MOXIE is a technology demonstration that addresses the Mars 2020 (Perseverance) objective of preparing for future human exploration by demonstrating In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) in the form of dissociating atmospheric CO2 into O2. The primary goals of the MOXIE project are to verify and validate the technology of Mars ISRU as a springboard for the future, and to establish achievable performance requirements and design approaches that will lead to a full-scale ISRU system based on MOXIE technology. MOXIE has three top-level requirements: to be capable of producing at least 6 g/hr of oxygen in the context of the Mars 2020 mission (assuming atmospheric intake at 5 Torr, typical of Jezero Crater, and $0~^{\circ}\text{C}$ , typical of the rover interior); to produce oxygen with $>98\%$ purity; and to meet these first two requirements for at least 10 operational cycles after delivery. Since MOXIE is expected to operate in all seasons and at all times of day and night on Mars, these requirements are intended to be satisfied under worst-case environmental conditions, including during a dust storm, if possible.

Our objective was to estimate core body temperature (Tb ) from facial skin temperature (Tfs ) in mixed-sex broilers. Chickens were obtained at hatch (d0) and grown in floor pens. At d34, temperature loggers were surgically placed into the abdominal cavity of anesthetized broilers. On d42, 43, 44, 45, and 49, all chickens (n=6/sex) were exposed to ambient temperatures (Ta ) of 21, 26, 30, and 35°C each day, with d46 through 48 as a 21°C de-acclimation period. Core body temperature was measured using implanted data loggers and Tfs was measured using an infrared camera. A multiple linear regression prediction equation was developed via Proc Reg using d42 through 45 data, and Tb, Tfs, and the Tb/Tfs ratio data from d42 through d45 were analyzed with Proc Glimmix in SAS 9.4 with day as a repeated measure. For the Tb prediction all parameters were significant yielding the equation Tb=16.435 + 0.622 ± 0.02(Tfs)+0.346 ± 0.05(sex)-0.086 ± 0.02(day) with R2= 0.87, sex = 0 for males and 1 for females, and day = 1 to 4 for Ta exposure time. Calculated Tb from d49 were similar to measured Tb values from d49, averaging 100.03 ± 0.10% of measured d49 Tb values. Females had greater Tb (P=0.005; 0.32°C) and Tb/Tfs ratio (P<0.001; 0.82%) than males, but Tfs was similar. There was a main effect of day for all measures with values decreasing (P≤0.026) over time. Additionally, males had a greater decrease (P<0.001) in Tb over time than females, and a greater reduction in Tfs over time (P=0.050) was observed at 30 and 35°C compared to 21 and 26°C, regardless of sex. Overall, Tb and Tfs increased and the Tb/Tfs ratio decreased (P<0.001) as chickens were exposed to greater Ta. In conclusion, it is possible to accurately calculate the Tb of market-weight broiler chickens with the inputs of Tfs, sex, and heat stress duration.

•RF energy for disinfestation of agricultural products is comprehensively reviewed.•Principle, differential heating and uniformity improvement of RF systems are analyzed.•RF treatment protocols for fresh fruits and dry products are provided and compared.•Recommendations for future research on RF disinfestations are proposed.

Euschistus servus (Say), Nezara viridula (L.), and Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are economic pests of cotton in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. The objective of this 2-yr study was to determine the ability of trap cropping systems, pheromone-baited stink bug traps, and a synthetic physical barrier at the peanut-to-cotton interface to manage stink bugs in cotton. The physical barrier was the most effective management tactic. Stink bug density in cotton was lowest for this treatment. In 2010, boll injury was lower for the physical barrier compared to the other treatments except for soybean with stink bug traps. In 2011, boll injury was lower for this treatment compared to the control. Soybean was an effective trap crop, reducing both stink bug density in cotton and boll injury regardless if used alone or in combination with either stink bug traps or buckwheat. Incorporation of buckwheat in soybean enhanced parasitism of E. servus egg masses by Telenomus podisi Ashmead in cotton. The insertion of eyelets in the lid of the insect-collecting device of a stink bug trap allowed adult stink bug parasitoids, but not E. servus , to escape. Stand-alone stink bug traps were not very effective in deterring colonization of cotton by stink bugs or reducing boll injury. The paucity of effective alternative control measures available for stink bug management justifies further full-scale evaluations into these management tactics for control of these pests in crops.

