Progress in demonstrating homochiral selection in prebiotic RNA synthesis

The dual properties of RNA as an enzyme catalyst (ribozyme) and its ability to store genetic information suggest that early life could have been based on RNA. We have synthesized RNA oligomers up to 50-mer chain lengths by Na⁺-montmorillonite catalyzed reactions of 5′-activated mononucleotides. For studying chiral selectivity, the reactions of racemic mixtures of D, L-ImpA and D, L-ImpU were carried out on Na⁺-montmorillonite. The dimer, trimer, tetramer and pentamer fractions (yields 43.3%, 14.5%, 5.8% and 3.0%, respectively) were investigated for homochiral selection. These products were collected via ion exchange HPLC, their terminal 5′-phosphate was cleaved by alkaline phosphatase and further analyzed by reverse phase HPLC. Twelve linear and three cyclic dimers were isolated and characterized. The homochirality of dimers was 63.5 ± 0.8%. Out of the sixteen trimers isolated, ten were homochiral with an overall homochirality of 74.2 ± 1.6%. The tetramers and pentamers were separated into 24 and 20 isomers, respectively. Their co-elution with those formed in the binary reactions of D-ImpA with D-ImpU on Na⁺-montmorillonite revealed 92.7 ± 2.0% and 97.2 ± 0.5% homochirality, respectively. These results suggest that Na⁺-montmorillonite not only catalyzes the prebiotic synthesis of RNA but it also facilitates homochiral selection. Work is in progress to determine chiral selectivity in the reaction mixtures of activated nucleotides of racemic A, U, G and C on Na⁺-montmorillonite.     

Morphology of OI 8446 Å dayglow emission

A comprehensive model is developed to study the atomic oxygen OI 8446 Å dayglow emission. The emission rate profiles and intensities are obtained using the recently developed Solar2000 EUV (Extreme Ultra Violet) flux model. These emission profiles are used to construct the morphology of the 8446 Å emission between equator and 45°N in the northern hemisphere. The longitudinal variation of 8446 Å dayglow emission is found about 5% and is not included in the presentation of morphology. A span of five years is chosen to study the effect of varying solar activity on the morphology of the OI 8446 Å dayglow emission. The morphology is studied on April 3 which lies under the equinox conditions. In year 2001 the solar F10.7 index on the chosen date was as high as 223.1 which is the case of solar maximum. From the present calculations it is found that the intensity does not vary linearly with the F10.7 solar index. The morphology shows that the region of maximum emission rate expands towards the higher latitudes as F10.7 solar index increases. The similar effects have also been found in the morphology of 7320 Å dayglow emission (Sunil Krishna and Singh, 2009). The similarities in the morphology of 7320 Å and 8446 Å dayglow emissions further suggest that the photoelectron flux has strong bearing on the production of these emissions.     

A model study of the negative chlorine ion chemistry in the Earth’s mesosphere

An ion chemistry model is used to investigate the negative chlorine ion chemistry of the mesosphere for quiet ionospheric conditions. Model results are presented for high latitudes in February as well as for the equator in Summer. For nighttime, Cl^-${\text{Cl}}^{-}$, Cl^-${\text{Cl}}^{-}$(HCl), and NO₃⁻(HCl) are the most abundant chlorine anions in the mesosphere. The concentration of ClO₃⁻ depends significantly on its stability against collision-induced dissociation. In contrast to previous model predictions, the abundance of Cl^-(_H2O)${\text{Cl}}^{-}({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O})$ is small. For daytime, photoelectron detachment and photodissociation have pronounced impact on the negative chlorine ion chemistry in the mesosphere. The abundance of all anion cluster is considerably smaller than at night. While Cl^-${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ decreases in the upper mesosphere, its abundance increases at lower altitudes.     

电性拓扑态指数预测硝基类含能材料撞击感度

应用电性拓扑态(E-state)指数模拟分析了硝基类含能化合物的撞击感度,采用逐步回归构建了5个变量的定量结构-性质相关模型,模型的相关系数和标准偏差分别为0.907和0.1713,交叉验证相关系数及均方根误差分别为0.941和0.1869,模型具有较高的可靠性、相关度和预测能力。模型分析表明,电性拓扑态指数与硝基类化合物的撞击感度有较好的相关性,原子的电性状态是影响撞击感度的重要因素。     

耐高温树脂基复合材料研究进展及其在航空航天领域的应用

耐高温树脂基复合材料具有低密度、高比强度、高比模量、抗疲劳、耐腐蚀、可设计性强等优点。因其在结构轻量化中的巨大应用潜力,在航空航天领域广受关注。本文重点介绍了双马来酰亚胺、聚酰亚胺和邻苯二甲腈三种耐高温树脂及其复合材料,并对其树脂基体的历史发展脉络、复合材料成型工艺与力学性能的研究现状,以及在航空航天领域的应用进行了综述。最后,通过提炼对比三者在工艺性、力学性能上的特点和工程上的典型应用场景,拟为航空航天领域中的材料选择提供参考。     

等静压技术在材料加工领域的应用现状

主要阐述了等静压技术在金属、金属基复合材料、无机非金属材料以及聚合物材料等领域的应用现状,分析了等静压技术与3D打印复合成型技术的发展趋势,介绍了国内外等静压仿真模拟技术的研究进展,并对等静压技术的发展趋势提出展望。     

先驱体转化法含硼连续SiC纤维研究进展

含硼连续SiC纤维是很有前景的耐高温陶瓷纤维,室温拉伸强度达到3.0 GPa,耐温1 400℃以上。本文综述了国内外先驱体转化法含硼连续SiC纤维的基本性能和制备方法,并分析比较了各国含硼连续SiC纤维的性能以及制备方法的特点,进而提出制备含硼连续SiC纤维的新思路。     

SPACE CHEMISTRY RESEARCHES IN CHINA DURING 2000-2001

Over the past two years, significant progress in space chemistry has been made in China. The research fields include meteorites, pre-solar materials, science researches of the moon, effects of the space debris on space environment, and heterogeneity of the Earth. Chinese Lunar Exploration Project Some studies are also dedicated to one important space mission "Chinese Lunar Exploration Project". In this paper, the main achievements are outlined, and some concepts and hypotheses are briefly revised.     

A Review of Hypervelocity Debris Testing at the Air Force Research Laboratory

In this paper, we describe a compact, low cost, fast turn-around-time technique used at the Air Force Research Laboratory to study hypervelocity debris impact effects on spacecraft structures and components. The technique described was used to study debris effects in the areas of: shock physics, debris-produced contamination, chemical analyses of the impact ejecta and debris initiated spacecraft discharge. Examples of research results obtained with the technique are presented and illustrate problems encountered in the field of space debris effects on spacecraft.