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At least 451 records · Page 25

Radiation Dose from Reentrant Electrons

In estimating the crew exposures during an EVA, the contribution of reentrant electrons has always been neglected. Although the flux of these electrons is small compared to the flux of trapped electrons, their energy spectrum extends to several GeV compared to about 7 MeV for trapped electrons. This is also true of splash electrons. Using the measured reentrant electron energy spectra, it is shown that the dose contribution of these electrons to the blood forming organs (BFO) is more than 10 times greater than that from the trapped electrons. The calculations also show that the dose-depth response is a very slowly changing function of depth, and thus adding reasonable amounts of additional shielding would not significantly lower the dose to BFO.

Badhwar, G.D.↗

The cumulative cost of additional wakefulness: dose-response effects on neurobehavioral functions and sleep physiology from chronic sleep restriction and total sleep deprivation

OBJECTIVES: To inform the debate over whether human sleep can be chronically reduced without consequences, we conducted a dose-response chronic sleep restriction experiment in which waking neurobehavioral and sleep physiological functions were monitored and compared to those for total sleep deprivation. DESIGN: The chronic sleep restriction experiment involved randomization to one of three sleep doses (4 h, 6 h, or 8 h time in bed per night), which were maintained for 14 consecutive days. The total sleep deprivation experiment involved 3 nights without sleep (0 h time in bed). Each study also involved 3 baseline (pre-deprivation) days and 3 recovery days. SETTING: Both experiments were conducted under standardized laboratory conditions with continuous behavioral, physiological and medical monitoring. PARTICIPANTS: A total of n = 48 healthy adults (ages 21-38) participated in the experiments. INTERVENTIONS: Noctumal sleep periods were restricted to 8 h, 6 h or 4 h per day for 14 days, or to 0 h for 3 days. All other sleep was prohibited. RESULTS: Chronic restriction of sleep periods to 4 h or 6 h per night over 14 consecutive days resulted in significant cumulative, dose-dependent deficits in cognitive performance on all tasks. Subjective sleepiness ratings showed an acute response to sleep restriction but only small further increases on subsequent days, and did not significantly differentiate the 6 h and 4 h conditions. Polysomnographic variables and delta power in the non-REM sleep EEG-a putative marker of sleep homeostasis--displayed an acute response to sleep restriction with negligible further changes across the 14 restricted nights. Comparison of chronic sleep restriction to total sleep deprivation showed that the latter resulted in disproportionately large waking neurobehavioral and sleep delta power responses relative to how much sleep was lost. A statistical model revealed that, regardless of the mode of sleep deprivation, lapses in behavioral alertness were near-linearly related to the cumulative duration of wakefulness in excess of 15.84 h (s.e. 0.73 h). CONCLUSIONS: Since chronic restriction of sleep to 6 h or less per night produced cognitive performance deficits equivalent to up to 2 nights of total sleep deprivation, it appears that even relatively moderate sleep restriction can seriously impair waking neurobehavioral functions in healthy adults. Sleepiness ratings suggest that subjects were largely unaware of these increasing cognitive deficits, which may explain why the impact of chronic sleep restriction on waking cognitive functions is often assumed to be benign. Physiological sleep responses to chronic restriction did not mirror waking neurobehavioral responses, but cumulative wakefulness in excess of a 15.84 h predicted performance lapses across all four experimental conditions. This suggests that sleep debt is perhaps best understood as resulting in additional wakefulness that has a neurobiological "cost" which accumulates over time.

NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology↗

Radiation dose from reentrant electrons

In estimating the crew exposures during an extra vehicular activity (EVA), the contribution of reentrant electrons has always been neglected. Although the flux of these electrons is small compared to the flux of trapped electrons, their energy spectrum extends to several GeV compared to about 7 MeV for trapped electrons. This is also true of splash electrons. Using the measured reentrant electron energy spectra, it is shown that the dose contribution of these electrons to the blood forming organs (BFO) is more that 10 times greater than that from the trapped electrons. The calculations also show that the dose-depth response is a very slowly changing function of depth, and thus adding reasonable amounts of additional shielding would not significantly lower the dose to BFO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

