The impact of semi-convection and overshooting on the surface abundances in massive stars

We analyse the effects of semi-convection and overshooting on the predicted surface abundances after the first and second dredge-ups in 15 and 20 M Pop. I stars. Overshooting is applied either to the core boundary or to the boundaries of all convective zones. It is shown that the surface abundances are sensitive to the mixing scheme adopted in the interior. The models including semi-convection lead to lower¹²C/¹³C ratios than the other mixing schemes, while models with overshooting predict higher enhancements of sodium at the surface.     

Co2 and Climate: a Geologist's View

Climate is discussed as an integral part of System Earth, determined by a complex interplay of numerous geological, biological and solar processes. The historical and geological record of changing climate and atmospheric CO₂ pressure does not support the current popular vision that this greenhouse gas is the dominant climate controlling agent. When empirically ante post tested against past global climate changes, the forecasts of the climate models mainly based on forcing by atmospheric CO₂ are not borne out. On the other hand, recent studies show that solar variability rather than changing CO₂ pressure is an important, probably the dominant climate forcing factor.     

Biochemical constraints for survival under Martian conditions.

A wide variety of terrestrial organisms, the so-called "anhydrobiotes," has learned to survive in a state of extreme dehydration in dry environments. Strategies for survival include the accumulation of certain polyols and nonreducing saccharides, which help to prevent damage to membranes and proteins, but at low water partial pressure DNA is also progressively damaged by various lesions, including strand breaks and cross-linking to proteins. These lesions, if they are not too numerous, can be repaired before the first replication step after rehydration, but long-term exposure to dry conditions finally diminishes the chances of survival as these lesions accumulate. If an organism has no chance to repair the accumulated DNA damage during intermittent periods of active life, survival will not exceed a few decades. The restriction of survival by dryness-induced DNA lesions is corroborated by new data on conidia of Aspergillus and the free plasmid pBR 322. Our results will be discussed with respect to the chance of finding dormant life or biochemical fossils on the surface of Mars.     

Spatial orientation during locomotion [correction of locomation] following space flight

To investigate changes in spatial orientation ability and walking performance following space flight, 7 astronaut subjects were asked pre- and post-flight to perform a goal directed locomotion paradigm which consisted of walking a triangular path with and without vision. This new paradigm, involving inputs from different sensory systems, allows quantification of several critical parameters, like orientation performance, walking velocities and postural stability, in a natural walking task. The paper presented here mainly focusses on spatial orientation performance quantified by the errors in walking the previously seen path without vision. Errors in length and reaching the corners did not change significantly from pre- to post-flight, while absolute angular errors slightly increased post-flight. The significant decrease in walking velocity and a change in head-trunk coordination while walking around the corners of the path observed post-flight may suggest that during re-adaptation to gravity the mechanisms which are necessary to perform the task have to be re-accomplished.     

Highly mobile space suit material optimization

This paper discusses the factors that control the flexibility of fabric space suit elements by examining a bending model of a pressurized fabric tube. Results from the model are used to evaluate the current direction in highly mobile EVA glove research and suggest that changes are necessary in the suit and glove fabric selection methodology.     

Life in space may help life on Earth

Teams of chronobiologists from the U.S., Russia, and Japan are working toward a remote computerized health care system which, once tested in space, may change how doctors diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and conditions predisposing stroke. The system is based on ongoing research indicating that swings in blood pressure charted over a span of 24 hr or longer, rather than a single systolic and diastolic reading, can reveal a new major risk factor for heart disease.     

Simulation of a working process in the pulsejet engine with an aerodynamic valve on the basis of the thermodynamic cycle analysis

A physical and a mathematical model of a working process in the pulsejet engine based on the analysis of the thermodynamic cycle are proposed. The process of self-sustained periodic combustion is connected with special features of elementary processes comprising the cycle, influencing the engine operation and depending on its design parameters. The calculation method is based on the use of fundamental laws of conservation and basic equations of gas dynamics     

绿色制造中的干切削技术

冷却润滑液的存储、使用以及废弃处理需要专门的物流系统,因而费用很高;冷却润滑液处理不当会对人的健康以及环境造成危害;工件经过湿加工后必须进行清洁处理,这都费时费力,同时增加了对系统的要求.基于上述原因,近年来干切削技术受到广泛关注.     

Finite-dimensional filters with nonlinear drift. V: solution to Kolmogorov equation arising from linear filtering with non-Gaussian initial condition

Despite its usefulness, the Kalman-Bucy filter is not perfect. One of its weaknesses is that it needs a Gaussian assumption on the initial data. Recently Yau and Yau introduced a new direct method to solve the estimation problem for linear filtering with non-Gaussian initial data. They factored the problem into two parts: (1) the on-line solution of a finite system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and (2) the off-line calculation of the Kolmogorov equation. Here we derive an explicit closed-form solution of the Kolmogorov equation. We also give some properties and conduct a numerical study of the solution.