An assessment of galactic cosmic radiation quality considering heavy ion track structures within the cellular environment.

Beyond the magnetic influence of the Earth, the flux of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) represents a radiological concern for long-term manned space missions. Current concepts of radiation quality and equivalent dose are inadequate for accurately specifying the relative biological "efficiency" of low doses of such heavily ionising radiations, based as they are on the single parameter of Linear Energy Transfer (LET). Such methods take no account of the mechanisms, nor of the highly inhomogeneous spatial structure, of energy deposition in radiation tracks. DNA damage in the cell nucleus, which ultimately leads to the death or transformation of the cell, is usually initiated by electrons liberated from surrounding molecules by the incident projectile ion. The characteristics of these emitted "delta-rays", dependent primarily upon the charge and velocity of the ion, are considered in relation to an idealised representation of the cellular environment. Theoretically calculated delta-ray energy spectra are multiplied by a series of weighting algorithms designed to represent the potential for DNA insult in this environment, both in terms of the quantity and quality of damage. By evaluating the resulting curves, and taking into account the energy spectra of heavy ions in space, a relative measure of the biological relevance of the most abundant GCR species is obtained, behind several shielding configurations. It is hoped that this method of assessing the radiation quality of galactic cosmic rays will be of value when considering the safety of long-term manned space missions.     

Theories and models on the biology of cells in space.

A wide variety of observations on cells in space, admittedly made under constraining and unnatural conditions in many cases, have led to experimental results that were surprising or unexpected. Reproducibility, freedom from artifacts, and plausibility must be considered in all cases, even when results are not surprising. The papers in the symposium on "Theories and Models on the Biology of Cells in Space" are dedicated to the subject of the plausibility of cellular responses to gravity--inertial accelerations between 0 and 9.8 m/s2 and higher. The mechanical phenomena inside the cell, the gravitactic locomotion of single eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, and the effects of inertial unloading on cellular physiology are addressed in theoretical and experimental studies.     

Combating fatigue to enhance safety

Methods of fighting fatigue in airline pilots are reviewed. Recommendations include maintaining home base time, monitoring sleep, and time adjustments on extended layovers. Disorders related to the circadian rhythm include sleep disturbances, altered biological rhythms, and weakened mental performance. Drug therapy includes the use of stimulants such as coffee, tea, and cola; sleep pills; and oral administration of melatonin.     

3D nonlinear wave heating of coronal loops

The heating of solar coronal loops by the resonant absorption or phase-mixing of incident wave energy is investigated in the framework of 3D nonlinear magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) by means of numerical simulations.     

Induction of high grade astrocytoma (HGA) by protons: molecular mechanisms and RBE considerations.

Protons of a specific energy, 55 MeV, have been found to induce primary high grade astrocytomas (HGA) in the Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). Brain tumors of this type were not induced by protons of other energies (32-2,300 MeV). Induction of HGA has been identified in human patients who have had radiation therapy to the head. We believe that the induction of HGA in the monkey is a consequence of dose distribution, not some unique "toxic" property of protons. Comparison of the human experience with the monkey data indicates the RBE for induction of brain tumors to be about one. It is unlikely that protons cause an unusual change in oncogenic expression, as compared to conventional electromagnetic radiation.     

Leg venous hemodynamics and leg volumes during a 42 day -6 degrees head-down bedrest

Seven healthy subjects were submitted to a 42-day head down bedrest, where leg venous compliance (venous distensibity index VDI) and leg volumes were assessed by mercury strain gauge plethysmography with venous occlusion and optoelectronic plethysmography, respectively. Plethysmographic and volometric measurements were made, before, during (at days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 26, 34 and 41), and after bedrest (days 1, 4, 7, 11 and 30 of the recovery period). Results showed a continuous decrease in leg volumes throughout bedrest, when VDI increased until day 26 of bedrest, and then decreased afterwards. The recovery period was characterized by a rapid return of VDI to prebedrest levels while leg volumes progressively normalised. These results showed that leg venous compliance changes are not always dependant upon skeletal muscle changes, and that factors other than size of muscle compartment are able to determine increases in leg venous compliance during long-term bedrest.     

基于冗余伪观测的自适应滤波算法

现有的二阶互差分(SOMD)算法能够给出与状态估计误差解耦的观测噪声协方差估计，但是需要满足冗余测量的条件，但这一条件往往难以满足。 针对这一问题，提出了一种利用状态预测值构造相邻2个时刻伪观测的方法，将原SOMD算法扩展到具有单测量的系统中。使用目标跟踪问题对该算法的有效性进行验证。仿真结果表明，当采样周期较小时，该算法能够忽略状态估计误差的影响并给出较准确的观测噪声方差，在精度和鲁棒性方面优于其他参考算法。     

GH169合金细晶锻造工艺研究

为了提高涡轮盘的强度和低周疲劳性能,要求锻件具有ASTM10级以上的细晶组织国外在大型压力机上采用低温大变形锻造和直接时效热处理以获得性能良好的细晶锻件,而我国则试图采用锻锤生产GH169合金涡轮盘锻件,因此,需要探索适合国情的GH169合金细晶锻造工艺。根据以往的研究,δ相对GH169合金的显微组织有明显影响,因而可     

相似理论在层板式喷注器试验研究中的应用

将相似理论应用于层板式喷注器的试验研究，利用自行设计的溅板式喷嘴进行了冷流试验，通过试验证明该喷嘴的原形件与模型件在满足几何相似且进入第二自模区的条件下，流动特性相似。最后阐述了此结论的重要意义。     

气膜冷却技术在火炮射击中的应用

炮管烧蚀一直是火炮性能提高所面临的一重大障碍，分析了火炮烧蚀的机理，提出了一种将冷却剂直接加于可燃药筒中的新型气膜冷却技术，从而在火炮内弹道性能有所提高的情况下提高了身管的使用寿命。