NASA Center JSC↗

Hit rates and radiation doses to nuclei of bone lining cells from alpha-particle-emitting radionuclides

Factors relating the local concentration of a bone-seeking alpha-particle emitter to the mean hit rate have been determined for nuclei of bone lining cells using a Monte Carlo procedure. Cell nuclei were approximated by oblate spheroids with dimensions and location taken from a previous histomorphometric study. The Monte Carlo simulation is applicable for planar and diffuse labels at plane or cylindrical bone surfaces. Additionally, the mean nuclear dose per hit, the dose mean per hit, the mean track segment length and its second moment, the percentage of stoppers, and the frequency distribution of the dose have been determined. Some basic features of the hit statistics for bone lining cells have been outlined, and the consequences of existing standards of radiation protection with regard to the hit frequency to cell nuclei are discussed.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗

Total Ionizing Dose Effects on High Resolution (12-/14-bit) Analog-to-Digital Converters

This paper reports total dose radiation test results for high resolution 12-/14-bit A/D converters. Small changes in internal components can cause these devices to fail their specifications at relatively low total dose levels. Degradation of signal-to-noise ratio becomes increasingly importamt for high accuracy converters. Rebound effects in the thick-oxide MOS devices causes these responses to be different at low and high dose rates, which is a major concern for space applications.

radiation ionizing analog-to-digital converters MO↗

Mechanism of Action for Anti-Radiation Vaccine in Reducing the Biological Impact of High-Dose Irradiation

Ionizing radiation is a major health risk of long-term space travel, the biological consequences of which include genetic and oxidative damage. In this study, we propose an original mechanism by which high doses of ionizing radiation induce acute toxicity. We identified biological components that appear in the lymphatic vessels shortly after gamma irradiation. These radiation-induced toxins, which we have named specific radiation determinants (SRD), were generated in the irradiated tissues and then collected and circulated throughout the body via the lymph circulation and bloodstream. Depending on the type of SRD elicited, different syndromes of acute radiation sickness (ARS) were expressed. The SRDs were developed into a vaccine used to confer active immunity against acute radiation toxicity in immunologically naive animals. Animals that were pretreated with SRDs exhibited resistance to lethal doses of gamma radiation, as measured by increased survival times and survival rates. In comparison, untreated animals that were exposed to similar large doses of gamma radiation developed acute radiation sickness and died within days. This phenomenon was observed in a number of mammalian species. We partially analyzed the biochemical characteristics of the SRDs. The SRDs were large molecular weight (200-250 kDa) molecules that were comprised of a mixture of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and mineral. Further analysis is required to further identify the SRD molecules and the biological mechanism by which the mediate the toxicity associated with acute radiation sickness. By doing so, we may develop an effective specific immunoprophylaxis as a countermeasure against the acute effects of ionizing radiation.

Maliev, Vladislav↗

Mechanism of Action for Anti-radiation Vaccine in Reducing the Biological Impact of High-dose Gamma Irradiation

Ionizing radiation is a major health risk of long-term space travel, the biological consequences of which include genetic and oxidative damage. In this study, we propose an original mechanism by which high doses of ionizing radiation induce acute toxicity. We identified biological components that appear in the lymphatic vessels shortly after gamma irradiation. These radiation-induced toxins, which we have named specific radiation determinants (SRD), were generated in the irradiated tissues and then collected and circulated throughout the body via the lymph circulation and bloodstream. Depending on the type of SRD elicited, different syndromes of acute radiation sickness (ARS) were expressed. The SRDs were developed into a vaccine used to confer active immunity against acute radiation toxicity in immunologically naive animals. Animals that were pretreated with SRDs exhibited resistance to lethal doses of gamma radiation, as measured by increased survival times and survival rates. In comparison, untreated animals that were exposed to similar large doses of gamma radiation developed acute radiation sickness and died within days. This phenomenon was observed in a number of mammalian species. Initial analysis of the biochemical characteristics indicated that the SRDs were large molecular weight (200-250 kDa) molecules that were comprised of a mixture of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and mineral. Further analysis is required to further identify the SRD molecules and the biological mechanism by which the mediate the toxicity associated with acute radiation sickness. By doing so, we may develop an effective specific immunoprophylaxis as a countermeasure against the acute effects of ionizing radiation.

