Characterization of the Functional Cross-Talk between Surface GABAA and Dopamine D5 Receptors

The γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA_AR) plays a major role in fast inhibitory synaptic transmission and is highly regulated by the neuromodulator dopamine. In this aspect, most of the attention has been focused on the classical intracellular signaling cascades following dopamine G-protein-coupled receptor activation. Interestingly, the GABA_AR and dopamine D5 receptor (D5R) have been shown to physically interact in the hippocampus, but whether a functional cross-talk occurs is still debated. In the present study, we use a combination of imaging and single nanoparticle tracking in live hippocampal neurons to provide evidence that GABA_ARs and D5Rs form dynamic surface clusters. Disrupting the GABA_AR–D5R interaction with a competing peptide leads to an increase in the diffusion coefficient and the explored area of both receptors, and a drop in immobile synaptic GABA_ARs. By means of patch-clamp recordings, we show that this fast lateral redistribution of surface GABA_ARs correlates with a robust depression in the evoked GABAergic currents. Strikingly, it also shifts in time the expression of long-term potentiation at glutamatergic synapses. Together, our data both set the plasma membrane as the primary stage of a functional interplay between GABA_AR and D5R, and uncover a non-canonical role in regulating synaptic transmission.     

Dynamic “Molecular Portraits” of Biomembranes Drawn by Their Lateral Nanoscale Inhomogeneities

To date, it has been reliably shown that the lipid bilayer/water interface can be thoroughly characterized by a sophisticated so-called “dynamic molecular portrait”. The latter reflects a combination of time-dependent surface distributions of various physicochemical properties, inherent in both model lipid bilayers and natural multi-component cell membranes. One of the most important features of biomembranes is their mosaicity, which is expressed in the constant presence of lateral inhomogeneities, the sizes and lifetimes of which vary in a wide range—from 1 to 10³ nm and from 0.1 ns to milliseconds. In addition to the relatively well-studied macroscopic domains (so-called “rafts”), the analysis of micro- and nanoclusters (or domains) that form an instantaneous picture of the distribution of structural, dynamic, hydrophobic, electrical, etc., properties at the membrane-water interface is attracting increasing interest. This is because such nanodomains (NDs) have been proven to be crucial for the proper membrane functioning in cells. Therefore, an understanding with atomistic details the phenomena associated with NDs is required. The present mini-review describes the recent results of experimental and in silico studies of spontaneously formed NDs in lipid membranes. The main attention is paid to the methods of ND detection, characterization of their spatiotemporal parameters, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of their formation. Biological role of NDs in cell membranes is briefly discussed. Understanding such effects creates the basis for rational design of new prospective drugs, therapeutic approaches, and artificial membrane materials with specified properties.     

Developmental, Gustatory, and Behavioral Responses of Leafroller Larvae, Choristoneura rosaceana, to Tannic Acid and Glucose

Soluble sugars are essential nutrients generally perceived as phagostimulants to most insects studied. However, tannins are known as digestibility reducers, hence deleterious to caterpillar development, and as deterrents as well. Previous work demonstrated that larvae of the polyphagous oblique-banded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana, performed better when reared on a control + 0.5% tannic acid diet than on the standard control diet and that larvae reared on a control + 5% glucose diet had slower development and reduced survival. This study was designed to elucidate the behavioral and neurophysiological components of the larval responses to tannic acid and glucose. C. rosaceana larvae were reared individually from the first to the sixth instar on one of four different artificial diets: (1) control; (2) control + 5% glucose; (3) control + 0.5% tannic acid; (4) control + 5% glucose + 0.5% tannic acid. After 14 days, larvae reared on the control + 5% glucose diet had not developed past the fourth instar, whereas a considerable proportion of larvae reared on the control + 0.5% tannic acid diet had already attained the pupal stage. Insects reared on the control or the control + 5% glucose + 0.5% tannic acid diet had intermediate development, with most larvae in the fifth instar. In addition, once the mid-sixth instar was reached, the feeding preferences to 25 and 300 mM glucose, 25 mM tannic acid, and 25 mM glucose + 25 mM tannic acid over water were assessed in two-choice tests. Feeding affected preference. Control-reared insects preferred feeding on treatments containing glucose and were not deterred by tannic acid. However, larvae that had been exposed to tannic acid during their development were deterred by tannic acid and their glucose discrimination was impaired. The sensitivity to glucose was also examined from neurophysiological recordings by stimulating the sugar-sensitive cell (cell 1) on the lateral styloconic sensillum of the maxillary galea with increasing concentrations of glucose (1, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 mM). We also determined whether tannic acid was phagostimulatory, since insects develop relatively quickly on a diet containing this compound, by testing 1 mM tannic acid, 1 mM tannic acid + 300 mM glucose, and 300 mM glucose on the lateral styloconic sensilla. The traces indicated that 1 mM tannic acid was not detected by any of the four chemosensory cells in these sensilla. The combination of tannic acid and glucose produced no spikes from the sugar-sensitive cell, whereas a prominent spike activity resulted with 300 mM glucose. We concluded that, although C. rosaceana larvae develop faster on a tannic acid diet, this compound is not a phagostimulant. The converse is true for glucose; i.e., it stimulates the sugar-sensitive cell in the lateral styloconica in a concentration-dependent fashion. Previous dietary experience changes the sensory and behavioral responses of C. rosaceana to glucose. Our findings imply that not all compounds that are phagostimulatory are necessarily beneficial to an insect's fitness. Therefore, developmental studies should be interpreted in conjunction with behavioral and physiological data.     

