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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

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NASA NTRS1993

The cardiovascular response to the AGS

This paper reports the preliminary results of experiments on human subjects conducted to study the cardiovascular response to various g-levels and exposure times using an artificial gravity simulator (AGS). The AGS is a short arm centrifuge consisting of a turntable, a traction system, a platform and four beds. Data collection hardware is part of the communication system. The AGS provides a steep acceleration gradient in subjects in the supine position.

Cardus, David↗

NASA NTRS1957

Surge-Inception Study in a Two-Spool Turbojet Engine

A two-spool turbojet engine was operated in the Lewis altitude wind tunnel to study the inception of compressor surge. In addition to the usual steady-state pressure and temperature measurements, the compressors were extensively instrumented with fast-response interstage pressure transducers. Thus it was possible to obtain maps for both compressors, pressure oscillations during rotating stall, effects of stall on efficiency, and stage-loading curves. In addition, with the transient measurements, it was possible to record interstage pressures and then compute stage performance during accelerations to the stall limit. Rotating stall was found to exist at low speeds in the outer spool. Although the stall arose from poor flow conditions at the inlet-stage blade tips, the low-energy air moved through the machine from the tip at the inlet to the outer spool to the hub at the inlet to the inner spool. This tip stall ultimately resulted in compressor surge in the mid-speed region, and necessitated inter-compressor air bleed. Interstage pressure measurements during acceleration to the compressor stall limit indicated that rotating stall was not a necessary condition for compressor surge and that, at the critical stall point, the circumferential interstage pressure distribution was uniform. The exit-stage group of the inner spool was first t o stall; then, the stages upstream stalled in succession until the inlet stage of the outer spool was stalled. With a sufficiently high fuel rate, the process repeated with a cycle time of about 0.1 second. It was possible to construct reproducible stage stall lines as a function of compressor speed from the stage stall points of several such compressor surges. This transient stall line was checked by computing the stall line from a steady-state stage-loading curve. Good agreement between the stage stall lines was obtained by these two methods.

Wallner, Lewis E.↗

NASA NTRS2010

A Risk Assessment Architecture for Enhanced Engine Operation

On very rare occasions, in-flight emergencies have occurred that required the pilot to utilize the aircraft's capabilities to the fullest extent possible, sometimes using actuators in ways for which they were not intended. For instance, when flight control has been lost due to damage to the hydraulic systems, pilots have had to use engine thrust to maneuver the plane to the ground and in for a landing. To assist the pilot in these situations, research is being performed to enhance the engine operation by making it more responsive or able to generate more thrust. Enabled by modification of the propulsion control, enhanced engine operation can increase the probability of a safe landing during an inflight emergency. However, enhanced engine operation introduces risk as the nominal control limits, such as those on shaft speed, temperature, and acceleration, are exceeded. Therefore, an on-line tool for quantifying this risk must be developed to ensure that the use of an enhanced control mode does not actually increase the overall danger to the aircraft. This paper describes an architecture for the implementation of this tool. It describes the type of data and algorithms required and the information flow, and how the risk based on engine component lifing and operability for enhanced operation is determined.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Quantifying the Negative Feedback of Vegetation to Greenhouse Warming: A Modeling Approach

Several climate models indicate that in a 2 x CO2 environment, temperature and precipitation would increase and runoff would increase faster than precipitation. These models, however, did not allow the vegetation to increase its leaf density as a response to the physiological effects of increased CO2 and consequent changes in climate. Other assessments included these interactions but did not account for the vegetation down-regulation to reduce plant's photosynthetic activity and as such resulted in a weak vegetation negative response. When we combine these interactions in climate simulations with 2 x CO2, the associated increase in precipitation contributes primarily to increase evapotranspiration rather than surface runoff, consistent with observations, and results in an additional cooling effect not fully accounted for in previous simulations with elevated CO2. By accelerating the water cycle, this feedback slows but does not alleviate the projected warming, reducing the land surface warming by 0.6 C. Compared to previous studies, these results imply that long term negative feedback from CO2-induced increases in vegetation density could reduce temperature following a stabilization of CO2 concentration.

