Speleogenetic Evolution and Geological Remote Sensing of the Gypsum Plain, Eddy County, New Mexico

Permian evaporites of the Gypsum Plain region of the Delaware Basin host extensive karst phenomena, as well as unique diagenetic alterations of host strata. Because of the complex, poorly understood hydrogeologic system, little has been established concerning the relation and evolution of the overprinted, modern and ancient karst manifestations within the Gypsum Plain, as a whole. Through a combination of traditional field studies and the development of improved remote sensing methodologies, this study established the speleogenetic evolution of the Gypsum Plain in relation to the greater tectonic, stratigraphic, hydrogeologic and climatic history of the Delaware Basin. Emphasis was focused on a 100 km2 area of the Gypsum Plain in Eddy County, New Mexico, for the presence of all characteristic evaporite karst manifestations previously reported for the region, including epikarst, epigene caves, hypogene caves, intrastratal brecciation, calcitization and sulfur oxidation. Late Miocene uplift and tilting of the Delaware Basin tectonic block initiated development of dissolution and collapse of Castile strata, inducing an early phase of hypogene karsting. Renewed uplift and tilting during the latest Miocene, combined with increasing regional geothermal gradients, enabled hydrocarbon maturation, evaporite calcitization and additional hypogene porosity development. Pleistocene climate fluctuations increased denudation and exposed Castile evaporites to epigene development, while migration of the Pecos River across the area during the late Eocene enhanced karst processes. Karsting slowed with the Holocene shift to the current warm, arid climate, but solutional processes remain active with the general eastward migration of the hydrogeologic system. Traditional karst studies such as this are often costly and require months, if not years, of physical fieldwork. Preliminary identification of areas of interest through the careful evaluation of geologic maps offers a more efficient approach. However, published geologic maps of the Gypsum Plain feature little to no detail of lithologic variability, a vital attribute when dealing with phenomena dm2 to tens of m2 in area. Therefore,50 centimeter spatial resolution geologic maps were created through the classification of reflectance values of color infrared imagery of the study area in order to better constrain spatial variability in karst processes. Multispectral data was used for this purpose due to the high spatial resolution commercially/publicly available over that of hyperspectral sensor’s higher spectral resolutions and band combinations, deemed unnecessary because of the contrasting reflectance values of surface strata across the Gypsum Plain. Coupling of an improved speleogenetic evolution of the area with more accurate geologic mapping enables the development of better land management practices for karsted terrains such as the Gypsum Plain

Unravelling textural heterogeneity in obsidian:shear-induced outgassing in the Rocche Rosse flow

Obsidian flow emplacement is a complex and understudied aspect of silicic volcanism. Of particular importance is the question of how highly viscous magma can lose sufficient gas in order to erupt effusively as a lava flow. Using an array of methods we study the extreme textural heterogeneity of the Rocche Rosse obsidian flow in Lipari, a 2 km long, 100 m thick, ~ 800 year old lava flow, with respect to outgassing and emplacement mechanisms. 2D and 3D vesicle analyses and density measurements are used to classify the lava into four textural types: ‘glassy’ obsidian ( 40% vesicles), high aspect ratio, ‘shear banded’ lava (20-40% vesicles) and low aspect ratio, ‘frothy’ obsidian with 30-60% vesicles. Textural heterogeneity is observed on all scales (m to μm) and occurs as the result of strongly localised strain. Magnetic fabric, described by oblate and prolate susceptibility ellipsoids, records high and variable degrees of shearing throughout the flow. Total water contents are derived using both thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy to quantify primary (magmatic) and secondary (meteoric) water. Glass water contents are between 0.08 - 0.25 wt.%. Water analysis also reveals an increase in water content from glassy obsidian bands towards ‘frothy’ bands of 0.06 - 0.08 wt.%, reflecting preferential vesiculation of higher water bands and an extreme sensitivity of obsidian degassing to water content. We present an outgassing model that reconciles textural, volatile and magnetic data to indicate that obsidian is generated from multiple shear-induced outgassing cycles, whereby vesicular magma outgasses and densifies through bubble collapse and fracture healing to form obsidian, which then re-vesiculates to produce ‘dry’ vesicular magma. Repetition of this cycle throughout magma ascent results in the low water contents of the Rocche Rosse lavas and the final stage in the degassing cycle determines final lava porosity. Heterogeneities in lava rheology (vesicularity, water content, microlite content, viscosity) play a vital role in the structural evolution of an obsidian flow and overprint flow-scale morphology. Post-emplacement hydration also depends heavily on local strain, whereby connectivity of vesicles as a result of shear deformation governs sample rehydration by meteoric water, a process previously correlated to lava vesicularity alone

