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At least 253 records · Page 14

Some physiological effects of alternation between zero gravity and one gravity

The anatomy and physiology of the healthy vestibular system and the history of its study, maintenance of muskuloskeletal fitness under low-gravity conditions, tests of motion sickness, and data and techniques on testing subjects in a slow rotation room, are covered. Components of the inner ear labyrinth and their behavior in relation to equilibrium, gravity and inertial forces, motion sickness, and dizziness are discussed. Preventive medicine, the biologically effective force environment, weightlessness per se, activity in a weightless spacecraft, exercizing required to maintain musculoskeletal function, and ataxia problems are dealt with.

Graybiel, A.↗

Separation of lymphocytes by electrophoresis under terrestrial conditions and at zero gravity, phase 3

Electrophoretic mobilities (EPM) of peripheral lymphocytes were studied from normal subjects, chronic hemodialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. A technique to separate B lymphocytes and null cells from non-T lymphocyte preparation was developed. The experiments were designed to determine which subpopulation of the non-T lymphocytes is primarily affected and shows a decreased EPM in chronic hemodialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Rubin, A. L.↗

Separation of lymphocytes by electrophoresis under terrestrial conditions and at zero gravity

Electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of human peripheral lymphocytes were examined with the following objectives: To determine differences in EPM of lymphocytes under immuno-stimulated and immuno-suppressed states. To define the conditions necessary for the separation of lymphocyte sub-populations in normal and pathological conditions; To investigate immunological active, charged chemical groups on lymphocyte surfaces; and to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms of immune responsiveness, as reflected by alterations in EPM. To evaluate the potential of lymphocyte electrophoresis as: (1) a means of monitoring the immune status of kidney transplant recipients, (2) in predicting the outcome of kidney transplants, and (3) as a method for separation of lymphocyte sub-populations, the EPM was studied for unfractionated human peripheral lymphocytes and of populations enriched with T and "B" cells from normal adults, hemodialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Rubin, A. L.↗

Zero gravity and cardiovascular homeostasis. The relationship between endogenous hyperprolactinemia and plasma aldosterone

Prolactin, thyrotropin and aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay and plasma renin activity by the radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I in normal women before and after the intravenous injection of 200 micrograms of thyrotropin releasing hormone. Prolactin increased at 15 minutes following thyrotropin releasing hormone. Plasma renin activity was not different from control levels during the first hour following the administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone, nor did the plasma aldosterone concentration differ significantly from the control levels during this period. However, with upright posture, an increase in aldosterone and in plasma renin activity was noted, demonstrating a normal capacity to secrete aldosterone. Similarly, no change in aldosterone was seen in 9 patients with primary hypothyroidism given thyrotropin releasing hormone, despite the fact that the increase in prolactin was greater than normal. These data demonstrate that acutely or chronically elevated serum prolactin levels do not result in increased plasma aldosterone levels in humans.

Haber, E.↗

Growth of single crystals by vapor transport in zero-gravity environment, ground-based experiments

Mass and heat transfer phenomena associated with the growth of single crystals by chemical vapor transport reactions were investigated. In this technique, a gaseous transport agent reacts with the solid source material to form exclusively gaseous products. The gas phase species migrate from the source to the condensation zone of the closed reaction ampoule where the reverse reaction occurs with formation of single crystals. The necessary concentration gradient is achieved by means of a temperature gradient.

Wiedemeier, H.↗

Modification of the continuous flow diffusion chamber for use in zero-gravity

The design philosophy and performance characteristics of the continuous flow diffusion chamber developed for use in ground-based simulation of some of the experiments planned for the atmospheric cloud physics laboratory during the first Spacelab flight are discussed. Topics covered include principle of operation, thermal control, temperature measurement, tem-powered heat exchangers, wettable metal surfaces, sample injection system, and control electronics.

Keyser, G.↗

Morphogenetic responses of cultured totipotent cells of carrot /Daucus carota var. carota/ at zero gravity

An experiment designed to test whether embryos capable of developing from isolated somatic carrot cells could do so under conditions of weightlessness in space was performed aboard the unmanned Soviet biosatellite Kosmos 782 under the auspices of the joint United States-Soviet Biological Satellite Mission. Space flight and weightlessness seem to have had no adverse effects on the induction of embryoids or on the development of their organs. A portion of the crop of carrot plantlets originated in space and grown to maturity were not morphologically different from controls.

Krikorian, A. D.↗

An investigation of the motion of small particles as related to the formulation of zero gravity experiments

The nature of Brownian motion and historical theoretical investigations of the phenomemon are reviewed. The feasibility of using a laser anemometer to perform small particle experiments in an orbiting space laboratory was investigated using latex particles suspended in water in a plastic container. The optical equipment and the particle Doppler analysis processor are described. The values of the standard deviation obtained for the latex particle motion experiment were significantly large compared to corresponding velocity, therefore, their accuracy was suspect and no attempt was made to draw meaningful conclusions from the results.

Sastry, V. S.↗

Assessment of the effects of the zero gravity environment on the health and safety of space workers

A review was conducted of currently available information relating to adverse effects to the health and safety that space power system (SPS) space workers may experience. Currently available information on the responses of humans to space flight is somewhat limited and was obtained under conditions which are grossly different from conditions to be experienced by future space workers. The limitations in information and differences in conditions were considered in the assessment of potential health and safety hazards to the SPS space workers. The study did not disclose any adverse effects that would result in long term deviations to the medical physiological health of space workers so long as proper preventive or ameliorating action were taken.

