Archaeal genome organization and stress responses: implications for the origin and evolution of cellular life

For DNA to be used as an informational molecule it must exist in the cell on the edge of stability because all genomic processes require local controlled melting. This presents mechanistic opportunities and problems for genomic DNA from hyperthermophilic organisms, whose unpackaged DNA could melt at optimal temperatures for growth. Hyperthermophiles are suggested to employ the novel positively supercoiling topoisomerase enzyme reverse gyrase (RG) to form positively supercoiled DNA that is intrinsically resistant to thermal denaturation. RG is presently the only archaeal gene that is uniquely found in hyperthermophiles and therefore is central to hypotheses suggesting a hypothermophilic origin of life. However, the suggestion that RG has evolved by the fusion of two pre-existing enzymes has led to hypotheses for a lower temperature for the origin of life. In addition to the action of topoisomerases, DNA packaging and the intracellular ionic environment can also manipulate DNA topology significantly. In the Euryarchaeota, nucleosomes containing minimal histones can adopt two alternate DNA topologies in a salt-dependent manner. From this we hypothesize that since internal salt concentrations are increased following an increase in temperature, the genomic effects of temperature fluctuations could also be accommodated by changes in nucleosome organization. In addition, stress-induced changes in the nucleoid proteins could also play a role in maintaining the genome in the optimal topological state in changing environments. The function of these systems could therefore be central to temperature adaptation and thus be implicated in origin of life scenarios involving hyperthermophiles.     

Polycondensation reactions of certain biologically essential molecules on mineral surfaces

Methods of detecting extraterrestrial forms of organic matter should take into account the results of research in the effects of irradiation on the synthesis of biopolymers. Processes occurring on clay mineral surfaces and on the surfaces of minerals of different kinds are illustrated and the possible role of clays in prebiological evolution is discussed.     

MEO轨道辐射环境对Si太阳电池影响研究

研究MEO轨道Si太阳电池在轨性能衰减规律,为太阳阵设计提供参考依据。利用位移损伤剂 量的方法,研究了电子辐照对Si太阳电池性能参数的影响,并分析了MEO轨道（高度20,000 km, 倾角56°）的电子和质子辐射环境,及其穿过不同厚度的石英玻璃盖片后的 衰减谱。研究发现,在没有玻璃盖片的情况下,MEO轨道一年期质子通量会造成电池最大输 出功率严重衰退,约为初始值的28％,而一年期电子通量影响很小,仅造成约7％的下降。 使用100μm的石英玻璃盖片几乎可以完全阻挡MEO轨道质子辐射的影响,但是对电子辐 射的阻挡作用很小。石英玻璃盖片对于屏蔽低能质子对电池辐照损伤是极其重要的。
     

With a grain of salt: what halite has to offer to discussions on the origin of life

This experimental study investigated how the dynamics of the crystallization of the evaporite mineral halite could affect the accumulation and preservation of organic macromolecules present in the crystallizing solution. Halite was grown under controlled conditions in the presence of polymer nanoparticles that acted as an analog to protocellular material. Optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to trace the localization of the nanoparticles during and after growth of halite crystals. The present study revealed that the organic nanoparticles were not regularly incorporated within the halite, but were very concentrated on its surfaces. Their distribution was controlled dominantly by the morphologic surface features of the mineral rather than by specific molecular interactions with an atomic plane of the mineral. This means that the distribution of organic molecules was controlled by surfaces like those of halite's evaporitic growth forms. The experiments with halite also demonstrated that a mineral need not continuously incorporate organic molecules during its crystallization to preserve those molecules: After rejection by (non-incorporation into) the crystallizing halite, the organic nanoparticles increased in concentration in the evaporating brine. They ultimately either adsorbed in rectilinear patterns onto the hopper-enhanced surfaces and along discontinuities within the crystals, or they were encapsulated within fluid inclusions. Of additional importance in origin-of-life considerations is the fact that halite in the natural environment rapidly can change its role from that of a protective repository (in the absence of water) to that of a source of organic particles (as soon as water is present) when the mineral dissolves.     

Self-propagating high-temperature reactions for the fabrication of Lunar and Martian physical assets

The development of a new process potentially useful for future manned Lunar and/or Martian space missions in the framework of the so-called ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) and ISFR (In-Situ Fabrication and Repair) concepts is described and discussed in this work. This process involves the fabrication of physical assets by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) for construction applications in Lunar and Martian environments starting from different Lunar or Martian regolith simulants and aluminum, as reducing agent. In addition, although Moon and Mars already contain ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and iron oxides, respectively, the latter ones are also added to the initial mixtures to promote suitable SHS reactions. A complete scheme for the fabrication of physical assets to be used as protection against solar rays, solar wind and meteoroids, where all required stages are indicated, is finally proposed in the framework of a recently filed patent.     

