Influence of gravity on the photomorphism of secondary moss protonemata

In dark-grown plantlets of the moss, Pottia intermedia, negatively gravitropic secondary protonemata differentiate from the superficial cells of leafy shoots. When transferred to the light, distal parts of the protonemata nearest to the apical cells begin to ramify and the apical cells of the side branches as well as of the main protonemal filaments often differentiate as buds. Dark-grown protonemata were oriented horizontally and illuminated from below with white light of different intensities. Only light with an intensity of 4.5 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ was sufficient to induce: (a) phototropism in the apical cells, (b) light-directed initiation of branch primordia, and (c) directed growth of side branches and bud differentiation. Apical cells illuminated with light of lower (0.03–0.37 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) intensity grew upwards (i.e., away from the light). It was shown that this upward growth was determined by the action of gravity. Although initiation of branch primordia was only slightly affected, their growth was strongly stimulated on the upper side of the protonemata.     

A role of cytoskeletal structure of cortical cells in the gravity-regulated formation of a peg in cucumber seedlings.

Seedlings of cucurbitaceous plants develop a protuberant tissue, or peg, on the lower side of the transition region between root and hypocotyl when germinated in a horizontal position. Peg develops due to a change in growth polarity of the cortical cells. We have examined the role of the cytoskeletal structure in peg formation of cucumber seedlings. We observed that in both peg and normal cortical cells of 36 h-old seedlings the microtubules (MTs) were arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongating cells. Application of colchicine perturbed the MTs structure and inhibited the formation of pegs. In 20 h-old seedlings, MTs in cortical cells destined to be a peg tissue had no preferential organization, whereas MTs in normal cortical cells were transversely oriented. After 24 h, the MTs in future peg cells were arranged similar to those of 36 h-old seedlings, although the initiation of peg tissue was not yet visible. These results suggest that reorganization of MTs is required for peg formation and causes the change in growth polarity of the cortical cells.     

A new preoxygenation procedure for extravehicular activity (EVA)

A 10.2 psi staged-decompression schedule or a 4-hour preoxygenation at 14.7 psi is required prior to extravehicular activity (EVA) to reduce decompression sickness (DCS) risk. Results of recent research at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) showed that a 1-hour resting preoxygenation followed by a 4-hour, 4.3 psi exposure resulted in 77% DCS risk (N=26), while the same profile beginning with 10 min of exercise at 75% of VO2peak during preoxygenation reduced the DCS risk to 42% (P<.03; N=26). A 4-hour preoxygenation without exercise followed by the 4.3 psi exposure resulted in 47% DCS risk (N=30). The 1-hour preoxygenation with exercise and the 4-hour preoxygenation without exercise results were not significantly different. Elimination of either 3 hours of preoxygenation or 12 hours of staged-decompression are compelling reasons to consider incorporation of exercise-enhanced preoxygenation.     

Implementing digital terrain data in knowledge-aided space-time adaptive processing

Many practical problems arise when implementing digital terrain data in airborne knowledge-aided (KA) space-time adaptive processing (STAP). This paper addresses these issues and presents solutions with numerical implementations. In particular, using digital land classification data and digital elevation data, techniques are developed for registering these data with radar return signals, correcting for Doppler and spatial misalignments, adjusting for antenna gain, characterizing clutter patches for secondary data selection, and ensuring independent secondary data samples. These techniques are applied to select secondary data for a single-bin post-Doppler STAP algorithm using multi-channel airborne radar measurement (MCARM) program data. Results with the KA approach are compared with those obtained using the standard sliding window method for choosing secondary data. These results illustrate the benefits of using terrain information, a priori data about the radar, and the importance of statistical independence when selecting secondary data for improving STAP performance     

Multidecadal Signal of Solar Variability in the Upper Troposphere During the 20th Century

