11,110 research outputs found
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Investigating the Martian atmosphere using the ExoMars 2016 lander
Accurate modelling of the Martian atmosphere is essential both for planning and completing future missions to the Martian surface, and for accurate analysis and interpretation of the data that they return. Large dust storms and local wind patterns can affect spacecraft landing profiles, and the level of dust present in the atmosphere may impact lander performance. The ExoMars 2016 Mission will carry an Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM), primarily designed to test the ability of ESA’s lander technology to carry a science package to the surface [1]. The Atmospheric Mars Entry and Landing Investigations and Analysis (AMELIA) team [2] will use the module’s entry and descent trajectory to characterise the structure of the atmosphere along the travelled landing profile, and to determine properties of the atmosphere, such as density and wind speed, over a wide altitude range from the upper atmosphere to the surface. Aerosol abundances, including atmospheric dust, will also be characterised. These combined datasets will enable more accurate predictions of the atmospheric environment that future landers will encounter. EDM’s surface science package, DREAMS (Dust characterisation, Risk assessment, and Environment Analyser on the Martian Surface), includes sensors to measure wind speed and direction, surface temperature, pressure, and the amount of atmospheric dust present near the surface [3]. We will use the descent and surface profile data collected by EDM to verify and improve current Martian atmospheric modelling completed at The Open University, using both the global circulation and mesoscale models.
[1] Forget et al. (2011) Fourth International Workshop on the Mars Atmosphere: Modeling and Observations, Paris.
[2] Ferri et al. (2012) 9th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW9), Toulouse.
[3] Esposito et al. (2013) EPSC Abstracts Vol. 8, EPSC2013-815
Sidmay Ltd. et al. v. Whettam Investments Ltd. (1966), 54 D.L.R. (2d) 194,[1966] 1 O.R. 457, (1967), 61 D.L.R. (2d) 358 (Ont. C.A.)
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A novel design process of low cost 3D printed ambidextrous finger designed for an ambidextrous robotic hand
This paper presents the novel mechanical design of an ambidextrous finger specifically designed for an ambidextrous anthropomorphic robotic hand actuated by pneumatic artificial muscles. The ambidextrous nature of design allows fingers to perform both left and right hand movements. The aim of our design is to reduce the number of actuators, increase the range of movements with best possible range ideally greater than a common human finger. Four prototypes are discussed in this paper; first prototype is focused on the choice of material and to consider the possible ways to reduce friction. Second prototype is designed to investigate the tendons routing configurations. Aim of third and fourth prototype is to improve the overall performance and to maximize the grasping force. Finally, a unified design (Final design) is presented in great detail. Comparison of all prototypes is done from different angles to evaluate the best design. The kinematic features of intermediate mode have been analysed to optimize both the flexibility and the robustness of the system, as well as to minimize the number of pneumatic muscles. The final design of an ambidextrous finger has developed, tested and 3D printed
Photoionization and Photoelectric Loading of Barium Ion Traps
Simple and effective techniques for loading barium ions into linear Paul
traps are demonstrated. Two-step photoionization of neutral barium is achieved
using a weak intercombination line (6s2 1S0 6s6p 3P1, 791 nm) followed by
excitation above the ionization threshold using a nitrogen gas laser (337 nm).
Isotopic selectivity is achieved by using a near Doppler-free geometry for
excitation of the triplet 6s6p 3P1 state. Additionally, we report a
particularly simple and efficient trap loading technique that employs an
in-expensive UV epoxy curing lamp to generate photoelectrons.Comment: 5 pages, Accepted to PRA 3/20/2007 -fixed typo -clarified figure 3
caption -added reference [15
Transillumination imaging through scattering media by use of photorefractive polymers
We demonstrate the use of a near-infrared-sensitive photorefractive polymer with high efficiency for imaging through scattering media, using an all-optical holographic time gate. Imaging through nine scattering mean free paths is performed at 800 nm with a mode-locked continuous-wave Ti:sapphire laser
Discovery of extended radio emission in the young cluster Wd1
We present 10 micron, ISO-SWS and Australia Telescope Compact Array
observations of the region in the cluster Wd1 in Ara centred on the B[e] star
Ara C. An ISO-SWS spectrum reveals emission from highly ionised species in the
vicinity of the star, suggesting a secondary source of excitation in the
region. We find strong radio emission at both 3.5cm and 6.3cm, with a total
spatial extent of over 20 arcsec. The emission is found to be concentrated in
two discrete structures, separated by 14''. The westerly source is resolved,
with a spectral index indicative of thermal emission. The easterly source is
clearly extended and nonthermal (synchrotron) in nature. Positionally, the B[e]
star is found to coincide with the more compact radio source, while the
southerly lobe of the extended source is coincident with Ara A, an M2 I star.