突扩突跌掺气设施后泄槽底板脉动压力试验研究

有压洞出口后的突扩突跌掺气减蚀设施在水利工程中经常使用。由于水流受边界条件和掺气的影响,其流态和脉动压力往往与普通水槽的情况有很大的不同。通过水工模型试验,对突扩突跌掺气设施后泄槽底板上的脉动压力进行研究,揭示了掺气设施后泄槽底板上不同流动区域的脉动压力特性。从脉动压力的时域过程、均方根值、偏态系数、峰态系数和主频率等多方面得出冲击区、反射区和稳定区脉动压力的特性是不相同的结论。同一流量时,沿流程底板的时均压力都大于脉动压力的均方根值,在冲击区、反射区和稳定区,脉动压力的均方根值分别是同位置时均压力值的约0.5倍、0.6倍和0.7倍。研究成果可为更好地利用突扩突跌掺气设施提供有益的理论和试验依据。     

Comparing the revised NIOSH lifting equation to the psychophysical,biomechanical and physiological criteria used in its development

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic and comprehensive comparison between the recommended weights of lift (RWL) from the revised NIOSH lifting equation, and the specific biomechanical, psychophysical and physiological criteria that were stated to be used in the equation's development. A composite acceptable load (CAL) table was developed for the 216 conditions presented in the female lifting table of Snook and Ciriello (1991). Each CAL value was calculated to correspond to the most conservative load of the three design criteria. The RWLs caused lumbar compression forces close to the biomechanical limit of 3400 N for lifts below knuckle height, but resulted in compression forces that are much lower at higher lifting heights. At moderate lifting frequencies, the average RWL would be acceptable to more than 95% of female workers according to the psychophysical criterion. At the highest frequencies, the RWL was found to be an average of 63% of the CAL values based on the integration of the psychophysical and physiological criteria. It is recommended that ergonomists acknowledge the very conservative nature of the revised NIOSH lifting equation when using it to evaluate occupational lifting tasks.     

设抗震增强体的桩基础力学特性的原位试验研究

在过去的大地震中,许多桩基础因强烈振动和地基变形而遭受结构性破坏,因而提出一种既可以应用于新建桩基础,也可以应用于现有桩基础的抗震加固方法,即采用地基加固技术在桩基础中设置抗震增强体,以与桩基础的钢筋混凝土承台形成双层抗弯结构。采用等比例模型原位水平载荷试验和振动试验以及开挖检查等方法,对抗震加固的力学特性和构建质量进行加固前后的对比研究,进而证实了该加固方法的有效性和可行性,为同类工程起到了一定的参考意义。     

基于侧抑制的红外图像自适应预处理

针对复杂海空背景下的红外图像,提出了一种基于侧抑制的红外图像自适应预处理的方法。根据不同背景图像方差加权信息熵的变化,建立了方差加权信息熵与侧抑制网络作用调节因子的对应关系。通过对不同实际场景自适应地调整侧抑制网络作用强度,实现了不同背景条件下实时红外序列图像的自适应处理。仿真实验表明,该方法能有效提高杂波背景下图像的信杂比,具有突出目标特征和适应复杂背景的能力。     

直接侧向力与气动力复合控制导弹脱靶量分析

大气层内姿控式直接侧向力控制导弹末制导系统存在气动力控制与复合控制之间的切换,在这种特殊情形下引入有限时间广义H2方法进行脱靶量分析.根据复合控制导弹末制导系统数学模型,研究了切换情形下的零效脱靶量与制导系统关键参数之间的关系,分析了直接侧向力启控时间、有效导航比、修正比例导引系数以及目标估计环节时间常数对零效脱靶量的影响.分析结果为制导末端直接侧向力启控时间的确定和修正比例导引律参数的选择提供了有力依据.     

螺纹桩在软弱地层中的应用

分析了螺纹桩的受力机理,探讨了螺纹桩单桩承载力的确定方法,指出螺纹桩单桩承载力高、节约材料显著、能充分利用地基土的特性,在软弱地层中的应用优势显著,并通过实际工程实例给予具体说明.     

索-拱体系横向屈曲临界荷载的实用计算

在圆弧拱横向失稳临界荷载研究的基础上,考虑拉索作用,采用能量原理法提出了索-拱体系横向失稳临界荷载的实用计算式,并用有限元法验证了其正确性,最后探讨了拉索对索-拱体系横向稳定性的影响。结果表明:拉索施加预应力、拉索越短及拉索面积越大均有利于索拱体系的横向稳定性。