The effect of cannibalism intensity on net primary production and dynamics of trophic links in aquatic ecosystems.

A mathematical model was used to investigate the effect of cannibalism intensity on the net primary production and the dynamics of trophic links in an aquatic ecosystem characterized by cannibalism at the upper trophic level. A mathematical model of an aquatic ecosystem has been constructed, with the following principal trophic links: limiting nutrient concentration, producers (phytoplankton), nonpredatory and predatory zooplankton. The model takes into account the age structure of the predator and includes two age groups (the young and adults). The adult predators are cannibals feeding on both nonpredatory zooplankton and their own young, which consume phytoplankton. It has been found that when cannibalism intensity increases above a certain level, the concentrations of both adults and the young of the predators decrease. At the same time, the concentrations of the nonpredatory zooplankton and of nutrients increase, while the biomass of producers decreases. When the cannibalism intensity is low, the net primary production of the system increases to a certain level correlated with the increase in cannibalism intensity and drops sharply when the level of consumption of young is high. There is an optimal intensity of cannibalism, at which the productivity in the photosynthesis link is maximal.     

MLS: a total system approach

A typical approach and landing operation is described. The microwave landing system (MLS) is then examined, its design characteristics and how it works are shown, and how the MLS design fulfils the user's operational requirements by protecting the guidance signal from reflected signal interference is highlighted. MLS angle system accuracy is discussed in great detail, and its reliability, integrity, and coverage volume are briefly considered. MLS availability at any runway to all aircraft types and their landing scenarios, which is accomplished using narrow scanning beam antennas, is examined     

The role of repair in the survival of mammalian cells from heavy ion irradiation: approximation to the ideal case of target theory.

Theories of cellular radiation sensitivity that preclude a significant role for cellular repair processes in the final biological expression of cellular damage induced by ionizing radiation are unsound. Experiments are discussed here in which the cell-cycle dependency of the repair deficiency of the S/S variant, of the L5178Y murine leukemic lymphoblast was examined by treatment with the heavy ions, 20Ne, 28Si, 40Ar, 56Fe and 93Nb. Evidence from those studies, which will be described in detail elsewhere, provide support for the notion that as the linear energy transfer (LET infinity) of the incident radiation increases the ability of the S/S cell to repair radiation damage decreases until effectively it is eliminated around 500 keV/micrometer. In the region of the latter LET infinity value, the behavior of the S/S cell approximates the ideal case of target theory where post-irradiation metabolism (repair) does not influence cell survival. The expression of this phenomenon among different cell types and tissues will depend upon the actual repair systems involved and other considerations.     

Mean winds of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (60–110 km): A global distribution from radar systems (MF,Meteor, VHF)

During the last decade a large number of radars (～12) have been developed, which have produced substantial quantities of tidally-corrected mean winds data. The distribution of the radars is not global, but many areas are well covered: the Americas with Poker Flat (65°N), Saskatoon (52°N), Durham (43°N), Atlanta (34°N), Puerto Rico (18°N); Europe with Kiruna (68°), Garchy (47°N) and Monpazier (44°N); and Oceania with Christchurch (44°S), Adelaide (35°S), Townsville (20°S), and Kyoto (35°N). Zonal and meridional wind height-time cross-sections from $\text{60}\text{80}$ km (MF/Meteor Radar) to ～110 km have been prepared for the last 5–6 years. They are compared with cross-sections from CIRA-72 for zonal winds, and Groves (1969) for meridional winds.It is shown that while CIRA-72 is still a useful model for many purposes, significant differences exist between it and the new radar data. The latter demonstrate important seasonal, latitudinal, longitudinal and hemispheric variations. The new meridional cross-sections are of great value. The common features with Groves (1969) are the equatorward cells in summer near 85 km; however their strength (～10 ms^?1) and size are less. Systematic and somewhat different variations emerge at higher (?52°N) and middle (35–44°) latitudes.     

A proposed international tropical reference atmosphere up to 80 km

Motivated by the need in many aerospace applications for a meaningful reference atmosphere characteristic of the whole of the tropics in both the northern and southern hemispheres of the globe, a proposal is made here for such an atmosphere upto an altitude of 80 km. The proposal is based on balloonsonde, rocketsonde and grenade and falling sphere data, respectively, in the range of about 0–20, 20–50 and 50–80 km height. The final proposal consists of six linear segments in the temperature distribution, with temperature values in degrees Centigrade of 27, ?9, ?74, ?5, ?5, ?74 and ?74 at altitudes of 0, 9, 16, 46, 52, 75 and 80 km respectively. The sea level pressure is taken as 1010 mb, and abridged tables of quantities of interest in meteorological and aerospace applications are provided.     

A new polyethylene balloon film

After over twenty years there is a new film introduced in the United States for fabricating scientific balloons. The film was developed by Raven and is designated Astrofilm.The film is a result of a critical selection of both the resin and extruding parameters. The film's physical properties and results of a test flight are reported. Also reported are a proposed design modification and failure analysis.     

Synthetic Environments for Simulated Missions

Synthetic environments offer Space Flight projects an opportunity to perform rapid, comprehensive, and rigorous modeling of the critical elements of a mission in order to compute quantitative measures of design performance, associated risk, and actual mission utility value. Significantly, these studies can be performed early in the mission cycle. These synthetic terrains are generated on parallel, high-performance computers and served to remote simulations at near-interactive speeds. The terrain creation uses a realistic sequence of physical phenomena such as cratering and dusting with parametric control of features such as surface roughness and rock density. Terrain resolution may be arbitrary but typically ranges from 0.01 to 10 meters. The terrain server has been used for two rover simulations, one using the actual Sojourner autonomy flight code, and the other a more general algorithm. Monte Carlo studies of rover designs interacting with synthetic environments were executed in parallel to quickly compute performance statistics and risk estimates.     

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.     

Baywatch practical automatic detection of intrusion over water

This paper describes one solution to the problem of providing Perimeter Intruder Detection, (PIDS), for sites whose boundary includes direct access from uncontrolled water. Two surveillance heads were proposed, each consisting of a TI camera and a Colour CCTV camera mounted on a pan and tilt unit     

Issues of exploration: human health and wellbeing during a mission to Mars.

Today, the tools are in our hands to enable us to travel away from our home planet and become citizens of the solar system. Even now, we are seriously beginning to develop the robust infrastructure that will make the 21st century the Century of Space Travel. But this bold step must be taken with due concern for the health, safety and wellbeing of future space explorers. Our long experience with space biomedical research convinces us that, if we are to deal effectively with the medical and biomedical issues of exploration, then dramatic and bold steps are also necessary in this field. We can no longer treat the human body as if it were composed of muscles, bones, heart and brain acting independently. Instead, we must lead the effort to develop a fully integrated view of the body, with all parts connected and fully interacting in a realistic way. This paper will present the status of current (2000) plans by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute to initiate research in this area of integrative physiology and medicine. Specifically, three example projects are discussed as potential stepping stones towards the ultimate goal of producing a digital human. These projects relate to developing a functional model of the human musculoskeletal system and the heart.