Observation of the region at 10micron reveals strong emission with an almost
identical spatial distribution to the radio emission. Ara C is found to have an
extreme radio luminosity in comparison to prior radio observations of hot stars
such as O and B supergiants and Wolf-Rayet stars, given the estimated distance
to the cluster. An origin in a detatched shell of material around the central
star is therefore suggested; however given the spatial extent of the emission,
such a shell must be relatively young (10^3 yrs). The extended non thermal
emission associated with the M star Ara A is unexpected; to the best of our
knowledge this is a unique phenomenon. SAX (2-10keV) observations show no
evidence of X-ray emission, which might be expected if a compact companion were
present.Comment: 5 pages including encapsulated figures, figure 3 separate. Accepted
for MNRAS pink page
Semaphorin-plexin signaling: From axonal guidance to a new X-linked intellectual disability syndrome
BACKGROUND: Semaphorins and plexins are ligands and cell surface receptors that regulate multiple neurodevelopmental processes such as axonal growth and guidance. PLXNA3 is a plexin gene located on the X chromosome that encodes the most widely expressed plexin receptor in fetal brain, plexin-A3. Plexin-A3 knockout mice demonstrate its role in semaphorin signaling in vivo. The clinical manifestations of semaphorin/plexin neurodevelopmental disorders have been less widely explored. This study describes the neurological and neurodevelopmental phenotypes of boys with maternally inherited hemizygous PLXNA3 variants.
METHODS: Data-sharing through GeneDx and GeneMatcher allowed identification of individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities (autism/ID) and hemizygous PLXNA3 variants in collaboration with their physicians and genetic counselors, who completed questionnaires about their patients. In silico analyses predicted pathogenicity for each PLXNA3 variant.
RESULTS: We assessed 14 boys (mean age, 10.7 [range 2 to 25] years) with maternally inherited hemizygous PLXNA3 variants and autism/ID ranging from mild to severe. Other findings included fine motor dyspraxia (92%), attention-deficit/hyperactivity traits, and aggressive behaviors (63%). Six patients (43%) had seizures. Thirteen boys (93%) with PLXNA3 variants showed novel or very low allele frequencies and probable damaging/disease-causing pathogenicity in one or more predictors. We found a genotype-phenotype correlation between PLXNA3 cytoplasmic domain variants (exons 22 to 32) and more severe neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes (P \u3c 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: We report 14 boys with maternally inherited, hemizygous PLXNA3 variants and a range of neurodevelopmental disorders suggesting a novel X-linked intellectual disability syndrome. Greater understanding of PLXNA3 variant pathogenicity in humans will require additional clinical, computational, and experimental validation
Mass Predictions for Pseudoscalar Charmonium and Bottomonium Hybrids in QCD Sum-Rules
Masses of the pseudoscalar charmonium and bottomonium
hybrids are determined using QCD Laplace sum-rules. The effects of the
dimension-six gluon condensate are included in our analysis and result in a
stable sum-rule analysis, whereas previous studies of these states were unable
to optimize mass predictions. The pseudoscalar charmonium hybrid is predicted
to have a mass of approximately 3.8 GeV and the corresponding bottomonium
prediction is 10.6 GeV. Calculating the full correlation function, rather than
only the imaginary part, is shown to be necessary for accurate formulation of
the sum-rules. The charmonium hybrid mass prediction is discussed within the
context of the X Y Z resonances.Comment: 10 pages, 7 embedded figures. Analysis extended and refined in v
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