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At least 433 records · Page 24

Long-Term Groundwater Monitoring Report Industrial Area Kennedy Space Center, Florida

This report presents the 2023 groundwater sampling results from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Industrial Area (IA) Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) activities. Due to the project contract ending in 2023, this report presents one year of LTM activities instead of the two-year timeframe presented in previous reports. The NASA IA LTM Program includes the following 12 sites: - Ransom Road Landfill (RRLF) – Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) 003 - Building M7-0505 Treatment Tank Area (M505) – SWMU 039 - Operations and Checkout Building (O&C) – SWMU 076 - Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) – SWMU 077 - Environmental Health Facility (EHF) – SWMU 079 - Kennedy Athletic, Recreation, and Social Park 1 (KARS Park 1) – SWMU 084 - Engineering Development Laboratory (EDL) – SWMU 085 - Launch Equipment Test Facility (LETF) – SWMU 091 - Mobil Service Station (MOBIL) – SWMU 093 - General Services Administration Seized Property (GSSP) – SWMU 095 - Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) – SWMU 098 - Fuel Storage Area #1 Underground Storage Tank [Building 1044] (FSA1) – Potential Release Location (PRL) 157 Sampling events for the IA LTM Program are conducted seasonally during the dry and wet seasons, which occur in May and November, respectively. The sites in the NASA IA LTM Program are sampled on annual, biennial, or 5-year sampling frequencies based on historical trends. The current sampling frequencies for the NASA IA LTM sites are as follows: - FSA1 is sampled annually, alternating between wet and dry seasons. - GSSP is sampled annually during the wet season. - Seven sites are sampled biennially, alternating between the wet and dry seasons (RRLF, M505, O&C, VPF, LETF, MOBIL, and SSPF). - EHF and EDL are sampled biennially during the wet season. - KARS Park 1 is sampled once every 5 years.

remediation↗

Long-Term Regulation in the Cardiovascular System - Cornerstone in the Development of A Composite Physiological Model

The present work discusses a model of the cardiovascular system and related subsystems capable of long-term simulations of the type desired for in-space hypogravic human physiological performance prediction. The discussion centers around the model of Guyton and modifications of it. In order to draw attention to the fluid handling capabilities of the model, one of several transfusion simulations performed is presented, namely, the isotonic saline transfusion simulation.

R J White↗

Evaluation and prediction of long-term environmental effects on nonmetallic materials

Changes in functional properties of a broad spectrum of nonmetallic materials as a function of environment and exposure time were evaluated. Models for predicting long-term material performance are discussed. A literature search on specific materials in the space and simulated space environment was carried out and evaluated.

Source record↗

Elements of a stochastic-dynamical theory of the long-term variability of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation

The rudiments of a stochastic-dynamical model for climatic systems with multiple equilibrium states are presented as a means for analyzing the long-term variability of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. It is shown that a combination of the unstable air-sea interaction, the seasonal cycle, and stochastic intraseasonal forcings must be considered in any model for ENSO. In particular, the instability in the air-sea interaction may be triggered by stochastic forcing. The possibility that stochastic events initiate the conditions leading to ENSO exacerbates the already difficult task of predicting ENSO patterns.

Lau, K.-M.↗

Long-term containment of energetic particles in coronal loops

Recent observation from the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory shows that gamma-ray emission after a solar flare can last for as long as 8 hours. There is also evidence that electrons and protons are accelerated only during the impulsive phase of the flare and are subsequently mirror trapped in coronal magnetic loops. This poses the following dilemma: if the magnetic field lines in the loop are simple plane arches, the protons will drift across the cross section of the loop in seconds to minutes, rather than hours. To solve the dilemma, we use guiding center theory to show that long-term containment of energetic protons in a coronal loop is possible if magnetic field lines have enough twist. We also find that in the trapped region of the loop, the twist angle of field lines between the mirror points of a bounce orbit is approximately 2 pi.

Lau, Yun-Tung↗

Long-Term Dynamics of Small Bodies in the Solar System

As part of the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics program Prof. Norm Murray (CITA) and I have been conducting investigations of the long-term dynamics of small bodies in the outer solar system. This grant, and its predecessor NAG5- 7761, supports travel for collaboration by the Investigators and also supports Murray during an annual one month visit to the CfA for further collaboration. In the course of this grant we made a number of advances in solar system dynamics. For example, we developed an analytic model for the origin and consequence of chaos associated with three-body resonances in the asteroid belt. This has been shown to be important for the delivery of near Earth objects. We later extended this model to three- body resonances among planets. We were able to show that the numerically identified chaos among the outer planets results from a three-body resonance involving Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. The resulting paper was awarded the 1999 Newcomb Cleveland award from the AAAS. This award singles out one paper published in Science each year for distinction.

