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

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At least 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Effects of mutation and some environmental factors on the physiology and pathogenicity of selected bacteria

Studies with mutants of Staphylococcus aureus lacking some virulence factors suggest that the presence of deoxyribonuclease correlates with mouse pathogenicity of S. aureus, while the ability to ferment mannitol or the possession of coagulases are not required for virulence. Autotrophy investigations on mycobacteria demonstrate a complete correlation between the ability to grow with hydrogen and the species of scotochromogenic mycobacterium tested. All tested strains of M. gordonae, a saprophyte, could grow autotrophically while none of the tested strains of M. scrofulaceum, a clinically important species, possessed this ability. A series of heat tolerant mutants of Pseudomonas fluorescences were obtained which can grow at temperatures up to 54 C, in contrast to a maximum growth temperature of 37 C for the wild type.

Decicco, B. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Acute metabolic and physiologic response of goats to narcosis

Assessment of the metabolic consequences of exposure to elevated partial pressures of nitrogen and helium under normobaric and hyperbaric conditions in goats. The results include the finding that hyperbaric nitrogen causes and increase in metabolic rate and a general decrease in blood constituent levels which is interpreted as reflecting a shift toward fatty acid metabolism at the expense of carbohydrates. A similar but more pronounced pattern was observed with hyperbaric helium.

Schatte, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Physiological responses to heat of resting man with impaired sweating capacity

The effects of total-body heat exposure were studied in three groups of subjects with varied degrees of impaired sweating capacity. The responses of two ectodermal dysplasic men, six quadriplegic men, and a man with widespread burned scar tissue were compared with the responses of three able-bodied men resting in the heat. It was found that the able-bodied and burned subjects competed successfully with a controlled environment of 38 C and 20% relative humidity for up to 150 min, whereas the quadriplegic and ectodermal dysplasic men developed hyperthermia, hyperventilation, and distress after only 120 and 75 min of heat exposure, respectively. The intolerance to heat is thus ascribed directly to the inability to produce and evaporate sweat.

Totel, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The problem of hypoxia, hyperoxia and hypercapnia in space physiology

The dynamics of basic functional systems and behavioral reactions depend on the oxygen regime of the human body when confined in pressurized compartments during space flight. Permissible concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases to avoid symptoms of hypoxia, hyperoxia and hypercapnia are discussed in relation to numerous human tolerance studies.

Agadzhanyan, N. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Physiological problems of weightlessness

A brief review of the compensatory-adjusting body changes observed during and after human exposure to prolonged spaceflight is given. Pathological disturbances caused by increased functional hypokinesia and weightlessness loads affect the cardiovascular system, the nervous and hormonal systems, and the state of the skeletal musculo apparatus.

Vasilyev, P. V.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Study to define and verify the personal oral hygiene requirements for extended manned space flight: Oral physiology and microbiology in Skylab manned space missions

Methods for metabolic fingerprinting of pathogenic oral bacteria were developed and the effects of Skylab missions on salivary electrolyte levels were studied. High resolution gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) and pyrolysis-GLC procedures were used to obtain metabolic profiles of closely related bacteria associated with dental caries and periodontal disease. It was found that the GLC procedures provide a practical and reproducible means of obtaining metabolic markers for identifying closely related strains of these organisms. Fractions of stimulated whole saliva samples from the prime and back-up crews of the three Skylab missions were used to measure salivary electrolyte concentrations. All the electrolytes previously reported as having increased in urine and feces during the missions were assessed. Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and chloride were studied. A decrease in sodium and an increase in magnesium were observed, but the mineral imbalances attributable to the mission-related increases in urinary electrolytes were not detected.

Brown, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Physiological response to exercise after space flight - Apollo 14 through Apollo 17

Submaximal exercise stress tests were conducted preflight and postflight on the Apollo 14-17 crewmen. A bicycle ergometer was utilized to evoke target heart rates up to 160 beats/min while respiratory gas exchange, blood pressure, and cardiac output were measured. Three preflight tests were conducted during the month prior to flight to establish baseline values for postflight comparisons. Tachycardia was evidenced at rest and during exercise immediately postflight. This transitory tachycardia compensated for reduced stroke volume. Systolic blood pressure was reduced during exercise stress, but no consistent changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure. With the exception of the Apollo 15 crewmen, all crewmen had returned to preflight response levels by the day following recovery. No changes were observed in mechanical or respiratory efficiency immediately postflight.

