Basaltic diversity at the Apollo 12 landing site: Inferences from petrologic examinations of the soil sample 12003

A detailed petrologic survey has been made of 17 basaltic chips (sized between 1 and 10 mm) from the 12003 soil sample as part of an ongoing study of basaltic diversity at the Apollo 12 landing site. An attempt has been made to classify these samples according to the well-established grouping of olivine, pigeonite, ilmenite, and feldspathic basalts. Particular attention has been paid to variations in major, minor, and trace element mineral chemistry (determined by electron microprobe analysis and laser ablation ICP-MS), which may be indicative of particular basaltic suites and less susceptible to sampling bias than bulk sample characteristics. Examples of all three main (olivine, pigeonite, and ilmenite) basaltic suites have been identified within the 12003 soil. One sample is identified as a possible new addition to the feldspathic suite, which currently consists of only one other confirmed sample. Identification of additional feldspathic basalts strengthens the argument that they represent a poorly sampled basaltic flow local to the Apollo 12 site, rather than exotic material introduced to the site by impact mixing processes. Three samples are identified as representing members of one or two previously unrecognized basaltic suites

The petrology, geochemistry, and age of lunar regolith breccias Miller Range 090036 and 090070: insights into the crustal history of the Moon

Meteorites ejected from the surface of the Moon as a result of impact events are an important source of lunar material in addition to Apollo and Luna samples. Here, we report bulk element composition, mineral chemistry, age, and petrography of Miller Range (MIL) 090036 and 090070 lunar meteorites. MIL 090036 and 090070 are both anorthositic regolith breccias consisting of mineral fragments and lithic clasts in a glassy matrix. They are not paired and represent sampling of two distinct regions of the lunar crust that have protoliths similar to ferroan anorthosites. 40Ar-39Ar chronology performed on two subsplits of MIL 090070,33 (a pale clast impact melt and a dark glassy melt component) shows that the sample underwent two main degassing events, one at ~3.88 Ga and another at ~3.65 Ga. The cosmic ray exposure data obtained from MIL 090070 are consistent with a short (~8–9 Ma) exposure close to the lunar surface. Bulk-rock FeO, TiO2, and Th concentrations in both samples were compared with 2-degree Lunar Prospector Gamma Ray Spectrometer (LP-GRS) data sets to determine areas of the lunar surface where the regolith matches the abundances observed on the sample. We find that MIL 090036 bulk rock is compositionally most similar to regolith surrounding the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, whereas MIL 090070 best matches regolith in the feldspathic highlands terrane on the lunar farside. Our results suggest that some areas of the lunar farside crust are composed of ferroan anorthosite, and that the samples shed light on the evolution and impact bombardment history of the ancient lunar highlands

Dual Orientation of the Outer Membrane Lipoprotein P6 of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

The majority of outer membrane (OM) lipoproteins in Gram-negative bacteria are tethered to the membrane via an attached lipid moiety and oriented facing in toward the periplasmic space; a few lipoproteins have been shown to be surface exposed. The outer membrane lipoprotein P6 from the Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is surface exposed and a leading vaccine candidate for prevention of NTHi infections. However, we recently found that P6 is not a transmembrane protein as previously thought (L. V. Michel, B. Kalmeta, M. McCreary, J. Snyder, P. Craig, M. E. Pichichero, Vaccine 29:1624–1627, 2011). Here we pursued studies to show that P6 has a dual orientation, existing infrequently as surface exposed and predominantly as internally oriented toward the periplasmic space. Flow cytometry using three monoclonal antibodies with specificity for P6 showed surface staining of whole NTHi cells. Confocal microscopy imaging confirmed that antibodies targeted surface-exposed P6 of intact NTHi cells and not internal P6 in membrane-compromised or dead cells. Western blots of two wild-type NTHi strains and a mutant NTHi strain that does not express P6 showed that P6 antibodies do not detect a promiscuous epitope on NTHi. Depletion of targets to nonlipidated P6 significantly decreased bactericidal activity of human serum. Protease digestion of surface-exposed P6 demonstrated that P6 is predominantly internally localized in a manner similar to its homologue Pal in Escherichia coli. We conclude that P6 of NTHi is likely inserted into the OM in two distinct orientations, with the predominant orientation facing in toward the periplasm

