Epochs Of Activity Research Articles

NMDA receptors are the basis for persistent network activity in neocortex slices.

During behavioral quiescence the neocortex generates spontaneous slow oscillations that consist of Up and Down states. Up states are short epochs of persistent activity, but their underlying source is unclear. In neocortex slices of adult mice, we monitored several cellular and network variables during the transition between a traditional buffer, which does not cause Up states, and a lower-divalent cation buffer, which leads to the generation of Up states. We found that the resting membrane potential and input resistance of cortical cells did not change with the development of Up states. The synaptic efficacy of excitatory postsynaptic potentials mediated by non-NMDA receptors was slightly reduced, but this is unlikely to facilitate the generation of Up states. On the other hand, we identified two variables that are associated with the generation of Up states: an enhancement of the intrinsic firing excitability of cortical cells and an enhancement of NMDA-mediated responses evoked by electrical or optogenetic stimulation. The fact that blocking NMDA receptors abolishes Up states indicates that the enhancement in intrinsic firing excitability alone is insufficient to generate Up states. NMDA receptors have a crucial role in the generation of Up states in neocortex slices.

Arched and Block Uplands of the Continents

Neotectonic arched and block uplands are characterized by general uprise and have no intermountain basins and other inner depressions. These landforms have dimensions of structural zones, they are of arched, block or charriage-thrust origin, occur in the young mountain belts, may be rejuvenated, regenerated or platform formations. Their origin sometimes may be accompanied by volcanism, but the leading role belongs to isostasy, lateral compression of the lithosphere, lifting of the rift shoulders on the shelf. Arched uplands often have sustained development through epochs of tectonic activity and denudation flattening.

Fast gamma oscillations are generated intrinsically in CA1 without the involvement of fast-spiking basket cells.

Information processing in neuronal networks relies on the precise synchronization of ensembles of neurons, coordinated by the diverse family of inhibitory interneurons. Cortical interneurons can be usefully parsed by embryonic origin, with the vast majority arising from either the caudal or medial ganglionic eminences (CGE and MGE). Here, we examine the activity of hippocampal interneurons during gamma oscillations in mouse CA1, using an in vitro model where brief epochs of rhythmic activity were evoked by local application of kainate. We found that this CA1 KA-evoked gamma oscillation was faster than that in CA3 and, crucially, did not appear to require the involvement of fast-spiking basket cells. In contrast to CA3, we also found that optogenetic inhibition of pyramidal cells in CA1 did not significantly affect the power of the oscillation, suggesting that excitation may not be essential for gamma genesis in this region. We found that MGE-derived interneurons were generally more active than CGE interneurons during CA1 gamma, although a group of CGE-derived interneurons, putative trilaminar cells, were strongly phase-locked with gamma oscillations and, together with MGE-derived axo-axonic and bistratified cells, provide attractive candidates for being the driver of this locally generated, predominantly interneuron-driven model of gamma oscillations.

On the solar activity variations of nocturnal F region vertical drifts covering two solar cycles in the Indian longitude sector

AbstractA comprehensive analysis of the seasonal and solar cycle variabilities of nighttime vertical drift over the Indian longitude sector is accomplished using ionosonde data located at the magnetic equatorial location, Trivandrum (8.5°N, 76.5°E). The analysis extends over a span of two decades (1988–2008). The representative seasonal variations based on the extensive data of nocturnal vertical drift during three different solar activity epochs is arrived at, for the first time. Seasonally, it is seen that maximum post sunset Vd is obtained in vernal equinox (VE), followed by autumnal equinox (AE), winter solstice (WS), and summer solstice (SS) for high and moderate solar epochs, while for low solar epoch, maximum Vd occurs in WS followed by VE, AE, and SS. Further, the role of sunset times at the magnetic conjugate points in modulating the time and magnitude of peak drifts during different solar epochs is ascertained. The equinoctial asymmetry in peak Vd during high and moderate solar epochs is another significant outcome of this study. The solar activity dependence of vertical drift for a wide range of solar fluxes has been quantified for all the seasons. In the present era of GPS‐based communication and navigation, these are important results that give a better handle in understanding essential factors that impact equatorial ionospheric phenomena.

