Opiate withdrawal induces dynamic-expressions of AMPA receptors and its regulatory molecule CaMKII alpha in hippocampal synapses

Adaptive changes in brain areas following drug withdrawal are believed to contribute to drug seeking and relapse. Cocaine withdrawal alters the expression of GluR1 and GluR2/3 subunits of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) rec

On equations for regular languages, finite automata, and sequential networks

We consider systems of equations of the form where A is the underlying alphabet, the Xi are variables, the Pi,a are boolean functions in the variables Xi, and each δi is either the empty word or the empty set. The symbols υ and denote concatenation and union of languages over A. We show that any such system has a unique solution which, moreover, is regular. These equations correspond to a type of automation, called boolean automation, which is a generalization of a nondeterministic automation. The equations are then used to determine the language accepted by a sequential network; they are obtainable directly from the network.

Analytic expressions for alpha particle preformation in heavy nuclei

Experimental alpha decay energies and half-lives are investigated systematically to extract alpha particle preformation in heavy nuclei. Formulas for the preformation factors are proposed that can be used to guide microscopic studies on preformation factors and perform accurate calculations of the alpha decay half-lives. There is little evidence for the existence of an island of long stability of superheavy nuclei.

Survivin expressions in human hepatoma HepG2 cells exposed to ionizing radiation of different LET

Survivin is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) protein family that interferes with post-mitochondrial events including activation of caspases. To examine the regulation of survivin expression in response to irradiation with different linear energy transfer (LET), human hepatoma HepG2 cells were irradiated in vitro with X-rays and carbon ions. Cellular sensitivities to low- and high-LET radiation were determined by colony formation. Survivin expression at mRNA and protein level were measured with RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. Radiation-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were investigated with flow cytometry. We found that low-LET X-rays induced dose-dependent increases in survivin expression. After exposure to high-LET carbon ions, survivin expression gradually increased from 0 to 4 Gy, and then declined at 6 Gy. More pronounced survivin expression, stronger G(2)/M phase arrest was observed after exposure to carbon ions in comparison with X-rays at doses from 0 to 4 Gy. These observations indicate that there is a differential survivin expression in response to different LET radiations and the cycle arrest mechanism may be associated with it. In addition, our data on induction of apoptosis are compatible with the assumption that survivin expression induced by low-LET X-rays radiation may play a critical role in inhibiting apoptosis. However, after irradiation with ions, an anti-apoptotic function of survivin is not evident, possibly because of the serious damage produced by densely ionizing radiation.

Unified expressions of all integral variational principles

In terms of the quantitative causal principle, this paper obtains a general variational principle, gives unified expressions of the general, Hamilton, Voss, Holder, Maupertuis-Lagrange variational principles of integral style, the invariant quantities of the general, Voss, Holder, Maupertuis-Lagrange variational principles are given, finally the Noether conservation charges of the general, Voss, Holder, Maupertuis-Lagrange variational principles axe deduced, and the intrinsic relations among the invariant quantities and the Noether conservation charges of all the integral variational principles axe achieved.

Regio-regular structure high molecular weight poly(propylene carbonate) by rare earth ternary catalyst and Lewis base cocatalyst

Lewis base modification strategy on rare earth ternary catalyst was disclosed to enhance nucleophilic ability of active center during copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide (PO), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) with H-T linkages over 83%, and number-average molecular weight (M-n) up to 100 kg/mol was synthesized at room temperature using Y(CCl3OO)(3)-ZnEt2-glycerine catalyst and 1,10-phenanthroline (PHEN) cocatalyst. Coordination of PHEN with active Zinc center enhanced the nucleophilic ability of the metal carbonate, which became more regio-specific in attacking carbon in PO, leading to PPC with improved H-T linkages.

A novel way to synthesize high regular and periodic organic mesoporous silicas

Organic mesoporous silicas (OMSs) were synthesized in the presence of urea via one-pot synthesis method, in which tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilica (APTES) were used as the silica resources, non-ionic surfactant was used as the template. XRD results showed that the average periodic mesopore sizes of OMSs in the presence of urea were larger than those in the absence of urea. It was also found that the pore sizes of the products in the presence of urea distributed more narrowly than those in the absence of urea, and the contents of organosiloxane incorporated into OMSs, the pore wall thicknesses, the pore volumes and the surface areas of the products all increased with the use of urea. This shows a novel way to synthesize high regular and periodic organic mesoporous silicas.

How to form regular polymer microstructures by surface-pattern-directed dewetting

The substrates with regular patterns of self-assembly monolayers (SAMs) produced by microcontact printing with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) was employed to direct thin polystyrene dewetting to fabricate ordered micrometer scale pattern. The pattern sizes and pattern fashion can be manipulated by controlling the experimental parameters. The pattern formation mechanisms have been discussed. The dewetting pattern can be transferred to form PDMS stamp for future microfabrication process.