Bone mineral measurement: Skylab experiment M-078

The observation that bone mineral is lost in patients who are either immobilized or remain in bed for extended periods of time formed the basis for the concern that large amounts of bone mineral may be lost during long periods of weightlessness. This concern was magnified when early X-ray densitometry studies suggested that rather large amounts of mineral could be lost during rather short periods of weightlessness (4-14 days). Even though these Gemini results have recently been modified, they still reflect substantial losses in the upper extremity. This led to a series of prolonged bed-rest studies (30-36 weeks) which, in addition to careful calcium balance, also employed a newer, more precise method of estimating bone mineral in the radius, ulna, and os calcis. It employed an essentially monoenergetic photon source (125I) and a scintillation detector operating in a rectilinear scanning mode to measure bone mineral by the absorptiometric technique. Bed-rest studies revealed variable mineral losses but suggested that little if any is lost during 4-6 weeks, with variable amounts being lost in 8 weeks. Losses up to 40% were noted in the os calcis after 9 months, with essentially none in the radius and ulna. When this technique was employed during the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 missions, only one crewman (CMP Apollo 15) showed significant losses in the os calcis and none in the radius or ulna. These results were, therefore, in concert with the bed-rest data but at variance with the earlier Gemini data. The variability observed during bed rest was reconciled when it was observed that the rate of loss could be correlated with the initial 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion and the initial os calcis mineral content. Prediction terms were established. Measurements of the SL-II crew after 28 days of weightlessness revealed no significant bone mineral losses. The Skylab data lie within the predicted limits obtained from the bed-rest data. The relevance of the prediction terms to the Skylab and longer missions discussed.     

Evaluation of bleomycin-induced chromosome aberrations under simulated microgravity conditions in human lymphocytes using "FISH" techniques

In the present investigation we report the effects of simulated microgravity conditions (clinostat) on the induction of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro by (R) Bleomycin. Chromosomal aberrations have been analysed by means of fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and chromosome-specific composite DNA probes (chromosome painting). The results obtained show that, under simulated microgravity conditions, the levels of both symmetrical and asymmetrical (dicentrics, rings), the number of cells bearing "complex" aberrations and hence the total numbers of aberrations were significantly elevated at any of the dose-levels assayed, compared to the parallel treatments performed as 1g control ("ground"). Furthermore, the ratio symmetrical:asymmetrical translocations was markedly elevated under simulated microgravity conditions, compared to the findings usually observed under "normal" 1g conditions. On these bases, we are much inclined to believe that simulated microgravity, rather than limiting the resealing of DNA double strand breaks (DSB's) induced by genotoxic agents is influencing in terms of enhancement the misrejoining of DSB's which is actually responsible for the fixation of the original lesions to DNA into chromosomal aberrations. In addition, the possible different misrepair processes leading to the formation of symmetrical and asymmetrical translocations might be differentially influenced by microgravity being the symmetrical translocations significantly more represented.     

The fluid-dynamic disturbances induced on the ISS, based on the first acceleration measurements on board the space station

The different acceleration components on the ISS that are responsible for the generation of convective motions in a fluid cell either in the presence of density gradients or in quasi-isodense processes, are analyzed. The NASA measurements of the quasi-steady and periodic acceleration on the ISS are considered and their effects on fluid-dynamic experiments are computed and discussed under different assumptions. In particular, numerical simulations are carried out to identify the relative importance of linear and pendular accelerations, due to possible rotations of the P/L around its center of mass. The effects caused by variable accelerations created by an isolation mount that exhibits an attenuation factor not constant within the payload volume, caused by the reaction forces of the umbilicals, are computed and analyzed.     

Application of GFP technique for cytoskeleton visualization onboard the International Space Station

Cytoskeleton recently attracted wide attention of cell and molecular biologists due to its crucial role in gravity sensing and trunsduction. Most of cytoskeletal research is conducted by the means of immunohistochemical reactions, different modifications of which are beneficial for the ground-based experiments. But for the performance onboard the space vehicles, they represent quite complicated technique which requires time and special skills for astronauts. In addition, immunocytochemistry provides only static images of the cytoskeleton arrangement in fixed cells while its localization in living cells is needed for the better understanding of cytoskeletal function. In this connection, we propose a new approach for cytoskeletal visualization onboard the ISS, namely, application of green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria, which has the unique properties as a marker for protein localization in vivo. The creation of chimerical protein-GFP gene constructs, obtaining the transformed plant cells possessed protein-GFP in their cytoskeletal composition will allow receiving a simple and efficient model for screening of the cytoskeleton functional status in microgravity.     

