Ice-rich (periglacial) vs icy (glacial) depressions in the Argyre region, Mars: a proposed cold-climate dichotomy of landforms

On Mars, so-called “scalloped depressions” are widely observed in Utopia Planitia (UP) and Malea Planum (MP). Typically, they are rimless, metres- to decametres-deep, incised sharply, tiered inwardly, polygonised and sometimes pitted. The depressions seemingly incise terrain that is icy and possibly thermokarstic, i.e. produced by the thermal destabilisation of the icy terrain. Agewise, the depressions are thought to be relatively youthful, originating in the Late Amazonian Epoch.Here, we report the presence of similar depressions in the Argyre region (AR) (30–60° S; 290–355° E). More importantly, we separate and differentiate these landforms into two groups: (ice-rich) periglacial depressions (Type-1); and, (icy) glacial depressions (Type-2a-c). This differentiation is presented to the Mars community for the first time.Based on a suite of morphological and geological characteristics synonymous with ice-complexes in the Lena Peninsula (eastern Russia) and the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands (Northwest Territories, Canada), we propose that the Type-1 depressions are ice-rich periglacial basins that have undergone volatile depletion largely by sublimation and as the result of thermal destabilisation. In keeping with the terms and associated definitions derived of terrestrial periglacial-geomorphology, ice-rich refers to permanently frozen-ground in which ice lenses or segregation ice (collectively referenced as excess ice) have formed.We suggest that the depressions are the product of a multi-step, cold-climate geochronology:(1) Atmospheric precipitation and surface accumulation of an icy mantle during recent high obliquities.(2) Regional or local triple-point conditions and thaw/evaporation of the mantle, either by exogenic forcing, i.e. obliquity-driven rises of aerial and sub-aerial temperatures, or endogenic forcing, i.e. along Argyre impact-related basement structures.(3) Meltwater migration into the regolith, at least to the full depth of the depressions.(4) Freeze-thaw cycling and the formation of excess ice.(5) Sublimation of the excess ice and depression formation as high obliquity dissipates and near-surface ice becomes unstable.The Type-2 depressions exhibit characteristics suggestive of (supra-glacial) dead-ice basins and snow/ice suncups observed in high-alpine landscapes on Earth, e.g. the Swiss Alps and the Himalayas. Like the Type-1 depressions, the Type-2 depressions could be the work of sublimation; however, the latter differ from the former in that they seem to develop within a glacial-like icy mantle that blankets the surface rather than within an ice-rich and periglacially-revised regolith at/near the surface.Interestingly, the Type-2 depressions overlie the Type-1 depressions at some locations. If the periglacial/glacial morphological and stratigraphical dichotomy of depressions is valid, then this points to recent glaciation at some locations within the AR being precursed by at least one episode of periglaciation. This also suggests that periglaciation has a deeper history in the region than has been thought hitherto. Moreover, if the hypothesised differences amongst the Argyre-based depressions are mirrored in Utopia Planitia and Malea Planum, then perhaps this periglacial-glacial dichotomy and its associated geochronology are as relevant to understanding late period landscape-evolution in these two regions as it is in the AR

Study of the Mg-Nd alloy obtained by electrolysis in molten oxifluoride media

Mg-Nd alloys have been produced by electrolysis of the molten mixture LiF-NdF3-MgF2 using Nd2(CO3)3 and MgF2 as raw materials. An electrolysis cell was designed having the anode made of super dense graphite and the cathode made of molybdenum metal. The quasi-binary system (NdF3-LiF)eutectic-MgF2 was investigated and the liquidus line was determined using thermo-differential analysis. The solubility of Nd2(CO3)3 in the LiF-NdF3-MgF2 system was investigated by the carbothermal technique

Effectiveness of Hindman's theorem for bounded sums

We consider the strength and effective content of restricted versions of Hindman's Theorem in which the number of colors is specified and the length of the sums has a specified finite bound. Let $\mathsf{HT}^{\leq n}_k$ denote the assertion that for each $k$-coloring $c$ of $\mathbb{N}$ there is an infinite set $X \subseteq \mathbb{N}$ such that all sums $\sum_{x \in F} x$ for $F \subseteq X$ and $0 < |F| \leq n$ have the same color. We prove that there is a computable $2$-coloring $c$ of $\mathbb{N}$ such that there is no infinite computable set $X$ such that all nonempty sums of at most $2$ elements of $X$ have the same color. It follows that $\mathsf{HT}^{\leq 2}_2$ is not provable in $\mathsf{RCA}_0$ and in fact we show that it implies $\mathsf{SRT}^2_2$ in $\mathsf{RCA}_0$. We also show that there is a computable instance of $\mathsf{HT}^{\leq 3}_3$ with all solutions computing $0'$. The proof of this result shows that $\mathsf{HT}^{\leq 3}_3$ implies $\mathsf{ACA}_0$ in $\mathsf{RCA}_0$

Frontiers of antifibrotic therapy in systemic sclerosis

Although fibrosis is becoming increasingly recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in modern societies, targeted anti-fibrotic therapies are still not approved for most fibrotic disorders. However, intense research over the last decade has improved our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases. We now appreciate fibrosis as the consequence of a persistent tissue repair responses, which, in contrast to normal wound healing, fails to be effectively terminated. Profibrotic mediators released from infiltrating leukocytes, activated endothelial cells and degranulated platelets may predominantly drive fibroblast activation and collagen release in early stages, whereas endogenous activation of fibroblasts due epigenetic modifications and biomechanical or physical factors such as stiffening of the extracellular matrix and hypoxia may play pivotal role for disease progression in later stages. In the present review, we discuss novel insights into the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases using systemic sclerosis (SSc) as example for an idiopathic, multisystem disorder. We set a strong translational focus and predominantly discuss approaches with very high potential for rapid transfer from bench-to-bedside. We highlight the molecular basis for ongoing clinical trials in SSc and also provide an outlook on upcoming trials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Dislocation core field. I. Modeling in anisotropic linear elasticity theory

Aside from the Volterra field, dislocations create a core field, which can be modeled in linear anisotropic elasticity theory with force and dislocation dipoles. We derive an expression of the elastic energy of a dislocation taking full account of its core field and show that no cross term exists between the Volterra and the core fields. We also obtain the contribution of the core field to the dislocation interaction energy with an external stress, thus showing that dislocation can interact with a pressure. The additional force that derives from this core field contribution is proportional to the gradient of the applied stress. Such a supplementary force on dislocations may be important in high stress gradient regions, such as close to a crack tip or in a dislocation pile-up

Universal fluctuations in subdiffusive transport

Subdiffusive transport in tilted washboard potentials is studied within the fractional Fokker-Planck equation approach, using the associated continuous time random walk (CTRW) framework. The scaled subvelocity is shown to obey a universal law, assuming the form of a stationary Levy-stable distribution. The latter is defined by the index of subdiffusion alpha and the mean subvelocity only, but interestingly depends neither on the bias strength nor on the specific form of the potential. These scaled, universal subvelocity fluctuations emerge due to the weak ergodicity breaking and are vanishing in the limit of normal diffusion. The results of the analytical heuristic theory are corroborated by Monte Carlo simulations of the underlying CTRW