The observation of Extensive Air Showers from an Earth-Orbiting Satellite

In this paper we review the main issues that are relevant for the detection of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) from space. EAS are produced by the interaction of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Particles (UHECP) with the atmosphere and can be observed from an orbiting telescope by detecting air fluorescence UV light. We define the requirements and provide the main formulas and plots needed to design and optimize a suitable telescope. We finally estimate its expected performances in ideal conditions.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures; submitted to Astroparticle Physics 27 pages, 14 figures; major revision; added new figures and sections; typos fixed. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0810.571

Crystal structure of archeal protoglobin: Novel ligand diffusion paths to the heme

The protein structural adaptability of the globin fold has been highlighted by the recent discovery of 2-on-2 hemoglobins, of neuroglobin, cytoglobin, and the characterization of their three-dimensional structures. Protoglobin from Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A is the latest entry in the hemoglobin superfamily, adding to it new structural variability and functional complexity. The 1.3˚A crystal structure of oxygenated M. acetivorans protoglobin shows that, contrary to all known globins, protoglobin-specific loops and a N-terminal extension completely bury the heme within the protein matrix. Access of diatomic ligands (such as O2, CO, and NO) to the heme is however granted by protoglobin-specific apolar tunnels that reach the heme distal site from entry sites at the B/G and B/E helix interfaces. Functionally, M. acetivorans dimeric protoglobin displays a selectivity ratio for O2/CO binding to the heme that favours O2 ligation, a property that is exceptional within the hemoglobin superfamily

Petrology and geochemistry of pyroxenites in the Lanzo ultramafic massif, Northwestern Italy

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2012."February 2012." Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-45).Combined field, microtextural, and geochemical observations are presented for pyroxenites in the Lanzo ultramafic massif in order to place chemical and petrological constraints both locally on the geologic history of the massif and more generally on the role of magmatic rifting and the rift-to-drift transition in ultraslow-spreading ridge environments. Two separate generations of pyroxenites have been distinguished. A young set of primitive Cr-diopside websterites of MORB affinity are related to melt infiltrations and melt-rock reactions during rifting and Jurassic exhumation, while a much older generation of websterites likely of subcontinental origin were inherited and pre-date continental rifting and exhumation of the massif. The regional compositional and textural variation observed in the latter group of pyroxenites is not due to primary heterogeneities but rather to differences in subsequent metamorphic histories. Pyroxenites from the northern domain experienced a colder exhumation history and physical isolation from the rest of the massif by means of a high temperature shear zone related to the rifting. These websterites preserve garnet pseudomorphs and elevated REE which are textural and geochemical evidence for the prior coexistence of clinopyroxene and garnet. The implications of this study are that the Lanzo massif was indeed subcontinental lithosphere prior its exhumation and existence as an Ocean Continent Transition Zone (OCTZ) and that high temperature shear zones do seem to serve as effective permeability barriers and melt-focusing zones in rifting systems.by Kathryn A. Pesce.S.M

Work and heat probability distribution of an optically driven Brownian particle: Theory and experiments

We analyze the equations governing the evolution of distributions of the work and the heat exchanged with the environment by a manipulated stochastic system, by means of a compact and general derivation. We obtain explicit solutions for these equations for the case of a dragged Brownian particle in a harmonic potential. We successfully compare the resulting predictions with the outcomes of experiments, consisting in dragging a micron-sized colloidal particle through water with a laser trap

Influence of rotational force fields on the determination of the work done on a driven Brownian particle

For a Brownian system the evolution of thermodynamic quantities is a stochastic process. In particular, the work performed on a driven colloidal particle held in an optical trap changes for each realization of the experimental manipulation, even though the manipulation protocol remains unchanged. Nevertheless, the work distribution is governed by established laws. Here, we show how the measurement of the work distribution is influenced by the presence of rotational, i.e. nonconservative, radiation forces. Experiments on particles of different materials show that the rotational radiation forces, and therefore their effect on the work distributions, increase with the particle refractive index.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Fire in the Operating Room During Hypospadias Repair

Fire in the operating room (OR) is a very distressful and shocking occurrence with potential dramatic consequences. Despite safety rules and rigorous recommendations, such unintentional events do occur every so often. Notably, the vast majority of cases have been reported in the adult population, with very few pediatric cases described to date. Herein, we report on a 16-month-old boy undergoing reconstructive surgery for penoscrotal hypospadias, who experienced an OR fire most likely related to the use of alcohol-based solution ignited by monopolar electrocautery