Heated controlled atmosphere (CA) treatments have potential as alternatives to chemical fumigation for disinfesting postharvest fresh and stored products. To determine accurately the minimal thermal requirements to kill target insects over a wide range of temperatures and CA conditions, it is desirable to develop a model system to assess quickly the target insect thermotolerance. This study evaluated the gas tightness of the new controlled atmosphere/heating block system (CA-HBS) and the stability of gas concentrations, and determined temperature variations in the treatment chamber with and without added gas and under different gas channel designs and heating rates. The results showed that the new CA HBS had a relatively constant leakage rate and kept O-2 and CO2 concentration variations to within +/- 0.067% and +/- 0.167% at three set points (1% O-2:15% CO2, 2% O-2:17% CO2, and 2% O-2:20% CO2), resulting in relatively stable gas compositions. With the long gas channel design, temperature variations in the treatment chamber were not influenced by the addition of gas or by heating rates. The performance of the CA HBS indicated that this model system could be used for rapid assessment of pest thermotolerance. (C) 2015 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This paper reports on the validation and mass measurement of EPIC211682544 b, a sub-Neptune orbiting a quiet G9V star. Using K2 data from campaigns C5 and C16, we find this planet to have a period of 50.818947 ± 0.000094 days and a radius of 2.41 ± 0.12 R⊕ . We followed this system with HARPS-N to obtain 67 precise radial velocities. A combined fit of the transit and radial velocity data reveals that EPIC211682544 b has a mass of 14.8 ± 3.1 M⊕ . Its bulk density (5.7+1.6 −1.4 g cm −3) implies that this planet has a significant envelope of water or other volatiles around a rocky core. EPIC211682544 b likely formed in a similar way as the cores of the four giant planets in our own Solar System, but for some reason, did not accrete much gas. The planetary mass was confirmed by an independent Gaussian process-based fit to both the radial velocities and the spectroscopic activity indicators. EPIC211682544 b belongs to only a handful of confirmed K2 exoplanets with periods longer than 40 days. It is among the longest periods for a small planet with a precisely determined mass using radial velocities.

Reliable and repeatable insect thermal mortality data rely on the performance of a heating device. Computer simulation has been widely used to optimize structures, design parameters and process conditions. To improve the temperature uniformity of a heating block system (HBS), a computer model was developed using finite element software COMSOL. Good agreement was obtained between the simulated and experimental block surface temperatures at three positions of the HBS and three heating rates. The validated computer model was further used to predict the effects of heating rates, the position of test insects and the addition of gases on the block and air temperature distributions. Simulation results showed that increasing heating rate reduced heating uniformity. The position of test insects in the treatment chamber largely affected their heating rate, with a position closer to the surface of the heat block providing a better temperature match between test insects and the HBS. When gas was added, block temperatures within the treatment chamber, particularly near the gas inlet, were influenced by gas speeds, temperatures and the gas channel design. The heating uniformity in the treatment chamber of the HBS was improved by heating the gas before adding it to the HBS, by routing the gas channel through the heating block to preheat the gas, and by using a relatively slow gas speed. The simulation results demonstrated that the validated computer model could be a reliable tool to evaluate the heating performance of the HBS for studying insect thermal death kinetics and optimize treatment conditions for the HBS when modified to include controlled atmospheres.

Information on thermal death kinetics of targeted stored insects under different heating conditions is essential for developing postharvest disinfestation treatment protocols. Using a heating block system, the thermal death kinetics of adult rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), were determined at temperatures from 44 to 50 degrees C at 2 degrees C intervals and a heating rate of 5 degrees C/min. The effects of heating rates (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 degrees C/min) on mortality were also examined. The results showed that thermal death curves of S. oryzae followed a 0-order kinetic reaction model. The required holding times for achieving 100% mortality were 130, 50, 12, and 4 min at 44, 46, 48, and 50 degrees C, respectively. The activation energy for killings. oryzae was 505 kJ/mol and the z value obtained from the thermal-death-time curve was 3.9 degrees C. Insect mortality after a 20 min exposure to 46 degrees C at low heating rates (0.1 or 0.5 degrees C/min) was significantly lower than that at high heating rates (1-10 degrees C/min). The information provided by thermal death kinetics for S. oryzae is useful in developing effective postharvest thermal treatment protocols. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This chapter discusses the impact of insect infestations on the quality of postharvest nuts. The chapter first reviews the biology of key field pests that may be found in harvested nuts, and pests found in nut storage and processing facilities. The chapter then reviews current and developing control strategies, including sanitation, cultural orchard controls, mating disruption, monitoring methods, whole-facility treatments, non-chemical disinfestation treatments, and chemical fumigation.

