Unexpected crossover dynamics of single polymer in a corrugated tube J. Chem. Phys. 137, 114902 (2012) Nonequilibrium polymer chains induced by conformational transitions in densely interfacial layers J. Chem. Phys. 137, 104903 (2012) Structural and dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based terpolymer/copolymer blends developed on aluminum foil J. Appl. Phys. 112, 053505 (2012) Particle size dependence of resonant-tunneling effect induced by CdS nanoparticles in a poly(N-vinylcarbazole) polymer matrix Fibrous and crystal structures of a helical polymer, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), were analyzed by using x-ray diffraction experiments. It was confirmed that the molecular residues were arranged on a nonintegral 10/3 helix as De Santis and Kovacs [Biopolymers 6,299 (1968)] reported. The atomic positions in a monomeric unit, which were proposed by Hoogsteen, Postema, Pennings, ten Brinke, and Zugenmaier [Macromolecules 23, 634 (1990)], were validated. However, the previous reports on the positions of the two helical chains were found to be in error. The correct positions were determined. The second helical chain shifts from the base center by 0.45, 0.25, and 0.61 A along a, b, and c axes. Besides, the second chain rotates by 2.46" with respect to the first. Distribution function of the crystallites in various drawn fibers were determined as a function of spiral angle. Optical gyrations of PLLA and poly-D-lactic acid fibers were successfully measured by using high accuracy universal polarimeter, as functions of temperature and drawing ratio. By using x-ray data of the change of the fibrous structure by drawing treatments, the gyration tensor components of PLLA could be calculated. It is of great interest that gyration tensor component g3a along the helical axis is extremely large, -(3.85+O.69)X1O-2, which corresponds to a rotatory power of (9.22 1.7)X 103"/mm, about two orders of magnitude larger than those of ordinary crystals. This is the first experimental evidence that helical polymers will produce enormous optical activity in the solid state. Helical polymers will be important for the elucidation of gyro-optical properties of solids and promising for new optical applications utilizing their large optical activity. 0 1995 American Institute of Physics.

DNA photolyase specifically repairs UV light‐induced cyclobutane‐type pyrimidine dimers in DNA through a light‐dependent reaction mechanism. We have obtained photolyase genes from Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), Oryzias latipes (killifish) and the marsupial Potorous tridactylis (rat kangaroo), the first photolyase gene cloned from a mammalian species. The deduced amino acid sequences of these higher eukaryote genes show only limited homology with microbial photolyase genes. Together with the previously cloned Carassius auratus (goldfish) gene they form a separate group of photolyase genes. A new classification for photolyases comprising two distantly related groups is proposed. For functional analysis P.tridactylis photolyase was expressed and purified as glutathione S‐transferase fusion protein from Escherichia coli cells. The biologically active protein contained FAD as light‐absorbing cofactor, a property in common with the microbial class photolyases. Furthermore, we found in the archaebacterium Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum a gene similar to the higher eukaryote photolyase genes, but we could not obtain evidence for the presence of a homologous gene in the human genome. Our results suggest a divergence of photolyase genes in early evolution.

The mechanisms for asymmetric skin color formation in the Japanese flounder are studied with particular concerns to causes for pigment disorder (hypomelanosis) occurring under hatchery conditions. For an analysis of normal pigmentation, fish were raised with wild zooplanktons in an indoor hatchery, whilst for hypomelanosis, they were raised with Brazilian Artemia nauplii, a diet used in the hatcheries. Morphological observations, counting of melanophores, histochemical assay of DOPA-positive immature cells (melanoblasts), and radiometric estimation of tyrosinase activities in skins of developing larvae and juveniles indicate that 1) the structural plan for pigmentation in this species is bilaterally symmetric until metamorphosis, utilizing large-sized melanophores (hence larval melanophores) as main vehicles, and 2) an asymmetric coloration characteristic to metamorphosed juveniles is formed by an intensive development of smaller-sized melanophores (hence adult-type melanophores) appearing selectively in the ocular side at the later stages of metamorphosis and by an absence of it in the blind. These findings apparently indicate that 1) two types of melanophores occur in this species which differ with respect to morphological properties and developmental fate, and 2) selective differentiation of adult type melanophores in the ocular side of the body at or after metamorphosis is primarily responsible for an asymmetric coloration of its adult form. The similar assays on the fish fed with Artemia nauplii indicate that defective development of adult-type melanophores results in hypomelanosis in their ocular-sided skins, yielding a pigmentary pattern seen in the blind side of the metamorphosed juveniles with normal pigmentation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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