Cone Interactions Research Articles

Hierarchically patterned polyurethane microgrooves featuring nanopillars or nanoholes for neurite elongation and alignment

Surface micro- and nanostructures profoundly affect the functional performance of nerve regeneration implants by modulating neurite responses. However, few studies have investigated the impact of discrete nanostructures, such as nanopillars and nanoholes, and their combination with microgrooves on neurite outgrowth and alignment. Furthermore, numerous techniques have been developed for surface micro-/nanopatterning, but simple and low-cost approaches are quite limited. In this work, we show that nanopillars and nanoholes, and their combination with microgrooves, can be patterned on polyurethane (PU) films using a low-cost, reusable photoresist master mold prepared via nanosphere lens lithography and UV-LED photolithography, with specific “reinforcement” methods for overcoming the inherent drawbacks of using photoresist masters. We show that the PU nanopillars and nanoholes increase the neurite length of pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells through unique growth cone interactions. Moreover, we demonstrate, for the first time, that hierarchically patterned nano-/microstructured PU films enhance both PC12 neurite elongation and alignment, showing the potential use of our proposed method for the micro-/nanopatterning of polymers for nerve tissue engineering.

Long-Range Order and Directional Defect Propagation in the Nonreciprocal XY Model with Vision Cone Interactions.

We study a two-dimensional, nonreciprocal XY model, where each spin interacts only with its nearest neighbors in a certain angle around its current orientation, i.e., its "vision cone." Using energetic arguments and MonteCarlo simulations, we show that a true long-range ordered phase emerges. A necessary ingredient is a configuration-dependent bond dilution entailed by the vision cones. Strikingly, defects propagate in a directional manner, thereby breaking the parity and time-reversal symmetry of the spin dynamics. This is detectable by a nonzero entropy production rate.

Theoretical studies on the nature and conditions of interaction of heel and peripheral nose cones of offset roller cone bits with a bottom hole

An offset of roller cone rotation centerlines is used to increase the mechanical penetration rate while drilling in soft rocks. This enables increasing the area of a cutting structure teeth contact with a bottom hole. The analysis of offset cone drill bit (cutting structure) teeth wear showed that particularly significant wear is characteristic of the transition zone from the heel cone to the nose cone; which leads to significant reduction in the mechanical rate of penetration and a rapid decrease in the hole diameter. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a theoretical research on the nature and conditions of interaction between heel and peripheral nose cones of offset roller cone bits with a bottom hole; which is aimed at improving the efficiency of rock cutting by offset roller cone bits. To achieve the purpose; the authors analyzed data on the nature and causes of wear of existing offset roller cone bit cutting structure (teeth); developed a mathematical model in a cylindrical coordinate system allowing to determine the location and geometric parameters of the gage cone contact area with the hole wall for different roller cone bits sizes; developed a computer solid model for checking the adequacy of the mathematical model by comparing these two models; prepared recommendations for further improvement of the design of existing offset roller cone bit cutting structure (teeth). The research was carried out by the method of mathematical simulation of geometric figures and bodies corresponding to roller cones and a hole. The research has revealed that significant adjustments need to be made to the geometry of the roller cone teeth (currently being patented). This would allow decreasing the areas of cone heel blunting by 15–20 % as well as providing more prolonged contact of base and gage cones with bottom hole and wall surfaces. This allows to reduce wear of teeth in the transition zone of the generatrix from the peripheral nose cone to the gage (heel) cone of the roller cone and to maintain the required specific pressure on the cut rock for a longer period of time and; as a result; to increase both the mechanical penetration rate and the service life of the drilling tools.

