Blockade of M2-like muscarinic receptors enhances long-term potentiation at corticostriatal synapses

Cortical glutamatergic fibres and cholinergic inputs arising from large aspiny interneurons converge on striatal spiny neurons and play a major role in the control of motor activity. We have investigated the interaction between excitatory amino acids and acetylcholine (ACh) on striatal spiny neurons by utilizing intracellular recordings, both in current- and in voltage-clamp mode in rat brain slices. Muscarine (0.3-10 microM) produced a reversible and dose-dependent increase in the membrane depolarizations/inward currents induced by brief applications of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), while it did not affect the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)-induced responses. These concentrations of muscarine did not alter the membrane potential and the current-voltage relationship of the recorded cells. Neostigmine (0.3-10 microM), an ACh-esterase inhibitor, mimicked this facilitatory effect. The facilitatory effects of muscarine and neostigmine were antagonized either by scopolamine (3 microM) or by pirenzepine (10-100 nM), an antagonist of M1-like muscarinic receptors, but not by methoctramine (300 nM), an antagonist of M2-like muscarinic receptor. Accordingly, these facilitatory effects were mimicked by McN-A-343 (1-10 microM), an agonist of M1-like muscarinic receptors, but not by oxotremorine (300 nM), an agonist of M2-like receptors. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) did not block the facilitatory effect produced by the activation of muscarinic receptors suggesting that this effect is postsynaptically mediated. The action of neostigmine was prevented either by the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) chelator BAPTA (200 mM) or by preincubating the slices with inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) (staurosporine 100 nM or calphostin C 1 microM). McN-A-343 did not alter the excitatory post synaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by corticostriatal stimulation in the presence of physiological concentration of magnesium (Mg2+ 1.2 mM), while it enhanced the duration of these EPSPs recorded in the absence of external magnesium. Our data show that endogenous striatal ACh exerts a positive modulatory action on NMDA responses via M1-like muscarinic receptors and PKC activation.     

On the thermomechanical behavior of the European target assembly design of IFMIF-EVEDA lithium test loop under start-up transient scenarios

Uncoupled thermomechanical transient analyses have been carried out to investigate the behavior of IFMIF-EVEDA lithium test loop bayonet backplate target assembly under two selected start-up transient operational scenarios. The first transient scenario considered foresees that the target assembly, starting from the initial uniform temperature of 50 °C, is heated up uniquely by convective heat transfer with lithium, flowing from inlet to outlet nozzle at its reference nominal temperature and pressure, until its nominal steady state thermal field distribution is reached. The second transient scenario foresees, more realistically, that the target assembly, starting from the uniform temperature of 50 °C, is initially warmed-up by electric heaters mounted onto its main accessible surfaces and, subsequently, by convective heat transfer with lithium reference flow, until nominal steady state conditions are reached. Heaters have been supposed to operate in an on/off stepwise mode, resulting to be alternatively switched on and off in order to allow the target assembly thermal field to grow up minimizing thermal gradients. To this purpose, a parametric analysis has been performed to realistically assess, for each electric heater, its heat flux and duty-cycle. Numerical results obtained are presented and critically discussed.     

The salvage of aneurysmal fistulae utilizing a modified buttonhole cannulation technique and multiple cannulators

We describe the St Michael's Hospital (SMH) modified buttonhole (BH) cannulation technique as a method that offers a solution for fistulae with aneurysmal dilatation due to repetitive cannulation in a restricted area. This is a prospective cohort study of 14 chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients with problematic fistulae (marked aneurysmal formation and thinning of the overlying skin, bleeding during treatment, and prolonged hemostasis post-HD) because of repetitive, localized cannulation. Each patient was followed for 12 months. The protocol was as follows: creation of tunnel tracks by 1 to 3 experienced cannulators per patient, using sharp needles. After the tunnel tracks were established and cannulation was easily achieved with dull needles, additional cannulators were incorporated with the guidance of a mentor. Bleeding from cannulation sites during dialysis ceased within 2 weeks and skin damage resolved within 6 months in all patients. Hemostasis time postdialysis decreased from 24 to 15 min. Cannulation pain scores decreased significantly. Access flows and dynamic venous pressure measurements remained unchanged. No interventions were required to maintain access patency. In 2 cases, the aneurysms became much less evident. Complications included one episode of septic arthritis and one contact dermatitis. A third patient developed acute bacterial endocarditis 9 months following completion of her follow-up. The SMH modified BH cannulation technique can salvage problematic fistulae, prevent further damage, and induce healing of the skin in the areas of repetitive cannulation. This technique can be successfully achieved by multiple cannulators in a busy full-care HD unit.     

Fabrication of epitaxial III-nitride cantilevers on silicon (1 1 1) substrates

The molecular beam epitaxy of AlGaN/GaN epilayers on silicon (1 1 1) using an aluminum nitride buffer layer, and subsequent fabrication of free standing III-nitride cantilevers on Si(1 1 1) has been investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of cross-section samples reveals a columnar structure consisting of the hexagonal gallium nitride polytype. Selected area diffraction indicates an epitaxial relationship between the gallium nitride and silicon substrate which is described by GaN[0 0 0 1]//Si[1 1 1] and GaN(1 1 0 0)//Si(1 1 1). Imaging of the electronic structure of an AlGaN/GaN interface has been investigated by mapping the variation in the plasmon frequency using an electron energy loss spectrometer on a dedicated scanning transmission electron microscope. Cantilevers were fabricated using a combination of etching processes. Nitride etch rates during inductively coupled plasma dry etch processing using a Cl₂/Ar plasma etchant were obtained by monitoring the optical reflectivity of the nitride films in situ. A peak GaN etch rate of 250 nm/min was measured, the etch rate was found to be strongly dependent on the d.c. self-bias. Thin beams of GaN having a length of 7 μm and 0.7 μm thickness, were fabricated and mechanically released from Si(1 1 1) substrates using a combination of two dry ICP etch processes, using Cl₂/Ar and CF₄/Ar/O₂ chemistries, and a potassium hydroxide (KOH) aqueous wet etch.     

