Surficial deposits at Gusev Crater along Spirit Rover traverses

The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has traversed a fairly flat, rock-strewn terrain whose surface is shaped primarily by impact events, although some of the landscape has been altered by eolian processes. Impacts ejected basaltic rocks that probably were part of locally formed lava flows from at least 10 meters depth. Some rocks have been textured and/or partially buried by windblown sediments less than 2 millimeters in diameter that concentrate within shallow, partially filled, circular impact depressions referred to as hollows. The terrain traversed during the 90-sol (martian solar day) nominal mission shows no evidence for an ancient lake in Gusev crater.     

Contribution of gular pumping to lung ventilation in monitor lizards

A controversial hypothesis has proposed that lizards are subject to a speed-dependent axial constraint that prevents effective lung ventilation during moderate- and high-speed locomotion. This hypothesis has been challenged by results demonstrating that monitor lizards (genus Varanus) experience no axial constraint. Evidence presented here shows that, during locomotion, varanids use a positive pressure gular pump to assist lung ventilation. Disabling the gular pump reveals that the axial constraint is present in varanids but it is masked by gular pumping under normal conditions. These findings support the prediction that the axial constraint may be found in other tetrapods that breathe by costal aspiration and locomote with a lateral undulatory gait.     

Identification of major volatile odor compounds in frankfurters

More than 100 volatile compounds have been identified in the headspace of frankfurter sausages. Most abundant were the terpene hydrocarbons, monoterpene alcohols, phenyl propanoids, and phenols. Separate analyses of solutions of spices and smoke demonstrated that most of the terpenes were derived from the spices, whereas the phenols originated mostly from the smoke ingredients. Many of the compounds contributing to the overall odor of the frankfurters have been identified. Some odors, characteristic of the smokiness and spiciness of frankfurters, were caused by phenols and terpenes, whereas others were due to compounds derived from the meat fraction; these compounds included aldehydes, ketones, furanthiols, and alicyclic sulfur compounds.     

Estimating the impact of air pollution on environmentally valuable sites

Concern about the environmental effect of air pollution on areas of high conservation value in the UK has prompted the statutory agencies to initiate an investigation on these areas. For this, critical loads maps have been used together with predicted air pollution data, monitored air pollution data and remotely sensed land cover information within a geographic information system (GIS). Additional information on designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for England and Wales have also been incorporated. This provides the framework for examining potential impacts to these sites under various current and future scenarios. The approach allows for the investigation of the impacts of individual point sources as well as complete national scenarios. Preliminary results are provided from analysis of a single pollutant (sulphur). These indicate that nationally up to 52% of the area of SSSI's (5000 km²) are at risk from soil acidification. Using this approach it has been possible to apportion the load on any SSSI, thereby enabling the ecological impacts of each point source to be identified. This information can then be used to assess priorities for regulatory controls.     

Soil chemistry change in a lowland english deciduous Woodland 1974–1991

This study outlines the results of analysis of soil samples collected from fixed quadrats located in a regular pattern across Wytham Wood. Oxfordshire, England. The site contains plots of mixed deciduous ancient woodland and more recent plantations. A previous soil study was undertaken in 1974 and samples archived. Soils were resampled in 1991 and some re-analysis of the 1974 samples was undertaken. Soils were of a wide range in types from sands to gravels with a pH range of 3.0–7.0. Results showed some decline in pH in lower horizons, but most striking was a large increase in soil nitrogen for all horizons and soil types.     

Summary of the Workshop on Peat Bog Archives of Atmospheric Metal Deposition

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution -     

Pancreatic duct obstruction in a stunting syndrome of broiler chickens

Broilers suffering from stunting syndrome from three farms were shown to have pancreatic atrophy and fibrosis similar to that seen in pancreatic duct obstruction in chickens and mammals. Interlobular and intercalated ducts were found to be stenotic or occluded with inflammation and necrosis of the epithelium and wall. Inclusion bodies were seen in some duct cells. It is suggested that pancreatic duct obstruction is responsible for the maldigestion and pancreatic lesions seen in stunting syndrome.     

Serotypes of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in Australian pigs, small ruminants, poultry, and captive wild birds and animals

Serotypes of 93 Australian isolates of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from diseased domestic animals and poultry and a variety of captive wild birds and animals were determined by double diffusion gel precipitation. Two isolates, from the faeces of a swallow were also examined. Serotypes 1a, 1b and 2 were isolated from pigs and serotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 5, 15 and 21 from sheep or goats. Erysipelas in poultry was attributed to serotypes 1b, 5, 15 and 16. In captive wild birds serotypes 1b, 5, 6, 8, 14, 21 and an isolate reactive with antiserum to strain Seehecht were associated with septicaemic deaths. Single isolates from tissues of a bilby (Macrotis lagotis), black rat (Rattus rattus), brown snake (Pseudechis australis) and a bandicoot (Isoodon macrouris) were classified as serotypes 4, 4, 7, and 10 respectively. Six isolates were not able to be typed. Serotype 1b was the most widely distributed and most common (28%), being associated with disease in pigs, sheep, poultry and wild birds. Serotypes 1a or 2 were found in a more restricted range of animals, being commonly associated with erysipelas in pigs, less commonly in sheep and infrequently in other species. From diseased pigs, 26 of 33 isolates (79%) were serotypes 1a and 1b.     

Pigeon paramyxovirus: association with common avian pathogens in chickens and serologic survey in wild birds

Pigeon paramyxovirus-1 (PPMV-1) was isolated from pigeons from east-central Alabama and used in association with chicken anemia virus (CAV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), or finch Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) in specific-pathogen-free chickens to assess dinical disease and pathology. PPMV-1 infection in all groups was conducted at day 10 of age via the ocular route. The low passage PPMV-1 isolate was inoculated into chickens in different groups at 10 days post-CAV infection, 6 days post-IBDV infection, and 6 days post-finch MG infection, respectively. Additionally, to obtain information on the status of paramyxovirus infection in the wild bird population of the region, we used a multispecies competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit to assess serum samples from 180 wild birds representing 24 species obtained throughout 2001. Mild respiratory signs characterized by sneezing were observed in PPMV-1-infected chicks. In the brain, PPMV-1 caused disseminated vasculitis in the neuropile and meninges, sometimes with small foci of gliosis. Most brains had only mild lesions. In the upper respiratory tract, lesions were confined to the larynx and proximal trachea as hyperplasia of laryngeal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. In the lung, PPMV-1 caused minimal to moderate multifocal interstitial pneumonia. Lymphocytic expansion occurred in the interstitium of the Harderian gland. PPMV-1 in the spleen caused expansion of the white pulp as a result of hypertrophy of the macrophages in the periarteriolar sheaths accompanied by lymphocytic hyperplasia at the periphery. No severe aggravation of either signs or lesions could be attributed to any of the avian pathogens used in association with PPMV-1. The serologic survey in wild birds showed antibody levels that were considered negative or doubtful. Interestingly, significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean titers were observed during the months of October and November 2001, following closely multiple PPMV-1 episodes of mortality in wild collard doves in northwestern Florida.