75 FR 71625 - System Restoration Reliability Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-24

... processing software should be filed in native applications or print-to-PDF format, and not in a scanned... (2006), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C. Cir. 2009). 6. On March 16, 2007, the... electronically using word processing software should be filed in native applications or print-to-PDF format, and...

75 FR 81152 - Interpretation of Protection System Reliability Standard

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-27

... created electronically using word processing software should be filed in native applications or print-to... reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ] 61,126 (2006), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (DC... print-to-PDF format and not in a scanned format, at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp . Mail...

Super elongation complex promotes early HIV transcription and its function is modulated by P-TEFb.

PubMed

Kuzmina, Alona; Krasnopolsky, Simona; Taube, Ran

2017-05-27

Early work on the control of transcription of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) laid the foundation for our current knowledge of how RNA Polymerase II is released from promoter-proximal pausing sites and transcription elongation is enhanced. The viral Tat activator recruits Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) and Super Elongation Complex (SEC) that jointly drive transcription elongation. While substantial progress in understanding the role of SEC in HIV gene transcription elongation has been obtained, defining of the mechanisms that govern SEC functions is still limited, and the role of SEC in controlling HIV transcription in the absence of Tat is less clear. Here we revisit the contribution of SEC in early steps of HIV gene transcription. In the absence of Tat, the AF4/FMR2 Family member 4 (AFF4) of SEC efficiently activates HIV transcription, while gene activation by its homolog AFF1 is substantially lower. Differential recruitment to the HIV promoter and association with Human Polymerase-Associated Factor complex (PAFc) play key role in this functional distinction between AFF4 and AFF1. Moreover, while depletion of cyclin T1 expression has subtle effects on HIV gene transcription in the absence of Tat, knockout (KO) of AFF1, AFF4, or both proteins slightly repress this early step of viral transcription. Upon Tat expression, HIV transcription reaches optimal levels despite KO of AFF1 or AFF4 expression. However, double AFF1/AFF4 KO completely diminishes Tat trans-activation. Significantly, our results show that P-TEFb phosphorylates AFF4 and modulates SEC assembly, AFF1/4 dimerization and recruitment to the viral promoter. We conclude that SEC promotes both early steps of HIV transcription in the absence of Tat, as well as elongation of transcription, when Tat is expressed. Significantly, SEC functions are modulated by P-TEFb.

Super elongation complex promotes early HIV transcription and its function is modulated by P-TEFb

PubMed Central

Kuzmina, Alona; Krasnopolsky, Simona; Taube, Ran

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Early work on the control of transcription of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) laid the foundation for our current knowledge of how RNA Polymerase II is released from promoter-proximal pausing sites and transcription elongation is enhanced. The viral Tat activator recruits Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) and Super Elongation Complex (SEC) that jointly drive transcription elongation. While substantial progress in understanding the role of SEC in HIV gene transcription elongation has been obtained, defining of the mechanisms that govern SEC functions is still limited, and the role of SEC in controlling HIV transcription in the absence of Tat is less clear. Here we revisit the contribution of SEC in early steps of HIV gene transcription. In the absence of Tat, the AF4/FMR2 Family member 4 (AFF4) of SEC efficiently activates HIV transcription, while gene activation by its homolog AFF1 is substantially lower. Differential recruitment to the HIV promoter and association with Human Polymerase-Associated Factor complex (PAFc) play key role in this functional distinction between AFF4 and AFF1. Moreover, while depletion of cyclin T1 expression has subtle effects on HIV gene transcription in the absence of Tat, knockout (KO) of AFF1, AFF4, or both proteins slightly repress this early step of viral transcription. Upon Tat expression, HIV transcription reaches optimal levels despite KO of AFF1 or AFF4 expression. However, double AFF1/AFF4 KO completely diminishes Tat trans-activation. Significantly, our results show that P-TEFb phosphorylates AFF4 and modulates SEC assembly, AFF1/4 dimerization and recruitment to the viral promoter. We conclude that SEC promotes both early steps of HIV transcription in the absence of Tat, as well as elongation of transcription, when Tat is expressed. Significantly, SEC functions are modulated by P-TEFb. PMID:28340332

First findings of dinocysts in the upper Oligocene Turtas formation in Southern Tyumen oblast (West Siberia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzmina, O. B.; Shurygin, B. N.

2016-04-01

A new occurrence of dinocysts Pseudokomewuia in continental Cenosoic (Oligocene-Miocene) rocks of the West Siberian plain is identified. A complex of palynomorphs with dominant microphytoplankton (dinocysts) was found for the first time in the lacustrine-marsh sediments of the south of Tyumen oblast. The variable composition of the complex with Pseudokomewuia aff. laevigata He and Pseudokomewuia aff. granulata He species is traced upward through the section. The layers that correspond to the maximum abundance of Pseudokomewuia (akme) are distinguished and correlated with sections studied previously, which are located in the Barabinsk lithofacial region. Sediments with dinocysts are compared with sediments of the same age from North America, Northern Europe, and Southern China.

An Apple Fruit Fermentation (AFF) Treatment Improves the Composition of the Rhizosphere Microbial Community and Growth of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch 'Benihoppe') Seedlings.

PubMed

Zhang, Jie; Pang, Hui; Ma, Mengxia; Bu, Yufen; Shao, Wei; Huang, Weijing; Ji, Qianlong; Yao, Yuncong

2016-01-01

Plant growth can be promoted by the application of apple fruit fermentation (AFF), despite unclear of the underlying mechanisms, the effects involved in AFF on rhizosphere microorganisms have been hypothesized. We investigated the consequences of applying AFF alone or in combination with Bacillus licheniformis to strawberry tissue culture seedlings in vitro, the analyses of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA were performed to determine AFF effects on rhizosphere. Moreover, the growth index and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined 30 days after treatments. We identified five dominant bacteria in AFF: Coprinus atramentarius, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Weissella and B. subtilis. The greatest number of bacterial species were observed in the rhizosphere of control matrix (water treated), and the lowest diversity appeared in the rhizosphere soil treated with 108 cfu/mL B. licheniformis alone. Combining AFF plus B. licheniformis in one treatment resulted in the largest leaf area, plant height, root length, plant weight, and the markedly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes. We conclude that a combination of AFF plus B. licheniformis treatment to matrix can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in strawberry seedlings, optimize the status of rhizosphere microbial, and promote plant growth.

An Apple Fruit Fermentation (AFF) Treatment Improves the Composition of the Rhizosphere Microbial Community and Growth of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch ‘Benihoppe’) Seedlings

PubMed Central

Bu, Yufen; Shao, Wei; Huang, Weijing; Ji, Qianlong; Yao, Yuncong

2016-01-01

Plant growth can be promoted by the application of apple fruit fermentation (AFF), despite unclear of the underlying mechanisms, the effects involved in AFF on rhizosphere microorganisms have been hypothesized. We investigated the consequences of applying AFF alone or in combination with Bacillus licheniformis to strawberry tissue culture seedlings in vitro, the analyses of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rDNA were performed to determine AFF effects on rhizosphere. Moreover, the growth index and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined 30 days after treatments. We identified five dominant bacteria in AFF: Coprinus atramentarius, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Weissella and B. subtilis. The greatest number of bacterial species were observed in the rhizosphere of control matrix (water treated), and the lowest diversity appeared in the rhizosphere soil treated with 108 cfu/mL B. licheniformis alone. Combining AFF plus B. licheniformis in one treatment resulted in the largest leaf area, plant height, root length, plant weight, and the markedly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes. We conclude that a combination of AFF plus B. licheniformis treatment to matrix can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in strawberry seedlings, optimize the status of rhizosphere microbial, and promote plant growth. PMID:27755580

Osteology of a new specimen of Macrocnemus aff. M. fuyuanensis (Archosauromorpha, Protorosauria) from the Middle Triassic of Europe: potential implications for species recognition and paleogeography of tanystropheid protorosaurs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaquier, Vivien P.; Fraser, Nicholas C.; Furrer, Heinz; Scheyer, Torsten M.

2017-11-01

Over the past two decades, a wealth of marine and terrestrial reptiles, including protorosaurian archosauromorphs, has been described from Triassic shales and limestone layers in southern China. Recovered from the eastern margin of the Tethys Ocean, these forms often show remarkable similarities to taxa that were previously known and described from Europe, i.e., the western Tethyan margin. One protorosaurian that is known from the western and the eastern Tethyan province is the genus Macrocnemus, with currently three recognized species: 1) M. bassanii from the Middle Triassic Besano Formation and Meride Limestone (late Anisian – early Ladinian), UNESCO World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio, Ticino, Switzerland; 2) M. obristi from the Prosanto Formation (early Ladinian) of the Ducan area, Grisons, Switzerland; and 3) M. fuyuanensis from the Falang Formation (Ladinian), Yunnan Province, southern China. Recently a new specimen, PIMUZ T 1559, from the upper Besano Formation at Meride, Ticino, Switzerland, was prepared, revealing a disarticulated skeleton which includes most of the cranium and lower jaw, pre-caudal vertebral column and ribs, the forelimbs, and girdle elements. Unambiguously assignable to the genus Macrocnemus, it evinces particularly gracile elongated cervical ribs, as well as a humerus/radius ratio that is comparable only to that of M. fuyuanensis from southern China. Based on this feature we tentatively recognize the new specimen as M. aff. fuyuanensis from Europe. The position and exquisite preservation of the clavicle and interclavicle in this specimen allows a revision of the shoulder girdle of Macrocnemus when articulated, which also has implications for closely related protorosaurian taxa, such as the long-necked Tanystropheus. Furthermore, differences in the shape and morphology of the interclavicle including pointed wing-like lateral processes and a short, fusiform caudal process represent rare discrete characters that allow separation of the specimens of M. bassanii from the new specimen of M. aff. fuyuanensis.

Incidence and medical management of bisphosphonate-associated atypical femoral fractures in a major trauma centre: a retrospective observational study.

PubMed

Eisenstein, Neil; Kasavkar, Ganesh; Bhavsar, Dhruva; Khan, Faisal Shehzaad; Paskins, Zoe

2017-01-23

Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are rare events associated with increased duration of bisphosphonate exposure. Recommended management of AFFs include cessation of bisphosphonates and imaging of the contralateral femur. The aims of this study were to identify the local incidence of AFFs in bisphosphonate users and to audit the medical management of AFFs against published recommendations. A retrospective analysis of the admissions database for a major trauma centre identified all femoral fractures (3150) in a five-year period (July 2009 to June 2014). Electronic health records and radiographs were reviewed using the 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) diagnostic criteria for AFF to establish the number of cases. To estimate incidence, the total number of bisphosphonate users was derived from primary care prescription and secondary care day-case records. Medical management of cases with AFF on bisphosphonates was audited against guidance from ASBMR and Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. 10 out of 3150 femoral fractures met criteria for AFF; 7 of these patients had a history of exposure to bisphosphonates (6 oral, 1 intravenous). There were 19.1 AFFs per 100,000 years of bisphosphonate use in our region. Bisphosphonates were stopped and the contralateral femur imaged in only 2 of the 7 patients treated with bisphosphonates. Our local incidence is in line with published figures; however, this is the first published evidence suggesting that medical management and identification of AFF may be suboptimal. Managing these patients remains challenging due to their rarity and possible lack of awareness.

Prebiotic potential of Agave angustifolia Haw fructans with different degrees of polymerization.

PubMed

Velázquez-Martínez, José Rodolfo; González-Cervantes, Rina M; Hernández-Gallegos, Minerva Aurora; Mendiola, Roberto Campos; Aparicio, Antonio R Jiménez; Ocampo, Martha L Arenas

2014-08-19

Inulin-type fructans are the most studied prebiotic compounds because of their broad range of health benefits. In particular, plants of the Agave genus are rich in fructans. Agave-derived fructans have a branched structure with both β-(2→1) and β-(2→6) linked fructosyl chains attached to the sucrose start unit with a degree of polymerization (DP) of up to 80 fructose units. The objective of this work was to assess the prebiotic potential of three Agave angustifolia Haw fructan fractions (AFF) with different degrees of polymerization. The three fructan fractions were extracted from the agave stem by lixiviation and then purified by ultrafiltration and ion exchange chromatography: AFF1, AFF2 and AFF3 with high (3-60 fructose units), medium (2-40) and low (2-22) DP, respectively. The fructan profile was determined with high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD), which confirmed a branched fructan structure. Structural elucidation was performed by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy. The AFF spectrum shows characteristic fructan bands. The prebiotic effect of these fractions was assessed in vitro through fermentation by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains. Four growth patterns were observed. Some bacteria did not grow with any of the AFF, while other strains grew with only AFF3. Some bacteria grew according to the molecular weight of the AFF and some grew indistinctly with the three fructan fractions.

Incidence and prognostic significance of new onset atrial fibrillation/flutter in acute pericarditis.

PubMed

Imazio, Massimo; Lazaros, George; Picardi, Elisa; Vasileiou, Panagiotis; Orlando, Fabrizio; Carraro, Mara; Tsiachris, Dimitris; Vlachopoulos, Charalambos; Georgiopoulos, George; Tousoulis, Dimitrios; Belli, Riccardo; Gaita, Fiorenzo

2015-09-01

Data on the incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF/f) in patients with acute pericarditis are limited. We sought to determine the incidence and prognostic significance of AF/f in this setting. Between January 2006 and June 2014, consecutive new cases of acute pericarditis were included in two urban referral centres for pericardial diseases. All new cases of AF/f defined as episodes lasting ≥30 s were recorded. Events considered during follow-up consisted of AF/f and pericarditis recurrence, cardiac tamponade, pericardial constriction and death. 822 consecutive new cases of acute pericarditis (mean age 53±15 years, 444 men) were analysed. AF/f was detected in 35 patients (4.3%, mean age 66.5±11.3 years, 18 men). Patients with AF/f were significantly older (p=0.017) and presented more frequently with pericardial effusion (p<0.001). Arrhythmias developed within 24 h of pericarditis onset in 91.4% of cases, lasted >24 h in 25.7% and spontaneously converted in 74.3% of patients. Underlying structural heart disease was present in 17% of AF/f cases. In a 30-month follow-up, patients with history of AF/f at the initial episode had a higher rate of arrhythmia occurrence (34.3% vs 0.9%, p<0.001), mostly (75%) within 3 months. No other differences were detected in additional clinical events including haemorrhagic complications in patients receiving oral anticoagulation. The occurrence of AF/f in acute pericarditis identifies a predisposed population to AF/f with a high recurrence risk (about 35%): in these patients, pericarditis may act as an arrhythmic trigger and oral anticoagulation should be seriously considered according to guidelines. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

The fracture sites of atypical femoral fractures are associated with the weight-bearing lower limb alignment.

PubMed

Saita, Yoshitomo; Ishijima, Muneaki; Mogami, Atsuhiko; Kubota, Mitsuaki; Baba, Tomonori; Kaketa, Takefumi; Nagao, Masashi; Sakamoto, Yuko; Sakai, Kensuke; Kato, Rui; Nagura, Nana; Miyagawa, Kei; Wada, Tomoki; Liu, Lizu; Obayashi, Osamu; Shitoto, Katsuo; Nozawa, Masahiko; Kajihara, Hajime; Gen, Hogaku; Kaneko, Kazuo

2014-09-01

Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are stress-related fractures that are speculated to associate with long-term treatment with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. A history of AFF is a high risk factor for the development of a subsequent AFF in the same location of the contralateral femur, suggesting that a patient's individual anatomical factor(s) are related to the fracture site of AFFs. In this study, we investigated the radiographs of fourteen AFFs (four bilateral fractures among ten patients) treated at six hospitals associated with our university between 2005 and 2010. The fracture site and standing femorotibial angle (FTA), which reflects the mechanical axis of the lower limb, were measured on weight-bearing lower limb radiographs. The fracture site and FTA of patients with typical femoral fractures (TFF) were compared to those of patients with AFFs. The correlations were examined using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. The fracture locations in the femora were almost the same in the patients with bilateral AFFs. There was a positive correlation between the fracture site and the standing FTA in the patients with AFFs (r=0.82, 95% confidence interval; 0.49 to 0.94), indicating that the larger the standing FTA (varus alignment), the more distal the site of the fracture in the femur. The FTA of the patients with atypical diaphyseal femoral fracture were significantly larger compared to that of those with not only atypical subtrochanteric fractures but also TFFs. In conclusion, the fracture sites of AFFs are associated with the standing lower limb alignment, while those of TFFs are not. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bisphosphonates and atypical femoral fractures.

PubMed

Adler, Robert A

2016-12-01

Bisphosphonates are used widely for the treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of fractures. Although generally well tolerated and effective, bisphosphonates (and denosumab, a newer antiresorptive agent) have been associated with unusual fractures of the femoral shaft. New information about the incidence, pathophysiology, and management of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are reviewed. Histomorphometric studies have shown variable amounts of bone turnover suppression, but new studies suggest that healing near bone cracks may not occur in patients with AFF. Some studies suggest that hip and femur geometry make certain people more at risk for AFF. In some but not all studies, the risk of AFF appears to be related to duration of treatment. Thus, the benefit/risk ratio needs to be reassessed as bisphosphonate therapy is prolonged. If we can better understand the pathogenesis of AFF, it may be possible to identify those patients at highest risk. In the meantime, clinicians must periodically assess risk for osteoporotic fracture versus risk for AFF in managing patients with osteoporosis.

Combined transcriptome studies identify AFF3 as a mediator of the oncogenic effects of β-catenin in adrenocortical carcinoma

PubMed Central

Lefèvre, L; Omeiri, H; Drougat, L; Hantel, C; Giraud, M; Val, P; Rodriguez, S; Perlemoine, K; Blugeon, C; Beuschlein, F; de Reyniès, A; Rizk-Rabin, M; Bertherat, J; Ragazzon, B

2015-01-01

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a very aggressive tumor, and genomics studies demonstrate that the most frequent alterations of driver genes in these cancers activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, the adrenal-specific targets of oncogenic β-catenin-mediating tumorigenesis have not being established. A combined transcriptomic analysis from two series of human tumors and the human ACC cell line H295R harboring a spontaneous β-catenin activating mutation was done to identify the Wnt/β-catenin targets. Seven genes were consistently identified in the three studies. Among these genes, we found that AFF3 mediates the oncogenic effects of β-catenin in ACC. The Wnt response element site located at nucleotide position −1408 of the AFF3 transcriptional start sites (TSS) mediates the regulation by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. AFF3 silencing decreases cell proliferation and increases apoptosis in the ACC cell line H295R. AFF3 is located in nuclear speckles, which play an important role in RNA splicing. AFF3 overexpression in adrenocortical cells interferes with the organization and/or biogenesis of these nuclear speckles and alters the distribution of CDK9 and cyclin T1 such that they accumulate at the sites of AFF3/speckles. We demonstrate that AFF3 is a new target of Wnt/β-catenin pathway involved in ACC, acting on transcription and RNA splicing. PMID:26214578

Efficacy of two synthetic food-odor lures for Mexican fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) is determined by trap type.

PubMed

Robacker, David C; Czokajlo, Darek

2005-10-01

Sterile mass-reared Mexican fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), were trapped in a citrus orchard by using multilure traps and cylindrical sticky traps baited with Advanced Pheromone Technologies Anastrepha fruit fly (AFF) lures or Suterra BioLure two-component (ammonium acetate and putrescine) MFF lures (BioLures). The cylinder trap/AFF lure combination was the best trap over the first 6 wk, the multilure trap/BioLure combination was best during weeks 6-12, and the multilure trap/AFF lure combination was best during the last 6 wk. The multilure trap/BioLure combination was best overall by 36% over the cylinder trap/AFF lure combination, and 57% over the multilure trap/AFF lure combination. Cylinder traps with BioLures were the least effective trap/lure combination throughout the experiment, capturing only half as many flies as cylinder traps with AFF lures. Captures with cylinder traps baited with either lure and multilure traps with BioLures were female biased. For the most part, both lures remained highly attractive and emitted detectable amounts of attractive components under hot field conditions for the duration of the 18-wk experiment. Total emission of ammonia was 4 times greater and 1-pyrroline at least 10 times greater from AFF lures compared with BioLures. Correlations of trap and lure performance with ammonia emission and weather were determined, but no conclusions were possible. Results indicate that BioLures would be the lure of choice in multilure or other McPhail-type traps and AFF lures would be superior with most sticky traps or kill stations that attract flies to outer (not enclosed) surfaces.

Physical incorporation of particles in a porous media: a path to a smart wood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerriaa, Azza; El Ganaoui, Mohammed; Gerardin, Christine; Tazibt, Abdel; Gabsi, Slimane

2016-05-01

The aim of this work is to develop a functional wood incorporating, in its surface, physical and chemical properties that meet society demand. For instance: fire resistance, magnetic electrical conduction (metal-wood particles), antibacterial reaction (copper-wood), anti-pollution (zeolite-wood), dry coloring, reflective effects (minerals-wood). As part of the research on wooden materials, the technique of "JAZOLTHOP1" driving micrometric particles before combining them and moving in supersonic speeds was used in the framework of enriching a wooden substrate. Various tests were conducted on two wooden materials (fir and ash tree) submitted to four typologies of particles (steel shot, garnet, corundum and glass beads). The surfaces of the test samples were machined beforehand for a use of conventional smooth quality, thus defining a reference surface before incorporation. The enriched samples were characterized by using two optical techniques; firstly a surface technique through macroscopy Leica 110X ZP, then a volume technique through tomography2. Subsequently, volume simulations (wood-inclusions) were implemented to study the thermal transfer. The obtained results showcase the existence of certain set conditions to reach the critical fluency of incorporation and to localize the enrichment on a parallel plan to the sample surface. The results show also the influence of particles concentration and the kind of the chosen wood on the final composite matrix/particle media. Contribution to the topical issue "Materials for Energy Harvesting, Conversion and Storage (ICOME 2015) - Elected submissions", edited by Jean-Michel Nunzi, Rachid Bennacer and Mohammed El Ganaoui http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Nunzihttp:// http://Jean-Michelhttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Bennacerhttp:// http://Rachidhttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://El Ganaouihttp:// http://Mohammedhttp:// http:// http:// http://Guest editorshttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Zerriaahttp:// http://Azzahttp:// http:// http://1http:// http://ahttp:// http:// http:// http:// http://El Ganaouihttp:// http://Mohammedhttp:// http:// http://1http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Gerardinhttp:// http://Christinehttp:// http:// http://2http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Tazibthttp:// http://Abdelhttp:// http:// http://3http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Gabsihttp:// http://Slimanehttp:// http:// http://4http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Lorraine University, LERMAB-Longwy, IUT Henri Poincaré Longwyhttp://, http://186 rue de Lorrainehttp://, http://54400http:// http://Cosnes-et-Romainhttp://, http://Francehttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Lorraine University, LERMAB-Nancy, FST, rue des aiguilletteshttp://, http://54000http:// http://Nancyhttp://, http://Francehttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://CRITT Techniques Jet Fluides et Usinagehttp://, http://55000http:// http://Bar-le-Duchttp://, http://Francehttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://Unité de Recherche Environnement, Catalyse et Analyse Des Procédés, Ecole nationale d'ingénieurs de Gabeshttp://, http://Tunisiehttp:// http:// http:// http:// http:// e-mail: azza.zerriaa@univ-lorraine.fr http:// http://http://http://03http://http://05http://http://2016http://http:// http:// http://05http:// http://2016http:// http:// http:// http://03http:// http://05http:// http://2016http:// http://http:// http://03http:// http://05http:// http://2016http:// http:// http://74http:// http://2http://http://epjap/2016/05http:// http://Materials for Energy Harvesting, Conversion and Storage (ICOME 2015)http://http://24607http:// http:// http:// http://03http:// http://09http:// http://2015http:// http:// http:// http://18http:// http://09http:// http://2015http:// http:// http:// http://18http:// http://11http:// http://2015http:// http:// http:// http:// http://EDP Sciences, 2016http:// http://2016http:// http://EDP Scienceshttp:// http:// http:// http://The aim of this work is to develop a functional wood incorporating, in its surface, physical and chemical properties that meet society demand. For instance: fire resistance, magnetic electrical conduction (metal-wood particles), antibacterial reaction (copper-wood), anti-pollution (zeolite-wood), dry coloring, reflective effects (minerals-wood). As part of the research on wooden materials, the technique of "JAZOLTHOPhttp://1http://" driving micrometric particles before combining them and moving in supersonic speeds was used in the framework of enriching a wooden substrate. Various tests were conducted on two wooden materials (fir and ash tree) submitted to four typologies of particles (steel shot, garnet, corundum and glass beads). The surfaces of the test samples were machined beforehand for a use of conventional smooth quality, thus defining a reference surface before incorporation. The enriched samples were characterized by using two optical techniques; firstly a surface technique through macroscopy Leica 110X ZP, then a volume technique through tomographyhttp://2http://. Subsequently, volume simulations (wood-inclusions) were implemented to study the thermal transfer. The obtained results showcase the existence of certain set conditions to reach the critical fluency of incorporation and to localize the enrichment on a parallel plan to the sample surface. The results show also the influence of particles concentration and the kind of the chosen wood on the final composite matrix/particle media. http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://idlinehttp:// http://Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. (2016) 74: 24607http:// http:// http:// http://cover_datehttp:// http://May 2016http:// http:// http:// http://first_monthhttp:// http://05http:// http:// http:// http://last_monthhttp:// http://05http:// http:// http:// http://first_yearhttp:// http://2016http:// http:// http:// http://last_yearhttp:// http://2016http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://CRITT-TJFUENS CACHAN facilities

Bisphenol A activates EGFR and ERK promoting proliferation, tumor spheroid formation and resistance to EGFR pathway inhibition in estrogen receptor negative inflammatory breast cancer cells

EPA Science Inventory

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a distinct and the deadliest breast cancer variant, which shows a rapid rate of progression and acquired therapeutic resistance. Epidemiological studies suggest that chemical exposure in the environment and consumer products can aff...

77 FR 7526 - Interpretation of Protection System Reliability Standard

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-13

... reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ] 61,126 (2006), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D.C... opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the Internet through FERC's Home Page... available on eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. To access...

76 FR 58101 - Electric Reliability Organization Interpretation of Transmission Operations Reliability Standard

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-20

... on reh'g & compliance, 117 FERC ] 61,126 (2006), aff'd sub nom. Alcoa, Inc. v. FERC, 564 F.3d 1342 (D... persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the Internet through FERC's... document is available on eLibrary in PDF and Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or...

CYP96T1 of Narcissus sp. aff. pseudonarcissus Catalyzes Formation of the Para-Para' C-C Phenol Couple in the Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

PubMed Central

Kilgore, Matthew B.; Augustin, Megan M.; May, Gregory D.; Crow, John A.; Kutchan, Toni M.

2016-01-01

The Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are a family of amino acid derived alkaloids with many biological activities; examples include haemanthamine, haemanthidine, galanthamine, lycorine, and maritidine. Central to the biosynthesis of the majority of these alkaloids is a C-C phenol-coupling reaction that can have para-para', para-ortho', or ortho-para' regiospecificity. Through comparative transcriptomics of Narcissus sp. aff. pseudonarcissus, Galanthus sp., and Galanthus elwesii we have identified a para-para' C-C phenol coupling cytochrome P450, CYP96T1, capable of forming the products (10bR,4aS)-noroxomaritidine and (10bS,4aR)-noroxomaritidine from 4′-O-methylnorbelladine. CYP96T1 was also shown to catalyzed formation of the para-ortho' phenol coupled product, N-demethylnarwedine, as less than 1% of the total product. CYP96T1 co-expresses with the previously characterized norbelladine 4′-O-methyltransferase. The discovery of CYP96T1 is of special interest because it catalyzes the first major branch in Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthesis. CYP96T1 is also the first phenol-coupling enzyme characterized from a monocot. PMID:26941773

Quantifying disease activity in fatty-infiltrated skeletal muscle by IDEAL-CPMG in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

PubMed Central

Mankodi, Ami; Bishop, Courtney A.; Auh, Sungyoung; Newbould, Rexford D.; Fischbeck, Kenneth H.; Janiczek, Robert

2016-01-01

Purpose To explore the use of iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (IDEAL-CPMG) to simultaneously measure skeletal muscle apparent fat fraction (AFF) and water T2 (T2,w) in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Materials and Methods In twenty healthy volunteer (HV) boys and thirteen subjects with DMD, thigh muscle AFF was measured by Dixon and IDEAL-CPMG, with the IDEAL-CPMG also providing T2,w as a measure of muscle inflammatory activity. A subset of subjects with DMD was followed up during a 48-week clinical study. The study was in compliance with the Patient Privacy Act and approved by the Institutional Review Board. Results AFF in the thigh muscles of subjects with DMD was significantly increased compared to HV boys (p < 0.001). Dixon and IDEAL-CPMG AFF strongly correlated (r = 0.92) and were in good agreement. Muscle T2,w measured by IDEAL-CPMG was independent of changes in AFF. Muscle T2,w was higher in the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis muscles of subjects with DMD (p < 0.05). There was a strong correlation (p < 0.004) between AFF in all thigh muscles and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in subjects with DMD. Conclusions IDEAL-CPMG allowed independent and simultaneous quantification of skeletal muscle fatty degeneration and disease activity in DMD. IDEAL-CPMG AFF and T2,w may be useful as biomarkers in clinical trials of DMD as the technique disentangles two competing biological processes. PMID:27593185

Comparison of two synthetic food-odor lures for captures of feral Mexican fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Mexico and implications regarding use of irradiated flies to assess lure efficacy.

PubMed

Robacker, David C; Thomas, Donald B

2007-08-01

Feral Mexican fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), were trapped in a citrus orchard in Mexico by using two types of synthetic food-odor lures, the AFF lure (Anastrepha fruit fly lure, APTIV, Inc., Portland, OR) and the BioLure (two-component MFF lure, Suterra LLC, Inc., Bend, OR). In Multilure traps (Better World Manufacturing, Inc., Miami, FL) containing water, BioLures captured about the same numbers of flies as AFF lures. In Multilure traps containing antifreeze solution, BioLures captured 2 and 5 times more flies than AFF lures in two experiments. BioLures, and AFF lures did not differ in attractiveness when used on sticky traps (Intercept trap, APTIV, Inc.; and sticky cylinder trap). Multilure traps captured >4 times as many flies as sticky traps with the exception that captures of females did not differ between Multilure and sticky traps baited with AFF lures. The percentage of females captured in Multilure traps was greater when traps were baited with BioLures compared with AFF lures, but the reverse was true for sticky traps. Sticky cylinder traps captured a higher percentage of females than Multilure traps. The most effective trap/lure combination was the Multilure trap baited with BioLure and antifreeze. In comparison with tests of these two lures in Texas, results were similar for Multilure traps, but they differed for sticky cylinder traps in that AFF lures were consistently more attractive than BioLures in Texas, but not in Mexico.

Automated Aerial Refueling Hitches a Ride on AFF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, Jennifer L.; Murray, James E.; Bever, Glenn; Campos, Norma V.; Schkolnik, Gerard

2007-01-01

The recent introduction of uninhabited aerial vehicles [UAVs (basically, remotely piloted or autonomous aircraft)] has spawned new developments in autonomous operation and posed new challenges. Automated aerial refueling (AAR) is a capability that will enable UAVs to travel greater distances and loiter longer over targets. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, in cooperation with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, rapidly conceived and accomplished an AAR flight research project focused on collecting a unique, high-quality database on the dynamics of the hose and drogue of an aerial refueling system. This flight-derived database would be used to validate mathematical models of the dynamics in support of design and analysis of AAR systems for future UAVs. The project involved the use of two Dryden F/A-18 airplanes and an S-3 hose-drogue refueling store on loan from the Navy. In this year-long project, which was started on October 1, 2002, 583 research maneuvers were completed during 23 flights.

Critical differences between subtrochanteric and diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures: analyses of 51 cases at a single institution in Korean population.

PubMed

Cho, Yoon-Je; Kang, Kyung-Chung; Chun, Young-Soo; Rhyu, Kee Hyung; Kim, Sang-Jun; Jang, Tae-Su

2018-05-03

There still remains controversy on the pathomechanism of atypical femoral fracture (AFF). The angle of lateral bowing and bone mineral density showed significant differences between subtrochanteric and diaphyseal atypical fracture groups. In addition to the use of bisphosphonate, mechanical factors might play important roles in the occurrence of AFFs. Although AFF could be divided into subtrochanteric and diaphyseal fracture according to the location of fractures, there is a lack of evidence regarding differences between two fractures and etiology of the occurrence. The aim of study is to determine differences between atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal fracture in Korean population. Between February 2010 and March 2015, 51 AFFs in 40 patients were included in this study. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The AFF patients satisfied all the diagnostic criteria of the 2014 revised edition of the ASMBR. To analyze the differences according to the location of fracture, the AFFs were divided into subtrochanteric (n = 16) and diaphyseal (n = 35) fracture groups. The following factors were compared between two groups: patients' demographics, underlying diseases, laboratory findings (serum-25(OH) VitD3, osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, ALP, Ca, and P), bone mineral density (BMD), duration of bisphosphonate (BP) usage, and lateral bowing of the femur at time of the fracture. All AFFs happened in female patients (mean age, 73.8 years) who have received bisphosphonate treatments except three patients. The mean duration of bisphosphonate usage was 95.3 months. Between the two groups, demographic data (age, height, weight, and BMI), underlying diseases, laboratory findings, hip BMD, and duration of BP treatment were comparable to each other (p > 0.05). However, the subtrochanteric fracture group showed higher FNSBA (femoral neck shaft bowing angle, p < 0.001) and spine BMD (p = 0.014) compared to the diaphyseal fracture group. Angle of lateral bowing (FNSBA) and spine BMD showed significant differences between subtrochanteric and diaphyseal atypical fracture groups. According to our results, femoral bowing and spine BMD may play important roles in the AFF locations.

Leucettamol A: a new inhibitor of Ubc13-Uev1A interaction isolated from a marine sponge, Leucetta aff. microrhaphis.

PubMed

Tsukamoto, Sachiko; Takeuchi, Tomoharu; Rotinsulu, Henki; Mangindaan, Remy E P; van Soest, Rob W M; Ukai, Kazuyo; Kobayashi, Hisayoshi; Namikoshi, Michio; Ohta, Tomihisa; Yokosawa, Hideyoshi

2008-12-15

A compound that inhibits the formation of a complex composed of the ubiquitin E2 enzyme Ubc13 and Uev1A was isolated from the marine sponge Leucetta aff. microrhaphis. The compound was identified as leucettamol A (1) by spectroscopic analysis. Its inhibition of Ubc13-Uev1A interaction was tested by the ELISA method, revealing an IC(50) value of 50 microg/mL. The compound is the first inhibitor of Ubc13-Uev1A interaction, that is, that of the E2 activity of Ubc13. Such inhibitors are presumed to be leads for anti-cancer agents that upregulate activity of the tumor suppressor p53 protein. Interestingly, hydrogenation of 1 increased its inhibitory activity with an IC(50) value of 4 microg/mL, while its tetraacetate derivative was inactive, indicating that the hydroxy and/or amino groups of 1 are required for the inhibition.

MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Atypical femoral fractures: risks and benefits of long-term treatment of osteoporosis with anti-resorptive therapy.

PubMed

Adler, Robert A

2018-03-01

Modern osteoporosis treatment began in the mid-1990s with the approval of amino-bisphosphonates, anti-resorptive agents that have been shown to decrease osteoporotic fracture risk by about half. In 2005, the first cases of atypical femoral fractures (AFF), occurring in the shaft of the femur, were reported. Since then, more cases have been found, leading to great concern among patients and a dramatic decrease in bisphosphonate prescribing. The pathogenesis and incidence of AFF are reviewed herein. Management and an approach to prevention or early detection of AFF are also provided. Denosumab, a more recently approved anti-resorptive medication has also been associated with AFF. Long-term management of osteoporosis and prevention of fracture are challenging in light of this serious but uncommon side effect, yet with an aging population osteoporotic fracture is destined to increase in frequency. © 2018 European Society of Endocrinology.

Emergency department presentations for atrial fibrillation and flutter in Alberta: a large population-based study.

PubMed

Rosychuk, Rhonda J; Graham, Michelle M; Holroyd, Brian R; Rowe, Brian H

2017-01-10

Atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) are not infrequent presenting problems in Emergency Departments (ED); however, little is known of the pattern of these presentations. This study provides a description of AFF presentations and outcomes after ED discharge in Alberta. Provincial administrative databases were used to obtain all primary ED encounters for AFF during 1999 to 2011 for patients aged >35 years. Data extracted included demographics, ED visit timing, and subsequent visits to non-ED settings. Analysis included summaries and standardized rates. During the study period, there were 63,398 ED AFF visits from 32,104 distinct adults. Median ages for females and males were 75 and 67 years, respectively; more men (52%) and patients > 65 presented. Overall, the standardized rates remained similar (2.8 per 1,000 over the study period). Specific populations of human services recipients and First Nations had higher ED visit rates for AFF than other groups. Predictable daily, weekly, and monthly trends were observed. The ED visits were followed by numerous subsequent visits in non-ED settings; however, First Nations and women had lower rates of specialist follow-up. Annually, over 5,000 ED presentations of patients experiencing AFF occur in Alberta and admissions proportions are declining. While presentation rates across the province are stable, follow-up with physicians, consultation with cardiologists and health outcomes vary based on socio-economic, age, sex, and First Nations status. Further research is required to understand the causes and consequences of these inequalities and to standardize care.

Extrinsic Repair of Injured Dendrites as a Paradigm for Regeneration by Fusion in Caenorhabditis elegans

PubMed Central

Oren-Suissa, Meital; Gattegno, Tamar; Kravtsov, Veronika; Podbilewicz, Benjamin

2017-01-01

Injury triggers regeneration of axons and dendrites. Research has identified factors required for axonal regeneration outside the CNS, but little is known about regeneration triggered by dendrotomy. Here, we study neuronal plasticity triggered by dendrotomy and determine the fate of complex PVD arbors following laser surgery of dendrites. We find that severed primary dendrites grow toward each other and reconnect via branch fusion. Simultaneously, terminal branches lose self-avoidance and grow toward each other, meeting and fusing at the tips via an AFF-1-mediated process. Ectopic branch growth is identified as a step in the regeneration process required for bypassing the lesion site. Failure of reconnection to the severed dendrites results in degeneration of the distal end of the neuron. We discover pruning of excess branches via EFF-1 that acts to recover the original wild-type arborization pattern in a late stage of the process. In contrast, AFF-1 activity during dendritic auto-fusion is derived from the lateral seam cells and not autonomously from the PVD neuron. We propose a model in which AFF-1-vesicles derived from the epidermal seam cells fuse neuronal dendrites. Thus, EFF-1 and AFF-1 fusion proteins emerge as new players in neuronal arborization and maintenance of arbor connectivity following injury in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results demonstrate that there is a genetically determined multi-step pathway to repair broken dendrites in which EFF-1 and AFF-1 act on different steps of the pathway. EFF-1 is essential for dendritic pruning after injury and extrinsic AFF-1 mediates dendrite fusion to bypass injuries. PMID:28283540

Extrinsic Repair of Injured Dendrites as a Paradigm for Regeneration by Fusion in Caenorhabditis elegans.

PubMed

Oren-Suissa, Meital; Gattegno, Tamar; Kravtsov, Veronika; Podbilewicz, Benjamin

2017-05-01

Injury triggers regeneration of axons and dendrites. Research has identified factors required for axonal regeneration outside the CNS, but little is known about regeneration triggered by dendrotomy. Here, we study neuronal plasticity triggered by dendrotomy and determine the fate of complex PVD arbors following laser surgery of dendrites. We find that severed primary dendrites grow toward each other and reconnect via branch fusion. Simultaneously, terminal branches lose self-avoidance and grow toward each other, meeting and fusing at the tips via an AFF-1-mediated process. Ectopic branch growth is identified as a step in the regeneration process required for bypassing the lesion site. Failure of reconnection to the severed dendrites results in degeneration of the distal end of the neuron. We discover pruning of excess branches via EFF-1 that acts to recover the original wild-type arborization pattern in a late stage of the process. In contrast, AFF-1 activity during dendritic auto-fusion is derived from the lateral seam cells and not autonomously from the PVD neuron. We propose a model in which AFF-1-vesicles derived from the epidermal seam cells fuse neuronal dendrites. Thus, EFF-1 and AFF-1 fusion proteins emerge as new players in neuronal arborization and maintenance of arbor connectivity following injury in Caenorhabditis elegans Our results demonstrate that there is a genetically determined multi-step pathway to repair broken dendrites in which EFF-1 and AFF-1 act on different steps of the pathway. EFF-1 is essential for dendritic pruning after injury and extrinsic AFF-1 mediates dendrite fusion to bypass injuries. Copyright © 2017 by the Genetics Society of America.

Auditory Vigilance and Working Memory in Youth at Familial Risk for Schizophrenia or Affective Psychosis in the Harvard Adolescent Family High Risk Study.

PubMed

Seidman, Larry J; Pousada-Casal, Andrea; Scala, Silvia; Meyer, Eric C; Stone, William S; Thermenos, Heidi W; Molokotos, Elena; Agnew-Blais, Jessica; Tsuang, Ming T; Faraone, Stephen V

2016-11-01

The degree of overlap between schizophrenia (SCZ) and affective psychosis (AFF) has been a recurring question since Kraepelin's subdivision of the major psychoses. Studying nonpsychotic relatives allows a comparison of disorder-associated phenotypes, without potential confounds that can obscure distinctive features of the disorder. Because attention and working memory have been proposed as potential endophenotypes for SCZ and AFF, we compared these cognitive features in individuals at familial high-risk (FHR) for the disorders. Young, unmedicated, first-degree relatives (ages, 13-25 years) at FHR-SCZ (n=41) and FHR-AFF (n=24) and community controls (CCs, n=54) were tested using attention and working memory versions of the Auditory Continuous Performance Test. To determine if schizotypal traits or current psychopathology accounted for cognitive deficits, we evaluated psychosis proneness using three Chapman Scales, Revised Physical Anhedonia, Perceptual Aberration, and Magical Ideation, and assessed psychopathology using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist -90 Revised. Compared to controls, the FHR-AFF sample was significantly impaired in auditory vigilance, while the FHR-SCZ sample was significantly worse in working memory. Both FHR groups showed significantly higher levels of physical anhedonia and some psychopathological dimensions than controls. Adjusting for physical anhedonia, phobic anxiety, depression, psychoticism, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms eliminated the FHR-AFF vigilance effects but not the working memory deficits in FHR-SCZ. The working memory deficit in FHR-SZ was the more robust of the cognitive impairments after accounting for psychopathological confounds and is supported as an endophenotype. Examination of larger samples of people at familial risk for different psychoses remains necessary to confirm these findings and to clarify the role of vigilance in FHR-AFF. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1026-1037).

Auto-fusion and the shaping of neurons and tubes

PubMed Central

Soulavie, Fabien; Sundaram, Meera V.

2016-01-01

Cells adopt specific shapes that are necessary for specific functions. For example, some neurons extend elaborate arborized dendrites that can contact multiple targets. Epithelial and endothelial cells can form tiny seamless unicellular tubes with an intracellular lumen. Recent advances showed that cells can auto-fuse to acquire those specific shapes. During auto-fusion, a cell merges two parts of its own plasma membrane. In contrast to cell-cell fusion or macropinocytic fission, which result in the merging or formation of two separate membrane bound compartments, auto-fusion preserves one compartment, but changes its shape. The discovery of auto-fusion in C. elegans was enabled by identification of specific protein fusogens, EFF-1 and AFF-1, that mediate cell-cell fusion. Phenotypic characterization of eff-1 and aff-1 mutants revealed that fusogen-mediated fusion of two parts of the same cell can be used to sculpt dendritic arbors, reconnect two parts of an axon after injury, or form a hollow unicellular tube. Similar auto-fusion events recently were detected in vertebrate cells, suggesting that auto-fusion could be a widely used mechanism for shaping neurons and tubes. PMID:27436685

Stand density relationships

Treesearch

John C. Tappeiner

2013-01-01

Th inning stands (managing their densities) aff ects the development of trees and understory plants as individuals, as well as stand-level characteristics like structure, microclimate, and stand growth, habitat for various species, and fuel and potential fi re severity. Th ese characteristics and the rate of changes are aff ected by thinning severity—the reduction in...

Germline Gain-of-Function Mutations in AFF4 Cause a Developmental Syndrome Functionally Linking the Super Elongation Complex and Cohesin

PubMed Central

Izumi, Kosuke; Nakato, Ryuichiro; Zhang, Zhe; Edmondson, Andrew C.; Noon, Sarah; Dulik, Matthew C.; Rajagopalan, Ramkakrishnan; Venditti, Charles P.; Gripp, Karen; Samanich, Joy; Zackai, Elaine H.; Deardorff, Matthew A.; Clark, Dinah; Allen, Julian L.; Dorsett, Dale; Misulovin, Ziva; Komata, Makiko; Bando, Masashige; Kaur, Maninder; Katou, Yuki; Shirahige, Katsuhiko; Krantz, Ian D.

2015-01-01

Transcriptional elongation is critical for gene expression regulation during embryogenesis. The super elongation complex (SEC) governs this process by mobilizing paused RNA polymerase II (RNAP2). Using exome sequencing, we discovered missense mutations in AFF4, a core component of the SEC in three unrelated probands with a novel syndrome that phenotypically overlaps Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), that we have named CHOPS syndrome (C for Cognitive impairment and Coarse facies, H for Heart defects, O for Obesity, P for Pulmonary involvement and S for Short stature and Skeletal dysplasia). Transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses demonstrated similar alterations of genome-wide binding of AFF4, cohesin and RNAP2 between CdLS and CHOPS syndrome. Direct molecular interaction between SEC, cohesin and RNAP2 was demonstrated. This data supports a common molecular pathogenesis for CHOPS syndrome and CdLS caused by disturbance of transcriptional elongation due to alterations in genome-wide binding of AFF4 and cohesin. PMID:25730767

Authigenic Nd isotope record of North Pacific Intermediate Water formation and boundary exchange on the Bering Slope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Kwangchul; Huh, Youngsook; Han, Yeongcheol

2017-01-01

The Bering Sea is a potential location for the formation of the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW), which drives the global ocean circulation as a counterpart to the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). To evaluate the NPIW-NADW seesaw hypothesis, we reconstructed the long-term variation of the bottom water Nd isotopic composition at site U1345 on the Bering Slope by extracting authigenic Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide from bulk sediments. We examined six different extractions in order to ensure that authentic seawater composition is recovered. For Bering Slope sediments whose typical carbonate content is less than 5% (average 2%), the most reliable results are obtained if the decarbonation step is omitted and a low reagent-to-sediment ratio is adopted. The reconstructed authigenic εNd record for the last 520 kyr exhibits large temporal variations depending on whether the NPIW formation or the boundary exchange process is dominant. Periods of radiogenic εNd can be attributed to NPIW formation triggered by brine rejection, as evidenced by the difference in δ18O of benthic foraminifera between sites (Δδ18Obf), high % sea-ice related diatoms, and low abundance of Bulimina aff. Exilis (low-oxygen deep fauna). Diminished supply of unradiogenic Nd from boundary exchange seems to intensify these radiogenic peaks. On the other hand, the unradiogenic εNd intervals can be attributed to stagnant bottom water conditions, as can be deduced from the Δδ18Obf values, low % sea-ice related diatoms, abundant B. aff. Exilis, and laminations. When there is no NPIW formation, the continental margin sediments are exposed to boundary exchange for a longer period of time, leading to release of unradiogenic Nd. The mid-MIS 6 and mid-MIS 5 are exceptions in that NPIW formation occurred yet the εNd compositions are unradiogenic. NPIW formation and cold climate (closed Bering Strait) are not always correlated. Comparison against εNd records of the South Atlantic suggests only an ambiguous NPIW-NADW seesaw for the last 200 kyr.

Auto-fusion and the shaping of neurons and tubes.

PubMed

Soulavie, Fabien; Sundaram, Meera V

2016-12-01

Cells adopt specific shapes that are necessary for specific functions. For example, some neurons extend elaborate arborized dendrites that can contact multiple targets. Epithelial and endothelial cells can form tiny seamless unicellular tubes with an intracellular lumen. Recent advances showed that cells can auto-fuse to acquire those specific shapes. During auto-fusion, a cell merges two parts of its own plasma membrane. In contrast to cell-cell fusion or macropinocytic fission, which result in the merging or formation of two separate membrane bound compartments, auto-fusion preserves one compartment, but changes its shape. The discovery of auto-fusion in C. elegans was enabled by identification of specific protein fusogens, EFF-1 and AFF-1, that mediate cell-cell fusion. Phenotypic characterization of eff-1 and aff-1 mutants revealed that fusogen-mediated fusion of two parts of the same cell can be used to sculpt dendritic arbors, reconnect two parts of an axon after injury, or form a hollow unicellular tube. Similar auto-fusion events recently were detected in vertebrate cells, suggesting that auto-fusion could be a widely used mechanism for shaping neurons and tubes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New host record for Camponotophilus delvarei (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), a parasitoid of Microdon sp. larvae associated with the ant Camponotus sp. aff. textor

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The host of Camponotophilus delvarei (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is newly reported as Microdon sp. (Diptera: Syrphidae), a genus of obligatory myrmecophilous fly that predates ant brood, in this case Camponotus sp. aff. textor, in southern Mexico. The biology of Microdon spp. is reported as is that o...

Neuropsychological Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults at Genetic Risk for Schizophrenia and Affective Psychoses: Results from the Harvard and Hillside Adolescent High Risk Studies

PubMed Central

Seidman, Larry J.; Giuliano, Anthony J.; Smith, Christopher W.; Stone, William S.; Glatt, Stephen J.; Meyer, Eric; Faraone, Stephen V.; Tsuang, Ming T.; Cornblatt, Barbara

2006-01-01

Siblings and offspring of persons with schizophrenia carry elevated genetic risk for the illness and manifest attentional and memory impairments. Because less is known about other neuropsychological functions and their specificity in adolescents, we conducted a genetic high-risk (HR) study of schizophrenia (HR-SCZ) and affective psychosis (HR-AFF). Participants (ages 12–25) were from the Harvard Adolescent High-Risk and Hillside Family studies, including 73 HR-SCZ, 18 HR-AFF, and 84 community controls (CCs) recruited in metropolitan Boston and New York. Groups were compared on overall neurocognitive functioning, 6 domains, and 13 test scores, controlling for age, parental education, and correlated data within families. The HR-SCZ group was significantly impaired overall, while the HR-AFF group demonstrated a trend toward overall impairment. HR-SCZ subjects showed significantly lower Verbal Ability (d = .73) and Executive Functioning/Working Memory (d = .47) than CCs. HR-AFF subjects showed reduced Verbal Ability (d = .64) compared to CCs. Excluding 12 CCs with a parental history of depression (without psychosis) led to larger differences between HR and CC groups across domains. Moreover, HR-SCZ and CC group differences in Verbal Memory (d = .39) and Visual-Spatial (d = .34) became statistically significant. There were no significant differences between HR-SCZ and HR-AFF groups. Data support a modest neuropsychological deficit in persons at genetic HR for psychosis, with a broader range of deficits in HR-SCZ. Future work should assess the relationship of neurocognition to adaptive functioning and possible onset of psychosis in HR samples. Ascertainment criteria for controls may markedly influence results and interpretation of group differences. PMID:16707777

Implementation of an emergency department atrial fibrillation and flutter pathway improves rates of appropriate anticoagulation, reduces length of stay and thirty-day revisit rates for congestive heart failure.

PubMed

Barbic, David; DeWitt, Chris; Harris, Devin; Stenstrom, Robert; Grafstein, Eric; Wu, Crane; Vadeanu, Cristian; Heilbron, Brett; Haaf, Jenelle; Tung, Stanley; Kalla, Dan; Marsden, Julian; Christenson, Jim; Scheuermeyer, Frank

2018-05-01

An evidence-based emergency department (ED) atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) pathway was developed to improve care. The primary objective was to measure rates of new anticoagulation (AC) on ED discharge for AFF patients who were not AC correctly upon presentation. This is a pre-post evaluation from April to December 2013 measuring the impact of our pathway on rates of new AC and other performance measures in patients with uncomplicated AFF solely managed by emergency physicians. A standardized chart review identified demographics, comorbidities, and ED treatments. The primary outcome was the rate of new AC. Secondary outcomes were ED length of stay (LOS), referrals to AFF clinic, ED revisit rates, and 30-day rates of return visits for congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, major bleeding, and death. ED AFF patients totalling 301 (129 pre-pathway [PRE]; 172 post-pathway [POST]) were included; baseline demographics were similar between groups. The rates of AC at ED presentation were 18.6% (PRE) and 19.7% (POST). The rates of new AC on ED discharge were 48.6 % PRE (95% confidence interval [CI] 42.1%-55.1%) and 70.2% POST (62.1%-78.3%) (20.6% [p<0.01; 15.1-26.3]). Median ED LOS decreased from 262 to 218 minutes (44 minutes [p<0.03; 36.2-51.8]). Thirty-day rates of ED revisits for CHF decreased from 13.2% to 2.3% (10.9%; p<0.01; 8.1%-13.7%), and rates of other measures were similar. The evidence-based pathway led to an improvement in the rate of patients with new AC upon discharge, a reduction in ED LOS, and decreased revisit rates for CHF.

Fludrocortisone: Role in Central Regulation of Fluid Balance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dallman, M. F.

1996-01-01

We have performed 7 experiments in rats on the effects of systemic treatment with fludrocortisone (9a-FF) given in a variety of doses over a variety of times, in the AM and in the PM. These experiments were designed to determine the best treatment protocol to use in the head-down rat model studies which were performed at NASA-Ames Research Center during the final year. The results of the experiments in non-stressed rats have been, on the whole, disappointing in that we have so far been unable to obtain direct evidence that the 9a-FF acts as a mineralocorticoid. In the ultimate experiments using control and suspended rats, we showed mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid effects of 9aFF. However, suspension served in our rats as a chronic stressor when they were examined 5 d after the onset of treatment.

From AFF to CCNT : JPL's evolving family of multifunction constellation transceivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Sever, Yoaz; Srinivasan, Jeff; Farrington, Allen

2001-01-01

This paper describes the profiles and requirements of the ST-3 and ST-5 missions, and discusses the unique technological challenges each of them presents. Bothe the AFF and CCNT trace their heritage to GPS receivers, using measurements of both RF carrier phase and a ranging code. They will operate, however, at very different frequency bands; the ADD at Ka-band, and the CCNT at S-band.

Cytogenetic analysis of four species of the genus Alsodes (Anura: Leptodactylidae) with comments about the karyological evolution of the genus.

PubMed

Cuevas, César C; Formas, J Ramón

2003-01-01

A comparative cytogenetic analysis of Alsodes pehuenche, A. vanzolinii, A. verrucosus and A. aff. vittatus show that all four species share the same diploid number 2n = 26; the fundamental number is 50 in A. vanzolinii and 52 in A. aff. vittatus, A. pehuenche and A. verrucosus. The karyotypes of A. pehuenche and A. aff. vittatus are described for the first time; the C-band patterns, the NOR locations and Q-band patterns are also described for the first time for the four species. C-band patterns are species specific and useful to identify the taxa. The usefulness of the chromosomal data in taxonomy and systematics of Alsodes species is discussed. Transformation of euchromatin into heterochromatin and centric fissions and translocations are proposed as the main mechanisms that govern the chromosomal evolution of the frog genus Alsodes.

A pan-African medium-range ensemble flood forecast system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thiemig, Vera; Bisselink, Bernard; Pappenberger, Florian; Thielen, Jutta

2015-04-01

The African Flood Forecasting System (AFFS) is a probabilistic flood forecast system for medium- to large-scale African river basins, with lead times of up to 15 days. The key components are the hydrological model LISFLOOD, the African GIS database, the meteorological ensemble predictions of the ECMWF and critical hydrological thresholds. In this study the predictive capability is investigated, to estimate AFFS' potential as an operational flood forecasting system for the whole of Africa. This is done in a hindcast mode, by reproducing pan-African hydrological predictions for the whole year of 2003 where important flood events were observed. Results were analysed in two ways, each with its individual objective. The first part of the analysis is of paramount importance for the assessment of AFFS as a flood forecasting system, as it focuses on the detection and prediction of flood events. Here, results were verified with reports of various flood archives such as Dartmouth Flood Observatory, the Emergency Event Database, the NASA Earth Observatory and Reliefweb. The number of hits, false alerts and missed alerts as well as the Probability of Detection, False Alarm Rate and Critical Success Index were determined for various conditions (different regions, flood durations, average amount of annual precipitations, size of affected areas and mean annual discharge). The second part of the analysis complements the first by giving a basic insight into the prediction skill of the general streamflow. For this, hydrological predictions were compared against observations at 36 key locations across Africa and the Continuous Rank Probability Skill Score (CRPSS), the limit of predictability and reliability were calculated. Results showed that AFFS detected around 70 % of the reported flood events correctly. In particular, the system showed good performance in predicting riverine flood events of long duration (> 1 week) and large affected areas (> 10 000 km2) well in advance, whereas AFFS showed limitations for small-scale and short duration flood events. Also the forecasts showed on average a good reliability, and the CRPSS helped identifying regions to focus on for future improvements. The case study for the flood event in March 2003 in the Sabi Basin (Zimbabwe and Mozambique) illustrated the good performance of AFFS in forecasting timing and severity of the floods, gave an example of the clear and concise output products, and showed that the system is capable of producing flood warnings even in ungauged river basins. Hence, from a technical perspective, AFFS shows a good prospective as an operational system, as it has demonstrated its significant potential to contribute to the reduction of flood-related losses in Africa by providing national and international aid organizations timely with medium-range flood forecast information. However, issues related to the practical implication will still need to be investigated.

Fossil birds of the Kibish Formation.

PubMed

Louchart, Antoine; Haile-Selassie, Y; Vignaud, P; Likius, A; Brunet, M

2008-09-01

The Kibish Formation has yielded a small collection of bird fossils, which are identified here as belonging to five species in four different families: Pelecanidae (pelicans), Anhingidae (darters), Ardeidae (herons) and Phasianidae (gamefowl). Two species of pelicans are identified: Pelecanus cf. P. onocrotalus, and P. aff. P. rufescens. The darter is referrable to Anhinga melanogaster. The heron is identifiable as Ardea sp., and the gamefowl as Numidinae indet. (guineafowl). Pelecanus cf. P. onocrotalus is represented by, among other remains, a well-preserved partial skull. Four of the birds are thus referrable to extant taxa that provide some paleoenvironmental clues for Member I of the Kibish Formation. The two species of pelican, the darter, and the heron indicate the presence of local freshwater bodies, a lake or a slow river, supporting resources of fish. The guineafowl is poorly informative ecologically, but probably excludes the notion that the local terrestrial landscape was treeless.

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 18, Number 08, August 2011

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

continue, and STI preven- tion eff orts should be reinforced. R E F E R E N C E S 1. Kuper H, Ye W, Broome U, et al. The risk of liver and bile duct ...hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes infl ammatory liver disease (hepatitis) in aff ected individu- als. Th e virus is spread through fecal-oral...ammatory liver disease (hepatitis B) in aff ected individ- uals. Th e virus is spread by percutaneous or mucous membrane exposure to infected blood or

The stingless bee species, Scaptotrigona aff. depilis, as a potential indicator of environmental pesticide contamination.

PubMed

de Souza Rosa, Annelise; I'Anson Price, Robbie; Ferreira Caliman, Maria Juliana; Pereira Queiroz, Elisa; Blochtein, Betina; Sílvia Soares Pires, Carmen; Imperatriz-Fonseca, Vera Lucia

2015-08-01

Neonicotinoids have the potential to enter the diet of pollinators that collect resources from contaminated plants. The species Scaptotrigona aff. depilis (Moure, 1942) can be a useful indicator of the prevalence of these chemicals in the environment. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the authors devised a protocol for neonicotinoid residue extraction and detected the presence of neonicotinoids in the bee bodies. Thus, the authors consider this species to be a potential indicator of environmental contamination. © 2015 SETAC.

The 'Arm Force Field' method to predict manual arm strength based on only hand location and force direction.

PubMed

La Delfa, Nicholas J; Potvin, Jim R

2017-03-01

This paper describes the development of a novel method (termed the 'Arm Force Field' or 'AFF') to predict manual arm strength (MAS) for a wide range of body orientations, hand locations and any force direction. This method used an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the effects of hand location and force direction on MAS, and included a method to estimate the contribution of the arm's weight to the predicted strength. The AFF method predicted the MAS values very well (r 2  = 0.97, RMSD = 5.2 N, n = 456) and maintained good generalizability with external test data (r 2  = 0.842, RMSD = 13.1 N, n = 80). The AFF can be readily integrated within any DHM ergonomics software, and appears to be a more robust, reliable and valid method of estimating the strength capabilities of the arm, when compared to current approaches. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Feeding ecology of the copepod Lucicutia aff. L. grandis near the lower interface of the Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gowing, Marcia M.; Wishner, Karen F.

