Photochemical identification of transmembrane segment IVS6 as the binding region of semotiadil, a new modulator for the L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel

To identify the binding domain of a new Ca2+ antagonist semotiadil on L-type Ca2+ channels from skeletal muscle, photolabeling was carried out by using an azidophenyl derivative of [3H]semotiadil. Photoincorporation was observed in several polypeptides of membrane triad preparations; the only specific photoincorporation was in the alpha1 subunit of the Ca2+ channel. After solubilization and purification, the photolabeled alpha1 subunit was subjected to proteolytic and CNBr cleavage followed by antibody mapping. Specific labeling was associated solely with the region of transmembrane segment S6 in repeat IV. Quantitative immunoprecipitation was found in the tryptic and the Lys-C/Glu-C fragments of 6.6 and 6.1 kDa, respectively. Further CNBr cleavage of the Lys-C digests produced two smaller fragments of 3.4 and 1.8 kDa that were included in the tryptic and Lys-C/Glu-C fragments. The smallest labeled fragments were: Tyr1350-Met1366 and Leu1367-Met1381 containing IVS6, a possible pore-forming region. The data suggest that semotiadil binds to a region that is overlapped with but not identical to those for phenylalkylamines, dihydropyridines and benzothiazepines. The present study also provides evidence that region IV represents an important component of a binding pocket for Ca2+ antagonists.     

Surface tension of liquid3He and4He near the liquid-gas critical point

The surface tension of liquid³He and⁴He was measured near the gas-liquid critical points in the reduced temperature range 3×10^–4–1, where t (T _c –T)/T _c . The critical exponents were found to be ₃=1.289±0.015 for³He and ₄=1.306±0.017 for⁴He. These values are very close to those for classical liquids, and are consistent with the value of 1.28 predicted by Widom, but are apparently different from the exponents previously obtained for liquid helium isotopes, which are near unity. The critical coefficients show good agreement with the quantum-corrected corresponding states theory for the Lennard-Jones 6–12 potential discussed by Young. The interface thickness is deduced from Widom's theory to bed=d ₀t^–v withd ₃₀=0.14±0.03nm and v₃=0.57±0.04 for³He, andd ₄₀=0.37±0.07 nm and v₄=0.58±0.01 for⁴He.     

Effect of high temperature plastic strain with dynamic strain ageing on sensitization of type 304 stainless steel

The effect of plastic strain in the range 298 to 923 K on sensitization of type 304 stainless steel has been studied by means of electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) method and 10% oxalic acid etch (10% OAE) technique. The results are compared with those of isothermal sensitization heat treatment. The increase in degree of sensitization by plastic strain at 573 K was small. On the other hand, the sensitization by plastic strain at 723 K, was accelerated significantly, i.e. 20 times faster than the isothermal treatment, and that by plastic strain at 823 and 923 K was 6 times faster. It is shown that the dynamic strain ageing in range 450 to 570 K, which might be due to C or N diffusion, has a slight effect on sensitization, while the dynamic strain ageing in range 700 to 870 K, which might be due to Cr diffusion, accelerates the sensitization substantially.     

Nonlinear adaptive control system design and experiment for a 3-DOF model helicopter

This paper deals with model following control of a model helicopter with three degree-of-freedom. Since the decoupling matrix is singular, a nonlinear structure algorithm is used to design the controller. Furthermore, since the model dynamics are described linearly by unknown system parameters, a well-known parameter estimation technique is introduced. The integral type of estimation model is proposed here since the use of the derivative type of model cannot obtain the desired estimation result. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method. This work was presented in part at the 13th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 31–February 2, 2008     

Medical management after pituitary surgery

Although the majority of patients with pituitary tumor, undergoing transsphenoidal microsurgery, have a low incidence of hormonal deficiency after surgery, the endocrinological evaluations should be carefully done before and after surgery. Glucocorticoid replacement is necessary in patients with Cushing's disease during and after surgery as well as those with adrenal insufficiency. Repeated CRF test is useful to assess the secondary adrenal insufficiency of Cushing's disease after surgery. Patients with impaired secretion of both ACTH and TSH should receive glucocorticoid replacement before thyroid hormone replacement in order to avoid adrenal crisis. A combination of CRF, GRF, TRH and GnRH is a safer and more reliable test to evaluate pituitary function than the conventional triple test consisting of insulin, TRH and GnRH, especially in patients predicted to have pituitary-adrenal insufficiency. Diabetes insipidus(DI), immediately after pituitary surgery, should be treated with subcutaneous injection of Pitressin. Even if patients seem to have recovered from DI several days after surgery, they must be monitored closely because of the incidence of triphasic DI. Less attention has been given to replacement for GH deficiency in adults. Recent reports revealed that GH replacement in adults with GH deficiency decreases visceral fat tissue and increases plasma calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin and procollagen III levels. GH replacement will become more popular even in adults. Many options and technological advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary tumors have developed in a decade. In the near future, post-operative patients with pituitary tumors must be cared for in view of the "quality of life".     

