Materials investigation and tests for the development of space compatible electrical connectors, phase 1 Final report, 1 Jun. - 30 Nov. 1970

Digital pulse optimization for space compatible electric connector

Active fixturing: literature review and future research directions

Fixtures are used to fixate, position and support workpieces and represent a crucial tool in manufacturing. Their performance determines the result of the whole manufacturing process of a product. There is a vast amount of research done on automatic fixture layout synthesis and optimisation and fixture design verification. Most of this work considers fixture mechanics to be static and the fixture elements to be passive. However, a new generation of fixtures has emerged that has actuated fixture elements for active control of the part–fixture system during manufacturing operations to increase the end product quality. This paper analyses the latest studies in the field of active fixture design and its relationship with flexible and reconfigurable fixturing systems. First, a brief introduction is given on the importance of research of fixturing systems. Secondly, the basics of workholding and fixture design are visited, after which the state-of-the-art in active fixturing and related concepts is presented. Fourthly, part–fixture dynamics and design strategies which take these into account are discussed. Fifthly, the control strategies used in active fixturing systems are examined. Finally, some final conclusions and prospective future research directions are presented

Hypometabolic Stasis in Snails (Cornu aspersum) for Adaptability and Survivability Under Extreme Environmental Conditions

NASA’s endeavor to engage in long-haul space travel, requires a human defense system against harmful environments in space. Muscle atrophy and bone mass loss are documented effects of long term exposure to space flight environment and microgravity. Our aim is to approach an adaptation to extreme environments on the biological level, rather than simulate a terrestrial environment in space. A correlation has been shown between metabolic suppression and the protection of biological organisms from damaging effects of space environments. Certain bacteria and invertebrates have indicated a link between the reduction and suspension of metabolism, and surviving exposure to cosmic radiation. For example, hibernating black bears showed no loss in bone mass and less muscle atrophy than was expected over 6 – 8 months of inactivity. Our goal is to test the hypothesis that metabolic suppression is a feasible means of adapting animal models to extreme conditions, and to extrapolate this method to the human scale. We will expose both a group of hibernating snails and active snails, to intense radiation and monitor their metabolic rate and muscular response to environmental change. We can then quantify the extent to which metabolic suppression provides defense against the hazards of space flight

Evidence, arguments, and cold-climate geomorphology that favour periglacial cycling at the Martian mid-to-high latitudes in the Late Amazonian Epoch

International audienc

Relative validity and utility of a short food frequency questionnaire assessing the intake of legumes in Scottish women

Objective To validate a five-item, semi-quantitative, short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) designed to estimate daily legume consumption over a week, against results obtained from 7-day food diaries (7-day FD). Design Participants completed a 7-day FD and at the end of this period completed the SFFQ, to indicate the number of times they ate five legume-containing dishes in the previous week and what size portion of each dish they consumed. Daily legume intake (g day)1) was calculated for both methods and participants were classified into tertiles of intake for each method. Subjects/setting Fifty-one healthy females aged 25–55 years, employed at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK between May 2003 and December 2004. Results The two methods produced a similar mean intake of legumes [SFFQ: 14.8 (95% CI: 9.9–19.8) versus 7-day FD: 14.9 (95% CI:9.3–20.6) g day)1] and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.353 (P = 0.038). Exact agreement within tertiles and gross misclassification were 54.9% and 9.8% respectively. The weighted kappa statistic indicated fair agreement between the two methods (j = 0.262). Conclusions The SFFQ is an acceptable instrument for estimating legume consumption over a week and can be used to rank individuals according to the intake of this food group in similar nutrition intervention studies