Spectral Characterization of Bennu Analogs Using PASCALE: A New Experimental Set-Up for Simulating the Near-Surface Conditions of Airless Bodies.

We describe the capabilities, radiometric stability, and calibration of a custom vacuum environment chamber capable of simulating the near-surface conditions of airless bodies. Here we demonstrate the collection of spectral measurements of a suite of fine particulate asteroid analogs made using the Planetary Analogue Surface Chamber for Asteroid and Lunar Environments (PASCALE) under conditions like those found on Earth and on airless bodies. The sample suite includes anhydrous and hydrated physical mixtures, and chondritic meteorites (CM, CI, CV, CR, and L5) previously characterized under Earth- and asteroid-like conditions. And for the first time, we measure the terrestrial and extra-terrestrial mineral end members used in the olivine- and phyllosilicate-dominated physical mixtures under the same conditions as the mixtures and meteorites allowing us better understand how minerals combine spectrally when mixed intimately. Our measurements highlight the sensitivity of thermal infrared emissivity spectra to small amounts of low albedo materials and the composition of the sample materials. As the albedo of the sample decreases, we observe smaller differences between Earth- and asteroid-like spectra, which results from a reduced thermal gradient in the upper hundreds of microns in the sample. These spectral measurements can be compared to thermal infrared emissivity spectra of asteroid (101955) Bennu's surface in regions where similarly fine particulate materials may be observed to infer surface compositions.

Bright carbonate veins on asteroid (101955) Bennu: Implications for aqueous alteration history.

The composition of asteroids and their connection to meteorites provide insight into geologic processes that occurred in the early Solar System. We present spectra of the Nightingale crater region on near-Earth asteroid Bennu with a distinct infrared absorption around 3.4 micrometers. Corresponding images of boulders show centimeters-thick, roughly meter-long bright veins. We interpret the veins as being composed of carbonates, similar to those found in aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. If the veins on Bennu are carbonates, fluid flow and hydrothermal deposition on Bennu's parent body would have occurred on kilometer scales for thousands to millions of years. This suggests large-scale, open-system hydrothermal alteration of carbonaceous asteroids in the early Solar System.

Observations, Meteorites, and Models: A Preflight Assessment of the Composition and Formation of (16) Psyche.

Some years ago, the consensus was that asteroid (16) Psyche was almost entirely metal. New data on density, radar properties, and spectral signatures indicate that the asteroid is something perhaps even more enigmatic: a mixed metal and silicate world. Here we combine observations of Psyche with data from meteorites and models for planetesimal formation to produce the best current hypotheses for Psyche's properties and provenance. Psyche's bulk density appears to be between 3,400 and 4,100 kg m-3. Psyche is thus predicted to have between ~30 and ~60 vol% metal, with the remainder likely low-iron silicate rock and not more than ~20% porosity. Though their density is similar, mesosiderites are an unlikely analog to bulk Psyche because mesosiderites have far more iron-rich silicates than Psyche appears to have. CB chondrites match both Psyche's density and spectral properties, as can some pallasites, although typical pallasitic olivine contains too much iron to be consistent with the reflectance spectra. Final answers, as well as resolution of contradictions in the data set of Psyche physical properties, for example, the thermal inertia measurements, may not be resolved until the NASA Psyche mission arrives in orbit at the asteroid. Despite the range of compositions and formation processes for Psyche allowed by the current data, the science payload of the Psyche mission (magnetometers, multispectral imagers, neutron spectrometer, and a gamma-ray spectrometer) will produce data sets that distinguish among the models.

Signatures of the martian atmosphere in glass of the Zagami meteorite.

