A mathematical and experimental simulation of the hematological response to weightlessness

Two ground-based methods of weightlessness simulation--a computer model of erythropoiesis feedback regulation and bedrest--were used to investigate the mechanisms which lead to loss of red cell mass during spaceflight. Both methods were used to simulate the first Skylab mission of 28 days. Human bedrest subjects lose red cell mass linearly with time and in this study the loss was 6.7% at the end of four weeks (compared to 14% in Skylab). Postbedrest recovery of red cell mass was delayed for two weeks during which time a further decline in this quantity was noted. This is consistent with the first Skylab mission but not with the two longer flights of two and three months. Hemoconcentration, observed early in the study, was essentially maintained despite red cell loss because of continued loss of plasma volume. The computer model, using the time-varying hematocrit data to estimate red cell production rates, predicted dynamic behavior of plasma volume and red cell mass that was in close agreement with the measured values. The results support the hypothesis that red cell loss during supine bedrest is a normal physiological feedback process in response to hemoconcentration enhanced tissue oxygenation and suppression of red cell production. In contrast, the delayed postbedrest recovery of red cell mass was more difficult to explain, especially in the light of enhanced reticulocyte indices observed at the onset on ambulation. Model simulation suggested the possibilities, still to be experimentally demonstrated, that this period was marked by some combination of increased oxygen-hemoglobin affinity, small reductions in mean red cell life span, ineffective erythropoiesis, or abnormal reticulocytosis. The question of whether hemoconcentration is the sole contributor to spaceflight red cell losses also remains to be resolved.     

Cardiac and vascular adaptation to 0g with and without thigh cuffs (Antares 14 and Altair 21 day Mir spaceflights)

Cardiovascular Actaptation was evaluated on 2 astronauts: one wearing thigh cuffs from flight day 1 to 8 (14d flight), the second without cuffs (21d flight). Ultrasound investigations were performed at rest and during LBNP. Results: Without thigh cuffs the cardiovascular Actaptation consists in (1) the development of a hypovolemia with an increase of the heart rate and the cardiac output, (2) the decrease of the vascular tone in the deep (mesenteric and splanchnic) and peripheral (Lower limbs) vascular areas. The use of thigh cuffs maintains the volemia and the cardiac output at the preflight level (without heart rate increase) and prevents the loss of vascular tone in the deep and peripheral areas. Moreover the adaptative process changes since the cuffs are removed and even the volemia seems to be unaffected at this stage the vascular tone decreases to a comparable extend as during the flight without cuffs. Nevertheless during the flight without cuffs or 3 days after removing the cuffs hemodynamic signs of decreased orthostatic tolerance are present during the inflight and the 3 days post flight LBNP. Presently the possible contribution of the thigh cuffs to the reduction of the vascular deconditioning has not been tested yet.     

A combinatorial approach to biochemical space: description and application to the redox distribution of metabolism

Redox chemistry is central to life on Earth. It is well known that life uses redox chemistry to capture energy from environmental chemical energy gradients. Here, we propose that a second use of redox chemistry, related to building biomass from environmental carbon, is equally important to life. We apply a method based on chemical structure to evaluate the redox range of different groups of terrestrial biochemicals, and find that they are consistently of intermediate redox range. We hypothesize the common intermediate range is related to the chemical space required for the selection of a consistent set of metabolites. We apply a computational method to show that the redox range of the chemical space shows the same restricted redox range as the biochemicals that are selected from that space. By contrast, the carbon from which life is composed is available in the environment only as fully oxidized or reduced species. We therefore argue that redox chemistry is essential to life for assembling biochemicals for biomass building. This biomass-building reason for life to require redox chemistry is in addition (and in contrast) to life's use of redox chemistry to capture energy. Life's use of redox chemistry for biomass capture will generate chemical by-products-that is, biosignature gases-that are not in redox equilibrium with life's environment. These potential biosignature gases may differ from energy-capture redox biosignatures.     

A generalization of the rocket formula and its application to advanced space propulsion systems

A generalized rocket formula is derived from a first principles approach. The resulting expression of the thrust is applied to advanced space propulsion systems and a possible link between the asymptotic propellant velocity and the velocity at thruster exit is given. An estimation of the thrust modification due to spacecraft–plume interactions is also considered.     

Readaptation of the vestibuloocular reflex to 1g-condition in immature lower vertebrates (Xenopus laevis) after micro- or hypergravity exposure

The effects of altered gravitational conditions (AGC) on the development of the static vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and readaptation to 1g were investigated in the amphibian Xenopus laevis. Tadpoles were exposed to microgravity (μg) during the German Space Mission D-2 for 10 days, using the STATEX closed survival system, or to 3g for 9 days during earth-bound experiments. At the beginning of AGC, the tadpoles had not yet developed the static VOR.

