Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “responsivity”

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 1,099 records · Page 61
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Tropospheric Response to Estimated Spectrally Discriminated Solar Forcing Over the Past 500 Years

The GISS Global Climate Middle Atmosphere Model (GCMAM) is used to investigate the effect of estimated solar irradiance changes on climate for the past 500 years. This model is employed to allow the impact of UV variations on the stratosphere to affect the troposphere via wave-mean flow interactions. Multiple experiments are done with only a total solar irradiance change (peaking at 0.2 percent from the Maunder Minimum to today); with estimated spectrally-varying irradiance changes (i.e., peak changes of 0.7 percent in the UV, 0.2 percent in the visible and near IR; and 0.07 percent in the IR greater than 1 micron); and the spectrally-varying changes in conjunction with model calculated ozone responses in the stratosphere. Results of the varying temperature patterns and radiation response will be discussed. Of interest is whether the different methods of forcing the solar-induced climate change produce different spatial surface temperature signatures, particularly ones that can be differentiated from greenhouse gas warming. In preliminary tests, spectrally-varying solar forcing with induced ozone changes for solar maximum minus solar minimum conditions results in a temperature signal that is primarily at high latitudes.The high latitude response arises due to solar/ozone-induced alterations in the stratospheric wind field that affect planetary wave propagation from the troposphere, and alter tropospheric advection patterns. In contrast, forcing by total solar irradiance changes produces significant response at low and subtropical latitudes as well, driven by water vapor and cloud feedbacks to the radiative perturbation.

Rind, David↗
NASA NTRS2001

Response Surface Modeling Using Multivariate Orthogonal Functions

A nonlinear modeling technique was used to characterize response surfaces for non-dimensional longitudinal aerodynamic force and moment coefficients, based on wind tunnel data from a commercial jet transport model. Data were collected using two experimental procedures - one based on modem design of experiments (MDOE), and one using a classical one factor at a time (OFAT) approach. The nonlinear modeling technique used multivariate orthogonal functions generated from the independent variable data as modeling functions in a least squares context to characterize the response surfaces. Model terms were selected automatically using a prediction error metric. Prediction error bounds computed from the modeling data alone were found to be- a good measure of actual prediction error for prediction points within the inference space. Root-mean-square model fit error and prediction error were less than 4 percent of the mean response value in all cases. Efficacy and prediction performance of the response surface models identified from both MDOE and OFAT experiments were investigated.

Morelli, Eugene A.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Combustion Response of AP Composite Propellants

The Cohen & Strand model for AP composite propellants is applied as boundary conditions, one for AP and one for binder, in solving the heat conduction equation in each to compute linear and non-linear combustion response properties for each and for the aggregate propellant. Iterations couple AP and binder through the quasi-steady flame processes. Illustrative results for linear response functions (pressure-coupled and velocity-coupled) are presented for a monomodal AP propellant varying AP size, pressure and crossflow speed, and examples of non-linear responses to arbitrary waveforms are shown. A quantitative comparison with response function data is limited to one well-characterized research formulation. Mechanistic implications are discussed, including recommendations for future modeling work.

Shusser, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2000

Aeroelastic Response of Swept Aircraft Wings in a Compressible Flow Field

The present study addresses the subcritical aeroelastic response of swept wings, in various flight speed regimes, to arbitrary time-dependent external excitations. The methodology based on the concept of indicial functions is carried out in time and frequency domains. As a result of this approach, the proper unsteady aerodynamic loads necessary to study the subcritical aeroelastic response of the open/closed loop aeroelastic systems, and of flutter instability, respectively are obtained. Validation of the aeroelastic model is provided, and applications to subcritical aeroelastic response to blast pressure signatures are illustrated. In this context, an original representation of the aeroelastic response in the phase-space is displayed, and pertinent conclusions on the implications of a number of selected parameters of the system are outlined.