Holman, Matthew J.↗

Bioreactor perfusion system for the long-term maintenance of tissue-engineered skeletal muscle organoids

Three-dimensional skeletal muscle organ-like structures (organoids) formed in tissue culture by fusion of proliferating myoblasts into parallel networks of long, unbranched myofibers provide an in vivo-like model for examining the effects of growth factors, tension, and space flight on muscle cell growth and metabolism. To determine the feasibility of maintaining either avian or mammalian muscle organoids in a commercial perfusion bioreactor system, we measured metabolism, protein turnover. and autocrine/paracrine growth factor release rates. Medium glucose was metabolized at a constant rate in both low-serum- and serum-free media for up to 30 d. Total organoid noncollagenous protein and DNA content decreased approximately 22-28% (P < 0.05) over a 13-d period. Total protein synthesis rates could be determined accurately in the bioreactors for up to 30 h and total protein degradation rates could be measured for up to 3 wk. Special fixation and storage conditions necessary for space flight studies were validated as part of the studies. For example, the anabolic autocrine/paracrine skeletal muscle growth factors prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) could be measured accurately in collected media fractions, even after storage at 37 degrees C for up to 10 d. In contrast, creatine kinase activity (a marker of cell damage) in collected media fractions was unreliable. These results provide initial benchmarks for long-term ex vivo studies of tissue-engineered skeletal muscle.

NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal↗

Long-Term Dynamics of Small Bodies in the Solar System

As part of the NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics program Prof. Norm Murray (CITA) and I have been conducting investigations of the long-term dynamics of small bodies in the outer solar system. This grant, and its predecessor NAG5-7761, supported travel for collaboration by the Investigators and also supports Murray during an annual one month visit to the CfA for further collaboration. In the course of this grant we made a number of advances in solar system dynamics. For example, we developed an analytic model for the origin and consequence of chaos associated with three-body resonances in the asteroid belt. This has been shown to be important for the delivery of near Earth objects. We later extended this model to three-body resonances among planets. We were able to show that the numerically identified chaos among the outer planets results from a three-body resonance involving Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. The resulting paper was awarded the 1999 Newcomb Cleveland award from the AAAS. This award singles out one paper published in Science each year for distinction. This grant has also supported, in part, my participate in other solar system dynamics projects. The results from those collaborations are also listed.

Saunders, Steve↗

Long-Term Multiwavelength Studies of High-Redshift Blazar 0836+710

Following gamma-ray flaring activity of high-redshift (z=2.218) blazar 0836+710 in 2011, we have assembled a long-term multiwavelength study of this object. Although this source is monitored regularly by radio telescopes and the Fermi Large Area Telescope, its coverage at other wavelengths is limited. The optical flux appears generally correlated with the gamma-ray flux, while little variability has been seen at X-ray energies. The gamma-ray/radio correlation is complex compared to some other blazars. As for many blazars, the largest variability is seen at gamma-ray wavelengths.

Thompson, D. J.↗

Semi-analytical theory for long-term rotational motion of uncontrolled satellites

Analytical solutions/integrals of the free rotational motion of uncontrolled satellites which contain spinning rotors are employed in conjunction with a suitable analytical/numerical averaging approach to predict long-term attitude motion. This semi-analytical method of averaging is basically similar to the one used in purely analytical 'general perturbation' theories. However, in view of the complexities involved in analytical treatment of the problem, its application is primarily numerical in character. An example is presented illustrating the use of the theory to predict the attitude motion of an axisymmetric satellite containing symmetrical constant-speed rotors under gravity-gradient torque. The use of the theory is considerably more efficient than straightforward numerical integration of the complete set of equations of motion.

Lahr, B. S.↗

Long-term temporal variability of Cygnus X-2

Observations of the low-mass binary X-ray source Cyg X-2 taken over a five-year period using instruments on OSO 8, HEAO 1, and Einstein are presented. Irregular changes in intensity of up to 60 percent on time scales ranging from minutes to days are seen. The source appears to have long-term low-luminosity states during which dips lasting about three days occur. When these long dips occur, they always appear at the same phase in the optically determined 9.8-day orbital period. There are three distinct types of short-term dips distinguished by differing correlations between spectral hardness and intensity.

