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The spatial distribution of attentional selectivity in touch: evidence from somatosensory ERP components.

OBJECTIVE: Somatosensory event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were measured to investigate the spatial distribution of selective attention in touch, and whether the focus of tactile attention can be split between non-contiguous areas of the body surface. METHODS: On each trial, vibratory tactile stimuli were delivered to one of 4 possible locations of the right hand. Participants had to attend to either one or two locations in order to detect infrequently presented target stimuli there. ERPs were recorded to tactile non-targets at attended and unattended locations. RESULTS: Attention directed to one finger versus another was reflected by amplitude modulations of the sensory-specific P100 component and a subsequent attentional negativity (Nd). These effects were smaller for within-finger as compared to between-finger selection. When attention was directed simultaneously to non-adjacent fingers, ERPs in response to stimuli delivered to spatially and anatomically intervening fingers showed no attentional modulations whatsoever. CONCLUSIONS: Allocating tactile-spatial attention to one finger versus another affects early modality-specific somatosensory processing stages, and these effects of within-hand attentional selectivity decrease gradually with increasing distance from the current attentional focus. Unlike vision, the focus of tactile attention can be split, and directed simultaneously to non-adjacent areas, thus excluding spatially and anatomically intermediate regions from attentional processing.

Adult↗

Spin-echo fluorine magnetic resonance imaging at 2 T: in vivo spatial distribution of halothane in the rabbit head.

Spin-echo 19F magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 2.0 T to explore the in vivo spatial distribution of halothane in the rabbit head. Because the halothane concentration is low in vivo, and because the measured relaxation times of the 19F resonance peak for halothane were T1 approximately equal to 1.0 sec and T2 approximately equal to 3.5-65 msec, 1-3-h imaging times were required (TR = 1 sec, TE = 9 msec) in order to obtain adequate images with a 64 X 256 raw data matrix and a 20-mm slice thickness. With this technique, halothane was primarily detected in lipophilic regions of the rabbit head, but little or no halothane was observed in brain tissue. Because T2 was shorter in brain tissue than in surrounding fat, a shorter TE than we could obtain is needed for optimal spin-echo imaging of brain halothane.

Animals↗

Unbiased estimators for spatial distribution functions of classical fluids.

We use a statistical-mechanical identity closely related to the familiar virial theorem, to derive unbiased estimators for spatial distribution functions of classical fluids. In particular, we obtain estimators for both the fluid density rho(r) in the vicinity of a fixed solute and the pair correlation g(r) of a homogeneous classical fluid. We illustrate the utility of our estimators with numerical examples, which reveal advantages over traditional histogram-based methods of computing such distributions.

Journal Article↗

Temporal-spatial distribution of SP-B and SP-C proteins and mRNAs in developing respiratory epithelium of human lung.

We determined the temporal and spatial distribution of surfactant protein B (pro-SP-B) and C (pro-SP-C) mRNAs and proteins by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in fetal, neonatal, and adult human lung. Pro-SP-B and SP-B mRNA were detected in bronchi and bronchioles by 15 weeks' gestation. After 25 weeks, pro-SP-B, active SP-B peptide, and SP-B mRNA were co-localized in bronchiolo-alveolar portal cells and in Type II epithelial cells. In adult lung, pro-SP-B and SP-B mRNA were detected primarily in non-ciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells and in Type II cells in the alveolus. Pro-SP-C and SP-C mRNA were detected in cells lining terminal airways from 15 weeks' gestation and thereafter. After 25 weeks, SP-C mRNA and precursor protein were detected in epithelial cells of the bronchiolo-alveolar portals and in Type II cells, where expression increased with advancing gestational age. Distinct cellular patterns of staining for pro-SP-B compared with SP-B active peptide support the concept that its proteolytic processing or cellular routing may be influenced by cell type and/or cell differentiation. SP-B and SP-C are expressed primarily in distal conducting and terminal airway epithelium of human fetal lung well in advance of surfactant lipid synthesis or physiologic requirements to produce pulmonary surfactant at the time of birth.

Adult↗

The spectrum and spatial distribution of cyanogen in comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at large heliocentric distance.