Analysis of Groundwater Flow on Hydrogeological for Sustainable Development and Environment in the Ternate Basin, North Maluku Province, Indonesia

The sustainability of water and sanitation management is an important point in the 2021 SDGs program. To support the program, it is important to understand Indonesia's water cycle. Given the variety of characters, topography, and geology between islands in Indonesia can distinguish hydrogeological systems and their interactions with the surrounding environment. The design and management of water resources, especially groundwater, has an important role, considering the basin area is 106 km2, the character of a volcanic island with the name of an active volcano. Topography from 0-8% is a built-up zone, 8-14% is a cultivation zone, 14-45% is a protected forest, and >45% is a stratovolcano peak zone. Island morphology affects groundwater flow patterns. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of groundwater flow in the Ternate basin. Purposive sampling of 56 production wells, transmissivity value, conductivity, aquifer thickness, and topography was analyzed using the Cubic spline interpolation method. The results showed that the direction of flow and groundwater accumulation based on groundwater modeling using the kriging interpolation technique resulted in the interaction of groundwater flow and depression cones in 56 production wells due to the concentration and massive groundwater abstraction in the Ternate Basin. The decrease in groundwater level is fluctuating, from groundwater flows that occur radially-centrifugally, the total reserves of 56 production wells are 46 million m3/day, the average transmissivity value is 2.17 m2/day, production discharge is 51,710 m3/day.

The Origins of Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Cancer.

Heterogeneity is a pervasive feature of cancer, and understanding the sources and regulatory mechanisms underlying heterogeneity could provide key insights to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this review, we discuss the origin of heterogeneity in the phenotype of individual cancer cells. Genotype-phenotype (G-P) maps are widely used in evolutionary biology to represent the complex interactions of genes and the environment that lead to phenotypes that impact fitness. Here, we present the rationale of an extended G-P (eG-P) map with a cone structure in cancer. The eG-P cone is formed by cells that are similar at the genome layer but gradually increase variability in the epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and signalome layers to produce large variability at the phenome layer. Experimental evidence from single-cell-omics analyses supporting the cancer eG-P cone concept is presented, and the impact of epimutations and the interaction of cancer and tumor microenvironmental eG-P cones are integrated with the current understanding of cancer biology. The eG-P cone concept uncovers potential therapeutic strategies to reduce cancer evolution and improve cancer treatment. More methods to study phenotypes in single cells will be the key to better understand cancer cell fitness in tumor biology and therapeutics.

Glial Cell-Axonal Growth Cone Interactions in Neurodevelopment and Regeneration

The developing nervous system is a complex yet organized system of neurons, glial support cells, and extracellular matrix that arranges into an elegant, highly structured network. The extracellular and intracellular events that guide axons to their target locations have been well characterized in many regions of the developing nervous system. However, despite extensive work, we have a poor understanding of how axonal growth cones interact with surrounding glial cells to regulate network assembly. Glia-to-growth cone communication is either direct through cellular contacts or indirect through modulation of the local microenvironment via the secretion of factors or signaling molecules. Microglia, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, Schwann cells, neural progenitor cells, and olfactory ensheathing cells have all been demonstrated to directly impact axon growth and guidance. Expanding our understanding of how different glial cell types directly interact with growing axons throughout neurodevelopment will inform basic and clinical neuroscientists. For example, identifying the key cellular players beyond the axonal growth cone itself may provide translational clues to develop therapeutic interventions to modulate neuron growth during development or regeneration following injury. This review will provide an overview of the current knowledge about glial involvement in development of the nervous system, specifically focusing on how glia directly interact with growing and maturing axons to influence neuronal connectivity. This focus will be applied to the clinically-relevant field of regeneration following spinal cord injury, highlighting how a better understanding of the roles of glia in neurodevelopment can inform strategies to improve axon regeneration after injury.

