数值模拟探针诱导表面等离子体共振耦合纳米光刻

采用有损耗介质和色散介质的二维时域有限差分方法,数值模拟了以光波长514.5 nm的p偏振基模高斯光束为入射光源,激发Kretschmann型表面等离子体共振,并通过探针的局域场增强效应实现纳米光刻的新方法——探针诱导表面等离子体共振耦合纳米光刻.分别就探针与记录层的间距以及探针针尖大小,模拟分析了不同情况下探针的局域场增强效应和记录层表面的相对电场强度振幅分布.结果表明,探针工作在接触模式时,探针的局域场增强效应最明显,记录层表面的相对电场强度振幅的对比度最大;当探针针尖距记录层5 nm时,针尖下方记录层表面的相对电场强度振幅大于光刻临界值的分布宽度与针尖尺寸相近.

Study on readout durability of super-RENS disk

Characteristics essential for the readout durability of a superresolution near-field structure (super-RENS) disk are studied experimentally by using a home-built optical measuring setup and atomic force microscope, based on a simplified PtOx super-RENS disk. The experimental results show that for a super-RENS disk with constant structure and materials, readout signals including transmittance and reflectance vary with changes in bubble shape and size, indicating that the readout durability of the disk has a strong dependence on bubble stability, which is closely related to the thickness of the cover layer, the recording power and readout power, and the mechanical properties of the dielectric layer. Based on our experimental results, the main direction for improving readout durability is also proposed. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America.

一种用于吗啡心理渴求研究的自由活动动物神经元胞外记录法

本文描述了一种将环境线索相关的大鼠吗啡成瘾模型与一种适用于自由活动动物的神经元单位放电胞外记录法相结 合的实验方法。该方法成功地用于研究成瘾大鼠海马CA1 区神经元的放电特征，从而在动物行为的基础上寻找到更为准 确、客观的细胞学特征，并试图将这种细胞学特征作为成瘾动物特有的电生理学指标之一。

一种鸡胚胎心率记录的新方法

鸡胚胎是一种被广泛应用于发育生物学研究的实验材料。在以鸡胚胎为动物模型的各项研究工作 中, 心率常被看作是一个很重要的反应胚胎生理活动指标。本文详细介绍了一种侵入性的心电记录新方法, 在 正常的生理条件下通过记录鸡胚胎心电的变化来监测心率。首先在蛋壳上钻孔, 将电极插人蛋内, 然后通过放 大器放大, 板转换, 将心电信号输人电脑进行分析处理, 提取与心率相关的信息。这种记录方式对胚胎损 伤较小, 不影响胚胎的正常发育具有灵敏度高, 操作简单, 容易掌握等特点。

Telemetric recordings of single neuron activity and visual scenes in monkeys walking in an open field

This paper describes a portable recording system and methods for obtaining chronic recordings of single units and tracking rhesus monkey behavior in an open field. The integrated system consists of four major components: (1) microelectrode assembly; (2) h

The influence of Mozart's sonata K.448 on visual attention: An ERPs study

In the present study, the effects of Mozart's sonata K.448 on voluntary and involuntary attention were investigated by recording and analyzing behavioral and event-related potentials (ERPs) data in a three-stimulus visual oddball task. P3a (related to inv

Properties of the proton-evoked currents and their modulation by Ca2+ and Zn2+ in the acutely dissociated hippocampus CA1 neurons

The characterization of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)-like currents has been reported in hippocampal neurons in primary culture. However, it is suggested that the profile of expression of ASICs changes in culture. In this study, we investigated the properties of proton-activated current and its modulation by extracellular Ca2+ and Zn2+ in neurons acutely dissociated from the rat hippocampal CA1 using conventional whole-cell patch-clamp recording. A rapidly decaying inward current and membrane depolarization was induced by exogenous application of acidic solution. The current was sensitive to the extracellular proton with a response threshold of pH 7.0-6.8 and the pH(50) Of 6.1, the reversal potential close to the Na+ equilibrium potential. It had a characteristic of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) as demonstrated by its sensitivity to amiloride (IC50 = 19.6 +/- 2.1 muM). Either low [Ca2+](0) or high [Zn2+](0) increased the amplitude of the current. All these characteristics are consistent with a current mediated through a mixture of homomeric ASIC1a and heteromeric ASIC1a + 2a channels and closely replicate many of the characteristics that have been previously reported for hippocampal neurons cultured for a week or more, indicating that culture artifacts do not necessarily flaw the properties of ASICs. Interestingly, we found that high [Zn2+] (>10(-4) M) slowed the decay time constant of the ASIC-like current significantly in both acutely dissociated and cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, the facilitating effects of low [Ca2+](0) and high [Zn2+](0) on the ASIC-like current were not additive. Since tissue acidosis, extracellular Zn elevation and/or Ca2+ reduction occur concurrently under some physiological and/or pathological conditions, the present observations suggest that hippocampal ASICs may offer a novel pharmacological target for therapeutic invention. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amplitude/frequency of spontaneous mEPSC correlates to the degree of long-term depression in the CA1 region of the hippocampal slice