The Yanaurcu volcano (Western Cordillera, Ecuador): A field, petrographic, geochemical, isotopic and geochronological study

The Yanaurcu volcanic center in the Ecuadorian frontal arc is characterized by several epochs of activity from the Early Pliocene to approx. 61ka, with important changes in geochemistry and isotope ratio values throughout its history. Most of its units have high Sr/Y and La/Yb signatures. We present a comprehensive study of this volcano involving morphological and stratigraphical observations, sampling, petrography, whole rock and in situ geochemistry, whole rock radiogenic isotope analysis and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. We identify three magmatic series: (1) Early Pliocene andesitic and dacitic volcanics, (2) Pliocene andesitic flows (~3.6Ma), and (3) two Pleistocene andesitic domes (~172ka and ~61ka). Radiogenic isotope data suggest an increasing amount of basement assimilation through the evolution of Yanaurcu, as well as lower rates of ascent and increasing recharge at upper crustal levels, with the Pleistocene domes representing a thermally more mature state of the crust (deep and mid-crust becoming warmer with time when fluxed by a continuous magmatic supply).We also investigate the deep and mid-crustal magma evolution of Yanaurcu by modeling REE+Sr+Y with the Monte Carlo approach in order to get constraints on the fractionating assemblage. We highlight the importance of fractionating garnet in the development of high Sr/Y and La/Yb signatures, and propose a changing regional stress to modify the depth of magma evolution, and therefore the stability of garnet in the fractionating assemblage. Switches from transtensional to compressional regimes in Ecuador have been highlighted by various studies based on tectonic and thermochronological evidences.We conclude that (1) Yanaurcu high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios can be fully explained by crustal processes and do not need an enriched mantle source nor slab melting, and (2) local thermal maturation of the crust is responsible for an enrichment of incompatible elements through time via recharge processes, whereas heavy rare earth element (HREE) depletion is controlled by regional tectonics.

Long-lived magnetism from solidification-driven convection on the pallasite parent body.

Palaeomagnetic measurements of meteorites suggest that, shortly after the birth of the Solar System, the molten metallic cores of many small planetary bodies convected vigorously and were capable of generating magnetic fields. Convection on these bodies is currently thought to have been thermally driven, implying that magnetic activity would have been short-lived. Here we report a time-series palaeomagnetic record derived from nanomagnetic imaging of the Imilac and Esquel pallasite meteorites, a group of meteorites consisting of centimetre-sized metallic and silicate phases. We find a history of long-lived magnetic activity on the pallasite parent body, capturing the decay and eventual shutdown of the magnetic field as core solidification completed. We demonstrate that magnetic activity driven by progressive solidification of an inner core is consistent with our measured magnetic field characteristics and cooling rates. Solidification-driven convection was probably common among small body cores, and, in contrast to thermally driven convection, will have led to a relatively late (hundreds of millions of years after accretion), long-lasting, intense and widespread epoch of magnetic activity among these bodies in the early Solar System.

Noise power associated with decreased task-induced variability of brain electrical activity in schizophrenia.

In schizophrenia, both increased baseline metabolic and electroencephalographic (EEG) activities as well as decreased task-related modulation of neural dynamics have been reported. Noise power (NP) can measure the background EEG activity during task performance, and Shannon entropy (SE) is useful for quantifying the global modulation of EEG activity with a high temporal resolution. In this study, we have assessed the possible relationship between increased NP in theta and gamma bands and decreased SE modulation in 24 patients with schizophrenia and 26 controls over the parietal and central regions during a P300 task. SE modulation was calculated as the change from baseline to the active epoch (i.e., 150-550 ms following the target stimulus onset). Patients with schizophrenia displayed statistically significant higher NP values and lower SE modulation than healthy controls. We found a significant association between gamma NP and SE in all of the participants. Specifically, a NP increase in the gamma band was followed by a decrease in SE change. These results support the notion that an excess of gamma activity, unlocked to the task being performed, is accompanied by a decreased modulation of EEG activity in schizophrenia.