Marzocca, Piergiovanni↗
NASA NTRS2001

A Study of the Response of Deep Tropical Clouds to Mesoscale Processes: Modeling Strategies and Simulations of TOGA-COARE Convective Systems - Part 1

Interactions between deep tropical clouds over the western Pacific warm pool and the larger-scale environment are key to understanding climate change. Cloud models are an extremely useful tool in simulating and providing statistical information on heat and moisture transfer processes between cloud systems and the environment, and can therefore be utilized to substantially improve cloud parameterizations in climate models. In this paper, the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) cloud-resolving model is used in multi-day simulations of deep tropical convective activity over the Tropical Ocean-Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE). Large-scale temperature and moisture advective tendencies, and horizontal momentum from the TOGA-COARE Intensive Flux Array (IFA) region, are applied to the GCE version which incorporates cyclical boundary conditions. Sensitivity experiments show that grid domain size produces the largest response to domain-mean temperature and moisture deviations, as well as cloudiness, when compared to grid horizontal or vertical resolution, and advection scheme. It is found that a minimum grid-domain size of 500 km is needed to adequately resolve the convective cloud features. The control experiment shows that the atmospheric heating and moistening is primarily a response to cloud latent processes of condensation/evaporation, and deposition/sublimation, and to a lesser extent, melting of ice particles. Air-sea exchange of heat and moisture is found to be significant, but of secondary importance, while the radiational response is small. The simulated rainfall and atmospheric heating and moistening, agrees well with observations, and performs favorably to other models simulating this case.

Johnson, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Physiologic Responses Produced by Active and Passive Personal Cooling Vests

Personal thermoregulatory systems which provide chest cooling are used in the industrial and aerospace environments to alleviate thermal stress. However, little information is available regarding the physiologic and circulatory changes produced by routine operation of these systems. The objectives of this study were to document and compare the subjects' response to three cooling vests in their recommended configurations. The Life Enhancement Tech (LET) lightweight active cooling vest with cap, the MicroClimate Systems Change of Phase garment (MCS), and the Steele Vest were each used to cool the chest regions of 12 male and 8 female Healthy subjects (21 to 69 yr.) in this study. The subjects, seated in an upright position at normal room temperature (approx. 22 C), were tested for 60 min. with one of the cooling garments. The LET active garment had an initial coolant fluid inlet temperature of 60 F, and was ramped down to 50 F. Oral, right and left ear canal temperatures were logged manually every 5 min. Arm, leg, chest and rectal temperatures; heart rate; and respiration were recorded continuously on a U.F.I., Inc. Biolog ambulatory monitor. For men, all three vests had similar, significant cooling effects. Decreases in the average rectal temperature, oral temperature, and ear canal temperatures were approximately 0.2 C, 0.2 C and 0.1 C, respectively. In contrast to the men, the female subjects wearing the MCS and Steel vests had similar cooling responses in which the core temperature remained elevated and oral and ear canal temperatures did not drop. The LET active garment cooled most of the female subjects in this study; rectal, oral and ear temperature decreased about 0.2 C, 0.3 C and 0.3 C, respectively. These results show that the garment configurations tested do not elicit a similar thermal response in all subjects. A gender difference is evident. The LET active garment configuration was most effective in decreasing temperatures of the female subjects; the MCS vest was least effective. For male subjects, the three vests appear to be more nearly equivalent. The active garment system under study included a cooling cap, which may account for some of the difference in response.

