Modelling of genetically engineered microorganisms introduction in closed artificial microcosms.

The possibility of introducing genetically engineered microorganisms (GEM) into simple biotic cycles of laboratory water microcosms was investigated. The survival of the recombinant strain Escherichia coli Z905 (Apr, Lux+) in microcosms depends on the type of model ecosystems. During the absence of algae blooming in the model ecosystem, the part of plasmid-containing cells E. coli decreased fast, and the structure of the plasmid was also modified. In conditions of algae blooming (Ankistrodesmus sp.) an almost total maintenance of plasmid-containing cells was observed in E. coli population. A mathematics model of GEM's behavior in water ecosystems with different level of complexity has been formulated. Mechanisms causing the difference in luminescent exhibition of different species are discussed, and attempts are made to forecast the GEM's behavior in water ecosystems.     

Impact of agents mixing velocity in diffusion flame on nitric oxide emission

The results of analyzing an impact of mixing velocity on the stoichiometric surface of a laminar diffusion methane-air flame on nitric oxides formation are presented. The conclusion about the nonlinear and steady decrease of nitric oxides emission at the increase of mixing velocity is made. The relationship is presented, showing that at the expense of non-equilibrium effects it is possible to provide a significant decrease of nitric oxides emission in diffusion combustion.     

Three-dimensional numerical studies of a jet airflow around the duct platforms of the turbine nozzle clusters

This paper presents the results of three-dimensional numerical studies of hydrodynamics and heat exchange on the models of flat plates in the jet airflow. These results are compared with the experimental data. A three-dimensional model for determining the thermal condition of the nozzle clusters in the conjugated formulation is proposed. Also presented are the data on optimization of the system used for the jet airflow around the duct platforms of the nozzle clusters.     

Fiber-optic gyros and quartz accelerometers for motion control

In article the opportunity of use strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) on the base of fiber-optic gyroscopes and quartz accelerometers corrected from star sensors and satellite navigation equipment (SNE) for perspective interplanetary spacecrafts motion control on phases of interplanetary trajectory insertion, trajectory correction, and braking during transition to Mars orbit is investigated. Results of onboard control complex accuracy characteristics estimation are presented at the given dynamic spacecraft scheme which is taking into account the liquid oscillations in tanks and structure elements elasticity. At modelling the errors of measuring devices installation, errors of SINS initial alignment and instrumental errors of SINS sensitive elements, variation of control engines parameters were taken into account. The structure of the developed complex of imitation modelling of interplanetary spacecraft controlled motion is resulted. Estimations of active flight legs realization accuracy were received by a method of statistical modelling of spacecraft controlled motion     

Effects of Local Detachment of a Melt from Ampoule Walls,Crystal Vibration,and Magnetic Field at Crystal Growth under Zero Gravity

A numerical investigation of the melt flow and heat and mass transfer is carried out at the crystal growth under zero gravity, when the melt detachment from ampoule walls, crystal vibration, and various magnetic fields are active. Specific features of the melt flow are demonstrated depending on the size of a detachment zone adjacent to the crystallization boundary. The velocity of the averaged flow generated by crystal vibration is determined as a function of the vibration intensity. It is shown that the crystal vibration cannot compensate a thermal capillary flow (caused by detachment of the melt from the ampoule wall) and reduce the macrosegregation of impurities. It is shown that the application of steady and rotating magnetic fields are inefficient for all ampoule methods of crystal growth under microgravity conditions.     

Radiation measurements on the flight of IML-2.

The second flight of the International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) on Space Shuttle flight STS-65 provided a unique opportunity for the intercomparison of a wide variety of radiation measurement techniques. Although this was not a coordinated or planned campaign, by sheer chance, a number of space radiation experiments from several countries were flown on this mission. There were active radiation measuring instruments from Japan and US, and passive detectors from US, Russia, Japan, and Germany. These detectors were distributed throughout the Space Shuttle volume: payload bay, middeck, flight deck, and Spacelab. STS-65 was launched on July 8, 1994, in a 28.45 degrees x 306 km orbit for a duration of 14 d 17 hr and 55 min. The crew doses varied from 0.935 mGy to 1.235 mGy. A factor of two variation was observed between various passive detectors mounted inside the habitable Shuttle volume. There is reasonable agreement between the galactic cosmic ray dose, dose equivalent and LET spectra measured by the tissue equivalent proportional counter flown in the payload bay with model calculations. There are significant differences in the measurements of LET spectra measured by different groups. The neutron spectrum in the 1-20 MeV region was measured. Using fluence-dose conversion factors, the neutron dose and dose equivalent rates were 11 +/- 2.7 microGy/day and 95 +/- 23.5 microSv/day respectively. The average east-west asymmetry of trapped proton (>3OMeV) and (>60 MeV) dose rate was 3.3 and 1.9 respectively.     

Tide-associated biological rhythms of some White Sea littoral invertebrates.

We report the results from two years of laboratory observations of the tide-associated rhythms of activity of White Sea intertidal invertebrates, Mya arenaria (Bivalvia) and Gammarus finmarchicus (Amphipoda). The tidal associated activity of these invertebrates could not be estimate as a clear circatidal clock. Gammarus activity could be phase shifted by a 0.5 h exposure to turbulent water twice a day for 2-3 days. Mya's rhythm could be changed by a single drainage of aquariums lasting about 15 min. This kind of timing system may be a relatively primitive evolution feature.     

Study of the radiation environment on MIR space station with SILEYE-2 experiment.

In this work we present preliminary results of nuclear composition measurements on board space station MIR obtained with SILEYE-2 particle telescope. SILEYE-2 was placed on MIR in 1997 and has been working since then. It consists of an array of 6 active silicon strip detectors which allow nuclear and energetic identification of cosmic rays in the energy range between approximately 30 and 200 MeV/n. The device is attached to an helmet and connected to an eye mask which shields the cosmonaut eyes from light and allow studies of the Light Flashes (LF) phenomenon. In addition to the study of the causes of LF, the device is used to perform real time long term radiation environment monitoring inside the MIR, performing measurements in solar quiet and active days.     

A low cost steerable radio-telescope

We present the technical characteristics of a low-cost radio telescope for solar/non solar observations at decimetric (1200–1700 MHz) and centimetric (2700 and 5000 MHz) wavelengths known as Brazilian Decimetric Array (BDA). The technical specifications of the antenna, tracking system, log-periodic feed, preamplifier and the frequency-synthesised receiver with a Single Side Band (SSB) video output of 2.5 MHz are given.