Investigations of the Geotropic Curvature of the Avena Coleoptile

The geotropic reaction in Avena coleoptiles is studied as a function of the stimulation time. The direction of the stimulation with respect to the vascular bundles must be defined when studying geotropic responses. It is found that the threshold time to evoke geotropic response is less than half a minute, i.e., at least ten times lower than the presentation time usually reported in the literature. An extrapolation procedure can be used to give a so-called extrapolated presentation time t_b, which is intimately related to the logarithmic part of the geotropic response curve and has a physical meaning in the reciprocity rule. The problem of the duration of the true threshold time for stimulation with 1 g is discussed. An experiment indicates that it is not necessary for mass particles (“statoliths”) to settle on the lateral cell wall in order to start the geotropic reaction chain. The slope of the logarithmic part of the geotropic response curve is independent of the transverse force applied to the coleoptiles. Support is given to the view that the slope is determined by the number of sedimenting mass particles.     

Crop production and management under saline conditions

Summary This review evaluates management practices that may minimize yield reduction under saline conditions according to three strategies: (I) control of root-zone salinity; (II) reduced damage to the crop; (III) reduced damage to individual plants. Plant response to salinity is described by an unchanged yield up to a threshold soil salinity (a), then a linear reduction in relative yield (b), to a maximum soil salinity that corresponds to zero yield (Y_o). Strategies I and II do not take into consideration any change in the parameters of the response curve, while strategy III is aimed at modifying them.Control of root zone salinity is obtained by irrigation and leaching. From the review of existing data it is concluded that the effective soil salinity parameter should be taken as the mean electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract or of the soil solution over time and space. Several irrigation and leaching practices are discussed. It is shown that intermittent leaching is more advantageous than leaching at each irrigation. Specific cultivation and irrigation practices that result in soil salinity reduction adjacent to young seedlings and the use of water of low salinity at specifically sensitive growth stages may be highly beneficial. Recent data do not show that reduced irrigation intervals improve crop response more under saline than under nonsaline irrigation. Alternate use of water of different salt concentrations results in mixing in the soil and the crop responds to the mean water salinity.Reduced damage at the fiel level when soil or irrigation water salinity is too high to maintain full yield of single plants requires a larger crop stand. For row crops reduced inter-row spacing is more effective than reduced intra-row spacing.Reduced damage at the plant level while the salinity tolerance of the plants remains constant shows up in the response curve parameters as larger threshold and slope and constant salinity at zero yield. This is the effect of a reduced atmospheric water demand that results in reduced stress in the plant under given salinity. Management can also change the salt tolerance of the crop. This will show up as higher salinity at zero yield, as well as changes in threshold and slope. Such changes in the response curve were found at different growth stages, under different atmospheric CO₂, under different fertilization, and when sprinkler irrigation was compared with drip irrigation.Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 1111-E 1984 series.     

ANALYSIS OF THE GEOTROPIC ORIENTATION OF YOUNG RATS. VII

The intraperitoneal injection of standard young rats of race A with 2/5 cc. of adrenalin chloride 1:50,000 results in increased speed of geotropically oriented creeping upon an inclined surface. It was expected that the effect of such increased frequency of stepping must be analogous to that due to imposition of added loads carried by the rats during geotropic progression. This is verified. The curve connecting θ with log sin α is distorted, under adrenalin, so as to be comparable to that obtained with an added mass of approximately 2.5 gm. upon the young rat''s saddle; the threshold slope of surface for orientation is accordingly lowered, from α = 20° to α = 12.5°; at the new threshold slope of surface the mean orientation angle θ is the same as in the absence of adrenalin at the corresponding threshold slope of surface. The total variation of performance is significantly increased in the injected rats, and at given slope of surface the variation is slightly increased. The proportionate modifiable variation of response is quite unaffected by the distortion of the θ – α curve, and is the same as in standard young A rats untreated or carrying additional loads. It is pointed out that for the consideration of the problem as to whether a given experimental treatment, or a given natural situation, affects in any way the variation of performance of a living system, it is necessary to obtain indices of variability which involve the expression of variation of performance as a function of measured conditions governing the performance.     