Maliev, Vladislav↗

The Effect of Dose Rate on Composite Durability When Exposed to a Simulated Long-Term Lunar Radiation Environment

Human exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) requires a safe living and working environment for crew. Composite materials are one type of material being investigated by NASA as a multi-functional structural approach to habitats for long-term use in space or on planetary surfaces with limited magnetic fields and atmosphere. These materials provide high strength with the potential for decreased weight and increased radiation protection of crew and electronics when compared with conventional aluminum structures. However, these materials have not been evaluated in a harsh radiation environment, as would be experienced outside of LEO or on a planetary surface. Thus, NASA has been investigating the durability of select composite materials in a long-term radiation environment. Previously, NASA exposed composite samples to a simulated, accelerated 30-year radiation treatment and tensile stresses similar to those of a habitat pressure vessel. The results showed evidence of potential surface oxidation and enhanced cross-linking of the matrix. As a follow-on study, we performed the same accelerated exposure alongside an exposure with a decreased dose rate. The slower dose ]rate is comparable to a realistic scenario, although still accelerated. Strain measurements were collected during exposure and showed that with a fastdose rate, the strain decreased with time, but with a slow ]dose rate, the strain increased with time. After the radiation exposures, samples were characterized via tensile tests, flexure tests, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The results of these tests will be discussed.

Rojdev, Kristina↗

Evaluation of Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity in Discrete Bipolar Junction Transistors

We evaluate the low dose rate sensitivity in several families of discrete bipolar transistors across device parameter, quality assurance level, and irradiation bias configuration. The 2N2222 showed the most significant low dose rate sensitivity, with low dose rate enhancement factor of 3.91 after 100 krad(Si). The 2N2907 also showed critical degradation levels. The devices irradiated at 10 mrad(Si)/s exceeded specifications after 40 and 50 krad(Si) for the 2N2222 and 2N2907 devices, respectively.

Chen, Dakai↗

Probability Estimates of Solar Proton Doses During Periods of Low Sunspot Number for Short Duration Missions

In an earlier paper presented at ICES in 2015, we investigated solar particle event (SPE) radiation exposures (absorbed dose) to small, thinly-shielded spacecraft during a period when the monthly smoothed sunspot number (SSN) was less than 30. Although such months are generally considered "solar-quiet", SPEs observed during these months even include Ground Level Events, the most energetic type of SPE. In this paper, we add to previous study those SPEs that occurred in 1973-2015 when the SSN was greater than 30 but less than 50. Based on the observable energy range of the solar protons, we classify the event as GLEs, sub-GLEs, and sub-sub-GLEs, all of which are potential contributors to the radiation hazard. We use the spectra of these events to construct a probabilistic model of the absorbed dose due to solar protons when SSN < 50 at various confidence levels for various depths of shielding and for various mission durations. We provide plots and tables of solar proton-induced absorbed dose as functions of confidence level, shielding thickness, and mission-duration that will be useful to system designers.

Atwell, William↗

A Statistical Study of Solar Particle Events in Flux and Dose

The high-energy protons from solar energetic particle (SEP) events present a hazard to space systems: damage to science instruments/electronics/materials or to astronauts. A reliable estimate of the high-energy proton environment is critical to assure mission success. Important characteristics of an SEP event are fluence, peak flux, energy spectrum, time to reach the peak flux, time to reach peak dose, and properties of the cumulative dose profile after an event starts. All of these characteristics are important to understand in order to design space missions properly for both robotic and human missions. Because of the unpredictable and sporadic nature of SEP events, statistical models are often used to represent the SEP parameters described above. In a study by Jun et al. (2007), the statistics of event fluences, durations, and time intervals between events were investigated using the then available historical SEP dataset obtained from the instruments onboard the IMP-8 spacecraft. Since then, a more comprehensive SEP dataset based off of IMP-8 and GOES called Reference Data Set Version 2.0 (RDSv2.0) has become available covering the SEP events up to Year 2015 under a framework of the European Space Agency's (ESA's) Solar Energetic Particle Environment Modelling (SEPEM) project (Jiggens et al., 2018). The main objectives of this statistical study of SEP events are two-fold: First, the statistics of peak fluxes, event fluences, durations, and time intervals will be re-visited by using RDSv2.0; Second, the statistical analyses of flux and dose timing will be performed using the same dataset RDSv2.0. The results of this study will address the statistical properties of all key parameters for designing a spacecraft or a human mission where the SEP environment is an important consideration.

