On progressively truncated maximum likelihood estimators

Summary The basic regularity conditions pertaining to the asymptotic theory of progressively truncated likelihood functions and maximum likelihood estimators are considered, and the uniform strong consistency and weak convergence of progressively truncated maximum likelihood estimators are studied systematically. Work done during the first author's visit (as a visiting scholar) to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, supported by the Ministry of Education of the Japanese Government. Work supported by the (U.S.) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Contact NIH-NHLBI-F1-2243-L.     

Impairment in S-phase entry of splenocytes of Parp-1 knockout mice

One immediate cellular response to DNA damage is the polyADP-ribosylation reaction by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1). The importance of Parp-1 has been established in many cellular processes, such as the maintenance of genomic stability, DNA repair and cell-death induction. Here, we established Parp-1^−/− mice of C57BL/6J congenic strain and characterized the role of Parp-1 in cell-cycle progression. In this study, we also improved a method to observe G0/G1 to S-phase transition of splenocytes and bone marrow cells prepared from mice. The cells were cultured and stimulated with mitogens (50 μM ionomycin/1 μM phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate). We found that addition of a commercially available growth supportive reagent, BM Condimed ^RH1, greatly enhanced the transition of G0/G1 to the S-phase, which was determined by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation to DNA. Using this method, G0/G1 to the S-phase entry was measured using splenocytes derived from Parp-1^−/−, Parp-1^+/− and wild-type (Parp-1^+/+) mice. DNA synthesis in Parp-1^+/+ and Parp-1^+/− splenocytes started from day 1 after addition of mitogens, whereas that in Parp-1^−/− cells started from day 2. The peak of the S-phase was at day 2 in all genotypes and notably DNA synthesis in Parp-1^−/− cells was approximately halved compared to Parp-1^+/+ cells on day 2, 3 and 4. These results suggested that Parp-1 is involved in positive regulation of S-phase entry in quiescent mouse splenocytes.     

The cycloadducts of hexafluoroacetone and -thioacetone with diphenylketene

Hexafluoroacetone reacted with diphenylketene in the presence of potassium fluoride to give a 1:1 cycloadduct of β-lactone structure. On the other hand, hexafluorothioacetone, liberated from 2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dithietane by potassium fluoride, reacted with diphenylketene to give a “reverse” cycloadduct, a 3-thietanone derivative. Several reactions ofthe above product, including a reductive desulfuration of the 3-thietanone derivative were carried out.     

Measurements of velocity distributions with a laser doppler imaging system

A laser Doppler imaging system with a TV camera has been constructed and velocity distributions of fluid flow in cross sections of a rectangular channel have been measured. Consequently, it has been found that the system has some advantages in comparison with usual laser Doppler velocimeters, for example, the visualization of flow can be easily achieved.     

Structures of xestospongin A,B,C and D,novel vasodilativecompounds from marine sponge, xestospongiaexigua

Xestospongin A,B,C and D represent a new class of macrocyclic 1-oxaquinolizidines, have been isolated from Australian sponge $\text{Xestospongia}$$\text{exigua}$. The structure of xestospongin C has been determined by X-ray analysis.     

Mechanism of stigmasterol dealkylation in insect

Deuterated stigmasterols (10, 11 and 12) were chemically synthesized and fed to silk-worm larvae. GC-MS analysis of the metabolites, cholesterol (4) and desmosterol (6), indicates the migration of 25-hydrogen to C-24 position during stigmasterol dealkylation. 22,24(28)-Dienes(8a and 8b) were shown to be converted to 22,24-diene (5), desmosterol and cholesterol.     

An X-ray diffraction study of anharmonic thermal vibrations in the ionic conductor,barium chloride fluoride (BaClF)

Integrated intensities of X-ray reflections from a barium chloride fluoride single crystal were measured at 24, 180, 289, 402, 467 and 610°C. The intensities were used for the determination of the anharmonic potential parameters up to the third order. Harmonic potential parameters for each ion were obtained from the temperature dependence of thermal parameters, and anharmonic potential parameters were determined by the least-squares procedures, utilizing the temperature factor formalism based on the cumulant expansion. As a result, it has been found that the Ba²⁺ and Cl^? ions show an anharmonicity, while no significant anharmonic effect was detected for the F^? ion. From the potential calculated around the Cl^? and F^? ions, it was found that both Cl^? and F^? ions diffuse more easily within the (001) plane than along the c axis.