Hepatic silver binding protein (Ag BP) from sparrow (Passer domesticus)

A silver binding protein (Ag BP) has been identified in the liver of sparrows administered a tracer dose of 110mAg. The protein as purified by gel-filtration shows a major absorption maximum at 260 nm and a minor one at 225 nm. It has a mol.wt of 9500 daltons and is stable when exposed to high temperature (64 degrees C for 15 min) as well as to acidic pH (2.2).     

Hepatic silver binding protein (Ag BP) from sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Summary A silver binding protein (Ag BP) has been identified in the liver ofsparrows administered a tracer dose of^110mAg. The protein as purified by gel-filtration shows a major absorption maximum at 260 nm and a minor one at 225 nm. It has a mol.wt of 9500 daltons and is stable when exposed to high temperature (64°C for 15 min) as well as to acidic pH (2.2).     

Theory (In-)Equivalence and conventionalism in f(R) gravity

f(R) Gravity is the most natural extension of General Relativity within Riemannian Geometry. Due to (inter alia) its potential capacity for a unified treatment of early and late-time cosmic expansion, it has enjoyed recent attention in astrophysics and cosmology. I critically examine three inter-related claims found in the pertinent physics literature, of general interest to the philosopher of science. 1. f(R) Gravity is equivalent to a particular Brans-Dicke Theory. 2. The spacetime geometry underpinning f(R) Gravity has substantial conventional elements. 3. f(R) Gravity is an instance of a theory in which the distinction between matter and spacetime is conventional. Whilst the first claim can be vindicated in precise terms, the remaining two claims, I submit, are unwarranted – at least for the reasons usually adduced. On different grounds, though, the case for conventionalism about spacetime geometry in f(R) Gravity (as well as General Relativity) turns out to be considerably stronger.     

Prostaglandin (15S)-PGA2 derivatives in the gorgonianPlexaura homomalla (Esper), formakükenthali Moser

Summary The lipid fraction, 17%, of air-driedPlexaura homomalla formakükenthali, collected in the Caribbean at Puerto Rico, yielded 50% of its weight as the mammalian prostaglandin (15S)-PGA₂ methyl ester. The freeze-dried gorgonian yielded (15S)-PGA₂ largely as the acetate of the methyl ester. (15S)-PGA₂ was also obtained from material collected at St. Croix and at South Caicos. Field observations indicate thatPlexaura kükenthali may be a species separate fromPlexaura homomalla and that it is abundant on some shallow water reefs in the Caribbean. Prostaglandins could not be detected in the lipid fraction of eggs isolated fromPlexaura homomalla (Esper) formahomomalla.Acknowledgments. We gratefully acknowledge support from the Office of Sea Grant, NOAA, Department of Commerce (Grant 047-158-44067), and the use of facilities at the Isla Mayagues Marine Laboratory of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, the West Indies Laboratory of Fairleigh Dickinson University at St. Croix, U.S.V.I., and the Marine-Biologisch Instituut at Curacao. Special thanks to Dr. F.M. Bayer, Curator, Department of Zoology, National Museum of Natural History-Smithsonian Institution for checking identity of gorgonians used in this study.     

Interaction of Co, Mn, Mg and Al with d(GCCCATGGC) and d(CCGGGCCCGG): a spectroscopic study

Spectroscopic study of the interactions of metal ions, Co, Mn, Mg and Al with d(GCCCATGGGC) and d(CCGGGCCCGG) revealed the following. Metal ions Mn, Al and Mg at the lowest concentrations enhanced the t _m of oligomers, whereas Mn and Mg at higher concentrations decreased the t _m . Co enhanced the t _m of oligomers at higher concentrations. The studies have also indicated that Mn at lower concentrations displaced EtBr fluorescence, Mg and Co at moderate concentrations and Al only at higher concentrations. Addition of Co, Mn, Mg and Al altered the bands of the circulars dichroism (CD) spectra of the oligomers in a concentration-dependent manner. The CD spectra of d(GCCCATGGGC) and d(CCGGGCCCGG) indicated B and Z forms of DNA, respectively, in contrast to the A form observed in the crystal structures. Mg and Co at different ionic strength induced Z–B transition in d(CCGGGCCCGG), while Al at higher concentrations induced a Z–A transition. Mn did not induce any transition. This is the first report to show that Al causes structural transitions in sequence-specific oligomers and has strong binding ability with GC-rich euchromatin oligomers. Received 22 December 1997; received after revision 16 March 1998; accepted 16 March 1998     

Dystrophic mutation (dy2J) affecting regulation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in C57BL/6J mice

Summary The genotype difference (dystrophic vs nondystrophic) in the LDH isozymes is observed in kidney. These differences are evident only at birth and at early developmental stages (before the expression of dystrophic symptoms). The tissue specific genotype differences for PK are limited to the thigh muscle (M form) and heart (L form), after the onset of the condition. These differences may reflect the pleiotropic effect of the dy^2J locus during the temporal regulation of these and other enzymes implicated in muscular dystrophy (MD).This research was financed by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Canada grant to S.M.S.     

