentrations across the uninjured 14th leaf from field-grown plants averaged 1.0 mg g-1 dry weight. Amounts across the uninjured fifth leaves from both environments averaged 1.6 mg g-1 dry weight. In contrast, Mg concentrations were higher in injured leaves than in uninjured leaves and thus were negatively correlated with Ca concentrations. Magnesium concentrations averaged 4.7 mg g-1 dry weight in injured leaves compared with 3.4 mg g-1 dry weight in uninjured leaves from both environments. Magnesium concentrations were uniform across the leaf. Potassium concentrations were highest at the leaf apex and decreased toward the base and also decreased from the midrib to the margin. Potassium averaged 51 mg g-1 dry weight in injured and uninjured leaves from both environments. No significant differences in K concentration were present between injured and uninjured leaves. This study documented that deficient concentrations of Ca were present in areas of leaf tissue developing tipburn symptoms and that concentrations were significantly higher in similar areas of other leaves that had no symptoms. This study also documented that Ca concentrations were significantly lower in enclosed leaves that exhibited tipburn symptoms than in exposed leaves that did not exhibit tipburn. Also, the amounts of Ca in plants that developed tipburn in controlled environments were lower than in plants of the same cultivar that did not develop tipburn in field plantings. The reduced levels of Ca in plants grown in controlled environments were associated with faster development rates compared with field-grown plants.

Hippocampal neural correlates for values of experienced events.

PubMed

Lee, Hyunjung; Ghim, Jeong-Wook; Kim, Hoseok; Lee, Daeyeol; Jung, MinWhan

2012-10-24

Newly experienced events are often remembered together with how rewarding the experiences are personally. Although the hippocampus is a candidate structure where subjective values are integrated with other elements of episodic memory, it is uncertain whether and how the hippocampus processes value-related information. We examined how activity of dorsal CA1 and dorsal subicular neurons in rats performing a dynamic foraging task was related to reward values that were estimated using a reinforcement learning model. CA1 neurons carried significant signals related to action values before the animal revealed its choice behaviorally, indicating that the information on the expected values of potential choice outcomes was available in CA1. Moreover, after the outcome of the animal's goal choice was revealed, CA1 neurons carried robust signals for the value of chosen action and they temporally overlapped with the signals related to the animal's goal choice and its outcome, indicating that all the signals necessary to evaluate the outcome of an experienced event converged in CA1. On the other hand, value-related signals were substantially weaker in the subiculum. These results suggest a major role of CA1 in adding values to experienced events during episodic memory encoding. Given that CA1 neuronal activity is modulated by diverse attributes of an experienced event, CA1 might be a place where all the elements of episodic memory are integrated.

pH and calcium ion release evaluation of pure and calcium hydroxide-containing Epiphany for use in retrograde filling

PubMed Central

TANOMARU-FILHO, Mário; SAÇAKI, Juliana Nogueira; FALEIROS, Frederico Bordini Chaves; GUERREIRO-TANOMARU, Juliane Maria

2011-01-01

Objective Hydroxyl (OH-) and calcium (Ca++) ion release was evaluated in six materials: G1) Sealer 26, G2) White mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), G3) epiphany, G4) epiphany + 10% calcium hydroxide (CH), G5) epiphany + 20% CH, and G6) zinc oxide and eugenol. Material and Methods Specimens were placed in polyethylene tubes and immersed in distilled water. After 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, 7, 14, and 28 days, the water was assessed for pH with a pH meter and for Ca++ release by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results G1, G2, G4, and G5 had the highest pH until 14 days (p<0.05). G1 presented the highest Ca++ release until 6 h, and G4 and G5, from 12 h through 14 days. Ca++ release was greater for G1 and G2 at 28 days. G6 released the least Ca++. Conclusion MTA, Sealer 26, epiphany, and epiphany + CH release OH - and Ca++ ions. Epiphany + CH may be an alternative as retrofilling material. PMID:21437461

Sub-hectare crop area mapped wall-to-wall in Tigray Ethiopia with HEC processing of WorldView sub-meter panchromatic image texture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neigh, C. S. R.; Carroll, M.; Wooten, M.; McCarty, J. L.; Powell, B.; Husak, G. J.; Enenkel, M.; Hain, C.

2017-12-01

Global food production in the developing world occurs within sub-hectare fields that are difficult to identify with moderate resolution satellite imagery. Knowledge about the distribution of these fields is critical in food security programs. We developed a semi-automated image segmentation approach using wall-to-wall sub-meter imagery with high-end computing (HEC) to map crop area (CA) throughout Tigray, Ethiopia that encompasses over 41,000 km2. Our approach tested multiple HEC processing streams to reduce processing time and minimize mapping error. We applied multiple resolution smoothing kernels to capture differences in land surface texture associated to CA. Typically, very-small fields (mean < 2 ha) have a smooth image roughness compared to natural scrub/shrub woody vegetation at the 1 m scale and these features can be segmented in panchromatic imagery with multi-level histogram thresholding. We found multi-temporal very-high resolution (VHR) panchromatic imagery with multi-spectral VHR and moderate resolution imagery are sufficient in extracting critical CA information needed in food security programs. We produced a 2011 ‒ 2015 CA map using over 3,000 WorldView-1 panchromatic images wall-to-wall in 1/2° mosaics for Tigray, Ethiopia in 1 week. We evaluated CA estimates with nearly 3,000 WorldView-2 2 m multispectral 250 × 250 m image subsets, with seven expert interpretations, and with in-situ global positioning system (GPS) photography. Our CA estimates ranged from 32 to 41% in sub-regions of Tigray with median maximum per bin commission and omission errors of 11% and 1% respectively, with most of the error occurring in bins less than 15%. This empirical, simple, and low direct cost approach via U.S. government license agreement and HEC could be a viable big-data methodology to extract wall-to-wall CA for other regions of the world that have very-small agriculture fields with similar image texture.

VIEW TO SOUTHEAST TOWARD QUARTERMASTER BUILDINGS GROUP AND RESERVOIR HILL, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

VIEW TO SOUTHEAST TOWARD QUARTERMASTER BUILDINGS GROUP AND RESERVOIR HILL, FROM AMMUNITION (IGLOO) HILL. (Part 2 of a 3 view panorama; see also CA-2398-J-1 and CA-2398-16.) - Hamilton Field, East of Nave Drive, Novato, Marin County, CA

Bulk and nanocrystalline electron doped Gd0.15Ca0.85MnO3: Synthesis and magnetic characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhal, Lakshman; Chattarpal; Nirmala, R.; Santhosh, P. N.; Kumary, T. Geetha; Nigam, A. K.

2014-09-01

Polycrystalline Gd0.15Ca0.85MnO3 sample was prepared by solid state reaction method and nanocrystalline samples of different grain sizes of the same were prepared by sol-gel method. Phase purity and composition were verified by room temperature X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDAX analysis. Magnetization data of bulk Gd0.15Ca0.85MnO3 in 5 kOe field shows a peak at 119 K (TN) suggesting an antiferromagnetic transition. Nanocrystalline Gd0.15Ca0.85MnO3 sample ( 54 nm size) also shows a cusp at 107 K and a broad thermal hysteresis between field cooled cooling (FCC) and field cooled warming (FCW) data around this temperature. This thermal hysteresis suggests possible crystal structural transition. Field variation of magnetization of bulk Gd0.15Ca0.85MnO3 at 5 K shows a tendency to saturate, but yields a magnetic moment value of only 1.12 μB/f.u. in 70 kOe. The value of magnetization of nanocrystalline sample at 5 K in 70 kOe field is slightly larger and is 1.38 μB/f.u. which is probably due to the surface moments of the nanoparticle samples. Both the samples show Curie-Weiss-like behaviour in their paramagnetic state.

Pinning in the flux-line-cutting regime of Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1Cu 2O 8 single crystals at high field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Anna, G.; André, M.-O.; Indenbom, M. V.; Benoit, W.

1994-09-01

Using a low-frequency torsion pendulum we show that in a Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1Cu 2O 8 single crystal the irreversibility line Birr( T) is frequency dependent down to 10 -5 Hz in the high-field regime. The activation energy has a logarithmic field dependence, U0( B)= U∗ 1n( B∗/ B). A microscopic model for flux-line-cutting and pancake collision yields quantitative expressions for U0 and for Birr( T)= B∗ exp(- T/T∗), which reproduce the experimental data very well.

STIM1- and Orai1-dependent store-operated calcium entry regulates human myoblast differentiation.

PubMed

Darbellay, Basile; Arnaudeau, Serge; König, Stéphane; Jousset, Hélène; Bader, Charles; Demaurex, Nicolas; Bernheim, Laurent

2009-02-20

Our previous work on human myoblasts suggested that a hyperpolarization followed by a rise in [Ca(2+)](in) involving store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) channels induced myoblast differentiation. Advances in the understanding of the SOCE pathway led us to examine more precisely its role in post-natal human myoblast differentiation. We found that SOCE orchestrated by STIM1, the endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sensor activating Orai Ca(2+) channels, is crucial. Silencing STIM1, Orai1, or Orai3 reduced SOCE amplitude and myoblast differentiation, whereas Orai2 knockdown had no effect. Conversely, overexpression of STIM1 with Orai1 increased SOCE and accelerated myoblast differentiation. STIM1 or Orai1 silencing decreased resting [Ca(2+)](in) and intracellular Ca(2+) store content, but correction of these parameters did not rescue myoblast differentiation. Remarkably, SOCE amplitude correlated linearly with the expression of two early markers of myoblast differentiation, MEF2 and myogenin, regardless of the STIM or Orai isoform that was silenced. Unexpectedly, we found that the hyperpolarization also depends on SOCE, placing SOCE upstream of K(+) channel activation in the signaling cascade that controls myoblast differentiation. These findings indicate that STIM1 and Orai1 are key molecules for the induction of human myoblast differentiation.

The ternary system K2SO4MgSO4CaSO4

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rowe, J.J.; Morey, G.W.; Silber, C.C.

1967-01-01

Melting and subsolidus relations in the system K2SO4MgSO4CaSO4 were studied using heating-cooling curves, differential thermal analysis, optics, X-ray diffraction at room and high temperatures and by quenching techniques. Previous investigators were unable to study the binary MgSO4CaSO4 system and the adjacent area in the ternary system because of the decomposition of MgSO4 and CaSO4 at high temperatures. This problem was partly overcome by a novel sealed-tube quenching method, by hydrothermal synthesis, and by long-time heating in the solidus. As a result of this study, we found: (1) a new compound, CaSO4??3MgSO4 (m.p. 1201??C) with a field extending into the ternary system; (2) a high temperature form of MgSO4 with a sluggishly reversible inversion. An X-ray diffraction pattern for this polymorphic form is given; (3) the inversion of ??-CaSO4 (anhydrite) to ??-CaSO4 at 1195??C, in agreement with grahmann; (1) (4) the melting point of MgSO4 is 1136??C and that of CaSO4 is 1462??C (using sealed tube methods to prevent decomposition of the sulphates); (5) calcium langbeinite (K2SO4??2CaSO4) is the only compound in the K2SO4CaSO4 binary system. This resolved discrepancies in the results of previous investigators; (6) a continuous solid solution series between congruently melting K2SOP4??2MgSO4 (langbeinite) and incongruently melting K2SO4??2CaSO4 (calcium langbeinite); (7) the liquidus in the ternary system consists of primary phase fields of K2SO4, MgSO4, CaSO4, langbeinite-calcium langbeinite solid solution, and CaSO4??3MgSO4. The CaSO4 field extends over a large portion of the system. Previously reported fields for the compounds (K2SO4??MgSO4??nCaSO4), K2SO4??3CaSO4 and K2SO4??CaSO4 were not found; (8) a minimum in the ternary system at: 740??C, 25% MgSO4, 6% CaSO4, 69% K2SO4; and ternary eutectics at 882??C, 49% MgSO4, 19% CaSO4, 32% K2SO4; and 880??, 67??5% MgSO4, 5% CaSO4, 27??5% K2SO4. ?? 1967.

The influence of chemical agents on the level of ionized [Ca2+] in squid axons

PubMed Central

1985-01-01

Squid giant axons injected with either aequorin or arsenazo III and bathed in 3 mM Ca (Na) seawater were transferred to 3 mM Ca (K) seawater and the response of the aequorin light or the change in the absorbance of arsenazo III was followed. These experimental conditions were chosen because they measure the change in the rate of Na/Ca exchange in introducing Ca into the axon upon depolarization; [Ca]o is too low to effect a channel-based system of Ca entry. This procedure was applied to axons treated with a variety of compounds that have been implicated as inhibitors of Na/Ca exchange. The result obtained was that the substances tested could be placed in three groups. (a) Substances that were without effect on Ca entry effected by Na/Ca exchange were: D600 at 10-100 microM, nitrendipine at 1-5 microM, Ba2+ and Mg2+ at concentrations of 10-50 mM, lidocaine at 0.1-10 mM, cyanide at 2 mM, adriamycin at a concentration of 3 microM, chloradenosine at 35 microM, 2,4-diaminopyridine at 1 mM, Cs+ at 45-90 mM, and tetrodotoxin at 10(-7). (b) Substances that had a significant inhibitory effect on Na/Ca exchange were: Mn2+, Cd2+, and La3+ at 1-50 mM, and quinidine at 50 microM. (c) There were also blocking agents and biochemical inhibitors whose action appeared to be the inhibition of nonmitochondrial Ca buffering in axoplasm rather than an inhibition of Na/Ca exchange. These were the general anesthetic l-octanol at 0.1 mM and 1 mM orthovanadate plus apyrase. PMID:2410536

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release in the organelle layers of the stratified, intact egg of Xenopus laevis

PubMed Central

1990-01-01

Using double-barreled, Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrodes, we have examined the characteristics of the Ca2+ release by inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in the various layers of Xenopus laevis eggs in which the organelles had been stratified by centrifugation. Centrifugation of living eggs stratifies the organelles yet retains them in the normal cytoplasmic milieu. The local increase in intracellular free Ca2+ in each layer was directly measured under physiological conditions using theta-tubing, double-barreled, Ca2(+)- sensitive microelectrodes in which one barrel was filled with the Ca2+ sensor and the other was filled with Ins(1,4,5)P3 for microinjection. The two tips of these electrodes were very close to each other (3 microns apart) enabling us to measure the kinetics of both the highly localized intracellular Ca2+ release and its subsequent removal in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 injection. Upon Ins(1,4,5)P3 injection, the ER- enriched layer exhibited the largest release of Ca2+ in a dosage- dependent manner, whereas the other layers, mitochondria, lipid, and yolk, released 10-fold less Ca2+ in a dosage-independent manner. The removal of released Ca2+ took place within approximately 1 min. The sensitivity to Ins(1,4,5)P3 and the time course of intracellular Ca2+ release in the unstratified (unactivated) egg is nearly identical to that observed in the ER layer of the stratified egg. Our data suggest that the ER is the major organelle of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ store in the egg of Xenopus laevis. PMID:2324195

Interaction between the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 area is essential for episodic-like memory in rats.

PubMed

Chao, Owen Y; Nikolaus, Susanne; Lira Brandão, Marcus; Huston, Joseph P; de Souza Silva, Maria A

2017-05-01

The interplay between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus, particularly the hippocampal CA3 area, is critical for episodic memory. To what extent the mPFC also interacts with the hippocampus CA1 subregion still requires elucidation. To investigate this issue, male rats received unilateral N-methyl- D -aspartate lesions of the mPFC together with unilateral lesions of the hippocampal CA1 area, either in the same (control) or in the opposite hemispheres (disconnection). They underwent an episodic-like memory test, combining what-where-when information, and separate tests for novel object preference (what), object place preference (where) and temporal order memory (when). Compared to controls, the disconnected mPFC-CA1 rats exhibited disrupted episodic-like memory with an impaired integration of the what-where-when elements. Both groups showed intact memories for what and when, while only the control group showed intact memory for where. These findings suggest that the functional interaction of the mPFC-CA1 circuit is crucial for the processing of episodic memory and, in particular, for the integration of the spatial memory component. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-Frequency Stimulation-Induced Synaptic Potentiation in Dorsal and Ventral CA1 Hippocampal Synapses: The Involvement of NMDA Receptors, mGluR5, and (L-Type) Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papatheodoropoulos, Costas; Kouvaros, Stylianos

2016-01-01

The ability of the ventral hippocampus (VH) for long-lasting long-term potentiation (LTP) and the mechanisms underlying its lower ability for shortlasting LTP compared with the dorsal hippocampus (DH) are unknown. Using recordings of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) from the CA1 field of adult rat hippocampal slices, we found that…

Increasing the calcium content of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) to improve their nutritional value for bone mineralization of growing chicks.

PubMed

Klasing, K C; Thacker, P; Lopez, M A; Calvert, C C

2000-12-01

The purpose of these studies was to determine the husbandry variables that optimize the Ca content of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and to determine the bioavailability of this Ca for bone mineralization in chicks that consume the mealworms. To determine the optimal level of Ca in the substrates used in short-term (< 14 days) holding of mealworms and to determine the length of time that mealworms should be exposed to high-Ca substrates, mealworms were placed in either a wheat bran or a chicken starter substrate supplemented with 0, 4, 8, or 12% Ca from CaCO3. The mealworms were harvested after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, or 14 days. The Ca content of the mealworms was greatest with the use of chicken starter and increased linearly with the Ca content of the substrate. In general, the Ca content of the mealworms increased during the first 24 hr and decreased after > or = 1 wk, especially at the higher levels of Ca supplementation. The chicken starter also resulted in higher levels of vitamin D in mealworms. Mealworms held in wheat bran with 8% Ca were fed to growing chicks. Ca bioavailability was calculated from the chicks' bone ash. The Ca in these mealworms was 76% as bioavailable as the Ca in oyster shell.

Aeronautical Decision Making - Cockpit Resource Management

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

perspective, the development of CRM concepts as seen in the kickoff workshop held at the NASA Ames Research Center (Cooper, White, and Lauber, 1979...something to put in the place of worrying a pleasant thought. A though stoppage (Stop negative thought patterns by shouting words like ’stop’ or ’no’ in the...the Situation." In: G.E. Cooper, M.D. White, and J.K. Lauber (Eds) Resource management in the cockpit. Moffett Field, CA: NASA Ames Research Center

Theta and gamma coordination of hippocampal networks during waking and rapid eye movement sleep.

PubMed

Montgomery, Sean M; Sirota, Anton; Buzsáki, György

2008-06-25

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been considered a paradoxical state because, despite the high behavioral threshold to arousing perturbations, gross physiological patterns in the forebrain resemble those of waking states. To understand how intrahippocampal networks interact during REM sleep, we used 96 site silicon probes to record from different hippocampal subregions and compared the patterns of activity during waking exploration and REM sleep. Dentate/CA3 theta and gamma synchrony was significantly higher during REM sleep compared with active waking. In contrast, gamma power in CA1 and CA3-CA1 gamma coherence showed significant decreases in REM sleep. Changes in unit firing rhythmicity and unit-field coherence specified the local generation of these patterns. Although these patterns of hippocampal network coordination characterized the more common tonic periods of REM sleep (approximately 95% of total REM), we also detected large phasic bursts of local field potential power in the dentate molecular layer that were accompanied by transient increases in the firing of dentate and CA1 neurons. In contrast to tonic REM periods, phasic REM epochs were characterized by higher theta and gamma synchrony among the dentate, CA3, and CA1 regions. These data suggest enhanced dentate processing, but limited CA3-CA1 coordination during tonic REM sleep. In contrast, phasic bursts of activity during REM sleep may provide windows of opportunity to synchronize the hippocampal trisynaptic loop and increase output to cortical targets. We hypothesize that tonic REM sleep may support off-line mnemonic processing, whereas phasic bursts of activity during REM may promote memory consolidation.

Antibody engineering and therapeutics conference. The annual meeting of the antibody society, Huntington Beach, CA, December 7-11, 2014.

PubMed

Larrick, James W; Parren, Paul W H I; Huston, James S; Plückthun, Andreas; Bradbury, Andrew; Tomlinson, Ian M; Chester, Kerry A; Burton, Dennis R; Adams, Gregory P; Weiner, Louis M; Scott, Jamie K; Alfenito, Mark R; Veldman, Trudi; Reichert, Janice M

2014-01-01

The 25th anniversary of the Antibody Engineering & Therapeutics Conference, the Annual Meeting of The Antibody Society, will be held in Huntington Beach, CA, December 7-11, 2014. Organized by IBC Life Sciences, the event will celebrate past successes, educate participants on current activities and offer a vision of future progress in the field. Keynote addresses will be given by academic and industry experts Douglas Lauffenburger (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Ira Pastan (National Cancer Institute), James Wells (University of California, San Francisco), Ian Tomlinson (GlaxoSmithKline) and Anthony Rees (Rees Consulting AB and Emeritus Professor, University of Bath). These speakers will provide updates of their work, placed in the context of the substantial growth of the industry over the past 25 years.

Functional optical probing of the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit in vitro: network dynamics, filter properties, and polysynaptic induction of CA1 LTP.

PubMed

Stepan, Jens; Dine, Julien; Eder, Matthias

2015-01-01

Decades of brain research have identified various parallel loops linking the hippocampus with neocortical areas, enabling the acquisition of spatial and episodic memories. Especially the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit [entorhinal cortex layer II → dentate gyrus (DG) → cornu ammonis (CA)-3 → CA1] was studied in great detail because of its seemingly simple connectivity and characteristic structures that are experimentally well accessible. While numerous researchers focused on functional aspects, obtained from a limited number of cells in distinct hippocampal subregions, little is known about the neuronal network dynamics which drive information across multiple synapses for subsequent long-term storage. Fast voltage-sensitive dye imaging in vitro allows real-time recording of activity patterns in large/meso-scale neuronal networks with high spatial resolution. In this way, we recently found that entorhinal theta-frequency input to the DG most effectively passes filter mechanisms of the trisynaptic circuit network, generating activity waves which propagate across the entire DG-CA axis. These "trisynaptic circuit waves" involve high-frequency firing of CA3 pyramidal neurons, leading to a rapid induction of classical NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) at CA3-CA1 synapses (CA1 LTP). CA1 LTP has been substantially evidenced to be essential for some forms of explicit learning in mammals. Here, we review data with particular reference to whole network-level approaches, illustrating how activity propagation can take place within the trisynaptic circuit to drive formation of CA1 LTP.

μ SR study of NaCaNi2F7 in zero field and applied longitudinal magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Yipeng; Wilson, Murray; Hallas, Alannah; Liu, Lian; Frandsen, Benjamin; Dunsiger, Sarah; Krizan, Jason; Cava, Robert; Uemura, Yasutomo; Luke, Graeme

Rich physics of abundant magnetic ground states has been realized in the A2B2X7 geometrically frustrated magnetic pyrochlores. Recently, a new spin-1 Ni2+ pyrochlore, NaCaNi2F7, was synthesized and shown to have spin freezing at 3.6 K with a frustration index of f 36 and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions [1] . This structure has chemical disorder on the A site caused by randomly distributed Ca and Na ions, which causes bond disorder around the magnetic Ni sites. We present Zero Field (ZF) and Longitudinal Field (LF) muon spin rotation (μSR) measurements on this single crystal pyrochlore. Our data shows that the Ni2+ spins start freezing around 4 K giving a static local field of 140 G. The data show no oscillations down to 75 mK which indicates no long range magnetic order. They are well described by the dynamic Gaussian Kubo-Toyabe function with a non-zero hopping rate that is not easily decoupled with an applied longitudinal field, which implies persistent spin dynamics down to 75 mK.

Ikaite crystals in melting sea ice - implications for pCO2 and pH levels in Arctic surface waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rysgaard, S.; Glud, R. N.; Lennert, K.; Cooper, M.; Halden, N.; Leakey, R. J. G.; Hawthorne, F. C.; Barber, D.

2012-03-01

A major issue of Arctic marine science is to understand whether the Arctic Ocean is, or will be, a source or sink for air-sea CO2 exchange. This has been complicated by the recent discoveries of ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, which indicate that multiple chemical transformations occur in sea ice with a possible effect on CO2 and pH conditions in surface waters. Here we report on biogeochemical conditions, microscopic examinations and x-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals from an actively melting 1.7 km2 (0.5-1 m thick) drifting ice floe in the Fram Strait during summer. Our findings show that ikaite crystals are present throughout the sea ice but with larger crystals appearing in the upper ice layers. Ikaite crystals placed at elevated temperatures gradually disintegrated into smaller crystallites and dissolved. During our field campaign in late June, melt reduced the ice flow thickness by ca. 0.2 m per week and resulted in an estimated 1.6 ppm decrease of pCO2 in the ocean surface mixed layer. This corresponds to an air-sea CO2 uptake of 11 mmol m-2 sea ice d-1 or to 3.5 ton km-2 ice floe week-1.

Possible Fengyun-1C debris fall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golebiewska, J.; Nowak, M.; Muszyński, A.; Wnuk, E.

2017-05-01

A fall of small objects took place on 27th April 2012 in Wargowo village near Oborniki, about 25 km NW from Poznań (Poland). There was only one eye-witness of the fall, who found two separate pieces (ca. 2.7 cm and ca. 2 cm), with several small additional fragments. After microscopic observations and chemical analysis a meteoritic origin of these objects was excluded. They are identified as space debris, therefore man-made. The most probable source of the observed fall was space debris 35127 Fengyun 1C DEB, created during destruction of the Chinese weather satellite Fengyun-1C (FY-1C).

All Prime Contract Awards by State or Country, Place, and Contractor. Part 10 (Croom, Maryland-Mendon, Mass)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

A -IfCJ A ACI 11 LO n (O ? )-t ((D In ((D D-0- n InW ItJ0- W MJWW W .1 ..I<(-4 it I I 1-UCI 41) 0 (04 >1 :: o c" C c14 A CA ACCA C (,j AOCANAN" C CA C...7 )0470 C )) )4))M )( DD000 )0 )0 M0) 0) M0( F8 -00 0 0 8-481I8IM(0.4 it " 0) () r-000000000000000000000000000000000 00 0 ) ) -w I(0-4 it 1A

Microstructure of calcite deformed by high-pressure torsion: An X-ray line profile study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuster, Roman; Schafler, Erhard; Schell, Norbert; Kunz, Martin; Abart, Rainer

2017-11-01

Calcite aggregates were deformed to high strain using high-pressure torsion and applying confining pressures of 1-6 GPa and temperatures between room temperature and 450 °C. The run products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and key microstructural parameters were extracted employing X-ray line profile analysis. The dominant slip system was determined as r { 10 1 bar 4 } ⟨ 2 bar 021 ⟩ with edge dislocation character. The resulting dislocation density and the size of the coherently scattering domains (CSD) exhibit a systematic dependence on the P-T conditions of deformation. While high pressure generally impedes recovery through reducing point defect mobility, the picture is complicated by pressure-induced phase transformations in the CaCO3 system. Transition from the calcite stability field to those of the high-pressure polymorphs CaCO3-II, CaCO3-III and CaCO3-IIIb leads to a change of the microstructural evolution with deformation. At 450 °C and pressures within the calcite stability field, dislocation densities and CSD sizes saturate at shear strains exceeding 10 in agreement with earlier studies at lower pressures. In the stability field of CaCO3-II, the dislocation density exhibits a more complex behavior. Furthermore, at a given strain and strain rate, the dislocation density increases and the CSD size decreases with increasing pressure within the stability fields of either calcite or of the high-pressure polymorphs. There is, however, a jump from high dislocation densities and small CSDs in the upper pressure region of the calcite stability field to lower dislocation densities and larger CSDs in the low-pressure region of the CaCO3-II stability field. This jump is more pronounced at higher temperatures and less so at room temperature. The pressure influence on the deformation-induced evolution of dislocation densities implies that pressure variations may change the rheology of carbonate rocks. In particular, a weakening is expected to occur at the transition from the calcite to the CaCO3-II stability field, if aragonite does not form.

A molecule-based genetic association approach implicates a range of voltage-gated calcium channels associated with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Li, Wen; Fan, Chun Chieh; Mäki-Marttunen, Tuomo; Thompson, Wesley K; Schork, Andrew J; Bettella, Francesco; Djurovic, Srdjan; Dale, Anders M; Andreassen, Ole A; Wang, Yunpeng

2018-06-01

Traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully detected genetic variants associated with schizophrenia. However, only a small fraction of heritability can be explained. Gene-set/pathway-based methods can overcome limitations arising from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based analysis, but most of them place constraints on size which may exclude highly specific and functional sets, like macromolecules. Voltage-gated calcium (Ca v ) channels, belonging to macromolecules, are composed of several subunits whose encoding genes are located far away or even on different chromosomes. We combined information about such molecules with GWAS data to investigate how functional channels associated with schizophrenia. We defined a biologically meaningful SNP-set based on channel structure and performed an association study by using a validated method: SNP-set (sequence) kernel association test. We identified eight subtypes of Ca v channels significantly associated with schizophrenia from a subsample of published data (N = 56,605), including the L-type channels (Ca v 1.1, Ca v 1.2, Ca v 1.3), P-/Q-type Ca v 2.1, N-type Ca v 2.2, R-type Ca v 2.3, T-type Ca v 3.1, and Ca v 3.3. Only genes from Ca v 1.2 and Ca v 3.3 have been implicated by the largest GWAS (N = 82,315). Each subtype of Ca v channels showed relatively high chip heritability, proportional to the size of its constituent gene regions. The results suggest that abnormalities of Ca v channels may play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and these channels may represent appropriate drug targets for therapeutics. Analyzing subunit-encoding genes of a macromolecule in aggregate is a complementary way to identify more genetic variants of polygenic diseases. This study offers the potential of power for discovery the biological mechanisms of schizophrenia. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Primary Phase Field of the Pb-Doped 2223 High-Tc Superconductor in the (Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O System

PubMed Central

Wong-Ng, W.; Cook, L. P.; Kearsley, A.; Greenwood, W.

1999-01-01

Both liquidus and subsolidus phase equilibrium data are of central importance for applications of high temperature superconductors in the (Bi, Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system, including material synthesis, melt processing and single crystal growth. The subsolidus equilibria of the 110 K high-Tc Pb-doped 2223 ([Bi, Pb], Sr, Ca, Cu) phase and the location of the primary phase field (crystallization field) have been determined in this study. For the quantitative determination of liquidus data, a wicking technique was developed to capture the melt for quantitative microchemical analysis. A total of 29 five-phase volumes that include the 2223 phase as a component was obtained. The initial melt compositions of these volumes range from a mole fraction of 7.3 % to 28.0 % for Bi, 11.3 % to 27.8 % for Sr, 1.2 % to 19.4 % for Pb, 9.8 % to 30.8 % for Ca, and 17.1 % to 47.0 % for Cu. Based on these data, the crystallization field for the 2223 phase was constructed using the convex hull technique. A section of this “volume” was obtained by holding two components of the composition at the median value, allowing projection on the other three axes to show the extent of the field.

Influence of Fe doped on the magnetocaloric behavior of La_{{2}/{3}} Ca_{{1}/{3}} Mn1-x Fe x O3 compounds: a Monte Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alzate-Cardona, J. D.; Barco-Rios, H.; Restrepo-Parra, E.

2018-02-01

The magnetocaloric behavior of La{2/{3}} Ca{1/{3}} Mn1-x Fe x O3 for x  =  0.00, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.10 under the influence of an external magnetic field was simulated and analyzed. Simulations were carried out using the Monte Carlo method and the classical Heisenberg model under the Metropolis algorithm. These mixed valence manganites are characterized by having three types of magnetic ions corresponding to Mn4+≤ft(S=\\frac{3}{2}\\right) , which are bonded with Ca2+ , and Mneg3+ and Mneg\\prime3+ (S=2) , related to La3+ . The Fe ions were randomly included, replacing Mn ions. With this model, the magnetic entropy change, Δ S , in an isothermal process was determined. -Δ Sm showed maximum peaks around the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition temperature, which depends on Fe doping. Relative cooling power was computed for different Fe concentrations varying the magnetic applied field. Our model and results show that the Fe doping decreases the magnetocaloric effect in the La{2/{3}} Ca{1/{3}} Mn1-x Fe x O3, making this a bad candidate for magnetic refrigeration. The strong dependence of the magnetocaloric behavior on Fe doping and the external magnetic field in La{2/{3}} Ca{1/{3}} Mn1-x Fe x O3 can boost these materials for the future technological applications.

Dorsoventral differences in Kv7/M-current and its impact on resonance, temporal summation and excitability in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells

PubMed Central

Hönigsperger, Christoph; Marosi, Máté; Murphy, Ricardo; Storm, Johan F

2015-01-01

Key points Kv7 (KCNQ/M) channels are known to control excitability and generate subthreshold M-resonance in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells, but their properties and functions have not previously been compared along the dorsoventral (septotemporal) axis We used whole-cell recordings to compare electrophysiological properties of dorsal and ventral CA1 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices from 3- to 4-week-old rats Blockade of Kv7/M-channels with 10,10-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone dihydrochloride (XE991) had a stronger impact on electrical properties in dorsal than ventral pyramidal cells, including input resistance, temporal summation, M-resonance, spike threshold, medium after-hyperpolarization, excitability, and spike frequency adaptation. Voltage-clamp recordings revealed a larger amplitude and left-shifted voltage dependence of XE991-sensitive current (IM) in dorsal vs. ventral cells. IM-dependent differences in excitability and resonance may be important for rate and phase coding of CA1 place cells along the dorsoventral axis and may enhance epileptiform activity in ventral pyramidal cells. Abstract In rodent hippocampi, the connections, gene expression and functions differ along the dorsoventral (D–V) axis. CA1 pyramidal cells show increasing excitability along the D–V axis, although the underlying mechanism is not known. In the present study, we investigated how the M-current (IM), caused by Kv7/M (KCNQ) potassium channels, and known to often control neuronal excitability, contributes to D–V differences in intrinsic properties of CA1 pyramidal cells. Using whole-cell patch clamp recordings and the selective Kv7/M blocker 10,10-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone dihydrochloride (XE991) in hippocampal slices from 3- to 4-week-old rats, we found that: (i) IM had a stronger impact on subthreshold electrical properties in dorsal than ventral CA1 pyramidal cells, including input resistance, temporal summation of artificial synaptic potentials, and M-resonance; (ii) IM activated at more negative potentials (left-shifted) and had larger peak amplitude in the dorsal than ventral CA1; and (iii) the initial spike threshold (during ramp depolarizations) was elevated, and the medium after-hyperpolarization and spike frequency adaptation were increased (i.e. excitability was lower) in the dorsal rather than ventral CA1. These differences were abolished or reduced by application of XE991, indicating that they were caused by IM. Thus, it appears that IM has stronger effects in dorsal than in ventral rat CA1 pyramidal cells because of a larger maximal M-conductance and left-shifted activation curve in the dorsal cells. These mechanisms may contribute to D–V differences in the rate and phase coding of position by CA1 place cells, and may also enhance epileptiform activity in ventral CA1. PMID:25656084

Metamorphosed Plio-Pleistocene evaporites and the origins of hypersaline brines in the Salton Sea geothermal system, California: Fluid inclusion evidence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKibben, Michael A.; Williams, Alan E.; Okubo, Susumu

1988-05-01

The Salton Sea geothermal system (SSGS) occurs in Plio-Pleistocene deltaic-lacustrine-evaporite sediments deposited in the Salton Trough, an active continental rift zone. Temperatures up to 365°C and hypersaline brines with up to 26 wt.% TDS are encountered at 1-3 km depth in the sediments, which are undergoing active greenschist facies hydrothermal metamorphism. Previous models for the origins of the Na-Ca-K-Cl brines have assumed that the high salinities were derived mainly from the downward percolation of cold, dense brines formed by low-temperature dissolution of shallow non-marine evaporites. New drillcores from the central part of the geothermal field contain metamorphosed, bedded evaporites at 1 km depth consisting largely of hornfelsic anhydrite interbedded with anhydrite-cemented solution-collapse shale breccias. Fluid inclusions trapped within the bedded and breccia-cementing anhydrite homogenize at 300°C (identical to the measured downhole temperature) and contain saline Na-Ca-K-Cl brines. Some of the inclusions contain up to 50 vol.% halite, sylvite and carbonate crystals at room temperature, and some halite crystals persist to above 300°C upon laboratory heating. The data are consistent with the trapping of halite-saturated Na-Ca-K-Cl fluids during hydrothermal metamorphism of the evaporites and accompanying solution collapse of interbedded shales. We conclude that many of the salt crystals in inclusions are the residuum of bedded evaporitic salt that was dissolved during metamorphism by heated connate fluids. Therefore, the high salinities of the Salton Sea geothermal brines are derived in part from the in situ hydrothermal metamorphism and dissolution of halides and CaSO 4 from relatively deeply-buried lacustrine evaporites. This fact places important constraints on modeling fluid-flow in the SSGS, as brines need not have migrated over great distances. The brines have been further modified to their present complex Na-Ca-K-Fe-Mn-Cl compositions by on-going sediment metamorphism and water-rock interaction.

Liquid toroidal drop under uniform electric field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zabarankin, Michael

2017-06-01

The problem of a stationary liquid toroidal drop freely suspended in another fluid and subjected to an electric field uniform at infinity is addressed analytically. Taylor's discriminating function implies that, when the phases have equal viscosities and are assumed to be slightly conducting (leaky dielectrics), a spherical drop is stationary when Q=(2R2+3R+2)/(7R2), where R and Q are ratios of the phases' electric conductivities and dielectric constants, respectively. This condition holds for any electric capillary number, CaE, that defines the ratio of electric stress to surface tension. Pairam and Fernández-Nieves showed experimentally that, in the absence of external forces (CaE=0), a toroidal drop shrinks towards its centre, and, consequently, the drop can be stationary only for some CaE>0. This work finds Q and CaE such that, under the presence of an electric field and with equal viscosities of the phases, a toroidal drop having major radius ρ and volume 4π/3 is qualitatively stationary-the normal velocity of the drop's interface is minute and the interface coincides visually with a streamline. The found Q and CaE depend on R and ρ, and for large ρ, e.g. ρ≥3, they have simple approximations: Q˜(R2+R+1)/(3R2) and CaE∼3 √{3 π ρ / 2 } (6 ln ⁡ρ +2 ln ⁡[96 π ]-9 )/ (12 ln ⁡ρ +4 ln ⁡[96 π ]-17 ) (R+1 ) 2/ (R-1 ) 2.

Whole-cell and single channel monovalent cation currents through the novel rabbit epithelial Ca2+ channel ECaC

PubMed Central

Nilius, Bernd; Vennekens, Rudi; Prenen, Jean; Hoenderop, Joost G J; Bindels, René J M; Droogmans, Guy

2000-01-01

This study describes properties of monovalent cation currents through ECaC, a recently cloned epithelial Ca2+-permeable channel from rabbit. The kinetics of currents through ECaC was strongly modulated by divalent cations. Currents were inhibited in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. They showed an initial voltage-dependent decay in the presence of 1 mm Mg2+ at hyperpolarizing steps in Ca2+-free solutions, which represents a voltage-dependent Mg2+ block through binding of Mg2+ to a site localized in the electrical field of the membrane (δ = 0.31) and a voltage-dependent binding constant (at 0 mV 3.1 mm Ca2+, obtained from a Woodhull type analysis). Currents were only stable in the absence of divalent cations and showed under these conditions a small time- and voltage-dependent component of activation. Single channel currents in cell-attached and inside-out patches had a conductance of 77.5 ± 4.9 pS (n = 11) and reversed at +14.8 ± 1.6 mV (n = 9) in the absence of divalent cations. The permeation sequence for monovalent cations through ECaC was Na+ > Li+ > K+ > Cs+ > NMDG+ which is identical to the Eisenmann sequence X for a strong field-strength binding site. It is concluded that the permeation profile of ECaC for monovalent cations suggests a strong field-strength binding site that may be involved in Ca2+ permeation and Mg2+ block. PMID:10970426

Protective effect of FK506 on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by suppression of CaN and ASK1 signaling circuitry.

PubMed

Feng, Xing; Li, Jing; Liu, Jinyu; Jin, Minghua; Liu, Xiaomei; Du, Haiying; Zhang, Long; Sun, Zhiwei; Li, Xiaoguang

2011-03-01

We investigated protective effect of FK506 on rat hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by regulating CaN and ASK1. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R), FK506 + Ischemia/reperfusion group (FK506-I/R), sham group, and FK506 + sham group (FK506-sham). Ischemia/reperfusion was achieved by occluding left coronary artery for 30 min and subsequently reperfusing for 120 min. FK506 was administered 15 min before ischemia. Rats in sham group and FK506-sham group were operated only by placing a ligature around the coronary artery, and the blood supply was not blocked. I/R group showed a rapid increase in TUNEL-positive cells and high risks of histopathological changes in damaged cardiac tissues. FK506 reduced the infarct size and inhibited the activation of CaN enzyme in FK506-I/R group. Increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio in FK506-IR group indicated that FK506 protected myocardium from apoptosis induced by IR. The activity of CaN and ASK1 protein level decreased significantly after I/R injury in FK506-treated I/R heart. FK506 suppresses the activation of CaN and ASK1 through CaN-mediated apoptosis pathway, and ASK1 negatively regulates CaN activity. Suppression of CaN and ASK1 signaling circuitry are involved in protective effect of FK506 on rat myocardium I/R injury.

The Influence of Layer Thickness-Ratio on Magnetoresistance in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 Exchange Biased System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, Maria Elena; Milena Diez, Sandra; Cuartas, Lina Maria; Marin, Lorena; Prieto, Pedro

2012-02-01

Isothermal magnetic field dependence of the resistance in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 (F-LCMO)/ La1/3Ca2/3MnO3(AF-LCMO) bilayer and AF-LCMO/F-LCMO/AF-LCMO trilayer at temperatures below N'eel temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer were carried out to study the thickness layers influence on magneto transport properties. We grew multilayers using a high oxygen pressure sputtering technique. We systematically varied the thickness of the F-LCMO layer, tF, maintaining constant the thickness of the AF-LCMO layer, tAF. We studied the influence of the thickness ratio tF/tAF on the ZFC and FC magnetoresistance (MR) loops. HFC was varied from 100 Oe to 400 Oe. We found that MR has hysteretic behavior as observed in [La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/La1/3Ca2/3MnO3]N superlattices, where MR increases with the increasing field from H=0 to a maximum and then it decreases continuously. The position and magnitude of the maximum is not symmetric with respect to the axis H=0 for both FC and ZFC loops. We found that magnetoresistance behavior of the bilayer and trilayer is thickness-ratio dependent for both ZFC and FC loops.

Challenges of coronary angiography and intervention in patients previously treated by TAVI.

PubMed

Blumenstein, Johannes; Kim, Won-Keun; Liebetrau, Christoph; Gaede, Luise; Kempfert, Joerg; Walther, Thomas; Hamm, Christian; Möllmann, Helge

2015-08-01

Since the beginning of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) era, many prosthetic valves have entered clinical practice. TAVI prostheses differ regarding stent design and some may potentially interfere with diagnostic or interventional catheters. The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the feasibility of coronary angiography (CA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with prior TAVI. From 2011 to 2014, 1,000 patients were treated by TAVI at our center using eight different valve prostheses (Symetis ACURATE TA and ACURATE TF; Medtronic CoreValve and Engager; JenaValve, SJM Portico; Edwards Lifesciences SAPIEN and SAPIEN XT). In this analysis, all patients were included who underwent either CA or PCI after TAVI. CA or PCI were rated as fully feasible when coronary ostia could be fully intubated, partially feasible when coronary arteries could be displayed only unselectively or unfeasible when coronary arteries could not be displayed. A total of 35 patients underwent CA/PCI after TAVI at our hospital. In all patients with valves implanted in a subcoronary position (SAPIEN n = 19; JenaValve n = 1), selective intubation was feasible using standard catheters. Out of 15 patients with valve types that are placed over the coronary ostia (CoreValve n = 10, ACURATE n = 4, Portico n = 1), selective intubation of coronary arteries was not possible in 9 cases, even with the use of different diagnostic catheters. Full accessibility was possible only in 3 cases. In 2 cases, display of the right CA was only feasible using unselective aortography. In 1 case, coronary arteries could not be displayed at all immediately after a valve-in-valve procedure. CA or PCI after TAVI is usually feasible. Devices that are placed in a partially supracoronary position, however, can interfere with diagnostic or guiding catheters and impede straightforward intervention, especially when the prosthesis is not implanted in the correct position.

Sex and estrous cycle differences in immediate early gene activation in the hippocampus and the dorsal striatum after the cue competition task.

PubMed

Yagi, Shunya; Drewczynski, Dimka; Wainwright, Steven R; Barha, Cindy K; Hershorn, Olivia; Galea, Liisa A M

2017-01-01

The hippocampus and dorsal striatum are important structures involved in place and response learning strategies respectively. Both sex and estrous cycle phase differences in learning strategy preference exist following cue competition paradigms. Furthermore, significant effects of sex and learning strategy on hippocampal neural plasticity have been reported. However, associations between learning strategy and immediate early gene (IEG) expression in the hippocampus and dorsal striatum are not completely understood. In the current study we investigated the effects of sex and estrous cycle phase on strategy choice and IEG expression in the hippocampus and dorsal striatum of rats following cue competition training in the Morris water maze. We found that proestrous rats were more likely to choose a place strategy than non-proestrous or male rats. Although male cue strategy users travelled greater distances than the other groups on the first day of training, there were no other sex or strategy differences in the ability to reach a hidden or a visible platform. Female place strategy users exhibited greater zif268 expression and male place strategy users exhibited greater cFos expression compared to all other groups in CA3. Furthermore, cue strategy users had greater expression of cFos in the dorsal striatum than place strategy users. Shorter distances to reach a visible platform were associated with less activation of cFos in CA3 and CA1 of male place strategy users. Our findings indicate multiple differences in brain activation with sex and strategy use, despite limited behavioral differences between the sexes on this cue competition paradigm. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interior oblique view of revised handicap accessible bathroom in 1st ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Interior oblique view of revised handicap accessible bathroom in 1st floor of Building 6 from hall doorway, looking southwest - North Beach Place, 401 Bay Street, 500 Francisco Street, 401 Bay Street, 500 Francisco Street, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA

TL detectors for gamma ray dose measurements in criticality accidents.

PubMed

Miljanić, Saveta; Zorko, Benjamin; Gregori, Beatriz; Knezević, Zeljka

2007-01-01

Determination of gamma ray dose in mixed neutron+gamma ray fields is still a demanding task. Dosemeters used for gamma ray dosimetry are usually in some extent sensitive to neutrons and their response variations depend on neutron energy i.e., on neutron spectra. Besides, it is necessary to take into account the energy dependence of dosemeter responses to gamma rays. In this work, several types of thermoluminescent detectors (TLD) placed in different holders used for gamma ray dose determination in the mixed fields were examined. Dosemeters were from three different institutions: Ruder Bosković Institute (RBI), Croatia, JoZef Stefan Institute (JSI), Slovenia and Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN), Argentina. All dosemeters were irradiated during the International Intercomparison of Criticality Accident Dosimetry Systems at the SILENE Reactor, Valduc, June 2002. Three accidental scenarios were reproduced and in each irradiation the dosemeters were exposed placed on the front of phantom and 'free in air'. Following types of TLDs were used: 7LiF (TLD-700), CaF2:Mn and Al2O3:Mg,Y-all from RBI; CaF2:Mn from JSI and 7LiF (TLD-700) from ARN. Reported doses were compared with the reference values as well as with the values obtained from the results of all participants. The results show satisfactory agreement with other dosimetry systems used in the Intercomparison. The influence of different types of holders and applied corrections of dosemeters' readings are discussed.

Magnetocaloric effect and its modulation by electric field in La0.325Pr0.3Ca0.375MnO3 films grown on (0 1 1)-PMN-PT substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, K. M.; Li, J.; Liu, Y.; Kuang, H.; Wang, J.; Hu, F. X.; Sun, J. R.; Shen, B. G.

2018-06-01

In this paper, we have investigated the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and its modulation by electric field in La0.325Pr0.3Ca0.375MnO3 (LPCMO) films grown on (0 1 1)-oriented PMN-PT substrates. As a typical perovskite manganite with phase separation, the LPCMO bulk shows a considerable MCE, but the MCE of the LPCMO films has never been investigated. We found that the LPCMO films exhibit a MCE over a wide temperature range. A modulation of magnetization by electric field has been observed in the temperature dependent (M-T) and magnetic field dependent (M-H) curves. As a result, enhanced magnetic entropy change and refrigeration capacity by about 4% under an electric field of +6 kV/cm has been demonstrated.

Decoupled carbonate chemistry controls on the incorporation of boron into Orbulina universa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howes, Ella L.; Kaczmarek, Karina; Raitzsch, Markus; Mewes, Antje; Bijma, Nienke; Horn, Ingo; Misra, Sambuddha; Gattuso, Jean-Pierre; Bijma, Jelle

2017-01-01

In order to fully constrain paleo-carbonate systems, proxies for two out of seven parameters, plus temperature and salinity, are required. The boron isotopic composition (δ11B) of planktonic foraminifera shells is a powerful tool for reconstructing changes in past surface ocean pH. As B(OH)4- is substituted into the biogenic calcite lattice in place of CO32-, and both borate and carbonate ions are more abundant at higher pH, it was suggested early on that B / Ca ratios in biogenic calcite may serve as a proxy for [CO32-]. Although several recent studies have shown that a direct connection of B / Ca to carbonate system parameters may be masked by other environmental factors in the field, there is ample evidence for a mechanistic relationship between B / Ca and carbonate system parameters. Here, we focus on investigating the primary relationship to develop a mechanistic understanding of boron uptake. Differentiating between the effects of pH and [CO32-] is problematic, as they co-vary closely in natural systems, so the major control on boron incorporation remains unclear. To deconvolve the effects of pH and [CO32-] and to investigate their impact on the B / Ca ratio and δ11B, we conducted culture experiments with the planktonic foraminifer Orbulina universa in manipulated culture media: constant pH (8.05), but changing [CO32-] (238, 286 and 534 µmol kg-1 CO32-) and at constant [CO32-] (276 ± 19.5 µmol kg-1) and varying pH (7.7, 7.9 and 8.05). Measurements of the isotopic composition of boron and the B / Ca ratio were performed simultaneously using a femtosecond laser ablation system coupled to a MC-ICP-MS (multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer). Our results show that, as expected, δ11B is controlled by pH but it is also modulated by [CO32-]. On the other hand, the B / Ca ratio is driven by [HCO3-], independently of pH. This suggests that B / Ca ratios in foraminiferal calcite can possibly be used as a second, independent, proxy for complete paleo-carbonate system reconstructions. This is discussed in light of recent literature demonstrating that the primary relationship between B / Ca and [HCO3-] can be obscured by other environmental parameters.

Interfacial Ferromagnetism and Exchange Bias in CaRuO3/CaMnO3 Superlattices

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-07

microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy indicate that the difference in magnitude of the Mn valence states between the center of the CaMnO3 layer...CaMnO3 thickness dependence of the exchange bias field together indicate that the interfacial 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 13...superlattices of CaRuO3/CaMnO3 that arises in one unit cell at the interface. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss

Magnetic-field-dependent dielectric constant in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivas, J.; Mira, J.; Rivas-Murias, B.; Fondado, A.; Dec, J.; Kleemann, W.; Señarís-Rodríguez, M. A.

2006-06-01

We report a rather high dependence of the dielectric permittivity on the magnetic field in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3. The variation is maximum at around 270K, little above the Curie temperature TC, and it reaches a 35% under only 0.5T. We attribute this phenomenon to the space-charge or interfacial polarization produced between the insulator and the metallic regions segregated intrinsically in the material above TC.

Characterisation, immunolocalisation and antifungal activity of a lipid transfer protein from chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) seeds with novel α-amylase inhibitory properties.

PubMed

Diz, Mariângela S; Carvalho, Andre O; Ribeiro, Suzanna F F; Da Cunha, Maura; Beltramini, Leila; Rodrigues, Rosana; Nascimento, Viviane V; Machado, Olga L T; Gomes, Valdirene M

2011-07-01

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) were thus named because they facilitate the transfer of lipids between membranes in vitro. This study was triggered by the characterization of a 9-kDa LTP from Capsicum annuum seeds that we call Ca-LTP(1) . Ca-LTP(1) was repurified, and in the last chromatographic purification step, propanol was used as the solvent in place of acetonitrile to maintain the protein's biological activity. Bidimensional electrophoresis of the 9-kDa band, which corresponds to the purified Ca-LTP(1) , showed the presence of three isoforms with isoelectric points (pIs) of 6.0, 8.5 and 9.5. Circular dichroism (CD) analysis suggested a predominance of α-helices, as expected for the structure of an LTP family member. LTPs immunorelated to Ca-LTP(1) from C. annuum were also detected by western blotting in exudates released from C. annuum seeds and also in other Capsicum species. The tissue and subcellular localization of Ca-LTP(1) indicated that it was mainly localized within dense vesicles. In addition, isolated Ca-LTP(1) exhibited antifungal activity against Colletotrichum lindemunthianum, and especially against Candida tropicalis, causing several morphological changes to the cells including the formation of pseudohyphae. Ca-LTP(1) also caused the yeast plasma membrane to be permeable to the dye SYTOX green, as verified by fluorescence microscopy. We also found that Ca-LTP(1) is able to inhibit mammalian α-amylase activity in vitro. Copyright © Physiologia Plantarum 2011.

Structure and Calcium Binding Properties of a Neuronal Calcium-Myristoyl Switch Protein, Visinin-Like Protein 3.

PubMed

Li, Congmin; Lim, Sunghyuk; Braunewell, Karl H; Ames, James B

2016-01-01

Visinin-like protein 3 (VILIP-3) belongs to a family of Ca2+-myristoyl switch proteins that regulate signal transduction in the brain and retina. Here we analyze Ca2+ binding, characterize Ca2+-induced conformational changes, and determine the NMR structure of myristoylated VILIP-3. Three Ca2+ bind cooperatively to VILIP-3 at EF2, EF3 and EF4 (KD = 0.52 μM and Hill slope of 1.8). NMR assignments, mutagenesis and structural analysis indicate that the covalently attached myristoyl group is solvent exposed in Ca2+-bound VILIP-3, whereas Ca2+-free VILIP-3 contains a sequestered myristoyl group that interacts with protein residues (E26, Y64, V68), which are distinct from myristate contacts seen in other Ca2+-myristoyl switch proteins. The myristoyl group in VILIP-3 forms an unusual L-shaped structure that places the C14 methyl group inside a shallow protein groove, in contrast to the much deeper myristoyl binding pockets observed for recoverin, NCS-1 and GCAP1. Thus, the myristoylated VILIP-3 protein structure determined in this study is quite different from those of other known myristoyl switch proteins (recoverin, NCS-1, and GCAP1). We propose that myristoylation serves to fine tune the three-dimensional structures of neuronal calcium sensor proteins as a means of generating functional diversity.

Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of CaK(Fe1 -xNix)4As4 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Li; Meier, William R.; Xu, Mingyu; Kaluarachchi, Udhara S.; Bud'ko, Sergey L.; Canfield, Paul C.

2018-05-01

The pressure dependence of the magnetic and superconducting transitions and that of the superconducting upper critical field are reported for CaK (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 , the first example of an Fe-based superconductor with spin-vortex-crystal-type magnetic ordering. Resistance measurements were performed on single crystals with two substitution levels (x =0.033 ,0.050 ) under hydrostatic pressures up to 5.12 GPa and in magnetic fields up to 9 T. Our results show that, for both compositions, magnetic transition temperatures TN are suppressed upon applying pressure; the superconducting transition temperatures Tc are suppressed by pressure as well, except for x =0.050 in the pressure region where TN and Tc cross. Furthermore, the pressure associated with the crossing of the TN and Tc lines also coincides with a minimum in the normalized slope of the superconducting upper critical field, consistent with a likely Fermi-surface reconstruction associated with the loss of magnetic ordering. Finally, at p ˜4 GPa, both Ni-substituted CaK (Fe1-xNix) 4As4 samples likely go through a half-collapsed-tetragonal phase transition, similar to the parent compound CaKFe4As4 .

Size-driven magnetic transitions in La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markovich, V.; Fita, I.; Wisniewski, A.; Mogilyansky, D.; Puzniak, R.; Titelman, L.; Gorodetsky, G.

2010-09-01

Magnetic properties of electron-doped La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 manganite nanoparticles with average particle size ranging from 12 to 42 nm, prepared by the glycine-nitrate method, have been investigated in temperature range 5-300 K and in magnetic fields up to 90 kOe. Reduction in the particle size suppresses antiferromagnetism and decreases the Néel temperature. In contrast to bulk crystals, the charge ordering does not occur in all studied nanoparticles, while a weak ferromagnetism appears above 200 K. Low temperature magnetic hysteresis loops indicate upon exchange bias effect displayed by horizontal and vertical shifts in field cooled processes. The spontaneous and remanent magnetization at low temperature shows a relatively complex variation with particle size. The size-induced structural/magnetic disorder drives the La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 nanoparticles to a pronounced glassy behavior for the smallest 12 nm particles, as evidenced by large difference between zero field cooled and field cooled magnetization, frequency dependent ac-susceptibility, as well as characteristic slowing down in the spin dynamics. Time evolution of magnetization recorded in magnetic fields after field cooling to low temperatures exhibits pronounced relaxation and a very noisy behavior that may be caused by formation of some collective states. Magnetic properties of the nanoparticle samples are compared with those of La0.2Ca0.8MnO3 nanoparticles. These results shed some light on the coupling between charges and spin degrees of freedom in antiferromagnetic manganite nanoparticles.

Quasi-two-dimensional fluctuations in the magnetization of L a 1.9 C a 1.1 C u 2 O 6 + δ superconductors

DOE PAGES

Shi, Xiaoya; Dimitrov, I. K.; Ozaki, Toshinori; ...

2017-11-01

We report the results of magnetization measurements with the magnetic field applied along the c axis on superconducting La 1.9Ca 1.1Cu 2O 6+δ single crystals processed under ultrahigh oxygen pressure. Strong fluctuation effects were found in both low- and high-field regimes. Scaling analysis of the high-field magnetization data near the critical temperature (T c = 53.5K) region reveals the characteristics of critical fluctuation behavior of quasi-two-dimensional (2D) superconductivity, described by Ginzburg-Landau theory using the lowest Landau level approximation. Low-field magnetic susceptibility data can be successfully explained by the Lawrence-Doniach model for a quasi-2D superconductor, from which we obtained the amore » b plane Ginzburg-Landau coherence length of this system, ξ ab(0) = 11.8 ± 0.9 Å . The coherence length along the c axis, ξ c(0), is estimated to be about 1.65 Å, which is in between those of 2D cuprate systems, such as Bi 2Sr 2Ca 2Cu 3O 10 and Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8, and quasi-three-dimensional (3D) cuprate systems, such as overdoped La 2-xSr xCuO 4 and YBa 2Cu 3O 7-δ. Our studies suggest a strong interplay among the fluctuation effects, dimensionalities, and the ratios of the interlayer Cu-O plane spacing, s , to the c-axis coherence lengths. A high s/ξ c(0) was observed in the high-pressure oxygenated La 1.9Ca 1.1Cu 2O 6+δ, and that apparently drives this system to behave more like a quasi-2D superconductor.« less

Quasi-two-dimensional fluctuations in the magnetization of L a 1.9 C a 1.1 C u 2 O 6 + δ superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shi, Xiaoya; Dimitrov, I. K.; Ozaki, Toshinori

We report the results of magnetization measurements with the magnetic field applied along the c axis on superconducting La 1.9Ca 1.1Cu 2O 6+δ single crystals processed under ultrahigh oxygen pressure. Strong fluctuation effects were found in both low- and high-field regimes. Scaling analysis of the high-field magnetization data near the critical temperature (T c = 53.5K) region reveals the characteristics of critical fluctuation behavior of quasi-two-dimensional (2D) superconductivity, described by Ginzburg-Landau theory using the lowest Landau level approximation. Low-field magnetic susceptibility data can be successfully explained by the Lawrence-Doniach model for a quasi-2D superconductor, from which we obtained the amore » b plane Ginzburg-Landau coherence length of this system, ξ ab(0) = 11.8 ± 0.9 Å . The coherence length along the c axis, ξ c(0), is estimated to be about 1.65 Å, which is in between those of 2D cuprate systems, such as Bi 2Sr 2Ca 2Cu 3O 10 and Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8, and quasi-three-dimensional (3D) cuprate systems, such as overdoped La 2-xSr xCuO 4 and YBa 2Cu 3O 7-δ. Our studies suggest a strong interplay among the fluctuation effects, dimensionalities, and the ratios of the interlayer Cu-O plane spacing, s , to the c-axis coherence lengths. A high s/ξ c(0) was observed in the high-pressure oxygenated La 1.9Ca 1.1Cu 2O 6+δ, and that apparently drives this system to behave more like a quasi-2D superconductor.« less

Downstream effects of hippocampal sharp wave ripple oscillations on medial entorhinal cortex layer V neurons in vitro.

PubMed

Roth, Fabian C; Beyer, Katinka M; Both, Martin; Draguhn, Andreas; Egorov, Alexei V

2016-12-01

The entorhinal cortex (EC) is a critical component of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) memory system. Local networks within the MTL express a variety of state-dependent network oscillations that are believed to organize neuronal activity during memory formation. The peculiar pattern of sharp wave-ripple complexes (SPW-R) entrains neurons by a very fast oscillation at ∼200 Hz in the hippocampal areas CA3 and CA1 and then propagates through the "output loop" into the EC. The precise mechanisms of SPW-R propagation and the resulting cellular input patterns in the mEC are, however, largely unknown. We therefore investigated the activity of layer V (LV) principal neurons of the medial EC (mEC) during SPW-R oscillations in horizontal mouse brain slices. Intracellular recordings in the mEC were combined with extracellular monitoring of propagating network activity. SPW-R in CA1 were regularly followed by negative field potential deflections in the mEC. Propagation of SPW-R activity from CA1 to the mEC was mostly monosynaptic and excitatory, such that synaptic input to mEC LV neurons directly reflected unit activity in CA1. Comparison with propagating network activity from CA3 to CA1 revealed a similar role of excitatory long-range connections for both regions. However, SPW-R-induced activity in CA1 involved strong recruitment of rhythmic synaptic inhibition and corresponding fast field oscillations, in contrast to the mEC. These differences between features of propagating SPW-R emphasize the differential processing of network activity by each local network of the hippocampal output loop. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Competition of calcified calmodulin N lobe and PIP2 to an LQT mutation site in Kv7.1 channel

PubMed Central

Tobelaim, William Sam; Dvir, Meidan; Lebel, Guy; Cui, Meng; Buki, Tal; Peretz, Asher; Marom, Milit; Haitin, Yoni; Logothetis, Diomedes E.; Hirsch, Joel Alan; Attali, Bernard

2017-01-01

Voltage-gated potassium 7.1 (Kv7.1) channel and KCNE1 protein coassembly forms the slow potassium current IKS that repolarizes the cardiac action potential. The physiological importance of the IKS channel is underscored by the existence of mutations in human Kv7.1 and KCNE1 genes, which cause cardiac arrhythmias, such as the long-QT syndrome (LQT) and atrial fibrillation. The proximal Kv7.1 C terminus (CT) binds calmodulin (CaM) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), but the role of CaM in channel function is still unclear, and its possible interaction with PIP2 is unknown. Our recent crystallographic study showed that CaM embraces helices A and B with the apo C lobe and calcified N lobe, respectively. Here, we reveal the competition of PIP2 and the calcified CaM N lobe to a previously unidentified site in Kv7.1 helix B, also known to harbor an LQT mutation. Protein pulldown, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and patch-clamp recordings indicate that residues K526 and K527 in Kv7.1 helix B form a critical site where CaM competes with PIP2 to stabilize the channel open state. Data indicate that both PIP2 and Ca2+-CaM perform the same function on IKS channel gating by producing a left shift in the voltage dependence of activation. The LQT mutant K526E revealed a severely impaired channel function with a right shift in the voltage dependence of activation, a reduced current density, and insensitivity to gating modulation by Ca2+-CaM. The results suggest that, after receptor-mediated PIP2 depletion and increased cytosolic Ca2+, calcified CaM N lobe interacts with helix B in place of PIP2 to limit excessive IKS current inhibition. PMID:28096388

Competition of calcified calmodulin N lobe and PIP2 to an LQT mutation site in Kv7.1 channel.

