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At least 199 records · Page 11

Carotid-cardiac baroreflex - Relaxation with orthostatic hypotension following simulated microgravity and implications for development of countermeasures

An examination has been made of the function of the human carotid-cardiac baroreflex (CCB) under the influence of simulated microgravity, varying states of vascular volume, and acute exercise. Results have been obtained which suggest that acute fluid replacement prior to reentry may not reverse the impaired baroreflex associated with postflight hypotension. It is also noted that one bout of maximal exercise increased baroreflex sensitivity and buffer capacity through 24 hrs post exercise; these baroreflex changes were the opposite of those following head-down bedrest. Contributions of reduced blood volume and impaired CCB function to orthostatic hypotension following microgravity appear to be separate and additive, so that maximal exercise and fluid replacement could be a potent countermeasure against postflight hypotension.

Convertino, Victor A.↗

Threats and countermeasures for network security

In the late 1980's, the traditional threat of anonymous break-ins to networked computers was joined by viruses and worms, multiplicative surrogates that carry out the bidding of their authors. Technologies for authentication and secrecy, supplemented by good management practices, are the principal countermeasures. Four articles on these subjects are presented.

Denning, Peter J.↗

Light as a chronobiologic countermeasure for long-duration space operations

Long-duration space missions require adaptation to work-rest schedules which are substantially shifted with respect to earth. Astronauts are expected to work in two-shift operations and the environmental synchronizers (zeitgebers) in a spacecraft differ significantly from those on earth. A study on circadian rhythms, sleep, and performance was conducted by exposing four subjects to 6 deg head-down tilt bedrest (to simulate the effects of the weightless condition) and imposing a 12-h shift (6 h delay per day for two days). Bright light was tested in a cross-over design as a countermeasure for achieving faster resynchronization and regaining stable conditions for sleep and circadian rhythmicity. Data collection included objective sleep recording, temperature, heart rate, and excretion of hormones and electrolytes as well as performance and responses to questionnaires. Even without a shift in the sleep-wake cycle, the sleep quantity, circadian amplitudes and 24 h means decreased in many functions under bedrest conditions. During the shift days, sleepiness and fatigue increased, and alertness decreased. However, sleep quantity was regained, and resynchronization was completed within seven days after the shift for almost all functions, irrespective of whether light was administered during day-time or night-time hours. The time of day of light exposure surprisingly appeared not to have a discriminatory effect on the resynchronization speed under shift and bedrest conditions. The results indicate that simulated weightlessness alters circadian rhythms and sleep, and that schedule changes induce additional physiological disruption with decreased subjective alertness and increased fatigue. Because of their operational implications, these phenomena deserve additional investigation.

Samel, Alexander↗

Publications of the space physiology and countermeasures program, regulatory physiology discipline: 1980 - 1990

A 10-year cumulative bibliography of publications resulting from research supported by the Regulatory Physiology discipline of the Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program of NASA's Life Sciences Division is provided. Primary subjects included in this bibliography are circadian rhythms, endocrinology, fluid and electrolyte regulation, hematology, immunology, metabolism and nutrition, temperature regulation, and general regulatory physiology. General physiology references are also included. Principal investigators whose research tasks resulted in publication are identified by asterisk. Publications are identified by a record number corresponding with their entry in the Life Sciences Bibliographic Database, maintained at the George Washington University.

Wallace-Robinson, Janice↗

Shiftwork in space - Bright light as a chronobiologic countermeasure

The potential of timed exposures to bright light as a countermeasure to the changes in the work/rest schedules during space missions was investigated. In the experiments, four human subjects were exposed to two sessions of eleven days of simulated weightlessness (6-deg head-down-tilt bedrest) with 6-hr extensions of the scheduled wake time on days 3 and 4 (a 12-hr phase delay). In a blind crossover design, subjects were exposed to bright light (greater than 3500 lux) for 5 hrs on each of the two shift days and on the following day, at times expected to accelerate adaptation to the phase delay (experimental group), or have no phase shifting effect (control group). Results indicate that bright light may accelerate the rate of adaptation to work/rest schedule delays under simulated weightlessness conditions. However, such effect was found to be largely independent of the timing of the light exposure.

Gander, Philippa H.↗

Intermittent acceleration as a countermeasure to soleus muscle atrophy

The effectiveness of using intermittent acceleration as a countermeasure to muscle atrophy was investigated in rats subjected to 7 days of hindlimb suspension interrupted by daily periods of 1.2 g acceleration, for 15-min periods evenly spaced over 12-hr interval. It was found that this regimen, when repeated for 7 days, failed to completely maintain the mass of soleus muscle, which was 84 percent of control.

