Photoperiodic and physiological adaptations regulating avian breeding cycles and their ecological significance

We wish to dedicate this paper to the memory of Professor A. J. Marshall whose untimely death occurred while it was in press. Professor Marshall was formerly the head of the Department of Zoology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, and subsequently held the Foundation Chair of Zoology and Comparative Physiology, Monash University, Australia. Probably the most valuable of his many contributions to the field of avian physiology was his ability to relate laboratory experimentation to the natural environment. Much of the thought contained in the present paper has been stimulated by his approach and pioneer studies.     

The sounds of black resistance in South Africa and America

Frank Marshall Davis, LIVIN’ THE BLUES: MEMORIES OF A BLACK JOURNALIST AND POET, (edited, with an introduction, by John Edgar Tidwell), Madison and London: University of Wisconsin Press, 1993, 373 pp., £22.00.

Veit Erlemann, AFRICAN STARS: STUDIES IN BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN PERFORMANCE, Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1991, 214 pp., npl.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
The Reveries of the Solitary Walker, Botanical Writings, and Letters to Franquières, by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Translated and annotated by Charles E. Butterworth, Alexandra Cook and Terence E. Marshall. Edited by Christopher Kelly.
Catalogue of Portraits of Naturalists, Mostly Botanists in the collections of the Hunt Institute, the Linnean Society of London, and the Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, compiled by Anita L. Karg, Sharon Tomasic, Margot Walker, Gavin D. R. Bridson, Hervé M. Burdet, Marie-Martine Chautems and Tina Moruzzi-Bayo.     

Studies on the Accumulation of 5(4)-Amino-4(5)-imidazolecarboxamide by Escherichia coli in a Shaking Culture

In the previous paper the author reported that 5(4)-amino-4(5) -imidazolecarboxamide (AICA) was accumulated in peptone medium by Escherichia coli strain B grown as a shaking culture in the absence of sulfonamide inhibitor and glucose. It appeared from the further investigations that l-tryptophan would not replace peptone for the accumulation. However, it was found that indole produced from l-tryptophan by E. coli gave pink color by the Bratton nad Marshall method. In order to eliminate the effect of indole, the procedure by petroleum-ether treatment was applied and it was ascertained that E. coli had an ability to accumulate AICA and AICA-riboside in the peptone or L-tryptophan medium without glucose and sulfonamide inhibitor. But the concentrations of AICA and AICA-riboside measured by the above procedure were smaller than those determined by the Bratton and Marshall method which measured indole produced by the bacteria at the same time.     

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: ARE WE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES BRITISH DOCTORS MADE?

Almost every doctor who visits England comes back wanting to write an article or give a speech about socialized medicine. Because there has been so much said so many times on the subject, it has lost much of its interest.Yet, the headquarters of the California Academy of General Practice in San Francisco recently had a visitor from England who had some startling, frightening things to say of interest to every American doctor. The visitor was Dr. Alastair J. Marshall, Luton, England, who is visiting in this country under a Ford Foundation Grant. As an area executive in the British Medical Association and on the executive area council (one-third physicians, two-thirds laymen) for the national health system, Dr. Marshall can competently speak on this subject. Here are some of the questions presented to Dr. Marshall by the Academy's Executive Secretary Bill Rogers.     

Marshall syndrome associated with a splicing defect at the COL11A1 locus.

Marshall syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia that is phenotypically similar to the more common disorder Stickler syndrome. For a large kindred with Marshall syndrome, we demonstrate a splice-donor-site mutation in the COL11A1 gene that cosegregates with the phenotype. The G+1-->A transition causes in-frame skipping of a 54-bp exon and deletes amino acids 726-743 from the major triple-helical domain of the alpha1(XI) collagen polypeptide. The data support the hypothesis that the alpha1(XI) collagen polypeptide has an important role in skeletal morphogenesis that extends beyond its contribution to structural integrity of the cartilage extracellular matrix. Our results also demonstrate allelism of Marshall syndrome with the subset of Stickler syndrome families associated with COL11A1 mutations.     

John Marshall's Kalahari Family

Throughout his career and through his films, John Marshall has embodied many representational debates in anthropology and ethnographic media production. With A Kalahari Family, Marshall has provided his most reflexive film to date as well as a comprehensive visual record of 50 years of transition among the Ju'hoansi, from lingering, hunter-gatherer subsistence to problematic and often tragic contemporary living conditions. A Kalahari Family bears witness to the negative effects a racist ideology and varied development agendas have had on an indigenous group of people, and the transformative effects they continue to have. In the film, the audience also witnesses the evolution of John Marshall himself, from naïve, inexperienced teenager engaging an exotic other, with all the inherent cultural baggage of a Western perspective, to his eventual emergence as a filmmaker and a dedicated advocate for the people with whom he has become so involved.     

