27,890 research outputs found
Hypervelocity impact facility for simulating materials exposure to impact by space debris
As a result of man's venturing into space, the local debris contributed by his presence exceeds, at some orbital altitudes, that of the natural component. Man's contribution ranges from fuel residue to large derelect satellites that weigh many kilograms. Current debris models are able to predict the growth of the problem and suggest that spacecraft must employ armor or bumper shields for some orbital altitudes now, and that, the problem will become worse as a function of time. The practical upper limit to the velocity distribution is on the order of 40 km/s and is associated with the natural environment. The maximum velocity of the man-made component is in the 14-16 km/s range. The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) has verified that the 'high probability of impact' particles are in the microgram to milligram range. These particles can have significant effects on coatings, insulators, and thin metallic layers. The surface of thick materials becomes pitted and the local debris component is enhanced by ejecta from the debris spectrum in a controlled environment. The facility capability is discussed in terms of drive geometry, energetics, velocity distribution, diagnostics, and projectile/debris loading. The facility is currently being used to study impact phenomena on Space Station Freedom's solar array structure, other solar array materials, potential structural materials for use in the station, electrical breakdown in the space environment, and as a means of clarifying or duplicating the impact phenomena on the LDEF surfaces. The results of these experiments are described in terms of the mass/velocity distribution incident on selected samples, crater dynamics, and sample geometry
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Observations of the J = 2â1 transitions of <sup>12</sup>C<sup>16</sup>O and <sup>12</sup>C<sup>18</sup>O towards galactic H II regions
Observations are reported of the J = 2â1 transitions of CO and 12C18O at 230 and 219 GHz respectively from a number of galactic sources. A map of the central 1/2° Ă 1/2° of the Orion A molecular cloud is presented. The spectra are interpreted to derive molecular densities and abundance ratios in the molecular clouds observed
Adiabatic Magnetization of Superconductors as a High-Performance Cooling Mechanism
The adiabatic magnetization of a superconductor is a cooling principle
proposed in the 30s, which has never been exploited up to now. Here we present
a detailed dynamic description of the effect, computing the achievable final
temperatures as well as the process timescales for different superconductors in
various regimes. We show that, although in the experimental conditions explored
so far the method is in fact inefficient, a suitable choice of initial
temperatures and metals can lead to unexpectedly large cooling effect, even in
the presence of dissipative phenomena. Our results suggest that this principle
can be re-envisaged today as a performing refrigeration method to access the
microK regime in nanodevices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 color figure
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Overexpression of MMPs in Corneas Requiring Penetrating and Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.
PurposeMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases involved in wound healing processes, including neovascularization and fibrosis. We assessed MMP protein expression levels in diseased corneas of patients requiring penetrating and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that upregulation of MMPs in diseased corneas is positively associated with clinical levels of corneal neovascularization and fibrosis.MethodsProtein expression levels of nine individual MMPs were quantified simultaneously in human corneal lysates by using the Bio-Plex Pro Human MMP 9-Plex Panel and the MAGPIX technology. Measurements of MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP8, MMP9, MMP10, MMP12, and MMP13 were performed on diseased specimens from 21 patients undergoing corneal transplantation (17 for penetrating keratoplasty and 4 for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) and 6 normal control corneas.ResultsLuminex-based expression analysis revealed a significant overexpression of four of the nine MMPs tested (MMP2, MMP8, MMP12, and MMP13) in patient samples compared to control. Significant overexpression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP8, MMP12, and MMP13 was observed in diseased corneas with neovascularization compared with diseased corneas without neovascularization. Overexpression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP8, MMP12, and MMP13 also corresponded with the levels of corneal fibrosis. Finally, reduced expression of MMP3 was detected in keratoconus patients.ConclusionsMultiple MMPs are expressed in the corneas of patients with chronic disease requiring keratoplasty even when the pathologic process appears to be clinically inactive. In particular, the expression of several MMPs (MMP2, MMP8, MMP12, and MMP13) is positively associated with increased levels corneal fibrosis and neovascularization
Teleological Essentialism
Placeholder essentialism is the view that there is a causal essence that holds category members together, though we may not know what the essence is. Sometimes the placeholder can be filled in by scientific essences, such as when we acquire scientific knowledge that the atomic weight of gold is 79. We challenge the view that placeholders are elaborated by scientific essences. On our view, if placeholders are elaborated, they are elaborated Aristotelian essences, a telos. Utilizing the same kinds of experiments used by traditional essentialistsâinvolving superficial change (study 1), transformation of insides (study 2), acquired traits (study 3) and inferences about offspring (study 4)âwe find support for the view that essences are elaborated by a telos. And we find evidence (study 5) that teleological essences may generate category judgments
Consequences of wall stiffness for a beta-soft potential
Modifications of the infinite square well E(5) and X(5) descriptions of
transitional nuclear structure are considered. The eigenproblem for a potential
with linear sloped walls is solved. The consequences of the introduction of
sloped walls and of a quadratic transition operator are investigated.Comment: RevTeX 4, 8 pages, as published in Phys. Rev.
