Large-volume lava flow fields on Venus: Dimensions and morphology

Of all the volcanic features identified in Magellan images, by far the most extensive and really important are lava flow fields. Neglecting the widespread lava plains themselves, practically every C1-MIDR produced so far contains several or many discrete lava flow fields. These range in size from a few hundred square kilometers in area (like those fields associated with small volcanic edifices for example), through all sizes up to several hundred thousand square kilometers in extent (such as many rift related fields). Most of these are related to small, intermediate, or large-scale volcanic edifices, coronae, arachnoids, calderas, fields of small shields, and rift zones. An initial survey of 40 well-defined flow fields with areas greater than 50,000 sq km (an arbitrary bound) has been undertaken. Following Columbia River Basalt terminology, these have been termed great flow fields. This represents a working set of flow fields, chosen to cover a variety of morphologies, sources, locations, and characteristics. The initial survey is intended to highlight representative flow fields, and does not represent a statistical set. For each flow field, the location, total area, flow length, flow widths, estimated flow thicknesses, estimated volumes, topographic slope, altitude, backscatter, emissivity, morphology, and source has been noted. The flow fields range from about 50,000 sq km to over 2,500,000 sq km in area, with most being several hundred square kilometers in extent. Flow lengths measure between 140 and 2840 km, with the majority of flows being several hundred kilometers long. A few basic morphological types have been identified

Noncommutative geometry, topology and the standard model vacuum

As a ramification of a motivational discussion for previous joint work, in which equations of motion for the finite spectral action of the Standard Model were derived, we provide a new analysis of the results of the calculations herein, switching from the perspective of Spectral triple to that of Fredholm module and thus from the analogy with Riemannian geometry to the pre-metrical structure of the Noncommutative geometry. Using a suggested Noncommutative version of Morse theory together with algebraic $K$-theory to analyse the vacuum solutions, the first two summands of the algebra for the finite triple of the Standard Model arise up to Morita equivalence. We also demonstrate a new vacuum solution whose features are compatible with the physical mass matrix.Comment: 24 page

Magellan: Preliminary description of Venus surface geologic units

Observations from approximately one-half of the Magellan nominal eight-month mission to map Venus are summarized. Preliminary compilation of initial geologic observations of the planet reveals a surface dominated by plains that are characterized by extensive and intensive volcanism and tectonic deformation. Four broad categories of units have been identified: plains units, linear belts, surficial units, and terrain units

Sheet flow fields on Venus

A survey of flow fields with areas greater than 50,000 sq km revealed fields with sheet-like morphology. These sheet flow fields are distinguished by their relatively uniform backscatter, lack of internal flow structure such as well defined lava streams or channels, absence of flow lobes, and irregular boundaries. Internal flow boundaries are essentially absent in these fields, and as such they cannot usually be divided into separate stratigraphic units or eruptive episodes. This is unlike other flow fields with more digitate morphologies, which are made up of discrete flow lobes, and can usually be divided into several episodes of flow emplacement. Five sheet flow fields were studied so far, and other candidates were found. A flow field associated with Lauma Dorsa is taken as an example and examined in detail

The IBI1 receptor of β-aminobutyric acid interacts with VOZ transcription factors to regulate abscisic acid signaling and callose-associated defense

External and internal signals can prime the plant immune system for a faster and/or stronger response to pathogen attack. β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is an endogenous stress metabolite that induces broad-spectrum disease resistance in plants. BABA perception in Arabidopsis is mediated by the aspartyl tRNA synthetase IBI1, which activates priming of multiple immune responses, including callose-associated cell wall defenses that are under control by abscisic acid (ABA). However, the immediate signaling components after BABA perception by IBI1, as well as the regulatory role of ABA therein, remain unknown. Here, we have studied the early signaling events controlling IBI1-dependent BABA-induced resistance (BABA-IR), using untargeted transcriptome and protein interaction analyses. Transcriptome analysis revealed that IBI1-dependent expression of BABA-IR against the biotrophic oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis is associated with suppression of ABA-inducible abiotic stress genes. Protein interaction studies identified the VOZ1 and VOZ2 transcription factors (TFs) as IBI1-interacting partners, which are transcriptionally induced by ABA but suppress pathogen-induced expression of ABA-dependent genes. Furthermore, we show that VOZ TFs require nuclear localization for their contribution to BABA-IR by mediating augmented expression of callose-associated defense. Collectively, our study indicates that the IBI1-VOZ signaling module channels pathogen-induced ABA signaling toward cell wall defense while simultaneously suppressing abiotic stress-responsive genes

Scalloped margin domes: What are the processes responsible and how do they operate?

Studies of scalloped margin domes (SMD) indicate the scallops are the result of slope failure. SMD's have similar but smaller average diameters (26.5 km) to unmodified domes (29.8 km), and the majority plot at altitudes ranging from 0.5-4.7 km, relative to the mean planetary diameter. A range of morphological types exist from those least modified to those that show heavy modification. Of the 200 SMD's examined, 33 have clearly discernible debris aprons. Examination and comparison of debris aprons with mass movement features on the Moon, Mars, and in sub-aerial and submarine environments on Earth using H/L against area (km(sup 2)), suggests there are three main types of failure; debris avalanche, slumps, and debris flow. The five examples representing the morphological range within the SMD's, show the different modified forms and the different types of slope failures that have occurred

Calculation of energy levels and transition amplitudes for barium and radium

The radium atom is a promising system for studying parity and time invariance violating weak interactions. However, available experimental spectroscopic data for radium is insufficient for designing an optimal experimental setup. We calculate the energy levels and transition amplitudes for radium states of significant interest. Forty states corresponding to all possible configurations consisting of the $7s$, $7p$ and $6d$ single-electron states as well as the states of the $7s8s$, $7s8p$ and $7s7d$ configurations have been calculated. The energies of ten of these states corresponding to the $6d^2$, $7s8s$, $7p^2$, and $6d7p$ configurations are not known from experiment. Calculations for barium are used to control the accuracy.Comment: 12 pages, 4 table

Two-point model for electron transport in EBT

The electron transport in EBT is simulated by a two-point model corresponding to the central plasma and the edge. The central plasma is assumed to obey neoclassical collisionless transport. The edge plasma is assumed turbulent and modeled by Bohm diffusion. The steady-state temperatures and densities in both regions are obtained as functions of neutral influx and microwave power. It is found that as the neutral influx decreases and power increases, the edge density decreases while the core density increases. We conclude that if ring instability is responsible for the T-M mode transition, and if stability is correlated with cold electron density at the edge, it will depend sensitively on ambient gas pressure and microwave power

Emplacement of Xenolith Nodules in the Kaupulehu Lava Flow, Hualalai Volcano, Hawaii

The basaltic Kaupulehu 1800-1801 lava flow of Hualalai Volcano, Hawaii contains abundant ultramafic xenoliths. Many of these xenoliths occur as bedded layers of semi-rounded nodules, each thinly coated with a veneer (typically 1 mm thick) of lava. The nodule beds are analogous to cobble deposits of fluvial sedimentary systems. Although several mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of the nodule beds, it was found that, at more than one locality, the nodule beds are overbank levee deposits. The geological occurrence of the nodules, certain diagnostic aspects of the flow morphology and consideration of the inferred emplacement process indicate that the Kaupulehu flow had an exceptionally low viscosity on eruption and that the flow of the lava stream was extremely rapid, with flow velocities of at least 10 m/s (more than 40 km/h. This flow is the youngest on Hualalai Volcano and future eruptions of a similar type would pose considerable hazard to life as well as property