Identification of in-vivo vibration modes of human tibiae by modal analysis

When attempting to evaluate the mechanical properties of human bones in vivo by mechanical vibration analysis, some essential requirements must be met. A quantitative relation between measured vibration parameters (e.g., natural frequency) and mechanical bone properties must be available, in-vivo vibration modes should correctly be identified and the associated natural frequencies reproducibly and accurately measured, the influence of joints and soft tissues must be known. These problems were addressed by modal analysis (i.e., experimental determination of natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios) of human tibiae in the following situations: 1) dry excised tibiae, 2) fresh excised tibiae, 3) in-vivo tibiae, 4) tibiae in an amputated leg, in different steps of dissection. In the in-vivo measuring conditions used by the authors, the tibia vibration is practically free-free. Two single bending modes (at +/- 270 Hz and +/- 340 Hz, respectively), each of them corresponding with one principal direction for bending, were identified. The difference between the natural frequencies observed in vivo and those of fresh excised tibiae is almost completely caused by the effect of muscles (added mass and damping), whereas joints and skin play only a minor role. Frequency differences between fresh and dry excised tibiae are largely accounted for by the absence of bone marrow in the latter.     

The ecological significance of nickel hyperaccumulation: a plant chemical defense

Nickel hyperaccumulating plants have more than 1000 mg Ni kg^–1 dry weight when grown on nickel-bearing soils. We hypothesized that Ni hyperaccumulation could serve as a chemical defense against herbivores In feeding experiments with potential insect herbivores and Ni hyperaccumulating plants, only those inseets fed leaves from plants grown on non-nickel-bearing soil survived or showed a weight gain. Among chemical parameters measured, only Ni content of plants was sufficient to explain this result. When subjected to herbivory by lepidopteran larvae, plants grown on Ni-amended soil showed greater survival and yield than plants on unamended soil. Ni hyperaccumulation may be an effective plant chemical defense against herbivores because of its high lethality, apparent low cost, and broad spectrum of toxicity.     

A comparison of summer nutrient data obtained in Königshafen Bay (North Sea,German Bight) during two investigation periods: 1979–1983 and 1990–1992

A comparison of summer nutrients obtained during the investigation periods 1979–1983 and 1990–1992 was made, to elucidate whether or not changes have occurred in Königshafen Bay during the last decade. In both the flood current as well as in the ebb current, concentrations of silicate, phosphate, nitrite and nitrate have decreased. Ammonia, however, has increased by a factor of two in the flood current waters, but was similar in both investigation periods in the ebb current waters. In addition, a significant increase of salinity has been observed. The differences between flood and ebb current median nutrient concentrations suggest that the bay was a source of nutrients during the 1979–1983 period, exporting large amounts of silicate, nitrite and ammonia with the ebb current. Today, the bay appears to be more a sink than a source of nutrients. Export rates of silicate and nitrite are greatly reduced and phosphate and ammonia are imported nowadays. Nitrate fluxes were in balance during both periods. Reasons for the observed changes are discussed.     

Genes encoding alpha-heavy chains of rabbit IgA: characterization of cDNA encoding IgA-g subclass alpha-chains

cDNA molecules encoding rabbit IgA alpha-heavy chains have been synthesized and six of these have been characterized. The complete nucleotide sequence of one cDNA, p 19 (942bp), showed that it encoded all but the N-terminal 57 amino acid residues of the constant region of alpha-chains. The cDNA molecules were subcloned into the expression vector pUC8 and E. coli were transformed. Radioimmunoassay of the molecules synthesized by these clones showed that all six cDNA molecules encoded alpha-chains of the IgA-g subclass. Comparison of the amino acids encoded by the alpha-cDNA with the amino acid sequence of mouse and human alpha-chains showed that although all of the intradomain disulfide bonds appear to be conserved, some positions, probably involved in interchain disulfide bonds, are not conserved. We propose that secretory component is covalently bound to cysteine 299 and/or cysteine 301 of the CH2 domain of mouse and human alpha-chains. The results from Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA with 32P-cDNA suggests that the rabbit genome has multiple C alpha genes.     

Effect of serum concentration on hybridoma viable cell density and production of monoclonal antibodies in CSTRs and on shear sensitivity in air-lift loop reactors

The death rate of hybridoma cells, grown in a continuous culture, has been studied in a small air-lift loop reactor as a function of reactor height and injected gas flow rate. The first-order death-rate constant was found to be proportional to the reciprocal height and to the gas flow rate, in accordance with the hypothetical killing volume model for insect cells in bubble columns. Furthermore, the effect of the serum concentration on viable cell concentration and cell productivity has been investigated in a continuous culture. A serum component became growth limiting when the serum concentration was decreased from 2% to 1%. No effect of the serum concentration on specific cell productivity could be measured. Samples from this culture were also studied in the air-lift loop reactor to determine the effect of serum concentration on the shear sensitivity. The cells' shear sensitivity increased with decreasing serum concentration. The protective effect of serum was found to be physical as well as physiological.     