Isotopic signatures of nitrogen, argon, and xenon have been determined in separated millimeter-sized pockets of shock-melted glass in a recently identified lithology of the meteorite Zagami, a shergottite. The ratio of nitrogen-15 to nitrogen-14, which is at least 282 per mil larger than the terrestrial value, the ratio of xenon-129 to xenon-132 = 2.40, and the argon isotopic abundances match the signatures previously observed in the glassy lithology of the Antarctic shergottite EETA 79001. These results show that the signatures in EETA 79001 are not unique but characterize the trapped gas component in shock-melted glass of shergottites. The isotopic and elemental ratios of nitrogen, argon, and xenon closely resemble the Viking spacecraft data for the martian atmosphere and provide compelling evidence for a martian origin of the two shergottites and, by extension, of the meteorites in the shergottites-nakhlites-chassignites (SNC) group.

Evidence for widespread hydrated minerals on asteroid (101955) Bennu.

Early spectral data from the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission reveal evidence for abundant hydrated minerals on the surface of near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu in the form of a near-infrared absorption near 2.7 µm and thermal infrared spectral features that are most similar to those of aqueously altered CM carbonaceous chondrites. We observe these spectral features across the surface of Bennu, and there is no evidence of substantial rotational variability at the spatial scales of tens to hundreds of meters observed to date. In the visible and near-infrared (0.4 to 2.4 µm) Bennu's spectrum appears featureless and with a blue (negative) slope, confirming previous ground-based observations. Bennu may represent a class of objects that could have brought volatiles and organic chemistry to Earth.

Properties of extruded poly(tetramethylene oxide)-polyurethane block copolymers for blood-contacting applications.

The bulk and surface properties and blood compatibility of a series of polyurethanes based on methylene bis(p-phenyl isocyanate), 1,4-butanediol, and poly(tetramethylene oxide) of molecular weight 1000 were studied. The hard-to-soft segment ratio of these multiphase polymers was varied, and the effect of substituting a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-containing polyol in place of 5% of the polyether soft segment was studied. Bulk properties such as tensile strength and modulus increased with hard segment content, as did surface wettability and ESCA nitrogen content. However, blood compatibility measured by a canine ex vivo blood-contacting experiment was not found to vary with hard/soft segment ratio. The addition of the silicone-containing polyol did not significantly lower the surface wettability, although ESCA-measured silicon content increased and physical properties were unfavourably affected by the incorporation of this co-soft segment. Incorporation of the siloxane-containing component resulted in increased platelet adhesion and fibrinogen deposition at most blood contact times in comparison with the other polyurethanes.

Acute and chronic canine ex vivo blood interactions with NHLBI-DTB primary reference materials.

Thrombus deposition was measured on NHLBI-DTB Primary Reference Material polyethylene (PRM-PE) and polydimethylsiloxane (PRM-SR) and their commercially available counterparts, surgical grade Intramedic polyethylene and Dow Corning Silastic. Canine blood-contacting experiments evaluating short-term (up to 60 min) and longer-term (up to 24 h) thrombus deposition were used to quantitate adherent platelets on the lumenal surface of test materials ex vivo. A similar pattern of thrombus deposition and detachment was observed for all materials in both acute and chronic blood contact. Although differences in the wall shear rates affected the absolute numbers of adherent platelets, the relative levels of thrombus deposition showed similarities between the two experiments, with the polyethylene materials as a group showing slightly less deposition than the silicone rubber materials. The PRM-PE showed the least thrombus deposition at extended exposure to blood. The PRM-SR showed the most thrombus deposition in the acute term. The overall similarity in blood compatibility and surface properties indicates the need for the inclusion of less thromboresistant and more polar reference materials.

Dawn at Vesta: testing the protoplanetary paradigm.

The Dawn spacecraft targeted 4 Vesta, believed to be a remnant intact protoplanet from the earliest epoch of solar system formation, based on analyses of howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites that indicate a differentiated parent body. Dawn observations reveal a giant basin at Vesta's south pole, whose excavation was sufficient to produce Vesta-family asteroids (Vestoids) and HED meteorites. The spatially resolved mineralogy of the surface reflects the composition of the HED meteorites, confirming the formation of Vesta's crust by melting of a chondritic parent body. Vesta's mass, volume, and gravitational field are consistent with a core having an average radius of 107 to 113 kilometers, indicating sufficient internal melting to segregate iron. Dawn's results confirm predictions that Vesta differentiated and support its identification as the parent body of the HEDs.

