Evaluation of spontaneous baroreflex response after 28 days head down tilt bedrest

The spontaneous baroreflex response was evaluated during supine rest and head up tilt (60 degrees) before and immediately after a 28 day 6 degrees HDT bedrest in 6 healthy adult men (age 30-42 years). Sequences of 3 or more beats where RR-interval and systolic blood pressure changed in the same direction were used to evaluate baroreflex response slope (BRS). Prior to bedrest, the mean BRS and RR-interval were 18.0 +/- 3.9 ms/mm Hg and 926 +/- 61 ms at rest and 10.5 +/- 2.5 ms/mm Hg and 772 +/- 63 ms during the first 10 min of 60 degrees tilt. Following bedrest, these values changed to 15.6 +/- 2.7 ms/mm Hg and 780 +/- 53 ms at rest, and to 6.5 +/- 1.2 ms/mm Hg and 636 +/- 44 ms during tilt. Thus, (1) the spontaneous baroreflex can be evaluated in human subjects during experiments of orthostatic stress; (2) the baroreflex slope was reduced on going from supine to the head up tilt position; and (3) 28 days of bedrest reduced the spontaneous baroreflex slope.     

Autonomic regulation of circulation and cardiac contractility during a 14-month space flight

The space flight of physician cosmonaut V.V. Polyakov, the longest to date (438 days), has yielded new data about human adaptation to long-term weightlessness. Autonomic regulation of circulation and cardiac contractility were evaluated in three experiments entitled Pulstrans, Night, and Holter. In the Pulstrans experiment electrocardiographic (ECG), ballistocardiographic (BCG), seismocardiographic (SCG), and some other parameters were recorded. In the Night experiment, only the ballistocardiogram was recorded, but a special feature of this experiment is that the BCG records were obtained with a contactless method. This method has several advantages, the most important of which are the possibility of studying slow-wave variations in physiologic parameters (ultradian rhythms) on the basis of recordings made under standard conditions over a prolonged period. The Holter experiment (24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring) used a portable cardiorecorder (Spacelab, USA). The obtained electrocardiographic data were used to analyze heart rate variability. In the first 6 months of the 14-month flight, the dynamics of cardiovascular parameters in V.V. Polyakov was virtually the same as in the other cosmonauts. The data obtained after the first 6 months of Polyakov's sojourn in space are unique and mention should be made of at least three important aspects: (1) activation of a new, additional adaptive mechanism in the 8th-9th months of flight, as is evidenced by alterations in the periodicity and power of superslow wave oscillations (ultradian rhythms) reflecting the activity of the subcortical cardiovascular centers and of the higher levels of autonomic regulation; (2) growth of cardiac contractility accompanied by a decrease in heart rate during the last few months of flight; (3) a considerable increase in the daily average values of absolute power of heart rate's variability MF component, which reflects the activity of the vasomotor center. Specific mechanisms of adaptation to weightless conditions appear to be associated with activation of higher autonomic centers. The hypothesis that central levels of circulation regulation are activated in a long-term space flight was investigated by analyzing of ultradian rhythms in nighttime. The data, received during the flight of V. V. Polyakov, show, that the process of human adaptation to long influence of weightlessness consists of a number of consecutive stages, during which the activation of more and more high levels of control system of physiological functions occurs.     

Does mental arithmetic before head up tilt have an effect on the orthostatic cardiovascular and hormonal responses?

Passive head up tilt (HUT) and mental arithmetic (MA) are commonly used for providing mental and orthostatic challenges, respectively. In animal experiments, even a single exposure to a stressor has been shown to modify the response to subsequent stress stimulus. We investigated whether MA applied before HUT elicits synergistic responses in orthostatic heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), heart rate variability and arterial blood pressure. The 15 healthy young males were subjected to two randomized protocols: (a) HUT and (b) HUT preceded by MA, with sessions randomized and ≥2 weeks apart. Beat to beat continuous hemodynamic variables were measured and saliva samples taken for hormonal assay. HUT alone increased HR from 59±7 (baseline) to 80±10 bpm (mean±SD) and mean blood pressure (MBP) from 88±10 to 91±14 mmHg. HUT results after MA were not different from those with HUT alone. The activity of alpha amylase showed differences during the experiments irrespective of the protocols. We conclude that mental challenge does not affect orthostatic cardiovascular responses when applied before; the timing of mental loading seems to be critical if it is intended to alter cardiovascular responses to upright standing.     

