On initial steps of chemical prebiotic evolution: Triggering autocatalytic reaction of oligomerization

Searching for extraterrestrial life attracts more and more attention. However this searching hardly can be effective without sufficiently universal concept of life origin, which incidentally tackles a problem of origin of life on the Earth. A concept of initial stages of life origin is stated in the paper. The concept eliminates key difficulties in the problem of life origin, and allows experimental verification of it. According to the concept the predecessor of living beings has to be sufficiently simple to provide non-zero probability of self-assembling during short (in geological or cosmic scale) time. In addition the predecessor has to be capable of autocatalysis, and further complication (evolution). A possible scenario of initial stage of life origin, which can be realized both on other planets, and inside experimental facility is considered. In the scope of the scenario a theoretical model of multivariate oligomeric autocatalyst is presented. Results of computer simulation of two versions of oligomeric autocatalytic reactions are presented. It is shown that the contribution of monomer activation reaction is essential, and in some cases autocatalysis in polymerizing reaction can be achieved without catalyzing proper monomer binding reaction.     

Exobiology revisited

The term “Exobiology” was introduced about 25 years ago, at a time when intensive discussions were under way concerning plans for the biological exploration of Mars. The search for life on Mars was to be a critical test of the concept of chemical evolution- not an end in itself. After the Viking mission, when it became apparent that prospects were dim for the discovery of extraterrestrial life within our solar system, many people concluded that this new field of endeavor would soon expire. Quite the contrary, over the past decade, the field has broadened considerably into a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the circumstances that led to the origin of life and the interplay between the evolution of this planet and its biota.     

空间微生物实验技术研究进展

微生物具有结构简单、生长周期短、繁殖快、便于搭载等优点,被作为生物模型用于空间环境下的生命现象研究、地外生命探测以及开展以微生物为重点关注对象的行星保护任务研究.随着中国空间站在轨建造任务的临近,微生物空间实验技术开发以及相应的实验装置研制需要加快部署.本文以已实现空间应用的微生物技术为基础,从微生物空间培养、保存、检...     

China's Deep-space Exploration to 2030

Focusing on the key scientific questions of deep space exploration which include the origin and evolution of the solar system and its planets, disastrous impact on the Earth by the solar activities and small bodies, extraterrestrial life, this paper put forward a propose about the roadmap and scientific objectives of China's Deep-space Exploration before 2030.     

系统电磁兼容技术综述与展望

系统电磁兼容问题已成为飞行器等大型复杂系统全寿命周期中必须面对的客观问题。如果解决不当,不仅带来大量研制经费的浪费,同时还将导致系统从根本上丧失使用能力。系统电磁兼容问题不同于设备分系统电磁兼容问题,无论是在分析方法、设计方法、试验方法方面,均为系统工程问题。重点围绕航空飞行器研制中的电磁兼容问题,介绍一种全新的系统电磁兼容设计方法:飞机整机电磁兼容精确化协同优化设计方法。该方法有效实现了从飞机总体角度进行全机电磁兼容性设计和从飞机顶层高度提出全机电磁兼容量化指标要求。该技术不但可以实现全机电磁兼容问题在过程中得到管理和控制,并且实现了飞机全机电磁兼容设计的一次性成功,从电磁兼容角度保证了飞机的安全性。     

Some observations on amino acid racemization under pyrolytic temperatures and inorganic oxide-catalyzed intermolecular condensation.

The problem of homochirality is of crucial importance for the origins of Life. While most laboratory studies are focused on the search of physical and chemical sources of handedness in the Universe, they reflect only one aspect of the problem: the origin of homochiral biomolecules. At the same time, any space environments where biomolecules are expected to form and where they have to pass through before the first primitive forms of Life emerge, include strong irradiation or/and high temperatures. This automatically implies the possibility of losing the optical activity, i.e. racemization. The simulation experiments performed by our group deal with the following two aspects of amino acid abiotic chemistry: (1) amino acid pyrolysis associated with their extraterrestrial delivery; and (2) peptide formation from amino acids catalyzed by inorganic oxides. According to our observations, the racemization phenomena are very common in the systems considered, not only under pyrolytic temperatures, but in some cases also under rather mild conditions (<100 degrees C). Our results put additional constraints on the environments where the chirality of biomolecules can be efficiently preserved.     

