Longitudinal changes of brain amino acid content occurring before, during and after epileptic activity

In cats affected with cortical epileptogenic foci induced by penicillin application to and cobalt implantation into the pericruciate area, the brain amino acids contents were determined in the focus as well as in extrafocal areas. In different groups of animals, brain removal for biochemical determinations was performed at different times before, during and after epilepsy and the values compared to controls. The only amino acid to show a significant change before appearance of spikes in both types of epilepsy was taurine, which decreased. Cobalt epilepsy was accompanied by changes in a larger number of amino acids than penicillin epilepsy: in the former the brain content of taurine, GABA, aspartate, glutamate, serine, threonine, glycine and alanine was altered. The changes were proportional to the severity of epilepsy and more prominent in the focus area. After disappearance of spikes the levels of most amino acids returned to normal except for some amino acids, previously unaffected by penicillin epilepsy, which were decreased. It is proposed that the decrease in brain taurine, occurring before the appearance of penicillin and cobalt epilepsy, could increase the excitability of a certain neuronal population and thus, by potentiating the effects on neurons of penicillin and cobalt, contribute to the initiation of epilepsy.     

Das Rotwild Jugoslawiens

Zusammenfassung Der Bestand an Rotwild in Jugoslawien wird Ende 1957 auf ca. 15000 Stück geschätzt. Wegen der mannigfaltigen geschichtlichen, geographischen, ökologischen und genetischen Faktoren, die auf das Rotwild in den verschiedenen Gebieten einwirkten, ist das Rotwild Jugoslawiens hinsichtlich des Phäno- und Genotyps sehr verschiedenartig.Zur Zeit steht fast das ganze Rotwild nördlich der Linie, die von den Flüssen Donau-Sava-Una gebildet wird, obwohl es ehemals fast auf dem ganzen Gebiet Jugoslawiens vorkam.Das jugoslawische Rotwild ist teilweise autochthon, zum Teil stammt es von Rotwild ab, das aus verschiedenen europäischen Staaten nach Jugoslawien, größtenteils Ende des 19. und zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts, eingeführt wurde. Im Südosten herrscht der maraloide, ansonsten jedoch der hypelaphoide Geweihtyp vor.Das Rotwild Jugoslawiens ist gut. Hirsche erreichen Gewichte von 350 kg, Tiere von 180 kg. Viele Trophäen haben Gewichte über 10 kg und Punktzahlen über 200 der internationalen Madrider Formel. Der bisher stärkste erlegte Hirsch erzielte 248,5 Punkte und war 1954 Champion auf der Internationalen Jagdausstellung in Düsseldorf.

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Summary The number of red deer in Yugoslavia at the end of 1957 is estimated at approximately 15000 head. Because of widely differing historical, geographical, ecological and genetic factors, which have exercised, and are still exercising, their effect upon red deer in the various regions, this game differs in phenotype and genotype in Yugoslavia very much.At present almost all the red deer live north of the line formed by the rivers Danube, Sava, and Una, although in the past they were found practically throughout the whole of Yugoslavia.Yugoslav red deer are in part native to the country, and in part descended from red deer imported from various other European countries into Yugoslavia, mainly at the end 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. As regards type, the maraloid prevails towards the southeast, and the hypelaphoid type on the whole.Yugoslav red deer are an excellent breed. Many hunting trophies weight more than 20 lbs, and can claim more than 200 points according to the international Madrid formula. The most powerful stag shot so far was awarded 248,5 points and was the champion at the International Sportmen's (Hunters') Exhibition at Düsseldorf in 1954. The maximum weight attained by a stag is 350 kg (7 cwt.), and that of a hind 180 kg (3 1/2 cwt.).

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Résumé Le nombre des cerfs en Yougoslavie à la fin de l'année 1957 était 15 000 envinon. En conséquence des influences très différentes des facteurs historiques, géyographique, écologique et génétiques, qui se manifestaient et se manifestent dans les diverses régions, sont les cerfs de la Yougoslavie différents de points de vue phéno et génotypique.Presque tous les cerfs vivent au Nord de la ligne tracée par les riviéres de Danube, Save et Une, bien qu'ils vivaient jadis sur le territoire presqu' entier de la Yougoslavie.Une partie des cerfs de Yougoslavie sont autochthones, l'autre tire son origine des cerfs, qui étaient importés en Yougoslavie d'autres pays Européens, par la plupart vers la fin du 19^me et on début du 20^m3 siecle. Comme types, c'est le type maraloide qui domine au Sud-Est, ailleurs c'est le type hypélaphoide.Les cerfs de Yougoslavie sont de bonne qualité. Bien de trophées atteignent plus de 10 kg du poidset plus de 200 points (formule internationale de Madrid). Le plus fort parmis les cerfs tirés était le champion de l'Exposition intérnationale de chasse à Düsseldorf en 1954 ayant reçu 248,5 points. Les cerfs atteignent au maximum 350 kg et les biches 180 kg du poids.

