Demonstration of a net movement of water through the lens

Résumé Des cristallins de lapins couvés dans des diméthylsilicones sécrètent un fluide à leur surface antérieure. Ce fluide peut prendre le même aspect et la même réticulation qu'un morceau du tissu de la surface postérieure, si le cristallin est excisé promptement après la mort.

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This work was supported in part by a grant from the Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness N.I.H., No. NBO1979. The technical assistance ofR. Lukanen and CarolynMcDonald with picture taking and lens preparation respectively is gratefully acknowledged. The author gives a special thanks to Prof.J. E. Harris for helpful discussions and encouragement wihch led to this work.     

Frequency-domain study of the mechanical response of living striated muscle

Summary Small-amplitude sinusoidal displacements, in the frequency rang 4–100 Hz, were applied to intact whole frog sartorius muscle whilst in a state of tetanus. At low frequencies the muscle, was observed to do oscillatory work, while at higher frequencies it tended towards elastic behaviour. Frequency-response plots obtained were compared with those from other muscle preparations. Results were interpreted in terms of mechano-chemical transduction properties of muscle.The authors wish to thank the Australian Research Grants Commission for provision of the laser, and L. I. Patterson for construction of the mechanical apparatus.     

Demonstration of molecular size differences between closely related antigens by a simple gel diffusion test

Résumé Des différences dans les dimensions moléculaires de protéines possédant des spécificités antigéniques communes sont traduites par des différences dans la diffusion en gels d'agarose. Ces différences sont facilement mises en évidence par un test de double immunodiffusion en gel d'agarose, en employant un arrangement spécial des échantillons antigéniques et de l'antiserum.     

Demonstration of a change in the frequency of the characteristic "gonadal atrophy" as a function of the rank of egg-laying in Drosophila melanogaster]

The frequency of gonadic atrophy of Drosophila melanogaster depends on the day of emergence. This variation is related to the rank of egg-laying, the eggs laid down during both first days giving imagoes with a gonadic atrophy more often.     

A study of macromolecular diffusion through native porcine mucus

A diffusion chamber technique based on time-lag analysis for the estimation of effective diffusion coefficients of radiolabelled macromolecules of varying molecular weights through native mucus gel is reported. For all solutes studied, a reduction in effective diffusion coefficients was observed with a retardation of solute flux in both aqueus and mucus layers. Over the molecular weight range of solutes investigated (126–186 000 Daltons), a consistent effect of molecular weight was evident with regard to the retarding effect of mucus. No apparent or absolute molecular weight cut-off for macromolecular transfer was exhibited. However, at high molecular weights (>30 000 Daltons) the retardation was greatly enhanced. The results confirm that mucus can be regarded as a gel with finite pores, but that it does not constitute an absolute barrier to even high molecular weight solutes.     

Experimental study on photocount statistics of the ultraweak photon emission from some living organisms

The hypothesis that biophotons display a high degree of coherence was tested by measuring photocount statistics (PCS) of the ultraweak photon emission from three living organisms (cucumber seedling, mungbean seedling and soybean rhizobium bacteroids) with a high-sensitivity single-photon counter. For comparison, the same experiments were performed for laser beam, randomized laser beam, chemiluminescence from autoxidation of luminol and the dark counts of the equipment. Photocount distributions, close to Poissonian, were observed for the three tested biological systems but not for the pure chemiluminescence of luminol.     

The starvation-survival state of microorganisms in nature and its relationship to the bioavailable energy

Summary Although one can measure the organic matter in various ecosystems in terms of organic carbon, this measurement does not indicate what portion of the organic carbon is bioavailable to the microorganisms. Most organic matter is recalcitrant and, therefore, most microorganisms do not have sufficient energy to carry on their metabolism for growth and reproduction. As a result, many species of bacteria will form ultramicrocells and enter a physiological state known as starvation-survival. This physiological state results in metabolic arrest which permits the organisms to survive for long periods of time without sufficient energy for growth and reproduction.Technical paper No. 8920, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.     

A study of macromolecular diffusion through native porcine mucus.

A diffusion chamber technique based on time-lag analysis for the estimation of effective diffusion coefficients of radiolabelled macromolecules of varying molecular weights through native mucus gel is reported. For all solutes studied, a reduction in effective diffusion coefficients was observed with a retardation of solute flux in both aqueous and mucus layers. Over the molecular weight range of solutes investigated (126-186,000 Daltons), a consistent effect of molecular weight was evident with regard to the retarding effect of mucus. No apparent or absolute molecular weight cut-off for macromolecular transfer was exhibited. However, at high molecular weights (greater than 30,000 Daltons) the retardation was greatly enhanced. The results confirm that mucus can be regarded as a gel with finite pores, but that it does not constitute an absolute barrier to even high molecular weight solutes.     

Demonstration of cobalt in histological sections using ion microanalysis by high mass resolution : application to the study of experimental chronic epilepsy in the rat]

Cobalt is specifically detected in ion microanalysis by high mass resolution. This method allows detection of the remaining cobalt in histological sections of Rat's cortex, after treatment by topic application of cobalt powder and demonstrates a diffusion of the metal into the epileptic area.