Survival of microorganisms in space protected by meteorite material: results of the experiment 'EXOBIOLOGIE' of the PERSEUS mission.

During the early evolution of life on Earth, before the formation of a protective ozone layer in the atmosphere, high intensities of solar UV radiation of short wavelengths could reach the surface of the Earth. Today the full spectrum of solar UV radiation is only experienced in space, where other important space parameters influence survival and genetic stability additionally, like vacuum, cosmic radiation, temperature extremes, microgravity. To reach a better understanding of the processes leading to the origin, evolution and distribution of life we have performed space experiments with microorganisms. The ability of resistant life forms like bacterial spores to survive high doses of extraterrestrial solar UV alone or in combination with other space parameters, e.g. vacuum, was investigated. Extraterrestrial solar UV was found to have a thousand times higher biological effectiveness than UV radiation filtered by stratospheric ozone concentrations found today on Earth. The protective effects of anorganic substances like artificial or real meteorites were determined on the MIR station. In the experiment EXOBIOLOGIE of the French PERSEUS mission (1999) it was found that very thin layers of anorganic material did not protect spores against the deleterious effects of energy-rich UV radiation in space to the expected amount, but that layers of UV radiation inactivated spores serve as a UV-shield by themselves, so that a hypothetical interplanetary transfer of life by the transport of microorganisms inside rocks through the solar system cannot be excluded, but requires the shielding of a substantial mass of anorganic substances.     

Minimal requirements for molecular information transfer.

The information transfer properties of nucleic acids are largely due to the properties of the bases themselves, for which it would appear evolution has selected a highly favorable set of molecules. In aqueous solution, it is possible that this task can only be carried out efficiently by heterocyclic, condensed-ring structures fairly similar to the purines and pyrimidines. Alterations in backbone structure, however, whether in the mode of linkage or in the nature of the sugar residue, are much less critical. Such alternatives could have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth and should be considered likely in extraterrestrial environments. The possible existence of low-efficiency, information transfer systems based on other structures entirely (proteins, clay minerals, etc), remains an interesting speculation for which no evidence is presently available.     

Autopoiesis and the origin of bacteria.

"Autopoiesis" is the explanatory principle for the organization of living systems, a concept directly applicable to the problematic issues surrounding the origins of life. Because it provides criteria by which a system may be judged as living, autopoiesis can be used to characterize a minimal living system. Once these defining characteristics have been established, we can extrapolate the conditions which would have made possible the emergence of earliest life. Because autopoiesis is a principle of organization, it provides a definition of living systems not restricted to specific molecules or structures--that is, to those nucleic-acid/protein/lipid cellular life forms with which we are familiar. Autopoiesis provides the conceptual and systematic framework within which any living system may be identified. In examining living systems, then, autopoiesis gives us a literally "meta-physical" view of life.     

地外二氧化碳转化利用技术研究现状与展望

为有效解决未来长期载人地外生存面临的物资供给等关键问题,获得更高的氧回收率、能量转化效率和更低的应用成本,亟须发展更高效的地外二氧化碳转化利用技术。文章总结了地外二氧化碳利用的发展现状并分析了近期的研究进展,发现不同技术之间差异大,在航天应用过程中,需充分考虑地外环境限制因素,以选用更合适的技术。空间站上已搭载的Sabatier装置和火星车上的MOXIE装置初步实现了地外二氧化碳还原。以“地外人工光合成”为代表的常温二氧化碳转化技术可为地外环控生保提供新路线。其不仅能够实现地外氧气供给,还可获得甲酸、乙烯和甲烷等有机分子作为燃料或生物转化原料。随着相关基础研究的不断发展,有望实现二氧化碳的高效转化和高附加值有机物、甚至碳糖食物的生产。地外二氧化碳转化利用技术的发展,将实现地外密闭环境下的废弃资源利用与物质循环,降低载人空间站、载人深空飞船的物资供应需求,也将为原位资源利用火星大气中的二氧化碳提供创新思路,以支撑未来可承受、可持续的地外生存任务。     

复杂系统研制费用Weibull分布的研究

科学地估算研制费用为项目立项决策和科学分配经费提供了依据.Weibull时间费用模型是一种描述大型复杂系统人力资源问题的计量经济模型,也称生命周期模型.本文分析了Weibull分布特点,特征参数的估算方法及Weibull时间费用模型的几种模式,给出了模型的理论解释.结合具体实例用经验估算法对模型参数进行了估计,得到的预算费用比较符合实际系统研制费用的发生规律.研究表明,Weibull时间费用模型为预测大型复杂系统研制费用提供了有效的方法.     