Angiotensin II causes phosphatidylinositol turnover and increases 1,2-diacylglycerol mass but is not mitogenic in rat liver T51B cells.

Proliferation in rat liver T51B cells has previously been shown to be initiated by the tyrosine-kinase activator epidermal growth factor. We have found that T51B cells also contain angiotensin II receptors, and, as the transforming mas oncogene has been identified as a functional angiotensin receptor [Jackson, Blair, Marshall, Goedert & Hanley (1988) Nature (London) 335, 437-440], we have investigated the possibility that angiotensin II might also regulate proliferation of T51B cells. Angiotensin II at concentrations up to 10 microM did not promote DNA synthesis, even in the presence of the co-mitogens serum (1%) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) (50 ng/ml). The addition of 1 microM angiotensin II to myo-[3H]inositol-radiolabelled T51B cells did however result in a rapid accumulation of multiple inositol phosphates as well as in an increase in intracellular Ca2+, demonstrating the coupling of the angiotensin receptor in these cells to a polyphosphoinositide-hydrolysing phospholipase C. The increases in both inositol phosphates and intracellular Ca2+ were lower in cells pretreated for 10 min with 50 ng of TPA/ml and potentiated by a 24 h pretreatment with TPA. In addition, angiotensin II increased 1,2-diacylglycerol levels. These results demonstrate that, although angiotensin II is capable of increasing phosphoinositide-derived second messengers in T51B cells, these responses are not sufficient to trigger DNA synthesis.     

OPTIMIZED PARAMETERS FOR THE MITOTIC CYCLE

A method is described for the maximum likelihood estimation of the six parameters representing the means and standard deviations of the phases G₁, S and G₂ of the mitotic cycle. The likelihood is not explicitly formulated but is computed by the Monte Carlo program which evaluates the percentage of mitotic cells labelled with ³H-thymidine. The method is applied to data obtained from an experiment performed with transplanted Marshall rat mammary tumours.     

Fluorimetrische bestimmung von hydrochlorothiazid in körperflüssigkeiten durch direkte auswertung von dünnschichtchromatogrammen

Fluorometric determination of hydrochlorothiazide in body fluids by direct measurement of thin-layer chromatographic platesTwo fluorometric methods for analysis of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) are described utilizing direct measurement of thin-layer plates. The first method employs a modification of the Bratton—Marshall reaction and is therefore applicable to all aromatic primary amines. Following diazotation and azocoupling of the HCT hydrolysis product, a fluorescent group is added to the compound. For this purpose N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine is first coupled with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazole. In the second method, the intrinsic fluorescence of underivatized HCT, following its extraction from plasma, urine or saliva, is used. It is shown that the sensitivity of this method is sufficient for estimating the kinetics following oral administration of 25 mg HCT.     

Diatom changes in two Uinta mountain lakes,Utah, USA: responses to anthropogenic and natural atmospheric inputs

Diatom assemblages in sediments from two subalpine lakes in the Uinta Mountains, Utah, show asynchronous changes that are related to both anthropogenic and natural inputs of dust. These lakes are downwind of sources of atmospheric inputs originating from mining, industrial, urban, agricultural and natural sources that are distributed within tens to hundreds of kilometers west and south of the Uinta Mountains. Sediment cores were retrieved from Marshall and Hidden lakes to determine the impacts of atmospheric pollution, especially metals. Paleolimnological techniques, including elemental analyses and ²¹⁰Pb and ^239+240Pu dating, indicate that both lakes began receiving eolian inputs from anthropogenic sources in the late 1800s with the greatest increases occurring after the early 1900s. Over the last century, sediments in Marshall Lake, which is closer to the Wasatch Front and receives more precipitation than Hidden Lake, received twice the concentrations of metals and phosphorus as Hidden Lake. Comparison of diatom and elemental data reveals coeval changes in geochemistry and diatom assemblages at Marshall Lake, but not at Hidden Lake; however, a major shift in diatom assemblages occurs at Hidden Lake in the seventeenth century. The change in diatoms at Marshall Lake is marked by the near disappearance of Cyclotella stelligera and C. pseudostelligera and an increase in benthic, metal-tolerant diatoms. This change is similar to changes in other lakes that have been attributed to metal pollution. The marked change in diatom assemblages at Hidden Lake indicates a shift in lake-water pH from somewhat acidic to circumneutral. We hypothesize that this change in pH is related to drought-induced changes in input of carbonate-rich desert dust.     

