The mass and helium discrepancy in massive stars: The case Vela X-1

A NLTE-analysis is presented of high S/N spectra of the optical component of the standard massive X-ray binary Vela X-1. In combination with the orbital parameters we conclude that the optical star is highly helium enriched and is significantly overluminous compared to standard evolutionary tracks of massive accretion stars. We then propose a new accretion model able to explain these features.     

Properties of electrophoretic fractions of human embryonic kidney cells separated on Space Shuttle flight STS-8.

Suspensions of cultured primary human embryonic kidney cells were subjected to continuous flow electrophoresis on Space Shuttle flight STS-8. The objectives of the experiments were to obtain electrophoretically separated fractions of the original cell populations and to test these fractions for the amount and kind of urokinase (a kidney plasminogen activator that is used medically for digesting blood clots), the morphologies of cells in the individual fractions, and their cellular electrophoretic mobilities after separation and subsequent proliferation. Individual fractions were successfully cultured after return from orbit, and they were found to differ substantially from one another and from the starting sample with respect to all of these properties.     

Measurements of collisional rate coefficients in laboratory plasmas

Line radiation emitted by highly ionized atoms embedded in hot laboratory plasmas can be utilized to obtain collisional rate coefficients for excitation and ionization. After a discussion of the principles underlying these measurements, the plasma device mostly used is explained briefly as are the various experimental techniques. All experimental results obtained so far are finally discussed and compared with theoretical calculations where possible.     

Versatile fluid-mixing device for cell and tissue microgravity research applications

Microgravity life-science research requires hardware that can be easily adapted to a variety of experimental designs and working environments. The Biomodule is a patented, computer-controlled fluid-mixing device that can accommodate these diverse requirements. A typical shuttle payload contains eight Biomodules with a total of 64 samples, a sealed containment vessel, and a NASA refrigeration-incubation module. Each Biomodule contains eight gas-permeable Silastic T tubes that are partitioned into three fluid-filled compartments. The fluids can be mixed at any user-specified time. Multiple investigators and complex experimental designs can be easily accommodated with the hardware. During flight, the Biomodules are sealed in a vessel that provides two levels of containment (liquids and gas) and a stable, investigator-controlled experimental environment that includes regulated temperature, internal pressure, humidity, and gas composition. A cell microencapsulation methodology has also been developed to streamline launch-site sample manipulation and accelerate postflight analysis through the use of fluorescent-activated cell sorting. The Biomodule flight hardware and analytical cell encapsulation methodology are ideally suited for temporal, qualitative, or quantitative life-science investigations.     

Investigations on gel forming media for use in low gravity bioseparations research.

Microgravity research includes investigations designed to gain insight on methods of separating living cells. During a typical separation certain real-time measurements can be made by optical methods, but some materials must also be subjected to subsequent analyses, sometimes including cultivation of the separated cells. In the absence of on-orbit analytical or fraction collecting procedures, some means is required to "capture" cells after separation. The use of solutions that form gels was therefore investigated as a means of maintaining cells and/or macromolecules in the separated state after two types of simple ground-based experiments. Microgravity electrophoresis experiments were simulated by separating model cell types (rat, chicken, human and rabbit erythrocytes) in a vertical density gradient containing low-conductivity buffer, 1.7%-6.5% Ficoll, 6.8-5.0% sucrose, and 1% SeaPrep low-melting temperature agarose and demonstrating that, upon cooling, a gel formed in the column, and cells could be captured in the positions to which they had migrated. Two-phase extraction experiments were simulated by choosing two-polymer solutions in which phase separation occurs in normal saline at temperatures compatible with cell viability and in which one or both phases form a gel upon cooling. Suitable polymers included commercial agaroses (1-2%), maltodextrin (5-7%) and gelatin (5-20%).