Learning accurate path integration in a ring attractor model of the head direction system

Ring attractor models for angular path integration have recently received strong experimental support. To function as integrators, head-direction (HD) circuits require precisely tuned connectivity, but it is currently unknown how such tuning could be achieved. Here, we propose a network model in which a local, biologically plausible learning rule adjusts synaptic efficacies during development, guided by supervisory allothetic cues. Applied to the Drosophila HD system, the model learns to path-integrate accurately and develops a connectivity strikingly similar to the one reported in experiments. The mature network is a quasi-continuous attractor and reproduces key experiments in which optogenetic stimulation controls the internal representation of heading, and where the network remaps to integrate with different gains. Our model predicts that path integration requires supervised learning during a developmental phase. The model setting is general and also applies to architectures that lack the physical topography of a ring, like the mammalian HD system

Memory-Relevant Mushroom Body Output Synapses Are Cholinergic

Memories are stored in the fan-out fan-in neural architectures of the mammalian cerebellum and hippocampus and the insect mushroom bodies. However, whereas key plasticity occurs at glutamatergic synapses in mammals, the neurochemistry of the memory-storing mushroom body Kenyon cell output synapses is unknown. Here we demonstrate a role for acetylcholine (ACh) in Drosophila. Kenyon cells express the ACh-processing proteins ChAT and VAChT, and reducing their expression impairs learned olfactory-driven behavior. Local ACh application, or direct Kenyon cell activation, evokes activity in mushroom body output neurons (MBONs). MBON activation depends on VAChT expression in Kenyon cells and is blocked by ACh receptor antagonism. Furthermore, reducing nicotinic ACh receptor subunit expression in MBONs compromises odor-evoked activation and redirects odor-driven behavior. Lastly, peptidergic corelease enhances ACh-evoked responses in MBONs, suggesting an interaction between the fast- and slow-acting transmitters. Therefore, olfactory memories in Drosophila are likely stored as plasticity of cholinergic synapses

Maturation of active zone assembly by Drosophila Bruchpilot

Synaptic vesicles fuse at active zone (AZ) membranes where Ca2+ channels are clustered and that are typically decorated by electron-dense projections. Recently, mutants of the Drosophila melanogaster ERC/CAST family protein Bruchpilot (BRP) were shown to lack dense projections (T-bars) and to suffer from Ca2+ channel–clustering defects. In this study, we used high resolution light microscopy, electron microscopy, and intravital imaging to analyze the function of BRP in AZ assembly. Consistent with truncated BRP variants forming shortened T-bars, we identify BRP as a direct T-bar component at the AZ center with its N terminus closer to the AZ membrane than its C terminus. In contrast, Drosophila Liprin-α, another AZ-organizing protein, precedes BRP during the assembly of newly forming AZs by several hours and surrounds the AZ center in few discrete punctae. BRP seems responsible for effectively clustering Ca2+ channels beneath the T-bar density late in a protracted AZ formation process, potentially through a direct molecular interaction with intracellular Ca2+ channel domains

A Syd-1 homologue regulates pre- and postsynaptic maturation in Drosophila

A proteomics approach identifies Drosophila Syd-1 as a Bruchpilot binding partner that controls maturation on both sides of the neuromuscular junction

Un preprocesseur parallele pour le logiciel de mecanique des fluides HPCN3S

SIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : 26165 F, issue : a.1997 n.48 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Tribological evaluation of biodegradable and mineral hydraulic oil with sliding between the Cu-Zn and WC-CoCr alloys

A correta seleção dos óleos lubrificantes e das superfícies de contato melhoram o desempenho e reduzem o consumo de energia das máquinas Por isso, a engenharia de superfícies propõe novos revestimentos aos quais seu comportamento tribológico combinado com o uso de óleos biodegradáveis em componentes de sistema hidráulicos, não são conhecidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o comportamento do óleo mineral - HLP e do biodegradável sintético - HEES, submetido ao deslizamento de um pino de liga Cu-35Zn, contra uma superfície plana revestida com WC-10Co4Cr por alta velocidade térmica. pulverização - HVOF. A combinação de óleos biodegradáveis com superfícies de menor impacto ambiental é importante para a sustentabilidade e crescimento da indústria moderna. O desempenho dos lubrificantes foi avaliado por meio de testes de deslizamento em um tribômetro pino sobre disco, modificando as cargas, para identificar os regimes de lubrificação, fricção e desgaste. Os testes indicaram que os valores do coeficiente de atrito médio foi de µHEES = 0,054 e µHLP = 0,044, assim mesmo o limite do regime de lubrificação foram próximos. A espessura mínima do filme (hmín) foi 23 % maior para o HLP e os valores obtidos de parâmetro do filme (λ) foi diferente a resultados de outras superfícies. Na avaliação do desgaste do pino e disco, percebeu-se que as maiores concentrações dos aditivos de Zn e P, encontradas no HLP, reduz o dano na superfície. Portanto, há a necessidade de se avaliar o tipo de superfície lubrificada com óleo do tipo HEES, bem como, fazer alterações das concentrações de aditivos.The correct selection of lubricating oils and contact surfaces improves performance and reduces the energy consumption of the machines. Therefore, surface engineering proposes new coatings to which their tribological behavior combined with the use of biodegradable oils in hydraulic system components are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the mineral oil - HLP and the synthetic biodegradable - HEES, subjected to sliding of a pin made of Cu-35Zn alloy, against a flat surface coated with WC-10Co4Cr by high-speed thermal spraying - HVOF. The combination of biodegradable oils with surfaces of lesser environmental impact is important for the sustainability and growth of the modern industry. The performance of the lubricants was evaluated by means of sliding tests on a pin-on-disc tribometer, modifying the loads, to identify the lubrication, friction and wear regimes. The tests indicated that the average coefficient of friction was μHEES = 0,054 and μHLP = 0,044, so the limit of the lubrication regimes was close. The minimum film thickness hmín was 23 % higher for HLP and the obtained values of the film parameter (λ) were different from the results of other surfaces. In the evaluation of the wear of the pin and disk, it was found to that the higher concentrations of the additives of Zn and P, found in the HLP, reduces the surface damage. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the type of surfaces lubricated with oils of the HEES type, as well as changes in additive concentrations should be made

Cooperation of Syd-1 with Neurexin synchronizes pre- with postsynaptic assembly

Synapse formation and maturation requires bidirectional communication across the synaptic cleft. The trans-synaptic Neurexin-Neuroligin complex can bridge this cleft, and severe synapse assembly deficits are found in Drosophila melanogaster neuroligin (Nlg1, dnlg1) and neurexin (Nrx-1, dnrx) mutants. We show that the presynaptic active zone protein Syd-1 interacts with Nrx-1 to control synapse formation at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Mutants in Syd-1 (RhoGAP100F, dsyd-1), Nrx-1 and Nlg1 shared active zone cytomatrix defects, which were nonadditive. Syd-1 and Nrx-1 formed a complex in vivo, and Syd-1 was important for synaptic clustering and immobilization of Nrx-1. Consequently, postsynaptic clustering of Nlg1 was affected in Syd-1 mutants, and in vivo glutamate receptor incorporation was changed in Syd-1, Nrx-1 and Nlg1 mutants. Stabilization of nascent Syd-1-Liprin-α (DLiprin-α) clusters, important to initialize active zone formation, was Nlg1 dependent. Thus, cooperation between Syd-1 and Nrx-1-Nlg1 seems to orchestrate early assembly processes between pre- and postsynaptic membranes, promoting avidity of newly forming synaptic scaffolds.status: publishe