A re-evaluation of auditory filter shape in delphinid odontocetes: evidence of constant-bandwidth filters

The auditory filter shape of delphinid odontocetes was previously considered to be typically mammalian constant-quality in which filter bandwidths increase proportionally with frequency. Recent studies with porpoises demonstrate constant-bandwidth portions of the auditory filter. The critical ratios for a bottlenose dolphin were measured between 40 and 120 kHz by behaviorally determining the subject's ability to detect pure tones in the presence of white noise. Critical ratios as a function of frequency were constant, indicating the auditory filter acts as a constant-bandwidth system in this frequency range. Re-analysis of past studies supports these findings, and suggests the delphinid auditory system is best characterized as a constant-Q system below 40 kHz and a constant-bandwidth-like system between 40 kHz and 120 kHz before returning to a constant Q pattern at the highest frequencies.     

A TEM and XRD study of the SbNbSe3 misfit layer structures

Two new misfit layer structures have been synthesized within the Sb-Nb-Se system. Powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques (electron diffraction, HREM, XEDS) have been used to determine the nature of their structure. According to TEM and XEDS data (for more than 15 crystals studied) both phases are monolayer type, i.e. (SbSe)1+delta (NbSe2). Electron microscopy reveals a composite modulated structure that consists of the periodical intergrowth of a pseudotetragonal SbSe layer, denominated as Q, and a pseudohexagonal layer NbSe2, denominated as H. Both layers fit along b, stack along c and do not fit along a (misfit) giving rise to an incommensurate modulation along this direction. The two phases differ in the symmetry of the Q layers being in one case orthorhombic (for delta = 0.17) and monoclinic in the other (for delta = 0.19). After the characterization of the sample by electron microscopy the unit cells of the basic layers could be refined for both phases by powder X-ray diffraction: aQ = 5.824(2) A, bQ = 5.962(5) A, cQ = 23.927(6) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees and gamma = 90 degrees and aH = 3.415(5) A, bH = 5.962(6) A,, cH = 11.962(1) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees and gamma = 90 degrees for the orthorhombic phase; aQ = 5.844(2) A, bQ = 5.981(1) A, cQ = 23.919(5) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees and gamma = 96.00(3)degrees and aH = 3.439(1) A, bH = 5.994(2) A, cH = 11.956(3) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees and gamma = 90 degrees for the monoclinic phase. The phase with the monoclinic Q-sublattice often appears as twinned crystals. The more abundant crystals are disordered intergrowths of both monolayer phases.     

Spatial orientation of different frequencies within the echolocation beam of a Tursiops truncatus and Pseudorca crassidens

A two-dimensional array of 16 hydrophones was created to map the spatial distribution of different frequencies within the echolocation beam of a Tursiops truncatus and a Pseudorca crassidens. It was previously shown that both the Tursiops and Pseudorca only paid attention to frequencies between 29 and 42 kHz while echolocating. Both individuals tightly focused the 30?kHz frequency and the spatial location of the focus was consistently pointed toward the target. At 50?kHz the beam was less focused and less precisely pointed at the target. At 100?kHz the focus was often completely lost and was not pointed at the target. This indicates that these individuals actively focused the beam toward the target only in the frequency range they paid attention to. Frequencies outside this range were left unfocused and undirected. This focusing was probably achieved through sensorimotor control of the melon morphology and nasal air sacs. This indicates that both morphologically different species can control the spatial distribution of different frequency ranges within the echolocation beam to create consistent ensonation of desired targets.     

Single-lobed frequency-dependent beam shape in an echolocating false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

Recent studies indicate some odontocetes may produce echolocation beams with a dual-lobed vertical structure. The shape of the odontocete echolocation beam was further investigated in a false killer whale performing an echolocation discrimination task. Clicks were recorded with an array of 16 hydrophones and frequency-dependent amplitude plots were constructed to assess beam shape. The majority of the echolocation clicks were single-lobed in structure with most energy located between 20 and 80 kHz. These data indicate the false killer whale does not produce a dual-lobed structure, as has been shown in bottlenose dolphins, which may be a function of lowered frequencies in the emitted signal due to hearing loss.     

Change in echolocation signals with hearing loss in a false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

The echolocation signals of a false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) were collected during a wall thickness discrimination task and compared to clicks recorded during an identical experiment in 1992. During the sixteen year time period, the subject demonstrated a loss of high frequency hearing of about 70 kHz. Clicks between the two experiments were compared to investigate the effect of hearing loss on echolocation signals. There was a significant reduction in the peak frequency, center frequency and source level of clicks between the two time periods. Additionally, the subject currently produces more signals with low frequency peaks and fewer signals with high frequency peaks than she did in 1992. These results indicate the subject changed its echolocation signals to match its range of best hearing.     

A spectroscopic study of mercury vapor adsorption on gold nanoparticle films

We have modified the surfaces of glass and Si(100) with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane, a fourth generation amine-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer, and poly(diallydimethyl ammonium chloride) to facilitate adsorption onto colloidal gold particles (average diameter 3, 5, 12, and 22 nm). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy monitored the adsorption process, which is governed by particle diffusion to the surface. The differences in adsorption to the three adhesion layers as a function of pH are discussed. Mercury vapor was exposed to the gold particle films and quantified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The surface plasmon oscillation of 5-, 12-, and 22-nm particles blue-shifts after exposure to parts-per-million levels of mercury vapor in air. Particle films prepared from the 3-nm gold particles develop a broad peak centered near 530 nm after exposure to mercury vapor. The results demonstrate a novel "litmus" film for mercury vapor.     

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy reveals that water is nonessential to the core structure of alpha-synuclein fibrils

Protein aggregation is implicated in the etiology of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. An understanding of aggregation mechanisms is enhanced by atomic-resolution structural information, of which relatively little is currently available. Lewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease, contain large quantities of fibrillar alpha-synuclein (AS). Here we present solid-state NMR spectroscopy studies of dried AS fibrils. The spectra have high resolution and sensitivity, and the site-resolved chemical shifts agree very well with those previously observed for hydrated fibrils. The conserved chemical shifts indicate that bulk water is nonessential to the fibril core structure. Moreover, the sample preparation procedure yields major improvements in spectral sensitivity, without compromising spectral resolution. This advance will greatly assist the atomic-resolution structural analysis of AS fibrils.