bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep drill hole for the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Authors: Cramer Chris H. , Wolf Lorraine W.
Published: December 2007

A 5‐ to 6‐kilometer‐deep scientific drill hole is the ultimate goal of Fault Observatory for the Central U.S. (FOCUS), a new multidisciplinary, multi‐institutional working group that formed at a workshop held at the University of Memphis, in Tennessee. Beneficial shortand intermediate‐term science goals are also part of establishing this borehole geo‐observatory in the most prominent, widely known intraplate earthquake zone in the world.

The midcontinent has a long, complex history of tectonism. Precambrian basement rocks record intense tectonic deformations that preceded the accumulation of thick sedimentary sequences of sediments that constitute the present‐day Mississippi Embayment. Despite its location far from the active North American plate margins, the New Madrid seismic zone of the central United States exhibits a persistent pattern of seismicity. What causes this intraplate seismicity? How does the intraplate lithosphere support the forces that maintain earthquake productivity in this supposedly stable tectonic setting? Is there evidence for spatial or temporal migration of seismicity in the continental interior?
Simon Newcomb: America's Unofficial Astronomer Royal
Authors: Graham John
Published: December 2007

This book introduced me to a commanding figure in American science from the late nineteenth century: Simon Newcomb. Newcomb has been called the nineteenth‐century equivalent of Carl Sagan and Albert Einstein. He rose from humble beginnings to be the preeminent American astronomer of his generation. He made basic, far‐reaching, and enduring contributions to positional astronomy and planetary dynamics.
Observing the Sun from a giant balloon
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

A solar telescope, borne by a balloon larger than a Boeing 747, was successfully launched to an altitude of 120,000 feet, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) announced on 23 October. NCAR, working with a team of research partners, indicated that the test clears the way for long‐duration polar balloon flights beginning in 2009 to capture unprecedented details of the Sun's surface. “We hope to unlock important mysteries about the Sun's magnetic field structures, which at times can cause electromagnetic storms in our upper atmosphere and may have an impact on Earth's climate,” said Michael Knolker, director of NCAR's High Altitude Observatory and a principal investigator on the project known as Sunrise. “This is a very economical way of rising above the atmosphere and capturing images that cannot be captured from Earth.”
Proposed European space missions
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

New candidates for possible future scientific missions were selected by the European Space Agency’s Space Science Advisory Committee at its 17–18 October meeting. Among the eight candidates are four solar system missions. The Laplace mission would perform coordinated observations of Europa, the Jovian satellites, Jupiter’s magnetosphere, and its atmosphere and interior. Tandem is a mission that would explore two Saturn satellites—Titan and Enceladus—in situ and from orbit to investigate their origins, interiors, and evolution as well as their astrobiological potential.
Comment on “Amateur observations of atmospheric phenomena during the IGY”
Authors: Feldstein Yasha I. , Yevlashin Leonid S.
Published: December 2007

Following the article by Schröder [2007], we point out the key roles played by several Russian scientists in the planning and implementation of observations of aurorae during the International Geophysical Year (IGY).

The leader of the program and the organizer of the visual observational network in the USSR was Nikolay V. Pushkov (1903–1981), director of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radio Wave Propagation (IZMIRAN, Troitsk, Russia, now called the Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radiowave Propagation). As a member of the Comite Special de l'Annee Geophysique Internationale (CSAGI), Pushkov was actively involved in the inception of the international program of visual observations of aurorae that was accepted for the period of the IGY.
Reply to Comment on “Amateur observations of atmospheric phenomena during the IGY”
Authors: Schröder Wilfried
Published: December 2007

I note with interest the additional information by Feldstein and Yevlashin [this issue] on Russian contributions in upper atmospheric physics during the International Geophysical Year (IGY). Many readers may welcome this information because Russian scientific literature often is difficult for scientists who do not read Russian, or is not available.
NASA's lunar planning
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

NASA announced plans on 30 October to establish the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI). To be managed from the Ames Research Center, the institute is expected to begin operations on 1 March 2008 and will augment other agency‐funded lunar science investigations by encouraging the formation of interdisciplinary research teams. “NLSI will help us coordinate and expand a number of in‐depth research efforts in lunar science and other fields that can benefit from human and robotic missions that are part of NASA's exploration plans,” said Alan Stern, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Quake shakes San Francisco Bay area
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake that shook the San Francisco, Calif. Bay area at 0304:54 UTC on 30 October was the largest temblor in that region since the deadly magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake along the San Andreas Fault on 17 October 1989.
Glacier photo database update
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

More than 1200 photographs of Greenland glaciers have been digitized and are now available at the Online Glacier Photograph Database, housed at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colo. The database includes 50 photographs taken between 1890 and 1996 of glaciers in Colorado and New Zealand as well as a series of photos of New Zealand's Franz Josef Glacier taken between 1951 and 1964. NSIDC has partnered with the NOAA Climate Database Modernization Program and the National Geophysical Data Center to scan selected photographs that compose the online database.
Measuring bed load discharge in rivers: Bedload‐Surrogate Monitoring Workshop Minneapolis, Minnesota, 11–14 April 2007
Authors: Gray John R. , Laronne Jonathan B. , Marr Jeffrey D. G.
Published: December 2007

