2,565 research outputs found
RS-88 Pad Abort Demonstrator Thrust Chamber Assembly Testing at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
This paper documents the effort conducted to collect hot-tire dynamic and acoustics environments data during 50,000-lb thrust lox-ethanol hot-fire rocket testing at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in November-December 2003. This test program was conducted during development testing of the Boeing Rocketdyne RS-88 development engine thrust chamber assembly (TCA) in support of the Orbital Space Plane (OSP) Crew Escape System Propulsion (CESP) Program Pad Abort Demonstrator (PAD). In addition to numerous internal TCA and nozzle measurements, induced acoustics environments data were also collected. Provided here is an overview of test parameters, a discussion of the measurements, test facility systems and test operations, and a quality assessment of the data collected during this test program
The Nuclear and Circum-nuclear Stellar Population in Seyfert 2 Galaxies: Implications for the Starburst-AGN Connection
We report the results of a spectroscopic investigation of a sample of 20 of
the brightest type 2 Seyfert nuclei. Our goal is to search for the direct
spectroscopic signature of massive stars, and thereby probe the role of
circumnuclear starbursts in the Seyfert phenomenon. The method used is based on
the detection of the higher order Balmer lines and HeI lines in absorption and
the Wolf-Rayet feature at 4680 \AA in emission. These lines are strong
indicators of the presence of young (a few Myrs) and intermediate-age (a few
100 Myrs) stellar populations. In over half the sample, we have detected HeI
and/or strong stellar absorption features in the high-order (near-UV) Balmer
series together with relatively weak lines from an old stellar population. In
three others we detect a broad emission feature near 4680 \AA that is most
plausibly ascribed to a population of Wolf-Rayet stars (the evolved descendants
of the most massive stars). We therefore conclude that the blue and near-UV
light of over half of the sample is dominated by young and/or intermediate age
stars. The ``young'' Seyfert 2's have have larger far-IR luminosities, cooler
mid/far-IR colors, and smaller [OIII]/H flux ratios than the ``old''
ones. These differences are consistent with a starburst playing a significant
energetic role in the former class. We consider the possibility that there may
be two distinct sub-classes of Seyfert 2 nuclei (``starbursts'' and ``hidden
BLR''). However, the fact that hidden BLRs have been found in three of the
``young'' nuclei argues against this, and suggests that nuclear starbursts may
be a more general part of the Seyfert phenomenon.Comment: To be published in ApJ, 546, Jan 10, 200
Synthetic alpha-synuclein fibrils cause mitochondrial impairment and selective dopamine neurodegeneration in part via iNOS-mediated nitric oxide production
Producción CientíficaIntracellular accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) are hallmarks of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Exogenous addition of preformed α-syn fibrils (PFFs) into primary hippocampal neurons induced α-syn aggregation and accumulation. Likewise, intrastriatal inoculation of PFFs into mice and non-human primates generates Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites associated with PD-like neurodegeneration. Herein, we investigate the putative effects of synthetic human PFFs on cultured rat ventral midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. A time- and dose-dependent accumulation of α-syn was observed following PFFs exposure that also underwent phosphorylation at serine 129. PFFs treatment decreased the expression levels of synaptic proteins, caused alterations in axonal transport-related proteins, and increased H2AX Ser139 phosphorylation. Mitochondrial impairment (including modulation of mitochondrial dynamics-associated protein content), enhanced oxidative stress, and an inflammatory response were also detected in our experimental paradigm. In attempt to unravel a potential molecular mechanism of PFFs neurotoxicity, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was blocked; a significant decline in protein nitration levels and protection against PFFs-induced DA neuron death were observed. Combined exposure to PFFs and rotenone resulted in an additive toxicity. Strikingly, many of the harmful effects found were more prominent in DA rather than non-DA neurons, suggestive of higher susceptibility to degenerate. These findings provide new insights into the role of α-syn in the pathogenesis of PD and could represent a novel and valuable model to study DA-related neurodegeneration
HST/WFC3 Observations of an Off-Nuclear Superbubble in Arp 220
We present a high spatial resolution optical and infrared study of the
circumnuclear region in Arp 220, a late-stage galaxy merger. Narrowband imaging
using HST/WFC3 has resolved the previously observed peak in H+[NII]
emission into a bubble-shaped feature. This feature measures 1.6" in diameter,
or 600 pc, and is only 1" northwest of the western nucleus. The bubble is
aligned with the western nucleus and the large-scale outflow axis seen in
X-rays. We explore several possibilities for the bubble origin, including a jet
or outflow from a hidden active galactic nucleus (AGN), outflows from high
levels of star formation within the few hundred pc nuclear gas disk, or an
ultraluminous X-ray source. An obscured AGN or high levels of star formation
within the inner 100 pc of the nuclei are favored based on the alignment
of the bubble and energetics arguments.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 12 pages, 10 figure
Nuclear localization of the mitochondrial factor HIGD1A during metabolic stress.