Zur Biologie des Planktons des Königshafens (Nordsylter Wattenmeer)

From May 1979 on, the following parameters were measured at a station in the inlet of Königshafen near List (Island of Sylt): temperature, salinity, mesozooplankton (>76 µm), chlorophyll-a, seston dry weight, oxygen and phytoplankton-nutrients (NH₄-N, NO₂-N, NO₃-N, PO₄-P, SiO₃-Si). A multiple regression analysis showed the interrelationships between the parameters measured. Tidal influences on zooplankton and seston dry weight could be observed. At low tide, the amount of zooplankton (not counting the harpacticoid copepods) declines and the number of harpacticoid copepods rises as does the seston dry weight too. The chlorophyll-a content is a function of the phytoplankton-nutrients. An increase in chlorophyll-a leads to a decrease in nitrogen and silicate concentrations. Phosphate, due possibly to a sewage inlet into the Königshafen, is not a limiting factor. The availability of nutrients is influenced by temperature, salinity and the tidal cycle. The amount of oxygen is dependent on water temperature and seston dry weight. High water temperatures and a high seston content lead to a decrease in oxygen concentrations.     

Feinstruktur der Tarsal-Drüse vonSiro duricovius (Joseph) (Opiliones,Sironidae)

Zusammenfassung Alle Arten der Sironidae tragen als sekundäres männliches Geschlechtsmerkmal ein epidermales Drüsenorgan im letzten Tarsalglied des 4. Laufbeines. Das Sekret tritt dort dorsal, exponiert auf einer kanülenartigen Apophyse, dem Adenostyl, nach außen.BeiSiro duricorius (Joseph, 1868) besteht das komplexe Drüsenorgan aus zahlreichen funktionellen Einheiten, deren Sekret einem gemeinsamen Kanal zugeführt wird; er öffnet sich auf dem Adenostyl. Jede funktionelle Drüseneinheit umfaßt 5 Zellen: 3 Drüsenzellen (DZ, Dreiergruppe), 1 Hüllzelle (HZ), 1 Kanalzelle (KZ). Die Sekrete werden in ein gemeinsames Reservoir abgegeben.HZ verknüpft manschettenartig die DZ mit der KZ. Eine Randeinfaltung am Apex der DZ gewährleistet innige Verfalzung von diesen mit der HZ.DZ und HZ sind mit gut entwickeltem Mikrovillisaum ausgestattet; beide Zelltypen sezernieren.Der ableitende Kanal der GZ besteht aus 2 Abschnitten: ein distaler schwammig-fibrillärer und ein proximaler massiver; beide Teile werden von nur einer Zelle (KZ) begleitet. Der basale Teil mündet in den Hauptkanal, der zum Adenostyl zieht.Neben diesem komplexen Drüsenorgan liegt ein ähnlich gebautes, aber kleineres ventral im Tarsus; sein Sammelkanal zieht zum Kanal der Hauptdrüse.Isolierte funktionelle Einheiten sind in der Tarsenepidermis weit verstreut; sie leiten ihr Sekret unmittelbar auf die Tarsusoberfläche.Die DZ produzieren nach elektronenoptischer Evidenz ein Protein. Das Sekret der HZ läßt sich bisher nicht zuordnen; es ist von dem der DZ verschieden.

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Ultrastructure of the tarsal gland ofSiro duricorius (Joseph)

Summary All species of Sironidae possess as a secondary male sex character an epidermal gland organ in the last tarsal joint of the fourth leg. The glandular secretion emanates from a conical apophysis, the adenostyl, which is located dorsally on the joint.InSiro duricorius (Joseph, 1868) the complex organ consists of numerous functional units, the secretion of which flows into the common channel opening on the adenostyl.Every gland unit contains 5 cells: 3 gland cells (DZ), 1 enveloping cell (HZ), 1 duct cell (KZ). The enveloping cell connects the gland cells with the duct cell like a sleeve. A marginal fold of the gland cell apex provides tight connection of gland cells and enveloping cell.Gland cells and enveloping cell are equipped with microvilli, and both cell types secrete in a common reservoir.The duct of the duct cell is divided into two parts: 1) a distal fibrillaceous-spongy one and 2) a proximal massive one. Both are accompanied only by a single duct cell.Besides this complex gland organ a similar one is located in the ventral part of the tarsus. Its collecting channel opens into the channel of the main gland.Isolated functional gland units are scattered over the epidermis of the tarsus; their secretion flows immediately on the tarsal surface.The gland cells proper produce a protein, the fact is indicated by the electronmicrographs. The secretion of the enveloping cell is a different one, but at this time cannot be attached to a chemical group.

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Abkürzungen A Adenostyl - aSe austretendes Sekret - C Kutikulin - Cu Kutikula - dK distaler Kanal - DK Kern der Drüsenzelle - DZ Drüsenzelle - ER rauhes endoplasmatischesm, Retikulum - G Golgi-Apparat - HK Kern der Hüllzelle - HZ Hüllzelle - K Kralle des Tarsus - Ke Kern - KK Kern der Kanalzelle - KZ Kanalzelle - M Mikrovilli - Mi Mitochondrium - pK proximaler Kanal - R Randeinfaltung der DZ - Re extrazelluläres Reservoir - Ri Ribosomen - Se Sekret - SK zentraler Sammelkanal - T Mikrotubuli - Va Vakuole - Va₁-Va₆ Vakuolen mit Sekret unterschiedlichen Reifegrades