Exoplanets - search methods, discoveries, and prospects for astrobiology

Whereas the Solar System has Mars and Europa as the best candidates for finding fossil/extant life as we know it - based on complex carbon compounds and liquid water - the 263 (non-pulsar) planetary systems around other stars as known at 15 September 2008 could between them possess many more planets where life might exist. Moreover, the number of these exoplanetary systems is growing steadily, and with this growth there is an increase in the number of planets that could bear carbon-liquid water life. In this brief review the main methods by which exoplanets are being discovered are outlined, and then the discoveries that have so far been made are presented. Habitability is then discussed, and an outline presented of how a planet could be studied from afar to determine whether it is habitable, and whether it is indeed inhabited. This review is aimed at the astrobiology community, which spans many disciplines, few of which involve exoplanets. It is therefore at a basic level and concentrates on the major topics.Comment: 37 pages, 12 Figure

Book Review: A.J. Appasamy and his Reading of Rāmānuja: A Comparative Study in Divine Embodiment

Book review of A.J. Appasamy and his Reading of Rāmānuja: A Comparative Study in Divine Embodiment. By Brian Philip Dunn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016, xi + 315 pages

Superconducting magnet Patent

Operating properties of superconducting magnet in vacuum environmen

Toroidal equipment packaging

For optimal packaging of equipment in shallow-cone vehicle toroidal packaging sets center of gravity of equipment forward. Packages are supported on rings within probe structure to provide low center of gravity. System permits interchanging of units for balance control, so minimum of lateral ballast is required

JAMAICA & e–BANKING

In Jamaica there has been some improvement in electronic banking referred to e- banking worldwide. We are definitely on the road to this ultimate digital revolution. Especially with products coming out of National Commercial Bank (primarily) and to Bank Of Nova Scotia to a lesser extent. You can either go online or via telephone and pay a number of bills from the comfort of your living room or bedroom any hour of the day by debit card or by visa card. In other countries especially USA and Europe to facilitate this the digital revolution they have designed a product called a STORED VISA/MASTERCARD where any one rich or poor can open an account in any currency and add to the credit card account to the desired credit limit one desires and/or a bank determined maximum for the product. We have in Jamaica a secured credit card where you have to put money forward in a secured account. The former I have described facilitates all while the latter secured credit card limits the greater majority. In the case of Cable & Wireless I can use my Visa/MasterCard and pay my bill on the phone and get real-time payments credited to my account. If for example my phone is locked off and I can go next-door use my friends phone pay my bill and within 5 minutes my phone is back on. The Introduction by all Banks in Jamaica of the Stored Visa/MasterCard Card could be a serious contributing factor to stemming the tide of the digital divide and facilitating the serious onward progress on the road of the digital revolution making Jamaica not another Singapore but a highly competitive Jamaica, a serious player in the Global Village. In order to get a better grasp of the concept of e banking we explore topics that will enable the reader to have a better understanding of the thinking behind the concept.e-banking, Jmaica e-banking,Jamaica, Jamaica Banking

Newtonian Quantum Gravity

Puts forward a complete scenario for interpreting nonlinear field theories highlighting the role played by gravitational self--energy in enabling a consistent revival of the Schroedinger approach to unifying micro and macro physics.Comment: 38 pages, RevTex. Uses epsf. Five "tar.gz" compressed PostScipt figures included separatel

Preliminary results of the comparison of the electrochemical behavior of a thioether and biphenyl

An electrochemical cell was constructed to explore the feasibility of using electrochemical techniques to simulate the tribochemistry of various substances. The electrochemical cell was used to study and compare the behavior of a thioether 1,3-bis(phenylthio) benzene and biphenyl. It is found that under controlled conditions biphenyl undergoes a reversible reduction to a radical anion whereas the thioether undergoes an irreversible reduction yielding several products. The results are discussed in relationship to boundary lubrication