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.     

Role of nutrition during long-term spaceflight

The authors discuss changes in macro- and micro-nutrients which occur in weightlessness and consider factors which help maintain appropriate nutrition during extended space flight. Basic energy requirements and metabolism are reviewed. The discussion of handling of foodstuffs includes protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, folic acid, iron, and selenium. The discussion of fluids and minerals includes fluid intake, sodium, potassium, and calcium. Changes in gastrointestinal function are examined.     

Separation of bacterial cells by free flow electrophoresis under microgravity: a result of the SpaceLab-Japan project on Space Shuttle flight STS-47

We demonstrated free flow electrophoresis (FFE) of charged cells under microgravity, where gravitational effects are almost eliminated. Separation of a mixture of three bacterial strains (mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT2) by FFE was conducted on NASA Space Shuttle flight STS-47 (September 1992). The experiment was designed to differentiate three strains having different lipopolysaccharide core structures in the cell membrane. The results were compared to those of ground experiments, in order to examine whether or not FFE in a weightless environment provides distinct advantages. Smooth strain SL1027 and rough strain SL3749 migrated to two separated fractions. The quality (viability) and the yields of the separated samples were sufficient to show the advantage of microgravity. Another rough strain, SL1102, exhibited unexpected electrophoretic behavior, which prevented the complete resolution of the three strains. All the strains were recovered as viable cells after 8 days of flight. The present study suggests that electrophoretic separation of bacterial cells is much more effective under microgravity conditions with relatively good resolution in comparison with the ground operation.     

Psychomotor performance during a 28 day head-down tilt with and without lower body negative pressure

Several factors may affect psychomotor performance in space: sensory-motor changes, sleep disturbances, psychological modifications induced by the social isolation and confinement. However, psychomotor performance is difficult to assess. A battery of standardized and computerized tests, so-called "Automated Portable Test System" (APTS) was devised to ascertain the cognitive, perceptive and motor abilities and their possible fluctuations according to environmental effects. Antiorthostatic bedrest, often used to simulate weightlessness, (particularly cardiovascular modifications) also constitutes a situation of social confinement and isolation. During two bedrest experiments (with head-down tilt of -6 degrees) of 28 days each, we intended to assess psychomotor performance of 6 males so as to determine whether: on the one hand, it could be altered by remaining in decubitus; on the other, the Lower Body Negative Pressure sessions, designed to prevent orthostatic intolerance back on Earth, could improve the performance. To accomplish this, part of the APTS tests as well as an automated perceptive attention test were performed. No downgrading of psychomotor performance was observed. On the contrary, the tasks were more accurately performed over time. In order to assess the experimental conditions on the acquisition phase, the learning curves were modelled. A beneficial effect of the LBNP sessions on simple tests involving the visual-motor coordination and attention faculties can only be regarded as a mere trend. Methods used in this experiment are also discussed.     

Effects of sublethal irradiation with helium ions (300 MeV/nucleon) on basic hematological parameters of mice

The aim of the experiment was to obtain new knowledge on the biological effectiveness of high-energy (300 MeV/nucleon) helium ions, which represent a part of the spectrum of cosmic rays. Male (CBA x C57BL)F1 mice, 4 months old, were exposed to a dose of 4 Gy helium ions (exposure rate 0.05 Gy/min). As a comparative standard irradiation the same dose of 4 Gy of 137Cs gamma-rays (exposure rate 0.07 Gy/min) was used. Material sampling was performed 6-8 h, 4 days and 9 days after irradiation for both experimental groups mentioned above. There were 7 animals in each group including the control group of non-irradiated mice. Eight basic hematological parameters of peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen and thymus were studied. On day 4 after the irradiation with helium ions, the values of leukocyte counts in peripheral blood, bone marrow cellularity and spleen cellularity were reduced to about 10% of the respective control values while the decline after irradiation with gamma-rays amounted to about 50%. These and other results presented reflect a high relative biological effectiveness of 300 MeV/nucleon helium ions.     

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.     

晶体振荡器老化自动测量设备

已经研制出一种能够对大量恒温振荡器进行测试的多通道高精密老化测量设备,其频率基准是溯源于美国国家计量局(NBS)。为了能自动地工作,数据的采集是用计算机进行控制。作者认为生产这种老化测量系统以下几点是必须具备的。1.罗兰—C/DTF 用的振荡器频率标准;2.直流电源母线的设计;3.测量技术与开关技术;4.大量谐振器的自动老化。     

用伺服控制系统改善无源原子频率标准的振动性能

把尺寸小、予热快和功耗低的铷气泡频率标准用作现时和近期战术频率标准看来是最好的选择,但它在振动环境下的性能尚有待改进。在铷频率标准中可以观察到振动引起的频率不稳定现象。本文要说明的是把压控晶体振荡器(VCXO)的频率紧密地伺服控制在原子谐振基准频率上的方法,来改善铷频率标准的振动性能。对有关机械化的技术问题作了简短的讨论,给出了伺服系统带宽约为100Hz的铷频率标准的实测相位谱密度     

无剪切湍流混合层中被动标量扩散的实验研究

研究被动标量在无剪切湍流混合层中的扩散。实验在风洞中进行,用大小网格尺度比为2∶1的网格实现无剪切湍流混合层,用烟粒子作为测量用的示踪粒子同时作为被动标量形成浓度场,用PIV测量得到速度场同时用Mie散射测量得到高施密特数的浓度场,由此可以计算得到速度和浓度相关,并用实验数据直接检验大涡模拟中亚格子应力Smagorinsky模式和亚格子质量通量梯度模式。     

一个包括气相和亚表面反应的过氯酸铵复合推进剂的点火模型

本文提出了 Ap 基复合推进剂点火的一个综合模型及其数值解。这一分析模拟位于滞止区的推进剂试样在快速加压条件下的点火过程。本模型的特点包括:a)考虑了 Ap 基复合推进剂点火的详细的化学动力学资料;b)推进剂几何形状是二维(轴对称)的;c)考虑了气相中压力迅速增加对点燃过程的影响。使用隐式有限差分格式求解瞬态二阶联立、非齐次、非线性偏微分控制方程组。数值解揭示在点火阶段顺序发生的一系列重要事件,包括:点火器气体流入接近样品表面的区域;压缩波到达处未燃成份的燃烧;向推进剂传热;氧化剂和燃烧剂的高温分解;气相反应导致点燃。这个模型正确地预测了实验观察到的现象:随着增压速率提高,点火延迟时间缩短。采用文中考虑的不同点火准则都得到和试验一样的趋势。