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NASA NTRS2001

Drosophila Lyra mutations are gain-of-function mutations of senseless

The Lyra mutation was first described by Jerry Coyne in 1935. Lyra causes recessive pupal lethality and adult heterozygous Lyra mutants exhibit a dominant loss of the anterior and posterior wing margins. Unlike many mutations that cause loss of wing tissue (e.g., scalloped, Beadex, cut, and apterous-Xasta), Lyra wing discs do not exhibit increased necrotic or apoptotic cell death, nor do they show altered BrdU incorporation. However, during wing disc eversion, loss of the anterior and posterior wing margins is apparent. We have previously shown that senseless, a gene that is necessary and sufficient for peripheral nervous system (PNS) development, is allelic to Lyra. Here we show by several genetic criteria that Lyra alleles are neomorphic alleles of senseless that cause ectopic expression of SENSELESS in the wing pouch. Similarly, overexpression of SENSELESS in the wing disc causes loss of wing margin tissue, thereby mimicking the Lyra phenotype. Lyra mutants display aberrant expression of DELTA, VESTIGIAL, WINGLESS, and CUT. As in Lyra mutants, overexpression of SENSELESS in some areas of the wing pouch also leads to loss of WINGLESS and CUT. In summary, our data indicate that overexpression of SENSELESS causes a severe reduction in NOTCH signaling that in turn may lead to decreased transcription of several key genes required for wing development, leading to a failure in cell proliferation and loss of wing margin tissue.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2004

Random Matrix Approach to Quantum Adiabatic Evolution Algorithms

We analyze the power of quantum adiabatic evolution algorithms (Q-QA) for solving random NP-hard optimization problems within a theoretical framework based on the random matrix theory (RMT). We present two types of the driven RMT models. In the first model, the driving Hamiltonian is represented by Brownian motion in the matrix space. We use the Brownian motion model to obtain a description of multiple avoided crossing phenomena. We show that the failure mechanism of the QAA is due to the interaction of the ground state with the "cloud" formed by all the excited states, confirming that in the driven RMT models. the Landau-Zener mechanism of dissipation is not important. We show that the QAEA has a finite probability of success in a certain range of parameters. implying the polynomial complexity of the algorithm. The second model corresponds to the standard QAEA with the problem Hamiltonian taken from the Gaussian Unitary RMT ensemble (GUE). We show that the level dynamics in this model can be mapped onto the dynamics in the Brownian motion model. However, the driven RMT model always leads to the exponential complexity of the algorithm due to the presence of the long-range intertemporal correlations of the eigenvalues. Our results indicate that the weakness of effective transitions is the leading effect that can make the Markovian type QAEA successful.

Boulatov, Alexei↗

NASA NTRS2001

Carbon Nanotubes in Water: MD Simulations of Internal and External Flow, Self Organization

We have developed computational tools, based on particle codes, for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in aqueous environments. The interaction of CNTs with water is envisioned as a prototype for the design of engineering nano-devices, such as artificial sterocillia and molecular biosensors. Large scale simulations involving thousands of water molecules are possible due to our efficient parallel MD code that takes long range electrostatic interactions into account. Since CNTs can be considered as rolled up sheets of graphite, we expect the CNT-water interaction to be similar to the interaction of graphite with water. However, there are fundamental differences between considering graphite and CNTs, since the curvature of CNTs affects their chemical activity and also since capillary effects play an important role for both dynamic and static behaviour of materials inside CNTs. In recent studies Gordillo and Marti described the hydrogen bond structure as well as time dependent properties of water confined in CNTs. We are presenting results from the development of force fields describing the interaction of CNTs and water based on ab-initio quantum mechanical calculations. Furthermore, our results include both water flows external to CNTs and the behaviour of water nanodroplets inside heated CNTs. In the first case (external flows) the hydrophobic behaviour of CNTs is quantified and we analyze structural properties of water in the vicinity of CNTs with diagnostics such as hydrogen bond distribution, water dipole orientation and radial distribution functions. The presence of water leads to attractive forces between CNTs as a result of their hydrophobicity. Through extensive simulations we quantify these attractive forces in terms of the number and separation of the CNT. Results of our simulations involving arrays of CNTs indicate that these exhibit a hydrophobic behaviour that leads to self-organising structures capable of trapping water clusters. In the second case (internal flows) we study the behaviour of water droplets confined inside CNTs. Constant temperature simulations allow us to capture structural properties such as the contact angles and density profiles of the equilibrated drops. By heating and subsequently cooling of the CNT, we are able to measure the evaporation and the condensation rate of the entrapped water.

