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.     

航天飞行器星形数据总线

本文介绍一个32节点网络中的局部网络,该网络综合了航天飞行器的基本要求。冈络中应用了分布式控制原理,能实现自配置、重新起动和自冗余等功能。总线数据率高达97MBPS,接口单元间的数据通过率达到20MBPS。星形网络是一种光纤实验系统,它采用星形传输耦合器,使系统损耗最低(2—3dB)。文中给出了网络的配置、功能、数据包格式及各接口单元结构。最后给出了试验结果.目前正在对网络的数据链路层作改进,使之成为一个合格的飞行分系统。据估计,用低功耗GaAs超大规模集成电路,可使光学总线数据率提高到300～500MBPS,接口单元间的数据通过率也提高到50MBPS以上.     

航天飞机时频传递实验

一、引言 1.背景美国航空航天局(NASA)的空间和地面应用处正在考虑一项航天飞机实验,用来验证几种比对全球高精密时钟和原始频标的技术。该实验准备在航天飞机上装一台氢脉泽时钟,利用微波和激光脉冲信号比对航天飞机上的空间时钟与地面站上的时钟。提出该项实验的目的是验证几种时间传递技术,这些技术能以1毫微秒以上的精度比对时钟时间,以10~(-14)以上的精度比对时钟频率。能以10~(-14)的精度比对频率这种能力是本项实验的独到之处。目     

用 X—射线荧光分析法予测航天飞机固体火箭发动机性能

X—射线荧光分析法已经试用于航天飞机用的四发固体火箭发动机的许多锅推进剂药浆的分析。在推进剂混合过程中,记录了每一锅药浆的 X—射线氯读数(过氯酸铵)和铁读数(氧化铁),并用这些读数来予测药浆验收、药浆声发射法和药条声发射法燃速。予测的燃速值全部满足控制极限范围,和实际燃速值相比,绝大多数都在实验误差范围内。X—射线分析法只需用现行分析方法所需用时间的1/3,因而它可以满足药浆浇铸的时间要求。