Studies based on data from the past 25–45 years show that irradiance changes related to the 11-yr solar cycle affect the circulation of the upper troposphere in the subtropics and midlatitudes. The signal has been interpreted as a northward displacement of the subtropical jet and the Ferrel cell with increasing solar irradiance. In model studies on the 11-yr solar signal this could be related to a weakening and at the same time broadening of the Hadley circulation initiated by stratospheric ozone anomalies. Other studies, focusing on the direct thermal effect at the Earth’s surface on multidecadal scales, suggest a strengthening of the Hadley circulation induced by an increased equator-to-pole temperature gradient. In this paper we analyse the solar signal in the upper troposphere since 1922, using statistical reconstructions based on historical upper-air data. This allows us to address the multidecadal variability of solar irradiance, which was supposedly large in the first part of the 20th century. Using a simple regression model we find a consistent signal on the 11-yr time scale which fits well with studies based on later data. We also find a significant multidecadal signal that is similar to the 11-yr signal, but somewhat stronger. We interpret this signal as a poleward shift of the subtropical jet and the Ferrel cell. Comparing the magnitude of the two signals could provide important information on the feedback mechanisms involved in the solar climate relationship with respect to the Hadley and Ferrel circulations. However, in view of the uncertainty in the solar irradiance reconstructions, such interpretations are not currently possible.     

Waves on the subsolar ionopause of venus

The subsolar ionopause of Venus is expected to be stable to both the Kelvin-Helmholtz and flute instabilities. However, magnetic profiles obtained in the subsolar region indicate that the surface of the ionopause contains large amplitude corrugations, perhaps incipient flux ropes. A possible mechanism for destabilizing the boundary is suggested by the observation that the ion density does not drop abruptly at the ionopause but continues to decrease smoothly into the magnetosheath.     

Microwave imaging observation of an electron stream in a solar flare

We report a Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH) microwave observation of a propagating feature of non thermal emission in a solar flare. The flare had a very extended source well resolved by NoRH. In the rising phase of the microwave burst, a non-thermal gyrosynchrotron source was observed by the high-rate (10 images per second) observations to propagate from one end of the loop to the other with a speed of 9 × 10⁴ km s⁻¹. We interpret this non-thermal propagating source is emitted from streaming electrons.     

Heavy ion observations by MARIE in cruise phase and Mars orbit

The charged particle spectrum for nuclei from protons to neon, (charge Z=10) was observed during the cruise phase and orbit around Mars by the MARIE charged particle spectrometer on the Odyssey spacecraft. The cruise data were taken between April 23, 2001 and mid-August 2001. The Mars orbit data were taken March 5, 2002 through May 2002 and are scheduled to continue until August 2004. Charge peaks are clearly separated for charges up to Z=10. Especially prominent are the carbon and oxygen peaks, with boron and nitrogen also clearly visible. Although heavy ions are much less abundant than protons in the cosmic ray environment, it is important to determine their abundances because their ionization energy losses (proportional to Z²) are far more dangerous to humans and to instruments. Thus the higher charged nuclei make a significant contribution to dose and dose equivalent received in space. Results of the charged particle spectrum measurements will be reported.     

A Normalized Model for the Half-Bridge Series Resonant Converter

Closed-form steady-state equations are derived for the halfbridge series resonant converter with a rectified (dc) load. Normalized curves for various currents and voltages are then plotted as a function of the circuit parameters. Experimental results based on a 10-kHz converter are presented for comparison with the calculations.     

Telemetry Transmitters Using Solid-State Wideband Microwave Voltage-Controlled Oscillators

A practical approach for meeting the immediate and future needs of communication systems that require very wideband transmitters capable of operating in the S-, C-, and X-band frequency ranges is described. Included are: 1) a review of the basic studies conducted to determine the most practical transmitter approach for wideband applications; 2) a discussion of a prototype 10-watt frequency-modulated transmitter developed to demonstrate the feasibility of a wideband system; and 3) a review of the preliminary computer analyses and empirical results obtained on the development of a unit capable of wide deviation with reasonable linearity at baseband frequencies up to 10 Megahertz.