Pitted terrain on Vesta and implications for the presence of volatiles.

We investigated the origin of unusual pitted terrain on asteroid Vesta, revealed in images from the Dawn spacecraft. Pitted terrain is characterized by irregular rimless depressions found in and around several impact craters, with a distinct morphology not observed on other airless bodies. Similar terrain is associated with numerous martian craters, where pits are thought to form through degassing of volatile-bearing material heated by the impact. Pitted terrain on Vesta may have formed in a similar manner, which indicates that portions of the surface contain a relatively large volatile component. Exogenic materials, such as water-rich carbonaceous chondrites, may be the source of volatiles, suggesting that impactor materials are preserved locally in relatively high abundance on Vesta and that impactor composition has played an important role in shaping the asteroid's geology.

Exploration of Victoria crater by the Mars rover Opportunity.

The Mars rover Opportunity has explored Victoria crater, an approximately 750-meter eroded impact crater formed in sulfate-rich sedimentary rocks. Impact-related stratigraphy is preserved in the crater walls, and meteoritic debris is present near the crater rim. The size of hematite-rich concretions decreases up-section, documenting variation in the intensity of groundwater processes. Layering in the crater walls preserves evidence of ancient wind-blown dunes. Compositional variations with depth mimic those approximately 6 kilometers to the north and demonstrate that water-induced alteration at Meridiani Planum was regional in scope.

Ancient asteroids enriched in refractory inclusions.

Calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) occur in all classes of chondritic meteorites and contain refractory minerals predicted to be the first condensates from the solar nebula. Near-infrared spectra of CAIs have strong 2-micrometer absorptions, attributed to iron oxide-bearing aluminous spinel. Similar absorptions are present in the telescopic spectra of several asteroids; modeling indicates that these contain approximately 30 +/- 10% CAIs (two to three times that of any meteorite). Survival of these undifferentiated, large (50- to 100-kilometer diameter) CAI-rich bodies suggests that they may have formed before the injection of radiogenic 26Al into the solar system. They have also experienced only modest post-accretionary alteration. Thus, these asteroids have higher concentrations of CAI material, appear less altered, and are more ancient than any known sample in our meteorite collection, making them prime candidates for sample return.

Detection of silica-rich deposits on Mars.

Mineral deposits on the martian surface can elucidate ancient environmental conditions on the planet. Opaline silica deposits (as much as 91 weight percent SiO2) have been found in association with volcanic materials by the Mars rover Spirit. The deposits are present both as light-toned soils and as bedrock. We interpret these materials to have formed under hydrothermal conditions and therefore to be strong indicators of a former aqueous environment. This discovery is important for understanding the past habitability of Mars because hydrothermal environments on Earth support thriving microbial ecosystems.

Tissue culture evaluation of NaCl tolerance in Medicago species: Cellular versus whole plant response.

Tissue culture responses to three levels of NaCl (0, 85mM and 170 mM) were evaluated in several Medicago species including: M. dzhawakhetica, M. marina, M. rhodopea, M. rupestris, M. sativa (alfalfa) and M. suffruticosa. The whole plant responses of the same genotypes were evaluated in half-strength Hoagland's solution containing 0, 51.5, and 103 mM NaCl. One or more genotypes of M. dzhawakhetica, M. rhodopea, M. rupestris, and M. sativa exhibited in vitro NaCl tolerance at 85 mM. In addition, one genotype each of M. dzhawakhetica, M. rhodopea, and M. sativa was tolerant of 170 mM NaCl. However, all of the genotypes that demonstrated NaCl tolerance in vitro were NaCl sensitive at the whole plant level. Conversely, M. marina the only species exhibiting whole plant NaCl tolerance, had the most NaCl sensitive genotypes at the in vitro level. Although an in vitro NaCl tolerance mechanism which confers whole plant NaCl tolerance was not observed, a potential NaCl tolerance germplasm source, M. marina, was identified.

Characterization of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants regenerated from selected NaCl tolerant cell lines.

