Calculations of electric currents in Europa

Electrical currents should flow in the Galilean satellite, Europa, because it is located in Jupiter's corotating magnetosphere. The possible magnitudes of these currents are calculated by assuming that Europa is a differentiated body consisting of an outer H2O layer and a silicate core. Two types of models are considered here: one in which the water is completely frozen and a second in which there is an intermediate liquid layer. For the transverse electric mode (eddy currents), the calculated current density in a liquid layer is approximately 10 to the -5/Am. For the transverse magnetic mode (unipolar generator), the calculated current density in the liquid is severely constrained by the ice layer to a range of only 10 to the -10 to -11th power/ Am, for a total H2O thickness of 100 km, provided that neither layer is less than 4 km thick. The current density is less for a completely frozen H2O layer. If transient cracks were to appear in the ice layer, thereby exposing liquid, the calculated current density could rise to a range of 10 to the -6 to 10 to the -5/Am, depending on layer thicknesses, which would require an exposed area of 10 to the -9 to 10 to the -8 of the Europa surface. The corresponding total current of 2.3x10 to the 5th power A could in 1 yr. electrolyze 7x10 to the 5th power kg of water (and more if the cells were in series), and thereby store up to 10 the 8th power J of energy, but it is not clear how electrolysis can take place in the absence of suitable electrodes. Electrical heating would be significant only if the ice-layer thickness were on the order of 1 m, such as might occur if an exposed liquid surface were to freeze over; the heating under this condition could hinder the thickening of the ice layer

Diurnal variations in optical depth at Mars: Observations and interpretations

Viking lander camera images of the Sun were used to compute atmospheric optical depth at two sites over a period of 1 to 1/3 martian years. The complete set of 1044 optical depth determinations is presented in graphical and tabular form. Error estimates are presented in detail. Optical depths in the morning (AM) are generally larger than in the afternoon (PM). The AM-PM differences are ascribed to condensation of water vapor into atmospheric ice aerosols at night and their evaporation in midday. A smoothed time series of these differences shows several seasonal peaks. These are simulated using a one-dimensional radiative convective model which predicts martial atmospheric temperature profiles. A calculation combining these profiles with water vapor measurements from the Mars Atmospheric Water Detector is used to predict when the diurnal variations of water condensation should occur. The model reproduces a majority of the observed peaks and shows the factors influencing the process. Diurnal variation of condensation is shown to peak when the latitude and season combine to warm the atmosphere to the optimum temperature, cool enough to condense vapor at night and warm enough to cause evaporation at midday

Comparison of the mean photospheric magnetic field and the interplanetary magnetic field

Polarity comparison of solar magnetic field and interplanetary magnetic fiel

The Induced Magnetic Field of the Moon: Conductivity Profiles and Inferred Temperature

Electromagnetic induction in the moon driven by fluctuations of the interplanetary magnetic field is used to determine the lunar bulk electrical conductivity. The present data clearly show the north-south and east-west transfer function difference as well as high frequency rollover. The difference is shown to be compatible over the mid-frequency range with a noise source associated with the compression of the local remanent field by solar wind dynamic pressure fluctuations. Models for two, three, and four layer; current layer, double current layer, and core plus current layer moons are generated by inversion of the data using a theory which incorporates higher order multipoles. Core radii conductivities generally are in the range 1200 to 1300 km and 0.001 to 0.003 mhos/m; and for the conducting shell 1500 to 1700 km with 0.0001 to 0.0007 mhos/m with an outer layer taken as nonconducting. Core temperature based on available olivine data is 700 to 1000 C

Synthesis of functionalized membranes for metal capture to tunable separations

Membrane pores functionalized with appropriate macromolecules provide applications ranging from tunable flux and separations at low pressure, toxic metal capture, chemical synthesis, to protein separations. The synthesis may involve direct pore surface grafting of macromolecules or in-situ polymerization in MF type membrane pores. Traditionally, microfiltration membranes have been used for filtration of suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, etc. However, microfiltration membranes (eg, cellulosics, silica, polysulfone, polycarbonate, alumina) can be functionalized with a variety of reagents. Depending on the types of functionalized groups (such as, chain length, charge of groups, biomolecule, etc.) and number of layers, these types of membranes could be used in applications A. Colburn ranging from environmental applications to various organics separations.. In addition, electrostatic self assembly in pores (layer-by-layer, LBL) can also be achieved through alternate adsorption of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes under convective flow conditions. Non-stoichiometric immobilization of charged multilayers within a confined pore geometry leads to an enhanced volume density of ionizable groups in the membrane phase. For example, the use of polypeptides with helix-coil transitions allows nano-domain interactions in membrane pores for selective environmental separations (using layer-by-layer nano-assembly in pores), and for the capture of various toxic metals. Multilayer assemblies of polyelectrolytes also provide excellent platform for protein/enzyme immobilization by providing reusability and high reactivity. The (1) presentation will include the media synthesis and the role of nano-domain interactions for selective separations, (2) polypeptide/polyeletrolyte assembly in membrane pores for high capacity metal capture to other separation applications, and (3) tunable separations with pH and temperature responsive membrane systems. The author would like to thank NSF KY EPSCoR (Grant no: 1355438) program and by NIH-NIEHS-SRC (Award number: P42ES007380) program for funding various aspects of this work

