Thyroid hormone in serum of fetal calf and pregnant cow during the last trimester of pregnancy

Summary Considerably higher thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations in sera of bovine fetuses than in maternal samples were found during the last trimester of pregnancy.Acknowledgment. We wish to thank Miss.R. Fajkoová for skilled technical assistance.     

J. Zaragosa's centrum minimum,an early version of barycentric geometry

Summary Using the properties of the Centre of Gravity to obtain geometrical results goes back to Archimedes, but the idea of associating weights to points in calculating ratios was introduced by Giovanni Ceva in De lineis rectis se invicem secantibus: statica constructio (Milan, 1678). Four years prior to the publication of Ceva's work, however, another publication, entitled Geometria Magna in Minimis (Toledo, 1674), 2 appeared stating a method similar to Ceva's, but using isomorphic procedures of a geometric nature. The author was a Spanish Jesuit by the name of Joseph Zaragoza.Endeavouring to demonstrate an Apollonius' geometrical locus, Zaragoza conceived his idea of centrum minimum — a point strictly defined in traditional geometrical terms — the properties of which are characteristic of the Centre of Gravity. From this new concept, Zaragoza developed a theory that can be considered an early draft of the barycentric theory that F. Mobius was to establish 150 years later in Der barycentrische Calcul (Leipzig, 1827).Now then, whereas Ceva's work was rediscovered and due credit was given him, to this day Zaragoza's work has remained virtually unnoticed.     

Die Serumphosphatasen der Ratte in verschiedenen Lebensaltern

Summary The serum alkaline and acid phosphatases were examined in male rats between the ages of 20 and 300 days, using the method ofHuggins andTalalay ⁴. The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases increase significantly to the age of 45 days, followed by a highly significant decrease up to 120th day for alkaline and to 75th day for acid phosphatase. After castration, highly significant increases in the acid, but no changes in the alkaline serum phosphatase were observed.     

Influence of N-methylformamide on the development, the NAD synthesis, and the activity of the ADPR transferase of rat embryos

When N-methylformamide is administered to rats on the 11th day of pregnancy approximately 50% of the fetuses are resorbed and a reduced weight of the developed animals is found in comparison to the controls on the 21th day (delivery by Caesarian section). The toxic effect is increased by using nicotinamide and methionine. If a combination of these substances is employed practically all fetuses are resorbed. Tryptophan, however, has a considerably protective influence. N-Methylformamide has no influence on the NAD-synthesis induced by nicotinamide or tryptophan. It does, however, inhibits the activity of the ADPR transferase.     

Die Reizschwelle der Sinnesorgane als physikalisches Problem

Summary A survey is given of recent work on physical aspects of sensory processes. The reasoning which leads to the generally recognized view that one rod of the retina is excited by only one quantum of light is given in par. II. In par. IIIa summary is given of the papers byHecht andVan der Velden on the number of rods which must be struck in order to obtaina sensation of light. Par. III describes the role of the quantum character of light at higher intensities (de Vries), where it sets a limit to intensity discrimination and visual acuity. The influence of Brownian movement on the process of hearing is discussed in par. VI. It is found that the Brownian movement of the inner ear is close to the threshold actually observed (de Vries), whereas the Brownian motion of the air at the eardrum (seeSivian andWhite) is below the audible threshold. The role of the Brownian movementin the sense cells is described in par. VII; the results are used for an analysis of the mechanism of hearing (see alsode Vries); evidence is obtained that electric voltages are generated in the tectorial membrane (the well-known cochlear microphonics) and that they play an important part in the mechanism of energy transfer to the sense cells (similar voltages were also derived from the cupolæ in the lateral lines of fishes by the present author). Finally some physical arguments are sumarized againstYeagley's theory of bird navigation.     

Development of thermoregulation in the newborn lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis moholi,Smith 1839)

Summary The temperature-regulating system in bushbabies operates from the 1st day of life. The postnatal metabolism decreases from the 5th (2.9 ml O₂/g·h) to the 140th day (0.7 ml O₂/g·h) to the level of the adults.This work was undertaken with the aid of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Prof. Dr. E.Kulzer.     