Ku, Yu-Tsuan E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Dermal Aged and Fetal Fibroblasts Realign in Response to Mechanical Strain

Integrins specifically recognize and bind extracellular matrix components, providing physical anchor points and functional setpoints. Focal adhesion complexes, containing integrin and cytoskeletal proteins, are potential mechanoreceptors, poised to distribute applied forces through the cytoskeleton. Pursuing the hypothesis that cells both perceive and respond to external force, we applied a stretch/relaxation regimen to normal human fetal and aged dermal fibroblast monolayers cultured on flexible membranes. The frequency and magnitude of the applied force is precisely controlled by the Flexercell Unit(Trademark). A protocol of stretch (20% elongation of the monolayer) at a frequency of 6 cycles/min caused a progressive change from a randomly distributed pattern of cells to a symmetric, radial distribution with cells aligned parallel to the applied force. We have coined the term 'orienteering' as the process of active alignment of cells in response to applied force. Cytochalasin D was added in graded doses to investigate the role of the actin cytoskeleton in force perception and transmission. A clear dose response was found; at high concentrations orienteering was abolished; and the drug's impact was reversible. The two cell strains used were similar in their alignment behavior and in their responses to cytochalasin D. Orienteering was influenced by cell density, and the cell strains studied differed in this respect. Fetal cells, unlike their aged counterparts, failed to orient at high cell density. In both cell strains, mid-density cultures aligned rapidly and sparse cultures lagged. These results indicate that both cell-cell adhesion and cytoskeleton integrity are critical in mediating the orienteering response. Differences between these two cell strains may relate to their expression of extracellular matrix molecules (fibronectin, collagen type 1) integrins and their relative binding affinities.

Sawyer, Christine↗
NASA NTRS1994

Assessment of Psychophysiological Responses During Motion Sickness Testing

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate a methodology designed to accurately trace the temporal progression of motion sickness and space motion sickness symptoms. With this method, subjects continuously monitor their own motion sickness symptoms during exposure to a provocative stimulus as symptoms occur, in contrast to previous methods during which subjects report symptoms verbally at discrete time intervals. This method not only is comparable to previous methods in the type of symptoms that subjects report, but subjects report symptoms more frequently. Frequent reporting of motion sickness symptoms allows researchers to detail the waxing and waning of motion sickness symptoms for each individual. Previous research has shown that physiological responses to motion sickness stimuli are characterized by unique individual differences in response patterns. By improving our assessment of motion sickness symptoms with continuous monitoring of symptoms, the relationship between specific physiological responses and sickness levels can be more accurately determined for each individual. Results from this study show significant positive relationships between skin conductance levels and symptom levels for ten individuals; a significant positive relationship between temperature and symptom levels for 5 of 10 individuals; and both positive and negative relationships between respiration, heart rate, blood volume pulse and symptom levels. Continuous monitoring of motion sickness symptoms can be used to more accurately assess motion sickness to aid in the evaluation of countermeasures. In addition, recognition of the onset of symptoms that are strongly related to specific physiological responses could be used as cues to initiate procedures (e.g., Autogenic Feedback Training) to prevent the development of severe motion sickness symptoms.

Stoud, Cynthia S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Is Linear Displacement Information Or Angular Displacement Information Used During The Adaptation of Pointing Responses To An Optically Shifted Image?

Twenty-four observers looked through a pair of 20 diopter wedge prisms and pointed to an image of a target which was displaced vertically from eye level by 6 cm at a distance of 30 cm. Observers pointed 40 times, using only their right hand, and received error-corrective feedback upon termination of each pointing response (terminal visual feedback). At three testing distances, 20, 30, and 40 cm, ten pre-exposure and ten post-exposure pointing responses were recorded for each hand as observers reached to a mirror-viewed target located at eye level. The difference between pre- and post-exposure pointing response (adaptive shift) was compared for both Exposed and Unexposed hands across all three testing distances. The data were assessed according to the results predicted by two alternative models for processing spatial-information: one using angular displacement information and another using linear displacement information. The angular model of spatial mapping best predicted the observer's pointing response for the Exposed hand. Although the angular adaptive shift did not change significantly as a function of distance (F(2,44) = 1.12, n.s.), the linear adaptive shift increased significantly over the three testing distances 02 44) = 4.90 p less than 0.01).

