Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “palm”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3

Mechanisms for vasopressin effects on intraocular pressure in anesthetized rats

Continuous intracameral infusions of a balanced salt solution (0.175 microliter min-1) have been reported to raise intraocular pressure (IOP) in anesthetized rats. Palm et al. (1995) previously reported that this effect was attenuated significantly by inclusion of arginine-vasopressin (AVP, 10 ng 0.175 microliter-1) in the infusate. This study used experimental and computer simulation methods to investigate factors underlying these changes in IOP. First, constant intracameral infusions of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) at different fixed rates (0.049-0.35 microliter min-1) were used to estimate the outflow resistance. Secondly, IOP responses were measured during an 2 hr intracameral infusion of either aCSF or AVP that was the sum of a small constant component (0.05 microliter min-1) and a larger periodic component (0.25 microliter min-1, cycling for 4 min on, then 4 min off); the mean infusion rate was 0.175 microliter min-1. As shown previously for 0.175 microliter min-1 constant infusions, the periodic aCSF infusion induced a significant rise in IOP that was attenuated by AVP administration. Complex demodulation analysis and the estimated gain parameter of a second order transfer function fit to the periodic responses indicated that outflow resistance increased significantly during the infusions in both aCSF and AVP groups, but that the indices of resistance did not differ significantly between aCSF and AVP infused eyes. This finding implies that changes in outflow resistance do not explain the difference in IOP responses to intracameral aCSF and AVP. The two responses differed significantly, though, in damping factors, such that the aCSF responses were considerably more underdamped than the AVP responses. It is hypothesized that aCSF-induced increase in IOP reflects both (1) a small component reflecting increased outflow resistance and (2) a larger non-resistive component. Since the non-resistive component is insensitive to pretreatment with acetazolamide, it is suggested that the aCSF-induced elevation in IOP reflects primarily vascular perfusion changes that are reduced by local vasoconstrictor actions of AVP. The latter mechanism likely maintains vascular perfusion of the globe when intraocular hypertension develops.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗

Height Distribution Between Cloud and Aerosol Layers from the GLAS Spaceborne Lidar in the Indian Ocean Region

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), a nadir pointing lidar on the Ice Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) launched in 2003, now provides important new global measurements of the relationship between the height distribution of cloud and aerosol layers. GLAS data have the capability to detect, locate, and distinguish between cloud and aerosol layers in the atmosphere up to 40 km altitude. The data product algorithm tests the product of the maximum attenuated backscatter coefficient b'(r) and the vertical gradient of b'(r) within a layer against a predetermined threshold. An initial case result for the critical Indian Ocean region is presented. From the results the relative height distribution between collocated aerosol and cloud shows extensive regions where cloud formation is well within dense aerosol scattering layers at the surface. Citation: Hart, W. D., J. D. Spinhime, S. P. Palm, and D. L. Hlavka (2005), Height distribution between cloud and aerosol layers from the GLAS spaceborne lidar in the Indian Ocean region,

Hart, William D.↗

The Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for the GLAS Atmospheric Data Products

The purpose of this document is to present a detailed description of the algorithm theoretical basis for each of the GLAS data products. This will be the final version of this document. The algorithms were initially designed and written based on the authors prior experience with high altitude lidar data on systems such as the Cloud and Aerosol Lidar System (CALS) and the Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL), both of which fly on the NASA ER-2 high altitude aircraft. These lidar systems have been employed in many field experiments around the world and algorithms have been developed to analyze these data for a number of atmospheric parameters. CALS data have been analyzed for cloud top height, thin cloud optical depth, cirrus cloud emittance (Spinhirne and Hart, 1990) and boundary layer depth (Palm and Spinhirne, 1987, 1998). The successor to CALS, the CPL, has also been extensively deployed in field missions since 2000 including the validation of GLAS and CALIPSO. The CALS and early CPL data sets also served as the basis for the construction of simulated GLAS data sets which were then used to develop and test the GLAS analysis algorithms.

Palm, Stephen P.↗

Therapeutic hand-exercising device with cycling pressure value

Device exercises hands of persons whose fingers are generally straight and need to be flexed inward toward palms of hands. Device is extremely simple in design, which reduces costs, and fits all hand sizes. Patient can instantly free hand from device by pulling flap free from wrist of straps.

Barthlome, D. E.↗

The application of Skylab imagery to analysis of fault tectonics and earthquake hazards in the Peninsular Ranges, southern California

The author has identified the following significant results. Frame 114 of the Salton Sea area was studied in all bands to analyze the appearance of important faults. These faults were also studied in the field as well as from aircraft and in aerial photography. The San Andreas/Banning and the Mission Creek faults can be traced across Coachella Valley even though they are buried by alluvium. The faults form ground water barriers and the near surface ground water on the northeast sides of the faults supports patches of vegetation (mesquite and palms) in an otherwise barren desert. These oases are best seen in band 3 (color IR). Otherwise, faults are best seen in band 4 (aerial color). Of the B and W bands, 5 (red) is best for delineating faults. Bands 1 and 2 are excessively grainy and the resolution is considerably inferior to the other bands.

Merifield, P. M.↗

Metering gun for dispensing precisely measured charges of fluid

A cyclically operable fluid dispenser for use in dispensing precisely measured charges of potable water aboard spacecraft is described. The dispenser is characterized by (1) a sealed housing adapted to be held within a crewman's palm and coupled with a pressurized source of potable water; (2) a dispensing jet projected from the housing and configured to be received within a crewman's lips; (3) an expansible measuring chamber for measuring charges of drinking water received from the source; (4) and a dispenser actuator including a lever extended from the housing to be digitated for initiating operational cycles, whereby precisely measured charges of potable water selectively are delivered for drinking purposes in a weightless environment.