Vrtilek, S. D.↗

Long-term variability in bright hard X-ray sources: 5+ years of BATSE data

The operation of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO)/burst and transient source experiment (BATSE) continues to provide data for inclusion into a data base for the analysis of long term variability in bright, hard X-ray sources. The all-sky capability of BATSE provides up to 30 flux measurements/day for each source. The long baseline and the various rising and setting occultation flux measurements allow searches for periodic and quasi-periodic signals with periods of between several hours to hundreds of days to be conducted. The preliminary results from an analysis of the hard X-ray variability in 24 of the brightest BATSE sources are presented. Power density spectra are computed for each source and profiles are presented of the hard X-ray orbital modulations in some X-ray binaries, together with amplitude modulations and variations in outburst durations and intensities in recurrent X-ray transients.

Robinson, C. R.↗

Performance considerations in long-term spaceflight

Maintenance of skilled performance during extended space flight is of critical importance to both the health and safety of crew members and to the overall success of mission goals. An examination of long term effects and performance requirements is therefore a factor of immense importance to the planning of future missions. Factors that were investigated include: definition of performance categories to be investigated; methods for assessing and predicting performance levels; in-flight factors which can affect performance; and factors pertinent to the maintenance of skilled performance.

Akins, F. R.↗

On the Long-Term Variability of Jupiter's Winds and Brightness as Observed from Hubble

Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 imaging data of Jupiter were combined with wind profiles from Voyager and Cassini data to study long-term variability in Jupiter's winds and cloud brightness. Searches for evidence of wind velocity periodicity yielded a few latitudes with potential variability; the most significant periods were found nearly symmetrically about the equator at 0 deg., 10-12 deg. N, and 14-18 deg. S planetographic latitude. The low to mid-latitude signals have components consistent with the measured stratospheric temperature Quasi-Quadrennial Oscillation (QQO) period of-5 years, while the equatorial signal is approximately seasonal and could be tied to mesoscale wave formation, robustness tests indicate that a constant or continuously varying periodic signal near 4.5 years would appear with high significance in the data periodograms as long as uncertainties or noise in the data are not of greater magnitude. However, the lack of a consistent signal over many latitudes makes it difficult to interpret as a QQO-related change. In addition, further analyses of calibrated 410-nm and 953-nm brightness scans found few corresponding changes in troposphere haze and cloud structure on QQO timescales. However, stratospheric haze reflectance at 255-nm did appear to vary on seasonal timescales, though the data do not have enough temporal coverage or photometric accuracy to be conclusive. Sufficient temporal coverage and spacing, as well as data quality, are critical to this type of search.

Simon-Miller, Amy A.↗

Maintenance of contamination sensitive surfaces on board long-term space vehicles

In the current age, highly sensitive instruments are being flown on spacecraft, and questions of contamination have become important. The present investigation is concerned with the available approaches which can provide long-term protection for contamination sensitive surfaces. Aspects and sources of spacecraft contamination are examined, taking into account materials outgassing, particulates, propulsion system interaction, overboard venting, man-made and cosmic debris, and atomic oxygen/ambient atmosphere interaction. Suitable protection approaches provided by current technology are discussed, giving attention to aperture covers, a possibility for a retractable cover design, gaseous purges, options for prolonging the lifetime of the thermal control system, and plume shields. Some new possibilities considered are related to an early warning system for excessive amounts of contamination, a molecular/wake shield, and the use of atomic oxygen.

Phillips, A.↗

Comparative study of the phase of diurnal anisotropy on quiet and disturbed days on a long term basis up to recent period

The data from the world wide grid of neutron monitoring stations was analyzed for a comparative study of the phase of diurnal anisotropy on quiet and disturbed days on a long term basis up to recent period. It has been observed that the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on disturbed days where the value of the Ap-index is higher, is found to shift towards earlier hours in comparison to the phase of the diurnal anisotropy on quiet days where the value of Ap-index is lower on all the stations from 1965 to 71. Such a trend is not observable for the later period. This affect is found to be more pronounced on equatorial stations, in particular, in comparison to high latitude stations. It was derived from these observational facts that the relationship between Ap-index and the phase of the diurnal anisotropy is not invariant throughout the period of consideration. Furthermore, the exact cause of such a drastic change is not known, but it demonstrates very clearly that the interplanetary conditions which are responsible for both, diurnal anisotropy of cosmic ray intensity and the geomagnetic Ap-index variation, have drastically changed during the period 1971 and onwards.

Kumar, S.↗

A Derivation of the Long-Term Degradation of a Pulsed Atomic Frequency Standard from a Control-Loop Model

The phase of a frequency standard that uses periodic interrogation and control of a local oscillator (LO) is degraded by a long-term random-walk component induced by downconversion of LO noise into the loop passband. The Dick formula for the noise level of this degradation is derived from an explicit solution of an LO control-loop model.

Dick formula local oscillator frequency phase freq↗