Ares I-X First Stage Internal Aft Skirt Re-Entry Heating Data and Modeling

The CLVSTATE engineering code is being used to predict Ares-I launch vehicle first stage reentry aerodynamic heating. An engineering analysis is developed which yields reasonable predictions for the timing of the first stage aft skirt thermal curtain failure and the resulting internal gas temperatures. The analysis is based on correlations of the Ares I-X internal aft skirt gas temperatures and has been implemented into CLVSTATE. Validation of the thermal curtain opening models has been accomplished using additional Ares I-X thermocouple, calorimeter and pressure flight data. In addition, a technique which accounts for radiation losses at high altitudes has been developed which improves the gas temperature measurements obtained by the gas temperature probes (GTP). Updates to the CLVSTATE models are shown to improve the accuracy of the internal aft skirt heating predictions which will result in increased confidence in future vehicle design

The Effects of Nutrition Package Claims, Nutrition Facts Panels, and Motivation to Process Nutrition Information on Consumer Product Evaluations

In a laboratory experiment using a between-subjects design, the authors examine the effects on nutrition and product evaluations of nutrition claims made (e.g., 99% fat free; low in calories ) on a product package, product nutrition value levels, and enduring motivation to process nutrition information. Enduring motivation is shown to moderate the effects of product nutrition value on consumer evaluations. Also, nutrition claims interact with product nutrition value in affecting consumer perceptions of manufacturer credibility. Given the availability of nutrient levels in the Nutrition Facts panel on the back of the mock package, nutrition claims on the front of the package generally did not affect positively consumers\u27 overall product and purchase intention evaluations. The authors discuss some implications of these findings, suggestions for further research, and study limitations

Spectroscopy and Dynamics of the Predissociated, Quasi-linear S2 State of Chlorocarbene

In this work, we report on the spectroscopy and dynamics of the quasi-linear S2 state of chlorocarbene, CHCl, and its deuterated isotopologue using optical-optical double resonance (OODR) spectroscopy through selected rovibronic levels of the S1 state. This study, which represents the first observation of the S2 state in CHCl, builds upon our recent examination of the corresponding state in CHF, where pronounced mode specificity was observed in the dynamics, with predissociation rates larger for levels containing bending excitation. In the present work, a total of 14 S2 state vibrational levels with angular momentum ℓ = 1 were observed for CHCl, and 34 levels for CDCl. The range of ℓ in this case was restricted by the pronounced Renner-Teller effect in the low-lying S1 levels, which severely reduces the fluorescence lifetime for levels with Ka \u3e 0. Nonetheless, by exploiting different intermediate S1 levels, we observed progressions involving all three fundamental vibrations. For levels with long predissociation lifetimes, rotational constants were determined by measuring spectra through different intermediate J levels of the S1 state. Plots of the predissociation linewidth (lifetime) vs. energy for various S2 levels show an abrupt onset, which lies near the calculated threshold for elimination to form C(3P) + HCl on the triplet surface. Our experimental results are compared with a series of high level ab initio calculations, which included the use of a dynamically weighted full-valence CASSCF procedure, focusing maximum weight on the state of interest (the singlet and triplet states were computed separately). This was used as the reference for subsequent Davidson-corrected MRCI(+Q) calculations. These calculations reveal the presence of multiple conical intersections in the singlet manifold

Feather development genes and associated regulatory innovation predate the origin of Dinosauria

The evolution of avian feathers have recently been illuminated by fossils and the identification of genes involved in feather patterning and morphogenesis. However, molecular studies have focused mainly on protein-coding genes. Using comparative genomics and more than 600,000 conserved regulatory elements, we show that patterns of genome evolution in the vicinity of feather genes are consistent with a major role for regulatory innovation in the evolution of feathers. Rates of innovation at feather regulatory elements exhibit an extended period of innovation with peaks in the ancestors of amniotes and archosaurs. We estimate that 86% of such regulatory elements were present prior to the origin of Dinosauria. On the branch leading to modern birds, we detect a strong signal of regulatory innovation near IGFBP2 and IGFBP5, which have roles in body size reduction, and may represent a genomic signature for the miniaturization of dinosaurian body size preceding the origin of flight.Organismic and Evolutionary Biolog

Alkaline peroxide pretreatment of corn stover: effects of biomass, peroxide, and enzyme loading and composition on yields of glucose and xylose

