HZE particle effects in space

Among the various particulate components of ionizing radiation in space, heavy ions (the so-called HZE particles) have been of special concern to radiobiologists. To understand the ways by which HZE particles of cosmic radiation interact with biological systems, methods have been developed to precisely localize the trajectory of an HZE particle relative to the biological object and to correlate the physical data of the particle with the biological effects observed along its path. In a variety of test systems, injuries were traced back to the traversal of a single HZE particle, such as somatic mutations, and chromosomal aberrations in plant seeds, development disturbances and malformations in insect and salt shrimp embryos, or cell death in bacterial spores. In the latter case, a long-ranging killing effect around the particle's track was observed. Whereas, from spaceflight experiments, substantial infomation has been accumulated on single HZE particle effects in resting systems and in a few embryonic systems, there is a paucity of data on cosmic radiation effects in whole tissues or animals, especially mammalians.     

The role of HZE particles in space flight: results from spaceflight and ground-based experiments.

Selected results from experiments investigating the potentially specific radiobiological importance of the cosmic HZE (= high Z, energetic) particles are discussed. Results from the Biostack space flight experiments, which were designed to meet the experimental requirements imposed by the microdosimetric nature of this radiation field, clearly indicate the existence of radiation mechanisms which become effective only at higher values of LET (linear energy transfer). Accelerator irradiation studies are reviewed which conform with this conjecture. The recently discovered production of "micro-lesions" in mammalian tissues by single HZE particles is possibly the most direct evidence. Open questions concerning the establishment of radiation standards for manned spaceflight, such as late effects, interaction with flight dynamic parameters, and weightlessness, are indicated.     

The biological effectiveness of HZE-particles of cosmic radiation studied in the Apollo 16 and 17 Biostack experiments

The Biostack experiments I and II were flown on board the Apollo 16 and 17 command modules in order to obtain information on the biological damage produced by the bombardment of heavy high-energy (HZE) particles of cosmic radiation during spaceflight. Such data are required for estimating radiation hazards in manned spaceflight. Seven biological systems in resting state (Bacillus subtilis spores, Colpoda cucullus cysts, Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, and eggs of Artemia salina, Tribolium castaneum and of Carausius morosus) were accommodated in the two Biostacks. By using a special sandwich construction of visual track detectors and layers of biological objects, identification of each hit biological object was achieved and the possible biological damage correlated with the physical features of the responsible HZE-particle. In the different systems the degree of damage depended on whether the hit cell was replaceable or not. A high sensitivity to HZE-particle bombardment was observed on Artemia salina eggs; 90% of the embryos, which were induced to develop from hit eggs, died at different developmental stages. Malformations of the abdomen or the extremities of the nauplius were frequently induced. In contrast, the growth of hit Vicia faba radiculae and the germination of hit Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and hit Bacillus subtilis spores were not influenced remarkably. But there was an increase in multicaulous plants and a reduction in the outgrowth of the bacterial spores. In addition, information was obtained on the fluence of the HZE-particles, on their spectrum of charge and energy loss, and on the absorption by the Apollo spacecraft and the Biostack material itself. This will help to improve knowledge concerning radiation conditions inside of spacecrafts, necessary to secure a maximum possible protection to the astronauts.     

基于改进型(14,8)循环码的SRAM型存储器多位翻转容错技术研究

SRAM型存储器空间应用通常采取纠一检二(SEC-DED)的方法,克服空间单粒子翻转(SEU)对其产生的影响。随着SRAM型存储器工艺尺寸的减小、核心电压的降低,空间高能粒子容易引起存储器单个基本字多位翻转(SWMU),导致SEC-DED防护方法失效。在研究辐射效应引起的SRAM型存储器多位翻转模式特点的基础上,提出一种基于改进型(14,8)循环码的系统级纠正一位随机错和两位、三位突发错同时检测随机两位错(SEC-DED-TAEC)的系统级容错方法。基于该方法的存储器系统容错设计具有实现简单、实时性高的特点,已成功应用于某型号空间自寻的信息处理系统。仿真试验及实际应用表明,该方法可以有效防护SRAM型存储器件SWMU错误,有效提高了空间信息处理系统可靠性,可以为其它空间电子系统设计提供参考。     

Radiation protection in space

Radiation environment, basic concepts of radiation protection, and specific aspects of the space radiation field are reviewed. The discussion of physico-chemical and subcellular radiation effects includes mechanisms of radiation action and cellular consequences. The discussion of radiobiological effects includes unique aspects of HZE particle effects, space flight findings, terrestrial findings, analysis of somatic radiation effects and effects on critical organs, and early and delayed effects. Other topics include the impact of the space flight environment, measurement of radiation exposure, establishing radiation protection limits, limitations in establishing space-based radiation exposure limits, radiation protection measures, and recommendations.     

