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Background Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by early involvement of the striatum. It affects the pace of repetitive motor activity, as motor timing depends on basal ganglia activity. However, data are lacking on the impact of this process on auditory time perception in motor non-affected gene carriers. Objective This work aims to test the performance in time perception of a group of mutation carriers, either without motor symptoms or at an early stage of motor involvement. This should allow designing therapies targeting compensation strategies and possibly be used as a disease progression marker. Method Time was assessed using two different tasks. An absolute, duration-based time perception was assessed in a first task and a relative, beat-based time perception was assessed in a second one. HD-mutation carriers with low-to-middle grades of motor involvement (HD-motor, n = 10) or without motor signs (HD-premotor n = 21), were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (control (n = 27)). Thresholds of time difference perception where assessed. Results For both tasks, poorer performances were found in HD-motor patients as compared with HD-premotor and controls. Thresholds of time difference perception correlated positively with the CAP score for the whole group of HD-gene carriers in both tasks. In a post-hoc exploratory analysis performed by a multiple regression, a negative correlation was found between the thresholds in both tasks and the Stroop interference test. Furthermore, in the first task, a positive correlation was found between thresholds and a trail making B test and a negative one with a total functional score. Conclusion Our data confirm that the impairment in time perception in persons affected by HD correlates with the advancing disease. They also suggest that time perception depends on similar cognitive mechanisms as the ones sub-serving the Stroop interference test.

This paper describes fault-tolerant and error detection features in HaL's memory management unit (MMU). The proposed fault-tolerant features allow recovery from transient errors in the MMU. It is shown that these features were natural choices considering the architectural and implementation constraints in the MMU's design environment. Three concurrent error detection and correction methods employed in address translation and coherence tables in the MMU are described. Virtually-indexed and virtually-tagged cache architecture is exploited to provide an almost fault-secure hardware coherence mechanism in the MMU, with very small performance overhead (less than 0.01% in the instruction throughput). Low overhead linear polynomial codes have been chosen in these designs to minimize both the hardware and software instrumentation impact. >

A stream-lined method for the detection of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in fish samples is described. The samples were mechanically blended with anhydrous sodium sulphate and then packed in a glass column. The lipid fraction was eluted from the column with dichloromethane. The described extraction technique recovered 13 C-labelled surrogate spikes as effectively as a method based on acidic digestion and liquid phase extraction. Lipids were removed from the fish extracts by size exclusion chromatography followed by chromatography on a mini acid/base silica column. The extract was further enriched by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on basic alumina and activated carbon. The analytes were identified and quantified by gas chromatography combined with mass selective detection. Two sets of fish samples (n = 16 & n = 6) were used to evaluate the method: surrogate recoveries ranged from 67.5% to 75.5%, and analytical precision ranged from 13.9 to 26.4%. Tritiated 2,3,7,8-T 4 CDD was used to conveniently trouble shoot the method.

Electronic toll collection, as a major area of application of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) concepts, requires an intelligent radio network, which, in addition to reliable communication between fast moving vehicles and fixed access points, can identify and locate each vehicle in a multi-lane free-flow busy highway and track it during its fast passage through the interrogation region. Current toll and traffic monitoring systems in North America utilize multiple antennas per lane, installed on a gantry, to cover multiple road lanes. Currently, to meet the coverage requirements and to prevent interference a number of fixed antennas with different types of pattern are used in various configurations.

In this paper various concepts for determining the probable lane position of a vehicle mount Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) transponder are presented and compared for Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). In particular, various configurations of roadside mount antennas and transceivers are presented. As a practical example, the system design methodology for a fixed beamwidth Toll Plaza AVI antenna capable of supporting a range of mounting heights is discussed in detail.

Angiographic displays of cerebral vessels can be generated with single-excitation three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. Differentiation of true stenosis from artifactual signal loss, due to dephasing effects from fast or nonconstant blood flow and field inhomogeneities, poses a significant clinical problem that can be largely resolved with the use of very short echo times (TEs). A three-dimensional imaging technique was developed that allows TEs of 3.1 msec without and 4.5 msec with first-order flow compensation gradients. The short TEs were achieved with short asymmetric radio-frequency pulses, gradients of minimal duration, and fractional echoes. Significantly improved images of normal tortuous vessels with fast flow were obtained. With this method, accuracy in depicting the vessel lumen and confidence in the findings were markedly increased.

