Acute Ethanol Inhibition of γ Oscillations Is Mediated by Akt and GSK3β

Hippocampal network oscillations at gamma band frequency (γ, 30–80 Hz) are closely associated with higher brain functions such as learning and memory. Acute ethanol exposure at intoxicating concentrations (≥50 mM) impairs cognitive function. This study aimed to determine the effects and the mechanisms of acute ethanol exposure on γ oscillations in an in vitro model. Ethanol (25–100 mM) suppressed kainate-induced γ oscillations in CA3 area of the rat hippocampal slices, in a concentration-dependent, reversible manner. The ethanol-induced suppression was reduced by the D1R antagonist SCH23390 or the PKA inhibitor H89, was prevented by the Akt inhibitor triciribine or the GSk3β inhibitor SB415286, was enhanced by the NMDA receptor antagonist D-AP5, but was not affected by the MAPK inhibitor U0126 or PI3K inhibitor wortmanin. Our results indicate that the intracellular kinases Akt and GSk3β play a critical role in the ethanol-induced suppression of γ oscillations and reveal new cellular pathways involved in the ethanol-induced cognitive impairment

Sliding Mode Variable Structure Control of a Bearingless Induction Motor Based on a Novel Reaching Law

In order to improve the performance of the Bearingless Induction Motor (BIM) under large disturbances (such as parameter variations and load disturbances), an adaptive variable-rated sliding mode controller (ASMC) is designed to obtain better performance of the speed regulation system. Firstly, the L 1 norm of state variables is applied to the conventional exponential reaching law and an adaptive variable-rated exponential reaching law is proposed to reduce system chattering and improve bad convergence performance of the sliding mode variable structure. Secondly, an integral sliding-mode hyper plane is produced according to the speed error in speed regulation system of BIM. Current signal is extracted by the combination of the sliding-mode hyper plane, the electromagnetic torque and the equation of motion. Finally, the feedback speed can adjust operating state adaptively according to speed error and make system chattering-free moving. The simulation and experiment results show that the proposed ASMC can not only enhance the robustness of the system’s uncertainties, but also improve the dynamic performance and suppress system chattering