KINEMATICS OF A ROLLER CONE BIT WITH A DIRECT FACET TOOTH

The advanced technique of shock-kinematic analysis of the bit roller cone interaction with rock in the process of oil and gas wells drilling is proposed. Preliminary investigations of the interaction of the roller cone bits with rock were based on assumptions far from reality: the concept of the instantaneous axis of rotation of the roller cone constant contact with rock, the absence of slipping, as well as the tooth reforming and sinking into rock. The principle of the roller cones action is the gradual destruction of the surface of the bottomhole due to the cutting-crushing chipping of rock with a bit tooth.The axial roller cone is considered, and the original method of planes projection is used to determine the regulation of tooth motion, taking into account: bit roller cones slipping along the surface of the bottomhole; phases of roller cone tooth sinking into rock; real change in the distance of the axis of rotation of the roller cone to the surface of the bottomhole due to tooth penetration into the rock; the substantiation of the conditions for avoiding the roller cone tooth entering to the previously obtained hole in the process of bottomhole crushing. Besides the moment of the drill string inertia, the moments of roller cones inertia are additionally taken into account under the condition of the oblique impact of the tooth on the rock.The technique allows to calculate the volume of the disintegrated rock on the bottomhole, both taking into account and without taking into account rock chipping and tooth forming. The obtained dependencies allow us to select transmitted ratios from the drill string to the crowns of the roller cones under the condition of avoiding the roller cone tooth to the previously obtained hole during rock destruction on the bottomhole. It allows increasing the efficiency of drilling by roller cones.

Molecular dissection of cone photoreceptor-enriched genes encoding transmembrane and secretory proteins.

Cone photoreceptors mediate color perception and daylight vision through intricate synaptic circuitry. In most mammalian retina, cones are greatly outnumbered by rods and exhibit inter-dependence for functional maintenance and survival. Currently, we have limited understanding of cone-specific molecular components that mediate response to extrinsic signaling factors or are involved in communication with rods and other retinal cells. To fulfill this gap, we compared the recently-published transcriptomes of developing S-cone-like photoreceptors from the Nrl-/- mouse retina with those of rods and identified candidate genes responsible for cone cell functions and communication. We generated an in silico expression profile of 823 genes that encode candidate transmembrane and secretory proteins and are up-regulated in Nrl-/- cone photoreceptors compared to wild type cones. In situ hybridization analysis validated high expression of seven of the selected candidate genes in the Nrl-/- retina. To examine their relevance to cone function, we performed in vivo knockdown of Epha10 in the Nrl-/- retina and demonstrated aberrant morphology and mislocalization of the photoreceptor cell bodies. Thus, the receptor tyrosine kinase Ephrin type-A receptor 10 appears to influence cone morphogenesis. Our studies reveal novel cone-enriched genes involved in interaction of cones with other retinal cell types and provide a framework for examining molecular pathways associated with intercellular communication.

Rod and cone interactions in the retina.

We have long known that rod and cone signals interact within the retina and can even contribute to color vision, but the extent of these influences has remained unclear. New results with more powerful methods of RNA expression profiling, specific cell labeling, and single-cell recording have provided greater clarity and are showing that rod and cone signals can mix at virtually every level of signal processing. These interactions influence the integration of retinal signals and make an important contribution to visual perception.

Adult Mouse DRG Explant and Dissociated Cell Models to Investigate Neuroplasticity and Responses to Environmental Insults Including Viral Infection.

This protocol describes an ex vivo model of mouse-derived dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explant and in vitro DRG-derived co-culture of dissociated sensory neurons and glial satellite cells. These are useful and versatile models to investigate a variety of biological responses associated with physiological and pathological conditions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) ranging from neuron-glial interaction, neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and viral infection. The usage of DRG explant is scientifically advantageous compared to simplistic single cells models for multiple reasons. For instance, as an organotypic culture, the DRG explant allows ex vivo transfer of an entire neuronal network including the extracellular microenvironment that play a significant role in all the neuronal and glial functions. Further, DRG explants can also be maintained ex vivo for several days and the culture conditions can be perturbed as desired. In addition, the harvested DRG can be further dissociated into an in vitro co-culture of primary sensory neurons and satellite glial cells to investigate neuronal-glial interaction, neuritogenesis, axonal cone interaction with the extracellular microenvironment, and more general, any aspect associated with the neuronal metabolism. Therefore, the DRG-explant system offers a great deal of flexibility to study a wide array of events related to biological, physiological, and pathological conditions in a cost-effective manner.

