An ion gating, bunching, and potential re-referencing unit

A novel design to achieve the gating, bunching, and potential re-referencing of an ion beam, suitable for use in a photofragment spectrometer, is presented. The device simultaneously performs all three functions in a simple, compact, and easily aligned unit. It requires only a single digital signal and one high voltage supply for operation, and provides higher flux density than previous designs. The unit uses lensing to perform beam gating, an approach which has not been reported previously. The design does not require grids, and does not introduce divergence into the ion beam. Experimental results for the combined gating, bunching, and re-referencing unit are presented, and compared with modeled performance.This work is funded by a Major Equipment Grant from the Australian National University. One of the authors (E.H.R.) is the recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award

Fast 1 kV metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor switch

A fast, high-voltage switch based on cheap and readily available components is described. This simple circuit can switch 1 kV to ground with a fall time of ∼2.5 ns, and has proved a cost-effective means of driving electrostatic gating and rereferencing devices in pulsed ion-beam experiments.This work is funded by a Major Equipment Grant from the Australian National University. One of the authors (E.H.R.) is the recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award

New magnetic dipole transition of the oxygen molecule: Bʹ³Πg←X ³Σg⁻(0,0)

Through the use of isotopically pure gas at a temperature of 77 K, a weak photoabsorption band of ¹⁶O₂ is found near 1856 Å, underlying the stronger Schumann–Runge (SR) band B³Σ−u←X³Σ−g(8,0). The location, structure, and intensity of this new band are consistent with expectation for the magnetic dipole transitionB′ ³Πg←X³Σ−g(0,0), where the designation B′ is chosen to represent the II ³Πg valence state. This electronic transition contributes to the “excess absorption” underlying the SR bands [B. R. Lewis, S. T. Gibson, and E. H. Roberts, J. Chem. Phys. 115, 245 (2001)]

Assignment of tracks from tagged Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus to potential stocks using behavioural differences and habitat partitioning

IntroductionAtlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) are large, migratory pelagic predators of high economic importance. ABT are currently managed as two independent stocks assigned to discrete spawning areas (Gulf of Mexico, and Mediterranean); however, stock overlap outside spawning areas makes accurate assignment of catch to stock-of-origin difficult.MethodsWithin this two-stock paradigm, we characterised stock-specific spatial distributions and behaviours by comparing habitat usage and vertical movement behaviours of 118 electronically tagged adult ABT spatially assigned to the GOM and Med spawning grounds. These spatial and behavioural differences were used in tests to probabilistically assign unknown individuals (which did not visit the GOM/Med spawning areas) to a stock.ResultsThis new methodological approach using existing tag data, enables increased assignment of a track to a potential stock, to be achieved before genetic assignments. We identified certain markedly different movement patterns, range extents, depth use preferences (and associated area usage), migration directness and speeds, corresponding distance from shore, and mesopelagic-layer visitation. The probabilistic assignment approach had 97% in-bag testing accuracy, then assigned 190 individuals to a stock, doubling the number of assigned stock-of-origin tracks in our dataset, and potentially revealing novel movement and behaviour patterns among pre-spawning-age ABT.DiscussionThis approach can be easily adapted to other study species, more stocks, and different testing variables, hopefully serving as a useful addition to the fisheries management toolkit

La proteína quinasa dependiente de Ca2+ y calmodulina (CaMKII): ¿es proarritmogénica en reperfusión?

La reperfusión del miocardio isquémico lo hace más propenso a la aparición de arritmias. Experimentos previos de nuestro laboratorio mostraron que al inicio de la reperfusión (R), momento en el que se detecta el mayor número de arritmias, aumenta la fosforilación dependiente de CaMKII del residuo PT17 de fosfolamban (PLN) (Vittone, 2002). El objetivo de este trabajo, fue evaluar la posibilidad de que la activación de CaMKII al inicio de la reperfusión sea un mecanismo proarritmogénico.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Increased intracellular Ca2+ and SR Ca2+ load contribute to arrhythmias after acidosis in rat heart : Role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Returning to normal pH after acidosis, similar to reperfusion after ischemia, is prone to arrhythmias. The type and mechanisms of these arrhythmias have never been explored and were the aim of the present work. Langendorff-perfused rat/mice hearts and rat-isolated myocytes were subjected to respiratory acidosis and then returned to normal pH. Monophasic action potentials and left ventricular developed pressure were recorded. The removal of acidosis provoked ectopic beats that were blunted by 1 mM of the CaMKII inhibitor KN-93, 1 mM thapsigargin, to inhibit sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca21 uptake, and 30 nM ryanodine or 45 mM dantrolene, to inhibit SR Ca21 release and were not observed in a transgenic mouse model with inhibition of CaMKII targeted to the SR. Acidosis increased the phosphorylation of Thr17 site of phospholamban (PT-PLN) and SR Ca21 load. Both effects were precluded by KN-93. The return to normal pH was associated with an increase in SR Ca21 leak, when compared with that of control or with acidosis at the same SR Ca21 content. Ca21 leak occurred without changes in the phosphorylation of ryanodine receptors type 2 (RyR2) and was blunted by KN-93. Experiments in planar lipid bilayers confirmed the reversible inhibitory effect of acidosis on RyR2. Ectopic activity was triggered by membrane depolarizations (delayed afterdepolarizations), primarily occurring in epicardium and were prevented by KN-93. The results reveal that arrhythmias after acidosis are dependent on CaMKII activation and are associated with an increase in SR Ca21 load, which appears to be mainly due to the increase in PT-PLN.Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