Investigating the accuracy of blood oxygen saturation measurements in common consumer smartwatches

Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is an important measurement for monitoring patients with acute and chronic conditions that are associated with low blood oxygen levels. While smartwatches may provide a new method for continuous and unobtrusive SpO2 monitoring, it is necessary to understand their accuracy and limitations to ensure that they are used in a fit-for-purpose manner. To determine whether the accuracy of and ability to take SpO2 measurements from consumer smartwatches is different by device type and/or by skin tone, our study recruited patients aged 18–85 years old, with and without chronic pulmonary disease, who were able to provide informed consent. The mean absolute error (MAE), mean directional error (MDE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the smartwatches as compared to a clinical grade pulse oximeter. The percent of data unobtainable due to inability of the smartwatch to record SpO2 (missingness) was used to evaluate the measurability of SpO2 from the smartwatches. Skin tones were quantified based on the Fitzpatrick (FP) scale and Individual Typology Angle (ITA), a continuous measure of skin tone. A total of 49 individuals (18 female) were enrolled and completed the study. Using a clinical-grade pulse oximeter as the reference standard, there were statistically significant differences in accuracy between devices, with Apple Watch Series 7 having measurements closest to the reference standard (MAE = 2.2%, MDE = -0.4%, RMSE = 2.9%) and the Garmin Venu 2s having measurements farthest from the reference standard (MAE = 5.8%, MDE = 5.5%, RMSE = 6.7%). There were also significant differences in measurability across devices, with the highest data presence from the Apple Watch Series 7 (88.9% of attempted measurements were successful) and the highest data missingness from the Withings ScanWatch (only 69.5% of attempted measurements were successful). The MAE, RMSE and missingness did not vary significantly across FP skin tone groups, however, there may be a relationship between FP skin tone and MDE (intercept = 0.04, beta coefficient = 0.47, p = 0.04). No statistically significant difference was found between skin tone as measured by ITA and MAE, MDE, RMSE or missingness

Florida Atlantic Coast Telemetry (FACT) Array: A Working Partnership

The Florida Atlantic Coast Telemetry (FACT) Array is a collaborative partnership of researchers from 24 different organizations using passive acoustic telemetry to document site fidelity, habitat preferences, seasonal migration patterns, and reproductive strategies of valuable sportfish, sharks, and marine turtles. FACT partners have found that by bundling resources, they can leverage a smaller investment to track highly mobile animals beyond a study area typically restrained in scale by funds and manpower. FACT is guided by several simple rules: use of the same type of equipment, locate receivers in areas that are beneficial to all researchers when feasible, maintain strong scientific ethics by recognizing that detection data on any receiver belongs to the tag owner, do not use other members detection data without permission and acknowledge FACT in publications. Partners have access to a network of 480 receivers deployed along a continuum of habitats from freshwater rivers to offshore reefs and covers 1100 km of coastline from the Dry Tortugas, Florida to South Carolina and extends to the Bahamas. Presently, 49 species, (25 covered by Fisheries Management Plans and five covered by the Endangered Species Act) have been tagged with 2736 tags in which 1767 tags are still active