     

Seasonal chemical–physical changes of PGI Pachino cherry tomatoes detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to study the variations of internal structure and chemical–physical characteristics of cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Shiren), one the most economically valuable horticultural crops, in different harvesting seasons. In particular, the study focused on PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Pachino cherry tomatoes, characterised by taste and nutritional value, notably in the winter production, amounting about 500 ton/year.     

Depassivation of latent plasma damage in devices

While plasma-induced charging damage has been widely studied in recent years, much of the work has concentrated upon the impact on n-channel MOSFET reliability [1–6]. This work focuses the impact of plasma damage on pMOS devices from the viewpoint of oxide trapped charge and interface states with the experimental featuring two parameters Q_p and ΔN_p, linked respectively to the oxide charge and the interface state density. This experimental method is valid for pMOS devices in two different technologies and permits to fully compare devices with different oxide thickness. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, for a given antenna, the plasma damage roughly has the same net impact on transistor characteristics, regardless of oxide thickness.     

采用实际模型对自动齿轮箱凸轮作动器的效率和磨损的研究

本文研究自动齿轮箱凸轮作动器的效率和磨损,着重于接触动力学。采用罚函数方法仿真凸轮和从动杆间接触,该模型基于有限元与连续弹性基础梁理论近似。采用Hertz理论考虑凸轮和从动杆间相对运动时主要曲率的变化计算基础模量。为比较接触力和不同凸轮轮廓的磨损,该模型仿真概括了整个档位。     

Microstructure and Nanoindentation Properties of Surface Textures Obtained by Laser Machining and Molding in Silicon Carbide

A surface texture consisting of an array of holes in SiC components was obtained by either conventional molding in the green state or post sintering laser machining. According to microstructural analysis, very regular holes were obtained by laser machining with minimal microstructural damage. Irregular holes with defects and voids were instead found for the surface textures obtained via molding. Nanoindentation tests were performed in the areas close to the holes and no significant alteration of the mechanical properties was found after laser machining.     

The carbon balance of Africa: synthesis of recent research studies

The African continent contributes one of the largest uncertainties to the global CO(2) budget, because very few long-term measurements are carried out in this region. The contribution of Africa to the global carbon cycle is characterized by its low fossil fuel emissions, a rapidly increasing population causing cropland expansion, and degradation and deforestation risk to extensive dryland and savannah ecosystems and to tropical forests in Central Africa. A synthesis of the carbon balance of African ecosystems is provided at different scales, including observations of land-atmosphere CO(2) flux and soil carbon and biomass carbon stocks. A review of the most recent estimates of the net long-term carbon balance of African ecosystems is provided, including losses from fire disturbance, based upon observations, giving a sink of the order of 0.2 Pg C yr(-1) with a large uncertainty around this number. By comparison, fossil fuel emissions are only of the order of 0.2 Pg C yr(-1) and land-use emissions are of the order of 0.24 Pg C yr(-1). The sources of year-to-year variations in the ecosystem carbon-balance are also discussed. Recommendations for the deployment of a coordinated carbon-monitoring system for African ecosystems are given.     

Wettability and switching of electrical conductivity in UV irradiated graphene oxide films

Graphene oxide (GO) flakes were assembled into a thin film that was subsequently exposed to UV light. It was found that pristine hydrophilic and insulating GO films present a poorer wettability together with a decrease of their surface resistivity under UV irradiation. It was observed that the pristine hydrophilic and insulating properties can be restored after few hours from irradiation. Using infrared spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy, we study the relationship between surface chemistry and structural distortion of GO films before and after UV irradiation. The obtained results open a solvent free as well as easy route for the integration of GO based materials into optoelectronic devices.     

Formation of unzipped carbon nanotubes by CF4 plasma treatment

In this paper the evidence of the formation of short and unzipped single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) through a facile and scalable plasma method is reported. The approach consists of a CF₄ RF plasma treatment of SWCNTs; transmission electron microscopy as well as atomic force microscopy showed the evidence of the attainment of unzipped SWCNTs chemical microanalysis has been used to demonstrate the fluorination of such nanostructures. The production of such nanostructured architectures may allow for their large scale integration into polymer based nanocomposites.