Analysis of mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and Ki- and Ha-ras proto-oncogenes in hepatic tumors of European flounder (Platichthys flesus).

DNA from five tumors, three other-injured livers and two normal liver tissue samples from the European flounder were analyzed for mutations in exons 5-8 of the tumor suppressor gene p53 and at codons 12, 13 and 61 of Ha- and Ki-ras proto-oncogenes. No tumor-specific mutations were identified by direct sequencing and single-strand conformation polymorphism of these genes. A number of silent polymorphisms were noted in p53. In addition to a need for more extensive analyses of flounder liver tumor samples for ras or p53 mutations, other cancer-related genes should be investigated.     

Fe3+ in shocked olivine crystals of the ALHA 77005 meteorite

ALHA 77005, a shocked achondrite of the shergottite group, is unique in containing cumulus olivine crystals which display a brownish color in thin section. Mössbauer, EPR, and optical spectroscopic studies show the presence of Fe³⁺ in the olivine. Approximately 4.5 wt.% of the total iron in the olivine (24 wt.% as FeO) is in the trivalent state. The Fe³⁺ ions preferentially occupy M2 lattice positions. Charge transfer between Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ as well as between Fe³⁺ and oxygen ligands causes a broad absorption band in the optical spectrum at high energies which is the reason for the olivine color. It is concluded that the color of the ALHA 77005 olivine is preterrestrial and may be the result of shock-induced oxidation of the olivine crystals on the meteorite parent body.     

Precipitation — elevation relationships over Sri Lanka

Summary The change of rainfall totals with height has been the subject of much investigation in many parts of the world. The rates of increase or decrease vary with the climatic regime experienced. This study of Sri Lankan rainfall shows that the relationship between height and mean annual rainfall is complex. Examples of increases and decreases of rainfall with height are found. The climatic regime of the area is important in controlling the level of maximum rainfall.With 7 Figures     

Peculiarities of Dynamic Slip Nucleation in a Thin Granular Layer

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - Abstract—Granular media determine the dynamics of many natural systems including faults in the Earth’s crust. The paper addresses the laboratory...     

Ein Beitrag zur Struktur des Windes über Wien

Zusammenfassung Nach zweijährigen Parallelregistrierungen der Windgeschwindigkeit und Windrichtung in Wien-Hohe Warte am Rande der Stadt Wien und an einer Meßstelle in der Stadtmitte wird gezeigt, daß ein merklicher und jahreszeitlich veränderlicher Umgebungseinfluß gerade am Stadtrand auf die Windgeschwindigkeit einwirkt. Während der Vegetationsperiode ist die Bodenrauhigkeit erhöht, die Windgeschwindigkeit in den unteren Stufenwerten bis etwa 35 km/h wird verringert. Während der vegetationslosen Zeit ist die Bodenrauhigkeit viel geringer, die Häufigkeitsverteilung der Windgeschwindigkeit im Winter daher viel normaler. Es besteht ein scharfer Gegensatz zwischen den Sommer-und Wintermonaten ohne langsame Übergänge. Das Ergebnis dieses zunächst lokalen Vergleiches ist von allgemeiner Bedeutung für Windbeobachtungen in den gemäßigten Breiten mit Vegetationswechsel.

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Summary Based on two year's parallel observations of velocity and direction of wind at two stations, viz. the secular station Wien-Hohe Warte at the periphery and a station in the town-centre, it is shown that there exists a considerable and seasonally variable effect of local influences on the wind velocity, especially at the periphery of the town. During the vegetation period the roughness of the ground is increased and up to about 35 km/h the wind velocity is reduced. Out of the vegetation period the roughness of the ground is much smaller, the frequency distribution of wind velocity during the winter, therefore, shows more the normal features. There is a marked difference between the summer and winter months, and there exists no graduate change. The result of this local comparison seems to be of general interest to the climatology of wind in temperate latitudes with their seasonal change of vegetation.

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Résumé Pendant deux ans on a enregistré les vitesses et les directions des vents dans le cadre d'observations faites simultanément à la périphérie de la ville de Vienne (station météorologique «Hohe Warte») et à une station située au centre de cette ville. Les résultats démontrent que c'est précisément à la périphérie de la ville que l'aspect du sol exerce une influence très nette, la vitesse des vents, qui varie selon les saisons. Pendant la saison de végétation la «rugosité» du terrain étant plus grande, les vents moins forts (jusqu'à 35 km/h) sont affaiblis. En hiver, quand il n'y a pas de végétation, la rugosité du sol est moindre, et par conséquent les fréquences respectives des vents d'intensités diverses offrent un tableau mieux équilibré. Entre les mois d'hiver et les mois d'été, le contraste est très brusque; il n'y a pas de période de lente transition. Le résultat de ces essais, effectués seulement sur un plan local jusqu'à présent, est d'importance générale pour l'étude des vents dans les régions de climat tempéré, avec une végétation changeante.

