Cognitive Decay And Memory Recall During Long Duration Spaceflight

This dissertation aims to advance the efficacy of Long-Duration Space Flight (LDSF) pre-flight and in-flight training programs, acknowledging existing knowledge gaps in NASA\u27s methodologies. The research\u27s objective is to optimize the cognitive workload of LDSF crew members, enhance their neurocognitive functionality, and provide more meaningful work experiences, particularly for Mars missions.The study addresses identified shortcomings in current training and learning strategies and simulation-based training systems, focusing on areas requiring quantitative measures for astronaut proficiency and training effectiveness assessment. The project centers on understanding cognitive decay and memory loss under LDSF-related stressors, seeking to establish when such cognitive decline exceeds acceptable performance levels throughout mission phases. The research acknowledges the limitations of creating a near-orbit environment due to resource constraints and the need to develop engaging tasks for test subjects. Nevertheless, it underscores the potential impact on future space mission training and other high-risk professions. The study further explores astronaut training complexities, the challenges encountered in LDSF missions, and the cognitive processes involved in such demanding environments. The research employs various cognitive and memory testing events, integrating neuroimaging techniques to understand cognition\u27s neural mechanisms and memory. It also explores Rasmussen\u27s S-R-K behaviors and Brain Network Theory’s (BNT) potential for measuring forgetting, cognition, and predicting training needs. The multidisciplinary approach of the study reinforces the importance of integrating insights from cognitive psychology, behavior analysis, and brain connectivity research. Research experiments were conducted at the University of North Dakota\u27s Integrated Lunar Mars Analog Habitat (ILMAH), gathering data from selected subjects via cognitive neuroscience tools and Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to evaluate neurocognitive performance. The data analysis aimed to assess brain network activations during mentally demanding activities and compare EEG power spectra across various frequencies, latencies, and scalp locations. Despite facing certain challenges, including inadequacies of the current adapter boards leading to analysis failure, the study provides crucial lessons for future research endeavors. It highlights the need for swift adaptation, continual process refinement, and innovative solutions, like the redesign of adapter boards for high radio frequency noise environments, for the collection of high-quality EEG data. In conclusion, while the research did not reveal statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups, it furnished valuable insights and underscored the need to optimize astronaut performance, well-being, and mission success. The study contributes to the ongoing evolution of training methodologies, with implications for future space exploration endeavors

Rainwater Harvesting at the Department of Public Works

As part of an urban Extension initiative that focuses on reducing storm water runoff from impervious surfaces, Rutgers Cooperative Extension installed 5,000-gal cisterns at the Department of Public Works (DPW) facilities in Clark Township and the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, to harvest rainwater from the rooftops of the garages at these facilities. This project intercepts rooftop runoff before it can carry nonpoint source pollutants from the land surrounding the DPW garages. The harvested rainwater is used to fill street sweepers, wash municipal vehicles, and supply water for a green car wash to support volunteer groups

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) parent-offspring behaviour and condition under varying nutritional constraints

During the breeding season, environmental conditions can affect parental behaviour, offspring growth and survival, and the role of both parties during parent-offspring conflict. I explored the effects of environmental conditions on Atlantic puffins during the breeding season by taking advantage of yearly differences in foraging conditions and by experimentally manipulating chick diet. Chick diet and growth as well as adult stress hormones were all affected by changes in the abundance of capelin, the primary prey species of chick-provisioning puffins in the Northwest Atlantic. Chick growth was lower during poor foraging conditions as expected; however, adult stress hormones were also lower during poor foraging conditions contrary to previous findings linking low prey availability with high stress levels. Chicks fed a supplementary diet also showed an increase in mass gain rate as well as an increase in survival, while supplementary feeding had no effect on chick stress hormones. Video recordings of chicks and adults within their nesting burrows were used to examine the effects of chick condition and begging on adult provisioning behaviour. Two types of begging calls were recorded and begging was associated with poor chick condition as well as current adult provisioning behaviour. Adults did not respond to changes in begging behaviour. Use of begging calls is interpreted in the context of honest signaling models and the role of environmental conditions in the control held by adults and chicks during parent-offspring conflict is discussed

Efficient discontinuous finite difference meshes for 3-D Laplace-Fourier domain seismic wavefield modelling in acoustic media with embedded boundaries

Simulation of acoustic wave propagation in the Laplace?Fourier (LF) domain, with a spatially uniform mesh, can be computationally demanding especially in areas with large velocity contrasts. To improve efficiency and convergence, we use 3-D second- and fourth-order velocitypressure finite difference (FD) discontinuous meshes (DM). Our DM algorithm can use any spatial discretization ratio between meshes. We evaluate direct and iterative parallel solvers for computational speed, memory requirements and convergence. Benchmarks in realistic 3-D models and topographies show more efficient and stable results for DM with direct solvers than uniform mesh results with iterative solvers

Accessing Information Based on a Combination of Document Structure and Content: Exploiting XML tags in indexing and searching to enhance content retrieval of online document-centric XML encoded texts

This study explores the challenges of using traditional information retrieval methods to retrieve document-centric XML encoded text. It demonstrates how coupling structure and content in query and index formulation improves retrieval performance. Native XML database (NXD) and search engine technologies were evaluated in a baseline experiment, and in a second test after alterations were made to their respective indexes. Documents were retrieved for simple and complex forms of 30 XPath and keyword queries from a corpus of 95 XML/TEI encoded texts. Overall results indicated that query augmentation using document structure improves retrieval performance. Complex queries submitted to the NXD produced the most satisfying results, with an average precision of 93.3% and an average recall of 86.3%. Performance improvements were also achieved using complex, structured queries and indexes in the search engine. Study findings suggest that effective XML retrieval models might result from a combination of unstructures and structured retrieval techniques

International Space Station (ISS) Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS) New Biocide Selection, Qualification and Implementation

The Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is primarily responsible for the removal of heat loads from payload and system racks. The IATCS is a water based system which works in conjunction with the EATCS (External ATCS), an ammonia based system, which are interfaced through a heat exchanger to facilitate heat transfer. On-orbit issues associated with the aqueous coolant chemistry began to occur with unexpected increases in CO2 levels in the cabin. This caused an increase in total inorganic carbon (TIC), a reduction in coolant pH, increased corrosion, and precipitation of nickel phosphate. These chemical changes were also accompanied by the growth of heterotrophic bacteria that increased risk to the system and could potentially impact crew health and safety. Studies were conducted to select a biocide to control microbial growth in the system based on requirements for disinfection at low chemical concentration (effectiveness), solubility and stability, material compatibility, low toxicity to humans, compatibility with vehicle environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), ease of application, rapid on-orbit measurement, and removal capability. Based on these requirements, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), an aromatic dialdehyde compound, was selected for qualification testing. This paper presents the OPA qualification test results, development of hardware and methodology to safely apply OPA to the system, development of a means to remove OPA, development of a rapid colorimetric test for measurement of OPA, and the OPA on-orbit performance for controlling the growth of microorganisms in the ISS IATCS since November 3, 2007