In Vivo Electrophysiology of Peptidergic Neurons in Deep Layers of the Lumbar Spinal Cord after Optogenetic Stimulation of Hypothalamic Paraventricular Oxytocin Neurons in Rats

The spinal ejaculation generator (SEG) is located in the central gray (lamina X) of the rat lumbar spinal cord and plays a pivotal role in the ejaculatory reflex. We recently reported that SEG neurons express the oxytocin receptor and are activated by oxytocin projections from the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVH). However, it is unknown whether the SEG responds to oxytocin in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of the brain–spinal cord neural circuit that controls male sexual function using a newly developed in vivo electrophysiological technique. Optogenetic stimulation of the PVH of rats expressing channel rhodopsin under the oxytocin receptor promoter increased the spontaneous firing of most lamina X SEG neurons. This is the first demonstration of the in vivo electrical response from the deeper (lamina X) neurons in the spinal cord. Furthermore, we succeeded in the in vivo whole-cell recordings of lamina X neurons. In vivo whole-cell recordings may reveal the features of lamina X SEG neurons, including differences in neurotransmitters and response to stimulation. Taken together, these results suggest that in vivo electrophysiological stimulation can elucidate the neurophysiological response of a variety of spinal neurons during male sexual behavior.     

Stabilizing and destabilizing effects of drug-excipient interactions in spray-dried,freeze-dried,and granulated Sennae fructus extracts

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare spray-dried and freeze-dried extracts of Sennae fructus regarding the stability of the sennosides. Therefore, the influence of the addition of maltodextrin (MD) not only before the drying processes but also during fluidized bed granulation was investigated. Analysis of the hygroscopicities, the simultaneous TGA-DSC-MS data, and the influence of storage revealed that spray-dried extracts are more stable than freeze-dried extracts. The addition of MD led to an even better stability of the extracts. Lower amounts of MD are sufficient if applied onto the surface of the native extract during fluidized bed granulation.     

Porosity measurements in suspension plasma sprayed YSZ coatings using NMR cryoporometry and X-ray microscopy

A large variety of coatings are used to protect structural engineering materials from corrosion, wear, and erosion, and to provide thermal insulation. In this work, yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings produced by suspension plasma spraying were investigated with respect to their microstructure and especially their porosity, as the porosity affects the thermal insulation of the underlying component. To determine porosity, pore size distribution, and pore shape, the coatings were investigated using novel advanced characterization techniques like NMR cryoporometry and X-ray microscopy. In general, the porosity is inhomogeneously distributed and the coatings showed a large variety of pore sizes ranging from a few nanometers to micrometers.     

Degradation studies of epoxy coatings on printed circuit boards after pressure cooker test

The present work focuses on the investigation of the degradation of screen-printed epoxy coatings on printed circuit boards under multiple corrosion loads realized by the pressure cooker test (PCT). Since methods like the common mechanical shear strength tests are destructive and limited in information, the authors' approach used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to study the change of their electrochemical behavior and the state of degradation. Complementarily, the Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the possible molecular change of the polymer due to the exposition. The experiments were carried out after different times of load. It could be shown that the complex conditions of the PCT initiate a controversial mechanism. The harsh corrosion load already results in a degradation of the polymer after 8 h but simultaneously the enhanced test temperature leads to ongoing curing processes consuming the remaining parts of resin and curing agents. As a result, the degradation kinetic seems to be delayed and after the test time of 96 h, the epoxy is less degraded than it was expected based on the results after a shorter time exposition.     

Distinguishing between green building occupants’ reasoned and unplanned behaviours

Several frameworks incorporate social and psychological elements of environmentally significant behaviour, and most assume cognitive and deliberate decision-making. Household energy consumption behaviours, however, span a spectrum from reasoned and deliberate to unplanned and automatic. The aim of this paper is to advance knowledge of reasoned and unplanned behaviours in the context of pro-environmental action. Using results of a survey administered to occupants of an urban residential green building, this study explores five household consumption behaviours and tests the hypothesis that unplanned behaviours will be poorly predicted by a reasoned, values-based behavioural framework. Using path analyses, variables in a values-based framework are used to predict surveyed behaviours. Findings indicate that behaviours hypothesized to be unplanned were not well predicted by the values-based framework. The framework successfully predicted what was hypothesized to be a fully reasoned behaviour. Three potential reasons are discussed for the lack of prediction of some behaviours. A deeper understanding of how unplanned, automatic or habitual behaviours intervene in conservation intentions can help policy-makers and building designers better respond to influences of occupant behaviour on building performance.     

Cast Iron Inoculation Enhanced by Supplementary Oxy-sulfides Forming Elements

Inoculation is one of the most important metallurgical treatments applied to the molten cast iron immediately prior to casting, to promote solidification without excessive eutectic undercooling, which favors carbides formation usually with undesirable graphite morphologies. The paper focused on the separate addition of an inoculant enhancer alloy [S, O, oxy-sulfides forming elements] with a conventional Ca-FeSi alloy, in the production of gray and ductile cast irons. Carbides formation tendency decreased with improved graphite characteristics as an effect of the [Ca-FeSi + Enhancer] inoculation combination, when compared to other Ca/Ca, Ba/Ca, RE-FeSi alloy treatments. Adding an inoculant enhancer greatly enhances inoculation, lowers inoculant consumption up to 50% or more and avoids the need to use more costly inoculants, such as a rare earth bearing alloy. The Inoculation Specific Factor [ISF] was developed as a means to more realistically measure inoculant treatment efficiency. It compares the ratio between the improved characteristic level and total inoculant consumption for this effect. Addition of any of the commercial inoculants plus the inoculant enhancer offered outstanding inoculation power [increased ISF] even at higher solidification cooling rates, even though the total enhancer addition was at a small fraction of the amount of commercial inoculant used.     

In Situ Characterization of Internal Damage in TRIP‐Steel/Mg‐PSZ Composites under Compressive Stress Using X‐Ray Computed Tomography

An experimental setup for in situ investigations under compressive stress using laboratory X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) was developed and successfully tested. Complete deformation curves can be taken. It could be shown that XCT scans are possible during brakes of the stopped in situ experiments. In this way the deformation behavior of defined sample regions can be investigated. This kind of experiments is well suited to investigate the deformation behavior of foams and other samples which are transferable for the X‐rays used. The compression of metal matrix composite foams lead to the cooperative collapse of connected cells. We observed deformation bands arising in regions of smaller cell wall thicknesses. The deformation was dependent on size, shape, and orientation of the cells under consideration. Obviously deformation bands start at bigger cells with a small cell wall thickness and some extension perpendicular to the deformation direction. The rising of this kind of deformation bands can be explained by the dramatic change of the stress distribution in the neighbor cells after the first brake of a cell wall.     

Evaluating knowledge and capacity development in the water sector: challenges and progress

As knowledge and capacity development (KCD) is increasingly acknowledged as crucial for development, the need to evaluate its impact increases, too. However, evaluating KCD in practice remains a challenge. This article aims to synthesize the current wisdom on the topic of KCD evaluation in the water sector. We discuss two leading approaches to KCD (positivist and complex adaptive systems) and their associated evaluation paradigms, the major methodological challenges facing KCD evaluation, and progress made in that respect. The article provides insights for KCD practitioners and policy makers in the water sector that can help them improve their KCD evaluation practice.