759 research outputs found
Simulation of gemini-agena docking
Attitude and translation control using visual docking simulator for Gemini/Agena projec
The soil effects on the grapevine root system in several vineyards of the Loire valley (France)
The effects of different soil types on grapevine root distribution are presented and discussed for Loire Valley (France) conditions. Field studies with Cabernet franc/SO 4 root-stock vines showed four main rooting patterns in different soil types. A statistical analysis was used to determine the influence of several physical soil factors on root distribution. The soil water supply appears to have a beneficial effect on the root system. Conversely the penetrometer soil strength, bulk density and hydromorphic conditions are unfavourable for root developmen
Identification and localization of calcium-dependent protease II in Neurospora crassa and Uromyces appendiculatus
Summary: The existence of Ca2+-dependent protease II in crude extracts ofNeurospora crassa andUromyces appendiculatus was demonstrated by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. In both extracts two immunoreacting bands were observed. The molecular mass of the major band inN. crassa corresponded to 37 kDa, while that inU. appendiculatus was 43 kDa, similar to that previously reported forAllomyces arbuscula. Immunofluorescence of the enzyme was predominantly localized in the apical regions of germlings and growing hyphae, suggesting a functional role for the enzyme in hyphal growt
Far-Infrared detection of neutral atomic oxygen toward the Horsehead Nebula
We present the first detection of neutral atomic oxygen (3P_1-3P_2 fine
structure line at ~63um) toward the Horsehead photodissociation region (PDR).
The cloud has been mapped with the Spitzer Space Telescope at far-IR (FIR)
wavelengths using MIPS in the spectral energy distribution (SED) mode. The
[OI]63um line peaks at the illuminated edge of the cloud at AV~0.1-0.5 (inward
the gas becomes too cold and outward the gas density drops). The luminosity
carried by the [OI]63um line represents a significant fraction of the total FIR
dust luminosity (I_63/I_FIR~4x10^-3). We analyze the dust continuum emission
and the nonlocal OI excitation and radiative transfer in detail. The
observations are reproduced with a gas density of n_H~10^4 cm^-3 and gas and
dust temperatures of T_k~100 K and T_d~30 K. We conclude that the determination
of the OI 3P_J level populations and emergent line intensities at such ``low''
densities is a complex non-LTE problem. FIR radiative pumping, [OI]63um
subthermal emission, [OI]145um suprathermal and even maser emission can occur
and decrease the resulting [OI]63/145 intensity ratio. The Herschel Space
Observatory, observing from ~55 to 672um, will allow us to exploit the
diagnostic power of FIR fine structure lines with unprecedented resolution and
sensitivity.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters (editorial corrections
included
The action of physiological and synthetic steroids on the calcium channel CatSper in human sperm
The sperm-specific channel CatSper (cation channel of sperm) controls the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and plays an essential role in sperm function. It is mainly activated by the steroid progesterone (P4) but is also promiscuously activated by a wide range of synthetic and physiological compounds. These compounds include diverse steroids whose action on the channel is so far still controversial. To investigate the effect of these compounds on CatSper and sperm function, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay to measure changes in [Ca2+]i in human sperm and screened 1,280 approved and off-patent drugs including 90 steroids from the Prestwick chemical library. More than half of the steroids tested (53%) induced an increase in [Ca2+]i and reduced the P4-induced Ca2+ influx in human sperm in a dose-dependent manner. Ten of the most potent steroids (activating and P4-inhibiting) were selected for a detailed analysis of their action on CatSper and their ability to act on sperm acrosome reaction (AR) and penetration in viscous media. We found that these steroids show an inhibitory effect on P4 but not on prostaglandin E1-induced CatSper activation, suggesting that they compete for the same binding site as P4. Pregnenolone, dydrogesterone, epiandrosterone, nandrolone, and dehydroepiandrosterone acetate (DHEA) were found to activate CatSper at physiologically relevant concentrations within the nanomolar range. Like P4, most tested steroids did not significantly affect the AR while stanozolol and estropipate slightly increased sperm penetration into viscous medium. Furthermore, using a hybrid approach integrating pharmacophore analysis and statistical modelling, we were able to screen in silico for steroids that can activate the channel and define the physicochemical and structural properties required for a steroid to exhibit agonist activity against CatSper. Overall, our results indicate that not only physiological but also synthetic steroids can modulate the activity of CatSper with varying potency and if bound to CatSper prior to P4, could impair the timely CatSper activation necessary for proper fertilization to occur
Outflows from young objects observed with the ISO-LWS I. Fine structure lines [O I] 63, [O I]145 and [C II]157 micron
Far infrared fine structure line data from the ISO archive have been
extracted for several hundred YSOs and their outflows, including molecular (CO)
outflows, optical jets and Herbig-Haro (HH) objects. Given the importance of
these lines to astrophysics, their excitation and transfer ought to be
investigated in detail and, at this stage, the reliability of the diagnostic
power of the fine structure transitions of O I and C II has been examined.
