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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2

Delineating the Impact of Weightlessness on Human Physiology Using Computational Models

Microgravity environment has profound effects on several important human physiological systems. The impact of weightlessness is usually indirect as mediated by changes in the biological fluid flow and transport and alterations in the deformation and stress fields of the compliant tissues. In this context, Fluid-Structural and Fluid-Solid Interaction models provide a valuable tool in delineating the physical origins of the physiological changes so that systematic countermeasures can be devised to reduce their adverse effects. In this presentation, impact of gravity on three human physiological systems will be considered. The first case involves prediction of cardiac shape change and altered stress distributions in weightlessness. The second, presents a fluid-structural-interaction (FSI) analysis and assessment of the vestibular system and explores the reasons behind the unexpected microgravity caloric stimulation test results performed aboard the Skylab. The last case investigates renal stone development in microgravity and the possible impact of re-entry into partial gravity on the development and transport of nucleating, growing, and agglomerating renal calculi in the nephron. Finally, the need for model validation and verification and application of the FSI models to assess the effects of Artificial Gravity (AG) are also briefly discussed.

Computational Models↗

Occupational changes in the organ of hearing and equilibrium in sailors and fisherman

Prophylactic examination in persons engaged in fishing industry and in sailors of ocean-going ships demonstrated occupational cochlear neuritis, resulting from the action of noise and vibration. Five hundred and fifty three sailors and fishermen working under conditions of noise were studied. A total of 233 persons 43.7% were found to be suffering from changes of the auditory analyzer typically resulting from the action of noise and vibration. The most pronounced changes of hearing were revealed in fishermen, in 44.8% of the persons examined, the percentage also being the highest among the engine room workers (63%). The incidence of cochlear neuritis in sailors of the ocean-going steamship line and in personnel of research ocean-going ships was almost equal (39.9-40%). These indices differed in the engine room workers (42-46%). Vestibular function was investigated by caloric and rotation tests with the use of electronystagmography. The data obtained point to diminution of the vestibular analyzer excitability with increase of the length of navigation service.

Menyakin, R. P.↗

Certain features of the cochleovestibular syndrome in the residual stage of traumatic brain disease

Caloric and rotation tests were applied to the study of the vestibular analyser in 84 patients in the residual state of traumatic disease of the brain. Vestibular disturbances of different degree revealed in 79 patients were as a rule accomplished by cochlear derangement. In the majority of patients the vestibular syndrome was supratentorial with the involvement of the diencephal-hypothalmic, subcortical, and cortical levels of the brain. Vestibular dysfunction correlated with such factors as severity of the sustained craniocerebral traum, duration of the posttraumatic period, and, particularly, with the character of the residual neurological syndrome. In accordance with the latter, it is recommended that vestibular disturbances be treated in the residual period of closed craniocerebral injuries with due regard for the principal pathophysiological mechanisms of the underlying neurological syndrome.

Garshin, M. I.↗

The functional status of the human vestibular analysor following 56 days in an aqueous immersion medium

Two male volunteers were kept hypokinetic in the immersion and physiological parameters were evaluated following the experiment. Prophylactic measures (g-forces, physical exercises, and supplementary salt and water) were applied daily. Caloric and equilibrium tests were utilized to evaluate the physiological responses. The functional changes observed after the 56 day immersion were found to be of a moderate type which normalized quite quickly.

Matsnev, E. I.↗

Simulation of flight test conditions in the Langley pilot transonic cryogenic tunnel

The theory and advantages of the cryogenic tunnel concept are briefly reviewed. The unique ability to vary temperature independently of pressure and Mach number allows, in addition to large reductions in model loads and tunnel power, the independent determination of Reynolds number, Mach number, and aeroelastic effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of the model. Various combinations of Reynolds number and dynamic pressure are established to represent accurately flight variations of aeroelastic deformation with altitude changes. The consequences of the thermal and caloric imperfections of the test gas under cryogenic conditions were examined and found to be insignificant for operating pressures up to 5 atm. The characteristics of the Langley pilot transonic cryogenic tunnel are described and the results of initial tunnel operation are presented. Tests of a two-dimensional airfoil at a Mach number of 0.85 show identical pressure distributions for a chord Reynolds number of 8,600,000 obtained first at a stagnation pressure of 4.91 atm at a stagnation temperature of 322.0 K and then at a stagnation pressure of 1.19 atm at a stagnation temperature of 116.5 K.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

Inviscid Design of Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Nozzles for a Real Gas