Delineation of surface energy exchanges variations during thunderstorm and non-thunderstorm days during pre-monsoon season

Turbulent surface energy exchanges from land–air interface play an important role in generation and enhancing the convection. During pre-monsoon months (April–May) thunderstorms generate over Chota Nagpur plateau area of NE India and move over the study area Ranchi (23°25′N, 85°26′E). Even though convective conditions prevail over Ranchi during these months, thunderstorm occurs on some days only. To address this important aspect, present study focuses on understanding of surface energy budget (SEB): partitioning of net solar radiation flux (QN) into sensible (QH), latent heat (QE) and soil heat fluxes during different epochs of thunderstorm activity over study site at Ranchi. For this purpose, micro-meteorological data sets which comprise of fast response turbulent measurements and slow response data during 2008, 2009 and 2010 over Ranchi are used. A total of 25 thunderstorm cases are selected for the present study. The study reveals that prior to the occurrence of thunderstorm the QH and QE fluxes reach the same order followed by soil heat flux (QG). No significant variation of soil heat (QG) flux is noticed between thunderstorm days and non-thunderstorm days. The variations in the partitioning of QN flux into QH, QE and QG fluxes are distinguishable between the days of thunderstorm (TD) and non-thunderstorm (NTD). This variation can be used as precursor signal for the occurrence of thunderstorm activity. The results emanated from the present work are important in validating the performance of the meso-scale models in simulating these storms.

Vertical coupling of atmospheres: dependence on strength of sudden stratospheric warming and solar activity

Comprehensive behavior of the low-latitude upper atmosphere during sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events at varying levels of solar activity has been investigated. The equatorial electrojet (EEJ) strength and the total electron content (TEC) data from low latitudes over Indian longitudes during the mid-winter season in the years 2005 to 2013 are used in this study. Five major and three minor SSW events occurred in the observation duration, wherein the solar activity had varied from minimum (almost no sunspots) to mini-maximum (approximately 50 sunspots of the solar cycle 24). Spectral powers of the large-scale planetary wave (PW) features in the EEJ and the TEC have been found to be varying with solar activity and SSW strengths. Specially, the spectral powers of quasi-16-day wave variations during the three very strong SSW events in the years 2006, 2009, and 2013 were found to be very high in comparison with those of other years. For these major events, the amplitudes of the semi-diurnal tides and quasi-16-day waves were found to be highly correlated and were maximum around the peak of SSW, suggesting a strong interaction between the two waves. However, this correlation was poor and the quasi-16-day spectral power was low for the minor events. A strong coupling of atmospheres was noted during a relatively high solar activity epoch of 2013 SSW, which was, however, explained to be due to the occurrence of a strong SSW event. These results suggest that the vertical coupling of atmospheres is stronger during strong major SSW events and these events play an important role in enabling the coupling even during high solar activity.

Cosmogenic Isotope Variability During the Maunder Minimum: Normal 11-year Cycles Are Expected

The amplitude of the 11-year cycle measured in the cosmogenic isotope 10Be during the Maunder Minimum is comparable to that during the recent epoch of high solar activity. Because of the virtual absence of the cyclic variability of sunspot activity during the Maunder Minimum this seemingly contradicts an intuitive expectation that lower activity would result in smaller solar-cycle variations in cosmogenic radio-isotope data, or in none, leading to confusing and misleading conclusions. It is shown here that large 11-year solar cycles in cosmogenic data observed during periods of suppressed sunspot activity do not necessarily imply strong heliospheric fields. Normal-amplitude cycles in the cosmogenic radio-isotopes observed during the Maunder Minimum are consistent with theoretical expectations because of the nonlinear relation between solar activity and isotope production. Thus, cosmogenic-isotope data provide a good tool to study solar-cycle variability even during grand minima of solar activity.

