A synaptic memory trace for cortical receptive field plasticity

Receptive fields of sensory cortical neurons are plastic, changing in response to alterations of neural activity or sensory experience. In this way, cortical representations of the sensory environment can incorporate new information about the world, depending on the relevance or value of particular stimuli. Neuromodulation is required for cortical plasticity, but it is uncertain how subcortical neuromodulatory systems, such as the cholinergic nucleus basalis, interact with and refine cortical circuits. Here we determine the dynamics of synaptic receptive field plasticity in the adult primary auditory cortex (also known as AI) using in vivo whole-cell recording. Pairing sensory stimulation with nucleus basalis activation shifted the preferred stimuli of cortical neurons by inducing a rapid reduction of synaptic inhibition within seconds, which was followed by a large increase in excitation, both specific to the paired stimulus. Although nucleus basalis was stimulated only for a few minutes, reorganization of synaptic tuning curves progressed for hours thereafter: inhibition slowly increased in an activity-dependent manner to rebalance the persistent enhancement of excitation, leading to a retuned receptive field with new preference for the paired stimulus. This restricted period of disinhibition may be a fundamental mechanism for receptive field plasticity, and could serve as a memory trace for stimuli or episodes that have acquired new behavioural significance.     

How a membrane agent buys goods in a membrane store

In this paper we consider a specific model of membrane systems, i. e. membrane systems with attributes. In these systems, the information is placed at the membranes in form of attributes, no objects are considered inside the membranes except for other membranes. The membrane system with attributes evolves according to rules that compute new values for the attributes from the attributes assigned to the membranes involved in the rule. The model of membrane systems with attributes allows us to specify business transactions in a precise way and to simulate different models for such transactions with a suitable tool for membrane systems with attributes.     

How a membrane agent buys goods in a membrane store

In this paper we consider a specific model of membrane systems, i. e. membrane systems with attributes. In these systems, the information is placed at the membranes in form of attributes, no objects are considered inside the membranes except for other membranes. The membrane system with attributes evolves according to rules that compute new values for the attributes from the attributes assigned to the membranes involved in the rule. The model of membrane systems with attributes allows us to specify business transactions in a precise way and to simulate different models for such transactions with a suitable tool for membrane systems with attributes.     

Cenozoic climate change as a possible cause for the rise of the Andes

Causal links between the rise of a large mountain range and climate have often been considered to work in one direction, with significant uplift provoking climate change. Here we propose a mechanism by which Cenozoic climate change could have caused the rise of the Andes. Based on considerations of the force balance in the South American lithosphere, we suggest that the height of, and tectonics in, the Andes are strongly controlled both by shear stresses along the plate interface in the subduction zone and by buoyancy stress contrasts between the trench and highlands, and shear stresses in the subduction zone depend on the amount of subducted sediments. We propose that the dynamics of subduction and mountain-building in this region are controlled by the processes of erosion and sediment deposition, and ultimately climate. In central South America, climate-controlled sediment starvation would then cause high shear stress, focusing the plate boundary stresses that support the high Andes.     

新型隔热材料PEF在冷库大修中的实践

介绍了在冷库大修中,采用新隔热材料PEF代替原来的稻壳的实践。通过实际施工和实验测试,表明PEF具有隔热、防水和阻燃的优良性质,有施工简便快捷,劳动强度低的优点。同时冷库大修可以不停产,因此PEF是一种值得推广的新型优良隔热材料。     

A neuromodulator of synaptic transmission acts on the secretory apparatus as well as on ion channels

The mechanisms that underlie synaptic plasticity have been largely inferred from electrophysiological studies performed at sites remote from synaptic terminals. Thus the mechanisms involved in plasticity at the secretory sites have remained ill-defined. We have now used somatic synapses of cultured Helisoma neurones to directly assess presynaptic ion conductances and study the secretory apparatus. At these synapses we determined the actions of a modulatory neuropeptide, Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFa), on the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Using voltage- and calcium-clamp techniques, we have demonstrated that FMRFa causes a presynaptic inhibition of ACh release by (1) reducing the magnitude of the voltage-dependent calcium current, and (2) regulating the secretory apparatus. The photolabile calcium cage, nitr-5 (refs 3-8), was dialysed into the presynaptic cell. In response to ultraviolet light, calcium was released from nitr-5 and ACh secretion was stimulated. Under conditions of constant internal calcium, FMRFa reduced the rate of ACh release. Thus we conclude that FMRFa reduces the influx of calcium during the action potential and decreases the sensitivity of the secretory apparatus to elevated internal calcium, thereby contributing to a presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release.     

大鼠记忆保持能力与相关脑区突触界面结构的相关性

采用一次性被动回避反应的大鼠模型,以ＳＴＬ为指标将大鼠发为记忆保持良好组和记忆保持低劣组。通过超微结构定量分析,发现记忆保持良好组海马ＣＡ３区和大脑皮质感觉运动区的突触后膜致密物质均显著地密于记忆保持低劣组。同时,记忆保持良好组出现了棘器和穿孔性突触,而记忆低劣组没有出现。另外,还测量了突触界面曲率、突触活性区长度和突触间隙宽度,所得数据在２组间无显著性差异。结果提示：突触后膜致密物质厚度与记忆保     

Cooler winters as a possible cause of mass extinctions at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary

The Eocene/Oligocene boundary, at about 33.7 Myr ago, marks one of the largest extinctions of marine invertebrates in the Cenozoic period. For example, turnover of mollusc species in the US Gulf coastal plain was over 90% at this time. A temperature change across this boundary--from warm Eocene climates to cooler conditions in the Oligocene--has been suggested as a cause of this extinction event, but climate reconstructions have not provided support for this hypothesis. Here we report stable oxygen isotope measurements of aragonite in fish otoliths--ear stones--collected across the Eocene/Oligocene boundary. Palaeo-temperatures reconstructed from mean otolith oxygen isotope values show little change through this interval, in agreement with previous studies. From incremental microsampling of otoliths, however, we can resolve the seasonal variation in temperature, recorded as the otoliths continue to accrete new material over the life of the fish. These seasonal data suggest that winters became about 4 degrees C colder across the Eocene/Oligocene boundary. We suggest that temperature variability, rather than change in mean annual temperature, helped to cause faunal turnover during this transition.     

尽快谋划和建立符合中国利益的全球创新体系

近年来,中国的创新能力不断提高,但与发达国家相比差距仍然明显,中国应顺应创新环境变化,借机构建符合自身利益的全球创新体系。在此背景下,中国需洋为中用,借鉴美国、欧盟、日本等发达国家的创新经验。统筹部署,全面推进政府间科技合作,积极承接跨国公司研发国际转移,广泛参与国际大科学工程与计划,大力实施人才国际化战略．提升中国在全球创新体系中的地位。