scholarly journals Intrinsic optical and passive electrical properties of cut frog twitch fibers.

1987 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Irving ◽  
J Maylie ◽  
N L Sizto ◽  
W K Chandler
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Internal State ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Operation Mode ◽  
Optical Measurements ◽  
Fiber Axis ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
General Physiology ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
The Individual

This article describes a new apparatus for making simultaneous optical measurements on single muscle fibers at three different wavelengths and two planes of linear polarization. There are two modes of operation: mode 1 measures the individual absorbances of light linearly polarized along and perpendicular to the fiber axis, and mode 2 measures retardation (or birefringence) and the average of the two absorbance components. Although some intact frog twitch fibers were studied, most experiments used cut fibers (Hille, B., and D. T. Campbell. 1976. Journal of General Physiology. 67:265-293) mounted in a double-Vaseline-gap chamber (Kovacs, L., E. Rios, and M. F. Schneider. 1983. Journal of Physiology. 343:161-196). The end-pool segments were usually exposed for 2 min to 0.01% saponin. This procedure, used in subsequent experiments to make the external membranes in the end pools permeable to Ca indicators (Maylie, J., M. Irving, N. L. Sizto, G. Boyarsky, and W. K. Chandler. 1987. Journal of General Physiology. 89:145-176; Maylie, J., M. Irving, N. L. Sizto, and W. K. Chandler. 1987. Journal of General Physiology. 89:41-143), was routinely employed so that all our cut fiber results would be comparable. A simple method, which does not require microelectrodes, allowed continual estimation of a fiber's membrane (rm) and internal longitudinal (ri) resistances as well as the external resistance (re) under the Vaseline seals. The values of rm and ri obtained from cut fibers with this method agree reasonably well with values obtained from intact fibers using microelectrode techniques. Optical measurements were made on resting and action potential-stimulated fibers. The intrinsic fiber absorbance, defined operationally as log10 of the ratio of incident light to transmitted light intensity, was similar in intact and cut preparations, as were the changes that accompanied stimulation. On the other hand, the resting birefringence and the peak of the active change in cut fibers were, respectively, only 0.8 and 0.7 times the corresponding values in intact fibers. Both the amplitude and the half-width of the active retardation signal increased considerably during the time course of cut fiber experiments; a twofold increase in 2 h was not unusual. Such changes are probably due to a progressive alteration in the internal state of the cut fibers.

scholarly journals Dependence of Relational Colour Constancy on the Extraction of a Transient Signal

Perception ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina J Linnell ◽  
David H Foster
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulations ◽  
Spectral Reflectance ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Transient Signal ◽  
Colour Constancy ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Reflectance Change ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Over Time

Human observers can correctly attribute changes in the appearance of a scene either to changes in the incident light or to changes in the spectral-reflectance properties of the scene. This ability was assessed as a function of the time course of illuminant and spectral-reflectance changes. Observers were presented with computer simulations of Mondrian patterns of 49 randomly selected Munsell papers. On each trial a Mondrian pattern was presented for 1 s; the pattern then changed either instantaneously or gradually into another Mondrian pattern, also presented for 1 s, which was related to the first either by an illuminant change or by an illuminant change accompanied by additional changes in the spectral-reflectance functions of the individual papers. Illuminant and spectral-reflectance changes were applied linearly in time (with respect to CIE coordinates) over intervals ranging from 0 to 7 s. Observers indicated whether there was a spectral-reflectance change. They were able to make reliable discriminations between illuminant and spectral-reflectance changes both when the changes were applied instantaneously and when they were applied gradually over time, but performance worsened progressively as the duration of the changes increased, that is, as their rate decreased. It is suggested that discrimination in this task depends on the extraction of a low-level transient signal which is generated in response to rapid changes in scene appearance and which is progressively attenuated as changes occur more and more gradually.

A Simple Method for the Evaluation of Internal Doses in Nuclear Medicine

1974 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 193-206
Author(s):  
L. Conte ◽  
L. Mombelli ◽  
A. Vanoli
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Close Agreement ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Rapid Estimation ◽  
Absorbed Doses ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Estimation Of Risk

SummaryWe have put forward a method to be used in the field of nuclear medicine, for calculating internally absorbed doses in patients. The simplicity and flexibility of this method allow one to make a rapid estimation of risk both to the individual and to the population. In order to calculate the absorbed doses we based our procedure on the concept of the mean absorbed fraction, taking into account anatomical and functional variability which is highly important in the calculation of internal doses in children. With this aim in mind we prepared tables which take into consideration anatomical differences and which permit the calculation of the mean absorbed doses in the whole body, in the organs accumulating radioactivity, in the gonads and in the marrow; all this for those radionuclides most widely used in nuclear medicine. By comparing our results with dose obtained from the use of M.I.R.D.'s method it can be seen that when the errors inherent in these types of calculation are taken into account, the results of both methods are in close agreement.

Influence of stable iodine on the uptake of the thyroid – model vs. experiment

2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Wellner ◽  
E. Voth ◽  
H. Schicha ◽  
K. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
The Body ◽  
Iodine Uptake ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Iodine Supply ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Stable Iodine

Summary Aim: The influence of physiological and pharmacological amounts of iodine on the uptake of radioiodine in the thyroid was examined in a 4-compartment model. This model allows equations to be derived describing the distribution of tracer iodine as a function of time. The aim of the study was to compare the predictions of the model with experimental data. Methods: Five euthyroid persons received stable iodine (200 μg, 10 mg). 1-123-uptake into the thyroid was measured with the Nal (Tl)-detector of a body counter under physiological conditions and after application of each dose of additional iodine. Actual measurements and predicted values were compared, taking into account the individual iodine supply as estimated from the thyroid uptake under physiological conditions and data from the literature. Results: Thyroid iodine uptake decreased from 80% under physiological conditions to 50% in individuals with very low iodine supply (15 μg/d) (n = 2). The uptake calculated from the model was 36%. Iodine uptake into the thyroid did not decrease in individuals with typical iodine supply, i.e. for Cologne 65-85 μg/d (n = 3). After application of 10 mg of stable iodine, uptake into the thyroid decreased in all individuals to about 5%, in accordance with the model calculations. Conclusion: Comparison of theoretical predictions with the measured values demonstrated that the model tested is well suited for describing the time course of iodine distribution and uptake within the body. It can now be used to study aspects of iodine metabolism relevant to the pharmacological administration of iodine which cannot be investigated experimentally in humans for ethical and technical reasons.

A Simple Method for Estimation of Lipoxygenase and Cyclo-Oxygenase Pathways in Human Platelets - the Use of Thiobarbituric Acid Reaction

1980 ◽  
Vol 44 (02) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Takayama ◽  
Minoru Okuma ◽  
Haruto Uchino
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Normal Values ◽  
Human Platelet ◽  
Thiobarbituric Acid ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Acid Reaction ◽  
Optimal Ph

SummaryTo develop a simple method for estimation of platelet lipoxygenase (PLO) and cyclo-oxygenase (PCO) pathways, the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism of human platelet was investigated under various experimental conditions by the use of the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction and a radioisotope technique. A TBA-reactive substance different from malondialdehyde (MDA) via PCO pathway was detected and shown to be derived from the PLO pathway. Since the optimal pH and time course of its formation were different from those of MDA formation via PCO pathway, PLO and PCO pathways were estimated by quantitating the TBA-reactive substances produced by the incubation of AA either with aspirin-treated platelets or with untreated ones, respectively, each under optimal conditions. Normal values expressed in terms of nmol MDA/108 platelets were 1.17±0.34 (M±SD, n = 31) and 0.79±0.15 (n = 31) for PLO and PCO pathways, respectively.

scholarly journals Upconversion Spectral Rulers for Transcutaneous Displacement Measurements

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3554
Author(s):  
Melissa M. Suckey ◽  
Donald W. Benza ◽  
John D. DesJardins ◽  
Jeffrey N. Anker
Keyword(s):  
Optical Measurement ◽  
Optical Measurements ◽  
Small Displacement ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Low Background ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Optical Displacement ◽  
Spectral Peaks ◽  
Displacement Measurements ◽  
Minimal Intensity

We describe a method to measure micron to millimeter displacement through tissue using an upconversion spectral ruler. Measuring stiffness (displacement under load) in muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons is important for studying and monitoring healing of injuries. Optical displacement measurements are useful because they are sensitive and noninvasive. Optical measurements through tissue must use spectral rather than imaging approaches because optical scattering in the tissue blurs the image with a point spread function typically around the depth of the tissue. Additionally, the optical measurement should have low background and minimal intensity dependence. Previously, we demonstrated a spectral encoder using either X-ray luminescence or fluorescence, but the X-ray luminescence required an expensive X-ray source and used ionizing radiation, while the fluorescence sensor suffered from interference from autofluorescence. Here, we used upconversion, which can be provided with a simple fiber-coupled spectrometer with essentially autofluorescence-free signals. The upconversion phosphors provide a low background signal, and the use of closely spaced spectral peaks minimizes spectral distortion from the tissue. The small displacement noise level (precision) through tissue was 2 µm when using a microscope-coupled spectrometer to collect light. We also showed proof of principle for measuring strain on a tendon mimic. The approach provides a simple method to study biomechanics using implantable sensors.

scholarly journals Formation of half-period surface relief gratings in azobenzene containing polymer films

2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Jelken ◽  
Carsten Henkel ◽  
Svetlana Santer
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Film ◽  
Polymer Films ◽  
Surface Relief ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Glassy State ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Half Period ◽  
Polarization Distribution ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Set Up

Abstract We study the peculiar response of photo-sensitive polymer films irradiated with a certain type of interference pattern where one interfering beam is S-polarized, while the second one is P-polarized. The polymer film, although in a glassy state, deforms following the local polarization distribution of the incident light, and a surface relief grating (SRG) appears whose period is half the optical one. All other types of interference patterns result in the matching of both periods. The topographical response is triggered by the alignment of photo-responsive azobenzene containing polymer side chains orthogonal to the local electrical field, resulting in a bulk birefringence grating (BBG). We investigate the process of dual grating formation (SRG and BBG) in a polymer film utilizing a dedicated set-up that combines probe beam diffraction and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements, and permits acquiring in situ and in real-time information about changes in local topography and birefringence. We find that the SRG maxima appear at the positions of linearly polarized light (tilted by 45° relative to the grating vector), causing the formation of the half-period topography. This permits to inscribe symmetric and asymmetric topography gratings with sub-wavelength period, while changing only slightly the polarization of one of the interfering beams. We demonstrate an easy generation of sawtooth profiles (blazed gratings) with adjustable shape. With these results, we have taken a significant step in understanding the photo-induced deformation of azo-polymer films.

scholarly journals IV. On the nature of the streamers in the electric spark

1909 ◽  
Vol 209 (441-458) ◽  
pp. 71-87 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Incident Light ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Actual Process ◽  
Metal Vapour ◽  
New Era ◽  
Spark Gap ◽  
In Series ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Doppler Effect ◽  
The Individual

