Slow in Motion but Smart in Learning and Memory: Behavioral Changes in Adult NR3A Knockout Mice

The expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR3A is high in the neonatal brain but low in adults. However, its functional role in the adult brain is obscure. Using wild-type (WT) and NR3A knockout (KO) mice, we show here that NR3A plays imperative roles in multiple behavioral functions in adults. NR3A deletion produced a slow locomotor phenotype with enhanced memory capacities. Hippocampal slices from juvenile and adult NR3A KO mice showed greater long-term potentiation (LTP) compared to WT slices. NR3A deletion resulted in increased expression and phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII inhibition abrogated the enhanced LTP in NR3A KO slices. NR3A KO mice were also more sensitive to acute and chronic pain. These data reveal for the first time that NR3A, despite its low expression, plays several critical roles in behavioral activities in adults and may be a therapeutic target for modulating behaviors under normal and pathological conditions

Integrated optimisation for production capacity, raw material ordering and production planning under time and quantity uncertainties based on two case studies

Abstract This paper develops a supply chain (SC) model by integrating raw material ordering and production planning, and production capacity decisions based upon two case studies in manufacturing firms. Multiple types of uncertainties are considered; including: time-related uncertainty (that exists in lead-time and delay) and quantity-related uncertainty (that exists in information and material flows). The SC model consists of several sub-models, which are first formulated mathematically. Simulation (simulation-based stochastic approximation) and genetic algorithm tools are then developed to evaluate several non-parameterised strategies and optimise two parameterised strategies. Experiments are conducted to contrast these strategies, quantify their relative performance, and illustrate the value of information and the impact of uncertainties. These case studies provide useful insights into understanding to what degree the integrated planning model including production capacity decisions could benefit economically in different scenarios, which types of data should be shared, and how these data could be utilised to achieve a better SC system. This study provides insights for small and middle-sized firm management to make better decisions regarding production capacity issues with respect to external uncertainty and/or disruptions; e.g. trade wars and pandemics.</jats:p

Generating multi-atom entangled W states via light-matter interface based fusion mechanism

W state is a key resource in quantum communication. Fusion technology has been proven to be a good candidate for preparing a large-size W state from two or more small-size W states in linear optical system. It is of great importance to study how to fuse W states via light-matter interface. Here we show that it is possible to prepare large-size W-state networks using a fusion mechanism in cavity QED system. The detuned interaction between three atoms and a vacuum cavity mode constitute the main fusion mechanism, based on which two or three small-size atomic W states can be fused into a larger-size W state. If no excitation is detected from those three atoms, the remaining atoms are still in the product of two or three new W states, which can be re-fused. The complicated Fredkin gate used in the previous fusion schemes is avoided here. W states of size 2 can be fused as well. The feasibility analysis shows that our fusion processes maybe implementable with the current technology. Our results demonstrate how the light-matter interaction based fusion mechanism can be realized, and may become the starting point for the fusion of multipartite entanglement in cavity QED system.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure