Redetermination of the crystal structure of RhPb2 from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, revealing a rhodium deficiency

RhPb2 (rhodium dilead) is a superconductor crystallizing in the CuAl2 structure type (space group I4/mcm). The Rh and Pb atoms are located at the 4a (site symmetry 422) and 8h (m.2m) sites, respectively. The crystal structure is composed of [RhPb8] antiprisms, which share their square faces along the c axis and the edges in the direction perpendicular to the c axis. We have succeeded in growing single crystals of RhPb2 and have re-determined the crystal structure on basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. In comparison with the previous structure studies using powder X-ray diffraction data [Wallbaum (1943). Z. Metallkd. 35, 218–221; Havinga et al. (1972). J. Less-Common Met. 27, 169–186], the current structure analysis of RhPb2 leads to more precise unit-cell parameters and fractional coordinates, together with anisotropic displacement parameters for the two atoms. In addition and likewise different from the previous studies, we have found a slight deficiency of Rh in RhPb2, leading to a refined formula of Rh0.950 (9)Pb2.

POLYMORPHISMS IN CANDIDATE GENES FOR BEEF QUALITY IN PINZGAU CATTLE

The aim of present study was to identify the polymorphisms in genes encodingcalpastatin (CASTUoG), calpain (CAPN1, CAPN2), diacylglycerol Oacyltransferase(DGAT1), thyroglobulin (TG5), and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase(SCD) in order to analyse genetic structure of Pinzgau cattle. The genomic DNAfor genotyping was obtained from in total 56 blood samples of Pinzgau bulls. Afterextraction, the concentration of DNA was controlled by the spectrophotometrymeasurement. The genotyping of each individual was carried out by using PCRRFLPmethods. The average value of observed (0.37±0.05) and expectedheterozygosity (0.39±0.06) clearly indicated the prevalence of homozygousindividuals. Observed Wright's fixation indexes showed positive values across allloci (0.03±0.06), which confirmed slight deficiency of heterozygote animalscompared to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations. The Hardy-Weinbergequilibrium was found in population, which signalizes only slight impact of factorssuch as selection, migration or inbreeding. The effectiveness of loci allele impact inpopulations has been described also by effective allele numbers (1.68±0.13) thatexpressed the decrease of allele activity in population. The loss of heterozygosityin analysed population was found across all of genetic markers. Each of theevaluated indicators clearly points to the need of genetic diversity monitoring.Moreover, the analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes significantlyinvolved in control of economically important production traits are still very usablemethods for identification of genetic markers that can be used in marker assistedselection of cattle.

Two new occurrences of benleonardite, a rare silver-tellurium sulphosalt, and a possible new occurrence of cervelleite

Benleonardite, ideally Ag8(Sb,As)Te253, occurs in ore specimens from the Mayflower and Gies epithermal gold-silver telluride deposits in Montana commonly spatially associated with hessite and tetrahedrite. In these deposits, it is Cu-bearing (up to 2.7 wt.%) and exhibits a slight deficiency in Ag+Cu coupled with a slight excess in S. A cervelleite-like mineral coexists with benleonardite at Mayflower and is unusual in composition in that it is Se-bearing suggesting the possibility of solid solution with aguilarite (Ag4SeS).

The Prevalence of Hereditary Antithrombin-III Deficiency in Patients with a History of Venous Thromboembolism

SummaryAntithrombin-III activity was determined in 752 patients with a history of venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. 54 patients (7.18%) had an antithrombin-III activity below the normal range. Among these were 13 patients (1.73%) with proven hereditary deficiency. 14 patients were judged to have probable hereditary antithrombin-III deficiency, because they had a positive family history, but antithrombin-III deficiency could not be verified in other members of the family. In the 27 remaining patients (most of them with only slight deficiency) hereditary antithrombin-III deficiency was unlikely. The prevalence of hereditary antithrombin-III deficiency was higher in patients with recurrent venous thrombosis.

Genetic variability among and within closely spaced populations of lodgepole pine

The genetic composition of Pinus contorta var. latifolia as determined by isozyme analysis was assessed and examined at two hierarchical levels; within closely spaced populations and within adjacent subpopulations. Four populations of lodgepole pine consisting of 125 trees each were sampled along an elevational gradient spanning a distance of approximately 2 km in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Each population was further divided into five subpopulations. Four isozymes were electrophoretically resolved from needle tissue removed from each tree. Statistics characterizing the genetic structure were calculated including measures of genetic variability, tests of allelic heterogeneity, and F statistics. The results indicate that lodgepole pine has a relatively low level of genetic variation with 44% of its loci polymorphic, an average of 1.33 alleles per locus, heterozygous at 13.5% of their loci, and a polymorphic index of 0.144. Slightly less than 1% of the observed genetic variability resided among the four populations with the remainder residing among the individuals within populations. A slight deficiency of heterozygotes was indicated by the F statistics analysis. Allelic distributions at the subpopulation level indicated that clustering was evident although not a predominant characteristic of the genetic pattern. It is suggested that inbreeding and (or) the pooling of individuals from different breeding groups are likely phenomena contributing to the genetic pattern in lodgepole pine over microgeographical distances.Key words: genetic variability, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia, isozyme.

δ Scuti and RRs Type Variables: Theoretical Aspects

Theoretical problems in connection with δ Sct and RRs type variables are reviewed. All evidence shows that δ Sct stars are normal main-sequence or early post main-sequence stars. Results of linear stability analyses of δ Sct models agree well with observations, the presence of non-variables in the strip being understandable in terms of helium diffusion. Excitation of non-radial modes may also occur; comparison of observed multiple periodicities with the theoretically derived period patterns for radial and non-radial modes is discussed as a means to distinguish between these possibilities.It is not known whether RRs variables are of the same nature as δ Sct stars or in a late evolutionary state with low mass. RRs variables pulsate in radial modes, and recent linear stability analyses seem to agree well with observations for both normal and low masses. The reason for the difference in amplitude between RRs and δ Sct stars is not known. Non-linear investigations may provide important information in the near future. The observed period ratios of RRs variables indicate for most of the double mode pulsators a slight deficiency in heavy elements and a normal mass; but more detailed investigations of this problem are needed.

The amounts and adequacy of food rations in Finland during 1941-46

Owing to the impossibility of obtaining reliable information on the food consumption of the »self-providers,» only the food rations and nutrition of the ordinary »consumers» are discussed in this paper. The daily amounts of calories, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid have been calculated on the basis of the rations of bread flour, fats, milk, sugar, and meat. Of the ration-free foodstuffs only potatoes had greater importance in the diets; their contents of different constituents have been taken into consideration in using approximate values of the daily consumption of potatoes. Inadequacy of calories is a common feature in the diets of adults and also of adolescent children. Distinct deficiencies can also be noticed in the amounts of calcium and vitamin A, a slight deficiency in riboflavin. The intake of other constituents discussed can be regarded as being nutritionally adequate, although the amounts of protein and particularly those of niacin have been in many cases rather scanty. The nutrition of children has been remarkably better than that of the adults owing, above all, to the greater share of milk in the children’s dietary. The nutrition situation was the worst in 1942 and very poor again in 1945. In 1946 and later it has been continually improving.