大鼠听神经单纤维的活动

本文以声压级(SP)的dB值为单位,用不同频率(从音频到超声)的声刺激,对大鼠听觉一级神经元325根单一纤维的活动进行了观察。结果表明:每一纤维都有自己的最佳频率和相应的最低阈值。测得最佳频率的最低值为0.58kHz,最高值为62.6kHz; 最低阈值为6dBSPL,其相应频率为27.49kHz;最敏感的频率范围在20—50kHz。频率-阈值曲线在比最佳频率高的一侧斜度陡峭,低的一侧倾斜缓慢。频率-阈值曲线的锐度若以Q值表示,它对最佳频率分布的回归曲线由最佳频率的低频向高频方向逐渐升高,且Q10,Q20,Q30,Q40,Q50,dB的回归曲线具有相似的倾斜度。绝大多数纤维都有自发放电。给最佳频率持续音作用时,随刺激强度的增强,放电速率增加,但到阈上30dB左右皆达饱和。由各频率的最低阈值绘成的听反应阈曲线与行为测听所得的听力曲线颇为近似。     

Evidence for hypoxic depression of CO2-ventilation response in carotid body-resected humans

Steady-state CO2-ventilation response curves with hyperoxia (end-tidal PO2 greater than 200 Torr) and mild hypoxia (end-tidal PO2 approximately equal to 60 Torr) were compared in five carotid body-resected (BR) patients and five control patients. The data were analyzed by fitting a linear equation, V = S(PETCO2-B), where V is minute ventilation S is the response curve slope. PETCO2 is end-tidal PCO2, and B is the response curve threshold. S slightly increased from hyperoxia to hypoxia in both BR and control groups. On the other hand, B moderately increased with hypoxia in BR patients, whereas it slightly decreased in controls. These changes were all not significant. However, in accordance with the change in B, the response curve to hypoxia at V of 10 1/min was significantly shifted in opposite directions in the two groups, i.e., rightward and leftward shift in BR and control groups, respectively. Thus the average magnitude of V calculated at PETCO2 of 40 Torr in hypoxia was significantly lower in BR patients than in controls (P less than 0.01). We conclude that this hypoxic depression of the CO2-ventilation response found in BR patients may have resulted, at least in part, from modulation of the brain stem neural mechanisms that were elicited by loss of afferent discharges from the carotid body.     

Determination of the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase in a microfluidic system

A microfluidic system for the analysis of the activities of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) was fabricated. The device consists of a glass chip with a micro-electrochemical L-glutamate sensor and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheet with a Y-shaped micro-flow channel. A sample solution and a substrate solution for the enzymes were introduced from two injection ports at the end of the flow channel. When the flows were stopped, substrates in a solution mixed immediately with either of the enzymes by diffusion in a mixing channel. L-glutamate produced by the enzymatic reaction of GOT or GPT in the flow channel was detected by using the L-glutamate sensor. A distinct current increase was observed immediately after mixing, and the initial slope of the response curve varied in proportion to the activity of GOT or GPT. The relation between the slope of the response curve and the enzyme activity was linear between 7 and 228 U l-1 for GOT and 9 and 250 U l-1 for GPT. The quality of the response curve was improved with an increase in the channel height. The measurement based on the rate analysis in the micro-flow channel facilitated the reduction of the influence of interferents. The influence of the viscosity of the sample solution was also checked for the analysis of real samples. The determination of the enzyme activities was also conducted in a system with micropumps fabricated for a sample injection. Two solutions could be mixed in the mixing channel, and the activity of the enzymes could be measured as in the experiments using microsyringe pumps.     

Cholecystokinin and cholecystokinin antagonists enhance postsynaptic excitability in the dentate gyrus

The sulfated and unsulfated octapeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) sequences and the pancreatic CCK antagonists, CR 1409 and benzotript, were applied iontophoretically in the rat dentate gyrus granular layer while the response evoked by single pulse stimulation of the perforant path was recorded. The stimulating current was varied and the resulting relationship between the slope of the response (input) against the population spike amplitude (output) was used as a measure of excitability at the granule cell synapse. All four test compounds shifted the input/output curve to the left indicating an increase in postsynaptic excitability. These results thus imply that endogenous CCK acts at the central type of CCK receptor to modulate cortical input to granule cells by reducing the threshold for synaptic excitation.     

中枢α受体在大鼠颈动脉窦反射中的调制作用

孤离大鼠左侧颈动脉窦,采用侧脑室(LCV)注射α_1受体阻断剂酚苄明(phenoxybenzam-ine PBZ,2μg/20μl)或α_2受体阻断剂育亨宾(yohimbine Y,2μg/20μl),以颈动脉窦内压(ISP)-平均动脉压(MAP)关系曲线及其有关参数为指标,研究和分析了中枢α受体对颈动脉窦反射的影响。将所得ISP和MAP经Logistic方程拟合,建立ISP-MAP关系曲线。结果如下:PBZ组,ISP-MAP关系曲线在高窦内压区明显上移;峰斜率、MAP变动范围明显减小;ISP-斜率关系曲线在15.96kPa处明显下移。Y组,ISP-MAP关系曲线在高窦内压区明显上移;峰斜率、MAP变动范围明显减小,阈压明显增大,ISP-斜率关系曲线在10.64、15.96kPa处明显下移。与PBZ组相比,Y组的峰斜率、MAP变动范围减小更明显。结果表明:中枢α_1或α_2受体阻断后,窦反射的敏感性明显降低,其中阻断α_2受体的作用尤为明显。     

