The intramandibular gland of leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel 1908)

The eusociality developed in Hymenoptera and Isoptera is driven by an efficient interaction between exocrine glands and jointed appendages, both in close interaction with the environment. In this context, the mandible of ants plays an important role, since, in addition to being the main jointed appendage, it possess glandular functions. As an example we might name the two glands associated with the mandible: the mandibular and the intramandibular glands. The intramandibular gland is found inside the mandible and consists of a hypertrophied secretory epithelium and secretory cells in the mandible's lumen. The secretion of the secretory epithelium is liberated through intracuticular ducts that open at the base of hairs at the mandible's surface. The secretion of the intramandibular gland (epithelium and secretory cells) reacted positively to tests for the detection of polysaccharides and proteins, thus suggesting that it consists of glycoproteins. The ultrastructure of the secretory epithelium presents variations related to the developmental stage of the individual, showing a large number of ribosomes and microvilli close to the cuticle in young individuals, while in the older specimens it was possible to note the formation of an intracellular reservoir. These variations of secretory epithelium, as also the interaction between the cellular groups inside the mandible, are important information about this gland in leaf-cutting ants.     

Oblique interaction of spatial dark-soliton stripes in nonlocal media

We report what we believe to be the first experimental observation of a large spatial lateral shift in the interaction of obliquely oriented spatial dark-soliton stripes. We demonstrate by numerical simulations that this new effect can be attributed to the specific features of optical media with a nonlocal nonlinear response.     

Mononuclear phagocytes in the blood of turtles characterized by ultrastructural and cytochemical analyses and by phagocytic activity

Ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics of mononuclear phagocyte cells in turtles are not well described in the literature, especially in Phrynops hilarii. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate these characteristics in the mononuclear phagocyte cells and their phagocytic activity “in vitro” using the turtle P. hilarii as an experimental animal model. The six turtles used in the study were observed in two seasons, spring and summer. Results showed that mononuclear phagocytes incubated only in diluted solution or with colloidal charcoal have cytoplasm phagolysosomes. The cells incubated with colloidal charcoal and further exposed to the cytochemical reaction for acid β-glycerophosphatase, showed cytoplasm phagolysosomes filled by charcoal particles being digested and some positively stained lysosomes. Acid β-glycerophosphatase positive reaction was present in lysosomes and inside the phagolysosomes, while acid cytidine 5-monophosphatase staining occurred in lysosome surroundings. A positive reaction for trimetaphosphatase was also found inside phagolysosomes. In conclusion, the presence of lysosomal enzymes like trimetaphosphatase and cytidine-5′-sodium monophosphate, in the circulating blood of P. hilarii indicate that mononuclear phagocytes participate in the phagocytic process by gathering many phagocytic cells and forming multinucleated giant cells, which probably have a role in the blood “clearance” process.     

Generalized Hardy spaces

Hardy spaces with generalized parameter are introduced following the maximal characterization approach. As particular cases, they include the classical Hp spaces and the Hardy-Lorentz spaces H^p,q. Real interpolation results with function parameter are obtained, Based on them, the behavior of some classical operators is studied in this generalized setting.     

Hands help hearing: facilitatory audiotactile interaction at low sound-intensity levels

Auditory and vibrotactile stimuli share similar temporal patterns. A psychophysical experiment was performed to test whether this similarity would lead into an intermodal bias in perception of sound intensity. Nine normal-hearing subjects performed a loudness-matching task of faint tones, adjusting the probe tone to sound equally loud as a reference tone. The task was performed both when the subjects were touching and when they were not touching a tube that vibrated simultaneously with the probe tone. The subjects chose on average 12% lower intensities (p < 0.01) for the probe tone when they touched the tube, suggesting facilitatory interaction between auditory and tactile senses in normal-hearing subjects.     

Cross-linking the protein precursor of marine mussel adhesives: bulk measurements and reagents for curing

Marine mussels affix themselves to surfaces by use of a highly cross-linked, protein-based adhesive. Metal levels (e.g., Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) of the cured glue are significantly concentrated relative to surrounding waters. Specific details on the reagents used by mussels to induce protein cross-linking are not known at this time. To provide insight on the cross-linking agents and reactions taking place while curing mussel glues, we performed a study in which various compounds were tested for the ability to bring about protein curing. A precursor to adhesion, with proteins containing the unusual amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, was extracted from mussel feet. Potential cross-linking agents were mixed with this gelatinous pellet. The compressibility and shear properties of the resulting material were investigated by use of a penetration test. The reagents examined included simple metal ions (e.g., Na+, Zn2+), oxidizing transition metals (e.g., Fe3+, Cr2O7(2-)), nonmetallic oxidants (e.g., H2O2,IO4-), and oxidizing enzymes (e.g., tyrosinase). We found that protein curing was brought about by simple oxidants and transition metal ions. The results show that optimal curing occurs when the reagent is an oxidizing metal ion (e.g., MnO4-, Fe3+). We conclude that marine mussels are likely to employ Mn3+ and Fe3+ for protein cross-linking and adhesive synthesis.     

Observation of image transfer and phase conjugation in stimulated down-conversion

We observe experimentally the transfer of angular spectrum and image formation in the process of stimulated parametric down-conversion. Images and interference patterns can be transferred from either the pump or the auxiliary laser beams to the stimulated down-converted one. The stimulated field propagates as the complex conjugate of the auxiliary laser. The phase conjugation is observed through intensity pattern measurements.     

Algebraische Lösung des Helmholtzschen Raumproblems für reelle Vektorräume

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Tiling R 3 with circles and disks

While it is not possible to tile R ² with circles, several constructions are known for tiling R ³ with circles or with homeomorphs of circles subject to various constraints. We extend this work on circles and obtain as well some analogous results on tiling R ² and R ³ with disks.