原子氧对航天器表面的剥蚀效应及其预报研究

文章论述了一个航天器表面原子氧通量和遭遇量预报模式的建立,并对影响航天器表面原子氧遭遇量的主要因素进行了讨论。最后用模式计算了2003～2006年间太阳同步轨道卫星表面原子氧遭遇量的情况。     

Space radiation effects on plant and mammalian cells

The study of the effects of ionizing radiation on organisms is related to different research aims. The current review emphasizes the studies on the effects of different doses of sparsely and densely ionizing radiation on living organisms, with the final purpose of highlighting specific and common effects of space radiation in mammals and plants. This topic is extremely relevant in the context of radiation protection from space environment. The response of different organisms to ionizing radiation depends on the radiation quality/dose and/or the intrinsic characteristics of the living system. Macromolecules, in particular DNA, are the critical targets of radiation, even if there is a strong difference between damages encountered by plant and mammalian cells. The differences in structure and metabolism between the two cell types are responsible for the higher resistance of the plant cell compared with its animal counterpart.     

The reactions of nitrogen heterocycles with acrolein: scope and prebiotic significance

It has been suggested that life began with a self-replicating RNA molecule. However, after much research into the prebiotic synthesis of RNA, the difficulties encountered have lead some to hypothesize that RNA was preceded by a simpler molecule, one more easily synthesized prebiotically. Many of the proposed alternative molecules are based on acrolein, since it reacts readily with nucleophiles, such as the nucleobases, via Michael addition and is readily synthesized from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Reports regarding the reactions of nucleobases with concentrated acrolein solutions suggest that this is a plausible reaction mechanism, though there are also reports that the "incorrect" isomers are obtained. The scope and kinetics of the reaction of acrolein with various nitrogen heterocycles are reported here. Reactions of pyrimidines often give N(1) adducts as the major products. Reactions of purines often give N(9) adducts in good yield. The reactions are rapid under neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, and proceed at low temperatures and dilutions. The implications of these findings for the origin of life are discussed.     

Role of interface deformations in Benard-Marangoni instability

This work is concerned with a linear analysis of natural thermoconvection in a two-layer system formed by a liquid surmounted by an upper immiscible gas layer (Bénard-Marangoni problem). Emphasis is put on the role of the air layer on the thermoconvective instability. It is shown that the motion inside the gas phase can be disregarded provided its thickness is smaller than the thickness of the liquid layer. The gas can then be modelled as a purely conductive medium. Another important problem discussed here is the role of surface deformations on the onset of convection. In that respect, the use of Boussinesq's approximation is discussed and its limits of validity are specified. The main results are the following. First, it is concluded that overstability cannot be observed in ordinary fluids under realistic experimental conditions. Besides, it is shown that, among the relatively larger number of parameters appearing in the problem, the viscosity is by far the most important. Moreover, new dimensionless numbers are introduced to better apprehend the physical context. The experimental conditions required to observe the surface zero-wave number instability are also determined, as well as the conditions under which gravity effects may be neglected on earth. Finally it is examined under which circumstances the interface can be considered as remaining flat.     

Biomedical analysis of rat body hair after hindlimb suspension for 14 days

The levels of 26 minerals in rat body hair were analyzed in control and hindlimb-suspended Wistar Hannover rats (n=5 each). We quantified the levels of 22 minerals in this experiment. However, we were unable to measure the levels of 4 minerals (Be, V, Cd, and Hg) quantitatively because they were below the limit of detection. Of the 22 quantified, the levels of 19 minerals were not significantly different between control and hindlimb-suspended groups. The levels of 3 minerals (Pb, Cr, and Al) tended to be higher in the hindlimb-suspended group than in the control group; however, this difference was not significant. The concentrations of 3 other minerals (I, K, and Mg) were significantly different between the 2 groups. The iodine (I) level was 58.2% higher in the hindlimb-suspended group than in the control group (P<0.05). Potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) levels were 55.2% and 20.4% lower, respectively, in the experimental group (P<0.05 in both cases).These results indicate that a physiological change in mineral metabolism resulting from physical or mental stress, such as hindlimb suspension, is reflected in body hair. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has initiated a human research study to investigate the effects of long-term space flight on gene expression and mineral metabolism by analyzing hair samples of astronauts who stayed in the International Space Station (ISS) for 6 months. We believe that hindlimb suspension for 14 days can simulate the effects of an extremely severe environment, such as space flight, because the hindlimb suspension model elicits a rapid physiological change in skeletal muscle, bone, and fluid shift even in the short term. These results also suggest that we can detect various effects on the body by analyzing the human scalp hair shaft.     

