Identification of the structure of large-scale MHD perturbations in a tokamak from Mirnov signals

An algorithm is proposed that allows one to identify the MHD mode structure in toroidal plasmas by processing signals from Mirnov probes measuring plasma MHD activity. The algorithm differs fundamentally from the diagnostic methods presently used in tokamaks, being simpler and more efficient. The algorithm is based on constructing an analytic signal using the Hilbert transformation of the Mirnov signals at a given instant. The phase and amplitude dependences obtained take into account the toroidal effects and allow one to determine the number and amplitude of the excited MHD mode. The algorithm was approbated with both test signals and actual signals from MHD diagnostics in the T-10 tokamak. It is demonstrated that the algorithm can be used to analyze single-mode MHD instabilities in toroidal plasmas.     

Distribution of matter in the current-carrying plasma and dense core of the discharge channel formed upon electrical wire explosion

Distribution of matter in the discharge channel formed upon a nanosecond electrical explosion of a single wire in air and vacuum was studied experimentally. Simultaneous use of optical, UV, and X-ray diagnostics made it possible to distinguish qualitatively different regions of the discharge channel, such as the current-carrying layers and the region occupied by a weakly conducting cold plasma. Several series of experiments with 25-μm-diameter 12-mm-long wires made of different materials were performed. The charging voltage and the current amplitude were varied in the ranges of U ₀ = 10–20 kV and I _max ∼ 5–10 kA, respectively. Explosion regimes with a current pause and with and without current interruption, as well as with wire preheating in air and vacuum, were studied. Shadow and schlieren images of the discharge channel were obtained using optical probing at the second harmonic of a YAG: Nd⁺³ laser (λ = 0.532 μm, τ ∼ 10 ns). In the experiments carried out in vacuum, X-ray images of the discharge channel were also obtained using an X-pinch as a point source of probing radiation and UV images were recorded using a four-frame MCP camera.     

Ca2+ channel antagonist actions in bladder smooth muscle: comparative pharmacologic and [3H]nitrendipine binding studies

The actions of a series of 15 Ca2+ channel antagonists including D-600, nifedipine, and diltiazem were examined against K+ depolarization and muscarinic receptor induced responses in guinea pig bladder smooth muscle. Responses of bladder are very dependent upon extracellular Ca2+ and sensitive to the Ca2+ channel antagonists, the tonic component more than the phasic component of response. Regardless of stimulant, K+ or methylfurmethide (MF), or component of response, the same rank order of antagonist activities is expressed, suggestive of a single structure-activity relationship and the existence of a single category of binding site which may, however, exist in several affinity states. High affinity binding of [3H]nitrendipine (KD = 1.1 X 10(-10) M) occurs in bladder membranes, and similar high affinity binding was found in microsomal preparations from other smooth muscles including guinea pig and rat lung, rat vas deferens, uterus, and stomach. [3H]nitrendipine binding in the bladder was sensitive to displacement by other 1,4-dihydropyridines, paralleling their pharmacologic activities and showing excellent agreement with binding data previously obtained for guinea pig ileal smooth muscle. Comparison of pharmacologic data for inhibition of K+- and MF-induced responses by a common series of Ca2+ channel antagonists in bladder and ileum revealed excellent correlations. Neither pharmacologic nor binding studies suggest significant differences in Ca2+ channel antagonist properties in smooth muscle from bladder and intestine.     

Structural transformations of arabinogalactan from the Siberian larch during mechanochemical processing and the biological properties of the products

It has been found by gel-penetrating chromatography and quantitative ¹³C NMR spectroscopy that mechanochemical processing of arabinogalactan isolated from the wood of the Siberian larch changes the molecular mass distribution, monosaccharide composition, and the degree of branching of its macromolecules. This is due to the partial destruction of polysaccharide macromolecules and subsequent recombination of resulting fragments. The intensity of these processes depends on the conditions of mechanochemical processing. Based on the data of IR and ¹³C NMR spectra, the conclusion has been drawn that no functionalization of arabinogalactan macromolecules occurs under these conditions. The toxicopharmacological properties of mechanically processed arabinogalactan have been studied. Its acute toxicity is >5000 mg/kg.     

