946 research outputs found
A semiotic analysis of the short stories of Leonid Andreyev, 1900-1909
No full textThis thesis applies the techniques of semiotic analysis to a selection of short stories by Leonid Andreyev in an attempt to offer one answer to the problems of categorising Andreyev's unique art and placing it within a literary-evolutionary perspective. The semiotic method was chosen because of its ability both to assimilate literary texts to the supra-individual processes with which it works, and at the same time to delineate an author's particular contribution to these processes. Drawing on a range of literary theory from early Russian Formalism onwards, the study proceeds from one level to another according to a principle of "degree of abstraction", so that each level constitutes firstly an independent account of Andreyev's texts in itself, and secondly one stage in an overall analysis. The analysis at each level pinpoints, in its own terms, a series of semiotic tensions or clashes as being at the heart of Andreyev's literary system. Conflict within his stories between the principles of poetry and prose, metaphor and metonymy, 'discourse' and 'story' and between codes of allegory and codes of reference are among the major tensions highlighted. These tensions are in turn used to account for the fantastic element in Andreyev's stories (tension and ambiguity being the key features of Fantastic literature as defined by many literary theoreticians).The unique, Andreyevan version of the Fantastic is viewed as an index of Andreyev's position in literary evolution at a point of transition between an older, authoritative, transitive mode of narration and a more recent, non-authoritative mode which has come to dominate much twentieth-century literature. The final reference-point for all these tensions is demonstrated to be a shift in modern culture as a whole towards a more impersonal. Mythic thought-system, a shift at the centre of which the art of Leonid Andreyev can be convincingly placed. The material drawn upon includes, in addition to the corpus of Andreyev stories specified, a wide range of works by Andreyev's contemporaries and also the hitherto unexploited draft-manuscripts to a number of Andreyev stories held in the Hoover Institution, U.S.A.A Glossary of the most commonly used theoretical terms is provided at the end of the study
How problem solving changes affect adult neurogenesis in Octopus vulgaris
No full textOctopus vulgaris has a complex and centralized nervous system, located around oesophagus, with a hierarchical organization. It is considered the most intelligent invertebrate due to its advanced cognitive capability, as learning and memory, and complex behaviour that results in an enormous capability of problem solving. “Problem solving” is the capability to use cognitive processing to find a solution to a problematic situation. Several behavioural experiments show that octopus has this kind of skill (FINN et al., 2009). Neural plasticity and synaptic remodelling are the base of adult neurogenesis that occur in organisms that have complex and centralized nervous system, as teleosts, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and among invertebrates, decapods and insects. Recently, our group demonstrated its occurrence also in O. vulgaris brain, resulting the first demonstration across Lophotrochozoa clade.
The experimental data have been obtained by problem solving behavioural experiments and the evaluation of the Oct-Pax6 expression. Pax6 gene is known as neurogenic marker during cephalopod brain development (NAVET et al., 2017). Specimens of O. vulgaris were divided into two experimental groups: challenged and control. After the acclimatization period, the standard housing condition was altered adding jars containing food providing a cognitive challenge. During experimental days, octopuses had not feeding opportunities except to open the jars to reach the food. Control animals were not challenged and they were fed regularly without any task. At last, challenged and control octopuses were scarified as described in POLESE et al. (2014) and their brains were dissected out to be processed for RNA extraction with Trizol. cDNA obtained was used to evaluate the amount of Oct-Pax6 through a semi-quantitative PCR, using -tubulin as normalizer. PCR products were analysed on 2% agarose gel at the Bio-Rad ChemiDoc, and quantified using ImageJ.
Our data show that octopuses challenged with problem solving tasks vs. unchallenged animals result in up- regulation of Oct-Pax6 in areas of the brain previously described as sites of adult neurogenesis (BERTAPELLE et al., 2017).
