Barium and Calcium Stimulate Secretion from Digitonin-Permeabilized Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells by Similar Pathways

We compared the characteristics of secretion stimulated by EGTA-buffered Ba 2+ - and Ca 2+ -containing solutions in digitonin-permeabilized bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Half-maximal secretion occurred at approximately 100 Μ M Ba 2+ or 1 Μ M Ca 2+ . Ba 2+ -stimulated release was not due to release of sequestered intracellular Ca 2+ because at a constant free Ba 2+ concentration, increasing unbound EGTA did not diminish the extent of release due to Ba 2+ . The maximal extents of Ba 2+ - and Ca 2+ -dependent secretion in the absence of MgATP were identical. MgATP enhanced Ba 2+ -induced secretion to a lesser extent than Ca 2+ -induced secretion. Half-maximal concentrations of Ba 2+ and Ca 2+ , when added together to cells, yielded approximately additive amounts of secretion. Maximal concentrations of Ba 2+ and Ca 2+ when added together to cells for 2 or 15 min were not additive. Tetanus toxin inhibited Ba 2+ - and Ca 2+ -dependent secretion to a similar extent. Ba 2+ , unlike Ca 2+ , did not activate polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. These data indicate that (1) Ba 2+ directly stimulates exocytosis, (2) Ba 2+ -induced secretion is stimulated to a lesser extent than Ca 2+ -dependent secretion by MgATP, (3) Ba 2+ and Ca 2+ use similar pathways to trigger exocytosis, and (4) exocytosis from permeabilized cells does not require activation of polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66323/1/j.1471-4159.1992.tb09771.x.pd

Определение гармонического состава тока и напряжения ферромагнитного преобразователя напряжения при симметричных режимах

A plasma focus operating in nitrogen is developed as an x-ray source for the laboratory type x-ray microscope. The radiation has to be emitted into the "water window" (2.33 nm - 4.37 nm) with a reciprocal relative bandwidth (RRB) of Lambda/Delta Lambda > 200. The nearly coinciding Lyman-Alpha line of nitrogen VII Lambda = 2.48 nm and the second resonance line of nitrogen VI at Lambda = 2.49 nm are chosen. For the use in the microscope the end on diameter of the source has to be about 200 My m with a spatial jitter below 100 My m. A prototype of the source has been examined in its spatial, temporal and spectral properties. The higher ionization cross sections of nitrogen compared to noble gases influences the start of the discharge. First experiments with Fresnel condenser zone plates (CZP) as a tool for plasma soft x-ray emission diagnostics are presented. Experimental results are compared with non LTE modeling of the collapse and pinch phase of the plasma focus

Explaining LIGO's observations via isolated binary evolution with natal kicks

We compare binary evolution models with different assumptions about black-hole natal kicks to the first gravitational-wave observations performed by the LIGO detectors. Our comparisons attempt to reconcile merger rate, masses, spins, and spin-orbit misalignments of all current observations with state-of-the-art formation scenarios of binary black holes formed in isolation. We estimate that black holes (BHs) should receive natal kicks at birth of the order of $\sigma\simeq 200$ (50) km/s if tidal processes do (not) realign stellar spins. Our estimate is driven by two simple factors. The natal kick dispersion $\sigma$ is bounded from above because large kicks disrupt too many binaries (reducing the merger rate below the observed value). Conversely, the natal kick distribution is bounded from below because modest kicks are needed to produce a range of spin-orbit misalignments. A distribution of misalignments increases our models' compatibility with LIGO's observations, if all BHs are likely to have natal spins. Unlike related work which adopts a concrete BH natal spin prescription, we explore a range of possible BH natal spin distributions. Within the context of our models, for all of the choices of $\sigma$ used here and within the context of one simple fiducial parameterized spin distribution, observations favor low BH natal spin.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures, as published in PR

Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering in a Three Dimensional Approach

The nucleon-nucleon (NN) t-matrix is calculated directly as function of two vector momenta for different realistic NN potentials. To facilitate this a formalism is developed for solving the two-nucleon Lippmann-Schwinger equation in momentum space without employing a partial wave decomposition. The total spin is treated in a helicity representation. Two different realistic NN interactions, one defined in momentum space and one in coordinate space, are presented in a form suited for this formulation. The angular and momentum dependence of the full amplitude is studied and displayed. A partial wave decomposition of the full amplitude it carried out to compare the presented results with the well known phase shifts provided by those interactions.Comment: 26 pages plus 10 jpg figure

Apparent horizons in simplicial Brill wave initial data

We construct initial data for a particular class of Brill wave metrics using Regge calculus, and compare the results to a corresponding continuum solution, finding excellent agreement. We then search for trapped surfaces in both sets of initial data, and provide an independent verification of the existence of an apparent horizon once a critical gravitational wave amplitude is passed. Our estimate of this critical value, using both the Regge and continuum solutions, supports other recent findings.Comment: 7 pages, 6 EPS figures, LaTeX 2e. Submitted to Class. Quant. Gra

Torsion Degrees of Freedom in the Regge Calculus as Dislocations on the Simplicial Lattice

Using the notion of a general conical defect, the Regge Calculus is generalized by allowing for dislocations on the simplicial lattice in addition to the usual disclinations. Since disclinations and dislocations correspond to curvature and torsion singularities, respectively, the method we propose provides a natural way of discretizing gravitational theories with torsion degrees of freedom like the Einstein-Cartan theory. A discrete version of the Einstein-Cartan action is given and field equations are derived, demanding stationarity of the action with respect to the discrete variables of the theory