Central command blunts sensitivity of arterial baroreceptor-heart rate reflex at onset of voluntary static exercise

We have reported that baroreflex bradycardia by stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve is blunted at the onset of voluntary static exercise in conscious cats. Central command may contribute to the blunted bradycardia, because the most blunted bradycardia occurs immediately before exercise or when a forelimb is extended before force development. However, it remained unknown whether the blunted bradycardia is due to either reduced sensitivity of the baroreflex stimulus-response curve or resetting of the curve toward a higher blood pressure. To determine this, we examined the stimulus-response relationship between systolic (SAP) or mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) at the onset of and during the later period of static exercise in seven cats (n = 348 trials) by changing arterial pressure with infusion of nitroprusside and phenylephrine or norepinephrine. The slope of the MAP-HR curve decreased at the onset of exercise to 48% of the preexercise value (2.9 +/- 0.4 beats x min(-1) x mmHg(-1)); the slope of the SAP-HR curve decreased to 59%. The threshold blood pressures of the stimulus-response curves, at which HR started to fall due to arterial baroreflex, were not affected. In contrast, the slopes of the stimulus-response curves during the later period of exercise returned near the preexercise levels, whereas the threshold blood pressures elevated 6-8 mmHg. The maximal plateau level of HR was not different before and during static exercise, denying an upward shift of the baroreflex stimulus-response curves. Thus central command is likely to attenuate sensitivity of the cardiac component of arterial baroreflex at the onset of voluntary static exercise without shifting the stimulus-response curve.     

Holding potential affects the apparent voltage-sensitivity of sodium channel activation in crayfish giant axons.

Sodium channel activations, measured as the fraction of channels open to peak conductance for different test potentials (F[V]), shows two statistically different slopes from holding potential more positive than -90 mV. A high valence of 4-6e is indicated a test potentials within 35 mV of the apparent threshold potential (circa -65 mV at -85 mV holding potential). However, for test potentials positive to -30 mV, the F(V) curve shows a 2e valence. The F(V) curve for crayfish axon sodium channels at these "depolarized" holding potentials thus closely resembles classic data obtained from other preparations at holding potentials between -80 and -60 mV. In contrast, at holding potentials more negative than -100 mV, the high slope essentially disappears and the F(V) curve follows a single Boltzmann distribution with a valence of approximately 2e at all potentials. Neither the slope of this simple distribution nor its midpoint (-20 mV) was significantly affected by removal of fast inactivation with pronase. The change in F(V) slope, when holding potential is increased from -85 to -120 mV, does not appear to be caused by the contribution of a second channel type. The simple voltage dependence of sodium current found at Vh -120 mV be used by to discriminate between models of sodium channel activation, and rules out models with three particles of equal valence.     

Responses to features of the calling song by ascending auditory interneurones in the cricket Gryllus campestris

ABSTRACT. In female Gryllus campestris L., three functional types of ascending auditory intemeurones have been studied by recording from them extracellularly in the split cervical connectives using suction electrodes. Type 1 neurones are characterized by an optimal sensitivity to the carrier frequency of the species calling song (4–5 kHz). They copy the syllable and pause structure of the call at all intensities. The patterned spike discharge is observable at least 8 dB above absolute threshold. With suprathreshold stimulation, the neurones exhibit maximal responses (number of spikes/chirp) around the carrier frequency. The intensity response curves are approximately linear in the range of 40–90 dB SPL. The envelope of each syllable is reflected by a corresponding change in the firing rate, and syllable periods of 24ms and longer are resolved. This type can be considered as a neural correlate for phonotactic behaviour of the female where the syllable period has been found to be the most important temporal parameter. Type 2 neurones are most sensitive in the range of 4–6 and 11–13 kHz. They copy the syllable and pause structure of the species calling song at low and moderate intensities. However, the spikes invade the intersyllable pauses, when stimulated with the calling song at higher intensities (above 85 dB). This is particularly apparent at the onset of a chirp series. The slope of the intensity—response curve mimics that of type 1 units. The neurones cannot follow syllable periods shorter than 32 ms. Type 3 neurones differ from types 1 and 2 by a rather broad-band sensitivity in the range of 3–16 kHz, and in copying the chirp as a whole. Even at low stimulus intensities, the intersyllable pauses are filled with spikes, and information about the syllable—pause structure is lost. Stimulation with suprathreshold intensities gives rise to a rather uniform, broad-band response without distinctive peaks. The intensity—response curve is characterized by a higher absolute threshold, and by the reduction in the response magnitude starting above 70–80 dB. These units are not suitable for copying the calling song temporal structure in detail, but would indicate the chirping rhythm. Their strong response in the range of the species courtship song carrier frequency make them suitable to copy the courtship song.     