Jaffe, Richard L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

NASA Redox Project status summary

This report is a summary of the results of the Redox Project effort during Cy 1982. It was presented at the Fifth U.S. Department of Energy Battery and Electrochemical Contractors Conference, Arlington, Va., Dec. 7-9, 1982. The major development during 1982 was the shift from Redox system operation at 25 C with unmixed reactants to operation at 65 C with mixed reactants. This change has made possible a two- or three-fold increase in operating current density, to about 65 mA/sq cm, and an increase in reactant utilization from 40% to about 90%. Both of these improvements will lead to significant system cost reductions. Contract studies have indicated that Redox reactant costs also will be moderate. A new catalyst for the chromuim electrode offers all the advantages of the conventional gold-lead catalyst while being easier to apply and more forgiving in use.

Hagedorn, N. H.↗

NASA NTRS2017

North American Drought and Links to Northern Eurasia: The Role of Stationary Rossby Waves

This chapter provides an overview of the role of stationary Rossby waves in the sub-seasonal development of warm season drought over North America and subsequent downstream development of climate anomalies over northern Eurasia. The results are based on a case study of a stationary Rossby wave event that developed during 20 May 15 June 1988. Simulations with the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-5) atmospheric general circulation model highlight the importance of the mean jet streams in guiding and constraining the path and speed of wave energy propagation. In particular, convective anomalies that developed over the western Pacific in late May (in the presence of the strong North Pacific jet) produce a predilection for persistent upper-level high anomalies over central North America about ten days later, leading to the rapid development of severe dry conditions there. There are indications of continued downstream wave energy propagation that reaches northern Eurasia about two weeks later, leading to the development of dry conditions over eastern Europe and western Russia, and cool and wet conditions over western Europe and central northern Eurasia. The results suggest that stationary Rossby waves can serve as a source of predictability for sub-seasonal development of droughts over North America and northern Eurasia.

GEOS-5↗

NASA NTRS1959

Influence of Large Positive Dihedral on Heat Transfer to Leading Edges of Highly Swept Wings at Very High Mach Numbers

A geometric study has been made of some of the effects of dihedral on the heat transfer to swept delta wings. The results of this study show that the incorporation of large positive dihedral on highly swept wings can shift, even at moderately low angles of attack, the stagnation-line heat-transfer problem from the leading edges to the axis of symmetry (ridge line). An order-of-magnitude analysis (assuming laminar flow) indicates conditions for which it may be possible to reduce the heating at the ridge line (except in the vicinity of the wing apex) to a small fraction of the leading-edge heat transfer of a flat wing at the same lift. Furthermore, conditions are indicated where dihedral reduces the leading-edge heat transfer for angles of attack less than those required to shift the stagnation line from the leading edge to the ridge line.

Cooper, Morton↗

NASA NTRS1995

Evidence for gammacerane as an indicator of water column stratification

A new route for the formation of gammacerane from tetrahymanol is proposed; in addition to dehydration and hydrogenation, sulphurisation and early C-S cleavage are shown to be important in the pathway of formation, especially in marine sediments. Evidence is twofold. First, relatively large amounts of the gammacerane skeleton are sequestered in S-rich macromolecular aggregates formed by natural sulphurisation of functionalised lipids. Selective cleavage of polysulphide linkages with MeLi/MeI led to formation of 3-methylthiogammacerane, indicating that the gammacerane skeleton is primarily bound via sulphur at position 3, consistent with the idea that tetrahymanol (or the corresponding ketone) is the precursor for gammacerane. Second, upon mild artificial maturation of two sediments using hydrous pyrolysis, gammacerane is released from S-rich macromolecular aggregates by cleavage of the relatively weak C-S bonds. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of gammacerane and lipids derived from primary producers and green sulphur bacteria in both the Miocene Gessoso-solfifera and Upper Jurassic Allgau Formations indicate that gammacerane is derived from bacterivorous ciliates which were partially feeding on green sulphur bacteria. This demonstrates that anaerobic ciliates living at or below the chemocline are important sources for gammacerane, consistent with the fact that ciliates only biosynthesize tetrahymanol if their diet is deprived of sterols. This leads to the conclusion that gammacerane is an indicator for water column stratification, which solves two current enigmas in gammacerane geochemistry. Firstly, it explains why gammacerane is often found in sediments deposited under hypersaline conditions but is not necessarily restricted to this type of deposits. Secondly, it explains why lacustrine deposits may contain abundant gammacerane since most lakes in the temperate climatic zones are stratified during summer.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

