The role of repair in the survival of mammalian cells from heavy ion irradiation: approximation to the ideal case of target theory.

Theories of cellular radiation sensitivity that preclude a significant role for cellular repair processes in the final biological expression of cellular damage induced by ionizing radiation are unsound. Experiments are discussed here in which the cell-cycle dependency of the repair deficiency of the S/S variant, of the L5178Y murine leukemic lymphoblast was examined by treatment with the heavy ions, 20Ne, 28Si, 40Ar, 56Fe and 93Nb. Evidence from those studies, which will be described in detail elsewhere, provide support for the notion that as the linear energy transfer (LET infinity) of the incident radiation increases the ability of the S/S cell to repair radiation damage decreases until effectively it is eliminated around 500 keV/micrometer. In the region of the latter LET infinity value, the behavior of the S/S cell approximates the ideal case of target theory where post-irradiation metabolism (repair) does not influence cell survival. The expression of this phenomenon among different cell types and tissues will depend upon the actual repair systems involved and other considerations.     

Stationary Motions of a Homogeneous Meteor Ring in the Gravitational Field of a Center

The problem of studying a ring in the gravitational field of a center arose after the discovery of Saturn's rings by Galileo and subsequent discovery of the rings of other planets of the Solar System. Modern theoretical investigations of the existence and stability of planetary rings are mostly related to studies of plane differentially rotating discs [1]. As opposed to this line of research, this paper follows the approach established in classical works [2–4].     

Risk-taking during wayfinding is modulated by external stressors and personality traits

ABSTRACT

Two experiments examined cue reliance and risk-taking during desktop virtual wayfinding, and how they might be modulated by personality traits and external stressors. Participants navigated a series of virtual buildings and we manipulated the strength of probabilistic cues available to guide turn decisions. Navigators frequently discounted probabilistic cues and instead took risks, particularly when costs were low and potential benefits were high. Risk-taking was predicted by higher sense of direction and lower need for structure. Introducing a time stressor lowered risk-taking, with a higher relative reliance on probability-based information. This was most pronounced in females and those with a high need for structure. Results provide novel evidence that spatial cue reliance is modulated by individual differences and contextual constraints.     

基于MATLAB/Simulink的HY-2星载微波散射计系统仿真建模

为实现星载微波散射计的优化设计,利用MATLAB软件搭建了海洋二号(HY-2)卫星微波散射计系统仿真模型。首先,参考其初样设计阶段的仿真模型,根据其最终设计方案和参数设置,对发射机、接收机、信号处理单元三个主要模块搭建仿真模型。其次,模拟海面风场监测过程,将仿真模型划分为信号源、发射机、海面回波、接收机、信号处理单元和结果输出六部分,并在初样设计模型的基础上引入信道特性,完善仿真模型。最后,利用雷达方程解算海面后向散射系数,验证了模型的正确性,可为我国后续微波散射计的设计和优化提供仿真分析手段。     

Quaternion regularization in celestial mechanics and astrodynamics and trajectory motion control. I

Regularization problems in celestial mechanics and astrodynamics are considered. The fundamental regular quaternion models of celestial mechanics and astrodynamics are presented. It is shown that the efficiency of analytical investigation and numerical solution of boundary problems of optimal trajectory motion control of spacecraft may be increased using quaternion astrodynamics models. The regularization problem of celestial mechanics and astrodynamics that implies eliminating the feature, which arises in the equations of the two-body problem in case of impact of the second body with the central body, is considered in the first section of the paper. The quaternion method for regularizing the equations of the perturbed spatial two-body problem suggested by the author is presented; the method is compared with Kustaanheimo-Stiefel (KS) regularization. Demonstrative geometric and kinematic interpretations of regularizing transformations are provided. Regular quaternion equations for the two-body problem, which generalize the regular Kustaanheimo-Stiefel equations, as well as regular equations in quaternion osculating elements and quaternion regular equations for perturbed central motion of a material point, are considered. The papers on quaternion regularization in celestial mechanics and astrodynamics are briefly analyzed.     

Space experiments aboard the Lomonosov MSU satellite

At present, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State University, in cooperation with other organizations, is preparing space experiments onboard the Lomonosov satellite. The main goal of this mission is to study extreme astrophysical phenomena such as cosmic gamma-ray bursts and ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. These phenomena are associated with the processes occurring in the early universe in very distant astrophysical objects, therefore, they can provide information on the first stages of the evolution of the universe. This paper considers the main characteristics of the scientific equipment aboard the Lomonosov satellite.     

