Descripción: This work describes a simple spatial decomposition of the first-order reduced density matrix corresponding to an N -electron system into first-order density matrices, each of them associated to an atomic domain defined in the theory of atoms in molecules. A study of the representability of the density matrices arisen from this decomposition is reported and analyzed. An appropriate treatment of the eigenvectors of the matrices defined over atomic domains or over unions of these domains allows one to describe satisfactorily molecular properties and chemical bondings within a determined molecule and among its fragments. Numerical determinations, performed in selected molecules, confirm the reliability of our proposal. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Descripción: We present a quantitative assessment of the impact a future electron-ion collider will have on determinations of helicity quark and gluon densities and their contributions to the proton spin. Our results are obtained by performing a series of global QCD analyses at next-to-leading order accuracy based on realistic sets of pseudo-data for the inclusive and semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons and protons at different, conceivable center-of-mass system energies. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Descripción: Simple eyes or ocelli coexist with compound eyes in many adult insects. The change in the morphology of the ocelli along the five larval instars of Triatoma infestans was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Our analysis showed that the development of the ocelli of these bugs occurs gradually along the larval life. The photoreceptor layer is present from the second-instar onwards. The cornea appears first at the imaginal stage and grows up to the 18-20th day after the last ecdysis, associated to an increase in the retinal mass. Findings are discussed in a comparative fashion and in relation to the functionality of the ocellar system in T. infestans.

Descripción: The detection of delayed X-rays produced by the decay that follows electron capture in the residual nuclei has been used in the past for the determination of fusion cross sections of tightly bound nuclei. In this work we applied this technique to study the effect of the break-up of a weakly bound projectile, like in the case of the 9Be + 144Sm system. Preliminary results of the complete fusion in this system at near barrier energies are presented.

Descripción: The projections of mechanosensory hairs located on the dorsal and lateral head of the adult haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans were analyzed by means of cobalt filling. Axons run into the anterior and posterior tegumentary nerve and project through the brain to the ventral nerve cord. The fibres are small in diameter and run as a fascicle. Some branches run into suboesophageal and prothoracic centres; others run as far as to the mesothoracic ganglion. These sensory projections resemble that of wind-sensitive head hairs of the locust. The functional role of this sensory system in this species is discussed.