PubMed

Tobelaim, William Sam; Dvir, Meidan; Lebel, Guy; Cui, Meng; Buki, Tal; Peretz, Asher; Marom, Milit; Haitin, Yoni; Logothetis, Diomedes E; Hirsch, Joel Alan; Attali, Bernard

2017-01-31

Voltage-gated potassium 7.1 (Kv7.1) channel and KCNE1 protein coassembly forms the slow potassium current I KS that repolarizes the cardiac action potential. The physiological importance of the I KS channel is underscored by the existence of mutations in human Kv7.1 and KCNE1 genes, which cause cardiac arrhythmias, such as the long-QT syndrome (LQT) and atrial fibrillation. The proximal Kv7.1 C terminus (CT) binds calmodulin (CaM) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ), but the role of CaM in channel function is still unclear, and its possible interaction with PIP 2 is unknown. Our recent crystallographic study showed that CaM embraces helices A and B with the apo C lobe and calcified N lobe, respectively. Here, we reveal the competition of PIP 2 and the calcified CaM N lobe to a previously unidentified site in Kv7.1 helix B, also known to harbor an LQT mutation. Protein pulldown, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and patch-clamp recordings indicate that residues K526 and K527 in Kv7.1 helix B form a critical site where CaM competes with PIP 2 to stabilize the channel open state. Data indicate that both PIP 2 and Ca 2+ -CaM perform the same function on I KS channel gating by producing a left shift in the voltage dependence of activation. The LQT mutant K526E revealed a severely impaired channel function with a right shift in the voltage dependence of activation, a reduced current density, and insensitivity to gating modulation by Ca 2+ -CaM. The results suggest that, after receptor-mediated PIP 2 depletion and increased cytosolic Ca 2+ , calcified CaM N lobe interacts with helix B in place of PIP 2 to limit excessive I KS current inhibition.

AmeriFlux CA-TP1 Ontario - Turkey Point 2002 Plantation White Pine

DOE Data Explorer

Arain, M. Altaf [McMaster University

2016-01-01

This is the AmeriFlux version of the carbon flux data for the site CA-TP1 Ontario - Turkey Point 2002 Plantation White Pine. Site Description - Plantation established in 2002 on a former sandy agricultural field, which was abandoned three years prior to planting

A Hydrothermal Route to the Synthesis of CaTiO3 Nanocuboids Using P25 as the Titanium Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Yuxiang; Yang, Hua; Zhao, Xinxin; Zhang, Haimin; Jiang, Jinlong

2018-03-01

CaTiO3 nanocuboids (width 0.3-0.5 μm, length 0.8-1.1 μm) have been synthesized by a hydrothermal route using commercial P25 as the titanium source. The as-prepared sample was systematically characterized by means of x-ray powder diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the sample was evaluated by degrading rhodamine B under simulated sunlight irradiation. It is demonstrated that CaTiO3 nanocuboids exhibit superior photocatalytic activity when compared with CaTiO3 nanoparticles. By investigating the effect of scavengers on the dye degradation and the yield of hydroxyl (·OH) radicals, it is concluded that ·OH is the dominant reactive species.

A weak combined magnetic field changes root gravitropism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordyum, E. L.; Bogatina, N. I.; Kalinina, Ja. M.; Sheykina, N. V.

Immobile higher plants are oriented in the gravitational field due to gravitropim that is a physiological growth reaction and consists of three phases: reception of a gravitational signal by statocytes, its transduction to the elongation zone, and finally the organ bending. According to the starch-statolith hypothesis, amyloplasts in the specialized graviperceptive cells - statocytes sediment in the direction of a gravitational vector in the distal part of a cell. The polar arrangement of organelles is maintained by means of the cytoskeleton. On the Kholodny-Went's, theory the root bending is provided by the polar movement of auxin from a root cap to the elongation zone. It is also known that gravistimulation initiates a rapid Ca2+ redistribution in a root apex. Calcium ions modify an activity of many cytoskeletal proteins and clustering of calcium channels may be directed by actin microfilaments. Although the available data show the Ca2+ and cytoskeleton participation in graviperception and signal transduction, the clear evidence with regard to the participation of cytoskeletal elements and calcium ions in these processes is therefore substantial but still circumstantial and requires new experimental data. Roots are characterized with positive gravitropism, i. e. they grow in the direction of a gravitational vector. It was first shown by us that roots change the direction of a gravitropic reaction under gravistimulation in the weak combined magnetic field with a frequency of 32 Hz. 2-3-day old cress seedlings were gravistimulated in moist chambers, which are placed in μ-metal shields. Inside μ -metal shields, combined magnetic fields have been created. Experiments were performed in darkness at temperature 20±10C. Measurements of the magnitude of magnetic fields were carried out with a flux-gate magnetometer. Cress roots reveal negative gravitropism, i. e. they grow in the opposite direction to a gravitational vector, during 2 h of gravistimulation and then roots begin to grow more or less parallel to the Earth's surface, i.e. they reveal plagiotropism. Since such combined magnetic field is adjusted to the cyclotron frequency of Ca2+ ions, these observations demonstrate the participation of calcium ions in root gravitropism. Cyclotron frequency of Ca2+ ions is the formal frequency of ion rotation in the static magnetic field. Simultaneous applying the altering magnetic field with the same frequency can provoke auto-oscillation in the system and consequently change the rate and/or the direction of Ca2+ ion flow in a root under gravistimulation. The data of light, electron, and confocal laser microscopy and kinetics of a gravitropic reaction, which have been obtained on such the new original model, are discussed in the light of current concepts of root gravitropism.

Origin of the endemic fern genus Diellia coincides with the renewal of Hawaiian terrestrial life in the Miocene

PubMed Central

Schneider, Harald; Ranker, Tom A.; Russell, Stephen J.; Cranfill, Raymond; Geiger, Jennifer M.O.; Aguraiuja, Ruth; Wood, Ken R.; Grundmann, Michael; Kloberdanz, Keelie; Vogel, Johannes C.

2005-01-01

The enigmatic fern genus Diellia, endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago, consists of five extant and one recently extinct species. Diellia is morphologically highly variable, and a unique combination of characters has led to several contrasting hypotheses regarding the relationship of Diellia to other ferns. A phylogenetic analysis of four chloroplast loci places Diellia within ‘black-stemmed’ rock spleenworts of the species-rich genus Asplenium, as previously suggested by W. H. Wagner. Using an external calibration point, we estimate the divergence of the Diellia lineage from its nearest relatives to have occurred at ca. 24.3 Myr ago matching an independent estimate for the renewal of Hawaiian terrestrial life (ca. 23 Myr ago). We therefore suggest that the ancestor of the Diellia lineage may have been among the first successful colonists of the newly emerging islands in the archipelago. Disparity between morphological and nucleotide sequence variation within Diellia is consistent with a recent rapid radiation. Our estimated time of the Diellia radiation (ca. 2 Myr ago) is younger than the oldest island of Kaua’i (ca. 5.1 Myr ago) but older than the younger major islands of Maui (ca. 1.3 Myr ago), Lana’i (ca. 1.3 Myr ago) and Hawaii (ca. 0.43 Myr ago). PMID:15734701

Possible relationship between the stress-induced synaptic response and metaplasticity in the hippocampal CA1 field of freely moving rats.

PubMed

Hirata, Riki; Matsumoto, Machiko; Judo, Chika; Yamaguchi, Taku; Izumi, Takeshi; Yoshioka, Mitsuhiro; Togashi, Hiroko

2009-07-01

Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is suppressed not only by stress paradigms but also by low frequency stimulation (LFS) prior to LTP-inducing high frequency stimulation (HFS; tetanus), termed metaplasticity. These synaptic responses are dependent on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, leading to speculations about the possible relationship between metaplasticity and stress-induced LTP impairment. However, the functional significance of metaplasticity has been unclear. The present study elucidated the electrophysiological and neurochemical profiles of metaplasticity in the hippocampal CA1 field, with a focus on the synaptic response induced by the emotional stress, contextual fear conditioning (CFC). The population spike amplitude in the CA1 field was decreased during exposure to CFC, and LTP induction was suppressed after CFC in conscious rats. The synaptic response induced by CFC was mimicked by LFS, i.e., LFS impaired the synaptic transmission and subsequent LTP. Plasma corticosterone levels were increased by both CFC and LFS. Extracellular levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but not glutamate, in the hippocampus increased during exposure to CFC or LFS. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which caused decreases in freezing behavior during exposure to CFC, counteracted the LTP impairment induced by LFS. These findings suggest that metaplasticity in the rat hippocampal CA1 field is related to the neural basis of stress experience-dependent fear memory, and that hippocampal synaptic response associated stress-related processes is under mPFC regulation.

The system CaO-MgO-SiO2-CO2 at 1 GPa, metasomatic wehrlites, and primary carbonatite magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, W. J.; Wyllie, P. J.

New experimental data in CaO-MgO-SiO2-CO2 at 1GPa define the vapor-saturated silicate-carbonate liquidus field boundary involving primary minerals calcite, forsterite and diopside. The eutectic reaction for melting of model calcite (1% MC)-wehrlite at 1GPa is at 1100°C, with liquid composition (by weight) 72% CaCO3 (CC), 9% MgCO3 (MC), and 18% CaMgSi2O6 (Di). These data combined with previous results permit construction of the isotherm-contoured vapor-saturated liquidus surface for the calcite/dolomite field, and part of the adjacent forsterite and diopside fields. Nearly pure calcite crystals in mantle xenoliths cannot represent equilibrium liquids. We recently determined the complete vapor-saturated liquidus surface between carbonates and model peridotites at 2.7GPa the peritectic reaction for dolomite (25% MC)-wehrlite at 2.7GPa occurs at 1300°C, with liquid composition 60% CC, 29% MC, and 11% Di. The liquidus field boundaries on these two surfaces provide the road-map for interpretation of magmatic processes in various peridotite-CO2 systems at depths between the Moho and about 100km. Relationships among kimberlites, melilitites, carbonatites and the liquidus phase boundaries are discussed. Experimental data for carbonatite liquid protected by metasomatic wehrlite have been reported. The liquid trends directly from dolomitic towards CaCO3 with decreasing pressure. The 1.5GPa liquid contains 87% CC and 4% Di, much lower in silicate components than our phase boundary. However, the liquids contain approximately the same CaCO3 (90+/- 1wt%) in terms of only carbonate components. For CO2-bearing mantle, all magmas at depth must pass through initial dolomitic compositions. Rising dolomitic carbonatite melt will vesiculate and may erupt as primary magmas through cracks from about 70km. If it percolates through metasomatic wehrlite from 70km toward the Moho at 35-40km, primary calcic siliceous carbonatite magma can be generated with silicate content at least 11-18% (70-40km) on the silicate-carbonate boundary.

Response of extracellular zinc in the ventral hippocampus against novelty stress.

PubMed

Takeda, Atsushi; Sakurada, Naomi; Kanno, Shingo; Minami, Akira; Oku, Naoto

2006-10-01

An extensive neuronal activity takes place in the hippocampus during exploratory behavior. However, the role of hippocampal zinc in exploratory behavior is poorly understood. To analyze the response of extracellular zinc in the hippocampus against novelty stress, rats were placed for 50 min in a novel environment once a day for 8 days. Extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus was increased during exploratory behavior on day 1, whereas extracellular zinc was decreased. The same phenomenon was observed during exploratory behavior on day 2 and extracellular zinc had returned to the basal level during exploratory behavior on day 8. To examine the significance of the decrease in extracellular zinc in exploratory activity, exploratory behavior was observed during perfusion with 1 mm CaEDTA, a membrane-impermeable zinc chelator. Locomotor activity in the novel environment was decreased by perfusion with CaEDTA. The decrease in extracellular zinc and the increase in extracellular glutamate in exploratory period were abolished by perfusion with CaEDTA. These results suggest that zinc uptake by hippocampal cells is linked to exploratory activity and is required for the activation of the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system. The zinc uptake may be involved in the response to painless psychological stress or in the cognitive processes.

IP/sub 3/ stimulates CA/sup + +/ efflux from fusogenic carrot protoplasts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rincon, M.; Boss, W.F.

1986-04-01

Polyphosphoinositide breakdown plays an important role in signal transduction in animal cells (Berridge and Irvine, 1984, Nature, 312:315). Upon stimulation, phospholipase C hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP/sub 3/) and diacylglycerol both of which act as cellular second messengers. IP/sub 3/ mobilizes Ca/sup + +/ from internal stores, hence the cytosolic free Ca/sup + +/ concentration increases and those physiological activities regulated by Ca/sup + +/ are stimulated. To test if plant cells also responded to IP/sub 3/, Ca/sup + +/ efflux studies were done with fusogenic carrot protoplasts released in EGTA. The protoplasts were preloaded with /sup 45/Ca/supmore » + +/ placed in a Ca/sup + +/-free medium, and efflux determined as /sup 45/Ca/sup + +/ loss from the protoplasts. IP/sub 3/ (10-20..mu..M) caused enhanced /sup 45/Ca/sup + +/ efflux and the response was sustained for at least 15 min. In plants, as in animals, the observed IP/sub 3/-enhanced /sup 45/Ca/sup + +/ efflux suggested that IP/sub 3/ released Ca/sup + +/ from internal stores, and the increased free cytosolic Ca/sup + +/ activated Ca/sup + +/ pumping mechanisms which restored the Ca/sup + +/ concentration in the cytosol to the normal level.« less

Human Retroviruses: Methods and Protocols

PubMed Central

Zhao, Gongpu; Zhang, Peijun

2015-01-01

Summary After virus fusion with a target cell, the viral core is released into the host cell cytoplasm and undergoes a controlled disassembly process, termed uncoating, before or as reverse transcription takes place. The cellular protein TRIM5α is a host cell restriction factor that blocks HIV-1 infection in rhesus macaque cells by targeting the viral capsid and inducing premature uncoating. The molecular mechanism of the interaction between capsid and TRIM5α remains unclear. Here, we describe an approach that utilizes cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to examine the structural changes exerted on HIV-1 capsid (CA) assembly by TRIM5α binding. The TRIM5α interaction sites on CA assembly were further dissected by combining cryoEM with pair-wise cysteine mutations that crosslink CA either within a CA hexamer or between CA hexamers. Based on the structural information from cryoEM and crosslinking results from in vitro CA assemblies and purified intact HIV-1 cores, we demonstrate that direct binding of TRIM5α CC-SPRY domains to the viral capsid results in disruption and fragmentation of the surface lattice of HIV-1 capsid, specifically at inter-hexamer interfaces. The method described here can be easily adopted to study other important interactions in multi-protein complexes. PMID:24158810

Experimental Evidence for LENR in a Polarized Pd/D Lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szpak, S.

2005-03-01

Experimental evidence in support of claims that excess enthalpy production in a polarized Pd/D lattice is of a nuclear origin is questioned on various grounds, eg marginal intensity and difficulty in reproducing. Here, evidence is presented that is 100% reproducible and of sufficient intensity to be well outside of experimental errors. In addition to the thermal behavior, the nuclear manifestations include: X-ray emission; tritium production; and, when an operating cell is placed in an external electric field, fusion to create heavier metals such as Ca, Al, Mg, and Zn.

Coeval Formation of Zircon Megacrysts and Host Magmas in the Eifel Volcanic Field (Germany) Based on High Spatial Resolution Petrochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, Axel; Klitzke, Malte; Gerdes, Axel; Ludwig, Thomas; Schäfer, Christof

2017-04-01

Zircon megacrysts (approx. 0.5-6 mm in diameter) from the Quaternary West and East Eifel volcanic fields, Germany, occur as euhedral crystals in porous K-spar rich plutonic ejecta clasts, and as partially resorbed xenocrysts in tephrite lava. Their relation to the host volcanic rocks has remained contentious because the dominantly basanitic to phonolitic magma compositions in the Eifel are typically zircon undersaturated. We carried out a detailed microanalytical study of zircon megacrysts from seven locations (Emmelberg and Rockeskyll in the West Eifel; Bellerberg, Laacher See, Mendig, Rieden, and Wehr in the East Eifel). Crystals were embedded in epoxy, sectioned to expose interiors through grinding with abrasives, diamond-polished, and mapped by optical microscopy, backscattered electron, and cathodoluminescence imaging. Subsequently, isotope-specific analysis using secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was carried out placing 100 correlated spots on 20 selected crystals. Concordant U-Th disequilibrium and U-Pb ages determined by SIMS are between ca. 430 ka (Rieden) and 170 ka (Mendig) and indicate that the megacryst zircons crystallized almost always briefly before eruption. A significant gap between zircon megacryst crystallization (ca. 230 ka) and eruption (ca. 45 ka) ages was only detected for the Emmelberg location. SIMS trace element abundances (e.g., rare earth elements) vary by orders-of-magnitude and correlate with domain boundaries visible in cathodoluminescence; trace element patterns match those reported for zircon from syenitic origins. Isotopic compositions are homogeneous within individual crystals, but show some heterogeneity between different crystals from the same locality. Average isotopic values (δ18O SMOW = +5.3±0.6 ‰ by SIMS; present-day ɛHf = +1.7±2.5 ‰ by LA-ICP-MS; 1 standard deviation), however, are consistent with source magmas being dominantly mantle-derived. The porous structure and relatively small grain size of the host enclaves suggests that they originated from subvolcanic intrusions. Moreover, the preservation of zircon in hot, zircon undersaturated magmas requires brief residence times. Zircon megacrysts thus appear to have crystallized in highly differentiated magmas or nearly solidified intrusions from which crystals or rock aggregates were incorporated into more primitive magmas en route to surface. This implies that chemical signatures of apparently primitive magmas in basaltic volcanic fields can be modified by interaction with evolved melts that differentiated prior to eruption, mostly within an interval less than the ca. 10-25 ka uncertainty range of the radiometric ages.

Effects of dorsal hippocampus catecholamine depletion on paired-associates learning and place learning in rats.

PubMed

Roschlau, Corinna; Hauber, Wolfgang

2017-04-14

Growing evidence suggests that the catecholamine (CA) neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline support hippocampus-mediated learning and memory. However, little is known to date about which forms of hippocampus-mediated spatial learning are modulated by CA signaling in the hippocampus. Therefore, in the current study we examined the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced CA depletion in the dorsal hippocampus on two prominent forms of hippocampus-based spatial learning, that is learning of object-location associations (paired-associates learning) as well as learning and choosing actions based on a representation of the context (place learning). Results show that rats with CA depletion of the dorsal hippocampus were able to learn object-location associations in an automated touch screen paired-associates learning (PAL) task. One possibility to explain this negative result is that object-location learning as tested in the touchscreen PAL task seems to require relatively little hippocampal processing. Results further show that in rats with CA depletion of the dorsal hippocampus the use of a response strategy was facilitated in a T-maze spatial learning task. We suspect that impaired hippocampus CA signaling may attenuate hippocampus-based place learning and favor dorsolateral striatum-based response learning. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

77 FR 4335 - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-27

... discuss policy. Place: The Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St., San Francisco, CA 94108. Closed: March 6... Francisco, 950 Mason St., San Francisco, CA 94108. Closed: March 7, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: The Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St., San Francisco...

Regulation of hippocampus-dependent memory by the zinc finger protein Zbtb20 in mature CA1 neurons.

PubMed

Ren, Anjing; Zhang, Huan; Xie, Zhifang; Ma, Xianhua; Ji, Wenli; He, David Z Z; Yuan, Wenjun; Ding, Yu-Qiang; Zhang, Xiao-Hui; Zhang, Weiping J

2012-10-01

The mammalian hippocampus harbours neural circuitry that is crucial for associative learning and memory. The mechanisms that underlie the development and regulation of this complex circuitry are not fully understood. Our previous study established an essential role for the zinc finger protein Zbtb20 in the specification of CA1 field identity in the developing hippocampus. Here, we show that conditionally deleting Zbtb20 specifically in mature CA1 pyramidal neurons impaired hippocampus-dependent memory formation, without affecting hippocampal architecture or the survival, identity and basal excitatory synaptic activity of CA1 pyramidal neurons. We demonstrate that mature CA1-specific Zbtb20 knockout mice exhibited reductions in long-term potentiation (LTP) and NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitatory post-synaptic currents. Furthermore, we show that activity-induced phosphorylation of ERK and CREB is impaired in the hippocampal CA1 of Zbtb20 mutant mice. Collectively, these results indicate that Zbtb20 in mature CA1 plays an important role in LTP and memory by regulating NMDAR activity, and activation of ERK and CREB.

Association of Hypercalcemia Before Treatment With Hypocalcemia After Treatment in Dogs With Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

PubMed

Dear, J D; Kass, P H; Della Maggiore, A M; Feldman, E C

2017-03-01

Development of hypocalcemia after treatment of hyperparathyroidism results in increased costs and risk of poorer outcomes. Previous studies have shown conflicting data about predictors of hypocalcemia after these procedures. The objective of this study was to investigate whether ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations before treatment are predictive of hypocalcemia or its clinical signs after surgical removal or heat ablation in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism. Fifty-four dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism (29 female, 25 male; 49 retrospective, 5 prospective). Dogs were enrolled if they met the inclusion criteria: persistent hypercalcemia (iCa >1.41 mmol/L) due to primary hyperparathyroidism and absence of preemptive calcitriol treatment. All dogs were treated with parathyroidectomy (n = 37) or percutaneous ultrasound-guided heat ablation (n = 17). After treatment, iCa was monitored twice daily until plateau or intervention. There was a moderate correlation between before-treatment hypercalcemia and after-treatment hypocalcemia. The prospective study was terminated due to ethical concerns given findings in the retrospective section. All dogs were placed into groups according to their pretreatment iCa: 1.46-1.61 mmol/L, 1.62-1.71 mmol/L, iCa 1.72-1.81 mmol/L, or >1.81 mmol/L. After treatment, the mean lowest iCa for each group, respectively, was 1.19, 1.18, 1.13, and 1.01 mmol/L. There was a significant association between higher group and proportion of dogs with iCa <1.00 mmol/L (P = .014). This study demonstrates a moderate correlation between iCa concentration before treatment and hypocalcemia after treatment. Dogs with higher initial iCa concentrations should be treated to prevent rapid decline and development of clinical hypocalcemia. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Cyclotron-based effects on plant gravitropism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordyum, E.; Sobol, M.; Kalinina, Ia.; Bogatina, N.; Kondrachuk, A.

Primary roots exhibit positive gravitropism and grow in the direction of the gravitational vector, while shoots respond negatively and grow opposite to the gravitational vector. We first demonstrated that the use of a weak combined magnetic field (CMF), which is comprised of a permanent magnetic field and an alternating magnetic field with the frequency resonance of the cyclotron frequency of calcium ions, can change root gravitropism from a positive direction to negative direction. Two-day-old cress seedlings were gravistimulated in a chamber that was placed into a μ-metal shield where this CMF was created. Using this "new model" of a root gravitropic response, we have studied some of its components including the movement of amyloplasts-statoliths in root cap statocytes and the distribution of Ca 2+ ions in the distal elongation zone during gravistimulation. Unlike results from the control, amyloplasts did not sediment in the distal part of a statocyte, and more Ca 2+ accumulation was observed in the upper side of a gravistimulated root for seedlings treated with the CMF. For plants treated with the CMF, it appears that a root gravitropic reaction occurs by a normal physiological process resulting in root bending although in the opposite direction. These results support the hypothesis that both the amyloplasts in the root cap statocytes and calcium are important signaling components in plant gravitropism.

Extinction of Contextual Cocaine Memories Requires Cav1.2 within D1R-Expressing Cells and Recruits Hippocampal Cav1.2-Dependent Signaling Mechanisms

PubMed Central

Lee, Anni S.; Fischer, Delaney K.; Van Kempen, Tracey A.; Mudragel, Vladimir; Glass, Michael J.

2017-01-01

Exposure to cocaine-associated contextual cues contributes significantly to relapse. Extinction of these contextual associations, which involves a new form of learning, reduces cocaine-seeking behavior; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. We report that extinction, but not acquisition, of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in male mice increased Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel mRNA and protein in postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in drug–context associations. Moreover, viral-mediated deletion of Cav1.2 in the dorsal hippocampus attenuated extinction of cocaine CPP. Molecular studies examining downstream Cav1.2 targets revealed that extinction recruited calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaMK)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) to the hippocampal PSD. This occurred in parallel with an increase in phosphorylation of the AMPA GluA1 receptor subunit at serine 831 (S831), a CaMKII site, along with an increase in total PSD GluA1. The necessity of S831 GluA1 was further demonstrated by the lack of extinction in S831A GluA1 phosphomutant mice. Of note hippocampal GluA1 levels remained unaltered at the PSD, but were reduced near the PSD and at perisynaptic sites of dendritic spines in extinction-resistant S831A mutant mice. Finally, conditional knock-out of Cav1.2 in dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)-expressing cells resulted in attenuation of cocaine CPP extinction and lack of extinction-dependent changes in hippocampal PSD CaMKII expression and S831 GluA1 phosphorylation. In summary, we demonstrate an essential role for the hippocampal Cav1.2/CaMKII/S831 GluA1 pathway in cocaine CPP extinction, with data supporting contribution of hippocampal D1R-expressing cells in this process. These findings demonstrate a novel role for Cav1.2 channels in extinction of contextual cocaine-associated memories. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Continued drug-seeking behavior, a defining characteristic of cocaine addiction, can be precipitated by contextual cues, yet the molecular mechanisms required for extinction of these context-specific memories remain poorly understood. Here, we have uncovered a novel and selective role of the Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel and its downstream signaling pathway in the hippocampus that mediate extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP). We additionally provide evidence that supports a role of Cav1.2 within dopamine D1 receptor-expressing cells of the hippocampus for extinction of cocaine CPP. Therefore, these findings reveal a previously unknown role of Cav1.2 channels within the hippocampus and in D1 receptor-expressing cells in extinction of cocaine-associated memories, providing a framework for further exploration of mechanisms underlying extinction of cocaine-seeking behavior. PMID:29089442

Possible role of PAPR-1 in protecting human HaCaT cells against cytotoxicity of SiO2 nanoparticles.

PubMed

Gong, Chunmei; Yang, Linqing; Zhou, Jichang; Guo, Xiang; Zhuang, Zhixiong

2017-10-05

Nano-SiO 2 materials play a significant role in the engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) field. The ease of their production as well as their relatively low cost has promoted the wide use of these products in many fields. Nano-SiO 2 exposure is known to cause severe DNA damage; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a previous study, we found that nano-SiO 2 exposure regulate the expression of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases-1 (PARP-1), a pivotal DNA repair gene, in human HaCaT cells. Here, we employed lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down PAPR-1 expression in HaCaT cells and explored the potential role of PARP-1 in nano-SiO 2 induced cytotoxicity. We found that nano-SiO 2 treatment of HaCaT cells causes decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis and DNA damage. Nano-SiO 2 -treated HaCaT cells were also found to have slightly changed cell cycle distribution. Lentivirus-mediated PAPR-1 knockdown partially aggravated cytotoxicity and increased apoptosis induced by nano-SiO 2 treatment. Nano-SiO 2 had significant toxicity to human HaCaT cells and causes DNA damage. PAPR-1 knock-down cell line appears more sensitive to nano-SiO 2 than the control cells in DNA damage. The results suggest that PAPR-1 is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by nano-SiO 2 . Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Magnetic field dependence of Griffith phase and magnetocaloric effect in Ca0.85Dy0.15MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nag, Ripan; Sarkar, Bidyut; Pal, Sudipta

2018-03-01

Temperature and Magnetic field dependent magnetization properties of electron doped polycrystalline sample Ca0.85Dy0.15MnO3 (CDMO) prepared by solid state reaction method have been studied. The sample undergoes ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition at about 111k. From the study of magnetic properties in terms of Arrot plots it is observed that the phase transition is of 2nd order. The Griffith phase behavior of the sample is suppressed with the increase of the applied magnetic field strength H. We have estimated the magnetic entropy change from experimental magnetization and temperature data. For a magnetic field change of 8000 Oe, the maximum value of magnetic entropy change arrives at a value of 1.126 J-kg-1 k-1 in this magnetocaloric material.

Calcium binding studies of peptides of human phospholipid scramblases 1 to 4 suggest that scramblases are new class of calcium binding proteins in the cell.

PubMed

Sahu, Santosh Kumar; Aradhyam, Gopala Krishna; Gummadi, Sathyanarayana N

2009-10-01

Phospholipid scramblases are a group of four homologous proteins conserved from C. elegans to human. In human, two members of the scramblase family, hPLSCR1 and hPLSCR3 are known to bring about Ca2+ dependent translocation of phosphatidylserine and cardiolipin respectively during apoptotic processes. However, affinities of Ca2+/Mg2+ binding to human scramblases and conformational changes taking place in them remains unknown. In the present study, we analyzed the Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to the calcium binding motifs of hPLSCR1-4 and hPLSCR1 by spectroscopic methods and isothermal titration calorimetry. The results in this study show that (i) affinities of the peptides are in the order hPLSCR1>hPLSCR3>hPLSCR2>hPLSCR4 for Ca2+ and in the order hPLSCR1>hPLSCR2>hPLSCR3>hPLSCR4 for Mg2+, (ii) binding of ions brings about conformational change in the secondary structure of the peptides. The affinity of Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to protein hPLSCR1 was similar to that of the peptide I. A sequence comparison shows the existence of scramblase-like motifs among other protein families. Based on the above results, we hypothesize that the Ca2+ binding motif of hPLSCR1 is a novel type of Ca2+ binding motif. Our findings will be relevant in understanding the calcium dependent scrambling activity of hPLSCRs and their biological function.

The Effect of Weathering on Octane Quality for Winter-Grade and Summer-Grade Gasolines.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

the following: 1. Fuels were stored at an ambient temperature 500 F and an initial (fresh fuel’ sample was taken under these conditions. Ŗ. Test...placed in the soak area and heated to a fuel temperature of 1100 F. This fuel temperature was controlled by room ambient temperature throughout the...Carl Borchers , Senior VP - Engineering FSDO #2 AVTEK Corporation 1387 Airport Boulevard S_4680 Calle Carga San Jose, CA 95110 Camarillo, CA 93010

Application of an X-ray Fluorescence Instrument to Helicopter Wear Debris Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

from magnesium (Mg) to uranium (U) using two X-ray detection sensors: a FOCUS 5+ detector AlX-ray tube X-ray Detector 1. Incident X-ray...zinc (Zn), whilst the PIN detector is used to detect elements from calcium (Ca) to uranium (U) [4]. Elements between calcium (Ca) to zinc (Zn) can be... carbide paper, however polishing is not a normal sample preparation requirement for the Twin-X (see Figure 16). The samples were placed polished side

Environmental Assessment for the Beddown of C-17 Aircraft at March Air Reserve Base, California

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-02-01

Box 1306 Albuquerque, NM 87 1 03 Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office Ecologica l Services Field Office 2730 Loker Avenue West Carlsbad, California...Co CA split In two, mostly ~ 1,687,272 (95% of LA County) South Coa 1,602,908 IS% of LA County) Mojave De 84,364 Madera Co CA San Joaqu 30,090

Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of CaK ( Fe 1 – x Ni x ) 4 As 4 superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xiang, Li; Meier, William R.; Xu, Mingyu

Here, the pressure dependence of the magnetic and superconducting transitions and that of the superconducting upper critical field are reported for CaK(Fe 1–xNi x) 4As 4, the first example of an Fe-based superconductor with spin-vortex-crystal-type magnetic ordering. Resistance measurements were performed on single crystals with two substitution levels (x = 0.033,0.050) under hydrostatic pressures up to 5.12 GPa and in magnetic fields up to 9 T. Our results show that, for both compositions, magnetic transition temperatures T N are suppressed upon applying pressure; the superconducting transition temperatures T c are suppressed by pressure as well, except for x = 0.050more » in the pressure region where T N and T c cross. Furthermore, the pressure associated with the crossing of the T N and T c lines also coincides with a minimum in the normalized slope of the superconducting upper critical field, consistent with a likely Fermi-surface reconstruction associated with the loss of magnetic ordering. Lastly, at p ~ 4 GPa, both Ni-substituted CaK(Fe 1–xNi x) 4As 4 samples likely go through a half-collapsed-tetragonal phase transition, similar to the parent compound CaKFe 4As 4.« less

Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of CaK ( Fe 1 – x Ni x ) 4 As 4 superconductors

DOE PAGES

Xiang, Li; Meier, William R.; Xu, Mingyu; ...

2018-05-22

Here, the pressure dependence of the magnetic and superconducting transitions and that of the superconducting upper critical field are reported for CaK(Fe 1–xNi x) 4As 4, the first example of an Fe-based superconductor with spin-vortex-crystal-type magnetic ordering. Resistance measurements were performed on single crystals with two substitution levels (x = 0.033,0.050) under hydrostatic pressures up to 5.12 GPa and in magnetic fields up to 9 T. Our results show that, for both compositions, magnetic transition temperatures T N are suppressed upon applying pressure; the superconducting transition temperatures T c are suppressed by pressure as well, except for x = 0.050more » in the pressure region where T N and T c cross. Furthermore, the pressure associated with the crossing of the T N and T c lines also coincides with a minimum in the normalized slope of the superconducting upper critical field, consistent with a likely Fermi-surface reconstruction associated with the loss of magnetic ordering. Lastly, at p ~ 4 GPa, both Ni-substituted CaK(Fe 1–xNi x) 4As 4 samples likely go through a half-collapsed-tetragonal phase transition, similar to the parent compound CaKFe 4As 4.« less

[Dentinopulpar organ: biological basis of clinical response to Ca(OH)2 application].

PubMed

Gani, O; Crosa, M E

1989-01-01

We have studied the changes presented by mediate and immediate roentgenographic images of indirect pulp capping and pulpotomies. In the cases of indirect pulp capping it was observed an increase of radiolucidity in the places occupied by Ca(OH)2, and sclerotic dentin was present. In pulpotomies, it was found the dentin bridge, which thickness increases with time. The radiolucidity of pulp chamber occupied by Ca(OH)2 was greater in the long time treatment. The radiopacity of non-vital dentin of walls and floor chamber was increased too. It has suggested that Ca++ ion would have migrated from its place and probably would take part in the synthesis of sclerotic dentin, independently of the vitality of the tissue.

Fluctuation-induced conductivity analyses of Be-doped (Bi0.25Cu0.25Li0.25Tl0.25)Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ superconductors in the critical regime and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Nawazish A.; Qurat-ul-Ain; Firdous, Umber; Shaheryar

2012-02-01

We have successfully synthesized (Bi0.25Cu0.25Li0.25Tl0.25)Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ and (Bi0.25Cu0.25Li0.25Tl0.25)Ba2(Ca1.5Be0.5)Cu3O10-δ samples and studied their excess conductivity analyses (fluctuation-induced conductivity) of resistivity data. The main objective of such analyses is to investigate the influence of Be-substitution on the superconductivity parameters at the microscopic level. The width of the 3D-2D Lawrence-Doniach regime is increased with the doping of Be at the Ca sites. The energy required to break apart the Cooper pairs is increased from 0.03 eV to 0.08 eV in Be-doped samples. Using the Ginzburg-Landau number (NG) and GL equations, the thermodynamic critical magnetic field Bc(0), the lower critical field Bc1(0), the upper critical field Bc2(0), the critical current density Jc(0), and penetration depth λp.d are also calculated from these analyses. The values of critical fields [Bc(0) Bc1(0)], Jc(0), and phase relaxation time τϕ are increased whereas the penetration depth λp.d and κ values are suppressed with Be-doping. It is most likely that as a result of the enhancement in the density of the carriers in the (Bi0.25Cu0.25Li0.25Tl0.25)Ba2(Ca1.5Be0.5)Cu3O10-δ sample, this charge density gap is suppressed, which in turn suppresses the pseudo-gap resulting into enhancement of Bc (0), Bc1(0), and Jc(0).

Polymorphisms A387P in thrombospondin-4 and N700S in thrombospondin-1 perturb calcium binding sites.

PubMed

Stenina, Olga I; Ustinov, Valentin; Krukovets, Irene; Marinic, Tina; Topol, Eric J; Plow, Edward F

2005-11-01

Recent genetic studies have associated members of the thrombospondin (TSP) gene family with premature cardiovascular disease. The disease-associated polymorphisms lead to single amino acid changes in TSP-4 (A387P) and TSP-1 (N700S). These substitutions reside in adjacent domains of these highly homologous proteins. Secondary structural predictive programs and the homology of the domains harboring these amino acid substitutions to those in other proteins pointed to potential alterations of putative Ca2+ binding sites that reside in close proximity to the polymorphic amino acids. Since Ca2+ binding is critical for the structure and function of TSP family members, direct evidence for differences in Ca2+ binding by the polymorphic forms was sought. Using synthetic peptides and purified recombinant variant fragments bearing the amino acid substitutions, we measured differences in Tb3+ luminescence as an index of Ca2+ binding. The Tb3+ binding constants placed the TSP-1 region affected by N700S polymorphism among other high-affinity Ca2+ binding sites. The affinity of Ca2+ binding was lower for peptides (3.5-fold) and recombinant fragments (10-fold) containing the S700 vs. the N700 form. In TSP-4, the P387 form acquired an additional Ca2+ binding site absent in the A387 form. The results of our study suggest that both substitutions (A387P in TSP-4 and N700S in TSP-1) alter Ca2+ binding properties. Since these substitutions exert the opposite effects on Ca2+ binding, a decrease in TSP-1 and an increase in TSP-4, the two TSP variants are likely to influence cardiovascular functions in distinct but yet pathogenic ways.

Spectropolarimetric Inversions of the Ca II 8542 Å Line in an M-class Solar Flare

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuridze, D.; Henriques, V. M. J.; Mathioudakis, M.; Rouppe van der Voort, L.; de la Cruz Rodríguez, J.; Carlsson, M.

2018-06-01

We study the M1.9-class solar flare SOL2015-09-27T10:40 UT using high-resolution full Stokes imaging spectropolarimetry of the Ca II 8542 Å line obtained with the CRISP imaging spectropolarimeter at the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. Spectropolarimetric inversions using the non-LTE code NICOLE are used to construct semiempirical models of the flaring atmosphere to investigate the structure and evolution of the flare temperature and magnetic field. A comparison of the temperature stratification in flaring and nonflaring areas reveals strong heating of the flare ribbon during the flare peak. The polarization signals of the ribbon in the chromosphere during the flare maximum become stronger when compared to its surroundings and to pre- and post-flare profiles. Furthermore, a comparison of the response functions to perturbations in the line-of-sight magnetic field and temperature in flaring and nonflaring atmospheres shows that during the flare, the Ca II 8542 Å line is more sensitive to the lower atmosphere where the magnetic field is expected to be stronger. The chromospheric magnetic field was also determined with the weak-field approximation, which led to results similar to those obtained with the NICOLE inversions.

Clofibric acid degradation in UV254/H2O2 process: effect of temperature.

PubMed

Li, Wenzhen; Lu, Shuguang; Qiu, Zhaofu; Lin, Kuangfei

2010-04-15

The degradation of clofibric acid (CA) in UV(254)/H(2)O(2) process under three temperature ranges, i.e. T1 (9.0-11.5 degrees C), T2 (19.0-21.0 degrees C) and T3 (29.0-30.0 degrees C) was investigated. The effects of solution constituents including NO(3)(-) and HCO(3)(-) anions, and humic acid (HA) on CA degradation were evaluated in Milli-Q waters. CA degradation behaviors were simulated with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the apparent rate constant (k(ap)) and half-life time (t(1/2)) were calculated. The results showed that higher temperature would favor CA degradation, and CA degradation was taken place mostly by indirect oxidation through the formation of OH radicals in UV(254)/H(2)O(2) process. In addition, the effects of both NO(3)(-) and HCO(3)(-) anions at two selected concentrations (1.0x10(-3) and 0.1 mol L(-1)) and HA (20 mg L(-1)) on CA degradation were investigated. The results showed that HA had negative effect on CA degradation, and this effect was much more apparent under low temperature condition. On the other hand, the inhibitive effect on CA degradation at both lower and higher concentrations of bicarbonate was observed, and this inhibitive effect was much more apparent at higher bicarbonate concentration and lower temperature condition. While, at higher nitrate concentration the inhibitive effect on CA degradation under three temperature ranges was observed, and with the temperature increase this negative effect was apparently weakened. However, at lower nitrate concentration a slightly positive effect on CA degradation was found under T2 and T3 conditions. Moreover, when using a real wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent spiked with CA over 99% of CA removal could be achieved under 30 degrees C within only 15 min compared with 40 and 80 min under 20 and 10 degrees C respectively, suggesting a significant promotion in CA degradation under higher temperature condition. Therefore, it can be concluded that temperature plays an important role in CA degradation in UV/H(2)O(2) process. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Parameterization of Ca+2-protein interactions for molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Project, Elad; Nachliel, Esther; Gutman, Menachem

2008-05-01

Molecular dynamics simulations of Ca+2 ions near protein were performed with three force fields: GROMOS96, OPLS-AA, and CHARMM22. The simulations reveal major, force-field dependent, inconsistencies in the interaction between the Ca+2 ions with the protein. The variations are attributed to the nonbonded parameterizations of the Ca+2-carboxylates interactions. The simulations results were compared to experimental data, using the Ca+2-HCOO- equilibrium as a model. The OPLS-AA force field grossly overestimates the binding affinity of the Ca+2 ions to the carboxylate whereas the GROMOS96 and CHARMM22 force fields underestimate the stability of the complex. Optimization of the Lennard-Jones parameters for the Ca+2-carboxylate interactions were carried out, yielding new parameters which reproduce experimental data. Copyright 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The dextromethorphan analog dimemorfan attenuates kainate-induced seizures via σ1 receptor activation: comparison with the effects of dextromethorphan

PubMed Central

Shin, Eun-Joo; Nah, Seung-Yeol; Kim, Won-Ki; Ko, Kwang Ho; Jhoo, Wang-Kee; Lim, Yong-Kwang; Cha, Joo Young; Chen, Chieh-Fu; Kim, Hyoung-Chun

2005-01-01

In a previous study, we demonstrated that a dextromethorphan analog, dimemorfan, has neuroprotective effects. Dextromethorphan and dimemorfan are high-affinity ligands at σ1 receptors. Dextromethorphan has moderate affinities for phencyclidine sites, while dimemorfan has very low affinities for such sites, suggesting that these sites are not essential for the anticonvulsant actions of dimemorfan. Kainate (KA) administration (10 mg kg−1, i.p.) produced robust convulsions lasting 4–6 h in rats. Pre-treatment with dimemorfan (12 or 24 mg kg−1) reduced seizures in a dose-dependent manner. Dimemorfan pre-treatment also attenuated the KA-induced increases in c-fos/c-jun expression, activator protein (AP)-1 DNA-binding activity, and loss of cells in the CA1 and CA3 fields of the hippocampus. These effects of dimemorfan were comparable to those of dextromethorphan. The anticonvulsant action of dextromethorphan or dimemorfan was significantly counteracted by a selective σ1 receptor antagonist BD 1047, suggesting that the anticonvulsant action of dextromethorphan or dimemorfan is, at least in part, related to σ1 receptor-activated modulation of AP-1 transcription factors. We asked whether dimemorfan produces the behavioral side effects seen with dextromethorphan or dextrorphan (a phencyclidine-like metabolite of dextromethorphan). Conditioned place preference and circling behaviors were significantly increased in mice treated with phencyclidine, dextrorphan or dextromethorphan, while mice treated with dimemorfan showed no behavioral side effects. Our results suggest that dimemorfan is equipotent to dextromethorphan in preventing KA-induced seizures, while it may lack behavioral effects, such as psychotomimetic reactions. PMID:15723099

A new electrode design for ambipolar injection in organic semiconductors.

PubMed

Kanagasekaran, Thangavel; Shimotani, Hidekazu; Shimizu, Ryota; Hitosugi, Taro; Tanigaki, Katsumi

2017-10-17

Organic semiconductors have attracted much attention for low-cost, flexible and human-friendly optoelectronics. However, achieving high electron-injection efficiency is difficult from air-stable electrodes and cannot be equivalent to that of holes. Here, we present a novel concept of electrode composed of a bilayer of tetratetracontane (TTC) and polycrystalline organic semiconductors (pc-OSC) covered by a metal layer. Field-effect transistors of single-crystal organic semiconductors with the new electrodes of M/pc-OSC/TTC (M: Ca or Au) show both highly efficient electron and hole injection. Contact resistance for electron injection from Au/pc-OSC/TTC and hole injection from Ca/pc-OSC/TTC are comparable to those for electron injection from Ca and hole injection from Au, respectively. Furthermore, the highest field-effect mobilities of holes (22 cm 2  V -1  s -1 ) and electrons (5.0 cm 2  V -1  s -1 ) are observed in rubrene among field-effect transistors with electrodes so far proposed by employing Ca/pc-OSC/TTC and Au/pc-OSC/TTC electrodes for electron and hole injection, respectively.One of technological challenges building organic electronics is efficient injection of electrons at metal-semiconductor interfaces compared to that of holes. The authors show an air-stable electrode design with induced gap states, which support Fermi level pinning and thus ambipolar carrier injection.

Multigenetic characterization of 'Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis'.

PubMed

Cicala, Francesco; Moore, James D; Cáceres-Martínez, Jorge; Del Río-Portilla, Miguel A; Hernández-Rodríguez, Mónica; Vásquez-Yeomans, Rebeca; Rocha-Olivares, Axayácatl

2017-01-01

'Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis' (or Ca.Xc) is the aetiological agent of withering syndrome, a chronic wasting disease affecting most if not all North American species of abalone, and has been described as a Rickettsiales-like prokaryote. Genetic data regarding this species are limited to the 16S rRNA gene. The inability to grow it axenically has hindered its genetic and genomic characterization and, in consequence, a thorough analysis of its systematics. Here, we amplified and sequenced five genes (16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, ftsZ, virD4 and virB11) of Ca.Xc from infected abalone to analyse its phylogenetic position. Phylogenies from concatenated DNA and amino acid sequences with representative genera of most Rickettsiales unequivocally place Ca.Xc in the family Anaplasmataceae. Furthermore, the family has two reciprocally monophyletic lineages: one leading to (Neorickettsia, Ca.Xc) and the other to ((Ehrlichia, Anaplasma), Wolbachia)). A molecular-clock Bayesian reconstruction places Ca.Xc as the most basal lineage in Anaplasmataceae. These phylogenetic hypotheses shed light on patterns of host evolution and of ecological transitions. Specifically, Neorickettsia and Ca.Xc inhabit aquatic hosts whereas the remaining Anaplasmataceae are found in terrestrial hosts. Additionally, our evolutionary timeline places the directly transmitted marine Ca.Xc as the basal Anaplasmataceae, ancestral to both freshwater and terrestrial species with adaptations leading to more complex life cycles involving intermediate vectors or reservoir species; this supports the hypothesis of a marine origin for this bacterial family.

Silicon chip with capacitors and transistors for interfacing organotypic brain slice of rat hippocampus.

PubMed

Hutzler, Michael; Fromherz, Peter

2004-04-01

Probing projections between brain areas and their modulation by synaptic potentiation requires dense arrays of contacts for noninvasive electrical stimulation and recording. Semiconductor technology is able to provide planar arrays with high spatial resolution to be used with planar neuronal structures such as organotypic brain slices. To address basic methodical issues we developed a silicon chip with simple arrays of insulated capacitors and field-effect transistors for stimulation of neuronal activity and recording of evoked field potentials. Brain slices from rat hippocampus were cultured on that substrate. We achieved local stimulation of the CA3 region by applying defined voltage pulses to the chip capacitors. Recording of resulting local field potentials in the CA1 region was accomplished with transistors. The relationship between stimulation and recording was rationalized by a sheet conductor model. By combining a row of capacitors with a row of transistors we determined a simple stimulus-response matrix from CA3 to CA1. Possible contributions of inhomogeneities of synaptic projection, of tissue structure and of neuroelectronic interfacing were considered. The study provides the basis for a development of semiconductor chips with high spatial resolution that are required for long-term studies of topographic mapping.

Fabrication and Characterization of (100),(001)-Oriented Reduction-Resistant Lead-Free Piezoelectric (Ba,Ca)TiO3 Ceramics Using Platelike Seed Crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichikawa, Hiroki; Sakamoto, Wataru; Akiyama, Yoshikazu; Maiwa, Hiroshi; Moriya, Makoto; Yogo, Toshinobu

2013-09-01

The preparation of reduction-resistant (Ba,Ca)TiO3 ceramics as lead-free piezoelectric materials was studied. To improve their electrical properties, (100),(001)-oriented (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics were fabricated by the reactive templated grain growth method using a mixture of platelike CaTiO3 and BaTiO3 particles. The platelike CaTiO3 and BaTiO3 particles were prepared through a topochemical microcrystal conversion process using CaBi4Ti4O15 and BaBi4Ti4O15 plate-like precursor crystals. The 100 orientation degree of the grain-oriented (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics was 92%, as estimated by Lotgering's equation. In addition, 1 mol % Ba excess and 1 mol % Mn-doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 sintered bodies, which were sintered at 1350 °C in an Ar flow containing H2 (0.3%), had sufficient resistivity to allow the characterization of electrical properties. The ferroelectric and field-induced strain properties of the (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics, sintered in the reducing atmosphere, were markedly improved as a result of fabricating grain-oriented samples. The field-induced strain coefficient (estimated from the slope of the unipolar strain loop) of the nonreducible (100),(001)-oriented (Ba0.85Ca0.15)TiO3 ceramics reached 570 pm/V, which was higher than that of polycrystals (260 pm/V) with no preferential orientation.

Low temperature specific heat of charge ordered Pr_1-xCa_xMnO_3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolyaninova, V. N.; Biswas, Amlan; Zhang, X.; Greene, R. L.

2000-03-01

Mixed-valent perovskite manganese oxides at certain doping levels develope a real space ordering of Mn^3+ and Mn^4+ at low temperatures^1, which can be destroyed (``melted'') by the application of a modest magnetic field.^2 To better understand the low-temperature ground state and the physics of the ``melted'' charge-ordered state, the specific heat, resistivity and magnetization of charge-ordered Pr_1-xCa_xMnO3 were measured with and without magnetic field for single crystal and ceramic samples of different x. A large excess specific heat of nonmagnetic origin was found, similar to that found in La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO3 ^3. Significant changes in the specific heat associated with the ``melting'' of the charge ordering were observed in applied magnetic fields up to 9 T. Possible explanations for this anomalous specific heat and its magnetic field dependence will be discussed . ^*This work is supported in part by NSF MRSEC Grant at the University of Maryland. ^1S. Mori, C. H. Chen and S-W. Cheong, Nature 392, 473 (1998). ^2Y. Tomioka et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 5108 (1995). ^3V. N. Smolyaninova, K. Ghosh and R. L. Greene, Phys. Rev. B 58, R14 725 (1998).

D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors in the CA1 region of the hippocampus are involved in the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference.

PubMed

Assar, Nasim; Mahmoudi, Dorna; Farhoudian, Ali; Farhadi, Mohammad Hasan; Fatahi, Zahra; Haghparast, Abbas

2016-10-01

The hippocampus plays a vital role in processing contextual memories and reward related learning tasks, such as conditioned place preference (CPP). Among the neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, dopamine is deeply involved in reward-related processes. This study assessed the role of D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors within the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-CPP. To investigate the role of D1 and D2 receptors in morphine acquisition, the animals received different doses of D1- and/or D2-like dopamine receptor antagonists (SCH23390 and sulpiride, respectively) into the CA1, 5min before the administration of morphine (5mg/kg, subcutaneously) during a 3-days conditioning phase. To evaluate the involvement of these receptors in morphine reinstatement, the animals received different doses of SCH23390 or sulpiride (after extinction period) 5min before the administration of a low dose of morphine (1mg/kg) in order to reinstate the extinguished morphine-CPP. Conditioning scores were recorded by Ethovision software. The results of this study showed that the administration of SCH23390 or sulpiride, significantly decreased the acquisition of morphine-CPP. Besides, the injection of these antagonists before the administration of a priming dose of morphine, following the extinction period, decreased the reinstatement of morphine-CPP in sacrificed rats. However, the effect of sulpiride on the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-CPP was more significant than that of SCH23390. These findings suggested that D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors in the CA1 are involved in the acquisition and reinstatement of morphine-CPP, and antagonism of these receptors can reduce the rewarding properties of morphine. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Memory Erasure Experiments Indicate a Critical Role of CaMKII in Memory Storage.

PubMed

Rossetti, Tom; Banerjee, Somdeb; Kim, Chris; Leubner, Megan; Lamar, Casey; Gupta, Pooja; Lee, Bomsol; Neve, Rachael; Lisman, John

2017-09-27

The abundant synaptic protein CaMKII is necessary for long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory. However, whether CaMKII is required only during initial processes or whether it also mediates memory storage remains unclear. The most direct test of a storage role is the erasure test. In this test, a putative memory molecule is inhibited after learning. The key prediction is that this should produce persistent memory erasure even after the inhibitory agent is removed. We conducted this test using transient viral (HSV) expression of dominant-negative CaMKII-alpha (K42M) in the hippocampus. This produced persistent erasure of conditioned place avoidance. As an additional test, we found that expression of activated CaMKII (T286D/T305A/T306A) impaired place avoidance, a result not expected if a process other than CaMKII stores memory. Our behavioral results, taken together with prior experiments on LTP, strongly support a critical role of CaMKII in LTP maintenance and memory storage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The hydration dependence of CaCO3 absorption lines in the Far IR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, Johnny; Emery, Logan P

2014-06-01

The far infrared (FIR) absorption lines of CaCO3 have been measured at a range of relative humidities (RH) between 33 and 92% RH using a Bruker 66v/S spectrometer. Hydration measurements on CaCO3 have been made in the mid-infrared (MIR) by [Al-Hosney, H.A. and Grassian, V.H., 2005, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 7, 1266], and astrophysically-motivated temperature-dependent FIR measurements of CaCO3 in vacuum have also been reported [Posch, T., et al., 2007, Ap. J., 668, 993]. The custom sample cell constructed for these hydrated-FIR spectra is required because the 66v/S bench is under vacuum (3 mbar) during typical measurements. Briefly, the sample cell consists of two Thalium Bromoiodide (KRS-5) windows, four O-rings, a plastic ring for separating the windows and providing a volume for the saturated atmosphere. CaCO3 was deposited on KRS-5 windows using doubly-distilled water as an intermediary. The KRS-5 window with sample and assembled sample cell were placed in a desiccator with the appropriated saturated salt solution [Washburn, E.W. (Ed.), International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics Chemistry and Technology, Vol. 1, (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1926), p. 67-68] and allowed to hydrate for 23 hours. For spectroscopy the desiccator was quickly opened and the second KRS-5 window placed in the cell to seal the chamber. A spectrum was then taken of the sample at the appropriate RH. The spectra taken characterize the adsorption of water vapor and CaCO3 that might occur in circumstellar environments [Melnick, G.J., et al. 2001, Nature, 412, 160].The MIR and FIR reflectance spectra of calcite (CaCO3) have been thoroughly studied by [Hellwege, K.H., et al., 1970, Z. Physik, 232, 61]. Five Lorentzian curves were fit to our data in the range from 378-222 cm-1/SUP> and each was able to be assigned to a known mode of CaCO3. The data does not support the conclusion of a hydration effect on these modes of CaCO3, but it does suggest a possible broadening of three modes peaked at 281 cm-1. The goal of this work is to bridge the body of work on CaCO3 in physical chemistry and previous laboratory astrophysical observations to aid interpretation of FIR spectra obtained by observatories such as the Spitzer Space Telescope.

22 CFR 5.2 - Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the methods whereby the public may secure information, make... ORGANIZATION § 5.2 Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

22 CFR 5.2 - Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the methods whereby the public may secure information, make... ORGANIZATION § 5.2 Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

22 CFR 5.2 - Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the methods whereby the public may secure information, make... ORGANIZATION § 5.2 Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

22 CFR 5.2 - Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the methods whereby the public may secure information, make... ORGANIZATION § 5.2 Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

Pulsed electromagnetic field inhibits RANKL-dependent osteoclastic differentiation in RAW264.7 cells through the Ca{sup 2+}-calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Jie; Xu, Haixia; Han, Zhongyu

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been reported to improve bone healing in osteoporosis patients. However, the precise mechanism has remained largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PEMF on nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-dependent osteoclastic differentiation and the Ca{sup 2+}-calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Treating RAW264.7 cells with RANKL for 4 days induced osteoclastic differentiation in vitro, and the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts, bone resorption-pit formation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the protein levels of cathepsin K, TRAP, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were significantly decreased. The mRNA levelsmore » of specific genes related to osteoclastogenesis (TRAP, NFATc1, CTSK and MMP-9) were also reduced. Moreover, the oscillations of intracellular Ca{sup 2+} in RANKL-dependent RAW264.7 cells were suppressed by PEMF, as well as by inhibitors of membrane and store-operated Ca{sup 2+} channels. Meanwhile, calcineurin activity was increased, although its protein level was not changed. PEMF increased phospho-NFATc1 in the cytosol while suppressing the nuclear translocation of NFATc1, thus inhibiting osteoclastic differentiation by suppressing the Ca{sup 2+}-calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway. Although many questions remain unresolved, to our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that PEMF is beneficial against RANKL-dependent osteoclastic differentiation in RAW264.7 cells in vitro via inhibiting the Ca{sup 2+}-calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway.« less

Pulsed electromagnetic field inhibits RANKL-dependent osteoclastic differentiation in RAW264.7 cells through the Ca2+-calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway.

PubMed

Zhang, Jie; Xu, Haixia; Han, Zhongyu; Chen, Ping; Yu, Qiang; Lei, Yutian; Li, Zongze; Zhao, Ming; Tian, Jing

2017-01-08

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been reported to improve bone healing in osteoporosis patients. However, the precise mechanism has remained largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PEMF on nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-dependent osteoclastic differentiation and the Ca 2+ -calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. Treating RAW264.7 cells with RANKL for 4 days induced osteoclastic differentiation in vitro, and the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts, bone resorption-pit formation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the protein levels of cathepsin K, TRAP, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were significantly decreased. The mRNA levels of specific genes related to osteoclastogenesis (TRAP, NFATc1, CTSK and MMP-9) were also reduced. Moreover, the oscillations of intracellular Ca 2+ in RANKL-dependent RAW264.7 cells were suppressed by PEMF, as well as by inhibitors of membrane and store-operated Ca 2+ channels. Meanwhile, calcineurin activity was increased, although its protein level was not changed. PEMF increased phospho-NFATc1 in the cytosol while suppressing the nuclear translocation of NFATc1, thus inhibiting osteoclastic differentiation by suppressing the Ca 2+ -calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway. Although many questions remain unresolved, to our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that PEMF is beneficial against RANKL-dependent osteoclastic differentiation in RAW264.7 cells in vitro via inhibiting the Ca 2+ -calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prior Activation of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors Suppresses the Subsequent Induction of Long-Term Potentiation in Hippocampal CA1 Neurons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fujii, Satoshi; Yamazaki, Yoshihiko; Goto, Jun-Ichi; Fujiwara, Hiroki; Mikoshiba, Katsuhiko

2016-01-01

We investigated the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) activated by preconditioning low-frequency afferent stimulation (LFS) in the subsequent induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices from mature guinea pigs. Induction of LTP in the field excitatory postsynaptic potential or the population…

How does the spin-state of Co ions affect the insulator-metal transition in Bi2A2Co2O8 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba)?

PubMed Central

Huang, Xiaokun; Zhang, Weiyi

2016-01-01

The misfit layered Bi2A2Co2O8 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) compounds experience an insulator to metal transition as A’s ionic radius increases. This feature is contradictory to the conventional wisdom that larger lattice constant favors insulating rather than metallic state, and is also difficult to be reconciled using the Anderson weak localization theory. In this paper, we show from the first-principles calculation that an insulator-metal transition takes place from a nonmagnetic low-spin state of Co3+ ions to a hexagonally arranged intermediate-spin low-spin mixed-state in CoO2 plane when ionic radius increases from Ca to Ba. The predicted low-spin state of Bi2Ca2Co2O8 and Bi2Sr2Co2O8 and intermediate-spin low-spin mixed-state of Bi2Ba2Co2O8 are consistent not only with their measured transport properties, but also with the magnetic-field suppressed specific-heat peak observed at the transition temperature. In agreement with experiments, strong electronic correlation is required to stabilize the low-spin insulator and intermediate-spin low-spin metal. PMID:27901119

How does the spin-state of Co ions affect the insulator-metal transition in Bi2A2Co2O8 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba)?

PubMed

Huang, Xiaokun; Zhang, Weiyi

2016-11-30

The misfit layered Bi 2 A 2 Co 2 O 8 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) compounds experience an insulator to metal transition as A's ionic radius increases. This feature is contradictory to the conventional wisdom that larger lattice constant favors insulating rather than metallic state, and is also difficult to be reconciled using the Anderson weak localization theory. In this paper, we show from the first-principles calculation that an insulator-metal transition takes place from a nonmagnetic low-spin state of Co 3+ ions to a hexagonally arranged intermediate-spin low-spin mixed-state in CoO 2 plane when ionic radius increases from Ca to Ba. The predicted low-spin state of Bi 2 Ca 2 Co 2 O 8 and Bi 2 Sr 2 Co 2 O 8 and intermediate-spin low-spin mixed-state of Bi 2 Ba 2 Co 2 O 8 are consistent not only with their measured transport properties, but also with the magnetic-field suppressed specific-heat peak observed at the transition temperature. In agreement with experiments, strong electronic correlation is required to stabilize the low-spin insulator and intermediate-spin low-spin metal.

SU-G-TeP1-13: Reclined Total Skin Electron Treatment Technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mathew, D; Gerbi, B

Purpose: The purpose is to describe a new reclined technique for treatment of weakened patients that require total skin electron irradiation. Methods: This technique is a modification of a previously published reclined technique differing in that all six patient positions are treated with the gantry angled 60° from vertically down. The patient is located at a treatment distance of 330 cm SSD along the CA of the beam. The 3/8′ thick Lexan beam spoiler is placed 25 cm from the most proximal surface of the patient for all patient treatment positions. To produce a flat, uniform field of ∼190 cmmore » length, the patient was moved longitudinally by an experimentally determined distance. Kodak EDR2 and EBT3 Radiochromic film were placed around the periphery of the phantom, and OSLs were placed every 30° around the phantom periphery to determine output and surface dose uniformity. A piece of Kodak EDR2 was sandwiched between the two slabs of the 30 cm diameter phantom to determine beam penetration. Results: Field uniformity shifting the patient ±75 cm was ±5% over a treatment span of 190 cm. The dose variation around the periphery of the 30 cm diameter phantom varied by <±5% with the maximum values observed at the 0°-300°, 60° locations with the minimum values at the 30°-330°, 60° locations. Results obtained using Kodak EDR2, EBT3 Radiochromic film, and OSLs agreed to within ±5%. Conclusion: This technique provides a very efficient and convenient means by which to treat the entire skin surface of patients incapable of standing for treatment. It provides a treatment field that is both large and uniform enough for adults along with a convenient way to treat four of the six patient treatment positions. The beam spoiler lies to the side of the patient allowing easy access for patient positioning.« less

Magnetic and Magnetocaloric Properties of Ca0.97La0.03MnO3 Manganites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, G. D.; Hu, P. F.; Li, Y.; Kim, D. H.; Liu, C. L.; Phan, T. L.; Ho, T. A.; Yu, S. C.; Telegin, A.; Naumov, S. V.

2016-07-01

In spite of many previous studies on electron-doped CaMnO3 perovskite manganites, detailed investigations into the influence of low-doping concentrations on their magnetic and magnetocaloric (MC) properties have not been carried out yet. Additionally, there is still the lack of the comparison between single-crystal (SC) and polycrystalline (PC) materials. Dealing with these problems, we prepared orthorhombic Ca0.97La0.03MnO3 SC and PC samples. Magnetization measurements versus the temperature and magnetic field revealed remarkable differences in the magnetic property, particularly around the antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase-transition region. The analyses of the magnetization versus magnetic field, M( H), data indicated a weak MC effect with magnetic-entropy changes less than 0.1 J kg-1 K-1 for an applied field interval H = 10 kOe because ferromagnetic interactions between Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions are insignificant. The differences in the magnetic and MC properties of the SC and PC samples are ascribed to the effects of grain boundary, magnetic anisotropy, and nonstoichiometry in oxygen.

Loss of Hippocampal Neurons after Kainate Treatment Correlates with Behavioral Deficits

PubMed Central

Maia, Gisela H.; Quesado, José L.; Soares, Joana I.; do Carmo, Joana M.; Andrade, Pedro A.; Andrade, José P.; Lukoyanov, Nikolai V.