A straightforward procedure has been developed to quickly determine an inviscid design of a hypersonic wind tunnel nozzle when the test crash is both calorically and thermally imperfect. This real gas procedure divides the nozzle into four distinct parts: subsonic, throat to conical, conical, and turning flow regions. The design process is greatly simplified by treating the imperfect gas effects only in the source flow region. This simplification can be justified for a large class of hypersonic wind tunnel nozzle design problems. The final nozzle design is obtained either by doing a classical boundary layer correction or by using this inviscid design as the starting point for a viscous design optimization based on computational fluid dynamics. An example of a real gas nozzle design is used to illustrate the method. The accuracy of the real gas design procedure is shown to compare favorably with an ideal gas design based on computed flow field solutions.

Korte, J. J.↗

MITNYS-II - A digital program for on-line analysis of nystagmus

A digital computer program, MITNYS-II, has been developed for on-line analysis of nystagmus which results from visual, vestibular or caloric stimulation. The program accepts sampled records of eye position and yields cumulative slow phase position, slow phase velocity, instantaneous fast phase frequency and other parameters in 25 ms. In this paper the algorithms by which fast phases are detected, and by which slow phase cumulative eye position is extrapolated across the fast phase interval are described. Extensive tests with vestibular, optokinetic and caloric nystagmus yield reliability figures of the order of 2% for false identification of fast phases and missed fast phases. MITNYS-II has been successfully employed to interpret clinical EOG records, examples of which are presented.

Allum, J. H. J.↗

Using Thermally Imperfect and Ideal Gas Equations for Determining Conditions in Slotted Throat Wind Tunnels

The derivation and application of two back pressure controlling methods for setting the dynamic pressure, Mach number, and Reynolds number of subsonic wind tunnels with a slotted-throat test section are discussed. The first method uses a pressure difference to determine the tunnel dynamic pressure via the compressible Bernoulli equations and is used in the ideal gas path in the CFD code. The second method uses an enthalpy difference in the flow to determine the velocity in the test section and can be applied to multispecies, calorically imperfect and calorically perfect gas flow simulations. For a tunnel operating point close to standard atmosphere conditions, Mach number, pressure, and temperature along the tunnel centerline were very closely matched between the various thermodynamic equation assumption controller methods.

Ground Testing↗

Appetite and Food Intake During 11 Days of Mild Hypobaric Hypoxia

Introduction Reduced food consumption and loss of body mass and muscle mass have been observed during spaceflight. Hypoxic conditions that astronauts may encounter on exploration missions may further implicate satiety signals and dietary intake. Appetite, food intake, and satiety hormones were investigated under the conditions of mild hypoxia and high energy output during simulated extravehicular activity (EVA) to determine the adequacy of a mission relevant space food system to support energy balance and body composition. Methods Foods realistic to early Artemis missions was packed by meal for each subject for the 11-day test based on estimated energy requirements (EER) and estimated EVA caloric requirements. No hot water or food warmer was provided and only room temperature water was available to rehydrate food and beverages in-mission, mimicking plans for early Artemis missions. Measures included food records (pre-mission, in-mission); fasted body weight (pre-mission, in-mission); Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (pre-mission, post-mission); subjective ratings and feedback of food acceptability, mealtime and meal preparation sufficiency, appetite, and nausea (in-mission); and circulating ghrelin and leptin concentration in fasted blood samples (pre-mission, in-mission: pre-post EVA). Results All subjects consumed fewer calories in-mission than predicted. On average, subjects consumed 341 calories less on EVA days compared to non-EVA days in-mission (p=0.0511). The total weight loss estimate from daily weight measurements (-1.1 kg, p=0.0028) is consistent with underconsumption and supported by DXA measurements (-1.3 kg total body mass, p=0.0123 and -1.6 kg fat mass, p=0.0016). In general, most foods that were consumed were given acceptable scores, but subject comments indicated that the most acceptable foods were those not intended to be heated. Comments also indicated that subjects found their favorite foods early in the mission and avoided the foods that they did not like throughout the mission. Habitability scores indicated that overall aspects of the food system were considered borderline or unacceptable over the length of this mission. Foods that caused gas were avoided pre-EVA to prevent discomfort during pressure changes. Average fruit and vegetable intake decreased during the mission, dropping from 4.8 servings/d pre-mission to 3.4 servings/d on non-EVA days in-mission (p=0.0872) and 2.3 servings on EVA days (p=0.0020). Fasting ghrelin concentrations tended to be lower pre-EVA and on non-EVA days when exposed to mild hypoxia compared to normoxic conditions pre-mission and post-EVA (p=0.0136). Fasting levels of leptin did not change. Discussion Food intake was reduced in-mission, resulting in a caloric deficit and weight loss for most subjects. Crew food and appetite ratings and comments indicated this was due to a combination of food choices, lack of preference, lack of preparation capability, lack of time for meal preparation, consumption, and cleanup, and physiological challenges with the changing pressure. The regulation of appetite stimulating hormone ghrelin, but not the appetite suppressor leptin, appeared to be sensitive to hypoxic conditions. Conclusions Food preparation capabilities and time for meals are important for promoting adequate food intake. Reduced appetite and food intake during missions may further be aggravated under hypoxic conditions through the suppression of ghrelin. Lack of time for meals on EVA days, and avoidance of potential gas-causing foods (e.g., health promoting fruits and vegetables) prior to EVAs, demonstrate the importance of scheduling ample recovery time between EVA days.

