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At least 721 records · Page 40

Intermediate-velocity gas in the local interstellar medium

Scans of interstellar ultraviolet absorption lines of N I, N II, and Si III for 17 stars are combined with previously published data for 30 stars. The extremal velocities at which detectable absorption occurs are tabulated, and it is shown that these are correlated for the three species. The data suggest that intermediate-velocity gas (20 to 60 km/s), best known from Na I and Ca II absorption, contains both neutral and ionized hydrogen. Features characteristic of intermediate-velocity isothermal shocks (greater than 60 km/s) are conspicuously rare. The intermediate-velocity gas may be in the form of clouds containing both H I and H II regions or of radiative shocks propagating in the interstellar medium; in the latter case the gas should be detectable in H-alpha emission.

Cowie, L. L.↗

Physics and chemistry of MoS2 intercalation compounds

An investigation is made of the physics and chemistry of MoS2 intercalation compounds. These compounds may be separated into two groups according to their stoichiometry, structure and superconducting properties. The first group consists of Na, Ca, and Sr intercalates, and the second group consists of K, Rb, and Cs intercalates. Particular attention is given to the structure of the electronic energy band and to the normal state and superconducting properties of these compounds.

Woollam, J. A.↗

Solar proton fluxes since 1956

The fluxes of protons emitted during solar flares since 1956 were evaluated. The depth-versus-activity profiles of Co-56 in several lunar rocks are consistent with the solar proton fluxes detected by experiments on several satellites. Only about 20% of the solar-proton-induced activities of Na-22 and Fe-55 in lunar rocks from early Apollo missions were produced by protons emitted from the sun during solar cycle 20 (1965-1975). The depth-versus-activity data for these radionuclides in several lunar rocks were used to determine the fluxes of protons during solar cycle 19 (1954-1964). The average proton fluxes for cycle 19 are about five times those for both the last million years and for cycle 20 and are about five times the previous estimate for cycle 19 based on neutron-monitor and radio ionospheric measurements. These solar-proton flux variations correlate with changes in sunspot activity.

Reedy, R. C.↗

Lack of chemical fractionation in major and minor elements during agglutinate formation

Rhodes et al. (1975, 1976) and Adams et al. (1975) have reported that the agglutinate fraction of the soils on the lunar surface displays a marked enrichment in Fe, Mg, Ti, K, and La, and a depletion in Ca, Na, Al, and Eu, relative to the bulk soils. The reported investigation is concerned with a testing of the theory of chemical fractionation involving magnetic separation which was developed in connection with these findings. Soils 64421 and 71501 were sieved and the magnetic fractions separated according to the method developed by Adams and McCord (1973). Analyses of agglutinitic glass did not indicate any appreciable chemical fractionation for the major and minor elements accompanying the agglutination process. It was found that most, if not all fractionations reported can be accounted for completely by the magnetic nonagglutinate impurities in the agglutinate fraction. It is, therefore, concluded that there appears to be no reason to make use of any chemical fractionation theory, whose validity remains to be demonstrated.

Hu, H.-N.↗

Volatile elements in Allende inclusions

New data are presented on the relatively volatile elements (Mn, Na, and Cl) in coarse- and fine-grained Ca/Al-rich inclusions of different textures and mineralogy in the Allende meteorite. It is shown that the coarse-grained inclusions condensed from the solar nebula at high temperature and contained vanishingly small quantities of volatile elements at that time. Later, volatiles were added to these during the metamorphism of the Allende parent body. The fine-grained inclusions were also affected by the addition of volatiles during this metamorphism but, unlike the coarse-grained ones, they incorporated large amounts of volatiles when they condensed from the solar nebula, accounting for their higher volatile element contents.

Grossman, L.↗

A geochemical and petrographic study of 1-2-mm fines from Apollo 17

Samples of fines less than 1-mm and 155 1-2 mm particles from several Apollo 17 sites were analyzed for Na, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Hf, Ta, Th, and REE. Products of comminution and construction are present in the 1-2 mm particles, and the compositions of the rock fragments clearly indicate the general chemical characteristics of their parent rock types. The likely sources of materials for the glassy particles are considered. Glasses are enriched over their parent soils in Fe, Sc, Mn, and Cr, and are relatively enriched in light REE, so that some chemical fractionation accompanies glass-forming processes. Elements were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis.

Blanchard, D. P.↗

Controlled cellular energy conversion in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis

Brown adipose tissue serves as a model system for nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) since a) it has as a primary physiological function the conversion of chemical energy to heat; and b) preliminary data from other tissues involved in NST (e.g., muscle) indicate that parallel mechanisms may be involved. Now that biochemical pathways have been proposed for brown fat thermogenesis, cellular models consistent with a thermodynamic representation can be formulated. Stated concisely, the thermogenic mechanism in a brown fat cell can be considered as an energy converter involving a sequence of cellular events controlled by signals over the autonomic nervous system. A thermodynamic description for NST is developed in terms of a nonisothermal system under steady-state conditions using network thermodynamics. Pathways simulated include mitochondrial ATP synthesis, a Na+/K+ membrane pump, and ionic diffusion through the adipocyte membrane.

