Increasing top-down suppression from prefrontal cortex facilitates tactile working memory

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and tractography allows investigating functional anatomy of the human brain with high precision. Here we demonstrate that working memory (WM) processing of tactile temporal information is facilitated by delivering a single TMS pulse to the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) during memory maintenance. Facilitation was obtained only with a TMS pulse applied to a location of the MFG with anatomical connectivity to the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). TMS improved tactile WM also when distractive tactile stimuli interfered with memory maintenance. Moreover, TMS to the same MFG site attenuated somatosensory evoked responses (SEPs). The results suggest that the TMS-induced memory improvement is explained by increased top-down suppression of interfering sensory processing in S1 via the MFG-S1 link. These results demonstrate an anatomical and functional network that is involved in maintenance of tactile temporal WM. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

尼龙1010的平衡热力学参数及其γ-辐照产物的结晶过程

尼龙1010是我国特有的工程塑料。但对它的结构与性能的基础研究并不多见。迄今为止，许多聚酰胺的晶胞参数已被测定，并比较准确地计算出它们的结晶密度ρ_c。可是，尚未见到过有关尼龙1010的ρ_c的报道。此外，结晶高聚物的平衡熔融温度T°_m和平衡熔融热ΔH°_m是非常重要的热力学参数，尤其是后者更是用量热法计算结晶度的基准。早在50年代，Flory等对它的T°_m和ΔH°_m进行了许多研究，由于受当时历史条件限制，这些数值的准确性不高，不能当作平衡状态的数值。尼龙1010经γ-射线辐照后，有可能提高它的使用温度，扩大它的应用范围和领域。但至今未见到过大剂量下γ-辐照尼龙1010及其添加强化交联剂BMI的γ辐照产物的热学性能和结晶过程的研究。随着科学技术的发展，目前迫切需要准确的尼龙1010的ρ_c、T°_m、ΔH°_m的数值，以及大剂量下γ-辐照产物的热学性能和结晶过程的详细研究，以便更合理地开发和利用这一材料为四化建设服务。本文用DSC差示扫描量热仪、红外光谱仪、广角X-射线衍射仪以及TMS热机械仪等研究手段，准确地测定了尼龙1010的平衡热力学参数，并对尼龙1010及其添加强化交联剂BMI的γ-辐照产物的热学性能和结晶过程进行了详细的研究。用红外吸光度-密度外推法求得尼龙1010的ρ_a（非晶密度）= 1.003 ρ_c = 1.098g/cm~3。1.098g/cm~3与用X-射线衍射法求得的1.135g/cm~3比较，认为后者更为合理。用介稳态结晶试样的ΔH_m-(V-bar)_(sp)的线性关系，求得尼龙1010的平衡熔融热。ΔH°_m = 244.0J/g。企图用常用的Hoffman Tm-Tc外推法来确定尼龙1010的平衡熔融温度T°_m，但未能成功，并指出其升温过程中重结晶异常迅速是此法行不通的主要原因。用Kamide提出的双重外推法成功地求得尼龙1010的平衡熔融温度：T°_m = 487 K = 214 ℃通过详细地研究尼龙1010及其添加强化并联剂BMI的γ辐照产物的热学性能，发现强化交联剂BMI的加入，使尼龙1010大分子的交联更容易，但也使得空间网络较松散；同时γ辐照尼龙1010在再次等速升温过程中出现冷结晶峰是辐照产物中存在可结晶部分、交联网络阻碍可结晶部分结晶两者共同作用的结果。交联网络使可结晶部分在降温过程中来不及结晶，当再次升温到玻璃化转变温度以上时，链段冻结被解除，可结晶的分子链段进行有序排列而结晶，导致冷结晶峰的出现。冷结晶峰的强度和位置与辐照产物中可结晶部分的多少、交联网络的大小即相邻交联点之间的分子量Mc的大小、交联网络的松散程度以及试样的热历史都有关。选择适当的等温结晶温度，用DSC-2C型差示扫描量热仪研究了尼龙1010及其γ-辐照产物和添加强化交联剂BMI的γ-辐照产物的等温结晶过程。用DSC-2C 3600 TADS计算机自带的部分面积程序进行动力学数据处理。通过仔细的等温结晶动力学研究，发现γ辐照尼龙10104 Avrami指数n几乎不受辐照剂量R和强化交联剂BMI的影响，且一般为3.75，这说明尼龙1010及其γ辐照产物的结晶过程接近于均相三维成核。随着辐照剂量R和强化交联剂BMI含量的增大，折迭链表面自由能σe值增大，σe值的分布可能变宽，σe值的这种变化可以归因于辐照剂量R和强化交联剂BMI的含量增大时，交联网络增多，交联密度增大，Mc值的分布变宽，链尾和小链圈的数目增多，活动性减小，同时链尾也增长，结果导致σe（链尾、链圈）增大，从而σe值变大，σe值的分布可能变宽。σe值的这种变化也正是过冷度增大、拖尾现象严重、总的动力学速率常数Kn和结晶速率t_(0.5)~(-1)变小的总根源。由此可见，对于分子量不同或分子结构有差别的同一种结晶高聚物来说，σe值可以作为衡量结晶能力大小的定量标准。