Regge Calculus in Teleparallel Gravity

In the context of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity, the Weitzenbock manifold is considered as the limit of a suitable sequence of discrete lattices composed of an increasing number of smaller an smaller simplices, where the interior of each simplex (Delaunay lattice) is assumed to be flat. The link lengths between any pair of vertices serve as independent variables, so that torsion turns out to be localized in the two dimensional hypersurfaces (dislocation triangle, or hinge) of the lattice. Assuming that a vector undergoes a dislocation in relation to its initial position as it is parallel transported along the perimeter of the dual lattice (Voronoi polygon), we obtain the discrete analogue of the teleparallel action, as well as the corresponding simplicial vacuum field equations.Comment: Latex, 10 pages, 2 eps figures, to appear in Class. Quant. Gra

Consequences of gravitational radiation recoil

Coalescing binary black holes experience an impulsive kick due to anisotropic emission of gravitational waves. We discuss the dynamical consequences of the recoil accompanying massive black hole mergers. Recoil velocities are sufficient to eject most coalescing black holes from dwarf galaxies and globular clusters, which may explain the apparent absence of massive black holes in these systems. Ejection from giant elliptical galaxies would be rare, but coalescing black holes are displaced from the center and fall back on a time scale of order the half-mass crossing time. Displacement of the black holes transfers energy to the stars in the nucleus and can convert a steep density cusp into a core. Radiation recoil calls into question models that grow supermassive black holes from hierarchical mergers of stellar-mass precursors.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, emulateapj style; minor changes made; accepted to ApJ Letter

The last glacial termination on the eastern flank of the central Patagonian Andes (47ºS)

Few studies have examined in detail the sequence of events during the last glacial termination (T1) in the core sector of the Patagonian Ice Sheet (PIS), the largest ice mass in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Antarctica. Here we report results from Lago Edita (47°8′ S, 72°25′ W, 570 m a.s.l.), a small closed-basin lake located in a valley overridden by eastward-flowing Andean glaciers during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The Lago Edita record shows glaciolacustrine sedimentation until 19 400 yr BP, followed by organic sedimentation in a closed-basin lake and a mosaic of cold-resistant hygrophilous conifers and rainforest trees, along with alpine herbs between 19 400 and 11 000 yr BP. Our data suggest that the PIS retreated at least  ∼  90 km from its LGM limit between  ∼  21 000 and 19 400 yr BP and that scattered, low-density populations of cold-resistant hygrophilous conifers, rainforest trees, high-Andean and steppe herbs thrived east of the Andes during the LGM and T1, implying high precipitation levels and southern westerly wind (SWW) influence at 47° S. The conifer Podocarpus nubigena increased between 14 500 and 13 000 yr BP, suggesting even stronger SWW influence during the Antarctic Cold Reversal, after which it declined and persisted until 11 000 yr BP. Large increases in arboreal pollen at  ∼  13 000 and  ∼  11 000 yr BP led to the establishment of forests near Lago Edita between 10 000 and 9000 yr BP, suggesting a rise in the regional tree line along the eastern Andean slopes driven by warming pulses at  ∼  13 000 and  ∼  11 000 yr BP and a subsequent decline in SWW influence at  ∼  11 000 yr BP. We propose that the PIS imposed a regional cooling signal along its eastern, downwind margin through T1 that lasted until the separation of the northern and southern Patagonian ice fields along the Andes during the Younger Dryas period. We posit that the withdrawal of glacial and associated glaciolacustrine environments through T1 provided a route for the dispersal of hygrophilous trees and herbs from the eastern flank of the central Patagonian Andes, contributing to the afforestation of the western Andean slopes and pacific coasts of central Patagonia during T1.Fil: Henríquez, William I.. Victoria University Of Wellington; Nueva ZelandaFil: Villa-Martinez, Rodrigo. Gaia-antártica Universidad de Magallanes; ChileFil: Vilanova, Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ; ArgentinaFil: De Pol-Holz, Ricardo. Gaia-antártica Universidad de Magallanes; ChileFil: Moreno, Patricio. Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Departamento de; Chil

Practical Spectrophotometric Assay for the \u3cem\u3edapE\u3c/em\u3e-Encoded \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-Succinyl-L,L-Diaminopimelic Acid Desuccinylase, a Potential Antibiotic Target

A new enzymatic assay for the bacterial enzyme succinyl-diaminopimelate desuccinylase (DapE, E.C. 3.5.1.18) is described. This assay employs N6-methyl-N2-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid (N6-methyl-L,L-SDAP) as the substrate with ninhydrin used to detect cleavage of the amide bond of the modified substrate, wherein N6-methylation enables selective detection of the primary amine enzymatic product. Molecular modeling supported preparation of the mono-N6-methylated-L,L-SDAP as an alternate substrate for the assay, given binding in the active site of DapE predicted to be comparable to the endogenous substrate. The alternate substrate for the assay, N6-methyl-L,L-SDAP, was synthesized from the tert-butyl ester of Boc-L-glutamic acid employing a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination followed by an enantioselective reduction employing Rh(I)(COD)(S,S)-Et-DuPHOS as the chiral catalyst. Validation of the new ninhydrin assay was demonstrated with known inhibitors of DapE from Haemophilus influenza (HiDapE) including captopril (IC50 = 3.4 [± 0.2] μM, 3-mercaptobenzoic acid (IC50 = 21.8 [±2.2] μM, phenylboronic acid (IC50 = 316 [± 23.6] μM, and 2-thiopheneboronic acid (IC50 = 111 [± 16] μM. Based on these data, this assay is simple and robust, and should be amenable to high-throughput screening, which is an important step forward as it opens the door to medicinal chemistry efforts toward the discovery of DapE inhibitors that can function as a new class of antibiotics