Modal control of the planar motion of a long flexible beam in orbit

Attitude control techniques for the pointing and stabilization of very large, inherently flexible spacecraft systems are investigated. The attitude dynamics and control of a long, homogeneous flexible beam whose center of mass is assumed to follow a circular orbit is analyzed. In this study, first order effects of gravity-gradient are included, whereas external perturbations and related orbital station keeping maneuvers are neglected. A mathematical model which describes the system deflections within the orbital plane has been developed by treating the beam as having a maximum of three discretized mass particles connected by massless, elastic structural elements. The uncontrolled dynamics of this system are simulated and, in addition, the effects of the control devices are considered. The concept of distributed modal control, which provides a means for controlling a system mode independently of all other modes, is examined. The effect of varying the number of modes in the model as well as the number and location of the control devices are also considered.     

Stable iron isotopes and microbial mediation in red pigmentation of the Rosso Ammonitico (mid-late Jurassic, Verona area, Italy)

The iron (Fe) isotopic composition of 17 Jurassic limestones from the Rosso Ammonitico of Verona (Italy) have been analyzed by Multiple-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). Such analysis allowed for the recognition of a clear iron isotopic fractionation (mean -0.8 per thousand, ranging between -1.52 to -0.06 per thousand) on a millimeter-centimeter scale between the red and grey facies of the studied formation. After gentle acid leaching, measurements of the Fe isotopic compositions gave delta(56)Fe values that were systematically lower in the red facies residues (median: -0.84 per thousand, range: -1.46 to +0.26 per thousand) compared to the grey facies residues (median: -0.08 per thousand, range: -0.34 to +0.23 per thousand). In addition, the red facies residues were characterized by a lighter delta(56)Fe signal relative to their corresponding leachates. These Fe isotopic fractionations could be a sensitive fingerprint of a biotic process; systematic isotopic differences between the red and grey facies residues, which consist of hematite and X-ray amorphous iron hydroxides, respectively, are hypothesized to have resulted from the oxidizing activity of iron bacteria and fungi in the red facies. The grey Fe isotopic data match the Fe isotopic signature of the terrestrial baseline established for igneous rocks and low-C(org) clastic sedimentary rocks. The Fe isotopic compositions of the grey laminations are consistent with the influx of detrital iron minerals and lack of microbial redox processes at the water-interface during deposition. Total Fe concentration measurements were performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (confirmed by concentration estimations obtained by MC-ICP-MS analyses of microdrilled samples) on five samples, and resultant values range between 0.30% (mean) in the grey facies and 1.31% (mean) in the red facies. No correlation was observed between bulk Fe content and pigmentation or between bulk Fe content and Fe isotopic compositions. The rapid transformation of the original iron oxyhydroxides to hematite could have preserved the original isotopic composition if it had occurred at about the same temperature. This paper supports the use of Fe isotopes as sensitive tracers of biological activities recorded in old sedimentary sequences that contain microfossils of iron bacteria and fungi. However, a careful interpretation of the iron isotopic fractionation in terms of biotic versus abiotic processes requires supporting data or direct observations to characterize the biological, (geo)chemical, or physical context in relation to the geologic setting. This will become even more pertinent when Fe isotopic studies are expanded to the interplanetary realm.     

活笥银粉中微量铜铁的测定

提出用空气－乙炔火焰原子吸收光谱法来测定银锌电池活性银粉中的微量铜铁，并对测定条件和干扰因素进行了综合考虑，该测定方法具有灵敏度、精确度高，干扰小，选择性和重现性好等优点。测定样品微量铜铁含量的相对标准偏差均小于１.5%(n=8）。标准加入回收率均在（９７.00-102.00)%(n=5)范围内，完全适用于银锌电池活性银粉中微量铜铁含量的控制和样品系统分析，实际应用中取得了很好的效果。     

Laminar dust flames in a reduced-gravity environment

The propagation of laminar dust flames in suspensions of iron in gaseous oxidizers was studied in a low-gravity environment onboard a parabolic flight aircraft. The reduction of buoyancy-induced convective flows and particle settling permitted the measurement of fundamental combustion parameters, such as the burning velocity and the flame quenching distance over a wide range of particle sizes and in different gaseous mixtures. Experimentally measured flame speeds and quenching distances were found in good agreement with theoretical predictions of a simplified analytical model that assumes particles burning in a diffusive mode. However, the comparison of flame speeds in oxygen–argon and oxygen–helium iron suspensions indicates the possibility that fine micron-sized particles burn in the kinetic mode. Furthermore, when the particle spacing is large compared to the scale of the reaction zone, a theoretical analysis suggests the existence of a new so-called discrete flame propagation regime. Discrete flames are strongly dependent on particle density fluctuations and demonstrate directed percolation behavior near flame propagation limits. The experimental observation of discrete flames in particle suspensions will require low levels of gravity over extended periods available only on orbital platforms.     

