Static torsional otolith–cervical–ocular reflex after prolonged exposure to weightlessness and a 7-day immersion

To determine the role of the support-proprioceptive factor in the functioning of the vestibular system, in particular the static torsional otolith–cervical–ocular reflex (OCOR), comparative OCOR studies with videooculography recording were performed after a 7-day “dry” horizontal immersion (16 subjects) and after a prolonged (126–195 days) exposure to weightlessness (13 cosmonauts). For the first time, it was demonstrated that minimization of the support and proprioceptive afferentation may result in an inversion or absence of the static torsional OCOR and the development of a positional nystagmus with an inverted reflex. A comparative OCOR data analysis of cosmonauts and immersion subjects has revealed similarity of responses. However, changes in OCOR after immersion were noted in only 60% of the subjects, while after space flight, 90% of cosmonauts showed them. Post-flight changes were more frequent, marked and long-lasting. Statistical analysis has shown that there were significant differences between pre- and post-flight data according to both parametric and non-parametric methods of multiple comparisons, whereas only parametric methods have found significant differences within immersion data.     

Single-wave approximation for a one-dimensional acoustic running wave in the viscous gas

The one-dimensional nonstationary disturbed flow about the equilibrium (stationary) compressible viscous gas state is considered. In the framework of the single-wave approximation an equation of disturbance propagation in gas is obtained. The solutions of the equation obtained are compared with the solutions of the Burgers equation to show the possibility of using this equation for simulation of smooth upward jumps.     

Impact of the solar wind dynamics on the ozone density variations

The analysis of the baloon and rocket measurement data reveals the changes of temperature in the polar and subpolar middle atmosphere with approaching of the magnetopause of the magnetosphere to the Earth. The data of the most observation points show the notable warming of the middle atmosphere in this situation, but there were some stations (“Vostok” in Antarctica and “Frobisher Bay” in Arctic) where the reverse dependence between these parameters was registered. The experimental data show that the total ozone content (TOC) decreases with approaching of the magnetopause to the Earth under both atmosphere warming or cooling at high altitudes. The drop in the TOC values is closely connected to increase of atmospheric electric field magnitude. The obtained results possibly could be explained in framework of the global electric circuit model.