Experimental functional response and inter-individual variation in foraging rate of teal (Anas crecca)

The functional response, i.e. the change in per capita food intake rate per time unit with changed food availability, is a widely used tool for understanding the ecology and behaviour of animals. However, waterfowl remain poorly explored in this context. In an aviary experiment we derived a functional response curve for teal (Anas crecca) foraging on rice (Oryza sativa) seeds. We found a linear relationship between intake rate and seed density, as expected for a filter-feeder. At high seed densities we found a threshold, above which intake rate still increased linearly but with a lower slope, possibly reflecting a switch from filter-feeding to a scooping foraging mode. The present study shows that food intake rate in teal is linearly related to food availability within the range of naturally occurring seed densities, a finding with major implications for management and conservation of wetland habitats.     

Genetics of histocompatibility in mice

The response to spleen cells incompatible at defined histocompatibility, H, loci was studied using the popliteal lymph-node enlargement test to establish its applicability as a method for detecting minor H antigens. This test was able to detect H-2 and H-Y antigens as well as most of the minor H antigens represented by 23 different strains congenic with C57BL/6By. Responses of both naive and immunized recipients were examined, and time-courses of the response were obtained for ten donor strains. These curves revealed that different antigens elicited responses that differed in timing and magnitude of peak enlargements, and that the two parameters were not closely correlated. Both the peak magnitude and the slope of the primary response were correlated with skin-graft rejection, however. The response to individual minor antigens did not appear to be dose-dependent above a threshold. Irradiation of donor cells had strain-dependent effects on the elicited response. Irradiation of recipients appeared to abrogate the primary response but not the responses of previously primed recipients in the combination tested. None of the responses studied had any demonstrable graft-versus-host component.     

Hill Coefficients of a Polymodal Monod-Wyman-Changeux Model for Ion Channel Gating

Allosteric transitions of ion channels can be driven by multiple sources of free energies. One class of model for describing such transitions is the multistimulus Monod-Wyman-Changeux model, in which each stimulus interacts with a specific sensor on the protein and activation of the sensor is allosterically coupled to conformational changes of the protein. In general, when a protein is stressed by multiple stimuli, one stimulus can influence the response to another, which can result in both a shift of the midpoint of the dose-response curve and a change of the slope of the curve. Here I show that, for a Monod-Wyman-Changeux model with independent sensors, the different dose-response curves of open probability for one stimulus have the same slope at the same agonist concentration. In the other words, the slope of the dose-response curve for one stimulus is an intrinsic property of the sensors for that stimulus; it is independent of other stimuli or their sensor properties. As the dose-response curve for many receptors can be fit to a Boltzmann or Hill equation, this property provides a practical, usable test for applicability of such models.     

Optimization of the method of progressive hypercapnia by determination of the sensitivity threshold

Ventilatory response to CO2 rebreathing is a method which allows to evaluate the reactivity of chemoreceptors. However this method doesn't study the sensibility threshold, i.e. the Pe.t.CO2 value for which the ventilatory response appears clearly. This sensibility threshold was measured in 10 healthy subjects by rebreathing a gas mixture: 7% CO2 and 50% O2 to avoid hypoxy. It was defined as the value of Pe.t.CO2 for which the ventilation was above the tidal ventilation + 2 standard deviations. The sensibility threshold (51 +/- 4.35 mm Hg) was independent of the reactivity slope represented by the slope of the linear relation between minute ventilation (VE) and Pe.t.CO2 (1.34 +/- 0.60 l/min/mm Hg/m2) and consequently appears as an interesting parameter in order to evaluate the ventilatory response to CO2 by rebreathing.     

Model-based optimization of a conductive matrix enzyme electrode

A mathematical model has been developed to describe the mechanism for internal mass transfer and enzyme reaction kinetics of an amperometric conductive matrix enzyme electrode. The model is simplified and solved analytically to arrive at a representation for the response slope in the linear range as well as for the response time. This is the first time that the response time of an enzyme electrode is described by a mathematical model. Simulations give information on how the design parameters influence the performance of the electrode for a glucose oxidase catalyzed sensing reaction process. Based on this information, several designs were constructed and tested showing suitable agreement with theoretical predictions. Finally, an optimized electrode was designed and validated.     