The International Bedload‐Surrogate Monitoring Workshop (http://www.nced.umn.edu/BRIC_2007.html), organized by the Bedload Research International Cooperative (BRIC; www.bedloadresearch.org), was held to assess and abet progress in continuous, semiautomated, or fully automated (surrogate) technologies for monitoring bed load discharge in gravel‐, sand‐, and mixed gravel‐sand‐bedded rivers. Direct bed load measurements, particularly at medium and high flows, during which most bed load occurs, tend to be time‐consuming, expensive, and potentially hazardous. Surrogate technologies developed largely over the past decade and used at a number of research sites around the world show considerable promise toward providing relatively dense, robust, and quantifiably reliable bed load data sets. However, information on the efficacy of selected technologies for use in monitoring programs is needed, as is identification of the ways and means for bringing the most promising and practical of the technologies to fruition.
[Comment on “Keep Religion out of National Space Policy”] Guidelines for writing about science and religion
Authors: Slabinski Victor J.
Published: December 2007

When scientists write about the relation between science and religion, I suggest they follow four principles: (1) Be accurate in statements of fact and in the use of terminology; (2) use examples that are germane to the issue at hand; (3) provide conclusions that follow logically from the given premises and discussion; and (4) acknowledge that the practice of science has its own dogma.

Scientists routinely follow the first three principles when writing their science reports. But a recent Eos article on science and religion [Carter, 2006] violated these three principles. It is important to discuss how scientists sometimes err in statements on religion because nonscientists will detect any errors and will conclude that scientists cannot make a rational case for their position.
Comment on “A perspective on global warming, dimming, and brightening”
Authors: Liepert Beate , Wild Martin , Dutton Ellsworth
Published: December 2007

In his 30 January 2007 Eos Forum article, Stanhill [2007] writes about “…the challenge that recently reported changes in solar radiation at the Earth's surface…pose to the consensus explanation of climate change,” referring to the “consensus” assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Here we offer an alternative perspective on this issue.
Further comment on “A perspective on global warming, dimming, and brightening”
Authors: Schmidt Gavin A. , Romanou Anastasia , Liepert Beate
Published: December 2007

In a recent Eos Forum article, Stanhill [2007] suggested that there is an unexplained inconsistency between “global dimming” and global warming. This contention is mistaken.

Stanhill's argument is based on select local observations that show reductions in the surface shortwave downwelling radiation (SWD) from the 1950s to the 1980s of about 20 watts per square meter (W/m2) [Stanhill and Cohen, 2005]. Stanhill errs in equating these surface flux changes (the “dimming”) with the radiative forcing from anthropogenic greenhouse gases (currently about 2.6 W/m2). Radiative forcing is defined at the tropopause (not the surface) specifically to provide a good prediction for eventual model responses. Changes in aerosols and clouds result in large changes in SWD, but they do not translate into similarly large changes in tropopause forcing since the aerosols and clouds absorb energy in addition to reflect it.
Yingjuan Ma receives 2007 F.L. Scarf Award
Authors: Anonymous
Published: December 2007

Yingjuan Ma has been awarded the AGU F.L. Scarf Award, given annually to a recent Ph.D. recipient for outstanding dissertation research that contributes directly to solarplanetary sciences. Ma's thesis is entitled “3D multi‐species global MHD studies of the solar wind interaction with Mars and Saturn's magnetospheric plasma flow with Titan.” She will be formally presented with the award at the SPA Section Dinner during the 2007 AGU Fall Meeting, which will be held 10–14 December in San Francisco, California.

Yingjuan Ma received her B.S. in 1997 and a M.S. in 2000 in space science from University of Science and Technology of China. She received her Ph.D. in atmospheric and space sciences under the supervision of Andrew F. Nagy in 2006 at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her research interests include MHD modeling of plasma interactions around unmagnetized and weakly magnetized solar system bodies.
West Antarctic links to sea level estimation
Authors: Vaughan David G. , Holt John W. , Blankenship Donald D.
Published: December 2007

A recent report from Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC, 2007] highlighted the increasingly precise observations of sea level rise that are obtainable from satellite measurements and the greater certainty in the projected impacts of climate change on nonpolar glaciers and thermal expansion of the oceans. This improved understanding heightens confidence in projections of sea level rise, but the IPCC's assessment specifically excludes the contribution that could arise from rapid changes in the flow of ice sheets.

The Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) ice sheet (Figure 1, top), which occupies approximately one third of the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS), is an area of particular concern. Many recent satellite studies have shown it to be the most rapidly changing portion of the Antarctic ice sheet. Indeed, this part of the Antarctic ice sheet is making a contribution to sea level rise comparable to that of the entire Greenland ice sheet. Further changes in this area could substantially increase future rates of sea level rise.
New U.S. drought web site
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

A new U.S. Drought Portal Web site will help provide early warnings about droughts, offer information about risk and impact of droughts to different agencies and stakeholders, and explain how to plan for and manage the impacts of droughts. The portal (http://www.drought.gov), unveiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 1 November, was developed as part of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). The NIDIS implementation plan also calls for integrating and fostering drought mitigation strategies through research, preparedness, education, and public awareness as well as developing pilot programs for the design and implementation of early warning systems in selected locations. The portal “centralizes drought information in an unprecedented manner, and paves the way for planned early warning system development pilots in select watersheds and states across the U.S.,” said Roger Pulwarty, director of the NIDIS program office located on NOAA's campus in Boulder, Colo.
Northern Eurasia in the global Earth system
Authors: Groisman Pavel , Sokolik Irina , Hibbard Kathy , Brasseur Guy , Katzenberger John
Published: December 2007

Northern Eurasia is undergoing significant changes associated with warming climate and with socioeconomic changes during the entire twentieth century. Climatic changes over this vast landmass interact and affect the rate of global change through atmospheric circulation and through strong biogeophysical and biogeochemical couplings. Current and future interactions and feedbacks to the global system of this carbon‐ rich, cold‐region component of the Earth system remain to a large extent unknown.

The Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI; http://neespi.org), an international and interdisciplinary program, was established to address these issues. NEESPI's overarching science question is, How do we develop our predictive capability of terrestrial ecosystems dynamics over northern Eurasia for the 21st century to support global projections as well as informed decision‐making and numerous practical applications in the region? Since 2004, more than 100 international research projects have joined NEESPI, and the initiative has been endorsed by several international programs and projects.
Comment on “Recent unrest at Canary Islands' Teide Volcano?”
Authors: Pérez Nemesio M. , Hernández Pedro A.
Published: December 2007

Many seismic, geochemical, hydrological, and microgravity signatures support Tenerife's recent volcanic unrest [Péerez et al., 2004; Marrero et al., 2005; Almendros et al., 2007; Gottsmann et al., 2006; López et al., 2006; Tarraga et al., 2006; Pérez et al., 2007]. Volcanic unrest at Tenerife may or may not affect Teide's shallow magmatic system and therefore prompt its reawakening. García et al. [2006] claimed a reawakening of Teide, and a coauthor (R. Ortiz) predicted an explosive eruption with a 70% probability [Olaizola, 2005]. They reported a picture of a “plume” at the volcano's summit on October 2004 as evidence of Teide's reawakening.

On the contrary, continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide emissions at Teide as well as a visual and close inspection of the summit cone did not support any outburst of gases at that time. Other data that do not support the reactivation of the shallow magma chamber beneath Teide are the low rate of sulfur dioxide emissions [Weber et al., 2006], small observed fluctuation of the helium isotope ratio, and other geochemical signatures from the fumaroles. Also, the first results of a permanent GPS network do not report deformation (T. Sagiya et al., Establishment of the Canary Islands GPS network for volcano monitoring and its initial results, submitted to Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2007).
Reply to Comment on “Recent unrest at Canary Islands' Teide Volcano?”
Authors: Carracedo Juan Carlos , Troll Valentin R. , Torrado Francisco Pérez , Hansen Alex , Badiola Eduardo Rodríguez , Paris Raphael , Guillou Hervé , Scaillet Stéphane
Published: December 2007

Small‐magnitude seismic episodes unrelated to a volcanic eruption have been a relatively frequent feature in all the Canaries without causing any significant public alarm. Conversely, great alarm was raised in May 2004 in Tenerife, when apparently numerous low‐magnitude seismic signals were recorded, although only a few of them were actually felt in nearby villages.

Public alarm was raised by (1) the publication on a Web site of imperceptible seismic signals as low as 0.6 on the Richter scale, most of which were not even adequately localized and yet were reproduced almost daily in the local and national press without further comment or explanation; (2) a Spanish national scientific committee being replaced by a local committee that was scientifically advised by a private company; and (3) publicity given by the media to the prediction made by members of the local committee of a potentially large scale explosive eruption in October 2004 (dubbed “the October volcano” by residents). Interestingly, obvious fumarole activity was absent in autumn 2004 during an inspection of Teide summit by three of us.
Candidate biographies
Authors: Anonymous
Published: December 2007

George Hornberger. Major interest is understanding how water flow through catchments affects the transport of biogeochemically active constituents such as organic carbon and nitrate. B.S.C.E., 1965, M.S. (hydrology), 1967, Drexel University; Ph.D. (hydrology), Stanford University, 1970. Faculty member at UVA since 1970. Visiting Fellow, Australian National University, 1977–1978; honorary visiting professor, Lancaster University, 1984–1985; visiting scientist (U.S. Geological Survey) and visiting professor (Stanford University), 1990–1991; visiting professor, University of Colorado, 1997–1998; visiting professor, University of California, Berkeley, 2006–2007.
Comment on “The first accurate description of an aurora”
Authors: Silverman Sam
Published: December 2007

Schröder [2006] discusses Das Buch der Natur (The Book of Nature), written by Konrad von Megenberg between 1348 and 1350. The Buch was the first encyclopedia of natural phenomena written in German. (For a contemporary German translation, see Schulz [1897]; for definitions of Megenberg's astronomical terminology, see Deschler [1977]). Megenberg translated the Liber de Natura Rerum, written by Thomas of Cantimpre between 1225 and 1240.