Prior synaptic or cellular activity influences degree or threshold for subsequent induction of synaptic plasticity, a process known as metaplasticity. Thus, the continual synaptic activity, spontaneous miniature excitatory synaptic current (mEPSC) may correlate to the induction of long-teen depression (LTD). Here, we recorded whole-cell EPSC and mEPSC alternately in the Schaffer-CA1 synapses in brain slice of young rats, and found that this recording configuration affected neither EPSC nor mEPSC. Low frequency stimulation (LFS) induced variable magnitudes of LTD. Remarkably, larger magnitudes of LTD were significantly correlated to smaller amplitude/lower frequency of the basal mEPSC. Furthermore, under the conditions reduced amplitude/frequency of the basal mEPSC by exposure to behavioral stress immediately before slice preparation or low concentration of calcium in bath solution, the magnitudes of LTD were still inversely correlated to mEPSC amplitude/frequency. These new findings suggest that spontaneous mEPSC may reflect functional and/or structural aspects of the synapses, the synaptic history ongoing metaplasticity. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Propofol effects on excitatory synaptic efficacy in the CA1 region of the developing hippocarnpus

The anesthetic, propofol, effectively suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission and facilitates long-term depression (LTD) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Here, we have examined whether these effects are different in the developing hippocampus. We found that propofol in suppressing whole-cell excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) was more effective in 21 day old rats than either in 7 day old rats or under the condition of high intracellular chloride concentration in 21 day old rats. Furthermore, the propofol concentration to facilitate the NMDA receptor-dependent LTD was lower at postnatal day 21 than at postnatal day 7. Interestingly, the decay time of EPSC was decreased during the development from postnatal day 7 to 21, but it was increased by the recording condition of high intracellular chloride concentration or by propofol administration. All these effects of propofol were dependent on the chloride channel opening. These observations suggest that propofol may induce differential anesthetic effects in the developing hippocampus, at least partially, depending on the intracellular chloride concentration. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Localization and tracking of phonating finless porpoises using towed stereo acoustic data-loggers

Cetaceans produce sound signals frequently. Usually, acoustic localization of cetaceans was made by cable hydrophone arrays and multichannel recording systems. In this study, a simple and relatively inexpensive towed acoustic system consisting of two miniature stereo acoustic data-loggers is described for localization and tracking of finless porpoises in a mobile survey. Among 204 porpoises detected acoustically, 34 individuals (similar to 17%) were localized, and 4 of the 34 localized individuals were tracked. The accuracy of the localization is considered to be fairly high, as the upper bounds of relative distance errors were less than 41% within 173 m. With the location information, source levels of finless porpoise clicks were estimated to range from 180 to 209 dB re 1 mu Pa pp at 1 m with an average of 197 dB (N=34), which is over 20 dB higher than that estimated previously from animals in enclosed waters. For the four tracked porpoises, two-dimensional swimming trajectories relative to the moving survey boat, absolute swimming speed, and absolute heading direction are deduced by assuming the animal movements are straight and at constant speed in the segment between two consecutive locations.

Estimated detection distance of a baiji's (Chinese river dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer) whistles using a passive acoustic survey method

Source levels and phonation intervals of whistles produced by a free-ranging baiji (Chinese river dolphin) were measured in the seminatural reserve of Shishou in Hubei, China. A total of 43 whistles were recorded over 12 recording sessions. The mean dominant frequency (the frequency at the highest energy) was 5.7 kHz (s.d.=0.67). The calculated source level was 143.2 dB rms re 1 mu Pa (s.d.=5.8). Most phonation intervals were shorter than 460 s, and the average interval was 205 s (s.d. = 254). Theoretical detection range of baiji's whistle was 6600 m at the present study site, but it could reduce a couple of hundred meters in practical noisy situation in the Yangtze River. Sporadic phonation (205 s interval on average) with relatively faint signal of baiji was considered, to be difficult to be detected by a towing hydrophone system. Stationed monitoring or slow speed towing of hydrophones along the river current is recommended. (c) 2006 Acoustical Society of America.

