High-resolution Spectra of Very Low-Mass Stars

We present the results of high-resolution (1-0.4A) optical spectroscopy of a sample of very low-mass stars. These data are used to examine the kinematics of the stars at the bottom of the hydrogen-burning main sequence. No evidence is found for a significant difference between the kinematics of the stars in our sample with I-K > 3.5 (MBol > 12.8) and those of more massive M-dwarfs (MBol = 7-10). A spectral atlas at high (0.4A) resolution for M8-M9+ stars is provided, and the equivalent widths of CsI, RbI and Halpha lines present in our spectra are examined. We analyse our data to search for the presence of rapid rotation, and find that the brown dwarf LP 944-20 is a member of the class of ``inactive, rapid rotators''. Such objects seem to be common at and below the hydrogen burning main sequence. It seems that in low-mass/low-temperature dwarf objects either the mechanism which heats the chromosphere, or the mechanism which generates magnetic fields, is greatly suppressed.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figure files. MNRAS style file. Accepted for publication in MNRAS, August 199

Radio Properties of the Auroral Ionosphere, Final Report (Phase I)

It has been found in recent years that a study of the fluctuations in the signals received from radio stars affords a powerful means of investigating the irregular structure of the ionosphere. In 1955 studies of this type, using frequencies of 223 Me and 456 Me, were initiated at the Geophysical Institute, with a view to investigating the smallscale structure of the highly disturbed auroral ionosphere. The purpose of this report is to present a complete description of the initial experimental arrangement. Further developments of the equipment and some results of analysis of the data have been presented in Quarterly Progress Reports covering the period since 1 June 1956, The report is divided into three sections. Section I contains a description of the basic philosophy of the experiment with an elementary discussion of the various parameters involved. Section II contains a brief description of the actual field installation, and Section III is devoted to the electronic design features. The diagrams pertaining to each section are located at the end of the section.Air Force Contract No. AF 30(635)-2887 Project No. 5535 - Task 45774 Rome Air Development Center, Griffiss Air Force Base Rome, New YorkABSTRACT AND GENERAL INTRODUCTION -- [SECTION I] Investigation of the Ionosphere Using Extra- Terrestrial Radio Sources : 1.1 Introduction ; 1.2 Extra-Terrestrial Sources ; Apparent Positions ; 1.3 Instrumental Techniques for the Study of Radiation from Radio Stars ; Interferometer Methods ; Advantages of the Phase-Switch Interferometer ; Interferometer Parameters ; 1.5 Limitations on Accuracy -- References -- [SECTION II] The Field Installation : 2.1 Introduction ; 2.2 The Radio Telescope Towers ; 2.3 The Antennas ; 2.4 Acknowledgements -- [SECTION III] Electronic Design of Phase-Switch Interferometers : 3.1 Introduction ; 3.2 223 Mc Phase-Switch Equipment ; 3.3 456 Mc Phase-Switch Equipment ; 3.4 Auxiliary EquipmentYe

A Parametric Study of Tillage Effects on Radar Backscatter

Radar backscatter data for different field configurations and modulation function curves for angular and frequency variations are presented. A simplistic approach to modeling this effect is presented. It is concluded that: (1) row direction is a significant contributor to radar backscatter from cropland and must be considered when making radar measurements over bare or sparsely vegetated fields; (2) while the effect decrease with increasing frequency, it is still large (5 dB) at 13.3 GHz; (3) row effects are independent of linear polarization; (4) there is a strong aspect angle sensitivity which is a function of the scene and radar system parameters

A multifrequency evaluation of active and passive microwave sensors for oil spill detection and assessment

An evaluation is given of how active and passive microwave sensors can best be used in oil spill detection and assessment. Radar backscatter curves taken over oil spills are presented and their effect on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery are discussed. Plots of microwave radiometric brightness variations over oil spills are presented and discussed. Recommendations as to how to select the best combination of frequency, viewing angle, and sensor type for evaluation of various aspects of oil spills are also discussed

A Magneto-Ionic Theory of the Aurora

A qualitative description of the development of a typical auroral display as the result of an electrical discharge in the ionosphere is presented. The prime cause of the discharge is taken as the potential difference existing between points in the interplanetary medium as a result of an interaction between charged particles of solar origin and the earth's magnetic field. The characteristics of the occasional very intense aurorae visible over large areas of the earth are discussed, as well as the normal diurnal and seasonal variation of auroral occurrence. The origin of the electric field is discussed, and a possible explanation in terms of particles trapped in the earth’s magnetic field, is presented

