The effect of protein relaxation on charge-charge interactions and dielectric constants of proteins

The effect of the reorganization of the protein polar groups on charge-charge interaction and the corresponding effective dielectric constant (epsilon(eff)) is examined by the semimicroscopic version of the Protein Dipole Langevin Dipoles (PDLD/S) method within the framework of the Linear Response Approximation (LRA). This is done by evaluating the interactions between ionized residues in the reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, while taking into account the protein reorganization energy. It is found that an explicit consideration of the protein relaxation leads to a significant increase in epsilon(eff) and that semimicroscopic models that do not take this relaxation into account force one to use a large value for the so-called "protein dielectric constant," epsilon(p), of the Poisson-Boltzmann model or for the corresponding epsilon(in) in the PDLD/S model. An additional increase in epsilon(eff) is expected from the reorganization of ionized residues and from changes in the degree of water penetration. This finding provides further support for the idea that epsilon(in) (or epsilon(p)) represents contributions that are not considered explicitly. The present study also provides a systematic illustration of the nature of epsilon(eff), supporting our previously reported view that charge-charge interactions correspond to a large value of this "dielectric constant," even in protein interiors. It is also pointed out that epsilon(eff) for the interaction between ionizable groups in proteins is very different from the effective dielectric constant, epsilon'(eff), that determines the free energy of ion pairs in proteins (epsilon'(eff) reflects the effect of preoriented protein dipoles). Finally, the problems associated with the search for a general epsilon(in) are discussed. It is clarified that the epsilon(in) that reproduces the effect of protein relaxation on charge-charge interaction is not equal to the epsilon(in) that reproduces the corresponding effect upon formation of individual charges. This reflects fundamental inconsistencies in attempts to cast microscopic concepts in a macroscopic model. Thus one should either use a large epsilon(in) for charge-charge interactions and a small epsilon(in) for charge-dipole interactions or consider the protein relaxation microscopically.     

动水压力对深水桥梁性能设计的影响

通过一个深水桥墩实例对中国与日本桥梁抗震规范的地震动水压力计算方法进行比较研究,分析规范关于动水压力计算的异同点,计算表明两者结果相差较大.对桥墩的动水压力进行数值模拟计算,考察动水压力沿深水桥梁高程的分布.为研究动水压力对桥梁整体结构动力特性的影响,以主跨260 m的牛根大桥为背景建立有限元计算模型,采用附加质量法进行计算.结果表明,附加质量法求得的位移和弯矩比不考虑动水作用的情况有较大增幅,也表明动水压力对桥梁的性能有较大的影响.在深水桥梁的性能设计理论与应用领域中,水与桥墩的相互作用问题有必要进行进一步的研究.     

Effect of maximum ventilation on abdominal muscle relaxation rate

BACKGROUND: When the demand placed on the respiratory system is increased, the abdominal muscles become vigorously active to achieve expiration and facilitate subsequent inspiration. Abdominal muscle function could limit ventilatory capacity and a method to detect abdominal muscle fatigue would be of value. The maximum relaxation rate (MRR) of skeletal muscle has been used as an early index of the onset of the fatiguing process and precedes failure of force generation. The aim of this study was to measure MRR of abdominal muscles and to investigate whether it slows after maximum isocapnic ventilation (MIV). METHODS: Five normal subjects were studied. Each performed short sharp expiratory efforts against a 3 mm orifice before and immediately after a two minute MIV. Gastric pressure (PGA) was recorded and MRR (% pressure fall/10 ms) for each PGA trace was determined. RESULTS: Before MIV the mean (SD) maximum PGA MRR for the five subjects was 7.1 (0.8)% peak pressure fall/10 ms. Following MIV mean PGA MRR was decreased by 30% (range 25-35%), returning to control values within 5-10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The MRR of the abdominal muscles, measured from PGA, is numerically similar to that described for the diaphragm and other skeletal muscles. After two minutes of maximal isocapnic ventilation abdominal muscle MRR slows, indicating that these muscles are sufficiently heavily loaded to initiate the fatiguing process.     

Effect of dielectric gaps on the conductance of resistance composites

Conclusions Mathematical expressions are given describing the contact resistance of the dielectric gaps in resistance composites and its temperature dependence. It is shown that thermally stable composites can be obtained by ensuring that the thermally induced changes in the resistance of their conducting particles are counter balanced by those of their gaps. Theoretical relationships between the CTE of the binder and conducting components are established which are necessary for the formulation of thermally compensated systems.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 4(208), pp. 85–89, April, 1980.     

Effect of nimodipine on memory after cerebral infarction

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies indicate widespread memory impairment in patients with stroke in the early post-ictal stage. Nimodipine may have psychopharmacological properties and may improve memory. We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial to determine whether nimodipine given 7-14 days after cerebral infarction improved memory. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with acute cerebral infarction were consecutively enrolled between D7 to D14. After stratification, patients were randomized to receive oral nimodipine 90 mg daily for 12 weeks, or no drug. Independent assessors administered Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Fuld Object-Memory Evaluation (FOME) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Patients receiving nimodipine showed greater improvement in FOME mean scores at 12 weeks (P=0.0334), and also in FOME score change across time (P=0.0283). Patients with severe disability who received nimodipine also showed greater MMSE score change across time (P=0.0495). CONCLUSION: Nimodipine given 7-14 days after cerebral infarction for 3 months results in memory improvement.