When the oscillating electric spark is examined in a rapidly rotating mirror, the successive oscillations render themselves evident in the image as a series of lumnious curved streamers which emanate from the poles and extend towards the centre of the spark gap. These streamers were first observed by Feddersen in 1862, but the work of Schuster and Hemsalech in 1900 may be said to have opened up a new era in the subject. These workers threw the image of the spark on the slit of a spectroscope, and photographed the resulting spectrum on a film which was maintained in rapid rotation in a direction at right angles to that of the incident light. In their photographs they found that the air lines extended straight across from pole to pole, but that the metal lines were represented by curved bands drawn out in the centre of the spark gap. There is a close relation between these bands and the streamers seen in the unanalysed inductive spark. Schuster and Hemsalech carried out their experiments with the smallest possible inductance in series with the spark, and thus made the period of the oscillations so small that the drawing out on the film was insufficient to separate the individual oscillations from each other. Thus their curved lines represent a composite structure, consisting of all the streamers due to the successive oscillations superposed on each other. It follows from their results that the light of the streamers in the spark is entirely produced by the glowing of the metallic vapour of the electrodes, and that, while the luminosity of the air is practically instantaneous in its occurrence, that due to the metal vapour occurs in the centre of the spark gap an appreciable time later than near the poles. The actual process which goes on in the spark and gives rise to this delay in the arrival of the metallic vapour at the centre of the gap is not yet thoroughly understood. Schuster and Hemsalech make the natural supposition that it is due to the fact that the metal of the electrode is vaporised and rendered incandescent by the heat of the spark, and that the vapour takes an appreciable time to diffuse from the electrodes to the centre of the gap. The exception which has been taken to this view has arisen in part from the difficulty of observing the Doppler effect on the metallic lines which should be a concomitant of the diffusion of the vapour from the poles, and in part from the extraordinary results which the authors themselves obtained in some metals for the velocity of the diffusion corresponding to the different lines. In the case of bismuth and, in a less degree, of cadmium the different metallic lines could be divided into groups of different curvatures which indicated different velocities of diffusion towards the centre of the gap. As regards the former matter, there does not seem to be involved any real difficulty to the explanation, as Dr. Schuster has himself recently shown. The curious effect of the different curvatures of the lines of the same element has, however, always remained more or less of a difficulty in the way of a complete acceptance of their view. Schuster and Hemsalech themselves refer to the possibility in the case of bismuth that the metal may be a compound, and that the two kinds of molecules give rise to the differently curved lines. Other explanations have been made by different writers, but it cannot be said that any explanation adequately supported by experiment has been forthcoming. In view of this incompleteness in our knowledge of the constitution of the streamers it seemed to me that further observations with a rotating mirror would possibly be of value, and the investigations recorded below succeed, I think, in throwing a clearer light on the nature of the streamers, and on certain other phenomena which are characteristic of the spark.

scholarly journals Dentinal anomalies in teeth of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters: are they linked to sexual maturation and environmental events?

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 893-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.L. Luque ◽  
G.J. Pierce ◽  
J.A. Learmonth ◽  
M.B. Santos ◽  
E. Ieno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Organic Pollutant ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Phocoena Phocoena ◽  
Major Life ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Pulp Stones

We examined the tooth ultra-structure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain life history events (e.g. the achievement of sexual maturation) as well as other factors that affect the general health of the individual (e.g. persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in blubber). Five distinct types of mineralization anomalies were recorded: accessory lines, marker lines, dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and pulp stones and the occurrence of these anomalies was scored by sex, age and maturity state. Overall, the incidence of mineralization anomalies was high and tended to increase with age. Marker lines and accessory lines were the most commonly recorded anomalies while pulp stones were least frequent. Duplicate teeth (i.e. from the same individual) always showed the same pattern of anomaly occurrence.Fitted binary generalized linear and additive models indicated that the presence of dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and marker lines in harbour porpoise teeth increased with age, body length and maturity. Males displayed marker lines more frequently than females. Age was the best predictor of the incidence of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance while age and sex were the best predictors of the incidence of marker lines. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance suggests that their occurrence could be related to physiological stress linked to sexual maturation. Marker lines were found within growth layer groups which coincided with the beginning of weaning and sexual maturation, suggesting an association with these two major life history events. Accessory lines were found in most teeth and may be a normal characteristic of porpoise teeth or reflect regular events. Pulp stones appeared only in mature animals. We found no evidence that the presence of anomalies in teeth was significantly related to POP concentrations in the blubber.

scholarly journals Increasing plant group productivity through latent genetic variation for cooperation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel E. Wuest ◽  
Nuno D. Pires ◽  
Shan Luo ◽  
Francois Vasseur ◽  
Julie Messier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Group Testing ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Root Competition ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Pleiotropic Gene ◽  
Selective Forces ◽  
Future Demands ◽  
The Individual

