Acoustic penetration and impact detector for micrometeoroid and space debris application

The Two-Stage Acoustic Penetration and Impact Detector is a simple device for measuring the impact event time, the projectile velocity, the flight path direction and the momentum. The results of laboratory tests have shown that this detector can be used in a wide range of projectile size and velocity. According to measurement purposes the size of the detection area, the distance between the front foil and the target plate and the number of microphones as well as the evaluation procedure can easily be adjusted. The target plate area can also be replaced by another foil detector, if two penetration stages are preferred. This active detector is suitable for a variety of applications in meteoroid and space debris exploration. It can also be supplied with capture cell properties for chemical analysis of inside-deposits. Therefore, this measurement principal has been taken into consideration as a possible flight experiment for instance for a later Longer Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) flight or future space station activities

Plasma adiponectin levels and sonographic phenotypes of subclinical carotid artery atherosclerosis : Data from the SAPHIR study

Copyright: Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background and Purpose - Adipose tissue produces and secretes a number of bioactive molecules, conceptualized as adipocytokines. Adiponectin has been identified as one of the adipocytokines, and hypoadiponectinemia was demonstrated in patients with obesity, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. Whether decreased adiponectin levels are cause or consequence is an important issue in the discussion on the association between adiponectin and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the association of plasma adiponectin levels with sonographic phenotypes of subclinical atherosclerosis, which may represent different stages of disease as well as common and distinct determinants. Methods - A total of 1515 middle-aged healthy white subjects (940 males and 575 females) were included. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and presence of atherosclerotic plaques were assessed by B-mode ultrasound. Results - After adjustment for established risk factors, per 1 μg/mL decrease in adiponectin CIMT increased on the average by 3.48 μ in males (95% CI, 1.23 to 5.73 μm) and by 2.39 μ in females (95% CI, 0.50 to 4.27 μm). After dichotomizing adiponectin levels at the median and adjustment for established risk factors, the mean difference of CIMT between subjects with low and high adiponectin levels was 20.42 μm in men (95% CI, 6.80 to 34.04; P=0.003) and 20.75 μ in women (95% CI, 1.08 to 40.42; P=0.039). No significant relationship was found between adiponectin levels and presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusion - Our results demonstrate an independent negative association of adiponectin levels and CIMT, whereas no relationship with presence of atherosclerotic plaques was found, thus suggesting hypoadiponectinemia as a risk factor in the development of early atherosclerosis.publishersversionPeer reviewe

A lean environmental benchmarking (LEB) method for the management of cutting tools

Manufacturing companies are striving hard to remain competitive hence, they rely on a number of resources to meet customers’ expectations, among which cutting tools are included. This paper addresses the problems faced in the management of cutting tools activities. Production managers have highlighted the lack of procedures containing metrics and targets that would show them whether their company is able to perform an efficient management, and if it is capable of supporting the deployment process. In this context, this paper presents a novel Lean Environmental Benchmarking (LEB) method for performing a diagnosis of practices and performances to support the implementation of a cutting tool management strategy and/or the effective management of these assets. Strategic, technical and logistical aspects are addressed, particularly, with regard to management focused on lean manufacturing and environmental aspects. Field studies were performed in nine Brazilian companies in the metal-mechanical sector to validate the LEB method proposed. The LEB method helped the participant organisations clarify the various activities that involved the management of their cutting tools, while the field studies indicated that all nine organisations had a great concern regarding the preservations of the environment, and also an effective utilisation of resources spent for machining components.N/

BREM-SAT - A Small Scientific Satellite

BREM-SAT is a small scientific satellite being financed by the BMFT (German Ministry of Research and Technology). It will be launched from the Space Shuttle during the German D-2 mission (September 1992) into a 300 km orbit with 28.5° inclination. Although the volume is limited, due to the CAP (Complex Autonomous Payload) programme requirements, the satellite payload includes six different scientific experiments. Futhermore, within this mission a new technology will be demonstrated

Devonian to Permian intrusions in the Zentralgneis Supersuite of the eastern Tauern Window constrained by U-Pb zircon geochronology and geochemistry

