Experimental Investigation of Gully Formation Under Low Pressure and Low Temperature Conditions

International audienceIntroduction: A large morphological diversity of gullies is observed on Earth and on Mars. Debris flow – a non-newtonian flow comprising a sediment-water mix – is a common process attributed to gully formation on both planets [1, 2]. Many variables can influence the morphology of debris flows (grainsizes, discharge , slope, soil moisture, etc) and their respective influences are difficult to disentangle in the field. Furthermore effects specific to the martian environment have not yet been explored in detail. Some preliminary laboratory simulations have already been performed that isolate some of these variables. Cold room experiments [3] were already perfomed to test the effect of a melted surface layer on the formation of linear gullies over sand dunes. Low pressure experiments [4] were performed to test the effect of the atmospheric pressure on erosional capacity and runout distance of the flows. Our aim is to develop a new set of experiments both under Martian atmospheric pressure and terrestrial atmospheric pressure in order to reproduce the variability of the observed morphologies under well constrained experimental conditions

Characterization and mapping of surface physical properties of Mars from CRISM multi-angular data: application to Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum

The analysis of the surface texture from the particle (grain size, shape and internal structure) to its organization (surface roughness) provides information on the geological processes. CRISM multi-angular observations (varied emission angles) allow to characterize the surface scattering behavior which depends on the composition but also the material physical properties (e.g., grain size, shape, internal structure, the surface roughness). After an atmospheric correction by the Multi-angle Approach for Retrieval of the Surface Reflectance from CRISM Observations, the surface reflectances at different geometries are analyzed by inverting the Hapke photometric model depending on the single scattering albedo, the 2-term phase function, the macroscopic roughness and the 2-term opposition effects. Surface photometric maps are created to observe the spatial variations of surface scattering properties as a function of geological units at the CRISM spatial resolution (200m/pixel). An application at the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) landing sites located at Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum where orbital and in situ observations are available, is presented. Complementary orbital observations (e.g. CRISM spectra, THermal EMission Imaging System, High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment images) are used for interpreting the estimated Hapke photometric parameters in terms of physical properties. The in situ observations are used as ground truth to validate the interpretations. Varied scattering properties are observed inside a CRISM observation (5x10km) suggesting that the surfaces are controlled by local geological processes (e.g. volcanic resurfacing, aeolian and impact processes) rather than regional or global. Consistent results with the in situ observations are observed thus validating the approach and the use of photometry for the characterization of Martian surface physical properties

Ice-Enriched Loess and the Formation of Periglacial Terrain in Mid-Utopia Planitia, Mars

Landforms suggestive of periglacial processes are commonplace in mid-Utopia Planitia, Mars. They form syngenetically in ground-ice comprised of loess transported by katabatic wind from the NPLDs and enriched by ice through the thaw-freeze cycling of obliquity-driven precipitation

Spatial multi-criteria decision analysis to predict suitability for African swine fever endemicity in Africa

Background African swine fever (ASF) is endemic in several countries of Africa and may pose a risk to all pig producing areas on the continent. Official ASF reporting is often rare and there remains limited awareness of the continent-wide distribution of the disease. In the absence of accurate ASF outbreak data and few quantitative studies on the epidemiology of the disease in Africa, we used spatial multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to derive predictions of the continental distribution of suitability for ASF persistence in domestic pig populations as part of sylvatic or domestic transmission cycles. In order to incorporate the uncertainty in the relative importance of different criteria in defining suitability, we modelled decisions within the MCDA framework using a stochastic approach. The predictive performance of suitability estimates was assessed via a partial ROC analysis using ASF outbreak data reported to the OIE since 2005. Results Outputs from the spatial MCDA indicate that large areas of sub-Saharan Africa may be suitable for ASF persistence as part of either domestic or sylvatic transmission cycles. Areas with high suitability for pig to pig transmission (‘domestic cycles’) were estimated to occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa, whilst areas with high suitability for introduction from wildlife reservoirs (‘sylvatic cycles’) were found predominantly in East, Central and Southern Africa. Based on average AUC ratios from the partial ROC analysis, the predictive ability of suitability estimates for domestic cycles alone was considerably higher than suitability estimates for sylvatic cycles alone, or domestic and sylvatic cycles in combination. Conclusions This study provides the first standardised estimates of the distribution of suitability for ASF transmission associated with domestic and sylvatic cycles in Africa. We provide further evidence for the utility of knowledge-driven risk mapping in animal health, particularly in data-sparse environments.</p

Risk mapping for HPAI H5N1 in Africa - Improving surveillance for virulent bird flu: Final report and maps