Optical spectra of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at a heliocentric distance of 6.45 astronomical units showed emission from cyanogen gas. The spatial distribution of cyanogen was considerably more diffuse and extended compared to the spatial profile of the dust or grains which were sharply peaked near the center. This behavior is consistent with comets at smaller heliocentric distances suggesting the same or a similar formation mechanism. A cyanogen gas production rate of (1.2 +/- 0.3) x10(26) molecules per second was derived. A model band profile derived from fluorescence equilibrium calculations for the comet's heliocentric velocity and distance agrees with the observed band profile.

Cosmic Dust↗

[Spatial distribution of water quality in Xiangxi River, China].

Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of water samples collected from 19 sampling sites along Xiangxi River. The result of cluster analysis showed that Xiangxi River could be divided into three reaches, which belonged to different sub-basins. The principle component analysis on each reach showed that the main information of water quality was different from each other. In the upper reach, the main information of river water quality was hardness and total alkalinity; in the middle reach, the main information was dissolved phosphorus, total phosphorus and Cl-, in the lower reach, the main information was pH, NO2(-)-N, total nitrogen and COD. Furthermore, considering the geographical and environmental backgrounds of the Xiangxi River basin, the reason that caused the different distribution pattern of water quality in Xiangxi River was discussed. Hence, a simple approach to analyze the spatial distribution of water quality was provided.

Cluster Analysis↗

Spatial distribution of proliferating cells in avian sarcoma virus-induced gliomas.

We studied the regional distribution of proliferating tumor cells in five avian sarcoma virus-induced gliomas. The labeling index and spatial distribution of [3H]thymidine (dThd)-labeled tumor cells were determined in serial sections of each tumor with a computer-assisted digitizing system. The density of [3H]dThd-labeled cells showed marked regional variation in each tumor, and the ratio of the density of [3H]dThd-labeled cells in tumor periphery to tumor center varied from 0.86 to 1.38. The labeling index generally, but not always, reflected [3H]dThd-labeled cell density. This study indicates that proliferating pools of glioma tumor cells exhibit regional variability in concentration and that the highest numbers of proliferating cells may be predominantly located in central regions of tumor and not in tumor periphery as assumed previously. In all tumors, large numbers of proliferating cells were present in all parts of the tumor.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution of cardiac transmembrane potentials around an extracellular electrode: dependence on fiber orientation.

Recent theoretical models of cardiac electrical stimulation or defibrillation predict a complex spatial pattern of transmembrane potential (Vm) around a stimulating electrode, resulting from the formation of virtual electrodes of reversed polarity. The pattern of membrane polarization has been attributed to the anisotropic structure of the tissue. To verify such model predictions experimentally, an optical technique using a fluorescent voltage-sensitive dye was used to map the spatial distribution of Vm around a 150-microns-radius extracellular unipolar electrode. An S1-S2 stimulation protocol was used, and vm was measured during an S2 pulse having an intensity equal to 10x the cathodal diastolic threshold of excitation. The recordings were obtained on the endocardial surface of bullfrog atrium in directions parallel and perpendicular to the cardiac fibers. In the longitudinal fiber direction, the membrane depolarized for cathodal pulses (and hyperpolarized for anodal pulses) but only in a region within 445 +/- 112 microns (and 616 +/- 78 microns for anodal pulses) from the center of the electrode (n = 9). Outside this region, vm reversed polarity and reached a local maximum at 922 +/- 136 microns (and 988 +/- 117 microns for anodal pulses) (n = 9). Beyond this point vm decayed to zero over a distance of 1.5-2 mm. In the transverse fiber direction, the membrane depolarized for cathodal pulses (and hyperpolarized for anodal pulses) at all distances from the electrode. The amplitude of the response decreased with distance from the electrode with an exponential decay constant of 343 +/- 110 microns for cathodal pulses and 253 +/- 91 microns for anodal pulses (n = 7). The results were qualitatively similar in both fiber directions when the atrium was bathed in a solution containing ionic channel blockers. A two-dimensional computer model was formulated for the case of highly anisotropic cardiac tissue and qualitatively accounts for nearly all the observed spatial and temporal behavior of vm in the two fiber directions. The relationships between vm and both the "activating function" and extracellular potential gradient are discussed.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution of recurrent inhibitory synapses on spinal motoneurons in the cat.