Method of determining the molar concentration of proteinase inhibitors and their affinity for the enzymes

This paper describes a graphic method for measuring the affinity and molar concentration of proteinase inhibitors from different sources, using data on the titration of the inhibitor by the enzyme of a known molar concentration. Linearization of experimental data in the (formula; see text) coordinates makes it possible to measure the value Ki with respect to the slope of the curve and to determine the inhibitor concentration with respect to the curve intercept with the ordinate axis. The method can be used to characterize proteinase inhibitors during microbial screening and at certain purification stages.     

Are Large, Infrequent Disturbances Qualitatively Different from Small, Frequent Disturbances?

In this article, we develop a heuristic model of ecosystem-disturbance dynamics that illustrates a range of responses of disturbance impact to gradients of increasing disturbance extent, intensity, or duration. Three general kinds of response are identified and illustrated: (a) threshold response, (b) scale-independent response, and (c) continuous response. Threshold responses are those in which the response curve shows a discontinuity or a sudden change in slope along the axis of increasing disturbance extent, intensity, or duration. The response threshold occurs at a point where the force of the disturbance exceeds the capacity of internal mechanisms to resist disturbance, or where new mechanisms of recovery become involved. Within this conceptual framework, we find that some unusually large or intense disturbances, but not all, produce qualitatively different responses compared with similar disturbances of lesser magnitude. If disturbance impact does not increase with increasing disturbance extent, intensity, or duration, or if the response curve changes monotonically, then large disturbances are not qualitatively different from small ones. For example, jack pine tends to become reestablished after stand-replacing fire in boreal forests, regardless of fire size, because its serotinous cones provide an adequate seed source throughout the burned area. Thus, large fires are not qualitatively different from small fires in terms of jack pine reproduction. However, if disturbance impact does increase abruptly at some point with increasing disturbance extent, intensity, or duration, often because of thresholds in the capacity of internal mechanisms to resist or respond to disturbance impact, then large disturbances are qualitatively different from small ones, at least for some parameters of ecological response. For example, balsam fir and white cedar can recolonize a small burned patch of boreal forest in close proximity to surviving individuals of these species, but they will be eliminated from a large burn because of their susceptibility to fire-caused mortality and their inability to disperse their seeds over long distances. The conceptual framework presented here permits some new insights into the dynamics of natural systems and may provide a useful tool with which managers can assess the potential for catastrophic damages resulting from large, infrequent disturbances. Received 14 July 1998; accepted 29 September 1998     

Comparison of cytogenic response of human lymphocytes to in vivo and in vitro exposure to low doses of gamma-rays. Unstable chromosomal exchanges detected by FPG techniques

On peripheral lymphocytes of eight cancer patients undergone whole-body therapeutic irradiation (at daily dose of 10 cGy up to total dose of 50 cGy of 60Co gamma-rays) the dose-response of unstable chromosome exchanges (dicentrics and centric rings) was studied. This dose response fitted well linear function. The lower slope of dose-response curve was found for in vivo irradiated lymphocytes as compared to the dose response curve obtained for in vitro irradiated lymphocytes of the same patients. This finding seems to provide evidence that in case of protracted irradiation of individuals an absorbed dose could be underestimated if for biological dosimetry an in vitro dose response curve for unstable chromosome aberrations is used as referent one.     

Catabolic enzyme levels in bacteria grown on binary and ternary substrate mixtures in continuous culture

Bacteria grow on multicomponent substrates in most natural and engineered environments. To advance our ability to model bacterial growth on such substrates, axenic cultures were grown in chemostats at a low specific growth rate and a constant total energy flux on binary and ternary substrate mixtures and were assayed for key catabolic enzymes for each substrate. The substrates were benzoate, salicylate, and glucose, and the enzymes were catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, respectively. The binary mixtures were salicylate with benzoate and salicylate with glucose. Measurements were also made of oxygen uptake rate by whole cells in response to each substrate. The effects of the substrate mixture on the oxygen uptake rate paralleled the effects on the measured enzymes. Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase exhibited a threshold response before synthesis occurred. Below the threshold flux of benzoate through the chemostat, either basal enzyme levels or nonspecific enzymes kept reactor concentrations too low for enzyme synthesis. Above the threshold, enzyme levels were linearly related to the fraction of the total energy flux through the chemostat due to benzoate. Gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase exhibited a linear response to the salicylate flux when mixed with benzoate, but a threshold response when mixed with glucose. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity increased in direct proportion to the glucose flux through the chemostat over the entire range studied. The results from two ternary mixtures were consistent with those from the binary mixtures.