Rapid removal of phosphorus from sewage by activated sludge

Résumé La plus grande partie du phosphore contenu dans les eaux d'égouts y compris le phosphore dissous dans l'eau a été rapidement éliminée à l'aide de boue «activée», en l'espace de 6 h. Le liquide recueilli par le procédé de boue «activée» contient très peu de phosphore. Le taux du phosphore éliminé suit de très près la vitesse de purification et d'oxydation des eaux d'égouts. L'activité des bactéries contenues dans la vase ne semble pas expliquer la disparition rapide du phosphore contenu dans les eaux d'égouts.     

Effect of increasing the calcium concentration during a single heart-beat

Zusammenfassung An Schildkrötenherzen verstärkt eine Zugabe von Ca-Ionen, dienach Beginn des Aktionspotentials erfolgt, die bereits begonnene Kontraktion. Es wird daraus geschlossen, dass Ca-Ionen während derganzen Erregungsphase (und nicht nur zu deren Beginn) zwischen der elektrischen und der mechanischen Aktivität vermitteln.

---

---

Aided by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Grant No.1138.     

Pituitary sialic acid concentration during the estrous cycle of rats

Zusammenfassung Bei der Ratte wurde der Sialinsäuregehalt des Hypophysenvorderlappens während des Prooestrus, Oestrus und Dioestrus bestimmt. Da das Luteinhormon der Ratten keine Sialinsäure enthält, können die Schwankungen des Sialinsäuregehaltes als Mass für die FSH-Konzentrationen genommen werden.

---

---

The authors are grateful to Prof.M.R.N. Prasad and Prof.C.M.S. Dass for providing all facilities and encouragements.     

Effect of insulin on the glucose uptake of protozoa.

Insulin stimulates the glucose uptake of Tetrahymena pyriformis. This shows the presence of insulin receptors in Tetrahymena, consequently receptors may be present in a level of phylogenesis, where the natural contact between the given hormone and the cell is unnecessary and impossible.     

Plasma renin concentration at delivery and during the newborn period in humans

Zusammenfassung Die Plasma-Renin-Konzentration (PRC) Neugeborener ist höher als die ihrer Mütter, verdoppelt sich innerhalb 48 h und sinkt bis zum 10. Tag unter den Geburtswert. Die PRC der Mütter ist bei der Entbindung sowie am 6. Tag post partum trotz Absinkens auf 50% des Ausgangswertes höher als bei nicht-graviden Kontrollen.     

Changes in cAMP concentration in the rat preoptic area during synchronized and desynchronized sleep

cAMP concentration was found to be significantly lower during desynchronized sleep than during synchronized sleep in the preoptic area of rats kept at normal laboratory temperature. No significant changes in cerebral cortex cAMP concentration were observed in the same experimental conditions.     

Changes in cAMP concentration in the rat preoptic area during synchronized and desynchronized sleep

Summary cAMP concentration was found to be significantly lower during desynchronized sleep than during synchronized sleep in the preoptic area of rats kept at normal laboratory temperature. No significant changes in cerebral cortex cAMP concentraion were observed in the same experimental conditions.This work was supported by grants from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche and Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione.The authors wish to thank G. Mancinelli and L. Sabattini for technical assistance and M. Luppi for secretarial assistance.     

pH and calcium concentration changes in a molluscan egg during development

Summary During development, the egg albumen of calcified land snail eggs becomes more and more acid, correlated directly with a constant rise in the calcium concentration of this albumen. It is suggested that the developing embryo releases some acid metabolite and the subsequent change in albumen pH aids in embryonic absorption of the CaCO₃ (calcite) egg shell, used for making the embryonic body shell or skeleton (CaCO₃ in the form of aragonite).     

Identification of European orchids by determination of the anthocyanin concentration during development of the blossoms

Summary The blossoms of many species of European orchids contain a conspicuous blue cyanidinglycoside (Orchicyanin), which has bathochromic characteristics. This makes it possible to observe the formation of this anthocyanin during the development of the blossoms spectrophotometrically. The concentrations of Orchicyanin vary in a way that is typical of the species and genera.Some of the measurements were made at the Istituto di Chimica Analitica at the University of Florence in co-operation with Prof. Piccardi and Prof. Pantani, to whom we would like to express our thanks. We also thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for their support of this study.     

Identification of intracellular particles of pesticides in ciliate protozoa by Raman microprobe

Summary A Raman microprobe technique was used for the identification of intracellular particles of a pesticide added to a culture of the ciliate protozoanColpidium campylum. 2 methods, a wet and a dry, can be used for sample preparation. In both cases it was possible to find characteristic lines of 2 pollutants: 4,4-dichlorodiphenyl and-endosulfan. Some technical problems were encountered: the dry method causes drastic cellular alteration; the cell can move and go out of laser focus in the wet method.