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At least 181 records · Page 10

Studies of the inner shelf and coastal sedimentation environment of the Beaufort Sea from ERTS-1

The author has identified the following significant results. The particulate transport processes involved in the movement of surficial waters were examined using secchi disc readings, light attenuation coefficients, and particulate weights from filtration. Observations gathered during the summers of 1971 and 1972 indicate a remarkable difference in particulate matter and turbidity between the two years. ERTS-1 imagery during August 1972 showed turbid water along the northern Alaska coast. The uniformity of distribution of the turbid water and the fact that the river discharge is low at this period suggest that the turbidity is related to causes other than river effluent. Studies indicate that wave action is a more significant factor influencing particulate transport than believed heretofore. The boundary between the essentially immobile shorefast ice and the moving pack ice has been plotted from several ERTS-1 images and found to occur fairly consistently along the 20 meter contour. Considering the vast difference in the amount of ice movement shoreward and seaward of this boundary, ice-bottom action should also be different on either side of this boundary and for that matter at the shear zone that develops along the boundary.

Reimnitz, E.↗

Telemetry experiments with a hibernating black bear

The objectives of this research were to develop and test telemetry equipment suitable for monitoring physiological parameters and activity of a hibernating bear in its den, to monitor this data and other environmental information with the Nimbus 3 IRLS data collection system, and to refine immobilizing, handling, and other techniques required in future work with wild bears under natural conditions. A temperature-telemetering transmitter was implanted in the abdominal cavity of a captive black bear and body temperature data was recorded continuously during a 3 month hibernation period. Body temperatures ranging between 37.5 and 31.8 C were observed. Body temperature and overall activity were influenced by disturbances and ambient den temperature. Nychthemeral temperature changes were not noticable. A load cell weight recording device was tested for determining weight loss during hibernation. Monitoring of data by satellite was not attempted. The implanted transmitter was removed and the bear was released with a radiolocation collar at the conclusion of the experiment.

Craighead, J. J.↗

The pathology of innactivation in monkeys.

Progress report on a long-term experiment using rhesus monkeys and designed to study the effects of isolation up to one year, as well as the effects of bed rest simulated by immobilization in a plaster cast for six months. The investigation includes histopathological and histochemical studies of these effects on various internal organs and tissues, and some of the preliminary results of these studies are presented and discussed.

Bourne, G. H.↗

Effect of radiometric errors on accuracy of temperature-profile measurement by the spectral-scanning method.

The spectral-scanning method may be used to determine the temperature profile of a jet- or rocket-engine exhaust stream by measurements of gas radiation and transmittance at two or more wavelengths. A single, fixed line of sight is used, using immobile radiators and radiometers outside of the gas stream, and there is no interference with the flow. A given radiometric error causes an error in computed temperatures. The ratio between temperature error and radiometric error depends on profile shape, path length, temperature level, the strength of line absorption, and the absorption coefficient and its temperature coefficient. These influence the choice of wavelengths for any given gas. Conditions for minimum temperature error are derived. Numerical results are presented for a two wavelength measurement on a family of profiles that may be expected in a practical case of H2 - O2 combustion. Under favorable conditions, the fractional error in temperature approximates the fractional error in radiant-flux measurement.

Buchele, D. R.↗

Bone mineral measurement from Apollo experiment M-078

Loss of mineral from bone during periods of immobilization, recumbency, or weightlessness is examined. This report describes the instrumentation, technique, and bone mineral changes observed preflight and postflight for the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 missions. The bone mineral changes documented during the Apollo Program are reviewed, and their relevance to future missions is discussed.

Vogel, J. M.↗

Bone mineral changes in the Apollo astronauts

Loss of mineral from bone during periods of immobilization, recumbency or weightlessness have been observed. These losses are more apparent in the lower extremity than the upper and have been observed to exceed 30% in the case of the central os calcis during 36 weeks of bedrest. In early Gemini studies using X-ray densitometry, large losses of bone mineral were observed in the radius and ulna. This observation was not validated in the Apollo 14, 15 and 16 crewmen when a more precise technique, gamma ray absorptiometry, was used. The large losses reported for the early Gemini missions were not seen when this new measuring technique was employed.

Vogel, J. M.↗

Static-kinetic reactions of man under conditions of brief weightlessness

Physical characteristics of human responses to weightlessness simulation during parabolic flights establish body immobilization and visual illusions as the most manifest causes of sensory distrubances. Repeated brief weightlessness exposures gradually decreased expressions of static-kinetic disorders.