AlGaN/GaN HEMT质子辐射效应研究进展

氮化镓（GaN）基异质结材料以其宽禁带、耐高温、高击穿电压以及优异的抗辐射性能成为航天领域半导体材料的研究和应用热点。而基于GaN材料的AlGaN/GaN高电子迁移率晶体管（HEMT）因其制备过程带来的缺陷和损伤,性能将受到空间辐射的严峻挑战。文章对空间辐射环境下AlGaN/GaN HEMT的辐射机理和效应进行梳理;针对低中地球轨道以质子为主的辐射环境,对不同能量和注量的质子辐照对AlGaN/GaN HEMT的效应进行系统分析。鉴于从压电极化角度分析AlGaN/GaN HEMT的质子辐射效应存在欠缺,且不同能量和注量的质子辐照对器件的影响不同,提出后续应开展AlGaN/GaN HEMT辐射损伤机制、不同轨道辐射环境模拟以及质子辐照对AlGaN/GaN HEMT宏观特性影响研究。     

固体火箭发动机喷管两相流动计算

采用MacCormark格式与特征线法联合的方法求解了固体火箭发动机喷管两相流场。在跨音速段,气相控制方程用基于MacCormark格式的时间相关法求解,粒子方程采用跟踪粒子轨迹的特征线法求解;在超音速段,气相控制方程用MacCormark两步显格式空间步进求解,粒子方程仍采用跟踪粒子轨迹的特征线法求解,两相充分偶合。在控制方程中考虑了三氧化二铝颗粒的相变。最后对JPL喷管进行了计算,并讨论了不同质量分数对流场的影响。     

Summary of medical investigations in the U.S.S.R. manned space missions.

The results of biomedical investigations carried out in the U.S.S.R. manned space missions are discussed. Their basic result is well-documented evidence that man can perform space flights of long duration. The investigations have demonstrated no direct correlation between inflight or postflight physiological reactions of crewmembers and flight duration. In all likelihood, this can be attributed to the fact that special exercises done inflight efficiently prevented adverse effects of weightlessness. However, human reactions to weightlessness need further study. They include negative calcium balance and anemia as well as vestibulo-autonomic disorders shown by crewmembers at early stages of weightlessness. Attention should be given to psychological, social-psychological and ethical problems that may also limit further increase in flight duration.     

三轴飞行仿真转台频带拓宽技术研究

将广泛应用于机器人手臂控制等其它柔性控制系统的输入指令整形减振技术移植到转台应用中,并对输入指令整形器的设计方法、对系统参数变化的鲁棒性进行了探讨和研究,最后以某单轴台控制系统为对象进行了实验,结果表明,输入指令整形器以前馈的形式应用于单轴台的控制系统时,既不影响系统的稳定性,又可以很好地抑制频带拓宽时的机械谐振,而且对系统参数变化具有较高的鲁棒性.此外,因其算法简单,且容易实现和调试,所以可作为拓宽飞行仿真转台频带的一种新途径.     

Effects of neurectomy and tenotomy on the bone mineral density and strength of tibiae.

The right hindlimbs of 5 or 6-week old Wistar male rats were sciatic/femoral neurectomized, tenotomized or sham operated. The rats were sacrificed 2 weeks after the surgery and the tibiae were removed. pQCT measurement was performed on total, cortical, and trabecular bone separately at different regions. Reduction of the bone mineral density by unloading was observed more significantly at metaphysis than at diaphysis due to histological heterogeneity between metaphysis and diaphysis; metaphysis is rich in trabecular bone and diaphysis is abundant in cortical bone. Trabecular bone might be more sensitive to unloading because the reduction rate of volumetric bone mineral density in trabecular bone was approximately 10 times and 3 times larger than that of cortical bone in both neurectomy and tenotomy rats, respectively, Unloading also reduced the cross-sectional area and stress strain index at metaphysis.     

有源拖曳式诱饵的干扰样式及对抗措施探讨

有源拖曳式诱饵是一种对导弹武器系统行之有效的干扰措施,了解其可能施放的干扰信号样式,有助于研究导弹对抗有源拖曳式诱饵干扰。通过数字仿真分析,研究了不同干扰信号样式对PD导引头所造成的干扰效果,分析了导引头可采取的抗干扰措施,以及后续的研究方向。