Fatigue crack propagation work coefficient—a material constant giving degree of resistance to fatigue crack growth

Study on fatigue crack growth in steels was carried out from energetic point of view, i.e. taking account of plastic work around the fatigue crack. Based on the examination of the relation between fatigue crack growth rate (da/dN) and the plastic work around the fatigue crack tip (W_0.02 in SUS304, Fe-3Si and HT 60 steels, a material constant-fatigue crack propagation work coefficient-Q_0.02 is proposed. It is the ratio of W_0.02 to da/dN and means the degree of the resistance to fatigue crack growth. Numerical expression of Q_0.02 by mechanical properties was derived, which is given by

$\text{Q}{}_{0.02}\text{=}\text{9.3x10}{}^1\text{(σ}{}_{\mathrm{y}}\text{+σ}{}_{0.2}\text{)}\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{y}}{}^{1.3}$

Comparison of Q_0.02 of various steels showed that Q_0.02 of high strength steels is very small compared with that of low strength steels. Graphical representation of the relation between Q_0.02 and da/dN at various values of ΔK/σ_y for steels revealed that da/dN at given value of ΔK/σ_y increase with decreasing Q_0.02. It is shown that fatigue crack growth behaviour of a steel (da/dN-ΔK relation) can be obtained from the Q_0.02-da/dN diagram by knowing the mechanical properties. Discussion on design stress level of the steels is also given.     

Am1 MO Study of Benzene Nitro Derivatives

Molecular properties of benzene nitro derivatives were investigated by using semi-empirical MO calculations. As the results, the molecular structures and the rotational barrier of the nitro group calculated by AM1 showed a good agreement with the experimental values. The heats of formation in gaseous and condensed phases were obtained by considering isodesmic reactions. By this procedure, the heat of formation of hexanitrobenzene in solid phase was calculated to be +22.7 kcal/mol. The detonation parameters were also calculated by using four equations of state. The predicted detonation velocities showed a good agreement with the experimental values.     

Isolation and characterization of the Shiga toxin gene (stx)-bearing Escherichia coli O157 and non-O157 from retail meats in Shandong Province, China, and characterization of the O157-derived stx2 phages

Infection by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli of non-O157 and O157 serotypes are rare in China, but infection by O157 serotype was found in Shandong Province and three other provinces in China. To understand the reason for these rare infections and to determine the safety of retail meats in Shandong Province, we examined the distribution of Shiga toxin gene (stx)-bearing E. coli in retail meats and characterized the isolated stx-bearing strains. We used hybridization with DNA probes and isolated stx1- and/or stx2-positive E. coli from 31 (58%) of 53 retail meat samples, with beef showing the highest frequency (68%). Of 42 stx-positive isolates, none belonged to O157. Using the O157-specific immunomagnetic bead technique, we isolated E. coli O157 carrying the eae and stx2 genes from eight beef samples (26%). These strains produced little or no Stx2 and carried a unique q gene. Replication of the stx2 phages was detected in these strains, whereas stx2 phage replication was not detected in our previous study in which we examined similar stx2-bearing E. coli O157 strains from other Asian countries. Analysis of E. coli C600 lysogenized with the stx2 phages found in this study suggests that the lack of Stx2 production is due to changes in non-q gene region(s) of the phage genome or chromosomal mutation(s) in the host. Our data and reports by other workers suggest it is necessary to determine if various stx2-bearing E. coli O157 strains producing Stx2 to varying degrees are distributed in meats in various locations in China.     

Nyquist stability criterion of intrinsic zeros for continuous-time pure imaginary zeros

This note treats a stability condition of the zeros of sampled systems corresponding to continuous-time pure imaginary zeros with multiplicity one for systems with the relative degree one. It is shown that the Nyquist plot can be used to check the stability condition.     

DC conduction associated with electric field-induced motion in mineral oils

The contributions of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) motion to the dc electric conduction in insulating oils are presented. The effects of solid/liquid interfaces on the EHD motion have been studied with a mineral oil-polypropylene mixed dielectric and a mineral oil single dielectric. The time dependence of current, schlieren images of EHD motion induced in the oil layer and response signals of density change in the vicinity of the electrode/oil interfaces after application of step voltage are observed. The results are as follows: (1) the EHD motion occurs at the positive electrode/oil interfaces when a voltage above critical voltage is applied; (2) a time delay exists between the application of step voltage and the onset of EHD motion. The time is inversely proportional to the applied voltage; (3) the EHD motion increases current and produces a peak phenomena in the current waveform; and (4) the time difference between peak current time and the delay time is inversely proportional to applied voltage.