s of a panel discussion addressing FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) and DQDB (distributed queue dual bus) technologies are provided. The following aspects are covered: user needs; network providers' concerns and opportunities; and state-of-the-art of FDDI and DQDB technologies and directions. >

Both actively growing and resting cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were exposed to 900-MHz fields that closely matched the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) pulsed modulation format signals for mobile phones at specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0.13 and 1.3 W/kg. Two identical anechoic test chambers were constructed to perform concurrent control and test experiments under well-controlled exposure conditions. Using specific test strains, we examined the genotoxic potential of mobile phone fields, alone and in combination, with a known genotoxic compound, the alkylating agent methyl methansulfonate. Mutation rates were monitored by two test systems, a widely used gene-specific forward mutation assay at CAN1 and a wide-range assay measuring the induction of respiration-deficient (petite) clones that have lost their mitochondrial function. In addition, two further assays measured the recombinogenic effect of mobile phone fields to detect possible effects on genomic stability: First, an intrachromosomal, deletion-formation assay previously developed for genotoxic screening; and second, an intragenic recombination assay in the ADE2 gene. Fluctuation tests failed to detect any significant effect of mobile phone fields on forward mutation rates at CAN1, on the frequency of petite formation, on rates of intrachromosomal deletion formation, or on rates of intragenic recombination in the absence or presence of the genotoxic agent methyl methansulfonate.

Effects of some imidazole compounds were studied on two animal models of cellular immune responses. Metronidazole in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg and cimetidine 200mg/kg (ip), significantly suppressed the delayed type of hypersensitivity reaction, as evidenced by the footpad thickness method in mice. No significant alteration in the response could be observed however, in tinidazole treated groups. All the three drugs inhibited the migration of leucocytes in the presence of antigen in rats considerably. However, they did not produce any involution of spleen or reduction of adrenal weight indicating that their actions are not corticosteroid mediated. All the three drugs studied are histamine-like imidazole derivatives. H2 receptors are present on the surface of T-lymphocytes. They appear to modulate the cellular immune response by altering the function of the regulatory lymphocytes.

The maximum breakup of 16O + 107Ag and 84Kr + 107Ag collisions at energies from 5A to 2100A MeV has been investigated. Comparisons between data and calculations within a fusion + evaporation model at low energies and fusion + hadrochemical fireball decay model at higher energies show that phenomena like pre-equilibrium emission, compression and collective flow must be considered. At (34 ± 2)A MeV we observe the cease of the compound evaporation process and the onset of multifragmentation for the highest multiplicity 16O + 107Ag collisions.

We report on an experiment in which emulsion chambers were exposed to a beam of 200 A GeV 16 O at the CERN SPS. Pseudo-rapidity distributions are measured with high precision. Pseudo-rapidity densities of 140 particles per unit rapidity corresponding to an energy density of about 3 GeV/fm3 are observed. Pseudo-rapidity density distributions and fluctuations are found to satisfactorily agree with the Lund Monte Carlo model Fritiof, although new and unknown sources for fluctuations might still be present.

The metabolism of the isomeric tri- and tetrachlorobenzene isomers, penta- and hexachlorobenzene was investigated in the rabbit. The major urinary metabolites of the isomeric tri- and tetrachlorobenzenes were identified as the corresponding tri- and tetrachlorophenols whose structures were confirmed by chromatographic analyses. The genesis of the formation of metabolites is discussed in terms of their possible arene oxide intermediates in which the NIH shift of a chlorine atom is observed in the oxidation of many of the isomers. Pentachlorobenzene is metabolized to give both pentachlorophenol and a dechlorination–hydroxylation product which was identified as 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol. The hexachlorobenzene substrate did not give any phenolic metabolites.

Data on inclusive reactions π − p → π ± + … and π − n → π ± + … at 40 GeV/ c are presented. Inclusive cross sections of the reactions π − p → π ± + … at x = 0 normalized to the inelastic cross section coincide with the ISR results for pp interactions at 500 – 1500 GeV. A similar result has been obtained for the inclusive process π − p → γ + … as well.

We have observed strong two-particle azimuthal correlations in different groups of charged particles in Kr-Em interactions at 1.4 A GeV . We also found a systematic growth of correlation with the increase of projectile mass and also with respect to participating target mass. The parameters studied are the asymmetry coefficients (A and ) and intergroup correlation parameter ij>. The colinearity coefficients (B and ) were also studied but no statistically significant signal, except for Z = 2 (He) fragments from the projectile was found.

