A Statistical Approach for Commercial Space Vehicle Integration into the National Airspace System

This paper explores commercial space vehicle (CSV) suborbital flight trajectories in the temporal and spatial domains for CSV integration into the National Airspace System. The research data was collected via the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) housed in the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach campus, and analyzed using an original MATLAB data analytics tool. This study primarily focuses on statistical trends observed in previously simulated flights supported by three Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) campaigns comprised of 34 flights and 19 control flights, and to identify relevant milestones in the CSV flight path. The correlations found in these flight milestones are key for the development of a predictive model for flight and ground safety operators, and reduce the necessity for extensively restricted flight hazard areas. In this paper, the PoSSUM and Control flights are compared to evaluate the deviation caused by different thrust operations conducted by the Scientist Astronaut Candidates (SACs) to enhance scientific data collection in the mesosphere. Preliminary results show the adjustments made by the PoSSUM flights have little effect in the domain with a mean difference of 10.4 seconds in time-of-flight (ToF) outside of the NAS, and a noticeable effect in the spatial domain with a mean difference of 9.3 km in the descent threshold range

Experimental Environmental Profiles and Sloshing Dynamics Aboard Zero-G Aircraft

This study presents the results of a parabolic flight experiment to study the sloshing dynamics of the magneto-active propellant management device experiment. This device utilizes a magnetoactive membrane and magnets located external to the tank to effectively damp the liquid free surface motion. This research work establishes a benchmark with sloshing analytical formulation and sensor calibration methods that can be used to characterize future research parabolic flights while providing important environmental profiles measured during flight, such as accelerations, pitch angle, velocity, temperature, total volatile content, carbon dioxide, relative humidity, magnetic field, and radiation. Correlation between these flight variables and the sloshing experiment are suggested to improve suppression of sloshing. Preliminary postflight analysis suggests a close correlation between high peaks of carbon dioxide and total volatile compound levels during the parabolas – levels sustained for up to one hour combined during cruise in some parabolic flights

Suitability Testing for PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Candidates using the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator with an IVA Spacesuit

This paper evaluates key functional data parameters that must be considered for suborbital spaceflight participants wearing pressurized suits for intravehicular activity (IVA). Data parameters of an analog spacesuit worn in an analog flight environment were obtained from 40 civilian participants using the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) while donning Final Frontier Design’s (FFD) fully pressurized third-generation spacesuit as part of their training for Project PoSSUM (the Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere Project). The physiological data collected included: blood pressure, electrocardiograms, heart rate, grip strength, and skin temperature. These parameters were measured using a blood pressure monitor, a Zephyr Bioharness, and a BioRadio respectively. Other data collected include participants’ motion sickness, discomfort and mobility, and stress and workload. These parameters were self-assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), the Modified Cooper Harper Rating Scale, and the NASA-Task Load Index (TLX) respectively. Preliminary results show that 29% of the participants experienced basic spacesuit donning discomfort, while 17% of the participants showed some doffing discomfort. Feet, shoulders, neck, arms, and ankles were the most sensitive parts in this process and throughout their use of the suit. Our results also indicate that the spacesuit limited participants by approximately 24% of their normal cross-body reach range of motion. Nevertheless, the operational capability of this suit is currently being evaluated as a viable option for supporting future suborbital, orbital, and exploration missions. This research will enhance the functionality of the suit, standardize suit testing procedures, aid in identifying key parameters for reducing physiological deconditioning in the use of emerging spacesuit technologies, and provide comparative analysis reference for future studies

Suitability Testing for PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Candidates Using the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator with an IVA Spacesuit