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Herrn Prof. Dr.H. Ficker zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Alteration processes in the CV chondrite parent body based on analysis of NWA 2086 meteorite

Analysis of the NWA 2086 CV3 chondrite showed a matrix/chondrule ratio of 52%, similar to Bali, Mokoia, and Grosanaja. Nearly twice as many chondrule fragments as intact ones demonstrate that an early fragmentation phase occurred prior to final accretion. After this event, no substantial mechanical change or redeposition is evident. Rims with double‐layered structures were identified around some chondrules, which, in at least one case, is attributed to an accretionary origin. The rim's outer parts with a diffuse appearance were formed by in situ chemical alteration. During this later process, Mg content decreased, Fe content increased, and olivine composition was homogenized, producing a rim composition close to that of the matrix. This alteration occasionally happened along fractures and at confined locations, and was probably produced by fluid interactions. Iron oxides are the best candidate for a small grain‐sized alteration product; however, technical limitations in the available equipment did not allow exact phase identification. These results suggest that NWA 2086 came from a location (possible more deeply buried) in the CV parent body than Mokoia or Bali, and suffered less impact effects—although there is no evidence of sustained thermal alteration. This meteorite may represent a sample of the CV parent asteroid interior and provide a useful basis for comparison with other CV meteorites in the future.     

State of stress in the northern Tabas block, east-central Iran, as inferred from focal mechanisms of the 1978 Tabas earthquake sequence

In this paper, the state of stress in the northern Tabas block in east-central Iran is analyzed based on the systematic inversion of aftershock focal mechanisms from the 1978.09.16 Tabas earthquake, to characterise the stress regime that controls most earthquakes in this area. Here, stress inversions of double-couple focal mechanisms of earthquakes recorded during the 30 days following the main shock have been carried out. The calculated average stress regime indicates dominant major 226° to 237° trending compression for the Tabas region. The dominating regime in east-central Iran is thrusting with a minimum stress axis, σ ₃, close to vertical. The reconstruction of the main seismotectonic stress in east-central Iran with a NE-SW compression is consistent with independent information of the active plate convergence related to Arabia-Eurasia convergence. Most earthquakes in the mentioned area occur near or around concealed Quaternary thrust faults with their activity being controlled by the NE-SW compression. Where ?, the ratio of principal stress differences, is 0.5, a small difference between σ ₂; σ ₃ and σ ₁ and small amounts of deviatoric stress is indicated. Therefore, for small deviatoric horizontal σ ₁ it is not possible to increase and reactivate small sections of basement thrust faults and create secondary basement aftershocks. Reconstructed stress regimes in this study for sedimentary cover (237) and basement (226) of Tabas are similar. Therefore, it seems that the basement and cover were coupled together, possibly along the 2–4 km of upper Precambrian low-grade metamorphic rocks. Then these segments of the fold-and-thrust belt were involved in similar seismic activity under a similar stress regime.     

The use of acidimetric titration as a novel approach to study particulate trace metal speciation and mobility: Application to sediments of the Scheldt estuary

The study of trace metal speciation has benefited from a great deal of interest leading to the development and the diversification of sequential extraction schemes (SES), which triggered the need for harmonization by the standard, measurements and testing programme (SM & T). However, some uncertainties still persist in the application of the harmonized 3-step protocol, because of the difficulty in conceptualizing a technique that can be applied to environmental samples irrespective of their nature. The alternative method proposed in this study is based on the solubility of the sample components progressively dissolved during the course of an acidimetric titration by 1 mol L⁻¹ HCl. The major HCl-reactive mineralogical components are identified using mass balance calculation of H⁺ consumed by their dissolution together with the amount of major elements released into solution. The speciation of minor and trace elements is investigated by comparing their titrations to those of the major elements. This approach is much simpler than SES because it uses simple non-selective H⁺ at room temperature instead of a complex experimental design of so-called specific reagents. The different mineral components of the solid are no longer operationally defined and the problem of selectivity is irrelevant to the titration approach. The method was applied to several sediment samples from the Scheldt estuary and the particulate phase was further examined by Scanning Electron Microprobe and X-ray Diffraction techniques. The nearly complete consumption of H⁺ in the suspension is balanced by the total dissolution of carbonates and Fe-oxyhydroxides. In contrast to the speciation inferred from the Tessier SES, the acidimetric titration has demonstrated that the carbonate phase does not significantly contain trace metals with the exceptions of 40% of the Mn and 30% of the Co. In contrast, the Fe-oxyhydroxides seem to play a major role and account for 70% of Pb and 20% of Cr, in addition to 60% of P and additional amounts of 20% Co and 40% Mn. 70% of the Cu also occur in the oxyhydroxide phase, more likely coprecipitated with gibbsite. 90% of the Cd and 85% of Zn can be attributed to the Acid Volatile Sulfide (AVS) phase as evidenced from S titration. The acidimetric titration method not only provides information on the speciation of trace metals but also allows the quantification of their reactivity and mobility, if one considers that the titration roughly mimics pH changes that may occur as a result of chemical disequilibrium in the environment. The results demonstrate the potential of the acidimetric titration as an alternative to SES protocols in geochemical and environmental regulation studies. This method is applicable to a wide variety of environmental materials with little or minor adjustments.