Blood volume regulating hormones response during two space related simulation protocols: four-week confinement and head-down bed-rest

The volume of regulating hormones (renin, aldosterone, arginine vasopressin and atrial natriuretic factor), electrolytes and creatinine concentrations, and blood pressure were measured in two different four-week experimental protocols: respectively -6 degrees head-down bed-rest (5 subjects) and confinement (6 subjects). We observed a significant increase (P < 0.01 at D2 vs D-5) of systolic blood pressure during confinement and a different level of response for some hormones, especially for arginine vasopressin (300% increase during confinement instead of 50% during bed-rest). The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was enhanced during confinement and head-down bed-rest. In both conditions, we obtained a similar pattern of response for blood volume regulating hormones. During confinement, two main factors were inactivity and stress activation of the sympathetic nervous system. In the bed-rest study the response is principally due to the fluid shift and blood volume adaptation but it is not possible to exclude the role of inactivity and stress.     

Effects of microgravity on muscular explosive power of the lower limbs in humans

The maximal explosive power of the lower limbs of one astronaut has been measured before launch, and 2, 6 and 11 days after re-entry from 31 days on the MIR Station (EUROMIR '94). The subject, sitting on the carriage-seat of a Multipurpose Ergometer-Dynamometer (MED) constructed ad hoc in our laboratory, pushed maximally with both feet on two force platforms (knees angle 110 degrees). The carriage was free to move backwards on two rails inclined 20 degrees upwards. The force (F) of the lower limbs and the speed of the carriage (v) were recorded and the instantaneous mechanical power (w) was calculated as w = F * v. The average value of the mechanical power (w max) throughout the explosive effort was then obtained. The overall duration of the push was on the average about 0.3 s. It was observed that, at day R+2, mean force, maximal velocity, maximal power (mean and peak), maximal acceleration and overall mechanical work, were all reduced between 60 and 80% of pre-flight values. However, the recovery was remarkably fast, since all these parameters attained about 90% of pre-flight values by day R+11.     

The ankle ergometer: a new tool for quantifying changes in mechanical properties of human muscle as a result of spaceflight

A mechanical device for studying changes in mechanical properties of human muscle as a result of spaceflight is presented. Its main capacities are to allow during a given experiment investigation of both contractile and visco-elastic properties of a musculo-articular complex using respectively isometric contractions, isokinetic movements, quick-release tests and sinusoidal perturbations. This device is a motor driven ergometer associated to an experimental protocol designed for pre- and post-flight experiments. As microgravity preferentially affects postural muscles, the apparatus was designed to test muscle groups crossing the ankle joint. Three subjects were tested during the Euromir '94 mission. Preliminary results obtained on the european astronaut are briefly reported. During the next two years the experiments will be performed during six missions.     

New methods for microbial contamination monitoring: an experiment on board the MIR orbital station

Experiment T2, carried out during the Euromir'95 mission, was an important step toward innovative methods for spacecraft microbial contamination monitoring. A new standard sampling technique permitted samples to be analysed by different means. On board, two analysis methods were tested in parallel: Bioluminescence and Miniculture. In turn, downloaded samples are being analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a powerful and promising method for the rapid detection, identification and quantification of pathogens and biofouling agents in closed manned habitats.     

含孔复合材料层板疲劳损伤扩展的实验研究

 本文对一种多向对称铺层的T300/914C碳-环氧复合材料含孔层合板,在拉-压疲劳加载下的损伤扩展进行了实验研究。通过研究层板刚度的变化、试样破坏前的应力-应变特性和损伤的分布,分析了试样破坏机理,阐明了损伤扩展的特征,并对一些实验条件下的分层增长给出了经验的表征。     

NASA再次选择轨道科学公司研制新的X—34

当１９９６年初轨道科学公司和洛克韦尔国际公司取消了与美航宇局（ＮＡＳＡ）之间的合作合同时，这两家公司就停止研制Ｘ－３４小型可重复使用的带翼运载器。但是美航宇局官员并不愿意放弃。美航宇局已于今年６月上旬从９个投标者中选择了轨道科学公司制造的一种尺寸更小...     

火星计划的启动可能改变空间站的方向

为使重４７０ｔ的国际空间站与载人火星探索所需的专用硬件和技术发展之间有更多的关联，目前，美国航宇局（ＮＡＳＡ）正考虑改变国际空间站发展方向。ＮＡＳＡ暂定于２０１４年对火星作载人探索发射。在国际空间站上进行与火星有关的系统和技术演示，与“阿波罗”载人登...     

热流校准的不确定度——美国热流计的校准

AEDC(Arnold Engineering Derelopment Center)负责对热流传感器进行校准。本文介绍有关该校准不确定度的研究工作和研究结果。校准总的不确定度是综合AEDC和NBS(美国国家标准局)各自作的几组校准数据求得的。第一组数据是按块式卡计标准校准六个热流传感器得到的,块式卡计和六个热流传感器都是AEDC制造的。校验中采用九支(1kW/支)石英灯组成辐射热源。由这些校准数据计算六个传感器中每个传感器的精度。此六个传感器送到NBS Fire研究中心(华盛顿)进行标准复校。第二组校准数据取自这些复校试验。因此,可以说是按NBS热流标准进行了标准传递。NBS也采用辐射热源,也用AEDC类似的步骤进行校准。比较AEDC和NBS各自获得的数据,确定每一传感器的偏差值。综合此偏差和精度两个数据,计算每个传感器的总不确定度。六个传感器算出的平均不确定度是±3％。     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FLOW PATTERNS IN PLANAR JETS

INTRODUCTIONTurbulent jet flow is the most widely usedflow type in engineering applications especiallyfor combustion engines which provide most ener-gy sources for industrial production and trans-portation,and a large proportion of energy trans-portation and conversion processes is dominatedby transient evolution of large- scale structures,or so called coherent structures,in turbulentjets.As the flow control and optimization pro-cesses are closely related to the understanding ofdetailed in…