The protein arrestin as a regulator of the phototransduction process and as a factor of pathogenesis of the eye diseases

In the first part of the paper, the results of the investigation of the rhodopsin arrestin interaction are presented. The results were mainly obtained with the technique of the selective labelling of the rhodopsin and arrestin SH-groups and the rhodopsin limited proteolysis. These results are discussed in the frame of the latest data on the three-dimensional structure of arrestin. In the second part of the paper, results of the antigenic properties of arrestin (S-antigen) and its role in the pathogenesis of the retina diseases are summarized. The data on the role of the autoimmune processes in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy are presented. We have also described the results of the use of the elaborated technique of the immune diagnostics in the prognosis of the diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of the premature babies.     

Acceptor of action results as a structural functional basis of dynamic stereotype activities of the brain

The system mechanisms of brain dynamic stereotypes formation are considered. The brain dynamic stereotypes are shown to be formed on the structures of acceptor of action results by dominating motivations and reinforcements. Acceptors of action results are widely spread in brain structures. They are presented in functional systems which form behavioral acts of animals with spreading neural excitations in collaterals of axons of pyramidal tract. Reinforcing excitations form specific architectonic of acceptors of action results, which include brain structures corresponding to modalities of parameters of reinforcements. Dominating motivations, which predict future events, excite molecular engrams of action results which were formed by previous reinforcements.     

Convective Flow of Sisko Fluid over a Bidirectional Stretching Surface

The present investigation focuses the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the steady three-dimensional Sisko fluid driven by a bidirectional stretching sheet. The modeled partial differential equations are reduced to coupled ordinary differential equations by a suitable transformation. The resulting equations are solved numerically by the shooting method using adaptive Runge Kutta algorithm in combination with Newton''s method in the domain [0,∞). The numerical results for the velocity and temperature fields are graphically presented and effects of the relevant parameters are discussed in detail. Moreover, the skin-friction coefficient and local Nusselt number for different values of the power-law index and stretching ratio parameter are presented through tabulated data. The numerical results are also verified with the results obtained analytically by the homotopy analysis method (HAM). Additionally, the results are validated with previously published pertinent literature as a limiting case of the problem.     

Further Investigations on the Robustness of the Standardized Selection Difference

The robustness of the standardized selection difference is investigated for the family of central chi-squared-distributions. The results are compared with those for the uniform, a family of triangular distributions and the exponential distribution. Beside these exact results and some simulation results are considered.     

Mathematical treatment of structure and function of the human thermoregulatory system

The mathematical system analysis of structure and function of the human thermoregulatory system is introduced and compared to simplifying modelling techniques. In an adequate treatment the principle of locally and time dependent variables and parameters is taken into account. The complete equations are given in such a way that reference signals are not necessary. The problem of the set point is discussed. On the basis of a series of preliminary simplifications first results are presented concerning system-states under open and closed loop conditions, effectiveness of the controller and dynamics of radial temperature profiles. Quasistationary and dynamical experimental results are added for comparison. The results encourage us to continue the realisation of the complete system without the preliminary simplifying assumptions.     

Stage specificity of selenium-mediated inhibition of mouse mammary tumorigenesis

The experiments reported herein examined the inhibitory role of selenium in chemical carcinogen-induced mouse mammary tumorigenesis. The results from four different experiments are presented herein and are summarized briefly. First, the results demonstrated that relatively low doses of dietary selenium (0.5–2.0 ppm) inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DBMA)-induced mouse mammary tumorigenesis. At 2 ppm Se, the mammary tumor incidence was reduced from 56 to 15%. Second, the results suggested that the later stages of mammary tumorigenesis (preneoplastic to neoplastic transformation and tumor growth) are not as sensitive to selenium-mediated inhibition as the early stages, i.e., the induction and/or expression of mammary preneoplastic lesions. Finally, the results demonstrated that selenium markedly inhibited mammary tumorigenesis (from 42 to 8%) even when the mice were exposed to selenium only after the carcinogen treatments had been concluded. The results from these experiments are discussed from the viewpoint that selenium-mediated inhibition is a result of a direct block of DNA synthesis.     

Characterization of algae using regularities

The weight fraction carbon and reductance degree of algae are reviewed for literature data. Average values are compared with values for yeast and bacteria. The results show that the standard deviation and coefficient of variation are small as long as the algae are grown under adequate nutritional conditions. For nitrogen-deficient growth conditions, the storage of lipids has been observed; this results in values of weight fraction carbon and reductance degree which are larger than the average values.     

On the possibility of pleiotropic monogenic control of hereditary polyposis and primary cancer of the colon.

The results of the segregation analysis of hereditary adenomatous polyposis and primary cancer of the colon are given, taking into account the age-dependent manifestation of genotypes and the specificity of pedigree sampling. The results are used for testing the hypothesis of pleiotropic monogenic control of these two colon pathologies.     

Effects of coating roughness and biofouling on ship resistance and powering

Predictions of full-scale ship resistance and powering are made for antifouling coating systems with a range of roughness and fouling conditions. The estimates are based on results from laboratory-scale drag measurements and boundary layer similarity law analysis. In the present work, predictions are made for a mid-sized naval surface combatant at cruising speed and near maximum speed. The results indicate that slime films can lead to significant increases in resistance and powering, and heavy calcareous fouling results in powering penalties up to 86% at cruising speed. The present estimates show good agreement with results from full-scale ship power trials.     