In conclusion, these results support that intellectual, physical and sensory challenges increase neural plasticity and synaptic remodelling through adult neurogenesis
Mapping of neuropeptide Y expression in Octopus brains
No full textNeuropeptide Y (NPY) is an evolutionarily conserved neurosecretory molecule implicated in a diverse complement of functions across taxa and in regulating feeding behavior and reproductive maturation in Octopus. However, little is known about the precise molecular circuitry of NPY-mediated behaviors and physiological processes, which likely involve a complex interaction of multiple signal molecules in specific brain regions. Here, we examined the expression of NPY throughout the Octopus central nervous system. The sequence analysis of Octopus NPY precursor confirmed the presence of both, signal peptide and putative active peptides, which are highly conserved across bilaterians. In situ hybridization revealed distinct expression of NPY in specialized compartments, including potential “integration centers,” where visual, tactile, and other behavioral circuitries converge. These centers integrating separate circuits may maintain and modulate learning and memory or other behaviors not yet attributed to NPY-dependent modulation in Octopus. Extra somatic localization of NPY mRNA in the neurites of specific neuron populations in the brain suggests a potential demand for immediate translation at synapses and a crucial temporal role for NPY in these cell populations. We also documented the presence of NPY mRNA in a small cell population in the olfactory lobe, which is a component of the Octopus feeding and reproductive control centers. However, the molecular mapping of NPY expression only partially overlapped with that produced by immunohistochemistry in previous studies. Our study provides a precise molecular map of NPY mRNA expression that can be used to design and test future hypotheses about molecular signaling in various Octopus behaviors
Characterization of novel cytoplasmic PARP in the brain of Octopus vulgaris
No full textIl sistema nervoso centrale di Octopus vulgaris e' caratterizzato da una PARP citoplasmatica (vPARP, 193 kDa), in grado di regolare la polimerizzazione dell'actina mediante poli-ADPribosilazion
000generic/GIGANTIC_Aplysia2024: GIGANTIC_Aplysia
No full text<p>Release in support of Leonid Moroz 2024 NIH Report for work on the Aplysia genome project.</p>
Nitric Oxide Producing Cells in the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Tissues of Mercenaria Mercenaria (Bivalvia)
No full textv, 33 p.Nitric Oxide (NO) has been observed as a signaling molecule within several
invertebrate species. However, NO producing cells have yet to be detected in bivalves.
NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and RT-PCR were employed to detect nitric oxide
synthase (NOS) in the bivalve mollusk, Mercenaria mercenaria. NADPH-diaphorase
histochemistry was used to analyze the distribution of putative NOS-containing cells.
Serial cryostat sections and whole mount preparations were made from the cerebral
ganglion, visceral ganglion, pedal ganglion, gills, esophagus, intestine, palps, foot, and
gonad. In the CNS, the most prominent neuronal staining was located in the visceral
ganglion followed by the pedal and cerebral ganglia. In the periphery, selective labeling
occurred in subephithelial non-neuronal cells located in the gills, esophagus, and in the
ciliated epithelium of the gut. The gonad areas and posterior pedal muscles were
negative for NADPH-diaphorase. RT -PCR successfully isolated a 522 base pair fragment
of the neuronal NOS isoform from CNS tissues. The amino acid sequence showed
highest homologies to the three known gastropod neuronal NOS's, but was similar to
several other invertebrate and vertebrate sequences. These data suggest that nitric oxide
is used as a signaling molecule within the CNS and peripheral tissue of M mercenaria
and possibly in other bivalve species.With honors.Department of Neuroscience. The Whitney Laboratory. University of Florida. St. Augustine, Florida
LEONID ANDREYEV’S OEUVRE THROUGH BRUSOVIAN LENS
No full textThe paper deals with V. Brusov’s reviews of the works by Leonid Andreyev in the magazine «Vesy» (The Balance). The author mentions some peculiarities of L. Andreev’s stories positively reviewed by V. Brusov, as well as his remarks concerning the writer’s experiences in drama
Reflecting on Fiction: Leonid Leonov
No full textAbstract
This chapter examines the metafictional works of Soviet author Leonid Leonov. The River Sot, Leonov's third novel, was one of the earliest Soviet works in the theme of industrialization and it was based on the author's first-hand experience of Soviet construction projects. This novel, together with Leonov's other work The Thief, provided the direction that Soviet literature should take. These novels were both influenced by the October Revolution.</jats:p
Candidate chemoreceptor subfamilies differentially expressed in the chemosensory organs of the mollusc <it>Aplysia</it>
No full textAbstract Background Marine molluscs, as is the case with most aquatic animals, rely heavily on olfactory cues for survival. In the mollusc Aplysia californica, mate-attraction is mediated by a blend of water-borne protein pheromones that are detected by sensory structures called rhinophores. The expression of G protein and phospholipase C signaling molecules in this organ is consistent with chemosensory detection being via a G-protein-coupled signaling mechanism. Results Here we show that novel multi-transmembrane proteins with similarity to rhodopsin G-protein coupled receptors are expressed in sensory epithelia microdissected from the Aplysia rhinophore. Analysis of the A. californica genome reveals that these are part of larger multigene families that possess features found in metazoan chemosensory receptor families (that is, these families chiefly consist of single exon genes that are clustered in the genome). Phylogenetic analyses show that the novel Aplysia G-protein