2014-01-01

Treating rats with kainic acid induces status epilepticus (SE) and leads to the development of behavioral deficits and spontaneous recurrent seizures later in life. However, in a subset of rats, kainic acid treatment does not induce overt behaviorally obvious acute SE. The goal of this study was to compare the neuroanatomical and behavioral changes induced by kainate in rats that developed convulsive SE to those who did not. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with kainic acid and tested behaviorally 5 months later. Rats that had experienced convulsive SE showed impaired performance on the spatial water maze and passive avoidance tasks, and on the context and tone retention tests following fear conditioning. In addition, they exhibited less anxiety-like behaviors than controls on the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests. Histologically, convulsive SE was associated with marked neuron loss in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 fields, and in the dentate hilus. Rats that had not experienced convulsive SE after kainate treatment showed less severe, but significant impairments on the spatial water maze and passive avoidance tasks. These rats had fewer neurons than control rats in the dentate hilus, but not in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 fields. Correlational analyses revealed significant relationships between spatial memory indices of rats and neuronal numbers in the dentate hilus and CA3 pyramidal field. These results show that a part of the animals that do not display intense behavioral seizures (convulsive SE) immediately after an epileptogenic treatment, later in life, they may still have noticeable structural and functional changes in the brain. PMID:24409306

The Effects of Electrical Stimuli on Calcium Change and Histamine Release in Rat Basophilic Leukemia Mast Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Dan; Wu, Zu-Hui; Chen, Ji-Yao; Zhou, Lu-Wei

2013-06-01

We apply electric fields at different frequencies of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 kHz to the rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cells in calcium-containing or calcium-free buffers. The stimuli cause changes of the intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca2+]i as well as the histamine. The [Ca2+]i increases when the frequency of the external electric field increases from 100 Hz to 10 kHz, and then decreases when the frequency further increases from 10 kHz to 100 kHz, showing a peak at 100 kHz. A similar frequency dependence of the histamine release is also found. The [Ca2+]i and the histamine releases at 100 Hz are about the same as the values of the control group with no electrical stimulation. The ruthenium red (RR), an inhibitor to the TRPV (transient receptor potential (TRP) family V) channels across the cell membrane, is used in the experiment to check whether the electric field stimuli act on the TRPV channels. Under an electric field of 10 kHz, the [Ca2+]i in a calcium-concentration buffer is about 3.5 times as much as that of the control group with no electric stimulation, while the [Ca2+]i in a calcium-free buffer is only about 2.2 times. Similar behavior is also found for the histamine release. RR blockage effect on the [Ca2+]i decrease is statistically significant (~75%) when mast cells in the buffer with calcium are stimulated with a 10 kHz electric field in comparison with the result without the RR treatment. This proves that TRPVs are the channels that calcium ions inflow through from the extracellular environment under electrical stimuli. Under this condition, the histamine is also released following a similar way. We suggest that, as far as an electric stimulation is concerned, an application of ac electric field of 10 kHz is better than other frequencies to open TRPV channels in mast cells, and this would cause a significant calcium influx resulting in a significant histamine release, which could be one of the mechanisms for electric therapy.

Significance of Ca-soap formation for calcium absorption in the rat.

PubMed Central

Gacs, G; Barltrop, D

1977-01-01

The significance of calcium soap formation in the inhibition of calcium absorption has been studied in rats. 47Ca labelled soaps of fatty acids were introduced into the duodenum and the absorption of calcium measured after four hours in a whole body counter. The absorption of calcium was inversely correlated with the chain length of the fatty acid varying from 1% for Ca-stearate to 60% for Ca-hexanoate. Increasing the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acid was accompanied by increased calcium absorption. The availability of calcium for absorption from the soaps was correlated with their solubility in 1% aqueous Na-tauroglycocholate. The percentages of calcium as soap in the small intestine and the faeces after intragastric administration of calcium and fats were similar, which suggests that the faecal content of calcium soaps is an index of intestinal soap formation. Soap formation was negligible when CaCl2 was given with tristearate, triolaeate, or tridecanoate and no depression of calcium absorption was observed. Calcium absorption was markedly impaired by the addition of phosphates at a Ca/P ratio of 1:1 irrespective of the presence of neutral fats. Stearic acid resulted in significant soap formation and reduced calcium absorption. The degree of Ca-soap formation and the inhibition of calcium absorption were well correlated. The results suggest that, although calcium soap formation may markedly depress calcium absorption in the rat, no significant soap formation takes place when fats are given in the form of triglycerides. PMID:838405

SALT EFFECTS ON SWARMERS OF DUNALIELLA VIRIDIS TEOD

PubMed Central

Baas-Becking, L. G. M.

1931-01-01

1. Dunaliella viridis Teodoresco thrives equally well in solutions of NaCl 1 to 4 mol and pH 6 to 9. 2. The organism is sensitive to calcium and magnesium, especially in acid medium. 3. Calcium and magnesium are antagonistic. In a molar solution of NaCl the antagonistic relation Mg:Ca is 4 to 5. In a 4 molar solution of NaCl the proportion becomes many times as great (20:1). 4. Although the strains used in this investigation did not occur in sea water concentrates, the increase in the antagonistic ratio Mg:Ca in which they can live closely paralleled the changes in this ratio which take place when sea water evaporates. 5. The other organisms which occurred in the cultures each show a specific relation to Ca and Mg. 6. The size of the cells of Dunaliella does not decrease with increasing NaCl content. PMID:19872621

Evaluation of the effects of hypochlorite solutions in the decontamination of wounds exposed to either vx or sulfur mustard

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hobson, D.W.; Snider, T.H.; Korte, D.W.

1993-05-13

The decontamination safety and efficacy of aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and calcium hypochlorite Ca(OC1)2 against sulfur mustard (HD) and the organophosphonate O-ethyl S-(2-Diisopropylnmino)-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) were examined in the New Zealand White rabbit. Tests on shaved rabbit dorsa indicated moderate irritation due to either NaOC1 or Ca(OCI)2 at 5 percent but no appreciable irritation at 0.5 percent concentrations. Against VX applied topically on shaved rabbit dorsa, significant protection, as indicated by higher 24-hr median lethality doses, was afforded by 0.5 and 5.0 percent NaOC1. However, when VX was applied either directly into a dermal wound or onto amore » swatch of fabric sampled from battle dress uniform (BDU) and subsequently placed into a wound, only 5.0 percent NaOC1 offered significant protection. Against HD, 0.5 and 5.0 percent NaOC1 were equally effective decontaminants as indexed by dermal lesion areas resulting from 1- to 60-min exposures. Neither NaOC1 solution demonstrated sustained efficacy against HD applied on fabric and placed in wounds.« less

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) atpase (SERCA) 1a structurally substitutes for SERCA2a in the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum and increases cardiac Ca(2+) handling capacity.

PubMed

Lalli, M J; Yong, J; Prasad, V; Hashimoto, K; Plank, D; Babu, G J; Kirkpatrick, D; Walsh, R A; Sussman, M; Yatani, A; Marbán, E; Periasamy, M

2001-07-20

Ectopic expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA) 1a pump in the mouse heart results in a 2.5-fold increase in total SERCA pump level. SERCA1a hearts show increased rates of contraction/relaxation and enhanced Ca(2+) transients; however, the cellular mechanisms underlying altered Ca(2+) handling in SERCA1a transgenic (TG) hearts are unknown. In this study, using confocal microscopy, we demonstrate that SERCA1a protein traffics to the cardiac SR and structurally substitutes for the endogenous SERCA2a isoform. SR Ca(2+) load measurements revealed that TG myocytes have significantly enhanced SR Ca(2+) load. Confocal line-scan images of field-stimulated SR Ca(2+) release showed an increased rate of Ca(2+) removal in TG myocytes. On the other hand, ryanodine receptor binding activity was decreased by approximately 30%. However, TG myocytes had a greater rate of spontaneous ryanodine receptor opening as measured by spark frequency. Whole-cell L-type Ca(2+) current density was reduced by approximately 50%, whereas the time course of inactivation was unchanged in TG myocytes. These studies provide important evidence that SERCA1a can substitute both structurally and functionally for SERCA2a in the heart and that SERCA1a overexpression can be used to enhance SR Ca(2+) transport and cardiac contractility.

Ferromagnetic movements of middle ear implants and stapes prostheses in a 3-T magnetic resonance field.

PubMed

Fritsch, Michael H; Gutt, Jason J

2005-03-01

A 3-T magnetic resonance field may cause motion or displacement of middle ear implants not seen in studies with 1.5-T magnets. Previous publications have described the safety limitations of some otologic implants in 1.5-T magnetic resonance fields. Several company-wide recalls of implants were issued. No studies to date have been reported for otologic implants within a 3-T magnetic resonance field, nor have there been comparisons with a 1.5-T field strength. Eighteen commonly used middle ear implants and prostheses were selected. In Part 1, the prostheses were placed in Petri dishes and exposed to a 3-T magnetic resonance field. In Part 2, the particular prostheses that showed movement in Part 1 were placed into their intended use positions within temporal bone laboratory specimens and exposed to a 3-T field. Both parts were repeated in a 1.5-T field. In Part 1, three prostheses moved dramatically from their start positions when exposed to the 3-T magnetic resonance field. In Part 2, the three particular prostheses that showed movement in Part 1 showed no gross displacement or movement from their start positions within the temporal bone laboratory specimens. No implants moved in the 1.5-T field in either Part 1 or Part 2. Certain stapes prostheses move dramatically in Petri dishes in 3-T fields. When placed into temporal bone laboratory specimens, the same prostheses show no signs of movement from the surgical site in a 3-T field, and it appears that the surgical position holds the implants firmly in place. Results of published 1.5-T field studies should not be used directly for safety recommendations in a 3-T magnetic resonance. Heat, voltage induction, and vibration during exposure to the magnetic resonance fields should be considered as additional possible safety issues. Preference should be given to platinum and titanium implants in manufacturing processes and surgical selection.

A Monte Carlo study of the quality dependence factors of common TLD materials in photon and electron beams.

PubMed

Mobit, P N; Nahum, A E; Mayles, P

1998-08-01

A Monte Carlo simulation of the quality dependence of different TL materials, in the form of discs 3.61 mm in diameter and 0.9 mm thick, in radiotherapy photon beams relative to 60Co gamma-rays has been performed. The beam qualities ranged from 50 kV to 25 MV x-rays. The TL materials were: CaF2, CaSO4, LiF and Li2B4O7. The effects of the dopants on energy deposition in the TL material have also been determined for the highly sensitive LiF:Mg:Cu:P (TLD-100H) and for CaF2:Mn. It was found that there was a significant difference in the quality dependence factor derived from Monte Carlo simulations between LiF and LiF:Mg:Cu:P but not between CaF2 and CaF2:Mn. The quality dependence factors for Li2B4O7 varied from 0.990 +/- 0.008 (1 sd) for 25 MV x-rays to 0.940 +/- 0.009 (1 sd) for 50 kV x-rays relative to 60Co gamma-rays; Monte Carlo simulations were also performed for Li2B4O7 in megavoltage electron beams. For CaF2, the quality dependence factor varied from 0.927 +/- 0.008 (1 sd) for 25 MV x-rays to 10.561 +/- 0.008 (1 sd) for 50 kV x-rays. The figure for CaSO4 ranged from 0.943 +/- 0.008 (1 sd) for 25 MV x-rays to 9.010 +/- 0.008 (1 sd) for 50 kV x-rays. The quality dependence factor for CaF2 increases by up to 5% with depth and by up to 15% with field size for the kilovoltage x-ray beams. For LiF-TLD, however, there was no significant dependence on the field size or depth of irradiation in the kilovoltage energy range.

Differential Responses of Hippocampal Neurons and Astrocytes to Nicotine and Hypoxia in the Fetal Guinea Pig

PubMed Central

Blutstein, Tamara; Castello, Michael A.; Viechweg, Shaun S.; Hadjimarkou, Maria M.; McQuail, Joseph A.; Holder, Mary; Thompson, Loren P.; Mong, Jessica A.

2012-01-01

In utero exposure to cigarette smoke has severe consequences for the developing fetus, including increased risk of birth complications and behavioral and learning disabilities later in life. Evidence from animal models suggests that the cognitive deficits may be a consequence of in utero nicotine exposure in the brain during critical developmental periods. However, maternal smoking exposes the fetus to not only nicotine but also a hypoxic intrauterine environment. Thus, both nicotine and hypoxia are capable of initiating cellular cascades, leading to long-term changes in synaptic patterning that have the potential to affect cognitive functions. The present study investigates the combined effect of in utero exposure to nicotine and hypoxia on neuronal and glial elements in the hippocampal CA1 field. Fetal guinea pigs were exposed in utero to normoxic or hypoxic conditions in the presence or absence of nicotine. Hypoxia increased the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and synaptophysin and decreased the neural density as measured by NeuN immunoreactivity (ir). Nicotine exposure had no effect on these neuronal parameters but dramatically increased the density of astrocytes immunopositive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Further investigation into the effects of in utero nicotine exposure revealed that both GFAP-ir and NeuN-ir in the CA1 field were significantly reduced in adulthood. Taken together, our data suggest that prenatal exposure to nicotine and hypoxia not only alters synaptic patterning acutely during fetal development, but that nicotine also has long-term consequences that are observed well into adulthood. Moreover, these effects most likely take place through distinct mechanisms. PMID:23192463

Fast Gamma Rhythms in the Hippocampus Promote Encoding of Novel Object–Place Pairings

PubMed Central

Bieri, Kevin Wood; Hwaun, Ernie

2016-01-01

Abstract Hippocampal gamma rhythms increase during mnemonic operations (Johnson and Redish, 2007; Montgomery and Buzsáki, 2007; Sederberg et al., 2007; Jutras et al., 2009; Trimper et al., 2014) and may affect memory encoding by coordinating activity of neurons that code related information (Jensen and Lisman, 2005). Here, a hippocampal-dependent, object–place association task (Clark et al., 2000; Broadbent et al., 2004; Eacott and Norman, 2004; Lee et al., 2005; Winters et al., 2008; Barker and Warburton, 2011) was used in rats to investigate how slow and fast gamma rhythms in the hippocampus relate to encoding of memories for novel object–place associations. In novel object tasks, the degree of hippocampal dependence has been reported to vary depending on the type of novelty (Eichenbaum et al., 2007; Winters et al., 2008). Therefore, gamma activity was examined during three novelty conditions: a novel object presented in a location where a familiar object had been (NO), a familiar object presented in a location where no object had been (NL), and a novel object presented in a location where no object had been (NO+NL). The strongest and most consistent effects were observed for fast gamma rhythms during the NO+NL condition. Fast gamma power, CA3–CA1 phase synchrony, and phase-locking of place cell spikes increased during exploration of novel, compared to familiar, object–place associations. Additionally, place cell spiking during exploration of novel object–place pairings was increased when fast gamma rhythms were present. These results suggest that fast gamma rhythms promote encoding of memories for novel object–place associations. PMID:27257621

Operator Radiation and the Efficacy of Ceiling-Suspended Lead Screen Shielding during Coronary Angiography: An Anthropomorphic Phantom Study Using Real-Time Dosimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Qianjun; Chen, Ziman; Jiang, Xianxian; Zhao, Zhenjun; Huang, Meiping; Li, Jiahua; Zhuang, Jian; Liu, Xiaoqing; Hu, Tianyu; Liang, Wensheng

2017-02-01

Operator radiation and the radiation protection efficacy of a ceiling-suspended lead screen were assessed during coronary angiography (CA) in a catheterization laboratory. An anthropomorphic phantom was placed under the X-ray beam to simulate patient attenuation in eight CA projections. Using real-time dosimeters, radiation dose rates were measured on models mimicking a primary operator (PO) and an assistant. Subsequently, a ceiling-suspended lead screen was placed in three commonly used positions to compare the radiation protection efficacy. The radiation exposure to the PO was 2.3 to 227.9 (mean: 67.2 ± 49.0) μSv/min, with the left anterior oblique (LAO) 45°/cranial 25° and cranial 25° projections causing the highest and the lowest dose rates, respectively. The assistant experienced significantly less radiation overall (mean: 20.1 ± 19.6 μSv/min, P < 0.003), with the right anterior oblique (RAO) 30° and cranial 25° projections resulting in the highest and lowest exposure levels, respectively. Combined with table-side shielding, the ceiling-suspended lead screen reduced the radiation to the PO by 76.8%, 81.9% and 93.5% when placed close to the patient phantom, at the left side and close to the PO, respectively, and reduced the radiation to the assistant by 70.3%, 76.7% and 90.0%, respectively. When placed close to the PO, a ceiling-suspended lead screen provides substantial radiation protection during CA.

Nanosecond pulsed electric field thresholds for nanopore formation in neural cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roth, Caleb C.; Tolstykh, Gleb P.; Payne, Jason A.; Kuipers, Marjorie A.; Thompson, Gary L.; DeSilva, Mauris N.; Ibey, Bennett L.

2013-03-01

The persistent influx of ions through nanopores created upon cellular exposure to nanosecond pulse electric fields (nsPEF) could be used to modulate neuronal function. One ion, calcium (Ca), is important to action potential firing and regulates many ion channels. However, uncontrolled hyper-excitability of neurons leads to Ca overload and neurodegeneration. Thus, to prevent unintended consequences of nsPEF-induced neural stimulation, knowledge of optimum exposure parameters is required. We determined the relationship between nsPEF exposure parameters (pulse width and amplitude) and nanopore formation in two cell types: rodent neuroblastoma (NG108) and mouse primary hippocampal neurons (PHN). We identified thresholds for nanoporation using Annexin V and FM1-43, to detect changes in membrane asymmetry, and through Ca influx using Calcium Green. The ED50 for a single 600 ns pulse, necessary to cause uptake of extracellular Ca, was 1.76 kV/cm for NG108 and 0.84 kV/cm for PHN. At 16.2 kV/cm, the ED50 for pulse width was 95 ns for both cell lines. Cadmium, a nonspecific Ca channel blocker, failed to prevent Ca uptake suggesting that observed influx is likely due to nanoporation. These data demonstrate that moderate amplitude single nsPEF exposures result in rapid Ca influx that may be capable of controllably modulating neurological function.

Increase in endothelial cell Ca2+ in response to mouse cremaster muscle contraction

PubMed Central

Duza, Tasmia; Sarelius, Ingrid H

2004-01-01

We addressed the role of endothelial cells (ECs) in metabolic dilatation of skeletal muscle arterioles in anaesthetized mice in situ. Electrical field stimulation was used to contract the cremaster muscle for 15 s at 30 Hz. Diameter was observed using bright field microscopy. In controls, muscle contraction produced a 15.7 ± 1.5 μm dilatation from a baseline of 17.4 ± 1.6 μm. Endothelial denudation (−EC) via intraluminal perfusion of air abolished this response (1.6 ± 1.2 μm in −EC, P < 0.05), identifying endothelium as the primary vascular cell type initiating the dilatation. To investigate the role of EC Ca2+ in metabolic dilatation, arteriolar ECs were loaded with Fluo-4 AM or BAPTA AM by intraluminal perfusion, after which blood flow was re-established. Ca2+ activity of individual ECs was monitored as a function of change from baseline fluorescence using confocal microscopy. In ECs, whole cell Ca2+ increased (>10%, P < 0.05) during muscle contraction, and localized Ca2+ transients were increased (>20%, P < 0.05) during the first minute after contraction. Chelation of EC Ca2+ abolished the dilatations in response to muscle contraction (1.1 ± 0.7 μm, P < 0.05). Inhibition of P1 purinergic receptors (with xanthine amine congener) did not alter the rate of onset of the dilatation (P > 0.05) but decreased its magnitude immediately post stimulation (7.1 ± 0.9 μm, P < 0.05) and during recovery. These findings demonstrate obligatory roles for endothelium and EC Ca2+ during metabolic dilatation in intact arterioles. Furthermore, they suggest that at least two separate pathways mediate the local response, one of which involves stimulation of endothelial P1 purinergic receptors via endogenous adenosine produced during muscle activity. PMID:14694141

PLACING TOP CHORD CENTER PANEL. View to the northwest from ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

PLACING TOP CHORD CENTER PANEL. View to the northwest from the old suspension bridge. Chord members in place - South Fork Trinity River Bridge, State Highway 299 spanning South Fork Trinity River, Salyer, Trinity County, CA

CaV1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels modulate depression-like behaviour in mice independent of deaf phenotype.

PubMed

Busquet, Perrine; Nguyen, Ngoc Khoi; Schmid, Eduard; Tanimoto, Naoyuki; Seeliger, Mathias W; Ben-Yosef, Tamar; Mizuno, Fengxia; Akopian, Abram; Striessnig, Jörg; Singewald, Nicolas

2010-05-01

Mounting evidence suggests that voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels can modulate affective behaviour. We therefore explored the role of CaV1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels in depression- and anxiety-like behaviours using CaV1.3-deficient mice (CaV1.3-/-). We showed that CaV1.3-/- mice displayed less immobility in the forced swim test as well as in the tail suspension test, indicating an antidepressant-like phenotype. Locomotor activity in the home cage or a novel open-field test was not influenced. In the elevated plus maze (EPM), CaV1.3-/- mice entered the open arms more frequently and spent more time there indicating an anxiolytic-like phenotype which was, however, not supported in the stress-induced hyperthermia test. By performing parallel experiments in Claudin 14 knockout mice (Cldn14-/-), which like CaV1.3-/- mice are congenitally deaf, an influence of deafness on the antidepressant-like phenotype could be ruled out. On the other hand, a similar EPM behaviour indicative of an anxiolytic phenotype was also found in the Cldn14-/- animals. Using electroretinography and visual behavioural tasks we demonstrated that at least in mice, CaV1.3 channels do not significantly contribute to visual function. However, marked morphological changes were revealed in synaptic ribbons in the outer plexiform layer of CaV1.3-/- retinas by immunohistochemistry suggesting a possible role of this channel type in structural plasticity at the ribbon synapse. Taken together, our findings indicate that CaV1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels modulate depression-like behaviour but are not essential for visual function. The findings raise the possibility that selective modulation of CaV1.3 channels could be a promising new therapeutic concept for the treatment of mood disorders.

Disciplined Improvisation: Characteristics of Inquiry in Mindfulness-Based Teaching.

PubMed

Crane, Rebecca S; Stanley, Steven; Rooney, Michael; Bartley, Trish; Cooper, Lucinda; Mardula, Jody

Evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is rapidly growing as interest in this field expands. By contrast, there are few empirical analyses of the pedagogy of MBSR and MBCT. Development of the evidence base concerning the teaching of MBCT or MBSR would support the integrity of the approach in the context of rapid expansion. This paper describes an applied conversation analysis (CA) of the characteristics of inquiry in the MBSR and MBCT teaching process. Audio-recordings of three 8-week MBCT and MBSR classes, with 24, 12, and 6 participants, were transcribed and systematically examined. The study focused on the teacher-led interactive inquiry which takes place in each session after a guided meditation practice. The study describes and analyzes three practices within the inquiry process that can be identified in sequences of talk: turn-taking talk involving questions and reformulations; the development of participant skills in a particular way of describing experience; and talk that constructs intersubjective connection and affiliation within the group. CA enables fine-grained analysis of the interactional work of mindfulness-based inquiry. Inquiry is a process of disciplined improvisation which is both highly specific to the conditions of the moment it took place in and uses repeated and recognizable patterns of interaction.

Phase equilibria, crystal structures, and dielectric anomaly in the BaZrO 3-CaZrO 3 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, Igor; Amos, Tammy G.; Bell, Steven M.; Farber, Leon; Vanderah, Terrell A.; Roth, Robert S.; Toby, Brian H.

2003-11-01

Phase equilibria in the (1- x)BaZrO 3- xCaZrO 3 system were analyzed using a combination of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The proposed phase diagram features two extended two-phase fields containing mixtures of a Ba-rich cubic phase and a tetragonal, or orthorhombic Ca-rich phase, all having perovskite-related structures. The symmetry differences in the Ca-rich phases are caused by different tilting patterns of the [ZrO 6] octahedra. In specimens quenched from 1650°C, CaZrO 3 dissolves only a few percent of Ba, whereas the solubility of Ca in BaZrO 3 is approximately 30 at% . The BaZrO 3-CaZrO 3 system features at least two tilting phase transitions, Pm3 m→ I4/ mcm and I4/ mcm→ Pbnm. Rietveld refinements of the Ba 0.8Ca 0.2ZrO 3 structure using variable-temperature neutron powder diffraction data confirmed that the Pm3 m→ I4/ mcm transition corresponds to a rotation of octahedra about one of the cubic axes; successive octahedra along this axis rotate in opposite directions. In situ variable-temperature electron diffraction studies indicated that the transition temperature increases with increasing Ca-substitution on the A-sites, from approximately -120°C at 5 at% Ca to 225°C at 20 at% Ca. Dielectric measurements revealed that the permittivity increases monotonically from 36 for BaZrO 3 to 53 for Ba 0.9Ca 0.1ZrO 3, and then decreases to 50 for Ba 0.8Ca 0.2ZrO 3. This later specimen was the Ca-richest composition for which pellets could be quenched from the single-phase cubic field with presently available equipment. Strongly non-monotonic behavior was also observed for the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency; however, in this case, the maximum occurred at a lower Ca concentration, 0.05⩽ x⩽0.1. The non-linear behavior of the dielectric properties was attributed to two competing structural effects: a positive effect associated with substitution of relatively small Ca cations on the A-sites, resulting in stretched Ca-O bonds, and a negative effect, related to the distortion of the A-site environment (bond strain relaxation) upon octahedral tilting.

Calcium signaling in plant cells in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordyum, E.

Changes in the intracellular Ca 2 + concentration in altered gravity (microgravity and clinostating) evidence that Ca2 + signaling can play a fundamental role in biological effects of microgravity. Calcium as a second messenger is known to play a crucial role in stimulus - response coupling for many plant cellular signaling pathways. Its messenger functions are realized by transient changes in the cytosolic ion concentration induced by a variety of internal and external stimuli such as light, hormones, temperature, anoxia, salinity, and gravity. Although the first data on the changes in the calcium balance in plant cells under the influence of altered gravity have appeared in eighties, a review highlighting the performed research and the possible significance of such Ca 2 + changes in the structural and metabolic rearrangements of plant cells in altered gravity is still lacking. In this paper, an attempt was made to summarize the available experimental results and to consider some hypotheses in this field of research. It is proposed to distinguish between cell gravisensing and cell graviperception; the former is related to cell structure and metabolism stability in the gravitational field and their changes in microgravity (cells not specialized to gravity perception), the latter is related to active use of a gravitational stimulus by cells presumably specialized to gravity perception for realization of normal space orientation, growth, and vital activity (gravitropism, gravitaxis) in plants. The main experimental data concerning both redistribution of free Ca 2 + ions in plant cell organelles and the cell wall, and an increase in the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration under the influence of altered gravity are presented. Based on the gravitational decompensation hypothesis, the consequence of events occurring in gravis ensing cells not specialized to gravity perception under altered gravity are considered in the following order: changes in the cytoplasmic membrane surface tensionalterations in the physicochemical properties of the membranechanges in membrane permeability, ion transport, membrane-bound enzyme activity, etc.metabolism rearrangementsphysiological responses. An analysis of data available on biological effects of altered gravity at the cellular level allows one to conclude that microgravity environment appears to affect, in the first place, cytoskeleton, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cell wall biogenesis via changes in enzyme activity and protein expression, with involvement of regulatory Ca 2 + messenger system. Changes in Ca 2 + influx/efflux and possible pathways of Ca 2 + signaling in plant cell biochemical regulation in altered gravity are discussed.

Mechanisms of sulfate removal from subsurface calcium chloride brines: Heletz-Kokhav oilfields, Israel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gavrieli, I.; Starinsky, A.; Spiro, B.

1995-09-01

The evolution of the Ca-chloride brines in the Heletz Formation, Lower Cretaceous, in the southern coastal plain of Israel was reconstructed through the study of its sulfate concentration and isotopic composition. Particular emphasis was given to the brine-oil interaction in the oilfields and to the sulfate depletion and lower SO{sub 4}/Cl ratio in brines in contact with hydrocarbons (oil brines) relative to {open_quotes}oil-free{close_quotes} from dry wells in the same oilfields. A method is presented for a calculation of the amount of sulfate removed from the original seawater in the various stages of its evolution to Ca-chloride brine. Eastward migration ofmore » the Messinian Ca-Chloride brine into the Heletz Formation was accompanied by dolomitization of the country rock. Final depletion of sulfate from the brines took place, and possibly still occurs, in the presence of crude oil in the oilfields. The two oil-producing fields, Heletz and Kokhav, occupy different areas on a Rayleigh distillation diagram. Sulfate depletion in both fields is accompanied by an increase in {delta}{sup 34}S{sub SO}{sub 4}, which reaches a maximum values of 59{per_thousand}. The above correlation is explained by bacterial sulfate reduction facilitated by the contact with the crude. Samples collected from the same boreholes at time intervals of several months show two opposing trends: sulfate concentration decrease accompanied by increase in {delta}{sup 34}S{sub SO}{sub 4}, and vice versa. While the first can be explained as in situ bacterial sulfate reduction, the latter attest to subsurface brine migration, as would be expected in oil-producing fields.« less

Evolution of a volcanic island on the shoulder of an oceanic rift and geodynamic implications: S. Jorge Island on the Terceira Rift, Azores Triple Junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marques, F. O.; Hildenbrand, A.; Hübscher, C.

2018-07-01

The S. Jorge Island in the Azores lies on a peculiar setting, the southern shoulder of the Terceira Rift (TR), which raises a series of questions that we address in this study. We first established the main volcanic stratigraphy by recognizing, in the field, the main unconformities/discontinuities and their meaning (major erosion surfaces and faults), then we collected critical samples, and finally dated them by K/Ar to calibrate the stratigraphy and the age of inferred large-scale flank collapses. Based on field, geochronological and marine geophysical data: (1) we found much older rocks in S. Jorge than in previous studies (ca. 1.85 Ma), and established a new volcanic stratigraphy (from bottom to top): Old Volcanic Complex (ca. 1.9-1.2 Ma), cropping out in the eastern third of the island; Intermediate Volcanic Complex (ca. 0.8-0.2 Ma), cropping out in the western two thirds of the island and separated from the underlying complex by a major fault; Young Volcanic Complex (

Influence of the dynamic lattice strain on the transport behavior of oxide heterojunctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J.; Hu, F. X.; Chen, L.; Zhao, Y. Y.; Lu, H. X.; Sun, J. R.; Shen, B. G.

2013-01-01

All-perovskite oxide heterojunctions composed of electron-doped titanate LaxSr1 - xTiO3 (x = 0.1, 0.15) and hole-doped manganite La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 films were fabricated on piezoelectric substrate of (001)-0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (PMN-PT). Taking advantage of the excellent converse piezoelectric effect of PMN-PT, we investigated the influence of the dynamic lattice strain on transport properties of the heterojunctions by applying external bias electric fields on the PMN-PT substrate. Photovoltaic experiments were carried out to characterize the interfacial barrier of the heterojunction. A linear reduction in the barrier height was observed with the increase of the bias field applied on PMN-PT. The value of the barrier height reduces from ˜1.55 (˜1.30) to 1.02 (1.08) eV as the bias field increases from 0 to 12 kV/cm for the junction of La0.10Sr0.9TiO3/La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (La0.15Sr0.85TiO3/La0.67Ca0.33MnO3). The observed dependency of barrier height on external field can be ascribed to the increasing release of trapped carriers by strain modulation, which results in a suppression of the depletion layer and increases the opportunity for electron tunneling across the depletion area.

Pheromone lures to monitor sparse populations of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Treesearch

David G. Grimble

1988-01-01

Four types of spruce budworm pheromone lures were field-tested in sparse spruce budworm populations in Maine. BioLures® with constant pheromone emission rates less than 1.0, ca. 1.0-1.5, and ca. 15.0 micrograms of pheromone per day were compared to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) lures with rapidly decreasing pheromone emission rates. Mean trap catch was roughly proportional...

Exchange bias induced by the fully strained La{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} dead layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Q. Y.; College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210046; Wu, X. S., E-mail: xswu@nju.edu.cn

A pure compressively strained La{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} (LCMO) dead layer grown on (001)-oriented LaAlO{sub 3} substrate can show all the rich phenomenon of large bias field shift, coercive field enhancement, and high blocking temperature. The obtained exchange bias field (∼350 Oe) and the enhanced coercivity of about 1160 Oe at 5 K under 500 Oe cooling field are superior to that have been reported in LCMO-based ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic superlattices or nanoscale systems. Our results clearly demonstrate that the inhomogeneous magnetic dead layer of LCMO can induce a strong exchange bias effect, which may be exploited as a very simple structure for spin-valve device application.

Unconventional superconductivity in CaFe0.85Co0.15AsF evidenced by torque measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Hong; Li, X. J.; Mu, G.; Hu, T.

Out-of-plane angular dependent torque measurements were performed on CaFe0.85Co0.15AsF single crystals. Abnormal superconducting fluctuation, featured by enhanced diamagnetism with magnetic field, is detected up to about 1.5 times superconducting transition temperature Tc. Compared to cuprate superconductors, the fluctuation effect in iron-based superconductor is less pronounced. Anisotropy parameter γ is obtained from the mixed state torque data and it is found that γ shows both magnetic field and temperature depenence, pointing to multiband superconductivity. The temperature dependence of penetration depth λ (T) suggests unconventional superconductivity in CaFe0.85Co0.15AsF.

Mechanism of Action of Cyclophilin A Explored by Metadynamics Simulations

PubMed Central

Leone, Vanessa; Lattanzi, Gianluca; Molteni, Carla; Carloni, Paolo

2009-01-01

Trans/cis prolyl isomerisation is involved in several biological processes, including the development of numerous diseases. In the HIV-1 capsid protein (CA), such a process takes place in the uncoating and recruitment of the virion and is catalyzed by cyclophilin A (CypA). Here, we use metadynamics simulations to investigate the isomerization of CA's model substrate HAGPIA in water and in its target protein CypA. Our results allow us to propose a novel mechanistic hypothesis, which is finally consistent with all of the available molecular biology data. PMID:19282959

Substitution effect of Sr2+ by Ca2+ on structure and superconducting properties of Bi2Sr1.6La0.4CuO6+δ (Bi-2201) ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boudjaoui, S.; Amira, A.; Mahamdioua, N.; Altintas, S.; varilci, A.; Terzioglu, C.

2018-02-01

In this work, the effect of Ca2+ iso-valence substitution for Sr2+ on properties of Bi2Sr1.6La0.4CuO6+δ superconductors is presented. Samples series with nominal composition of Bi2Sr1.6-xCaxLa0.4CuO6+δ (x= 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) are prepared by a solid-state reaction method. When Ca content is increased, the X-ray diffraction technique shows that the cell parameters a and c decrease, while b one is almost constant. The scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals that the substitution has no significant effect on the porosity and the grain size of the samples. The physical properties of the samples are studied by the analysis of the magneto-resistivity curves measured under magnetic fields in the range 0-1 T. As Ca is added, the results show that the high temperature transition appears and is pushed up to 94.87 K for x=0.8. The substitution also improves the bulk onset critical transition temperature, the transition width, the residual resistivity, the activation energy of vortices and the irreversibility field. The best results are seen for x=0.4 of Ca content.

Weather resistance of CaSO4 ṡ 1/2H2O-based sand-fixation material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xin; Tie, Shengnian

2017-07-01

Searching for an economical and effective sand-fixing material and technology is of great importance in Northwest China. This paper described the use of a semihydrated gypsum-(CaSO4 ṡ 1/2H2O-)based composite as a sand-fixing material. Its morphology and composition were characterized by SEM, and its water resistance, freezing-thawing resistance and wind erosion resistance were tested in the field. The results indicated that semihydrated gypsum-(CaSO4 ṡ 1/2H2O-)based sand-fixing composite has good water resistance and water-holding capacity. Its strength is maintained at 1.42 MPa after 50 freezing and thawing cycles, and its wind erosion increases with increasing wind speed and slope. Its compressive strength starts to decrease after nine months of field tests with no change in appearance, but it still satisfies the requirements of fixation technology. This sand-fixing material should have wide application owing to its good weather resistance.

Casein Aggregates Built Step-by-Step on Charged Polyelectrolyte Film Surfaces Are Calcium Phosphate-cemented*

PubMed Central

Nagy, Krisztina; Pilbat, Ana-Maria; Groma, Géza; Szalontai, Balázs; Cuisinier, Frédéric J. G.

2010-01-01

The possible mechanism of casein aggregation and micelle buildup was studied in a new approach by letting α-casein adsorb from low concentration (0.1 mg·ml−1) solutions onto the charged surfaces of polyelectrolyte films. It was found that α-casein could adsorb onto both positively and negatively charged surfaces. However, only when its negative phosphoseryl clusters remained free, i.e. when it adsorbed onto a negative surface, could calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoclusters bind to the casein molecules. Once the CaP clusters were in place, step-by-step building of multilayered casein architectures became possible. The presence of CaP was essential; neither Ca2+ nor phosphate could alone facilitate casein aggregation. Thus, it seems that CaP is the organizing motive in the casein micelle formation. Atomic force microscopy revealed that even a single adsorbed casein layer was composed of very small (in the range of tens of nanometers) spherical forms. The stiffness of the adsorbed casein layer largely increased in the presence of CaP. On this basis, we can imagine that casein micelles emerge according to the following scheme. The amphipathic casein monomers aggregate into oligomers via hydrophobic interactions even in the absence of CaP. Full scale, CaP-carrying micelles could materialize by interlocking these casein oligomers with CaP nanoclusters. Such a mechanism would not contradict former experimental results and could offer a synthesis between the submicelle and the block copolymer models of casein micelles. PMID:20921229

Asymmetry of Neuronal Combinatorial Codes Arises from Minimizing Synaptic Weight Change.

PubMed

Leibold, Christian; Monsalve-Mercado, Mauro M

2016-08-01

Synaptic change is a costly resource, particularly for brain structures that have a high demand of synaptic plasticity. For example, building memories of object positions requires efficient use of plasticity resources since objects can easily change their location in space and yet we can memorize object locations. But how should a neural circuit ideally be set up to integrate two input streams (object location and identity) in case the overall synaptic changes should be minimized during ongoing learning? This letter provides a theoretical framework on how the two input pathways should ideally be specified. Generally the model predicts that the information-rich pathway should be plastic and encoded sparsely, whereas the pathway conveying less information should be encoded densely and undergo learning only if a neuronal representation of a novel object has to be established. As an example, we consider hippocampal area CA1, which combines place and object information. The model thereby provides a normative account of hippocampal rate remapping, that is, modulations of place field activity by changes of local cues. It may as well be applicable to other brain areas (such as neocortical layer V) that learn combinatorial codes from multiple input streams.

Homeostatic Regulation of the PI(4,5)P2-Ca2+ Signaling System at ER-PM Junctions

PubMed Central

Chang, Chi-Lun; Liou, Jen

2016-01-01

The phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2)-Ca2+ signaling system is important for cell activation in response to various extracellular stimuli. This signaling system is initiated by receptor-induced hydrolysis of PI(4,5)P2 in the plasma membrane (PM) to generate the soluble second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). IP3 subsequently triggers the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) store to the cytosol to activate Ca2+-mediated responses, such as secretion and proliferation. The consumed PM PI(4,5)P2 and ER Ca2+ must be quickly restored to sustain signaling responses, and to maintain the homeostasis of PI(4,5)P2 and Ca2+. Since phosphatidylinositol (PI), the precursor lipid for PM PI(4,5)P2, is synthesized in the ER membrane, and a Ca2+ influx across the PM is required to refill the ER Ca2+ store, efficient communications between the ER and the PM are critical for the homeostatic regulation of the PI(4,5)P2-Ca2+ signaling system. This review describes the major findings that established the framework of the PI(4,5)P2-Ca2+ signaling system, and recent discoveries on feedback control mechanisms at ER-PM junctions that sustain the PI(4,5)P2-Ca2+ signaling system. Particular emphasis is placed on the characterization of ER-PM junctions where efficient communications between the ER and the PM occurs, and the activation mechanisms of proteins that dynamically localize to ER-PM junctions to provide the feedback control during PI(4,5)P2-Ca2+ signaling, including the ER Ca2+ sensor STIM1, the extended synaptotagmin E-Syt1, and the PI transfer protein Nir2. This review is part of a Special Issue entitled The Cellular Lipid Landscape. PMID:26924250

Modelling the magnetic activity and filtering radial velocity curves of young Suns : the weak-line T Tauri star LkCa 4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donati, J.-F.; Hébrard, E.; Hussain, G.; Moutou, C.; Grankin, K.; Boisse, I.; Morin, J.; Gregory, S. G.; Vidotto, A. A.; Bouvier, J.; Alencar, S. H. P.; Delfosse, X.; Doyon, R.; Takami, M.; Jardine, M. M.; Fares, R.; Cameron, A. C.; Ménard, F.; Dougados, C.; Herczeg, G.; Matysse Collaboration

2014-11-01

We report results of a spectropolarimetric and photometric monitoring of the weak-line T Tauri star LkCa 4 within the Magnetic Topologies of Young Stars and the Survival of close-in giant Exoplanets (MaTYSSE) programme, involving ESPaDOnS at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Despite an age of only 2 Myr and a similarity with prototypical classical T Tauri stars, LkCa 4 shows no evidence for accretion and probes an interesting transition stage for star and planet formation. Large profile distortions and Zeeman signatures are detected in the unpolarized and circularly polarized lines of LkCa 4 using Least-Squares Deconvolution (LSD), indicating the presence of brightness inhomogeneities and magnetic fields at the surface of LkCa 4. Using tomographic imaging, we reconstruct brightness and magnetic maps of LkCa 4 from sets of unpolarized and circularly polarized LSD profiles. The large-scale field is strong and mainly axisymmetric, featuring a ≃2 kG poloidal component and a ≃1 kG toroidal component encircling the star at equatorial latitudes - the latter making LkCa 4 markedly different from classical T Tauri stars of similar mass and age. The brightness map includes a dark spot overlapping the magnetic pole and a bright region at mid-latitudes - providing a good match to the contemporaneous photometry. We also find that differential rotation at the surface of LkCa 4 is small, typically ≃5.5 times weaker than that of the Sun, and compatible with solid-body rotation. Using our tomographic modelling, we are able to filter out the activity jitter in the radial velocity curve of LkCa 4 (of full amplitude 4.3 km s-1) down to an rms precision of 0.055 km s-1. Looking for hot Jupiters around young Sun-like stars thus appears feasible, even though we find no evidence for such planets around LkCa 4.

Dynamics of hippocampal spatial representation in echolocating bats

PubMed Central

Ulanovsky, Nachum; Moss, Cynthia F.

2009-01-01

The ‘place fields‘ of hippocampal pyramidal neurons are not static. For example, upon a contextual change in the environment, place-fields may ‘remap‘ within typical timescales of ~1 minute. A few studies have shown more rapid dynamics in hippocampal activity, linked to internal processes, such as switches between spatial reference frames or changes within the theta cycle. However, little is known about rapid hippocampal place-field dynamics in response to external, sensory stimuli. Here, we studied this question in big brown bats, echolocating mammals in which we can readily measure rapid changes in sensory dynamics (sonar signals), as well as rapid behavioral switches between distal and proximal exploratory modes. First, we show that place-field size was modulated by the availability of sensory information, on a timescale of ~300-milliseconds: Bat hippocampal place-fields were smallest immediately after an echolocation call, but place-fields ‘diffused’ with the passage of time after the call, when echo information was no longer arriving. Second, we show rapid modulation of hippocampal place-fields as the animal switched between two exploratory modes. Third, we compared place fields and spatial-view fields of individual neurons and found that place tuning was much more pronounced than spatial-view tuning. In addition, dynamic fluctuations in spatial-view tuning were stronger than fluctuations in place tuning. Taken together, these results suggest that spatial representation in mammalian hippocampus can be very rapidly modulated by external sensory and behavioral events. PMID:20014379

Calcium Isotope Geochemistry: Research Horizons and Nanoscale Fractionation Processes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, W; Simon, J I; DePaolo, D J

Interest in studies of calcium isotope variations in nature continues to increase. Investigations span human biology, plants and soils, oceanography and paleoclimate, early solar system processes, aqueous geochemistry, and silicate liquid structure. Variations in the 44Ca/40Ca ratio are generally small, about 5 {per_thousand}, but gradual small improvements in analytical capability now yield 0.05 to 0.1 {per_thousand} resolution. The field is still plagued by a lack of universal standards for isotope ratios and data representation, but these are secondary issues. Traditional isotopic systems have been based in equilibrium thermodynamics, which can explain the magnitude and sign of observed mass-dependent fractionation behavior.more » For Ca isotopes this is not the case. There is still no reliable way to estimate the equilibrium free energy associated with isotopic exchange between most phases of interest. Experiments are difficult to interpret because it is almost impossible to precipitate minerals from aqueous solution at equilibrium at low temperature. Some studies suggest that, for example, there is no equilibrium isotopic fractionation between calcite and dissolved aqueous Ca. There is good evidence that most Ca isotopic fractionation is caused by kinetic effects. The details of the controlling processes are still missing, and without this mechanistic understanding it is difficult to fully understand the implications of natural isotopic variations. Recent work on dissolved Ca, calcite, and sulfates in both laboratory and natural settings is shedding light on where the fractionation may arise. There is emerging evidence for mass dependent fractionation associated with aqueous diffusion, but probably the primary source of the effects is in the details of precipitation of minerals from solution. This makes the fractionation potentially dependent on a number of factors, including solution composition and mineral growth rate. The next challenge is to develop appropriate experimental tests and combine them with micro- and nano-scale characterization, and to capture the critical processes in mathematical models. Some of the largest fractionation effects have been observed for silicate liquids, where both chemical and thermal diffusion generate large isotopic variations. Intake and transport of Ca in plants is also associated with substantial fractionation. Continuing work is beginning to place the fractionation into the context of global Ca cycles.« less

Defect dependence of the irreversibility line in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lombardo, L. W.; Mitzi, D. B.; Kapitulnik, A.; Leone, A.

1992-09-01

The c-axis irreversibility line (IL) of pristine single-crystal Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 is shown to exhibit three regimes: For fields less than 0.1 T, it obeys a power law, Hirr=H0(1-Tirr/Tc)μ, where μ and H0 vary with Tc. For fields greater than 2 T, the IL becomes linear with a slope of 0.7 T/K. For intermediate fields, there is a crossover region, which corresponds to the onset of collective vortex behavior. Defects produced by proton irradiation shift the IL in all three regimes: The high-field regime moves to higher temperatures, the low-field regime moves to lower temperatures, and the crossover to collective behavior becomes obscured. A maximal increase in the irreversibility temperature in the high-field regime is found to occur at a defect density of nearly one defect per vortex core disk.

caGrid 1.0: An Enterprise Grid Infrastructure for Biomedical Research

PubMed Central

Oster, Scott; Langella, Stephen; Hastings, Shannon; Ervin, David; Madduri, Ravi; Phillips, Joshua; Kurc, Tahsin; Siebenlist, Frank; Covitz, Peter; Shanbhag, Krishnakant; Foster, Ian; Saltz, Joel

2008-01-01

Objective To develop software infrastructure that will provide support for discovery, characterization, integrated access, and management of diverse and disparate collections of information sources, analysis methods, and applications in biomedical research. Design An enterprise Grid software infrastructure, called caGrid version 1.0 (caGrid 1.0), has been developed as the core Grid architecture of the NCI-sponsored cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG™) program. It is designed to support a wide range of use cases in basic, translational, and clinical research, including 1) discovery, 2) integrated and large-scale data analysis, and 3) coordinated study. Measurements The caGrid is built as a Grid software infrastructure and leverages Grid computing technologies and the Web Services Resource Framework standards. It provides a set of core services, toolkits for the development and deployment of new community provided services, and application programming interfaces for building client applications. Results The caGrid 1.0 was released to the caBIG community in December 2006. It is built on open source components and caGrid source code is publicly and freely available under a liberal open source license. The core software, associated tools, and documentation can be downloaded from the following URL: https://cabig.nci.nih.gov/workspaces/Architecture/caGrid. Conclusions While caGrid 1.0 is designed to address use cases in cancer research, the requirements associated with discovery, analysis and integration of large scale data, and coordinated studies are common in other biomedical fields. In this respect, caGrid 1.0 is the realization of a framework that can benefit the entire biomedical community. PMID:18096909

caGrid 1.0: an enterprise Grid infrastructure for biomedical research.

PubMed

Oster, Scott; Langella, Stephen; Hastings, Shannon; Ervin, David; Madduri, Ravi; Phillips, Joshua; Kurc, Tahsin; Siebenlist, Frank; Covitz, Peter; Shanbhag, Krishnakant; Foster, Ian; Saltz, Joel

2008-01-01

To develop software infrastructure that will provide support for discovery, characterization, integrated access, and management of diverse and disparate collections of information sources, analysis methods, and applications in biomedical research. An enterprise Grid software infrastructure, called caGrid version 1.0 (caGrid 1.0), has been developed as the core Grid architecture of the NCI-sponsored cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG) program. It is designed to support a wide range of use cases in basic, translational, and clinical research, including 1) discovery, 2) integrated and large-scale data analysis, and 3) coordinated study. The caGrid is built as a Grid software infrastructure and leverages Grid computing technologies and the Web Services Resource Framework standards. It provides a set of core services, toolkits for the development and deployment of new community provided services, and application programming interfaces for building client applications. The caGrid 1.0 was released to the caBIG community in December 2006. It is built on open source components and caGrid source code is publicly and freely available under a liberal open source license. The core software, associated tools, and documentation can be downloaded from the following URL: https://cabig.nci.nih.gov/workspaces/Architecture/caGrid. While caGrid 1.0 is designed to address use cases in cancer research, the requirements associated with discovery, analysis and integration of large scale data, and coordinated studies are common in other biomedical fields. In this respect, caGrid 1.0 is the realization of a framework that can benefit the entire biomedical community.

Critical consideration on the relationship between auxin transport and calcium transients in gravity perception of Arabidopsis seedlings

PubMed Central

Toyota, Masatsugu; Furuichi, Takuya; Tatsumi, Hitoshi

2008-01-01

Plants regulate their growth and morphogenesis in response to gravity field, known as gravitropism. In the early process of gravitropism, changes in the gravity vector (gravistimulation) are transduced into certain intracellular signals, termed gravity perception. The plant hormone auxin is not only a crucial factor to represent gravitropism but also a potential signaling molecule for gravity perception. Another strong candidate for the signaling molecule is calcium ion of which cytoplasmic concentration ([Ca2+]c) is known to increase in response to gravistimulation. However, relationship between these two factors, say which is in the first place, has been controversial. This issue is addressed here mainly based on recent progress including our latest studies. Gravistimulation by turning plants 180° induced a two-peaked [Ca2+]c-increase lasting for several minutes in Arabidopsis seedlings expressing apoaequorin; only the second peak was sensitive to the gravistimulation. Peak amplitudes of the [Ca2+]c-increase were attenuated by the 10 µM auxin transport inhibitor (TIBA) and vesicle trafficking inhibitor (BFA), whereas the onset time and rate of rise of the second peak were not significantly altered. This result indicates that polar auxin transport is not involved in the initial phase of the second [Ca2+]c-increase. It is likely that the gravi-induced [Ca2+]c-increase constitutes an upstream event of the auxin transport, but may positively be modulated by auxin since its peak amplitude is attenuated by the inhibition of auxin transport. PMID:19513245

Capability and Learning to Choose

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LeBmann, Ortrud

2009-01-01

The Capability Approach (henceforth CA) is in the first place an approach to the evaluation of individual well-being and social welfare. Many disciplines refer to the CA, first and foremost welfare economics, development studies and political philosophy. Educational theory was not among the first disciplines that took notice of the CA, but has a…

Comparison of a few recording current meters in San Francisco Bay, CA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cheng, R.T.

1978-01-01

A team of research scientists in the U.S. Geological Survey uses San Francisco Bay, California, as an outdoor laboratory to study complicated interactions of physical, chemical, and biological processes which take place in an estuarine environment. A current meter comparison study was conceived because of the need to select a suitable current meter to meet field requirements for current measurements in the Bay. The study took place in south San Francisco Bay, California, in the spring of 1977. An instrument tower which was designed to support instruments free from the conventional mooring line motions was constructed and emplaced in south San Francisco Bay. During a period of two months, four types of recording current meters have been used in the tests. The four types were: (1) Aanderaa, (2) tethered shroud-impeller, (3) drag-inclinometer, and (4) electromagnetic current meters. With the exception of the electromagnetic current meter, one of each type was mounted on the instrument tower, and one of each type was deployed on moorings near the instrument tower. In addition, a wind anemometer and a recording tide gauge were also installed on the tower. This paper discusses the characteristics of each instrument and the accuracy that each instrument can provide when used in an estuarine environment. We pay special attention to our experiences in the field operation with respect to handling of the instruments and to our experiences working up the raw data in the post-deployment data analysis.

Evaluating stress analysis and failure criteria for offshore structures for Pechora Sea conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nesic, S.; Donskoy, Y.; Zolotukhin, A.

2017-12-01

Development of Arctic hydrocarbon resources has faced many challenges due to sensitive environmental conditions including low temperatures, ice cover and terrestrial permafrost and extreme seasonal variation in sunlight. Russian offshore field development in Arctic region is usually associated with annual ice cover, which can cause serious damage on the offshore platforms. The Pechora Sea has claimed as one of the most perspective oil and gas region of the Russian Arctic with seven discovered oil and gas fields and several dozens of structures. Our rough assessment, based on in-place hydrocarbon volumes and recovery factor evaluation concept, indicates that Pechora Sea alone has in-place volumes amounting to ca. 20 billion barrel oil equivalent (BOE). This quantity is enough to secure produced volumes by 2040 exceeding 3 billion BOE [1] that indicates huge resource potential of the region. The environmental conditions are primarily function of water dynamics and ice cover. The sea is covered by the ice for greatest part of the year. In this article, the ice load simulations were performed using explicit dynamic analysis system in ANSYS software to determine best shape and size of an offshore platform for the Pechora Sea ice conditions. Different gravity based structures (GBS) were analyzed: artificial island, hollow cylindrical and conical concrete structures and four-leg GBS. Relationships between the stress, deformations and time were analyzed and important observations from the simulation results were a basis for selecting the most preferable structures.

Formation Mechanism of CaS-Bearing Inclusions and the Rolling Deformation in Al-Killed, Low-Alloy Steel with Ca Treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Guang; Jiang, Zhouhua; Li, Yang

2016-08-01

The existing form of CaS inclusion in Ca-treated, Al-killed steel during secondary refining process was investigated with scanning electron microscopy and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results of 12 heats industrial tests showed that CaS has two kinds of precipitation forms. One form takes place by the direct reaction of Ca and S, and the other takes place by the reaction of CaO in calcium aluminates with dissolved Al and S in liquid steel. Thermodynamic research for different precipitation modes of CaS under different temperature was carried out. In particular, CaO-Al2O3-CaS isothermal section diagrams and component activities of calcium aluminates were calculated by the thermodynamic software FactSage. By thermodynamic calculation, a precipitation-area diagram of oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion was established by fixing the sulfur content. The quantity of CaS, which was precipitated in a reaction between [Al], [S] and (CaO), can be calculated and predicted based on the precipitation-area diagram of oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion. Electron probe microanalysis and EDS were used for observing rolling deformation of different types of CaS-bearing inclusions during the rolling process. Low modification of calcium aluminates wrapped by CaS has different degrees of harm to steel in the rolling process. A thick CaS layer can prevent some fragile calcium aluminates from being crushed during the rolling process. Some oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion contains little CaS performed better deformation during the rolling process, but when CaS in oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion becomes more, it will cause the whole inclusion to lose plastic yielding ability. The plastic deformation region of CaS-bearing inclusion in a CaO-Al2O3-CaS isothermal section diagram is confirmed.

Dopamine Transporter Blockade Increases LTP in the CA1 Region of the Rat Hippocampus via Activation of the D3 Dopamine Receptor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swant, Jarod; Wagner, John J.

2006-01-01

Dopamine has been demonstrated to be involved in the modulation of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. As monoamine transporter blockade will increase the actions of endogenous monoamine neurotransmitters, the effect of a dopamine transporter (DAT) antagonist on LTP was assessed using field excitatory postsynaptic…

CA1 neurons in the human hippocampus are critical for autobiographical memory, mental time travel, and autonoetic consciousness

PubMed Central

Bartsch, Thorsten; Döhring, Juliane; Rohr, Axel; Jansen, Olav; Deuschl, Günther

2011-01-01

Autobiographical memories in our lives are critically dependent on temporal lobe structures. However, the contribution of CA1 neurons in the human hippocampus to the retrieval of episodic autobiographical memory remains elusive. In patients with a rare acute transient global amnesia, highly focal lesions confined to the CA1 field of the hippocampus can be detected on MRI. We studied the effect of these lesions on autobiographical memory using a detailed autobiographical interview including the remember/know procedure. In 14 of 16 patients, focal lesions in the CA1 sector of the hippocampal cornu ammonis were detected. Autobiographical memory was significantly affected over all time periods, including memory for remote periods. Impairment of episodic memory and autonoetic consciousness exhibited a strong temporal gradient extending 30 to 40 y into the past. These results highlight the distinct and critical role of human hippocampal CA1 neurons in autobiographical memory retrieval and for re-experiencing detailed episodic memories. PMID:21987814

The chromosphere above a δ-sunspot in the presence of fan-shaped jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robustini, Carolina; Leenaarts, Jorrit; de la Cruz Rodríguez, Jaime

2018-01-01

Context. Delta-sunspots are known to be favourable locations for fast and energetic events like flares and coronal mass ejections. The photosphere of this sunspot type has been thoroughly investigated in the past three decades. The atmospheric conditions in the chromosphere are not as well known, however. Aims: This study is focused on the chromosphere of a δ-sunspot that harbours a series of fan-shaped jets in its penumbra. The aim of this study is to establish the magnetic field topology and the temperature distribution in the presence of jets in the photosphere and the chromosphere. Methods: We use data from the Swedish 1m Solar Telescope (SST) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory. We invert the spectropolarimetric Fe I 6302 Å and Ca II 8542 Å data from the SST using the non-LTE inversion code NICOLE to estimate the magnetic field configuration, temperature, and velocity structure in the chromosphere. Results: A loop-like magnetic structure is observed to emerge in the penumbra of the sunspot. The jets are launched from this structure. Magnetic reconnection between this emerging field and the pre-existing vertical field is suggested by hot plasma patches on the interface between the two fields. The height at which the reconnection takes place is located between log τ500 = -2 and log τ500 = -3. The magnetic field vector and the atmospheric temperature maps show a stationary configuration during the whole observation. Movies associated to Figs. 3-5 are available at http://www.aanda.org

Synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline brownmillerite cobalt doped Ca2Fe2O5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhankhar, Suchita; Bhalerao, Gopal; Baskar, K.; Singh, Shubra

2016-05-01

Brownmillerite compounds with general formula A2BB'O5 (BB' = Mn, Al, Fe, Co) have attracted attention in wide range of applications such as in solid oxide fuel cell, oxygen separation membrane and photocatalysis. Brownmillerite compounds have unique structure with alternate layers of BO6 octahedral layers and BO4 tetrahedral layers. Presence of dopants like Co in place of Fe increases oxygen vacancies. In the present work we have synthesized polycrystalline Ca2Fe2O5 and Ca2Fe1-xCoxO5 (x = 0.01, 0.03) by citrate combustion route. The as prepared samples were characterized by XRD using PANalytical X'Pert System, DRS (Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy) and SEM (Scanning electron microscopy).

A Comparative Study of Ion Diffusion from Calcium Hydroxide with Various Herbal Pastes through Dentin

PubMed Central

Dhirawani, Rajesh B; Marya, Jayant; Dhirawani, Vrinda; Kumar, Vijayendra

2017-01-01

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the diffusion ability of ions through dentinal tubules of different nonalcoholic calcium hydroxide-containing herbal pastes and compare it with the calcium hydroxide paste prepared with saline. Materials and methods A total of 36 single-rooted premolar teeth were used in this study. The tooth crowns were removed and the root canals were prepared. Depending on the vehicle to be used for preparing calcium hydroxide pastes, six groups were made: Group I: Ca(OH)2 saline paste (control group), group II: Ca(OH)2 papaya latex paste, group III: Ca(OH)2 coconut water paste, group IV: Ca(OH)2 Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) paste, group V: Ca(OH)2 Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) paste, and group VI: Ca(OH)2 garlic (Allium sativum) paste. After biomechanical preparation, calcium hydroxide herbal paste dressings were applied and sealed with resin-based cement. The teeth were placed in containers with deionized water, and the pH of the water was measured at regular intervals over 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours. Results We observed that all herbal pastes allowed the diffusion of ions, but pastes prepared with Ashwagandha and papaya latex showed more ion diffusion after 168 hours and marked increase in pH, depicting better support for calcium hydroxide action. Conclusion We conclude that Ashwagandha and papaya latex allow better diffusion of calcium hydroxide through den-tinal tubules, thus enhancing its action, and advise its use as a vehicle for placing intracanal medicament. How to cite this article Dausage P, Dhirawani RB, Marya J, Dhirawani V, Kumar V. A Comparative Study of Ion Diffusion from Calcium Hydroxide with Various Herbal Pastes through Dentin. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):41-44. PMID:28377654

Associations between diagnostic patterns and stages in ovarian cancer

DOE PAGES

Bogie, Kath; Xu, Yifan; Ma, Junheng; ...

2017-08-30

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women and remains the most deadly gynecological cancer. The disease places a debilitating burden on the US population, in terms of mortality, morbidity, individual suffering and loss of productivity for all women with OvCa. National expenditures for OvCa care were estimated at $5.12B in 2010. The high fatality of OvCa is attributed to the fact that most patients are diagnosed at a late stage, with 63% diagnosed at Stage III or later. Effective early-stage diagnosis is challenging because there are no approved screening procedures for the general population,more » which has led to OvCa being termed1 the “silent killer”. We have previously shown that public awareness and knowledge about OvCa is poor among the general population. It has also been reported that ovarian masses have often been misdiagnosed, although there was some association of pre-diagnostic symptoms with OvCa and with OvCa diagnostic stages. The motivation for the current study was to examine the association of diagnostic patterns (determined by the responses from ‘frontline’ clinicians, specifically primary care physicians (PCPs) and emergency room (ER) doctors, together with follow-up by specialists), with OvCa stages.« less

Associations between diagnostic patterns and stages in ovarian cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bogie, Kath; Xu, Yifan; Ma, Junheng

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women and remains the most deadly gynecological cancer. The disease places a debilitating burden on the US population, in terms of mortality, morbidity, individual suffering and loss of productivity for all women with OvCa. National expenditures for OvCa care were estimated at $5.12B in 2010. The high fatality of OvCa is attributed to the fact that most patients are diagnosed at a late stage, with 63% diagnosed at Stage III or later. Effective early-stage diagnosis is challenging because there are no approved screening procedures for the general population,more » which has led to OvCa being termed1 the “silent killer”. We have previously shown that public awareness and knowledge about OvCa is poor among the general population. It has also been reported that ovarian masses have often been misdiagnosed, although there was some association of pre-diagnostic symptoms with OvCa and with OvCa diagnostic stages. The motivation for the current study was to examine the association of diagnostic patterns (determined by the responses from ‘frontline’ clinicians, specifically primary care physicians (PCPs) and emergency room (ER) doctors, together with follow-up by specialists), with OvCa stages.« less

SNOM and AFM microscopy techniques to study the effect of non-ionizing radiation on the morphological and biochemical properties of human keratinocytes cell line (HaCaT).

PubMed

Rieti, S; Manni, V; Lisi, A; Giuliani, L; Sacco, D; D'Emilia, E; Cricenti, A; Generosi, R; Luce, M; Grimaldi, S

2004-01-01

In this study we have employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) techniques to study the effect of the interaction between human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and electromagnetic fields at low frequency. HaCaT cells were exposed to a sinusoidal magnetic field at a density of 50 Hz, 1 mT. AFM analysis revealed modification in shape and morphology in exposed cells with an increase in the areas of adhesion between cells. This latter finding was confirmed by SNOM indirect immunofluorescence analysis performed with a fluorescent antibody against the adhesion marker beta4 integrin, which revealed an increase of beta4 integrin segregation in the cell membrane of 50-Hz exposed cells, suggesting that a higher percentage of these cells shows a modified pattern of this adhesion marker.

Optogenetically Blocking Sharp Wave Ripple Events in Sleep Does Not Interfere with the Formation of Stable Spatial Representation in the CA1 Area of the Hippocampus

PubMed Central

Kovács, Krisztián A.; O’Neill, Joseph; Schoenenberger, Philipp; Penttonen, Markku; Ranguel Guerrero, Damaris K.; Csicsvari, Jozsef

2016-01-01

During hippocampal sharp wave/ripple (SWR) events, previously occurring, sensory input-driven neuronal firing patterns are replayed. Such replay is thought to be important for plasticity-related processes and consolidation of memory traces. It has previously been shown that the electrical stimulation-induced disruption of SWR events interferes with learning in rodents in different experimental paradigms. On the other hand, the cognitive map theory posits that the plastic changes of the firing of hippocampal place cells constitute the electrophysiological counterpart of the spatial learning, observable at the behavioral level. Therefore, we tested whether intact SWR events occurring during the sleep/rest session after the first exploration of a novel environment are needed for the stabilization of the CA1 code, which process requires plasticity. We found that the newly-formed representation in the CA1 has the same level of stability with optogenetic SWR blockade as with a control manipulation that delivered the same amount of light into the brain. Therefore our results suggest that at least in the case of passive exploratory behavior, SWR-related plasticity is dispensable for the stability of CA1 ensembles. PMID:27760158

76 FR 59128 - Ocean Transportation Intermediary License; Revocation

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-23

...: Unico Logistics Inc. Address: 147-04 183rd Street, Suite 203, Jamaica, NY 11413. Date Revoked: August 1... Express Inc. Address: 2130 SW. 58th Way, West Park, FL 33023. Date Revoked: August 25, 2011. Reason.... Name: Titan International Logistics, LLC. Address: 16905 Cherie Place, Carson, CA 90746. Date Revoked...

