The structure elucidation of a number of metabolites isolated during biosynthetic studies on gibberellin-like fern antheridiogens from the Anemia genus has been undertaken by synthesising a series of reference samples from gibberellin A(7). Two of the metabolites were shown to be the 12 beta- and 12 alpha-hydroxy derivatives of 9 beta,15-cyclogibberellin A(9) (1) while the 11 beta-hydroxy isomer was identical with a new gibberellin (GA(108)) from developing apple seeds. In a cognate study, an efficient total synthesis of this type of gibberellin has been developed, the key step being the intramolecular cyclopropanation reactions of the aromatic ring in tetralin 2-diazomethyl ketones to give stable norcaradiene products. The [4+2] cycloaddition of selected dienophiles to some of these products allows the rapid stereo-controlled assembly of (1) and related gibberellins.

The purpose of this study was to generate a protocol to elicit delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the lumbar extensor (LE) muscles. Seventeen healthy adults (8 women, 9 men) completed a maximum isometric strength test to determine peak torque. The subjects were then placed into one of three groups. Group 1 (n=6) performed 2 sets of 25 repetitions with a weight load that required 100% peak torque to lift (concentric actions were assisted), group 2(n=7) performed 4 sets of 25 repetitions at 40% peak torque, and group 3 (n=4) performed 10 sets of 10 repetitions at 40% peak torque. Pain and soreness were measured using standard scales at baseline, post-exercise, and every 6 h to 60 h post-exercise. Pain (see figure) and soreness were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Subjects in group 1 had significantly(p≤.05) higher pain and soreness and took longer to reach peak pain and soreness (45-48 h vs. immediate post-exercise) compared to groups 2 & 3. Soreness values for group 1 remained above baseline for 60 h while groups 2& 3 returned to baseline within 24 h. These results indicate that the exercise performed by group 1, which emphasized eccentric muscle actions elicits significant DOMS in the LE muscles. As reported for other muscle groups, accentuated eccentric LE muscle actions produced greater pain and soreness than exercise that allows volitional completion of concentric actions.

A Josephson binary counter using single-flux quanta transitions of dc SQUID's has been fabricated using an eight-level NbN-based process. High-speed binary division has been demonstrated at 4.2 K, with single-cell counting observed at 60 GHz using the Josephson voltage-to-frequency relationship. Count rate was primarily limited by conservative process and design rules. The counter was designed for operation at 4.2 K. At 8-10 K, the beta-L of the SQUID's would not allow operation, though the junction characteristics were good.