Structural and infrared absorption properties of self-organized InGaAs GaAs quantum dots multilayers

Self-organized InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) stacked multilayers have been prepared by solid source molecular beam epitaxy. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy shows that the InGaAs QDs are nearly perfectly vertically aligned in the growth direction [100]. The filtering effect on the QDs distribution is found to be the dominant mechanism leading to vertical alignment and a highly uniform size distribution. Moreover, we observe a distinct infrared absorption from the sample in the range of 8.6-10.7 mu m. This indicates the potential of QDs multilayer structure for use as infrared photodetector.

Photoluminescence study on coarsening of self-assembled InAlAs quantum dots on GaAs (001)

Red-emission at similar to 640 nm from self-assembled In0.55Al0.45As/Al0.5Ga0.5As quantum dots grown on GaAs substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has been demonstrated. We obtained a double-peak structure of photoluminescence (PL) spectra from quantum dots. An atomic force micrograph (AFM) image for uncapped sample also shows a bimodal distribution of dot sizes. From the temperature and excitation intensity dependence of PL spectra, we found that the double-peak structure of PL spectra from quantum dots was strongly correlated to the two predominant quantum dot families. Taking into account quantum-size effect on the peak energy, we propose that the high (low) energy peak results from a smaller (larger) dot family, and this result is identical with the statistical distribution of dot lateral size from the AFM image.

Photocurrent derivative spectra of ZnCdSe-ZnSe double multi-quantum wells

Photocurrent (PC) spectra of ZnCdSe-ZnSe double multi-quantum wells are measured at different temperature. Its corresponding photocurrent derivative (PCD) spectra are obtained by computing, and the PCD spectra have greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the relative weak PC signals. The polarization dependence of the PC spectra shows that the transitions observed in the PC spectra are heavy-hole related, and the transition energy coincide well with the results obtained by envelope function approximation including strain. The temperature dependence of the photocurrent curves indicates that the thermal activation is the dominant transport mechanism of the carriers in our samples. The concept of saturation temperature region is introduced to explain why the PC spectra have different temperature dependence in the samples with different structure parameters. It is found to be very useful in designing photovoltaic devices.

Application of Dempster-Shafer evidence theory to unsupervised classification in multisource remote sensing

The aim of this paper is to show that Dempster-Shafer evidence theory may be successfully applied to unsupervised classification in multisource remote sensing. Dempster-Shafer formulation allows for consideration of unions of classes, and to represent both imprecision and uncertainty, through the definition of belief and plausibility functions. These two functions, derived from mass function, are generally chosen in a supervised way. In this paper, the authors describe an unsupervised method, based on the comparison of monosource classification results, to select the classes necessary for Dempster-Shafer evidence combination and to define their mass functions. Data fusion is then performed, discarding invalid clusters (e.g. corresponding to conflicting information) thank to an iterative process. Unsupervised multisource classification algorithm is applied to MAC-Europe'91 multisensor airborne campaign data collected over the Orgeval French site. Classification results using different combinations of sensors (TMS and AirSAR) or wavelengths (L- and C-bands) are compared. Performance of data fusion is evaluated in terms of identification of land cover types. The best results are obtained when all three data sets are used. Furthermore, some other combinations of data are tried, and their ability to discriminate between the different land cover types is quantified

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Fused Thiophenes: [7]Helicene and Double Helicene, a D-2-Symmetric Dimer of 3,3 '-Bis(dithieno[2,3-b:3 ',2 '-d]thiophene)

The efficient synthesis of (TMS)(2)-[7]helicene (rac-3) and double helicene, a D-2-symmetric dimer of 3,3'-bis(dithieno-[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene) (rac-4) was developed. The crystal structures of 3 and 4 show both strong intermolecular pi-pi interactions and S center dot center dot center dot S interactions. UV/vis spectra reveal that both 3 and 4 show significant pi-electron delocalization.

Efficient synthesis of trimethylsilyl-substituted dithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene,tetra[2,3-thienylene] and hexa[2,3-thienylene] from substituted [3,3']Bithiophenyl

Efficient synthetic procedures for the preparation of beta-trithiophenes (dithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene) and two macrocyclic compounds, tetra[2,3-thienylene] and hexa[2,3-thienylene] bearing trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups from 2,2'-dibromo-5,5'-bistrimethylsilanyl[3,3']bithiophenyl are reported. The UV-Vis spectra property and crystal structures of these macrocyclic oligothiophenes are described.

