Overexpression of the type 1 adenylyl cyclase in the forebrain leads to deficits of behavioral inhibition

The type 1 adenylyl cyclase (AC1) is an activity-dependent, calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclase expressed in the nervous system that is implicated in memory formation. We examined the locomotor activity, and impulsive and social behaviors of AC1+ mice, a transgenic mouse strain overexpressing AC1 in the forebrain. Here we report that AC1+ mice exhibit hyperactive behaviors and demonstrate increased impulsivity and reduced sociability. In contrast, AC1 and AC8 double knock-out mice are hypoactive, and exhibit increased sociability and reduced impulsivity. Interestingly, the hyperactivity of AC1+ mice can be corrected by valproate, a mood-stabilizing drug. These data indicate that increased expression of AC1 in the forebrain leads to deficits in behavioral inhibition

Genetic repression of the antioxidant enzymes reduces the lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Aging is a biological process associated with gradual loss of function caused by cellular and molecular damages ultimately leading to mortality. Free radicals are implicated in oxidative damage which affects the longevity of organisms. Natural cellular defenses involving antioxidant enzymes delay or prevent oxidative damage and, therefore, influence the aging process and longevity has been shown in many species including Drosophila. We and others have shown that oxidative resistance is an important mechanism in the aging process in Drosophila. Therefore, we hypothesized that repressing endogenous antioxidant defenses shortens longevity in Drosophila. To study the influence of natural defense mechanisms against oxidative stress in aging, we have investigated the effect of genetic repression of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), on longevity in Drosophila using transgenic RNAi flies and in vivo inhibition of the enzymes with chemical inhibitors. RNAi lines of Drosophila viz., UAS-sod1-IR and UAS-cat-IR, are driven ubiquitously using Act5C-Gal4 and Tubulin-Gal4 to achieve the suppression of SOD1 and CAT activities, respectively. We show that genetic repression of SOD1 and CAT by RNAi in transgenic flies led to drastically reduced longevity (SOD1, 77%; CAT, 83%), presenting the evidence for the role of endogenous antioxidant defenses in lifespan extension in Drosophila. Further, our study shows that the enzyme inhibitors, diethyldithiocarbamate and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, although lower the enzyme activities in vivo in flies, but did not affect longevity, which could be attributed to the factors such as bioavailability and metabolism of the inhibitors and adaptive mechanisms involving de novo synthesis of the enzymes. Our study of genetic repression using transgenic RNAi provides experimental evidence that extended longevity is associated with endogenous antioxidant defenses and aging is correlated with oxidative stress resistance

Ballistic Applications of Glass and Kevlar Fibre Vinylester Composites

Void-free E-glass and Kevlar-49 fibre reinforced vinylester laminates prepared under compression moulding were found to have Charpy impact strength of 576 KJlm2 and 304 KJlm2, respectively. Ballistic immunisation tests carried out on the glass reinforced vinylester laminates with thickness ranging from 12 mm to 54 mm against 7.62 mm rifle bullets produced an exponential relationship between the per cent attenuation in bullet velocity and the areal density of the laminates; whereas the relationship was linear for 9 mm carbine fire with laminate thicknessvarying from 5.5 mm to 12 mm

A Comparative Review of Electrolytes for Organic-Material-Based Energy-Storage Devices Employing Solid Electrodes and Redox Fluids

Electrolyte chemistry is critical for any energy‐storage device. Low‐cost and sustainable rechargeable batteries based on organic redox‐active materials are of great interest to tackle resource and performance limitations of current batteries with metal‐based active materials. Organic active materials can be used not only as solid electrodes in the classic lithium‐ion battery (LIB) setup, but also as redox fluids in redox‐flow batteries (RFBs). Accordingly, they have suitability for mobile and stationary applications, respectively. Herein, different types of electrolytes, recent advances for designing better performing electrolytes, and remaining scientific challenges are discussed and summarized. Due to different configurations and requirements between LIBs and RFBs, the similarities and differences for choosing suitable electrolytes are discussed. Both general and specific strategies for promoting the utilization of organic active materials are covered.So solid storage : The use of organic redox‐active materials is a new tendency for rechargeable batteries, either as traditional solid‐state electrode materials in lithium‐ion batteries or as dissolved redox fluidic species in liquid electrolytes for redox flow batteries. The performance‐limiting scenarios and some illuminating improvements by formulating electrolytes are reviewed

