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At least 613 records · Page 34

Ultrastructural changes in rat lung during long-term exposure to oxygen.

The pathogenesis of oxygen toxicity in the lung of rats was studied by electron microscopy. The following long-term effects were established: (1) a progressive destruction of the blood-air barrier beginning with the endothelial cell layer; (2) a profuse edema in the interstitial spaces in the pleural space in the alveoli and in the cytoplasm and organelles; (3) a continuing increase in the quantity and complexity of the alveolar exudate; (4) gradual hemolysis of red blood cells; and (5) eventual subsiding of the interstitial edema in surviving rats with a concomitant development of emphysema.

Harrison, G. A.↗

Long-Term Tests of 38 Ball-Bearing Greases

Perfluoroalkylpolyether lubricants performed best. Final report in series presents results of program of long-term testing of ballbearing greases in vacuum, oxidizing, and otherwise hostile environments. Earlier reports in same series described in "Tests of 38 Ball-Bearing Greases," (MFS-25624) and "Further Tests of 38 Ball-Bearing Greases." (MFS-27043)

Mcmurtrey, E.↗

Long-term environmental effects and flight service evaluation of composite materials

Results of a NASA-Langley sponsored research program to establish the long term effects of realistic flight environments and ground based exposure on advanced composite materials are presented. The effects of moisture, ultraviolet radiation, aircraft fuels and fluids, sustained stress, and fatigue loading are reported. Residual strength and stiffness as a function of exposure time and exposure location are reported for seven different material systems after 10 years of worldwide outdoor exposure. Flight service results of over 300 composite components installed on rotorcraft and transport aircraft are included. Over 4 million total component flight hours were accumulated on various aircraft since initiation of flight service in 1973. Service performance, maintenance characteristics, and residual strength of numerous composite components installed on commercial and military aircraft are reported as a function of flight hours and years in service. Residual strength test results of graphite/epoxy spoilers with 10 years of worldwide service and over 28,000 flight hours are reported.

Dexter, H. Benson↗

Long-term microwave power drift of a cesium frequency standard and its effect on output frequency

It has been shown that the long-term frequency stability of a cesium (Cs) frequency standard is affected by variations in the standard's internal microwave power source. Studies were performed on a commercial Cs frequency standard for a period of 20 days, to determine the stability of its microwave power source. The results were then analyzed statistically, and the effects of microwave power drift on the standard's frequency stability were calculated.

Johnson, W. A.↗

Progress Towards Deriving an Improved Long-Term Global Solar Resource

This paper describes an ongoing project to provide the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with a global long-term advanced global solar mapping production system for improved depiction of historical solar resources and to provide a mechanism for continual updates. This new production system is made possible by the efforts of NASA and NOAA to completely reprocess the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) data set that provides satellite visible and infrared radiances together with retrieved cloud and surface properties on a 10 km, 3-hourly basis beginning July 1983. We provide a general overview of this project, samples of the new solar irradiance mapped data products, and comparisons to surface measurements. Samples of the use of the SUNY-Albany solar irradiance algorithm applied to the ISCCP data show very good agreement with high quality surface measurements. We identify the next steps in the production of the data set.

Cox, Stephen J.↗

The Long-Term Performance of Small-Cell Batteries Without Cell-Balancing Electronics

Tests approx.8 yrs ago showed Sony HC do not imbalance. AEA developed a theory (ESPC 2002): a) Self-discharge (SD) decreases with state-of-charge (SOC); b) Cells diverge to a state of dynamic equilibrium; c) Equilibrium spread depends on cell SD uniformity. Balancing model verified against test data. Short-term measures of SD difficult in Sony cells and very small values, depends on technique. Long-term evidence supports lower SD at low SD. Battery testing best proof of performance, typically mission specific tests.