The main results were: (i) Tadpoles with ug- or 3g-experience had a lower gain of the static VOR than the 1g-controls during the 2nd and 5th post-AGC days, (ii) Readaptation to response levels of 1g-reared controls usually occurred during the following weeks, except in slowly developing tadpoles with 3g-experience. Readaptation was less pronounced if, during the acute VOR test, tadpoles were rolled from the inclined to the normal posture than in the opposite test situation.

It is postulated that (i) gravity is necessarily involved in the development of the static VOR, but only during a period including the time before onset of the first behavioural response; and (ii) readaptation which is superimposed by the processes of VOR development depends on many factors including the velocity of development, the actual excitation level of the vestibular systems and the neuroplastic properties of its specific pathways.     

缩短BCH码（16，8，5）编译码算法及其实现

BCH码由于编译码简单、纠错性能好而广泛应用于工程实践中。文章从传统编译码方法的原理、性能、优缺点及应用情况出发,推导出一种缩短BCH码（16,8,5）的查表编译码方法。经过VHDL仿真验证,该方法简单实用,占用硬件资源少,是工程实践中一种较好的方法。     

Applying international space station (ISS) and solar-sail technology to the exploration and diversion of small,dark near earth objects (NEO's)

Space-Station technology, micron-thick 100-m solar sails, and a near-Earth propulsion system allow exploration of small, dark Near-Earth-Objects (NEO's) of cometary origin. Early crewed missions to NEO's could analyze the objects' properties and evaluate resource-mining possibilities. Later missions to Earth-threatening 100-m radius NEO's could deploy NEO-centered, high-area, low-mass reflective structures. The solar gravitational parameter (GM_sun) on a NEO is slightly reduced by increased radiation pressure. The central-force-field equations reveal that NEO eccentricity and average solar distance are thereby slightly increased. Given decades of warning and long-lived reflective canopies, such structures can convert Earth-impacts into near-misses. Although not suitable for NEO mining, such structures are superior to nuclear detonations because (as revealed by the 1994 Jupiter-comet interaction) NEO calving may be a consequence of explosions. NEO despinning is not required.     

综览ABM、TMD、NMD与MTCR(下)

修改ABM条约的谈判是艰巨而曲折的。在第二阶段谈判中,双方都有一些单方面的建议未被对方采纳而没有写进第二阶段的协议,为修改ABM条约达成一致并获美国会和俄杜马通过潜留下了危机。例如美国会要求取消限制部署天基拦截弹条款,认为如不取消,将会置千百万美国公民于危难之...     

某推进剂用聚氨酯包覆层配方研究及性能测试

利用2,4-甲苯二异氰酸酯(TD I)和液化4,4-二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯(MD I)的混合酯合成聚异氰酸酯,进而合成聚氨酯(PU)粘接剂,选择有机物联二脲作为该粘接剂的填料。以上述两者作为某推进剂包覆层的主成分,得到的包覆层较单体二异氰酸酯合成的PU粘接剂和无机填料得到的包覆层具有良好的力学性能、相容性、防NG迁移性和阻燃性等。研究结果表明,选择TD I和液化MD I的比例为7∶3,联二脲加入量为40%较为适宜。同时,对力学性能、相容性和阻燃性改善的原因也进行了探讨。     

Validity and Sensitivity of a Brief Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT-B) to Total and Partial Sleep Deprivation

The Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) objectively assesses fatigue-related changes in alertness associated with sleep loss, extended wakefulness, circadian misalignment, and time on task. The standard 10-min PVT is often considered impractical in applied contexts. To address this limitation, we developed a modified brief 3-min version of the PVT (PVT-B). The PVT-B was validated in controlled laboratory studies with 74 healthy subjects (34 female, aged 22-45 years) that participated either in a total sleep deprivation (TSD) study involving 33 hours awake (N=31 subjects) or in a partial sleep deprivation (PSD) protocol involving 5 consecutive nights of 4 hours time in bed (N=43 subjects). PVT and PVT-B were performed regularly during wakefulness. Effect sizes of 5 key PVT outcomes were larger for TSD than PSD and larger for PVT than for PVT-B for all outcomes. Effect size was largest for response speed (reciprocal response time) for both the PVT-B and the PVT in both TSD and PSD. According to Cohen's criteria, effect sizes for the PVT-B were still large (TSD) or medium to large (PSD, except for fastest 10% RT). Compared to the 70% decrease in test duration the 22.7% (range 6.9%-67.8%) average decrease in effect size was deemed an acceptable trade-off between duration and sensitivity. Overall, PVT-B performance had faster response times, more false starts and fewer lapses than PVT performance (all p<0.01). After reducing the lapse threshold from 500 ms to 355 ms for PVT-B, mixed model ANOVAs indicated no differential sensitivity to sleep loss between PVT-B and PVT for all outcome variables (all P>0.15) but the fastest 10% response times during PSD (P<0.001), and effect sizes increased from 1.38 to 1.49 (TSD) and 0.65 to 0.76 (PSD), respectively. In conclusion, PVT-B tracked standard 10-min PVT performance throughout both TSD and PSD, and yielded medium to large effect sizes. PVT-B may be a useful tool for assessing behavioral alertness in settings where the duration of the 10-min PVT is considered impractical, although further validation in applied settings is needed.     