More than 85 percent of households in rural Africa raise poultry for food, income, or both, and many people live in close contact with their birds. The possibility of an epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is therefore a major concern. Since 2006 bird fl u has been introduced into at least 11 countries in Africa, and over 600 outbreaks reported. Vigilance is key to limiting the disease but animal health personnel cannot monitor everywhere at once. This risk-mapping project was designed to help prioritize their efforts by showing in which places outbreaks are more likely to occur. A risk map is a complex, computer-generated image that shows the spatial distribution of the predicted risk of a disease. It is based on the spatial distribution of “risk factors” associated with an increased risk of disease, and the relative importance of each of these factors. In the case of virulent bird fl u, risk factors include major transport routes, markets where poultry may be traded, and wetlands with the possibility of contact between poultry and wild birds. Researchers in this project have prepared risk maps for bird fl u in Africa using multi-criteria decision modeling (MCDM). In this way they have integrated data and information from such diverse sources as published scientific literature, maps available in the public domain, field surveys and expert consultations

Virtual Electrode Design for Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes

Microstructural characteristics of lithium‐ion battery cathodes determine their performance. Thus, modern simulation tools are increasingly important for the custom design of multiphase cathodes. This work presents a new method for generating virtual, yet realistic cathode microstructures. A precondition is a 3D template of a commercial cathode, reconstructed via focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) tomography and appropriate algorithms. The characteristically shaped micrometer‐sized active material (AM) particles and agglomerates of nano‐sized carbon‐binder (CB) particles are individually extracted from the voxel‐based templates. Thereby, a library of roughly 1100 AM particles and 20 CB agglomerates is created. Next, a virtual cathode microstructure is predefined, and representative sets of AM particles and CB agglomerates are built. The following re‐assembly of AM particles within a predefined volume box works using dropping and rolling algorithms. Thereby, one can generate cathodes with specified characteristics, such as the volume fraction of AM, CB and pore space, particle‐size distributions, and gradients thereof. Naturally, such a virtual twin is a promising starting point for physics‐based electrochemical performance models. The workflow from the commercial cathode microstructure through to a full virtual twin will be explained and assessed for a blend cathode made of the two AMs, LiNiCoAlO$_{2}$ (NCA) and LiCoO$_{2}$ (LCO)

Amélioration de la surveillance de l’influenza aviaire de type H5N1 - Cartographie du risque d’influenza aviaire de type H5N1 en Afrique: Rapport final et cartes de risqué d’influenza aviaire

Plus de 85% des ménages ruraux en Afrique élèvent la volaille aux fins d’alimentation, de revenu ou les deux, et de nombreuses personnes vivent en contact étroit avec leurs oiseaux. La possibilité d’une épidémie de l’influenza aviaire hautement pathogène (IAHP) de type H5N1 est donc une grande préoccupation. Depuis 2006, la grippe aviaire est apparue dans au moins 11 pays africains et plus de 600 foyers d’épidémie ont été signalés. La vigilance est essentielle en vue de limiter la maladie mais le personnel de santé animale ne peut faire un suivi partout à la fois. Ce projet de cartographie de facteurs de risques a été conçu en vue d’aider à prioriser leurs efforts en indiquant les lieux où il existe un risque très élevé de flambées de la maladie. La cartographie des risques est une image complexe générée par ordinateur qui montre la répartition spatiale des facteurs de risques prévus d’une maladie. Elle est fondée sur la répartition spatiale des « facteurs de risques » associés au risque accru de maladie et à l’importance relative de chacun de ces facteurs. Dans le cas d’une grippe aviaire de type H5N1, les facteurs de risques sont les principales voies de transport, les marchés de volailles et les points d’eau avec possibilité de contact entre les oiseaux domestiques et sauvages. Pour ce projet, les chercheurs ont préparé des cartes de risques de grippe aviaire en Afrique en utilisant la modélisation de décision multicritères (MCDM). De cette façon, ils ont intégré les données et les informations de diverses sources telles que les publications scientifi ques, les cartes disponibles dans le domaine public, les études de terrain et les consultations d’expert

Small-scale pig farmers’ behavior, silent release of African swine fever virus and consequences for disease spread

The expanding distribution of African swine fever (ASF) is threatening the pig industry worldwide. Most outbreaks occur in backyard and small-scale herds, where poor farmers often attempt to limit the disease’s economic consequences by the emergency sale of their pigs. The risk of African swine fever virus (ASFV) release via this emergency sale was investigated. Simulation modeling was used to study ASFV transmission in backyard and small-scale farms as well as the emergency sale of pigs, and the potential impact of improving farmers and traders’ clinical diagnosis ability–its timeliness and/or accuracy–was assessed. The risk of ASFV release was shown to be high, and improving farmers’ clinical diagnosis ability does not appear sufficient to effectively reduce this risk. Estimates obtained also showed that the distribution of herd size within the backyard and small-scale sectors influences the relative contribution of these farms to the risk of release of infected pigs. These findings can inform surveillance and control programs

Mars Analog Site Study (MASS)

Many proposed missions to Mars involve landing vehicles, including the Mars 94/96 (Russia), Mars Environmental Survey (MESUR, US), and the Marsnet (ESA) missions. Most landers involve in situ measurements of rock and soil compositions, study of local geology by imaging, and establishment of seismic and meteorological networks. The selection of landing sites on Mars is a complex process that must meet engineering constraints and scientific objectives, using available and anticipated data. The goal of the MASS project is to conduct an 'end-to-end' test of the site selection process using Earth analogs