Control of echolocation pulses by neurons of the nucleus ambiguus in the rufous horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus rouxi

1. Horseradish peroxidase was applied by iontophoretic injections to physiologically identified regions of the laryngeal motor nucleus, the nucleus ambiguus in the CF/FM batRhinolophus rouxi. 2. The connections of the nucleus ambiguus were analysed with regards to their possible functional significance in the vocal control system, in the respiration control system, and in mediating information from the central auditory system. 3. The nucleus ambiguus is reciprocally interconnected with nuclei involved in the generation of the vocal motor pattern, i.e., the homonomous contralateral nucleus and the area of the lateral reticular formation. Similarly, reciprocal connections are found with the nuclei controlling the rhythm of respiration, i.e., medial parts of the medulla oblongata and the parabrachial nuclei. 4. Afferents to the nucleus ambiguus derive from nuclei of the descending vocalization system (periaqueductal gray and cuneiform nuclei) and from motor control centers (red nucleus and frontal cortex). 5. Afferents to the nucleus ambiguus, possibly mediating auditory influence to the motor control of vocalization, come from the superior colliculus and from the pontine nuclei. The efferents from the pontine nuclei are restricted to rostral parts of the nucleus ambiguus, which hosts the motoneurons of the cricothyroid muscle controlling the call frequency

Cherenkov Telescope Array: The next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory

High energy gamma-ray astronomy is a newly emerging and very successful branch of astronomy and astrophysics. Exciting results have been obtained by the current generation Cherenkov telescope systems such as H.E.S.S., MAGIC, VERITAS and CANGAROO. The H.E.S.S. survey of the galactic plane has revealed a large number of sources and addresses issues such as the question about the origin of cosmic rays. The detection of very high energy emission from extragalactic sources at large distances has provided insights in the star formation during the history of the universe and in the understanding of active galactic nuclei. The development of the very large Cherenkov telescope array system (CTA) with a sensitivity about an order of magnitude better than current instruments and significantly improved sensitivity is under intense discussion. This observatory will reveal an order of magnitude more sources and due to its higher sensitivity and angular resolution it will be able to detect new classes of objects and phenomena that have not been visible until now. A combination of different telescope types will provide the sensitivity needed in different energy ranges.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Merida, July 200

A silver impregnation method for motor and sensory nerves and their endings in formalin-fixed mammalian muscles

A silver impregnation method is described which shows motor and sensory nerves and their endings in formalin-fixed mammalian muscles. The method works with the same reliability on flattened muscle pieces as well as on frozen sections. Large nerve bundles, myelinated and non-myelinated single axons, and terminals impregnated by this method stand out black against a light brown background

Localization of brain stem motoneurons innervating the laryngeal muscles in the rufous horseshoe bat,rhinolophus rouxi

The motoneurons innervating the laryngeal muscles were localized in the rufous horseshoe bat,Rhinolophus rouxi, using the HRP method. HRP was applied to the cricothyroid muscle and to the cut end of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Labeled motoneurons were found in two completely separated regions of the nucleus ambiguus. The motoneurons innervating the cricothyroid muscle via the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) are located withinn the ventrolateral portion of the nucleus reaching the caudal pole of the motor nucleus of the facial nerve. The motoneurons innervating the other intrinsic laryngeal muscles via the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) are situated in the caudal half of the nucleus ambiguus. The innervation is strictly homolateral

DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours.

Accurate pathological diagnosis is crucial for optimal management of patients with cancer. For the approximately 100 known tumour types of the central nervous system, standardization of the diagnostic process has been shown to be particularly challenging-with substantial inter-observer variability in the histopathological diagnosis of many tumour types. Here we present a comprehensive approach for the DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours across all entities and age groups, and demonstrate its application in a routine diagnostic setting. We show that the availability of this method may have a substantial impact on diagnostic precision compared to standard methods, resulting in a change of diagnosis in up to 12% of prospective cases. For broader accessibility, we have designed a free online classifier tool, the use of which does not require any additional onsite data processing. Our results provide a blueprint for the generation of machine-learning-based tumour classifiers across other cancer entities, with the potential to fundamentally transform tumour pathology

Nanostructures, Technology, Research, and Applications

Contains reports on the nanostructures laboratory, eighteen research projects and a list of publications.Joint Services Electronics Program Grant DAAH04-95-1-0038Semiconductor Research Corporation Contract 95-LJ-550National Science Foundation Grant ECS 94-07078U.S. Army Research Office Grant DAAH04-95-1-0564Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Naval Air Systems Command Contract N00019-95-K-0131National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contract NAS8-38249National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NAGW-2003IBM Corporation Contract 1622U.S. Navy- Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-95-1-1297U.S. Army Research Office Grant DAAH04-94-G-0377U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Grant F-49-620-92-J-0064U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Grant F-49-620-95-1-031

Nanostructures, Technology, Research, and Applications

Contains reports on twenty research projects and a list of publications.Joint Services Electronics Program Grant DAAH04-95-1-0038National Science Foundation Grant ECS-94-07078Semiconductor Research CorporationU.S. Army Research Office Grant DAAH04-95-1-0564Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency/Naval Air Systems Command Contract N00019-95-K-0131National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contract NAS8-38249National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NAGW-2003IBM Corporation Contract 1622National Science Foundation Graduate FellowshipU.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-95-1-1297U.S. Army Research Office Contract DAAH04-94-G-0377U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Grant F49620-92-J-0064U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Grant F49620-95-1-0311National Science Foundation Contract DMR 94-0034U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research Contract F49620-96-0126Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Contract SV630304National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NAG5-5105Los Alamos National Laboratory Contract E57800017-9