Horowitz, J. M.↗

Thermal barrier coatings: Burner rig hot corrosion test results

A Mach 0.3 burner rig test program was conducted to examine the sensitivity of thermal barrier coatings to Na and V contaminated combustion gases simulating potential utility gas turbine environments. Coating life of the standard ZrO2-12Y2O3/Ni-16.2Cr-5.6Al-0.6Y NASA thermal barrier coating system which was developed for aircraft gas turbines was significantly reduced in such environments. Two thermal barrier coating systems, Ca2SiO4/Ni-16.2Cr-5.6Al-0.6Y and ZrO2-8Y2O3/Ni-16.4Cr-5.1Al-0.15Y and a less insulative cermet coating system, 50 volume percent MgO-50 volume percent Ni-19.6Cr-17.1Al-0.97Y/Ni-16.2Cr-5.6Al-0.6Y, were identified as having much improved corrosion resistance compared to the standard coating.

Hodge, P. E.↗

Silicon Halide-alkali Metal Flames as a Source of Solar Grade Silicon

A program is presented which was aimed at determining the feasibility of using high temperature reactions of alkali metals and silicon halides to produce low cost solar-grade silicon. Experiments are being conducted to evaluate product separation and collection processes, measure heat release parameters for scaling purposes, and determine the effects of the reactants and/or products on materials of reactor construction. During the current reporting period, the results of heat release experiments were used to design and construct a new type of thick-wall graphite reactor to produce larger quantities of silicon. A reactor test facility was constructed. Material compatibility tests were performed for Na in contact with graphite and several coated graphites. All samples were rapidly degraded at T = 1200K, while samples retained structural strength at 1700K. Pyrolytic graphite coatings cracked and separated from substances in all cases.

Olson, D. B.↗

Experimental studies of the formation/deposition of sodium sulfate in/from combustion gases

Interference in a reflected beam of monochromatic light from a linearly polarized helium-neon laser was used to determine the dew point and deposition rate of B2O3 on a heated platinum target. Preliminary results at different BCl3 seed levels, except for one flow velocity and equivalence ratio (.813) are presented and discussed. Alkali chloride reactions with atomic oxygen were also investigated. Readily detectable Na*(g) and K*(g) - atoms were observed in emission at 589 nm, 766nm, 796nm, respectively.

Rosner, D. E.↗

Mass spectrometric investigation of the vaporization of sodium and potassium chromates: Preliminary results

Knudsen cell mass spectrometry was used to study the vaporization of sodium and potassium chromates. For both salts, the vaporization proceeds predominately by the reactions M2CrO4(c)=2M(g)+5/4O2(g)+1/2 Cr203(s) and M2CrO4(c)=M2CrO4(g) where M = Na or K. The distribution of the ions M(+), O2(+) and M2CrO4(+) in the measured mass spectrum was found to depend on the material used for the Knudsen cell, even for materials such as platinum and gold. In the case of sodium chromate, the decomposition reaction appears to be less important than the molecular vaporization reaction. A preliminary value of 72 kcal/mole at 1141 K was measured for the heat of the molecular vaporization reaction for sodium chromate. In the case of potassium chromate, it has not been possible to conclude which mode of vaporization dominates. For potassium chromate a value of 101 kcal/mole at 1173 K was obtained for the heat of the molecular vaporization reaction.

Stearns, C. A.↗

The hard X-ray burst spectrometer on the solar maximum mission

The primary scientific objective of the spectrometer is to provide a greater understanding of the role of energetic electrons in solar flares. This will be achieved by observations of high energy X-rays in the energy range from 20 to 200 keV with time resolution of 0.128s on a continuous basis and as short as 1 ms for limited intervals. The X-ray detector is an actively shielded CsI(Na) crystal with a thickness of 0.635 cm and a sensitive area of 71 sq cm. In the first year after launch, it is expected that approximately 1000 flares above the sensitivity threshold of 0.2 photons/(sq cm s) lasting for one second, will be detected.