Bounous, L.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Analysis of the Amplitude Response of a Two-Point and a Two-Line/Multi-Point Focused Laser Differential Interferometer

Experiments were performed with two different focused laser differential interferometer (FLDI) instruments to assess the amplitude response of each instrument to a traveling shock-wave generated by a laser spark. The first FLDI instrument generated two measurement points, with each measurement point providing sensitivity to density fluctuations induced by the shockwave. By performing a cross-correlation between the signals obtained from each measurement point, the phase velocity of density fluctuations can be obtained. The second FLDI instrument generated two measurement lines that are oriented either parallel or orthogonal to the shockwave direction of travel with the resulting interference pattern sampled at multiple equally-spaced points along each line. As a result, this instrument provides density fluctuation measurement capability at multiple points simultaneously. When the measurement lines are oriented parallel to the shockwave direction of travel, the phase velocity, rate of change of the phase velocity, and acceleration of density fluctuations traveling along each line can be obtained by performing a cross-correlation between points along a single line. When the measurement lines are oriented orthogonal to the shockwave direction of travel, the spatially-varying phase velocity can be obtained by performing a cross-correlation between points at the same relative location on each measurement line. Computations of the shockwave generated by the laser spark are used to simulate the response of each instrument and are compared to the experimental results. High-speed Schlieren imaging has also been performed and is compared with the FLDI measurements and computational results.

Focused Laser Differential Interferometer↗

NASA NTRS2010

Premonsoon Aerosol Characterization and Radiative Effects Over the Indo-Gangetic Plains: Implications for Regional Climate Warming

The Himalayas have a profound effect on the South Asian climate and the regional hydrological cycle, as it forms a barrier for the strong monsoon winds and serves as an elevated heat source, thus controlling the onset and distribution of precipitation during the Indian summer monsoon. Recent studies have suggested that radiative heating by absorbing aerosols, such as dust and black carbon over the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and slopes of the Himalayas, may significantly accelerate the seasonal warming of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas-Tibetan Plateau (HKHT) and influence the subsequent evolution of the summer monsoon. This paper presents a detailed characterization of aerosols over the IGP and their radiative effects during the premonsoon season (April-May-June) when dust transport constitutes the bulk of the regional aerosol loading, using ground radiometric and spaceborne observations. During the dust-laden period, there is a strong response of surface shortwave flux to aerosol absorption indicated by the diurnally averaged forcing efficiency of -70 W/sq m per unit optical depth. The simulated aerosol single-scattering albedo, constrained by surface flux and aerosol measurements, is estimated to be 0.89+/- 0.01 (at approx.550 nm) with diurnal mean surface and top-of-atmosphere forcing values ranging from -11 to -79.8 W/sq m and +1.4 to +12 W/sq m, respectively, for the premonsoon period. The model-simulated solar heating rate profile peaks in the lower troposphere with enhanced heating penetrating into the middle troposphere (5-6 km), caused by vertically extended aerosols over the IGP with peak altitude of approx.5 km as indicated by spaceborne Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization observations. On a long-term climate scale, our analysis, on the basis of microwave satellite measurements of tropospheric temperatures from 1979 to 2007, indicates accelerated annual mean warming rates found over the Himalayan-Hindu Kush region (0.21 C/decade+/-0.08 C/decade) and underscores the potential role of enhanced aerosol solar absorption in the maximum warming localized over the western Himalayas (0.26 C/decade f 0.09 C/decade) that significantly exceed the entire HKHT and global warming rates. We believe the accelerated warming rates reported here are critical to both the South Asian summer monsoon and hydro-glaciological resource variability in the Himalayan-Hindu Kush snowpack and therefore to the densely populated downstream regions.

