Potential of cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy for the detection of prokaryotic cells on minerals

Detecting mineral-hosted ecosystems to assess the extent and functioning of the biosphere from the surface to deep Earth requires appropriate techniques that provide, beyond the morphological criteria, indubitable clues of the presence of prokaryotic cells. Here, we evaluate the capability of cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy, implemented on a scanning electron microscope, to identify prokaryotes on mineral surfaces. For this purpose, we used, as a first step, a simple model of either unstained or stained cultivable cells (Escherichia coli, Deinococcus radiodurans) deposited on minerals that are common in the oceanic crust (basaltic glass, amphibole, pyroxene, and magnetite). Our results demonstrate that the detection of cells is possible at the micrometric level on the investigated minerals through the intrinsic fluorescence of their constituting macromolecules (aromatic amino and nucleic acids, coenzymes). This allows us to distinguish biomorph inorganic phases from cells. This easily implemented technique permits an exploration of colonized rock samples. In addition, the range of spectrometric techniques available on a scanning electron microscope can provide additional information on the nature and chemistry of the associated mineral phases, which would lead to a simultaneous characterization of cells, their microhabitats, and a better understanding of their potential relationships.     

Establishment of a rearing system of the extremotolerant tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus: a new model animal for astrobiology

Studies on the ability of multicellular organisms to tolerate specific environmental extremes are relatively rare compared to those of unicellular microorganisms in extreme environments. Tardigrades are extremotolerant animals that can enter an ametabolic dry state called anhydrobiosis and have high tolerance to a variety of extreme environmental conditions, particularly while in anhydrobiosis. Although tardigrades have been expected to be a potential model animal for astrobiological studies due to their excellent anhydrobiotic and extremotolerant abilities, few studies of tolerance with cultured tardigrades have been reported, possibly due to the absence of a model species that can be easily maintained under rearing conditions. We report the successful rearing of the herbivorous tardigrade, Ramazzottius varieornatus, by supplying the green alga Chlorella vulgaris as food. The life span was 35 +/- 16.4 d, deposited eggs required 5.7 +/- 1.1 d to hatch, and animals began to deposit eggs 9 d after hatching. The reared individuals of this species had an anhydrobiotic capacity throughout their life cycle in egg, juvenile, and adult stages. Furthermore, the reared adults in an anhydrobiotic state were tolerant of temperatures of 90 degrees C and -196 degrees C, and exposure to 99.8% acetonitrile or irradiation with 4000 Gy (4)He ions. Based on their life history traits and tolerance to extreme stresses, R. varieornatus may be a suitable model for astrobiological studies of multicellular organisms.     

Control of Lunar and Martian dust--experimental insights from artificial and natural cyanobacterial and algal crusts in the desert of Inner Mongolia, China

Studies on the colonization of environmentally extreme ground surfaces were conducted in a Mars-like desert area of Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China, with microalgae and cyanobacteria. We collected and mass-cultured cyanobacterial strains from these regions and investigated their ability to form desert crusts artificially. These crusts had the capacity to resist sand wind erosion after just 15 days of growth. Similar to the surface of some Chinese deserts, the surface of Mars is characterized by a layer of fine dust, which will challenge future human exploration activities, particularly in confined spaces that will include greenhouses and habitats. We discuss the use of such crusts for the local control of desert sands in enclosed spaces on Mars. These experiments suggest innovative new directions in the applied use of microbe-mineral interactions to advance the human exploration and settlement of space.     

通过事后分析提高GPS的外测精度

通过事后分析可以提高GPS的外测精度。为了试验和鉴定目的,欲测量被试验体的时间空间位置信息(TSPI),现在已有不少方法。如果使用GPS,可考虑两种方案。一是在被试验体上装载GPS接收机,在运功体上测定TSPI,再通过遥测将数据送到地面。二是在运动体上装载一个GPS变频转发器,传送宽带GPS信息到地面。在地面站完成TSPI测量。本文指出,与装载接收机相比,装载GPS转发器的方案可以获得更高的测量精度。精度的提高来自两点:装载GPS接收机时仅处理来自4颗卫星的距离,得到运动体的位置。在某一位置上,所选用的4颗GPS卫星的GDOP值,可能是,也可能不是最佳。在转发方案中,运动体视场内所有信息都转送到地面进行处理。来自所有卫星的宽带数据都加以记录,以便作事后处理。作节后分析时,可按最佳GDOP选择最有利的卫星,或处理视场内所有卫星的数据,得到最高精度。记录宽带数据的能力还带来另外一些重要的事后处理好处。在飞行试验之前,只能估计试验体的飞行动态。飞行体上接收机跟踪滤波器参数依此作调整。如果飞行体运动异常(试验飞行中完全有可能这样),接收机就有可能对卫星失锁,所有的TSPI数据都会丢失。如果用GPS转发器,在地面站记录所有卫星的数据,在事后分析中重放该数据,可根据实际飞行动态,将滤波器最佳化,不会丢失TSPJ数据。此外,还可由数据处理来填补丢失的数据。     