This paper evaluates key functional data parameters that must be considered for suborbital spaceflight participants wearing pressurized suits for intravehicular activity (IVA). Data parameters of an analog spacesuit worn in an analog flight environment were obtained from 40 civilian participants using the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) while donning Final Frontier Design’s (FFD) fully pressurized third-generation spacesuit as part of their training for Project PoSSUM (the Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere Project). The physiological data collected included: blood pressure, electrocardiograms, heart rate, grip strength, and skin temperature. These parameters were measured using a blood pressure monitor, a Zephyr Bioharness, and a BioRadio respectively. Other data collected include participants’ motion sickness, discomfort and mobility, and stress and workload. These parameters were self-assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), the Modified Cooper Harper Rating Scale, and the NASA-Task Load Index (TLX) respectively. Preliminary results show that 29% of the participants experienced basic spacesuit donning discomfort, while 17% of the participants showed some doffing discomfort. Feet, shoulders, neck, arms, and ankles were the most sensitive parts in this process and throughout their use of the suit. Our results also indicate that the spacesuit limited participants by approximately 24% of their normal cross-body reach range of motion. Nevertheless, the operational capability of this suit is currently being evaluated as a viable option for supporting future suborbital, orbital, and exploration missions. This research will enhance the functionality of the suit, standardize suit testing procedures, aid in identifying key parameters for reducing physiological deconditioning in the use of emerging spacesuit technologies, and provide comparative analysis reference for future studies

Assessment of Scientific Payload Carrying Spirulina Onboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard Vehicle

The research team at ERAU and UTHSCSA analyzed the effects of suborbital flight stressors and various light conditions (red, white, no light) on the Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), onboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle. Commercially available cyanobacterium species were cultivated and closely monitored in mother colonies several months before the suborbital flight mission. The aim of this study was to estimate the biomass production and growth as a potential dietary alternative for prospective human spaceflight\u27s life support system. Spirulina samples were flown in a NanoLab with adjacent avionics supporting the light conditions and sensors to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, and accelerations. The various flight parameters measured in the NanoLab were validated with the flight data gathered by Nanoracks, the flight integrator. Thus, we also assessed the effect of microgravity and different light conditions on the gene expression. Our data indicates that the Spirulina samples onboard the rocket had significant (p \u3c 0.01-0.0001) downregulation of majority of the gene expression

Heteroclinic and Homoclinic Connections Between the Sun-Earth Triangular Points and Quasi-Satellite Orbits for Solar Observations

Investigation of new orbit geometries exhibits a very attractive behavior for a spacecraft to monitor space weather coming from the Sun. Several orbit transfer mechanisms are analyzed as potential alternatives to monitor solar activity such as a sub-solar orbit or quasi-satellite orbit and short and long heteroclinic and homoclinic connections between the triangular points L4 and L5 and the collinear point L3 of the CRTBP (circular restricted three-body problem) in the Sun-Earth system. These trajectories could serve as channels through where material can be transported from L5 to L3 by performing small maneuvers at the departure of the Trojan orbit. The size of these maneuvers at L5 is between 299 m/s and 730 m/s depending on the transfer time of the trajectory and does not need any deterministic maneuvers at L3. Our results suggest that material may also be transported from the Trojan orbits to quasi-satellite orbits or even displaced quasi-satellite orbits

Renal Function Impact in the Prognostic Value of Galectin-3 in Acute Heart Failure

[Abstract] Introduction: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an inflammatory marker associated with the development and progression of heart failure (HF). A close relationship between Gal-3 levels and renal function has been observed, but data on their interaction in patients with acute HF (AHF) are scarce. We aim to assess the prognostic relationship between renal function and Gal-3 during an AHF episode. Materials and methods: This is an observational, prospective, multicenter registry of patients hospitalized for AHF. Patients were divided into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): preserved renal function (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and renal dysfunction (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between Gal-3 and 12-month mortality. Results: We included 1,201 patients in whom Gal-3 values were assessed at admission. The median value of Gal-3 in our population was 23.2 ng/mL (17.3-32.1). Gal-3 showed a negative correlation with eGFR (rho = -0.51; p < 0.001). Gal-3 concentrations were associated with higher mortality risk in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for eGFR and other prognostic variables [HR = 1.010 (95%-CI: 1.001-1.018); p = 0.038]. However, the prognostic value of Gal-3 was restricted to patients with renal dysfunction [HR = 1.010 (95%-CI: 1.001-1.019), p = 0.033] with optimal cutoff point of 31.5 ng/mL, with no prognostic value in the group with preserved renal function [HR = 0.990 (95%-CI: 0.964-1.017); p = 0.472]. Conclusions: Gal-3 is a marker of high mortality in patients with acute HF and renal dysfunction. Renal function influences the prognostic value of Gal-3 levels, which should be adjusted by eGFR for a correct interpretation.Grant No. RD06-0003-0000 Grant No. RD12/0042/000

