Author's comment on: "Electrical Analogy to an Atomic Force Microscope"

In [1] I used assumptions which proved to be wrong in further research. Corrections are given in this comment

Electrical Analogy to an Atomic Force Microscope

Several applications of the atomic force microscopy (AFM), such as measurement of soft samples, manipulation with molecules, etc., require mechanical analysis of the AFM probe behavior. In this article we suggest the electrical circuit analogy to AFM cantilever tip motion. Well developed circuit theories in connection with fairly accessible software for circuit analysis make this alternative method easy to use for a wide community of AFM users

Deformation pattern in vibrating microtubule: Structural mechanics study based on an atomistic approach

The mechanical properties of microtubules are of great importance for understanding their biological function and for applications in artificial devices. Although microtubule mechanics has been extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally, the relation to its molecular structure is understood only partially. Here, we report on the structural analysis of microtubule vibration modes calculated by an atomistic approach. Molecular dynamics was applied to refine the atomic structure of a microtubule and a C α elastic network model was analyzed for its normal modes. We mapped fluctuations and local deformations up to the level of individual aminoacid residues. The deformation is mode-shape dependent and principally different in α-tubulins and β-tubulins. Parts of the tubulin dimer sequence responding specifically to longitudinal and radial stress are identified. We show that substantial strain within a microtubule is located both in the regions of contact between adjacent dimers and in the body of tubulins. Our results provide supportive evidence for the generally accepted assumption that the mechanics of microtubules, including its anisotropy, is determined by the bonds between tubulins

Correction: Electro-acoustic behavior of the mitotic spindle: A semi-classical coarse-grained model (PLoS ONE (2014) 9:1 (e86501) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086501)

There are errors in the values reported for parameters a, b, c, and V in Table 1. Please see the correct Table 1 here. [Table Preasented]. There is an error in the equation in the third sentence in the “The arrangement of microtubules” subsection of the Models section. The equation describing the distance from the origin of the coordinate system for MTOC placement on the x-axis is incorrect. Please see the correct equation here: [Formola Presented]. There is an error in the Eq (6) in the “Calculation of the intensity of the electric field” subsection of the Models section. Please see the correct Eq (6) here: [Formola Presented]. There is an error in the Eq (7) in the “Calculation of the intensity of the electric field” subsection of the Models section. Please see the correct Eq (7) here: [Formola Presented]. The authors confirm that the code used in the modelling do not contain the errors in parameters and equations, which affect only the description of the models. The results and conclusions are therefore unaffected by these corrections to the reporting of the methodology. There are errors in the scale of the y-axis shown for the bottom panel of Fig 10. Please see the correct Fig 10 here.[Figure Presented]

Kinetic analysis of ASIC1a delineates conformational signaling from proton-sensing domains to the channel gate.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are neuronal Na <sup>+</sup> channels that are activated by a drop in pH. Their established physiological and pathological roles, involving fear behaviors, learning, pain sensation, and neurodegeneration after stroke, make them promising targets for future drugs. Currently, the ASIC activation mechanism is not understood. Here, we used voltage-clamp fluorometry (VCF) combined with fluorophore-quencher pairing to determine the kinetics and direction of movements. We show that conformational changes with the speed of channel activation occur close to the gate and in more distant extracellular sites, where they may be driven by local protonation events. Further, we provide evidence for fast conformational changes in a pathway linking protonation sites to the channel pore, in which an extracellular interdomain loop interacts via aromatic residue interactions with the upper end of a transmembrane helix and would thereby open the gate

First flea (Siphonaptera) records for Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, Central Alaska

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) was established in 1980 in Central Alaska. Collections of mammal fleas began in 1991. Six species resulted: Catallagia dacenkoi Ioff, Corrodopsylla curvata (Rothschild), Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Baker, Megabothris calcarifer (Wagner), Amalaraeus dissimilis (Jordan) and Peromyscopsylla ostsibirica (Scalon). Ten species of fleas were previously recorded from the upper Koyukuk River watershed. One female specimen each of C. curvata and Ct. pseudagyrtes from the KNWR are the only new fleas added to the upper watershed list

First flea (Siphonaptera) records for Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, Central Alaska

Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) was established in 1980 in Central Alaska. Collections of mammal fleas began in 1991. Six species resulted: Catallagia dacenkoi Ioff, Corrodopsylla curvata (Rothschild), Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Baker, Megabothris calcarifer (Wagner), Amalaraeus dissimilis (Jordan) and Peromyscopsylla ostsibirica (Scalon). Ten species of fleas were previously recorded from the upper Koyukuk River watershed. One female specimen each of C. curvata and Ct. pseudagyrtes from the KNWR are the only new fleas added to the upper watershed list

Measurement of Electromagnetic Activity of Yeast Cells at 42 GHz

This paper discusses the possibility of using a device composed of a resonant cavity, preamplifiers, and a spectrum analyzer to detect electromagnetic emission of yeast cells at a frequency of about 42 GHz. Measurement in this frequency range is based on the Frohlich\'s postulate of coherent polar oscillations as a fundamental biophysical property of biological systems and on the experiments of Grundler and Keilmann who disclosed effects of exposure to the electromagnetic field at 42 GHz on the growth rate of yeast cells. This article includes a detailed description of the laboratory equipment and the methods used to evaluate the obtained results