Radio emission of RRAT pulsars at 111 MHz

Observations of the RRAT pulsars J0627+16, J0628+09, J1819−1458, J1826−1419, J1839−01, J1840−1419, J1846−0257, J1848−12, J1850+15, J1854+0306, J1919+06, J1913+1330, J1919+17, J1946+24, and J2033+00 observed earlier on the 64-m Parkes telescope (Australia) and the 300-m Arecibo radio telescope (Puerto Rico) at 1400 MHz were conducted at 111 MHz on the LSA radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy observatory in 2010–2012. A characteristic feature of these pulsars is their sporadic radio emission during rare active epochs and the absence of radio emission during long time intervals. No appreciable flare activity of these pulsars was detected in the Pushchino observations. However, processing the observations using the Fast Folding Algorithm taking into account known information about the pulsar dispersion measures and periods shows that, even during quiescent intervals, the majority of the studied pulsars generate weak radio pulses with a period corresponding to that of the radio emission of the sporadic pulses observed at active epochs. The flux of this radio emission does not exceed 100 mJy at the pulse peak, even at the low frequency of 111 MHz. This considerably hinders detection of the radio emission of RRAT pulsars at high frequencies, since the radio fluxes of RRAT pulsars decreases with increasing frequency.

THE BLACK HOLE MASS FUNCTION DERIVED FROM LOCAL SPIRAL GALAXIES

We present our determination of the nuclear supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass function for spiral galaxies in the Local Universe, established from a volume-limited sample consisting of a statistically complete collection of the brightest spiral galaxies in the Southern Hemisphere. Our SMBH mass function agrees well at the high-mass end with previous values given in the literature. At the low-mass end, inconsistencies exist in previous works that still need to be resolved, but our work is more in line with expectations based on modeling of SMBH evolution. This low-mass end of the spectrum is critical to our understanding of the mass function and evolution of SMBHs since the epoch of maximum quasar activity. A luminosity distance $\leq$ 25.4 $Mpc$ and an absolute B-band magnitude $\leq$ -19.12 define the sample. These limits define a sample of 140 spiral galaxies, with 128 measurable pitch angles to establish the pitch angle distribution for this sample. This pitch angle distribution function may be useful in the study of the morphology of late-type galaxies. We then use an established relationship between the pitch angle and the mass of the central SMBH in a host galaxy in order to estimate the mass of the 128 respective SMBHs in this sample. This result effectively gives us the distribution of mass for SMBHs residing in spiral galaxies over a lookback time $\leq$ 82.1 $h_{67.77}^{-1}$ $Myr$ and contained within a comoving volume of 3.37 $\times$ $10^4$ $h_{67.77}^{-3}$ $Mpc^3$. We estimate the density of SMBHs residing in spiral galaxies in the Local Universe is $5.54_{-2.73}^{+6.55}$ $\times$ $10^4$ $h_{67.77}^3$ $M_{\odot}$ $Mpc^{-3}$. Thus, our derived cosmological SMBH mass density for spiral galaxies is $\Omega_{BH} = 4.35_{-2.15}^{+5.14}$ $\times$ $10^{-7}$ $h_{67.77}$.

Energy-Efficient Sleep Scheduling for Delay-Constrained Applications Over WLANs

In wireless local area networks (WLANs), switching of the nodes to low-power sleep mode to save energy is common. However, if sleep time is not properly scheduled, significant delays can occur, which is undesirable in delay-constrained applications. In this paper, we propose a novel energy-efficient sleep-scheduling protocol for maximizing the sleep time lengths of each node while satisfying the delay constraints. We first consider the single-user case and present the basic steps that the node takes to decide when and how long it can sleep. For the multiuser scenario, to mitigate channel contention in packet downloading after sleeping, the sleep schedules requested by the nodes are coordinated by the access point (AP) to avoid overlapping active epochs. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed sleep-scheduling algorithm achieves lower loss rate while achieving higher energy efficiency than that of the existing GreenCall method.

