Structural and Compositional Changes in the Upper Atmosphere Related to the PEDE‐2018 Dust Event on Mars as Observed by MAVEN NGIMS

The onset of the planet encircling dust event (PEDE‐2018) started around 1 June 2018 as observed by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Mars Color Imager, peaking around 7–10 July and persisting through mid‐October 2018. After the onset of the event, the upper atmosphere underwent significant changes in density and thermal structures. Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution‐Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (MAVEN NGIMS) had a good opportunity to observe these changes from the first detection in the upper atmosphere and throughout the duration of the PEDE. The compositional changes included increased density at a constant altitude for CO2 and Ar, while the O decreased from the peak throughout the decay of the bulk of the PEDE.Plain Language SummaryFrom June through October 2018 Mars experienced a planet encircling dust event (PEDE‐2018), a fairly rare event last observed in 2007. The dust storm grew from a local event to cover the entire planet and was opaque enough that so little sunlight reached the surface that the solar‐powered opportunity rover ceased operations and all attempts to re‐establish contact with it were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the orbiter Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) was able to observe changes in the upper atmosphere in the composition as a result of this globally extensive PEDE. MAVEN observed increases in both the CO2 and Ar while also observing an unexpected reduction in the O densities.Key PointsMAVEN/NGIMS observed increased of CO2 and Ar densities observed in the upper atmosphere corresponding to the peak of the dust eventUnexpected decrease in O densities in the upper atmosphere (160–250 km) was simultaneously observedComparisons between model and data results show good agreement with scale height and temperatures, further M‐GITM model revisions needed to capture circulation effectsPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154472/1/grl59716_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154472/2/grl59716.pd

Martian Thermospheric Warming Associated With the Planet Encircling Dust Event of 2018

We report the first observations of Martian thermospheric warming associated with the Planet Encircling Dust Event (PEDE) of 2018. We used dayglow observations made by the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument aboard the MAVEN spacecraft to retrieve the upper atmosphere temperature structures. Our analysis shows that the two‐cell meridional circulation pattern may be operating before the PEDE‐2018, which resulted in the cooling of lower/middle latitudes and warming at higher latitudes. However, after the onset, the existing circulation pattern gets dampened, resulted in a weaker latitudinal temperature structure. We saw that mean temperatures rose by about 20 K for the same local time after the onset of the dust storm. Our 3‐D Mars General Ionosphere Thermosphere Model calculations were able to reproduce the temperatures during the predust and early dust storm but failed to fully capture the temperature trend during the growth phase of the PEDE of 2018.Key PointsThe IUVS Observations show potential thermospheric warming associated with a global dust stormOur analysis shows active two-cell meridional circulation in the Martian thermosphere before the PEDE-2018Temperature observations show breakdown of nominal circulation during the dust stormPeer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154332/1/grl60064.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154332/2/grl60064_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154332/3/grl60064-sup-0002-Table_SI-S01.pd

The safety profile of varicella vaccine: a 10-year review

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61293/1/Galea, The Safety Profile of Varicella Vaccine a 10 Year Review.pd

Closely related Lak megaphages replicate in the microbiomes of diverse animals

Lak phages with alternatively coded ∼540 kbp genomes were recently reported to replicate in Prevotella in microbiomes of humans that consume a non-western diet, baboons and pigs. Here, we explore Lak phage diversity and broader distribution using diagnostic PCR and genome-resolved metagenomics. Lak phages were detected in 13 animal types, including reptiles, and are particularly prevalent in pigs. Tracking Lak through the pig gastrointestinal tract revealed significant enrichment in the hindgut compared to the foregut. We reconstructed 34 new Lak genomes, including six curated complete genomes, all of which are alternatively coded. An anomalously large (∼660 kbp) complete genome reconstructed for the most deeply branched Lak from a horse microbiome is also alternatively coded. From the Lak genomes, we identified proteins associated with specific animal species; notably, most have no functional predictions. The presence of closely related Lak phages in diverse animals indicates facile distribution coupled to host-specific adaptation

Clades of huge phages from across Earth's ecosystems.

Bacteriophages typically have small genomes1 and depend on their bacterial hosts for replication2. Here we sequenced DNA from diverse ecosystems and found hundreds of phage genomes with lengths of more than 200 kilobases (kb), including a genome of 735 kb, which is-to our knowledge-the largest phage genome to be described to date. Thirty-five genomes were manually curated to completion (circular and no gaps). Expanded genetic repertoires include diverse and previously undescribed CRISPR-Cas systems, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification enzymes, translation-initiation and elongation factors, and ribosomal proteins. The CRISPR-Cas systems of phages have the capacity to silence host transcription factors and translational genes, potentially as part of a larger interaction network that intercepts translation to redirect biosynthesis to phage-encoded functions. In addition, some phages may repurpose bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems to eliminate competing phages. We phylogenetically define the major clades of huge phages from human and other animal microbiomes, as well as from oceans, lakes, sediments, soils and the built environment. We conclude that the large gene inventories of huge phages reflect a conserved biological strategy, and that the phages are distributed across a broad bacterial host range and across Earth's ecosystems

Clades of huge phages from across Earth's ecosystems

Bacteriophages typically have small genomes and depend on their bacterial hosts for replication. Here we sequenced DNA from diverse ecosystems and found hundreds of phage genomes with lengths of more than 200 kilobases (kb), including a genome of 735 kb, which is-to our knowledge-the largest phage genome to be described to date. Thirty-five genomes were manually curated to completion (circular and no gaps). Expanded genetic repertoires include diverse and previously undescribed CRISPR-Cas systems, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification enzymes, translation-initiation and elongation factors, and ribosomal proteins. The CRISPR-Cas systems of phages have the capacity to silence host transcription factors and translational genes, potentially as part of a larger interaction network that intercepts translation to redirect biosynthesis to phage-encoded functions. In addition, some phages may repurpose bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems to eliminate competing phages. We phylogenetically define the major clades of huge phages from human and other animal microbiomes, as well as from oceans, lakes, sediments, soils and the built environment. We conclude that the large gene inventories of huge phages reflect a conserved biological strategy, and that the phages are distributed across a broad bacterial host range and across Earth's ecosystems