Surface Analysis of OFE-Copper X-Band Accelerating Structures and Possible Correlation to RF Breakdown Events

X-band accelerator structures meeting the Next Linear Collider (NLC) design requirements have been found to suffer vacuum surface damage caused by radio frequency (RF) breakdown, when processed to high electric-field gradients. Improved understanding of these breakdown events is desirable for the development of structure designs, fabrication procedures, and processing techniques that minimize structure damage. RF reflected wave analysis and acoustic sensor pickup have provided breakdowns localization in RF structures. Particle contaminations found following clean autopsy of four RF-processed travelling wave structures, have been catalogued and analyzed. Their influence on RF breakdown, as well as that of several other material-based properties, will be discussed.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables, Submitted to JVST A as a proceeding of the 50th AVS conference (Baltimore, MD, 2-7 Nov 2003

Влияние электрического поля на адгезионные характеристики системы полихлоропрен-шунгит

The effect of temperature and external electric field on the adhesion characteristics in the polychloroprene-schungite system was investigated. It is shown that an increase in temperature and orientation of macromolecules of polychloroprene in an external electric field significantly increase the bond strength between the studied components. The detected effects are explained from the viewpoint of the possibility of direct chemical interaction ofshungite with polychloroprene macromolecules oriented in a certain way in the region of an adhesive compound formation. This is facilitated by the structural features of schungite (the presence of paramagnetic centers, fullerene-like structures, metal oxides) and polychloroprene in shungite, as well as by the creation of the most optimal modes for implementing this interaction. To assess the strength of the interaction between polychloroprene and the surface of shungite we used a method for determining the stress of exfoliation of a polymer film from the surface of a shungite plate. It was established that the greatest effect in strengthening the bond between polychloroprene and the surface of shungite is achieved when a polymer film is formed from a solution in carbon tetrachloride on a negative electrode (cathode). The strength of the bond between shungite and the polychloroprene film formed on the cathode is more than two times higher than this parameter when forming the same film on the anode. The energy expended during the peeling of a film formed on the cathode is twice the energy of exfoliation from the shungite plate of the film formed on the anode. The analysis of the change in the supramolecular structure of polychloroprene in the polychloroprene-shungite system as a result of the orientational influence of an external electrostatic field was carried out using the temperature dependence of the tangent of the dielectric loss angle of the systems under study. It is shown that a polychloroprene film formed in an electrostatic field has a more ordered structure compared to a similar sample formed without a field. This fact is evidenced by the shift of the maxima toward higher temperatures in the relaxation spectra of the dipole polarization for the system formed without the field, and the system formed on the cathode. The polychloroprene film containing finely dispersed shungite as a filler and formed on the cathode is characterized by an increased value of the tangent of dielectric loss angle and an increased number of peaks of dipole relaxation in the temperature range studied.Исследовано влияние температуры и внешнего электрического поля на адгезионные характеристики в системе полихлоропрен-шунгит. Показано, что повышение температуры и ориентация макромолекул полихлоропрена во внешнем электрическом поле существенно увеличивают прочность связи между исследованными компонентами. Обнаруженные эффекты, объяснены с точки зрения возможности непосредственного химического взаимодействия шунгита с ориентированными определенным образом макромолекулами полихлоропрена в области формирования адгезионного соединения. Этому способствуют особенности строения шунгита (наличие в шунгите парамагнитных центров, фуллереноподобных структур, оксидов металлов) и полихлоропрена, являющегося полярным эластомером, а также создание оптимальных режимов для реализации такого взаимодействия. Для оценки прочности взаимодействия между полихлоропреном и поверхностью шунгита в работе использован метод определения напряжения отслаивания полимерной пленки от поверхности шунгитовой пластинки. Установлено, что наибольший эффект в упрочнении связи между полихлоропреном и поверхностью шунгита достигается при формировании полимерной пленки из раствора в четыреххлористом углероде на отрицательном электроде (катоде). Прочность связи шунгита с полихлоропреновой пленкой, сформированной на катоде, более, чем в два раза превышает этот параметр при формировании такой же пленки на аноде. Анализ изменения надмолекулярной структуры полихлоропрена в системе полихлоропрен-шунгит в результате ориентационного воздействия внешнего электростатического поля произведен с помощью температурной зависимости тангенса угла диэлектрических потерь исследуемых систем. Показано, что пленка полихлоропрена, сформированная в электростатическом поле, имеет более упорядоченную структуру по сравнению с аналогичным образцом, но сформированном без поля. Об этом факте свидетельствует сдвиг максимумов в сторону больших температур в спектрах релаксации дипольной поляризации для системы, сформированной без воздействия поля, и системы, сформированной на катоде. Пленка полихлоропрена, содержащая в качестве наполнителя мелкодисперсный шунгит и сформированная на катоде, характеризуется повышенным значением тангенса угла диэлектрических потерь и увеличенным количеством пиков дипольной релаксации в исследованной температурной области

