Search

The BepiColombo Laser Altimeter (BELA) is the first European laser altimeter constructed for interplanetary flight. BELA uses a 50 mJ pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating at 10 Hz with a 20 cm aperture receiver to perform the ranging. The instrument also uses a digital approach for range detection and pulse analysis. The ranging accuracy is expected to be better than 2 metres and ∼20 cm in optimum conditions. With the given, only slightly elliptical, orbit, BELA should return a consistent data set for the most if not all of the planet. The instrument is required to function in an extreme environment with the thermal issues being particularly demanding. Novel solutions have been taken to resolve these issues. BELA is described in detail and its predicted performance outlined on the basis of pre-flight testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Framing Camera (FC) is the German contribution to the Dawn mission. The camera will map 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres through a clear filter and 7 band-pass filters covering the wavelengths from the visible to the near-IR. The camera will allow the determination of the physical parameters of the asteroids, the reconstruction of their global shape as well as local topography and surface geomorphology, and provide information on composition via surface reflectance characteristics. The camera will also serve for orbit navigation. The resolution of the Framing Camera will be up to 12 m per pixel in low altitude mapping orbit at Vesta (62 m per pixel at Ceres), at an angular resolution of 93.7 μrad px. The instrument uses a reclosable front door to protect the optical system and a filter-wheel mechanism to select the band-pass for observation. The detector data is read out and processed by a data processing unit. A power converter unit supplies all required power rails for operation and thermal maintenance. For redundancy reasons, two identical cameras were provided, both located side by side on the + Z-deck of the spacecraft. Each camera has a mass of 5.5 kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

didactic introduction to current thinking on some aspects of the solar dynamo is given for geophysicists and planetary scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaling laws for planetary dynamos relate the characteristic magnetic field strength, characteristic flow velocity and other properties to primary quantities such as core size, rotation rate, electrical conductivity and heat flux. Many different scaling laws have been proposed, often relying on the assumption of a balance of Coriolis force and Lorentz force in the dynamo. Their theoretical foundation is reviewed. The advent of direct numerical simulations of planetary dynamos and the ability to perform them for a sufficiently wide range of control parameters allows to test the scaling laws. The results support a magnetic field scaling that is not based on a force balance, but on the energy flux available to balance ohmic dissipation. In its simplest form, it predicts a field strength that is independent of rotation rate and electrical conductivity and proportional to the cubic root of the available energy flux. However, rotation rate controls whether the magnetic field is dipolar or multipolar. Scaling laws for velocity, heat transfer and ohmic dissipation are also discussed. The predictions of the energy-based scaling law agree well with the observed field strength of Earth and Jupiter, but for other planets they are more difficult to test or special pleading is required to explain their field strength. The scaling law also explains the very high field strength of rapidly rotating low-mass stars, which supports its rather general validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct numerical simulations of the geodynamo and other planetary dynamos have been successful in reproducing the observed magnetic fields. We first give an overview on the fundamental properties of planetary magnetism. We review the concepts and main results of planetary dynamo modeling, contrasting them with the solar dynamo. In planetary dynamos the density stratification plays no major role and the magnetic Reynolds number is low enough to allow a direct simulation of the magnetic induction process using microscopic values of the magnetic diffusivity. The small-scale turbulence of the flow cannot be resolved and is suppressed by assuming a viscosity far in excess of the microscopic value. Systematic parameter studies lead to scaling laws for the magnetic field strength or the flow velocity that are independent of viscosity, indicating that the models are in the same dynamical regime as the flow in planetary cores. Helical flow in convection columns that are aligned with the rotation axis play an important role for magnetic field generation and forms the basis for a macroscopic α-effect. Depending on the importance of inertial forces relative to rotational forces, either dynamos with a dominant axial dipole or with a small-scale multipolar magnetic field are found. Earth is predicted to lie close to the transition point between both classes, which may explain why the dipole undergoes reversals. Some models fit the properties of the geomagnetic field in terms of spatial power spectra, magnetic field morphology and details of the reversal behavior remarkably well. Magnetic field strength in the dipolar dynamo regime is controlled by the available power and found to be independent of rotation rate. Predictions for the dipole moment agree well with the observed field strength of Earth and Jupiter and moderately well for other planets. Dedicated dynamo models for Mercury, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, which assume stably stratified layers above or below the dynamo region, can explain some of the unusual field properties of these planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mariner 10 measurements proved the existence of a large-scale internal magnetic field on Mercury. The observed