Environmental risk assessment for the small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae and a stacked Bt-maize with combined resistances against Lepidoptera and Chrysomelidae in central European agrarian landscapes.

PubMed

Schuppener, Mechthild; Mühlhause, Julia; Müller, Anne-Katrin; Rauschen, Stefan

2012-09-01

The cultivation of Lepidoptera-resistant Bt-maize may affect nontarget butterflies. We assessed the risk posed by event MON89034 × MON88017 (expressing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 against corn borers) to nontarget Lepidoptera. Using the small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae, a butterfly species common in central Europe, as a test organism we (i) assessed the toxicity of Bt-maize pollen on butterfly larvae; (ii) measured pollen deposition on leaves of the host plant Urtica dioica; (iii) mapped the occurrence and distribution of host plants and larvae in two arable landscapes in Germany during maize anthesis; and (iv) described the temporal occurrence of a 1-year population of A. urticae. (i) Larvae-fed 200 Bt-maize pollen grains/cm(2) had a reduced feeding activity. Significant differences in developmental time existed at pollen densities of 300 Bt-maize pollen grains/cm(2) and in survival at 400 grains/cm(2). (ii) The highest pollen amount found was 212 grains/cm(2) at the field margin. Mean densities were much lower. (iii) In one region, over 50% of A. urticae nests were located within 5 m of a maize field, while in the other, all nests were found in more than 25 m distance to a maize field. (iv) The percentage of larvae developing during maize anthesis was 19% in the study area. The amount of pollen from maize MON89034 × MON88017 found on host plants is unlikely to adversely affect a significant proportion of larvae of A. urticae. This paper concludes that the risk of event MON89034 × MON88017 to populations of this species is negligible. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Report of an Expert Panel on the reanalysis by of a 90-day study conducted by Monsanto in support of the safety of a genetically modified corn variety (MON 863).

PubMed

Doull, J; Gaylor, D; Greim, H A; Lovell, D P; Lynch, B; Munro, I C

2007-11-01

MON 863, a genetically engineered corn variety that contains the gene for modified Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Bb1 protein to protect against corn rootworm, was tested in a 90-day toxicity study as part of the process to gain regulatory approval. This study was reanalyzed by Séralini et al. who contended that the study showed possible hepatorenal effects of MON 863. An Expert Panel was convened to assess the original study results as analyzed by the Monsanto Company and the reanalysis conducted by Séralini et al. The Expert Panel concludes that the Séralini et al. reanalysis provided no evidence to indicate that MON 863 was associated with adverse effects in the 90-day rat study. In each case, statistical findings reported by both Monsanto and Séralini et al. were considered to be unrelated to treatment or of no biological or clinical importance because they failed to demonstrate a dose-response relationship, reproducibility over time, association with other relevant changes (e.g., histopathology), occurrence in both sexes, difference outside the normal range of variation, or biological plausibility with respect to cause-and-effect. The Séralini et al. reanalysis does not advance any new scientific data to indicate that MON 863 caused adverse effects in the 90-day rat study.

Selection for Cry3Bb1 resistance in a genetically diverse population of nondiapausing western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

PubMed

Oswald, Kenneth J; French, B Wade; Nielson, Chad; Bagley, Mark

2011-06-01

Five short-diapause laboratory lines of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), were selected for resistance to MON863, a variety of corn genetically modified with the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) transgene that expresses the Cry3Bb1 delta-endotoxin. Three of the selected lines were developed by incremental increase in the duration of exposure to MON863 over 11 generations (moderate selected lines). Two selected lines were developed from a control group by constant exposure to MON863 for at least 14 d posthatch over seven generations (intense selected lines). At the end of the experiment, survivorship, as measured by adult emergence, was approximately 4 times higher in each of the selected lines reared on MON863 compared with control lines. Estimates of realized heritabilities (h2) were 0.16 and 0.15 for the moderate and intense selected lines, respectively, and are consistent with h2 estimates reported previously from a variety of pest insects. These lines provide data necessary for evaluating the potential for Bt resistance within diabroticite beetles and will be useful for developing improved insect resistance management strategies.

Humoral and cellular immune response in Wistar Han RCC rats fed two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties for 90 days (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE).

PubMed

Tulinská, Jana; Adel-Patient, Karine; Bernard, Hervé; Líšková, Aurélia; Kuricová, Miroslava; Ilavská, Silvia; Horváthová, Mira; Kebis, Anton; Rollerová, Eva; Babincová, Júlia; Aláčová, Radka; Wal, Jean-Michel; Schmidt, Kerstin; Schmidtke, Jörg; Schmidt, Paul; Kohl, Christian; Wilhelm, Ralf; Schiemann, Joachim; Steinberg, Pablo

2018-07-01

The genetically modified maize event MON810 expresses a Bacillus thuringiensis-derived gene, which encodes the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab to control some lepidopteran insect pests such as the European corn borer. It has been claimed that the immune system may be affected following the oral/intragastric administration of the MON810 maize in various different animal species. In the frame of the EU-funded project GRACE, two 90-day feeding trials, the so-called studies D and E, were performed to analyze the humoral and cellular immune responses of male and female Wistar Han RCC rats fed the MON810 maize. A MON810 maize variety of Monsanto was used in the study D and a MON810 maize variety of Pioneer Hi-Bred was used in the study E. The total as well as the maize protein- and Cry1Ab-serum-specific IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE levels, the proliferative activity of the lymphocytes, the phagocytic activity of the granulocytes and monocytes, the respiratory burst of the phagocytes, a phenotypic analysis of spleen, thymus and lymph node cells as well as the in vitro production of cytokines by spleen cells were analyzed. No specific Cry1Ab immune response was observed in MON810 rats, and anti-maize protein antibody responses were similar in MON810 and control rats. Single parameters were sporadically altered in rats fed the MON810 maize when compared to control rats, but these alterations are considered to be of no immunotoxicological significance.

Fitness of Bt-resistant Western Corn Rootworm on Mon863 and Isoline Corn

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Abstract: To help ensure that insect resistance management plans mandated by the US Environmental Protection Agency are based on the best science available, we evaluated fitness costs associated with resistance development in artificially selected laboratory lines of the western corn rootworm, Diabr...

Resistance evolution to the first generation of genetically modified Diabrotica-active Bt-maize events by western corn rootworm: management and monitoring considerations.

PubMed

Devos, Yann; Meihls, Lisa N; Kiss, József; Hibbard, Bruce E

2013-04-01

Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera; WCR) is a major coleopteran maize pest in North America and the EU, and has traditionally been managed through crop rotation and broad-spectrum soil insecticides. Genetically modified Bt-maize offers an additional management tool for WCR and has been valuable in reducing insecticide use and increasing farm income. A concern is that the widespread, repeated, and exclusive deployment of the same Bt-maize transformation event will result in the rapid evolution of resistance in WCR. This publication explores the potential of WCR to evolve resistance to plant-produced Bt-toxins from the first generation of Diabrotica-active Bt-maize events (MON 863 and MON 88017, DAS-59122-7 and MIR604), and whether currently implemented risk management strategies to delay and monitor resistance evolution are appropriate. In twelve of the twelve artificial selection experiments reported, resistant WCR populations were yielded rapidly. Field-selected resistance of WCR to Cry3Bb1 is documented in some US maize growing areas, where an increasing number of cases of unexpected damage of WCR larvae to Bt-maize MON 88017 has been reported. Currently implemented insect resistance management measures for Bt-crops usually rely on the high dose/refuge (HDR) strategy. Evidence (including laboratory, greenhouse and field data) indicates that several conditions contributing to the success of the HDR strategy may not be met for the first generation of Bt-maize events and WCR: (1) the Bt-toxins are expressed heterogeneously at a low-to-moderate dose in roots; (2) resistance alleles may be present at a higher frequency than initially assumed; (3) WCR may mate in a non-random manner; (4) resistance traits could have non-recessive inheritance; and (5) fitness costs may not necessarily be associated with resistance evolution. However, caution must be exercised when extrapolating laboratory and greenhouse results to field conditions. Model predictions suggest that a 20 % refuge of non-Diabrotica-active Bt-maize can delay resistance evolution in WCR under certain conditions. This publication concludes that further research is needed to resolve the remaining scientific uncertainty related to the appropriateness of the HDR in delaying resistance evolution in WCR, resistance monitoring is essential to detect early warning signs indicating resistance evolution in the field, and that integrated pest management reliant on multiple tactics should be deployed to ensure effective long-term corn rootworm management and sustainable use of Bt-maize.

Selection for Cry3Bb1 resistance in a genetically diverse population of nondiapausing Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

EPA Science Inventory

Five short-diapause laboratory lines of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) were selected for resistance to MON863, a variety of corn genetically modified with the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgene that expresses the Cry3Bb1 endotoxin. Three of the selecte...

Performance of dairy cows fed silage and grain produced from second-generation insect-protected (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn (MON 89034), compared with parental line corn or reference corn.

PubMed

Castillo-Lopez, E; Clark, K J; Paz, H A; Ramirez Ramirez, H A; Klusmeyer, T H; Hartnell, G F; Kononoff, P J

2014-01-01

Corn grain and corn silage are major feed components in lactating dairy cow rations. Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that produces a protein that is toxic to lepidopteran insects that may damage plant tissues and reduce corn quality and yields. During each of the four 28-d periods, cows were offered 1 of 4 rations in which the corn grain and silage originated from different corn hybrids: a nontransgenic corn control (from hybrid DKC63-78; Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO), a B.t. test substance corn (MON 89034 in hybrid DKC63-78; Monsanto Co.), and 2 commercial nontransgenic reference (Ref) hybrids: DKC61-42 (Ref 1) and DKC62-30 (Ref 2; Monsanto Co.). Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows averaging 110 ± 21 d in milk and weighing 684 ± 62.3 kg were blocked by days in milk and milk yield and randomly assigned to one of four 4 × 4 Latin squares. Diets were formulated to contain 36.4% corn silage and 16.3% corn grain. Dry matter intake was greater for cows consuming B.t. corn (26.6 ± 0.59 kg/d) compared with the control, Ref 1, and Ref 2 corn diets (25.4, 25.0, and 25.6 ± 0.59 kg/d, respectively). Milk yield, fat yield, and percentage of fat (36.8 ± 0.98 kg/d, 1.22 ± 0.05 kg/d, and 3.3 ± 0.10%), milk protein yield and percentage of protein (1.11 ± 0.03 kg/d and 3.01 ± 0.05%), milk urea nitrogen concentration (14.01 ± 0.49 mg/dL), and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (35.7 ± 1.07 kg/d) were not different across treatments. The results from this study show that lactating dairy cows that consume B.t. corn (MON 89034) do not differ from lactating dairy cows that consume nontransgenic corn in milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk per unit of dry matter intake, or milk components. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selection for Cry3Bb1 resistance in a genetically diverse population of non-diapausing western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Five short-diapause laboratory lines of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) were selected for resistance to MON863, a variety of corn genetically modified with the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgene that expresses the Cry3Bb1 d-endotoxin. Three of the selected lines were develo...

Human health and ecological risk assessments for SmartStax PRO (MON 89034 x TC1507 x MON 87411 x DAS-59122-7), a plant-incorporated protectant intended to control corn rootworm through ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference

EPA Science Inventory

The use of RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing technology, particularly RNAi for pesticidal purposes to control macroorganism pests, is a relatively recent innovation. Post-transcriptional silencing of gene function is a very rapid process where double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dir...

78 FR 60871 - Pesticide Experimental Use Permits; Notice of Receipt of Applications; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-02

... available for public review in the docket established for these EUP applications. Following the review of.... Pesticide chemical: MON 102100. Type of chemical: Nematicide. Summary of request: Large scale seed treatment trials on corn, soybean, and cotton. 12.94 pounds (lb.) of active ingredient (a.i.) per year on corn seed...

Effects of sulfur and monensin concentrations on in vitro dry matter disappearance, hydrogen sulfide production, and volatile fatty acid concentrations in batch culture ruminal fermentations.

PubMed

Smith, D R; Dilorenzo, N; Leibovich, J; May, M L; Quinn, M J; Homm, J W; Galyean, M L

2010-04-01

Effects of monensin (MON) and S on in vitro fermentation and H(2)S production were evaluated in 2 experiments. In Exp. 1, 2 ruminally cannulated steers were adapted (>14 d) to a 75% concentrate diet [steam-flaked corn (SFC)-based], and ruminal fluid was collected approximately 4 h after feeding. Substrate composed (DM basis) of 85.2% SFC, 9% alfalfa hay, 5% cottonseed meal, and 0.8% urea was added with ruminal fluid and buffer to sealed 125-mL serum bottles to allow for gas collection. A Na(2)SO(4) solution was added to yield S equivalent to 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% of substrate DM, and MON was included at 0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/L of culture volume. Bottle head-space gas was analyzed for H(2)S. No MON (P = 0.29) or MON x S interaction (P = 0.41) effects were detected for H(2)S production. Increasing S linearly increased (P < 0.01) H(2)S production (micromoles/g of fermented DM). The IVDMD (average 70.0%) was not affected by MON (P = 0.93), S (P = 0.18), or the MON x S interaction (P = 0.56). Total VFA concentrations were not affected by MON (P = 0.87), S (P = 0.14), or the MON x S interaction (P = 0.86), but increasing MON linearly decreased (P 21 d) to a 75% concentrate diet (SFC base) that contained 15% (DM basis) wet corn distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) and MON at 22 mg/kg of DM. In vitro substrate DM was composed of 75.4% SFC, 15% WDGS, 9% alfalfa hay, and 0.6% urea, and S and MON concentrations were the same as in Exp. 1. No effects of MON (P = 0.93) or the MON x S interaction (P = 0.99) were noted for H(2)S production; however, increasing S linearly increased (P < 0.01) H(2)S production. No effects of MON (P = 0.16), S (P = 0.43), or the MON x S interaction (P = 0.10) were noted for IVDMD (average 70.9%). Total VFA concentrations were not affected by MON (P = 0.40), S (P = 0.26), or the MON x S interaction (P = 0.59). As in Exp. 1, increasing MON linearly decreased (P < 0.05) molar proportions of acetate, butyrate, and A:P and linearly increased (P < 0.01) propionate. Increasing S concentration increased in vitro H(2)S production, but S did not affect VFA concentrations and proportions. Monensin did not affect in vitro H(2)S production, and changes in VFA molar proportions were evident with MON regardless of S concentration.

The presence of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein in earthworms Eisenia fetida has no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction.

PubMed

Shu, Yinghua; Ma, Honghui; Du, Yan; Li, Zhixian; Feng, Yuanjiao; Wang, Jianwu

2011-11-01

Earthworms Eisenia fetida, bred in substances with stover of two genetically-engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corns (5422Bt1 (Event Bt11) and 5422CBCL (MON810)) expressing Cry1Ab and their near-isogenic non-Bt corn (5422), were used to investigate the non-target effects of Bt corn on soil-dwelling organisms. Cry1Ab concentrations in substances, casts and guts of E. fetida were also investigated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). More than 90% individuals of E. fetida survived over a period of 30 d, irrespective of whether they received Bt corn or non-Bt corn. Compared to 5422 treatments, significantly higher relative growth rate and more number of new offspring and cocoons of E. fetida were found in 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL treatments. These results were unlikely to be directly caused by Cry1Ab released from Bt corns but rather by differences in other factors of plants such as plant components (soluble sugar, total organic carbon, total protein and available phosphorus of Bt corns were more than 5422). ELISA results indicated immunoreactive Cry1Ab was detectable in substances, and the casts, guts of E. fetida from Bt corns treatments, of which the highest levels were detected in substances under the corresponding experimental conditions. With the increase of treated time, a strong decline was observed in Cry1Ab from substances and casts of E. fetida, whereas Cry1Ab in guts of E. fetida from 5422Bt1 treatments gradually increased and that from 5422CBCL treatments increased between 14 and 30 d. Therefore, the presence of Cry1Ab in E. fetida had no deleterious effects on their growth and reproduction. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bt maize and integrated pest management--a European perspective.

PubMed

Meissle, Michael; Romeis, Jörg; Bigler, Franz

2011-09-01

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), the Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) and the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) are the main arthropod pests in European maize production. Practised pest control includes chemical control, biological control and cultural control such as ploughing and crop rotation. A pest control option that is available since 1996 is maize varieties that are genetically engineered (GE) to produce insecticidal compounds. GE maize varieties available today express one or several genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that target corn borers or corn rootworms. Incentives to growing Bt maize are simplified farm operations, high pest control efficiency, improved grain quality and ecological benefits. Limitations include the risk of resistance evolution in target pest populations, risk of secondary pest outbreaks and increased administration to comply with licence agreements. Growers willing to plant Bt maize in the European Union (EU) often face the problem that authorisation is denied. Only one Bt maize transformation event (MON810) is currently authorised for commercial cultivation, and some national authorities have banned cultivation. Spain is the only EU member state where Bt maize adoption levels are currently delivering farm income gains near full potential levels. In an integrated pest management (IPM) context, Bt maize can be regarded as a preventive (host plant resistance) or a responsive pest control measure. In any case, Bt maize is a highly specific tool that efficiently controls the main pests and allows combination with other preventive or responsive measures to solve other agricultural problems including those with secondary pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Field-Evolved Resistance in Corn Earworm to Cry Proteins Expressed by Transgenic Sweet Corn.

PubMed

Dively, Galen P; Venugopal, P Dilip; Finkenbinder, Chad

2016-01-01

Transgenic corn engineered with genes expressing insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) are now a major tool in insect pest management. With its widespread use, insect resistance is a major threat to the sustainability of the Bt transgenic technology. For all Bt corn expressing Cry toxins, the high dose requirement for resistance management is not achieved for corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), which is more tolerant to the Bt toxins. We present field monitoring data using Cry1Ab (1996-2016) and Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2 (2010-2016) expressing sweet corn hybrids as in-field screens to measure changes in field efficacy and Cry toxin susceptibility to H. zea. Larvae successfully damaged an increasing proportion of ears, consumed more kernel area, and reached later developmental stages (4th - 6th instars) in both types of Bt hybrids (Cry1Ab-event Bt11, and Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2-event MON89034) since their commercial introduction. Yearly patterns of H. zea population abundance were unrelated to reductions in control efficacy. There was no evidence of field efficacy or tissue toxicity differences among different Cry1Ab hybrids that could contribute to the decline in control efficacy. Supportive data from laboratory bioassays demonstrate significant differences in weight gain and fitness characteristics between the Maryland H. zea strain and a susceptible strain. In bioassays with Cry1Ab expressing green leaf tissue, Maryland H. zea strain gained more weight than the susceptible strain at all concentrations tested. Fitness of the Maryland H. zea strain was significantly lower than that of the susceptible strain as indicated by lower hatch rate, longer time to adult eclosion, lower pupal weight, and reduced survival to adulthood. After ruling out possible contributing factors, the rapid change in field efficacy in recent years and decreased susceptibility of H. zea to Bt sweet corn provide strong evidence of field-evolved resistance in H. zea populations to multiple Cry toxins. The high adoption rate of Bt field corn and cotton, along with the moderate dose expression of Cry1Ab and related Cry toxins in these crops, and decreasing refuge compliance probably contributed to the evolution of resistance. Our results have important implications for resistance monitoring, refuge requirements and other regulatory policies, cross-resistance issues, and the sustainability of the pyramided Bt technology.

[Detection of recombinant-DNA in foods from stacked genetically modified plants].

PubMed

Sorokina, E Iu; Chernyshova, O N

2012-01-01

A quantitative real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction method was applied to the detection and quantification of MON863 and MON810 in stacked genetically modified maize MON 810xMON 863. The limit of detection was approximately 0,1%. The accuracy of the quantification, measured as bias from the accepted value and the relative repeatability standard deviation, which measures the intra-laboratory variability, were within 25% at each GM-level. A method verification has demonstrated that the MON 863 and the MON810 methods can be equally applied in quantification of the respective events in stacked MON810xMON 863.

Assessing the potential for interaction between the insecticidal activity of two genetically engineered cotton events combined by conventional breeding: An example with COT102 × MON 15985.

PubMed

Levine, Steven L; Mueller, Geoffrey M; Uffman, Joshua P

2016-08-01

Bollgard(®) III was developed by combining cotton events COT102 and MON 15985 through conventional breeding to improve efficacy against lepidopteran feeding damage. COT102 produces the Vip3Aa19 protein and MON 15985 produces the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 proteins. COT102 × MON 15985 has also been bred with Roundup Ready Flex(®) cotton (MON 88913) that confers glyphosate tolerance. This study evaluated the activity of COT102 and MON 15985 and the combined activity of COT102 and MON 15985 against the cotton bollworm (CBW, Helicoverpa zea). COT102, MON 15985, COT102 × MON 15985 and COT102 × MON 15985 × MON 88913 have comparable Vip3Aa19 and/or Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab2 protein expression levels as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CBW demonstrated concentration-dependent growth inhibition after 7-days of feeding on lyophilized leaf tissue derived from COT102, MON 15985, COT102 × MON 15985 and COT102 × MON 15985 × MON 88913 incorporated into an artificial diet. Observed EC50 values for COT102 × MON 15985 and COT102 × MON 15985 × MON 88913 were comparable (≤4% deviation) with the predicted EC50 value under the assumption of additivity using the combined activity of COT102 and MON 15985. No interaction in biological activity between COT102 and MON 15985 is consistent with results from competition and ligand blotting assays that demonstrated that Vip3Aa does not inhibit the binding of either Cry1Ac or Cry2Ab2 and vice versa. The results from this study demonstrate that the activity of COT102 × MON 15985 against CBW is consistent with predictions of additivity. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Life history attributes of Indian meal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Angoumois grain moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) reared on transgenic corn kernels.

PubMed

Sedlacek, J D; Komaravalli, S R; Hanley, A M; Price, B D; Davis, P M

2001-04-01

The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), and Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), are two globally distributed stored-grain pests. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the impact that corn (Zea mays L.) kernels (i.e., grain) of some Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) corn hybrids containing CrylAb Bt delta-endotoxin have on life history attributes of Indian meal moth and Angoumois grain moth. Stored grain is at risk to damage from Indian meal moth and Angoumois grain moth; therefore, Bt corn may provide a means of protecting this commodity from damage. Thus, the objective of this research was to quantify the effects of transgenic corn seed containing CrylAb delta-endotoxin on Indian meal moth and Angoumois grain moth survival, fecundity, and duration of development. Experiments with Bt grain, non-Bt isolines, and non-Bt grain were conducted in environmental chambers at 27 +/- 1 degrees C and > or = 60% RH in continuous dark. Fifty eggs were placed in ventilated pint jars containing 170 g of cracked or whole corn for the Indian meal moth and Angoumois grain moth, respectively. Emergence and fecundity were observed for 5 wk. Emergence and fecundity of Indian meal moth and emergence of Angoumois grain moth were significantly lower for individuals reared on P33V08 and N6800Bt, MON 810 and Bt-11 transformed hybrids, respectively, than on their non-Bt transformed isolines. Longer developmental times were observed for Indian meal moth reared on P33V08 and N6800Bt than their non-Bt-transformed isolines. These results indicate that MON 810 and Bt-11 CrylAb delta-endotoxin-containing kernels reduce laboratory populations of Indian meal moth and Angoumois grain moth. Thus, storing Bt-transformed grain is a management tactic that warrants bin scale testing and may effectively reduce Indian meal moth and Angoumois grain moth populations in grain without application of synthetic chemicals or pesticides.

Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Maize Resistant to Diabrotica spp.: Influence on Above-Ground Arthropods in the Czech Republic.

PubMed

Svobodová, Zdeňka; Skoková Habuštová, Oxana; Hutchison, William D; Hussein, Hany M; Sehnal, František

2015-01-01

Transgenic maize MON88017, expressing the Cry3Bb1 toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt maize), confers resistance to corn rootworms (Diabrotica spp.) and provides tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate. However, prior to commercialization, substantial assessment of potential effects on non-target organisms within agroecosystems is required. The MON88017 event was therefore evaluated under field conditions in Southern Bohemia in 2009-2011, to detect possible impacts on the above-ground arthropod species. The study compared MON88017, its near-isogenic non-Bt hybrid DK315 (treated or not treated with the soil insecticide Dursban 10G) and two non-Bt reference hybrids (KIPOUS and PR38N86). Each hybrid was grown on five 0.5 ha plots distributed in a 14-ha field with a Latin square design. Semiquantitative ELISA was used to verify Cry3Bb1 toxin levels in the Bt maize. The species spectrum of non-target invertebrates changed during seasons and was affected by weather conditions. The thrips Frankliniella occidentalis was the most abundant species in all three successive years. The next most common species were aphids Rhopalosiphum padi and Metopolophium dirhodum. Frequently observed predators included Orius spp. and several species within the Coccinellidae. Throughout the three-year study, analysis of variance indicated some significant differences (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the abundance and diversity of plant dwelling insects was similar in maize with the same genetic background, for both Bt (MON88017) and non-Bt (DK315) untreated or insecticide treated. KIPOUS and PR38N86 showed some differences in species abundance relative to the Bt maize and its near-isogenic hybrid. However, the effect of management regime on arthropod community was insignificant and accounted only for a negligible portion of the variability.

Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Maize Resistant to Diabrotica spp.: Influence on Above-Ground Arthropods in the Czech Republic

PubMed Central

Svobodová, Zdeňka; Skoková Habuštová, Oxana; Hutchison, William D.; Hussein, Hany M.; Sehnal, František

2015-01-01

Transgenic maize MON88017, expressing the Cry3Bb1 toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt maize), confers resistance to corn rootworms (Diabrotica spp.) and provides tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate. However, prior to commercialization, substantial assessment of potential effects on non-target organisms within agroecosystems is required. The MON88017 event was therefore evaluated under field conditions in Southern Bohemia in 2009–2011, to detect possible impacts on the above-ground arthropod species. The study compared MON88017, its near-isogenic non-Bt hybrid DK315 (treated or not treated with the soil insecticide Dursban 10G) and two non-Bt reference hybrids (KIPOUS and PR38N86). Each hybrid was grown on five 0.5 ha plots distributed in a 14-ha field with a Latin square design. Semiquantitative ELISA was used to verify Cry3Bb1 toxin levels in the Bt maize. The species spectrum of non-target invertebrates changed during seasons and was affected by weather conditions. The thrips Frankliniella occidentalis was the most abundant species in all three successive years. The next most common species were aphids Rhopalosiphum padi and Metopolophium dirhodum. Frequently observed predators included Orius spp. and several species within the Coccinellidae. Throughout the three-year study, analysis of variance indicated some significant differences (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the abundance and diversity of plant dwelling insects was similar in maize with the same genetic background, for both Bt (MON88017) and non-Bt (DK315) untreated or insecticide treated. KIPOUS and PR38N86 showed some differences in species abundance relative to the Bt maize and its near-isogenic hybrid. However, the effect of management regime on arthropod community was insignificant and accounted only for a negligible portion of the variability. PMID:26083254

Detection limits of the strip test and PCR for genetically modified corn in Brazil.

PubMed

Nascimento, V E; Von Pinho, É V R; Von Pinho, R G; do Nascimento, A D

2012-08-16

Brazilian legislation establishes a labeling limit for products that contain more than 1% material from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We assessed the sensitivity of the lateral flow strip test in detection of the GMO corn varieties Bt11 and MON810 and the specificity and sensitivity of PCR techniques for their detection. For the strip test, the GMO seeds were mixed with conventional seeds at levels of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% for Bt11, and 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6% for MON810. Three different methodologies were assessed and whole seeds, their endosperm and embryonic axis were used. For the PCR technique, the GMO seeds of each of the two varieties were mixed with conventional seeds at levels of 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, and 0.5%. The seeds were ground and the DNA extracted. For detection of the GMO material, specific primers were used for MON810 and Bt11 and maize zein as an endogenous control. The sensitivity of the strip test varied for both maize varieties and methodologies. The test was positive for Bt11 only at 0.8%, in contrast with the detection limit of 0.4% indicated by the manufacturer. In the multiplex PCR, the primers proved to be specific for the different varieties. These varieties were detected in samples with one GMO seed in 100. Thus, this technique proved to be efficient in detecting contaminations equal to or greater than 1%.

Healthcare Encounters for Pokémon Go: Risks and Benefits of Playing.

PubMed

Barbero, Erika M; Carpenter, Diane M; Maier, Joetta; Tseng, Daniel S

2018-06-01

Our aim was to quantify the health risks and benefits of Pokémon Go, an augmented reality game played on the mobile phone utilizing real-world locations. Healthcare encounters containing references to Pokémon Go in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) from July 5, 2016 to November 5, 2016 were reviewed. Subjects were classified according to the nature of the healthcare encounter subsequent to playing Pokémon Go: adverse event/injury, self-reported benefit, or incidental mention. Comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney nonparametric test where variables were continuous and the chi-squared or Fisher's exact test where variables were binomial. Of 222 Pokémon Go players reporting an adverse event or benefit, 75 (33.8%) experienced adverse events and 147 (66.2%) reported benefits. Among our cohort, 114 subjects (54.0%) were obese, and 62 (27.9%) were diabetic or prediabetic. More subjects reporting benefits had an endocrine-related comorbidity than those reporting injuries (40.1% vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001). Median family income was higher in the benefit group than in the adverse event group ($83,846 vs. $70,378, P = 0.027). Of 75 subjects having adverse events, 8 (10.7%) had severe injuries, including fractures and head trauma, with 4 (5.3%) having inpatient stays. Most adverse events were musculoskeletal or skin injuries (n = 51, 68.0%). Injuries were similar to those seen with other light-to-moderate outdoor physical activities. Given KPNC's membership of 3.85 million, the number of severe injuries reported was low; this suggests that the game is safe to play. Pokémon Go may be reaching a population that requires increased physical activity.

Field-Evolved Resistance in Corn Earworm to Cry Proteins Expressed by Transgenic Sweet Corn

PubMed Central

Dively, Galen P.; Finkenbinder, Chad

2016-01-01

Background Transgenic corn engineered with genes expressing insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) are now a major tool in insect pest management. With its widespread use, insect resistance is a major threat to the sustainability of the Bt transgenic technology. For all Bt corn expressing Cry toxins, the high dose requirement for resistance management is not achieved for corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), which is more tolerant to the Bt toxins. Methodology/Major Findings We present field monitoring data using Cry1Ab (1996–2016) and Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2 (2010–2016) expressing sweet corn hybrids as in-field screens to measure changes in field efficacy and Cry toxin susceptibility to H. zea. Larvae successfully damaged an increasing proportion of ears, consumed more kernel area, and reached later developmental stages (4th - 6th instars) in both types of Bt hybrids (Cry1Ab—event Bt11, and Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2—event MON89034) since their commercial introduction. Yearly patterns of H. zea population abundance were unrelated to reductions in control efficacy. There was no evidence of field efficacy or tissue toxicity differences among different Cry1Ab hybrids that could contribute to the decline in control efficacy. Supportive data from laboratory bioassays demonstrate significant differences in weight gain and fitness characteristics between the Maryland H. zea strain and a susceptible strain. In bioassays with Cry1Ab expressing green leaf tissue, Maryland H. zea strain gained more weight than the susceptible strain at all concentrations tested. Fitness of the Maryland H. zea strain was significantly lower than that of the susceptible strain as indicated by lower hatch rate, longer time to adult eclosion, lower pupal weight, and reduced survival to adulthood. Conclusions/Significance After ruling out possible contributing factors, the rapid change in field efficacy in recent years and decreased susceptibility of H. zea to Bt sweet corn provide strong evidence of field-evolved resistance in H. zea populations to multiple Cry toxins. The high adoption rate of Bt field corn and cotton, along with the moderate dose expression of Cry1Ab and related Cry toxins in these crops, and decreasing refuge compliance probably contributed to the evolution of resistance. Our results have important implications for resistance monitoring, refuge requirements and other regulatory policies, cross-resistance issues, and the sustainability of the pyramided Bt technology. PMID:28036388

Numerical Sensitivity of Trajectories Across Conformational Energy Hypersurfaces from Geometry Optimized Molecular Orbital Calculations: AM1, MNDO, and MINDO/3

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

relationship studies, it became corn- surfaces are being traversed, the molecule monly believed that compounds with higher h can go along different paths on...1975). AMPAC, and consanguineous programs 15. W. Thiel, Quantum Chem. Prog. Exchange Cata- should be done with the tightest available log, 11, 353

Development and Evaluation of Event-Specific Quantitative PCR Method for Genetically Modified Soybean MON87701.

PubMed

Tsukahara, Keita; Takabatake, Reona; Masubuchi, Tomoko; Futo, Satoshi; Minegishi, Yasutaka; Noguchi, Akio; Kondo, Kazunari; Nishimaki-Mogami, Tomoko; Kurashima, Takeyo; Mano, Junichi; Kitta, Kazumi

2016-01-01

A real-time PCR-based analytical method was developed for the event-specific quantification of a genetically modified (GM) soybean event, MON87701. First, a standard plasmid for MON87701 quantification was constructed. The conversion factor (C f ) required to calculate the amount of genetically modified organism (GMO) was experimentally determined for a real-time PCR instrument. The determined C f for the real-time PCR instrument was 1.24. For the evaluation of the developed method, a blind test was carried out in an inter-laboratory trial. The trueness and precision were evaluated as the bias and reproducibility of relative standard deviation (RSDr), respectively. The determined biases and the RSDr values were less than 30 and 13%, respectively, at all evaluated concentrations. The limit of quantitation of the method was 0.5%, and the developed method would thus be applicable for practical analyses for the detection and quantification of MON87701.

[Dynamics of Cry1ab protein content in the rhizosphere soil and straw debris of transgenic Bt corn].

PubMed

Li, Fan; Wang, Min; Sun, Hong-Wei; Yang, Shu-Ke; Lu, Xing-Bo

2013-07-01

By using ELISA test kits, a field investigation was conducted on the degradation dynamics of CrylAb protein in the rhizosphere soil of Bt corn MON810 at its different growth stages and in the MON810 straws returned into field after harvest. Three models (shift-log model, exponential model, and bi-exponential model) were used to fit the degradation dynamics of the Cry1 Ab protein from the straw debris, and the DT50 and DT90, values were estimated. There existed great differences in the CrylAb protein content in the rhizosphere soil of MON810 at its different growth stages, but overall, the CrylAb protein content was decreased remarkably with the growth of MON810. The degradation of Cry1 Ab protein from the straws covered on soil surface and buried in soil showed the same two-stage pattern, i.e., more rapid at early stage and slow-stable in later period. Within the first week after straw return, the degradation rate of the CrylAb protein from the straws covered on soil surface was significantly higher than that from the straws buried in soil. At 10 d, the degradation rate of the CrylAb protein from the straws covered on soil surface and buried in soil was basically the same, being 88.8% and 88.6%, respectively. After 20 days, the degradation of CrylAb protein entered slow-stable stage. Till at 180 d, a small amount of Cry1Ab protein could still be detected in the straw debris. All of the three models used in this study could fit the decay pattern of the CrylAb protein from the straw debris in field. By comparing the correlation coefficient (r) and the consistency between the measured and calculated DT90, bi-exponential model was considered to be the best.

Early experience with diverse foods increases intake of nonfamiliar flavors and feeds in sheep.

PubMed

Catanese, F; Distel, R A; Provenza, F D; Villalba, J J

2012-08-01

This study determined whether early experiences by sheep with monotonous or diverse diets influence intake of unfamiliar flavors and feeds later in life. Thirty 2-mo-old lambs were randomly assigned to 3 treatment diets (n = 10): diverse (DIV), diverse with plant toxins (DIV+T), and monotonous (MON). Lambs in DIV received in 9 successive periods of exposure 4-way choice combinations of 2 foods high in energy and 2 foods high in protein from an array of 6 foods: 3 high in energy [beet pulp, oat grain, and a mix of milo:grape pomace (60:40)] and 3 high in digestible protein (DP) (soybean meal, alfalfa, corn gluten meal). Lambs in DIV+T received the same exposure as DIV, but 2 plant toxins, oxalic acid (1.5%) and quebracho tannins (10%), were randomly added to 2 of the feeds in each of the choice combinations. Lambs in MON received a monotonous balanced diet, made with a mixture of all 6 feeds detailed before. All treatments received their feed in 4 separate buckets. During exposure, treatments did not differ in total daily DMI (P = 0.31), but daily intake of ME was less (P < 0.02) and daily intake of DP was greater (P < 0.03) for lambs in DIV and DIV+T than for lambs in MON. Treatments did not differ in ADG or G:F (P > 0.05). After exposure, lambs were offered a familiar feed (wheat bran) containing novel flavors (maple, garlic, or bitter) and 2-way choices of novel feeds (fescue hay vs. corn distillers grains, rice vs. calf manna, and green peas vs. rolled oats). Intake of maple-flavored wheat bran tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for lambs in DIV than for lambs in DIV+T and MON. Intake of bitter-flavored and garlic-flavored wheat bran were greater (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively) for lambs in DIV and DIV+T than for lambs in MON. During 2-way choice trials, lambs in DIV, but not in DIV+T, showed greater intakes of fescue hay (P = 0.05) and rice (P = 0.04) than lambs in MON. Intake of green peas was greater (P = 0.03) for lambs in DIV and DIV+T than for lambs in MON. At the end of testing, lambs in DIV but not in DIV+T showed greater ADG than lambs in MON (P = 0.05). Thus, early exposure to diverse foods enhanced acceptance of novel flavors relative to early exposure to a monotonous ration. Early experience with diverse feeds plus plant toxins led to a less diverse diet than early experience with diverse feeds. Early exposure to diverse feeds may be beneficial in production systems that require rapid acceptance and high intake of unfamiliar feeds.

75 FR 51043 - Pesticide Experimental Use Permit; Receipt of Application; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-18

... (vector pCOT1) in event COT102 cotton, Bt Cry1Ac protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector PV-GHBK04) in event MON 15985 cotton, and Bt Cry2Ab2 protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector PV-GHBK11) in event MON 15985 cotton. The Agency has determined that...

Interactive effects of betaine and monensin in uninfected and Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks.

PubMed

Matthews, J O; Ward, T L; Southern, L L

1997-07-01

Three experiments (Exp.) were conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary betaine (BET) and monensin (MON) in uninfected or Eimeria acervulina-infected chicks. The treatments were replicated with six (Exp. 1) or five (Exp. 2 and 3) pens of five chicks each. The experimental periods lasted 9 (Exp. 1 and 2) or 10 (Exp. 3) d each and the coccidiosis infections were established on Day 2 (Exp. 1 and 2) or Day 3 (Exp. 3) of the experiment. Average initial weight of the chicks was 101, 73, and 68 g in Exp. 1 to 3, respectively, and the initial age of the chicks was 5 (Exp. 1) or 4 (Exp. 2 and 3) d. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was used in each experiment. In Exp. 1, the effect of dietary BET (0, 0.1, or 0.5%) in uninfected or coccidiosis-infected (COC; 5 x 10(5) sporulated E. acervulina oocysts) chicks was investigated. In Exp. 2, the interactive effects of BET (0 or 0.1%) and MON (0 or 55 ppm) in uninfected or COC chicks were investigated in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experiment 3 was identical to Exp. 2, except the level of MON was 110 rather than 55 ppm. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3, COC reduced (P < 0.01) gain, feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (GF), and plasma carotenoid concentration (CAR) and increased (P < 0.01) lesion score (LS). In Exp. 1, gain and FI were decreased in uninfected chicks fed 0.1% BET but gain and FI were increased in COC chicks fed 0.1% BET (COC x BET quadratic, P < 0.01). Dietary BET linearly increased (P < 0.05) GF. In Exp. 2 and 3, MON increased (P < 0.01) gain, FI, GF, and CAR and decreased (P < 0.01) LS of COC chicks, but MON had no effect in uninfected chicks (COC x MON, P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, GF was increased more in chicks fed both MON and BET than in chicks fed MON (BET x MON, P < 0.06). In Exp. 3, BET increased GF of uninfected chicks fed MON and of COC chicks not fed MON (COC x BET x MON, P < 0.02). Betaine may have an effect on E. acervulina-infected chicks, but there is no conclusive evidence to indicate that the efficacy of MON is improved when fed in combination with BET.

Mutation scanning in a single and a stacked genetically modified (GM) event by real-time PCR and high resolution melting (HRM) analysis.

PubMed

Ben Ali, Sina-Elisabeth; Madi, Zita Erika; Hochegger, Rupert; Quist, David; Prewein, Bernhard; Haslberger, Alexander G; Brandes, Christian

2014-10-31

Genetic mutations must be avoided during the production and use of seeds. In the European Union (EU), Directive 2001/18/EC requires any DNA construct introduced via transformation to be stable. Establishing genetic stability is critical for the approval of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In this study, genetic stability of two GMOs was examined using high resolution melting (HRM) analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) employing Scorpion primers for amplification. The genetic variability of the transgenic insert and that of the flanking regions in a single oilseed rape variety (GT73) and a stacked maize (MON88017×MON810) was studied. The GT73 and the 5' region of MON810 showed no instabilities in the examined regions. However; two out of 100 analyzed samples carried a heterozygous point mutation in the 3' region of MON810 in the stacked variety. These results were verified by direct sequencing of the amplified PCR products as well as by sequencing of cloned PCR fragments. The occurrence of the mutation suggests that the 5' region is more suitable than the 3' region for the quantification of MON810. The identification of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a stacked event is in contrast to the results of earlier studies of the same MON810 region in a single event where no DNA polymorphism was found.

Mutation Scanning in a Single and a Stacked Genetically Modified (GM) Event by Real-Time PCR and High Resolution Melting (HRM) Analysis

PubMed Central

Ben Ali, Sina-Elisabeth; Madi, Zita Erika; Hochegger, Rupert; Quist, David; Prewein, Bernhard; Haslberger, Alexander G.; Brandes, Christian

2014-01-01

Genetic mutations must be avoided during the production and use of seeds. In the European Union (EU), Directive 2001/18/EC requires any DNA construct introduced via transformation to be stable. Establishing genetic stability is critical for the approval of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In this study, genetic stability of two GMOs was examined using high resolution melting (HRM) analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) employing Scorpion primers for amplification. The genetic variability of the transgenic insert and that of the flanking regions in a single oilseed rape variety (GT73) and a stacked maize (MON88017 × MON810) was studied. The GT73 and the 5' region of MON810 showed no instabilities in the examined regions. However; two out of 100 analyzed samples carried a heterozygous point mutation in the 3' region of MON810 in the stacked variety. These results were verified by direct sequencing of the amplified PCR products as well as by sequencing of cloned PCR fragments. The occurrence of the mutation suggests that the 5' region is more suitable than the 3' region for the quantification of MON810. The identification of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a stacked event is in contrast to the results of earlier studies of the same MON810 region in a single event where no DNA polymorphism was found. PMID:25365178

Maize plants infestation by Fusarium spp. and deoxynivalenol in genetically modified corn hybrid and traditional maize cultivars.

PubMed

Selwet, Marek

2011-01-01

The objective of the performed investigations was to isolate pathogenic fungi from contaminated maize cobs, to assess the appearance of maize cob fusariosis and to determine grain contamination with deoxynivalenol in the cultivation of genetically modified maize containing a gene resistance against European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn) as well as selected non-modified cultivars. The plant material comprised the following genetically modified maize cultivar: DKC 3421 YG (MON 810) and non-modified cultivars obtained from Smolice Plant Breeding Ltd., IHAR Group: Junak (FAO 210-220), Prosna (FAO 220), SMH (FAO 230), Baca (FAO 220). Prior to harvesting, the occurrence of maize cob fusariosis was determined in the 89 (BBCH) developmental ripening stage. Microbiological assessment was carried out on grains selected from cobs characterized by various pathological symptoms. In 2008, a total of 133 isolates was obtained from the examined samples of infected maize plants, of which 51 isolates were species-identified, while in 2009, the total of 123 isolates were determined, of which 63 were species-identified. In both experimental years, the majority of isolates contained fungi from the Fusarium genus. The performed analysis of mean levels of cob contamination by fusarioses revealed that DKC 3421 YG (MON 810) and SMH (FAO 230) cultivars showed the smallest levels of contamination as well as the lowest percent of cob contamination per plant, while Junak (FAO 210-220) and Baca (FAO 220) cultivars were characterized by the highest degree of contamination. The lowest deoxynivalenol concentrations were determined in years 2008 and 2009 in the case of the DKC 3421 YG (MON 810) cultivar, whereas Prosna (FAO 220) cultivar was characterized by the highest deoxynivalenol concentration.

Management of Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Maize in Argentina: A Multi-Institutional Approach.

PubMed

Signorini, Ana M; Abratti, Gustavo; Grimi, Damián; Machado, Marcos; Bunge, Florencia F; Parody, Betiana; Ramos, Laura; Cortese, Pablo; Vesprini, Facundo; Whelan, Agustina; Araujo, Mónica P; Podworny, Mariano; Cadile, Alejandro; Malacarne, María F

2018-01-01

Evolution of resistance to control measures in insect populations is a natural process, and management practices are intended to delay or mitigate resistance when it occurs. During the 2012/13 season the first reports of unexpected damage by Diatraea saccharalis on some Bt maize hybrids occurred in the northeast of San Luis province, Argentina. The affected Bt technologies were Herculex I® (HX-TC1507) and VT3PRO® (MON 89034 × MON 88017 * ). Event TC1507 expresses Cry1F and event MON 89034 expresses Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2, whichr are all Bt proteins with activity against the lepidopterans D. saccharalis and Spodoptera frugiperda (MON 88017 expresses the protein Cry3Bb1 for control of coleopteran insects and the enzyme CP4EPSPS for glyphosate tolerance). The affected area is an isolated region surrounded by sierra systems to the northeast and west, with a hot semi-arid climate, long frost-free period, warm winters, hot dry summers, and woody shrubs as native flora. To manage and mitigate the development of resistance, joint actions were taken by the industry, growers and Governmental Agencies. Hybrids expressing Vip3A protein (event MIR162) and/or Cry1Ab protein (events MON 810 and Bt11) as single or stacked events are used in early plantings to control the first generations of D. saccharalis , and in later plantings date's technologies with good control of S. frugiperda . A commitment was made to plant the refuge, and pest damage is monitored. As a result, maize production in the area is sustainable and profitable with yields above the average.

Management of Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Maize in Argentina: A Multi-Institutional Approach

PubMed Central

Signorini, Ana M.; Abratti, Gustavo; Grimi, Damián; Machado, Marcos; Bunge, Florencia F.; Parody, Betiana; Ramos, Laura; Cortese, Pablo; Vesprini, Facundo; Whelan, Agustina; Araujo, Mónica P.; Podworny, Mariano; Cadile, Alejandro; Malacarne, María F.

2018-01-01

Evolution of resistance to control measures in insect populations is a natural process, and management practices are intended to delay or mitigate resistance when it occurs. During the 2012/13 season the first reports of unexpected damage by Diatraea saccharalis on some Bt maize hybrids occurred in the northeast of San Luis province, Argentina. The affected Bt technologies were Herculex I® (HX-TC1507) and VT3PRO® (MON 89034 × MON 88017*). Event TC1507 expresses Cry1F and event MON 89034 expresses Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2, whichr are all Bt proteins with activity against the lepidopterans D. saccharalis and Spodoptera frugiperda (MON 88017 expresses the protein Cry3Bb1 for control of coleopteran insects and the enzyme CP4EPSPS for glyphosate tolerance). The affected area is an isolated region surrounded by sierra systems to the northeast and west, with a hot semi-arid climate, long frost-free period, warm winters, hot dry summers, and woody shrubs as native flora. To manage and mitigate the development of resistance, joint actions were taken by the industry, growers and Governmental Agencies. Hybrids expressing Vip3A protein (event MIR162) and/or Cry1Ab protein (events MON 810 and Bt11) as single or stacked events are used in early plantings to control the first generations of D. saccharalis, and in later plantings date's technologies with good control of S. frugiperda. A commitment was made to plant the refuge, and pest damage is monitored. As a result, maize production in the area is sustainable and profitable with yields above the average. PMID:29888224

Ecological risk assessment for DvSnf7 RNA: A plant-incorporated protectant with targeted activity against western corn rootworm.

PubMed

Bachman, Pamela M; Huizinga, Kristin M; Jensen, Peter D; Mueller, Geoffrey; Tan, Jianguo; Uffman, Joshua P; Levine, Steven L

2016-11-01

MON 87411 maize, which expresses DvSnf7 RNA, was developed to provide an additional mode of action to confer protection against corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.). A critical step in the registration of a genetically engineered crop with an insecticidal trait is performing an ecological risk assessment to evaluate the potential for adverse ecological effects. For MON 87411, an assessment plan was developed that met specific protection goals by characterizing the routes and levels of exposure, and testing representative functional taxa that would be directly or indirectly exposed in the environment. The potential for toxicity of DvSnf7 RNA was evaluated with a harmonized battery of non-target organisms (NTOs) that included invertebrate predators, parasitoids, pollinators, soil biota as well as aquatic and terrestrial vertebrate species. Laboratory tests evaluated ecologically relevant endpoints such as survival, growth, development, and reproduction and were of sufficient duration to assess the potential for adverse effects. No adverse effects were observed with any species tested at, or above, the maximum expected environmental concentration (MEEC). All margins of exposure for NTOs were >10-fold the MEEC. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that exposure to DvSnf7 RNA, both directly and indirectly, is safe for NTOs at the expected field exposure levels. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differentiation and Gene Flow among European Populations of Leishmania infantum MON-1

PubMed Central

Kuhls, Katrin; Chicharro, Carmen; Cañavate, Carmen; Cortes, Sofia; Campino, Lenea; Haralambous, Christos; Soteriadou, Ketty; Pratlong, Francine; Dedet, Jean-Pierre; Mauricio, Isabel; Miles, Michael; Schaar, Matthias; Ochsenreither, Sebastian; Radtke, Oliver A.; Schönian, Gabriele

2008-01-01

Background Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean region, South America, and China. MON-1 L. infantum is the predominating zymodeme in all endemic regions, both in humans and dogs, the reservoir host. In order to answer important epidemiological questions it is essential to discriminate strains of MON-1. Methodology/Principal Findings We have used a set of 14 microsatellite markers to analyse 141 strains of L. infantum mainly from Spain, Portugal, and Greece of which 107 strains were typed by MLEE as MON-1. The highly variable microsatellites have the potential to discriminate MON-1 strains from other L. infantum zymodemes and even within MON-1 strains. Model- and distance-based analysis detected a considerable amount of structure within European L. infantum. Two major monophyletic groups—MON-1 and non-MON-1—could be distinguished, with non-MON-1 being more polymorphic. Strains of MON-98, 77, and 108 were always part of the MON-1 group. Among MON-1, three geographically determined and genetically differentiated populations could be identified: (1) Greece; (2) Spain islands–Majorca/Ibiza; (3) mainland Portugal/Spain. All four populations showed a predominantly clonal structure; however, there are indications of occasional recombination events and gene flow even between MON-1 and non-MON-1. Sand fly vectors seem to play an important role in sustaining genetic diversity. No correlation was observed between Leishmania genotypes, host specificity, and clinical manifestation. In the case of relapse/re-infection, only re-infections by a strain with a different MLMT profile can be unequivocally identified, since not all strains have individual MLMT profiles. Conclusion In the present study for the first time several key epidemiological questions could be addressed for the MON-1 zymodeme, because of the high discriminatory power of microsatellite markers, thus creating a basis for further epidemiological investigations. PMID:18612461

A simplified and accurate detection of the genetically modified wheat MON71800 with one calibrator plasmid.

PubMed

Kim, Jae-Hwan; Park, Saet-Byul; Roh, Hyo-Jeong; Park, Sunghoon; Shin, Min-Ki; Moon, Gui Im; Hong, Jin-Hwan; Kim, Hae-Yeong

2015-06-01

With the increasing number of genetically modified (GM) events, unauthorized GMO releases into the food market have increased dramatically, and many countries have developed detection tools for them. This study described the qualitative and quantitative detection methods of unauthorized the GM wheat MON71800 with a reference plasmid (pGEM-M71800). The wheat acetyl-CoA carboxylase (acc) gene was used as the endogenous gene. The plasmid pGEM-M71800, which contains both the acc gene and the event-specific target MON71800, was constructed as a positive control for the qualitative and quantitative analyses. The limit of detection in the qualitative PCR assay was approximately 10 copies. In the quantitative PCR assay, the standard deviation and relative standard deviation repeatability values ranged from 0.06 to 0.25 and from 0.23% to 1.12%, respectively. This study supplies a powerful and very simple but accurate detection strategy for unauthorized GM wheat MON71800 that utilizes a single calibrator plasmid. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical evaluation of a noninvasive alarm system for nocturnal hypoglycemia.

PubMed

Skladnev, Victor N; Ghevondian, Nejhdeh; Tarnavskii, Stanislav; Paramalingam, Nirubasini; Jones, Timothy W

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a prototype noninvasive alarm system (HypoMon) for the detection of nocturnal hypoglycemia. A prospective cohort study evaluated an alarm system that included a sensor belt, a radio frequency transmitter for chest belt signals, and a receiver. The receiver incorporated integrated "real-time" algorithms designed to recognize hypoglycemia "signatures" in the physiological parameters monitored by the sensor belt. Fifty-two children and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) participated in this blinded, prospective, in-clinic, overnight study. Participants had a mean age of 16 years (standard deviation 2.1, range 12-20 years) and were asked to follow their normal meal and insulin routines for the day of the study. Participants had physiological parameters monitored overnight by a single HypoMon system. Their BG levels were also monitored overnight at regular intervals via an intravenous cannula and read on two independent Yellow Springs Instruments analyzers. Hypoglycemia was not induced by any manipulations of diabetes management, rather the subjects were monitored overnight for "natural" occurrences of hypoglycemia. Performance analyses included comparing HypoMon system alarm times with allowed time windows associated with each hypoglycemic event. The primary recognition algorithm in the prototype alarm system performed at a level consistent with expectations based on prior user surveys. The HypoMon system correctly recognized 8 out of the 11 naturally occurring overnight hypoglycemic events and falsely alarmed on 13 out of the remaining 41 normal nights [sensitivity 73% (8/11), specificity 68% (28/41), positive predictive value 38%,negative predictive value 90%]. The prototype HypoMon shows potential as an adjunct method for noninvasive overnight monitoring for hypoglycemia events in young people with T1DM. 2010 Diabetes Technology Society.

Transportable data from non-target arthropod field studies for the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified maize expressing an insecticidal double-stranded RNA.

PubMed

Ahmad, Aqeel; Negri, Ignacio; Oliveira, Wladecir; Brown, Christopher; Asiimwe, Peter; Sammons, Bernard; Horak, Michael; Jiang, Changjian; Carson, David

2016-02-01

As part of an environmental risk assessment, the potential impact of genetically modified (GM) maize MON 87411 on non-target arthropods (NTAs) was evaluated in the field. MON 87411 confers resistance to corn rootworm (CRW; Diabrotica spp.) by expressing an insecticidal double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) transcript and the Cry3Bb1 protein and tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate by producing the CP4 EPSPS protein. Field trials were conducted at 14 sites providing high geographic and environmental diversity within maize production areas from three geographic regions including the U.S., Argentina, and Brazil. MON 87411, the conventional control, and four commercial conventional reference hybrids were evaluated for NTA abundance and damage. Twenty arthropod taxa met minimum abundance criteria for valid statistical analysis. Nine of these taxa occurred in at least two of the three regions and in at least four sites across regions. These nine taxa included: aphid, predatory earwig, lacewing, ladybird beetle, leafhopper, minute pirate bug, parasitic wasp, sap beetle, and spider. In addition to wide regional distribution, these taxa encompass the ecological functions of herbivores, predators and parasitoids in maize agro-ecosystems. Thus, the nine arthropods may serve as representative taxa of maize agro-ecosystems, and thereby support that analysis of relevant data generated in one region can be transportable for the risk assessment of the same or similar GM crop products in another region. Across the 20 taxa analyzed, no statistically significant differences in abundance were detected between MON 87411 and the conventional control for 123 of the 128 individual-site comparisons (96.1%). For the nine widely distributed taxa, no statistically significant differences in abundance were detected between MON 87411 and the conventional control. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were detected between MON 87411 and the conventional control for 53 out of 56 individual-site comparisons (94.6 %) of NTA pest damage to the crop. In each case where a significant difference was observed in arthropod abundance or damage, the mean value for MON 87411 was within the reference range and/or the difference was not consistently observed across collection methods and/or sites. Thus, the differences were not representative of an adverse effect unfamiliar to maize and/or were not indicative of a consistent plant response associated with the GM traits. Results from this study support a conclusion of no adverse environmental impact of MON 87411 on NTAs compared to conventional maize and demonstrate the utility of relevant transportable data across regions for the ERA of GM crops.

Field‐evolved resistance to Bt maize in sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) in Argentina

PubMed Central

Grimi, Damián A; Ramos, María Laura; Machado, Marcos; Ocampo, Federico; Willse, Alan; Martinelli, Samuel; Head, Graham

2018-01-01

Abstract BACKGROUND Maize technologies expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins are widely used in Argentina to control sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius). Unexpected D. saccharalis damage was observed to Bt maize events TC1507 (expressing Cry1F) and MON 89034 × MON 88017 (expressing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2) in an isolated area of San Luis Province. Diatraea saccharalis larvae were sampled from MON 89034 × MON 88017 fields in the area to generate a resistant strain (RR), which was subsequently characterized in plant and diet bioassays. RESULTS Survivorship of the RR strain was high on TC1507 leaf tissue, intermediate on MON 89034 × MON 88017, and low on MON 810 (expressing Cry1Ab). The RR strain had high resistance to Cry1A.105 (186.74‐fold) and no resistance to Cry2Ab2 in diet bioassays. These results indicate resistance to Cry1F and Cry1A.105 (and likely cross‐resistance between them) but not to Cry1Ab or Cry2Ab2. Resistance to MON 89034 × MON 88017 was functionally recessive. Reviews of grower records suggest that resistance initially evolved to Cry1F, conferring cross‐resistance to Cry1A.105, with low refuge compliance as the primary cause. A mitigation plan was implemented in San Luis that included technology rotation, field monitoring, and grower education on best management practices (BMPs) including refuges. CONCLUSION In the affected area, the resistance to Cry1F and Cry1A.105 is being managed effectively through use of MON 89034 × MON 88017 and MON 810 in combination with BMPs, and no spread of resistance to other regions has been observed. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. PMID:29095565

HIV-1 replication in cell lines harboring INI1/hSNF5 mutations.

PubMed

Sorin, Masha; Yung, Eric; Wu, Xuhong; Kalpana, Ganjam V

2006-08-31

INI1/hSNF5 is a cellular protein that directly interacts with HIV-1 integrase (IN). It is specifically incorporated into HIV-1 virions. A dominant negative mutant derived from INI1 inhibits HIV-1 replication. Recent studies indicate that INI1 is associated with pre-integration and reverse transcription complexes that are formed upon viral entry into the target cells. INI1 also is a tumor suppressor, biallelically deleted/mutated in malignant rhabdoid tumors. We have utilized cell lines derived from the rhabdoid tumors, MON and STA-WT1, that harbor either null or truncating mutations of INI1 respectively, to assess the effect of INI1 on HIV-1 replication. We found that while HIV-1 virions produced in 293T cells efficiently transduced MON and STA-WT1 cells, HIV-1 particle production was severely reduced in both of these cells. Reintroduction of INI1 into MON and STA-WT1 significantly enhanced the particle production in both cell lines. HIV-1 particles produced in MON cells were reduced for infectivity, while those produced in STA-WT1 were not. Further analysis indicated the presence of INI1 in those virions produced from STA-WT1 but not from those produced from MON cells. HIV-1 produced in MON cells were defective for synthesis of early and late reverse transcription products in the target cells. Furthermore, virions produced in MON cells were defective for exogenous reverse transcriptase activity carried out using exogenous template, primer and substrate. Our results suggest that INI1-deficient cells exhibit reduced particle production that can be partly enhanced by re-introduction of INI1. Infectivity of HIV-1 produced in some but not all INI1 defective cells, is affected and this defect may correlate to the lack of INI1 and/or some other proteins in these virions. The block in early events of virion produced from MON cells appears to be at the stage of reverse transcription. These studies suggest that presence of INI1 or some other host factor in virions and reverse transcription complexes may be important for early events of HIV-1 replication.

Comparison of three DNA extraction methods for the detection and quantification of GMO in Ecuadorian manufactured food.

PubMed

Pacheco Coello, Ricardo; Pestana Justo, Jorge; Factos Mendoza, Andrés; Santos Ordoñez, Efrén

2017-12-20

In Ecuador, food products need to be labeled if exceeded 0.9% of transgenic content in whole products. For the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), three DNA extraction methods were tested in 35 food products commercialized in Ecuador. Samples with positive amplification of endogenous genes were screened for the presence of the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S-promoter (P35S) and the nopaline synthase-terminator (Tnos). TaqMan™ probes were used for determination of transgenic content of the GTS 40-3-2 and MON810 events through quantitative PCR (qPCR). Twenty-six processed food samples were positive for the P35S alone and eight samples for the Tnos and P35S. Absolute qPCR results indicated that eleven samples were positive for GTS 40-3-2 specific event and two for MON810 specific event. A total of nine samples for events GTS 40-3-2 and MON810 exceeded the umbral allowed of transgenic content in the whole food product with the specific events. Different food products may require different DNA extraction protocols for GMO detection through PCR. Among the three methods tested, the DNeasy mericon food kit DNA extraction method obtained higher proportion of amplified endogenous genes through PCR. Finally, event-specific GMOs were detected in food products in Ecuador.

Annual proxy data from Lago Grande di Monticchio (southern Italy) contributing to chronological constraints and abrupt climatic oscillations between 76 and 112 ka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin-Puertas, C.; Brauer, A.; Wulf, S.; Ott, F.; Lauterbach, S.; Dulski, P.

2014-06-01

We present annual sedimentological proxies and sub-annual element scanner data from the Lago Grande di Monticchio (MON) sediment record for the sequence 76-112 ka, which, combined with the decadal to centennial resolved pollen assemblage, allow a comprehensive reconstruction of six major abrupt cold and relatively humid spells (MON 1-6) in the central Mediterranean during early phase of the last glaciation. These climatic oscillations are defined by intervals of thicker varves and high Ti-counts and coincide with episodes of forest depletion interpreted as cold and wet oscillations. Based on the independent and slightly revised MON-2014 varve chronology (76-112 ka), a detailed comparison with the Greenland ice-core δ18O record (NGRIP) and northern Alps speleothem δ18O data (NALPS) is presented. Based on visual inspection of major changes in the proxy data, MON 2-6 are suggested to correlate with GS 25-20. MON 1 (Woillard event), the first and shortest cooling spell in the Mediterranean after a long phase of stable interglacial conditions, has no counterpart in the Greenland ice core, but coincides with the lowest isotope values at the end of the gradual decrease in δ18O in NGRIP during the second half of the GI 25. MON 3 is the least pronounced cold spell and shows gradual transitions, whereas its NGRIP counterpart GS 24 is characterized by sharp changes in the isotope records. MON 2 and MON 4 are the longest most pronounced oscillations in the MON sediments in good agreement with their counterparts in the ice and spelethem records. The length of MON 4 (correlating with GS 22) support the duration of this stadial proposed by the NALPS timescales and suggests ca. 500 yr longer duration than calculated by GICC05 and AICC2012, which would confirm a~possible underestimation in the ice-core. Absolute dating of the cold spells occurring from 112 to 100 ka (MON 1-3) in the MON-2014 chronology is in good agreement with the GICC05 and NALPS timescales but the younger oscillations (MON 4-6) are ca. 3500 yr younger in Monticchio suggesting a so far not recognized and explicable underestimation of varves within the interstadial interval between MON 3 and MON 4 (corresponding to GI 23-GI 22).

Evolution of the Olympus Mons Caldera, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.; Robinson, Mark S.; Zuber, Maria T.

1990-01-01

Extensive high-resolution (15 to 20 m/pixel) coverage of Olympus Mons volcano permits the investigation of the sequence of events associated with the evolution of the nested summit caldera. The sequence of the intra-caldera events is well illustrated by image data collected on orbits 473S and 474S of Viking Orbiter 1. These data cover both the oldest and youngest portions of the caldera floor. The chronology inferred from the observations is presented which in turn can be interpreted in terms of the internal structure of the volcano (i.e., magma chamber depth and the existence of dikes).

Decomposition rates and residue-colonizing microbial communities of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein Cry3Bb-expressing (Bt) and non-Bt corn hybrids in the field.

PubMed

Xue, Kai; Serohijos, Raquel C; Devare, Medha; Thies, Janice E

2011-02-01

Despite the rapid adoption of crops expressing the insecticidal Cry protein(s) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), public concern continues to mount over the potential environmental impacts. Reduced residue decomposition rates and increased tissue lignin concentrations reported for some Bt corn hybrids have been highlighted recently as they may influence soil carbon dynamics. We assessed the effects of MON863 Bt corn, producing the Cry3Bb protein against the corn rootworm complex, on these aspects and associated decomposer communities by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. Litterbags containing cobs, roots, or stalks plus leaves from Bt and unmodified corn with (non-Bt+I) or without (non-Bt) insecticide applied were placed on the soil surface and at a 10-cm depth in field plots planted with these crop treatments. The litterbags were recovered and analyzed after 3.5, 15.5, and 25 months. No significant effect of treatment (Bt, non-Bt, and non-Bt+I) was observed on initial tissue lignin concentrations, litter decomposition rate, or bacterial decomposer communities. The effect of treatment on fungal decomposer communities was minor, with only 1 of 16 comparisons yielding separation by treatment. Environmental factors (litterbag recovery year, litterbag placement, and plot history) led to significant differences for most measured variables. Combined, these results indicate that the differences detected were driven primarily by environmental factors rather than by any differences between the corn hybrids or the use of tefluthrin. We conclude that the Cry3Bb corn tested in this study is unlikely to affect carbon residence time or turnover in soils receiving these crop residues.

Development and in-house validation of the event-specific polymerase chain reaction detection methods for genetically modified soybean MON89788 based on the cloned integration flanking sequence.

PubMed

Liu, Jia; Guo, Jinchao; Zhang, Haibo; Li, Ning; Yang, Litao; Zhang, Dabing

2009-11-25

Various polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were developed for the execution of genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling policies, of which an event-specific PCR detection method based on the flanking sequence of exogenous integration is the primary trend in GMO detection due to its high specificity. In this study, the 5' and 3' flanking sequences of the exogenous integration of MON89788 soybean were revealed by thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. The event-specific PCR primers and TaqMan probe were designed based upon the revealed 5' flanking sequence, and the qualitative and quantitative PCR assays were established employing these designed primers and probes. In qualitative PCR, the limit of detection (LOD) was about 0.01 ng of genomic DNA corresponding to 10 copies of haploid soybean genomic DNA. In the quantitative PCR assay, the LOD was as low as two haploid genome copies, and the limit of quantification was five haploid genome copies. Furthermore, the developed PCR methods were in-house validated by five researchers, and the validated results indicated that the developed event-specific PCR methods can be used for identification and quantification of MON89788 soybean and its derivates.

Field-evolved resistance to Cry1Ab maize by Spodoptera frugiperda in Brazil.

PubMed

Omoto, Celso; Bernardi, Oderlei; Salmeron, Eloisa; Sorgatto, Rodrigo J; Dourado, Patrick M; Crivellari, Augusto; Carvalho, Renato A; Willse, Alan; Martinelli, Samuel; Head, Graham P

2016-09-01

The first Bt maize in Brazil was launched in 2008 and contained the MON 810 event, which expresses Cry1Ab protein. Although the Cry1Ab dose in MON 810 is not high against fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), MON 810 provided commercial levels of control. To support insect resistance management in Brazil, the baseline and ongoing susceptibility of FAW was examined using protein bioassays, and the level of control and life history parameters of FAW were evaluated on MON 810 maize. Baseline diet overlay assays with Cry1Ab (16 µg cm(-2) ) caused 76.3% mortality to field FAW populations sampled in 2009. Moderate mortality (48.8%) and significant growth inhibition (88.4%) were verified in leaf-disc bioassays. In greenhouse trials, MON 810 had significantly less damage than non-Bt maize. The surviving FAW larvae on MON 810 (22.4%) had a 5.5 day increase in life cycle time and a 24% reduction in population growth rate. Resistance monitoring (2010-2015) showed a significant reduction in Cry1Ab susceptibility of FAW over time. Additionally, a significant reduction in the field efficacy of MON 810 maize against FAW was observed in different regions from crop season 2009 to 2013. The decrease in susceptibility to Cry1Ab was expected, but the specific contributions to this resistance by MON 810 maize cannot be distinguished from cross-resistance to Cry1Ab caused by exposure to Cry1F maize. Technologies combining multiple novel insecticidal traits with no cross-resistance to the current Cry1 proteins and high activity against the same target pests should be pursued in Brazil and similar environments. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Annual proxy data from Lago Grande di Monticchio (southern Italy) between 76 and 112 ka: new chronological constraints and insights on abrupt climatic oscillations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin-Puertas, C.; Brauer, A.; Wulf, S.; Ott, F.; Lauterbach, S.; Dulski, P.