coupled receptor-like proteins represent three distinct monophyletic subfamilies. Representatives of each subfamily are restricted to or differentially expressed in the rhinophore and oral tentacles, suggesting that they encode functional chemoreceptors and that these olfactory organs sense different chemicals. Those expressed in rhinophores may sense water-borne pheromones. Secondary signaling component proteins Gαq, Gαi, and Gαo are also expressed in the rhinophore sensory epithelium. Conclusion The novel rhodopsin G-protein coupled receptor-like gene subfamilies identified here do not have closely related identifiable orthologs in other metazoans, suggesting that they arose by a lineage-specific expansion as has been observed in chemosensory receptor families in other bilaterians. These candidate chemosensory receptors are expressed and often restricted to rhinophores and oral tentacles, lending support to the notion that water-borne chemical detection in Aplysia involves species- or lineage-specific families of chemosensory receptors.</p
The Content and Implementation of Electronic Assist Device of Locomotive Drivers
No full textPaberivaba tehnoloogia peab saabuma iga ettevõttesse ja iga ettevõtlus valib ise kui suures mahus seda kasutada. Samas on fakt, et arvuti oskab arvutada ja arvestada kiiremini kui inimene ning arvuti põhine infosüsteem on kasulik arendus. Pabervaba arendusega ettevõtte on keskkonnasõbralik. Tahvelarvuti kasutamisel vedurijuhi käsiraamatuna ja dokumentide edastamise seadmena: likvideerime suure koguse dokumentatsiooni ja juhendeid paberkandjal ning paigutame neid ühte väiksesse tahvelarvutisse; dokumendid ja juhendid on parem leitavad arvutipõhisel süsteemis kui paberikandjal; juhendid ja korrad on vahetatavad ühe liigutusega arvuti ekraanil; kogu dokumentide ja juhendite olemasolu vedurijuhi käsiraamatus ja nende kehtivust saab jälgida vaid üks töötaja. vedurimeeskonna töö optimeerimine dokumentatsiooni täitmisel ja nendele dokumentatsiooni edastamisel; informatsiooni liikumine muutub operatiivsemaks; digitaalse dokumentatsiooni üle on parem ülevaade ja kontroll. Paigutades infosüsteemi kõik juhendid, saame paberikulu ja printerite kasutamist vähendada. Arvestades juhendite, dokumentide ja käskkirjade mahuga, paberi ja printeri tööga seotud kulud vähenevad kordades. Tahvelarvuti kasutamisel elektroonilise liinilehena saame: vedurimeeskonna töö lihtsustamine liinilehe täitmisel; inimressurssi optimeerimine; veduri liikumise ja vedurimeeskonna tööaja informatsioon muutub operatiivsemaks. Liinilehe täitmise ja peale seda üleandmist infosüsteemi sisestamise vajadus praktiliselt kaob. Peale liinilehe loomise infosüsteemi poolt peab töötaja seda kontrollima ja kinnitama selle õigsust. Töö kirjutamis hetkel liinilehe andmist näevad infosüsteemi kasutajad alles peale selle sisestamist, kuid elektrooniliseks muutmiseks saab seda näha kohe täitumisel. Tahvelarvuti kasutamisel vedurijuhtimise abistavana infosüsteemina: veduri juhtimine muutub lihtsamaks; veduri juhtimine muutub kontrollitavaks; noorte vedurijuhtide hea koolitus; kütuse kulu optimeerimine. Vedurijuhile rongi käitamiseks annab nõu arvuti eelnevalt parimate tulemuste põhjal loodud maketi alusel. Vedurijuht, täites neid juhiseid, saab jälgida nende efektiivsust ja õigsust. Vedurijuhi poolseid soovitusi täitmise kohta saab hoida kontrolli all. Veduri juhtimise soovitustega infosüsteem on hea noorte vedurijuhtide koolitaja. Tavaliselt iga uue süsteemi elluviimine ja iga uuenduse töösse juurutamisel toob kaasa kulu, kuid antud töö tulemusena saab juurutada infosüsteeme lõpptulemusena saades sellest tulu. Töö optimeerimine ja lihtsustamine toob kaasa töötajate suurema tähelepanu teistesse tööülesannetesse. Selle juures riskid ei ole suured ja osaliselt saab neid maandada miinimumini.The author of this thesis presents the research probleem from a large amount of instructions, which are given to the locomotive driver for inspection and also from documentation which the locomotive driver needs to fill out during his work shift. At the moment of writing this thesis, all of the documentation is made by hand or printed on paper. In order to achieve a more environmentally friendly work technology aiming to become paperless, the author develops electronic mock-ups for the operation of tablets and IT-systems. In addition, the author describes the method of transmitting the documentation to locomotive driver without delays and getting prompt feedback. At the same time, with the help of an IT-system, the author develops a possibility to create an application which assists the locomotive driver at his duties. The development includes the integration of existing resources and existing Technologies. As a result of this thesis, a tablet will be installed on a locomotive to which will be gathered different information systems: documentation for the locomotive driver – the driver has access to all necessary documents while working on the locomotive; documentation to be processed by the locomotive driver – an information exchange system created with a server and personal e-mail account to fill necessary documents and/or to receive documents and verify confirmations about receiving them. For formation of electronical work sheet – for making more interactive and operational the existing GPS and information system about train and locomotive data To assist train driving – an information system based on previous train service results to reduce fuel consuption and to control locomotive operations. The thesis examines the potential risks in operating the information system and the healing of these risks. Risks can occur in two varieties, one of which is a technical failure and, secondly, a human factor. Technical failures can be prevented by additional recording method, which can later be found and supplemented in the system. The risk from the human factor is language skills and attention. These risks can be prevented by the translation and verification method
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