Mineralogy and deformation in some lunar samples

Observations on the mineralogy and deformation in samples of crystalline rocks, breccias, and fines from Tranquillity Base provide evidence for magmatic and impact processes. Overall homogeneity, igneous textures, and absence of xenoliths in the crystalline rocks indicate derivation from a common titanium-rich magma by internal, anorogenic volcanism rather than by impact. Crystallization conditions allowed strong compositional variation in pyroxenes, olivine, and plagioclase and the growth of a new mineral, the iron analog of pyroxmangite. Subsequently, impact produced breccias containing shock-deformed crystals and glasses of varying compositions.     

Expression profiles of immunity and reproductive genes during transition period in Holstein cattle

The transition period is a critical time for dairy cows as the animal is subjected to the physiological stress accompanying parturition. Immunosuppression and health status were examined during this period in 80 Holstein cows. Blood samples were taken from each cow 3, 2 and 1 week before and after calving, and at calving (0 day). RNA was extracted and subjected to real‐time PCR to determine mRNA levels for the immune‐related genes TLR 2, 4, 6, 7 and β‐defensin 5 in addition to the reproduction‐related genes prolactin and IGF‐I. Results showed significant up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory‐selected genes, TLR 4, 6 7 and β‐defensin 5 at the third‐week post‐calving; however, earlier periods had lower expression of such genes. In contrast, the immunosuppression biomarker TLR2 gene was up‐regulated at calving and 1 week after parturition and then down‐regulated again at second and third week. Prolactin and IGF‐I genes expression levels were significantly and gradually increased mainly post‐partum. This research highlights that the expression patterns of TLRs, BNBD5, PRL and IGF‐I could be biomarkers to follow up immune and reproductive status of dairy cow at peri‐parturient period to predict the most susceptible risk time for disease incidence and to build up management protocol.     

Garnet: first occurrence in the lunar rocks

Three grains of almandine-rich garnet isolated from lunar sample 12021 have the composition Alm(70.7)Gro(25.0)Sp(2.7)Pyr(1.6), with cell edge of 11.624 angstroms and refractive index of 1.81. The garnet probably formed late in the crystallization sequence.     

Effects of Serum Deprivation and Cycloheximide on Cell Cycle of Low and High Passage Porcine Fetal Fibroblasts

Arrest of cells in G0/G1 cell cycle phase is desired for nuclear transfer procedures. Serum starvation and cell cycle inhibitors are different ways to induce synchronization of the cell cycle. This study investigated the effects of serum starvation and cycloheximide (CHX) on the cell cycle of low (5th) and high (15th) passages fetal porcine fibroblasts. Cell cycle phases were determined using fluorescent activated cell sorting. Fifth passage fibroblast cultures had higher (p < 0.05) proportion of cells in G0/G1 only after 72 h of serum starvation (77.60 ± 0.65) when compared with non‐starved cells (71.44 ± 1.88). Serum starvation for all periods tested induced an increase (p < 0.05) on proportion of cells in G0/G1 on the 15th passage. No significant differences were observed on the 5th passage cultures exposed to CHX, although, on the 15th passage an increase on proportion of cells was observed after all periods of exposure (p < 0.05). These data indicates that high passage cells in vitro are more susceptible to serum starvation and CHX G0/G1 synchronization.     

Three-dimensional simulations of plume-lithosphere interaction at the hawaiian swell

Rapid lithospheric thinning by mantle plumes has not been achieved in numerical experiments performed to date. Efficient thinning depends on small-scale instabilities that convectively remove lithospheric material. These instabilities are favored by hotter plumes or stronger temperature dependence of viscosity, and a simple scaling independent of rheology controls their onset. This scaling allows extrapolation of the results of numerical experiments to the Earth's mantle. Mantle plumes between 100 and 150 kelvins hotter than the background mantle should exhibit small-scale convective rolls aligned with the plate motion. The unusual variation in heat flow across the Hawaiian swell may be due to such instabilities. It was found that the spreading of the plume creates a downwelling curtain of material that isolates it from the rest of the mantle for distances of at least 1000 kilometers from the plume origin. This isolation has important consequences for the geochemical heterogeneity of the lithosphere and upper mantle.