Changes in organ perfusion and weight ratios in post-simulated microgravity recovery

Head-down tilt models have been used as ground-based simulations of microgravity. Our previous animal research has demonstrated that there are significant changes in fluid distribution within 2 h after placement in a 45 degrees head-down tilt (45HDT) position and these changes in fluid distribution were still present after 14 days of 45HDT. Consequently, we investigated changes in fluid distribution during recovery from 16 days of 45HDT. Changes in radioactive tracer distribution and organ/body weight ratio were examined in rats randomly assigned to a 45HDT or prone control group. The 45HDT rats were suspended for 16 days and then allowed to recover at the prone position 0, 77, 101, or 125 h post-suspension. Animals were injected with technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99mTcDTPA, MW=492 amu, physical half-life of 6.02 h) and then killed 30 min post-injection. Lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain were harvested, weighed, and measured for radioactive counts. Statistical analyses included two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) that compared 45HDT versus controls at the four experimental time points. The organ weight divided by the body weight ratio for the brain, heart, kidneys and liver in the 45HDT rats was significantly different than the control rats, regardless of time (treatment). There was no difference between the different time points (time). The average 99mTcDTPA count divided by the organ weight ratio values for the heart, liver, and spleen were significantly higher in the 45HDT group than the control group. The average counts for the heart and spleen were significantly higher at 77, 101, and 125 h than at time zero. We conclude that the major organs have different recovery patterns after 45HDT for 16 days in the rat.     

Brines in seepage channels as eluants for subsurface relict biomolecules on Mars?

Water, vital for life, not only maintains the integrity of structural and metabolic biomolecules, it also transports them in solution or colloidal suspension. Any flow of water through a dormant or fossilized microbial community elutes molecules that are potentially recognizable as biomarkers. We hypothesize that the surface seepage channels emanating from crater walls and cliffs in Mars Orbiter Camera images results from fluvial erosion of the regolith as low-temperature hypersaline brines. We propose that, if such flows passed through extensive subsurface catchments containing buried and fossilized remains of microbial communities from the wet Hesperian period of early Mars (approximately 3.5 Ga ago), they would have eluted and concentrated relict biomolecules and delivered them to the surface. Life-supporting low-temperature hypersaline brines in Antarctic desert habitats provide a terrestrial analog for such a scenario. As in the Antarctic, salts would likely have accumulated in water-filled depressions on Mars by seasonal influx and evaporation. Liquid water in the Antarctic cold desert analogs occurs at -80 degrees C in the interstices of shallow hypersaline soils and at -50 degrees C in salt-saturated ponds. Similarly, hypersaline brines on Mars could have freezing points depressed below -50 degrees C. The presence of hypersaline brines on Mars would have extended the amount of time during which life might have evolved. Phototrophic communities are especially important for the search for life because the distinctive structures and longevity of their pigments make excellent biomarkers. The surface seepage channels are therefore not only of geomorphological significance, but also provide potential repositories for biomolecules that could be accessed by landers.     

高速飞行器流固界面热力载荷转换方法及其应用

高速飞行器流固界面热力载荷的快速高效转换是结构热气弹分析的重要前提。本文分别基于最小势能原理建立了流固界面热力载荷的转换方法,并编制了相应的转换软件,可实现不同单元类型、不同载荷类别、不同软件之间的双向热力载荷转换。测试算例表明,无论是定量分析还是定性分析,本文方法都能实现流固界面热力载荷的高精度快速转换。     

ZnO/SBA-15无机热控涂层填料及涂层性能

开展高紫外-可见-近红外反射能力热控填料的制备,研制新型低吸收比(α_S)高发射率(ε_H)无机热控涂层。以自制SBA-15和ZnO前驱体为原料通过溶剂热浸渍和高温煅烧法制备ZnO/SBA-15填料,然后与硅酸钾(K_2SiO_3)制备无机热控涂层;采用SAXD、XRD、SEM、太阳反射光谱分析填料和涂层的性能。结果显示采用硝酸锌作为前驱体、m(ZnO)∶m(SBA-15)=3∶7、950℃下烧结3 h可以得到高紫外-可见-近红外反射能力的填料;ZnO/SBA-15/K_2SiO_3无机涂层的α_S为0.09,ε_H为0.91,涂层结合力等级为1级,经过100次-196～100℃热循环实验后,涂层无脱落和开裂现象。SBA-15改性ZnO可以获得具有高紫外反射率和低α_S的热控填料,ZnO/SBA-15填料制备的无机热控涂层同样具备高紫外反射率、低α_S和高ε_H,可以满足航天器高效散热的需求,应用前景良好。