Gravity perception and signal transduction in single cells

Cellular signal processing in multi-, as well as in unicellular organisms, has to rely on fundamentally similar mechanisms. Free-living single cells often use the gravity vector for their spatial orientation (gravitaxis) and show distinct gravisensitivities. In this investigation the gravisensitive giant ameboid cell Physarum polycephalum (Myxomycetes, acellular slime molds) is used. Its gravitaxis and the modulation of its intrinsic rhythmic contraction activity by gravity was demonstrated in 180 °turn experiments and in simulated, as well as in actual, near-weightlessness studies (fast-rotating clinostat; Spacelab D1, IML-1). The stimulus perception was addressed in an IML-2 experiment, which provided information on the gravireceptor itself by the determination of the cell's acceleration-sensitivity threshold. Ground-based experiments designed to elucidate the subsequent steps in signal transduction leading to a motor response, suggest that an acceleration stimulus induces changes in the level of second messenger, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), indicating also that the acceleration-stimulus signal transduction chain of Physarum uses an ubiquitous second messenger pathway.     

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.     

Status and efficacy of countermeasures to physiological deconditioning from space flight

The recent biomedical investigations conducted on the Space Shuttle and Spacelab have provided a wealth of biomedical information, including the ability to test the efficacy of proposed countermeasures. This achievement was made possible by the ability to conduct mechanistic and control-interventive studies simultaneously with a large number of individuals over a relatively brief period and to compare these data with results obtained from the Skylab missions. Comparisons between short- and long-duration results were limited to establishing trends or extrapolating from short-duration missions. To date, we have evaluated several protocols involving the lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) device, the bicycle-ergometer, the treadmill and preparations for body-fluid replenishment. In many instances, the traditional means of applying these protocols were not sufficient to protect against space-related deconditioning. This paper will review current countermeasures and compare their efficacy to that of existing protocols. Results from in-flight and ground-based experiments will be presented to illuminate the recommended protocols and procedures.     

The second generation of the incubator hardware for studying avian embryogenesis under microgravity conditions

This paper describes a technical device, INCUBATOR 1M, which enables incubation of Japanese quail eggs aboard the piloted orbital station.     

Bright light as a chronobiological countermeasure for shiftwork in space

Work-rest schedules during long duration space missions involve several factors which could disrupt sleep and circadian temporal organisation: (1) displacement of sleep due to two-shift operations; (2) planned or unplanned schedule changes due to operational requirements; (3) social and light Zeitgebers different from those on earth; (4) changes in the gravitational exposure. Timed bright light treatment has the potential to accelerating adaptation to schedule changes. Four male subjects were exposed to two sessions of 11 d of simulated microgravity (6 ° head down tilt bedrest) with 6-h extensions of the wake period on 2 days (12-h phase delay). In a blind crossover design, subjects were exposed to bright light (> 3500 lux) for 5 h on each of the 2 shift days and the following day, at times either expected to accelerate the adjustment to the phase delay (experimental condition) or to have no phase shifting effect (control condition). Sleep was recorded polygraphically, the circadian system was monitored by recordings of heart rate and body temperature, and by collection of urine (electrolyte and hormone excretion). Only the rhythms of 6-hydroxymelatoninsulphate and potassium excretions showed significantly enhanced adjustment under the experimental condition. Different rhythms Actapted to the 12-h delay at different rates, comparable to those observed after time zone shifts. Sleep was shorter in simulated weightlessness than in normal ambulatory age-matched subjects, consistent with the shorter sleep durations characteristic of space flight. These results confirm the disruptive effects of wake-rest schedule shifts on sleep and circadian rhythms. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, 5-h exposures to bright light finishing at the time of the circadian temperature minimum were not more effective at accelerating adjustment to a 12-h schedule delay than exposures coinciding with the temperature maximum. We conclude that, while bright light may accelerate adjustment to work-rest schedule delays, any such effect seems to be largely independent from the timing of the light exposure.     

Recent results of the joint ESA-DARA/IBMP experiments Biokosmos "Seeds"

Comparison of experimental data obtained from short (SDEF) and long duration exposure flights (LDEF) have recently led to results which will be significant for longer and/or repeated sojourn of man in space. Under orbital conditions biological stress and damage are induced in test subjects by cosmic radiation, especially the high energetic, densely ionizing component of heavy ions. Plant seeds were successful model systems for a biotest in studying the physiological damages and mutagenic effect caused by ionizing cosmic radiation in particular stem cells. Dosimetrically, the subdivision into charge- and Let-groups reveals the contribution of the intermediate group (LET = 350-1000 MeV/cm) due to the medium heavy ions (Z = 6-10). Their relative contribution increases with the lower inclination of the orbit of LDEF-1; on the other hand, the total fluence becomes higher with longer duration of the flight. The observed endpoints of the biological radiation damage hint at a correlation with particle dose rate rather than with the dose; additionally, data on shielding effects inside and outside the space craft and its exposure were gained from the different SDEF- and LDEF-missions.     

飞行模拟摄象装置中解决景深问题的新方法

在飞行模拟目视系统中,象是由闭路电视的光学探头由地景模型摄取的,对横过整个象区的模型表面成象,特别是当探头入瞳非常接近模型时的成象是一个重要的问题。当我们试图改善闭路电视摄象机的鉴别率和减小地景模型的比例时,这个问题就更加大了,使得在探头光学系统内部移动和倾斜透镜的普通技术对某些重要的探头系统不足以解决问题。对于大范围的物体共轭距离,探头系统光学象差的校正是一个密切相关的问题。对于标准的电视系统和激光电视系统中的这些问题都作了评论。叙述了一种新型的倾斜透镜系统。     

飞行模拟的虚象显示

利用简单的未经校正的塑料透镜给出飞行模拟器中飞行景象的虚象。虚象显示给模拟器驾驶员以真实的印象,因为象似乎离开模拟器一个实在的距离。好多飞行员在飞行模拟器中作了着陆和起飞试验,以客观地评价虚象显示。这种显示包括斯密特彩色投影器,后投影屏和一个大直径长焦距的平凸塑料透镜。还评述了另一种利用一个彩色电视监视器和两个平凸塑料透镜的虚象显示,但没有正式飞行员的评论。对各种透镜参数进行了研究以决定它们对飞行景象的影响。结论是:在某些条件下,简单的透镜是可以使用的,以利用斯密特投影系统或电视监视器得到有用的飞行景象的虚象模拟。     

GE90的飞行试验验证了其使用性

GE公司已经完成了推力为377千牛的GE90发动机的使用性和系统验证飞行试验,证明这种发动机可以由波音公司开始进行获准180分钟ETOPS的飞行试验.GE90的飞行试验是在1993年12月到今年3月17日分两个阶段进行的.试验时此发动机装在GE公司的波音747空中试车台2号位上.这是一架曾经由泛美航空公司用过的波音747-100飞机,已经过大量改装.     

非地球同步轨道的应用潜力

最近的一项研究详细论述了在通信业务高峰期,利用非地球同步轨道卫星通信系统所具有的巨大优势。