Descripción: Vertical excitation and electron detachment energies associated with the optical absorption of iodide ions dissolved in supercritical ammonia at 420 K have been calculated in two limiting scenarios: as a solvated free I- ion and forming a K+ I- contact ion pair (CIP). The evolution of the transition energies as a result of the gradual building up of the solvation structure was studied for each absorbing species as the solvent's density increased, i.e., changing the N H3 supercritical thermodynamic state. In both cases, if the solvent density is sufficiently high, photon absorption produces a spatially extended electron charge beyond the volume occupied by the solvated solute core; this excited state resembles a typical charge-transfer-to-solvent (CTTS) state. A combination of classical molecular dynamics simulations followed by quantum mechanical calculations for the ground, first-excited, and electron-detached electronic states have been carried out for the system consisting of one donor species (free I- ion or K+ I- CIP) surrounded by ammonia molecules. Vertical excitation and electron detachment energies were obtained by averaging 100 randomly chosen microconfigurations along the molecular dynamics trajectory computed for each thermodynamic condition (fluid density). Short- and long-range contributions of the solvent-donor interaction upon the CTTS states of I- and K+ I- were identified by performing additional electronic structure calculations where only the solvent interaction due to the first neighbor molecules was taken into account. These computations, together with previous experimental evidence that we collected for the system, have been used to analyze the solvent effects on the CTTS transition. In this paper we have established the following: (i) the CTTS electron of free I- ion or K+ I- CIP presents similar features, and it gradually localizes in close proximity of the iodine parent atom when the ammonia density is increased; (ii) for the free I- ion, the short-range solvent interaction contributes to the stabilization of the ground state more than it does for the CTTS excited state, which is evidenced experimentally as a blueshift in the maximum absorption of the CTTS transition when the density is increased; (iii) this effect is less noticeable for the K+ I- ion pair, because in this case a tight solvation structure, formed by four N H3 molecules wedged between the ions, appears at very low density and is very little affected by changes in the density; (iv) the long-range contribution to the solvent stabilization can be neglected for the K+ I- CIP, since the main features of its electronic transition can be explained on the basis of the vicinity of the cation; (v) however, the long-range solvent field contribution is essential for the free I- ion to become an efficient CTTS donor upon photoexcitation, and this establishes a difference in the CTTS behavior of I- in bulk and in clusters. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Descripción: Insect larvae clearly react to visual stimuli, but the ability of any visual neuron in a newly hatched insect to respond selectively to particular stimuli has not been directly tested. We characterised a pair of neurons in locust larvae that have been extensively studied in adults, where they are known to respond selectively to objects approaching on a collision course: the lobula giant motion detector (LGMD) and its postsynaptic partner, the descending contralateral motion detector (DCMD). Our physiological recordings of DCMD axon spikes reveal that at the time of hatching, the neurons already respond selectively to objects approaching the locust and they discriminate between stimulus approach speeds with differences in spike frequency. For a particular approaching stimulus, both the number and peak frequency of spikes increase with instar. In contrast, the number of spikes in responses to receding stimuli decreases with instar, so performance in discriminating approaching from receding stimuli improves as the locust goes through successive moults. In all instars, visual movement over one part of the visual field suppresses a response to movement over another part. Electron microscopy demonstrates that the anatomical substrate for the selective response to approaching stimuli is present in all larval instars: small neuronal processes carrying information from the eye make synapses both onto LGMD dendrites and with each other, providing pathways for lateral inhibition that shape selectivity for approaching objects. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Descripción: We present a generalization of fermionic fluiddynamics to the case of two trapped fermion species with a contact interaction. Within a mean field approximation, we derive coupled equations of motion for the particle densities, particle currents, and anomalous pair density. For an inhomogeneous system, the equilibrium situation with vanishing currents is described by a generalized Thomas-Fermi relation that includes the superfluid gap, together with a new nonlocal gap equation that replaces the usual BCS one. These equations are numericaly solved resorting to a local density approximation (LDA). Density and gap profiles are analyzed in terms of the scattering length, revealing that the current frame can exhibit microscopic details of quantum origin that are frequently absent in more macroscopic scenarios. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Descripción: A numerical solution for the metallic-plasma-neutral-gas structure generated in a low-pressure arc is presented. The equations correspond to a spherically symmetric fluid-like steady model, valid for the outer region of the arc, and describe the ion slowing down by elastic scattering with the neutral particles. Technically, the obtention of the profiles of different magnitudes is complicated due to the existence of a critical point in the steady-state system of equations. The proposed approach to overcome this difficulty is to solve instead a pseudotransient system of equations which rapidly and efficiently relax to the stationary state. By employing this numerical method of second-order accuracy in space, the plasma and neutral gas density, the electron and ion drift velocities, the electron and neutral temperatures, and the electrostatic potential profiles are obtained from the border of the arc channel up to the discharge chamber wall. It is found that the value of the neutral gas filling pressure strongly influences the plasma density and plasma potential distributions. An important result is that metallic ions emitted from the arc channel deliver their kinetic energy to the filling gas in a gradual manner, up to a pressure-dependent point beyond which they move to the walls sustained against collisions with the gas by a self-consistent electric field. Near the mentioned point, the metallic ion density presents a peculiar behavior, showing an increase that is more pronounced at high pressures; a pattern also evident in the electrostatic potential. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Descripción: Dichroplus pratensis has a complex system of Robertsonian rearrangements with central-marginal distribution; marginal populations are standard telocentric. Standard bivalents show a proximal-distal chiasma pattern in both sexes. In Robertsonian individuals a redistribution of chiasmata occurs: proximal chiasmata are suppressed in fusion trivalents and bivalents which usually display a single distal chiasma per chromosome arm. In this paper we studied the synaptic patterns of homologous chromosomes at prophase I of different Robertsonian status in order to find a mechanistic explanation for the observed phenomenon of redistribution of chiasmata. Synaptonemal complexes of males with different karyotypes were analysed by transmission electron microscopy in surface-spread preparations. The study of zygotene and early pachytene nuclei revealed that in the former, pericentromeric regions are the last to synapse in Robertsonian trivalents and bivalents and normally remain asynaptic at pachytene in the case of trivalents, but complete pairing in bivalents. Telocentric (standard) bivalents usually show complete synapsis at pachytene, but different degrees of interstitial asynapsis during zygotene, suggesting that synapsis starts in opposite (centromeric and distal) ends. The sequential nature of synapsis in the three types of configuration is directly related to their patterns of chiasma localisation at diplotene-metaphase I, and strongly supports our previous idea that Rb fusions instantly produce a redistribution of chiasmata towards chromosome ends by reducing the early pairing regions (which pair first, remain paired longer and thus would have a higher probability of forming chiasmata) from four to two (independently of the heterozygous or homozygous status of the fusion). Pericentrometric regions would pair the last, thus chiasma formation is strongly reduced in these areas contrary to what occurs in telocentric bivalents.