NASA NTRS1950

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Investigation of a 1/30-Scale Model of the Grumman XF1OF-1 Airplane

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/30 - scale model of the Grumman XFlOF-1 airplane to determine its spin and recovery characteristics. The investigation included erect and inverted spins for both the straight-wing and swept-wing configurations. Tests to determine the optimum size spin-recovery parachutes and the rudder forces required for recovery were also made. The results indicated that in the straight-wing configuration, satisfactory recoveries of the airplane will be obtained from erect and inverted spins by rudder reversal alone. In the swept-wing configuration recoveries will be unsatisfactory from erect spins. Unsweeping the wings during the spin and reversal of the rudder, however, will lead to eventual recovery. The test results also indicated that, if existing small ailerons are made deflectable through large angles, satisfactory recoveries will be obtained from erect spins in the swept-wing configuration by simultaneous movement of the rudder to against the spin and movement of the ailerons to with the spin. Normal-size ailerons deflected through a normal range would also be effective. Satisfactory recoveries by rudder reversal will be obtained from inverted spins in the swept-wing configuration. In the straight-wing configuration a 14.2-foot tail parachute or a 5.0-foot wing-tip parachute opened on the outer wing tip will effect satisfactory recovery of the airplane by parachute action alone; a 30.0-foot tail parachute or a 10.0-foot wing-tip parachute will be required for the swept-wing configuration. The forces required to fully reverse the rudder should be within the capabilities of the pilot.

Berman, Theodore↗

NASA NTRS2018

Decadal Changes in Summertime Reactive Oxidized Nitrogen and Surface Ozone over the Southeast United States

Widespread efforts to abate ozone (O3) smog have significantly reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) over the past 2 decades in the Southeast US, a place heavily influenced by both anthropogenic and biogenic emissions. How reactive nitrogen speciation responds to the reduction in NOx emissions in this region remains to be elucidated. Here we exploit aircraft measurements from ICARTT (International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation - July-August 2004), SENEX (Southeast Nexus - June-July 2013), and SEAC4RS (Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys - August-September 2013) and long-term ground measurement networks alongside a global chemistry-climate model to examine decadal changes in summertime reactive oxidized nitrogen (RON) and ozone over the Southeast US. We show that our model can reproduce the mean vertical profiles of major RON species and the total (NO (sub y)) in both 2004 and 2013. Among the major RON species, nitric acid (HNO3) is dominant (approximately 42-45 percent), followed by NOx (31 percent), total peroxy nitrates (Sigma PNs; 14 percent), and total alkyl nitrates (Sigma ANs; 9-12 percent) on a regional scale. We find that most RON species, including NOx, Sigma PNs, and HNO3, decline proportionally with decreasing NOx emissions in this region, leading to a similar decline in NO (sub y). This linear response might be in part due to the nearly constant summertime supply of biogenic VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions in this region. Our model captures the observed relative change in RON and surface ozone from 2004 to 2013. Model sensitivity tests indicate that further reductions of NOx emissions will lead to a continued decline in surface ozone and less frequent high-ozone events.

