581 research outputs found
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Sex-Specific Effects of a Wartime-Like Radiation Exposure on Cognitive Function.
Evaluating the risk for central nervous system (CNS) effects after whole-body or partial-body irradiation presents challenges due in part to the varied exposure scenarios in the context of occupational, accidental or wartime releases. Risk estimations are further complicated by the fact that robust changes in brain function are unlikely to manifest until significantly late post exposure times. Collectively, the current data regarding CNS radiation risk are conflicting in humans and a survey of the animal model data shows that it is similarly inconsistent. Due to the sparseness of such data, the current study was conducted using male and female mice to evaluate the brain for the delayed effects of a 2 Gy whole-body exposure to c rays starting six months postirradiation. Behavioral testing indicated sex-specific differences in the induction of anxiety-like behaviors and in the ability to abolish fear memories. Molecular analyses showed alterations in post-synaptic protein levels that might affect synaptic plasticity and increased levels of global DNA methylation, suggesting a potential epigenetic mechanism that might contribute to radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction. These data add to the understanding of the CNS response to whole-body irradiation and may lead to improved risk assessment and provide guidance in the development of effective radiation countermeasures to protect military personnel and civilians alike
Master Equation Analysis of Thermochemical Nonequilibrium of Nitrogen
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97092/1/AIAA2012-3305.pd
The Upper Atmosphere of HD17156b
HD17156b is a newly-found transiting extrasolar giant planet (EGP) that
orbits its G-type host star in a highly eccentric orbit (e~0.67) with an
orbital semi-major axis of 0.16 AU. Its period, 21.2 Earth days, is the longest
among the known transiting planets. The atmosphere of the planet undergoes a
27-fold variation in stellar irradiation during each orbit, making it an
interesting subject for atmospheric modelling. We have used a three-dimensional
model of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere for extrasolar gas giants in order
to simulate the progress of HD17156b along its eccentric orbit. Here we present
the results of these simulations and discuss the stability, circulation, and
composition in its upper atmosphere. Contrary to the well-known transiting
planet HD209458b, we find that the atmosphere of HD17156b is unlikely to escape
hydrodynamically at any point along the orbit, even if the upper atmosphere is
almost entirely composed of atomic hydrogen and H+, and infrared cooling by H3+
ions is negligible. The nature of the upper atmosphere is sensitive to to the
composition of the thermosphere, and in particular to the mixing ratio of H2,
as the availability of H2 regulates radiative cooling. In light of different
simulations we make specific predictions about the thermosphere-ionosphere
system of HD17156b that can potentially be verified by observations.Comment: 31 pages, 42 eps figure
Water formation at low temperatures by surface O2 hydrogenation II: the reaction network
Water is abundantly present in the Universe. It is the main component of
interstellar ice mantles and a key ingredient for life. Water in space is
mainly formed through surface reactions. Three formation routes have been
proposed in the past: hydrogenation of surface O, O2, and O3. In a previous
paper [Ioppolo et al., Astrophys. J., 2008, 686, 1474] we discussed an
unexpected non-standard zeroth-order H2O2 production behaviour in O2
hydrogenation experiments, which suggests that the proposed reaction network is
not complete, and that the reaction channels are probably more interconnected
than previously thought. In this paper we aim to derive the full reaction
scheme for O2 surface hydrogenation and to constrain the rates of the
individual reactions. This is achieved through simultaneous H-atom and O2
deposition under ultra-high vacuum conditions for astronomically relevant
temperatures. Different H/O2 ratios are used to trace different stages in the
hydrogenation network. The chemical changes in the forming ice are followed by
means of reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). New reaction
paths are revealed as compared to previous experiments. Several reaction steps
prove to be much more efficient (H + O2) or less efficient (H + OH and H2 + OH)
than originally thought. These are the main conclusions of this work and the
extended network concluded here will have profound implications for models that
describe the formation of water in space.Comment: 1 page, 1 figur
Water formation at low temperatures by surface O2 hydrogenation I: characterization of ice penetration
Water is the main component of interstellar ice mantles, is abundant in the
solar system and is a crucial ingredient for life. The formation of this
molecule in the interstellar medium cannot be explained by gas-phase chemistry
only and its surface hydrogenation formation routes at low temperatures (O, O2,
O3 channels) are still unclear and most likely incomplete. In a previous paper
we discussed an unexpected zeroth-order H2O production behavior in O2 ice
hydrogenation experiments compared to the first-order H2CO and CH3OH production
behavior found in former studies on hydrogenation of CO ice. In this paper we
experimentally investigate in detail how the structure of O2 ice leads to this
rare behavior in reaction order and production yield. In our experiments H
atoms are added to a thick O2 ice under fully controlled conditions, while the
changes are followed by means of reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy
(RAIRS). The H-atom penetration mechanism is systematically studied by varying
the temperature, thickness and structure of the O2 ice. We conclude that the
competition between reaction and diffusion of the H atoms into the O2 ice
explains the unexpected H2O and H2O2 formation behavior. In addition, we show
