A steeply-inclined trajectory for the Chicxulub impact.

The environmental severity of large impacts on Earth is influenced by their impact trajectory. Impact direction and angle to the target plane affect the volume and depth of origin of vaporized target, as well as the trajectories of ejected material. The asteroid impact that formed the 66 Ma Chicxulub crater had a profound and catastrophic effect on Earth's environment, but the impact trajectory is debated. Here we show that impact angle and direction can be diagnosed by asymmetries in the subsurface structure of the Chicxulub crater. Comparison of 3D numerical simulations of Chicxulub-scale impacts with geophysical observations suggests that the Chicxulub crater was formed by a steeply-inclined (45-60° to horizontal) impact from the northeast; several lines of evidence rule out a low angle (<30°) impact. A steeply-inclined impact produces a nearly symmetric distribution of ejected rock and releases more climate-changing gases per impactor mass than either a very shallow or near-vertical impact.

Nodules of cellular proliferation in sheep olfactory ventricle.

The olfactory bulb of the sheep brain is hollow, the cavity (olfactory ventricle or rhinocele) is connected to the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle by a narrow channel and contains cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.). In an apparently healthy black-faced lamb, longitudinal sections stained Giemsa Wright showed nodules of cellular proliferation in the rhinocele wall, projecting into the cavity. Some nodules were detached from the wall and lay free in the cavity. This cellular reaction indicates that pathogens may reach the rhinocele and pass from the rhinocele into the c.s.f. of the cerebral ventricular system.

Studies of phosphate transport in Escherichia coli. I. Reexamination of the effect of osmotic and cold shock on phosphate uptake and some attempts to restore uptake with phosphate binding protein.

1. The first stage of osmotic shock caused a slight reduction in the primary uptake of inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) in AB3311 cells of Escherichia coli which normally exhibit a biphasic type of phosphate uptake. The second stage of osmotic shock resulted in a marked reduction (a total of 80-85%) in the primary uptake phase and a lesser reduction (50%) in the secondary uptake. When osmotically shocked cells are allowed to recover in a phosphate-free, but otherwise complete medium sufficient repair occurs in the shocked cells to overcome growth lags and to restore the above losses in phosphate uptake almost to normal after 90-180 min of recovery. 2. Extensive investigation was made of the more mild cold shock procedure which involves the rapid disperion of Escherichia coli cells into 80 vol. of water at 2 degrees C. The most consistent cold shock effects, as evidenced by reductions in phosphate uptake, were obtained in cells after they were washed in appropriate buffered salts media, suspended in a minimal volume of water and shocked from 37 degrees C rather than 24 degrees C. Less severe shocks were obtained after washing in imidazole/salts/glucose or Tris/salts/glucose media than in NaCl/Tris. 3. A number of attempts were made to restore by the addition of phosphate binding protein the reduction in phosphate uptake of E. coli AB3311 cells caused by a variety of cold shocks. In no instance was good restoration of phosphate uptake achieved. Qualitatively, it appeared that a better restoration of uptake occurred in unstarved and starved cells washed in imidazole/salts/glucose where the cold shock effect was less severe.

Studies on phosphate transport in Escherichia coli. II. Effects of metabolic inhibitors and divalent cations.

1. Study has been made of the effects of a variety of metabolic inhibitors and divalent cations (Ni2+ and Mn2+), normally after 5 min exposure, on the biphasic uptake of inorganic phosphate (Pi) exhibited by phosphate-deprived cells of Escherichia coli, strains AB3311 (Reeves met-) and CBT302 (a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase-deficient mutant). 2. In AB3311 cells cyanide (1-10 mM) produced comparable reductions in phosphate uptake to anaerobiosis, but in both instances significant uptake was maintained. Examination of intracellular Pi concentrations showed that, despite these inhibitions, Pi is still concentrated 130 times compared to 394 times under aerobic conditions. Arsenate (100 muM) and iodoacetate (100 muM pre-exposed 15 min) both abolished anaerobic-supported uptake. Under aerobic conditions the former eliminated primary uptake while the latter reduced both phases of uptake 60%. The uncouplers, dinitrophenol (100-1000 muM) and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) (50muM) produced very significant, but not complete inhibitions of both phases of uptake. Inhibitions by iodoacetate and dinitrophenol were additive while dithiothreitol protected against the effects of 50-250 mum CCCP. N,N'-Dicyclo-hexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), the potent inhibitor of membrane-bound (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, at 10(-3) M caused significant inhibitions of aerobic- (approx. 60%) and anaerobic- (approx. 80%) supported uptakes thus suggesting some obligatory requirement for this ATPase. 3. CBT302 cells, like AB3311, supported Pi transport both aerobically and anaerobically. CCCP (50muM) reduced the primary uptake similarly to AB3311 cells, but the secondary uptake was less affected. DCCD (10(-5)-10(-3) M), as expected, showed no effects in contrast to AB3311 cells. 4. In AB3311 cells Ni2+ (10 mM) caused significant but different reductions of secondary (70%) and primary (33%) phases of phosphate uptake. Mn2+ (10 mM) showed a greater differential effect with the primary uptake being minimally affected and the secondary uptake being abolished (97%). Partial relief of these inhibitions by Mg2+ (10 mM), suggested that these ions compete with Mg2+ transport. High voltage electrophoresis studies showed that Ni2+ cause intensification in the labelling from 32Pi (i.e. during Pi uptake) of hexose phosphates and a reduction in the labelling of complex molecules left at the origin. With Mn2+, labelling of fructose 1,6-diphosphate was reduced, the triose phosphate area was intensified and an unknown area (X) was intensely labelled. When Mn2+ was combined with anaerobiosis, phosphate uptake though diminished in rate exceeded after 16 min the plateau level of uptake under aerobic conditions with Mn2+ present.