Descriptions of optical atmospheric phenomena are found in chapters 12 and 14 of Book 2. My discussion rests largely on Deschler's translation. Chapter 12, entitled “About fire in the air,” contains descriptions of phenomena such as meteors and fireballs, and concludes with a description of a ball or sphere, whose periphery is brighter and less dense than its middle, so that it looks like a crown. Here Deschler (p. 305) considers that Megenberg may be thinking of an auroral form.
Reply to Comment on “The first accurate description of an aurora”
Authors: Schröder Wilfried
Published: December 2007

I welcome the interesting and additional remarks of Silverman [this issue], which provide more insight into the complexity of Megenberg's Das Buch der Natur. These comments may be helpful for Anglophone readers unfamiliar with this material. In my Eos, article, I pointed out that Megenberg was the first person to describe the aurora in great detail, and that there is in general a difference in his description between meteors and auroras. In literature from before the sixteenth century, auroras very often were referred to as “meteoros.”
Geochemistry of Marine Sediments
Authors: Bianchi Thomas S.
Published: December 2007

The uplift of rocks above sea level on the Earth's surface over geologic time produces material that can be altered into soils and sediments by weathering processes. Over time, a fraction of sediments are sequestered in ocean basins, with most of it stored in the coastal margin. Sediments produced from weathering of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are transported primarily to the oceans through the world's river systems. The storage of organic matter in marine sediments is largely dependent upon the amount of early diagenesis (processes that alter the structure, texture, and mineralogy of a sediment, turning it progressively into solid hard rock; early diagenesis occurs immediately after deposition or burial of the sediment) that occurs in the upper sediments, which is controlled largely by the “quality” of organic detrital inputs and redox conditions of the sedimentary environment.
Causes of warming and thawing permafrost in Alaska
Authors: Osterkamp T. E.
Published: December 2007

There is a perception that climatic warming was the cause of the twentieth‐century global warming and thawing of permafrost and associated terrain instability (thermokarst) [Gore, 2006; Perkins, 2007; Zielinski, 2007; Delisle, 2007]. While pertinent data are sparse, published results do not support this viewpoint [Zhang et al., 2001; Osterkamp, 2007]. This brief report reviews the warming of permafrost in Alaska during the twentieth century and shows that snow cover has played a significant role in it.

Air temperatures in Alaska increased from the late 1800s until the early 1940s and decreased during the third quarter of the century. While the long‐term data are sparse, snow cover appears to have increased during the third quarter. Air temperatures increased sharply (1°–2°C) at the start of the fourth quarter, but trends to the end of the century were variable. Some sites warmed while others showed little or no warming or a cooling.
Mission extended for satellite exploring heliosphere
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Science Programme Committee has unanimously approved continuing the operations of the Ulysses spacecraft until March 2009, the agency announced on 16 November. This latest 1‐year extension is the fourth for the joint NASA/ESA mission. Richard Marsden, ESA's mission manager and project scientist for Ulysses, said, “No other spacecraft can provide the out‐of‐ecliptic measurements made by Ulysses. The Sun's activity will soon pick up again, and there are plenty of unsolved questions to tackle.” Among these unsolved questions is an apparent asymmetry in the temperature of the Sun's polar coronal holes that appears to be related to the magnetic polarity, and data acquired by Ulysses may provide insights into this, according to ESA. Ulysses, now in its eighteenth year in space, is part of the Heliospheric Network, an international fleet of spacecraft operating at different locations in the heliosphere and beyond. For more information, visit the Web site: http://www .esa.int/esaSC/SEM3KY53R8F_index_0.html.
China‐U.S. Polar Working Group
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

China‐U.S. Science at the Poles (CUSP) is a newly formed informal working group promoting facilitating bilateral and multilateral programs that encourage cooperation between China and the United States in the polar regions. CUSP grew out of a roundtable discussion held at a 23–25 October 2007 conference on China and U.S. relations held in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the Web site: http://psp.tamu.edu/signature‐programs/china‐us‐science‐at‐the‐poles. One section of the site features details about specific opportunities for partnerships between the two countries.
Air quality information tools
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2007

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed two tools that let computer users “see” air quality information on a virtual globe by combining EPA air data with Google mapping tools. The first tool is part of the agency's new “Air Emission Sources” Web site, which is designed to make emissions data for six common pollutants easy to find and understand. Based on the latest EPA National Emissions Inventory, the site uses charts and Google Earth files to answer user questions about overall emissions, emissions by type of industry, or emissions by largest polluter. The EPA also is providing Air Quality Index (AQI) information in the Google Earth format to quickly see air quality across the country. For more information, visit the following Web sites: http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions and http://www.airnow.gov.
A new perspective on the Earth's plasmasphere
Authors: De Keyser Johan , Darrouzet Fabien , Plerrard Viviane
Published: December 2007

Sixty years ago, Owen Storey concluded that “whistler” radio waves propagate along the geomagnetic field lines through a dispersive medium, which is now known as the plasmasphere. This was confirmed by Gringauz's plasma measurements on Lunik 2 in 1962. In recent years, satellites such as NASA's Imager for Magnetopause‐to‐Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) and the European Space Agency's Cluster probes have offered what previous spacecraft could not: a nonlocal perspective.