Experience of screening of thyroid status during the post-Chernobyl period

The results of 30 years of regular screening and research in the radionuclide-contaminated and uncontaminated areas of Belarus are analyzed. The possible reasons for the contradictory and controversial conclusions made by different research groups that addressed the possible consequences of the Chernobyl disaster during the early postdisaster period are given. The results of the evaluation of the dynamics of the elevated incidence of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents are presented. The importance of continued screening of the population for early detection of thyroid disease is discussed.     

Topological approach to quantifying molecular lipophilicity of heterogeneous set of organic compounds

The lipophilicity of the large set of organic compounds is investigated using distance-based topological indices. The results have shown that molecular lipophilicity can be modeled in multi-parametric model in that W, 1 chi, B, J and logRB along with indicator parameters are involved. The results are discussed critically.     

黑曲霉纤维素酶高产固态培养基的快速优选研究

研究采用正交设计,对影响黑曲霉 Ｆ_２７产纤维素酶的 １０个营养因素在较少水平下进行初选,从中选出对产酶影响显著的４个因素．在此基础上采用均匀设计,在较多水平下进行较少次数的试验,将试验结果用微机逐步回归处理,得到最优回归方程,由回归方程计算出预测极值点和预测极值、优化出高产纤维素酶固态培养基配方．经试验验证,试验实测值和预测值基本相符, ＣＭＣａｓｅ活力平均达 ３７０５Ｕ／ｇ, ＦＰＡ活力平均达 ７．４Ｕ／ｇ．表明对于多因子试验,应用正交设计结合均匀设计的试验方法是快速、简便、可行的．     

Effects of cycloheximide and chloramphenicol on the synthesis of polypeptides found in three subcellular fractions of maize scutellum

The effects of two protein synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide and chloramphenicol, on the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins in maize (Zea mays) have been studied. The results of these investigations suggest that while most of the mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm and are subsequently associated with the mitochondrion, several proteins of the mitochondrial inner membrane are synthesized within the mitochondrion. These results are consistent with those observed in several other systems, but not previously reported for higher plants.     

On the use of infinite elements for the determination of optimal closure patterns based on stress analysis

Solid infinite elements are used in conjunction with finite elements to compute the stress and displacement distribution resulting from the suturing of wounds of symmetric and nonsymmetric shapes in orthotropic, abdominal human skin. The optimal pattern of suturing of wounds are investigated from a stress perspective. Highly accurate, quantitative and qualitative improvements over the use of finite elements to approximate distant boundaries are obtained. Numerical results quantitatively agree with analytic results computed using complex analysis techniques. The technique used and the results obtained will aid surgeons in closing nonsymmetrical wounds on regions of the body that exhibit orthotropy.     

Monte Carlo studies of the hydrocarbon region of lipid bilayers

We present the results of a Monte Carlo study of systems of hydrocarbon chains attached to a plane interface and interacting through hard core repulsive forces only. The chain-order parameters which we find in our studies are compared to experimental results (NMR and ESR). The role of “kink” states and the relevance of our studies to theoretical models are also discussed.     

Ab initio DFT study of structural and mechanical properties of methane and carbon dioxide hydrates

The structural and mechanical properties of methane and carbon dioxide hydrates were investigated using density functional theory simulations. Well-established equations of state of solids and exchange-correlation functionals were used for fitting the unit lattice total energy as a function of volume, and the full second-order elastic constants of these two gas hydrates were determined by energy–strain analyses. The polycrystalline elastic properties were also calculated from the unit lattice results. The final results for methane hydrate agree well with available experimental data and with other theoretical results. The two gas hydrates were found to be highly elastically isotropic, but they differed significantly in shear properties. The presented results for carbon dioxide hydrates are the first complete set reported so far. The results are a significant contribution to the ab initio material characterisation of gas hydrates required for ongoing fundamental studies and technological applications.     

Steady flow of a viscous fluid through a network of tubes with applications to the human arterial system

The paper presents a finite-element model for the analysis of steady flow of a viscous fluid through a connected system of elastic tubes with the aim of simulating the conditions of blood flow through the human arterial system. The governing equations of the model are non-linear in character and are solved through an iterative computational procedure. This model is capable of incorporating the effects of stenosis on flow and pressure. Typical results are presented and discussed. Quantitative results have been obtained on blood flow through a model of the human arterial system corresponding to the sets of prescribed conditions at the terminations. Also computational results on the effect of stenosis in typical arteries of the system are presented.     

Sensitivity analysis of stoichiometric networks: an extension of metabolic control analysis to non-steady state trajectories

A sensitivity analysis of general stoichiometric networks is considered. The results are presented as a generalization of Metabolic Control Analysis, which has been concerned primarily with system sensitivities at steady state. An expression for time-varying sensitivity coefficients is given and the Summation and Connectivity Theorems are generalized. The results are compared to previous treatments. The analysis is accompanied by a discussion of the computation of the sensitivity coefficients and an application to a model of phototransduction.     

Small mammals of the southeast Tver oblast. Communication 1. The fauna and biotopic distribution

The authors analyze the data of a 12-year monitoring of small mammal populations with live-catch cage traps, snap traps, and pitfall traps. Eighteen species were trapped. Biotopical distributions of the species are outlined. The study shows that snap-trapping and pitfall-trapping results are not in complete agreement. Capture-mark-recapture live-trapping results are consistent with averaged results obtained with snap traps and pitfalls, standardized to a unit of distance.     

山东嘉祥县土蝗种类组成、分布和区域防治

连续 2年普查结果表明 ,嘉祥县共有土蝗 1 7种 ,分属 2总科 6科 1 5属 ,同时还摸清了土蝗的优势种类、分布区域范围及发生规律。不同生态环境条件下其优势种分布有明显不同 ,地形地貌及植被覆盖度对土蝗发生有明显的影响