聚合质量比对Sr0．7La0．15Ce0．15Fe11.7Zn0．3O19／PAn复合体系微波吸收性能的影响

用原位聚合法制备了Sr0．7La0．15Ce0．15Fe11.7Zn0．3O19铁氧体／聚苯胺（PAn）复合材料。采用X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对样品的结构、微观表面形貌和粒子大小进行了表征,用微波矢量网络分析仪测量样品在2～12．4GHZ频率范围内复介电常数和复磁导率,根据测量数据计算微波反射率R与频率f的关系。研究结果表明：PAn包覆于掺杂锶铁氧体表面,PAn／Sr0．7La0．15Ce0．15Fe11.7Zn0．3O19复合材料具有良好的吸波性能,随着掺杂锶铁氧体含量的增加,微波吸收匹配厚度和吸收带宽发生变化：当Sr0．7La0．15Ce0．15Fe11.7Zn0．3O19聚合质量比为40％时,最佳匹配厚度为2．6mm,吸收峰值接近-40dB,峰值频率高于12．4GHz,大于10dB吸收带宽预计达到55GHz。     

Sterilization by irradiation of Cadra coutella (Wlk.) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) males increased by female sex pheromone

Sterilization by irradiation was studied in 0-24 hour old males of Cadra cautella (Ephestia cautella) exposed to 40 Krad of gamma radiation from a 60 cobalt source at a rate of 2250-2200 rad/minute in the presence of female sex pheromone. This radiation dose failed to induce the desired degree of sterility in the absence of pheromone. Pheromone was extraced from the virgin females and applied to filter paper at doses of .1, .5, and 1 female equivalent which was then introduced into containers containing 15-18 males 3 minutes prior to irradiation. Excitation and increased activity of the insects was observed when compared to the controls without the pheromone. The proportion of low percentage hatch increased with increased pheromone presence. The difference between absence and presence of pheromone was marked. It is concluded that these results are evidence of the value of this approach of preconditioning to irradiation when induction of sterility is the objective.     

Instructions to collectors: John Walker (1973) and Robert Jameson (1817); with biographical notes on James Anderson (LL.D.) and James Anderson (M.D.)

Five recently discovered letters written by James Ferguson, FRS (1710–1776) while he was on a lecture tour in 1771 add substantially to what was previously known about his activities at that time. Together with newspaper advertisements and other correspondence, they not only enable his itinerary to be reconstructed in also reveal some of his own thoughts at the time and the difficulties that he had to contend with. On this particular tour, Ferguson was away from his London base for at least seven months, visiting Birmingham, Kidderminster, Worcester, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheadle (Staffs.), and Derby. During this period he delivered his course of 12 lectures on Experimental Philosophy at least eight times. Amongst the people that he met were Matthew Boulton, Josiah Wedgwood, and John Whitehurst, as well as the recipient of the letters, James Beresford of Bewdley, Worcestershire.

In this paper the opportunity has been taken to present also an outline of the gradual evolution of Ferguson's lecturing career, leading up to his situation in the 1770s, as much of the relevant source material now available was unknown to his nineteenth-century biographer, Ebenezer Henderson.     

Effect of relative humidity on the free-living stages ofStrongyloides papillosus (Rhabdiasoidea: Nematoda)

Summary The eggs and larvae are affected by the changes in the humidity level around them. The eggs do not develop below 87% relative humidity at 30 °C and 25 °C. At sub-developmental rel. hum. they remain viable for 30 h at 81%, but at 73% rel. hum. level they do not survive beyond 18 h. Survival of larvae in 100% rel. hum. is longer at 30 °C than at 25 °C and 35 °C, and also they exhibit a poor resistance to desiccation.Acknowledgment. The author is grateful to Dr. Devendra Prasad of Patna University for his supervision and constant help in the work. The assistance of State University Grants Commission through a research scholarship is gratefully acknowledged.     

Role of the Lewis (Le-le) and secretor (Se-se) systems in the rejection of kidney grafts]

ABH and Lewis antigens are secreted in distal convoluted and collector tubes of the kidney. The renal ABH secretion is genetically controlled by the Se-se system, while the Lewis specificities are controlled by the Le-le system. The secretory status of the recipient does not modify the probability of graft survival, while the Lewis phenotype seems to play a major role in rejection. The probability of graft survival at 2 years in le-le homozygous recipients (29%) is much lower than that of Le recipients (58%) p less than 0.01.     

Antiarrhythmic properties of 3-(2-hydroxy-3 isopropylamino-propoxy)-3 phenyl-2 isoindolinone-1, (RS, SR) in the dog]

In the Dog, 3-(2-hydroxy-3 isopropylamino-proxy)-2-phenyl-1-isoindolinone (RS, SR) possesses an anti-arrhythmic activity similar to that of quinidine but at dose levels 2 to 6 times lower than in the case of the latter compound. Furthermore, in contrast to quinidine, at the dose levels where the antiarrhythmic activity is well observed, the compound is devoid of hypotensive activity and of depressive action on cardiac contractility. The first clinical studies of this compound have shown its usefulness in the treatment of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias.     

Genotype-specific reduction in methyl nitrosourea (MNU) induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in vivo during aging

We studied mice from five strains (BALB/c, C3H/HeSnJ, C57BL/6J, Csb and 129/ReJ) at two ages (young, 10 +/- 1 weeks; and old, 67 +/- 3 weeks) for the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in vivo by methyl nitrosourea (MNU). The SCE frequency is genotype-specific. The F1 phenotype resembles the 'low' responding parent. SCE induction is significantly lower in the older animals of each strain than their younger counterparts, and the reduction of SCE/cell with old age is strain-specific. A general explanation for these results must include strain differences in relative mutagenic sensitivity, genotype-specific pattern of reduction in DNA repair and other such factors affecting SCE formation, with old age.     

Activity-induced thermogenesis in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

Motor activity was approximately 60% lower in genetically obese than in lean mice, during three consecutive hours at thermal neutrality. It is suggested that this must have contributed to the lower heat production measured in the obese mice and that activity-induced thermogenesis contributes significantly to differences in energy expenditure between the genotypes, at least in the short-term.     

Development of post-hatching melatonin rhythm in zebra finches (Poephila guttata)

We examined levels of melatonin in the pineal, eyes and plasma over a 24 h period during development in the altricial zebra finch. Beginning as early as 2 days after hatching there was a distinct 24 h rhythm in melatonin in the pineal and plasma. Beginning at day seven after hatching there was also a 24 h rhythm present in the eyes. In the pineal and eyes the amplitude of the 24 h rhythm increased with age. In contrast, the amplitude of the plasma melatonin rhythm at 2 days was already within the range of adults and did not increase with age. These results confirm and expand earlier findings in the European starling and parallel those from precocial birds indicating that the circadian system is already competent at or shortly after hatching even in atricial birds.     

Activity-induced thermogenesis in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

Summary Motor activity was approximately 60% lower in genetically obese than in lean mice, during three consecutive hours at thermal neutrality. It is suggested that this must have contributed to the lower heat production measured in the obese mice and that activity-induced thermogenesis contributes significantly to differences in energy expenditure between the genotypes, at least in the short-term.     

Nachweis circanualer Periodik bei der Quappe (Lota lota L.) (Pisces,Gadidae)

Summary Investigations on daily rhythm in the burbot (Lota lota L.) in the Arctic Circle showed that a phase-shift in the locomotor activity occurred under nLD; the fish, which is night-active in the summer, phase-shifted 180 degrees in relation to the phase-timing factor. This phase-shift was also found in a fish kept in artificial light (LD 1212) which occurred at almost the same time of year. Accordingly an endogenous circaannual rhythm is suggested.

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Die Untersuchungen erfolgten mit Unterstützung der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften und des Staatlichen Schwedischen Naturwissenschaftlichen Forschungsrates.     

The influence of sodium-8-chlorotheophyllinate (S8CT) on immune processes

Summary S8CT injected at the time of immunization significantly enhances specific IgM-production but has no effect on IgG-formation. Mitogen (PHA-P) induced macrophage migration inhibition of cells of S8CT pretreated animals is reduced. The same effect is observed, when normal cells are tested in the presence of S8CT in vitro. Blast transformation of B-lymphocytes but not of thymocytes is significantly stimulated by S8CT. Acid phosphatase activity is also stimulated in B-cells and- to a lesser degree-in cortisone-resistant T-lymphocytes whereas the activity of the total thymocyte population is reduced. No effect was seen on phagocytosis and intracellular bactericidal activity. A stimulatory effect of S8CT for B-cells is postulated.Presented in part at the Xth International Congress of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Jerusalem/Israel 1979, Nov. 4–11.     

Herbert Butterfield (1900–1979) as a Christian Historian of Science

Why is Butterfield's best-seller The Origins of Modern Science (1949) such a powerful big picture, nearly impossible to move away from? Considered in the context of his life, the contrast between his attacks on Whig history and the contents of his best-seller reveals that his big picture of science continues at the centre because of his spiritual beliefs and practices. Butterfield did not make explicit his Christian (Methodist) world view to his history of science readers, although one could infer this from his point that Christianity and the Scientific Revolution were the most significant events in universal history, transcending cultural boundaries. As long as Christian beliefs and practices continue to be at the centre of Western Society, so will Butterfield's big picture be at the centre. Western society is a Christian civilization. For Butterfield, the meaning of history is Christianity and The Origins of Modern Science is very much a Christian statement of the evolution of knowledge acquisition in Western society. To de-centre The Origins would require first a de-centred view of Christianity.