Adult Mouse DRG Explant and Dissociated Cell Models to Investigate Neuroplasticity and Responses to Environmental Insults Including Viral Infection

This protocol describes an ex vivo model of mouse-derived dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explant and in vitro DRG-derived co-culture of dissociated sensory neurons and glial satellite cells. These are useful and versatile models to investigate a variety of biological responses associated with physiological and pathological conditions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) ranging from neuron-glial interaction, neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and viral infection. The usage of DRG explant is scientifically advantageous compared to simplistic single cells models for multiple reasons. For instance, as an organotypic culture, the DRG explant allows ex vivo transfer of an entire neuronal network including the extracellular microenvironment that play a significant role in all the neuronal and glial functions. Further, DRG explants can also be maintained ex vivo for several days and the culture conditions can be perturbed as desired. In addition, the harvested DRG can be further dissociated into an in vitro co-culture of primary sensory neurons and satellite glial cells to investigate neuronal-glial interaction, neuritogenesis, axonal cone interaction with the extracellular microenvironment, and more general, any aspect associated with the neuronal metabolism. Therefore, the DRG-explant system offers a great deal of flexibility to study a wide array of events related to biological, physiological, and pathological conditions in a cost-effective manner.

Thin-film topological insulators for continuously tunable terahertz absorption

One of the defining characteristics of a three-dimensional topological insulator (TI) is the appearance of a Dirac cone on its surface when it creates an interface with vacuum. For thin film TIs, however, the Dirac cones on opposite surfaces interact forming a small gap. For the case of three quintuple layers of Bi2Se3, we show that this gap can be continuously tuned between 128 meV and 0 meV with the application of modest perpendicular electric fields of less than 30 meV Å−1. Through both the Hamiltonian model and first-principles density functional theory calculations, we show that the inherent nonlinearity in realistic Dirac cone interaction leads to a gap which can be continuously tuned through the application of an external electric field. This tunability, coupled with the high optical absorption of thin film TIs, make this a very promising platform for terahertz and infrared detection.

Apex Dips of Experimental Flux Ropes: Helix or Cusp?

Abstract We present a new theory for the presence of apex dips in certain experimental flux ropes. Previously such dips were thought to be projections of a helical loop axis generated by the kink instability. However, new evidence from experiments and simulations suggest that the feature is a 2D cusp rather than a 3D helix. The proposed mechanism for cusp formation is a density pileup region generated by nonlinear interaction of neutral gas cones emitted from fast-gas nozzles. The results indicate that density perturbations can result in large distortions of an erupting flux rope, even in the absence of significant pressure or gravitational forces. The density pileup at the apex also suppresses the m = 1 kink mode by acting as a stationary node. Consequently, more accurate density profiles should be considered when attempting to model the stability and shape of solar and astrophysical flux ropes.

Thresholds and noise limitations of colour vision in dim light.

Colour discrimination is based on opponent photoreceptor interactions, and limited by receptor noise. In dim light, photon shot noise impairs colour vision, and in vertebrates, the absolute threshold of colour vision is set by dark noise in cones. Nocturnal insects (e.g. moths and nocturnal bees) and vertebrates lacking rods (geckos) have adaptations to reduce receptor noise and use chromatic vision even in very dim light. In contrast, vertebrates with duplex retinae use colour-blind rod vision when noisy cone signals become unreliable, and their transition from cone- to rod-based vision is marked by the Purkinje shift. Rod-cone interactions have not been shown to improve colour vision in dim light, but may contribute to colour vision in mesopic light intensities. Frogs and toads that have two types of rods use opponent signals from these rods to control phototaxis even at their visual threshold. However, for tasks such as prey or mate choice, their colour discrimination abilities fail at brighter light intensities, similar to other vertebrates, probably limited by the dark noise in cones.This article is part of the themed issue 'Vision in dim light'.

Editorial: Color Vision Sensation and Perception.