SNAP-25 in hippocampal CA3 region is required for long-term memory formation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hou Qiuling; Gao Xiang; Lu Qi

SNAP-25 is a synaptosomal protein of 25 kDa, a key component of synaptic vesicle-docking/fusion machinery, and plays a critical role in exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. We previously reported that SNAP-25 in the hippocampal CA1 region is involved in consolidation of contextual fear memory and water-maze spatial memory (Hou et al. European J Neuroscience, 20: 1593-1603, 2004). SNAP-25 is expressed not only in the CA1 region, but also in the CA3 region, and the SNAP-25 mRNA level in the CA3 region is higher than in the CA1 region. Here, we provide evidence that SNAP-25 in the CA3 region is also involvedmore » in learning/memory. Intra-CA3 infusion of SNAP-25 antisense oligonucleotide impaired both long-term contextual fear memory and water-maze spatial memory, with short-term memory intact. Furthermore, the SNAP-25 antisense oligonucleotide suppressed the long-term potentiation (LTP) of field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP) in the mossy-fiber pathway (DG-CA3 pathway), with no effect on paired-pulse facilitation of the fEPSP. These results are consistent with the notion that SNAP-25 in the hippocampal CA3 region is required for long-term memory formation.« less

The site of net absorption of Ca from the intestinal tract of growing pigs and effect of phytic acid, Ca level and Ca source on Ca digestibility.

PubMed

González-Vega, J Caroline; Walk, Carrie L; Liu, Yanhong; Stein, Hans H

2014-01-01

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the standardised digestibility of Ca in calcium carbonate and Lithothamnium calcareum Ca is not different regardless of the level of dietary Ca, and that phytic acid affects the digestibility of Ca in these two ingredients to the same degree. The objectives were to determine where in the intestinal tract Ca absorption takes place and if there are measurable quantities of basal endogenous Ca fluxes in the stomach, small intestine or large intestine. Diets contained calcium carbonate or L. calcareum Ca as the sole source of Ca, 0% or 1% phytic acid and 0.4% or 0.8% Ca. A Ca-free diet was also formulated and used to measure endogenous fluxes and losses of Ca. Nine growing pigs (initial body weight 23.8 ± 1.3 kg) were cannulated in the duodenum and in the distal ileum, and faecal, ileal and duodenal samples were collected. Duodenal endogenous fluxes of Ca were greater (p < 0.05) than ileal endogenous fluxes and total tract endogenous losses of Ca, but ileal endogenous fluxes were less (p < 0.05) than total tract endogenous losses. Standardised digestibility of Ca was not affected by the level of phytic acid, but decreased (p < 0.05) as Ca level increased in L. calcareum Ca diets, but that was not the case if calcium carbonate was the source of Ca (interaction, p < 0.05). The standardised duodenal digestibility (SDD), standardised ileal digestibility (SID) and standardised total tract digestibility (STTD) of Ca were not different if calcium carbonate was the source of dietary Ca. However, the STTD of Ca in L. calcareum Ca was greater (p < 0.05) than the SID and SDD of Ca. The SDD, SID and STTD of Ca in calcium carbonate were greater (p < 0.05) than those of L. calcareum Ca. In conclusion, under the conditions of this experiment, standardised digestibility of Ca is not affected by the level of phytic acid, but may be affected by dietary Ca level depending on the Ca source. Calcium from calcium carbonate is mostly absorbed before the duodenum, but Ca from L. calcareum Ca is mostly absorbed in the jejunum and ileum.

Remediation of cadmium-contaminated paddy soils by washing with chemicals: effect of soil washing on cadmium uptake by soybean.

PubMed

Maejima, Yuji; Makino, Tomoyuki; Takano, Hiroyuki; Kamiya, Takashi; Sekiya, Naoki; Itou, Tadashi

2007-03-01

We conducted a pot experiment to evaluate the effect of soil washing with CaCl(2) on Cd absorption by two soybean cultivars. The results were as follows: (1) Soybean growth was not significantly different in washed and unwashed soils, but the seed Cd concentration for both cultivars decreased significantly, up to 25%, in the washed soils compared with the unwashed soils. (2) In the washed soils, the Cd concentration in the soil solution indicated an obviously lower value from sowing to the flowering stage; however, the change in Cd speciation was not evident in the CaCl(2)-washed soil solution. Consequently, the effect of soil washing using CaCl(2) on Cd-contaminated paddy soils can be expected to continue after a CaCl(2)-washed paddy field is converted to an upland field.

Thermoluminescence Response of CaF2:Mn, CaFz:Dy and CaSO4:Tm to Protons and Alpha-Particles,

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

TLD ) in diverse radiation fields, such as mixed neutron-gamma fields. TL responses of the detector may depend not only on the photon and neutron energy...response of three TLD materials: CaF 2 :Mn, CaF?:Dy and CaSO 4 :Tm. These three materials are commonly used in TLDs , because of their high sensitivities...and suitable readout temperatures. CaS04:Tm powder embedded in polyethylene was investiaged at DREO (Ref. (4)) as a combined neutron/gamma TLD , but

Colossal magnetoresistance accompanied with magnetorelaxor behavior in phase-separated Ca1-xCexMnO3 thin films and CaMnO3/Ca0.92Ce0.08MnO3 superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, P.-H.; Yamada, H.; Sawa, A.; Akoh, H.

2010-03-01

We report on the transport properties of electron-doped manganite Ca1-xCexMnO3 (CCMO, 0≤x≤0.08) films and superlattices composed of insulating layers CaMnO3 (CMO) and Ca0.92Ce0.08MnO3 (CCMO8), deposited on nearly lattice-matched NdAlO3 substrates. The CCMO (x =0.06 and 0.07) films show colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) accompanied with magnetorelaxor behavior, which can be ascribed to the phase separation of canted G-type antiferromagnetic metal and C-type antiferromagnetic insulator. The (CMO)m/(CCMO8)n superlattices with 4≤m, n ≤8 (unit cells) resemble the solid-solution CCMO (x =0.06 and 0.07) films in CMR and magnetorelaxor behavior, suggesting that the phase separation takes place in the superlattices. The CMR and magnetorelaxor behavior of the (CMO)m/(CCMO8)n superlattices strongly depend on the thicknesses of constituent CMO and CCMO8 layers. The origin of the phase separation in the superlattices is discussed in terms of the charge transfer and the phase competition at the interfaces.

Field-induced magnetic phase transitions and memory effect in bilayer ruthenate Ca 3Ru 2O 7 with Fe substitution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, M.; Hong, Tao; Peng, J.

Bilayer ruthenate Ca 3(Ru 1-xFe x) 2O 7 (x = 0.05) exhibits an incommensurate magnetic soliton lattice driven by the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. Here, in this work, we report complex field-induced magnetic phase transitions and memory effect in this system via single-crystal neutron diffraction and magnetotransport measurements. We observe first-order incommensurate-to-commensurate magnetic transitions upon applying the magnetic field both along and perpendicular to the propagation axis of the incommensurate spin structure. Furthermore, we find that the metastable states formed upon decreasing the magnetic field depend on the temperature and the applied field orientation. Lastly, we suggest that the observed field-induced metastabilitymore » may be ascribable to the quenched kinetics at low temperature.« less

Field-induced magnetic phase transitions and memory effect in bilayer ruthenate Ca 3Ru 2O 7 with Fe substitution

DOE PAGES

Zhu, M.; Hong, Tao; Peng, J.; ...

2018-01-09

Bilayer ruthenate Ca 3(Ru 1-xFe x) 2O 7 (x = 0.05) exhibits an incommensurate magnetic soliton lattice driven by the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. Here, in this work, we report complex field-induced magnetic phase transitions and memory effect in this system via single-crystal neutron diffraction and magnetotransport measurements. We observe first-order incommensurate-to-commensurate magnetic transitions upon applying the magnetic field both along and perpendicular to the propagation axis of the incommensurate spin structure. Furthermore, we find that the metastable states formed upon decreasing the magnetic field depend on the temperature and the applied field orientation. Lastly, we suggest that the observed field-induced metastabilitymore » may be ascribable to the quenched kinetics at low temperature.« less

Dissolution behavior and early bone apposition of calcium phosphate-coated machined implants

PubMed Central

Hwang, Ji-Wan; Lee, Eun-Ung; Lee, Jung-Seok; Jung, Ui-Won; Lee, In-Seop

2013-01-01

Purpose Calcium phosphate (CaP)-coated implants promote osseointegration and survival rate. The aim of this study was to (1) analyze the dissolution behavior of the residual CaP particles of removed implants and (2) evaluate bone apposition of CaP-coated machined surface implants at the early healing phase. Methods Mandibular premolars were extracted from five dogs. After eight weeks, the implants were placed according to drilling protocols: a nonmobile implant (NI) group and rotational implant (RI) group. For CaP dissolution behavior analysis, 8 implants were removed after 0, 1, 2, and 4 weeks. The surface morphology and deposition of the coatings were observed. For bone apposition analysis, block sections were obtained after 1-, 2-, and 4-week healing periods and the specimens were analyzed. Results Calcium and phosphorus were detected in the implants that were removed immediately after insertion, and the other implants were composed mainly of titanium. There were no notable differences between the NI and RI groups in terms of the healing process. The bone-to-implant contact and bone density in the RI group showed a remarkable increase after 2 weeks of healing. Conclusions It can be speculated that the CaP coating dissolves early in the healing phase and chemically induces early bone formation regardless of the primary stability. PMID:24455442

Charge ordered ferromagnetic phase in La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO_3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathur, Neil

2003-03-01

Charge order and ferromagnetism should be mutually exclusive in the manganites, because ferromagnetism in these materials is normally promoted by delocalised electrons. Surprisingly, a phase that is both strongly charge ordered and fully ferromagnetic is observed [1] at 90 K in La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO_3, using Fresnel imaging, dark-field TEM and electron holography. This new phase coexists with the two low temperature phases that were already known to coexist in La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO_3. (One of these expected phases is ferromagnetic but not charge-ordered, the other is charge-ordered but not ferromagnetic.) Strain fields could be responsible for the novel microscopic texture presented here - perhaps creating conditions in which nearest neighbour hopping is sufficient to promote ferromagnetism. Similarly, strain fields are believed to cause sub-micron phase separation in the manganites. It therefore seems that the manganites can adapt to their environments over a wide range of length scales [2]. [1] http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/cond-mat/0209436 [2] Neil Mathur and Peter Littlewood, Physics Today, early 2003.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a dimeric Mn2Ca2 complex enabled by the large Mn(iii) rhombicity.

PubMed

Arauzo, Ana; Bartolomé, Elena; Benniston, Andrew C; Melnic, Silvia; Shova, Sergiu; Luzón, Javier; Alonso, Pablo J; Barra, Anne-Laure; Bartolomé, Juan

2017-01-17

In this paper we present the characterization of a complex with the formula [Mn 2 Ca 2 (hmp) 6 (H 2 O) 4 (CH 3 CN) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 4 (1), where hmp-H = 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the cation lying on an inversion centre. Static magnetic susceptibility, magnetization and heat capacity measurements reflect a unique Mn(iii) valence state, and single-ion ligand field parameters with remarkable large rhombic distortion (D/k B = -6.4 K, E/k B = -2.1 K), in good agreement with the high-field electron paramagnetic resonance experiments. At low temperature Mn 2 Ca 2 cluster behaves as a system of ferromagnetically coupled (J/k B = 1.1 K) Mn dimers with a S T = 4 and m T = ±4 ground state doublet. Frequency dependent ac susceptibility measurements reveal the slow magnetic relaxation characteristic of a single molecule magnet (SMM) below T = 4 K. At zero magnetic field, an Orbach-type spin relaxation process (τ ∼ 10 -5 s) with an activation energy E a = 5.6 K is observed, enabled by the large E/D rhombicity of the Mn(iii) ions. Upon the application of a magnetic field, a second, very slow process (τ ∼ 0.2 s) is observed, attributed to a direct relaxation mechanism with enhanced relaxation time owing to the phonon bottleneck effect.

Improvement of critical current density in thallium-based (Tl,Bi)Sr(1.6)Ba(0.4)Ca2Cu3O(x) superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ren, Z. F.; Wang, C. A.; Wang, J. H.; Miller, D. J.; Goretta, K. C.

1995-01-01

Epitaxial (Tl,Bi)Sr(1.6)Ba(0.4)Ca2Cu3O(x) ((Tl,Bi)-1223) thin films on (100) single crystal LaAlO3 substrates were synthesized by a two-step procedure. Phase development, microstructure, and relationships between film and substrate were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Resistance versus temperature, zero-field-cooled and field cooled magnetization, and transport critical current density (J(sub c)) were measured. The zero-resistance temperature was 105-111 K. J(sub c) at 77 K and zero field was greater than 2 x 10(exp 6) A/sq cm. The films exhibited good flux pinning properties.

Improved model of hydrated calcium ion for molecular dynamics simulations using classical biomolecular force fields.

PubMed

Yoo, Jejoong; Wilson, James; Aksimentiev, Aleksei

2016-10-01

Calcium ions (Ca(2+) ) play key roles in various fundamental biological processes such as cell signaling and brain function. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study such interactions, however, the accuracy of the Ca(2+) models provided by the standard MD force fields has not been rigorously tested. Here, we assess the performance of the Ca(2+) models from the most popular classical force fields AMBER and CHARMM by computing the osmotic pressure of model compounds and the free energy of DNA-DNA interactions. In the simulations performed using the two standard models, Ca(2+) ions are seen to form artificial clusters with chloride, acetate, and phosphate species; the osmotic pressure of CaAc2 and CaCl2 solutions is a small fraction of the experimental values for both force fields. Using the standard parameterization of Ca(2+) ions in the simulations of Ca(2+) -mediated DNA-DNA interactions leads to qualitatively wrong outcomes: both AMBER and CHARMM simulations suggest strong inter-DNA attraction whereas, in experiment, DNA molecules repel one another. The artificial attraction of Ca(2+) to DNA phosphate is strong enough to affect the direction of the electric field-driven translocation of DNA through a solid-state nanopore. To address these shortcomings of the standard Ca(2+) model, we introduce a custom model of a hydrated Ca(2+) ion and show that using our model brings the results of the above MD simulations in quantitative agreement with experiment. Our improved model of Ca(2+) can be readily applied to MD simulations of various biomolecular systems, including nucleic acids, proteins and lipid bilayer membranes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 752-763, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Experimental identification of Ca isotopic fractionations in higher plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cobert, Florian; Schmitt, Anne-Désirée; Bourgeade, Pascale; Labolle, François; Badot, Pierre-Marie; Chabaux, François; Stille, Peter

2011-10-01

Hydroponic experiments have been performed in order to identify the co-occurring geochemical and biological processes affecting the Ca isotopic compositions within plants. To test the influence of the Ca concentration and pH of the nutritive solution on the Ca isotopic composition of the different plant organs, four experimental conditions were chosen combining two different Ca concentrations (5 and 60 ppm) and two pHs (4 and 6). The study was performed on rapid growing bean plants in order to have a complete growth cycle. Several organs (root, stem, leaf, reproductive) were sampled at two different growth stages (10 days and 6 weeks of culture) and prepared for Ca isotopic measurements. The results allow to identify three Ca isotopic fractionation levels. The first one takes place when Ca enters the lateral roots, during Ca adsorption on cation-exchange binding sites in the apoplasm. The second one takes place when Ca is bound to the polygalacturonic acids (pectins) of the middle lamella of the xylem cell wall. Finally, the last fractionation occurs in the reproductive organs, also caused by cation-exchange processes with pectins. However, the cell wall structures of these organs and/or number of available exchange sites seem to be different to those of the xylem wall. These three physico-chemical fractionation mechanisms allow to enrich the organs in the light 40Ca isotope. The amplitude of the Ca isotopic fractionation within plant organs is highly dependent on the composition of the nutritive solution: low pH (4) and Ca concentrations (5 ppm) have no effect on the biomass increase of the plants but induce smaller fractionation amplitudes compared to those obtained from other experimental conditions. Thus, Ca isotopic signatures of bean plants are controlled by the external nutritive medium. This study highlights the potential of Ca isotopes to be applied in plant physiology (to identify Ca uptake, circulation and storage mechanisms within plants) and in biogeochemistry (to identify Ca recycling, Ca content and pH evolutions in soil solutions through time).

Superconducting and magnetic properties of Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1- xY xCu 2O y (0≦ x≦1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshizaki, R.; Saito, Y.; Abe, Y.; Ikeda, H.

1988-07-01

The effect of substitution of Y atoms for Ca atoms has been studied in the Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1- xY xCu 2O y compound system. For x<0.5, superconductivity is observed and its fractional volume is reduced with increasing x, though the transition temperature of about 85 K is maintained. For x≧0.5 samples, the electrical resistivity behavior can be well described by the three-dimensional variable range hopping conduction, indicating that the system is essentially insulating. In this range of x, magnetic susceptibility shows spin-glass-type cusp at 13 K in the heating process after zero-field cooling and an enhanced cusp at 11 K in the field-cooling process. In the temperature range above about 150 K the Curie-Weiss dependence holds well with a positive paramagnetic Curie temperature, which increases to 40 K with increasing x in the insulating region.

Effects of water hardness on size and hatching success of silver carp eggs

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rach, Jeff J.; Sass, Greg G.; Luoma, James A.; Gaikowski, Mark P.

2010-01-01

Eggs of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix absorb water after release from the female, causing them to become turgid and to increase substantially in size. The volume of water that diffuses within an egg is most likely determined by (1) the difference in ionic concentration between the egg and the water that surrounds it and (2) the elasticity of the egg membrane. Prior observations suggest that silver carp eggs may swell and burst in soft waters. If water hardness affects silver carp reproductive success in nonnative ecosystems, this abiotic factor could limit silver carp distribution or abundance. In this study, we tested the effect of water hardness on silver carp egg enlargement and hatching success. Groups of newly fertilized silver carp eggs were placed in water at one of five nominal water hardness levels (50, 100, 150, 200, or 250 mg/L as CaCO3) for 1 h to harden (absorb water after fertilization). Egg groups were then placed in separate incubation vessels housed in two recirculation systems that were supplied with either soft (50 mg/L as CaCO3) or hard (250 mg/L as CaCO3) water to evaluate hatching success. Tests were terminated within 24 h after viable eggs had hatched. Eggs that were initially placed in 50-mg/L water to harden were larger (i.e., swelled more) and had a greater probability of hatch than eggs hardened in other water hardness levels. Unlike the effect of water hardness during egg hardening, the water hardness during incubation appeared to have no effect on egg hatching success. Our research suggests that water hardness may not be a limiting factor in the reproduction, recruitment, and range expansion of silver carp in North America.

Multifield Control of Domains in a Room-Temperature Multiferroic 0.85BiTi0.1Fe0.8Mg0.1O3-0.15CaTiO3 Thin Film.

PubMed

Jia, Tingting; Fan, Ziran; Yao, Junxiang; Liu, Cong; Li, Yuhao; Yu, Junxi; Fu, Bi; Zhao, Hongyang; Osada, Minoru; Esfahani, Ehsan Nasr; Yang, Yaodong; Wang, Yuanxu; Li, Jiang-Yu; Kimura, Hideo; Cheng, Zhenxiang

2018-06-20

Single-phase materials that combine electric polarization and magnetization are promising for applications in multifunctional sensors, information storage, spintronic devices, etc. Following the idea of a percolating network of magnetic ions (e.g., Fe) with strong superexchange interactions within a structural scaffold with a polar lattice, a solid solution thin film with perovskite structure at a morphotropic phase boundary with a high level of Fe atoms on the B site of perovskite structure is deposited to combine both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature with magnetoelectric coupling. In this work, a 0.85BiTi 0.1 Fe 0.8 Mg 0.1 O 3 -0.15CaTiO 3 thin film has been deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Both the ferroelectricity and the magnetism were characterized at room temperature. Large polarization and a large piezoelectric effective coefficient d 33 were obtained. Multifield coupling of the thin film has been characterized by scanning force microscopy. Ferroelectric domains and magnetic domains could be switched by magnetic field ( H), electric field ( E), mechanical force ( F), and, indicating that complex cross-coupling exists among the electric polarization, magnetic ordering and elastic deformation in 0.85BiTi 0.1 F e0.8 Mg 0.1 O 3 -0.15CaTiO 3 thin film at room temperature. This work also shows the possibility of writing information with electric field, magnetic field, and mechanical force and then reading data by magnetic field. We expect that this work will benefit information applications.

Collection of gravitropic effectors from mucilage of electrotropically-stimulated roots of Zea mays L

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fondren, W. M.; Moore, R.

1987-01-01

We placed agar blocks adjacent to tips of electrotropically stimulated primary roots of Zea mays. Blocks placed adjacent to the anode-side of the roots for 3 h induced significant curvature when subsequently placed asymmetrically on tips of vertically-oriented roots. Curvature was always toward the side of the root unto which the agar block was placed. Agar blocks not contacting roots and blocks placed adjacent to the cathode-side of electrotropically stimulated roots did not induce significant curvature when placed asymmetrically on tips of vertically-oriented roots. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry indicated that blocks adjacent to the anode-side of electrotropically-stimulated roots contained significantly more calcium than (1) blocks not contacting roots, and (2) blocks contacting the cathode-side of roots. These results demonstrate the presence of a gradient of endogenous Ca in mucilage of electrotropically-stimulated roots (i.e. roots undergoing gravitropic-like curvature).

PLACING TOP CHORD CENTER PANEL. View is to the northwest ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

PLACING TOP CHORD CENTER PANEL. View is to the northwest from the old suspension bridge. Chord members being moved into place by jigger stick and highline - South Fork Trinity River Bridge, State Highway 299 spanning South Fork Trinity River, Salyer, Trinity County, CA

(CaO)nIrO2 (n = 1, 2, 4) family: Chemical scissors effects of CaO on structural characteristics correlated to physical properties. Ab initio study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matar, Samir F.; Etourneau, Jean

2017-11-01

Based on crystal chemistry analysis within Ca-Ir-O ternary, the generic (CaO)nIrO2 formula leading to CaIrO3 for n = 1, Ca2IrO4 for n = 2 and Ca4IrO6 for n = 4 actual chemical compounds show significant structural changes regarding the spatial arrangement of IrO6 octahedra whereby increasing amounts of CaO act as 'chemical scissor' decreasing the dimensionality of stacking octahedra from 3D (IrO2) to 0D (Ca4IrO6). This is accompanied by changes in the electronic structure investigated within density functional theory. Such changes are particularly exhibited by linear increase of Ir density of states at the Fermi level revealing increasing localization of d states with crystal field effects. Eventually only for Ca4IrO6 a magnetic instability occurs in non magnetic configuration. Spin polarized calculations lead to development of small magnitude but finite magnetization on Ir with M 0.50 μB totally polarized along minority spin channel ↓.

All Prime Contract Awards by State or Country, Place, and Contractor, FY 84. Part 7 (Aberdeen, Maryland - Wrentham, Massachusetts).

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

0 C D CaDOC 00 CD001 00 0001 CD0DD 0 00ac 0C D DC 00 00 0D000000 Li wi W z LU~ wi 2: Li Li w Li Li 010t - 0a ca 0 0a o 0 0o to m 0n 0 GaO -a r NN 00...0 0N0 -C) ’ N J0 󈧄-m-3m (fl (a) (N0I- c))0- * ~ c 0 ’a I ~ 0 00 -1 -.1 -1 -j 0 000L000 00 00 I 0 (0)-1 CuaC fr aCD L z 0 Ca CD C 0 0 0 0 GaO -a C3...L ,0, O O 0 U’in) Jini t 30 OD0N Of N MN cr V)() វI 1 (D .0 >- 0 ) W - D~ Di 0- 0y >wO 0 000 c- coNC- C- Q)- - - ZN 0M F-N 1-- 9-OI - 0 - 0 - a0

Evidence for magnetic-field-induced decoupling of superconducting bilayers in La 2-xCa 1+xCu 2O 6

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhong, Ruidan; Schneeloch, J. A.; Chi, Hang

We report a study of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity as a function of temperature and magnetic field in superconducting crystals of La 2-xCa 1+xCu 2O 6 with x = 0.10 and 0.15 and transition temperature Tmore » $$m\\atop{c}$$ = 54 K (determined from the susceptibility). When an external magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the CuO 2 bilayers, the resistive superconducting transition measured with currents flowing perpendicular to the bilayers is substantially lower than that found with currents flowing parallel to the bilayers. Intriguingly, this anisotropic behavior is quite similar to that observed for the magnetic irreversibility points with the field applied either perpendicular or parallel to the bilayers. We discuss the results in the context of other studies that have found evidence for the decoupling of superconducting layers induced by a perpendicular magnetic field.« less

Evidence for magnetic-field-induced decoupling of superconducting bilayers in La 2-xCa 1+xCu 2O 6

DOE PAGES

Zhong, Ruidan; Schneeloch, J. A.; Chi, Hang; ...

2018-04-24

We report a study of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity as a function of temperature and magnetic field in superconducting crystals of La 2-xCa 1+xCu 2O 6 with x = 0.10 and 0.15 and transition temperature Tmore » $$m\\atop{c}$$ = 54 K (determined from the susceptibility). When an external magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the CuO 2 bilayers, the resistive superconducting transition measured with currents flowing perpendicular to the bilayers is substantially lower than that found with currents flowing parallel to the bilayers. Intriguingly, this anisotropic behavior is quite similar to that observed for the magnetic irreversibility points with the field applied either perpendicular or parallel to the bilayers. We discuss the results in the context of other studies that have found evidence for the decoupling of superconducting layers induced by a perpendicular magnetic field.« less

Captures of Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) With Sex Pheromone Traps in NE China Corn and Soybeans.

PubMed

Chen, Ri-Zhao; Li, Lian-Bing; Klein, Michael G; Li, Qi-Yun; Li, Peng-Pei; Sheng, Cheng-Fa

2016-02-01

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), commonly referred to as the Asian corn borer, is the most important corn pest in Asia. Although capturing males with pheromone traps has recently been the main monitoring tool and suppression technique, the best trap designs remain unclear. Commercially available Delta and funnel traps, along with laboratory-made basin and water traps, and modified Delta traps, were evaluated in corn and soybean fields during 2013-2014 in NE China. The water trap was superior for capturing first-generation O. furnacalis (1.37 times the Delta trap). However, the basin (8.3 ± 3.2 moths/trap/3 d), Delta (7.9 ± 2.5), and funnel traps (7.0 ± 2.3) were more effective than water traps (1.4 ± 0.4) during the second generation. Delta traps gave optimal captures when deployed at ca. 1.57 × the highest corn plants, 1.36× that of average soybean plants, and at the field borders. In Delta traps modified by covering 1/3 of their ends, captures increased by ca. 15.7 and 8.1% in the first and second generations, respectively. After 35 d in the field, pheromone lures were still ca. 50% as attractive as fresh lures, and retained this level of attraction for ca. 25 more days. Increased captures (first and second generation: 90.9 ± 9.5%; 78.3 ± 9.3%) were obtained by adding a lure exposed for 5 d to funnel traps baited with a 35-d lure. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

High-pressure phase relations and thermodynamic properties of CaAl 4Si 2O 11 CAS phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akaogi, M.; Haraguchi, M.; Yaguchi, M.; Kojitani, H.

2009-03-01

Phase relations in CaAl4Si2O11 were examined at 12-23 GPa and 1000-1800 °C by multianvil experiments. A three-phase mixture of grossular, kyanite and corundum is stable below about 13 GPa at 1000-1800 °C. At higher pressure and at temperature below about 1200 °C, a mixture of grossular, stishovite and corundum is stable, indicating the decomposition of kyanite. Above about 1200 °C, CaAl4Si2O11 CAS phase is stable at pressure higher than about 13 GPa. The triple point is placed at 14.7 GPa and 1280 °C. The equilibrium boundary of formation of CAS phase from the mixture of grossular, kyanite and corundum has a small negative slope, and that from the mixture of grossular, stishovite and corundum has a strongly negative slope, while the decomposition boundary of kyanite has a small positive slope. Enthalpies of the transitions were measured by high-temperature drop-solution calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation of CaAl4Si2O11 CAS phase from the mixture of grossular, kyanite and corundum was 139.5 ± 15.6 kJ/mol, and that from the mixture of grossular, stishovite and corundum was 94.2 ± 15.4 kJ/mol. The transition boundaries calculated using the measured enthalpy data were consistent with those determined by the high-pressure experiments. The boundaries in this study are placed about 3 GPa higher in pressure and about 200 °C lower in temperature than those by Zhai and Ito [Zhai, S., Ito, E., 2008. Phase relations of CaAl4Si2O11 at high-pressure and high-temperature with implications for subducted continental crust into the deep mantle. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 167, 161-167]. Combining the thermodynamic data measured in this study with those in the literature, dissociation boundary of CAS phase into a mixture of Ca-perovskite, corundum and stishovite and that of grossular into Ca-perovskite plus corundum were calculated to further constrain the stability field of CAS phase. The result suggests that the stability of CAS phase would be limited at the bottom of transition zone and top of the lower mantle, when sediments are subducted into the deep mantle. It is also suggested that CAS phase may be stable at the depth of the upper part of the lower mantle, when partial melting of basalt occurs at the depth.

Simulation-based education for transfusion medicine.

PubMed

Morgan, Shanna; Rioux-Masse, Benjamin; Oancea, Cristina; Cohn, Claudia; Harmon, James; Konia, Mojca

2015-04-01

The administration of blood products is frequently determined by physicians without subspecialty training in transfusion medicine (TM). Education in TM is necessary for appropriate utilization of resources and maintaining patient safety. Our institution developed an efficient simulation-based TM course with the goal of identifying key topics that could be individualized to learners of all levels in various environments while also allowing for practice in an environment where the patient is not placed at risk. A 2.5-hour simulation-based educational activity was designed and taught to undergraduate medical students rotating through anesthesiology and TM elective rotations and to all Clinical Anesthesia Year 1 (CA-1) residents. Content and process evaluation of the activity consisted of multiple-choice tests and course evaluations. Seventy medical students and seven CA-1 residents were enrolled in the course. There was no significant difference on pretest results between medical students and CA-1 residents. The posttest results for both medical students and CA-1 residents were significantly higher than pretest results. The results of the posttest between medical students and CA-1 residents were not significantly different. The TM knowledge gap is not a trivial problem as transfusion of blood products is associated with significant risks. Innovative educational techniques are needed to address the ongoing challenges with knowledge acquisition and retention in already full curricula. Our institution developed a feasible and effective way to integrate TM into the curriculum. Educational activities, such as this, might be a way to improve the safety of transfusions. © 2014 AABB.

Greenhouse gas emissions under conservation agriculture compared to traditional cultivation of maize in the central highlands of Mexico.

PubMed

Dendooven, Luc; Gutiérrez-Oliva, Vicente F; Patiño-Zúñiga, Leonardo; Ramírez-Villanueva, Daniel A; Verhulst, Nele; Luna-Guido, Marco; Marsch, Rodolfo; Montes-Molina, Joaquín; Gutiérrez-Miceli, Federico A; Vásquez-Murrieta, Soledad; Govaerts, Bram

2012-08-01

In 1991, the 'International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center' (CIMMYT) started a field experiment in the rain fed Mexican highlands to investigate conservation agriculture (CA) as a sustainable alternative for conventional maize production practices (CT). CT techniques, characterized by deep tillage, monoculture and crop residue removal, have deteriorated soil fertility and reduced yields. CA, which combines minimum tillage, crop rotations and residue retention, restores soil fertility and increases yields. Soil organic matter increases in CA compared to CT, but increases in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in CA might offset the gains obtained to mitigate global warming. Therefore, CO(2), CH(4) and N(2)O emissions, soil temperature, C and water content were monitored in CA and CT treatments in 2010-2011. The cumulative GHG emitted were similar for CA and CT in both years, but the C content in the 0-60 cm layer was higher in CA (117.7 Mg C ha(-1)) than in CT (69.7 Mg C ha(-1)). The net global warming potential (GWP) of CA (considering soil C sequestration, GHG emissions, fuel use, and fertilizer and seeds production) was -7729 kg CO(2) ha(-1) y(-1) in 2008-2009 and -7892 kg CO(2) ha(-1) y(-1) in 2010-2011, whereas that of CT was 1327 and 1156 kg CO(2) ha(-1) y(-1). It was found that the contribution of CA to GWP was small compared to that of CT. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Potential of calcium isotopes to identify fractionations in vegetation: experimental approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cobert, F.; Schmitt, A.; Bourgade, P.; Stille, P.; Chabaux, F. J.; Badot, P.; Jaegler, T.

2010-12-01

This study aims to better understand the role of vegetation on the Ca cycle at the level of the critical zone of the Earth, in order to specify the mechanisms controlling the Ca absorption by plants at the rock/plant interface. To do this, we performed experiments using hydroponic plant cultures in a way that we could control the cooccuring geochemical and biological processes and determine the impact of the nutritive solution on the Ca cycle within plants. A dicotyledon and calcicole plant with rapid growth, the French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), has been chosen to have access to one complete growth cycle. Several experiments have been conducted with two Ca concentrations, 5 (L) and 60 (H) ppm and two pH values (4 and 6) in the nutritive solution, for which the Ca concentration was maintained constant, so its Ca content is considered to be infinite. We determined Ca concentrations and isotopic ratios in the nutritive solution and in different organs (main roots, secondary roots, old and young stems, old and young leaves and fruits) at two different growth stages (10 days and 6 weeks). Our results show, in accord with previously published field studies, that the bean organs are all enriched in the light 40Ca isotope compared to the nutritive solution (e.g. Wigand et al., 2005; Page et al., 2008; Cenki-Tok et al., 2009; Holmden and Bélanger, 2010). We identify two fractionation levels. The first occurs during the uptake of the nutrient elements by the lateral roots. This implies that the main mechanisms of light isotope enrichments in the plant are due to electrochemical gradient transport processes taking place at this interface. The second fractionation can be observed within the plant itself and is due to the nature of the considered organ itself. Indeed structural reservoirs (primary roots, stem, reproductive organs) incorporate more the light 40Ca isotope compared to the transfer reservoirs (lateral roots, xylem sap, leaves). This could be linked to ion-exchange reactions with the pectins in the cell walls of the conducting xylem. However, we also observe that bean organs from L4 experiment growing in nutrient solutions with lower Ca concentrations and low pH behave slightly differently and show reduced Ca isotopic fractionations compared with beans from the other experiments. All these results indicate that there is no simple correlation between Ca isotopic variations, Ca content and pH of the nutrient solution, and that also biological effects have to be involved. The data confirm the potential of the Ca isotopic system for tracing biological fractionations in natural ecosystems. Wiegand et al., (2005). Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L11404 Page et al., (2008). Biogeochemistry, 88, 1-13 Cenki-Tok et al,. (2009). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 73, 2215-2228 Holmden and Bélanger(2010). Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 74, 995-1015

Combined effects of dopants and electric field on interactions of dopamine with graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qun; Wang, Meng-hao; Lu, Xiong; Wang, Ke-feng; Fang, Li-ming

2017-10-01

We utilized the density functional theory to study interactions in dopamine (DA)-graphene (G) systems. Graphene was modified with boron (B), nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe) atoms. Furthermore, an external electric field (E-field) between 0.005 and 0.020 au was applied between the DA and (Ca, Fe)-doped G. The study revealed that interactions can be modulated between the DA and doped G (especially the Ca- and Fe-doped G) due to the formation of metalsbnd O and Osbnd metalsbnd O covalent interactions. In addition, interactions are sensitive to the E-field applied to DA-Ca/Fe-G-lying models, there are the strongest interactions with the 0.015 au E-field.

The flux jumps in high Tc Bi(1.7)Pb(0.3)Sr2 Ca2Cu3O(y) bulk superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Xiaowen; Huang, Sunli

1989-11-01

There were giant flux jumps in high T sub c Bi(1.7)Pb(0.3)Sr2Ca2Cu3O(v) bulk superconductor. The relaxation time, tau, decreased with both the increase of magnetic field and the rise of temperature. The maximum tau was about 40 min. The average -dM/dt increased with both the increase of magnetic field and the rise of temperature. The minimum average -dM/dt was about 4.1 x 10(exp -2) G/min. The flux jump weakened with time. It was dependent on the decrease of gradient of magnetic flux density dn/dx in the sample.

Can conservation agriculture reduce the impact of soil erosion in northern Tunisia ?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahri, Haithem; Annabi, Mohamed; Chibani, Roukaya; Cheick M'Hamed, Hatem; Hermessi, Taoufik

2016-04-01

Mediterranean countries are prone to soil erosion, therefore Tunisia, with Mediterranean climate, is threatened by water erosion phenomena. In fact, 3 million ha of land is threatened by erosion, and 50% is seriously affected. Soils under conservation agriculture (CA) have high water infiltration capacities reducing significantly surface runoff and thus soil erosion. This improves the quality of surface water, reduces pollution from soil erosion, and enhances groundwater resources. CA is characterized by three interlinked principles, namely continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance, permanent organic soil cover and diversification of crop species grown in sequence or associations. Soil aggregate stability was used as an indicator of soil susceptibility to water erosion. Since 1999, In Tunisia CA has been introduced in rainfed cereal areas in order to move towards more sustainable agricultural systems. CA areas increased from 52 ha in 1999 to 15000 ha in 2015. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of CA on soil erosion in northern Tunisia. Soil samples were collected at 10 cm of depth from 6 farmers' fields in northern Tunisia. Conventional tillage (CT), CA during less than 5 years (CA<5 years) and CA during more than 5 years (CA>5 years) have been practiced in each farmers field experiment of wheat crop. Soil aggregate stability was evaluated according to the method described by Le Bissonnais (1996), results were expressed as a mean weight diameter (MWD); higher values of MWD indicate higher aggregate stability. Total organic carbon (TOC) was determined using the wet oxidation method of Walkley-Black. A significant increase in SOC content was observed in CA>5years (1.64 %) compared to CT (0.97 %). This result highlights the importance of CA to improve soil fertility. For aggregate stability, a net increase was observed in CA compared to CT. After 5 years of CA the MWD was increased by 16% (MWD=1.8 mm for CT and MWD=2.1 mm for CA<5years). No improvement of aggregate stability level was observed after the 5th year of CA conversion. A positive correlation was observed between aggregate stability and total soil organic carbon (r=0.52, n=18). It is assumed that this correlation could be due to increased microbial activity under CA. A positive and statistically significant relationship was also noted between aggregate stability and the number of years after the no-till conversion (r= 0.46, n=18) for all plots.

The shift from a response strategy to object-in-place strategy during learning is accompanied by a matching shift in neural firing correlates in the hippocampus.

PubMed

Lee, Inah; Kim, Jangjin

2010-08-01

Hippocampal-dependent tasks often involve specific associations among stimuli (including egocentric information), and such tasks are therefore prone to interference from irrelevant task strategies before a correct strategy is found. Using an object-place paired-associate task, we investigated changes in neural firing patterns in the hippocampus in association with a shift in strategy during learning. We used an object-place paired-associate task in which a pair of objects was presented in two different arms of a radial maze. Each object was associated with reward only in one of the arms, thus requiring the rats to consider both object identity and its location in the maze. Hippocampal neurons recorded in CA1 displayed a dynamic transition in their firing patterns during the acquisition of the task across days, and this corresponded to a shift in strategy manifested in behavioral data. Specifically, before the rats learned the task, they chose an object that maintained a particular egocentric relationship with their body (response strategy) irrespective of the object identity. However, as the animal acquired the task, it chose an object according to both its identity and the associated location in the maze (object-in-place strategy). We report that CA1 neurons in the hippocampus changed their prospective firing correlates according to the dominant strategy (i.e., response versus object-in-place strategy) employed at a given stage of learning. The results suggest that neural firing pattern in the hippocampus is heavily influenced by the task demand hypothesized by the animal and the firing pattern changes flexibly as the perceived task demand changes.

An Attractor Network in the Hippocampus: Theory and Neurophysiology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rolls, Edmund T.

2007-01-01

A quantitative computational theory of the operation of the CA3 system as an attractor or autoassociation network is described. Based on the proposal that CA3-CA3 autoassociative networks are important for episodic or event memory in which space is a component (place in rodents and spatial view in primates), it has been shown behaviorally that the…

The possible involvement of root-cap mucilage in gravitropism and calcium movement across root tips of Allium cepa L

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, R.; Fondren, W. M.

1986-01-01

Roots of Allium cepa L. grown in aerated water elongate rapidly, but are not graviresponsive. These roots (1) possess extensive columella tissues comprised of cells containing numerous sedimented amyloplasts, (2) lack mucilage on their tips, and (3) are characterized by a weakly polar movement of calcium (Ca) across their tips. Placing roots in humid air correlates positively with the (1) onset of gravicurvature, (2) appearance of mucilage on tips of the roots, and (3) onset of the ability to transport Ca polarly to the lower side of the root tip. Gravicurvature of roots previously submerged in aerated water is more rapid when roots are oriented vertically for 1-2 h in humid air prior to being oriented horizontally. The more rapid gravicurvature of these roots correlates positively with the accumulation of mucilage at the tips of roots during the time the roots are oriented vertically. Therefore, the onset of gravicurvature and the ability of roots to transport Ca to the lower sides of their tips correlate positively with the presence of mucilage at their tips. These results suggest that mucilage may be important for the transport of Ca across root caps.

Inter- and intraplane softening of the vortex structure in Bi 2.1Sr 1.9Ca 0.9Cu 2O 8+δ: a two-step transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazyi, J.; Arribére, A.; Durán, C.; de la Cruz, F.; Mitzi, D. B.; Kapitulnik, A.

1991-12-01

High Q mechanical oscillator and AC susceptibility techniques have been used to study vortex dynamics in high quality single crystals of Bi 2.1Sr 1.9Ca 0.9Cu 2O 8+δ over a wide range of magnetic fields and different relative orientations between the magnetic field and the crystalline c-axis. Our results confirm the existence of two transitions in the vortex response. We show that the transition at lower temperatures is associated to currents flowing across the Cu-O planes and the other one to currents in the planes. This means that the reversible region of the phase diagram is reached in two steps when increasing temperature.

Effect of Ce Substitution on the Magnetoresistivity and Flux Pinning Energy of the Bi2Sr2Ca1- x Ce x Cu2O8+ δ Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özçelik, B.; Kaya, C.; Gündoğmuş, H.; Sotelo, A.; Madre, M. A.

2014-02-01

In this study, the effect of Ce doping on the properties of Bi2Sr2Ca1- x Ce x Cu2O8+ δ ceramic superconductors, with x=0.0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25, has been investigated. Samples' precursors were prepared using the conventional solid state method and subsequently textured using the Laser Floating Zone technique. The magnetoresistance measurements were studied under various applied magnetic fields. The activation energies, irreversibility fields ( H irr ), upper critical fields ( H c2) and coherence lengths at 0 K ( ξ(0)) were calculated from the resistivity versus temperature ( ρ- T) curves, under DC magnetic fields up to 5 T. The thermally activated flux flow model has been applied in order to calculate the flux pinning energies. The results indicated that H c2(0) varied from 416.19 to 115 T and the flux pinning energies varied from 1.46 to 0.042 eV at 0 T.

Environmental Field Trips - Some Places to Visit in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meetre, Jeff

This publication lists 40 places in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area that could be visited on an environmental field trip. The sites are placed into five categories: (1) Air Monitoring; (2) Ecology and Nature Study; (3) Solid Waste Management; (4) Wastewater Treatment; and (5) Water Supply. Each entry includes name, address, and phone number…

Poly(amido amine) and calcium phosphate nanocomposite remineralization of dentin in acidic solution without calcium phosphate ions.

PubMed

Liang, Kunneng; Zhou, Han; Weir, Michael D; Bao, Chongyun; Reynolds, Mark A; Zhou, Xuedong; Li, Jiyao; Xu, Hockin H K

2017-07-01

Patients with dry mouth often have an acidic oral environment lacking saliva that provides calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ions. However, there has been no study on dentin remineralization by placing samples in an acidic solution without Ca and P ions. Previous studies used saliva-like solutions with neutral pH and Ca and P ions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate a novel method of combining poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) with a composite of nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) on dentin remineralization in an acidic solution without Ca and P ions for the first time. Demineralized dentin specimens were tested into four groups: (1) dentin control, (2) dentin coated with PAMAM, (3) dentin with NACP nanocomposite, (4) dentin with PAMAM plus NACP composite. Specimens were treated with lactic acid at pH 4 without initial Ca and P ions for 21 days. Acid neutralization and Ca and P ion concentrations were measured. Dentin specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and hardness testing vs. remineralization efficacy. NACP composite had mechanical properties similar to commercial control composites (p>0.1). NACP composite neutralized acid and released Ca and P ions. PAMAM alone failed to induce dentin remineralization. NACP alone achieved mild remineralization and slightly increased dentin hardness at 21days (p>0.1). In contrast, the PAMAM+NACP nanocomposite method in acid solution without initial Ca and P ions greatly remineralized the pre-demineralized dentin, restoring its hardness to approach that of healthy dentin (p>0.1). Dentin remineralization via PAMAM+NACP in pH 4 acid without initial Ca and P ions was demonstrated for the first time, when conventional methods such as PAMAM did not work. The novel PAMAM+NACP nanocomposite method is promising to protect tooth structures, especially for patients with reduced saliva to inhibit caries. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Embedding Fragment ab Initio Model Potentials in CASSCF/CASPT2 Calculations of Doped Solids: Implementation and Applications.

PubMed

Swerts, Ben; Chibotaru, Liviu F; Lindh, Roland; Seijo, Luis; Barandiaran, Zoila; Clima, Sergiu; Pierloot, Kristin; Hendrickx, Marc F A

2008-04-01

In this article, we present a fragment model potential approach for the description of the crystalline environment as an extension of the use of embedding ab initio model potentials (AIMPs). The biggest limitation of the embedding AIMP method is the spherical nature of its model potentials. This poses problems as soon as the method is applied to crystals containing strongly covalently bonded structures with highly nonspherical electron densities. The newly proposed method addresses this problem by keeping the full electron density as its model potential, thus allowing one to group sets of covalently bonded atoms into fragments. The implementation in the MOLCAS 7.0 quantum chemistry package of the new method, which we call the embedding fragment ab inito model potential method (embedding FAIMP), is reported here, together with results of CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations. The developed methodology is applied for two test problems: (i) the investigation of the lowest ligand field states (2)A1 and (2)B1 of the Cr(V) defect in the YVO4 crystal and (ii) the investigation of the lowest ligand field and ligand-metal charge transfer (LMCT) states at the Mn(II) substitutional impurity doped into CaCO3. Comparison with similar calculations involving AIMPs for all environmental atoms, including those from covalently bounded units, shows that the FAIMP treatment of the YVO4 units surrounding the CrO4(3-) cluster increases the excitation energy (2)B1 → (2)A1 by ca. 1000 cm(-1) at the CASSCF level of calculation. In the case of the Mn(CO3)6(10-) cluster, the FAIMP treatment of the CO3(2-) units of the environment give smaller corrections, of ca. 100 cm(-1), for the ligand-field excitation energies, which is explained by the larger ligands of this cluster. However, the correction for the energy of the lowest LMCT transition is found to be ca. 600 cm(-1) for the CASSCF and ca. 1300 cm(-1) for the CASPT2 calculation.

Improvement of critical current density in thallium-based (Tl,Bi)Sr{sub 1.6}Ba{sub 0.4}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} superconductors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ren, Z.F.; Wang, C.A.; Wang, J.H.

1994-12-31

Epitaxial (Tl,Bi)Sr{sub 1.6}Ba{sub 0.4}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} (Tl,Bi)-1223 thin films on (100) single crystal LaAlO{sub 3} substrates were synthesized by a two-step procedure. Phase development, microstructure, and relationships between film and substrate were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Resistance versus temperature, zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization, and transport critical current density (J{sub c}) were measured. The zero-resistance temperature was 105-111 K. J{sub c} at 77 K and zero field was > 2 x 10{sup 6} A/cm{sup 2}. The films exhibited good flux pinning properties.

Indication of Confirmation of Transition and Formation Boundary from Ordered to Disordered Flux Vortex Chain State in High-Tc Superconductors Y1Ba2Cu3O7- δ and Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 and New Low-Field Data Delineating Magnetic Transition in Gd1Ba2(Fe0.02Cu0.98)3O7- δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vezzoli, G. Christopher; Chen, Michaeline F.; Burke, Terence; Rosen, Carol

1996-08-01

Data are presented herein that support a phase boundary or quasi-phase-boundary delineating in Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ and in Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 ceramic materials a transition from a vortex solid lattice to a line-flux disordered state that has been referred to as representing flux lattice melting to a flux liquid, but herein is interpreted not in terms of a liquid but in the form of a less-mobile `polymer'-like or entangled chain species. These data are derived from electrical resistance (r) versus applied magnetic field (H) measurements at various isotherms (T) corresponding to the zero resistance state of yttrium--barium--cuprate, and the mixed state foot regime of bismuth--strontium--calcium--cuprate. We interpret significant slope changes in r versus B at constant T in these materials to be indicative of the H-T conditions for a second-order or weakly first-order phase transition delineating the disordering of a flux lattice vortex solid. We believe that this technique is in ways more direct and at least as accurate as the conventional mechanical oscillator and vibrating magnetometer method to study the flux state. Additional very-low-field studies in Gd1Ba2(Fe0.02Cu0.98)3O7-δ, from 1 to 1000 mT, yield indication for what appears to be a magnetic transition at ca. 77 K at 575 mT, and possibly a second transition at 912 mT (also at ca. 77 K). These data points correspond well with the extrapolated low-field experimental magnetic phase transition boundary curve described at higher field herein (and by others using the mechanical technique), and also correspond well to theoretically predicted work regarding transition involving the vortex state.

Preictal Activity of Subicular, CA1, and Dentate Gyrus Principal Neurons in the Dorsal Hippocampus before Spontaneous Seizures in a Rat Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

PubMed Central

Fujita, Satoshi; Toyoda, Izumi; Thamattoor, Ajoy K.

2014-01-01

Previous studies suggest that spontaneous seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy might be preceded by increased action potential firing of hippocampal neurons. Preictal activity is potentially important because it might provide new opportunities for predicting when a seizure is about to occur and insight into how spontaneous seizures are generated. We evaluated local field potentials and unit activity of single, putative excitatory neurons in the subiculum, CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus in epileptic pilocarpine-treated rats as they experienced spontaneous seizures. Average action potential firing rates of neurons in the subiculum, CA1, and dentate gyrus, but not CA3, increased significantly and progressively beginning 2–4 min before locally recorded spontaneous seizures. In the subiculum, CA1, and dentate gyrus, but not CA3, 41–57% of neurons displayed increased preictal activity with significant consistency across multiple seizures. Much of the increased preictal firing of neurons in the subiculum and CA1 correlated with preictal theta activity, whereas preictal firing of neurons in the dentate gyrus was independent of theta. In addition, some CA1 and dentate gyrus neurons displayed reduced firing rates preictally. These results reveal that different hippocampal subregions exhibit differences in the extent and potential underlying mechanisms of preictal activity. The finding of robust and significantly consistent preictal activity of subicular, CA1, and dentate neurons in the dorsal hippocampus, despite the likelihood that many seizures initiated in other brain regions, suggests the existence of a broader neuronal network whose activity changes minutes before spontaneous seizures initiate. PMID:25505320

Magnetic Spin Correlations in the One-dimensional Frustrated Spin-chain System Ca3Co2O6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Månsson, M.; Sugiyama, J.; Roessli, B.; Hitti, B.; Ikedo, Y.; Zivkovic, I.; Nozaki, H.; Harada, M.; Sassa, Y.; Andreica, D.; Goko, T.; Amato, A.; Ofer, O.; Ansaldo, E. J.; Brewer, J. H.; Chow, K. H.; Yi, H. T.; Cheong, S.-W.; Prsa, K.

In this work we present a combination of zero-field and high transverse-field muon spin rotation/relaxation (μ+SR) measurements. The current μ+SR Knight-shift measurements clearly shows that Ca3Co2O6 display strong spin correlations even at room-temperature. Further, several anomalies in the temperature dependent data are proposed to be connected to the onset of a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) ferrimagnetic order. Further, we suggest that in the low-temperature regime, the Q1D ferrimagnetic order co-exist within a long-range antiferromagnetic phase, which has been confirmed by our recent neutron scattering studies.

[Dynamics of upland field P pool under a long-term application of fertilizer P in yellow soil area and their effects on P concentration in runoff].

PubMed

Liu, Fang; Huang, Changyong; He, Tengbin; Qian, Xiaogang; Liu, Yuansheng; Luo, Haibo

2003-02-01

Studies on the dynamics of upland field P pool under a long-term application of fertilizer P in yellow soil area and their effects on P concentration in runoff showed that the contents of A1-P, Fe-P and Ca-P in soil cultivated layer increased greatly, and Olsen-P and algae-available P also accumulated obviously. The correlation coefficients of algae-available P content in the high-P soils (Olsen-P > 25 mg.kg-1) with the quantities of A1-P, Fe-P and Ca-P were 0.859**, 0.903** and 0.650*, respectively, of which, Fe-P was the most important. By a 30-min rainfall simulation experiment with a constant rainfall rate of 63.2 mm.h-1, the concentrations of dissolved reactive P and bio-available P in runoff from low-P upland fields (Olsen-P 4.62-15.9 mg.kg-1) were 2.81-4.17 micrograms.L-1 and 0.723-0.876 mg.L-1, respectively, whereas their concentrations in runoff from high-P upland fields (Olsen-P 29.4-59.2 mg.kg-1) were 0.026-0.714 mg.L-1 and 0.996-1.281 mg.L-1, respectively. Therefore, runoff from high-P upland fields could accelerate water eutrophication.

Constitutive expression of CaPLA1 conferred enhanced growth and grain yield in transgenic rice plants.

PubMed

Park, Ki Youl; Kim, Eun Yu; Seo, Young Sam; Kim, Woo Taek

2016-03-01

Phospholipids are not only important components of cell membranes, but participate in diverse processes in higher plants. In this study, we generated Capsicum annuum phospholipiase A1 (CaPLA1) overexpressing transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants under the control of the maize ubiquitin promoter. The T4 CaPLA1-overexpressing rice plants (Ubi:CaPLA1) had a higher root:shoot mass ratio than the wild-type plants in the vegetative stage. Leaf epidermal cells from transgenic plants had more cells than wild-type plants. Genes that code for cyclin and lipid metabolic enzymes were up-regulated in the transgenic lines. When grown under typical paddy field conditions, the transgenic plants produced more tillers, longer panicles and more branches per panicle than the wild-type plants, all of which resulted in greater grain yield. Microarray analysis suggests that gene expressions that are related with cell proliferation, lipid metabolism, and redox state were widely altered in CaPLA1-overexpressing transgenic rice plants. Ubi:CaPLA1 plants had a reduced membrane peroxidation state, as determined by malondialdehyde and conjugated diene levels and higher peroxidase activity than wild-type rice plants. Furthermore, three isoprenoid synthetic genes encoding terpenoid synthase, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase were up-regulated in CaPLA1-overexpressing plants. We suggest that constitutive expression of CaPLA1 conferred increased grain yield with enhanced growth in transgenic rice plants by alteration of gene activities related with cell proliferation, lipid metabolism, membrane peroxidation state and isoprenoid biosynthesis.

Anisotropic thermodynamic and transport properties of single-crystalline CaKFe 4 As 4

DOE PAGES

Meier, W. R.; Kong, T.; Kaluarachchi, U. S.; ...

2016-08-01

We grew single-crystalline, single-phase CaKFe 4As 4 out of a high-temperature, quaternary melt. Temperature-dependent measurements of x-ray diffraction, anisotropic electrical resistivity, elastoresistivity, thermoelectric power, Hall effect, magnetization, and specific heat, combined with field-dependent measurements of electrical resistivity and field and pressure-dependent measurements of magnetization indicate that CaKFe 4As 4 is an ordered, stoichiometric, Fe-based superconductor with a superconducting critical temperature, T c=35.0±0.2 K. Other than superconductivity, there is no indication of any other phase transition for 1.8K≤T≤300 K. All of these thermodynamic and transport data reveal striking similarities to those found for optimally or slightly overdoped (Ba 1-xKx)Fe 2As 2, suggesting that stoichiometric CaKFe 4As 4 is intrinsically close to what is referred to as “optimal-doped” on a generalized, Fe-based superconductor, phase diagram. Furthermore, the anisotropic superconducting upper critical field, H c2(T), of CaKFe 4As 4 was determined up to 630 kOe. The anisotropy parameter γ(T)=Hmore » $$⊥\\atop{c2}$$/H$$∥\\atop{c2}$$, for H applied perpendicular and parallel to the c axis, decreases from ≃2.5 at T c to ≃1.5 at 25 K, which can be explained by interplay of paramagnetic pair breaking and orbital effects. The slopes of dH$$∥\\atop{c2}$$/dT≃-44 kOe/K and dH$$⊥\\atop{c2}$$/dT≃-109 kOe/K at T c yield an electron mass anisotropy of m ⊥/m ∥≃1/6 and short Ginzburg-Landau coherence lengths ξ ∥(0)≃5.8Å and ξ ⊥(0)≃14.3Å. Finally, the value of H$$⊥\\atop{c2}$$(0) can be extrapolated to ≃920 kOe, well above the BCS paramagnetic limit.« less

M-type potassium conductance controls the emergence of neural phase codes: a combined experimental and neuron modelling study

PubMed Central

Kwag, Jeehyun; Jang, Hyun Jae; Kim, Mincheol; Lee, Sujeong

2014-01-01

Rate and phase codes are believed to be important in neural information processing. Hippocampal place cells provide a good example where both coding schemes coexist during spatial information processing. Spike rate increases in the place field, whereas spike phase precesses relative to the ongoing theta oscillation. However, what intrinsic mechanism allows for a single neuron to generate spike output patterns that contain both neural codes is unknown. Using dynamic clamp, we simulate an in vivo-like subthreshold dynamics of place cells to in vitro CA1 pyramidal neurons to establish an in vitro model of spike phase precession. Using this in vitro model, we show that membrane potential oscillation (MPO) dynamics is important in the emergence of spike phase codes: blocking the slowly activating, non-inactivating K+ current (IM), which is known to control subthreshold MPO, disrupts MPO and abolishes spike phase precession. We verify the importance of adaptive IM in the generation of phase codes using both an adaptive integrate-and-fire and a Hodgkin–Huxley (HH) neuron model. Especially, using the HH model, we further show that it is the perisomatically located IM with slow activation kinetics that is crucial for the generation of phase codes. These results suggest an important functional role of IM in single neuron computation, where IM serves as an intrinsic mechanism allowing for dual rate and phase coding in single neurons. PMID:25100320

37. SAR2, SHOWING OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS (ABOVE) AND GENERATOR FIELD ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

37. SAR-2, SHOWING OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS (ABOVE) AND GENERATOR FIELD COIL CONTROL RHEOSTATS (BELOW). SCE negative no. 10331, November 1, 1923. Photograph by G. Haven Bishop. - Santa Ana River Hydroelectric System, SAR-2 Powerhouse, Redlands, San Bernardino County, CA

Evaluation of the magnetocaloric response of nano-sized La0.7Ca0.3Mn1-xNixO3 manganites synthesized by auto-combustion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez, Adrián; Chavarriaga, Edgar; Supelano, Iván; Parra, Carlos Arturo; Morán, Oswaldo

2018-05-01

A systematic study of the dependence of the magnetization on the magnetic field around the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition temperature is carried out on La0.7Ca0.3Mn1-xNixO3 (x=0, 0.02, 0.07, and 1) samples synthesized by auto-combustion method. The successful substitution of Mn3+ ions by Ni2+ ions in the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 lattice is corroborated by X-ray diffraction technique. Banerjees criteria, Arrott plots, and the scaling hypothesis are used to analyze the experimental data. It is verified that the Ni-doping increases the operating temperature range for magnetocaloric effect through tuning of the magnetic transition temperature. Probably, the replacement of Mn3+ by Ni2+ ions in the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 lattice weakens the Mn3+-O-Mn4+ double exchange interaction, which leads to a decrease in the transition temperature and magnetic moment in the samples. The Arrott plots suggest that the phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic in the nano-sized manganite is of second order. The analysis of the magnetization results show that the maximum magnetic entropy changes observed for x=0, 0.02, 0.07, and 0.1 compositions are 0.85, 0.77, 0.63, and 0.59 J/kg K, under a magnetic field of 1.5 T. These values indicate that the magnetic entropy change achieved for La0.7Ca0.3Mn1-xNixO3 manganites synthesized by auto-combustion method is higher than those reported for other manganites with comparable Ni-doping levels but synthesized by standard solid state reaction. It is also observed that the addition of Ni2+ increases the value of the relative cooling power as compared to that of the parent compound. The highest value of this parameter (˜60 J/kg) is found for a Ni-doping level of 2 % around 230 K in a field of 1.5 T.

Neuropeptide Y rapidly enhances [Ca2+]i transients and Ca2+ sparks in adult rat ventricular myocytes through Y1 receptor and PLC activation.

PubMed

Heredia, María del Puy; Delgado, Carmen; Pereira, Laetitia; Perrier, Romain; Richard, Sylvain; Vassort, Guy; Bénitah, Jean-Pierre; Gómez, Ana María

2005-01-01

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is the most abundant peptide in the mammalian heart, but its cardiac actions are not fully understood. Here we investigate the effect of NPY in intracellular Ca2+ release, using isolated rat cardiac myocytes and confocal microscopy. Cardiac myocytes were field-stimulated at 1 Hz. The evoked [Ca2+]i transient was of higher amplitude and of faster decay in the presence of 100 nM NPY. Cell contraction was also increased by NPY. We analyzed the occurrence of Ca2+ sparks and their characteristics after NPY application. NPY significantly increased Ca2+ sparks frequency in quiescent cells. The Ca2+ spark amplitude was enhanced by NPY but the other characteristics of Ca2+ sparks were not significantly altered. Because cardiac myocytes express both Y1 and Y2 NPY receptors, we repeated the experiments in the presence of the receptor blockers, BIBP3226 and BIIE0246. We found that Y1 NPY receptor blockade completely inhibited NPY effects on [Ca2+]i transient. PTX-sensitive G-proteins and/or phospholypase C (PLC) have been invoked to mediate NPY effects in other cell types. We tested these two hypotheses. In PTX-treated myocytes NPY was still effective, which suggests that the observed NPY actions are not mediated by PTX-sensitive G-proteins. In contrast, the increase in [Ca2+]i transient by NPY was completely inhibited by the PLC inhibitor U73122. In conclusion, we find that NPY has a positive inotropic effect in isolated rat cardiac myocytes, which involves increase in Ca2+ release after activation of Y1 NPY receptor and subsequent stimulation of PLC.

75 FR 3474 - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Notice of Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-21

... and evaluate grant applications. Place: Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, 1717 S. Disneyland Drive... applications. Place: Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, 1717 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802. Contact Person...

76 FR 1386 - Safety Zone; Centennial of Naval Aviation Kickoff, San Diego Bay, San Diego, CA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-10

...-AA00 Safety Zone; Centennial of Naval Aviation Kickoff, San Diego Bay, San Diego, CA AGENCY: Coast... zone on the navigable waters of San Diego Bay in San Diego, CA in support of the Centennial of Naval... February 12, 2010, the Centennial of Naval Aviation Kickoff will take place in San Diego Bay. In support of...

Field Validation of Supercritical CO 2 Reactivity with Basalts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McGrail, B. Peter; Schaef, Herbert T.; Spane, Frank A.

2017-01-10

Continued global use of fossil fuels places a premium on developing technology solutions to minimize increases in atmospheric CO 2 levels. CO 2 storage in reactive basalts might be one of these solutions by permanently converting injected gaseous CO 2 into solid carbonates. Herein we report results from a field demonstration where ~1000 MT of CO 2 was injected into a natural basalt formation in Eastern Washington State. Following two years of post-injection monitoring, cores were obtained from within the injection zone and subjected to detailed physical and chemical analysis. Nodules found in vesicles throughout the cores were identified asmore » the carbonate mineral, ankerite Ca[Fe, Mg, Mn](CO 3) 2. Carbon isotope analysis showed the nodules are chemically distinct as compared with natural carbonates present in the basalt and clear correlation with the isotopic signature of the injected CO 2. These findings provide field validation of rapid mineralization rates observed from years of laboratory testing with basalts.« less

Ruminal Ca and P Releases from Diets with Different Portion of the Sugarcane Bagasse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pangestu, E.; Wahyono, F.; Nuswantara, L. K.; Achmadi, J.