Selection of stable, NaCl tolerant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cell lines was accomplished by a step-up selection procedure, whereby cell lines originally selected for tolerance at 0.5% NaCl were subsequently selected at 1.0% NaCl. Sodium chloride tolerant cell lines retained tolerance following four subcultures (16 weeks) on control media (0% NaCl). Plants were regenerated from selected NaCl tolerant cell lines of three initial genotypes, one diploid (2n=2x=16) and two tetraploids (2n=4x=32). In addition, plants were regenerated from control cell lines maintained on 0% NaCl media for the same duration. Plants regenerated from NaCl tolerant cell lines were characterized by extensive somaclonal variation compared to plants regenerated from control lines. Morphologically, all plants regenerated from NaCl tolerant cell lines are abnormal and many (44.7%) were extreme dwarfs (maximum height of 5 cm). The grossly aberrant phenotypes prevented an in-depth characterization of many of the plants regenerated from NaCl tolerant cell lines. Most plants regenerated from NaCl tolerant cell lines had unbalanced polyploid chromosome sets with the most extreme cytogenetic variant having 106 chromosomes. In contrast, 98.5% of the plants regenerated from control cell lines were euploid (85% were tetraploid, 15% were octoploid). Isozyme phenotypes of the plants from NaCl tolerant cell lines were also extensively altered, compared to plants from control cell lines. In vitro NaCl tolerance was maintained following plant regeneration for nine of the 12 regenerants tested. Importantly, whole plant NaCl tolerance was expressed in two of the seven regenerated plants tested at the whole plant level; however, only one of these plants has flowered and is both male and female sterile; the other plant has never flowered. Although NaCl tolerant alfalfa cell lines are efficiently selected, the extensive somaclonal variation that accompanied the selection was a deterrent to successful recovery of heritable NaCl tolerance.

Interspecific hybridization of perennial Medicago species using ovule-embryo culture.

New interspecific hybrids between alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and several perennial Medicago species were obtained by embryo rescue techniques. The methodology, designated ovule-embryo culture, involved preculturing the fertilized ovule (10 to 20 days post-pollination) for a period of six to 12 days followed by excision and direct culture of the embryo. Placement of the hybrid embryo directly onto culture medium without the interim ovule culture was unsuccessful. Ovule culture to germination without removing the embryo also was unsuccessful. Ovule-embryo culture was essential for recovering interspecific hybrids between diploid alfalfa (2n=2x=16) and the following diploid (2n=2x=16) species: M. hybrida Traut., M. marina L., M. papillosa Boiss., M. rhodopea Velen. and M. rupestris M.B. In addition, trispecies hybrids between M. sativa x M. dzhawakhetica Bordz. F1 hybrids (2n=3x=24) and either M. cancellata M.B. (2n=6x=48) or M. saxatilis M.B. (2n=6x=48) were obtained from ovuleembryo culture. Media manipulations using M. sativa x M. rupestris F1 and first backcross generation embryos demonstrated the optimum concentration of 12.5 mM NH4 (+) for successful embryo rescue; ammonium salt formulation (whether chloride, nitrate or sulfate) was not critical. From a few thousand crosses, hybrids between M. sativa and either M. rhodopea or M. rupestris were recovered relatively efficiently with 157 and 66 hybrids, respectively. However, only 13 hybrids between M. sativa and M. papillosa were obtained from more than 2,000 crosses, and just two hybrids each have been recovered from the combinations M. sativa x M. hybrida and M. sativa x M. marina from 2,000 to 3,000 crosses. The predominant chromosome number between diploid alfalfa and the other diploid perennial species was 2n=2x=16. Morphology of the hybrids was generally intermediate. Electrophoretic analysis of the F1 hybrids and parental clones on uniform or gradient polyacrylamide gels demonstrated that peroxidase phenotypes could be used to confirm hybridity. For all interspecific combinations there was at least one peroxidase isozyme unique to the wild species that was present in the F1 interspecific hybrid.

Single cross alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hybrids produced via 2n gametes and somatic chromosome doubling: experimental and theoretical comparisons.