Effects of repeated long duration +2Gz load on man's cardiovascular function

Usefulness of a short-arm human centrifuge is expected when it is used in space as a countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning, problem of bone-calcium metabolism, etc. However, nothing is solidly established regarding the most desirable program for artificial G application. Accordingly, this study was designed to analytically evaluate the effects of repeated long duration +Gz load on human cardiovascular function. Recently heart rate spectral analysis has been recognized as a powerful tool for quantitatively evaluating parasympathetic and sympathetic activity separately in human. It is reported that power of the high frequency component (HF-p) is mediated selectively by parasympathetic activity and the power ratio of low to high frequency components(LF/HF) is indicative of cardiac sympathetic activity or cardiac sympathovagal balance. Sequence method is developed to examine spontaneous baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS). We studied cardiovascular control function by using these methods in 9 healthy men before and after 7 days of daily repeated 1hour +2Gz load. When compared with the data of pre-G load period, post-G load period, decrease of HR, increases of HF-p and BRS were statistically significant. SBP, DBP and LF/HF tended to decrease, however, these changes were not statistically significant. This results indicate that repeated +2Gz load increases parasympathetic activity and arterial baroreceptor-cardiac reflex sensitivity. In recent years, many investigators suggest that space flight and head-down bedrest leads to impaired baroreceptor-cardiac reflex responses and decrease of parasympathetic activity, which may contribute to orthostatic intolerance. So our results suggest that daily repeated 1hour +2Gz load would be useful in preventing post-flight orthostatic intolerance.     

Effect of Microaccelerations on the Distribution of a Dopant in a Semiconductor Melt during Space Flight

The effect of residual microaccelerations on the distribution of a dopant in a semiconductor melt located in a heated closed cavity onboard an Earth-orbiting satellite is considered in the context of a model problem of thermal convection. The amplitude–frequency characteristics of the response of this distribution to the perturbing microaccelerations are obtained. It is demonstrated that the effect of low-frequency microaccelerations decreases when the frequency increases. A comparison is made of the macroscopic inhomogeneities of the dopant concentration due to the actual low-frequency (quasi-static) component of microaccelerations onboard different spacecraft: the orbital station Mir, the satellite Foton-11, a Space Shuttle orbiter, and the International Space Station. A substantial effect of the rotational motion of the spacecraft on the character of the time behavior of a macroscopic inhomogeneity is demonstrated.     

Effect of a venotonic agent on the main arteries and veins during a 5 day HDT.

Objective: To evaluate the cardiac, arterial and venous effect of a venotonic drug (Cirkan "Ck") administrated orally daily to 6 subjects in HDT position during 5 days. These subjects underwent a second 5d HDT without Ck treatment one month later. Pre and post HDT the subjects were submitted to a stand test. Method: The cardiovascular parameters were measured by echography and Doppler. Results and discussion: The Cirkan treatment contributed to reduce the increase in cerebral resistance, and to maintain the lower limb resistance at a higher level than on controls. It reduces the vein section at the extremities (Jugular, femoral) and in the central vein system connected to the right heart (sub hepatics). On the other hand it increases the portal vein section which means that the blood stagnation at the splanchnic level is increased. Despite these arterial and venous significant modifications the clinical and ECG and Blood pressure response to the Stand test was similar in both groups.     

基于FEA的某真空容器封头结构的强度评定

封头是真空容器的重要组成部分,文章采用有限元法建立了某大型立式真空容器封头与圆筒体连接段的模型,利用ANSYS分析软件对球冠形封头与筒体的几种连接方案作了系列计算,并进行了应力分类及强度评定。在满足设计要求的情况下从几个改进方案中找出优化设计结构,提高了结构设计质量。有限元分析结果为封头的结构设计与制造提供了理论依据与技术支持。     

Effect of weightlessness on posture and movement control during a whole body reaching task

Here are reported preliminary results of the “Synergy” experiment performed aboard the Russian orbital station “MIR” in July 1993 (Altaïr Mission). The experiment was carried out before, during, and after the space flight of two astronauts (S1 and S2). The duration of the flight was 21 days for S1 and 6 month for S2. The subjects were tested during preflight, inflight and postflight. The astronaut subjects were fixed on the ground by the feet. They were asked to pick up a box in front of them on the ground. Two velocities of movement and two distances of the target to be reached were tested. The movement of several small markers placed on the body was recorded on video tape.

Results show that the shape of head and hand trajectories in the sagittal plane remains roughly the same during the flight in spite of the modification of mechanical constraints. Trajectory invariance does not result in joint angular displacement invariance. These data indicate that the planning of the movement takes place in terms of head and hand trajectories rather than joint rotations as it was previously suggested for simple arm reaching movement.     

大型空间模拟器封头的屈曲分析

封头是大型真空容器的重要组成部分,其主要破坏形式是产生屈曲,所以在真空容器的设计中必须对封头的屈曲特性进行分析。文章采用有限元法建立某大型空间环境模拟器的封头模型,通过有限元线性分析与非线性分析计算结果和经验公式计算结果相比较得到临界载荷,证明利用有限元方法来分析封头的屈曲特性具备可靠性和可行性。文章所得到的结论可为实际设计工作提供参考。     

面关机针栓式喷注器发动机头部传热分析

对面关机针栓式喷注器发动机头部的传热情况进行了分析建模,应用数值方法分别计算了发动机在工作过程和关机后头部集液腔内推进剂温度的瞬态变化情况.计算结果表明,发动机在工作过程中头部集液腔中的推进剂温升很小,关机后推进剂有不超过200℃的温升.从计算结果来看,头部的推进剂处于安全的温度范围内.     