Response of human thalamic neurons to high-frequency stimulation.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for tremor, but the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Previous studies of human thalamic neurons to noted transient rebound bursting activity followed by prolonged inhibition after cessation of high frequency extracellular stimulation, and the present study sought to identify the mechanisms underlying this response. Recordings from 13 thalamic neurons exhibiting low threshold spike (LTS) bursting to brief periods of extracellular stimulation were made during surgeries to implant DBS leads in 6 subjects with Parkinson's disease. The response immediately after cessation of stimulation included a short epoch of burst activity, followed by a prolonged period of silence before a return to LTS bursting. A computational model of a population of thalamocortical relay neurons and presynaptic axons terminating on the neurons was used to identify cellular mechanisms of the observed responses. The model included the actions of neuromodulators through inhibition of a non-pertussis toxin sensitive K+ current (IKL), activation of a pertussis toxin sensitive K+ current (IKG), and a shift in the activation curve of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih). The model replicated well the measured responses, and the prolonged inhibition was associated most strongly with changes in IKG while modulation of IKL or Ih had minimal effects on post-stimulus inhibition suggesting that neuromodulators released in response to high frequency stimulation are responsible for mediating the post-stimulation bursting and subsequent long duration silence of thalamic neurons. The modeling also indicated that the axons of the model neurons responded robustly to suprathreshold stimulation despite the inhibitory effects on the soma. The findings suggest that during DBS the axons of thalamocortical neurons are activated while the cell bodies are inhibited thus blocking the transmission of pathological signals through the network and replacing them with high frequency regular firing.

An improved algorithm for the automatic detection and characterization of slow eye movements

Slow eye movements (SEMs) are typical of drowsy wakefulness and light sleep. SEMs still lack of systematic physical characterization. We present a new algorithm, which substantially improves our previous one, for the automatic detection of SEMs from the electro-oculogram (EOG) and extraction of SEMs physical parameters. The algorithm utilizes discrete wavelet decomposition of the EOG to implement a Bayes classifier that identifies intervals of slow ocular activity; each slow activity interval is segmented into single SEMs via a template matching method. Parameters of amplitude, duration, velocity are automatically extracted from each detected SEM. The algorithm was trained and validated on sleep onsets and offsets of 20 EOG recordings visually inspected by an expert. Performances were assessed in terms of correctly identified slow activity epochs (sensitivity: 85.12%; specificity: 82.81%), correctly segmented single SEMs (89.08%), and time misalignment (0.49s) between the automatically and visually identified SEMs. The algorithm proved reliable even in whole sleep (sensitivity: 83.40%; specificity: 72.08% in identifying slow activity epochs; correctly segmented SEMs: 93.24%; time misalignment: 0.49s). The algorithm, being able to objectively characterize single SEMs, may be a valuable tool to improve knowledge of normal and pathological sleep.

Golgi tendon organ reflex inhibition following manually applied acute static stretching

Golgi tendon organ disinhibition may contribute to exercise-associated muscle cramp (henceforth referred to as “cramps”) genesis. Static stretching pre-exercise is prescribed to prevent cramps based on the assumption golgi tendon organ inhibition remains elevated post-stretching. We determined whether stretching increased gastrocnemius golgi tendon organ inhibition and, if so, the time course of this inhibition post-stretching. Twelve participants’ dominant limb medial gastrocnemius inhibition was measured before, and at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30 min after investigators applied three, 1-min duration stretches. Participants maintained voluntary contraction intensities of 5% of their maximum while the Achilles tendon was stimulated transcutaneously 50 times. Five-hundred millisecond epochs of raw electromyographic activity were band-pass filtered, full-wave rectified and averaged. An algorithm identified inhibitory points and calculated the area, maximum and duration of inhibition. Area of inhibition (F1,14 = 1.5, P = 0.25), maximum inhibition (F1,14 = 0.2, P = 0.72) and duration of inhibition (F1,14 = 1.5, P = 0.24) were unaffected by static stretching over the 30-min post-stretching period. If pre-stretching does prevent fatigue-induced cramping, the mechanism is unlikely to involve the autoinhibition produced by the golgi tendon organ reflex. Further empirical research is needed to validate the proposed link between static stretching and cramping and then to investigate alternative mechanisms.

