Preliminary biochemical observations of fishes inhabiting an acidified lake in Ontario,Canada

Blood serum and other tissues of white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) and other species of fish have been examined in a preliminary effort to understand losses of fish from acid lakes. Maturing females of highly acid George Lake failed to show the normal degree of increase in serum Ca over males captured in the same location. Elevated serum Ca was always observed in females, relative to males, from non-acid locations when maturation stages were similar. A number of body tissues were examined to determine whether the distributions of Ca or other elements were altered and the only striking change evident in fish from George Lake was their high Mn content. Bone in particular was examined for N, Na, Mg, P, K, and Ca and no evidence of demineralization was found. Other tests such as hemoglobin indicated that an anticipated adaptive response to asphyxia was absent. Our results indicate that potential mechanisms of fish losses such as asphyxia and starvation are unlikely to have been significant, however, they do not firmly establish any alternate mechanism. As a working hypothesis we suggest that Ca dynamics may limit ovarian development and that absorption of this metal at exchange surfaces may be impaired.     

Course of feline leukemia virus infection and its detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies specific for 3 distinct epitopes of the species-specific determinants of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) p27 were used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measurement of serum p27 in cats infected with FeLV. Group-specific antigen (GSA) of FeLV in peripheral blood leukocytes was also determined by an immunofluorescence assay. Antibodies to FeLV and the feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) were also measured. Thirty-six cats were surveyed and assigned to 4 categories. Five developed persistent viremia (category 1), characterized by continuous expression of p27, GSA, and low antibody titers to FeLV and FOCMA. Eleven cats with transient viremia (category 2) and 13 cats that were never detectably viremic (category 3), as judged by absence of GSA and p27, developed increased antibody titers to FeLV and FOCMA. Seven cats were never viremic, as judged by the GSA in the peripheral blood leukocytes, but still had detectable serum p27 (category 4). Most category 4 cats developed high antibody titers against FOCMA and/or FeLV. Of 307 field cats examined, 7% of the healthy cats and 10% of the sick cats could be assigned to category 4. However, this difference was not significant (P greater than or equal to 0.05). Of 26 cats with neoplasms 2 (1 of 12 with lymphosarcoma) could be classified as category 4. Because virus could be isolated from 2 category 4 cats, they were considered immune carriers.     

Forest decline, nutrient supply and diagnostic fertilization in southwestern Germany and in southern California

Since the mid-1970's new types of forest damage (of unknown origin) were observed in West Germany. Nonspecific foliage losses and foliar discolorations are the most common symptoms. This resulted in a comprehensive research program being initiated in the fall of 1983 to investigate the nutritional status of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in southwest Germany, growing on a variety of sites. Forests at these sites revealed light to moderate damage or acute site-and species-specific nutritional disturbances involving Mg, K, Ca, Mn, and Zn. Historical comparisons of needle-analysis data showed a dramatic change of the nutrient supply at many sites over the last one or two decades.

As a working hypothesis, the adverse impacts of air pollutants (e.g. photo-oxidants) and/or acidic atmospheric precipitation are seen as inciting factors causing increased leaching of nutrient elements. The tree's potential to compensate for the nutrient losses by increased uptake are limited by the often poor nutrient supply for forest soils. Accelerated soil acidification increase nutrient leaching from the soil, probably enhancing decline. Over a short period, fertilization led to a decrease or to the disappearance of the symptoms, and to the improvement in the nutrient composition of the foliage.

Microscopy investigation of Norway-spruce needles indicated the regeneration potential on a histological level for moderate yellowed needles after fertilization. Furthermore, needles of nutrient-deficient-trees reveal typical tissue damages different to those caused by SO₂ or O₃.

Acid mist increased the leaching of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn from the foliage. Even when nutrients are being leached from the foliage, nutrient uptake canbe increased by improving the nutrient supply in the soil.

Preliminary studies on the effects of damages caused by ozone (O₃) on ponderosa pine suggest imbalance in micronutrient concentrations of foliage.     

Global human capital: integrating education and population

Almost universally, women with higher levels of education have fewer children. Better education is associated with lower mortality, better health, and different migration patterns. Hence, the global population outlook depends greatly on further progress in education, particularly of young women. By 2050, the highest and lowest education scenarios--assuming identical education-specific fertility rates--result in world population sizes of 8.9 and 10.0 billion, respectively. Better education also matters for human development, including health, economic growth, and democracy. Existing methods of multi-state demography can quantitatively integrate education into standard demographic analysis, thus adding the "quality" dimension.     

Deuterium on Mars: The Abundance of HDO and the Value of D/H

Deuterium on Mars has been detected by the resolution of several Doppler-shifted lines ofHDO near 3.7 micrometers in the planet's spectrum. The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen is (9 +/- 4) x 10(-4); the abundance of H(2)0 was derived from lines near 1.1 micrometers. This ratio is enriched on Mars over the teiluric value by a factor of6 +/- 3. The enrichment implies that hydrogen escaped more rapidly from Mars in the past than it does now, consistent with a dense and warm ancient atmosphere on the planet.     

Spin coupling in engineered atomic structures

We used a scanning tunneling microscope to probe the interactions between spins in individual atomic-scale magnetic structures. Linear chains of 1 to 10 manganese atoms were assembled one atom at a time on a thin insulating layer, and the spin excitation spectra of these structures were measured with inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. We observed excitations of the coupled atomic spins that can change both the total spin and its orientation. Comparison with a model spin-interaction Hamiltonian yielded the collective spin configuration and the strength of the coupling between the atomic spins.