直接数字式合成器中寄生的抑制

一、前言本文介绍一种能消除直接数字式合成器(DDS)输出中通常存在的离散寄生谱线的极好方法。所研究的 DDS 的型式主要由一个 N 位累加器组成,其容量在时钟频率 Fc 时增加一 K值。虽然在用这种方法来合成周期波方面有许多方案,但是,最简单可行的方案是只利用累加器溢出发生的时间来确定“方”波的两沿。对于幂次为2的输入数 K,输出频率是时钟频率的直接分谐波。但是,所有其它的数,电路的性能如同非均匀输出周期序列的分数分频器一样。这些周期序列和可确定的图形重复,以给出与所需信号周期相等的平均值。遗憾的是,寄生谱线或边带都是由输出的周期性调相所引起的。在过去,这样的谱线都是利用累加     

传递对准的设计与评价

本文提出了一种用于先进动能导弹（ａｄｖａｎｃｅｄ ｋｉｎｅｔｉｃｓ ｅｎｅｒｇｙ ｍｉｓｓｉｌｅｓ－ＡＤ－ＫＥＭＳ）的快速稳健传递对准系统的设计。由于ＡＤＫＥＭ有高加速度和较短的拦截时间，导弹的从惯性测量装置（１ＭＵ）同地面发射车的主ＩＭＵ对准必须以高精度在短时间内完成。本文提出的传递对准系统设计的内容包括惯笥制导精度的评价，传递对准方程，环境试验仿真，机动方案评价，系统误差分析，比较研究，以及滤     

利用GPS射频多普勒确定低轨地球卫星的轨道

本文研究了使用这样一种GPS测量值——双差分GPS射频多普勒确定低轨地球卫星的轨道。该测量值很容易获得,而且不受时钟误差的影响,还可对用户卫星连续定轨。分析表明:使用18颗GPS卫星的星座和13个地面站,在两小时跟踪后,可使1300km高度用户星(TOPEX)的定轨精度达5cm。考察了使用少于13个地面站的影响,不同求解方法的影响以及引入虚假推力参数以减小重力模型误差(主要误差源之一)的影响。     

导电盒上单极天线的方向图

系统地研究安装于接地平面上的立方体导电盒顶面上的单极天线的方向图的确定方法.对单极天线位置和导电盒电尺寸的影响与在平直接地平面上测量得到的类似方向图作了比较.还将试验结果同用矩插入码方法得到的数字预测值进行了比较.     

Initial moments of adaptation to microgravity of human orientation behavior, in parabolic flight conditions

The first ethological studies of astronauts' adaptation to microgravity dealt with the behavioral strategies observed during short-term space missions. No attempts had however been made to consider the initial moments of adaptation dynamics, when the subject is first submitted to conditions allowing body orientations in the full three dimensions of space. The present experimental approach was both longitudinal and transversal. It consisted of analysing, during a goal-directed orientation task in parabolic flight, the orientation behavior of 12 subjects with a past experience of 0, 30 or more than 300 parabolas. During each microgravity phase, the subjects were asked to orientate their bodies and touch, with the dominant hand, four coloured targets arranged inside the aircraft.

Results showed that for inexperienced subjects, the time between two target contacts was longer than experienced subjects. They often failed to reach all targets in the series during the first parabolas. They showed right-left confusion and a preference for the “up-down” vertical body orientation. Their performance, described by the efficiency of orientation in all three dimensions, improved over time and according to the level of experience. The results are discussed for the spontaneous, preliminary and integrative stages of adaptation, emphasizing new relationships between the body references and those of the surroundings. Such experiences lead the subject to develop a new mental representation of space.