The Australian Antarctic Medal, established in 1987, is an award in the Meritorious Service Awards category of the Australian Honours System. The Australian Antarctic Medal replaced the (British) Imperial Polar Medal and its variations which date back to 1857 for service in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

A combination of low pressure (LP) and low temperature (LT) may serve as a phytosanitary disinfestation treatment for fresh fruit. In this study, different life stages of codling moth (eggs, 2nd to 3rd instar larvae, 5th instar larvae and pupae) were treated in hypobaric chambers maintained at 10 degrees C and 1.33 kPa with nearly saturated humidity (>98%). Weight loss, color, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solids content (SSC) were selected as quality parameters to evaluate the quality changes of 'Red Delicious' apples before and after the LPLT treatment. Results showed that the 5th instar larvae were the most tolerant life stage for codling moth under LPLT treatment conditions. Insect mortality increased with increasing LPLT treatment time to >98% after 12 days of exposure to 10 degrees C temperature and 1.33 kPa pressure. Although stored in less than optimum conditions for apples, the measured quality variables of 'Red Delicious' were maintained relatively well after 15 days of LPLT treatment. The results suggest that LPLT technology has potential as an alternative, non-chemical disinfestation treatment for apples. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Radio frequency (RF) treatments have potential as alternatives to chemical fumigation for phytosanitary disinfestation treatments in the dried nut industry. To develop effective RF treatment protocols for almonds, it is desirable to determine heating uniformity and the occurrence of RF differential heating of insects. This study compared heating uniformity in almonds (Nonpareil) heated by RF and by forced hot air. A mathematical model suggested a 4.7 and 6.0 degrees C RF preferential heating of the target pest navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella [Walker]) over almonds at heating rates of 5 and 10 degrees C min(-1), respectively, for the loss factor ratio of 183 at 27.12 MHz, when the heat transfer coefficient between insects and almonds was set at 500 W m(-2) degrees C-1. To validate the model, a gellan gel with dielectric properties similar to those of the target pest was used as a model insect. When almond kernels were heated at 27.12 MHz from 21 degrees C to 55 degrees C, the model insects were differentially heated about 4.6 C and 5.6 degrees C higher than the kernel temperatures at heating rates of 5 and 10 degrees C min(-1), respectively. These values corresponded to a heating rate for the model insect of 1.2 times greater than that for almond kernels. Slight preferential heating of insects in almonds using RF energy would improve the efficacy of large-scale RF treatments. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

To develop low pressure/low temperature (LPLT) disinfestation treatments for fresh apples, the LPLT system stability and performance were evaluated first. Different life stages of coding moth were treated in hypobaric chambers maintained at 10C and 1.33 kPa with nearly saturated humidity to evaluate the tolerance of insects. Weight loss, color, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solid content (SSC) were selected as quality parameters to evaluate the quality changes of Red Delicious apples after LPLT treatment. Results showed that the regulating system kept pressure to within 1% of the set point, with a chamber leakage rate of 0.009 kPa/h and LP system leakage rate of 0.480 kPa/h. The most tolerant life stage for codling moth under LPLT treatment conditions was 5th instar larvae. Insect mortality increased with increasing LPLT treatment time to more than 98% after 12 days at 10C temperature and 1.33 kPa pressure. The quality of apples was maintained well after 15 days of LPLT treatment, suggesting that LPLT technology has potential as an alternative non-chemical disinfestation treatment method for apples.