Several issues, such as the extremely small intensity ratios of the oxygen 63
micron to 145 micron lines, are still awaiting an explanation. It is
demonstrated that, in interstellar cloud conditions, the 145 micron line is
prone to masing, but that this effect is likely an insufficient cause of the
line ratio anomaly observed from cold dark clouds. Very optically thick
emission could in principle also account for this, but would need similar,
prohibitively high column densities and must therefore be abondoned as a viable
explanation. One is left with [O I] 63 micron self absorption by cold and
tenuous foreground gas, as has been advocated for distant luminous sources.
Recent observations with the submillimeter observatory Odin support this
scenario also in the case of nearby dark molecular clouds. On the basis of this
large statistical material we are led to conclude that in star forming regions,
the [O I] and [C II] lines generally have only limited diagnostic value.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures (in color), to appear in Astronomy & Astrophysic
The deep-sea hub of the ANTARES neutrino telescope
The ANTARES neutrino telescope, currently under construction at 2500 m depth off the French Mediterranean coast, will contain 12 detection lines, powered and read out through a deep-sea junction box (JB) hub. Electrical energy from the shore station is distributed through a transformer with multiple secondary windings and a plugboard with 16 deep sea-mateable electro-optic connectors. Connections are made to the JB outputs using manned or remotely operated submersible vehicles. The triply redundant power management and slow control system is based on two identical AC-powered systems, communicating with the shore through 160 Mb/s fibre G-links and a third battery-powered system using a slower link. We describe the power and slow control systems of the underwater hub
Protein Kinase Cα Mediated Phosphorylation of Cardiac Troponin Reduces Maximal Force and Exerts Dual Effects on Ca2+-Sensitivity in Human Cardiomyocytes
Grand Challenges: Improving HIV Treatment Outcomes by Integrating Interventions for Co-Morbid Mental Illness.
In the fourth article of a five-part series providing a global perspective on integrating mental health, Sylvia Kaaya and colleagues discuss the importance of integrating mental health interventions into HIV prevention and treatment platforms. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary
Pkd1 Regulates Lymphatic Vascular Morphogenesis during Development.
Lymphatic vessels arise during development through sprouting of precursor cells from veins, which is regulated by known signaling and transcriptional mechanisms. The ongoing elaboration of vessels to form a network is less well understood. This involves cell polarization, coordinated migration, adhesion, mixing, regression, and shape rearrangements. We identified a zebrafish mutant, lymphatic and cardiac defects 1 (lyc1), with reduced lymphatic vessel development. A mutation in polycystic kidney disease 1a was responsible for the phenotype. PKD1 is the most frequently mutated gene in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Initial lymphatic precursor sprouting is normal in lyc1 mutants, but ongoing migration fails. Loss of Pkd1 in mice has no effect on precursor sprouting but leads to failed morphogenesis of the subcutaneous lymphatic network. Individual lymphatic endothelial cells display defective polarity, elongation, and adherens junctions. This work identifies a highly selective and unexpected role for Pkd1 in lymphatic vessel morphogenesis during development
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