Calcium signals can freely cross the nuclear envelope in hippocampal neurons: somatic calcium increases generate nuclear calcium transients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In hippocampal neurons, nuclear calcium signaling is important for learning- and neuronal survival-associated gene expression. However, it is unknown whether calcium signals generated by neuronal activity at the cell membrane and propagated to the soma can unrestrictedly cross the nuclear envelope to invade the nucleus. The nuclear envelope, which allows ion transit via the nuclear pore complex, may represent a barrier for calcium and has been suggested to insulate the nucleus from activity-induced cytoplasmic calcium transients in some cell types.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using laser-assisted uncaging of caged calcium compounds in defined sub-cellular domains, we show here that the nuclear compartment border does not represent a barrier for calcium signals in hippocampal neurons. Although passive diffusion of molecules between the cytosol and the nucleoplasm may be modulated through changes in conformational state of the nuclear pore complex, we found no evidence for a gating mechanism for calcium movement across the nuclear border.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Thus, the nuclear envelope does not spatially restrict calcium transients to the somatic cytosol but allows calcium signals to freely enter the cell nucleus to trigger genomic events.</p

A flow field around a cylindrical probe in proximity to stator blades and its effect on the measurements

Abstract In multistage axial compressors of gas turbine engines, there is a need for a detailed understanding of the flow field in between the blade rows, which could be obtained by spanwise traversing. This requires a pneumatic probe to be immersed into the flow path between the blade rows, where the space is limited. Therefore, the probe will affect the flow field around it and in the blade channel, and the probe readings will be affected by that flow field. As a result, these probe readings cannot be translated to flow parameters based on just the freestream calibration characteristics, obtained in the idealized wind tunnel. In our paper, we provide a computational analysis of the flow field around the cylindrical probe in a constrained inter-blade-row environment at different circumferential locations and flow conditions both upstream and downstream of the stator blade row. It is shown that the flow angle measurement error can reach up to five degrees in the mid-pitch locations compared to undistorted flow, and dynamic head measurements can be up to 30% away from the actual mean values of the flow. These deviations are shown to be caused by flow field interaction inside the blade channel and, as a result, measured values, obtained during industrial compressor testing, could be corrected accordingly. The universal correction procedure is proposed for further use in the industry</jats:p