Kolosov, I. A.↗

Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D 1974: Present status of physiological studies and analysis of calcium homeostasis

The role of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D in the control of calcium and bone metabolism was studied. Particular emphasis was placed on the physiological adaptation to weightlessness and, as a potential model for this purpose, on the immobilization characteristic of space flight or prolonged bed rest. The biosynthesis, control of secretion, and metabolism of these hormonal agents is considered.

Potts, J. T., Jr.↗

Ice particulates in the mesosphere

The observations of noctilucent clouds, the measurements of hydrated and of large immobile ions, and the light-scattering layer detected by the OGO-6 satellite suggest the presence of particulates, probably ice, in the mesosphere. The correlation between temperature and positive ion conductivity where the vapor pressure over ice becomes greater than atmospheric pressure in the stratopause region indicates the presence of ice crystals throughout the mesosphere over a wide range of latitudes during all seasons. Between one and ten billion ice crystals per cubic meter of order 10 nanometers in diameter can dominate ionization loss processes in the mesosphere, and can explain a variety of experimental observations, including observed solar angle dependence and seasonal variability of electron density.

Chesworth, E. T.↗

Mineral and nitrogen balance study - Results of metabolic observations on Skylab II 28-day orbital mission

The prediction that various stresses of flight, particularly weightlessness, would bring about significant derangements in the metabolism of the musculoskeletal system has been based on various balance-study observations of long-term immobilized or inactive bed rest. The three astronauts of Skylab II consumed a planned dietary intake of major metabolic elements in mixed foods and beverages and provided virtually complete collections of excreta for 31 days preflight, 28 days inflight, and 17 days postflight. Analyses showed that, in varying degree among the crewmen, urinary calcium increased gradually during flight in a pattern similar to that observed in bed-rest studies. Fecal calcium excretion did not change significantly, but calcium balance, owing to the urinary calcium rise, became either negative or less positive than in preflight measurement. Increased excretion and negative nitrogen and phosphorus balances inflight indicated appreciable loss of muscle tissue in all three crewmen. Significant losses also occurred inflight in potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Based on the similarity in pattern and degree between these observations of calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen loss, musculoskeletal integrity would not be threatened in space flights of up to at least 3 months. However, if similar changes occur in the planed Skylab flights for considerably more than 28 days, concern for capable musculoskeletal function should be serious for flights of very many months' duration.

Whedon, G. D.↗

Contamination control in hybrid microelectronic modules. Part 2: Selection and evaluation of coating materials

The selection, test, and evaluation of organic coating materials for contamination control in hybrid circuits is reported. The coatings were evaluated to determine their suitability for use as a conformal coating over the hybrid microcircuit (including chips and wire bonds) inside a hermetically sealed package. Evaluations included ease of coating application and repair and effect on thin film and thick film resistors, beam leads, wire bonds, transistor chips, and capacitor chips. The coatings were also tested for such properties as insulation resistance, voltage breakdown strength, and capability of immobilizing loose particles inside the packages. The selected coatings were found to be electrically, mechanically, and chemically compatible with all components and materials normally used in hybrid microcircuits.

Himmel, R. P.↗

Contamination control in hybrid microelectronic modules. Part 3: Specifications for coating material and process controls

Resin systems for coating hybrids prior to hermetic sealing are described. The resin systems are a flexible silicone junction resin system and a flexible cycloaliphatic epoxy resin system. The coatings are intended for application to the hybrid after all the chips have been assembled and wire bonded, but prior to hermetic sealing of the package. The purpose of the coating is to control particulate contamination by immobilizing particles and by passivating the hybrid. Recommended process controls for the purpose of minimizing contamination in hybrid microcircuit packages are given. Emphasis is placed on those critical hybrid processing steps in which contamination is most likely to occur.

Himmel, R. P.↗

Eye movements during afterimage tracking under sinusoidal and random vestibular stimulation

The smooth portion of the horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex was analyzed in terms of the frequency response, relating slow-phase eye velocity to angular velocity of a rotating chair under four different cases: sinusoidal rotation about a vertical axis in total darkness, sinusoidal rotation during afterimage tracking, pseudorandom head rotation in total darkness, and pseudorandom head rotation during afterimage tracking. Eye movements were recorded using a photoelectric limbus tracking method. The observation that the presence of an afterimage during vestibular stimulation increases the velocity of slow-phase eye movements is in support of the theory that such slow-phase movements are generated, at least in part, by the perceived velocity of the target. Since the target is immobilized on the retina, this perceived velocity is clearly not generated by retinal slip, but rather by a mechanism related to the eye movement such as corollary discharge.