Gautam, Ritesh↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Multi Targeted Dietary Supplement as a Potential Countermeasure for Prolonged, Deep Space Exploration

Deep space exploration, particularly to the Moon and Mars, are currently major goals of NASA and other international space agencies. Long-term space flight presents unique challenges to the human physiology from microgravity, social isolation, altered circadian rhythm and radiation. Oxidative stress has been implicated as a crucial factor in space environment induced injury. Elucidating these detrimental effects on the central nervous system and brain is a primary objective, as they may result in adverse changes in astronaut behavior, mood and performance of critical tasks. We were recently funded by HRP Human Factors Behavioral Performance (HFBP) Element to test the hypothesis that Galactic Cosmic Ray Simulation (GCRsim) Ionizing Radiation (IR), microgravity and social isolation combine synergistically to trigger an oxidative stress response that alters immune homeostasis, brain structure and function, and neurobehavioral and cognitive performance. This project will identify potential biomarkers for, and mechanisms underlying, structural and functional changes in the immune and nervous systems leading to behavioral/cognitive performance deficits, and its potential application to develop effective countermeasures to mitigate negative health effects of long duration space habitation. Countermeasures to offset neurological damaged and cognitive deficits are paramount for protecting astronauts during deep space transits, but many countermeasures have been found to be unsuitable in ground-based model studies. We have developed a multi targeted dietary supplement (MTDS) designed to simultaneously ameliorate oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, energetic shortfalls, and membrane and mitochondrial deterioration. Administration of this MTDS has improved cognition and longevity in age accelerated and normal aging mice. Specifically, the MTDS was found to prevent a decline in mitochondrial complex III activity and cell loss, as well as prevent an increase in protein carbonyls and mitochondrial 3-nitrotyrosine in the brain of these mice. Further, administration of the MTDS was also found to reduce bone marrow chromosomal aberrations, DNA damage, lymphocyte apoptosis after whole body exposure of 2 Gy γ radiation. Mice exposed to a high dose cranially (10 Gy) had decreased cognitive responses (seen as increased latency time to uncover buried food and decreased novel object recognition), increased plasma 8-OHdG levels, increased markers of cell stress in the brain, decreased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein and decreased plasma levels of cytokines, all of which were ameliorated with treatment of the MTDS. As we have shown the supplement is protective in models of cognitive damage similar space environment stressors, particularly increased oxidative stress, we propose it may be a suitable countermeasure for upcoming deep space exploration.

radiation↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A MULTI TARGETED DIETARY SUPPLEMENT AS A POTENTIAL COUNTERMEASURE FOR DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION

Future deep space exploration to the Moon and Mars and beyond are currently major goals of NASA. Space flight presents unique challenges to the human physiology from the combined effects of microgravity, social isolation, altered circadian rhythm and radiation. Oxidative stress has been implicated as a crucial factor in space environment induced injury. Elucidating these detrimental effects on the central nervous system and brain is a primary objective, as they may result in adverse changes in astronaut behavior, mood and performance of critical tasks. We were recently funded by HRP Human Factors Behavioral Performance (HFBP) Element to test the hypothesis that Galactic Cosmic Ray Simulation (GCRsim) Ionizing Radiation (IR), microgravity and social isolation combine synergistically to trigger an oxidative stress response that alters immune homeostasis, brain structure and function, and neurobehavioral and cognitive performance. This project will identify potential biomarkers for, and mechanisms underlying, structural and functional changes in the immune and nervous systems leading to behavioral/cognitive performance deficits, and its potential application to develop effective countermeasures to mitigate negative health effects of long duration space habitation. Countermeasures to offset neurological damaged and cognitive deficits are paramount for protecting astronauts during deep space transits, but many countermeasures have been found to be unsuitable in ground-based model studies. We have developed a multi targeted dietary supplement (MTDS) designed to simultaneously ameliorate oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, energetic shortfalls, and membrane and mitochondrial deterioration. Administration of this MTDS has improved cognition and longevity in age accelerated and normal aging mice. Specifically, the MTDS was found to prevent a decline in mitochondrial complex III activity and cell loss, as well as prevent an increase in protein carbonyls and mitochondrial 3-nitrotyrosine in the brain of these mice. Further, administration of the MTDS was also found to reduce bone marrow chromosomal aberrations, DNA damage, lymphocyte apoptosis after whole body exposure of 2 Gy γ radiation. Mice exposed to a high dose cranially (10 Gy) had decreased cognitive responses (seen as increased latency time to uncover buried food and decreased novel object recognition), increased plasma 8-OHdG levels, increased markers of cell stress in the brain, decreased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein and decreased plasma levels of cytokines, all of which were ameliorated with treatment of the MTDS. As we have shown the supplement is protective in models of cognitive damage similar space environment stressors, particularly increased oxidative stress, we propose it may be a suitable countermeasure for upcoming deep space exploration.

