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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 379 records · Page 21

Long-term motion in a restricted problem of rotational motion

A method of general perturbations, based on the use of Lie series to generate approximate canonical transformations, is applied to study the long-term effects of gravity-gradient torque and orbital evolution on the rotational motion of a triaxial, rigid satellite. The center of mass of the satellite is constrained to move in an elliptic orbit about an attracting point mass. The orbit, which has a constant inclination, is constrained to precess and spin with constant rates. The method of general perturbations is used to obtain the Hamiltonian for the nonresonant secular and long-period rotational motion of the satellite to second order in n/omega sub 0, where n is the orbital mean motion of the center of mass and omega sub 0 is a reference value of the magnitude of the satellite's rotational angular velocity. The differential equations derivable from the transformed Hamiltonian are integrable, and the solution for the long-term motion may be expressed in terms of Jacobian elliptic functions and elliptic integrals. Geometrical aspects of the long-term rotational motion are discussed, and a comparison of theoretical results with observations is made.

Cochran, J. E.↗

Optimum design of structures subject to general periodic loads

A simplified version of Icerman's problem regarding the design of structures subject to a single harmonic load is discussed. The nature of the restrictive conditions that must be placed on the design space in order to ensure an analytic optimum are discussed in detail. Icerman's problem is then extended to include multiple forcing functions with different driving frequencies. And the conditions that now must be placed upon the design space to ensure an analytic optimum are again discussed. An important finding is that all solutions to the optimality condition (analytic stationary design) are local optima, but the global optimum may well be non-analytic. The more general problem of distributing the fixed mass of a linear elastic structure subject to general periodic loads in order to minimize some measure of the steady state deflection is also considered. This response is explicitly expressed in terms of Green's functional and the abstract operators defining the structure. The optimality criterion is derived by differentiating the response with respect to the design parameters. The theory is applicable to finite element as well as distributed parameter models.

Reiss, Robert↗

Force-endurance capabilities of extravehicular activity (EVA) gloves at different pressure levels

The human hand is a very useful multipurpose tool in all environments. However, performance capabilities are compromised considerably when gloves are donned. This is especially true to extravehicular activity (EVA) gloves. The primary intent was to answer the question of how long a person can perform tasks requiring certain levels of exertion. The objective was to develop grip force-endurance relations. Six subjects participated in a factorial experiment involving three hand conditions, three pressure differentials, and four levels of force exertion. The results indicate that, while the force that could be exerted depended on the glove, pressure differential, and the level of exertion, the endurance time at any exertion level depended just on the level of exertion expressed as a percentage of maximum exertion possible at that condition. The impact of these findings for practitioners as well as theoreticians is discussed.

Bishu, Ram R.↗

Does Simulated Weightlessness Alter the Methylation Status of Gene Promoters During Bone Remodeling?

The skeleton interacts with its environment in a way that resembles a mechanostat - through a controlled process of bone remodeling, namely local formation and resorption, to maintain a healthy structure. During weightlessness, astronauts lose structure in weight-bearing bones due to decreased formation by osteoblasts and increased resorption by osteoclasts. In contrast, increased mechanical loading through exercise targets bone remodeling to remove and repair microdamage, improving structural integrity. In fact, recent advances in astronaut exercise regimens have prevented the deleterious changes in skeletal structure during spaceflight. However, knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of the skeletal response to spaceflight and to mechanical stimulation is limited. We propose that epigenetic modification, specifically DNA methylation, may influence osteoblast differentiation and activity during spaceflight and exercise. We hypothesize that simulated weightlessness hypermethylates pro-osteoblastogenic gene promoters and decreases expression of osteoblastogenic genes. Oppositely, we hypothesize that mechanical loading hypomethylates pro-osteoblastogenic gene promoters and increases expression of osteoblastogenic genes.

Stevick, Rebecca J.↗

High LMD GCM Resolution Modeling of the Seasonal Evolution of the Martian Northern Permanent Cap: Comparison with Mars Express OMEGA Observations

Analyses of imaging data from Mariner, Viking and MGS have shown that surface properties (albedo, temperature) of the northern cap present significant differences within the summer season and between Mars years. These observations include differential brightening and/or darkening between polar areas from the end of the spring to midsummer. These differences are attributed to changes in grain size or dust content of surface ice. To better understand the summer behavior of the permanent northern polar cap, we perfomed a high resolution modeling (approximately 1 deg x 1 deg.) of northern cap in the Martian Climate/water cycle as simulated by the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (LMD) global climate model. We compare the predicted properties of the surface ice (ice thickness, temperature) with the Mars Express Omega summer observations of the northern cap. albedo and thermal inertia svariations model. In particular, albedo variations could be constrained by OMEGA data. Meteorological predictions of the LMD GCM wil be presented at the conference to interpret the unprecedently resolved OMEGA observations. The specific evolution of regions of interest (cap center, Chasma Boreal...) and the possibility of late summer global cap brightening will be discussed.