Pearson, C.↗

Constraining long‐term model predictions for woody growth using tropical tree rings

The strength and persistence of the tropical carbon sink hinges on the long-term responses of woody growth to climatic variations and increasing CO 2 . However, the sensitivity of tropical woody growth to these environmental changes is poorly understood, leading to large uncertainties in growth predictions. Here, we used tree ring records from a Southeast Asian tropical forest to constrain ED2.2-hydro, a terrestrial biosphere model with explicit vegetation demography. Specifically, we assessed individual-level woody growth responses to historical climate variability and increases in atmospheric CO 2 (C a ). When forced with historical C a , ED2.2-hydro reproduced the magnitude of increases in intercellular CO 2 concentration (a major determinant of photosynthesis) estimated from tree ring carbon isotope records. In contrast, simulated growth trends were considerably larger than those obtained from tree rings, suggesting that woody biomass production efficiency (WBPE = woody biomass production:gross primary productivity) was overestimated by the model. The estimated WBPE decline under increasing C a based on model-data discrepancy was comparable to or stronger than (depending on tree species and size) the observed WBPE changes from a multi-year mature-forest CO 2 fertilization experiment. In addition, we found that ED2.2-hydro generally overestimated climatic sensitivity of woody growth, especially for late-successional plant functional types. The model-data discrepancy in growth sensitivity to climate was likely caused by underestimating WBPE in hot and dry years due to commonly used model assumptions on carbon use efficiency and allocation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to constrain model predictions of individual tree-level growth sensitivity to C a and climate against tropical tree-ring data. Our results suggest that improving model processes related to WBPE is crucial to obtain better predictions of tropical forest responses to droughts and increasing C a . Finally, more accurate parameterization of WBPE will likely reduce the stimulation of woody growth by C a rise predicted by biosphere models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Long-term cryogenic space storage system

Discussion of the design, fabrication and testing of a 225-cu ft spherical cryogenic storage system for long-term subcritical applications under zero-g conditions in storing subcritical cryogens for space vehicle propulsion systems. The insulation system design, the analytical methods used, and the correlation between the performance test results and analytical predictions are described. The best available multilayer insulation materials and state-of-the-art thermal protection concepts were applied in the design, providing a boiloff rate of 0.152 lb/hr, or 0.032% per day, and an overall heat flux of 0.066 Btu/sq ft hr based on a 200 sq ft surface area. A six to eighteen month cryogenic storage is provided by this system for space applications.

Hopkins, R. A.↗

Effects of Long-Term Daily Administration of Prostaglandin-E2 on Maintaining Elevated Proximal Tibial Metaphyseal Cancellous Bone Mass in Male Rats

The effects of long-term prostaglandin E(sub 2) (PGE(sub 2)) on cancellous bone in proximal tibial metaphysis were studied in 7 month old male Sprague-Dawley rats given daily subcutaneous injections of 0, 1, 3, and 6 mg PGE(sub 2)/kg/day and sacrificed after 60, 120, and 180 days. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on double fluorescent-labeled undecalcified bone specimens. After 60 days of treatment, PGE(sub 2) produced diffusely labeled trabecular bone area, increased trabecular bone area, eroded and labeled trabecular perimeter, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate at all dose levels when compared with age-matched controls. In rats given PGE(sub 2) for longer time periods (120 and 180 days), trabecular bone area, diffusely labeled trabecular bone area, labeled perimeter, mineral apposition, and bone formation rates were sustained at the elevated levels achieved earlier at 60-day treatment. The eroded perimeter continued to increase until 120 days, then plateau. The observation that continuous systemic PGE(sub 2) administration to adult male rats elevated metaphyseal cancellous bone mass to 3.5-fold of the control level within 60 days and maintained it for another 120 days indicates that the powerful skeletal anabolic effects of PGE2 can be sustained with continuous administration .