Dose-effect study of Gelsemium sempervirens in high dilutions on anxiety-related responses in mice

Introduction This study was designed to investigate the putative anxiolytic-like activity of ultra-low doses of Gelsemium sempervirens (G. sempervirens), produced according to the homeopathic pharmacopeia. Methods Five different centesimal (C) dilutions of G. sempervirens (4C, 5C, 7C, 9C and 30C), the drug buspirone (5 mg/kg) and solvent vehicle were delivered intraperitoneally to groups of ICR-CD1 mice over a period of 9 days. The behavioral effects were assessed in the open-field (OF) and light\u2013dark (LD) tests in blind and randomized fashion. Results Most G. sempervirens dilutions did not affect the total distance traveled in the OF (only the 5C had an almost significant stimulatory effect on this parameter), indicating that the medicine caused no sedation effects or unspecific changes in locomotor activity. In the same test, buspirone induced a slight but statistically significant decrease in locomotion. G. sempervirens showed little stimulatory activity on the time spent and distance traveled in the central zone of the OF, but this effect was not statistically significant. In the LD test, G. sempervirens increased the % time spent in the light compartment, an indicator of anxiolytic-like activity, with a statistically significant effect using the 5C, 9C and 30C dilutions. These effects were comparable to those of buspirone. The number of transitions between the compartments of the LD test markedly increased with G. sempervirens 5C, 9C and 30C dilutions. Conclusion The overall pattern of results provides evidence that G. sempervirens acts on the emotional reactivity of mice, and that its anxiolytic-like effects are apparent, with a non-linear relationship, even at high dilutions

Cannabigerol is a novel, well-tolerated appetite stimulant in pre-satiated rats

Rationale The appetite-stimulating properties of cannabis are well documented and have been predominantly attributed to the hyperphagic activity of the psychoactive phytocannabinoid, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC). However, we have previously shown that a cannabis extract devoid of ∆9-THC still stimulates appetite, indicating that other phytocannabinoids also elicit hyperphagia. One possible candidate is the non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG), which has affinity for several molecular targets with known involvement in the regulation of feeding behaviour. Objectives The objective of the study was to assess the effects of CBG on food intake and feeding pattern microstructure. Methods Male Lister hooded rats were administered CBG (30–120 mg/kg, per ora (p.o.)) or placebo and assessed in open field, static beam and grip strength tests to determine a neuromotor tolerability profile for this cannabinoid. Subsequently, CBG (at 30–240 mg/kg, p.o.) or placebo was administered to a further group of pre-satiated rats, and hourly intake and meal pattern data were recorded over 2 h. Results CBG produced no adverse effects on any parameter in the neuromotor tolerability test battery. In the feeding assay, 120–240 mg/kg CBG more than doubled total food intake and increased the number of meals consumed, and at 240 mg/kg reduced latency to feed. However, the sizes or durations of individual meals were not significantly increased. Conclusions Here, we demonstrate for the first time that CBG elicits hyperphagia, by reducing latency to feed and increasing meal frequency, without producing negative neuromotor side effects. Investigation of the therapeutic potential of CBG for conditions such as cachexia and other disorders of eating and body weight regulation is thus warranted

Long-Term Effects of the Periconception Period on Embryo Epigenetic Profile and Phenotype: The Role of Stress and How This Effect Is Mediated

Stress represents an unavoidable aspect of human life, and pathologies associated with dysregulation of stress mechanisms - particularly psychiatric disorders - represent a significant global health problem. While it has long been observed that levels of stress experienced in the periconception period may greatly affect the offspring's risk of psychiatric disorders, the mechanisms underlying these associations are not yet comprehensively understood. In order to address this question, this chapter will take a 'top-down' approach, by first defining stress and associated concepts, before exploring the mechanistic basis of the stress response in the form of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and how dysregulation of the HPA axis can impede our mental and physical health, primarily via imbalances in glucocorticoids (GCs) and their corresponding receptors (GRs) in the brain. The current extent of knowledge pertaining to the impact of stress on developmental programming and epigenetic inheritance is then extensively discussed, including the role of chromatin remodelling associated with specific HPA axis-related genes and the possible role of regulatory RNAs as messengers of environmental stress both in the intrauterine environment and across the germ line. Furthering our understanding of the role of stress on embryonic development is crucial if we are to increase our predictive power of disease risk and devise-effective treatments and intervention strategies

