Serotonin-mediated modulation of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/K<Superscript>+</Superscript> pump current in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Background  

The aim of this study was to investigate whether serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) can modulate Na⁺/K⁺ pump in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.     

Spatial distribution of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>-K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase in dendritic spines dissected by nanoscale superresolution STED microscopy

Background  

The Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase plays an important role for ion homeostasis in virtually all mammalian cells, including neurons. Despite this, there is as yet little known about the isoform specific distribution in neurons.     

Properties of <Superscript>152</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Gd</Emphasis> collective states

The decays of ¹⁵²Tb (T _1/2 = 17.5 h) and ¹⁵²Gd excited states have been investigated by the analysis of -rays and -coincidences measured with the use of high-resolution HPGe detectors. The source of ¹⁵²Tb was prepared by chromatographic isolation followed by electromagnetic separation from a tantalum target irradiated by an internal proton beam of the LNP JINR phasotron. New and more precise data on the -transitions and excited states of ¹⁵²Gd are reported. Using previously published data on internal-conversion electrons many transition multipolarities are suggested, some of them with E0 admixture. The ratio was found for a number of low-lying levels, for most of the levels their spins, parities, and are given. The excited levels of ¹⁵²Gd were deduced from the analysis of -coincidences. The experimental level energies and reduced transition probabilities are compared with the calculations by phenomenological formulae as well as in the frameworks of theoretical models.Received: 21 May 2002, Revised: 26 May 2003, Published online: 18 November 2003PACS: 29.30.Kv X- and gamma-ray spectroscopy - 23.20.-g Electromagnetic transitions - 21.10.-k Properties of nuclei; nuclear energy levels - 21.60.-n Nuclear structure models and methodsJ. Adam: On leave from Nuclear Physics Institute of ASCR, e, Czech Republic.V.S. Pronskikh: On leave from Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology, Russia     

Residues at the tip of the pore loop of NR3B-containing NMDA receptors determine Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> permeability and Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>block

Background  

Members of the complex N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subfamily of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) conventionally assemble from NR1 and NR2 subunits, the composition of which determines receptor properties. Hallmark features of conventional NMDARs include the requirement for a coagonist, voltage-dependent block by Mg²⁺, and high permeability for Ca²⁺. Both Mg²⁺ sensitivity and Ca²⁺ permeability are critically dependent on the amino acids at the N and N+1 positions of NR1 and NR2. The recently discovered NR3 subunits feature an unprecedented glycine-arginine combination at those critical sites within the pore. Diheteromers assembled from NR1 and NR3 are not blocked by Mg²⁺ and are not permeable for Ca²⁺.     

Band interaction in <Superscript>162</Superscript>Dy, <Superscript>168</Superscript>Er,and <Superscript>172</Superscript>Yb

Coriolis interaction between levels of two rotational bands in ¹⁷²Yb with K ^π = 2⁺ and 3⁺ and in ¹⁶⁸Er between levels with K ^π = 0^?, 1^?, and 2^? is studied. The values of the interaction parameters are obtained. The mutual influence of two bands in ¹⁶²Dy with ΔK = 2, K _i ^π = 0 ₂ ⁺ and 2 ₁ ⁺ due to Coriolis interaction is demonstrated.     

Spectroscopy of superheavy hydrogen isotopes <Superscript>4</Superscript>H and <Superscript>5</Superscript>H

The superheavy hydrogen isotopes ⁴H and ⁵H have been investigated in the stopped pion absorption on ⁹Be. Three states of ⁴H were proposed in the reaction channel ⁹Be( ^{{ - }}, dt)X. Four states of ⁵H were proposed in the reaction channels ⁹Be(^{{ - }}, pt)X and ⁹Be(^{{ - }}, dt)X. The excited states of ⁵H can decay into free nucleons.     

Double-beta decay of <Superscript>150</Superscript>Nd to the first 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> excited state of <Superscript>150</Superscript>Sm

Two-neutrino-double-beta decay of ¹⁵⁰Nd to the first 0⁺ excited state in ¹⁵⁰Sm is investigated with a 400-cm³ low-background HPGe detector. Data analysis for 11320.5 h shows an excess of events at 333.9 and 406.5 keV. This allows us to estimate the half-life of the investigated process as [1.4 _?0.2 ^+0.4 ±0.3(syst.)]×10²⁰ yr.     

Double beta decay of <Superscript>150</Superscript>Nd to the First 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> excited state of <Superscript>150</Superscript>Sm

Two neutrino double beta decay of ¹⁵⁰Nd to the first 0⁺ excited state in ¹⁵⁰Sm is investigated with the 400 cm³ low-background HPGe detector. Data analysis for 11320.5 h shows the excess of events at 333.9 and 406.5 keV. This makes it possible to estimate the half-life of the investigated process as [1.4 _?0.2 ^+.04 (stat)±0.3(syst)]×10²⁰yr.     