Bautista, Abigail B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Peripheral Microvascular Responses to Whole-Body Tilting, G(z) Centrifugation, and Lower Body Negative Pressure Stresses in Humans

The response of the cutaneous microcirculation to orthostatic stress varies along the length of the body due to the interaction of central controls with regional responses to local blood pressure. We hypothesize that artificial orthostatic stresses such as Gz centrifugation and LBNP differ from whole-body tilting in terms of the distribution of microvascular blood flow. Cutaneous microvascular flows were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry at the neck, thigh, and leg of 15 normal subjects. Volunteers underwent stepwise head-up tilt (HUT) and short- and long-arm centrifugation protocols from supine control (0 Gz) to 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, and 0 Gz at the feet, for 30-s periods with 10-s transitions between levels. The same subjects underwent a corresponding supine LBNP protocol, up to 100 mmHg (in 20 mmHg increments) and back to zero pressure, which produced transmural pressure across blood vessels in the foot approximately equal to the HUT protocol. In general, application of all orthostatic stresses produced significant flow reductions in the lower body (p less than 0.05) and inconsistent changes in the neck. At low levels of each stress (0.4 Gz, 40 mmHg), LBNP generated the greatest relative reduction in flow in the lower body (-66.9+/-5.7%, thigh; -60.6 +/-5.7%, leg, mean +/- SE). HUT caused a less severe flow reduction than LBNP at the thigh and leg (-39.9 +/- 8.1% and -55.9+/-4.8%), while the effects induced by both forms of centrifugation were the least profound. Higher levels of each stress generally resulted in similar responses. These responses exhibit a consistent relationship to hypothesized changes in local microvascular transmural pressure, suggesting that myogenic and veno-arteriolar reflexes play a significant role in determining microvascular perfusion during orthostatic stress.

Breit, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Galileo Heat Shield Response Experiment Data Reduction and Analyses

The Galileo heat shield response experiment consists of 10 Analog Resistance Ablation Detectors (ARADs) embedded in the carbon phenolic heat shield. As the vehicle descends into the atmosphere of Jupiter, these ARADs will in effect measure the recession as a function of time at various locations on the heat shield. This recession data will be used to reconstruct the time-dependent shape of the vehicle. The shape data is of critical importance to the Atmospheric Reconstruction Experiment which must know mass and drag coefficient of the vehicle in order to determine the structure of the Jovian atmosphere. The data is also intrinsically useful as a database for evaluating the accuracy of our numerical codes and methodology for predicting highly radiating reentry flowfields and coupled heat shield material response. This paper will document the reduction of the data from the ARAD sensors, reconstruction of the heat shield shape history, and comparison of the actual heat shield response with previous calculations and experiments. If possible, we will also include results from new calculations which couple the shock layer flow with the transient material response.

Milos, Frank S.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Quantifying the Correlation Between Eye-Movement and Perceptual Responses to Moving Plaids

To determine the extent to which the pursuit eye-movement and perceptual systems share a common neural motion-processing pathway, we simultaneously measure the psychophysical and eye-movement responses to drifting plaids in a direction-discrimination task. Correlation between the noise in the eye movements and percepts would suggest a shared neural substrate. Three observers were asked to track a plaid (Type I 90 deg; TF = 4 Hz, SF = 0.6 c/d; direction = -2, 0, or 2 deg), and to respond whether the motion was to the right or left of vertical. The eye-movement direction is computed from the initial 300 ms of saccade-free tracking (near open-loop). On each trial, we use the eye-movement direction to predict the perceptual response. We then compute the probability of successfully predicting the observer's response. We also use SOC analysis as an alternate measure of the correlation. We compare the data from both these analyses to the predictions of two models in which the eye movements and the percept are driven by either a common noisy signal (correlated model) or by two separate noisy signals (uncorrelated model). We also allow for the fact that our measured eye movements are degraded by eye-tracker noise. This noise causes our measured correlation to be lower than the actual biological correlation. The correlations in our data are higher than those predicted by the uncorrelated model, and are similar to the predictions of the correlated model. The proportion of perceptual responses correctly predicted by the eye movements were 0.66, 0.60, 0.73 for the -2, 0, 2 deg stimuli respectively (correlated model 0.65, 0.60, 0.70; uncorrelated model 0.58, 0.51, 0.60).The SOC proportions were 0.71, 0.64, 0.72 (correlated model 0.66, 0.64, 0.69; uncorrelated model 0.5, 0.5, 0.5). These results show that the oculomotor and perceptual system share a performance-limiting noise source and provide strong evidence that a common neural mechanism (perhaps MT or MST) drives both perception and smooth eye movements.

