High resolution spectroscopy of X-ray emission from high mass X-ray binaries

This article briefly reviews first the progress of spectroscopy in X-ray astronomy from proportional counters, a major instrument in early phase of X-ray astronomy, to gas scintillation proportional counters, X-ray CCD cameras, transmission and reflection gratings, and finally to X-ray micro-calorimeters. As a typical example of spectral features observed from high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), the spectra observed from Vela X-1 with Chandra grating spectrometers are then presented and compared with computer simulations for high mass binary systems.     

Calculation and optimization of aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils with jet blowing in the presence of vortex in the flow

We consider the problem of calculating the ideal non-compressible fluid flow around the airfoil with jet blowing through a channel in the presence of a point vortex with a given circulation in the flow. The effect of the vortex coordinates on the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil is investigated and the optimal position of the vortex for maximal lift is found.     

Correction to: Water in the Earth’s Interior: Distribution and Origin

Space Science Reviews - Correction to: Space Sci Rev DOI This article has been corrected. Figure 3 was initially published with erroneous axis titles in Fig. 3B and 3D where the $x$ axis should be...     

Route optimization of the aircraft flight

A method of finding the aircraft optimal route by means of task-oriented replacement of the functional being optimized is proposed.     

Applied potential tomography shows differential changes in fluid content of leg tissue layers in microgravity.

Absence of hydrostatic forces in the human cardiocirculatory system normally leads to an overall body fluid deficit. It was hypothesized that this is mainly due to a loss of interstitial fluid. An experiment was performed on board the Russian MIR station. Cuffs were positioned around both thighs and inflated up to suprasystolic values. This maneuver took place just before and after immediately a lower body negative pressure session (LBNP). The redistribution of fluids underneath the cuffs was assessed by means of cross-sectional impedance tomography (Applied Potential Tomography, APT). A microgravity induced loss of interstitial fluid was measured in all layers of the observed cross-section. The APT-readings changed significantly (SD approximately +/- .9) from 3.0 at 1g to 1.7 at 0g for the outer layer and from 2.7 at 1g to 2.0 at 0g for the middle layer (expressed in arbitrary units). The LBNP maneuver was able to fill the interstitial space but only at levels higher than -15 mmHg LBNP. This suggests that the superficial tissues in the legs are as much affected as the deeper ones by changing g-conditions and LBNP can be used to counteract interstitial fluid loss in this area.     

Sooting and disruption in spherically symmetrical combustion of decane droplets in air

Results of experiments are reported on the burning of individual decane droplets, initially between 1.0 and 1.2 mm in dia, in air at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Use was made of the 2.2 s drop tower at the NASA Lewis Research Center and a newly designed droplet-combustion apparatus that promotes nearly spherically symmetrical combustion. Unanticipated disruptions were encountered and related to sooting behavior.     

The cataclysmic variable SS Cygni

In this work we will try to give the most general panorama, comparatively with the conciseness, on SS Cygni which is the brightest dwarf nova.The dwarf novae form a sub-class of the more vaste panorama of the Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). For this reason firstly we will describe in general the CVs and the current theories which attempt to describe their physical behaviour (Sections 2 and 3). The up-to-date observational properties of SS Cygni (Section 4) and a discussion on their explanation within the framework of theories (Section 5) will allow us to draw the conclusions (Section 6) and to argue the most convenient line of investigation (Section 7) both experimental and theoretical for a better understanding of the underlying physics of these systems.     

Societal imperatives and the need for space nuclear power and propulsion systems

The development and exploitation of nuclear power and propulsion represent certain didactic imperatives for human civilization. Among these are economic, epistemological, moral and commercial propositions. Developing space nuclear power and propulsion represents one future; the choice of not to pursue the course barring some breakthrough in physics represents a dramatically different future. The author argues that the time is now fortuitous for deployment and operation of nuclear propulsion and power, primarily nuclear electric propulsion, at significant levels, employing figures of merit that transcend simple cost models used to justify nuclear power sources in the past. The proposition is examined, in the light of US and UN restrictions, to ascertain how best to proceed. The author argues that viewpoints of certain vocal albeit uninformed public interest groups are typically self-serving and generally categorically incorrect; it can be asserted that these same groups do not truly represent the public interest at all. It is, therefore, necessary to present an even-handed assessment of both sides of the argument to determine the virtues and liabilities of embarking on such a developmental path. Given the imperatives mentioned, the author argues that nuclear power and propulsion for space systems is a societal necessity.     

A novel way for the formation of alpha-amino acids and their derivatives in an aqueous medium.

In the course of a study of possible mechanism for chemical evolution in the primeval sea, we observed the formation of alpha-amino acids and N-acylamino acids from alpha-oxo acids and ammonia in an aqueous medium. Glyoxylic acid reacted with ammonia to form N-oxalylglycine, which gave glycine in a 5-39% yield after hydrolysis with 6N HCl. Similarly when glyoxylic acid was treated with methylamine it yielded N-oxalylsarcosine, which could be hydrolyzed to sarcosine with 17-25% overall yield upon hydrolysis. Pyruvic acid and ammonia reacted to give N-acetylalanine, which formed alanine in a 3-7% overall yield upon hydrolysis. The pH optima in these reactions were pH 3-4. These reactions were further extended to the formation of other amino acids. Glutamic acid, phenylalanine and serine were formed from alpha-ketoglutaric acid, phenylpyruvic acid and hydroxypyruvic acid, respectively, under similar conditions. N-Succinylglutamic acid was obtained as an intermediate for glutamic acid synthesis. Phenylacetylphenylalanineamide was also isolated as an intermediate for phenylalanine synthesis. Alanine, rather than aspartic acid, was produced from oxaloacetic acid. These reactions provide a novel route for the prebiotic synthesis of amino acids. A mechanism for the reactions is proposed.     

Proton flare and magnetic storm effect in the vicinity of the Earth.

We have developed a model and associated computational procedure for estimating energetic proton exposures during a major solar proton event that occur in combination with a large magnetic storm. Transmission functions for solar protons are computed using geomagnetic vertical cutoff data for quiescent and disturbed conditions. Predicted exposures in low altitude polar orbit are found to be orders of magnitude greater for severe magnetic storm conditions than are corresponding exposures in the absence of major disturbances. We examine the response scenario for the events of November 1960 as an example.