On the Role of the Difference in Surface Tensions Involved in the Allosteric Regulation of NHE-1 Induced by Low to Mild Osmotic Pressure, Membrane Tension and Lipid Asymmetry

The sodium-proton exchanger 1 (NHE-1) is a membrane transporter that exchanges Na+ for H+ ion across the membrane of eukaryotic cells. It is cooperatively activated by intracellular protons, and this allosteric regulation is modulated by the biophysical properties of the plasma membrane and related lipid environment. Consequently, NHE-1 is a mechanosensitive transporter that responds to osmotic pressure, and changes in membrane composition. The purpose of this study was to develop the relationship between membrane surface tension, and the allosteric balance of a mechanosensitive transporter such as NHE-1. In eukaryotes, the asymmetric composition of membrane leaflets results in a difference in surface tensions that is involved in the creation of a reservoir of intracellular vesicles and membrane buds contributing to buffer mechanical constraints. Therefore, we took this phenomenon into account in this study and developed a set of relations between the mean surface tension, membrane asymmetry, fluid phase endocytosis and the allosteric equilibrium constant of the transporter. We then used the experimental data published on the effects of osmotic pressure and membrane modification on the NHE-1 allosteric constant to fit these equations. We show here that NHE-1 mechanosensitivity is more based on its high sensitivity towards the asymmetry between the bilayer leaflets compared to mean global membrane tension. This compliance to membrane asymmetry is physiologically relevant as with their slower transport rates than ion channels, transporters cannot respond as high pressure-high conductance fast-gating emergency valves

Patient-reported outcomes in the ProtecT randomized trial of clinically localized prostate cancer treatments: Study design, and baseline urinary, bowel and sexual function and quality of life

Objectives: To present the baseline patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) randomized trial comparing active monitoring, radical prostatectomy and external-beam conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer and to compare results with other populations. Materials and Methods: A total of 1643 randomized men, aged 50-69 years and diagnosed with clinically localized disease identified by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, in nine UK cities in the period 1999-2009 were included. Validated PROMs for disease-specific (urinary, bowel and sexual function) and condition-specific impact on quality of life (Expanded Prostate Index Composite [EPIC], 2005 onwards; International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence [ICIQ-UI], 2001 onwards; the International Continence Society short-form male survey [ICSmaleSF]; anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), generic mental and physical health (12-item short-form health survey [SF-12]; EuroQol quality-of-life survey, the EQ-5D-3L) were assessed at prostate biopsy clinics before randomization. Descriptive statistics are presented by treatment allocation and by men's age at biopsy and PSA testing time points for selected measures. Results: A total of 1438 participants completed biopsy questionnaires (88%) and 77-88% of these were analysed for individual PROMs. Fewer than 1% of participants were using pads daily (5/754). Storage lower urinary tract symptoms were frequent (e.g. nocturia 22%, 312/1423). Bowel symptoms were rare, except for loose stools (16%, 118/754). One third of participants reported erectile dysfunction (241/735) and for 16% (118/731) this was a moderate or large problem. Depression was infrequent (80/1399, 6%) but 20% of participants (278/1403) reported anxiety. Sexual function and bother were markedly worse in older men (65-70 years), whilst urinary bother and physical health were somewhat worse than in younger men (49-54 years, all P < 0.001). Bowel health, urinary function and depression were unaltered by age, whilst mental health and anxiety were better in older men (P < 0.001). Only minor differences existed in mental or physical health, anxiety and depression between PSA testing and biopsy assessments. Conclusion: The ProtecT trial baseline PROMs response rates were high. Symptom frequencies and generic quality of life were similar to those observed in populations screened for prostate cancer and control subjects without cancer

Epidemiology of foodborne Norovirus outbreaks in Catalonia, Spain

Background: Noroviruses are one of the principal biological agents associated with the consumption of contaminated food. The objective of this study was to analyse the size and epidemiological characteristics of foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Catalonia, a region in the northeast of Spain. Methods: In all reported outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with food consumption, faecal samples of persons affected were analysed for bacteria and viruses and selectively for parasites. Study variables included the setting, the number of people exposed, age, sex, clinical signs and hospital admissions. The study was carried out from October 2004 to October 2005. Results: Of the 181 outbreaks reported during the study period, 72 were caused by Salmonella and 30 by norovirus (NoV); the incidence rates were 14.5 and 9.9 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. In 50% of the NoV outbreaks and 27% of the bacterial outbreaks (p = 0.03) the number of persons affected was ¿10; 66.7% of NoV outbreaks occurred in restaurants; no differences in the attack rates were observed according to the etiology. Hospitalizations were more common (p = 0.03) in bacterial outbreaks (8.6%) than in NoV outbreaks (0.15%). Secondary cases accounted for 4% of cases in NoV outbreaks compared with 0.3% of cases in bacterial outbreaks (p < 0.001) Conclusion: Norovirus outbreaks were larger but less frequent than bacterial outbreaks, suggesting that underreporting is greater for NoV outbreaks. Food handlers should receive training on the transmission of infections in diverse situations. Very strict control measures on handwashing and environmental disinfection should be adopted in closed or partially-closed institutions