1. Intracellular staining of Renshaw cells and alpha motoneurons was used to determine the spatial distribution of recurrent inhibitory synapses on spinal motoneurons in the cat. In each experiment, a Renshaw cell and one or more possible target motoneurons were labeled with horseradish peroxidase after physiological identification. 2. Paris of labeled neurons were reconstructed and measured at the light microscopic level. As defined by light microscopy, presumed synaptic contacts between nine Renshaw cells and 10 postsynaptic motoneurons were observed. On average, each Renshaw cell made three synaptic contacts (range 1-9) on each motoneuron. 3. Electron microscopic confirmation of several presumed contacts provided evidence that the appositions identified by light microscopic criteria are genuine contacts between Renshaw cell boutons and the labeled motoneuron. 4. All of the identified synapses observed in these experiments were located on motoneuron dendrites, between 65 and 706 microns from the soma. Use of a simplified cable model indicated that the synapses are electrotonically close to the soma, the average location being approximately 0.25 length constants from the soma (range 0.04-0.82 lambda). 5. These observations provide direct evidence to support the hypothesis that Renshaw cell synapses on motoneurons are located on the dendrites and not on the cell body (whereas reciprocal inhibitory synapses, from Ia inhibitory interneurons, are predominantly located on the soma). The functional significance of the observed distribution of Renshaw inhibitory synapses is discussed. One possibility is that the recurrent inhibitory pathway selectively inhibits particular dendritic inputs.

Animals↗

Change in spatial distribution patterns of a biennial plant between growth stages and generations in a patchy habitat.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate factors causing change in spatial distribution patterns of plants between growth stages and generations for a monocarpic biennial plant, Lysimachia rubida. It was assumed that habitat heterogeneity was a primary factor determining spatial patterns of plants, and a randomization procedure was developed for testing the null hypothesis that only spatial association with ground surface conditions determined spatial patterns of plants. METHODS: A 5-year demographic census was conducted on an open dry habitat that was heterogeneous with regard to the ground surface conditions. KEY RESULTS: There was significant habitat association in that plants at vegetative and reproductive stages were denser in areas with smaller gravel than with larger gravel. Point process analyses rejected the null hypothesis of the spatial association with ground surface conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that other factors, such as patchy seed dispersal, secondary dispersal of the seeds and life-history variation at various spatial scales, also affected spatial patterns of individuals in a population of L. rubida. Spatial structures and dynamics of a local population in a patchy habitat represent various performances of plants within patches and seed dispersal within a patch and beyond the patch.

Ecosystem↗

Seasonal and spatial distribution of nonylphenol and IBP in Saemangeum Bay, Korea.

In order to investigate spatial and temporal distribution of organic pollutants in the Saemangeum Bay, organophosphorus pesticides (10), alkylphenols (8), chlorophenols (2), bisphenol A were analyzed from the surface seawater taken in 2002-2003. Most of the analytes were not detected in all stations except nonylphenol and S-benzyl-O,O-di-isopropyl phosphorothioate (IBP). Concentrations of nonylphenol and IBP ranged from ND to 298 ng/l and from ND to 1840 ng/l, respectively. The high levels of nonylphenol and IBP were found in the estuary areas of Mangyeong and Dongjin River. The levels of nonylphenol and IBP in surface seawater varied through seasons and the high levels of nonylphenol and IBP were in summer season (August). Based on real time monitoring of IBP and on correlation between concentrations of target compounds and contents of salinity in seawater, physical mixing and diffusion of seawater were found to be the major factors that affect the spatial distribution of IBP and nonylphenol in the Saemangeum Bay environment.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Spatial distribution of yolk platelets and fat droplets in oocytes and cleaving embryos of the common frog (Rana temporaria) and toad (Bufo bufo).

Animal-vegetal gradients of fat droplets and yolk platelets have been quantitatively determined in mature oocytes and in cleaving embryos in two anuran species Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo using stereological methods. Volume densities Vv which describe properly the amount of nutrients in embryos have been used during the measurements. The embryos till the stage of late blastula are spherical: the spherical form is not distorted even by blastocoel forming eccentrically, in the animal hemisphere. Increased diameters during cleavage, which have been observed in the two species, can be ascribed to growth of the blastocoel and increased number of blastomeres while the quantity of the cytoplasm does not increase. The volume densities of yolk platelets and fat droplets per unit of cytoplasm volume remains constant throughout the cleavage. Volume densities change along the animal-vegetal axis in accordance with the course of the 3rd polynomial depending on the distance of the area under study from the vegetative pole f: y-->Vv, f = ay3 + by2 + cy + d. Parameters of fitting functions a, b, c and d change considerably during development of the embryo, which proves reorganisation of the cytoplasm during cleavage: the most significant changes occur from fertilisation to the four-cell stage and during growth of the blastocoel from morula to late blastula stage. Distortion of the axial symmetry of yolk platelet distribution in embryos occurring after fertilisation is not extensive in the two studied species. The mathematical model of spatial distribution of yolk platelets and fat droplets in oocytes and cleaving embryos in the studied anuran species was proposed using the above data.