Cook, T. A.↗

Manual actuator

An actuator for an exercising machine employable by a crewman aboard a manned spacecraft is presented. The actuator is characterized by a force delivery arm projected from a rotary imput shaft of an exercising machine and having a force input handle extended orthogonally from its distal end. The handle includes a hand-grip configured to be received within the palm of the crewman's hand and a grid pivotally supported for angular displacement between a first position, wherein the grid is disposed in an overlying juxtaposition with the hand-grip, and a second position, angularly displaced from the first position, for affording access to the hand-grip, and a latching mechanism fixed to the sole of a shoe worn by the crewman for latching the shoe to the grid when the grid is in the first position.

Gause, R. L.↗

Design and fabrication of an end effector

The construction is described of a prototype mechanical hand or 'end effector' for use on a remotely controlled robot, but with possible application as a prosthetic device. An analysis of hand motions is reported, from which it is concluded that the two most important manipulations (apart from grasps) are to be able to pick up a tool and draw it into a nested grip against the palm, and to be able to hold a pistol-grip tool such as an electric drill and pull the trigger. A model was tested and found capable of both these operations.

Crossley, F. R. E.↗

Design for a three-fingered hand

This paper describes the construction of a prototype mechanical hand or 'end effector' for use on a remotely controlled robot, but with possible application as a prosthetic device. An analysis of hand motions is reported, from which it is concluded that the two most important manipulations (apart from grasps) are to be able to pick up a tool and draw it into a nested grip against the palm, and to be able to hold a pistol-grip tool such as an electric drill and pull the trigger. One of our models was tested and found capable of both these operations.

Crossley, F. R. E.↗

Compact ratchet wrench

Round ratchet wrench handle that fits into palm can be inserted into most areas that are inaccessible to wrenches with conventional handles.

Stringer, E. J.↗

Restraining mechanism

A restraining mechanism restraining a pressurized garment so as to limit its ballooning effect is described. A helically wound spring is bonded at its outer periphery to an elongated flat plate which permits the flat plate to bend in a single direction. The flat plate is attached to an inflatable glove to the palm side for restraining the glove from ballooning when inflated.

Hardy, J. C.↗

The effect of nonuniform wind shear on the intensification and reflection of mountain waves

A study is made of the intensification and reflection of mountain waves when the shear of the basic wind profile is nonuniform. A two-layer atmospheric model is treated, and the wind profile in the troposphere is assumed to be parabolic. The Scorer parameter includes the wind profile curvature term, which may not be neglected if the Richardson number Ri is finite. When Ri is finite, the optimal phase difference across the troposphere for maximum surface velocity intensifications is found to be slightly greater than Pi. As Ri increases, the optimal phase difference decreases with Ri and approaches the limiting value Pi. This implies that waves approximately reverse phase between the surface and the tropopause for maximum wave intensifications in most physically realistic atmospheric situations. The concept of Eliassen and Palm concerning the additivity of the vertical wave energy fluxes is expanded (valid at least up to the parabolic wind profile), by which the upward and downward energy transporting modes are identified.

Hyun, J. M.↗

Thermally Insulated Glove With Good Tactility

Thermally insulated glove contains short, closely-spaced elastomeric pins that insulate without impairing flexibility. By confining pins to the inter-joint areas of palm, fingers and back of the hand, joint mobility is retained. Glove thermal-insulation requirements dictate the relationships among pin length, pin diameter, and number of pins per unit surface length.

Balinskas, R.↗

Some Eulerian and Lagrangian diagnostics for a model stratospheric warming

The Eliassen-Palm (EP) cross sections for the model are discussed. EP cross sections conveniently display the principal eddy fluxes of heat, momentum, and quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity on one diagram. The EP diagnostics are used to follow the evolution of the mean flow through into the second stage of the model warming, which includes the reversal of the polar westerlies and which appears to have more in common with observed warmings. The transformed Eulerian-mean equations presented by Andrews and McIntyre (1976, 1978) provide the basis for an investigation in which an especially clear picture of the warming dynamics is obtained. In the second stage of the model warming, the decelerating torque per unit mass is large throughout a deep layer in the middle atmosphere, spanning several scale heights.

Dunkerton, T.↗

Nonslip Wristlet

Simple garmet protects vulnerable area between sleeve end and glove. Mittenlike wristlet is restrained by thumb loop and cuff attachment with either single finger opening or separate openings for each digit. Worn under glove, wristlet provides additional layer of protective material over palm, back of hand, and over web of thumb.

Himel, V.↗

Stratospheric warmings diagnosed using the transformed Eulerian-mean equations and the effect of the mean state on wave propagation

Terms for the transformed Eulerian equations are calculated in order to characterize the phenomenom of sudden stratospheric warming. The transformed diagnostics are applied to data for warmings during Dec. and Jan. 1976-1977, as well as cross sections for the directions of the Eiliassen-Palm (EP) fluxes and residual mean meridional circulations. The convergence of the EP flux was determined to provide a strong approximation to the total effect of waves in forcing the zonal mean flow. The EP fluxes change from an upward and equatorward direction to an upward and poleward direction during the warmings, and indications are reported that the effect is due to a feedback on wave propagation of an evolving mean flow. Ray paths in the meridional plane are computed for different mean wind fields to determine the direction of wave propagation according to linear theory based on the WKB approximation.

Oneill, A.↗