2014-12-01

We present new annual sedimentological proxies and sub-annual element scanner data from the Lago Grande di Monticchio (MON) sediment record for the sequence 76-112 thousand years before present (ka). They are combined with the previously published decadal to centennial resolved pollen assemblage in order to provide a comprehensive reconstruction of six major abrupt stadial spells (MON 1-6) in the central Mediterranean during the early phase of the last glaciation. These climatic oscillations are defined by intervals of thicker varves and high Ti-counts and coincide with episodes of forest depletion interpreted as Mediterranean stadial conditions (cold winter/dry summer). Our chronology, labelled as MON-2014, has been updated for the study interval by tephrochronology and repeated and more precise varve counts and is independent from ice-core and speleothem chronologies. The high-resolution Monticchio data then have been compared in detail with the Greenland ice-core δ18O record (NorthGRIP) and the northern Alps speleothem δ18Ocalcite data (NALPS). Based on visual inspection of major changes in the proxy data, MON 2-6 are suggested to correlate with Greenland stadials (GS) 25-20. MON 1 (Woillard event), the first and shortest cooling spell in the Mediterranean after a long phase of stable interglacial conditions, has no counterpart in the Greenland ice core, but coincides with the lowest isotope values at the end of the gradual decrease in δ18Oice in NorthGRIP during the second half of the Greenland interstadial (GI) 25. MON 3 is the least pronounced cold spell and shows gradual transitions, whereas its NorthGRIP counterpart GS 24 is characterized by sharp changes in the isotope records. MON 2 and MON 4 are the longest and most pronounced oscillations in the MON sediments in good agreement with their counterparts identified in the ice and spelethem records. The length of MON 4 (correlating with GS 22) supports the duration of stadial proposed by the NALPS timescales and suggests ca. 500 year longer duration than calculated by the ice-core chronologies GICC05modelext and AICC2012. Absolute dating of the cold spells provided by the MON-2014 chronology shows good agreement among the MON-2014, the GICC05modelext and the NALPS timescales for the period between 112 and 100 ka. In contrast, the MON-2014 varve chronology dates the oscillations MON 4 to MON 6 (92-76 ka) as ca. 3500 years older than the most likely corresponding stadials GS 22 to GS 20 by the other chronologies.

Girl's 24" bike | News

Science.gov Websites

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Intelligent MONitoring System for antiviral pharmacotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (SiMON-VC).

PubMed

Margusino-Framiñán, Luis; Cid-Silva, Purificación; Mena-de-Cea, Álvaro; Sanclaudio-Luhía, Ana Isabel; Castro-Castro, José Antonio; Vázquez-González, Guillermo; Martín-Herranz, Isabel

2017-01-01

Two out of six strategic axes of pharmaceutical care in our hospital are quality and safety of care, and the incorporation of information technologies. Based on this, an information system was developed in the outpatient setting for pharmaceutical care of patients with chronic hepatitis C, SiMON-VC, which would improve the quality and safety of their pharmacotherapy. The objective of this paper is to describe requirements, structure and features of Si- MON-VC. Requirements demanded were that the information system would enter automatically all critical data from electronic clinical records at each of the visits to the Outpatient Pharmacy Unit, allowing the generation of events and alerts, documenting the pharmaceutical care provided, and allowing the use of data for research purposes. In order to meet these requirements, 5 sections were structured for each patient in SiMON-VC: Main Record, Events, Notes, Monitoring Graphs and Tables, and Follow-up. Each section presents a number of tabs with those coded data needed to monitor patients in the outpatient unit. The system automatically generates alerts for assisted prescription validation, efficacy and safety of using antivirals for the treatment of this disease. It features a completely versatile Indicator Control Panel, where temporary monitoring standards and alerts can be set. It allows the generation of reports, and their export to the electronic clinical record. It also allows data to be exported to the usual operating systems, through Big Data and Business Intelligence. Summing up, we can state that SiMON-VC improves the quality of pharmaceutical care provided in the outpatient pharmacy unit to patients with chronic hepatitis C, increasing the safety of antiviral therapy. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Comparisons of Transcriptional Profiles of Gut Genes between Cry1Ab-Resistant and Susceptible Strains of Ostrinia nubilalis Revealed Genes Possibly Related to the Adaptation of Resistant Larvae to Transgenic Cry1Ab Corn.

PubMed

Yao, Jianxiu; Zhu, Yu-Cheng; Lu, Nanyan; Buschman, Lawrent L; Zhu, Kun Yan

2017-01-30

A microarray developed on the basis of 2895 unique transcripts from larval gut was used to compare gut gene expression profiles between a laboratory-selected Cry1Ab-resistant (R) strain and its isoline susceptible (S) strain of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) after the larvae were fed the leaves of transgenic corn (MON810) expressing Cry1Ab or its non-transgenic isoline for 6 h. We revealed 398 gut genes differentially expressed (i.e., either up- or down-regulated genes with expression ratio ≥2.0) in S-strain, but only 264 gut genes differentially expressed in R-strain after being fed transgenic corn leaves. Although the percentages of down-regulated genes among the total number of differentially expressed genes (50% in S-strain and 45% in R-strain) were similar between the R- and S-strains, the expression ratios of down-regulated genes were much higher in S-strain than in R-strain. We revealed that 17 and 9 significantly up- or down-regulated gut genes from S and R-strain, respectively, including serine proteases and aminopeptidases. These genes may be associated with Cry1Ab toxicity by degradation, binding, and cellular defense. Overall, our study suggests enhanced adaptation of Cry1Ab-resistant larvae on transgenic Cry1Ab corn as revealed by lower number and lower ratios of differentially expressed genes in R-strain than in S-strain of O. nubilalis.

Users Center closed May 2, 3, and 4 | News

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Monitoring of Bt11 and Bt176 genetically modified maize in food sold commercially in Brazil from 2005 to 2007.

PubMed

Dinon, Andréia Z; Bosco, Kenia T; Arisi, Ana Carolina M

2010-07-01

The first genetically modified (GM) maize lines were approved for trading in Brazil after December 2007 and they were T25, MON810, Bt11, NK603 and GA21. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was employed to monitor the presence of Bt11 and nested PCR was used to detect the presence of Bt176 in 81 maize-derived products (maize flour, corn meal, maize flour flakes and polenta) that were sold in Brazilian market from 2005 to 2007, before the release of GM maize in Brazil. The PCR detection limit for Bt11 was 10 g kg(-1) and for nested PCR of Bt176 it was 1 g kg(-1). All Brazilian samples analyzed showed no positive signal for these GM maize events. Bt11 and Bt176 GM maize lines were not detected by specific PCR in 81 maize-derived food samples sold in Brazil from 2005 to 2007, before the commercial release of GM maize in Brazil. These Brazilian food industries were in compliance with the rules stipulated by the current legislation with respect to consumer requirements about GMO labeling.

Evaluation of broiler performance when fed Roundup-Ready wheat (event MON 71800), control, and commercial wheat varieties.

PubMed

Kan, C A; Hartnell, G F

2004-08-01

We evaluated the nutritional value of broiler diets containing approximately 40% wheat grain from Roundup Ready wheat (MON 71800), its similar nontransgenic control (MON 71900), or reference commercial wheat varieties. The feeding trial lasted 40 d, and each treatment consisted of 10 replicates of 1-d-old Ross 308 broilers (5 pens of males and 5 pens of females). Each pen contained 12 birds, and at d 13 birds were randomly removed until 9 birds remained. Body weight and feed intake were measured on pen basis at 40 d. At d 41, four broilers per pen were slaughtered. The carcasses were dissected, and cut-up yields were determined. Dry matter, protein, and fat contents of breast meat were determined. The data were analyzed by an ANOVA procedure. The BW and feed conversion at d 40 averaged 2,450 g and 1.52, respectively. There were no significant treatment x sex interactions, except for evisceration yield with significant differences (P < 0.05) in yield between birds fed 2 commercial wheat varieties. Data for final BW, feed conversion, carcass yield, and breast meat were not statistically different (P < 0.05) between broilers fed MON 71800 or MON 71900 or the population of birds fed commercial wheat varieties, except a lower carcass yield at d 41 for birds fed the nontransgenic control wheat. Thus MON 71800 was nutritionally equivalent to nongenetically modified wheat varieties when fed to broilers.

Corn rootworm-active RNA DvSnf7: Repeat dose oral toxicology assessment in support of human and mammalian safety.

PubMed

Petrick, Jay S; Frierdich, Gregory E; Carleton, Stephanie M; Kessenich, Colton R; Silvanovich, Andre; Zhang, Yuanji; Koch, Michael S

2016-11-01

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed and commercialized that utilize double stranded RNAs (dsRNA) to suppress a target gene(s), producing virus resistance, nutritional and quality traits. MON 87411 is a GM maize variety that leverages dsRNAs to selectively control corn rootworm through production of a 240 base pair (bp) dsRNA fragment targeting for suppression the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) Snf7 gene (DvSnf7). A bioinformatics assessment found that endogenous corn small RNAs matched ∼450 to 2300 unique RNA transcripts that likely code for proteins in rat, mouse, and human, demonstrating safe dsRNA consumption by mammals. Mice were administered DvSnf7 RNA (968 nucleotides, including the 240 bp DvSnf7 dsRNA) at 1, 10, or 100 mg/kg by oral gavage in a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study. No treatment-related effects were observed in body weights, food consumption, clinical observations, clinical chemistry, hematology, gross pathology, or histopathology endpoints. Therefore, the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for DvSnf7 RNA was 100 mg/kg, the highest dose tested. These results demonstrate that dsRNA for insect control does not produce adverse health effects in mammals at oral doses millions to billions of times higher than anticipated human exposures and therefore poses negligible risk to mammals. Copyright © 2016 Monsanto Company. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts of deeply eroded Hawaiian basaltic shields: A structural analog for large Martian volcanoes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knight, Michael D.; Walker, G. P. L.; Mouginis-Mark, P. J.; Rowland, Scott K.

1988-01-01

Recently derived morphologic evidence suggests that intrusive events have not only influenced the growth of young shield volcanoes on Mars but also the distribution of volatiles surrounding these volcanoes: in addition to rift zones and flank eruptions on Arsia Mons and Pavonis Mons, melt water channels were identified to the northwest of Hecates Tholus, to the south of Hadriaca Patera, and to the SE of Olympus Mons. Melt water release could be the surface expression of tectonic deformation of the region or, potentially, intrusive events associated with dike emplacement from each of these volcanoes. In this study the structural properties of Hawaiian shield volcanoes were studied where subaerial erosion has removed a sufficient amount of the surface to enable a direct investigation of the internal structure of the volcanoes. The field investigation of dike morphology and magma flow characteristics for several volcanoes in Hawaii is reported. A comprehensive investigation was made of the Koolau dike complex that passes through the summit caldera. A study of two other dissected Hawaiian volcanoes, namely Waianae and East Molokai, was commenced. The goal is not only to understand the emplacement process and magma flow within these terrestrial dikes, but also to explore the possible role that intrusive events may have played in volcano growth and the distribution of melt water release on Mars.

Internuclear Genetic Transfer in Vegetative Dikaryons of SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE: I. Di-Mon Mating Analysis

PubMed Central

Leonard, Thomas J.; Dick, Stanley; Gaber, Richard F.

1978-01-01

A series of hemi-compatible dikaryon x monokaryon (di-mon) matings was designed to determine whether there was any genetic interaction between the dikaryotic nuclei. One of the nuclei in each dikaryon was known to carry a recessive gene (mnd) that promoted the development of an abnormal growth form, mound. Dikaryons containing both mnd + and mnd nuclei produced mosaic colonies that consisted of three distinct kinds of hyphae: mound, fruiting body, and vegetative (devoid of any multihyphal structure). When dikaryotic hyphae from each of these morphological regions were used in di-mon matings, the genetic and developmental characteristics of the selected nuclear types were examined in the resulting derived dikaryons. The results showed that fruiting-body and vegetative cells contained the expected mnd and mnd+ nuclei. Dikaryotic mound hyphae, however, contained only mnd nuclei. In a manner as yet unresolved, but clearly dependent on the presence of the mnd allele, the mnd + allele of a wild nucleus was altered to, or acquired, the mnd allele. A number of hypotheses were considered to explain the genetic event(s) that generates [mnd + mnd*] dikaryotic cells from [mnd+ + mnd] cells, but none was found to be entirely satisfactory. PMID:17248788

3D-nanostructured Au electrodes for the event-specific detection of MON810 transgenic maize.

PubMed

Fátima Barroso, M; Freitas, Maria; Oliveira, M Beatriz P P; de-Los-Santos-Álvarez, Noemí; Lobo-Castañón, María Jesús; Delerue-Matos, Cristina

2015-03-01

In the present work, the development of a genosensor for the event-specific detection of MON810 transgenic maize is proposed. Taking advantage of nanostructuration, a cost-effective three dimensional electrode was fabricated and a ternary monolayer containing a dithiol, a monothiol and the thiolated capture probe was optimized to minimize the unspecific signals. A sandwich format assay was selected as a way of precluding inefficient hybridization associated with stable secondary target structures. A comparison between the analytical performance of the Au nanostructured electrodes and commercially available screen-printed electrodes highlighted the superior performance of the nanostructured ones. Finally, the genosensor was effectively applied to detect the transgenic sequence in real samples, showing its potential for future quantitative analysis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sequence of infilling events in Gale Crater, Mars: Results from morphology, stratigraphy, and mineralogy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Deit, Laetitia; Hauber, Ernst; Fueten, Frank; Pondrelli, Monica; Rossi, Angelo Pio; Jaumann, Ralf

2013-12-01

Crater is filled by sedimentary deposits including a mound of layered deposits, Aeolis Mons. Using orbital data, we mapped the crater infillings and measured their geometry to determine their origin. The sediment of Aeolis Mons is interpreted to be primarily air fall material such as dust, volcanic ash, fine-grained impact products, and possibly snow deposited by settling from the atmosphere, as well as wind-blown sands cemented in the crater center. Unconformity surfaces between the geological units are evidence for depositional hiatuses. Crater floor material deposited around Aeolis Mons and on the crater wall is interpreted to be alluvial and colluvial deposits. Morphologic evidence suggests that a shallow lake existed after the formation of the lowermost part of Aeolis Mons (the Small yardangs unit and the mass-wasting deposits). A suite of several features including patterned ground and possible rock glaciers are suggestive of periglacial processes with a permafrost environment after the first hundreds of thousands of years following its formation, dated to ~3.61 Ga, in the Late Noachian/Early Hesperian. Episodic melting of snow in the crater could have caused the formation of sulfates and clays in Aeolis Mons, the formation of rock glaciers and the incision of deep canyons and valleys along its flanks as well as on the crater wall and rim, and the formation of a lake in the deepest portions of Gale.

Development and interlaboratory validation of quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for screening analysis of genetically modified soybeans.

PubMed

Takabatake, Reona; Onishi, Mari; Koiwa, Tomohiro; Futo, Satoshi; Minegishi, Yasutaka; Akiyama, Hiroshi; Teshima, Reiko; Kurashima, Takeyo; Mano, Junichi; Furui, Satoshi; Kitta, Kazumi

2013-01-01

A novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based quantitative screening method was developed for three genetically modified soybeans: RRS, A2704-12, and MON89788. The 35S promoter (P35S) of cauliflower mosaic virus is introduced into RRS and A2704-12 but not MON89788. We then designed a screening method comprised of the combination of the quantification of P35S and the event-specific quantification of MON89788. The conversion factor (Cf) required to convert the amount of a genetically modified organism (GMO) from a copy number ratio to a weight ratio was determined experimentally. The trueness and precision were evaluated as the bias and reproducibility of relative standard deviation (RSDR), respectively. The determined RSDR values for the method were less than 25% for both targets. We consider that the developed method would be suitable for the simple detection and approximate quantification of GMO.

Interlaboratory transfer of a PCR multiplex method for simultaneous detection of four genetically modified maize lines: Bt11, MON810, T25, and GA21.

PubMed

Hernández, Marta; Rodríguez-Lázaro, David; Zhang, David; Esteve, Teresa; Pla, Maria; Prat, Salomé

2005-05-04

The number of cultured hectares and commercialized genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has increased exponentially in the past 9 years. Governments in many countries have established a policy of labeling all food and feed containing or produced by GMOs. Consequently, versatile, laboratory-transferable GMO detection methods are in increasing demand. Here, we describe a qualitative PCR-based multiplex method for simultaneous detection and identification of four genetically modified maize lines: Bt11, MON810, T25, and GA21. The described system is based on the use of five primers directed to specific sequences in these insertion events. Primers were used in a single optimized multiplex PCR reaction, and sequences of the amplified fragments are reported. The assay allows amplification of the MON810 event from the 35S promoter to the hsp intron yielding a 468 bp amplicon. Amplification of the Bt11 and T25 events from the 35S promoter to the PAT gene yielded two different amplicons of 280 and 177 bp, respectively, whereas amplification of the 5' flanking region of the GA21 gave rise to an amplicon of 72 bp. These fragments are clearly distinguishable in agarose gels and have been reproduced successfully in a different laboratory. Hence, the proposed method comprises a rapid, simple, reliable, and sensitive (down to 0.05%) PCR-based assay, suitable for detection of these four GM maize lines in a single reaction.

Development and in-house validation of the event-specific qualitative and quantitative PCR detection methods for genetically modified cotton MON15985.

PubMed

Jiang, Lingxi; Yang, Litao; Rao, Jun; Guo, Jinchao; Wang, Shu; Liu, Jia; Lee, Seonghun; Zhang, Dabing

2010-02-01

To implement genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling regulations, an event-specific analysis method based on the junction sequence between exogenous integration and host genomic DNA has become the preferential approach for GMO identification and quantification. In this study, specific primers and TaqMan probes based on the revealed 5'-end junction sequence of GM cotton MON15985 were designed, and qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were established employing the designed primers and probes. In the qualitative PCR assay, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.5 g kg(-1) in 100 ng total cotton genomic DNA, corresponding to about 17 copies of haploid cotton genomic DNA, and the LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) for quantitative PCR assay were 10 and 17 copies of haploid cotton genomic DNA, respectively. Furthermore, the developed quantitative PCR assays were validated in-house by five different researchers. Also, five practical samples with known GM contents were quantified using the developed PCR assay in in-house validation, and the bias between the true and quantification values ranged from 2.06% to 12.59%. This study shows that the developed qualitative and quantitative PCR methods are applicable for the identification and quantification of GM cotton MON15985 and its derivates.

High Spatial Resolution Mid-IR Imaging of V838 Monocerotis: Evidence of New Circumstellar Dust Creation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wisniewski, John P.; Clampin, Mark; Bjorkman, Karen S.; Barry, Richard K.

2008-01-01

We report high spatial resolution 11.2 and 18.1 mm imaging of V838 Monocerotis obtained with Gemini Observatory's Michelle instrument in 2007 March. Strong emission is observed from the unresolved stellar core of V838 Mon in our Gemini imagery and is confirmed by Spitzer MIPS 24 micron imaging obtained in 2007 April. The 2007 flux density of the unresolved mid-infrared emission component is approx.2 times brighter than that observed in 2004. No clear change in the net amount of 24 mm extended emission is observed between the 2004 and 2007 epoch Spitzer imagery. We interpret these data as evidence that V838 Mon has experienced a new circumstellar dust creation event. We suggest that this newly created dust has condensed from the expanding ejecta produced from V838 Mon's 2002 outburst events and is most likely clumpy. We speculate that one (or more) of these clumps might have passed through the line of sight in late 2006, producing the brief multiwavelength photometric event reported by H. Bond in 2006 and U. Munari et al. in 2007b. We detect no evidence of extended emission above a level of approx.1 mJy at 11.2 microns and approx.7 mJy at 18.1 microns over radial distances of 1860-93,000 AU (0.3" - 15.0") from the central source. Using the simple assumption that ejecta material expands at a constant velocity of 300-500 km/s, this gap of thermal emission suggests that no significant prior circumstellar dust production events have occurred within the past approx.900-1500 yr.

Midwest Agriculture: A comparison of AVHRR NDVI3g data and crop yields in Corn Belt region of the United States from 1982 to 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glennie, E.; Anyamba, A.; Eastman, R.

2016-12-01

A time series of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images was compared to National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) corn yield data in the Corn Belt of the United States from 1982 to 2014. The relationship between NDVI and crop yields under El Nino, neutral, and La Nina conditions was used to assess 1) the reliability of using NDVI as an indicator of crop productivity, and 2) the response of the Corn Belt to El Nino/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnection effects. First, bi-monthly NDVI data were combined into monthly data using the maximum value compositing technique to reduce cloud contamination and other effects. The most representative seasonal curve of NDVI values over the course of the study period was extracted to define the growing season in the region - May to October. Standardized NDVI anomalies were calculated and averaged to produce a growing season NDVI metrics to represent each Agricultural Statistics Division (ASD) for each year in the study period. The corn yields were detrended in order to remove effects of technological advancements on crop productivity (use of genetically modified seeds, fertilizer, herbicides). Correlation (R) values between the NDVI anomalies and detrended corn yields varied across the Corn Belt, with a maximum of 0.81 and mean of 0.49. While corn is the dominant crop in the region, some inconsistencies between corn yield and NDVI may be accounted for by an increase in soy yield for a given year due to crop rotation practices. The 10 El Nino events and 9 La Nina events that occurred between 1982 and 2014 are not reflected in a consistent manner in NDVI or corn yield data. However, composites of NDVI and crop yields for all El Nino events indicate there is a tendency for higher than normal NDVI and increased corn yields. Conversely, the composite crop yield image for La Nina events shows a slight decrease in productivity.

Response to Kruse-Plass et al. (2017) regarding the risk to non-target lepidopteran larvae exposed to pollen from one or more of three Bt maize events (MON810, Bt11 and 1507).

PubMed

Perry, Joe N; Barberi, Paolo; Bartsch, Detlef; Birch, A N E; Gathmann, Achim; Kiss, Jozsef; Manachini, Barbara; Nuti, Marco; Rauschen, Stefan; Schiemann, Joachim; Schuppener, Mechthild; Sweet, Jeremy; Tebbe, Christoph C; Veronesi, Fabio

2017-01-01

We respond to the paper of Kruse-Plass et al. (Environ Sci Eur 29:12, 2017), published in this journal, regarding the risk to non-target lepidopteran larvae exposed to pollen from one or more of three Bt maize events (MON810, Bt11 and 1507). We emphasise that what is important for environmental risk assessment is not the number of pollen grains per se, but the degree of exposure of a NT lepidopteran larva to Bt protein contained in maize pollen. The main text of this response deals with general issues which Kruse-Plass et al. have failed to understand; more detailed refutations of each of their claims are given in Additional file 1. Valid environmental risk assessment requires direct measurement of pollen on leaves at varying distances outside a source field(s); such measurements reflect the potential exposure experienced by an individual larva on a host plant. There are no new data in the Kruse-Plass et al. paper, or indeed any data directly quantifying pollen on actual host-plant leaves outside a maize field; only data gathered within or at the edge of maize crops were reported. Values quoted by Kruse-Plass et al. for deposition on host plants outside the field were estimates only. We reiterate the severe methodological criticisms made by EFSA [Relevance of a new scientific publication (Hofmann et al. 2016) for previous environmental risk assessment conclusions and risk management recommendations on the cultivation of Bt-maize events MON810, Bt11 and 1507. EFSA Supp Publ; EN-1070, 2016], which render this estimation procedure unreliable. Furthermore, criticisms of EFSA (EFSA J 2015(13):4127, 2015) and of EFSA [Relevance of a new scientific publication (Hofmann et al. 2016) for previous environmental risk assessment conclusions and risk management recommendations on the cultivation of Bt-maize events MON810, Bt11 and 1507. EFSA Supp Publ; EN-1070, 2016] made by Kruse-Plass et al. are shown in Additional file 1 to be without foundation. We therefore consider that there is no valid evidence presented by Kruse-Plass et al. to justify their conclusions.

Susceptibility of Nebraska Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Populations to Bt Corn Events

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Transgenic plants have been widely adopted by growers to manage the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, in field corn. Because of reduced efficacy in some Nebraska fields after repeated use of Cry3Bb1 expressing hybrids, single plant bioassays were conducted in 2012 and 20...

[Effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA in spleen and the contents of serum IL-2, TNF-alpha in menopausal rats].

PubMed

Li, Xiao-Hong; Wang, Hong-Bin; Xu, Li-Li; Song, Xiao-Lin; Zheng, Ling; He, Yu-Wei; Zhang, Lu-Fen

2009-04-01

To observe the influence of preventive acupuncture (PA) and preventive moxibustion (PM) at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the immune function in natural climacteric rats. A total of 160 female SD rats were randomized into control, PA and PM groups, the former one group was further divided into 10 month (mon), 12 mon, 14 mon and 16 mon subgroups, and the later two groups were further divided into 12 mon, 14 mon and 16 mon subgroups, with 16 rats in each. In addition, other 16 female SD rats aged 3.5 mon were used as the young control (YC) group. "Guanyuan" (CV 4) was punctured with an acupuncture needle and the needle was retained for 20 min, or given with one ignited moxa-cone from the age of 10 mon on. The treatment was conducted twice every week, 8 weeks altogether. The expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA of the spleen tissue was detected by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively, and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha contents were assayed by using radio-immunoassay. In comparison with YC group, 1) the expression of spleen HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA increased significantly in 10 mon control (mon-C), 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups, and 14 mon-PA group (only HSP 70 mRNA) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); 2) HSP 70 expression decreased remarkably in 14 mon-C, 16 mon-C and 16 mon-PA groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); 3) IL-2 contents decreased evidently in 12 mon-C and 14 mon-C groups, and TNF-alpha contents increased obviously in 12 mon-PM, 12 mon-PA and 16 mon-C groups (P < 0.05). In comparison with the corresponding same age control groups, HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA expression increased significantly in 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups, 14 mon-PM and 16 mon-PM (HSP 70 only), 14 mon-PA (HSP 70 mRNA only) groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); IL-2 level of 12 mon-PM group, and TNF-alpha contents of 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups increased markedly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between PM and PA groups in most different age groups (P > 0.05). Both preventive acupuncture and preventive moxibustion can upregulate the expression of spleen HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels, which may contribute to their effects in enhancing the immune function in menopausal rats.

Send a wire to robin | News

Science.gov Websites

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Impact of Cry3Bb1-expressing Bt maize on adults of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

PubMed

Meissle, Michael; Hellmich, Richard L; Romeis, Jörg

2011-07-01

Genetically engineered maize producing insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is protected from root damage by corn rootworm larvae. An examination was made to establish whether western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) adults are affected by Cry3Bb1-expressing maize (MON88017) when feeding on above-ground tissue. In laboratory bioassays, adult D. v. virgifera were fed for 7 weeks with silk, leaves or pollen from Bt maize or the corresponding near-isoline. Male, but not female, survival was reduced in the Bt-leaf treatment compared with the control. Female weight was lower when fed Bt maize, and egg production was reduced in the Bt-silk treatment. ELISA measurements demonstrated that beetles feeding on silk were exposed to higher Cry3Bb1 concentrations than beetles collected from Bt-maize fields in the United States. In contrast to silk and pollen, feeding on leaves resulted in high mortality and low fecundity. Females feeding on pollen produced more eggs than on silk. C:N ratios indicated that silk does not provide enough nitrogen for optimal egg production. Direct effects of Cry3Bb1 on adult beetles could explain the observed effects, but varietal differences between Bt and control maize are also possible. The impact of Bt maize on adult populations, however, is likely to be limited. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

76 FR 8707 - Syngenta Seeds, Inc.; Determination of Nonregulated Status for Corn Genetically Engineered To...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-15

... for Corn Genetically Engineered To Produce an Enzyme That Facilitates Ethanol Production AGENCY... event 3272, which has been genetically engineered to produce a microbial enzyme that facilitates ethanol... transformation event 3272, which has been genetically engineered to produce a microbial enzyme that facilitates...

For sale - Whirlpool 40 gal gas water heater | News

Science.gov Websites

newsletter Fermilab news Search Upcoming events May 27 Sun English Country Dancing Kuhn Barn 1:00 pm May 28 Sun English Country Dancing Kuhn Barn 1:00 pm May 28 Mon Memorial Day holiday All day See full

Investigating Mars: Arsia Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-26

The three large aligned Tharsis volcanoes are Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons and Ascreaus Mons (from south to north). There are collapse features on all three volcanoes, on the southwestern and northeastern flanks. This alignment may indicate a large fracture/vent system was responsible for the eruptions that formed all three volcanoes. The flows of originating from Arsia Mons are thought to be the youngest of the region. This VIS image shows part of the northeastern flank of Arsia Mons. The scalloped depression are most likely created by collapse of the roof of lava tubes. Lava tubes originate during eruption event, when the margins of a flow harden around a still flowing lava stream. When an eruption ends these can become hollow tubes within the flow. With time, the roof of the tube may collapse into the empty space below. The tubes are linear, so the collapse of the roof creates a linear depression. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the Tharsis volcanoes. It is 270 miles (450km) in diameter, almost 12 miles (20km) high, and the summit caldera is 72 miles (120km) wide. For comparison, the largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa. From its base on the sea floor, Mauna Loa measures only 6.3 miles high and 75 miles in diameter. A large volcanic crater known as a caldera is located at the summit of all of the Tharsis volcanoes. These calderas are produced by massive volcanic explosions and collapse. The Arsia Mons summit caldera is larger than many volcanoes on Earth. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 9417 Latitude: -7.78798 Longitude: 240.585 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2004-01-28 17:39 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22151

The Tharsis Montes, Mars - Comparison of volcanic and modified landforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimbelman, James R.; Edgett, Kenneth S.

1992-01-01

The three Tharsis Montes shield volcanos, Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons, have broad similarities that have been recognized since the Mariner 9 reconnaissance in 1972. Upon closer examination the volcanos are seen to have significant differences that are due to individual volcanic histories. All three volcanos exhibit the following characteristics: gentle (less than 5 deg) flank slopes, entrants in the northwestern and southeastern flanks that were the source for lavas extending away from each shield, summit caldera(s), and enigmatic lobe-shaped features extending over the plains to the west of each volcano. The three volcanos display different degrees of circumferential graben and trough development in the summit regions, complexity of preserved caldera collapse events, secondary summit-region volcanic construction, and erosion on the lower western flanks due to mass wasting and the processes that formed the large lobe-shaped features. All three lobe-shaped features start at elevations of 10 to 11 km and terminate at 6 km. The complex morphology of the lobe deposits appear to involve some form of catastrophic mass movement followed by effusive and perhaps pyroclastic volcanism.

Midwest agriculture and ENSO: A comparison of AVHRR NDVI3g data and crop yields in the United States Corn Belt from 1982 to 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glennie, Erin; Anyamba, Assaf

2018-06-01

A time series of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data were compared to National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) corn yield data in the United States Corn Belt from 1982 to 2014. The main objectives of the comparison were to assess 1) the consistency of regional Corn Belt responses to El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnection signals, and 2) the reliability of using NDVI as an indicator of crop yield. Regional NDVI values were used to model a seasonal curve and to define the growing season - May to October. Seasonal conditions in each county were represented by NDVI and land surface temperature (LST) composites, and corn yield was represented by average annual bushels produced per acre. Correlation analysis between the NDVI, LST, corn yield, and equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies revealed patterns in land surface dynamics and corn yield, as well as typical impacts of ENSO episodes. It was observed from the study that growing seasons coincident with La Niña events were consistently warmer, but El Niño events did not consistently impact NDVI, temperature, or corn yield data. Moreover, the El Niño and La Niña composite images suggest that impacts vary spatially across the Corn Belt. While corn is the dominant crop in the region, some inconsistencies between corn yield and NDVI may be attributed to soy crops and other background interference. The overall correlation between the total growing season NDVI anomaly and detrended corn yield was 0.61(p = 0.00013), though the strength of the relationship varies across the Corn Belt.

Tectonics and volcanism on Mars: a compared remote sensing analysis with earthly geostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baggio, Paolo; Ancona, M. A.; Callegari, I.; Pinori, S.; Vercellone, S.

1999-12-01

The recent knowledge on Mars' lithosphere evolution does not find yet sufficient analogies with the Earth's tectonic models. The Viking image analysis seems to be even now frequently, rather fragmentary, and do not permits to express any coherent relationships among the different detected phenomena. Therefore, today it is impossible to support any reliable kinematic hypothesis. The Remote-Sensing interpretation is addressed to a Viking image mosaic of the known Tharsis Montes region and particularly focused on the Arsia Mons volcano. Several previously unknown lineaments, not directly linked to volcano-tectonics, were detected. Their mutual relationships recall transcurrent kinematics that could be related to similar geostructural models known in the Earth plate tectonic dynamics. Several concordant relationships between the Arsia Mons volcano and the brittle extensive tectonic features of earthly Etnean district (Sicily, South Italy), interpreted on Landsat TM images, were pointed out. These analogies coupled with the recently confirmed strato- volcano topology of Tharsis Montes (Head and Wilson), the layout distribution of the effusive centers (Arsia, Pavonis and Ascraeus Montes), the new tectonic lineaments and the morphological features, suggest the hypothesis of a plate tectonic volcanic region. The frame could be an example in agreement with the most recent interpretation of Mars (Sleep). A buried circular body, previously incorrectly interpreted as a great landslide event from the western slope of Arsia Mons volcano, seems really to be a more ancient volcanic structure (Arsia Mons Senilis), which location is in evident relation with the interpreted new transcurrent tectonic system.

Development of Assays Using Hexokinase and Phosphoglucomutase Gene Sequences That Distinguish Strains of Leishmania tropica from Different Zymodemes and Microsatellite Clusters and Their Application to Palestinian Foci of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

PubMed Central

Azmi, Kifaya; Schonian, Gabriele; Schnur, Lionel F.; Nasereddin, Abedelmajeed; Ereqat, Suheir; Abdeen, Ziad

2013-01-01

Background/Objectives Palestinian strains of L.tropica characterized by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) fall into two zymodemes, either MON-137 or MON-307. Methodology/Principle Findings Assays employing PCR and subsequent RFLP were applied to sequences found in the Hexokinase (HK) gene, an enzyme that is not used in MLEE, and the Phosphoglucomutase (PGM) gene, an enzyme that is used for MLEE, to see if they would facilitate consigning local strains of L.tropica to either zymodeme MON-137 or zymodeme MON-307. Following amplification and subsequent double digestion with the restriction endonucleases MboI and HaeIII, variation in the restriction patterns of the sequence from the HK gene distinguished strains of L.tropica, L.major and L.infantum and also exposed two genotypes (G) among the strains of L.tropica: HK-LtG1, associated with strains of L.tropica of the zymodemes MON-137 and MON-265, and HK-LtG2, associated with strains of L.tropica of the zymodemes MON-307, MON-288, MON-275 and MON-54. Following amplification and subsequent digestion by the restriction endonuclease MboI, variation in the sequence from the PGM gene also exposed two genotypes among the strains of L.tropica: PGM-G1, associated only with strains of L.tropica of the zymodeme MON-137; and PGM-G2, associated with strains of L.tropica of the zymodemes MON-265, MON-307, MON-288, MON-275 and MON-54, and, also, with six strains of L.major, five of L.infantum and one of L.donovani. The use of the HK and PGM gene sequences enabled distinction the L.tropica strains of the zymodeme MON-137 from those of the zymodeme MON-265. This genotyping system ‘correctly’ identified reference strains of L.tropica of known zymodemal affiliation and also from clinical samples, with a level of sensitivity down to <1 fg in the case of the former and to 1 pg of DNA in the case of the latter. Conclusions/Significance Both assays proved useful for identifying leishmanial parasites in clinical samples without resource to culture and MLEE. PMID:24086789

Investigating Mars: Arsia Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-01-01

The three large aligned Tharsis volcanoes are Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons and Ascreaus Mons (from south to north). There are collapse features on all three volcanoes, on the southwestern and northeastern flanks. This alignment may indicate a large fracture/vent system was responsible for the eruptions that formed all three volcanoes. The flows originating from Arsia Mons are thought to be the youngest of the region. This VIS image shows part of the northeastern flank of Arsia Mons at the summit caldera. In this region the summit caldera does not have a steep margin most likely due to renewed volcanic flows within this region of the caldera. The scalloped depressions at the top of the image are most likely created by collapse of the roof of lava tubes. Lava tubes originate during eruption event, when the margins of a flow harden around a still flowing lava stream. When an eruption ends these can become hollow tubes within the flow. With time, the roof of the tube may collapse into the empty space below. The tubes are linear, so the collapse of the roof creates a linear depression. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the Tharsis volcanoes. It is 270 miles (450km) in diameter, almost 12 miles (20km) high, and the summit caldera is 72 miles (120km) wide. For comparison, the largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa. From its base on the sea floor, Mauna Loa measures only 6.3 miles high and 75 miles in diameter. A large volcanic crater known as a caldera is located at the summit of all of the Tharsis volcanoes. These calderas are produced by massive volcanic explosions and collapse. The Arsia Mons summit caldera is larger than many volcanoes on Earth. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 17716 Latitude: -8.11179 Longitude: 240.245 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2005-12-12 00:29 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22155

Arsia Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

(Released 20 May 2002) The Science This THEMIS visible image shows a portion of the summit region of Arsia Mons, one of the four giant volcanoes in the Tharsis region of Mars. This volcano stands over 20 km above the surrounding plains, and is approximately 450 km in diameter at its base. A large volcanic crater known as a 'caldera' is located at the summit of all of the Tharsis volcanoes. These calderas are produced by massive volcanic explosions and collapse. The Arsia Mons summit caldera alone is over 120 km in diameter, making it larger than many volcanoes on Earth. The THEMIS image shows a portion of the eastern wall of the caldera, revealing the steep walls and linear features associated with the collapse that formed the caldera. The ridge with linear faults that extends from the lower left toward the center right was formed at some stage during a collapse event. Several circular pits are present, and several of these pits appear to have coalesced into a long, unusual trough. These pits and troughs likely formed when lava was removed from beneath them and the overlying surface collapsed. Numerous lava flows can be seen on the floor of the caldera. Many of these flows occurred after the collapse that formed the caldera crater, and have buried many of the pre-existing features. The faulted, pitted ridge appears to have been partially flooded by these lava flows, indicating that the caldera of Arsia Mons has undergone a complex history of numerous events. The wispy bright features throughout the image are water-ice clouds that commonly form over the volcano summits during the early northern spring when this image was acquired. The Story When the Martian volcano Arsia Mons exploded long ago, it sent lava spewing out everywhere. With the removal of this molten material, the volcano then collapsed at its opening (the top of its cone) to form a sunken volcanic crater known as a caldera. You can see it more fully in the context image to the right. The eastern wall of the caldera is the pale white strip running diagonally across the bottom third of the image. By looking at this steep wall and the streaks running down its sides, you can imagine how all of the remaining material rushed down into the void left by expelled magma and ash to form the caldera depression. Numerous lava flows that occurred after the collapse texturize the floor of the caldera, and have buried many of its pre-existing features. These later lava flows might be a little harder to see, because wispy bright features blur this image slightly, giving it an almost marbled, hazy appearance. They are water-ice clouds that typically form over the volcano summits during the early northern spring. What they don't obscure very much is the raised ridge created during the collapse of the volcano's cone (running slightly north of the caldera wall along the same diagonal). Draped across the smoother caldera floor, this pitted ridge has been partially flooded by lava flows, indicating quite a complex history of geologic events has taken place here. Faults cut through the ridge, contributing to its streamer-like appearance. And, in a process somewhat like the formation of the caldera itself, all of the round and oblong pits and troughs in the ridge formed when lava was removed from underneath these areas, and the overlying surface then collapsed. Arsia Mons is one of the four giant Martian volcanoes found in a region called Tharsis. Arsia Mons is about 270 miles wide in diameter at its base, and rises 12 miles high above the surrounding plains. The caldera at its summit is more than 72 miles wide, making it larger than volcanoes on Earth. By comparison, the largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii, which is about 6.3 miles high and 75 miles wide in diameter at its base.

Fumonisin exposure in women linked to inhibition of an enzyme that is a key event in farm and laboratory animal diseases.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a toxic chemical produced by molds. The molds that produce fumonisin are common in corn. Consumption of contaminated corn by farm animals has been shown to be the cause of animal disease. The proximate cause (key event) in the induction of diseases in animals is inhibition of t...

Detection methods for biotech cotton MON 15985 and MON 88913 by PCR.

PubMed

Lee, Seong-Hun; Kim, Jin-Kug; Yi, Bu-Young

2007-05-02

Plants derived through agricultural biotechnology, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), may affect human health and ecological environment. A living GMO is also called a living modified organism (LMO). Biotech cotton is a GMO in food or feed and also an LMO in the environment. Recently, two varieties of biotech cotton, MON 15985 and MON 88913, were developed by Monsanto Co. The detection method is an essential element for the GMO labeling system or LMO management of biotech plants. In this paper, two primer pairs and probes were designed for specific amplification of 116 and 120 bp PCR products from MON 15985 and MON 88913, respectively, with no amplification from any other biotech cotton. Limits of detection of the qualitative method were all 0.05% for MON 15985 and MON 88913. The quantitative method was developed using a TaqMan real-time PCR. A synthetic plasmid, as a reference molecule, was constructed from a taxon-specific DNA sequence of cotton and two construct-specific DNA sequences of MON 15985 and MON 88913. The quantitative method was validated using six samples that contained levels of biotech cotton mixed with conventional cotton ranging from 0.1 to 10.0%. As a result, the biases from the true value and the relative deviations were all within the range of +/-20%. Limits of quantitation of the quantitative method were all 0.1%. Consequently, it is reported that the proposed detection methods were applicable for qualitative and quantitative analyses for biotech cotton MON 15985 and MON 88913.

78 FR 13308 - Monsanto Co.; Availability of Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Dicamba and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-27

... Tolerant Cotton AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: We are... from the Monsanto Company (Monsanto) seeking a determination of nonregulated status of cotton.... Louis, MO, seeking a determination of nonregulated status of cotton designated as event MON 88701, which...

76 FR 37770 - Monsanto Co.; Availability of Petition, Plant Pest Risk Assessment, and Environmental Assessment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-28

...] Monsanto Co.; Availability of Petition, Plant Pest Risk Assessment, and Environmental Assessment for... environmental assessment, or plant pest risk assessment, contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 734-0667; email: cynthia... event MON 87701 is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk. APHIS has also prepared a draft environmental...

Ninety-day oral toxicity studies on two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties in Wistar Han RCC rats (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE).

PubMed

Zeljenková, Dagmar; Ambrušová, Katarína; Bartušová, Mária; Kebis, Anton; Kovrižnych, Jevgenij; Krivošíková, Zora; Kuricová, Miroslava; Líšková, Aurélia; Rollerová, Eva; Spustová, Viera; Szabová, Elena; Tulinská, Jana; Wimmerová, Soňa; Levkut, Mikuláš; Révajová, Viera; Ševčíková, Zuzana; Schmidt, Kerstin; Schmidtke, Jörg; La Paz, Jose Luis; Corujo, Maria; Pla, Maria; Kleter, Gijs A; Kok, Esther J; Sharbati, Jutta; Hanisch, Carlos; Einspanier, Ralf; Adel-Patient, Karine; Wal, Jean-Michel; Spök, Armin; Pöting, Annette; Kohl, Christian; Wilhelm, Ralf; Schiemann, Joachim; Steinberg, Pablo

2014-12-01

The GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence (GRACE; www.grace-fp7.eu ) project is funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme. A key objective of GRACE is to conduct 90-day animal feeding trials, animal studies with an extended time frame as well as analytical, in vitro and in silico studies on genetically modified (GM) maize in order to comparatively evaluate their use in GM plant risk assessment. In the present study, the results of two 90-day feeding trials with two different GM maize MON810 varieties, their near-isogenic non-GM varieties and four additional conventional maize varieties are presented. The feeding trials were performed by taking into account the guidance for such studies published by the EFSA Scientific Committee in 2011 and the OECD Test Guideline 408. The results obtained show that the MON810 maize at a level of up to 33 % in the diet did not induce adverse effects in male and female Wistar Han RCC rats after subchronic exposure, independently of the two different genetic backgrounds of the event.

Simultaneous Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms in a Mixture by Multiplex PCR-Chip Capillary Electrophoresis.

PubMed

Patwardhan, Supriya; Dasari, Srikanth; Bhagavatula, Krishna; Mueller, Steffen; Deepak, Saligrama Adavigowda; Ghosh, Sudip; Basak, Sanjay

2015-01-01

An efficient PCR-based method to trace genetically modified food and feed products is in demand due to regulatory requirements and contaminant issues in India. However, post-PCR detection with conventional methods has limited sensitivity in amplicon separation that is crucial in multiplexing. The study aimed to develop a sensitive post-PCR detection method by using PCR-chip capillary electrophoresis (PCR-CCE) to detect and identify specific genetically modified organisms in their genomic DNA mixture by targeting event-specific nucleotide sequences. Using the PCR-CCE approach, novel multiplex methods were developed to detect MON531 cotton, EH 92-527-1 potato, Bt176 maize, GT73 canola, or GA21 maize simultaneously when their genomic DNAs in mixtures were amplified using their primer mixture. The repeatability RSD (RSDr) of the peak migration time was 0.06 and 3.88% for the MON531 and Bt176, respectively. The RSD (RSDR) of the Cry1Ac peak ranged from 0.12 to 0.40% in multiplex methods. The method was sensitive in resolving amplicon of size difference up to 4 bp. The PCR-CCE method is suitable to detect multiple genetically modified events in a composite DNA sample by tagging their event specific sequences.

[Contamination with genetically modified maize MON863 of processed foods on the market].

PubMed

Ohgiya, Yoko; Sakai, Masaaki; Miyashita, Taeko; Yano, Koichi

2009-06-01

Genetically modified maize MON863 (MON863), which has passed a safety examination in Japan, is commercially cultivated in the United States as a food and a resource for fuel. Maize is an anemophilous flower, which easily hybridizes. However, an official method for quantifying the content of MON863 has not been provided yet in Japan. We here examined MON863 contamination in maize-processed foods that had no labeling indicating of the use of genetically modified maize.From March 2006 to July 2008, we purchased 20 frozen maize products, 8 maize powder products, 7 canned maize products and 4 other maize processed foods. Three primer pairs named MON 863 primer, MON863-1, and M3/M4 for MON863-specific integrated cassette were used for qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A primer pair "SSIIb-3" for starch synthase gene was used to confirm the quality of extracted DNA. The starch synthase gene was detected in all samples. In qualitative tests, the MON863-specific fragments were detected in 7 (18%) maize powder products out of the 39 processed foods with all the three primer pairs.We concluded that various maize processed foods on the market were contaminated with MON863. It is important to accumulate further information on MON863 contamination in maize-processed foods that have no label indication of the use of genetically modified maize.

Structural evolution of Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascreus Mons Tharsis region of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crumpler, L. S.; Aubele, J. C.

1978-01-01

Analysis of Viking Orbiter data suggests that Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascreus Mons, three large shield volcanoes of the Tharsis volcanoes of Mars, have had similar evolutionary trends. Arsia Mons appears to have developed in the following sequence: (1) construction of a main shield volcano, (2) outbreak of parasitic eruption centers on the northeast and southwest flanks, (3) volcano-tectonic subsidence of the summit and formation of concentric fractures and grabens, possibly by evacuation of an underlying magma chamber during eruption of copious lavas from parasitic eruption centers on the northeast and southwest flanks, and (4) continued volcanism along a fissure or rift bisecting the main shield, resulting in flooding of the floor of the volcano-tectonic depression and inundation of the northeast and southwest flanks by voluminous lavas locally forming parasitic shields. In terms of this sequence Pavonis Mons has developed to stage (3) and Ascreus Mons has evolved to stage (2). This interpretation is supported by crater frequency-diameter distributions in the 0.1- to 3.0-km diameter range.

Activation Cross-Sections for 14.2 MeV Neutrons on Molybdenum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasa Rao, C. V.; Lakshmana Das, N.; Thirumala Rao, B. V.; Rama Rao, J.

1981-12-01

Using the activation method, the cross-section for the following reactions on molybdenum were measured employing the mixed powder technique and Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectroscopy: 94Mo(n, 2n)93mMo, 3.5 ± 0.5 mbarn; 92Mo(n, 2n)91mMo, 19 ± 3 mbarn; 92Mo(n, 2n)91m+gMo, 226 ± 11 mbarn; 100Mo(n, p)100m2Nb, 9 ± 1 mbarn; 98Mo(n, p)98Nb, 10 ± 1 mbarn; 97Mo(n, p)97mNb, 5 ± 1 mbarn; 96Mo(n, p)96Nb, 12 ± 2 mbarn; 92Mo(n, α)89mZr, 2.1 ± 0.5 mbarn; and 92Mo(n, α)89m+gZr 24 ± 6 mbarn; the neutron energy was 14.2 ± 0.2 MeV. The experimental cross-sections were compared with the predictions of evaporation model and of different versions of pre-equilibrium model. The master equation approach appears to give satisfactory results.

Metabolism of early-lactation dairy cows as affected by dietary starch and monensin supplementation.

PubMed

McCarthy, M M; Yasui, T; Ryan, C M; Pelton, S H; Mechor, G D; Overton, T R

2015-05-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary starch content and monensin (MON) on metabolism of dairy cows during early lactation. Before parturition, primiparous (n=21) and multiparous (n=49) Holstein cows were fed a common controlled-energy close-up diet with a daily topdress of either 0 or 400mg/d monensin. From d 1 to 21 postpartum, cows were fed a high-starch (HS; 26.2% starch, 34.3% neutral detergent fiber, 22.7% acid detergent fiber, 15.5% crude protein) or low-starch (LS; 21.5% starch, 36.9% neutral detergent fiber, 25.2% acid detergent fiber, 15.4% crude protein) total mixed ration with a daily topdress of either 0mg/d monensin (CON) or 450mg/d monensin (MON), continuing with prepartum topdress assignment. From d 22 through 63 postpartum, all cows were fed HS and continued with the assigned topdress treatment until d 63. Cows fed HS had higher plasma glucose and insulin and lower nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) than cows fed LS during d 1 to 21 postpartum. Cows fed LS had elevated early-lactation β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) compared with cows fed HS. Cows fed HS had greater insulin resistance and increased plasma haptoglobin in the early lactation period. There was no effect of MON on postpartum plasma NEFA. Cows fed MON had higher plasma glucose compared with CON cows, which was driven by a MON × parity interaction in which primiparous cows fed MON had greater plasma glucose concentrations than cows fed CON. Cows fed MON had lower plasma BHBA compared with CON, which was contributed to by a MON × parity interaction in which primiparous cows fed MON had lower BHBA concentrations than CON. Starch treatment had no effect on overall liver triglyceride content. Primiparous cows fed MON had increased liver triglyceride content compared with CON primiparous cows, and multiparous cows fed MON had decreased liver triglyceride content compared with CON cows. Multiparous cows fed LS with MON had higher liver glycogen content than multiparous cows fed the LS without MON, with no effect of MON treatment for multiparous cows fed HS. There was no effect of starch or MON treatment on liver capacity to oxidize propionate to CO2, and effects of starch on gluconeogenesis were not significant. Cows fed MON tended to have greater capacity to convert propionate to glucose than CON. Supplementation with MON increased the ratio of glucose to CO2, which indicated that cows fed MON had a greater propensity to convert propionate to glucose. Overall, cows fed more propiogenic diets in early lactation (high starch or monensin) exhibited improved energy metabolism during early lactation. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High Susceptibility to Cry1Ac and Low Resistance Allele Frequency Reduce the Risk of Resistance of Helicoverpa armigers to Bt Soybean in Brazil.

PubMed

Dourado, Patrick M; Bacalhau, Fabiana B; Amado, Douglas; Carvalho, Renato A; Martinelli, Samuel; Head, Graham P; Omoto, Celso

2016-01-01

The Old World bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), was recently introduced into Brazil, where it has caused extensive damage to cotton and soybean crops. MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean, which expresses the Bt protein Cry1Ac, was recently deployed in Brazil, providing high levels of control against H. armigera. To assess the risk of resistance to the Cry1Ac protein expressed by MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean in Brazil, we conducted studies to evaluate the baseline susceptibility of H. armigera to Cry1Ac, in planta efficacy including the assessment of the high-dose criterion, and the initial resistance allele frequency based on an F2 screen. The mean Cry1Ac lethal concentration (LC50) ranged from 0.11 to 1.82 μg·mL-1 of diet among all H. armigera field populations collected from crop seasons 2013/14 to 2014/15, which indicated about 16.5-fold variation. MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean exhibited a high level of efficacy against H. armigera and most likely met the high dose criterion against this target species in leaf tissue dilution bioassays up to 50 times. A total of 212 F2 family lines of H. armigera were established from field collections sampled from seven locations across Brazil and were screened for the presence of MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean resistance alleles. None of the 212 families survived on MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean leaf tissue (estimated allele frequency = 0.0011). The responses of H. armigera to Cry1Ac protein, high susceptibility to MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean, and low frequency of resistance alleles across the main soybean-producing regions support the assumptions of a high-dose/refuge strategy. However, maintenance of reasonable compliance with the refuge recommendation will be essential to delay the evolution of resistance in H. armigera to MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean in Brazil.

Performance of lactating dairy cows fed corn as whole plant silage and grain produced from genetically modified corn containing event DAS-59122-7 compared to a nontransgenic, near-isogenic control.

PubMed

Brouk, M J; Cvetkovic, B; Rice, D W; Smith, B L; Hinds, M A; Owens, F N; Iiams, C; Sauber, T E

2011-04-01

The nutritional equivalency of grain plus whole plant silage from genetically modified corn plants containing the DAS-59122-7 (59122) event expressing the Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 proteins to grain and silage from a near-isogenic corn hybrid without this trait (control) was assessed using lactating dairy cows. Corn plants with event 59122 are resistant to western corn rootworm and tolerant to the herbicide active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium. Effects on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition were determined. The 59122 grain and the control grain were produced in 2005 from isolated plots in Richland, Iowa. Whole plant corn silage for the 59122 and control treatments were grown in isolated plots at the Kansas State University Dairy Center and ensiled in Ag-Bags. Thirty lactating Holstein cows blocked by lactation number, day of lactation, and previous energy-corrected milk production were used in a switchback design. All cows were fed diets that contained 22.7% grain plus 21.3% whole plant silage from either the 59122 or the control hybrid, in addition to 21% wet corn gluten feed, 12.3% protein mix, 8.0% whole cottonseed, and 14.7% alfalfa hay. Each period of the switchback trial included 2 wk for diet adjustment followed by 4 wk for data and sample collection. Milk samples (a.m. and p.m.) collected from 2 consecutive milkings of each collection wk were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-fat, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell count. Percentages of milk fat, protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat were not affected by dietary treatment. Yields of milk, 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, solids-corrected milk, and the concentrations and yields of milk fat, milk protein, milk solids, and milk lactose were not significantly different between treatments. Efficiencies of milk, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and solids-corrected milk production also were not different when cows were fed crops from 59122 than when they were fed the control hybrid. Milk production efficiency averaged 1.48 and 1.50 kg/kg of dry matter intake for cows fed diets containing the control and 59122 corn, respectively. These data indicate that the nutritional value for milk production was not different between a diet containing grain plus whole plant corn silage produced from a 59122 corn hybrid versus a diet containing grain and corn silage from its near-isogenic control corn hybrid. Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Discrete Element Simulations of Density-Driven Volcanic Deformation: Applications to Martian Caldera Complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zivney, L. L.; Morgan, J. K.; McGovern, P. J.

2009-12-01

We have carried out 2-D numerical simulations using the discrete element method (DEM) to investigate density-driven deformation in Martian volcanic edifices. Our initial simulations demonstrated that gravitationally-driven settling of a dense, ductile cumulate body within a volcano causes enhanced lateral spreading of the edifice flanks, influencing the overall volcano morphology and generating pronounced summit subsidence. Here, we explore the effects of cumulate bodies and their geometries on the generation of summit calderas, to gain insight into the origin of Martian caldera complexes, in particular the Olympus Mons and Arsia Mons calderas. The Olympus Mons caldera, roughly 80 km in diameter, is composed of several small over-lapping craters with steep walls, thought to be produced by episodic collapse events of multiple shallow magma chambers. The Arsia Mons caldera spans ~130 km across and displays one prominent crater with gently sloping margins, possibly reflecting the collapse of a single magma chamber. Although the depth of the magma chamber is debated, its lateral width is thought to approximate the diameter of the caldera. Our models indicate that cumulate bodies located at shallow depths of <10 km below the edifice surface produce caldera complexes on the order of 80-100 km in width, with increasing cumulate widths producing widening calderas. Narrow cumulate bodies with densities near 4000 kg/m3 produce the deepest calderas (up to ~8 km deep). We conclude that the generation of large Arsia-type calderas may be adequately modeled by the presence of a wide cumulate body found at shallow depths beneath the summit. Although we do not model the multiple magma chamber systems thought to exist beneath the Olympus Mons summit, the closely spaced craters and the small size of the caldera relative to the size of the volcano (~13% of the edifice) suggests that the cumulate body would be narrow; our simulations of a single narrow cumulate body are capable of generating summit subsidence that is similar in dimension to the Olympus Mons caldera. Our findings suggest that cumulate spreading may play a primary role in the long-term development of caldera geometry, although the collapse of magma reservoirs (not modeled here) may cause important short-term changes in caldera structure.

Evaluation of corn grain with the genetically modified input trait DAS-59122-7 fed to growing-finishing pigs.

PubMed

Stein, H H; Rice, D W; Smith, B L; Hinds, M A; Sauber, T E; Pedersen, C; Wulf, D M; Peters, D N

2009-04-01

A growth performance experiment was conducted to assess the feeding value of a double-stacked transgenic corn grain for growing-finishing pigs. The genetically modified corn grain contained event DAS-59122-7, which expresses the Cry34/35Ab1 binary insecticidal protein for the control of corn rootworm. This modified transgenic grain is resistant to western corn rootworm and is also tolerant to herbicides containing the active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium. The modified grain (59122), a nontransgenic near-isoline grain (control corn), and a commercial corn (Pioneer brand hybrid 35P12) were grown in a 2005 production trial in individually isolated plots that were located 201 m apart. A total of 108 pigs were allotted to corn-soybean meal diets containing 1 of the 3 grains as the sole source of corn. There were 3 pigs per pen and 12 replicate pens per treatment. Pigs were fed grower diets from 37 to 60 kg, early finisher diets from 60 to 90 kg, and late finisher diets from 90 to 127 kg. Within each phase, data for ADG, ADFI, and G:F were calculated. At the conclusion of the experiment, pigs were slaughtered and data for carcass quality were collected. Differences between 59122 and the control corn were evaluated, with statistical significance at P<0.05. No differences in ADG, ADFI, or G:F between pigs fed the control corn and pigs fed the modified corn were observed during the grower, early finisher, or late finisher phases. For the entire experimental period, no difference between pigs fed the control and the 59122 corn were observed for final BW (128.9 vs. 127.1 kg), ADG (1.02 vs. 1.00 kg), ADFI (2.88 vs. 2.80 kg), or G:F (0.356 vs. 0.345 kg/kg). Likewise, no differences in dressing percentage (76.48 vs. 76.30%), LM area (49.8 vs. 50.4 cm(2)), 10th-rib back fat (2.20 vs. 2.12 cm), and carcass lean content (52.9 vs. 53.4%) were observed between pigs fed the control and the 59122 corn grain. It was concluded that the nutritional value of the modified transgenic corn grain containing event DAS-59122-7 was similar to that of the nontransgenic near-isoline control.

A Comparison and Analog-Based Analysis of Sinuous Channels on the Rift Aprons of Ascraeus Mons and Pavonis Mons Volcanoes, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, A.; de Wet, A. P.; Bleacher, J. E.; Schierl, Z.; Schwans, B.; Signorella, J.; Judge, S.

2012-03-01

The origin of sinuous channels on the rift aprons of Mars’ Tharsis volcanos is debated. We show that the channels on the flanks of Ascraeus Mons and Pavonis Mons were likely formed by comparable processes, which were probably volcanic in nature.

Randomly Detected Genetically Modified (GM) Maize (Zea mays L.) near a Transport Route Revealed a Fragile 45S rDNA Phenotype

PubMed Central

Waminal, Nomar Espinosa; Ryu, Ki Hyun; Choi, Sun-Hee; Kim, Hyun Hee

2013-01-01

Monitoring of genetically modified (GM) crops has been emphasized to prevent their potential effects on the environment and human health. Monitoring of the inadvertent dispersal of transgenic maize in several fields and transport routes in Korea was carried out by qualitative multiplex PCR, and molecular analyses were conducted to identify the events of the collected GM maize. Cytogenetic investigations through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of the GM maize were performed to check for possible changes in the 45S rDNA cluster because this cluster was reported to be sensitive to replication and transcription stress. Three GM maize kernels were collected from a transport route near Incheon port, Korea, and each was found to contain NK603, stacked MON863 x NK603, and stacked NK603 x MON810 inserts, respectively. Cytogenetic analysis of the GM maize containing the stacked NK603 x MON810 insert revealed two normal compact 5S rDNA signals, but the 45S rDNA showed a fragile phenotype, demonstrating a “beads-on-a-string” fragmentation pattern, which seems to be a consequence of genetic modification. Implications of the 45S rDNA cluster fragility in GM maize are also discussed. PMID:24040165

THEMIS analysis of Olympus Mons' mineralogical makeup

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chase, N. D.

2016-12-01

Olympus Mons is the largest shield volcano in our known solar system. In previous studies, the composition of the basaltic lava flows on Olympus Mons was shown to be similar to the composition of those lava flows of Earth's shield volcanoes. It has been suggested that basalt located near volcanoes contained bacteria living below the surface of the Earth. In this pilot study, the effect of Olympus Mons' aspect (i.e. north- vs. south-facing slope) on its mineral composition was examined. Imagery from Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), onboard the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, were used because Olympus Mons' size and surface roughness hinder rover exploration. After removing transmission errors and performing an atmospheric correction, the THEMIS images were ready to be analyzed via a mineral spectral library. Using Arizona State University's Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) derived mineral spectral library, the images were classified in ENVI. These classifications were verified using ASU's GIS tool, Java Mission-planning and Analysis for Remote Sensing (JMARS) and TES. Results show a significant amount of silicates located throughout the sampled areas of Olympus Mons. The results also show differences in the mineral composition and in the geological features on Olympus Mons' surface. The minerals vanadinite and halloysite were shown to be prevalent on the sampled southern portions of Olympus Mons, but were sparse on the sampled northern portions. Previous studies suggested that the mineral ilmenite, which this study found in high concentrations on the sampled northern portions of Olympus Mons, might serve as a food source for iron-oxidizing and iron-scavenging bacteria. Future research should focus on better understanding these concentrations on Olympus Mons to see if these minerals play a role in the potential bacterial presence on Olympus Mons.

Plant characterization of genetically modified maize hybrids MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3, MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6, and MON-ØØ6Ø3-6: alternatives for maize production in Mexico.

PubMed

Heredia Díaz, Oscar; Aldaba Meza, José Luis; Baltazar, Baltazar M; Bojórquez Bojórquez, Germán; Castro Espinoza, Luciano; Corrales Madrid, José Luis; de la Fuente Martínez, Juan Manuel; Durán Pompa, Héctor Abel; Alonso Escobedo, José; Espinoza Banda, Armando; Garzón Tiznado, José Antonio; González García, Juvencio; Guzmán Rodríguez, José Luis; Madueño Martínez, Jesús Ignacio; Martínez Carrillo, José Luis; Meng, Chen; Quiñones Pando, Francisco Javier; Rosales Robles, Enrique; Ruiz Hernández, Ignacio; Treviño Ramírez, José Elías; Uribe Montes, Hugo Raúl; Zavala García, Francisco

2017-02-01

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) crops is a process to evaluate whether the biotechnology trait(s) in a GM crop may result in increased pest potential or harm to the environment. In this analysis, two GM insect-resistant (IR) herbicide-tolerant maize hybrids (MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3 and MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6) and one herbicide-tolerant GM hybrid (MON-ØØ6Ø3-6) were compared with conventional maize hybrids of similar genetic backgrounds. Two sets of studies, Experimental Phase and Pilot Phase, were conducted across five ecological regions (ecoregions) in Mexico during 2009-2013, and data were subject to meta-analysis. Results from the Experimental Phase studies, which were used for ERA, indicated that the three GM hybrids were not different from conventional maize for early stand count, days-to-silking, days-to-anthesis, root lodging, stalk lodging, or final stand count. Statistically significant differences were observed for seedling vigor, ear height, plant height, grain moisture, and grain yield, particularly in the IR hybrids; however, none of these phenotypic differences are expected to contribute to a biological or ecological change that would result in an increased pest potential or ecological risk when cultivating these GM hybrids. Overall, results from the Experimental Phase studies are consistent with those from other world regions, confirming that there are no additional risks compared to conventional maize. Results from Pilot Phase studies indicated that, compared to conventional maize hybrids, no differences were detected for the agronomic and phenotypic characteristics measured on the three GM maize hybrids, with the exception of grain moisture and grain yield in the IR hybrids. Since MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3 and MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6 confer resistance to target insect pests, they are an alternative for farmers in Mexico to protect the crop from insect damage. Additionally, the herbicide tolerance conferred by all three GM hybrids enables more cost-effective weed management.

77 FR 41359 - Monsanto Co.; Availability of Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Maize...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-13

... article under APHIS' regulations in 7 CFR part 340. As described in the petition, maize event MON 87427... products are considered ``regulated articles.'' The regulations in Sec. 340.6(a) provide that any person... determination that an article should not be regulated under 7 CFR part 340. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of Sec. 340.6...

Northwestern Tharsis Latent Outflow Activity Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dohm, J. M.; Anderson, R. C.; Baker, V. R.; Ferris, J. C.; Hare, T. M.; Strom, R. G.; Rudd, L.; Rice, J. W., Jr.; Scott, D. H.

2000-01-01

Previously defined outflow channels, which are indicated by relict landforms similar to those observed on Earth, signify ancient catastrophic flood events on Mars. These conspicuous geomorphic features are some of the most remarkable yet profound discoveries made by geologists to date. These outflow channels, which debouched tremendous volumes of water into topographic lows such as Chryse, Utopia, Elysium, and Hellas Planitiae, may represent the beginning of warmer and wetter climatic periods unlike the present-day cold and dry Mars. In addition to the previously identified outflow channels, observations permitted by the newly acquired Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data have revealed a system of gigantic valleys, referred to as the northwestern slope valleys (NSV), that are located to the northwest of a huge shield volcano, Arsia Mons, western hemisphere of Mars. These features generally correspond spatially to gravity lows similar to the easternmost, circum-Chryse outflow channel systems. Geologic investigations of the Tharsis region suggest that the large valley system pre-dates the construction of Arsia Mons and its extensive associated lava flows of mainly Late Hesperian and Amazonian age and coincides stratigraphically with the early development of the circum-Chryse outflow channel systems that debouch into Chryse Planitia. This newly identified system, the NSV, potentially signifies the largest flood event(s) ever recorded for the solar system. Additional information is contained in original extended abstract.

