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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Cardiovascular responses to weightlessness and ground-based simulations

Mission experience, from NASA and Soviet programs, on human cardiovascular responses to weightlessness, and the ability of bed rest studies to simulate these are discussed. In-flight effects include fluid shift to the upper body, decreased heart size, bone demineralization, orthostatic intolerance, and loss of exercise tolerance. All the cardiovascular changes that occur with weightlessness also occur with prolonged bed rest. They are most manifest when subjects stand suddenly, or undergo tilting or lower body negative pressure. The mechanisms which control these responses, e.g., the role of the central nervous system, are unclear.

Sandler, H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Comparison between the weightlessness syndrome and aging

The similarity of detrimental effects of normal aging and of exposure to space weightlessness is discussed. The effects include: the reduction in cardiac output, increase in blood pressure, decrease in respiratory vital capacity, decrease in lean body weight and muscle mass, collagen and fat infiltration of muscle, bone demineralization, and a decrease in urinary excretion of total 17-hydroxicorticosteroids. It is also noted that dispite the accelerated aging of organisms, if animals or human subjects were to spend their entire lives in weightlessness, their lifespans might be significantly increased because of a reduction in metabolic rate. Experimental results are cited.

Miquel, J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Aging and space travel

The matter of aging and its relation to space vehicle crewmembers undertaking prolonged space missions is addressed. The capabilities of the older space traveler to recover from bone demineralization and muscle atrophy are discussed. Certain advantages of the older person are noted, for example, a greater tolerance of monotony and repetitious activities. Additional parameters are delineated including the cardiovascular system, the reproductive system, ionizing radiation, performance, and group dynamics.

Mohler, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Weightlessness and bone loss in man

A review is presented of data whicih has been accumulated on the calcium and skeletal changes occurring in humans subjected to various periods of weightlessness. These data reveal that spaceflight induces an overall loss of calcium which continues unabated for at least three months. Urinary calcium levels reach a constant level within approximately four weeks while fecal calcium losses continue to increase throughout the flight period. A decline in the mineral density of weight-bearing bones accompanies these changes. Available data support the contention that the demineralization affects primarily the weight bearing bones. The rates of loss and recovery of calcium and bone mineral density are approximately equal to those observed during and following bedrest of comparable duration. No measure to wholly prevent these losses has yet been devised.

Rambaut, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Impact properties of rubber-modified epoxy resin-graphite-fiber composites

To improve the impact resistance of graphite-fiber composites, a commercial and an experimental epoxy resin were modified with liquid reactive rubber and a brominated epoxy resin. The commercial epoxy was a tetrafunctional resin, and the experimental epoxy was a trifunctional resin. The reactive rubber was a carboxyl-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer. The rubber content was varied from 0 to 25 percent (wt). The brominated epoxy resin was used at Br levels of 4, 19, and 35 percent of the resin. Composites were prepared with woven graphite cloth reinforcement. The composites were evaluated by using flexural strength in the dry state and an elevated temperature after saturation with water. The impact properties were determined by measuring shear strength after falling-ball impact and instrumented impact. The rubber-modified, trifunctional resin exhibited better properties, when tested in hot-wet conditions in a heated oven at 366 K (after boiling the material for 2 h in demineralized water), than the tetrafunctional resin. Improved impact resistance was observed with the addition of the reactive rubber to the epoxy resin. Further improvement was observed with the addition of the brominated epoxy resin.

Gilwee, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Trapped Xe components in etched samples of the Murray (C2) and Murchison (C2) carbonaceous chondrites

Xe isotopic measurements are described. The samples analyzed were bulk chips of the Murray (C2) and Murchison (C2) carbonaceous chondrites that had been freeze-thaw disaggregated, etched with H2O2, and then split into colloidal and noncolloidal fractions using methanol. The etching removed a substantial portion of the trapped Xe and increased variations in measured isotopic ratios compared with bulk sample analyses. The Murray samples appeared to contain a binary mixture of U-Xe and H+L-Xe. The Murchison data concur with the Murray data for the heavy isotopes, but the structure at the light isotopes is obscured by spallation Xe. There is no evidence in these data for the separability of H-Xe and L-Xe. The fact that H2O2 etching removes Xe without prior demineralization supports the view that the carrier of a substantial portion of trapped Xe may reside on grain surfaces.

Jones, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Selection of an appropriate animal model for study of bone loss in weightlessness

Prolonged weightlessness in space flight results in a slow progressive demineralization of bone accompanied by an increased calcium output in the urine resulting in negative calcium balances. This possibly irreversible bone loss may constitute a serious limiting factor to long duration manned space flight. A number of preventative measures have been suggested, i.e., exercise during flight, dietary calcium supplements, use of specific prophylactic drugs. In order to facilitate research in these areas it is necessary to develop appropriate ground-based animal models that simulate the human condition of osteoporsis. An appropriate animal model would permit bone density studies, calcium balance studies, biochemical analyses, ground-based simulation models of weightlessness (bed rest, restraint, immobilization) and the planning of inflight experiments. Several animal models have been proposed in the biomedical research literature, but have inherent deficiencies. The purpose of this project was to evaluate models in the literature and determine which of these most closely simulates the phenomenon of bone loss in humans with regard to growth, bone remodeling, structural, chemical and mineralization similarities to human. This was accomplished by a comprehensive computer assisted literature search and report. Three animal models were examined closely for their relative suitability: the albino rat, monkey, and Beagle.

Wolinsky, I.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Human physiological adaptation to extended Space Flight and its implications for Space Station

Current work evaluating short-term space flight physiological data on the homeostatic changes due to weightlessness is presented as a means of anticipating Space Station long-term effects. An integrated systems analysis of current data shows a vestibulo-sensory adaptation within days; a loss of body mass, fluids, and electrolytes, stabilizing in a month; and a loss in red cell mass over a month. But bone demineralization which did not level off is seen as the biggest concern. Computer algorithms have been developed to simulate the human adaptation to weightlessness. So far these paradigms have been backed up by flight data and it is hoped that they will provide valuable information for future Space Station design. A series of explanatory schematics is attached.

Kutyna, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Bone density in limb-immobilized beagles: An animal model for bone loss in weightlessness

Prolonged weightlessness is man in space flight results in a slow progressive demineralization of bone accompanied by an increased calcium output in the urine resulting in negative calcium balances. This possibly irreversible bone loss may constitute a serious limiting factor to long duration manned space flight. In order to seek and test preventative measures an appropriate ground based animal model simulating weightlessness is necessary. Use of the mature Beagle in limb immobilization has been documented as an excellent model for orthopedic research since this animal most closely simulates the phenomenom of bone loss with regards to growth, remodeling, structure, chemistry and mineralization. The purpose of this project is to develop a research protocol for the study of bone loss in Beagles during and after cast immobilization of a hindleg; research will then be initiated.

Wolinsky, Ira↗
NASA NTRS1987

Relationships between coronary heart disease risk factors and serum ionized calcium in Kennedy Space Center Cohort

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) employees are reported to be at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Risk factors for CHD include high serum total cholesterol levels, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), elevated triglyceride, smoking, inactivity, high blood pressure, being male, and being older. Higher dietary and/or serum calcium Ca(++) may be related to a lower risk for CHD. Fifty men and 37 women participated. Subjects were tested in the morning after fasting 12 hours. Information relative to smoking and exercise habits was obtained; seated blood pressures were measured; and blood drawn. KCS men had higher risk values than KCS women as related to HDLC, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Smoking and nonsmoking groups did not differ for other risk factors or for serum Ca(++) levels. Exercise and sedentary groups differed in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Serum Ca(++) levels were related to age, increasing with age in the sedentary group and decreasing in the exercisers, equally for men and women. It is concluded that these relationships may be significant to the risk of CHD and/or the risk of bone demineralization in an aging population.

Goodwin, Lisa Ann↗
NASA NTRS1987

Implications of otoconial changes in microgravity

Otoconia of maculas of Sprague-Dawley rats (Taconic Farms) flown aboard Spacelab-3 showed no signs of demineralization. Other findings were accumulations of miniature otoconia at the lateral border of utricular patches and a smoothing of surfaces of saccular otoconia. These features were not observed in age- and weight-matched ground controls. Subsequent study showed otoconial asymmetry to be normal in this strain. Further research in space, taking this into account, is clearly required. Findings of ground-based studies would suggest that neural structures of maculas are adaptable to microgravity but might show changes over time. Moreover, maculas have the potential for integration of the sort ascribed to brain and retina, although on a less complex scale. They may act as comparators, and asymmetry may be an important property. Coordinated studies in space and on the ground could lead to new understanding of how maculas function and adapt to new acceleratory environments; and to insights about the functioning of neural tissue in general.

Ross, Muriel D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Design of a fast crew transfer vehicle to Mars

A final report is made on the trajectory and vehicle requirements for a fast crew transfer vehicle to Mars which will complete an Earth to Mars (and Mars to Earth) transfer in 150 days and will have a stay time at Mars of 40 days. This vehicle will maximize the crew's effectiveness on Mars by minimizing detrimental physiological effects such as bone demineralization and loss of muscle tone caused by long period exposure to zero gravity and radiation from cosmic rays and solar flares. The crew transfer vehicle discussed will complete the second half of a Split Mission to Mars. In the Split Mission, a slow, unmanned cargo vehicle, nicknamed the Barge, is sent to Mars ahead of the crew vehicle. Once the Barge is in orbit around Mars, the fast crew vehicle will be launched to rendezvous with the Barge in Mars orbit. The vehicle presented is designed to carry six astronauts for a mission duration of one year. The vehicle uses a chemical propulsion system and a nuclear power system. Four crew modules, similar to the proposed Space Station Common Modules, are used to house the crew and support equipment during the mission. The final design also includes a command module that is shielded to protect the crew during radiation events.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1988

Deuterium exchange during acid-demineralisation

Isotopic analyses of residues prepared by demineralization of the Murchison meteorite using D-labelled reagents provide evidence for measurable exchange of H-isotopes between residue and reagents. Precise quantification of this effect is precluded by substantial inhomogeneity of the meteoritic organic matter. A conservative estimate of the degree of exchange is 3-5 percent of the H pyrolyzable as H2O. This could affect the shape of the curve defining D release as a function of temperature, but does not change conclusions previously drawn concerning the nature of the bulk D enrichment of insoluble organic matter in meteorites.

Kerridge, John F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Bone mineral measurement using dual energy x ray densitometry

Bone mineral measurements before and after space missions have shown that weightlessness greatly accelerates bone demineralization. Bone mineral losses as high as 1 to 3 percent per month were reported. Highly precise instrumentation is required to monitor this loss and thereby test the efficacy of treatment. During the last year, a significant improvement was made in Dual-Photon Absorptiometry by replacing the radioactive source with an x ray tube. Advantages of this system include: better precision, lower patient dose, better spacial resolution, and shorter scan times. The high precision and low radiation dose of this technique will allow detection of bone mineral changes of less than 1 percent with measurements conducted directly at the sites of interest. This will allow the required bone mineral studies to be completed in a shorter time with greater confidence.

Smith, Steven W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A geometric analysis of semicircular canals and induced activity in their peripheral afferents in the rhesus monkey

Experiments were carried out to determine anatomically the planes of the semicircular canals of two juvenile rhesus monkeys, using plastic casts of the semicircular canals, and the anatomical measurements were related to the directional coding of neural signals transmitted by primary afferents innervating the same simicircular canals. In the experiments, animals were prepared for monitoring the eye position by the implantation of silver-silver chloride electrodes into the bony orbit. Following the recording of semicircular canal afferent activity, the animals were sacrificed; plastic casting resin was injected into the bony canals; and, when the temporal bone was demineralized and removed, the coordinates of points spaced along the circumference of the canal casts were measured. A comparison of the sensitivity vectors determined in these experiments and the anatomical measures showed that the average difference between a sensitivity vector and its respective normal vector was 6.3 deg.

Reisine, H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Assessment of internal contamination problems associated with bioregenerative air/water purification systems

The emphasis is to characterize the mechanisms of bioregenerative revitalization of air and water as well as to assess the possible risks associated with such a system in a closed environment. Marsh and aquatic plants are utilized for purposes of wastewater treatment as well as possible desalinization and demineralization. Foliage plants are also being screened for their ability to remove toxic organics from ambient air. Preliminary test results indicate that treated wastewater is typically of potable quality with numbers of pathogens such as Salmonella and Shigella significantly reduced by the artificial marsh system. Microbiological analyses of ambient air indicate the presence of bacilli as well as thermophilic actinomycetes.

Johnson, Anne H.↗