ALBERT

Notes: Gravity cores of Holocene sediments from a shallow ephemeral lake in the Coorong region (Pellet Lake, southeastern coastal Australia) show a mineral assemblage and sequence particular to its hydrology. The mineralogical sequence above an initial dolomitic siliciclastic sand reflects conditions of increasing salinity in the lower portions of the core (i.e. organic-rich aragonite to magnesite + hydromagnesite + aragonite) followed by a relative decrease in salinity (i.e. magnesite + aragonite + hydromagnesite to aragonite + hydromagnesite) in the upper portions of the core. This sequence is capped by ˜ 0.4 m of micritic dolomite and minor amounts of hydromagnesite, with the relative abundance of dolomite increasing upwards. Three stratigraphically and spatially distinct dolomite units (upper, lower and margin) are recognized using stable carbon and oxygen isotope data, unit cell calculations and MgCO3 mole per cent data of the dolomite.Detailed X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of samples with more than 80% dolomite shows that the dolomite is ordered. Average unit cell parameters, calculated from the XRD patterns, indicate that the upper dolomite unit has crystal lattices expanded in the co direction (co= 16.09 Å) relative to ideal dolomite (co= 16.02 Å) and contracted in the ao direction (ao= 4.796 Å) relative to ideal dolomite (ao= 4.812 Å). The mol fraction of MgCO3 in the upper dolomite shows up to 4.0 ±M 2.0 mole per cent excess Mg in the dolomite crystal lattice (calculated from XRD). This unusual dolomite crystal chemistry is probably generated by rapid precipitation from solutions which have greatly elevated Mg/Ca ratios. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the upper dolomite has a heterogeneous microstructure which also suggests rapid precipitation from solution. The modulated microstructure found in calcium-rich dolomite is completely lacking. Dolomite ordering reflections are present in electron diffraction patterns, but are weak.Stable oxygen and carbon isotope values of the upper dolomite are tightly grouped (ave. δ18O ∼+ 7.55%o, δ13C ∼+ 4.10%o), yet show three upward-lightening oxygen cycles. The oxygen cycles correlate with three upward decreases in the calculated Mg content of the dolomite zone. These cycles may indicate the increased importance of rain-water dilution of the brine at times when the water in the lake was at its shallowest levels.Analyses of the lower dolomite and the margin dolomite suggest that these units precipitated more slowly from less evaporitic brines than the upper dolomite unit. The lower dolomite is close to stoichiometric, has less evaporitic stable isotope values than the upper dolomite, and has only a slightly expanded co-axis. The margin dolomite is Ca-rich, has a more homogeneous microstructure, and has expanded ao and co axes.The abundance of relatively soluble Mg-bearing phases, such as hydromagnesite and magnesite, may supply additional magnesium for the dolomitization of aragonite and calcite during subsequent diagenesis and burial of the sediment. This process may leave a finely laminated dolomicrite deposit which retains little, if any, evidence of evaporite minerals.

Notes: The combined use of geophysical (time domain reflectometry [TDR]), isotopic (δ18 O and δ2H) and chemical (NO 3 -N, Cl) techniques indicates that residence times in the unsaturated zone of a fractured basalt aquifer in the Pukekohe region of the North Island, New Zealand, are at least six months. Each technique provides useful information on specific aspects of recharge and residence times, but combined they provide a basis for determining the mechanisms of water movement in the unsaturated zone. TDR soil moisture measurements provide similar rainfall recharge estimates as model calculations over longer time periods (monthly or seasonal) but may be more accurate for shorter time scales (weekly or daily).The TDR measurements indicate that recharge occurs mainly in the late autumn and winter months. Measurements of nitrate concentrations in the soil profile over this same period, suggest that nitrate is mineralized in the soil during the summer and is flushed past the root zone at the beginning of the recharge period, in early winter. Nitrate concentrations in the soil profile do not increase in concentration later in the recharge period, even after significant recharge events have occurred, because all stored nitrate has already been released. This pattern of nitrate movement indicates that fertilizer applications in spring and early summer will leach less to ground water and applications made in autumn and winter will leach more. Estimations of yearly recharge from mean monthly chloride concentrations (730 mm/yr) are roughly in agreement with the TDR estimates (680 mm/year). However, there is a large range in the chloride estimates (〉100%) because monthly chloride concentration measurements in both the rain and soil water vary due to the proximity of the site to the ocean.

Notes: [Auszug] The Rho-family GTP-hydrolysing proteins (GTPases), Cdc42, Rac and Rho, act as molecular switches in signalling pathways that regulate cytoskeletal architecture, gene expression and progression of the cell cycle. Cdc42 and Rac transmit many signals through GTP-dependent binding to effector proteins ...

Notes: [Auszug] The Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) negatively regulate Rho-family GTPases,. The inhibitory activity of GDI derives both from an ability to bind the carboxy-terminal isoprene of Rho family members and extract them from membranes,, and from inhibition of GTPase cycling between the GTP- ...

Notes: [Auszug] To investigate the possible interaction of pTyr221 with the Crk SH2 domain, full-length mCrk, and an amino-terminal fragment truncated immediately after the first SH3 domain (mCrk23, resi-dues 1-197) were expressed in bacteria. Figure 1 illustrates a gradient, enhanced-sensitivity 'H-15N ...