Localization of Kex2-like processing endoproteases, furin and PC4, within mouse testis by in situ hybridization

AbstractBy in situ hybridization analysis, we show here the localization of furin and PC4, which are both members of a growing family of endoproteases structurally related to the yeast precursor processing protease Kex2, within mouse testis. Furin transcript was detected in both germ and somatic cells, while PC4 transcript was found only in round spermatids. Proenkephalin transcript was also localized in round spermatids. These observations suggest that, within testis, PC4 is involved in processing of peptide precursors such as proenkephalin and may play a role in regulation of sperm maturation. while furin may serve as a more general processing endoprotease

Positivity and Hierarchical Structure of four Green Functions Corresponding to a Bending Problem of a Beam on a half line

We consider the boundary value problem for fourth order linear ordinary differential equation in a half line (0,∞), which represents bending of a beam on an elastic foundation under a tension. A tension is relatively stronger than a spring constant of elastic foundation. We here treat four self-adjoint boundary conditions, clamped, Dirichlet, Neumann and free edges, at x = 0. We show the positivity and the hierarchical structure of four Green functions

New auroral spectrometer using an acousto-optic tunable filter

This paper reports the performance and capability of a newly developed zenith spectrometer (for measurements of airglow and aurora) that uses an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). The AOTF can scan the pass-band of the spectrometer between 450 and 700 nm with a bandwidth of 2-3 nm by changing the RF driver frequency from 180 to 100 MHz. The absolute sensitivity of the spectrometer is ～0.1-1.5 counts/Rayleigh/s per spectral step. The spectrometer is fully automated. The O I (557.7 nm) airglow line can be clearly identified in test observations of midlatitude airglow performed at Shigaraki Observatory, Japan. Based on an estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio, we conclude that the full auroral spectrum (450-700) nm can be measured by the AOTF spectrometer with a time resolution of ～100 s and a signal-to-noise ratio of ～100 for an auroral emission intensity of 10 kR. An example of the auroral spectra is shown for observations made at Syowa Station in Antarctica

SEX DIFFERENCES IN RACE PROFILE AND STROKE VARIABLES DURING 200-M SPRINT IN JUNIOR KAYAKERS

The purpose of present study was to examine sex differences in race profile and stroke variables during 200-m sprint in junior kayakers. 200-m race time of the male kayakers showed 11% shorter than the female kayakers. In both groups, significant positive correlations were found between kayak velocity and stroke rate. In the three part of duration (Initial: 0-25m, Middle: 100-125m, Finish: 175-Zoom), male kayakers were faster than female kayakers. Kayak velocity of male kayakers significantly decreased in the finish part from the middle part, while the kayak velocity of female kayakers showed a most constant. In conclusion, these different raw profiles might be explained by physiological differences in the upper body power or anaerobic capacities between males and females

Simultaneous quasi-periodic optical and HF radar signatures observed in the postnoon sector

Zhongshan Station in Antarctica is located close to the polar cusp/cleft latitude. The field of view of the Syowa East HF radar also covers Zhongshan Station. Simultaneous quasi-periodic phenomena of optical aurora, HF radar backscatter power and Doppler velocity, and ground based magnetograms were observed in the magnetic postnoon sector (～330 MLT to 1510 MLT) on 3 August 1997. The characteristics of the quasi-periodic event are summarized in the following; 1) East-west aligned band/arc type discrete aurora showed quasi-periodic luminosity variations with period of -6-10 min, 2) Quasi-periodic variations of the optical aurora had one to one correspondence with the variations of HF radar backscatter powers and magnetic pulsations, 3) The HF backscatter region was located at the lower latitude of the quasi-periodic optical aurora, 4) Quasi-periodic variations of line-of-site Doppler velocity detected by HF radar showed very close relation to the magnetic pulsations observed at Zhongshan in Antarctica and the IMAGE magnetometer array in the northern hemisphere, 5) The IMAGE data revealed that the region of quasi-periodic HF radar backscatter (irregularities) corresponds to the region of intensity maximum of magnetic pulsations

CPL on/off control of an assembled system by water soluble macrocyclic chiral sources with planar chirality

Herein, we report the synthesis and planar chiral properties of a pair of water-soluble cationic pillar[5]arenes with stereogenic carbons. Interestingly, although units of the molecules were rotatable, only one planar chiral diastereomer existed in water in both cases. As a new type of chiral source, these molecules transmitted chiral information from the planar chiral cavities to the assembly of a water-soluble extended π-conjugated compound, affording circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The chirality transfer process and resulting CPL were extremely sensitive to the feed ratio of the chiral pillar[5]arenes owing to the combined action of their planar chirality, bulkiness, and strong binding properties. When a limited amount of chiral source was added, further assembly of the extended π-conjugated compound into helical fibers with CPL was triggered. Unexpectedly, larger amounts of chiral source destroyed the helical fiber assemblies, resulting in elimination of the chirality and CPL properties from the assembled structures