Investigating Mars: Arsia Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-01-04

The three large aligned Tharsis volcanoes are Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons and Ascreaus Mons (from south to north). There are collapse features on all three volcanoes, on the southwestern and northeastern flanks. This alignment may indicate a large fracture/vent system was responsible for the eruptions that formed all three volcanoes. This VIS image shows part of the southern flank of Arsia Mons, along the center of the aligned fracture system. The scalloped depressions are most likely created by collapse of the roof of lava tubes. Lava tubes originate during eruption event, when the margins of a flow harden around a still flowing lava stream. When an eruption ends these can become hollow tubes within the flow. With time, the roof of the tube may collapse into the empty space below. The tubes are linear, so the collapse of the roof creates a linear depression. In this region, the complexity of the collapse and faulting has created a unique surface. This region has collapse depressions with floors at a variety of elevations, landslide deposits where material has continued to fall into the depression and depression sizes from small to large. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the Tharsis volcanoes. It is 270 miles (450km) in diameter, almost 12 miles (20km) high, and the summit caldera is 72 miles (120km) wide. For comparison, the largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa. From its base on the sea floor, Mauna Loa measures only 6.3 miles high and 75 miles in diameter. A large volcanic crater known as a caldera is located at the summit of all of the Tharsis volcanoes. These calderas are produced by massive volcanic explosions and collapse. The Arsia Mons summit caldera is larger than many volcanoes on Earth. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 33925 Latitude: -10.6619 Longitude: 239.412 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2009-08-07 16:10 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22158

Radial Features around Irnini Mons, Venus: Implications for Timing of Regional Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buczkowski, D. L.; McGill, G. E.; Cooke, M. L.

2003-12-01

Flows and other deposits from Irnini Mons are superimposed on an older, regional plains material. Wrinkle ridges are generally abundant on this regional plains material and are present in at least two sets: one trending east-west and another concentric to Irnini Mons. Radial features on top of the Irnini flows are mapped as lineations or grabens, as resolution allows. High resolution mapping at 75 m/pixel also reveals ridges radial to Irnini Mons on top of the Irnini flows. These radial ridges are located from approximately N60E to N75E. Radial grabens around a volcano have been explained mathematically, with the magma chamber of a volcano simplistically described as a pressurized hole in an elastic plate. However, magma pressure alone can not explain the presence of radial ridges. The regional east-west trending wrinkle ridges imply a regional north-south compression affecting the Irnini Mons area. The regional stress field around an empty hole in an elastic plate is perturbed close to the hole, although it remains unperturbed at infinity; the change in material properties from the surrounding rock to a magma-filled chamber allows us to consider the chamber as "soft" and thus effectively empty. The perturbation of a uniaxial regional compressive stress around a pressurized hole is such that at angles of 90 and 270 degrees (east-west) the maximum principal stresses close to the hole are compressive, while at angles 0 and 180 degrees (north-south) the maximum principal stresses are tensile. The angle at which maximum principal stresses change from tension to compression depends upon the distance from the hole and the relative magnitudes of magma pressure and the regional compression. While in the simple model resultant stresses would be symmetric around the hole, structural complexities to the south and west of Irnini Mons restrict the predicted pattern of radial ridges as well as grabens to the region northeast of the volcano. Thus, the existence of radial ridges on the Irnini flows implies that the regional north-south compression that caused the east-west trending wrinkle ridges was still active during the formation of Irnini Mons. A rough timeline for events in the region could be: 1) formation of east-west wrinkle ridges on regional plains, 2) formation of graben radial to Irnini due to magma pressure coeval with formation of radial ridges due to a combination of magma pressure and ongoing regional compression, 3) cessation of magma pressure and formation of concentric grabens, and 4) formation of concentric wrinkle ridges, perhaps due to gravitational relaxation of the topographic rise.

A Simple and Sensitive Plant-Based Western Corn Rootworm Bioassay Method for Resistance Determination and Event Selection.

PubMed

Wen, Zhimou; Chen, Jeng Shong

2018-05-26

We report here a simple and sensitive plant-based western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), bioassay method that allows for examination of multiple parameters for both plants and insects in a single experimental setup within a short duration. For plants, injury to roots can be visually examined, fresh root weight can be measured, and expression of trait protein in plant roots can be analyzed. For insects, in addition to survival, larval growth and development can be evaluated in several aspects including body weight gain, body length, and head capsule width. We demonstrated using the method that eCry3.1Ab-expressing 5307 corn was very effective against western corn rootworm by eliciting high mortality and significantly inhibiting larval growth and development. We also validated that the method allowed determination of resistance in an eCry3.1Ab-resistant western corn rootworm strain. While data presented in this paper demonstrate the usefulness of the method for selection of events of protein traits and for determination of resistance in laboratory populations, we envision that the method can be applied in much broader applications.

XMM-Newton Detection of a Delayed X-ray Eruption from V838 Monocerotis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonini, Fabio; Montez, R., Jr.; Kastner, J.; Bond, H. E.; Soker, N.; Tylenda, R.; Starrfield, S.

2010-01-01

The star V838 Mon, discovered undergoing an outburst at the beginning of January 2002, is one of the most enigmatic objects observed in stellar astrophysics in recent decades. We report the XMM-Newton/EPIC detection in 2008 March of a pair of spatially confused X-ray sources in the vicinity of V838 Mon. Spectral/spatial analysis demonstrates the presence of a relatively hard, luminous source that is spatially coincident with V838 Mon itself, and a second, more luminous source located 8'' south of V838 Mon (projected separation 0.2pc if at the 6 kpc distance of V838 Mon). Neither source was detected in a Chandra/ACIS-S observation obtained about one year after outburst. The inferred X-ray luminosity and temperature of the hard source component at the position of V838 Mon, as well as its delayed appearance, appear consistent with a stellar merger scenario for the optical/IR outburst of V838 Mon. Further X-ray observations of V838 Mon are warranted, to confirm the position(s) of the source(s) in the vicinity of V838 Mon and to establish their long- and short-term temporal behavior.This research has been supported via NASA/GSFC XMM/Newton Guest Observer Facility grant NNX08AD91G to RIT (and associated subcontracts to STScI and the University of Arizona).

Metallic MoN layer and its application as anode for lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qiaoxuan; Ma, Jiachen; Lei, Ming; Quhe, Ruge

2018-04-01

Recently, two-dimensional (2D) metallic MoN was manufactured successfully in experiment. Its intrinsic properties remain to be explored theoretically, in depth. The intrinsic properties of a MoN monolayer are investigated by first-principles calculations. The distinct geometric properties of the outermost Mo and N surfaces are discovered. We predict an extremely high work function of 6.3 eV of the N surface, which indicates the great value of the 2D MoN for application in the semiconductor industry. We further explore the potential of 2D MoN as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. It is found that the adsorption energy of a single Li atom on an MoN surface can be as low as -4.04 eV. The small diffusion barriers (0.41 eV) and high theoretical maximum capacity (406 mAh · g-1 with the inclusion of multilayer adsorption) all imply an outstanding lithium-ion battery performance by 2D MoN.

The Spectropolarimetric Evolution of V838 Mon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wisniewski, John P.

2007-01-01

I review photo-polarimetric and spectropolarimetric observations of V838 Mon, which revealed that it had an asymmetrical inner circumstellar envelope following its 2nd photometric outburst. Electron scattering, modified by preor post-scattering H absorption, is the polarizing mechanism in V838 Mon's envelope. The simplest geometry implied by these observations is that of a spheroidal shell, flattened by at least 20% and having a projected position angle on the sky of approx. 37 degrees. Analysis of V838 Mon's polarized flux reveals that this electron scattering shell lies interior to the envelope region in which Halpha and Ca II triplet emission originates. To date, none of the theoretical models proposed for V838 Mon have demonstrated that they can reproduce the evolution of V838 Mon's inner circumstellar environment, as probed by spectropolarimetry.

Using THEMIS and TES to conduct a mineral analysis on Olympus Mons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chase, Nicole Danielle

2016-10-01

Olympus Mons is the largest shield volcano in our known solar system. In previous studies, the composition of the basaltic lava flows on Olympus Mons was shown to be similar to the composition of those lava flows of Earth's shield volcanoes. It has been suggested that basalt located near volcanoes contained bacteria living below the surface of the Earth. In this pilot study, the effect of Olympus Mons' aspect (i.e. north- vs. south-facing slope) on its mineral composition was examined. Imagery from Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), onboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, were used because Olympus Mons' size and surface roughness hinder rover exploration. After removing transmission errors and performing an atmospheric correction, the THEMIS images were ready to be analyzed via a mineral spectral library. Using Arizona State University's Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) derived mineral spectral library, the images were classified in ENVI. These classifications were verified using ASU's GIS tool, Java Mission-planning and Analysis for Remote Sensing (JMARS) and TES. Results show differences in the mineral composition and in the geological features on Olympus Mons' surface. The mineral vanadinite was shown to be prevalent on the sampled southern portions of Olympus Mons, but was sparse on the sampled northern portions. Previous studies suggested that the mineral ilmenite, which this study found in high concentrations on the sampled northern portions of Olympus Mons, might serve as a food source for iron-oxidizing and iron-scavenging bacteria. Future research should focus on better understanding the concentrations of vanadinite and ilmenite on Olympus Mons to see if these minerals have a role in the potential presence of bacteria on Olympus Mons.

Quantitative reconstruction of temperature at a Jōmon site in the Incipient Jōmon Period in northern Japan and its implications for the production of early pottery and stone arrowheads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawahata, Hodaka; Ishizaki, Yui; Kuroyanagi, Azumi; Suzuki, Atsushi; Ohkushi, Ken-ichi

2017-02-01

The first emergence and development of pottery is an important archeological research topic. Climate change and associated ecological changes likely promoted the development of pottery. However, little is known about these environmental factors at the regional scale. Sedimentary Core MD01-2409 was collected off the coast of northern Honshu, Japan, and provided an excellent opportunity to quantitatively estimate temperature using an alkenone proxy. This estimation is based upon the positive correlation between the sea surface temperature (SST) and the atmospheric temperature (AT) near the core collection site. The Jōmon began to produce the earliest pottery found in Japan during this period. This corresponds to a climatic anomaly that could be attributed to one of the global effects of the Heinrich Event I. The event's origin in the northern North Atlantic consequently weakened the Asian Monsoon because the two are linked via atmospheric circulation. Japan experienced its coldest summer (SST of 8.7 °C; AT of 5.2 °C) around 15.68 cal kyr BP; these summer temperatures were approximately 7-11 °C lower than they are currently (∼15.7 °C and ∼16.7 °C), respectively. The summer environment was a little colder than those experienced in the present-day cities of Nemuro and/or Nosappu in Hokkaido. Subsistence in a terrestrial environment would have been difficult for the Jōmon people; however, marine products such as fish and shellfish would have been plentiful. These conditions are consistent with the evidence that the earliest pottery was predominantly used for cooking marine and freshwater resources and increased diversification in the range of aquatic products used. The Bølling-Allerød and pre-Boreal warm Episodes during deglaciation warmed climatic environments and enhanced marine biogenic production. The maximum SST during this period is comparable to the modern SST despite its short duration (of approximately a century or less). Even though the relationship between climate and the appearance of pottery in Japan may not be direct, the earliest pottery and projectile points (stone arrows) in the world are associated with the coldest period that Homo sapiens experienced since arriving in the colder regions of the Japanese archipelago.

Pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of corn silk extract on human colon cancer cell lines.

PubMed

Guo, Hao; Guan, Hong; Yang, Wenqin; Liu, Han; Hou, Huiling; Chen, Xue; Liu, Zhenyan; Zang, Chuangang; Liu, Yuchao; Liu, Jicheng

2017-02-01

Corn silk is an economically and nutritionally significant natural product as it represents a staple food for a large proportion of the world population. This study investigated the anticancer activity of corn silk extract in human colon cancer cells and human gastric cancer cells. Following treatment with corn silk extract, certain apoptosis-related events were observed, including inhibition of cell proliferation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), release of Ca2+ and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol. Our results revealed that corn silk extract inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells and increased the level of apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that corn silk extract upregulated the levels of Bax, cytochrome c , caspase-3 and caspase-9, but downregulated the levels of B-cell lymphoma 2. These results suggest that corn silk extract may induce apoptosis through the mitochondria-mediated pathway.

Effect of increasing monensin sodium levels in diets with virginiamycin on the finishing of Nellore cattle.

PubMed

Benatti, João Marcos B; Alves Neto, João Alexandrino; de Oliveira, Ivanna M; de Resende, Flávio D; Siqueira, Gustavo R

2017-11-01

This study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of monensin sodium (MON) in diets with virginiamycin (VM) on the finishing of feedlot cattle. Two hundred and eighty intact male Nellore cattle (348 ± 32 kg body weight, 22 months) received one of the following five diets: control diet (without additives); diet containing VM (25 mg per kg dry matter) combined with 0 (MON0), 10 (MON10), 20 (MON20) or 30 (MON30) mg MON per kg dry matter. During adaptation (28 days), the MON0 diet increased dietary net energy for maintenance and gain compared to the control diet (P = 0.04). The combination of additives linearly reduced dry matter intake, body weight and average daily gain (P < 0.01). Considering the total study period (110 days), there was a trend of greater net energy intake for maintenance (P = 0.09) and hot carcass weight (P = 0.06) for animals fed MON0 compared to the control diet. The combination of additives linearly reduced dry matter intake (P = 0.04) and linearly increased gain : feed and dietary net energy for maintenance and gain (P < 0.01). The combination of VM with MON at a dose of 30 mg/kg dry matter is recommended for Nellore feedlot cattle because it improves the efficiency of energy utilization. © 2017 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Double-Mutated 5-Enol Pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate Synthase Protein Expressed in MZHG0JG Corn (Zea mays L.) Has No Impact on Toxicological Safety and Nutritional Composition.

PubMed

Matthews, Bethany A; Launis, Karen L; Bauman, Patricia A; Juba, Nicole C

2017-09-27

MZHG0JG corn will offer growers the flexibility to alternate between herbicides with two different modes of action in their weed-management programs, helping to mitigate and manage the evolution of herbicide resistance in weed populations. The proteins conferring herbicide tolerence in MZHG0JG corn, double-mutated 5-enol pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase protein (mEPSPS) and phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), as well as the MZHG0JG corn event, have been assessed by regulatory authorities globally and have been determined to be safe for humans, animals, and the environment. In addition to the safety data available for these proteins, further studies were conducted on MZHG0JG corn to assess levels of mEPSPS as compared to previously registered genetically modified (GM) corn. The results support the conclusion of no impact on toxicological safety or nutritional composition.

Comparison of flank modification on Ascraeus and Arsia Montes volcanoes, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimbelman, James R.

1993-01-01

Geologic mapping of the Tharsis Montes on Mars is in progress as part of the Mars Geologic Mapping Program of NASA. Mapping of the southern flanks of Ascraeus Mons at 1:500,000 scale was undertaken first followed by detailed mapping of Arsia Mons; mapping of Pavonis Mons will begin later this year. Results indicate that each of the Tharsis volcanoes displays unique variations on the general 'theme' of a martian shield volcano. Here we concentrate on the flank characteristics on Ascraeus Mons and Arsia Mons, the northernmost and southernmost of the Tharsis Montes, as illustrative of the most prominent trends.

Preliminary Volcanic Feature Analysis of Olympus Mons and Ascraeus Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohr, K. J.; Williams, D. A.; Garry, W. B.; Bleacher, J. E.

2018-06-01

Geologic mapping has shown similar volcanic features observed on Olympus and Ascraeus Mons. These features are found on the same flanks, suggesting a similar evolutionary process for formation of the edifices.

Pokémon GO and Physical Activity in Asia: Multilevel Study.

PubMed

Ma, Ben D; Ng, Sai Leung; Schwanen, Tim; Zacharias, John; Zhou, Mudi; Kawachi, Ichiro; Sun, Guibo

2018-06-15

Physical activity has long been considered as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Although many efforts have been made to promote physical activity, there is no effective global intervention for physical activity promotion. Some researchers have suggested that Pokémon GO, a location-based augmented reality game, was associated with a short-term increase in players' physical activity on a global scale, but the details are far from clear. The objective of our study was to study the relationship between Pokémon GO use and players' physical activity and how the relationship varies across players with different physical activity levels. We conducted a field study in Hong Kong to investigate if Pokémon GO use was associated with physical activity. Pokémon GO players were asked to report their demographics through a survey; data on their Pokémon GO behaviors and daily walking and running distances were collected from their mobile phones. Participants (n=210) were Hong Kong residents, aged 13 to 65 years, who played Pokémon GO using iPhone 5 or 6 series in 5 selected types of built environment. We measured the participants' average daily walking and running distances over a period of 35 days, from 14 days before to 21 days after game installation. Multilevel modeling was used to identify and examine the predictors (including Pokémon GO behaviors, weather, demographics, and built environment) of the relationship between Pokémon GO use and daily walking and running distances. The average daily walking and running distances increased by 18.1% (0.96 km, approximately 1200 steps) in the 21 days after the participants installed Pokémon GO compared with the average distances over the 14 days before installation (P<.001). However, this association attenuated over time and was estimated to disappear 24 days after game installation. Multilevel models indicated that Pokémon GO had a stronger and more lasting association among the less physically active players compared with the physically active ones (P<.001). Playing Pokémon GO in green space had a significant positive relationship with daily walking and running distances (P=.03). Moreover, our results showed that whether Pokémon GO was played, the number of days played, weather (total rainfall, bright sunshine, mean air temperature, and mean wind speed), and demographics (age, gender, income, education, and body mass index) were associated with daily walking and running distances. Pokémon GO was associated with a short-term increase in the players' daily walking and running distances; this association was especially strong among less physically active participants. Pokémon GO can build new links between humans and green space and encourage people to engage in physical activity. Our results show that location-based augmented reality games, such as Pokémon GO, have the potential to be a global public health intervention tool. ©Ben D Ma, Sai Leung Ng, Tim Schwanen, John Zacharias, Mudi Zhou, Ichiro Kawachi, Guibo Sun. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 15.06.2018.

Mon Océan & Moi : Network and Teamwork to Better Connect People, Science and Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheurle, C.

2016-02-01

The project « mon océan & moi » can be described as a platform hosting several outreach activities. Some of these address non-scientific audiences in an international/national context and are specifically developed to reach out into school environments. The multidisciplinary team composed of senior and early-career scientists, science communicators and facilitators, school teachers and educators etc. shares common objectives based on (net-)work in a participatory way, so as to propose science-based dissemination with a long-term vision as well as to stimulate critical thinking, ideas and exchanges. Within this context, Internet is certainly an extremely useful tool accompanying the manifold efforts to "best" inform and communicate with the targeted audiences. However, it remains challenging to create opportunities for dialogue at the interface of science and education … and to encourage this dialogue to carry on. « mon océan & moi » covers a few successful outreach activities ("adopt a float" and "MEDITES") that involve scientists and teachers as well as students from universities and schools. Encouraged by the local school authority, these activities aim at different educational levels and suggest a continuous "workflow" combined with specific events (such as training courses, science fairs) during which particular contributions are highlighted. As their approach principally favors teamwork, the most positive outcome observed has been the creation of partnerships truly connecting the people …

SiMon: Simulation Monitor for Computational Astrophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xuran Qian, Penny; Cai, Maxwell Xu; Portegies Zwart, Simon; Zhu, Ming

2017-09-01

Scientific discovery via numerical simulations is important in modern astrophysics. This relatively new branch of astrophysics has become possible due to the development of reliable numerical algorithms and the high performance of modern computing technologies. These enable the analysis of large collections of observational data and the acquisition of new data via simulations at unprecedented accuracy and resolution. Ideally, simulations run until they reach some pre-determined termination condition, but often other factors cause extensive numerical approaches to break down at an earlier stage. In those cases, processes tend to be interrupted due to unexpected events in the software or the hardware. In those cases, the scientist handles the interrupt manually, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. We present the Simulation Monitor (SiMon) to automatize the farming of large and extensive simulation processes. Our method is light-weight, it fully automates the entire workflow management, operates concurrently across multiple platforms and can be installed in user space. Inspired by the process of crop farming, we perceive each simulation as a crop in the field and running simulation becomes analogous to growing crops. With the development of SiMon we relax the technical aspects of simulation management. The initial package was developed for extensive parameter searchers in numerical simulations, but it turns out to work equally well for automating the computational processing and reduction of observational data reduction.

Pokémon GO and psychological distress, physical complaints, and work performance among adult workers: a retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Watanabe, Kazuhiro; Kawakami, Norito; Imamura, Kotaro; Inoue, Akiomi; Shimazu, Akihito; Yoshikawa, Toru; Hiro, Hisanori; Asai, Yumi; Odagiri, Yuko; Yoshikawa, Etsuko; Tsutsumi, Akizumi

2017-09-07

The effects of Pokémon GO, a new mobile game application which utilizes augmented reality, on risky behavior and health have already been discussed in anecdotal evidence. However, there have been no studies about its effects on mental health. This study investigated the relationships between Pokémon GO and psychological distress from an existing workers' cohort in Japan. Online surveys were conducted to 3,915 full-time workers, at baseline (Nov 26, 2015-Feb 18, 2016) and at follow-up (Dec 1-4, 2016), using a self-report questionnaire. Pokémon GO players were defined as participants who had played Pokémon GO for one month or longer. Psychological distress was measured using validated scales. Of the completers, 246 (9.7%) had continued to play Pokémon GO. They were significantly younger than non-players. From the results of the general linear modeling, improvement in psychological distress was significantly greater among Pokémon GO players than among non-players (p = 0.025). Cohen's d for the difference in psychological distress was -0.20 (95% CI, -0.33, -0.07). Pokémon GO may be effective for improving psychological distress among workers. Although its effect size is small, the game could have positive effects on the mental health of the adult working population.

Detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms using very short, locked nucleic acid TaqMan probes.

PubMed

Salvi, Sergio; D'Orso, Fabio; Morelli, Giorgio

2008-06-25

Many countries have introduced mandatory labeling requirements on foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based upon the TaqMan probe chemistry has become the method mostly used to support these regulations; moreover, event-specific PCR is the preferred method in GMO detection because of its high specificity based on the flanking sequence of the exogenous integrant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of very short (eight-nucleotide long), locked nucleic acid (LNA) TaqMan probes in 5'-nuclease PCR assays for the detection and quantification of GMOs. Classic TaqMan and LNA TaqMan probes were compared for the analysis of the maize MON810 transgene. The performance of the two types of probes was tested on the maize endogenous reference gene hmga, the CaMV 35S promoter, and the hsp70/cryIA(b) construct as well as for the event-specific 5'-integration junction of MON810, using plasmids as standard reference molecules. The results of our study demonstrate that the LNA 5'-nuclease PCR assays represent a valid and reliable analytical system for the detection and quantification of transgenes. Application of very short LNA TaqMan probes to GMO quantification can simplify the design of 5'-nuclease assays.

The PB2, PA, HA, NP, and NS genes of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/whooper swan/Mongolia/3/2005 (H5N1) are responsible for pathogenicity in ducks

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Wild ducks are the natural hosts of influenza A viruses. Duck influenza, therefore, has been believed inapparent infection with influenza A viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) in chickens. In fact, ducks experimentally infected with an HPAIV strain, A/Hong Kong/483/1997 (H5N1) (HK483), did not show any clinical signs. Another HPAIV strain, A/whooper swan/Mongolia/3/2005 (H5N1) (MON3) isolated from a dead swan, however, caused neurological dysfunction and death in ducks. Method To understand the mechanism whereby MON3 shows high pathogenicity in ducks, HK483, MON3, and twenty-four reassortants generated between these two H5N1 viruses were compared for their pathogenicity in domestic ducks. Results None of the ducks infected with MON3-based single-gene reassortants bearing the PB2, NP, or NS gene segment of HK483 died, and HK483-based single-gene reassortants bearing PB2, NP, or NS genes of MON3 were not pathogenic in ducks, suggesting that multiple gene segments contribute to the pathogenicity of MON3 in ducks. All the ducks infected with the reassortant bearing PB2, PA, HA, NP, and NS gene segments of MON3 died within five days post-inoculation, as did those infected with MON3. Each of the viruses was assessed for replication in ducks three days post-inoculation. MON3 and multi-gene reassortants pathogenic in ducks were recovered from all of the tissues examined and replicated with high titers in the brains and lungs. Conclusion The present results indicate that multigenic factors are responsible for efficient replication of MON3 in ducks. In particular, virus growth in the brain might correlate with neurological dysfunction and the disease severity. PMID:23374292

Familiarity increases the number of remembered Pokémon in visual short-term memory.

PubMed

Xie, Weizhen; Zhang, Weiwei

2017-05-01

Long-term memory (LTM) can influence many aspects of short-term memory (STM), including increased STM span. However, it is unclear whether LTM enhances the quantitative or qualitative aspect of STM. That is, do we retain a larger number of representations or more precise representations in STM for familiar stimuli than unfamiliar stimuli? This study took advantage of participants' prior rich multimedia experience with Pokémon, without investing on laboratory training to examine how prior LTM influenced visual STM. In a Pokémon visual STM change detection task, participants remembered more first-generation Pokémon characters that they were more familiar with than recent-generation Pokémon characters that they were less familiar with. No significant difference in memory quality was found when quantitative and qualitative effects of LTM were isolated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Critically, these effects were absent in participants who were unfamiliar with first-generation Pokémon. Furthermore, several alternative interpretations were ruled out, including general video-gaming experience, subjective Pokémon preference, and verbal encoding. Together, these results demonstrated a strong link between prior stimulus familiarity in LTM and visual STM storage capacity.

No impact of DvSnf7 RNA on honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) adults and larvae in dietary feeding tests.

PubMed

Tan, Jianguo; Levine, Steven L; Bachman, Pamela M; Jensen, Peter D; Mueller, Geoffrey M; Uffman, Joshua P; Meng, Chen; Song, Zihong; Richards, Kathy B; Beevers, Michael H

2016-02-01

The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is the most important managed pollinator species worldwide and plays a critical role in the pollination of a diverse range of economically important crops. This species is important to agriculture and historically has been used as a surrogate species for pollinators to evaluate the potential adverse effects for conventional, biological, and microbial pesticides, as well as for genetically engineered plants that produce pesticidal products. As part of the ecological risk assessment of MON 87411 maize, which expresses a double-stranded RNA targeting the Snf7 ortholog (DvSnf7) in western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), dietary feeding studies with honey bee larvae and adults were conducted. Based on the mode of action of the DvSnf7 RNA in western corn rootworm, the present studies were designed to be of sufficient duration to evaluate the potential for adverse effects on larval survival and development through emergence and adult survival to a significant portion of the adult stage. Testing was conducted at concentrations of DvSnf7 RNA that greatly exceeded environmentally relevant exposure levels based on expression levels in maize pollen. No adverse effects were observed in either larval or adult honey bees at these high exposure levels, providing a large margin of safety between environmental exposure levels and no-observed-adverse-effect levels. © 2015 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Pokémon Go and Exposure to Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How Not to Catch ‘Em All

PubMed Central

Oidtman, Rachel J.; Christofferson, Rebecca C.; ten Bosch, Quirine A.; Espana, Guido; Kraemer, Moritz U. G.; Tatem, Andrew; Barker, Christopher M.; Perkins, T. Alex

2016-01-01

Pokémon Go is a new game that encourages players to venture outdoors and interact with others in the pursuit of virtual Pokémon characters. With more time spent outdoors overall and in sometimes large congregations, Pokémon Go players could inadvertently elevate their risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases when playing in certain areas at certain times of year. Here, we make an initial assessment of the possible scope of this concern in the continental United States, which experiences its highest seasonal transmission of West Nile, Zika, and other viruses during summer and early fall. In particular, we propose that the times of day when many disease-relevant mosquito species are most likely to engage in blood feeding coincide with times of day when Pokémon Go activity is likely to be high, and we note that locations serving as hubs of Pokémon Go activity may in some cases overlap with areas where these mosquitoes are actively engaged in blood feeding. Although the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the continental U.S. is low overall and is unlikely to be impacted significantly by Pokémon Go, it is nonetheless important for Pokémon Go players and others who spend time outdoors engaging in activities such as barbecues and gardening to be aware of these ongoing risks and to take appropriate preventative measures in light of the potential for outdoor activity to modify individual-level risk of exposure. As Pokémon Go and other augmented reality games become available in other parts of the world, similar risks should be assessed in a manner that is consistent with the local epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases in those areas. PMID:28042515

Pokémon Go and Exposure to Mosquito-Borne Diseases: How Not to Catch 'Em All.

PubMed

Oidtman, Rachel J; Christofferson, Rebecca C; Ten Bosch, Quirine A; Espana, Guido; Kraemer, Moritz U G; Tatem, Andrew; Barker, Christopher M; Perkins, T Alex

2016-11-15

Pokémon Go is a new game that encourages players to venture outdoors and interact with others in the pursuit of virtual Pokémon characters. With more time spent outdoors overall and in sometimes large congregations, Pokémon Go players could inadvertently elevate their risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases when playing in certain areas at certain times of year. Here, we make an initial assessment of the possible scope of this concern in the continental United States, which experiences its highest seasonal transmission of West Nile, Zika, and other viruses during summer and early fall. In particular, we propose that the times of day when many disease-relevant mosquito species are most likely to engage in blood feeding coincide with times of day when Pokémon Go activity is likely to be high, and we note that locations serving as hubs of Pokémon Go activity may in some cases overlap with areas where these mosquitoes are actively engaged in blood feeding. Although the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the continental U.S. is low overall and is unlikely to be impacted significantly by Pokémon Go , it is nonetheless important for Pokémon Go players and others who spend time outdoors engaging in activities such as barbecues and gardening to be aware of these ongoing risks and to take appropriate preventative measures in light of the potential for outdoor activity to modify individual-level risk of exposure. As Pokémon Go and other augmented reality games become available in other parts of the world, similar risks should be assessed in a manner that is consistent with the local epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases in those areas.

The Science Behind Pokemon GO

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Piburn, Jesse; Morton, April

Jesse Piburn and April Morton of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Geographic Information Science & Technology Group discuss the science and technology Pokémon GO and how it is used every day to solve real-world problems. (Pokémon GO photos/videos courtesy of Pokémon/Nintendo).

Determination of Monensin in Bovine Tissues: A Bridging Study Comparing the Bioautographic Method (FSIS CLG-MON) with a Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method (OMA 2011.24).

PubMed

Mizinga, Kemmy M; Burnett, Thomas J; Brunelle, Sharon L; Wallace, Michael A; Coleman, Mark R

2018-05-01

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service regulatory method for monensin, Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook CLG-MON, is a semiquantitative bioautographic method adopted in 1991. Official Method of AnalysisSM (OMA) 2011.24, a modern quantitative and confirmatory LC-tandem MS method, uses no chlorinated solvents and has several advantages, including ease of use, ready availability of reagents and materials, shorter run-time, and higher throughput than CLG-MON. Therefore, a bridging study was conducted to support the replacement of method CLG-MON with OMA 2011.24 for regulatory use. Using fortified bovine tissue samples, CLG-MON yielded accuracies of 80-120% in 44 of the 56 samples tested (one sample had no result, six samples had accuracies of >120%, and five samples had accuracies of 40-160%), but the semiquantitative nature of CLG-MON prevented assessment of precision, whereas OMA 2011.24 had accuracies of 88-110% and RSDr of 0.00-15.6%. Incurred residue results corroborated these results, demonstrating improved accuracy (83.3-114%) and good precision (RSDr of 2.6-20.5%) for OMA 2011.24 compared with CLG-MON (accuracy generally within 80-150%, with exceptions). Furthermore, χ2 analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between the two methods. Thus, the microbiological activity of monensin correlated with the determination of monensin A in bovine tissues, and OMA 2011.24 provided improved accuracy and precision over CLG-MON.

Venus - 3D Perspective View of Sapas Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Sapas Mons is displayed in the center of this computer-generated three-dimensional perspective view of the surface of Venus. The viewpoint is located 527 kilometers (327 miles) northwest of Sapas Mons at an elevation of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) above the terrain. Lava flows extend for hundreds of kilometers across the fractured plains shown in the foreground to the base of Sapas Mons. The view is to the southeast with Sapas Mons appearing at the center with Maat Mons located in the background on the horizon. Sapas Mons, a volcano 400 kilometers (248 miles) across and 1.5 kilometers (0.9 mile) high is located at approximately 8 degrees north latitude, 188 degrees east longitude, on the western edge of Atla Regio. Its peak sits at an elevation of 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) above the planet's mean elevation. Sapas Mons is named for a Phoenician goddess. The vertical scale in this perspective has been exaggerated 10 times. Rays cast in a computer intersect the surface to create a three-dimensional perspective view. Simulated color and a digital elevation map developed by the U.S. Geological Survey are used to enhance small-scale structure. The simulated hues are based on color images recorded by the Soviet Venera 13 and 14 spacecraft. The image was produced by the Solar System Visualization project and the Magellan Science team at the JPL Multimission Image Processing Laboratory and is a single frame from a video released at the April 22, 1992 news conference.

Permafrost features on Earth and Mars: Similarities, differences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joens, H. P.

1985-01-01

Typical permafrost features on Earth are polygonal structures, pingos and soli-/gelifluxion features. In areas around the poles and in mountain ranges the precipitation accumulates to inland ice or ice streams. On Mars the same features were identified: polygonal features cover the larger part of the northern lowlands indicating probably an ice wedge-/sand wedge system or desiccation cracks. These features indicate the extend of large mud accumulations which seem to be related to large outflow events of the chaotic terrains. The shore line of this mud accumulation is indicated by a special set of relief types. In some areas large pingo-like hills were identified. In the vicinity of the largest martian volcano, Olympus Mons, the melting of underlying permafrost and/or ground ice led to the downslope sliding of large parts of the primary shield which formed the aureole around Olympus Mons. Glacier-like features are identified along the escarpment which separates the Southern Uplands from the Northern Lowlands.

78 FR 13883 - Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-01

... Status: Excess Comments: 894 sf.; residential; 84+ mons. vacant; repairs needed; asbestos; w/in... Status: Excess Comments: 1,830 sf.; residential; 84+ mons. vacant; major repairs needed; asbestos Dale... Status: Excess Comments: 1,830 sf.; residential; 84+ mons. vacant; major repairs needed; asbestos; w/in...

The Science Behind Pokemon GO

ScienceCinema

Piburn, Jesse; Morton, April

2018-01-16

Jesse Piburn and April Morton of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Geographic Information Science & Technology Group discuss the science and technology Pokémon GO and how it is used every day to solve real-world problems. (Pokémon GO photos/videos courtesy of Pokémon/Nintendo).

A Descriptive Study of Objectively Measured Pokémon GO Playtime in College Students.

PubMed

Fountaine, Charles J; Springer, Emily J; Sward, Jasmine R

2018-01-01

Since its debut in July 2016, Pokémon GO has been a wildly popular mobile gaming app. In contrast to many previous apps, Pokémon GO requires the user to be physically active. However, the extent to which Pokémon GO contributes to physical activity is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity profile of playing Pokémon GO for 60 minutes in recreationally active college students. College students (n=27, n=19 female) were fitted with an accelerometer, pedometer, and heart rate monitor to assess the activity demands during a 60-min bout of Pokémon GO. Troiano accelerometer cut points were utilized to estimate time spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous-intensity physical activity. Of the 60-min allotted playtime, accelerometry indicated 82% was achieved via moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity. Pedometer counts indicated approximately 6000-steps/100-steps/min, indicative of moderate-intensity physical activity. Heart rates were approximately 50% of age-predicted maximum, also indicative of moderate-intensity physical activity. The results of this study provide evidence that playing one hour of Pokémon GO can be an effective means of accumulating recommended levels of daily/weekly physical activity.

A Descriptive Study of Objectively Measured Pokémon GO Playtime in College Students

PubMed Central

FOUNTAINE, CHARLES J.; SPRINGER, EMILY J.; SWARD, JASMINE R.

2018-01-01

Since its debut in July 2016, Pokémon GO has been a wildly popular mobile gaming app. In contrast to many previous apps, Pokémon GO requires the user to be physically active. However, the extent to which Pokémon GO contributes to physical activity is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity profile of playing Pokémon GO for 60 minutes in recreationally active college students. College students (n=27, n=19 female) were fitted with an accelerometer, pedometer, and heart rate monitor to assess the activity demands during a 60-min bout of Pokémon GO. Troiano accelerometer cut points were utilized to estimate time spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous-intensity physical activity. Of the 60-min allotted playtime, accelerometry indicated 82% was achieved via moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity. Pedometer counts indicated approximately 6000-steps/100-steps/min, indicative of moderate-intensity physical activity. Heart rates were approximately 50% of age-predicted maximum, also indicative of moderate-intensity physical activity. The results of this study provide evidence that playing one hour of Pokémon GO can be an effective means of accumulating recommended levels of daily/weekly physical activity. PMID:29541340

Effects of Sucrose Stearate Addition on the Quality Improvement of Ready-To-Eat Samgyetang During Storage at 25℃

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The effects of sucrose stearate at various concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%, w/v) on the physico-chemical characteristics of ready-to-eat (RTE) Samgyetang were investigated during storage at 25℃ for 12 mon. Over the storage duration, the addition of sucrose stearate had no significant effects on the proximate composition of Samgyetang, including meat, broth, and porridge, or the hardness and spreadability of the porridge, although it resulted in significantly higher CIE L* values for the porridge. The CIE L* values of Samgyetang porridge with added sucrose stearate increased until 9 mon, while the control decreased until 6 mon, and the values for both changed insignificantly thereafter. The breast meat of Samgyetang treated with sucrose stearate showed higher percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acid after 3 mon and lower percentages of monounsaturated fatty acid after 6 mon compared to the control (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed with the different sucrose stearate concentrations (p>0.05). The overall sensory acceptability scores were higher at sucrose stearate concentrations of 0.2% or 0.3% after 6 mon and at 0.1% after 9 mon compared to those of the control. PMID:26761503

Venus - 3D Perspective View of Maat Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Maat Mons is displayed in this three-dimensional perspective view of the surface of Venus. The viewpoint is located 560 kilometers (347 miles) north of Maat Mons at an elevation of 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) above the terrain. Lava flows extend for hundreds of kilometers across the fractured plains shown in the foreground, to the base of Maat Mons. The view is to the south with Maat Mons appearing at the center of the image on the horizon. Maat Mons, an 8-kilometer (5 mile) high volcano, is located at approximately 0.9 degrees north latitude, 194.5 degrees east longitude. Maat Mons is named for an Egyptian goddess of truth and justice. Magellan synthetic aperture radar data is combined with radar altimetry to develop a three-dimensional map of the surface. The vertical scale in this perspective has been exaggerated 22.5 times. Rays cast in a computer intersect the surface to create a three-dimensional perspective view. Simulated color and a digital elevation map developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, are used to enhance small-scale structure. The simulated hues are based on color images recorded by the Soviet Venera 13 and 14 spacecraft. The image was produced at the JPL Multimission Image Processing Laboratory.

Eruption history of the Tharsis shield volcanoes, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plescia, J. B.

1993-01-01

The Tharsis Montes volcanoes and Olympus Mons are giant shield volcanoes. Although estimates of their average surface age have been made using crater counts, the length of time required to build the shields has not been considered. Crater counts for the volcanoes indicate the constructs are young; average ages are Amazonian to Hesperian. In relative terms; Arsia Mons is the oldest, Pavonis Mons intermediate, and Ascreaus Mons the youngest of the Tharsis Montes shield; Olympus Mons is the youngest of the group. Depending upon the calibration, absolute ages range from 730 Ma to 3100 Ma for Arsia Mons and 25 Ma to 100 Ma for Olympus Mons. These absolute chronologies are highly model dependent, and indicate only the time surficial volcanism ceased, not the time over which the volcano was built. The problem of estimating the time necessary to build the volcanoes can be attacked in two ways. First, eruption rates from terrestrial and extraterrestrial examples can be used to calculate the required period of time to build the shields. Second, some relation of eruptive activity between the volcanoes can be assumed, such as they all began at a speficic time or they were active sequentially, and calculate the eruptive rate. Volumes of the shield volcanoes were derived from topographic/volume data.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas, P.J.; Squyres, S.W.; Carr, M.H.

On the flanks of Olympus Mons is a series of terraces, concentrically distributed around the caldera. Their morphology and location suggest that they could be thrust faults caused by compressional failure of the cone. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of faulting and the possible influences of the interior structure of Olympus Mons, the authors have constructed a numerical model for elastic stresses within a Martian volcano. In the absence of internal pressurization, the middle slopes of the cone are subjected to compressional stress, appropriate to the formation of thrust faults. These stresses for Olympus Mons are {approximately}250 MPa.more » If a vacant magma chamber is contained within the cone, the region of maximum compressional stress is extended toward the base of the cone. If the magma chamber is pressurized, extensional stresses occur at the summit and on the upper slopes of the cone. For a filled but unpressurized magma chamber, the observed positions of the faults agree well with the calculated region of high compressional stress. Three other volcanoes on Mars, Ascraeus Mons, Arsia Mons, and Pavonis Mons, possess similar terraces. Extending the analysis to other Martian volcanoes, they find that only these three and Olympus Mons have flank stresses that exceed the compressional failure strength of basalt, lending support to the view that the terraces on all four are thrust faults.« less

Examining Motivations to Play Pokémon GO and Their Influence on Perceived Outcomes and Physical Activity

PubMed Central

Alberico, Claudia; Adlakha, Deepti; Hipp, J Aaron

2017-01-01

Background Pokémon GO is the most played augmented reality game in history. With more than 44 million players at the peak of its popularity, the game has sparked interest on its effects on the young population’s health. Objective This pilot study examined motivations to start playing Pokémon GO among a sample of US college students, and how motivations were associated with perceived outcomes of the playing experience and physical activity derived while playing. Methods In November 2016, we asked a sample of 47 US college students (all Pokémon GO players) to complete online surveys and install an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) tool and step counter on their smartphones. The EMA tool prompted a set of questions on playing behavior and physical activity, 3 times per day (12:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 10:00 PM), for 7 days. We used a factorial analysis to identify 3 distinctive groups of players based on their motivations to start playing Pokémon GO. We tested differences across motivation groups related to 5 unique outcomes using 1-way analysis of variance. Results We extracted 3 interpretable factors from the clustering of motivations to start playing Pokémon GO: Pokémon and video game fans (n=26, 55% of the sample), physical activity seekers (n=8, 17%), and curious & social (n=13, 28%). The clusters differed significantly on the enjoyment of different aspects of the game, particularly battling, discovering new places, and meeting new people, as well as differences in agreement that playing improved mood and made them more social. Days when playing Pokémon GO were associated with higher number of steps reported at the end of the day, especially among physical activity seekers, but also for Pokémon and video game fans. All groups perceived traffic as a major threat to playing. Conclusions Days during which Pokémon GO was played were positively associated with a set of beneficial health behaviors, including higher physical activity levels, more socialization, and better mood. Results, however, depended on personal motivations and expectations when joining the game. These results highlight the importance of taking motivation into account when attempting to extract conclusions from the Pokémon GO phenomenon to enhance future exergames’ designs or health interventions. PMID:29066423

Evidence for inhibition of ceramide synthase by fumonisins in maize-based foods: studies in high- and low-exposure communities in Guatemala

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Fumonisins (FB) are found predominantly in corn and corn-based foods. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is the most common FB and causes species-specific diseases in animals including hepto- and nephrotoxicity in rodents and neural tube defects (NTDs; serious birth defects) in mice. The critical event in the mec...

Pokémon Go: An Unexpected Inspiration for Next Generation Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nigaglioni, Irene

2017-01-01

Although mobile applications and games often seem isolating and somewhat stationary, last year's augmented reality (AR) gaming craze Pokémon Go demonstrated how technology has the potential to promote socialization, collaboration, and physical activity while still engaging users. Pokémon Go's use of AR technology, which superimposes…

Sound Symbolic Patterns in Pokémon Names.

PubMed

Kawahara, Shigeto; Noto, Atsushi; Kumagai, Gakuji

2018-04-11

This paper presents a case study of sound symbolism, cases in which certain sounds tend to be associated with particular meanings. We used the corpus of all Japanese Pokémon names available as of October 2016. We tested the effects of voiced obstruents, mora counts, and vowel quality on Pokémon characters' size, weight, strength parameters, and evolution levels. We found that the number of voiced obstruents in Pokémon names correlates positively with size, weight, evolution levels, and general strength parameters, except for speed. We argue that this result is compatible with the frequency code hypothesis of Ohala. The number of moras in Pokémon names correlates positively with size, weight, evolution levels, and all strength parameters. Vowel height is also shown to have an influence on size and weight - Pokémon characters with initial high vowels tend to be smaller and lighter, although the effect size is not very large. Not only does this paper offer a new case study of sound symbolism, it provides evidence that sound symbolism is at work when naming proper nouns. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

On the Determinants and Outcomes of Passion for Playing Pokémon Go

PubMed Central

Orosz, Gábor; Zsila, Ágnes; Vallerand, Robert J.; Böthe, Beáta

2018-01-01

In 2016, Pokémon Go became the most popular smartphone game. Despite the increasing popularity of this augmented reality game, to date, no studies have investigated passion for playing Pokémon Go. On the theoretical basis of the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP), our goal was to investigate the associations between Pokémon Go playing motives, passion, and impulsivity. A total of 621 Pokémon Go players participated in the study (54.9% female; Mage = 22.6 years, SDage = 4.4). It was found that impulsivity was more strongly associated with obsessive passion (OP) than with harmonious passion (HP). HP was associated with adaptive motives (i.e., outdoor activity, social, recreation, and nostalgia), while OP was associated with less adaptive motives (i.e., fantasy, escape, boredom, competition, and coping). Therefore, in line with the DMP, HP and OP for playing Pokémon Go can predict an almost perfectly distinguished set of adaptive or maladaptive playing motives, and OP has a noteworthy relationship with impulsivity as a determinant. PMID:29599735

On the Determinants and Outcomes of Passion for Playing Pokémon Go.

PubMed

Orosz, Gábor; Zsila, Ágnes; Vallerand, Robert J; Böthe, Beáta

2018-01-01

In 2016, Pokémon Go became the most popular smartphone game. Despite the increasing popularity of this augmented reality game, to date, no studies have investigated passion for playing Pokémon Go. On the theoretical basis of the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP), our goal was to investigate the associations between Pokémon Go playing motives, passion, and impulsivity. A total of 621 Pokémon Go players participated in the study (54.9% female; M age = 22.6 years, SD age = 4.4). It was found that impulsivity was more strongly associated with obsessive passion (OP) than with harmonious passion (HP). HP was associated with adaptive motives (i.e., outdoor activity, social, recreation, and nostalgia), while OP was associated with less adaptive motives (i.e., fantasy, escape, boredom, competition, and coping). Therefore, in line with the DMP, HP and OP for playing Pokémon Go can predict an almost perfectly distinguished set of adaptive or maladaptive playing motives, and OP has a noteworthy relationship with impulsivity as a determinant.

The Spectropolarimetric Evolution of V838 Monocerotis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wisniewski, John P.

2006-01-01

I review photo-polarimetric and spectropolarimetric observations of V838 Mon, which revealed that it had an asymmetrical inner circumstellar envelope following its 2nd photometric outburst. Electron scattering, modified by pre- or post-scattering H absorption, is the polarizing mechanism in V838 Mon's envelope. The simplest geometry implied by these observations is that of a spheroidal shell, flattened by at least 10% and having a projected position angle on the sky of approx.37deg. Analysis of V838 Mon's polarized flux reveals that this electron scattering shell lies interior to the envelope region in which Ha and Ca I1 triplet emission originates. To date, none of the theoretical models proposed for V838 Mon have demonstrated that they can reproduce the evolution of V838 Mon's inner circumstellar environment, as probed by spectropolarimetry.

GBT Observations of the Star-Forming Regions DR21 and MonR2 with the new Argus Instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linville, Dylan; Frayer, David; Cunningham, Nichol; Maddalena, Ronald

2018-01-01

We present GBT molecular line observations of DR21 and MonR2 with the new 16 element 75--115 GHz Argus instrument. Both molecular cloud complexes are associated with regions of high-mass star formation. We present the results of our 13CO, C18O, and HCO+ observations. Both MonR2 and DR21 show multiple velocity components, and the data suggest that the core of MonR2 is collapsing, while DR21 contains a region with a strong outflow traced by HCO+.

Flank vents and graben as indicators of Late Amazonian volcanotectonic activity on Olympus Mons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, S. I.; Christensen, P. R.

2017-03-01

Previous studies have focused on large-scale features on Olympus Mons, such as its flank terraces, the summit caldera complex, and the basal escarpment and aureole deposits. Here we identify and characterize previously unrecognized and unmapped small scale features to help further understand the volcanotectonic evolution of this enormous volcano. Using Context Camera, High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, Thermal Emission Imaging System, High Resolution Stereo Camera Digital Terrain Model, and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data, we identified and characterized the morphology and distribution of 60 flank vents and 84 grabens on Olympus Mons. We find that effusive eruptions have dominated volcanic activity on Olympus Mons in the Late Amazonian. Explosive eruptions were rare, implying volatile-poor magmas and/or a lack of magma-water interactions during the Late Amazonian. The distribution of flank vents suggests dike propagation of hundreds of kilometers and shallow magma storage. Small grabens, not previously observed in lower-resolution data, occur primarily on the lower flanks of Olympus Mons and indicate late-stage extensional tectonism. Based on superposition relationships, we have concluded two stages of development for Olympus Mons during the Late Amazonian: (1) primarily effusive resurfacing and formation of flank vents followed by (2) waning effusive volcanism and graben formation and/or reactivation. This developmental sequence resembles that proposed for Ascraeus Mons and other large Martian shields, suggesting a similar geologic evolution for these volcanoes.

Examining Motivations to Play Pokémon GO and Their Influence on Perceived Outcomes and Physical Activity.

PubMed

Marquet, Oriol; Alberico, Claudia; Adlakha, Deepti; Hipp, J Aaron

2017-10-24

Pokémon GO is the most played augmented reality game in history. With more than 44 million players at the peak of its popularity, the game has sparked interest on its effects on the young population's health. This pilot study examined motivations to start playing Pokémon GO among a sample of US college students, and how motivations were associated with perceived outcomes of the playing experience and physical activity derived while playing. In November 2016, we asked a sample of 47 US college students (all Pokémon GO players) to complete online surveys and install an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) tool and step counter on their smartphones. The EMA tool prompted a set of questions on playing behavior and physical activity, 3 times per day (12:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 10:00 PM), for 7 days. We used a factorial analysis to identify 3 distinctive groups of players based on their motivations to start playing Pokémon GO. We tested differences across motivation groups related to 5 unique outcomes using 1-way analysis of variance. We extracted 3 interpretable factors from the clustering of motivations to start playing Pokémon GO: Pokémon and video game fans (n=26, 55% of the sample), physical activity seekers (n=8, 17%), and curious & social (n=13, 28%). The clusters differed significantly on the enjoyment of different aspects of the game, particularly battling, discovering new places, and meeting new people, as well as differences in agreement that playing improved mood and made them more social. Days when playing Pokémon GO were associated with higher number of steps reported at the end of the day, especially among physical activity seekers, but also for Pokémon and video game fans. All groups perceived traffic as a major threat to playing. Days during which Pokémon GO was played were positively associated with a set of beneficial health behaviors, including higher physical activity levels, more socialization, and better mood. Results, however, depended on personal motivations and expectations when joining the game. These results highlight the importance of taking motivation into account when attempting to extract conclusions from the Pokémon GO phenomenon to enhance future exergames' designs or health interventions. ©Oriol Marquet, Claudia Alberico, Deepti Adlakha, J Aaron Hipp. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (http://games.jmir.org), 24.10.2017.

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-10-30

This image shows part of the southern flank of Pavonis Mons. The linear and sinuous features mark the locations of lava tubes and graben that occur on both sides of the volcano along a regional trend that passes thru Pavonis Mons, Ascreaus Mons (to the north), and Arsia Mons (to the south). The majority of the features are believed to be lava tubes where the ceiling has collapsed into the free space below. This often happens starting in a circular pit and then expanding along length of the tube until the entire ceiling of material has collapsed into the bottom of the tube. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 7245 Latitude: -0.895004 Longitude: 246.225 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2003-08-02 22:23 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22016

Core-SINE blocks comprise a large fraction of monotreme genomes; implications for vertebrate chromosome evolution.

PubMed

Kirby, Patrick J; Greaves, Ian K; Koina, Edda; Waters, Paul D; Marshall Graves, Jennifer A

2007-01-01

The genomes of the egg-laying platypus and echidna are of particular interest because monotremes are the most basal mammal group. The chromosomal distribution of an ancient family of short interspersed repeats (SINEs), the core-SINEs, was investigated to better understand monotreme genome organization and evolution. Previous studies have identified the core-SINE as the predominant SINE in the platypus genome, and in this study we quantified, characterized and localized subfamilies. Dot blot analysis suggested that a very large fraction (32% of the platypus and 16% of the echidna genome) is composed of Mon core-SINEs. Core-SINE-specific primers were used to amplify PCR products from platypus and echidna genomic DNA. Sequence analysis suggests a common consensus sequence Mon 1-B, shared by platypus and echidna, as well as platypus-specific Mon 1-C and echidna specific Mon 1-D consensus sequences. FISH mapping of the Mon core-SINE products to platypus metaphase spreads demonstrates that the Mon-1C subfamily is responsible for the striking Mon core-SINE accumulation in the distal regions of the six large autosomal pairs and the largest X chromosome. This unusual distribution highlights the dichotomy between the seven large chromosome pairs and the 19 smaller pairs in the monotreme karyotype, which has some similarity to the macro- and micro-chromosomes of birds and reptiles, and suggests that accumulation of repetitive sequences may have enlarged small chromosomes in an ancestral vertebrate. In the forthcoming sequence of the platypus genome there are still large gaps, and the extensive Mon core-SINE accumulation on the distal regions of the six large autosomal pairs may provide one explanation for this missing sequence.

Mapping surrogate gasoline compositions into RON/MON space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morgan, Neal; Kraft, Markus; Smallbone, Andrew

2010-06-15

In this paper, new experimentally determined octane numbers (RON and MON) of blends of a tri-component surrogate consisting of toluene, n-heptane, i-octane (called toluene reference fuel TRF) arranged in an augmented simplex design are used to derive a simple response surface model for the octane number of any arbitrary TRF mixture. The model is second-order in its complexity and is shown to be more accurate to the standard ''linear-by-volume'' (LbV) model which is often used when no other information is available. Such observations are due to the existence of both synergistic and antagonistic blending of the octane numbers between themore » three components. In particular, antagonistic blending of toluene and iso-octane leads to a maximum in sensitivity that lies on the toluene/iso-octane line. The model equations are inverted so as to map from RON/MON space back into composition space. Enabling one to use two simple formulae to determine, for a given fuel with known RON and MON, the volume fractions of toluene, n-heptane and iso-octane to be blended in order to emulate that fuel. HCCI engine simulations using gasoline with a RON of 98.5 and a MON of 88 were simulated using a TRF fuel, blended according to the derived equations to match the RON and MON. The simulations matched the experimentally obtained pressure profiles well, especially when compared to simulations using only PRF fuels which matched the RON or MON. This suggested that the mapping is accurate and that to emulate a refinery gasoline, it is necessary to match not only the RON but also the MON of the fuel. (author)« less

Gotta catch’em all! Pokémon GO and physical activity among young adults: difference in differences study

PubMed Central

Suharlim, Christian; Ueda, Peter; Kawachi, Ichiro; Rimm, Eric B

2016-01-01

Objective To estimate the effect of playing Pokémon GO on the number of steps taken daily up to six weeks after installation of the game. Design Cohort study using online survey data. Participants Survey participants of Amazon Mechanical Turk (n=1182) residing in the United States, aged 18 to 35 years and using iPhone 6 series smartphones. Main outcome measures Number of daily steps taken each of the four weeks before and six weeks after installation of Pokémon GO, automatically recorded in the “Health” application of the iPhone 6 series smartphones and reported by the participants. A difference in difference regression model was used to estimate the change in daily steps in players of Pokémon GO compared with non-players. Results 560 (47.4%) of the survey participants reported playing Pokémon GO and walked on average 4256 steps (SD 2697) each day in the four weeks before installation of the game. The difference in difference analysis showed that the daily average steps for Pokémon GO players during the first week of installation increased by 955 additional steps (95% confidence interval 697 to 1213), and then this increase gradually attenuated over the subsequent five weeks. By the sixth week after installation, the number of daily steps had gone back to pre-installation levels. No significant effect modification of Pokémon GO was found by sex, age, race group, bodyweight status, urbanity, or walkability of the area of residence. Conclusions Pokémon GO was associated with an increase in the daily number of steps after installation of the game. The association was, however, moderate and no longer observed after six weeks. PMID:27965211

Autosomal STR variations reveal genetic heterogeneity in the Mon-Khmer speaking group of Northern Thailand.

PubMed

Kampuansai, Jatupol; Völgyi, Antónia; Kutanan, Wibhu; Kangwanpong, Daoroong; Pamjav, Horolma

2017-03-01

Since prehistoric times, Mon-Khmer speaking people have been recognized as indigenous ethnic groups living in northern Thailand. After the period of Tai colonization in the thirteenth century CE, the Mon-Khmer inhabitants were fragmented; some were expelled to rural areas while some were integrated into the mainstream of Tai society. Autosomal STR variations revealed that the present-day Mon-Khmer people could be genetically divided into two clusters. This finding appears to be consistent with the level of historical contact with the Tai majority ethnic groups. The cluster consisting of the Khamu, Lua, Paluang and Htin people, indicate that they have lived in remote areas and have had little historical contact with the Tai people. In this way, they appeared to have maintained aspects of their Mon-Khmer ancestral genetic bloodline but have genetically diverged from the Tai people. The cluster comprised of the Mon and Lawa people had an exclusively close relationship with the Tai people during the establishment of the prosperous Lan Na Kingdom. A fraction of the Tai genetic component investigated among the Mon people and some Lawa populations reflected the evidence of genetic admixture. However, some Lawa people, who have lived in the mountainous area of Mae Hong Son Province have exhibited a unique gene pool, which might have been shaped by the founder effect that occurred during their historical fragmentation. The rise of the genetic assimilation of the hill-tribe Karen people into the Mon-Khmer and the Tai gene pools indicated that different languages, cultures, and geographical distances have lost their power as barriers of inter-ethnic marriages in the present day. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A highly sensitive and specific method for the screening detection of genetically modified organisms based on digital PCR without pretreatment

PubMed Central

Fu, Wei; Zhu, Pengyu; Wang, Chenguang; Huang, Kunlun; Du, Zhixin; Tian, Wenying; Wang, Qin; Wang, Huiyu; Xu, Wentao; Zhu, Shuifang

2015-01-01

Digital PCR has developed rapidly since it was first reported in the 1990s. It was recently reported that an improved method facilitated the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, to use this improved method, the samples must be pretreated, which could introduce inaccuracy into the results. In our study, we explored a pretreatment-free digital PCR detection method for the screening for GMOs. We chose the CaMV35s promoter and the NOS terminator as the templates in our assay. To determine the specificity of our method, 9 events of GMOs were collected, including MON810, MON863, TC1507, MIR604, MIR162, GA21, T25, NK603 and Bt176. Moreover, the sensitivity, intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory reproducibility of our detection method were assessed. The results showed that the limit of detection of our method was 0.1%, which was lower than the labeling threshold level of the EU. The specificity and stability among the 9 events were consistent, respectively. The intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory reproducibility were both good. Finally, the perfect fitness for the detection of eight double-blind samples indicated the good practicability of our method. In conclusion, the method in our study would allow more sensitive, specific and stable screening detection of the GMO content of international trading products. PMID:26239916

A highly sensitive and specific method for the screening detection of genetically modified organisms based on digital PCR without pretreatment.

PubMed

Fu, Wei; Zhu, Pengyu; Wang, Chenguang; Huang, Kunlun; Du, Zhixin; Tian, Wenying; Wang, Qin; Wang, Huiyu; Xu, Wentao; Zhu, Shuifang

2015-08-04

Digital PCR has developed rapidly since it was first reported in the 1990 s. It was recently reported that an improved method facilitated the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, to use this improved method, the samples must be pretreated, which could introduce inaccuracy into the results. In our study, we explored a pretreatment-free digital PCR detection method for the screening for GMOs. We chose the CaMV35s promoter and the NOS terminator as the templates in our assay. To determine the specificity of our method, 9 events of GMOs were collected, including MON810, MON863, TC1507, MIR604, MIR162, GA21, T25, NK603 and Bt176. Moreover, the sensitivity, intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory reproducibility of our detection method were assessed. The results showed that the limit of detection of our method was 0.1%, which was lower than the labeling threshold level of the EU. The specificity and stability among the 9 events were consistent, respectively. The intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory reproducibility were both good. Finally, the perfect fitness for the detection of eight double-blind samples indicated the good practicability of our method. In conclusion, the method in our study would allow more sensitive, specific and stable screening detection of the GMO content of international trading products.

The vanishing cryovolcanoes of Ceres

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sori, Michael M.; Byrne, Shane; Bland, Michael T.; Bramson, Ali; Ermakov, Anton; Hamilton, Christoper; Otto, Katharina; Ruesch, Ottaviano; Russell, Christopher

2017-01-01

Ahuna Mons is a 4 km tall mountain on Ceres interpreted as a geologically young cryovolcanic dome. Other possible cryovolcanic features are more ambiguous, implying that cryovolcanism is only a recent phenomenon or that other cryovolcanic structures have been modified beyond easy identification. We test the hypothesis that Cerean cryovolcanic domes viscously relax, precluding ancient domes from recognition. We use numerical models to predict flow velocities of Ahuna Mons to be 10–500 m/Myr, depending upon assumptions about ice content, rheology, grain size, and thermal parameters. Slower flow rates in this range are sufficiently fast to induce extensive relaxation of cryovolcanic structures over 108–109 years, but gradual enough for Ahuna Mons to remain identifiable today. Positive topographic features, including a tholus underlying Ahuna Mons, may represent relaxed cryovolcanic structures. A composition for Ahuna Mons of >40% ice explains the observed distribution of cryovolcanic structures because viscous relaxation renders old cryovolcanoes unrecognizable.

Pokémon Battles as a Context for Mathematical Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGuffey, William

2017-01-01

In this article I explore some of the underlying mathematics of Poke´mon battles and describe ways that teachers at the secondary level could explore concepts of mathematical game theory in this context. I discuss various ways of representing and analyzing a Poke´mon battle using game theory and conclude with an example of applying concepts of…

Effect of Pokémon GO on incidence of fatal traffic injuries: a population-based quasi-experimental study using the national traffic collisions database in Japan.

PubMed

Ono, Sachiko; Ono, Yosuke; Michihata, Nobuaki; Sasabuchi, Yusuke; Yasunaga, Hideo

2017-10-12

Pokémon GO (Niantic Labs, released on 22 July 2016 in Japan) is an augmented reality game that gained huge popularity worldwide. Despite concern about Pokémon GO-related traffic collisions, the effect of playing Pokémon GO on the incidence of traffic injuries remains unknown. We performed a population-based quasi-experimental study using national data from the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis, Japan. The outcome was incidence of traffic injuries. Of 127 082 000 people in Japan, 886 fatal traffic injuries were observed between 1 June and 31 August in 2016. Regression discontinuity analysis showed a non-significant change in incidence of fatal traffic injuries after the Pokémon GO release (0.017 deaths per million, 95%CI -0.036 to 0.071). This finding was similar to that obtained from a difference-in-differences analysis. Effect of Pokémon GO on fatal traffic injuries may be negligible. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Synthesis, growth, structural, optical, spectral, thermal and mechanical studies of 4-methoxy 4-nitrostilbene (MONS): a new organic nonlinear optical single crystal.

PubMed

Dinakaran, Paul M; Bhagavannarayana, G; Kalainathan, S

2012-11-01

4-Methoxy 4-nitrostilbene (MONS), a new organic nonlinear optical material has been synthesized. Based on the solubility data good quality single crystal with dimensions up to 38×11×3 mm(3) has been grown by slow evaporation method using ethyl methyl ketone (MEK) as a solvent. Powder XRD confirms the crystalline property and also the diffraction planes have been indexed. The lattice parameters for the grown MONS crystals were determined by using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and it reveals that the crystal lattice system is triclinic. The crystalline perfection of the grown crystals has been analysed by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) rocking curve measurements. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum for powdered MONS sample confirms the functional groups present in the grown crystal. The UV-vis absorption spectrum has been recorded in the range of 190-1100 nm and the cut off wavelength 499 nm has been determined. The optical constants of MONS have been determined through UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. The MONS crystals were further subjected to other characterizations. i.e., (1)H NMR, TG/DTA, photoluminescence and microhardness test. The Kurtz and Perry powder technique confirms the NLO property of the grown crystal and the SHG efficiency of MONS was found to be 1.55× greater than that of KDP crystal. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Particle size distribution properties in mixed-phase monsoon clouds from in situ measurements during CAIPEEX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patade, Sachin; Prabha, T. V.; Axisa, D.; Gayatri, K.; Heymsfield, A.

2015-10-01

A comprehensive analysis of particle size distributions measured in situ with airborne instrumentation during the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) is presented. In situ airborne observations in the developing stage of continental convective clouds during premonsoon (PRE), transition, and monsoon (MON) period at temperatures from 25 to -22°C are used in the study. The PRE clouds have narrow drop size and particle size distributions compared to monsoon clouds and showed less development of size spectra with decrease in temperature. Overall, the PRE cases had much lower values of particle number concentrations and ice water content compared to MON cases, indicating large differences in the ice initiation and growth processes between these cloud regimes. This study provided compelling evidence that in addition to dynamics, aerosol and moisture are important for modulating ice microphysical processes in PRE and MON clouds through impacts on cloud drop size distribution. Significant differences are observed in the relationship of the slope and intercept parameters of the fitted particle size distributions (PSDs) with temperature in PRE and MON clouds. The intercept values are higher in MON clouds than PRE for exponential distribution which can be attributed to higher cloud particle number concentrations and ice water content in MON clouds. The PRE clouds tend to have larger values of dispersion of gamma size distributions than MON clouds, signifying narrower spectra. The relationships between PSDs parameters are presented and compared with previous observations.

The effect of nitrate and monensin on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

PubMed

Capelari, M; Powers, W

2017-11-01

Two experiments evaluated the effect of calcium ammonium nitrate decahydrate (calcium nitrate [NIT]) and monensin sodium (MON) on in vitro fermentation parameters of 2 contrasting diets (100:0 and 10:90 forage-to-concentrate ratios). Diet addition of NIT (0, 1.25, and 2.5 g/100 g DM) and MON (0, 3, and 6 mg/L) were tested alone and combined (9 treatments total; 5 bottles per treatment). Mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media containing 0.5 g of substrate diet, 1 of 9 treatments, and 40 mL buffer solution. Incubations were performed in batch cultures for 48 h at 39°C. Headspace gas volume was measured and sampled at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h, and the VFA profile was assessed at the end of the experiment. Total gas production was reduced by NIT (87.9 vs. 94.6 mL; < 0.01) and MON (78.6 vs. 94.6 mL; < 0.01) and, in Exp. 2, further reduced by NIT+MON when the additives were combined (161.1 vs. 196.9 mL; < 0.01). Methane production from control in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2 averaged 9.1 and 15.3 mL, respectively, and was decreased by NIT (3.4 and 8.3 mL in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively; P < 0.01), MON (4.1 and 7.7 mL; in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively; < 0.01) and NIT+MON (1.1 and 1.5 mL; in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively; < 0.01). Both experiments demonstrated a significant increase in nitrous oxide (NO; < 0.01) when NIT was added. Compared to the control treatment, IVDMD was reduced when NIT+MON was added at the higher doses in EXP1 (31.7 vs. 37.4%; < 0.01) and EXP2 (76.6 vs. 79.9 %; < 0.01). Net VFA production was not affected by treatments ( > 0.10), but molar proportions of acetate and butyrate were reduced by MON ( < 0.01). Propionate molar proportion was increased in both experiments by MON ( < 0.01) and further increased in Exp. 2 when the additives were combined at lower doses ( < 0.01). Compared to the control treatment, the acetate:propionate (A:P) ratio was reduced by MON in Exp. 1(1.2 vs. 2.8; < 0.01) and Exp. 2 (1.0 vs. 2.3; < 0.01). Fermentation efficiency (%) was increased by MON (81.7 vs. 73.7%; < 0.01) and further increased in Exp. 2 when the additives were combined at lower doses (87.2 vs. 76.6%; < 0.01). The combination of NIT and MON in 2 contrasting diets proved beneficial by altering fermentation products toward lower CH and more propionate; however, the addition of NIT consistently increased NO production. Negative effects of the additives on IVDMD were found only when the additives were combined at higher doses.

