Choroidal responses in microgravity. (SLS-1, SLS-2 and hindlimb-suspension experiments)

Fluid and electrolyte shifts occuring during human spaceflight have been reported and investigated at the level of blood, cardio-vascular and renal responses. Very few data were available concerning the cerebral fluid and electrolyte adaptation to microgravity, even in animal models. It is the reason why we developed several studies focused on the effects of spaceflight (SLS-1 and SLS-2 programs, carried on NASA STS 40 and 56 missions, which were 9- and 14-day flights, respectively), on structural and functional features of choroid plexuses, organs which secrete 70–90 % of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and which are involved in brain homeostasis. Rats flown aboard space shuttles were sacrificed either in space (SLS-2 experiment, on flight day 13) or 4–8 hours after landing (SLS-1 and SLS-2 experiments). Quantitative autoradiography performed by microdensitometry and image analysis, showed that lateral and third ventricle choroid plexuses from rats flown for SLS-1 experiment demonstrated an increased number (about x 2) of binding sites to natriuretic peptides (which are known to be involved in mechanisms regulating CSF production). Using electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, we studied the cellular response of choroid plexuses, which produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in brain lateral, third and fourth ventricles. We demonstrated that spaceflight (SLS-2 experiment, inflight samples) induces changes in the choroidal cell structure (apical microvilli, kinocilia organization, vesicle accumulation) and protein distribution or expression (carbonic anhydrase II, water channels,…). These observations suggested a loss of choroidal cell polarity and a decrease in CSF secretion. Hindlimb-suspended rats displayed similar choroidal changes. All together, these results support the hypothesis of a modified CSF production in rats during long-term (9, 13 or 14 days) adaptations to microgravity.     

基于FrFT优化窗的STFT及非线性调频信号瞬时频率估计

瞬时频率(IF)是描述非平稳调频信号最基本的参数,调频信号广泛应用于声纳、雷达、通讯和生物等领域。本文采用分数阶Fourier变换来优化STFT的窗函数,并估计非线性调频信号的瞬时频率。进行了详细的误差理论分析。同时在实验上和Wingner分布(WVD)、短时Fourier变换(STFT)进行误差(MSE)比较分析。仿真证明,FrFt优化窗STFT对估计非线性调频信号的瞬时频率具有良好的性能。     

惯性导航/双星组合导航的可行性研究

根据国外惯性导航／卫星组合的研究、发展和应用情况，分析了惯性导航／双星组合的必要性和可实现性；提出了惯性导航／双星组合中存在的主要问题和可能的对策。研究结果表明，惯性导航系统(INS)和双星定位系统的组合是完全必要和可行的；惯性导航／双星组合系统的性能比纯惯性导航有明显提高。     

航天器振动试验中的动力吸振现象

振动环境试验是考验航天器中各分机力学品质的重要试验,分机适应力学环境的能力在设计阶段必须充分考虑。目前分机的力学环境条件往往是在考虑了一定的安全系数后,以分机安装处界面的加速度包络曲线给出的。然而一般来说,分机振动试验过程中的边界条件与分机实际工作状态的边界条件是不同的。具体地说就是在振动试验过程中分机通过试验转接托架与振动台面相连,实际工作状态是分机安装在安装件(卫星各舱板)上。由于试验转接托架与安装件的动力学特性不一样,根据多自由度弹簧质量阻尼系统的动力吸振原理,可以推出试验状态分机在固有频率处存在过试验现象。为了减少过试验对分机带来的危害,新的试验方法研究(加速度响应限幅控制、阻抗特性模拟法、限力技术等)已成为国内外航天工作者研究的热点。文章详细阐述了振动试验中动力吸振的机理及过试验产生的缘由。     

Precipitating Protons and Their Role in Ionization of the Polar Ionosphere

Spatial distributions of the electron density in the latitude range 60°–90° N were calculated on the basis of a physical model of the E and lower Fregions of the high-latitude ionosphere using statistical models of auroral proton and electron precipitation. It is shown that precipitating protons can play the key role in the ionization of the Eregion in the dusk and midnight sectors of the auroral oval. However, quantitative estimates of the contribution of protons to the ionization depend on the used statistical models of electron precipitation. Comparison of the electron density profiles calculated for two incoherent scatter radars, EISCAT (Tromsö) and ESR (Svalbard), for simultaneous precipitation of electrons and protons and for electron precipitation only show that the influence of protons is the most significant in the dusk sector over the EISCAT radar and in the midnight sector over the ESR radar. The results presented indicate the need to take protons into account when radar data are used to derive precipitating electron spectra.     

Geometric reasoning under uncertainty for map-based localization

Map-based navigation in outdoor terrain lacking man-made structures or other highly distinctive landmarks can produce severe localization problems. This paper presents an approach to navigation which implements high level geometric reasoning and matching strategies based on those used by skilled human navigators. This approach, which is demonstrated on a real example involving imagery of mountainous terrain obtained with a video camera and USGS map data, is designed to avoid many of the pitfalls occurring when an attempt is made to navigate by modeling the environment mathematically. It exploits feature attributes which cannot be easily expressed quantitatively but are central to the successful human navigation process.     

固体火箭发动机地面性能换算成真空性能研究

根据固体火箭发动机内弹道计算模型，分析了使用大扩张比喷管地面静止试验性能与真空性能之间的联系，建立了由地面性能换算成真空性能的方法，计算出的真空推力、真空比冲等数据与实际相符。     

The Brazilian scientific microsatellite SACI-1

The National Space Research Institute (INPE) is developing the first Brazilian Scientific Microsatellite (SACI-1) based on the vanguard technology and on the experience acquired through projects developed by Brazilian Space Program. The SACI-1 is a 750km polar orbit satellite. The spacecraft will combine spin stabilization with geomagnetic control and has a total mass of 60 kg. The overall dimensions are 640×470×470 mm. The SACI-1 satellite shall be launched together with CBERS (China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite). Its platform is being designed for multiple mission applications. The Brazilian Academy of Sciences has selected four scientific payloads that characterize the mission. The scientific experiments are: ORCAS (Solar and Anomalous Cosmic Rays Observation in the Magnetosphere), PLASMEX (Study of Plasma Bubbles), FOTSAT (Airglow Photometer), and MAGNEX (Geomagnetic Experiment).     

The past and future of the earth-moon system

The lunar orbit is presently expanding due, we believe, to tidal friction, i.e. the attraction of the moon for the tides it raises on the rotating Earth. The Moon may therefore have been significantly closer to the Earth in the distant past, a point of great interest to those studying the lunar origin. This work presents the results of the integration of the equations which govern the rates of change of the lunar orbit elements and the angular momentum of the Earth. Results are presented for both the past and future of the Earth-Moon system.