小样本理论在航空发动机研制费估算中的应用

研究了小样本理论中的偏最小二乘法在航空发动机研制费估算中的适用性,系统收集了国内10余种军用涡喷/涡扇发动机的技术性能和研制费数据,选取涡轮进口温度、军用耗油率、发动机军用推力、发动机加力推力、发动机推重比、发动机净重、总增压比、空气流量、翻修寿命、原型机数量、完成时间等技术参数,将小样本理论中的偏最小二乘法应用于军用航空发动机研制费估算模型的研究,形成了基于主要性能指标的军用航空发动机研制费参数估算模型,并建立了军用航空发动机研制继承系数的概念.计算结果表明,该模型较国内其他已有模型的精度有所提高,达到了10%,可以应用于我国航空发动机研制费的快速估算.     

地外人工光合成装置研制与试验

原位资源利用技术是地外生命保障体系构建、实现人类地外生存的有效途径,是载人深空探索的核心技术。基于微通道技术的人工光合成反应器,采用流动反应器设计,用于低微重力等特殊环境条件下模拟人工光合作用,实现CO２向O２和含碳燃料的转化。微通道芯片通过气液剪切作用力使气体反应产物快速脱离电极表面并随反应介质排出反应器,理论上可以克服微重力条件对反应过程的影响,尚需进行微重力试验进行验证。同时,微通道结构可以通过精确控制反应气液的压力、流速、流量比等反应条件,获得优化的反应条件。通过地面试验,验证了该反应器将CO２还原为O２和含碳化合物的功能可行性。以Au和Ir/C作为阴极和阳极材料,3V电压条件下,O２产率可达11.74mL/h。此外,基于人工光合成反应器搭建了集反应模块、控制模块、流路驱动模块以及检测模块等于一体的地外人工光合成装置,形成原位反应、介质供给、精确控制、在线收集和检测等功能一体化的系统,并实现CO２有效转换和O２供给。为后续技术成熟度更高的反应装置研制、高产物选择性的含碳化合物转化以及人工光合成反应装置在轨试验奠定了理论和实践基础。     

Analysis of the archaeal sub-seafloor community at Suiyo Seamount on the Izu-Bonin Arc

A sub-surface archaeal community at the Suiyo Seamount in the Western Pacific Ocean was investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequence and whole-cell in situ hybridization analyses. In this study, we drilled and cased holes at the hydrothermal area of the seamount to minimize contamination of the hydrothermal fluid in the sub-seafloor by penetrating seawater. PCR clone analysis of the hydrothermal fluid samples collected from a cased hole indicated the presence of chemolithoautotrophic primary biomass producers of Archaeoglobales and the Methanococcales-related archaeal HTE1 group, both of which can utilize hydrogen as an electron donor. We discuss the implication of the microbial community on the early history of life and on the search for extraterrestrial life.     

载人火星探测的行星保护

行星保护是影响载人火星探索任务的重要问题之一。载人探测的行星保护包括3个方面,即防止来源于地球的微生物污染目标星球的正向污染防护、防止外来生物对地球的潜在危害的逆向污染防护,以及确保航天员的健康和安全。国际宇航界已经开始针对载人火星探测的行星保护制定政策法规和开展技术研讨。本文介绍了行星保护的定义和法理依据,简要回顾了美国国家航空航天局在“阿波罗登月”中的行星保护措施,并对未来载人火星探测中的主要污染物、污染途径以及污染防护策略进行了初步探讨。     

The initiation of biological processes on Earth: summary of empirical evidence.

