The Role of the Principle of Object-relatedness in the Theory of Activity

The present state of the theory of activity (by which we mean the concept developed by Leont'ev and his school) undoubtedly deserves serious discussion. Such a discussion must not be reduced, as often happens, to a critique of this theory by representatives of other schools and currents in psychology that are based on different theoretical positions (i.e., to a criticism from without), on the one hand, or to an unconditional acceptance of all of its postulates by proponents of this theory, on the other. In my view, the kind of critique of this theory that is most relevant and acutely necessary in terms of both its prospects of development and the extent to which its perceptions accord with other psychological currents is of another sort, namely, a critique from within, by which I mean analysis of its own laws, of the internal logic of development of the theory, and of its internal contradictions, which define its present status and the dynamics of its development. Such an analysis should enable us to stimulate more effectively the internal mechanism of development and self-development of the theory of activity and ensure a transition from a period of stagnation that has produced nothing of note to a progressive evolution of its content and its explanatory power.     

Formation of the microcirculatory bed of the muscle coat of the wall of the sigmoid colon during human fetal development]

During intrauterine life microcirculatory bed of the muscular coat is forming and developing in accordance with its differentiation, growth and functional changes at various steps of its ontogenesis. This step-like differentiation in the parts composing the microcirculatory bed and the whole microcirculatory network of longitudinal and circulatory layers of the muscular coat is genetically connected with differentiation taking place in the wall of the sigmoid colon during the developmental period studied and, in the end, reflects morphological maturation of the sigmoid colon at different stages of its individual ontogenesis.     

An increase in the immunogenicity of bacterial antigens under the influence of one of the derivatives of muramyl dipeptide]

As revealed in animal experiments, glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide (GMDP), the synthetic analog of muramyl dipeptide, when introduced intraperitoneally in a single injection or orally, exhibits adjuvant activity with respect to Citrobacter 0-antigens, Shigella flexneri and enhances the protective properties of dysentery and pertussis vaccines. The stimulating properties of GMDP depend on its dose, the route of its administration, the time elapsed after its administration, its ratio to the concomitant doses of bacterial antigens and to the dose of the virulent culture used for challenge.     

Determination of the Tautomeric Populations of the Y-Base

Abstract

Determination of tautomeric population of the Y-base in 3 by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy has shown that its most thermodynamically preferred tautomeric form is the N¹-H tautomer (～ 95 %) which explains its chemical reactivity in glycosylation reaction and also in the facile, lewis acid promoted isomerization of wyosine-2′,3′,5-O-triacetate 5 to its N¹-isomer 4. It is likely that the consequence of occurrence of natural wyosine in the thermodynamically unfavoured N³-form is its unusual lability across the glycosyl bond under mild acidic conditions.     

南瓜果肉色素的提取及稳定性的研究

本文研究了从南瓜果肉中提取色素的方法,并对它的光、热、酸、碱稳定性进行了研究,发现其性质较稳定,且原料来源广泛,提取工艺简单,着色效果好,是食品、医药、化妆品等领域的理想添加剂。     

Trans-Kemalism: the politics of the Turkish state in the diaspora

Abstract

In contrast to the huge amount of research on Turkish migration and migrants, the diasporic politics of the Turkish Kemalist state constitutes a neglected research subject in the scholarship on Turkish diaspora. How does the Turkish state reach out to its nationals and expatriates abroad? In what ways does the Turkish Republic seek to make Islam (as it does in Turkey) into an instrument legitimizing its politicizing and mobilizing enterprises? To explore these questions, this article investigates the long-distance Kemalism engaged in by the Turkish state to Turkify and secularize its nationals in the diaspora, using its activities in Australia as its case study. In sketching out trans-Kemalism's dimensions, the analysis directs attention to the intimate relationship between the political and religious fields of transnationalism manufactured by the state. The paper concludes that the intense political polarization in Turkey in the present makes the future of trans-Kemalism abroad somewhat uncertain.     

Stress-free state of the red blood cell membrane and the deformation of its skeleton

The response of a red blood cell (RBC) to deformation depends on its membrane, a composite of a lipid bilayer and a skeleton, which is a closed, twodimensional network of spectrin tetramers as its bonds. The deformation of the skeleton and its lateral redistribution are studied in terms of the RBC resting state for a fixed geometry of the RBC, partially aspirated into a micropipette. The geometry of the RBC skeleton in its initial state is taken to be either two concentric circles, a references biconcave shape or a sphere. It is assumed that in its initial state the skeleton is distributed laterally in a homogeneous manner with its bonds either unstressed, presenting its stress-free state, or prestressed. The lateral distribution was calculated using a variational calculation. It was assumed that the spectrin tetramer bonds exhibit a linear elasticity. The results showed a significant effect of the initial skeleton geometry on its lateral distribution in the deformed state. The proposed model is used to analyze the measurements of skeleton extension ratios by the method of applying two modes of RBC micropipette aspiration.     

