Mechanisms of Synapse Assembly and Disassembly

AbstractThe mechanisms that govern synapse formation and elimination are fundamental to our understanding of neural development and plasticity. The wiring of neural circuitry requires that vast numbers of synapses be formed in a relatively short time. The subsequent refinement of neural circuitry involves the formation of additional synapses coincident with the disassembly of previously functional synapses. There is increasing evidence that activity-dependent plasticity also involves the formation and disassembly of synapses. While we are gaining insight into the mechanisms of both synapse assembly and disassembly, we understand very little about how these phenomena are related to each other and how they might be coordinately controlled to achieve the precise patterns of synaptic connectivity in the nervous system. Here, we review our current understanding of both synapse assembly and disassembly in an effort to unravel the relationship between these fundamental developmental processes

Ultrafast impulsive Raman spectroscopy across the terahertz–fingerprint region

Broadband Raman spectroscopy (detection bandwidth >1000  cm  −  1) is a valuable and widely used tool for understanding samples via label-free measurements of their molecular vibrations. Two important Raman spectral regions are the chemically specific “fingerprint” (200 to 1800  cm  −  1) and “low-frequency” or “terahertz” (THz) (500  ×   enhancement of 10  ×   enhancement of fingerprint sensitivity above 1000  cm  −  1 compared with that of SE-ISRS

Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 44, No. 3

• Conservation and Mediation in the Folk and Traditional Arts of Pennsylvania • Isaac and Thomas Stahl, the Revival Potters of Powder Valley • The Folk Art of Decorated Eggs • Jim Popso and His Coal Country Folk Art • Leaving the Old World for the New: Rules Governing Emigration from Landau in the Palatinatehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/pafolklifemag/1143/thumbnail.jp

Tsunami evacuation plans for future megathrust earthquakes in Padang, Indonesia, considering stochastic earthquake scenarios

This study develops tsunami evacuation plans in Padang, Indonesia, using a stochastic tsunami simulation method. The stochastic results are based on multiple earthquake scenarios for different magnitudes (Mw 8.5, 8.75, and 9.0) that reflect asperity characteristics of the 1797 historical event in the same region. The generation of the earthquake scenarios involves probabilistic models of earthquake source parameters and stochastic synthesis of earthquake slip distributions. In total, 300 source models are generated to produce comprehensive tsunami evacuation plans in Padang. The tsunami hazard assessment results show that Padang may face significant tsunamis causing the maximum tsunami inundation height and depth of 15 and 10 m, respectively. A comprehensive tsunami evacuation plan – including horizontal evacuation area maps, assessment of temporary shelters considering the impact due to ground shaking and tsunami, and integrated horizontal–vertical evacuation time maps – has been developed based on the stochastic tsunami simulation results. The developed evacuation plans highlight that comprehensive mitigation policies can be produced from the stochastic tsunami simulation for future tsunamigenic events

AHD2.0: an update version of Arabidopsis Hormone Database for plant systematic studies

Phytohormone studies enlightened our knowledge of plant responses to various changes. To provide a systematic and comprehensive view of genes participating in plant hormonal regulation, an online accessible database Arabidopsis Hormone Database (AHD) has been developed, which is a collection of hormone related genes of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana (AHRGs). Recently we updated our database from AHD to a new version AHD2.0 by adding several pronounced features: (i) updating our collection of AHRGs based on most recent publications as well as constructing elaborate schematic diagrams of each hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways; (ii) adding orthologs of sequenced plants listed in OrthoMCL-DB to each AHRG in the updated database; (iii) providing predicted miRNA splicing site(s) for each AHRG; (iv) integrating genes that genetically interact with each AHRG according to literatures mining; (v) providing links to a powerful online analysis platform WebLab for the convenience of in-time bioinformatics analysis and (vi) providing links to widely used protein databases and integrating more expression profiling information that would facilitate users for a more systematic and integrative analysis related to phytohormone research

Hot new directions for quasi-Monte Carlo research in step with applications

This article provides an overview of some interfaces between the theory of quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) methods and applications. We summarize three QMC theoretical settings: first order QMC methods in the unit cube $[0,1]^s$ and in $\mathbb{R}^s$, and higher order QMC methods in the unit cube. One important feature is that their error bounds can be independent of the dimension $s$ under appropriate conditions on the function spaces. Another important feature is that good parameters for these QMC methods can be obtained by fast efficient algorithms even when $s$ is large. We outline three different applications and explain how they can tap into the different QMC theory. We also discuss three cost saving strategies that can be combined with QMC in these applications. Many of these recent QMC theory and methods are developed not in isolation, but in close connection with applications

Partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by high‐protein distiller's dried grains (HPDDG) supplemented with protease enzyme for European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings

High‐protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG) is a co‐product of ethanol production that uses prefractionation technology. A 70‐day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by high‐protein distiller's dried grains (HPDDG) with protease enzyme supplementation (PROXYM ULTRA®) on growth performance, physiological parameters and histological changes of the intestine of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax fingerlings. The results indicated that increased dietary HPDDG levels up to 50% of HPDDG supplemented with protease significantly increases growth performance and feed utilization and improved FCR of sea bass. In addition, replacement of SBM by HPDDG supplemented with protease enhanced feed intake efficiency and the health status of fish. Haematology and serum biochemistry (haemoglobin (Hb)), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and humeral immune parameters including total protein, globulin, cholesterol, lysozyme activity and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased with increase in HPDDG supplemented with protease in the diets. Results of this study indicated that HPDDG supplemented with protease is a good alternative protein source for aquaculture feed and can be included up to 50% as a replacement of SBM without compromising growth performance and physiological parameters of sea bass

Quantum coherent control of highly multipartite continuous-variable entangled states by tailoring parametric interactions

The generation of continuous-variable multipartite entangled states is important for several protocols of quantum information processing and communication, such as one-way quantum computation or controlled dense coding. In this article we theoretically show that multimode optical parametric oscillators can produce a great variety of such states by an appropriate control of the parametric interaction, what we accomplish by tailoring either the spatio-temporal shape of the pump, or the geometry of the nonlinear medium. Specific examples involving currently available optical parametric oscillators are given, hence showing that our ideas are within reach of present technology.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Solitary and cnoidal wave scattering by a submerged horizontal plate in shallow water

Solitary and cnoidal wave transformation over a submerged, fixed, horizontal rigid plate is studied by use of the nonlinear, shallow-water Level I Green-Naghdi (GN) equations. Reflection and transmission coefficients are defined for cnoidal and solitary waves to quantify the nonlinear wave scattering. Results of the GN equations are compared with the laboratory experiments and other theoretical solutions for linear and nonlinear waves in intermediate and deep waters. The GN equations are then used to study the nonlinear wave scattering by a plate in shallow water. It is shown that in deep and intermediate depths, the wave-scattering varies nonlinearly by both the wavelength over the plate length ratio, and the submergence depth. In shallow water, however, and for long-waves, only the submergence depth appear to play a significant role on wave scattering. It is possible to define the plate submergence depth and length such that certain wave conditions are optimized above, below, or downwave of the plate for different applications. A submerged plate in shallow water can be used as a means to attenuate energy, such as in wave breakers, or used for energy focusing, and in wave energy devices