Evaluation of the gastrointestinal tolerability of corn starch fiber, a novel dietary fiber, in two independent randomized, double-blind, crossover studies in healthy men and women.

PubMed

Crincoli, Christine M; Garcia-Campayo, Vicenta; Rihner, Marisa O; Nikiforov, Andrey I; Liska, DeAnn; van de Ligt, Jennifer L G

2016-11-01

Two independent clinical studies were conducted to compare the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of corn starch fiber, a novel dietary fiber, at up to 50 g/day (single-dose study) or 90 g/day (multiple-serving study) with a negative control (no fiber) and a positive control (50 or 90 g polydextrose, for single- and multiple-serving studies, respectively) in generally healthy study volunteers. Flatulence and borborygmus were the primary symptoms reported at the higher doses of corn starch fiber and for the positive control interventions. Bowel movements were increased over 48 h with corn starch fiber at 90 g. Thresholds for mild GI effects were established at 30 g as a single dose and 60 g as multiple servings spread over the day. Other than moderate abdominal pain and mild increased appetite in one subject at 90-g corn starch fiber, no test article-related adverse events were reported.

Analyzing Maize Anther Development Using Transposons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, S.

2011-12-01

Over the summer, we tackled two projects in studying more about transposons (moving/jumping genes) such as Mutator genes in corn for this project, and how the plants switch from the stages of mitosis to meiosis without a germ line. We use a transgenic corn line containing RescueMu (an artificial Mutator containing a plasmid in it), so we can keep track of the insertion events. This is a long term project so we haven't come to any final conclusions or results with tracking what happens in Mutator transposition during different stages of corn development but our process shows to work so we continue with what we've been doing.

Asymmetric Spread of SRBSDV between Rice and Corn Plants by the Vector Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

PubMed

Li, Pei; Li, Fei; Han, Yongqiang; Yang, Lang; Liao, Xiaolan; Hou, Maolin

2016-01-01

Plant viruses are mostly transmitted by sucking insects via their piercing behaviors, which may differ due to host plant species and their developmental stages. We characterized the transmission of a fijivirus, southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), by the planthopper vector Sogatella furcifera Horváth (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), between rice and corn plants of varying developmental stages. SRBSDV was transmitted from infected rice to uninfected corn plants as efficiently as its transmission between rice plants, while was acquired by S. furcifera nymphs at a much lower rate from infected corn plants than from infected rice plants. We also recorded a high mortality of S. furcifera nymphs on corn plants. It is evident that young stages of both the virus donor and recipient plants added to the transmission efficiency of SRBSDV from rice to corn plants. Feeding behaviors of the vector recorded by electrical penetration graph showed that phloem sap ingestion, the behavioral event that is linked with plant virus acquisition, was impaired on corn plants, which accounts for the high mortality of and low virus acquisition by S. furcifera nymphs on corn plants. Our results reveal an asymmetric spread of SRBSDV between its two host plants and the underlying behavioral mechanism, which is of significance for assessing SRBSDV transmission risks and field epidemiology, and for developing integrated management approaches for SRBSDV disease.

Evidence for ceramide synthase inhibition in humans exposed to fumonisins in maize-based foods and living in low or high exposure communities in Guatemala

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Fumonisins (FB) are mycotoxins commonly found in corn and in foods made from corn. Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the most common FB, causes diseases in farm animals and causes liver and kidney toxicity and cancer in rodents. The key event in its mechanism of toxicity in animals is inhibition of the enzyme c...

An Initial Evaluation of the Impact of Pokémon GO on Physical Activity.

PubMed

Xian, Ying; Xu, Hanzhang; Xu, Haolin; Liang, Li; Hernandez, Adrian F; Wang, Tracy Y; Peterson, Eric D

2017-05-16

Pokémon GO is a location-based augmented reality game. Using GPS and the camera on a smartphone, the game requires players to travel in real world to capture animated creatures, called Pokémon. We examined the impact of Pokémon GO on physical activity (PA). A pre-post observational study of 167 Pokémon GO players who were self-enrolled through recruitment flyers or online social media was performed. Participants were instructed to provide screenshots of their step counts recorded by the iPhone Health app between June 15 and July 31, 2016, which was 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the Pokémon GO release date. Of 167 participants, the median age was 25 years (interquartile range, 21-29 years). The daily average steps of participants at baseline was 5678 (SD, 2833; median, 5718 [interquartile range, 3675-7279]). After initiation of Pokémon GO, daily activity rose to 7654 steps (SD, 3616; median, 7232 [interquartile range, 5041-9744], pre-post change: 1976; 95% CI, 1494-2458, or a 34.8% relative increase [ P <0.001]). On average, 10 000 "XP" points (a measure of game progression) was associated with 2134 additional steps per day (95% CI, 1673-2595), suggesting a potential dose-response relationship. The number of participants achieving a goal of 10 000+ steps per day increased from 15.3% before to 27.5% after (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.70-2.50). Increased PA was also observed in subgroups, with the largest increases seen in participants who spent more time playing Pokémon GO, those who were overweight/obese, or those with a lower baseline PA level. Pokémon GO participation was associated with a significant increase in PA among young adults. Incorporating PA into gameplay may provide an alternative way to promote PA in persons who are attracted to the game. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02888314. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Effects of a combination of plant bioactive lipid compounds and biotin compared with monensin on body condition, energy metabolism and milk performance in transition dairy cows

PubMed Central

Hausmann, Janis; Deiner, Carolin; Patra, Amlan K.; Immig, Irmgard; Starke, Alexander

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to test whether a combination of plant bioactive lipid compounds (also termed ‘essential oils’) and biotin (PBLC+B) could decrease the mobilization of body reserves and ketosis incidence in postpartum dairy cows. We compared non-supplemented control (CON) cows with cows receiving monensin (MON) as a controlled-release capsule at d -21, and with cows receiving PBLC+B from day (d) -21 before calving until calving (Phase 1) and further until d 37 after calving (Phase 2), followed by PBLC+B discontinuation from d 38 to d 58 (Phase 3). The PBLC+B cows had higher body weight and higher back fat thickness than CON cows and lesser body weight change than MON and CON cows in Phase 3. Body condition score was not different among groups. Milk protein concentration tended to be higher on the first herd test day in PBLC+B vs. CON cows. Milk fat concentration tended to be highest in PBLC+B cows throughout Phases 2 and 3, with significantly higher values in PBLC+B vs. MON cows on the second herd test day. Yields of energy-corrected milk were higher in PBLC+B vs. CON and MON cows in Phase 2 and higher in PBLC+B and MON cows vs. CON cows in Phase 3. The incidence of subclinical ketosis was 83%, 61% and 50% in CON, PBLC+B and MON cows, respectively, with lower mean β-hydroxybutyrate values in MON than in PBLC+B cows in Phase 1 prepartum. The serum triglyceride concentration was higher in PBLC+B vs. CON cows on d 37. No differences were observed in serum glucose, urea, non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations. Aspartate transaminase and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase but not glutamate dehydrogenase activities tended to be highest in MON and lowest in PBLC+B in Phase 2. We conclude that PBLC+B prevent body weight loss after parturition and are associated with similar ketosis incidence and partly higher yields of energy-corrected milk compared to MON supplementation of dairy cows. PMID:29584764

Essential oil and monensin affect ruminal fermentation and the protozoal population in continuous culture.

PubMed

Ye, D; Karnati, S K R; Wagner, B; Firkins, J L; Eastridge, M L; Aldrich, J M

2018-06-01

The interaction of monensin and essential oil was hypothesized to suppress protozoa and methane production while maintaining normal rumen function. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding monensin (MON) and CinnaGar (CIN, a commercial blend of cinnamaldehyde and garlic oil; Provimi North America, Brookville, OH) on ruminal fermentation characteristics. Continuous culture fermentors (n = 4) were maintained in 4 experimental periods in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Four dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial: (1) control diet, 37 g/d of dry matter (40 g/d at ∼92.5% dry matter) of a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet containing no additive; (2) MON at 11 g/909 kg of dry matter; (3) CIN at 0.0043% of dry matter; and (4) a combination of MON and CIN at the levels in (2) and (3). Treatment had no effects on protozoal populations, concentration of NH 3 N, total N flow of effluent, production of total volatile fatty acids, or flows of conjugated linoleic acid and total C18 fatty acids. The MON decreased acetate:propionate ratio and biohydrogenation of both total C18 and 18:1 cis-9 but increased protozoal generation time, concentration of peptide, and flow of 18:1 trans-11. The MON tended to decrease protozoal counts in effluent and flow of 18:0 but tended to increase propionate production. The CIN decreased true organic matter digestibility and protozoal N flow of effluent but increased nonammonia, nonmicrobial N flow. The CIN tended to decrease protozoal counts, microbial N flow, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility but tended to increase biohydrogenation of total C18, 18:2, and 18:3. The CIN tended to increase isovalerate production. The MON and CIN tended to interact for increased methane production and bacterial N flow. A second experiment was conducted to determine the effects of MON and CIN on protozoal nitrogen and cell volume in vitro. Four treatments included (1) control (feed only), (2) feed + 0.0043% dry matter CIN, (3) feed + 2.82 μM MON, and (4) feed + CIN + MON at the same levels as in (2) and (3). With no interactions, MON addition decreased percentage of protozoa that were motile and tended to decrease cell volume at 6 h. The CIN did not affect cell count or other indicators of motility or volume at either 3 or 6 h. Under the conditions of our study, we did not detect an additive response for MON and CIN to decrease protozoal counts or methane production. A 3-dimensional method is suggested to better estimate protozoal cell volume. Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The combined effects of supplementing monensin and 3-nitrooxypropanol on methane emissions, growth rate, and feed conversion efficiency in beef cattle fed high forage and high grain diets.

PubMed

Vyas, Diwakar; Alemu, Aklilu W; McGinn, Sean M; Duval, Stephane M; Kindermann, Maik; Beauchemin, Karen A

2018-05-05

The study objective was to evaluate the combined effects of supplementing monensin (MON) and the methane (CH4) inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (NOP) on enteric CH4 emissions, growth rate and feed conversion efficiency of backgrounding and finishing beef cattle. Two hundred and forty crossbred steers were used in a 238-d feeding study and fed a backgrounding diet for the first 105-d (backgrounding phase), transition diets for 28 d, followed by a finishing diet for 105-d (finishing phase). Treatments were: 1) Control (no additive); 2) MON (monensin supplemented at 33 mg/kg DM; 3) NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol supplemented at 200 mg/kg DM for backgrounding or 125 mg/kg DM for finishing phase); 4) MONOP (33 mg/kg DM MON supplemented with either 200 mg/kg DM or 125 mg/kg DM NOP). The experiment was a randomized complete block (weight: heavy and light) design with 2 (NOP) × 2 (MON) factorial arrangement of treatments using 24 pens (8 cattle/pen; 6 pens/treatment) at the main feedlot and 8 pens (6 cattle/pen; 2 pens/treatment) at the controlled environment building (CEB) feedlot. Five animals per treatment were moved to chambers for methane measurements during both phases. Data were analyzed using a Mixed procedure of SAS with pen as experimental unit (except CH4). Location (Main vs CEB) had no significant effect and was thus omitted from the final model. Overall, there were few interactions between MON and NOP indicating that the effects of the 2 compounds were independent. When cattle were fed the backgrounding diet, pen DMI was decreased by 7% while gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) was improved by 5% with NOP supplementation (P < 0.01). Similarly, MON improved G:F ratio by 4% (P < 0.01), but without affecting DMI. During the finishing phase, DMI tended (P = 0.06) to decrease by 5% with both MON (5%) and NOP (5%), while average daily gain tended (P = 0.08) to decrease by 3% with MON. Gain-to-feed ratio for finishing cattle was improved with NOP by 3% (P < 0.01); however, no effects were observed with MON. 3-Nitrooxypropanol decreased CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) by 42% and 37% with backgrounding and finishing diets (P ≤ 0.01), respectively, while MON did not lower CH4 yield. Overall, these results demonstrate efficacy of NOP in reducing enteric CH4 emissions and subsequently improving feed conversion efficiency in cattle fed high forage and high grain diets. Furthermore, effects of NOP did not depend upon whether MON was included in the diet.

Defense AT&L (Volume 36, Number 1, January-February 2007)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

tives. Here’s how four people might describe the movie The Wizard of Oz: 1. The young child will tell the story, listing the sequence of events (not...necessarily in the right order). 2. The emotional child will explain that the movie was very scary with witches and wizards and flying mon- keys. 3. The...adolescent will explain the special effects in the movie . 4. The intellectual will identify the themes of the movie . • Different people on your team

Y chromosomal evidence on the origin of northern Thai people.

PubMed

Brunelli, Andrea; Kampuansai, Jatupol; Seielstad, Mark; Lomthaisong, Khemika; Kangwanpong, Daoroong; Ghirotto, Silvia; Kutanan, Wibhu

2017-01-01

The Khon Mueang represent the major group of people present in today's northern Thailand. While linguistic and genetic data seem to support a shared ancestry between Khon Mueang and other Tai-Kadai speaking people, the possibility of an admixed origin with contribution from local Mon-Khmer population could not be ruled out. Previous studies conducted on northern Thai people did not provide a definitive answer and, in addition, have largely overlooked the distribution of paternal lineages in the area. In this work we aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of Y paternal lineages in northern Thailand and to explicitly model the origin of the Khon Mueang population. We obtained and analysed new Y chromosomal haplogroup data from more than 500 northern Thai individuals including Khon Mueang, Mon-Khmer and Tai-Kadai. We also explicitly simulated different demographic scenarios, developed to explain the Khon Mueang origin, employing an ABC simulation framework on both mitochondrial and Y microsatellites data. Our results highlighted a similar haplogroup composition of Khon Mueang and Tai-Kadai populations in northern Thailand, with shared high frequencies of haplogroups O-PK4, O-M117 and O-M111. Our ABC simulations also favoured a model in which the ancestors of modern Khon Mueang originated recently after a split from the other Tai-Kadai populations. Our different analyses concluded that the ancestors of Khon Mueang are likely to have originated from the same source of the other Tai-Kadai groups in southern China, with subsequent admixture events involving native Mon-Khmer speakers restricted to some specific populations.

Detection of Genetically Modified Maize in Processed Foods Sold Commercially in Iran by Qualitative PCR

PubMed Central

Rabiei, Maryam; Mehdizadeh, Mehrangiz; Rastegar, Hossein; Vahidi, Hossein; Alebouyeh, Mahmoud

2013-01-01

Detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food is an important issue for all the subjects involved in food control and customer’s right. Due to the increasing number of GMOs imported to Iran during the past few years, it has become necessary to screen the products in order to determine the identity of the consumed daily foodstuffs. In this study, following the extraction of genomic DNA from processed foods sold commercially in Iran, qualitative PCR was performed to detect genetically modified maize. The recombinant DNA target sequences were detected with primers highly specific for each investigated transgene such as CaMV35s gene, Bt-11, MON810 and Bt-176 separately. Based on the gel electrophoresis results, Bt- 11 and MON810 events were detected in some maize samples, while, in none of them Bt- 176 modified gene was detected. For the first time, the results demonstrate the presence of genetically modified maize in Iranian food products, reinforcing the need for the development of labeling system and valid quantitative methods in routine analyses. PMID:24250568

Detection of genetically modified maize in processed foods sold commercially in iran by qualitative PCR.

PubMed

Rabiei, Maryam; Mehdizadeh, Mehrangiz; Rastegar, Hossein; Vahidi, Hossein; Alebouyeh, Mahmoud

2013-01-01

Detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food is an important issue for all the subjects involved in food control and customer's right. Due to the increasing number of GMOs imported to Iran during the past few years, it has become necessary to screen the products in order to determine the identity of the consumed daily foodstuffs. In this study, following the extraction of genomic DNA from processed foods sold commercially in Iran, qualitative PCR was performed to detect genetically modified maize. The recombinant DNA target sequences were detected with primers highly specific for each investigated transgene such as CaMV35s gene, Bt-11, MON810 and Bt-176 separately. Based on the gel electrophoresis results, Bt- 11 and MON810 events were detected in some maize samples, while, in none of them Bt- 176 modified gene was detected. For the first time, the results demonstrate the presence of genetically modified maize in Iranian food products, reinforcing the need for the development of labeling system and valid quantitative methods in routine analyses.

The Chandra Monitoring System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolk, S. J.; Petreshock, J. G.; Allen, P.; Bartholowmew, R. T.; Isobe, T.; Cresitello-Dittmar, M.; Dewey, D.

The NASA Great Observatory Chandra was launched July 23, 1999 aboard the space shuttle Columbia. The Chandra Science Center (CXC) runs a monitoring and trends analysis program to maximize the science return from this mission. At the time of the launch, the monitoring portion of this system was in place. The system is a collection of multiple threads and programming methodologies acting cohesively. Real-time data are passed to the CXC. Our real-time tool, ACORN (A Comprehensive object-ORiented Necessity), performs limit checking of performance related hardware. Chandra is in ground contact less than 3 hours a day, so the bulk of the monitoring must take place on data dumped by the spacecraft. To do this, we have written several tools which run off of the CXC data system pipelines. MTA_MONITOR_STATIC, limit checks FITS files containing hardware data. MTA_EVENT_MON and MTA_GRAT_MON create quick look data for the focal place instruments and the transmission gratings. When instruments violate their operational limits, the responsible scientists are notified by email and problem tracking is initiated. Output from all these codes is distributed to CXC scientists via HTML interface.

Synthetic Spectral Ananlysis of the Nova-Like Variable KQ Mon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolfe, Aaron; Sion, E.

2011-01-01

KQ Mon is classified as a nova-like variable with an uncertain orbital period of 0.128 d. Optical spectra (Zwitter, T. & Munari, U.1994, A&AS, 107, 503) reveal no emission lines but strong Balmer absorption features. High speed flickering has been observed indicative of accretion. IUE spectra reveal deep absorption lines due to C III, C II, Si III, Si IV, C IV, He II but no P Cygni profiles indicative of outflow. Its classification in Ritter and Kolb (2006) as a UX UMa type nova-like is uncertain. We have carried out the first synthetic spectral analysis of the IUE archival spectra of KQ Mon with realistic accretion disk models with vertical structure and high gravity photosphere models. The results of our model atmosphere and model accretion disk analyses are presented. We discuss the properties that we have derived for KQ Mon and compare KQ Mon with other nova-like variables viewed at low inclination. This work was supported in part by NSF grant AST0807892 to Villanova University.

Using Pokéman GO to Teach Integrative STEM

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bartholomew, Scott R.

2017-01-01

Pokémon GO ranks as one of the most downloaded apps of all time. The app works by utilizing the GPS embedded in a user's phone to locate real-world locations. The phone screen shows the user's real-world location, and when moving about, he or she will encounter Pokémon that can be caught with a Pokéball (Pokémon, 2016). What does STEM Education…

Venus - 3D Perspective View of Maat Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Maat Mons is displayed in this computer generated three-dimensional perspective of the surface of Venus. The viewpoint is located 634 kilometers (393 miles) north of Maat Mons at an elevation of 3 kilometers (2 miles) above the terrain. Lava flows extend for hundreds of kilometers across the fractured plains shown in the foreground, to the base of Maat Mons. The view is to the south with the volcano Maat Mons appearing at the center of the image on the horizon and rising to almost 5 kilometers (3 miles) above the surrounding terrain. Maat Mons is located at approximately 0.9 degrees north latitude, 194.5 degrees east longitude with a peak that ascends to 8 kilometers (5 miles) above the mean surface. Maat Mons is named for an Egyptian Goddess of truth and justice. Magellan synthetic aperture radar data is combined with radar altimetry to develop a three-dimensional map of the surface. The vertical scale in this perspective has been exaggerated 10 times. Rays cast in a computer intersect the surface to crate a three-dimensional perspective view. Simulated color and a digital elevation map developed by the U.S. Geological Survey are used to enhance small-scale structure. The simulated hues are based on color images recorded by the Soviet Venera 13 and 14 spacecraft. The image was produced by the Solar System Visualization project and the Magellan Science team at the JPL Multimission Image Processing Laboratory and is a single frame from a video released at the April 22, 1992 news conference.

Design Through Simulation of a Molecular Sieve Column for Treatment of MON-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swartz, A. Ben; Wilson, D. B.

1999-01-01

The presence of water in propellant-grade MON-3 is a concern in the Aerospace Industry. NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) Propulsion Department has evaluated many types of molecular sieves for control of iron, the corrosion product of water in Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-3). In 1995, WSTF initiated laboratory and pilot-scale testing of molecular sieve type 3A for removal of water and iron. These tests showed sufficient promise that a series of continuous recycle tests were conducted at WSTF. Periodic samples of the circulating MON-3 solution were analyzed for water (wt %) and iron (ppm, wt). This test column was modeled as a series of transfer units; i. e., each unit represented the height equivalent of a theoretical plate. Such a model assumes there is equilibrium between the adsorbent material and the effluent stream from the unit. Operational and design parameters were derived based on the simulation results. These parameters were used to predict the design characteristics of a proposed molecular sieve column for removal of water and iron from MON-3 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). In addition, these parameters were used to simulate a small, single-pass operation column at KSC currently used for treating MON-3. The results of this work indicated that molecular sieve type 3A in 1/16 in. diameter pellets, in a column 2.5 ft. in diameter, 18 ft. in height, and operated at 25 gpm is adequate for the required removal of water and iron from MON-3.

Investigating Mars: Arsia Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-01-05

This THEMIS image shows part of the southern margin of the summit caldera. This image contains a variety of features representing the major events related to the formation of the volcano. At the top of the image a small linear vent has produced lava flows increasing the elevation of the surface around it. The flat floor of the caldera surrounds the vent and the cliff faces at the center of the image were created during the collapse event that formed the caldera. Depressions at the bottom illustrate collapse into empty voids like lava tubes. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the Tharsis volcanoes. It is 270 miles (450 km) in diameter, almost 12 miles (20 km) high, and the summit caldera is 72 miles (120 km) wide. For comparison, the largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa. From its base on the sea floor, Mauna Loa measures only 6.3 miles high and 75 miles in diameter. A large volcanic crater known as a caldera is located at the summit of all of the Tharsis volcanoes. These calderas are produced by massive volcanic explosions and collapse. The Arsia Mons summit caldera is larger than many volcanoes on Earth. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 63900 Latitude: -10.0873 Longitude: 239.197 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2016-05-10 07:58 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22159

Gotta catch'em all! Pokémon GO and physical activity among young adults: difference in differences study.

PubMed

Howe, Katherine B; Suharlim, Christian; Ueda, Peter; Howe, Daniel; Kawachi, Ichiro; Rimm, Eric B

2016-12-13

 To estimate the effect of playing Pokémon GO on the number of steps taken daily up to six weeks after installation of the game.  Cohort study using online survey data.  Survey participants of Amazon Mechanical Turk (n=1182) residing in the United States, aged 18 to 35 years and using iPhone 6 series smartphones.  Number of daily steps taken each of the four weeks before and six weeks after installation of Pokémon GO, automatically recorded in the "Health" application of the iPhone 6 series smartphones and reported by the participants. A difference in difference regression model was used to estimate the change in daily steps in players of Pokémon GO compared with non-players.  560 (47.4%) of the survey participants reported playing Pokémon GO and walked on average 4256 steps (SD 2697) each day in the four weeks before installation of the game. The difference in difference analysis showed that the daily average steps for Pokémon GO players during the first week of installation increased by 955 additional steps (95% confidence interval 697 to 1213), and then this increase gradually attenuated over the subsequent five weeks. By the sixth week after installation, the number of daily steps had gone back to pre-installation levels. No significant effect modification of Pokémon GO was found by sex, age, race group, bodyweight status, urbanity, or walkability of the area of residence.  Pokémon GO was associated with an increase in the daily number of steps after installation of the game. The association was, however, moderate and no longer observed after six weeks. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Redox-Mediated Stabilization in Zinc Molybdenum Nitrides

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arca, Elisabetta; Lany, Stephan; Perkins, John D.

We report on the theoretical prediction and experimental realization of new ternary zinc molybdenum nitride compounds. We used theory to identify previously unknown ternary compounds in the Zn-Mo-N systems, Zn 3MoN 4 and ZnMoN 2, and to analyze their bonding environment. Experiments show that Zn-Mo-N alloys can form in broad composition range from Zn 3MoN 4 to ZnMoN 2 in the wurtzite-derived structure, accommodating very large off-stoichiometry. Interestingly, the measured wurtzite-derived structure of the alloys is metastable for the ZnMoN 2 stoichiometry, in contrast to the Zn 3MoN 4 stoichiometry, where ordered wurtzite is predicted to be the ground state.more » The formation of Zn 3MoN 4-ZnMoN 2 alloy with wurtzite-derived crystal structure is enabled by the concomitant ability of Mo to change oxidation state from +VI in Zn 3MoN 4 to +IV in ZnMoN 2, and the capability of Zn to contribute to the bonding states of both compounds, an effect that we define as 'redox-mediated stabilization.' The stabilization of Mo in both the +VI and +IV oxidation states is due to the intermediate electronegativity of Zn, which enables significant polar covalent bonding in both Zn 3MoN 4 and ZnMoN 2 compounds. The smooth change in the Mo oxidation state between Zn 3MoN 4 and ZnMoN 2 stoichiometries leads to a continuous change in optoelectronic properties - from resistive and semitransparent Zn 3MoN 4 to conductive and absorptive ZnMoN 2. The reported redox-mediated stabilization in zinc molybdenum nitrides suggests there might be many undiscovered ternary compounds with one metal having an intermediate electronegativity, enabling significant covalent bonding, and another metal capable of accommodating multiple oxidation states, enabling stoichiometric flexibility.« less

Redox-Mediated Stabilization in Zinc Molybdenum Nitrides

DOE PAGES

Arca, Elisabetta; Lany, Stephan; Perkins, John D.; ...

2018-03-01

We report on the theoretical prediction and experimental realization of new ternary zinc molybdenum nitride compounds. We used theory to identify previously unknown ternary compounds in the Zn-Mo-N systems, Zn 3MoN 4 and ZnMoN 2, and to analyze their bonding environment. Experiments show that Zn-Mo-N alloys can form in broad composition range from Zn 3MoN 4 to ZnMoN 2 in the wurtzite-derived structure, accommodating very large off-stoichiometry. Interestingly, the measured wurtzite-derived structure of the alloys is metastable for the ZnMoN 2 stoichiometry, in contrast to the Zn 3MoN 4 stoichiometry, where ordered wurtzite is predicted to be the ground state.more » The formation of Zn 3MoN 4-ZnMoN 2 alloy with wurtzite-derived crystal structure is enabled by the concomitant ability of Mo to change oxidation state from +VI in Zn 3MoN 4 to +IV in ZnMoN 2, and the capability of Zn to contribute to the bonding states of both compounds, an effect that we define as 'redox-mediated stabilization.' The stabilization of Mo in both the +VI and +IV oxidation states is due to the intermediate electronegativity of Zn, which enables significant polar covalent bonding in both Zn 3MoN 4 and ZnMoN 2 compounds. The smooth change in the Mo oxidation state between Zn 3MoN 4 and ZnMoN 2 stoichiometries leads to a continuous change in optoelectronic properties - from resistive and semitransparent Zn 3MoN 4 to conductive and absorptive ZnMoN 2. The reported redox-mediated stabilization in zinc molybdenum nitrides suggests there might be many undiscovered ternary compounds with one metal having an intermediate electronegativity, enabling significant covalent bonding, and another metal capable of accommodating multiple oxidation states, enabling stoichiometric flexibility.« less

Wildlife contact rates at artificial feeding sites in Texas.

PubMed

Campbell, Tyler A; Long, David B; Shriner, Susan A

2013-06-01

Given the popularity of feeding white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Texas and the increasing amount of corn that is distributed, more information is needed on the impacts of this activity on non-target wildlife. Our objectives were to report visitation, intra- and interspecific contact, and contact rates of wildlife at artificial feeding sites in Texas. Our study was conducted at three sites in Kleberg and Nueces counties, Texas. We trapped animals from February to April and August to September, 2009 and marked animals with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. At each site and season, we placed one feeder system containing a PIT tag reader within 600 m of trap locations. Readers detected PIT tags from a distance of 25 cm. We determined a contact event to occur when two different PIT tags were detected by feeder systems within 5 s. We recorded 62,719 passes by raccoons (Procyon lotor), 103,512 passes by collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), 2,923 passes by feral swine (Sus scrofa), 1,336 passes by fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), and no passes by opossums (Didelphis virginiana) at feeder systems. For site-season combinations in which contact events occurred, we found intraspecific contact rates (contacts per day) for raccoons, collared peccaries, and feral swine to be 0.81-124.77, 0.69-38.08, and 0.0-0.66, respectively. Throughout our study we distributed ~2,625 kg of whole kernel corn, which resulted in 6,351 contact events between marked wildlife (2.4 contacts per kg of corn). If 136 million kg of corn is distributed in Texas annually, we would expect >5.2 billion unnatural contact events between wildlife would result from this activity each year in Texas. Consequently, we do not believe that it is wise for natural resource managers to maintain artificial feeding sites for white-tailed deer or other wildlife due to pathogen transmission risks.

Wildlife Contact Rates at Artificial Feeding Sites in Texas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Tyler A.; Long, David B.; Shriner, Susan A.

2013-06-01

Given the popularity of feeding white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) in Texas and the increasing amount of corn that is distributed, more information is needed on the impacts of this activity on non-target wildlife. Our objectives were to report visitation, intra- and interspecific contact, and contact rates of wildlife at artificial feeding sites in Texas. Our study was conducted at three sites in Kleberg and Nueces counties, Texas. We trapped animals from February to April and August to September, 2009 and marked animals with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. At each site and season, we placed one feeder system containing a PIT tag reader within 600 m of trap locations. Readers detected PIT tags from a distance of 25 cm. We determined a contact event to occur when two different PIT tags were detected by feeder systems within 5 s. We recorded 62,719 passes by raccoons ( Procyon lotor), 103,512 passes by collared peccaries ( Pecari tajacu), 2,923 passes by feral swine ( Sus scrofa), 1,336 passes by fox squirrels ( Sciurus niger), and no passes by opossums ( Didelphis virginiana) at feeder systems. For site-season combinations in which contact events occurred, we found intraspecific contact rates (contacts per day) for raccoons, collared peccaries, and feral swine to be 0.81-124.77, 0.69-38.08, and 0.0-0.66, respectively. Throughout our study we distributed ~2,625 kg of whole kernel corn, which resulted in 6,351 contact events between marked wildlife (2.4 contacts per kg of corn). If 136 million kg of corn is distributed in Texas annually, we would expect >5.2 billion unnatural contact events between wildlife would result from this activity each year in Texas. Consequently, we do not believe that it is wise for natural resource managers to maintain artificial feeding sites for white-tailed deer or other wildlife due to pathogen transmission risks.

Effect of chloride contamination in MON-1 propellant on crack growth properties of metals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, C. M.; Toth, L. R.

1981-01-01

The effect of a high level of chloride content (800 ppm) in MON-1 propellant on the crack growth properties of seven materials was investigated. Sustained load tests were conducted at 49 C (120 F) temperature with thin gauge tensile specimens having a semi-elliptical surface flaw. Alloys included aluminum 1100, 3003, 5086 and 6061; corrosion resistant steel types A286 and 347; and titanium 6Al-4V. The configurations tested with precracked flaws exposed to MON-1 were: parent or base metal, center weld, and heat affected zone. It was concluded that this chloride level in MON-1 does not affect the stress corrosion, crack growth properties of these alloys after 1000 hour exposure duration under high stresses.

Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) and Particulate N (PN) behaviors in Response to Storm Events in the Clear Creek, IA Site of the Intensively Managed Landscape - Critical Zone Observatory (IML-CZO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blair, N. E.; Ward, A. S.; Bettis, E. A., III; Zhou, N.; Kazmierczak, B. M.

2017-12-01

A goal of the NSF-sponsored IML-CZO (EAR-1331906) is to understand how the Critical Zone of the agricultural Midwest of North America will respond to the pressures of increased land use and climate change. As a step towards that goal, the landscape response to storm events of one of the IML-CZO field sites, the Clear Creek watershed in Iowa, was studied to determine the sources and quantities of suspended load POC and PN to the creek. The Clear Creek watershed is 270 km2 and is dominated by corn-soybean agriculture. Water samples were collected prior to, during and after 6 storm events during the 2014-2016 period at up to three stations on the creek. The suspended particulate load was isolated via filtration and characterized by C, N elemental and stable isotope analyses. Sediment concentration - discharge relationships vary considerably between storm events. POC δ13C values exhibit pronounced yet consistent changes within events as a function of discharge. In general, δ13C values are reflective of C3 plant sources ( -30‰) at base flow and trend towards an asymptotic value of -22‰ with increasing discharge. The most positive δ13C values also correlate with higher C/N ratios. The 13C-enrichment of the suspended load thus seems to be the result of the inclusion of C4 plant debris, principally corn, from surface soils. Bank erosion with mobilization of in-channel production likely dominate the POC sources at base flow. Top soil erosion incorporating corn (and C3 plant) residue dominate stream inputs at Q >3000 l/s. The C4 plant signal is more prevalent at upstream stations, which is consistent with land use patterns. The presence of corn in the system provides an in situ particle tracer for POC and PN that can be followed downstream and used to investigate exchanges of material between the landscape and stream.

The sky is falling III: The effect of deposition from static solid rocket motor tests on juvenile crops.

PubMed

Doucette, William J; Curry, Eric; McNeill, Laurie S; Heavilin, Justin

2017-12-01

A mixture of combustion products (mainly hydrogen chloride, aluminum oxide, and water) and entrained soil, referred to as Test Fire Soil (TFS), can be deposited on crops during static solid rocket motor tests. The impact of a reported worst-case event was previously evaluated by exposing corn and alfalfa to 3200-gTFS/m 2 at 54days after emergence. Exposures via soil and leaves were evaluated separately. Reduced growth (soil exposure) and leaf "scorch" (leaf exposure) were attributed mainly to the high chloride concentrations in the TFS (56,000mg/kg). A follow-up study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a typical deposition event (70-gTFS/m 2 , estimated by radar during several tests) and exposure (soil and leaves simultaneously) on juvenile corn, alfalfa, and winter wheat. Younger crops were used to examine potential age sensitivity differences. Impact was evaluated by comparing the growth, elemental composition, and leaf chlorophyll content of treated and untreated plants. The relationship between deposition exposure and response was also addressed. Growth of corn, alfalfa, and winter wheat exposed to a typical TFS loading was not impacted, although slightly elevated concentrations of aluminum and iron were found in the leaves. At the highest loadings used for the exposure-response experiment, concentrations of chloride and calcium were higher in TFS-exposed corn leaves than in the untreated leaves. Overall results indicate that exposure to a typical deposition event does not adversely impact juvenile crops and that younger plants may be less vulnerable to TFS. However, higher TFS loadings can cause leaf scorch and increase the leaf concentrations of some elements. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Familiarity speeds up visual short-term memory consolidation.

PubMed

Xie, Weizhen; Zhang, Weiwei

2017-06-01

Existing long-term memory (LTM) can boost the number of retained representations over a short delay in visual short-term memory (VSTM). However, it is unclear whether and how prior LTM affects the initial process of transforming fragile sensory inputs into durable VSTM representations (i.e., VSTM consolidation). The consolidation speed hypothesis predicts faster consolidation for familiar relative to unfamiliar stimuli. Alternatively, the perceptual boost hypothesis predicts that the advantage in perceptual processing of familiar stimuli should add a constant boost for familiar stimuli during VSTM consolidation. To test these competing hypotheses, the present study examined how the large variance in participants' prior multimedia experience with Pokémon affected VSTM for Pokémon. In Experiment 1, the amount of time allowed for VSTM consolidation was manipulated by presenting consolidation masks at different intervals after the onset of to-be-remembered Pokémon characters. First-generation Pokémon characters that participants were more familiar with were consolidated faster into VSTM as compared with recent-generation Pokémon characters that participants were less familiar with. These effects were absent in participants who were unfamiliar with both generations of Pokémon. Although familiarity also increased the number of retained Pokémon characters when consolidation was uninterrupted but still incomplete due to insufficient encoding time in Experiment 1, this capacity effect was absent in Experiment 2 when consolidation was allowed to complete with sufficient encoding time. Together, these results support the consolidation speed hypothesis over the perceptual boost hypothesis and highlight the importance of assessing experimental effects on both processing and representation aspects of VSTM. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Intermediates in monensin biosynthesis: A late step in biosynthesis of the polyether ionophore monensin is crucial for the integrity of cation binding.

PubMed

Hüttel, Wolfgang; Spencer, Jonathan B; Leadlay, Peter F

2014-01-01

Polyether antibiotics such as monensin are biosynthesised via a cascade of directed ring expansions operating on a putative polyepoxide precursor. The resulting structures containing fused cyclic ethers and a lipophilic backbone can form strong ionophoric complexes with certain metal cations. In this work, we demonstrate for monensin biosynthesis that, as well as ether formation, a late-stage hydroxylation step is crucial for the correct formation of the sodium monensin complex. We have investigated the last two steps in monensin biosynthesis, namely hydroxylation catalysed by the P450 monooxygenase MonD and O-methylation catalysed by the methyl-transferase MonE. The corresponding genes were deleted in-frame in a monensin-overproducing strain of Streptomyces cinnamonensis. The mutants produced the expected monensin derivatives in excellent yields (ΔmonD: 1.13 g L(-1) dehydroxymonensin; ΔmonE: 0.50 g L(-1) demethylmonensin; and double mutant ΔmonDΔmonE: 0.34 g L(-1) dehydroxydemethylmonensin). Single crystals were obtained from purified fractions of dehydroxymonensin and demethylmonensin. X-ray structure analysis revealed that the conformation of sodium dimethylmonensin is very similar to that of sodium monensin. In contrast, the coordination of the sodium ion is significantly different in the sodium dehydroxymonensin complex. This shows that the final constitution of the sodium monensin complex requires this tailoring step as well as polyether formation.

The Ectopic Expression of the Wheat Puroindoline Genes Increase Germ Size and Seed Oil Content in Transgenic Corn

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jinrui; Martin, John M.; Beecher, Brian; Lu, Chaofu; Hannah, L. Curtis; Wall, Michael L.; Altosaar, Illimar; Giroux, Michael J.

2014-01-01

Plant oil content and composition improvement is a major goal of plant breeding and biotechnology. The Puroindoline a and b (PINA and PINB) proteins together control whether wheat seeds are soft or hard textured and share a similar structure to that of plant non-specific lipid-transfer proteins. Here we transformed corn (Zea mays L.) with the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb) to assess their effects upon seed oil content and quality. Pina and Pinb coding sequences were introduced into corn under the control of a corn Ubiquitin promoter. Three Pina/Pinb expression positive transgenic events were evaluated over two growing seasons. The results showed that Pin expression increased germ size significantly without negatively impacting seed size. Germ yield increased 33.8% while total seed oil content was increased by 25.23%. Seed oil content increases were primarily the result of increased germ size. This work indicates that higher oil content corn hybrids having increased food or feed value could be produced via puroindoline expression. PMID:20725765

Pokémon-Go: Why Augmented Reality Games Offer Insights for Enhancing Public Health Interventions on Obesity-Related Diseases.

PubMed

Wong, Ming Chao; Turner, Paul; MacIntyre, Kate; Yee, Kwang Chien

2017-01-01

Stimulating widespread interests of the population to participate in behavioural changes through information and technology has been an aim of much health informatics research. The recent widespread participation of the augmented reality game Pokémon Go which encourages exercises, provides significant insights into the potential of information technology to improve healthcare intervention on obesity-related disease. Does Pokémon Go point to another way of achieving health benefits using mobile devices? This paper analyses the features of Pokémon Go in relation to potential health benefits. This paper suggests from the perspective of a user on changes to the game that potentially could help with obesity, mental health cardiovascular health and vitamin D deficiencies. While the impact of augmented reality games on improving exercises might be substantial, the question of sustainability and likely long-term health outcomes remain debatable. The rapid uptake of Pokémon Go by the population around the world, however, should serve as a useful lesson for information and technological design to improve outcomes obesity-related diseases in the future.

Motives Matter: Motives for Playing Pokémon Go and Implications for Well-Being.

PubMed

Yang, Chia-Chen; Liu, Dong

2017-01-01

Mobile games such as Pokémon Go have become a major form of entertainment, and yet little is known about why people play the games and how their motives associate with well-being. Although literature on motives for playing video and online games is informative, the findings may not reflect the full spectrum of mobile gaming motives due to some unique affordances of mobile games (e.g., mobility). To catch up with the evolving gaming context, a popular mobile game, Pokémon Go, was taken as an example to explore individuals' mobile gaming motives. A Pokémon Go Motive Scale was developed. Seven motives were identified through factor analyses based on survey data from 262 Pokémon Go players (45 percent women; M age  = 30.71, standard deviation = 7.77): Exercise, Fun, Escapism, Nostalgia, Friendship Maintenance, Relationship Initiation, and Achievement. Both Fun and Friendship Maintenance were positive correlates of well-being, whereas Escapism and Nostalgia were negative correlates. Relationship Initiation was associated with both better and poorer well-being. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Martian crater counts on Elysium Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbride, Kathleen; Barlow, Nadine G.

1990-01-01

Without returned samples from the Martian surface, relative age chronologies and stratigraphic relationships provide the best information for determining the ages of geomorphic features and surface regions. Crater-size frequency distributions of six recently mapped geological units of Elysium Mons were measured to establish their relative ages. Most of the craters on Elysium Mons and the adjacent plains units are between 500 and 1000 meters in diameter. However, only craters 1 km in diameter or larger were used because of inadequate spatial resolution of some of the Viking images and to reduce probability of counting secondary craters. The six geologic units include all of the Elysium Mons construct and a portion of the plains units west of the volcano. The surface area of the units studied is approximately 128,000 sq km. Four of the geologic units were used to create crater distribution curves. There are no craters larger than 1 km within the Elysium Mons caldera. Craters that lacked raised rims, were irregularly shaped, or were arranged in a linear pattern were assumed to be endogenic in origin and not counted. A crater frequency distribution analysis is presented.

Mycotoxin production by Fusarium avenaceum strains isolated from Norwegian grain and the cytotoxicity of rice culture extracts to porcine kidney epithelial cells.

PubMed

Morrison, Ellen; Kosiak, Barbara; Ritieni, Alberto; Aastveit, Are H; Uhlig, Silvio; Bernhoft, Aksel

2002-05-08

The secondary metabolites of 24 isolates of Fusarium avenaceum from Norwegian cereals and grown on rice have been characterized. Moniliformin (MON), enniatins (ENNs), and beauvericin (BEA) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK15, American Type Culture Collection) were used to study the cytotoxicity of MON in the extracts. The following metabolites were produced by all isolates, ranked by concentration in rice cultures: ENN-B, MON, ENN-B1, and ENN-A. BEA was produced by eight isolates. The productions of BEA and ENN-A were significantly correlated, as was the case with ENN-B and ENN-B1. MON production was correlated neither to any of the other toxins nor to toxicity.

Tracking Movement of Plant Carbon Through Soil to Water by Lignin Phenol Stable Carbon Isotope Composition in a Small Agricultural Watershed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crooker, K.; Filley, T.; Six, J.; Frey, J.

2005-12-01

Few studies integrate land cover, soil physical structure, and aquatic physical fractions when investigating the fate of agricultural carbon in watersheds. In crop systems that involve rotations of soy (a C3 plant) and corn (a C4 plant) the large intrinsic differences in stable carbon isotope values and lignin plus cutin chemistry enable tracking of plant carbon movement from soil fractions to DOM and overland flow during precipitation events. In a small (~3Km2) agricultural basin in central Indiana, we studied plant carbon dynamics in a soy/corn agricultural rotation (2004-2005) to determine the relative inputs of these two plants to soil fractions and the resultant contributions to dissolved, colloidal, and particulate organic matter when mobilized. Using bulk isotope values the fraction of carbon derived from corn in macroaggregates (>250 micron), microaggregates (53-250 mm), and silts plus clays (<53 mm) ranged from 39, 49, to 42%, respectively. Unlike bulk analyses, compound specific isotope analysis of lignin in the soil fractions revealed a wide range of relative inputs among the monomers with cinnamyl phenols being almost exclusively (~ 93%) derived from corn. Syringyl phenols ranged from 75-56% corn and vanillyl phenols ranged from 37-40% corn carbon. The relative input among the fractions mirrors closely the comparative plant chemistry abundances between soy and corn. During export of DOM from the land to the stream the relative abundance of plant source varied with discharge (0.05-1.8 m3/sec) as increases in flow increased the relative export of corn-derived C from the fields. Over the full range of flows lignin phenols varied from 0.05 to 82% corn-derived with the greatest relative corn input for cinnamyl and syringyl carbon. The trend with stream discharge indicates a progressive movement of particulate corn residues with overland flow. Ongoing studies look to resolve contributions of algae, bacteria and terrestrial plants to soil fractions and their mobilized components.

Comparative studies of the quantification of genetically modified organisms in foods processed from maize and soy using trial producing.

PubMed

Yoshimura, Tomoaki; Kuribara, Hideo; Kodama, Takashi; Yamata, Seiko; Futo, Satoshi; Watanabe, Satoshi; Aoki, Nobutaro; Iizuka, Tayoshi; Akiyama, Hiroshi; Maitani, Tamio; Naito, Shigehiro; Hino, Akihiro

2005-03-23

Seven types of processed foods, namely, cornstarch, cornmeal, corn puffs, corn chips, tofu, soy milk, and boiled beans, were trial produced from 1 and 5% (w/w) genetically modified (GM) mixed raw materials. In this report, insect resistant maize (MON810) and herbicide tolerant soy (Roundup Ready soy, 40-3-2) were used as representatives of GM maize and soy, respectively. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the raw materials and the trial-produced processed food using two types of methods, i.e., the silica membrane method and the anion exchange method. The GM% values of these samples were quantified, and the significant differences between the raw materials and the trial-produced processed foods were statistically confirmed. There were some significant differences in the comparisons of all processed foods. However, our quantitative methods could be applied as a screening assay to tofu and soy milk because the differences in GM% between the trial-produced processed foods and their raw materials were lower than 13 and 23%, respectively. In addition, when quantitating with two primer pairs (SSIIb 3, 114 bp; SSIIb 4, 83 bp for maize and Le1n02, 118 bp; Le1n03, 89 bp for soy), which were targeted within the same taxon specific DNA sequence with different amplicon sizes, the ratios of the copy numbers of the two primer pairs (SSIIb 3/4 and Le1n02/03) decreased with time in a heat-treated processing model using an autoclave. In this report, we suggest that the degradation level of DNA in processed foods could be estimated from these ratios, and the probability of GM quantification could be experimentally predicted from the results of the trial producing.

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-09

This image shows the southern flank of Pavonis Mons. The large sinuous channel at the bottom of the image is located at the uppermost part of the volcano where collapse features are following the regional linear trend. A lava tube of this size indicates a high volume of lava. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 45493 Latitude: -0.197065 Longitude: 246.516 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2012-03-17 03:39 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22025

FerryMon: An Unattended Ferry-Based Observatory to Assess Human and Climatically- Induced Ecological Change in the Neuse River-Pamlico Sound System, North Carolina, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guajardo, R.; Paerl, H. W.; Hall, N.; Whipple, A.; Luettich, R.

2007-12-01

In North Carolina's Neuse River Estuary (NRE)-Pamlico Sound (PS) System, nitrogen (N)-driven eutrophication, water quality and habitat decline have prompted the State and US EPA to mandate watershed-based N load reductions, including a total maximum daily allowable N load (TMDL). Chlorophyll a (chl-a), the indicator of algal biomass, is the measure for the efficacy of N reductions, with "acceptable" values being <40 μg chl- a L-1. However, algal blooms are patchy in time and space, making exceedances of 40 μ g L-1 difficult to track. The North Carolina ferry-based water quality monitoring program, FerryMon (www.ferrymon.org) addresses this and other environmental monitoring needs in the NRE-PS. FerryMon uses NC DOT ferries to provide continuous, space-time intensive, accurate measurements of chl-a and other key water quality criteria, using sensors placed in a flow-through system and discrete sampling of nutrients, organics, diagnostic photopigment and molecular indicators of major algal groups in a near real-time manner. Complementing FerryMon are automated vertical profilers (AVPs), which produce chl-a and other water quality indicator depth profiles with very high time and vertical resolution. In-line spectral fluorometers (Algae Online Analyzers (AOAs)) will be installed starting in late 2007, providing rapid early warning detection and quantification of algal blooms. FerryMon permits spatial characterization of trends in water quality conditions over a range of relevant physical, chemical and biological time scales. This enhanced capability is timely, given a protracted period of increased tropical storm and hurricane activity that, in combination with anthropogenic nutrient enrichment, affects water quality in unpredictable, yet significant ways. FerryMon also serves as a data source for calibrating and verifying remotely sensed indicators of water quality (photopigments, turbidity), nutrient-productivity and hydrologic modeling. Data management and communication links allow FerryMon to integrate with complementary watershed, estuarine and coastal observational programs . FerryMon's technology is readily transferable to other estuarine, large lake and coastal ecosystems served by ferries and other "ships of opportunity".

Searching for evidence of hydrothermal activity at Apollinaris Mons, Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

El Maarry, M.R.; Dohm, J.M.; Marzo, G.A.; Fergason, R.; Goetz, W.; Heggy, E.; Pack, A.; Markiewicz, W.J.

2012-01-01

A multidisciplinary approach involving various remote sensing instruments is used to investigate Apollinaris Mons, a prominent volcano on Mars, as well as the surrounding plains for signs of prolonged hydrologic and volcanic, and possibly hydrothermal activity. The main findings include (1) evidence from laser altimetry indicating the large thickness (1.5-2. km at some locations) of the fan deposits draping the southern flank contrary to previous estimates, coupled with possible layering which point to a significant emplacement phase at Apollinaris Mons, (2) corroboration of Robinson et al. (Robinson, M.S., Mouginis-Mark, P.J., Zimbelman, J.R., Wu, S.S.C., Ablin, K.K., Howington-Kraus, A.E. [1993]. Icarus 104, 301-323) hypothesis regarding the formation of incised valleys on the western flanks by density current erosion which would indicate magma-water interaction or, alternatively, volatile-rich magmas early in the volcano's history, (3) mounds of diverse geometric shapes, many of which display summit depressions and occur among faults and fractures, possibly marking venting, (4) strong indicators on the flanks of the volcano for lahar events, and possibly, a caldera lake, (5) ubiquitous presence of impact craters displaying fluidized ejecta in both shield-forming (flank and caldera) materials and materials that surround the volcano that are indicative of water-rich target materials at the time of impact, (6) long-term complex association in time among shield-forming materials and Medusae Fossae Formation.The findings point to a site of extensive volcanic and hydrologic activity with possibly a period of magma-water interaction and hydrothermal activity. Finally, we propose that the mound structures around Apollinaris should be prime targets for further in situ exploration and search for possible exobiological signatures. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc..

Searching for evidence of hydrothermal activity at Apollinaris Mons, Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

El Maarry, M. Ramy; Dohm, James M.; Marzo, Giuseppe A.; Fergason, Robin; Goetz, Walter; Heggy, Essam; Pack, Andreas; Markiewicz, Wojciech J.

2012-01-01

A multidisciplinary approach involving various remote sensing instruments is used to investigate Apollinaris Mons, a prominent volcano on Mars, as well as the surrounding plains for signs of prolonged hydrologic and volcanic, and possibly hydrothermal activity. The main findings include (1) evidence from laser altimetry indicating the large thickness (1.5–2 km at some locations) of the fan deposits draping the southern flank contrary to previous estimates, coupled with possible layering which point to a significant emplacement phase at Apollinaris Mons, (2) corroboration of Robinson et al. (Robinson, M.S., Mouginis-Mark, P.J., Zimbelman, J.R., Wu, S.S.C., Ablin, K.K., Howington-Kraus, A.E. [1993]. Icarus 104, 301–323) hypothesis regarding the formation of incised valleys on the western flanks by density current erosion which would indicate magma–water interaction or, alternatively, volatile-rich magmas early in the volcano’s history, (3) mounds of diverse geometric shapes, many of which display summit depressions and occur among faults and fractures, possibly marking venting, (4) strong indicators on the flanks of the volcano for lahar events, and possibly, a caldera lake, (5) ubiquitous presence of impact craters displaying fluidized ejecta in both shield-forming (flank and caldera) materials and materials that surround the volcano that are indicative of water-rich target materials at the time of impact, (6) long-term complex association in time among shield-forming materials and Medusae Fossae Formation. The findings point to a site of extensive volcanic and hydrologic activity with possibly a period of magma–water interaction and hydrothermal activity. Finally, we propose that the mound structures around Apollinaris should be prime targets for further in situ exploration and search for possible exobiological signatures.

Ascraeus Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-04-16

The surface textures observed in this NASA Mars Odyssey image of Ascraeus Mons are due to different volcanic flow types. Textural variations can be produced under a variety of different conditions such as varying cooling and flow rates.

False Color Image of Volcano Sapas Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-02-05

This false-color image obtained by NASA Magellan spacecraft shows the volcano Sapas Mons, which is located in the broad equatorial rise called Atla Regio. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00203

Tharsis Limb Cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

[figure removed for brevity, see original site] Annotated image of Tharsis Limb Cloud

7 September 2005 This composite of red and blue Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired on 6 July 2005 shows an isolated water ice cloud extending more than 30 kilometers (more than 18 miles) above the martian surface. Clouds such as this are common in late spring over the terrain located southwest of the Arsia Mons volcano. Arsia Mons is the dark, oval feature near the limb, just to the left of the 'T' in the 'Tharsis Montes' label. The dark, nearly circular feature above the 'S' in 'Tharsis' is the volcano, Pavonis Mons, and the other dark circular feature, above and to the right of 's' in 'Montes,' is Ascraeus Mons. Illumination is from the left/lower left.

Season: Northern Autumn/Southern Spring

Pokémon Go: digital health interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk.

PubMed

Krittanawong, Chayakrit; Aydar, Mehmet; Kitai, Takeshi

2017-10-01

Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease/cardiovascular disease mortality, and current guidelines recommend physical activity for primary prevention in healthy individuals and secondary prevention in patients with coronary heart disease/cardiovascular disease. Over the last decade, playing classic video games has become one of the most popular leisure activities in the world, but is associated with a sedentary lifestyle. In the new era of rapidly evolving augmented reality technology, Pokémon Go, a well-known augmented reality game, may promote physical activity and prevent cardiovascular disease risks - that is, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Pokémon Go makes players willing to be physically active for regular and long periods of time. We report on an assessment of regular walking and playing Pokémon Go by performing data mining in Twitter.

A proposed origin of the Olympus Mons escarpment. [Martian volcanic feature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, J. S.; Riehle, J. R.

1974-01-01

Olympus Mons (Nix Olympica) on Mars is delimited by a unique steep, nearly circular scarp. A pyroclastic model is proposed for the construct's origin. It is postulated that the Olympus Mons plateau is constructed predominantly of numerous ash-flow tuffs which were erupted from central sources over an extended period of time. Lava flows may be intercalated with the tuffs. A schematic radial profile incorporating the inferred compaction zones for an ash sheet is proposed. Following emplacement, eolian (and possibly fluvial) erosion and abrasion during dust storms would act on the ash sheets. Interior portions of the sheets would spall and slump following eolian erosion, generating steep, relatively smooth boundary scarps. The scarp would be circular due to symmetrical distribution of compaction zones. The model implies further that the Olympus Mons plateau rests on a more resistant rock substrate.

Genetic structure of the Mon-Khmer speaking groups and their affinity to the neighbouring Tai populations in Northern Thailand

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The Mon-Khmer speaking peoples inhabited northern Thailand before the arrival of the Tai speaking people from southern China in the thirteenth century A.D. Historical and anthropological evidence suggests a close relationship between the Mon-Khmer groups and the present day majority northern Thai groups. In this study, mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal DNA polymorphisms in more than 800 volunteers from eight Mon-Khmer and ten Tai speaking populations were investigated to estimate the degree of genetic divergence between these major linguistic groups and their internal structure. Results A large fraction of genetic variation is observed within populations (about 80% and 90% for mtDNA and the Y-chromosome, respectively). The genetic divergence between populations is much higher in Mon-Khmer than in Tai speaking groups, especially at the paternally inherited markers. The two major linguistic groups are genetically distinct, but only for a marginal fraction (1 to 2%) of the total genetic variation. Genetic distances between populations correlate with their linguistic differences, whereas the geographic distance does not explain the genetic divergence pattern. Conclusions The Mon-Khmer speaking populations in northern Thailand exhibited the genetic divergence among each other and also when compared to Tai speaking peoples. The different drift effects and the post-marital residence patterns between the two linguistic groups are the explanation for a small but significant fraction of the genetic variation pattern within and between them. PMID:21672265

Photometric studies for two contact binaries: V532 Monocerotis and GU Orionis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yuangui; Dai, Haifeng; Yuan, Huiyu; Zhang, Xiliang; Zhang, Liyun

2017-08-01

We present photometry and spectroscopy data for V532 Mon and GU Ori, observed in 2011 and 2016. From the spectral observations, the spectral types are determined to be F5V for V532 Mon and G0V for GU Ori. With the 2015-version Wilson-Devinney program, the photometric solutions are simultaneously deduced from VR light curves (LCs). The intrinsic variability for V532 Mon is found by comparing LCs in 2004 and 2011, while the asymmetric LCs for GU Ori are modeled by a cool spot on the more massive component. The results imply that the two stars are A-type contact binaries. The mass ratios and fill-out factors are, respectively, q = 0.190(±0.006) and f = 43.7(±0.9)% for V532 Mon and q = 0.455(±0.020) and f = 26.9(±1.3)% for GU Ori. From the (O - C) curves, it is found that their orbital periods may be undergoing long-term variations. The rates of period change are dP/dt = -1.72(±0.05) × 10-7 d yr-1 for V532 Mon and dP/dt = +1.45(±0.01) × 10-7 d yr-1 for GU Ori. V532 Mon with a decreasing period will evolve into a deep-contact binary, while GU Ori with an increasing period may evolve into a broken-contact case.

Genetic structure of the Mon-Khmer speaking groups and their affinity to the neighbouring Tai populations in Northern Thailand.

PubMed

Kutanan, Wibhu; Kampuansai, Jatupol; Fuselli, Silvia; Nakbunlung, Supaporn; Seielstad, Mark; Bertorelle, Giorgio; Kangwanpong, Daoroong

2011-06-15

The Mon-Khmer speaking peoples inhabited northern Thailand before the arrival of the Tai speaking people from southern China in the thirteenth century A.D. Historical and anthropological evidence suggests a close relationship between the Mon-Khmer groups and the present day majority northern Thai groups. In this study, mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal DNA polymorphisms in more than 800 volunteers from eight Mon-Khmer and ten Tai speaking populations were investigated to estimate the degree of genetic divergence between these major linguistic groups and their internal structure. A large fraction of genetic variation is observed within populations (about 80% and 90% for mtDNA and the Y-chromosome, respectively). The genetic divergence between populations is much higher in Mon-Khmer than in Tai speaking groups, especially at the paternally inherited markers. The two major linguistic groups are genetically distinct, but only for a marginal fraction (1 to 2%) of the total genetic variation. Genetic distances between populations correlate with their linguistic differences, whereas the geographic distance does not explain the genetic divergence pattern. The Mon-Khmer speaking populations in northern Thailand exhibited the genetic divergence among each other and also when compared to Tai speaking peoples. The different drift effects and the post-marital residence patterns between the two linguistic groups are the explanation for a small but significant fraction of the genetic variation pattern within and between them. © 2011 Kutanan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Circumferential graben and the structural evolution of Alba Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Öhman, Teemu; McGovern, Patrick J.

2014-05-01

Alba Mons is a unique, very extensive but shallow volcanotectonic construct in northern Tharsis, Mars. Numerous models have been presented to explain the formation of Alba Mons and its most characteristic feature, a wristwatch-like pattern of radial and circumferential graben. We used a wide selection of topographic datasets to characterize the fault throw variation on nine topographic transects across the circumferential graben in order to provide observational constraints for the different formation models, and to gain further insight into the evolution of Alba Mons. In most of the transects, summed throws from outwards-facing (away from the center of the volcano) faults are larger than from the inwards-facing (towards the center) ones. Only the very gently sloping western transects show the opposite, emphasizing the east-west-asymmetry of Alba Mons. 10-40% of the observed topographic relief of Alba Mons along the nine transects can be accounted for by this throw difference between the inwards- and outwards-facing faults. These results are consistent with predictions of models suggesting an uplift mechanism to explain the formation of the circumferential graben, but not with models invoking central subsidence. Horizontal extensional strain along the transects varies between 0.5% and 2%, consistent with strain predictions of the late-stage sill complex inflation model of McGovern et al. (McGovern, P.J., Solomon, S.C., Head J.W. III, Smith, D.E., Zuber M.T., Neumann, G.A. [2001]. J. Geophys. Res. 106(E10), 23769-23809).

Intermediates in monensin biosynthesis: A late step in biosynthesis of the polyether ionophore monensin is crucial for the integrity of cation binding

PubMed Central

Spencer, Jonathan B; Leadlay, Peter F

2014-01-01

Summary Polyether antibiotics such as monensin are biosynthesised via a cascade of directed ring expansions operating on a putative polyepoxide precursor. The resulting structures containing fused cyclic ethers and a lipophilic backbone can form strong ionophoric complexes with certain metal cations. In this work, we demonstrate for monensin biosynthesis that, as well as ether formation, a late-stage hydroxylation step is crucial for the correct formation of the sodium monensin complex. We have investigated the last two steps in monensin biosynthesis, namely hydroxylation catalysed by the P450 monooxygenase MonD and O-methylation catalysed by the methyl-transferase MonE. The corresponding genes were deleted in-frame in a monensin-overproducing strain of Streptomyces cinnamonensis. The mutants produced the expected monensin derivatives in excellent yields (ΔmonD: 1.13 g L−1 dehydroxymonensin; ΔmonE: 0.50 g L−1 demethylmonensin; and double mutant ΔmonDΔmonE: 0.34 g L−1 dehydroxydemethylmonensin). Single crystals were obtained from purified fractions of dehydroxymonensin and demethylmonensin. X-ray structure analysis revealed that the conformation of sodium dimethylmonensin is very similar to that of sodium monensin. In contrast, the coordination of the sodium ion is significantly different in the sodium dehydroxymonensin complex. This shows that the final constitution of the sodium monensin complex requires this tailoring step as well as polyether formation. PMID:24605157

NEAR-INFRARED CIRCULAR AND LINEAR POLARIMETRY OF MONOCEROS R2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kwon, Jungmi; Tamura, Motohide; Hough, James H.

We have conducted simultaneous JHK{sub s}-band imaging circular and linear polarimetry of the Monoceros R2 (Mon R2) cluster. We present results from deep and wide near-infrared linear polarimetry of the Mon R2 region. Prominent and extended polarized nebulosities over the Mon R2 field are revisited, and an infrared reflection nebula associated with the Mon R2 cluster and two local reflection nebulae, vdB 67 and vdB 69, is detected. We also present results from deep imaging circular polarimetry in the same region. For the first time, the observations show relatively high degrees of circular polarization (CP) in Mon R2, with asmore » much as approximately 10% in the K{sub s} band. The maximum CP extent of a ring-like nebula around the Mon R2 cluster is approximately 0.60 pc, while that of a western nebula, around vdB 67, is approximately 0.24 pc. The extended size of the CP is larger than those seen in the Orion region around IRc2, while the maximum degree of CP of ∼10% is smaller than those of ∼17% seen in the Orion region. Nonetheless, both the CP size and degree of this region are among the largest in our infrared CP survey of star-forming regions. We have also investigated the time variability of the degree of the polarization of several infrared sources and found possible variations in three sources.« less

Influence of Pokémon Go on Physical Activity: Study and Implications

PubMed Central

White, Ryen W; Horvitz, Eric

2016-01-01

Background Physical activity helps people maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk for several chronic diseases. Although this knowledge is widely recognized, adults and children in many countries around the world do not get recommended amounts of physical activity. Although many interventions are found to be ineffective at increasing physical activity or reaching inactive populations, there have been anecdotal reports of increased physical activity due to novel mobile games that embed game play in the physical world. The most recent and salient example of such a game is Pokémon Go, which has reportedly reached tens of millions of users in the United States and worldwide. Objective The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of Pokémon Go on physical activity. Methods We study the effect of Pokémon Go on physical activity through a combination of signals from large-scale corpora of wearable sensor data and search engine logs for 32,000 Microsoft Band users over a period of 3 months. Pokémon Go players are identified through search engine queries and physical activity is measured through accelerometers. Results We find that Pokémon Go leads to significant increases in physical activity over a period of 30 days, with particularly engaged users (ie, those making multiple search queries for details about game usage) increasing their activity by 1473 steps a day on average, a more than 25% increase compared with their prior activity level (P<.001). In the short time span of the study, we estimate that Pokémon Go has added a total of 144 billion steps to US physical activity. Furthermore, Pokémon Go has been able to increase physical activity across men and women of all ages, weight status, and prior activity levels showing this form of game leads to increases in physical activity with significant implications for public health. In particular, we find that Pokémon Go is able to reach low activity populations, whereas all 4 leading mobile health apps studied in this work largely draw from an already very active population. Conclusions Mobile apps combining game play with physical activity lead to substantial short-term activity increases and, in contrast to many existing interventions and mobile health apps, have the potential to reach activity-poor populations. Future studies are needed to investigate potential long-term effects of these applications. PMID:27923778

Influence of Pokémon Go on Physical Activity: Study and Implications.

PubMed

Althoff, Tim; White, Ryen W; Horvitz, Eric

2016-12-06

Physical activity helps people maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk for several chronic diseases. Although this knowledge is widely recognized, adults and children in many countries around the world do not get recommended amounts of physical activity. Although many interventions are found to be ineffective at increasing physical activity or reaching inactive populations, there have been anecdotal reports of increased physical activity due to novel mobile games that embed game play in the physical world. The most recent and salient example of such a game is Pokémon Go, which has reportedly reached tens of millions of users in the United States and worldwide. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of Pokémon Go on physical activity. We study the effect of Pokémon Go on physical activity through a combination of signals from large-scale corpora of wearable sensor data and search engine logs for 32,000 Microsoft Band users over a period of 3 months. Pokémon Go players are identified through search engine queries and physical activity is measured through accelerometers. We find that Pokémon Go leads to significant increases in physical activity over a period of 30 days, with particularly engaged users (ie, those making multiple search queries for details about game usage) increasing their activity by 1473 steps a day on average, a more than 25% increase compared with their prior activity level (P<.001). In the short time span of the study, we estimate that Pokémon Go has added a total of 144 billion steps to US physical activity. Furthermore, Pokémon Go has been able to increase physical activity across men and women of all ages, weight status, and prior activity levels showing this form of game leads to increases in physical activity with significant implications for public health. In particular, we find that Pokémon Go is able to reach low activity populations, whereas all 4 leading mobile health apps studied in this work largely draw from an already very active population. Mobile apps combining game play with physical activity lead to substantial short-term activity increases and, in contrast to many existing interventions and mobile health apps, have the potential to reach activity-poor populations. Future studies are needed to investigate potential long-term effects of these applications. ©Tim Althoff, Ryen W White, Eric Horvitz. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 06.12.2016.

Who Is Still Playing Pokémon Go? A Web-Based Survey.