Light-charged-particle emission from hot <Superscript>32</Superscript>S<Superscript>*</Superscript>formed in <Superscript>20</Superscript>Ne + <Superscript>12</Superscript>C reaction

Inclusive energy distributions for light charged particles (p , d , t and have been measured in the ²⁰Ne (158, 170, 180, 200 MeV) + ¹²C reactionsintheangularrange$10^°$ - - $50^°$.Exclusivelight-charged-particleenergydistributionmeasurementswerealsodoneforthesamesystemat158 MeVbombardingenergybyin - planelightchargedparticle - - fragmentcoincidence.Pre - equilibriumcomponentshavebeenseparatedoutfromprotonenergyspectrausingthemovingsourcemodelconsideringtwosources.ThedatahavebeencomparedwiththepredictionsofthestatisticalmodelcodeCASCADE.Ithasbeenobservedthatsignificantdeformationeffectswereneededtobeintroducedinthecompoundnucleusinordertoexplaintheshapeoftheevaporated$d$,$t$energyspectra.Forprotons, evaporatedenergyspectrawereratherinsensitivetonucleardeformation, thoughangulardistributionscouldnotbeexplainedwithoutdeformation.Thedecaysequenceofthehot$³²S$nucleushasbeeninvestigatedthroughexclusivelight - - charged - particlemeasurementsusingthe$²⁰Ne$$(158 MeV) + $¹²C reaction. Information on the sequential decay chain has been extracted through a comparison of the experimental data with the predictions of the statistical model. It is observed from the present analysis that exclusive light-charged-particle data may be used as a powerful tool to probe the decay sequence of hot light compound systems.     

Study of the Involvement of <Superscript>8</Superscript>Be and <Superscript>9</Superscript>B Nuclei in the Dissociation of Relativistic <Superscript>10</Superscript>C, <Superscript>10</Superscript>B,and <Superscript>12</Superscript>C Nuclei

The results obtained by estimating the contribution of 8Be and 9B nuclei to the coherent dissociation of ¹⁰C, ¹⁰B, and ¹²C relativistic nuclei in nuclear track emulsions (“white” stars) are presented. The selection of white stars accompanied by 9B leads to a distinct peak appearing in the distribution of the excitation energy of 2α2p ensembles and having a maximum at 4.1 ± 0.3 MeV. A 8Be nucleus manifests itself in the coherent-dissociation reaction ¹⁰B → ²He + H with a probability of (25 ± 5)%, (14 ± 3)% of it being due to 9B decays. The ratio of the branching fractions of the ⁹B + n and ⁹Be + p mirror channels is estimated at 6 ± 1. An analysis of the relativistic dissociation of ¹²C nuclei in a nuclear track emulsion revealed nine 3α events corresponding to the Hoyle state.     

Double-beta decay of <Superscript>150</Superscript>Nd to the first 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> excited state of <Superscript>150</Superscript> Sm: Current state

Two-neutrino double-beta decay of ¹⁵⁰Nd to the first 0⁺ excited state in ¹⁵⁰Sm is investigated with the 400-cm³ low-background HPGe detector. Preliminary data analysis for 6843 h shows an excess of events at 333.9 and 406.5 keV. If this excess is assigned to the investigated transition, then its half-life can be estimated at [1.2 _?0.3 ^+0.5 ±0.4(syst.)]×10²⁰ yr.     

Data on photoneutron reactions from various experiments for <Superscript>133</Superscript>Cs, <Superscript>138</Superscript>Ba and <Superscript>209</Superscript>Bi nuclei

Basic methods for determining cross sections for photoneutron partial reactions are examined. They are obtained directly in experiments with quasimonoeneregetic annihilation photons or from the cross section for the (γ, xn) = (γ, 1n) + 2(γ, 2n) + 3(γ, 3n) +... neutron-yield reaction in experiments with bremsstrahlung photons by introducing corrections based on statistical nuclear-reaction theory. The difference in the conditions of these experiments, which leads to discrepancies between their results because of sizable systematic errors, is analyzed. Physical criteria are used to study the reliability of data on the photodisintegration of ¹³³Cs, ¹³⁸Ba, and ²⁰⁹Bi nuclei. The cross sections for partial and total reactions satisfying the reliability criteria are evaluated within the experimental–theoretical method (σ^eval(γ, in) = F_i^theor × σ^expt(γ, xn)) on the basis of the experimental cross sections σ^expt(γ, xn) and the results of the calculations within the combined model of photonuclear reactions.     

Assignment of levels in <Superscript>208</Superscript>Fr and 10<Superscript>-</Superscript> isomers in the odd-odd isotones <Superscript>206</Superscript>At and <Superscript>208</Superscript>Fr

Excited states in ²⁰⁸Fr have been identified using the ¹⁹⁷Au(¹⁶O, 5n)²⁰⁸Fr reaction and a variety of time-correlated g \gamma -ray and conversion electron spectroscopic techniques. Transitions above and below a t \tau = 623(16) ns 10^- isomer are placed in the level scheme. This isomer is analogous to that observed in the odd-odd isotone ²⁰⁶At for which additional spectroscopic information is also obtained, including a precise lifetime of t \tau = 1173(30) ns. The g \gamma -rays assigned to ²⁰⁸Fr are the same as the main transitions erroneously assigned to ²⁰⁹Fr in previous work.     