Cellular stress responses are frequently governed by the subcellular localization of critical effector proteins. Apoptosis-inducing Factor (AIF) or Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH), for example, can translocate from mitochondria to the nucleus, where they modulate apoptotic death pathways. Hypoxia-inducible gene domain 1A (HIGD1A) is a mitochondrial protein regulated by Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF1α). Here we show that while HIGD1A resides in mitochondria during physiological hypoxia, severe metabolic stress, such as glucose starvation coupled with hypoxia, in addition to DNA damage induced by etoposide, triggers its nuclear accumulation. We show that nuclear localization of HIGD1A overlaps with that of AIF, and is dependent on the presence of BAX and BAK. Furthermore, we show that AIF and HIGD1A physically interact. Additionally, we demonstrate that nuclear HIGD1A is a potential marker of metabolic stress in vivo, frequently observed in diverse pathological states such as myocardial infarction, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and different types of cancer. In summary, we demonstrate a novel nuclear localization of HIGD1A that is commonly observed in human disease processes in vivo
The Future Role of Strategic Landpower
Recent Russian aggression in Ukraine has reenergized military strategists and senior leaders to evaluate the role of strategic Landpower. American leadership in the European theater has mobilized allies and partners to reconsider force postures for responding to possible aggression against NATO members. Although Russian revisionist activity remains a threat in Europe, the challenges in the Pacific for strategic Landpower must also be considered. At the same time, the homeland, the Arctic, climate change, and the results of new and emerging technology also challenge the application of strategic Landpower. This publication serves as part of an enduring effort to evaluate strategic Landpower’s role, authorities, and resources for accomplishing the national strategic goals the Joint Force may face in the next conflict. This study considers multinational partners, allies, and senior leaders that can contribute to overcoming these enduring challenges. The insights derived from this study, which can be applied to both the European and Indo-Pacific theaters, should help leaders to consider these challenges, which may last a generation. Deterrence demands credible strategic response options integrated across warfighting functions. This valuable edition will continue the dialogue about addressing these issues as well as other emerging ones.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1959/thumbnail.jp
Developmental and Molecular Changes Underlying the Vernalization-Induced Transition to Flowering in Aquilegia coerulea (James)
Reproductive success in plants is dependent on many factors but the precise timing of flowering is certainly among the most crucial. Perennial plants often have a vernalization or over-wintering requirement in order to successfully flower in the spring. The shoot apical meristem undergoes drastic developmental and molecular changes as it transitions into inflorescence meristem (IM) identity, which then gives rise to floral meristems (FMs). In this study, we have examined the developmental and gene expression changes underlying the transition from the vegetative to reproductive phases in the basal eudicot Aquilegia coerulea, which has evolved a vernalization response independently relative to other established model systems. Results from both our histology and scanning electron studies demonstrate that developmental changes in the meristem occur gradually during the third and fourth weeks of vernalization. Based on RNAseq data and cluster analysis, several known flowering time loci, including AqFT and AqFL1, exhibit dramatic changes in expression during the fourth week. Further consideration of candidate gene homologs as well as unexpected loci of interest creates a framework in which we can begin to explore the genetic basis of the flowering time transition in Aquilegia
HST Observations of Chromospheres in Metal Deficient Field Giants
HST high resolution spectra of metal-deficient field giants more than double
the stars in previous studies, span about 3 magnitudes on the red giant branch,
and sample an abundance range [Fe/H]= -1 to -3. These stars, in spite of their
age and low metallicity, possess chromospheric fluxes of Mg II (2800 Angstrom)
that are within a factor of 4 of Population I stars, and give signs of a
dependence on the metal abundance at the lowest metallicities. The Mg II k-line
widths depend on luminosity and correlate with metallicity. Line profile
asymmetries reveal outflows that occur at lower luminosities (M_V = -0.8) than
detected in Ca K and H-alpha lines in metal-poor giants, suggesting mass
outflow occurs over a larger span of the red giant branch than previously
thought, and confirming that the Mg II lines are good wind diagnostics. These
results do not support a magnetically dominated chromosphere, but appear more
consistent with some sort of hydrodynamic, or acoustic heating of the outer
atmospheres.Comment: 36 pages, 12 figures, 7 tables, and accepted for publication in The
Astronomical Journa
Association of Over-The-Counter Pharmaceutical Sales with Influenza-Like-Illnesses to Patient Volume in an Urgent Care Setting
We studied the association between OTC pharmaceutical sales and volume of patients with influenza-like-illnesses (ILI) at an urgent care center over one year. OTC pharmaceutical sales explain 36% of the variance in the patient volume, and each standard deviation increase is associated with 4.7 more patient visits to the urgent care center (p<0.0001). Cross-correlation function analysis demonstrated that OTC pharmaceutical sales are significantly associated with patient volume during non-flu season (p<0.0001), but only the sales of cough and cold (p<0.0001) and thermometer (p<0.0001) categories were significant during flu season with a lag of two and one days, respectively. Our study is the first study to demonstrate and measure the relationship between OTC pharmaceutical sales and urgent care center patient volume, and presents strong evidence that OTC sales predict urgent care center patient volume year round. © 2013 Liu et al
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