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At least 91 records · Page 5

Orthostatic stress is necessary to maintain the dynamic range of cardiovascular control in space

In the upright position, gravity fills the low-pressure systems of human circulation with blood and interstitial fluid in the sections below the diaphragm. Without gravity one pressure component in the vessels disappears and the relationship between hydrostatic pressure and oncotic pressure, which regulates fluid passage across the capillary endothelium in the terminal vascular bed, shifts constantly. The visible consequences of this are a puffy face and "bird" legs. The plasma volume shrinks in space and the range of cardiovascular control is reduced. When they stand up for the first time after landing, 30-50% of astronauts suffer from orthostatic intolerance. It remains unclear whether microgravity impairs cardiovascular reflexes, or whether it is the altered volume status that causes the cardiovascular instability following space flight. Lower body negative pressure was used in several space missions to stimulate the cardiovascular reflexes before, during and after a space flight. The results show that cardiovascular reflexes are maintained in microgravity. However, the astronauts' volume status changed in space, towards a volume-retracted state, as measurements of fluid-regulating hormones have shown. It can be hypothesized that the control of circulation and body fluid homeostasis in humans is adapted to their upright posture in the Earth's gravitational field. Autonomic control regulates fluid distribution to maintain the blood pressure in that posture, which most of us have to cope with for two-thirds of the day. A determined amount of interstitial volume is necessary to maintain the dynamic range of cardiovascular control in the upright posture; otherwise orthostatic intolerance may occur more often.

manned↗

In-Situ Crystallization of a Lithium Disilicate Glass--Effect of Pressure on Crystal Growth Rate

Crystallization of a Li2O.2SiO2 (LS2) glass subjected to a uniform hydrostatic pressure of 4.5 GPa and 6 GPa was investigated up to a temperature of 750 C. The density of the compressed glass is about 2% greater at 4.5 GPa than at 1 atm and, depending upon the processing temperature, up to 10% greater at 6 GPa. Crystal growth rates investigated as a function of temperature and pressure show that lithium disilicate crystal growth is an order of magnitude slower at 4.5 GPa than 1 atm resulting in a shift of +45 C (plus or minus 10 C) in the growth rate curve at high pressure compared to 1 atm condition. At 6 GPa lithium disilicate crystallization is suppressed entirely, while a new high pressure lithium metasilicate crystallizes at temperatures 95 C (plus or minus 10 C) higher than those reported for lithium disilicate crystallization at 1 atm. The decrease in crystal growth rate with increasing pressure for lithium disilicate glass up to 750 C is related to an increase in viscosity with pressure associated with fundamental changes in glass structure accommodating densification.

Fuss, T.↗

Shatter-Resistant, Flame-Resistant Window

Combustion-chamber window combines properties of polycarbonate and sapphire. Inner layer of sapphire, withstands flame in chamber. Outer layer of polycarbonate tough but susceptible to weakening by flame and protected from flame by sapphire layer. Resists flames, shattering, and high pressure. Windows withstand 60 lb/in. to second power (414 kPa) in hydrostatic pressure vessel. Also survives leak test under internal pressure of 2 atm (0.2 MPa) of helium and external pressure of 10 to negative fifth power torr (1.3 mPa). Has transmission density of 0.08 to 0.11 in visible light. In contrast, unbonded layers have transmission density of 0.13 to 0.16.

Richardson, William R.↗

Molding a high-density laminate

Molding press is used to form phenolic resin impregnated glass fiber cloth into a high-density, cylindrical-ring laminate. The press applies clamping pressure and heat to a mold containing the glass fiber cloth laminate, which has hydrostatic pressure applied to it by means of a specially designed pressure plug.