PubMed

Rasche, Peter; Schlomann, Anna; Mertens, Alexander

2017-04-05

Poor physical activity is one of the major health care problems in Western civilizations. Various digital gadgets aiming to increase physical activity, such as activity trackers or fitness apps, have been introduced over recent years. The newest products are serious games that incorporate real-life physical activity into their game concept. Recent studies have shown that such games increase the physical activity of their users over the short term. In this study, we investigated the motivational effects of the digital game "Pokémon Go" leading to continued use or abandonment of the game. The aim of the study was to determine aspects that motivate individuals to play augmented reality exergames and how this motivation can be used to strengthen the initial interest in physical activity. A total of 199 participants completed an open self-selected Web-based survey. On the basis of their self-indicated assignment to one of three predefined user groups (active, former, and nonuser of Pokémon Go), participants answered various questions regarding game experience, physical activity, motivation, and personality as measured by the Big Five Inventory. In total, 81 active, 56 former, and 62 nonusers of Pokémon Go were recruited. When asked about the times they perform physical activity, active users stated that they were less physically active in general than former and nonusers. However, based on a subjective rating, active users were more motivated to be physically active due to playing Pokémon Go. Motivational aspects differed for active and former users, whereas fan status was the same within both groups. Active users are more motivated by features directly related to Pokémon, such as catching all possible Pokémon and reaching higher levels, whereas former users stress the importance of general game quality, such as better augmented reality and more challenges in the game. Personality did not affect whether a person started to play Pokémon Go nor their abandonment of the game. The results show various motivating elements that should be incorporated into augmented reality exergames based on the game Pokémon Go. We identified different user types for whom different features of the game contribute to maintained motivation or abandonment. Our results show aspects that augmented reality exergame designers should keep in mind to encourage individuals to start playing their game and facilitate long-term user engagement, resulting in a greater interest in physical activity. ©Peter Rasche, Anna Schlomann, Alexander Mertens. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (http://games.jmir.org), 05.04.2017.

Who Is Still Playing Pokémon Go? A Web-Based Survey

PubMed Central

Mertens, Alexander

2017-01-01

Background Poor physical activity is one of the major health care problems in Western civilizations. Various digital gadgets aiming to increase physical activity, such as activity trackers or fitness apps, have been introduced over recent years. The newest products are serious games that incorporate real-life physical activity into their game concept. Recent studies have shown that such games increase the physical activity of their users over the short term. Objective In this study, we investigated the motivational effects of the digital game “Pokémon Go” leading to continued use or abandonment of the game. The aim of the study was to determine aspects that motivate individuals to play augmented reality exergames and how this motivation can be used to strengthen the initial interest in physical activity. Methods A total of 199 participants completed an open self-selected Web-based survey. On the basis of their self-indicated assignment to one of three predefined user groups (active, former, and nonuser of Pokémon Go), participants answered various questions regarding game experience, physical activity, motivation, and personality as measured by the Big Five Inventory. Results In total, 81 active, 56 former, and 62 nonusers of Pokémon Go were recruited. When asked about the times they perform physical activity, active users stated that they were less physically active in general than former and nonusers. However, based on a subjective rating, active users were more motivated to be physically active due to playing Pokémon Go. Motivational aspects differed for active and former users, whereas fan status was the same within both groups. Active users are more motivated by features directly related to Pokémon, such as catching all possible Pokémon and reaching higher levels, whereas former users stress the importance of general game quality, such as better augmented reality and more challenges in the game. Personality did not affect whether a person started to play Pokémon Go nor their abandonment of the game. Conclusions The results show various motivating elements that should be incorporated into augmented reality exergames based on the game Pokémon Go. We identified different user types for whom different features of the game contribute to maintained motivation or abandonment. Our results show aspects that augmented reality exergame designers should keep in mind to encourage individuals to start playing their game and facilitate long-term user engagement, resulting in a greater interest in physical activity. PMID:28381393

76 FR 3135 - Pesticide Experimental Use Permit; Receipt of Extension Application;

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-19

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0608; FRL-8855-3] Pesticide Experimental Use... (PIP) [Event 5307] Bacillus thuringiensis eCry3.1Ab protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector pSYN12274) in Event 5307 corn (SYN-[Oslash]53[Oslash]7-1) and combined and single trait...

Modeling Olympus Mons from the Earth.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lebofsky, Nancy R.; Lebofsky, Larry A.

2002-01-01

Presents a science activity using cubes for constructing the "Olympus Mons" model, the largest known volcano in the solar system. Uses the Catalina Mountains as a real-life comparison and builds a scale-proportionate model. (YDS)

Comparing N2O emissions at varying N rates from irrigated and rainfed corn in the US Midwest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millar, N.; Kahmark, K.; Basso, B.; Robertson, G. P.

2011-12-01

Global N2O emissions from agriculture are estimated to be ~2.8 Pg CO2e yr-1 accounting for 60% of total anthropogenic emissions. N2O is the largest contributor to the GHG burden of cropping systems in the US, with annual estimated emissions of ~0.5 Tg primarily due to N fertilizer inputs and other soil management activities. Currently 23 million acres of corn, soybean and wheat are irrigated annually in the US with increased N2O emissions due to the practice likely under-reported in GHG inventories. Here we compare N2O emissions and yield from irrigated and rainfed corn at varying N rates between 0 and 246 kg N ha-1 from the Kellogg Biological Station in SW Michigan. Initial results show that N2O emissions increase with increasing N rate and are significantly higher from irrigated corn compared to rainfed corn at the same N rate. At increasing N rates daily emissions following an irrigation event were between 2.4 - 77.5 g N2O-N ha-1 from irrigated corn and 1.6 - 13.0 g N2O-N ha-1 from rainfed corn. Emissions data from automated and static chambers will be presented and trade-offs between N2O emissions, N fertilizer rate, crop yield and irrigation practice will be evaluated from an environmental and economic standpoint.

Potential perils of peri-Pokémon perambulation: the dark reality of augmented reality?

PubMed Central

Joseph, Bellal; Armstrong, David G.

2016-01-01

Recently, the layering of augmented reality information on top of smartphone applications has created unprecedented user engagement and popularity. One augmented reality-based entertainment application, Pokémon Go (Pokémon Company, Tokyo, Japan) has become the most rapidly downloaded in history. This technology holds tremendous promise to promote ambulatory activity. However, there exists the obvious potential for distraction-related morbidity. We report two cases, presenting simultaneously to our trauma center, with injuries sustained secondary to gameplay with this augmented reality-based application. PMID:27713831

Potential perils of peri-Pokémon perambulation: the dark reality of augmented reality?

PubMed

Joseph, Bellal; Armstrong, David G

2016-10-01

Recently, the layering of augmented reality information on top of smartphone applications has created unprecedented user engagement and popularity. One augmented reality-based entertainment application, Pokémon Go (Pokémon Company, Tokyo, Japan) has become the most rapidly downloaded in history. This technology holds tremendous promise to promote ambulatory activity. However, there exists the obvious potential for distraction-related morbidity. We report two cases, presenting simultaneously to our trauma center, with injuries sustained secondary to gameplay with this augmented reality-based application.

Discrete Element Simulations of Density-Driven Volcanic Deformation: Applications to Martian and Terrestrial Volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrell, L. L.; McGovern, P. J.; Morgan, J. K.

2008-12-01

We have carried out 2-D numerical simulations using the discrete element method (DEM) to investigate density-driven deformation in volcanic edifices on Earth (e.g., Hawaii) and Mars (e.g., Olympus Mons and Arsia Mons). Located within volcanoes are series of magma chambers, reservoirs, and conduits where magma travels and collects. As magma differentiates, dense minerals settle out, building thick accumulations referred to as cumulates that can flow ductilely due to stresses imparted by gravity. To simulate this process, we construct granular piles subject to Coulomb frictional rheology, incrementally capture internal rectangular regions to which higher densities and lower interparticle friction values are assigned (analogs for denser, weaker cumulates), and then bond the granular edifice. Thus, following each growth increment, the edifice is allowed to relax gravitationally with a reconfigured weak cumulate core. The presence and outward spreading of the cumulate causes the development of distinctive structural and stratigraphic patterns. We obtained a range of volcanic shapes that vary from broad, shallowly dipping flanks reminiscent of those of Olympus Mons, to short, steep surface slopes more similar to Arsia Mons. Edifices lacking internal cumulate exhibit relatively horizontal strata compared to the high-angle, inward dipping strata that develops within the cumulate-bearing edifices. Our simulated volcanoes also illustrate a variety of gravity driven deformation features, including regions of thrust faulting within the flanks and large-scale flank collapses, as observed in Hawaii and inferred on Olympus Mons. We also see significant summit subsidence, and of particular interest, distinct summit calderas. The broad, flat caldera and convex upward profile of Arsia Mons appears to be well-simulated by cumulate-driven volcanic spreading. In contrast, the concave upward slopes of Olympus Mons are more challenging to reproduce, and instead are attributed to volcanic spreading along a pore-fluid- pressurized decollement with low basal friction.

Peptide-modified liposomes for selective targeting of bombesin receptors overexpressed by cancer cells: a potential theranostic agent

PubMed Central

Accardo, Antonella; Salsano, Giuseppina; Morisco, Anna; Aurilio, Michela; Parisi, Antonio; Maione, Francesco; Cicala, Carla; Tesauro, Diego; Aloj, Luigi; De Rosa, Giuseppe; Morelli, Giancarlo

2012-01-01

Objectives Drug delivery systems consisting of liposomes displaying a cell surface receptor-targeting peptide are being developed to specifically deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to tumors overexpressing a target receptor. This study addresses novel liposome composition approaches to specifically target tissues overexpressing bombesin (BN) receptors. Methods A new amphiphilic peptide derivative (MonY-BN) containing the BN(7–14) peptide, the DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) chelating agent, a hydrophobic moiety with two C18 alkyl chains, and polyethylene glycol spacers, has been synthesized by solid-phase methods. Liposomes have been generated by co-aggregation of MonY-BN with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC). The structural and biological properties of these new target-selective drug-delivery systems have been characterized. Results Liposomes with a DSPC/MonY-BN (97/3 molar ratio) composition showed a diameter of 145.5 ± 31.5 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.20 ± 0.05. High doxorubicin (Dox) loading was obtained with the remote pH gradient method using citrate as the inner buffer. Specific binding to PC-3 cells of DSPC/MonY-BN liposomes was obtained (2.7% ± 0.3%, at 37°C), compared with peptide-free DSPC liposomes (1.4% ± 0.2% at 37°C). Incubation of cells with DSPC/ MonY-BN/Dox showed significantly lower cell survival compared with DSPC/Dox-treated cells, in the presence of 100 ng/mL and 300 ng/mL drug amounts, in cytotoxicity experiments. Intravenous treatment of PC-3 xenograft-bearing mice with DSPC/MonY-BN/Dox at 10 mg/kg Dox dose produced higher tumour growth inhibition (60%) compared with nonspecific DSPC/ Dox liposomes (36%) relative to control animals. Conclusion The structural and loading properties of DSPC/MonY-BN liposomes along with the observed in-vitro and in-vivo activity are encouraging for further development of this approach for target-specific cancer chemotherapy. PMID:22619538

Ascraeus Mons - False Color

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-01-06

The THEMIS VIS camera contains 5 filters. The data from different filters can be combined in multiple ways to create a false color image. This false color image from NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows the southern flank of Ascraeus Mons.

Geologic Mapping Investigations of Alba Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crown, D. A.; Berman, D. C.; Scheidt, S. P.; Hauber, E.

2018-06-01

Geologic mapping of the summit region and western flank of Alba Mons at 1:1M-scale is revealing sequences of volcanic, tectonic, impact, and degradation processes that have formed and modified the northernmost of the Tharsis volcanoes.

Arsia Mons Ripples

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-02-17

This image captured by NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a series of low, concentric ridges is located to the west of Arsia Mons. The origin of these features is unknown, and there are no similar features at the other Tharsis volcanoes.

Topography of the shield volcano, Olympus Mons on Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wu, S.S.C.; Garcia, P.A.; Jordan, R.; Schafer, F.J.; Skiff, B.A.

1984-01-01

Olympus Mons, one of the largest known shield volcanoes in the Solar System, covers an area of >3.2 ?? 105 km2and has a diameter of >600 km, excluding its vast aureole deposits. The structure is five times larger than the largest shield volcano on the Earth. It is situated on the north-west flank of the Tharsis volcanic region, a broad topographic rise on the martian surface. The volcano has three physical subdivisions: the summit caldera, the terraced upper flanks, and the lower flanks, which terminate in a scarp 2-10 km high that nearly surrounds the structure. A large block of images of the Tharsis region, including Olympus Mons, was obtained by the Viking mission1. Here we present a topographic map of Olympus Mons, compiled using various combinations of stereo pairs of these images, together with stereoscopic perspective views generated by image processing techniques. ?? 1984 Nature Publishing Group.

Tracing transgenic maize as affected by breadmaking process and raw material for the production of a traditional maize bread, broa.

PubMed

Fernandes, Telmo J R; Oliveira, M Beatriz P P; Mafra, Isabel

2013-05-01

Broa is a maize bread highly consumed and appreciated, especially in the north and central zones of Portugal. In the manufacturing of broa, maize flour and maize semolina might be used, besides other cereals such as wheat and rye. Considering the needs for genetically modified organism (GMO) traceability in highly processed foods, the aim of this work was to assess DNA degradation, DNA amplification and GMO quantification along breadmaking process of broa. DNA degradation was noticed by its decrease of integrity after dough baking and in all parts of bread sampling. The PCR amplification results of extracted DNA from the three distinct maize breads (broa 1, 2 and 3) showed that sequences for maize invertase gene and for events MON810 and TC1507 were easily detected with strong products. Real-time PCR revealed that quantification of GMO was feasible in the three different breads and that sampling location of baked bread might have a limited influence since the average quantitative results of both events after baking were very close to the actual values in the case of broa 1 (prepared with maize semolina). In the other two maize breads subjected to the same baking treatment, the contents of MON810 maize were considerably underestimated, leading to the conclusion that heat-processing was not the responsible parameter for that distortion, but the size of particle and mechanical processing of raw maize play also a major role in GMO quantification. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Corn pollen deposition on milkweeds in and near cornfields.

PubMed

Pleasants, J M; Hellmich, R L; Dively, G P; Sears, M K; Stanley-Horn, D E; Mattila, H R; Foster, J E; Clark, P; Jones, G D

2001-10-09

The density of corn pollen on leaves of milkweed plants inside and outside of cornfields was measured in several studies from different localities. The purpose was to obtain a representative picture of naturally occurring pollen densities to provide a perspective for laboratory and field studies of monarch larvae feeding on milkweed leaves with Bt corn pollen. Pollen density was highest (average 170.6 grains per cm(2)) inside the cornfield and was progressively lower from the field edge outward, falling to 14.2 grains per cm(2) at 2 m. Inside the cornfield, and for each distance from the field edge, a frequency distribution is presented showing the proportion of leaf samples with different pollen densities. Inside cornfields, 95% of leaf samples had pollen densities below 600 grains per cm(2) and the highest pollen density observed was 1400 grains per cm(2), which occurred in a study with a rainless anthesis period. All other studies had rainfall events during the anthesis period. A single rain event can remove 54-86% of the pollen on leaves. Leaves on the upper portion of milkweed plants, where young monarch larvae tend to feed, had only 30-50% of the pollen density levels of middle leaves.

A Pilot Study of Pokémon Go and Players' Physical Activity.

PubMed

Liu, Wei; Ligmann-Zielinska, Arika

2017-12-01

Pokémon Go is a mobile game released in 2016 that gained great popularity. The goals of this pilot study were to investigate player's game-related behavior pattern, to evaluate Pokémon Go's impact on players' physical activity (PA) and game enjoyment, and to examine the influence of neighborhood environment on game behavior. Forty-seven valid online surveys were collected. Participants were asked questions from five aspects regarding their (1) game status, (2) demographic background and pre-game physical activity, (3) game enjoyment and socializing motivations, (4) perceived game impact on their post-game physical activity, and (5) neighborhood environment's influence on their choice of game location. We examined the first four aspects through descriptive statistics and t-tests, and we investigated the neighborhood impact using logistic regression. Sixty-four percent of participants felt that Pokémon Go made them exercise more than before, about three more times, 3 additional hours, and 5.6 extra miles of PA in total per week. This impact did not vary by gender or body weight status. However, 78.7% participants started to quit or reduce game time by the time of the survey. We also found that players' choice of playing Pokémon Go in the neighborhood is positively associated with the perceived safety level and the walk score of their neighborhood, but negatively associated with the number of Pokéstops near home. Pokémon Go as a location-based mobile game is a promising tool for promoting PA, but more research is needed to prolong its positive impact.

Familiarity Speeds Up Visual Short-term Memory Consolidation: Electrophysiological Evidence from Contralateral Delay Activities.

PubMed

Xie, Weizhen; Zhang, Weiwei

2018-01-01

To test how preexisting long-term memory influences visual STM, this study takes advantage of individual differences in participants' prior familiarity with Pokémon characters and uses an ERP component, the contralateral delay activity (CDA), to assess whether observers' prior stimulus familiarity affects STM consolidation and storage capacity. In two change detection experiments, consolidation speed, as indexed by CDA fractional area latency and/or early-window (500-800 msec) amplitude, was significantly associated with individual differences in Pokémon familiarity. In contrast, the number of remembered Pokémon stimuli, as indexed by Cowan's K and late-window (1500-2000 msec) CDA amplitude, was significantly associated with individual differences in Pokémon familiarity when STM consolidation was incomplete because of a short presentation of Pokémon stimuli (500 msec, Experiment 2), but not when STM consolidation was allowed to complete given sufficient encoding time (1000 msec, Experiment 1). Similar findings were obtained in between-group analyses when participants were separated into high-familiarity and low-familiarity groups based on their Pokémon familiarity ratings. Together, these results suggest that stimulus familiarity, as a proxy for the strength of preexisting long-term memory, primarily speeds up STM consolidation, which may subsequently lead to an increase in the number of remembered stimuli if consolidation is incomplete. These findings thus highlight the importance of research assessing how effects on representations (e.g., STM capacity) are in general related to (or even caused by) effects on processes (e.g., STM consolidation) in cognition.

MGS-TES thermal inertia study of the Arsia Mons Caldera

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cushing, G.E.; Titus, T.N.

2008-01-01

Temperatures of the Arsia Mons caldera floor and two nearby control areas were obtained by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES). These observations revealed that the Arsia Mons caldera floor exhibits thermal behavior different from the surrounding Tharsis region when compared with thermal models. Our technique compares modeled and observed data to determine best fit values of thermal inertia, layer depth, and albedo. Best fit modeled values are accurate in the two control regions, but those in the Arsia Mons' caldera are consistently either up to 15 K warmer than afternoon observations, or have albedo values that are more than two standard deviations higher than the observed mean. Models of both homogeneous and layered (such as dust over bedrock) cases were compared, with layered-cases indicating a surface layer at least thick enough to insulate itself from diurnal effects of an underlying substrate material. Because best fit models of the caldera floor poorly match observations, it is likely that the caldera floor experiences some physical process not incorporated into our thermal model. Even on Mars, Arsia Mons is an extreme environment where CO2 condenses upon the caldera floor every night, diurnal temperatures range each day by a factor of nearly 2, and annual average atmospheric pressure is only around one millibar. Here, we explore several possibilities that may explain the poor modeled fits to caldera floor and conclude that temperature dependent thermal conductivity may cause thermal inertia to vary diurnally, and this effect may be exaggerated by presence of water-ice clouds, which occur frequently above Arsia Mons. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Mitochondria-targeted platinum(II) complexes induce apoptosis-dependent autophagic cell death mediated by ER-stress in A549 cancer cells.

PubMed

Wang, Feng-Yang; Tang, Xiao-Ming; Wang, Xia; Huang, Ke-Bin; Feng, Hai-Wen; Chen, Zhen-Feng; Liu, You-Nian; Liang, Hong

2018-06-09

Agents with multiple modes of tumor cell death can be effective chemotherapeutic drugs. One example of a bimodal chemotherapeutic approach is an agent that can induce both apoptosis and autophagic death. Thus far, no clinical anticancer drug has been shown to simultaneously induce both these pathways. Mono-functional platinum complexes are potent anticancer drug candidates which act through mechanisms distinct from cisplatin. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterize of two mono-functional platinum complexes containing 8-substituted quinoline derivatives as ligands, [PtL 1 Cl]Cl [L 1  = (Z)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(quinolin-8-ylmethylene) methanamine] (Mon-Pt-1) and [PtL 2 Cl]Cl [L 2  = (Z)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(quinolin-8-ylmethylene) ethanamine] (Mon-Pt-2). In comparison to cisplatin, Mon-Pt-2 exhibited a greater in vitro cytotoxicity, was more effective in resistant cells and elicited a better anticancer effect. Mechanistic experiments indicate that Mon-Pt-2 mainly accumulates in mitochondria, and stimulates significant TrxR inhibition ROS release and an ER stress response, mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately resulting in a simultaneous induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Importantly, compared to cisplatin, Mon-Pt-2 exhibits lower acute toxicity and better anticancer activity in a murine tumor model. To the best of our knowledge, Mon-Pt-2 is the first mono-functional platinum complex inducing pro-death autophagy and apoptosis of cancer cells. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.

Growing season temperature and precipitation variability and extremes in the U.S. Corn Belt from 1981 to 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, S.; Shulski, M.

2013-12-01

Climate warming and changes in rainfall patterns and increases in extreme events are resulting in higher risks of crop failures. A greater sense of urgency has been induced to understand the impacts of past climate on crop production in the U.S. As one of the most predominant sources of feed grains, corn is also the main source of U.S. ethanol. In the U.S. Corn Belt, region-scale evaluation on temperature and precipitation variability and extremes during the growing season is not well-documented yet. This study is part of the USDA-funded project 'Useful to Usable: Transforming climate variability and change information for cereal crop producers'. The overall goal of our work is to study the characteristics of average growing season conditions and changes in growing season temperature- and precipitation-based indices that are closely correlated with corn grain yield in the U.S. Corn Belt. The research area is the twelve major Corn Belt states, including IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, ND, and WI. Climate data during 1981-2010 from 132 meteorological stations (elevation ranges from 122 m to 1,202 m) are used in this study, including daily minimum, maximum, and mean temperature, and daily precipitation. From 1981 to 2012, beginning date (BD), ending date (ED), and growing season length (GSL) in the climatological corn growing season are studied. Especially, during the agronomic corn growing season, from Apr to Oct, temperature- and precipitation-based indices are analyzed. The temperature-based indices include: number of days with daily mean temperature below 10°C, number of days with daily mean temperature above 30°C, the sum of growing degree days (GDD) between 10°C to 30°C (GDD10,30, growth range for corn), the sum of growing degree days above 30°C (GDD30+, exposure to harmful warming for corn), the sum of growing degree days between 0°C and 44°C (GDD0,44, survival range limits for corn), the sum of growing degree days between 5°C and 35°C (GDD5,35, growth range limits for corn), and the sum of growing degree days between 20°C and 22°C (GDD20,22, optimal growth range for corn). And the precipitation-based indices include: cumulative precipitation, consecutive dry days, and number of extreme precipitation events in June. As to the decadal trend analysis in climatic factors, Sen's Nonparametric Estimator of Slope and the nonparametric Mann-Kendall test are used. In the U.S. Corn Belt, annual mean Tavg ranges from 5.7°C to 14.7°C, and annual cumulative precipitation ranges from 396 mm to 1,203 mm. According to the decadal trend of annual mean Tavg and annual cumulative precipitation, 30 stations (45%) demonstrate a warm and dry trend, and 28 stations demonstrate a warm and wet trend. In monthly scale, Jun mean Tmin presents the most significantly increasing trend, and no significant decreasing or zero trend is detected from 1981 to 2012. During the climatological corn growing season, BD ranges from 76 to 128 DOY, ED ranges from 276 to 316 DOY, and GSL ranges from 150 to 242 days. From 1981 to 2012, BD is significantly advanced at the rate of 1 to 8 DOY per decade, ED is significantly delayed at the rate of 1 to 5 per decade, and GSL is significantly prolonged at the rate of 1 to 11 days per decade.

Olympus Mons - False Color

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-01-05

The THEMIS VIS camera contains 5 filters. The data from different filters can be combined to create a false color image. This false color image from NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows part of the caldera at the summit of Olympus Mons.

Alba Mons Flows

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-19

This image from NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a small portion of the lava flows from Alba Mons. The depression and collapse features within it are part of the large system of tectonic features created by the apparent collapse of the volcano.

A Heart in Ascraeus Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-09

This feature from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter looks like a heart. It is located south of Ascraeus Mons, which is a large volcano within the Tharsis volcanic plateau, making it extremely likely that this feature was formed by a volcanic process.

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-10-31

This image shows part of the western flank of Pavonis Mons. The linear features are faults. Faulting usually includes change of elevation, where blocks of material slide down the fault. Paired faults are call graben. The large depression is a graben, whereas most of the other faults are not paired. The rougher looking materials perpendicular to the faults are lava flows. "Down hill" is to the upper left corner of the image. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 14857 Latitude: 1.4859 Longitude: 245.996 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2005-04-20 17:00 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22017

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-01

This image shows part of the southern flank of Pavonis Mons. Several faults run from the left to the right side of the image. Lava flows, and the lava collapse features at the bottom of the image are aligned with the down hill direction (in this case from the top of the image to the bottom). Near the top of the image there are collapse features that run along the faults. The fault may have been been a location for lava tube development. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 15457 Latitude: -1.03884 Longitude: 246.532 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2005-06-09 00:38 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22018

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-07

This image shows part smaller summit caldera of Pavonis Mons. This caldera is approximately 5km deep. Near the bottom of the image is a region where part of the caldera side has collapsed into the bottom of the caldera. In shield volcanoes calderas are typically formed where the surface collapses into the void formed by an emptied magma chamber. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 32776 Latitude: 0.446561 Longitude: 247.283 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2009-05-05 03:21 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22023

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-02

This image shows part of the two summit calderas of Pavonis Mons. The surface in the majority of the image is the floor of the larger caldera. The smaller caldera occupies the bottom of the image. In both calderas the floor is predominately flat. The final summit flow would have pooled in the caldera and cooled forming the flat floor. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 17590 Latitude: 1.13446 Longitude: 247.411 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2005-12-01 17:26 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22020

Patterns of deformation and volcanic flows associated with lithospheric loading by large volcanoes on Venus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgovern, Patrick J.; Solomon, Sean C.

1993-01-01

Magellan radar imaging and topography data are now available for a number of volcanoes on Venus greater than 100 km in radius. These data can be examined to reveal evidence of the flexural response of the lithosphere to the volcanic load. On Venus, erosion and sediment deposition are negligible, so tectonic evidence of deformation around large volcanoes should be evident except where buried by very young flows. Radar images reveal that most tectonic features and flow units on the flanks of these volcanoes have predominantly radial orientations. However, both Tepev Mons in Bell Regio and Sapas Mons in Atla Regio exhibit circumferential graben on their flanks. In addition, images reveal several flow units with an annular character around the north and west flanks of Tepev Mons. This pattern most likely results from ponding of flows in an annular flexural moat. Maat Mons in Atla Regio and Sif Mons in Eistla Regio are examples of volcanoes that lack circumferential graben and annular flows; discernible flow units and fractures on these constructs appear to be predominantly radial. Altimetry data can also provide evidence of flexural response. Tepev Mons is partially encircled by depressions that may be sections of a flexural moat that has not been completely filled. The locations of these depressions generally coincide with the annular flows described above. There is weaker evidence for such depressions around Maat Mons as well. The lack of circumferential tectonic features around most volcanoes on Venus might be explained by gradual moat filling and coverage by radial flows. The depressions around Tepev (and possible Maat) may indicate that this process is currently continuing. We use analytic models of plate flexure in an axisymmetric geometry to constrain the elastic plate thickness supporting Tepev Mons. If we consider the outer radius of the ponded flows to be the edge of a moat, we find that models with elastic plate thickness of 10-20 km fit best. Finite element models of a volcanic load detached from the underlying lithosphere predict overthrusting and radial normal faulting at the volcano's edge. Such a mechanism for the formation of radial rift zones on Venus volcanoes would make such features analogous to structures on the flanks of volcanoes on Earth.

77 FR 26547 - Amendment/Extension of an Experimental Use Permit

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-04

...-incorporated protectant (PIP) [Event 5307] Bacillus thuringiensis eCry3.1Ab protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector pSYN12274) in Event 5307 corn (SYN-[Oslash]53[Oslash]7-1) and combined and single trait hybrids with one or more of the following additional PIPs: (1) [Bt11] Bacillus...

Cross-Resistance between Cry1 Proteins in Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) May Affect the Durability of Current Pyramided Bt Maize Hybrids in Brazil

PubMed Central

Bernardi, Daniel; Salmeron, Eloisa; Horikoshi, Renato Jun; Bernardi, Oderlei; Dourado, Patrick Marques; Carvalho, Renato Assis; Martinelli, Samuel; Head, Graham P.; Omoto, Celso

2015-01-01

Genetically modified plants expressing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) offer valuable options for managing insect pests with considerable environmental and economic benefits. Despite the benefits provided by Bt crops, the continuous expression of these insecticidal proteins imposes strong selection for resistance in target pest populations. Bt maize (Zea mays) hybrids have been successful in controlling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), the main maize pest in Brazil since 2008; however, field-evolved resistance to the protein Cry1F has recently been reported. Therefore it is important to assess the possibility of cross-resistance between Cry1F and other Cry proteins expressed in Bt maize hybrids. In this study, an F2 screen followed by subsequent selection on MON 89034 maize was used to select an S. frugiperda strain (RR) able to survive on the Bt maize event MON 89034, which expresses the Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 proteins. Field-collected insects from maize expressing the Cry1F protein (event TC1507) represented most of the positive (resistance allele-containing) (iso)families found. The RR strain showed high levels of resistance to Cry1F, which apparently also conferred high levels of cross resistance to Cry1A.105 and Cry1Ab, but had only low-level (10-fold) resistance to Cry2Ab2. Life history studies to investigate fitness costs associated with the resistance in RR strain revealed only small reductions in reproductive rate when compared to susceptible and heterozygous strains, but the RR strain produced 32.2% and 28.4% fewer females from each female relative to the SS and RS (pooled) strains, respectively. Consistent with the lack of significant resistance to Cry2Ab2, MON 89034 maize in combination with appropriate management practices continues to provide effective control of S. frugiperda in Brazil. Nevertheless, the occurrence of Cry1F resistance in S. frugiperda across Brazil, and the cross-resistance to Cry1Ab and Cry1A.105, indicates that current Cry1-based maize hybrids face a challenge in managing S. frugiperda in Brazil and highlights the importance of effective insect resistance management for these technologies. PMID:26473961

Cross-Resistance between Cry1 Proteins in Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) May Affect the Durability of Current Pyramided Bt Maize Hybrids in Brazil.

PubMed

Bernardi, Daniel; Salmeron, Eloisa; Horikoshi, Renato Jun; Bernardi, Oderlei; Dourado, Patrick Marques; Carvalho, Renato Assis; Martinelli, Samuel; Head, Graham P; Omoto, Celso

2015-01-01

Genetically modified plants expressing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) offer valuable options for managing insect pests with considerable environmental and economic benefits. Despite the benefits provided by Bt crops, the continuous expression of these insecticidal proteins imposes strong selection for resistance in target pest populations. Bt maize (Zea mays) hybrids have been successful in controlling fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), the main maize pest in Brazil since 2008; however, field-evolved resistance to the protein Cry1F has recently been reported. Therefore it is important to assess the possibility of cross-resistance between Cry1F and other Cry proteins expressed in Bt maize hybrids. In this study, an F2 screen followed by subsequent selection on MON 89034 maize was used to select an S. frugiperda strain (RR) able to survive on the Bt maize event MON 89034, which expresses the Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 proteins. Field-collected insects from maize expressing the Cry1F protein (event TC1507) represented most of the positive (resistance allele-containing) (iso)families found. The RR strain showed high levels of resistance to Cry1F, which apparently also conferred high levels of cross resistance to Cry1A.105 and Cry1Ab, but had only low-level (10-fold) resistance to Cry2Ab2. Life history studies to investigate fitness costs associated with the resistance in RR strain revealed only small reductions in reproductive rate when compared to susceptible and heterozygous strains, but the RR strain produced 32.2% and 28.4% fewer females from each female relative to the SS and RS (pooled) strains, respectively. Consistent with the lack of significant resistance to Cry2Ab2, MON 89034 maize in combination with appropriate management practices continues to provide effective control of S. frugiperda in Brazil. Nevertheless, the occurrence of Cry1F resistance in S. frugiperda across Brazil, and the cross-resistance to Cry1Ab and Cry1A.105, indicates that current Cry1-based maize hybrids face a challenge in managing S. frugiperda in Brazil and highlights the importance of effective insect resistance management for these technologies.

Misalignment of Lava Flows from Topographic Slope Directions Reveals Late Amazonian Deformation at Arsia Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waring, B. A.; Chadwick, J.; McGovern, P. J., Jr.; Tucker, W.

2017-12-01

Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the three large Tharsis Montes near the equator of Mars and one of the largest volcanoes in the solar system. The main edifice of Arsia is about 440 km in diameter, the summit is over 9 km above the surrounding plains and has a pronounced 110 km caldera. Like the other Tharsis volcanoes, Arsia has a large, Late Amazonian glacial deposit on its NW flank. Previous crater retention studies for lava flows on Arsia have shown that the volcano experienced significant volcanic activity in the past 200 Ma. In this study, numerous long (>25 km), thin lava flows on the plains surrounding Arsia were mapped and used as indicators of the topographic slope direction at the time of their emplacement. The azimuthal orientation of each flow was compared with the present-day slope directions on the surrounding plains, derived from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topographic data. The results reveal regions around Arsia where the flows no longer conform to the topography, indicating deformation in the time since the flows where emplaced. In a region of Daedalia Planum to the SE of Arsia, modern slope directions adjacent to 40 long lava flows are consistently misaligned from the paleo-slopes indicated by the lava flow orientations, with an angular offset that averages 7.2° in the clockwise direction. Crater size-frequency measurements for these tilted plains using CraterStats software indicate that the deformation responsible for the misaligned flows took place since 330 ± 10 Ma. Conversely, part of Daedalia Planum to the southwest of Arsia is younger, with a crater retention age of 160 ± 6 Ma, and this area shows no consistent flow-topography misalignments. These observations suggest that extensive regional deformation occurred between the two dates, consistent with other evidence for significant volcanism at Arsia in the Late Amazonian at about 200 Ma. Geophysical modelling using the finite element program COMSOL Multiphysics is planned to characterize the source and magnitude of the observed deformation. Similar methods were successfully used in a previous study to identify and measure subsidence of Olympus Mons. The goal of the study is to refine the timing of the contemporaneous Late Amazonian volcanic, tectonic, and glacial events on Arsia Mons and to understand their relationships.

Anaglyph of the Basal Scarp of Olympus Mons Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-01-17

This anaglyph from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, shows Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System. Constructed of lava flows, many aspects of this titanic volcano remain puzzling. 3D glasses are necessary to view this image.

MonALISA, an agent-based monitoring and control system for the LHC experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balcas, J.; Kcira, D.; Mughal, A.; Newman, H.; Spiropulu, M.; Vlimant, J. R.

2017-10-01

MonALISA, which stands for Monitoring Agents using a Large Integrated Services Architecture, has been developed over the last fifteen years by California Insitute of Technology (Caltech) and its partners with the support of the software and computing program of the CMS and ALICE experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The framework is based on Dynamic Distributed Service Architecture and is able to provide complete system monitoring, performance metrics of applications, Jobs or services, system control and global optimization services for complex systems. A short overview and status of MonALISA is given in this paper.

[Leishmania infantum MON-1: the only zymodeme isolated in canine leishmaniasis in Tunisia].

PubMed

Aoun, K; Diouani, M F; Benikhlef, R; Bouratbine, A; Ben Haj Ali, S; Harrat, Z; Belkaïd, M; Kilani, M; Ben Ismaïl, R

2003-05-01

Iso-enzymatic characterization of 19 Leishmania strains isolated from Tunisian dogs revealed that all correspond to Leishmania infantum MON-1. This confirms the role of dog as a reservoir of the commonest zymodeme responsible for human visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin. However, and in spite of the high number of identifications, many zymodemes, mainly the dermotropic ones as Leishmania infantum MON-24, frequently reported in humans, had never been isolated from dogs. The study of their cultural characteristics may contribute to explain the particular iso-enzymatic profile of dogs strains.

Influence of Pokémon Go on physical activity levels of university players: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Wong, Fiona Y

2017-02-22

The prevalence of overweight is increasing and the effectiveness of various weight management and exercise programs varied. An augmented reality smartphone game, Pokémon Go, appears to increase activity levels of players. This study assessed the players and ex-players' frequencies and durations of staying outdoors, and walking/jogging before and during the time they played Pokémon Go, evaluated the physical activity levels of players, ex-players and non-players, and investigated the potential factors which determined their play statuses. Students in a university answered an online-questionnaire survey. The IPAQ-short form was incorporated to measure vigorous-intensity activities, moderate-intensity activities and walking. Chi square tests were used to compare frequencies and durations of staying outdoors and walking/jogging, health discomforts and physical activity levels between players, ex-players and non-players. Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were performed to assess the changes prior to and during the time when the players and ex-players played Pokémon Go. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors contributing to playing, quitting or not playing Pokémon Go. 644 university students answered the questionnaire. Compared with the ex-players, the players were significantly more frequent to stay outdoors when playing Pokémon Go (P < 0.001), walk/jog to a location to catch Pokémon, to Pokéstops or Gyms (P < 0.005), as well as walking/jogging to hatch eggs (P < 0.001). Players who never or rarely walked/jogged before spent a mean of 108.19 ± 158.21 min/week to walk/jog in order to play the game which is equivalent to burning 357 kcal/week for a 60-kg person walking a moderate pace. Compared with the non-players, players were more likely to be aged 18-25 years [OR (95% CI) 3.28 (1.28-8.40), P = 0.013], never [OR (95% CI) 10.51 (1.12-98.57), P = 0.039] or rarely [OR (95% CI) 4.00 (1.95-8.23), P < 0.001] stayed outdoors and rarely walked/jogged prior to playing the game [OR (95% CI) 3.88 (1.86-8.05), P < 0.001]. However, there was no significant difference in physical activity levels between the three groups (P = 0.573). Players who used to be sedentary benefited the most from Pokémon Go. The game can be used as a starting point for sedentary people to begin an active lifestyle. The impact of Pokémon Go on physical activity can provide insights to public health workers in using novel strategies in health promotion.

Rheology and Ages of Lava Flows on Arsia and Pavonis Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiesinger, Harald; Bartel, Nicole; Boas, Theresa; Reiss, Dennis; Pasckert, Jan H.; van der Bogert, Carolyn H.

2015-04-01

We performed a new study of young lava flows on Arsia and Pavonis Mons. Compared to our previous study of Arsia and Pavonis flows [1], we not only expanded on the number of flows (13 additional new flows at Arsia; six new flows at Pavonis), but we also derived absolute model ages (AMAs) based on crater size-frequency distribution (CSFD) measurements. On the basis of the current study, we find that the yield strengths of the studied lava flows on Arsia Mons vary between ~2.54 x 102 Pa and ~9.63 x 103 Pa. The effusion rates are on average ~563 m3s-1. The calculated eruption durations range from three days to ~142 days with an average of ~32 days. The viscosities of the lava flows on Arsia Mons are on average ~2.54 x 106 Pa-s and vary between ~1.32 x 104 and ~2.88 x 107 Pa-s. The study also revealed an average yield strength of the Pavonis flows of ~3.56 x 103 Pa, ranging from ~2.5 x 102 to ~8.6 x 103 Pa. The effusion rates range from ~ 60 m3s-1 to ~309 m3s-1, with an average value of ~197 m3s-1. The investigated flows are characterized by an eruption duration in the range of ~3 to ~41 days, averaging about 15 days. The viscosities vary between ~2.8 x 104 Pa-s and ~7.6 x 106 Pa-s, with an average value of ~1.77 x 106 Pa-s. The new CSFD measurements for the Arsia flows yielded AMAs between ~36 and ~857 Ma. One unit shows an underlying older age of ~2.50 Ga and evidence for a resurfacing event at ~857 Ma. These ages are similar to those presented by [2-4] for the caldera of Arsia Mons, i.e., ~100-200 Ma. In addition, [4] argued that their ages represent the latest stages of summit and flank eruptions and that earlier episodes stopped at about 500 Ma, 800 Ma, and 2 Ga ago. Previously, we performed the first study that correlated rheologic properties and AMAs of lava flows on Elysium Mons [5]. We reported that the yield strengths of 32 investigated Elysium flows are on the order of ~3.0 x 103 Pa, ranging from ~3.8 x 102 to ~1.5 x 104 Pa. The effusion rates of the flows range from ~99 to ~4450 m3s-1, averaging at ~747 m3s-1. The lava flows were emplaced in less than a week (very small flows) to up to half a year (~6-183 days). Viscosities were calculated to be on average ~4.1 x 102 Pa-s, with a range of ~1.2 x 105 to ~3.1 x 107 Pa-s. The AMAs of the Elysium flows range from ~632 to ~3460 Ma [5]. Lava flows on both Arsia and Elysium Mons do not show any systematic correlations between the rheologic properties and model ages. In particular, neither yield strength and effusion rate, nor viscosity seems to be correlated with the AMA. Thus, the rheology of the studied flows did not change over several hundreds of million years. Preliminary results for Pavonis flows also do not show systematic changes of the rheology with time. [1] Hiesinger et al. (2008) LPSC 39, 1277. [2] Neukum et al. (2004) Nature 432, 971-979. [3] Robbins et al. (2011) Icarus 211, 1179-1203. [4] Werner (2009) Icarus 201, 44-68. [5] Pasckert et al. (2012) Icarus 219, 443-457.

Screening DNA chip and event-specific multiplex PCR detection methods for biotech crops.

PubMed

Lee, Seong-Hun

2014-11-01

There are about 80 biotech crop events that have been approved by safety assessment in Korea. They have been controlled by genetically modified organism (GMO) and living modified organism (LMO) labeling systems. The DNA-based detection method has been used as an efficient scientific management tool. Recently, the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA chip have been developed as simultaneous detection methods for several biotech crops' events. The event-specific multiplex PCR method was developed to detect five biotech maize events: MIR604, Event 3272, LY 038, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7. The specificity was confirmed and the sensitivity was 0.5%. The screening DNA chip was developed from four endogenous genes of soybean, maize, cotton and canola respectively along with two regulatory elements and seven genes: P35S, tNOS, pat, bar, epsps1, epsps2, pmi, cry1Ac and cry3B. The specificity was confirmed and the sensitivity was 0.5% for four crops' 12 events: one soybean, six maize, three cotton and two canola events. The multiplex PCR and DNA chip can be available for screening, gene-specific and event-specific analysis of biotech crops as efficient detection methods by saving on workload and time. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

THEMIS Observation of Diurnal Temperature Change in the Pit Craters on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, E.; Jung, J.; Yi, Y.; Yu, J.; Oh, S.

2015-10-01

The cave candidates have been found on Pavonis Mons and Ascraeus Mons in Tharsis Montes. And we have examined the temperature change at daytime and at nighttime for cave candidates using the method of Cushing et al. (2007).

Origin of Sinuous Channels on the SW Apron of Ascraeus Mons and the Surrounding Plains, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schierl, Z. P.; Spencer, P.; Signorella, J.; Collins, A.; Schwans, B.; de Wet, A. P.; Bleacher, J. E.

2012-03-01

We used a variety of spacecraft imagery to determine the most likely origin for a network of sinuous channels found on the southwest apron of Ascraeus Mons and that extend out onto the surrounding plains.

The Praise and Price of Pokémon GO: A Qualitative Study of Children's and Parents' Experiences.

PubMed

Lindqvist, Anna-Karin; Castelli, Darla; Hallberg, Josef; Rutberg, Stina

2018-01-03

Physical activity has multiple health benefits; however, the majority of children around the world do not attain the recommended levels of daily physical activity. Research has shown that the game Pokémon GO has increased the amount of physical activity of players and that the game has the potential to reach populations that traditionally have low levels of physical activity. Therefore, there is a need to understand which game components can promote initial and sustained physical activity. By using a qualitative research approach, it is possible to achieve rich descriptions and enhance a deep understanding of the components promoting physical activity among children in a game such as Pokémon GO. The objective of this study was to explore children's and parents' experiences playing Pokémon GO. Eight families comprising 13 children (aged 7-12 years) and 9 parents were selected using purposeful sampling. Data collected using focus groups were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis. The following three themes were revealed: (1) exciting and enjoyable exploration; (2) dangers and disadvantages; and (3) cooperation conquers competition. The first centers around the present and possible future aspects of Pokémon GO that promote physical activity. The second focuses on unwanted aspects and specific threats to safety when playing the game. The third shows that cooperation and togetherness are highly valued by the participants and that competition is fun but less important. Components from Pokémon GO could enhance the efficacy of physical activity interventions. Cooperation and exploration are aspects of the game that preferably could be transferred into interventions aimed at promoting children's physical activity. ©Anna-Karin Lindqvist, Darla Castelli, Josef Hallberg, Stina Rutberg. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (http://games.jmir.org), 03.01.2018.

The Praise and Price of Pokémon GO: A Qualitative Study of Children’s and Parents’ Experiences

PubMed Central

Castelli, Darla; Hallberg, Josef; Rutberg, Stina

2018-01-01

Background Physical activity has multiple health benefits; however, the majority of children around the world do not attain the recommended levels of daily physical activity. Research has shown that the game Poké mon GO has increased the amount of physical activity of players and that the game has the potential to reach populations that traditionally have low levels of physical activity. Therefore, there is a need to understand which game components can promote initial and sustained physical activity. By using a qualitative research approach, it is possible to achieve rich descriptions and enhance a deep understanding of the components promoting physical activity among children in a game such as Poké mon GO. Objective The objective of this study was to explore children’s and parents’ experiences playing Poké mon GO. Methods Eight families comprising 13 children (aged 7-12 years) and 9 parents were selected using purposeful sampling. Data collected using focus groups were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis. Results The following three themes were revealed: (1) exciting and enjoyable exploration; (2) dangers and disadvantages; and (3) cooperation conquers competition. The first centers around the present and possible future aspects of Poké mon GO that promote physical activity. The second focuses on unwanted aspects and specific threats to safety when playing the game. The third shows that cooperation and togetherness are highly valued by the participants and that competition is fun but less important. Conclusions Components from Poké mon GO could enhance the efficacy of physical activity interventions. Cooperation and exploration are aspects of the game that preferably could be transferred into interventions aimed at promoting children’s physical activity. PMID:29298750

Chemical variations observed on Aeolis Mons in Gale Crater, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frydenvang, Jens; Gasda, Patrick J.; Thompson, Lucy; Hurowitz, Joel; Grotzinger, John P.; Blaney, Diana L.; Gellert, Ralf; Wiens, Roger; Vasavada, Ashwin R.; MSL Science Team

2016-10-01

The extraordinarily extensive exposure of hematite-, clay-, sulfate-bearing stratigraphic layers in the lower part of Aeolis Mons was the primary reason Gale Crater was selected as the landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity. 753 martian solar days (sols) after the Curiosity rover landed in Gale Crater in August 2012, and after driving more than 9 km, the Curiosity rover arrived at the first exposure of the Murray formation, the basal layer of Aeolis Mons. The Murray formation is a thinly laminated lacustrine mudstone showing stratification down to the millimeter scale. This supports the idea that the stratigraphic layers of Aeolis Mons are sedimentary, and likely deposited in a series of long-lived lakes extending into the early Hesperian time, as recently described by Grotzinger et al. (Science, vol. 350, 2015). The chemical variations observed throughout the Murray formation by the ChemCam and APXS instruments in the 600+ sols since first arriving at Aeolis Mons will be presented. While Murray remains thinly laminated throughout the 30+ vertical meters of stratigraphy explored, large chemical variations are observed. The most extreme variations arise from likely co-located detrital and diagenetic silica enrichments in Murray. Remarkably, an associated diagenetic silica enrichment is also observed in the unconformably overlying eolian sandstone of the Stimson formation in that location. The detrital enrichment provides evidence of how the source region chemistry varied as the sedimentary layers of Aeolis Mons were deposited. Conversely, the diagenetic enrichment observed across both the Murray and Stimson formations provides compelling evidence for the presence of subsurface fluids in Gale Crater, thousands to millions of years after the crater lakes disappeared. This evidence of liquid water greatly extends the timescale in which Gale Crater might have been habitable.

Magnetic field structure in Monoceros R2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jarrett, T. H.; Novak, G.; Xie, T.; Goldsmith, P. F.

1994-01-01

We have carried out polarimetric observations to investigate the geometry of the magnetic field in the giant molecular cloud Monoceros R2. This study is based upon deep R-band charge coupled device (CCD) polarimetry, covering a total area of 0.5 deg(exp 2) of the giant molecular cloud. The data were calibrated using a new technique that relies on obtaining broad-band photometry of stars simultaneously with polarimetric photometry of the Mon R2 fields, thus providing an accurate means of measuring the electric vectors of starlight which is polarized by the fore-ground dust grains aligned by the magnetic field in the Mon R2 GMC. In this work, (1) we were able to continuously trace magnetic field lines from the largest scales in Mon R2 to the detailed structure of the field in the dense core, as determined from infrared polarimetry; and (2) we have found that the ambient field is apparently modified by a large-scale structure in the Mon R2 cloud. The mean angle of polarization for the complete sample we measured is 158 deg, which is roughly coincident with the local Galactic magnetic field (155 deg). The dispersion in the angle of polarization is 33 deg, similar to that found in the Orion GMC. The dispersion in angle of polarization for stars located along the western side of the three CCD fields is 22 deg. The CCD fields are bisected by a dense ridge of gas defining the boundary of an expanding gas shell that recent observational results at millimeter wavelengths now reveal dominates the Mon R2 GMC. Our results suggest th at the expanding shell has distorted the magnetic field lines extending from the core to the northern gas structure comprising Mon R2.

Major Martian Volcanoes from MOLA - Arsia Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Two views of Arsia Mons, the southern most of the Tharsis montes, shown as topography draped over a Viking image mosaic. MOLA topography clearly shows the caldera structure and the flank massive breakout that produced a major side lobe. The vertical exaggeration is 10:1.

Volcanic or Fluvial Channels on Ascraeus Mons: Focus on the Source Area of Sinuous Channels on the Southeast Rift Apron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Signorella, J. D.; de Wet, A. P.; Bleacher, J. E.; Collins, A.; Schierl, Z. P.; Schwans, B.

2012-03-01

This study focuses on the source area of sinuous channels on the southeast rift apron on Ascraeus Mons, Mars and attempts to understand whether the channels were formed through volcanic or fluvial processes.

High-intensity Interval training enhances mobilization/functionality of endothelial progenitor cells and depressed shedding of vascular endothelial cells undergoing hypoxia.

PubMed

Tsai, Hsing-Hua; Lin, Chin-Pu; Lin, Yi-Hui; Hsu, Chih-Chin; Wang, Jong-Shyan

2016-12-01

Exercise training improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation, whereas hypoxic stress causes vascular endothelial dysfunction. Monocyte-derived endothelial progenitor cells (Mon-EPCs) contribute to vascular repair process by differentiating into endothelial cells. This study investigates how high-intensity interval (HIT) and moderate-intensity continuous (MCT) exercise training affect circulating Mon-EPC levels and EPC functionality under hypoxic condition. Sixty healthy sedentary males were randomized to engage in either HIT (3-min intervals at 40 and 80 % VO 2max for five repetitions, n = 20) or MCT (sustained 60 % VO 2max , n = 20) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks, or to a control group (CTL) that did not received exercise intervention (n = 20). Mon-EPC characteristics and EPC functionality under hypoxic exercise (HE, 100 W under 12 % O 2 ) were determined before and after HIT, MCT, and CTL. The results demonstrated that after the intervention, the HIT group exhibited larger improvements in VO 2peak , estimated peak cardiac output (Q C ), and estimated peak perfusions of frontal cerebral lobe (Q FC ) and vastus lateralis (Q VL ) than the MCT group. Furthermore, HIT (a) increased circulating CD14 ++ /CD16 - /CD34 + /KDR + (Mon-1 EPC) and CD14 ++ /CD16 + /CD34 + /KDR + (Mon-2 EPC) cell counts, (b) promoted the migration and tube formation of EPCs, (c) diminished the shedding of endothelial (CD34 - /KDR + /phosphatidylserine + ) cells, and (d) elevated plasma nitrite plus nitrate, stromal cell-derived factor-1, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A concentrations at rest or following HE, compared to those of MCT. In addition, Mon-1 and -2 EPC counts were directly related to VO 2peak and estimated peak Q C , Q FC , and Q VL . HIT is superior to MCT for improving hemodynamic adaptation and Mon-EPC production. Moreover, HIT effectively enhances EPC functionality and suppresses endothelial injury undergoing hypoxia.

Evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product as an alternative to monensin on growth performance, cost of gain, and carcass characteristics of heavy-weight yearling beef steers.

PubMed

Swyers, K L; Wagner, J J; Dorton, K L; Archibeque, S L

2014-06-01

Two hundred fifty-two cross-bred yearling steers (406 ± 24 kg BW) were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (7 pens/treatment) to evaluate the effects of dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SFP) and monensin (MON) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Dietary treatments arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial were 1) with or without SFP and 2) with or without MON. Finishing diets contained 19.7% of DM as dried distiller's grains with solubles. Both SFP and MON were added in the total mixed ration in place of an equal amount of cornmeal (DM basis; target intake = 2.8 g of SFP and 33 mg of MON/kg of dietary DM). Each treatment group was offered ad libitum access to a transition ration from d 1 to 8 and then to the finishing ration from d 9 to 125. Body weights were collected on d 0, 28, 56, 84, 110, and 125. Initial and final BW was an average of 2-d weights (d -1 and 0 and d 124 and 125, respectively). Steers were shipped for harvest on d 125. Overall ADG was decreased (P = 0.03) in steers supplemented with SFP, but final BW was similar among treatments. Feeding SFP was associated with lighter (P < 0.01) HCW and a greater (P = 0.01) number of carcasses grading USDA Choice. Twelfth rib fat thickness was not affected by SFP (P = 0.82) or MON (P = 0.35), but numerical decreases in 12th rib fat thickness among cattle receiving SFP or MON alone contributed to a tendency (P = 0.07) for greater 12 rib fat thickness when SFP and MON were provided. There was no effect of treatment on cost of gain (P ≥ 0.21). The effects of SFP in the current study may have been limited in heavy yearling steers due to consumption of a finishing diet containing 19.7% dried distiller's grains with solubles.

Caldera subsidence and magma chamber depth of the Olympus Mons volcano, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuber, M. T.; Mouginis-Mark, P. J.

1992-01-01

An axisymmetric finite element model is constructed to calculate elastic stresses in a volcanic edifice to examine the relationship between surface tectonism, caldera subsidence, and the physical characteristics of Olympus Mons' magmatic reservoir. Model results indicate that the surface stress state is not strongly sensitive to the aspect ratio or pressure distribution of the magma chamber, or to the contrast in stiffness between the magma chamber and surroundings, but is strongly dependent on the depth and width of the chamber. A gross similarity is suggested between the configurations of the magmatic plumbing systems of Olympus Mons and several well-studied terrestrial volcanoes such as the Hawaiian shields.

Origins of Sinuous and Braided Channels on Ascraeus Mons, Mars — A Keck Geology Consortium Undergraduate Research Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Wet, A. P.; Bleacher, J. E.; Garry, W. B.

2012-03-01

This Keck Geology Consortium project, involving four undergrad geology students, mapped and analyzed sinuous channel features on Ascraeus Mons, Mars, to better understand the role of volcanic and fluvial processes in the geological evolution of Mars.

The pristine shape of Olympus Mons on Mars and the subaqueous origin of its aureole deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Blasio, Fabio Vittorio

2018-03-01

The tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons on Mars, is bordered by at least ten enormous sub-circular hummocky deposits forming a welded halo, termed the aureole. The aureole units (or simply aureoles), which are the deposits of landslides from Olympus Mons, have dramatically transformed the pristine size and shape of the volcanic edifice. Topographic data are used to determine the amount of collapsed material, and so reconstruct the original outline of Olympus Mons before the landslides took place, under the assumption that the edifice did not start failing until it had reached this maximum size. Due to post-aureole deposition on the eastern and southern flanks and to the uncertainty of the slippage level on the northern side, the reconstruction is sufficiently precise along the western and north-western Olympus Mons flank, it is more uncertain for the northern flank, while it is not feasible around the rest of the volcano. It appears that the radius along the western and north-western Olympus Mons before the collapse of the aureole landslides was approximately 200 km longer or more. The results show that the volume of the aureoles, even if enormous, is insufficient to fill the ideal conical edifice which would be obtained prolonging the Olympus Mons flanks with present slope angles. Thus, an overhang remains in the pre-aureole reconstructed Olympus Mons, which would also explain the onset of instability that led to the aureole collapse. Further, a drape deposit blanketing the southern Acheron Fossae ridge just at the front of the western (W) aureole landslide deposit and a fan-channel system carved on the same W aureole are investigated, and it is suggested that these morphologies have been emplaced in subaqueous setting. While the drape may indicate a landslide-thrust water splash akin to a tsunami deposit caused by the fast travelling W aureole landslide, the fan-channel system is similar to certain morphologies in the terrestrial oceans. A numerical model of the collapse of the western aureole unit in water shows final runouts on both Acheron ridge and Amazonis Planitia compatible with observations provided that the friction angle is extremely small, of the order of a tenth of degree. Simulations indicate that the W aureole could have reached Acheron Fossae ridge with velocities in excess of 100 m/s, which would explain the several tens of km long distance reached by the landslide-thrust tsunami deposit. In short, morphological and numerical lines of evidence would indicate a subaqueous origin for the largest, W aureole landslide.

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-10

This image shows the central part of the smaller summit caldera on Pavonis Mons. On the top side of the caldera is a complex region of fault related collapse of the wall of the caldera. Several intersecting faults are visible on the top of the image. The faults would have formed areas of weakness in the caldera wall, precipitating into gravity driven down slope movement of materials. This caldera is approximately 5km deep. In shield volcanoes calderas are typically formed where the surface collapses into the void formed by an emptied magma chamber. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 56113 Latitude: 0.512694 Longitude: 247.192 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2014-08-08 02:25 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22026

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-08

This image shows the western part of the smaller summit caldera on Pavonis Mons. On this side of the caldera is a complex region of fault related collapse of the wall of the caldera. Several intersecting faults are visible to the top and center part of the image. The faults would have formed areas of weakness in the caldera wall, precipitating into gravity driven down slope movement of materials. This caldera is approximately 5km deep. In shield volcanoes calderas are typically formed where the surface collapses into the void formed by an emptied magma chamber. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 36607 Latitude: 0.609285 Longitude: 246.862 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2010-03-16 13:44 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22024

Performance of laying hens fed diets containing DAS-59122-7 maize grain compared with diets containing nontransgenic maize grain.

PubMed

Jacobs, C M; Utterback, P L; Parsons, C M; Rice, D; Smith, B; Hinds, M; Liebergesell, M; Sauber, T

2008-03-01

An experiment using 216 Hy-Line W-36 pullets was conducted to evaluate transgenic maize grain containing the cry34Ab1 and cry35Ab1 genes from a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strain and the phosphinothricin ace-tyltransferase (pat) gene from Streptomyces viridochromogenes. Expression of the cry34Ab1 and cry35Ab1 genes confers resistance to corn rootworms, and the pat gene confers tolerance to herbicides containing glufosinate-ammonium. Pullets (20 wk of age) were placed in cage lots (3 hens/cage, 2 cages/lot) and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 corn-soybean meal dietary treatments (12 lots/treatment) formulated with the following maize grains: near-isogenic control (control), conventional maize, and transgenic test corn line 59122 containing event DAS-59122-7. Differences between 59122 and control group means were evaluated with statistical significance at P < 0.05. Body weight and gain, egg production, egg mass, and feed efficiency for hens fed the 59122 corn were not significantly different from the respective values for hens fed diets formulated with control maize grain. Egg component weights, Haugh unit measures, and egg weight class distribution were similar regardless of the corn source. This research indicates that performance of hens fed diets containing 59122 maize grain, as measured by egg production and egg quality, was similar to that of hens fed diets formulated with near-isogenic corn grain.

Structure of 1:1 complex of 1-naphthylmethyl ester of monensin A with sodium perchlorate studied by X-ray, FT-IR and ab initio methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huczyński, Adam; Janczak, Jan; Brzezinski, Bogumil

2012-12-01

A new crystalline complex formed between 1-naphthylmethyl ester of the naturally occurring antibiotic - monensin A (MON8) with sodium perchlorate has been obtained and studied using X-ray crystallography and FT-IR spectroscopy. The X-ray data of the complex show that MON8 forms a pseudo-cyclic structure stabilised by one weak intramolecular hydrogen bond and the sodium cation co-ordinated by two oxygen atoms of hydroxyl groups and four etheric oxygen atoms in the hydrophilic sphere. Within this structure the oxygen atoms of the ester groups are not involved in the coordination of sodium cation. In contrast to the solid state structure of the complex, in acetonitrile solution an equilibrium between two structures, in which the oxygen atom of the carbonyl ester group is either involved or not involved in the complexation of the sodium cation, is found. In acetonitrile this equilibrium is shifted towards the latter structure i.e. the structure existing in the solid state. The gas-phase structure of [MON8sbnd Na]+ cation as shown the ab initio MO calculations is comparable with the crystal one. Three-dimensional molecular electrostatic potential calculated for the neutral MON8 and [MON8sbnd Na]+ molecules is helpful for understanding the structural aspects of the sodium complex formation.

Olympus Mons, Mars: Constraints on Lava Flow Silica Composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirshner, M.; Jurdy, D. M.

2016-12-01

Olympus Mons, Mars, the largest known volcano in our solar system, contains numerous enigmatic lava flow features. Lava tubes have received attention as their final morphologies may offer habitable zones for both native life and human exploration. Such tubes were formed through mechanisms involving several volatile species with significant silica content. Olympus Mons, a shield volcano, might be expected to have flows with silica content similar to that of terrestrial basaltic flows. However, past investigations have estimated a slightly more andesitic composition. Data pertaining to lava tubes such as flow width and slope are collected from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's Context Camera, Mars Odyssey's THEMIS instrument, and Mars Express' HRSC instrument. Compiling this data in GIS software allows for extensive mapping and analysis of Olympus Mons' seemingly inactive flow features. A rheological analysis performed on 62 mapped lava tubes utilizes geometric parameters inferred from mapping. Lava was modeled as a Bingham fluid on an inclined plane, allowing for the derivation of lava yield stress. Percent silica content was calculated for each of the 62 mapped flows using a relationship derived from observations of terrestrial lava yield strengths and corresponding silica composition. Results indicate that lava tube flows across Olympus Mons were on average basaltic in nature, occasionally reaching into the andesitic classification: percent silica content is 51% on average and ranges between roughly 40% and 57%.

Nano-Micelle of Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil Triggers Mitochondrial Cancer Cell Apoptosis

PubMed Central

Abd-Rabou, Ahmed A; Zoheir, Khairy M A; Kishta, Mohamed S; Shalby, Aziza B; Ezzo, Mohamed I

2016-01-01

Cancer, a worldwide epidemic disease with diverse origins, involves abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade other parts of the body. Globally, it is the main cause of mortality and morbidity. To overcome the drawbacks of the commercially available chemotherapies, natural products-loaded nano-composites are recommended to improve cancer targetability and decrease the harmful impact on normal cells. This study aimed at exploring the anti-cancer impacts of Moringa oleifera seed oil in its free- (MO) and nano-formulations (MOn) through studying whether it mechanistically promotes mitochondrial apoptosis-mediating cell death. Mitochondrial-based cytotoxicity and flow cytometric-based apoptosis analyses were performed on cancer HepG2, MCF7, HCT 116, and Caco-2 cell lines against normal kidney BHK-21 cell line. The present study resulted that MOn triggered colorectal cancer Caco-2 and HCT 116 cytotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction more powerful than its free counterpart (MO). On the other side, MOn and MO remarkably induces HCT 116 mitochondrial apoptosis, while sparing normal BHK-21 cells with minimal cytotoxic effect. The present results concluded that nano-micelle of Moringa oleifera seed oil (MOn) can provide a novel therapeutic approach for colorectal and breast cancers via mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, while sparing normal and even liver cancer cells a bit healthy or with minimal harmful effect. Intriguingly, MOn induced breast cancer not hepatocellular carcinoma cell death. PMID:28032498

Administrative claims analysis of asthma-related health care utilization for patients who received inhaled corticosteroids with either montelukast or salmeterol as combination therapy.

PubMed

Allen-Ramey, Felicia C; Bukstein, Don; Luskin, Allan; Sajjan, Shiva G; Markson, Leona E

2006-05-01

To compare asthma-related health care resource utilization among a matched cohort of asthma patients using inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) plus either montelukast (MON) or salmeterol (SAL) as combination therapy for asthma, during a time prior to the availability of fixed-dose combinations of ICS/SAL. A retrospective analysis using the PHARMetrics patient-centric claims database was conducted for the period preceding the market introduction of combination fluticasone-SAL in September 2000. Patients had to meet the following criteria for inclusion in the study: they had to be between the ages of 4 and 55 years; they had to have been continuously enrolled for 2 years; they had to have initiated ICS/MON or ICS/SAL therapy between July 1, 1998, and June 30, 1999; and they had to have had either (a) a diagnosis of asthma (based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes of 493.xx) for 2 outpatient visits, 1 or more emergency department (ED) visits, or 1 or more hospitalizations within 1 year or (b) pharmacy claim records that contained a National Drug Code for an antiasthma medication (betaagonist, theophylline, ICS, cromolyn, or leukotriene) 2 or more times within 1 year. ICS/MON and ICS/SAL patients were matched 1 to 1 on age and propensity score. Outcomes included asthma-related hopitalizations and ED visits with ICD-9-CM codes of 493.xx, and oral corticosteroid (OCS) fills and short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) fills. Multivariate regression analyses were performed. Subgroup analyses based on sequential or concurrent initiation of combination therapy were also conducted. A total of 1,216 patients were matched (ICS/MON = 608; ICS/SAL= 608). Decreased odds of ED visits and/or hospitalizations were observed with ICS/MON (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35- 0.98) versus ICS/SAL. The odds of postindex OCS fills were not different for ICS/MON and ICS/SAL patients (adjusted OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.79-1.38). Postindex pharmacy claims for SABAs were significantly higher among ICS/MON patients versus ICS/SAL patients (adjusted relative risk [RR] = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.17-1.52), and this difference remained regardless of prior use or no prior use of ICSs. In subgroup analyses, mean change in SABA fills varied by how combination therapy was initiated, with sequential addition of asthma controllers leading to a reduction in SABA fills in both groups. For patients with concurrent initiation of combination therapy, the odds of ED visits/hospitalizations were significantly lower in patients initiating ICS/MON (adjusted OR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.08-0.79). In this matched cohort, use of ICS/MON compared with ICS/SAL resulted in similar odds of OCS fills, decreased odds of ED visits and asthmarelated hospitalizations, but higher utilization of SABA.

Pokémon GO: Implications for Literacy in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howell, Emily

2017-01-01

This teaching tip gives teachers practical applications of the game Pokémon GO for literacy teaching and learning. The author discusses applications of the game for teaching multimodality in upper elementary-school classrooms. The author situates these applications in relevant theoretical perspectives as well as current literacy research.

77 FR 41356 - Monsanto Co.; Availability of Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Soybean...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-13

... Engineered for Herbicide Tolerance AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice... soybean designated as MON 87708, which has been genetically engineered for tolerance to the herbicide... MON 87708, which has been genetically engineered for tolerance to the herbicide dicamba, stating that...

40 CFR Table 2 to Subpart B of... - MON Source Categories

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false MON Source Categories 2 Table 2 to Subpart B of Part 63 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS... Control Technology Determinations for Major Sources in Accordance With Clean Air Act Sections, Sections...

Insecticidal Management and Movement of the Brown Stink Bug, Euschistus servus, in Corn

PubMed Central

Reisig, Dominic D.

