Corrosion resistant thermal barrier coating

A thermal barrier coating system for protecting metal surfaces at high temperature in normally corrosive environments is described. The thermal barrier coating system includes a metal alloy bond coating, the alloy containing nickel, cobalt, iron, or a combination of these metals. The system further includes a corrosion resistant thermal barrier oxide coating containing at least one alkaline earth silicate. The preferred oxides are calcium silicate, barium silicate, magnesium silicate, or combinations of these silicates

A 15.3 GHz satellite-to-ground diversity propagation experiment using a terminal separation of 4 kilometers

The performance of a path diversity satellite-to-ground millimeter wave link with two ground terminals separated by 4 km is discussed. At this separation distance the duration of fades below 6 dB was decreased by at least a factor of 10 when using path diversity and the cumulative crosscorrelation between the attenuations observed at the two terminals during rain events was approximately 0.45. Narrow beam radiometers directed along the propagation paths were also utilized to relate the path radiometric temperature to the path attenuation. An analysis of downlink propagation data for generating diversity link performance statistics is included

CTS/Comstar communications link characterization experiment

Measurements of angle of arrival and amplitude fluctuations on millimeter wavelength Earth-space communication links are described. Measurement of rainfall attenuation and radiometric temperature statistics and the assessment of the performance of a self-phased array as a receive antenna on an Earth-space link are also included

ATS-6 millimeter wavelength propagation experiment

The fixed 20/30 GHz ground terminal is described in detail; it is being used for path diversity measurements in the ATS-6 millimeter wavelength propagation experiment. The current status and summary of operations are reviewed

Relating adults' lives and learning: participation and engagement in different settings

This report shows how an understanding of language, literacy andnumeracy as social practices can help practitioners to take account oflearners' lives. It demonstrates how people's histories, currentcircumstances and imagined futures can shape their learning andaffect their level of engagement. The study is based on the research ofthe Adult Learners' Lives project in community settings in Blackburn,Lancaster and Liverpool

Spectral characteristics of earth-space paths at 2 and 30 FHz

Spectral characteristics of 2 and 30 GHz signals received from the Applications Technology Satellite-6 (ATS-6) are analyzed in detail at elevation angles ranging from 0 deg to 44 deg. The spectra of the received signals are characterized by slopes and break frequencies. Statistics of these parameters are presented as probability density functions. Dependence of the spectral characteristics on elevation angle is investigated. The 2 and 30 GHz spectral shapes are contrasted through the use of scatter diagrams. The results are compared with those predicted from turbulence theory. The average spectral slopes are in close agreement with theory, although the departure from the average value at any given elevation angle is quite large

KCNQ channels regulate age-related memory impairment:KCNQ regulates age-related memory

In humans KCNQ2/3 heteromeric channels form an M-current that acts as a brake on neuronal excitability, with mutations causing a form of epilepsy. The M-current has been shown to be a key regulator of neuronal plasticity underlying associative memory and ethanol response in mammals. Previous work has shown that many of the molecules and plasticity mechanisms underlying changes in alcohol behaviour and addiction are shared with those of memory. We show that the single KCNQ channel in Drosophila (dKCNQ) when mutated show decrements in associative short- and long-term memory, with KCNQ function in the mushroom body α/βneurons being required for short-term memory. Ethanol disrupts memory in wildtype flies, but not in a KCNQ null mutant background suggesting KCNQ maybe a direct target of ethanol, the blockade of which interferes with the plasticity machinery required for memory formation. We show that as in humans, Drosophila display age-related memory impairment with the KCNQ mutant memory defect mimicking the effect of age on memory. Expression of KCNQ normally decreases in aging brains and KCNQ overexpression in the mushroom body neurons of KCNQ mutants restores age-related memory impairment. Therefore KCNQ is a central plasticity molecule that regulates age dependent memory impairment

Theoretical study of the ballistics and heat transfer in spinning solid propellant rocket motors

Computerized prediction analyses of radial spin acceleration effects on solid propellant rocket motor ballistics and heat transfe