Levrard, B.↗

Simulated Microgravity Regulates Gene Transcript Profiles of 2T3 Preosteoblasts: Comparison of the Random Positioning Machine and the Rotating Wall Vessel Bioreactor

Microgravity of spaceflight induces bone loss due in part to decreased bone formation by osteoblasts. We have previously examined the microgravity-induced changes in gene expression profiles in 2T3 preosteoblasts using the Random Positioning Machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity conditions. Here, we hypothesized that exposure of preosteoblasts to an independent microgravity simulator, the Rotating Wall Vessel (RWV), induces similar changes in differentiation and gene transcript profiles, resulting in a more confined list of gravi-sensitive genes that may play a role in bone formation. In comparison to static 1g controls, exposure of 2T3 cells to RWV for 3 days inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker of differentiation, and downregulated 61 genes and upregulated 45 genes by more than two-fold as shown by microarray analysis. The microarray results were confirmed with real time PCR for downregulated genes osteomodulin, bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), runx2, and parathyroid hormone receptor 1. Western blot analysis validated the expression of three downregulated genes, BMP4, peroxiredoxin IV, and osteoglycin, and one upregulated gene peroxiredoxin I. Comparison of the microarrays from the RPM and the RWV studies identified 14 gravi-sensitive genes that changed in the same direction in both systems. Further comparison of our results to a published database showing gene transcript profiles of mechanically loaded mouse tibiae revealed 16 genes upregulated by the loading that were shown to be downregulated by RWV and RPM. These mechanosensitive genes identified by the comparative studies may provide novel insights into understanding the mechanisms regulating bone formation and potential targets of countermeasure against decreased bone formation both in astronauts and in general patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Patel, Mamta J.↗

L-orthogonal signal transmission and detection.

Investigation of the detailed capabilities and performance characterization of systems that employ L-orthogonal signaling techniques. L-orthogonal signals represent a unified set of signals wherein the polyphase and orthogonal (bi-orthogonal) signal sets are included as special cases. This fact is important, since orthogonal (bi-orthogonal) and polyphase signaling sets represent opposing forces as far as tradeoffs between error probability, energy-to-noise ratio, and bandwidth requirements are concerned. Bounds on the performance of the optimum receiver and the performance of various suboptimum (practical) receiver structures are given. Coherent and differentially coherent detection of differentially encoded signals are also pursued. Various comparisons and tradeoffs are made by means of numerical evaluation of the error probability expressions.

Lindsey, W. C.↗

Composite laminated shells under internal pressure

A theoretical study is conducted of the response of filament-wound composite shells under internal pressure; a system of sixth-order ordinary differential equations is obtained by means of the cylindrically anisotropic elasticity field equations and Lekhnitskii's (1963) stress functions. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the laminated composite shells under internal pressure are discussed. Attention is given to the influence of the degree of material anisotropy and fiber orientation on the axial and induced twisting deformation.

Yuan, F. G.↗

Lyapunov-Based Sensor Failure Detection And Recovery For The Reverse Water Gas Shift Process

Livingstone, a model-based AI software system, is planned for use in the autonomous fault diagnosis, reconfiguration, and control of the oxygen-producing reverse water gas shift (RWGS) process test-bed located in the Applied Chemistry Laboratory at KSC. In this report the RWGS process is first briefly described and an overview of Livingstone is given. Next, a Lyapunov-based approach for detecting and recovering from sensor failures, differing significantly from that used by Livingstone, is presented. In this new method, models used are in terms of the defining differential equations of system components, thus differing from the qualitative, static models used by Livingstone. An easily computed scalar inequality constraint, expressed in terms of sensed system variables, is used to determine the existence of sensor failures. In the event of sensor failure, an observer/estimator is used for determining which sensors have failed. The theory underlying the new approach is developed. Finally, a recommendation is made to use the Lyapunov-based approach to complement the capability of Livingstone and to use this combination in the RWGS process.

Haralambous, Michael G.↗

LYAPUNOV-Based Sensor Failure Detection and Recovery for the Reverse Water Gas Shift Process

Livingstone, a model-based AI software system, is planned for use in the autonomous fault diagnosis, reconfiguration, and control of the oxygen-producing reverse water gas shift (RWGS) process test-bed located in the Applied Chemistry Laboratory at KSC. In this report the RWGS process is first briefly described and an overview of Livingstone is given. Next, a Lyapunov-based approach for detecting and recovering from sensor failures, differing significantly from that used by Livingstone, is presented. In this new method, models used are in t e m of the defining differential equations of system components, thus differing from the qualitative, static models used by Livingstone. An easily computed scalar inequality constraint, expressed in terms of sensed system variables, is used to determine the existence of sensor failures. In the event of sensor failure, an observer/estimator is used for determining which sensors have failed. The theory underlying the new approach is developed. Finally, a recommendation is made to use the Lyapunov-based approach to complement the capability of Livingstone and to use this combination in the RWGS process.