Rummel, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Physiological mass measurements on Skylab 1/2 and 1/3

Mass measurements of crewmen and objects were made for the first time in space during Skylab. A description of the new devices designed for such measurements and of the technique of their use is detailed. Results from ground-based chamber simulation tests and from those during Skylab II and III show similar patterns of simple metabolic deficits, of a rapid loss during the first few days of flight followed by a reciprocal gain for the first few postflight days, and other transient changes. It is concluded that two major causes of weight loss are present: (1) a fluid redistribution and loss, and (2) metabolic losses. Added to these are short-term changes from transient stress. Smaller, simpler, and cheaper devices have since been designed which should allow mass measurements on virtually any object in almost any spacecraft.

Thornton, W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Physiological and biochemical characteristics of adrenergic receptors and pathways in brown adipocytes

Mechanisms involved in the thermogenic response of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to sympathetic nervous stimulation (e.g., by cold exposure) and to norepinephrine (NE) release are investigated. Three effects appear to play a role in the increased oxygen consumption (and heat production) of the adipocytes: increased membrane permeability, activation of the beta-adrenergic pathway, and enhancement of Na(+)/K(+) membrane pump activity. Increased passive influx of Na(+) and efflux of K(+) due to greater permeability raise the energy demands of the Na/K pump; the pump is also stimulated by increased cyclic AMP synthesis resulting from activation by NE of membrane-bound adenyl cyclase. Studies with inhibitors such as propanolol, phentolamine, and ouabain support this hypothesis.

Horwitz, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development and investigation of single-scan TV radiography for the acquisition of dynamic physiologic data

A light amplifier for large flat screen fluoroscopy was investigated which will decrease both its size and weight. The work on organ contouring was extended to yield volumes. This is a simple extension since the fluoroscopic image contains density (gray scale) information which can be translated as tissue thickness, integrated, yielding accurate volume data in an on-line situation. A number of devices were developed for analog image processing of video signals, operating on-line in real time, and with simple selection mechanisms. The results show that this approach is feasible and produces are improvement in image quality which should make diagnostic error significantly lower. These are all low cost devices, small and light in weight, thereby making them usable in a space environment, on the Ames centrifuge, and in a typical clinical situation.

Baily, N. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Advanced Recording and Preprocessing of Physiological Signals

The measurement of the volume flow-rate of blood in an artery or vein requires both an estimate of the flow velocity and its spatial distribution and the corresponding cross-sectional area. Transcutaneous measurements of these parameters can be performed using ultrasonic techniques that are analogous to the measurement of moving objects by use of a radar. Modern digital data recording and preprocessing methods were applied to the measurement of blood-flow velocity by means of the CW Doppler ultrasonic technique. Only the average flow velocity was measured and no distribution or size information was obtained. Evaluations of current flowmeter design and performance, ultrasonic transducer fabrication methods, and other related items are given. The main thrust was the development of effective data-handling and processing methods by application of modern digital techniques. The evaluation resulted in useful improvements in both the flowmeter instrumentation and the ultrasonic transducers. Effective digital processing algorithms that provided enhanced blood-flow measurement accuracy and sensitivity were developed. Block diagrams illustrative of the equipment setup are included.

Bentley, P. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Specialized physiological studies in support of manned space flight

Subjects were tested for tolerance to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) before and after acute dehydration by working intermittenly for two hours without fluid replacement. On the second day there-after the LBNP tests were repeated before and after acute dehydration. The LBNP test consisted of 5 min long consective stages at -20, -30, -40, -50 and -60 Torr. Tests were terminated when syncope was imminent or the full sequence was completed. Tolerance was expressed in terms of cumulative stress in Torr x min. Measurements of body mass, density, fat fraction and total body water (TBW) were made before and after acclimation. Blood volume and its constituents were determined before and after each of the four LBNP tests. During LBNP, heart rate, blood pressure, and changes in calf and forearm volume were recorded every minute. Results showed: acute dehydration caused a significant loss in average LBNP tolerance on all subjects. Acclimation to heat did not significantly affect LBNP tolerance in hydrated subjects but significantly improved it on dehydrated subjects.

Luft, U. C.↗