Left inferior frontal gyrus is critical for response inhibition

Background  

Lesion studies in human and non-human primates have linked several different regions of prefrontal cortex (PFC) with the ability to inhibit inappropriate motor responses. However, recent functional neuroimaging studies have specifically implicated right inferior PFC in response inhibition. Right frontal dominance for inhibitory motor control has become a commonly accepted view, although support for this position has not been consistent. Particularly conspicuous is the lack of data on the importance of the homologous region in the left hemisphere. To investigate whether the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is critical for response inhibition, we used neuropsychological methodology with carefully characterized brain lesions in neurological patients.     

Interaction of the mu-opioid receptor with GPR177 (Wntless) inhibits Wnt secretion: potential implications for opioid dependence

Background  

Opioid agonist drugs produce analgesia. However, long-term exposure to opioid agonists may lead to opioid dependence. The analgesic and addictive properties of opioid agonist drugs are mediated primarily via the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Opioid agonists appear to alter neuronal morphology in key brain regions implicated in the development of opioid dependence. However, the precise role of the MOR in the development of these neuronal alterations remains elusive. We hypothesize that identifying and characterizing novel MOR interacting proteins (MORIPs) may help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of opioid dependence.     

Label-free optical biosensing with slot-waveguides

We demonstrate label-free molecule detection by using an integrated biosensor based on a Si(3)N(4)/SiO(2) slot-waveguide microring resonator. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and anti-BSA molecular binding events on the sensor surface are monitored through the measurement of resonant wavelength shifts with varying biomolecule concentrations. The biosensor exhibited sensitivities of 1.8 and 3.2 nm/(ng/mm(2)) for the detection of anti-BSA and BSA, respectively. The estimated detection limits are 28 and 16 pg/mm(2) for anti-BSA and BSA, respectively, limited by wavelength resolution.     

Iron homeostasis in neuronal cells: a role for IREG1

Background  

Iron is necessary for neuronal function but in excess generates neurodegeneration. Although most of the components of the iron homeostasis machinery have been described in neurons, little is known about the particulars of their iron homeostasis. In this work we characterized the response of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and hippocampal neurons to a model of progressive iron accumulation.     

Laser Shock Processing of 6061-T6 Al alloy with 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths

Laser Shock Processing (LSP) has been proposed as a competitive alternative technology to classical treatments for improving fatigue and wear resistance of metals. We present a configuration and results in the LSP concept for metal surface treatments in underwater laser irradiation at 532 nm and 1064 nm. The purpose of the work is to compare the effect of both wavelengths on the same material. A convergent lens is used to deliver 1.2 J/pulse (1064 nm) and 0.9 J/pulse (532 nm) in a 8 ns laser FWHM pulse produced by 10 Hz Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with spots of a 1.5 mm in diameter moving forward along the work piece. A LSP configuration with experimental results using a pulse density of 2500 pulses/cm² and 5000 pulses/cm² in 6061-T6 aluminum samples are presented. High level compressive residual stresses are produced using both wavelengths. It has been shown that surface residual stress level is comparable to that achieved by conventional shot peening, but with greater depths. This method can be applied to surface treatment of final metal products.     

Supramolecular main-chain liquid crystalline polymers and networks with competitive hydrogen bonding

A series of supramolecular polymers and networks with variable liquid crystalline characteristics have been created. These species are formed though the benzoic acid/pyridine associations of a flexible bisacid and a mixture of a rigid bispyridyl and a non-mesogenic tetrapyridyl. The networked systems displayed liquid crystalline characteristics up to and including 22.5% netpoint inclusion. Above this concentration, only crystalline and melting behaviours were observed. This observed phenomenon would seem to be linked to the statistical correlation of hydrogen bond acceptors and donors. There was also no observed phase segregation of the species after multiple heat/cool cycles and extended periods of time in the isotropic state. This would indicate that the thermodynamically more stable mesogenic phase cannot out-compete the non-liquid crystalline network. Computational analysis indicates no significant difference in hydrogen bond strength between the two different hydrogen bond acceptors.     

A laser system for high accuracy measurement of small apertures in mechanical parts

A simple, high accuracy small gap measurement system for rough industrial environments was designed and constructed. The system could detect apertures as small as 60 μm with less than 6 μm error in metallic parts with finite (cm range) depth. The principle is based in the transient analysis of transmitted laser intensity which is focused and swept along the region of the gap. The system is composed of a low power visible laser (semiconductor or He–Ne), focusing system, rotating mirror scanner, detection optics and amplifier, control unit for signal processing, speed control and data delivery to the process control unit.     

Ruthenium (II) complexes bearing thioether-appended α-iminopyridine ligands: Arene precursors permit access to κ2-N,N and κ3-N,N,S complexes

Herein we report the preparation of a series of Ru(II) complexes featuring α-iminopyridine ligands bearing thioether functionality (NNS^R, where R = Me, CH₂Ph, Ph). Metallation using [(p-cymene)RuCl]₂ permits access to Ru complexes with a κ²-N,N donor set in which the thioether moiety remains uncoordinated. In the presence of a strong field ligand such as acetonitrile or triphenylphosphine, the p-cymene moiety is displaced, and the ligand adopts a κ³-N,N,S binding mode. These complexes are characterized using a combination of solution and solid state methods, including the crystal structure of [(NNS^Me)Ru (NCMe)₂Cl]Cl. The κ²-N,N-Ru(II) complexes are shown to serve as efficient precatalysts for the oxidation of sec-phenethyl alcohol at modest loadings (alcohol: Ru = 20:1), using a variety of external oxidants and solvents. The complex bearing an S-Ph donor was found to be the most active oxidation catalyst of those surveyed, suggesting that the thioether donor plays an active role in the catalytic cycle.     

A dislocation dynamics study of the strength of stacking fault tetrahedra. Part I: interactions with screw dislocations

We present a comprehensive dislocation dynamics (DD) study of the strength of stacking fault tetrahedra (SFT) to screw dislocation glide in fcc Cu. Our methodology explicitly accounts for partial dislocation reactions in fcc crystals, which allows us to provide more detailed insights into the dislocation–SFT processes than previous DD studies. The resistance due to stacking fault surfaces to dislocation cutting has been computed using atomistic simulations and added in the form of a point stress to our DD methodology. We obtain a value of 1658.9 MPa, which translates into an extra force resolved on the glide plane that dislocations must overcome before they can penetrate SFTs. In fact, we see they do not, leading to two well differentiated regimes: (i) partial dislocation reactions, resulting in partial SFT damage, and (ii) impenetrable SFT resulting in the creation of Orowan loops. We obtain SFT strength maps as a function of dislocation glide plane-SFT intersection height, interaction orientation, and dislocation line length. In general SFTs are weaker obstacles the smaller the encountered triangular area is, which has allowed us to derive simple scaling laws with the slipped area as the only variable. These laws suffice to explain all strength curves and are used to derive a simple model of dislocation–SFT strength. The stresses required to break through obstacles in the 2.5–4.8-nm size range have been computed to be 100–300 MPa, in good agreement with some experimental estimations and molecular dynamics calculations.