Experimental and theoretical study of ignition of single coal particles at zero gravity

In the coal combustion process one of the most important problems is the knowledge of chemical reaction principles concerning combustion of single particles and the knowledge of mutual interaction between the burning particles. In this paper theoretical results are presented, which demonstrate the characteristic ways of ignition between coal particles depending both on volatile content in the coal and oxygen content in the atmosphere. The influence of the particles diameter and the distance between them are also discussed.Based on these experiments, a mathematical and physical model of the process have been made. Due to numerical calculation, the radiation and conduction portion in overall balance of heat exchange between the particle and its surrounding in the course of ignition process for various kinds of cool and oxygen contents in the air have been determined. The presented calculation results show an accordance with data results of experiments carried out at zero gravity conditions.     

Space analogue studies in Antarctica

Medical research has been carried out on the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) for 50 years. As an extension of this program collaborative Australian/United States research on immunology, microbiology, psychology and remote medicine has produced important data and insight on how humans adapt to the stress of extreme isolation, confinement and the harsh environment of Antarctica. An outstanding analogue for the isolation and confinement of space missions (especially planetary outposts), ANARE has been used as an international research platform by Australia and the United States since 1993. Collaborative research has demonstrated a lowered responsiveness of the immune system under the isolation and confinement of Antarctic winter-over; a reduction of almost 50% in T cell proliferation to mltogen phytohaemogglutinin, as well as changes in latent herpesvirus states and the expansion of the polyclonal latent Epstein-Barr virus infected B cell populations. Although no clinically significant disease has been found to result from these immune changes, research is currently assessing the effects of psychological factors on the immune system. This and associated research performed to date and its relevance to both organisations is discussed, and comment made on possible extensions to the program in both medical and other fields.     

基于Cubesat平台的874 GHz冰云探测仪设计

冰云探测对气候预测有重要价值,但因冰云粒子的影响,传统气象观测方法很难有效观测气候。太赫兹波的信号带宽较宽、波束较窄,在冰云探测上比使用微波毫米波更具优势。太赫兹冰云探测仪作为被动接收设备,具有体积小、功耗小的特点,与成本低、研发周期短、可以实现组网观测的Cubesat卫星平台有较高的契合度。以冰云探测为背景,分析太赫兹冰云探测仪系统指标,设计874GHz接收机系统的链路。在确保接收机系统性能的同时注重简化链路,减少体积功耗,以适应Cubesat平台,并结合工程经验在链路设计时采取预留增益余量、加入隔离器增强匹配等措施保证工程上的可实现性。最后对接收机链路进行ADS仿真,仿真结果能够满足冰云探测仪对接收机指标的需求。     

纳米SiO2对氰酸酯树脂的增韧改性研究

研究了在不同配比下，几种纳米SiO2（工业品和溶胶-凝胶法自制）对双酚A型氰酸酯树脂（BADCy）的改性方法，并且制定了体系的固化工艺。通过差示扫描量热（DSC）、透射电镜（TEM）等分析测试手段，研究了体系的反应活性以及结构，在此基础上给出了合理的理论分析。研究结果表明：SiO2以15—45nm不等的粒度尺寸分散于BADCy大分子网络结构的空隙间，在网络中起着协同效应和增强增韧作用。纳米SiO2含量为2％-4％时增强增韧效果最佳。     

Analytical and numerical re-entry analysis of simple-shaped objects

The application of SCARAB (spacecraft atmospheric re-entry and aerothermal break-up) to several re-entry objects within the last years has shown the need of fast methods and easy-to use guidelines for a first assessment of the survival probability for these objects or parts of them. Such methods and guidelines will be also very helpful during the design process of a satellite in order to decide, whether a controlled re-entry had to be foreseen at the end of the lifetime, or an uncontrolled re-entry would be acceptable.Within current studies HTG has developed analytical and numerical methods to analyze the demise of simple-shaped objects like spheres, boxes, and cylinders. In addition, the SCARAB software system has been used to evaluate the shielding effects of concentric shells.This paper presents the analytical and numerical models used within the study and the results which have been achieved, including demise ranges for several object/material combinations. The SCARAB results for shielding effects are presented as well.     

The effects of extreme nutritional conditions on the neurochemistry of reward and addiction.

