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At least 163 records · Page 9

Prospective Observational Study of Ocular Health in ISS Crews - The Ocular Health Study

The Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome is currently NASA's number one human space flight risk. The syndrome, which is related to microgravity exposure, manifests with changes in visual acuity (hyperopic shifts, scotomas), changes in eye structure (optic disc edema, choroidal folds, cotton wool spots, globe flattening, and dilated optic nerve sheaths), and in some cases with documented increased intracranial pressure (ICP) postflight. While the eye appears to be the main affected end organ of this syndrome, the ocular effects are thought to be related to underlying changes in the vascular system and the central nervous system. The leading hypotheses for the development of VIIP involve microgravity-induced head-ward fluid shifts along with a loss of gravity-assisted drainage of venous blood from the brain, leading to cephalic congestion, decreased CSF resorption and increased ICP. Since 70% of ISS crewmembers have manifested clinical signs or symptoms of the VIIP syndrome, it is assumed that the majority have some degree of ICP elevation in-flight compared to the ground. Prolonged elevations of ICP can cause long-term reduced visual acuity and loss of peripheral visual fields, and have been reported to cause mild cognitive impairment in the analog terrestrial population of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). These potentially irreversible health consequences underscore the importance of identifying the factors that lead to this syndrome and mitigating them.

Otto, C.↗

The Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure Syndrome in Long Duration NASA Astronauts: An Integrated Approach

The Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome is currently NASA's number one human space flight risk. The syndrome, which is related to microgravity exposure, manifests with changes in visual acuity (hyperopic shifts, scotomas), changes in eye structure (optic disc edema, choroidal folds, cotton wool spots, globe flattening, and distended optic nerve sheaths). In some cases, elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure has been documented postflight reflecting increased intracranial pressure (ICP). While the eye appears to be the main affected end organ of this syndrome, the ocular affects are thought to be related to the effect of cephalad fluid shift on the vascular system and the central nervous system. The leading hypotheses for the development of VIIP involve microgravity induced head-ward fluid shifts along with a loss of gravity-assisted drainage of venous blood from the brain, both leading to cephalic congestion and increased ICP. Although not all crewmembers have manifested clinical signs or symptoms of the VIIP syndrome, it is assumed that all astronauts exposed to microgravity have some degree of ICP elevation in-flight. Prolonged elevations of ICP can cause long-term reduced visual acuity and loss of peripheral visual fields, and has been reported to cause mild cognitive impairment in the analog terrestrial population of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). These potentially irreversible health consequences underscore the importance of identifying the factors that lead to this syndrome and mitigating them.

Otto, C. A.↗

Comparison of Structural and Functional Ocular Outcomes Between 14- and 70 Day Bed Rest

Purpose: To compare structural and functional ocular outcomes in healthy human subjects undergoing 14- and/or 70-day head-down-tilt bed rest (HDTBR). We hypothesized the amount of HDTBR-induced ocular changes be affected by the HDTBR duration. Methods: The studies were conducted at the NASA Flight Analogs Research Unit, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX. Participants were selected using NASA standard screening procedures. Standardized NASA screening procedures and bed rest conditions (e.g., strict sleep-wake cycle, standardized diet, continuous video monitoring) were implemented in both studies. Participants maintained a 6deg HDTBR position for 14 and/or 70 consecutive days and did not engage in exercise. Weekly ophthalmological examinations were conducted in the sitting (pre/post-bed rest only) and HDT positions. Ocular outcomes of interest included: near best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); spherical equivalent, as determined by cycloplegic autorefraction; Goldmann applanation tonometry and iCare (Icare Finland Oy, Espoo, Finland) intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement; color vision; red dot test; modified Amsler grid test; confrontational visual field; stereoscopic color fundus photography; Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), peripapillary and macular retinal thicknesses. Mixed-effects linear models were used to compare pre- and post-HDTBR observations between 14- and 70-day HDTBR for our continuously scaled outcomes.