Ke, Hua Zhu↗

Long-term Evolution of Tightly Packed Stellar Black Holes in AGN Disks: Formation of Merging Black Hole Binaries via Close Encounters

We study the long-term evolution of two or more stellar black holes (BHs) on initially separated but unstable circular orbits around a supermassive BH (SMBH). Such a close-packed orbital configuration can naturally arise from BH migrations in the AGN disk. Dynamical instability of the orbits leads to recurring close encounters between two BHs, during which the BH separation r p becomes less than the Hill radius R H . In rare very close encounters, a tight merging BH binary can form with the help of gravitational wave emission. We use N-body simulations to study the time evolution of close encounters of various degrees of closeness. For a typical "SMBH+2BH" system, the averaged cumulative number of close encounters (with r p ≲ R H ) scales approximately as ∝ t 0.5 . The minimum encounter separation r p follows a cumulative distribution P( p ) ∝ r p for r p « R H . We obtain a semi-analytical expression for the averaged rate of binary captures that lead to BH mergers. Our results suggest that close-packed BHs in AGN disks may take a long time (≳10 7 orbits around the SMBH) to experience a sufficiently close encounter and form a bound binary. This time can be shorter if the initial BH orbits are highly aligned. The BH binary mergers produced in this scenario have high eccentricities when entering the LIGO band and broad distribution of orbital inclinations relative to the original AGN disk. We explore the effects of the gas disk and find that simple gas drags on the BHs do not necessarily lead to an enhanced BH binary capture rate.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Long-term thermal stability and calibration of Type-II fiber Bragg grating array inscribed in radiation-hardened fibers

This paper investigates the long-term thermal stability of Type-II fiber Bragg grating (FBG) arrays, inscribed by femtosecond laser in radiation-hardened fiber, for potential applications as multiplexed sensors in high-temperature energy systems. The thermal stability of FBG sensors was assessed through 16 thermal cycles from room temperature (RT) to 750 ℃ about two months, involving 100 FBG sensors. The results show that the absolute temperature drift of FBG sensors can be reduced to less than 0.4 pm/day after 54 h thermal annealing process at a constant temperature of 800 ℃. As temperature sensors, the FBGs demonstrated stable performance, achieving a standard deviation (STD) of 1.8 pm (corresponding to a temperature resolution of 0.118 ℃) post-annealing. Repeated thermal cycles revealed a random drift of 2.3 pm in the FBG wavelength at RT. Polynomial fitting was explored as a calibration method to convert FBG wavelength shifts into absolute temperature measurements. By optimizing calibration temperature points (RT, 200 ℃, 400 ℃, and 750 ℃), the study shows that cubic polynomial calibration using four points yields an average R2 of 0.9997 and an RMSE of 3.58 ℃ across the entire temperature range (RT to 750 ℃). This approach represents an 11.53-fold improvement over empirical slope calibration and a 1.34-fold improvement over four-point piecewise fitting. The findings indicate that Type-II FBGs inscribed in radiation-hardened fibers can function as accurate temperature sensors, with performance on par with or exceeding that of thermocouples. With their multiplexing capability, robust signal transmission over long lead cables, and immunity to electromagnetic interference, FBG sensors offer a promising alternative to traditional electronic sensors for energy system monitoring.

Dominguez-Ontiveros, Elvis [ORNL] (ORCID:000000018↗

Metabotropic glutamate receptors are required for the induction of long-term potentiation

Recent observations have led to the suggestion that the metabotropic glutamate receptor may play a role in the induction or maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP). However, experimental evidence supporting a role for this receptor in the induction of LTP is still inconclusive and controversial. Here we report that, in rat dorsolateral septal nucleus (DLSN) neurons, which have the highest density of metabotropic receptors and show functional responses, the induction of LTP is not blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, but is blocked by two putative metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid and L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate. Furthermore, superfusion of (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, a selective metabotropic glutamate agonist, resulted in a long-lasting potentiation of synaptic transmission similar to that induced by tetanic stimuli. Our results demonstrated that activation of postsynaptic metabotropic receptors is both necessary and sufficient for the induction of LTP in the DLSN, and we suggest that such a mechanism may be important at other CNS synapses.

Non-NASA Center↗

Photodocumentation of long-term lunar surface exposure experiment

Preflight photographs of selected Apollo 17 equipment taken for use in determining the effects on various surfaces of long-term exposure to the lunar environment are presented. Photographs of the articles deployed on the lunar surface also are included. The photographic procedure and the coding system used for the photodocumentation are explained. Other documentation measures planned to obtain items for use as controls in projected analyses are discussed.