After application of [ 14 C]lindane to the nutrient medium (1.45 ppm), 14.1% of the radioactivity was taken up by 12 lettuce plants during 4 weeks; in the nutrient medium, 7.8% was recovered after the same time interval. The radioactivity in the nutrient extract comprised: unchanged lindane (about 82%); free 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, free pentachlorophenol, conjugates of pentachlorophenol, and an unidentified polar compound (a total of 15%); 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-1-ene, and probably 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexene (a total of 3%). The radioactivity extracted from plants consisted of unchanged lindane (about 77%); free 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, conjugates of a tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol, and a strongly hydrophilic compound that was not identified (a total of 20%); 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohex-1-ene, and probably 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexene (a total of 3%). Identification was carried out by means of comparisons of chromatographic properties and of the mass spectra with those of authentic reference compounds. The significance of hexachlorobenzene as a metabolite of lindane is discussed.

Results of the investigation of some correlation effects in π − p interactions at 40 GeV/ c incident momentum are given. On the basis of 2 000 events the dependence of the transverse momenta of π + and π − mesons on the longitudinal momenta was obtained, as well as two- particle distributions for various pion pairs, and correlation functions C ( y 1 , y 2 ) and R ( y 1 , y 2 ). For π + π − pairs R (0,0) = 0.65 ± 0.07 and the correlation length is L = 1.8 ± 0.2 for −1 ⩽ y 1 , y 2 ⩽ 1. For π + π + and π − π − pairs R (0,0) = 0.26 ± 0.10. Comparison of these results with proton-proton data at 200 GeV and at ISR energies suggests that limiting behaviour in two- particle distributions R ( y 1 , y 2 ) for π − p interactions is already reached at 40 GeV.

The various existing or envisioned applications for so-called telemedicine networks are described. The current and future medical environments are examined with respect to the use of such networks. The characteristics of medical images that affect their transmission and storage are discussed. Medical communication field trials using the emerging broadband networks are described. Some service scenarios and concepts are presented. >

Oocytes from Xenopus laevis were injected with purified amber (UAG), ochre (UAA), and opal (UGA) suppressor tRNAs from yeasts. The radioactively labeled proteins translated from the endogenous mRNAs were then separated on two-dimensional gels. All three termination codons are used in a single cell, the Xenopus laevis oocyte. But a surprisingly low number of readthrough polypeptides were observed from the 600 mRNAs studied in comparison to uninjected oocytes. The experimental data are compared with the conclusions obtained from the compilation of all available termination sequences on eukaryotic and prokaryotic mRNAs. This comparison indicates that the apparent resistance of natural termination codons against readthrough, as observed by the microinjection experiments, cannot be explained by tandem or very close second stop codons. Instead it suggests that specific context sequences around the termination codons may play a role in the efficiency of translation termination.

FireMaster BP-6 is a commercial polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) preparation containing a complex mixture of isomers with the major component being identified as 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl. Column chromatographic techniques have been developed in which the crude FireMaster is separated into three fractions, F1, F2, and F3, in increasing order of polarity. F1 consists of highly purified 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl (94%) whereas F2-F3 contain less of this isomer and correspondingly more of the other bromobiphenyl components. Previously we have shown that crude FireMaster BP-6 is metabolized in mammals to give hydroxylated degradation products and the metabolism of F1, not unexpectedly, gives comparable results. It is well known that PBBs are effective inducers of diverse microsomal enzymes including including the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) system. The effects of FireMaster BP-6 and F1-F3 as AHH inducers have been investigated by using the following approach: the substrates used to monitor AHH activity are model halogenated aromatic compounds; the levels of metabolites and metabolite conjugates formed have been quantitated for control and induced enzymes; the levels of macromolecular adducts have also been quantitated for the inducers. This approach thus not only measures the rate of increase of detoxification products (metabolites and metabolite conjugates) but also monitors the macromolecule adduct formation which represents a toxification route. The effects of the PBBs as AHH inducers will be discussed in terms of the above approach.

An analysis of the basic characteristics of secondary particles created in the interaction of pions with heavy emulsion nuclei at the highest accelarator energies available is presented. Calculations were performed with an intra-nuclear cascade model using the Monte-Carlo method, taking into account the “trailing effect”. Emission of slow particles from the excited residual nucleus was calculated using Weisskopf's evaporation theory. The theoretical results were compared with experimental results at 17.2 and 60 GeV interactions.