Studies on the reduction and reoxidation of the disulfide bonds of the alpha and beta subunits of human choriogonadotropin

Reoxidation of the disulfide bonds of the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin after their complete reduction yields a product which is indistinguishable from the native subunit in its electrophoretic pattern in polyacrylamide gel and in its ability to recombine with the beta subunit of bovine lutropin. The circular dichroism of reoxidized human choriogonadotropin-alpha is essentially identical to that of the native alpha-subunit, except for slightly more negative ellipticity in the region of 240 mm. Hybrid hormone preparations obtained by recombination of reoxidized or native human choriogonadotropin-alpha with native lutropin-beta exhibit identical electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide gels, elution profiles in gel filtration, receptor binding activities, and CD spectra. However, reoxidation of human choriogonadotropin-beta under the same conditions does not yield a product which resembles the native beta subunit in its electrophoretic pattern on gels, its CD spectrum or its ability to recombine with the alpha subunit.     

Properties and specificity of the major anionic trypsin-like enzyme in the keratinolytic larvae of the webbing clothes moth.

The major form of the trypsin-like proteinases from the larvae of the webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella has been further purified and some of its properties investigated. It differs from bovine trypsin in several respects. It is anionic at neutral pH, is very stable at alkaline pH, has no requirement for calcium ions for this stability and is very sensitive to urea. It resembles vertebrate trypsins in its complete inhibition by diisopropylfluorophosphate, its pH optimum of 8.5 for hydrolysis of benzoyl-arginine p-nitroanilide and its cleavage specificity against glucagon and the beta-chain of S-carboxymethyl insulin.     

Current theories on the mechanism of the effect of glucagon on carbohydrate metabolism

Glucagon is considered for mechanisms of its action on the carbon metabolism, its significance in the complex polyhormonal regulation of the glucose synthesis and metabolism being studied. Glucagon exerts its effect on cells through specific receptors arranged on the plasma membrane, while its effect on the carbohydrate metabolism is mediated, mainly, by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation os some proteins participating in regulation of carbohydrate synthesis and metabolism including the proteins controlling expression of many genes. The glucagon effect on the level and efficiency of the action of insulin and some other hormones is an important link in the glucagon action on the carbohydrate metabolism.     

Effect of orthophosphate on the formation of the antibiotic nonactin

The potassium orthophosphate added to the media with developing actinomycetes inhibits the nonactin macrotetrolide antibiotic but causes the increase of mycelium growth. The degree of inhibition depends on the quantity of orthophosphate and almost doesn't depend on the time of its adding to the actinomycetes culture. The degree of phosphorus consumption by actinomycetes is higher, the more its content in the media. The antibiotic synthesis takes place during the phosphorus consumption but not after its exhaustion from the media.     

Calmodulin regulates the translocation of Grb7 into the nucleus

We describe in this report the presence of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) overlapping the calmodulin-binding domain (CaM-BD) of the growth factor receptor bound protein 7 (Grb7). We show that deletion of the CaM-BD of Grb7 prevents its nuclear localization, and that its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain might participate as well in the translocation process. Also, treating cells with the CaM antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) enhances the presence of Grb7 in the nucleus. We propose that CaM inhibits the translocation of Grb7 to the nucleus after binding to its CaM-BD and therefore occluding its overlapping NLS.     

On the mechanism of the chemical modification of the mitochondrial acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase by coenzyme A

The liver mitochondrial acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (acetyl-CoA:acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.9), is involved in ketone body synthesis. The enzyme can be chemically modified and inactivated by CoASH and also by CoASH-disulfides provided glutathione is present. The unmodified enzyme shows in its denatured state 7.95 +/- 0.44 sulfhydryl groups per enzyme and in its native state 3.92 +/- 0.34 sulfhydryl groups which react with Ellmann's reagent. The modified enzyme reveals in its native state also 4.07 +/- 0.25 sulfhydryl groups per enzyme, but in its denatured state 9.10 +/- 0.51 sulfhydryl groups could be detected. Approximately four sulfhydryl groups per enzyme, unmodified or modified, can be alkylated by iodoacetamide. These results prove for each subunit the existence of two sulfhydryl groups and suggest the existence of two disulfide bridges. The CoASH modification, which should proceed at one of these disulfide groups, prevents subsequent acetylation of the enzyme and is drastically reduced in the iodoacetamide-alkylated enzyme. In the demodification of the modified enzyme, the CoASH is set free as a mixed disulfide with glutathione.     