With the currently available geological record at band, the existence of life on this planet as from at least 3.8 Gyr ago seems so firmly established as to be virtually unassailable. Specifically, various disparate lines of evidence have merged to indicate (1) that the surface of the Archaean Earth had hosted prolific microbial ecosystems as is testified by a quasi-continuous record of microbialites ("stromatolites") and associated microfossils of prokaryotic affinity over 3.5, if not 3.8 Gyr of geological history, and (2) that the sedimentary carbon record has preserved the isotopic signature of autotrophic (notably photosynthetic) carbon fixation over the same time span. With the observed enrichment of isotopically light carbon in sedimentary organic matter largely consonant with the bias in favor of 12C during photosynthesis, the mainstream of the carbon isotope record can be best explained as geochemical manifestation of the isotope discriminating properties of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase reaction of the Calvin cycle suggesting an extreme degree of evolutionary conservatism in the biochemistry of autotrophic carbon fixation. As a consequence, partial biological control of the geochemical carbon cycle was established already during Early Archaean times and fully operative by the time of formation of the Earth's earliest sediments.     

火星生命探测中一种潜在的生物标志物磷酸盐

地外生命探索是国际上广泛关注的深空探测重要目标之一.中国第一个火星探测器天问一号成功发射,开启了对火星表面形貌、生命迹象等进行科学探索的旅程.作为太阳系中与地球最为相似的星球,火星带给人类无穷的遐想.火星上是否存在生命,未来人类是否可以移民火星,磷作为重要的生命元素,在生命的整个进化过程具有不可替代的作用.磷酸盐可以作...     

Trapped antiprotons produced by cosmic rays in the Earth's magnetosphere.

The existence of significant fluxes of antiparticles in the Earth magnetosphere has been predicted on theoretical considerations in this article. These antiparticles (positrons or antiprotons) at several hundred kilometers of altitudes, we believe are not of direct extraterrestrial origin, but are the natural products of nuclear reactions of the high energy primary cosmic rays (CR) and trapped protons (TP) confined in the terrestrial radiation belt, with the constituents of terrestrial atmosphere. Extraterrestrial positrons and antiprotons born in nuclear reactions of the same CR particles passing through only 5-7 g/cm2 of interstellar matter, exhibit lower fluxes compared to the antiprotons born at hundreds of g/cm2 in the atmosphere, which when confined in the magnetic field of the Earth (in any other planet), get accumulated. We present the results of the computations of the antiproton fluxes at 10 MeV to several GeV energies due to CR particle interactions with the matter in the interstellar space, and also with the residual atmosphere at altitudes of approximately 1000 km over the Earth's surface. The estimates show that the magnetospheric antiproton fluxes are greater by two orders of magnitude compared to the extraterrestrial fluxes measured at energies <1-2 GeV.     

旅客机／涡扇发动机设计参数一体化选择研究

依据旅客机的典型飞行剖面、适航性以及国际民航组织的规范，建立了旅客机／涡轮风扇发动机设计参数一体化选择的计算方法和程序，此方法按照旅客机的商载、航程等营运需求，以满足飞行任务条件下经济性最好为目标，优选飞机的起飞推重比、翼载以及发动机循环参数等，对选出的旅客机／发动机机方案，可对其航线飞行性能进行模拟，计算轮档燃油、轮挡时间以及一发失效的升限。本方法和程序可用于民用涡轮风扇发动机的方案设计和性能分     

重叠网格中隐式装配策略的改进

作为重叠网格技术的重要组成部分，隐式装配没有显式的“挖洞”过程，仅需在搜索贡献单元的同时通过对比不同单元的品质来分类单元。通过对传统隐式装配过程进行改进，提出了一种更高效的隐式装配策略，减少了贡献单元的搜索次数；同时，提出了一种基于笛卡儿网格映射的局部贡献单元搜索法，提高了网格装配效率。首先，针对每一个子网格，在计算其到自身物面的最短物面距离的同时也计算到其他所有物面的最短物面距离；然后，通过比较同一单元到不同物面的最短物面距离来控制洞边界的位置；最后，仅对插值单元进行局部的贡献单元搜索，避免了针对所有单元进行全局贡献单元搜索的过程。通过3个典型复杂流动算例验证了所提方法的准确性与高效性。