Here we present results on charged hadron production in an experiment using tracking detectors with the highest possible spatial resolution: emulsion chambers. A sample of the most central collisions will be compared to the predictions of the Lund Model, which does an accurate job of representing conventional (non−quark−gluon plasma) physics in nuclear reactions. We can use the high resolution of our detectors to examine spatial correlations in several ways. In particular, the radial size of the particle formation region can be estimated using pion interferometry techniques. (AIP)

The gene ade6 is located on chromosome III of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. It codes for the enzyme phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase involved in purine biosynthesis. A DNA fragment of 3043 nucleotides has been sequenced. It complements ade6 mutations when present on plasmids. An uninterrupted open reading frame of 552 amino acid residues was identified. A method for the cloning of chromosomal mutations by repair of gapped replication vectors in vivo has been developed. Twelve ade6 mutant alleles have been isolated. The sequence alterations of four mutant alleles have been determined. Among them are the ade6-M26 recombination hot spot mutation and the nearby ade6-M375 control mutation. Both are G to T base substitutions, converting adjacent glycine codons to TGA termination codons. They are suppressed by defined tRNA nonsense suppressors of the UGA type. The ade6-M26 mutation leads to a tenfold increase of the occurrence of conversion tetrads in comparison with other ade6 mutations. Possible explanations for the M26-induced increase of recombination frequency are discussed in relation to specific features of the nucleotide sequence identified in the region of the M26 mutation.

Fluctuations in particle densities of non-statistical origin are studied in central 16 O+Ag(Br) and 32 S+Au interactions at 200 A GeV. Non-statistical fluctuations in the 32 S-induced interactions seem to enhance the local particle densities, and suggest the presence of intermittancy. The fluctuations are found to be accompanied by a clustering tendency also in the azimuthal plane. A new method for the study of azimuthal correlations is proposed.

1. The metabolism of several halogenated biphenyls has been studied using poultry as a model system. The substrates 4-chlorobiphenyl and 4-bromobiphenyl each yielded two metabolites (4′-chloro-4-biphenylol, 4′-chloro-3,4-biphenyldiol; 4′-bromo-4-biphenylol, 4′-bromo-3,4-biphenyldiol), while 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl yielded only one metabolite (4,4′-dichloro-3-biphenylol).2. Metabolites were not found in eggs collected for 7 days following the administration of the substrate.

Intergenic conversion is a mechanism for the concerted evolution of repeated DNA sequences. A new approach for the isolation of intergenic convertants of serine tRNA genes in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is described. Contrary to a previous scheme, the intergenic conversion events studied in this case need not result in functional tRNA genes. The procedure utilizes crosses of strains that are homozygous for an active UGA suppressor tRNA gene, and the resulting progeny spores are screened for loss of suppressor activity. In this way, intergenic convertants of a tRNA gene are identified that inherit varying stretches of DNA sequence from either of two other tRNA genes. The information transferred between genes includes anticodon and intron sequences. Two of the three tRNA genes involved in these information transfers are located on different chromosomes. The results indicate that intergenic conversion is a conservative process. No infidelity is observed in the nucleotide sequence transfers. This provides further evidence for the hypothesis that intergenic conversion and allelic conversion are the result of the same molecular mechanism. The screening procedure for intergenic revertants also yields spontaneous mutations that inactivate the suppressor tRNA gene. Point mutations and insertions of A occur at various sites at low frequency. In contrast, A insertions at one specific site occur with high frequency in each of the three tRNA genes. This new type of mutation hot spot is found also in vegetative cells.

The screening of antisuppressor mutants of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been successfully accomplished with high resolution liquid chromatographic methods for the analysis of tRNA nucleosides. Antisuppressor mutations reduce or abolish the function of nonsense suppressor-tRNAs or other informational suppressors. Nonradioactive or 35S-labeled unfractionated tRNA from various strains was digested to nucleosides and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The mutant sin3 has lost the nucleoside 5-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-2-thiouridine from its tRNA in comparison to parental strains. In eukaryotes this nucleoside is found at the first position of the anticodon (wobble position) in several isoacceptor tRNAs that preferentially recognize codons ending with adenosine. The sin3 mutation reduces the efficiency of UGA and UAA suppressor tRNASer and suppressor tRNALeu. The genetic cosegregation of modification loss, antisuppressor phenotype, and a change in cell size is demonstrated. This indicates that a single mutation in the structural gene for a tRNA modification enzyme causes the three different phenotypes.