The excitation cascade of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Limulus</Emphasis> ventral photoreceptors: guanylate cyclase as the link between InsP<Subscript>3</Subscript>-mediated Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>release and the opening of cGMP-gated channels

Background  

Early stages in the excitation cascade of Limulus photoreceptors are mediated by activation of G_q by rhodopsin, generation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate by phospholipase-C and the release of Ca²⁺. At the end of the cascade, cGMP-gated channels open and generate the depolarizing receptor potential. A major unresolved issue is the intermediate process by which Ca²⁺ elevation leads to channel opening.     

Defect Structure and Up-conversion Luminescence Properties of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Nanomaterials

The up-converting ZrO₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ nanomaterials were prepared with the combustion and sol–gel methods. FT-IR spectroscopy was used for analyzing the impurities. The crystal structures were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction and the mean crystallite sizes were estimated with the Scherrer formula. Up-conversion luminescence measurements were made at room temperature with IR-laser excitation at 977 nm. The IR spectra revealed the conventional and OH⁻ impurities for the combustion synthesis products. The structure of the ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanomaterials was cubic except for the minor monoclinic and tetragonal impurities obtained with the sol–gel method. The materials showed red (650–700 nm) and green (520–560 nm) up-conversion luminescence due to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and (²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2)→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. The products obtained with the combustion synthesis exhibited the most intense luminescence intensity and showed considerable afterglow.     

A truncated Kv1.1 protein in the brain of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">megencephaly</Emphasis>mouse: expression and interaction

Background  

The megencephaly mouse, mceph/mceph, is epileptic and displays a dramatically increased brain volume and neuronal count. The responsible mutation was recently revealed to be an eleven base pair deletion, leading to a frame shift, in the gene encoding the potassium channel Kv1.1. The predicted MCEPH protein is truncated at amino acid 230 out of 495. Truncated proteins are usually not expressed since nonsense mRNAs are most often degraded. However, high Kv1.1 mRNA levels in mceph/mceph brain indicated that it escaped this control mechanism. Therefore, we hypothesized that the truncated Kv1.1 would be expressed and dysregulate other Kv1 subunits in the mceph/mceph mice.     

High-lying excited states in <Superscript>10</Superscript>Be from the <Superscript>9</Superscript>Be(<Superscript>9</Superscript>Be,<Superscript>10</Superscript>Be)<Superscript>8</Superscript>Be reaction

A transfer-reaction experiment of ⁹Be(⁹Be, ¹⁰Be)⁸Be was performed at a beam energy of 45 MeV. Excited states in ¹⁰Be up to 18.80 MeV are produced using missing mass and invariant mass methods. Most of the observed high-lying resonant states, reconstructed from the α + ⁶He and t + ⁷Li decay channels, agree with the previously reported results. In addition, two new resonances at 15.6 and 18.8 MeV are identified from the present measurement. The 18.55 MeV state is found to decay into both the t + ⁷Li_g.s. and t + ⁷Li* (0.478 MeV) channels, with a relative branching ratio of 0.93 ± 0.33. Further theoretical investigations are encouraged to interpret this new information on cluster structure in neutron-rich light nuclei.     

On the Luminescence of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, and Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Novel Borate LiSr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

This paper reports on the photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved properties of Ce³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Tb³⁺ in novel LiSr₄(BO₃)₃ powder phosphors. Ce³⁺ shows an emission band peaking at 420 nm under 350-nm UV excitation. Energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Mn²⁺ takes place in the co-doped samples. Eu³⁺ shows red emission under near UV excitation. LiSr₄(BO₃)₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor could be a suitable candidate for phosphor-converted solid state lighting. The luminescence lifetime is 2.13 ms for Eu³⁺ in LiSr₄(BO₃)₃:0.001Eu³⁺. As Eu³⁺ concentration increasing, the decay curves deviate from exponential behavior. Tb³⁺ shows the strongest ⁵D₄→⁷ F₅ emission line at 540 nm. Decay curves of ⁵D₄→⁷ F₅ and ⁵D₃→⁷ F₅ emission with different Tb³⁺ concentrations were also measured. Cross-relaxation process is discussed based on the decay curves.     

Neutron single-particle structure of <Superscript>48</Superscript>Ca, <Superscript>50</Superscript>Ti, <Superscript>52</Superscript>Cr, <Superscript>54</Superscript>Fe,and <Superscript>56</Superscript>Ni nuclei

The change in the neutron single-particle structure of (1f?2p)-shell magic nuclei near the Fermi energy with an increase in the number of protons in the 1f _7/2 subshell from 0 for ⁴⁸Ca to 8 for ⁵⁶Ni has been investigated. Good agreement of the experimental and estimated values of the single-particle energies E _nlj of the bound states of neutrons in these nuclei with the results of calculations within the dispersive optical model is obtained.