Feeding ecology of the calanoid copepod Lucicutia aff. L. grandis collected in the Arabian Sea at one station during the Spring Intermonsoon and during the Southwest Monsoon of 1995 was studied with transmission electron microscopy of gut-contents. Highest abundances of these animals occurred from ˜400 to 1100 m, near the lower interface of the oxygen minimum zone and at the inflection point where oxygen starts to increase. We expected that their gut-contents would include particles and cells that had sunk relatively undegraded from surface waters as well as those from within the oxygen minimum zone, and that gut-contents would differ between the Spring Intermonsoon and the more productive SW Monsoon. Overall, in both seasons Lucicutia aff. L. grandis was omnivorous, and consumed a variety of detrital particles, prokaryotic and eukaryotic autotrophs, gram-negative bacteria including metal-precipitating bacteria, aggregates of probable gram-positive bacteria, microheterotrophs, virus-like particles and large virus-like particles, as well as cuticle and cnidarian tissue. Few significant differences in types of food consumed were seen among life stages within or among various depth zones. Amorphous, unidentifiable material was significantly more abundant in guts during the Spring Intermonsoon than during the late SW Monsoon, and recognizable cells made up a significantly higher portion of gut-contents during the late SW Monsoon. This is consistent with the Intermonsoon as a time when organic material is considerably re-worked by the surface water microbial loop before leaving the euphotic zone. In both seasons Lucicutia aff. L. grandis had consumed what appeared to be aggregates of probable gram-positive bacteria, similar to those we had previously found in gut-contents of several species of zooplankton from the oxygen minimum zone in the eastern tropical Pacific. By intercepting sinking material, populations of Lucicutia aff. L. grandis act as a filter for carbon sinking to the sea floor. They also modify sinking carbon in several ways: enhancing pelagic-abyssal coupling of carbon from cyanobacteria, eliminating part of the deep-sea microbial loop by direct consumption of bacterial aggregates, and redistributing particulate manganese and iron from association with suspended cells or aggregates to containment in rapidly sinking fecal pellets. Lucicutia aff. L. grandis can be viewed as representative of deep-dwelling detritivorous mesozooplankton. Assessing the magnitude of the effects of such organisms on carbon flux in the Arabian Sea will require data on feeding rates.

Factors affecting adherence to guidelines for antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation admitted to internal medicine wards.

PubMed

Marcucci, M; Iorio, A; Nobili, A; Tettamanti, M; Pasina, L; Marengoni, A; Salerno, F; Corrao, S; Mannucci, P M

2010-12-01

Current guidelines for ischemic stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) recommend Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for patients at high-intermediate risk and aspirin for those at intermediate-low risk. The cost-effectiveness of these treatments was demonstrated also in elderly patients. However, there are several reports that emphasize the underuse of pharmacological prophylaxis of cardio-embolism in patients with AFF in different health care settings. To evaluate the adherence to current guidelines on cardio-embolic prophylaxis in elderly (> 65 years old) patients admitted with an established diagnosis of AFF to the Italian internal medicine wards participating in REPOSI registry, a project on polypathologies/polytherapies stemming from the collaboration between the Italian Society of Internal Medicine and the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research; to investigate whether or not hospitalization had an impact on guidelines adherence; to test the role of possible modifiers of VKAs prescription. We retrospectively analyzed registry data collected from January to December 2008 and assessed the prevalence of patients with AFF at admission and the prevalence of risk factors for cardio-embolism. After stratifying the patients according to their CHADS(2) score the percentage of appropriateness of antithrombotic therapy prescription was evaluated both at admission and at discharge. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to verify whether or not socio-demographic (age >80years, living alone) and clinical features (previous or recent bleeding, cranio-facial trauma, cancer, dementia) modified the frequency and modalities of antithrombotic drugs prescription at admission and discharge. Among the 1332 REPOSI patients, 247 were admitted with AFF. At admission, CHADS(2) score was ≥ 2 in 68.4% of patients, at discharge in 75.9%. Among patients with AFF 26.5% at admission and 32.8% at discharge were not on any antithrombotic therapy, and 43.7% at admission and 40.9% at discharge were not taking an appropriate therapy according to the CHADS(2) score. The higher the level of cardio-embolic risk the higher was the percentage of antiplatelet- but not of VKAs-treated patients. At admission or at discharge, both at univariable and at multivariable logistic regression, only an age >80 years and a diagnosis of cancer, previous or active, had a statistically significant negative effect on VKAs prescription. Moreover, only a positive history of bleeding events (past or present) was independently associated to no VKA prescription at discharge in patients who were on VKA therapy at admission. If heparin was considered as an appropriate therapy for patients with indication for VKAs, the percentage of patients admitted or discharged on appropriate therapy became respectively 43.7% and 53.4%. Among elderly patients admitted with a diagnosis of AFF to internal medicine wards, an appropriate antithrombotic prophylaxis was taken by less than 50%, with an underuse of VKAs prescription independently of the level of cardio-embolic risk. Hospitalization did not improve the adherence to guidelines. Copyright © 2010 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neuropsychological correlates of cognitive, emotional-affective and auto-activation apathy in Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Perri, Roberta; Turchetta, Chiara Stella; Caruso, Giulia; Fadda, Lucia; Caltagirone, Carlo; Carlesimo, Augusto Giovanni

2018-01-31

Apathy symptoms include different dimensions: cognitive (C), emotional-affective (E-Aff) and auto-activation; they have been related to dysfunctions of the dorsolateral, orbito-basal prefrontal cortex and the subcortical frontal connections to the basal ganglia, respectively. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), an association has been found between apathy severity and both executive deficits and atrophy of the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex; however, it is not clear whether these associations concern only the cognitive aspects of apathy. Furthermore, whether there is an association in AD between E-aff apathy and theory of mind (ToM),the cognitive functions subsumed by the orbito-basal prefrontal cortex, has not been investigated. Aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between C, E-Aff and auto-activation apathy and performance on tasks investigating executive and ToM cognitive functions in AD. For this purpose, 20 AD patients with apathy and 20 matched controls were submitted to an executive and ToM neuropsychological assessment. Apathy was assessed with a weekly diary (ApD) created specifically to assist caregivers in quantifying the C, E-Aff and auto-activation symptomatology of apathy. Correlational analyses showed that AD patients' scores on the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST) and Emotion Attribution tasks were correlated with most ApD scores. However, regression analyses showed that C diary scores were predicted by MCST performance, E-Aff diary scores by performance on the E-Attribution task and ApD scores measuring auto-activation apathy were predicted by both the MCST and the Emotion Attribution scores. These results confirm the co-occurrence of apathy and executive-function deficits in AD and suggest a specific association between AD patients' executive deficits and the cognitive component of apathy. Furthermore, they document, for the first time, an association between poor performance on tests assessing ToM abilities and the emotional-affective component of apathy in AD patients. Finally, these results are in line with the view that auto-activation apathy reflects the sum of emotional and cognitive processing deficits. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lateral Cortical Thickening and Bone Heterogeneity of the Subtrochanteric Femur Measured With Quantitative CT as Indicators for Early Detection of Atypical Femoral Fractures in Long-Term Bisphosphonate Users.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Hyun; Lee, Young Han; Suh, Jin-Suck

2017-10-01

The objective of our study was to compare subtrochanteric femur bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality of long-term bisphosphonate (BP) users who sustained an atypical femoral fracture (AFF) with BP users who did not sustain a femoral fracture and BP-naïve patients with no history of femoral fracture using quantitative CT (QCT). Fourteen female BP users with an AFF (mean age, 72.6 years; mean duration of BP use, 6.2 years; mean body mass index, 21.9) who had undergone QCT before fracture events were sex-, age-, BP use duration-, and body mass index-matched to 14 BP users who did not sustain a fracture and 14 BP-naïve patients. The lateral cortical thickness index (CTI) and the mean BMD (BMD mean ) and SD of the BMD (BMD SD ) within the lateral cortex and within the entire cross-sectional area of the subtrochanteric femur were measured on axial QCT. Femoral neck-shaft angles were measured on the QCT scout image. Parameters were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Lateral CTIs were greater in the BP users with an AFF (median, 0.28) than in the BP users without a femoral fracture (median, 0.21) (p = 0.038) and the BP-naïve group (median, 0.21) (p = 0.009). The lateral cortex BMD SD was significantly higher in the BP users with an AFF (median, 59.59 mg/cm 3 ) than the BP users without a femoral fracture (median, 39.27 mg/cm 3 ; p = 0.049) and the BP-naïve group (median, 31.02 mg/cm 3 ; p = 0.037). There was no significant difference among groups in lateral cortex BMD mean , BMD mean and BMD SD of the entire cross-sectional area, and femoral neck-shaft angle. Long-term BP users with a subsequent AFF had a thicker lateral cortex and higher lateral cortex BMD SD at the subtrochanteric area before the fracture on QCT than BP users who did not sustain a femoral fracture and BP-naïve patients.

The Role of Resource Density on Energy Allocation in the Neotropical Termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae).

PubMed

Cristaldo, P F; Almeida, C S; Cruz, N G; Ribeiro, E J M; Rocha, M L C; Santos, A A; Santana, A S; Araújo, A P A

2018-06-01

Organisms acquire energy from environment and must allocate it among different life traits (growth, maintenance and reproduction). Social insects must manage the energy allocation to various levels such as colony growth and caste functions. Here, we addressed the question of whether resource density affects the energy allocation to the number of individuals and caste functions as well as nest's growth rate in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aff. coxipoensis (Homgren) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). In a manipulative field experiment, colonies of N. aff. coxipoensis, with known volume, were maintained in plots with three different resource's density (0.32, 0.64 and 1.92 baits/m 2 ) over 3 months. After this period, the number of individuals as well as the caste identity and nest volume were measured. Surprisingly, our results showed that colonies reared in the extremes of resource's density (0.32 and 1.92 baits/m 2 ) produced a higher number of individuals compared with colonies reared with intermediate resource density (0. 64 baits/m 2 ). The mean number of workers increased linearly with resource density; however, the average number of immature was higher in colonies reared with 0.32 baits/m 2 compared with colonies reared with 0.64 and 1.92 baits/m 2 . No significant differences of resource density were observed in the mean number of soldiers, worker/soldier ratio as well as in the nest's growth rate. In conclusion, the resource's density seems to play an important role in determining the investment of energy in the number of individuals and caste in N. aff. coxipoensis colonies.

Application of MSSIP-2 nutrient in marine phytoplankton culture to support the production of biomass for biofuel industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taba, Paulina; Kasim, S.; Raya, I.

2018-03-01

A research on the application of MSSIP-2 nutrient in marine phytoplankton culture has been conducted to produce biomass to be used as raw material for biofuel. Marine phytoplankton was cultivated using the nutrient media and the growth rates were studied by measuring the cell solidity at various growth times. Seven phytoplanktons; Isochrysis aff galbana, Spirulina sp., Thalassiosira sp., and Nitzchia sp., Chlorella vulgaris, Chaetoceros calcitrans and Isochrysis tahiti were used in the research. The experimental temperature, salinity, and pH of the media were measured and the specific growth rates of phytoplanktons were determined using the first order rate equation. Results showed that the highest specific growth rate was given by Chlorella vulgaris (0.0322 cells/hour) and the lowest one was by Thalassiosira sp. (0.0277 cells/hour). The highest biomass weight was obtained from Isochrysis aff galbana (0.329 g), whereas the lowest one (0.27 g) was from Nitzchia sp. The carbohydrate content was various, the highest content was 34.07% found in Isochrysis aff galbana and the lowest was 28.16% in Thalassiosira sp.

Curcuma longa as additive in the diet for Astyanax aff. bimaculatus.

PubMed

de Moraes França Ferreira, Pollyanna; Martins, Maria Tatiana Soares; Caldas, Débora Werneck; Gomes, Juliana Rodrigues; de Oliveira, Jerusa Maria; Salaro, Ana Lucia; Rocha, Juliana Silva; Zuanon, Jener Alexandre Sampaio

2017-06-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) as additive in the diet for Astyanax aff. bimaculatus. Fish (0.83 ± 0.04 g) were fed, for 60 days, with six diets containing 0.0, 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0, and 100.0 g turmeric kg -1 feed. There was an increasing linear effect of turmeric on the thickness of the muscular layer, and height and width of the folds of the intestine. In the liver, a quadratic effect was observed of turmeric on the percentage of hepatocyte cytoplasm and a decreasing linear effect on the percentage of sinusoid capillaries. A quadratic effect was also observed of turmeric on the liver glycogen. There was no effect of turmeric on the antioxidant activity in the liver, carcass composition or productive performance of the fish. Thus, we concluded that Curcuma longa has trophic effects on the epithelium and the muscular layer of the intestine of A. aff. bimaculatus. Additionally, low levels of Curcuma longa cause increased deposition of liver glycogen and high levels cause reduction.

A case of incomplete atypical femoral fracture with histomorphometrical evidence of osteomalacia.

PubMed

Tsuchie, Hiroyuki; Miyakoshi, Naohisa; Nishi, Tomio; Abe, Hidekazu; Segawa, Toyohito; Shimada, Yoichi

2015-01-01

Roughly half of the femoral fracture patients diagnosed with AFF according to the criteria suggested by a task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) have not undergone bisphosphonate (BP) therapy. One suspected cause of such fractures is severe bone loss due to osteomalacia, but the pathogenesis remains unknown. We report a case of an 84-year-old woman with AFF not treated by BP therapy, in whom underlying osteomalacia was histologically diagnosed. The involvement of femoral curvature and spino-pelvic malaligment in the fracture in the present case was considered.

Pseudorandom Switching for Adding Radar to the AFF Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tien, Jeffrey; Purcell, George; Young, Lawrence

2006-01-01

A document describes the proposed addition of a radar function to the Autonomous Formation Flying Sensor, making possible coarse relative-position control to prevent collisions in the event of failure of one of the spacecraft. According to the proposal, in addition to tracking GPS-like one-way ranging signals transmitted by the other normally functioning spacecraft, each spacecraft could simultaneously track the reflection of its own ranging signal from a disabled, non-transmitting spacecraft. From the round-trip travel time, the approximate distance to the disabled spacecraft could be estimated. To prevent jamming of the receiver by the transmitter on the same spacecraft, the receiver would be switched off during transmission.

Diltiazem vs. Metoprolol in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter with Rapid Ventricular Rate in the Emergency Department.

PubMed

Fromm, Christian; Suau, Salvador J; Cohen, Victor; Likourezos, Antonios; Jellinek-Cohen, Samantha; Rose, Jonathan; Marshall, John

2015-08-01

Diltiazem (calcium channel blocker) and metoprolol (beta-blocker) are both commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation/flutter (AFF) in the emergency department (ED). However, there is considerable regional variability in emergency physician practice patterns and debate among physicians as to which agent is more effective. To date, only one small prospective, randomized trial has compared the effectiveness of diltiazem and metoprolol for rate control of AFF in the ED and concluded no difference in effectiveness between the two agents. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of diltiazem with metoprolol for rate control of AFF in the ED. A convenience sample of adult patients presenting with rapid atrial fibrillation or flutter was randomly assigned to receive either diltiazem or metoprolol. The study team monitored each subject's systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rates for 30 min. In the first 5 min, 50.0% of the diltiazem group and 10.7% of the metoprolol group reached the target heart rate (HR) of <100 beats per minute (bpm) (p < 0.005). By 30 min, 95.8% of the diltiazem group and 46.4% of the metoprolol group reached the target HR < 100 bpm (p < 0.0001). Mean decrease in HR for the diltiazem group was more rapid and substantial than that of the metoprolol group. From a safety perspective, there was no difference between the groups with respect to hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg) and bradycardia (HR < 60 bpm). Diltiazem was more effective in achieving rate control in ED patients with AFF and did so with no increased incidence of adverse effects. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Location of fractures and the characteristics of patients with atypical femoral fractures: analyses of 38 Japanese cases.

PubMed

Hyodo, Kojiro; Nishino, Tomofumi; Kamada, Hiroshi; Nozawa, Daisuke; Mishima, Hajime; Yamazaki, Masashi

2017-03-01

The purpose of this study was to determine fracture location and the characteristics of patients with atypical femoral fractures (AFFs). We studied 38 AFFs in 34 patients admitted to our institution between November 2007 and July 2013. The diagnostic criteria for the AFFs were based on 2014 American Society of Bone and Mineral Research guidelines. We classified the fracture location as proximal, middle, or distal to trisect the femoral diaphysis from just distal to the lesser trochanter to just proximal to the supracondylar flare. Bowing was defined as a line through the inside of the tip of the great trochanter and a condylar center that was outside the medullary cavity. We investigated the fracture's location, existence of coronal bowing, and bisphosphonates (BPs), glucocorticoids (GCs), and proton pump inhibitors therapy. We analyzed associations between fracture location and demographic and clinical factors. Twelve fractures were proximal, 25 were middle, and one was distal. Nineteen limbs showed femoral bowing. Thirty-one patients received BP treatment-20 patients received alendronic acid, eight risedronic acid, and three minodronic acid. Fourteen patients received a GC, and 16 received a proton pump inhibitor. There was a significant association between coronal bowing and middle fracture locations, GC therapy and proximal fracture locations, and older age and middle fracture locations. Tall height and heavy weight had an association with proximal fracture location, and short height and light weight had an association with middle fracture location. In conclusion, we provide evidence supporting a causal relationship between BP-related severely suppressed bone turnover and AFFs. We also provide evidence supporting additional influences from altered distribution of mechanical stress with femoral bowing and various factors, such as GC therapy, age, body weight, and height, which might negatively affect bone intensity and quality and result in fracture.

Specific interactions versus counterion condensation. 2. Theoretical treatment within the counterion condensation theory.

PubMed

Donati, Ivan; Benegas, Julio C; Cesàro, Attilio; Paoletti, Sergio

2006-05-01

Polyuronates such as pectate and alginate are very well-known examples of biological polyelectrolytes undergoing, upon addition of divalent cations, an interchain association that acts as the junction of an eventually formed stable hydrogel. In the present paper, a thermodynamic model based on the counterion condensation theory has been developed to account for this cation-induced chain pairing of negatively charged polyelectrolytes. The strong interactions between cross-linking ions and uronate moieties in the specific binding site have been described in terms of chemical bonding, with complete charge annihilation between the two species. The chain-pairing process is depicted as progressively increasing with the concentration of cross-linking counterions and is thermodynamically defined by the fraction of each species. On these bases, the total Gibbs energy of the system has been expressed as the sum of the contributions of the Gibbs energy of the (single) chain stretches and of the (associated) dimers, weighted by their respective fractions 1 - theta and theta. In addition, the model assumes that the condensed divalent counterions exhibit an affinity free-energy for the chain, G(C)(aff,0), and the junction, G(D)(aff,0), respectively. Moreover, a specific Gibbs energy of chemical bonding, G(bond,0), has been introduced as the driving force for the formation of dimers. The model provides the mathematical formalism for calculating the fraction, theta, of chain dimers formed and the amount of ions condensed and bound onto the polyelectrolyte when two different types of counterions (of equal or different valence) are present. The effect of the parameter G(bond,0) has been investigated and, in particular, its difference from G(C,D)(aff,0) was found to be crucial in determining the distribution of the ions into territorial condensation and chemical bonding, respectively. Finally, the effect of the variation of the molar ratio between cross-linking ions and uronic groups in the specific binding sites, sigma0, was evaluated. In particular, a remarkable decrease in the amount of condensed counterions has been pointed out in the case of sigma0 = 1/3, with respect to the value of sigma0 = 1/4, characterizing the traditional "egg-box" structure, as a result of the drop of the charge density of the polyelectrolyte induced by complete charge annihilation.

Discovery of the fossiliferous Cu Brei Formation (Lower Devonian) in the Kon Tum Block (South Viet Nam)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thanh, Tong-Dzuy; Duyen, Than Duc; Hung, Nguyen Huu; My, Bui Phu

2007-01-01

Lower Devonian corals and stromatoporoids have recently been discovered in limestones among low grade metamorphic rocks on the western margin of the Kon Tum Block (South Viet Nam). This unit has been identified as the Cu Brei Formation. Coral and stromatoporoid species have been described including Squameofavosites aff. spongiosus, Parallelostroma cf. multicolumnum, Amphipora cf. rasilis, A. cf. raritalis, Simplexodictyon cf. artyschtense, Stromatopora cf. boriarchinovi and Stromatopora sp. indet. The Cu Brei Formation is exposed in a small area 6 km in length and 3 km wide at the foot of Cu Brei Mountain (Sa Thay District, Kon Tum Province). As this formation is in marine shelf facies it is probable that further exposures of Lower Devonian sediments may be discovered in the Kon Tum Block. This discovery raises the question of the tectonic history of the metamorphic Kon Tum Block. It is possible that the block was not an area of positive uplift from the beginning of Paleozoic as has been supposed, but was submerged in a marine environment, at least on its outer margins, in the Devonian, and possibly even earlier, in Early Paleozoic.

Surveys of microfungi in a former industrial area in Duisburg-Nord.

PubMed

Feige, G B; Ale-Agha, N; Dachowski, M; Kricke, R

2002-01-01

One hundred and forty microfungi (Ascomycetes and Deuteromycetes) were collected in the "Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord" located in North Rhine-Westphalia. New hosts for rarely found fungi are recorded for the first time. New for Germany are Massaria inquinans (Tode) De Not. and Nitschkia grevillei (Rhem) Nannf. on Acer pseudoplatanus L., Pirottaea nigrostriata Graddon on Artemisia vulgaris L., Ceratopycnis clematidis Höhn. on Clematis vitalba L., Dasyscyphus aff. humuli (W. Phillips) Dennis on Humulus lupulus L. and Leptosphaeria derasa (Berk. & Br.) Auersw. on Senecio inaequidens DC. New for North Rhine-Westphalia are Chaetosphaerella phaeostroma (Durieu & Mont.) E. Müller & Booth and Phomopsis platanoides (Cooke) Died. on Acer pseudoplatanus L., Microsphaeropsis pseudaspera Sutton, Mycosphaerella osborniae D. Hawksw. & Sivan. and Phomopsis oblita Sacc. on Artemisia vulgaris L., Leptosphaeria acuta (Fr.) P. Karst. and Leptosphaeria doliolum (Pers.) Ces. & De Not. on Bryonia dioica Jacq., Ophiobolus erythrosporus (Riess) G. Winter and Pleospora herbarum (Pers.) Rabenh. ex Ces. & De Not. on Dipsacus sylvestris (Huds), Keissleriella ocellata (Niessl) Bose on Hypericum perforatum L., Dactylaria aff. graminicola on Lolium perenne L., Siroplacodium aff. atrum on Oenothera beinnis L., Diatrypella favacea (Fr.) Sacc. on Prunus spec., Hapalosphaeria deformans (Syd.) Syd. and Microdiscula rubicola (Bres.) Höhn. on Rubus fructicosus agg. L., Cryptodiaporthe salicina (Pers.) Wehm. on Salix alba L. and Pleurophoma pleurospora (Sacc.) Höhn. on Salix caprea L.

Floral traits driving reproductive isolation of two co-flowering taxa that share vertebrate pollinators

PubMed Central

Queiroz, Joel A.; Quirino, Zelma G. M.; Machado, Isabel C.

2015-01-01

Floral attributes evolve in response to frequent and efficient pollinators, which are potentially important drivers of floral diversification and reproductive isolation. In this context, we asked, how do flowers evolve in a bat–hummingbird pollination system? Hence, we investigated the pollination ecology of two co-flowering Ipomoea taxa (I. marcellia and I. aff. marcellia) pollinated by bats and hummingbirds, and factors favouring reproductive isolation and pollinator sharing in these plants. To identify the most important drivers of reproductive isolation, we compared the flowers of the two Ipomoea taxa in terms of morphometry, anthesis and nectar production. Pollinator services were assessed using frequency of visits, fruit set and the number of seeds per fruit after visits. The studied Ipomoea taxa differed in corolla size and width, beginning and duration of anthesis, and nectar attributes. However, they shared the same diurnal and nocturnal visitors. The hummingbird Heliomaster squamosus was more frequent in I. marcellia (1.90 visits h−1) than in I. aff. marcellia (0.57 visits h−1), whereas glossophagine bats showed similar visit rates in both taxa (I. marcellia: 0.57 visits h−1 and I. aff. marcellia: 0.64 visits h−1). Bat pollination was more efficient in I. aff. marcellia, whereas pollination by hummingbirds was more efficient in I. marcellia. Differences in floral attributes between Ipomoea taxa, especially related to the anthesis period, length of floral parts and floral arrangement in the inflorescence, favour reproductive isolation from congeners through differential pollen placement on pollinators. This bat–hummingbird pollination system seems to be advantageous in the study area, where the availability of pollinators and floral resources changes considerably throughout the year, mainly as a result of rainfall seasonality. This interaction is beneficial for both sides, as it maximizes the number of potential pollen vectors for plants and resource availability for pollinators. PMID:26558704

Campanian ammonites from the Upper Cretaceous Gober Chalk of Lamar County, Texas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cobban, W.A.; Kennedy, W.J.

1992-01-01

The Roxton Limestone Member at the top of the Gober Chalk in northeast Texas yields a rich fauna, dominated by Baculites haresi Reeside, 1927, and Inoceramus balticus Boehm, 1909, with sparse occurrences of pachydiscus cf. P. paulsoni (Young, 1963), Anapachydiscus sp.juv., Placenticeras placenta (DeKay, 1828), Hoplitoplacenticeras aff. H. plasticum (Paulcke, 1907), Menabites (Delawarella) delawarensis (Morton, 1830), M.(D.) danei (Young, 1963), M.(D.) aff. M.(D.) vanuxemi (Morton, 1830), Submortoniceras vandalinaense Young, 1963, Submortoniceras sp., Eubostrychoceras sp., and Scaphites hippocrepis (DeKay, 1828) III. The presence of S. hippocrepis III suggests a late early Campanian age assignment for the fauna. The assemblage includes species known from the Western Interior, Gulf Coast, Atlantic seaboard, and western Europe. -Authors

Mosasaurs (Reptilia) from the late Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) of northern Patagonia (Río Negro, Argentina)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández, Marta; Martin, James; Casadío, Silvio

2008-03-01

A diverse assemblage of mosasaurs was recently recovered from the Jagüel Formation (late Maastrichtian) exposed at three localities of northern Patagonia (Río Negro, Argentina). Four taxa (three mosasaurines and a plioplatecarpine) have been identified, and three of these marine reptiles can be identified at lower taxonomic levels: Mosasaurus sp. aff. M. hoffmanni, Plioplatecarpus sp., and Prognathodon sp. These occurrences are significant because they represent the first diagnostic material at generic level exhumed from Patagonia and include one of the youngest mosasaurs found worldwide. One of the specimens described herein was found only 1.5 m below the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. Only mosasaurs from Antarctica found within a meter of the boundary are known to occur higher in the geologic section.

Implicit Motives as Determinants of Networking Behaviors.

PubMed

Wolff, Hans-Georg; Weikamp, Julia G; Batinic, Bernad

2018-01-01

In today's world of work, networking behaviors are an important and viable strategy to enhance success in work and career domains. Concerning personality as an antecedent of networking behaviors, prior studies have exclusively relied on trait perspectives that focus on how people feel, think, and act. Adopting a motivational perspective on personality, we enlarge this focus and argue that beyond traits predominantly tapping social content, motives shed further light on instrumental aspects of networking - or why people network. We use McClelland's implicit motives framework of need for power (nPow), need for achievement (nAch), and need for affiliation (nAff) to examine instrumental determinants of networking. Using a facet theoretical approach to networking behaviors, we predict differential relations of these three motives with facets of (1) internal vs. external networking and (2) building, maintaining, and using contacts. We conducted an online study, in which we temporally separate measures ( N = 539 employed individuals) to examine our hypotheses. Using multivariate latent regression, we show that nAch is related to networking in general. In line with theoretical differences between networking facets, we find that nAff is positively related to building contacts, whereas nPow is positively related to using internal contacts. In sum, this study shows that networking is not only driven by social factors (i.e., nAff), but instead the achievement motive is the most important driver of networking behaviors.

Implicit Motives as Determinants of Networking Behaviors

PubMed Central

Wolff, Hans-Georg; Weikamp, Julia G.; Batinic, Bernad

2018-01-01

In today’s world of work, networking behaviors are an important and viable strategy to enhance success in work and career domains. Concerning personality as an antecedent of networking behaviors, prior studies have exclusively relied on trait perspectives that focus on how people feel, think, and act. Adopting a motivational perspective on personality, we enlarge this focus and argue that beyond traits predominantly tapping social content, motives shed further light on instrumental aspects of networking – or why people network. We use McClelland’s implicit motives framework of need for power (nPow), need for achievement (nAch), and need for affiliation (nAff) to examine instrumental determinants of networking. Using a facet theoretical approach to networking behaviors, we predict differential relations of these three motives with facets of (1) internal vs. external networking and (2) building, maintaining, and using contacts. We conducted an online study, in which we temporally separate measures (N = 539 employed individuals) to examine our hypotheses. Using multivariate latent regression, we show that nAch is related to networking in general. In line with theoretical differences between networking facets, we find that nAff is positively related to building contacts, whereas nPow is positively related to using internal contacts. In sum, this study shows that networking is not only driven by social factors (i.e., nAff), but instead the achievement motive is the most important driver of networking behaviors. PMID:29760668

Development and evaluation of an airplane electronic display format aligned with the inertial velocity vector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinmetz, G. G.

1986-01-01

The development of an electronic primary flight display format aligned with the aircraft velocity vector, a simulation evaluation comparing this format with an electronic attitude-aligned primary flight display format, and a flight evaluation of the velocity-vector-aligned display format are described. Earlier tests in turbulent conditions with the electronic attitude-aligned display format had exhibited unsteadiness. A primary objective of aligning the display format with the velocity vector was to take advantage of a velocity-vector control-wheel steering system to provide steadiness of display during turbulent conditions. Better situational awareness under crosswind conditions was also achieved. The evaluation task was a curved, descending approach with turbulent and crosswind conditions. Primary flight display formats contained computer-drawn perspective runway images and flight-path angle information. The flight tests were conducted aboard the NASA Transport Systems Research Vehicle (TSRV). Comparative results of the simulation and flight tests were principally obtained from subjective commentary. Overall, the pilots preferred the display format aligned with the velocity vector.

Small-sized mesotheriines (Mesotheriidae, Notoungulata) from Northwestern Argentina: Systematic, chronological, and paleobiogeographic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armella, M. A.; Nasif, N. L.; Cerdeño, E.

2018-04-01

The Neogene outcrops in Northwestern Argentina have provided many fossil mammals, particularly notoungulates. However, the fossil record of the early stages of the late Miocene is scarce. The present study describes two mesotheriine specimens from Las Arcas Formation (underlying the Chiquimil Formation dated at 9.14 ± 0.09 Ma; Catamarca Province) and Saladillo Formation (dated at 10 ± 0.3 Ma; Tucumán Province), represented by a left maxillary fragment with complete M1-3 and a right isolated M3, respectively. The main feature of these pieces is their small size, significantly smaller than that of the Miocene genera Eutypotherium, Typotheriopsis, and Pseudotypotherium, recorded in Argentina. In contrast, these mesotheriines are closer to specimens known from Bolivia. The comparative analysis allows us to refer the material herein described to Plesiotypotherium aff. P. achirense and Mesotheriinae indet., with all cautions inherent to the incompleteness of the material. In turn, the paleobiogeographic implication of these new records is approached. A relationship concerning phylogenetic aspects, size, temporal range, and distribution pattern is proposed, taking into account the small size of the studied material in a temporal context of medium to large-sized mesotheriines.

Control Design and Performance Analysis for Autonomous Formation Flight Experimentss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rice, Caleb Michael

Autonomous Formation Flight is a key approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing traffic in future high density airspace. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) have made it possible for the physical demonstration and validation of autonomous formation flight concepts inexpensively and eliminates the flight risk to human pilots. This thesis discusses the design, implementation, and flight testing of three different formation flight control methods, Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID); Fuzzy Logic (FL); and NonLinear Dynamic Inversion (NLDI), and their respective performance behavior. Experimental results show achievable autonomous formation flight and performance quality with a pair of low-cost unmanned research fixed wing aircraft and also with a solo vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) quadrotor.

Static Aeroelastic Effects of Formation Flight for Slender Unswept Wings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, Curtis E.

2009-01-01

The static aeroelastic equilibrium equations for slender, straight wings are modified to incorporate the effects of aerodynamically-coupled formation flight. A system of equations is developed by applying trim constraints and is solved for component lift distribution, trim angle-of-attack, and trim aileron deflection. The trim values are then used to calculate the elastic twist distribution of the wing box. This system of equations is applied to a formation of two gliders in trimmed flight. Structural and aerodynamic properties are assumed for the gliders, and solutions are calculated for flexible and rigid wings in solo and formation flight. It is shown for a sample application of two gliders in formation flight, that formation disturbances produce greater twist in the wingtip immersed in the vortex than for either the opposing wingtip or the wings of a similar airplane in solo flight. Changes in the lift distribution, resulting from wing twist, increase the performance benefits of formation flight. A flexible wing in formation flight will require greater aileron deflection to achieve roll trim than a rigid wing.

An evaluation of flight path formats head-up and head-down

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sexton, George A.; Moody, Laura E.; Evans, Joanne; Williams, Kenneth E.

1988-01-01

Flight path primary flight display formats were incorporated on head-up and head-down electronic displays and integrated into an Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator. Objective and subjective data were collected while ten airline pilots evaluated the formats by flying an approach and landing task under various ceiling, visibility and wind conditions. Deviations from referenced/commanded airspeed, horizontal track, vertical track and touchdown point were smaller using the head-up display (HUD) format than the head-down display (HDD) format, but not significantly smaller. Subjectively, the pilots overwhelmingly preferred (1) flight path formats over attitude formats used in current aircraft, and (2) the head-up presentation over the head-down, primarily because it eliminated the head-down to head-up transition during low visibility landing approaches. This report describes the simulator, the flight displays, the format evaluation, and the results of the objective and subjective data.

In vitro populations of rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller demonstrate inhibition when fed with copper-preaccumulating microalgae.

PubMed

Moreno-Garrido, I; Lubián, L M; Soares, A M

1999-10-01

Four marine microalgal species (Chlorella autotrophyca, Nannochloropsis gaditana, Tetraiselmis chuii, and Isochrysis aff. galbana) were exposed for 24 h to 1 mg L(-1) dissolved copper and then transferred to fresh medium. After that, a group of 10 neonate rotifers were fed with these four microalgal species. The levels of accumulated copper in cellular concentrations of the microalgae were checked, with the result of around 40% of original concentration, with the exception of I. aff. galbana (25% of original concentration). In all cases, cells with preaccumulated metal caused a delay of 1 or 2 days in populational development of rotifers (increase in "lag phase"). The microalgae that were not fed to rotifers (disposed in parallel series) did not significantly transfer metal to the medium after the first day.

AF4 and AF4N protein complexes: recruitment of P-TEFb kinase, their interactome and potential functions

PubMed Central

Scholz, Bastian; Kowarz, Eric; Rössler, Tanja; Ahmad, Khalil; Steinhilber, Dieter; Marschalek, Rolf

2015-01-01

AF4/AFF1 and AF5/AFF4 are the molecular backbone to assemble “super-elongation complexes” (SECs) that have two main functions: (1) control of transcriptional elongation by recruiting the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb = CyclinT1/CDK9) that is usually stored in inhibitory 7SK RNPs; (2) binding of different histone methyltransferases, like DOT1L, NSD1 and CARM1. This way, transcribed genes obtain specific histone signatures (e.g. H3K79me2/3, H3K36me2) to generate a transcriptional memory system. Here we addressed several questions: how is P-TEFb recruited into SEC, how is the AF4 interactome composed, and what is the function of the naturally occuring AF4N protein variant which exhibits only the first 360 amino acids of the AF4 full-length protein. Noteworthy, shorter protein variants are a specific feature of all AFF protein family members. Here, we demonstrate that full-length AF4 and AF4N are both catalyzing the transition of P-TEFb from 7SK RNP to their N-terminal domain. We have also mapped the protein-protein interaction network within both complexes. In addition, we have first evidence that the AF4N protein also recruits TFIIH and the tumor suppressor MEN1. This indicate that AF4N may have additional functions in transcriptional initiation and in MEN1-dependend transcriptional processes. PMID:26171280

The Karyotype of Microsternarchus aff. bilineatus: A First Case of Y Chromosome Degeneration in Gymnotiformes.

PubMed

Batista, Jéssica Almeida; Cardoso, Adauto Lima; Milhomem-Paixão, Susana Suely Rodrigues; Ready, Jonathan Stuart; Pieczarka, Julio Cesar; Nagamachi, Cleusa Yoshiko

2017-06-01

Various species and lineages that until recently were identified as Microsternarchus bilineatus (Hypopomidae, Gymnotiformes) have a widespread distribution in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins and across the Guiana shield. Recent molecular studies show five distinct lineages for Microsternarchus from different localities. These results suggest that this previously monotypic genus actually consists of more than one species. Here, we describe the karyotype of M. aff. bilineatus from the Cururutuia River (Bragança, Pará, Brazil). The diploid number of 48 chromosomes (14 meta-submetacentric/34 subtelo-acrocentric) is found for males and females, with an XX/XY sex chromosome system. The nucleolar organizer region is found in the short arm of pair 9. Constitutive heterochromatin occurs in the pericentromeric region of all chromosomes, in the distal region of 3p, 5p, 7p, 8q, 9q, 16q, and Xq, in the interstitial region in 2p, 10q, 11q, and 12q and all along 4p, and in a large block of the Y chromosome. These results indicate extensive karyotype divergence between this population and samples from Igarapé Tarumã Grande (Negro River, Amazonas, Brazil) studied by other researchers. Moreover, despite the diversity of sex chromosome systems found in Gymnotiformes, the XX/XY sex chromosome system of M. aff. bilineatus is the first case of Y chromosome degeneration in this order. The present data are valuable to help understand karyotype evolution in Hypopomidae.

Formation Flight of Multiple UAVs via Onboard Sensor Information Sharing.

PubMed

Park, Chulwoo; Cho, Namhoon; Lee, Kyunghyun; Kim, Youdan

2015-07-17

To monitor large areas or simultaneously measure multiple points, multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must be flown in formation. To perform such flights, sensor information generated by each UAV should be shared via communications. Although a variety of studies have focused on the algorithms for formation flight, these studies have mainly demonstrated the performance of formation flight using numerical simulations or ground robots, which do not reflect the dynamic characteristics of UAVs. In this study, an onboard sensor information sharing system and formation flight algorithms for multiple UAVs are proposed. The communication delays of radiofrequency (RF) telemetry are analyzed to enable the implementation of the onboard sensor information sharing system. Using the sensor information sharing, the formation guidance law for multiple UAVs, which includes both a circular and close formation, is designed. The hardware system, which includes avionics and an airframe, is constructed for the proposed multi-UAV platform. A numerical simulation is performed to demonstrate the performance of the formation flight guidance and control system for multiple UAVs. Finally, a flight test is conducted to verify the proposed algorithm for the multi-UAV system.

Formation Flight of Multiple UAVs via Onboard Sensor Information Sharing

PubMed Central

Park, Chulwoo; Cho, Namhoon; Lee, Kyunghyun; Kim, Youdan

2015-01-01

To monitor large areas or simultaneously measure multiple points, multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must be flown in formation. To perform such flights, sensor information generated by each UAV should be shared via communications. Although a variety of studies have focused on the algorithms for formation flight, these studies have mainly demonstrated the performance of formation flight using numerical simulations or ground robots, which do not reflect the dynamic characteristics of UAVs. In this study, an onboard sensor information sharing system and formation flight algorithms for multiple UAVs are proposed. The communication delays of radiofrequency (RF) telemetry are analyzed to enable the implementation of the onboard sensor information sharing system. Using the sensor information sharing, the formation guidance law for multiple UAVs, which includes both a circular and close formation, is designed. The hardware system, which includes avionics and an airframe, is constructed for the proposed multi-UAV platform. A numerical simulation is performed to demonstrate the performance of the formation flight guidance and control system for multiple UAVs. Finally, a flight test is conducted to verify the proposed algorithm for the multi-UAV system. PMID:26193281

New findings in the Eocene stratigraphy of Siwa-El Qara stretch, north western desert, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osman, R.; Orabi, H.

2017-10-01

The Upper Hamra Member of Said and Issawi (1964) is a clastic/carbonate succession at Qor El Hamra east of the Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert, Egypt. Earlier, the authors changed this member into a new informal name, the Al Humaymat formation (Priabonian) at the Siwa Oasis, which consists generally of carbonate sediments and overlays the mushroom rock of the Mokattam Formation (Late Lutetian). The thickness of the Al Humaymat formation is about 22 m recorded at the El Qara section and at the El Arag section reaches 5 m, where the collected fauna from this formation is represented by larger foraminifera Nummulites fabianii retiatus, Gaziryina aff. pulchellus, Silvestriella tetraedra and Grzybowskia sp. are assigned to Late Eocene (Priabonian). The base of the Al Humaymat formation is composed of grey marl to varicolored small scale tabular cross-bedded limestone, which reflects sheet flood deposits with a great unconformity surface; the middle part is composed of reefal limestone and sandy limestone. The upper part of this formation is characterized by earthy white limestone, which is overlain by very hard brown ferruginous paleosol bands and pockets, which represent distal floodplain deposits. Here it is interesting to notice that the Early and Late Priabonian decrease in depth of the sea over the studied area seems to be a reflection of a global decrease in depth of the sea as suggested from eustatic curves published by Haq et al., l987.

Distracted Driving and Associated Crash Risks : Research Project Capsule

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-10-01

Factors aff ecting the : cognitive tasks : associated with : driving are becoming : increasingly critical to : the overall roadway : safety performance. : Therefore, more research is needed in order to understand the complexity and : impact of distra...

An Overview of Flight Test Results for a Formation Flight Autopilot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, Curtis E.; Ryan, Jack; Allen, Michael J.; Jacobson, Steven R.

2002-01-01

The first flight test phase of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Autonomous Formation Flight project has successfully demonstrated precision autonomous station-keeping of an F/A-18 research airplane with a second F/A-18 airplane. Blended inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS) measurements have been communicated across an air-to-air telemetry link and used to compute relative-position estimates. A precision research formation autopilot onboard the trailing airplane controls lateral and vertical spacing while the leading airplane operates under production autopilot control. Four research autopilot gain sets have been designed and flight-tested, and each exceeds the project design requirement of steady-state tracking accuracy within 1 standard deviation of 10 ft. Performance also has been demonstrated using single- and multiple-axis inputs such as step commands and frequency sweeps. This report briefly describes the experimental formation flight systems employed and discusses the navigation, guidance, and control algorithms that have been flight-tested. An overview of the flight test results of the formation autopilot during steady-state tracking and maneuvering flight is presented.

Assessing the effectiveness of Montana's vehicle occupant protection program.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-02-01

The purpose of this project was to quantitatively evaluate the relationships between MDT's occupant protection program : activities and seat restraint usage throughout Montana, in an effort to clarify how MDT's occupant protection programs may : affe...

Bleaching and recovery of a phototrophic bioeroding sponge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marlow, Joseph; Davy, Simon K.; Shaffer, Megan; Haris, Abdul; Bell, James J.

2018-06-01

In the Wakatobi region of Indonesia, a prolonged period of elevated water temperature in 2016 caused extensive coral bleaching and mortality. Unusually, bleaching was also observed in the bioeroding sponge Cliona aff. viridis, with affected sponges expelling 99% of their Symbiodinium. Bleaching surveys of C. aff. viridis were conducted 6 weeks apart, coinciding with a 0.8 °C drop in water temperature. Over this period, bleaching prevalence dropped from 73.9% (± 9.9 SE) to 25.7% (± 5.8 SE), and bleaching severity dropped from 25.95% (± 4.5 SE) to 11.54% (± 1.9 SE) of sponge tissue. Over the same period, monitored bleached sponges showed an 81% drop in bleaching severity, but also a 13% reduction in overall sponge size. Our results show that while the clionaid- Symbiodinium relationship is susceptible to break down under thermal stress, rapid recovery can occur, although incurring some partial host mortality.

CALCINED CLAYS AS A LOW EMISSION CEMENT SUBSTITUTE

EPA Science Inventory

This study provides a better understanding of clay-cement materials including: (i) their associated energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions of their manufacturing and transport, (ii) their structural performance and properties, and (iii) their emission characteristics affe...

Laboratory and Field Testing of NYCTA Power Frequency Track Circuits

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1986-02-01

This report addresses the possible electromagnetic interference between the electronic AC propulsion control systems and the signaling and train control systems. The potential exists for AC-drive propulsion systems to cause EMI that can adversely aff...

Wind and Wake Sensing with UAV Formation Flight: System Development and Flight Testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larrabee, Trenton Jameson

Wind turbulence including atmospheric turbulence and wake turbulence have been widely investigated; however, only recently it become possible to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a validation tool for research in this area. Wind can be a major contributing factor of adverse weather for aircraft. More importantly, it is an even greater risk towards UAVs because of their small size and weight. Being able to estimate wind fields and gusts can potentially provide substantial benefits for both unmanned and manned aviation. Possible applications include gust suppression for improving handling qualities, a better warning system for high wind encounters, and enhanced control for small UAVs during flight. On the other hand, the existence of wind can be advantageous since it can lead to fuel savings and longer duration flights through dynamic soaring or thermal soaring. Wakes are an effect of the lift distribution across an aircraft's wing or tail. Wakes can cause substantial disturbances when multiple aircraft are moving through the same airspace. In fact, the perils from an aircraft flying through the wake of another aircraft is a leading cause of the delay between takeoff times at airports. Similar to wind, though, wakes can be useful for energy harvesting and increasing an aircraft's endurance when flying in formation which can be a great advantage to UAVs because they are often limited in flight time due to small payload capacity. Formation flight can most often be seen in manned aircraft but can be adopted for use with unmanned systems. Autonomous flight is needed for flying in the "sweet spot" of the generated wakes for energy harvesting as well as for thermal soaring during long duration flights. For the research presented here formation flight was implemented for the study of wake sensing and gust alleviation. The major contributions of this research are in the areas of a novel technique to estimate wind using an Unscented Kalman filter and experimental wake sensing data using UAVs in formation flight. This has been achieved and well documented before in manned aircraft but very little work has been done on UAV wake sensing especially during flight testing. This document describes the development and flight testing of small unmanned aerial system (UAS) for wind and wake sensing purpose including a Ground Control Station (GCS) and UAVs. This research can be stated in four major components. Firstly, formation flight was obtained by integrating a formation flight controller on the WVU Phastball Research UAV aircraft platform from the Flight Control Systems Laboratory (FCSL) at West Virginia University (WVU). Second, a new approach to wind estimation using an Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is discussed along with results from flight data. Third, wake modeling within a simulator and wake sensing during formation flight is shown. Finally, experimental results are used to discuss the "sweet spot" for energy harvesting in formation flight, a novel approach to cooperative wind estimation, and gust suppression control for a follower aircraft in formation flight.

Simbol-X Formation Flight and Image Reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Civitani, M.; Djalal, S.; Le Duigou, J. M.; La Marle, O.; Chipaux, R.

2009-05-01

Simbol-X is the first operational mission relying on two satellites flying in formation. The dynamics of the telescope, due to the formation flight concept, raises a variety of problematic, like image reconstruction, that can be better evaluated via a simulation tools. We present here the first results obtained with Simulos, simulation tool aimed to study the relative spacecrafts navigation and the weight of the different parameters in image reconstruction and telescope performance evaluation. The simulation relies on attitude and formation flight sensors models, formation flight dynamics and control, mirror model and focal plane model, while the image reconstruction is based on the Line of Sight (LOS) concept.

ADVANCED ELECTROSTATIC ENHANCEMENT OF FABRIC FILTRATION

EPA Science Inventory

The paper discusses laboratory and pilot plant studies of a modification of the U.S. EPA's Electrically Stimulated Fabric Filtration (ESFF) method in which corona voltage on a center-wire electrode replaces the subcorona electrodes at the bag surface. The electric field which aff...

REVIEW OF RECENT RESEARCH ON VAPOR INTRUSTION

EPA Science Inventory

This report reviews current and recent research in the area of vapor intrusion of organic compounds into residential buildings. We begin with a description of the challenges in evaluating the subsurface-to-indoor air pathway. A discussion of the fate and transport mechanisms affe...

Asphalt Surface Treatments for Pavement Preservation : Research Project Capsule

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-08-01

It is no secret that all levels of government are facing an unprecedented level of defi cit. : While revenues are dropping, infrastructure needs are growing with age. The question of : sustainability is taking the center stage. Can we aff ord to keep...

Modified radial v/s biatrial maze for atrial fibrillation in rheumatic valvular heart surgery.

PubMed

Sayed, Sajid A; Katewa, Ashish; Srivastava, Vivek; Jana, Sujit; Patwardhan, Anil M

2014-01-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonest sustained atrial arrhythmia producing high morbidity. Although Cox's Maze III procedure cures AF in majority, reduced atrial transport function (ATF) is a concern. Radial approach with ablation lines radial from sinus node towards atrioventricular annulii and parallel to atrial coronary arteries, has shown better ATF. Single blind open randomized prospective study of 80 patients was undertaken in two groups (40 each) of modified Cox's maze III and modified radial approach, to evaluate conversion to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and ATF. Patients undergoing surgery for rheumatic valvular heart disease with continuous AF were prospectively randomized. Ablation lines were created with radiofrequency (RF) bipolar coagulation with cryoablation for the isthmal lesions and coronary sinus. Results were compared at 6 months and ATF was evaluated by atrial filling fraction (AFF) and A/E ratio on echocardiography. The rate of conversion to NSR in both groups was statistically insignificant by Fisher's exact test (p > 0.05). ATF was better in modified radial approach compared to modified Cox's Maze III (A/E compared by unpaired t test:0.52 ± 0.08 v/s 0.36 ± 0.10; p < 0.05. AFF compared using Mann Whitney U test: median AFF for radial group was 23 v/s 20 for biatrial group; p < 0.05). In patients with AF undergoing rheumatic valvular surgery, radiofrequency radial approach is as effective as modified Cox's maze III for conversion to NSR with better atrial transport function. Copyright © 2014 Cardiological Society of India. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atypical fracture with long-term bisphosphonate therapy is associated with altered cortical composition and reduced fracture resistance

PubMed Central

Lloyd, Ashley A.; Gludovatz, Bernd; Riedel, Christoph; Luengo, Emma A.; Saiyed, Rehan; Marty, Eric; Lorich, Dean G.; Lane, Joseph M.; Ritchie, Robert O.

2017-01-01

Bisphosphonates are the most widely prescribed pharmacologic treatment for osteoporosis and reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women by up to 50%. However, in the past decade these drugs have been associated with atypical femoral fractures (AFFs), rare fractures with a transverse, brittle morphology. The unusual fracture morphology suggests that bisphosphonate treatment may impair toughening mechanisms in cortical bone. The objective of this study was to compare the compositional and mechanical properties of bone biopsies from bisphosphonate-treated patients with AFFs to those from patients with typical osteoporotic fractures with and without bisphosphonate treatment. Biopsies of proximal femoral cortical bone adjacent to the fracture site were obtained from postmenopausal women during fracture repair surgery (fracture groups, n = 33) or total hip arthroplasty (nonfracture groups, n = 17). Patients were allocated to five groups based on fracture morphology and history of bisphosphonate treatment [+BIS Atypical: n = 12, BIS duration: 8.2 (3.0) y; +BIS Typical: n = 10, 7.7 (5.0) y; +BIS Nonfx: n = 5, 6.4 (3.5) y; −BIS Typical: n = 11; −BIS Nonfx: n = 12]. Vibrational spectroscopy and nanoindentation showed that tissue from bisphosphonate-treated women with atypical fractures was harder and more mineralized than that from bisphosphonate-treated women with typical osteoporotic fractures. In addition, fracture mechanics measurements showed that tissue from patients treated with bisphosphonates had deficits in fracture toughness, with lower crack-initiation toughness and less crack deflection at osteonal boundaries than that of bisphosphonate-naïve patients. Together, these results suggest a deficit in intrinsic and extrinsic toughening mechanisms, which contribute to AFFs in patients treated with long-term bisphosphonates. PMID:28760963

Physical and psychological determinants of injury in Ontario forest firefighters.

PubMed

Gordon, H; Larivière, M

2014-12-01

Forest firefighters are faced with multiple physical and psychological challenges as a result of their duties. Little is known about the determinants of injury among these workers. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) records detailed information on two mutually exclusive types of workplace injury: First aid (self-reported) and Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB, i.e. received medical attention). To identify the contributions of physical and psychological factors on the likelihood of injury among forest firefighters. Participants were male and female forest firefighters aged between 18 and 65. Data were collected using two self-administered instruments: The NEO Personality Inventory and the Job Stress Survey. Secondary data were collected from the OMNR AFFES and data were analysed by way of multivariate statistical procedures. There were 252 participants. Those who were older, had a history of injury, had high scores for the personality construct of Neuroticism or low scores for the Openness construct were significantly more likely to incur a first aid injury, while those with high experience levels were significantly less likely to incur injury (P < 0.05). High job stress was the only significant predictor of WSIB injury (P < 0.05). First aid and WSIB injuries in the OMNR AFFES were quite distinct phenomena and different factors need consideration in their prediction. It is recommended that managers and decision-makers in this field consider factors such as job stress, personality and the prior occurrence of injuries in their assessment of risk. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

NEUROTROPHIN RECEPTOR BLOCKADE ATTENUATES DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICULATE MATTER (DEP) ENHANCEMENT OF ALLERGIC RESPONSES

EPA Science Inventory

ABSTRACT BODY:
Recent investigations have linked neurotrophins including NGF, NT-3, and BDNF to allergic airways diseases. Antibody blockade of NGF attenuates airway resistance associated with allergic airway responses in mice. Mice administered an antibody against the low aff...

Integrative study of a new cold-seep mussel (Mollusca: Bivalvia) associated with chemosynthetic symbionts in the Marmara Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritt, Bénédicte; Duperron, Sébastien; Lorion, Julien; Sara Lazar, Cassandre; Sarrazin, Jozée

2012-09-01

Recently, small Idas-like mussels have been discovered living on carbonate crusts associated with cold-seeps in the Marmara Sea. These mussels, here referred to as Idas-like nov. sp., differ morphologically and genetically from another species identified as Idas aff. modiolaeformis, living in the same type of ecosystem in the Nile Deep-Sea Fan (eastern Mediterranean Sea). A phylogenetic analysis confirms the distinction between the two species, which belong to highly divergent lineages. Carbon stable isotope values, as well as the detection of thiotroph-related bacteria in the gill tissue, support the presence of a symbiotic, thiotroph-derived nutrition. In contrast, Idas aff. modiolaeformis displays six different types of symbionts. Finally our size-frequency data suggest that the recruitment is continuous in the examined area. The present study extends the documented distribution of symbiont-bearing mussels to the Marmara Sea, and contributes to the characterisation of biological communities in this recently explored area.

Delineating closely related dinoflagellate lineages using phylotranscriptomics.

PubMed

Annenkova, Nataliia V; Ahrén, Dag; Logares, Ramiro; Kremp, Anke; Rengefors, Karin

2018-04-20

Recently radiated dinoflagellates Apocalathium aciculiferum (collected in Lake Erken, Sweden), A. malmogiense (Baltic Sea) and Apocalathium aff. malmogiense (Highway Lake, Antarctica) represent a lineage with an unresolved phylogeny. We determined their phylogenetic relationships using phylotranscriptomics based on 792 amino acid sequences. Our results showed that A. aciculiferum diverged from the other two closely related lineages, consistent with their different morphologies in cell size, relative cell length and presence of spines. We hypothesized that A. aff. malmogiense and A. malmogiense, which inhabit different hemispheres, are evolutionarily more closely related because they diverged from a marine common ancestor, adapting to a wide salinity range, while A. aciculiferum colonized a freshwater habitat, by acquiring adaptations to this environment, in particular, salinity intolerance. We show that phylotranscriptomics can resolve the phylogeny of recently diverged protists. This has broad relevance, given that many phytoplankton species are morphologically very similar, and single genes sometimes lack the information to determine species' relationships. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

These two NASA F/A-18 aircraft are flying a test point for the Autonomous Formation Flight project o

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Two NASA F/A-18 aircraft are flying a test point for the Autonomous Formation Flight project over California's Mojave Desert. This second flight phase is mapping the wingtip vortex of the lead aircraft, the Systems Research Aircraft (tail number 847), on the trailing F/A-18 tail number 847. Wingtip vortex is a spiraling wind flowing from the wing during flight. The project is studying the drag and fuel reduction of precision formation flying.

Cockpit simulation study of use of flight path angle for instrument approaches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanisch, B.; Ernst, H.; Johnston, R.

1981-01-01

The results of a piloted simulation experiment to evaluate the effect of integrating flight path angle information into a typical transport electronic attitude director indicator display format for flight director instrument landing system approaches are presented. Three electronic display formats are evaluated during 3 deg straight-in approaches with wind shear and turbulence conditions. Flight path tracking data and pilot subjective comments are analyzed with regard to the pilot's tracking performance and workload for all three display formats.

Prolonged Incubation Time in Sheep with QK171 Genotype

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Background: Sheep scrapie susceptibility or resistance is a function of genotype with polymorphisms at codon 171 playing a major role. Glutamine (Q) at 171 contributes to scrapie susceptibility while arginine (R) is associated with resistance. In some breeds, lysine (K) occurs at 171, but its affe...

Flying an Autonomous Formation Flight mission, two F/A-18s from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Cent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Flying an Autonomous Formation Flight mission, two F/A-18's from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, gain altitude near Rogers Dry Lake. The Systems Research Aircraft (tail number 845) and F/A-18 tail number 847 are flying the second phase of a project that is demonstrating a 15-percent fuel savings of the trailing aircraft during cruise flight. Project goal was a 10-percent savings. The drag-reduction study mimics the formation of migrating birds. Scientists have known for years that the trailing birds require less energy than flying solo.

Obesity, the Economic Meltdown, and the Gut Feeling for the Foods We Choose to Eat

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Dietary recommendations typically emphasize minimizing the intake of highly palatable, energy dense foods, but this may be very difficult in some persons experiencing stress. Non-homeostatic regulation of food intake, such as habitually eating more or less in response to emotional stimuli, can affe...

75 FR 4037 - FM TABLE OF ALLOTMENTS, BRACKETTVILLE, TX

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-26

.... SUMMARY: The Audio Division seeks comments on a petition for rulemaking filed by RF Services, Inc..., modification of the new FM station authorization. See File No. BNPH-20091019AFF. The reference coordinates for... should serve the petitioner, as follows: Greg Shaipro, Treasurer, RF Services, Inc., 7301 Ranch Road 620...

The New Age Movement: Fad or Menace?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dole, Arthur A.; And Others

This paper presents selected opinions held by a panel of specialists in cult behaviors about the New Age movement, emphasizing those positions about which there is most consensus. These specialists included advisory board members from the American Family Foundation (AFF),which has sponsored publications and workshops on Satanism and on the New…

Flight-test evaluation of two electronic display formats for approach to landing under instrument conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morello, S. A.; Knox, C. E.; Steinmetz, G. G.

1977-01-01

The results of a flight evaluation of two electronic display formats for the approach to landing under instrument conditions are presented. The evaluation was conducted for a base-line electronic display format and for the same format with runway symbology and track information added. The evaluation was conducted during 3 deg, manual straight-in approaches with and without initial localizer offsets. Flight path tracking performance data and pilot subjective comments were examined with regard to the pilot's ability to capture and maintain localizer and glide slope by using both display formats.

Flight Test Techniques Used to Evaluate Performance Benefits During Formation Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, Ronald J.; Cobleigh, Brent R.; Vachon, M. Jake; SaintJohn, Clinton

2002-01-01

The Autonomous Formation Flight research project has been implemented at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to demonstrate the benefits of formation flight and develop advanced technologies to facilitate exploiting these benefits. Two F/A-18 aircraft have been modified to precisely control and monitor relative position, and to determine performance of the trailing airplane. Flight test maneuvers and analysis techniques have been developed to determine the performance advantages, including drag and fuel flow reductions and improvements in range factor. By flying the trailing airplane through a matrix of lateral, longitudinal, and vertical offset positions, a detailed map of the performance benefits has been obtained at two flight conditions. Significant performance benefits have been obtained during this flight test phase. Drag reductions of more than 20 percent and fuel flow reductions of more than 18 percent have been measured at flight conditions of Mach 0.56 and an altitude of 25,000 ft. The results show favorable agreement with published theory and generic predictions. An F/A-18 long-range cruise mission at Mach 0.8 and an altitude of 40,000 ft has been simulated in the optimum formation position and has demonstrated a 14-percent fuel reduction when compared with a controlled chase airplane of similar configuration.

Formation Flying in Earth, Libration, and Distant Retrograde Orbits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folta, David C.

2004-01-01

This slide presentation examines the current and future state of formation flying, LEO formations, control strategies for flight in the vicinity of the libration points, and distant retrograde orbit formations. This discussion of LEO formations includes background on perturbation theory/accelerations and LEO formation flying. The discussion of strategies for formation flight in the vicinity of the libration points includes libration missions and natural and controlled libration orbit formations. A reference list is included.

Transfer of Training with Formation Flight Trainer.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reid, Gary B.; Cyrus, Michael L.

The present research was conducted to determine transfer of practice from a formation simulator to actual aircraft flight for the wing aircraft component of the formation flying task. Evidence in support of positive transfer was obtained by comparing students trained in the formation simulator with students who were essentially untrained and with…

Boeing electronic flight bag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trujillo, Eddie J.; Ellersick, Steven D.

2006-05-01

The Boeing Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) is a key element in the evolutionary process of an "e-enabled" flight deck. The EFB is designed to improve the overall safety, efficiency, and operation of the flight deck and corresponding airline operations by providing the flight crew with better information and enhanced functionality in a user-friendly digital format. The EFB is intended to increase the pilots' situational awareness of the airplane and systems, as well as improve the efficiency of information management. The system will replace documents and forms that are currently stored or carried onto the flight deck and put them, in digital format, at the crew's fingertips. This paper describes what the Boeing EFB is and the significant human factors and interface design issues, trade-offs, and decisions made during development of the display system. In addition, EFB formats, graphics, input control methods, challenges using COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf)-leveraged glass and formatting technology are discussed. The optical design requirements, display technology utilized, brightness control system, reflection challenge, and the resulting optical performance are presented.