Whitman, K.↗

Low-Dose Caffeine Administration During Acute Sleep Deprivation Eliminates Visual Motion Processing Impairment, but Does Not Improve Saccadic Rate

Oculomotor tracking performance changes according to time awake. A constant routine (CR) study demonstrated that increasing time awake 1) reduces the precision of visual motion processing, 2) decreases steady-state closed-loop pursuit performance and 3) decreases peak saccadic velocity. We aimed to determine the contribution of homeostatic sleep pressure on these oculometric changes by administering low-dose caffeine over one night of sleep deprivation. Participants completed two weeks of at-home 8.5 hours sleep per day, followed by an approximately 24-hour laboratory CR in semi-recumbent posture under less than 4 lux of light. The visual tracking task was performed every two hours after waking and hourly overnight. Low-dose caffeine of 0.3 milligrams per kilogram was administered hourly during the biological night. Nine participants (5F) completed the study. Caffeine dosing: 1) prevented the impairment of visual motion processing, 2) reduced by approximately half the impairment of closed-loop pursuit performance (gain, minus 0.47 percent per hour, significance of slope change: p (probability) less than 0.006; proportion smooth, minus 0.35 percent per hour, p less than 0.005), and 3) had an insignificant (p less than 0.39) effect on the impairment of saccadic peak velocity (slope, minus 1.13 percent per hour; intercept, minus 0.62 percent per hour). These results suggest that visual motion processing and some proportion of closed-loop pursuit performance are impaired due to homeostatic mechanisms during sleep deprivation.

Sleep↗

Total Ionizing Dose Test of Silicon Switching Transistors JANTXV2N2222AUB

Semicoa's silicon switching transistors, JANTXV2N2222AUB was tested for total ionizing dose (TID) response beginning on November 4, 2019. This test served as the radiation lot acceptance test (RLAT) for the lot date code (LDC) tested. Low dose rate (LDR) irradiations were performed in this test so that the device susceptibility to enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) could be determined.

Campola, M.↗

Total Ionizing Dose Test of Analog Devices’ AD654 Voltage to Frequency Converter

Analog Devices’ AD654 was tested for total ionizing dose (TID) response beginning on February 13, 2017. This device has the Radiation Effects and Analysis Group Identification (REAG ID) number 16-036. This test served as the radiation lot acceptance test (RLAT) for the lot date code (LDC) tested. Low dose rate (LDR) irradiations were performed in this test so that the device susceptibility to enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) could be determined.

B. Freeman↗

Dose, LET, time and strain dependence of radiation-induced 53BP1 foci in 15 mouse strains ex vivo and associations to in vivo radiation susceptibility