A new goldfish model to evaluate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of drugs used for motion sickness in different gravity loads.

This paper proposes a new goldfish model to predict pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic effects of drugs used to treat motion sickness administered in differing gravity loads. The assumption of these experiments is that the vestibular system is dominant in producing motion sickness and that the visual system is secondary or of small import in the production of motion sickness. Studies will evaluate the parameter of gravity and the contribution of vision to the role of the neurovestibular system in the initiation of motion sickness with and without pharmacologic agents. Promethazine will be studied first. A comparison of data obtained in different groups of goldfish will be done (normal vs. acutely and chronically bilaterally blinded vs. sham operated). Some fish will be bilaterally blinded 10 months prior to initiation of the experiment (designated the chronically bilaterally blinded group of goldfish) to evaluate the neuroplasticity of the nervous system and the associated return of neurovestibular function. Data will be obtained under differing gravity loads with and without a pharmacological agent for motion sickness. Experiments will differentiate pharmacological effects on vision vs. neurovestibular input to motion sickness. Comparison of data obtained in the normal fish and in acutely and chronically bilaterally blinded fish with those obtained in fish with intact and denervated otoliths will differentiate if the visual or neurovestibular system is dominant in response to altered gravity and/or drugs. Experiments will contribute to validation of the goldfish as a model for humans since plasticity of the central nervous system allows astronauts to adapt to the altered visual stimulus conditions of 0-g. Space motion sickness may occur until such an adaptation is achieved.     

北斗卫星导航纠错码BCH(15,11)快速译码算法及实现结构

为了提高北斗卫星导航系统定位、导航、授时等服务的精确性,减弱空地信道噪声的干扰,北斗卫星导航系统采用循环码BCH(15,11)作为前向纠错码.在北斗卫星导航系统空间信号接口控制文件中提出校正子错误图样查表的译码方法,此译码算法需要预先存储错误图样,译码时,先用除法电路得到校正子,再查表得到错误码,查找、匹配费时,具有较...     

中国航天军民融合发展的回顾与对策（下）

（六）民转军仍很艰难尽管民企参与军工是大势所趋,但在创业过程中仍然处处遭受到一些阻力、障碍和不平等待遇,发展得很艰难。     

中国航天军民融合发展的回顾与对策（上）

军民融合,是我国在国防现代化建设中,探索出的一条把国防和军队建设融入国家现代化建设的战略全局,兼顾国防与民用工业生产的高效益的正确途径;是对我国“军民结合”、“寓军于民”成功经验的新提升,是新世纪新阶段富国强军的必然选择。     

GPS信号模拟器中x/sin(x)数字滤波器的设计和实现

结合一个实际 GPS信号模拟器数字中频系统的指标要求 ,介绍用 matlab设计窄带 x/sin( x)数字滤波器的方法 ,并在 Xilinx公司的 FPGA中实现所设计的 7阶 FIR滤波器 ,所设计的滤波器输出延迟为 8个时钟周期 ,后仿真的最高速度大于 1 2 0 MHz     

The neutron,gamma-ray,X-ray spectrometer (NGXS): A compact instrument for making combined measurements of neutrons,gamma-rays,and X-rays

The Neutron, Gamma ray, and X-ray Spectrometer (NGXS) is a compact instrument designed to detect neutrons, gamma-rays, and hard X-rays. The original goal of NGXS was to detect and characterize neutrons, gamma-rays, and X-rays from the Sun as part of the Solar Probe Plus mission in order to provide direct insight into particle acceleration, magnetic reconnection, and cross-field transport processes that take place near the Sun. Based on high-energy neutron detections from prompt solar flares, it is estimated that the NGXS would detect neutrons from 15 to 24 impulsive flares. The NGXS sensitivity to 2.2 MeV gamma rays would enable a detection of ∼50–60 impulsive flares. The NGXS is estimated to measure ∼120 counts/s for a GOES C1-type flare at 0.1 AU, which allows for a large dynamic range to detect both small and large flares.