Grace L Douglas↗

Appetite and Food Intake During 11 Days of Mild Hypobaric Hypoxia

Introduction Reduced food consumption and loss of body mass and muscle mass have been observed during spaceflight. Hypoxic conditions that astronauts may encounter on exploration missions may further implicate satiety signals and dietary intake. Appetite, food intake, and satiety hormones were investigated under the conditions of mild hypoxia and high energy output during simulated extravehicular activity (EVA) to determine the adequacy of a mission relevant space food system to support energy balance and body composition. Methods Foods realistic to early Artemis missions was packed by meal for each subject for the 11-day test based on estimated energy requirements (EER) and estimated EVA caloric requirements. No hot water or food warmer was provided and only room temperature water was available to rehydrate food and beverages in-mission, mimicking plans for early Artemis missions. Measures included food records (pre-mission, in-mission); fasted body weight (pre-mission, in-mission); Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (pre-mission, post-mission); subjective ratings and feedback of food acceptability, mealtime and meal preparation sufficiency, appetite, and nausea (in-mission); and circulating ghrelin and leptin concentration in fasted blood samples (pre-mission, in-mission: pre-post EVA). Results All subjects consumed fewer calories in-mission than predicted. On average, subjects consumed 341 calories less on EVA days compared to non-EVA days in-mission (p=0.0511). The total weight loss estimate from daily weight measurements (-1.1 kg, p=0.0028) is consistent with underconsumption and supported by DXA measurements (-1.3 kg total body mass, p=0.0123 and -1.6 kg fat mass, p=0.0016). In general, most foods that were consumed were given acceptable scores, but subject comments indicated that the most acceptable foods were those not intended to be heated. Comments also indicated that subjects found their favorite foods early in the mission and avoided the foods that they did not like throughout the mission. Habitability scores indicated that overall aspects of the food system were considered borderline or unacceptable over the length of this mission. Foods that caused gas were avoided pre-EVA to prevent discomfort during pressure changes. Average fruit and vegetable intake decreased during the mission, dropping from 4.8 servings/d pre-mission to 3.4 servings/d on non-EVA days in-mission (p=0.0872) and 2.3 servings on EVA days (p=0.0020). Fasting ghrelin concentrations tended to be lower pre-EVA and on non-EVA days when exposed to mild hypoxia compared to normoxic conditions pre-mission and post-EVA (p=0.0136). Fasting levels of leptin did not change. Discussion Food intake was reduced in-mission, resulting in a caloric deficit and weight loss for most subjects. Crew food and appetite ratings and comments indicated this was due to a combination of food choices, lack of preference, lack of preparation capability, lack of time for meal preparation, consumption, and cleanup, and physiological challenges with the changing pressure. The regulation of appetite stimulating hormone ghrelin, but not the appetite suppressor leptin, appeared to be sensitive to hypoxic conditions. Conclusions Food preparation capabilities and time for meals are important for promoting adequate food intake. Reduced appetite and food intake during missions may further be aggravated under hypoxic conditions through the suppression of ghrelin. Lack of time for meals on EVA days, and avoidance of potential gas-causing foods (e.g., health promoting fruits and vegetables) prior to EVAs, demonstrate the importance of scheduling ample recovery time between EVA days.