Haraway, W. M.↗

Sleep and Respiration in Microgravity

Sleep is often reported to be of poor quality in microgravity, and studies on the ground have shown a strong relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and sleep disruption. During the 16-day Neurolab mission, we studied the influence of possible changes in respiratory function on sleep by performing comprehensive sleep recordings on the payload crew on four nights during the mission. In addition, we measured the changes in the ventilatory response to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide in the same subjects during the day, hypothesizing that changes in ventilatory control might affect respiration during sleep. Microgravity caused a large reduction in the ventilatory response to reduced oxygen. This is likely the result of an increase in blood pressure at the peripheral chemoreceptors in the neck that occurs when the normally present hydrostatic pressure gradient between the heart and upper body is abolished. This reduction was similar to that seen when the subjects were placed acutely in the supine position in one-G. In sharp contrast to low oxygen, the ventilatory response to elevated carbon dioxide was unaltered by microgravity or the supine position. Because of the similarities of the findings in microgravity and the supine position, it is unlikely that changes in ventilatory control alter respiration during sleep in microgravity. During sleep on the ground, there were a small number of apneas (cessation of breathing) and hypopneas (reduced breathing) in these normal subjects. During sleep in microgravity, there was a reduction in the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour compared to preflight. Obstructive apneas virtually disappeared in microgravity, suggesting that the removal of gravity prevents the collapse of upper airways during sleep. Arousals from sleep were reduced in microgravity compared to preflight, and virtually all of this reduction was as a result of a reduction in the number of arousals from apneas and hypopneas. We conclude that any sleep disruption in microgravity is not the result of respiratory factors.

West, John B.↗

Hydrostatic Stress Effects in Metal Plasticity

Since the 1940s, the theory of plasticity has assumed that hydrostatic stress does not affect the yield or postyield behavior of metals. This assumption is based on the early work of Bridgman. Bridgman found that hydrostatic pressure (compressive stress) does not affect yield behavior until a substantial amount of pressure (greater than 100 ksi) is present. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of hydrostatic tension on yield behavior. Two different specimen geometries were examined: an equal-arm bend specimen and a double edge notch specimen. The presence of a notch is sufficient to develop high enough hydrostatic tensile stresses to affect yield. The von Mises yield function, which does not have a hydrostatic component, and the Drucker-Prager yield function, which includes a hydrostatic component, were used in finite element analyses of the two specimen geometries. The analyses were compared to test data from IN 100 specimens. For both geometries, the analyses using the Drucker-Prager yield function more closely simulated the test data. The von Mises yield function lead to 5-10% overprediction of the force-displacement or force-strain response of the test specimens.

Wilson, Christopher D.↗

Gravitational Influences on Flame Propagation Through Non-Uniform, Premixed Gas Systems

Flame propagation through non-uniformly premixed (or layered) gases has importance both in useful combustion systems and in unintentional fires. As summarized recently and in previous Microgravity Workshop papers, non-uniform premixed gas combustion receives scant attention compared to the more usual limiting cases of diffusion or uniformly premixed flames, especially regarding the role gravity plays. This paper summarizes our recent findings on gravitational effects on layered combustion along a floor, in which the fuel concentration gradient exists normal to the direction of flame spread. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which the flames spread faster in microgravity (and much faster, in laboratory coordinates, than the laminar burning velocity for uniform mixtures), we have begun making pressure measurements across the spreading flame front that are described here. Earlier researchers, testing in 1g, claimed that hydrostatic pressure differences could account for the rapid spread rates. Additionally, we present the development of a new apparatus to study flame spread in free (i.e., far from walls), non-homogeneous fuel layers formed in a flow tunnel behind an airfoil that has been tested in normal gravity.

Miller, Fletcher J.↗

Viscosity of diesel engine fuel oil under pressure

In the development of Diesel engine fuel injection systems it is necessary to have an approximate knowledge of the absolute viscosity of the fuel oil under high hydrostatic pressures. This report presents the results of experimental tests conducted by Mr. Jackson Newton Shore, utilizing the A.S.M.E. high pressure equipment.

Hersey, Mayo D↗

Friction-induced ignition of metals in high-pressure oxygen

Data are presented on friction-induced metal ignition (such as occurring as a result of the possible rubbing of oxygen-pressurized hydrostatic bearings and turbine blade tips) in a high-presure oxygen environment. Friction heating tests were carried out at oxygen pressures from 1 to 300 atm and surface speeds from 10 to 33 m/sec, using the NASA/White Sands Test Facility. Test results are presented on the rubbing of like material pairs spanning a wide range of burn factors and on that of dissimilar metal pairs having significantly different burn factors, indicating that the burn factor is a suitable index for rank ordering in ignition resistance for the most, but not all, materials.