Stephanie Puukila↗

NASA NTRS1974

Computer experiments on periodic systems identification using rotor blade transient flapping-torsion responses at high advance ratio

Computer experiments are described which used transient responses in flap-bending and torsion of a rotor blade at high advance ratio. It was found that a simple system identification method applying a linear sequential estimator also called equation of motion estimator, is suitable for this periodic system and can be used directly, if only the acceleration data are noise-polluted. In the case where noise is also present in the state-variable data, the direct application of the estimator gave poor results. However after prefiltering the data with a digital Graham filter having a cutoff frequency above the natural blade torsion frequency, the linear sequential estimator successfully recovered the parameters of the periodic coefficient analytical model.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Shake test of rotor test apparatus in the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel

A shake test was conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics of a rotor test apparatus on strut systems. The rotor-off hub transfer function (acceleration per unit force as a function of frequency) was measured in the longitudinal and lateral directions, using a combination of broadband and discrete frequency excitation techniques. The dynamic data is summarized for the configurations tested, giving the following properties for each mode identified: the natural frequency, the hub response at resonance, and the fixed system damping. The complete transfer functions are presented, and the detailed test results are included as an appendix. Data analysis techniques developed to obtain on-line measurements of the system modal properties, including the damping coefficient and the damping ratio are discussed.

Johnson, W.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Shake test of rotor test apparatus with balance dampers in the 40 by 80 foot wind tunnel

A shake test was conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics of a rotor test apparatus on two strut systems with balance dampers in the Ames 40- by 80-ft wind tunnel. The rotor-off hub transfer function (acceleration per unit force as a function of frequency) was measured in the longitudinal and lateral directions, using a combination of broadband and discrete frequency excitation techniques. The dynamic data are summarized for the configurations tested, giving the following properties for each mode identified: the natural frequency, the hub response at resonance, the fixed system damping, the damping ratio, and the modal mass. The complete transfer functions are presented, and the detailed test results are included as an appendix.

Johnson, W.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A single axis study of flight simulator kinematics by difference techniques

The kinematic parameters of position, velocity, and acceleration of a flight simulator may be calculated by knowing the distance between two or more points on an axis and the time the simulator takes to traverse the space between each set of points. These parameters are calculated through the use of difference techniques. Given the true kinematic response of the simulator to computer generated commands, the entire motion system loop may be calibrated, and system operability verified.

Webster, L. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Accelerated development and flight evaluation of active controls concepts for subsonic transport aircraft. Volume 2: AFT C.G. simulation and analysis

Relaxed static stability and stability augmentation with active controls were investigated for subsonic transport aircraft. Analytical and simulator evaluations were done using a contemporary wide body transport as a baseline. Criteria for augmentation system performance and unaugmented flying qualities were evaluated. Augmentation control laws were defined based on selected frequency response and time history criteria. Flying qualities evaluations were conducted by pilots using a moving base simulator with a transport cab. Static margin and air turbulence intensity were varied in test with and without augmentation. Suitability of a simple pitch control law was verified at neutral static margin in cruise and landing flight tasks. Neutral stability was found to be marginally acceptable in heavy turbulence in both cruise and landing conditions.