Time evolution of the Partridge-Barton Model
The time evolution of the Partridge-Barton model in the presence of the
pleiotropic constraint and deleterious somatic mutations is exactly solved for
arbitrary fecundity in the context of a matricial formalism. Analytical
expressions for the time dependence of the mean survival probabilities are
derived. Using the fact that the asymptotic behavior for large time is
controlled by the largest matrix eigenvalue, we obtain the steady state values
for the mean survival probabilities and the Malthusian growth exponent. The
mean age of the population exhibits a power law decayment. Some Monte
Carlo simulations were also performed and they corroborated our theoretical
results.Comment: 10 pages, Latex, 1 postscript figure, published in Phys. Rev. E 61,
5664 (2000
Parametrization of the angular correlation and degree of linear polarization in two-photon decays of hydrogen-like ions
The two-photon decay in hydrogen-like ions is investigated within the
framework of second order perturbation theory and Dirac's relativistic
equation. Special attention is paid to the angular correlation of the emitted
photons as well as to the degree of linear polarization of one of the two
photons, if the second is just observed under given angles. Expressions for the
angular correlation and the degree of linear polarization are expanded in terms
of -polynomials, whose coefficients depend on the atomic number and
the energy sharing of the emitted photons. The effects of including higher
(electric and magnetic) multipoles upon the emitted photon pairs beyond the
electric-dipole approximation are also discussed. Calculations of the
coefficients are performed for the transitions ,
and , along the
entire hydrogen isoelectronic sequence ()
âThe show must go on!â Fieldwork, mental health and wellbeing in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Fieldwork is central to the identity, culture and history of academic Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES). However, in this paper we recognise that, for many academic staff, fieldtrips can be a profoundly challenging âordeal,â illâconducive to wellness or effective pedagogic practice. Drawing on research with 39 UK universityâbased GEES academics who selfâidentify as having a mental health condition, we explore how mental health intersects with spaces and expectations of fieldwork in Higher Education. We particularly focus on their accounts of undertaking undergraduate residential fieldtrips and give voice to these largely undisclosed experiences. Their narratives run counter to normative, romanticised celebrations of fieldwork within GEES disciplines. We particularly highlight recurrent experiences of avoiding fieldwork, fieldworkâasâ ordeal, and âcopingâ with fieldwork, and suggest that commonplace anxieties within the neoliberal academy â about performance, productivity, fitnessâtoâwork, selfâpresentation, scrutiny and fearâofâfallingâbehind â are felt particularly intensely during fieldwork. In spite of considerable work to make fieldwork more accessible to students, we find that fieldâbased teaching is experienced as a focal site of distress, anxiety and ordeal for many GEES academics with common mental health conditions. We conclude with prompts for reflection about how fieldwork could be otherwise
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