The identification of transcription factors expressed in the notochord of Ciona intestinalis adds new potential players to the Brachyury gene regulatory network

PubMed Central

José-Edwards, Diana S.; Kerner, Pierre; Kugler, Jamie E.; Deng, Wei; Jiang, Di; Di Gregorio, Anna

2013-01-01

The notochord is the distinctive characteristic of chordates; however, the knowledge of the complement of transcription factors governing the development of this structure is still incomplete. Here we present the expression patterns of seven transcription factor genes detected in the notochord of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis at various stages of embryonic development. Four of these transcription factors, Fos-a, NFAT5, AFF and Klf15, have not been directly associated with the notochord in previous studies, while the others, including Spalt-like-a, Lmx-like and STAT5/6-b, display evolutionarily conserved expression in this structure as well as in other domains. We examined the hierarchical relationships between these genes and the transcription factor Brachyury, which is necessary for notochord development in all chordates. We found that Ciona Brachyury regulates the expression of most, although not all, of these genes. These results shed light on the genetic regulatory program underlying notochord formation in Ciona and possibly other chordates. PMID:21594950

A Preliminary Flight Investigation of Formation Flight for Drag Reduction on the C-17 Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pahle, Joe; Berger, Dave; Venti, Michael W.; Faber, James J.; Duggan, Chris; Cardinal, Kyle

2012-01-01

Many theoretical and experimental studies have shown that aircraft flying in formation could experience significant reductions in fuel use compared to solo flight. To date, formation flight for aerodynamic benefit has not been thoroughly explored in flight for large transport-class vehicles. This paper summarizes flight data gathered during several two ship, C-17 formation flights at a single flight condition of 275 knots, at 25,000 ft MSL. Stabilized test points were flown with the trail aircraft at 1,000 and 3,000 ft aft of the lead aircraft at selected crosstrack and vertical offset locations within the estimated area of influence of the vortex generated by the lead aircraft. Flight data recorded at test points within the vortex from the lead aircraft are compared to data recorded at tare flight test points outside of the influence of the vortex. Since drag was not measured directly, reductions in fuel flow and thrust for level flight are used as a proxy for drag reduction. Estimated thrust and measured fuel flow reductions were documented at several trail test point locations within the area of influence of the leads vortex. The maximum average fuel flow reduction was approximately 7-8%, compared to the tare points flown before and after the test points. Although incomplete, the data suggests that regions with fuel flow and thrust reduction greater than 10% compared to the tare test points exist within the vortex area of influence.

76 FR 2748 - Competition in the Railroad Industry

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-14

...) (Bottleneck II), aff'd sub nom. MidAmerican Energy Co. v. STB, 169 F.3d 1099 (8th Cir. 1999). The Board also... segment-by-segment basis--can reasonably be applied in today's transportation world. In particular, we... through rates, and whether the reasoning in Great Northern Railway encompasses ``bottleneck'' situations...

76 FR 16386 - NOAA Policy on Prohibited and Approved Uses of the Asset Forfeiture Fund

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-23

..., including hardware, software and maintenance, required specifically for NOAA's enforcement and legal systems... applicable legal authorities. The AFF will also be used for compliance assistance activities, consistent with legal authorities, to better serve the needs of our stakeholders and improve the way NOAA engages and...

78 FR 78508 - Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-26

... Procedures--Productivity Adjustment, 5 I.C.C.2d 434 (1989), aff'd sub nom. Edison Electric Institute v. ICC... quarterly index for a measure of productivity. The provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10708 direct the Surface Transportation Board (Board) to continue to publish both an unadjusted RCAF and a productivity-adjusted RCAF. In...

Integrated watershed analysis: adapting to changing times

Treesearch

Gordon H. Reeves

2013-01-01

Resource managers are increasingly required to conduct integrated analyses of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems before undertaking any activities. Th ere are a number of research studies on the impacts of management actions on these ecosystems, as well as a growing body of knowledge about ecological processes that aff ect them, particularly aquatic ecosystems, which...

Interval-Timing Deficits in Individuals at High Risk for Schizophrenia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Penney, T.B.; Meck, W.H.; Roberts, S.A.; Gibbon, J.; Erlenmeyer-Kimling, L.

2005-01-01

A duration-bisection procedure was used to study the effects of signal modality and divided attention on duration classification in participants at high genetic risk for schizophrenia (HrSz), major affective disorder (HrAff), and normal controls (NC). Participants learned short and long target durations during training and classified probe…

The Antiaircraft Journal. Volume 92, Number 5, September-October 1949

DTIC Science & Technology

1949-10-01

philosophical reflections on the subject of po’werand those to whom it should be entrusted. Recall the words of much-studied Machiavelli , than whom...Leavenworth. Kan. Rauch. A. R, Comm. of Basic Phys. Sc.• Res. & Dev. Board, Pentagon. \\Vash. 25. D. C. Rawls . J. W., Jr.. AFF Liaison Off.. Boeing Aircraft

Effect of soy lecithin on total cholesterol content, fatty acid composition and carcass characteristics in the Longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo steers (Korean native cattle).

PubMed

Li, Xiang Zi; Park, Byung Ki; Hong, Byuong Chon; Ahn, Jun Sang; Shin, Jong Suh

2017-06-01

This study aims to investigate the effect of soy lecithin on the total cholesterol content, the fatty acid composition and carcass characteristics in the Longissimus dorsi in Hanwoo steers. Hanwoo steers (24 head) were fed two diets: Control (CON) (concentrate + alcohol-fermented feed (AFF)) and soy lecithin treatment (CON + soy lecithin at 0.5% of the AFF). Soy lecithin treatment increased average daily gain, serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in the blood. A lower cholesterol concentration was found in the Longissimus dorsi for the soy lecithin diet compared to the CON diet. With respect to the marbling score and quality grade of Longissimus dorsi, soy lecithin supplementation significantly increased the C20:5n3, C22:4 and polyunsaturated fatty acids contents compared to the CON diet. Soy lecithin supplementation would alter the total cholesterol content, polyunsaturated fatty acid profile and meat quality of Longissimus dorsi. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Chromosome evolution in three Brazilian Leptodactylus species (Anura, Leptodactylidae), with phylogenetic considerations.

PubMed

Reinaldo Cruz Campos, João; Ananias, Fernando; Aguirre Brasileiro, Cinthia; Yamamoto, Marcos; Fernando Baptista Haddad, Célio; Kasahara, Sanae

2009-05-01

Karyotypic analyses on three species of the Leptodactylus from Brazil showed 2n=24 in L. cf. marmoratus, 2n=23 in Leptodactylus sp. (aff. bokermanni), and 2n=26 in L. hylaedactylus, with distinct numbers of bi and uni-armed chromosomes. Leptodactylus cf. marmoratus presented a variation as regard to the morphology of pair 12. All specimens of L. cf. marmoratus had Ag-NOR in pair 6, confirmed by FISH, but the sample from one of the localities presented additional Ag-NOR, in one of the chromosomes 8. In Leptodactylus sp. (aff. bokermanni) and L. hylaedactylus the chromosome pairs bearing Ag-NOR are 11 and 7, respectively. The C banding patterns are predominantly centromeric, but only in L. marmoratus this heterochromatin appeared very brilliant with DAPI. On the other hand, bright labelling was noticed with CMA(3) in the three species, on the Ag-NOR site. The data obtained here are in accordance with the proposed phylogeny to the genus, and the chromosomal analyses in these Leptodactylus showed that the karyotype evolution was based mainly in centric fusion and pericentric inversion.

Renal stone risk assessment during Space Shuttle flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, P. A.; Pietrzyk, R. A.; Pak, C. Y.

1997-01-01

PURPOSE: The metabolic and environmental factors influencing renal stone formation before, during, and after Space Shuttle flights were assessed. We established the contributing roles of dietary factors in relationship to the urinary risk factors associated with renal stone formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24-hr. urine samples were collected prior to, during space flight, and following landing. Urinary and dietary factors associated with renal stone formation were analyzed and the relative urinary supersaturation of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate (brushite), sodium urate, struvite and uric acid were calculated. RESULTS: Urinary composition changed during flight to favor the crystallization of calcium-forming salts. Factors that contributed to increased potential for stone formation during space flight were significant reductions in urinary pH and increases in urinary calcium. Urinary output and citrate, a potent inhibitor of calcium-containing stones, were slightly reduced during space flight. Dietary intakes were significantly reduced for a number of variables, including fluid, energy, protein, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first in-flight characterization of the renal stone forming potential in astronauts. With the examination of urinary components and nutritional factors, it was possible to determine the factors that contributed to increased risk or protected from risk. In spite of the protective components, the negative contributions to renal stone risk predominated and resulted in a urinary environment that favored the supersaturation of stone-forming salts. Dietary and pharmacologic therapies need to be assessed to minimize the potential for renal stone formation in astronauts during/after space flight.

A Fuzzy Technique for Performing Lateral-Axis Formation Flight Navigation Using Wingtip Vortices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, Curtis E.

2003-01-01

Close formation flight involving aerodynamic coupling through wingtip vortices shows significant promise to improve the efficiency of cooperative aircraft operations. Impediments to the application of this technology include internship communication required to establish precise relative positioning. This report proposes a method for estimating the lateral relative position between two aircraft in close formation flight through real-time estimates of the aerodynamic effects imparted by the leading airplane on the trailing airplane. A fuzzy algorithm is developed to map combinations of vortex-induced drag and roll effects to relative lateral spacing. The algorithm is refined using self-tuning techniques to provide lateral relative position estimates accurate to 14 in., well within the requirement to maintain significant levels of drag reduction. The fuzzy navigation algorithm is integrated with a leader-follower formation flight autopilot in a two-ship F/A-18 simulation with no intership communication modeled. It is shown that in the absence of measurements from the leading airplane the algorithm provides sufficient estimation of lateral formation spacing for the autopilot to maintain stable formation flight within the vortex. Formation autopilot trim commands are used to estimate vortex effects for the algorithm. The fuzzy algorithm is shown to operate satisfactorily with anticipated levels of input uncertainties.

Intraformation positioning system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheldon, Stuart; Zadzora, Timothy

1996-05-01

The IntraFormation Positioning System is a networked relative navigation system currently being developed for rendezvous, join-up, and formation flight of Air Force helicopters and fixed wing aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions. The system is designed to be integrated into existing aircraft and will display relative positions of all aircraft within a formation, as well as the relative positions of other formations participating in coordinated missions. The system uses a Global Positioning System receiver integrated with the aircraft Inertial Navigation System to generate accurate aircraft position and velocity data. These data are transmitted over a data link to all participating aircraft and displayed as graphic symbols at the relative range and bearing to own aircraft on a situational awareness display format similar to a radar plan position indicator. Flight guidance computation is based on the difference between a desired formation slot position and current aircraft position relative to the formation lead aircraft. This information is presented on the flight director display allowing the pilot to null out position errors. The system is being developed for the Air Force Special Operations Command; however, it is applicable to all aircraft desiring improved formation situational awareness and formation flight coordination.

Left atrial function after Cox's maze operation concomitant with mitral valve operation.

PubMed

Itoh, T; Okamoto, H; Nimi, T; Morita, S; Sawazaki, M; Ogawa, Y; Asakura, T; Yasuura, K; Abe, T; Murase, M

1995-08-01

This study examined whether the atrial fibrillation that commonly occurs in patients with a mitral valve operation could be eliminated by a concomitant maze operation. Left atrial function after Cox's maze operation performed concomitantly with a mitral valve operation was evaluated in 10 patients ranging in age from 38 to 67 years (mean age, 54 years). Seven patients who had had coronary artery bypass grafting served as the control group. Using transthoracic echocardiography, the ratio between the peak speed of the early filling wave and that of the atrial contraction wave (A/E ratio) and the atrial filling fraction (AFF) were determined from transmitral flow measurements. These two indices have been considered to represent the contribution of left atrial active contraction to ventricular filling. The A/E ratio and the AFF were significantly lower in the maze group (0.35 +/- 0.17 versus 0.97 +/- 0.28 [p < 0.01] and 17.6% +/- 8.8% versus 36.8% +/- 6.4% [p < 0.01], respectively). The A/E ratio and the AFF correlated inversely with age (r = -0.72, p < 0.05 and r = 0.76, p < 0.05, respectively) in the maze group. In an angiographic study, the mean left atrial maximal volume index in the maze group was approximately three times larger than that in the control group (117.5 +/- 24.3 mL/m2 versus 35.3 +/- 6.6 mL/m2 [p < 0.01]). The left atrial active emptying volume index was significantly smaller in patients in the maze group (7.2 +/- 2.5 mL/m2 versus 13.1 +/- 4.6 mL/m2 [p < 0.01]). After the maze procedure performed concomitantly with a mitral valve operation in patients with a dilated left atrium, left atrial contraction is detectable but incomplete in the elderly.

A single point mutation in cyclin T1 eliminates binding to Hexim1, Cdk9 and RNA but not to AFF4 and enforces repression of HIV transcription

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gene expression is primarily regulated at the step of transcription elongation. The viral Tat protein recruits the Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) and the Super Elongation Complex (SEC) to the HIV promoter and enhances transcription by host RNA polymerase II. Results To map residues in the cyclin box of cyclin T1 that mediate the binding of P-TEFb to its interacting host partners and support HIV transcription, a pool of N-terminal cyclin T1 mutants was generated. Binding and functional assays in cells identified specific positions in cyclin T1 that are important for (i) association of P-TEFb with Hexim1, Cdk9 and SEC/AFF4 (ii) supporting Tat-transactivation in murine cells and (iii) inhibition of basal and Tat-dependent HIV transcription in human cells. Significantly, a unique cyclin T1 mutant where a Valine residue at position 107 was mutated to Glutamate (CycT1-V107E) was identified. CycT1-V107E did not bind to Hexim1 or Cdk9, and also could not assemble on HIV TAR or 7SK-snRNA. However, it bound strongly to AFF4 and its association with HIV Tat was slightly impaired. CycT1-V107E efficiently inhibited HIV replication in human T cell lines and in CD4(+) primary cells, and enforced HIV transcription repression in T cell lines that harbor a transcriptionally silenced integrated provirus. Conclusions This study outlines the mechanism by which CycT1-V107E mutant inhibits HIV transcription and enforces viral latency. It defines the importance of N-terminal residues of cyclin T1 in mediating contacts of P-TEFb with its transcription partners, and signifies the requirement of a functional P-TEFb and SEC in mediating HIV transcription. PMID:24985467

A single point mutation in cyclin T1 eliminates binding to Hexim1, Cdk9 and RNA but not to AFF4 and enforces repression of HIV transcription.

PubMed

Kuzmina, Alona; Verstraete, Nina; Galker, Sigal; Maatook, Maayan; Bensaude, Olivier; Taube, Ran

2014-07-01

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gene expression is primarily regulated at the step of transcription elongation. The viral Tat protein recruits the Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) and the Super Elongation Complex (SEC) to the HIV promoter and enhances transcription by host RNA polymerase II. To map residues in the cyclin box of cyclin T1 that mediate the binding of P-TEFb to its interacting host partners and support HIV transcription, a pool of N-terminal cyclin T1 mutants was generated. Binding and functional assays in cells identified specific positions in cyclin T1 that are important for (i) association of P-TEFb with Hexim1, Cdk9 and SEC/AFF4 (ii) supporting Tat-transactivation in murine cells and (iii) inhibition of basal and Tat-dependent HIV transcription in human cells. Significantly, a unique cyclin T1 mutant where a Valine residue at position 107 was mutated to Glutamate (CycT1-V107E) was identified. CycT1-V107E did not bind to Hexim1 or Cdk9, and also could not assemble on HIV TAR or 7SK-snRNA. However, it bound strongly to AFF4 and its association with HIV Tat was slightly impaired. CycT1-V107E efficiently inhibited HIV replication in human T cell lines and in CD4(+) primary cells, and enforced HIV transcription repression in T cell lines that harbor a transcriptionally silenced integrated provirus. This study outlines the mechanism by which CycT1-V107E mutant inhibits HIV transcription and enforces viral latency. It defines the importance of N-terminal residues of cyclin T1 in mediating contacts of P-TEFb with its transcription partners, and signifies the requirement of a functional P-TEFb and SEC in mediating HIV transcription.

Implementation of Satellite Formation Flight Algorithms Using SPHERES Aboard the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mandy, Christophe P.; Sakamoto, Hiraku; Saenz-Otero, Alvar; Miller, David W.

2007-01-01

The MIT's Space Systems Laboratory developed the Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) as a risk-tolerant spaceborne facility to develop and mature control, estimation, and autonomy algorithms for distributed satellite systems for applications such as satellite formation flight. Tests performed study interferometric mission-type formation flight maneuvers in deep space. These tests consist of having the satellites trace a coordinated trajectory under tight control that would allow simulated apertures to constructively interfere observed light and measure the resulting increase in angular resolution. This paper focuses on formation initialization (establishment of a formation using limited field of view relative sensors), formation coordination (synchronization of the different satellite s motion) and fuel-balancing among the different satellites.

Induced Moment Effects of Formation Flight Using Two F/A-18 Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, Jennifer L.; Cobleigh, Brent R.

2002-01-01

Previous investigations into formation flight have shown the possibility for significant fuel savings through drag reduction. Using two F/A-18 aircraft, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has investigated flying aircraft in autonomous formation. Positioning the trailing airplane for best drag reduction requires investigation of the wingtip vortex effects induced by the leading airplane. A full accounting of the vortex effect on the trailing airplane is desired to validate vortex-effect prediction methods and provide a database for the design of a formation flight autopilot. A recent flight phase has mapped the complete wingtip vortex effects at two flight conditions with the trailing airplane at varying distances behind the leading one. Force and moment data at Mach 0.56 and an altitude of 25,000 ft and Mach 0.86 and an altitude of 36,000 ft have been obtained with 20, 55, 110, and 190 ft of longitudinal distance between the aircraft. The moments induced by the vortex on the trailing airplane were well within the pilot's ability to control. This report discusses the data analysis methods and vortex-induced effects on moments and side force. An assessment of the impact of the nonlinear vortex effects on the design of a formation autopilot is offered.

Autonomous formation flight of helicopters: Model predictive control approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Hoam

Formation flight is the primary movement technique for teams of helicopters. However, the potential for accidents is greatly increased when helicopter teams are required to fly in tight formations and under harsh conditions. This dissertation proposes that the automation of helicopter formations is a realistic solution capable of alleviating risks. Helicopter formation flight operations in battlefield situations are highly dynamic and dangerous, and, therefore, we maintain that both a high-level formation management system and a distributed coordinated control algorithm should be implemented to help ensure safe formations. The starting point for safe autonomous formation flights is to design a distributed control law attenuating external disturbances coming into a formation, so that each vehicle can safely maintain sufficient clearance between it and all other vehicles. While conventional methods are limited to homogeneous formations, our decentralized model predictive control (MPC) approach allows for heterogeneity in a formation. In order to avoid the conservative nature inherent in distributed MPC algorithms, we begin by designing a stable MPC for individual vehicles, and then introducing carefully designed inter-agent coupling terms in a performance index. Thus the proposed algorithm works in a decentralized manner, and can be applied to the problem of helicopter formations comprised of heterogenous vehicles. Individual vehicles in a team may be confronted by various emerging situations that will require the capability for in-flight reconfiguration. We propose the concept of a formation manager to manage separation, join, and synchronization of flight course changes. The formation manager accepts an operator's commands, information from neighboring vehicles, and its own vehicle states. Inside the formation manager, there are multiple modes and complex mode switchings represented as a finite state machine (FSM). Based on the current mode and collected information, the FSM generates discrete reference points in state space. Then, the reference trajectory generator makes smooth trajectories from discrete reference points using interpolation and/or an online optimization scheme. By modifying the reference trajectory and triggering mode changes, the formation manager can override behaviors of the MPC controller. When a vehicle outside of the formation approaches a vehicle at the edge of the formation, the motion of the vehicle at the formation edge acts like a disturbance with respect to the vehicle attempting to join the formation. The vehicle at the edge of the formation cannot cooperate with any vehicle outside of the formation due to constraints on maintaining the existing formation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

77 FR 15969 - Waybill Data Released in Three-Benchmark Rail Rate Proceedings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-19

... confidentiality of the contract rates, as required by 49 U.S.C. 11904. Background In Simplified Standards for Rail Rate Cases (Simplified Standards), EP 646 (Sub-No. 1) (STB served Sept. 5, 2007), aff'd sub nom. CSX...\\ Under the Three-Benchmark method as revised in Simplified Standards, each party creates and proffers to...

SPHERES as Formation Flight Algorithm Development and Validation Testbed: Current Progress and Beyond

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kong, Edmund M.; Saenz-Otero, Alvar; Nolet, Simon; Berkovitz, Dustin S.; Miller, David W.; Sell, Steve W.

2004-01-01

The MIT-SSL SPHERES testbed provides a facility for the development of algorithms necessary for the success of Distributed Satellite Systems (DSS). The initial development contemplated formation flight and docking control algorithms; SPHERES now supports the study of metrology, control, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and communications algorithms and their effects on DSS projects. To support this wide range of topics, the SPHERES design contemplated the need to support multiple researchers, as echoed from both the hardware and software designs. The SPHERES operational plan further facilitates the development of algorithms by multiple researchers, while the operational locations incrementally increase the ability of the tests to operate in a representative environment. In this paper, an overview of the SPHERES testbed is first presented. The SPHERES testbed serves as a model of the design philosophies that allow for the various researches being carried out on such a facility. The implementation of these philosophies are further highlighted in the three different programs that are currently scheduled for testing onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and three that are proposed for a re-flight mission: Mass Property Identification, Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking, TPF Multiple Spacecraft Formation Flight in the first flight and Precision Optical Pointing, Tethered Formation Flight and Mars Orbit Sample Retrieval for the re-flight mission.

Results of NASA's First Autonomous Formation Flying Experiment: Earth Observing-1 (EO-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folta, David C.; Hawkins, Albin; Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

NASA's first autonomous formation flying mission completed its primary goal of demonstrating an advanced technology called enhanced formation flying. To enable this technology, the Guidance, Navigation, and Control center at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) implemented a universal 3-axis formation flying algorithm in an autonomous executive flight code onboard the New Millennium Program's (NMP) Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) spacecraft. This paper describes the mathematical background of the autonomous formation flying algorithm and the onboard flight design and presents the validation results of this unique system. Results from functionality assessment through fully autonomous maneuver control are presented as comparisons between the onboard EO-1 operational autonomous control system called AutoCon(tm), its ground-based predecessor, and a standalone algorithm.

[Kidney stone formation during space flight and long-term bed rest].

PubMed

Okada, Atsushi; Ichikawa, Jun; Tozawa, Keiichi

2011-10-01

Microgravity environment like space flight or a condition requiring long-term bed-rest increase bone resorption and decrease bone formation, inducing the rapid decrease of bone minerals to osteoporosis. Bone mineral loss increases urinary calcium excretion and the risk of urinary stone formation. To clarify the influence of the conditions on renal stone formation, a 90-day bed rest test was performed to analyze the mechanism of microgravity or bed rest-induced stone formation and prevention by bisphosphonate medication and bed-rest exercise. As the results, renal stone formation was observed in control and exercise groups and no stone was seen in the medication group. In the medication group, urinary calcium excretion and relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate were lower than in the control group throughout the bed-rest and recovery period. Bisphosphonate is useful for the prevention of renal stone formation during space flight and long-term bed-rest.

An experimental evaluation of head-up display formats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naish, J. M.; Miller, D. L.

1980-01-01

Three types of head-up display format are investigated. Type 1 is an unreferenced (conventional) flight director, type 2 is a ground referenced flight path display, and type 3 is a ground referenced director. Formats are generated by computer and presented by reflecting collimation against a simulated forward view in flight. Pilots, holding commercial licenses, fly approaches in the instrument flight mode and in a combined instrument and visual flight mode. The approaches are in wind shear with varied conditions of visibility, offset, and turbulence. The displays are equivalent in pure tracking but there is a slight advantage for the unreferenced director in poor conditions. Flight path displays are better for tracking in the combined flight mode, possibly because of poor director control laws and the division of attention between superimposed fields. Workloads is better for the type 2 displays. The flight path and referenced director displays are criticized for effects of symbol motion and field limiting. In the subjective judgment of pilots familiar with the director displays, they are rated clearly better than path displays, with a preference for the unreferenced director. There is a fair division of attention between superimposed fields.

Peak-Seeking Optimization of Spanwise Lift Distribution for Wings in Formation Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, Curtis E.; Ryan, Jack

2012-01-01

A method is presented for the in-flight optimization of the lift distribution across the wing for minimum drag of an aircraft in formation flight. The usual elliptical distribution that is optimal for a given wing with a given span is no longer optimal for the trailing wing in a formation due to the asymmetric nature of the encountered flow field. Control surfaces along the trailing edge of the wing can be configured to obtain a non-elliptical profile that is more optimal in terms of minimum combined induced and profile drag. Due to the difficult-to-predict nature of formation flight aerodynamics, a Newton-Raphson peak-seeking controller is used to identify in real time the best aileron and flap deployment scheme for minimum total drag. Simulation results show that the peak-seeking controller correctly identifies an optimal trim configuration that provides additional drag savings above those achieved with conventional anti-symmetric aileron trim.

Inviscid Analysis of Extended Formation Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kless, James; Aftosmis, Michael J.; Ning, Simeon Andrew; Nemec, Marian

2012-01-01

Flying airplanes in extended formations, with separation distances of tens of wingspans, significantly improves safety while maintaining most of the fuel savings achieved in close formations. The present study investigates the impact of roll trim and compressibility at fixed lift coefficient on the benefits of extended formation flight. An Euler solver with adjoint-based mesh refinement combined with a wake propagation model is used to analyze a two-body echelon formation at a separation distance of 30 spans. Two geometries are examined: a simple wing and a wing-body geometry. Energy savings, quantified by both formation drag fraction and span efficiency factor, are investigated at subsonic and transonic speeds for a matrix of vortex locations. The results show that at fixed lift and trimmed for roll, the optimal location of vortex impingement is about 10% inboard of the trailing airplane s wing-tip. Interestingly, early results show the variation in drag fraction reduction is small in the neighborhood of the optimal position. Over 90% of energy benefits can be obtained with a 5% variation in transverse and 10% variation in crossflow directions. Early results suggest control surface deflections required to achieve trim reduce the benefits of formation flight by 3-5% at subsonic speeds. The final paper will include transonic effects and trim on extended formation flight drag benefits.

Growth and yield considerations and implications for alternative density management objectives and approaches

Treesearch

David Marshall

2013-01-01

Density management through thinning is the most important tool foresters have to aff ect stand development and stand structure of existing stands. Reducing stand density by thinning increases the growing space and resource availability (e.g., light, water, and nutrients) for the remaining trees. Th is can result in increased average tree growth. More available site...

Effects of forest thinning on bird-vegetation relationships in young Douglas-fir forests

Treesearch

Svetlana Yegorova

2013-01-01

Forest thinning has been widely used in the Pacifi c Northwest as a technique to accelerate latesuccessional vegetation characteristics and promote mature forest habitats for wildlife. Th inning treatments aff ect tree and understory vegetation development. Th e eff ects of thinning on bird abundance and occurrence vary by bird species and change over time, presumably...

Limits to soil carbon stability; Deep, ancient soil carbon decomposition stimulated by new labile organic inputs

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil carbon (C) pools store about one-third of the total terrestrial organic carbon. Deep soil C pools (below 1 m) are thought to be stable due to their low biodegradability, but little is known about soil microbial processes and carbon dynamics below the soil surface, or how global change might aff...

77 FR 30315 - Protocol for Categorical Exclusions Supplementing the Council on Environmental Quality...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-22

... preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), absent extraordinary..., 972-73 (S.D. Ill. 1999), aff'd, 230 F.3d 947, 954-55 (7th Cir. 2000). For the reasons set out in the... of actions are categorically excluded and do not require the preparation of an EA or EIS because they...

Marine sponges (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the Gulf of México, new records and redescription of Erylus trisphaerus (de Laubenfels, 1953).

PubMed

Ugalde, Diana; Gómez, Patricia; Simões, Nuno

2015-01-19

Marine sponges usually constitute the most diverse group of the benthic community in coral reefs. Although they are reasonably well studied at the northern Gulf of Mexico (GMx), the southern GMx is poorly known and lacks records from many major reef systems that lie off the Mexican coast. The present taxonomic study is the first sponge account from Alacranes reef, the largest coral reef system in the GMx, and from the shallow reef banks of Sisal, both in the northwest Yucatan Peninsula. The 19 species herein described represent the first sponge fauna records from these reefs. Among these, seven species represent new record for GMx: Erylus formosus, Cliona flavifodina, Spirastrella aff. mollis, Strongylacidon bermuda, Topsentia bahamensis, Agelas tubulata and Chelonaplysilla aff. erecta. Twelve species are new records for the Southern GMx: Erylus trisphaerus, Cliona amplicavata, Chondrilla caribensis, Halichondria lutea, Hymeniacidon caerulea, Axinella corrugata, Dragmacidon reticulatum, Chalinula molitba, Amphimedon caribica, A. complanata, Hyatella cavernosa and Dysidea variabilis. Additionally, a redescription of Erylus trisphaerus is presented which had not been reviewed since its original description in 1953 off Western Florida, except that it was listed for north La Habana, Cuba. 

Diversity of Ptychadena in Rwanda and taxonomic status of P. chrysogaster Laurent, 1954 (Amphibia, Anura, Ptychadenidae)

PubMed Central

Dehling, J. Maximilian; Sinsch, Ulrich

2013-01-01

Abstract We assess the diversity of Ptychadena species in Rwanda based on re-examination of voucher specimens in museum collections and our own data from recent assessment of the species composition of amphibian communities in Rwanda. We recognize five species which we allocate to the following available names: P. anchietae, P. chrysogaster, P. nilotica, P. porosissima, and P. uzungwensis. We did not find evidence for the presence of P. grandisonae and P. oxyrhynchus which have been listed for the country. The five species can be distinguished by quantitative morphometrics (discriminant analysis, success rate: 100 %) and a number of qualitative characters of external morphology. We provide an identification key to the Rwandan species and describe the morphology of each species in detail. The taxonomic status and the phylogenetic position of Ptychadena chrysogaster are further assessed based on the partial sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA. The species differs genetically from available homologous sequences from congeners by an uncorrected p distance of at least 4.2 % and appears to be most closely related to specimens assigned to P. porosissima, P. mahnerti, “P. aff. uzungwensis” and “P. aff. bibroni”. PMID:24363574

Gyrodactylus aff. mugili Zhukov, 1970 (Monogenoidea: Gyrodactylidae) from the gills of mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) collected from the inland waters of southern Iraq, with an evalutation of previous records of Gyrodactylus spp. on mullets in Iraq.

PubMed

Kritsky, Delane C; Ali, Atheer H; Khamees, Najim R

2013-11-01

Gyrodactylus aff. mugili Zhukov, 1970 (Monogenoidea: Gyrodactylidae) is recorded and described from the gill lamellae of 11 of 35 greenback mullet, Chelon subviridis (Valenciennes) (minimum prevalence 31%), from the brackish waters of the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary in southern Iraq. The gyrodactylid was also found on the gill lamellae of one of eight Speigler's mullet, Valamugil speigleri (Bleeker), from the brackish waters of the Shatt Al-Basrah Canal (minimum prevalence 13%). Fifteen Klunzinger's mullet, Liza klunzingeri (Day), and 13 keeled mullet, Liza carinata (Valenciennes), collected and examined from southern Iraqi waters, were apparently uninfected. The gyrodactylids from the greenback mullet and Speigler's mullet were considered to have affinity to G. mugili Zhukov, 1970, and along with G. mugili may represent members of a species complex occurring on mullets in the Indo-Pacific Region. A single damaged gyrodactylid from the external surfaces of the abu mullet, Liza abu (Heckel), was insufficient for species identification. Previously identified species of Gyrodactylus recorded on L. abu in Iraq by various authors were considered possible misidentifications or accidental infections.

Rapid perfusion quantification using Welch-Satterthwaite approximation and analytical spectral filtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnan, Karthik; Reddy, Kasireddy V.; Ajani, Bhavya; Yalavarthy, Phaneendra K.

2017-02-01

CT and MR perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) enable quantification of perfusion parameters in stroke studies. These parameters are calculated from the residual impulse response function (IRF) based on a physiological model for tissue perfusion. The standard approach for estimating the IRF is deconvolution using oscillatory-limited singular value decomposition (oSVD) or Frequency Domain Deconvolution (FDD). FDD is widely recognized as the fastest approach currently available for deconvolution of CT Perfusion/MR PWI. In this work, three faster methods are proposed. The first is a direct (model based) crude approximation to the final perfusion quantities (Blood flow, Blood volume, Mean Transit Time and Delay) using the Welch-Satterthwaite approximation for gamma fitted concentration time curves (CTC). The second method is a fast accurate deconvolution method, we call Analytical Fourier Filtering (AFF). The third is another fast accurate deconvolution technique using Showalter's method, we call Analytical Showalter's Spectral Filtering (ASSF). Through systematic evaluation on phantom and clinical data, the proposed methods are shown to be computationally more than twice as fast as FDD. The two deconvolution based methods, AFF and ASSF, are also shown to be quantitatively accurate compared to FDD and oSVD.

Effects of stingless bee propolis on experimental asthma.

PubMed

de Farias, José Hidelbland Cavalcante; Reis, Aramys Silva; Araújo, Marcio Antonio Rodrigues; Araújo, Maria José Abigail Mendes; Assunção, Anne Karine Martins; de Farias, Jardel Cavalcante; Fialho, Eder Magalhães Silva; Silva, Lucilene Amorim; Costa, Graciomar Conceição; Guerra, Rosane Nassar Meireles; Ribeiro, Maria Nilce Sousa; do Nascimento, Flávia Raquel Fernandes

2014-01-01

Bee products have been used empirically for centuries, especially for the treatment of respiratory diseases. The present study evaluated the effect of treatment with a propolis hydroalcoholic extract (PHE) produced by Scaptotrigona aff. postica stingless bee in a murine asthma model. BALB/c mice were immunized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) subcutaneously. After 14 days, they were intranasally challenged with OVA. Groups P50 and P200 received PHE by gavage at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The DEXA group was treated with intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone. The OVA group received only water. The mice were treated daily for two weeks and then they were immunized a second time with intranasal OVA. The treatment with PHE decreased the cell number in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BAL). Histological analysis showed reduced peribronchovascular inflammation after treatment with PHE especially the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells. In addition, the concentration of interferon- γ (IFN- γ ) in the serum was decreased. These results were similar to those obtained with dexamethasone. Treatment with S. aff postica propolis reduced the pathology associated with murine asthma due an inhibition of inflammatory cells migration to the alveolar space and the systemic progression of the allergic inflammation.

Simultaneous production of intracellular triacylglycerols and extracellular polyol esters of fatty acids by Rhodotorula babjevae and Rhodotorula aff. paludigena.

PubMed

Garay, Luis A; Sitepu, Irnayuli R; Cajka, Tomas; Cathcart, Erin; Fiehn, Oliver; German, J Bruce; Block, David E; Boundy-Mills, Kyria L

2017-10-01

Microbial oils have been analyzed as alternatives to petroleum. However, just a handful of microbes have been successfully adapted to produce chemicals that can compete with their petroleum counterparts. One of the reasons behind the low success rate is the overall economic inefficiency of valorizing a single product. This study presents a lab-scale analysis of two yeast species that simultaneously produce multiple high-value bioproducts: intracellular triacylglycerols (TG) and extracellular polyol esters of fatty acids (PEFA), two lipid classes with immediate applications in the biofuels and surfactant industries. At harvest, the yeast strain Rhodotorula aff. paludigena UCDFST 81-84 secreted 20.9 ± 0.2 g L -1 PEFA and produced 8.8 ± 1.0 g L -1 TG, while the yeast strain Rhodotorula babjevae UCDFST 04-877 secreted 11.2 ± 1.6 g L -1 PEFA and 18.5 ± 1.7 g L -1 TG. The overall glucose conversion was 0.24 and 0.22 g (total lipid) g (glucose) -1 , respectively. The results present a stable and scalable microbial growth platform yielding multiple co-products.

Flight test and evaluation of Omega navigation in a general aviation aircraft. Volume 2: Appendices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, J. D.; Hoffman, W. C.; Hwoschinsky, P. V.; Wischmeyer, C. E.

1975-01-01

Detailed documentation for each flight of the Omega Flight Evaluation study is presented, including flight test description sheets and actual flight data plots. Computer programs used for data processing and flight planning are explained and the data formats utilized by the Custom Interface Unit are summarized.

Evaluation of two cockpit display concepts for civil tiltrotor instrument operations on steep approaches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Decker, William A.; Bray, Richard S.; Simmons, Rickey C.; Tucker, George E.

1993-01-01

A piloted simulation experiment was conducted using the NASA Ames Research Center Vertical Motion Simulator to evaluate two cockpit display formats designed for manual control on steep instrument approaches for a civil transport tiltrotor aircraft. The first display included a four-cue (pitch, roll, power lever position, and nacelle angle movement prompt) flight director. The second display format provided instantaneous flight path angle information together with other symbols for terminal area guidance. Pilots evaluated these display formats for an instrument approach task which required a level flight conversion from airplane-mode flight to helicopter-mode flight while decelerating to the nominal approach airspeed. Pilots tracked glide slopes of 6, 9, 15 and 25 degrees, terminating in a hover for a vertical landing on a 150 feet square vertipad. Approaches were conducted with low visibility and ceilings and with crosswinds and turbulence, with all aircraft systems functioning normally and were carried through to a landing. Desired approach and tracking performance was achieved with generally satisfactory handling qualities using either display format on glide slopes up through 15 degrees. Evaluations with both display formats for a 25 degree glide slope revealed serious problems with glide slope tracking at low airspeeds in crosswinds and the loss of the intended landing spot from the cockpit field of view.

The identification of transcription factors expressed in the notochord of Ciona intestinalis adds new potential players to the brachyury gene regulatory network.

PubMed

José-Edwards, Diana S; Kerner, Pierre; Kugler, Jamie E; Deng, Wei; Jiang, Di; Di Gregorio, Anna

2011-07-01

The notochord is the distinctive characteristic of chordates; however, the knowledge of the complement of transcription factors governing the development of this structure is still incomplete. Here we present the expression patterns of seven transcription factor genes detected in the notochord of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis at various stages of embryonic development. Four of these transcription factors, Fos-a, NFAT5, AFF and Klf15, have not been directly associated with the notochord in previous studies, while the others, including Spalt-like-a, Lmx-like, and STAT5/6-b, display evolutionarily conserved expression in this structure as well as in other domains. We examined the hierarchical relationships between these genes and the transcription factor Brachyury, which is necessary for notochord development in all chordates. We found that Ciona Brachyury regulates the expression of most, although not all, of these genes. These results shed light on the genetic regulatory program underlying notochord formation in Ciona and possibly other chordates. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Identifying and assessing critical uncertainty thresholds in a forest pest risk model

Treesearch

Frank H. Koch; Denys Yemshanov

2015-01-01

Pest risk maps can provide helpful decision support for invasive alien species management, but often fail to address adequately the uncertainty associated with their predicted risk values. Th is chapter explores how increased uncertainty in a risk model’s numeric assumptions (i.e. its principal parameters) might aff ect the resulting risk map. We used a spatial...

Genome-Wide Linkage and Positional Association Analyses Identify Associations of Novel AFF3 and NTM Genes with Triglycerides: The GenSalt Study

PubMed Central

Li, Changwei; Bazzano, Lydia A.L.; Rao, Dabeeru C.; Hixson, James E.; He, Jiang; Gu, Dongfeng; Gu, Charles C.; Shimmin, Lawrence C.; Jaquish, Cashell E.; Schwander, Karen; Liu, De-Pei; Huang, Jianfeng; Lu, Fanghong; Cao, Jie; Chong, Shen; Lu, Xiangfeng; Kelly, Tanika N.

2016-01-01

We conducted a genome-wide linkage scan and positional association study to identify genes and variants influencing blood lipid levels among participants of the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt-Sensitivity (GenSalt) study. The GenSalt study was conducted among 1906 participants from 633 Han Chinese families. Lipids were measured from overnight fasting blood samples using standard methods. Multipoint quantitative trait genome-wide linkage scans were performed on the high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and log-transformed triglyceride phenotypes. Using dense panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), single-marker and gene-based association analyses were conducted to follow-up on promising linkage signals. Additive associations between each SNP and lipid phenotypes were tested using mixed linear regression models. Gene-based analyses were performed by combining P-values from single-marker analyses within each gene using the truncated product method (TPM). Significant associations were assessed for replication among 777 Asian participants of the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Bonferroni correction was used to adjust for multiple testing. In the GenSalt study, suggestive linkage signals were identified at 2p11.2–2q12.1 [maximum multipoint LOD score (MML) = 2.18 at 2q11.2] and 11q24.3–11q25 (MML = 2.29 at 11q25) for the log-transformed triglyceride phenotype. Follow-up analyses of these two regions revealed gene-based associations of charged multivesicular body protein 3 (CHMP3), ring finger protein 103 (RNF103), AF4/FMR2 family, member 3 (AFF3), and neurotrimin (NTM ) with triglycerides (P = 4 × 10−4, 1.00 × 10−5, 2.00 × 10−5, and 1.00 × 10−7, respectively). Both the AFF3 and NTM triglyceride associations were replicated among MESA study participants (P = 1.00 × 10−7 and 8.00 × 10−5, respectively). Furthermore, NTM explained the linkage signal on chromosome 11. In conclusion, we identified novel genes associated with lipid phenotypes in linkage regions on chromosomes 2 and 11. PMID:25819087

Renal-Stone Risk Assessment During Space Shuttle Flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, Peggy A.; Pietrzyk, Robert A.; Pak, Charles Y. C.

1996-01-01

The metabolic and environmental factors influencing renal stone formation before, during, and after Space Shuttle flights were assessed. We established the contributing roles of dietary factors in relationship to the urinary risk factors associated with renal stone formation. 24-hr urine samples were collected prior to, during space flight, and following landing. Urinary factors associated with renal stone formation were analyzed and the relative urinary supersaturation ratios of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate (brushite), sodium urate, struvite and uric acid were calculated. Food and fluid consumption was recorded for a 48-hr period ending with the urine collection. Urinary composition changed during flight to favor the crystallization of stone-forming salts. Factors that contributed to increased potential for stone formation during space flight were significant reductions in urinary pH and increases in urinary calcium. Urinary output and citrate, a potent inhibitor of calcium-containing stones, were slightly reduced during space flight. Dietary intakes were significantly reduced for a number of variables, including fluid, energy, protein, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. This is the first in-flight characterization of the renal stone forming potential in astronauts. With the examination of urinary components and nutritional factors, it was possible to determine the factors that contributed to increased risk or protected from risk. In spite of the protective components, the negative contributions to renal stone risk predominated and resulted in a urinary environment that favored the supersaturation of stone-forming salts. The importance of the hypercalciuria was noted since renal excretion was high relative to the intake.

Intelligent Flight Control System and Aeronautics Research at NASA Dryden

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Nelson A.

2009-01-01

This video presentation reviews the F-15 Intelligent Flight Control System and contains clips of flight tests and aircraft performance in the areas of target tracking, takeoff and differential stabilators. Video of the APG milestone flight 1g formation is included.

Is Animal Age a Factor In the Response of Bone to Spaceflight?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morey-Holton, E. R.; Garetto, L. P.; Doty, S. B.; Halloran, B. P.; Turner, R. T.; Dalton, Bonnie (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The rodent bone response to spaceflight may be influenced by a multitude of actors including flight duration, strain, and housing. Review of bone formation rates during spaceflight suggests that age may also play a role in the response. Weanling rats show fewer bone changes than older rats. To determine if the long bones of weanling rats were insensitive to weight-bearing, a hindlimb unloading experiment was conducted simultaneously with a 9d shuttle flight in 34d old group-housed male rats. All animals were injected with bone markers 7d and 1d before flight and euthanized at landing, 24hr, and 72hr following recovery. If no differences in body weight, bone length, or bone formation at the tibiofibular junction were noted at the different time points, data were combined for each group. No significant differences in body weight were found at any time period among the groups. The humerus, tibia, and femur elongated significantly during the flight period with no difference in lengths between groups at the end of the flight period. The group-housed flight rats showed no change in cortical bone formation rate compared to preflight values, flight controls, or vivarium controls. However, the hindlimb unloading group showed a significant 30% decrease in bone formation rate compared to all other groups. Individually-housed 38d old animals flown for 14d showed approx. 10% suppression of cortical growth. We speculate that the mechanical threshold required for cross-sectional bone growth is reached in group-house weanling rats during spaceflight, perhaps, through physical interactions, and that the weanling animals are sensitive to loading. However, the threshold is not fully reached in either singly-housed flight or hindlimb unloaded weanling rats. Older singly-housed flight animals appear to show equal or greater bone changes compared to hindlimb unloaded rats. We conclude that age, flight duration, strain, and housing have important roles in rodent skeletal responses to spaceflight.

Summary of the effects of engine throttle response on airplane formation-flying qualities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, Kevin R.

1992-01-01

A flight evaluation as conducted to determine the effect of engine throttle response characteristics on precision formation-flying qualities. A variable electronic throttle control system was developed and flight-tested on a TF-104G airplane with a J79-11B engine at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility. Ten research flights were flown to evaluate the effects of throttle gain, time delay, and fuel control rate limiting on engine handling qualities during a demanding precision wing formation task. Handling quality effects of lag filters and lead compensation time delays were also evaluated. Data from pilot ratings and comments indicate that throttle control system time delays and rate limits cause significant degradations in handling qualities. Threshold values for satisfactory (level 1) and adequate (level 2) handling qualities of these key variables are presented.

A flight test facility design for examining digital information transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knox, Charles E.

1990-01-01

Information is given in viewgraph form on a flight test facility design for examining digital information transfer. Information is given on aircraft/ground exchange, data link research activities, data link display format, a data link flight test, and the flight test setup.

The development and use of a computer-interactive data acquisition and display system in a flight environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bever, G. A.

1981-01-01

The flight test data requirements at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center increased in complexity, and more advanced instrumentation became necessary to accomplish mission goals. This paper describes the way in which an airborne computer was used to perform real-time calculations on critical flight test parameters during a flight test on a winglet-equipped KC-135A aircraft. With the computer, an airborne flight test engineer can select any sensor for airborne display in several formats, including engineering units. The computer is able to not only calculate values derived from the sensor outputs but also to interact with the data acquisition system. It can change the data cycle format and data rate, and even insert the derived values into the pulse code modulation (PCM) bit stream for recording.

String Stability of a Linear Formation Flight Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Michael J.; Ryan, Jack; Hanson, Curtis E.; Parle, James F.

2002-01-01

String stability analysis of an autonomous formation flight system was performed using linear and nonlinear simulations. String stability is a measure of how position errors propagate from one vehicle to another in a cascaded system. In the formation flight system considered here, each i(sup th) aircraft uses information from itself and the preceding ((i-1)(sup th)) aircraft to track a commanded relative position. A possible solution for meeting performance requirements with such a system is to allow string instability. This paper explores two results of string instability and outlines analysis techniques for string unstable systems. The three analysis techniques presented here are: linear, nonlinear formation performance, and ride quality. The linear technique was developed from a worst-case scenario and could be applied to the design of a string unstable controller. The nonlinear formation performance and ride quality analysis techniques both use nonlinear formation simulation. Three of the four formation-controller gain-sets analyzed in this paper were limited more by ride quality than by performance. Formations of up to seven aircraft in a cascaded formation could be used in the presence of light gusts with this string unstable system.

Presidential Authority to Displace Customary International Law: A Department of Justice Fantasy

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-04-01

See also Findlay, supra note 71, at 7. 110. M. Bassiouni, supra note 72, at 346-352. 111. See Attorney General of Israel v. Adolf Eichmann , 36 I.L.R., 5...D. Ct. Jerusalem 1961), aff’d, 36 I.L.R., 277 (Supreme Court, Israel 1962). 112. See Jaffe v. Smith, 825 F.2d 304 (11th Cir. 1987). See also Kear v

77 FR 68149 - Karen Paul Holley, M.D.; Decision and Order

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-15

... meaningless tasks. See Philip E. Kirk, M.D., 48 FR 32887 (1983), aff'd sub nom. Kirk v. Mullen, 749 F.2d 297...); NLRB v. Int'l Assoc. of Bridge, Structural & Ornamental Ironworkers, AFL-CIO, 549 F.2d 634 (9th Cir. 1977); United States v. Consol. Mines & Smelting Co., 455 F.2d 432, 453 (9th Cir. 1971). Thus, it is...

Targeting Transcription Elongation Machinery for Breast Cancer Therapy

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

Luo CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94704 REPORT DATE: May 2016 TYPE OF REPORT: Annual PREPARED FOR...ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER University of California, Berkeley BERKELEY, CA 94704 9. SPONSORING...molecules. We have employed the CRISPR /Cas9 genome-editing tool to knock out the gene encoding the SEC component AFF4 or knock in a mutant cyclin T1 (AAG

Targeting Transcription Elongation Machinery for Breast Cancer Therapy

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

Zhou CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94704 REPORT DATE: May 2016 TYPE OF REPORT: Annual Report...PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER AND ADDRESS(ES) University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA ...without affecting the Brd4 or PTEFb molecules. We have employed the CRISPR /Cas9 genome-editing tool to knock out the gene encoding the SEC component AFF4

No effects of thinning with riparian buffers on terrestrial salamanders in headwater forests 5 to 6 years post-harvest in western Oregon

Treesearch

Matthew R. Kluber; Deanna H. Olson; Klaus J. Puettmann

2013-01-01

Th ere are emerging concerns for wildlife species associated with forested headwater systems. Given that headwater streams comprise a large portion of the length of fl owing waterways in western Oregon forests, there is a need to better understand how forest management aff ects headwater forest taxa and their habitats. Forest management strategies that consist of only...

Making the little things count: modeling the development of understory trees in complex stands

Treesearch

Peter J. Gould; Connie. Harrington

2013-01-01

Forest growth models are useful for asking “What if?” questions when evaluating silvicultural treatments intended to increase the complexity of future stands. What if we thinned to level A or B? How would it aff ect the growth rates of understory trees? How many trees would survive? To answer these types of questions, a growth model needs to...

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Volume 18, Number 6, June 2011

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

2.63 years); the smallest defi cits of active service after overweight-related diagnoses aff ected teenaged service members (diff median...that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) lacked adequate performance indicators of eff ectiveness of HCPs.2 For over a decade, Tri-Service military...assessment, the team reviewed case histories, diet histories (based on anecdotal information), and observations of medical staff members who cared

Guide to Canadian Aerospace-Related Industries

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-08-01

Quebec PLANT SIZE: 28,700 sq ft Canada H4L 4X8 EXPERIENCE: Barringer experience is worldwide. Recent R &D clients Plan t include Transport Canada, Revenue...Products, Ampheno Canada, ard J R Longts!affe"tel: (604) 530-2324 Fax: (604) 530-6242 CAPABILITY: Bruce D Vallillee Electronics Ltd, Marketing Consultants...Helicopters) BRISTOL AEROSPACE Ltd Instrumentation R &O (Helicopters) CANADIAN HELICOPTERS Ltd Quality Assurance Programs BRUCE D VALLILLEE R &O

Differences between the quality of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) pollinated by the stingless bees Scaptotrigona aff. depilis and Nannotrigona testaceicornis.

PubMed

Roselino, A C; Santos, S B; Hrncir, M; Bego, L R

2009-05-12

We investigated the success of two stingless bee species in pollinating strawberries in greenhouses. Three greenhouses and one open field area were used; one greenhouse had only strawberry plants (control), another (G1) had three colonies of Scaptotrigona aff. depilis and another (G2) had three colonies of Nannotrigona testaceicornis. In the open field area, the flowers could be visited by any bee. The total production of fruits was counted and a random sample (N = 100) from each area was used to measure weight, length, circumference, and achenes number (N = 5). The percentages of deformed strawberries were: 23% (no bees); 2% (greenhouses with bees) and 13% (open field). The strawberries from the greenhouse with N. testaceicornis and the open field were heavier than those from the greenhouses with no bees and with S. depilis. The fruit circumference was largest in the greenhouses with bees. The achenes number did not differ among the experimental areas. The strawberries produced in the greenhouses with stingless bees had more quality and greater commercial value than the fruits produced in the open field area and the greenhouse without bees. We conclude that stingless bees are efficient pollinators of strawberry flowers cultivated in greenhouses.

Physical mapping of the 5S and 18S rDNA in ten species of Hypostomus Lacépède 1803 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): evolutionary tendencies in the genus.

PubMed

Bueno, Vanessa; Venere, Paulo César; Thums Konerat, Jocicléia; Zawadzki, Cláudio Henrique; Vicari, Marcelo Ricardo; Margarido, Vladimir Pavan

2014-01-01

Hypostomus is a diverse group with unclear aspects regarding its biology, including the mechanisms that led to chromosome diversification within the group. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5S and 18S rDNA probes was performed on ten Hypostomini species. Hypostomus faveolus, H. cochliodon, H. albopunctatus, H. aff. paulinus, and H. topavae had only one chromosome pair with 18S rDNA sites, while H. ancistroides, H. commersoni, H. hermanni, H. regani, and H. strigaticeps had multiple 18S rDNA sites. Regarding the 5S rDNA genes, H. ancistroides, H. regani, H. albopunctatus, H. aff. paulinus, and H. topavae had 5S rDNA sites on only one chromosome pair and H. faveolus, H. cochliodon, H. commersoni, H. hermanni, and H. strigaticeps had multiple 5S rDNA sites. Most species had 18S rDNA sites in the telomeric region of the chromosomes. All species but H. cochliodon had 5S rDNA in the centromeric/pericentromeric region of one metacentric pair. Obtained results are discussed based on existent phylogenies for the genus, with comments on possible dispersion mechanisms to justify the variability of the rDNA sites in Hypostomus.

Bone and Calcium Metabolism During Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Scott M.

2004-01-01

Understanding bone loss during space flight is one of the most critical challenges for maintaining astronaut health on space exploration missions. Flight and ground-based studies have been conducted to better understand the nature and mechanisms of weightlessness-induced bone loss, and to identify a means to counteract the loss. Maintenance of bone health requires a balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Early space research identified bone loss as a critical health issue, but could not provide a distinction between the bone formation and breakdown processes. The recent identification of collagen crosslinks as markers of bone resorption has made possible a clear understanding that a decrease in bone resorption is an important effect of space flight, with bone formation being unchanged or only slightly decreased. Calcium regulatory factors have also been studied, in an attempt to understand their role in bone loss. The lack of ultraviolet light exposure and insufficient dietary sources of vitamin D often lead to reduced vitamin D stores on long-duration flights. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations are decreased during flight compared to before flight, although small subject numbers often make this hard to document statistically. As expected, reduced PTH concentrations are accompanied by reduced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Calcium kinetic studies during space flight confirm and extend the information gained from biochemical markers of bone metabolism. Calcium kinetic studies demonstrate that bone resorption is increased, bone formation is unchanged or decreased, and dietary calcium absorption is reduced during space flight. Evaluations have also been conducted of countermeasures, including dietary, exercise, and pharmacological treatments. In recent studies, many potential countermeasures show promise at mitigating bone loss in ground-based analogs of weightlessness (e.g., bed rest), but require further ground and flight testing to ensure that the beneficial effects are seen in space flight. As we begin to plan for missions to go back to the Moon, and even off to Mars, many questions are yet to be answered. Maintaining bone is one of the greatest challenges, but with a better understanding of the mechanical processes of bone loss, countermeasures can be designed more efficiently, and the solution (or solutions) may be just over the horizon.

Bubble formation in microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, Basil N.

1994-01-01

Two KC-135 flight campaigns have been conducted to date which are specifically dedicated to study bubble formation in microgravity. The first flight was conducted during March 14-18, 1994, and the other during June 20-24, 1994. The results from the June 1994 flight have not been analyzed yet, while the results from the March flight have been partially analyzed. In the first flight three different experiments were performed, one with the specific aim at determining whether or not cavitation can take place during any of the fluid handling procedures adopted in the shuttle bioprocessing experiments. The other experiments were concerned with duplicating some of the procedures that resulted in bubble formation, namely the NCS filling procedure and the needle scratch of a solid surface. The results from this set of experiments suggest that cavitation did not take place during any of the fluid handling procedures. The results clearly indicate that almost all were generated as a result of the breakup of the gas/liquid interface. This was convincingly demonstrated in the scratch tests as well as in the liquid fill tests.

Effects of Spaceflight on Bone: The Rat as an Animal Model for Human Bone Loss

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halloran, B.; Weider, T.; Morey-Holton, E.

1999-01-01

The loss of weight bearing during spaceflight results in osteopenia in humans. Decrements in bone mineral reach 3-10% after as little as 75-184 days in space. Loss of bone mineral during flight decreases bone strength and increases fracture risk. The mechanisms responsible for, and the factors contributing to, the changes in bone induced by spaceflight are poorly understood. The rat has been widely used as an animal model for human bone loss during spaceflight. Despite its potential usefulness, the results of bone studies performed in the rat in space have been inconsistent. In some flights bone formation is decreased and cancellous bone volume reduced, while in others no significant changes in bone occur. In June of 1996 Drs. T. Wronski, S. Miller and myself participated in a flight experiment (STS 78) to examine the effects of glucocorticoids on bone during weightlessness. Technically the 17 day flight experiment was flawless. The results, however, were surprising. Cancellous bone volume and osteoblast surface in the proximal tibial metaphysis were the same in flight and ground-based control rats. Normal levels of cancellous bone mass and bone formation were also detected in the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck of flight rats. Furthermore, periosteal bone formation rate was found to be identical in flight and ground-based control rats. Spaceflight had little or no effect on bone metabolism! These results prompted us to carefully review the changes in bone observed in, and the flight conditions of previous spaceflight missions.

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 63 - Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Flight Engineer Training Course... to Part 63—Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements (a) Training course outline—(1) Format. The... programmed coverage for the initial approval of a ground training course for flight engineers. Subsequent to...

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 63 - Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Flight Engineer Training Course... to Part 63—Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements (a) Training course outline—(1) Format. The... programmed coverage for the initial approval of a ground training course for flight engineers. Subsequent to...

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 63 - Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Flight Engineer Training Course... to Part 63—Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements (a) Training course outline—(1) Format. The... programmed coverage for the initial approval of a ground training course for flight engineers. Subsequent to...

14 CFR Appendix C to Part 63 - Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Flight Engineer Training Course... to Part 63—Flight Engineer Training Course Requirements (a) Training course outline—(1) Format. The... programmed coverage for the initial approval of a ground training course for flight engineers. Subsequent to...

Ground-recorded sonic boom signatures of F-18 aircraft formation flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bahm, Catherine M.; Haering, Edward A., Jr.

1995-01-01

Two F-18 aircraft were flown, one above the other, in two formations, in order for the shock systems of the two aircraft to merge and propagate to the ground. The first formation had the canopy of the lower F-18 in the inlet shock of the upper F-18 (called inlet-canopy). The flight conditions were Mach 1.22 and an altitude of 23,500 ft. An array of five sonic boom recorders was used on the ground to record the sonic boom signatures. This paper describes the flight test technique and the ground level sonic boom signatures. The tail-canopy formation resulted in two, separated, N-wave signatures. Such signatures probably resulted from aircraft positioning error. The inlet-canopy formation yielded a single modified signature; two recorders measured an approximate flattop signature. Loudness calculations indicated that the single inlet-canopy signatures were quieter than the two, separated tail-canopy signatures. Significant loudness occurs after a sonic boom signature. Such loudness probably comes from the aircraft engines.

Public perceptions of west-side forests: improving visual impact assessments and designing thinnings and harvests for scenic integrity

Treesearch

Robert G. Ribe

2013-01-01

Perceptions of public forests’ acceptability can be infl uenced by aesthetic qualities, at both broad and project levels, aff ecting managers’ social license to act. Legal and methodological issues related to measuring and managing forest aesthetics in NEPA and NFMA decision-making are discussed. It is argued that conventional visual impact assessments—using...

FY 2011 United States Army Corps of Engineers Annual Financial Report. America’s Army: At a Strategic Crossroads.

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

Management Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aff ected state agencies...history, the United States has relied on the Civil Works program for help in times of national disaster. Emergency management continues to be an...agencies) and demonstrate the fact that project management , operations, and maintenance activities are performed at the local (district) level . Th e

USAF Aircraft Maintenance Officer Knowledge, Skills and Abilities and Commonalities among the Logistics Officer Corps

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

distribution managemen t operations to include managing cargo distribution functions such as receiving, inspecting, tracing, tracking, packaging, and...Production Management DE CDE ABCDEFG Scheduling DE ADEF ABCDEF T ie r 2 Flightline Operations E BDE Systems Engineering D ABDEG Table 19: 21R...logistics units/ elements and as members of general or executive s t affs in t he operating forces, supporting establishment, and joint staffs . They

78 FR 12091 - Brian Earl Cressman, M.D.; Decision and Order

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-21

...); Humphreys v. DEA, 96 F.3d 658, 661 (3d Cir. 1996); Shatz v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 873 F.2d 1089, 1091 (8th... (1983), aff'd sub nom. Kirk v. Mullen, 749 F.2d 297 (6th Cir. 1984); see also Puerto Rico Aqueduct... & Ornamental Ironworkers, AFL-CIO, 549 F.2d 634 (9th Cir. 1977); United States v. Consol. Mines & Smelting Co...

17 CFR Appendix A to Part 3 - Interpretative Statement With Respect to Section 8a(2)(C) and (E) and Section 8a(3)(J) and (M) of...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... reliance on settled disciplinary proceedings in some circumstances. See In the Matter of Michael J. Clark... significant sanctions for serious rule violations—whether settlements or adjudications), aff'd sub nom., Clark... in Sections 8a(2) and 8a(3) of the Act. The Commission held in In the Matter of Clark that statutory...

Transfer Learning for Adaptive Relation Extraction

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-13

other NLP tasks, however, supervised learning approach fails when there is not a sufficient amount of labeled data for training, which is often the case...always 12 Syntactic Pattern Relation Instance Relation Type (Subtype) arg-2 arg-1 Arab leaders OTHER-AFF (Ethnic) his father PER-SOC (Family) South...for x. For sequence labeling tasks in NLP , linear-chain conditional random field has been rather suc- cessful. It is an undirected graphical model in

A manned maneuvering unit proximity operations planning and flight guidance display and control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gershzohn, Gary R.; Sirko, Robert J.; Zimmerman, K.; Jones, A. D.

