In vitro effects of simulated microgravity on Sertoli cell function

With the advent of space flights questions concerning the effects of microgravity (0×G) on human reproductive physiology have received great attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of 0×G on Sertoli cells. A Sertoli cell line from mouse testis (42GPA9) was analyzed for cytoskeletal and Sex Hormone Binding Globilin (SHBG) changes by immunohistochemistry, for antioxidant content by RT-PCR and for culture medium lactate concentrations by protein chemistry. Cells were cultured for 6, 24 and 48 h on a three-dimensional Random Positioning Machine (3D-RPM); static controls (1×G) were positioned on the supporting frame. At the end of each experiment, cultured cells were either fixed in paraformaldehyde or lysed and RNA-extracted or used for culture medium lactate measurements as needed. At 0×G, Sertoli cytoskeleton became disorganized, microtubules fragmented and SHBG undetectable already after 24 h, with alterations worsening by 48 h. It was evident that various antioxidant systems appreciably increased during the first 24 h but significantly decreased at 48 h. No changes occurred in the 1×G samples. Initially, 0×G seemed to disturb antioxidant protection strategies allowing the testes to support sperm production, thus generating an aging-like state of oxidative stress. Lactate production at 0×G slightly decreased after 24 h. Further experiments are needed in space to investigate upon steroidogenesis and germ cell differentiation within the testis, to rule out male infertility as a possible consequence, which could be a problem, as life expectancy increases.     

SLUCUBE: Innovative high performance nanosatellite science and technology demonstration mission

The Space Systems Research Laboratory (SSRL) at Saint Louis University is developing SLUCUBE nanosatellite as part of the space mission design program. The objective of the mission is to demonstrate space capability of high performance nanosatellite components that has been developed at SSRL for the past three years. The objective of the program is to provide extremely low-cost and rapid access to space for scientists and commercial exploitation using commercial-off-the-shelf components. SLUCUBE is a double CubeSat with dimensions 10×10×20 cm and a mass of 2 kg. This nanosatellite features suite of technology demonstration components to enlarge the capability of space mission for such class of spacecrafts. The primary mission of SLUCUBE is to test and demonstrate several enabling technologies by flying a number of university developed high performance components. This paper describes the new developed technologies by providing details of specific components developed along with the R&D efforts and laboratory facilities. A brief discussion about the student involvement and educational benefits will also be presented.     

低压储能的升浮一体飞行器总体参数研究

升浮一体飞行器是一种综合了太阳能无人机和平流层飞艇特点的新型临近空间飞行器,是航空航天领域研究的热点,可再生燃料电池是升浮一体飞行器最有发展前景的储能装置。针对现有燃料电池中氢气和氧气存储方式的缺陷,充分利用升浮一体飞行器巨大的机身体积,提出了采用低压气囊储气的燃料电池方案,建立了升浮一体飞行器总体参数计算模型,提出常规燃料电池和气囊储气燃料电池的理论计算方法。研究了不同储气方式对升浮一体飞行器的能源系统以及飞行器总体参数的影响。研究表明,采用低压储气方法后,氢气的质量储气密度可提高至13.0%,燃料电池存储能量为1 489.7 kWh条件下,能量密度可达到1 000 Wh/kg以上,对减小升浮一体飞行器总重和外形尺寸、提高飞行器载荷能力有显著作用。     

失重对人体外周血管及心脏影响的研究进展

失重对人体心血管系统有着非常重要的影响。文章从人体心血管系统的外周血管与心脏两个方面出发,回顾了近年来大量有关失重（长期失重以及模拟失重）对人体心血管系统影响的研究、分析评述了一系列有意义的结论,最后展望了几个潜在的研究方向。     

匀转速逆合成孔径雷达的越距离徙动补偿

针对ISAR系统中的匀转速目标,本文提出了一种有效的校正由目标均转速旋转引起的越距离徙动(MTRC)的方法,对方位向上越距离徙动进行校正。它采用基于PD算法的Radon变换在方位向上得到精确的二次相位系数估计值,然后直接在时域上对越距离徙动校正,获得了更高的分辨率。Outlier-delete算法是一种在时域校正方位向越距离徙动的算法,在高信噪比条件下可以实现很好的聚焦效果,而在低信噪比条件下,该算法会出现严重误估计,导致聚焦失败。本文提出的Radon-PD算法具有很好的抗噪性,通过仿真并与Outlier-delete算法进行性能比较,验证了算法的有效性和可行性。     

模拟微重力对人骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨细胞分化中细胞信号通路影响的分析

通过模拟来研究微重力对hMSC向成骨细胞分化的影响,并利用相关信号通路的激活剂或抑制剂来调节这一分化过程.研究结果表明,在成骨细胞分化诱导条件下,微重力降低了hMSC向成骨细胞定向分化的能力,并且成骨细胞标记性基因的表达明显降低, Runt相关转录因子2(Ruax2)的表达受到抑制.相反,过氧化物酶体增殖激活受体γ(PPARγ2)的表达则增加.同时,微重力也降低了ERK的磷酸化水平,而增加了p38MAPK的磷酸化水平.使用p38MAPK的抑制剂SB203580能够抑制p38MAPK的磷酸化,但不能降低PPARγ2的表达水平.骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)能增加Runx2的表达水平.成纤维细胞生长因子2(FGF2)增加了ERK的磷酸化水平,但也不能显著增加成骨细胞标记性基因的表达水平.采用BMP,FGF2和SB203580三种因子组合来调控微重力下的成骨细胞分化能力,结果表明三者的协同作用能显著逆转微重力对成骨细胞定向分化的生物学效应.研究结果还说明,模拟微重力应该是通过不同的细胞信号通路来抑制成骨细胞分化和提升脂肪细胞分化的.      

智能化无创血氧饱和度检测系统的研究

无创脉搏血氧饱和度仪能够快速实时进行血氧饱和度的测量，在临床中得到广泛的应用，针对复杂生物组织如何建立相对准确的数学模型是提高血氧仪精度的关键问题，本文分析了光通过人体组织的传输特性，采用辐射传输理论，并考虑散射效应，提出了一种新型无创脉搏轿氧仪的设计方案，有效地减少了血氧仪的测量误差，通过对PC机联网，实现了血氧测量的智能化。     

石墨烯在航天领域应用进展

基于对石墨烯的结构、性能进行介绍,综述了目前石墨烯在抗原子氧剥蚀、太阳能电池以及空间润滑等领域的研究进展,并对石墨烯今后可能在热电材料、气体传感器、宇航服、空间站水处理、蓄电设备、热控材料等空间环境领域的应用前景进行了展望。     

可被蓝光激发的白光LED用红色荧光粉材料体系与发光性能研究

综述并讨论了目前研究的可被蓝光LED芯片有效激发且具有宽发射带的红色荧光粉,可以得出：白光LED用红色荧光粉主要包括碱土金属硫化物、新型氮化物及硅酸盐等,这些红色荧光粉均可被460 nm蓝光激发,并具有宽发射光谱的特点。同时着重分析了其晶体结构与荧光性能之间的联系,并探讨了高显色指数和色温可调的白光LED用红色荧光粉下一步的研究方向与应用趋势。