Schoenman, Len↗

Elastic Constants of Solids and Fluids with Initial Pressure via a Unified Approach Based on Equations-of-State

The second and third-order Brugger elastic constants are obtained for liquids and ideal gases having an initial hydrostatic pressure p(sub 1). For liquids the second-order elastic constants are C(sub 11) = A + p(sub 1), C(sub 12) = A -- p(sub 1), and the third-order constants are C(sub 111) = --(B + 5A + 3p(sub 1)), C(sub 112) = --(B + A -- p(sub 1)), and C(sub 123) = A -- B -- p1, where A and B are the Beyer expansion coefficients in the liquid equation of state. For ideal gases the second order constants are C(sub 11) = p(sub 1)gamma + p9sub 1), C(sub 12) = p(sub 1)gamma -- p(sub 1), and the third-order constants are C(sub 111) = p(sub 1)(gamma(2) + 4gamma + 3), C(sub 112) = --p(sub 1)(gamma(2) -- 1), and C(sub 123) = --p(sub 1) (gamma(2) -- 2gamma + 1), where gamma is the ratio of specific heats. The inequality of C(sub 11) and C(sub 12) results in a nonzero shear constant C(sub 44) = (1/2)(C(sub 11) C(sub 12)) = p(sub 1) for both liquids and gases. For water at standard temperature and pressure the ratio of terms p1/A contributing to the second-order constants is approximately 4.3 x 10(-5). For atmospheric gases the ratio of corresponding terms is approximately 0.7. Analytical expressions that include initial stresses are derived for the material 'nonlinearity parameters' associated with harmonic generation and acoustoelasticity for fluids and solids of arbitrary crystal symmetry. The expressions are used to validate the relationships for the elastic constants of fluids.

Cantrell, John H.↗

Liquid Bismuth Propellant Management System for the Very High Specific Impulse Thruster with Anode Layer

Two prototype bismuth propellant feed systems were constructed and operated in conjunction with a propellant vaporizer. One system provided bismuth to a vaporizer using gas pressurization but did not include a means to measure the flow rate. The second system incorporated an electromagnetic pump to provide fine control of the hydrostatic pressure and a new type of in-line flow sensor that was developed for accurate, real-time measurement of the mass flow rate. High-temperature material compatibility was a driving design requirement for the pump and flow sensor, leading to the selection of Macor for the main body of both components. Posttest inspections of both components revealed no degradation of the material. The gas pressurization system demonstrated continuous pressure control over a range from zero to 200 torr. In separate proof-of-concept experiments, the electromagnetic pump produced a linear pressure rise as a function of current that compared favorably with theoretical pump pressure predictions, producing a pressure rise of 10 kPa at 30 A. Preliminary flow sensor operation indicated a bismuth flow rate of 6 mg/s with an uncertainty of plus or minus 6%. An electronics suite containing a real-time controller was successfully used to control the entire system, simultaneously monitoring all power supplies and performing data acquisition duties.

Polzin, K. A.↗

Reduction of Effective Acceleration to Microgravity Levels

Acceleration due to earth's gravity causes buoyancy driven convection and sedimentation in solutions. In addition. pressure gradients occur as a function of the height within a liquid column. Hence gravity effects both equilbria conditions and phase transitions as a result of hydrostatic pressure gradients. The affect of gravity on the rate of heat and man transfer in solutal processes can be particularly important in polymer processing due to the high sensitivity of polymeric materials to processing conditions. The term microgravity has been coined to describe an environment in which the affects of gravitational acceleration am greatly reduced. It may seem odd to talk in term of reducing the effects of gravitational acceleration since gravitational attraction is a basic property of matter. However, die presence of gravity on in situ processing or measurements can be negated by achieving conditions in which the laboratory, or more specifically the container of the experimental materials, a subjected to the same acceleration as the materials themselves. With regard to the laboratory reference frame, there is virtually no force on the experimental solutions. This is difficult to achieve but can be done. A short review of Newtonian physics provides an explanation on both how processes we affected by gravity and how microgravity conditions are achieved. The fact that fluids deform when subject to a force bid solids do not indicates that solids have a structure able to exert an opposing force that negates an externally applied force. Liquids deform when a force is applied, indicating that a liquid structure cannot completely negate an applied force. Just how easily a liquid resists deformation is related to its viscosity. Spaceflight provides an environment in which the laboratory reference frame i.e. the spacecraft and all the equipment therein an experiencing virtually identical forces. There is no solid foundation underneath such a laboratory, so the laboratory accelerates according to the force of gravity as do the experimental fluids within the lab. Hence, the magnitude of the form excited by the laboratory on the experimental solutions within are greatly reduced. When compared with a laboratory on the ground and averaged over time, the fluids in a spaceflight laboratory experience approximately a 10 (sup -6)decrease in acceleration relative to their laboratory reference frame hence the term microgravity.