石英片基表面联吡啶钌配合物的合成与表征

层层自组装技术作为制备均匀、超薄多层薄膜的有效方法已引起人们的极大关注,利用该方法可以将无机、有机组分有序地组合在薄膜中,在固体基底上构建功能性分子的超分子结构,并且可以在分子水平上调控每层膜的结构和厚度,从而实现薄膜的光、电、磁、非线性光学等功能化[1~5].钌的联吡啶配合物在光化学、电化学及电子和能量转移等领域中颇受关注[6~14].本文将6-溴-2,2′∶6′,2″-三联吡啶转化为6-甲酰基-2,2′∶6′,2″-三联吡啶,再将其与表面组装有氨基硅氧烷的石英片基反应,使甲酰基与片基表面的氨基反应生成Schiff碱型化合物,在氨基化片基表面成功地固定6-甲酰基-2,2′∶6′,2″-三联吡啶及相应的钌配合物,并用紫外-可见吸收光谱及光电子能谱(XPS)检测联吡啶及相应钌配合物的组装过程.1实验部分1.1仪器与试剂Shimadu UV-2550紫外-可见光谱仪,200~800nm;ESCALABMKⅡX射线光电子能谱仪;Bruker-300,400MHz核磁共振仪,以TMS为内标.6-溴-2,2′∶6′,2″-三联吡啶(自制);n-BuLi,RuCl3·H2O购于Acros公司;其它试剂均为国产分析纯;甲苯...

有缆水下机器人主动升沉补偿控制研究

针对母船的升沉运动影响有缆水下机器人的释放与回收的工程实际需求,提出了利用液压绞车降低中继器的升沉速度来实现水下机器人主动升沉补偿控制的方法,来提高水下机器人释放与回收的安全性能。建立液压绞车的数学模型并设计主动升沉补偿前馈控制器。水下机器人主动升沉补偿实验表明液压系统的非线性降低了液压绞车主动升沉补偿前馈控制的升沉补偿效率。针对液压绞车的非线性特性,设计了液压绞车主动升沉补偿预测控制算法,仿真实验表明基于液压系统参数辨识的液压绞车主动升沉补偿预测控制可以得到较高的升沉补偿效率。

Simultaneous transcranial magnetic stimulation and single-neuron recording in alert non-human primates.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a widely used, noninvasive method for stimulating nervous tissue, yet its mechanisms of effect are poorly understood. Here we report new methods for studying the influence of TMS on single neurons in the brain of alert non-human primates. We designed a TMS coil that focuses its effect near the tip of a recording electrode and recording electronics that enable direct acquisition of neuronal signals at the site of peak stimulus strength minimally perturbed by stimulation artifact in awake monkeys (Macaca mulatta). We recorded action potentials within ∼1 ms after 0.4-ms TMS pulses and observed changes in activity that differed significantly for active stimulation as compared with sham stimulation. This methodology is compatible with standard equipment in primate laboratories, allowing easy implementation. Application of these tools will facilitate the refinement of next generation TMS devices, experiments and treatment protocols.

When Working Memory and Attention Compete: Characterizing the Dynamic Interdependence between our Mental Workspace and External Environment

All of us are taxed with juggling our inner mental lives with immediate external task demands. For many years, the temporary maintenance of internal information was considered to be handled by a dedicated working memory (WM) system. It has recently become increasingly clear, however, that such short-term internal activation interacts with attention focused on external stimuli. It is unclear, however, exactly why these two interact, at what level of processing, and to what degree. Because our internal maintenance and external attention processes co-occur with one another, the manner of their interaction has vast implications for functioning in daily life. The work described here has employed original experimental paradigms combining WM and attention task elements, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to illuminate the associated neural processes, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to clarify the causal substrates of attentional brain function. These studies have examined a mechanism that might explain why (and when) the content of WM can involuntarily capture visual attention. They have, furthermore, tested whether fundamental attentional selection processes operate within WM, and whether they are reciprocal with attention. Finally, they have illuminated the neural consequences of competing attentional demands. The findings indicate that WM shares representations, operating principles, and cognitive resources with externally-oriented attention.

Obtaining data to validate a model of an induction skull melting furnace

A casting route is often the most cost-effective means of producing engineering components. However, certain materials, particularly those based on Ti, TiAl and Zr alloy systems, are very reactive in the molten condition and must be melted in special furnaces. Induction Skull Melting (ISM) is the most widely-used process for melting these alloys prior to casting components such as turbine blades, engine valves, turbocharger rotors and medical prostheses. A major research project is underway with the specific target of developing robust techniques for casting TiAl components. The aims include increasing the superheat in the molten metal to allow thin section components to be cast, improving the quality of the cast components and increasing the energy efficiency of the process. As part of this, the University of Greenwich (UK) is developing a computer model of the ISM process in close collaboration with the University of Birmingham (UK) where extensive melting trials are being undertaken. This paper describes the experimental measurements to obtain data to feed into and to validate the model. These include measurements of the true RMS current applied to the induction coil, the heat transfer from the molten metal to the crucible cooling water, and the shape of the column of semi-levitated molten metal. Data are presented for Al, Ni and TiAl.