Satiety: the roles of peptides from the stomach and the intestine

Rats were surgically prepared to allow perfusions of anatomically limited portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) surface during test meals. The results demonstrated that at least one potent satiety signal was generated when ingested food accumulated in the stomach and did not enter the small intestine. This gastric satiety signal did not require the vagus nerve for its operation. In addition, at least one other potent satiety signal was generated when food perfused the small intestine. This intestinal satiety signal did not require gastric distension for its operation. We tested a variety of GI peptides to determine whether any met the criteria imposed by this evidence for regionally specific satiety signals. Bombesin (BBS), a peptide present in high concentration in the stomach, was a potent and behaviorally specific inhibitor of food intake. Its satiating effect was not altered by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Cholecystokinin (CCK), a peptide hormone that is released from the small intestine by food, was also a potent and behaviorally specific inhibitor of food intake; its satiating effect did not require gastric distension for its expression, but its satiating effect was markedly reduced or abolished by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Thus, BBS and CCK may mediate at least part of the satiating effect of food acting in the stomach and in the small intestine, respectively.     

Achievements in the study of the development and ultrastructure of spermatozoa (on the 300th anniversary of the discovery of spermatozoa)]

A review of principal advances in studying spermiogenesis and fine structure of spermatozoa is given on the occasion of the 3rd centennary of the discovery of spermatozoa by Loevenhuk. The most important achievements are the discovery of acrosome and its role in fertilization, the discovery of centriole and its role in the formation of flagellum, the discovery of axial complex and the role of its components in the flagellum movement. A study of spermatogenesis has revealed the syncytial nature of spermatogenic epithelium, synaptinemal complexes and their role in chromosome conjugation. The role of nuclear membrane in chromosome conjugation was established, the ultrastructural and biochemical transformation of chromatin was investigated, as well as that of microtubules in spermatogenesis. Some other discoveries were made which are of great importance for diagnosis of sterility.     

Study of the structure of the photosynthetic reaction center of the green thermophilic bacteria Chloroflexus aurantiacus

Analysis of the Chloroflexus aurantiacus reaction centre (RC) using both protein and recombinant DNA techniques resulted in determination of its polypeptide composition and the primary structures of its two subunits. A model of the polypeptide chains' folding in the membrane is suggested based on: i) homology between L- and M-subunits of Chloroflexus aurantiacus RC and their counterparts in purple bacteria; ii) comparison of their hydropathy plots, and iii) data on the tertiary structures of purple bacteria RCs. The role of a number of functionally important amino acid residues in the RC electron transport activity is discussed. Limited proteolysis of the RC under non-denaturing conditions was used to determine the contribution of the N-terminal regions to its thermal stability.     

Characterization of the Aerial Escape Response of the African Butterfly Fish, Pantodon buchholzi Peters

We studied the startle response of the African butterfly fish, Pantodon buchholzi (Osteoglossomorpha, Osteoglossoidea). It is an upward movement, mediated by abduction of the pectoral fins, and is elicited by mechanical and visual stimuli. Because this fish inhabits the first few centimeters beneath the water surface, its startle response results in an aerial excursion that may be described as ballistic-like, following a motion as defined by linear acceleration. We show that the aerial excursion is well-modeled by a parabola. On average, a fish jumps no more than twice its height and travels horizontally about five times its standard length. The fish may exhibit variable in-flight trunk and fin movements, but neither increases the travel distance in air following the initial in-water propulsive event. Similar vertical jumps also occur entirely within the water column suggesting that this motor behavior of Pantodon is a general escape behavior analogous to a Mauthner neuron-induced escape response. The variability in its posture in air and its direction of motion after reentering the water enhances this act of vertical flight as a step in this fish's escape behavior. The aerial aspect of its escape behavior is only a consequence of its position in the water column.     

瑞丽莫里热带雨林种子植物区系的初步研究

初步分析了鲜为人知的滇西南瑞丽莫里的热带雨林植物区系组成与地理成分。该植物区系中热带和主产热带的科占总科数的80%以上,热带分布属占总属数的84.1%;典型热带分布种占总种数的82.1%,该区系在科、属和种水平上均以热带成分占优势,明显属于热带性质的植物区系。在其热带分布属中,又以热带亚洲分布属最多,占总属数的26.5%;典型热带分布种中也以热带亚洲分布及其变型的种占绝对优势,占总种数的72.9%,反映了该植物区系具有热带亚洲植物区系的性质特点。在其热带亚洲成分中,又具体以南亚—大陆东南亚成分比例最高,反映了滇西南的热带雨林植物区系由于地域邻接关系,受印度(喜马拉雅)—缅甸植物区系的强烈影响。     

Letting the cat out of the bag

The image of the cheetah sprinting gracefully across the African Serengeti in pursuit of its prey is one that we're all familiar with. Many people perceive the cheetah as an animal flawlessly adapted to its environment-the perfect predator.