Color vision is one of the most intriguing phenomena of the visual experience and has been the object of study from vision scientists to philosophers of perception. The wavelengths, their intensity and purity are experienced as hue, brightness and saturation based on complex information processing of the light entering the eyes. This special research topic is devoted to covering from basic aspects based on light and retinal processes to perceptual and cognitive mechanisms and their respective applications in clinical settings. The reader will find a series of papers organized in two chapters, one devoted to the more basic phenomena and processing, the other focused on the more cognitive and cultural aspects. The integrative aspect of luminance in color vision starts our journey. Reduction in number of levels of luminance in pseudoisochromatic stimulations affects the chromaticity thresholds measured psychophysically, suggesting interactions between luminance and color in those stimuli with luminance steps lower than seven (Souza et al.). Color sensation was also investigated under low-light levels. Mesopic and scotopic conditions could be considered an interference zone for color vision since rods activities generate physiological interferences in cone-driven retinal chromatic pathways. This review paper keeps us up to date regarding the range and impact of rod–cone interactions on human visual function and performance (Zele and Cao). Clinical applications centered on congenital color blindness end the first chapter. Sensory psychophysical thresholds on the tritanopic color confusion axis were investigated in protanomalous and deuteranomalous subjects (Costa et al.). Reduction in discrimination was found for both types of congenital color blindness, protanomalous and deuteranomalous, but subjects in the latter group showed worse results. Electrophysiological assessments regarding luminance and compound stimuli (luminance plus red-green stimulus) were also evaluated in congenital color blindness subjects. Since compound stimuli elicited small or no response in red-green congenital color blinds, this finding could indicate that the cortical response for compound stimuli in the present experiment was dominated by chromatic contribution (Risuenho et al.). A search for discrimination thresholds addressed using the pseudoisochromatic plates configures a new psychophysical application for the traditional and widely used color test (Jurasevska et al.). Basic perceptual phenomena of Gestalt theories regarding color vision were addressed using figure-ground perception on saturation and contrast polarity modulations. The study conducted by Dresp-Langley and Reeves investigated the lightness dependency of the achromatic loci in color space. The results pointed toward a hitherto undocumented functional role of color saturation in the genesis of form, and in particular figure-ground percepts. Two experiments conducted by Kuriki showed that first, a color-appearance space normalized to daylight may be defined for the human visual system and second, that color space could reduce the discrepancy between the achromatic loci and the lightness axis of the color appearance models. The last study of the perceptual mechanism section relates retinal image quality for the display red and blue pixel radiation with the chromostereopsis retinal disparity achieved (zolinsh and Muizniece). Color is also important from an anthropological view in which a long debate regarding the existence of natural categories of hue and their universality has been addressed by ethological, electrophysiological, behavioral and psychophysical perspectives. The color naming and gender section presents contributions regarding the variations in color naming occurring in congenital color blindness subjects and the gender and cultural aspects related to color preferences. The study of Nagy et al. shows that dichromatic subjects involve the brightness properties of the different spectral stimuli when judging their chromatic content and that at the shorter wavelengths the signal of the intact tritos photoreceptor dominates the decision making in color naming tasks, even for the anopes. Al-Rasheed provides evidence that both sex differences and cultural differences are relevant in hue preference in terms of how stimulus-background cone-contrast was weighted summarizing color preference quantitatively rather than using subjective color names. The question of how we see colors and how we can discuss their impact in many dimensions of our life is an actual and multidiscipline inquiry to which we hope to contribute with this special research topic. Enjoy this special topic on color vision.

Cooling Effect of the Richtmyer-Meshkov Instability

We provide numerical evidence that the Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instability contributes to the cooling of a relativistic fluid. Due to the presence of jet particles traveling throughout the medium, shock waves are generated in the form of Mach cones. The interaction of multiple shock waves can trigger the RM instability, and we have found that this process leads to a down-cooling of the relativistic fluid. To confirm the cooling effect of the instability, shock tube Richtmyer-Meshkov instability simulations are performed. Additionally, in order to provide an experimental observable of the RM instability resulting from the Mach cone interaction, we measure the two particle correlation function and highlight the effects of the interaction. The simulations have been performed with an improved version of the relativistic lattice Boltzmann model, including general equations of state and external forces.

