ALBERT

Notes: Abstract It is shown that the erratic changes of the orbital period, which are observed in some detached eclipsing binary systems, cannot be interpreted as real if their light curves show changing anomalies with asymmetric minimum profiles. In this case the photometrically determined times of the minima do not coincide with the ideal geometric ones, which are unobservable. This fact and the applied reduction methods for deriving the photometric times of minima cause systematic period errors of cumulative character. The discussion of six photoelectrically-determined minima obtained within the last 20 yr, and earlier photographic ones of the 0d.479 period eclipsing binary XY UMa yields a constant period. The long cyclic light curve variations due to starspot activity of the larger and hotter component of this system are reflected in corresponding period oscillations.

Notes: Abstract On three nights in February 1976 we carried out polarimetric measurements, in V, of the short periodic eclipsing binary XY UMa, covering a complete cycle. The results are as follows: (1) Within all phase intervals the linear polarization does not exceed 0.1%. (2) In the phase range 0 p .95–1 p .35 the scatter of the Stokes parametersQ andU is about twice that within the phase interval 0 p .35–0 p .95. (3) A periodogram analysis of these data revealed a period of 21000 s, which is equal to half the orbital periodP o=0d.47899 within 1.5%. From these we derive the conclusions that no circumstellar envelope can be made responsible for the observed long-term changes of the light curve and system brightness, supporting the earlier spectroscopic finding. The different scatter of the Stokes parameters at different phase intervals and theP o/2 periodicity are in favor of the star spot model for XY UMa proposed by one of the authors (E. G.).

Notes: Summary Rapid loss of cochlear microphonics in guinea-pigs previously exposed to high-energy impulse noise was shown to be related to the breakdown of the endolymphatic boundary. The cochlear duct was rendered leaky by deterioration of the reticular membrane, and damage of sensory and supporting cells.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Beryllium gibt mit Chromazurol S auf Filtrierpapier einen charakteristischen hellblauen Fleck. Der störende Einfluß anderer Kationen kann durch Zugabe von Oxalat und ÄDTA behoben werden. Es lassen sich noch 4,5μg Beryllium in 0,05 ml Lösung nachweisen. Bei zehnfachem Überschuß einiger Kationen wird die Empfindlichkeit der Reaktion verringert.

Notes: Abstract A case of an acute pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis following the use of immunosuppressive therapy in a solid cancer patient is reported.

Notes: Abstract An analytical formulation is developed for the resultant electromagnetic field of an oscillating vertical magnetic dipole located over a thin conductive sheet of infinite extent. The sheet is characterized by a conductivity-thickness product or conductance σd that may be a function of the horizontal coordinates. The system of integral equations arising in the general formulation is simplified greatly when azimuthal symmetry prevails. Numerical results for a Gaussian variation of σd in the radial direction are presented for the case of a symmetrically located source. These results are for the fields at the level of the source dipole over the conductive sheet. It is shown that the quadrature response of the sheet is enhanced when there is rapid variation of the conductance. The null in the resultant wave tilt is also found to be shifted toward the direction of increasing conductance.

Notes: Summary The extensive genetical analysis of the T-locus in mice, carried out by Dunn and his co-workers, has revealed that the breeding pattern of t-alleles is very peculiar. The complexity of the T-locus indicates that some structural rearrangements are involved here. The purpose of the present work was to gain some informations on the structure of chromosomes in which t-alleles are present. 2. The course of spermatogenesis in the lines of mice of the following genotypes was investigated: +/+; T/+; T/t n — namely T/t 0, T/t12, T/tw1, T/tw6, T/tw18; tn/tx — namely t 0/t12, t0/tw18, t12/tw18, tw1/t12, tw1/t0, tw1/tw6, tw1/tw18, and in heterozygotes for translocations T138 and T190, both involving the fragment of linkage group IX in which some t-alleles are present and used as markers. 3. The alleles T and t w1 are not connected with structural rearrangements, as far as detectable by the methods used. The alleles t 0, tw6 and t w18 are interstitial deficiencies involving different chromosomal regions. The most complete data were obtained for t 0: in T/t 0 heterozygotes a loop corresponding to a big interstitial deficiency was present, in all t 0/tn compounds the aberrant structure of one of the bivalents indicated that an interstitial deficiency is here involved. By analysis of translocation T190 the deficiency loop is localized in the chromosome representing linkage group IX. The identification of t w6 as a small interstitial deficiency is based on the analysis of T/t w6 heterozygotes and its localization in linkage group IX on the presence of this deficiency in translocation T138. The description of tw18 as a small interstitial deficiency stems from the analysis of T/tw18 and t 0/tw18, the localization in linkage group IX is shown by its presence in t 0/tw18 in the same bivalent as t 0. The evidence obtained for t 12 indicates that it is either a big terminal deficiency or a small interstitial one inducing constant asynapsis in adjacent terminal segments of the bivalent. 4. The reasons why loops encountered in genotypes involving t 0, tw6 and t w18 are considered as deficiencies and not as duplications are based on available embryological and genetical data. The possible connections between the mode of action of the investigated t-alleles as embryonic lethals and the cytological results on their structure and localization are discussed. 5. Most of the lethal t-alleles suppress crossing-over in the region T-tf. Factors reducing the frequency of recombination in other organisms are discussed in comparison. It is concluded that the pattern of aberation in meiotic behavior of the bivalent carrying t-alleles is for almost each of the studied alleles rather specific and does not permit for suggesting any general mechanism which could account for the action of investigated lethal t-alleles as crossing-over suppressors. 6. A diagram of the presumable localisation of genetical factors in linkage group IX is presented. It is concluded that the so-called T-locus occupies the main part of the long arm of the chromosome corresponding to linkage group IX and that the investigated t-alleles are not unilocal neither with the gene T nor each with other, but scattered along the chromosome. 7. The possible modes of the origin of new t-alleles are discussed, and the hypothesis is advanced that this event might be connected with mistakes of replication of the strand on which a new t-allele arises.