Beutter, Brent R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Pros and Cons of Using Water Immersion to Simulate Physiological Responses to Microgravity

Head-out water immersion (HOI) has been employed as a remedial treatment for various ills and ailments for many millennia, and total body immersion even longer as protective encapsulation for the mammalian fetus. Two discrete differences between stimuli induced by true microgravity (10(exp -4) g) and HOI are readily apparent. External water pressure on the skin and accompanying negative pressure breathing cause blood to shift headward. Secondly, the gravitational force is ever present during immersion and microgravity, but its effect is essentially neutralized during Earth orbital flight. Thus, the physiological responses to immersion should not be expected to match those during microgravity. Immersion has been used mainly to study and understand kidney function and associated cardiovascular responses for control of body fluid volume and osmotic content, with some application to and simulation of microgravity responses. There is a plethora of data from human HOI studies, but relatively few controlled data from microgravity studies. In general, it appears that physiological responses occur more quickly with water immersion than in microgravity, but this may be due to less rigorous control (voluntary and involuntary) of the preflight state of crew members. The central venous pressure-vasopressin (Gauer-Henry) reflex control for fluid balance may not be of prime importance in microgravity. Gross functions such as reduced body weight and water, level of hypovolemia, decreased isokinetic strength, and lower nitrogen balance found during immersion are qualitatively similar in microgravity, but the mechanisms controlling these and other functions are, for the most part, unclear. Only acquisition of data from well-controlled microgravity experiments will resolve this discrepancy.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1996

The Response of Disks to Oscillatory Modes in Galaxies

Recent studies suggest that galaxies can oscillate in normal modes with essentially no damping over a Hubble time. These modes may play an important role in the structure and evolution of disk/halo systems. Motivated by the possibility that normal mode oscillations exist in real galaxies, we are investigating the response of galactic disks to halo oscillations. The goal of these investigations is to ascertain whether or not observational signatures exist for such oscillations. Our approach is to perform numerical experiments on the response of a self-gravitating disk to a time-varying halo potential. We assume that a significant fraction of the mass in a galaxy is in a dark halo. The halo oscillates and the luminous disk material responds to these oscillations. Preliminary results are reported for disks embedded in a radially oscillating gravitational potential. The equilibrium initial disk is represented by an exponential density profile. Considerable care was taken to build an initial disk model that was "stable" over long time scales. A control experiment was run with the disk in a static halo potential. The disk responds to the time-varying potential by developing a ring structure, which forms and disappears during each halo oscillation cycle. The density of stars becomes depressed in an annular region at the radius where the disk epicycle frequency is equal to the halo oscillation period. This pattern of response persists over time periods approaching a Hubble time. In the oscillating potential, a bar develops in the inner disk. This bar is absent when the halo remains static. Specific targets of this study include the implications for large-scale disk structure, the gas dynamical response of the interstellar medium in such systems, and the inflow of material into the central regions of the galaxy.

Smith, Bruce F.↗
NASA NTRS1996

The Role of Response Processing in the Single-Channel PRP Bottleneck

Does the single-channel bottleneck occur in the psychological refractory period paradigm in the absence of overt responses? A go/no-go paradigm was used to vary a default response on all trials, multiple go responses were used. Results show that the bottleneck is still present on trials that do not require a response, but its duration is reduced.