To develop pasteurization treatments based on radio frequency (RF) or microwave energy, dielectric properties of almond shells were determined using an open-ended coaxial-probe with an impedance analyzer over a frequency range of 10-1800 MHz. Both the dielectric constant and loss factor of almond shells decreased with increasing frequency, but increased with increasing temperature and moisture content. The absolute value of the slopes of log-log plots between loss factor and frequency increased with increasing temperature at low frequencies, especially at high temperatures and moisture contents. The effective electrical conductivity of shell samples was close to zero at the lowest moisture content (6% w.b.) and 3-9 times larger at 90 degrees C than 20 degrees C for the highest moisture content (36% w.b.). A good linear relationship was observed between permittivity and density at 1800 MHz. The power penetration depths at RF range (27 and 40 MHz) were about 6-24 times as deep as those for microwave frequencies (915 and 1800 MHz) at each corresponding temperature and moisture content. It is likely that RF energy may provide uniform heating and high throughput treatments for controlling Salmonella in in-shell almonds after washing. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In developing radio frequency (RF) and microwave (MW) disinfestation treatments for chickpeas and lentils, large amounts of product infested with cowpea weevil must be treated to validate treatment efficacy. To accomplish this, black-eyed peas and mung beans are being considered for use as surrogate host legumes, since they are better hosts for cowpea weevil when compared with the target legumes. Dielectric properties are very important parameters for developing RF and MW treatments and may be used to estimate heating uniformity and penetration depth. Dielectric properties of black-eyed pea and mung bean flours at four moisture content levels as well as cowpea weevil immature stages and adults were measured with an open-ended coaxial probe and impedance analyser at frequencies of 10-1800 MHz and temperatures of 20-60 degrees C. For both insect and legume samples, the dielectric constant and loss factor decreased with increasing frequency but increased with increasing temperature and moisture content. Comparison of the dielectric loss factor of insects with that for legumes at commonly used industrial frequencies of 27 (RF) and 915 (MW) MHz showed that cowpea weevils should differentially heat faster than the legumes, with the differential heating reduced in MW heating when compared to RF heating. Penetration depths calculated for black-eyed peas and mung beans suggested that RF treatment had much larger penetration depth than MW treatment, and continuous industrial-scale RF treatment protocols could be developed to disinfest these products. (C) 2011 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chickpeas and lentils are two important legumes grown in the U.S. that need phytosanitary treatments before export to several countries, but it is difficult to artificially infest them with live cowpea weevil for radio frequency (RF) treatment validation. To evaluate the more readily infested black-eyed peas and mung beans as surrogates for chickpeas and lentils, the thermal and dielectric properties of black-eyed peas and mung beans at selected moisture contents were measured and compared with those of chickpeas and lentils. Temperature differences between black-eyed pea and chickpea or between mung bean and lentil were determined in a pilot-scale 27 MHz RF unit. The results showed that the dielectric constant and loss factor of black-eyed pea and mung bean increased with increasing moisture content and temperature, which was in good agreement with the trends observed in chickpea and lentil. After 6 min of RF heating, temperatures in black-eyed pea (moisture content of 8.8% w.b.) were 6 degrees C higher than those in chickpea (moisture content of 7.0% w.b.), while after 10 min of RF heating mung bean temperatures (moisture content of 10.2% w.b.) were 4 degrees C higher than lentil temperatures (moisture content of 7.1% w.b.) under the same treatment conditions. By reducing the moisture contents in black-eyed pea and mung bean to 2.6% and 3.7% w.b., respectively, their final temperatures were about 3.5 degrees C and 3.7 degrees C lower than those of chickpea and lentil. This would result in conservative insect mortality results when using black-eyed pea and mung bean as surrogate hosts for validation of pest control treatments in chickpea and lentil.

We report the discovery of HAT-P-14b, a fairly massive transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the moderately bright star GSC 3086-00152 (V = 9.98), with a period of P = 4.627669 +/- 0.000005 days. The transit is close to grazing (impact parameter 0.891 +0.007/-0.008) and has a duration of 0.0912 +/- 0.0017 days, with a reference epoch of mid transit of Tc = 2454875.28938 +/- 0.00047 (BJD). The orbit is slightly eccentric (e = 0.107 +/- 0.013), and the orientation is such that occultations are unlikely to occur. The host star is a slightly evolved mid-F dwarf with a mass of 1.386 +/- 0.045 M(Sun), a radius of 1.468 +/- 0.054 R(Sun) effective temperature 6600 +/- 90 K, and a slightly metal-rich composition corresponding to [Fe/H] = +0.11 +/- 0.08. The planet has a mass of 2.232 +/- 0.059 M(Jup) and a radius of 1.150 +/- 0.052 R(Jup), implying a mean density of 1.82 +/- 0.24 g/cm3. Its radius is well reproduced by theoretical models for the 1.3 Gyr age of the system if the planet has a heavy-element fraction of about 50 M(Earth) (7% of its total mass). The brightness, near-grazing orientation, and other properties of HAT-P-14 make it a favorable transiting system to look for changes in the orbital elements or transit timing variations induced by a possible second planet, and also to place meaningful constraints on the presence of sub-Earth mass or Earth mass exomoons, by monitoring it for transit duration variations.