2018-02-01

The in sacco technique was used to study the ruminal Ca and P releases from diets with different portion of sugarcane bagasse. Three diets containing 15, 25, and 35% of sugarcane bagase were tested their kinetic of ruminal Ca and P degradabilities. Two adult male sheep fitted with rumen cannula were used in the in sacco technique. In the in sacco experiment, feed samples were placed in the nylon bag and inserted into ruminal cannula for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. The kinetic of ruminal Ca and P degradabilities were focused on rapidly soluble fraction (fraction a), potentially degradable fraction (fraction b), and the degradation rate of fraction b (c). The data were tested using analyse of variance based on a completely randomized design. While the portion of sugarcane bagasse increased (P<0.05) fraction a of Ca diet, the portion b of P diet was decreased (P<0.05) by the portion of sugarcane bagasse.In conclusion, the effect of increasing portion of sugarcane bagasse in diet on ruminal release of Ca may be differed with that ofthe ruminal P release.

Dietary calcium, phosphorus, and phytase effects on bird performance, intestinal morphology, mineral digestibility, and bone ash during a natural necrotic enteritis episode.

PubMed

Paiva, Diego; Walk, Carrie; McElroy, Audrey

2014-11-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Ca, P, and phytase on performance, intestinal morphology, bone ash, and Ca and P digestibility during a necrotic enteritis (NE) outbreak. The 35-d trial was designed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, which included 2 Ca levels (0.6 and 0.9%), 2 P levels (0.3 and 0.45%), and 2 levels of phytase [0 and 1,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg]. Birds were placed on litter from a previous flock that exhibited clinical signs of NE. Birds and feed were weighed on d 12, 19, and 35, and BW gain, feed intake, and feed conversion were calculated. Mortality was recorded daily, and gastrointestinal pH was measured. Tibias and ileal digesta were also collected. Birds began exhibiting clinical signs of NE on d 9, and NE-associated mortality persisted until d 26. Dietary Ca supplemented at 0.9% or inclusion of 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase significantly increased mortality compared with 0.6% Ca or 0 FTU/kg of phytase, respectively. From d 0 to 12, birds fed 0.9% Ca and 0.45% available P with phytase had greater BW gain compared with birds fed 0.6% Ca, 0.45% available P, and phytase. From d 0 to 19, birds fed diets with 0.9% Ca and 0.3% available P had decreased feed intake and improved feed conversion compared with birds fed 0.9% Ca and 0.45% available P. Calcium at 0.9% increased gizzard (d 19) and jejunum (d 12) pH. Phytase supplementation significantly increased Ca digestibility regardless of Ca and P levels of the diets. In addition, diets containing 0.6% Ca and 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase resulted in a significant increase in P digestibility. The results suggest that dietary Ca level may influence NE-associated mortality. In addition, bird performance was affected by interactions of Ca, P, and phytase during the exposure to Clostridium perfringens and the subsequent NE outbreak. Results showed improvements in bird performance when birds were fed 0.6% Ca and 0.3% P in diets supplemented with phytase, which was likely consequent to the influence of Ca in NE pathogenesis. ©2014 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Large-scale oscillatory calcium waves in the immature cortex.

PubMed

Garaschuk, O; Linn, J; Eilers, J; Konnerth, A

2000-05-01

Two-photon imaging of large neuronal networks in cortical slices of newborn rats revealed synchronized oscillations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. These spontaneous Ca2+ waves usually started in the posterior cortex and propagated slowly (2.1 mm per second) toward its anterior end. Ca2+ waves were associated with field-potential changes and required activation of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Although GABAA receptors were not involved in wave initiation, the developmental transition of GABAergic transmission from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing (around postnatal day 7) stopped the oscillatory activity. Thus we identified a type of large-scale Ca2+ wave that may regulate long-distance wiring in the immature cortex.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Casbon, M. A.; Nichols, W. E.

DOE O 435.1, Radioactive Waste Management, and DOE M 435.1-1, Radioactive Waste Management Manual, require that a determination of continued adequacy of the performance assessment (PA), composite analysis (CA), and disposal authorization statement (DAS) be made on an annual basis, and it must consider the results of data collection and analysis from research, field studies, and monitoring. Annual summaries of low-level waste (LLW) disposal operations must be prepared with respect to the conclusions and recommendations of the PA and CA, and a determination of the need to revise the PA or CA must be made. The annual summary requirement providesmore » a structured approach for demonstrating the continued adequacy of the PA and CA in demonstrating a reasonable expectation that the performance objectives will be met. This annual summary addresses only the status of the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility (ERDF) PA (CP-60089, Performance Assessment for the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility, Hanford Site, Washington, formerly WCH-520 Rev. 1)1. The CA for ERDF is supported by DOE/RL-2016-62, Annual Status Report (FY 2016): Composite Analysis of Low Level Waste Disposal in the Central Plateau at the Hanford Site. The ERDF PA portion of the CA document is found in Section 3.1.4, and the ERDF operations portion is found in Section 3.3.3.2 of that document.« less

Visualizing substructure of Ca2+ waves by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Yongqiang; Tang, Aihui; Wang, Shiqiang; Zhu, Xing

2005-02-01

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscope is a new optical microscopic system based on near-field optical theory. Its character of illumination by evanescent wave, together with the great signal-to-noise ratio and temporal resolution achieved by high quality CCD, allows us to analyze the spatiotemporal details of local Ca2+ dynamics within the nanoscale microdomain surrounding different Ca2+ channels. We have recently constructed a versatile objective TIRFM equipped with a high numerical aperture (NA=1.45) objective. Using fluo-4 as the Ca2+ indicator, we visualized the near-membrane profiles of Ca2+ waves and elementary Ca2+ sparks generated by Ca2+ release channels in rat ventricular myocytes. Different from those detected using conventional and confocal microscopy, Ca2+ waves observed with TIRFM exhibited fine inhomogenous substructures composed of fluctuating Ca2+ sparks. The anfractuous routes of spark recruitment suggested that the propagation of Ca2+ waves is much more complicated than previously imagined. We believe that TIRFM will provide a unique tool for dissecting the microscopic mechanisms of intracellular Ca2+ signaling.

Plating and stripping calcium in an organic electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Da; Gao, Xiangwen; Chen, Yuhui; Jin, Liyu; Kuss, Christian; Bruce, Peter G.

2018-01-01

There is considerable interest in multivalent cation batteries, such as those based on magnesium, calcium or aluminium. Most attention has focused on magnesium. In all cases the metal anode represents a significant challenge. Recent work has shown that calcium can be plated and stripped, but only at elevated temperatures, 75 to 100 °C, with small capacities, typically 0.165 mAh cm-2, and accompanied by significant side reactions. Here we demonstrate that calcium can be plated and stripped at room temperature with capacities of 1 mAh cm-2 at a rate of 1 mA cm-2, with low polarization (~100 mV) and in excess of 50 cycles. The dominant product is calcium, accompanied by a small amount of CaH2 that forms by reaction between the deposited calcium and the electrolyte, Ca(BH4)2 in tetrahydrofuran (THF). This occurs in preference to the reactions which take place in most electrolyte solutions forming CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 and calcium alkoxides, and normally terminate the electrochemistry. The CaH2 protects the calcium metal at open circuit. Although this work does not solve all the problems of calcium as an anode in calcium-ion batteries, it does demonstrate that significant quantities of calcium can be plated and stripped at room temperature with low polarization.

Effect of calcium and salicylic acid on quality retention in relation to antioxidative enzymes in radish stored under refrigerated conditions.

PubMed

Devi, Jomika; Bhatia, Surekha; Alam, M S; Dhillon, Tarsem Singh

2018-03-01

Effect of post harvest treatments with calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) and salicylic acid (SA) on physiological and biochemical parameters in relation to activities of antioxidative enzymes were investigated in radish. Radish of variety Punjab Safed Mooli 2 was harvested, washed and treated with CaCl 2 (1, 1.5 and 2%) or SA (1, 1.5 and 2 mM). Treated as well as untreated radish were placed in open trays and stored under refrigerated (5 ± 1 °C, 90% RH) conditions for 42 days. Treatment of radish with CaCl 2 and SA slowed down changes in physiological weight, colour, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, titrable acidity, total phenolics and antioxidant activity. Treated samples exhibited higher enhancement in activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydro-ascorbate reductase (MDHAR) than untreated samples. However SA was found to be more effective in slowing down the metabolic activities of radish as compared to CaCl 2 treatment. Among all the treatments, 1.5 mM SA maintained the quality parameters to greater extent probably by reducing the oxidative stress to larger extent due to highest activities of antioxidative enzymes and can be used to enhance the shelf life of radish during refrigerated storage.

Prostate cancer in the Baby Boomer generation: results from CaPSURE.

PubMed

Scales, Charles D; Moul, Judd W; Curtis, Lesley H; Elkin, Eric P; Hughes, M E; Carroll, Peter R

2007-12-01

Baby Boomers (those born in 1946 to 1964) are thought to place a high value on quality of life, and have a higher propensity to consume healthcare services than previous generations. We sought to characterize prostate cancer (CaP) presentation among this group, and determine whether treatment patterns differ between Baby Boomers and the preceding generation. We defined two birth cohorts: men born in 1927 to 1945 (pre-Boomers) and Baby Boomers. Our study cohort included men less than 65 years old, diagnosed with CaP between 1999 and 2003 (Baby Boomers, n = 812; pre-Boomers, n = 1843). We compared the two groups for clinical presentation, sociodemographics, and primary treatment, controlling for age effects. The primary endpoint was selection of radical prostatectomy as primary treatment. Most Baby Boomers were diagnosed with stage T1 disease (466, 61%), biopsy Gleason sums less than 7 (572, 73%), and prostate-specific antigen levels of 4.1 to 10.0 (509, 66%). This presentation was not clinically different from pre-Boomers. Baby Boomers had higher socioeconomic status than pre-Boomers. On multivariate analysis, Baby Boomers were more likely to undergo radical prostatectomy as primary therapy (odds ratio [OR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13 to 2.35). Controlling for age effects, however, there were no significant differences in treatment choice (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.87) or sociodemographics between these groups. Differences in CaP presentation and treatment between Baby Boomers and pre-Boomers may be related to age at diagnosis rather than innate differences in behavior. As more Baby Boomers are diagnosed with CaP, further research will be required to characterize this generation's impact on CaP care.

Fabrication and Enhancement of Critical Currents of Silver Sheathed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Qingyu

X-ray diffraction was used to characterise the phase composition and to investigate the formation mechanism of the (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca_2Cu _3O_{10} phase from the precursor with (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2CaCu _2O_8 as the main phase. The reaction is found to be a two-dimensional nucleation (random)-growth type, (-(ln(1-F)) ^{1/2} = kt, where F is the conversional fraction of (Bi,Pb) _2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8 phase and t is the sintering time. The two dimensional behaviour of the critical current in (Bi,Pb)_2Sr2Ca_2Cu _3O_{10}/Ag tapes was observed and analysed by introducing an effective grain misalignment angle, varphi_{eff}. This angle was found to be identical to the average crystallographic grain misalignment angle in the superconducting core. Furthermore, after fast neutron irradiation, which is isotropical, the J_{c}'s of the tapes were modified by the introduction of artificial defects, but the varphi_{eff}'s remained the same. The transport critical current of (Bi,Pb) _2Sr_2Ca_2Cu_3O_ {10}/Ag tapes was measured in magnetic fields up to 15 T and at temperatures from of 4.2 to 84 K. At high temperatures, the J_ {c} is strongly anisotropic and the anisotropy increases rapidly with magnetic field, whereas at low temperatures the critical current is less anisotropic and the anisotropy is almost field independent above 1 T. The transport J_{c }'s in (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca _2Cu_3O_{10}/Ag tapes at 77 K and higher magnetic fields after neutron irradiation are significantly enhanced. This enhancement is attributed to an improvement in the flux pinning capability of this material by the neutron-induced defects. The angular dependence of J_{c} is still consistent with two-dimensionality, i.e. flux pinning of pancake and/or Josephson vortices is directly confirmed by this transport measurement. Short multifilamentary (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca_2Cu_2O_{10 }/Ag tapes were fabricated. The sintering parameters were optimised to be 832^circ C and 180 h. The multifilamentary tape consists mainly of pure (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca _2Cu_3O_{10} with a (00l) preferred orientation, like the single filamentary tape. The mass densities of the (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca_2Cu_3O_{10 }/Ag wire and tape vary during the mechanical deformation process, as one of the steps of the oxide-powder -in-tube technique used to fabricate the composite superconductor. Results show that the rolling has a more significant effect on densifying the tape core, whereas the drawing process can only densify the core to about 75% of the theoretical density. Since the textured (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca _2Cu_3O_{10} phase forms by epitaxial growth on the textured (Bi,Pb) _2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8 seed crystals, the deformation induced texture is critical. The formation of the amorphous phase is harmful to the texturing of the (Bi,Pb)_2Sr_2Ca_2Cu _2O_{10} phase, which finally leads to a degradation of critical currents. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Systematic measurements of ion-proton differential streaming in the solar wind.

PubMed

Berger, L; Wimmer-Schweingruber, R F; Gloeckler, G

2011-04-15

The small amount of heavy ions in the highly rarefied solar wind are sensitive tracers for plasma-physics processes, which are usually not accessible in the laboratory. We have analyzed differential streaming between heavy ions and protons in the solar wind at 1 AU. 3D velocity vector and magnetic field measurements from the Solar Wind Electron Proton Alpha Monitor and the Magnetometer aboard the Advanced Composition Explorer were used to reconstruct the ion-proton difference vector v(ip) = v(i) - v(p) from the 12 min 1D Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer observations. We find that all 44 analyzed heavy ions flow along the interplanetary magnetic field at velocities which are smaller than, but comparable to, the local Alfvén speed C(A). The flow speeds of 35 of the 44 ion species lie within the range of ±0.15C(A) around 0.55C(A), the flow speed of He(2+).

A 38,000-year record of floods and debris flows in the Ilo region of southern Peru and its relation to El Niño events and great earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keefer, David K.; Moseley, Michael E.; DeFrance, Susan D.

2003-01-01

Previous work throughout the Ilo region of south coastal Peru has documented the existence of flood and debris-flow deposits produced by two El Niño events evidently much more severe than any in recent history. These two events have been dated to ca. AD 1300–1400 and AD 1607–08. The Late Pleistocene to Holocene record of older sedimentary deposits in this region is dominated by flood and debris-flow deposits of similar scale. These older deposits have been described and dated from three coastal, alluvial-fan sites. These deposits, which are as old as 38 200 years, are dominated by massive debris-flow deposits, several tens of cm thick, typically composed of cobble- and boulder-sized clasts in a matrix of silty sand, with characteristics indicating generation by heavy rainfall in an arid environment. Twenty-two radiocarbon dates and a single infrared-stimulated luminescence date show that particularly severe El Niño events occurred throughout the Late Pleistocene and two of three divisions of the Holocene with significantly different frequencies. The period of greatest activity was during the Early Holocene when at least six such events took place during a period of ca. 3600 years, beginning near the end of the Younger Dryas ca. 12 000 years ago. One of these events produced a debris flow that may have caused abandonment of the Paleo-Indian site at Quebrada Tacahuay, one of the oldest on the Andean coast. No severe events took place during the Middle Holocene between ca. 8400 and 5300 years ago, when a wide variety of other paleoclimate proxy records indicate that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation regime was particularly weak. Since ca. 5300 years ago, four of these severe events have taken place. The Late Pleistocene sequence is constrained by only two dates, which indicate that at least ten severe events took place between ca. 38 200 and 12 900 years ago. Mechanisms probably responsible for generating these large-scale deposits include: (1) ‘Mega-Niños’ that produced anomalously heavy rainfall along most or all of the central Andean coast; (2) El Niños that occurred shortly after great earthquakes that produced large amounts of sediment; or (3) El Niños that produced anomalously heavy local rainfall. The existence of these large-scale deposits in the Ilo region implies a level of hazard much higher than indicated by the historical record alone

4. Historic American Buildings Survey Drawing by LaPlace VIEW FROM ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

4. Historic American Buildings Survey Drawing by LaPlace VIEW FROM HILL TO REAR OF MISSION GROUNDS - 1839 - Mission San Carlos Borromeo, Rio Road & Lausen Drive, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County, CA

First light of Cassis: the stereo surface imaging system onboard the exomars TGO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gambicorti, L.; Piazza, D.; Pommerol, A.; Roloff, V.; Gerber, M.; Ziethe, R.; El-Maarry, M. R.; Weigel, T.; Johnson, M.; Vernani, D.; Pelo, E.; Da Deppo, V.; Cremonese, G.; Ficai Veltroni, I.; Thomas, N.

2017-09-01

The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) camera was launched on 14 March 2016 onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and it is currently in cruise to Mars. The CaSSIS high resolution optical system is based on a TMA telescope (Three Mirrors Anastigmatic configuration) with a 4th powered folding mirror compacting the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) structure. The camera EPD (Entrance Pupil Diameter) is 135 mm and the focal length is 880 mm, giving an F# 6.5 system; the wavelength range covered by the instrument is 400-1100 nm. The optical system is designed to have distortion of less than 2%, and a worst case Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) of 0.3 at the detector Nyquist spatial frequency (i.e. 50 lp/mm). The Focal Plane Assembly (FPA), including the detector, is a spare from the Simbio-Sys instrument of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Simbio-Sys will fly on ESA's BepiColombo mission to Mercury in 2018. The detector, developed by Raytheon Vision Systems, is a 2k×2k hybrid Si-PIN array with 10 μm-pixel pitch. The detector allows snap shot operation at a read-out rate of 5 Mpx/s with 14-bit resolution. CaSSIS will operate in a push-frame mode with a Filter Strip Assembly (FSA), placed directly above the detector sensitive area, selecting 4 colour bands. The scale at a slant angle of 4.6 m/px from the nominal orbit is foreseen to produce frames of 9.4 km × 6.3 km on the Martian surface, and covering a Field of View (FoV) of 1.33° cross track × 0.88° along track. The University of Bern was in charge of the full instrument integration as well as the characterisation of the focal plane of CaSSIS. The paper will present an overview of CaSSIS and the optical performance of the telescope and the FPA. The preliminary results of the on-ground calibration campaign and the first light obtained during the commissioning and pointing campaign (April 2016) will be described in detail. The instrument is acquiring images with an average Point Spread Function at Full-Width-Half-Maximum (PSF FWHM) of < 1.5 px, as expected.

A novel crystallization technique of hydroxyapatite utilizing contact reaction of minute droplet with atmospheric plasmas: Effects of the liquid source composition on the produced crystal properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wada, Y.; Kobayashi, T.; Matsumoto, M.; Onoe, K.

2017-10-01

To develop the technique for the control of the crystal composition and properties such as size distribution and morphology utilizing the contact reaction field around the minute droplets in atmospheric pressure plasma, fine spherical particles of hydroxyapatite ((Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2); HAp) were synthesized by a new plasma crystallization method. In this work, to elucidate the effects of the production region and crystal properties of hydroxyapatite for the liquid source composition, Ca2+ concentration and the Ca/P molar ratio in minute droplets were varied. The following results were obtained: (1) fine spherical HAp particles can be produced by the introduction of minute droplets with the initial Ca2+ concentration ((CCa)0) of 0.50 mol/l and the Ca/P molar ratio of 1.67. (2) When the (CCa)0 is set in the range higher than 1.00 mol/l at the constant Ca/P molar ratio of 1.67, fine spherical particles of β-TCP and HAp mixture are crystallized. (3) For the Ca/P molar ratio below 1.67, α-TCP and HAp co-precipitated. (4) The composition of the produced particles depends on both the reactant concentration and Ca/P molar ratio in the HAp source solution. (5) The dependence of the reactant concentration on the average size of the produced HAp particles is large compared with droplet size.

CaMn 2Sb 2: Spin waves on a frustrated antiferromagnetic honeycomb lattice

DOE PAGES

McNally, D. E.; Simonson, J. W.; Kistner-Morris, J. J.; ...

2015-05-22

Here we presenmore » t inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the antiferromagnetic insulator CaMn 2 Sb 2 , which consists of corrugated honeycomb layers of Mn. The dispersion of magnetic excitations has been measured along the H and L directions in reciprocal space, with a maximum excitation energy of ≈ 24 meV. These excitations are well described by spin waves in a Heisenberg model, including first-and second-neighbor exchange interactions J 1 and J 2 in the Mn plane and also an exchange interaction between planes. The determined ratio J 2/J 1 ≈ 1/6 suggests that CaMn 2 Sb 2 is an example of a compound that lies very close to the mean field tricritical point, known for the classical Heisenberg model on the honeycomb lattice, where the Néel phase and two different spiral phases coexist. Lastly, the magnitude of the determined exchange interactions reveals a mean field ordering temperature ≈ 4 times larger than the reported Néel temperature T N = 85 K, suggesting significant frustration arising from proximity to the tricritical point.« less

On the binding of calcium by micelles composed of carboxy-modified pluronics measured by means of differential potentiometric titration and modeled with a self-consistent-field theory.

PubMed

Lauw, Y; Leermakers, F A M; Cohen Stuart, M A; Pinheiro, J P; Custers, J P A; van den Broeke, L J P; Keurentjes, J T F

2006-12-19

We perform differential potentiometric titration measurements for the binding of Ca2+ ions to micelles composed of the carboxylic acid end-standing Pluronic P85 block copolymer (i.e., CAE-85 (COOH-(EO)26-(PO)39-(EO)26-COOH)). Two different ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are used to detect the free calcium concentration; the first ISE is an indicator electrode, and the second is a reference electrode. The titration is done by adding the block copolymers to a known solution of Ca2+ at neutral pH and high enough temperature (above the critical micellization temperature CMT) and various amount of added monovalent salt. By measuring the difference in the electromotive force between the two ISEs, the amount of Ca2+ that is bound by the micelles is calculated. This is then used to determine the binding constant of Ca2+ with the micelles, which is a missing parameter needed to perform molecular realistic self-consistent-field (SCF) calculations. It turns out that the micelles from block copolymer CAE-85 bind Ca2+ ions both electrostatically and specifically. The specific binding between Ca2+ and carboxylic groups in the corona of the micelles is modeled through the reaction equilibrium -COOCa+ <==> -COO- + Ca2+ with pKCa = 1.7 +/- 0.06.

The possible consequences for cognitive functions of external electric fields at power line frequency on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

PubMed

Migliore, Rosanna; De Simone, Giada; Leinekugel, Xavier; Migliore, Michele

2017-04-01

The possible effects on cognitive processes of external electric fields, such as those generated by power line pillars and household appliances are of increasing public concern. They are difficult to study experimentally, and the relatively scarce and contradictory evidence make it difficult to clearly assess these effects. In this study, we investigate how, why and to what extent external perturbations of the intrinsic neuronal activity, such as those that can be caused by generation, transmission and use of electrical energy can affect neuronal activity during cognitive processes. For this purpose, we used a morphologically and biophysically realistic three-dimensional model of CA1 pyramidal neurons. The simulation findings suggest that an electric field oscillating at power lines frequency, and environmentally measured strength, can significantly alter both the average firing rate and temporal spike distribution properties of a hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron. This effect strongly depends on the specific and instantaneous relative spatial location of the neuron with respect to the field, and on the synaptic input properties. The model makes experimentally testable predictions on the possible functional consequences for normal hippocampal functions such as object recognition and spatial navigation. The results suggest that, although EF effects on cognitive processes may be difficult to occur in everyday life, their functional consequences deserve some consideration, especially when they constitute a systematic presence in living environments. © 2016 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Thermodynamic evidence for Ca2+-mediated self-aggregation of Lewis X gold glyconanoparticles. A model for cell adhesion via carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction.

PubMed

de la Fuente, Jesús M; Eaton, Peter; Barrientos, Africa G; Menéndez, Margarita; Penadés, Soledad

2005-05-04

Thermodynamic evidence for the selective Ca(2+)-mediated self-aggregation via carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions of gold glyconanoparticles functionalized with the disaccharides lactose (lacto-Au) and maltose (malto-Au), or the biologically relevant trisaccharide Lewis X (Le(X)-Au), was obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry. The aggregation process was also directly visualized by atomic force microscopy. It was shown in the case of the trisaccharide Lewis X that the Ca(2+)-mediated aggregation is a slow process that takes place with a decrease in enthalpy of 160 +/- 30 kcal mol(-)(1), while the heat evolved in the case of lactose and maltose glyconanoparticles was very low and thermal equilibrium was quickly achieved. Measurements in the presence of Mg(2+) and Na(+) cations confirm the selectivity for Ca(2+) of Le(X)-Au glyconanoparticles. The relevance of this result to cell-cell adhesion process mediated by carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions is discussed.

Isoxazole-type derivatives related to combretastatin A-4, synthesis and biological evaluation.

PubMed

Kaffy, Julia; Pontikis, Renée; Carrez, Danièle; Croisy, Alain; Monneret, Claude; Florent, Jean-Claude

2006-06-15

Novel combretastatin analogues bearing various five-membered heterocycles with consecutive oxygen and nitrogen atoms, in place of the olefinic bridge of CA4, have been synthesized (isoxazole, isoxazoline, oxadiazole, etc). These compounds have been evaluated for cytotoxicity and their ability to inhibit the tubulin assembly. On the basis of the relative position of the aromatic A- and B-rings on the heterocyclic moiety, they could be split in two classes, the alpha,gamma- or alpha,beta-diaryl heterocyclic derivatives. In the first series, the 3,5-diaryloxadiazole 9a displayed comparable antitubulin activity to that of CA4, but was devoid of cytotoxic effects. Among the alpha,beta-diaryl heterocyclic derivatives, the 4,5-diarylisoxazole 35 exhibited greater antitubulin activity than that of CA4 (0.75 vs 1.2 microM), but modest antiproliferative activity. These data showed that minor alteration in the chemical structure of the heterocyclic ring and its relative orientation with regard to the two phenyl rings of CA4 could dramatically influence the tubulin binding properties.

Drop deformation and breakup in a partially filled horizontal rotating cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Andrew; Pereira, Caroline; Hyacinthe, Hyaquino; Ward, Thomas

2014-11-01

Drop deformation and breakup due to shear flow has been studied extensively in Couette devices as well as in gravity-driven flows. In these cases shear is generated either by the moving wall or the drop's motion. For such flows the drop shape remains unperturbed at low capillary number (Ca), deforms at moderate Ca , and can experience breakup as Ca --> 1 and larger. Here single drops of NaOH(aq) will be placed in a horizontal cylindrical rotating tank partially filled with vegetable oil resulting in 10-2 < Ca <101 . It will be shown that the reactive vegetable oil-NaOH(aq) system, where surfactants are produced in situ by saponification, can yield lower minimum surface tensions and faster adsorption than non-reactive surfactant systems. Oil films between the wall and drop as well as drop shape will be observed as rotation rates and NaOH(aq) concentration are varied. Results will be presented in the context of previous work on bubble and drop shapes and breakup. NSF CBET #1262718.

Multifocal canalicular adenoma of the minor labial salivary glands

PubMed Central

Samar, María Elena; Avila, Rodolfo Esteban; Fonseca, Ismael Bernardo; Anderson, William; Fonseca, Gabriel M; Cantín, Mario

2014-01-01

Canalicular adenoma (CA) is an uncommon benign neoplasia of salivary glands which is clinically difficult to recognise. Despite having an excellent prognosis, the histological diagnosis and clinical management of this entity can be troublesome. While the main differential diagnosis to consider is basal cell adenoma (BCA), similar histological patterns and multifocality have been observed in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA), both locally-aggressive malignancies which require radically different treatment to CA. An emphasis has been placed on the value of immunohistochemistry in avoiding diagnostic and surgical errors. CA is positive for AE1/AE3, CD117 and S-100 protein, and negative for p63, α-SMA, Ki 67 and vimentin. Here we discuss the case of a 61-year-old female with CA in her right upper lip, showing multifocal growth histologically. The differential diagnosis with other adenomas is discussed in addition to the role of immunohistochemical studies that can confirm the clinical and surgical findings. PMID:25550873

Spatial information outflow from the hippocampal circuit: distributed spatial coding and phase precession in the subiculum.

PubMed

Kim, Steve M; Ganguli, Surya; Frank, Loren M

2012-08-22

Hippocampal place cells convey spatial information through a combination of spatially selective firing and theta phase precession. The way in which this information influences regions like the subiculum that receive input from the hippocampus remains unclear. The subiculum receives direct inputs from area CA1 of the hippocampus and sends divergent output projections to many other parts of the brain, so we examined the firing patterns of rat subicular neurons. We found a substantial transformation in the subicular code for space from sparse to dense firing rate representations along a proximal-distal anatomical gradient: neurons in the proximal subiculum are more similar to canonical, sparsely firing hippocampal place cells, whereas neurons in the distal subiculum have higher firing rates and more distributed spatial firing patterns. Using information theory, we found that the more distributed spatial representation in the subiculum carries, on average, more information about spatial location and context than the sparse spatial representation in CA1. Remarkably, despite the disparate firing rate properties of subicular neurons, we found that neurons at all proximal-distal locations exhibit robust theta phase precession, with similar spiking oscillation frequencies as neurons in area CA1. Our findings suggest that the subiculum is specialized to compress sparse hippocampal spatial codes into highly informative distributed codes suitable for efficient communication to other brain regions. Moreover, despite this substantial compression, the subiculum maintains finer scale temporal properties that may allow it to participate in oscillatory phase coding and spike timing-dependent plasticity in coordination with other regions of the hippocampal circuit.

Archaeointensity Determination of the Earth's Magnetic Field in Coastal Ecuador During the last six Millennia: New data from Ecuadorian Potsherds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrero-Bervera, E.; Tema, E.; Athens, J. S.

2015-12-01

We present new absolute archaeointensity data from five archaeological sites in coastal area of Ecuador (South America). Potsherd fragments come from the archaeological excavations of Guayas Province (ca. 535-1535 AD, Manteño Period), Nido de Las Lechusas (ca. 55-755 AD, Guangala Period, and ca. 470-1470 AD, Panzaleo Period), Santa Elena (ca. 4530-2030 BC, Valdivia Period) and Valdivia (ca. 4530-2030 BC, Valdivia Period) respectively, based on available radiocarbon dating. Successful archaeointensity data have been obtained from thirty seven potsherds using the Thellier-Coe protocol. Rock magnetic experiments including low-field magnetic susceptibility versus temperature (k-T) plots, Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (IRM) acquisition curves, as well as hysteresis loops and back-fields, have been performed in order to characterize the magnetic behavior of the samples and determine their main magnetic carriers. The Curie temperatures indicate the presence of at least two magnetic mineral phases (i.e. 560-5750C and 610-6200C), with predominant Curie temperatures typical of magnetite. The results of the magnetic grain size analyses suggest the presence of particles in the Pseudo-Single Domain (PSD) range, according to the distribution on the modified Day plots (Dunlop 2002 a and b) for magnetite. The successful absolute paleointensity determinations yielded archaeointensity values of 17.3 ± 0.5 μT for Guayas (Manteno Period), 29.13 ± 0.61 μT for Nido de Las Lechusas (Guangala Period), 35.45 ± 1.6 μT for Nido de Las Lechusas ((Panzaleo Period), 27.3 ± 1.0 μT for Santa Elena (Valdivia Period) and 25.82 ± 1.82 μT for Valdivia (Valdivia Period). The new results are in good correlation with archaeomagnetic data from the earlier published data from the coastal Valdiva in Ecuador. These new archaeointensity data from Ecuador for the last 4530-2030 BC years aim to enrich our knowledge of the geomagnetic field intensity variations in the south hemisphere, together with previously published data from South America.

SALT EFFECTS ON EGGS AND NAUPLII OF ARTEMIA SALINA L

PubMed Central

Boone, Eleanor; Baas-Becking, L. G. M.

1931-01-01

Eggs of Artemia salina L., the brine shrimp, are easily obtainable in large quantities. Ecdysis takes place in two stages: (a) extrusion of the inner membrane, and (b) ecdysis of the nauplius from that membrane. The conditions which allow for the former are much more varied than those for the latter. Nauplii form in only solutions of a few sodium salts; and, in Mg, Ca, and Sr salts, potassium is very toxic. The possible environment for the nauplii (1 M total molarity) has been ascertained for chlorides of Na, K, Mg, and Ca. The facts observed account for the peculiar distribution of the organism. PMID:19872620

Involvement of protein kinase C in the modulation of morphine-induced analgesia and the inhibitory effects of exposure to 60-hz magnetic fields in the land snail, Cepaea nemoralis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kavaliers, M.; Ossenkopp, K.P.

1990-02-26

One of the more consistent and dramatic effects of exposure to magnetic fields is the attenuation of morphine-induced analgesia. Results of previous studies have implicated alterations in calcium channel functioning and Ca{sup ++} flux in the mediation of these effects. It is generally accepted that Ca{sup ++}-activated-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (Protein kinase C; PKC) plays an important role in relaying trans-membrane signaling in diverse Ca{sup ++} dependent cellular processes. In experiment 1 we observed that morphine-induced analgesia in the land snail, Cepaea nemoralis, as measured by the latency of an avoidance behavior to a warmed surface, was reduced by the PKCmore » activator, SC-9, and was enhanced by the PKC inhibitors, H-7 and H-9. In contrast, HA-10004, a potent inhibitor of other protein kinases, but only a very weak inhibitor of PKC, had no effect on morphine-induced analgesia. In experiment 2 exposure of snails for 30 minutes to a 1.0 gauss (rms) 60-Hz magnetic field reduced morphine-induced analgesia. This inhibitory effect of the magnetic field was reduced by the PKC inhibitors, H-7 and H-9, and was augmented by the PKC activator SC-9. These results suggest that: (i) PKC is involved in the modulation of morphine-induced analgesia and, (ii) the inhibitory effects of magnetic fields involve PKC.« less

Co2+-doped diopside: crystal structure and optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gori, C.; Tribaudino, M.; Mezzadri, F.; Skogby, H.; Hålenius, U.

2018-05-01

Synthetic clinopyroxenes along the CaMgSi2O6-CaCoSi2O6 join were investigated by a combined chemical-structural-spectroscopic approach. Single crystals were synthesized by flux growth methods, both from Ca-saturated and Ca-deficient starting compositions. Single crystal structure refinements show that the incorporation of Co2+ at the octahedrally coordinated cation sites of diopside, increases the unit-cell as well as the M1 and the M2 polyhedral volumes. Spectroscopic investigations (UV-VIS-NIR) of the Ca-rich samples reveal three main optical absorption bands, i.e. 4 T 1g → 4 T 2g( F), 4 T 1g → 4 A 2g( F) and 4 T 1g → 4 T 1g( P) as expected for Co2+ at a six-coordinated site. The bands arising from the 4 T 1g → 4 T 2g( F) and the 4 T 1g → 4 T 1g( P) electronic transitions, are each split into two components, due to the distortions of the M1 polyhedron from ideal Oh-symmetry. In spectra of both types, a band in the NIR range at ca 5000 cm-1 is caused by the 4 A 2g → 4 T 1g( F) electronic transition in Co2+ in a cubic field in the M2 site. Furthermore, an additional component to a band system at 14,000 cm-1, due to electronic transitions in Co2+ at the M2 site, is recorded in absorption spectra of Ca-deficient samples. No variations in Dq and Racah B parameters for Co2+ at the M1 site in response to compositional changes, were demonstrated, suggesting complete relaxation of the M1 polyhedron within the CaMgSi2O6-CaCoSi2O6 solid solution.

Co2+-doped diopside: crystal structure and optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gori, C.; Tribaudino, M.; Mezzadri, F.; Skogby, H.; Hålenius, U.

2017-12-01

Synthetic clinopyroxenes along the CaMgSi2O6-CaCoSi2O6 join were investigated by a combined chemical-structural-spectroscopic approach. Single crystals were synthesized by flux growth methods, both from Ca-saturated and Ca-deficient starting compositions. Single crystal structure refinements show that the incorporation of Co2+ at the octahedrally coordinated cation sites of diopside, increases the unit-cell as well as the M1 and the M2 polyhedral volumes. Spectroscopic investigations (UV-VIS-NIR) of the Ca-rich samples reveal three main optical absorption bands, i.e. 4 T 1g → 4 T 2g(F), 4 T 1g → 4 A 2g(F) and 4 T 1g → 4 T 1g(P) as expected for Co2+ at a six-coordinated site. The bands arising from the 4 T 1g → 4 T 2g(F) and the 4 T 1g → 4 T 1g(P) electronic transitions, are each split into two components, due to the distortions of the M1 polyhedron from ideal Oh-symmetry. In spectra of both types, a band in the NIR range at ca 5000 cm-1 is caused by the 4 A 2g → 4 T 1g(F) electronic transition in Co2+ in a cubic field in the M2 site. Furthermore, an additional component to a band system at 14,000 cm-1, due to electronic transitions in Co2+ at the M2 site, is recorded in absorption spectra of Ca-deficient samples. No variations in Dq and Racah B parameters for Co2+ at the M1 site in response to compositional changes, were demonstrated, suggesting complete relaxation of the M1 polyhedron within the CaMgSi2O6-CaCoSi2O6 solid solution.

Rho-kinase inhibitors augment the inhibitory effect of propofol on rat bronchial smooth muscle contraction.

PubMed

Hanazaki, Motohiko; Yokoyama, Masataka; Morita, Kiyoshi; Kohjitani, Atsushi; Sakai, Hiroyasu; Chiba, Yoshihiko; Misawa, Miwa

2008-06-01

Airway smooth muscle contraction is not caused by the increase in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) alone because agonist stimulation increases tension at the same [Ca(2+)](i) (increase in Ca(2+) sensitivity). The small G protein Rho A and Rho-kinase (ROCK) play important roles in the regulation of Ca(2+) sensitivity. In this study, we investigated the effects of three ROCK inhibitors (fasudil, Y-27632, and H-1152) on rat airway smooth muscle contraction and the effects of ROCK inhibitors on propofol-induced bronchodilatory effects. Ring strips from intrapulmonary bronchus of male Wistar rats were placed in 400-microL organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution. After obtaining stable contraction with 30 microM acetylcholine, (1) propofol (1 microM-1 mM) was cumulatively applied; (2) cumulative doses of Y-27632 (0.01-300 microM), fasudil (0.01-100 microM), or H-1152 (0.01-100 microM) were applied; (3) propofol (1 microM-1 mM), with Y-27632, fasudil or H-1152 (0.03 microM or 0.1 microM), was cumulatively applied. (1) Propofol produced concentration-dependent relaxation of rat bronchial smooth muscle. (2) All ROCK inhibitors produced concentration-dependent relaxation. (3) 0.03 microM Y-27632 and fasudil had no significant effect on the concentration-response curve for propofol, while 0.1 microM of both agents significantly shifted concentration-response curves to the left and decreased EC(50). H-1152 (both 0.03 microM and 0.1 microM) significantly sifted the concentration-response curve for propofol to the left and decreased EC(50). ROCK inhibitors, especially H-1152, can attenuate the contraction of rat airway smooth muscle. The combined use of ROCK inhibitors and propofol causes greater relaxation.

GABAergic system impairment in the hippocampus and superior temporal gyrus of patients with paranoid schizophrenia: A post-mortem study.

PubMed

Steiner, Johann; Brisch, Ralf; Schiltz, Kolja; Dobrowolny, Henrik; Mawrin, Christian; Krzyżanowska, Marta; Bernstein, Hans-Gert; Jankowski, Zbigniew; Braun, Katharina; Schmitt, Andrea; Bogerts, Bernhard; Gos, Tomasz

2016-11-01

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is a key enzyme in GABA synthesis and alterations in GABAergic neurotransmission related to glial abnormalities are thought to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study aimed to identify potential differences regarding the neuropil expression of GAD between paranoid and residual schizophrenia. GAD65/67 immunostained histological sections were evaluated by quantitative densitometric analysis of GAD-immunoreactive (ir) neuropil. Regions of interest were the hippocampal formation (CA1 field and dentate gyrus [DG]), superior temporal gyrus (STG), and laterodorsal thalamic nucleus (LD). Data from 16 post-mortem schizophrenia patient samples (10 paranoid and 6 residual schizophrenia cases) were compared with those from 16 matched controls. Overall, schizophrenia patients showed a lower GAD-ir neuropil density (P=0.014), particularly in the right CA1 (P=0.033). However, the diagnostic subgroups differed significantly (P<0.001), mainly because of lower right CA1 GAD-ir neuropil density in paranoid versus residual patients (P=0.036) and controls (P<0.003). Significant GAD-ir neuropil reduction was also detected in the right STG layer V of paranoid versus residual schizophrenia cases (P=0.042). GAD-ir neuropil density correlated positively with antipsychotic dosage, particularly in CA1 (right: r=0.850, P=0.004; left: r=0.800, P=0.010). Our finding of decreased relative density of GAD-ir neuropil suggests hypofunction of the GABAergic system, particularly in hippocampal CA1 field and STG layer V of patients with paranoid schizophrenia. The finding that antipsychotic medication seems to counterbalance GABAergic hypofunction in schizophrenia patients suggests the possibility of exploring new treatment avenues which target this system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of charge ordering and phase separation on the electrical and magnetoresistive properties of polycrystalline La0.4Eu0.1Ca0.5MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krichene, A.; Boujelben, W.; Mukherjee, S.; Shah, N. A.; Solanki, P. S.

2018-03-01

We have investigated the effect of charge ordering and phase separation on the electrical and magnetotransport properties of La0.4Eu0.1Ca0.5MnO3 polycrystalline sample. Temperature dependence of resistivity shows a metal-insulator transition at transition temperature Tρ. A hysteretic behavior is observed for zero field resistivity curves with Tρ = 128 K on cooling process and Tρ = 136 K on warming process. Zero field resistivity curves follow Zener polynomial law in the metallic phase with unusual n exponent value ∼9. Presence of resistivity minimum at low temperatures has been ascribed to the coulombic electron-electron scattering process. Resistivity modification due to the magnetic field cycling testifies the presence of the training effect. Magnetization and resistivity appear to be highly correlated. Magnetoresistive study reveals colossal values of negative magnetoresistance reaching about 75% at 132 K under only 2T applied field. Colossal values of magnetoresistance suggest the possibility of using this sample for magnetic field sensing and spintronic applications.

Differential influence of hippocampal subfields to memory formation: insights from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

PubMed

Coras, Roland; Pauli, Elisabeth; Li, Jinmei; Schwarz, Michael; Rössler, Karl; Buchfelder, Michael; Hamer, Hajo; Stefan, Hermann; Blumcke, Ingmar

2014-07-01

To clarify the anatomical organization of human memory remains a major challenge in clinical neuroscience. Experimental data suggest dentate gyrus granule cells play a major role in memory acquisition, i.e. pattern separation and rapid pattern completion, whereas hippocampal CA1 neurons are implicated in place memory and autobiographical memory retrieval. Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy present with a broad spectrum of memory impairment, which can be assessed during clinical examination. Although long seizure histories may contribute to a pathophysiological reorganization of functional connectivity, surgical resection of the epileptic hippocampus offers a unique possibility to anatomically study the differential contribution of hippocampal subfields to compromised learning and memory in humans. Herein, we tested the hypothesis of hippocampal subfield specialization in a series of 100 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy submitted to epilepsy surgery. Memory profiles were obtained from intracarotid amobarbital testing and non-invasive verbal memory assessment before surgery, and correlated with histopathologically quantified cell loss pattern in hippocampal subfields obtained from the same patients using the new international consensus classification for hippocampal sclerosis proposed by the International League against Epilepsy (HS ILAE). Interestingly, patients with CA1 predominant cell loss (HS ILAE Type 2; n = 13) did not show declarative memory impairment and were indistinguishable from patients without any hippocampal cell loss (n = 19). In contrast, 63 patients with neuronal loss affecting all hippocampal subfields including CA1, CA4 and dentate gyrus (HS ILAE Type 1), or predominant cell loss in CA4 and partially affecting also CA3 and dentate gyrus (HS ILAE Type 3, n = 5) showed significantly reduced declarative memory capacities (intracarotid amobarbital testing: P < 0.001; verbal memory: P < 0.05). Our results suggested an alternative model of how memory processing can be organized amongst hippocampal subfields, and that CA1 pyramidal cells are less critically involved in declarative human memory acquisition compared to dentate gyrus granule cells or CA4/CA3 pyramidal cells. © The Author (2014). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Gigantic magnetoelectric effect caused by magnetic-field-induced canted antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition in quasi-two-dimensional Ca2CoSi2O7 crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akaki, M.; Tozawa, J.; Akahoshi, D.; Kuwahara, H.

2009-05-01

We have investigated the magnetic and dielectric properties of Ca2CoSi2O7 crystal. The dielectricity and magnetism of Ca2CoSi2O7 are strongly coupled below a canted antiferromagnetic transition temperature (TN). Magnetic fields induce electric polarization below TN. Interestingly, the magnetic-field-induced electric polarization is detected even without poling electric fields. Below TN, a canted antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition is induced by magnetic fields. The large magnetocapacitance is observed around TN. The origin of the large magnetocapacitance is due to the magnetic-field-induced the canted antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition.

Commensurability and stability in nonperiodic systems

PubMed Central

Fasano, Y.; De Seta, M.; Menghini, M.; Pastoriza, H.; de la Cruz, F.

2005-01-01

We have investigated the response of 3D Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 vortex structures to a weak perturbation induced by 2D Fe pinning structures acting on one extremity of vortex lines. The pinning patterns were nano-engineered at the sample surface by means of either a Bitter decoration of the vortex lattice or electron-beam lithography. The commensurability conditions between 2D rigid pinning potentials and 3D elastic structures with short-range positional and long-range orientational correlation have been experimentally determined. When the 2D potential is a replica of the nonperiodic vortex structure an amplification of its interaction with the vortex structure takes place. This effect is detected only for the first matching field, becoming negligible for other matching fields. On the other hand, a periodic 2D perturbation is shown to transform the nonperiodic Bragg glass-like structure into an Abrikosov crystal with an effective Debye–Waller factor. PMID:16576763

SQUID picovoltometry of single crystal Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta) - Observation of the crossover from high-temperature Arrhenius to low-temperature vortex-glass behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safar, H.; Gammel, P. L.; Bishop, D. J.; Mitzi, D. B.; Kapitulnik, A.

1992-04-01

A SQUID voltmeter has been used to measure current-voltage curves in untwinned crystals of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta) as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The data show a clear crossover from high-temperature Arrhenius behavior to a critical region associated with the low-temperature three-dimensional vortex-glass phase transition. The critical exponents v(z - 1) = 7 +/- 1 in this system are in accord with theoretical models and previous measurements in YBa2Cu3O7. The width of the critical region collapses below 2 T, reflecting the changing role of dimensionality with field.

Intracellular determinants of hippocampal CA1 place and silent cell activity in a novel environment

PubMed Central

Epsztein, Jérôme; Brecht, Michael; Lee, Albert K.

2011-01-01

Summary For each environment a rodent has explored, its hippocampus contains a map consisting of a unique subset of neurons, called place cells, that have spatially-tuned spiking there, with the remaining neurons being essentially silent. Using whole-cell recording in freely moving rats exploring a novel maze, we observed differences in intrinsic cellular properties and input-based subthreshold membrane potential levels underlying this division into place and silent cells. Compared to silent cells, place cells had lower spike thresholds and peaked versus flat subthreshold membrane potentials as a function of animal location. Both differences were evident from the beginning of exploration. Additionally, future place cells exhibited higher burst propensity before exploration. Thus, internal settings appear to predetermine which cells will represent the next novel environment encountered. Furthermore, place cells fired spatially-tuned bursts with large, putatively calcium-mediated depolarizations that could trigger plasticity and stabilize the new map for long-term storage. Our results provide new insight into hippocampal memory formation. PMID:21482360

Collective Behavior of Place and Non-place Neurons in the Hippocampal Network.

PubMed

Meshulam, Leenoy; Gauthier, Jeffrey L; Brody, Carlos D; Tank, David W; Bialek, William

2017-12-06

Discussions of the hippocampus often focus on place cells, but many neurons are not place cells in any given environment. Here we describe the collective activity in such mixed populations, treating place and non-place cells on the same footing. We start with optical imaging experiments on CA1 in mice as they run along a virtual linear track and use maximum entropy methods to approximate the distribution of patterns of activity in the population, matching the correlations between pairs of cells but otherwise assuming as little structure as possible. We find that these simple models accurately predict the activity of each neuron from the state of all the other neurons in the network, regardless of how well that neuron codes for position. Our results suggest that understanding the neural activity may require not only knowledge of the external variables modulating it but also of the internal network state. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tectonic evolution of the NE section of the Pamir Plateau: New evidence from field observations and zircon U-Pb geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chuan-Lin; Zou, Hai-Bo; Ye, Xian-Tao; Chen, Xiang-Yan

2018-01-01

The Pamir Plateau at the western end of the India-Asia collision zone underwent long-term terrane drifting, accretion and collision between early Paleozoic and Mesozoic. However, the detailed evolution of this plateau, in particular, the timing of the Proto- and Palaeo-Tethys ocean subduction and closure, remains enigmatic. Here we report new field observations and zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of the representative rocks from the so-called Precambrian basement in the northeastern Pamir, i.e., the Bulunkuole Group. The rock associations of the Bulunkuole Group indicate volcano-sedimentary sequences with arc affinities. Geochronological data demonstrate that the deposition age of the Bulunkuole Group in the NE section of the Pamir was Middle to Late Cambrian (530-508 Ma) rather than Paleoproterozoic. The deposition age became progressively younger from south to north. The amphibolite- to granulite facies metamorphism of the Bulunkuole Group took place at ca. 200-180 Ma. Unlike the scenario in the Southern Kunlun terrane (SKT) in the eastern section of the West Kunlun Orogenic Belt (WKOB), early Paleozoic metamorphism (ca. 440 Ma) was absent in this area. Two phases of magmatic intrusions, composed of granites and minor gabbros with arc geochemical signatures, emplaced at 510-480 Ma and 240-200 Ma. The amphibolite (meta mafic sheet? 519 Ma) and the meta-rhyolite (508 Ma) have zircon εHf(t) values of 1.6 to 5.9 and - 1.5 to 1.4, respectively. The 511 Ma gneissic granite sheet and the 486 Ma gabbro have zircon εHf(t) values of - 0.1 to 2.4 and 1.3 to 3.6, respectively. Zircon εHf(t) of the 245 Ma augen gneissic granite sheet varies from - 2.2 to 2.0 whereas the metamorphic zircons from the amphibolite (193 Ma) and high-pressure mafic granulite sample (187 Ma) have negative εHf(t) values of - 5.3 to - 2 and - 15 to - 12, respectively. In line with rock association and the deposition age of the Bulunkuole Group and the Saitula Group in the eastern section of WKOB, we propose that both of them were accretionary wedge between the Tarim and Tianshuihai terrane formed during the Proto-Tethys ocean south- southwestward subduction (present orientation). The timing of deposition and metamorphism documents two distinct phases of arc magmatism and sedimentary basin evolution. This indicates that the Proto-Tethys ocean closed at ca. 440 Ma in the eastern section of WKOB whereas in the western section, a remnant of the Proto-Tethys ocean between the Tarim and the NE Pamir did not close till Late Triassic. This remnant ocean was filled by the Ordovician-Triassic sequences. The accretion between NE Pamir and the Central Pamir was completed by ca. 180 Ma as demonstrated by the metamorphic zircon U-Pb age of the high pressure mafic granulite in the NE Pamir.

Interfacial Ferromagnetism and Exchange Bias in CaRuO3/CaMnO3 Superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, C.; Grutter, A. J.; Gu, M.; Browning, N. D.; Takamura, Y.; Kirby, B. J.; Borchers, J. A.; Kim, J. W.; Fitzsimmons, M. R.; Zhai, X.; Mehta, V. V.; Wong, F. J.; Suzuki, Y.

2012-11-01

We have found ferromagnetism in epitaxially grown superlattices of CaRuO3/CaMnO3 that arises in one unit cell at the interface. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy indicate that the difference in magnitude of the Mn valence states between the center of the CaMnO3 layer and the interface region is consistent with double exchange interaction among the Mn ions at the interface. Polarized neutron reflectivity and the CaMnO3 thickness dependence of the exchange bias field together indicate that the interfacial ferromagnetism is only limited to one unit cell of CaMnO3 at each interface. The interfacial moment alternates between the 1μB/interface Mn ion for even CaMnO3 layers and the 0.5μB/interface Mn ion for odd CaMnO3 layers. This modulation, combined with the exchange bias, suggests the presence of a modulating interlayer coupling between neighboring ferromagnetic interfaces via the antiferromagnetic CaMnO3 layers.

Could an abdominal drainage be avoided in complicated acute appendicitis? Lessons learned after 1300 laparoscopic appendectomies.

PubMed

Schlottmann, Francisco; Reino, Romina; Sadava, Emmanuel E; Campos Arbulú, Ana; Rotholtz, Nicolás A

2016-12-01

Complicated appendicitis (CA) may be a risk factor for postoperative intra-abdominal abscess formation (IAA). In addition, several publications have shown an increased risk of postoperative collection after laparoscopic appendectomy. Most surgeons prefer to place a drain to collect contaminated abdominal fluid to prevent consequent abscess formation. We aimed to evaluate the utility of placing an intra-abdominal drain in laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated acute appendicitis. From January 2005 to June 2015 all charts of consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for CA were revised. CA was defined as a perforated appendix with associated peritonitis. The sample was divided into two groups, G1: intra-abdominal drain and G2: no drain. Demographics, operative factors and 30-day postoperative complications were analyzed. In the study period 1300 laparoscopic appendectomies were performed. Laparoscopic findings showed that 17.3% of the surgeries were for complicated acute appendicitis (225 patients). Fifty-six patients (25%) were in G1 and 169 patients (75%) in G2. No significant differences in clinical presentation and demographics were found (p: NS). G1 had an increased conversion rate (G1: 19.6% vs. G2: 7.1%; p: 0.007). No differences were found in the overall morbidity (G1: 32.1% vs. G2: 21.3%, p: NS). The rate of postoperative IAA was 14.2% in G1 and 8.9% in G2 (p: NS). Length of stay was higher in G1 (G1: 5.2 days vs. G2 2.9 days, p: 0.001). There was no mortality in either group. The placement of intra-abdominal drain in complicated acute appendicitis may not present benefits and may even lengthen hospital stay. These observations suggest that there is no need of using a drain in laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated acute appendicitis. Copyright © 2016 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hippocampal CA1 apical neuropil atrophy in mild Alzheimer disease visualized with 7-T MRI(Podcast)

PubMed Central

Kerchner, G.A.; Hess, C.P.; Hammond-Rosenbluth, K.E.; Xu, D.; Rabinovici, G.D.; Kelley, D.A.C.; Vigneron, D.B.; Nelson, S.J.; Miller, B.L.

2010-01-01

Objectives: In Alzheimer disease (AD), mounting evidence points to a greater role for synaptic loss than neuronal loss. Supporting this notion, multiple postmortem studies have demonstrated that the hippocampal CA1 apical neuropil is one of the earliest sites of pathology, exhibiting tau aggregates and then atrophy before there is substantial loss of the CA1 pyramidal neurons themselves. In this cross-sectional study, we tested whether tissue loss in the CA1 apical neuropil layer can be observed in vivo in patients with mild AD. Methods: We performed ultra-high-field 7-T MRI on subjects with mild AD (n = 14) and age-matched normal controls (n = 16). With a 2-dimensional T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo sequence that was easily tolerated by subjects, we obtained cross-sectional slices of the hippocampus at an in-plane resolution of 195 μm. Results: On images revealing the anatomic landmarks of hippocampal subfields and strata, we observed thinning of the CA1 apical neuropil in subjects with mild AD compared to controls. By contrast, the 2 groups exhibited no difference in the thickness of the CA1 cell body layer or of the entire CA1 subfield. Hippocampal volume, measured on a conventional T1-weighted sequence obtained at 3T, also did not differentiate these patients with mild AD from controls. Conclusions: CA1 apical neuropil atrophy is apparent in patients with mild AD. With its superior spatial resolution, 7-T MRI permits in vivo analysis of a very focal, early site of AD pathology. GLOSSARY AD = Alzheimer disease; CDR = Clinical Dementia Rating; DG = dentate gyrus; GRE = gradient-recalled echo; NC = normal control; PiB = Pittsburgh Compound B; SP = stratum pyramidale; SRLM = stratum radiatum and stratum lacunosum-moleculare; TIV = total intracranial volume. PMID:20938031

32. STUDIO VIEW OF PLAQUE PLACED ON MILL HOUSE AT ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

32. STUDIO VIEW OF PLAQUE PLACED ON MILL HOUSE AT TIME OF COMPLETION, COMMEMORATING EDWARD J. LUKE (SEE TEXT) - Sperry Corn Elevator Complex, Weber Avenue (North side), West of Edison Street, Stockton, San Joaquin County, CA

Evolution of magnetic properties of CaMn1-x Nb x O3 with Nb-doping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markovich, V.; Fita, I.; Wisniewski, A.; Puzniak, R.; Martin, C.; Mogilyansky, D.; Jung, G.; Gorodetsky, G.

2015-08-01

Magnetic and structural properties of Nb-doped CaMnO3 have been studied and the effect of doping with 0.02  ⩽  x  ⩽  0.1 has been investigated. Substitution of Nb5+ ion for the Mn4+ site of the parent matrix causes one-electron doping with the chemical formula \\text{CaMn}1-2x4+\\text{Mn}x3+\\text{Nb}x5+{{\\text{O}}3} , accompanied by a monotonous increase of the lattice parameters, unit-cell volume, average Mn-O bond distance and a decrease in Mn-O-Mn bond angle, with increasing x. Low temperature magnetic ground state of CaMn1-x Nb x O3 has been found to be dependent on niobium doping level. The ground magnetic state evolves from mostly antiferromagnetic, with a weak ferromagnetic component for x = 0.02-0.08, to charge ordered C-type antiferromagnetic state at x = 0.1. Spontaneous magnetization increases sharply with increasing doping level, approaches a maximal value of 4.1 emu g-1 at T = 10 K for x = 0.08, and then decreases rapidly to reach a very small value of 0.2 emu g-1 for x = 0.1. Anomalous negative magnetization behavior below the magnetic transition temperature has been observed for the compound with x = 0.04 in the field cooled magnetization and remanent dc magnetization measurements. Vertical and horizontal shifts of the hysteresis loop of the field cooled sample have been observed for CaMn0.9Nb0.1O3 as possible signatures of the exchange bias effect. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on dc magnetization for the sample with x  >  0.02 revealed a significant increase of the ferromagnetic phase volume under pressure, linked to progressive suppression of a negative magnetization in x = 0.04 sample.

Alkaline-earth metal carboxylates characterized by 43Ca and 87Sr solid-state NMR: impact of metal-amine bonding.

PubMed

Burgess, Kevin M N; Xu, Yang; Leclerc, Matthew C; Bryce, David L

2014-01-06

A series of calcium and strontium complexes featuring aryl carboxylate ligands has been prepared and characterized by alkaline-earth ((43)Ca and (87)Sr) solid-state NMR experiments in a magnetic field of 21.1 T. In the 11 compounds studied as part of this work, a range of coordination motifs are observed including nitrogen atom binding to Ca(2+) and Sr(2+), a binding mode which has not been investigated previously by (43)Ca or (87)Sr solid-state NMR. (43)Ca isotopic enrichment has enabled the full characterization of the (43)Ca electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shift tensors of the two calcium sites in calcium p-aminosalicylate (Ca(pams)), where both NMR interactions are affected by the presence of a nitrogen atom in the first coordination sphere of one of the metal sites. The (43)Ca isotropic chemical shift is sensitive to the Ca-N distance as exemplified by the NMR parameters of a second form of Ca(pams) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Studies of the strontium analogue, Sr(pams), confirm a similar sensitivity of the (87)Sr EFG tensor to the presence or absence of nitrogen in the first coordination sphere. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic (87)Sr NMR study of strontium complexes featuring organic ligands. The |CQ((87)Sr)| values are found to be sensitive to the coordination number about Sr(2+). In general, this work has also established a larger data set of reliable experimental |CQ((43)Ca)| values which correlate well with those obtained using gauge-including projector-augmented-wave (GIPAW) DFT calculations. It is found that the use of a recently recommended quadrupole moment for (43)Ca, -44.4 mbarn, improves the agreement with experimental values. This contribution lays the groundwork for the interpretation of (43)Ca and (87)Sr NMR spectra of more challenging systems, particularly where nitrogen-alkaline earth metal bonding is occurring.

Rearing-environment-dependent hippocampal local field potential differences in wild-type and inositol trisphosphate receptor type 2 knockout mice.

PubMed

Tanaka, Mika; Wang, Xiaowen; Mikoshiba, Katsuhiko; Hirase, Hajime; Shinohara, Yoshiaki

2017-10-15

Mice reared in an enriched environment are demonstrated to have larger hippocampal gamma oscillations than those reared in isolation, thereby confirming previous observations in rats. To test whether astrocytic Ca 2+ surges are involved in this experience-dependent LFP pattern modulation, we used inositol trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP 3 R2)-knockout (KO) mice, in which IP 3 /Ca 2+ signalling in astrocytes is largely diminished. We found that this experience-dependent gamma power alteration persists in the KO mice. Interestingly, hippocampal ripple events, the synchronized events critical for memory consolidation, are reduced in magnitude and frequency by both isolated rearing and IP 3 R2 deficiency. Rearing in an enriched environment (ENR) is known to enhance cognitive and memory abilities in rodents, whereas social isolation (ISO) induces depression-like behaviour. The hippocampus has been documented to undergo morphological and functional changes depending on these rearing environments. For example, rearing condition during juvenility alters CA1 stratum radiatum gamma oscillation power in rats. In the present study, hippocampal CA1 local field potentials (LFP) were recorded from bilateral CA1 in urethane-anaesthetized mice that were reared in either an ENR or ISO condition. Similar to previous findings in rats, gamma oscillation power during theta states was higher in the ENR group. Ripple events that occur during non-theta periods in the CA1 stratum pyramidale also had longer intervals in ISO mice. Because astrocytic Ca 2+ elevations play a key role in synaptic plasticity, we next tested whether these changes in LFP are also expressed in inositol trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP 3 R2)-knockout (KO) mice, in which astrocytic Ca 2+ elevations are largely diminished. We found that the gamma power was also higher in IP 3 R2-KO-ENR mice compared to IP 3 R2-KO-ISO mice, suggesting that the rearing-environment-dependent gamma power alteration does not necessarily require the astrocytic IP 3 /Ca 2+ pathway. By contrast, ripple events showed genotype-dependent changes, as well as rearing condition-dependent changes: ISO housing and IP 3 R2 deficiency both lead to longer inter-ripple intervals. Moreover, we found that ripple magnitude in the right CA1 tended to be smaller in IP 3 R2-KO. Because IP 3 R2-KO mice have been reported to have depression phenotypes, our results suggest that ripple events and the mood of animals may be broadly correlated. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2017 The Physiological Society.

Resistivity and magnetic susceptibility studies of Tl[sub m]Ca[sub n[minus]1]Ba[sub 2]Cu[sub n]O[sub y] before and after doping with LiF

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

El-Hamalawy, A.A.; El-Zaidia, M.M.; Ammar, A.A.

1993-04-01

Measurements of the superconducting resistance as a function of temperature were performed using the conventional four-probe method. The transition to complete superconductivity was recorded for samples of (Tl[sub 2]Ca[sub 2]Ba[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 10])[sub 100[minus]x]LiF[sub x] (2223) mixed with different LiF ratios x = 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12wt.%. It was found that the transition temperature T[sub c] was increased up to 5 wt.% of LiF. Further addition of LiF decreases T[sub c]. Therefore, 5 wt.% LiF is the optimum concentration giving a transition temperature of 130 K. Measurements of the superconducting resistance of all the samplesmore » except the (1111) compound show that the addition of 5 wt.% LiF increases T[sub c] and decreases the metastable phases. The real part of the a.c. magnetic susceptibility [chi][sub a.c.] is studied using a zero-field cooled mechanism. The temperature dependence of [chi][sub a.c.] for the prepared TlBaCaCuO having stoichiometric composition of (1111), (2223), (2234), and (3245) and that after doping with 5 wt.% LiF showed a broad feature. The transition to the complete diamagnetic state takes place in a broad transition region containing many transition steps, indicating the presence of metastable phases. The addition of LiF decreases the fluctuation in the transition region and its effect in reducing the number of multiphases. 29 refs., 10 refs.« less

Parallel emergence of stable and dynamic memory engrams in the hippocampus.