Cromwell, R. L.↗

Optimizing Screening for Preventable Blindness With Head-Mounted Visual Assessment Technology

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness and is diagnosed as early-stage or late-stage. Early-stage AMD is usually asymptomatic and entails pigmentary changes of the retina (Ayoub & Patel, 2009). As the disorder progresses, there are atrophic or neovascular changes that distort vision, especially the central visual field (Ayoub & Patel, 2009). There are several genetic and non-genetic risk factors for AMD and no proven therapy to slow or reverse late-stage atrophic AMD, while anti-VEGF has effectively treated late-stage neovascular AMD. Several genes of interest have also been investigated thoroughly thus far in their connection to AMD and the CFH and ARMS2 genes have shown promise in understanding the genetic basis of the disorder (Awh et al., 2013). There are other epigenetic and environmental factors as well including smoking and low antioxidant levels (Cano et al., 2010). Ongoing investigations include antioxidant supplementation and a smoking cessation regimen to reverse early-stage AMD (Cano et al., 2010). Progress in treating AMD as a disorder across its varied stages requires newer therapeutics along with a more detailed understanding of the genetic and cellular pathways of pathophysiology is needed to better counter this prevalent disorder of the eye.

age-related macular degeneration↗

A study of methods to predict and measure the transmission of sound through the walls of light aircraft. A survey of techniques for visualization of noise fields

A survey of the most widely used methods for visualizing acoustic phenomena is presented. Emphasis is placed on acoustic processes in the audible frequencies. Many visual problems are analyzed on computer graphic systems. A brief description of the current technology in computer graphics is included. The visualization technique survey will serve as basis for recommending an optimum scheme for displaying acoustic fields on computer graphic systems.

Marshall, S. E.↗

Flow visualization and flow field measurements of a 1/12 scale tilt rotor aircraft in hover

The results are given of flow visualization studies and inflow velocity field measurements performed on a 1/12 scale model of the XV-15 tilt rotor aircraft in the hover mode. The complex recirculating flow due to the rotor-wake-body interactions characteristic of tilt rotors was studied visually using neutrally buoyant soap bubbles and quantitatively using hot wire anemometry. Still and video photography were used to record the flow patterns. Analysis of the photos and video provided information on the physical dimensions of the recirculating fountain flow and on details of the flow including the relative unsteadiness and turbulence characteristics of the flow. Recirculating flows were also observed along the length of the fuselage. Hot wire anemometry results indicate that the wing under the rotor acts to obstruct the inflow causing a deficit in the inflow velocities over the inboard region of the model. Hot wire anemometry also shows that the turbulence intensities in the inflow are much higher in the recirculating fountain reingestion zone.

Coffen, Charles D.↗

Flow visualization and flow field measurements of a 1/12 scale tilt rotor aircraft in hover

The results are given of flow visualization studies and inflow velocity field measurements performed on a 1/12 scale model of the XV-15 tilt rotor aircraft in the hover mode. The complex recirculating flow due to the rotor-wake-body interactions characteristic of tilt rotors was studied visually using neutrally buoyant soap bubbles and quantitatively using hot wire anemometry. Still and video photography were used to record the flow patterns. Analysis of the photos and video provided information on the physical dimensions of the recirculating fountain flow and on details of the flow including the relative unsteadiness and turbulence characteristics of the flow. Recirculating flows were also observed along the length of the fuselage. Hot wire anemometry results indicate that the wing under the rotor acts to obstruct the inflow causing a deficit in the inflow velocities over the inboard region of the model. Hot wire anemometry also shows that the turbulence intensities in the inflow are much higher in the recirculating fountain reingestion zone.

Coffen, Charles D.↗

Unique wide field of view visual simulation

Visual simulations are required to support investigations of the man-machine aspects of helicopter nap-of-the-earth flight. The visual simulation requirements are discussed vis-a-vis available technology. A wide field of view of the world outside the cockpit is necessary to provide adequate visual cues to the pilot. A unique design is described employing three TV monitors, collimating lenses, and electronics to selectively display a wide field of view without the use of a costly wide angle optical probe.

Niemela, J.↗

Application of the wide-field shadowgraph technique to rotor wake visualization

The wide field shadowgraph technique is reviewed along with its application to the visualization of rotor wakes. In particular, current experimental methods and data reduction requirements are discussed. Sample shadowgraphs are presented. These include shadowgraphs of model-scale helicopter main rotors and tilt rotors, and full scale tail rotors, both in hover and in forward flight.

Norman, Thomas R.↗

Plate Scattering Visualization: Images, Near Fields, Currents, and Far Field Patterns

This paper presents a case study of a simple yet robust target for demonstration of the EM visualization process. A five lambda square plate exhibits many scattering mechanisms depending on excitation angle and polarization: specular scattering, leading and trailing edge diffraction, traveling wave, and edge wave scattering. Bistatic k space radiation images, currents maps, and near scattered / total fields are examined for each of these scattering mechanisms.