Lichar Dillon↗

Effect of neurovestibular stimulation on autonomic regulation

Conditions associated with nausea and vomiting, such as motion sickness or side effects of medications, are commonly associated with a clinical picture consistent with parasympathetic activation and sympathetic withdrawal. It can be postulated, therefore, that vestibular stimulation contributes to sympathetic withdrawal. To test this hypothesis five normal volunteers, 24-33 years old, were studied during caloric vestibular stimulation while monitoring muscle sympathetic nerve activity directly through a needle electrode placed in a peroneal nerve. The ear was irrigated with water at a flow rate of 450 ml/min and 37 degrees C. The water temperature was sequentially lowered by 7 degree C intervals until intolerable side effects developed or a temperature of 16 degrees C was reached. Nystagmus was induced in all subjects, but heart rate, blood pressure, muscle sympathetic nerve activity and plasma norepinephrine levels did not change significantly during or after caloric stimulation, even when the subjects felt dizzy and nauseated. No evidence of sympathetic withdrawal was observed in any subject either by muscle sympathetic nerve activity or plasma norepinephrine measurements. In conclusion, we have found that selective vestibular stimulation is not accompanied by significant changes in the sympathetic nervous system function. In particular, no sympathetic withdrawal was observed. It could be argued that lack of sympathetic stimulation is an inadequate response to the symptoms associated with caloric stimulation.

Clinical Trial↗

Meals in orbit

Space foods which will be available to the Space Shuttle crew are discussed in view of the research and development of proper nutrition in space that began with the pastelike tube meals of the Mercury and Gemini astronauts. The variety of food types proposed for the Space Shuttle crew which include thermostabilized, intermediate moisture, rehydratable, irradiated, freeze-dried and natural forms are shown to be a result of the successive improvements in the Apollo, Skylab and Apollo Soyuz test project flights. The Space Shuttle crew will also benefit from an increase of caloric content (3,000 cal./day), the convenience of a real oven and a comfortable dining and kitchen area.

Source record↗

A three-dimensional upwind PNS code for chemically reacting scramjet flowfields

A new upwind, parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code has been developed to compute the three-dimensional (3D) chemically reacting flow in scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) engines. The code is a modification of the 3D upwind PNS (UPS) airflow code which has been extended in the present study to permit internal flow calculations with hydrogen-air chemistry. With these additions, the new code has the capability of computing aerodynamic and propulsive flowfields simultaneously. The algorithm solves the PNS equations using a finite-volume, upwind TVD method based on Roe's approximate Riemann solver that has been modified to account for 'real gas' effects. The fluid medium is assumed to be a chemically reacting mixture of thermally perfect (but calorically imperfect) gases in thermal equilibrium. The new code has been applied to two test cases. These include the Burrows-Kurkov supersonic combustion experiment and a generic 3D scramjet flowfield. The computed results compare favorably with the available experimental data.

Wadawadigi, Ganesh↗

Investigating the effect of Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies extension on dark matter searches with Fermi-LAT data

Satellite galaxies of the Milky Way with high mass-to-light ratios and little baryon content, i.e., dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs), are among the most promising targets to detect or constrain the nature of dark matter (DM) through its final annihilation products into high-energy photons. Previously, the assumption that DM emission from dSphs is pointlike has been used to set strong constraints on DM candidates using data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). However, due to their high DM densities and proximity, dSphs actually have sufficient angular extension to be detected by the Fermi-LAT. Here, we perform a comprehensive analysis about the impact of accounting for angular extension in the search for gamma-ray DM signals toward known dSphs with Fermi-LAT. Further, we show that, depending on the dSph under consideration, limits on the DM cross section can be weakened by up to a factor of 2–2.5, while the impact on the stacked, i.e., combined, limits is at most 1.5–1.8 depending on the annihilation channel. This result is of relevance when comparing dSph limits to other multimessenger DM constraints and for testing the DM interpretation of anomalous “excesses.”

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Preliminary Results from ADRIANO2 Test Beams

A novel high-granularity, dual-readout calorimetric technique (ADRIANO2) is under development as part of the research program of T1604 Collaboration. (Talk Presented at the 19th International Conference on Calorimetry in Particle Physics (CALOR 2022), University of Sussex, Sussex, UK, 16–20 May 2022). The building block of such a calorimeter consists of a pair of optically isolated, small size tiles made of scintillating plastic and lead glass. The prompt Čerenkov light from the glass can be exploited to perform high resolution timing measurements, while the high granularity provides good resolution of the spatial components of the shower. Dual-readout compensation and particle flow techniques can be applied simultaneously to the scintillation and to the Čerenkov section, providing excellent energy resolution as well as PID particle identification. These characteristics make ADRIANO2 a 6-D detector, suited for High Energy as well as High Intensity experiments. A report on the status of the ADRIANO2 project, preliminary measurements of light yield, and current and future R&D plans by T1604 Collaboration are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