Downey, James P.↗

Structural evaluation of curved stiffened composite panels fabricated using a THERM-Xsm process

The use of composites in aircraft structures is often limited by material and manufacturing costs which, for some designs and applications, are prohibitively high. To increase the frequency of application of composites in primary airframe components alternative manufacturing processes are sought that reduce cost and/or enhance structural efficiency. One alternative process involves the use of THERM-Xsm as the pressure transfer medium during autoclave curing. THERM-Xsm, a silicon-based flow able polymer which behaves like a liquid under autoclave presssure, transmits quasi-hydrostatic pressure to all contacting surfaces of the part to be cured. Once the autoclave pressure is relieved, THERM-Xsm reverts back to the powdery solid state and can be reused many times. The THERM-Xsm process to be evaluated is depicted and consists of (1) enclosing the tool and part to be cured by a set of frames that create a box, (2) pouring THERM-Xsm powder onto the part and filling the box, and (3) placing a vacuum bag over the box assembly. In this program, a separating non-porous film (Teflon) was placed between the part to be cured and THERM-Xsm powder to avoid any contamination. The use of THERM-Xsm has two significant advantages over conventional manufacturing procedures. First, it eliminates complicated hard tooling since it guarantees uniform pressure transfer and thus, good compaction at complex structural details (such as frame-stiffener intersections and corners). Second, it greatly simplifies vacuum bagging, since once the part to be cured is covered by THERM-Xsm powder, the vacuum bag need only conform to a relatively flat shape reducing significantly the number of pleats required. A program is on-going at Sikorsky Aircraft to evaluate the structural performance of complex composite fuselage structures made with this THERM-Xsm process and to quantify the impact of THERM-Xsm on manufacturing labor hours and cost. The program involves fuselage panel optimization analysis, a building block test program where structural details representative of the full-scale article are analyzed and tested, and static and fatigue test/analysis of the full-scale test articles. The main results of this program are reported.

Kassapoglou, Christos↗

Centrifugation of Cultured Osteoblasts And Macrophages as a Model To Study How Gravity Regulates The Function of Skeletal Cells

Mechanical loading helps define the architecture of weight-bearing bone via the tightly regulated process of skeletal turnover. Turnover occurs by the concerted activity of osteoblasts, responsible for bone formation. and osteoclasts, responsible for bone resorption. Osteoclasts are specialized megakaryon macrophages, which differentiate from monocytes in response to resorption stimuli, such as reduced weight-bearing. Habitation in space dramatically alters musculoskeletal loading, which modulates both cell function and bone structure. Our long-term objective is to define the molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate skeletal adaptations to altered gravity environments. Our experimental approach is to apply hypergravity loads by centrifugation to rodents and cultured cells. As a first step, we examined the influence of centrifugation on the structure of cancellous bone in rats to test the ability of hypergravity to change skeletal architecture. Since cancellous bone undergoes rapid turnover we expected the most dramatic structural changes to occur in the shape of trabeculae of weight-bearing, cancellous bone. To define the cellular responses to hypergravity loads, we exposed cultured osteoblasts and macrophages to centrifugation. The intraosseous and intramedullary pressures within long bones in vivo reportedly range from 12-40 mm Hg, which would correspond to 18-59 gravity (g) in our cultures. We assumed that hydrostatic pressure from the medium above the cell layer is at least one major component of the mechanical load generated by centrifuging cultured cells. and therefore we exposed the cells to 10-50g. In osteoblasts, we examined the structure of their actin and microtubule networks, production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cell survival. Analysis of the shape of the cytoskeletal networks provides evidence for the ability of centrifugation to affect cell structure, while the production of PGE2 serves as a convenient marker for mechanical stimulation. We examined cell survival, reasoning that osteoblasts might mold skeletal structure in a hypergravity environment in part by regulating apoptosis and thus the duration of osteoblast productivity. Finally, we tested the influence of centrifugation on microbial activation of a macrophage cell line (RAW264.7). In response to the appropriate hormonal stimulation, this cell line is reportedly capable of undergoing differentiation to express osteoclast markers. In addition, a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccaride (LPS), stimulates the formation of osteoclasts in vivo. Thus we tested the influence on centrifugation on RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS to provide an index of the function of osteoclast precursors.

Globus, Ruth K.↗

Zero-G fluid mechanics in animal and man

Significant cardiovascular change occurs with spaceflight. Loss of normal hydrostatic pressure gradients (head-to-foot), present while upright on earth, results in significant headward fluid shift of vascular and interstitial fluids. The resultant fluid change also shifts the hydrostatic indifference point for the circulation. The persistent distention of neck veins and change in upper body tissue compliance initiates steps to adapt to and compensate for the sensed excess fluid. These result in a loss of intravascular volume through neuro-humoral mechanisms and the presence of a smaller heart size, leading to a state where the subject has a reduced adaptive capacity to stress, particularly to fluid shifts to the lower body as occurs when once again returning to earth. This article reviews what is known about the weightlessness-induced headward fluid shift and its effects on cardiovascular function.