As IMAGE and Cluster have accumulated more than 6 years of observations, researchers from both communities judged the time was ripe for a review at a workshop organized last September by the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (http.7/ www.aeronomy.be/en/workshop/ plasmasphere/overview.htm). This meeting report summarizes some highlights of the meeting.
Toward a networked publication and library system for scientific data
Authors: Dittert Nicolas , Diepenbroek Michael , Grobe Hannes
Published: December 2007

Almost 50 years ago, the World Data Center (WDC) system was founded through the International Council for Scientific Unions (ICSU) in order to archive and distribute data collected from the observational programs of the 1957–1958 International Geophysical Year. Originally established in the United States, Europe, Russia, and Japan, the WDC system has since expanded to 51 centers in 12 countries. Its current holdings are transdisciplinary and include a wide range of solar, geophysical, environmental, and human dimensions data covering timescales ranging from seconds to millennia. These data provide the baseline information for research in many ICSU disciplines, but especially for monitoring changes in the geosphere and biosphere.
A three-dimensional stochastic spatio-temporal model of cell spreading
Authors: Xiong Yuguang , Rangamani Padmini , Dubin-Thaler Benjamin , Sheetz Michael , Iyengar Ravi
Published: December 2007

Cell motility is important for many physiological processes and the underlyingbiochemical reactions motility have been well characterized. Mathematical models, usingthe biochemical reactions and focused on different types of spreading behavior have beenconstructed and analyzed. In this study, we build on these previous models to develop athree-dimensional stochastic model of isotropic spreading of mammalian fibroblasts. The model is composed of three actin remodeling reactions that occur stochastically in space and time and are regulated by membrane resistance forces. Numerical simulations indicate that the model qualitatively captures the experimentally observed isotropic cell spreading behavior. We analyzed the effects of varying branching reaction rates, membrane resistance forces and capping protein concentrations on the dynamics of isotropic spreading. The simulations allowed us to identify the range within which branching reaction rates and membrane force values cooperate to yield isotropic spreading behavior. The model predicts increasing capping protein concentration would lead to a linear decrease in average peripheral velocity. We tested this prediction experimentally using varying concentrations of a pharmacologic agent (Cytochalasin D) that caps growing actin filaments. We find that the experimental results agree with the numerical simulations. Thus, a spatio-temporally complex model made up of a simple set of stochastic reactions near the cell surface, when constrained by membrane forces, can yield deterministic behavior as characterized by isotropic cell spreading.
Proteinases and signalling: pathophysiological and therapeutic implications via PARs and more
Authors: Ramachandran R , Hollenberg M D
Published: December 2007

Proteinases like thrombin, trypsin and tissue kallikreins are now known to regulate cell signaling by cleaving and activating a novel family of G‐protein‐coupled proteinase‐activated receptors (PARs 1–4) via exposure of a tethered receptor‐triggering ligand. On their own, short synthetic PAR‐selective PAR‐activating peptides (PAR‐APs) mimicking the tethered ligand sequences can activate PARs 1, 2 and 4 and cause physiological responses bothin vitroandin vivo.Using the PAR‐APs as sentinel probesin vivo, it has been found that PAR activation can affect the vascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems (both central and peripheral nervous system) and can promote cancer metastasis and invasion. In general, responses triggered by PARs 1, 2 and 4 are in keeping with an innate immune inflammatory response, ranging from vasodilatation to intestinal inflammation, increased cytokine production and increased or decreased nociception. Further, PARs have been implicated in a number of disease states, including cancer and inflammation of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. In addition to activating PARs, proteinases can cause hormone‐like effects by other signalling mechanisms, like growth factor receptor activation, that may be as important as the activation of PARs. We, therefore, propose that the PARs themselves, their activating serine proteinases and their associated signalling pathways can be considered as attractive targets for therapeutic drug development. Thus, proteinases in general must now be considered as ‘hormone‐like’ messengers that can signal eitherviaPARs or other mechanisms.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, S263–S282; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707507; published online 3 December 2007
Role of the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor at glutamatergic synapses
Authors: Carvalho A L , Caldeira M V , Santos S D , Duarte C B
Published: December 2007

The neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the activity‐dependent regulation of synaptic structure and function, particularly of the glutamatergic synapses. BDNF may be released in the mature form, which activates preferentially TrkB receptors, or as proBDNF, which is coupled to the stimulation of the p75NTR. In the mature form BDNF induces rapid effects on glutamate release, and may induce short‐ and long‐term effects on the postsynaptic response to the neurotransmitter. BDNF may affect glutamate receptor activity by inducing the phosphorylation of the receptor subunits, which may also affect the interaction with intracellular proteins and, consequently, their recycling and localization to defined postsynaptic sites. Stimulation of the local protein synthesis and transcription activity account for the delayed effects of BDNF on glutamatergic synaptic strength. Several evidences show impaired synaptic plasticity of glutamatergic synapses in diseases where compromised BDNF function has been observed, such as Huntington's disease, depression, anxiety, and the BDNF polymorphism Val66Met, suggesting that upregulating BDNF‐activated pathways may be therapeutically relevant. This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of the glutamatergic synapse by BDNF, and its implications in synaptic plasticity.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, S310–S324; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707509; published online 3 December 2007
Paraoxonase 1 gene transfer lowers vascular oxidative stress and improves vasomotor function in apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice with pre‐existing atherosclerosis
Authors: Guns P‐J , Van Assche T , Verreth W , Fransen P , Mackness B , Mackness M , Holvoet P , Bult H
Published: December 2007

Background and purpose:

Transgenesis of human paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a HDL‐associated enzyme that destroys lipid peroxides, has been reported to reduce early atherogenesis in mice. The present study explored the therapeutic potential of human PON1 gene transfer in old apolipoprotein E‐deficient (apoE−/−) mice with advanced atherosclerosis.

Experimental approach:

ApoE−/− mice (18 months, regular chow) were transfected with PON1 adenovirus (AdPON1, n=10) or control adenovirus (AdRR5, n=10). Non‐transfected apoE−/− (n=9) and C57Bl/6J (WT, n=6) mice served as controls. Three weeks later, plaque size and composition, and endothelial cell (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) function were assessed in the aorta.

Key results:

PON1 gene transfer raised total PON1 serum activity 13‐15 fold during the 3‐week study period, without affecting hypercholesterolaemia or lesion size. However, PON1 decreased the oxLDL content of the plaque. Plaque‐free thoracic aorta rings from apoE−/− mice displayed, like rings from WT mice, complete relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh, 86±2%), ATP (90±2%) or UTP (83±3%). In contrast, in plaque‐bearing segments amplitude (55±7%, 68±8%, 52±8% respectively) and sensitivity were decreased. EC function was completely (ATP, UTP) or largely (ACh) restored by AdPON1. Furthermore, apoE−/− SMCs released less intracellular calcium than WT upon sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) inhibition by cyclopiazonic acid. This defect was also restored by AdPON1 transfection.

Conclusions and implications:

These data indicate that AdPON1 gene transfer improved vascular wall oxidative stress, EC function, and SMC Ca2+ homeostasis in segments with pre‐existing atherosclerosis, independently of an effect on plaque size.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 508–516; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707585; published online 3 December 2007
Control of left ventricular mass by moxonidine involves reduced DNA synthesis and enhanced DNA fragmentation
Authors: Paquette P‐A , Duguay D , Ayoubi R El‐ , Menaouar A , Danalache B , Gutkowska J , DeBlois D , Mukaddam‐Daher S
Published: December 2007

Background and purpose:

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a maladaptive process associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Regression of LVH is associated with reduced complications of hypertension. Moxonidine is an antihypertensive imidazoline compound that reduces blood pressure primarily by central inhibition of sympathetic outflow and by direct actions on the heart to release atrial natriuretic peptide, a vasodilator and an antihypertrophic cardiac hormone. This study investigated the effect of moxonidine on LVH and the mechanisms involved in this effect.

Experimental approach:

Spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with several doses of moxonidine (s.c.) over 4 weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored by telemetry. Body weight and water and food intake were measured weekly. Measurements also included left ventricular mass, DNA content, synthesis, fragmentation, and apoptotic/anti‐apoptotic pathway proteins.

Key results:

The decrease in mean arterial pressure stabilized at ∼ −10 mm Hg after 1 week of treatment and thereafter. Compared to vehicle‐treated rats (100%), left ventricular mass was dose‐ and time‐dependently reduced by treatment. This reduction remained significantly lower after normalizing to body weight. Moxonidine reduced left ventricular DNA content and inhibited DNA synthesis. DNA fragmentation transiently, but significantly increased at 1 week of moxonidine treatment and was paralleled by elevated active caspase‐3 protein. The highest dose significantly decreased the apoptotic protein Bax and all doses stimulated anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 after 4 weeks of treatment.