Experimental study of dynamic conical ice force

Dynamic ice force is one of the key factors in the design and operation of narrow offshore structures in ice-covered areas. In the paper, a series of physical model tests were carried out to simulate field ice conditions on the oil jacket structures with an ice breaking cone in the Bohai Sea. The model tests involved two geometric scale factors (3 and 6), 3 structural models, and 3 ice sheets. In the total 17 groups of tests, the controlled parameters of ice velocity, ice friction coefficient, and the shape of the ice-resistant structure at the waterline were different. The time history of ice forces, accelerations of the model, and the ice–cone interaction process were recorded synchronously. Ice failure modes and global ice loads obtained from the model tests were compared with the data measured on the JZ20-2MUQ oil jacket platform. Similar to the results in the field measurements, two ice failure modes were observed on the cones in the lab test. The plate failure mode was observed on the inverted cone. For the upright cone, when the cone diameter was increased, the ice failure mode was transformed from the wedge failure mode into the plate failure mode and the ice load on unit area was decreased.

Rod- and cone-isolated flicker electroretinograms and their response summation characteristics.

This study defined the amplitude and phase characteristics of rod- and cone-isolated flicker electroretinograms (ERGs) and determined how these responses summate to generate the nonreceptor-specific ERG. Full-field ERGs were obtained from six normally sighted subjects (age 26 to 44 years) using a four-primary LED-based photostimulator and standard recording techniques. The four primaries were either modulated sinusoidally in phase to achieve simultaneous rod and cone activation (ERGR+C; nonreceptor-specific) or in different phases to achieve rod-isolated (ERGR) and cone-isolated (ERGC) responses by means of triple silent substitution. ERGs were measured at two mean luminance levels (2.4 and 24 cd/m2), two contrasts (20 and 40%), and four temporal frequencies (2-15 Hz). Fundamental amplitude and phase for each condition were derived by Fourier analysis. Response amplitude and phase depended on the stimulus conditions (frequency, mean luminance, and contrast), however, for all conditions: 1) response phase decreased monotonically as stimulus frequency increased; 2) response amplitude tended to decrease monotonically as stimulus frequency increased, with the exception of the 24 cd/m2, 40% contrast ERGR+C that was sharply V-shaped; 3) ERGR phase was delayed (32 to 210 deg) relative to the ERGC phase; 4) ERGR amplitude was typically equal to or lower than the ERGC amplitude, with the exception of the 2.4 cd/m2, 40% contrast condition; and 5) the pattern of ERGR+C responses could be accounted for by a vector summation model of the rod and cone pathway signals. The results show that the ERGR+C amplitude and phase can be predicted from ERGR and ERGC amplitude and phase. For conditions that elicit ERGR and ERGC responses that have approximately equal amplitude and opposite phase, there is strong destructive interference between the rod and cone responses that attenuates the ERGR+C. Conditions that elicit equal amplitude and opposite phase rod and cone responses may be particularly useful for evaluating rod-cone interactions.

Effect of inner-surface roughness of conical target on laser absorption and fast electron generation

The effect of inner-surface roughness of conical targets on the generation of fast electrons in the laser—cone interaction is investigated using particle-in-cell simulation. It is found that the surface roughness can reduce the fast-electron number (in the energy range E > 1 MeV) and energy, as compared to that from a cone with smooth inner wall. A scaling law for the laser reflectivity based on the vacuum-heating model is derived. Both theory and simulation indicate that laser reflection increases with the height-to-width ratio of the periodic inner surface structure and approaches that of a smooth cone as this ratio becomes zero.

Effect of rod–cone interactions on mesopic visual performance mediated by chromatic and luminance pathways

We studied the effect of rod-cone interactions on mesopic visual reaction time (RT). Rod and cone photoreceptor excitations were independently controlled using a four-primary photostimulator. It was observed that (1) lateral rod-cone interactions increase the cone-mediated RTs; (2) the rod-cone interactions are strongest when rod sensitivity is maximal in a dark surround, but weaker with increased rod activity in a light surround; and (3) the presence of a dark surround nonselectively increased the mean and variability of chromatic (+L-M, S-cone) and luminance (L+M+S) RTs independent of the level of rod activity. The results demonstrate that lateral rod-cone interactions must be considered when deriving mesopic luminous efficiency using RT.