Mitochondrial DNA haplotype frequencies in natural and experimental populations of Drosophila subobscura

The evolution of Drosophila subobscura mitochondrial DNA has been studied in experimental populations, founded with flies from a natural population from Esporles (Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). This population, like other European ones, is characterized by the presence of two very common (>96%) mitochondrial haplotypes (called I and II) and rare and endemic haplotypes that appear at very low frequencies. There is no statistical evidence of positive Darwinian selection acting on the mitochondrial DNA variants according to Tajima's neutrality test. Two experimental populations, with one replicate each, were established with flies having a heterogeneous nuclear genetic background, which was representative of the composition of the natural population. Both populations were started with the two most frequent mitochondrial haplotypes, but at different initial frequencies. After 13 to 16 generations, haplotype II reached fixation in three cages and its frequency was 0.89 by generation 25 in the fourth cage. Random drift can be rejected as the force responsible for the observed changes in haplotype frequencies. There is not only statistical evidence of a linear trend favoring a mtDNA (haploid) fitness effect, but also of a significant nonlinear deviation that could be due to a nuclear component.     

COPD: using nutrition to prevent respiratory function decline

Close to three-fourths of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffer from weight loss. Identifying a single cause for this is difficult, as several factors-including chronic mouth breathing, dyspnea, aerophagia, certain medications, and depression-often act in concert. Malnutrition can exacerbate symptoms of COPD by decreasing ventilatory muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and immunocompetence, and by increasing the risk of depression and anxiety. Goals of nutrition intervention are to prevent or reverse malnutrition without worsening the disease process and to improve respiratory function, thereby reducing morbidity and delaying mortality. Recommendations for intake of fats, carbohydrates, protein, and water must be individualized.     

Fast optical switching in Sm/sup 3+/-doped fibers

We report an experimental investigation of the fast optical switching in a Sm/sup 3+/-doped fiber. We discovered that this fiber can effect a fast switching speed less than 5 ns. However, the required switching power is 472 W with pulsewidth 10 ns.     

Slag of the production of aluminum alloys from secondary resources as a raw material for the refractory industry

Results of chemical, x-ray phase, and petrographic investigations of slag are presented. It is established that slag from the production of aluminum alloys from secondary raw materials can be classified as a high-alumina refractory material (85–95% Al₂O₃ + SiO₂, refractoriness 1670–1770°C). The refractory properties of the slag can be retained by magnetic separation. There is a practical possibility of using this slag in the production of refractories. Semidry pressing of a charge based on the slag can give a refractory of grade ShA in accordance with GOST 390-83.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 2, pp. 24 – 26, February, 1996.     

Multiterminal light-emitting logic device electricallyreprogrammable between OR and NAND functions

A monolithic multiterminal logic device that functions both optically and electrically as an ORNAND gate, is demonstrated for the first time. The device, based on the real-space transfer of hot electrons into a complementary collector layer, has been implemented in an InGaAs/InAlAs/InGaAs heterostructure grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Excellent performance is obtained at room temperature. The collector current and the optical output power both exhibit the OR and the NAND functions of any two of the three input terminals, these functions being interchangeable by the voltage on the third terminal     

The natural killer cell receptor specific for HLA-A allotypes: a novel member of the p58/p70 family of inhibitory receptors that is characterized by three immunoglobulin-like domains and is expressed as a 140-kD disulphide-linked dimer

Human natural killer (NK) cells express inhibitory receptors that are specific for different groups of HLA-C or HLA-B alleles. The majority of these receptors belong to the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily and are characterized by two or three extracellular Ig-like domains. Here we describe a novel inhibitory NK receptor that is specific for a group of HLA-A alleles. The HLA-A3-specific NK cell clone DP7 has been used for mice immunization. Two mAbs, termed Q66 and Q241, bound to the immunizing clone and stained only a subset of NK cell populations or clones. Among Q66 mAb-reactive clones, we further selected those that did not express any of the previously identified HLA-class I-specific NK receptors. These clones did not lyse HLA-A3+ (or -A11+) target cells, but lysis of these targets could be detected in the presence of Q66 or Q241 mAbs. On the other hand, target cells expressing other HLA-A alleles, including -A1, -A2, and -A24, were efficiently lysed. Moreover, none of the HLA-C or HLA-B alleles that were tested exerted a protective effect. Q66+, but not Q66- NK cell clones, expressed messenger RNA coding for a novel 3 Ig domain protein homologous to the HLA-C (p58) and HLA-B (p70) receptors. The corresponding cDNA (cl.1.1) was used to generate transient and stable transfectants in COS7 and NIH3T3 cell lines, respectively. Both types of transfectants were specifically stained by Q66 and Q241 mAbs. Since the cytoplasmic tail of Q66-reactive molecules was at least 11 amino acid longer than the other known p58/p70 molecules, we could generate an antiserum specific for the COOH-terminus of Q66-reactive molecules, termed PGP-3. PGP-3 immunoprecipitated, only from Q66+ NK cells, molecules displaying a molecular mass of 140 kD, under nonreducing conditions, which resolved, under reducing conditions, in a 70-kD band. Thus, differently from the other p58/p70 receptors, Q66-reactive molecules appear to be expressed as disulphide-linked dimers and were thus termed p140. The comparative analysis of the amino acid sequences of p58, p70, and p140 molecules revealed the existence of two cysteins proximal to the transmembrane region, only in the amino acid sequence of p140 molecules.     

The influence of phosphate on the properties of clay bricks

The fabrication, properties and composition of heated phosphate-bonded clay bricks are reported. The strength of phosphate-bonded clay bodies is shown to be related to the equilibrium pH of the clay mix. The highest strengths were obtained for mixes with equilibrium pH 7 fired at 500°C which gave a modulus of rupture 60% higher than the unmodified clay heated under similar conditions but at 800°C firing temperature. The phosphate-bonded products were also of low porosity and improved dimensional stability. An insight into the probable mechanism of strength development of the heated product has been obtained from XRD, SEM and DSC studies. The results show that the properties of the phosphate-bonded clay bodies are critically affected by new mineral phases resulting from the reactions of phosphates with clay which subsequently undergo physico-chemical changes above 550°C.     

Autonomous vehicles

There are various kinds of autonomous vehicles (AV's) which can operate with varying levels of autonomy. This paper is concerned with underwater, ground and aerial vehicles operating in a fully autonomous (nonteleoperated) mode. Further this paper deals with AV's as a special kind of device, rather than full-scale manned vehicles operating unmanned. The distinction is one in which the AV is likely to be designed for autonomous operation rather than being adapted for it as would be the case for manned vehicles. We provide a survey of the technological progress that has been made in AV's, the current research issues and approaches that are continuing that progress, and the applications which motivate this work. It should be noted that issues of control are pervasive regardless of the kind of AV being considered, but that there are special considerations in the design and operation of AV's depending on whether the focus is on vehicles underwater on the ground, or in the air. We have separated the discussion into sections treating each of these categories