Nonconstant quality of auditory filters in the porpoises, Phocoena phocoena and Neophocaena phocaenoides (Cetacea, Phocoenidae)

Simultaneous tone-tone masking in conjunction with the envelope-following response (EFR) recording was used to obtain tuning curves in porpoises Phocoena phocoena and Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis. The EFR was evoked by amplitude-modulated probes with a modulation rate of 1000 Hz and carrier frequencies from 22.5 to 140 kHz. Equivalent rectangular quality Q(ERB) of the obtained tuning curves varied from 8.3-8.6 at lower (22.5-32 kHz) probe frequencies to 44.8-47.4 at high (128-140 kHz) frequencies. The QERB dependence on probe frequency could be approximated by regression lines with a slope of 0.83 to 0.86 in log-log scale., which corresponded to almost frequency-proportional quality and almost constant bandwidth of 34 kHz. Thus, the frequency representation in the porpoise auditory system is much closer to a constant-bandwidth rather that to a constant-quality manner. (c) 2006 Acoustical Society of America.

Biosonar behaviour of free-ranging porpoises

Detecting objects in their paths is a fundamental perceptional function of moving organisms. Potential risks and rewards, such as prey, predators, conspecifics or non-biological obstacles, must be detected so that an animal can modify its behaviour accordingly. However, to date few studies have considered how animals in the wild focus their attention. Dolphins and porpoises are known to actively use sonar or echolocation. A newly developed miniature data logger attached to a porpoise allows for individual recording of acoustical search efforts and inspection distance based on echolocation. In this study, we analysed the biosonar behaviour of eight free-ranging finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) and demonstrated that these animals inspect the area ahead of them before swimming silently into it. The porpoises inspected distances up to 77 in, whereas their swimming distance without using sonar was less than 20 in. The inspection distance was long enough to ensure a wide safety margin before facing real risks or rewards. Once a potential prey item was detected, porpoises adjusted their inspection distance from the remote target throughout their approach.

Evoked-potential audiogram of the Yangtze finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis (L)

Evoked-potential audiograms were obtained in two (one male and one female) Yangtze finless porpoises, Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaseorientalis. Sinusoidal amplitude-modulated 20-ms tone bursts were used as probes with recording envelope-following evoked potentials. A frequency range of 8 to 152 kHz was investigated. The range of greatest sensitivity covered frequencies from 45 to 139 kHz, and the lowest thresholds of 47.2 and 48.5 dB re: 1 μ Pa were found at a frequency of 54 kHz in the two subjects, respectively. At lower frequencies, threshold increased with a rate of around 14 dB/octave, and threshold steeply increased at 152 kHz. © 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Echolocation signals of the free-ranging Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientialis)

This paper describes the high-frequency echolocation signals from free-ranging Yangtze finless porpoise in the Tian-e-zhou Baiji National Natural Reserve in Hubei Province, China. Signal analysis showed that the Yangtze finless porpoise clicks are typical high-frequency narrow-band (relative width of the frequency spectrum Q=6.6 &PLUSMN; 1.56, N=548) ultrasonic pulses. The peak frequencies of the typical clicks range from 87 to 145 kHz with an average of 125 &PLUSMN; 6.92 kHz. The durations range from 30 to 122 μ s with an average of 68 &PLUSMN; 14.12 μ s. The characteristics of the signals are similar to those of other members of the Phocoenidae as well as the distantly related delphinids, Cephalorhynchus spp. Comparison of these signals to those of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), who occupies habitat similar to that of the Yangtze finless porpoise, showed that the peak frequencies of clicks produced by the Yangtze finless porpoise are remarkably higher than those produced by the baiji. Difference in peak frequency between the two species is probably linked to the different size of prefer-red prey fish. Clear double-pulse and multi-pulse reverberation structures of clicks are noticed, and there is no indication of any low-frequency (< 70 kHz) components during the recording period. © 2005 Acoustical Society of America.