The first three chapters of Vol. 3 of Bio-organic Marine Chemistry deal with the chemistry and function of peptides. Chapter 1 by Ireland and coworkers serves as an introduction to marine-derived peptides. It is arranged phyletically and encompasses the entire range from dipeptides to a compound with 95 amino acid residues. Peptides involved in primary metabolism and hence belonging to the realm of macromolecular biochemistry are excluded. However, it might be mentioned in passing that the dividing line between large and small molecule chemistry is continually becoming less distinct. Not only are more compounds of intermediate size, from 1,000 to 10,000 dalton, being discovered, but instruments and techniques, particularly in mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance have been developed for their structural elucidation by what is considered small molecule methodology. Two groups of peptides are discussed in separate chapters. Biologists who have observed and described the mating behavior of diverse species of marine invertebrates have long surmised that a chemical mechanism might be operating in many cases of individual as well as mass fertilization. The chemical activators of sea urchin sperm prove to be a series of peptides, whose structures and activity are discussed by Suzuki.

This book, first published in 2000, is based on the modern conceptual understanding of crystal fields. It provides readers with clear instructions and a set of computer programs for the phenomenological analysis of energy spectra of magnetic ions in solids. The text clarifies several issues that have historically produced confusion in this area, particularly the effects of covalency and ligand polarization on the energy spectra of magnetic ions. Readers are shown how to employ a hierarchy of parametrized models to extract as much information as possible from observed lanthanide and actinide spectra. This book of crystal field theory describes all of the available phenomenological models, together with the conceptual and computational tools necessary for their use. It will be of particular interest to graduate students and researchers working in the development of opto-electronic systems and magnetic materials.

This book is based on the modern conceptual understanding of crystal fields. It clarifies several issues that have historically produced confusion in this area, particularly the effects of covalency and ligand polarization on the energy spectra of magnetic ions. This comprehensive volume provides readers with clear instructions and a set of computer programs for the phenomenological analysis of energy spectra of magnetic ions in solids. Readers are shown how to employ a hierarchy of parametrized models to extract as much information as possible from observed lanthanide and actinide spectra. All computer programs included in the volume are freely available on the Internet. It will be of particular interest to graduate students and researchers working in the development of opto-electronic systems and magnetic materials.

Dr. Phadius Gillinderg, an archaeologist of unquestionable integrity, presents to the world a hitherto forgotten Bronze Age myth about the less-than-legendary figure Tedieous. Tedieous is a timid potter from the largely overlooked polis of Spiphica who ends up entangled in both the events of the Trojan War and the machinations of the Gods of Olympus. Meanwhile, his hometown companion Kareena is left behind. She decides to strike out on her own journey to rescue Tedieous. Independently, they must learn to navigate through a supernatural world of strange islands, mythical creatures, bickering gods, heroes, villains, and a seemingly endless supply of epithets. Find out more at: www.tediad.com