Pilots for space tourism

This article sheds light on the key player needed for any space tourism adventure: the pilot who flies the spacecraft. The paper addresses the potential benefits of including a pilot at the controls when designing a space tourism spacecraft. It examines the basic qualifications and advanced skills required of space tourism pilots and discusses key training requirements for selected pilots and space pilots' pay and benefits. In addition, the research concludes that, just as the pioneers of passenger transport in aviation entertained and captured the interest of their passengers, the space pilot should have the skills of a tour guide.     

火箭返回制导动力着陆段的自适应启动方法

针对重复使用火箭垂直返回着陆问题,提出了一种燃料最优的动力着陆段自适应启动方法。首先,将燃料最优启动点对应的动力着陆轨迹的推力剖面和攻角剖面描述为解析的形式,该解析形式中攻角剖面由状态量唯一确定,推力剖面仅含一个待定参数。随后,通过预测具有上述解析剖面形式的轨迹判断是否启动动力着陆。计算中引入松弛终端位置约束的策略求解推力剖面待定参数,由终端位置约束判断是否满足燃料最优启动条件。上述策略将燃料最优启动条件的判断问题简化为单一变量求解问题,实现了该问题的快速求解。仿真结果表明,该方法得到的启动点与数值优化方法得到的燃料最优启动点接近,且求解过程稳定、计算效率高。     

Mercury’s Weather-Beaten Surface: Understanding Mercury in the Context of Lunar and Asteroidal Space Weathering Studies

Mercury’s regolith, derived from the crustal bedrock, has been altered by a set of space weathering processes. Before we can interpret crustal composition, it is necessary to understand the nature of these surface alterations. The processes that space weather the surface are the same as those that form Mercury’s exosphere (micrometeoroid flux and solar wind interactions) and are moderated by the local space environment and the presence of a global magnetic field. To comprehend how space weathering acts on Mercury’s regolith, an understanding is needed of how contributing processes act as an interactive system. As no direct information (e.g., from returned samples) is available about how the system of space weathering affects Mercury’s regolith, we use as a basis for comparison the current understanding of these same processes on lunar and asteroidal regoliths as well as laboratory simulations. These comparisons suggest that Mercury’s regolith is overturned more frequently (though the characteristic surface time for a grain is unknown even relative to the lunar case), more than an order of magnitude more melt and vapor per unit time and unit area is produced by impact processes than on the Moon (creating a higher glass content via grain coatings and agglutinates), the degree of surface irradiation is comparable to or greater than that on the Moon, and photon irradiation is up to an order of magnitude greater (creating amorphous grain rims, chemically reducing the upper layers of grains to produce nanometer-scale particles of metallic iron, and depleting surface grains in volatile elements and alkali metals). The processes that chemically reduce the surface and produce nanometer-scale particles on Mercury are suggested to be more effective than similar processes on the Moon. Estimated abundances of nanometer-scale particles can account for Mercury’s dark surface relative to that of the Moon without requiring macroscopic grains of opaque minerals. The presence of nanometer-scale particles may also account for Mercury’s relatively featureless visible–near-infrared reflectance spectra. Characteristics of material returned from asteroid 25143 Itokawa demonstrate that this nanometer-scale material need not be pure iron, raising the possibility that the nanometer-scale material on Mercury may have a composition different from iron metal [such as (Fe,Mg)S]. The expected depletion of volatiles and particularly alkali metals from solar-wind interaction processes are inconsistent with the detection of sodium, potassium, and sulfur within the regolith. One plausible explanation invokes a larger fine fraction (grain size <45 μm) and more radiation-damaged grains than in the lunar surface material to create a regolith that is a more efficient reservoir for these volatiles. By this view the volatile elements detected are present not only within the grain structures, but also as adsorbates within the regolith and deposits on the surfaces of the regolith grains. The comparisons with findings from the Moon and asteroids provide a basis for predicting how compositional modifications induced by space weathering have affected Mercury’s surface composition.     

非均匀入口与化学非平衡效应对尾喷管性能的影响研究

基于煤油燃料超燃冲压发动机尾喷管,对均匀入口和非均匀入口、冻结流动模型和化学非平衡模型下的尾喷管内流动进行数值模拟,采用两方程RNG k-ε湍流模型对三维NS方程组进行求解,获得非均匀入口与化学非平衡效应对尾喷管性能的影响。计算结果表明,尾喷管内流动非均匀性由尾喷管非对称膨胀和燃烧室出口非均匀等因素构成,尾喷管入口流动参数非均匀分布对尾喷管推力、升力及俯仰力矩均有影响,算例中非均匀入口使得尾喷管净推力相对于均匀入口增加了1.2%左右;尾喷管性能受化学非平衡效应的影响,非平衡流动模型下的其净推力计算结果相对于冻结流动模型增加3%~4%。