Influence of a surface tension minimum as a function of temperature on the marangoni convection

Aqueous long chain alcohol solutions have a surface tension which presents a minimum as a function of the temperature. At this particular temperature, the dimensionless Marangoni number is vanishing. It is thus expected that around the temperature of the minimum, Marangoni Convection would be slowered with a convective pattern deeply modified. An experiment to be performed in microgravity during the Texus 8 flight is described.     

月球重力场对“嫦娥一号”近月轨道的影响

2008年12月6日“嫦娥一号”卫星开始了为期半个月的变轨试验,卫星距离月球表面最近处 约为15 km,这在国内尚属首次。试验期间,国内USB和VLBI测控网进行了跟踪测量,获取了 卫星不同飞行高度的测轨资料。通过对变轨试验期间的USB和VLBI测量数据的定轨计算,分 析了月球重力场误差对于绕月低轨卫星的影响,计算表明,尽管目前的月球重力场模型高阶 项由于没有月球背面的测量数据而不准确,但对绕月低轨卫星的定轨精度提高仍然有重要帮 助。分析了VLBI数据对绕月低轨卫星定轨的贡献,比较了USB数据单独定轨以及USB和 VLBI联合定轨两种情况,结果表明VLBI数据的加入可有效提高定轨精度。该工作对于我国后 续月球探测工程具有一定的借鉴意义。
     

Effects of the diet on brain function.

The rates of synthesis by brain neurons of the neurotransmitters serotonin, acetylcholine, and the catecholamines depend on the brain levels of the respective precursor molecules. Brain levels of each precursor are influenced by their blood concentration, and for the amino acid precursors, by the blood levels of other amino acids as well. Since diet readily alters blood concentrations of each of these precursors, it thereby also influences the brain formation of their neurotransmitter products.     

Effect of fluid and salt supplementation on body hydration of athletes during prolonged hypokinesia

Body hydration decreases significantly during hypokinesia (HK) (diminished movement), but little is known about the effect of fluid and salt supplements (FSS) on body hydration during HK. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of FSS on body hydration during HK. Studies were done during 30 days pre HK period and 364 days HK period. Thirty male athletes aged 24.5 +/- 6.6 yr were chosen as subjects. They were equally divided into three groups: unsupplemented ambulatory control subjects (UACS), unsupplemented hypokinetic subjects (UHKS) and supplemented hypokinetic subjects (SHKS). Hypokinetic subjects were limited to an average walking distance of 0.7 km day-1. The SHKS group took daily 30 ml of water/kg body weight and 0.1 g of sodium chloride (NaCl)/kg body weight. Control subjects experienced no changes in their professional training and routine daily activities. Plasma volume (PV), urinary and plasma sodium (Na) and potassium (K), plasma osmolality, plasma protein, whole blood hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct), plasma renin activity (PRA) plasma aldosterone (PA) levels, physical characteristics, food and fluid intakes were measured. Plasma osmolality, plasma protein, urinary and plasma Na and K, whole blood Hct and Hb, PRA and PA levels decreased significantly (p < or = 0.01), while PV and body weight increased significantly (p < or = 0.01) in the SHKS group when compared with the UHKS group and did not change when compared with the UACS group. Plasma osmolality, plasma protein, urinary and plasma Na and K, PRA and PA, whole blood Hb and Hct levels increased significantly (p < or = 0.01), while PV body weight, food and fluid intakes decreased significantly (p < or = 0.01) in UHKS group when compared with the SHKS and UACS groups. The measured parameters did not change in the UACS group when compared with their baseline control values. It was shown that during HK body hydration decreased significantly, while during HK and FSS body hydration increased significantly. It was concluded that daily intake of FSS prevents the decrease of PV and blunts the increase of activity of the PRA and PA during prolonged HK.     

