Using Hassett’s isomorphism between the Noether-Lefschetz moduli space C26 of special cubic fourfolds X ⊂ P of discriminant 26 and the moduli space F14 of polarized K3 surfaces of genus 14, we use the family of 3-nodal scrolls of degree seven in X to show that the universal K3 surface over F14 is rational.

Plasmid pTC-F14 is a 14.2-kb plasmid isolated from Acidithiobacillus caldus that has a replicon that is closely related to the promiscuous, broad-host-range IncQ family of plasmids. The region containing the mobilization genes was sequenced and encoded five Mob proteins that were related to those of the DNA processing (Dtr or Tra1) region of IncP plasmids rather than to the three-Mob-protein sy...

A moderately thermophilic (45 to 50 degrees C), highly acidophilic (pH 1.5 to 2.5), chemolithotrophic Acidithiobacillus caldus strain, f, was isolated from a biooxidation process used to treat nickel ore. Trans-alternating field electrophoresis analysis of total DNA from the A. caldus cells revealed two plasmids of approximately 14 and 45 kb. The 14-kb plasmid, designated pTC-F14, was cloned an...

Plasmid pTC-F14 contains a plasmid stability system called pas (plasmid addiction system), which consists of two proteins, a PasA antitoxin and a PasB toxin. This system is closely related to the pas of plasmid pTF-FC2 (81 and 72% amino acid identity for PasA and PasB, respectively) except that the pas of pTF-FC2 contains a third protein, PasC. As both pTC-F14 and pTF-FC2 are highly promiscuous...

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are similar in structure but either inhibited or potentiated by alcohols and anesthetics. This dual modulation has previously not been understood, but the determination of X-ray structures of prokaryotic GLIC provides an ideal model system. Here, we show that a single-site mutation at the F14' site in the GLIC transmembrane domain turns desflurane a...

For treating colonic diseases, conventional oral drug delivery systems are not effective, as they fail to reach the appropriate site of action. Thus, there is a need to develop effective and safe therapy for the treatment of colonic disorders. The aim of the present study was to design a colon-specific delivery system for an anti-inflammatory drug, mesalamine, with minimal degradation and optim...

The response rates to combination chemotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases have been reported to be lower than those to induction chemotherapy in locally advanced cases. To understand the relationship between highly metastatic potential and chemosensitivity, we examined the drug sensitivity of a highly metastatic human lung adenocarcinoma cell subpopulation, PC9/f14, ...

Article history: Received 23 October 2010 Received in revised form 4 January 2012 Accepted 6 January 2012 Available online 14 January 2012 JEL classification: F10 F12 F14 F16 L22 J24