Orwig, L. E.↗

Lines in the 2736-3303 A spectrum of Arcturus

Results are reported for a study of the near-UV spectrum of Arcturus as recorded with a balloon-borne echelle spectrograph-vidicon detector system in the spectral region from 2700 to 3300 A at 0.1-A resolution. A condensed version of the Arcturus spectrum is provided along with profile descriptions and identifications for 383 absorption features detected in the near-UV. Elements definitely present include Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zr, and La. Elements with spectral features indicating possible presence include Be, O, S, K, Ga, Ge, Nb, Sn, Gd, and Bi. Line blocking is shown to be extensive in the spectral region studied, and eight possible continuum 'windows' are found in the near-UV. Emission lines of chromospheric origin due to Mg II, Fe I, Fe II, and possibly Cr II are also identified in the region from 2736 to 3303 A. It is noted that the Fe I emission lines at 2823 and 2844 A are optically pumped.

Stencel, R. E.↗

Morphology and elemental composition analysis by size of rocket particulate effluent

Particulate samples collected on six stages of a quartz crystal microbalance cascade impactor mounted in an aircraft traversing the plume of a large solid-fueled rocket are analyzed, postflight, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersed X-ray (EDXRA). The results indicate the morphology and elemental composition of the particles fall into several distinct groups. Those larger than about 0.5 micron in diameter and nearly spherical in shape contain, among elements with atomic numbers of 11 and higher, only aluminum, suggesting they are aluminum oxide formed in the solid rocket fuel combustion. Still larger but less symmetrical particles contain only sodium and chlorine. Particles much smaller than 0.5 micron seem to end up as agglomerates after impaction (or during the impaction process), and show a complex elemental make-up of Na, Al, S, Cl, K, Ca, Fe and Zn. The unagglomerated single particles smaller than 0.2 micron, on the other hand, show no evidence of elements above atomic number 11 at all, suggesting they may be carbon or hydrocarbon particles.

Chuan, R. L.↗

The interstellar material in front of Chi Ophiuchi. I - Optical observations

Optical observations of the interstellar material in front of Chi Oph are discussed. The main interstellar cloud is made up of several regions with velocities between -6 and -12 km/s (heliocentric). Both CH and CH(+) are found within this feature, but with central velocities which differ by 2 km/s. Another cloud, with a velocity of -26 km/s, contains relatively strong Ca(+) lines. It has a ratio between Ca(+) and Na(0) column densities that is appropriate for 'high-velocity' clouds. Calcium, iron, and sodium column densities are used to estimate an average electron density for the line of sight, as well as for each cloud. The abundances of CH and CH(+), and the absence of CN, are analyzed in terms of current theories about their origin.

Frisch, P. C.↗

Interstellar absorption lines in the spectrum of Gamma Velorum

Copernicus scans of selected interstellar absorption lines in the UV spectrum of Gamma Vel are analyzed, together with ground-based data, to obtain column densities for various ion states of C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, Ca, Mn, Fe, and CO. N I and O I are fitted to a single empirical curve of growth with a velocity parameter (b) of 8 km/s; Mg II, Si II, P II, S II, Mn II, and Fe II are fitted to another curve with b between 3 and 9 km/s. Abundance determinations relative to H I show that: (1) C, N, P, S, and Ar are probably close to their solar values; (2) O may be depleted by about a factor of 2; (3) Mg, Al, Si, Cl, Mn, and Fe are depleted by a factor of 4 or more: (4) Al is depleted by at least a factor of 10 in the H II region; and (5) both N V and O VI are present, but not C IV. The N V/O VI ratio implies that the electron temperature in the H II region is about 275,000 K.

Morton, D. C.↗

Association of nucleotides with homoionic clays

The binding of nucleotides to homoionic clays is studied as a possible mechanism for the concentration and catalysis of biological or prebiotic materials on the prebiotic earth. Samples of radioactively labeled adenosine and thymidine nucleotides were mixed in solutions with bentonite, kaolinite or Dowex-50 particles in which all exchangeable sites were occupied by Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu or Zn ions. The binding of nucleotides to homoionic clays is observed, with adenosine nucleotides favored over thymidine, bentonite as the best absorber, and greater binding to clays homoionic in transition metal ions. Results indicate that the oligomerization of nucleotides may be possible by this mechanism, however difficulties in nucleotide variability and base pairing may arise due to the observed preference for purines at the adsorption sites.

Odom, D. G.↗

The velocity distribution of interstellar titanium toward Zeta Persei

Observations of the interstellar 3384-A line of Ti II toward Zeta Persei are reported at a resolution of 1.4 km/s. This resolution exceeds by a factor of almost 3 that used in any previous observations of ions that are dominant stages of ionization in H I regions. Toward Zeta Per, two resolved line components of Ti II having widths generally comparable to those of the corresponding line components of trace ions K I, Ca II, and Na I are seen. For any other ions along this line of sight which have velocity distributions similar to that observed for Ti II, the critical equivalent width above which line saturation must be significant therefore does not exceed 14 mA for ultraviolet lines lying near 1200 A.

Hobbs, L. M.↗