Low-temperature ionizing radiation resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans and Antarctic Dry Valley bacteria

The high flux of cosmic rays onto the unshielded surface of Mars poses a significant hazard to the survival of martian microbial life. Here, we determined the survival responses of several bacterial strains to ionizing radiation exposure while frozen at a low temperature characteristic of the martian near-subsurface. Novel psychrotolerant bacterial strains were isolated from the Antarctic Dry Valleys, an environmental analogue of the martian surface, and identified by 16S rRNA gene phylogeny as representatives of Brevundimonas, Rhodococcus, and Pseudomonas genera. These isolates, in addition to the known radioresistant extremophile Deinococcus radiodurans, were exposed to gamma rays while frozen on dry ice (-79°C). We found D. radiodurans to exhibit far greater radiation resistance when irradiated at -79°C than was observed in similar studies performed at higher temperatures. This greater radiation resistance has important implications for the estimation of potential survival times of microorganisms near the martian surface. Furthermore, the most radiation resistant of these Dry Valley isolates, Brevundimonas sp. MV.7, was found to show 99% 16S rRNA gene similarity to contaminant bacteria discovered in clean rooms at both Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers and so is of prime concern to efforts in the planetary protection of Mars from our lander probes. Results from this experimental irradiation, combined with previous radiation modeling, indicate that Brevundimonas sp. MV.7 emplaced only 30?cm deep in martian dust could survive the cosmic radiation for up to 100,000 years before suffering 10? population reduction.     

In situ microbial detection in Mojave Desert soil using native fluorescence

We report on the use of a portable instrument for microbial detection in the Mojave Desert soil and the potential for its use on Mars. The instrument is based on native fluorescence and employs four excitation wavelengths combined with four emission wavelengths. A soil dilution series in which known numbers of Bacillus subtilis spores were added to soil was used to determine the sensitivity of the instrument. We found that the fluorescence of the biological and organic components of the desert soil samples studied can be as strong as the fluorescence of the mineral component of these soils. Using the calibration derived from B. subtilis spores, we estimated that microbial content at our primary sampling site was 10(7) bacteria per gram of soil, a level confirmed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. At a nearby site, but in a slightly different geological setting, we tested the instrument's ability to map out microbial concentrations in situ. Over a ～50 m diameter circle, soil microbial concentrations determined with the B. subtilis calibration indicate that the concentrations of microorganisms detected varies from 10(4) to 10(7) cells per gram of soil. We conclude that fluorescence is a promising method for detecting soil microbes in noncontact applications in extreme environments on Earth and may have applications on future missions to Mars.     

The production of oxidants in Europa's surface

The oxidants produced by radiolysis and photolysis in the icy surface of Europa may be necessary to sustain carbon-based biochemistry in Europa's putative subsurface ocean. Because the subduction of oxidants to the ocean presents considerable thermodynamic challenges, we examine the formation of oxygen and related species in Europa's surface ice with the goal of characterizing the chemical state of the irradiated material. Relevant spectral observations of Europa and the laboratory data on the production of oxygen and related species are first summarized. Since the laboratory data are incomplete, we examine the rate equations for formation of oxygen and its chemical precursors by radiolysis and photolysis. Measurements and simple rate equations are suggested that can be used to characterize the production of oxidants in Europa's surface material and the chemical environment produced by radiolysis. Possible precursor molecules and the role of radical trapping are examined. The possibility of oxygen reactions on grain surfaces in Europa's regolith is discussed, and the earlier estimates of the supply of O(2) to the atmosphere are increased.     

一种低摩擦间隙可控机构在舵机上的应用

摩擦和间隙是影响电动舵机结构力学特性的典型非线性因素.基于电动舵机伺服系统模型,研究摩擦、间隙非线性因素的特性及其对舵机控制的影响.设计一种低摩擦力、间隙可控舵机传动机构,进行实验与仿真分析.结果表明,该新型传动机构能够改善传统舵机摩擦阻力大、间隙可控性差的状况,并提高舵机控制的精度和稳定性,为电动舵机伺服系统结构特性研究和控制系统研究提供基础.     

拉尔夫的中年危机

《无敌破坏王》导演:瑞奇·摩尔配音:简·林奇,约翰·C·赖利故事梗概:每一款电玩游戏都是一个有生命存在的世界,善恶角色在其中不过是一份份日常的工作而已。在做了30年的坏人之后,《无敌破坏王》里的大反派拉尔夫终于无法忍受再做坏人的生活了。他希望自己能够赢得一块奖牌,凭此打入好人世界。这一思想上的变化引来了之后一系列的大麻烦,虽然差一点就造成了很多大规模"伤亡"。但拉尔夫最终还是逆转了结局,拯救了别人,更拯救了自己。