1990-01-01

This task concerns the design, development, testing, and evaluation of a new proximity operations planning and flight guidance display and control system for manned space operations. A forecast, derivative manned maneuvering unit (MMU) was identified as a candidate for the application of a color, highway-in-the-sky display format for the presentation of flight guidance information. A silicon graphics 4D/20-based simulation is being developed to design and test display formats and operations concepts. The simulation includes the following: (1) real-time color graphics generation to provide realistic, dynamic flight guidance displays and control characteristics; (2) real-time graphics generation of spacecraft trajectories; (3) MMU flight dynamics and control characteristics; (4) control algorithms for rotational and translational hand controllers; (5) orbital mechanics effects for rendezvous and chase spacecraft; (6) inclusion of appropriate navigation aids; and (7) measurement of subject performance. The flight planning system under development provides for: (1) selection of appropriate operational modes, including minimum cost, optimum cost, minimum time, and specified ETA; (2) automatic calculation of rendezvous trajectories, en route times, and fuel requirements; (3) and provisions for manual override. Man/machine function allocations in planning and en route flight segments are being evaluated. Planning and en route data are presented on one screen composed of two windows: (1) a map display presenting a view perpendicular to the orbital plane, depicting flight planning trajectory and time data attitude display presenting attitude and course data for use en route; and (2) an attitude display presenting local vertical-local horizontal attitude data superimposed on a highway-in-the-sky or flight channel representation of the flight planned course. Both display formats are presented while the MMU is en route. In addition to these displays, several original display elements are being developed, including a 3DOF flight detector for attitude commanding, a different flight detector for translation commands, and a pictorial representation of velocity deviations.

The risk of renal stone formation during and after long duration space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, P. A.; Pietrzyk, R. A.; Morukov, B. V.; Sams, C. F.

2001-01-01

BACKGROUND: The formation of a renal stone during space flight may have serious negative effects on the health of the crewmember and the success of the mission. Urinary biochemical factors and the influence of dietary factors associated with renal stone development were assessed during long duration Mir Space Station missions. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected prior to, during and following long duration space flight. The relative urinary supersaturation of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate (brushite), sodium urate, struvite and uric acid were determined. RESULTS: Changes in the urinary biochemistry of crewmembers during long duration spaceflight demonstrated increases in the supersaturation of the stone-forming salts. In-flight hypercalciuria was evident in a number of individual crewmembers and 24-hour dietary fluid intake and urine volume were significantly lower. During flight, there was a significant increase in brushite supersaturation. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest acute effects of space flight and postflight changes in the urinary biochemistry favoring increased crystallization in the urine. The effects of dietary intake, especially fluid intake, may have a significant impact on the potential for renal stone formation. Efforts are now underway to assess the efficacy of a countermeasure to mitigate the increased risk. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Autonomous formation flying based on GPS — PRISMA flight results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Amico, Simone; Ardaens, Jean-Sebastien; De Florio, Sergio

2013-01-01

This paper presents flight results from the early harvest of the Spaceborne Autonomous Formation Flying Experiment (SAFE) conducted in the frame of the Swedish PRISMA technology demonstration mission. SAFE represents one of the first demonstrations in low Earth orbit of an advanced guidance, navigation and control system for dual-spacecraft formations. Innovative techniques based on differential GPS-based navigation and relative orbital elements control are validated and tuned in orbit to fulfill the typical requirements of future distributed scientific instruments for remote sensing.

Apollo experience report: Flight planning for manned space operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oneill, J. W.; Cotter, J. B.; Holloway, T. W.

1972-01-01

The history of flight planning for manned space missions is outlined, and descriptions and examples of the various evolutionary phases of flight data documents from Project Mercury to the Apollo Program are included. Emphasis is given to the Apollo flight plan. Time line format and content are discussed in relationship to the manner in which they are affected by the types of flight plans and various constraints.

Arthrophycus in the Silurian of Alabama (USA) and the problem of compound trace fossils

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rindsberg, Andrew K.; Martin, A.J.

2003-01-01

Arthrophycus brongniartii (Harlan, 1832) is common in marginal-marine deposits in the Silurian Red Mountain Formation of Alabama. The ichnospecies, the second to be named in North America, is revived and emended after long disuse. Transitional forms to Rusophycus isp. and other morphologic evidence indicate that the maker of Arthrophycus was an arthropod, perhaps a trinucleine (raphiophorid?) trilobite. Interconnection of Arthrophycus and Nereites biserialis, as well as intergradation of Arthrophycus with Cruziana aff. quadrata, Phycodes flabellum, and Asterosoma ludwigae, indicate that these Red Mountain trace fossils were made by the same species of arthropod. Possible relationships with Arthrophycus alleghaniensis (Harlan, 1831) in the Silurian belt from Ontario to Tennessee are also explored. Ichnofamily Arthrophycidae Schimper, 1879 is emended. The ichnofamily is interpreted as chiefly the work of arthropods. Arthrophycus and other trace fossils from the Silurian of Alabama constitute a test case to build criteria for recognizing the members of complexes of trace fossils. In general, criteria such as interconnection of different forms, intergradation among unconnected forms, similarity of size, similarity of morphologic elements, and co-occurrence should be examined in order to determine the biologic and ethologic interrelationships of trace fossils. ?? 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The gsdf gene locus harbors evolutionary conserved and clustered genes preferentially expressed in fish previtellogenic oocytes.

PubMed

Gautier, Aude; Le Gac, Florence; Lareyre, Jean-Jacques

2011-02-01

The gonadal soma-derived factor (GSDF) belongs to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and is conserved in teleostean fish species. Gsdf is specifically expressed in the gonads, and gene expression is restricted to the granulosa and Sertoli cells in trout and medaka. The gsdf gene expression is correlated to early testis differentiation in medaka and was shown to stimulate primordial germ cell and spermatogonia proliferation in trout. In the present study, we show that the gsdf gene localizes to a syntenic chromosomal fragment conserved among vertebrates although no gsdf-related gene is detected on the corresponding genomic region in tetrapods. We demonstrate using quantitative RT-PCR that most of the genes localized in the synteny are specifically expressed in medaka gonads. Gsdf is the only gene of the synteny with a much higher expression in the testis compared to the ovary. In contrast, gene expression pattern analysis of the gsdf surrounding genes (nup54, aff1, klhl8, sdad1, and ptpn13) indicates that these genes are preferentially expressed in the female gonads. The tissue distribution of these genes is highly similar in medaka and zebrafish, two teleostean species that have diverged more than 110 million years ago. The cellular localization of these genes was determined in medaka gonads using the whole-mount in situ hybridization technique. We confirm that gsdf gene expression is restricted to Sertoli and granulosa cells in contact with the premeiotic and meiotic cells. The nup54 gene is expressed in spermatocytes and previtellogenic oocytes. Transcripts corresponding to the ovary-specific genes (aff1, klhl8, and sdad1) are detected only in previtellogenic oocytes. No expression was detected in the gonocytes in 10 dpf embryos. In conclusion, we show that the gsdf gene localizes to a syntenic chromosomal fragment harboring evolutionary conserved genes in vertebrates. These genes are preferentially expressed in previtelloogenic oocytes, and thus, they display a different cellular localization compared to that of the gsdf gene indicating that the later gene is not co-regulated. Interestingly, our study identifies new clustered genes that are specifically expressed in previtellogenic oocytes (nup54, aff1, klhl8, sdad1). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Software for Processing Flight and Simulated Data of the ATIC Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panov, A. D.; Adams, J. H., Jr.; Ahn, H. S.; Bashindzhagyan, G. L.; Batkov, K. E.; Case, G.; Christl, M.; Chang, J.; Fazely, A. R.; Ganel, O.;

Oxygen Breathing Accelerates Decompression from Saturation at 40 msw in 70-kg Swine

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

2010 0 2 AFfER A DEEP SATURATION DIVE-PETERSEN ET AL. REFERENCES 1. Bain SA, Tmg J, Simeonovic CJ, Wilson JO. Technique of venous catheterization ...was catheterized with a 16-gauge by 20.3-cm single lumen catheter (Braun Certofix; B. Braun Medical Inc., Bethlehem, PA) via the modified Seldinger...respiratory distress, as evidenced by open-mouthed, labored breathing, central cyanosis, or the production of frothy white sputum. The onset of se- vere

Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Quarterly Report to the United States Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-30

Ministry of Provincial Aff airs sponsored a two-day decentralization conference for all non-KRG Provincial Councils and gover - nors to clarify...agriculture, tourism , health, education, housing and light construction, water resources, electricity, oil and gas, and transporta- tion. Th e assessment...2008−2011 Sector Number of Licenses Value of Licenses $ Millions Housing 155 16,250 Industry 136 6,392 Tourism 192 4,416 Trade 146 1,596 Agriculture 62

Experiments using electronic display information in the NASA terminal configured vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morello, S. A.

1980-01-01

The results of research experiments concerning pilot display information requirements and visualization techniques for electronic display systems are presented. Topics deal with display related piloting tasks in flight controls for approach-to-landing, flight management for the descent from cruise, and flight operational procedures considering the display of surrounding air traffic. Planned research of advanced integrated display formats for primary flight control throughout the various phases of flight is also discussed.

Optimum Guidance Law and Information Management for a Large Number of Formation Flying Spacecrafts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuda, Yuichi; Nakasuka, Shinichi

In recent years, formation flying technique is recognized as one of the most important technologies for deep space and orbital missions that involve multiple spacecraft operations. Formation flying mission improves simultaneous observability over a wide area, redundancy and reconfigurability of the system with relatively small and low cost spacecrafts compared with the conventional single spacecraft mission. From the viewpoint of guidance and control, realizing formation flying mission usually requires tight maintenance and control of the relative distances, speeds and orientations between the member satellites. This paper studies a practical architecture for formation flight missions focusing mainly on guidance and control, and describes a new guidance algorithm for changing and keeping the relative positions and speeds of the satellites in formation. The resulting algorithm is suitable for onboard processing and gives the optimum impulsive trajectory for satellites flying closely around a certain reference orbit, that can be elliptic, parabolic or hyperbolic. Based on this guidance algorithm, this study introduces an information management methodology between the member spacecrafts which is suitable for a large formation flight architecture. Routing and multicast communication based on the wireless local area network technology are introduced. Some mathematical analyses and computer simulations will be shown in the presentation to reveal the feasibility of the proposed formation flight architecture, especially when a very large number of satellites join the formation.

Genotoxic effects of the water-soluble fraction of heavy oil in the brackish/freshwater amphipod Quadrivisio aff. lutzi (Gammaridea) as assessed using the comet assay.

PubMed

Weber, Laura; Carvalho, Ligia; Sá, Natália; Silva, Viviane; Beraldini, Nathalia; Souza, Valderes; Conceição, Moisés

2013-05-01

Amphipod crustaceans have been widely used as invertebrate models in ecotoxicology due to their importance in the food chain. However, few studies have evaluated the genotoxic effects of pollutants in this model using the comet assay. The main obstacle to using amphipods in the comet assay is the difficulty in obtaining enough blood cells from a single individual. In this study, we evaluated the genotoxic effects of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of heavy oil on the brackish/freshwater amphipod Quadrivisio aff. lutzi, which is common in the coastal lagoons of southeastern Brazil, using hemocytes obtained from single amphipods (without pooling) after optimizing hemolymph extraction. The comet assay revealed significantly higher DNA damage levels (2- to 6-fold higher) in treated amphipods compared to untreated ones with a sublethal concentration of 17.6 % of the WSF within 72 h of treatment. Two independent experiments confirmed an "up and down" pattern of DNA damage, measured as the % of DNA contained in the tail of the comets. Elevations in DNA damage levels were observed at the 6 and 48 h time points, while very low levels of DNA damage were observed at the 24 and 72 h time points. Furthermore, the comet assay revealed gender variability in the levels of DNA damage after short-term exposure.

Revision of Hamites wernickei Wollemann, 1902 (Cephalopoda, Ancyloceratina) from the classic Lüneburg section (Upper Cretaceous, northern Germany)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niebuhr, Birgit; Jagt, John W. M.

2016-12-01

A re-examination of heteromorph ammonites of late Campanian age from the Zeltberg section at Lüneburg has demonstrated that the type series of Hamites wernickei in fact comprises two different species that are here assigned to the nostoceratid Nostoceras (Hyatt, 1894) and the polyptychoceratid Oxybeloceras (Hyatt, 1900)>. Nostoceras (Didymoceras) wernickei (Wollemann, 1902) comb. nov., to which three of the four specimens that were described and illustrated by Wollemann (1902) belong, has irregularities of ribbing and tuberculation and changes its direction of growth at the transition from the helicoidal whorls to the hook, which is a typical feature of members of the subfamily Nostoceratinae. Torsion of body chambers is not developed in hairpin-shaped ammonite species, which means that the species name wernickei is no longer available for such polyptychoceratine diplomoceratids. Consequently, the fourth specimen figured and assigned to Hamites wernickei by Wollemann (1902) is here transferred to Oxybeloceras and considered conspecific to material from the Hannover area (Lehrte West Syncline) as O. aff. crassum (Whitfield, 1877). In addition to the "Heteroceras-Schicht des Mucronaten-Senons" of Lüneburg (bipunctatum/roemeri Zone, upper upper Campanian), the geographic range of N. (D.) wernickei probably includes Upper Austria, Tunisia and the Donbass region, while O. aff. crassum is known from the Hannover area (northern Germany), southern France, northern Spain and Upper Austria.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in saline soils: Vertical distribution at different soil depth

PubMed Central

Becerra, Alejandra; Bartoloni, Norberto; Cofré, Noelia; Soteras, Florencia; Cabello, Marta

2014-01-01

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize land plants in every ecosystem, even extreme conditions such as saline soils. In the present work we report for the first time the mycorrhizal status and the vertical fungal distribution of AMF spores present in the rhizospheric soil samples of four species of Chenopodiaceae (Allenrolfea patagonica, Atriplex argentina, Heterostachys ritteriana and Suaeda divaricata) at five different depths in two saline of central Argentina. Roots showed medium, low or no colonization (0–50%). Nineteen morphologically distinctive AMF species were recovered. The number of AMF spores ranged between 3 and 1162 per 100 g dry soil, and AMF spore number decreased as depth increased at both sites. The highest spore number was recorded in the upper soil depth (0–10 cm) and in S. divaricata. Depending of the host plant, some AMF species sporulated mainly in the deep soil layers (Glomus magnicaule in Allenrolfea patagonica, Septoglomus aff. constrictum in Atriplex argentina), others mainly in the top layers (G. brohultti in Atriplex argentina and Septoglomus aff. constrictum in Allenrolfea patagonica). Although the low percentages of colonization or lack of it, our results show a moderate diversity of AMF associated to the species of Chenopodiaceae investigated in this study. The taxonomical diversity reveals that AMF are adapted to extreme environmental conditions from saline soils of central Argentina. PMID:25242945

Proceedings from the 2nd International Symposium on Formation Flying Missions and Technologies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics discussed include: The Stellar Imager (SI) "Vision Mission"; First Formation Flying Demonstration Mission Including on Flight Nulling; Formation Flying X-ray Telescope in L2 Orbit; SPECS: The Kilometer-baseline Far-IR Interferometer in NASA's Space Science Roadmap Presentation; A Tight Formation for Along-track SAR Interferometry; Realization of the Solar Power Satellite using the Formation Flying Solar Reflector; SIMBOL-X : Formation Flying for High-Energy Astrophysics; High Precision Optical Metrology for DARWIN; Close Formation Flight of Micro-Satellites for SAR Interferometry; Station-Keeping Requirements for Astronomical Imaging with Constellations of Free-Flying Collectors; Closed-Loop Control of Formation Flying Satellites; Formation Control for the MAXIM Mission; Precision Formation Keeping at L2 Using the Autonomous Formation Flying Sensor; Robust Control of Multiple Spacecraft Formation Flying; Virtual Rigid Body (VRB) Satellite Formation Control: Stable Mode-Switching and Cross-Coupling; Electromagnetic Formation Flight (EMFF) System Design, Mission Capabilities, and Testbed Development; Navigation Algorithms for Formation Flying Missions; Use of Formation Flying Small Satellites Incorporating OISL's in a Tandem Cluster Mission; Semimajor Axis Estimation Strategies; Relative Attitude Determination of Earth Orbiting Formations Using GPS Receivers; Analysis of Formation Flying in Eccentric Orbits Using Linearized Equations of Relative Motion; Conservative Analytical Collision Probabilities for Orbital Formation Flying; Equations of Motion and Stability of Two Spacecraft in Formation at the Earth/Moon Triangular Libration Points; Formations Near the Libration Points: Design Strategies Using Natural and Non-Natural Ares; An Overview of the Formation and Attitude Control System for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Formation Flying Interferometer; GVE-Based Dynamics and Control for Formation Flying Spacecraft; GNC System Design for a New Concept of X-Ray Distributed Telescope; GNC System for the Deployment and Fine Control of the DARWIN Free-Flying Interferometer; Formation Algorithm and Simulation Testbed; and PLATFORM: A Formation Flying, RvD and Robotic Validation Test-bench.

The Drag Penalty of Lateral Asymmetries in Formation Flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weihs, Daniel; Gabbay, Karen

2006-11-01

It has long been known that formation flight of birds and aircraft results in a significant energy saving due to reduction in induced drag. However measured gains have consistently been lower, usually explained by viscous effects neglected by the potential flow model for lift and induced drag. We show that the inherent asymmetry of the flow-field in the general case results in rolling and yawing moments, which need to be corrected by control surface reflection. This deflection results in an increase in drag, which partially cancels the gains mentioned above. Using classical lifting line theory and elliptical lift distributions on two or more wings flying in formation we show that the penalty incurred by these corrections can reduce the expected gains by up to 25%. We also show that the gains for an individual in formation flight grow with the number of members of the formation, up to about 7 members, the added gains becoming negligible beyond that number. The present results are relevant for large aspect-ratio, fixed wing aircraft, and gliding bird flocks.

Evidence Report: Risk of Renal Stone Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sibonga, Jean D.; Pietrzyk, Robert

2017-01-01

The formation of renal stones poses an in-flight health risk of high severity, not only because of the impact of renal colic on human performance but also because of complications that could potentially lead to crew evacuation, such as hematuria, infection, hydronephrosis, and sepsis. Evidence for risk factors comes from urine analyses of crewmembers, documenting changes to the urinary environment that are conducive to increased saturation of stone-forming salts, which are the driving force for nucleation and growth of a stone nidus. Further, renal stones have been documented in astronauts after return to Earth and in one cosmonaut during flight. Biochemical analysis of urine specimens has provided indication of hypercalciuria and hyperuricemia, reduced urine volumes, and increased urine saturation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. A major contributor to the risk for renal stone formation is bone atrophy with increased turnover of the bone minerals. Dietary and fluid intakes also play major roles in the risk because of the influence on urine pH (more acidic) and on volume (decreased). Historically, specific assessments on urine samples from some Skylab crewmembers indicated that calcium excretion increased early in flight, notable by day 10 of flight, and almost exceeded the upper threshold for normal excretion (300mg/day in males). Other crewmember data documented reduced intake of fluid and reduced intake of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and citrate (an inhibitor of calcium stone formation) in the diet. Hence, data from both short-duration and long-duration missions indicate that space travel induces risk factors for renal stone formation that continue to persist after flight; this risk has been documented by reported kidney stones in crewmembers.

Skeletal response to short-term weightlessness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wronski, T. J.; Morey-Holton, E. R.

1986-01-01

Male Sprague Dawley rats were placed in orbit for 7 days aboard the space shuttle. Bone histomorphometry was performed in the long bones and lumbar vertebrae of flight rats and compared to data derived from ground based control rats. Trabecular bone mass was not altered during the first week of weightlessness. Strong trends were observed in flight rats for decreased periosteal bone formation in the tibial diaphysis, reduced osteoblast size in the proximal tibia, and decreased osteoblast surface and number in the lumbar vertebra. Histologic indices of bone resorption was relatively normal in flight rats. The results indicate that 7 day of weightlessness are not of sufficient duration to induce histologicaly detectable loss of trabecular bone in rats. However, cortical and trabecular bone formation appear to be diminished during the first week of space flight.

Functional design to support CDTI/DABS flight experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goka, T.

1982-01-01

The objectives of this project are to: (1) provide a generalized functional design of CDTI avionics using the FAA developd DABS/ATARS ground system as the 'traffic sensor', (2) specify software modifications and/or additions to the existing DABS/ATARS ground system to support CDTI avionics, (3) assess the existing avionics of a NASA research aircraft in terms of CDTI applications, and (4) apply the generalized functional design to provide research flight experiment capability. DABS Data Link Formats are first specified for CDTI flight experiments. The set of CDTI/DABS Format specifications becomes a vehicle to coordinate the CDTI avionics and ground system designs, and hence, to develop overall system requirements. The report is the first iteration of a system design and development effort to support eventual CDTI flight test experiments.

Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control Project Full Scale Flight Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosworth, John T.

2009-01-01

Objective: Provide validation of adaptive control law concepts through full scale flight evaluation. Technical Approach: a) Engage failure mode - destabilizing or frozen surface. b) Perform formation flight and air-to-air tracking tasks. Evaluate adaptive algorithm: a) Stability metrics. b) Model following metrics. Full scale flight testing provides an ability to validate different adaptive flight control approaches. Full scale flight testing adds credence to NASA's research efforts. A sustained research effort is required to remove the road blocks and provide adaptive control as a viable design solution for increased aircraft resilience.

E057: Renal Stone Risk Assessment During Space Flight: Assessment and Countermeasure Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, Peggy A.; Pietrzyk, Robert A.; Jones, Jeffrey A.; Sams, Clarence F.

2001-01-01

Exposure to the microgravity environment results in many metabolic and physiological changes to humans. Body fluid volumes, electrolyte levels, and bone and muscle undergo changes as the human body adapts to the weightless environment. Changes in the urinary biochemistry occur as early as flight day 3-4 in the short duration Shuttle crewmembers. Significant decreases were observed both in fluid intake and urinary output. Other significant changes were observed in the urinary pH, calcium, potassium and uric acid levels. During Shuttle missions, the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation increased early in the flight, continued at elevated levels throughout the flight and remained in the increased risk range on landing day. The calcium phosphate risk was significantly increased early in-flight and remained significantly elevated throughout the remainder of the mission. Results from the long duration Shuttle-Mir missions followed a similar trend. Most long duration crewmembers demonstrated increased urinary calcium levels despite lower dietary calcium intake. Fluid intake and urine volumes were significantly lower during the flight than during the preflight. The calcium oxalate risk was increased relative to the preflight levels during the early in-flight period and continued in the elevated risk range for the remainder of the space flight and through two weeks postflight. Calcium phosphate risk for these long duration crewmembers increased during flight and remained in the increased risk range throughout the flight and following landing. The complexity, expense and visibility of the human space program require that every effort be made to protect the health of the crewmembers and ensure the success of the mission. Results from our early investigations clearly indicate that exposure to the microgravity environment of space significantly increases the risk of renal stone formation. The early studies have indicated specific avenues for development of countermeasures for the increased renal stone risk observed during and following space flight. Increased hydration and implementation of pharmacological countermeasures are being tested for their efficacy in mitigating the in-flight risk of renal stones. Maintaining the health and well-being of crewmembers during space flight requires a means of minimizing potential detrimental health effects of microgravity. The formation of a renal stone during flight obviously has severe consequences for the affected crewmember as well as the success of the mission.

The Effect of Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature on Air Shock and Appendixes I and II

DTIC Science & Technology

1950-05-01

other ex- plosives than :sntolite and TNT , for which data are of lower reproduci- bility than for Thntolite, this method should give better results than...the chamber will be extended over a ruch longer time than is possible with pie..age rec crdin-gZ To .nvestigato the aff.ct of afterburning , it is... TNT L S. . Bombs", by Joseph Sperrazza and Elaine Gilinson, March 1948. Ballistic Research Laboratories Report No. 681, "Comparison of the Blast from

Automated Structural Optimization System (ASTROS). Volume 1. Theoretical Manual

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

corresponding frequency list are given by Equation C-9. The second set of parameters is the frequency list used in solving Equation C-3 to obtain the response...vector (u(w)). This frequency list is: w - 2*fo, 2wfi, 2wf2, 2wfn (C-20) The frequency lists (^ and w are not necessarily equal. While setting...alternative methods are used to input the frequency list u. For the first method, the frequency list u is input via two parameters: Aff (C-21

Summary of the effects of engine throttle response on airplane formation-flying qualities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, Kevin R.

1993-01-01

A flight evaluation was conducted to determine the effect of engine throttle response characteristics on precision formation-flying qualities. A variable electronic throttle control system was developed and flight-tested on a TF-104G airplane with a J79-11B engine at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility. This airplane was chosen because of its known, very favorable thrust response characteristics. Ten research flights were flown to evaluate the effects of throttle gain, time delay, and fuel control rate limiting on engine handling qualities during a demanding precision wing formation task. Handling quality effects of lag filters and lead compensation time delays were also evaluated. The Cooper and Harper Pilot Rating Scale was used to assign levels of handling quality. Data from pilot ratings and comments indicate that throttle control system time delays and rate limits cause significant degradations in handling qualities. Threshold values for satisfactory (level 1) and adequate (level 2) handling qualities of these key variables are presented. These results may provide engine manufacturers with guidelines to assure satisfactory handling qualities in future engine designs.

Effects of Ice Formations on Airplane Performance in Level Cruising Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Preston, G. Merritt; Blackman, Calvin C.

1948-01-01

A flight investigation in natural icing conditions was conducted by the NACA to determine the effect of ice accretion on airplane performance. The maximum loss in propeller efficiency encountered due to ice formation on the propeller blades was 19 percent. During 87 percent of the propeller icing encounters, losses of 10 percent or less were observed. Ice formations on all of the components of the airplane except the propellers during one icing encounter resulted in an increase in parasite drag of the airplane of 81 percent. The control response of the airplane in this condition was marginal.

Preliminary Results of NASA's First Autonomous Formation Flying Experiment: Earth Observing-1 (EO-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folta, David; Hawkins, Albin

2001-01-01

NASA's first autonomous formation flying mission is completing a primary goal of demonstrating an advanced technology called enhanced formation flying. To enable this technology, the Guidance, Navigation, and Control center at the Goddard Space Flight Center has implemented an autonomous universal three-axis formation flying algorithm in executive flight code onboard the New Millennium Program's (NMP) Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) spacecraft. This paper describes the mathematical background of the autonomous formation flying algorithm and the onboard design and presents the preliminary validation results of this unique system. Results from functionality assessment and autonomous maneuver control are presented as comparisons between the onboard EO-1 operational autonomous control system called AutoCon(tm), its ground-based predecessor, and a stand-alone algorithm.

Spatial awareness comparisons between large-screen, integrated pictorial displays and conventional EFIS displays during simulated landing approaches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parrish, Russell V.; Busquets, Anthony M.; Williams, Steven P.; Nold, Dean E.

1994-01-01

An extensive simulation study was performed to determine and compare the spatial awareness of commercial airline pilots on simulated landing approaches using conventional flight displays with their awareness using advanced pictorial 'pathway in the sky' displays. Sixteen commercial airline pilots repeatedly made simulated complex microwave landing system approaches to closely spaced parallel runways with an extremely short final segment. Scenarios involving conflicting traffic situation assessments and recoveries from flight path offset conditions were used to assess spatial awareness (own ship position relative the the desired flight route, the runway, and other traffic) with the various display formats. The situation assessment tools are presented, as well as the experimental designs and the results. The results demonstrate that the integrated pictorial displays substantially increase spatial awareness over conventional electronic flight information systems display formats.

Progress Toward a Format Standard for Flight Dynamics Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, E. Bruce; Hildreth, Bruce L.

2006-01-01

In the beginning, there was FORTRAN, and it was... not so good. But it was universal, and all flight simulator equations of motion were coded with it. Then came ACSL, C, Ada, C++, C#, Java, FORTRAN-90, Matlab/Simulink, and a number of other programming languages. Since the halcyon punch card days of 1968, models of aircraft flight dynamics have proliferated in training devices, desktop engineering and development computers, and control design textbooks. With the rise of industry teaming and increased reliance on simulation for procurement decisions, aircraft and missile simulation models are created, updated, and exchanged with increasing frequency. However, there is no real lingua franca to facilitate the exchange of models from one simulation user to another. The current state-of-the-art is such that several staff-months if not staff-years are required to 'rehost' each release of a flight dynamics model from one simulation environment to another one. If a standard data package or exchange format were to be universally adopted, the cost and time of sharing and updating aerodynamics, control laws, mass and inertia, and other flight dynamic components of the equations of motion of an aircraft or spacecraft simulation could be drastically reduced. A 2002 paper estimated over $ 6 million in savings could be realized for one military aircraft type alone. This paper describes the efforts of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) to develop a standard flight dynamic model exchange standard based on XML and HDF-5 data formats.

Integration of altitude and airspeed information into a primary flight display via moving-tape formats: Evaluation during random tracking task

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbott, Terence S.; Nataupsky, Mark; Steinmetz, George G.

1987-01-01

A ground-based aircraft simulation study was conducted to determine the effects on pilot preference and performance of integrating airspeed and altitude information into an advanced electronic primary flight display via moving-tape (linear moving scale) formats. Several key issues relating to the implementation of moving-tape formats were examined in this study: tape centering, tape orientation, and trend information. The factor of centering refers to whether the tape was centered about the actual airspeed or altitude or about some other defined reference value. Tape orientation refers to whether the represented values are arranged in descending or ascending order. Two pilots participated in this study, with each performing 32 runs along seemingly random, previously unknown flight profiles. The data taken, analyzed, and presented consisted of path performance parameters, pilot-control inputs, and electrical brain response measurements.

Matching times of leading and following suggest cooperation through direct reciprocity during V-formation flight in ibis

PubMed Central

Voelkl, Bernhard; Portugal, Steven J.; Unsöld, Markus; Usherwood, James R.; Wilson, Alan M.; Fritz, Johannes

2015-01-01

One conspicuous feature of several larger bird species is their annual migration in V-shaped or echelon formation. When birds are flying in these formations, energy savings can be achieved by using the aerodynamic up-wash produced by the preceding bird. As the leading bird in a formation cannot profit from this up-wash, a social dilemma arises around the question of who is going to fly in front? To investigate how this dilemma is solved, we studied the flight behavior of a flock of juvenile Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) during a human-guided autumn migration. We could show that the amount of time a bird is leading a formation is strongly correlated with the time it can itself profit from flying in the wake of another bird. On the dyadic level, birds match the time they spend in the wake of each other by frequent pairwise switches of the leading position. Taken together, these results suggest that bald ibis cooperate by directly taking turns in leading a formation. On the proximate level, we propose that it is mainly the high number of iterations and the immediacy of reciprocation opportunities that favor direct reciprocation. Finally, we found evidence that the animals' propensity to reciprocate in leading has a substantial influence on the size and cohesion of the flight formations. PMID:25646487

Matching times of leading and following suggest cooperation through direct reciprocity during V-formation flight in ibis.

PubMed

Voelkl, Bernhard; Portugal, Steven J; Unsöld, Markus; Usherwood, James R; Wilson, Alan M; Fritz, Johannes

2015-02-17

One conspicuous feature of several larger bird species is their annual migration in V-shaped or echelon formation. When birds are flying in these formations, energy savings can be achieved by using the aerodynamic up-wash produced by the preceding bird. As the leading bird in a formation cannot profit from this up-wash, a social dilemma arises around the question of who is going to fly in front? To investigate how this dilemma is solved, we studied the flight behavior of a flock of juvenile Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita) during a human-guided autumn migration. We could show that the amount of time a bird is leading a formation is strongly correlated with the time it can itself profit from flying in the wake of another bird. On the dyadic level, birds match the time they spend in the wake of each other by frequent pairwise switches of the leading position. Taken together, these results suggest that bald ibis cooperate by directly taking turns in leading a formation. On the proximate level, we propose that it is mainly the high number of iterations and the immediacy of reciprocation opportunities that favor direct reciprocation. Finally, we found evidence that the animals' propensity to reciprocate in leading has a substantial influence on the size and cohesion of the flight formations.

Neogene tropical sea catfish (Siluriformes; Ariidae), with insights into paleo and modern diversity within northeastern South America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguilera, Orangel; Marceniuk, Alexandre Pires

2018-03-01

Herein we describe five new fossil species of the catfish family Ariidae: †Amphiarius paleoorinocoensis, †Ariopsis ariopsilus, †Bagre urumacoensis, †Sciades latissimum and †Sciades peregrinus from the late Miocene Urumaco Formation in Venezuela, South America. These identifications were based on comparison of morphological characters between the fossil skulls and the skulls of extant specimens from tropical America. The extant ariids from the Atlantic plume of the Orinoco-Amazon rivers reveal close taxonomic relationship to the fossil species. †Amphiarius paleoorinocoensis n. sp. and †Aspistor verumquadriscutis are closely related to Amphiarius rugispinis, Amphiarius phrygiatus and Aspistor quadriscutis, species endemic to areas under the influence of the Orinoco-Amazon plume. Another genus whose extant species are almost exclusively found in this region of the Atlantic is Sciades. Nevertheless, †Sciades latissimus n. sp. and †Sciades peregrinus n. sp., are closely related with Sciades dowii, found in the Pacific. This condition supports the extinction of Sciades dowii lineage in the Atlantic. The fossil †Ariopsis ariopsilus n. sp. shares many characters with extant species of the genus, which does not occur in the Amazon delta and which has no representative species in the Atlantic plume. The close relationship of †Bagre urumacoensis n. sp. to Bagre aff. marinus suggests a marine paleoenvironment with average to higher salinities. These new fossil catfish specimens from the Urumaco Formation suggest that they are ancestral lineages from both the Orinoco-Amazon Atlantic plume influence area (Aspistor and Amphiarius) and the Caribbean-Western Pacific (Ariopsis), and extinct lineage of Sciades from the Atlantic.

Reactions of Air Transport Flight Crews to Displays of Weather During Simulated Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bliss, James P.; Fallon, Corey; Bustamante, Ernesto; Bailey, William R., III; Anderson, Brittany

2005-01-01

Display of information in the cockpit has long been a challenge for aircraft designers. Given the limited space in which to present information, designers have had to be extremely selective about the types and amount of flight related information to present to pilots. The general goal of cockpit display design and implementation is to ensure that displays present information that is timely, useful, and helpful. This suggests that displays should facilitate the management of perceived workload, and should allow maximal situation awareness. The formatting of current and projected weather displays represents a unique challenge. As technologies have been developed to increase the variety and capabilities of weather information available to flight crews, factors such as conflicting weather representations and increased decision importance have increased the likelihood for errors. However, if formatted optimally, it is possible that next generation weather displays could allow for clearer indications of weather trends such as developing or decaying weather patterns. Important issues to address include the integration of weather information sources, flight crew trust of displayed weather information, and the teamed reactivity of flight crews to displays of weather. Past studies of weather display reactivity and formatting have not adequately addressed these issues; in part because experimental stimuli have not approximated the complexity of modern weather displays, and in part because they have not used realistic experimental tasks or participants. The goal of the research reported here was to investigate the influence of onboard and NEXRAD agreement, range to the simulated potential weather event, and the pilot flying on flight crew deviation decisions, perceived workload, and perceived situation awareness. Fifteen pilot-copilot teams were required to fly a simulated route while reacting to weather events presented in two graphical formats on a separate visual display. Measures of flight crew reactions included performance-based measures such as deviation decision accuracy, and judgment-based measures such as perceived decision confidence, workload, situation awareness, and display trust. Results demonstrated that pilots adopted a conservative reaction strategy, often choosing to deviate from weather rather than ride through it. When onboard and NEXRAD displays did not agree, flight crews reacted in a complex manner, trusting the onboard system more but using the NEXRAD system to augment their situation awareness. Distance to weather reduced situation awareness and heightened workload levels. Overall, flight crews tended to adopt a participative leadership style marked by open communication. These results suggest that future weather displays should exploit the existing benefits of NEXRAD presentation for situation awareness while retaining the display structure and logic inherent in the onboard system.

Carbon source utilization and inhibitor tolerance of 45 oleaginous yeast species

PubMed Central

Sitepu, Irnayuli; Selby, Tylan; Lin, Ting; Zhu, Shirley; Boundy-Mills, Kyria

2014-01-01

Conversion of lignocellulosic hydrolysates to lipids using oleaginous (high lipid) yeasts requires alignment of the hydrolysate composition with the characteristics of the yeast strain, including ability to utilize certain nutrients, ability to grow independently of costly nutrients such as vitamins, and ability to tolerate inhibitors. Some combination of these characteristics may be present in wild strains. In this study, 48 oleaginous yeast strains belonging to 45 species were tested for ability to utilize carbon sources associated with lignocellulosic hydrolysates, tolerate inhibitors, and grow in medium without supplemented vitamins. Some well-studied oleaginous yeast species, as well as some that have not been frequently utilized in research or industrial production, emerged as promising candidates for industrial use due to ability to utilize many carbon sources, including Cryptococcus aureus, Cryptococcus laurentii, Hanaella aff. zeae, Tremella encephala, and Trichosporon coremiiforme. Other species excelled in inhibitor tolerance, including Candida aff. tropicalis, Cyberlindnera jadinii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima Schwanniomyces occidentalis and Wickerhamomyces ciferii. No yeast tested could utilize all carbon sources and tolerate all inhibitors tested. These results indicate that yeast strains should be selected based on characteristics compatible with the composition of the targeted hydrolysate. Other factors to consider include the production of valuable co-products such as carotenoids, availability of genetic tools, biosafety level, and flocculation of the yeast strain. The data generated in this study will aid in aligning yeasts with compatible hydrolysates for conversion of carbohydrates to lipids to be used for biofuels and other oleochemicals. PMID:24818698

Trap-Nesting Bees in Montane Grassland (Campo Rupestre) and Cerrado in Brazil: Collecting Generalist or Specialist Nesters.

PubMed

Araújo, P C S; Lourenço, A P; Raw, A

2016-10-01

Species richness and seasonal abundance of solitary bees were investigated in rocky, montane grassland (campo rupestre) (1180 m asl) and cerrado sensu stricto (680 m asl) in the Biribiri State Park, Diamantina, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Three hundred nineteen nest traps of bamboo canes and black cardboard tubes were monthly inspected at each site during 15 months. A total of eight species of bees built 97 nests. Four species were common to both sites. Tetrapedia aff. curvitarsis Friese and Tetrapedia aff. peckoltii Friese were the most abundant at campo rupestre and cerrado s.s., respectively, followed by Centris analis (Fabricius) in campo rupestre and Centris tarsata Smith in cerrado s.s. The nesting peaks occurred in May in campo rupestre and in February in cerrado s.s. Three cuckoo bees and one bee-fly were collected as natural enemies. The findings suggest that differences between the sites were related more to ecological factors (floral resources, natural nest sites) than to the altitudinal difference. The species richness was similar to that in other habitats with open vegetation. We demonstrate the need to use several types of trap-nest to increase the range of species sampled; some species used only one of the two types traps provided. We also comment on the limitations of trap-nests in cerrado vegetation. Most cerrado species of bees are very selective in their choice for a nesting site, but bees that use trap-nests are more generalists.

Extraction and partial characterization of venom from the Colombian spider Pamphobeteus aff. nigricolor (Aranae:Theraphosidae).

PubMed

Estrada-Gomez, Sebastian; Vargas Muñoz, Leidy Johana; Quintana Castillo, Juan C

2013-12-15

We report the first studies of characterization and extraction of the Pamphobeteus aff. nigricolor (Pocock, 1901) (Aranae:Theraphosidae) venom done in Colombia using the electro-stimulation technique previous anesthesia with isofluorane. After each extraction process, a low viscosity, colorless venom was obtained. This venom showed a 1.01 mg/μl density and a pH of 5. The humidity percentage did not show a significance difference between males and females (P > 0.05) with a general media of 77.49 ± 1.74%. In all cases the venom yielded was variable between males and females, with a media of 22.45 ± 5.17 mg (wet weight) and 4.58 ± 0.94 mg (dry weigh), obtaining larger amounts in females, 28.34 ± 7.49 mg and 5.69 ± 1.36 (wet and dry weight respectively). Venom showed a hemolytic activity dependent of enzymatic active phospholipase and neither coagulant nor proteolytic activities were observed. Electrophoretic profile showed a main protein content with a molecular mass below 14 kDa. RP-HPLC venom profile revealed a difference among male and female venom's content where 17 and 21 main fractions were obtained respectively. Three peptides, Theraphotoxin-Pn1a, Theraphotoxin-Pn1b and Theraphotoxin-Pn2a, were identified using HPLC-nESI-MS/MS. These peptides showed a high identity with other peptides found on Theraphosides which are proved to affect voltage-gated calcium channels. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Point defect formation in optical materials expos ed to the space environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, J. L.; Seifert, N.; Yao, Y.; Albridge, R. G.; Barnes, A. V.; Tolk, N. H.; Strauss, A. M.; Linton, Roger C.; Kamenetzky, R. R.; Vaughn, Jason A.

1995-02-01

Point defect formation associated with early stages of optical damage was observed unexpectedly in two, and possibly three, different optical materials subjected to short-duration space exposure. Three calcium fluoride, two lithium fluoride, and three magnesium fluoride samples were flown on Space Shuttle flight STS-46 as part of the Evaluation of Oxygen Interactions with Materials - Third Phase experiment. One each of the calcium and magnesium fluoride samples was held at a fixed temperature of 60 C during the space exposure, while the temperatures of the other samples were allowed to vary with the ambient temperature of the shuttle cargo bay. Pre-flight and post-flight optical absorption measurements were performed on all of the samples. With the possible exception of the magnesium fluoride samples, every sample clearly showed the formation of F-centers in that section of the sample that was exposed to the low earth orbit environment. Solar vacuum ultraviolet radiation is the most probable primary cause of the defect formation; however, the resulting surface metallization may be synergistically altered by the atomic oxygen environment.

Ion Plume Damage in Formation Flight Regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Jarred Alexander

This effort examines the potential for damage from plume impingement from an electric propulsion system within spacecraft missions that utilize a formation flight architecture. Specifically, the potential erosion of a structural material (Aluminum) and anti-reflective coatings for solar cell coverglass are explored. Sputter yields for the materials of Aluminum, Magnesium Fluoride, and Indium Tin Oxide are experimentally validated using an electrostatic ion source at energies varying from 500-1500 eV. Erosion depths are analyzed using white-light optical profilometry to measure potential depths up to 1 microm. This erosion data was then utilized to create (or augment) Bohdansky and Yamamura theoretical curve fits for multiple incidence angles to look at theoretical sputter effects within formation flight regimes at multiple formation distances from 50-1000 m. The damage from these electric propulsion plumes is explored throughout multiple orbital conditions from LEO, Sun-Synchronous, and GEO. Factors affecting erosion are: plume density, local geomagnetic field environment and incidence angles of target surfaces. Results from this simulated study show significant erosion with GEO with minor erosion in some LEO and all Sun-Synchronous cases.

Multi-Vehicle Cooperative Control Research at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, 2000-2014

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, Curt

2014-01-01

A brief introductory overview of multi-vehicle cooperative control research conducted at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center from 2000 - 2014. Both flight research projects and paper studies are included. Since 2000, AFRC has been almost continuously pursuing research in the areas of formation flight for drag reduction and automated cooperative trajectories. An overview of results is given, including flight experiments done on the FA-18 and with the C-17. Other multi-vehicle cooperative research is discussed, including small UAV swarming projects and automated aerial refueling.

Formation Flight System Extremum-Seeking-Control Using Blended Performance Parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, John J. (Inventor)

2018-01-01

An extremum-seeking control system for formation flight that uses blended performance parameters in a conglomerate performance function that better approximates drag reduction than performance functions formed from individual measurements. Generally, a variety of different measurements are taken and fed to a control system, the measurements are weighted, and are then subjected to a peak-seeking control algorithm. As measurements are continually taken, the aircraft will be guided to a relative position which optimizes the drag reduction of the formation. Two embodiments are discussed. Two approaches are shown for determining relative weightings: "a priori" by which they are qualitatively determined (by minimizing the error between the conglomerate function and the drag reduction function), and by periodically updating the weightings as the formation evolves.

Effect of low gravity on calcium metabolism and bone formation (L-7)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suda, Tatsuo

1993-01-01

Recently, attention has been focused on the disorders of bone and calcium metabolism during space flight. The skeletal system has evolved on the Earth under 1-g. Space flights under low gravity appear to cause substantial changes in bone and calcium homeostasis of the animals adapted to 1-g. A space experiment for the First Materials Processing Test (FMPT) was proposed to examine the effects of low gravity on calcium metabolism and bone formation using chick embryos loaded in a space shuttle. This space experiment was proposed based on the following two experimental findings. First, it has been reported that bone density decreases significantly during prolonged space flight. The data obtained from the US Skylab and the U.S.S.R. Salyut-6 cosmonauts have also documented that the degree of bone loss is related to the duration of space flight. Second, the US-Soviet joints space experiment demonstrated that the decrease in bone density under low gravity appears to be due to the decrease in bone formation rather than the increase in bone resorption. The purpose of our space experiment is, therefore, to investigate further the mechanisms of bone growth under low gravity using fertilized chick embryos.

Validation of vision-based range estimation algorithms using helicopter flight data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Phillip N.

1993-01-01

The objective of this research was to demonstrate the effectiveness of an optic flow method for passive range estimation using a Kalman-filter implementation with helicopter flight data. This paper is divided into the following areas: (1) ranging algorithm; (2) flight experiment; (3) analysis methodology; (4) results; and (5) concluding remarks. The discussion is presented in viewgraph format.

Flight tests of the 4D flight guidance display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Below, Christian; von Viebahn, Harro; Purpus, Matthias

1997-06-01

A perspective primary flight and a navigation display format were evaluated in a flying testbed. The flight tests comprised ILS- and standard approaches as well as low level operations utilizing the depiction of a spatial channel, and demonstrations of the inherent ground proximity warning function. In the cockpit of the VFW614, the left seat was equipped with a sidestick and a flat panel display, which showed both the 4D-display an the Navigation Display format. Airline and airforce pilots flew several missions each. Although most of the pilots criticizes that a typical flight director commanding the aircraft's attitude was missing, they could follow the channel precisely. However, some airline pilots stated a lack of vertical guidance information during the final approach. Leaving and re- entering the channel could be easily accomplished form any direction. In summary pilots' assessment of the display concept yielded an overall improvement of SA. In particular it was stated that displays are an appropriate means to avoid CFIT accidents. With the fist prototypes of 3D- graphics generators designed for avionics available the flight evaluation will continue including feasibility demonstrations of high-performance graphics for civil and military aircraft applications.

Cross-Polar Aircraft Trajectory Optimization and the Potential Climate Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ng, Hok K.; Sridhar, Banavar; Grabbe, Shon; Chen, Neil

2011-01-01

Cross-Polar routes offer new opportunities for air travel markets. Transpolar flights reduce travel times, fuel burns, and associated environmental emissions by flying direct paths between many North American and Asian cities. This study evaluates the potential benefits of flying wind-optimal polar routes and assessed their potential impact on climate change. An optimization algorithm is developed for transpolar flights to generate wind-optimal trajectories that minimize climate impact of aircraft, in terms of global warming potentials (relative to warming by one kg of CO2) of several types of emissions, while avoiding regions of airspace that facilitate persistent contrail formation. Estimations of global warming potential are incorporated into the objective function of the optimization algorithm to assess the climate impact of aircraft emissions discharged at a given location and altitude. The regions of airspace with very low ambient temperature and areas favorable to persistent contrail formation are modeled as undesirable regions that aircraft should avoid and are formulated as soft state constraints. The fuel burn and climate impact of cross-polar air traffic flying various types of trajectory including flight plan, great circle, wind-optimal, and contrail-avoidance are computed for 15 origin-destination pairs between major international airports in the U.S. and Asia. Wind-optimal routes reduce average fuel burn of flight plan routes by 4.4% on December 4, 2010 and 8.0% on August 7, 2010, respectively. The tradeoff between persistent contrail formation and additional global warming potential of aircraft emissions is investigated with and without altitude optimization. Without altitude optimization, the reduction in contrail travel times is gradual with increase in total fuel consumption. When altitude is optimized, a one percent increase in additional global warming potential, a climate impact equivalent to that of 4070kg and 4220kg CO2 emission, reduces 135 and 105 minutes persistent contrail formation per flight during a day with medium and high contrail formation, respectively.

A review of some head-up display formats. [tests on sensing equipment for flights following partly visible terrain close to the ground

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naish, J. M.

1979-01-01

Two alternate head-up display devices (HUD) were compared for properties relevant to the accurate performance of concurrent tasks in real flight conditions and in various flight modes. The comparisons were made to find the disorientation resistance of the HUDs along with the tracking accuracy, interference resistance, fixation resistance, and error resistance. The use of displacement and flight path information for vertical control is discussed in terms of flight stability. Several combinations of symbols and driving signals are described, including a compensated control law, which were used in simulated flight to deal with wind shear.

External occulter laboratory demonstrator for the forthcoming formation flying coronagraphs.

PubMed

Landini, Federico; Vives, Sébastien; Venet, Mélanie; Romoli, Marco; Guillon, Christophe; Fineschi, Silvano

2011-12-20

The design and optimization of the external occulter geometry is one of the most discussed topics among solar coronagraph designers. To improve the performance of future coronagraphs and to stretch their inner fields of view toward the solar limb, the new concept of coronagraphs in formation flight has been introduced in the scientific debate. Solar coronagraphs in formation flight require several mechanical and technological constraints to be met, mainly due to the large dimension of the occulter and to the spacecraft's reciprocal alignment. The occulter edge requires special attention to minimize diffraction while being compatible with the handling and integrating of large delicate space components. Moreover, it is practically impossible to set up a full-scale model for laboratory tests. This article describes the design and laboratory tests on a demonstrator for a coronagraph to be operated in formation flight. The demonstrator is based on the principle of the linear edge, thus the presented results cannot be directly extrapolated to the case of the flying circular occulter. Nevertheless, we are able to confirm the results of other authors investigating on smaller coronagraphs and provide further information on the geometry and tolerances of the optimization system. The described work is one of the results of the ESA STARTIGER program on formation flying coronagraphs ["The STARTIGER's demonstrators: toward a new generation of formation flying solar coronagraphs," in 2010 International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO) (2010), paper 39].

Nutrition and renal stone disease in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zerwekh, Joseph E.

2002-01-01

There is a growing body of evidence from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Russian space program showing that humans exposed to the microgravity environment of space have a greater risk for developing renal stones. Increased bone resorption and the attendant hypercalciuria and hyperphosphaturia contribute significantly to raising the urinary state of saturation with respect to the calcium salts, namely calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. In addition, other environmental and dietary factors may adversely affect urine composition and increase stone formation risk during space flight. For example, reductions in urinary volume, pH, and citrate contribute to raising stone formation risk. In addition to raising the risk for calcium stone formation, this metabolic profile is conducive to the formation of uric acid stones. Although observations to date have suggested that there may actually be a reduced food intake during the early phase of flight, crew members on longer-duration flights may increase food intake and be at increased risk for stone formation. Taken together, these findings support the use of nutritional recommendations for crew members that would serve to reduce the stone-forming propensity of the urinary environment. Pharmacologic intervention should be directed at raising urinary volumes, diminishing bone losses, and preventing reductions in urinary pH and citrate. Success in reducing the risk for stone formation in astronauts would also be of potential major benefit to the estimated 20 million Americans with nephrolithiasis.

Formation of edema and fluid shifts during a long-haul flight.

PubMed

Mittermayr, Markus; Fries, Dietmar; Innerhofer, Petra; Schobersberger, Beatrix; Klingler, Anton; Partsch, Hugo; Fischbach, Uwe; Gunga, Hanns-Christian; Koralewski, Eberhard; Kirsch, Karl; Schobersberger, Wolfgang

2003-01-01

More than 1.5 billion passengers travel by aircraft every year. Leg edema, as a sign of venous stasis, is a well-known problem among passengers during and after long-haul flights. Until now, no studies have been done on the development of leg edema and fluid shifts under real flight conditions. The aim of our study was to evaluate edema formation in the leg and to investigate possible fluid shifts to the interstitial space under real flight conditions. Twenty participants, 10 without risk and 10 with moderate risk for venous thrombosis, were selected. They flew from Vienna to Washington, flight time 9 h, and returned 2 days later. Investigations were done 48 h before the flight, between the fifth and eighth flight hour on board to Washington and back to Vienna, immediately after arrival in Vienna, and 1 and 3 days after arrival. Plethysmographic measurements were carried out using an optoelectronic scanner system (Perometer). Thickness of the skin was measured at the forehead and in front of the tibia. There were no differences in all measurements between both groups. The volume of the leg increased from 8242 +/- 1420 mL to 8496 +/- 1474 mL after the flight (p <.001). Volume accumulation was distributed to the lower leg as well as to the thigh. Skin thickness in front of the tibia increased significantly during the flight (p <.05), and remained elevated 1 day after arrival. We have demonstrated that long-haul flights induce significant fluid accumulation in the lower extremity, involving the lower leg and thigh. This increase in tissue thickness was maintained for some days after the flights.

User's Guide for Flight Simulation Data Visualization Workstation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, Joseph A.; Chen, Ronnie; Kenney, Patrick S.; Koval, Christopher M.; Hutchinson, Brian K.

1996-01-01

Today's modern flight simulation research produces vast amounts of time sensitive data. The meaning of this data can be difficult to assess while in its raw format. Therefore, a method of breaking the data down and presenting it to the user in a graphical format is necessary. Simulation Graphics (SimGraph) is intended as a data visualization software package that will incorporate simulation data into a variety of animated graphical displays for easy interpretation by the simulation researcher. This document is intended as an end user's guide.

A head-up display format for transport aircraft approach and landing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bray, R. S.; Scott, B. C.

1981-01-01

An electronic flight-guidance display format was designed for use in evaluations of the collimated head-up display concept applied to transport aircraft landing. In the design process of iterative evaluation and modification, some general principles, or guidelines, applicable to electronic flight displays were suggested. The usefulness of an indication of instantaneous inertial flightpath was clearly demonstrated. Evaluator pilot acceptance of the unfamiliar display concepts was very positive when careful attention was given to indoctrination and training.

Integration of altitude and airspeed information into a primary flight display via moving-tape formats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbott, Terence S.; Steinmetz, George G.

1987-01-01

A ground-based aircraft simulation study was conducted to determine the effect on pilot performance of replacing the electromechanical altimeter and airspeed indicators with electronically generated representations integrated into the primary flight display via moving-tape (linear moving scale) formats. Several key factors relating to moving-tape formats were examined during the study: tape centering, secondary (trend) information, and tape orientation. The factor of centering refers to whether the tape was centered about the actual airspeed or altitude or about some defined reference value. Tape orientation refers to whether the values represented are arranged in either descending or ascending order. Six pilots participated in this study, with each subject performing 18 runs along a single, known flight profile. Subjective results indicated that the moving-tape formats were generally better than that of the conventional instruments. They also indicated that an actual-centered fixed pointer was preferred to a reference-centered pointer. Performance data for a visual secondary task showed that formats not containing trend information produced better performance; however, no difference was noted in airspeed tracking or altitude tracking performance. Regarding tape orientation, subjective comments indicated that there was lower work load and better performance when the airspeed tape had the high numbers at the top.

Status of the AIAA Modeling and Simulation Format Standard

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, E. Bruce; Hildreth, Bruce L.

2008-01-01

The current draft AIAA Standard for flight simulation models represents an on-going effort to improve the productivity of practitioners of the art of digital flight simulation (one of the original digital computer applications). This initial release provides the capability for the efficient representation and exchange of an aerodynamic model in full fidelity; the DAVE-ML format can be easily imported (with development of site-specific import tools) in an unambiguous way with automatic verification. An attractive feature of the standard is the ability to coexist with existing legacy software or tools. The draft Standard is currently limited in scope to static elements of dynamic flight simulations; however, these static elements represent the bulk of typical flight simulation mathematical models. It is already seeing application within U.S. and Australian government agencies in an effort to improve productivity and reduce model rehosting overhead. An existing tool allows import of DAVE-ML models into a popular simulation modeling and analysis tool, and other community-contributed tools and libraries can simplify the use of DAVE-ML compliant models at compile- or run-time of high-fidelity flight simulation.

Development of a Flight Simulation Data Visualization Workstation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, Joseph A.; Chen, Ronnie; Kenney, Patrick S.; Koval, Christopher M.; Hutchinson, Brian K.

1996-01-01

Today's moderm flight simulation research produces vast amounts of time sensitive data. The meaning of this data can be difficult to assess while in its raw format . Therefore, a method of breaking the data down and presenting it to the user in a graphical format is necessary. Simulation Graphics (SimGraph) is intended as a data visualization software package that will incorporate simulation data into a variety of animated graphical displays for easy interpretation by the simulation researcher. Although it was created for the flight simulation facilities at NASA Langley Research Center, SimGraph can be reconfigured to almost any data visualization environment. This paper traces the design, development and implementation of the SimGraph program, and is intended to be a programmer's reference guide.

Rocket study of auroral processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnoldy, R. L.

1981-01-01

Abstracts are presented of previously published reports analyzing data from three Echo 3 rocket flights. Particle experiments designed for the Terrier-Malmute flight, the Echo 5 flight, and the Norwegian Corbier Ferdinand 50 flight are described and their flight performance evaluated. Theoretical studies on auroral particle precipitation are reviewed according to observations made in three regions of space: (1) the region accessible to rockets and low altitude satellites (few hundred to a few thousand kilometers); (2) the region extending from 4000 to 8000 km (S3-3 satellite range); and (3) near the equatorial plane (geosynchronous satellite measurements). Questions raised about auroral arc formation are considered.

Role of Corticosteroids in Bone Loss During Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wronski, Thomas J.; Halloran, Bernard P.; Miller, Scott C.

1998-01-01

The primary objective of this research project is to test the hypothesis that corticosteroids contribute to the adverse skeletal effects of space flight. To achieve this objective, serum corticosteroids, which are known to increase during space flight, must be maintained at normal physiologic levels in flight rats by a combination of adrenalectomy and corticosteroid supplementation via implanted hormone pellets. Bone analyses in these animals will then be compared to those of intact flight rats that, based on past experience, will undergo corticosteroid excess and bone loss during space flight. The results will reveal whether maintaining serum corticosteroids at physiologic levels in flight rats affects the skeletal abnormalities that normally develop during space flight. A positive response to this question would indicate that the bone loss and decreased bone formation associated with space flight are mediated, at least in part, by corticosteroid excess.

Attentional Issues with Superimposed Symbology: Formats for Scene-Linked Displays

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-01-01

The head-up display (HUD) has been shown to be a superior presentation method : for flight path symbology over that of traditional flight director. Recent : studies, however, have shown that there are specific performance problems : associated with H...

Formation flight and collision avoidance for multiple UAVs based on modified tentacle algorithm in unstructured environments

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

This paper presents a method for formation flight and collision avoidance of multiple UAVs. Due to the shortcomings such as collision avoidance caused by UAV’s high-speed and unstructured environments, this paper proposes a modified tentacle algorithm to ensure the high performance of collision avoidance. Different from the conventional tentacle algorithm which uses inverse derivation, the modified tentacle algorithm rapidly matches the radius of each tentacle and the steering command, ensuring that the data calculation problem in the conventional tentacle algorithm is solved. Meanwhile, both the speed sets and tentacles in one speed set are reduced and reconstructed so as to be applied to multiple UAVs. Instead of path iterative optimization, the paper selects the best tentacle to obtain the UAV collision avoidance path quickly. The simulation results show that the method presented in the paper effectively enhances the performance of flight formation and collision avoidance for multiple high-speed UAVs in unstructured environments. PMID:28763498

NASA's Autonomous Formation Flying Technology Demonstration, Earth Observing-1(EO-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folta, David; Bristow, John; Hawkins, Albin; Dell, Greg

2002-01-01

NASA's first autonomous formation flying mission, the New Millennium Program's (NMP) Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) spacecraft, recently completed its principal goal of demonstrating advanced formation control technology. This paper provides an overview of the evolution of an onboard system that was developed originally as a ground mission planning and operations tool. We discuss the Goddard Space Flight Center s formation flying algorithm, the onboard flight design and its implementation, the interface and functionality of the onboard system, and the implementation of a Kalman filter based GPS data smoother. A number of safeguards that allow the incremental phasing in of autonomy and alleviate the potential for mission-impacting anomalies from the on- board autonomous system are discussed. A comparison of the maneuvers planned onboard using the EO-1 autonomous control system to those from the operational ground-based maneuver planning system is presented to quantify our success. The maneuvers discussed encompass reactionary and routine formation maintenance. Definitive orbital data is presented that verifies all formation flying requirements.

Electromagnetic Formation Flight (EMFF) for Sparse Aperture Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwon, Daniel W.; Miller, David W.; Sedwick, Raymond J.

2004-01-01

Traditional methods of actuating spacecraft in sparse aperture arrays use propellant as a reaction mass. For formation flying systems, propellant becomes a critical consumable which can be quickly exhausted while maintaining relative orientation. Additional problems posed by propellant include optical contamination, plume impingement, thermal emission, and vibration excitation. For these missions where control of relative degrees of freedom is important, we consider using a system of electromagnets, in concert with reaction wheels, to replace the consumables. Electromagnetic Formation Flight sparse apertures, powered by solar energy, are designed differently from traditional propulsion systems, which are based on V. This paper investigates the design of sparse apertures both inside and outside the Earth's gravity field.

A head up display format for application to V/STOL aircraft approach and landing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merrick, Vernon K.; Farris, Glenn G.; Vanags, Andrejs A.