Maleylated-BSA suppresses IFN-gamma-mediated Ia expression in murine peritoneal macrophages

Maleylated bovine serum albumin (maleyl-BSA) and other polyanionic polymers that are recognized by cell surface receptors on macrophages have been shown to induce chemotaxis, protease secretion, and tumoricidal function in this cell type. In this paper the effect of maleyl-BSA on Ia antigen expression has been evaluated. In a fashion similar to LPS, maleyl-BSA suppressed IFN-gamma-induced expression of Ia in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Also like LPS, maleyl-BSA stimulated the production and secretion of substantial amounts of PGE2 over a 24-hr period. This did not, however, appear to be the primary mechanism by which expression of Ia was suppressed, because co-treatment of the cells with indomethacin, which totally inhibited the production of PGE2, only minimally affected the suppressive activity. Surprisingly, the suppressive activity of both maleyl-BSA and LPS could be largely abrogated by co-treatment of the cells with cyclohexamide during the time period when Ia expression was sensitive to suppression. This effect was selective in that PGE2- or dibutyryl cyclic AMP-induced suppression of Ia expression was not affected by cyclohexamide treatment. The data support the concept that there are multiple molecular mechanisms involved in the negative regulation of IFN-gamma-induced Ia expression in macrophages. Such mechanisms may include, in addition to the synthesis of PGE2 and consequent elevation in intracellular levels of cyclic AMP, one or more proteins made early after treatment with either maleyl-BSA or LPS. Thus the function of some of these early gene products may be to regulate expression of functional genes such as that encoding Ia antigen.     

The influence of hormones and other substances on lens regeneration in vitro

Culturing the dorsal iris epithelium of a newt with a pituitary gland in organ culture greatly enhances the ability of the iris epithelium to produce advanced lens regenerates in vitro. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism by which the pituitary enhances lens regeneration irido-corneal complexes from adult newts were cultured in medium to which various substances had been added either singly or in numerous combinations. Prolactin, insulin, hydrocortisone, and thyroxine failed to enhance the production of advanced lens regenerates in any of the doses or combinations tested. Similarly, addition of 50 microgram/ml of sodium or calcium ascorbate had no effect on the progress of lens regeneration in vitro. Addition of dibutyryl cyclic-AMP caused an inhibition of depigmentation and regeneration at high doses. The results of these experiments show that the effects of the pituitary cannot be duplicated by hormones which other authors have asserted to be beneficial to limb or tail regenerates in vitro. The results with cyclic AMP suggest that prolonged exposure to high doses of cyclic AMP inhibit regeneration and indicate that further studies on the fluctations in cyclic AMP levels throughout the process of lens regeneration must be done.     

Unraveling the importance of rice fields for waterbird populations in Europe

Rice fields are an alternative habitat for waterbirds and provide food and shelter for many avian species, but there is a lack of information about how the use of rice fields translates into population level effects. The aim of this study was to test the relationship between the use of rice fields by European waterbirds and trends in their populations. We tested this relationship during the autumn migration season and during the breeding season. Based on counts conducted over the last 23 years in natural marshes and areas of rice fields in Doñana (SW Spain), an index of rice field use was constructed for 76 bird species, which was then compared to these species’ European population trends obtained from the literature. A positive relationship was found between waterbird population trends and the use of rice fields during autumn migration season. Our study suggests that changes in the Common Agriculture Policy in Europe leading to reductions in areas of rice cultivation may have important effects on waterbirds. The restoration of former marsh areas and the maintenance of rice cultivation would seem to be more environmentally friendly approaches than the use of these areas to grow alternative crops or solar farms.