PubMed

Hainmueller, Thomas; Bartos, Marlene

2018-06-06

During our daily life, we depend on memories of past experiences to plan future behaviour. These memories are represented by the activity of specific neuronal groups or 'engrams' 1,2 . Neuronal engrams are assembled during learning by synaptic modification, and engram reactivation represents the memorized experience 1 . Engrams of conscious memories are initially stored in the hippocampus for several days and then transferred to cortical areas 2 . In the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, granule cells transform rich inputs from the entorhinal cortex into a sparse output, which is forwarded to the highly interconnected pyramidal cell network in hippocampal area CA3 3 . This process is thought to support pattern separation 4 (but see refs. 5,6 ). CA3 pyramidal neurons project to CA1, the hippocampal output region. Consistent with the idea of transient memory storage in the hippocampus, engrams in CA1 and CA2 do not stabilize over time 7-10 . Nevertheless, reactivation of engrams in the dentate gyrus can induce recall of artificial memories even after weeks 2 . Reconciliation of this apparent paradox will require recordings from dentate gyrus granule cells throughout learning, which has so far not been performed for more than a single day 6,11,12 . Here, we use chronic two-photon calcium imaging in head-fixed mice performing a multiple-day spatial memory task in a virtual environment to record neuronal activity in all major hippocampal subfields. Whereas pyramidal neurons in CA1-CA3 show precise and highly context-specific, but continuously changing, representations of the learned spatial sceneries in our behavioural paradigm, granule cells in the dentate gyrus have a spatial code that is stable over many days, with low place- or context-specificity. Our results suggest that synaptic weights along the hippocampal trisynaptic loop are constantly reassigned to support the formation of dynamic representations in downstream hippocampal areas based on a stable code provided by the dentate gyrus.

Calcium signaling in immune cells

PubMed Central

Vig, Monika; Kinet, Jean-Pierre

2010-01-01

Calcium acts as a second messenger in many cell types, including lymphocytes. Resting lymphocytes maintain a low concentration of Ca2+. However, engagement of antigen receptors induces calcium influx from the extracellular space by several routes. A chief mechanism of Ca2+ entry in lymphocytes is through store-operated calcium (SOC) channels. The identification of two important molecular components of SOC channels, CRACM1 (the pore-forming subunit) and STIM1 (the sensor of stored calcium), has allowed genetic and molecular manipulation of the SOC entry pathway. In this review, we highlight advances in the understanding of Ca2+ signaling in lymphocytes with special emphasis on SOC entry. We also discuss outstanding questions and probable future directions of the field. PMID:19088738

Preparation of Co3O4 conical nanotube and its application in calcium ion biosensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Hongwen; Ma, Chi; Geng, Junlong; Zhang, Liqiang; Cui, Hai; Liu, Cunzhi

2018-02-01

Calcium ion (Ca2+) is an important ion involved in body life activities, and its content detection in biomedical field owns great significance. In this study, we fabricated Co3O4 conical nanotube on F-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate for detecting Ca2+. Co3O4 is fabricated through a hydrothermal method and demonstrates a regular hexagon structure, with a length of 5-10 μm and wall thickness of 30 nm. The structure and morphology of Co3O4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. In addition, then, we used electrochemical technique to characterize the Ca2+ concentration in the simulated body fluid. The detection of Ca2+ is originated from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen peroxide using Co3O4 as a catalyst, in which Ca2+ plays a significant role for accelerating the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalytic performance. By monitoring the electron transfer signals changes during the electrochemical reaction, we can quickly quantify the Ca2+ concentrations. It is found that this Ca2+ sensor owns a wide detection range (0.1-1.1 mM), a low detection limit (3.767 μM), and good anti-interference ability.

Magnetisation studies of phase co-existence in Gd{sub 1-x}Ca{sub x}BaCo{sub 2}O{sub 5.5}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thirumurugan, N.; Bharathi, A., E-mail: bharathi@igcar.gov.in; Arulraj, A.

2012-04-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The series Gd{sub 1-x}Ca{sub x}BaCo{sub 2}O{sub 5.5} was synthesised by solid state reaction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetisation studies were carried out in the 4-300 K temperature range in magnetic fields upto 16 Tesla. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Results were used to formulate the T versus Ca fraction, phase diagram. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Evidence for Magnet-electronic phase separation is shown for the first time in the compound. -- Abstract: Magnetic properties of hole doped, oxygen deficient double perovskite compounds, Gd{sub 1-x}Ca{sub x}BaCo{sub 2}O{sub 5.5}, have been investigated. Ferromagnetic transition temperatures increase and the anti-ferromagnetic transition temperatures decrease with Ca substitution leading to stabilisation of ferromagnetisim formore » x {>=} 0.05. A detailed study of the ferromagnetic phase indicates the presence of double hysterisis loops for Ca fractions, 0.05 {<=} x {<=} 0.2 in the 50-200 K temperature range, suggestive of the co-existence of two ferromagnetic phases with different co-ercivities. Based on the magnetisation and transport measurements a phase diagram is proposed for Ca doped GdBaCo{sub 2}O{sub 5.5}.« less

Emergent 1d Ising Behavior in AN Elementary Cellular Automaton Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kassebaum, Paul G.; Iannacchione, Germano S.

The fundamental nature of an evolving one-dimensional (1D) Ising model is investigated with an elementary cellular automaton (CA) simulation. The emergent CA simulation employs an ensemble of cells in one spatial dimension, each cell capable of two microstates interacting with simple nearest-neighbor rules and incorporating an external field. The behavior of the CA model provides insight into the dynamics of coupled two-state systems not expressible by exact analytical solutions. For instance, state progression graphs show the causal dynamics of a system through time in relation to the system's entropy. Unique graphical analysis techniques are introduced through difference patterns, diffusion patterns, and state progression graphs of the 1D ensemble visualizing the evolution. All analyses are consistent with the known behavior of the 1D Ising system. The CA simulation and new pattern recognition techniques are scalable (in both dimension, complexity, and size) and have many potential applications such as complex design of materials, control of agent systems, and evolutionary mechanism design.

Synthesis of Bi.sub.1.8 Pb.sub.0.4 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x superconductor

DOEpatents

Smith, Michael G.

1996-01-01

Two-powder processes for the synthesis of superconducting (Bi, Pb)-2223/Ag-clad wires by the oxide-powder-in-the-robe are provided. The first precursor powder, of nominal stoichiometry CaCuO.sub.x, is a solution-synthesized mixture of Ca.sub.0.45 Cu.sub.0.55 O.sub.2 and CaO. Using these oxide precursor mixtures, superconducting tapes with well-aligned grains and reproducible critical current densities J.sub.c in the range of 20,000 to 26,000 A/cm.sup.2 at 75 K in self-field after annealing less than 200 hours were obtained.

Synthesis of Bi{sub 1.8}Pb{sub 0.4}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} superconductor

DOEpatents

Smith, M.G.

1996-10-29

Two-powder processes for the synthesis of superconducting (Bi, Pb)-2223/Ag-clad wires by the oxide-powder-in-the-robe are provided. The first precursor powder, of nominal stoichiometry CaCuO{sub x}, is a solution-synthesized mixture of Ca{sub 0.45}Cu{sub 0.55}O{sub 2} and CaO. Using these oxide precursor mixtures, superconducting tapes with well-aligned grains and reproducible critical current densities J{sub c} in the range of 20,000 to 26,000 A/cm{sup 2} at 75 K in self-field after annealing less than 200 hours were obtained. 2 figs.

Experimental identification of mechanisms controlling calcium isotopic fractionations by the vegetation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cobert, Florian; Schimtt, Anne-Désirée.; Bourgeade, Pascale; Stille, Peter; Chabaux, François; Badot, Pierre-Marie; Jaegler, Thomas

2010-05-01

This study aims to better understand the role of vegetation on the Ca cycle at the level of the critical zone of the Earth, in order to specify the mechanisms controlling the Ca absorption by plants at the rock/plant interface. To do this, we performed experiments using hydroponic plant cultures in a way that we could control the co-occuring geochemical and physiological process and determine the impact of the nutritive solution on the Ca cycle within plants. A dicotyledon and calcicole plant with rapid growth, the French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), has been chosen to have access to one complete growth cycle. Several experiments have been conducted with two Ca concentrations, 6 (L) and 60 (H) ppm and two pH values (4 and 6) in the nutritive solution, for which the Ca concentration was maintained constant, so its Ca content is considered as infinite. A second experiment (non infinite L6) allowed Ca depletion in the solution through time; therefore, response effects on the Ca isotopic signatures in the plant organs and in the nutritive solution were observed. We determined Ca concentrations and isotopic ratios in the nutritive solution and in different organs (main roots, secondary roots, old and young stems, old and young leaves and fruits) at two different growth stages (10 days and 6 weeks). Preliminary results show that: (1) the roots (main and secondary) were enriched in the light isotope (40Ca) compared to the nutritive solution, and leaves were enriched in the heavy isotope (44Ca) compared to stems. These results are in accord with previously published field studies (Wigand et al., 2005; Page et al., 2008; Cenki-Tok et al., 2009; Holmden and Bélanger, 2010). Leaves and secondary roots were however enriched in the heavy isotope (44Ca) compared to bean pods, stems and main roots. These results could be related to kinetic fractionation processes occurring either during the Ca root uptake, or during the Ca transport within the plant, or physiological mechanisms occurring first at the level of secondary roots, and second at the level of leaves. (2) No Ca isotope difference was observed neither between old and young organs, (except for H6 leaves), nor between the two growth stages (except for H6 roots). This suggest that the mechanisms controlling isotopic fractionations of Ca within common beans do not vary during growth, and that the nutrients stored in the cotyledons have only a minor effect on the Ca isotope fractionations of plants harvested after 10 days. (3) Strongest Ca isotope fractionations were observed at the nutritive solution/root interface. This implies that the mechanisms of light isotope enrichments in the plant are mainly due to transport processes taking place at this interface. (4) The non infinite L6 nutritive solution became enriched in 44Ca during the experiment compared to the infinite L6 nutritive solution and all the other solutions (L4, H4, and H6). This enrichment can be explained by Rayleigh fractionation or isotopic equilibrium. (5) Bean organs, from L4 and non infinite L6 experiment conditions, were enriched in 44Ca compared to stems and roots cultivated under H4, H6 and infinite L6 conditions. This might be due to the limited Ca in the nutritive solutions that cause smallest Ca isotope fractionations in the bean organs. All these results show that there is no simple correlation between Ca isotopic variations, Ca content and pH of the nutrient solution, and that physiological effects have also to be involved. They confirm the potential of the Ca isotopic system for tracing biological fractionations in natural ecosystems.

Critical current density of TlBa 2Ca 2Cu 3O 9 thin films on MgO (100) in magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piehler, A.; Ströbel, J. P.; Reschauer, N.; Löw, R.; Schönberger, R.; Renk, K. F.; Kraus, M.; Daniel, J.; Saemann-Ischenko, G.

1994-04-01

We report on the critical current density of TlBa 2Ca 2Cu 3O 9 thin films on (100) MgO substrates in magnetic fields. Single- phase and highly c-axis oriented thin films were prepared by laser ablation in combination with thermal evaporation of Tl 2O 3. Scanning electron microscope investigations indicated a flat plate-like microstructure and DC magnetization measurements showed the onset of superconductivity at ∼ 115 K. The critical current density jc was determined from magnetization cycles. Typical values of jc were 9 × 10 5 A/cm 2 at 6 K and 2.5 × 10 5 A/cm 2 at 77 K. In a magnetic field to 1 T applied parallel to the c-axis the critical current densities were 3 × 10 5 A/cm 2 at 6 K and 3 × 10 3 A/cm 2 at 77 K. The decrease of jc at higher magnetic fields is discussed and attributed to the microstructure of the TlBa 2Ca 2Cu 3O 9 thin films.

Evidence for a Specific Integrative Mechanism for Episodic Memory Mediated by AMPA/kainate Receptors in a Circuit Involving Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampal CA3 Region.

PubMed

de Souza Silva, Maria A; Huston, Joseph P; Wang, An-Li; Petri, David; Chao, Owen Yuan-Hsin

2016-07-01

We asked whether episodic-like memory requires neural mechanisms independent of those that mediate its component memories for "what," "when," and "where," and if neuronal connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPC) CA3 subregion is essential for episodic-like memory. Unilateral lesion of the mPFC was combined with unilateral lesion of the CA3 in the ipsi- or contralateral hemispheres in rats. Episodic-like memory was tested using a task, which assesses the integration of memories for "what, where, and when" concomitantly. Tests for novel object recognition (what), object place (where), and temporal order memory (when) were also applied. Bilateral disconnection of the mPFC-CA3 circuit by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) lesions disrupted episodic-like memory, but left the component memories for object, place, and temporal order, per se, intact. Furthermore, unilateral NMDA lesion of the CA3 plus injection of (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione) (CNQX) (AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist), but not AP-5 (NMDA receptor antagonist), into the contralateral mPFC also disrupted episodic-like memory, indicating the mPFC AMPA/kainate receptors as critical for this circuit. These results argue for a selective neural system that specifically subserves episodic memory, as it is not critically involved in the control of its component memories for object, place, and time. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A weak combined magnetic field changes root gravitropism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordyum, E. L.; Bogatina, N. I.; Kalinina, Ya. M.; Sheykina, N. V.

Although gravitropism has been studied for many decades, many questions on plant gravitropism, including the participation of Ca 2+ ions in graviperception and signal transduction, remain open and require new experiments. We have studied gravistimulation and root gravitropism in the presence of the weak, alternating magnetic field that consisted of a sinusoidal frequency of 32 Hz inside a μ-metal shield. We discovered that this field changes normally positively gravitropic cress root to exhibit negative gravitropism. Because the combined magnetic field was adjusted to the cyclotron frequency of Ca 2+ ions, the obtained data suggest that calcium ion participate in root gravitropism. Simultaneous application of the oscillating magnetic field of the same frequency ion induce oscillation of Ca 2+ ions and can change the rate and/or the direction of Ca 2+ ion flux in roots. Control and magnetic field-exposed roots were examined for change in the distribution of amyloplasts and cellular organelles by light, electron, and confocal laser microscopy.

Facilitation of memory encoding in primate hippocampus by a neuroprosthesis that promotes task-specific neural firing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hampson, Robert E.; Song, Dong; Opris, Ioan; Santos, Lucas M.; Shin, Dae C.; Gerhardt, Greg A.; Marmarelis, Vasilis Z.; Berger, Theodore W.; Deadwyler, Sam A.

2013-12-01

Objective. Memory accuracy is a major problem in human disease and is the primary factor that defines Alzheimer’s, ageing and dementia resulting from impaired hippocampal function in the medial temporal lobe. Development of a hippocampal memory neuroprosthesis that facilitates normal memory encoding in nonhuman primates (NHPs) could provide the basis for improving memory in human disease states. Approach. NHPs trained to perform a short-term delayed match-to-sample (DMS) memory task were examined with multi-neuron recordings from synaptically connected hippocampal cell fields, CA1 and CA3. Recordings were analyzed utilizing a previously developed nonlinear multi-input multi-output (MIMO) neuroprosthetic model, capable of extracting CA3-to-CA1 spatiotemporal firing patterns during DMS performance. Main results. The MIMO model verified that specific CA3-to-CA1 firing patterns were critical for the successful encoding of sample phase information on more difficult DMS trials. This was validated by the delivery of successful MIMO-derived encoding patterns via electrical stimulation to the same CA1 recording locations during the sample phase which facilitated task performance in the subsequent, delayed match phase, on difficult trials that required more precise encoding of sample information. Significance. These findings provide the first successful application of a neuroprosthesis designed to enhance and/or repair memory encoding in primate brain.

Facilitation of Memory Encoding in Primate Hippocampus by a Neuroprosthesis that Promotes Task Specific Neural Firing

PubMed Central

Hampson, Robert E.; Song, Dong; Opris, Ioan; Santos, Lucas M.; Shin, Dae C.; Gerhardt, Greg A.; Marmarelis, Vasilis Z.; Berger, Theodore W.; Deadwyler, Sam A.

2014-01-01

Objective Memory accuracy is a major problem in human disease and is the primary factor that defines Alzheimer’s’, aging and dementia resulting from impaired hippocampal function in medial temporal lobe. Development of a hippocampal memory neuroprosthesis that facilitates normal memory encoding in nonhuman primates (NHPs) could provide the basis for improving memory in human disease states. Approach NHPs trained to perform a short-term delayed match to sample (DMS) memory task were examined with multi-neuron recordings from synaptically connected hippocampal cell fields, CA1 and CA3. Recordings were analyzed utilizing a previously developed nonlinear multi-input multi-output (MIMO) neuroprosthetic model, capable of extracting CA3-to-CA1 spatiotemporal firing patterns during DMS performance. Main Results The MIMO model verified that specific CA3-to-CA1 firing patterns were critical for successful encoding of Sample phase information on more difficult DMS trials. This was validated by delivery of successful MIMO-derived encoding patterns via electrical stimulation to the same CA1 recording locations during the Sample phase which facilitated task performance in the subsequent delayed Match phase on difficult trials that required more precise encoding of Sample information. Significance These findings provide the first successful application of a neuroprosthesis designed to enhance and/or repair memory encoding in primate brain. PMID:24216292

PLACING DIAGONALS IN CENTER PANEL. View is northnorthwest from the ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

PLACING DIAGONALS IN CENTER PANEL. View is north-northwest from the old suspension bridge, looking at upstream side of new bridge - South Fork Trinity River Bridge, State Highway 299 spanning South Fork Trinity River, Salyer, Trinity County, CA

Neutron structure of human carbonic anhydrase II in complex with methazolamide: Mapping the solvent and hydrogen-bonding patterns of an effective clinical drug

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aggarwal, Mayank; Kovalevsky, Andrey Y.; Velazquez, Hector

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) catalyze the interconversion of CO 2 and HCO 3 –, and their inhibitors have long been used as diuretics and as a therapeutic treatment for many disorders such as glaucoma and epilepsy. Acetazolamide (AZM) and methazolamide (MZM, a methyl derivative of AZM) are two of the classical CA inhibitory drugs that have been used clinically for decades. The jointly refined X-ray/neutron structure of MZM in complex with human CA isoform II (hCA II) has been determined to a resolution of 2.2 Å with an R cryst of ~16.0%. Presented in this article, along with onlymore » the second neutron structure of a clinical drug-bound hCA, is an in-depth structural comparison and analyses of differences in hydrogen-bonding network, water-molecule orientation and solvent displacement that take place upon the binding of AZM and MZM in the active site of hCA II. Even though MZM is slightly more hydrophobic and displaces more waters than AZM, the overall binding affinity ( K i) for both of the drugs against hCA II is similar (~10 n M). The plausible reasons behind this finding have also been discussed using molecular dynamics and X-ray crystal structures of hCA II–MZM determined at cryotemperature and room temperature. Furthermore, this study not only allows a direct comparison of the hydrogen bonding, protonation states and solvent orientation/displacement of AZM and MZM, but also shows the significant effect that the methyl derivative has on the solvent organization in the hCA II active site.« less

Neutron structure of human carbonic anhydrase II in complex with methazolamide: Mapping the solvent and hydrogen-bonding patterns of an effective clinical drug

DOE PAGES

Aggarwal, Mayank; Kovalevsky, Andrey Y.; Velazquez, Hector; ...

2016-07-22

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) catalyze the interconversion of CO 2 and HCO 3 –, and their inhibitors have long been used as diuretics and as a therapeutic treatment for many disorders such as glaucoma and epilepsy. Acetazolamide (AZM) and methazolamide (MZM, a methyl derivative of AZM) are two of the classical CA inhibitory drugs that have been used clinically for decades. The jointly refined X-ray/neutron structure of MZM in complex with human CA isoform II (hCA II) has been determined to a resolution of 2.2 Å with an R cryst of ~16.0%. Presented in this article, along with onlymore » the second neutron structure of a clinical drug-bound hCA, is an in-depth structural comparison and analyses of differences in hydrogen-bonding network, water-molecule orientation and solvent displacement that take place upon the binding of AZM and MZM in the active site of hCA II. Even though MZM is slightly more hydrophobic and displaces more waters than AZM, the overall binding affinity ( K i) for both of the drugs against hCA II is similar (~10 n M). The plausible reasons behind this finding have also been discussed using molecular dynamics and X-ray crystal structures of hCA II–MZM determined at cryotemperature and room temperature. Furthermore, this study not only allows a direct comparison of the hydrogen bonding, protonation states and solvent orientation/displacement of AZM and MZM, but also shows the significant effect that the methyl derivative has on the solvent organization in the hCA II active site.« less

The perforant path projection to hippocampal area CA1 in the rat hippocampal-entorhinal cortex combined slice.

PubMed

Empson, R M; Heinemann, U

1995-05-01

1. The perforant path projection from layer III of the entorhinal cortex to CA1 of the hippocampus was studied within a hippocampal-entorhinal combined slice preparation. We prevented contamination from the other main hippocampal pathways by removal of CA3 and the dentate gyrus. 2. Initially the projection was mapped using field potential recordings that suggested an excitatory sink in stratum lacunosum moleculare with an associated source in stratum pyramidale. 3. However, recording intracellularly from CA1 cells, stimulation of the perforant path produced prominent fast GABAA and slow GABAB IPSPs often preceded by small EPSPs. In a small number of cells we observed EPSPs only. 4. CNQX blocked excitatory and inhibitory responses. This indicated the presence of an intervening excitatory synapse between the inhibitory interneurone and the pyramidal cell. 5. Focal bicuculline applications revealed that the major site of GABAA inhibitory input was to stratum radiatum of CA1. 6. The inhibition activated by the perforant path was very effective at reducing simultaneously activated Schaffer collateral mediated EPSPs and suprathreshold-stimulated action potentials. 7. Blockade of fast inhibition increased excitability and enhanced slow inhibition. Both increases relied upon the activation of NMDA receptors. 8. Perforant path inputs activated prominent and effective disynaptic inhibition of CA1 cells. This has significance for the output of hippocampal processing during normal behaviour and also under pathological conditions.

Phase separation enhanced magneto-electric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 ultra-thin films

PubMed Central

Alberca, A.; Munuera, C.; Azpeitia, J.; Kirby, B.; Nemes, N. M.; Perez-Muñoz, A. M.; Tornos, J.; Mompean, F. J.; Leon, C.; Santamaria, J.; Garcia-Hernandez, M.

2015-01-01

We study the origin of the magnetoelectric coupling in manganite films on ferroelectric substrates. We find large magnetoelectric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 ultra-thin films in experiments based on the converse magnetoelectric effect. The magnetization changes by around 30–40% upon applying electric fields on the order of 1 kV/cm to the BaTiO3 substrate, corresponding to magnetoelectric coupling constants on the order of α = (2–5)·10−7 s/m. Magnetic anisotropy is also affected by the electric field induced strain, resulting in a considerable reduction of coercive fields. We compare the magnetoelectric effect in pre-poled and unpoled BaTiO3 substrates. Polarized neutron reflectometry reveals a two-layer behavior with a depressed magnetic layer of around 30 Å at the interface. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) shows a granular magnetic structure of the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3. The magnetic granularity of the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 film and the robust magnetoelastic coupling at the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 interface are at the origin of the large magnetoelectric coupling, which is enhanced by phase separation in the manganite. PMID:26648002

Evaluation of ex-vivo 9.4T MRI in post-surgical specimens from temporal lobe epilepsy patients.

PubMed

Kwan, Benjamin Y M; Salehi, Fateme; Kope, Ryan; Lee, Donald H; Sharma, Manas; Hammond, Robert; Burneo, Jorge G; Steven, David; Peters, Terry; Khan, Ali R

2017-10-01

This study evaluates hippocampal pathology through usage of ultra-high field 9.4T ex-vivo imaging of resected surgical specimens in patients who have undergone temporal lobe epilepsy surgery. This is a retrospective interpretation of prospectively acquired data. MRI scanning of resected surgical specimens from patients who have undergone temporal lobe epilepsy surgery was performed on a 9.4T small bore Varian MR magnet. Structural images employed a balanced steady-state free precession sequence (TrueFISP). Six patients (3 females; 3 males) were included in this study with an average age at surgery of 40.7 years (range 20Y_"60) (one was used as a control reference). Two neuroradiologists qualitatively reviewed the ex-vivo MRIs of resected specimens while blinded to the histopathology reports for the ability to identify abnormal features in hippocampal subfield structures. The hippocampal subfields were reliably identified on the 9.4T ex-vivo scans in the hippocampal head region and hippocampal body region by both neuroradiologists in all 6 patients. There was high concordance to pathology for abnormalities detected in the CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4 subfields. Detection of abnormalities in the dentate gyrus was also high with detection in 4 of 5 cases. The Cohen's kappa between the two neuroradiologists was calculated at 0.734 SE=0.102. Ex-vivo 9.4T specimen imaging can detect abnormalities in CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4 and DG in both the hippocampal head and body. There was good concordance between qualitative findings and histopathological abnormalities for CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4 and DG. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

76 FR 5201 - Notice of Realty Action: Competitive Sale of Public Lands in Monterey County, CA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-28

... sale should be sent to the Field Manager, BLM Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA... will be provided an opportunity to submit supplemental bids. The BLM Hollister Field Office Manager... Management (BLM), Hollister Field Office, proposes to sell two separate parcels of public land totaling 80...

Spin frustration and magnetic ordering in triangular lattice antiferromagnet Ca3CoNb2O9

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Jia; Zhou, Ping; Wang, Peng-Shuai; Pang, Fei; Munsie, Tim J.; Luke, Graeme M.; Zhang, Jin-Shan; Yu, Wei-Qiang

2015-12-01

We synthesized a quasi-two-dimensional distorted triangular lattice antiferromagnet Ca3CoNb2O9, in which the effective spin of Co2+ is 1/2 at low temperatures, whose magnetic properties were studied by dc susceptibility and magnetization techniques. The x-ray diffraction confirms the quality of our powder samples. The large Weiss constant θCW˜ -55 K and the low Neel temperature TN˜ 1.45 K give a frustration factor f = | θCW/TN | ≈ 38, suggesting that Ca3CoNb2O9 resides in strong frustration regime. Slightly below TN, deviation between the susceptibility data under zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) is observed. A new magnetic state with 1/3 of the saturate magnetization Ms is suggested in the magnetization curve at 0.46 K. Our study indicates that Ca3CoNb2O9 is an interesting material to investigate magnetism in triangular lattice antiferromagnets with weak anisotropy. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11374364 and 11222433), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2011CBA00112). Research at McMaster University supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Work at North China Electric Power University supported by the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry.

Growth of (Y1-x Ca x )Ba2Cu4O8 in ambient pressure and its tri-axial magnetic alignment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horii, S.; Yamaki, M.; Shimoyama, J.; Kishio, K.; Doi, T.

2015-10-01

We report the growth of single crystals in ambient pressure and tri-axial orientation under modulated rotation magnetic fields (MRFs) for (Y1-x Ca x )Ba2Cu4O8 [(Y1-x Ca x )124] with x ≤ 0.1. Rectangular (Y1-x Ca x )124 crystals approximately 50 μm in size have been successfully grown for x ≤ 0.1 in a growth temperature region from 650 °C to 750 °C. Their critical temperatures increased with x and exhibited approximately 91 K for x = 0.1. By applying an MRF of 10 T, pulverised powders of (Y1-x Ca x )124 were tri-axially aligned in epoxy resin at room temperature in a whole x region below x = 0.1. The magnitude relationship of the magnetic susceptibilities (χ) along crystallographic directions for (Y1-x Ca x )124 was χ c > χ a > χ b at room temperature and was unchanged with a change in x. From changes in the degrees of the c-axis and the in-plane orientation (Δω) for the (Y1-x Ca x )124 powder samples aligned under three different MRF conditions, it was found that MRFs above at least 1 T were required to achieve almost complete tri-axial alignment with Δω < 5°. Irreversibility lines for H//c were successfully determined even from the powder samples by the introduction of magnetic alignment without using single crystalline samples. The present study indicates that magnetic alignment is a useful process for the fabrication of quasi-single-crystals from the perspective of solid-state physics and the production of cuprate superconducting materials.

Calcium signaling in liver.

PubMed

Gaspers, Lawrence D; Thomas, Andrew P

2005-01-01

In hepatocytes, hormones linked to the formation of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) evoke transient increases or spikes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i), that increase in frequency with the agonist concentration. These oscillatory Ca2+ signals are thought to transmit the information encoded in the extracellular stimulus to down-stream Ca2+-sensitive metabolic processes. We have utilized both confocal and wide field fluorescence microscopy techniques to study the InsP3-dependent signaling pathway at the cellular and subcellular levels in the intact perfused liver. Typically InsP3-dependent [Ca2+]i spikes manifest as Ca2+ waves that propagate throughout the entire cytoplasm and nucleus, and in the intact liver these [Ca2+]i increases are conveyed through gap junctions to encompass entire lobular units. The translobular movement of Ca2+ provides a means to coordinate the function of metabolic zones of the lobule and thus, liver function. In this article, we describe the characteristics of agonist-evoked [Ca2+]i signals in the liver and discuss possible mechanisms to explain the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves in the intact organ.

Organic wastes from bioenergy and ecological sanitation as soil fertility improver: a field experiment in a tropical Andosol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krause, A.; Nehls, T.; George, E.; Kaupenjohann, M.

2015-11-01

Andosols require the regular application of phosphorus (P) to sustain crop productivity. In a practice oriented field experiment at an Andosol site in NW Tanzania, the effects of various soil amendments (standard compost, urine, biogas slurry and CaSa-compost [biochar and sanitized human excreta]) on (i) the productivity of locally grown crop species, on (ii) the plants' nutrient status and on (iii) the soil's physico-chemical properties were studied. None of the amendments had any significant effect on soil moisture, so the observed variation in crop yield and plant nutrition reflected differences in nutrient availability. The application of CaSa-compost increased the level of available P in the top-soil from 0.5 to 4.4 mg kg-1 and the soil pH from 5.3 to 5.9. Treatment with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost increased the above-ground biomass of Zea mays by, respectively, 140, 154 and 211 %. The grain yields of maize on soil treated with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost were, respectively, 2.63, 3.18 and 4.40 t ha-1, compared to only 1.10 t ha-1 on unamended plots. All treatments enhanced crop productivity and increased the uptake of nutrients into the maize grains. The CaSa-compost was especially effective in mitigating P deficiency and soil acidification. We conclude that all treatments are viable as substitute for synthetic fertilizers. However, further steps are required to integrate the tested soil amendments into farm-scale nutrient management and to balance the additions and removals of nutrients, so that the loop can be closed.

A systematic quantitative approach to rational drug design and discovery of novel human carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors.

PubMed

Sethi, Kalyan K; Verma, Saurabh M

2014-08-01

Drug design involves the design of small molecules that are complementary in shape and charge to the biomolecular target with which they interact and therefore will bind to it. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies were performed for a series of carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) techniques with the help of SYBYL 7.1 software. The large set of 36 different aromatic/heterocyclic sulfamates carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors, such as hCA IX, was chosen for this study. The conventional ligand-based 3D-QSAR studies were performed based on the low energy conformations employing database alignment rule. The ligand-based model gave q(2) values 0.802 and 0.829 and r(2) values 1.000 and 0.994 for CoMFA and CoMSIA, respectively, and the predictive ability of the model was validated. The predicted r(2) values are 0.999 and 0.502 for CoMFA and CoMSIA, respectively. SEA (steric, electrostatic, hydrogen bond acceptor) of CoMSIA has the significant contribution for the model development. The docking of inhibitors into hCA IX active site using Glide XP (Schrödinger) software revealed the vital interactions and binding conformation of the inhibitors. The CoMFA and CoMSIA field contour maps are well in agreement with the structural characteristics of the binding pocket of hCA IX active site, which suggests that the information rendered by 3D-QSAR models and the docking interactions can provide guidelines for the development of improved hCA IX inhibitors as leads for various types of metastatic cancers including those of cervical, renal, breast and head and neck origin.

Calcinated egg shell as a candidate of biosecurity enhancement material

PubMed Central

OTA, Mari; TOYOFUKU, Chiharu; THAMMAKARN, Chanathip; SANGSRIRATANAKUL, Natthanan; YAMADA, Masashi; NAKAJIMA, Katsuhiro; KITAZAWA, Minori; HAKIM, Hakimullah; ALAM, Md. Shahin; SHOHAM, Dany; TAKEHARA, Kazuaki

2016-01-01

Calcinated egg shell (Egg-CaO), of which the main component is calcium oxide, was evaluated in the forms of powder and aqueous solutions for their efficacies as disinfectants against avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Salmonella Infantis and Escherichia coli. Egg-CaO powder inactivated these viruses within 3 min in the presence of 33% of fetal bovine serum (FBS). In Egg-CaO solutions, except AIV, all pathogens were inactivated within 1 hr, even in the presence of 5% of FBS. Without FBS, all pathogens, except AIV, were inactivated within 3 min, and AIV within 1 hr. In addition, persistence of virucidal activity against AIV and NDV of Egg-CaO powder was confirmed after exposure to sunlight for 2 weeks or resuspension with water for 7 times, simulating field harsh environments. Chick growth test was conducted to ensure the safety of the use of Egg-CaO powder in chicken cages and showed that it is safe to add Egg-CaO in litter or feed. In conclusion, Egg-CaO can be useful for the enhancement of biosecurity at farms. PMID:26854110

Carbachol-induced long-term synaptic depression is enhanced during senescence at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses.

PubMed

Kumar, Ashok

2010-08-01

Dysregulation of the cholinergic transmitter system is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and contributes to an age-associated decline in memory performance. The current study examined the influence of carbachol, a cholinergic receptor agonist, on synaptic transmission over the course of aging. Extracellular excitatory postsynaptic field potentials were recorded from CA3-CA1 synapses in acute hippocampal slices obtained from young adult (5-8 mo) and aged (22-24 mo) male Fischer 344 rats. Bath application of carbachol elicited a transient depression of synaptic transmission, which was followed by a long-lasting depression (CCh-LTD) observed 90 min after carbachol cessation in both age groups. However, the magnitude of CCh-LTD was significantly larger in senescent animals and was attenuated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade in aged animals. Blockade of L-type Ca(2+) channels inhibited CCh-LTD to a greater extent in aged animals compared to young adults. Finally, the expression of CCh-LTD was dependent on protein synthesis. The results indicate that altered Ca(2+) homeostasis or muscarinic activation of Ca(2+) signaling contribute to the enhanced CCh-LTD during senescence.

Feasibility of e-paper made with cellulose

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, K. H.; Han, K. J.; Chen, Yi; Kang, K. S.; Kim, Jaehwan

2008-03-01

Cellulose is a beneficial material that has low cost, light weight, high compatibility, and biodegradability. Recently electro-active paper (EAPap) composed with cellulose was discovered as a smart material for application to variety industrial fields such as smart wall-paper, actuator, and magic carpet. It also exhibited actuator property through ion migration and piezoelectric effect. Since cellulose acetate (CA) film has optically transparent property, we focused on optical field application, such as electronic paper, prismsheet, and polarized film. Since CA can be easily dissolved in variety of organic solvent, various weight % (from 1 to 25 wt. %) of CA solution in acetone was prepared. Polydimethylsilane (PDMS) master pattern was fabricated on the silicone wafer. CA solution was poured to the master mold and dried using spin-coating or tape casting method. Various shape and height patterns, such as circle, honeycomb, and rectangular patterns were fabricated using 12 wt. % CA solution. The resulting pattern showed uniform size in the large area without defect. These patterns can be utilized as a substrate and cell pattern for the electronic paper. To investigate saponification (SA) effect to convert CA to regenerated cellulose, CA film was immersed into the sodium methoxide solution in methanol for various times. The fabricated CA films were stretched and immersed into the sodium methoxide solution in methanol to desubstitute the acetate group. These regenerated cellulose films have larger mechanical strength than CA films. Although the UV-visible transmittance was decreased as increasing SA time, the transmittance of the further SA process and stretched film backed up near untreated CA film. Although the cross-sectional image of the saponified and unstretched CA film did not have specific directional structure, the cross-sectional FESEM image of the saponified and stretched CA film had one directional fiber structure. The fiber was aligned to the stretched direction. Most of the compositions were one directional ordered nanofibers having diameter of approximately 30nm.

Experimental investigation of condensation predictions for dust-enriched systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ustunisik, Gokce; Ebel, Denton S.; Walker, David; Boesenberg, Joseph S.

2014-10-01

Condensation models describe the equilibrium distribution of elements between coexisting phases (mineral solid solutions, silicate liquid, and vapor) in a closed chemical system, where the vapor phase is always present, using equations of state of the phases involved at a fixed total pressure (<1 bar) and temperature (T). The VAPORS code uses a CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CMAS) liquid model at T above the stability field of olivine, and the MELTS thermodynamics algorithm at lower T. Quenched high-T crystal + liquid assemblages are preserved in meteorites as Type B Ca-, Al-rich inclusions (CAIs), and olivine-rich ferromagnesian chondrules. Experimental tests of compositional regions within 100 K of the predicted T of olivine stability may clarify the nature of the phases present, the phase boundaries, and the partition of trace elements among these phases. Twenty-three Pt-loop equilibrium experiments in seven phase fields on twelve bulk compositions at specific T and dust enrichment factors tested the predicted stability fields of forsteritic olivine (Mg2SiO4), enstatite (MgSiO3), Cr-bearing spinel (MgAl2O4), perovskite (CaTiO3), melilite (Ca2Al2SiO7-Ca2Mg2Si2O7) and/or grossite (CaAl4O7) crystallizing from liquid. Experimental results for forsterite, enstatite, and grossite are in very good agreement with predictions, both in chemistry and phase abundances. On the other hand the stability of spinel with olivine, and stability of perovskite and gehlenite are quite different from predictions. Perovskite is absent in all experiments. Even at low oxygen fugacity (IW-3.4), the most TiO2-rich experiments do not crystallize Al-, Ti-bearing calcic pyroxene. The stability of spinel and olivine together is limited to a smaller phase field than is predicted. The melilite stability field is much larger than predicted, indicating a deficiency of current liquid or melilite activity models. In that respect, these experiments contribute to improving the data for calibrating thermodynamic models including MELTS.

Visualizing dopamine released from living cells using a nanoplasmonic probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, W. W.; Wang, S. P.; Li, J.; Peng, T. H.; Xu, Y.; Wang, K.; Shi, J. Y.; Fan, C. H.; Li, D.

2015-09-01

We report the development of an ultrasensitive nanoplasmonic probe for discriminative detection and imaging of dopamine released from living cells. The sensing mechanism is based on the dopamine-induced seeded-growth of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) that leads to the shift of the plasmon band. This platform allows for the detection of dopamine with a detection limit down to 0.25 pM within 1 min. This nanoplasmonic assay is further applied to visualize the release of dopamine from living rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells under ATP-stimulation with dark-field microscopy (DFM). The DFM results together with real time fluorescence imaging of PC12 cells stained with the Fluo calcium indicator, suggested that ATP stimulated-release of dopamine is concomitant with the Ca2+ influx, and the influx of Ca2+ is through ATP-activated channels instead of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGC).We report the development of an ultrasensitive nanoplasmonic probe for discriminative detection and imaging of dopamine released from living cells. The sensing mechanism is based on the dopamine-induced seeded-growth of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) that leads to the shift of the plasmon band. This platform allows for the detection of dopamine with a detection limit down to 0.25 pM within 1 min. This nanoplasmonic assay is further applied to visualize the release of dopamine from living rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells under ATP-stimulation with dark-field microscopy (DFM). The DFM results together with real time fluorescence imaging of PC12 cells stained with the Fluo calcium indicator, suggested that ATP stimulated-release of dopamine is concomitant with the Ca2+ influx, and the influx of Ca2+ is through ATP-activated channels instead of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGC). Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fig. S1-S4 and Table S1. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr04433b

Zebrafish Mef2ca and Mef2cb are essential for both first and second heart field cardiomyocyte differentiation

PubMed Central

Hinits, Yaniv; Pan, Luyuan; Walker, Charline; Dowd, John; Moens, Cecilia B.; Hughes, Simon M.

2013-01-01

Summary Mef2 transcription factors have been strongly linked with early heart development. D-mef2 is required for heart formation in Drosophila, but whether Mef2 is essential for vertebrate cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation is unclear. In mice, although Mef2c is expressed in all CMs, targeted deletion of Mef2c causes lethal loss of second heart field (SHF) derivatives and failure of cardiac looping, but first heart field CMs can differentiate. Here we examine Mef2 function in early heart development in zebrafish. Two Mef2c genes exist in zebrafish, mef2ca and mef2cb. Both are expressed similarly in the bilateral heart fields but mef2cb is strongly expressed in the heart poles at the primitive heart tube stage. By using fish mutants for mef2ca and mef2cb and antisense morpholinos to knock down either or both Mef2cs, we show that Mef2ca and Mef2cb have essential but redundant roles in myocardial differentiation. Loss of both Mef2ca and Mef2cb function does not interfere with early cardiogenic markers such as nkx2.5, gata4 and hand2 but results in a dramatic loss of expression of sarcomeric genes and myocardial markers such as bmp4, nppa, smyd1b and late nkx2.5 mRNA. Rare residual CMs observed in mef2ca;mef2cb double mutants are ablated by a morpholino capable of knocking down other Mef2s. Mef2cb over-expression activates bmp4 within the cardiogenic region, but no ectopic CMs are formed. Surprisingly, anterior mesoderm and other tissues become skeletal muscle. Mef2ca single mutants have delayed heart development, but form an apparently normal heart. Mef2cb single mutants have a functional heart and are viable adults. Our results show that the key role of Mef2c in myocardial differentiation is conserved throughout the vertebrate heart. PMID:22750409

Assessment of radio frequency exposures in schools, homes, and public places in Belgium.

PubMed

Verloock, Leen; Joseph, Wout; Goeminne, Francis; Martens, Luc; Verlaek, Mart; Constandt, Kim

2014-12-01

Characterization of exposure from emerging radio frequency (RF) technologies in areas where children are present is important. Exposure to RF electromagnetic fields (EMF) was assessed in three "sensitive" microenvironments; namely, schools, homes, and public places located in urban environments and compared to exposure in offices. In situ assessment was conducted by performing spatial broadband and accurate narrowband measurements, providing 6-min averaged electric-field strengths. A distinction between internal (transmitters that are located indoors) and external (outdoor sources from broadcasting and telecommunication) sources was made. Ninety-four percent of the broadband measurements were below 1 V m(-1). The average and maximal total electric-field values in schools, homes, and public places were 0.2 and 3.2 V m(-1) (WiFi), 0.1 and 1.1 V m(-1) (telecommunication), and 0.6 and 2.4 V m(-1) (telecommunication), respectively, while for offices, average and maximal exposure were 0.9 and 3.3 V m(-1) (telecommunication), satisfying the ICNIRP reference levels. In the schools considered, the highest maximal and average field values were due to internal signals (WiFi). In the homes, public places, and offices considered, the highest maximal and average field values originated from telecommunication signals. Lowest exposures were obtained in homes. Internal sources contributed on average more indoors (31.2%) than outdoors (2.3%), while the average contributions of external sources (broadcast and telecommunication sources) were higher outdoors (97.7%) than at indoor positions (68.8%). FM, GSM, and UMTS dominate the total downlink exposure in the outdoor measurements. In indoor measurements, FM, GSM, and WiFi dominate the total exposure. The average contribution of the emerging technology LTE was only 0.6%.

Disappearance of Ising nature in Ca3ZnMnO6 studied by high-field ESR.

PubMed

Ruan, M Y; Ouyang, Z W; Guo, Y M; Cheng, J J; Sun, Y C; Xia, Z C; Rao, G H; Okubo, S; Ohta, H

2014-06-11

High-field electron spin resonance measurements of an antiferromagnet Ca3ZnMnO6 isostructure, with the Ising-chain multiferroic Ca3CoMnO6, have been carried out. Two distinct resonance modes were observed below TN = 25 K, which is well explained by conventional antiferromagnetic resonance theory with easy-plane anisotropy. The zero-field spin gap is derived to be about 166 GHz, originating from the easy-plane anisotropy and exchange interaction. Our result suggests that the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction, which may induce spin canting, is absent. Disappearance of Ising anisotropy in Ca3ZnMnO6 suggests that the Co(4+) ion, as well as the Co-Mn superexchange, plays an important role for the Ising nature in Ca3CoMnO6.

Interaction between harmane, a class of β-carboline alkaloids, and the CA1 serotonergic system in modulation of memory acquisition.

PubMed

Nasehi, Mohammad; Ghadimi, Fatemeh; Khakpai, Fatemeh; Zarrindast, Mohammad-Reza

2017-09-01

This study set to assess the involvement of dorsal hippocampus (CA1) serotonergic system on harmane induced memory acquisition deficit. We used one trial step-down inhibitory avoidancetask to evaluate memory retention and then, open field test to evaluate locomotor activity in adult male NMRI mice. The results showed that pre-training intra-peritoneal (i.p.) administration of harmane (12mg/kg) induced impairment of memory acquisition. Pre-training intra-CA1 administration of 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist (CP94253; 0.5 and 5ng/mouse) and 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptor agonist (α-methyl 5-HT; 50ng/mouse) impaired memory acquisition. Furthermore, intra-CA1 administration of 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist (GR127935; 0.5ng/mouse) and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist (cinancerine; 5ng/mouse) improved memory acquisition. In addition, pre-training intra-CA1 injection of sub-threshold dose of CP94253 (0.05ng/mouse) and α-methyl 5-HT (5ng/mouse) potentiated impairment of memory acquisition induced by harmane (12mg/kg, i.p.). On the other hand, pre-training intra-CA1 infusion of sub-threshold dose of GR127935 (0.05ng/mouse) and cinancerine (0.5ng/mouse) with the administration of harmane (12mg/kg, i.p.) weakened impairment of memory acquisition. Moreover, all above doses of drugs did not change locomotor activity. The present findings suggest that there is an interaction between harmane and the CA1 serotonergic system in modulation of memory acquisition. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.

High Resolution Glacial-interglacial Climatic Variations in the South China Sea during the Last 220,000 Years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, K.; You, C.; Li, M.; Shieh, Y.

2002-12-01

The Asian monsoon plays an important role of both regional and global climatic variations. The South China Sea (SCS) located between Southeast Asia continent and Western Pacific Ocean is an ideal place for studying oceanographic responses and changes of monsoon system in the past. Planktonic foraminiferal shells separated from two deep sea cores, ODP Site 1144 and SCS 15B, located near the northeast continental slope and the central ocean basin respectively were used to reconstruct high-resolution climatic records during the last 220 kyrs. Average of 20 individual foraminiferal shells were hand picked and cleaned thoroughly for high precision trace element/calcium ratios (i.e., Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Ba/Ca) determination using a Thermo-Fannigan Element II ICP-MS installed at NCKU. Isotopic compositions of oxygen, carbon, boron and strontium also were measured by stable isotope ratio or Triton TI thermal ionization mass spectrometer. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca in foraminiferal shells are sensitive proxies for sea surface temperature, chemical weathering and hydrothermal activity on seafloor. The SCS foraminiferal shells Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca show negative correlation with interesting glacial-interglacial variations. The calculated Mg/Ca SSTs varied as large as 6-7 °C with the highest temperature occurred at oxygen stage 5. The Sr/Ca ratios change about 16 % (1.200-1.429 mmole/mole), possibly a result of periodic sea level changes which influencing terrigenous inputs or continental shelves weathering. On the other hand, the Ba/Ca display large variations (0.031-0.117 mmole/mole), possibly reflecting upwelling intensity or SCS bottom water chemistry. The boron isotopic compositions in planktonic foraminiferal shells are used to estimate pH in the surface ocean. Combining these proxies, high-resolution oceanic environmental records in the SCS were reconstructed for the last 220 kyrs. The results obtained from the SCS can be used to gain a better understanding of land-sea interaction in this region.

Evidence for Water-Mass Changes on the Tasmanian Slope during the Early Miocene (19-16.5 Ma): Stable Isotope and Mg/Ca Records from ODP Leg 189 Site 1168

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pekar, S. F.; Marchitto, T. M.; Lynch-Steiglitz, J.

2002-12-01

High-resolution stable isotope (4-10 k.y. resolution) and moderately low-resolution Mg/Ca ratio records were constructed for the late early Miocene (19-16.5 Ma) from ODP Leg 189 Site 1168, located on the southwest slope of Tasmania. These records evaluated paleoceanographic changes that took place during isotopic excursions Mi1b (18.2-17.8 Ma) and Mi2 (16.5 Ma), and the First Climatic Optimum (17.7-16.7 Ma), a time of increased global warmth. Evidence exists that supports the idea for the development of warm saline deep waters (WSDW) originating from the eastern end of the Tethys Sea during the early Miocene. However, questions remain regarding the extent and strength of the WSDW and the possible role it played in the warming that took place during the First Climatic Optimum. Site 1168 is ideally located on the lower slope (estimates place it in lower bathyal waters during the early Miocene) to evaluate the potential penetration of WSDW and into the Southern Ocean. Large fluctuations in the isotope and Mg/Ca ratio records from Site 1168 suggest changes in the water masses that bathed the Tasmanian slope during the early Miocene. Temperature estimates based on Mg/Ca ratios contain a surprisingly high range, from 4° to 10° C. Low temperatures (4°-6° C) are associated with high carbon isotope values (>1.4‰ ) and are interpreted represent Southern Component Waters (SCW). The high carbon isotope values also suggest a proximal source for SCW. High water temperatures (7°-10° C) indicate a warm-water mass and are interpreted to be due to the penetration of WSDW into this area, replacing SCW at various times. Large high-frequency isotopic excursions (low oxygen and carbon isotope values) occurred between 18.7 and 18.4 Ma and were originally thought to be due to either localized effects (e.g., disassociation of hydrates) or possible diagensis. However, a recently published high-resolution isotopic record from the Southern Ocean (Site 1090) also contains large isotopic excursions (e.g., >1‰ decrease in oxygen isotope values) at this time, suggesting that these events may not due to diagensis but may be transient global events. We interpret that the changes observed in the isotopic and Mg/Ca ratio records are the result of both changes in the cryosphere and water-mass changes in the vicinity of Tasmania, the latter being due to the penetration of WSDW into the Southern Ocean.

Collected Reprints-1975. Volume I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-02-01

ces ca u sed b y iiic reased sea state in (lie stretch variable (~ ) from cu rrent . ‘ 1(b~ + Ka ) - D, V1”In order to grap h i ca ll y disp lay...mw) and similarly those values of (800- I IOU mini ) is all constrained w DN < (DN — Ka ) are clipped. Equation 0~ DiV~ (0-O. 29 mW cm 2 sr~ ). The low...York . 1 1)4 pgs . vice , NAS ..\\ (‘R-l 333115: 1-73 -I (1”4~~ . Spring- Ka h l e , K. ( 19 3 8) , ‘I tin Ils’ drol. Mari n e M i t , 66. field , Va

Imaging Local Ca2+ Signals in Cultured Mammalian Cells

PubMed Central

Lock, Jeffrey T.; Ellefsen, Kyle L.; Settle, Bret; Parker, Ian; Smith, Ian F.

2015-01-01

Cytosolic Ca2+ ions regulate numerous aspects of cellular activity in almost all cell types, controlling processes as wide-ranging as gene transcription, electrical excitability and cell proliferation. The diversity and specificity of Ca2+ signaling derives from mechanisms by which Ca2+ signals are generated to act over different time and spatial scales, ranging from cell-wide oscillations and waves occurring over the periods of minutes to local transient Ca2+ microdomains (Ca2+ puffs) lasting milliseconds. Recent advances in electron multiplied CCD (EMCCD) cameras now allow for imaging of local Ca2+ signals with a 128 x 128 pixel spatial resolution at rates of >500 frames sec-1 (fps). This approach is highly parallel and enables the simultaneous monitoring of hundreds of channels or puff sites in a single experiment. However, the vast amounts of data generated (ca. 1 Gb per min) render visual identification and analysis of local Ca2+ events impracticable. Here we describe and demonstrate the procedures for the acquisition, detection, and analysis of local IP3-mediated Ca2+ signals in intact mammalian cells loaded with Ca2+ indicators using both wide-field epi-fluorescence (WF) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Furthermore, we describe an algorithm developed within the open-source software environment Python that automates the identification and analysis of these local Ca2+ signals. The algorithm localizes sites of Ca2+ release with sub-pixel resolution; allows user review of data; and outputs time sequences of fluorescence ratio signals together with amplitude and kinetic data in an Excel-compatible table. PMID:25867132

G protein modulation of CaV2 voltage-gated calcium channels.

PubMed

Currie, Kevin P M

2010-01-01

Voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels translate the electrical inputs of excitable cells into biochemical outputs by controlling influx of the ubiquitous second messenger Ca(2+) . As such the channels play pivotal roles in many cellular functions including the triggering of neurotransmitter and hormone release by CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) and CaV2.2 (N-type) channels. It is well established that G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) orchestrate precise regulation neurotransmitter and hormone release through inhibition of CaV2 channels. Although the GPCRs recruit a number of different pathways, perhaps the most prominent, and certainly most studied among these is the so-called voltage-dependent inhibition mediated by direct binding of Gβγ to the α1 subunit of CaV2 channels. This article will review the basics of Ca(2+) -channels and G protein signaling, and the functional impact of this now classical inhibitory mechanism on channel function. It will also provide an update on more recent developments in the field, both related to functional effects and crosstalk with other signaling pathways, and advances made toward understanding the molecular interactions that underlie binding of Gβγ to the channel and the voltage-dependence that is a signature characteristic of this mechanism.

Occurrence of wide-chain Ca-pyriboles as primary crystals in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, California, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yau, Yu-Chyi; Peacor, Donald R.; Essene, Eric J.

1986-09-01

Amphiboles and pyroxenes occurring in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field were found to contain coherent intergrowths of chain silicates with other than double and single chain widths by using transmission and analytical electron microscopy. Both occur in the biotite zone at the temperature (depth) interval of 310° C (1,060 m) to 330° C (1,547m) which approximately corresponds to temperatures of the greenschist facies. The amphiboles occur as euhedral fibrous crystals occupying void space and are composed primarily of irregularly alternating (010) slabs of double or triple chains, with rare quadruple and quintuple chains. Primary crystallization from solution results in euhedral crystals. Clinopyroxenes formed mainly as a porefilling cement and subordinately as prismatic crystals coexisting with fibrous amphiboles. Fine lamellae of double and triple chains are irregularly intercalated with pyroxene. AEM analyses yield formulae (Ca1.8Mg2.9Fe1.9Mn0.1) Si8O21.8(OH)1.8 (310° C) and (Ca2.0Fe2.5Mg2.3) Si8O21.8 (OH)2.0 (330° C) for amphiboles and (Ca1.1Fe0.6Mg0.3) Si2O6 for clinopyroxene. Thermodynamic calculations at Pfluid=100 bar of equilibrium reactions of (1) 3 chlorite +10 calcite + 21 quartz = 3 actinolite + 2 clinozoisite + 8 H2O + 10 CO2 and (2) actinolite+ 3 calcite+ 2 quartz = 5 clinopyroxene + H2O + 3 CO2 using Mg-end member phases indicate that formation of amphibole and pyroxene require very water-rich conditions (X_{CO_2 } < 0.06) at temperatures below 330° C.

Synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline brownmillerite cobalt doped Ca{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 5}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dhankhar, Suchita; Baskar, K.; Singh, Shubra, E-mail: shubra6@gmail.com

2016-05-23

Brownmillerite compounds with general formula A{sub 2}BB’O{sub 5} (BB’ = Mn, Al, Fe, Co) have attracted attention in wide range of applications such as in solid oxide fuel cell, oxygen separation membrane and photocatalysis. Brownmillerite compounds have unique structure with alternate layers of BO{sub 6} octahedral layers and BO{sub 4} tetrahedral layers. Presence of dopants like Co in place of Fe increases oxygen vacancies. In the present work we have synthesized polycrystalline Ca{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 5} and Ca{sub 2}Fe{sub 1-x}Co{sub x}O{sub 5} (x = 0.01, 0.03) by citrate combustion route. The as prepared samples were characterized by XRD using PANalyticalmore » X’Pert System, DRS (Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy) and SEM (Scanning electron microscopy).« less

Search for 41K Excess in Efremovka CAIs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasan, G.; Ulyanov, A. A.; Goswami, J. N.

1993-07-01

We have used the ion microprobe to measure K isotopic composition of refractory phases in Efremovka CAIs to look for the possible presence of K excess from the decay of extinct radionuclide Ca (halflife = 0.13 Ma). The presence of Ca at the time of CAI formation, if established, will allow us to place a lower limit on the time interval between the last injection of freshly synthesized matter into the solar nebula and the formation of some of the first solid objects (CAIs) in the solar system. Several attempts have been made earlier to detect 41K excess in Allende CAIs [1-4]. We have further investigated this problem by analyzing the Efremovka CAIs for two reasons. First, both the petrographic and magnesium isotopic systematics suggest the Efremovka CAIs to be less altered compared to the Allende CAIs making them an ideal and perhaps better sample for this study. Second, the presence of large perovskite (~10 micrometers) allowed us to analyse this phase, which was not included in earlier studies. The major difficulty in accurately measuring 41K, which was identified in earlier studies, is the unresolvable (40Ca42Ca)++ interference, which was found to be matrix dependent [4]. In addition, one can also have interfernce from the (40CaH)+ peak. In our operating condition the interference from the hydride peak can be neglected (Fig. 1, which appears in the hard copy). We have analyzed terrestrial perovskite (K <= 20 ppm) to determine the (40Ca42Ca)++ correction term, and its equivalence with (40Ca43Ca)++ ion signal at mass 41.5 [4]. In perovskite, the (40Ca42Ca)++ signal constitutes ~80% of the signal at 41K and we could estimate this interference with confidence. A value of (2.7 +- 0.1) x 10^-5 was obtained for the ratio [(40Ca42Ca)++/42Ca+], which is similar to the measured [(40Ca43Ca)++/43Ca+] ratio of (2.4 +- 0.2) x 10^-5. We have therefore used the measured value for the latter ratio in the analyzed phases to correct for the doubly charged interference at mass 41. We have so far analyzed several perovskites in a multi-zoned hibonite-rich Efremovka inclusion E50, and pyroxenes in E44, a type B1 inclusion. The data obtained by us yielded a value of (1.03 +- 0.99) x 10^-8 for initial (41Ca/40Ca) ratio. Although this value does not provide strong evidence for the presence of live 41Ca in the solar nebula, we would like to point out that the excess signal at mass 41 ranged from 5 to 10% of the total signal in the analyzed grains. The initial (41Ca/40Ca) ratio obtained by us is close to the earlier estimate of (8 +- 3) x 10^-9 based on data from Allende fassaites [4]. If we consider a production rate of 41Ca/40Ca in the range of (1-4) x 10^-3, then our data suggest a time interval of a few million years between the injection of freshly synthesized matter in to the solar nebula and the formation of CAIs. The 40Ca/39K ratio in the refractory phases analyzed by us spans a range of 4 x 10^4 to 10^6. We plan to look for pyroxene in these CAIs with even higher (Ca/K) ratios that will allow us to further improve the estimate of initial (41Ca/40Ca) at the time of CAI formation. References: [1] Huneke J. C. et al. (1981) LPSC XII, 482. [2] Stegeman W. and Specht S. (1983) Meteoritics, 18, 402. [3] Hutcheon I. D. et al. (1984) LPSC XV, 387. [4] Hutcheon I. D. et al. (1984) Meteoritics, 19, 243.

On the crystal structure of the vaterite polymorph of CaCO3: a calcium-43 solid-state NMR and computational assessment.

PubMed

Burgess, Kevin M N; Bryce, David L

2015-02-01

The vaterite polymorph of CaCO3 has puzzled crystallographers for decades in part due to difficulties in obtaining single crystals. The multiple proposed structures for the vaterite polymorph of CaCO3 are assessed using a combined (43)Ca solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopic and computational approach. A combination of improved experimental and computational methods, along with a calibrated chemical shift scale and (43)Ca nuclear quadrupole moment, allow for improved insights relative to our earlier work (Bryce et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 9282). Here, we synthesize a (43)Ca isotopically-enriched sample of vaterite and perform high-resolution quadrupolar SSNMR experiments including magic-angle spinning (MAS), double-rotation (DOR), and multiple-quantum (MQ) MAS experiments at magnetic field strengths of 9.4 and 21.1T. We identify one crystallographically unique Ca(2+) site in vaterite with a slight distribution in both chemical shifts and quadrupolar parameters. Both the experimental (43)Ca electric field gradient tensor and the isotropic chemical shift for vaterite are compared to those calculated with the gauge-including projector-augmented-wave (GIPAW) DFT method in an attempt to identify the model that best represents the crystal structure of vaterite. Simulations of (43)Ca DOR and MAS NMR spectra based on the NMR parameters computed for a total of 18 structural models for vaterite allow us to distinguish between these models. Among these 18, the P3221 and C2 structures provide simulated spectra and diffractograms in best agreement with all experimental data. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Juvenile Taiep rats have shorter dendritic trees in the dorsal field of the hippocampus without spatial learning disabilities.

PubMed

Silva-Gómez, Adriana B; Bravo-Duran, Dolores A; Eguibar, Jose R; Cortes, Carmen

2018-06-01

Myelin mutant taiep rats show a progressive demyelination in the central nervous system due to an abnormal accumulation of microtubules in the cytoplasm and the processes on their oligodendrocytes. Demyelination is associated with electrophysiological alterations and the mutant had a progressive astrocytosis. The illness is associated with change in cytokine levels and in the expression of different nitric oxide synthase and concomitantly lipoperoxidation in several areas of the brain. However, until now there has been no detailed anatomical analysis of neurons in this mutant. The aim of this study was to analyze the dendritic morphology in the hippocampus using Golgi-Cox staining and spatial memory through Morris water maze test in young adult (3 months old) taiep rats and compare them with normal Sprague-Dawley. Our results showed that taiep rats have altered dendritic tree morphology in pyramidal neurons in the CA1 field of the hippocampus, but not in the CA3 region. These morphological changes did not produce a concomitant deficit in spatial memory acquisition or recall at this early stage of the disease. Our results suggest that impairment of dendritic morphology in the CA1 field of the hippocampus is a landmark of the pathology of this progressive multiple sclerosis model. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Electric Field Control of the Ferromagnetic CaRuO3 /CaMnO3 Interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grutter, Alexander; Kirby, Brian; Gray, Matthew; Flint, Charles; Suzuki, Yuri; Borchers, Julie

2015-03-01

Electric field control of magnetism has been recognized as one of the most important goals in nanoscale magnetics research. The most popular routes towards achieving magnetoelectric (ME) coupling have focused on heterostructures incorporating multiferroics or ferroelectrics. Such studies often rely on voltage induced distortion to induce strain in the magnetic film and alter the magnetic properties. However, successful attempts to induce ME coupling without multiferroicity or magnetoelasticity remain relatively rare. The ferromagnetic interface between the antiferromagnetic insulator CaMnO3 and the paramagnetic metal CaRuO3 is a promising candidate for direct magnetization control. This interfacial ferroagnetism is stabilized through the competition between interfacial double exchange and antiferromagnetic superexchange between adjacent Mn4+ so that the system is expected to be very sensitive to small changes in interfacial carrier density. Using polarized neutron reflectometry, we have probed the electric field dependence of the interfacial magnetization of CaRuO3/CaMnO3 bilayers deposited on SrTiO3. We find that electric fields of +/-8 kV/m are sufficient to switch the interfaces from largely ferromagnetic to completely antiferromagnetic.

Glaciological reconstruction of Holocene ice margins in northwestern Greenland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birkel, S. D.; Osterberg, E. C.; Kelly, M. A.; Axford, Y.

2014-12-01

The past few decades of climate warming have brought overall margin retreat to the Greenland Ice Sheet. In order to place recent and projected changes in context, we are undertaking a collaborative field-modeling study that aims to reconstruct the Holocene history of ice-margin fluctuation near Thule (~76.5°N, 68.7°W), and also along the North Ice Cap (NIC) in the Nunatarssuaq region (~76.7°N, 67.4°W). Fieldwork reported by Kelly et al. (2013) reveals that ice in the study areas was less extensive than at present ca. 4700 (GIS) and ca. 880 (NIC) cal. years BP, presumably in response to a warmer climate. We are now exploring Holocene ice-climate coupling using the University of Maine Ice Sheet Model (UMISM). Our approach is to first test what imposed climate anomalies can afford steady state ice margins in accord with field data. A second test encompasses transient simulation of the Holocene, with climate boundary conditions supplied by existing paleo runs of the Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4), and a climate forcing signal derived from Greenland ice cores. In both cases, the full ice sheet is simulated at 10 km resolution with nested domains at 0.5 km for the study areas. UMISM experiments are underway, and results will be reported at the meeting.

