Widespread evidence for heterogeneous accretion of the terrestrial planets and planetisimals

The abundance and relative proportion of highly siderophile elements (HSEs) in Earth’s mantle deviate from those predicted by low-pressure equilibrium partitioning between metal and silicate during formation of the core. For many elements, high-pressure equilibration in a deep molten silicate layer (or ‘magma ocean’) may account for this discrepancy [1], but some highly siderophile element abundances demand the late addition, a ‘late veneer’, of extraterrestrial material (i.e. heterogeneous accretion) after core formation was complete [2]. Siderophile elements in smaller asteroidal bodies will not be affected by high-pressure metal-silicate equilibration and so, with highly efficient core formation [3] and if a ‘late veneer’ is absent, significant differences in the proportions of HSEs can be anticipated. Here we present new HSE abundance and 187Os/188Os isotope data for basaltic meteorites, the HEDs (howardites, eucrites and diogenites thought to sample the asteroid 4 Vesta), anomalous eucrites (considered to be from distinct Vesta-like parent bodies) angrites and aubrites (from unidentified parent bodies) and SNCs (thought to be from Mars). Our data, taken with those for lunar rocks [4], demonstrate that these igneous meteorites all formed from mantle sources that possessed chondritic (i.e. primitive solar system) elemental and isotope compositions, indicating that late accretion is not unique to Earth, but is a common feature of differentiated planets and asteroidal bodies. Variations in the total HSE abundance suggest that the proportion of ‘late veneer’ added is a simple consequence of the size of each body (cross-section and/or gravitational-attraction), and may account for the volatile element budget, and the oxidationstate of Earth, Mars, the Moon and Vesta

THE ROLE OF IMPORTS IN THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE U.S. FARM MACHINERY INDUSTRY

Agribusiness, International Relations/Trade,

Two New Amoebae, Striamoeba sparolata n. sp. and Flamella tiara n. sp., from Fresh Water

Author Institution: Department of Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University and Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of KansasTwp new amoebae are described from phase contrast observations made on specimens collected from Florida and Ohio, USA. Ohio specimens occurred among Aufwuchs on the midland painted turtle, Chrysemys picta marginata, and the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina serpentina, while Florida specimens were found among the bottom detritus in muddy ponds. Striamoeba sparolata n. sp. (Thecamoebidae) is spearhead-shaped, 35-45 (xm by 12.5-22.5 |^m at the broadest point when in motion, with a clear bulbous anterior end and smooth uroid. There are usually two indistinct dorsal ridges, a spherical nucleus, 2-4 jam in diameter with a variable number of parietal nucleolar pieces and many endoplasmic lightrefractile granules. No pseudopods are formed during locomotion. Flamella tiara n. sp. (Flabellulidae) exhibits continuous changes in shape while in rapid motion but is more or less broadly arcate in steady slow progress. This amoeba is 30-40 |im wide, 12-25 |^m long, with many conical, papulate subpseudopodia extending from the body surface and leading edge. Adhesive, pseudo-uroidal filaments are trailed. An indistinct, spherical nucleus, about 3.5 (im, is present. The endoplasm is finely granular with no crystals. These two rarely encountered species occur as small populations and the present description will enable recognition by future researchers

Information Technology Adoption in Agricultural Operations: A Progression Path

Agricultural operations are not taking advantage of the Information Technology (IT) tools that exist today. As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, IT utilization is critical to the continued competitiveness/survival of individual operations. A progression path for IT adoption is defined that takes into account IT tools utilized along with impacts to operational processes. This path can be used as a tool to ease farmers into the IT world without introducing excessive change all at once. Application of this path in Extension educational programs could increase IT adoption and retention in agricultural operations

Remote Sensing and Control of Phase Qubits

We demonstrate a remote sensing design of phase qubits by separating the control and readout circuits from the qubit loop. This design improves measurement reliability because the control readout chip can be fabricated using more robust materials and can be reused to test different qubit chips. Typical qubit measurements such as Rabi oscillations, spectroscopy, and excited-state energy relaxation are presented.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure

Genesee River Watershed Project. Water Quality Analysis of the Oatka Creek Watershed. Volume 6. Nutrient Concentration and Loading, Identification of Point and Nonpoint Sources of Pollution, Total Maximum Daily Load, and an Assessment of Management Practices using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Model. A report to the USDA.

Oatka Creek is the second largest tributary of the Genesee River and is a highly prized trout fishery. The Oatka Creek portion of the Genesee River Project Study focused on identifying nonpoint and point sources, locating and quantifying the nutrient and sediment losses from Oatka Creek watershed, and through simulation identifying possible remediation or management practices. To accomplish this task, a multifaceted, integrated approach was taken by combining stream monitoring, segment analysis, and hydrologic modeling [Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)]. Runoff from nonpoint sources (Confined Animal Feeding Operation sites, agricultural practices, and urban areas) and point sources (wastewater treatment plants and State Pollution Discharge Elimination Sites), all anthropogenic sources, accounts for ~70% of the phosphorus load of Oatka Creek, suggesting improvements in stream water quality are possible. The most effective management recommendation to reduce the overall total phosphorus loading in Oatka Creek is to upgrade all four wastewater treatment plants (Warsaw, Pavilion, Leroy, and Scottsville) to tertiary treatment systems. Other effective management recommendations focused on nonpoint sources such as grassed waterways, buffer strips, and cover crops within the two most impaired tributaries (Wyoming Road and Roanoke Road) in the Oatka Creek watershed. Either or both practices together would significantly improve the water quality in the Oatka Creek watershed by reducing the average annual P concentration to below the 45-μg P/L target. Portions of the creek are experiencing stream bank soil erosion. Stream bank stabilization techniques, some already implemented, would have a beneficial impact on reducing the total phosphorus and total suspended solids loading in this segment of Oatka Creek

Swine abnormalities

"Abnormalities occur more frequently in swine than any other species of farm animal. As a livestock producer, you're probably interested in causes and changes necessary to prevent recurrence of the condition. The immediate question is whether the abnormality is caused by genetic or environmental factors or a combination. In some instances, determining a cause is complicated by the fact that some defects can be due to either genetic or environmental factors."--First page.Dale Vogt, John C. Rea and John W. Massey (Animal Sciences Department, College of Agriculture)New 3/85/8

Automatic Detection of Seizures with Applications

There are an estimated two million people with epilepsy in the United States. Many of these people do not respond to anti-epileptic drug therapy. Two devices can be developed to assist in the treatment of epilepsy. The first is a microcomputer-based system designed to process massive amounts of electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected during long-term monitoring of patients for the purpose of diagnosing seizures, assessing the effectiveness of medical therapy, or selecting patients for epilepsy surgery. Such a device would select and display important EEG events. Currently many such events are missed. A second device could be implanted and would detect seizures and initiate therapy. Both of these devices require a reliable seizure detection algorithm. A new algorithm is described. It is believed to represent an improvement over existing seizure detection algorithms because better signal features were selected and better standardization methods were used