Controls on development and diversity of Early Archean stromatolites

The ≈3,450-million-year-old Strelley Pool Formation in Western Australia contains a reef-like assembly of laminated sedimentary accretion structures (stromatolites) that have macroscale characteristics suggestive of biological influence. However, direct microscale evidence of biology—namely, organic microbial remains or biosedimentary fabrics—has to date eluded discovery in the extensively-recrystallized rocks. Recently-identified outcrops with relatively good textural preservation record microscale evidence of primary sedimentary processes, including some that indicate probable microbial mat formation. Furthermore, we find relict fabrics and organic layers that covary with stromatolite morphology, linking morphologic diversity to changes in sedimentation, seafloor mineral precipitation, and inferred microbial mat development. Thus, the most direct and compelling signatures of life in the Strelley Pool Formation are those observed at the microscopic scale. By examining spatiotemporal changes in microscale characteristics it is possible not only to recognize the presence of probable microbial mats during stromatolite development, but also to infer aspects of the biological inputs to stromatolite morphogenesis. The persistence of an inferred biological signal through changing environmental circumstances and stromatolite types indicates that benthic microbial populations adapted to shifting environmental conditions in early oceans

Big Data and Analysis of Data Transfers for International Research Networks Using NetSage

Modern science is increasingly data-driven and collaborative in nature. Many scientific disciplines, including genomics, high-energy physics, astronomy, and atmospheric science, produce petabytes of data that must be shared with collaborators all over the world. The National Science Foundation-supported International Research Network Connection (IRNC) links have been essential to enabling this collaboration, but as data sharing has increased, so has the amount of information being collected to understand network performance. New capabilities to measure and analyze the performance of international wide-area networks are essential to ensure end-users are able to take full advantage of such infrastructure for their big data applications. NetSage is a project to develop a unified, open, privacy-aware network measurement, and visualization service to address the needs of monitoring today's high-speed international research networks. NetSage collects data on both backbone links and exchange points, which can be as much as 1Tb per month. This puts a significant strain on hardware, not only in terms storage needs to hold multi-year historical data, but also in terms of processor and memory needs to analyze the data to understand network behaviors. This paper addresses the basic NetSage architecture, its current data collection and archiving approach, and details the constraints of dealing with this big data problem of handling vast amounts of monitoring data, while providing useful, extensible visualization to end users

Report of the Terrestrial Bodies Science Working Group. Volume 5: Mars

Present knowledge of the global properties and surface characteraretics of Mars and the composition and dynamics of its atmosphere are reviewed. The objectives of proposed missions, the exploration strategy, and supporting research and technology required are delineated

Physical characteristics of soybean cultivated under the conditions of integrated agrosystems.

Abstract: Integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF) systems involve intercropping of various crops to achieve beneficial and synergistic outcomes, enhancing both economic viability and environmental sustainability. Considering the complexity of integrated agrosystems and the economic importance of soybean production in Brazil, we aimed to investigate the effects of two ICLF systems on the physical characteristics and quality of soybeans produced. The treatments comprised plots (two ha) with either single-row (ICLFS) or triple-row (ICLFT), tree configurations intercropped with soybean (maize and forage grass), and control plots (one ha), whose crops were cultivated under full sunlight (CFS). Soybeans were harvested from plants located at 3, 6, 10 and 15 m from tree bands in the north and south faces of the ICLF systems and at random positions in the CFS plots. The moisture content, electrical conductivity of the exudate solution, hue angle and chroma index of grains harvested from ICLFS and ICLFT were similar to those of CFS-grown soybeans. However, the mass of 1000 grains and the bulk density values of ICLF-grown soybeans were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those of grains harvested from CFS plots. We conclude that the quality of soybean seeds was not negatively affected by the conditions prevailing in the ICLF systems. Moreover, it appears that the forest component contributed positively to the ecosystem by providing a favorable microclimate for the development of soybean grains

An interleukin-1 polymorphism additionally intensified by atopy as prognostic factor for aseptic non-mechanical complications in metal knee and hip arthroplasty