Diode pumped tunable lasers based on Tm:CaF2 and Tm:Ho:CaF2 ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šulc, Jan; Němec, Michal; Jelinková, Helena; Doroshenko, Maxim E.; Fedorov, Pavel P.; Osiko, Vyacheslav V.

2014-02-01

The Tm:CaF2 (4% of TmF3) and Tm:Ho:CaF2 (2% of TmF3, 0.3% of HoF3) ceramics, prepared using hot pressing, and hot formation technique had been used as an active medium of diode pumped mid-infrared tunable laser. A fibre (core diameter 400 μm, NA = 0.22) coupled laser diode (LIMO, HLU30F400-790) was used to longitudinal pumping. The laser diode was operating in the pulsed regime (6 ms pulse length, 10 Hz repetition rate). The duty-cycle 6% ensures a low thermal load even under the maximum diode pumping power amplitude 25W (ceramics samples were only air-cooled). The laser diode emission wavelength was 786 nm. The 80mm long semi-hemispherical laser resonator consisted of a flat pumping mirror (HR @ 1.85 - 2.15 μm, HT @ 0.78 μm) and a curved (r = 150mm) output coupler with a reflectivity of ˜ 98% @ 1.85 - 2.0 μm for Tm:CaF2 laser or ˜ 99.5% @ 2.0 - 2.15 μm for Ho:Tm:CaF2. Tuning of the laser was accomplished by using a birefringent filter (single 1.5mm thick quartz plate) placed inside the optical resonator at the Brewster angle. Both samples offered broad and smooth tuning possibilities in mid-IR spectral range and the lasers were continuously tunable over ˜ 100 nm. The obtained Tm:CaF2 tunability ranged from 1892 to 1992nm (the maximum output energy 1.8mJ was reached at 1952nm for absorbed pumping energy 78 mJ). In case of Tm:Ho:CaF2 laser tunability from 2016 to 2111nm was reached (the maximum output energy 1.5mJ was reached at 2083nm for absorbed pumping energy 53 mJ). Both these material are good candidates for a future investigation of high energy, ultra-short, laser pulse generation.

Competing exchange interactions in multiferroic and ferrimagnetic CaBaCo 4 O 7

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fishman, Randy Scott; Bordacs, S.; Kocsis, Vilmos

Competing exchange interactions can produce complex magnetic states together with spin-induced electric polarizations. With competing interactions on alternating triangular and kagome layers, the swedenborgite CaBaCo 4O 7 may have one of the largest measured spin-induced polarizations of ~1700 nC/cm 2 below its ferrimagnetic transition temperature at 70 K. Upon rotating our sample about c = [0,0,1] while the magnetic field is fixed along [1,0,0], the threefold splitting of the spin-wave frequencies indicates that our sample is hexagonally twinned. In addition, magnetization measurements then suggest that roughly 20% of the sample is in a domain with the a axis along [1,0,0]more » and that 80% of the sample is in one of two other domains with the a axis along either [-1/2,√3/2, 0] or [-1/2, -√3/2, 0] . Powder neutron-diffraction data, magnetization measurements, and terahertz (THz) absorption spectroscopy reveal that the complex spin order in each domain can be described as a triangular array of bitetrahedral c-axis chains ferrimagnetically coupled to each other in the ab plane. In conclusion, the electric-field dependence of bonds coupling those chains produces the large spin-induced polarization of CaBaCo 4O 7 .« less

Competing exchange interactions in multiferroic and ferrimagnetic CaBaCo 4 O 7

DOE PAGES

Fishman, Randy Scott; Bordacs, S.; Kocsis, Vilmos; ...

2017-01-23

Competing exchange interactions can produce complex magnetic states together with spin-induced electric polarizations. With competing interactions on alternating triangular and kagome layers, the swedenborgite CaBaCo 4O 7 may have one of the largest measured spin-induced polarizations of ~1700 nC/cm 2 below its ferrimagnetic transition temperature at 70 K. Upon rotating our sample about c = [0,0,1] while the magnetic field is fixed along [1,0,0], the threefold splitting of the spin-wave frequencies indicates that our sample is hexagonally twinned. In addition, magnetization measurements then suggest that roughly 20% of the sample is in a domain with the a axis along [1,0,0]more » and that 80% of the sample is in one of two other domains with the a axis along either [-1/2,√3/2, 0] or [-1/2, -√3/2, 0] . Powder neutron-diffraction data, magnetization measurements, and terahertz (THz) absorption spectroscopy reveal that the complex spin order in each domain can be described as a triangular array of bitetrahedral c-axis chains ferrimagnetically coupled to each other in the ab plane. In conclusion, the electric-field dependence of bonds coupling those chains produces the large spin-induced polarization of CaBaCo 4O 7 .« less

Root negative gravitropism is accompanied with displacing of columella amyloplasts to the statocyte upper longitudinal cell wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kordyum, Elizabeth; Sobol, Margaryta; Kalinina, Yana; Bogatina, Nina; Kondrachuk, Alexander

Recently it was shown that roots reveal negative gravitropism in the weak combined magnetic field (CMF) with the frequency resonance to the cyclotron frequency of Ca2+ ions. A negative gravitropic reaction in the CMF occurs by a usual physiological process. Experiments in the CMF confirmed that gravitropism is plastid-based and Ca2+ ions participate in this process. Unlike control, amyloplasts-statoliths are not displacing on the lower side of a gravistimulated root but tend to group in the center of a statocyte during 30 min under gravistimulation in the CMF. In an hour of gravistimulation, they are localized near one of the statocyte longitudinal wall. Now we determined that amyloplasts are localized along the statocyte upper longitudinal side. It is of a special interest that a root is bending to the same direction with displacing of amyloplasts: in positive gravitropism - downwards, in negative gravitropism - upwards. On the basis of the obtained data there is a question, what forces promote displacing of amyloplasts against a gravitational vector? In the paper, three possible explanations are discussed: 1) CMF + Ca2+ action on the distribution of elastic forces in cytoskeleton, 2) CMF + Ca2+ action on the distribution of electric field in statocytes, and 3) CMF action on energy and direction of Ca2+ ion rotation according to the ion cyclotron resonance model that can lead to paradoxical Ca2+ redistribution.

Field Evaluation of Ultra-High Pressure Water Systems for Runway Rubber Removal

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-01

ER D C/ G SL T R- 14 -1 1 Field Evaluation of Ultra-High Pressure Water Systems for Runway Rubber Removal G eo te ch ni ca l a nd S tr...Field Evaluation of Ultra-High Pressure Water Systems for Runway Rubber Removal Aaron B. Pullen Applied Research Associates, Inc. 421 Oak Avenue...collaboration with Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA). Several types of commercial UHPW water blasting systems were tested on an ungrooved portland cement

Low-Energy Electronic Properties of Clean CaRuO3: Elusive Landau Quasiparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, M.; Geiger, D.; Esser, S.; Pracht, U. S.; Stingl, C.; Tokiwa, Y.; Moshnyaga, V.; Sheikin, I.; Mravlje, J.; Scheffler, M.; Gegenwart, P.

2014-05-01

We have prepared high-quality epitaxial thin films of CaRuO3 with residual resistivity ratios up to 55. Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the magnetoresistance and a T2 temperature dependence in the electrical resistivity only below 1.5 K, the coefficient of which is substantially suppressed in large magnetic fields, establish CaRuO3 as a Fermi liquid (FL) with an anomalously low coherence scale. At T >1.5 K non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior is found in the electrical resistivity. The high sample quality allows access to the intrinsic electronic properties via THz spectroscopy. For frequencies below 0.6 THz, the conductivity is Drude-like and can be modeled by FL concepts; for higher frequencies, non-Drude behavior is found, which is inconsistent with FL predictions. This establishes CaRuO3 as a prime example of optical NFL behavior in the THz range.

Inheriting the Learner's View: A Google Glass-Based Wearable Computing Platform for Improving Surgical Trainee Performance.

PubMed

Brewer, Zachary E; Fann, Hutchinson C; Ogden, W David; Burdon, Thomas A; Sheikh, Ahmad Y

2016-01-01

It is speculated that, in operative environments, real-time visualization of the trainee's viewpoint by the instructor may improve performance and teaching efficacy. We hypothesized that introduction of a wearable surgical visualization system allowing the instructor to visualize otherwise "blind" areas in the operative field could improve trainee performance in a simulated operative setting. A total of 11 surgery residents (4 in general surgery training and 7 in an integrated 6-year cardiothoracic surgery program) participated in the study. Google (Mountain View, CA) Glass hardware running proprietary software from CrowdOptic (San Francisco, CA) was utilized for creation of the wearable surgical visualization system. Both the learner and trainer wore the system, and video was streamed from the learner's system in real time to the trainer, who directed the learner to place needles in a simulated operative field. Subjects placed a total of 5 needles in each of 4 quadrants. A composite error score was calculated based on the accuracy of needle placement in relation to the intended needle trajectories as described by the trainer. Time to task completion (TTC) was also measured and participants completed an exit questionnaire. All residents completed the protocol tasks and the survey. Introduction of the wearable surgical visualization system did not affect mean time to task completion (278 ± 50 vs. 282 ± 69 seconds, p = NS). However, mean composite error score fell significantly once the wearable system was deployed (18 ± 5 vs. 15 ± 4, p < 0.05), demonstrating improved accuracy of needle placement. Most of the participants deemed the device unobtrusive, easy to operate, and useful for communication and instruction. This study suggests that wearable surgical visualization systems allowing for adoption of the learner's perspective may be a useful educational adjunct in the training of surgeons. Further evaluations of the efficacy of wearable technology in the operating room environment are warranted. Copyright © 2016 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Photoemission study of CaF2- and SrF2-GaAs(110) interfaces formed at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, D.; Young, K.; Kahn, A.; Zanoni, R.; McKinley, J.; Margaritondo, G.

1989-06-01

Interfaces formed by evaporating CaF2 or SrF2 on room-temperature GaAs(110) are studied with synchrotron-radiation photoemission spectroscopy. The fluoride films grow uniformly on the GaAs surface. The deposition of CaF2 and SrF2 induces a large initial band bending on p-type GaAs (~0.9 eV) and a small initial band bending on n-type GaAs (~0.25 eV). The valence band is dominated by the F 2p peak which shifts toward high binding energies by ~1.5 eV after the deposition of >=16 Å fluoride. This shift reflects an increase in the valence-band offset between the two materials as the film forms. The final band offsets are estimated at 7.7 and 8.0 eV for CaF2 and SrF2, respectively, and are in qualitative agreement with those expected from the fluoride-Si data. Core-level measurements indicate that no reaction or decomposition of the MF2 molecule takes place at the interface. The F 2s core-level line shape and the increase in the binding-energy separation of F 2s and Ca 3p with increasing coverage suggest the presence of an interface F component. Contrary to the CaF2/Si case, no measurable Ca-substrate bonding effect is observed. The dissociative effect of uv irradiation on the CaF2 film is also investigated.

In Vitro Longitudinal Relaxivity Profile of Gd(ABE-DTTA), an Investigational Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent

PubMed Central

Varga-Szemes, Akos; Kiss, Pal; Rab, Andras; Suranyi, Pal; Lenkey, Zsofia; Simor, Tamas; Bryant, Robert G.; Elgavish, Gabriel A.

2016-01-01

Purpose MRI contrast agents (CA) whose contrast enhancement remains relatively high even at the higher end of the magnetic field strength range would be desirable. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate such a desired magnetic field dependency of the longitudinal relaxivity for an experimental MRI CA, Gd(ABE-DTTA). Materials and Methods The relaxivity of 0.5mM and 1mM Gd(ABE-DTTA) was measured by Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) in the range of 0.0002 to 1T. Two MRI and five NMR instruments were used to cover the range between 1.5 to 20T. Parallel measurement of a Gd-DTPA sample was performed throughout as reference. All measurements were carried out at 37°C and pH 7.4. Results The relaxivity values of 0.5mM and 1mM Gd(ABE-DTTA) measured at 1.5, 3, and 7T, within the presently clinically relevant magnetic field range, were 15.3, 11.8, 12.4 s-1mM-1 and 18.1, 16.7, and 13.5 s-1mM-1, respectively. The control 4 mM Gd-DTPA relaxivities at the same magnetic fields were 3.6, 3.3, and 3.0 s-1mM-1, respectively. Conclusions The longitudinal relaxivity of Gd(ABE-DTTA) measured within the presently clinically relevant field range is three to five times higher than that of most commercially available agents. Thus, Gd(ABE-DTTA) could be a practical choice at any field strength currently used in clinical imaging including those at the higher end. PMID:26872055

Multi-technology Investigation of the Atomic Structure of Calcium Silicate Hydrates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Geng, Guoqing; Kilcoyne, David A.; Benmore, Chris J.

2015-01-01

In this study, synthetic C-S-H samples were investigated to reveal the feature at atomic scale. Rietveld refinement was applied to high resolution X-ray scattering data, yielding the lattice constants of the pseudocrystal structure, as well as the crystallinity along three axes. Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra was collected at calcium L3,2-edge. Evolution of calcium coordination symmetry were studied by investigating spectra characteristics. Pair Distribution Function (PDF) study yields the statistics of atom pair distribution. Coordination number of Ca and Si were obtained by integrating Radial distribution function. Atomic model based on dimeric structure were discussed and comparedmore » with experimental data. Synthetic C-S-H samples with increasing Ca/Si ratio exhibit pseudo-crystal structure, resembling Dreierketten configuration similar to natural tobermorite structure. Along c-axis, the repeated structure could not survives two layers in case of low Ca/Si ratio (0.70, 1.05). But in high Ca/Si ratio (1.42) case, the crystallinity along c-axis is much bigger. The coordination number of Ca decreases with increasing Ca/Si ratio. Octahedrally coordinated Ca are observed in sample with Ca/Si ratio of 1.42. Various dimeric models are compared with experimental data. In case of Ca/Si ratio of 1.42, SiO4 tetrahedron chain needs to be shortened in linkage, most probably by substituting bridging SiO4 tetrahedron with CaO6 octahedron. These octahedrons in interlayer space act like pins to join two adjacent layer structures together. The crystallinity is thus increased along c-axis, and average coordination number is therefore reduced. In case of Ca/Si 1.05, crystallinity is low along c-axis since, indicating that not too many Ca ions exist in interlayer space to hold two layers together. Instead, negative charge of end oxygen could be balanced by proton. Ca/Si 0.70 has long tetrahedron chain linkage within layer while the linkage between adjacent layers are not strong, resulting in low crystallinity along c-axis. Neither Ca/Si ratio 0.70 nor 1.42 sample contains any Ca in octahedral symmetry, as indicated by the weak crystal field splitting of NEXAFS spectra.« less

Effects of electromagnetic radiation on spatial memory and synapses in rat hippocampal CA1☆

PubMed Central

Li, Yuhong; Shi, Changhua; Lu, Guobing; Xu, Qian; Liu, Shaochen

2012-01-01

In this study, we investigated the effects of mobile phone radiation on spatial learning, reference memory, and morphology in related brain regions. After the near-field radiation (0.52–1.08 W/kg) was delivered to 8-week-old Wistar rats 2 hours per day for 1 month, behavioral changes were examined using the Morris water maze. Compared with the sham-irradiated rats, the irradiated rats exhibited impaired performance. Morphological changes were investigated by examining synaptic ultrastructural changes in the hippocampus. Using the physical dissector technique, the number of pyramidal neurons, the synaptic profiles, and the length of postsynaptic densities in the CA1 region were quantified stereologically. The morphological changes included mitochondrial degenerations, fewer synapses, and shorter postsynaptic densities in the radiated rats. These findings indicate that mobile phone radiation can significantly impair spatial learning and reference memory and induce morphological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. PMID:25709623

Determination of the electric field gradient in RbCaF3 near the phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hepp, M. A.; Man, P. P.; Trokiner, A.; Zanni, H.; Fraissard, J.

1992-12-01

The fluoroperovskite, RbCaF 3 undergoes a phase transition at 195.5K from a cubic to a tetragonal phase. The order parameter for this transition is directly related to the electric field gradient which arises in the tetragonal phase. In this work, we have used three NMR methods to measure the electric field gradient at the 87Rb site in a single crystal of RbCaF 3, very near this transition. These experiments are based on recent theoretical developments which allow the measurement of quadrupole parameters even for nuclei in a weak electric field gradient.

Requirement for digestible calcium by eleven- to twenty-five-kilogram pigs as determined by growth performance, bone ash concentration, calcium and phosphorus balances, and expression of genes involved in transport of calcium in intestinal and kidney cells.

PubMed

González-Vega, J C; Liu, Y; McCann, J C; Walk, C L; Loor, J J; Stein, H H

2016-08-01

Two experiments were conducted to determine the requirement for standardized total tract digestible (STTD) Ca by 11- to 25-kg pigs based on growth performance, bone ash, or Ca and P retention and to determine the effect of dietary Ca on expression of genes related to Ca transport in the jejunum and kidneys. Six diets were formulated to contain 0.36% STTD P and 0.32, 0.40, 0.48, 0.56, 0.64, or 0.72% STTD Ca by including increasing quantities of calcium carbonate in the diets at the expense of cornstarch. Two additional diets contained 0.72% STTD Ca and 0.33% or 0.40% STTD P to determine if 0.36% STTD P had negative effects on the Ca requirement. The same batch of all diets was used in both experiments. In Exp. 1, 256 pigs (11.39 ± 1.21 kg initial BW) were randomly allotted to the 8 diets with 4 pigs per pen and 8 replicate pens per diet in a randomized complete block design. On the last day of the experiment, 1 pig from each pen was euthanized and the right femur and intestine and kidney samples were collected. Results indicated that ADG and G:F started to decline (linear and quadratic, < 0.05) at 0.54 and 0.50% STTD Ca, respectively. In contrast, bone ash increased (quadratic, < 0.05) as dietary Ca increased and reached a plateau indicating that the requirement for STTD Ca to maximize bone ash was 0.48%. Bone ash, but not ADG or G:F, increased (linear, < 0.01) as STTD increased in the diets. The mRNA expression of genes related to transcellular Ca transport decreased (linear, < 0.01) in the jejunum and in kidneys (linear and quadratic, < 0.01) as dietary Ca increased. In Exp. 2, 80 pigs (13.12 ± 1.79 kg initial BW) were placed in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to the 8 diets with 10 replicate pigs per diet in a randomized complete block design. Fecal and urine samples were collected using the marker-to-marker approach. Results indicated that the requirement for STTD Ca to maximize Ca and P retention (g/d) was 0.60 and 0.49%, respectively. In conclusion, the STTD Ca requirement by 11- to 25-kg pigs to maximize bone ash was 0.48%; however, ADG and G:F declined if more than 0.54 or 0.50% STTD Ca, respectively, was fed, and the minimum concentration of Ca needed to maximize ADG and G:F could not be determined under the conditions of this experiment. Increasing dietary Ca decreased the mRNA expression of several genes related to transcellular Ca transport in the jejunum and the kidneys.

12. ...CONCRETE IS BEING PLACED FOR THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

12. ...CONCRETE IS BEING PLACED FOR THE FOUNDATION FOR THE WEST END OF THE OGEE SECTION OF SPILLWAY STRUCTURE. Volume XVI, No. 20, September 29, 1939. - Prado Dam, Spillway, Santa Ana River near junction of State Highways 71 & 91, Corona, Riverside County, CA

Combating CA-MRSA in Physical Education, Sports, and Dance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrews, Amanda K.; Howard-Shaughnessy, Candice; Adams, Jon E.

2007-01-01

By now most people have heard about the deadly bacteria that can fester in locker rooms, on sports equipment, and in dance facilities, among other places. This article was written to help PERD professionals become better informed about these bacteria, called community-acquired methicillin-resistant "Staphylococcus aureus" (CA-MRSA). Readers will…

Domain wall motion and electromechanical strain in lead-free piezoelectrics: Insight from the model system (1 - x)Ba(Zr 0.2Ti 0.8)O 3-x(Ba 0.7Ca 0.3)TiO 3 using in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction during application of electric fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tutuncu, Goknur; Li, Binzhi; Bowman, Keith

The piezoelectric compositions (1 - x)Ba(Zr 0.2Ti 0.8)O 3–x(Ba 0.7Ca 0.3)TiO 3 (BZT-xBCT) span a model lead-free morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between room temperature rhombohedral and tetragonal phases at approximately x = 0.5. In the present work, in situ X-ray diffraction measurements during electric field application are used to elucidate the origin of electromechanical strain in several compositions spanning the tetragonal compositional range 0.6 ≤ x ≤ 0.9. As BCT concentration decreases towards the MPB, the tetragonal distortion (given by c/a-1) decreases concomitantly with an increase in 90° domain wall motion. The increase in observed macroscopic strain is predominantly attributedmore » to the increased contribution from 90° domain wall motion. The results demonstrate that domain wall motion is a significant factor in achieving high strain and piezoelectric coefficients in lead-free polycrystalline piezoelectrics.« less

Contributions of SERCA pump and ryanodine-sensitive stores to presynaptic residual Ca2+

PubMed Central

Scullin, Chessa S.; Partridge, L. Donald

2010-01-01

The presynaptic Ca2+ signal, which triggers vesicle release, disperses to a broadly distributed residual [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]res) that plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. We have previously reported a slowing in the decay timecourse of [Ca2+]res during the second of paired pulses. In this study, we investigated the contributions of organelle and plasma membrane Ca2+ flux pathways to the reduction of effectiveness of [Ca2+]res clearance during short-term plasticity in Schaffer collateral terminals in the CA1 field of the hippocampus. We show that the slowed decay timecourse is mainly the result of a transport-dependent Ca2+ clearance process; that presynaptic caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores are not functionally loaded in the unstimulated terminal, but that these stores can effectively take up Ca2+ even during high frequency trains of stimuli; and that a rate limiting step of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) kinetics following the first pulse is responsible for a large portion of the observed slowing of [Ca2+]res clearance during the second pulse. We were able to accurately fit our [Ca2+]res data with a kinetic model based on these observations and this model predicted a reduction in availability of unbound SERCA during paired pulses, but no saturation of Ca2+ buffer in the endoplasmic reticulum. PMID:20153896

Magnetic removal of electron contamination for 60Co panoramic gamma ray exposure--Investigations with CaSO4:Dy and LiF based dosimeters.

PubMed

Kumar, Munish; Sahani, G; Chourasiya, G

2010-06-01

Electron contamination from a sealed (60)Co radiation source has been investigated comprehensively using a CaSO(4):Dy based TLD badge and LiF crystals. It has been found that due to electron contamination, the thermoluminescence (TL) detectors exhibit over response which can be corrected by applying a magnetic field. It has also been found that for a source-to-dosimeter distance of 50 cm, the ratio of the TL readouts of the third to first discs of the TLD badge reduces from approximately 1.5 to approximately 1.00 after applying a magnetic field. Hence detectors which are sensitive to electrons as well as photons, and are capable of distinguishing them, can lead to an erroneous measurement. This happens because the contribution due to electron contamination interferes with pure gamma calibration. The study is helpful in establishing accurate calibration and appropriate correction factors for personnel monitoring carried out using CaSO(4):Dy based TLD badge. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microwave absorption studies of high T sub c superconductors and related materials 8; ESR of DPPH coated on BiSrCaCuO films fabricated on MgO (100) substrates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sugawara, K.; Tanaka, S.

1992-06-20

This paper reports that ESR of DPPH coated on Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O films fabricated on MgO (100) substrates by MOCVD have been studied for samples with different thicknesses, 1000 {Angstrom} and 100 {Angstrom}. Temperature dependence of the ESR peak-to-peak linewidth, {Delta}H{sub pp}, revealed that {Delta}H{sub pp} increases with film thickness. The Excess ESR linewidth, {delta}({Delta}H{sub pp}) was also analyzed in terms of (1 {minus} t{sup alpha}, with t = T/T{sub c}, giving for example {alpha} = 4 ={minus}1 for the 1000 {Angstrom} thick sample. The ESR lineshapes were distorted by rotating the samples in applied magnetic fields. Severe distortion was found formore » the 1000 {Angstrom} sample below about 30 K, but the distortion almost disappears at temperatures above 30 K. The applied magnetic field effects were also examined in both field-cooled and zero-field-cooled cases.« less

Palmitoylethanolamide Ameliorates Hippocampal Damage and Behavioral Dysfunction After Perinatal Asphyxia in the Immature Rat Brain

PubMed Central

Herrera, María I.; Udovin, Lucas D.; Toro-Urrego, Nicolás; Kusnier, Carlos F.; Luaces, Juan P.; Capani, Francisco

2018-01-01

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is an obstetric complication associated with an impaired gas exchange. This health problem continues to be a determinant of neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disorders. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has exerted neuroprotection in several models of brain injury and neurodegeneration. We aimed at evaluating the potential neuroprotective role of PEA in an experimental model, which induces PA in the immature rat brain. PA was induced by placing Sprague Dawley newborn rats in a water bath at 37°C for 19 min. Once their physiological conditions improved, they were given to surrogate mothers that had delivered normally within the last 24 h. The control group was represented by non-fostered vaginally delivered pups, mimicking the clinical situation. Treatment with PEA (10 mg/kg) was administered within the first hour of life. Modifications in the hippocampus were analyzed with conventional electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry (for NeuN, pNF-H/M, MAP-2, and GFAP) and western blot (for pNF H/M, MAP-2, and GFAP). Behavior was also studied throughout Open Field (OF) Test, Passive Avoidance (PA) Task and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) Test. After 1 month of the PA insult, we observed neuronal nucleus degeneration in CA1 using electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant increase in pNF-H/M and decrease in MAP-2 in CA1 reactive area. These changes were also observed when analyzing the level of expression of these markers by western blot. Vertical exploration impairments and anxiety-related behaviors were encountered in the OF and EPM tests. PEA treatment attenuated PA-induced hippocampal damage and its corresponding behavioral alterations. These results contribute to the elucidation of PEA neuroprotective role after PA and the future establishment of therapeutic strategies for the developing brain. PMID:29662433

Magnetocrystalline two-fold symmetry in CaFe2O4 single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chhaganlal Gandhi, Ashish; Das, Rajasree; Chou, Fang-Cheng; Lin, Jauyn Grace

2017-05-01

Understanding of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in CaFe2O4 is a matter of importance for its future applications. A high quality single crystal CaFe2O4 sample is studied by using synchrotron x-ray diffraction, a magnetometer and the electron spin resonance (ESR) technique. A broad feature of the susceptibility curve around room temperature is observed, indicating the development of 1D spin interactions above the on-set of antiferromagnetic transition. The angular dependency of ESR reveals an in-plane two-fold symmetry, suggesting a strong correlation between the room temperature spin structure and magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This finding opens an opportunity for the device utilizing the anisotropy field of CaFe2O4.

1. RW Meyer Sugar Mill: 18761889. Threeroll sugar mill: oneton ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. RW Meyer Sugar Mill: 1876-1889. Three-roll sugar mill: one-ton daily processing capacity. Manufactured by Edwin Maw, Liverpool, England, ca. 1855-1870. View: Historical view, 1934, from T.T. Waterman collection, Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association. Large rectangular piece lying in front of the mill is the top of the mill frame appearing in its proper place in 1928 views. - R. W. Meyer Sugar Mill, State Route 47, Kualapuu, Maui County, HI

Hot Spots and Hot Moments of Methylmercury Production Associated With Agricultural and Non-agricultural Wetlands of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marvin-Dipasquale, M.; Windham-Myers, L.; Agee, J. L.; Kakouros, E.; Cox, M. H.; Fleck, J.; Alpers, C. N.; Stephenson, M.

2008-12-01

The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) is part of the larger Yolo Bypass floodwater protection zone associated with the Sacramento River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, in California. While mercury contamination is widespread throughout the region due to historic mining practices, the Yolo Bypass is responsible for a high proportion of the aqueous methylmercury (MeHg) entering the Delta, and biota from the Yolo Bypass are particularly elevated in toxic MeHg. Land use in the YBWA includes seasonally flooded agricultural fields (white rice, wild rice, fallow fields), and permanently and seasonally flooded non-agricultural wetlands used for resident and migratory waterfowl. Mercury biogeochemistry was examined in 0-2 cm surface sediment, as a function of habitat type, wetland management, and agricultural practices during the 2007-08 crop year. In permanently flooded wetlands, MeHg concentrations varied within a narrow range (ca. 0.5-1.5 ng/g dry wt) throughout the study period. In contrast, the three types of agricultural fields had higher MeHg concentrations throughout the rice-growing season (June-Sept; ca. 1.5-3.5 ng/g), and exhibited the highest levels (ca. 3.3-6.3 ng/g) in the post-harvest winter period (Dec-Feb). Further, naturally dried sediment, sampled during July '08 from post-harvest drained fallow agricultural fields (prior to reflooding) had MeHg concentrations that were also quite elevated (3.1 +/- 1.5 ng/g). This suggests that the initial elevated concentrations of overlying water MeHg, sometimes measured soon after flooding previously dried fields, may be related to the release of MeHg formed during the previous wet season and trapped in dried sediment, as opposed to being MeHg newly produced by bacteria upon soil rewetting. These results indicate that the 'hot spots and hot moments' associated with MeHg production in this system are linked to hydrologic manipulations (wetting and drying) in the agricultural fields, and that the practice of post-harvest reflooding of rice fields, to promote rice straw decomposition during the fall and winter, may stimulate microbial activity associated with increased MeHg production during that period.

22 CFR 5.2 - Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Central and field organization, established places at which, the officers from whom, and the methods whereby the public may secure information, make... functions are channeled and determined. 5.2 Section 5.2 Foreign Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE GENERAL...

Infection Density Dynamics of the Citrus Greening Bacterium “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” in Field Populations of the Psyllid Diaphorina citri and Its Relevance to the Efficiency of Pathogen Transmission to Citrus Plants

PubMed Central

Ukuda-Hosokawa, Rie; Sadoyama, Yasutsune; Kishaba, Misaki; Kuriwada, Takashi; Anbutsu, Hisashi

2015-01-01

Huanglongbing, or citrus greening, is a devastating disease of citrus plants recently spreading worldwide, which is caused by an uncultivable bacterial pathogen, “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,” and vectored by a phloem-sucking insect, Diaphorina citri. We investigated the infection density dynamics of “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” in field populations of D. citri with experiments using field-collected insects to address how “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” infection density in the vector insect is relevant to pathogen transmission to citrus plants. Of 500 insects continuously collected from “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus”-infected citrus trees with pathological symptoms in the spring and autumn of 2009, 497 (99.4%) were “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” positive. The infections were systemic across head-thorax and abdomen, ranging from 103 to 107 bacteria per insect. In spring, the infection densities were low in March, at ∼103 bacteria per insect, increasing up to 106 to 107 bacteria per insect in April and May, and decreasing to 105 to 106 bacteria per insect in late May, whereas the infection densities were constantly ∼106 to 107 bacteria per insect in autumn. Statistical analysis suggested that several factors, such as insect sex, host trees, and collection dates, may be correlated with “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” infection densities in field D. citri populations. Inoculation experiments with citrus seedlings using field-collected “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus”-infected insects suggested that (i) “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus”-transmitting insects tend to exhibit higher infection densities than do nontransmitting insects, (ii) a threshold level (∼106 bacteria per insect) of “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” density in D. citri is required for successful transmission to citrus plants, and (iii) D. citri attaining the threshold infection level transmits “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” to citrus plants in a stochastic manner. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding, predicting, and controlling this notorious citrus pathogen. PMID:25819961

Heat acclimation and exercise training interact when combined in an overriding and trade-off manner: physiologic-genomic linkage

PubMed Central

Kodesh, Einat; Nesher, Nir; Simaan, Assi; Hochner, Benny; Beeri, Ronen; Gilon, Dan; Stern, Michael D.; Gerstenblith, Gary

2011-01-01

Combined heat acclimation (AC) and exercise training (EX) enhance exercise performance in the heat while meeting thermoregulatory demands. We tested the hypothesis that different stress-specific adaptations evoked by each stressor individually trigger similar cardiac alterations, but when combined, overriding/trade-off interactions take place. We used echocardiography, isolated cardiomyocyte imaging and cDNA microarray techniques to assay in situ cardiac performance, excitation-contraction (EC) coupling features, and transcriptional programs associated with cardiac contractility. Rat groups studied were controls (sedentary 24°C); AC (sedentary, 34°C, 1 mo); normothermic EX (treadmill at 24°C, 1 mo); and heat-acclimated, exercise-trained (EXAC; treadmill at 34°C, 1 mo). Prolonged heat exposure decreased heart rate and contractile velocity and increased end ventricular diastolic diameter. Compared with controls, AC/EXAC cardiomyocytes demonstrated lower l-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) amplitude, higher Ca2+ transient (Ca2+T), and a greater Ca2+T-to-ICaL ratio; EX alone enhanced ICaL and Ca2+T, whereas aerobic training in general induced cardiac hypertrophy and action potential elongation in EX/EXAC animals. At the genomic level, the transcriptome profile indicated that the interaction between AC and EX yields an EXAC-specific molecular program. Genes affected by chronic heat were linked with the EC coupling cascade, whereas aerobic training upregulated genes involved with Ca2+ turnover via an adrenergic/metabolic-driven positive inotropic response. In the EXAC cardiac phenotype, the impact of chronic heat overrides that of EX on EC coupling components and heart rate, whereas EX regulates cardiac morphometry. We suggest that concerted adjustments induced by AC and EX lead to enhanced metabolic and mechanical performance of the EXAC heart. PMID:21957158

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ye, Zhihong

The experiment, E08-014, in Hall-A at Jefferson Lab aims to study the short-range correlations (SRC) which are necessary to explain the nuclear strength absent in the mean field theory. The cross sections for 2H, 3He, 4He, 12C, 40Ca and 48Ca, were measured via inclusive quasi-elastic electron scattering from these nuclei in a Q2 range between 0.8 and 2.8 (GeV/c) 2 for x>1. The cross section ratios of heavy nuclei to 2H were extracted to study two-nucleon SRC for 1

Long-term deficiency of circulating and hippocampal insulin-like growth factor I induces depressive behavior in adult mice: A potential model of geriatric depression

PubMed Central

Mitschelen, Matthew; Yan, Han; Farley, Julie A.; Warrington, Junie P.; Han, Song; Hereñú, Claudia B.; Csiszar, Anna; Ungvari, Zoltan; Bailey-Downs, Lora C.; Bass, Caroline E.; Sonntag, William E.

2011-01-01

Numerous studies support the hypothesis that deficiency of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) in adults contributes to depression, but direct evidence is limited. Many psychological and pro-cognitive effects have been attributed to IGF-1, but appropriate animal models of adult-onset IGF-1 deficiency are lacking. In this study, we use a viral-mediated Cre-loxP system to knockout the Igf1 gene in either the liver, neurons of the CA1 region of the hippocampus, or both. Knockout of liver Igf1 reduced serum IGF-1 levels by 40% and hippocampal IGF-1 levels by 26%. Knockout of Igf1 in CA1 reduced hippocampal IGF-1 levels by 13%. The most severe reduction in hippocampal IGF-1 occurred in the group with knockouts in both liver and CA1 (36% reduction), and was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in immobility in the forced swim test. Reduction of either circulating or hippocampal IGF-1 levels did not alter anxiety measured in an open field and elevated plus maze, nor locomotion in the open field. Furthermore, local compensation for deficiencies in circulating IGF-1 did not occur in the hippocampus, nor were serum levels of IGF-1 upregulated in response to the moderate decline of hippocampal IGF-1 caused by the knockouts in CA1. We conclude that adult-onset IGF-1 deficiency alone is sufficient to induce a depressive phenotype in mice. Furthermore, our results suggest that individuals with low brain levels of IGF-1 are at increased risk for depression and these behavioral effects are not ameliorated by increased local IGF-1 production or transport. Our study supports the hypothesis that the natural IGF-1 decline in aging humans may contribute to geriatric depression. PMID:21524689

Aerosol Optical Properties at the Ground Sites during the 2010 CARES Field Campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atkinson, D. B.; Radney, J. G.; Harworth, J. W.

2010-12-01

Preliminary results from the ground sites at the 2010 CARES field campaign (T0 near Sacramento, CA and T1 near Cool, CA) will be presented. A number of aerosol optical properties were measured at high time resolution for the four week study period using custom instruments. The aerosol extinction coefficient was measured at T0 using a cavity ring-down transmissometer (CRDT) at two wavelengths (532 and 1064 nm) and the aerosol scattering coefficient was measured at 532 nm using a Radiance Research M903 nephelometer. At T1, a new CRDT instrument was deployed that measured the extinction coefficient at three wavelengths (355, 532, and 1064 nm) for sub-10 μm (nominal) and sub-2.5 μm aerosols at ambient, elevated, and reduced relative humidity. A new type of custom nephelometer that measures the aerosol scattering coefficient at 532 nm using an array detector was also deployed at T1.

Open questions on prominences from coordinated observations by IRIS, Hinode, SDO/AIA, THEMIS, and the Meudon/MSDP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmieder, B.; Tian, H.; Kucera, T.; López Ariste, A.; Mein, N.; Mein, P.; Dalmasse, K.; Golub, L.

2014-09-01

Context. A large prominence was observed by multiple instruments on the ground and in space during an international campaign on September 24, 2013, for three hours (12:12 UT -15:12 UT). Instruments used in the campaign included the newly launched (June 2013) Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), THEMIS (Tenerife), the Hinode Solar Optical Telescope (SOT), the Solar Dynamic Observatory's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA), and the Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph (MSDP) in the Meudon Solar Tower. The movies obtained in 304 Å with the EUV imager SDO/AIA, and in Ca II line by SOT show the dynamic nature of the prominence. Aims: The aim of this work is to study the dynamics of the prominence fine structures in multiple wavelengths to understand their formation. Methods: The spectrographs IRIS and MSDP provided line profiles with a high cadence in Mg II h (2803.5 Å) and k (2796.4 Å) lines along four slit positions (IRIS), and in Hα in a 2D field of view (MSDP). The spectropolarimetry of THEMIS (Tenerife) allowed us to derive the magnetic field of the prominence using the He D3 line depolarization (Hanle effect combined with the Zeeman effect). Results: The magnetic field is found to be globally horizontal with a relatively weak field strength (8-15 Gauss). On the other hand, the Ca II movie reveals turbulent-like motion that is not organized in specific parts of the prominence. We tested the addition of a turbulent magnetic component. This model is compatible with the polarimetric observations at those places where the plasma turbulence peaks. On the other hand, the Mg II line profiles show multiple peaks well separated in wavelength. This is interpreted by the existence of small threads along the line of sight with a large dispersion of discrete values of Doppler shifts, from 5 km s-1 (a quasi-steady component) to 60-80 km s-1. Each peak corresponds to a Gaussian profile, and not to a reversed profile as was expected by the present non-LTE radiative transfer modeling. This is a very surprising behavior for the Mg II line observed in prominences. Conclusions: Turbulent fields on top of the macroscopic horizontal component of the magnetic field supporting the prominence give rise to the complex dynamics of the plasma. The plasma with the high velocities (70 km s-1 to 100 km s-1 if we take into account the transverse velocities) may correspond to condensation of plasma along more or less horizontal threads of the arch-shape structure visible in 304 Å. The steady flows (5 km s-1) would correspond to a more quiescent plasma (cool and prominence-corona transition region) of the prominence packed into dips in horizontal magnetic field lines. The very weak secondary peaks in the Mg II profiles may reflect the turbulent nature of parts of the prominence. Movies are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

α7 nicotinic ACh receptors as a ligand-gated source of Ca(2+) ions: the search for a Ca(2+) optimum.

PubMed

Uteshev, Victor V

2012-01-01

The spatiotemporal distribution of cytosolic Ca(2+) ions is a key determinant of neuronal behavior and survival. Distinct sources of Ca(2+) ions including ligand- and voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels contribute to intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. Many normal physiological and therapeutic neuronal functions are Ca(2+)-dependent, however an excess of cytosolic Ca(2+) or a lack of the appropriate balance between Ca(2+) entry and clearance may destroy cellular integrity and cause cellular death. Therefore, the existence of optimal spatiotemporal patterns of cytosolic Ca(2+) elevations and thus, optimal activation of ligand- and voltage-gated Ca(2+) ion channels are postulated to benefit neuronal function and survival. Alpha7 nicotinic -acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are highly permeable to Ca(2+) ions and play an important role in modulation of neurotransmitter release, gene expression and neuroprotection in a variety of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. In this review, the focus is placed on α7 nAChR-mediated currents and Ca(2+) influx and how this source of Ca(2+) entry compares to NMDA receptors in supporting cytosolic Ca(2+) homeostasis, neuronal function and survival.

Development of schemas revealed by prior experience and NMDA receptor knock-out

PubMed Central

Dragoi, George; Tonegawa, Susumu

2013-01-01

Prior experience accelerates acquisition of novel, related information through processes like assimilation into mental schemas, but the underlying neuronal mechanisms are poorly understood. We investigated the roles that prior experience and hippocampal CA3 N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent synaptic plasticity play in CA1 place cell sequence encoding and learning during novel spatial experiences. We found that specific representations of de novo experiences on linear environments were formed on a framework of pre configured network activity expressed in the preceding sleep and were rapidly, flexibly adjusted via NMDAR-dependent activity. This prior experience accelerated encoding of subsequent experiences on contiguous or isolated novel tracks, significantly decreasing their NMDAR-dependence. Similarly, de novo learning of an alternation task was facilitated by CA3 NMDARs; this experience accelerated subsequent learning of related tasks, independent of CA3 NMDARs, consistent with a schema-based learning. These results reveal the existence of distinct neuronal encoding schemes which could explain why hippocampal dysfunction results in anterograde amnesia while sparing recollection of old, schema-based memories. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01326.001 PMID:24327561

Selection Effects in Identifying Magnetic Clouds and the Importance of the Closest Approach Parameter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lepping, R. P.; Wu, Chin-Chun

2010-01-01

This study is motivated by the unusually low number of magnetic clouds (MCs) that are strictly identified within interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), as observed at 1 AU; this is usually estimated to be around 30% or lower. But a looser definition of MCs may significantly increase this percentage. Another motivation is the unexpected shape of the occurrence distribution of the observers' "closest approach distances" (measured from a MC's axis, and called CA) which drops off somewhat rapidly as |CA| (in % of MC radius) approaches 100%, based on earlier studies. We suggest, for various geometrical and physical reasons, that the |CA|-distribution should be somewhere between a uniform one and the one actually observed, and therefore the 30% estimate should be higher. So we ask, When there is a failure to identify a MC within an ICME, is it occasionally due to a large |CA| passage, making MC identification more difficult, i.e., is it due to an event selection effect? In attempting to answer this question we examine WIND data to obtain an accurate distribution of the number of MCs vs. |CA| distance, whether the event is ICME-related or not, where initially a large number of cases (N=98) are considered. This gives a frequence distribution that is far from uniform, confirming earlier studies. This along with the fact that there are many ICME identification-parameters that do not depend on |CA| suggest that, indeed an MC event selection effect may explain at least part of the low ratio of (No. MCs)/(No. ICMEs). We also show that there is an acceptable geometrical and physical consistency in the relationships for both average "normalized" magnetic field intensity change and field direction change vs. |CA| within a MC, suggesting that our estimates of |CA|, B(sub 0) (magnetic field intensity on the axis), and choice of a proper "cloud coordinate" system (all needed in the analysis) are acceptably accurate. Therefore the MC fitting model (Lepping et al., 1990) is adequate, on average, for our analysis. However, this selection effect is not likely to completely answer our original question, on the unexpected ratio of MCs to ICMEs, so we must look for other factors, such as peculiarities of CME birth conditions. As a by-product of this analysis, we determine that the first order structural effects within a MC due to its interaction with the solar wind, plus the MC's usual expansion at 1 AU (i.e., the non-force free components of the MC's field) are, on average, weakly dependent on radial distance from the MC's axis; that is, in the outer reaches of a typical MC the non-force free effects show up, but even there they are rather weak. Finally, we show that it is not likely that a MC's size distribution statistically controls the occurrence distribution of the estimated |CA|s.

A-Site (MCe) Substitution Effects on the Structures and Properties of CaBi4Ti4O15 Ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Haixue; Li, Chengen; Zhou, Jiaguang; Zhu, Weimin; He, Lianxin; Song, Yuxin

2000-11-01

We investigated the effect of A-site compound substitution on the structures and properties of Ca0.8(MCe)0.1Bi4Ti4O15 (M denotes Li, Na and K) ceramics. The samples were prepared by the conventional ceramic technique. Sintering characteristics of Ca0.8(MCe)0.1Bi4Ti4O15 and CaBi4Ti4O15 ceramics were discussed. X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the three modified CBT-based compounds show a single phase of bismuth oxide layer type structure with m=4. The hysteresis loops of polarization versus electric field of the four compounds were also measured. A-site compound substitution improves the piezoelectric properties and the high-temperature resistivity of these materials. A-site (LiCe) and (KCe) substitution not only improves the Curie temperature but also decreases the temperature coefficient of dielectric constant (TK\\varepsilon). Among the three modified ceramics, only the Curie temperature of Ca0.8(NaCe)0.1Bi4Ti4O15 is lower than that of CaBi4Ti4O15; however, its TK\\varepsilon is the lowest. As a result, all the three modified CBT-based ceramics were found to be excellent high-temperature piezoelectric materials.

Permian U-Pb (CA-TIMS) zircon ages from Australia and China: Constraining the time scale of environmental and biotic change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denyszyn, S. W.; Mundil, R.; Metcalfe, I.; He, B.

2010-12-01

In eastern Australia, the interconnected Bowen and Sydney Basins are filled with terrestrial sediments of late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic age. These sedimentary units record significant evolutionary events of eastern Gondwana during the time interval between two major mass extinctions (end Middle Permian and Permian-Triassic), and also provide lithological evidence for the Carboniferous-Permian Late Paleozoic Ice Age of southern Pangea, considered to be divisible into up to seven discrete glaciation events in Australia [e.g., 1]. These glaciations are currently assigned ages that indicate that the last of the glaciations predate the end Middle Permian mass extinction at ca. 260 Ma. However, the estimates for the time and durations are largely based on biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy that, in the absence of robust and precise radioisotopic ages, are unacceptably fragile for providing an accurate high-resolution framework. Interbedded with the sediments are numerous tuff layers that contain zircon, many of which are associated with extensive coal measures in the Sydney and Bowen Basins. Published SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages [2, 3] have been shown to be less precise and inaccurate when compared to ages applying the CA-TIMS method to the same horizons. Also within the late Middle Permian, the eruption of the Emeishan flood basalts in SW China has been proposed to have caused the end Middle Permian mass extinction [e.g., 4], though a causal link between these events demands a rigorous test that can only be provided by high-resolution geochronology. We present new U-Pb (CA-TIMS) zircon ages on tuff layers from the Sydney and Bowen Basins, with the purpose of generating a timescale for the Upper Permian of Australia to allow correlation with different parts of the world. Initial results, with permil precision, date a tuff layer within the uppermost Bandanna Fm. to ca. 252 Ma, a tuff within the Moranbah Coal Measures to ca. 256 Ma, and a tuff within the Ingelara Fm. to ca. 257 Ma, the latter two units lying stratigraphically below the latest identified glacial deposits. U-Pb (CA-TIMS) results on zircons from the Emeishan flood basalts and related volcanic products confirm the end-Guadalupian age (ca. 260 Ma) of the magmatism, and based on present data, place the Emeishan volcanic event (and its possibly associated mass extinction) within the occurrence of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age. This study’s primary goal is the establishment of a chronostratigraphic framework that would allow the integration of calibrated records from both terrestrial and marine units from different parts of the world in order to constrain the timing and rates of extinctions and recoveries in different locations and physical environments. [1] Fielding et al. (2008), J. Geol Soc. Lon., v. 165, pp. 129-140 [2] Michaelsen et al. (2001), Aus. J. Earth Sci., v. 48, pp. 183-192 [3] Roberts et al. (1996), Aus. J. Earth Sci., v. 43, pp. 401-421 [4] He et al. (2007), EPSL, v. 255, pp. 306-323

Early Pottery Making in Northern Coastal Peru. Part II: Field Firing Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, I.; Goldstein, D.; Sosa, J.; Wagner, U.

2003-09-01

We present data from three seasons of experimental field work designed to recreate ancient Andean coastal ceramic firing techniques. Based on the recent discovery of two different archaeological ceramic production sites in the La Leche river valley of northern coastal Peru, the opportunity arose to apply Mössbauer spectroscopy and other analytical methods to reconstruct ancient firing procedures. Two sets of firings took place in 1993 and 1997 in Batán Grande using a partially restored Formative kiln from about 800 BC, local hardwood and cow dung as fuel. A third experiment followed in 2000 after the discovery of a Middle Sicán ceramics workshop in use between ca. AD 950 and 1050 at Huaca Sialupe, where an exact replica of an ancient kiln was built from local clay, and fired with local wood and cow dung. Additionally, inverted urns found at Huaca Sialupe were tested for their potential use as furnaces for metal working. Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to compare the physical and chemical state of specimens produced in the field experiments with ancient ceramics and with specimens produced in controlled laboratory experiments.

Spectral Exploration of Calcium Accumulation in Organic Matter in Gray Desert Soil from Northwest China

PubMed Central

Wang, Ping; Ma, Yucui; Wang, Xihe; Jiang, Hong; Liu, Hua; Ran, Wei; Shen, Qirong

2016-01-01

Little attention has been paid to the accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM) in the fringes of the mid-latitude desert. In this paper, soil samples from a long-term field experiment conducted from 1990 to 2013 at a research station in Urumqi, China by different fertilizer treatments, were used to determine soil properties and soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) by chemical analysis, fluorescence excitation emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy, and high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The binding features of DOM under the addition of Ca2+ were analyzed using a two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer further to explore the response of the DOM to increasing concentrations of Ca2+. Long-term application of chemical fertilizers and goat manure increased soil organic carbon (SOC) by 1.34- and 1.86-fold, respectively, relative to the non-fertilized control (8.95g.kg-1). Compared with the control, application of chemical fertilizers and manure significantly increased the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Si, humic and fulvic acid-like substances in DOM but decreased the amounts of trivalent metals (Al and Fe) and protein-like substances. Although crystalline Al/Fe nanoparticles and amorphous or short-range-order Si/Al nanoparticles existed in all DOM samples, crystalline Ca/Si nanoparticles were predominant in the samples treated with goat manure. Although organic matter and Si-O-containing nanoparticles were involved in the binding of Ca2+ to DOM, application of chemical fertilizers weakened Ca2+ association with components of the amide II group (1510 cm-1) and Si-O linkage (1080 cm-1), whereas application of goat manure enhanced the affinity of Ca2+ for Si-O linkage. Our results suggested that the enrichment of Ca in gray desert soil possibly helps accumulate SOM by forming crystalline Ca/Si nanoparticles in addition to Ca2+ and organic matter complexes. PMID:26751962

Spectral Exploration of Calcium Accumulation in Organic Matter in Gray Desert Soil from Northwest China.

PubMed

Wang, Ping; Ma, Yucui; Wang, Xihe; Jiang, Hong; Liu, Hua; Ran, Wei; Shen, Qirong

2016-01-01

Little attention has been paid to the accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM) in the fringes of the mid-latitude desert. In this paper, soil samples from a long-term field experiment conducted from 1990 to 2013 at a research station in Urumqi, China by different fertilizer treatments, were used to determine soil properties and soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) by chemical analysis, fluorescence excitation emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy, and high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The binding features of DOM under the addition of Ca(2+) were analyzed using a two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer further to explore the response of the DOM to increasing concentrations of Ca(2+). Long-term application of chemical fertilizers and goat manure increased soil organic carbon (SOC) by 1.34- and 1.86-fold, respectively, relative to the non-fertilized control (8.95 g.kg(-1)). Compared with the control, application of chemical fertilizers and manure significantly increased the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Si, humic and fulvic acid-like substances in DOM but decreased the amounts of trivalent metals (Al and Fe) and protein-like substances. Although crystalline Al/Fe nanoparticles and amorphous or short-range-order Si/Al nanoparticles existed in all DOM samples, crystalline Ca/Si nanoparticles were predominant in the samples treated with goat manure. Although organic matter and Si-O-containing nanoparticles were involved in the binding of Ca(2+) to DOM, application of chemical fertilizers weakened Ca(2+) association with components of the amide II group (1510 cm(-1)) and Si-O linkage (1080 cm(-1)), whereas application of goat manure enhanced the affinity of Ca(2+) for Si-O linkage. Our results suggested that the enrichment of Ca in gray desert soil possibly helps accumulate SOM by forming crystalline Ca/Si nanoparticles in addition to Ca(2+) and organic matter complexes.

Growing a Best Babies Zone: Lessons Learned from the Pilot Phase of a Multi-Sector, Place-Based Initiative to Reduce Infant Mortality.

PubMed

Pies, Cheri; Barr, Monica; Strouse, Carly; Kotelchuck, Milton

2016-05-01

Infant mortality reduction in the U.S. has been addressed predominantly through clinical approaches. While these efforts have reduced the infant mortality rate overall, they have not reduced disparities between different racial/socioeconomic groups. To address the interrelated social, economic and environmental factors contributing to infant mortality, a place-based approach is needed to complement existing initiatives and clinical practices. Best Babies Zone (BBZ) is an early attempt to put life course theory into practice, taking a place-based approach to reducing infant mortality by aligning resources, building community leadership, and transforming educational opportunities, economic development, and community systems in concentrated neighborhoods. BBZ is currently in three neighborhoods: Price Hill (Cincinnati, OH), Hollygrove (New Orleans, LA), and Castlemont (Oakland, CA). Assessment In its first 4 years, each BBZ crafted resident-driven strategies for decreasing the root causes of toxic stress and poor birth outcomes. To address resident priorities, BBZ sites experimented with tools from other fields (like design thinking and health impact assessment), and emphasized existing MCH strategies like leadership development. Early challenges, including shifting from traditional MCH interventions and addressing health equity, point to areas of growth in implementing this approach in the maternal and child health field. BBZ aims to elevate local voice and mobilize multiple sectors in order to address the social determinants of infant mortality, and other initiatives working to improve MCH outcomes can learn from the successes and challenges of the first 4 years of BBZ in order to bring life course theory into practice.

Changes in CaCO3 Burial Trump the Biological Pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toggweiler, J.; Dunne, J. P.

2008-12-01

The dramatic increases in atmospheric CO2 at the ends of ice ages are usually attributed to a one-two punch coming from the ocean. First, a weakened biological pump vents organically cycled CO2 from the deep ocean via changes in the ventilation of the deep ocean around Antarctica. The initial CO2 increase is then augmented by an enhancement of CaCO3 burial due to a process called CaCO3 compensation (after Broecker, W. S and T.-H. Peng, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 1, 15-29, 1987). Here, we argue that the importance of the biological pump has been exaggerated. The main effect comes from circulation-induced changes in the burial of CaCO3. As shown in a recent paper by Andreas Schmittner and co-authors (Schmittner, A., E. Brook and J. Ahn, Impact of the ocean's overturning circulation on atmospheric CO2, in Ocean Circulation: Mechanisms and Impacts, Geophys. Monogr. 173, A. Schmittner, J. Chiang, and S. Hemming, eds., pp. 209-246, AGU, 2007) changes in the ventilation of the deep ocean around Antarctica gave rise to 20-30 ppm increases in atmospheric CO2 every 5,000-7,000 years during isotope stages 3 and 4 (30,000 to 70,000 years ago). None of these venting events gave rise to a compensation response. Meanwhile, Jaccard et al. (Science, 308, 1003-1006, 2005) show that all the big CO2 increases during terminations through stage 11 were accompanied by huge increases in CaCO3 burial. This suggests that the enhanced burial of CaCO3 is obligatory rather than compensatory with respect to the dramatic CO2 increases. Broecker and Peng's compensation idea is based on an assumption that the rain of CaCO3 to the sea floor is the same everywhere. More specifically, it assumes that there is no spatial correlation between the production of CaCO3 at the surface and the burial on the sea floor. We find instead that the production and burial of CaCO3 tend to be co-located in regional "hot spots" and that burial in the hot spots balances the input of Ca++ and HCO3- ions in rivers. The hot spots can also move from place to place in response to changes in circulation. The main hot spots today are the eastern Atlantic and southern Indian; the main hot spot during the last glacial was the equatorial Pacific. Renewed deep-water formation in the Atlantic at the end of the last ice age shifted the locus of CaCO3 burial back to the Atlantic and southern Indian and led to a huge drawdown in global alkalinity, which is ongoing today and accounts for most of the deglacial rise in atmospheric CO2.

Maintenance Plan for the Composite Analysis of the Hanford Site, Southeast Washington.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lehman, L. L.; Nichols, W. E.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) manuals for radioactive waste management, DOE M 435.1-1 Chg 21 and DOE-STD-5002-2017, require that the Hanford Site maintain site performance assessments and composite analyses (CAs). This document describes the plan for maintaining the CA that supports waste disposal and remedial actions for the Hanford Site. An initial CA of the site was issued in 1998, conditionally approved in 1999, received further analysis to satisfy conditions in an addendum in 2001, and was approved in 2002. This document meets the maintenance plan requirements described in DOE M 435.1-1 Chg 2 and DOE-STD-5002-2017 and implements themore » requirements of the disposal authorization related to the CA for the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office, the responsible field office, and its contractors.« less

Compressive Hyperspectral Imaging and Anomaly Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

Level Set Systems 1058 Embury Street Pacific Palisades , CA 90272 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 1A-2010 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING...were obtained from a simple algorithm, namely, the atoms in the trained image were very similar to the simple cell receptive fields in early vision...Field, "Emergence of simple- cell receptive field properties by learning a sparse code for natural images,’" Nature 381(6583), pp. 607-609, 1996. M

Ab initio study of potential ultrafast internal conversion routes in oxybenzone, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid: implications for sunscreens.

PubMed

Karsili, Tolga N V; Marchetti, Barbara; Ashfold, Michael N R; Domcke, Wolfgang

2014-12-26

Oxybenzone (OB) and ferulic acid (FA) both find use in commercial sunscreens; caffeic acid (CA) differs from FA by virtue of an -OH group in place of a -OCH3 group on the aromatic ring. We report the results of ab initio calculations designed to explore the excited state nonradiative relaxation pathways that provide photostability to these molecules and the photoprotection they offer toward UV-A and UV-B radiation. In the case of OB, internal conversion (IC) is deduced to occur on ultrafast time scales, via a barrierless electron-driven H atom transfer pathway from the S1(1(1)nπ*) state to a conical intersection (CI) with the ground (S0) state potential energy surface (PES). The situation with respect to CA and FA is somewhat less clear-cut, with low energy CIs identified by linking excited states to the S0 state following photoexcitation and subsequent evolution along (i) a ring centered out-of-plane deformation coordinate, (ii) the E/Z isomerism coordinate and, in the case of CA, (iii) an O-H stretch coordinate. Analogy with catechol suggests that the last of these processes (if active) would lead to radical formation (and thus potential phototoxicity), encouraging a suggestion that FA might be superior to CA as a sunscreen ingredient.

A method for trace element determination of single Daphnia specimens using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mages, Margarete; Woelfl, Stefan; v. Tümpling jun, Wolf

2001-11-01

Two new preparation techniques for total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) element determination of single freshwater crustacean specimens (dry weight: 3-40 μg ind -1) have been developed and tested using Daphnia pulex from a deep, oligotrophic freshwater lake located in southern Chile. Dry method: Specimens were washed with 0.2 μm filtered lake water and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The freeze-dried Daphnia specimens were weighed using an ultra-fine microbalance and placed on quartz glass carriers for TXRF analysis. Wet method: Specimens were washed with 0.2 μm filtered lake water and placed on quartz glass carriers for TXRF analysis and dried in air. The dry weight was determined using the previously established body length-dry weight relationship. Method validation for both the dry and the wet preparation method in combination with TXRF spectrometry for the element determination in small single freshwater crustaceans showed that both methods can be used for routine investigations. There were no significant differences between the dry and the wet methods concerning the elements Ca, K, Fe, Zn, Br, P, Cu, but the determination of Mn, S and Sr revealed significant differences between the two methods. It seems that the dry method yields more precise results, but the wet method is easier to handle in the field when samples cannot be fixed with liquid nitrogen.

Oligonucleotide PIK3CA/Chromosome 3 Dual in Situ Hybridization Automated Assay with Improved Signals, One-Hour Hybridization, and No Use of Blocking DNA.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenjun; Hubbard, Antony; Baca-Parkinson, Leslie; Stanislaw, Stacey; Vladich, Frank; Robida, Mark D; Grille, James G; Maxwell, Daniel; Tsao, Tsu-Shuen; Carroll, William; Gardner, Tracie; Clements, June; Singh, Shalini; Tang, Lei

2015-09-01

The PIK3CA gene at chromosome 3q26.32 was found to be amplified in up to 45% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The strong correlation between PIK3CA amplification and increased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activities suggested that PIK3CA gene copy number is a potential predictive biomarker for PI3K inhibitors. Currently, all microscopic assessments of PIK3CA and chromosome 3 (CHR3) copy numbers use fluorescence in situ hybridization. PIK3CA probes are derived from bacterial artificial chromosomes whereas CHR3 probes are derived mainly from the plasmid pHS05. These manual fluorescence in situ hybridization assays mandate 12- to 18-hour hybridization and use of blocking DNA from human sources. Moreover, fluorescence in situ hybridization studies provide limited morphologic assessment and suffer from signal decay. We developed an oligonucleotide-based bright-field in situ hybridization assay that overcomes these shortcomings. This assay requires only a 1-hour hybridization with no need for blocking DNA followed by indirect chromogenic detection. Oligonucleotide probes produced discrete and uniform CHR3 stains superior to those from the pHS05 plasmid. This assay achieved successful staining in 100% of the 195 lung squamous cell carcinoma resections and in 94% of the 33 fine-needle aspirates. This robust automated bright-field dual in situ hybridization assay for the simultaneous detection of PIK3CA and CHR3 centromere provides a potential clinical diagnostic method to assess PIK3CA gene abnormality in lung tumors. Copyright © 2015 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Methodology affects measures of phosphorus availability in growing broilers: Effects of calcium feeding strategy and dietary adaptation period length on true ileal phosphorus digestibility and predicted endogenous phosphorus losses1.

PubMed

Perryman, K R; Masey O'Neill, H V; Bedford, M R; Dozier, W A

2017-03-01

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Ca feeding strategy and dietary adaptation period length (DAPL) on the apparent ileal P digestibility (AIPD) and apparent ileal myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexakis dihydrogen phosphate (IP6) hydrolysis (AIIP6H) of corn titration diets. Nine hundred sixty Ross × Ross 708 male broiler chicks were placed into 80 battery cages. Broilers received a common starter diet until 18 d of age and then were fed one of 10 experimental treatments from 19 to 21 d of age. Nine diets were formulated to evaluate 5 corn inclusion concentrations (15, 30, 45, 60, or 75%) and 2 Ca feeding strategies (fixed at 0.35% or 1.4:1 Ca:P) after 3 DAPL (zero, 24, and 48 h). As a control for DAPL, one treatment group received the common starter diet for the duration of the experiment. Broilers consuming the control diet had higher (P < 0.001) BW gain and feed intake than broilers fed the corn titration diets. Apparent ileal P digestibility of the control diet was affected (P = 0.038) by DAPL. For diets formulated with a 1.4:1 Ca:P ratio, negative linear effects (P < 0.05) on AIPD and AIIP6H were observed with increasing corn. Conversely, for diets formulated with 0.35% Ca, positive linear effects (P < 0.05) were measured for AIPD after a 48 DAPL while no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) were measured for AIPD or AIIP6H for other DAPL. Broilers fed diets formulated with 1.4:1 Ca:P had variable (P < 0.05) true ileal P digestibility (TIPD; 32.2, 15.1, and 35.4%) and negative endogenous P losses (EPL; -190, -499, and -262 mg/kg DM intake) for zero, 24, and 48 h DAPL, respectively. Conversely, TIPD values (41.2, 39.1, and 47.3%) were similar (P > 0.05) and EPL were positive (102, 197, and 154 mg/kg DM intake), regardless of DAPL, for broilers fed diets formulated with 0.35% Ca. These data demonstrated that formulating diets with a 1.4:1 Ca:P ratio affected AIPD of the titration diets, shifting the regression line and predicted negative EPL and an underestimation of TIPD. © 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Optimizing Available Phosphorus in Calcareous Soils Fertilized with Diammonium Phosphate and Phosphoric Acid Using Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm

PubMed Central

Akhtar, Muhammad

2013-01-01

In calcareous soils, phosphorus (P) retention and immobilization take place due to precipitation and adsorption. Since soil pH is considered a major soil variable affecting the P sorption, an acidic P fertilizer could result in low P adsorption compared to alkaline one. Therefore, P adsorption from DAP and phosphoric acid (PA) required to produce desired soil solution P concentration was estimated using Freundlich sorption isotherms. Two soils from Faisalabad and T. T. Singh districts were spiked with 0, 10, and 20 % CaCO3 for 15 days. Freundlich adsorption isotherms (P = aC b/a) were constructed, and theoretical doses of PA and DAP to develop a desired soil solution P level (i.e., 0.20 mg L−1) were calculated. It was observed that P adsorption in soil increased with CaCO3. Moreover, at all the levels of CaCO3, P adsorption from PA was lower compared to that from DAP in both the soils. Consequently, lesser quantity of PA was required to produce desired solution P, 0.2 mg L−1, compared to DAP. However, extrapolating the developed relationship between soil CaCO3 contents and quantity of fertilizer to other similar textured soils needs confirmation. PMID:24307878

6. BUILDING 283, WEST SIDE OF THE GARAGE ADDITION (CA.1947) ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. BUILDING 283, WEST SIDE OF THE GARAGE ADDITION (CA.1947) ON LEFT, NORTH SIDE OF CA.1947-1950 ADDITION ON RIGHT. - Presidio of San Francisco, Warehouse & Auto Shop, Crissy Field North cantonment, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA

Mg/Ca-temperature calibration and flux variability of Globigerinoides ruber based on a bi-weekly resolved sediment trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteagudo, M. M.; Weldeab, S.; Lea, D. W.; Karl, D. M.; Rosenthal, Y.