Behavioral Immunity Suppresses an Epizootic in Caribbean Spiny Lobsters

Sociality has evolved in a wide range of animal taxa but infectious diseases spread rapidly in populations of aggregated individuals, potentially negating the advantages of their social interactions. To disengage from the coevolutionary struggle with pathogens, some hosts have evolved various forms of behavioral immunity ; yet, the effectiveness of such behaviors in controlling epizootics in the wild is untested. Here we show how one form of behavioral immunity (i.e., the aversion of diseased conspecifics) practiced by Caribbean spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) when subject to the socially transmitted PaV1 virus, appears to have prevented an epizootic over a large seascape. We capitalized on a natural experiment in which a die-off of sponges in the Florida Keys (USA) resulted in a loss of shelters for juvenile lobsters over a ~2500km2 region. Lobsters were thus concentrated in the few remaining shelters, presumably increasing their exposure to the contagious virus. Despite this spatial reorganization of the population, viral prevalence in lobsters remained unchanged after the sponge die-off and for years thereafter. A field experiment in which we introduced either a healthy or PaV1-infected lobster into lobster aggregations in natural dens confirmed that spiny lobsters practice behavioral immunity. Healthy lobsters vacated dens occupied by PaV1-infected lobsters despite the scarcity of alternative shelters and the higher risk of predation they faced when searching for a new den. Simulations from a spatially-explicit, individual-based model confirmed our empirical results, demonstrating the efficacy of behavioral immunity in preventing epizootics in this system

Tuning heterologous glucan biosynthesis in yeast to understand and exploit plant starch diversity

Background: Starch, a vital plant-derived polysaccharide comprised of branched glucans, is essential in nutrition and many industrial applications. Starch is often modified post-extraction to alter its structure and enhance its functionality. Targeted metabolic engineering of crops to produce valuable and versatile starches requires knowledge of the relationships between starch biosynthesis, structure, and properties, but systematic studies to obtain this knowledge are difficult to conduct in plants. Here we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a testbed to dissect the functions of plant starch biosynthetic enzymes and create diverse starch-like polymers. Results: We explored yeast promoters and terminators to tune the expression levels of the starch-biosynthesis machinery from Arabidopsis thaliana. We systematically modulated the expression of each starch synthase (SS) together with a branching enzyme (BE) in yeast. Protein quantification by parallel reaction monitoring (targeted proteomics) revealed unexpected effects of glucan biosynthesis on protein abundances but showed that the anticipated broad range of SS/BE enzyme ratios was maintained during the biosynthetic process. The different SS/BE ratios clearly influenced glucan structure and solubility: The higher the SS/BE ratio, the longer the glucan chains and the more glucans were partitioned into the insoluble fraction. This effect was irrespective of the SS isoform, demonstrating that the elongation/branching ratio controls glucan properties separate from enzyme specificity. Conclusions: Our results provide a quantitative framework for the in silico design of improved starch biosynthetic processes in plants. Our study also exemplifies a workflow for the rational tuning of a complex pathway in yeast, starting from the selection and evaluation of expression modules to multi-gene assembly and targeted protein monitoring during the biosynthetic process. Keywords: Amylopectin structure; Arabidopsis thaliana; Heterologous expression in yeast; Parallel reaction monitoring, Proteomics; Starch biosynthesis; YFP reporter