Photosynthetic light response curves determined with the leaf oxygen electrode: minimisation of errors and significance of the convexity term

From photosynthetic studies on a range of monocotyledonous (C-3 and C-4) and dicotyledonous (C-3) plants using a leaf oxygen electrode, we conclude the following. (i) A non-linear model [J.H.M. Thornley (1976) Mathematical models in plant physiology, Academic Press, London; B. Marshall and P.V. Biscoe (1980) J Exp Bot 31:29-39] significantly better describes the photosynthetic light response curve [rate of photosynthesis (P) versus incident photosynthetic photon flux density (I)] than the frequently used linear hyperbolic model [E.I. Rabinowich (1951) Photosynthesis and related processes, vol 2, Wiley, New York]. (ii) When used at the recommended CO2 partial pressures (Ca = 1-5 kPa), CO2 supply saturates the photosynthesis rate in the C-3 dicot Phaseolus coccineus L. but not in the C-3 monocot Hordeum vulgare L.. (iii) Fits using a linear hyperbolic model for P versus I produce relatively large and statistically significant errors (approximately 60%) in the estimation of Pmax and quantum efficiency (alpha) if Ca is not > 5 kPa. (iv) The convexity term, theta, incorporated into the non-linear models for P versus I appears to reflect the limitation placed on the carboxylation processes by the supply of CO2 to the chloroplast stroma. Therefore, the use of a non-linear model providing an estimate of theta should be encouraged, as it is likely to provide information on the physiological status of plants.     

Powering popular conceptions: The !Kung in the Marshall family expedition films of the 1950s

The paper develops a theoretical framework for the study of ethnographic film out‐takes in relation to material that is included in released ethnographic film, in this case, the films by John Marshall on the Kalahari San. The significance of what is included in relation to that which is excluded is called the theory of structured absences. This theory is then applied to the study of the 700,000 feet of 16 mm out‐takes not used by Marshall in his released films on the Ju/'hoansi.

The difficulties of analysing archival film are discussed, and issues of representation in relation to exposed footage, released films, and the director's own theory of documentary, are critically examined. The anthropological significance of Marshall's filmic contribution on the Kalahari San is assessed.     

The determination of cell-cycle parameters from measurements of the fraction of labeled mitoses

A method is described for estimating cell-cycle parameters from experimental fraction-of-labeled-mitoses measurements. The method is closely related to that of J. C. Barrett (1970) but is based on the analysis of Brockwell and Trucco (1970) which takes into account population growth in the calculation of theoreticalFLM-functions. Several sets of experimental data are analyzed, among them the data for the Marshall tumor considered by Barrett. It is found that population growth has a small but nevertheless detectable effect on the estimates of the cell parameters. Work performed under the auspices of the United States Atomic Energy Commission. this paper was completed after the untimely death of Dr. Trucco.     

Ethical Responsibility for the Social Production of Tuberculosis

Approximately one in two hundred persons in the Marshall Islands have active tuberculosis (TB). We examine the historical antecedents of this situation in order to assign ethical responsibility for the present situation. Examining the antecedents in terms of Galtung’s dialectic of personal versus structural violence, we can identify instances in the history of the Marshall Islands when individual subjects made decisions (personal violence) with large-scale ecologic, social, and health consequences. The roles of medical experimenters, military commanders, captains of the weapons industry in particular, and industrial capitalism in general (as the cause of global warming) are examined. In that, together with Lewontin, we also identify industrial capitalism as the cause of tuberculosis, we note that the distinction between personal versus structural violence is difficult to maintain. By identifying the cause of the tuberculosis in the Marshall Islands, we also identify what needs be done to treat and prevent it.     

Epidermal growth factor induces phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 via multiple pathways.