2016-12-01

Planktonic foraminiferal Mg/Ca is one of the most widely-applied proxies for sea surface temperature reconstructions. Current calibrations yield a temperature sensitivity of 9.0 ± 1.0% Mg/Ca per °C (1-2). According to culture studies (3-4), salinity may also influence Mg/Ca ratios by 3.3 ± 1.7% per salinity unit (4), though this effect has not been verified by a field-based study. Paired Mg/Ca-δ18O and faunal fluxes of Globigerinoides ruber (sensu lato) were measured from sediment trap samples at the Hawaii Ocean Time Series. Within the habitat depth range of G. ruber (0-50 m), seasonal temperature and salinity vary by 4 °C and 0.7 practical salinity units, respectively. Multivariate regression reveals that salinity influence is not significant at this site, allowing us to isolate and quantify the temperature influence on Mg/Ca using spatially and temporally highly-resolved temperature measurements. Our study shows an exponential Mg/Ca-temperature relationship of: Mg/Ca [mmol/mol] = (0.97 ± 0.39) exp ((0.063 ± 0.016)*T[°C]) (RMSE=0.32). The results of our faunal and geochemical analyses highlight two key findings. First, foraminiferal assemblage data reveals that the mean annual flux of G. ruber (13 shells/m2/day) is strongly skewed by flux during the summer (up to 63 shells/m2/day) with potential implications for reconstructing annual SST. Second, our results indicate a temperature sensitivity of 6.3 ± 1.6% Mg/Ca per °C, suggesting that the temperature influence on Mg/Ca may be lower than the canonical 9 ± 1 % Mg/Ca per °C value and is sensitive to the choice of habitat depth. 1. Anand et al., Paleoceanography, 18, 1050 (2003); 2. Dekens et al., G3, 3, 1022 (2002); 3. Hönisch et al., GCA, 121, 196-213 (2013); 4. Kisakürek et al., EPSL, 273, 260-269 (2008).

77 FR 46285 - Special Local Regulation and Safety Zone; America's Cup Sailing Events, San Francisco, CA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-03

...] Special Local Regulation and Safety Zone; America's Cup Sailing Events, San Francisco, CA AGENCY: Coast... 2012 program calendar for the on-water activities associated with the ``2012 America's Cup World Series... waters of San Francisco Bay associated with the 34th America's Cup sailing events taking place adjacent...

78 FR 32990 - Special Local Regulation and Safety Zone; America's Cup Sailing Events, San Francisco, CA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-03

...] Special Local Regulation and Safety Zone; America's Cup Sailing Events, San Francisco, CA AGENCY: Coast... ``Louis Vuitton Cup, Red Bull Youth America's Cup and the 34th America's Cup'' regatta scheduled from July... associated with the 34th America's Cup sailing events taking place adjacent to the City of San Francisco...

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Cause G1 Phase Arrest through the Activation of the ATM-Chk2-p21 Pathway

PubMed Central

Huang, Chao-Ying; Chang, Cheng-Wei; Chen, Chaang-Ray; Chuang, Chun-Yu; Chiang, Chi-Shiun; Shu, Wun-Yi; Fan, Tai-Ching; Hsu, Ian C.

2014-01-01

In daily life, humans are exposed to the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) generated by electric appliances, and public concern is increasing regarding the biological effects of such exposure. Numerous studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the biological effects of ELF-EMF exposure. Here we show that ELF-EMFs activate the ATM-Chk2-p21 pathway in HaCaT cells, inhibiting cell proliferation. To present well-founded results, we comprehensively evaluated the biological effects of ELF-EMFs at the transcriptional, protein, and cellular levels. Human HaCaT cells from an immortalized epidermal keratinocyte cell line were exposed to a 1.5 mT, 60 Hz ELF-EMF for 144 h. The ELF-EMF could cause G1 arrest and decrease colony formation. Protein expression experiments revealed that ELF-EMFs induced the activation of the ATM/Chk2 signaling cascades. In addition, the p21 protein, a regulator of cell cycle progression at G1 and G2/M, exhibited a higher level of expression in exposed HaCaT cells compared with the expression of sham-exposed cells. The ELF-EMF-induced G1 arrest was diminished when the CHK2 gene expression (which encodes checkpoint kinase 2; Chk2) was suppressed by specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). These findings indicate that ELF-EMFs activate the ATM-Chk2-p21 pathway in HaCaT cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Based on the precise control of the ELF-EMF exposure and rigorous sham-exposure experiments, all transcriptional, protein, and cellular level experiments consistently supported the conclusion. This is the first study to confirm that a specific pathway is triggered by ELF-EMF exposure. PMID:25111195

Late Holocene stratigraphy of the Tetimpa archaeological sites, northeast flank of Popocatepetl volcano, central Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Panfil, M.S.; Gardner, T.W.; Hirth, K.G.

1999-01-01

Late Holocene (240 km2 on the east side of the volcano with >25 cm of tephra. Lavas from eruptive sequence I dammed drainage in the lowland area near the town of San Nicolas and caused local upstream deposition of as much as 30 m of lacustrine silts, clays, and sands. These lacustrine deposits record an eruptive hiatus for the Tetimpa area of about 750 14C yr: between ca. 2100 and ca. 1350 yr B.P., no major tephras were deposited in the Tetimpa area. In upland areas, this time period is represented by an unconformity and by Entisols formed in the top of pumice deposits and lavas from eruptive sequence I. Artifacts, agricultural furrows, and dwellings record human reoccupation of this surface. At the end of this hiatus, several lahars were deposited above the lacustrine sequence and locally above the Entisol in upland positions adjacent to streams. Between ca. 1350 and ca. 1200 yr B.P., tephras from eruptive sequence II buried these paleosols, occupation sites, lacustrine sediments, and lahars. Andesitic (~62% SiO2) pumice lapilli deposits in the Tetimpa area record three pumice-fall eruptions directed northeast and east of the crater. The first and smallest of these (maximum Tetimpa area thickness = 12 cm; >52 km2 covered by >25 cm) took place at ca. 1350 yr B.P. and was accompanied by pyroclastic surge events preserved in the Tetimpa area by charcoal, sand waves, and cross-stratified sand-sized tephra. At ca. 1200 yr B.P., the products of two Plinian-style events and additional pyroclastic surges reached the Tetimpa area. The largest of these tephra-fall events covered the Tetimpa area with 0.5-1 m of tephra and blanketed an area of >230 km2 with a thickness of >25 cm. The Tetimpa record confirms two of the four periods of explosive volcanism recognized by studies conducted around Popocatepetl in the past 30 yr. Eruptive sequence I corresponds to the explosive period between 2100 and 2500 yr B.P., and eruptive sequence II corresponds to the period between 900 and 1400 yr B.P. The archaeology and lacustrine stratigraphy of the Tetimpa area help constrain the timing of the Plinian phase of eruptive sequence I to ca. 2100 yr B.P. and suggest that the pumice-fall eruptions of eruptive sequence II took place in at least two intervals between ca. 1350 and ca. 1200 yr B.P.

Late Quaternary eolian and alluvial response to paleoclimate, Canyonlands, southeastern Utah

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reheis, M.C.; Reynolds, R.L.; Goldstein, H.; Roberts, H.M.; Yount, J.C.; Axford, Y.; Cummings, L.S.; Shearin, N.

2005-01-01

In upland areas of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, thin deposits and paleosols show late Quaternary episodes of eolian sedimentation, pedogenesis, and climate change. Interpretation of the stratigraphy and optically stimulated luminescence ages of eolian and nearby alluvial deposits, their pollen, and intercalated paleosols yields the following history: (1) Eolian deposition at ca. 46 ka, followed by several episodes of alluviation from some time before ca. 40 ka until after 16 ka (calibrated). (2) Eolian deposition from ca. 17 ka to 12 ka, interrupted by periods of pedogenesis, coinciding with late Pleistocene alluviation as local climate became warmer and wetter. (3) A wetter period from 12 to 8.5 ka corresponding to the peak of summer monsoon influence, during which soils formed relatively quickly by infiltration of eolian silt and clay, and trees and grasses were more abundant. (4) A drier period between ca. 8.5 and 6 ka during which sheetwash deposits accumulated and more desertlike vegetation was dominant; some dunes were reactivated at ca. 8 ka. (5) Episodic eolian and fluvial deposition during a wetter, cooler period that began at ca. 6 ka and ended by ca. 3-2 ka, followed by a shift to drier modern conditions; localized mobilization of dune sand has persisted to the present. These interpretations are similar to those of studies at the Chaco dune field, New Mexico, and the Tusayan dune field, Arizona, and are consistent with paleoclimate interpretations of pollen and packrat middens in the region. A period of rapid deposition and infiltration of eolian dust derived from distant igneous source terranes occurred between ca. 12 and 8 ka. Before ca. 17 ka, and apparently back to at least 45 ka, paleosols contain little or no such infiltrated dust. After ca. 8 ka, either the supply of dust was reduced or the more arid climate inhibited translocation of dust into the soils. ?? 2005 Geological Society of America.

Plastic modifications induced by object recognition memory processing

PubMed Central

Clarke, Julia Rosauro; Cammarota, Martín; Gruart, Agnès; Izquierdo, Iván; Delgado-García, José María

2010-01-01

Long-term potentiation (LTP) phenomenon is widely accepted as a cellular model of memory consolidation. Object recognition (OR) is a particularly useful way of studying declarative memory in rodents because it makes use of their innate preference for novel over familiar objects. In this study, mice had electrodes implanted in the hippocampal Schaffer collaterals–pyramidal CA1 pathway and were trained for OR. Field EPSPs evoked at the CA3-CA1 synapse were recorded at the moment of training and at different times thereafter. LTP-like synaptic enhancement was found 6 h posttraining. A testing session was conducted 24 h after training, in the presence of one familiar and one novel object. Hippocampal synaptic facilitation was observed during exploration of familiar and novel objects. A short depotentiation period was observed early after the test and was followed by a later phase of synaptic efficacy enhancement. Here, we show that OR memory consolidation is accompanied by transient potentiation in the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses, while reconsolidation of this memory requires a short-lasting phase of depotentiation that could account for its well described vulnerability. The late synaptic enhancement phase, on the other hand, would be a consequence of memory restabilization. PMID:20133798

Field Validation of Food Service Listings: A Comparison of Commercial and Online Geographic Information System Databases

PubMed Central

Seliske, Laura; Pickett, William; Bates, Rebecca; Janssen, Ian

2012-01-01

Many studies examining the food retail environment rely on geographic information system (GIS) databases for location information. The purpose of this study was to validate information provided by two GIS databases, comparing the positional accuracy of food service places within a 1 km circular buffer surrounding 34 schools in Ontario, Canada. A commercial database (InfoCanada) and an online database (Yellow Pages) provided the addresses of food service places. Actual locations were measured using a global positioning system (GPS) device. The InfoCanada and Yellow Pages GIS databases provided the locations for 973 and 675 food service places, respectively. Overall, 749 (77.1%) and 595 (88.2%) of these were located in the field. The online database had a higher proportion of food service places found in the field. The GIS locations of 25% of the food service places were located within approximately 15 m of their actual location, 50% were within 25 m, and 75% were within 50 m. This validation study provided a detailed assessment of errors in the measurement of the location of food service places in the two databases. The location information was more accurate for the online database, however, when matching criteria were more conservative, there were no observed differences in error between the databases. PMID:23066385

Field validation of food service listings: a comparison of commercial and online geographic information system databases.

PubMed

Seliske, Laura; Pickett, William; Bates, Rebecca; Janssen, Ian

2012-08-01

Many studies examining the food retail environment rely on geographic information system (GIS) databases for location information. The purpose of this study was to validate information provided by two GIS databases, comparing the positional accuracy of food service places within a 1 km circular buffer surrounding 34 schools in Ontario, Canada. A commercial database (InfoCanada) and an online database (Yellow Pages) provided the addresses of food service places. Actual locations were measured using a global positioning system (GPS) device. The InfoCanada and Yellow Pages GIS databases provided the locations for 973 and 675 food service places, respectively. Overall, 749 (77.1%) and 595 (88.2%) of these were located in the field. The online database had a higher proportion of food service places found in the field. The GIS locations of 25% of the food service places were located within approximately 15 m of their actual location, 50% were within 25 m, and 75% were within 50 m. This validation study provided a detailed assessment of errors in the measurement of the location of food service places in the two databases. The location information was more accurate for the online database, however, when matching criteria were more conservative, there were no observed differences in error between the databases.

Petrography and geochemistry of achnelithic tephra from Las Herrerías Volcano (Calatrava volcanic field, Spain): Formation of nephelinitic achneliths and post-depositional glass alteration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carracedo-Sánchez, M.; Sarrionandia, F.; Arostegui, J.; Errandonea-Martin, J.; Gil-Ibarguchi, J. I.

2016-11-01

We present the results of a petrographic and geochemical study carried out on a layer of achnelithic tephra outcropping at the base of the volcanic cone of Las Herrerías (Miocene-Quaternary volcanic region of Campo de Calatrava, Spain). The tephra, with a composition of nephelinite and ash (< 1 mm) to coarse lapilli (ca. 1 cm) in size, is made of intact isolated achneliths (mostly elongated and spheroidal, including Pele's tears), achnelith fragments and rare welded achneliths. The achneliths at Las Herrerías were generated in a gas-rich fire fountain that fragmented the magma into micro- to nanometre particles. The low viscosity of the nephelinitic blebs (< 1235 Pa.s) inside the hottest (ca. 900 °C), inner zone of the fountain allowed the development of the characteristic fluidal shapes of these pyroclasts and their welding above the glass transition temperature (533-669 °C). The sideromelane glass of the achneliths, also nephelinitic in composition, is variably altered to palagonite. The palagonitization was isovolumetric and took place in a near closed system at the achnelith scale. Palagonitization involved depletion in the concentration (g/cm3) of all major elements and notable increase in H2O content. The elements liberated by this process formed smectite with an average structural formula comprised between those of beidellite and nontronite end terms: (Na0.01K0.03Ca0.18) (Mg0.22Fe0.16)2 + (Fe0.48Al1.02)3 + (Ti0.18)4 + (Si3.58Al0.42) O10(OH)2. The degree of palagonitization in each achnelith was likely related to the amount of water incorporated by individual clasts at the moment of their deposition in a volcanic maar lake. Afterwards, there was no more water circulation through the achnelithic tephra, which was sealed from water by overlying hydrovolcanic tuff deposits. It was this isolation that made possible the preservation of glass to the present day.

Effect of different concentrations of dietary P and Ca on plasma inorganic P and urinary P excretion using noncolostomized and colostomized broilers.

PubMed

Manangi, Megharaja K; Maharjan, Pramir; Coon, Craig N

2018-02-01

Two 5-d bioassays were conducted to explore the P physiological threshold in broilers based on plasma inorganic P (iP), urinary P and Ca, and excreta P and Ca measurements in non-colostomized and colostomized broilers fed with different concentrations of non-phytate P (NPP) and Ca. In Experiment 1, 80 40-day-old Cobb 500 non-colostomized male broilers were assorted into 8 groups consisting of 10 broilers each and placed in individual metabolic cages. Similarly, 8 colostomized broilers of same age were allotted to 8 individual metabolic cages. The experimental diets consisted of a corn soybean meal basal containing 0.17% phytate P (PP) with 8 concentrations (0.08, 0.13, 0.18, 0.23, 0.28, 0.33, 0.38, and 0.45%) of NPP. The dietary Ca concentration was maintained at 0.5% by adjusting a 185-micron particle size limestone with each concentration of added P from added calcium phosphate, dibasic, monohydrate. After Experiment 1, broilers were fed a standard grower diet for 5 d and Experiment 2 was conducted the same as Experiment 1; however, Ca was maintained at 0.9% for all test diets. Plasma iP, urinary P and Ca, and total P (TP) and Ca retention along with phytate P hydrolysis were measured. At 0.5% Ca dietary level, the inflection points for dietary NPP obtained from segmented line regression analysis for plasma iP, urinary P, and urinary Ca were 0.26% (±0.04 SE), 0.28% (±0.01 SE), and 0.30% (±0.04 SE), respectively. The similar values for 0.9% Ca diets were 0.27% (±0.03 SE), 0.21% (±0.03 SE), and 0.30% (±0.0 SE), respectively. In summary, the present findings suggest that an increased dietary NPP would increase plasma inorganic P concentration along with increased % retention of TP and NPP until the broilers reach a point of physiological steady state (7.51 mg iP/dL - 8.13 mg iP/dL as found in this study). Excess P beyond physiological threshold is eliminated in urine coupled with decreased % retention. © 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.

The effect of Birkeland currents on magnetic field topology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peroomian, Vahe; Lyons, Larry R.; Schulz, Michael

1996-01-01

A technique was developed for the inclusion of large scale magnetospheric current systems in magnetic field models. The region 1 and 2 Birkeland current systems are included in the source surface model of the terrestrial magnetosphere. The region 1 and 2 Birkeland currents are placed in the model using a series of field aligned, infinitely thin wire segments. The normal component of the magnetic field from these currents is calculated on the surface of the magnetopause and shielded using image current carrying wires placed outside of the magnetosphere. It is found that the inclusion of the Birkeland currents in the model results in a northward magnetic field in the near-midnight tail, leading to the closure of previously open flux in the tail, and a southward magnetic field in the flanks. A sunward shift in the separatrix is observed.

Input Source and Strength Influences Overall Firing Phase of Model Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Cells During Theta: Relevance to REM Sleep Reactivation and Memory Consolidation

PubMed Central

Booth, Victoria; Poe, Gina R.

2005-01-01

In simulation studies using a realistic model CA1 pyramidal cell, we accounted for the shift in mean firing phase from theta cycle peaks to theta cycle troughs during REM sleep reactivation of hippocampal CA1 place cells over several days of growing familiarization with an environment (Poe et al., 2000). Changes in the theta drive between proximal and distal dendritic regions of the cell modulated the theta phase of firing when stimuli were presented at proximal and distal dendritic locations. Stimuli at proximal dendritic sites (proximal to 100 μm from the soma) invoked firing with a significant phase preference at the depolarizing theta peaks, while distal stimuli (> 290 μm from the soma) invoked firing at hyperpolarizing theta troughs. The location-related phase preference depended on active dendritic conductances, a sufficient electrotonic separation between input sites and theta-induced subthreshold membrane potential oscillations in the cell. The simulation results predict that the shift in mean theta phase during REM sleep cellular reactivation could occur through potentiation of distal dendritic (temporo-ammonic) synapses and depotentiation of proximal dendritic (Schaffer collateral) synapses over the course of familiarization. PMID:16411243

Community Strains of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus as Potential Cause of Healthcare-associated Infections, Uruguay, 2002–2004

PubMed Central

Estivariz, Concepción; Mogdasy, Cristina; Pedreira, Walter; Galiana, Antonio; Galiana, Alvaro; Bagnulo, Homero; Gorwitz, Rachel; Fosheim, Gregory E.; McDougal, Linda K.; Jernigan, Daniel

2008-01-01

Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains have emerged in Uruguay. We reviewed Staphylococcus aureus isolates from a large healthcare facility in Montevideo (center A) and obtained information from 3 additional hospitals on patients infected with CA-MRSA. An infection was defined as healthcare-onset if the culture was obtained >48 hours after hospital admission. At center A, the proportion of S. aureus infections caused by CA-MRSA increased from 4% to 23% over 2 years; the proportion caused by healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) decreased from 25% to 5%. Of 182 patients infected with CA-MRSA, 38 (21%) had healthcare-onset infections. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis determined that 22 (92%) of 24 isolates were USA1100, a community strain. CA-MRSA has emerged in Uruguay and appears to have replaced HA-MRSA strains at 1 healthcare facility. In addition, CA-MRSA appears to cause healthcare-onset infections, a finding that emphasizes the need for infection control measures to prevent transmission within healthcare settings. PMID:18680644

78 FR 57664 - Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-19

... Field, CA 94035-1000; telephone (650) 604-5104; fax (650) 604-2767. NASA Case No.: ARC-16211-1: Optimum Solar Conversion Cell Configurations; NASA Case No.: ARC-16292-1: Nanosensor Cell Phone for Detecting Chemicals and Concentrations; NASA Case No.: ARC-16707-1-CIP: Methods for Purifying Enzymes for...

Calcium Carbonate Crystal Growth in Porous Media, in the presence of Water Miscible and Non-Miscible Organic Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaho, Sofia; Sygouni, Varvara; Paraskeva, Christakis A.

2015-04-01

The deposition of sparingly soluble salts (scaling) within porous media is a major problem encountered in many industrial and environmental applications. In the oil industry scaling causes severe operational malfunctions and, therefore, increasing the total operating and maintenance cost [1]. The most common types of sparingly soluble salts located in oil fields include carbonate and sulfate salts of calcium, strondium and barium[1,2]. Multiple phase flow and tubing surface properties are some of the factors affecting scale formation [3]. The main purpose of the present work was the investigation of the precipitation mechanisms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) through in situ mixing of two soluble salt solutions in a flow granular medium, in the presence of water miscible organic fluid (ethylene glycol) or non-miscible organic fluid (n-dodecane). All series of experiments were carried out in a two dimensional porous medium made of Plexiglas. For all solutions used in the experiments, the contact angles with the surface of the porous medium and the interfacial tensions were measured. During the experiments, the calcium carbonate crystal growth was continuously monitored and recorded through an optical microscope equipped with a digital programmed video camera. The snap-shots were taken within specific time intervals and their detailed procession gave information concerning the crystal growth rate and kinetics. The pH of the effluent was measured and fluids samples were collected for calcium analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). In all experiments effluent calcium concentration decreased as a function of time, suggesting that CaCO3 precipitation took place inside the porous medium. Crystals of the precipitated salt were identified using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and the morphology of the crystals was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The induction time for precipitation of CaCO3 crystals in the presence of n-dodecane was significantly reduced compared to the induction time where no oil phase was present. The interface of n-dodecane and supersaturated solutions seems to be very active and favored the formation of the CaCO3 crystalline enhancing the heterogeneous nucleation which generally demands a decreased energy barrier. Acknowledgments This research was partially funded by the European Union (European Social Fund-ESF) and Greek National Funds through the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" under the action Aristeia II (Code No4420). References 1. Merdhah A. B. and Yassin A. A., Scale formation in oil reservoir during water injection at high-salinity formation water, Journal of Applied Sciences, 7, 3198-3207 (2007). 2. Moghadasi J., Muller-Steinhagen H., Jamialahmadi M. and Sharif A., Model study on the kinetics of oil field formation damage due to salt precipitation from injection, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 43, 201-217 (2004). 3. Nancollas G. H. and Reddy M. M., The crystallization of calcium carbonate II. Calcite growth mechanism, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 37, 824-830 (1971).

Kinetic properties of the sodium-calcium exchanger in rat brain synaptosomes.

PubMed Central

Fontana, G; Rogowski, R S; Blaustein, M P

1995-01-01

1. The kinetic properties of the internal Na+ (Na+i)- dependent 45Ca2+ influx and external Na+ (Na+o)-dependent 45Ca2+ efflux were determined in isolated rat brain nerve terminals (synaptosomes) under conditions which the concentrations of internal Na+ ([Na+]i), external Na+ ([Na+]o), external Ca2+ (Ca2+]o), and external K+ ([K+]o) were varied. Both fluxes are manifestations of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. 2. Ca2+ uptake was augmented by raising [Na+]i and / or lowering [Na+]o. The increase in Ca2+ uptake induced by removing external Na+ was, in most instances, quantitatively equal to the Na+i-dependent Ca2+ uptake. 3. The Na+i-dependent Ca2+ uptake (measured at 1 s) was activated with an apparent half-maximal [Ca2+]o (KCa(o)) of about 0.23 mM. External Na+ inhibited the uptake in a non- competitive manner: increasing [Na+]o from 4.7 to 96 mM reduced the maximal Na+(i)-dependent Ca2+ uptake but did not affect KCa(o). 4. The inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by Na+o was proportional to ([Na+]o)2, and had a Hill coefficient (nH) of approximately 2.0. The mean apparent half-maximal [Na+]o for inhibition (KI(Na)) was about 60mM, and was independent of [Ca2+]o between 0.1 and 1.2mM; this, too, is indicative of non-competitive inhibition. 5. Low concentrations of alkali metal ions (M+) in the medium, including Na+, stimulated the Na+i-dependent uptake. The external Na+ and K+ concentrations required for apparent half-maximal activation (KM(Na) and KM(K), respectively) were 0.12 and 0.10mM. Thus, the relationship between Ca2+ uptake and [Na+]o was biphasic: uptake was stimulated by [Na+]o < or = 10 mM, and inhibited by higher [Na+]o. 6. The calculated maximal Na+i-dependent Ca2+ uptake (Jmax) was about 1530 pmol (mg protein) -1s-1 at 30 degrees C saturating [Ca2+]o and external M+ concentration ([M+]o), and with negligible inhibition by external Na+. 7. Internal Na+ activated the Ca2+ uptake with an apparent half-maximal concentration (KNa(i)) of about 20 mM and a Hill coefficient, nH, of approximately 3.0. 8. The Jmax for the Na+o-dependent efflux of Ca2+ from 45Ca(2+)-loaded synaptosomes treated with carbonyl cyanide p-trifluormethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and caffeine (to release stored Ca2+ and raise the internal Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was about 1800-2000 pmol (mg protein -1s-1 at 37 degrees C. 9. When the membrane potential (Vm) was reduced (depolarized) by increasing [K+]o, the Na+i-dependent Ca2+ influx increased, and the Na+o-dependent Ca2+ efflux declined. Both fluxes changed about 2-fold per 60 mV change in Vm. This voltage sensitivity corresponds to the movement of one elementary charge through about 60% of the membrane electric field. The symmetry suggests that the voltage-sensitive step is reversible. 10. The Jmax values for both Ca2P influx and efflux correspond to a Na+-Ca2+ exchange-mediated flux of about 425-575 jumol Ca2P (1 cell water)-' s-' or a turnover of about one quarter of the total synaptosome Ca2P in 1 s. We conclude that the Na+-Ca2P exchanger may contribute to Ca2P entry during nerve terminal depolarization; it is likely to be a major mechanism mediating Ca2P extrusion during subsequent repolarization and recovery. PMID:7666363

Ampullary sense organs, peripheral, central and behavioral electroreception in chimeras (Hydrolagus, Holocephali, Chondrichthyes).

PubMed

Fields, R D; Bullock, T H; Lange, G D

1993-01-01

Ampullary sense organs are distributed in groups over the head of Hydrolagus colliei with their pores in clusters and innervated by the buccal, hyomandibular and superficial ophthalmic branches of the anterior lateral line nerve. The ampullae contain ciliated sense cells in an alveolate-shaped epithelium, which communicates to the surface through a jelly-filled tube. The sense cells synapse at their bases with the afferent nerve fibers that terminate in the dorsal nucleus of the anterior lateral line lobe of the medulla. The anatomy and ultrastructure support the homology with the ampullae of Lorenzini of elasmobranchs. Single units recorded from the buccal branch of the anterior lateral line nerve are either lateral line or ampullary in character, the former being sensitive only to mechanical stimuli, the latter to both mechanical and to weak electric stimuli. They are also distinguished by the positions of their receptive fields. The electroreceptive units are spontaneously active and are excited by a cathode placed near the opening of their pore and inhibited by an anode. Compound evoked potentials are recorded from beneath the lateral aspect of the tectum in response to weak electric fields in the bath. Each recording locus has a best position and orientation of the electric field. The electric fields are effective if their duration is longer than ca. 2 ms; longer than 10 ms makes no difference until an OFF effect becomes distinct at ca. 50 ms. The reception is tuned to low frequencies but is not sensitive to maintained current (DC). Evoked potentials summating moderate numbers of responses are clear at < 1 microV/cm. Ratfish were conditioned in a ring-shaped tank to reverse the direction of swimming when an electric field was switched ON. The stimulus was a 5 Hz square wave or the onset of a DC of 1-10 microA between a pair of electrodes on the floor of the tank. The fish responded to fields as weak as 0.2 microV/cm. A specialized sense modality for electroreception, similar to that in elasmobranchs and most other groups of nonteleost fishes, except for Myxini and Neopterygii (holosteans), is present in the subclass Holocephali. The notion is supported that this modality and its central as well as peripheral apparatus arose early in the evolution of vertebrates. Only two losses of the whole system need be hypothesized, on this idea, once in the ancestors of the hagfishes and once in the ancestors of the neopterygians, which include the teleosts. Some orders of teleosts then evolved a new system of electroreception independently. The ciliary receptor cells are probably primitive; microvillar sense cells evolved independently.

Verapamil protective effect on natural and artificial magnetic field cardiovascular impact.

PubMed

Gmitrov, Juraj; Ohkubo, Chiyoji

2002-10-01

Previously we found an opposite effect of artificial static magnetic field (SMF) and natural geomagnetic field (GMF) on arterial baroreceptors. A 0.35 T SMF increased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), whereas GMF disturbance decreased BRS. Here, we investigated interrelated impacts on arterial baroreceptors of 0.35 T SMF, generated by Nd(2)-Fe(14)-B alloy magnets, GMF, and verapamil, a Ca(2+) channel blocking agent. We measured BRS in rabbits before and after local SMF exposure of sinocarotid baroreceptors or after simultaneous SMF and verapamil application, in conjunction with geomagnetic disturbance during actual experimental run (determined by K-index) and geomagnetic disturbance over the preceding 24 h of each experiment (A(k)-index). BRS was estimated from peak responses of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate, expressed as percentages of the resting values preceding each pair of pressure (phenylephrine) and depressor drug (nitroprusside) injections. Prior to verapamil and/or SMF application we found a significant positive correlation of K-index with MAP (t = 2.39, P =.021, n = 44), but negative with BRS (t = -4.60, P =.0003, n = 44), and found a negative correlation of A(k)-index with BRS (t = -2.7, P = 0.01, n = 44). SMF induced an increase in BRS (0.79 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.15 +/- 0.1 bpm%/mmHg%, initial value vs. SMF exposure, P <.0002, n = 26). Verapamil infusion blocked the SMF and GMF effect on BRS, indicating Ca(2+) channels as a possible site of both fields' impact. SMF and GMF probably affect baroreceptor sensory transduction, modulating baroreceptor membranes' Ca(2+) channel permeability. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Development of a linear-type double reflectron for focused imaging of photofragment ions from mass-selected complex ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okutsu, Kenichi; Nakashima, Yuji; Yamazaki, Kenichiro; Fujimoto, Keita; Nakano, Motoyoshi; Ohshimo, Keijiro; Misaizu, Fuminori

2017-05-01

An ion imaging apparatus with a double linear reflectron mass spectrometer has been developed, in order to measure velocity and angular distributions of mass-analyzed fragment ions produced by photodissociation of mass-selected gas phase complex ions. The 1st and the 2nd linear reflectrons were placed facing each other and controlled by high-voltage pulses in order to perform the mass-separation of precursor ions in the 1st reflectron and to observe the focused image of the photofragment ions in the 2nd reflectron. For this purpose, metal meshes were attached on all electrodes in the 1st reflectron, whereas the mesh was attached only on the last electrode in the 2nd reflectron. The performance of this apparatus was evaluated using imaging measurement of Ca+ photofragment ions from photodissociation reaction of Ca+Ar complex ions at 355 nm photoexcitation. The focused ion images were obtained experimentally with the double linear reflectron at the voltages of the reflection electrodes close to the predictions by ion trajectory simulations. The velocity and angular distributions of the produced Ca+ ([Ar] 4p1, 2P3/2) ion were analyzed from the observed images. The binding energy D0 of Ca+Ar in the ground state deduced in the present measurement was consistent with those determined theoretically and by spectroscopic measurements. The anisotropy parameter β of the transition was evaluated for the first time by this instrument.

Trends in antimicrobial resistance and empiric antibiotic therapy of bloodstream infections at a general hospital in Mid-Norway: a prospective observational study.

PubMed

Mehl, Arne; Åsvold, Bjørn Olav; Kümmel, Angela; Lydersen, Stian; Paulsen, Julie; Haugan, Ingvild; Solligård, Erik; Damås, Jan Kristian; Harthug, Stig; Edna, Tom-Harald

2017-02-02

The occurrence of bloodstream infection (BSI) and antimicrobial resistance have been increasing in many countries. We studied trends in antimicrobial resistance and empiric antibiotic therapy at a medium-sized general hospital in Mid-Norway. Between 2002 and 2013, 1995 prospectively recorded episodes of BSI in 1719 patients aged 16-99 years were included. We analyzed the antimicrobial non-susceptibility according to place of acquisition, site of infection, microbe group, and time period. There were 934 community-acquired (CA), 787 health care-associated (HCA) and 274 hospital-acquired (HA) BSIs. The urinary tract was the most common site of infection. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated infective agent in all three places of acquisition. Second in frequency was Streptococcus pneumoniae in CA and Staphylococcus aureus in both HCA and HA. Of the BSI microbes, 3.5% were non-susceptible to the antimicrobial regimen recommended by the National Professional Guidelines for Use of Antibiotics in Hospitals, consisting of penicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole (PGM). In contrast, 17.8% of the BSI microbes were non-susceptible to cefotaxime and 27.8% were non-susceptible to ceftazidime. Antimicrobial non-susceptibility differed by place of acquisition. For the PGM regimen, the proportions of non-susceptibility were 1.4% in CA, 4.8% in HCA, and 6.9% in HA-BSI (p < 0.001), and increasing proportions of non-susceptibility over time were observed in HA-BSI, 2.2% in 2002-2005, 6.2% in 2006-2009, and 11.7% in 2010-2013 (p = 0.026), mainly caused by inherently resistant microbes. We also observed increasing numbers of bacteria with acquired resistance, particularly E. coli producing ESBL or possessing gentamicin resistance, and these occurred predominantly in CA- and HCA-BSI. Generally, antimicrobial resistance was a far smaller problem in our BSI cohort than is reported from countries outside Scandinavia. In our cohort, appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy could be achieved to a larger extent by replacing second- and third-generation cephalosporins with penicillin-gentamicin or piperacillin-tazobactam.

Thermochronologic constraints on the Miocene slip history of the South Tibetan detachment system in the Everest region, central Himalaya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz, M.; Hodges, K. V.; Van Soest, M. C.; Wartho, J. A.

2014-12-01

North-dipping, low-angle normal faults of the South Tibetan detachment system (STDS) can be traced for a distance of more than 2000 km along strike and represent an important tectonic characteristic of the Miocene Himalayan-Tibetan orogenic system. Nowhere is the STDS better exposed than the N-S-trending Rongbuk Valley in southern Tibet, where it can be traced down dip from the summit of Everest for a distance of over 30 km before disappearing beneath the valley floor. This places a minimum constraint on Miocene displacement on the feature in this area, but some research groups have suggested ~200 km of displacement based on the difference in metamorphic pressures across the STDS and the very low (< 15˚) primary dip of the structure. We are exploring this issue further using developing (U-Th)/He and 40Ar/39Ar datasets from deformed footwall sillimanite gneisses and leucogranites. Data obtained thus far indicate relatively rapid cooling of the footwall after the intrusion of deformed leucogranites at ca. 16.7 Ma to muscovite 40Ar/39Ar closure temperatures (ca. 15.5-14.2 Ma) and zircon (U-Th)/He closure temperatures (ca. 14.5-11 Ma). We attribute this cooling to tectonic denudation related to ca. 16 Ma STDS slip. Although the (U-Th)/He systematics of apatites from these rocks is complex, our current interpretation of available data places cooling through the ca. 75˚C closure isotherm at ca. 8-9 Ma, which would suggest a significant reduction in cooling rate that is observed in our inverse model runs of the 1D program, HeFTy. Ongoing analyses of footwall samples from ~8 km to the north of our Rongbuk sample localities in the Ra Chu river valley will greatly strengthen our datasets. With the Ra Chu analyses, our datasets will constrain the cooling history of the footwall for more than 20 km perpendicular to the strike of the detachment. Our presentation will also incorporate results from the program Pecube that will contribute to our calculation of the slip rate by specifying the appropriate exhumation rate.

Mn-Site Doped CaMnO 3: Creation of the CMR Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raveau, B.; Zhao, Y. M.; Martin, C.; Hervieu, M.; Maignan, A.

2000-01-01

The doping of CaMnO3-δ at Mn sites with pentavalent and hexavalent d0 elements - Nb, Ta, W, Mo - modifies the resistivity behavior of this phase, extending the insulating domain and increasing significantly the resistivity at low temperature as the doping element content increases. The higher valency of the doping element introduces electrons; i.e., Mn3+ species are formed in the Mn4+ matrix. Double exchange phenomena then allow ferromagnetic interactions, by application of external magnetic fields which are similar to those observed for electron-doped manganites Ca1-xLnxMnO3 (x≤0.15), but with smaller magnetic moments. Consequently, this Mn site doping induces CMR properties with resistivity ratios considerably larger than those for CaMnO3-δ.

Temporal redistribution of inhibition over neuronal subcellular domains underlies state-dependent rhythmic change of excitability in the hippocampus

PubMed Central

Somogyi, Peter; Katona, Linda; Klausberger, Thomas; Lasztóczi, Bálint; Viney, Tim J.

2014-01-01

The behaviour-contingent rhythmic synchronization of neuronal activity is reported by local field potential oscillations in the theta, gamma and sharp wave-related ripple (SWR) frequency ranges. In the hippocampus, pyramidal cell assemblies representing temporal sequences are coordinated by GABAergic interneurons selectively innervating specific postsynaptic domains, and discharging phase locked to network oscillations. We compare the cellular network dynamics in the CA1 and CA3 areas recorded with or without anaesthesia. All parts of pyramidal cells, except the axon initial segment, receive GABA from multiple interneuron types, each with distinct firing dynamics. The axon initial segment is exclusively innervated by axo-axonic cells, preferentially firing after the peak of the pyramidal layer theta cycle, when pyramidal cells are least active. Axo-axonic cells are inhibited during SWRs, when many pyramidal cells fire synchronously. This dual inverse correlation demonstrates the key inhibitory role of axo-axonic cells. Parvalbumin-expressing basket cells fire phase locked to field gamma activity in both CA1 and CA3, and also strongly increase firing during SWRs, together with dendrite-innervating bistratified cells, phasing pyramidal cell discharge. Subcellular domain-specific GABAergic innervation probably developed for the coordination of multiple glutamatergic inputs on different parts of pyramidal cells through the temporally distinct activity of GABAergic interneurons, which differentially change their firing during different network states. PMID:24366131

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lagrutta, Armando, E-mail: armando_lagrutta@merck.

Several clinical cases of severe bradyarrhythmias have been reported upon co-administration of the Hepatitis-C NS5B Nucleotide Polymerase Inhibitor (HCV-NI) direct-acting antiviral agent, sofosbuvir (SOF), and the Class-III anti-arrhythmic amiodarone (AMIO). We model the cardiac drug-drug interaction (DDI) between AMIO and SOF, and between AMIO and a closely-related SOF analog, MNI-1 (Merck Nucleotide Inhibitor #1), in functional assays of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), to provide mechanistic insights into recently reported clinical cases. AMIO co-applied with SOF or MNI-1 increased beating rate or field potential (FP) rate and decreased impedance (IMP) and Ca{sup 2+} transient amplitudes in hiPSC-CM syncytia.more » This action resembled that of Ca{sup 2+} channel blockers (CCBs) in the model, but CCBs did not substitute for AMIO in the DDI. AMIO analog dronedarone (DRON) did not substitute for, but competed with AMIO in the DDI. Ryanodine and thapsigargin, decreasing intracellular Ca{sup 2+} stores, and SEA-0400, a Na{sup +}/Ca{sup 2+} exchanger-1 (NCX1) inhibitor, partially antagonized or suppressed DDI effects. Other agents affecting FP rate only exerted additive or subtractive effects, commensurate with their individual effects. We also describe an interaction between AMIO and MNI-1 on Cav{sub 1.2} ion channels in an over-expressing HEK-293 cell line. MNI-1 enhanced Cav{sub 1.2} channel inhibition by AMIO, but did not affect inhibition of Cav{sub 1.2} by DRON, verapamil, nifedipine, or diltiazem. Our data in hiPSC-CMs indicate that HCV-NI agents such as SOF and MNI-1 interact with key intracellular Ca{sup 2+}-handling mechanisms. Additional study in a Cav{sub 1.2} HEK-293 cell-line suggests that HCV-NIs potentiate the inhibitory action of AMIO on L-type Ca{sup 2+} channels. - Highlights: • Adverse clinical interaction between amiodarone and HCV-NI drugs is captured by in vitro models. • Human iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte beating syncytial model points to Ca{sup 2+} handling effects. • Overexpressing human Ca{sup 2+} channel line model points to shifts in Ca{sup 2+} influx. • Shifts in Ca{sup 2+} current voltage-dependent inactivation play a role in the AER interaction.« less

Prime Contract Awards Alphabetically by Contractor, by State or Country, and Place. Part 8 (Electronic Design Inc-Florida North Shipyards)

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

8217- " -" 0 Li A- (:4 Li DC 0 2- 0 U Lic U) D I-- I: Ia 10N II U) Fd - > 2 .~ H C4 " 0)4 -4 < 1 1 <- w 0 Z II - CON 11 W LiJ w Lij 2 Li z44 0 0 < <. 4CC) < Li...04 0C(1 L a 0-4 40> 0 a0c0𔃺a4(N(N(1(’ -CN n -4 " C -00CI -1 (0 M a - 00 M 1.0 C 0 it cd I CON it .LJO C>O ct)00( ~ CaO (D 0 <!> cc.Cc 0)00 a~ O)CO...11 I 4 C )( DC 4- - CON -1 -1N --010001-N-4 4 n-1- 4 1--- 4 -0-4- 400 1 1- - D( ,Z 11 I CN (I "N )CC 0 (D DC000,0(0C 00 0 0 00 0 0 0 000C.a0D<DD I C000

Particle Models with Self Sustained Current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colangeli, M.; De Masi, A.; Presutti, E.

2017-06-01

We present some computer simulations run on a stochastic cellular automaton (CA). The CA simulates a gas of particles which are in a channel,the interval [1, L] in Z, but also in "reservoirs" R_1 and R_2. The evolution in the channel simulates a lattice gas with Kawasaki dynamics with attractive Kac interactions; the temperature is chosen smaller than the mean field critical one. There are also exchanges of particles between the channel and the reservoirs and among reservoirs. When the rate of exchanges among reservoirs is in a suitable interval the CA reaches an apparently stationary state with a non zero current; for different choices of the initial condition the current changes sign. We have a quite satisfactory theory of the phenomenon but we miss a full mathematical proof.

2D/0D graphene hybrids for visible-blind flexible UV photodetectors.

PubMed

Tetsuka, Hiroyuki

2017-07-17

Nitrogen-functionalized graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) are attractive building blocks for optoelectronic devices because of their exceptional tunable optical absorption and fluorescence properties. Here, we developed a high-performance flexible NGQD/graphene field-effect transistor (NGQD@GFET) hybrid ultraviolet (UV) photodetector, using dimethylamine-functionalized GQDs (NMe 2 -GQDs) with a large bandgap of ca. 3.3 eV. The NMe 2 -GQD@GFET photodetector exhibits high photoresponsivity and detectivity of ca. 1.5 × 10 4  A W -1 and ca. 5.5 × 10 11 Jones, respectively, in the deep-UV region as short as 255 nm without application of a backgate voltage. The feasibility of these flexible UV photodetectors for practical application in flame alarms is also demonstrated.

A role for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in norepinephrine-induced long-lasting potentiation in the dentate gyrus.

PubMed

Stanton, P K; Mody, I; Heinemann, U

1989-01-01

Mechanisms of action of norepinephrine (NE) on dentate gyrus granule cells were studied in rat hippocampal slices using extra- and intracellular recordings and measurements of stimulus and amino acid-induced changes in extracellular Ca2+ and K+ concentration. Bath application of NE (10-50 microM) induced long-lasting potentiation of perforant path evoked potentials, and markedly enhanced high-frequency stimulus-induced Ca2+ influx and K+ efflux, actions blocked by beta-receptor antagonists and mimicked by beta agonists. Enhanced Ca2+ influx was primarily postsynaptic, since presynaptic delta [Ca2+]o in the stratum moleculare synaptic field was not altered by NE. Interestingly, the potentiation of both ionic fluxes and evoked population potentials were antagonized by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). Furthermore, NE selectively enhanced the delta [Ca2+]o delta [K+]o and extracellular slow negative field potentials elicited by iontophoretically applied NMDA, but not those induced by the excitatory amino acid quisqualate. These results suggest that granule cell influx of Ca2+ through NMDA ionophores is enhanced by NE via beta-receptor activation. In intracellular recordings, NE depolarized granule cells (4.8 +/- 1.1 mV), and increased input resistance (RN) by 34 +/- 6.5%. These actions were also blocked by either the beta-antagonist propranolol or specific beta 1-blocker metoprolol. Moreover, the depolarization and RN increase persisted for long periods (93 +/- 12 min) after NE washout. In contrast, while NE, in the presence of APV, still depolarized granule cells and increased RN, APV made these actions quickly reversible upon NE washout (16 +/- 9 min). This suggested that NE induction of long-term, but not short-term, plasticity in the dentate gyrus requires NMDA receptor activation. NE may be enhancing granule cell firing by some combination of blockade on the late Ca2+-activated K+ conductance and depolarization of granule cells, both actions that can bring granule cells into a voltage range where NMDA receptors are more easily activated. Furthermore, NE also elicited activity-independent long-lasting depolarization and RN increases, which required functional NMDA receptors to persist.

Application of a Salt Coformer in a Co-Amorphous Drug System Dramatically Enhances the Glass Transition Temperature: A Case Study of the Ternary System Carbamazepine, Citric Acid, and l-Arginine.

PubMed

Ueda, Hiroshi; Wu, Wenqi; Löbmann, Korbinian; Grohganz, Holger; Müllertz, Anette; Rades, Thomas

2018-05-07

The use of co-amorphous systems containing a combination of low molecular weight drugs and excipients is a relatively new technology in the pharmaceutical field to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, some co-amorphous systems show a lower glass transition temperature ( T g ) than many of their polymeric solid dispersion counterparts. In this study, we aimed at designing a stable co-amorphous system with an elevated T g . Carbamazepine (CBM) and citric acid (CA) were employed as the model drug and the coformer, respectively. co-amorphous CBM-CA at a 1:1 molar ratio was formed by ball milling, but a transition from the glassy to the supercooled melt state was observed under ambient conditions, due to the relatively low T g of 38.8 °C of the co-amorphous system and moisture absorption. To improve the T g of the coformer, salt formation of a combination of l-arginine (ARG) with CA was studied. First, ball milling of CA-ARG at molar ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 forming co-amorphous systems was performed and led to a dramatic enhancement of the T g , depending on the CA-ARG ratio. Salt formation between CA and ARG was observed by infrared spectroscopy. Next, ball milling of CBM-CA-ARG at molar ratios of 1:1:1, 1:1:2, and 1:1:3 resulted in co-amorphous blends, which had a single T g at 77.8, 105.3, and 127.8 °C, respectively. These ternary co-amorphous samples remained in a solid amorphous form for 2 months at 40 °C. From these results, it can be concluded that blending of the salt coformer with a drug is a promising strategy to design stable co-amorphous formulations.

Adsorption and substitution effects of Mg on the growth of calcium sulfate hemihydrate: An ab initio DFT study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Yan; Hou, S. C.; Xiang, Lan; Yu, Yang-Xin

2015-12-01

Calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4·0.5H2O, CSH) whiskers with high aspect ratio are promising reinforce materials which have drawn much attention. In order to obtain high quality CSH materials, effect of Mg2+ ions on properties of the (0 0 2), (2 0 0)1 and (2 0 0)2 planes of CSH is investigated using an ab initio density functional theory (DFT) with a van der Waals (vdW) dispersion-correction. The computed results show that strong adsorption and substitution effects take place between Mg2+ ion and (2 0 0)1 plane. The adsorption energies of an Mg2+ ion on the (0 0 2), (2 0 0)1 and (2 0 0)2 planes are -0.066, -0.571 and -0.047 eV, respectively. An insight into the electrostatic potential of pristine CSH planes has demonstrated that the (2 0 0)1 plane is much more negatively charged than the (0 0 2) and (2 0 0)2 planes. The energies of the substitution of a Ca atom with an Mg atom on the CSH (0 0 2), (2 0 0)1 and (2 0 0)2 planes are 1.572, 0.063 and 1.349 eV, respectively. It is found that Ca atoms on the (2 0 0)1 plane are relatively easy to be substituted by Mg atoms. The calculation results of a Ca2+ ion adsorption on the Mg-doped (2 0 0)1 plane indicate that the adsorption energies increase apparently as the doping ratio varies from 0 to 1.0. Compared with K+, Na+ and Al3+ ions, Mg2+ ion is the most promising additive to promote the growth of CSH along c axis.

Role of a Water Network around the Mn4CaO5 Cluster in Photosynthetic Water Oxidation: A Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Calculation Study.

PubMed

Nakamura, Shin; Ota, Kai; Shibuya, Yuichi; Noguchi, Takumi

2016-01-26

Photosynthetic water oxidation takes place at the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II. Around the Mn4CaO5 cluster, a hydrogen bond network is formed by several water molecules, including four water ligands. To clarify the role of this water network in the mechanism of water oxidation, we investigated the effects of the removal of Ca(2+) and substitution with metal ions on the vibrations of water molecules coupled to the Mn4CaO5 cluster by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. The OH stretching vibrations of nine water molecules forming a network between D1-D61 and YZ were calculated using the QM/MM method. On the the calculated normal modes, a broad positive feature at 3200-2500 cm(-1) in an S2-minus-S1 FTIR spectrum was attributed to the vibrations of strongly hydrogen-bonded OH bonds of water involving the vibrations of water ligands to a Mn ion and the in-phase coupled vibration of a water network connected to YZ, while bands in the 3700-3500 cm(-1) region were assigned to the coupled vibrations of weakly hydrogen-bonded OH bonds of water. All the water bands were lost upon Ca(2+) depletion and Ba(2+) substitution, which inhibit the S2 → S3 transition, indicating that a solid water network was broken by these treatments. By contrast, Sr(2+) substitution slightly altered the water bands around 3600 cm(-1), reflecting minor modification in water interactions, consistent with the retention of water oxidation activity with a decreased efficiency. These results suggest that the water network around the Mn4CaO5 cluster plays an essential role in the water oxidation mechanism particularly in a concerted process of proton transfer and water insertion during the S2 → S3 transition.

[Effects of tobacco garlic crop rotation and intercropping on tobacco yield and rhizosphere soil phosphorus fractions].

PubMed

Tang, Biao; Zhang, Xi-zhou; Yang, Xian-bin

2015-07-01

A field plot experiment was conducted to investigate the tobacco yield and different forms of soil phosphorus under tobacco garlic crop rotation and intercropping patterns. The results showed that compared with tobacco monoculture, the tobacco yield and proportion of middle/high class of tobacco leaves to total leaves were significantly increased in tobacco garlic crop rotation and intercropping, and the rhizosphere soil available phosphorus contents were 1.3 and 1.7 times as high as that of tobacco monoculture at mature stage of lower leaf. For the inorganic phosphorus in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil in different treatments, the contents of O-P and Fe-P were the highest, followed by Ca2-P and Al-P, and Ca8-P and Ca10-P were the lowest. Compared with tobacco monoculture and tobacco garlic crop intercropping, the Ca2-P concentration in rhizosphere soil under tobacco garlic crop rotation at mature stage of upper leaf, the Ca8-P concentration at mature stage of lower leaf, and the Ca10-P concentration at mature stage of middle leaf were lowest. The Al-P concentrations under tobacco garlic crop rotation and intercropping were 1.6 and 1.9 times, and 1.2 and 1.9 times as much as that under tobacco monoculture in rhizosphere soil at mature stages of lower leaf and middle leaf, respectively. The O-P concentrations in rhizosphere soil under tobacco garlic crop rotation and intercropping were significantly lower than that under tobacco monoculture. Compared with tobacco garlic crop intercropping, the tobacco garlic crop rotation could better improve tobacco yield and the proportion of high and middle class leaf by activating O-P, Ca10-P and resistant organic phosphorus in soil.

1. Credit WCT. Original 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" color ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. Credit WCT. Original 2- 1/4" x 2- 1/4" color negative is housed in the JPL Photography Laboratory, Pasadena, California. Photo shows John Morrow in charge of milling operations on coupons ("dogbones") of propellant on an Index milling machine. Coupons were milled to precise dimensions for tensile tests. Note that two sprinkler heads have been placed in very close proximity to the milling table for fire suppression purposes (JPL negative no. JPL-10283AC, 27 January 1989) - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Edwards Facility, Preparation Building, Edwards Air Force Base, Boron, Kern County, CA

Calcium-43 chemical shift and electric field gradient tensor interplay: a sensitive probe of structure, polymorphism, and hydration.

PubMed

Widdifield, Cory M; Moudrakovski, Igor; Bryce, David L

2014-07-14

Calcium is the 5th most abundant element on earth, and is found in numerous biological tissues, proteins, materials, and increasingly in catalysts. However, due to a number of unfavourable nuclear properties, such as a low magnetogyric ratio, very low natural abundance, and its nuclear electric quadrupole moment, development of solid-state (43)Ca NMR has been constrained relative to similar nuclides. In this study, 12 commonly-available calcium compounds are analyzed via(43)Ca solid-state NMR and the information which may be obtained by the measurement of both the (43)Ca electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shift tensors (the latter of which are extremely rare with only a handful of literature examples) is discussed. Combined with density functional theory (DFT) computations, this 'tensor interplay' is, for the first time for (43)Ca, illustrated to be diagnostic in distinguishing polymorphs (e.g., calcium formate), and the degree of hydration (e.g., CaCl2·2H2O and calcium tartrate tetrahydrate). For Ca(OH)2, we outline the first example of (1)H to (43)Ca cross-polarization on a sample at natural abundance in (43)Ca. Using prior knowledge of the relationship between the isotropic calcium chemical shift and the calcium quadrupolar coupling constant (CQ) with coordination number, we postulate the coordination number in a sample of calcium levulinate dihydrate, which does not have a known crystal structure. Natural samples of CaCO3 (aragonite polymorph) are used to show that the synthetic structure is present in nature. Gauge-including projector augmented-wave (GIPAW) DFT computations using accepted crystal structures for many of these systems generally result in calculated NMR tensor parameters which are in very good agreement with the experimental observations. This combination of (43)Ca NMR measurements with GIPAW DFT ultimately allows us to establish clear correlations between various solid-state (43)Ca NMR observables and selected structural parameters, such as unit cell dimensions and average Ca-O bond distances.

Structural plasticity in hippocampal cells related to the facilitative effect of intracranial self-stimulation on a spatial memory task.

PubMed

Chamorro-López, Jacobo; Miguéns, Miguel; Morgado-Bernal, Ignacio; Kastanauskaite, Asta; Selvas, Abraham; Cabané-Cucurella, Alberto; Aldavert-Vera, Laura; DeFelipe, Javier; Segura-Torres, Pilar

2015-12-01

Posttraining intracranial self-stimulation (SS) in the lateral hypothalamus facilitates the acquisition and retention of several implicit and explicit memory tasks. Here, intracellular injections of Lucifer yellow were used to assess morphological changes in hippocampal neurons that might be specifically related to the facilitative posttraining SS effect upon the acquisition and retention of a distributed spatial task in the Morris water maze. We examined the structure, size and branching complexity of cornus ammonis 1 (CA1) cells, and the spine density of CA1 pyramidal neurons and granular cells of the dentate gyrus (DG). Animals that received SS after each acquisition session performed faster and better than Sham ones--an improvement that was also evident in a probe trial 3 days after the last training session. The neuromorphological analysis revealed an increment in the size and branching complexity in apical CA1 dendritic arborization in SS-treated subjects as compared with Sham animals. Furthermore, increased spine density was observed in the CA1 field in SS animals, whereas no effects were observed in DG cells. Our results support the hypothesis that the facilitating effect of SS on the acquisition and retention of a spatial memory task could be related to structural plasticity in CA1 hippocampal cells. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Intracellular Calcium Decreases Upon Hyper Gravity-Treatment of Arabidopsis Thaliana Cell Cultures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neef, Maren; Denn, Tamara; Ecke, Margret; Hampp, Rüdiger

2016-06-01

Cell cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana ( A. t.) respond to changes in the gravitational field strength with fluctuations of the amount of cytosolic calcium (Ca2+). In parabolic flight experiments, where hyper- and μg phases follow each other, μg clearly increased Ca2+, while hyper-g caused a slight reduction. Since the latter observation had not been reported before, we studied this effect in more detail. Using a special centrifuge for heavy items (ZARM, Bremen, Germany), we determined the hyper-g-dependent intracellular Ca2+ level with transgenic cell lines expressing the Ca2+ sensor, cameleon. This sensor exhibits a shift in fluorescence from 480 to 530 nm in response to Ca2+ binding. The data show a drop in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration with a threshold gravity of around 3 g. This is above hypergravity levels achieved during parabolic flights (1.8 g). The use of mutants with different sub-cellular targets of cameleon expression (nucleus, tonoplast, plasma membrane) gave the same results, i.e. Ca2+ is obviously exported from several intracellular compartments.

Tactile modulation of hippocampal place fields.

PubMed

Gener, Thomas; Perez-Mendez, Lorena; Sanchez-Vives, Maria V

2013-12-01

Neural correlates of spatial representation can be found in the activity of the hippocampal place cells. These neurons are characterized by firing whenever the animal is located in a particular area of the space, the place field. Place fields are modulated by sensory cues, such as visual, auditory, or olfactory cues, being the influence of visual inputs the most thoroughly studied. Tactile information gathered by the whiskers has a prominent representation in the rat cerebral cortex. However, the influence of whisker-detected tactile cues on place fields remains an open question. Here we studied place fields in an enriched tactile environment where the remaining sensory cues were occluded. First, place cells were recorded before and after blockade of tactile transmission by means of lidocaine applied on the whisker pad. Following tactile deprivation, the majority of place cells decreased their firing rate and their place fields expanded. We next rotated the tactile cues and 90% of place fields rotated with them. Our results demonstrate that tactile information is integrated into place cells at least in a tactile-enriched arena and when other sensory cues are not available. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Trace Element Geochemistry of Basaltic Tephra in Maar Cores; Implications for Centre Correlation, Field Evolution, and Mantle Source Characteristics of the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hopkins, J. L.; Leonard, G.; Timm, C.; Wilson, C. J. N.; Neil, H.; Millet, M. A.

2014-12-01

Establishing volcanic hazard and risk management strategies hinges on a detailed understanding of the type, timing and tephra dispersal of past eruptions. In order to unravel the pyroclastic eruption history of a volcanic field, genetic links between the deposits and eruption source centre need to be established. The Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF; New Zealand) has been active for ca. 200 kyr and comprises ca. 53 individual centres covering an area of ca. 360km2. These centres show a range of sizes and eruptive styles from maar craters and tuff rings, to scoria cones and lava flows consistent with both phreatomagmatic and magmatic eruptions. Superimposition of the metropolitan area of Auckland (ca. 1.4 million inhabitants) on the volcanic field makes it critically important to assess the characteristics of the volcanic activity, on which to base assessment and management of the consequent hazards. Here we present a geochemical approach for correlating tephra deposits to their source centres. To acquire the most complete stratigraphic record of pyroclastic events, maar crater cores from different locations, covering various depths and thus ages across the field were selected. Magnetic susceptibility and x-ray density scanning of the cores was used to identify the basaltic tephra horizons, which were sampled and in-situ analysis of individual shards undertaken for major and trace elements using EPMA and LA-ICP-MS techniques, respectively. Our results show that tephra shard trace element ratios are comparable and complementary to the AVF whole rock database. The use of specific trace element ratios (e.g. Gd/Yb vs. Zr/Yb) allows us to fingerprint and cross correlate tephra horizons between cores and, when coupled with newly acquired 40Ar-39Ar age dating and eruption size estimates, correlate horizons to their source centres. This integrated style of study can provide valuable information to help volcanic hazard management and forecasting, and mitigation of related risks.

Ca isotope fractionation and Sr/Ca partitioning associated with anhydrite formation at mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems: An experimental approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syverson, D. D.; Scheuermann, P.; Pester, N. J.; Higgins, J. A.; Seyfried, W. E., Jr.

2016-12-01

The elemental and isotopic mass balance of Ca and Sr between seawater and basalt at mid-ocean ridge (MOR) hydrothermal systems is an integrated reflection of the various physiochemical processes, which induce chemical exchange, in the subseafloor. Specifically, the processes of anhydrite precipitation and recrystallization are recognized to be important controls on governing the Ca and Sr elemental and isotope compositions of high temperature vent fluids, however, few experimental data exist to constrain these geochemical effects. Thus, to better understand the associated Sr/Ca partitioning and Ca isotope fractionation and rate of exchange between anhydrite and dissolved constituents, anhydrite precipitation and recrystallization experiments were performed at 175, 250, and 350°C and 500 bar at chemical conditions indicative of active MOR hydrothermal systems. The experimental data suggest that upon entrainment of seawater into MOR hydrothermal systems, anhydrite will precipitate rapidly and discriminate against the heavy isotopes of Ca (Δ44/40Ca(Anh-Fluid) = -0.68 - -0.25 ‰), whereas Sr/Ca partitioning depends on the saturation state of the evolving hydrothermal fluid with respect to anhydrite at each PTX (KD(Anh-Fluid) = 1.24 - 0.55). Coupling experimental constraints with the temperature gradient inferred for high temperature MOR hydrothermal systems in the oceanic crust, data suggest that the Ca isotope and Sr elemental composition of anhydrite formed near the seafloor will be influenced by disequilibrium effects, while, at higher temperatures further into the oceanic crust, anhydrite will be representative of equilibrium Sr/Ca partitioning and Ca isotope fractionation conditions. These experimental observations are consistent with analyzed Sr/Ca and Ca isotope compositions of anhydrites and vent fluids sampled from modern MOR hydrothermal systems1,2 and can be used to further constrain the geochemical effects of hydrothermal circulation in the oceanic crust throughout Earth's history. 1 Tivey, M. K. Generation of Seafloor Hydrothermal Deposits. Oceanography 20, 50-66 (2007).2 Amini, M. et al. Calcium isotope (δ44/40Ca) fractionation along hydrothermal pathways, Logatchev field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 14°45'N). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72, 4107-4122 (2008).

A Visual-Cue-Dependent Memory Circuit for Place Navigation.

PubMed

Qin, Han; Fu, Ling; Hu, Bo; Liao, Xiang; Lu, Jian; He, Wenjing; Liang, Shanshan; Zhang, Kuan; Li, Ruijie; Yao, Jiwei; Yan, Junan; Chen, Hao; Jia, Hongbo; Zott, Benedikt; Konnerth, Arthur; Chen, Xiaowei

2018-06-05

The ability to remember and to navigate to safe places is necessary for survival. Place navigation is known to involve medial entorhinal cortex (MEC)-hippocampal connections. However, learning-dependent changes in neuronal activity in the distinct circuits remain unknown. Here, by using optic fiber photometry in freely behaving mice, we discovered the experience-dependent induction of a persistent-task-associated (PTA) activity. This PTA activity critically depends on learned visual cues and builds up selectively in the MEC layer II-dentate gyrus, but not in the MEC layer III-CA1 pathway, and its optogenetic suppression disrupts navigation to the target location. The findings suggest that the visual system, the MEC layer II, and the dentate gyrus are essential hubs of a memory circuit for visually guided navigation. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.