that the proposed O2 hydrogenation scheme is incomplete, suggesting that
additional surface reactions should be considered. Indeed, the detection of
newly formed O3 in the ice upon H-atom exposure proves that the O2 channel is
not an isolated route. Furthermore, the addition of H2 molecules is found not
to have a measurable effect on the O2 reaction channel.Comment: 1 page, 1 figur
Carbon monoxide in the solar atmosphere I. Numerical method and two-dimensional models
The radiation hydrodynamic code CO5BOLD has been supplemented with the
time-dependent treatment of chemical reaction networks. Advection of particle
densities due to the hydrodynamic flow field is also included. The radiative
transfer is treated frequency-independently, i.e. grey, so far. The upgraded
code has been applied to two-dimensional simulations of carbon monoxide (CO) in
the non-magnetic solar photosphere and low chromosphere. For this purpose a
reaction network has been constructed, taking into account the reactions which
are most important for the formation and dissociation of CO under the physical
conditions of the solar atmosphere. The network has been strongly reduced to 27
reactions, involving the chemical species H, H2, C, O, CO, CH, OH, and a
representative metal. The resulting CO number density is highest in the cool
regions of the reversed granulation pattern at mid-photospheric heights and
decreases strongly above. There, the CO abundance stays close to a value of 8.3
on the usual logarithmic abundance scale with [H]=12 but is reduced in hot
shock waves which are a ubiquitous phenomenon of the model atmosphere. For
comparison, the corresponding equilibrium densities have been calculated, based
on the reaction network but also under assumption of instantaneous chemical
equilibrium by applying the Rybicki & Hummer (RH) code by Uitenbroek (2001).
Owing to the short chemical timescales, the assumption holds for a large
fraction of the atmosphere, in particular the photosphere. In contrast, the CO
number density deviates strongly from the corresponding equilibrium value in
the vicinity of chromospheric shock waves. Simulations with altered reaction
network clearly show that the formation channel via hydroxide (OH) is the most
important one under the conditions of the solar atmosphere.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, final version will contain online materia
Poor Children in Rich Households and Vice Versa: A Blurred Picture or Hidden Realities?
An expanding evidence base suggests that children experiencing monetary and multidimensional
poverty are not the same. This article breaks new ground by providing a unique mixed methods
investigation of drivers of child poverty mismatch in Ethiopia and Vietnam, considering the role of
measurement error and individualistic and structural factors. The analysis capitalises on large-scale secondary
quantitative panel data and combines this with purposively collected primary qualitative data in
both countries. It finds that factors at the household and structural level can mediate the effects of
monetary poverty in terms of multidimensional poverty and vice versa, but that the size and sign of these
effects are specific to place and time. The policy mix aiming to reduce all forms of child poverty need to
be targeted on the basis of a multidimensional assessment of poverty and reflect the complex and contextspecific
interactions between determinants of child poverty
Spectroscopic Measurements in the Shock Relaxation Region of a Hypervelocity Mach Reflection
We examine the spatial temperature profile in the non-equilibrium relaxation region
behind a stationary shock wave. The normal shock wave is established through a Mach
reflection configuration from an opposing wedge arrangement for a hypervelocity air Mach
7.42 freestream. Schlieren images confirm that the shock configuration is steady and the
location is repeatable. Emission spectroscopy is used to identify dissociated species and to
obtain vibrational temperature measurements using the NO and OH A-X band sequences.
Temperature measurements are presented at selected locations behind the normal shock.
LIFBASE is used as the simulation spectrum software for OH temperature-fitting, however the need to access higher vibrational and rotational levels for NO leads to the use of
an in-house developed algorithm. For NO, results demonstrate the contribution of higher
vibrational and rotational levels to the spectra at the conditions of this study. Very good
agreement is achieved between the experimentally measured NO vibrational temperatures
and calculations performed using a state-resolved, one-dimensional forced harmonic oscillator thermochemical model
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New Concerns for Neurocognitive Function during Deep Space Exposures to Chronic, Low Dose-Rate, Neutron Radiation.
As NASA prepares for a mission to Mars, concerns regarding the health risks associated with deep space radiation exposure have emerged. Until now, the impacts of such exposures have only been studied in animals after acute exposures, using dose rates ∼1.5×105 higher than those actually encountered in space. Using a new, low dose-rate neutron irradiation facility, we have uncovered that realistic, low dose-rate exposures produce serious neurocognitive complications associated with impaired neurotransmission. Chronic (6 month) low-dose (18 cGy) and dose rate (1 mGy/d) exposures of mice to a mixed field of neutrons and photons result in diminished hippocampal neuronal excitability and disrupted hippocampal and cortical long-term potentiation. Furthermore, mice displayed severe impairments in learning and memory, and the emergence of distress behaviors. Behavioral analyses showed an alarming increase in risk associated with these realistic simulations, revealing for the first time, some unexpected potential problems associated with deep space travel on all levels of neurological function
Mechanisms for the formation of benzene in the atmosphere of Titan
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95336/1/jgre1586.pd
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