Urie, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Wave structure in the Venus ionosphere downstream of the terminator

In the lower ionosphere of Venus, just nightward of the terminator, instruments on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter have revealed nearly coherent wave trains in the electron density, N(e), temperature, T(e), and in the east-west component of the magnetic field, B(E). These waves exist primarily below 200 km. They have north-south wavelengths of the order of 150 km and amplitudes in N(e) and T(e) of about a factor of 2 or 3. B(E) has an amplitude of about 30 nT but no net value averaged over the waves. A unique phase relationship exists between these three parameters. N(e) and T(e) vary approximately inversely, suggesting that the waves represent vertical plasma motions. N(e) maxima and minima tend to occur at zero crossings of B(E), i.e., within regions of vertical current. The wave energy is believed to be derived from the steep plasma pressure gradient at the terminator which accelerates ionospheric plasma nightward. The generation process is unknown, but it may involve gradient driven interchange instabilities, or shear instabilities produced by ion-neutral drag at lower altitudes. Whatever their origin, the waves are important because they represent an energy sink for the transterminator flow that is largely responsible for the maintenance of the nightside ionosphere.

Brace, L. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Hormonal responses of metoclopramide-treated subjects experiencing nausea or emesis during parabolic flight

The concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), vasopressin (AVP), epinephrine (EPI), and norepinephrine (NE) in 22 subjects administered 10 to 20 mg of metoclopramide prior to parabolic flight are measured. The effect of metoclopramide on motion sickness is examined. It is observed that metoclopramide is ineffective in the modulation of motion sickness due to stressful linear and angular acceleration and orbital flight, and it does not affect serum hormones prior to parabolic flight. It is detected that the serum level of AVP declines following emesis induced by parabolic flight and stressful angular acceleration; the serum levels of ACTH and EPI are elevated by parabolic flight and stressful angular acceleration; and serum NE is significantly elevated immediately following emesis. The possible roles of these hormones in the etiology of space motion sickness are discussed.

Kohl, Randall L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Acquisition and analysis of accelerometer data

Acceleration data reduction must be undertaken with a complete understanding of the physical process, the means by which the data are acquired, and finally, the calculations necessary to put the data into a meaningful format. Discussed here are the acceleration sensor requirements dictated by the measurements desired. Sensor noise, dynamic range, and linearity will be determined from the physical parameters of the experiment. The digitizer requirements are discussed. Here the system from sensor to digital storage medium will be integrated, and rules of thumb for experiment duration, filter response, and number of bits are explained. Data reduction techniques after storage are also discussed. Time domain operations including decimating, digital filtering, and averaging are covered, as well as frequency domain methods, including windowing and the difference between power and amplitude spectra, and simple noise determination via coherence analysis. Finally, an example experiment using the Teledyne Geotech Model 44000 Seismometer to measure from 1 Hz to 10(exp -6) Hz is discussed. The sensor, data acquisition system, and example spectra are presented.

Verges, Keith R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Electron beams and associated rapid fluctuations in solar flares

Recent observations show that the rapid fluctuations in radio, hard X-ray, and H-alpha emissions are closely associated with type III and microwave (or decimetric) bursts during the impulsive and/or preimpulsive phases of solar flares. In order to clarify the physical processes of these observed phenomena, this paper proposes a tentative model of two acceleration regions A (source of type III bursts) and B (source of microwave or decimetric bursts) formed in the neutral sheet and at the top of a flaring loop, respectively; and also suggests that the electron beams streaming from region A and/or region B downward to the chromosphere are responsible for the rapid fluctuations in the different emissions mentioned above during the impulsive and/or preimpulsive phases of solar flares.

Li, C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Physics of the Inner Heliosphere 1-10 Rs: Plasma Diagnostics and Models

While the mechanisms responsible for the solar corona and the high-speed solar wind streams are still unknown, model computations offer means of predicting the properties of such mechanisms in light of the empirical constraints currently available. Modeling and data analysis efforts were aimed at understanding the plasma properties of the acceleration of the solar wind, its filamentary nature, and the conditions needed to account for a rapidly accelerating solar wind, reaching its terminal speed within 10 R(sub s). A sequence of models ranging from steady one-fluid descriptions of the solar wind to multi-fluid time-dependent models were developed. Plasma diagnostics evolved from the analysis of data acquired from Skylab to SOHO, and complemented by ground-based observations.

Habbal, Shadia R.↗