Experimental concept for examination of biological effects of magnetic field concealed by gravity.

Space is not only a place to study biological effects of gravity, but also provides unique opportunities to examine other environmental factors, where the biological actions are masked by gravity on the ground. Even the earth's magnetic field is steadily acting on living systems, and is known to influence many biological processes. A systematic survey and assessment of its action are difficult to conduct in the presence of dominant factors, such as gravity. Investigation of responses of biological systems against the combined environment of zero-gravity and zero-magnetic field might establish the baseline for the analysis of biological effects of magnetic factors. We propose, in this paper, an experimental concept in this context, together with a practical approach of the experiments, both in orbit and on the ground, with a thin magnetic shielding film. Plant epicotyl growth was taken as an exemplar index to evaluate technical and scientific feasibility of the proposed system concept.     

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.     

Hermean Magnetosphere-Solar Wind Interaction

The small intrinsic magnetic field of Mercury together with its proximity to the Sun makes the Hermean magnetosphere unique in the context of comparative magnetosphere study. The basic framework of the Hermean magnetosphere is believed to be the same as that of Earth. However, there exist various differences which cause new and exciting effects not present at Earth to appear. These new effects may force a substantial correction of our naïve predictions concerning the magnetosphere of Mercury. Here, we outline the predictions based on our experience at Earth and what effects can drastically change this picture. The basic structure of the magnetosphere is likely to be understood by scaling the Earth’s case but its dynamic aspect is likely modified significantly by the smallness of the Hermean magnetosphere and the substantial presence of heavy ions coming from the planet’s surface.     

Sedimentable amyloplasts in starch sheath cells of woody stems of Japanese cherry.

We examined whether sedimentable amyloplasts act as statolith in the perception of gravity in woody stems using the elongated internodes of Japanese cherry (Prunus jamasakura Sieb. ex Koidz.). In the internode of the seedlings grown on earth, amyloplasts were found sedimented at the distal end of each cell of the endodermal starch sheath tissue. In the internode grown on three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat, amyloplasts were dispersed throughout the cell matrix in the endodermal starch sheath tissue. After changing the positions of the internode from vertical to horizontal, re-sedimentation of amyloplasts toward the direction of gravity was completed in 1h, whereas the bending of the internode was observed after 12 days. We propose that sedimentable amyloplasts in the endodermal starch sheath cells may play a role in gravity perception leading to secondary xylem formation in the secondary thickening growth and eccentric growth in gravi-bending of tree stems.     

The structure of Kelvin–Helmholtz vortices with super-sonic flow

We have done two-dimensional simulations of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) with super-sonic flow using the CIP method. The linear analyses of a simple uniform density case show that the KHI cannot grow vigorously when the velocity jump is more than twice the sound speed (when the flow speed relative to the vortex is super-sonic). In this study, by situating a high density contrast across the shear layer, we set the flow in only one of the sides to be super-sonic and then show that the KHI does grow and rolls up a vortex. The formation of a shock is essential for the KHI vigorous growth and the structure of the vortex is strongly influenced by the shock geometry. The results should have substantial implications to velocity shear layer dynamics involving large density jump, such as planetary magnetospheric boundary layers.     

薄翼失速翼型前缘分离泡对失速特性的影响

DES方法结合了RANS(Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes)和LES(Large Eddy Simulation approaches)的优点。在近壁面它体现为RANS模型的特点而在远离物面处又起到LES的亚格子模型的特性。论文应用DES(Detached-EddySimulation)方法讨论了影响薄翼失速的分离泡对翼型的升力特性影响。     

Relativistic Energy-Momentum of a Body with a Finite Volume

The problem of energy-momentum in a body with a finite volume has been causing confusion in the theory of relativity, especially in relativistic thermodynamics. Its correct understanding has been given since the early years of relativity, however, erroneous misunderstandings are still found in papers and textbooks to this date. The present paper introduces a simple paradox to demonstrate the problem, and gives a brief review on a way to handle the energy-momentum correctly.     