Yasui, S.↗

Mineral and nitrogen metabolic studies on Skylab flights and comparison with effects of earth long-term recumbency

A metabolic study of the effects of space flight on various chemical elements, particularly those with special relevance to the musculo-skeletal system, was carried out on the nine astronauts who participated in the three Skylab flights of 28, 59 and 84 days in 1973-1974. The study required of the cooperating crewmen constant dietary intake, continuous 24-hour urine collections and total fecal collections for 21-31 days before each flight, throughout each flight and for 17-18 days post-flight. Increases in urinary calcium and negative calcium balances during space flight were generally similar to those found in previous immobilization and bedrest studies. The persistence of these alterations in calcium metabolism throughout the flights suggested that calcium losses would continue in weightlessness for a very long time. Significant losses of nitrogen and phosphorus occurred, associated with observed reduction in muscle tissue. Both mineral and muscle losses occurred despite rigorous exercise regimens in flight. It was concluded that unless protective measures can be developed, capable musculo-skeletal function is likely to be impaired in space flights, ultimately to be conducted to Mars, of 1-1/2 to 3 years duration.

Whedon, G. D.↗

Volatile metal deposits on lunar soils: Relation to volcanism

Parallel leaching and volatilization experiments conducted on lunar samples and similar experiments on sphalerite do not supply the information needed to resolve the question of the chemical nature of pb 204, Zn, Bi and Tl deposits on lunar soil surfaces. It is proposed that in Apollo 17 mare and terra soils and fractions of pb 204, Zn and Tl that are insoluble under mild, hot pH 5HNO3, leaching conditions and involatile at 600 C were originally surface deposits which became immobilized by migration into the silicate substrate or by chemisorption. Only Bi is predominantly indigenous. The implication is also that the soils over their respective times of evolution were exposed to heavy metal vapors or that an episodic exposure occurred after they had evolved. A sequence of events is proposed to account for orange 74220 and black 74001 glasses by lava fountaining and for soil 74241 as tephra from an explosive volcanic eruption.

Reed, G. W., Jr.↗

Volatile metal deposits on lunar soils - Relation to volcanism

Parallel leaching and volatilization experiments conducted on lunar samples and similar experiments on sphalerite do not supply the information needed to resolve the question of the chemical nature of Pb-204, Zn, Bi, and Tl deposits on lunar soil surfaces. It is proposed that in Apollo 17 mare and terra soils the fractions of Pb-204, Zn, and Tl that are insoluble under mild, hot pH 5 HNO3, leaching conditions and involatile at 600 C were originally surface deposits which became immobilized by migration into the silicate substrate or by chemisorption. Most of the Bi does not seem to be the result of such a deposit. The implication is also that the soils, over their respective times of evolution, were exposed to heavy metal vapors or that an episodic exposure occurred after they had evolved. A sequence of events is proposed to account for orange 74220 and black 74001 glasses by lava fountaining and for soil 74241 as tephra from an explosive volcanic eruption.

Reed, G. W., Jr.↗

Lunar petrogenesis in a well-stirred magma ocean

The principal group of low-KREEP highlands rocks as indicated by quartz-olivine-anorthite pseudoternary phase diagrams shows chemical trends which violate the Bowen reaction principle, in that the greater the concentration of magnesian and mafic minerals, the more sodic the coexisting plagioclase tends to be. It is suggested that this trend was established during the primary differentiation of the lunar crust and is a result of crystallization in a vigorously convecting (well-stirred) system. Under these conditions all plagioclase crystals, all pyroxene crystals, and all of the residual liquid remain fairly uniform in composition until advanced crystallization immobilizes the system. The rock suite then established would vary continuously from anorthositic types at the top to ultramafic types at the bottom.

Wood, J. A.↗

Adaptation of ion beam technology to microfabrication of solid state devices and transducers

A number of areas were investigated to determine the potential uses of ion beam techniques in the construction of solid state devices and transducers and the packaging of implantable electronics for biomedical applications. The five areas investigated during the past year were: (1) diode-like devices fabricated on textured silicon; (2) a photolithographic technique for patterning ion beam sputtered PVC (polyvinyl chloride); (3) use of sputtered Teflon as a protective coating for implantable pressure sensors; (4) the sputtering of Macor to seal implantable hybrid circuits; and (5) the use of sputtered Teflon to immobilize enzymes.

Topich, J. A.↗