Loss-of-function mutations in sodium channel Na_v1.7 cause anosmia

Weiss, Jan,Pyrski, Martina,Jacobi, Eric,Bufe, Bernd,Willnecker, Vivienne,Schick, Bernhard,Zizzari, Philippe,Gossage, Samuel J.,Greer, Charles A.,Leinders-Zufall, Trese,Woods, C. Geoffrey,Wood, John N. Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2011 Nature Vol.472 No.7342

Loss of function of the gene SCN9A, encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel Na<SUB>v</SUB>1.7, causes a congenital inability to experience pain in humans. Here we show that Na<SUB>v</SUB>1.7 is not only necessary for pain sensation but is also an essential requirement for odour perception in both mice and humans. We examined human patients with loss-of-function mutations in SCN9A and show that they are unable to sense odours. To establish the essential role of Na<SUB>v</SUB>1.7 in odour perception, we generated conditional null mice in which Na<SUB>v</SUB>1.7 was removed from all olfactory sensory neurons. In the absence of Na<SUB>v</SUB>1.7, these neurons still produce odour-evoked action potentials but fail to initiate synaptic signalling from their axon terminals at the first synapse in the olfactory system. The mutant mice no longer display vital, odour-guided behaviours such as innate odour recognition and avoidance, short-term odour learning, and maternal pup retrieval. Our study creates a mouse model of congenital general anosmia and provides new strategies to explore the genetic basis of the human sense of smell.

Impact of graphene nanoplatelet concentration and film thickness on vapor detection for polymer based chemiresistive sensors

Michael S. Wiederoder,Matthew Weiss,Bora Yoon,Randy C. Paffenroth,Shannon K. McGraw,Joshua R. Uzarski 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.9

Chemiresistive gas sensors utilizing graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-polymer film coated electrodes have great promise for electronic nose applications. In this study GNP-polycaprolactone (PCL) based sensors fabricated using airbrush deposition are exposed to ethanol as an example target analyte to investigate ideal parameters for sensing performance maximization. The ratio of GNP to PCL was investigated from 3 to 21 wt% with sensing response maximized at 15 wt% and signal to noise ratio (SNR) maximized at 18 wt%. The effect of average coating thickness on the sensing performance was investigated by depositing 50–250 μL of 18 wt% GNP solution (852–2030 nm). The response was maximized at 150 μL (1370 nm) and the SNR was maximized at 200 μL (1680 nm). The results are consistent with previous studies of vapor sensors that employ carbon black-polymer films as sensing materials. The fabricated devices were robust and repeatable with respect to initial resistance, depth, roughness, sensor response, and SNR. Overall the results elucidate important parameters for fabrication and development of GNP-polymer gas sensors for detection and discrimination of target analytes with electronic nose systems.

Climate Response to Imposed Solar Radiation Reductions in High Latitudes

Ho-Jeong Shin,Michael C. MacCracken,Ken Caldeira,George A. Ban-Weiss 한국기상학회 2013 한국기상학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.2013 No.4

New analysis of electron energy exchange and cooling in semiconductors (3 pages)

Chung, M.S.,Hong, S.C.,Mayer, A.,Cutler, P.H.,Weiss, B.L.,Miskovsky, N.M. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS 2008 APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS Vol.92 No.8

Surface measurements of the 5 June 2013 damaging thunderstorm wind event near Pep, Texas

Gunter, W. Scott,Schroeder, John L.,Weiss, Christopher C.,Bruning, Eric C. Techno-Press 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.24 No.2

High-resolution wind measurements at 2.25 m in height were used to investigate the mean and turbulence properties of an extreme thunderstorm wind event in West Texas. These data were combined with single Doppler scans from the Texas Tech University Ka-band mobile Doppler radars systems (TTUKa) to provide meteorological context over the surface measurement stations for portions of the outflow. Several features characteristic of a severe wind event were noted in the radar data, including a bowing portion of the thunderstorm complex and a small circulation on the leading edge. These features were reflected in the surface wind time histories and provided natural separation between various regions of the outflow. These features also contributed to the peak 1-s gust at all measurement stations. The turbulence characteristics of each outflow region were also investigated and compared. Reduced values of running turbulence intensity and elevated values of longitudinal integral scales were noted during the period of peak wind speed. Larger scales of turbulence within the outflow were also suggested via spectral analysis.

