Mechanisms of Work Production and Work Absorption in Muscle, 1998 Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Series, Vol. 453

`In contrast to common practice, we have always tried to include as many discussions held at the meeting in our proceedings as possible, so as to enable readers to properly evaluate each paper presented, as well as to learn of future prospects in this field of research. Although the policy of including discussions occasions a long publication delay, we believe that it is worth repeating in our future publication, as we have met a number of young investigators fascinated by the discussions in our proceedings....
In the concluding remarks in this volume, Dr. Hugh E. Huxley, a principal architect of the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction, states that the molecular mechanism of myofilament sliding remains mysterious to all of us. We hope that this volume will stimulate muscle investigators to design and perform novel experiments to clarify the mysteries in muscle contraction.'
Haruo Sugi and Gerald H. Pollack, excerpted from the Preface.

Introductory Remarks.- I. Molecular Mechanism of Actin-Myosin Interaction, Part I.- II. Molecular Mechanism of Actin—Myosin Interaction, Part II.- III. Molecular Mechanism of Regulation of Actin—Myosin Interaction.- IV. X-Ray Diffraction Studies on the Structural Changes during Contraction.- V. Contraction Characteristics in Skeletal Muscle.- VI. Contraction Characteristics in Cardiac Muscle.- VII. Factors Affecting Mechanical Efficiency in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle.- Participants Photos.- Participants.- Contributors Index.