The potential breeding value of 2n gametes from diploid alfalfa (2n = 2x = 16) was tested by comparing single cross alfalfa hybrids produced via 2n = 2x gametes from diploids versus n = 2x gametes from somatic-chromosome-doubled, tetraploid counterparts. Three diploid clones, designated 2x-(rprp), homozygous for the gene rp (conditions 2n gamete formation by a first division restitution mechanism) were colchicine-doubled to produce their tetraploid counterparts, designated 4x-(SCD). These six clones were crossed as males to the same cytoplasmic male sterile clone. Yield comparisons of progeny from the six clones demonstrated a significant yield increase of the hybrid progeny from 2n = 2x gametes from the diploids over the hybrid progeny from n = 2x gametes from the chromosome doubled tetraploid counterparts. The yield gain ranged from a 12% increase to a 32% increase. Theoretical comparisons indicated the 2n = 2x gametes from diploids would have 12.5 to 50% more heterozygous loci, on average, than the n = 2x gametes derived from somatic doubling. These results confirm the importance of heterozygosity on alfalfa yield, and the results demonstrate that 2n gametes formed by first division restitution offer a unique method for producing highly heterotic alfalfa hybrids.

Potential of trispecies bridge crosses and random amplified polymorphic DNA markers for introgression of Medicago daghestanica and M. pironae germplasm into alfalfa (M. sativa).

This report describes the production and cytology of the first interspecific hybrids between cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at the diploid level (2n = x = 16) and the diploid (2n = 2x = 16) perennial species M. daghestanica and M. pironae. An ovule-embryo culture technique was required to rescue hybrid embryos and all hybrids were diploid. Predominately bivalent chromosome pairing was observed at meiotic metaphase. All F1 hybrids were male and female sterile and no species backcross progeny could be produced. We discovered that trispecies hybrids could be efficiently recovered via crossing diploid F1 interspecific hybrids of M. sativa x M. rupestris with either M. daghestanica or M. pironae. Ovule-embryo culture was also required to recover these trispecies hybrids with recovery efficiency of trispecies hybrids about 10 times greater than for bispecies hybrids. Most chromosomes paired as bivalents in the trispecies hybrids. Importantly, progeny can be recovered from crossing the trispecies hybrids with M. sativa. Therefore, the M. sativa x M. rupestris hybrids provide a bridge cross to potential introgression of M. daghestanica or M. pironae germplasm. Analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in the trispecies hybrids indicates that RAPD markers offer considerable potential for assaying germplasm introgression following complex hybridization of the type reported here.

Genetic segregation of random amplified polymorphic DNA in diploid cultivated alfalfa.

Polymerase chain reaction was used, with single 10-mer primers of arbitrary sequence, to amplify random regions of genomic DNA from a diploid cultivated alfalfa backcross population. Segregation of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragments was analysed to determine if RAPD markers are suitable for use as genetic markers. Of the 19 primers tested, 13 amplified a total of 37 polymorphic fragments, of which 28 (76%) segregated as dominant Mendelian traits. RAPD markers appear useful for the rapid development of genetic information in species like alfalfa where little information currently exists or is difficult to obtain.

Series shunt evaluation of polyurethane vascular graft materials in chronically AV-shunted canines.

Well characterized, laboratory-synthesized polymeric materials which have been extensively tested for biocompatibility via initial platelet and protein deposition in an acute ex vivo canine model were placed as interpositional series shunts in canines with chronically implanted iliac arteriovenous shunts ex vivo. Platelet deposition was measured on a base polyurethane block copolymer, a sulfonated ionic derivative, an alkyl grafted (C18) derivative, Biomer, polyethylene, and polydimethylsiloxane for 24 h using radiolabeled platelets. Platelet survival and in vitro aggregation were determined to investigate the effects of the shunting procedure on experimental animals. The viability of adopting a chronic arteriovenous (iliac) shunted canine model for use with series shunts to evaluate polyurethanes having applications as materials in vascular graft construction was investigated and the results compared with acute model data.