Descripción: Neoechinorhynchus (Hebesoma) colastinense sp. n. is described from the intestine of Pachyurus bonariensis a freshwater fish from Parana River basin. The new species is characterized by having a cylindrical trunk, elongated but swollen anteriorly; a spherical proboscis with a prominent apical organ; the anterior circle of hooks very large, alternating in 2 levels, separated from more posterior circles of hooks, but sometimes surpassing the hooks of the middle and posterior circles; a relatively long neck; the male reproductive system occupying 78-81% (79%) of the trunk length; the female reproductive system occupying 27-39% (32%) of the trunk length; and eggs elongated with polar prolongation of the fertilization membrane. Members of the species can be distinguished easily from the other species of South American Neoechinorhynchus Stiles & Hassall, 1905 because they are the only ones with characteristics of the subgenus Hebesoma. Additionally, two other species are recorded for the first time in Argentina: Neoechinorhynchus {Neoechinorhynchus) macro-nucleatus Machado Filho, 1954 from Lycengraulis grossidens and N. (N) pimelodi Brasil-Sato & Pavanelli, 1998 from several species of Pimelodus. The presence of an apical organ at the proboscis tip is recorded in the new species and N. (N.) macronucleatus. Studies using scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of non-rimmed pores in the tegument throughout the trunk, neck and proboscis of all three species. A key to the South American species of Neoechinorhynchus is provided.

Descripción: Context. Relating in-situ measurements of relativistic solar particles to their parent activity in the corona requires understanding the magnetic structures that guide them from their acceleration site to the Earth. Relativistic particle events are observed at times of high solar activity, when transient magnetic structures such as interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) often shape the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). They may introduce interplanetary paths that are longer than nominal, and magnetic connections rooted far from the nominal Parker spiral. Aims. We present a detailed study of the IMF configurations during ten relativistic solar particle events of the 23rd activity cycle to elucidate the actual IMF configuration that guides the particles to the Earth, where they are measured by neutron monitors. Methods. We used magnetic field (MAG) and plasma parameter measurements (SWEPAM) from the ACE spacecraft and determined the interplanetary path lengths of energetic particles through a modified version of the velocity dispersion analysis based on energetic particle measurements with SoHO/ERNE. Results. We find that the majority (7/10) of the events is detected in the vicinity of an ICME. Their interplanetary path lengths are found to be longer (1.5-2.6 AU) than those of the two events propagating in the slow solar wind (1.3 AU). The longest apparent path length is found in an event within the fast solar wind, probably caused by enhanced pitch angle scattering. The derived path lengths imply that the first energetic and relativistic protons are released at the Sun at the same time as electron beam emitting type III radio bursts. Conclusions. The timing of the first high-energy particle arrival on Earth is mainly determined by the type of IMF in which the particles propagate. Initial arrival times are as expected from Parker's model in the slow solar wind, and significantly longer in or near transient structures such as ICMEs. © 2012 ESO.