D'Aunno, Dominick S.↗

Neuromuscular aspects in development of exercise countermeasures

The paper reviews data obtained at the Human Life Sciences Research Program at the Kennedy Space Center on the structural and functional characteristics of the human muscle and on the effects of simulated microgravity (head-down bed rest) and exercise on the muscle. It is shown that prolonged exposure to microgravity induced ultrastructural abnormalities and the atrophy of muscle and impaired muscle functioning (especially upon return to terrestrial gravity) and that ground-based models can be effectively used to study these changes. Results indicate that the incorporation of resistive exercise with a strong emphasis on the use of eccentric muscle action, in addition to concentric action, may provide a very effective countermeasure against muscle atrophy and dysfunction caused by long-duration exposures to microgravity.

Convertino, Victor A.↗

Publications of the space physiology and countermeasures program, Musculoskeletal Discipline: 1980-1990

A 10-year cumulative bibliography of publications resulting from research supported by the musculoskeletal discipline of the space physiology and countermeasures program of NASA's Life Sciences Division is provided. Primary subjects are bone, mineral, and connective tissue, and muscle. General physiology references are also included. Principal investigators whose research tasks resulted in publication are identified by asterisk. Publications are identified by a record number corresponding with their entry in the life sciences bibliographic database, maintained by the George Washington University.

Hess, Elizabeth L.↗

Publications of the Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program, Neuroscience Discipline: 1980-1990

A 10-year cumulative bibliography of publications resulting from research supported by the neuroscience discipline of the space physiology and countermeasures program of NASA's Life Sciences Division is provided. Primary subjects included in this bibliography are space motion sickness; vestibular performance, posture, and motor coordination; vestibular physiology; central and peripheral nervous system physiology; and general performance and methodologies. General physiology references are also included.

Dickson, Katherine J.↗

Publications of the Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program, Cardiopulmonary Discipline: 1980-1990

A 10-year cumulative bibliography of publications resulting from research supported by the Cardiopulmonary Discipline of the Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program of NASA's Life Sciences Division is provided. Primary subjects included in this bibliography are Fluid Shifts, Cardiovascular Fitness, Cardiovascular Physiology, and Pulmonary Physiology. General physiology references are also included. Principal investigators whose research tasks resulted in publication are identified. Publications are identified by a record number corresponding with their entry in the Life Sciences Bibliographic Database, maintained at the George Washington University.

Powers, Janet V.↗

Space Station Freedom biomedical monitoring and countermeasures: Biomedical facility hardware catalog

This hardware catalog covers that hardware proposed under the Biomedical Monitoring and Countermeasures Development Program supported by the Johnson Space Center. The hardware items are listed separately by item, and are in alphabetical order. Each hardware item specification consists of four pages. The first page describes background information with an illustration, definition and a history/design status. The second page identifies the general specifications, performance, rack interface requirements, problems, issues, concerns, physical description, and functional description. The level of hardware design reliability is also identified under the maintainability and reliability category. The third page specifies the mechanical design guidelines and assumptions. Described are the material types and weights, modules, and construction methods. Also described is an estimation of percentage of construction which utilizes a particular method, and the percentage of required new mechanical design is documented. The fourth page analyzes the electronics, the scope of design effort, and the software requirements. Electronics are described by percentages of component types and new design. The design effort, as well as, the software requirements are identified and categorized.

Source record↗

Program development for exercise countermeasures

The concern of NASA's Exercise Countermeasures Project (ECP) is to ensure crew physical effectiveness for flight- or mission-related tasks, and encompasses postflight as well as preflight and inflight exercise components. Attention is given to the implementation of ECP via the Space Shuttle Orbiter's treadmill, rower, cycle ergometer, and lower body negative pressure apparatus.

Hayes, J. C.↗

Phenytoin as a countermeasure for motion sickness in NASA maritime operations

Seasickness is the most prevalent form of motion sickness and is an operational problem during Space Shuttle Solid-fueled Rocket Booster (SRB) retrieval. Phenytoin has been shown to protect against motion sickness induced by Coriolis stress. We exposed SRB recovery personnel to off-vertical rotation and sea motion after phenytoin or placebo. Phenytoin blood levels of at least 9 micrograms/ml were protective against motion sickness at sea. No change in susceptibility to nitrogen narcosis was seen in divers in chamber tests at 460 KPa. Phenytoin was used during the performance of critical and hazardous tasks during training and actual SRB recovery operations. Phenytoin is an effective operational countermeasure for motion sickness for selected SRB crew members.

