Ultra-Low velocity zones near the core-mantle boundary from broadband PKP precursors

Short- and long-period precursors of the PKP phase were used to study an ultra-low velocity zone (ULVZ) near the core-mantle boundary beneath the Western Pacific. Synthetic seismograms were computed from a hybrid method, which handles seismic wave propagation through two-dimensional complex structures. Long-period precursors were explained by Gaussian-shaped ULVZs of 60 to 80 kilometers height with P velocity drops of at least 7 percent over 100 to 300 kilometers. Short-period precursors suggest the presence of smaller scale anomalies accompanying these larger Gaussian-shaped structures. These fine structures may be areas of partial melt caused by vigorous small-scale convection or the instability of a thermal boundary layer at the mantle's base, or both.     

Moho offset across the northern margin of the tibetan plateau

Anomalous double-pulse teleseismic P-wave arrivals were observed at one station near the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The azimuthal dependence of the waveform distortion and its absence at nearby stations indicated that the distortion was produced by receiver-side crustal heterogeneity. Modeling of the three-component data revealed a 15- to 20-kilometer Moho offset that occurs over a narrow lateral range of less than 5 kilometers. This east-west-striking offset separates the thick Tibetan Plateau crust from the Qaidam Basin crust. Such a sharp crustal thickness change implies a weak Tibetan Plateau crust that thickens vertically in response to penetration by India from the south and to blockage caused by a strong Qaidam Basin crust to the north.     

Use of enzyme-linked immunoassays for antibody to types C and D botulinum toxins for investigations of botulism in cattle

The development of specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for antibody to types C and D Clostridium botulinum toxins for investigation of botulism in cattle is described. Partially purified type C and D toxins were used as antigens to develop these ELISAs. Specificity of the ELISAs was evaluated on sera from 333 adult beef and dairy cattle from areas with no history or evidence of botulism in animals or water birds. The test was also evaluated on sera from 41 herds that included herds vaccinated against botulism, confirmed botulism cases and herds from areas where the disease is considered endemic. The ELISAs detected the presence of antibody to botulinum toxins in samples from vaccinated cattle and both convalescent and clinically normal animals from unvaccinated herds with outbreaks of botulism. Antibody was also found in unvaccinated animals from herds in which there had been no diagnosed botulism cases in areas where botulism was considered endemic. Sera from some unvaccinated cattle with high ELISA reactivity was shown to be protective for mice in botulinum toxin neutralisation tests. The use of these tests in investigations of botulism in cattle is discussed.     

Soil Invertebrates Generate Microplastics From Polystyrene Foam Debris

To fully understand microplastics'' impact on soil ecosystems, one must recognize soil organisms as not just passively enduring their negative effects, but potentially contributing to microplastics'' formation, distribution, and dynamics in soil. We investigated the ability of four soil invertebrates, the cricket Gryllodes sigillatus Walker (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), the isopod Oniscus asellus L. (Isopoda: Oniscidae), larvae of the beetle Zophobas morio Fabricius (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the snail Cornu aspersum Müller (Stylommatophora: Helicidae) to fragment macroscopic pieces of weathered or pristine polystyrene (PS) foam. We placed invertebrates into arenas with single PS foam pieces for 24 h, then collected and assessed the microplastic content of each invertebrate''s fecal material, its cadaver, and the sand substrate of its arena via hydrogen peroxide digestion, filtration, and fluorescent staining. All taxa excreted PS particles, though snails only to a tiny extent. Beetle larvae produced significantly more microplastics than snails, and crickets and isopods fragmented the weathered PS foam pieces more than the pristine pieces, which they left untouched. A follow-up experiment with pristine PS foam assessed the effect of different treatments mimicking exposure to the elements on fragmentation by isopods. PS foam pieces soaked in a soil suspension were significantly more fragmented than untreated pieces or pieces exposed to UV light alone. These findings indicate that soil invertebrates may represent a source of microplastics to the environment in places polluted with PS foam trash, and that the condition of macroplastic debris likely affects its palatability to these organisms.     

Rupture process of the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

The 26 December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake initiated slowly, with small slip and a slow rupture speed for the first 40 to 60 seconds. Then the rupture expanded at a speed of about 2.5 kilometers per second toward the north northwest, extending 1200 to 1300 kilometers along the Andaman trough. Peak displacements reached approximately 15 meters along a 600-kilometer segment of the plate boundary offshore of northwestern Sumatra and the southern Nicobar islands. Slip was less in the northern 400 to 500 kilometers of the aftershock zone, and at least some slip in that region may have occurred on a time scale beyond the seismic band.     

Histochemical Properties of Fast Twitch Muscle in the Rat

A histochemical study of muscle fibers comprising the extensor digitorum longus muscle of adult female Wistar rats was carried out in which Acid ATPase, Alkaline ATPase, Phosphorylase and SDHase determinations were used to classify muscle fibers. On the basis of Alkaline and Acid ATPase determinations three classes of muscle fibers were determined, Dark, Intermediate and Light, respectively. On the basis of Phosphorylase and SDHase, two classes of muscle fibers were found, classed as Dark and Light fibers. Therefore fibers could be identified within the muscle of 13 different types. An analysis of the muscle on this basis is compared with that of other muscles in the rat and with muscles of other species studied with either cytochemical or physiological techniques.     

Use of BACTEC radiometric culture method and polymerase chain reaction for the rapid screening of faeces and tissues for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

SUMMARY The BACTEC radiometric culture method for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was evaluated on faeces from cattle on a farm in quarantine for Johne's disease. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the IS900 sequence specific for M paratuberculosis and a genus specific 16S rRNA region was developed and used to test cultures showing evidence of mycobacterial growth in the BACTEC liquid radiometric culture medium. Using the BACTEC - PCR combination, confirmation of M paratuberculosis from faeces and tissue of clinically affected animals was achieved within 2 to 4 weeks and 1 week, respectively, a substantial improvement on traditional culture and identification methods. The PCR provided rapid exclusion of M paratuberculosis when other Mycobacterium spp were grown. The radiometric culture medium proved to be very sensitive for culturing Mycobacterium spp.