Sleep and cognitive function of crewmembers and mission controllers working 24-h shifts during a simulated 105-day spaceflight mission

The success of long-duration space missions depends on the ability of crewmembers and mission support specialists to be alert and maintain high levels of cognitive function while operating complex, technical equipment. We examined sleep, nocturnal melatonin levels and cognitive function of crewmembers and the sleep and cognitive function of mission controllers who participated in a high-fidelity 105-day simulated spaceflight mission at the Institute of Biomedical Problems (Moscow). Crewmembers were required to perform daily mission duties and work one 24-h extended duration work shift every sixth day. Mission controllers nominally worked 24-h extended duration shifts. Supplemental lighting was provided to crewmembers and mission controllers. Participants' sleep was estimated by wrist-actigraphy recordings. Overall, results show that crewmembers and mission controllers obtained inadequate sleep and exhibited impaired cognitive function, despite countermeasure use, while working extended duration shifts. Crewmembers averaged 7.04±0.92 h (mean±SD) and 6.94±1.08 h (mean±SD) in the two workdays prior to the extended duration shifts, 1.88±0.40 h (mean±SD) during the 24-h work shift, and then slept 10.18±0.96 h (mean±SD) the day after the night shift. Although supplemental light was provided, crewmembers’ average nocturnal melatonin levels remained elevated during extended 24-h work shifts. Naps and caffeine use were reported by crewmembers during ∼86% and 45% of extended night work shifts, respectively. Even with reported use of wake-promoting countermeasures, significant impairments in cognitive function were observed. Mission controllers slept 5.63±0.95 h (mean±SD) the night prior to their extended duration work shift. On an average, 89% of night shifts included naps with mission controllers sleeping an average of 3.4±1.0 h (mean±SD) during the 24-h extended duration work shift. Mission controllers also showed impaired cognitive function during extended duration work shifts.These findings indicate that extended duration work shifts present a significant challenge to crewmembers and mission support specialists during long-duration space mission operations. Future research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of alternative work schedules and the development and implementation of more effective countermeasures will be required to maintain high levels of performance.     

间歇采样重复转发对雷达恒虚警检测性能的影响分析

作为一种新型相干干扰,间歇采样转发干扰可以获得雷达脉冲压缩增益,对雷达系统构成了很大的威胁。针对采用线性调频脉冲压缩和单元平均类恒虚警检测的雷达系统,在分析了间歇采样重复转发压制干扰原理和雷达恒虚警检测的工作原理的基础上,理论分析推导了不同间歇采样占空比、转发增益和不同的噪声功率背景条件下重复转发干扰在真实目标CFAR检测区间的能量。通过分析信号能量、噪声能量和干扰能量之间的关系,推导了不同干扰参数下CFAR检测器的信噪比。研究结果表明,在重复全转发这种干扰样式下,采样频率、占空比均是影响影响检测器的重要参数,当优化参数配置,使得转发能量尽量位于检测单元内时,有相对理想的对抗效果。     

陀螺随机游走对导弹自瞄准精度的影响

介绍了激光陀螺随机游走误差的基本概念和误差模型,通过理论分析、计算机仿真以及试验研究了激光陀螺随机游走误差对导弹自瞄准精度的影响,研究结果具有一定的工程应用价值.     

非线性连接结构对一个典型卫星频率漂移的影响

文章针对一个典型的卫星桁架结构建立了三自由度运动模型,分别引入间隙非线性和Iwan模型描述了非线性连接结构;利用数值方法研究了系统的频率漂移,讨论了间隙大小、预紧力（重力）、系统阻尼、随机间隙及Iwan模型的参数对频率漂移的影响;对比了两种非线性连接结构下系统频率漂移的特点。研究表明,间隙结合预紧力条件可令结构呈现“硬弹簧-软弹簧”特性的频率漂移,迟滞和间隙两种非线性引起的频漂在幅频曲线上表现出不同的特点。     

复燃对液体火箭返回阶段底部热环境的影响

为了研究垂直起降液体火箭在返回阶段发动机反向喷流及复燃对箭体着陆支腿和底部热环境的影响,建立了尾焰复燃、流场及光谱辐射计算模型。在国内率先对垂直起降液体火箭在返回阶段的箭体底部热环境进行了数值计算,流场计算采用商业软件,复燃反应使用有限速率化学反应模型;采用HITRAN数据库获得喷流气体组分的光谱吸收系数、正反光线踪迹法求解辐射传递方程。利用文献实验结果,对计算进行了验证并考察了复燃对底部热环境的影响。结果表明:复燃反应对包括箭体底面、侧壁面及着陆支腿的对流和辐射热流密度均会明显升高,最高可达80%以上。因此,研究成果适用于液体火箭返回阶段底部精细化热设计,且在设计过程中有必要考虑复燃的影响。     

Environmental consequences of impact cratering events as a function of ambient conditions on Earth

The end of the Mesozoic Era is defined by a dramatic floral and faunal turnover that has been linked with the Chicxulub impact event, thus leading to the realization that impact cratering can affect both the geologic and biologic evolution of Earth. However, the environmental consequences of an impact event and any subsequent biological effects rely on several factors, including the ambient environmental conditions and the extant ecosystem structures at the time of impact. Some of the severest environmental perturbations of the Chicxulub impact event would not have been significant in some periods of Earth history. Consequently, the environmental and biological effects of an impact event must be evaluated in the context in which it occurs.