Woodard, Daniel↗

Carotid-cardiac baroreflex: Relation with orthostatic hypotension following simulated microgravity and implications for development of countermeasures

In a series of studies, we have examined the effects of exposure to simulated microgravity, varying states of vascular volume, and acute exercise on the function of the carotid-cardiac baroreflex in man. In the first study, exposure to simulated microgravity (6 degree headdown bedrest) reduced the sensitivity and buffer capacity of the vagal baroreceptor-cardiac reflex mechanisms and this impaired baroreflex function was associated with orthostatic hypotension. Since the reduction in plasma volume during BR was not correlated with impaired baroreflex function, a second study was conducted which demonstrated that the carotid-cardiac baroreflex response was not affected by either acute hypovolemia or hypervolemia. These results suggest that acute fluid replacement prior to reentry may not reverse impaired baroreflex function associated with postflight hypotension. In a third study, we demonstrated that one bout of maximal exercise increased baroreflex sensitivity and buffer capacity through 24 h post-exercise. These baroreflex changes were opposite to those observed following BR. Taken together, these data suggest that the contributions of reduced blood volume and impaired carotid-cardiac baroreflex function to orthostatic hypotension following exposure to microgravity are probably separate and additive; maximal exercise in addition to fluid replacement may provide an acute effective countermeasure against postflight hypotension.

Convertino, Victor A.↗

Autogenic-feedback training: A countermeasure for orthostatic intolerance

NASA has identified cardiovascular deconditioning as a serious biomedical problem associated with long-duration exposure to microgravity in space. High priority has been given to the development of countermeasures for this disorder and the resulting orthostatic intolerance experienced by crewmembers upon their return to the 1g norm of Earth. The present study was designed to examine the feasibility of training human subjects to control their own cardiovascular responses to gravitational stimulation (i.e., a tilt table). Using an operant conditioning procedure, Autogenic-Feedback Training (AFT), we would determine if subjects could learn to increase their own blood pressure voluntarily.

Cowings, Patricia S.↗

Heat stress and a countermeasure in the Shuttle rescueman's suit

Rescue of the astronaut flight crew from a contingency landing may risk exposure of the rescue crew to toxic propellants spilling from potentially ruptured tanks in the crew module area. An Aquala dry diver's suit has been in service by the rescue team to preclude exposure, especially in the water rescue scenario. Heat stress has become a factor of concern in recent years when older and less physically-fit team members work in this suit. Methods: Field testing was initiated using fully instrumented rescue men in a simulated scenario to determine the extent of heat stress. Two tests were accomplished, one in the normal (N) configuration and one with a proposed cooling countermeasure, the Steele vest (S). Results: Heat stress was high as indicated by average rectal temperatures (Tre) of 38.28 degrees C(100.9 degrees F) after the 45 minute protocol. Slopes of the regression equations describing the increase in Tre with time were greater (P less than 0.05) with N (0.073 plus or minus .008) compared to S (0.060 plus or minus .007). Projection of time to the 38.89 degree C (102 degree F) limit was increased by 15.3 percent with the vest. Mean skin temperature (Tsk) was higher (P less than 0.05) in N (38.33 plus or minus .11 degrees C) compared to S (34.33 plus or minus .39 degrees C). Average heart rate was higher (P less than 0.05 in N than S. Sweat loss, as measured by weight loss, was more (P less than 0.05) for N (1.09 plus or minus .09 kg versus 0.77 plus or minus .06 kg). Air usage, while slightly less for S, was not statistically different. Conclusion: The use of the cool vest provided significant relief from thermal stress in spite of the addition of 3.4 kg (7.5 pounds) weight and some loss in mobility.

Doerr, D. F.↗

Dextroamphetamine: a pharmacologic countermeasure for space motion sickness and orthostatic dysfunction

Dextroamphetamine has potential as a pharmacologic agent for the alleviation of two common health effects associated with microgravity. As an adjuvant to Space Motion Sickness (SMS) medication, dextroamphetamine can enhance treatment efficacy by reducing undesirable Central Nervous System (CNS) side effects of SMS medications. Secondly, dextroamphetamine may be useful for the prevention of symptoms of post-mission orthostatic intolerance caused by cardiovascular deconditioning during spaceflight. There is interest in developing an intranasal delivery form of dextroamphetanmine for use as a countermeasure in microgravity conditions. Development of this dosage form will require an analytical detection method with sensitivity in the low ng range (1 to 100 ng/mL). During the 1995 Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, two analytical methods were developed and evaluated for their suitability as quantitative procedures for dextroamphetamine in studies of product stability, bioavailability assessment, and pharmacokinetic evaluation. In developing some of the analytical methods, beta-phenylethylamine, a primary amine structurally similar to dextroamphetamine, was used. The first analytical procedure to be evaluated involved hexane extraction and subsequent fluorescamine labeling of beta-phenylethylamine. The second analytical procedure to be evaluated involved quantitation of dextroamphetamine by an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA).

Snow, L. Dale↗

Bistatic and Multistatic Radar: Surveillance, Countermeasures, and Radar Cross Sections. (Latest Citations from the Aerospace Database)

The bibliography contains citations concerning the design, development, testing, and evaluation of bistatic and multistatic radar used in surveillance and countermeasure technology. Citations discuss radar cross sections, target recognition and characteristics, ghost recognition, motion image compensation, and wavelet analysis. Stealth aircraft design, stealth target tracking, synthetic aperture radar, and space applications are examined.

BISTATIC RADAR↗