VanSelst, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1997

Response Modality Modulator PRP Interference, Even When Task 1 is a no-go trial

In a Psychological Refractory Period paradigm where the first task requires one of several possible responses on some trials (the go trials), but no response on other (no-go) trials, response modality modulates the amount of interference on Task 2 processing. This is true even when Task 1 is no-go trial. Differences in the cost of switching response sets between processing for Task 1 and Task 2 may provide an account of this surprising phenomenon.

VanSelst, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1997

Physiological and Thermal Responses of MS Patients to Head and Vest Cooling: A Case Study

Personal cooling systems are used to alleviate symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to prevent increased core temperature during daily activities. The objective of this study was to determine the operating characteristics and the physiologic changes produced by short term application of the stationary thermal control system used by most clinical institutions. The Life Enhancement Tech (LET) Mark VII portable cooling system and a lightweight Head-vest active cooling garment were used to cool the head and chest regions of 4 male and 3 female MS patients (30 to 66 yrs. old) in this study. The subjects, seated in an upright position at normal room temperature (approx. 24 C), were tested for 60 min. with the liquid cooling garment (LCG) operated at 50 F. Oral, right and left ear temperatures and cooling system parameters were logged manually every 5 min. Arm, leg, chest and rectal temperatures, heart rate, respiration, and an activity index were recorded continuously on a U.F.I., Inc., Biolog ambulatory monitor. All temperature responses showed extreme variation among subjects. The cold-sensitive subject's rectal temperature increased initially in response to cooling; the heat sensitive subject's rectal temperature decreased. After 40 min. of cooling and during recovery, all subjects'rectal temperatures decreased. Oral temperatures began to decrease after 30 min. of cooling. After 60 min. of cooling, temperature drops ranged from approx. 0.3 - 0.8 C. Oral temperatures continued to decrease during recovery (approx. 0.2 C). The car temperature of the heat sensitive subject was increased after cooling, other subjects exhibited an ear temperature decrease (0.0 - 0.5 C). These data indicate that head and vest cooling may be used to reduce the oral temperatures of MS patients by the approximate amount needed for symptomatic relief as shown by other researchers. The combination of a small subject population and a large subject variance does not permit us to draw statistical conclusions about the temperature response of MS patients. An individual's heat or cold sensitivity may influence their thermal response to cooling. This factor should be considered in the prescribed use of liquid cooling garments in the therapeutic management of MS.

Luna, Bernadette↗
NASA NTRS1998

Cardiovascular Responses of Snakes to Gravitational Gradients

Snakes are useful vertebrates for studies of gravitational adaptation, owing to their elongate body and behavioral diversification. Scansorial species have evolved specializations for regulating hemodynamics during exposure to gravitational stress, whereas, such adaptations are less well developed in aquatic and non-climbing species. We examined responses of the amphibious snake,\italicize (Nerodia rhombifera), to increments of Gz (head-to-tail) acceleration force on both a short- and long-arm centrifuge (1.5 vs. 3.7 m radius, from the hub to tail end of snake). We recorded heart rate, dorsal aortic pressure, and carotid arterial blood flow during stepwise 0.25 G increments of Gz force (referenced at the tail) in conscious animals. The Benz tolerance of a snake was determined as the Gz level at which carotid blood flow ceased and was found to be significantly greater at the short- than long-arm centrifuge radius (1.57 Gz vs. 2.0 Gz, respectively; P=0.016). A similar pattern of response was demonstrated in semi-arboreal rat snakes,\italicize{Elaphe obsoleta}, which are generally more tolerant of Gz force (2.6 Gz at 1.5m radius) than are water snakes. The tolerance differences of the two species reflected cardiovascular responses, which differed quantitatively but not qualitatively: heart rates increased while arterial pressure and blood flow decreased in response to increasing levels of Gz. Thus, in both species of snakes, a reduced gradient of Gz force (associated with greater centrifuge radius) significantly decreases the Gz level that can be tolerated.

Hsieh, Shi-Tong T.↗