Self-tolerance eliminates T cells specific for Mls-modified products of the major histocompatibility complex

In mice the product of the Mlsa locus is an unusual antigen capable of interaction with certain products of the major histocompatibility locus (MHC) to form a ligand for a large portion of the T-cell alpha/beta receptor repertoire, including nearly all receptors that use V beta 8.1. The presence of Mlsa/MHC during T-cell development results in the deletion of T cells that express V beta 8.1, documenting the importance of clonal deletion in establishing tolerance to self antigens.     

Incubation periods for paediatric AIDS patients

A recent seroprevalence study of newborns indicates that one in 62 children born in New York City has antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The distribution of incubation periods for paediatric patients is needed to estimate future AIDS case loads from these seroprevalence data. Current estimates of incubation periods for paediatric patients are based on limited data. We use parametric and non-parametric methods to analyse incubation periods for 215 paediatric patients with AIDS whose only known route of infection is maternal. We conclude that incubation periods are longer than previously reported; that there is a distinct knee in the incubation period distribution at seven months which suggests two risk populations; and that there is an increase in incidence which is consistent with exponential growth.     

Analysis of the relationship between age of larvae at mutagen treatment and frequency and size of spots in the wing somatic mutation and recombination test inDrosophila melanogaster

The relationship between the induction of mutant clones and the time of mutagen treatment was studied in the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in wing cells ofDrosophila melanogaster. Larvae trans-heterozygous for the recessive marker mutations multiple wing hairs (mwh) and flare (flr) were produced. Batches of these larvae were then treated with mutagen at different ages spanning all three larval instars. Methyl methanesulfonate was fed acutely for 2 h by immersing the larvae in a solution of the mutagen mixed with powdered cellulose. Wings of the surviving adult flies were mounted and scored for the presence of spots. The frequency and size of single and twin spots were recorded separately. Twin spots are produced exclusively by mitotic recombination, whereas single spots can results from various types of mutational and exchange events. There exists a clear correlation between time of induction and frequency as well as size of the single spots. In young larvae only few but very large spots are induced, whereas in older larvae the frequencies are considerably increased but the sizes are smaller. The twin spots show a different relationship. Practically no twin spots are found in very young and in very old larvae. The results demonstrate that in the wing spot test the optimal age of the larvae for mutagen treatment is 72 h.     

Active sliding between cytoplasmic microtubules

Microtubules are versatile cellular polymers that play a role in cell shape determination and mediate various motile processes such as ciliary and flagellar bending, chromosome movements and organelle transport. That a sliding microtubule mechanism can generate force has been demonstrated in highly ordered structures such as axonemes, and microtubule-based force generation almost certainly contributes to the function of mitotic and meiotic spindles. Most cytoplasmic microtubule arrays, however, do not exhibit the structural regularity of axonemes and some spindles, and often appear disorganized. Yet many cellular activities (such as shape changes during morphogenesis, axonal extension and spindle assembly) involve highly coordinated microtubule behaviour and possibly require force generated by an intermicrotubule sliding mechanism, or perhaps use sliding to move microtubules rapidly into a protrusion for stabilization. Here we show that active sliding between cytoplasmic microtubules can occur in microtubule bundles of the amoeba Reticulomyxa. A force-producing mechanism of this sort could be used by this organism to facilitate the extension of cell processes and to generate the dynamic movements of the cytoplasmic network.     

Plant thioredoxins: the multiplicity conundrum

Thioredoxins are small proteins distinguished by the presence of a conserved dicysteine active site. In oxidized thioredoxin, the two cysteines form a disulfide bond that is targeted by the enzyme thioredoxin reductase. Together with an electron donor, thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase form the 'thioredoxin system' that is present in all organisms. Thioredoxins participate in dithiol/disulfide exchange reactions with a large range of cellular substrates. Higher plants possess a very complex thioredoxin profile consisting of at least two different thioredoxin systems that contain distinct, multigenic thioredoxin classes which have different intracellular localizations. In this review we summarise the current state of knowledge regarding the function of plant thioredoxins representing all systems and classes. Received 30 October 2001; received after revision 13 December 2001; accepted 17 December 2001     

Multiple ionization of atom clusters by intense soft X-rays from a free-electron laser

Intense radiation from lasers has opened up many new areas of research in physics and chemistry, and has revolutionized optical technology. So far, most work in the field of nonlinear processes has been restricted to infrared, visible and ultraviolet light, although progress in the development of X-ray lasers has been made recently. With the advent of a free-electron laser in the soft-X-ray regime below 100 nm wavelength, a new light source is now available for experiments with intense, short-wavelength radiation that could be used to obtain deeper insights into the structure of matter. Other free-electron sources with even shorter wavelengths are planned for the future. Here we present initial results from a study of the interaction of soft X-ray radiation, generated by a free-electron laser, with Xe atoms and clusters. We find that, whereas Xe atoms become only singly ionized by the absorption of single photons, absorption in clusters is strongly enhanced. On average, each atom in large clusters absorbs up to 400 eV, corresponding to 30 photons. We suggest that the clusters are heated up and electrons are emitted after acquiring sufficient energy. The clusters finally disintegrate completely by Coulomb explosion.     

重演律的哲学探索

系统阐释"三大重演律"和三个推论,探索了重演律中的偶然和必然、个别和一般、对称与破缺、内环境与外环境等哲学问题,建立重演律方法论,特别是重演方法在模型与模拟、教学法以及文学艺术中的广泛应用的方法,利用重演方法阐明科学、文化、经济加速发展的机制与原理,以及落后国家、落后民族在较短时间赶上先进国家和先进民族的内在机理。     

Seasonal transition and its boundary layer characteristics in Anduo area of Tibetan Plateau

Using the data, especially the GPS rawinsode data, observed in Anduo area of the Tibetan Plateau during the intensive observation period of GAME/Tibet in 1998, the transition from the dry to the rainy season along with their boundary layer characteristics is analyzed comprehensively. The result shows that the formation of the rainy season in Anduo area is related closely to the general atmospheric circulation. The westerly belt moving north and the southeast damp current are basic conditions for development of the rainy season in Anduo area. In the dry season, the air is drier, air temperature higher, and the atmospheric boundary layer is strongly developed to cause its maximum height to reach about 3550 m. Moreover the sensible heat flux is dominant, and the latent heat flux is small in the interaction of land-atmosphere energy exchange, and a reverse humidity phenomenon occurs frequently. In the rainy season, the air is damper, air temperature lower, and the ABL height, with maximum of only about 2300 m, is lower. And the sensible heat flux becomes much smaller, the latent heat flux much larger in the interaction of land-atmosphere energy exchange. The reverse humidity phenomenon disappears.     

学科馆员——图书馆员的新追求

从发挥图书馆职能入手，阐述了学科馆员产生的必要性，通过对学科馆员的概念内涵、岗位职责、与传统参考馆员比较及我国高校图书馆学科馆员现状的分析，探讨了如何才能做好学科馆员，为读者提供优质服务。     

基于VLAN的园区网整合的设计与实现

本文就在实际的园区网络整合工程实施中,对选择基于VLAN方式的整合设计方案中的关键技术以及具体实现进行分析讨论.