LIBRA: An inexpensive geodetic network densification system

A description is given of the Libra (Locations Interposed by Ranging Aircraft) system, by which geodesy and earth strain measurements can be performed rapidly and inexpensively to several hundred auxiliary points with respect to a few fundamental control points established by any other technique, such as radio interferometry or satellite ranging. This low-cost means of extending the accuracy of space age geodesy to local surveys provides speed and spatial resolution useful, for example, for earthquake hazards estimation. Libra may be combined with an existing system, Aries (Astronomical Radio Interferometric Earth Surveying) to provide a balanced system adequate to meet the geophysical needs, and applicable to conventional surveying. The basic hardware design was outlined and specifications were defined. Then need for network densification was described. The following activities required to implement the proposed Libra system are also described: hardware development, data reduction, tropospheric calibrations, schedule of development and estimated costs

Utilization of Image Intensifiers in Astronomy

In this paper we present the properties of image intensifiers, used together with fast TV cameras for astronomical purposes within the MAIA project(Meteor Automatic Imager and Analyser, primarily focused on observing meteoric events with high time resolution). The main objective of our paper is to evaluate the suitability of these devices for astronomical purposes in terms of noise, temporal and spectral analysis

Utilization of Image Intensifiers in Astronomy

In this paper we present the properties of image intensifiers, used together with fast TV cameras for astronomical purposes within the MAIA project(Meteor Automatic Imager and Analyser, primarily focused on observing meteoric events with high time resolution). The main objective of our paper is to evaluate the suitability of these devices for astronomical purposes in terms of noise, temporal and spectral analysis

MAIA: Technical Development of a Novel System for Video Observations of Meteors

A system for double station observation of meteors now known as MAIA (Meteor Automatic Imager and Analyzer) is introduced in this paper. The system is based on two stations with gigabite ethernet cameras, sensitive image intensifiers and automatic processing of the recorded image data. This paper presents the measured electrooptical characteristics of the components and the overall performance of the new digital system in comparison with the current analog solution

Three-D multilateration: A precision geodetic measurement system

A technique of satellite geodesy for determining the relative three dimensional coordinates of ground stations within one centimeter over baselines of 20 to 10,000 kilometers is discussed. The system is referred to as 3-D Multilateration and has applications in earthquake hazard assessment, precision surveying, plate tectonics, and orbital mechanics. The accuracy is obtained by using pulsed lasers to obtain simultaneous slant ranges between several ground stations and a moving retroreflector with known trajectory for aiming the lasers

Na + /H + exchanger isoform 1-induced osteopontin expression facilitates cardiac hypertrophy through p90 ribosomal S6 kinase

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. One in three cases of heart failure is due to dilated cardiomyopathy. The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1), a multifunctional protein and the key pH regulator in the heart, has been demonstrated to be increased in this condition. We have previously demonstrated that elevated NHE1 activity induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo. Furthermore, the overexpression of active NHE1 elicited modulation of gene expression in cardiomyocytes including an upregulation of myocardial osteopontin (OPN) expression. To determine the role of OPN in inducing NHE1-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, double transgenic mice expressing active NHE1 and OPN knockout were generated and assessed by echocardiography and the cardiac phenotype. Our studies showed that hearts expressing active NHE1 exhibited cardiac remodeling indicated by increased systolic and diastolic left ventricular internal diameter and increased ventricular volume. Moreover, these hearts demonstrated impaired function with decreased fractional shortening and ejection fraction. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) mRNA was upregulated, and there was an increase in heart cell cross-sectional area confirming the cardiac hypertrophic effect. Moreover, NHE1 transgenic mice also showed increased collagen deposition, upregulation of CD44 and phosphorylation of p90 ribosomal s6 kinase (RSK), effects that were regressed in OPN knockout mice. In conclusion, we developed an interesting comparative model of active NHE1 transgenic mouse lines which express a dilated hypertrophic phenotype expressing CD44 and phosphorylated RSK, effects which were regressed in absence of OPN.Scopu