1990-01-01

A head up display (HUD) format developed at NASA Ames Research Center to provide pilots of V/STOL aircraft with complete flight guidance and control information for category-3C terminal-area flight operations, is described in detail. These flight operations cover a large spectrum, from STOL operations on land-based runways to VTOL operations on small ships in high seas. Included in this description is a complete geometrical specification of the HUD elements and their drive laws. The principal features of this display format are the integration of the flightpath and pursuit guidance information into a narrow field of view, easily assimilated by the pilot with a single glance, and the superposition of vertical and horizontal situation information. The display is a derivative of a successful design developed for conventional transport aircraft. The design is the outcome of many piloted simulations conducted over a four-year period. Whereas the concepts on which the display format rests could not be fully exploited because of field-of-view restrictions, and some reservations remain about the acceptability of superimposing vertical and horizontal situation information, the design successfully fulfilled its intended objectives.

Formation and Decay of the Inner Electron Radiation Belt

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-09

Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 4NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, 5Department of Physics and Astronomy , Dartmouth...Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 4NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, 5Department of Physics and Astronomy , Dartmouth

The effect of butterfly scales on flight efficiency and leading edge vortex formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Amy; Wilroy, Jacob; Wahidi, Redha; Slegers, Nathan; Heilman, Micahel; Cranford, Jacob

2016-11-01

It is hypothesized that the scales on a butterfly wing lead to increased flight efficiency. Recent testing of live butterflies tracked their motion over 246 flights for 11 different specimens. Results show a 37.8 percent mean decrease in flight efficiency and a flapping amplitude reduction of 6.7 percent once the scales were removed. This change could be largely a result of how the leading edge vortex (LEV) interacts with the wing. To simplify this complex flow problem, an experiment was designed to focus on the alteration of 2-D vortex development with a variation in surface patterning. Specifically, the secondary vorticity generated by the LEV interacting at the patterned surface was studied, as well as the subsequent effect on the LEV's growth rate and peak circulation. For this experiment butterfly inspired grooves were created using additive manufacturing and were attached to a flat plate with a chordwise orientation, thus increasing plate surface area. The vortex generated by the grooved plate was then compared to a smooth case as the plate translated vertically through a tow tank at Re = 1500, 3000, and 6000. Using DPIV, the vortex formation was documented and a maximum vortex formation time of 4.22 was found based on the flat plate travel distance and chord length. Results indicate that the patterned surface slows down the growth of the vortex which corroborates the flight test results. Funding from NSF CBET Fluid Dynamcis is gratefully acknowledged.

Design and methods of a postmarketing pharmacoepidemiology study assessing long-term safety of Prolia® (denosumab) for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

PubMed

Xue, Fei; Ma, Haijun; Stehman-Breen, Catherine; Haller, Christine; Katz, Leonid; Wagman, Rachel B; Critchlow, Cathy W

2013-10-01

To describe the rationale and methods for a prospective, open-cohort study assessing the long-term safety of Prolia(®) for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) in postmarketing settings. Data will be derived from United States Medicare, United Healthcare, and Nordic (Denmark, Sweden, Norway) national registries. Observation will begin on the date of first Prolia(®) regulatory approval (May 26, 2010) and continue for 10 years. Women with PMO will be identified by postmenopausal age, osteoporosis diagnosis, osteoporotic fracture, or osteoporosis treatment. Exposure to Prolia(®) and bisphosphonates will be updated during follow-up; exposure cohorts will be defined based on patient-years during which patients are on- or post-treatment. Nine adverse events (AEs) will be assessed based on diagnosis codes: osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), atypical femoral fracture (AFF), fracture healing complications, hypocalcemia, infection, dermatologic AEs, acute pancreatitis, hypersensitivity, and new primary malignancy. Medical review will confirm selected potential cases of ONJ and AFF. Incidence rates (IRs) of AEs will be described overall and for exposure cohorts; multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models will compare IRs of AEs across exposure cohorts. Utilization patterns of Prolia(®) for approved, and unapproved indications will be described. This study is based on comprehensive preliminary research and considers methodological challenges specific to the study population. The integrated data systems used in this regulatory committed program can serve as a powerful data resource to assess diverse and rare AEs over time. © 2013 Amgen Inc. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Field and Laboratory Studies Provide Insights into the Meaning of Day-Time Activity in a Subterranean Rodent (Ctenomys aff. knighti), the Tuco-Tuco

PubMed Central

Tomotani, Barbara M.; Flores, Danilo E. F. L.; Tachinardi, Patrícia; Paliza, José D.; Oda, Gisele A.; Valentinuzzi, Verônica S.

2012-01-01

South American subterranean rodents (Ctenomys aff. knighti), commonly known as tuco-tucos, display nocturnal, wheel-running behavior under light-dark (LD) conditions, and free-running periods >24 h in constant darkness (DD). However, several reports in the field suggested that a substantial amount of activity occurs during daylight hours, leading us to question whether circadian entrainment in the laboratory accurately reflects behavior in natural conditions. We compared circadian patterns of locomotor activity in DD of animals previously entrained to full laboratory LD cycles (LD12∶12) with those of animals that were trapped directly from the field. In both cases, activity onsets in DD immediately reflected the previous dark onset or sundown. Furthermore, freerunning periods upon release into DD were close to 24 h indicating aftereffects of prior entrainment, similarly in both conditions. No difference was detected in the phase of activity measured with and without access to a running wheel. However, when individuals were observed continuously during daylight hours in a semi-natural enclosure, they emerged above-ground on a daily basis. These day-time activities consisted of foraging and burrow maintenance, suggesting that the designation of this species as nocturnal might be inaccurate in the field. Our study of a solitary subterranean species suggests that the circadian clock is entrained similarly under field and laboratory conditions and that day-time activity expressed only in the field is required for foraging and may not be time-dictated by the circadian pacemaker. PMID:22649565

Noninvasive prediction of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction.

PubMed

Abd-El-Aziz, Tarek A

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to compare 3 different available methods for estimating left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) noninvasively in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). We used 3 equations for noninvasive estimation of LVEDP: The equation of Mulvagh et al., LVEDP(1) = 46 - 0.22 (IVRT) - 0.10 (AFF) - 0.03 (DT) - (2 ÷ E/A) + 0.05 MAR; the equation of Stork et al., LVEDP(2) = 1.06 + 15.15 × Ai/Ei; and the equation of Abd-El-Aziz, LVEDP(3) = [0.54 (MABP) × (1 - EF)] - 2.23. ( A, A-wave velocity; AFF, atrial filling fraction; Ai, time velocity integral of A wave; DT, deceleration time; E, E-wave velocity; Ei, time velocity integral of E wave; IVRT, isovolumic relaxation time; MABP, mean arterial blood pressure; MAR, time from termination of mitral flow to the electrocardiographic R wave; Ti, time velocity integral of total wave.) LVEDP measured by catheterization was correlated with LVEDP(1) (r = 0.52, P < 0.001), LVEDP(2) (r = 0.31, P < 0.05), and LVEDP(3) (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). The equation described by Abd-El-Aziz, LVEDP = [0.54 MABP × (1 - EF)] - 2.23, appears to be the most accurate, reliable, and easily applied method for estimating LVEDP noninvasively in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and an LVEDP < 20 mm Hg. Copyright © 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mandibular gland secretions of meliponine worker bees: further evidence for their role in interspecific and intraspecific defence and aggression and against their role in food source signalling.

PubMed

Schorkopf, Dirk Louis P; Hrncir, Michael; Mateus, Sidnei; Zucchi, Ronaldo; Schmidt, Veronika M; Barth, Friedrich G

2009-04-01

Like ants and termites some species of stingless bees (Meliponini), which are very important pollinators in the tropics, use pheromone trails to communicate the location of a food source. We present data on the communicative role of mandibular gland secretions of Meliponini that resolve a recent controversy about their importance in the laying of such trails. Volatile constituents of the mandibular glands have been erroneously thought both to elicit aggressive/defensive behaviour and to signal food source location. We studied Trigona spinipes and Scaptotrigona aff. depilis ('postica'), two sympatric species to which this hypothesis was applied. Using extracts of carefully dissected glands instead of crude cephalic extracts we analysed the substances contained in the mandibular glands of worker bees. Major components of the extracts were 2-heptanol (both species), nonanal (T. spinipes), benzaldehyde and 2-tridecanone (S. aff. depilis). The effect of mandibular gland extracts and of individual components thereof on the behaviour of worker bees near their nest and at highly profitable food sources was consistent. Independent of the amount of mandibular gland extract applied, the bees overwhelmingly reacted with defensive behaviour and were never attracted to feeders scented with mandibular gland extract or any of the synthetic chemicals tested. Both bee species are capable of using mandibular gland secretions for intra- and interspecific communication of defence and aggression and share 2-heptanol as a major pheromone compound. While confirming the role of the mandibular glands in nest defence, our experiments provide strong evidence against their role in food source signalling.

Animal Enclosure Module (AEM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

The primary objective of this research project is to test the hypothesis that corticosteroids contribute to the adverse skeletal effects of space flight. To achieve this objective, serum corticosteroids, which are known to increase during space flight, must be maintained at normal physiologic levels in flight rats by a combination of adrenalectomy and corticosteroid supplementation via implanted hormone pellets. Bone analyses in these animals will then be compared to those of intact flight rats that, based on past experience, will undergo corticosteroid excess and bone loss during space flight. The results will reveal whether maintaining serum corticosteroids at physiologic levels in flight rats affects the skeletal abnormalities that normally develop during space flight. A positive response to this question would indicate that the bone loss and decreased bone formation associated with space flight are mediated, at least in part, by corticosteroid excess.

Foam formation in low gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wessling, Francis C.; Mcmanus, Samuel P.; Matthews, John; Patel, Darayas

1990-01-01

An apparatus that produced the first polyurethane foam in low gravity has been described. The chemicals were mixed together in an apparatus designed for operation in low gravity. Mixing was by means of stirring the chemicals with an electric motor and propeller in a mixing chamber. The apparatus was flown on Consort 1, the first low-gravity materials payload launched by a commercial rocket launch team. The sounding rocket flight produced over 7 min of low gravity during which a polyurethane spheroidal foam of approximately 2300 cu cm was formed. Photographs of the formation of the foam during the flight show the development of the spheroidal form. This begins as a small sphere and grows to approximately a 17-cm-diam spheroid. The apparatus will be flown again on subsequent low-gravity flights.

Lymphocytes on sounding rocket flights.

PubMed

Cogoli-Greuter, M; Pippia, P; Sciola, L; Cogoli, A

1994-05-01

Cell-cell interactions and the formation of cell aggregates are important events in the mitogen-induced lymphocyte activation. The fact that the formation of cell aggregates is only slightly reduced in microgravity suggests that cells are moving and interacting also in space, but direct evidence was still lacking. Here we report on two experiments carried out on a flight of the sounding rocket MAXUS 1B, launched in November 1992 from the base of Esrange in Sweden. The rocket reached the altitude of 716 km and provided 12.5 min of microgravity conditions.

Renal Stone Risk During Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, Peggy A.; Pietrzyk, Robert A.; Sams, Clarence F.; Pak, Charles Y. C.; Jones, Jeffrey A.

1999-01-01

Space flight produces a number of metabolic and physiological changes in the crewmembers exposed to microgravity. Following launch, body fluid volumes, electrolyte levels, and bone and muscle undergo changes as the human body adapts to the weightless environment. Changes in the urinary chemical composition may lead to the potentially serious consequences of renal stone formation. Previous data collected immediately after space flight indicate changes in the urine chemistry favoring an increased risk of calcium oxalate and uric acid stone formation (n = 323). During short term Shuttle space flights, the changes observed include increased urinary calcium and decreased urine volume, pH and citrate resulting in a greater risk for calcium oxalate and brushite stone formation (n = 6). Results from long duration Shuttle/Mir missions (n = 9) followed a similar trend and demonstrated decreased fluid intake and urine volume and increased urinary calcium resulting in a urinary environment saturated with the calcium stone-forming salts. The increased risk occurs rapidly upon exposure to microgravity, continues throughout the space flight and following landing. Dietary factors, especially fluid intake, or pharmacologic intervention can significantly influence the urinary chemical composition. Increasing fluid intake to produce a daily urine output of 2 liters/day may allow the excess salts in the urine to remain in solution, crystals formation will not occur and a renal stone will not develop. Results from long duration crewmembers (n = 2) who had urine volumes greater than 2.5 L/day minimized their risk of renal stone formation. Also, comparisons of stone-forming risk in short duration crewmembers clearly identified greater risk in those who produced less than 2 liters of urine/day. However, hydration and increased urine output does not correct the underlying calcium excretion due to bone loss and only treats the symptoms and not the cause of the increased urinary salts. Dietary modification and promising pharmacologic treatments may also be used to reduce the potential risk for renal stone formation. Potassium citrate is being used clinically to increase the urinary inhibitor levels to minimize the development of crystals and the growth of renal stones. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs recently shown to help in patients with osteoporosis by inhibiting the loss of bones in elderly patients. This drug could potentially prevent the bone loss observed in astronauts and thereby minimize the increase in urinary calcium and reduce the risk for renal stone development. Results of NASA's renal stone risk assessment program clearly indicate that exposure to microgravity changes the urinary chemical environment such that there is an increased risk for supersaturation of stone-forming salts, including calcium oxalaie and brushite. These studies have indicated specific avenues for development of countermeasures for the increased renal stone risk observed during and following space flight. Increased hydration and implementation of pharmacologic countermeasures should largely mitigate the in-flight risk of renal stones.

Age and paleoenvironment of the imperial formation near San Gorgonio Pass, Southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

McDougall, K.; Poore, R.Z.; Matti, J.

1999-01-01

Microfossiliferous marine sediments of the Imperial Formation exposed in the Whitewater and Cabazon areas, near San Gorgonio Pass, southern California, are late Miocene in age and were deposited at intertidal to outer neritic depths, and possibly upper bathyal depths. A late Miocene age of 7.4 to >6.04 Ma is based on the ranges of age-diagnostic benthic foraminifers (Cassidulina delicata and Uvigerina peregrina), planktic foraminifers (Globigerinoides obliquus, G. extremus, and Globigerina nepenthes; zones N17-N19), and calcareous nannoplankton (Discoaster brouweri, D. aff. D. surculus, Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicata, Sphenolithus abies, and S. neoabies; zones CN9a-CN11) coupled with published K/Ar dates from the underlying Coachella Formation (10.1 ?? 1.2 Ma; Peterson, 1975) and overlying Painted Hill Formation (6.04 ?? 0.18 and 5.94 ?? 0.18 Ma; J. L. Morton in Matti and others, 1985 and Matti and Morton, 1993). Paleoecologic considerations (sea-level fluctuations and paleotemperature) restrict the age of the Imperial Formation to 6.5 through 6.3 Ma. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages indicate that the Imperial Formation in the Whitewater and Cabazon sections accumulated at inner neritic to outer neritic (0-152 m) and possibly upper bathyal (152-244 m) depths. Shallowing to inner neritic depths occurred as the upper part of the section was deposited. This sea-level fluctuation corresponds to a global highstand at 6.3 Ma (Haq and others, 1987). Planktic foraminifers suggest an increase in surface-water temperatures upsection. A similar increase in paleotemperatures is interpreted for the North Pacific from 6.5 to 6.3 Ma (warm interval W10 of Barron and Keller, 1983). Environmental contrasts between the Whitewater and Cabazon sections of the Imperial Formation provide evidence for right-lateral displacements on the Banning fault, a late Miocene strand of the San Andreas fault system. The Cabazon section lies south of the Banning fault, and has been displaced west relative to the Whitewater sections. The Cabazon section was deposited at greater depths, suggesting that it accumulated farther offshore than the Whitewater section. If the Salton Trough was a southward-opening, elongated northwest-southeast basin similar to the modern Gulf of California, the Cabazon sequence probably has been displaced right-laterally from a position farther southeast of the Whitewater sequence. This relation requires late Miocene displacements greater than the present 12 km cross-fault separation between the two Imperial sections in the San Gorgonio Pass area.

A potential cause for kidney stone formation during space flights: enhanced growth of nanobacteria in microgravity.

PubMed

Ciftçioglu, Neva; Haddad, Ruwaida S; Golden, D C; Morrison, Dennis R; McKay, David S

2005-02-01

Although some information is available regarding the cellular/molecular changes in immune system exposed to microgravity, little is known about the reasons of the increase in the kidney stone formation in astronauts during and/or after long duration missions at zero gravity (0 g). In our earlier studies, we have assessed a unique agent, nanobacteria (NB), in kidney stones and hypothesized that NB have an active role in calcium phosphate-carbonate deposition in kidney. In this research we studied effect of microgravity on multiplication and calcification of NB in vitro. We examined NB cultures in High Aspect Rotating Vessels (HARVs) designed at the NASA's Johnson Space Center, which are designed to stimulate some aspects of microgravity. Multiplication rate and calcium phosphate composition of those NB were compared with NB cultured on stationary and shaker flasks. Collected aliquots of the cultures from different incubation periods were analyzed using spectrophotometer, SEM, TEM, EDX, and x-ray diffraction techniques. The results showed that NB multiplied 4.6x faster in HARVs compared to stationary cultures, and 3.2x faster than shaker flask conditions. X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis showed that the degree of apatite crystal formation and the properties of the apatite depend on the specific culture conditions used. We now report an increased multiplication rate of NB in microgravity-simulated conditions. Thus, NB infection may have a potential role in kidney stone formation in crew members during space flights. For further proof to this hypothesis, screening of the NB antigen and antibody level in flight crew before and after flight would be necessary.

Initiation of small-satellite formations via satellite ejector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMullen, Matthew G

Small satellites can be constructed at a fraction of the cost of a full-size satellite. One full-size satellite can be replaced with a multitude of small satellites, offering expanded area coverage through formation flight. However, the shortcoming to the smaller size is usually a lack of thrusting capabilities. Furthermore, current designs for small satellite deployment mechanisms are only capable of love deployment velocities (on the order of meters per second). Motivated to address this shortcoming, a conceived satellite ejector would offer a significant orbit change by ejecting the satellite at higher deployment velocities (125-200 m/s). Focusing on the applications of the ejector, it is sought to bridge the gap in prior research by offering a method to initiate formation flight. As a precursor to the initiation, the desired orbit properties to initiate the formation are specified in terms of spacing and velocity change vector. From this, a systematic method is developed to find the relationship among velocity change vector, the desired orbit's orientation, and the spacing required to initiate the formation.

Integration of Libration Point Orbit Dynamics into a Universal 3-D Autonomous Formation Flying Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Folta, David; Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The autonomous formation flying control algorithm developed by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the New Millennium Program (NMP) Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) mission is investigated for applicability to libration point orbit formations. In the EO-1 formation-flying algorithm, control is accomplished via linearization about a reference transfer orbit with a state transition matrix (STM) computed from state inputs. The effect of libration point orbit dynamics on this algorithm architecture is explored via computation of STMs using the flight proven code, a monodromy matrix developed from a N-body model of a libration orbit, and a standard STM developed from the gravitational and coriolis effects as measured at the libration point. A comparison of formation flying Delta-Vs calculated from these methods is made to a standard linear quadratic regulator (LQR) method. The universal 3-D approach is optimal in the sense that it can be accommodated as an open-loop or closed-loop control using only state information.

Fifty years of human space travel: implications for bone and calcium research

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Calcium and bone metabolism remain key concerns for space travelers, and ground-based models of space flight have provided a vast literature to complement the smaller set of reports from flight studies. Increased bone resorption and largely unchanged bone formation result in the loss of calcium and ...

Simulator validation results and proposed reporting format from flight testing a software model of a complex, high-performance airplane.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-01

Computer simulations are often used in aviation studies. These simulation tools may require complex, high-fidelity aircraft models. Since many of the flight models used are third-party developed products, independent validation is desired prior to im...

Flight dynamics system software development environment (FDS/SDE) tutorial

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buell, John; Myers, Philip

1986-01-01

A sample development scenario using the Flight Dynamics System Software Development Environment (FDS/SDE) is presented. The SDE uses a menu-driven, fill-in-the-blanks format that provides online help at all steps, thus eliminating lengthy training and allowing immediate use of this new software development tool.

Expedition 14 Crew and Backup Crew Training

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-05-24

JSC2006-E-20053 (24 May 2006) --- Astronaut Clayton C. Anderson, Expedition 14 backup flight engineer, participates in Journals experiment overview training in the Flight Operations Facility at Johnson Space Center. This type of training is a presentation format regarding the experiment objectives and tools. Training instructor Lindsay Kirschner assisted Anderson.

Vendian cyanobacterial communities as a preservation factor of fossil eucaryotic algal remains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leonov, M. V.

2003-01-01

A new fossil complex of organic micro-organisms from Upper Vendian deposits of Mezen syneclise is described. This complex consists of cyanobacterial mat fragments represented by taxa Leiotrichoides tipicus Hermannn, 1974 and Palaeolyngbya aff. catenata Hermann, 1974. On the surface of this communities were found remains of cord-like thalli Eoholynia mosquensis Gnilovskaya, 1975. They may be referred to the eucaryotic algae with parenchimatous type of tallus structure. The phytoleims of megascopic probably eucaryotic algae were also found jointly with organic biofilms. Their type of preservation was determinated by this burial with the organic biofilms produced by cyanobacterial communities.

Effects of combining vertical and horizontal information into a primary flight display

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbott, Terence S.; Nataupsky, Mark; Steinmetz, George G.

1987-01-01

A ground-based aircraft simulation study was conducted to determine the effects of combining vertical and horizontal flight information into a single display. Two display configurations were used in this study. The first configuration consisted of a Primary Flight Display (PFD) format and a Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) with the PFD displayed conventionally above the HSD. For the second display configuration, the HSD format was combined with the PFD format. Four subjects participated in this study. Data were collected on performance parameters, pilot-control inputs, auditory evoked response parameters (AEP), oculometer measurements (eye-scan), and heart rate. Subjective pilot opinion was gathered through questionnaire data and scorings for both the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). The results of this study showed that, from a performance and subjective standpoint, the combined configuration was better than the separate configuration. Additionally, both the eye-transition and eye-dwell times for the separate HSD were notably higher than expected, with a 46% increase in available visual time when going from double to single display configuration.

Autonomous Formation Flight: Project Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cole, Jennifer; Cobleigh, Brent; Vachon, Jake; Ray, Ronald J.; Ennix, Kimberly; Walsh, Kevin

2008-01-01

Objectives: a) Map the vortex effects; b) Formation Auto-Pilot Requirements. Two NASA F/A-18 aircraft in formation: a) NASA 845 Systems Research Aircraft; b) NASA 847 Support Aircraft. Flight Conditions: M = 0.56, 25000 feet (Subsonic condition); b) M = 0.86, 36000 feet (Transonic condition). Nose-To-Tail (N2T) Distances: 20, 55, 110 and 190 feet. Lessons learned: a) Controllable flight in vortex is possible with pilot feedback (displays); b) Position hold at best C(sub D), is attainable; c) Best drag location is close to max rolling moment; e) Drag reductions demonstrated up to 22% (WFE up to 20%); f) Induced drag results compare favorably with simple prediction model; g) "Sweet Spot" (lateral & vertical area > 25%) is larger than predicted; h) Larger wing overlaps result in sign reversals in roll, yaw; i) As predicted, favorable effects degrade gradually with increased nose-to-tail distances after peaking at 3 span lengths aft; and j) Demonstrated - over 100 N mi (>15%) range improvement and 650 lbs (14%) fuel savings on actual simulated F/A-18 cruise mission.

Relative navigation for spacecraft formation flying

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartman, Kate R.; Gramling, Cheryl J.; Lee, Taesul; Kelbel, David A.; Long, Anne C.

1998-01-01

The Goddard Space Flight Center Guidance, Navigation, and Control Center (GNCC) is currently developing and implementing advanced satellite systems to provide autonomous control of formation flyers. The initial formation maintenance capability will be flight-demonstrated on the Earth-Orbiter-1 (EO-1) satellite, which is planned under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration New Millennium Program to be a coflight with the Landsat-7 (L-7) satellite. Formation flying imposes relative navigation accuracy requirements in addition to the orbit accuracy requirements for the individual satellites. In the case of EO-1 and L-7, the two satellites are in nearly coplanar orbits, with a small difference in the longitude of the ascending node to compensate for the Earth's rotation. The GNCC has performed trajectory error analysis for the relative navigation of the EO-1/L-7 formation, as well as for a more advanced tracking configuration using cross-link satellite communications. This paper discusses the orbit determination and prediction accuracy achievable for EO-1 and L-7 under various tracking and orbit determination scenarios and discusses the expected relative separation errors in their formation flying configuration.

Relative Navigation for Spacecraft Formation Flying

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartman, Kate R.; Gramling, Cheryl J.; Lee, Taesul; Kelbel, David A.; Long, Anne C.

1998-01-01

The Goddard Space Flight Center Guidance, Navigation, and Control Center (GNCC) is currently developing and implementing advanced satellite systems to provide autonomous control of formation flyers. The initial formation maintenance capability will be flight-demonstrated on the Earth-Orbiter-1 (EO-l) satellite, which is planned under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration New Millennium Program to be a coflight with the Landsat-7 (L-7) satellite. Formation flying imposes relative navigation accuracy requirements in addition to the orbit accuracy requirements for the individual satellites. In the case of EO-1 and L-7, the two satellites are in nearly coplanar orbits, with a small difference in the longitude of the ascending node to compensate for the Earth's rotation. The GNCC has performed trajectory error analysis for the relative navigation of the EO-1/L-7 formation, as well as for a more advanced tracking configuration using cross- link satellite communications. This paper discusses the orbit determination and prediction accuracy achievable for EO-1 and L-7 under various tracking and orbit determination scenarios and discusses the expected relative separation errors in their formation flying configuration.

The temporal response of bone to unloading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Globus, R. K.; Bikle, D. D.; Morey-Holton, E.

1984-01-01

Rats were suspended by their tails with the forelimbs bearing the weight load to simulate the weightlessness of space flight. Growth in bone mass ceased by 1 week in the hindlimbs and lumbar vertebrae in growing rats, while growth in the forelimbs and cervical vertebrae remained unaffected. The effects of selective skeletal unloading on bone formation during 2 weeks of suspension was investigated using radio iostope incorporation (with Ca-45 and H-3 proline) and histomorphometry (with tetracycline labeling). The results of these studies were confirmed by histomorphometric measurements of bone formation using triple tetracycline labeling. This model of simulated weightlessness results in an initial inhibition of bone formation in the unloaded bones. This temporary cessation of bone formation is followed in the accretion of bone mass, which then resumes at a normal rate by 14 days, despite continued skeletal unloading. This cycle of inhibition and resumption of bone formation has profound implication for understanding bone dynamics durng space flight, immobilization, or bed rest and offers an opportunity to study the hormonal and mechanical factors that regulate bone formation.

Memoirs of an Aeronautical Engineer: Flight Tests at Ames Research Center: 1940-1970

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Seth B.

2002-01-01

Seth worked over a period of several years to prepare this monograph-collecting information, drafting the text, and finding and selecting the historic photographs. He describes the beginnings of flight research as he knew it at Ames Research Center, recalls numerous World War II programs, relates his experiences with powered-lift aircraft, and concludes with his impressions of two international flight research efforts. His comprehensive collection of large-format photographs of the airplanes and people involved in the various flight activities related in the text constitutes a compelling part of his work.

The Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry (BETTII): Towards the First Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rizzo, Maxime J.; Rinehart, S. A.; Dhabal, A.; Ade, P.; Benford, D. J.; Fixsen, D. J.; Griffin, M.; Juanola Parramon, R.; Leisawitz, D. T.; Maher, S. F.;

Containerless preparation of advanced optical glasses: Experiment 77F095

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Happe, R. A.; Kim, K. S.

1982-01-01

Containerless processing of optical glasses was studied in preparation for space shuttle MEA flight experiments. Ground based investigation, experiment/hardware coordination activities and development of flight experiment and sample characterization plans were investigated. In the ground based investigation over 100 candidate glass materials for space processing were screened and promising compositions were identified. The system of Nb2O5-TiO2-CaO was found to be very rich with containerless glass compositions and as extensive number of the oxides combinations were tried resulting in a glass formation ternary phase diagram. The frequent occurrence of glass formation by containerless processing among the compositions for which no glass formations were previously reported indicated the possibility and an advantage of containerless processing in a terrestrial environment.

Technology development: Future use of NASA's large format camera is uncertain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rey, Charles F.; Fliegel, Ilene H.; Rohner, Karl A.

1990-06-01

The Large Format Camera, developed as a project to verify an engineering concept or design, has been flown only once, in 1984, on the shuttle Challenger. Since this flight, the camera has been in storage. NASA had expected that, following the camera's successful demonstration, other government agencies or private companies with special interests in photographic applications would absorb the costs for further flights using the Large Format Camera. But, because shuttle transportation costs for the Large Format Camera were estimated to be approximately $20 million (in 1987 dollars) per flight and the market for selling Large Format Camera products was limited, NASA was not successful in interesting other agencies or private companies in paying the costs. Using the camera on the space station does not appear to be a realistic alternative. Using the camera aboard NASA's Earth Resources Research (ER-2) aircraft may be feasible. Until the final disposition of the camera is decided, NASA has taken actions to protect it from environmental deterioration. The Government Accounting Office (GAO) recommends that the NASA Administrator should consider, first, using the camera on an aircraft such as the ER-2. NASA plans to solicit the private sector for expressions of interest in such use of the camera, at no cost to the government, and will be guided by the private sector response. Second, GAO recommends that if aircraft use is determined to be infeasible, NASA should consider transferring the camera to a museum, such as the National Air and Space Museum.

The Effect of Skeletal Unloading on Bone Formation: Role of IGF-I

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bikle, D. D.; Kostenuik, P.; Holton, E. M.; Halloran, B. P.

1999-01-01

The best documented change in bone during space flight is the near cessation of bone formation. Space flight leads to a decrease in osteoblast number and activity, likely the result of altered differentiation of osteoblast precursors. The net result of these space flight induced changes is weaker bone. To understand the mechanism for these changes poses a challenge. Space flight studies must overcome enormous technical problems, and are necessarily limited in size and frequency. Therefore, ground based models have been developed to evaluate the effects of skeletal unloading. The hindlimb elevation (tail suspension) model simulates space flight better than other models because it reproduces the fluid shifts seen in space travel, is reversible, and is well tolerated by the animals with minimal evidence of stress as indicated by continued weight gain and normal levels and circadian rhythms of corticosterone. This is the model we have used for our experiments. Skeletal unloading by the hindlimb elevation method simulates a number of features of space flight in that bone formation, mineralization, and maturation are inhibited, osteoblast number is decreased, serum and skeletal osteocalcin levels fall, the ash content of bone decreases, and bone strength diminishes. We and others have shown that when osteoblasts or osteoprogenitor cells from the bones of the unloaded limbs are cultured in vitro they proliferate and differentiate more slowly, suggesting that skeletal unloading causes a persistent change in cell function which can be assessed in vitro. In contrast to the unweighted bones of the hindlimbs, no significant change in bone mass or bone formation is observed in the humeri, mandible, and cervical vertebrae during hindlimb elevation. The lack of effect of hindlimb elevation on bones like the humeri, mandible, and cervical vertebrae which are not unloaded by this procedure suggests that local factors rather than systemic effects dominate the response of bone to skeletal unloading. We have focussed on the role of IGF- 1 as the local factor mediating the effects of skeletal unloading on bone formation. IGF-I is produced by bone cells and chondrocytes; these cells have receptors for IGF-I, and respond to IGF-I with an increase in proliferation and function (e.g. collagen, and glycosaminoglycan production, respectively). IGF-I production by bone is under hormonal control, principally by GH and PTH, and IGF-I is thought to mediate some if not all of the effects of GH and PTH on bone growth. Thus, systemic changes in hormones such as GH and PTH may still have effects which vary from bone to bone depending on the loading history.

Omega flight-test data reduction sequence. [computer programs for reduction of navigation data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lilley, R. W.

1974-01-01

Computer programs for Omega data conversion, summary, and preparation for distribution are presented. Program logic and sample data formats are included, along with operational instructions for each program. Flight data (or data collected in flight format in the laboratory) is provided by the Ohio University Omega receiver base in the form of 6-bit binary words representing the phase of an Omega station with respect to the receiver's local clock. All eight Omega stations are measured in each 10-second Omega time frame. In addition, an event-marker bit and a time-slot D synchronizing bit are recorded. Program FDCON is used to remove data from the flight recorder tape and place it on data-processing cards for later use. Program FDSUM provides for computer plotting of selected LOP's, for single-station phase plots, and for printout of basic signal statistics for each Omega channel. Mean phase and standard deviation are printed, along with data from which a phase distribution can be plotted for each Omega station. Program DACOP simply copies the Omega data deck a controlled number of times, for distribution to users.

Bubble formation in microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, Basil N.

1996-01-01

An extensive experimental program was initiated for the purpose of understanding the mechanisms leading to bubble generation during fluid handling procedures in a microgravity environment. Several key fluid handling procedures typical for PCG experiments were identified for analysis in that program. Experiments were designed to specifically understand how such procedures can lead to bubble formation. The experiments were then conducted aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft which is capable of simulating a low gravity environment by executing a parabolic flight attitude. However, such a flight attitude can only provide a low gravity environment of approximately 10-2go for a maximum period of 30 seconds. Thus all of the tests conducted for these experiments were designed to last no longer than 20 seconds. Several experiments were designed to simulate some of the more relevant fluid handling procedures during protein crystal growth experiments. These include submerged liquid jet cavitation, filling of a cubical vessel, submerged surface scratch, attached drop growth, liquid jet impingement, and geysering experiments. To date, four separate KC-135 flight campaigns were undertaken specifically for performing these experiments. However, different experiments were performed on different flights.

Growth patterns and life-history strategies in Placodontia (Diapsida: Sauropterygia)

PubMed Central

Klein, Nicole; Neenan, James M.; Scheyer, Torsten M.; Griebeler, Eva Maria

2015-01-01

Placodontia is a clade of durophagous, near shore marine reptiles from Triassic sediments of modern-day Europe, Middle East and China. Although much is known about their primary anatomy and palaeoecology, relatively little has been published regarding their life history, i.e. ageing, maturation and growth. Here, growth records derived from long bone histological data of placodont individuals are described and modelled to assess placodont growth and life-history strategies. Growth modelling methods are used to confirm traits documented in the growth record (age at onset of sexual maturity, age when asymptotic length was achieved, age at death, maximum longevity) and also to estimate undocumented traits. Based on these growth models, generalized estimates of these traits are established for each taxon. Overall differences in bone tissue types and resulting growth curves indicate different growth patterns and life-history strategies between different taxa of Placodontia. Psephoderma and Paraplacodus grew with lamellar-zonal bone tissue type and show growth patterns as seen in modern reptiles. Placodontia indet. aff. Cyamodus and some Placodontia indet. show a unique combination of fibrolamellar bone tissue regularly stratified by growth marks, a pattern absent in modern sauropsids. The bone tissue type of Placodontia indet. aff. Cyamodus and Placodontia indet. indicates a significantly increased basal metabolic rate when compared with modern reptiles. Double lines of arrested growth, non-annual rest lines in annuli, and subcycles that stratify zones suggest high dependence of placodont growth on endogenous and exogenous factors. Histological and modelled differences within taxa point to high individual developmental plasticity but sexual dimorphism in growth patterns and the presence of different taxa in the sample cannot be ruled out. PMID:26587259

The clinical characteristics, therapy and outcome of 85 adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and t(4;11)(q21;q23)/MLL-AFF1 prospectively treated in the UKALLXII/ECOG2993 trial

PubMed Central

Marks, David I.; Moorman, Anthony V.; Chilton, Lucy; Paietta, Elisabeth; Enshaie, Amir; DeWald, Gordon; Harrison, Christine J.; Fielding, Adele K.; Foroni, Letizia; Goldstone, Anthony H.; Litzow, Mark R.; Luger, Selina M.; McMillan, Andrew K.; Racevskis, Janis; Rowe, Jacob M.; Tallman, Martin S.; Wiernik, Peter; Lazarus, Hillard M.

2013-01-01

The biology and outcome of adult t(4;11)(q21;q23)/MLL-AFF1 acute lymphoblastic leukemia are poorly understood. We describe the outcome and delineate prognostic factors and optimal post-remission therapy in 85 consecutive patients (median age 38 years) treated uniformly in the prospective trial UKALLXII/ECOG2993. The immunophenotype of this leukemia was pro-B (CD10NEG). Immaturity was further suggested by high expression of the stem-cell antigens, CD133 and CD135, although CD34 expression was significantly lower than in t(4;11)-negative patients. Complete remission was achieved in 77 (93%) patients but only 35% survived 5 years (95% CI: 25–45%); the relapse rate was 45% (95% CI: 33–58%). Thirty-one patients underwent allogeneic transplantation in first remission (15 sibling donors and 16 unrelated donors): with 5-year survival rates of 56% and 67% respectively, only 2/31 patients relapsed. This compares with a 24% survival rate and 59% relapse rate in 46 patients who received post-remission chemotherapy. A major determinant of outcome was age with 71% of patients aged <25 years surviving. Younger patients had lower relapse rates (19%) but most received allografts in first complete remission. In conclusion, multivariate analysis did not demonstrate an advantage of allografting over chemotherapy but only five younger patients received chemotherapy. Prospective trials are required to determine whether poor outcomes in older patients can be improved by reduced-intensity conditioning allografts. NCT00002514 www.clinicaltrials.gov PMID:23349309

The cultural significance of wild mushrooms in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico.

PubMed

Alonso-Aguilar, Luis Enrique; Montoya, Adriana; Kong, Alejandro; Estrada-Torres, Arturo; Garibay-Orijel, Roberto

2014-03-05

We performed an ethnomycological study in a community in Tlaxcala, Central Mexico to identify the most important species of wild mushrooms growing in an oak forest, their significance criteria, and to validate the Cultural Significance Index (CSI). Thirty-three mestizo individuals were randomly selected in San Mateo Huexoyucan and were asked seven questions based on criteria established by the CSI. Among the 49 mushroom species collected in the oak forest and open areas, 20 species were mentioned most often and were analyzed in more detail. Ordination and grouping techniques were used to determine the relationship between the cultural significance of the mushroom species, according to a perceived abundance index, frequency of use index, taste score appreciation index, multifunctional food index, knowledge transmission index, and health index. The mushrooms with highest CSI values were Agaricus campestris, Ramaria spp., Amanita aff. basii, Russula spp., Ustilago maydis, and Boletus variipes. These species were characterized by their good taste and were considered very nutritional. The species with the lowest cultural significance included Russula mexicana, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Strobylomyces strobilaceus. The ordination and grouping analyses identified four groups of mushrooms by their significance to the people of Huexoyucan. The most important variables that explained the grouping were the taste score appreciation index, health index, the knowledge transmission index, and the frequency of use index. A. aff. basii and A. campestris were the most significant wild mushrooms to the people of San Mateo. The diversity of the Russula species and the variety of Amanita and Ramaria species used by these people was outstanding. Environments outside the forest also produced useful resources. The CSI used in Oaxaca was useful for determining the cultural significance of mushrooms in SMH, Tlaxcala. This list of mushrooms can be used in conservation proposals for the Quercus forests in the area.

Alendronate treatment alters bone tissues at multiple structural levels in healthy canine cortical bone.

PubMed

Acevedo, Claire; Bale, Hrishikesh; Gludovatz, Bernd; Wat, Amy; Tang, Simon Y; Wang, Mingyue; Busse, Björn; Zimmermann, Elizabeth A; Schaible, Eric; Allen, Matthew R; Burr, David B; Ritchie, Robert O

2015-12-01

Bisphosphonates are widely used to treat osteoporosis, but have been associated with atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) in the long term, which raises a critical health problem for the aging population. Several clinical studies have suggested that the occurrence of AFFs may be related to the bisphosphonate-induced changes of bone turnover, but large discrepancies in the results of these studies indicate that the salient mechanisms responsible for any loss in fracture resistance are still unclear. Here the role of bisphosphonates is examined in terms of the potential deterioration in fracture resistance resulting from both intrinsic (plasticity) and extrinsic (shielding) toughening mechanisms, which operate over a wide range of length-scales. Specifically, we compare the mechanical properties of two groups of humeri from healthy beagles, one control group comprising eight females (oral doses of saline vehicle, 1 mL/kg/day, 3 years) and one treated group comprising nine females (oral doses of alendronate used to treat osteoporosis, 0.2mg/kg/day, 3 years). Our data demonstrate treatment-specific reorganization of bone tissue identified at multiple length-scales mainly through advanced synchrotron x-ray experiments. We confirm that bisphosphonate treatments can increase non-enzymatic collagen cross-linking at molecular scales, which critically restricts plasticity associated with fibrillar sliding, and hence intrinsic toughening, at nanoscales. We also observe changes in the intracortical architecture of treated bone at microscales, with partial filling of the Haversian canals and reduction of osteon number. We hypothesize that the reduced plasticity associated with BP treatments may induce an increase in microcrack accumulation and growth under cyclic daily loadings, and potentially increase the susceptibility of cortical bone to atypical (fatigue-like) fractures. Published by Elsevier Inc.

2001 Flight Mechanics Symposium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynch, John P. (Editor)

2001-01-01

This conference publication includes papers and abstracts presented at the Flight Mechanics Symposium held on June 19-21, 2001. Sponsored by the Guidance, Navigation and Control Center of Goddard Space Flight Center, this symposium featured technical papers on a wide range of issues related to attitude/orbit determination, prediction and control; attitude simulation; attitude sensor calibration; theoretical foundation of attitude computation; dynamics model improvements; autonomous navigation; constellation design and formation flying; estimation theory and computational techniques; Earth environment mission analysis and design; and, spacecraft re-entry mission design and operations.

NLS Flight Simulation Laboratory (FSL) documentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

The Flight Simulation Laboratory (FSL) Electronic Documentation System design consists of modification and utilization of the MSFC Integrated Engineering System (IES), translation of the existing FSL documentation to an electronic format, and generation of new drawings to represent the Engine Flight Simulation Laboratory design and implementation. The intent of the electronic documentation is to provide ease of access, local print/plot capabilities, as well as the ability to correct and/or modify the stored data by network users who are authorized to access this information.

A Study of the Communication Capabilities of the OPARS Flight Planning System for Various Levels of Demand.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-03-01

Oceanography Center (FNOC) is currently testing and evaluating a computerized flight plan system, referred to, for short, as OPARS. This sytem , developed to...replace the Lockheed Jetplan flight plan sytem , provides users at remote sites with direct access to the FNOC computer via 11 telephone lines. The...validity, but only for format. For example, an entry of ABCE , as the four- letter identification code for the destination airfield, would be accepted

Pilots noise exposure during a Boeing 747-400 round trip: Ambient noise and acoustic-head recording and analysis of data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoffman, Knut

1992-01-01

Pilot noise exposure is examined during the round trip flight of a Boeing 747-400 aircraft. Although the sound power origin is the aircraft, this paper examines the effects of this noise on the human occupants within the airplane. Data is acquired and analyzed to determine the noise exposure of pilots on long flights, in this case, a flight of 12 hours and 20 minutes. All results are presented in viewgraph format.

Cross-Polar Aircraft Trajectory Optimization and Potential Climate Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sridhar, Banavar; Chen, Neil; Ng, Hok

2011-01-01

Cross-Polar routes offer new opportunities for air travel markets. Transpolar flights reduce travel times, fuel burns, and associated environmental emissions by flying direct paths between many North American and Asian cities. This study evaluates the potential benefits of flying wind-optimal polar routes and assessed their potential impact on climate change. An optimization algorithm is developed for transpolar flights to generate wind-optimal trajectories that minimize climate impact of aircraft, in terms of global warming potentials (relative to warming by one kg of CO2) of several types of emissions, while avoiding regions of airspace that facilitate persistent contrail formation. Estimations of global warming potential are incorporated into the objective function of the optimization algorithm to assess the climate impact of aircraft emissions discharged at a given location and altitude. The regions of airspace with very low ambient temperature and areas favorable to persistent contrail formation are modeled as undesirable regions that aircraft should avoid and are formulated as soft state constraints. The fuel burn and climate impact of cross-polar air traffic flying various types of trajectory including flightplan, great circle, wind-optimal, and contrail-avoidance are computed for 15 origin-destination pairs between major international airports in the U.S. and Asia. Wind-optimal routes reduce average fuel burn of flight plan routes by 4.4% on December 4, 2010 and 8.0% on August 7, 2010, respectively. The tradeoff between persistent contrail formation and additional global warming potential of aircraft emissions is investigated with and without altitude optimization. Without altitude optimization, the reduction in contrail travel times is gradual with increase in total fuel consumption. When altitude is optimized, a one percent increase in additional global warming potential, a climate impact equivalent to that of 4070kg and 4220kg CO2 emission, reduces 135 and 105 minutes persistent contrail formation per flight during a day with medium and high contrail formation, respectively.

Interface control document between the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Department of Interior EROS Data Center (EDC) for LANDSAT-D. Partially processed multispectral scanner High Density Tape (HDT-AM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The format of the HDT-AM product which contains partially processed LANDSAT D and D Prime multispectral scanner image data is defined. Recorded-data formats, tape format, and major frame types are described.

A potential cause for kidney stone formation during space flights: enhanced growth of nanobacteria in microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ciftcioglu, Neva; Haddad, Ruwaida S.; Golden, D. C.; Morrison, Dennis R.; McKay, David S.

2005-01-01

BACKGROUND: Although some information is available regarding the cellular/molecular changes in immune system exposed to microgravity, little is known about the reasons of the increase in the kidney stone formation in astronauts during and/or after long duration missions at zero gravity (0 g). In our earlier studies, we have assessed a unique agent, nanobacteria (NB), in kidney stones and hypothesized that NB have an active role in calcium phosphate-carbonate deposition in kidney. In this research we studied effect of microgravity on multiplication and calcification of NB in vitro. METHODS: We examined NB cultures in High Aspect Rotating Vessels (HARVs) designed at the NASA's Johnson Space Center, which are designed to stimulate some aspects of microgravity. Multiplication rate and calcium phosphate composition of those NB were compared with NB cultured on stationary and shaker flasks. Collected aliquots of the cultures from different incubation periods were analyzed using spectrophotometer, SEM, TEM, EDX, and x-ray diffraction techniques. RESULTS: The results showed that NB multiplied 4.6x faster in HARVs compared to stationary cultures, and 3.2x faster than shaker flask conditions. X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis showed that the degree of apatite crystal formation and the properties of the apatite depend on the specific culture conditions used. CONCLUSION: We now report an increased multiplication rate of NB in microgravity-simulated conditions. Thus, NB infection may have a potential role in kidney stone formation in crew members during space flights. For further proof to this hypothesis, screening of the NB antigen and antibody level in flight crew before and after flight would be necessary.

NASA/FAA/NCAR Supercooled Large Droplet Icing Flight Research: Summary of Winter 1996-1997 Flight Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Dean; Ratvasky, Thomas; Bernstein, Ben; McDonough, Frank; Strapp, J. Walter

1998-01-01

During the winter of 1996-1997, a flight research program was conducted at the NASA-Lewis Research Center to study the characteristics of Supercooled Large Droplets (SLD) within the Great Lakes region. This flight program was a joint effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Based on weather forecasts and real-time in-flight guidance provided by NCAR, the NASA-Lewis Icing Research Aircraft was flown to locations where conditions were believed to be conducive to the formation of Supercooled Large Droplets aloft. Onboard instrumentation was then used to record meteorological, ice accretion, and aero-performance characteristics encountered during the flight. A total of 29 icing research flights were conducted, during which "conventional" small droplet icing, SLD, and mixed phase conditions were encountered aloft. This paper will describe how flight operations were conducted, provide an operational summary of the flights, present selected experimental results from one typical research flight, and conclude with practical "lessons learned" from this first year of operation.

Sustaining Human Space Flight: From the Present to the Future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, Rick

2010-01-01

This slide presentation reviews some of the efforts to ensure that human space flight continues in NASA. With the aging shuttle orbiter fleet, some actions have been taken to assure safe operations. Some of these are: (1) the formation of a Corrosion Control Review Board (CCRB) that will assess the extent and cause of corrosion to the shuttle, and provide short term and long term corrective actions, among other objectives, (2) a formalization of an aging vehicle assessment (AVA) as part of a certification for the Return-to-Flight, (3) an assessment of the age life of the materials in the space shuttle, and (4) the formation of the Aging Orbiter Working Group (AOWG). There are also slides with information about the International Space Station. There is also information about the need to update the Kennedy Space Center, to sustain a 21st century launch complex and the requirement to further the aim of commercial launch capability.

Spheres: from Ground Development to ISS Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katterhagen, A.

2016-01-01

SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites) is an internal International Space Station (ISS) Facility that supports multiple investigations for the development of multi-spacecraft and robotic control algorithms. The SPHERES National Lab Facility aboard ISS is managed and operated by NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) at Moffett Field California. The SPHERES Facility on ISS consists of three self-contained eight-inch diameter free-floating satellites which perform the various flight algorithms and serve as a platform to support the integration of experimental hardware. SPHERES has served to mature the adaptability of control algorithms of future formation flight missions in microgravity (6 DOF (Degrees of Freedom) / long duration microgravity), demonstrate key close-proximity formation flight and rendezvous and docking maneuvers, understand fault diagnosis and recovery, improve the field of human telerobotic operation and control, and lessons learned on ISS have significant impact on ground robotics, mapping, localization, and sensing in three-dimensions - among several other areas of study.

Two NASA Dryden F/A-18s flown by Gordon Fullerton and Nils Larson fly in tight formation Dec. 21, 2007 during Fullerton's final flight before his retirement.

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-12-21

Long-time NASA Dryden research pilot and former astronaut C. Gordon Fullerton capped an almost 50-year flying career, including more than 38 years with NASA, with a final flight in a NASA F/A-18 on Dec. 21, 2007. Fullerton and Dryden research pilot Jim Smolka flew a 90-minute pilot proficiency formation aerobatics flight with another Dryden F/A-18 and a Dryden T-38 before concluding with two low-level formation flyovers of Dryden before landing. Fullerton was honored with a water-cannon spray arch provided by two fire trucks from the Edwards Air Force Base fire department as he taxied the F/A-18 up to the Dryden ramp, and was then greeted by his wife Marie and several hundred Dryden staff after his final flight. Fullerton began his flying career with the U.S. Air Force in 1958 after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. Initially trained as a fighter pilot, he later transitioned to multi-engine bombers and became a bomber operations test pilot after attending the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He then was assigned to the flight crew for the planned Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory in 1966. Upon cancellation of that program, the Air Force assigned Fullerton to NASA's astronaut corps in 1969. He served on the support crews for the Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17 lunar missions, and was later assigned to one of the two flight crews that piloted the space shuttle prototype Enterprise during the Approach and Landing Test program at Dryden. He then logged some 382 hours in space when he flew on two early space shuttle missions, STS-3 on Columbia in 1982 and STS-51F on Challenger in 1985. He joined the flight crew branch at NASA Dryden after leaving the astronaut corps in 1986. During his 21 years at Dryden, Fullerton was project pilot on a number of high-profile research efforts, including the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft, the high-speed landing tests of

Summary results of the first United States manned orbital space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glenn, J. H. Jr

1963-01-01

This paper describes the principal findings of the first United States manned orbital space flight in light of the flight mission. Consideration is given to the coordinated tracking network, recovery forces and to the spacecraft and its several functional systems. These include mechanisms for heat protection, escape maneuvers, spacecraft control, power supply, communications, life support and landing. A few difficulties encountered in the flight and deviations from the planned sequence are described. Craft preparation, aeromedical studies, flight plan and particularly flight observations--including the color, light, horizon visibility by day and by night, cloud formations and sunrise and sunset effects are given in some detail. The general conclusion from the MA-6 flight is that man can adapt well to new conditions encountered in space flight and that man can contribute importantly to mission reliability and toward mission achievement through his capacities to control the spacecraft and its multiple systems contribute to decision making and adaptation of programming as well as to direct exploratory and experimental observations.

System and Method for Aiding Pilot Preview, Rehearsal, Review, and Real-Time Visual Acquisition of Flight Mission Progress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prinzel, III, Lawrence J. (Inventor); Pope, Alan T. (Inventor); Williams, Steven P. (Inventor); Bailey, Randall E. (Inventor); Arthur, Jarvis J. (Inventor); Kramer, Lynda J. (Inventor); Schutte, Paul C. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

Embodiments of the invention permit flight paths (current and planned) to be viewed from various orientations to provide improved path and terrain awareness via graphical two-dimensional or three-dimensional perspective display formats. By coupling the flight path information with a terrain database, uncompromising terrain awareness relative to the path and ownship is provided. In addition, missed approaches, path deviations, and any navigational path can be reviewed and rehearsed before performing the actual task. By rehearsing a particular mission, check list items can be reviewed, terrain awareness can be highlighted, and missed approach procedures can be discussed by the flight crew. Further, the use of Controller Pilot Datalink Communications enables data-linked path, flight plan changes, and Air Traffic Control requests to be integrated into the flight display of the present invention.

Effects of microgravity on renal stone risk assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pietrzyk, R. A.; Pak, C. Y. C.; Cintron, N. M.; Whitson, P. A.

1992-01-01

Physiologic changes induced during human exposure to the microgravity environment of space may contribute to an increased potential for renal stone formation. Renal stone risk factors obtained 10 days before flight and immediately after return to earth indicated that calcium oxalate and uric acid stone-forming potential was increased after space flights of 4-10 days. These data describe the need for examining renal stone risk during in-flight phases of space missions. Because of limited availability of space and refrigerated storage on spacecraft, effective methods must be developed for collecting urine samples in-flight and for preserving (or storing) them at temperatures and under conditions commensurate with mission constraints.

Integrating UAS Flocking Operations with Formation Drag Reduction

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-01

20   Figure 8: Close vs . Extended Formation Flight (FF) Comparison (Ning 2011, 12)......... 24   Figure 9: Basic Guidance Control...and Near Misses vs . Flock Size... vs . Longitudinal Spacing............................ 52   Figure 21: Flock Cumulative Fuel Savings vs . Distance Between Turns

Determination of motion extrema in multi-satellite systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allgeier, Shawn E.

Spacecraft, or satellite formation flight has been a topic of interest dating back to the Gemini program of the 1960s. Traditionally space missions have been designed around large monolithic assets. Recent interest in low cost, rapid call up mission architectures structured around fractionated systems, small satellites, and constellations has spurred renewed efforts in spacecraft relative motion problems. While such fractionated, or multi-body systems may provide benefits in terms of risk mitigation and cost savings, they introduce new technical challenges in terms of satellite coordination. Characterization of satellite formations is a vital requirement for them to have utility to industry and government entities. Satellite formations introduce challenges in the form of constellation maintenance, inter-satellite communications, and the demand for more sophisticated guidance, navigation, and control systems. At the core of these challenges is the orbital mechanics which govern the resulting motion. New applications of algebraic techniques are applied to the formation flight problem, specifically Gröbner basis tools, as a means of determining extrema of certain quantities pertaining to formation flight. Specifically, bounds are calculated for the relative position components, relative speed, relative velocity components, and range rate. The position based metrics are relevant for planning formation geometry, particularly in constellation or Earth observation applications. The velocity metrics are relevant in the design of end game interactions for rendezvous and proximity operations. The range rate of one satellite to another is essential in the design of radio frequency hardware for inter-satellite communications so that the doppler shift can be calculated a priori. Range rate may also have utility in space based surveillance and space situational awareness concerns, such as cross tagging. The results presented constitute a geometric perspective and have utility to mission designers, particularly for missions involving rendezvous and proximity operations.

Interface control document between the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Department of Interior EROS Data Center (EDC) for LANDSAT-D. Thematic mapper high resolution 241 mm film

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The 241 mm photographic product produced by the Goddard Space Flight Center Data Management System for LANDSAT-D is described. Film type and format, image dimensions, frame ID, gray scale, resolution patterns, registration marks, etc. are addressed.

The course of experimental staphylococcus infection in albino mice during action of certain factors of space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prokhorov, V. Y.; Shilov, V. M.; Borman, E. A.

1980-01-01

A study was made of the effect of certain factors of space flight, acceleration and hypokinesia, on the course of experimental staphylococcus infection in mice. Combined action of hypokinesia and acceleration caused a marked depression of the phagocytic activity of leukocytes and formation of a considerable amount of alpha toxin.

Results of a simulator test comparing two display concepts for piloted flight-path-angle control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelley, W. W.

1978-01-01

Results of a simulator experiment which was conducted in order to compare pilot gamma-control performance using two display formats are reported. Pilots flew a variable flight path angle tracking task in the landing configuration. Pilot and airplane performance parameters were recorded and pilot comments noted for each case.

Flight Planning in the Cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flores, Sarah L.; Chapman, Bruce D.; Tung, Waye W.; Zheng, Yang

2011-01-01

This new interface will enable Principal Investigators (PIs), as well as UAVSAR (Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar) members to do their own flight planning and time estimation without having to request flight lines through the science coordinator. It uses an all-in-one Google Maps interface, a JPL hosted database, and PI flight requirements to design an airborne flight plan. The application will enable users to see their own flight plan being constructed interactively through a map interface, and then the flight planning software will generate all the files necessary for the flight. Afterward, the UAVSAR team can then complete the flight request, including calendaring and supplying requisite flight request files in the expected format for processing by NASA s airborne science program. Some of the main features of the interface include drawing flight lines on the map, nudging them, adding them to the current flight plan, and reordering them. The user can also search and select takeoff, landing, and intermediate airports. As the flight plan is constructed, all of its components are constantly being saved to the database, and the estimated flight times are updated. Another feature is the ability to import flight lines from previously saved flight plans. One of the main motivations was to make this Web application as simple and intuitive as possible, while also being dynamic and robust. This Web application can easily be extended to support other airborne instruments.

Nerve-muscle interactions during flight muscle development in Drosophila

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandes, J. J.; Keshishian, H.

1998-01-01

During Drosophila pupal metamorphosis, the motoneurons and muscles differentiate synchronously, providing an opportunity for extensive intercellular regulation during synapse formation. We examined the existence of such interactions by developmentally delaying or permanently eliminating synaptic partners during the formation of indirect flight muscles. When we experimentally delayed muscle development, we found that although adult-specific primary motoneuron branching still occurred, the higher order (synaptic) branching was suspended until the delayed muscle fibers reached a favourable developmental state. In reciprocal experiments we found that denervation caused a decrease in the myoblast pool. Furthermore, the formation of certain muscle fibers (dorsoventral muscles) was specifically blocked. Exceptions were the adult muscles that use larval muscle fibers as myoblast fusion targets (dorsal longitudinal muscles). However, when these muscles were experimentally compelled to develop without their larval precursors, they showed an absolute dependence on the motoneurons for their formation. These data show that the size of the myoblast pool and early events in fiber formation depend on the presence of the nerve, and that, conversely, peripheral arbor development and synaptogenesis is closely synchronized with the developmental state of the muscle.

Monitoring single coffee bean roasting by direct volatile compound analysis with proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yener, Sine; Navarini, Luciano; Lonzarich, Valentina; Cappellin, Luca; Märk, Tilmann D; Bonn, Günther K; Biasioli, Franco

2016-09-01

This study applies proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of volatile compounds released from single coffee beans. The headspace volatile profiles of single coffee beans (Coffeea arabica) from different geographical origins (Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia) were analyzed via offline profiling at different stages of roasting. The effect of coffee geographical origin was reflected on volatile compound formation that was supported by one-way ANOVA. Clear origin signatures were observed in the formation of different coffee odorants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Perturbed Equations of Motion for Formation Flight Near the Sun-Earth L2 Point

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luquette, Richard; Segerman, A. M.; Zedd, M. F.

2005-01-01

NASA is planning missions to the vicinity of the Sun-Earth L(sub 2) point, some involving a distributed system of telescope spacecraft, configured in a plane about a hub. Several sets of differential equations are written for the formation flight of such telescopes relative to the hub, with varying levels of fidelity. Effects are cast as additive perturbations to the circular restricted three-body problem, expanded in terms of the system distanced, to an accuracy of 10-20 m. These include Earth's orbital eccentricity, lunar motion, solar radiation pressure, and small thrusting forces. Simulations validating the expanded differential equations are presented.

Prevention of space flight induced soft tissue calcification and disuse osteoporosis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, Victor S.; Leblanc, Adrian; Huntoon, Carolyn L.

1990-01-01

Medical complications such as renal stone formation, increased uric acid output, and disuse osteoporosis are discussed. A series of experiments was conducted in order to study and eventually reduce these flight hazards. Attempts to prevent the negative calcium balance and loss of calcaneal density during prolonged bed rest had only a limited success. Of the five biochemical regiments tested, only diphosphonate applied in a high dose had a positive effect in elliminating mineral losses. It is found that clodronate can prevent disuse osteoporosis and that fluoride can enhance bone formation. It is concluded that exercises, combined with pharmaceutical agents, are beneficial during long-duration space missions.

Photogrammetric Measurements of an EH-60L Brownout Cloud

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, Oliver D.; Tanner, Philip E.

2010-01-01

There is a critical lack of quantitative data regarding the mechanism of brownout cloud formation. Recognizing this, tests were conducted during the Air Force Research Lab 3D-LZ Brownout Test at the US Army Yuma Proving Ground. Photogrammetry was utilized during two rounds of flight tests with an instrumented EH-60L Black Hawk to determine if this technique could quantitatively measure the formation and evolution of a brownout cloud. Specific areas of interest include the location, size, and average convective velocity of the cloud, along with the characteristics of any defined structures within it. Following the first flight test, photogrammetric data were validated through comparison with onboard vehicle data. Lessons learned from this test were applied to the development of an improved photogrammetry system. A second flight test, utilizing the improved system, demonstrated that obtaining quantitative measurements of the brownout cloud are possible. Results from these measurements are presented in the paper. Flow visualization with chalk dust seeding was also tested. It was observed that pickup forces of the brownout cloud appear to be very low. Overall, these tests demonstrate the viability of photogrammetry as a means for quantifying brownout cloud formation and evolution.

