An increased estimate of the merger rate of double neutron stars from observations of a highly relativistic system

The merger of close binary systems containing two neutron stars should produce a burst of gravitational waves, as predicted by the theory of general relativity. A reliable estimate of the double-neutron-star merger rate in the Galaxy is crucial in order to predict whether current gravity wave detectors will be successful in detecting such bursts. Present estimates of this rate are rather low, because we know of only a few double-neutron-star binaries with merger times less than the age of the Universe. Here we report the discovery of a 22-ms pulsar, PSR J0737-3039, which is a member of a highly relativistic double-neutron-star binary with an orbital period of 2.4 hours. This system will merge in about 85 Myr, a time much shorter than for any other known neutron-star binary. Together with the relatively low radio luminosity of PSR J0737-3039, this timescale implies an order-of-magnitude increase in the predicted merger rate for double-neutron-star systems in our Galaxy (and in the rest of the Universe).     

II. Effect of a steroidal antagonist of aldosterone (SC 9420) on sodium and potassium transfer

Riassunto Nonostante l'affinità strutturale con l'uabaina, lo spirolattone antialdosteronico SC 9420 non esercita la stessa azione del glicoside cardiocinetico sugli scambi attivi che si manifestanoin vitro attraverso la membrana di eritrociti umani incubati a 37°C dopo 6 giorni di conservazione a 4°C. Non trova quindi conferma sperimentale l'ipotesi che entrambe queste sostanze competano con l'aldosterone in qualche fase del processo enzimatico di trasporto degli elettroliti a livello di tutte le membrane cellulari dell'organismo.     

Studies on cation transport in cold-stored human erythrocytes. I. Effect of aldosterone on sodium and potassium transfer

Riassunto L'aldosterone non esercita alcun effetto sugli scambi attivi di Na e di K che si manifestanoin vitro attraverso la membrana di eritrociti umani incubati a 37°C dopo 6 giorni di conservazione a 4°C.     

Transient radio bursts from rotating neutron stars

The radio sky is relatively unexplored for transient signals, although the potential of radio-transient searches is high. This was demonstrated recently by the discovery of a previously unknown type of source, varying on timescales of minutes to hours. Here we report a search for radio sources that vary on much shorter timescales. We found eleven objects characterized by single, dispersed bursts having durations between 2 and 30 ms. The average time intervals between bursts range from 4 min to 3 h with radio emission typically detectable for <1 s per day. From an analysis of the burst arrival times, we have identified periodicities in the range 0.4-7 s for ten of the eleven sources, suggesting origins in rotating neutron stars. Despite the small number of sources detected at present, their ephemeral nature implies a total Galactic population significantly exceeding that of the regularly pulsing radio pulsars. Five of the ten sources have periods >4 s, and the rate of change of the pulse period has been measured for three of them; for one source, we have inferred a high magnetic field strength of 5 x 10(13) G. This suggests that the new population is related to other classes of isolated neutron stars observed at X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths.     

Effect of insulin on potassium transfer in human and chicken erythrocytes

Riassunto La conservazione al freddo degli eritrociti umani e di pollo per 6 giorni causa una fuoruscita di potassio dai globuli. Parte del potassio rientra nelle cellule durante incubazione a 37° C.La uabaina blocca questo fenomeno. L'insulina non ha effetto significativo nè sull'assunzione di potassio da parte del globulo rosso, nè sull'azione bloccante della uabaina.

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Aided by a grant from the Chicago Heart Association.

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Trainee, Diabetes Teaching Grant No. 2A-5102, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Public Health Service.     

Glucose and potassium transfer in the isolated heart ofVenus mercenaria

Riassunto Il cuore diVenus mercenaria consuma glucosio durante incubazione in acqua di mare artificiale. L'assunzione di glucosio è accompagnata da una penetrazione di potassio nell'organo. Cuori pretrattati con uabaina diffondono potassio nel medium di incubazione. L'insulina non modifica né l'assunzione di glucosio e potassio dei cuori normali né la diffusione di potassio dai cuori digitalizzati.

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Aided by a grant from the Chicago Heart Association.

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Trainee, Diabetes Teaching Grant No. 2A-5102, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Public Health Service.     

Cation transport in normal human red cells treated with sulfhydryl compounds

Riassunto È stato studiato il meccanismo di scambio cationico di membrana di emazie umane normali trattate con composti sulfidrilici (AET e cisteina). Si è osservato che, durante l'incubazione di 3 h a 37°C, effettuata dopo 5 giorni di soggiorno a 4°C, le emazie normali trattate con i suddetti composti rimuovono attivamente dal plasma normali quantitativi di K+. I risultati vengono brevemente discussi.