Notes: Summary The study was concerned with the molecular structure of the erythrocyte membrane and its anisotropic staining with toluidine blue. Enzymatic or chemical degradation impairs the topo-optical staining. Decreased anisotropy results also from digitonin treatment of glutaraldehyde fixed cells. Incubation in a mixture of chloroform and methanol abolishes the anisotropic staining with toluidine blue, but it has been restored by the aldehyde bisulfite-procedure. The efficacy of a treatment with chloroform-methanol is greatly reduced in the case of agglutinated erythrocytes. The reversibly collapsed glycocalyx is devoid of topo-optical staining. The findings refer to the spatial orientation of glycoproteins at the cell surface. Degradation or loss and rearrangement, respectively, change the glycocalyx structure and likewise deteriorate the conditions for the anisotropic staining. Alterations of the lipid layer of the membrane may result in similar effects. There was, however, no indication of an intercalation into the lipid layer of dyestuff molecules. In conclusion, the topo-optical toluidine blue staining is considered a powerful method aiding studies of the glycocalyx of erythrocytes (and presumably of other types of cells too).

Notes: Summary The structure and behavior of XY bivalent in mice is discussed. The view that XY bivalent in pachytene is embedded within the sex vesicle was fully confirmed. X and Y are paired end-to-end by a nonchiasmatic connection, which is established already in pachytene and persists until first meiotic metaphase. The pachytene complement in mice consists of 19 rod-shaped autosomal bivalents and the XY bivalent embedded within the sex vesicle. A satisfactory identification of individual autosomes in male pachytene has not been found possible.

Notes: Summary The first spermatocyte division has been investigated in Rhabdophaga batatas Walsh and Wachtliella persicariae L. It was shown that the course of this division cannot be described as mitosis, either “unipolar” or “modified bipolar”. Its essential features are: complete absence of pairing and the segregation of the chromosomes into two groups composed of 4 and 30-odd chromosomes. The segregation is accomplished by a peculiar expulsion of the group of 4 chromosomes from the main nucleus followed by an unequal cytokinesis. The spindle is absent and the nuclear membrane remains present during the entire course of the division. The second spermatocyte division occurs only in the smaller cell, which contains 4 chromosomes and bears all features of normal mitosis. For the description of the course of the first spermatocyte division and chromosome distribution, which occurs in this division, the terms “segregating division” and “monocentric configuration” were proposed. The available descriptions of the first spermatocyte division in other species of Cecidomyiidae have been analyzed. The pattern of this division in all so far investigated cecidomyiid species is very uniform and the terms “unipolar” or “modified bipolar” mitoses are here also inadequate. The cases were discussed in which the peculiar chromosome arrangements arise merely as a result of positive or negative interrelations between the centriole and the chromosome parts. With this as background, the monocentric configurations in Cecidomyiidae were explained in terms of an attraction between the centriole and centromeres, operating in one group, and a repulsion between the centriole and the chromosome ends acting in the second. The other so-called unipolar mitoses have been analyzed. It was shown that under this term at least three intrinsically different configurations have been described. For the cases of Sciara, Micromalthus debilis and Cecidomyiidae, the common denominator can be found: the chromosome movements in Sciara and M. debilis can also be explained as set forth above for Cecidomyiidae, i.e. in terms of two kinds of forces operating between the centriole and the chromosomes. The several spindle fibers present in Sciara and Micromalthus do not seem to be crucial for the chromosome movements.