Weight loss is a frequent problem in space flights. We now claim that it may affect performance and drug-seeking behavior by altering midbrain neurochemistry. In food-deprived rats (20-30% underweight) basal extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens decrease to 40-50% of normal and locomotion is depressed. However, amphetamine-induced dopamine release and locomotion are higher than in controls (1825% vs. 595% after a 25 micromoles d-amphetamine intraaccumbens infusion). The lower basal and the higher stimulated dopamine levels suggest that the neurotransmitter accumulates presynaptically in the accumbens of the underweight rats due to subnormal basal release. Psychostimulants are more rewarding for underweight subjects possibly because they release significantly more dopamine from elevated presynaptic stores into the accumbens. Consequently, weight loss can lead both to depression of performance and propensity to substance abuse. These effects should be considered when providing nutritional resources for space flights so that weight loss is limited.     

The Reliable and Intelligent Propulsion Pressurization System of the Long March 7 Launch Vehicle

The reliable and intelligent propulsion pressurization system is one of the key technologies of new Chinese generation launch vehicles; a high reliability design is an important guarantee for the success of launching. This paper analyzes the domestic and overseas liquid launch vehicles in the area of propulsion pressurization systems, based on comprehensive analysis, demonstrating the reliable and intelligent propulsion pressurization system of the Long March 7(Simplified as LM-7) has been raised. By applying a full chain redundancy design, setting proper pressure control bandwidth and control mode reconstruction under extreme fault conditions, the reliability and adaptability of the propulsion pressurization system has enhanced significantly. In addition, the complete system has been verified by the first two flights of LM-7.     

Fluid electrolyte and hormonal changes in conditioned and unconditioned men under hypokinesia

It has been suggested that hypokinesia (diminished muscular activity) may induce more changes in fluid electrolyte metabolism and hormonal concentration of blood plasma in conditioned than unconditioned men. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of 7 days of hypokinesis (HK) on fluid-electrolyte excretion and hormonal content of blood in 12 physically healthy men aged 19-23 years. They were divided into two equal groups according to their physical conditioning. For the simulation of the hypokinetic effect the men were kept under a rigorous bed rest regime. During the background period (BGP), that is prior to the exposure to HK, and under HK, the rate of elimination of fluid, sodium and potassium, and the content of blood plasma aldosterone and cortisol was measured. The amount of excretion of fluid and electrolytes increased while blood plasma aldosterone content decreased. In the conditioned men, a greater excretion of fluid and electrolytes and a greater reduction of plasma aldosterone concentration was observed. It was concluded that hypokinesia induced substantial changes in fluid-electrolyte excretion and hormonal content of blood plasma in both conditioned and unconditioned men.     

硼颗粒点火燃烧特性研究进展

硼的质量热值和体积热值极高,作为金属燃料使用具有显著的能量优势。如何充分释放硼氧化的高热量成为其应用推广的关键问题。基于半个世纪以来国内外的相关研究成果,论述了硼颗粒点火燃烧的主要过程与机理,分析了硼点火燃烧特性的影响因素与促进方法,评述了硼点火燃烧模型和数值计算的研究进展。对目前研究中存在的问题与不足进行了归纳总结,并对未来研究的重点及改进方向进行展望。     

Mg-Sc-Y三元合金的微观组织和力学性能

稀土元素作为重要的镁合金强化相元素,其多元添加产生的影响并未得到充分研究。在Mg-Sc二元系的基础上将Y作为第三元加入,制备了Mg-5Sc二元合金及Mg-5Sc-0.5Y,Mg-5Sc-1Y,Mg-5Sc-2Y,Mg-5Sc-3Y,Mg-5Sc-3.5Y(质量分数,%)5种三元合金,并通过光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)及室温拉伸等试验,研究了Y元素的加入对Mg-Sc二元合金微观组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:Y元素在合金中的主要存在形式为固溶态,富集于晶界处。随着Y元素含量的提升,合金晶粒度显著减小,屈服强度和硬度大幅提升,Mg-5Sc-3.5Y的屈服强度相比Mg-5Sc提升了约50%。该强度的提升主要是由细晶强化和固溶强化引起的。     

有限元仿真模型V&V技术研究

仿真模型建模过程存在多种误差输入，将引起仿真预测结果的不精确性。采用仿真模型V&V（Verification and Validation,验证与确认）技术，进行仿真模型的建模误差分析与控制。利用物理试验数据进行仿真模型的精度评估，基于模型修正算法进行仿真建模参数的自动修正，提升仿真和试验结果的一致性，帮助设计师基于精确的仿真模型进行产品的虚拟性能预示，提升仿真技术在产品研制流程中的地位和作用。阐述了模型V&V的概念和流程，对模型V&V的关键技术和原理进行了详细论述,以NASA Rotor37转子验模为例进行了V&V案例说明。