Surface measurements of the 5 June 2013 damaging thunderstorm wind event near Pep, Texas

W. Scott Gunter,John L. Schroeder,Christopher C. Weiss,Eric C. Bruning 한국풍공학회 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.24 No.2

High-resolution wind measurements at 2.25 m in height were used to investigate the mean and turbulence properties of an extreme thunderstorm wind event in West Texas. These data were combined with single Doppler scans from the Texas Tech University Ka-band mobile Doppler radars systems (TTUKa) to provide meteorological context over the surface measurement stations for portions of the outflow. Several features characteristic of a severe wind event were noted in the radar data, including a bowing portion of the thunderstorm complex and a small circulation on the leading edge. These features were reflected in the surface wind time histories and provided natural separation between various regions of the outflow. These features also contributed to the peak 1-s gust at all measurement stations. The turbulence characteristics of each outflow region were also investigated and compared. Reduced values of running turbulence intensity and elevated values of longitudinal integral scales were noted during the period of peak wind speed. Larger scales of turbulence within the outflow were also suggested via spectral analysis.

Benchmarking of Mechanical Test Facilities Related to ITER CICC Steel Jackets

Vostner, A.,Pong, I.,Bessette, D.,Devred, A.,Sgobba, S.,Jung, A.,Weiss, K.,Jewell, M. C.,Liu, S.,Yu, W.,Boutboul, T.,Hamada, K.,Park, S.,Tronza, V.,Walsh, R. P. IEEE 2013 IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity Vol.23 No.3

<P>The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) cable-in-conduit conductor used in the superconducting magnet system consists of a cable made of 300 to 1440 strands housed in a stainless steel tube (called as jacket or conduit). There are circular, square, as well as circle-in-square jackets, made of either a very low carbon AISI 316LN and AISI 316L grade stainless steels, or a high Mn austenitic stainless steel developed for ITER called JK2LB. Selected mechanical properties of the base material and weld joint were tested at room temperature and/or cryogenic temperatures (<; 7 K) at predefined mechanical deformation and heat treatment condition. The domestic agencies' reference laboratories and the ITER-IO appointed reference laboratories, CERN and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology performed mechanical tests such as tensile strength, fracture toughness, and fatigue crack growth rate. This paper will compare the test results (e.g., elongation to failure) from different laboratories, present the statistics, and identify any systematic differences.</P>

A New 2D-micromegas Detector for Neutron Beam Diagnostic at n_TOF

S. Andriamonje,M. Calviani,Y. Kadi,R. Losito,V. Vlachoudis,E. Berthoumieux,F. Gunsing,Y. Giomataris,T. Papaevangelou,C. Guerrero,N. Colonna,C. Weiss 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.23

A novel detector for 2D neutron beam diagnostic has been jointly developed by CERN andCEA in the framework of the n TOF Collaboration for investigation of the neutron beam spatial characteristics, namely position and profile as a function of the neutron energy. The detector is based on the already established MicroMegas "Bulk" technology and has been evolved from the one used for the CAST (CERN Axion Solar Telescope) experiment but equipped with an appropriate neutron/charged particle converter for neutron detection. The experimental results obtained in the 2009 commissioning run of the n_TOF facility and a comparison with simulations performed by means of FLUKA code are given, together with future perspectives and possible applications for this original type of neutron detector.

