Desulfurization of model and diesel oils by resting cells of Gordona sp.

The desulfurization activity of the resting cells of Gordona sp. CYKS1 was strongly depended on harvest time and the highest value when the cells had been harvested in the early growth phase (0.12 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1). For the model oil, hexadecane containing dibenzothiophene, the specific desulfurization rate decreased as the reaction proceeded. Both the specific and the volumetric desulfurization rates were not significantly affected by the aqueous-to-oil phase ratio. The diesel oils, light gas oil and a middle distillate unit feed were desulfurized at higher rates (ca. 0.34 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1) than the model oil (0.12 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1).     

激光光漂恢复技术测定林蛙卵第一次卵裂前卵表面的运动

激光光漂恢复技术测定了异硫氰基荧光素标记的林蛀卵表面分子在第一次卵裂前的运动。发现固着在玻片上的剥离“细胞膜”的分子运动形式为扩散。扩散系数为(4.6±1.3)×10~(-12)cm~2/s,可动部份为15%。完整卵子上的分子运动形式为流动。细胞膜在不停地流动着。它可能起着协助细胞质运动的作用。细胞膜流动的速度随时间而异,卵裂前不久,在大多数的卵子上,出现两个流动较慢的谷,少数细胞只测到一个谷。这可能与光漂起始时间,光斑与未来分裂沟的距离,和卵子间的差异有关。也讨论了这种速度变化与表面收缩波的关系。     

大鼠脊髓中的α受体在减压反射和失血性休克中的作用

大鼠脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射α激动剂可乐宁1μg,引起血压降低、心率减慢及腹腔神经节后交感神经干放电抑制。应用α阻断剂酚妥拉明阻断脊髓内源性 NE的作用,可部分抑制血压升高时反射性的心率减慢和交感神经放电抑制反应,使压力感受器反射的敏感性降低。在颈动脉放血造成不可逆性失血性休克的动物,脊髓蛛网膜下腔注射酚妥拉明可使动脉血压有一定程度的回升。以上结果表明,由脊髓α受体调制的心血管抑制效应参与减压反射以及失血性休克的发病机制。     

Essential oil of Ayapana triplinervis from Reunion Island: A good natural source of thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether

Three specimens of Ayapana triplinervis (Vahl) R.M. King & H. Rob from Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) collected at two distant locations (North of the island; samples 1 and 2, South of the island; sample 3), in different growth phases (flowering; samples 1 and 3, vegetative; sample 2) were investigated for their leaf essential oil composition. This study reports the chemical character of this species on the island and investigates the relationship between essential oil composition, developmental stage and geographic location. Analysis by GC–FID and GC–MS enabled us to identify and quantify a total of 39 constituents accounting for 97.1–98.0% of the oils. The three essential oil samples, all obtained by hydrodistillation, showed a high percentage of the aromatic compound thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether (89.9–92.8%). All other minor components remained more or less unchanged both qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to the stage of growth. On the contrary, variations were observed with geographic distribution. The geographical variation of the chemical composition of the volatile oil of A. triplinervis from several sites in the world is also briefly discussed.     

Vegetation mapping with the aid of low-altitude aerial photography

Abstract. A technique for fine-scale vegetation mapping with the aid of low-altitude aerial photography was developed. The procedure is as follows: 1. The site is divided into a lattice pattern - in case the site is too large to fit into a single photograph with satisfactory resolution. The coordinates of every lattice point are surveyed to be used as control points for geometric correction. A photograph of each block of the lattice is taken using a remote-controlled camera system lifted by a captive helium balloon. 2. The vegetation is classified on the basis of a phytosociological survey. 3. The shapes and locations of vegetation patches appearing in the photographs are entered into a computer, using a digitizer. A geometric correction is carried out through coordinate transformation referring to the coordinates of the control points and subsequently a draft vegetation map is produced. Finally, discrepancies are corrected and the map is coloured to produce the final version of the vegetation map. This technique was applied to vegetation mapping at a bar, 500 m wide and 2 km long, in the river Yoshino in Shikoku, Japan. A fine-scale vegetation map was obtained and used to analyse the influence of plants on geomorphic processes and community-specific hydrogeomorphic conditions on the bar.     

An automated technique for monitoring carbon dioxide respired by insects*

ABSTRACT. A non-dispersive infrared gas analyser equipped with a Luft-type sonic detector and flow-through reference cell was automated to monitor the total volume of carbon dioxide (CO₂) respired by single insects or groups of insects. The infrared analyser was interfaced with an integrator for quantification, a microprocessor to control intermittent air flow through the insect respiration chambers, and a microcomputer for data storage and reduction. This technique has been used to monitor the CO₂ Output of diapausing and non-diapausing mature fifth instar larvae and of developing pupae of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The resulting data were accurate, quantitative and reproducible.     

Measuring the heart rate of the spider, Aphonopelma hentzi: a non-invasive technique

In this work we describe a non‐invasive and precise technique to record the heartbeats of a spider. A linear output Hall effect transducer in conjunction with a small magnet was used to monitor the micromovements on the dorsal surface of the abdomen of the tarantula Aphonopelma hentzi (Girard) (Theraphosidae). The exoskeleton in this region is in direct contact with suspensory ligaments connected to the heart, and the dorsal cuticle of the opisthosoma moves with each heartbeat. The technique allowed the discrimination of the different stages of the spider's cardiac cycle. The method can be also adapted for a smaller spider or other arthropods. We believe that the method proposed in this paper allows investigators to gain insights into a spider's natural heart rate by gathering unbiased data with a non‐invasive and very precise technique. We have found the resting heart rate of A. hentzi to be 5.6 ± 1.47 beats/min, which is lower than previously reported values.     

Development and characterization of a human cell line from an ovarian mixed mullerian tumor (carcinosarcoma)

Summary A cell line derived from a human ovarian carcinosarcoma was established in tissue culture and in nude mice. Two sublines, LDF and HDF, separated by discontinuous density centrifugation were also established from the parent line JoN. The cloning efficiency of the JoN line was 21%. Morphologic features of adenocarcinoma cells characteristic of the parent JoN cells were retained in the sublines and clones; all lines showed the same karyotype and DNA content (pseudodiploid and pseudotetraploid). Keratin, as demonstrated immunohistochemically, was strongly expressed in the parent line JoN and the xenograft tumor, but not at all in the LDF sublines and only moderately in the HDF sublines. Vimentin, however, was expressed in neither the parent line JoN nor the xenograft tumor, but was present in both sublines. Transglutaminase and plasminogen activator activity was high in the parent line JoN. Neither, sublines nor clones showed the same high enzyme activity as the parent line. It is concluded that this human tumor line JoN is comprised of epithelial cells, capable of multidirectional differentiation.