Background: In contrast to infection or mechanical issues joint replacement failure following inflammatory adverse reactions is poorly understood. Objective: To assess the association of IL-1β polymorphisms and history of allergy with aseptic non-mechanical complications following arthroplasty. Methods: In 102 patients with aseptic non-mechanically caused symptomatic knee or hip arthroplasty (SA) and 93 patients with asymptomatic arthroplasty (AA) questionnaire-based history, patch test with at least standard series, lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) with nickel, cobalt and chromium and interleukin-1 polymorphism analysis were done. Three polymorphisms of the IL1B gene [IL-1b -3954 (rs1143634), IL-1b -511 (rs16944) and IL-1b -31 (rs1143627)] and one polymorphism of the IL1RN gene [IL1RN intron 2, variable number of tandem repeats, VNTR (rs2234663)] were assessed by PCR and gel electrophoresis. Results: We found no significant difference in smoking history and atopy but 25% versus 10% of self-reported metal allergy in SA versus AA; the patch test (respective, LTT) for metal sensitivity was more often positive in SA patients. The allele 498 bp of the IL1RN polymorphism occurred significantly more often in the SA group (37% versus 11%; p < 0.0001). Upon additional presence of atopy, the difference was even greater (60% vs 10%) (p < 0.000001). There was no association of IL-1 polymorphisms with metal allergy. Conclusion: The IL1RN VNTR allele 498 bp was strongly associated with SA. In patients with a history of atopy, presence of the IL1RN VNTR allele 498 bp led to a four-fold higher SA prevalence compared to patients without this allele

In search of phylogenetic congruence between molecular and morphological data in bryozoans with extreme adult skeletal heteromorphy

peerreview_statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope. aims_and_scope_url: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=tsab20© Crown Copyright 2015. This document is the author's final accepted/submitted version of the journal article. You are advised to consult the publisher's version if you wish to cite from it

The Kondo Effect in Non-Equilibrium Quantum Dots: Perturbative Renormalization Group

While the properties of the Kondo model in equilibrium are very well understood, much less is known for Kondo systems out of equilibrium. We study the properties of a quantum dot in the Kondo regime, when a large bias voltage V and/or a large magnetic field B is applied. Using the perturbative renormalization group generalized to stationary nonequilibrium situations, we calculate renormalized couplings, keeping their important energy dependence. We show that in a magnetic field the spin occupation of the quantum dot is non-thermal, being controlled by V and B in a complex way to be calculated by solving a quantum Boltzmann equation. We find that the well-known suppression of the Kondo effect at finite V>>T_K (Kondo temperature) is caused by inelastic dephasing processes induced by the current through the dot. We calculate the corresponding decoherence rate, which serves to cut off the RG flow usually well inside the perturbative regime (with possible exceptions). As a consequence, the differential conductance, the local magnetization, the spin relaxation rates and the local spectral function may be calculated for large V,B >> T_K in a controlled way.Comment: 9 pages, invited paper for a special edition of JPSJ "Kondo Effect -- 40 Years after the Discovery", some typos correcte

Épocas de dessecação influenciam na qualidade de grãos e do óleo de soja.