你介意我们么

Danish crafts在2010年米兰设计周上发出自己独特的声音“Would you mind？”每—件作品都以自己独特的形式在问：你介意我么？你介意你么？你介意我们么？     

Functional and molecular properties of calcium precipitated soy glycinin and the effect of glycation with κ-carrageenan

This study describes an extraction process for the preparation of highly purified calcium precipitated glycinin (11S). Initial extraction of soy proteins using isoelectric precipitation at pH 6.8 followed by cryo-precipitation yielded 4.2% product (11S) recovery with 98% protein purity for the control extracted with NaOH. Addition of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) doubled the extraction yield (9%) compared to the control and when two other salts were used (i.e., sodium (Na₂SO₄) and ammonium (NH₄)₂SO₄ sulfate, average yields of 4.4% and 5.17%, respectively). Thermal and molecular stability under varying conditions (pH, salts, SDS as a protein structure perturbing agent), and effect of glycation on functional and structural properties were investigated. Size exclusion chromatography and electrophoresis confirmed the predominance of a major band with MW of ～342 kDa with 98.4% purity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) yielded one endothermic transition peak at 95.5 °C. Denaturation temperatures were >100 °C for all salt concentrations studied. The pH had a dominant influence on the structural properties of glycinin. In the presence of NaCl and CaCl₂ (0.2–1 M), the protein structure showed very little denaturation and no aggregation bands were observed even on heating to 95 °C. Lower SDS concentrations (0.5–1%) resulted in denaturation and aggregation, while at 2% SDS only denaturation was observed. Glycation did not alter the conformational structure of protein. Improvements in surface properties were observed with moderate degree of glycation (6–24 h).     

Voltage transient measurements in a distribution network correlated with data from lightning location system and from sequence of events recorders

Measurement units of high-frequency voltage transients have been specifically developed and installed at three different busses of an Italian medium voltage (MV) feeder, mainly composed by overhead lines and located in a rural region characterized by a high ground flash density (4 flashes/km²/yr). Several of the recorded voltage transients in the period from March 2007 to August 2008 are correlated with specific events detected by the Italian lightning location system (LLS) CESI-SIRF and with sequence of protection operations recorded by the utility's data acquisition system. The paper presents the analysis of these correlated events. Moreover, the paper compares some voltage transient measurements with the computer simulation results obtained by a detailed LIOV-EMTP model of the MV feeder response to indirect lightning strokes. The aim of the paper is to provide elements useful to solve the problem of correlating line faults with lightning events.     

Solar-plus-storage economics: What works where,and why?

This paper explores the economics of solar-plus-storage projects for commercial-scale, behind-the-meter applications. It provides insight into the near-term and future solar-plus-storage market opportunities across the U.S. We explore the impacts of location, building load profile, technology cost, utility rate structure, and policies on solar-plus-storage economic viability, and identify which factors are most significant to project economics. While savings from storage-only projects are largely derived from demand charge reductions, solar combined with storage also provides significant energy charge savings. A common assumption is that load profiles with peaks are likely candidates for savings from storage, due to the opportunity for demand charge reduction. Our results indicate that potential for savings from combining solar with storage is independent of building load variability, likely due to the energy cost reductions from the solar. Systems are more often economical under time of use and demand charge rates, particularly when demand charges are >$10 per kilowatt. Where systems were found to be economical, expected lifetime savings averaged between 7%–10%, with savings of 30% in numerous cases. Near term markets exist for solar-plus-storage in locations such as California and New York. As technology prices drop, the number of building types that can benefit increase, and additional markets appear in Colorado, New Mexico, and Alaska. All data from the study and interactive modeling results are available at: https://openei.org/wiki/Solar+Storage.     

Spray Drying of Green Corn Pulp

Maize (Zea mays) is a cereal grown in Brazil, and its availability is limited to the harvest season. An alternative processing route is based on the production of green corn powder, which has a longer shelf-life and increased versatility. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of drying conditions on the physical characteristics, size, and morphology of green corn powder. Drying experiments were performed on a spray dryer according to a central composite rotational design to evaluate inlet air temperature, feed flow rate, and pulp concentration. The yield of dried pulp corn had an average value of 36.19%. The following mean values for the physical properties of the powder were measured: solubility of 94.37 g/100 g, wettability of 128.05 seconds, moisture content of 1.97%, water activity of 0.13, density of 0.79 g/mL, and a particle diameter of 31.02 µm. The powder was also yellow with less intensity, and the particle surface was smooth at higher temperatures and had a tendency to form agglomerates. The estimated optimal conditions for spray drying were 48% (w/w) pulp concentration, 172°C inlet air temperature, and feed flow rate of 0.56 L/h.