Evaluation of atmospheric turbulence, energy exchanges and structure of convective cores during the occurrence of mesoscale convective systems using MST radar facility at Gadanki

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) wreak lots of havoc and severe damage to life and property due to associated strong gusty winds, rainfall and hailstorms even though they last for an hour or so. Planetary boundary layer (PBL) plays an important role in the transportation of energy such as momentum, heat and moisture through turbulence into the upper layers of the atmosphere and acts as a feedback mechanism in the generation and sustenance of MCS. In the present study, three severe thunderstorms that occurred over mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere (MST) radar facility at National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Gadanki, India, have been considered to understand turbulence, energy exchanges and wind structure during the different epochs such as pre-, during and after the occurrence of these convective episodes. Significant changes in the turbulence structure are noticed in the upper layers of the atmosphere during the thunderstorm activity. Identified strong convective cores with varying magnitudes of intensity in terms of vertical velocity at different heights in the atmosphere discern the presence of shallow as well as deep convection during initial, mature and dissipative stages of the thunderstorm. Qualitative assessments of these convective cores are verified using available Doppler Weather Radar imageries in terms of reflectivity. The MST radar derived horizontal wind profiles are in good comparison with observed radiosonde winds. Significant variations in the surface meteorological parameters, sensible heat flux and turbulent kinetic energy as well as horizontal wind profiles are noticed during the different epochs of the convective activity. This work is useful in evaluating the performance of PBL schemes of mesoscale models in simulating MCS.

Mesosphere light scattering depolarization during the Perseids activity epoch by wide-angle polarization camera measurements

The paper describes the study of scattered radiation field in the mesosphere basing on wide-angle polarization camera (WAPC) measurements of the twilight sky background and single scattering separation procedure. Mid-August observations in 2012 and 2013 show the decrease of single scattering polarization value probably related with Perseids meteor dust moderation in the upper mesosphere. Effect correlates with activity of tiny fraction of Perseids shower. Polarization and temperature analysis allows estimating the altitude of dust layer and character polarization of dust scattering.

Geometric properties of the coronal neutral surface

The interrelation between the density inhomogeneity and the magnetic field configuration in the solar corona has been studied. The situation of consistency with the regular cellular magnetic field organization, established by the authors based on polarization data, and helmet-shaped coronal structures has been analyzed. Consistency was found when coronal helmets appeared as projections on the plane of the sky of dense layer folds. It turned out that a dense layer on a regularly deformed neutral surface on a scale of 60° generates coronal shapes typical of solar activity minimum epochs. Threby, a weighty argument for the Molodenskii hypothesis that a dense layer is formed on the neutral surface has been obtained and it has been determined that one can find the 3D geometry of the coronal neutral surface based on modeling the visible shape of coronal helmets. The study of this geometry based on the observed coronal structures in the epoch of minimum and low solar activity indicated that the neutral surface longitudinal deformation scale remains stable and the surface latitudinal amplitude at the corona base reaches 50°–70° latitudes and tends to increase with increasing solar activity. This amplitude decreases as a power function with a variable index close to −1 with increasing distance from the Sun. In addition, a 10° small-scale deformation of the studied surface with a predominant latitudinal flexure direction has been revealed.

Regulation of interneuron excitability by gap junction coupling with principal cells

Electrical coupling of inhibitory interneurons can synchronize activity across multiple neurons, thereby enhancing the reliability of inhibition onto principal cell targets. It is unclear whether downstream activity in principal cells controls the excitability of such inhibitory networks. Using paired patch-clamp recordings, we show that excitatory projection neurons (fusiform cells) and inhibitory stellate interneurons of the dorsal cochlear nucleus form an electrically coupled network via connexin36-containing gap junctions. Remarkably, stellate cells were more strongly coupled to fusiform cells than to other stellate cells. This heterologous coupling was functionally asymmetric, biasing electrical transmission from principal cell to interneuron. Optogenetically-activated populations of fusiform cells reliably enhanced interneuron excitability and generated GABAergic inhibition onto postsynaptic targets of stellate cells, whereas deep afterhyperpolarizations following fusiform cell spike trains potently inhibited stellate cells over several hundred milliseconds. Thus, the excitability of an interneuron network is bi-directionally-controlled by distinct epochs of activity in principal cells.