2011-01-01

In eastern North Carolina, some brown stink bugs, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are suspected to pass the F1 generation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Poales: Poaceae) before moving into corn (Zea mays L.) (Poales: Poaceae). These pests can injure corn ears as they develop. To test their effectiveness as a management tactic, pyrethroids were aerially applied to field corn in two experiments, one with 0.77 ha plots and another with 85 ha plots. Euschistus servus population abundance was monitored over time in both experiments and yield was assessed in the larger of the two experiments. In the smaller experiment, the populations were spatially monitored in a 6.3 ha area of corn adjacent to a recently harvested wheat field (352 sampling points of 6.1 row-meters in all but the first sampling event). Overall E. servus abundance decreased throughout the monitoring period in the sampling area of the smaller experiment, but remained unchanged over time in the large-scale experiment. During all sampling periods in both experiments, abundance was the same between treatments. Yield was unaffected by treatment where it was measured in the larger experiment. In the smaller experiment, E. servus were initially aggregated at the field edge of the corn (two, six and 13 days following the wheat harvest). Sixteen days following the wheat harvest they were randomly distributed in the corn. Although it was not directly measured, stink bugs are suspected to move the cornfield edge as a result of the adjacent wheat harvest. More study of the biology of E. servus is needed, specifically in the area of host preference, phenology and movement to explain these phenomena and to produce better management strategies for these pests. PMID:22950984

V838 Monocerotis revisited: Space phenomenon imitates art

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2004-03-01

V838 Monocerotis revisited: Space phenomenon imitates art hi-res Size hi-res: 558 Kb Credits: NASA, the Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI) and ESA V838 Monocerotis revisited: Space phenomenon imitates art "Starry Night", Vincent van Gogh's famous painting, is renowned for its bold whorls of light sweeping across a raging night sky. Although this image of the heavens came only from the artist's restless imagination, a new picture from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope bears remarkable similarities to the van Gogh work, complete with never-before-seen spirals of dust swirling across trillions of kilometres of interstellar space. This image, obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys on February 8, 2004, is Hubble's latest view of an expanding halo of light around a distant star, named V838 Monocerotis (V838 Mon). The illumination of interstellar dust comes from the red supergiant star at the middle of the image, which gave off a flashbulb-like pulse of light two years ago. V838 Mon is located about 20,000 light-years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Monoceros, placing the star at the outer edge of our Milky Way galaxy V838 Monocerotis revisited: Space phenomenon imitates art hi-res Size hi-res: 1989 kb Credits: NASA, the Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI) and ESA V838 Monocerotis revisited: Space phenomenon imitates art "Starry Night", Vincent van Gogh's famous painting, is renowned for its bold whorls of light sweeping across a raging night sky. Although this image of the heavens came only from the artist's restless imagination, a new picture from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope bears remarkable similarities to the van Gogh work, complete with never-before-seen spirals of dust swirling across trillions of kilometres of interstellar space. This image, obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys on February 8, 2004, is Hubble's latest view of an expanding halo of light around a distant star, named V838 Monocerotis (V838 Mon). The illumination of interstellar dust comes from the red supergiant star at the middle of the image, which gave off a flashbulb-like pulse of light two years ago. V838 Mon is located about 20,000 light-years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Monoceros, placing the star at the outer edge of our Milky Way galaxy This image, obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys on 8 February 2004, is Hubble's latest view of an expanding halo of light around a distant star, named V838 Monocerotis (V838 Mon). The illumination of interstellar dust comes from the red supergiant star at the middle of the image, which gave off a flashbulb-like pulse of light two years ago. V838 Mon is located about 20 000 light-years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Monoceros, placing the star at the outer edge of our Milky Way galaxy. Called a 'light echo', the expanding illumination of a dusty cloud around the star has been revealing remarkable structures ever since the star suddenly brightened for several weeks in early 2002. Though Hubble has followed the light echo in several snapshots, this new image shows swirls or eddies in the dusty cloud for the first time. These eddies are probably caused by turbulence in the dust and gas around the star as they slowly expand away. The dust and gas were likely ejected from the star in a previous explosion, similar to the 2002 event, which occurred some tens of thousands of years ago. The surrounding dust remained invisible and unsuspected until suddenly illuminated by the brilliant explosion of the central star two years ago. The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged V838 Mon and its light echo several times since the star's outburst in January 2002, in order to follow the constantly changing appearance of the dust as the pulse of illumination continues to expand away from the star at the speed of light. During the outburst event, the normally faint star suddenly brightened, becoming 600 000 times more luminous than our Sun. It was thus one of the most luminous stars in the entire Milky Way, until it faded away again in April 2002. The star has some similarities to a class of objects called 'novae', which suddenly increase in brightness due to thermonuclear explosions at their surfaces; however, the detailed behaviour of V838 Mon, in particular its extremely red colour, has been completely different from any previously known nova. Nature's own piece of performance art, this structure will continue to change its appearance in coming years as the light from the stellar outburst continues to propagate outward and bounce off more distant black clouds of dust. Astronomers expect the echoes to remain visible for at least the rest of the current decade. The colour image is composed of three different exposures through a blue filter (5250 seconds), a green filter (1050 seconds) and a near-infrared filter (300 seconds). Notes for editors: Animations of the discovery and general Hubble Space Telescope background footage are available from: http://www.spacetelescope.org/bin/videos.pl?&string=heic0405 Image credit: NASA, the Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI) and ESA The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA.

Laboratory toxicity studies demonstrate no adverse effects of Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 to larvae of Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): the importance of study design.

PubMed

Alvarez-Alfageme, Fernando; Bigler, Franz; Romeis, Jörg

2011-06-01

Scientific studies are frequently used to support policy decisions related to transgenic crops. Schmidt et al., Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56:221-228 (2009) recently reported that Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb were toxic to larvae of Adalia bipunctata in direct feeding studies. This study was quoted, among others, to justify the ban of Bt maize (MON 810) in Germany. The study has subsequently been criticized because of methodological shortcomings that make it questionable whether the observed effects were due to direct toxicity of the two Cry proteins. We therefore conducted tritrophic studies assessing whether an effect of the two proteins on A. bipunctata could be detected under more realistic routes of exposure. Spider mites that had fed on Bt maize (events MON810 and MON88017) were used as carriers to expose young A. bipunctata larvae to high doses of biologically active Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1. Ingestion of the two Cry proteins by A. bipunctata did not affect larval mortality, weight, or development time. These results were confirmed in a subsequent experiment in which A. bipunctata were directly fed with a sucrose solution containing dissolved purified proteins at concentrations approximately 10 times higher than measured in Bt maize-fed spider mites. Hence, our study does not provide any evidence that larvae of A. bipunctata are sensitive to Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 or that Bt maize expressing these proteins would adversely affect this predator. The results suggest that the apparent harmful effects of Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 reported by Schmidt et al., Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56:221-228 (2009) were artifacts of poor study design and procedures. It is thus important that decision-makers evaluate the quality of individual scientific studies and do not view all as equally rigorous and relevant.

Preservation of ancient ice at Pavonis and Arsia Mons: Tropical mountain glacier deposits on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Head, James W.; Weiss, David K.

2014-11-01

Large tropical mountain glacier (TMG) deposits on the northwest flanks of the Tharsis Montes and Olympus Mons volcanoes are interpreted to be the record of ancient climates characteristic of Mars several hundred million years ago when planetary spin-axis obliquity was ~45°. During this era, polar volatiles (predominantly H2O) were mobilized and transferred equatorward, undergoing adiabatic cooling on the Tharsis volcano flanks, and precipitating snow and ice to form cold-based tropical mountain glaciers up to several kilometers in thickness. Subsequent climate change resulted in retreat, sublimation and collapse of the tropical mountain glaciers, leaving the three typical facies observed today: (1) concentric ridges, the ridged facies, interpreted as drop moraines; (2) knobby facies, interpreted as debris-dominated sublimation residue; and (3) the smooth facies, interpreted as remnant alpine glacial deposits. Ring-mold craters (RMCs) are distinctive features formed by impacts into debris-covered ice. We describe a set of relatively fresh ring-mold craters superposed on the Arsia and Pavonis Mons TMG deposits; we interpret these to indicate that the impact events penetrated a veneer of sublimation lag and excavated buried remnant glacial ice, despite the lack of detection of buried ice by orbital radar instruments. The diameter distribution of the RMCs suggest that the remnant ice lies at a depth of at least 16 m. The TMG deposit ages suggest that these ice deposits date from a period in the range of 125-220 million years before the present; the remnant ice may thus preserve records of the ancient atmospheric gas content and microbiota, as is common in terrestrial glacial ice. Preservation of this ice and the lack of any associated fluvial features suggest that the post-glacial climate has been cold, and related surface temperatures have not been sufficient to bring the buried deposits to the melting point of water.

Pokémon Go: Ubiquitous Computing Delivering Better Health or Co-Incidental Health Benefits from Technology Use? A Participatory Observational Study.

PubMed

Yee, Kwang Chien; Wong, Ming Chao; Turner, Paul

2017-01-01

Stimulating sustained behavioural change through information and technology has been an aim of much health informatics research. Traditional approaches use technology to mediate communications between health professionals and patients. More recent lifestyle technologies engage the patient directly with information and advice - but what of the phenomena that is Pokémon Go - does it point to another way of achieving health benefits through fun? This paper aims to explore some of the conceptual questions for health informatics stimulated by the phenomenal popularity of Pokémon Go. The paper is grounded analysis of data generated through a preliminary participatory observational study in Australia.

A Remote Sensing-Derived Corn Yield Assessment Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrestha, Ranjay Man

Agricultural studies and food security have become critical research topics due to continuous growth in human population and simultaneous shrinkage in agricultural land. In spite of modern technological advancements to improve agricultural productivity, more studies on crop yield assessments and food productivities are still necessary to fulfill the constantly increasing food demands. Besides human activities, natural disasters such as flood and drought, along with rapid climate changes, also inflect an adverse effect on food productivities. Understanding the impact of these disasters on crop yield and making early impact estimations could help planning for any national or international food crisis. Similarly, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) insurance management utilizes appropriately estimated crop yield and damage assessment information to sustain farmers' practice through timely and proper compensations. Through County Agricultural Production Survey (CAPS), the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) uses traditional methods of field interviews and farmer-reported survey data to perform annual crop condition monitoring and production estimations at the regional and state levels. As these manual approaches of yield estimations are highly inefficient and produce very limited samples to represent the entire area, NASS requires supplemental spatial data that provides continuous and timely information on crop production and annual yield. Compared to traditional methods, remote sensing data and products offer wider spatial extent, more accurate location information, higher temporal resolution and data distribution, and lower data cost--thus providing a complementary option for estimation of crop yield information. Remote sensing derived vegetation indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) provide measurable statistics of potential crop growth based on the spectral reflectance and could be further associated with the actual yield. Utilizing satellite remote sensing products, such as daily NDVI derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) at 250 m pixel size, the crop yield estimation can be performed at a very fine spatial resolution. Therefore, this study examined the potential of these daily NDVI products within agricultural studies and crop yield assessments. In this study, a regression-based approach was proposed to estimate the annual corn yield through changes in MODIS daily NDVI time series. The relationship between daily NDVI and corn yield was well defined and established, and as changes in corn phenology and yield were directly reflected by the changes in NDVI within the growing season, these two entities were combined to develop a relational model. The model was trained using 15 years (2000-2014) of historical NDVI and county-level corn yield data for four major corn producing states: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana, representing four climatic regions as South, West North Central, East North Central, and Central, respectively, within the U.S. Corn Belt area. The model's goodness of fit was well defined with a high coefficient of determination (R2>0.81). Similarly, using 2015 yield data for validation, 92% of average accuracy signified the performance of the model in estimating corn yield at county level. Besides providing the county-level corn yield estimations, the derived model was also accurate enough to estimate the yield at finer spatial resolution (field level). The model's assessment accuracy was evaluated using the randomly selected field level corn yield within the study area for 2014, 2015, and 2016. A total of over 120 plot level corn yield were used for validation, and the overall average accuracy was 87%, which statistically justified the model's capability to estimate plot-level corn yield. Additionally, the proposed model was applied to the impact estimation by examining the changes in corn yield due to flood events during the growing season. Using a 2011 Missouri River flood event as a case study, field-level flood impact map on corn yield throughout the flooded regions was produced and an overall agreement of over 82.2% was achieved when compared with the reference impact map. The future research direction of this dissertation research would be to examine other major crops outside the Corn Belt region of the U.S.

Departures from Axisymmetric Balance Dynamics during Secondary Eyewall Formation

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

tensification of Hurricane Opal as diagnosed from a GFDL model forecast. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 1866–1881, doi:10.1175/ 1520-0493(2002)130,1866:BCTTIO...2002: Environ- mental interactions in the GFDL hurricane model for Hurri- cane Opal . Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 298–317, doi:10.1175/ 1520-0493(2002

Why the public health sector couldn't create Pokémon Go.

PubMed

Freeman, Becky; Chau, Josephine; Mihrshahi, Seema

2017-07-26

Pokémon Go has been subject to much attention - from both the players that download the augmented reality game and the news media. Amid the exaggerated media reports, Pokémon Go may have unintended health benefits. Players have reported walking more, spending more time with family, experiencing improvements in their mental health and feeling more connected to their communities. It is hard to imagine public health researchers developing a similar game that is fun, taps into pop culture, reaches a wide target audience, makes use of physical and virtual environments, creates a sense of both competition and community, and has spin-off health benefits. Companies that endanger public health immediately recognised the value of the Pokémon Go app, and exploited it to advertise and promote consumption of unhealthy foods. Public health stakeholders need to develop mobile-based interventions within a framework that embraces pleasure, rewards, participation and community. Public health agencies need to be just as nimble and responsive as companies that are harmful to health, or forever be creating games that nobody plays.

A Comparison and Analog-Based Analysis of Sinuous Channels on the Rift Aprons of Ascraeus Mons and Pavonis Mons Volcanoes, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, A.; de Wet, A.; Bleacher, J.; Schierl, Z.; Schwans, B.

2012-01-01

The origin of sinuous channels on the flanks of the Tharsis volcanoes on Mars is debated among planetary scientists. Some argue a volcanic genesis [1] while others have suggested a fluvial basis [2-4]. The majority of the studies thus far have focused on channels on the rift apron of Ascraeus Mons. Here, however, we broadly examine the channels on the rift apron of Pavonis Mons and compare them with those studied channels around Ascraeus. We compare the morphologies of features from both of these volcanoes with similar features of known volcanic origin on the island of Hawai i. We show that the morphologies between these two volcanoes in the Tharsis province are very similar and were likely formed by comparable processes, as previous authors have suggested [5]. We show that, although the morphologies of many of the channels around these volcanoes show some parallels to terrestrial fluvial systems, these morphologies can also be formed by volcanic processes. The context of these features suggests that volcanic processes were the more likely cause of these channels.

Videogame-Related Illness and Injury: A Review of the Literature and Predictions for Pokémon GO!

PubMed

Pourmand, Ali; Lombardi, Kevin; Kuhl, Evan; O'Connell, Francis

2017-02-01

Reports of videogame-related illness and injury soon emerged in the literature with the inception of videogame systems and subsequent development of novel gaming platforms and technologies. In an effort to better detail the impacts of these phenomena and provide recommendations for injury prevention as it relates to Pokémon Go and the larger world of augmented reality games, we conducted an extensive systems-based review of past trends in videogame-related illness and injury from the literature. A literature review using PubMed, Medline, and PsycInfo databases with search terms "Pokémon GO," "videogame injuries," "augmented reality injuries," and "Nintendo Injury" was performed. The search was limited to the English language, and the Boolean were used to combine the search terms. The literature search yielded 359 peer-reviewed articles, 44 of which met the study criteria and included in the review. Seventeen additional popular press reports detailing injuries related to Pokémon Go were also incorporated. Videogame-related injuries and illness include both physical trauma as well as psychological and behavioral disorder with unique patterns of injury and illness linked to specific gaming platforms. As videogames become increasingly advanced and immersive, they expose players to unique and often more serious injury and illness. Augmented reality games, such as Pokémon GO, are the next step in the evolution of this trend and likely portend a future in which many pathologic processes may become increasingly common.

Studies of lava flows in the Tharsis region of Mars using SHARAD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, Molly N.; Carter, Lynn M.; Campbell, Bruce A.; Phillips, Roger J.; Mattei, Stefania

2014-11-01

The Tharsis region of Mars is covered in volcanic flows that can stretch for tens to hundreds of kilometers. Radar measurements of the dielectric properties of these flows can provide information regarding their composition and density. SHARAD (shallow radar), a sounding radar on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, detects basal interfaces beneath flows in some areas of Tharsis northwest and west of Ascraeus Mons, with additional detections south of Pavonis Mons. Comparisons with 12.6 cm ground-based radar images suggest that SHARAD detects basal interfaces primarily in dust or regolith-mantled regions. We use SHARAD data to estimate the real relative permittivity of the flows by comparing the measured time delay of returns from the subsurface with altimetry measurements of the flow heights relative to the surrounding plains. In cases where the subsurface interface is visible at different depths, spanning tens of meters, it is also possible to measure the loss tangent (tan δ) of the material. The permittivity values calculated range from 7.6 to 11.6, with an average of 9.6, while the mean loss tangent values range from 7.8 × 10-3 to 2.9 × 10-2 with an average of 1.0 × 10-2. These permittivity and loss tangent estimates for the flows northwest of Ascraeus Mons, west of Ascraeus Mons, and south of Pavonis Mons are consistent with the lab-measured values for dense, low-titanium basalt.

PHOTOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF SELECTED ALGOL-TYPE BINARIES. III. AL GEMINORUM AND BM MONOCEROTIS WITH POSSIBLE LIGHT-TIME ORBITS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Y.-G.; Dai, H.-F.; Li, H.-L., E-mail: yygcn@163.com

We present the CCD photometry of two Algol-type binaries, AL Gem and BM Mon, observed from 2008 November to 2011 January. With the updated Wilson-Devinney program, photometric solutions were deduced from their EA-type light curves. The mass ratios and fill-out factors of the primaries are found to be q{sub ph} = 0.090({+-} 0.005) and f{sub 1} = 47.3%({+-} 0.3%) for AL Gem, and q{sub ph} = 0.275({+-} 0.007) and f{sub 1} = 55.4%({+-} 0.5%) for BM Mon, respectively. By analyzing the O-C curves, we discovered that the periods of AL Gem and BM Mon change in a quasi-sinusoidal mode, whichmore » may possibly result from the light-time effect via the presence of a third body. Periods, amplitudes, and eccentricities of light-time orbits are 78.83({+-} 1.17) yr, 0fd0204({+-}0fd0007), and 0.28({+-} 0.02) for AL Gem and 97.78({+-} 2.67) yr, 0fd0175({+-}0fd0006), and 0.29({+-} 0.02) for BM Mon, respectively. Assumed to be in a coplanar orbit with the binary, the masses of the third bodies would be 0.29 M{sub Sun} for AL Gem and 0.26 M{sub Sun} for BM Mon. This kind of additional companion can extract angular momentum from the close binary orbit, and such processes may play an important role in multiple star evolution.« less

Tc depression and superconductor-insulator transition in molybdenum nitride thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichikawa, F.; Makise, K.; Tsuneoka, T.; Maeda, S.; Shinozaki, B.

2018-03-01

We have studied that the Tc depression and the superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) in molybdenum nitride (MoN) thin films. Thin films were fabricated by reactive DC magnetron sputtering method onto (100) MgO substrates in the mixture of Ar and N2 gases. Several dozen MoN thin films were prepared in the range of 3 nm < thickness d < 60 nm. The resistance was measured by a DC four-probe technique. It is found that Tc decreases from 6.6 K for thick films with increase of the normal state sheet resistance {R}{{sq}}{{N}} and experimental data were fitted to the Finkel’stein formula using the bulk superconducting transition temperature Tc 0 = 6.45 K and the elastic scattering time of electron τ = 1.6 × 10‑16 s. From this analysis the critical sheet resistance Rc is found about 2 kΩ, which is smaller than the quantum sheet resistance R Q. This value of Rc is almost the same as those for 2D NbN films. The value of τ for MoN films is also the similar value for NbN films 1.0 × 10‑16 s, while Tc 0 is different from that for NbN films 14.85 K. It is indicated that the mechanism of SIT for MoN films is similar to that of NbN films, while the mean free path ℓ for MoN films is larger than that for NbN films.

Correlations between topography and intraflow width behavior in Martian and terrestrial lava flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peitersen, Matthew N.; Crown, David A.

2000-02-01

Local correlations between topography and width behavior within lava flows at Puu Oo, Mount Etna, Glass Mountain, Cerro Bayo, Alba Patera, Tyrrhena Patera, Elysium Mons, and Olympus Mons were investigated. For each flow, width and slope data were both referenced via downflow distance as a sequence of points; the data were then divided into collections of adjacent three-point features and two-point segments. Four discrete types of analyses were conducted: (1) Three-point analysis examined positional correlations between width and slope features, (2) two-point analysis did the same for flow segments, (3) mean slope analysis included segment slope comparisons, and (4) sudden width behavior analysis measured abruptness of width changes. The distribution of types of correlations compared to random combinations of features and segments does not suggest a significant correlation between flow widths and local underlying slopes and indicates that for these flows at least, other factors have more influence on changes in width than changes in underlying topography. Mean slopes underlying narrowing, widening, and constant flow width segments were calculated. An inverse correlation between slope and width was found only at Mount Etna, where slopes underlying narrowing segments were greater than those underlying widening in 62% of the examined flows. For the majority of flows at Mount Etna, Puu Oo, and Olympus Mons, slopes were actually greatest under constant width segments; this may imply a topographically dependent resistance to width changes. The rate of change of width was also examined. Sudden width changes are relatively common at Puu Oo, Mount Etna, Elysium Mons, and Tyrrhena Patera and relatively rare at Glass Mountain, Cerro Bayo, Olympus Mons, and Alba Patera. After correction for mapping scale, Puu Oo, Mount Etna, Olympus Mons, and Alba Patera appear to fall on the same trend; Glass Mount exhibits unusually small amounts of sudden width behavior, and Tyrrhena Patera exhibits a relatively large number of sudden width behavior occurrences.

Search for ongoing volcanic activity on Venus: Case study of Maat Mons, Sapas Mons and Ozza Mons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basilevsky, A. T.; Shalygin, E. V.; Markiewicz, W. J.; Titov, D. V.; Roatsch, Th.; Kreslavsky, M. A.

2012-04-01

Maat Mons volcano and its vicinities show evidence of geologically very recent volcanism. We consider Venus Monitoring Camera (VMC) night-side images of this area. Analysis of VMC images taken in 12 observation sessions during the time period from 31 Oct 2007 to 15 Jun 2009 did not reveal any suspicious high-emission spots which could be signatures of the presently ongoing volcanic eruptions. If Maat Mons volcano had the eruption history similar to that of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, in the 20th century, the probability to observe an eruption in this VMC observation sequence would be about 8%, meaning that the absence of detection does not mean that Maat is not active in the present epoch. Blurring of the thermal radiation coming from Venus surface by the planet atmosphere decreases detectability of thermal signature of fresh lavas. We simulated near-infrared images of the study area with artificially added lava flows having surface temperature 1000 K and various areas. These simulations showed that 1 km2 lava flows should be marginally seen by VMC. An increase of the lava surface area to 2 - 3 km2 makes them visible on the plains and increase of the area to 4 - 5 km2 makes them visible even in deep rift zones. Typical individual lava flows on Mauna Loa are a few km2, however, they often have been formed during weeks to months and the instantaneous size of the hot flow surface was usually much smaller. Thus the detection probability is significantly lower than 8%, but it is far from negligible. Our consideration suggests that further search of Maat Mons area and other areas including young rift zones makes sense and should be continued. More effective search could be done if observations simultaneously cover most part of the night side of Venus for relatively long (years) time of continuous observations.

Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) of Strains from Turkey and Cyprus Reveals a Novel Monophyletic L. donovani Sensu Lato Group

PubMed Central

Amro, Ahmad; Mentis, Andreas; Pratlong, Francine; Dedet, Jean-Pierre; Votypka, Jan; Volf, Petr; Ozensoy Toz, Seray; Kuhls, Katrin; Schönian, Gabriele; Soteriadou, Ketty

2012-01-01

Background New foci of human CL caused by strains of the Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) complex have been recently described in Cyprus and the Çukurova region in Turkey (L. infantum) situated 150 km north of Cyprus. Cypriot strains were typed by Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE) using the Montpellier (MON) system as L. donovani zymodeme MON-37. However, multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) has shown that this zymodeme is paraphyletic; composed of distantly related genetic subgroups of different geographical origin. Consequently the origin of the Cypriot strains remained enigmatic. Methodology/Principal Findings The Cypriot strains were compared with a set of Turkish isolates obtained from a CL patient and sand fly vectors in south-east Turkey (Çukurova region; CUK strains) and from a VL patient in the south-west (Kuşadasi; EP59 strain). These Turkish strains were initially analyzed using the K26-PCR assay that discriminates MON-1 strains by their amplicon size. In line with previous DNA-based data, the strains were inferred to the L. donovani complex and characterized as non MON-1. For these strains MLEE typing revealed two novel zymodemes; L. donovani MON-309 (CUK strains) and MON-308 (EP59). A population genetic analysis of the Turkish isolates was performed using 14 hyper-variable microsatellite loci. The genotypic profiles of 68 previously analyzed L. donovani complex strains from major endemic regions were included for comparison. Population structures were inferred by combination of Bayesian model-based and distance-based approaches. MLMT placed the Turkish and Cypriot strains in a subclade of a newly discovered, genetically distinct L. infantum monophyletic group, suggesting that the Cypriot strains may originate from Turkey. Conclusion The discovery of a genetically distinct L. infantum monophyletic group in the south-eastern Mediterranean stresses the importance of species genetic characterization towards better understanding, monitoring and controlling the spread of leishmaniasis in this region. PMID:22348162

Effect of low levels of aflatoxin B₁ on performance, biochemical parameters, and aflatoxin B₁ in broiler liver tissues in the presence of monensin and sodium bentonite.

PubMed

Magnoli, A P; Monge, M P; Miazzo, R D; Cavaglieri, L R; Magnoli, C E; Merkis, C I; Cristofolini, A L; Dalcero, A M; Chiacchiera, S M

2011-01-01

Aflatoxins (AF) are a major problem in broiler production and are significant economic and public health burdens worldwide. A commercial sodium bentonite (Na-B) adsorbent was used to prevent the effect of AF [50 µg of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)/kg of feed] in broiler productivity, biochemical parameters, macroscopic and microscopic liver changes, and AFB₁ liver residues. The influence of Na-B (0.3%) and monensin (MON, 100 mg/kg), alone or in combination, was investigated in depth. The dietary treatments were as follows: treatment (T) 1: basal diet (B); T2: B + MON; T3: B + Na-B; T4: B + Na-B + MON; T5: B + AFB₁; T6: B + AFB₁ + Na-B + MON; T7: B + AFB₁ + MON; T8: B + AFB₁ + Na-B. Birds were fed dietary treatments for 28 d (d 18 to 46). No significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among treatments with respect to broiler performance, biochemical parameters, or relative liver weights. With the exception of T8, all livers showed histopathological alterations, with accumulation of fat vacuoles. The normal appearance of livers from T8 showed the protective effect of Na-B against aflatoxicosis. The residual AFB₁ levels in livers from T5 to T8 ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 ng/g and were higher in livers from T6 (P < 0.05). Results of this study indicate a competition between AFB₁ and MON for adsorption sites on Na-B when feed contains low levels of the toxin, indicating a nonselective adsorption capacity of this particular Na-B. In addition, significant levels of AFB₁ in livers indicate that this determination is an important technique not only for diagnosis of aflatoxicosis in broilers, but also for quality control of avian products.

[Epidemiology of Leishmania (L.) infantum, L. major and L. killicki in Tunisia: results and analysis of the identification of 226 human and canine isolates].

PubMed

Aoun, K; Amri, F; Chouihi, E; Haouas, N; Bedoui, K; Benikhlef, R; Ghrab, J; Babba, H; Chahed, M K; Harrat, Z; Bouratbine, A

2008-10-01

The epidemiological situation of leishmaniasis in Tunisia is characterised by the co-existence in a very limited territory (165,000 km2, Sahara included), of 4 clinical forms: the infantile visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and 3 cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) forms (sporadic, zoonotic and chronic). In addition to the useful epidemiological data, identification of the causative parasitic species is essential to determine the geographic distribution of each form and to select appropriate therapeutic procedure and suitable control measures. 226 Leishmania isolates, 135 human's coming from 59 VL cases and 76 CL cases and 91 canine's were identified by the isoenzyme electrophoresis reference technique. Results confirm the endemicity of the 4 forms mentioned above. The sporadic CL, confined to the North of the country is principally caused by L. infantum MON-24 (72.2%). VL which has reached the southern ridge in the central area of Tunisia, in the governorate of Kairouan (36 typed isolates), presents an unusual high proportion of L. infantum MON-24. In fact, this zymodeme, rather dermotropic is responsible for 47.2% of the cases vs 13% in the other regions of the country where L. infantum MON-1 remains predominant with 78.3% of typed isolates, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.01). A third zymodeme, L. infantum MON-80 is sporadically pointed out during VL or in sporadic CL. Despite the high number of canine isolates (n=91) coming from 6 governorates, only the zymodeme L. infantum MON-1 was identified, letting hypothetic the reservoir of the 2 other zymodemes of the species identified in humans. Those absences may be related to cross infections, with a low sensitivity to L. infantum MON-24 leading to a selection of MON-1 at the time of culture passages. Hence it is important to develop molecular tools of direct identification on initial biological samples without going through cultures. Zoonotic CL remains the predominant cutaneous form in the central and southern area of Tunisia. However L. killicki, agent of the chronic CL, is confirming its presence out of its original focus of Tataouine in the southern-east of the country in both zoonotic CL and VL areas.

Utilizing protein-lean coproducts from corn containing recombinant pharmaceutical proteins for ethanol production.

PubMed

Paraman, Ilankovan; Moeller, Lorena; Scott, M Paul; Wang, Kan; Glatz, Charles E; Johnson, Lawrence A

2010-10-13

Protein-lean fractions of corn (maize) containing recombinant (r) pharmaceutical proteins were evaluated as a potential feedstock to produce fuel ethanol. The levels of residual r-proteins in the coproduct, distillers dry grains with solubles (DDGS), were determined. Transgenic corn lines containing recombinant green fluorescence protein (r-GFP) and a recombinant subunit vaccine of Escherichia coli enterotoxin (r-LTB), primarily expressed in endosperm, and another two corn lines containing recombinant human collagen (r-CIα1) and r-GFP, primarily expressed in germ, were used as model systems. The kernels were either ground and used for fermentation or dry fractionated to recover germ-rich fractions prior to grinding for fermentation. The finished beers of whole ground kernels and r-protein-spent endosperm solids contained 127-139 and 138-155 g/L ethanol concentrations, respectively. The ethanol levels did not differ among transgenic and normal corn feedstocks, indicating the residual r-proteins did not negatively affect ethanol production. r-Protein extraction and germ removal also did not negatively affect fermentation of the remaining mass. Most r-proteins were inactivated during the mashing process used to prepare corn for fermentation. No functionally active r-GFP or r-LTB proteins were found after fermentation of the r-protein-spent solids; however, a small quantity of residual r-CIα1 was detected in DDGS, indicating that the safety of DDGS produced from transgenic grain for r-protein production needs to be evaluated for each event. Protease treatment during fermentation completely hydrolyzed the residual r-CIα1, and no residual r-proteins were detectable in DDGS.

[Trans-obturator urethral sling for surgical correction of female stress urinary incontinence: Outside-in (Monarc) versus inside-out (TVT-O). Are both ways safe?].

PubMed

Debodinance, P

2006-10-01

The originally described outside-in procedure for the trans-obturator route was later turned inside-out. We wanted to demonstrate the safety of the two techniques through personal and published experience. Non-randomized, prospective, observational, open-label, longitudinal study of 100 female patients (50 TVT-O and 50 Monarc). All the female patients presented with isolated stress urinary incontinence. Only 4 patients presented with mixed incontinence in the Monarc (MON) group. Sphincter incompetence was observed 4 times in the MON group and 3 times in the TVT-O group. All the patients underwent surgery under assisted local anesthesia in a day-hospital setting. Only those patients presenting with patent established urinary incontinence, corrected by the TVT test, underwent surgery. Post-operative control was conducted at 3 months and 1 year. The duration of hospitalization was 10 h for 48 patients in the MON group and 49 in the TVTO group. The only per-operative complication was a vaginal perforation in the lateral angle of the vagina for a MON patient. Early post-operative complications were observed in the MON group: 3 cases of urinary tract infection, 1 of transient urine retention, 3 of pain in the thighs spontaneously resolving within 4 days and 1 of permanent pain in one leg at time 1 year, which remained bearable. For the TVTO group the post-operative complications consisted in: 1 case of urinary tract infection, 1 of transient retention and 4 of pain in the thigh. No hematoma was reported in either group. Among the late complications, the de novo symptoms included 1 case of imperious urges to urinate in the TVTO group and objective dysuria in 2 cases in the MON group vs. 7 in the TVTO group. There was no statistically significant between-group difference in the complications. No tape exposure was observed. Overall, the recovery rate was 90% at 1 year for MON vs. 94% for TVTO (p = NS) with 2 cases of recurrence between 3 months and 1 year in that series. Mixed incontinence was corrected at time point 1 year in 75% of cases for MON, with 1 case of recurrence in the year. For the patients presenting with sphincter incompetence, competence was maintained at 3 months and 1 year in all cases in the MON group. The 3 TVT-O were cured at 3 months, but 2 recurrences were observed at 1 year. All patients, except one, were satisfied at time point 1 year and those who had sexual relations (54%) did not report any disorder at time point 1 year. The cadaveric studies by advocates of the outside-in technique show a vascular and nervous risk which has received little attention in terms of complications in the literature. Post-operative leg pain is encountered with both techniques and usually is transient. Our experience, like that reported in the literature, shows that the two trans-obturator access routes are equally safe. The clinical results would appear to be equivalent, in terms of recovery, to the rates obtained with retropubic TVT.

Collection of Magellan Venus Radar Mapping Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Through computer animation several geological features of Venus are presented in this video. The Sif Mons, a 1.2 mile high volcano and the Gula Mons, a 1.8 mile high volcano are shown. Also, radar images of a rift valley, several impact craters, and a corona can be seen. The video ends with a northeast view of Eistla Regio.

Siting of Appropriated Fund Enlisted Dining Facilities

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-01

Headcoum Burger 501 0600-2300 Sun-Thu King 0600-2400 Fn-Sat S 3,139.56 1060 Baskin 501 \\ 1100-2100 Mon-Fri Robbins ! ’ 1000-1700 Sat-Sun...1600 Sun 1 $ 18,946 Baskin Robbini 650 1000-1800 Mon-Fri 0900-1730 Sat 1100-1600 Sun S 7,395 i 56 Travis AFB NON-APPROPRIATED FUND FOOD

Glycogen function in adult central and peripheral nerves.

PubMed

Evans, Richard D; Brown, Angus M; Ransom, Bruce R

2013-08-01

We studied the roles of glycogen in axonal pathways of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). By using electrophysiological recordings, in combination with biochemical glycogen assay, it was possible to determine whether glycogen was crucial to axon function under different conditions. Glycogen was present both in mouse optic nerve (MON) and in mouse sciatic nerve (MSN). Aglycemia caused loss of the compound action potential (CAP) in both pathways after a latency of 15 min (MON) and 120 min for myelinated axons (A fibers) in the MSN. With the exception of unmyelinated axons (C fibers) in the MSN, CAP decline began when usable glycogen was exhausted. Glycogen was located in astrocytes in the MON and in myelinating Schwann cells in the MSN; it was absent from the Schwann cells surrounding unmyelinated C fibers. In MON, astrocytic glycogen is metabolized to lactate and "shuttled" to axons to support metabolism. The ability of lactate to support A fiber conduction in the absence of glucose suggests a common pathway in both the CNS and the PNS. Lactate is released from MON and MSN in substantial quantities. That lactate levels fall in MSN in the presence of diaminobenzidine, which inhibits glycogen phosphorylase, strongly suggests that glycogen metabolism contributes to lactate release under resting conditions. Glycogen is a "backup" energy substrate in both the CNS and the PNS and, beyond sustaining excitability during glucose deprivation, has the capacity to subsidize the axonal energy demands during times of intense activity in the presence of glucose. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The nature of dark matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirillov, A. A.

2006-01-01

The observed strong dark-to-luminous matter coupling [F. Donato, et al., astro-ph/0403206, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., submitted for publication; G. Gentile, et al., Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 351 (2004) 903; D.T.F. Weldrake, et al., Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 340 (2003) 12; W.J.G. de Blok, A. Bosma, Astron. Astrophys. 385 (2002) 816; O. Gerhard, et al., Astrophys. J. 121 (2001) 1936; A. Borriello, et al., Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 341 (2003) 1109] suggests the existence of a some functional relation between visible and DM sources which leads to biased Einstein equations. We show that such a bias appears in the case when the topological structure of the actual Universe at very large distances does not match properly that of the Friedman space. We introduce a bias operator ρ=Bˆρ and show that the simple bias function b=1/(4πrr)θ(r-r) (the kernel of Bˆ) allows to account for all the variety of observed DM halos in astrophysical systems. In galaxies such a bias forms the cored DM distribution with the radius R˜R (which explains the recently observed strong correlation between R and R [F. Donato, et al., astro-ph/0403206, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., submitted for publication]), while for a point source it produces the logarithmic correction to the Newton's potential (which explains the observed flat rotation curves in spirals). Finally, we show that in the theory suggested the galaxy formation process leads to a specific variation with time of all interaction constants and, in particular, of the fine structure constant.

First identification of the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Djibouti: Leishmania donovani.

PubMed

Pratlong, F; Debord, T; Garnotel, E; Garrabé, E; Marty, P; Raphenon, G; Dedet, J P

2005-01-01

The first identification of the Leishmania species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in Djibouti is described. Four strains, obtained from three autochthonous cases, were identified by starch-gel electrophoresis and iso-enzyme analysis of 15 enzymatic systems. The strains were found to belong to two newly recognized zymodemes of L. donovani: MON-268 and MON-287.

A Community Organizes for Action: A Case Study of the Mon-Yough Region in Pennsylvania.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avery, Robert W.; Chesler, Herbert A.

This case study examines the development and problems of the Mon-Yough Community Action Committee, Inc. (MYCAC), one of the local anti-poverty agencies in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The agency's major effort is to overcome problems created by the decline of the local steel industry by supporting existing welfare agencies, and through such…

Dynamical optical imaging monocytes/macrophages migration and activation in contact hypersensitivity (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhihong

2017-02-01

Inflammatory monocytes/macrophages (Mon/Mφ) play an important role in cutaneous allergic inflammation. However, their migration and activation in dermatitis and how they accelerate the inflammatory reaction are largely unknown. Optical molecular imaging is the most promising tool for investigating the function and motility of immune cells in vivo. We have developed a multi-scale optical imaging approach to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamic behavior and properties of immune cells from the whole field of organs to the cellular level at the inflammatory site in delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. Here, we developed some multi-color labeling mouse models based on the endogenous labeling with fluorescent proteins and the exogenous labeling with fluorescent dyes. We investigated the cell movement, cell interaction and function of immunocytes (e.g. Mon/Mφ, DC, T cells and neutrophils) in the skin allergy inflammation (e.g., contact hypersensitivity) by using intravital microscopy. The long-term imaging data showed that after inflammatory Mon/Mφ transendothelial migration in dermis, they migrating in interstitial space of dermis. Depletion of blood monocyte with clodronate liposome extremely reduced the inflammatory reaction. Our finding provided further insight into inflammatory Mon/Mφ mediating the inflammatory cascade through functional migration in allergic contact dermatitis.

IUE observations of two late-type stars Bx Mon (M + pec) and TV Gem (M1 Iab)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Michalitsianos, A. G.; Hobbs, R. W.; Kafatos, M.

1981-01-01

The IUE observations of two late type stars BX Mon and TV Gem that reveal the emission properties in the ultraviolet of subluminous companions are discussed. Analysis of the continuum emission observed from BX Mon suggests the companion, is a middle A III star. High excitation emission lines observed between 1200 A and 2000 A that generally do not typify emission observed in either late M type variables or A type stars are also detected. It is suggested that these strong high excitation lines arise in a large volume of gas heated by nonradiation processes that could be the result of tidal interaction and mass exchange in the binary system. In contrast to stars such as BX Mon, the luminous M1 supergiant TV Gem shows unexpected intense UV continuum throughout the sensitivity range of IUE. The UV spectrum of TV Gem is characterized by intense continuum with broad absorption features detected in the short wavelength range. The analysis shows that the companion could be a B9 or A1 III-IV star. Alternate suggestions are presented for explaining the UV continuum in terms of an accretion disk in association with TV Gem.

Pokémon GO: An innovative smartphone gaming application with health benefits.

PubMed

Kamboj, Amrit K; Krishna, Somashekar G

2017-08-01

Obesity is a leading public health epidemic worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. While diet and exercise are the cornerstones in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated complications, patients often find it difficult to make lifestyle changes. Smartphones are increasingly becoming integrated into our society and can serve as a tool to improve health outcomes. Here, we illustrate the positive health impacts of an innovative smartphone gaming application, Pokémon GO (Niantic Incorporation, San Francisco, California), which is used by millions of users worldwide. The aim of this game is to catch fictional characters known as Pokémon, which users encounter when walking around as opposed to traditional stationary-seated games. Sedentary lifestyle has long been associated with increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Pokémon GO exemplifies a highly successful smartphone application promoting health specifically by rewarding the simplest effective exercise of walking. This application, while representing the next interactive level of gaming, is as an important example of how positive reinforcement can serve as a successful motivation technique. Copyright © 2017 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: BVR photometry of IZ Mon and AR Dra (Yang+, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Y.-G.; Dai, H.-F.; Zhou, Z.; Li, Q.

2016-07-01

CCD Photometry for IZ Mon and AR Dra, was acquired using the 60cm telescope and the 85cm telescope at the Xinglong station (XLs) of National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC). Two telescopes are equipped with the standard Johnson-Cousins UBVRcIc. filters. We then obtained the individual observations as heliocentric Julian dates and differential magnitude, which are listed in Table1. The complete light curves for IZ Mon were obtained on 2009 January 20, 22, 24, 25, and 26, and March 1, using the 85cm telescope. The exposure times are fixed to be 20, 15, and 15s for BVR bands, respectively. A total of 961, 960, and 959 effective images in BVR bands are obtained. Another primary eclipse for IZ Mon was monitored on 2011 January 17. AR Dra was observed on 2009 February 20, 25, 26, and 27, with the 65cm telescope. The typical exposure times are 50, 40 and 40s for BVR bands, which depend on the condition of weather. In total, we obtained 733, 728 and 356 images in B, V and R bands, respectively. (6 data files).

Ultraviolet studies of nova-like variables with the IUE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guinan, E. F.

1983-01-01

KQ Mon is a new UX UMa-type nova-like variable. Optical spectra taken in 1978 reveal very shallow Balmer absorption lines and He I (wavelength 4471) absorption. There was no evidence of orbital variations but the appearance of the optical spectrum and the presence of low amplitude flickering suggested a strong similarity to CD-42 degrees 14462 (=V3885 Sgr) and other members of the UX UMa class. KQ Mon was observed at low dispersion with the IUE satellite. Six spectra taken with the short wavelength prime (SWP) camera are dominated by strong broad absorption lines due to N V, O I, Si III, Si IV, C IV, He II, N IV, and A1 III. There is little evidence of orbital phase modulation over the time baseline of the observations. Unlike UV observations of other UX UMa-type objects, KQ Mon exhibits no emission lines or P Cygni-type profiles and the velocity displacements appear to be smaller, suggesting the absence of a hot, high velocity wind characterizing other UX UMa stars. The relationship of KQ Mon to other UX UMa disk stars is discussed and a model is suggested to explain their observed properties and the lack of major outbursts.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Young star forming region NGC 2264 Spitzer sources (Rapson+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rapson, V. A.; Pipher, J. L.; Gutermuth, R. A.; Megeath, S. T.; Allen, T. S.; Myers, P. C.; Allen, L. E.

2017-05-01

We utilize 3.6-8.0 um images of Mon OB1 East obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera (IRAC; Fazio et al. 2004ApJS..154...10F), 24 um images obtained with the Multi-Band Imaging Photometer (MIPS; Rieke et al. 2004ApJS..154...25R), along with 1-2.5 um NIR data from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS; Skrutskie et al. 2006AJ....131.1163S, Cat. VII/233) to classify YSOs. These YSOs in Mon OB1 East are classified as either protostars or stars with circumstellar disks by their infrared excess emission above photospheric emission. Spitzer data were gathered as part of two Guaranteed Time Observation programs and one additional program with the goal of studying clustered and distributed star formation throughout Mon OB1 East and comparing the results with those of other molecular clouds. Mon OB1 East was observed by Spitzer in 2004, 2007, and 2008 as part of the Guaranteed Time Observation programs 37 (IRAC data; PI: G. Fazio) and 58 (MIPS data; PI: G. Rieke), as well as program 40006 (IRAC+MIPS data; PI: G. Fazio). (1 data file).

Characterization of the ecological interactions of Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean, MON 89788, for use in ecological risk assessment

PubMed Central

Horak, Michael J; Rosenbaum, Eric W; Phillips, Samuel L; Kendrick, Daniel L; Carson, David; Clark, Pete L; Nickson, Thomas E

2015-01-01

Abstract As part of an ecological risk assessment, Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean (MON 89788) was compared to a conventional control soybean variety, A3244, for disease and arthropod damage, plant response to abiotic stress and cold, effects on succeeding plant growth (allelopathic effects), plant response to a bacterial symbiont, and effects on the ability of seed to survive and volunteer in a subsequent growing season. Statistically significant differences between MON 89788 and A3244 were considered in the context of the genetic variation known to occur in soybean and were assessed for their potential impact on plant pest (weed) potential and adverse environmental impact. The results of these studies revealed no effects of the genetic modification that would result in increased pest potential or adverse environmental impact of MON 89788 compared with A3244. This paper illustrates how such characterization studies conducted in a range of environments where the crop is grown are used in an ecological risk assessment of the genetically modified (GM) crop. Furthermore, risk assessors and decision makers use this information when deciding whether to approve a GM crop for cultivation in—or grain import into—their country. PMID:26177011

An Electrophysiological Investigation of Early Effects of Masked Morphological Priming

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morris, Joanna; Grainger, Jonathan; Holcomb, Phillip J.

2008-01-01

This experiment examined event-related responses to targets preceded by semantically transparent morphologically related primes (e.g., farmer-farm), semantically opaque primes with an apparent morphological relation (corner-corn), and orthographically, but not morphologically, related primes (scandal-scan) using the masked priming technique…

The most interesting roAp target for MONS: HR1217 ?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knudsen, M. R.

2000-04-01

The roAp star HR1217 is presented as a good and possibly the best roAp target for MONS and the progress of the 1998 3-site STACC Campaign is briefly summarized incl. the first detection of EW oscillation in Hα and Hβ in this star, alongside evidence of EW varying with the phase of rotation. HR1217 has 6 known oscillation frequencies of which the four strongest appear to be rotationally split with photometric amplitudes ~< 1 mmag. The problem with groundbased observations is the 3-day-alias beating with neighbouring peaks which limits our chances for a solid mode id. With 30 days (2.4ṡ Prot) on MONS CAM we should have the needed observational data for doing asteroseismology on a magnetic star at last!

Determination of Mycotoxin Production of Fusarium Species in Genetically Modified Maize Varieties by Quantitative Flow Immunocytometry.

PubMed

Bánáti, Hajnalka; Darvas, Béla; Fehér-Tóth, Szilvia; Czéh, Árpád; Székács, András

2017-02-22

Levels of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species in genetically modified (GM) and near-isogenic maize, were determined using multi-analyte, microbead-based flow immunocytometry with fluorescence detection, for the parallel quantitative determination of fumonisin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2, ochratoxin A, and aflatoxin B1. Maize varieties included the genetic events MON 810 and DAS-59122-7 , and their isogenic counterparts. Cobs were artificially infested by F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum conidia, and contained F. graminearum and F. sporotrichoides natural infestation. The production of fumonisin B1 and deoxynivalenol was substantially affected in GM maize lines: F. verticillioides , with the addition of F. graminearum and F. sporotrichoides , produced significantly lower levels of fumonisin B1 (~300 mg·kg -1 ) in DAS-59122-7 than in its isogenic line (~580 mg·kg -1 ), while F. proliferatum , in addition to F. graminearum and F. sporotrichoides , produced significantly higher levels of deoxynivalenol (~18 mg·kg -1 ) in MON 810 than in its isogenic line (~5 mg·kg -1 ). Fusarium verticillioides , with F. graminearum and F. sporotrichoides , produced lower amounts of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone than F. proliferatum , with F. graminearum and F. sporotrichoides . T-2 toxin production remained unchanged when considering the maize variety. The results demonstrate the utility of the Fungi-Plex™ quantitative flow immunocytometry method, applied for the high throughput parallel determination of the target mycotoxins.

Application of Near-Surface Remote Sensing and computer algorithms in evaluating impacts of agroecosystem management on Zea mays (corn) phenological development in the Platte River - High Plains Aquifer Long Term Agroecosystem Research Network field sites.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okalebo, J. A.; Das Choudhury, S.; Awada, T.; Suyker, A.; LeBauer, D.; Newcomb, M.; Ward, R.

2017-12-01

The Long-term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network is a USDA-ARS effort that focuses on conducting research that addresses current and emerging issues in agriculture related to sustainability and profitability of agroecosystems in the face of climate change and population growth. There are 18 sites across the USA covering key agricultural production regions. In Nebraska, a partnership between the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and ARD/USDA resulted in the establishment of the Platte River - High Plains Aquifer LTAR site in 2014. The site conducts research to sustain multiple ecosystem services focusing specifically on Nebraska's main agronomic production agroecosystems that comprise of abundant corn, soybeans, managed grasslands and beef production. As part of the national LTAR network, PR-HPA participates and contributes near-surface remotely sensed imagery of corn, soybean and grassland canopy phenology to the PhenoCam Network through high-resolution digital cameras. This poster highlights the application, advantages and usefulness of near-surface remotely sensed imagery in agroecosystem studies and management. It demonstrates how both Infrared and Red-Green-Blue imagery may be applied to monitor phenological events as well as crop abiotic stresses. Computer-based algorithms and analytic techniques proved very instrumental in revealing crop phenological changes such as green-up and tasseling in corn. This poster also reports the suitability and applicability of corn-derived computer based algorithms for evaluating phenological development of sorghum since both crops have similarities in their phenology; with sorghum panicles being similar to corn tassels. This later assessment was carried out using a sorghum dataset obtained from the Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture Phenotyping Reference Platform project, Maricopa Agricultural Center, Arizona.

Predicted impact of transgenic, herbicidetolerant corn on drinking water quality in vulnerable watersheds of the mid-western USA.

PubMed

Wauchope, R Don; Estes, Tammara L; Allen, Richard; Baker, James L; Hornsby, Arthur G; Jones, Russell L; Richards, R Peter; Gustafson, David I

2002-02-01

In the intensely farmed corn-growing regions of the mid-western USA, surface waters have often been contaminated by herbicides, principally as a result of rainfall runoff occurring shortly after application of these to corn and other crops. In some vulnerable watersheds, water quality criteria for chronic human exposure through drinking water are occasionally exceeded. We selected three settings representative of vulnerable corn-region watersheds, and used the PRZM-EXAMS model with the Index Reservoir scenario to predict corn herbicide concentrations in the reservoirs as a function of herbicide properties and use pattern, site characteristics and weather in the watersheds. We compared herbicide application scenarios, including broadcast surface pre-plant atrazine and alachlor applications with a glyphosate pre-plant application, scenarios in which losses of herbicides were mitigated by incorporation or banding, and scenarios in which only glyphosate or glufosinate post-emergent herbicides were used with corn genetically modified to be resistant to them. In the absence of drift, in almost all years a single runoff event dominates the input into the reservoir. As a result, annual average pesticide concentrations are highly correlated with annual maximum daily values. The modeled concentrations were generally higher than those derived from monitoring data, even for no-drift model scenarios. Because of their lower post-emergent application rates and greater soil sorptivity, glyphosate and glufosinate loads in runoff were generally one-fifth to one-tenth those of atrazine and alachlor. These model results indicate that the replacement of pre-emergent corn herbicides with the post-emergent herbicides allowed by genetic modification of crops would dramatically reduce herbicide concentrations in vulnerable watersheds. Given the significantly lower chronic mammalian toxicity of these compounds, and their vulnerability to breakdown in the drinking water treatment process, risks to human populations through drinking water would also be reduced.

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-03

This image shows part of the southeastern flank of Pavonis Mons. Surface lava flows run down hill from the top left of the image to the bottom right. Perpendicular to that trend are several linear features. These are faults that encircle the volcano and also run along the linear trend through the three Tharsis volcanoes. This image illustrates how subsurface lava tubes collapse into the free space of the empty tube. Just to the top of the deepest depression are a series of circular pits. The pits coalesce into a linear feature near the left side of the deepest depression. The mode of formation of a lava tube starts with a surface lava flow. The sides and top of the flow cool faster than the center, eventually forming a solid, non-flowing cover of the still flowing lava. The surface flow may have followed the deeper fault block graben (a lower surface than the surroundings). Once the flow stops there remains the empty space lower than the surroundings, and collapse of the top of the tube starts in small pits which coalesce in the linear features. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 31330 Latitude: -1.26587 Longitude: 247.705 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2009-01-05 23:32 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22021

The fate of the recombinant DNA in corn during composting.

PubMed

Guan, Jiewen; Spencer, J Lloyd; Ma, Bao-Luo

2005-01-01

In order to make regulations that safeguard food and the environment, an understanding of the fate oftransgenes from genetically modified (GM) plants is of crucial importance. A compost experiment including mature transgenic corn plants and seeds of event Bt 176 (Zea mays L.) was conducted to trace the fate of the transgene cryIA(b) during the period of composting. In bin 1, shredded corn plants including seeds were composted above a layer of cow manure and samples from the corn layer were collected at intervals during a 12-month period. The samples were tested for the transgene persistence and microbial counts and also the compost was monitored for temperature. In bin 2, piles of corn seeds, surrounded by sheep manure and straw, were composted for 12 months. A method combining nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and southern hybridization was developed for detection of the transgene in compost. The detection sensitivity was 200 copies of the transgene per gram of dry composted corn material. Composting commenced on day 0, and the transgene was detected in specimens from bin 1 on days 0 and 7 but not on day 14 or thereafter. The transgene in corn seeds was not detectable after 12 months of composting in bin 2. Temperatures in both bins rose to about 50 degrees C within 2 weeks and remained above that temperature for about 3 months, even when the ambient temperature dropped below -20 degrees C. Extracts from compost were inoculated onto culture plates and then were incubated at 23 to 55 degrees C. Within the first 2 weeks of composting in bin 1, the counts of bacteria incubated at 55 degrees C increased from 3.5 to 7.5 log10, whereas those incubated at 23 degrees C remained at about 7.5 log10. The counts of fungi incubated at 45 degrees C increased slightly from 2.5 to 3.1 log10, but those incubated at 23 degrees C decreased from 6.3 to 3.0 log10. The rapid degradation of the transgene during composting of Bt corn plants suggested that the composting process could be used for safe disposal of transgenic plant wastes.

On the properties of dust and gas in the environs of V838 Monocerotis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Exter, K. M.; Cox, N. L. J.; Swinyard, B. M.; Matsuura, M.; Mayer, A.; De Beck, E.; Decin, L.

2016-12-01

Aims: We aim to probe the close and distant circumstellar environments of the stellar outburst object V838 Mon. Methods: Herschel far-infrared imaging and spectroscopy were taken at several epochs to probe the central point source and the extended environment of V838 Mon. PACS and SPIRE maps were used to obtain photometry of the dust immediately around V838 Mon, and in the surrounding infrared-bright region. These maps were fitted in 1d and 2d to measure the temperature, mass, and β of the two dust sources. PACS and SPIRE spectra were used to detect emission lines from the extended atmosphere of the star, which were then modelled to study the physical conditions in the emitting material. HIFI spectra were taken to measure the kinematics of the extended atmosphere but unfortunately yielded no detections. Results: Fitting of the far-infrared imaging of V838 Mon reveals 0.5-0.6 M⊙ of ≈19 K dust in the environs (≈2.7 pc) surrounding V838 Mon. The surface-integrated infrared flux (signifying the thermal light echo), and derived dust properties do not vary significantly between the different epochs. We measured the photometry of the point source. As the peak of the SED (Spectral Energy Distribution) lies outside the Herschel spectral range, it is only by incorporating data from other observatories and previous epochs that we can usefully fit the SED; with this we explicitly assume no evolution of the point source between the epochs. We find that warm dust with a temperature 300 K distributed over a radius of 150-200 AU. We fit the far-infrared lines of CO arising from the point source, from an extended environment around V838 Mon. Assuming a model of a spherical shell for this gas, we find that the CO appears to arise from two temperature zones: a cold zone (Tkin ≈ 18 K) that could be associated with the ISM or possibly with a cold layer in the outermost part of the shell, and a warm (Tkin ≈ 400 K) zone that is associated with the extended environment of V838 Mon within a region of radius of ≈210 AU. The SiO lines arise from a warm/hot zone. We did not fit the lines of H2O as they are far more dependent on the model assumed. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

Sediment reallocations due to erosive rainfall events in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Central China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stumpf, Felix; Goebes, Philipp; Schmidt, Karsten; Schindewolf, Marcus; Schönbrodt-Stitt, Sarah; Wadoux, Alexandre; Xiang, Wei; Scholten, Thomas

2017-04-01

Soil erosion by water outlines a major threat to the Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China. A detailed assessment of soil conservation measures requires a tool that spatially identifies sediment reallocations due to rainfall-runoff events in catchments. We applied EROSION 3D as a physically based soil erosion and deposition model in a small mountainous catchment. Generally, we aim to provide a methodological frame that facilitates the model parametrization in a data scarce environment and to identify sediment sources and deposits. We used digital soil mapping techniques to generate spatially distributed soil property information for parametrization. For model calibration and validation, we continuously monitored the catchment on rainfall, runoff and sediment yield for a period of 12 months. The model performed well for large events (sediment yield>1 Mg) with an averaged individual model error of 7.5%, while small events showed an average error of 36.2%. We focused on the large events to evaluate reallocation patterns. Erosion occurred in 11.1% of the study area with an average erosion rate of 49.9Mgha 1. Erosion mainly occurred on crop rotation areas with a spatial proportion of 69.2% for 'corn-rapeseed' and 69.1% for 'potato-cabbage'. Deposition occurred on 11.0%. Forested areas (9.7%), infrastructure (41.0%), cropland (corn-rapeseed: 13.6%, potatocabbage: 11.3%) and grassland (18.4%) were affected by deposition. Because the vast majority of annual sediment yields (80.3%) were associated to a few large erosive events, the modelling approach provides a useful tool to spatially assess soil erosion control and conservation measures.

Major Martian Volcanoes from MOLA - Olympus Mons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Two views of Olympus Mons, shown as topography draped over a Viking image mosaic. MOLA's regional topography has shown that this volcano sits off to the west of the main Tharsis rise rather than on its western flank. The topography also clearly shows the relationship between the volcano's scarp and massive aureole deposit that was produced by flank collapse. The vertical exaggeration is 10:1.

Let's Move! The Social and Health Contributions from "Pokémon" GO

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finco, Mateus David; Rocha, Richard Santin; Fão, Rafael Wailla; Santos, Fabiana

2018-01-01

The aim of this article was to analyze how players of Pokémon GO could adopt a healthier and active lifestyle meanwhile or after using the game, observing how active they could become in their daily routines. The methodology involved a qualitative analysis involving a sample with players who were invited to complete an online questionnaire to…

--No Title--

Science.gov Websites

EDT Sun May 27 2018 Valid 01Z Mon May 28 2018 - 12Z Mon May 28 2018 MARGINAL RISK OF RAINFALL SUN LLJ 35 ESE BTM. MARGINAL RISK OF RAINFALL EXCEEDING FFG TO THE RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 ENE CYD 10 mergers on the central High Plains could lead to a few issues. Hurley/Burke Last Updated: 917 PM EDT SUN

Geologic Mapping of Ascraeus Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohr, Kyle James

Ascraeus Mons (AM) is the northeastern most large shield volcano residing in the Tharsis province on Mars. AM has a diameter of 350 km and reaches a height of 16 km above Mars datum, making AM the third largest volcano on Mars. Previous mapping of a limited area of these volcanoes using HRSC images (13-25 m/pixel) revealed a diverse distribution of volcanic landforms within the calderas, along the flanks, rift aprons, and surrounding plains. The general scientific objective for which mapping was based was to show the different lava flow morphologies across AM to better understand the evolution and geologic history. A 1: 1,000,000 scale geologic map of Ascraeus Mons was produced using ArcGIS and will be submitted to the USGS for review and publication. Mapping revealed 26 units total, broken into three separate categories: Flank units, Apron and Scarp units, and Plains units. Units were defined by geomorphological characteristics such as: surface texture, albedo, size, location, and source. Defining units in this manner allowed for contact relationships to be observed, creating a relative age date for each unit to understand the evolution and history of this large shield volcano. Ascraeus Mons began with effusive, less viscous style of eruptions and transitioned to less effusive, more viscous eruptions building up the main shield. This was followed by eruptions onto the plains from the two main rift aprons on AM. Apron eruptions continued, while flank eruptions ceased, surrounding and embaying the flanks of AM. Eruptions from the rifts wane and build up the large aprons and low shield fields. Glaciers modified the base of the west flank and deposited the Aureole material. Followed by localized recent eruptions on the flanks, in the calderas, and small vent fields. Currently AM is modified by aeolian and tectonic processes. While the overall story of Ascraeus Mons does not change significantly, higher resolution imagery allowed for a better understanding of magma evolution and lava characteristics across the main shield. This study helps identify martian magma production rates and how not only Ascraeus Mons evolved, but also the Tharsis province and other volcanic regions of Mars.

Geologic Map of Ascraeus Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohr, K. J.; Williams, D. A.

2017-12-01

Ascraeus Mons (AM) is the northeastern most large shield volcano residing in the Tharsis province on Mars. AM has a diameter of 350 km and reaches a height of 16 km above Mars datum, making AM the third largest volcano on Mars. Previous mapping of a limited area of these volcanoes using HRSC images (13-25 m/pixel) revealed a diverse distribution of volcanic landforms within the calderas, along the flanks, rift aprons, and surrounding plains. The general scientific objective for which mapping was based was to show the different lava flow morphologies across AM to better understand the evolution and geologic history. A 1: 1,000,000 scale geologic map of Ascraeus Mons was produced using ArcGIS and will be submitted to the USGS for review and publication. Mapping revealed 26 units total, broken into three separate categories: Flank units, Apron and Scarp units, and Plains units. Units were defined by geomorphological characteristics such as: surface texture, albedo, size, location, and source. Defining units in this manner allowed for contact relationships to be observed, creating a relative age date for each unit to understand the evolution and history of this large shield volcano. Ascraeus Mons began with effusive, less viscous style of eruptions and transitioned to less effusive, more viscous eruptions building up the main shield. This was followed by eruptions onto the plains from the two main rift aprons on AM. Apron eruptions continued, while flank eruptions ceased, surrounding and embaying the flanks of AM. Eruptions from the rifts wane and build up the large aprons and low shield fields. Glaciers modified the base of the west flank and deposited the Aureole material. Followed by localized recent eruptions on the flanks, in the calderas, and small vent fields. Currently AM is modified by aeolian and tectonic processes. While the overall story of Ascraeus Mons does not change significantly, higher resolution imagery allowed for a better understanding of magma evolution and lava characteristics across the main shield. This study helps identify martian magma production rates and how not only Ascraeus Mons evolved, but also the Tharsis province and other volcanic regions of Mars.

Aerosol optical and physical properties during winter monsoon pollution transport in an urban environment.

PubMed

Verma, S; Bhanja, S N; Pani, S K; Misra, A

2014-04-01

We analysed aerosol optical and physical properties in an urban environment (Kolkata) during winter monsoon pollution transport from nearby and far-off regions. Prevailing meteorological conditions, viz. low temperature and wind speed, and a strong downdraft of air mass, indicated weak dispersion and inhibition of vertical mixing of aerosols. Spectral features of WinMon aerosol optical depth (AOD) showed larger variability (0.68-1.13) in monthly mean AOD at short-wavelength (SW) channels (0.34-0.5 μm) compared to that (0.28-0.37) at long-wavelength (LW) channels (0.87-1.02 μm), thereby indicating sensitivity of WinMon AOD to fine aerosol constituents and the predominant contribution from fine aerosol constituents to WinMon AOD. WinMon AOD at 0.5 μm (AOD 0. 5) and Angstrom parameter ( α) were 0.68-0.82 and 1.14-1.32, respectively, with their highest value in December. Consistent with inference from spectral features of AOD, surface aerosol loading was primarily constituted of fine aerosols (size 0.23-3 μm) which was 60-70 % of aerosol 10- μm (size 0.23-10 μm) concentration. Three distinct modes of aerosol distribution were obtained, with the highest WinMon concentration at a mass median diameter (MMD) of 0.3 μm during December, thereby indicating characteristics of primary contribution related to anthropogenic pollutants that were inferred to be mostly due to contribution from air mass originating in nearby region having predominant emissions from biofuel and fossil fuel combustion. A relatively higher contribution from aerosols in the upper atmospheric layers than at the surface to WinMon AOD was inferred during February compared to other months and was attributed to predominant contribution from open burning emissions arising from nearby and far-off regions. A comparison of ground-based measurements with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data showed an underestimation of MODIS AOD and α values for most of the days. Discrepancy in relative distribution of fine and coarse mode of MODIS AOD was also inferred.

Alterações Induzidas Pelo Exercício no Número, Função e Morfologia de Monócitos de Ratos

PubMed Central

GUERESCHI, MARCIA G.; PRESTES, JONATO; DONATTO, FELIPE F.; DIAS, RODRIGO; FROLLINI, ANELENA B.; FERREIRA, CLÍLTON KO.; CAVAGLIERI, CLAUDIA R.; PALANCH, ADRIANNE C.

2008-01-01

O propósito desse estudo foi verificar as alterações histofisiológicas em monócitos e macrófagos induzidas por curtos períodos de exercícios. Ratos Wistar (idade = 2 meses, peso corporal = 200g) foram divididos em sete grupos (n=6 cada): controle sedentário (C), grupos exercitados (natação) na intensidade leve por 5 (5L), 10 (10L) e 15 minutos (15L), e grupos exercitados em intensidade moderada por 5 (5M), 10 (10M) e 15 minutes (15M). Na intensidade moderada os animais carregaram uma carga de 5% do peso corporal dos mesmos em seus respectivos dorsos. Os monócitos sangüíneos foram avaliados quanto à quantidade e morfologia e os macrófagos peritoneais foram analisados quanto à quantidade e atividade fagocitária. Os dados foram analisados usando ANOVA e Tukey’s post hoc test (p ≤ 0,05). Os grupos de intensidade leve e 5M apresentaram aumento nos níveis dos monócitos quando comparados com o controle. Foi observado aumento na área celular dos monócitos para os grupos 5L, 10L, 5M e 10M; a área nuclear aumentou para os grupos 10L, 5M e 10M em comparação com o controle. Houve aumento nos macrófagos peritoneais para os grupos 15L, 10M, 15M e diminuição no grupo 5M. A capacidade fagocitária dos macrófagos aumentou nos grupos de intensidade leve e para o grupo 10M. O exercício realizado por curtos períodos modulou o número e função dos macrófagos, assim como o número e morfologia dos monócitos, sendo tais alterações dependentes da intensidade. A soma das respostas agudas observadas nesse estudo pode exercer um efeito protetor contra doenças, podendo ser utilizada para a melhora da saúde e qualidade de vida.

Effects of feeding a spray-dried multivalent polyclonal antibody preparation on feedlot performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, rumenitis, and blood gas profile of Brangus and Nellore yearling bulls.