Descripción: Bioprocesses conducted under conditions with restricted O2 supply are increasingly exploited for the synthesis of reduced biochemicals using different biocatalysts. The model facultative anaerobe Escherichia coli has elaborate sensing and signal transduction mechanisms for redox control in response to the availability of O2 and other electron acceptors. The ArcBA two-component system consists of ArcB, a membrane-associated sensor kinase, and ArcA, the cognate response regulator. The tripartite hybrid kinase ArcB possesses a transmembrane, a PAS, a primary transmitter (H1), a receiver (D1), and a phosphotransfer (H2) domain. Metabolic fluxes were compared under anoxic conditions in a wild-type E. coli strain, its ΔarcB derivative, and two partial arcB deletion mutants in which ArcB lacked either the H1 domain or the PAS-H1-D1 domains. These analyses revealed that elimination of different segments in ArcB determines a distinctive distribution of D-glucose catabolic fluxes, different from that observed in the ΔarcB background. Metabolite profiles, enzyme activity levels, and gene expression patterns were also investigated in these strains. Relevant alterations were observed at the P-enol-pyruvate/pyruvate and acetyl coenzyme A metabolic nodes, and the formation of reduced fermentation metabolites, such as succinate, D-lactate, and ethanol, was favored in the mutant strains to different extents compared to the wild-type strain. These phenotypic traits were associated with altered levels of the enzymatic activities operating at these nodes, as well as with elevated NADH/NAD+ ratios. Thus, targeted modification of global regulators to obtain different metabolic flux distributions under anoxic conditions is emerging as an attractive tool for metabolic engineering purposes. © 2012, American Society for Microbiology.

Descripción: The 15 species in the weevil genus Galapaganus Lanteri 1992 (Entiminae: Curculionidae: Coleoptera) are distributed on coastal Peril and Ecuador and include 10 flightless species endemic to the Galapagos islands. These beetles thus provide a promising system through which to investigate the patterns and processes of evolution on Darwin's archipelago. Sequences of the mtDNA locus encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were obtained from samples of seven species occurring in different ecological zones of the oldest south-eastern islands: San Cristobal, Espanola and Floreana, and the central island Santa Cruz. The single most parsimonious tree obtained shows two well-supported clades that correspond to the species groups previously defined by morphological characters. Based on a mtDNA clock calibrated for arthropods, the initial speciation separating the oldest species, G. galapagoensis (Linell) on the oldest island, San Cristobal, from the remaining species in the Galapagos occurred about 7.2 Ma. This estimate exceeds geological ages of the extant emerged islands, although it agrees well with molecular dating of endemic Galapagos iguanas, geckos and lizards. An apparent explanation for the disagreement between geological and molecular time-frames is that about 7 Ma there were emerged islands which subsequently disappeared under ocean waters. This hypothesis has gained support from the recent findings of 11 -Myr-old submarine seamounts (sunken islands), south-east of the present location of the archipelago. Some species within the darwini group may have differentiated on the extant islands, 1-5 Ma.

Descripción: Although transcriptional effects of thyroid hormones have substantial influence on oxidative metabolism, how thyroid sets basal metabolic rate remains obscure. Compartmental localization of nitric-oxide synthases is important for nitric oxide signaling. We therefore examined liver neuronal nitric-oxide synthase-α (nNOS) subcellular distribution as a putative mechanism for thyroid effects on rat metabolic rate. At low 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine levels, nNOS mRNA increased by 3-fold, protein expression by one-fold, and nNOS was selectively translocated to mitochondria without changes in other isoforms. In contrast, under thyroid hormone administration, mRNA level did not change and nNOS remained predominantly localized in cytosol. In hypothyroidism, nNOS translocation resulted in enhanced mitochondrial nitric-oxide synthase activity with low O2 uptake. In this context, NO utilization increased active O2 species and peroxynitrite yields and tyrosine nitration of complex I proteins that reduced complex activity. Hypothyroidism was also associated to high phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and decreased phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and cyclin D1 levels. Similarly to thyroid hormones, but without changing thyroid status, nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester increased basal metabolic rate, prevented mitochondrial nitration and complex I derangement, and turned mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and cyclin D1 expression back to control pattern. We surmise that nNOS spatial confinement in mitochondria is a significant downstream effector of thyroid hormone and hypothyroid phenotype. © 2006 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.