Study for HDR cross-link for formation flight satellite systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishinaga, Nozomu; Takayama, Yoshihisa; Takahashi, Takashi; Ogawa, Yasuo; Kubooka, Toshihiro; Umehara, Hiroaki

2003-07-01

In this paper we studied about optical and millimeter radio wave cross-link for formation flight communication satellite system in a geostationary orbit. In formation flight system, since the distance among the satellites becomes short compared with the conventional inter satellite comunication link, the size and the weight of the communication system can be reduced. If the high data rate cross-link among the satellites which is equal to the whole transponder bandwidth can be established, the functionally distributed communications satellite system can be constructed. Then, by exchanging a part of the satellite system without the physical contact, in other words, by exchange some old satellites and new ones, the fully reconfigurable and long lifetime (from the point of the function) satellite communication system which can follow the paradigm shift in the terrestrial communications technology can be realize. On the other hand, however, since the maximum of relative angle error among two satellites is enlarged, the tracking becomes difficult. In this study, it turns the electric power which is gotten from the shortening the distance to making beam width large. Here, we examine communication among two satellites (10Km distance) where the data rate is 1Gbps.

Comparative Transcriptome Analyses Uncover Key Candidate Genes Mediating Flight Capacity in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

PubMed

Guo, Shaokun; Zhao, Zihua; Liu, Lijun; Li, Zhihong; Shen, Jie

2018-01-30

Flight capacity is important for invasive pests during entry, establishment and spreading. Both Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and Bactrocera correcta Bezzi are invasive fruit flies but their flight capacities differ. Here, a tethered flight mill test demonstrated that B. dorsalis exhibits a greater flight capacity than B. correcta . RNA-Seq was used to determine the transcriptomic differences associated with the flight capacity of two Bactrocera species. Transcriptome data showed that 6392 unigenes were differentially expressed between the two species in the larval stage, whereas in the adult stage, 4104 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in females, and 3445 DEGs were observed in males. The flight capacity appeared to be correlated with changes in the transcriptional levels of genes involved in wing formation, flight muscle structure, energy metabolism, and hormonal control. Using RNA interference (RNAi) to verify the function of one DEG, the epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ), we confirmed the role of this gene in regulating wing development, and thereby flight capacity, in both species. This work reveals the flight mechanism of fruit flies and provides insight into fundamental transcriptomics for further studies on the flight performance of insects.

Comparative Transcriptome Analyses Uncover Key Candidate Genes Mediating Flight Capacity in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

PubMed Central

Zhao, Zihua; Liu, Lijun; Li, Zhihong; Shen, Jie

2018-01-01

Flight capacity is important for invasive pests during entry, establishment and spreading. Both Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and Bactrocera correcta Bezzi are invasive fruit flies but their flight capacities differ. Here, a tethered flight mill test demonstrated that B. dorsalis exhibits a greater flight capacity than B. correcta. RNA-Seq was used to determine the transcriptomic differences associated with the flight capacity of two Bactrocera species. Transcriptome data showed that 6392 unigenes were differentially expressed between the two species in the larval stage, whereas in the adult stage, 4104 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in females, and 3445 DEGs were observed in males. The flight capacity appeared to be correlated with changes in the transcriptional levels of genes involved in wing formation, flight muscle structure, energy metabolism, and hormonal control. Using RNA interference (RNAi) to verify the function of one DEG, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), we confirmed the role of this gene in regulating wing development, and thereby flight capacity, in both species. This work reveals the flight mechanism of fruit flies and provides insight into fundamental transcriptomics for further studies on the flight performance of insects. PMID:29385681

BACTERIAL BIOFILM FORMATION UNDER MICROGRAVITY CONDITIONS. (R825503)

EPA Science Inventory

Although biofilm formation is widely documented on Earth, it has not been demonstrated in the absence of gravity. To explore this possibility, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suspended in sterile buffer, was flown in a commercial payload on space shuttle flight STS-95. During earth or...

The Biophysics Microgravity Initiative

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gorti, S.

2016-01-01

Biophysical microgravity research on the International Space Station using biological materials has been ongoing for several decades. The well-documented substantive effects of long duration microgravity include the facilitation of the assembly of biological macromolecules into large structures, e.g., formation of large protein crystals under micro-gravity. NASA is invested not only in understanding the possible physical mechanisms of crystal growth, but also promoting two flight investigations to determine the influence of µ-gravity on protein crystal quality. In addition to crystal growth, flight investigations to determine the effects of shear on nucleation and subsequent formation of complex structures (e.g., crystals, fibrils, etc.) are also supported. It is now considered that long duration microgravity research aboard the ISS could also make possible the formation of large complex biological and biomimetic materials. Investigations of various materials undergoing complex structure formation in microgravity will not only strengthen NASA science programs, but may also provide invaluable insight towards the construction of large complex tissues, organs, or biomimetic materials on Earth.

Atmospheric Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Fuels. Volume 2. Outdoor Chamber Data Tabulations. Part 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

6800 SN100015D 4600 B-NOX-1 BENDIX NOX ANALYZER MDB8101BX SN300038-2 4350 CLIMET CLIMET OPC MD4208 SN76-148 4130 EPPLEY ARB LAB; EPPLEY 11692 UV...SN300038-2 4350 CLIMET CLIMET OPC MD1208 SN76-148 4130 EPPLEY ARB LAB; EPPLEY 11692 UV RADIOMETER 4000 ECD-3 AF-LAB; 122 5% CARBOWAX-600; ECD AFF- 7...121; POROPAK N ; FID S2200 DMS-I RM-121; DIMETHYLSULFOLANE; FID 4600 B-NOX-I BENDIX NOX ANALYZER MD81O1BX SN300038-2 4350 CLIMET CLIMET OPC MD:208 SN76

A NASTRAN Vibration Model of the AH-1G Helicopter Airframe. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-06-01

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The Amaryllidaceae alkaloids: biosynthesis and methods for enzyme discovery

PubMed Central

Kilgore, Matthew B.; Kutchan, Toni M.

2015-01-01

Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are an example of the vast diversity of secondary metabolites with great therapeutic promise. The identification of novel compounds in this group with over 300 known structures continues to be an area of active study. The recent identification of norbelladine 4′-O-methyltransferase (N4OMT), an Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthetic enzyme, and the assembly of transcriptomes for Narcissus sp. aff. pseudonarcissus and Lycoris aurea highlight the potential for discovery of Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthetic genes with new technologies. Recent technical advances of interest include those in enzymology, next generation sequencing, genetic modification, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS). PMID:27340382

Installation Restoration Program. Preliminary Assessment: 112th Tactical Control Squadron and 114th Air Traffic Control Flight, State College Air National Guard Station, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, State College, Pennsylvania

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-01

and the Upper Cambrian age Gatesburg formation crop out (Figure 111.3). Specifically, the Station location is shown to be underlain by the Stonehenge ...the Larke formation is generally absent in this part of Centre County, and a hiatus exists between the Stonehenge formation and the underlying Gatesburg...formation. Therefore, the Stonehenge formation exists unconformably in contact with the Mines member of the Gatesburg formation. In addition, the

Medullary Sponge Kidney and Urinary Calculi Aeromedical Concerns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Jeffrey A.; Cherian, Sebastian F.; Barr, Yael R.; Stocco, Amber

2008-01-01

Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK) is a benign disorder associated with renal stones in 60% of patients. Patients frequently have episodic painless hematuria but are otherwise asymptomatic unless renal calculi or infections complicate the disease. Nephrolithiasis is a relative, but frequently enforced, contraindication to space or other high performance flight. Two case reports of asymptomatic NASA flight crew with MSK and three cases of military aviators diagnosed with MSK are reviewed, all cases resulted in waiver and return to flight status after treatment and a vigorous follow up and prophylaxis protocol. MSK in aviation and space flight necessitates a highly case-by-case dependent evaluation and treatment process to rule out other potential confounding factors that might also contribute to stone formation and in order to re-qualify the aviator for flight duties.

Investigation of fuselage acoustic treatment for a twin-engine turboprop aircraft in flight and laboratory tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mixson, J. S.; Oneal, R. L.; Grosveld, F. W.

1984-01-01

A flight and laboratory study of sidewall acoustic treatment for cabin noise control is described. In flight, cabin noise levels were measured at six locations with three treatment configurations. Noise levels from narrow-band analysis are reduced to one-third octave format and used to calculate insertion loss, IL, defined as the reduction of interior noise associated with the addition of a treatment. Laboratory tests used a specially constructed structural panel modeled after the propeller plane section of the aircraft sidewall, and acoustic treatments representing those used in flight. Lab measured transmission loss and absorption values were combined using classical acoustic procedures to obtain a prediction of IL. Comparison with IL values measured in flight for the boundary layer component of the noise indicated general agreement.

Bone Metabolism on ISS Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. M.; Heer, M. A.; Shackelford, L. C.; Zwart, S. R.

2014-01-01

Spaceflight-induced bone loss is associated with increased bone resorption (1, 2), and either unchanged or decreased rates of bone formation. Resistive exercise had been proposed as a countermeasure, and data from bed rest supported this concept (3). An interim resistive exercise device (iRED) was flown for early ISS crews. Unfortunately, the iRED provided no greater bone protection than on missions where only aerobic and muscular endurance exercises were available (4, 5). In 2008, the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), a more robust device with much greater resistance capability, (6, 7) was launched to the ISS. Astronauts who had access to ARED, coupled with adequate energy intake and vitamin D status, returned from ISS missions with bone mineral densities virtually unchanged from preflight (7). Bone biochemical markers showed that while the resistive exercise and adequate energy consumption did not mitigate the increased bone resorption, bone formation was increased (7, 8). The typical drop in circulating parathyroid hormone did not occur in ARED crewmembers. In 2014, an updated look at the densitometry data was published. This study confirmed the initial findings with a much larger set of data. In 42 astronauts (33 male, 9 female), the bone mineral density response to flight was the same for men and women (9), and those with access to the ARED did not have the typical decrease in bone mineral density that was observed in early ISS crewmembers with access to the iRED (Figure 1) (7). Biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption responded similarly in men and women. These data are encouraging, and represent the first in-flight evidence in the history of human space flight that diet and exercise can maintain bone mineral density on long-duration missions. However, the maintenance of bone mineral density through bone remodeling, that is, increases in both resorption and formation, may yield a bone with strength characteristics different from those that existed before space flight. Studies to assess bone strength after flight are underway at NASA, to better understand the results of bone remodeling. Studies are also underway to evaluate optimized exercise protocols and nutritional countermeasures. Regardless, there is clear evidence of progress being made to protect bone during spaceflight.

Effects of prolonged exposure to space flight factors for 175 days on lettuce seeds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nevzgodina, L. V.; Maximova, E. N.; Akatov, Yu. A.

We have studied the effects of prolonged (up to 175 days) exposure of Lactuca sativa seeds to space flight factors, including primary cosmic radiation heavy ions. The data obtained evidence a significant fourfold increase ofs pontaneous mutagenesis in seeds both with regard to the total number of aberrant cells as well as the formation of single cells with multiple aberrations. Comparison of the present experiment with earlier works shows that the frequency of such aberrations increases with the duration of the flight.

(abstract) Geological Tour of Southwestern Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, Steven L.; Lang, Harold R.

1993-01-01

Nineteen Landsat Themic Mapper quarter scenes, coregistered at 28.5 m spatial resolution with three arc second digital topographic data, were used to create a movie, simulating a flight over the Guerrero and Mixteco terrains of southwestern Mexico. The flight path was chosen to elucidate important structural, stratigraphic, and geomorphic features. The video, available in VHS format, is a 360 second animation consisting of 10 800 total frames. The simulated velocity during three 120 second flight segments of the video is approximately 37 000 km per hour, traversing approximately 1 000 km on the ground.

Revised Stratigraphy of The Nallıhan-Dudaş (Beypazarı) Area and Significance of the Campanian-Maastrichtian Reef Occurrences Based on the Foraminiferal and Rudist Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Görmüş, Muhittin; Sami Us, Muhammed; Özer, Sacit; Tekin, Erdoǧan; Akpınar, Serap; Kabakcı, Büşra

2016-04-01

Transgressive to regressive succession of the Cretaceous Period and Cretaceous Paleogene boundary from the Nallıhan-Beypazarı area have significant data to interpret the past geological history of northwestern Turkey. In the literature, main scientific differences are seen on the formation/lithodem names, their ages, contact relations and environmental interpretations. In the study, a revision has been made for a proper stratigraphy of the area. For the revised stratigraphy, the obtained results from our field and laboratory works and the literature information were used. The following stratigraphy were established from basement to top: the Permo-Triassic aged Sekli metamorphics, Jurassic to lower Cretaceous Soǧukçam formation, Campanian to Maastrichtian aged Dereköy Group-Haremiköy conglomerates, Çeǧiköy reefs, Nardin formation (Seben formation), Taraklı formation; the Paleogene aged Kızılçay group including Kızılbayır formation, Karaköy volcanoclastics, Selvipınar limestone, the Miocene-Pliocene terrestrial sediments, Çoraklar formation, Hırka formation, Akpınar formation, Çayırhan formation, Teke volkanics, Bozbelen formation, Kirmir formation. The main unconformities are between Jura and Campanian, Maastrichtian and Paleogene, Eocene and Miocene times. Among the geological units, the Çeǧiköy reefs having rich rudist fauna overlie the Haremiköy conglomerates in both sides at the north-Yeşilyurt village and at the south-Gökçeöz village. Another outcrop, Emincik is between two mentioned villages. Biohermal reefs mainly includes very rich rudists up to 40 centimetres in size around the Yeşilköy such as: Pironaea polystyla, Vaccinites loftusi, Hippurites sublaevis. Larger foraminifera Orbitoides medius, O. apiculatus, Siderolites calcitrapoides, Pseodosiderolites vidali are also common in the fore reef areas. Around the Gökçeöz at the south part, the identified rudists are as follows: Vaccinites sp., Hippurites aff. sublaevis, Pironaea polystyla Joufia cf. reticulata, Hippuritella variabilis. In this location, smaller rudists are at the bottom, larger ones are at the top of the biostromal limestones. The first reefal occurrences are interpreted as local fringing type reefs. The reefs around the Emincik are the second occurrences of reefs. This was interpreted as patch reefs. Rudist fauna are less than the other locations and it occurs above the orbitoid rich siliciclastics. Extinction of rudists is at the end of middle Maastrichtian due to paleoenvironmental changes and open marine conditions. Transgressive succession continuous with regressive succession. The Taraklı Formation siliciclastics including rich Orbitoides apiculatus and O. gruenbachensis. The location is also important for the mass larger foraminifera-Orbitoides extinction on the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary. Terrestrial siliciclastics overlies the very shallow marine Maastrichtian siliciclastics. ACKNOWLADGEMENT: The authors thanks to Ankara University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAP) for the financial support on the project 13B4343014.

Operational viewpoint of the X-29A digital flight control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chacon, Vince; Mcbride, David

1988-01-01

In the past few years many flight control systems have been implemented as full-authority, full-time digital systems. The digital design has allowed flight control systems to make use of many enhanced elements that are generally considered too complex to implement in an analog system. Examples of these elements are redundant information exchanged between channels to allow for continued operation after multiple failures and multiple variable gain schedules to optimize control of the aircraft throughout its flight envelope and in all flight modes. The introduction of the digital system for flight control also created the problem of obtaining information from the system in an understandable and useful format. This paper presents how the X-29A was dealt with during its operations at NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility. A brief description of the X-29A control system, a discussion of the tools developed to aid in daily operations, and the troubleshooting of the aircraft are included.

SimGraph: A Flight Simulation Data Visualization Workstation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, Joseph A.; Kenney, Patrick S.

1997-01-01

Today's modern flight simulation research produces vast amounts of time sensitive data, making a qualitative analysis of the data difficult while it remains in a numerical representation. Therefore, a method of merging related data together and presenting it to the user in a more comprehensible format is necessary. Simulation Graphics (SimGraph) is an object-oriented data visualization software package that presents simulation data in animated graphical displays for easy interpretation. Data produced from a flight simulation is presented by SimGraph in several different formats, including: 3-Dimensional Views, Cockpit Control Views, Heads-Up Displays, Strip Charts, and Status Indicators. SimGraph can accommodate the addition of new graphical displays to allow the software to be customized to each user s particular environment. A new display can be developed and added to SimGraph without having to design a new application, allowing the graphics programmer to focus on the development of the graphical display. The SimGraph framework can be reused for a wide variety of visualization tasks. Although it was created for the flight simulation facilities at NASA Langley Research Center, SimGraph can be reconfigured to almost any data visualization environment. This paper describes the capabilities and operations of SimGraph.

[ROLE OF THE SYMPATHOADRENOMEDULLARY SYSTEM IN FORMATION OF PILOT'S ADAPTATION TO FLIGHT LOADS].

PubMed

Sukhoterin, A F; Pashchenko, P S; Plakhov, N N; Zhuravlev, A G

2015-01-01

Purpose of the work was to evaluate the sympathoadrenomedullary functions and associated psychophysiological reactions of pilots as a function of flight hours on highly maneuverable aircraft. Volunteers to the investigation were 78 pilots (41 pilots of maneuverable aircraft and 37 pilots of bombers and transporters). Selected methods were to enable comprehensive evaluation of the body functioning against flight loads. Our results evidence that piloting of high maneuverable aircraft but not of bombing and transporting aircrafts activates the sympathoadrenomedullary system significantly. This is particularly common to young pilots with the total flying time less than 1000 hours. Adaptive changes to flight factors were noted to develop with age and experience.

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages and microfacies analysis of the Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene (?) platform carbonate sequence in the Central Taurides, S Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solak, Cemile; Taslı, Kemal; Koç, Hayati

2017-04-01

The Upper Cretaceous succession outcropping in the area known as Anamas-Akseki Autochton or Geyikdaǧı Unit, which is situated western part of the Central Taurides, consists of approximately 500 m thick purely platform carbonate sediments. Integrated microfacies/facies studies and biostratigraphic analysis of the Kuyucak stratigraphic section provided to recognise depositional settings and benthic foraminiferal biozones. The Upper Cretaceous begins with Cenomanian limestones intercalated with limestone breccias (Unit 1) containing mainly Pseudorhapydionina dubia, Cuneolina pavonia, Nezzazata simplex (Association 1) and unconformably overlies the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian) limestones with Vercorsella laurentii, Praechrysalidina infracretacea and Salpingoporella hasi. The Cenomanian limestones include benthic foraminiferal packstone/wackestone, peloidal packstone/wackestone and mudstone microfacies deposited restricted platform conditions. Intercalations of emersion breccias suggest sporadic subaerial exposure of the platform. The Cenomanian succession are truncated by an unconformity characterised by locale bauxite infills. Immediately above the unconformable surface, dolomitic limestones and rudistid limestones (Unit 2) are assigned to the upper Campanian based on the benthic foraminiferal assemblage (Association 2) comprising mainly Murciella cuvillieri, Pseudocyclammina sphaeroidea, Accordiella conica, Scandonea samnitica and Fleuryana adriatica. The upper Campanian limestones composed of dominantly benthic foraminiferal packstone/wackestone microfacies deposited in shallow water environments with low water energy, subjected to restriction in water circulation, The following limestones of the Unit 2 is characterised by sporadic intercalation of "open shelf" Orbitoides, Omphalocyclus, Siderolites assemblage (Association 3), assigned to the Maastrichtian, in addition to pre-existing "restricted platform" species. Pseudedomia hekimhanensis and Helenocyclina beotica are occasionally accompanied this association. In the upper half of this biozone, the Rhapydionina liburnica subzone (Association 3b) is distinguished by the first occurences of Valvulina aff. triangularis, Loftusia minor as well as the nominal species. The Maastrichtian limestones with sporadically open marine influence consist mostly of bioclastic/microbioclastic (rudist-bearing) wackestone/packstone/grainstone, benthic foraminiferal packstone/wackestone with rudist fragments and peloidal/intraclastic packstone/wackestone microfacies deposited in shallow subtidal-subtidal (lagoonal) environments characterised by different hydrodynamic regimes (low to high energy). The Upper Cretaceous succession passes upwardly into 70 meters thick limestones and clayey limestones (Unit 3) which do not contain rudists and pre-existing foraminiferal assemblage with one exception Valvulina aff. triangularis. Variable amounts of ostracoda, Discorbidae, Miliolidae, dasycladacean algae and Stomatorbina sp. (Association 4) occur into muddy-rich microfacies suggesting restricted conditions with low water energy. A probable Paleocene age is proposed for the Unit 3 based on the occurence of Valvulina aff. triangularis and Stomatorbina sp. which were previously recorded from Paleocene of peri-Tethian platforms. The Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene(?) platform carbonate succession is unconformably overlain by conglomerate, limestone with Nummulites and siliciclastic sediments of the Eocene age. We thank to the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for a financial support with project no:115Y130.

Condensation of cosmic analog material in microgravity conditions - Preliminary analysis of a first set of flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mancini, D.; Bussoletti, E.; Mennella, V.; Vittone, A. A.; Colangeli, L.; Mirra, C.; Stephens, J.; Nuth, J.; Lilleleht, L.; Furgeson, F.

1992-01-01

The first results of the STARDUST project, aimed at producing and analyzing cosmic-dust analog materials in microgravity conditions, are summarized. The discussion covers the purpose of the investigation, cosmic-dust formation and properties, previous simulations of cosmic-dust formation, the current approach, the microgravity experimental apparatus, and potential advantages of studying dust formation under microgravity conditions.

The 'missing man' formation concluded the memorial for the STS 51-L crew

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

The 'missing man' formation concluded the memorial services at JSC for the STS 51-L crew. Four NASA T-38 jet aircraft were used for the symbolic flight. A small portion of the crowd is visible in the bottom portion of the frame.

Support activities to maintain SUMS flight readiness, volume 3. Attachment B: Flight STS-35 report, section A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Willie

1992-01-01

The Shuttle Upper Atmosphere Mass Spectrometer (SUMS), a component experiment of the NASA Orbital Experiments Program (OEX), was flown aboard the shuttle Columbia (OV102) mounted at the forward end of the nose landing gear well with an atmospheric gas inlet system fitted to the lower fuselage (chin panel) surface. The SUMS was designed to provide atmospheric data in flow regimes inaccessible prior to the development of the Space Transportation System (STS). The experiment mission operation begins about 1 hour prior to shuttle de-orbit entry maneuver and continues until reaching 1.6 torr (about 86 km altitude). The SUMS flew a total of three missions, 61C, STS-35, and STS-40. Between flights, the SUMS was maintained in flight ready status. The flight data has been analyzed by the NASA LaRC Aerothermodynamics Branch. Flight data spectrum plots and reports are presented in the Appendices to the Final Technical Report for NAS1-17399. This volume presents flight data for flight STS-35 in graphical format.

Flight Test Results from the NF-15B Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) Project with Adaptation to a Simulated Stabilator Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosworth, John T.; Williams-Hayes, Peggy S.

2007-01-01

Adaptive flight control systems have the potential to be more resilient to extreme changes in airplane behavior. Extreme changes could be a result of a system failure or of damage to the airplane. A direct adaptive neural-network-based flight control system was developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NF-15B Intelligent Flight Control System airplane and subjected to an inflight simulation of a failed (frozen) (unmovable) stabilator. Formation flight handling qualities evaluations were performed with and without neural network adaptation. The results of these flight tests are presented. Comparison with simulation predictions and analysis of the performance of the adaptation system are discussed. The performance of the adaptation system is assessed in terms of its ability to decouple the roll and pitch response and reestablish good onboard model tracking. Flight evaluation with the simulated stabilator failure and adaptation engaged showed that there was generally improvement in the pitch response; however, a tendency for roll pilot-induced oscillation was experienced. A detailed discussion of the cause of the mixed results is presented.

Flight Test Results from the NF-15B Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) Project with Adaptation to a Simulated Stabilator Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosworth, John T.; Williams-Hayes, Peggy S.

2010-01-01

Adaptive flight control systems have the potential to be more resilient to extreme changes in airplane behavior. Extreme changes could be a result of a system failure or of damage to the airplane. A direct adaptive neural-network-based flight control system was developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NF-15B Intelligent Flight Control System airplane and subjected to an inflight simulation of a failed (frozen) (unmovable) stabilator. Formation flight handling qualities evaluations were performed with and without neural network adaptation. The results of these flight tests are presented. Comparison with simulation predictions and analysis of the performance of the adaptation system are discussed. The performance of the adaptation system is assessed in terms of its ability to decouple the roll and pitch response and reestablish good onboard model tracking. Flight evaluation with the simulated stabilator failure and adaptation engaged showed that there was generally improvement in the pitch response; however, a tendency for roll pilot-induced oscillation was experienced. A detailed discussion of the cause of the mixed results is presented.

A Direct Method for Fuel Optimal Maneuvers of Distributed Spacecraft in Multiple Flight Regimes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Steven P.; Cooley, D. S.; Guzman, Jose J.

2005-01-01

We present a method to solve the impulsive minimum fuel maneuver problem for a distributed set of spacecraft. We develop the method assuming a non-linear dynamics model and parameterize the problem to allow the method to be applicable to multiple flight regimes including low-Earth orbits, highly-elliptic orbits (HEO), Lagrange point orbits, and interplanetary trajectories. Furthermore, the approach is not limited by the inter-spacecraft separation distances and is applicable to both small formations as well as large constellations. Semianalytical derivatives are derived for the changes in the total AV with respect to changes in the independent variables. We also apply a set of constraints to ensure that the fuel expenditure is equalized over the spacecraft in formation. We conclude with several examples and present optimal maneuver sequences for both a HE0 and libration point formation.

Nutrition Session Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lane, Helen; Stein, T. P.

1999-01-01

Nutrition deficiencies affect multiple systems including muscle, bone, cardiovascular, renal, and gastrointestinal. Humans require many nutrients, ranging from the macronutrients (water, protein, energy sources) to micronutrients (minerals, vitamins). The ability to withstand shortfalls in intake of individual nutrients ranges from one or two days (e.g., water) to weeks (energy, protein, potassium) and months (some vitamins, minerals). In addition to putting humans at risk for nutrition deficiencies, space flight may also change the absorption, hence the pharmacodynamics, of several important medications. Papers given in this session dealt with all of these nutritional and pharmacological factors related to space flight: (1) Protein metabolism and muscle formation. (2) Pharmacodynamics. (3) Calcium metabolism and bone formation/resorption. and (4) Fluid and electrolytes.

Lead-Free Experiment in a Space Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blanche, J. F.; Strickland, S. M.

2012-01-01

This Technical Memorandum addresses the Lead-Free Technology Experiment in Space Environment that flew as part of the seventh Materials International Space Station Experiment outside the International Space Station for approximately 18 months. Its intent was to provide data on the performance of lead-free electronics in an actual space environment. Its postflight condition is compared to the preflight condition as well as to the condition of an identical package operating in parallel in the laboratory. Some tin whisker growth was seen on a flight board but the whiskers were few and short. There were no solder joint failures, no tin pest formation, and no significant intermetallic compound formation or growth on either the flight or ground units.

The BIMDA shuttle flight mission: a low cost microgravity payload.

PubMed

Holemans, J; Cassanto, J M; Moller, T W; Cassanto, V A; Rose, A; Luttges, M; Morrison, D; Todd, P; Stewart, R; Korszun, R Z; Deardorff, G

1991-01-01

This paper presents the design, operation and experiment protocol of the Bioserve sponsored flights of the ITA Materials Dispersion Apparatus Payload (BIMDA) flown on the Space Shuttle on STS-37. The BIMDA payload represents a joint effort between ITA (Instrumentation Technology Associates, Inc.) and Bioserve Space Technologies, a NASA Center for the Commercial Development of Space, to investigate the methods and commercial potential of biomedical and fluid science applications in the microgravity environment of space. The BIMDA payload, flown in a Refrigerator/Incubator Module (R/IM) in the Orbiter middeck, consists of three different devices designed to mix fluids in space; four Materials Dispersion Apparatus (MDA) Minilabs developed by ITA, six Cell Syringes, and six Bioprocessing Modules both developed by NASA JSC and Bioserve. The BIMDA design and operation reflect user needs for late access prior to launch (<24 h) and early access after landing (<2 h). The environment for the payload is temperature controlled by the R/IM. The astronaut crew operates the payload and documents its operation. The temperature of the payload is recorded automatically during flight. The flight of the BIMDA payload is the first of two development flights of the MDA on the Space Shuttle. Future commercial flights of ITA's Materials Dispersion Apparatus on the Shuttle will be sponsored by NASA's Office of Commercial Programs and will take place over the next three years. Experiments for the BIMDA payload include research into the following areas: protein crystal growth, thin film membrane casting, collagen formation, fibrin clot formation, seed germination, enzymatic catalysis, zeolite crystallization, studies of mixing effects of lymphocyte functions, and solute diffusion and transport.

Methods of Constructing a Blended Performance Function Suitable for Formation Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, John J.

2017-01-01

This paper presents two methods for constructing an approximate performance function of a desired parameter using correlated parameters. The methods are useful when real-time measurements of a desired performance function are not available to applications such as extremum-seeking control systems. The first method approximates an a priori measured or estimated desired performance function by combining real-time measurements of readily available correlated parameters. The parameters are combined using a weighting vector determined from a minimum-squares optimization to form a blended performance function. The blended performance function better matches the desired performance function mini- mum than single-measurement performance functions. The second method expands upon the first by replacing the a priori data with near-real-time measurements of the desired performance function. The resulting blended performance function weighting vector is up- dated when measurements of the desired performance function are available. Both methods are applied to data collected during formation- flight-for-drag-reduction flight experiments.

Web Formation - Skylab Student Experiment ED-52

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

This chart describes the Skylab student experiment Web Formation. Judith S. Miles of Lexington High School, Lexington, Massachusetts, proposed a study of the spider's behavior in a weightless environment. The geometrical structure of the web of the orb-weaving spider provides a good measure of the condition of its central nervous system. Since the spider senses its own weight to determine the required thickness of web material and uses both the wind and gravity to initiate construction of its web, the lack of gravitational force in Skylab provided a new and different stimulus to the spider's behavioral response. Two common cross spiders, Arabella and Anita, were used for the experiment aboard the Skylab-3 mission. After initial disoriented attempts, both spiders produced almost Earth-like webs once they had adapted to weightlessness. In March 1972, NASA and the National Science Teachers Association selected 25 experiment proposals for flight on Skylab. Science advisors from the Marshall Space Flight Center aided and assisted the students in developing the proposals for flight on Skylab.

Spaceflight reduces somatic embryogenesis in orchardgrass (Poaceae)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conger, B. V.; Tomaszewski, Z. Jr; McDaniel, J. K.; Vasilenko, A.

1998-01-01

Somatic embryos initiate and develop from single mesophyll cells in in vitro cultured leaf segments of orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Segments were plated at time periods ranging from 21 to 0.9 d (21 h) prior to launch on an 11 d spaceflight (STS-64). Using a paired t-test, there was no significant difference in embryogenesis from preplating periods of 14 d and 21 d. However, embryogenesis was reduced by 70% in segments plated 21 h before launch and this treatment was significant at P=0.0001. The initial cell divisions leading to embryo formation would be taking place during flight in this treatment. A higher ratio of anticlinal:periclinal first cell divisions observed in the flight compared to the control tissue suggests that microgravity affects axis determination and embryo polarity at a very early stage. A similar reduction in zygotic embryogenesis would reduce seed formation and have important implications for long-term space flight or colonization where seeds would be needed either for direct consumption or to grow another generation of plants.

Measured Aerodynamic Interaction of Two Tiltrotors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamauchi, Gloria K.; Wadcock, Alan J.; Derby, Michael R.

2003-01-01

The aerodynamic interaction of two model tilrotors in helicopter-mode formation flight is investigated. Three cenarios representing tandem level flight, tandem operations near the ground, and a single tiltrotor operating above thc ground for varying winds are examined. The effect of aircraft separation distance on the thrust and rolling moment of the trailing aircraft with and without the presence of a ground plane are quantified. Without a ground plane, the downwind aircraft experiences a peak rolling moment when the right (left) roto- of the upwind aircraft is laterally aligned with the left (right) rotor of the downwind aircraft. The presence of the ground plane causes the peak rolling moment on the downwind aircraft to occur when the upwind aircraft is further outboard of the downwind aircraft. Ground plane surface flow visualization images obtained using rufts and oil are used to understand mutual interaction between the two aircraft. These data provide guidance in determining tiltrotor flight formations which minimize disturbance to the trailing aircraft.

Simulation of Attitude and Trajectory Dynamics and Control of Multiple Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoneking, Eric T.

2009-01-01

Agora software is a simulation of spacecraft attitude and orbit dynamics. It supports spacecraft models composed of multiple rigid bodies or flexible structural models. Agora simulates multiple spacecraft simultaneously, supporting rendezvous, proximity operations, and precision formation flying studies. The Agora environment includes ephemerides for all planets and major moons in the solar system, supporting design studies for deep space as well as geocentric missions. The environment also contains standard models for gravity, atmospheric density, and magnetic fields. Disturbance force and torque models include aerodynamic, gravity-gradient, solar radiation pressure, and third-body gravitation. In addition to the dynamic and environmental models, Agora supports geometrical visualization through an OpenGL interface. Prototype models are provided for common sensors, actuators, and control laws. A clean interface accommodates linking in actual flight code in place of the prototype control laws. The same simulation may be used for rapid feasibility studies, and then used for flight software validation as the design matures. Agora is open-source and portable across computing platforms, making it customizable and extensible. It is written to support the entire GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) design cycle, from rapid prototyping and design analysis, to high-fidelity flight code verification. As a top-down design, Agora is intended to accommodate a large range of missions, anywhere in the solar system. Both two-body and three-body flight regimes are supported, as well as seamless transition between them. Multiple spacecraft may be simultaneously simulated, enabling simulation of rendezvous scenarios, as well as formation flying. Built-in reference frames and orbit perturbation dynamics provide accurate modeling of precision formation control.

STS-36 Mission Specialist Hilmers with AEROLINHOF camera on aft flight deck

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-03-03

STS-36 Mission Specialist (MS) David C. Hilmers points the large-format AEROLINHOF camera out overhead window W7 on the aft flight deck of Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104. Hilmers records Earth imagery using the camera. Hilmers and four other astronauts spent four days, 10 hours and 19 minutes aboard OV-104 for the Department of Defense (DOD) devoted mission.

Biotechnology

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-07-31

Renal stones are never convenient, but they are a particular concern for astronauts who have limited access to treatment during flight. Researchers are examining how earthbound preventions for renal stone formation work in flight, ensuring missions are not ended prematurely due to this medical condition. The micrograph shows calcium oxalate crystals in urine. These small crystals can develop to form renal stones. Principal Investigator: Dr. Peggy Whitson, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX.

Flying in a flock comes at a cost in pigeons.

PubMed

Usherwood, James R; Stavrou, Marinos; Lowe, John C; Roskilly, Kyle; Wilson, Alan M

2011-06-22

Flying birds often form flocks, with social, navigational and anti-predator implications. Further, flying in a flock can result in aerodynamic benefits, thus reducing power requirements, as demonstrated by a reduction in heart rate and wingbeat frequency in pelicans flying in a V-formation. But how general is an aerodynamic power reduction due to group-flight? V-formation flocks are limited to moderately steady flight in relatively large birds, and may represent a special case. What are the aerodynamic consequences of flying in the more usual 'cluster' flock? Here we use data from innovative back-mounted Global Positioning System (GPS) and 6-degrees-of-freedom inertial sensors to show that pigeons (1) maintain powered, banked turns like aircraft, imposing dorsal accelerations of up to 2g, effectively doubling body weight and quadrupling induced power requirements; (2) increase flap frequency with increases in all conventional aerodynamic power requirements; and (3) increase flap frequency when flying near, particularly behind, other birds. Therefore, unlike V-formation pelicans, pigeons do not gain an aerodynamic advantage from flying in a flock. Indeed, the increased flap frequency, whether due to direct aerodynamic interactions or requirements for increased stability or control, suggests a considerable energetic cost to flight in a tight cluster flock.

Flying in a flock comes at a cost in pigeons

PubMed Central

Usherwood, James R.; Stavrou, Marinos; Lowe, John C.; Roskilly, Kyle; Wilson, Alan M.

2011-01-01

Flying birds often form flocks, with social1, navigational2 and anti-predator3 implications. Further, flying in a flock can result in aerodynamic benefits, thus reducing power requirements4, as demonstrated by a reduction in heart rate and wingbeat frequency in pelicans flying in a V-formation5. But how general is an aerodynamic power reduction due to group-flight? V-formation flocks are limited to moderately steady flight in relatively large birds, and may represent a special case. What are the aerodynamic consequences of flying in the more usual ‘cluster’ 6,7 flock? Here, we use data from innovative back-mounted GPS and 6 degree of freedom inertial sensors to show that pigeons 1) maintain powered, banked turns like aircraft, imposing dorsal accelerations of up to 2g, effectively doubling body weight and quadrupling induced power requirements; 2) increase flap frequency with increases in all conventional aerodynamic power requirements; and 3) increase flap frequency when flying near, particularly behind, other birds. Therefore, unlike V-formation pelicans, pigeons do not gain an aerodynamic advantage from flying in a flock; indeed, the increased flap frequency – whether due to direct aerodynamic interactions or requirements for increased stability or control – suggests a considerable energetic cost to flight in a tight cluster flock. PMID:21697946

Hardware-In-The-Loop Testing of Continuous Control Algorithms for a Precision Formation Flying Demonstration Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naasz, Bo J.; Burns, Richard D.; Gaylor, David; Higinbotham, John

2004-01-01

A sample mission sequence is defined for a low earth orbit demonstration of Precision Formation Flying (PFF). Various guidance navigation and control strategies are discussed for use in the PFF experiment phases. A sample PFF experiment is implemented and tested in a realistic Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation using the Formation Flying Test Bed (FFTB) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

An Integrated Vision-Based System for Spacecraft Attitude and Topology Determination for Formation Flight Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Aaron; Anderson, Kalle; Mracek, Anna; Zenick, Ray

2004-01-01

With the space industry's increasing focus upon multi-spacecraft formation flight missions, the ability to precisely determine system topology and the orientation of member spacecraft relative to both inertial space and each other is becoming a critical design requirement. Topology determination in satellite systems has traditionally made use of GPS or ground uplink position data for low Earth orbits, or, alternatively, inter-satellite ranging between all formation pairs. While these techniques work, they are not ideal for extension to interplanetary missions or to large fleets of decentralized, mixed-function spacecraft. The Vision-Based Attitude and Formation Determination System (VBAFDS) represents a novel solution to both the navigation and topology determination problems with an integrated approach that combines a miniature star tracker with a suite of robust processing algorithms. By combining a single range measurement with vision data to resolve complete system topology, the VBAFDS design represents a simple, resource-efficient solution that is not constrained to certain Earth orbits or formation geometries. In this paper, analysis and design of the VBAFDS integrated guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) technology will be discussed, including hardware requirements, algorithm development, and simulation results in the context of potential mission applications.

Flight Dynamics Analysis for Leonardo-BRDF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Steven P.; Mailhe, Laurie; Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Leonardo-BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) is a new NASA mission concept proposed to allow the investigation of radiative transfer and its effect on the Earth's climate and atmospheric phenomenon. Enabled by the recent developments in small-satellite and formation flying technology, the mission is envisioned to be composed of an array of spacecraft in carefully designed orbits. The different perspectives provided by a distributed array of spacecraft offer a unique advantage to study the Earth's albedo. This paper presents the flight dynamics analysis performed in the context of the Leonardo-BRDF science requirements. First, the albedo integral is investigated and the effect of viewing geometry on science return is studied. The method used in this paper, based on Gauss quadrature, provides the optimal formation geometry to ensure that the value of the integral is accurately approximated. An orbit design approach is presented to achieve specific relative orbit geometries while simultaneously satisfying orbit dynamics constraints to reduce formation-keeping fuel expenditure. The relative geometry afforded by the design is discussed in terms of mission requirements. An optimal Lambert initialization scheme is presented with the required Delta-V to distribute all spacecraft from a common parking orbit into their appropriate orbits in the formation. Finally, formation-keeping strategies are developed and the associated Delta-V's are calculated to maintain the formation in the presence of perturbations.

Upwash exploitation and downwash avoidance by flap phasing in ibis formation flight.

PubMed

Portugal, Steven J; Hubel, Tatjana Y; Fritz, Johannes; Heese, Stefanie; Trobe, Daniela; Voelkl, Bernhard; Hailes, Stephen; Wilson, Alan M; Usherwood, James R

2014-01-16

Many species travel in highly organized groups. The most quoted function of these configurations is to reduce energy expenditure and enhance locomotor performance of individuals in the assemblage. The distinctive V formation of bird flocks has long intrigued researchers and continues to attract both scientific and popular attention. The well-held belief is that such aggregations give an energetic benefit for those birds that are flying behind and to one side of another bird through using the regions of upwash generated by the wings of the preceding bird, although a definitive account of the aerodynamic implications of these formations has remained elusive. Here we show that individuals of northern bald ibises (Geronticus eremita) flying in a V flock position themselves in aerodynamically optimum positions, in that they agree with theoretical aerodynamic predictions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that birds show wingtip path coherence when flying in V positions, flapping spatially in phase and thus enabling upwash capture to be maximized throughout the entire flap cycle. In contrast, when birds fly immediately behind another bird--in a streamwise position--there is no wingtip path coherence; the wing-beats are in spatial anti-phase. This could potentially reduce the adverse effects of downwash for the following bird. These aerodynamic accomplishments were previously not thought possible for birds because of the complex flight dynamics and sensory feedback that would be required to perform such a feat. We conclude that the intricate mechanisms involved in V formation flight indicate awareness of the spatial wake structures of nearby flock-mates, and remarkable ability either to sense or predict it. We suggest that birds in V formation have phasing strategies to cope with the dynamic wakes produced by flapping wings.

Imaging Sensor Flight and Test Equipment Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freestone, Kathleen; Simeone, Louis; Robertson, Byran; Frankford, Maytha; Trice, David; Wallace, Kevin; Wilkerson, DeLisa

2007-01-01

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) is one of the components onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, and was designed to detect and locate lightning over the tropics. The LIS flight code was developed to run on a single onboard digital signal processor, and has operated the LIS instrument since 1997 when the TRMM satellite was launched. The software provides controller functions to the LIS Real-Time Event Processor (RTEP) and onboard heaters, collects the lightning event data from the RTEP, compresses and formats the data for downlink to the satellite, collects housekeeping data and formats the data for downlink to the satellite, provides command processing and interface to the spacecraft communications and data bus, and provides watchdog functions for error detection. The Special Test Equipment (STE) software was designed to operate specific test equipment used to support the LIS hardware through development, calibration, qualification, and integration with the TRMM spacecraft. The STE software provides the capability to control instrument activation, commanding (including both data formatting and user interfacing), data collection, decompression, and display and image simulation. The LIS STE code was developed for the DOS operating system in the C programming language. Because of the many unique data formats implemented by the flight instrument, the STE software was required to comprehend the same formats, and translate them for the test operator. The hardware interfaces to the LIS instrument using both commercial and custom computer boards, requiring that the STE code integrate this variety into a working system. In addition, the requirement to provide RTEP test capability dictated the need to provide simulations of background image data with short-duration lightning transients superimposed. This led to the development of unique code used to control the location, intensity, and variation above background for simulated lightning strikes at user-selected locations.

A high affinity monoclonal antibody recognizing the light chain of human coagulating factor VII.

PubMed

Sarial, Sheila; Asadi, Farzad; Jeddi-Tehrani, Mahmood; Hadavi, Reza; Bayat, Ali Ahmad; Mahmoudian, Jafar; Taghizadeh-Jahed, Masoud; Shokri, Fazel; Rabbani, Hodjattallah

2012-12-01

Factor VII (FVII) is a serine protease-coagulating element responsible for the initiation of an extrinsic pathway of clot formation. Here we generated and characterized a high affinity monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes human FVII. Recombinant human FVII (rh-FVII) was used for the production of a monoclonal antibody using BALB/c mice. The specificity of the antibody was determined by Western blot using plasma samples from human, mouse, sheep, goat, bovine, rabbit, and rat. Furthermore, the antibody was used to detect transiently expressed rh-FVII in BHK21 cell line using Western blot and sandwich ELISA. A mouse IgG1 (kappa chain) monoclonal antibody clone 1F1-B11 was produced against rh-FVII. The affinity constant (K(aff)) of the antibody was calculated to be 6.4×10(10) M(-1). The antibody could specifically recognize an epitope on the light chain of hFVII, with no reactivity with factor VII from several other animals. In addition, transiently expressed rh-FVII in BHK21 cells was recognized by 1F1-B11. The high affinity as well as the specificity of 1F1-B11 for hFVII will facilitate the affinity purification of hFVII and also production of FVII deficient plasma and minimizes the risk of bovine FVII contamination when fetal bovine serum-supplemented media are used for production and subsequent purification of rh-FVII.

On the Miocene Cyprideis species flock (Ostracoda; Crustacea) of Western Amazonia (Solimões Formation): Refining taxonomy on species level

PubMed Central

Gross, Martin; Ramos, Maria Ines F.; Piller, Werner E.

2016-01-01

The Miocene mega-wetland of western Amazonia holds a diverse, largely endemic ostracod fauna. Among them, especially the genus Cyprideis experienced a remarkable radiation. Micropalaeontologic investigations of a 400 m long sediment core (~62 km SW Benjamin Constant, Amazonia, Brazil) permitted a taxonomic revision of about two-thirds of hitherto described Cyprideis species. We evaluate the diagnostic value of shell characters and provide an extensive illustration of the intraspecific variability of species. Based on comparative morphology, the 20 recorded Cyprideis species are arranged in groups and subgroups. The “smooth” group comprises C. amazonica, C. kotzianae, C. kroemmelbeini, C. machadoi, C. multiradiata, C. olivencai, C. paralela and C. simplex; the “ornate” group C. curucae nom. nov., C. cyrtoma, C. aff. graciosa, C. inversa, C. ituiae n. sp., C. matorae n. sp., C. minipunctata, C. munoztorresi nom. nov., C. pebasae, C. reticulopunctata, C. schedogymnos and C. sulcosigmoidalis. Five species have been revalidated, two renamed, two synonymised and two are new descriptions. Along with 10 further formally established species, for which a review is pending, Cyprideis keeps at least 30 endemic species in that region during Miocene times. Up to 12 Cyprideis species have been found to occur sympatrically, representing >90 % of the entire ostracod fauna. Ostracod index species enable a biostratigraphic allocation of the well succession to the Cyprideis minipunctata to Cyprideis cyrtoma biozones, corresponding to a late Middle to early Late Miocene age (late Serravallian–early Tortonian). PMID:25543674

On the Miocene Cyprideis species flock (Ostracoda; Crustacea) of Western Amazonia (Solimões Formation): Refining taxonomy on species level.

PubMed

Gross, Martin; Ramos, Maria Ines F; Piller, Werner E

2014-12-18

The Miocene mega-wetland of western Amazonia holds a diverse, largely endemic ostracod fauna. Among them, especially the genus Cyprideis experienced a remarkable radiation. Micropalaeontologic investigations of a 400 m long sediment core (~62 km SW Benjamin Constant, Amazonia, Brazil) permitted a taxonomic revision of about two-thirds of hitherto described Cyprideis species. We evaluate the diagnostic value of shell characters and provide an extensive illustration of the intraspecific variability of species. Based on comparative morphology, the 20 recorded Cyprideis species are arranged in groups and subgroups. The "smooth" group comprises C. amazonica, C. kotzianae, C. kroemmelbeini, C. machadoi, C. multiradiata, C. olivencai, C. paralela and C. simplex; the "ornate" group C. curucae nom. nov., C. cyrtoma, C. aff. graciosa, C. inversa, C. ituiae n. sp., C. matorae n. sp., C. minipunctata, C. munoztorresi nom. nov., C. pebasae, C. reticulopunctata, C. schedogymnos and C. sulcosigmoidalis. Five species have been revalidated, two renamed, two synonymised and two are new descriptions. Along with 10 further formally established species, for which a review is pending, Cyprideis keeps at least 30 endemic species in that region during Miocene times. Up to 12 Cyprideis species have been found to occur sympatrically, representing >90% of the entire ostracod fauna. Ostracod index species enable a biostratigraphic allocation of the well succession to the Cyprideis minipunctata to Cyprideis cyrtoma biozones, corresponding to a late Middle to early Late Miocene age (late Serravallian-early Tortonian).

Calcium Kinetics During Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Scott M.; OBrien, K. O.; Abrams, S. A.; Wastney, M. E.

2005-01-01

Bone loss during space flight is one of the most critical challenges to astronaut health on space exploration missions. Defining the time course and mechanism of these changes will aid in developing means to counteract bone loss during space flight, and will have relevance for other clinical situations that impair weight-bearing activity. Bone health is a product of the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Early space research could not clearly identify which of these was the main process altered in bone loss, but identification of the collagen crosslinks in the 1990s made possible a clear understanding that the impact of space flight was greater on bone resorption, with bone formation being unchanged or only slightly decreased. Calcium kinetics data showed that bone resorption was greater during flight than before flight (668 plus or minus 130 vs. 427 plus or minus 153 mg/d, p less than 0.001), and clearly documented that true intestinal calcium absorption was lower during flight than before flight (233 plus or minus 87 vs. 460 plus or minus 47 mg/d, p less than 0.01). Weightlessness had a detrimental effect on the balance in bone turnover: the difference between daily calcium balance during flight (-234 plus or minus 102 mg/d) and calcium balance before flight (63 plus or minus 75 mg/d) approached 300 mg/d (p less than 0.01). These data demonstrate that the bone loss that occurs during space flight is a consequence of increased bone resorption and decreased intestinal calcium absorption. Examining the changes in bone and calcium homeostasis in the initial days and weeks of space flight, as well as at later times on missions longer than 6 months, is critical to understanding the nature of bone adaptation to weightlessness. To increase knowledge of these changes, we studied bone adaptation to space flight on the 16-day Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) mission. When the brave and talented crew of Columbia were lost during reentry on the tragic morning of February 1, 2003, in a much smaller matter, the scientific products of this experiment, successfully obtained on orbit, were lost as well. As we begin to plan for missions back to the Moon, and even off to Mars, many questions remain to be answered. Counteracting bone loss is one of the greatest challenges. Calcium kinetics studies provide a valuable tool for assessing this loss, and evaluating countermeasures.

5-inch-size liquid crystal flat panel display evaluation test by flight simulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawahara, Hiroyasu; Watanabe, Akira; Wakairo, Kaoru; Udagawa, Tomoyuki; Kurihara, Yoichiro

An evaluation test is conducted on the function, performance, and display format of a 5x5 inch flat panel display (FPD) in a flight simulator. The FPD utilizes a color liquid crystal panel that is compact and lightweight and has excellent visibility. The simulator evaluation test is carried out in sequence with the conventional takeoff and landing to altitude, and then conversion to STOL procedures for flight path and subsequent approach and landing. It is shown that the liquid crystal display could be employed as a satisfactory indicator for aircraft instrumentation.

Advanced Caution and Warning System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spirkovska, Lilly; Robinson, Peter I.; Liolios, Sotirios; Lee, Charles; Ossenfort, John P.

2013-01-01

The current focus of ACAWS is on the needs of the flight controllers. The onboard crew in low-Earth orbit has some of those same needs. Moreover, for future deep-space missions, the crew will need to accomplish many tasks autonomously due to communication time delays. Although we are focusing on flight controller needs, ACAWS technologies can be reused for on-board application, perhaps with a different level of detail and different display formats or interaction methods. We expect that providing similar tools to the flight controllers and the crew could enable more effective and efficient collaboration as well as heightened situational awareness.

Range Commanders Council Meteorology Group 88th Meeting: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Task Report, 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, Barry C.

2004-01-01

Supported Return-to-Flight activities by providing surface climate data from Kennedy Space Center used primarily for ice and dew formation studies, and upper air wind analysis primarily used for ascent loads analyses. The MSFC Environments Group's Terrestrial and Planetary Environments Team documented Space Shuttle day-of-launch support activities by publishing a document in support of SSP Return-to-Flight activities entitled "Space Shuttle Program Flight Operations Support". The team also formalized the Shuttle Natural Environments Technical Panel and chaired the first special session of the SSP Natural Environments Panel meeting at KSC, November 4-7,2003.58 participants from NASA, DOD and other government agencies from across the country attended the meeting.

Novel flight instrument display to minimize the risk of spatial disorientation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Braithwaite, Malcolm G.; Durnford, Simon J.

1997-06-01

This novel flight instrument display presents information to the pilot in a simple and easily comprehensible format by integrating the five orientational flight parameters. It allows the pilot to select specific orientation parameters and then follow a simple tracking task which ensures that these parameters are maintained or, if necessary, recovered. The pilot can at any time check any parameter he wishes, but is free from the requirement to continually sample and combine information from the traditional instruments to maintain stable flight. Cognitive workload to maintain orientation is thus reduced. Our assessment of the display in a UH-60 helicopter simulator showed that the novel display makes recovery from unusual aircraft attitudes and instrument flying easier than when using the standard instrument panel.

Meteorological conditions during the formation of ice on aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samuels, L T

1932-01-01

These are the results of a number of records recently secured from autographic meteorological instruments mounted on airplanes at times when ice formed. Ice is found to collect on an airplane only when the airplane is in some form of visible moisture, such as cloud, fog, mist, rain. etc., and the air temperature is within certain critical limits. Described here are the characteristics of clear ice and rime ice and the specific types of hazards they present to airplanes and lighter than air vehicles. The weather records are classified according to the two general types of formation (clear ice and rime) together with the respective temperatures, relative humidities, clouds, and elevations above ground at which formations occurred. This classification includes 108 cases where rime formed, 43 cases in which clear ice formed, and 4 cases when both rime and clear ice formed during the same flight. It is evident from the above figures that there was a preponderance of rime by the ratio of 2.5 to 1, while in only a few cases both types of ice formation occurred during the same flight.

Modern pesticides and bobwhite populations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stromborg, K.L.; Schitoskey, Frank=; Schitoskey, Elizabeth C.; Talent, Larry G.

1982-01-01

Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) are frequently used as test animals for wildlife tests of pesticides. The organophosphate and carbamate pesticides that have replaced the organochlorines have many desirable properties, but they span a wide range of acute toxicities and some of them affe,ct survival, reproduction, food consumption, behavior, and nervous system enzymes in laboratory tests. Applying these laboratory findings to the field requires assumptions about the severity of exposure in the field. Direct field measurements show that birds may be exposed to significant amounts of these pesticides or even more toxic degradation products under some conditions. Adverse population effects may also result from depression of insect populations during the seasons when bobwhites rely on insects for food.

Signal Processing of Underwater Acoustic Waves

DTIC Science & Technology

1969-11-01

Shift of CW Pulse •’m/sec m/see AMl % Af/f % <_1 iŔ S;onar Ship ±! is 1,500 - 2 0.2 Radar Airplane ±- 500 3 x 108 +-+0.0003 0 01 The sonar, radar, and...cos[wot + CFt )j (5.27) j or y(t) = a(t) cos Cowt + 0(t) sin wot (5.28) where a(t) = R(t) cos PF(t) ( 0(t) = -R(t) sin ’P(t) .(5.29) JI SEC 5 6...paper by Middleton and Van Meter (1955), but if this is not available, the Harvard thesis of van Meter (1955) and Chap- ters 18 and 19 of Middleton’s

Undergraduate Experiences of Division I Athlete Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Graduates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Comeaux, Eddie; Bachman, Tina; Burton, Rena M.; Aliyeva, Aida

2017-02-01

Employing the conceptual model developed by Comeaux and Harrison (Coll Stud Aff J 30(1):75-87, 2011), this study explored the undergraduate experience of Division I athlete STEM graduates. Data collection involved 17 in-depth interviews with former athletes at two research-intensive, public institutions. Results revealed that pre-college characteristics, involvement in purposeful STEM-related activities, and sport participation, as well as academic support and guidance within athletic departments, play important roles in shaping the experiences of athletes who earn STEM degrees. Implications for student affairs professionals, faculty, and others who frequently interact with college athletes and are committed to creating more equitable educational environments are discussed.

Mesozoic Bivalvia from Clerke and Mermaid Canyons, northwest Australian continental slope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grant-Mackie, J. A.

Four sets of rock samples from two sites off the northwest Australian shelf in 3625-4480 m of water contain macrofaunas, mainly bivalves, of warm shallow-water origin. Mermaid Canyon (16 deg 19 min S, 118 deg 23 min E) provided many samples of oolitic calcarenite containing Pseudopecten (Pseudopecten) dugong n.sp., indicating an Early Jurassic age and Tethyan relationship. Three hand-specimens from the ridge forming the western edge of Clerke Canyon (16 deg 29 min S, 118 deg 30 min E) yielded a Norian coral-?Lima-oyster assemblage and the Norian-Rhaetian bivalve Palaeocardita aff. globiformis (Boettger). The latter shows relationship with south-east Asian (Indonesia-Vietnam-south China) forms.

A rule-based system for real-time analysis of control systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larson, Richard R.; Millard, D. Edward

1992-10-01

An approach to automate the real-time analysis of flight critical health monitoring and system status is being developed and evaluated at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility. A software package was developed in-house and installed as part of the extended aircraft interrogation and display system. This design features a knowledge-base structure in the form of rules to formulate interpretation and decision logic of real-time data. This technique has been applied for ground verification and validation testing and flight testing monitoring where quick, real-time, safety-of-flight decisions can be very critical. In many cases post processing and manual analysis of flight system data are not required. The processing is described of real-time data for analysis along with the output format which features a message stack display. The development, construction, and testing of the rule-driven knowledge base, along with an application using the X-31A flight test program, are presented.

Fifty years of human space travel: implications for bone and calcium research.

PubMed

Smith, S M; Abrams, S A; Davis-Street, J E; Heer, M; O'Brien, K O; Wastney, M E; Zwart, S R

2014-01-01

Calcium and bone metabolism remain key concerns for space travelers, and ground-based models of space flight have provided a vast literature to complement the smaller set of reports from flight studies. Increased bone resorption and largely unchanged bone formation result in the loss of calcium and bone mineral during space flight, which alters the endocrine regulation of calcium metabolism. Physical, pharmacologic, and nutritional means have been used to counteract these changes. In 2012, heavy resistance exercise plus good nutritional and vitamin D status were demonstrated to reduce loss of bone mineral density on long-duration International Space Station missions. Uncertainty continues to exist, however, as to whether the bone is as strong after flight as it was before flight and whether nutritional and exercise prescriptions can be optimized during space flight. Findings from these studies not only will help future space explorers but also will broaden our understanding of the regulation of bone and calcium homeostasis on Earth.

A rule-based system for real-time analysis of control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larson, Richard R.; Millard, D. Edward

1992-01-01

An approach to automate the real-time analysis of flight critical health monitoring and system status is being developed and evaluated at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility. A software package was developed in-house and installed as part of the extended aircraft interrogation and display system. This design features a knowledge-base structure in the form of rules to formulate interpretation and decision logic of real-time data. This technique has been applied for ground verification and validation testing and flight testing monitoring where quick, real-time, safety-of-flight decisions can be very critical. In many cases post processing and manual analysis of flight system data are not required. The processing is described of real-time data for analysis along with the output format which features a message stack display. The development, construction, and testing of the rule-driven knowledge base, along with an application using the X-31A flight test program, are presented.

Support activities to maintain SUMS flight readiness, volume 7. Attachment B: Flight STS-35 report, section E

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Willie

1992-01-01

The Shuttle Upper Atmosphere Mass Spectrometer (SUMS), a component experiment of the NASA Orbital Experiments Program (OEX), was flown aboard the shuttle Columbia (OV102) mounted at the forward end of the nose landing gear well with an atmospheric gas inlet system fitted to the lower fuselage (chin panel) surface. The SUMS was designed to provide atmospheric data in flow regimes inaccessible prior to the development of the Space Transportation System (STS). The experiment mission operation begins about 1 hour prior to shuttle de-orbit entry maneuver and continues until reaching 1.6 torr (about 86 km altitude). The SUMS flew a total of three missions, 61C, STS-35, STS-40. Between flights, the SUMS was maintained in flight ready status. The flight data has been analyzed by the NASA LaRC Aerothermodynamics Branch. Flight data spectrum plots and reports are presented in the Appendices to the Final Technical Report for NAS1-17399. This volume presents data from the reentry of flight STS-35 in tabular and graphical format.

Calcium metabolism before, during, and after a 3-mo spaceflight: kinetic and biochemical changes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. M.; Wastney, M. E.; Morukov, B. V.; Larina, I. M.; Nyquist, L. E.; Abrams, S. A.; Taran, E. N.; Shih, C. Y.; Nillen, J. L.; Davis-Street, J. E.;

Lateral spread of sonic boom measurements from US Air Force boomfile flight tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downing, J. Micah

1992-01-01

A series of sonic boom flight tests were conducted by the US Air Force at Edwards AFB in 1987 with current supersonic DOD aircraft. These tests involved 43 flights by various aircraft at different Mach number and altitude combinations. The measured peak overpressures to predicted values as a function of lateral distance are compared. Some of the flights are combined into five groups because of the varying profiles and the limited number of sonic booms obtained during this study. The peak overpressures and the lateral distances are normalized with respect to the Carlson method predicted centerline overpressures and lateral cutoff distances, respectively, to facilitate comparisons between sonic boom data from similar flight profiles. It is demonstrated that the data agrees with sonic boom theory and previous studies and adds to the existing sonic boom database by including sonic boom signatures, tracking, and weather data in a digital format.

Farfield inflight measurements of high-speed turboprop noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balombin, J. R.; Loeffler, I. J.

1983-01-01

A flight program was carried out to determine the variation of noise level with distance from a model high-speed propeller. Noise measurements were obtained at different distances from a SR-3 propeller mounted on a JetStar aircraft, with the test instrumentation mounted on a Learjet flown in formation. The propeller was operated at 0.8 m flight Mach number, 1.12 helical tip Mach number and at 0.7 flight Mach number, 1.0 helical tip Mach number. The instantaneous pressure from individual blades was observed to rise faster at the 0.8 flight speed, than at the 0.7 M flight speed. The measured levels appeared to decrease in good agreement with a 6 dB/doubling of distance decay, over the measurement range of approximately 16 m to 100 m distance. Further extrapolation, to the distances represented by a community, would suggest that the propagated levels during cruise would not cause a serious community annoyance.