Hoerz, F.↗

The facilitating effects of uncertainty in long-term manual control

A 40-minute tracking task with different disturbance inputs was used to look for the effects of reduced task demands on long term manual control. The expected facilitating effects of task difficulty are hard to find. The decrements in performance over the run are no greater for the easier tasks. The detrimental effects of lower demand appear to be increased relative variability in performance, and possibly reduced performance on transition to unexpected, more difficult tasks. An information measure, including the effects of 'self-induced' uncertainty is developed as a work-load measure. There is a positive correlation between this 'self-induced work-load' and performance decrement for the easiest task, just the opposite of what the facilitation hypothesis would predict.

Verplank, W. L.↗

Infrared measurements of HF and HCl total column abundances above Kitt Peak, 1977-1990 - Seasonal cycles, long-term increases, and comparisons with model calculations

The paper deals with hydrogen-chloride and hydrogen-fluoride total column measurements, their estimated long-term rates of increase, seasonal cycles, and variability, deduced from the analysis of a set of high-resolution infrared solar spectra recorded at Kitt Peak. The Kitt Peak observations and methods of analysis are described, the results are presented and compared with previously reported measurements and trends. The data is analyzed by using a multilayer nonlinear least-squares spectral fitting procedure and a consistent set of spectroscopic line parameters. Model-calculated hydrogen-chloride and hydrogen-fluoride total columns obtained with a two-dimensional model are discussed, and the model results are compared with the measured hydrogen-chloride and hydrogen-fluoride total columns, seasonal cycles, and trends. It is pointed out that the observed trends of both molecules are in satisfactory agreement with the model results calculated from emission histories and photooxidation rates for the source molecules.

Rinsland, C. P.↗

Long-Term Isothermal Aging Effects on Carbon Fabric-Reinforced PMR-15 Composites: Compression Strength

A study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term isothermal thermo-oxidative aging on the compressive properties of T-650-35 fabric reinforced PMR-15 composites. The temperatures that were studied were 204, 260, 288, 316, and 343 C. Specimens of different geometries were evaluated. Cut edge-to-surface ratios of 0.03 to 0.89 were fabricated and aged. Aging times extended to a period in excess of 15,000 hours for the lower temperature runs. The unaged and aged specimens were tested in compression in accordance with ASTM D-695. Both thin and thick (plasma) specimens were tested. Three specimens were tested at each time/temperature/geometry condition. The failure modes appeared to be initiated by fiber kinking with longitudinal, interlaminar splitting. In general, it appears that the thermo-oxidative degradation of the compression strength of the composite material may occur by both thermal (time-dependent) and oxidative (weight-loss) mechanisms. Both mechanisms appear to be specimen-thickness dependent.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

Strategies for Stabilizing Nitrogenous Compounds in ECLSS Wastewater: Top-Down System Design and Unit Operation Selection with Focus on Bio-Regenerative Processes for Short and Long Term Scenarios

Water recycling and eventual nutrient recovery is crucial for surviving in or past low earth orbit. New approaches and syste.m architecture considerations need to be addressed to meet current and future system requirements. This paper proposes a flexible system architecture that breaks down pretreatment , steps into discrete areas where multiple unit operations can be considered. An overview focusing on the urea and ammonia conversion steps allows an analysis on each process's strengths and weaknesses and synergy with upstream and downstream processing. Process technologies to be covered include chemical pretreatment, biological urea hydrolysis, chemical urea hydrolysis, combined nitrification-denitrification, nitrate nitrification, anammox denitrification, and regenerative ammonia absorption through struvite formation. Biological processes are considered mainly for their ability to both maximize water recovery and to produce nutrients for future plant systems. Unit operations can be considered for traditional equivalent system mass requirements in the near term or what they can provide downstream in the form of usable chemicals or nutrients for the long term closed-loop ecological control and life support system. Optimally this would allow a system to meet the former but to support the latter without major modification.

Lunn, Griffin M.↗