844 research outputs found
Hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex combine path integration signals for successful navigation
The current study used fMRI in humans to examine goal-directed navigation in an open field environment. We designed a task that required participants to encode survey-level spatial information and subsequently navigate to a goal location in either first person, third person, or survey perspectives. Critically, no distinguishing landmarks or goal location markers were present in the environment, thereby requiring participants to rely on path integration mechanisms for successful navigation. We focused our analysis on mechanisms related to navigation and mechanisms tracking linear distance to the goal location. Successful navigation required translation of encoded survey-level map information for orientation and implementation of a planned route to the goal. Our results demonstrate that successful first and third person navigation trials recruited the anterior hippocampus more than trials when the goal location was not successfully reached. When examining only successful trials, the retrosplenial and posterior parietal cortices were recruited for goal-directed navigation in both first person and third person perspectives. Unique to first person perspective navigation, the hippocampus was recruited to path integrate self-motion cues with location computations toward the goal location. Last, our results demonstrate that the hippocampus supports goal-directed navigation by actively tracking proximity to the goal throughout navigation. When using path integration mechanisms in first person and third person perspective navigation, the posterior hippocampus was more strongly recruited as participants approach the goal. These findings provide critical insight into the neural mechanisms by which we are able to use map-level representations of our environment to reach our navigational goals
New protein kinase from plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells activated by natural polypeptides.
Development of superconducting YBa2Cu3O(x) wires with low resistance electrical contacts
Materials exhibiting superconductivity above liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K) will enable new applications of this phenomena. One of the first commercial applications of this technology will be superconducting magnets for medical imaging. However, a large number of aerospace applications of the high temperature superconducting materials have also been identified. These include magnetic suspension and balance of models in wind tunnels and resistanceless leads to anemometers. The development of superconducting wires fabricated from the ceramic materials is critical for these applications. The progress in application of a patented fiber process developed by Clemson University for the fabrication of superconducting wires is reviewed. The effect of particle size and heat treatment on the quality of materials is discussed. Recent advances made at Christopher Newport College in the development of micro-ohm resistance electrical contacts which are capable of carrying the highest reported direct current to this material is presented
Nuclear Theory and Science of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) will be a world-leading laboratory
for the study of nuclear structure, reactions and astrophysics. Experiments
with intense beams of rare isotopes produced at FRIB will guide us toward a
comprehensive description of nuclei, elucidate the origin of the elements in
the cosmos, help provide an understanding of matter in neutron stars, and
establish the scientific foundation for innovative applications of nuclear
science to society. FRIB will be essential for gaining access to key regions of
the nuclear chart, where the measured nuclear properties will challenge
established concepts, and highlight shortcomings and needed modifications to
current theory. Conversely, nuclear theory will play a critical role in
providing the intellectual framework for the science at FRIB, and will provide
invaluable guidance to FRIB's experimental programs. This article overviews the
broad scope of the FRIB theory effort, which reaches beyond the traditional
fields of nuclear structure and reactions, and nuclear astrophysics, to explore
exciting interdisciplinary boundaries with other areas.
\keywords{Nuclear Structure and Reactions. Nuclear
Astrophysics. Fundamental Interactions. High Performance
Computing. Rare Isotopes. Radioactive Beams.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figure
Production of Radioactive Nuclides in Inverse Reaction Kinematics
Efficient production of short-lived radioactive isotopes in inverse reaction
kinematics is an important technique for various applications. It is
particularly interesting when the isotope of interest is only a few nucleons
away from a stable isotope. In this article production via charge exchange and
stripping reactions in combination with a magnetic separator is explored. The
relation between the separator transmission efficiency, the production yield,
and the choice of beam energy is discussed. The results of some exploratory
experiments will be presented.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, to be submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Met
Dual Magnetic Separator for TRIP
The TRIP facility, under construction at KVI, requires the production
and separation of short-lived and rare isotopes. Direct reactions,
fragmentation and fusion-evaporation reactions in normal and inverse kinematics
are foreseen to produce nuclides of interest with a variety of heavy-ion beams
from the superconducting cyclotron AGOR. For this purpose, we have designed,
constructed and commissioned a versatile magnetic separator that allows
efficient injection into an ion catcher, i.e., gas-filled stopper/cooler or
thermal ionizer, from which a low energy radioactive beam will be extracted.
The separator performance was tested with the production and clean separation
of Na ions, where a beam purity of 99.5% could be achieved. For
fusion-evaporation products, some of the features of its operation as a
gas-filled recoil separator were tested.Comment: accepted by Nucl.Instr. Meth., final versio
Mechanisms of oxidative stress and alterations in gene expression by Libby six-mix in human mesothelial cells
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exposures to an amphibole fiber in Libby, Montana cause increases in malignant mesothelioma (MM), a tumor of the pleural and peritoneal cavities with a poor prognosis. Affymetrix microarray/GeneSifter analysis was used to determine alterations in gene expression of a human mesothelial cell line (LP9/TERT-1) by a non-toxic concentration (15×10<sup>6 </sup>μm<sup>2</sup>/cm<sup>2</sup>) of unprocessed Libby six-mix and negative (glass beads) and positive (crocidolite asbestos) controls. Because manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD; SOD2) was the only gene upregulated significantly (p < 0.05) at both 8 and 24 h, we measured SOD protein and activity, oxidative stress and glutathione (GSH) levels to better understand oxidative events after exposure to non-toxic (15×10<sup>6 </sup>μm<sup>2</sup>/cm<sup>2</sup>) and toxic concentrations (75×10<sup>6 </sup>μm<sup>2</sup>/cm<sup>2</sup>) of Libby six-mix.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exposure to 15×10<sup>6 </sup>μm<sup>2</sup>/cm<sup>2 </sup>Libby six-mix elicited significant (p < 0.05) upregulation of one gene (<it>SOD2</it>; 4-fold) at 8 h and 111 gene changes at 24 h, including a 5-fold increase in <it>SOD2</it>. Increased levels of SOD2 mRNA at 24 h were also confirmed in HKNM-2 normal human pleural mesothelial cells by qRT-PCR. SOD2 protein levels were increased at toxic concentrations (75×10<sup>6 </sup>μm<sup>2</sup>/cm<sup>2</sup>) of Libby six-mix at 24 h. In addition, levels of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD; SOD1) protein were increased at 24 h in all mineral groups. A dose-related increase in SOD2 activity was observed, although total SOD activity remained unchanged. Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence staining and flow cytometry revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by LP9/TERT-1 cells exposed to Libby six-mix. Both Libby six-mix and crocidolite asbestos at 75×10<sup>6 </sup>μm<sup>2</sup>/cm<sup>2 </sup>caused transient decreases (p < 0.05) in GSH for up to 24 h and increases in gene expression of heme oxygenase 1 (<it>HO-1</it>) in LP9/TERT-1 and HKNM-2 cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Libby six-mix causes multiple gene expression changes in LP9/TERT-1 human mesothelial cells, as well as increases in SOD2, increased production of oxidants, and transient decreases in intracellular GSH. These events are not observed at equal surface area concentrations of nontoxic glass beads. Results support a mechanistic basis for the importance of SOD2 in proliferation and apoptosis of mesothelial cells and its potential use as a biomarker of early responses to mesotheliomagenic minerals.</p
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