PubMed

Millen, D D; Pacheco, R D L; DiLorenzo, N; Martins, C L; Marino, C T; Bastos, J P S T; Mariani, T M; Barducci, R S; Sarti, L M N; DiCostanzo, A; Rodrigues, P H M; Arrigoni, M D B

2015-09-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing monensin (MON) with a spray-dried multivalent polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP) against several ruminal microorganisms on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, blood gas profile, and the rumenitis incidence of Brangus and Nellore yearling bulls. The study was designed as a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, replicated 6 times (4 bulls per pen and a total of 24 pens), in which bulls ( = 48) of each biotype were fed diets containing either MON fed at 300 mg/d or PAP fed at 3 g/d. No significant feed additive main effects were observed for ADG ( = 0.27), G:F ( = 0.28), HCW ( = 0.99), or dressing percentage ( = 0.80). However, bulls receiving PAP had greater DMI ( = 0.02) and larger ( = 0.02) final LM area as well as greater ( < 0.01) blood concentrations of bicarbonate and base excess in the extracellular fluid than bulls receiving MON. Brangus bulls had greater ( < 0.01) ADG and DMI expressed in kilograms, final BW, heavier HCW, and larger initial and final LM area than Nellore bulls. However, Nellore bulls had greater daily DMI fluctuation ( < 0.01), expressed as a percentage, and greater incidence of rumenitis ( = 0.05) than Brangus bulls. In addition, Brangus bulls had greater ( < 0.01) DMI per meal and also presented lower ( < 0.01) DM and NDF rumination rates when compared with Nellore bulls. Significant interactions ( < 0.05) between biotype and feed additive were observed for SFA, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), MUFA, and PUFA concentrations in adipose tissues. When Nellore bulls were fed PAP, fat had greater ( < 0.05) SFA and PUFA contents but less ( < 0.01) UFA and MUFA than Nellore bulls receiving MON. For Brangus bulls, MON led to greater ( < 0.05) SFA and PUFA and less ( < 0.05) UFA and MUFA than Brangus bulls fed PAP. Feeding a spray-dried PAP led to similar feedlot performance compared with that when feeding MON. Spray-dried PAP might provide a new technology alternative to ionophores.

A Novel Approach to Estimating Nitrous Oxide Emissions during Wetting Events from Single-Timepoint Flux Measurements.

PubMed

Davis, Brian W; Needelman, Brian A; Cavigelli, Michel A; Yarwood, Stephanie A; Maul, Jude E; Bagley, Gwendolyn A; Mirsky, Steven B

2017-03-01

Precipitation and irrigation induce pulses of NO emissions in agricultural soils, but the magnitude, duration, and timing of these pulses remain uncertain. This uncertainty makes it difficult to accurately extrapolate emissions from unmeasured time periods between chamber sampling events. Therefore, we developed a modeling protocol to predict NO emissions from data collected daily for 7 d after wetting events. Within a cover crop-based corn ( L.) production system in Beltsville, MD, we conducted the 7-d time series during four time periods representing a range of corn growth stages in 2013 and 2014. Treatments included mixtures and monocultures of grass and legume cover crops that were fertilized with pelletized poultry litter or urea-ammonium nitrate solution (9-276 kg N ha). Most fluxes did not exhibit the expected exponential decay over time (82%); therefore, cumulative emissions were calculated using trapezoidal integration over 7 d after the wetting event. Cumulative 7-d emissions were well correlated with single point gas fluxes on the second day after a wetting event using a generalized linear mixed model (ln[emissions] = 0.809∙ln[flux] + 2.47). Soil chemical covariates before or after a wetting event were weakly associated with cumulative emissions. The ratio of dissolved organic C to total inorganic N was negatively correlated with cumulative emissions ( = 0.23-0.29), whereas nitrate was positively correlated with cumulative emissions ( = 0.23-0.33). Our model is an innovative approach that is calibrated using site-specific time series data, which may then be used to estimate short-term NO emissions after wetting events using only a single flux measurement. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Regulatory and associated political issues with respect to Bt transgenic maize in the European union.

PubMed

Saeglitz, Christiane; Bartsch, Detlef

2003-06-01

Legislation at the national level in Europe as well as that developed by the European Union (EU) generally permits release and commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, only 10 plant/event combinations were registered as of 2002: three maize events (Bt176, Mon810, and Bt11), with the other seven divided among carnation (3), oil-seed rape (2), tobacco (1), and raddiccio (1). Of these, only one maize event (Bt176) has been registered as a legal variety, and this was in Spain, where 22,000ha have been planted annually since 1998. In this paper, we first provide an overview on the complexity of EU GMO legislation. Then we discuss the minor role that results of EU-funded biosafety research have had on governmental policy. Finally, we provide information about initiatives for post-commercialization monitoring plans of Bt maize in Europe. As a result of the slow progress to date, we conclude that commercialization of GMOs will be seriously delayed in the EU for the next several years.

Slope activity in Gale crater, Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dundas, Colin M.; McEwen, Alfred S.

2015-01-01

High-resolution repeat imaging of Aeolis Mons, the central mound in Gale crater, reveals active slope processes within tens of kilometers of the Curiosity rover. At one location near the base of northeastern Aeolis Mons, dozens of transient narrow lineae were observed, resembling features (Recurring Slope Lineae) that are potentially due to liquid water. However, the lineae faded and have not recurred in subsequent Mars years. Other small-scale slope activity is common, but has different spatial and temporal characteristics. We have not identified confirmed RSL, which Rummel et al. (Rummel, J.D. et al. [2014]. Astrobiology 14, 887–968) recommended be treated as potential special regions for planetary protection. Repeat images acquired as Curiosity approaches the base of Aeolis Mons could detect changes due to active slope processes, which could enable the rover to examine recently exposed material.

Hubble COS Spectroscopy of the Dwarf Nova CW Mon: The White Dwarf in Quiescence?

PubMed

Hause, Connor; Sion, Edward M; Godon, Patrick; Boris, T Gänsicke; Szkody, Paula; de Martino, Domitilla; Pala, Anna

2017-08-01

We present a synthetic spectral analysis of the HST COS spectrum of the U Geminorum-type dwarf nova CW Mon, taken during quiescence as part of our COS survey of accreting white dwarfs in Cataclysmic Variables. We use synthetic photosphere and optically thick accretion disk spectra to model the COS spectrum as well as archival IUE spectra obtained decades ago when the system was in an even deeper quiescent state. Assuming a reddening of E(B-V)=0.06, an inclination of 60° (CW Mon has eclipses of the accretion disk, and a white dwarf mass of 0.8 M ⊙ , our results indicate the presence of a 22-27,000 K white dwarf and a low mass accretion rate [Formula: see text], for a derived distance o ~200 to ~300 pc.

One-pot synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel double-modified derivatives of the polyether ionophore monensin A.

PubMed

Klejborowska, Greta; Maj, Ewa; Wietrzyk, Joanna; Stefańska, Joanna; Huczyński, Adam

2018-05-02

Monensin A (MON) is a polyether ionophore antibiotic, which shows a wide spectrum of biological activity. New MON derivatives such as double-modified ester-carbonates and double-modified amide-carbonates were obtained by a new and efficient one-pot synthesis with triphosgene as the activating reagent and the respective alcohol or amine. All new derivatives were tested for their antiproliferative activity against two drug-sensitive (MES-SA, LoVo) and two drug-resistant (MES-SA/DX5, LoVo/DX) cancer cell lines, and were also studied for their antimicrobial activity against different Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial strains. For the first time, the activity of MON and its derivatives against MES-SA and MES-SA/DX5 were evaluated. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Impact of Grassed Waterways and Compost Filter Socks on the Quality of Surface Runoff from Corn Fields

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Surface runoff from cropland frequently has high concentrations of nutrients and herbicides, particularly in the first few events after application. Grassed waterways can control erosion while transmitting this runoff offsite, but are generally ineffective in removing dissolved agrochemicals. In thi...

Olympus Mons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murdin, P.

2000-11-01

The largest volcano on Mars, and the largest in the solar system, centered at 18.4 °N, 133.1 °W. It coincides with the albedo feature visible from Earth known as Nix Olympica, the `Snows of Olympus', after the mountain in Greece which in legend was the home of the gods. Olympus Mons rises to a height of 27 km above Mars's mean surface level, and in its greatest horizontal dimension measures 624 k...

Ridges and Flows

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-11-16

Located southwest of Olympus Mons, this image captured by NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows part of a complex region that has undergone several geologic processes. The hills have been modified by wind, creating narrow ridges, and then the entire region has been covered with volcanic flows from Olympus Mons. Orbit Number: 60744 Latitude: 13.4267 Longitude: 220.554 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2015-08-24 10:00 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20093

Maxwell Air Force Base

Science.gov Websites

Social Media Guide (PDF) USAF Social Media Sites 42nd Medical Group 42nd Medical Group Voting Assistance : Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. - Kelly St. Gate: Open Mon-Fri, 6:00 a.m. - 6 p.m., closed weekends, holidays and AETC down days. - Day St. Gate: Open Mon-Fri, 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. inbound traffic

Effects of blue light on pigment biosynthesis of Monascus.

PubMed

Chen, Di; Xue, Chunmao; Chen, Mianhua; Wu, Shufen; Li, Zhenjing; Wang, Changlu

2016-04-01

The influence of different illumination levels of blue light on the growth and intracellular pigment yields of Monascus strain M9 was investigated. Compared with darkness, constant exposure to blue light of 100 lux reduced the yields of six pigments, namely, rubropunctatamine (RUM), monascorubramine (MOM), rubropunctatin (RUN), monascorubrin (MON), monascin (MS), and ankaflavin (AK). However, exposure to varying levels of blue light had different effects on pigment production. Exposure to 100 lux of blue light once for 30 min/day and to 100 lux of blue light once and twice for 15 min/day could enhance RUM, MOM, MS, and AK production and reduce RUN and MON compared with non-exposure. Exposure to 100 lux twice for 30 min/day and to 200 lux once for 45 min/day decreased the RUM, MOM, MS, and AK yields and increased the RUN and MON. Meanwhile, the expression levels of pigment biosynthetic genes were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Results indicated that gene MpPKS5, mppR1, mppA, mppB, mmpC, mppD, MpFasA, MpFasB, and mppF were positively correlated with the yields of RUN and MON, whereas mppE and mppR2 were associated with RUM, MOM, MS, and AK production.

Volcanism in Elysium Planitia, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouginis-Mark, P. J.

1984-01-01

Geomorphic mapping revealed that the three volcanic constructs within Elysium Planitia (Hecates Tholus, elysium Mons and Albor Tholus) are very different in their overall morphology and represent three distinct types of martian volcano. Hecates Tholus was found to possess the most likely possible example of a young, explosively generated, air fall deposit, while the volume of magma erupted from Elysium Mons appears to have been orders of magnitude larger than that erupted from Albor Tholus. A primary aim of the regional geological analysis of Elysium Planitia is to further understand the volcanic and tectonic evolution of the area by the identification and interpretation of individual lava flows and their source vents. Lava flow size, spatial distribution, flow direction and the stratigraphic relationships of these lava flows to adjacent structural features were all measured. The topographic form of Elysium Mons has totally controlled the flow direction of lava flows within Elysium Planitia. Lava flows from Elysium Mons can be traced for distances of 150 to 250 km in a radial direction from the volcano. Parasitic vents located beyond the recognizable volcanic construct also conform to this radial pattern. A second unusual characteristic of the Elysium Planitia region is the high frequency of occurrence of sinuous channels that are morphologically similar to lunar sinuous rilles.

Mars Flyer Rocket Propulsion Risk Assessment Kaiser Marquardt Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marquardt, Kaiser

2001-01-01

This report describes the investigation of a 10-N, bipropellant thruster, operating at -40 C, with monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and 25% nitric oxide in nitrogen tetroxide (MON-25). The thruster testing was conducted as part of a risk reduction activity for the Mars Flyer, a proposed mission to fly a miniature airplane in the Martian atmosphere. Testing was conducted using an existing thruster, designed for MMH and MON-3 propellants. The nitric oxide content of MON-3 was increased to 25%, to lower its freezing point to -55 C. The thruster was conditioned, along with the propellants, to temperature prior to hot firing. Thruster operating parameters included oxidizer-to-fuel mixture ratios of 1.6 to 2.7 and inlet pressure ranging from 689 to 2070 kPa. The test matrix consisted of many 10-second firings and several 60-, 300-, 600-, and 1200-second firings, as well as pulse testing. The thruster successfully accumulated nearly 10,000 seconds of operation without failure, at temperatures ranging from -40 C to 22 C. At nominal inlet pressures, the ignition delay was comparable to MMH/MON-3 operation. The optimal performance for the 8.9-N thruster was determined to be at a mixture ratio of 1.93 with an average specific impulse of 298 sec.

vMon-mobile provides wireless connection to the electronic patient record

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliveira, Pedro P., Jr.; Rebelo, Marina; Pilon, Paulo E.; Gutierrez, Marco A.; Tachinardi, Umberto

2002-05-01

This work presents the development of a set of tools to help doctors to continuously monitor critical patients. Real-time monitoring signals are displayed via a Web Based Electronic Patient Record (Web-EPR) developed at the Heart Institute. Any computer on the Hospital's Intranet can access the Web-EPR that will open a browser plug-in called vMon. Recently vMon was adapted to wireless mobile devices providing the same real-time visualization of vital signals of its desktop counterpart. The monitoring network communicates with the hospital network through a gateway using HL7 messages and has the ability to export waveforms in real time using the multicast protocol through an API library. A dedicated ActiveX component was built that establishes the streaming of the biomedical signals under monitoring and displays them on an Internet Explorer 5.x browser. The mobile version - called vMon-mobile - will parse the browser window and deliver it to a PDA device connected to a local area network. The result is a virtual monitor presenting real-time data on a mobile device. All parameters and signals acquired from the moment the patient is connected to the monitors are stored for a few days. The most clinically relevant information is added to patient's EPR.

Mars Flyer Rocket Propulsion Risk Assessment: ARC Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

This report describes the investigation of a 10-N, bipropellant thruster, operating at -40 C, with monomethy1hydrazine (MMH) and 25% nitric oxide in nitrogen tetroxide (MON-25). The thruster testing was conducted as part of a risk reduction activity for the Mars Flyer, a proposed mission to fly a miniature airplane in the Martian atmosphere. Testing was conducted using an existing thruster, designed for MMH and MON-3 propellants. MON-25 oxidizer was successfully manufactured from MON-3 by the addition of nitric oxide. The thruster was operated successfully over a range of propellant temperatures (-40 to 21 C and feed pressures (6.9 to 20.7 kPa). The thruster hardware was always equal or lower than the propellant temperature. Most tests were 30- and 60-second durations, with 600- and 1200-second duration and pulse testing also conducted. When operating at -40 C, the mixture ratio of the thruster shifted from the nominal value of 1.65 to about 1.85, probably caused by an increase in MMH viscosity, with a corresponding reduction in MMH flowrate. Specific impulse at - 40 C (at nominal feed pressures) was 267 sec, while performance was 277 sec at 21 C. This difference in performance was due, in part, to the mixture ratio shift.

Genetically modified crops: Brazilian law and overview.

PubMed

Marinho, C D; Martins, F J O; Amaral Júnior, A T; Gonçalves, L S A; dos Santos, O J A P; Alves, D P; Brasileiro, B P; Peternelli, L A

2014-07-07

In Brazil, the first genetically modified (GM) crop was released in 1998, and it is estimated that 84, 78, and 50% of crop areas containing soybean, corn, and cotton, respectively, were transgenic in 2012. This intense and rapid adoption rate confirms that the choice to use technology has been the main factor in developing national agriculture. Thus, this review focuses on understanding these dynamics in the context of farmers, trade relations, and legislation. To accomplish this goal, a survey was conducted using the database of the National Cultivar Registry and the National Service for Plant Variety Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply [Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA)] between 1998 and October 13, 2013. To date, 36 events have been released: five for soybeans, 18 for corn, 12 for cotton, and one for beans. From these events, 1395 cultivars have been developed and registered: 582 for soybean, 783 for corn and 30 for cotton. Monsanto owns 73.05% of the technologies used to develop these cultivars, while the Dow AgroScience - DuPont partnership and Syngenta have 16.34 and 4.37% ownership, respectively. Thus, the provision of transgenic seeds by these companies is an oligopoly supported by legislation. Moreover, there has been a rapid replacement of conventional crops by GM crops, whose technologies belong almost exclusively to four multinational companies, with the major ownership by Monsanto. These results reflect a warning to the government of the increased dependence on multinational corporations for key agricultural commodities.

Investigating Mars: Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-11-06

his image shows part of the eastern flank of Pavonis Mons. Surface lava flows run down hill from the upper left of the image towards the bottom right. Perpendicular to that trend are several linear features. These are faults that encircle the volcano and also run along the linear trend through the three Tharsis volcanoes. This image shows a collapsed lava tube where a flow followed the trend of a graben and then "turned" to flow down hill. Graben are linear features, so lava flows in them are linear. Where the lava flow is running along the surface of the volcano it has sinuosity just like a river. The mode of formation of a lava tube starts with a surface lava flow. The sides and top of the flow cool faster than the center, eventually forming a solid, non-flowing cover of the still flowing lava. The surface flow may have followed the deeper fault block graben (a lower surface than the surroundings). Once the flow stops there remains the empty space lower than the surroundings, and collapse of the top of the tube starts in small pits which coalesce in the linear features. Pavonis Mons is one of the three aligned Tharsis Volcanoes. The four Tharsis volcanoes are Ascreaus Mons, Pavonis Mons, Arsia Mons, and Olympus Mars. All four are shield type volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows originating near or at the summit, building up layers upon layers of lava. The Hawaiian islands on Earth are shield volcanoes. The three aligned volcanoes are located along a topographic rise in the Tharsis region. Along this trend there are increased tectonic features and additional lava flows. Pavonis Mons is the smallest of the four volcanoes, rising 14km above the mean Mars surface level with a width of 375km. It has a complex summit caldera, with the smallest caldera deeper than the larger caldera. Like most shield volcanoes the surface has a low profile. In the case of Pavonis Mons the average slope is only 4 degrees. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 32751 Latitude: 0.338236 Longitude: 248.74 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2009-05-03 01:57 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22022

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of State

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of StateGAO-01-252 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001 Report...Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of State Contract or...special series, first issued in January 1999, entitled the Performance and Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks . In

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of the Interior

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the InteriorGAO-01-249 Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001 Report Type N/A Dates...Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the Interior Contract or Grant...first issued in January 1999, entitled the Performance and Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks . In that series, GAO

New Results on Contact Binary Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, J.; Qian, S.; Zhu, L.; Liu, L.; Liao, W.

2014-08-01

Contact binary star is a kind of close binary with the strongest interaction binary system. Their formations and evolutions are unsolved problems in astrophysics. Since 2000, our groups have observed and studied more than half a hundred of contact binaries. In this report, I will summarize our new results of some contact binary stars (e.g. UZ CMi, GSC 03526-01995, FU Dra, GSC 0763-0572, V524 Mon, MR Com, etc.). They are as follow: (1) We discovered that V524 Mon and MR Com are shallow-contact binaries with their period decreasing; (2) GSC 03526-01995 is middle-contact binary without a period increasing or decreasing continuously; (3) UZ CMi, GSC 0763-0572 and FU Dra are middle-contact binaries with the period increasing continuously; (4) UZ CMi, GSC 03526-01995, FU Dra and V524 Mon show period oscillation which may imply the presence of additional components in these contact binaries.

Hubble COS Spectroscopy of the Dwarf Nova CW Mon: The White Dwarf in Quiescence?1

PubMed Central

Hause, Connor; Sion, Edward M.; Godon, Patrick; Boris, T. Gänsicke; Szkody, Paula; de Martino, Domitilla; Pala, Anna

2018-01-01

We present a synthetic spectral analysis of the HST COS spectrum of the U Geminorum-type dwarf nova CW Mon, taken during quiescence as part of our COS survey of accreting white dwarfs in Cataclysmic Variables. We use synthetic photosphere and optically thick accretion disk spectra to model the COS spectrum as well as archival IUE spectra obtained decades ago when the system was in an even deeper quiescent state. Assuming a reddening of E(B−V)=0.06, an inclination of 60° (CW Mon has eclipses of the accretion disk, and a white dwarf mass of 0.8M⊙, our results indicate the presence of a 22–27,000 K white dwarf and a low mass accretion rate (M˙≲10−10M⊙/yr), for a derived distance o ~200 to ~300 pc. PMID:29430023

Stress-corrosion crack-growth study of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V exposed to freon PCA and nitrogen tetroxide MON-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bjorklund, R. A.

1983-01-01

An experimental fracture mechanics program was performed to determine the stress corrosion crack growth sensitivity of the propellant tank material, titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, for aerospace satellite applications involving long term exposure to Freon PCA and nitrogen tetroxide MON-1. Sustained load tests were made at a 49 C (120 F) constant temperature using thin gauge tensile test specimens containing semielliptical surface flaws. Test specimen types included parent metal, center of weld, and weld heat affected zone. It was concluded that Ti-6Al-4V alloy is not adversely affected in a stress environment when exposed to Freon PCA for 1000 hours followed by exposure to nitrogen tetroxide MON-1 for 2000 hours at stress levels up to 80% of the experimental critical plane strain stress intensity factor.

Possible health impacts of Bt toxins and residues from spraying with complementary herbicides in genetically engineered soybeans and risk assessment as performed by the European Food Safety Authority EFSA.

PubMed

Then, Christoph; Bauer-Panskus, Andreas

2017-01-01

MON89788 was the first genetically engineered soybean worldwide to express a Bt toxin. Under the brand name Intacta, Monsanto subsequently engineered a stacked trait soybean using MON89788 and MON87701-this stacked soybean expresses an insecticidal toxin and is, in addition, tolerant to glyphosate. After undergoing risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the stacked event was authorised for import into the EU in June 2012, including for use in food and feed. This review discusses the health risks associated with Bt toxins present in these genetically engineered plants and the residues left from spraying with the complementary herbicide. We have compared the opinion published by EFSA [1] with findings from other publications in the scientific literature. It is evident that there are several issues that EFSA did not consider in detail and which will need further assessment: (1) There are potential combinatorial effects between plant components and other impact factors that might enhance toxicity. (2) It is known that Bt toxins have immunogenic properties; since soybeans naturally contain many allergens, these immunogenic properties raise specific questions. (3) Fully evaluated and reliable protocols for measuring the Bt concentration in the plants are needed, in addition to a comprehensive set of data on gene expression under varying environmental conditions. (4) Specific attention should be paid to the herbicide residues and their interaction with Bt toxins. The case of the Intacta soybeans highlights several regulatory problems with Bt soybean plants in the EU. Moreover, many of the issues raised also concern other genetically engineered plants that express insecticidal proteins, or are engineered to be resistant to herbicides, or have those two types of traits combined in stacked events. It remains a matter of debate whether the standards currently applied by the risk assessor, EFSA, and the risk manager, the EU Commission, meet the standards for risk analysis defined in EU regulations such as 1829/2003 and Directive 2001/18. While this publication cannot provide a final conclusion, it allows the development of some robust hypotheses that should be investigated further before such plants can be considered to be safe for health and the environment. In general, the concept of comparative risk assessment needs some major revision. Priority should be given to developing more targeted approaches. As shown in the case of Intacta, these approaches should include: (i) systematic investigation of interactions between the plant genome and environmental stressors as well as their impact on gene expression and plant composition; (ii) detailed investigations of the toxicity of Bt toxins; (iii) assessment of combinatorial effects taking into account long-term effects and the residues from spraying with complementary herbicides; (iv) investigation into the impact on the immune and hormonal systems and (v) investigation of the impact on the intestinal microbiome after consumption. Further and in general, stacked events displaying a high degree of complexity due to possible interactions should not undergo a lower level of risk assessment than the parental plants.

The Use of Cover Crops as Climate-Smart Management in Midwest Cropping Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basche, A.; Miguez, F.; Archontoulis, S.; Kaspar, T.

2014-12-01

The observed trends in the Midwestern United States of increasing rainfall variability will likely continue into the future. Events such as individual days of heavy rain as well as seasons of floods and droughts have large impacts on agricultural productivity and the natural resource base that underpins it. Such events lead to increased soil erosion, decreased water quality and reduced corn and soybean yields. Winter cover crops offer the potential to buffer many of these impacts because they essentially double the time for a living plant to protect and improve the soil. However, at present, cover crops are infrequently utilized in the Midwest (representing 1-2% of row cropped land cover) in particular due to producer concerns over higher costs and management, limited time and winter growing conditions as well as the potential harm to corn yields. In order to expand their use, there is a need to quantify how cover crops impact Midwest cropping systems in the long term and namely to understand how to optimize the benefits of cover crops while minimizing their impacts on cash crops. We are working with APSIM, a cropping systems platform, to specifically quantify the long term future impacts of cover crop incorporation in corn-based cropping systems. In general, our regional analysis showed only minor changes to corn and soybean yields (<1% differences) when a cover crop was or was not included in the simulation. Further, a "bad spring" scenario (where every third year had an abnormally wet/cold spring and cover crop termination and planting cash crop were within one day) did not result in any major changes to cash crop yields. Through simulations we estimate an average increase of 4-9% organic matter improvement in the topsoil and an average decrease in soil erosion of 14-32% depending on cover crop planting date and growth. Our work is part of the Climate and Corn-based Cropping Systems Coordinated Agriculture Project (CSCAP), a collaboration of eleven Midwestern institutions established to evaluate how conservation practices, including cover crops, improve the resilience of Midwest agriculture to future change. Such collaborations can help better quantify long term impacts of conservation practices on the landscape that ultimately lead to more climate-smart management of such agricultural systems.

aCORN Beta Spectrometer and Electrostatic Mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassan, Md; aCORN Collaboration

2013-10-01

aCORN uses a high efficiency backscatter suppressed beta spectrometer to measure the electron-antineutrino correlation in neutron beta decay. We measure the correlation by counting protons and beta electrons in coincidence with precisely determined electron energy. There are 19 photomultiplier tubes arranged in a hexagonal array coupled to a single phosphor doped polystyrene scintillator. The magnetic field is shaped so that electrons that backscatter without depositing their full energy strike a tulip-shaped array of scintillator paddles and these events are vetoed. The detailed construction, performance and calibration of this beta spectrometer will be presented. I will also present the simulation, construction, and features of our novel electrostatic mirror. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the NIST Center for Neutron Research.

Influence of s-Triazines on Some Enzymes of Carbohydrates and Nitrogen Metabolism in Leaves of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

PubMed Central

Wu, M. T.; Singh, B.; Salunkhe, D. K.

1971-01-01

Foliar applications of 2 milligrams per liter of 2-chloro-4,6-bis (ethylamino)-s-triazine, 2-methylmercapto-4-ethylamino-6-isobutylamino-s-triazine, and 2-methoxy-4-isopropylamino-6-butylamino-s-triazine caused increases in the activities of starch phosphorylase, pyruvate kinase, cytochrome oxidase, and glutamate dehydrogenase 5, 10, and 15 days after treatment in the leaves of 3-week-old seedlings of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L.). The results indicate that sublethal concentrations of s-triazine compounds affect the physiological and biochemical events in plants which favor more utilization of carbohydrates for nitrate reduction and synthesis of amino acids and proteins. PMID:16657830

The Depositional and Erosional History of Northwestern Aeolis Mons, Gale Crater, Mars: Insights from Detailed 1:2K Geologic Mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edgar, L. A.; Calef, F. J., III; Thomson, B. J.

2017-12-01

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover is currently exploring the stratigraphy exposed in Aeolis Mons, the central mound of Gale crater. Gale crater has been the target of numerous remote sensing studies, aimed at understanding the origin and evolution of the mound, informally known as Mt. Sharp. A number of efforts have produced geologic maps of the mound and the MSL traverse path, in order to investigate the stratigraphic relationships between different sedimentary units. However, a scale gap exists between local mapping and stratigraphic analyses of the area explored by Curiosity and regional mapping of Aeolis Mons. As Curiosity explores the northwest flank of Aeolis Mons, there is a critical need for investigations to bridge this gap to enable rover-scale observations to be tied to orbital interpretations. This study is focused on detailed geologic mapping and stratigraphic correlations for the northwest flank of Aeolis Mons, including an area that the Curiosity rover will likely explore. The study region covers a 5.8 x 10 km area from approximately 137.27 to 137.44 °E and -4.70 to -4.82 °N. A 25 cm/pixel mosaic produced from images acquired by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera provides a basemap for all mapping, and topographic information is provided by a HiRISE 1 m Digital Terrain Model. Preliminary digital geologic mapping was carried out at a scale of 1:10,000 to provide a framework for detailed geologic mapping efforts. Higher-resolution geologic mapping was then conducted at a scale of 1:2,000, and type localities were identified. As a result of newer, higher-resolution datasets that are now available and more narrowly focused mapping, we identify a number of new geologic units. Erosional remnants of some units point to a substantial erosional history. Collectively, the stratigraphy records diverse sedimentary environments and more variability in the depositional and erosional histories than previously identified. This study helps bridge the gap between previous mapping efforts and detailed rover-scale mapping, and will enable rover observations to be more closely tied to orbital interpretations across the northwest flank of Aeolis Mons.

Constraints on the formation and properties of a Martian lobate debris apron: Insights from high-resolution topography, SHARAD radar data, and a numerical ice flow model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parsons, Reid; Holt, John

2016-03-01

Lobate debris aprons (LDAs) are midlatitude deposits of debris-covered ice formed during one or more periods of glaciation during the Amazonian period. However, little is known about the climate conditions that led to LDA formation. We explore a hypothesis in which a single, extended period of precipitation of ice on the steep slopes of Euripus Mons (45°S, 105°E—east of the Hellas Basin) produced a flowing ice deposit which was protected from subsequent ablation to produce the LDA found at this location. We test this hypothesis with a numerical ice flow model using an ice rheology based on low-temperature ice deformation experiments. The model simulates ice accumulation and flow for the northern and southern lobes of the Euripus Mons LDA using basal topography constrained by data from the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) and a range of ice viscosities (determined by ice temperature and ice grain size). Simulations for the northern lobe of the Euripus LDA produce good fits to the surface topography. Assuming an LDA age of ˜60 Myr and an expected temperature range of 200 to 204 K (for various obliquities) gives an ice grain size of ≈2 mm. Simulations of the southern section produce poor fits to surface topography and result in much faster flow timescales unless multiple ice deposition events or higher ice viscosities are considered.

Monash Chemical Yields Project (Monχey) Element production in low- and intermediate-mass stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doherty, Carolyn; Lattanzio, John; Angelou, George; Campbell, Simon W.; Church, Ross; Constantino, Thomas; Cristallo, Sergio; Gil-Pons, Pilar; Karakas, Amanda; Lugaro, Maria; Stancliffe, Richard

The Monχey project will provide a large and homogeneous set of stellar yields for the low- and intermediate- mass stars and has applications particularly to galactic chemical evolution modelling. We describe our detailed grid of stellar evolutionary models and corresponding nucleosynthetic yields for stars of initial mass 0.8 M⊙ up to the limit for core collapse supernova (CC-SN) ~ 10 M⊙. Our study covers a broad range of metallicities, ranging from the first, primordial stars (Z = 0) to those of super-solar metallicity (Z = 0.04). The models are evolved from the zero-age main-sequence until the end of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and the nucleosynthesis calculations include all elements from H to Bi. A major innovation of our work is the first complete grid of heavy element nucleosynthetic predictions for primordial AGB stars as well as the inclusion of extra-mixing processes (in this case thermohaline) during the red giant branch. We provide a broad overview of our results with implications for galactic chemical evolution as well as highlight interesting results such as heavy element production in dredge-out events of super-AGB stars. We briefly introduce our forthcoming web-based database which provides the evolutionary tracks, structural properties, internal/surface nucleosynthetic compositions and stellar yields. Our web interface includes user- driven plotting capabilities with output available in a range of formats. Our nucleosynthetic results will be available for further use in post processing calculations for dust production yields.

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of the Treasury

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the TreasuryGAO-01-254 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001...Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of the...High Risks (GAO-01-159SP), in November 2000.This report addresses the major performance and accountability challenges facing the Department of the

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. Department of Labor

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of LaborGAO-01-251 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00JAN2001 Report...Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Department of Labor Contract or... Challenges and High Risks (GAO-01-159SP), in November 2000. This 2001 Performance and Accountability Series contains separate reports on 21 agencies

Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-12-01

Q Fri . Q 22. Date Mo. Day Yr. notice received U 114 I 95 I 23. Date Mo. Day Yr. stopped «-I *-m- work I 1...DSun. (jp Mon. £] Tues. ©Wed. ElThurs. K2 Fri . DSat. . Name and address of physician first providing medical care (include city, state...Regular ^ hours From: 7 :0OLJ Pm- • a.m. To: 3 :3GQp-m. 22. Regular work schedule (ZlSun. Mon. ]Tues. fJWed. ^Thurs. 13 Fri . Qs

Mars gravity: high-resolution results from viking orbiter 2.

PubMed

Sjogren, W L

1979-03-09

Doppler radio-tracking data have provided detailed measurements for a martian gravity map extending from 30 degrees S to 65 degrees N in latitude and through 360 degrees of longitude. The feature resolution is approximately 500 kilometers, revealing a huge anomaly associated with Olympus Mons, a mascon in Isidis Planitia, and other anomalies correlated with volcanic structure. Olympus Mons has been modeled with a 600-kilometer surface disk having a mass of 8.7 x 1021grams.

Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Small Business Administration

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

2001 Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Small Business AdministrationGAO-01-260 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY...34) 00JAN2001 Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle Major Management Challenges and Program Risks Small Business ...Administration (SBA) as it seeks to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of the nations small businesses and help businesses and families

New studies of Martian volcanoes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mouginis-Mark, P. J.; Robinson, M. S.; Zisk, S. H.

1991-01-01

To investigate the morphology, topography, and evolution of volcanic constructs on Mars, researchers have been studying the volcanoes Olympus Mons, Tyrrhena Patera, and Apollinaris Patera. These studies relied upon the analysis of digital Viking orbiter images to measure the depth and slopes of the summit area of Olympus Mons, upon new Earth-based radar measurements for the analysis of the slopes of Tyrrhena Patera, and upon the color characteristics of the flanks of Apollinaris Patera for information regarding surface properties.

Greenhouse gas, animal performance, and bacterial population structure responses to dietary monensin fed to dairy cows.

PubMed

Hamilton, Scott W; DePeters, Edward J; McGarvey, Jeffery A; Lathrop, Jeremy; Mitloehner, Frank M

2010-01-01

The present study investigated the effects of a feed additive and rumen microbial modifier, monensin sodium (monensin), on selected variables in lactating dairy cows. Monensin fed cows (MON, 600 mg d(-1)) were compared with untreated control cows (CON, 0 mg d(-1)) with respect to the effects of monensin on the production of three greenhouse gases (GHG), methane (CH(4)), nitrous oxide (N(2)O), and carbon dioxide (CO(2)), along with animal performance (dry matter intake; DMI), milk production, milk components, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), milk urea nitrogen (MUN), and the microbial population structure of fresh feces. Measurements of GHG were collected at Days 14 and 60 in an environmental chamber simulating commercial dairy freestall housing conditions. Milk production and DMI measurements were collected twice daily over the 60-d experimental period; milk components, PUN, and MUN were measured on Days 14 and 60. The microbial population structure of feces from 6 MON and 6 CON cows was examined on three different occasions (Days 14, 30, and 60). Monensin did not affect emissions of methane (CH(4)), nitrous oxide (N(2)O), and carbon dioxide (CO(2)). Over a 24-h period, emissions of CH(4), N(2)O, and CO(2) decreased in both MON and CON groups. Animal performance and the microbial population structure of the animal fresh waste were also unaffected for MON vs. CON cows.

A mathematical model of exposure of non-target Lepidoptera to Bt-maize pollen expressing Cry1Ab within Europe.

PubMed

Perry, J N; Devos, Y; Arpaia, S; Bartsch, D; Gathmann, A; Hails, R S; Kiss, J; Lheureux, K; Manachini, B; Mestdagh, S; Neemann, G; Ortego, F; Schiemann, J; Sweet, J B

2010-05-07

Genetically modified (GM) maize MON810 expresses a Cry1Ab insecticidal protein, derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), toxic to lepidopteran target pests such as Ostrinia nubilalis. An environmental risk to non-target Lepidoptera from this GM crop is exposure to harmful amounts of Bt-containing pollen deposited on host plants in or near MON810 fields. An 11-parameter mathematical model analysed exposure of larvae of three non-target species: the butterflies Inachis io (L.), Vanessa atalanta (L.) and moth Plutella xylostella (L.), in 11 representative maize cultivation regions in four European countries. A mortality-dose relationship was integrated with a dose-distance relationship to estimate mortality both within the maize MON810 crop and within the field margin at varying distances from the crop edge. Mortality estimates were adjusted to allow for physical effects; the lack of temporal coincidence between the susceptible larval stage concerned and the period over which maize MON810 pollen is shed; and seven further parameters concerned with maize agronomy and host-plant ecology. Sublethal effects were estimated and allowance made for aggregated pollen deposition. Estimated environmental impact was low: in all regions, the calculated mortality rate for worst-case scenarios was less than one individual in every 1572 for the butterflies and one in 392 for the moth.

Tunneling Spectroscopy of MoN and NbxTi1-xN Thin Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Chaoyue; Groll, Nickolas; Klug, Jeffrey; Becker, Nicholas; Altin, Serdar; Proslier, Thomas; Zasadzinski, John

2014-03-01

Tunneling I(V) and dI/dV vs. V are reported on superconducting thin films of MoN and NbxTi1-xN using a point contact method with a Au tip. The films are grown by the chemical process of atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto various substrates (Si, quartz, sapphire) held at 450 C. Resistively measured superconducting Tc values up to 12K and 13K are found for the MoN and NbxTi1-xN respectively. Artificial tunnel barriers (1-3 nm thick) of Al2O3, also grown by ALD, are shown to provide much improved tunneling characteristics compared to the native oxides. Relatively high quality gap features are observed with zero-bias conductance values as low as ~ 10% of the high bias values. Gap parameters Δ ~ 2.0meV are found for the MoN and Δ ~ 2.0-2.4 meV for the NbxTi1-xN which follow the BCS temperature dependence and close near the measured film Tc indicating bulk superconductivity at the surface. The suitability of such conformal ALD grown films for potential superconducting devices is discussed. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science under contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.

Development and reproduction of Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on the genetically modified soybean (Bt) MON 87701×MON 89788.

PubMed

Bortolotto, O C; Silva, G V; de Freitas Bueno, A; Pomari, A F; Martinelli, S; Head, G P; Carvalho, R A; Barbosa, G C

2014-12-01

Genetically modified crops with insect resistance genes from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt-plants) are increasingly being cultivated worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to improve our knowledge of their direct or indirect impact not only on target pests but also on non-target arthropods. Hence, this study evaluates comparative leaf consumption and performance of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer), a species that is tolerant of the Cry1Ac protein, fed with Bt soybean, MON 87701×MON 89788 or its near [corrected] non-Bt isoline. Using this species as a model, we assessed [corrected] the comparative performance of the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus Nixon on eggs of S. eridania produced from individuals that fed on these two soybean genotypes [corrected] as larvae. Results showed that Bt soybean did not affect pest foliage consumption, but did reduce larvel duration by two days despite larvae in both treatments having six instars. Nevertheless, survival of S. eridania larvae, pupal weight, sex ratio, fecundity and longevity of female moths, and egg viability did not differ between Bt and non-Bt soybeans. Adult longevity of S. eridania males was increased when caterpillars were fed with Bt soybean versus the near isoline. No adverse effects of this technology were observed for the egg parasitoid T. remus. [corrected].

A mathematical model of exposure of non-target Lepidoptera to Bt-maize pollen expressing Cry1Ab within Europe

PubMed Central

Perry, J. N.; Devos, Y.; Arpaia, S.; Bartsch, D.; Gathmann, A.; Hails, R. S.; Kiss, J.; Lheureux, K.; Manachini, B.; Mestdagh, S.; Neemann, G.; Ortego, F.; Schiemann, J.; Sweet, J. B.

2010-01-01

Genetically modified (GM) maize MON810 expresses a Cry1Ab insecticidal protein, derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), toxic to lepidopteran target pests such as Ostrinia nubilalis. An environmental risk to non-target Lepidoptera from this GM crop is exposure to harmful amounts of Bt-containing pollen deposited on host plants in or near MON810 fields. An 11-parameter mathematical model analysed exposure of larvae of three non-target species: the butterflies Inachis io (L.), Vanessa atalanta (L.) and moth Plutella xylostella (L.), in 11 representative maize cultivation regions in four European countries. A mortality–dose relationship was integrated with a dose–distance relationship to estimate mortality both within the maize MON810 crop and within the field margin at varying distances from the crop edge. Mortality estimates were adjusted to allow for physical effects; the lack of temporal coincidence between the susceptible larval stage concerned and the period over which maize MON810 pollen is shed; and seven further parameters concerned with maize agronomy and host-plant ecology. Sublethal effects were estimated and allowance made for aggregated pollen deposition. Estimated environmental impact was low: in all regions, the calculated mortality rate for worst-case scenarios was less than one individual in every 1572 for the butterflies and one in 392 for the moth. PMID:20053648

Anti-inflammation effects of corn silk in a rat model of carrageenin-induced pleurisy.

PubMed

Wang, Guang-Qiang; Xu, Tao; Bu, Xue-Mei; Liu, Bao-Yi

2012-06-01

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleural layers that surround the lungs. Despite much research into inflammatory diseases, no drugs with favorable safety profiles are available yet for their treatment. Corn silk has been used in many parts of the world for the treatment of edema, cystitis, gout, kidney stones nephritis, and prostitutes. However, no scientific reports on the anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk were so far available. To test the anti-inflammatory efficacy of corn silk extract (CSEX) in a rat model of carrageenin (Cg)-induced pleurisy, exudate formation, and cellular infiltration, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), vascular endothelial growth factor alpha (VEGF-α), interleukin-17 (IL-17), C3 and C4 complement protein levels, adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, and total antioxidant activity were studied, respectively. Pretreatment with CSEX reduced Cg-induced pleurisy exudate, number of leukocytes, oxidative stress, C3 protein level, and O (2)(-) levels at the inflammatory site. Pretreatment with CSEX also inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGF-α, and IL-17A and blocked inflammation-related events (ICAM-1 and iNOS) by activation of NF-κB. Supplementation with CSEX may be a promising treatment for inflammatory diseases that involve oxidative stress.

Physiological time model for predicting adult emergence of western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the Texas High Plains.

PubMed

Stevenson, Douglass E; Michels, Gerald J; Bible, John B; Jackman, John A; Harris, Marvin K

2008-10-01

Field observations at three locations in the Texas High Plains were used to develop and validate a degree-day phenology model to predict the onset and proportional emergence of adult Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults. Climatic data from the Texas High Plains Potential Evapotranspiration network were used with records of cumulative proportional adult emergence to determine the functional lower developmental temperature, optimum starting date, and the sum of degree-days for phenological events from onset to 99% adult emergence. The model base temperature, 10 degrees C (50 degrees F), corresponds closely to known physiological lower limits for development. The model uses a modified Gompertz equation, y = 96.5 x exp (-(exp(6.0 - 0.00404 x (x - 4.0), where x is cumulative heat (degree-days), to predict y, cumulative proportional emergence expressed as a percentage. The model starts degree-day accumulation on the date of corn, Zea mays L., emergence, and predictions correspond closely to corn phenological stages from tasseling to black layer development. Validation shows the model predicts cumulative proportional adult emergence within a satisfactory interval of 4.5 d. The model is flexible enough to accommodate early planting, late emergence, and the effects of drought and heat stress. The model provides corn producers ample lead time to anticipate and implement adult control practices.

Discovery of a novel insecticidal protein from Chromobacterium piscinae, with activity against Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.

PubMed

Sampson, Kimberly; Zaitseva, Jelena; Stauffer, Maria; Vande Berg, Brian; Guo, Rong; Tomso, Daniel; McNulty, Brian; Desai, Nalini; Balasubramanian, Deepa

2017-01-01

Western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is one of the most significant pests of corn in the United States. Although transgenic solutions exist, increasing resistance concerns make the discovery of novel solutions essential. In order to find a novel protein with high activity and a new mode of action, a large microbial collection was surveyed for toxicity to WCR using in vitro bioassays. Cultures of strain ATX2024, identified as Chromobacterium piscinae, had very high activity against WCR larvae. The biological activity from the strain was purified using chromatographic techniques and fractions were tested against WCR larvae. Proteins in the final active fraction were identified by mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing and matched to the genome of ATX2024. A novel 58.9kDa protein, identified by this approach, was expressed in a recombinant expression system and found to have specific activity against WCR. Transgenic corn events containing this gene showed good protection against root damage by WCR, with average scores ranging between 0.01 and 0.04 on the Iowa State node injury scale. Sequence analysis did not reveal homology to any known insecticidal toxin, suggesting that this protein may act in a novel way to control WCR. The new WCR active protein is named GNIP1Aa, for Gram Negative Insecticidal Protein. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel method for the rapid determination of polyethoxylated tallow amine surfactants in water and sediment using large volume injection with high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Ross, Andrew R S; Liao, Xiangjun

2015-08-19

Polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) surfactants have been used in many glyphosate-based herbicide formulations for agricultural, industrial and residential weed control. The potential for release of these compounds into the environment is of increasing concern due to their toxicity towards aquatic organisms. Current methods for analysis of POEA surfactants require significant time and effort to achieve limits of quantification that are often higher than the concentrations at which biological effects have been observed (as low as 2 ng mL(-1)). We have developed a rapid and robust method for quantifying the POEA surfactant mixture MON 0818 at biologically relevant concentrations in fresh water, sea water and lake sediment using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Water samples preserved by 1:1 v/v dilution with methanol are analyzed directly following centrifugation. Sediment samples undergo accelerated solvent extraction in aqueous methanol prior to analysis. Large volume (100 μL) sample injection and multiple reaction monitoring of a subset of the most abundant POEA homologs provide limits of quantification of 0.5 and 2.9 ng mL(-1) for MON 0818 in fresh water and sea water, respectively, and 2.5 ng g(-1) for total MON 0818 in lake sediment. Average recoveries of 93 and 75% were achieved for samples of water and sediment, respectively spiked with known amounts of MON 0818. Precision and accuracy for the analysis of water and sediment samples were within 10 and 16%, respectively based upon replicate analyses of calibration standards and representative samples. Results demonstrate the utility of the method for quantifying undegraded MON 0818 in water and sediment, although a more comprehensive method may be needed to identify and determine other POEA mixtures and degradation profiles that might occur in the environment. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Performance comparison of the MOXY and PortaMon near-infrared spectroscopy muscle oximeters at rest and during exercise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McManus, Chris J.; Collison, Jay; Cooper, Chris E.

2018-01-01

The purpose of the study was to compare muscle oxygenation as measured by two portable, wireless near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices under resting and dynamic conditions. A recently developed low-cost NIRS device (MOXY) was compared against an established PortaMon system that makes use of the spatially resolved spectroscopy algorithm. The influence of increasing external pressure on tissue oxygen saturation index (TSI) indicated that both devices are stable between 2 and 20 mmHg. However, above this pressure, MOXY reports declining TSI values. Analysis of adipose tissue thickness (ATT) and TSI shows a significant, nonlinear difference between devices at rest. The devices report similar TSI (%) values at a low ATT (<7 mm) (PortaMon minus MOXY difference is +1.1±2.8%) with the major subsequent change between the devices occurring between 7 and 10 mm at ATT values >10 mm the difference remains constant (-14.7±2.8%). The most likely explanation for this difference is the small source-detector separation (2.5 cm) in the MOXY resulting in lower tissue penetration into muscle in subjects with higher ATT. Interday test-retest reliability of resting TSI was evaluated on five separate occasions, with the PortaMon reporting a lower coefficient of variation (1.8% to 2.5% versus 5.7% to 6.2%). In studies on male subjects with low ATT, decreases in the TSI were strongly correlated during isometric exercise, arterial occlusion, and incremental arm crank exercise. However, the MOXY reports a greater dynamic range, particularly during ischemia induced by isometric contraction or occlusion (Δ74.3% versus Δ43.7% hyperemia MAX-occlusion MIN). This study shows that in this subject group both MOXY and PortaMon produce physiologically credible TSI measures during rest and exercise. However, the absolute values obtained during exercise are generally not comparable between devices unless corrected by physiological calibration following an arterial occlusion.

The effect of abrupt climate changes and climate background conditions in Southern Europe during the last glacial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knorr, Gregor; Martin-Puertas, Celia; Brauer, Achim; Lohmann, Gerrit

2015-04-01

The last glacial period is characterized by abrupt and large temperature shifts in Greenland and the North Atlantic realm. Pollen and sediment data from Lago Grande di Monticchio (MON) have demonstrated a clear imprint of these fluctuations operating at millennial time-scales. Interestingly, basic mean environmental condition changes with respect to temperature and precipitation occurred during MIS4, separating warm and dry conditions during MIS5 from relatively cold and humid conditions within MIS3. This general climate background shift is superposed by distinct millennial-scale variability at MON. Using a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model applying boundary conditions at 32 ka BP and pre-industrial conditions as a surrogate for MIS3 and MIS5, we have simulated and analysed characteristic changes in Southern Europe during the last glacial. We find that changes in the mean state at MON are mainly related to a partial shift of the North Atlantic deep water (NADW) convection sites from the Nordic Seas to South of Iceland, the presence of the Fennoscandian ice sheet and lower greenhouse gas concentrations. These background characteristics provide the basis for enhanced zonal moisture transport from the eastern North Atlantic to Middle and Southern Europe. Furthermore, simulations of abrupt climate change scenarios show that a deactivation of the convection sites South of Iceland during MIS3 leads to cooler and dryer conditions at MON. Such temperature and precipitation changes are thought to provide a counter-acting effect on woody vegetation and associated pollen signals at MON. This is in contrast to the impact of abrupt climate perturbation scenarios during MIS5, where no significant precipitation changes are detected. Hence, the simulated changes and underlying mechanisms are largely consistent with the recorded proxy evidence with respect to both, mean state and millennial-scale changes.

A Light-curve Analysis of Gamma-Ray Nova V959 Mon: Distance and White Dwarf Mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hachisu, Izumi; Kato, Mariko

2018-05-01

V959 Mon is a nova detected in gamma-rays. It was discovered optically about 50 days after the gamma-ray detection owing to its proximity to the Sun. The nova’s speed class is unknown because of the lack of the earlier half of its optical light curve and a short supersoft X-ray phase due to eclipse by the disk rim. Using the universal decline law and time-stretching method, we analyzed the data on V959 Mon and obtained nova parameters. We estimated the distance modulus in the V band to be (m ‑ M) V = 13.15 ± 0.3 for the reddening of E(B ‑ V) = 0.38 ± 0.01 by directly comparing it with novae of a similar type—LV Vul, V1668 Cyg, IV Cep, and V1065 Cen. The distance to V959 Mon is 2.5 ± 0.5 kpc. If we assume that the early phase of the light curve of V959 Mon is the same as that of time-stretched light curves of LV Vul, our model fitting of the light curve suggests that the white dwarf (WD) mass is 0.9–1.15 M ⊙, which is consistent with a neon nova identification. At the time of gamma-ray detection the photosphere of the nova envelope extends to 5–8 R ⊙ (about two or three times the binary separation) and the wind mass-loss rate is (3{--}4)× {10}-5 {M}ȯ yr‑1. The period of hard X-ray emission is consistent with the time of appearance of the companion star from the nova envelope. The short supersoft X-ray turnoff time is consistent with the epoch when the WD photosphere shrank to behind the rising disk rim, which occurred 500 days before nuclear burning turned off.

Dawn HAMO Image 67

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-12-01

The tall, cone-shaped mountain Ahuna Mons is seen in this image taken by NASA's Dawn spacecraft. Ahuna Mons, named for the traditional post-harvest festival of the Sumi tribe of Nagaland in India, is about 4 miles (6 kilometers) tall and 12 miles (20 kilometers) in diameter. Dawn took this image on Oct. 14, 2015, from an altitude of 915 miles (1,470 kilometers). It has a resolution of 450 feet (140 meters) per pixel. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20130

"Dye mon, gen mon" ("Beyond the Mountains, More Mountains"). Social Theatre, Community Mobilisation and Participation after Disasters: The International Organization for Migration Experience in Haiti, after January 2010's Earthquake

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schinina, Guglielmo; Voltaire, Justin; Ataya, Amal; Salem, Marie-Adele

2011-01-01

The earthquake that thumped the Haitian coast in January 2010, wiping off entire suburbs of Port au Prince and other cities, left 222,570 casualties with an estimated 80,000 corpses still missing. One and a half million people were displaced and the majority is still living in 1000 improvised camps, in tents or self-made shelters. The national and…

Lognormal Behavior of the Size Distributions of Animation Characters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Ken

This study investigates the statistical property of the character sizes of animation, superhero series, and video game. By using online databases of Pokémon (video game) and Power Rangers (superhero series), the height and weight distributions are constructed, and we find that the weight distributions of Pokémon and Zords (robots in Power Rangers) follow the lognormal distribution in common. For the theoretical mechanism of this lognormal behavior, the combination of the normal distribution and the Weber-Fechner law is proposed.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Resolution of Discrimination Complaints Involving Farm Credit and Payment Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-04-12

2There have also been long-standing concerns about USDA’s treatment of minority employees . As requested, however, this report focuses on program -related... program participants and employees . Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00MAY2001 Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON...Indianswho were denied benefits under the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) farm assistance programs 1 have been a long-standing issue. Compounding

Inauguration LEP

ScienceCinema

None

2017-12-09

Le DG C.Rubbia remercie son prédécesseur H.Schopper pour sa contribution pour la réalisation du LEP. En présence du président de la Confédération Suisse, Mons. Délamuraz et du président français Mons.Mitterand plusieurs discours sont donnés et les délégations invités pour un déjeuner.

Coast Guard: Progress Being Made on Deepwater Project, but Risks Remain

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-01

Risks Remain GAO-01-564 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00MAY2001 Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY...34) Title and Subtitle COAST GUARD: Progress Being Made on Deepwater Project, but Risks Remain Contract or Grant Number Program Element Number Authors...for this project. As agreed with your office, this report focuses on the major risks facing the Subject Terms Document Classification unclassified

VETERANS BENEFITS: Veterans Have Mixed Views on a Lump Sum Disability Payment Option

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-12-01

These advantages and disadvantages generally weigh the benefit of financial flexibility against the risk of financial loss. 8If the lump sum is... BENEFITS Veterans Have Mixed Views on a Lump Sum Disability Payment OptionGAO-01-172 Form SF298 Citation Data Report Date ("DD MON YYYY") 00DEC2000...Report Type N/A Dates Covered (from... to) ("DD MON YYYY") Title and Subtitle VETERANS BENEFITS Veterans Have Mixed Views on a Lump Sum Disability

Stratigraphy and Observations of Nepthys Mons Quadrangle (V54), Venus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bridges, N. T.

2001-01-01

Initial mapping has begun in Venus' Nepthys Mons Quadrangle (V54, 300-330 deg. E, 25-50 deg. S). Major research areas addressed are how the styles of volcanism and tectonism have changed with time, the evolution of shield volcanoes, the evolution of coronae, the characteristics of plains volcanism, and what these observations tell us about the general geologic history of Venus. Reported here is a preliminary general stratigraphy and several intriguing findings. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Pavonis Mons Features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

27 February 2005 This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows wind streaks and a thick mantling of dust in the summit region of the martian volcano, Pavonis Mons. The surface texture gives the impression that the MOC image is blurry, but several very small, sharp impact craters reveal that the picture is not blurry.

Location near: 1.1oN, 113.2oW Image width: 3 km (1.9 mi) Illumination from: upper left Season: Northern Summer

Structural and Nutritional Properties of Pasta from Triticum monococcum and Triticum durum Species. A Combined ¹H NMR, MRI, and Digestibility Study.

PubMed

Pasini, Gabriella; Greco, Fulvia; Cremonini, Mauro A; Brandolini, Andrea; Consonni, Roberto; Gussoni, Maristella

2015-05-27

The aim of the present study was to characterize the structure of two different types of pasta, namely Triticum turgidum ssp. durum (cv. Saragolla) and Triticum monococcum ssp. monococcum (cv. Monlis), under different processing conditions. MRI analysis and NMR spectroscopy (i.e., T1 and T2 NMR relaxation times and diffusion parameters) were conducted on pasta, and (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis of the chemical compounds released by pasta samples during the cooking process was performed. In addition, starch digestibility (enzimatically determined) was also investigated. The NMR results indicated that Saragolla pasta has a more compact structure, ascribed to pasta network and in particular to different technological gluten properties, that mainly determine the lower ability of Monlis pasta in binding water. These results correlate well with the lower rate of starch hydrolysis measured for Monlis pasta compared to Saragolla when both are dried at high temperature.

Mars - Stratigraphy and gravimetry of Olympus Mons and its aureole

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hiller, K. H.; Neukum, G. P. O.; Janle, P.; Guest, J. E.; Lopes, R. M. C.

1982-01-01

The relative ages of the major geologic units on and around Olympus Mons are considered, together with an interpretation of the gravity anomaly found for this area. The crater data for this investigation have been acquired and interpreted according to the method outlined by Neukum and Hiller (1981). After careful geological mapping, craters clearly identified as impacts are measured and counted. Crater frequency values per sq km for craters greater than or equal to 1 km ('crater retention ages') are read from the individual counts by fitting the Martian cumulative crater production size-frequency distribution to the individual counts. In addition to age dating, the problem of the origin and nature of the aureole materials using gravity data is addressed. This is done by determining whether the line-of-sight gravity extending from Olympus Mons to the northwestern part of the aureole can be explained by the aureole masses alone or whether additional high-density intrusive masses must be assumed in the aureola area.

Effects of light on protein patterns in gravitropically stimulated root caps of corn

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldman, L. J.; Gildow, V.

1984-01-01

In certain cultivars of corn (Zea mays var. Merit), light stimulates gravitropic bending of the root by influencing events in the root cap. In this paper, we report on changes in root cap proteins which occur as a result of the light treatment and single out specific proteins as potentially having a role in mediating the gravitropic response. For this work, we have used root caps maintained aseptically in culture media supplemented with auxin. If auxin is deleted from the culture medium, the protein profiles observed following illumination differ from that seen in caps provided light while in auxin-supplemented media. We also report that several of the proteins for which synthesis is stimulated by light appear to turn over rapidly, usually within 0.5 hour of formation.

Chemistry of Mesoporous Organosilica in Nanotechnology: Molecularly Organic-Inorganic Hybridization into Frameworks.

PubMed

Chen, Yu; Shi, Jianlin

2016-05-01

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials aiming to combine the individual advantages of organic and inorganic components while overcoming their intrinsic drawbacks have shown great potential for future applications in broad fields. In particular, the integration of functional organic fragments into the framework of mesoporous silica to fabricate mesoporous organosilica materials has attracted great attention in the scientific community for decades. The development of such mesoporous organosilica materials has shifted from bulk materials to nanosized mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (designated as MONs, in comparison with traditional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)) and corresponding applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this comprehensive review, the state-of-art progress of this important hybrid nanomaterial family is summarized, focusing on the structure/composition-performance relationship of MONs of well-defined morphology, nanostructure, and nanoparticulate dimension. The synthetic strategies and the corresponding mechanisms for the design and construction of MONs with varied morphologies, compositions, nanostructures, and functionalities are overviewed initially. Then, the following part specifically concentrates on their broad spectrum of applications in nanotechnology, mainly in nanomedicine, nanocatalysis, and nanofabrication. Finally, some critical issues, presenting challenges and the future development of MONs regarding the rational synthesis and applications in nanotechnology are summarized and discussed. It is highly expected that such a unique molecularly organic-inorganic nanohybrid family will find practical applications in nanotechnology, and promote the advances of this discipline regarding hybrid chemistry and materials. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Long-lived volcanism within Argyre basin, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Jean-Pierre; Dohm, James M.; Soare, Richard J.; Flahaut, Jessica; Lopes, Rosaly M. C.; Pathare, Asmin V.; Fairén, Alberto G.; Schulze-Makuch, Dirk; Buczkowski, Debra L.

2017-09-01

The Argyre basin, one of the largest impact structures on Mars with a diameter >1200 km, formed in the Early Noachian ∼3.93 Ga. The basin has collected volatiles and other material through time, and experienced partial infilling with water evident from stratigraphic sequences, crater statistics, topography, and geomorphology. Although volcanism has not been previously associated with the Argyre basin, our study of the northwest portion of the basin floor has revealed landforms suggesting volcanic and tectonic activity occurred including Argyre Mons, a ∼50 km wide volcanic-structure formed ∼3 Ga. Giant polygons with a similar surface age are also identified on terrain adjacent to the base of Argyre Mons, indicating the structure may have formed in a water-rich environment. In addition to Argyre Mons, cones, vents, mounds, dikes, and cavi or hollows, many of which are associated with extensional tectonics, are observed in the region. Multiple features appear to disrupt icy (and largely uncratered) terrain indicating a relatively young, Late Amazonian, formation age for at least some of the volcanic and tectonic features. The discovery of Argyre Mons, along with additional endogenic modification of the basin floor, suggests that the region has experienced episodes of volcanism over a protracted period of time. This has implications for habitability as the basin floor has been a region of elevated heat flow coupled with liquid water, water ice, and accumulation of sediments of diverse provenance with ranging geochemistry, along with magma-water interactions.

High susceptibility and low resistance allele frequency of Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) field populations to Cry1Ac in Brazil.

PubMed

Yano, Silvia Ac; Specht, Alexandre; Moscardi, Flávio; Carvalho, Renato A; Dourado, Patrick M; Martinelli, Samuel; Head, Graham P; Sosa-Gómez, Daniel R

2016-08-01

The soybean looper (SBL), Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), is one of the most important soybean pests in Brazil. MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean expressing Cry1Ac has been recently deployed in Brazil, providing high levels of control against the primary lepidopteran pests. To support insect resistance management (IRM) programmes, the baseline susceptibility of SBL to Cry1Ac was assessed, and the resistance allele frequency was estimated on the basis of an F2 screen. The toxicity (LC50 ) of Cry1Ac ranged from 0.39 to 2.01 µg mL(-1) diet among all SBL field populations collected from crop seasons 2008/09 to 2012/13, which indicated approximately fivefold variation. Cry1Ac diagnostic concentrations of 5.6 and 18 µg mL(-1) diet were established for monitoring purposes, and no shift in mortality was observed. A total of 626 F2 family lines derived from SBL collected from locations across Brazil during crop season 2014/15 were screened for the presence of Cry1Ac resistance alleles. None of the 626 families survived on MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean leaf tissue (joint frequency 0.0004). SBL showed high susceptibility and low resistance allele frequency to Cry1Ac across the main soybean-producing regions in Brazil. These findings meet important criteria for effective IRM strategy. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Sucrose Stearate on the Sensory-Related Quality of the Broth and Porridge of Ready-To-Eat Ginseng Chicken Soup Samgyetang

PubMed Central

Triyannanto, Endy

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the sensory-related characteristics of the broth and porridge of ready-to-eat (RTE) ginseng chicken soup (Samgyetang) with sucrose stearate added at various concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) during storage at 25°C for 12 mon. Scores indicating the lightness and size of fat droplets in the broth increased during storage as the sucrose stearate concentration increased, while the clarity scores decreased until 9 mon and the taste scores decreased throughout the storage period (p<0.05). The porridge lightness increased as the concentration of sucrose stearate increased after 6 mon (p<0.05), while scores indicating the softness and vividness were higher for treated samples with sucrose stearate than for the control group after 3 mon, despite a lack of significant differences among treatment groups (p >0.05). The taste scores were lower for treated porridge samples than for the control group (p<0.05), even though no significant differences were observed among the treatment groups (p >0.05). The addition of sucrose stearate to the RTE Samgyetang broth improved the lightness (CIE L*) value of the broth and various sensory palatability parameters, including the color and fat droplet size of the broth and the softness and vividness of the porridge, despite reductions in broth clarity and taste scores for the broth and porridge during storage. PMID:29725207

Effect of Sucrose Stearate on the Sensory-Related Quality of the Broth and Porridge of Ready-To-Eat Ginseng Chicken Soup Samgyetang.

PubMed

Triyannanto, Endy; Lee, Keun Taik

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess the sensory-related characteristics of the broth and porridge of ready-to-eat (RTE) ginseng chicken soup ( Samgyetang ) with sucrose stearate added at various concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) during storage at 25°C for 12 mon. Scores indicating the lightness and size of fat droplets in the broth increased during storage as the sucrose stearate concentration increased, while the clarity scores decreased until 9 mon and the taste scores decreased throughout the storage period ( p <0.05). The porridge lightness increased as the concentration of sucrose stearate increased after 6 mon ( p <0.05), while scores indicating the softness and vividness were higher for treated samples with sucrose stearate than for the control group after 3 mon, despite a lack of significant differences among treatment groups ( p >0.05). The taste scores were lower for treated porridge samples than for the control group ( p <0.05), even though no significant differences were observed among the treatment groups ( p >0.05). The addition of sucrose stearate to the RTE Samgyetang broth improved the lightness (CIE L *) value of the broth and various sensory palatability parameters, including the color and fat droplet size of the broth and the softness and vividness of the porridge, despite reductions in broth clarity and taste scores for the broth and porridge during storage.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Photometry and spectroscopy of V501 Mon (Torres+, 2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torres, G.; Lacy, C. H. S.; Pavlovski, K.; Fekel, F. C.; Muterspaugh, M. W.

2016-06-01

Spectroscopic observations of V501 Mon were carried out with three different instruments. They began at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) in 2005 November, using the now decommissioned Digital Speedometer (DS) mounted on the 1.5m Tillinghast reflector at the Fred L. Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins (AZ). Seven spectra were recorded through 2009 March with an intensified photon-counting Reticon detector, and cover a narrow span of 45Å centered at 5190Å (MgIb triplet). The resolving power of this instrument was R~35000, and the signal-to-noise ratios of the spectra range from 13 to 22 per resolution element of 8.5km/s. Thirty seven additional spectra were gathered from 2009 November to 2015 February with the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph (TRES) on the same telescope. This bench-mounted, fiber-fed instrument provides a resolving power of R~44000 in 51 orders over the wavelength span 3900-9100Å. The signal-to-noise ratios of the 37 spectra range from 8 to 56 per resolution element of 6.8km/s. The heliocentric velocities we obtained from the DS and TRES spectra are listed in Table2. Between 2011 October and 2015 February we also obtained 57 usable spectra of V501 Mon with the Tennessee State University 2m Automatic Spectroscopic Telescope (AST) and a fiber-fed echelle spectrograph at Fairborn Observatory in southeast Arizona. The detector for these observations was a Fairchild 486 CCD, with 15μm pixels in a 4096*4096 format. The spectrograms have 48 orders ranging from 3800 to 8260Å. Because of the faintness of V501 Mon (V=12.32), we used a fiber that produced a spectral resolution of 0.4Å, corresponding to a resolving power of 15000 at 6000Å. Our spectra have typical signal-to-noise ratios per resolution element of 40 at 6000Å. We list the final values in Table3. An extensive program of CCD photometry was carried out using the NFO WebScope ear Silver City, New Mexico, for the purpose of gathering an accurate V-band light curve of V501 Mon for analysis. A total of 6729 images were obtained over 281 nights between 2005 January and February. Table5 lists these differential photometric measurements. Measurements of the times of eclipse for V501 Mon collected from the literature are listed in Table1, and cover approximately seven decades. Abundances for individual elements are listed in Table7. (5 data files).

Geologic map of the Sappho Patera Quadrangle (V-20), Venus

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGill, George E.

2000-01-01

The Sappho Patera quadrangle (V–20) of Venus is bounded by 0° and 30° East longitude, 0° and 25° North latitude. It is one of 62 quadrangles covering the entire planet at a scale of 1:5,000,000. The quadrangle derives its name from Sappho Patera, a large rimmed depression (diameter about 225 km) lying on top of a shield-shaped mountain named Irnini Mons. Sappho, a noted Greek poet born about 612 B.C., spent most of her life on the island of Lesbos. All of her works were burned in 1073 by order of ecclesiastical authorities in Rome and Constantinople. What little survives was discovered in 1897 as parts of papier mâché coffins in the Fayum (Durant, 1939). The Sappho Patera quadrangle includes the central portion of Eistla Regio, an elongated, moderately elevated (relief ~1 km) region extending for about 7,500 km west-northwestward from the west end of Aphrodite Terra. It is generally interpreted to be the surface manifestation of one or more mantle plumes (Phillips and Malin, 1983; Stofan and Saunders, 1990; Kiefer and Hager, 1991; Senske and others, 1992; Grimm and Phillips, 1992; Solomon and others, 1992). Eistla Regio is dominated by several large volcanic features. All or parts of four of these occur within the Sappho Patera quadrangle: the eastern flank of Gula Mons, Irnini Mons, Anala Mons, and Kali Mons. The quadrangle also includes eight named coronae: Nehalennia, Sunrta, Libera, Belet-Ili, Gaia, Asomama, Rabzhima, and Changko. A major rift extends from Gula Mons in the northwestern corner of the quadrangle to Libera Corona near the east border. East of Irnini and Anala Montes this rift is named Guor Linea; west of the montes it is named Virtus Linea. In addition to these major features, the Sappho Patera quadrangle includes numerous smaller volcanic flows and constructs, several unnamed coronae and corona-like features, a complex array of faults, fractures, and wrinkle ridges, and extensive plains that are continuous with the regional plains that constitute about 80% of the surface of Venus (Masursky and others, 1980). This area is geologically interesting because it contains examples of most globally important types of features and deposits and is an excellent area to study the temporal and genetic relations among plains, rifts, coronae, and large shield volcanoes. The temporal relations displayed in this quadrangle can provide useful constraints on models for venusian tectonic style (McGill, 1994b).