Source record↗

Marangoni bubble motion in zero gravity

It is shown experimentally that the Marangoni phenomenon is a primary mechanism for the movement of a gas bubble in a nonisothermal liquid in a low-gravity environment. In such two-phase flow systems, local variations in bubble surface tension are caused by a temperature gradient in the liquid. Shearing stresses thus generated at the bubble surface lead to convection in both media, as a result of which the bubble begins to move. A mathematical model consisting of the Navier-Stokes equations and the thermal energy equations, along with the appropriate boundary conditions for both media, is proposed.

Thompson, R. L.↗

Calculations and measurements in support of the triglycine sulfate zero gravity growth experiment

Two areas of investigation which are required for maximum utilization of the flight experiment results from the solution growth of crystals of triglycine sulfate (TGS) are addressed. The use of an ultramicroscope to characterize structural defects in the grown TGS crystals is discussed. Mie theory is applied to the light scattering expected from idealized crystal defects in order to predict the sensitivity of ultramicroscopy in the detection of small defects. Secondly, the measurement of optical properties of TGS solutions in water is discussed. This data is needed in order to interpret interferometric studies of mass transport through the TGS solution during the growth phase of the flight experiment. In particular, refractive index data is obtained for a wide range of temperatures and concentrations of TGS solutions. Absorbance measurements in the ultraviolet have also been made for the same samples.

Springer, J. M.↗

Simulation of a cometary conglomerate of frozen gases and dust in a zero-gravity environment: A critical evaluation of possible space experiments

It is proposed to use the Shuttle (OFT experiments) or eventually Spacelab to study, in the absence of gravity the low velocity accretion and the bulk properties of icy conglomerates simulating cometary material and their sedimentation and bulk properties in very small acceleration fields. Their behavior when exposed to the direct solar flux is also under consideration.

Delsemme, A. H.↗

Combustion experiments in a zero-gravity laboratory

One of the payloads that the Shuttle will carry into low-earth orbit is the Spacelab, a laboratory designed by a European consortium which will enable scientist-astronauts to conduct research in a shirt-sleeve environment. The typical flight of seven days will permit numerous experiments to be conducted that take advantage of long-term reduced gravity. A description is presented of plans for the conduction of Spacelab experiments which are related to the study of combustion, taking into account also investigations performed in the preparation of such experiments. Attention is given to an overview study of combustion experiments in a space laboratory, droplet burning, flammability limits in a standard tube, the combustion of particle clouds, smoldering combustion in porous fuels, liquid pool burning, and combustion experimentation aboard the space transportation system.

Cochran, T. H.↗

Study to perform preliminary experiments to evaluate particle generation and characterization techniques for zero-gravity cloud physics experiments

Methods of particle generation and characterization with regard to their applicability for experiments requiring cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) of specified properties were investigated. Since aerosol characterization is a prerequisite to assessing performance of particle generation equipment, techniques for characterizing aerosol were evaluated. Aerosol generation is discussed, and atomizer and photolytic generators including preparation of hydrosols (used with atomizers) and the evaluation of a flight version of an atomizer are studied.

Katz, U.↗

Zero-gravity growth of a sodium chloride-lithium fluoride eutectic mixture

Continuous and discontinuous lithium fluoride fibers embedded in a sodium chloride matrix were produced in space and on Earth, respectively. The production of continuous fibers in a eutectic mixture was attributed to the absence of convective current in the liquid during solidification in space. Image transmission and optical transmittance measurements of transverse sections of the space-grown and Earth-grown ingots were made with a light microscope and a spectrometer. It was found that better optical properties were obtained from samples grown in space. This was attributed to a better alignment of lithium fluoride fibers along the growth direction.

Yue, A. S.↗

Mobile work station concept for assembly of large space structures (zero gravity simulation tests)

The concept presented is intended to enhance astronaut assembly of truss structure that is either too large or complex to fold for efficient Shuttle delivery to orbit. The potential of augmented astronaut assembly is illustrated by applying the result of the tests to a barebones assembly of a truss structure. If this structure were assembled from the same nestable struts that were used in the Mobile Work Station assembly tests, the spacecraft would be 55 meters in diameter and consist of about 500 struts. The struts could be packaged in less than 1/2% of the Shuttle cargo bay volume and would take up approximately 3% of the mass lift capability. They could be assembled in approximately four hours. This assembly concept for erectable structures is not only feasible, but could be used to significant economic advantage by permitting the superior packaging feature of erectable structures to be exploited and thereby reduce expensive Shuttle delivery flights.

Heard, W. L., Jr.↗

Preliminary design for a Zero Gravity Test Facility (ZGTF). Volume 1: Technical

The functional requirements and best conceptual design of a test facility that simulates weightless operating conditions for a high gain antenna systems (HGAS), that will broadcast to the Tracking Data Relay Satellites were defined. The typical HGAS defined is mounted on a low Earth orbiting satellite, and consists of an antenna with a double gimbal pointing system mounted on a 13 foot long mast. Typically, the gimbals are driven by pulse modulated dc motors or stepper motors. These drivers produce torques on the mast, with jitter that excites the satellite and may cause disturbances to sensitive experiments. The dynamic properties of the antenna support structure (mast), including flexible mode characteristics were defined. The torque profile induced on the spacecraft by motion of the high gain antenna was estimated. Gain and phase margins of the servo control loop of the gimbal drive electronics was also verified.

Germain, A.↗