Conclusions and implications:

These studies implicate the modulation of cardiac DNA dynamics in the control of left ventricular mass by moxonidine in a rat model of hypertension.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 459–467; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707588; published online 3 December 2007
Agonist‐selective mechanisms of GPCR desensitization
Authors: Kelly E , Bailey C P , Henderson G
Published: December 2007

The widely accepted model of G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) regulation describes a system where the agonist‐activated receptors couple to G proteins to induce a cellular response, and are subsequently phosphorylated by a family of kinases called the G protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). The GRK‐phosphorylated receptor then acts as a substrate for the binding of a family of proteins called arrestins, which uncouple the receptor and G protein so desensitizing the agonist‐induced response. Other kinases, principally the second messenger‐dependent protein kinases, are also known to play a role in the desensitization of many GPCR responses. It is now clear that there are subtle and complex interactions between GRKs and second messenger‐dependent protein kinases in the regulation of GPCR function. Functional selectivity describes the ability of agonists to stabilize different active conformations of the same GPCR. With regard to desensitization, distinct agonist‐activated conformations of a GPCR could undergo different molecular mechanisms of desensitization. An example of this is the μ opioid receptor (MOPr), where the agonists morphine and [D‐Ala2,N‐MePhe4,Gly‐ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO) induce desensitization of the MOPr by different mechanisms, largely protein kinase C (PKC)‐ or GRK‐dependent, respectively. This can be best explained by supposing that these two agonists stabilize distinct conformations of the MOPr, which are nevertheless able to couple to the relevant G‐proteins and produce similar responses, yet are sufficiently different to trigger different regulatory processes. There is evidence that other GPCRs also undergo agonist‐selective desensitization, but the full therapeutic consequences of this phenomenon await further detailed study.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, S379–S388; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707604; published online 3 December 2007
Oxytocin stimulates migration and invasion in human endothelial cells
Authors: Cattaneo M G , Chini B , Vicentini L M
Published: December 2007

Background and purpose:

It has recently been reported that oxytocin is produced by some tumour cell types, and that oxytocin receptors, belonging to the G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) family, are expressed in a variety of cell types. Among these, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) respond to oxytocin with an increased proliferation, suggesting a possible role for the hormone in the regulation of angiogenesis.

Experimental approach:

We employed chemotaxis and chemoinvasion assays to characterize the effect of oxytocin on HUVEC motility, and immunoblot analysis to study its molecular mechanisms of action.

Key results:

We showed that oxytocin stimulates migration and invasion in HUVECs via oxytocin receptor activation. Searching for the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for oxytocin's pro‐migratory effect, we identified the Gq coupling of oxytocin receptors and phospholipase C (PLC) as the main effectors of oxytocin's action in HUVECs. We also found that oxytocin stimulates the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) via the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI‐3‐K)/AKT pathway, and that the activation of PI‐3‐K and formation of nitric oxide (NO) are required for the pro‐migratory effect of oxytocin.

Conclusions and implications:

The ability of oxytocin to stimulate HUVEC motility and invasion suggests that the hormone can participate in physiopathological processes where activation of endothelial cells plays an important role, for example, in angiogenesis. Interestingly, both the AKT and eNOS phosphorylation induced by oxytocin receptor activation depended on PLC activity, thus suggesting the existence of a still undefined mechanism connecting PLC to the PI‐3‐K/AKT pathway, upon oxytocin stimulation.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 728–736; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707609; published online 3 December 2007
Region‐specific effects ofN,N′‐dodecane‐1,12‐diyl‐bis‐3‐picolinium dibromide on nicotine‐induced increase in extracellular dopaminein vivo
Authors: Rahman S , Zhang Z , Papke R L , Crooks P A , Dwoskin L P , Bardo M T
Published: December 2007

Background and purpose:

Systemic administration ofN,N′‐dodecane‐1,12‐diyl‐bis‐3‐picolinium dibromide (bPiDDB), an antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) attenuated the nicotine‐induced increase in dopamine levels in nucleus accumbens (NAcc).

Experimental approach:

Usingin vivomicrodialysis, we investigated the effects of local perfusion of the novel nAChR antagonist bPiDDB into the NAcc or ventral tegmental area (VTA) on increased extracellular dopamine in NAcc, induced by systemic nicotine. We also examined the concentration‐dependent effects of bPiDDB on the acetylcholine (ACh)‐evoked response of specific recombinant neuronal nAChR subtypes expressed inXenopusoocytes, using electrophysiological methods.

Key results:

Nicotine (0.4 mg kg−1, s.c.) increased extracellular dopamine in NAcc, which was attenuated by intra‐VTA perfusion of mecamylamine (100 μM). Intra‐VTA perfusion of bPiDDB (1 and 10 μM) reduced nicotine‐induced increases in extracellular dopamine in NAcc. In contrast, intra‐NAcc perfusion of bPiDDB (1 or 10 μM) failed to alter the nicotine‐induced increase in dopamine in NAcc. Intra‐VTA perfusion of bPiDDB alone did not alter basal dopamine levels, compared to control, nor the increased dopamine in NAcc following amphetamine (0.5 mg kg−1, s.c.). UsingXenopusoocytes, bPiDDB (0.01–100 μM) inhibited the response to ACh on specific combinations of rat neuronal nAChR subunits, with highest potency at α3β4β3 and lowest potency at α6/3β2β3.

