Inverse relationship of the durations of adjacent open and shut intervals for C1 and K channels

Ion channels in cell membranes, whether voltage-dependent or activated by ligands, make repeated transitions among open and shut states during activity. Information about the number of states and the transitional pathways between them can be obtained from the durations of open and shut intervals, as transitions to states of different lifetimes result in intervals of different mean durations. If there is only one open conformation, or state, then the durations of open intervals would be independent of the durations of adjacent shut intervals. On the other hand, if a channel has two or more open states with different mean lifetimes, and if each open state is entered directly from a different shut state with a different mean lifetime, then the open intervals should be related to the adjacent shut intervals. We now report that the durations of adjacent open and shut intervals for both a C1 channel and a large conductance Ca-activated K channel in skeletal muscle are inversely related; shorter open intervals are adjacent to longer shut intervals. These findings indicate that two or more shut states make direct transitions to two or more open states, and suggest that the lifetimes of adjacent open and shut states are inversely related.     

Mite parasitism of moths: Examples of paleosymbiosis in Dominican amber

Summary Two adult moths (families Gracillariidae and Tineidae) in Dominican amber each contained a pair of larval parasitic mites attached to their bodies. The larval mites were identified as belonging to the family Erythraeidae and represent the first fossil evidence of moths parasitized by mites. Phylogenic and evolutionary implications of this find are discussed in light of similar extant associations.     

The range of life in amber: significance and implications in DNA studies

A survey of the major fossiliferous amber deposits is provided, including ages and various categories of life forms reported from each. The frequence of occurrence of the major groups of plants and animals in these amber deposits is also given. Thus far, DNA from four insect and one plant species has been extracted from amber fossils. In the case of the stingless bee in Dominican amber, evidence of reproducibility is provided, since two independent laboratories isolated DNA from six or more different specimens of the same insect.Amber sources for DNA studies are listed together with their advantages and disadvantages. The important points are the availability of desired pieces, the proper identification of the fossil, verification of the amber deposit, the cost involved, and the feasibility of causing damage to the specimen. The availability of several types of amber (Mexican, Dominican, Baltic, Chinese, Canadian, Siberian and Lebanese) at four major sources (academic collections, commercial dealers, private collections and amber mines) is discussed. The scientific implications of obtaining DNA from amber inclusions are presented.     

Immunological systematics of the extinct quagga (Equidae)

It has been debated whether the extinct quagga was a distinct fourth species of African zebra or whether it was merely the southern variant of the Plains zebra (Equus burchelli). Using a radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique, we have shown that proteins remaining in quagga skins from museums are much more similar to serum proteins of the Plains zebra than to those of the other two extant zebras.     

Depressor effects of muscarinic and non-muscarinic mediation induced by lateral hypothalamic stimulation in the cat

Transient sympathetically-mediated depressor effects were induced by stimulation of a small locus in the lateral hypothalamic peri-fornical region, medial to the fields of Forel. The ganglionic blocking agent, atropine methyl nitrate (ATMN), was used to show that muscarinic as well as non-muscarinic sympathetic ganglion receptor neurotransmission was involved. Evidence is presented that stimulation of this LH site co-activates a number of mechanisms and that depending on which of these are activated, the ganglionic blocking agent ATMN may either block, reverse or potentiate the depressor effect.     

Metallothionein gene cluster is split by chromosome 16 rearrangements in myelomonocytic leukaemia

The metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of proteins of low relative molecular mass which bind heavy-metal ions. MTs exist in several molecular forms (MT-I, MT-II) and are encoded by a multi-gene family containing at least 14 closely related genes and pseudogenes. These proteins function in the regulation of trace-metal metabolism, the storage of these ions in the liver, and as a protective mechanism against heavy-metal toxicity. Somatic cell hybridization has shown that most MT genes, including the functional MT genes (MT1A, MT1B, MT2A), lie on human chromosome 16. Using in situ hybridization, we have now localized the MT genes to band q22 of chromosome 16. This chromosomal band is also a breakpoint in two specific rearrangements, the inv(16)(p13q22) and t(16; 16)(p13;q22) rearrangements, found in a subgroup of patients with acute myelomonocytic leukaemia (AMML). Hybridization of a MT probe to malignant cells from two patients with an inv(16) showed labelled sites on both arms of the inverted chromosome, indicating that the breakpoint at 16q22 splits the MT gene cluster. Similar results were obtained when this probe was hybridized to metaphase cells from two patients with a t(16; 16). These results suggest that the MT genes or their regulatory regions may function as an 'activating' sequence for an as yet unidentified cellular gene located at 16p13.     

Normetanephrine and metanephrine oxidized by both types of monoamine oxidase

Both normetanephrine and metanephrine were found to be oxidized by both types of monoamine oxidase in mouse liver mitochondria. Both Km and Vmax values of type B MAO for both substrates were higher than those of type A MAO, which caused the shift of inhibition curves with clorgyline and deprenyl according to the increase in substrate concentration.     

Biogenic amino acid methionine-based corrosion inhibitors of mild steel in acidic media

N,N-Diallyl methionine ethyl ester hydrochloride 5 underwent alternating copolymerization with SO_2 via the Butler cyclopolymerization protocol in dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) to give water-soluble cycloterpolymer 6 with a ～1:1 molar ratio of sulfide and sulfoxide groups as a result of oxygen transfer from DMSO. Half of the sulfide groups in 6, upon oxidation with H_2O_2, afforded polymer sulfoxide 7 and polymer sulfone 8. The solution properties of these polymers were determined via a viscometric technique. The thermal stability of these polymers was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The inhibition efficiency obtained from gravimetric mass loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques agreed well with each other. The corrosion efficiencies increase with increasing concentration of the polymers. At a polymer concentration of 175 mM, the maximum inhibition efficiency of copolymer compounds 6–8 was determined to be 92%, 97%, and 95%, respectively. The synthesized polymer compounds acted as mixed-type inhibitors. Polymer compound 7 adsorbed onto the metal surface via chemisorption and physisorption and obeyed Langmuir, Temkin, and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. Analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the adsorbed polymers formed a thin film on the metal surface and prevented further corrosive attack.     

Effect of electroslag remelting and homogenization on hydrogen flaking in AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steels

Hydrogen flakes and elemental segregation are the main causes of steel rejection. To eliminate hydrogen flaking, the present study focuses on the manufacture of AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steel through an alternate route. AMS-4340 was prepared using three different processing routes. The primary processing route consisted of melting in an electric arc furnace, refining in a ladle refining furnace, and vacuum degassing. After primary processing, the heat processes(D1, D2, and D3) were cast into cylindrical electrodes. For secondary processing, electroslag remelting(ESR) was carried out on the primary heats to obtain four secondary heats: E1, E2, E3, and E4. Homogenization of ingots E1, E2, E3, and E4 was carried out at 1220°C for 14, 12, 12, and 30 h, respectively, followed by an antiflaking treatment at 680°C and air cooling. In addition, the semi-finished ESR ingot E4 was again homogenized at 1220°C for 6–8 h and a second antiflaking treatment was performed at 680°C for 130 h followed by air cooling. The chemical segregation of each heat was monitored through a spectroscopy technique. The least segregation was observed for heat E4. Macrostructure examination revealed the presence of hydrogen flakes in heats E1, E2, and E3, whereas no hydrogen flakes were observed in heat E4. Ultrasonic testing revealed no internal defects in heat E4, whereas internal defects were observed in the other heats. A grain size investigation revealed a finer grain size for E4 compared with those for the other heats. Steel produced in heat E4 also exhibited superior mechanical properties. Therefore, the processing route used for heat E4 can be used to manufacture an AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steel with superior properties compared with those of AMS-4340 prepared by the other investigated routes.     

Discussion on Electromagnetic Missile

This paper presents the principle of electromagnetic missile from the mathematical point of view, and verifies rigorously that the radiating power over whole space is limited.