876 research outputs found
Propagation of social representations
Based on a minimal formalism of social representations as a set of associated cognems, a simple model of propagation of representations is presented. Assuming that subjects share the constitutive cognems, the model proposes that mere focused attention on the set of cognems in the field of common conscience may replicate the pattern of representation from context into subjects, or, from subject to subject, through actualization by language, where cognems are represented by verbal signs. Limits of the model are discussed, and evolutionist perspectives are presented with the support of field data
Correspondence: Reply to âNumerical modelling of the PERM anomaly and the Emeishan large igneous provinceâ
Tectonic plates and plate boundaries migrate substantially through time and mantle plumes are generally accepted to be mobile within the convecting mantle, but it has been proposed that large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) could have been fixed and rigid for as much as 540 million years (Myr). The hypotheses of fixed and rigid LLSVPs cannot be easily tested in the absence of constraints on the past location of lowermost mantle structures. We evaluated the hypothesis9of lower mantle thermochemical structure fixity with numerical experiments. As in earlier studies, we argue that the location of lower mantle thermochemical structures has changed through time
Origin and evolution of the deep thermochemical structure beneath Eurasia
A unique structure in the Earthâs lowermost mantle, the Perm Anomaly, was recently identified beneath Eurasia. It seismologically resembles the large low-shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) under Africa and the Pacific, but is much smaller. This challenges the current understanding of the evolution of the plateâmantle system in which plumes rise from the edges of the two LLSVPs, spatially fixed in time. New models of mantle flow over the last 230 million years reproduce the present-day structure of the lower mantle, and show a Perm-like anomaly. The anomaly formed in isolation within a closed subduction network âŒ22,000âkm in circumference prior to 150 million years ago before migrating âŒ1,500âkm westward at an average rate of 1âcmâyear^(â1), indicating a greater mobility of deep mantle structures than previously recognized. We hypothesize that the mobile Perm Anomaly could be linked to the Emeishan volcanics, in contrast to the previously proposed Siberian Traps
Circum-Arctic mantle structure and long-wavelength topography since the Jurassic
The circum-Arctic is one of the most tectonically complex regions of the world, shaped by a history of ocean basin opening and closure since the Early Jurassic. The region is characterized by contemporaneous large-scale Cenozoic exhumation extending from Alaska to the Atlantic, but its driving force is unknown. We show that the mantle flow associated with subducted slabs of the South Anuyi, Mongol-Okhotsk, and Panthalassa oceans have imparted long-wavelength deflection on overriding plates. We identify the Jurassic-Cretaceous South Anuyi slab under present-day Greenland in seismic tomography and numerical mantle flow models. Under North America, we propose the âFarallonâ slab results from Andean-style ocean-continent convergence around ~30°N and from a combination of ocean-continent and intraoceanic subduction north of 50°N. We compute circum-Arctic dynamic topography through time from subduction-driven convection models and find that slabs have imparted on average <1â16âm/Myr of dynamic subsidence across the region from at least 170âMa to ~50âMa. With the exception of Siberia, the main phase of circum-Arctic dynamic subsidence has been followed either by slowed subsidence or by uplift of <1â6âm/Myr on average to present day. Comparing these results to geological inferences suggest that subduction-driven dynamic topography can account for rapid Middle to Late Jurassic subsidence in the Slave Craton and North Slope (respectively, <15 and 21âm/Myr, between 170 and 130âMa) and for dynamic subsidence (<7âm/Myr, ~170â50âMa) followed by dynamic uplift (<6âm/Myr since 50âMa) of the Barents Sea region. Combining detailed kinematic reconstructions with geodynamic modeling and key geological observations constitutes a powerful tool to investigate the origin of vertical motion in remote regions
Differential roles of p39MosâXp42Mpk1 cascade proteins on Raf1 phosphorylation and spindle morphogenesis in Xenopus oocytes
AbstractFully-grown G2-arrested Xenopus oocytes resume meiosis upon hormonal stimulation. Resumption of meiosis is characterized by germinal vesicle breakdown, chromosome condensation, and organization of a bipolar spindle. These cytological events are accompanied by activation of MPF and the p39MosâMEK1âXp42Mpk1âp90Rsk pathways. The latter cascade is activated upon p39Mos accumulation. Using U0126, a MEK1 inhibitor, and p39Mos antisense morpholino and phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, we have investigated the role of the members of the p39MosâMEK1âXp42Mpk1âp90Rsk in spindle morphogenesis. First, we have observed at a molecular level that prevention of p39Mos accumulation always led to MEK1 phosphorylation defects, even when meiosis was stimulated through the insulin Ras-dependent pathway. Moreover, we have observed that Raf1 phosphorylation that occurs during meiosis resumption was dependent upon the activity of MEK1 or Xp42Mpk1 but not p90Rsk. Second, inhibition of either p39Mos accumulation or MEK1 inhibition led to the formation of a cytoplasmic aster-like structure that was associated with condensed chromosomes. Spindle morphogenesis rescue experiments using constitutively active Rsk and purified murine Mos protein suggested that p39Mos or p90Rsk alone failed to promote meiotic spindle organization. Our results indicate that activation of the p39MosâMEK1âXp42Mpk1âp90Rsk pathway is required for bipolar organization of the meiotic spindle at the cortex
Elongation of confined ferrofluid droplets under applied fields
Ferrofluids are strongly paramagnetic liquids. We study the behavior of
ferrofluid droplets confined between two parallel plates with a weak applied
field parallel to the plates. The droplets elongate under the applied field to
reduce their demagnetizing energy and reach an equilibrium shape where the
magnetic forces balance against the surface tension. This elongation varies
logarithmically with aspect ratio of droplet thickness to its original radius,
in contrast to the behavior of unconfined droplets. Experimental studies of a
ferrofluid/water/surfactant emulsion confirm this prediction.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.
Parallel flow in Hele-Shaw cells with ferrofluids
Parallel flow in a Hele-Shaw cell occurs when two immiscible liquids flow
with relative velocity parallel to the interface between them. The interface is
unstable due to a Kelvin-Helmholtz type of instability in which fluid flow
couples with inertial effects to cause an initial small perturbation to grow.
Large amplitude disturbances form stable solitons. We consider the effects of
applied magnetic fields when one of the two fluids is a ferrofluid. The
dispersion relation governing mode growth is modified so that the magnetic
field can destabilize the interface even in the absence of inertial effects.
However, the magnetic field does not affect the speed of wave propagation for a
given wavenumber. We note that the magnetic field creates an effective
interaction between the solitons.Comment: 12 pages, Revtex, 2 figures, revised version (minor changes
Synthesis and evaluation of new designed multiple ligands directed towards both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-Îł and angiotensin II type 1 receptor
Because of the complex biological networks, many pathologic disorders fail to be treated with a molecule directed towards a single target. Thus, combination therapies are often necessary, but they have many drawbacks. An alternative consists in building molecules intended to interact with multiple targets, called designed multiple ligands. We followed such a strategy in order to treat metabolic syndrome, by setting up molecules directed towards both type 1 angiotensin II (AT1) receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). For this purpose, many molecules were prepared by merging both pharmacophores following three different strategies. Their ability to activate PPAR-γ and to block AT1 receptors were evaluated in vitro. This strategy led to the preparation of many new PPAR-γ activating and AT1 blocking molecules. Among them, some exhibited both activities, highlighting the convenience of this approach
- âŠ