ERK5/BMK1 is a novel target of the tumor suppressor VHL: implication in clear cell renal carcinoma

Hi ha quatre pàgines de material suplementari sense numeracióExtracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), also known as big mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1, is implicated in a wide range of biologic processes, which include proliferation or vascularization. Here, we show that ERK5 is degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, in a process mediated by the tumor suppressor von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene, through a prolyl hydroxylation-dependent mechanism. Our conclusions derive from transient transfection assays in Cos7 cells, as well as the study of endogenous ERK5 in different experimental systems such as MCF7, HMEC, or Caki-2 cell lines. In fact, the specific knockdown of ERK5 in pVHL-negative cell lines promotes a decrease in proliferation and migration, supporting the role of this MAPK in cellular transformation. Furthermore, in a short series of fresh samples from human clear cell renal cell carcinoma, high levels of ERK5 correlate with more aggressive and metastatic stages of the disease. Therefore, our results provide new biochemical data suggesting that ERK5 is a novel target of the tumor suppressor VHL, opening a new field of research on the role of ERK5 in renal carcinomas

Genotype by environment interaction and productive potential of 25 starch maize assessed at the Tayacaja Province, Peru

La interacción genotipo por ambiente (IGA) representa el principal obstáculo en la selección de los genotipos promisorios para diversos ambientes. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la IGA y el potencial productivo de 25 variedades de maíz amiláceo, utilizando el modelo de efectos principales aditivos e interacción multiplicativa (AMMI). Se utilizó la información generada en cinco ensayos establecidos en diferentes localidades de la provincia de Tayacaja, Huancavelica, Perú, en el ciclo del cultivo 2018–2019, bajo un diseño alfa látice 5x5, con tres repeticiones y unidades experimentales de dos hileras de 4 m de longitud, con arreglos espaciales de 0,80 m entre hileras y 0,20 m entre puntos de siembra. El potencial productivo de los cultivares se midió a través del rendimiento de grano, ajustado a 15 % de humedad. Definida la IGA, se realizó el análisis multivariado, para obtener los valores singulares de los primeros términos significativos del modelo para genotipos y ambientes. La IGA resultó altamente significativa y explicó alrededor del 14 % de la variación fenotípica del rendimiento, mostrando algunas variedades con adaptación específica y otras con amplia adaptación a los ambientes de prueba. El modelo AMMI explicó alrededor del 96 % de la variación debida a la IGA, observándose que sólo los dos primeros ejes concentraron cerca del 85 % de dicha variación. Las variedades locales Chullpi-Q, Carhuay-P, Astilla Blanca-Cusqueado, Astilla Blanca-DH, Cusqueado-P y Astilla Blanca-Astilla Amarilla mostraron el mejor potencial productivo, pero sólo las tres primeras fueron estables a través de los ambientes de evaluación

Informática y tecnologías emergentes

Las tecnologías emergentes son innovaciones en desarrollo que como su nombre lo dice en un futuro cambiarán la forma de vivir del ser humano brindándole mayor facilidad a la hora de realizar sus actividades. Estas tecnologías innegablemente están modelando nuestra sociedad, nuestras costumbres, la forma de relacionarnos y comunicarnos, la forma en la que las empresas producen, la forma en la que se educa. Hemos pasado de un modelo de sociedad industrial a un modelo de producción del conocimiento donde las demandas de las tanto de las empresas como de la sociedad, han cambiado. Incluso el modo de interactuar con esta tecnología está cambiando. Hoy en día esa interacción es mucho más dinámica dando al usuario un rol activo, convirtiendo al mismo usuario en parte de la tecnología. El proyecto descripto en este documento tiene como propósito identificar, contextualizar, evaluar, desarrollar y aplicar diversas herramientas informáticas en tecnologías emergentes, las cuales tendrán un impacto en forma directa en áreas tales como: telecomunicaciones, salud, seguridad, gobierno, educación, industria, entre otras. El trabajo se cimentará en cuatro ejes fundamentales: tecnologías exponenciales (IT), tratamiento masivo de datos (big data), tecnología en educación (e-tecnología), y robótica e interacción hombre-máquina (HCI).Eje: Innovación en Sistemas de Software.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI