The 30 GHz communications satellite low noise receiver

A Ka-band low noise front end in proof of concept (POC) model form for ultimate spaceborne communications receiver deployment was developed. The low noise receiver consists of a 27.5 to 30.0 GHz image enhanced mixer integrated with a 3.7 to 6.2 GHz FET low noise IF amplifier and driven by a self contained 23.8 GHz phase locked local oscillator source. The measured level of receiver performance over the 27.3 to 30.0 GHz RF/3.7 to 6.2 GHz IF band includes 5.5 to 6.5 dB (typ) SSB noise figure, 20.5 + or - 1.5 dB conversion gain and +23 dBm minimum third order two tone intermodulation output intercept point

Microsatellite and Mitochondrial Data Provide Evidence for a Single Major Introduction for the Neartic Leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus in Europe

Scaphoideus titanus, a leafhopper native to North America and invasive in Europe, is the vector of the Flavescence dorée phytoplasma, the causal agent of the most important form of grapevine yellows in European vineyards. We studied 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci and a 623 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II gene in native S. titanus from north-eastern America and introduced European populations, to elucidate the colonization scenario. Consistent with their recent history, invasive European populations were less genetically diverse than American populations for both types of markers, suggesting a recent bottleneck. Significant isolation by distance was detected between American populations but not between European populations. None of the European mitochondrial haplotypes was found in the American vineyards, from which they are assumed to have originated. The precise source of the invasive S. titanus populations therefore remains unclear. Nevertheless, the high heterozygosity of North-East American populations (which contained 92% of the observed alleles) suggests that this region is part of the native range of S. titanus. Clustering population genetics analyses with microsatellite and mitochondrial data suggested that European populations originated from a single introduction event. Most of the introduced populations clustered with populations from Long Island, the Atlantic Coast winegrowing region in which Vitis aestivalis occurs

Modeling psychiatric disorders: from genomic findings to cellular phenotypes

Major programs in psychiatric genetics have identified 4150 risk loci for psychiatric disorders. These loci converge on a small number of functional pathways, which span conventional diagnostic criteria, suggesting a partly common biology underlying schizophrenia, autism and other psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, the cellular phenotypes that capture the fundamental features of psychiatric disorders have not yet been determined. Recent advances in genetics and stem cell biology offer new prospects for cell-based modeling of psychiatric disorders. The advent of cell reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) provides an opportunity to translate genetic findings into patient-specific in vitro models. iPSC technology is less than a decade old but holds great promise for bridging the gaps between patients, genetics and biology. Despite many obvious advantages, iPSC studies still present multiple challenges. In this expert review, we critically review the challenges for modeling of psychiatric disorders, potential solutions and how iPSC technology can be used to develop an analytical framework for the evaluation and therapeutic manipulation of fundamental disease processes

Checklist of the molluscs (Mollusca) of the Slovak Republic

The checklist of 245 mollusc species known so far from the Slovak Republic is presented, plus 11 species limited to greenhouses or thermal waters. Critical comments on species erroneously mentioned in recent publications from Slovakia are included

Molluscs of the Bukovske vrchy Mts in the Slovakian part of the Vychodne Karpaty Biosphere Reserve

91 mollusc species were recorded from 92 sites in the Bukovské vrchy Mts (Slovakia) as a result of the recent malacological research, combined with earlier published and unpublished data. The most important communities of predominantly East Carpathian species occur throughout the deciduous woodlands dominated by beech. The mollusc communities are characterised by low numbers of individuals dispersed over large areas. Rich malacocoenoses are confined to scattered favourable habitats, such as well vegetated base-rich seepages, landslide scars and water-logged depressions, as well as at fresh calcareous outcrops or screes. A detailed snail succession from Holocene slope sediments at the Krivoštianka (Humenské vrchy Mts) provides the most complete record from the Slovak East Carpathians and is the most detailed yet published from this region. The mollusc succession differs from the standard faunal developmental pattern of Central Europe due to the absence of a considerable number of common Central European species, whose succession is well known at present