Tactical Voting in Plurality Elections

How often will elections end in landslides? What is the probability for a head-to-head race? Analyzing ballot results from several large countries rather anomalous and yet unexplained distributions have been observed. We identify tactical voting as the driving ingredient for the anomalies and introduce a model to study its effect on plurality elections, characterized by the relative strength of the feedback from polls and the pairwise interaction between individuals in the society. With this model it becomes possible to explain the polarization of votes between two candidates, understand the small margin of victories frequently observed for different elections, and analyze the polls'' impact in American, Canadian, and Brazilian ballots. Moreover, the model reproduces, quantitatively, the distribution of votes obtained in the Brazilian mayor elections with two, three, and four candidates.     

Action of phospholipases on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. Stimulation by melittin

The emission maximum of the single tryptophan residue of melittin was measured in the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes and Escherichia coli cytoplasmic membranes. In both cases, the fluorescence maximum was shifted to shorter wavelengths indicating a transfer of the indole ring to an apolar environment. E. coli membranes were labelled in position 2 of their phospholipids with [¹⁴C]oleic acid. These membranes were used for measuring the activity of an endogenous phospholipase A₂. A slow hydrolysis is observed, which can be accelerated by adding melittin. The extent of the stimulation depends on the molar ratio of melittin to membrane phospholipid. Under suitable conditions, the initial rate of hydrolysis is six to seven times higher in the presence than in the absence of melittin. The action of the phospholipase A₂ from bee venom is also stimulated by melittin. An identical stimulation was observed with either E. coli membranes or pure phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes as substrate.     

Rolle der Gesichtswahrnehmungen für den Farbwechsel der Frösche Rana esculenta L., R. fusca Rösel und Hyla arborea L.

Ohne ZusammenfassungEin Auszug dieser Arbeit erschien mit gleichlautendem Titel als Mitteilung Nr. 158 aus der Biologischen Versuchsanstalt der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Zoologische Abteilung, im Ak. Sitzungsanz. Nr. 17, 10. Juli 1930.     

Schiffs bases and derived secondary amines as plant growth inhibitors

Seventy-two Schiffs bases, 44 corresponding secondary amines, and 12 N-acetylated compounds were tested on their growth activity. Eighty-one compounds were active as growth inhibitors in at least one of three bioassays.     

Vegetativ vermehrbare Birnenunterlagen

Theoretical and Applied Genetics -     

Monoclonal anti-mouse macrophage antibodies recognize the globular portions of C1q, a subcomponent of the first component of complement

One of seven monoclonal antibodies generated against mouse macrophages (M phi) was found to recognize isolated heterologous C1q. This antibody was shown to be cytotoxic and to react in a strain-independent way with mouse M phi derived from bone marrow cells as well as with M phi from the peritoneal cavity; it did not react, however, with mouse granulocytes, thymocytes, or T and B lymphocytes. The hemolytic activity of fluid phase C1q was inhibited to 50% at a 2 X 10(-4) dilution of hybridoma supernatant, whereas a 100-fold higher concentration was required to inhibit C1q bound to immune complexes ( EAC1q ) to the same extent. It was demonstrated that this antibody recognizes the isolated globular, Fc-binding portions of the C1q molecule and reacts with the A and B chains. Because M phi have been shown to synthesize C1q, the Fc-recognizing subcomponent of the first component of complement, evidence was provided that endogeneous C1q can serve as an Fc receptor on M phi during secretion. This fact was demonstrated by a dose-dependent inhibition of Fc-receptor activity for EIgG by the F(ab')2 fragment of this monoclonal antibody. These experiments further support the concept that C1q produced by M phi functions on the surface as an Fc-recognizing molecule before it is released and incorporated into the macromolecular complex of serum C1.