EC94-42513-3

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-03-15

The three thrust-vectoring aircraft at Edwards, California, each capable of flying at extreme angles of attack, cruise over the California desert in formation during flight in March 1994. They are, from left, NASA's F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV), flown by the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center; the X-31, flown by the X-31 International Test Organization (ITO) at Dryden; and the Air Force F-16 Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring (MATV) aircraft.

NASA thesaurus: Astronomy vocabulary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

A terminology of descriptors used by the NASA Scientific and Technical information effort to index documents in the area of astronomy is presented. The terms are listed in hierarchical format derived from the 1988 edition of the NASA Thesaurus Volume 1 -- Hierarchical Listing. Over 1600 terms are included. In addition to astronomy, space sciences covered include astrophysics, cosmology, lunar flight and exploration, meteors and meteorites, celestial mechanics, planetary flight and exploration, and planetary science.

[Formation and development of flight-surgeon examination in the Branch No. 1 of Main Military Clinical Hospital n. a. N.N.Burdenko].

PubMed

Esipov, A V; Tsyganok, V A; Vartbaronov, R A

2012-10-01

The history of formation and development of branch No. 1 FSI "Main Military Clinical Hospital n. a. N.N.Burdenko of the Ministry of Defense of the RF" is described in the article. The hospital celebrates in this year the 65-years anniversary of scientific and medical activity in the field of military clinical medicine, aviation clinical medicine and a fight-surgeon's examination. The leading historical role of this establishment in support of flight safety, combat readiness and anti-aircraft rocket troops is shown, and then last 10 years and in Air Forces of Russia, and also the basic achievements of branch in successful scientific and medical activity from 1946 till present time are given. Prospects of the further development of this branch are substantially connected to the increase of intensification of research works together with leading military-medical establishments of an aviation profile: Institute of Military medicine of Military-medical Academy, the Central flight-surgeon commission and 3 branch of FSI "3 Central military Clinical Hospital MD RF" etc.,--in solution of the large state problem of decrease of accident rate and rising of a medical flight safety of the RF State aviation.

Simulation of the Simbol-X Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauvin, M.; Roques, J. P.

2009-05-01

We have developed a simulation tool for a Wolter I telescope operating in formation flight. The aim is to understand and predict the behavior of the Simbol-X instrument. As the geometry is variable, formation flight introduces new challenges and complex implications. Our code, based on Monte Carlo ray tracing, computes the full photon trajectories up to the detector plane, along with the relative drifts of the two spacecrafts. It takes into account angle and energy dependent interactions of the photons with the mirrors and applies to any grazing incidence telescope. The resulting images of simulated sources from 0.1 keV to 100 keV allow us to optimize the configuration of the instrument and to assess the performance of the Simbol-X telescope.

An extended BET format for La RC shuttle experiments: Definition and development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Findlay, J. T.; Kelly, G. M.; Henry, M. W.

1981-01-01

A program for shuttle post-flight data reduction is discussed. An extended Best Estimate Trajectory (BET) file was developed. The extended format results in some subtle changes to the header record. The major change is the addition of twenty-six words to each data record. These words include atmospheric related parameters, body axis rate and acceleration data, computed aerodynamic coefficients, and angular accelerations. These parameters were added to facilitate post-flight aerodynamic coefficient determinations as well as shuttle entry air data sensor analyses. Software (NEWBET) was developed to generate the extended BET file utilizing the previously defined ENTREE BET, a dynamic data file which may be either derived inertial measurement unit data or aerodynamic coefficient instrument package data, and some atmospheric information.

GMI-IPS: Python Processing Software for Aircraft Campaigns

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Damon, M. R.; Strode, S. A.; Steenrod, S. D.; Prather, M. J.

2018-01-01

NASA's Atmospheric Tomography Mission (ATom) seeks to understand the impact of anthropogenic air pollution on gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Four flight campaigns are being deployed on a seasonal basis to establish a continuous global-scale data set intended to improve the representation of chemically reactive gases in global atmospheric chemistry models. The Global Modeling Initiative (GMI), is creating chemical transport simulations on a global scale for each of the ATom flight campaigns. To meet the computational demands required to translate the GMI simulation data to grids associated with the flights from the ATom campaigns, the GMI ICARTT Processing Software (GMI-IPS) has been developed and is providing key functionality for data processing and analysis in this ongoing effort. The GMI-IPS is written in Python and provides computational kernels for data interpolation and visualization tasks on GMI simulation data. A key feature of the GMI-IPS, is its ability to read ICARTT files, a text-based file format for airborne instrument data, and extract the required flight information that defines regional and temporal grid parameters associated with an ATom flight. Perhaps most importantly, the GMI-IPS creates ICARTT files containing GMI simulated data, which are used in collaboration with ATom instrument teams and other modeling groups. The initial main task of the GMI-IPS is to interpolate GMI model data to the finer temporal resolution (1-10 seconds) of a given flight. The model data includes basic fields such as temperature and pressure, but the main focus of this effort is to provide species concentrations of chemical gases for ATom flights. The software, which uses parallel computation techniques for data intensive tasks, linearly interpolates each of the model fields to the time resolution of the flight. The temporally interpolated data is then saved to disk, and is used to create additional derived quantities. In order to translate the GMI model data to the spatial grid of the flight path as defined by the pressure, latitude, and longitude points at each flight time record, a weighted average is then calculated from the nearest neighbors in two dimensions (latitude, longitude). Using SciPya's Regular Grid Interpolator, interpolation functions are generated for the GMI model grid and the calculated weighted averages. The flight path points are then extracted from the ATom ICARTT instrument file, and are sent to the multi-dimensional interpolating functions to generate GMI field quantities along the spatial path of the flight. The interpolated field quantities are then written to a ICARTT data file, which is stored for further manipulation. The GMI-IPS is aware of a generic ATom ICARTT header format, containing basic information for all flight campaigns. The GMI-IPS includes logic to edit metadata for the derived field quantities, as well as modify the generic header data such as processing dates and associated instrument files. The ICARTT interpolated data is then appended to the modified header data, and the ICARTT processing is complete for the given flight and ready for collaboration. The output ICARTT data adheres to the ICARTT file format standards V1.1. The visualization component of the GMI-IPS uses Matplotlib extensively and has several functions ranging in complexity. First, it creates a model background curtain for the flight (time versus model eta levels) with the interpolated flight data superimposed on the curtain. Secondly, it creates a time-series plot of the interpolated flight data. Lastly, the visualization component creates averaged 2D model slices (longitude versus latitude) with overlaid flight track circles at key pressure levels. The GMI-IPS consists of a handful of classes and supporting functionality that have been generalized to be compatible with any ICARTT file that adheres to the base class definition. The base class represents a generic ICARTT entry, only defining a single time entry and 3D spatial positioning parameters. Other classes inherit from this base class; several classes for input ICARTT instrument files, which contain the necessary flight positioning information as a basis for data processing, as well as other classes for output ICARTT files, which contain the interpolated model data. Utility classes provide functionality for routine procedures such as: comparing field names among ICARTT files, reading ICARTT entries from a data file and storing them in data structures, and returning a reduced spatial grid based on a collection of ICARTT entries. Although the GMI-IPS is compatible with GMI model data, it can be adapted with reasonable effort for any simulation that creates Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) files. The same can be said of its adaptability to ICARTT files outside of the context of the ATom mission. The GMI-IPS contains just under 30,000 lines of code, eight classes, and a dozen drivers and utility programs. It is maintained with GIT source code management and has been used to deliver processed GMI model data for the ATom campaigns that have taken place to date.

Neoproterozoic Stromatolites and Microphytolites of the Spitsbergen Archipelago

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anisimov, Artem; Anisimova, Svetlana; Kosteva, Natalia

2017-04-01

The Svalbard archipelago is located in the extreme North-West of the Barents Sea. On the archipelago in the framework of large-scale exploration of the continental shelf exploration work carried out by employees of the Polar Marine Geological Expedition (PMGE). The authors were further explored and tested the Neoproterozoic sections of the Groups Veteranen, Akademikarbreen and Polarisbreen on the East and West banks of the Sorgfjorden (the Northern part of the Ny Friesland Peninsula) and in the moraine of the glacier Duner. The rocks carbonate-terrigenous Veteranen Group (upper Riphean) is set in the rocky outcrops on the Western and Eastern banks of Sorgfjorden and in ice-dressed rocks of the Bay. The Group consists of four Formations (bottom to top): Kortbreen, Kingbreen, Glasgowbreen and Oxfordbreen. The rocks carbonate-terrigenous Akademikarbreen Group (upper Riphean) have a lower areal distribution than the breed Veteranen Group in the project area is established only in the southern part of the Bay, in the valleys Kluftdalen, Rivnedalen and small-unnamed streams, as well as on the plateau Fleinfjellet and Vidarfjellet. The Groups consists of four formation (bottom to top): Grusdievbreen, Svanbergfjellet, Draken and Backlundtoppen. According to previous researchers, limestone in Kingbreen Formation (Veteranen Group) met with radial-rayed Microphytolites group Radiosus. And in light grey, cream, pink and red limestones of the Academikarbreen Group, in the Svanbergfjellet Formation defined columnar branching Stromatolites Inzeria djejimi Raab., Gymnosolen aff. ramsayi Steinm. Stromatolites of Conophyton miloradovichi Raab. in the dolomites of the overlying sediments Draken and Backlundtoppen Formations contain Vendian the bubbles Microphytolites Vesicularites bothrydioformis Krasnop. In carbonate rocks of the Akademikerbreen Group were confirmed by the finds of Neoproterozoic microbial entities identified by previous researchers, and identified new locations of columnar Stromatolites of the Conophyton garganicus Kor., columnar Stromatolites of the group Anabaria sp., Inseria chunnbergica Gol, Balcalia mariinica Dol., Lenia jacutica Dol., dome-columnar Stromatolites Tinnia patomica Dol. and formation Stromatolites Stratifera baracunica Dol. In the few carbonate interbeds of the Veteranen Group were found concentric layered Microphytolites of Osagia genuses. Upper Riphean sections of the Spitsbergen archipelago based on the paleontological and lithological-facial characteristics are correlated confidently with complex of Phytolites of the Riphean stratotype of the southern Urals of Russia. The results of the new biostratigraphic data can be used for paleogeographic reconstruction and recovery lithofacies of the Neoproterozoic of Spitsbergen. In future studies it is desirable to conduct mapping of fossil organogenic structures, setting their length, width, length, relationship with host sediments. This may have importance both for the solution of fundamental questions of evolution of life on Earth, and in the search of minerals such as manganese, cobalt, phosphorite, oil, natural gas.

The cultural significance of wild mushrooms in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background We performed an ethnomycological study in a community in Tlaxcala, Central Mexico to identify the most important species of wild mushrooms growing in an oak forest, their significance criteria, and to validate the Cultural Significance Index (CSI). Methods Thirty-three mestizo individuals were randomly selected in San Mateo Huexoyucan and were asked seven questions based on criteria established by the CSI. Among the 49 mushroom species collected in the oak forest and open areas, 20 species were mentioned most often and were analyzed in more detail. Ordination and grouping techniques were used to determine the relationship between the cultural significance of the mushroom species, according to a perceived abundance index, frequency of use index, taste score appreciation index, multifunctional food index, knowledge transmission index, and health index. Results The mushrooms with highest CSI values were Agaricus campestris, Ramaria spp., Amanita aff. basii, Russula spp., Ustilago maydis, and Boletus variipes. These species were characterized by their good taste and were considered very nutritional. The species with the lowest cultural significance included Russula mexicana, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Strobylomyces strobilaceus. The ordination and grouping analyses identified four groups of mushrooms by their significance to the people of Huexoyucan. The most important variables that explained the grouping were the taste score appreciation index, health index, the knowledge transmission index, and the frequency of use index. Conclusions A. aff. basii and A. campestris were the most significant wild mushrooms to the people of San Mateo. The diversity of the Russula species and the variety of Amanita and Ramaria species used by these people was outstanding. Environments outside the forest also produced useful resources. The CSI used in Oaxaca was useful for determining the cultural significance of mushrooms in SMH, Tlaxcala. This list of mushrooms can be used in conservation proposals for the Quercus forests in the area. PMID:24597704

Dnmt3a deletion cooperates with the Flt3/ITD mutation to drive leukemogenesis in a murine model

PubMed Central

Poitras, Jennifer L.; Heiser, Diane; Li, Li; Nguyen, Bao; Nagai, Kozo; Duffield, Amy S.; Gamper, Christopher; Small, Donald

2016-01-01

Internal tandem duplications of the juxtamembrane domain of FLT3 (FLT3/ITD) are among the most common mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Resulting in constitutive activation of the kinase, FLT3/ITD portends a particularly poor prognosis, with reduced overall survival and increased rates of relapse. We previously generated a knock-in mouse, harboring an internal tandem duplication at the endogenous Flt3 locus, which develops a fatal myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), but fails to develop acute leukemia, suggesting additional mutations are necessary for transformation. To investigate the potential cooperativity of FLT3/ITD and mutant DNMT3A, we bred a conditional Dnmt3a knockout to a substrain of our Flt3/ITD knock-in mice, and found deletion of Dnmt3a significantly reduced median survival of Flt3ITD/+ mice in a dose dependent manner. As expected, pIpC treated Flt3ITD/+ mice solely developed MPN, while Flt3ITD/+;Dnmt3af/f and Flt3ITD/+;Dnmt3af/+ developed a spectrum of neoplasms, including MPN, T-ALL, and AML. Functionally, FLT3/ITD and DNMT3A deletion cooperate to expand LT-HSCs, which exhibit enhanced self-renewal in serial re-plating assays. These results illustrate that DNMT3A loss cooperates with FLT3/ITD to generate hematopoietic neoplasms, including AML. In combination with FLT3/ITD, homozygous Dnmt3a knock-out results in reduced time to disease onset, LT-HSC expansion, and a higher incidence of T-ALL compared with loss of just one allele. The co-occurrence of FLT3 and DNMT3A mutations in AML, as well as subsets of T-ALL, suggests the Flt3ITD/+;Dnmt3af/f model may serve as a valuable resource for delineating effective therapeutic strategies in two clinically relevant contexts. PMID:27636998

Reproduction during spaceflight by plants in the family Brassicaceae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Musgrave, M. E.; Kuang, A.

2001-01-01

Researchers report on studies of reproduction in Arabidopsis thaliana in space during during the Chromex-03 on STS-54, Chromex-04 on STS-51, and Chromex-05 on STS-68 missions. The obstacles to seed formation were related to carbon dioxide levels. Other experiments examined in flight pollination and seed production in Brassica rapa during parabolic flight, a 4-1/2 month stay on Mir, and on STS-87. During the Mir experiment, Brassica seeds were harvested from seeds sown in flight. The second generation seeds grew to produce new seeds that contained more starch and less protein and lipid when compared to ground control seeds.

The formation of nitrogen-containing organic oxidation products in a heavily polluted urban environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Q.; Cheng, X.; Zheng, Y.; Li, Y.; Zhu, T.; Zhang, Q.; Canagaratna, M. R.; Nowark, J.; Worsnop, D. R.

2017-12-01

Nitrogen-containing organic oxidation products are important species that may contribute to secondary organic aerosol and to redistribute nitrogen oxides through photolysis and oxidation. We deployed a nitrate ion chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer and a long time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer in Beijing for various seasons to study the nitrogen-containing organic species in both gas and particle phases. High concentrations of nitrated phenols were observed in both winter and summer, due to contributions from both primary and secondary sources. The concentrations of gaseous dinitrophenols tracked the severe haze events and correlated well with many highly oxygenated organic molecules. We also identified mass spectral tracers for quantifying organic nitrates. Significant photochemical production of nitrate and organic nitrates were evident during severe haze events, which may contribute to persistent particle formation. The findings are consistent with observed high OH turnover rates, highlighting the importance of gaseous oxidation pathways on persistent particle formation during haze.

An algorithm for enhanced formation flying of satellites in low earth orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Folta, David C.; Quinn, David A.

1998-01-01

With scientific objectives for Earth observation programs becoming more ambitious and spacecraft becoming more autonomous, the need for innovative technical approaches on the feasibility of achieving and maintaining formations of spacecraft has come to the forefront. The trend to develop small low-cost spacecraft has led many scientists to recognize the advantage of flying several spacecraft in formation to achieve the correlated instrument measurements formerly possible only by flying many instruments on a single large platform. Yet, formation flying imposes additional complications on orbit maintenance, especially when each spacecraft has its own orbit requirements. However, advances in automation and technology proposed by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) allow more of the burden in maneuver planning and execution to be placed onboard the spacecraft, mitigating some of the associated operational concerns. The purpose of this paper is to present GSFC's Guidance, Navigation, and Control Center's (GNCC) algorithm for Formation Flying of the low earth orbiting spacecraft that is part of the New Millennium Program (NMP). This system will be implemented as a close-loop flight code onboard the NMP Earth Orbiter-1 (EO-1) spacecraft. Results of this development can be used to determine the appropriateness of formation flying for a particular case as well as operational impacts. Simulation results using this algorithm integrated in an autonomous `fuzzy logic' control system called AutoCon™ are presented.

Reduced Heat Flux Through Preferential Surface Reactions Leading to Vibrationally and Electronically Excited Product States

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-04

release. 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Instead of characterizing a hypersonic flight environment and then selecting an appropriate thermal ...Instead of characterizing a hypersonic flight environment and then selecting an appropriate thermal protection system (TPS) that can survive the...than the O2(a1Δg) production rate on the surface. It is also interesting to note that the ground state formation seems to approach a constant

Bypass Ratio: The US Air Force and Light-Attack Aviation

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

for making recommendations which optimize base activity and its impact on the environment. Local and state politics can keep a base open even if it is...for the region, and this conduct can affect global commerce. Such disruption and destabilization in turn can have large impacts on the US diplomatic... IFR ) operations, emergency procedures, low-level flight and two-ship formation flight by this stage. Once track selection occurs, the light-attack

Design, Integration and Flight Test of a Pair of Autonomous Spacecraft Flying in Formation

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

representatives from the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, as...categories: elliptical , hyperbolic and parabolic (known as “Keplerian orbits”), each with their own characteristics and applications. These equations...of M-SAT’s operation is that of an elliptical nature, or more precisely a near-circular orbit. The primary method of determining the orbital elements

Relative Navigation of Formation Flying Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Long, Anne; Kelbel, David; Lee, Taesul; Leung, Dominic; Carpenter, Russell; Gramling, Cheryl; Bauer, Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The Guidance, Navigation, and Control Center (GNCC) at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has successfully developed high-accuracy autonomous satellite navigation systems using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) space and ground communications systems and the Global Positioning System (GPS). In addition, an autonomous navigation system that uses celestial object sensor measurements is currently under development and has been successfully tested using real Sun and Earth horizon measurements.The GNCC has developed advanced spacecraft systems that provide autonomous navigation and control of formation flyers in near-Earth, high-Earth, and libration point orbits. To support this effort, the GNCC is assessing the relative navigation accuracy achievable for proposed formations using GPS, intersatellite crosslink, ground-to-satellite Doppler, and celestial object sensor measurements. This paper evaluates the performance of these relative navigation approaches for three proposed missions with two or more vehicles maintaining relatively tight formations. High-fidelity simulations were performed to quantify the absolute and relative navigation accuracy as a function of navigation algorithm and measurement type. Realistically-simulated measurements were processed using the extended Kalman filter implemented in the GPS Enhanced Inboard Navigation System (GEONS) flight software developed by GSFC GNCC. Solutions obtained by simultaneously estimating all satellites in the formation were compared with the results obtained using a simpler approach based on differencing independently estimated state vectors.

Flight restriction prevents associative learning deficits but not changes in brain protein-adduct formation during honeybee ageing.

PubMed

Tolfsen, Christina C; Baker, Nicholas; Kreibich, Claus; Amdam, Gro V

2011-04-15

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) senesce within 2 weeks after they discontinue nest tasks in favour of foraging. Foraging involves metabolically demanding flight, which in houseflies (Musca domestica) and fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) is associated with markers of ageing such as increased mortality and accumulation of oxidative damage. The role of flight in honeybee ageing is incompletely understood. We assessed relationships between honeybee flight activity and ageing by simulating rain that confined foragers to their colonies most of the day. After 15 days on average, flight-restricted foragers were compared with bees with normal (free) flight: one group that foraged for ∼15 days and two additional control groups, for flight duration and chronological age, that foraged for ∼5 days. Free flight over 15 days on average resulted in impaired associative learning ability. In contrast, flight-restricted foragers did as well in learning as bees that foraged for 5 days on average. This negative effect of flight activity was not influenced by chronological age or gustatory responsiveness, a measure of the bees' motivation to learn. Contrasting their intact learning ability, flight-restricted bees accrued the most oxidative brain damage as indicated by malondialdehyde protein adduct levels in crude cytosolic fractions. Concentrations of mono- and poly-ubiquitinated brain proteins were equal between the groups, whereas differences in total protein amounts suggested changes in brain protein metabolism connected to forager age, but not flight. We propose that intense flight is causal to brain deficits in aged bees, and that oxidative protein damage is unlikely to be the underlying mechanism.

Flight restriction prevents associative learning deficits but not changes in brain protein-adduct formation during honeybee ageing

PubMed Central

Tolfsen, Christina C.; Baker, Nicholas; Kreibich, Claus; Amdam, Gro V.

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Honeybees (Apis mellifera) senesce within 2 weeks after they discontinue nest tasks in favour of foraging. Foraging involves metabolically demanding flight, which in houseflies (Musca domestica) and fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) is associated with markers of ageing such as increased mortality and accumulation of oxidative damage. The role of flight in honeybee ageing is incompletely understood. We assessed relationships between honeybee flight activity and ageing by simulating rain that confined foragers to their colonies most of the day. After 15 days on average, flight-restricted foragers were compared with bees with normal (free) flight: one group that foraged for ∼15 days and two additional control groups, for flight duration and chronological age, that foraged for ∼5 days. Free flight over 15 days on average resulted in impaired associative learning ability. In contrast, flight-restricted foragers did as well in learning as bees that foraged for 5 days on average. This negative effect of flight activity was not influenced by chronological age or gustatory responsiveness, a measure of the bees' motivation to learn. Contrasting their intact learning ability, flight-restricted bees accrued the most oxidative brain damage as indicated by malondialdehyde protein adduct levels in crude cytosolic fractions. Concentrations of mono- and poly-ubiquitinated brain proteins were equal between the groups, whereas differences in total protein amounts suggested changes in brain protein metabolism connected to forager age, but not flight. We propose that intense flight is causal to brain deficits in aged bees, and that oxidative protein damage is unlikely to be the underlying mechanism. PMID:21430210

Flight simulator evaluation of a novel flight instrument display to minimize the risks of spatial disorientation.

PubMed

Braithwaite, M G; Durnford, S J; Groh, S L; Jones, H D; Higdon, A A; Estrada, A; Alvarez, E A

1998-08-01

Spatial disorientation (SD) in flight remains a major source of attrition. Many SD accidents would occur regardless of the instrument display in use, since the aircrew are simply not looking at the instruments. However, there are a number of accidents which might be amenable to improved instrument displays. In an attempt to improve maintenance and reattainment of correct orientation with a reduced cognitive workload, a novel instrument display has been developed. This paper describes an assessment of the display in a UH-60 helicopter flight simulator. This study tested the hypothesis that during instrument flight and recovery from unusual attitudes, the novel display permits a more accurate maintenance and reestablishment of flight parameters than the standard flight instruments. There were 16 male aviators who flew a simulated instrument flight profile and recovery from unusual attitudes using both the standard flight instruments and the novel display. The two display formats were tested both with and without a secondary task. When compared with the standard instruments, both control of flight parameters and recovery from unusual attitudes were significantly improved when using the novel display. Analysis of the secondary task scores showed that cognitive workload was reduced when using the novel display compared with the standard instruments. Results from all aspects of the assessment indicated benefits of the new display. Future testing should be carried out during real flight, and the display should be further developed to be used in a head-up or helmet-mounted device.

A data reduction technique and associated computer program for obtaining vehicle attitudes with a single onboard camera

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bendura, R. J.; Renfroe, P. G.

1974-01-01

A detailed discussion of the application of a previously method to determine vehicle flight attitude using a single camera onboard the vehicle is presented with emphasis on the digital computer program format and data reduction techniques. Application requirements include film and earth-related coordinates of at least two landmarks (or features), location of the flight vehicle with respect to the earth, and camera characteristics. Included in this report are a detailed discussion of the program input and output format, a computer program listing, a discussion of modifications made to the initial method, a step-by-step basic data reduction procedure, and several example applications. The computer program is written in FORTRAN 4 language for the Control Data 6000 series digital computer.

NASA Dryden research pilot Gordon Fullerton flies his final mission in NASA F/A-18B #852 in formation with NASA F/A-18A #850 on Dec. 21, 2007.

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-12-21

Long-time NASA Dryden research pilot and former astronaut C. Gordon Fullerton capped an almost 50-year flying career, including more than 38 years with NASA, with a final flight in a NASA F/A-18 on Dec. 21, 2007. Fullerton and Dryden research pilot Jim Smolka flew a 90-minute pilot proficiency formation aerobatics flight with another Dryden F/A-18 and a Dryden T-38 before concluding with two low-level formation flyovers of Dryden before landing. Fullerton was honored with a water-cannon spray arch provided by two fire trucks from the Edwards Air Force Base fire department as he taxied the F/A-18 up to the Dryden ramp, and was then greeted by his wife Marie and several hundred Dryden staff after his final flight. Fullerton began his flying career with the U.S. Air Force in 1958 after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. Initially trained as a fighter pilot, he later transitioned to multi-engine bombers and became a bomber operations test pilot after attending the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He then was assigned to the flight crew for the planned Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory in 1966. Upon cancellation of that program, the Air Force assigned Fullerton to NASA's astronaut corps in 1969. He served on the support crews for the Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17 lunar missions, and was later assigned to one of the two flight crews that piloted the space shuttle prototype Enterprise during the Approach and Landing Test program at Dryden. He then logged some 382 hours in space when he flew on two early space shuttle missions, STS-3 on Columbia in 1982 and STS-51F on Challenger in 1985. He joined the flight crew branch at NASA Dryden after leaving the astronaut corps in 1986. During his 21 years at Dryden, Fullerton was project pilot on a number of high-profile research efforts, including the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft, the high-speed landing tests of sp

Formation Flight of Earth Satellites on KAM Tori

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

satellite formations, involves using the Hill- Clohessy - Wiltshire (HCW) equations, created originally for the Gemini Program [2]. These equations are given...the Perturbed J2-Modified Hill- Clohessy - Wiltshire Equations. MS thesis, The University of Texas at Arlington, 2006. 7. Kaasalainen, M. and J. Binney...107 xvii List of Abbreviations Abbreviation Page KAM Kolmogorov, Arnold and Moser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HCW Hill- Clohessy

Fused Reality for Enhanced Flight Test Capabilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachelder, Ed; Klyde, David

2011-01-01

The feasibility of using Fused Reality-based simulation technology to enhance flight test capabilities has been investigated. In terms of relevancy to piloted evaluation, there remains no substitute for actual flight tests, even when considering the fidelity and effectiveness of modern ground-based simulators. In addition to real-world cueing (vestibular, visual, aural, environmental, etc.), flight tests provide subtle but key intangibles that cannot be duplicated in a ground-based simulator. There is, however, a cost to be paid for the benefits of flight in terms of budget, mission complexity, and safety, including the need for ground and control-room personnel, additional aircraft, etc. A Fused Reality(tm) (FR) Flight system was developed that allows a virtual environment to be integrated with the test aircraft so that tasks such as aerial refueling, formation flying, or approach and landing can be accomplished without additional aircraft resources or the risk of operating in close proximity to the ground or other aircraft. Furthermore, the dynamic motions of the simulated objects can be directly correlated with the responses of the test aircraft. The FR Flight system will allow real-time observation of, and manual interaction with, the cockpit environment that serves as a frame for the virtual out-the-window scene.

Flight 1 technical report for experiment 74-37 contained polycrystalline solidification in low-G

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Papaziak, J. M.; Kattamis, T. Z.

1976-01-01

A .005 M solution of fluorescein in cyclohexanol was directionally solidified in a standard 10 x 10 x 45mm UV silica cuvette, using a bottom thermoelectric chilling device. Progress of the experiment was monitored by time lapse photography. During flight (SPAR I) the camera malfunctioned and only one quarter of the expected data were collected. Comparison of flight and ground specimens indicated that: (1) The dark green layer observed ahead of the solid-liquid interface which is most likely the solute-enriched zone, appears to be wider in the flight specimen; (2) Parasitic nucleation ahead of the solid-liquid interface in the flight sample led to an irregularly shaped interface, smaller grain size, equiaxed grain morphology and a larger average macroscopic growth rate; (3) The formation of equiaxed grains ahead of the solid-liquid interface in the flight specimen may be attributed to ordered islands within the liquid, which survived remelting because of the low degree of superheating (approximately equal to 1.5 C), did not settle because of reduced gravity and acted as nuclei during cooling.

Integrated Digital Flight Control System for the Space Shuttle Orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The objectives of the integrated digital flight control system (DFCS) is to provide rotational and translational control of the space shuttle orbiter in all phases of flight: from launch ascent through orbit to entry and touchdown, and during powered horizontal flights. The program provides a versatile control system structure while maintaining uniform communications with other programs, sensors, and control effectors by using an executive routine/functional subroutine format. The program reads all external variables at a single point, copies them into its dedicated storage, and then calls the required subroutines in the proper sequence. As a result, the flight control program is largely independent of other programs in the computer complex and is equally insensitive to characteristics of the processor configuration. The integrated structure is described of the control system and the DFCS executive routine which embodies that structure. The input and output, including jet selection are included. Specific estimation and control algorithm are shown for the various mission phases: cruise (including horizontal powered flight), entry, on-orbit, and boost. Attitude maneuver routines that interface with the DFCS are included.

Refrigerated Wind Tunnel Tests on Surface Coatings for Preventing Ice Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knight, Montgomery; Clay, William C

1930-01-01

This investigation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of various surface coatings as a means for preventing ice formations on aircraft in flight. The substances used as coatings for these tests are divided into two groups: compounds soluble in water, and those which are insoluble in water. It was found that certain soluble compounds were apparently effective in preventing the formation of ice on an airfoil model, while all insoluble compounds which were tested were found to be ineffective.

A Fully Coupled, Automated Formation Control System for Dissimilar Aircraft in Maneuvering Formation Flight

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-01

Command contracted with IBM in the mid seventies to build a drone formation control system capable of controlling a number of drone aircraft... Number 6, 1 July 1964 to 26 February 1965. Contract Number DA-36-039-AMC� (E), 1E1-20601-A219-03. Burlington, Massachusetts: Radio Corporation of ...PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONREPORT NUMBER Air Force Institute of Technology, WPAFB OH 45433-6583 AFIT/GE

Region Three Aerial Measurement System Flight Planning Tool - 12006

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Messick, Chuck; Pham, Minh; Smith, Ron

The Region 3 Aerial Measurement System Flight Planning Tool is used by the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), United States Department of Energy, Radiological Assistance Program, Region 3, to respond to emergency radiological situations. The tool automates the flight planning package process while decreasing Aerial Measuring System response times and decreases the potential for human error. Deployment of the Region Three Aerial Measurement System Flight Planning Tool has resulted in an immediate improvement to the flight planning process in that time required for mission planning has been reduced from 1.5 hours to 15 minutes. Anecdotally, the RAP team reports thatmore » the rate of usable data acquired during surveys has improved from 40-60 percent to over 90 percent since they began using the tool. Though the primary product of the flight planning tool is a pdf format document for use by the aircraft flight crew, the RAP team has begun carrying their laptop computer on the aircraft during missions. By connecting a Global Positioning System (GPS) device to the laptop and using ESRI ArcMap's GPS tool bar to overlay the aircraft position directly on the flight plan in real time, the RAP team can evaluate and correct the aircraft position as the mission is executed. (authors)« less

Career Profiles- Drawing Controller Kelvin Siu- Operations Engineering Branch

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-06-23

The Drawing Control group provides project support in the form of drafting services, drawing version management, and drawing archival. The office provides drafting services through creation of new drawings and sketches, or integration of red-lines. They maintain physical and electronic storage of flight vehicle drawings, and archive all sketches for the AFRC community. This office is the controlling organization for all Armstrong drawing formats and maintains the drawing numbering system for flight vehicle projects.

Expedition 20 crew portrait in Node 2

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-08-10

ISS020-E-029759 (10 Aug. 2009) --- Expedition 20 crew members give a “thumbs-up” signal as they pose in "star-burst" formation for an in-flight portrait in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Pictured clockwise from the bottom (center) are cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, commander; NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, all flight engineers.

IAE - Inflatable Antenna Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-05-20

STS077-150-044 (20 May 1996) --- Following its deployment from the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Spartan 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) payload is backdropped over the Grand Canyon. After the IAE completed its inflation process in free-flight, this view was photographed with a large format still camera. The activity came on the first full day of in-space operations by the six-member crew. Managed by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Spartan is designed to provide short-duration, free-flight opportunities for a variety of scientific studies. The Spartan configuration on this flight is unique in that the IAE is part of an additional separate unit which is ejected once the experiment is completed. The IAE experiment will lay the groundwork for future technology development in inflatable space structures, which will be launched and then inflated like a balloon on-orbit.

[Assessment of the risk factors for urolithiasis in cosmonauts during long flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arzamazov, G. S.; Witson, P. A.; Larina, O. N.; Pastushkova, L. Kh; Pak, C. T.; Whitson, P. A. (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

Twelve cosmonauts flown aboard the Mir orbital station for 6-12 months and twelve candidates for cosmonauts were examined in an effort to determine a degree of urolithiasis risk. Prior to flight, on flight day 310 (in one cosmonaut) and after flight, the daily urinary excretion of the components influencing lithiasis formation was determined as well as a computer-aided calculation of urine saturation by lithogenic salts was performed (Ch. Pak, USA). In the in- and postflight periods, the greater number of indices under study were negatively changed in cosmonauts. Excretion dynamics of the lithogenesis inhibitors, i.e., citrates and magnesium, is of polar directionality. Frequency of deviations from the normal indices of urolithic risk in cosmonauts is primarily conditioned by low diuresis, urine supersaturation with calcium oxalate, undissociated uric acid, brushit, hypercalciuria, and changed pH.

Effect of long real space flight on the whole genome mRNA expression properties in medaka Oryzias latipes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozlova, Olga; Gusev, Oleg; Levinskikh, Margarita; Sychev, Vladimir; Poddubko, Svetlana

The current study is addressed to the complex analysis of whole genome mRNA expression profile and properties of splicing variants formation in different organs of medaka fish exposed to prolonged space flight in the frame of joint Russia-Japan research program “Aquarium-AQH”. The fish were kept in the AQH joint-aquariums system in October-December 2013, followed by fixation in RNA-preserving buffers and freezing during the space flight. The samples we returned to the Earth frozen in March 2013 and mRNAs from four fish were sequenced in organ-specific manner using HiSeq Illumina sequencing platform. The ground group fish treated in the same way was used as a control. The comparison between the groups revealed space group-specific specific mRNA expression pattern. More than 50 genes (including several types of myosins) were down-regulated in the space group. Moreover, we found an evidence for formation of space group-specific splicing variants of mRNA. Taking together, the data suggest that in spite of aquatic environment, space flight-associated factors have a strong effect on the activity of fish genome. This work was supported in part by subsidy of the Russian Government to support the Program of competitive growth of Kazan Federal University among world class academic centres and universities.

Secretory granule formation and membrane recycling by the trans-Golgi network in adipokinetic cells of Locusta migratoria in relation to flight and rest.

PubMed

Diederen, J H; Vullings, H G

1995-03-01

The influence of flight activity on the formation of secretory granules and the concomitant membrane recycling by the trans-Golgi network in the peptidergic neurosecretory adipokinetic cells of Locusta migratoria was investigated by means of ultrastructural morphometric methods. The patterns of labelling of the trans-Golgi network by the exogenous adsorptive endocytotic tracer wheat-germ agglutinin-conjugated horse-radish peroxidase and by the endogenous marker enzyme acid phosphatase were used as parameters and were measured by an automatic image analysis system. The results show that endocytosed fragments of plasma membrane with bound peroxidase label were transported to the trans-Golgi network and used to build new secretory granules. The amounts of peroxidase and especially of acid phosphatase within the trans-Golgi network showed a strong tendency to be smaller in flight-stimulated cells than in non-stimulated cells. The amounts of acid phosphatase in the immature secretory granules originating from the trans-Golgi network were significantly smaller in stimulated cells. The number of immature secretory granules positive for acid phosphatase tended to be higher in stimulated cells. Thus, flight stimulation of adipokinetic cells for 1 h influences the functioning of the trans-Golgi network; this most probably results in a slight enhancement of the production of secretory granules by the trans-Golgi network.

Men and Women in Space: Bone Loss and Kidney Stone Risk after Long-Duration Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Scott M.; Zwart, Sara R.; Heer, Martina; Hudson, Edgar, K.; Shackelford, Linda; Morgan, Jennifer L. L.

2014-01-01

Bone loss on Earth is more prevalent in women than men, leading to the assumption that women may be at greater risk from bone loss during flight. Until recently, the number of women having flown long-duration missions was too small to allow any type of statistical analysis. We report here data from 42 astronauts on long-duration missions to the International Space Station, 33 men and 9 women. Bone mineral density (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), bone biochemistry (from blood and urine samples), and renal stone risk factors were evaluated before and after flight. Data were analyzed in two groups, based on available resistance exercise equipment. The response of bone mineral density to flight was the same for men and women, and the typical decrease in bone mineral density (whole body and/or regional) after flight was not observed for either sex for those using an Advanced Resistive Exercise Device. Bone biochemistry, specifically markers of formation and resorption, generally responded similarly in male and female astronauts. The response of urinary supersaturation risk to space flight was not significantly different between men and women, although risks were typically increased after flight in both groups and risks were generally greater in men than in women before and after flight. Overall, the bone and renal stone responses of men and women to space flight were not different.

Oocyte membrane localization of vitellogenin receptor coincides with queen flying age, and receptor silencing by RNAi disrupts egg formation in fire ant virgin queens.

PubMed

Lu, Hsiao-Ling; Vinson, S B; Pietrantonio, Patricia V

2009-06-01

In ant species in which mating flights are a strategic life-history trait for dispersal and reproduction, maturation of virgin queens occurs. However, the specific molecular mechanisms that mark this transition and the effectors that control premating ovarian growth are unknown. The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) is responsible for vitellogenin uptake during egg formation in insects. In the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), virgin queens have more abundant VgR transcripts than newly mated queens, but limited egg formation. To elucidate whether the transition to egg production involved changes in VgR expression, we investigated both virgin and mated queens. In both queens, western blot analysis showed an ovary-specific VgR band (approximately 202 kDa), and immunofluorescence analysis of ovaries detected differential VgR localization in early- and late-stage oocytes. However, the VgR signal was much lower in virgin queens ready to fly than in mated queens 8 h post mating flight. In virgin queens, the receptor signal was first observed at the oocyte membrane beginning at day 12 post emergence, coinciding with the 2 weeks of maturation required before a mating flight. Thus, the membrane localization of VgR appears to be a potential marker for queen mating readiness. Silencing of the receptor in virgin queens through RNA interference abolished egg formation, demonstrating that VgR is involved in fire ant ovary development pre mating. To our knowledge, this is the first report of RNA interference in any ant species and the first report of silencing of a hymenopteran VgR.

Integrated digital flight-control system for the space shuttle orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The integrated digital flight control system is presented which provides rotational and translational control of the space shuttle orbiter in all phases of flight: from launch ascent through orbit to entry and touchdown, and during powered horizontal flights. The program provides a versatile control system structure while maintaining uniform communications with other programs, sensors, and control effectors by using an executive routine/functional subroutine format. The program reads all external variables at a single point, copies them into its dedicated storage, and then calls the required subroutines in the proper sequence. As a result, the flight control program is largely independent of other programs in the GN&C computer complex and is equally insensitive to the characteristics of the processor configuration. The integrated structure of the control system and the DFCS executive routine which embodies that structure are described along with the input and output. The specific estimation and control algorithms used in the various mission phases are given.

In-flight near- and far-field acoustic data measured on the Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) testbed and with an adjacent aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodward, Richard P.; Loeffler, Irvin J.

1993-04-01

Flight tests to define the far-field tone source at cruise conditions were completed on the full-scale SR-7L advanced turboprop that was installed on the left wing of a Gulfstream 2 aircraft. This program, designated Propfan Test Assessment (PTA), involved aeroacoustic testing of the propeller over a range of test conditions. These measurements defined source levels for input into long-distance propagation models to predict en route noise. In-flight data were taken for seven test cases. Near-field acoustic data were taken on the Gulfstream fuselage and on a microphone boom that was mounted on the Gulfstream wing outboard of the propeller. Far-field acoustic data were taken by an acoustically instrumented Learjet that flew in formation with the Gulfstream. These flight tests were flown from El Paso, Texas, and from the NASA Lewis Research Center. A comprehensive listing of the aeroacoustic results from these flight tests which may be used for future analysis are presented.

In-flight near- and far-field acoustic data measured on the Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) testbed and with an adjacent aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodward, Richard P.; Loeffler, Irvin J.

1993-01-01

Flight tests to define the far-field tone source at cruise conditions were completed on the full-scale SR-7L advanced turboprop that was installed on the left wing of a Gulfstream 2 aircraft. This program, designated Propfan Test Assessment (PTA), involved aeroacoustic testing of the propeller over a range of test conditions. These measurements defined source levels for input into long-distance propagation models to predict en route noise. In-flight data were taken for seven test cases. Near-field acoustic data were taken on the Gulfstream fuselage and on a microphone boom that was mounted on the Gulfstream wing outboard of the propeller. Far-field acoustic data were taken by an acoustically instrumented Learjet that flew in formation with the Gulfstream. These flight tests were flown from El Paso, Texas, and from the NASA Lewis Research Center. A comprehensive listing of the aeroacoustic results from these flight tests which may be used for future analysis are presented.

Influence of wing tip morphology on vortex dynamics of flapping flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna, Swathi; Mulleners, Karen

2013-11-01

The mechanism of flapping wing flight provides insects with extraordinary flight capabilities. The uniquely shaped wing tips give insects an edge in flight performance and the interaction between the leading edge vortices and wing tip vortices enhance their propelling efficiencies and manoeuvrability. These are qualities that are sought after in current-day Micro Air Vehicles. A detailed understanding of the vortex dynamics of flapping flight and the influence of the wing tip planform is imperative for technical application. An experimental study is conducted to investigate the effects of different wing tip planforms on the formation, evolution and interaction of vortical structures. We thereby focus on the interaction between the coherent structures evolving from the leading edge and the wing tip during pitching and flapping motions.The spatial and temporal evolution of the three-dimensional flow structures are determined using Scanning (Stereo) Particle Image Velocimetry and an in-depth coherent structure analysis. By comparing the vortex dynamics, the aerodynamic performance of various wing tip planforms are evaluated.

Farfield inflight measurement of high-speed turboprop noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balombin, J. R.; Loeffler, I. J.

1982-01-01

A flight program was carried out to determine the variation of noise level with distance from a model high speed propeller. Noise measurements were obtained at different distances from a SR-3 propeller mounted on a JetStar aircraft, with the test instrumentation mounted on a Lear jet flown in formation. The propeller was operated at 0.8 flight Mach number, 1.12 helical tip Mach number and at 0.7 flight Mach number, 1.0 helical tip Mach number. The instantaneous pressure from individual blades was observed to rise faster at the 0.8 M flight speed, than at the 0.7 M flight speed. The measured levels appeared to decrease in good agreement with a 6 dB/doubling of distance decay, over the measurement range of approximately 16 m to 100 m distance. Further extrapolation, to the distances represented by a community, would suggest that the propagated levels during cruise would not cause a serious community annoyance.

Initial Satellite Formation Flight Results from the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Trevor; Ottenstein, Neil; Palmer, Eric; Farahmand, Mitra

2016-01-01

This paper describes the underlying dynamics of formation flying in a high-eccentricity orbit such as that of the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. The GPS-based results used for MMS navigation is summarized, as well as the procedures that are used to design the maneuvers used to place the spacecraft into a tetrahedron formation and then maintain it. The details of how to carry out these maneuvers are then discussed. Finally, the numerical results that have been obtained concerning formation flying for the MMS mission to date (e.g. tetrahedron sizes flown, maneuver execution error, fuel usage, etc.) are presented in detail.

One-Dimensional Spacecraft Formation Flight Testbed for Terrestrial Charged Relative Motion Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seubert, Carl R.

Spacecraft operating in a desired formation offers an abundance of attractive mission capabilities. One proposed method of controlling a close formation of spacecraft is with Coulomb (electrostatic) forces. The Coulomb formation flight idea utilizes charge emission to drive the spacecraft to kilovolt-level potentials and generate adjustable, micronewton- to millinewton-level Coulomb forces for relative position control. In order to advance the prospects of the Coulomb formation flight concept, this dissertation presents the design and implementation of a unique one-dimensional testbed. The disturbances of the testbed are identified and reduced below 1 mN. This noise level offers a near-frictionless platform that is used to perform relative motion actuation with electrostatics in a terrestrial atmospheric environment. Potentials up to 30 kV are used to actuate a cart over a translational range of motion of 40 cm. A challenge to both theoretical and hardware implemented electrostatic actuation developments is correctly modeling the forces between finite charged bodies, outside a vacuum. To remedy this, studies of Earth orbit plasmas and Coulomb force theory is used to derive and propose a model of the Coulomb force between finite spheres in close proximity, in a plasma. This plasma force model is then used as a basis for a candidate terrestrial force model. The plasma-like parameters of this terrestrial model are estimated using charged motion data from fixed-potential, single-direction experiments on the testbed. The testbed is advanced to the level of autonomous feedback position control using solely Coulomb force actuation. This allows relative motion repositioning on a flat and level track as well as an inclined track that mimics the dynamics of two charged spacecraft that are aligned with the principal orbit axis. This controlled motion is accurately predicted with simulations using the terrestrial force model. This demonstrates similarities between the partial charge shielding of space-based plasmas to the electrostatic screening in the laboratory atmosphere.

Cosmonauts' haemostasis system status before and after space flights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzichkin, Dmitry; Markin, Andrey; Morukov, Boris

Introduction. It is known that cosmonauts expose themselves to psychophysical effort in different phases of space flights as well as in pre- and post-flight period. Stress affects different body systems functioning changes including haemostasis system. It is shown that adrenalin directly activates XII coagulation cascade factor [McKay D. G., Latour I. G., Parrish M. N.,1970], initiating intrinsic clotting pathway and affects fibrinogen concentration increase in plasma [Zubairov D. M., 1978]. A post-flight increase in the fibrinogen concentration was revealed with its drop up to the pre-flight level within rehabilitation period [T. Peter Stein, Margaret D., 2006]. Stress agents influence on haemostasis system is physiologically determined and directed to body preparation before probable blood loss. One can consider this process as a function of intrinsic clotting pathway. But in case of blood loss absence the preliminary permanent coagulation activation can lead to appearance of thrombosis risk. Purpose. The purpose was to study haemostasis system main components functional activity features before and after space flights. Methods. In the citrated plasma of astronauts who performed short-term (10 to 11 days) or long-term (196 to 199 days) the following values were determined: activated partial thrombin time (APTT); prothrombin time; prothrombin index; international normalized ratio; thrombin time (TT); activity of enzymes influencing the function of proteins involved in the formation and lysis of a clot such as antithrombin III, protein C, plasminogen, antiplasmin; content of fibrinogen, as well as intermediate products of formation and degradation of fibrin such as D-dimer, soluble fibrin-monomer complexes (SFMC). Sampling of biomaterial was perfomed 30 to 45 days prior to the flight, during the 1st day of the post flight period (all the examined persons), and in the 7th and 14th day (long-term flights member only) Results. In pre-flight period cosmonauts’ APTT indices was increased as compared with general population physiological norms. During the 1st day after long- and short-term flights a tendency for activation of coagulation system along inner and terminal pathways emerged (APTT, TT shortening, an increase in the SFMC concentration). After short-term space flights a tendency for activation of fibrin forming (an increase in the fibrin concentration) was evidenced, and, as a compensatory factor, for activation of fibrinolysis (an increase in fibrynolytic activity and D-dimer concentration). On the contrary, after long-term space flights, a tendency for fibrinolysys decline was observed (fibrinolytic activity and D-dimer concentration decreased at this the fibrinogen concentration remained virtually constant relative to the background level). During the 14th day of the post-flight period normalization of all studied parameters was observed. Discussion. After space flights a tendency for activation of haemostasis procoagulant component is observed. However, during short-term space flights compensatory systems become activated, which may be connected with developing of stress reactions of adaptation to weightlessness conditions and post-flight re-adaptation to ground conditions, while after long-term spaceflights the compensatory effect of fibrinolysis is not pronounced, possibly, due to metabolic process intensity reduction developing during long-duration stay in weightlessness conditions [Grigoriev A.I., Kaplansky A.S., Popova I.A., 1992]. Probably the relatively inactivated cosmonauts’ intrinsic pathway coagulation in pre-flight period (prolonged APTT) is one of the prerequisites of the high resistance to stress factors influence. Plausible this status of intrinsic pathway subject to consequent activation by adrenalin promotes body protection against thrombophilic tendency.

Methods of Constructing a Blended Performance Function Suitable for Formation Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, Jack

2017-01-01

Two methods for constructing performance functions for formation fight-for-drag-reduction suitable for use with an extreme-seeking control system are presented. The first method approximates an a prior measured or estimated drag-reduction performance function by combining real-time measurements of readily available parameters. The parameters are combined with weightings determined from a minimum squares optimization to form a blended performance function.

Searching for life with the Terrestrial Planet Finder: Lagrange point options for a formation flying interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beichman, C.; Gomez, G.; Lo, M.; Masdemont, J.; Romans, L.

2002-01-01

In this paper, we describe the mission design for TPF assuming a distributed spacecraft concept using formation flight around both a halo orbit around L2 as well as a heliocentric orbit. Although the mission architecture is still under study, the next two years will include study of four design cncepts and a downselect to two concepts around 2005.

The nutritional status of astronauts is altered after long-term space flight aboard the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Scott M.; Zwart, Sara R.; Block, Gladys; Rice, Barbara L.; Davis-Street, Janis E.

2005-01-01

Defining optimal nutrient requirements is critical for ensuring crew health during long-duration space exploration missions. Data pertaining to such nutrient requirements are extremely limited. The primary goal of this study was to better understand nutritional changes that occur during long-duration space flight. We examined body composition, bone metabolism, hematology, general blood chemistry, and blood levels of selected vitamins and minerals in 11 astronauts before and after long-duration (128-195 d) space flight aboard the International Space Station. Dietary intake and limited biochemical measures were assessed during flight. Crew members consumed a mean of 80% of their recommended energy intake, and on landing day their body weight was less (P = 0.051) than before flight. Hematocrit, serum iron, ferritin saturation, and transferrin were decreased and serum ferritin was increased after flight (P < 0.05). The finding that other acute-phase proteins were unchanged after flight suggests that the changes in iron metabolism are not likely to be solely a result of an inflammatory response. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration was greater and RBC superoxide dismutase was less after flight (P < 0.05), indicating increased oxidative damage. Despite vitamin D supplement use during flight, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was decreased after flight (P < 0.01). Bone resorption was increased after flight, as indicated by several markers. Bone formation, assessed by several markers, did not consistently rise 1 d after landing. These data provide evidence that bone loss, compromised vitamin D status, and oxidative damage are among critical nutritional concerns for long-duration space travelers.

A Low-Cost Part-Task Flight Training System: An Application of a Head Mounted Display

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

architecture. The task at hand was to develop a software emulation libary that would emulate the function calls used within the Flight and Dog programs. This...represented in two hexadecimal digits for each color. The format of the packed long integer looks like aaggbbrr with each color value representing a...Western Digital ethernet card as the cheapest compatible card available. Good fortune arrived, as I was calling to order the card, I saw an unused card

Basic Considerations in the Combustion of Hydrocarbon Fuels with Air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnett, Henry C; Hibbard, Robert R

1957-01-01

Basic combustion research is collected, collated, and interpreted as it applies to flight propulsion. The following fundamental processes are treated in separate chapters: atomization and evaporation of liquid fuels, flow and mixing processes in combustion chambers, ignition and flammability of hydrocarbon fuels, laminar flame propagation, turbulent flames, flame stabilization, diffusion flames, oscillations in combustors, and smoke and coke formation in the combustion of hydrocarbon-air mixtures. Theoretical background, basic experimental data, and practical significance to flight propulsion are presented.

Accuracy and Speed of Response to Different Voice Types in a Cockpit Voice Warning System

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

military aircraft. Different levels of engine background noise, signal to noise ratio of the warning message, and precursor delivery formats were used. The...flight deck signals, the Society of Automotive Engineers stated that a unique, attention-getting sound (such as a chime, 4 etc.) together with voice...aircr,-ft wherein there is no flight engineer position" (cited in Thorburn, 1971, p. 3). The AFIAS letter cited several incidents in which the VWS had

Ice fall streaks in a warm front . An S-band polarimetric radar study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keppas, Stavros; Crosier, Jonathan; Choularton, Thomas; Bower, Keith

2017-04-01

On 21st January 2009, a maturing low pressure system approached the UK along with several associated systems. An observational research flight (part of the APPRAISE-Clouds project) took place in southern England, sampling the leading warm front of this system. During the flight, the Warm Conveyor Belt (WCB) was well depicted by the radar Doppler velocity parameter. Simultaneously, extensive ice fall streaks appeared on ZDR RHI scans as long slanted zones of high ZDR. It seems that there is a connection between the WCB activity and the formation and structure of the ice fall streaks. The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability caused by the WCB played a key role on their formation. Moreover, in-situ measurements showed that the ice fall streaks had a very specific substance and they can affect the surface precipitation.

AEA Cell-Bypass-Switch Activation: An Update

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keys, Denney; Rao, Gopalakrishna M.; Wannemacher, Harry

2002-01-01

The objectives of this project included the following: (1) verify the performance of AEA cell bypass protection device (CBPD) under simulated EOS-Aqua/Aura flight hardware configuration; (2) assess the safety of the hardware under an inadvertent firing of CBPD switch, as well as the closing of CBPD; and (3) confirm that the mode of operation of CBPD switch is the formation of a continuous low impedance path (a homogeneous low melting point alloy). The nominal performance of AEA CBPD under flight operating conditions (vacuum except zero-G, and high impedance cell) has been demonstrated. There is no evidence of cell rupture or excessive heat production during or after CBPD switch activation under simulated high cell impedance (open-circuit cell failure mode). The formation of a continuous low impedance path (a homogeneous low melting point alloy) has been confirmed.

Alterations in renal stone risk factors after space flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitson, P. A.; Pietrzyk, R. A.; Pak, C. Y.; Cintron, N. M.

1993-01-01

Exposure to the microgravity environment of space produces a number of physiological changes of metabolic and environmental origin that could increase the potential for renal stone formation. Metabolic, environmental and physicochemical factors that influence renal stone risk potential were examined in 24-hour urine samples from astronauts 10 days before launch and on landing day to provide an immediate postflight assessment of these factors. In addition, comparisons were made between male and female crewmembers, and between crewmembers on missions of less than 6 days and those on 6 to 10-day missions. Results suggest that immediately after space flight the risk of calcium oxalate and uric acid stone formation is increased as a result of metabolic (hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, pH) and environmental (lower urine volume) derangements, some of which could reflect residual effects of having been exposed to microgravity.

NASA Dryden's two T-38A mission support aircraft fly in tight formation while conducting a pitot-static airspeed calibration check near Edwards Air Force Base

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-09-26

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's two T-38A Talon mission support aircraft flew together for the first time on Sept. 26, 2007 while conducting pitot-static airspeed calibration checks during routine pilot proficiency flights. The two aircraft, flown by NASA research pilots Kelly Latimer and Frank Batteas, joined up with a NASA Dryden F/A-18 flown by NASA research pilot Dick Ewers to fly the airspeed calibrations at several speeds and altitudes that would be flown by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Boeing 747SP during its initial flight test phase. The T-38s, along with F/A-18s, serve in a safety chase role during those test missions, providing critical instrument and visual monitoring for the flight test series.

KSC-07pp1461

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-06-08

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Atlantis rockets into the blue sky above Launch Pad 39A after liftoff. Beneath Atlantis' main engines are blue cones of light, known as shock or mach diamonds. They are a formation of shock waves in the exhaust plume of an aerospace propulsion system. Liftoff of Atlantis on mission STS-117 to the International Space Station was on time at 7:38:04 p.m. EDT. The shuttle is delivering a new segment to the starboard side of the International Space Station's backbone, known as the truss. Three spacewalks are planned to install the S3/S4 truss segment, deploy a set of solar arrays and prepare them for operation. STS-117 is the 118th space shuttle flight, the 21st flight to the station, the 28th flight for Atlantis and the first of four flights planned for 2007. Photo Credit: NASA/Tony Gray & Don Kight

Data Synchronization Discrepancies in a Formation Flight Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, Jack; Hanson, Curtis E.; Norlin, Ken A.; Allen, Michael J.; Schkolnik, Gerard (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Aircraft hardware-in-the-loop simulation is an invaluable tool to flight test engineers; it reveals design and implementation flaws while operating in a controlled environment. Engineers, however, must always be skeptical of the results and analyze them within their proper context. Engineers must carefully ascertain whether an anomaly that occurs in the simulation will also occur in flight. This report presents a chronology illustrating how misleading simulation timing problems led to the implementation of an overly complex position data synchronization guidance algorithm in place of a simpler one. The report illustrates problems caused by the complex algorithm and how the simpler algorithm was chosen in the end. Brief descriptions of the project objectives, approach, and simulation are presented. The misleading simulation results and the conclusions then drawn are presented. The complex and simple guidance algorithms are presented with flight data illustrating their relative success.

A flexible flight display research system using a ground-based interactive graphics terminal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hatfield, J. J.; Elkins, H. C.; Batson, V. M.; Poole, W. L.

1975-01-01

Requirements and research areas for the air transportation system of the 1980 to 1990's were reviewed briefly to establish the need for a flexible flight display generation research tool. Specific display capabilities required by aeronautical researchers are listed and a conceptual system for providing these capabilities is described. The conceptual system uses a ground-based interactive graphics terminal driven by real-time radar and telemetry data to generate dynamic, experimental flight displays. These displays are scan converted to television format, processed, and transmitted to the cockpits of evaluation aircraft. The attendant advantages of a Flight Display Research System (FDRS) designed to employ this concept are presented. The detailed implementation of an FDRS is described. The basic characteristics of the interactive graphics terminal and supporting display electronic subsystems are presented and the resulting system capability is summarized. Finally, the system status and utilization are reviewed.

The effects of spaceflight on the mineralization of rat incisor dentin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simmons, D. J.; Rosenberg, G. D.

1984-01-01

Specific effects of space flight on dentin formation on the lower incisors of male rats were determined. Data were Fourier analyzed to determine the spectra of chemical growth rhythms. It was found that Calcium and P were more concentrated in the newly forming dentin of the Flight rats than in comparable regions of control tissues. There was no significant difference in the mean S-concentration between the two groups, but the pattern of S-distribution in the recently formed dentin from the Flight rats was different from that in the control group. Sulfur fluctuations in flight animals periodically peak above the irregular background fluctuations, but there are no comparable sulfur peaks across the dentin in the control. It is indicated that spaceflight has measurable effects on dentinogenesis, and may also bear on the problem of the regulatory role of proteoglycans in mineralization and the maturation of mineral and matrix moieties in skeletal tissue.

Combining destination diversion decisions and critical in-flight event diagnosis in computer aided testing of pilots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rockwell, T. H.; Giffin, W. C.; Romer, D. J.

1984-01-01

Rockwell and Giffin (1982) and Giffin and Rockwell (1983) have discussed the use of computer aided testing (CAT) in the study of pilot response to critical in-flight events. The present investigation represents an extension of these earlier studies. In testing pilot responses to critical in-flight events, use is made of a Plato-touch CRT system operating on a menu based format. In connection with the typical diagnostic problem, the pilot was presented with symptoms within a flight scenario. In one problem, the pilot has four minutes for obtaining the information which is needed to make a diagnosis of the problem. In the reported research, the attempt has been made to combine both diagnosis and diversion scenario into a single computer aided test. Tests with nine subjects were conducted. The obtained results and their significance are discussed.

Laboratory and In-Flight In-Situ X-ray Imaging and Scattering Facility for Materials, Biotechnology and Life Sciences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

We propose a multifunctional X-ray facility for the Materials, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Programs to visualize formation and behavior dynamics of materials, biomaterials, and living organisms, tissues and cells. The facility will combine X-ray topography, phase micro-imaging and scattering capabilities with sample units installed on the goniometer. This should allow, for the first time, to monitor under well defined conditions, in situ, in real time: creation of imperfections during growth of semiconductors, metal, dielectric and biomacromolecular crystals and films, high-precision diffraction from crystals within a wide range of temperatures and vapor, melt, solution conditions, internal morphology and changes in living organisms, tissues and cells, diffraction on biominerals, nanotubes and particles, radiation damage, also under controlled formation/life conditions. The system will include an ultrabright X-ray source, X-ray mirror, monochromator, image-recording unit, detectors, and multipurpose diffractometer that fully accommodate and integrate furnaces and samples with other experimental environments. The easily adjustable laboratory and flight versions will allow monitoring processes under terrestrial and microgravity conditions. The flight version can be made available using a microsource combined with multilayer or capillary optics.

Retired NASA research pilot and former astronaut Gordon Fullerton was greeted by scores of NASA Dryden staff who bid him farewell after his final NASA flight.