Expression of p21rasAsn-17, a dominant negative mutant of p21ras that blocks p21ras activation by growth factors, inhibits activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) by insulin and platelet-derived growth factor in rat-1 cells [A. M. M. de Vries-Smits, B. M. T. Burgering, S. J. Leevers, C. J. Marshall, and J. L. Bos, Nature (London) 357:602-604, 1992]. Here we report that expression of p21rasAsn-17 does not abolish epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced phosphorylation of ERK2 in fibroblasts. Since EGF activates p21ras in these cells, this indicates that EGF induces a p21ras-independent pathway for the phosphorylation of ERK2 as well. We investigated whether activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or increase in intracellular calcium could be involved in p21ras-independent signaling. In rat-1 cells, inhibition of either PKC, by prolonged 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) pretreatment, or calcium influx, by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) pretreatment, did not abolish EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. However, a combined inhibition of both p21ras and calcium influx, but not PKC, resulted in a complete inhibition of EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. In contrast, in Swiss 3T3 cells, inhibition of both p21ras activation and TPA-sensitive PKC, but not calcium influx, inhibited EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that in fibroblasts, EGF induces alternative pathways of ERK2 phosphorylation in a cell-type-specific manner.     

Deaths of cyclists in London 1985-92: the hazards of road traffic.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the characteristics of cyclists and vehicles involved in fatal cycling accidents. DESIGN--Analysis of data routinely collected by police for each accident from January 1985 to December 1992 and held in a national master file (Stats 19) by the Department of Transport. SETTING--Greater London, which comprises inner London (12 boroughs and the City of London) and outer London (20 boroughs). SUBJECTS--178 cyclists who died (78 in inner London and 100 in outer London; age range 3-88). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Associations between characteristics of cyclists, type of vehicle involved, and place of accident. RESULTS--Motor vehicles were involved in 173 deaths. Heavy goods vehicles were involved in 75 deaths (30/100 (30%) in outer London and 45/78 (58%) in inner London); cars in 74 (54/100) (54%) in outer London and 20/78 (26%) in inner London); light goods vehicles in 12/178 (7%); and buses in 6/178 (3%). Thirty five of the people who died were children aged < or = 16. Female cyclists were especially at risk from heavy goods vehicles in inner London (22 deaths), while male cyclists were especially at risk from cars in outer London (50 deaths). DISCUSSION--Cyclists who died in urban areas are more likely to be adults than children. In inner London, in relation to their traffic volume, heavy goods vehicles are estimated to cause 30 times as many cyclists'' deaths as cars and five times as many as buses. Until the factors leading to this excess risk are understood, a ban on heavy goods vehicles in urban areas should be considered.     

Is London overbedded?

OBJECTIVE--To examine whether there are too many hospital beds in London. DESIGN--Analysis of data from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry, Mental Health Enquiry, health service indicators, and Emergency Bed Service. SETTING--England, London, and inner London. RESULTS--Hospital admission rates for acute plus geriatric services for London residents were very similar to the national values in all age groups. In the special case considered in the Tomlinson report--acute services in inner London--the admission rate was 22% above the value for England. However, the admission rate of inner deprived Londoners was 9% below that of comparable areas outside London. For psychiatry, admission rates in London roughly equalled those in comparable areas. When special health authorities were excluded, in 1990-1 there were 4% more acute plus geriatric beds available per resident in London than in England. Bed provision has been reduced more rapidly in London than nationally. Extrapolating the trend of bed closures forward indicates that beds (all and acute) per resident in London are now at about the national average. Data from the Emergency Bed Service indicate that the pressure on available hospital beds in London has been increasing since 1985. CONCLUSIONS--Data regarding bed provision and utilisation for all specialties by London residents do not provide a case for reducing the total hospital bed stock in London at a rate faster than elsewhere. Bed closures should take account of London''s relatively poorer social and primary health care circumstances, longer hospital waiting lists, poorer provision of residential homes, and evidence from the Emergency Bed Service of increasing pressure on beds. Higher average costs in London, some unavoidable, are forcing hospital beds to be closed at a faster rate in London than nationally.     

Primary health care in London--changes since the Acheson report.

OBJECTIVE--To examine changes in primary care in London in the 11 years since the Acheson report on primary health care in inner London. DESIGN--Analysis of key data from the family health services authority performance indicators and from the Department of Health; study of trends since the time of the Acheson report; examination of the provision of primary care in 1990-1 and its relation to health and social factors. SETTING--Comparisons between the family health services authorities of inner London, outer London, and England as a whole, with a special study of Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. SUBJECTS--The family health services authorities of England. RESULTS--There has been an improvement in the provision of primary care in inner London as judged by the criteria of the Acheson report, but these improvements have occurred only as part of an overall improvement in the provision of primary care in the country as a whole. None of the recommendations of the Acheson report specifically oriented to London have been implemented. There are some worrying trends in inner London, such as the increasing proportion of practices with more than 2500 patients. The problems faced by practitioners in inner London resemble those in other large inner city areas, but the primary care provision to deal with them is relatively poor.