Shaeffer, John↗

Processing of form stimuli presented unilaterally in humans, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Visual forms were unilaterally presented using a video-task paradigm to ten humans, chimpanzees, and two rhesus monkeys to determine whether hemispheric advantages existed in the processing of these stimuli. Both accuracy and reaction time served as dependent measures. For the chimpanzees, a significant right hemisphere advantage was found within the first three test sessions. The humans and monkeys failed to show a hemispheric advantage as determined by accuracy scores. Analysis of reaction time data revealed a significant left hemisphere advantage for the monkeys. A visual half-field x block interaction was found for the chimpanzees, with a significant left visual field advantage in block two, whereas a right visual field advantage was found in block four. In the human subjects, a left visual field advantage was found in block three when they used their right hands to respond. The results are discussed in relation to recent reports of hemispheric advantages for nonhuman primates.

Hopkins, William D.↗

Multiresolution and Explicit Methods for Vector Field Analysis and Visualization

We first report on our current progress in the area of explicit methods for tangent curve computation. The basic idea of this method is to decompose the domain into a collection of triangles (or tetrahedra) and assume linear variation of the vector field over each cell. With this assumption, the equations which define a tangent curve become a system of linear, constant coefficient ODE's which can be solved explicitly. There are five different representation of the solution depending on the eigenvalues of the Jacobian. The analysis of these five cases is somewhat similar to the phase plane analysis often associate with critical point classification within the context of topological methods, but it is not exactly the same. There are some critical differences. Moving from one cell to the next as a tangent curve is tracked, requires the computation of the exit point which is an intersection of the solution of the constant coefficient ODE and the edge of a triangle. There are two possible approaches to this root computation problem. We can express the tangent curve into parametric form and substitute into an implicit form for the edge or we can express the edge in parametric form and substitute in an implicit form of the tangent curve. Normally the solution of a system of ODE's is given in parametric form and so the first approach is the most accessible and straightforward. The second approach requires the 'implicitization' of these parametric curves. The implicitization of parametric curves can often be rather difficult, but in this case we have been successful and have been able to develop algorithms and subsequent computer programs for both approaches. We will give these details along with some comparisons in a forthcoming research paper on this topic.

Source record↗

Development of Techniques for Visualization of Scalar and Vector Fields in the Immersive Environment

Visualization of scalar and vector fields in the immersive environment (CAVE - Cave Automated Virtual Environment) is important for its application to radiation shielding research at NASA Langley Research Center. A complete methodology and the underlying software for this purpose have been developed. The developed software has been put to use for the visualization of the earth s magnetic field, and in particular for the study of the South Atlantic Anomaly. The methodology has also been put to use for the visualization of geomagnetically trapped protons and electrons within Earth's magnetosphere.

Bidasaria, Hari B.↗

Graphics and Flow Visualization of Computer Generated Flow Fields

Flow field variables are visualized using color representations described on surfaces that are interpolated from computational grids and transformed to digital images. Techniques for displaying two and three dimensional flow field solutions are addressed. The transformations and the use of an interactive graphics program for CFD flow field solutions, called PLOT3D, which runs on the color graphics IRIS workstation are described. An overview of the IRIS workstation is also described.

Kathong, M.↗

RF antenna-pattern visual aids for field use

Series of plots must be made of antenna pattern on polar-coordinate sheet depicting vertical planes. Separate sheets are plotted depicting antenna patterns in vertical plane at azimuth positions. After all polar plots are drawn, they are labeled according to their azimuthal positions. Transparencies are then stiffened with regular wire, cardboard, or molded plastic.

Williams, J. H.↗

Flow field measurement and visualization using projected smoke trails

A new, simple method is described for measuring and visualizing air flows. The method involves projecting a small heated metal pellet through the air at a speed greater than the flow. The pellet burns as it moves through the air and leaves a wake of very fine, visible, metal oxide particles. The position of this visible smoke trail is then photographed at a sequence of times. The displacement of the trail can be used to provide a plot of the normal component of velocity as a function of distance. Examples are given for very low speed thermal convection (less than about 1 m/sec) and low speed flow over airfoils and cylinders (less than about 10 m/sec). Comparisons of the method to pulsed smoke-wire, spark-tracer and laser fluorescence methods, which give similar information, are discussed.

Steinhoff, J. S.↗