Haralambous, Michael G.↗

Computation Molecular Kinetics Model of HZE Induced Cell Cycle Arrest

Cell culture models play an important role in understanding the biological effectiveness of space radiation. High energy and charge (HZE) ions produce prolonged cell cycle arrests at the G1/S and G2/M transition points in the cell cycle. A detailed description of these phenomena is needed to integrate knowledge of the expression of DNA damage in surviving cells, including the determination of relative effectiveness factors between different types of radiation that produce differential types of DNA damage and arrest durations. We have developed a hierarchical kinetics model that tracks the distribution of cells in various cell phase compartments (early G1, late G1, S, G2, and M), however with transition rates that are controlled by rate-limiting steps in the kinetics of cyclin-cdk's interactions with their families of transcription factors and inhibitor molecules. The coupling of damaged DNA molecules to the downstream cyclin-cdk inhibitors is achieved through a description of the DNA-PK and ATM signaling pathways. For HZE irradiations we describe preliminary results, which introduce simulation of the stochastic nature of the number of direct particle traversals per cell in the modulation of cyclin-cdk and cell cycle population kinetics. Comparison of the model to data for fibroblast cells irradiated photons or HZE ions are described.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

A generalized theory for the design of contraction cones and other low speed ducts

A generalization of the Tsien method of contraction cone design is described. The design velocity distribution is expressed in such a form that the required high order derivatives can be obtained by recursion rather than by numerical or analytic differentiation. The method is applicable to the design of diffusers and converging-diverging ducts as well as contraction cones. The computer program is described and a FORTRAN listing of the program is provided.

Barger, R. L.↗

Oscillations in nonlinear feedback systems.

It is shown how some basic ideas from system theory and differential geometry can be used to establish new results concerning the existance of oscillations for autonomous feedback systems. The conditions obtained are expressed in terms of the frequency response characteristic of the open-loop system and certain general properties of the nonlinearity.

Williamson, D.↗

The primer vector in linear, relative-motion equations

Primer vector theory is used in analyzing a set of linear, relative-motion equations - the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations - to determine the criteria and necessary conditions for an optimal, N-impulse trajectory. Since the state vector for these equations is defined in terms of a linear system of ordinary differential equations, all fundamental relations defining the solution of the state and costate equations, and the necessary conditions for optimality, can be expressed in terms of elementary functions. The analysis develops the analytical criteria for improving a solution by (1) moving any dependent or independent variable in the initial and/or final orbit, and (2) adding intermediate impulses. If these criteria are violated, the theory establishes a sufficient number of analytical equations. The subsequent satisfaction of these equations will result in the optimal position vectors and times of an N-impulse trajectory. The solution is examined for the specific boundary conditions of (1) fixed-end conditions, two-impulse, and time-open transfer; (2) an orbit-to-orbit transfer; and (3) a generalized rendezvous problem. A sequence of rendezvous problems is solved to illustrate the analysis and the computational procedure.

Source record↗

The production spectrum of a relativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann gas

A formula is derived for use in the calculation of the spectrum of particles or photons produced through particle collisions in a Maxwell-Boltzmann gas. The result is valid for all temperatures and for the general case when the gas contains different mass particles. It is written in terms of a double integral over the cross section differential in the energy of the produced particles (or photons) in the center-of-momentum system of two colliding particles. Analytic expressions for the reaction rate and luminosity are also derived and reproduce the findings of previous work. Application to the problem of the annihilation spectrum from a relativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann electron-positron gas is made. Agreement is found between the present work and previous numerical and analytical studies.

Dermer, C. D.↗

Degree of cure and viscosity of Hercules HBRF-55 resin

The rate of cure and viscosity were measured for Hercules HBRF-55 resin. The rate of cure was measured by differential scanning calorimetry, while the viscosity was measured by a parallel disk and plate type apparatus. The data were fitted to analytic expressions to make them suitable for use in numerical calculations.

Bhi, S. T.↗

HSP86 and HSP84 exhibit cellular specificity of expression and co-precipitate with an HSP70 family member in the murine testis

This study extends to the protein level our previous observations, which had established the stage and cellular specificity of expression of hsp86 and hsp84 in the murine testis in the absence of exogenous stress. Immunoblot analysis was used to demonstrate that HSP86 protein was present throughout testicular development and that its levels increased with the appearance of differentiating germ cells. HSP86 was most abundant in the germ cell population and was present at significantly lower levels in the somatic cells. By contrast, the HSP84 protein was detected in the somatic cells of the testis rather than in germ cells. The steady-state levels of HSP86 and HSP84 paralleled the pattern of the expression of their respective mRNAs, suggesting that regulation at the level of translation was not a major mechanism controlling hsp90 gene expression in testicular cells. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that a 70-kDa protein coprecipitated with the HSP86/HSP84 proteins in testicular homogenates. This protein was identified as an HSP70 family member by immunoblot analysis, suggesting that HSP70 and HSP90 family members interact in testicular cells.

NASA Discipline Number 40-20↗