In the course of comprehensive geological mapping, the Geosphere Austria (formerly Geologische Bundesanstalt – Geological Survey of Austria) initiated a systematic geochemical and geochronological characterization of the metamorphic granitoids forming the Zentralgneis Supersuite in the eastern Tauern Window. Three dozens of samples from already defined units (Sonnblick, Siglitz, Romate, Göss, and Hochalm orthogneiss) as well as newly defined units (Säuleck, Kampleck, and Grübelwand orthogneisses) were sampled in four different nappes of the Venediger Nappe-System (Sonnblick, Romate, Hochalm, and Göss nappe). Major and trace element geochemical analyses indicate three groups. Most of the Sonnblick orthogneiss samples, the Siglitz orthogneiss and other non-leucocratic orthogneisses derive from high-K, calc-alkaline granite with a peraluminous and magnesian composition. The analyzed samples classify as I-type (subordinately S-type) granites formed in volcanic arcs and show no negative Eu-anomaly. The Kampleck, Säuleck, and Grübelwand orthogneiss as well as leucocratic orthogneisses derive from high-Si, calc-alkaline granite, aplite and pegmatite, with a peraluminous ferroan composition. This group classifies as S-type granites formed in a within-plate setting and samples show a clear negative Eu-anomaly as well as comparably low Ba and Sr concentrations. The Romate orthogneiss and one analyzed Sonnblick orthogneiss sample derive from shoshonitic, quartz-monzonite to syenite with metaluminous and magnesian composition. This group classifies as syn-collisional A-Type granites and shows no negative Eu-anomaly with comparably high Eu, U and Th concentrations. The three distinguished groups are found in different nappes of the Venediger Nappe System; however, note that single orthogneiss units can host elements of different characteristics. U-Pb zircon geochronology further constrains some of the orthogneiss units. A sample of coarse-grained Sonnblick orthogneiss with an augen microstructure yields a Late Devonian age. An atypical fine-grained Sonnblick orthogneiss with small K-feldspar yields a late Carboniferous age and a Siglitz orthogneiss sample yields an early Carboniferous age. Samples from Kampleck, Säuleck and Grübelwand yield middle Permian ages. Our findings illustrate the complex and long lived intrusion story over 100 Myrs hidden in what is called the Zentralgneis Supersuite. The dominant group corresponding to I-type calc-alkaline plutonism contemporaneous to the Variscan Orogeny took more than 30 Myrs to form. At least in the Sonnblick orthogneiss, this group hosts younger intrusions that remain undefined and unmapped. Later Permian S-type intrusions are for the moment only attested in the Hochalm Nappe. However, based on lithological characteristics these can also be expected in other nappes (e.g. Sonnblick and Göss nappe). Finally, geochronological characterization of the Romate orthogneiss underpins any interpretation of its exotic chemistry. These results stress the importance of combined geochemical and geochronological analyses together with geological mapping for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex geological situation in the eastern Tauern Window

Response to letter by Pilz et al

Copyright: Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Quantitative kinematics of a frictional viscous lowangle normal fault on Kea (Western Cyclades, Greece)

Lithospheric extension during the Miocene is well documented in the Aegean. Within theCentral and Western Cyclades extension has been documented in detail by the formation ofMetamorphic Core Complexes and movement along low-angle normal faults (LANFs). Focusing on ahitherto unrecognised main low-angled fault geometry outcropping on northern Kea, this work presentspervasive evidence of top-to-south kinematics

Characteristics of low-angle normal faulting in Serifos (Western Cyclades, Greece)

On the island of Serifos SSW-directed low-angle faults accommodated crustal thinning during Miocene extension. Cross-cutting relationships suggest that the low-angle faults interacted with WNW-ESE striking conjugate high-angle normal faults in both the hanging and the footwall. Although high- and low-angle faults were likely synkinematic, the deformation mechanism differs significantly in both systems. The low-angle faults are characterized by several meters of low-grade, ultrafine grained marble mylonites below several decimetres of ultracataclasites. The high-angle faults represent mainly brittle deformation resulting in slickensides, cataclasites and pseudotachylites. The Ar/Ar mica geochronology yields uniform ages across the low-angle faults suggesting a nearly horizontal detachment at temperatures coincident with the brittle-ductile transition zone

Structural investigations along a low-angle normal fault zone (Kythnos, Greece)

Recent field investigations have revealed a high-strain zone in the south of Kythnos (Greece). Massive layers of ultrafine-grained Mn-rich calcitic mylonitic marbles and several generations of cataclasites hint at a high-strain event in the crust and are associated with a low-angle shear zone. We investigate fold-fault-relationships and deformation events preceding and post-dating normal faulting and compare the tectono-metamorphic history with adjacent islands in the Western Cyclades

The Serifos Metamorphic Core Complex (Greece) — kinematic investigations of the southern detachment mylonites

The island of Serifos is situated about 100km SSE of Athens in the Aegean Sea and belongs to the Attic-Cycladic massif. The geology of Serifos is largely characterized by a shallow hornblendebiotite granodiorite pluton that intruded in the late Miocene into a previously deformed (under blueschist conditions) sequence mainly consisting of ortho- and paragneisses, calc-silicate marbles, amphibolites and schists. The pluton has a dome-shaped body occupying the central and southern parts of the island (Salemink 1985). The Serifos MCC is the very western continuation of a zone of syn- to post tectonic intrusions younging from the East (Naxos, Paros ?12Ma) to the West (Serifos 9– 8Ma). Whereas the older intrusions in the East show a top to the North geometry, the Serifos MCC has developed a South-directed low-angle detachment fault...conferenc