field amplitude, however, is too weak to be compatible with typical convective planetary dynamos. The Lorentz force based on an extrapolation of Mariner 10 data to the dynamo region is 10−4 times smaller than the Coriolis force. This is at odds with the idea that planetary dynamos are thought to work in the so-called magnetostrophic regime, where Coriolis force and Lorentz force should be of comparable magnitude. Recent convective dynamo simulations reviewed here seem to resolve this caveat. We show that the available convective power indeed suffices to drive a magnetostrophic dynamo even when the heat flow though Mercury’s core–mantle boundary is subadiabatic, as suggested by thermal evolution models. Two possible causes are analyzed that could explain why the observations do not reflect a stronger internal field. First, toroidal magnetic fields can be strong but are confined to the conductive core, and second, the observations do not resolve potentially strong small-scale contributions. We review different dynamo simulations that promote either or both effects by (1) strongly driving convection, (2) assuming a particularly small inner core, or (3) assuming a very large inner core. These models still fall somewhat short of explaining the low amplitude of Mariner 10 observations, but the incorporation of an additional effect helps to reach this goal: The subadiabatic heat flow through Mercury’s core–mantle boundary may cause the outer part of the core to be stably stratified, which would largely exclude convective motions in this region. The magnetic field, which is small scale, strong, and very time dependent in the lower convective part of the core, must diffuse through the stagnant layer. Here, the electromagnetic skin effect filters out the more rapidly varying high-order contributions and mainly leaves behind the weaker and slower varying dipole and quadrupole components (Christensen in Nature 444:1056–1058, ). Messenger and BepiColombo data will allow us to discriminate between the various models in terms of the magnetic fields spatial structure, its degree of axisymmetry, and its secular variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals characterised by selective destruction of the β-cells. Development of diabetes is in the asymptomatic pre-diabetic period characterised by impaired first-phase insulin response and the first clinical symptom is elevated blood glucose (BG). It is still uncertain whether stress or incidental hyperglycaemia can be regarded as predictors for development of T1D or not, even when immunologic and genetic markers for T1D are considered. The aim of this study was to investigate if there was any relationship between elevated BG in 30-day-old anaesthetised pre-diabetic diabetes-prone Bio Breeding (BB-DP) rats and later development of diabetes. Rats anaesthetised by intraperitoneal (ip) injection for islet transplantation displayed significantly higher BG values (Δ1.27 mmol/l, p=8.27x10-12) compared to non-anaesthetised non-transplanted rats, indicating that ip injection and/or anaesthesia induce a higher BG level. Linear regression analysis of BG and time of onset of diabetes in transplanted and non-transplanted BB-DP rats revealed no correlation (R2 at 0.0075 and 0.0324 and p-values at 0.56 and 0.23 respectively). We were not able to identify any association or correlation between the induced temporary hyperglycaemia in 30-day-old BB-DP rats and later development of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial autoimmune disease characterised by selective destruction of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. We have previously shown that IL-1β modulates beta cell function, causes beta cell death and induces expression changes in 82 out of 1815 protein spots detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) in diabetes-prone bio-breeding (BB-DP) rat islets in vitro. The aim of this study was to describe the relevance of these proteins in the development of diabetes in vivo. Methods. Syngeneic neonatal islets (n=200) were transplanted under the kidney capsule of 30-day-old BB-DP and control rats, removed to different time points after transplantation or at the onset of diabetes, and metabolically labelled with S35-methionine for 2-DGE. The 82 proteins were re-localised and followed. In addition, transplants were examined for expression of IL-1β mRNA by in situ hybridisation. Results. All 82 proteins could be re-localised in all syngeneic transplants from BB-DP and control rats. A total of 60 of the 82 proteins were changed during development of diabetes. Of the 82 proteins, 32 were changed in expression at the onset of diabetes compared to non-diabetic BB-DP rats, and 25 of these were changed as by IL-1β in vitro. Highest expression of IL-1β mRNA was found at the onset of diabetes. Conclusions/interpretation. IL-1β-induced protein expression changes in islets in vitro also occur in vivo and change in a complex pattern during the development of diabetes in the BB-DP rat. No single protein seems to be responsible for the development of diabetes, but rather the cumulative numbers of changes seem to interfere with the intracellular stability of the beta cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis. Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is characterized by selective destruction of the insulin producing beta cells. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) modulates the beta-cell function, protein synthesis, energy production and causes apoptosis. We have previously shown changes in the expression of 82 out of 1 815 protein spots detected by two dimensional gel electrophoresis in IL-1β exposed diabetes prone Bio Breeding (BB-DP) rat islets of Langerhans in vitro. The aim of this study was to identify the proteins in these 82 spots by mass spectrometry and compare these changes with those seen in IL-1β exposed Wistar Furth (WF) rat islets. Methods. The 82 protein spots, that changed expression after IL-1β exposure, were all re-identified on preparative gels of 200 000 neonatal WF rat islets, cut out and subjected to mass spectrometry for identification. Results. Forty-five different proteins were identified from 51 spots and grouped according to function: (i) energy transduction and redox potentials; (ii) glycolytic and Krebs cycle enzymes; (iii) protein, DNA and RNA synthesis, chaperoning and protein folding; (iv) signal transduction, regulation, differentiation and apoptosis; (v) cellular defence; and (vi) other functions. Comparison of IL-1β exposed BB-DP and WF islets showed common changes in 14 proteins and several proteins influencing similar pathways, suggesting that similar routes in the two strains lead to beta-cell destruction. Conclusion/interpretation. We demonstrate that proteome analysis is a powerful tool to identify proteins and pathways in BB-DP rat islets exposed to IL-1β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were (a) to analyse the association between musculoskeletal diseases and mobility cross-sectionally at age 75 and between musculoskeletal diseases and subsequent onset of tiredness and need of help to mobility from age 75 to 80 and (b) to describe whether these associations are influenced by socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors. The data are derived from a cross-sectional study of 75-year-old people (n = 480) and a follow-up study among 111 persons without tiredness at baseline and 243 persons without need of help to mobility at baseline. The key predictor variable was musculoskeletal diseases. The outcome was measured by 2 mobility scales. Persons with both musculoskeletal and other diseases were at larger risk of tiredness and need of help cross-sectionally and of onset of need of help compared to others. In addition, physical activity had strong independent influence on mobility both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Consequently prevention of mobility disability should focus on persons with musculoskeletal diseases and on sedentary persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxypeptidase-Y-catalyzed peptide semisynthesis has been characterized at pH 7.5, 25°C from initial rate steady state kinetic and progress reaction studies of hydrolysis and aminolysis of α-N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine 4-nitro-anilide using the natural L-amino acids and their amides as nucleophiles. The reaction mechanism previously shown to account for carboxypeptidase-Y-catalyzed aminolysis reactions (Christensen et al., 1992) was found also to account for all of the reactions studied here. It involves in addition to the classical serine proteinase mechanism: i) complex formation between the free enzyme and the nucleophile, an interaction characterized by the competitive inhibition constant, K, and ii) reaction of the nucleophile with the acylated enzyme forming a complex of enzyme and aminolysis product, characterized by the aminolysis kinetic parameter, K′. A competitive inhibitory effect showing binding to the free enzyme is seen mainly with large hydrophobic amino acids and their amides i.e. the same residues as those preferred on either side of the scissile bond in carboxypeptidase-Y substrates. The stoichiometry of the inhibition is 1 : 1 and the actual binding position most likely is that of the leaving group of substrates, S′. Aminolysis effects are obtained with a wide range of amino acids and amino acid amides, exceptions are Pro and, probably due to their low solubility, Tyr, Trp, Asp and Glu. The K′-values show relatively little dependence on the chemical nature of the side groups, but a marked difference between the amino acid and its amide. The amides interact more strongly. The kinetic parameter, k/K, of the hydrolysis of the aminolysis products is another important factor in peptide semisynthesis. The k/K-values obtained of the amidated aminolysis products are much less than those of the products formed with free amino acids. All in all this leads to rather efficient aminolysis with the L-amino acid amides and poor aminolysis with the L-amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the end of 2018, 42 years after the landing of the two Viking seismometers on Mars, InSight will deploy onto Mars' surface the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure) instrument; a six-axes seismometer equipped with both a long-period three-axes Very Broad Band (VBB) instrument and a three-axes short-period (SP) instrument. These six sensors will cover a broad range of the seismic bandwidth, from 0.01 Hz to 50 Hz, with possible extension to longer periods. Data will be transmitted in the form of three continuous VBB components at 2 sample per second (sps), an estimation of the short period energy content from the SP at 1 sps and a continuous compound VBB/SP vertical axis at 10 sps. The continuous streams will be augmented by requested event data with sample rates from 20 to 100 sps. SEIS will improve upon the existing resolution of Viking's Mars seismic monitoring by a factor of ∼2500 at 1 Hz and ∼200000 at 0.1 Hz. An additional major improvement is that, contrary to Viking, the seismometers will be deployed via a robotic arm directly onto Mars' surface and will be protected against temperature and wind by highly efficient thermal and wind shielding. Based on existing knowledge of Mars, it is reasonable to infer a moment magnitude detection threshold of Mw∼3 at 40∘ epicentral distance and a potential to detect several tens of quakes and about five impacts per year. In this paper, we first describe the science goals of the experiment and the rationale used to define its requirements. We then provide a detailed description of the hardware, from the sensors to the deployment system and associated performance, including transfer functions of the seismic sensors and temperature sensors. We conclude by describing the experiment ground segment, including data processing services, outreach and education networks and provide a description of the format to be used for future data distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]