Sandler, H.↗

Investigation of Strain Aging in the Ordered Intermetallic Compound beta-NiAl

The phenomenon of strain aging has been investigated in polycrystalline and single crystal NiAl alloys at temperatures between 300 and 1200 K. Static strain aging studies revealed that after annealing at 1100 K for 7200 s (i.e., 2h) followed by furnace cooling, high purity, nitrogen-doped and titanium-doped polycrystalline alloys exhibited continuous yielding, while conventional-purity and carbon-doped alloys exhibited distinct yield points and Luders strains. Prestraining by hydrostatic pressurization removed the yield points, but they could be reintroduced by further annealing treatments. Yield points could be reintroduced more rapidly if the specimens were prestrained uniaxially rather than hydrostatically, owing to the arrangement of dislocations into cell structures during uniaxial deformation. The time dependence of the strain aging events followed at t(exp 2/3) relationship suggesting that the yield points observed in polycrystalline NiAl were the result of the pinning of mobile dislocations by interstitials, specifically carbon. Between 700 and 800 K, yield stress plateaus, yield stress transients upon a ten-fold increase in strain rate, work hardening peaks, and dips in the strain rate sensitivity (SRS) have been observed in conventional-purity and carbon-doped polycrystals. In single crystals, similar behavior was observed; in conventional-purity single crystals, however, the strain rate sensitivity became negative resulting in serrated yielding, whereas, the strain rate sensitivity stayed positive in high purity and in molybdenum-doped NiAl. These observations are indicative of dynamic strain aging (DSA) and are discussed in terms of conventional strain aging theories. The impact of these phenomena on the composition-structure-property relations are discerned. Finally, a good correlation has been demonstrated between the properties of NiAl alloys and a recently developed model for strain aging in metals and alloys developed by Reed-Hill et al.

Weaver, Mark Lovell↗

Differential Responses to Mechanostimulation in Embryonic Stem Cells Versus the Embryoid Body Model of Development Assessed at Single Cell RNA-Seq Resolution

Mechanicalforces generated by gravity have shaped life on Earth and impact gene expression and morphogenesis during early development. In contrast disuse canreduce normal mechanical loading, resulting in altered cell and tissue function. Although loading in adult mammals is known to promote increased cell proliferation and differentiation, little is known about how cells respondto this stimulusduring early development. In this study we sought to understand, with single cell RNA-sequencing resolution, how a 60-minute pulse of 50xg hypergravity-generated 5kPa hydrostatic pressure, influences transcriptomic regulation of developmental processes in the Embryoid Body (EB) model. Our study included both day-9 EBs and progenitor mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with or without the hydrostatic pressurepulse. Single cell tSNE mapping shows limited transcriptome shifts in response to thispulse in either ESCs or EBs; this pulse,however, induces greater positional shifts in EB mapping compared to ESCs, indicating the influence of mechanotransduction is more pronounced in later states of cell commitment within the developmental program.We assessed ESCs and EBs for differentially expressed (DE) genes with hydrostatic pressurepulse and found approximately 1/3 DE genes were shared. However, gene ontology (GO) pathway analysis show that EBs have choreographed responses associated with upregulation ofpathways formulticellular development, mechanical signal transduction, and DNA damage repair. Cluster transcriptome analysis of the EBs showsmechanostimulationpromotes maintenance of transitory cell phenotypes in early development,including EB cluster co-expression of markers for progenitor, post-implant epiblast and primitive endoderm phenotypes versus expression exclusivity in the non-pulsed clusters. Pseudotime analysisidentified three branching cell types susceptible tohydrostatic pressureinduction of cell fate decisions. In summary, this study provides novel evidence that ESC maintenance and EB development can be regulated by mechanostimulation,and that stem cells committed to a differentiation program are more sensitive to force-induced changes to their transcriptome.

Cassandra Juran↗

Device separates hydrogen from solution in water at ambient temperatures

Separator decreases the partial pressure of hydrogen gas dissolved in the water produced by fuel cells containing an alkaline electrolyte. The unit eliminates the hazards associated with the release of hydrogen from water solution when the hydrostatic pressure is rapidly decreased.

Albright, C. F.↗