Effects of reset stators and a rotating, grooved stator hub on performance of a 1.92-pressure-ratio compressor stage

The overall performance and blade-element performance of a transonic fan stage are presented for two modified test configurations and are compared with the unmodified stage. Tests were conducted with reset stators 2 deg open and reset stators with a rotating grooved stator hub. Detailed radial and circumferential (behind stator) surveys of the flow conditions were made over the stable operating range at rotative speeds of 70, 90, and 100 percent of design speed. Reset stator blade tests indicated a small increase in stage efficiency, pressure ratio, and maximum weight flow at each speed. Performance with reset stators and a rotating, grooved stator hub resulted in an additional increase in stage efficiency and pressure ratio at all speeds. The rotating grooved stator hub reduced hub losses considerably

Data management of nanometre­ scale CMOS device simulations

In this paper we discuss the problems arising in managing and curating the data generated by simulations of nanometre scale CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide Semiconductor) transistors, circuits and systems and describe the software and operational techniques we have adopted to address them. Such simulations pose a number of challenges including, inter alia, multi­TByte data volumes, complex datasets with complex inter-relations between datasets, multi­-institutional collaborations including multiple specialisms and a mixture of academic and industrial partners, and demanding security requirements driven by commercial imperatives. This work was undertaken as part of the NanoCMOS project. However, the problems, solutions and experience seem likely to be of wider relevance, both within the CMOS design community and more generally in other disciplines

Metabolomic study of the LDL receptor null mouse fed a high-fat diet reveals profound perturbations in choline metabolism that are shared with ApoE null mice

Failure to express or expression of dysfunctional low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) causes familial hypercholesterolemia in humans, a disease characterized by elevated blood cholesterol concentrations, xanthomas, and coronary heart disease, providing compelling evidence that high blood cholesterol concentrations cause atherosclerosis. In this study, we used 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine the metabolic profiles of plasma and urine from the LDLR knockout mice. Consistent with previous studies, these mice developed hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis when fed a high-fat/cholesterol/cholate-containing diet. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis of the metabolomic data highlighted significant differences in tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid metabolism, as a result of high-fat/cholesterol diet feeding. Our metabolomic study also demonstrates that the effect of high-fat/cholesterol/cholate diet, LDLR gene deficiency, and the diet-genotype interaction caused a significant perturbation in choline metabolism, notably the choline oxidation pathway. Specifically, the loss in the LDLR caused a marked reduction in the urinary excretion of betaine and dimethylglycine, especially when the mice are fed a high-fat/cholesterol/cholate diet. Furthermore, as we demonstrate that these metabolic changes are comparable with those detected in ApoE knockout mice fed the same high-fat/cholesterol/cholate diet they may be useful for monitoring the onset of atherosclerosis across animal models

Liquid-Vapor Equilibrium of Multicomponent Cryogenic Systems

Liquid-vapor and solid-vapor equilibria at low to moderate pressures and low temperatures are important in many solar system environments, including the surface and clouds of Titan, the clouds of Uranus and Neptune, and the surfaces of Mars and Triton. The familiar cases of ideal behavior are limiting cases of a general thermodynamic representation for the vapor pressure of each component in a homogeneous multicomponent system. The fundamental connections of laboratory measurements to thermodynamic models are through the Gibbs-Duhem relation and the Gibbs-Helmholtz relation. Using laboratory measurements of the total pressure, temperature, and compositions of the liquid and vapor phases at equilibrium, the values of these parameters can be determined. The resulting model for vapor-liquid equilibrium can then conveniently and accurately be used to calculate pressures, compositions, condensation altitudes, and their dependencies on changing climatic conditions. A specific system being investigated is CH4-C2H6-N2, at conditions relevant to Titan's surface and atmosphere. Discussed are: the modeling of existing data on CH4-N2, with applications to the composition of Titan's condensate clouds; some new measurements on the CH4-C2H6 binary, using a high-precision static/volumetric system, and on the C2H6-N2 binary, using the volumetric system and a sensitive cryogenic flow calorimeter; and describe a new cryogenic phase-equilibrium vessel with which we are beginning a detailed, systematic study of the three constituent binaries and the ternary CH4-C2H6-N2 system at temperatures ranging from 80 to 105 K and pressures from 0.1 to 7 bar