Formation of nucleobases from formamide in the presence of iron oxides: implication in chemical evolution and origin of life

Simple compounds like HCN, which have one C and one N, are proposed as the probable precursors for biomonomers. Formamide, a hydrolysis product of HCN, is known as the precursor of various biologically important compounds, for example, nucleobases (purines and pyrimidines). In this paper, we report our results on the synthesis of nucleobases, adenine, cytosine, purine, 9-(hydroxyacetyl) purine, and 4(3H)-pyrimidinone from formamide, using iron oxide (hematite) and oxide hydroxides (goethite and akaganeite) as a catalyst. Goethite and hematite produced purine in higher yield. The products formed were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry techniques. Results of our study reveal that iron oxides might have worked as efficient prebiotic catalysts.     

SOLID3: a multiplex antibody microarray-based optical sensor instrument for in situ life detection in planetary exploration

The search for unequivocal signs of life on other planetary bodies is one of the major challenges for astrobiology. The failure to detect organic molecules on the surface of Mars by measuring volatile compounds after sample heating, together with the new knowledge of martian soil chemistry, has prompted the astrobiological community to develop new methods and technologies. Based on protein microarray technology, we have designed and built a series of instruments called SOLID (for "Signs Of LIfe Detector") for automatic in situ detection and identification of substances or analytes from liquid and solid samples (soil, sediments, or powder). Here, we present the SOLID3 instrument, which is able to perform both sandwich and competitive immunoassays and consists of two separate functional units: a Sample Preparation Unit (SPU) for 10 different extractions by ultrasonication and a Sample Analysis Unit (SAU) for fluorescent immunoassays. The SAU consists of five different flow cells, with an antibody microarray in each one (2000 spots). It is also equipped with an exclusive optical package and a charge-coupled device (CCD) for fluorescent detection. We demonstrated the performance of SOLID3 in the detection of a broad range of molecular-sized compounds, which range from peptides and proteins to whole cells and spores, with sensitivities at 1-2?ppb (ng?mL?1) for biomolecules and 10? to 103 spores per milliliter. We report its application in the detection of acidophilic microorganisms in the Río Tinto Mars analogue and report the absence of substantial negative effects on the immunoassay in the presence of 50?mM perchlorate (20 times higher than that found at the Phoenix landing site). Our SOLID instrument concept is an excellent option with which to detect biomolecules because it avoids the high-temperature treatments that may destroy organic matter in the presence of martian oxidants.     

A two-tiered approach to assessing the habitability of exoplanets

In the next few years, the number of catalogued exoplanets will be counted in the thousands. This will vastly expand the number of potentially habitable worlds and lead to a systematic assessment of their astrobiological potential. Here, we suggest a two-tiered classification scheme of exoplanet habitability. The first tier consists of an Earth Similarity Index (ESI), which allows worlds to be screened with regard to their similarity to Earth, the only known inhabited planet at this time. The ESI is based on data available or potentially available for most exoplanets such as mass, radius, and temperature. For the second tier of the classification scheme we propose a Planetary Habitability Index (PHI) based on the presence of a stable substrate, available energy, appropriate chemistry, and the potential for holding a liquid solvent. The PHI has been designed to minimize the biased search for life as we know it and to take into account life that might exist under more exotic conditions. As such, the PHI requires more detailed knowledge than is available for any exoplanet at this time. However, future missions such as the Terrestrial Planet Finder will collect this information and advance the PHI. Both indices are formulated in a way that enables their values to be updated as technology and our knowledge about habitable planets, moons, and life advances. Applying the proposed metrics to bodies within our Solar System for comparison reveals two planets in the Gliese 581 system, GJ 581 c and d, with an ESI comparable to that of Mars and a PHI between that of Europa and Enceladus.     

纤维陶瓷复合材料强度和热稳定性的提高

最近研制了一代新型的刚性好重量轻的先进纤维陶瓷复合材料。这类材料在力学性能和热稳定性方面有很大提高。它的抗弯强度是当前能得到的氧化硅纤维绝热材料的2-3倍,而密度减小10％。该材料短时间的重复使用温度高于2600°F,而连续使用温度为2600°F。     

替代惯导陀螺的石英叉

罗克韦尔公司正在采用与数字手表中机构相似的振动石英音叉技术来生产军用战术固态惯性测量装置。这种产品的市场是需要轻小型、低价导航和控制系统,而且数量正在日益增长的战术导弹、精导武器和无人机。 据说新技术更加可靠,但其最大优点是价格较低。数字石英惯性(DQI)测量装置中的6个传感器可采用半导体工业中普通采用的光蚀刻工艺大批生产。罗克韦尔的长期合作伙伴,BEI电子公司西斯特朗·唐纳惯性分公司研制和生产这些传感器。 预计罗克韦尔将以比同等性能光     

一种多平台支持环境

传统的武器系统(如攻击机)利用嵌入式计算机和软件来提供巨大的灵活性和扩展性能。这些性能的实现需要大量的费用，虽然也可用已建立起来的专用软件开发设施来支持这些传统系统。不幸的是这些专用设施的费用一直过高。先进航空电子设备支持多雷达软件研究(AAMRSSS)项目提供了解决上述问题的办法。AAMRSSS研究了用专用软件开发设施(SDF)支持多软件系统平台的可行性。本研究涉及的问题有：通用性；待扩展的新系统的独特要求；平台优先次序以及将来的扩展。本研究特别提出了用F-15的雷达软件开发设施支持AC，130U Gunship(武装直升机)雷达工作的飞行试验计划(OFP)。     

从《宇宙—1500》上雷达观察河水泛滥

在河水泛滥期间研究水泛地的淹没状况并预报在泄洪渠调节的情况下它的变化—这是水文学研究的一个重要方面。在洪水期间,水泛将导致分水界沼泽的部分淹没,而且是产生水泛区沼泽地定期引水的因素之一。水泛地长期的淹没促成了沼泽地需不断引水并促进了水泛地沼泽化过程的发展。河水泛滥对农业、畜牧业、鱼业能源及船泊航运等国民经济部门有影响。这就必须完     

美国空军/麦克唐纳·道格拉斯Delta2的第一次发射开始了军用空间的新时代

上星期美国空军/麦克唐纳·道格拉斯Delta2将一颗新的洛克韦尔导航卫星作为负荷的第一次飞行试验被空军认为是向军用空间新时代迈出的关键的第一步,可以用各种新的不载人运载器进行军事空间操作。Delta2将是一个将大重量负荷送入空间的运载器,和通用动力公司的‘宇宙神’及马丁·玛丽埃塔公司的‘大力神’几种型式一起使国防部今年用不载人的扩编运载器的发射率获得势头。     

陆军战术无人侦察机（下）——苏联／俄罗斯战术无人侦察机

在当今世界，无人机以其独特的优势日益受到各国军方的青睐。无人机的研制，运用和发展也可谓方兴未艾。但对世人来讲，世界航空大国俄罗斯的无人机长期以来却一直是个谜……早在20世纪50年代初，随着喷气式发动机的诞生，苏联开始研制中远程巡航导弹和洲际弹道导弹以及军用无人机。军用无人机拥有有人驾驶飞机不可替代的许多优点：结构设汁简单、起降简便等，从而在军用航空武器中占据了特殊的地位。其无人机的发展大致可分为三个阶段。[编者按]