We present a comparative analysis on the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage ex vivo in 15 strains of mice, including 5 inbred reference strains and 10 collaborative-cross strains, of both sexes. Non-immortalized primary skin fibroblasts derived from 76 mice were subjected to both low- and high-LET radiation (0.1, 1 and 4 Gy of X rays; 1.1 and 3 particles/100μm2 of 350 MeV/n 40Ar and 600 MeV/n 56Fe). Automated image quantification of 53BP1 radiation-induced foci (RIF) during the first 4-48 h post-irradiation was performed as a function of dose and LET. Similarly to what we had previously reported for immortalized human cell lines [1], we observed a saturation of RIF number with dose at 4h post-irradiation, with more RIF/Gy for lower LET (X rays and 40Ar) compared to 56Fe. However at later time points (24h and above), the trend was inverted with more RIF/Gy for higher LET. Our data suggest that multiple DSBs cluster into RIF: as the linear density of DSBs increases with LET, so does the probability of having more DSBs per RIF, which makes it more difficult for cells to fully resolve high-LET-induced RIF, explaining the hypersensitivity to high-LET radiation despite a low number of RIF. Taking into account the amount of clustering at a given dose and LET, but also the kinetics of DNA damage repair, we introduced a novel mathematical formalism to evaluate the number of remaining RIF over time. We showed that the newly introduced kinetic metrics can be used as surrogate biomarkers for in vivo radiation toxicity, with potential applications in radiotherapy and human space exploration. In particular, we observed an association between the repairable fraction of RIF measured in vitro and survival levels of immune cells collected from irradiated mice. Moreover, the speed of DNA damage repair correlated with spontaneous cancer incidence data collected from the Mouse Tumor Biology database, suggesting a relationship between the efficiency of DSB repair after irradiation and cancer risk. In addition to the efficacy of repair and persistent RIF levels, even the amount of spontaneous foci without irradiation was shown to be strain dependent, indicating that these phenotypes are at least partially driven by genetics, and supporting their potential as indicators of individual radiation sensitivity. [1] Neumaier, T., et al., PNAS, 2012 (8) 109:443

Radiation, DNA damage, repair kinetics↗

The impact of hydrogen contamination on the Total Dose Response of Linear Bipolar Microcircuits

Recent enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) investigations carried out by RLP Research, Crane, Arizona State University (ASU), and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have shown significant differences in the degradation of bipolar microcircuits with total dose in the presence of molecular hydrogen (H2) in packages. This has a significant impact on radiation hardness assurance and opens up opportunity to improve device performance. The objectives of this program are 1) to investigate and confirm the causal relationship between packaging recipes, hydrogen contamination, and total dose response of linear bipolar microcircuits; and 2) to develop a guideline that will take into account these effects at the radiation level for future NASA space missions. This program is geared to benefit all future NASA space missions using bipolar or BiCMOS linear devices.

McClure, Steve S.↗

Total Ionizing Dose Testing of the Analog Devices’ AD648 Dual Precision Operational Amplifier

The Analog Devices (ADI) AD648 was tested for total ionizing dose response at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Radiation Effects Facility (REF) beginning 1 June 2011. This test served as the radiation lot acceptance test (RLAT) for the lot date code (LDC) tested. Low dose rate (LDR) irradiations were performed in this test so that the device susceptibility to enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) could be determined.

Alvin J Boutte↗

Considerations on Electrolytic Conductivity Measurement for Monitoring of Ionic Silver Biocide Dosing

NASA interest in ionic silver (Ag+) as a biocide for spacecraft potable water systems motivates the development of Ag+ concentration sensors to ensure nominal dosing. The electrolytic conductivity change of highly-purified potable water is linearly related to the concentration of chemically-dosed Ag+ and could serve as a useful proxy measurement, while the conductivity change during electrolytic dosing may be less so, depending on the influent water chemistry and electrolytic efficiency. Understanding and mitigating the potentially deleterious effects of Ag+ interaction with conductivity measurement systems requires investigation. Issues associated with traditional conductivity cells, which rely on wetted(typically metal or graphite) electrodes, and capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) for this application are considered. Traditional conductivity cells may potentially be subject to significant excitation-induced or auto-galvanic reduction of Ag+. These may result in Ag+ depletion or electrode fouling and associated measurement error. Proper selection of electrode material, excitation parameters, and cell geometry may limit such effects. C4D uses electrodes placed outside an inert, insulating material, with dielectric polarization enabling the production of an electric field and resultant current across the analyte solution. This approach could potentially mitigate problems with Ag+ depletion and fouling by eliminating the possibility of auto-galvanic deposition and reducing the Faradaic current density. However, it is necessary to confirm C4D performance at very low conductivity levels and to determine if long-term operation produces conductive deposits, which could result in measurement error. A commercial C4D system with 1/16” (1.59 mm)outer diameter flow tubing and claimed performance in the conductivity range appropriate for this application was identified, and its sensitivity in the upper parts of this range was confirmed in a preliminary experiment. A concept for a C4D detector that could allow for full rate flow-through using planar electrodes and thin-film dielectric layers is discussed.

silver↗