COVID-19 Survey in the Municipality of Anchorage, June 16-18: Highlights

An online survey of a panel of 295 Anchorage residents 18 years old and older was conducted June 16-18, 2020. This was the fourth survey since May 2020 conducted by the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) regarding COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The first survey in the series was a population-based cell phone survey of Anchorage residents conducted May 6-10. The second (May 20-22) third (June 2-4) and fourth (June 16-18) surveys were conducted online with a panel of participants from the first survey. Key findings from the fourth survey included: Most respondents (72%) wore a mask most or all of the time outside their home. Most (90%) spent time outside their home the day before the survey. Most (64%) supported mandating wearing masks either “now” or “later.” Almost half (47%) had physical contact with someone not in their household. Most (76%) came within six feet of someone not from their household. Most (91%) felt somewhat knowledgeable or very knowledgeable about MOA COVID-19 emergency orders. COVID-19 related risk behaviors increased among those who: o Had less than a college degree o Were younger (<45 years) o Had lower perceived threat of COVID-19 o Were less likely to bring a mask when they went out o Were less likely to wash or sanitize hands when touching things touched by others. Compared with previous surveys, more respondents are leaving their homes and coming into physical contact with others. However, most survey respondents also reported wearing masks outside their home, supported a mandate to wear masks, and did not have physical contact with others. KEY MESSAGES As a whole, panel respondents reported positive COVID-19 mitigation behaviors. Messaging could continue to employ the need for personal responsibility to reduce risk, while emphasizing community/societal responsibility and benefit. Integrated communications with key education partners (ASD, UAA, APU, etc.) could also help reach groups associated with COVID-19 related risk behaviors. To encourage increased receptiveness to mitigation behaviors, messaging could try to incorporate affinity group imagery and rhetorical framing

Second COVID-19 Panel Survey in the Municipality of Anchorage: Highlights

A panel survey of 309 Municipality of Anchorage residents was conducted via phone June 2-4, 2020. This survey was a follow-up to both a representative survey conducted May 6-10 and a panel survey conducted May 20-22. Although most Anchorage businesses have opened, the second panel survey showed that: • Most respondents (64%) did NOT have physical contact with people not in their household. • Most (70%) wore a mask most or all of the time outside their home. • Most reported being not worried or only slightly worried in many aspects of their life, having good or very good morale in their household (70%), and having low or moderate stress in their household (62%). • Perceived threat of COVID-19 significantly increased from the second to third survey. COVID-related risk behaviors remained high for certain groups including men, younger people (<45 years), those who identified as Republican, and those with children. These groups had lower perceived threat of COVID-19, lower knowledge of the COVID mandates and MOA Emergency Orders, and lower level of clarity regarding Municipality policies related to COVID compared to their counterparts. However, caution should be taken when interpreting findings related to political affiliation given that it is a complex concept that may be an indicator for other factors, including individuals’ ideology, which was not asked about in the survey. These findings mirror national research showing that ideological and political differences may play a role in perceptions and behaviors related to COVID-199 . In order to help increase perceived threat of the virus and decrease COVID-related risk behaviors, messaging from those in the same ideological and political group could help with receptiveness of the message. KEY RECOMMENDATION: Messaging as a whole should continue to focus on the continued threat of COVID-19, personal responsibility to reduce risk, and Alaskans’ ability to succeed in defeating the virus

Needs Assessment Related to COVID-19 with Special Populations: Brief Report

A total of 754 adult respondents from the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) participated in a needs assessment survey conducted between May 25, 2020 and June 30, 2020. The survey aimed to reach out to specific populations: immigrants and refugees (N=246), non-immigrant racial/ethnic minority groups (N=163), and people with disabilities (N=93) each had a large enough sample size to include in this report. The survey also aimed to reach out to LGBTQ+ populations, however, we did not collect enough surveys from people who identified as LGBTQ+ to have reliable information. Key findings from the survey included: Understand Information from MOA • Most (94%) reported being knowledgeable/somewhat knowledgeable about the Municipality’s emergency orders and changes related to COVID-19 • Most (93%) reported that the Municipality’s policies related to COVID-19 are clear/very clear. Less Risk Behaviors • Immigrants and refugees, and people with disabilities, were significantly more likely to engage in COVID-19 related protective behaviors (wearing mask, physical distancing, etc.) compared with other survey respondents. More Worried • In terms of mental health, racial/ethnic minorities and immigrants and refugees reported significantly higher levels of worry in terms of household finances, losing employment, having self or members of their household being infected by coronavirus, and having enough to eat compared with other survey respondents. Information Preferences • All three examined groups preferred receiving information about COVID-19 through Internet, television, texting, and email. • A majority of respondents for each examined demographic group reported that their primary source of information about COVID-19 were general media sources (i.e., KTUU, KTVA, ADN) and official sources of information in Alaska (health departments, Dr. Zink, governor, mayor). A majority of immigrants and refugees in the sample (81%) also got their information from social sources (family, friends, social media)