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pretreatment is a critical step in the conversion of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars. Although many pretreatment processes are currently under investigation, none of them are entirely satisfactory in regard to effectiveness, cost, or environmental impact. The use of hydrogen peroxide at pH 11.5 (alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP)) was shown by Gould and coworkers to be an effective pretreatment of grass stovers and other plant materials in the context of animal nutrition and ethanol production. Our earlier experiments indicated that AHP performed well when compared against two other alkaline pretreatments. Here, we explored several key parameters to test the potential of AHP for further improvement relevant to lignocellulosic ethanol production.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The effects of biomass loading, hydrogen peroxide loading, residence time, and pH control were tested in combination with subsequent digestion with a commercial enzyme preparation, optimized mixtures of four commercial enzymes, or optimized synthetic mixtures of pure enzymes. AHP pretreatment was performed at room temperature (23°C) and atmospheric pressure, and after AHP pretreatment the biomass was neutralized with HCl but not washed before enzyme digestion. Standard enzyme digestion conditions were 0.2% glucan loading, 15 mg protein/g glucan, and 48 h digestion at 50°C. Higher pretreatment biomass loadings (10% to 20%) gave higher monomeric glucose (Glc) and xylose (Xyl) yields than the 2% loading used in earlier studies. An H₂O₂loading of 0.25 g/g biomass was almost as effective as 0.5 g/g, but 0.125 g/g was significantly less effective. Optimized mixtures of four commercial enzymes substantially increased post-AHP-pretreatment enzymatic hydrolysis yields at all H₂O₂concentrations compared to any single commercial enzyme. At a pretreatment biomass loading of 10% and an H₂O₂loading of 0.5 g/g biomass, an optimized commercial mixture at total protein loadings of 8 or 15 mg/g glucan gave monomeric Glc yields of 83% or 95%, respectively. Yields of Glc and Xyl after pretreatment at a low hydrogen peroxide loading (0.125 g H₂O₂/g biomass) could be improved by extending the pretreatment residence time to 48 h and readjusting the pH to 11.5 every 6 h during the pretreatment. A Glc yield of 77% was obtained using a pretreatment of 15% biomass loading, 0.125 g H₂O₂/g biomass, and 48 h with pH adjustment, followed by digestion with an optimized commercial enzyme mixture at an enzyme loading of 15 mg protein/g glucan.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Alkaline peroxide is an effective pretreatment for corn stover. Particular advantages are the use of reagents with low environmental impact and avoidance of special reaction chambers. Reasonable yields of monomeric Glc can be obtained at an H₂O₂concentration one-quarter of that used in previous AHP research. Additional improvements in the AHP process, such as peroxide stabilization, peroxide recycling, and improved pH control, could lead to further improvements in AHP pretreatment.</p

Discovery of a New Transient Magnetar Candidate: XTE J1810-197

We report the discovery of a new X-ray pulsar, XTE J1810-197. The source was serendipitously discovered on 2003 July 15 by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) while observing the soft gamma repeater SGR 1806-20. The pulsar has a 5.54 s spin-period and a soft spectrum (photon index ~ 4). We detect the source in earlier RXTE observations back to 2003 January. These show that a transient outburst began between 2002 November 17 and 2003 January 23 and that the pulsar has been spinning down since then, with a high rate Pdot ~ 10^-11 s/s showing significant timing noise, but no evidence for Doppler shifts due to a binary companion. The rapid spin-down rate and slow spin-period imply a super-critical magnetic field B=3x10^14 G and a young characteristic age < 7600 yr. These properties are strikingly similar to those of anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft gamma repeaters, making the source a likely new magnetar. A follow-up Chandra observation provided a 2".5 radius error circle within which the 1.5 m Russian-Turkish Optical Telescope RTT150 found a limiting magnitude of R_c=21.5, in accord with other recently reported limits. The source is present in archival ASCA and ROSAT data as well, at a level 100 times fainter than the \~ 3 mCrab seen in 2003. This suggests that other X-ray sources that are currently in a state similar to the inactive phase of XTE J1810-197 may also be unidentified magnetars awaiting detection via a similar activity.Comment: Submitted to ApJL; 4 pages; 4 figure

The Clover Root Weevil Invasion: Impact and Response of the New Zealand Pastoral Industry 1996-2012

Clover root weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhall (Curculionidae: Coleoptera), was first reported in New Zealand in 1996. With few natural enemies or competitors, it rapidly became a major pest of white clover. Its strong flight capability, tendency to be transported in agricultural machinery and vehicles, and wide climatic tolerance enabled it to spread the length of the country (1,600 km) by 2010. The most damaging stage is the larva, which attacks the roots, root nodules and stolons of clovers, reducing herbage production (particularly in spring), pasture clover content, and nitrogen fixation. From the time of the initial invasion, the pastoral industry supported research into management as insecticides were not a viable option. Nitrogen fertiliser applications after grazing were recommended to maintain production. Field evaluations showed that white clovers with good general agronomic adaptation survived better under weevil pressure than less-adapted clovers. In 2006, a parasitic wasp, Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Braconidae: Hymenoptera), was introduced from Ireland for biological control of S. lepidus. It has also established and dispersed very rapidly, and often suppresses weevil populations within 2 – 3 years of its establishment in a new locality. Involvement of industry field consultants was an essential aspect of the biological control release programme in the North Island where the weevil was already widespread before M. aethiopoides was introduced