Animals↗

Quantitative spatial distributions of calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur in calcifying epiphysis by high resolution electron spectroscopic imaging.

Electron spectroscopic imaging, a new technique that permits the quantitative detection of the spatial distributions of atomic elements at high resolution, has been applied to the epiphyseal zone of hypertrophy in the mouse for the visualization of calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur. Longitudinally sectioned epiphyseal growth plates reveal a developmental sequence in the longitudinal septum leading from a noncalcified matrix to a calcified matrix. During the early stages of this transition, matrix granules containing highly localized concentrations of P (200-400 atoms/nm2) are found spatially separate from Ca-containing sites. These Ca localizations displayed a concentration range of 20-350 atoms/nm2 and a complete spatial overlap with sulfur. At these sites, S levels range from 10 to 200 atoms/nm2. At a later stage, and therefore more proximal to the zone of provisional calcification, the usual scattered, irregularly shaped mineral deposits are found. These sites contain a virtual superposition of Ca with both P and S. The Ca/P and Ca/S ratios of these mineral deposits are predominantly 1.0 with only minor, locally varying ratios present.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution of [14C]-lidocaine and blood flow in transmural and lateral border zones of ischemic canine myocardium.

The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of lidocaine relative to blood flow in ischemic, normal and border zone canine myocardium. Ischemic zone tissue was distinguished from normal zone tissue by a special microsphere technique in adjacent sections 4 to 5 mm wide from the center to the lateral border of the ischemic region in 14 open chest dogs. Gamma-labeled microspheres were separated by a special technique from carbon-14 ([14C])-lidocaine in the same tissue sample. Blood flow (mean value +/- 1 standard deviation) was reduced to 46 +/- 25 percent of normal in the ischemic subepicardium and 17 +/- 18 percent of normal in the subendocardium. [14C]-lidocaine was 0.56 +/- 0.12 microgram/g in normal myocardium 10 minutes after bolus injection of [14C]-lidocaine; it was reduced to 91 +/- 15 percent of normal in ischemic subepicardium and 58 +/- 12 percent of normal in the subendocardium. Blood flow and lidocaine concentration were uniformly lowest in gross samples from the central and intermediate ischemic zones, and highest in the gross samples from the border normal zone (p less than 0.05). The values for flow and lidocaine in samples from the border ischemic zone were intermediate, that is, higher than values from central ischemic (p less than 0.05) and lower than values from border normal zone samples (p less than 0.05). However, the labeling technique for normal zone tissue revealed that the values of blood flow and lidocaine in the gross samples from the lateral border of the ischemic zone were intermediate between those of adjacent ischemic and normal samples because of the mixture of overlapping normal and ischemic tissues components--not because of a unique mildly ischemic region. Both blood flow and lidocaine concentration were lower in the subendocardial third than in the subepicardial third of the ischemic zone (p less than 0.05) even after the contribution of normal zone tissue was subtracted, suggesting a gradient of ischemia across the transmural border zone. In conclusion, lidocaine is distributed uniformly in ischemic components from the center to the lateral border of the ischemic zone, but there is an endocardial to epicardial gradient. Both lateral and transmural border zone distributions must be considered to understand the mechanisms of drug effects in myocardial ischemia.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution patterns of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the dendritic tree differ between jaw-closing and -opening motoneurons.