Resumo: A dessecação de lavouras de soja tem sido utilizada, em algumas situações, para acelerar a senescência das plantas e o processo de secagem natural dos grãos, possibilitando escalonar e condicionar a cultura à colheita mecanizada com menor índice de perdas. Por desconhecimento ou na imi nência de períodos climáticos instáveis que impossibilitem a colheita, alguns produtores realizam a dessecação em estádios anteriores ao recomendado. Dessa forma, avaliou-se a influência da aplicação de dessecante em dife rentes estádios de maturação dos grãos de soja na qualidade dos grãos e do óleo. Duas cultivares (BRS 7980 e M8372 IPRO) foram avaliadas quanto à dessecação em cinco estádios fenológicos (R5.5, R6, R7.1 R7.3, R8.1), utilizando-se o dessecante Diquat, na safra 2018/2019. Após a colheita, os grãos foram secos, limpos e classificados. Em seguida, avaliados quanto às propriedades físicas e fisiológicas. A antecipação da dessecação reduziu a massa de mil grãos, aumentou a massa específica aparente e diminuiu a quantidade de óleo nos grãos. A aplicação do herbicida dessecante no está dio recomendado reduziu a deterioração dos grãos no campo. | Abstract: The desiccation of soybean crops has been used to accelerate plant senescence and the natural drying process of grains, allowing for the scaling and conditioning of the crop for mechanical harvesting with lower loss rates. Due to ignorance or the imminent threat of unstable weather periods that may make harvesting impossible, some producers carry out desiccation at earlier stages than recommended. In this way, the influence of desiccant application at different stages of soybean grain maturity on grain and oil quality was evaluated. Two cultivars (BRS 7980 and M8372 IPRO) were evaluated for desiccation at five phenological stages (R5.5, R6, R7.1, R7.3, R8.1) using the desiccant Diquat in the 2018/2019 season. After harvesting, the grains were dried, cleaned, and classified. Subsequently, they were evaluated for physical and physiological properties. The early desiccation reduced the mass of one thousand grains, increased the apparent specific mass, and decreased the amount of oil in the grains. The application of the desiccant herbicide at the recommended stage reduced grain deterioration in the field

Épocas de dessecação nos atributos pós-colheita de grãos de soja.

Resumo: Visando aumentar a janela de plantio da segunda safra, a aplicação de herbicida dessecante na lavoura de soja antes da maturação fisiológica dos grãos tem sido prática comum no médio norte de Mato Grosso, por parte dos produtores. Assim, objetivou-se, por meio deste trabalho, avaliar o efeito da aplicação de dessecante em diferentes estádios fenológicos da lavoura de soja nos aspectos físicos e químicos dos grãos, em Sinop-MT, durante a safra da soja 2018/19. As cultivares BRS 7980 e M 8372 IPRO foram dessecadas em cinco estádios fenológicos distintos (R5.5, R6, R7.1, R7.3, R8.1). Após a colheita, os grãos foram secos, limpos e classificados. Em seguida, determinou-se a massa específica aparente, a massa de mil grãos e os componentes de composição centesimal (fibra bruta, extrato etéreo, proteína, cinzas, carboidrato e água). A antecipação da dessecação reduziu a massa de mil grãos, aumentou a massa específica aparente e diminuiu a quantidade de óleo nos grãos. A aplicação do herbicida dessecante no estádio recomendado reduziu as injúrias causadas por patógenos nos grãos de soja das duas cultivares. | Abstract: In order to increase the planting window of the second crop, some producers have used an application of desiccant herbicide before physiological maturation of soybeans in the middle northern of Mato Grosso. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of desiccant application at different stages of maturation of soybean crops, and to evaluate the influence of this operation on physical and chemical aspects of the grains. We used grains from cultivars BRS 7980 and M 8372 IPRO. For each cultivar evaluated, desiccation occurred in five phenological stages (R5.5, R6, R7.1, R7.3, R8.1). After harvesting, the beans were dried, cleaned and classified. The anticipation of desiccation reduced the mass of a thousand grains, increased the apparent specific mass and decreased the amount of oil in the grains. The application of the desiccant herbicide at the recommended stage reduced the deterioration of the grains in the field, caused by pathogens

Origin of Life

The evolution of life has been a big enigma despite rapid advancements in the fields of biochemistry, astrobiology, and astrophysics in recent years. The answer to this puzzle has been as mind-boggling as the riddle relating to evolution of Universe itself. Despite the fact that panspermia has gained considerable support as a viable explanation for origin of life on the Earth and elsewhere in the Universe, the issue remains far from a tangible solution. This paper examines the various prevailing hypotheses regarding origin of life like abiogenesis, RNA World, Iron-sulphur World, and panspermia; and concludes that delivery of life-bearing organic molecules by the comets in the early epoch of the Earth alone possibly was not responsible for kick-starting the process of evolution of life on our planet.Comment: 32 pages, 8 figures,invited review article, minor additio