Improvements in Bilateral Differences in Lean Mass and Strength in Persons with Parkinson’s Disease Presenting Unilateral Motor Symptoms

In persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD), individuals present altered motor symptoms such as rigidity, tremors and bradykinesia. These motor symptoms typically present in the early stages of PD unilaterally. Resistance training with instability (RTI) and cadence walking (CW) are effective in improving markers of fragility and motor function. The benefit of combining RTI and CW and its effects on lean mass and strength hav not been studied. PURPOSE: to examine the effects of RTI, CW and RTI+CW on lean mass in affected and unaffected sides and strength in persons with PD. METHODS: individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate PD (N=18 ( 6 female, 12 males); MHY stage=1.53 + 0.50; age = 63.67 + 7.23 y; BMI = 27.38 + 3.88 kg/m2) were randomized into RTI, CW or RTI+CW exercise groups for 8-weeks. RTI and CW were performed 3 days/week and RTI+CW was performed 4 days/week (2 days RTI and 2 days CW). RTI included full-body machine and free-weight exercises with volume (reps and sets) and instability progressions. CW included volume (time) and intensity (speed) progressions for 8-weeks. DXA scans and strength assessments were performed at pre- and post-assessments. RESULTS: A significant difference was present between affected and unaffected sides of lean mass in the upper and lower body of PD participants, with the unaffected side averaging more lean mass for all groups. The average lean mass at pre-assessments in the unaffected arm was 2.92 + 1.05 kg versus the affected arm at 2.80 + 0.99 kg, p=0.043. The difference in the unaffected and affected arms’ lean mass decreased and was no longer significant at post-assessments (unaffected 2.9 + 1.01 kg and affected 2.88 + 1.00 kg, p=0.165), indicating a significant time effect. There was not a significant difference in lean mass for the affected and unaffected legs. A significant group x time effect was observed for RTI and RTI+CW in comparison to CW alone for lean mass differences in affected and unaffected arms at post-assessments (p=0.048 and p=0.44). A significant difference was noted between RTI and RTI+CW in comparison to CW alone in chest press improvements at post-assessments (RTI 30.00 + 16.43 lbs, CW 7.50 + 11.29 lbs, p=0.033 and RTI+CW 18.33 + 7.53 lbs, p=0.47). Interestingly, no group differences in leg press were noted. CONCLUSION: Bilateral differences exist in lean mass DXA results in the affected and unaffected arms of persons with PD who present motor symptoms unilaterally. The bilateral differences in lean mass are improved in RTI and RTI+CW but not in CW alone

Supporting Family Physician Maternity Care Providers

Maternity care access in the United States is in crisis. The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology projects that by 2030 there will be a nationwide shortage of 9,000 obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs). Midwives and OB/GYNs have been called upon to address this crisis, yet in underserved areas, family physicians are often providing a majority of this care. Family medicine maternity care, a natural fit for the discipline, has been on sharp decline in recent years for many reasons including difficulties cultivating interdisciplinary relationships, navigating privileging, developing and maintaining adequate volume/competency, and preventing burnout. In 2016 and 2017, workshops were held among family medicine educators with resultant recommendations for essential strategies to support family physician maternity care providers. This article summarizes these strategies, provides guidance, and highlights the role family physicians have in addressing maternity care access for the underserved as well as presenting innovative ideas to train and retain rural family physician maternity care providers

Subcellular localization of the antidepressant-sensitive norepinephrine transporter