Li, Jingyi↗

NASA NTRS1961

Heat-Transfer Measurements at a Mach Number of 4.95 on Two 60 deg Swept Delta Wings with Blunt Leading Edges and Dihedral Angles of 0 deg and 45 deg

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the heat-transfer characteristics of two 60 deg swept delta wings with cylindrical leading edges of 0.25-inch radii and dihedral angles of 0 deg and 45 deg. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 4.95 and a stagnation temperature of 400 F. The The test-section unit Reynolds number was varied from 1.95 x 10(exp 6) to 12.24 x 10(exp 6) per foot. The results of the investigation indicated that, in a plane normal to the leading edge, the laminar-flow heat-transfer distribution was in good agreement with two-dimensional blunt-body theory. The stagnation-line heat-transfer level could be predicted from two-dimensional blunt-body theory provided the stagnation-line heat-transfer coefficient was assumed to vary as the cosine of the effective sweep. A comparison of the heating rates to the 0 deg dihedral wing (planform sweep of 60 deg) and the 45 deg dihedral wing (planform sweep of 69.3 deg) with equal panel sweep and panel area indicated that the stagnation-line heat-transfer coefficient for the 45 deg dihedral wing could be as much as 40 percent less than the stagnation-line heat-transfer coefficient for the 0 deg dihedral wing at both equal angles of attack and equal lifts. The laminar-flow heat-transfer rate to both wings outside the vicinity of the stagnation line was essentially equal.

Stainback, P. Calvin↗

NASA NTRS1975

Flow visualization of leading-edge vortex enhancement by spanwise blowing

Flow visualization studies were conducted in a small pilot wind tunnel to determine qualitative effects of blowing a discrete jet essentially parallel to the leading edge of a 45 deg-swept trapezoidal wing featuring leading- and trailing-edge flaps. Test parameters included wing angle-of-attack, jet momentum coefficient, leading- and trailing-edge flap deflections, and nozzle chordwise displacement. Results of this study indicate that blowing from a reflection plane over the wing enhances the leading-edge vortex and delays vortex bursting to higher angles-of-attack and greater span distances. Increased blowing rates decrease vortex size, growth rate, and vertical displacement above the wing surface at a given span station and also extend the spanwise effectiveness of lateral blowing. Deflection of a leading-edge flap delays the beneficial effects of spanwise blowing to higher angles-of-attack. Nozzle chordwise locations investigated for the wing with and without leading-edge flap deflection appear equally effective in enhancing the separated leading-edge flow.

Erickson, G. E.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Non-Contact Determination of Antisymmetric Plate Wave Velocity in Ceramic Matrix Composites

A 13 mJ NdYAG 1064 nm, 4 ns, laser pulse was employed to produce ultrasonic plate waves in 20 percent porous SiC/SiC composite tensile specimens of three different architectures. An air coupled 0.5 MHz transducer was used to detect and collect the waveforms which contained first antisymmetric plate wave pulses for determining the shear wave velocity (VS). These results were compared to VS values determined on the same specimens with 0.5 MHz ultrasonic transducers with contact coupling. Averages of four noncontact determinations on each of 18 specimens were compared to averages of four contact values. The noncontact VS's fall in the same range as the contact. The standard deviations for the noncontact VS's averaged 2.8 percent. The standard deviations for the contact measurements averaged 2.3 percent, indicating similar reproducibility. Repeated laser pulsing at the same location always lead to deterioration of the ulu-"nic signal. The signal would recover in about 24 hr in air however, indicating that no permanent damage was produced.

Kautz, Harold E.↗

NASA NTRS2012

TEMHD Effects on Solidification Under Microgravity Conditions

An unexplored potential exists to control microstructure evolution through the use of external DC magnetic fields. Thermoelectric currents form during solidification and interact with this external field to drive microscopic fluid dynamics within the inter-dendritic region. The convective heat and mass transport can lead to profound changes on the dendritic structure. In this paper the effect of high magnetic fields is demonstrated through the use of both 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional numerical models. The results show that the application of a magnetic field causes significant disruption to the dendritic morphology. Investigation into the underlying mechanism gives initial indicators of how external magnetic fields can either lead to unexpected growth behaviour, or alternatively can be used to control the evolution of microstructure in undercooled melts as encountered in levitated droplet solidification.

Kao, Andrew↗

NASA NTRS1976

Zoom-climb altitude maximization of the F-4C and F-15 aircraft for stratospheric sampling missions

Some predictions indicate that byproducts of aerosol containers may lead to a modification of the ultraviolet-radiation shielding properties of the upper atmosphere. NASA currently monitors atmospheric properties to 70,000 feet using U-2 aircraft. Testing is needed at about 100,000 feet for adequate monitoring of possible aerosol contaminants during the next decade. To study this problem the F-4C and F-15 aircraft were analyzed to determine their maximum altitude ability in zoom-climb maneuvers. These trajectories must satisfy realistic dynamic pressure and Mach number constraints. Maximum altitudes obtained for the F4-C are above 90,000 feet, and for the F-15 above 100,000 feet. Sensitivities of the zoom-climb altitudes were found with respect to several variables including vehicle thrust, initial weight, stratospheric winds and the constraints. A final decision on aircraft selection must be based on mission modification costs and operational considerations balanced against their respective zoom altitude performance capabilities.

Hague, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Clock performance, reliability and cost interrelationships

Problems encountered by clock manufacturers in attempting to supply reasonably priced, reliable clocks for critical aerospace applications arise from the inherent technical difficulties of designing and fabricating equipment to provide performance at the limits of the state of the art in demanding environments. The difficulties are compounded by inconsistent and unstandardized specification practices, and by an emphasis on initial acquisition costs, rather than on life cycle costs. Conventional parts stress analyses, which do not provide a useful indication of the reliability of a clock, lead to increased parts costs for high performance aerospace clocks without comensurate benefits in improved reliability or performance. The characterization of clocks in terms of the mean time between resynchronizations, facilitates the estimation of life cycle costs and provides a means to evaluate clocks in a realistic fashion for specific systems applications.

Levine, M. W.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Thermal decomposition of a Si3N4-22 wt% Al2O3 alloy

It is pointed out that materials near the Si3N4 corner of the Si3N4-AlN-Al2O3-SiO2 quaternary, termed sialons are candidate materials for high performance applications. Hot pressed alloys in this system are useful because they possess high flexure strengths and good oxidation and creep resistance. The results of the thermal decomposition studies conducted indicate that dissociation and resulting weight loss lead to inhomogeneous specimens. Material loss comes primarily from near the surface (at least initially) thus causing differences between the composition of the surface material and the bulk. In these specimens, the O-prime phase was found to be the least stable to dissociation and the beta-prime phase the most stable. This result is in accord with the conclusions of Mitomo et al. (1979) that Si2N2O has a larger equilibrium SiO partial pressure than either the X phase or the beta-prime phase.

Ditchek, B. M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Space platforms and meteorological applications

The use of Shuttle launched and tended space platforms (SP) for research and earth observations in LEO are examined. SPs will accommodate instruments for extended time periods, requiring a Shuttle visit for maintenance and package exchange once every six months. Designs have included off-the-shelf hardware to reduce cost, and comprise instruments for studies of cosmic rays, solar physics, materials processing, space plasma physics, and environmental observations. Solar cell power arrays are detailed, along with thermal control, data management, and attitude control subsystems. Meteorological applications are discussed in terms of the Lower Atmospheric Research Satellite (LARS), for research into coupling of radiative, chemical, and dynamical processes, interactions between the earth's surface, boundary layer, and troposphere, and dynamic and energetic relationships between lower atmospheric processes. Flight configurations and add-on concepts for the SP to lead to a manned space station are indicated.

Mitchell, K. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Simulation of a cockpit-display concept for executing a wake-vortex avoidance procedure

A piloted simulation study has been undertaken to determine the feasibility and potential benefits of utilizing a forward-looking display to provide information that would enable aircraft to reduce their in-trail separation, and hence increase runway capacity, through the application of multiple glide-path approach techniques. This portion of the study was an initial exploration into a concept in which traffic information was added to a head-up display (HUD) format to allow the pilot to monitor the traffic situation and to self-space on a lead aircraft during a single glide-path approach task. The tests were conducted in a motion-base cockpit simulator configured as a current-generation transport aircraft and include the dynamic effects of the vortices generated by the lead aircraft. The information provided on the HUD included typical aircraft-guidance information and the current and past positions of the lead aircraft. Additionally, the displayed information provided self-separation cues which allowed the pilot to maintain separation on the lead aircraft. The results of this study indicate that the display concept could provide sufficient information to the pilot for traffic monitoring and self-separation.

Abbott, T. S.↗