Improved uniformity of target illumination by combining a lens array and the technique of spectral dispersion

A scheme using a lens array and the technique of spectral dispersion is presented to improve target illumination uniformity in laser produced plasmas. Detailed two-dimensional simulation shows that a quasi-near-field target pattern, of steeper edges and without side lobes, is achieved with a lens array, while interference stripes inside the pattern are smoothed out by the use of the spectral dispersion technique. Moving the target slightly from the exact focal plane of the principal focusing lens can eliminate middle-scale-length intensity fluctuation further. Numerical results indicate that a well-irradiated laser spot with small nonuniformity and great energy efficiency can be obtained in this scheme. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Landscape Genetics for the Empirical Assessment of Resistance Surfaces: The European Pine Marten (Martes martes) as a Target-Species of a Regional Ecological Network

Coherent ecological networks (EN) composed of core areas linked by ecological corridors are being developed worldwide with the goal of promoting landscape connectivity and biodiversity conservation. However, empirical assessment of the performance of EN designs is critical to evaluate the utility of these networks to mitigate effects of habitat loss and fragmentation. Landscape genetics provides a particularly valuable framework to address the question of functional connectivity by providing a direct means to investigate the effects of landscape structure on gene flow. The goals of this study are (1) to evaluate the landscape features that drive gene flow of an EN target species (European pine marten), and (2) evaluate the optimality of a regional EN design in providing connectivity for this species within the Basque Country (North Spain). Using partial Mantel tests in a reciprocal causal modeling framework we competed 59 alternative models, including isolation by distance and the regional EN. Our analysis indicated that the regional EN was among the most supported resistance models for the pine marten, but was not the best supported model. Gene flow of pine marten in northern Spain is facilitated by natural vegetation, and is resisted by anthropogenic landcover types and roads. Our results suggest that the regional EN design being implemented in the Basque Country will effectively facilitate gene flow of forest dwelling species at regional scale.

Transverse target single-spin asymmetry in inclusive electroproduction of charged pions and kaons

Single-spin asymmetries were investigated in inclusive electroproduction of charged pions and kaons from transversely polarized protons at the HERMES experiment. The asymmetries were studied as a function of the azimuthal angle psi about the beam direction between the target-spin direction and the hadron production plane, the transverse hadron momentum P-T relative to the direction of the incident beam, and the Feynman variable x(F). The sin psi* amplitudes are positive for pi(+) and K+ slightly negative for pi(-) and consistent with zero for K-, with particular P-T but weak x(F) dependences. Especially large asymmetries are observed for two small subsamples of events, where also the scattered electron was recorded by the spectrometer. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Brca1 is expressed in human microglia and is dysregulated in human and animal model of ALS

Background: There is growing evidence that microglia are key players in the pathological process of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is suggested that microglia have a dual role in motoneurone degeneration through the release of both neuroprotective and neurotoxic factors. Results: To identify candidate genes that may be involved in ALS pathology we have analysed at early symptomatic age (P90), the molecular signature of microglia from the lumbar region of the spinal cord of hSOD1(G93A) mice, the most widely used animal model of ALS. We first identified unique hSOD1(G93A) microglia transcriptomic profile that, in addition to more classical processes such as chemotaxis and immune response, pointed toward the potential involvement of the tumour suppressor gene breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (Brca1). Secondly, comparison with our previous data on hSOD1(G93A) motoneurone gene profile substantiated the putative contribution of Brca1 in ALS. Finally, we established that Brca1 protein is specifically expressed in human spinal microglia and is up-regulated in ALS patients. Conclusions: Overall, our data provide new insights into the pathogenic concept of a non-cell-autonomous disease and the involvement of microglia in ALS. Importantly, the identification of Brca1 as a novel microglial marker and as possible contributor in both human and animal model of ALS may represent a valid therapeutic target. Moreover, our data points toward novel research strategies such as investigating the role of oncogenic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases.

Production-related risk in rice-fish culture: a target MOTAD analysis

The article is a summary of the preliminary results of an AFSSRN-funded study on Risk Programming of Rice-Fish Production Systems in the Philippines conducted early 1993 by the AFSSRN-CLSU team. The results show that rice-fish culture leads to a higher rice production compared to rice monoculture.