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reuptake of synaptic norepinephrine (NE) via the antidepressant-sensitive NE transporter (NET) supports efficient noradrenergic signaling and presynaptic NE homeostasis. Limited, and somewhat contradictory, information currently describes the axonal transport and localization of NET in neurons.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We elucidate NET localization in brain and superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, aided by a new NET monoclonal antibody, subcellular immunoisolation techniques and quantitative immunofluorescence approaches. We present evidence that axonal NET extensively colocalizes with syntaxin 1A, and to a limited degree with SCAMP2 and synaptophysin. Intracellular NET in SCG axons and boutons also quantitatively segregates from the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), findings corroborated by organelle isolation studies. At the surface of SCG boutons, NET resides in both lipid raft and non-lipid raft subdomains and colocalizes with syntaxin 1A.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings support the hypothesis that SCG NET is segregated prior to transport from the cell body from proteins comprising large dense core vesicles. Once localized to presynaptic boutons, NET does not recycle via VMAT2-positive, small dense core vesicles. Finally, once NET reaches presynaptic plasma membranes, the transporter localizes to syntaxin 1A-rich plasma membrane domains, with a portion found in cholera toxin-demarcated lipid rafts. Our findings indicate that activity-dependent insertion of NET into the SCG plasma membrane derives from vesicles distinct from those that deliver NE. Moreover, NET is localized in presynaptic membranes in a manner that can take advantage of regulatory processes targeting lipid raft subdomains.</p

Searching for a Hypervelocity White Dwarf Companion: A Proper Motion Survey of SN 1006

Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) are securely understood to come from the thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf as a result of binary interaction, but the nature of that binary interaction and the secondary object is uncertain. Recently, a double white dwarf model known as the dynamically driven double-degenerate double-detonation (D6) model has become a promising explanation for these events. One realization of this scenario predicts that the companion may survive the explosion and reside within the remnant as a fast moving ($V_{peculiar} >1000$ km s$^{-1}$), overluminous ($L > 0.1 L_\odot$) white dwarf. Recently, three objects which appear to have these unusual properties have been discovered in the Gaia survey. We obtained photometric observations of the SN Ia remnant SN 1006 with the Dark Energy Camera over four years to attempt to discover a similar star. We present a deep, high precision astrometric proper motion survey of the interior stellar population of the remnant. We rule out the existence of a high proper motion object consistent with our tested realization of the D6 scenario ($V_{transverse} > 600$ km s$^{-1}$ with $m_r 0.0176 L_\odot$). We conclude that such a star does not exist within the remnant, or is hidden from detection by either strong localized dust or the unlikely possibility of ejection from the binary system near parallel to the line of sight.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figure

HIV Infection Linked to Injection Use of Oxymorphone in Indiana, 2014-2015

BACKGROUND: In January 2015, a total of 11 new diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were reported in a small community in Indiana. We investigated the extent and cause of the outbreak and implemented control measures. METHODS: We identified an outbreak-related case as laboratory-confirmed HIV infection newly diagnosed after October 1, 2014, in a person who either resided in Scott County, Indiana, or was named by another case patient as a syringe-sharing or sexual partner. HIV polymerase (pol) sequences from case patients were phylogenetically analyzed, and potential risk factors associated with HIV infection were ascertained. RESULTS: From November 18, 2014, to November 1, 2015, HIV infection was diagnosed in 181 case patients. Most of these patients (87.8%) reported having injected the extended-release formulation of the prescription opioid oxymorphone, and 92.3% were coinfected with hepatitis C virus. Among 159 case patients who had an HIV type 1 pol gene sequence, 157 (98.7%) had sequences that were highly related, as determined by phylogenetic analyses. Contact tracing investigations led to the identification of 536 persons who were named as contacts of case patients; 468 of these contacts (87.3%) were located, assessed for risk, tested for HIV, and, if infected, linked to care. The number of times a contact was named as a syringe-sharing partner by a case patient was significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection (adjusted risk ratio for each time named, 1.9; P<0.001). In response to this outbreak, a public health emergency was declared on March 26, 2015, and a syringe-service program in Indiana was established for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: Injection-drug use of extended-release oxymorphone within a network of persons who inject drugs in Indiana led to the introduction and rapid transmission of HIV. (Funded by the state government of Indiana and others.)