Cell-to-cell interactions in changed gravity: ground-based and flight experiments

Cell-to-cell interactions play an important role in all physiological processes and are mediated by humoral and mechanical factors. Mechanosensitive cells (e.g., osteocytes, chondrocytes, and fibroblasts) can be studied ex vivo to understand the effects of an altered gravity environment. In particular, cultured endothelial cells (EC) are very sensitive to a broad spectrum of mechanical and biochemical stimuli. Earlier, we demonstrated that clinorotation leads to cytoskeletal remodeling in cultured ECs. Long-term gravity vector changes also modulate the expression of surface adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, E-selectin, VCAM-1) on cultured ECs. To study the interactions of geterological cells, we cocultured endothelial monolayers and human lymphocytes, immune cells and myeloleucemic (K-560) cells. It was found that, although clinorotation did not alter the basal adhesion level of non-activated immune cells on endothelial monolayers, the adhesion of PMA-activated lymphocytes was increased. During flight experiments onboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station, we measured the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells incubated with labeled target cells. It was found that immune cells in microgravity retained their ability to contact, recognize, and destroy oncogenic cells in vitro. Together, our data concerning the effects of simulated and real microgravity suggest that, despite changes in the cytoskeleton, cell motility, and expression of adhesion molecules, cell-cell interactions are not compromised, thus preserving the critical physiological functions of immune and endothelial cells.     

Coronal mass ejection (CME) activity of low mass M stars as an important factor for the habitability of terrestrial exoplanets. II. CME-induced ion pick up of Earth-like exoplanets in close-in habitable zones

Atmospheric erosion of CO2-rich Earth-size exoplanets due to coronal mass ejection (CME)-induced ion pick up within close-in habitable zones of active M-type dwarf stars is investigated. Since M stars are active at the X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation (XUV) wave-lengths over long periods of time, we have applied a thermal balance model at various XUV flux input values for simulating the thermospheric heating by photodissociation and ionization processes due to exothermic chemical reactions and cooling by the CO2 infrared radiation in the 15 microm band. Our study shows that intense XUV radiation of active M stars results in atmospheric expansion and extended exospheres. Using thermospheric neutral and ion densities calculated for various XUV fluxes, we applied a numerical test particle model for simulation of atmospheric ion pick up loss from an extended exosphere arising from its interaction with expected minimum and maximum CME plasma flows. Our results indicate that the Earth-like exoplanets that have no, or weak, magnetic moments may lose tens to hundreds of bars of atmospheric pressure, or even their whole atmospheres due to the CME-induced O ion pick up at orbital distances 相似文献   

CCD互相关粒子图像测速及其在对抗流流场测量中的应用

在常规自相关粒子图像测速（ＰＩＶ）系统的基础上,发展了一个采用ＣＣＤ像机的互相关粒子图像测速系统。用这一新系统测量了对抗流流场的结果表明,这一技术克服了自相关粒子图像测速技术在测量具有滞止点的流场中的困难。实验说明,与自相关粒子图像测速技术相比,这一技术更快捷有效。     

柏林工学院航空航天研究所研制的卫星测距设备

本文介绍了柏林工学院航空航天研究所(ILR)研制的两种极高精确度的系统。这两种系统分别利用了侧音测距和伪噪声码测距的原理,都设计成通过宽带通信转发器来完成双向测距(地-空-地)。测距线路要求几兆赫的信道带宽,利用普通的通信所用的转发器通道就可以建立这种线路,而没有相互干扰。本系统的特点是硬件简单,所需射频辐射功率低。其分辨力可达10微微秒量级,长期漂移也在这一数量级上。总廷迟误差小于1毫微秒,系统精确度可望达到此值。基于已研制的伪噪声码测距系统,ILR 正在研制第三套设备,这是专为某一项任务而设计的。用于该系统的地面设施和星上装置亦将投产。下面,我们就来介绍此系统。     

嵌金属丝推进剂的燃烧过程

为了解嵌金属丝推进剂的燃速沿金属丝的变化,并求出控制这类推进剂燃速的因素,对嵌银丝双基推进剂作了研究。沿金属丝的燃速主要取决于金属丝种类、尺寸和推进剂组分。用具有各种燃烧特性的双基推进剂,测量了沿银丝的燃速,并研究了光焰区、暗区和沸腾区的影响。利用微型热电偶测量了推进剂中靠近银丝部分的温度分布。根据试验结果,明确了沿银丝的燃速控制因素是沸腾区的温度梯度和暗区的温度。位于燃面上方的光焰区既不影响推进剂的燃速,也不影响沿银丝的燃速。     

粉浆浇注熔硅天线罩结构淋雨滑车试验

对粉浆浇注熔硅天线罩结构在3.7～5.0M时淋雨滑车试验结果作了最后评估.其结果为:在霍洛曼空军基地利用滑车轨道设备进行的试验证明,对相同的法向速度分量来说,粉浆浇注熔硅材料的最大冲蚀率变化系数为3;高纯度粉浆浇注熔硅的雨水冲蚀极限速度约为500m/s;法向速度分量超限时,天线罩出现重大损伤;硅树脂防潮密封胶DC808和DE SR80可能不会严重影响雨水冲蚀性能;建议在自然雨区中飞行的导弹,其碰撞角应受控制,以使天线罩上的自由流的法向速度小于500m/s.     

Training astronauts using three-dimensional visualisations of the International Space Station

Recent advances in personal computer technology have led to the development of relatively low-cost software to generate high-resolution three-dimensional images. The capability both to rotate and zoom in on these images superposed on appropriate background images enables high-quality movies to be created. These developments have been used to produce realistic simulations of the International Space Station on CD-ROM. This product is described and its potentialities demonstrated. With successive launches, the ISS is gradually built up, and visualised over a rotating Earth against the star background. It is anticipated that this product's capability will be useful when training astronauts to carry out EVAs around the ISS. Simulations inside the ISS are also very realistic. These should prove invaluable when familiarising the ISS crew with their future workplace and home. Operating procedures can be taught and perfected. "What if" scenario models can be explored and this facility should be useful when training the crew to deal with emergency situations which might arise. This CD-ROM product will also be used to make the general public more aware of, and hence enthusiastic about, the International Space Station programme.     

A facility for long-term Mars simulation experiments: the Mars Environmental Simulation Chamber (MESCH)

We describe the design, construction, and pilot operation of a Mars simulation facility comprised of a cryogenic environmental chamber, an atmospheric gas analyzer, and a xenon/mercury discharge source for UV generation. The Mars Environmental Simulation Chamber (MESCH) consists of a double-walled cylindrical chamber. The double wall provides a cooling mantle through which liquid N(2) can be circulated. A load-lock system that consists of a small pressure-exchange chamber, which can be evacuated, allows for the exchange of samples without changing the chamber environment. Fitted within the MESCH is a carousel, which holds up to 10 steel sample tubes. Rotation of the carousel is controlled by an external motor. Each sample in the carousel can be placed at any desired position. Environmental data, such as temperature, pressure, and UV exposure time, are computer logged and used in automated feedback mechanisms, enabling a wide variety of experiments that include time series. Tests of the simulation facility have successfully demonstrated its ability to produce temperature cycles and maintain low temperature (down to -140 degrees C), low atmospheric pressure (5-10 mbar), and a gas composition like that of Mars during long-term experiments.