Die physikalische Kieme der Wasserinsekten

Summary The air stores carried by a number of aquatic insects have: a) a hydrostatic function (Brocher, Oortwijn-Botjes, Thorpe, andCrisp); b) the function of an oxygen store (Ege, de Ruiter et al.) and c) the function of a physical gill (Strauss-Durckheim, Ege, etc.). The fact that oxygen is taken up from water with the aid of an air bubble was demonstrated forNotonecta by comparing the life time of insects with and without physical gill (while replenishing the oxygen store from the air was prevented) byEge, and forCorixa byPopham, whileVlasblom determined the oxygen uptake from water with and without air bubble forNotonecta, Naucoris, Corixa, Sigara andNepa. Nepa andSigara can take up considerable quantities of oxygen by cutaneous respiration.During the summer, the gill function of the air store ofNotonecta andNaucoris is of importance only when a water current passes along the animal, caused by ventilation movements of the legs (de Ruiter et al.). At low temperatures, however, the metabolic rate is so low that in many instances the physical gill provides the oxygen required without ventilation movements.An apparatus for the simultaneous determination of oxygen uptake from air and water (Wolvekamp andVlasblom) gave results that provided a means of evaluating the importance of the physical gill function.In some cases, the air store, although in direct contact with the water, does not need to be replenished. InAphelocheirus andElmis, the negative pressure in the bubble, caused by oxygen consumption and the diffusing out of part of the nitrogen, is compensated for by the mechanical resistance of a feltwork of thin hairs and the surface tension of the boundary layer of the water (Thorpe andCrisp). In the African beetle,Potamodytes, the unprotected air bubble is permanent because the strong river currents produce a lowered pressure around the animal according toBernoulli's principle (Stride).     

Rauwolfia alkaloids,XVI. Deserpidine,a new alkaloid fromRauwolfia canescens

Zusammenfassung AusRauwolfia canescens wurde Deserpidin, C₃₂H₃₈O₈N₂, isoliert und eine Konstitutionsformel für dieses neue Alkaloid vorgeschlagen.

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Communication XV,C. F. Huebner et al., J.A.C.S. (in press).

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From lecture given at Columbia University, New York, January 12th, 1955.     

Isolation and characterization of fukujusonorone,a 18-norpregnane derivative fromAdonis amurensis Regel et Radd

Zusammenfassung Aus den Wurzeln des japanischen Adonisröschens (Adonis amurensis Regel et Radd) wurde Fukujusonoron, ein neues Aglykon, das sich von 18-nor-Pregnan ableitet, isoliert.

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Abstracted from the Symposium Papers of the 12th Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products, Sendai 1968, p. 174. Y.Shimizu, Y.Sato and H.Mitsuhashi, Chem. pharm. Bull., Tokyo15, 2005 (1967); Chem. pharm. Bull., Tokyo, submitted for publication.     

Ultrastructural changes in the dorsal root ganglia evoked by thalidomide in rabbits

Summary Administration of the teratogenic drug thalidomide to pregnant does produces ultrastructural changes in foetal ganglion cells, Schwann cells and axons in the posterior root ganglia corresponding to forelimb segments deformed by the drug. Ultrasttructural changes in ganglia appear on the 13th day of gestation, i.e., preceding the appearance of limb malformation.This work was supported by a grant from Foundation 41.We are grateful to MissC. Ellis and Mr.P. Westphal for technical assistance.     

Kompensation der teratogenen Wirkung eines Thalidomid-Metaboliten durchl-Glutaminsäure

Summary Skeletal defects were observed in the off-spring of SWS-mice following i.p. administration of phthaloyl-l-glutamic acid, a metabolite of thalidomide. The fetuses of animals which receivedl-glutamic acid in addition to the teratogenic drug, did not show any malformations, whereas concurrent i.p. administration of thed-isomer of glutamic acid failed to reverse teratogenicity induced by phthaloyl-l-glutamic acid.     

Maternal vitamin A restriction alters biochemical development of the brain in rats

Summary The biochemical development of the fetal brain in relation to maternal vitamin A restriction was studied in rats. The vitamin A status of pregnant rats was varied by supplying low, medium and adequate amounts (6, 40, and 100 g retinol/day/kg body weight, respectively) of vitamin A during pregnancy and suckling. The maternal vitamin A restriction caused an altered brain development in terms of tissue weight, DNA, RNA and protein levels, and biosynthesis of DNA and protein from [³H]-thymidine and [³H]-leucine, respectively. A dose-dependent effect of maternal vitamin A restriction on the metabolism of DNA, RNA and protein was noticed in the developing fetal brain of rats.     

Der Mathematiker Abraham de Moivre (1667–1754)

Summary Before examining de Moivre's contributions to the science of mathematics, this article reviews the source materials, consisting of the printed works and the correspondence of de Moivre, and constructs his biography from them.The analytical part examines de Moivre's contributions and achievements in the study of equations, series, and the calculus of probability. De Moivre contributed to the continuing development from Viète to Abel and Galois of the theory of solving equations by means of constructing particular equations, the roots of which can be written in the form . He also discovered the reciprocal equations. In the course of this work de Moivre discovered an expression equivalent to (cos +i sin ) ⁿ =cos n +i sin n and, following Cotes, he succeeded in expressing the nth roots of unity in trigonometric form.In the theory of series, de Moivre developed a polynomial theorem encom-passing Newton's binomial theorem and, in particular, a theorem of recurrent series useful in the calculus of probability.The demands of the calculus of probability led de Moivre to an approximation for the binomial coefficients for large values of n. The interaction between de Moivre and James Stirling, particularly in regard to the asymptotic series for log (n!), is treated at length. This work supplied the foundation for de Moivre's limit theorem for the binomial distribution.The calculus of probability, which occupied him from 1708 onward, became in time ever more the center of de Moivre's inquiries. Proceeding from contemporary collections of gambling exercises, de Moivre, by introducing an explicit measure of probability for the so-called Laplace experiments, found the beginnings of a theory of probability. De Moivre expanded the classic application of probability calculus to games of chance by addressing himself to the problem of annuities and by adopting Halley's work with its conception of Probability of life. De Moivre was the first to publish a mathematically formulated law for the decrements of life derived from mortality tables.

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Abkürzungen a.a.O. am angegebenen Ort = Verweis auf das nach Verfassern alphabetisch geordnete Literaturverzeichnis. Eine vor a.a.O. in runden Klammern angegebene Zahl kennzeichnet die entsprechende Nummer der im Literaturverzeichnis aufgeführten Arbeiten eines Autors. - AC Ars conjectandi = Jakob Bernoulli (4) a.a.O. - AE Acta Eruditorum - a.S. alter Stil⁴⁷ - BM Bibliotheca Mathematica - DMV Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung - JL Journal Literaire - MA Miscellanea Analytica, London 1730 - n.S. neuer Stil⁴⁷ - PT Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London - r.F. rekurrente Folge - r.R. rekurrente Reihe - SMA Miscellaneis Analyticis Supplementum, London 1730 - v. veröffentlicht (nur im Briefverzeichnis verwendet) Prof. Dr. Kurt Vogel zum 80. Geburtstag Vorgelegt von J. E. Hofmann     

A unique mode of multiplication of basidiospores inRavenelia hobsoni (Uredinales)

Zusammenfassung Erster Bericht über die Vervielfältigung von Sporidien durch binare Spaltung beiRavenelia hobsoni.

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Author is grateful to Prof.M. N. Kamat, Head of Mycology Division, M.A.C.S. Laboratory, Poona 4, for his deep interest and guidance, Dr.S. R. Sarvotham, Quality Control Laboratory, Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd., Pimpri, for the laboratory facilities and encouragement given. Thanks are also due to Dr.A. V. Sathe for several suggestions and to Mr.D. N. Nagpure for drawings.     

Le “Commentaire” d'Hipparque II. Position de 78 étoiles

Summary The following paper is the second part of a study devoted to the only preserved work of Hipparchus, his Commentary to Aratus. The first part, published in 1984, was based on the hypothesis that Hipparchus wrote his treatise with the help of a mobile sphere and led us to the determination of some features of that instrument. The coordinates of 78 stars, which are given below, have been obtained on the basis of the same hypothesis and using results already published. The stars selected are those for which the text connects numerical data to at least two events out of rising, setting or culmination. An analysis of the positions shows that the stars have been located on the sphere in an equatorial frame slightly different from the rotation axis frame. Statistical data processing shows that the stars were plotted on the sphere as circles rather than as points: the celestial coordinates of the stars are then those of the center of the disc, whose radius was determined. The position of a few stars could be evaluated thanks to the determination of an approximate value of the cubit used by Hipparchus. Lastly, the time of the observations was confirmed to be –140±25 years.The study confirms the basic hypothesis and throws light on the part played by the mobile sphere when the heavens are being described. It gives a better idea of the difficulties of constructing the instrument and of the ways of using it; a more detailed model of Hipparchus' mobile sphere will allow a more thorough investigation of all stars mentioned in the Commentary.

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Présenté par J. North     

La question des hétérochromosomes chez les Sauropsidés. Oiseaux

Summary The chromosomes of the fowl were studied with the aid ofMakino's andNishimura's water pretreatment squash technique, modified byMatthey, in embryonic spleen and gonads of both sexes. The number of chromosomes was found to be about 78; the numerical variations are to be ascribed to technical difficulties, caused by the extremely small size of the microchromosomes, rather than to an unchromosomelike behaviour of the latter, as was supposed byNewcomer andBrant. As to the exact number of chromosomes, we consider its determination beyond the possibilities of cytology. The 5^th largest pair of the male, represented by a single element in the female, could be identified as the sex chromosome pair, in accordance with the findings ofYamashina. The digamety might be of theZ-O orZ-W type.     

RNA biosynthesis in isolated prothoracic glands ofTenebrio molitor in vitro

Summary The prothoracic Glands ofTenebrio molitor synthesize in vitro mainly rRNA. The rate of RNA synthesis reaches a maximum at day 10 of the last larval instar, which coincides with the event of apolysis.The work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. We thank Dr.H. Winter, Heidelberg, for helpful suggestions for the RNA separations.     

The role of glycine in the biosynthesis of steroids

Zusammenfassung Während der Biosynthese von Cholesterol mit homogenisierter Rattenleber wird [2-¹⁴C] des Glycins viel besser eingebaut als [1-¹⁴C].Saccharomyces cerevisiae produziert radioaktives Squelen (ausser Ergosterol mit Radioaktivität des Ringsystems) mit [2-¹⁴C] Glycin und mit [3-¹⁴C] Serin, aber nicht mit [1-¹⁴C] Glycin.

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Studies on Biosynthesis. Part VI. For Part V, seeA. K. Bose, K. S. Khanchandani andB. L. Hungund, Experientia,27, 1403 (1971). b) Presented at the 164th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, New York, August, 1972.

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The support of this research by Stevens Institute of Technology and Sandoz Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. We wish to thank Drs.P. T. Funke, M. S. Manhas, P. K. Bhattacharyya, M. Anchel andH. Levey for valuable discussions and help with some of the experiments.     

The lunar and Paschal tables of De ratione paschali attributed to Anatolius of Laodicea

Summary of conclusions The seven MS lunar and Paschal tables of De ratione paschali fall into two distinct groups which we have classified as Sirmond-type and Padua-type respectively, and from these we have restored the tables of their archetype. The Sirmond-type tables preserve a unique lunar year, which we term the Anatolian lunar year, and they first emerge in the context of a larger computus which was assembled in southern Ireland c. 658, a copy of which Wilfrid had evidently obtained by the time of the Synod of Whitby. The weight of circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis that it was he who then instigated the corruption of both the tables and the patristic authorities of De ratione paschali, a copy of which subsequently passed to Bede and thence to the Sirmond group of MSS. The Padua-type tables on the other hand are represented only by the Padua MS, and they appear to have originated from within Insular circles on the Continent. These too were crudely corrupted, first by changing their lunar year from Anatolian to Roman and moving their ferial data from January to December and changing some Paschal data, and then secondly by collation with Sirmond-type tables. In the case of both types the objective was clearly to weaken the relationship between the lunar and Paschal tables and to try and obscure the Paschal principles that they preserve and thereby undermine the position of those followers of the Insular latercus who relied on the authority of De ratione paschali for their Pasch. These conclusions naturally give a rather different colour to the events of Whitby from that given by Bede, who places them completely in a theological context. However in material terms what was really at stake at Whitby was the transfer of the patronage of the entire kingdom of Northumbria from the Celtic to the Roman church. Here then was sufficient motivation to justify the most ruthless of expedients.     

Possible genetic consequences of meiosis in pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) populations

Resumen El analisis de la primera división meiótica des roeder fosorial,Thomomys bottae, muestra una uniformidad notable en la colocación de quiasmas en los bivalentes, a pesar de las diferencias existentes en los cariotipos somáticos. La frecuencia promedio de quiasmas por bivalente es muy baja (1.03), y la mayoria de los bivalentes demuestran que sus quiasmas se localizan en o cerca de un estremo del par.

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Acknowledgment is given to Dr.W. B. Heed and Dr.C. J. Cole for enlightening discussions and to my wife,Carol Patton, for aid in the field. Financial assistance was provided by an institutional biomedical sciences support grant from the National Institutes of Health and from the Committee on Research, University of California, Berkeley.