112 research outputs found
Role of T-type calcium current in identified D-hair mechanoreceptor neurons studied in vitro
Different subsets of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) mechanoreceptors transduce low- and high-intensity mechanical stimuli. It was shown recently that, in vivo, neurotrophin-4 (NT-4)-dependent D-hair mechanoreceptors specifically express a voltage-activated T-type calcium channel (Ca(v)3.2) that may be required for their mechanoreceptive function. Here we show that D-hair mechanoreceptors can be identified in vitro by a rosette-like morphology in the presence of NT-4 and that these rosette neurons are almost all absent in DRG cultures taken from NT-4 knock-out mice. In vitro identification of the D-hair mechanoreceptor allowed us to explore the electrophysiological properties of these cells. We demonstrate that the T-type Ca(v)3.2 channel induced slow membrane depolarization that contributes to lower the voltage threshold for action potential generation and controls spike latency after stimulation of D-hair mechanoreceptors. Indeed, the properties of the T-type amplifier are particularly well suited to explain the high sensitivity of D-hair mechanoreceptors to slowly moving stimuli
Twisted k-graph algebras associated to Bratteli diagrams
Given a system of coverings of k-graphs, we show that the cohomology of the
resulting (k+1)-graph is isomorphic to that of any one of the k-graphs in the
system. We then consider Bratteli diagrams of 2-graphs whose twisted
C*-algebras are matrix algebras over noncommutative tori. For such systems we
calculate the ordered K-theory and the gauge-invariant semifinite traces of the
resulting 3-graph C*-algebras. We deduce that every simple C*-algebra of this
form is Morita equivalent to the C*-algebra of a rank-2 Bratteli diagram in the
sense of Pask-Raeburn-R{\o}rdam-Sims.Comment: 28 pages, pictures prepared using tik
Non-perturbative orientifold transitions at the conifold
After orientifold projection, the conifold singularity in hypermultiplet
moduli space of Calabi-Yau compactifications cannot be avoided by geometric
deformations. We study the non-perturbative fate of this singularity in a local
model involving O6-planes and D6-branes wrapping the deformed conifold in Type
IIA string theory. We classify possible A-type orientifolds of the deformed
conifold and find that they cannot all be continued to the small resolution.
When passing through the singularity on the deformed side, the O-plane charge
generally jumps by the class of the vanishing cycle. To decide which classical
configurations are dynamically connected, we construct the quantum moduli space
by lifting the orientifold to M-theory as well as by looking at the
superpotential. We find a rich pattern of smooth and phase transitions
depending on the total sixbrane charge. Non-BPS states from branes wrapped on
non-supersymmetric bolts are responsible for a phase transition. We also
clarify the nature of a Z_2 valued D0-brane charge in the 6-brane background.
Along the way, we obtain a new metric of G_2 holonomy corresponding to an
O6-plane on the three sphere of the deformed conifold.Comment: 76 pages, references adde
The ZEPLIN II dark matter detector: data acquisition system and data reduction
ZEPLIN-II is a two-phase (liquid/gas) xenon dark matter detector searching
for WIMP-nucleon interactions. In this paper we describe the data acquisition
system used to record the data from ZEPLIN-II and the reduction procedures
which parameterise the data for subsequent analysis.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure
The ZEPLIN II dark matter detector: data acquisition system and data reduction
ZEPLIN-II is a two-phase (liquid/gas) xenon dark matter detector searching
for WIMP-nucleon interactions. In this paper we describe the data acquisition
system used to record the data from ZEPLIN-II and the reduction procedures
which parameterise the data for subsequent analysis.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure
Limits on spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon cross-sections from the first ZEPLIN-II data
The first underground data run of the ZEPLIN-II experiment has set a limit on
the nuclear recoil rate in the two-phase xenon detector for direct dark matter
searches. In this paper the results from this run are converted into the limits
on spin-dependent WIMP-proton and WIMP-neutron cross-sections. The minimum of
the curve for WIMP-neutron cross-section corresponds to 0.07 pb at a WIMP mass
of around 65 GeV.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Physics Letters
Thin-walled composite tubes using fillers subjected to quasistatic axial compression
It has been demonstrated that composites are lightweight, fatigue resistant and easily melded, a seemingly attractive alternative to metals. However, there has been no widespread switch from metals to composites in the automotive sector. This is because there are a number of technical issues relating to the use of composite materials that still need to be resolved including accurate material characterization, manufacturing and joining process. The total of 36 specimens have been fabricated using the fibre-glass and resin (epoxy) with a two different geometries (circular and corrugated) each one will be filled with five types of filler (Rice Husk, Wood Chips, Aluminium Chips, Coconut Fibre, Palm Oil Fibre) all these type will be compared with empty Tubes for circular and corrugated in order to comprehend the crashworthiness parameters (initial failure load, average load, maximum crushing load, load ratio, energy absorption, specific energy absorption, volumetric energy absorption, crushing force efficiency and crush strain relation) which are considered very sufficient parameters in the design of automotive industry parts. All the tests have been done using the "INSTRON Universal machine" which is computerized in order to simply give a high precision to the collection of the results, along with the use of quasi-static load to test and observe the behaviour of the fabricated specimens
The ZEPLIN-III dark matter detector: performance study using an end-to-end simulation tool
We present results from a GEANT4-based Monte Carlo tool for end-to-end
simulations of the ZEPLIN-III dark matter experiment. ZEPLIN-III is a two-phase
detector which measures both the scintillation light and the ionisation charge
generated in liquid xenon by interacting particles and radiation. The software
models the instrument response to radioactive backgrounds and calibration
sources, including the generation, ray-tracing and detection of the primary and
secondary scintillations in liquid and gaseous xenon, and subsequent processing
by data acquisition electronics. A flexible user interface allows easy
modification of detector parameters at run time. Realistic datasets can be
produced to help with data analysis, an example of which is the position
reconstruction algorithm developed from simulated data. We present a range of
simulation results confirming the original design sensitivity of a few times
pb to the WIMP-nucleon cross-section.Comment: Submitted to Astroparticle Physic
Sonic diaspora, vibrations and rhythm: thinking through the sounding of the Jamaican dancehall session
The propagation of vibrations may provide a better way of understanding diasporic spread than the conventional focus on the circulation of products (Hall 1980, Appadurai 1986, 1996, Gilroy 1993a, Brah 1996). Jamaican sound systems operate as a broadcast medium and a source of CDs, DVDs and other commercial products (Henriques 2007a). But the dancehall sound system session also propagates a broad spectrum of frequencies diffused through a range of media and activities - described as “sounding” (following Small’s 1998 concept of “musicking”). These include the material vibrations of the signature low-pitched auditory frequencies of Reggae as a bass culture (Johnson 1980), at the loudness of “sonic dominance” (Henriques 2003). Secondly a session propagates the corporeal vibrations of rituals, dance routines and bass-line “riddims” (Veal 2007). Thirdly it propagates the ethereal vibrations (Henriques 2007b), “vibes” or atmosphere of the sexually charged popular subculture by which the crowd (audience) appreciate each dancehall session as part of the Dancehall scene (Cooper 2004). The paper concludes that thinking though vibrating frequencies makes it easier to appreciate how audiences with no direct or inherited connection with a particular music genre can be energetically infected and affected - to form a sonic diaspora
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