Application of Wavelet Analysis on Transient Rlectivity in Ultra-thin Films

Applications of wavelet analysis in ultra-thin film transient reflectivity (TR) measurements have been investigated. Advantages of utilizing different localized wavelet bases, in position and time, have been addressed on the residual TR signals. Morse wavelets have been used to obtain information from the abrupt oscillatory modes in the signal, which are not distinguishable with conventional methods such as Fourier transforms. These abrupt oscillatory modes are caused by the surface, interface, or any short-lived oscillatory modes which are suppressed in the TR signal in ultra-thin films. It is demonstrated that by choosing different Morse wavelets, information regarding different oscillatory modes in the TR signal of a heterostructure thin film is achievable. Moreover, by performing wavelet analysis on multiferroic heterostructures, oscillatory modes with very close energy ranges are easily distinguishable. For illustration, residuals of the TR signals have been obtained by a pumpprobe setup in reflectivity mode on La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 and BaTiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 samples, where sufficient signal to noise ratios have been achieved by taking multiple scans. The residual signals have been analyzed with Morse wavelets, and multiple oscillatory modes with close energy ranges have been observed and distinguished. This approach can isolate the location of various oscillatory modes at the surface, interface and in the bulk of the heterostructure sample

Improving Management of Natural Resources for Sustainable Rainfed Agriculture in Ringnodia Micro-watershed

The current productivity of rainfed lands in Madhya Pradesh, India is about 1.0 t ha-1 although there is scope to obtain >3 t ha-1. To assess and evaluate the potential of improved soil, water, and nutrient management options through integrated watershed management at Ringnodia in Indore in western Madhya Pradesh, a micro-watershed of 390 ha was delineated. Soybean is a major crop during the rainy season and yield of <1 t ha-1 is obtained in the micro-watershed. Landholdings in the watershed are generally small. The input use is low with little soil and water conservation measures in vogue among farmers. About 30–40% of the total rainfall is lost through runoff, carrying productive soils and nutrients while crops experienced drought stress in the rainy as well as postrainy seasons. With a critical advisory support from scientists, the watershed farmers could augment water storage capacity in the village through construction of percolation/storage tanks and renovation of existing ponds. For safe disposal of water from the watershed, waterways were developed and wire mesh bound boulder structures were constructed to reduce soil loss and runoff. These water storage structures could store up to 30 ha-m water representing about 70% of total runoff from 100 ha cultivated area and thus reduce runoff and soil losses. This increased groundwater recharge, which manifested in increased water table in most wells including the abandoned ones. The scenario analysis suggested various cropping options for enhanced yield with limited irrigation (soybean-wheat) or under rainfed conditions (pigeonpea/sorghum intercrop). Sorghum/pigeonpea intercrop was, however, less popular amongst the farmers. The introduction of extra-short-duration pigeonpea opened avenues for diversification and its adoption is likely to increase. Under rainfed conditions, double cropping could be practiced in two out of three postrainy seasons. Soybean yields increased marginally by gypsum application and also by planting on mini-ridges. The medium-duration chickpea cultivar JG 218 gave higher yield than short-duration cultivars ICCV 2 and ICCC 37 indicating sufficient moisture for the traditional types. Pests were the major yield reducers in soybean and adoption of integrated pest management options nearly tripled soybean yield. In another micro-watershed at the College of Agriculture, Indore interaction between land and water conservation measures and efficient cropping systems was examined. Soybean/pigeonpea strip crop and soybean-wheat systems were more productive than soybean-chickpea and soybean-linseed systems. Chickpea and wheat could easily be established with minimum tillage when planted in moist seed zone at 15 cm depth after the harvest of soybea