A two-stage nonlinear cochlear model possesses automatic gain control

A model of the cochlea is explored using as stimuli two simultaneously presented sinusoids of equal amplitude. The model consists of two stages: a linear bandpass filter, followed by a reservoir-type representation of the hair-cell/nerve-fiber complex. Fast Fourier transforms of the model's output were computed. While the amplitudes of the individual response components were strongly nonlinear functions of intensity, the ratio of the magnitudes of the response components at the frequencies of the two stimulating sinusoids was found to be nearly equal, over a wide intensity range, to the ratio of the amplitudes which those stimulating sinusoids possessed at the output of the filter. Thus the reservoir stage exerts "automatic gain control".     

SN2 reactions in the gas phase. Structure of the transition state

The alkylhalide-halide association ions, [RX₂]^? that are observed in the negative chemical ionization mass spectra of alkyl halides appear to be directly related to the corresponding S_N2 transition states in solution. ‘Frontside’ association of halide ions with bridgehead alkyl halides does not occur in our system. The Change in heats and entropies of association for the chloromethane series is consistent with delocalization in the [RX]₂^? ions.     

A comparison of differential pulse and d.c. amperometric detection modes for the liquid chromatographic determination of oxalic acid

Oxalic acid determinations are made using two modes of electrochemical detection, namely, classical d.c. and differential pulse, after separation by ion-pair, ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Peak height ratio plots are constructed and compared for uric acid and oxalic acid mixtures using both electrochemical detection modes. The enhanced selectivity realized by use of the differential pulse electrochemical detection mode is demonstrated.     

Use of the tubulin bound paclitaxel conformation for structure-based rational drug design

A new computational docking protocol has been developed and used in combination with conformational information inferred from REDOR-NMR experiments on microtubule bound 2-(p-fluorobenzoyl)paclitaxel to delineate a unique tubulin binding structure of paclitaxel. A conformationally constrained macrocyclic taxoid bearing a linker between the C-14 and C-3'N positions has been designed and synthesized to enforce this "REDOR-taxol" conformation. The novel taxoid SB-T-2053 inhibits the growth of MCF-7 and LCC-6 human breast cancer cells (wild-type and drug resistant) on the same order of magnitude as paclitaxel. Moreover, SB-T-2053 induces in vitro tubulin polymerization at least as well as paclitaxel, which directly validates our drug design process. These results open a new avenue for drug design of next generation taxoids and other microtubule-stabilizing agents based on the refined structural information of drug-tubulin complexes, in accordance with typical enzyme-inhibitor medicinal chemistry precepts.     

Aristoserratin,ein neues Indolalkaloid aus Aristotelia serrata W.R.B. OLIVER und A. peduncularis (LABILL.) HOOK. F. 178. Mitteilung über organische Naturstoffe

Aristoserratine, a New Indole Alkaloid from Aristotelia serrata W.R.B. OLIVER and from A. peduncularis (LABILL .) HOOK . F. The new indole alkaloid aristoserratine (2) has been isolated from Aristotelia. Its structure and absolute configuration were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Deactivation of vibrationally excited ozone by O(3P) atoms

Using laser-induced fluorescence of ozone (to measure the rate of disappearance of O₃²) and NO₂ titration (to determine O atom concentrations), we have determined bimolecular rate constants for the deactivation by O(³P atoms) of ozone in excited stretching and bending modes. These experiments do not distinguish between deactivation by (a) the exchange of vibrational and translational energy or (b) the chemical reaction O₃ + O → 2O₂. If the non-reactive pathway (a) is assumed to dominate, then O(³P) is 150 times more effective than O₂ in deactivating O²₃. If chemical reaction (b) is dominant, the bimolecular rate constant for O²₃ + O(³P) is larger by a factor of 150–1500 than that for ground-state ozone.     

On J. Bolyai's parallel construction

Given a model of Hilbert's incidence, order and congruence axioms (an H-plane) in which the Line-Circle Principle and the hypothesis of the acute angle hold, J. Bolyai's parallel construction is shown to yield the two parallels through the given point that have a common perpendicular at infinity with the given line through the ideal points at which they meet the given line; these need not be asymptotic parallels, for the plane need not be hyperbolic. Two new characterizations of hyperbolic planes are given, based on W. Pejas' classification of H-planes. The role of Archimedes' axiom is clarified.