Conclusions and implications:

bPiDDB‐Sensitive nAChRs involved in regulating nicotine‐induced dopamine release are located in the VTA, rather than in the NAcc. As bPiDDB has properties different from the prototypical nAChR antagonist mecamylamine, further development may lead to novel nAChR antagonists for the treatment of tobacco dependence.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 792–804; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707612; published online 3 December 2007
Photoassisted Catalytic Cleavage of the C - F Bond in Pentafluorophenol With ZnO and the Effect of Operational Parameters
Authors: Ravichandran Lakshiminarasimhan , Selvam Kaliyamoorthy , Swaminathan Meenakshisundaram
Published: December 2007

The photocatalytic cleavage of the C–F bond in pentafluorophenol (PFP) with ZnO using 254 and 365 nm UV light has been investigated under different conditions. The defluoridation was monitored using an ionometer with a fluoride ion selective electrode. The photocleavage was more effective under 254 nm than under 365 nm UV light. With 254 nm UV light, TiO2-P25, TiO2 (anatase), ZnO, and ZrO2 photocatalyzed the deflouridation of PFP, whereas CdS, CdO, and SnO2 did not. The defluoridation is enhanced by the addition of oxidants such as KIO4, KClO3, (NH4)2S2O8, and KBrO3. The periodate ion is found to be the most efficient oxidant. The defluoridation intermediates were found to be tetrafluorodihydroxybenzene, trifluorotrihydroxybenzene, and tetrafluoroquinone
Synthesis of 4-Aryl-3(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyrazoles by Reaction of Isoflavones and their 4-Thio Analogues with Hydrazine Derivatives
Authors: Lévai Albert , Silva Artur M. S. , Cavaleiro José A. S. , Elguero José , Alkorta Ibon , Jekő József
Published: December 2007

4-Aryl-3(5)-2-(hydroxyphenyl)pyrazoles have been prepared by the reaction of isoflavones and their 4-thio analogues with hydrazine hydrate and phenylhydrazine in hot pyridine. The reaction mechanism for the formation of these pyrazoles is discussed. All the new compounds have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy. In [D6]DMSO, a 1H NMR study allows observation of the presence of both pyrazole annular tautomers, due to the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in each tautomer (OH···N and NH···O). Theoretical calculations have been carried out on tautomers and conformers of compounds 20 (3(5)-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5(3)-methyl-4-phenylpyrazole) and 21 (3(5)-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5(3)-methylpyrazole), including the absolute shieldings (GIAO/B3 LYP/6–311++G**) of 21.
The use of caudal thorns for ageing Raja undulata from the Portuguese continental shelf, with comments on its reproductive cycle
Authors: Moura Teresa , Figueiredo Ivone , Farias Inês , Serra-Pereira Bárbara , Coelho Rui , Erzini Karim , Neves Ana , Gordo Leonel Serrano
Published: December 2007

The present study focuses on age estimation, with reproductive information contributing to the better understanding of the growth and the biology of Raja undulata. In the age and growth study, two calcified structures were used: caudal thorns and central vertebra. Results of readings showed that there were no significant differences in age estimates between the two structures. Both von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth models were fitted to size-at-age data by sex and geographical area. No significant differences were found between sexes for the two models but significant differences were found between geographical areas (P = 0.05). The Gompertz growth function was selected as the best model to describe R. undulata growth because it presented the best fit and the most reasonable biological estimates. Reproductive analysis indicates one annual breeding season for R. undulata. The differences found in the estimates of length at first maturity between geographical areas (TL50% = 838 mm in Peniche and 762 mm in Algarve for females and TL50% = 781 mm in Peniche and 736 mm in Algarve for males), together with the regional differences found between growth parameters estimates (P = 0.05), may reflect the existence of different local populations of R. undulata on the Portuguese continental shelf.
Stefan Westermann: A close look at kinetochore function
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: December 2007

Stefan Westermann is probing the structure and function of the yeast kinetochore.
Monomer–dimer dynamics and distribution of GPI-anchored uPAR are determined by cell surface protein assemblies
Authors: Caiolfa Valeria R. , Zamai Moreno , Malengo Gabriele , Andolfo Annapaola , Madsen Chris D. , Sutin Jason , Digman Michelle A. , Gratton Enrico , Blasi Francesco , Sidenius Nicolai
Published: December 2007

To search for functional links between glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) protein monomer–oligomer exchange and membrane dynamics and confinement, we studied urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor (uPAR), a GPI receptor involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. Using a functionally active fluorescent protein–uPAR in live cells, we analyzed the effect that extracellular matrix proteins and uPAR ligands have on uPAR dynamics and dimerization at the cell membrane. Vitronectin directs the recruitment of dimers and slows down the diffusion of the receptors at the basal membrane. The commitment to uPA–plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1–mediated endocytosis and recycling modifies uPAR diffusion and induces an exchange between uPAR monomers and dimers. This exchange is fully reversible. The data demonstrate that cell surface protein assemblies are important in regulating the dynamics and localization of uPAR at the cell membrane and the exchange of monomers and dimers. These results also provide a strong rationale for dynamic studies of GPI-anchored molecules in live cells at steady state and in the absence of cross-linker/clustering agents.