Global and regional emission estimates for HCFC-22

Saikawa, E.,Rigby, M.,Prinn, R. G.,Montzka, S. A.,Miller, B. R.,Kuijpers, L. J. M.,Fraser, P. J. B.,Vollmer, M. K.,Saito, T.,Yokouchi, Y.,Harth, C. M.,Mü,hle, J.,Weiss, R. F.,Salameh, P. K.,Kim, J Copernicus GmbH 2012 Atmospheric chemistry and physics Vol.12 No.21

<P>Abstract. HCFC-22 (CHClF2, chlorodifluoromethane) is an ozone-depleting substance (ODS) as well as a significant greenhouse gas (GHG). HCFC-22 has been used widely as a refrigerant fluid in cooling and air-conditioning equipment since the 1960s, and it has also served as a traditional substitute for some chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) controlled under the Montreal Protocol. A low frequency record on tropospheric HCFC-22 since the late 1970s is available from measurements of the Southern Hemisphere Cape Grim Air Archive (CGAA) and a few Northern Hemisphere air samples (mostly from Trinidad Head) using the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) instrumentation and calibrations. Since the 1990s high-frequency, high-precision, in situ HCFC-22 measurements have been collected at these AGAGE stations. Since 1992, the Global Monitoring Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory (NOAA/ESRL) has also collected flasks on a weekly basis from remote sites across the globe and analyzed them for a suite of halocarbons including HCFC-22. Additionally, since 2006 flasks have been collected approximately daily at a number of tower sites across the US and analyzed for halocarbons and other gases at NOAA. All results show an increase in the atmospheric mole fractions of HCFC-22, and recent data show a growth rate of approximately 4% per year, resulting in an increase in the background atmospheric mole fraction by a factor of 1.7 from 1995 to 2009. Using data on HCFC-22 consumption submitted to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as existing bottom-up emission estimates, we first create globally-gridded a priori HCFC-22 emissions over the 15 yr since 1995. We then use the three-dimensional chemical transport model, Model for Ozone and Related Chemical Tracers version 4 (MOZART v4), and a Bayesian inverse method to estimate global as well as regional annual emissions. Our inversion indicates that the global HCFC-22 emissions have an increasing trend between 1995 and 2009. We further find a surge in HCFC-22 emissions between 2005 and 2009 from developing countries in Asia - the largest emitting region including China and India. Globally, substantial emissions continue despite production and consumption being phased out in developed countries currently. </P>

History of atmospheric SF6 from 1973 to 2008

Rigby, M.,Mü,hle, J.,Miller, B. R.,Prinn, R. G.,Krummel, P. B.,Steele, L. P.,Fraser, P. J.,Salameh, P. K.,Harth, C. M.,Weiss, R. F.,Greally, B. R.,O&,apos,Doherty, S.,Simmonds, P. G.,Vollmer, M Copernicus GmbH 2010 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Vol.10 No.21

<P>Abstract. We present atmospheric sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) mole fractions and emissions estimates from the 1970s to 2008. Measurements were made of archived air samples starting from 1973 in the Northern Hemisphere and from 1978 in the Southern Hemisphere, using the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) systems. These measurements were combined with modern high-frequency GC-MS and GC-electron capture detection (ECD) data from AGAGE monitoring sites, to produce a unique 35-year atmospheric record of this potent greenhouse gas. Atmospheric mole fractions were found to have increased by more than an order of magnitude between 1973 and 2008. The 2008 growth rate was the highest recorded, at 0.29 ± 0.02 pmolmol−1 yr−1. A three-dimensional chemical transport model and a minimum variance Bayesian inverse method was used to estimate annual emission rates using the measurements, with a priori estimates from the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR, version 4). Consistent with the mole fraction growth rate maximum, global emissions during 2008 were also the highest in the 1973-2008 period, reaching 7.4 ± 0.6 Gg yr−1 (1-σ uncertainties) and surpassing the previous maximum in 1995. The 2008 values follow an increase in emissions of 48 ± 20% since 2001. A second global inversion which also incorporated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) flask measurements and in situ monitoring site data agreed well with the emissions derived using AGAGE measurements alone. By estimating continent-scale emissions using all available AGAGE and NOAA surface measurements covering the period 2004-2008, with no pollution filtering, we find that it is likely that much of the global emissions rise during this five-year period originated primarily from Asian developing countries that do not report detailed, annual emissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We also find it likely that SF6 emissions reported to the UNFCCC were underestimated between at least 2004 and 2005. </P>