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-12-21

Long-time NASA Dryden research pilot and former astronaut C. Gordon Fullerton capped an almost 50-year flying career, including more than 38 years with NASA, with a final flight in a NASA F/A-18 on Dec. 21, 2007. Fullerton and Dryden research pilot Jim Smolka flew a 90-minute pilot proficiency formation aerobatics flight with another Dryden F/A-18 and a Dryden T-38 before concluding with two low-level formation flyovers of Dryden before landing. Fullerton was honored with a water-cannon spray arch provided by two fire trucks from the Edwards Air Force Base fire department as he taxied the F/A-18 up to the Dryden ramp, and was then greeted by his wife Marie and several hundred Dryden staff after his final flight. Fullerton began his flying career with the U.S. Air Force in 1958 after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. Initially trained as a fighter pilot, he later transitioned to multi-engine bombers and became a bomber operations test pilot after attending the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He then was assigned to the flight crew for the planned Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory in 1966. Upon cancellation of that program, the Air Force assigned Fullerton to NASA's astronaut corps in 1969. He served on the support crews for the Apollo 14, 15, 16 and 17 lunar missions, and was later assigned to one of the two flight crews that piloted the space shuttle prototype Enterprise during the Approach and Landing Test program at Dryden. He then logged some 382 hours in space when he flew on two early space shuttle missions, STS-3 on Columbia in 1982 and STS-51F on Challenger in 1985. He joined the flight crew branch at NASA Dryden after leaving the astronaut corps in 1986. During his 21 years at Dryden, Fullerton was project pilot on a number of high-profile research efforts, including the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft, the high-speed landing tests of

Can the adult skeleton recover lost bone?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leblanc, Adrian; Schneider, Victor

1991-01-01

The loss of bone mineral with aging and subsequent development of osteoporosis is a common problem in elderly women, and as life expectancy increases, in elderly men as well. Space flight also causes bone loss and could be a limiting factor for long duration missions, such as, a Mars expedition or extended occupation of a Space Station. Before effective countermeasures can be devised, a thorough knowledge of the extent, location, and rate of bone loss during weightlessness is needed from actual space flight data or ground-based disuse models. In addition, the rate and extent that these losses are reversed after return from space flight are of primary importance. Although the mechanisms are not likely to be the same in aging and space flight, there are common elements. For example, strategies developed to prevent disuse bone loss or to enhance the rate of recovery following space flight might have direct applicability to clinical medicine. For various reasons, little attention has been given to recovery of bone mass following space flight. As a prelude to the design of strategies to enhance recovery of bone, this paper reviews published literature related to bone recovery in the adult. We conclude that recovery can be expected, but the rate and extent will be individual and bone site dependent. The development of strategies to encourage or enhance bone formation following space flight may be as important as implementing countermeasures during flight.

Flying after diving: in-flight echocardiography after a scuba diving week.

PubMed

Cialoni, Danilo; Pieri, Massimo; Balestra, Costantino; Marroni, Alessandro

2014-10-01

Flying after diving may increase decompression sickness risk (DCS), but strong evidence indicating minimum preflight surface intervals (PFSI) is missing. On return flights after a diving week on a live-aboard, 32 divers were examined by in-flight echocardiography with the following protocol: 1) outgoing flight, no previous dive; 2) during the diving week; 3) before the return flight after a 24-h PFSI; and 4) during the return flight. All divers completed similar multiple repetitive dives during the diving week. All dives were equivalent as to inert gas load and gradient factor upon surfacing. No bubbles in the right heart were found in any diver during the outgoing flight or at the preflight control after a 24-h PFSI following the diving week. A significant increase in the number and grade of bubbles was observed during the return flight. However, bubbles were only observed in 6 of the 32 divers. These six divers were the same ones who developed bubbles after every dive. Having observed a 24-h preflight interval, the majority of divers did not develop bubbles during altitude exposure; however, it is intriguing to note that the same subjects who developed significant amounts of bubbles after every dive showed equally significant bubble grades during in-flight echocardiography notwithstanding a correct PFSI. This indicates a possible higher susceptibility to bubble formation in certain individuals, who may need longer PFSI before altitude exposure after scuba diving.

NASA and Canadian Snowbirds Aircrafts

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-05-09

Workers watch as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds fly in formation over the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during a practice flight on May 9, 2018, between their scheduled U.S. air shows.

Formation of ectopic osteogenesis in weightlessness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

An ectopic osteogenesis experiment aboard the Cosmos-936 biosatellite is described. Decalcified, lyophilized femur and tibia were implanted under the fascia or in the anterior wall of the abdomen in rats. Bone formation before and after the tests is described and illustrated. The extent of formation of ectopic bone in weightlessness did not differ significantly from that in the ground controls, but the bone marrow of the ectopic bone of the flight rats consisted exclusively of fat cells. The deficit of support-muscle loading was considered to cause the disturbance in skeletal bone tissue development.

Benchmark Problems for Space Mission Formation Flying

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, J. Russell; Leitner, Jesse A.; Folta, David C.; Burns, Richard

2003-01-01

To provide a high-level focus to distributed space system flight dynamics and control research, several benchmark problems are suggested for space mission formation flying. The problems cover formation flying in low altitude, near-circular Earth orbit, high altitude, highly elliptical Earth orbits, and large amplitude lissajous trajectories about co-linear libration points of the Sun-Earth/Moon system. These problems are not specific to any current or proposed mission, but instead are intended to capture high-level features that would be generic to many similar missions that are of interest to various agencies.

A flight test method for pilot/aircraft analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koehler, R.; Buchacker, E.

1986-01-01

In high precision flight maneuvres a pilot is a part of a closed loop pilot/aircraft system. The assessment of the flying qualities is highly dependent on the closed loop characteristics related to precision maneuvres like approach, landing, air-to-air tracking, air-to-ground tracking, close formation flying and air-to air refueling of the receiver. The object of a research program at DFVLR is the final flight phase of an air to ground mission. In this flight phase the pilot has to align the aircraft with the target, correct small deviations from the target direction and keep the target in his sights for a specific time period. To investigate the dynamic behavior of the pilot-aircraft system a special ground attack flight test technique with a prolonged tracking maneuvres was developed. By changing the targets during the attack the pilot is forced to react continously on aiming errors in his sights. Thus the closed loop pilot/aircraft system is excited over a wide frequency range of interest, the pilot gets more information about mission oriented aircraft dynamics and suitable flight test data for a pilot/aircraft analysis can be generated.

[Aviation medicine laboratory of the North Fleet air base celebrates the 70th anniversary].

PubMed

Gavrilov, V V; Mazaĭkin, D N; Buldakov, I M; Pisarev, A A

2013-05-01

The article is dedicated to the history of formation and development of the oldest aviation medicine department and its role in a flight safety of the North Fleet naval aviation. The aviation medicine laboratory was created in the years of the Great Patriotic war for medical backup of flights, medical review board, delivering of combat casualty care, prophylaxis of hypothermia and exhaustion of flight and ground crew. In a post-war period the aviation medicine laboratory made a great contribution to development of medical backup of educational and combat activity of the North Fleet aviation. Participation in cosmonaut applicants selection (incl. Yu.A. Gagarin), optimization of flight services during the transmeridian flights, research of carrier-based aircraft habitability and body state of the contingent during the longstanding ship-based aviation, development of treatment methods for functional status of sea-based aviation crew are the achievements of aviation medicine laboratory. Nowadays medicine laboratory is performing a research and practice, methodic and consultative activity with the aim of improving the system of medical backup, aviation medicine, psychology, flight safety, improvement of air crew health, prolong of flying proficiency.

Aero-Propulsive Model Design from a Commercial Aircraft in Climb and Cruise Regime using Performance Data =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tudor, Magdalena

IATA has estimated, in 2012, at about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, the environmental impact of the air transport, as a consequence caused by the rapidly growing of global movement demand of people and goods, and which was effectively taken into account in the development of the aviation industry. The historic achievements of scientific and technical progress in the field of commercial aviation were contributed to this estimate, and even today the research continues to make progress to help to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Advances in commercial aircraft, and its engine design technology had the aim to improve flight performance. These improvements have enhanced the global flight planning of these types of aircrafts. Almost all of these advances rely on generated performance data as reference sources, the most of which are classified as "confidential" by the aircraft manufacturers. There are very few aero-propulsive models conceived for the climb regime in the literature, but none of them was designed without access to an engine database, and/or to performance data in climb and in cruise regimes with direct applicability for flight optimization. In this thesis, aero-propulsive models methodologies are proposed for climb and cruise regimes, using system identification and validation methods, through which airplane performance can be computed and stored in the most compact and easily accessible format for this kind of performance data. The acquiring of performance data in this format makes it possible to optimize flight profiles, used by on-board Flight Management Systems. The aero-propulsive models developed here were investigated on two aircrafts belonging to commercial class, and both of them had offered very good accuracy. One of their advantages is that they can be adapted to any other aircraft of the same class, even if there is no access to their corresponding engine flight data. In addition, these models could save airlines a considerable amount of money, given the fact that the number of flight tests could be drastically reduced. Lastly, academia, thus the laboratory of applied research in active control, avionics and aeroservoelasticity (LARCASE) team is gaining direct access to these aircraft performance data to obtain experience in novel optimization algorithms of flight profiles.

Evaluation of photogrammetric flight under icing conditions on March 23, 1978

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuchs, W.; Kaluza, J.

1981-01-01

In a double passage through a route laid out in a stagnation zone of the Bavarian forest, it was found that the stagnation and attendant elevation increases the danger of icing. Conversely, it turned out that formation of precipitation reduces the icing intensity. A comparison of both factors showed: the reduction of ice formation through precipitation equals the increase due to stagnation, or even exceeds it.

Investigation of periodontal tissue during a long space flights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solovyeva, Zoya; Viacheslav, Ilyin; Skedina, Marina

Previous studies conducted on the International Space Station found that upon completion of the space flight there are significant changes in the local immunity and periodontal microflora of astronauts. Also research in ground-based experiments that simulate space flight factors showed that prolonged hypokinesia antiorthostatic leads to impaired functional indicators of the periodontal vascular system, an unidirectional change from the microbiota and the immune system. That results in the appearance and progressive increase of the parodontial pathogenic bacteria and increase of the content of immunoglobulins in the oral fluid. All these changes are classified as risk factors for the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases in astronauts. However, the studies were unable to determine whether the changes result from a long space flight and the peculiarities of formation the local immunity and periodontal microbiota during the space flight, or they are one of the specific manifestations of the readaptationary post-flight condition of the body. In this regard, the planned research in a long space flight suggests: to use the means of microbial control, which can retain of the anaerobes periodontal microbiota sampling directly in the space flight; to assess the specificity of changes of the periodontal immune status under the influence of the space flight factors, and to assess the state of microcirculation of periodontal tissue in astronauts. A comprehensive study of the reaction of dentition during the space flight will make it possible to study the pathogenesis of changes for developing an adequate prevention aimed at optimizing the state of dentition of the astronauts.

Satellite Formation Flight Results from Phase 1 of the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Trevor; Ottenstein, Neil; Palmer, Eric; Godine, Dominic

2017-01-01

This paper describes the underlying dynamics of formation flying in a high-eccentricity orbit such as that of the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. The GPS-based results used for MMS navigation are summarized, as well as the procedures that are used to design the maneuvers used to place the spacecraft into a tetrahedron formation and then maintain it. The details of how to carry out these maneuvers are then discussed. Finally, the numerical results that have been obtained concerning formation flying for the MMS mission to date (e.g. tetrahedron sizes flown, maneuver execution error, fuel usage, etc.) are presented in detail.

Helicopter Acoustic Flight Test with Altitude Variation and Maneuvers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watts, Michael E.; Greenwood, Eric; Sim, Ben; Stephenson, James; Smith, Charles D.

2016-01-01

A cooperative flight test campaign between NASA and the U.S. Army was performed from September 2014 to February 2015. The purposes of the testing were to: investigate the effects of altitude variation on noise generation, investigate the effects of gross weight variation on noise generation, establish the statistical variability in acoustic flight testing of helicopters, and characterize the effects of transient maneuvers on radiated noise for a medium-lift utility helicopter. This test was performed at three test sites (0, 4000, and 7000 feet above mean sea level) with two aircraft (AS350 SD1 and EH-60L) tested at each site. This report provides an overview of the test, documents the data acquired and describes the formats of the stored data.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2007

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Topics include: Program Merges SAR Data on Terrain and Vegetation Heights; Using G(exp 4)FETs as a Data Router for In-Plane Crossing of Signal Paths; Two Algorithms for Processing Electronic Nose Data; Radiation-Tolerant Dual Data Bus; General-Purpose Front End for Real-Time Data Processing; Nanocomposite Photoelectrochemical Cells; Ultracapacitor-Powered Cordless Drill, Cumulative Timers for Microprocessors; Photocatalytic/Magnetic Composite Particles; Separation and Sealing of a Sample Container Using Brazing; Automated Aerial Refueling Hitches a Ride on AFF; Cobra Probes Containing Replaceable Thermocouples; High-Speed Noninvasive Eye-Tracking System; Detergent-Specific Membrane Protein Crystallization Screens; Evaporation-Cooled Protective Suits for Firefighters; Plasmonic Antenna Coupling for QWIPs; Electronic Tongue Containing Redox and Conductivity Sensors; Improved Heat-Stress Algorithm; A Method of Partly Automated Testing of Software; Rover Wheel-Actuated Tool Interface; and Second-Generation Electronic Nose.

Cornulitids (tubeworms) from the Late Ordovician Hirnantia fauna of Morocco

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutiérrez-Marco, Juan Carlos; Vinn, Olev

2018-01-01

Two species of cornulitids, Cornulites gondwanensis sp. nov. and C. aff. shallochensis Reed are described from the Hirnantian of Morocco, within an assemblage representative of the Hirnantia brachiopod fauna occurring near the Ordovician South Pole. The dominance of aggregated and solitary free forms could be explained by particular sedimentary environments preceding the Hirnantian glaciation and the latest Ordovician Extinction Event. The diversity of cornulitids in the Late Ordovician of Gondwana and related terranes was relatively low, and less diverse than the cornulitids of Laurentia and Baltica. Hirnantian cornulitids from Morocco do not resemble Late Ordovician cornulitids of Baltica and Laurentia. Moroccan cornulitids seem to be closely allied to some older Gondwanan cornulitids, especially Sardinian ones. They resemble species described from the Late Ordovician and Llandovery of Scotland suggesting a palaeobiogeographic link.

Development of a test and flight engineering oriented language. Phase 3: Presentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamsler, W. F.; Case, C. W.; Kinney, E. L.; Gyure, J.

1970-01-01

The format material used in an oral presentation of the phase 3 study effort is given. The material includes a description of the language ALOFT and a terminology comparison with other test languages.

Communicating Uncertainty in Volcanic Ash Forecasts: Decision-Making and Information Preferences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulder, Kelsey; Black, Alison; Charlton-Perez, Andrew; McCloy, Rachel; Lickiss, Matthew

2016-04-01

The Robust Assessment and Communication of Environmental Risk (RACER) consortium, an interdisciplinary research team focusing on communication of uncertainty with respect to natural hazards, hosted a Volcanic Ash Workshop to discuss issues related to volcanic ash forecasting, especially forecast uncertainty. Part of the workshop was a decision game in which participants including forecasters, academics, and members of the Aviation Industry were given hypothetical volcanic ash concentration forecasts and asked whether they would approve a given flight path. The uncertainty information was presented in different formats including hazard maps, line graphs, and percent probabilities. Results from the decision game will be presented with a focus on information preferences, understanding of the forecasts, and whether different formats of the same volcanic ash forecast resulted in different flight decisions. Implications of this research will help the design and presentation of volcanic ash plume decision tools and can also help advise design of other natural hazard information.

Ice Prevention on Aircraft by Means of Engine Exhaust Heat and a Technical Study of Heat Transmission from a Clark Y Airfoil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Theodorsen, Theodore; Clay, William C

1933-01-01

This investigation was conducted to study the practicability of employing heat as a means of preventing the formation of ice on airplane wings. The report relates essentially to technical problems regarding the extraction of heat from the exhaust gases and its proper distribution over the exposed surfaces. In this connection a separate study has been made to determine the variation of the coefficient of heat transmission along the chord of a Clark Y airfoil. Experiments on ice prevention both in the laboratory and in flight show conclusively that it is necessary to heat only the front portion of the wing surface to effect complete prevention. Experiments in flight show that a vapor-heating system which extracts heat from the exhaust and distributes it to the wings is an entirely practical and efficient method for preventing ice formation.

Atlas of TOMS ozone data collected during the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE), 1986

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larko, David E.; Uccellini, Louis W.; Krueger, Arlin J.

1986-01-01

Data from the TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) instrument aboard the Nimbus-7 satellite were collected daily in real time during the GALE (Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment) from January 15 through March 15, l986. The TOMS ozone data values were processed into GEMPAK format and transferred from the Goddard Space Flight Center to GALE operations in Raleigh-Durham, NC, in as little as three hours for use, in part, to direct aircraft research flights recording in situ measurements of ozone and water vapor in areas of interest. Once in GEMPAK format, the ozone values were processed into gridded form using the Barnes objective analysis scheme and contour plots of the ozone created. This atlas provides objectively analyzed contour plots of the ozone for each of the sixty days of GALE as well as four-panel presentations of the ozone analysis combined on the basis of GALE Intensive Observing Periods (IOP's).

Electrostatic Levitation: A Tool to Support Materials Research in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Jan; SanSoucie, Mike

2012-01-01

Containerless processing represents an important topic for materials research in microgravity. Levitated specimens are free from contact with a container, which permits studies of deeply undercooled melts, and high-temperature, highly reactive materials. Containerless processing provides data for studies of thermophysical properties, phase equilibria, metastable state formation, microstructure formation, undercooling, and nucleation. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) jointly developed an electromagnetic levitator facility (MSL-EML) for containerless materials processing in space. The electrostatic levitator (ESL) facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center provides support for the development of containerless processing studies for the ISS. Apparatus and techniques have been developed to use the ESL to provide data for phase diagram determination, creep resistance, emissivity, specific heat, density/thermal expansion, viscosity, surface tension and triggered nucleation of melts. The capabilities and results from selected ESL-based characterization studies performed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will be presented.

Position Extrema in Keplerian Relative Motion: A Gröbner Basis Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allgeier, Shawn E.; Fitz-Coy, Norman G.; Erwin, R. Scott

2012-12-01

This paper analyzes the relative motion between two spacecraft in orbit. Specifically, the paper provides bounds for relative spacecraft position-based measures which impact spacecraft formation-flight mission design and analysis. Previous efforts have provided bounds for the separation distance between two spacecraft. This paper presents a methodology for bounding the local vertical, horizontal, and cross track components of the relative position vector in a spacecraft centered, rotating reference frame. Three metrics are derived and a methodology for bounding them is presented. The solution of the extremal equations for the metrics is formulated as an affine variety and obtained using a Gröbner basis reduction. No approximations are utilized and the only assumption is that the two spacecraft are in bound Keplerian orbits. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the efficacy of the method. The metrics have utility to the mission designer of formation flight architectures, with relevance to Earth observation constellations.

In-flight photogrammetric camera calibration and validation via complementary lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gneeniss, A. S.; Mills, J. P.; Miller, P. E.

2015-02-01

This research assumes lidar as a reference dataset against which in-flight camera system calibration and validation can be performed. The methodology utilises a robust least squares surface matching algorithm to align a dense network of photogrammetric points to the lidar reference surface, allowing for the automatic extraction of so-called lidar control points (LCPs). Adjustment of the photogrammetric data is then repeated using the extracted LCPs in a self-calibrating bundle adjustment with additional parameters. This methodology was tested using two different photogrammetric datasets, a Microsoft UltraCamX large format camera and an Applanix DSS322 medium format camera. Systematic sensitivity testing explored the influence of the number and weighting of LCPs. For both camera blocks it was found that when the number of control points increase, the accuracy improves regardless of point weighting. The calibration results were compared with those obtained using ground control points, with good agreement found between the two.

SPHERES tethered formation flight testbed: advancements in enabling NASA's SPECS mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Soon-Jo; Adams, Danielle; Saenz-Otero, Alvar; Kong, Edmund; Miller, David W.; Leisawitz, David; Lorenzini, Enrico; Sell, Steve

2006-06-01

This paper reports on efforts to control a tethered formation flight spacecraft array for NASA's SPECS mission using the SPHERES test-bed developed by the MIT Space Systems Laboratory. Specifically, advances in methodology and experimental results realized since the 2005 SPIE paper are emphasized. These include a new test-bed setup with a reaction wheel assembly, a novel relative attitude measurement system using force torque sensors, and modeling of non-ideal tethers to account for tether vibration modes. The nonlinear equations of motion of multi-vehicle tethered spacecraft with elastic flexible tethers are derived from Lagrange's equations. The controllability analysis indicates that both array resizing and spin-up are fully controllable by the reaction wheels and the tether motor, thereby saving thruster fuel consumption. Based upon this analysis, linear and nonlinear controllers have been successfully implemented on the tethered SPHERES testbed, and tested at the NASA MSFC's flat floor facility using two and three SPHERES configurations.

The balloon-borne exoplanet spectroscopy experiment (BETSE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascale, E.

2015-10-01

The balloon-borne exoplanet spectroscopy experiment (BETSE) is a proposed balloon spectrometer operating in the 1-5 μm band with spectral resolution of R = 100. Using a 50 cm diameter telescope, BETSE is desgnied to have sufficient sensitivity and control of systematics to measure the atmospheric spectra of representative sample of known hot Jupiters, few warm Neptunes, and some of the exoplanets TESS will soon begin to discover. This would for the first time allow us to place strict observational constraints on the nature of exo-atmospheres and on models of planetary formation. In a LDB flight from Antarctica, BETSE would be able to characterize the atmospheres of 20 planets. If a ULDB flight is available, the combination of a longer flight and night time operations would enable BETSE to ground-breakingly characterize the atmospheres of more than 40 planets. Prior to an LDB or ULDB flight, BETSE would be tested in a 24 hr flight from Fort Sumner, NM, in order to test all subsystems, also observing more than 4 planets with SNR greater than 5.

Development and Utility of a Piloted Flight Simulator for Icing Effects Training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratvasky, Thomas P.; Ranaudo, Richard J.; Barnhart, Billy P.; Dickes, Edward G.; Gingras, David R.

2003-01-01

A piloted flight simulator called the Ice Contamination Effects Flight Training Device (ICEFTD), which uses low cost desktop components and a generic cockpit replication is being developed. The purpose of this device is to demonstrate the effectiveness of its use for training pilots to recognize and recover from aircraft handling anomalies that result from airframe ice formations. High-fidelity flight simulation models for various baseline (non-iced) and iced configurations were developed from wind tunnel tests of a subscale DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft model. These simulation models were validated with flight test data from the NASA Twin Otter Icing Research Aircraft, which included the effects of ice on wing and tail stall characteristics. These simulation models are being implemented into an ICEFTD that will provide representative aircraft characteristics due to airframe icing. Scenario-based exercises are being constructed to give an operational-flavor to the simulation. Training pilots will learn to recognize iced aircraft characteristics from the baseline, and will practice and apply appropriate recovery procedures to a handling event.

Formations Near the Libration Points: Design Strategies Using Natural and Non-Natural Arcs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howell, K. C.; Marchand, B. G.

2004-01-01

Space based observatory and interferometry missions, such as Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), Stellar Imager, and MAXIM, have sparked great interest in multi-spacecraft formation flight in the vicinity of the Sun-Earth/Moon (SEM) libration points. The initial phase of this research considered the formation keeping problem from the perspective of continuous control as applied to non-natural formations. In the present study, closer inspection of the flow, corresponding to the stable and center manifolds near the reference orbit, reveals some interesting natural relative motions as well as some discrete control strategies for deployment. A hybrid control strategy is also employed that combines both the natural formation dynamics with non-natural motions via input feedback linearization techniques.

Aviation effects on already-existing cirrus clouds

PubMed Central

Tesche, Matthias; Achtert, Peggy; Glantz, Paul; Noone, Kevin J.

2016-01-01

Determining the effects of the formation of contrails within natural cirrus clouds has proven to be challenging. Quantifying any such effects is necessary if we are to properly account for the influence of aviation on climate. Here we quantify the effect of aircraft on the optical thickness of already-existing cirrus clouds by matching actual aircraft flight tracks to satellite lidar measurements. We show that there is a systematic, statistically significant increase in normalized cirrus cloud optical thickness inside mid-latitude flight tracks compared with adjacent areas immediately outside the tracks. PMID:27327838

Consort 1 sounding rocket flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wessling, Francis C.; Maybee, George W.

1989-01-01

This paper describes a payload of six experiments developed for a 7-min microgravity flight aboard a sounding rocket Consort 1, in order to investigate the effects of low gravity on certain material processes. The experiments in question were designed to test the effect of microgravity on the demixing of aqueous polymer two-phase systems, the electrodeposition process, the production of elastomer-modified epoxy resins, the foam formation process and the characteristics of foam, the material dispersion, and metal sintering. The apparatuses designed for these experiments are examined, and the rocket-payload integration and operations are discussed.

Production of Reliable Flight Crucial Software: Validation Methods Research for Fault Tolerant Avionics and Control Systems Sub-Working Group Meeting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunham, J. R. (Editor); Knight, J. C. (Editor)

1982-01-01

The state of the art in the production of crucial software for flight control applications was addressed. The association between reliability metrics and software is considered. Thirteen software development projects are discussed. A short term need for research in the areas of tool development and software fault tolerance was indicated. For the long term, research in format verification or proof methods was recommended. Formal specification and software reliability modeling, were recommended as topics for both short and long term research.

STS-48 Pilot Reightler on OV-103's aft flight deck poses for ESC photo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

STS-48 Pilot Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr, positioned under overhead window W8, poses for an electronic still camera (ESC) photo on the aft flight deck of the earth-orbiting Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Crewmembers were testing the ESC as part of Development Test Objective (DTO) 648, Electronic Still Photography. The digital image was stored on a removable hard disk or small optical disk, and could be converted to a format suitable for downlink transmission. The ESC is making its initial appearance on this Space Shuttle mission.

Aviation effects on already-existing cirrus clouds.

PubMed

Tesche, Matthias; Achtert, Peggy; Glantz, Paul; Noone, Kevin J

2016-06-21

Determining the effects of the formation of contrails within natural cirrus clouds has proven to be challenging. Quantifying any such effects is necessary if we are to properly account for the influence of aviation on climate. Here we quantify the effect of aircraft on the optical thickness of already-existing cirrus clouds by matching actual aircraft flight tracks to satellite lidar measurements. We show that there is a systematic, statistically significant increase in normalized cirrus cloud optical thickness inside mid-latitude flight tracks compared with adjacent areas immediately outside the tracks.

A head-up display for low-visibility approach and landing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bray, R. S.; Scott, B. C.

1981-01-01

An electronic flight-guidance display format was designed for use in evaluations of the collimated head-up display concept in low-visibility landings of transport aircraft. In the design process of iterative evaluation and modification, some general principles, or guidelines, applicable to such flight displays were suggested. The usefulness of an indication of instantaneous inertial flightpath was clearly demonstrated, particularly in low-altitude transition to visual references. Evaluator pilot acceptance of the unfamiliar display concepts was very positive when careful attention was given to indoctrination and training.

Patterning the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles (DLM) of Drosophila: insights from the ablation of larval scaffolds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandes, J. J.; Keshishian, H.

1996-01-01

The six Dorsal Longitudinal flight Muscles (DLMs) of Drosophila develop from three larval muscles that persist into metamorphosis and serve as scaffolds for the formation of the adult fibers. We have examined the effect of muscle scaffold ablation on the development of DLMs during metamorphosis. Using markers that are specific to muscle and myoblasts we show that in response to the ablation, myoblasts which would normally fuse with the larval muscle, fuse with each other instead, to generate the adult fibers in the appropriate regions of the thorax. The development of these de novo DLMs is delayed and is reflected in the delayed expression of erect wing, a transcription factor thought to control differentiation events associated with myoblast fusion. The newly arising muscles express the appropriate adult-specific Actin isoform (88F), indicating that they have the correct muscle identity. However, there are frequent errors in the number of muscle fibers generated. Ablation of the larval scaffolds for the DLMs has revealed an underlying potential of the DLM myoblasts to initiate de novo myogenesis in a manner that resembles the mode of formation of the Dorso-Ventral Muscles, DVMs, which are the other group of indirect flight muscles. Therefore, it appears that the use of larval scaffolds is a superimposition on a commonly used mechanism of myogenesis in Drosophila. Our results show that the role of the persistent larval muscles in muscle patterning involves the partitioning of DLM myoblasts, and in doing so, they regulate formation of the correct number of DLM fibers.

The Nimbus 4 user's guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sabatini, R. R. (Editor)

1970-01-01

Background information on the Nimbus 4 spacecraft and experiments is provided for potential data users as a basis for selecting, obtaining, and utilizing Nimbus 4 data in research studies. The basic spacecraft system operation and the objectives of the Nimbus 4 flight are outlined, with a detailed discussion of each of the experiments included. The format, archiving, and access to the data are also described. Finally, the contents and format of the Nimbus 4 data catalogs are described.

The Nimbus 5 user's guide. [for experiments, instrumentation, and data access

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sabatini, R. R.

1972-01-01

Background information on the Nimbus 5 spacecraft and experiments is presented as a basis for selecting, obtaining, and utilizing the data in research studies. The basic spacecraft system operation and the objectives of the Nimbus 5 flight are outlined, followed by a detailed discussion of each of the experiments. The format, archiving, and access to the data, and the contents and format of the Nimbus 5 Data Catalogs are described.

Full Capability Formation Flight Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-02-01

and ≤ 5 feet during thunderstorm level turbulence. Next, the 4 vortex wake of the lead aircraft will be modeled and the controller will be...be used to simulate the random effects of wind turbulence on the system. This model allows for the input of wind turbulence at three different ...Formation Vortex Interactions The other significant disturbance to be included in the two aircraft dynamic model is the effect of lead’s vortex wake on

NASA and Canadian Snowbirds Aircrafts

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-05-09

Canadian Forces Snowbirds fly in formation over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a practice flight on May 9, 2018, between their scheduled U.S. air shows. The iconic Vehicle Assembly Building and mobile launcher are in view in the background.

Nutrititional Status Assessment of International Space Station Crew Members

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. M.; Zwart, S. R.; Block, G.; Rice, B. I.; Davis-Street, J. F.

2005-01-01

Defining optimal nutrient requirements is imperative to ensure crew health on long-duration space exploration missions. To date, nutrient requirement data have been extremely limited because of small sample sizes and difficulties associated with collecting biological samples. In this study, we examined changes in body composition, bone metabolism, hematology, general blood chemistry, and blood levels of selected vitamins and minerals after long-duration (128-195 d) space flight aboard the International Space Station. Crew members consumed an average of 80% of the recommended energy intakes, and on landing day their body weight had decreased (P=0.051). After flight, hematocrit was less, and serum femtin was greater than before flight (P<0.01). Serum iron, ferritin saturation, and transferrin had decreased after flight. The finding that other acute-phase proteins, including ceruloplasmin, retinol binding protein, transthyretin, and albumin were not changed after flight suggests that the changes in iron metabolism may not be strictly due to an inflammatory response. Urinary 8- hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration was greater and superoxide dismutase was less after flight, indicating that oxidative damage had increased (P<0.05). Despite the reported use of vitamin D supplements during flight, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly decreased after flight (P<0.01). Bone resorption was increased after flight, as indicated by several urinary markers of bone resorption. Bone formation, assessed by serum concentration of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, was elevated only in crew members who landed in Russia, probably because of the longer time lapse between landing and sample collection. These data provide evidence that bone loss, compromised vitamin D status, and oxidative damage remain critical concerns for long-duration space flight.

Blood and clonogenic hemopoietic cells of newts after the space flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michurina, T. V.; Domaratskaya, E. I.; Nikonova, T. M.; Khrushchov, N. G.

Ribbed newts were used for studying the effect of space flight on board of the biosatellite (Cosmos-2229) on blood and clonogenic hemopoietic cells. In blood of newts of the flight group, the relative proportion of neutrophils increased, whereas that of lymphocytes and eosinophils decreased. Space flight did not result in loss of the ability of newt blood cells to incorporate H^3-thymidine. Analysis of clonogenic hemopoietic cells was performed using the method of hemopoietic colony formation on cellulose acetate membranes implanted into the peritoneal cavity of irradiated newts. To analyze reconstitution of hemopoiesis after irradiation donor hemopoietic cells from flight or control newts were transplanted into irradiated newts whose hemopoietic organs were investigated. The newt can be considered an adequate model for studying hemopoiesis under the conditions of the space flight. Previous studies on rats subjected to 5- to 19-day space flights revealed a decrease in the number of clonogenic cells in their hemopoietic organs accompanied by specific changes in the precursor cell compartment and in blood /1,2/. Hence, it was interesting to analyze blood and hemopoietic tissue of lower vertebrates after a space flight and to compare the response to it of animals belonging to different taxonomic groups. We analyzed blood and clonogenic hemopoietic cells of ribbed newts, Pleurodeles waltl (age one year, weight 20-28 g) subjected to a 12-day space flight on board of a Cosmos-2229 biosatellite. The same animals were used in studies on limb and lens regeneration. The results were compared with those obtained with control groups of newts: (1) basic control, operated newts sacrificed on the day of biosatellite launching (BC); (2) synchronous control, operated newts kept in the laboratory under simulated space flight conditions (SC); and (3) intact newts (IC).

Bases anatomiques des lésions de l’artère pudendale externe lors de la chirurgie des varices du membre pelvien

PubMed Central

Gaye, Magaye; Ndiaye, Assane; Dieng, Papa Adama; Ndiaye, Aynina; Ba, Papa Salmane; Diatta, Souleymane; Ciss, Amadou Gabriel; Ndoye, Jean Marc Ndiaga; Diop, Mamadou; Ndiaye, Abdoulaye; Ndiaye, Mouhamadou; Dia, Abdarahmane

2016-01-01

Introduction L’artère pudendale externe est une branche collatérale de l’artère fémorale commune qui est destinée à la vascularisation du pénis ou du clitoris. Ses rapports avec la crosse de la grande veine saphène et de ses afférences, dans le trigone fémoral, sont très étroits. Cette situation fait qu’elle est souvent lésée lors de la crossectomie et de l’éveinage de la grande veine saphène. Ces lésions peuvent être à l’origine d’une dysfonction sexuelle. Méthodes Il s’agit d’une dissection de 22 régions inguinales chez 13 hommes et 9 femmes qui ont bénéficié d’un abord chirurgical du trigone fémoral. La distribution et les rapports de l’artère pudendale externe par rapport à la crosse de la grande veine saphène sont étudiés. Résultats L’artère pudendale externe unique est la plus fréquente. Toutes les artères pudendales externes ont pour origine l’artère fémorale commune. Le rapport le plus fréquent est le sous croisement de la crosse de la grande veine saphène par une artère pudendale externe unique. Par ailleurs, on a un précroisement, un croisement alterné et des rapports avec la veine fémorale commune et des afférences de la crosse de la grande veine saphène. Certaines techniques chirurgicales exposent plus ou moins à une lésion de l’artère pudendale externe. Conclusion Ce travail confirme les données antérieures mais montre encore quelques particularités sur les rapports entre la crosse de la grande veine saphène et l’artère pudendale externe. PMID:27795794

Differential effects of the extracellular microenvironment on human embryonic stem cell differentiation into keratinocytes and their subsequent replicative life span.

PubMed

Movahednia, Mohammad Mehdi; Kidwai, Fahad Karim; Zou, Yu; Tong, Huei Jinn; Liu, Xiaochen; Islam, Intekhab; Toh, Wei Seong; Raghunath, Michael; Cao, Tong

2015-04-01

Culture microenvironment plays a critical role in the propagation and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and their differentiated progenies. Although high efficiency of hESC differentiation to keratinocytes (hESC-Kert) has been achieved, little is known regarding the effects of early culture microenvironment and pertinent extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions during epidermal commitment on subsequent proliferative capacity of hESC-Kert. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the different ECM microenvironments during hESC differentiation on subsequent replicative life span of hESC-Kert. In doing so, H1-hESCs were differentiated to keratinocytes (H1-Kert) in two differentiation systems. The first system employed autologous fibroblast feeder support, in which keratinocytes (H1-Kert(ACC)) were derived by coculture of hESCs with hESC-derived fibroblasts (H1-ebFs). The second system employed a novel decellularized matrix from H1-ebFs to create a dermoepidermal junction-like (DEJ) matrix. H1-Kert(AFF) were derived by differentiation of hESCs on the feeder-free system employing the DEJ matrix. Our study indicated that the feeder-free system with the use of DEJ matrix was more efficient in differentiation of hESCs toward epidermal progenitors. However, the feeder-free system was not sufficient to support the subsequent replicative capacity of differentiated keratinocytes. Of note, H1-Kert(AFF) showed limited replicative capacity with reduced telomere length and early cellular senescence. We further showed that the lack of cell-cell interactions during epidermal commitment led to heightened production of TGF-β1 by hESC-Kert during extended culture, which in turn was responsible for resulting in the limited replicative life span with cellular senescence of hESC-Kert derived under the feeder-free culture system. This study highlights for the first time the importance of the culture microenvironment and cell-ECM interactions during differentiation of hESCs on subsequent replicative life span and cellular senescence of the differentiated keratinocytes, with implications for use of these cells for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Feasibility and Biomechanics of Multilevel Arthroplasty and Combined Cervical Arthrodesis and Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Safavi-Abbasi, Sam; Reyes, Phillip M; Abjornson, Celeste; Crawford, Neil R

2016-12-01

A new experimental protocol was applied utilizing a simplified postural control model. Multiple constructs were tested nondestructively by interconnecting segmental rods to screws. To investigate how posture and distribution of segmental angles under physiological loads are affected by combined cervical arthroplasty and fusion. Previous studies of biomechanics of multilevel arthroplasty have focused on range of motion and intradiscal pressure. No previous study has investigated postural changes and segmental angle distribution. In 7 human cadaveric C3-T1 specimens, C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7 disks were replaced with ProDisc-C (Synthes). Combinations of fusion (f) adjacent to arthroplasty (A) were simulated at C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7, respectively: fAA, AfA, AAf, ffA, fAf, Aff, fff. C3-C4 and C7-T1 remained intact. A compressive belt apparatus simulated normal muscle cocontraction and gravitational preload; C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7, and C7-T1 motions were tracked independently. Parameters studied were segmental postural compensation, neutral buckling, and shift in sagittal plane instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR). With one or more levels unfused, the arthroplasty levels preferentially moved toward upright posture before the intact levels. Neutral buckling was greatest for 3-level arthroplasty, less for 2-level arthroplasty, and least for 1-level arthroplasty. Among the three 1-level arthroplasty groups (ffA, fAf, Aff), arthroplasty at the caudalmost level resulted in significantly greater buckling than with arthroplasty rostralmost or at mid-segment (P<0.04, analysis of variance/Holm-Sidak). Although IAR location was related to buckling, this correlation did not reach significance (P=0.112). Arthroplasty levels provide the "path of least resistance," through which the initial motion is more likely to occur. The tendency for specimens to buckle under vertical compression became greater with more arthroplasty levels. Buckling appeared more severe with arthroplasty more caudal. Buckling only moderately correlated to shifts in IAR, meaning slight malpositioning of the devices would not necessarily cause buckling.

The trophic ecology of key megafaunal species at the Pakistan Margin: Evidence from stable isotopes and lipid biomarkers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeffreys, Rachel M.; Wolff, George A.; Murty, Sarah J.

2009-10-01

The Arabian Sea is subject to intense seasonality resulting from biannual monsoons, which lead to associated large particulate fluxes and an abundance of organic carbon, a potential food source at the seafloor for benthic detritivores. We used the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen alongside lipid analyses to examine potential food sources (particulate and sedimentary organic matter, POM and SOM respectively) in order to determine trophic linkages for the twelve most abundant megafaunal species ( Pontocaris sp., Solenocera sp., Munidopsis aff. scobina, Actinoscyphia sp., Actinauge sp., Echinoptilum sp., Pennatula aff. grandis, Astropecten sp. Amphiura sp. Ophiura euryplax, Phormosoma placenta and Hyalinoecia sp.) at the Pakistan Margin between 140 and 1400 m water depth. This transect spans a steep gradient in oxygen concentrations and POM flux. Ranges of δ 13C and δ 15N values were narrow in POM and SOM (˜4‰ and ˜2‰ for δ 13C and δ 15N, respectively) with little evidence of temporal variability. Labile lipid compounds in SOM originating from phytoplankton did exhibit seasonal change in their concentrations at the shallowest sites, 140 and 300 m. Benthic megafauna had broad ranges in δ 13C and δ 15N (>10‰ and >8‰ for δ 13C and δ 15N, respectively) suggesting they occupy several trophic levels and utilize a variety of food sources. There is evidence for feeding niche separation between and within trophic groups. Lipid biomarkers in animal tissues indicate a mixture of food sources originating from both phytoplankton (C 20:5(n-3) and C 22:6(n-3)) and invertebrate prey (C 20:1 and C 22:1). Biomarkers originating from phytodetritus are conserved through trophic transfer to the predator/scavengers. Six species ( Pontocaris sp., Solenocera sp., Actinoscyphia sp., Echinoptilum sp., Amphiura sp. and Hyalinoecia sp.) showed a significant biochemical response to the seasonal supply of food and probably adapt their trophic strategy to low food availability. Biotransformation of assimilated lipids by megafauna is evident from polyunsaturated fatty acid distributions, for example, Echinoptilum sp. converts C 20:5(n-3) to C 24:6(n-3).

Partial mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest the existence of a cryptic species within the Leucosphyrus group of the genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae), forest malaria vectors, in northern Vietnam.

PubMed

Takano, Kohei Takenaka; Nguyen, Ngoc Thi Hong; Nguyen, Binh Thi Huong; Sunahara, Toshihiko; Yasunami, Michio; Nguyen, Manh Duc; Takagi, Masahiro

2010-04-30

During the last decade, Southeast Asian countries have been very successful in reducing the burden of malaria. However, malaria remains endemic in these countries, especially in remote and forested areas. The Leucosphyrus group of the genus Anopheles harbors the most important malaria vectors in forested areas of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, previous molecular studies have resulted in the identification of only Anopheles dirus sensu stricto (previously known as An. dirus species A) among the Leucosphyrus group members. However, Vietnamese entomologists have recognized that mosquitoes belonging to the Leucosphyrus group in northern Vietnam exhibit morphological characteristics similar to those of Anopheles takasagoensis, which has been reported only from Taiwan. Here, we aimed to confirm the genetic and morphological identities of the members of the Leucosphyrus group in Vietnam. In the molecular phylogenetic trees reconstructed using partial COI and ND6 mitochondrial gene sequences, samples collected from southern and central Vietnam clustered together with GenBank sequences of An. dirus that were obtained from Thailand. However, samples from northern Vietnam formed a distinct clade separated from both An. dirus and An. takasagoensis by other valid species. The results suggest the existence of a cryptic species in northern Vietnam that is morphologically similar to, but phylogenetically distant from both An. dirus and An. takasagoensis. We have tentatively designated this possible cryptic species as Anopheles aff. takasagoensis for convenience, until a valid name is assigned. However, it is difficult to distinguish the species solely on the basis of morphological characteristics. Further studies on such as karyotypes and polytene chromosome banding patterns are necessary to confirm whether An. aff. takasagoensis is a valid species. Moreover, studies on (1) the geographic distribution, which is potentially spreading along the Vietnam, China, Laos, and Myanmar borders; (2) morphological and ecological characteristics; and (3) vectorial capacity of this newly identified cryptic species of An. dirus, which is one of the most important malaria vectors in the mainland of Southeast Asia, are necessary for planning efficient malaria vector control programs in this region.

Forest management under climatic and social uncertainty: trade-offs between reducing climate change impacts and fostering adaptive capacity.

PubMed

Seidl, Rupert; Lexer, Manfred J

2013-01-15

The unabated continuation of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and the lack of an international consensus on a stringent climate change mitigation policy underscore the importance of adaptation for coping with the all but inevitable changes in the climate system. Adaptation measures in forestry have particularly long lead times. A timely implementation is thus crucial for reducing the considerable climate vulnerability of forest ecosystems. However, since future environmental conditions as well as future societal demands on forests are inherently uncertain, a core requirement for adaptation is robustness to a wide variety of possible futures. Here we explicitly address the roles of climatic and social uncertainty in forest management, and tackle the question of robustness of adaptation measures in the context of multi-objective sustainable forest management (SFM). We used the Austrian Federal Forests (AFF) as a case study, and employed a comprehensive vulnerability assessment framework based on ecosystem modeling, multi-criteria decision analysis, and practitioner participation. We explicitly considered climate uncertainty by means of three climate change scenarios, and accounted for uncertainty in future social demands by means of three societal preference scenarios regarding SFM indicators. We found that the effects of climatic and social uncertainty on the projected performance of management were in the same order of magnitude, underlining the notion that climate change adaptation requires an integrated social-ecological perspective. Furthermore, our analysis of adaptation measures revealed considerable trade-offs between reducing adverse impacts of climate change and facilitating adaptive capacity. This finding implies that prioritization between these two general aims of adaptation is necessary in management planning, which we suggest can draw on uncertainty analysis: Where the variation induced by social-ecological uncertainty renders measures aiming to reduce climate change impacts statistically insignificant (i.e., for approximately one third of the investigated management units of the AFF case study), fostering adaptive capacity is suggested as the preferred pathway for adaptation. We conclude that climate change adaptation needs to balance between anticipating expected future conditions and building the capacity to address unknowns and surprises. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aging Enhances Indirect Flight Muscle Fiber Performance yet Decreases Flight Ability in Drosophila

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, Mark S.; Lekkas, Panagiotis; Braddock, Joan M.

2008-10-02

We investigated the effects of aging on Drosophila melanogaster indirect flight muscle from the whole organism to the actomyosin cross-bridge. Median-aged (49-day-old) flies were flight impaired, had normal myofilament number and packing, barely longer sarcomeres, and slight mitochondrial deterioration compared with young (3-day-old) flies. Old (56-day-old) flies were unable to beat their wings, had deteriorated ultrastructure with severe mitochondrial damage, and their skinned fibers failed to activate with calcium. Small-amplitude sinusoidal length perturbation analysis showed median-aged indirect flight muscle fibers developed greater than twice the isometric force and power output of young fibers, yet cross-bridge kinetics were similar. Large increasesmore » in elastic and viscous moduli amplitude under active, passive, and rigor conditions suggest that median-aged fibers become stiffer longitudinally. Small-angle x-ray diffraction indicates that myosin heads move increasingly toward the thin filament with age, accounting for the increased transverse stiffness via cross-bridge formation. We propose that the observed protein composition changes in the connecting filaments, which anchor the thick filaments to the Z-disk, produce compensatory increases in longitudinal stiffness, isometric tension, power and actomyosin interaction in aging indirect flight muscle. We also speculate that a lack of MgATP due to damaged mitochondria accounts for the decreased flight performance.« less

Metabolism and biochemistry in hypogravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leach, Carolyn S.

1991-01-01

The headward shift of body fluid and increase in stress-related hormones that occur in hypogravity bring about a number of changes in metabolism and biochemistry of the human body. Such alterations may have important effects on health during flight and during a recovery period after return to earth. Body fluid and electrolytes are lost, and blood levels of several hormones that control metabolism are altered during space flight. Increased serum calcium may lead to an increased risk of renal stone formation during flight, and altered drug metabolism could influence the efficacy of therapeutic agents. Orthostatic intolerance and an increased risk of fracturing weakened bones are concerns at landing. It is important to understand biochemistry and metabolism in hypogravity so that clinically important developments can be anticipated and prevented or ameliorated.

Propulsion/flight control integration technology (PROFIT) software system definition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carlin, C. M.; Hastings, W. J.

1978-01-01

The Propulsion Flight Control Integration Technology (PROFIT) program is designed to develop a flying testbed dedicated to controls research. The control software for PROFIT is defined. Maximum flexibility, needed for long term use of the flight facility, is achieved through a modular design. The Host program, processes inputs from the telemetry uplink, aircraft central computer, cockpit computer control and plant sensors to form an input data base for use by the control algorithms. The control algorithms, programmed as application modules, process the input data to generate an output data base. The Host program formats the data for output to the telemetry downlink, the cockpit computer control, and the control effectors. Two applications modules are defined - the bill of materials F-100 engine control and the bill of materials F-15 inlet control.

IAE - Inflatable Antenna Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-05-20

STS077-150-010 (20 May 1996) --- Soon after leaving the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Spartan 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) payload goes through its inflation process, backdropped over clouds. The view was photographed with a large format still camera on the first full day of in-space operations by the six-member crew. Managed by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Spartan is designed to provide short-duration, free-flight opportunities for a variety of scientific studies. The Spartan configuration on this flight is unique in that the IAE is part of an additional separate unit which is ejected once the experiment is completed. The IAE experiment will lay the groundwork for future technology development in inflatable space structures, which will be launched and then inflated like a balloon on-orbit.

Space processing applications rocket project. SPAR 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chassay, R. P. (Editor)

1984-01-01

The Space Processing Applications Rocket Project (SPAR) VIII Final Report contains the engineering report prepared at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) as well as the three reports from the principal investigators. These reports also describe pertinent portions of ground-based research leading to the ultimate selection of the flight sample composition, including design, fabrication, and testing, all of which are expected to contribute immeasurably to an improved comprehension of materials processing in space. This technical memorandum is directed entirely to the payload manifest flown in the eighth of a series of SPAR flights conducted at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and includes the experiments entitled Glass Formation Experiment SPAR 74-42/1R, Glass Fining Experiment in Low-Gravity SPAR 77-13/1, and Dynamics of Liquid Bubbles SPAR Experiment 77-18/2.

Autonomous Relative Navigation for Formation-Flying Satellites Using GPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gramling, Cheryl; Carpenter, J. Russell; Long, Anne; Kelbel, David; Lee, Taesul

2000-01-01

The Goddard Space Flight Center is currently developing advanced spacecraft systems to provide autonomous navigation and control of formation flyers. This paper discusses autonomous relative navigation performance for a formation of four eccentric, medium-altitude Earth-orbiting satellites using Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and "GPS-like " intersatellite measurements. The performance of several candidate relative navigation approaches is evaluated. These analyses indicate that an autonomous relative navigation position accuracy of 1meter root-mean-square can be achieved by differencing high-accuracy filtered solutions if only measurements from common GPS space vehicles are used in the independently estimated solutions.

Thruster Limitation Consideration for Formation Flight Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Yunjun; Fitz-Coy, Norman; Mason, Paul

2003-01-01

Physical constraints of any real system can have a drastic effect on its performance. Some of the more recognized constraints are actuator and sensor saturation and bandwidth, power consumption, sampling rate (sensor and control-loop) and computation limits. These constraints can degrade system s performance, such as settling time, overshoot, rising time, and stability margins. In order to address these issues, researchers have investigated the use of robust and nonlinear controllers that can incorporate uncertainty and constraints into a controller design. For instance, uncertainties can be addressed in the synthesis model used in such algorithms as H(sub infinity), or mu. There is a significant amount of literature addressing this type of problem. However, there is one constraint that has not often been considered; that is, actuator authority resolution. In this work, thruster resolution and controller schemes to compensate for this effect are investigated for position and attitude control of a Low Earth Orbit formation flight system In many academic problems, actuators are assumed to have infinite resolution. In real system applications, such as formation flight systems, the system actuators will not have infinite resolution. High-precision formation flying requires the relative position and the relative attitude to be controlled on the order of millimeters and arc-seconds, respectively. Therefore, the minimum force resolution is a significant concern in this application. Without the sufficient actuator resolution, the system may be unable to attain the required pointing and position precision control. Furthermore, fuel may be wasted due to high-frequency chattering phenomena when attempting to provide a fine control with inadequate actuators. To address this issue, a Sliding Mode Controller is developed along with the boundary Layer Control to provide the best control resolution constraints. A Genetic algorithm is used to optimize the controller parameters according to the states error and fuel consumption criterion. The tradeoffs and effects of the minimum force limitation on performance are studied and compared to the case without the limitation. Furthermore, two methods are proposed to reduce chattering and improve precision.

Space Shuttle reaction control system thruster metal nitrate removal and characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saulsberry, R. L.; Mccartney, P. A.

1993-01-01

The Space Shuttle hypergolic primary reaction control system (PRCS) thrusters continue to fail-leak or fail-off at a rate of approximately 1.5 per flight, attributed primarily to metal nitrate formation in the nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) pilot operated valves (POV's). The failures have continued despite ground support equipment (GSE) and subsystem operational improvements. As a result, the Johnson Space Center (JSC) White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) performed a study to characterize the contamination in the N204 valves. This study prompted the development and implementation of a highly successful flushing technique using deionized (DI) water and gaseous nitrogen (GN2) to remove the contamination while minimizing Teflon seat damage. Following flushing a comprehensive acceptance test is performed before the thruster is deemed recovered. Between the time WSTF was certified to process flight thrusters (March 1992) and September 1993, a 68 percent thruster recovery rate was achieved. The contamination flushed from these thrusters was analyzed and has provided insight into the corrosion process, which is reported in this publication. Additionally, the long-term performance of 24 flushed thrusters installed in the WSTF Fleet Leader Shuttle reaction control subsystem (RCS) test articles is being assessed. WSTF continues to flush flight and test article thrusters and compile data to investigate metal nitrate formation characteristics in leaking and nonleaking valves.

Pathway Design Effects on Synthetic Vision Head-Up Displays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kramer, Lynda J.; Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Arthur, Jarvis J., III; Bailey, Randall E.

2004-01-01

NASA s Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) project is developing technologies with practical applications that will eliminate low visibility conditions as a causal factor to civil aircraft accidents while replicating the operational benefits of clear day flight operations, regardless of the actual outside visibility condition. A major thrust of the SVS project involves the development/demonstration of affordable, certifiable display configurations that provide intuitive out-the-window terrain and obstacle information with advanced pathway guidance for transport aircraft. This experiment evaluated the influence of different tunnel and guidance concepts upon pilot situation awareness (SA), mental workload, and flight path tracking performance for Synthetic Vision display concepts using a Head-Up Display (HUD). Two tunnel formats (dynamic, minimal) were evaluated against a baseline condition (no tunnel) during simulated IMC approaches to Reno-Tahoe International airport. Two guidance cues (tadpole, follow-me aircraft) were also evaluated to assess their influence on the tunnel formats. Results indicated that the presence of a tunnel on an SVS HUD had no effect on flight path performance but that it did have significant effects on pilot SA and mental workload. The dynamic tunnel concept with the follow-me aircraft guidance symbol produced the lowest workload and provided the highest SA among the tunnel concepts evaluated.

Lidar measurements at Lauder, NZ

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McGee, Thomas J.; Gross, Michael; Singh, Upendra; Kimvilakani, Patrick

1995-01-01

In March of 1994, the GSFC Stratospheric Ozone Lidar was deployed to the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC) site at Lauder, NZ. This was in conjunction with a series of NASA ER-2 flights from Christchurch, NZ south to the Antarctic Circle. These flights were organized to study the chemistry of the stratosphere before, during and after the formation of the well-known 'ozone hole'. Lidar measurements were made at four different time periods corresponding to the times of the ER-2 flights. Lauder is situated nearly along the flight path as the aircraft flew south and so the lidar measurements provide a checkpoint for the ozone, aerosol and temperature instruments onboard the aircraft. Whenever the weather permitted, lidar measurements were made as near to dawn, prior to the flight, and as near to sunset, after the flight. This provided data as close to the aircraft transit time as possible. More than 70 individual lidar measurements were made, each consisting of a vertical profile of ozone, temperature, and aerosol. These were made over three different seasons and show seasonal variation. Of particular interest in the lidar data base is the wintertime stratospheric - mesospheric temperature profiles, which show large variations at the stratopause and also some significant wave activity.

Effective Training for Flight in Icing Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnhart, Billy P.; Ratvasky, Thomas P.

2007-01-01

The development of a piloted flight simulator called the Ice Contamination Effects Flight Training Device (ICEFTD) was recently completed. This device demonstrates the ability to accurately represent an iced airplane s flight characteristics and is utilized to train pilots in recognizing and recovering from aircraft handling anomalies that result from airframe ice formations. The ICEFTD was demonstrated at three recent short courses hosted by the University of Tennessee Space Institute. It was also demonstrated to a group of pilots at the National Test Pilot School. In total, eighty-four pilots and flight test engineers from industry and the regulatory community spent approximately one hour each in the ICEFTD to get a "hands on" lesson of an iced airplane s reduced performance and handling qualities. Additionally, pilot cues of impending upsets and recovery techniques were demonstrated. The purpose of this training was to help pilots understand how ice contamination affects aircraft handling so they may apply that knowledge to the operations of other aircraft undergoing testing and development. Participant feedback on the ICEFTD was very positive. Pilots stated that the simulation was very valuable, applicable to their occupations, and provided a safe way to explore the flight envelope. Feedback collected at each demonstration was also helpful to define additional improvements to the ICEFTD; many of which were then implemented in subsequent demonstrations.

Demonstration of an Ice Contamination Effects Flight Training Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratvasky, Thomas P.; Ranaudo, Richard J.; Blankenship, Kurt S.; Lee, Sam

2006-01-01

The development of a piloted flight simulator called the Ice Contamination Effects Flight Training Device (ICEFTD) was recently completed. This device demonstrates the ability to accurately represent an iced airplane s flight characteristics and is utilized to train pilots in recognizing and recovering from aircraft handling anomalies that result from airframe ice formations. The ICEFTD was demonstrated at three recent short courses hosted by the University of Tennessee Space Institute. It was also demonstrated to a group of pilots at the National Test Pilot School. In total, eighty-four pilots and flight test engineers from industry and the regulatory community spent approximately one hour each in the ICEFTD to get a "hands on" lesson of an iced airplane s reduced performance and handling qualities. Additionally, pilot cues of impending upsets and recovery techniques were demonstrated. The purpose of this training was to help pilots understand how ice contamination affects aircraft handling so they may apply that knowledge to the operations of other aircraft undergoing testing and development. Participant feedback on the ICEFTD was very positive. Pilots stated that the simulation was very valuable, applicable to their occupations, and provided a safe way to explore the flight envelope. Feedback collected at each demonstration was also helpful to define additional improvements to the ICEFTD; many of which were then implemented in subsequent demonstrations

Numerical simulation of base flow of a long range flight vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, S.; Rathod, S.; Chandra Murty, M. S. R.; Sinha, P. K.; Chakraborty, Debasis

2012-05-01

Numerical exploration of base flow of a long range flight vehicle is presented for different flight conditions. Three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations are solved along with k-ɛ turbulence model using commercial CFD software. Simulation captured all essential flow features including flow separation at base shoulder, shear layer formation at the jet boundary, recirculation at the base region etc. With the increase in altitude, the plume of the rocket exhaust is seen to bulge more and more and caused more intense free stream and rocket plume interaction leading to higher gas temperature in the base cavity. The flow field in the base cavity is investigated in more detail, which is found to be fairly uniform at different instant of time. Presence of the heat shield is seen to reduce the hot gas entry to the cavity region due to different recirculation pattern in the base region. Computed temperature history obtained from conjugate heat transfer analysis is found to compare very well with flight measured data.

Crew interface specification development study for in-flight maintenance and stowage functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carl, J. G.

1971-01-01

The need and potential solutions for an orderly systems engineering approach to the definition, management and documentation requirements for in-flight maintenance, assembly, servicing, and stowage process activities of the flight crews of future spacecraft were investigated. These processes were analyzed and described using a new technique (mass/function flow diagramming), developed during the study, to give visibility to crew functions and supporting requirements, including data products. This technique is usable by NASA for specification baselines and can assist the designer in identifying both upper and lower level requirements associated with these processes. These diagrams provide increased visibility into the relationships between functions and related equipments being utilized and managed and can serve as a common communicating vehicle between the designer, program management, and the operational planner. The information and data product requirements to support the above processes were identified along with optimum formats and contents of these products. The resulting data product concepts are presented to support these in-flight maintenance and stowage processes.

Idiopathic hypersomnia in an aircrew member.

PubMed

Withers, B G; Loube, D I; Husak, J P

1999-08-01

In aviation, it is essential that all aircrew members remain alert and contribute, by their observations and actions, to flight safety. Especially in helicopter operations, crewmembers riding in the rear of the aircraft play an integral role in many aspects of flight, such as take-offs, landings, turns, formation flights, hazard avoidance, situational awareness, military operations, and crew coordination. We present the case of a helicopter crew chief with idiopathic hypersomnia, briefly review the disorder, and give the recent U.S. military aviation experience with sleep disorders. Flight surgeons and aeromedical examiners should be active in considering and diagnosing sleep-related disorders as the aviator or crewmember may not be aware of the disease or may not volunteer the history. A directed history is important in making the diagnosis, as are reports from family and other aircrew members. Referral to a sleep specialist is required in performing objective sleep studies, establishing the diagnosis, recommending treatment, and providing a prognosis. Many sleep disorders are treatable and aeromedically waiverable.

10 day flight performance of the plant generic bioprocessing apparatus (PGBA) plant growth facility aboard STS-77

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoehn, Alex; Chamberlain, Dale J.; Forsyth, Sasha W.; Hanna, David S.; Scovazzo, Paul; Horner, Michael B.; Stodieck, Louis S.; Todd, Paul; Heyenga, A. Gerard; Kliss, Mark H.; Bula, Raymond; Yetka, Robert

1997-01-01

PGBA, a plant growth facility developed for space flight biotechnology research, successfully grew a total of 30 plants in a closed, multi-crop chamber for 10 days aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-77). Artemisia annua, Catharanthus roseus, Pinus taeda, Spinacia oleracea and Trifolium repens were the five species studied during this mission. The primary mission objectives were to study the effects of microgravity for commercial and pharmaceutical production purposes. PGBA is a payload that represents a consortium of interests including BioServe Space Technologies (payload sponsor), NASA Ames Research Center (Controlled Ecological Life Support System, CELSS, Flight Program), Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR), and industrial affiliates (spaceflight effects on plants and formation of plant products such as pharmaceuticals). Although BioServe is responsible for the flight hardware development and integration of PGBA, NASA Ames, WSCAR and industrial affiliates provide significant hardware subsystems and technical biological expertise support.