AbstractTechnologies for crop breeding have become increasingly sophisticated, yet it remains unclear whether these advances are sufficient to meet future demands. A major challenge with current crop selection regimes is that they are often based on individual performance. This tends to select for plants with “selfish” traits, which leads to a yield loss when they compete in high-density stands. In traditional breeding, this well-known “tragedy of the commons” has been addressed by anticipating ideotypes with presumably preferential characteristics. However, this approach is limited to obvious architectural and physiological traits, and it depends on a mechanistic understanding of how these modulate growth and competition. Here, we developed a general and simple method for the discovery of alleles promoting cooperation of plants in stands; it is based on the game-theoretical premise that alleles increasing cooperation incur a cost to the individual but benefit the monoculture group. Testing the approach using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we found a single major effect locus where the rarer allele was associated with increased levels of cooperation and superior monoculture productivity. We show that the allele likely affects a pleiotropic regulator of growth and defense, since it is also associated with reduced root competition but higher race-specific resistance against a specialized parasite. Even though cooperation is considered evolutionarily unstable, conflicting selective forces acting on a pleiotropic gene might thus maintain latent genetic variation for it in nature. Such variation, once identified in a crop, could be rapidly leveraged in modern breeding programs and provide efficient routes to increase yields.

Abstract P502: Abnormal Myocyte Calcium Dynamics And The Resultant Contraction Band Formation Of The Rat Heart Under Irreversible Injury By Membrane Permeabilization

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuma Morishita ◽  
Shoko Tamura ◽  
Kentaro Mochizuki ◽  
Yoshinori Harada ◽  
Hideo Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Intensity ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Confocal Imaging ◽  
Band Formation ◽  
Contraction Band Necrosis ◽  
Scanning Confocal Microscopy ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Contraction Band

Ca 2+ overload is a cardinal feature of cardiomyocyte injury, and its progression to irreversible state leads to cell death. However, unknowns are the precise spatiotemporal changes in the myocyte Ca 2+ dynamics and the relevant cell morphology of irreversibly injured hearts. On the hypothesis that myocytes exhibit high-frequency Ca 2+ waves and contraction band necrosis in saponin-permeabilized injured heart, we observed changes in the Ca 2+ dynamics and the relevant morphological changes in the subepicardial myocardium of the Fluo4-loaded rat hearts (n = 14) by rapid-scanning confocal microscopy (100 frames/s) under Langendorff perfusion with 0.3 mM Ca 2+ -Tyrode solution including 0.4 % saponin at 30°C. Also performed was confocal imaging of tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) fluorescence of the myocardium. Under quasi-quiescence of the heart after dissection of the SA node, individual myocytes barely exhibited spontaneous Ca 2+ waves, whereas after commencement of saponin perfusion high-frequency (118 ± 9.7 /min/cell, mean ± SEM) Ca 2+ waves (hereafter, “agonal waves”) emerged within 1 min, showing asynchronous, oscillatory contractions in the individual myocytes with a V prop of 124 ± 2.5 μm/s (n = 60). Subsequently, the waves gradually decreased in frequency with concomitant slowing of its decay time course, and eventually, disappeared in 6 min; myocytes exhibited high, static Fluo4-fluorescence intensity. Along with the progression of Ca 2+ overload by saponin, the TMRM fluorescence intensity was discretely lost in individual myocytes. The myocytes showing the agonal waves exhibited contraction bands, i.e., band-like aggregations of the actin fibers. Under mechanical arrest of the heart by 2,3-butanedione monoxime (20 mM), saponin still induced the agonal waves with a frequency of 253 ± 10.6 /cell/min and V prop of 118 ± 2.1 μm/s (n = 60); however, contraction bands were barely seen.In conclusion, irreversible myocyte injury by saponin provoked agonal Ca 2+ waves and oscillatory contractions indicating progressive Ca 2+ overload and the following mitochondrial damage, which may provide deeper insights into understanding the mechanism of contraction band necrosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document