Modeling Recent Subsidence of Mars' Olympus Mons Using Lava Flows as Paleo-Slope Indicators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, M.; Reeves, A.; Chadwick, J.; McGovern, P. J.

2013-12-01

Olympus Mons is an enormous volcanic edifice on Mars with a basal diameter over 600 km and a height of 23 km. In spite of this size, no indications of subsidence, such as an obvious topographic moat, have previously been detected around the volcano. In this study, we mapped the orientations of long, thin lava flows on the plains to the south and southeast of Olympus Mons using 100m-resolution imagery from the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on Mars Odyssey, and topography using Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data from Mars Global Surveyor. The results show that the flows are no longer oriented in a downhill direction, consistently deviating from modern slope vectors in a counterclockwise direction by 21.4 × 10.8 degrees (n = 65). The configuration of this misalignment between modern and paleo-topography is consistent with subsidence centered on the volcano in the time since the flows were emplaced. Our preliminary geophysical modeling used a range of load volumes, load radii, and lithospheric thicknesses to identify the scenario required to best restore modern topography to match the paleo-topography present when the lava flows were emplaced (i.e. 'uplift' Olympus Mons until the lava flows on the surrounding plains are restored to a downhill direction). The results show that lithospheric subsidence of about 1.2 km due to the magmatic addition of 3.8x10^5 km^3 best fits the observed topographic changes. Load center heights of 1 to 8 km were considered, with best fits generally in the 3-5 km range. Best-fit elastic lithosphere thickness (Te) values were generally 100 km or greater, consistent with estimates for Te from loading models [1,2] and gravity-topography relationships [3,4,5]. Our new crater size-density measurements of the plains in the study area show that the observed subsidence occurred within the past 229 × 26 my. Previous crater counts for Olympus Mons calderas and lower flank flows [6] reveal volcanic activity clustered around 100-200 Myr ago and as young as 2.5 Myr ago, and young faulting of the Olympus Mons edifice suggests recent flank spreading [7]. These young features are consistent with the evidence for recent magmatic loading and subsidence found in this study. REFERENCES: [1] Thurber and Toksoz, 1978; [2] Comer et al., 1985; [3] McGovern et al., 2002, [4] McGovern et al., 2004; [5] Belleguic et al., 2005; [6] Neukum et al 2004; [7] Basilevsky et al., 2006.

Search for ongoing volcanic activity on Venus: Case study of Maat Mons, Sapas Mons and Ozza Mons volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shalygin, E. V.; Basilevsky, A. T.; Markiewicz, W. J.; Titov, D. V.; Kreslavsky, M. A.; Roatsch, Th.

2012-12-01

We report on attempts to find the ongoing volcanic activity from near-infrared night-time observations with the Venus Monitoring Camera (VMC) onboard of Venus Express. Here we consider VMC images of the areas of Maat Mons volcano and its vicinities, which, as it follows from analysis of the Magellan data, show evidence of geologically very recent volcanism. Analysis of VMC images taken in 12 observation sessions during the time period from 31 October 2007 to 15 June 2009 did not reveal any suspicious high-emission spots which could be signatures of the presently ongoing volcanic eruptions. We compare this time sequence of observations with the history of eruptions of volcano Mauna Loa, Hawaii, in the 20th century. This comparison shows that if Maat Mons volcano had the eruption history similar to that of Mauna Loa, the probability to observe an eruption in this VMC observation sequence would be about 8%, meaning that the absence of detection does not mean that Maat is not active in the present epoch. These estimates do not consider the effect of absorption and blurring of the thermal radiation coming from Venus surface by the planet atmosphere and clouds, which decreases detectability of thermal signature of fresh lavas. To assess the role of this effect we simulated near-infrared images of the study area with artificially added circular and rectangular (with different aspect ratios) lava flows having surface temperature 1000 K and various areas. These simulations showed that 1 km2 lava flows should be marginally seen by VMC. An increase of the lava surface area to 2-3 km2 makes them visible on the plains and increase of the area to 4-5 km2 makes them visible even in deep rift zones. Typical individual lava flows on Mauna Loa are a few km2, however, they often have been formed during weeks to months and the instantaneous size of the hot flow surface was usually much smaller. Thus the detection probability is significantly lower than 8%, but it is far from negligible. Our consideration suggests that further search of Maat Mons area and other areas including young rift zones makes sense and should be continued. More effective search could be done if observations simultaneously cover most part of the night side of Venus for relatively long (years) time of continuous observations.

Recurrence rate and magma effusion rate for the latest volcanism on Arsia Mons, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richardson, Jacob A.; Wilson, James A.; Connor, Charles B.; Bleacher, Jacob E.; Kiyosugi, Koji

2017-01-01

Magmatism and volcanism have evolved the Martian lithosphere, surface, and climate throughout the history of Mars. Constraining the rates of magma generation and timing of volcanism on the surface clarifies the ways in which magma and volcanic activity have shaped these Martian systems. The ages of lava flows on other planets are often estimated using impact crater counts, assuming that the number and size-distribution of impact craters per unit area reflect the time the lava flow has been on the surface and exposed to potential impacts. Here we show that impact crater age model uncertainty is reduced by adding stratigraphic information observed at locations where neighboring lavas abut each other, and demonstrate the significance of this reduction in age uncertainty for understanding the history of a volcanic field comprising 29 vents in the 110-km-diameter caldera of Arsia Mons, Mars. Each vent within this caldera produced lava flows several to tens of kilometers in length; these vents are likely among the youngest on Mars, since no impact craters in their lava flows are larger than 1 km in diameter. First, we modeled the age of each vent with impact crater counts performed on their corresponding lava flows and found very large age uncertainties for the ages of individual vents, often spanning the estimated age for the entire volcanic field. The age model derived from impact crater counts alone is broad and unimodal, with estimated peak activity in the field around 130 Ma. Next we applied our volcano event age model (VEAM), which uses a directed graph of stratigraphic relationships and random sampling of the impact crater age determinations to create alternative age models. Monte Carlo simulation was used to create 10,000 possible vent age sets. The recurrence rate of volcanism is calculated for each possible age set, and these rates are combined to calculate the median recurrence rate of all simulations. Applying this approach to the 29 volcanic vents, volcanism likely began around 200-300 Ma then first peaked around 150 Ma, with an average production rate of 0.4 vents per Myr. The recurrence rate estimated including stratigraphic data is distinctly bimodal, with a second, lower peak in activity around 100 Ma. Volcanism then waned until the final vents were produced 10-90 Ma. Based on this model, volume flux is also bimodal, reached a peak rate of 1-8 km3 Myr-1 by 150 Ma and remained above half this rate until about 90 Ma, after which the volume flux diminished greatly. The onset of effusive volcanism from 200-150 Ma might be due to a transition of volcanic style away from explosive volcanism that emplaced tephra on the western flank of Arsia Mons, while the waning of volcanism after the 150 Ma peak might represent a larger-scale diminishing of volcanic activity at Arsia Mons related to the emplacement of flank apron lavas.

Recurrence Rate and Magma Effusion Rate for the Latest Volcanism on Arsia Mons, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richardson, Jacob A.; Wilson, James A.; Connor, Charles B.; Bleacher, Jacob E.; Kiyosugi, Koji

2016-01-01

Magmatism and volcanism have evolved the Martian lithosphere, surface, and climate throughout the history of Mars. Constraining the rates of magma generation and timing of volcanism on the surface clarifies the ways in which magma and volcanic activity have shaped these Martian systems. The ages of lava flows on other planets are often estimated using impact crater counts, assuming that the number and size-distribution of impact craters per unit area reflect the time the lava flow has been on the surface and exposed to potential impacts. Here we show that impact crater age model uncertainty is reduced by adding stratigraphic information observed at locations where neighboring lavas abut each other, and demonstrate the significance of this reduction in age uncertainty for understanding the history of a volcanic field comprising 29 vents in the 110-kilometer-diameter caldera of Arsia Mons, Mars. Each vent within this caldera produced lava flows several to tens of kilometers in length; these vents are likely among the youngest on Mars, since no impact craters in their lava flows are larger than 1 kilometer in diameter. First, we modeled the age of each vent with impact crater counts performed on their corresponding lava flows and found very large age uncertainties for the ages of individual vents, often spanning the estimated age for the entire volcanic field. The age model derived from impact crater counts alone is broad and unimodal, with estimated peak activity in the field around 130Ma (megaannum, 1 million years). Next we applied our volcano event age model (VEAM), which uses a directed graph of stratigraphic relationships and random sampling of the impact crater age determinations to create alternative age models. Monte Carlo simulation was used to create 10,000 possible vent age sets. The recurrence rate of volcanism is calculated for each possible age set, and these rates are combined to calculate the median recurrence rate of all simulations. Applying this approach to the 29 volcanic vents, volcanism likely began around 200-300Ma then first peaked around 150Ma, with an average production rate of 0.4 vents per Myr (million years). The recurrence rate estimated including stratigraphic data is distinctly bimodal, with a second, lower peak in activity around 100Ma. Volcanism then waned until the final vents were produced 10-90Ma. Based on this model, volume flux is also bimodal, reached a peak rate of 1-8 cubic kilometers per million years by 150Ma and remained above half this rate until about 90Ma, after which the volume flux diminished greatly. The onset of effusive volcanism from 200-150Ma might be due to a transition of volcanic style away from explosive volcanism that emplaced tephra on the western flank of Arsia Mons, while the waning of volcanism after the 150Ma peak might represent a larger-scale diminishing of volcanic activity at Arsia Mons related to the emplacement of flank apron lavas.

40 CFR 174.502 - Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A.105 protein; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... or on the food and feed commodities of corn; corn, field, flour; corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, grits; corn, field, meal; corn, field, refined oil; corn, field, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, stover; and corn, pop, grain and...

40 CFR 174.502 - Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A.105 protein; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... or on the food and feed commodities of corn; corn, field, flour; corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, grits; corn, field, meal; corn, field, refined oil; corn, field, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, stover; and corn, pop, grain and...

40 CFR 174.502 - Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A.105 protein; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... or on the food and feed commodities of corn; corn, field, flour; corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, grits; corn, field, meal; corn, field, refined oil; corn, field, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, stover; and corn, pop, grain and...

Contributions to the Mosquito Fauna of Southeast Asia - II. The Genus Culex in Thailand (Diptera: Culicidae)

DTIC Science & Technology

1967-01-01

J. med. Res. 11: 1277 (“*, ?); Barraud 1924, Indian J. med. Res. 12: 432 (L*). Culex macropus Blanchard 1905, Les Moustiques : 327 (new name for...Figures 76, 77, and 78) Culex annulus Theobald 1901, Mon. Cul. 1: 358 (?); Giles 1902, Handb. 2nd ed. : 405 (0); Blanchard 1905, Les Moustiques : 293 (0...zweifl. Ins. 1: 542 (?); Theo- bald 1901, Mon. Cul. 1: 360 (9’); Giles 1902, Handb. , 2nd ed. : 400 (0); Blanchard 1905, L es Moustiques : 293 (0

Ahuna Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-03-14

This view from NASA's Dawn mission shows Ceres' tallest mountain, Ahuna Mons, 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) high and 11 miles (17 kilometers) wide. This is one of the few sites on Ceres at which a significant amount of sodium carbonate has been found, shown in green and red colors in the lower right image. The top and lower left images were collected by Dawn's framing camera. The top image is a 3D view reconstructed with the help of topography data. A non-annotated version is available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21919

Cry1Ab toxin production of MON 810 transgenic maize.

PubMed

Székács, András; Lauber, Eva; Juracsek, Judit; Darvas, Béla

2010-01-01

Levels of Cry1Ab toxin were detected in genetically modified maize of genetic event MON 810 against near isogenic maize as negative control by two commercial immunoassays. The immunoassays were characterized for their cross-reactivity (CR) between Cry1Ab protoxin and activated toxin, and were compared with each other for toxin detection in a reference plant sample. Cry1Ab toxin levels, corrected for active toxin content using the CR values obtained, were monitored in maize DK-440 BTY through the entire vegetation period. The toxin concentration was found to show a rapid rise in the leaves to 17.15 +/- 1.66 microg/g by the end of the fifth week of cultivation, followed by a gradual decline to 9.61 +/- 2.07 microg/g by the 16th week and a slight increase again to 13.51 +/- 1.96 microg/g during the last 2 weeks due to partial desiccation. Similar but lesser fluctuation of toxin levels was seen in the roots between 5.32 +/- 0.49 microg/g at the less differentiated V1 stage and 2.25 +/- 0.30 microg/g during plant development. In contrast, Cry1Ab toxin levels appeared to be stably 1.36 +/- 0.45, 4.98 +/- 0.31, 0.47 +/- 0.03, and 0.83 +/- 0.15 microg/g in the stem, anther wall, pollen, and grain, respectively. Toxin concentrations produced at the VT-R4 phenological stages under actual cultivation conditions were compared with each other in three different years within an 8-year period.

Monash Chemical Yields Project (Monχey) - Element production in low- and intermediate-mass stars of metallicities Z = 0 to 0.04

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doherty, Carolyn Louise; Lattanzio, John; Angelou, George; Wattana Campbell, Simon; Church, Ross; Constantino, Thomas; Cristallo, Sergio; Gil-Pons, Pilar; Karakas, Amanda; Lugaro, Maria; Stancliffe, Richard James

2015-08-01

The Monχey project provides a large and homogeneous set of stellar yields for the low- and intermediate- mass stars and has applications particularly to galactic chemical evolution modelling.We present a detailed grid of stellar evolutionary models and corresponding nucleosynthetic yields for stars of initial mass 0.8 M⊙ up to the limit for core collapse supernova ≈ 10 M⊙. Our study covers a broad range of metallicities, ranging from the first, primordial stars (Z=0) to those of super-solar metallicity (Z=0.04). The models are evolved from the zero-age main-sequence until the end of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and the nucleosynthesis calculations include all elements from H to Bi.A major innovation of our work is the first complete grid of heavy element nucleosynthetic predictions for primordial AGB stars as well as the inclusion of extra-mixing processes (in this case thermohaline) during the red giant branch. We provide a broad overview of our results with implications for galactic chemical evolution as well as highlight interesting results such as heavy element production in dredge-out events of super-AGB stars.We briefly introduce our easy to use web-based database which provides the evolutionary tracks, structural properties, internal/surface nucleosynthetic compositions and stellar yields. Our web interface includes user- driven plotting capabilities with output available in a range of formats. Our nucleosynthetic results are available for further use in post processing calculations for dust production yields.

Investigating Mars: Arsia Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-28

This VIS image shows part of the northwestern margin of the summit caldera. Along with the faults caused by the collapse of the summit materials into the void of the emptied magma chamber, there are many small lobate lava flows and collapse features. The scalloped depressions are most likely created by collapse of the roof of lava tubes. Lava tubes originate during eruption event, when the margins of a flow harden around a still flowing lava stream. When an eruption ends these can become hollow tubes within the flow. With time, the roof of the tube may collapse into the empty space below. The tubes are linear, so the collapse of the roof creates a linear depression. This image illustrates the many processes that occurred in the formation of the volcano. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the Tharsis volcanoes. It is 270 miles (450km) in diameter, almost 12 miles (20km) high, and the summit caldera is 72 miles (120km) wide. For comparison, the largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa. From its base on the sea floor, Mauna Loa measures only 6.3 miles high and 75 miles in diameter. A large volcanic crater known as a caldera is located at the summit of all of the Tharsis volcanoes. These calderas are produced by massive volcanic explosions and collapse. The Arsia Mons summit caldera is larger than many volcanoes on Earth. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many features of interest have received repeated imaging, building up a suite of images covering the entire feature. From the deepest chasma to the tallest volcano, individual dunes inside craters and dune fields that encircle the north pole, channels carved by water and lava, and a variety of other feature, THEMIS has imaged them all. For the next several months the image of the day will focus on the Tharsis volcanoes, the various chasmata of Valles Marineris, and the major dunes fields. We hope you enjoy these images! Orbit Number: 17117 Latitude: -8.43321 Longitude: 239.488 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2005-10-23 16:52 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22153

"Pokémon Go!" May Promote Walking, Discourage Sedentary Behavior in College Students.

PubMed

Barkley, Jacob E; Lepp, Andrew; Glickman, Ellen L

2017-06-01

To assess self-reported walking and sedentary behavior in young adults before and after downloading "Pokémon Go!". In September 2016, a sample of 358 (19.8 ± 2.1 years old, n = 187 females) college students who had downloaded "Pokémon Go!" on their cellular telephones (i.e., cell phones) were surveyed for weekly walking and sedentary behavior via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A single interview was administered to participants who estimated their walking and sedentary behavior at three time points: the week immediately preceding their download of "Pokémon Go!" (Baseline), the first week after downloading the game (Time 1), and the week the survey was completed (Time 2). Differences in self-reported physical activity and sedentary behavior across the three time points and across the two genders were compared via analyses of variance. There was a significant main effect of time (F ≥ 49.3, P ≤ 0.001) for walking and sedentary behavior. Participants reported greater (t ≥ 9.5, P < 0.001) daily walking during Time 1 (218.6 ± 156.3 minutes) and Time 2 (182.7 ± 172.1 minutes) versus the baseline (108.5 ± 110.8 minutes). Walking behavior was also significantly greater (t = 4.1, P < 0.001) at Time 1 versus Time 2. Participants reported greater (t ≥ 6.5, P < 0.001) daily sedentary behavior during baseline (346.6 ± 201.3 minutes) versus both Time 1 (261.7 ± 172.4 minutes) and Time 2 (284.3 ± 175.4 minutes). Sedentary behavior was also significantly greater (t = 2.6, P = 0.03) at Time 2 versus Time 1. There were no effects of gender (F ≤ 1.8, P ≥ 0.17). Playing "Pokémon Go!" was associated with increased self-reported walking and decreased sedentary behavior. Such games hold promise as technology that may promote physical activity and discourage sedentary behavior.

Variations in Crustal Structure, Lithospheric Flexural Strength, and Isostatic Compensation Mechanisms of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, M.; Lin, J.; Zuber, M. T.

2014-12-01

We analyze gravity and topography of Mars to investigate the spatial variations in crustal thickness, lithospheric strength, and mechanisms of support of prominent topographic features on Mars. The latest gravity model JGMRO110c (released in 2012) from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission has a spatial block size resolution of ~97 km (corresponding to degree-110), enabling us to resolve crustal structures at higher spatial resolution than those determined from previous degree-80 and 85 gravity models [Zuber et al., 2000; McGovern et al., 2002, 2004; Neumann et al., 2004; Belleguic et al., 2005]. Using the latest gravity data, we first inverted for a new version of crustal thickness model of Mars assuming homogeneous crust and mantle densities of 2.9 and 3.5 g/cm3. We calculated "isostatic" topography for the Airy local isostatic compensation mechanism, and "non-isostatic" topography after removing the isostatic part. We find that about 92% of the Martian surface is in relatively isostatic state, indicating either relatively small lithospheric strength and/or small vertical loading. Relatively isostatic regions include the hemispheric dichotomy, Hellas and Argyre Planitia, Noachis and Arabia Terra, and Terra Cimmeria. In contrast, regions with significant amount of non-isostatic topography include the Olympus, Ascraeus, Arsia, Pavonis, Alba, and Elysium Mons, Isidis Planitia and Valles Marineris. Their relatively large "non-isostatc topography" implies relatively strong lithospheric strength and large vertical loading. Spectral analysis of the admittance and correlation relationship between gravity and topography were conducted for the non-isostatic regions using the localized spectra method [Wieczorek and Simons, 2005, 2007] and thin-shell lithospheric flexural approximation [Forsyth, 1985; McGovern et al., 2002, 2004]. The best-fitting models reveal significant variations in the effective lithospheric thickness with the greatest values for the Olympus Mon, Valles Marineris, and Isidis Planitia; reduced values for the Ascraeus, Arsis, and Pavonis Mons; and smallest values for the Alba and Elysium Mons. Our models also suggest that there could be significant sub-surface loading underneath the Olympus, Ascraeus, Arsia, and Pavonis Mons, and Isidis Planitia.

Cryovolcanic Resurfacing on Pluto

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singer, K. N.; Schenk, P.; White, O. L.; Moore, J. M.; McKinnon, W. B.; Grundy, W. M.; Spencer, J. R.; Stern, A.; Cook, J. C.; Nimmo, F.; Howard, A. D.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Beyer, R. A.; Umurhan, O. M.; Lauer, T.; Weaver, H. A., Jr.; Young, L. A.; Ennico Smith, K.

2017-12-01

Pluto displays several different young geologic terrains with few-to-no identifiable impact craters. Distinct terrains to the southwest of the informally named Sputnik Planitia may have been resurfaced by cryovolcanic processes, of a type and scale so far unique to Pluto [1,2]. The most prominent structures are two very large mounds with deep central depressions. The informally named Wright Mons stands 4 km high and the main mound spans 150 km and Piccard Mons is 7 km high and 225 km wide. Hummocky terrain with a characteristic wavelength of 8-12 km covers the flanks of Wright Mons and much of the surrounding terrain. Smaller boulders, blocks, slabs, or ridges on the order of a few km are superimposed on the hummocks. The large-scale slopes across the broad flanks of the Wright Mons are 3-5°. The central depression walls are typically 10°, but reach 20° in some locations. A number of other cavi or irregular depressions of various sizes (a few to 30 km) are scattered throughout the terrain and do not appear to be impact craters. There are few signs of potential individual flows but the large-scale hummocky texture is suggestive of viscous flow. We will explore a number of potential mechanisms for creation of Wright and Piccard Mons and the nearby terrains. These unique terrains present modeling challenges for building relatively young, large cryovolcanic constructs on outer solar system bodies. Tidal heating is thought to end early in Pluto-system history [3] and radiogenic heating levels are relatively low [4], although a subsurface ocean may still persist into the present day [5]. We will discuss the possible volcanic materials on Pluto and their mobility under different heating scenarios, as well as other possible emplacement processes. [1] Moore et al., (2016) Science 351, 1284-1293. [2] Singer et al. (2016) LPSC absract 47, 2276. [3] Cheng et al. (2014) Icarus 233, 242-258. [4] McKinnon et al. (1997) In: Stern, S.A., Tholen, D.J. (Eds.), Pluto and Charon. UofA Press, 295-343. [5] Robuchon and Nimmo (2011) Icarus 216, 426-439.

Development of a general method for detection and quantification of the P35S promoter based on assessment of existing methods

PubMed Central

Wu, Yuhua; Wang, Yulei; Li, Jun; Li, Wei; Zhang, Li; Li, Yunjing; Li, Xiaofei; Li, Jun; Zhu, Li; Wu, Gang

2014-01-01

The Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter (P35S) is a commonly used target for detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). There are currently 24 reported detection methods, targeting different regions of the P35S promoter. Initial assessment revealed that due to the absence of primer binding sites in the P35S sequence, 19 of the 24 reported methods failed to detect P35S in MON88913 cotton, and the other two methods could only be applied to certain GMOs. The rest three reported methods were not suitable for measurement of P35S in some testing events, because SNPs in binding sites of the primer/probe would result in abnormal amplification plots and poor linear regression parameters. In this study, we discovered a conserved region in the P35S sequence through sequencing of P35S promoters from multiple transgenic events, and developed new qualitative and quantitative detection systems targeting this conserved region. The qualitative PCR could detect the P35S promoter in 23 unique GMO events with high specificity and sensitivity. The quantitative method was suitable for measurement of P35S promoter, exhibiting good agreement between the amount of template and Ct values for each testing event. This study provides a general P35S screening method, with greater coverage than existing methods. PMID:25483893

Monitoring the prevalence of genetically modified maize in commercial animal feeds and food products in Turkey.

PubMed

Turkec, Aydin; Lucas, Stuart J; Karlık, Elif

2016-07-01

EU legislation strictly controls use of genetically modified (GM) crops in food and feed products, and requires them to be labelled if the total GM content is greater than 9 g kg(-1) (for approved GM crops). We screened maize-containing food and feed products from Turkey to assess the prevalence of GM material. With this aim, 83 food and feed products - none labelled as containing GM material - were screened using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for four common GM elements (35S/NOS/bar/FMV). Of these, 18.2% of feeds and 6% of food samples tested positive for one or more of these elements, and were subjected to event-specific PCR to identify which GM organisms they contained. Most samples were negative for the approved GM events tested, suggesting that they may contain adventitious GM contaminants. One sample was shown to contain an unapproved GM event (MON810, along with GA21) at a concentration well above the statutory labelling requirement. Current legislation has restricted the penetration of GM maize into the Turkish food industry but not eliminated it, and the proliferation of different GM events is making monitoring increasingly complex. Our results indicate that labelling requirements are not being followed in some cases. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

40 CFR 180.1254 - Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... NRRL 21882 on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover. [75 FR 6576, Feb. 10, 2010] ...

40 CFR 180.1254 - Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... NRRL 21882 on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover. [75 FR 6576, Feb. 10, 2010] ...

40 CFR 180.1254 - Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... NRRL 21882 on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover. [75 FR 6576, Feb. 10, 2010] ...

40 CFR 180.1254 - Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... NRRL 21882 on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover. [75 FR 6576, Feb. 10, 2010] ...

40 CFR 180.1254 - Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... NRRL 21882 on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover. [75 FR 6576, Feb. 10, 2010] ...

Dental bleaching on teeth submitted to enamel microabrasion 30 years ago-a case report of patients' compliance during bleaching treatment.

PubMed

Sundfeld, Daniel; Pavani, Caio Cesar; Schott, Timm Cornelius; Machado, Lucas Silveira; Pini, Núbia Inocêncya Pavesi; Bertoz, André Pinheiro de Magalhães; Sundfeld, Renato Herman

2018-04-20

The present dental bleaching case report describes a new method that precisely quantifies the daily wearing-times of the bleaching product by inserting a microsensor in the acetate custom tray. The bleaching efficacy was also discussed since the patient was previously submitted to enamel microabrasion. The patient was submitted to enamel microabrasion in 1987, and bleaching treatment was performed in 2005. In 2017, re-bleaching was executed using 10% peroxide carbamide. The electronic microsensor, TheraMon (TheraMon® microelectronic system; Sales Agency Gschladt, Hargelsberg, Austria), was embedded in the labial region of the upper and lower acetate trays to evaluate the wearing-times of the acetate trays/bleaching product. The patient was instructed to wear the tray for 6 to 8 h/day while sleeping. After 24 days of bleaching treatment, the data obtained from the TheraMon electronic devices was collected and interpreted. The patient did not entirely follow the bleaching treatment as recommended, as there was no evidence of use of the upper and lower trays for some days; additionally, the bleaching product was used for shorter and longer periods than was instructed. The TheraMon microeletronic device precisely measured the wearing-times of the acetate tray/bleaching product during the bleaching treatment. Teeth submitted to enamel microabrasion presented with a healthy clinical appearance after 30 years. Measuring the length and frequency of use of an acetate tray/bleaching product can be important to clinicians and patients for obtaining a controlled and adequate bleaching treatment.

Morphology and emplacement of a long channeled lava flow near Ascraeus Mons Volcano, Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garry, W. Brent; Zimbelman, James R.; Gregg, Tracy K. P.

2007-08-01

Channeled lava flows, hundreds of kilometers long, are common on the lower flanks of the Tharsis Montes on Mars. Our analysis of a 690-km-long lava flow along the southwest perimeter of Ascraeus Mons shows that it was emplaced on low local slopes (<0.3°), with a deep channel (~20 m), and at high effusion rates (19,000-29,000 m3/s) calculated from the Graetz number. These parameters are similar to conditions needed to yield rapidly emplaced terrestrial flows >100 km in length, but the maximum effusion rates necessary on Earth are essentially the minimum for Martian flows. On the basis of our calculated effusion rates, the eruption duration was 3 to 7 Earth months, assuming a constant effusion rate and continuous eruption. The morphology of the Ascraeus Mons flow shows similarities to terrestrial and simulated channeled flows. Downstream changes in morphology resemble those observed in the 1907 flow, Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii and channeled polyethylene glycol (PEG) flows. Braided sections of the channel in the Ascraeus Mons flow contain islands which are hundreds of meters across and resemble features observed in the 1907 and 1984 flows on Mauna Loa Volcano. Crosscutting relationships suggest islands in the proximal section were shaped by thermal and mechanical erosion, whereas islands in the medial section are inferred to be material rafted by surges of lava through the channel. Overall, understanding the morphology of long lava flows on Mars is essential to the interpretation of their emplacement and constraining eruption conditions in the saddle regions of the Tharsis volcanoes.

The Distance to Nova V959 Mon from VLA Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linford, J. D.; Ribeiro, V. A. R. M.; Chomiuk, L.; Nelson, T.; Sokoloski, J. L.; Rupen, M. P.; Mukai, K.; O'Brien, T. J.; Mioduszewski, A. J.; Weston, J.

2015-06-01

Determining reliable distances to classical novae is a challenging but crucial step in deriving their ejected masses and explosion energetics. Here we combine radio expansion measurements from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array with velocities derived from optical spectra to estimate an expansion parallax for nova V959 Mon, the first nova discovered through its γ-ray emission. We spatially resolve the nova at frequencies of 4.5-36.5 GHz in nine different imaging epochs. The first five epochs cover the expansion of the ejecta from 2012 October to 2013 January, while the final four epochs span 2014 February-May. These observations correspond to days 126 through 199 and days 615 through 703 after the first detection of the nova. The images clearly show a non-spherical ejecta geometry. Utilizing ejecta velocities derived from three-dimensional modeling of optical spectroscopy, the radio expansion implies a distance between 0.9 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.4 kpc, with a most probable distance of 1.4 ± 0.4 kpc. This distance implies a γ-ray luminosity of 0.6× {{10}35} erg s-1, which is much less than the prototype γ-ray-detected nova, V407 Cyg, possibly due to the lack of a red giant companion in the V959 Mon system. V959 Mon also has a much lower γ-ray luminosity than other classical novae detected in γ-rays to date, indicating a range of at least a factor of 10 in the γ-ray luminosities for these explosions.

Multi-epoch monitoring of the AA Tauri-like star V 354 Mon. Indications for a low gas-to-dust ratio in the inner disk warp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, P. C.; Manara, C. F.; Facchini, S.; Günther, H. M.; Herczeg, G. J.; Fedele, D.; Teixeira, P. S.

2018-06-01

Disk warps around classical T Tauri stars (CTTSs) can periodically obscure the central star for some viewing geometries. For these so- called AA Tau-like variables, the obscuring material is located in the inner disk and absorption spectroscopy allows one to characterize its dust and gas content. Since the observed emission from CTTSs consists of several components (photospheric, accretion, jet, and disk emission), which can all vary with time, it is generally challenging to disentangling disk features from emission variability. Multi- epoch, flux-calibrated, broadband spectra provide us with the necessary information to cleanly separate absorption from emission variability. We applied this method to three epochs of VLT/X-shooter spectra of the CTTS V 354 Mon (CSI Mon-660) located in NGC 2264 and find that: (a) the accretion emission remains virtually unchanged between the three epochs; (b) the broadband flux evolution is best described by disk material obscuring part of the star, and (c) the Na and K gas absorption lines show only a minor increase in equivalent width during phases of high dust extinction. The limits on the absorbing gas column densities indicate a low gas-to-dust ratio in the inner disk, less than a tenth of the ISM value. We speculate that the evolutionary state of V 354 Mon, rather old with a low accretion rate, is responsible for the dust excess through an evolution toward a dust dominated disk or through the fragmentation of larger bodies that drifted inward from larger radii in a still gas dominated disk.

Effect of Aging and Freezing Conditions on Meat Quality and Storage Stability of 1++ Grade Hanwoo Steer Beef: Implications for Shelf Life

PubMed Central

Chang, Sunsik; Park, Beomyoung

2017-01-01

This study was conducted to establish the shelf life of 1++ grade Hanwoo beef by evaluating the changes in meat quality and storage stability under distribution conditions similar to those during export to Hong Kong and China. Four muscles of the loin, striploin, tenderloin, and top round muscles were obtained from 10 animals of 1++ grade Hanwoo steers. The distribution conditions were 0, 7, or 14 d of aging at 2°C and continuous storage at −18°C for 0, 3, 6, or 9 mon. The lightness (CIE L*) values decreased as the duration of freezer storage increased (p<0.05). The water-holding capacity of 4 muscles increased as the aging time increased when they were frozen for 3 mon (p<0.05). The cooking loss values of the four muscles were significantly increased as the duration of freezer storage increased (p<0.05). The Warner-Bratzler shear force values were significantly decreased in the loin, striploin, and top round muscles as the aging time increased (p<0.05). The changes in volatile basic nitrogen (16.67-18.49 mg%) and thiobarbituric reactive substance values (0.75-0.82 mg MA/kg meat) were significantly increased when the meat was frozen for 9 mon after 14 d of aging. On the basis of these observations, the shelf life of 1++ grade Hanwoo beef during distribution should be limited to less than 9 mon of freezer storage at −18°C after 14 d of aging at 2°C. PMID:28747830

40 CFR 180.555 - Trifloxystrobin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... pulp 1.0 Citrus, oil 38 Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 7 Corn, field, refined oil 0.1 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 7 Corn, sweet, cannery waste 0.6 Corn, sweet, forage 7.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.04 Corn, sweet, stover 4.0 Egg 0.04...

40 CFR 180.555 - Trifloxystrobin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... pulp 1.0 Citrus, oil 38 Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 7 Corn, field, refined oil 0.1 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 7 Corn, sweet, cannery waste 0.6 Corn, sweet, forage 7.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.04 Corn, sweet, stover 4.0 Egg 0.04...

40 CFR 180.555 - Trifloxystrobin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 7 Corn, field, refined oil 0.1 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 7 Corn, sweet, cannery waste 0.6 Corn, sweet, forage 7.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.04 Corn, sweet, stover 4.0 Egg 0.04 Fruit, citrus, group 10 0.6...

40 CFR 180.555 - Trifloxystrobin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 7 Corn, field, refined oil 0.1 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 7 Corn, sweet, cannery waste 0.6 Corn, sweet, forage 7.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.04 Corn, sweet, stover 4.0 Egg 0.04 Fruit, citrus, group 10 0.6...

Impact of Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Field Corn (Poales: Poaceae) Yield and Grain Quality.

PubMed

Bibb, Jenny L; Cook, Donald; Catchot, Angus; Musser, Fred; Stewart, Scott D; Leonard, Billy Rogers; Buntin, G David; Kerns, David; Allen, Tom W; Gore, Jeffrey

2018-05-28

Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), commonly infests field corn, Zea mays (L.). The combination of corn plant biology, corn earworm behavior in corn ecosystems, and field corn value renders corn earworm management with foliar insecticides noneconomical. Corn technologies containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) were introduced that exhibit substantial efficacy against corn earworm and may reduce mycotoxin contamination in grain. The first generation Bt traits in field corn demonstrated limited activity on corn earworm feeding on grain. The pyramided corn technologies have greater cumulative protein concentrations and higher expression throughout the plant, so these corn traits should provide effective management of this pest. Additionally, reduced kernel injury may affect physical grain quality. Experiments were conducted during 2011-2012 to investigate corn earworm impact on field corn yield and grain quality. Treatments included field corn hybrids expressing the Herculex, YieldGard, and Genuity VT Triple Pro technologies. Supplemental insecticide treatments were applied every 1-2 d from silk emergence until silk senescence to create a range of injured kernels for each technology. No significant relationship between the number of corn earworm damaged kernels and yield was observed for any technology/hybrid. In these studies, corn earworm larvae did not cause enough damage to impact yield. Additionally, no consistent relationship between corn earworm damage and aflatoxin contamination was observed. Based on these data, the economic value of pyramided Bt corn traits to corn producers, in the southern United States, appears to be from management of other lepidopteran insect pests including European and southwestern corn borer.

40 CFR 180.1219 - Foramsulfuron; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... pesticide foramsulfuron is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance in corn, field, grain/corn, field, forage/ corn, field, stover/corn, pop, grain/corn, pop, forage/corn, pop, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed; corn, sweet, stover when applied as a herbicide in...

40 CFR 180.1219 - Foramsulfuron; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... pesticide foramsulfuron is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance in corn, field, grain/corn, field, forage/ corn, field, stover/corn, pop, grain/corn, pop, forage/corn, pop, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed; corn, sweet, stover when applied as a herbicide in...

40 CFR 180.1219 - Foramsulfuron; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... pesticide foramsulfuron is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance in corn, field, grain/corn, field, forage/ corn, field, stover/corn, pop, grain/corn, pop, forage/corn, pop, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed; corn, sweet, stover when applied as a herbicide in...

40 CFR 180.1219 - Foramsulfuron; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... pesticide foramsulfuron is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance in corn, field, grain/corn, field, forage/ corn, field, stover/corn, pop, grain/corn, pop, forage/corn, pop, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed; corn, sweet, stover when applied as a herbicide in...

40 CFR 180.1206 - Aspergillus flavus AF36; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover, when applied/used as an antifungal agent. [68 FR 41541, July 14...

40 CFR 180.1219 - Foramsulfuron; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... pesticide foramsulfuron is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance in corn, field, grain/corn, field, forage/ corn, field, stover/corn, pop, grain/corn, pop, forage/corn, pop, stover; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed; corn, sweet, stover when applied as a herbicide in...

H2O Nucleation Around Noble Metal Cations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calaminici, Patrizia; Oropeza Alfaro, Pavel; Juarez Flores, Martin; Köster, Andreas; Beltran, Marcela; Ulises Reveles, J.; Khanna, Shiv N.

2008-03-01

First principle electronic structure calculations have been carried out to investigate the ground state geometry, electronic structure and binding energy of noble metal cations (H2O)n^+ clusters containing up to 10 H2O molecules. The calculations are performed with the density functional theory code deMon2k [1]. Due to the very flat potential energy surface of these systems special care to the numerical stability of energy and gradient calculation must be taken.Comparison of the results obtained with Cu^+, Ag^+ and Au^+ will be shown. This investigation provides insight into the structural arrangement of the water molecules around these metals and a microscopic understanding of the observed incremental binding energy in the case of the gold cation based on collision induced dissociation experiments. [1] A.M. Köster, P. Calaminici, M.E. Casida, R. Flores-Moreno, G. Geudtner, A. Goursot, T. Heine, A. Ipatov, F. Janetzko, J. Martin del Campo, S. Patchkovski, J.U. Reveles, A. Vela and D.R. Salahub, deMon2k, The deMon Developers, Cinvestav, 2006

Tunneling Spectroscopy of Superconducting MoN and NbTiN Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition.

DOE PAGES

Groll, Nickolas; Klug, Jeffrey A.; Cao, Chaoyue; ...

2014-03-03

A tunneling spectroscopy study is presented of superconducting MoN and Nbo.8Tio.2N thin films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The films exhibited a superconducting gap of 2meV and 2.4meV, respectively, with a corresponding critical temperature of 11.5K and 13.4 K, among the highest reported Tc values achieved by the ALD technique.Tunnel junctions were obtained using a mechanical contact method with a Au tip. While the native oxides of these films provided poor tunnel barriers, high quality tunnel junctions with low zero bias conductance (below rvl0%) were obtained using an artificial tunnel barrier of Ah03 on the film's surface grown exmore » situ by ALD. We find a large critical current density on the order of 4 x 106Ncm2 at T =0.8Tc for a 60 run MoN film and demonstrate conformal coating capabilities of ALD onto high aspect ratio geometries. These results suggest that the ALD technique offers significant promise for thin film superconducting device applications.« less

Introduction to Bayesian statistical approaches to compositional analyses of transgenic crops 1. Model validation and setting the stage.

PubMed

Harrison, Jay M; Breeze, Matthew L; Harrigan, George G

2011-08-01

Statistical comparisons of compositional data generated on genetically modified (GM) crops and their near-isogenic conventional (non-GM) counterparts typically rely on classical significance testing. This manuscript presents an introduction to Bayesian methods for compositional analysis along with recommendations for model validation. The approach is illustrated using protein and fat data from two herbicide tolerant GM soybeans (MON87708 and MON87708×MON89788) and a conventional comparator grown in the US in 2008 and 2009. Guidelines recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in conducting Bayesian analyses of clinical studies on medical devices were followed. This study is the first Bayesian approach to GM and non-GM compositional comparisons. The evaluation presented here supports a conclusion that a Bayesian approach to analyzing compositional data can provide meaningful and interpretable results. We further describe the importance of method validation and approaches to model checking if Bayesian approaches to compositional data analysis are to be considered viable by scientists involved in GM research and regulation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tunneling spectroscopy of superconducting MoN and NbTiN grown by atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groll, Nickolas R.; Klug, Jeffrey A.; Cao, Chaoyue; Altin, Serdar; Claus, Helmut; Becker, Nicholas G.; Zasadzinski, John F.; Pellin, Michael J.; Proslier, Thomas

2014-03-01

A tunneling spectroscopy study is presented of superconducting MoN and Nb0.8Ti0.2N thin films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The films exhibited a superconducting gap of 2 meV and 2.4 meV, respectively, with a corresponding critical temperature of 11.5 K and 13.4 K, among the highest reported Tc values achieved by the ALD technique. Tunnel junctions were obtained using a mechanical contact method with a Au tip. While the native oxides of these films provided poor tunnel barriers, high quality tunnel junctions with low zero bias conductance (below ˜10%) were obtained using an artificial tunnel barrier of Al2O3 on the film's surface grown ex situ by ALD. We find a large critical current density on the order of 4 × 106 A/cm2 at T = 0.8Tc for a 60 nm MoN film and demonstrate conformal coating capabilities of ALD onto high aspect ratio geometries. These results suggest that the ALD technique offers significant promise for thin film superconducting device applications.

Origin of Sinuous Channels on the SW Apron of Ascraeus Mons and the Surrounding Plains, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schierl, Z.; Signorella, J.; Collins, A.; Schwans, B.; de Wet, A. P.; Bleacher, J. E.

2012-01-01

Ascraeus Mons is one of three large shield volcanoes located along a NE-SW trending lineament atop the Tharsis Bulge on Mars. Spacecraft images, beginning with Viking in the 1970 s, revealed that the SW rift apron of Ascraeus Mons is cut by numerous sinuous channels, many of which originate from large, elongated, bowl shaped amphitheaters known as the Ascraeus Chasmata. A number of these channels can be traced onto the flatter plains to the east of the rift apron. These features have been interpreted as either fluvial [1] or volcanic [2] in origin. Most recently, it has been shown that one of the longest channels on the Ascraeus rift apron appears to transition into a roofed-over lava channel or lava tube at its distal end, and thus the entire feature is likely of a volcanic origin [2]. In addition, field observations of recent lava flows on Hawaii have shown that lava is capable of producing features such as the complex braided and anastomosing channels and streamlined islands that are observed in the Ascraeus features [2].

Magellan 3D perspective of Venus surface in western Eistla Regio

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Magellan synthetic aperture radar data was used to create this three- dimensional (3D) perspective view of Venus' western Eistla Regio. This viewpoint is located at 1,310 kilometers (812 miles) southwest of Gula Mons at an elevation of 0.178 kilometers (0.48 miles). The view is of the northeast with Gula Mons appearing on the horizon. Gula Mons, a 3 kilometer (1.86 mile) high volcano, is located at approximately 22 degrees north latitude, 359 degrees east longitude. The impact crater Cunitz, named for the astronomer and mathematician Maria Cunitz, is visible in the center of the image. The crater is 48.5 kilometers (30 miles) in diameter and is 215 kilometers (133 miles) from the viewer's position. Magellan synthetic aperture radar data is combined with radar altimetry to develop a 3D map of the surface. Rays cast in a computer intersect the surface to create a 3D view. Simulated color and a digital elevation map developed by the United States (U.S.) Geological Survey is used to enhanc

Cross Section Measurement for the 95Mo(n, {alpha})92Zr Reaction at 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 MeV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Guohui; Wu, Hao; Zhang, Jiaguo

2011-01-01

For the {sup 95}Mo(n, {alpha}){sup 92}Zr reaction cross section, there is only one experimental datum in the MeV neutron energy region with large uncertainty. As a result, very large deviations exist in different evaluated nuclear data libraries. This paper report the measurement of cross sections of the {sup 95}Mo(n, {alpha}){sup 92}Zr reaction at En = 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 MeV. Experiments were performed at the 4.5 MV Van de Graaff of Peking University, China. A twin gridded ionization chamber was used as alpha particle detector and two large area {sup 95}Mo samples placed back to back were adopted. Fast neutronsmore » were produced through the D(d, n){sup 3}He reaction by using a deuterium gas target. A small {sup 238}U fission chamber was adopted for absolute neutron flux determination and a BF{sub 3} long counter was used for neutron flux monitor. Present experimental data are compared with existing evaluations and measurement.« less

Venus: Preliminary geologic mapping of northern Atla Regio

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikishin, A. M.; Burba, G. A.

1992-01-01

A preliminary geologic map of C1 sheet 15N197 was compiled according to Magellan data. Northern Atla Regio is dominantly a volcanic plain with numerous volcanic features: radar-bright and -dark flows and spots, shield volcanos, volcanic domes and hills with varied morphology, and coronalike constructions. Tesserae are the oldest terrains semiflooded by plain materials. There are many lineated terrains on this territory. They are interpreted as old, partly buried ridge belts. Lineated terrains have intermediate age between young plains and old tesserae. Ozza Mons and Sapas Mons are the high shield volcanos. The prominent structure of northern Atla Regio is Ganis Chasma rift. The rift dissected the volcanic plain and evolved nearly contemporaneously with Ozza Mons shield volcano. Ganis Chasma rift valley is highly fractured and bounded by fault scarps. There are a few relatively young volcanic features in the rift valley. The rift originated due to 5-10 percent crustal extension and crustal subsidence according to analysis of fracturing and rift valley geometry. Ganis Chasma is characterized by rift shoulder uplifts. Geological structures of Alta Regio and Beta Regio are very similar as assumed earlier.

40 CFR 180.438 - Lambda-cyhalothrin and an isomer gamma-cyhalothrin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 1.0 Corn, sweet, forage 6.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with..., seed 1.0 Cattle, fat 3.0 Cattle, meat 0.2 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.2 Corn, field, flour 0.15 Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 1.0 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, grain...

40 CFR 180.438 - Lambda-cyhalothrin and an isomer gamma-cyhalothrin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 1.0 Corn, sweet, forage 6.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with..., seed 1.0 Cattle, fat 3.0 Cattle, meat 0.2 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.2 Corn, field, flour 0.15 Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 1.0 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, grain...

40 CFR 180.438 - Lambda-cyhalothrin and an isomer gamma-cyhalothrin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 1.0 Corn, sweet, forage 6.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with..., seed 1.0 Cattle, fat 3.0 Cattle, meat 0.2 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.2 Corn, field, flour 0.15 Corn, field, forage 6.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 1.0 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, grain...

40 CFR 180.570 - Isoxadifen-ethyl; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (safener) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.20 Corn, field, grain 0.08 Corn, field, stover 0.40 Corn, oil 0.50 Corn, pop, grain 0.04 Corn, pop, stover 0.25 Corn, sweet, forage 0.30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.04 Corn...

40 CFR 180.1206 - Aspergillus flavus AF36; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... tolerance is established for residues of Aspergillus flavus AF36 in or on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover, when...

40 CFR 180.1206 - Aspergillus flavus AF36; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... tolerance is established for residues of Aspergillus flavus AF36 in or on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover, when...

40 CFR 180.570 - Isoxadifen-ethyl; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (safener) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.20 Corn, field, grain 0.08 Corn, field, stover 0.40 Corn, oil 0.50 Corn, pop, grain 0.04 Corn, pop, stover 0.25 Corn, sweet, forage 0.30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.04 Corn...

40 CFR 180.570 - Isoxadifen-ethyl; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (safener) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.20 Corn, field, grain 0.08 Corn, field, stover 0.40 Corn, oil 0.50 Corn, pop, grain 0.04 Corn, pop, stover 0.25 Corn, sweet, forage 0.30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.04 Corn...

40 CFR 180.570 - Isoxadifen-ethyl; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (safener) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.20 Corn, field, grain 0.08 Corn, field, stover 0.40 Corn, oil 0.50 Corn, pop, grain 0.04 Corn, pop, stover 0.25 Corn, sweet, forage 0.30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.04 Corn...

40 CFR 180.570 - Isoxadifen-ethyl; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (safener) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.20 Corn, field, grain 0.08 Corn, field, stover 0.40 Corn, oil 0.50 Corn, pop, grain 0.04 Corn, pop, stover 0.25 Corn, sweet, forage 0.30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.04 Corn...

40 CFR 180.1206 - Aspergillus flavus AF36; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... tolerance is established for residues of Aspergillus flavus AF36 in or on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain; and corn, pop, stover, when...

40 CFR 180.617 - Metconazole; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

....04 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 0.02 Corn, field, stover 4.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.02 Corn, pop, stover 4.5 Corn, sweet, forage 3.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.01 Corn...

40 CFR 180.617 - Metconazole; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....04 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 0.02 Corn, field, stover 4.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.02 Corn, pop, stover 4.5 Corn, sweet, forage 3.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.01 Corn...

Utilisation of corn (Zea mays) bran and corn fiber in the production of food components.

PubMed

Rose, Devin J; Inglett, George E; Liu, Sean X

2010-04-30

The milling of corn for the production of food constituents results in a number of low-value co-products. Two of the major co-products produced by this operation are corn bran and corn fiber, which currently have low commercial value. This review focuses on current and prospective research surrounding the utilization of corn fiber and corn bran in the production of potentially higher-value food components. Corn bran and corn fiber contain potentially useful components that may be harvested through physical, chemical or enzymatic means for the production of food ingredients or additives, including corn fiber oil, corn fiber gum, cellulosic fiber gels, xylo-oligosaccharides and ferulic acid. Components of corn bran and corn fiber may also be converted to food chemicals such as vanillin and xylitol. Commercialization of processes for the isolation or production of food products from corn bran or corn fiber has been met with numerous technical challenges, therefore further research that improves the production of these components from corn bran or corn fiber is needed.

40 CFR 180.431 - Clopyralid; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Cattle, meat byproducts, except liver 36.0 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 1.0 Corn, field, milled byproducts 1.5 Corn, field, stover 10.0 Corn, pop, grain 1.0 Corn, pop, stover 10.0 Corn, sweet, forage 7.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 1.0 Corn, sweet, stover 10.0 Cranberry 4.0 Egg...

40 CFR 180.544 - Methoxyfenozide; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Canistel 0.6 Cattle, fat 0.50 Cattle, meat 0.02 Coriander, leaves 30 Corn, field, forage 15 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.20 Corn, field, stover 125 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 125 Corn, sweet, forage 30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.05 Corn, sweet, stover 60...

40 CFR 180.544 - Methoxyfenozide; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 0.6 Cattle, fat 0.50 Cattle, meat 0.02 Cherimoya 0.60 Citrus, oil 100 Corn, field, forage 15 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.20 Corn, field, stover 125 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 125 Corn, sweet, forage 30 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.220 - Atrazine; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Cattle, meat 0.02 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.02 Corn, field, forage 1.5 Corn, field, grain 0.20 Corn, field, stover 0.5 Corn, pop, forage 1.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.20 Corn, pop, stover 0.5 Corn, sweet, forage 15 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.20 Corn, sweet, stover 2.0 Goat, fat 0.02 Goat...

40 CFR 180.220 - Atrazine; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Cattle, meat 0.02 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.02 Corn, field, forage 1.5 Corn, field, grain 0.20 Corn, field, stover 0.5 Corn, pop, forage 1.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.20 Corn, pop, stover 0.5 Corn, sweet, forage 15 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.20 Corn, sweet, stover 2.0 Goat, fat 0.02 Goat...

40 CFR 180.220 - Atrazine; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Cattle, meat 0.02 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.02 Corn, field, forage 1.5 Corn, field, grain 0.20 Corn, field, stover 0.5 Corn, pop, forage 1.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.20 Corn, pop, stover 0.5 Corn, sweet, forage 15 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.20 Corn, sweet, stover 2.0 Goat, fat 0.02 Goat...

40 CFR 180.431 - Clopyralid; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Cattle, meat byproducts, except liver 36.0 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 1.0 Corn, field, milled byproducts 1.5 Corn, field, stover 10.0 Corn, pop, grain 1.0 Corn, pop, stover 10.0 Corn, sweet, forage 7.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 1.0 Corn, sweet, stover 10.0 Cranberry 4.0 Egg...

40 CFR 180.617 - Metconazole; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... byproducts 0.04 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 0.02 Corn, field, stover 30 Corn, pop, grain 0.02 Corn, pop, stover 30 Corn, sweet, forage 3.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.01 Corn... Soybean, hay 6.0 Soybean, hulls 0.08 Soybean, seed 0.05 Sugarcane, cane 0.06 Vegetable, tuberous and corn...

MOLA Global roughness map of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

The median of slopes in 35-km windows indicate the typical roughness on 300-meter baselines. The rougher nature of the heavily cratered terrain in the Southern Hemisphere is apparent, as well as that of Valles Marineris (12S, 289E) canyon walls and the Olympus Mons (18N, 227E) aureole deposits. The Northern Lowlands are smooth, especially Amazonis Planitia (16N, 202E), a region to the west of Olympus Mons, were typical median slopes on these baselines are often smaller than 0.1 degree. A shaded relief map of the topography is overlaid is monochrome.

Pokémon Go: A game changer for the physical inactivity crisis?

PubMed

LeBlanc, Allana G; Chaput, Jean-Philippe

2017-08-01

There is an urgent need to find novel strategies aimed at motivating people to go outside and move more. Pokémon Go blends a fun smartphone game with real-life, outdoor physical activity. Initial reports suggest it is a successful population level strategy to increase physical activity levels. Further research is needed to understand the long-term risks and benefits of this new game. Free-to-play location-based augmented reality mobile games are likely to be a new model for promoting healthy active living in the future. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ahuna Mons: Side View

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-09-01

Ceres' lonely mountain, Ahuna Mons, is seen in this simulated perspective view. The elevation has been exaggerated by a factor of two. The view was made using enhanced-color images from NASA's Dawn mission. Images taken using blue (440 nanometers), green (750 nanometers) and infrared (960 nanometers) spectral filters were combined to create the view. The spacecraft's framing camera took the images from Dawn's low-altitude mapping orbit, from an altitude of 240 miles (385 kilometers) in August 2016. The resolution of the component images is 120 feet (35 meters) per pixel. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20915

Ice Volcanoes on Pluto?

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-11-10

NASA New Horizons scientists believe that the informally named feature Wright Mons, located south of Sputnik Planum on Pluto, and another, Piccard Mons, could have been formed by the cryovolcanic eruption of ices from beneath Pluto surface. Sputnik Planum on Pluto, is an unusual feature that's about 100 miles (160 kilometers) wide and 13,000 feet (4 kilometers) high. It displays a summit depression (visible in the center of the image) that's approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) across, with a distinctive hummocky texture on its sides. The rim of the summit depression also shows concentric fracturing. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20155

Geologic Mapping of Ascraeus Mons, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mohr, K. J.; Williams, D. A.; Garry, W. B.

2016-01-01

Ascraeus Mons (AM) is the northeastern most large shield volcano residing in the Tharsis province on Mars. We are funded by NASA's Mars Data Analysis Program to complete a digital geologic map based on the mapping style. Previous mapping of a limited area of these volcanoes using HRSC images (13-25 m/pixel) revealed a diverse distribution of volcanic landforms within the calderas, along the flanks, rift aprons, and surrounding plains. The general scientific objectives for which this mapping is based is to show the different lava flow morphologies across AM to better understand the evolution and geologic history.

Signature CERN-URSS

ScienceCinema

None

2017-12-09

Le DG W.Jentschke souhaite la bienvenue à l'assemblée et aux invités pour la signature du protocole entre le Cern et l'URSS qui est un événement important. C'est en 1955 que 55 visiteurs soviétiques ont visité le Cern pour la première fois. Le premier DG au Cern, F.Bloch, et Mons.Amaldi sont aussi présents. Tandis que le discours anglais de W.Jentschke est traduit en russe, le discours russe de Mons.Morozov est traduit en anglais.

75 FR 6576 - Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance; Technical Amendment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-10

... the requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882 on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; corn, field, aspirated grain fractions; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed; corn, sweet, forage; corn, sweet, stover; corn, pop, grain...

40 CFR 180.582 - Pyraclostrobin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 12.5 Citrus, oil 9.0 Coffee, bean, green 0.31 Corn, field, forage 5.0 Corn, field, grain 0.1 Corn, field, refined oil 0.2 Corn, field, stover 17.0 Corn, pop, grain 0.1 Corn, pop, stover 17.0 Corn, sweet, forage 5.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.04 Corn, sweet, stover 23.0 Cotton, gin...

40 CFR 180.617 - Metconazole; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... byproducts 0.04 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 0.02 Corn, field, stover 4.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.02 Corn, pop, stover 4.5 Corn, sweet, forage 3.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.01 Corn... Soybean, hay 6.0 Soybean, hulls 0.08 Soybean, seed 0.05 Sugarcane, cane 0.06 Vegetable, tuberous and corn...

40 CFR 180.220 - Atrazine; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Cattle, meat 0.02 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.02 Corn, field, forage 15 Corn, field, grain 0.20 Corn, field, stover 0.5 Corn, pop, forage 1.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.20 Corn, pop, stover 0.5 Corn, sweet, forage 15 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.20 Corn, sweet, stover 2.0 Goat, fat 0.02 Goat, meat 0.02...

40 CFR 180.582 - Pyraclostrobin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 12.5 Citrus, oil 9.0 Coffee, bean, green 0.31 Corn, field, forage 5.0 Corn, field, grain 0.1 Corn, field, refined oil 0.2 Corn, field, stover 17.0 Corn, pop, grain 0.1 Corn, pop, stover 17.0 Corn, sweet, forage 5.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.04 Corn, sweet, stover 23.0 Cotton, gin...

40 CFR 180.220 - Atrazine; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Cattle, meat 0.02 Cattle, meat byproducts 0.02 Corn, field, forage 15 Corn, field, grain 0.20 Corn, field, stover 0.5 Corn, pop, forage 1.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.20 Corn, pop, stover 0.5 Corn, sweet, forage 15 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.20 Corn, sweet, stover 2.0 Goat, fat 0.02 Goat, meat 0.02...

40 CFR 180.617 - Metconazole; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... byproducts 0.04 Corn, field, forage 3.0 Corn, field, grain 0.02 Corn, field, stover 4.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.02 Corn, pop, stover 4.5 Corn, sweet, forage 3.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.01 Corn... Soybean, hay 6.0 Soybean, hulls 0.08 Soybean, seed 0.05 Sugarcane, cane 0.06 Vegetable, tuberous and corn...

Assessment of the nutritional values of genetically modified wheat, corn, and tomato crops.

PubMed

Venneria, Eugenia; Fanasca, Simone; Monastra, Giovanni; Finotti, Enrico; Ambra, Roberto; Azzini, Elena; Durazzo, Alessandra; Foddai, Maria Stella; Maiani, Giuseppe

2008-10-08

The genetic modification in fruit and vegetables could lead to changes in metabolic pathways and, therefore, to the variation of the molecular pattern, with particular attention to antioxidant compounds not well-described in the literature. The aim of the present study was to compare the quality composition of transgenic wheat ( Triticum durum L.), corn ( Zea mays L.), and tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) to the nontransgenic control with a similar genetic background. In the first experiment, Ofanto wheat cultivar containing the tobacco rab1 gene and nontransgenic Ofanto were used. The second experiment compared two transgenic lines of corn containing Bacillus thuringiensis "Cry toxin" gene (PR33P67 and Pegaso Bt) to their nontransgenic forms. The third experiment was conducted on transgenic tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) containing the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolD gene and its nontransgenic control (cv. Tondino). Conventional and genetically modified crops were compared in terms of fatty acids content, unsaponifiable fraction of antioxidants, total phenols, polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, total antioxidant activity, and mineral composition. No significant differences were observed for qualitative traits analyzed in wheat and corn samples. In tomato samples, the total antioxidant activity (TAA), measured by FRAP assay, and the naringenin content showed a lower value in genetically modified organism (GMO) samples (0.35 mmol of Fe (2+) 100 g (-1) and 2.82 mg 100 g (-1), respectively), in comparison to its nontransgenic control (0.41 mmol of Fe (2+) 100 g (-1) and 4.17 mg 100 g (-1), respectively). On the basis of the principle of substantial equivalence, as articulated by the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, these data support the conclusion that GM events are nutritionally similar to conventional varieties of wheat, corn, and tomato on the market today.

High Expression of Cry1Ac Protein in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) by Combining Independent Transgenic Events that Target the Protein to Cytoplasm and Plastids.

PubMed

Singh, Amarjeet Kumar; Paritosh, Kumar; Kant, Uma; Burma, Pradeep Kumar; Pental, Deepak

2016-01-01

Transgenic cotton was developed using two constructs containing a truncated and codon-modified cry1Ac gene (1,848 bp), which was originally characterized from Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki strain HD73 that encodes a toxin highly effective against many lepidopteran pests. In Construct I, the cry1Ac gene was cloned under FMVde, a strong constitutively expressing promoter, to express the encoded protein in the cytoplasm. In Construct II, the encoded protein was directed to the plastids using a transit peptide taken from the cotton rbcSIb gene. Genetic transformation experiments with Construct I resulted in a single copy insertion event in which the Cry1Ac protein expression level was 2-2.5 times greater than in the Bacillus thuringiensis cotton event Mon 531, which is currently used in varieties and hybrids grown extensively in India and elsewhere. Another high expression event was selected from transgenics developed with Construct II. The Cry protein expression resulting from this event was observed only in the green plant parts. No transgenic protein expression was observed in the non-green parts, including roots, seeds and non-green floral tissues. Thus, leucoplasts may lack the mechanism to allow entry of a protein tagged with the transit peptide from a protein that is only synthesized in tissues containing mature plastids. Combining the two events through sexual crossing led to near additive levels of the toxin at 4-5 times the level currently used in the field. The two high expression events and their combination will allow for effective resistance management against lepidopteran insect pests, particularly Helicoverpa armigera, using a high dosage strategy.

Twin- or single-screw extrusion of raw soybeans and preconditioned soybean meal and corn as individual ingredients or as corn-soybean product blends in diets for weanling swine.

PubMed

Veum, T L; Serrano, X; Hsieh, F H

2017-03-01

Two 28-d experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of extrusion of ground yellow corn, solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM), and cracked whole soybeans (CWS) individually or as corn-soybean product blends on growth performance of weanling pigs. For Exp. 1, ground corn, SBM, and the corn-SBM blend were extruded at 137.5°C, 131.5°C, and 135.0°C, respectively, in a twin-screw extruder. Transit time was 60 s. Water was injected at 125 gmin during extrusion. The 5 treatments were the corn-SBM control diet and the diets with extruded (EX) corn + SBM, EX-SBM + corn, EX-corn + EX-SBM, and the EX-blend of corn-SBM. Ninety crossbred pigs with an initial average BW of 5.98 kg were allotted to 9 treatment replications with a barrow and gilt per pen. For Exp. 2, ground corn was preconditioned with water (10.0% of corn weight), and SBM was preconditioned with water and soybean oil (each at 20.0% of SBM weight) before extrusion. Raw CWS were not preconditioned. The corn, SBM, CWS, corn-SBM blend, and corn-CWS blend were extruded at 113.0°C, 132.0°C, 132.0°C, 88.0°C, and 102°C, respectively, with a single-screw extruder. Transit time was 30 s. The 8 isocaloric treatments were the corn-SBM control diet and the diets with EX-corn + SBM, EX-SBM + corn, EX-corn + EX-SBM, the EX-blend of corn-SBM, EX-CWS + corn, EX-CWS + EX-corn, and the EX-blend of corn-CWS. A total of 296 crossbred pigs with an initial average BW of 6.56 kg were allotted to 10 treatment replications. Sex and pigs per pen (3 or 4) were equalized within replication. Results for both experiments indicate that single- or twin-screw extrusion of ground corn or SBM as individual ingredients or as corn-SBM blends in diets for weanling pigs did not improve 28-d growth performance. However, for Exp. 2 weanling pigs fed the diets with EX-CWS + corn and EX-CWS + EX-corn had greater ( < 0.01) ADG and G:F, respectively, than pigs fed the corn-SBM control diet. The extrusion temperature of 102°C for the corn-CWS blend did not inactivate adequate protease inhibitors in CWS, and pigs fed that diet had poor growth performance. In conclusion, single-screw extrusion of CWS (132°C for 30 s) in diets for weanling pigs improved growth performance compared with pigs fed the corn-SBM control diet. However, twin- or single-screw extrusion of ground yellow corn or solvent-extracted SBM as individual ingredients or as corn-SBM blends in diets for weanling pigs did not improve growth performance compared with pigs fed the corn-SBM control diets.

40 CFR 180.342 - Chlorpyrifos; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., oil 20 Corn, field, forage 8.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.25 Corn, field, stover 8.0 Corn, sweet, forage 8.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.342 - Chlorpyrifos; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., oil 20 Corn, field, forage 8.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.25 Corn, field, stover 8.0 Corn, sweet, forage 8.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.565 - Thiamethoxam; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

....20 Corn, field, forage 0.10 Corn, field, stover 0.05 Corn, pop, forage 0.10 Corn, pop, stover 0.05 Corn, sweet, forage 0.10 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.02 Corn, sweet, stover 0.05...

40 CFR 180.342 - Chlorpyrifos; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., oil 20 Corn, field, forage 8.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.25 Corn, field, stover 8.0 Corn, sweet, forage 8.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.342 - Chlorpyrifos; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., oil 20 Corn, field, forage 8.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.25 Corn, field, stover 8.0 Corn, sweet, forage 8.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.565 - Thiamethoxam; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

....20 Corn, field, forage 0.10 Corn, field, stover 0.05 Corn, pop, forage 0.10 Corn, pop, stover 0.05 Corn, sweet, forage 0.10 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.02 Corn, sweet, stover 0.05...

40 CFR 180.342 - Chlorpyrifos; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., oil 20 Corn, field, forage 8.0 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, refined oil 0.25 Corn, field, stover 8.0 Corn, sweet, forage 8.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.565 - Thiamethoxam; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

....05 Corn, field, forage 0.10 Corn, field, stover 0.05 Corn, pop, forage 0.10 Corn, pop, stover 0.05 Corn, sweet, forage 0.10 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.02 Corn, sweet, stover 0.05...

40 CFR 180.549 - Diflufenzopyr; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... diflufenzopyr, in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.05 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 0.05 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 0.05 Corn, sweet, forage 0.05 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.05 Corn, sweet, stover 0.05...

40 CFR 180.440 - Tefluthrin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 0.06 Corn, field, grain 0.06 Corn, field, stover 0.06 Corn, pop, grain 0.06 Corn, pop, stover 0.06 Corn, sweet, forage 0.06 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed 0.06 Corn, sweet, stover 0.06 (b) Section 18 emergency exemptions. [Reserved...

40 CFR 180.470 - Acetochlor; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... stoichiometric equivalents of acetochlor, in or on the following commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 4.5 Corn, field, grain 0.05 Corn, field, stover 2.5 Corn, pop, grain 0.05 Corn, pop, stover 2.5 Corn, sweet, forage 1.5 Corn, sweet, kernels plus cob with husks removed 0.05 Corn, sweet...

40 CFR 180.350 - Nitrapyrin; tolerances for residues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...-chloropicolinic acid in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Commodity Parts per million Corn, field, forage 1.0 Corn, field, grain 0.1 Corn, field, milled byproducts 0.2 Corn, field, stover 1.0 Corn, pop, grain 0.1 Corn, pop, stover 1.0 Corn, sweet, forage 1.0 Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed...