Hippocampal structural plasticity accompanies the resulting contextual fear memory following stress and fear conditioning

The present research investigated the resulting contextual fear memory and structural plasticity changes in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) following stress and fear conditioning. This combination enhanced fear retention and increased the number of total and mature dendritic spines in DH. Intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) infusion of midazolam prior to stress prevented both the enhancement of fear retention and an increase in the density of total and mature dendritic spines in DH. These findings emphasize the role of the stress-induced attenuation of GABAergic neurotransmission in BLA in the promoting influence of stress on fear memory and on synaptic remodeling in DH. In conclusion, the structural remodeling in DH accompanied the facilitated fear memory following a combination of fear conditioning and stressful stimulation.Fil: Giachero, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Calfa, Gaston Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Víctor Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; Argentin

Modelling and Control of Grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems

At present, photovoltaic (PV) systems are taking a leading role as a solar-based renewable energy source (RES) because of their unique advantages. This trend is being increased especially in grid-connected applications because of the many benefits of using RESs in distributed generation (DG) systems. This new scenario imposes the requirement for an effective evaluation tool of grid-connected PV systems so as to predict accurately their dynamic performance under different operating conditions in order to make a comprehensive decision on the feasibility of incorporating this technology into the electric utility grid. This implies not only to identify the characteristics curves of PV modules or arrays, but also the dynamic behaviour of the electronic power conditioning system (PCS) for connecting to the utility grid. To this aim, this chapter discusses the full detailed modelling and the control design of a three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic generator (PVG). The PV array model allows predicting with high precision the I-V and P-V curves of the PV panels/arrays. Moreover, the control scheme is presented with capabilities of simultaneously and independently regulating both active and reactive power exchange with the electric grid. The modelling and control of the three-phase grid-connected PVG are implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink environment and validated by experimental tests

A BDNF sensitive mechanism is involved in the fear memory resulting from the interaction between stress and the retrieval of an established trace

The present study investigates the fear memory resulting from the interaction of a stressful experience and the retrieval of an established fear memory trace. Such a combination enhanced both fear expression and fear retention in adult Wistar rats. Likewise, midazolam intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) infusion prior to stress attenuated the enhancement of fear memory thus suggesting the involvement of a stress-induced reduction of the GABAergic transmission in BLA in the stress-induced enhancing effect. It has been suggested that, unlike the immediate-early gene Zif268 which is related to the reconsolidation process, the expression of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is highly correlated with consolidation. We therefore evaluate the relative contribution of these two neurobiological processes to the fear memory resulting from the above-mentioned interaction. Intra-dorsal hippocampus (DH) infusions of either the antisense Zif268 or the inhibitor of the protein degradation (Clasto-Lactacystin β-Lactone), suggested to be involved in the retrieval-dependent destabilization process, did not affect the resulting contextual memory. In contrast, the knockdown of hippocampal BDNF mitigated the stress-induced facilitating influence on fear retention. In addition, the retrieval experience elevated BDNF level in DH at 60 min after recall exclusively in stressed animals. These findings suggest the involvement of a hippocampal BDNF sensitive mechanism in the stress-promoting influence on the fear memory following retrieval.Fil: Giachero, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bustos, Silvia Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Calfa, Gaston Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Víctor Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; Argentin

The effect of Midazolam and Propranolol on fear memory reconsolidation in ethanol-withdrawn rats: Influence of D-cycloserine

Background: Withdrawal from chronic ethanol facilitates the formation of contextual fear memory and delays the onset to extinction, with its retrieval promoting an increase in ethanol consumption. Consequently, manipulations aimed to reduce these aversive memories, may be beneficial in the treatment of alcohol discontinuation symptoms. Related to this, pharmacological memory reconsolidation blockade has received greater attention due to its therapeutic potential. Methods: Here, we examined the effect of post-reactivation amnestic treatments such as Midazolam (MDZ, 3 mg/kg i.p) and Propranolol (PROP, 5 mg/kg i.p) on contextual fear memory reconsolidation in ethanol- withdrawn (ETOH) rats. Next, we examined whether the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors induced by d-cycloserine (DCS, 5 mg/kg i.p., a NMDA partial agonist) before memory reactivation can facilitate the disruptive effect of PROP and MDZ on fear memory in ETOH rats. Results: We observed a resistance to the disruptive effect of both MDZ and PROP following memory reactivation. Although intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA; 1.25 ug/side) and systemic PROP administration attenuated fear memory in DCS pre-treated ETOH rats, DCS/MDZ treatment did not affect memory in these animals. Finally, a decrease of both total and surface protein expression of the α1 GABAA receptor (GABAA-R) subunit in BLA was found in the ETOH rats. Conclusions: Ethanol withdrawal facilitated the formation of fear memory resistant to labilization post-reactivation. DCS administration promoted the disruptive effect of PROP on memory reconsolidation in ETOH rats. The resistance to MDZ's disruptive effect on fear memory reconsolidation may be, at least in part, associated with changes in the GABAA-R composition induced by chronic ethanol administration/withdrawal.Fil: Ortiz, Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Giachero, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Espejo, Pablo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Víctor Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Martijena, Irene Delia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; Argentin

Polymeric near-infrared absorbing dendritic nanogels for efficient in vivo photothermal cancer therapy

In recent years, several near-infrared light absorbing inorganic nanomaterials have been developed for photothermal therapy. However, their biological fate after injection limits their clinical utilization. In this work, we developed a novel polymeric near-infrared light absorbing material based on a biocompatible thermoresponsive nanogel that is semi-interpenetrated with polyaniline, a conjugated polymer with strong near-infrared absorbance. This polymeric nanocomposite generates heat after being irradiated by NIR light, thereby inducing a local hyperthermia that is used for photothermal cancer therapy in vitro and in vivo

Dynamic Modelling and Control Design of Advanced Photovoltaic Solar System for Distributed Generation Applications

Presently, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar systems are becoming the most important application of PV systems. This trend is being increased because of the many benefits of using renewable energy sources (RES) in modern distributed (or dispersed) generation (DG) systems. This electrical grid structure imposes on the distributed generator new requirements of high quality electric power, flexibility, efficiency and reliability. This paper proposes a novel high performance power conditioning system (PCS) of a three-phase grid-connected PV system and its control scheme for applications in DG systems. The PCS utilizes a two-stage energy conversion system topology composed of a DC/DC boost converter and a diode-clamped three-level voltage source inverter (VSI) that satisfies all the stated requirements. The model of the proposed PV array uses theoretical and empirical equations together with data provided by manufacturer of PV panels, solar radiation and cell temperature among others variables, in order to accurately predict the current-voltage curve. Moreover, based on the state-space averaging method a new three-level control scheme is designed, comprising a full decoupled current control strategy in the synchronous-rotating d-q frame, capable of simultaneously and independently exchanging both active and reactive powers with the distribution system. Validation of models and control algorithms is carried out through digital simulations using the MATLAB/Simulink environment and implementing a 250 Wp PV experimental set-up.Fil: Molina, Marcelo Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Energía Eléctrica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Juanico, Luis Eduardo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Power flow stabilization and control of microgrid with wind generation by superconducting magnetic energy storage

High penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind generation in microgrids (MGs) causes fluctuations of power flow and significantly affects the power system (PS) operation. This can lead to severe problems, such as system frequency oscillations, and/or violations of power lines capability. With the proper control, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is able to significantly enhance the dynamic security of the PS. In an SMES system, the power conditioning system (PCS) is the crucial component that directly influences the validity of the SMES in the dynamic control of the PS. This paper proposes the use of an improved SMES controller for the stabilization and control of the power flow of wind-hybrid MGs. In this sense, the design and implementation of a novel high-performance PCS scheme of the SMES is described. Moreover, a detailed model of the SMES unit is derived and a novel three-level control scheme is designed, comprising a full decoupled current control strategy in the d-q reference frame and an enhanced PS frequency controller. The dynamic performance of the proposed systems is fully validated by computer simulation.Fil: Molina, Marcelo Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Energía Eléctrica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Mercado, Pedro Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Modelling and Control Design of Pitch-Controlled Variable Speed Wind Turbines

This chapter provides an overall perspective of modern wind power systems, including a discussion of major wind turbine concepts and technologies. More specifically, of the various wind turbine designs, pitch-controlled variable speed wind turbines controlled by means of power electronic converters have been considered. Among them, direct-in-line wind turbines with full-scale power converter and using direct-driven permanent magnet synchronous generators have increasingly drawn more interests to wind turbine manufactures due to its advantages over the other variable-speed wind turbines. Based on this issue, major operating characteristics of these devices are thoroughly analyzed and a three-phase grid-connected wind turbine system, incorporating a maximum power point tracker for dynamic active power generation is presented. Moreover, a simplified state-space averaged mathematical model of the wind turbine system is provided. An efficient power conditioning system of the selected wind turbine design and a new three-level control scheme by using concepts of instantaneous power in the synchronous-rotating d-q reference frame in order to simultaneously and independently control active and reactive power flow in the distribution network level are proposed. Dynamic system simulation studies in the MATLAB/Simulink environment is used in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multi-level control approaches in d-q coordinates and the full detailed models presented. The fast response of power electronic devices and the enhanced performance of the proposed control techniques allow taking full advantage of the wind turbine generator.Fil: Molina, Marcelo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Energía Eléctrica; ArgentinaFil: Mercado, Pedro Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Energía Eléctrica; Argentin