Unipolar induction in the moon and a lunar limb shock mechanism

Unipolar induction mechanism for electrical field profiles calculation of moon interio

Travois: An Alfalfa for Grazing

In 1948, M. W. Adams and G. Semeniuk recognized the economic potential of introducing alfalfa into ranges and pastures of the more arid parts of South Dakota. They initiated a breeding program directed toward developing very hardy, disease resistant alfalfas which would persist indefinitely when grazed by livestock. Travois is an outgrowth of that program and is believed to meet these requirements

Reactive and responsive functionalized membranes

Surface functionalization of traditional NF, RO, and UF membranes to reduce fouling has been widely reported in the literature. On the other hand, pore functionalization of MF membranes through in-situ polymerization or attachment of macromolecules brings in new opportunities through pore conformation change and creation of high density active sites. These approaches dramatically enhance the applications of membranes in water and bio-nano field. The development of responsive, multifunctional materials and membranes for environmental applications requires a high level of control of both the characteristics of the base polymeric or inorganic support layer, as well as, its corresponding surface properties. Synthesis of membranes functionalized with appropriate macromolecules or reactive groups or enzymes and nano-catalytic particles can indeed provide applications ranging from tunable flux and separations, high-capacity metal capture, to toxic organic degradation by nanoparticles or enzymes. The use of macromolecules, such as, poly-acrylic acid (PAA), poly-glutamic acid (PLGA) provides pH responsive behavior pH modulations, whereas poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAAm) provides temperature responsive behavior. The dependence of conformation properties of polyelectrolytes provides tunable separation and membrane flux control by pH or temperature based stimuli responsive properties. Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique, most commonly conducted by intercalation of positive and negative polyelectrolytes or polypeptides, is a powerful, versatile and simple method for assembling supramolecular structures where enzymes or precise porin channels can be incorporated. The presentation will include: (1) synthesis and pore functionalization approaches, and direct polymerization of acrylic acid in membrane pores (lab-scale to full-scale), (2) pH and temperature responsive behavior, and catalytic nanoparticle synthesis in pores for environmentally important reductive and oxidative reactions, (3) pore functionalized (LbL approach) membranes for enzymatic (glucose oxidase and laccase), and environmentally important reactions,(4) porin channels for selective separations, (5) combination NF-Functionalized membrane process for practical applications in energy industries. The authors acknowledge the support of NSF KY EPSCoR program, NIH-NIEHS-SRC program, Southern services Co, Chevron Corporation, and Nanostone Membranes for full-scale membrane development work. The authors also acknowledge the highly significant research contributions of Drs. Li, Lewis, Ritchie, Hestekin, Meeks, and Gui

Critical component of the interplanetary magnetic field responsible for large geomagnetic effects in the polar cap

An observed influence is studied of the interplanetary magnetic sector structure on the geomagnetic variations in the polar cap which appears to be due to the component of the interplanetary magnetic field near the ecliptic perpendicular to the earth-sun direction. It is suggested that the observed effect on the ground originates in the front of the magnetosphere

Leadership Training in Graduate Medical Education: Time for a Requirement?

INTRODUCTION: The need for all physicians to function as leaders in their various roles is becoming more widely recognized. There are increasing opportunities for physicians at all levels including Graduate Medical Education (GME) to gain leadership skills, but most of these opportunities are only for those interested. Although not an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirement, some US graduate medical education programs have incorporated leadership training into their curricula. Interestingly, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada adopted the Leader role in its 2015 CanMEDS physician training model and requires leadership training. We sought to understand the value of a leadership training program in residency in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our 2017 pilot leadership training program for senior military internal medicine residents consisted of four one-hour sessions of mini-lectures, self-assessments, case discussions, and small group activities. The themes were: Introduction to Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Teambuilding, and Conflict Management. Participants were given an 18-question survey (14 Likert scale multiple-choice questions and 4 open-ended response questions) to provide feedback about the course. The Brooke Army Medical Center Institutional Review Board approved this project as a Quality Improvement effort. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 48.1% (26 of 54). The majority of respondents (84.6%) agreed the leadership training sessions were helpful and relevant. Following the sessions, 80.8% saw a greater role for physicians to function as leaders. Most (88.4%) agreed that these sessions helped them understand the importance of their roles as leaders, with 80.8% feeling more empowered to be leaders in their areas, 76.9% gaining a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses as leaders, and 80.8% feeling better prepared to meet challenges in the future. After exposure to leadership training, 73.1% indicated a plan to pursue additional leadership development opportunities. All respondents agreed that internists should be able to lead and manage a clinical team, and every respondent agreed that leadership principles should be taught in residency. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot project supports the premise that leadership training should be integrated into GME. Initial results suggest training can improve leadership skills and inspire trainees to seek additional leadership education. Moreover, much like the published literature, residents believe they should learn about leadership during residency. While more effort is needed to determine the best approach to deliver and evaluate this content, it appears even small interventions can make a difference. Next steps for this program include developing assessment tools for observation of leadership behaviors during routine GME activities, which would allow for reinforcement of the principles being taught. Additionally, our experience has led our institution to make leadership training a requirement in all of our GME programs, and we look forward to reporting future progress. Finally, an ACGME requirement to incorporate leadership training into GME programs nationwide would prove useful, as doing so would reinforce its importance, accelerate implementation, and expand knowledge of best approaches on a national level