This paper reviews recent data on the spatial distribution of inhibitory and excitatory synapses on the dendritic tree of jaw-closing (JC) and -opening (JO) motoneurons in the cat, in which a combination of techniques employing intracellular injections of horseradish peroxidase and postembedding immunogold labelling was used. The dendritic tree is divided into three segments: primary and distal dendrites and intermediate dendrites between the two segments. The proportion of inhibitory boutons (immunoreactive for GABA and/or glycine) is slightly higher than proportion of excitatory boutons (immunoreactive for glutamate) in JC motoneurons, but this trend is reversed in JO motoneurons. In the two kinds of motoneuron, boutons immunoreactive to glycine alone are more numerous than boutons double-labelled to GABA and glycine, which, in turn, occur more frequently than boutons immunoreactive to GABA alone. In JC motoneurons, the packing density (number of boutons per 100 microm(2)) of the inhibitory boutons decreases somatofugally, but this trend is not applicable to the excitatory boutons. In contrast, the packing density of the inhibitory and excitatory boutons in JO motoneurons does not significantly differ among the three dendritic compartments, though it is slightly higher for the excitatory than the inhibitory ones on each dendritic segment. These differences have important implications for synaptic integration in JC and JO motoneurons.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution of nerve sprouting after myocardial infarction in mice.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) elicits nerve sprouting. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of nerve sprouting and neurotrophic gene expression after MI. METHODS: We created MI in mice by coronary artery ligation. The hearts were removed 3 hours to 2 months after MI and examined for nerve fiber density and neurotrophic factor gene expression using Affymetrix microarray and mRNA analyses. RESULTS: The density of nerve fibers immunopositive for growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 was the highest 3 hours after MI both in the peri-infarct area and in the area remote to infarct, resulting in sympathetic (but not parasympathetic) hyperinnervation in the ventricles. The GAP-43-positive nerve fiber density of myocardium was greater in the outer transverse loop than in the inner vertical loop. The differences between these two myocardial loops peaked within 3 hours after MI and persisted for 2 months afterward. Gene expression of nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, transforming growth factor-beta(3), and interleukin-1alpha was increased up to 2 months after MI compared with normal control. Expression of these growth factors was more pronounced and persistent in the peri-infarct area than in the remote area. CONCLUSION: MI induces sympathetic nerve sprouting in both peri-infarct and remote areas, more in the outer transverse loop. Selective up-regulation of nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, transforming growth factor-beta(3), and interleukin-1alpha occurred in the peri-infarct area and, to a lesser extent, in the remote area.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution of total Hg in urban soils from an Atlantic coastal city (Aveiro, Portugal).

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels and the spatial distribution of total Hg concentrations in soils from the urban area of Aveiro (Portugal) in order to assess the impact of industrial activities and identified Hg emission sources in these urban soils. For this purpose, soils were collected in 25 sampling points (at two depths) within the urban perimeter and in places considered representative of the main green areas of the city. A median concentration of 0.091 mg kg(-1) (dry weight) was obtained, regardless the depth. Aveiro was considered a low polluted city in terms of total Hg and no direct effects of emissions of Hg from industrial activities nearby could be detected in these urban soils. Despite of the low values obtained, high variability (range of approximately 0.5 mg kg(-1)) was observed in the results. Such was considered to be related to characteristic features of soils in urban settings and to the behaviour of Hg in the urban environment.

Chemical Industry↗

Spatial distribution and speciation of lead around corroding bullets in a shooting range soil studied by micro-X-ray fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy.

We investigated the spatial distribution and speciation of Pb in the weathering crust and soil surrounding corroding metallic Pb bullets in a shooting range soil. The soil had a neutral pH, loamy texture, and was highly contaminated with Pb, with total Pb concentrations in the surface soil up to 68 000 mg kg(-1). Undisturbed soil samples containing corroding bullets were collected and embedded in resin, and polished sections were prepared for micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) elemental mapping and micro-X-ray absorption near edge structure (micro-XANES) spectroscopy. Bullet weathering crust material was separated from the metallic Pb cores and analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Our results show a steep decrease in total Pb concentrations from the bullet weathering crust into the surrounding soil matrix. The weathering crust consisted of a mixture of litharge [alpha-PbO], hydrocerussite [Pb3(CO3)2-(OH)2], and cerussite [PbCO3], with litharge dominating near the metallic Pb core and cerussite dominating in the outer crust, which is in contact with the soil matrix. On the basis of these results and thermodynamic considerations, we propose that the transition of Pb species after oxidation of Pb(O) to Pb(II) follows the sequence litharge --> hydrocerussite --> cerussite. Consequently, the solubility of cerussite limits the activity of Pb2+ in the soil solution in contact with weathering bullets to < or =1.28 x 10(-6) at pH 7, assuming that the CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) in the soil is equal or larger than in the atmosphere (PCO2 > or = 0.000 35 atm).

Corrosion↗