Neuromotor tolerability and behavioural characterisation of cannabidiolic acid, a phytocannabinoid with therapeutic potential for anticipatory nausea

Rationale: Anticipatory nausea (AN) is a poorly controlled side-effect experienced by chemotherapy patients. Currently, pharmacotherapy is restricted to benzodiazepine anxiolytics, which have limited efficacy, significant sedative effects, and induce dependency. The non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), has shown considerable efficacy in pre-clinical AN models, however determination of its neuromotor tolerability profile is crucial to justify clinical investigation. Provisional evidence for appetite-stimulating properties also requires detailed investigation. Objectives: To assess the tolerability of CBDA in locomotor activity, motor coordination and muscular strength tests, and additionally for ability to modulate feeding behaviours. Methods: Male Lister hooded rats administered CBDA (0.05-5 mg/kg; p.o.) were assessed in habituated open field (for locomotor activity), static beam and grip strength tests. A further study investigated whether these CBDA doses modulated normal feeding behaviour. Finally, evidence of anxiolytic-like effects in the habituated open field prompted testing of 5 mg/kg CBDA for anxiolytic-like activity in unhabituated open field, light/dark box and novelty-supressed feeding (NSF) tests. Results: CBDA had no adverse effects upon performance in any neuromotor tolerability test, however anxiolytic-like behaviour was observed in the habituated open field. Normal feeding behaviours were unaffected by any dose. CBDA (5 mg/kg) abolished the increased feeding latency in the NSF test induced by the 5-HT1AR antagonist, WAY-100,635, indicative of anxiolytic-like effects, but had no effect on anxiety-like behaviour in the novel open field or light/dark box. Conclusions: CBDA is very well tolerated and devoid of the sedative side-effect profile of benzodiazepines, justifying its clinical investigation as a novel AN treatment

Neuronal Assembly Detection and Cell Membership Specification by Principal Component Analysis

In 1949, Donald Hebb postulated that assemblies of synchronously activated neurons are the elementary units of information processing in the brain. Despite being one of the most influential theories in neuroscience, Hebb's cell assembly hypothesis only started to become testable in the past two decades due to technological advances. However, while the technology for the simultaneous recording of large neuronal populations undergoes fast development, there is still a paucity of analytical methods that can properly detect and track the activity of cell assemblies. Here we describe a principal component-based method that is able to (1) identify all cell assemblies present in the neuronal population investigated, (2) determine the number of neurons involved in ensemble activity, (3) specify the precise identity of the neurons pertaining to each cell assembly, and (4) unravel the time course of the individual activity of multiple assemblies. Application of the method to multielectrode recordings of awake and behaving rats revealed that assemblies detected in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus typically contain overlapping neurons. The results indicate that the PCA method presented here is able to properly detect, track and specify neuronal assemblies, irrespective of overlapping membership

Three-Dimensional Neurophenotyping of Adult Zebrafish Behavior

The use of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) in neurobehavioral research is rapidly expanding. The present large-scale study applied the newest video-tracking and data-mining technologies to further examine zebrafish anxiety-like phenotypes. Here, we generated temporal and spatial three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of zebrafish locomotion, globally assessed behavioral profiles evoked by several anxiogenic and anxiolytic manipulations, mapped individual endpoints to 3D reconstructions, and performed cluster analysis to reconfirm behavioral correlates of high- and low-anxiety states. The application of 3D swim path reconstructions consolidates behavioral data (while increasing data density) and provides a novel way to examine and represent zebrafish behavior. It also enables rapid optimization of video tracking settings to improve quantification of automated parameters, and suggests that spatiotemporal organization of zebrafish swimming activity can be affected by various experimental manipulations in a manner predicted by their anxiolytic or anxiogenic nature. Our approach markedly enhances the power of zebrafish behavioral analyses, providing innovative framework for high-throughput 3D phenotyping of adult zebrafish behavior