Localization and physical properties experiments conducted by Spirit at Gusev Crater

The precise location and relative elevation of Spirit during its traverses from the Columbia Memorial station to Bonneville crater were determined with bundle-adjusted retrievals from rover wheel turns, suspension and tilt angles, and overlapping images. Physical properties experiments show a decrease of 0.2% per Mars solar day in solar cell output resulting from deposition of airborne dust, cohesive soil-like deposits in plains and hollows, bright and dark rock coatings, and relatively weak volcanic rocks of basaltic composition. Volcanic, impact, aeolian, and water-related processes produced the encountered landforms and materials.     

Mitochondrial DNA mutations, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in mammalian aging

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulate in tissues of mammalian species and have been hypothesized to contribute to aging. We show that mice expressing a proofreading-deficient version of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase g (POLG) accumulate mtDNA mutations and display features of accelerated aging. Accumulation of mtDNA mutations was not associated with increased markers of oxidative stress or a defect in cellular proliferation, but was correlated with the induction of apoptotic markers, particularly in tissues characterized by rapid cellular turnover. The levels of apoptotic markers were also found to increase during aging in normal mice. Thus, accumulation of mtDNA mutations that promote apoptosis may be a central mechanism driving mammalian aging.     

Treatment of canine cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma with oclacitinib: a case report

Canine cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma (CETL) is associated with a poor prognosis and without consistently beneficial treatment options. This case report describes a 9-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier with CETL treated with oclacitinib (0.7 mg/kg twice daily), resulting in partial remission that was maintained for three months. Further studies are warranted.     

Modified crystal violet pectate medium (CVP) based on a new polypectate source (Slendid) for the detection and isolation of soft rot erwinias

Summary The selective-diagnostic crystal violet pectate (CVP) medium for the detection and isolation of soft rot erwinias was modified and improved to allow the use of a new source of sodium polypectate (Slendid type 440), as the previous polypectate (Bulmer) is no longer available. Two formulations were developed: CVP-S1 medium was less transparent but otherwise similar to the Bulmer polypectate-based CVP medium (CVP-B) except that NaOH was added and CaCl₂ concentration reduced. CVP-S2 medium was prepared by mixing equal volumes of two double strength preparations containing 1) polypectate and NaOH, and 2) all other ingredients, both sterilised separately. Although erwinia cavity formation was slower, it showed a number of advantages over CVP-B and CVP-S1 media, thereby facilitating colony/cavity detection and enumeration. These included the absence of precipitate, greater firmness and a reduced risk of liquefaction in the presence of large erwinia numbers, and a reduction in the number of saprophytic bacteria.     

Multiple vitellogenins in white perch (Morone americana)

Three forms of female-specific plasma protein were purified from blood plasma of estrogen-treated white perch, characterized, and classified as three distinct vitellogenins (VgA, VgB, and VgC). This study describes the first purification of three classes of native Vg from any vertebrate and sets the stage for discovery of the different functions of each type of Vg.     

Phytotoxic Effects of Phenylmercuric Compounds Upon Certain Pear Varieties

In trials at East Mailing Research Station, extending over the years 1952 to 1959, chlorotic spotting, associated with loss of chlorophyll, and distortion of leaves occurred following post-blossom application to four pear varieties of phenylmercuric salts at 0?003% elemental mercury concentration.

On Conference, serious crop losses occurred in five successive seasons after application of 0?005% phenylmercuric chloride (PMC), and in two seasons when the acetate, dimethyldithiocarbamate, basic nitrate, oxinate, or the salt of a “ fixtan ’’ acid was applied, each at 0?003% elemental mercury concentration. All these organomercurials caused losses on Doyenné du Comice in both seasons, but Laxton’s Superb and Williams’ Bon Chrétien were less affected.

Fruit-bud formation was reduced, on Conference only, by PMC in three successive seasons and by all the salts in one season.

Reducing the dosage reduced the loss of crop, but even at 0?0025% PMC significant reductions in crop and in fruit-bud formation occurred on Conference.

Pre-blossom applications appeared to add little to the effects caused by post-blossom applications.

Applying PMC in one dose at a given stage of development caused greater crop loss than applying the same dose divided equally over two successive stages. Other evidence supports the view that the effects are not cumulative.

In the light of rainfall and temperature conditions recorded on the days following each post-blossom application in each year, crop loss must be expected following post-blossom application of sufficient organomercurial for scab control in any season on Conference and Doyenné du Comice ; on Conference, reduction of fruit-bud formation may also occur.

Although pear leaves are obviously damaged by phenylmercuric salts, it is likely that the effects on cropping are largely due to direct absorption and/or translocation of some form of mercury into fruit-buds and fruitlets.     

Routine Versus Post-Infection Sprays Against Apple Scab on Cox’s Orange Pippin

Routine sprays applied at regular intervals against apple scab on open-centred bush Cox’s Orange Pippin trees on M.IX rootstock were compared with curative sprays promptly applied after infection periods, as defined in terms of the Mills chart from instrument readings. A total saving of ten applications resulted from curative treatment over seven consecutive seasons. Routine interpretation of instrument data failed in only one marginal instance to detect an infection period, which arose from discontinuous wetting, but thereby jeopardized curative control in one season (1963).

With the one exception, both methods gave a high degree of scab control every year, although infection on the unsprayed controls was often severe. Some spray damage occurred in the form of reduced cropping or fruit russeting, particularly from phenylmercury chloride and didecyldimethyl-ammonium bromide as curative sprays, and from lime-sulphur applied post-blossom, either curatively or as routine. Captan with DNOPC (“dinocap”), however, gave superior crops showing relatively light russeting, and dodine acetate proved generally safe.

Although curative spraying proved generally successful on these relatively small, open trees, its exclusive use on an extensive scale is problematic. A feasible compromise is to reinforce a basic routine with curative sprays when desirable.