Irradiated ignition of solid materials in reduced pressure atmosphere with various oxygen concentrations – for fire safety in space habitats

Effects of sub-atmospheric ambient pressure and oxygen content on irradiated ignition characteristics of solid combustibles were examined experimentally in order to elucidate the flammability and chance of fire in depressurized systems and give ideas for the fire safety and fire fighting strategies for such environments. Thin cellulosic paper was used as the solid combustible since cellulose is one of major organic compounds and flammables in the nature. Applied atmospheres consisted of inert gases (either CO₂ or N₂) and oxygen at various mixture ratios. Total ambient pressure (P) was varied from 101 kPa (standard atmospheric pressure, P₀) to 20 kPa. Ignition was initiated by external thermal radiation with CO₂ laser (10 W total; 21.3 W/cm² of the corresponding peak flux) onto the solid surface. Thermal degradation of the solid produced combustible gaseous products (e.g. CO, H₂, or other low weight of HCs) and these products mixed with ambient oxygen to form the combustible mixture over the solid. Heat transfer from the irradiated surface into the mixture accelerated the exothermic reaction in the gas phase and finally thermal runaway (ignition) was achieved. A digital video camera was used to analyze the ignition characteristics. Flammability maps in partial pressure of oxygen (ppO₂) and normalized ambient pressure (P/P₀) plane were made to reveal the fire hazard in depressurized environments. Results showed that a wider flammable range was obtained in sub-atmospherics conditions. In middle pressure range (101–40 kPa), the required ppO₂ for ignition decreased almost linearly as the total pressure decreased, indicating that higher fire risk is expected. In lower pressure range (<40 kPa), the required partial pressure of oxygen increased dramatically, then ignition was eventually not achieved at pressures less than 20 kPa under the conditions studied here. The findings suggest that it might be difficult to satisfy safety in space agriculture since it has been reported that higher oxygen concentrations are preferable for plant growth in depressurized environments. Our results imply that there is an optimum pressure level to achieve less fire chance with acceptable plant growth. An increase of the flammable range in middle pressure level might be explained by following two effects: one is a physical effect, such as a weak convective thermal removal from ignitable domain (near the hot surface) to the ambient of atmosphere, and the other is chemical effect which causes so-called “explosion peninsula” as a result of depleting radical consumption due to third-body recombination reaction. Further studies are necessary to determine the controlling factor on the observed flammable trend in depressurized conditions.     

In-flight Performance and Initial Results of Plasma Energy Angle and Composition Experiment (PACE) on SELENE (Kaguya)

MAP-PACE (MAgnetic field and Plasma experiment—Plasma energy Angle and Composition Experiment) on SELENE (Kaguya) has completed its ～1.5-year observation of low-energy charged particles around the Moon. MAP-PACE consists of 4 sensors: ESA (Electron Spectrum Analyzer)-S1, ESA-S2, IMA (Ion Mass Analyzer), and IEA (Ion Energy Analyzer). ESA-S1 and S2 measured the distribution function of low-energy electrons in the energy range 6 eV–9 keV and 9 eV–16 keV, respectively. IMA and IEA measured the distribution function of low-energy ions in the energy ranges 7 eV/q–28 keV/q and 7 eV/q–29 keV/q. All the sensors performed quite well as expected from the laboratory experiment carried out before launch. Since each sensor has a hemispherical field of view, two electron sensors and two ion sensors installed on the spacecraft panels opposite each other could cover the full 3-dimensional phase space of low-energy electrons and ions. One of the ion sensors IMA is an energy mass spectrometer. IMA measured mass-specific ion energy spectra that have never before been obtained at a 100 km altitude polar orbit around the Moon. The newly observed data show characteristic ion populations around the Moon. Besides the solar wind, MAP-PACE-IMA found four clearly distinguishable ion populations on the dayside of the Moon: (1) Solar wind protons backscattered at the lunar surface, (2) Solar wind protons reflected by magnetic anomalies on the lunar surface, (3) Reflected/backscattered protons picked-up by the solar wind, and (4) Ions originating from the lunar surface/lunar exosphere.