Application of Risk Informed Decision Making to Highly Reliable Three Dimensionally Woven Thermal Protection System for Mars Sample Return

The NASA Risk Informed Decision Making process is used to assess a trade space of three dimensionally woven thermal protection systems for application to the Mars Sample Return Earth Entry Vehicle. Candidate architectures are assessed based on mission assurance, technical development, cost, and schedule risk. Assessment methodology differed between the architectures, utilizing a four-point quantitative scale for mission assurance and technical development and highly tailored PERT techniques for cost and schedule. Risk results are presented, in addition to a review of RIDM effectiveness for this application

The Sodium Current Underlying Action-Potentials in Guinea-Pig Hippocampal Ca1 Neurons

Neurons were acutely dissociated from the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from guinea pigs. Whole-cell recording techniques were used to record and control membrane potential. When the electrode contained KF, the average resting potential was about -40 mV and action potentials in cells at -80 mV (current-clamped) had an amplitude greater than 100 mV. Cells were voltage-clamped at 22-24 degrees C with electrodes containing CsF. Inward currents generated with depolarizing voltage pulses reversed close to the sodium equilibrium potential and could be completely blocked with tetrodotoxin (1 microM). The amplitude of these sodium currents was maximal at about -20 mV and the amplitude of the tail currents was linear with potential, which indicates that the channels were ohmic. The sodium conductance increased with depolarization in a range from -60 to 0 mV with an average half-maximum at about -40 mV. The decay of the currents was not exponential at potentials more positive than -20 mV. The time to peak and half-decay time of the currents varied with potential and temperature. Half of the channels were inactivated at a potential of -75 mV and inactivation was essentially complete at -40 to -30 mV. Recovery from inactivation was not exponential and the rate varied with potential. At lower temperatures, the amplitude of sodium currents decreased, their time course became longer, and half-maximal inactivation shifted to more negative potentials. In a small fraction of cells studied, sodium currents were much more rapid but the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation was very similar

L. P. Anderson to Jeremiah Gage (21 January 1863)

L. P.A. (cousin Lannie?) discussing the happenings of various mutual friends and an outbreak of small pox in Charlottesville.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1445/thumbnail.jp

Analysis of some global optimization algorithms for space trajectory design

In this paper, we analyze the performance of some global search algorithms on a number of space trajectory design problems. A rigorous testing procedure is introduced to measure the ability of an algorithm to identify the set of ²-optimal solutions. From the analysis of the test results, a novel algorithm is derived. The development of the novel algorithm starts from the redefinition of some evolutionary heuristics in the form of a discrete dynamical system. The convergence properties of this discrete dynamical system are used to derive a hybrid evolutionary algorithm that displays very good performance on the particular class of problems presented in this paper

A Voltage-Dependent Persistent Sodium Current in Mammalian Hippocampal-Neurons

ABSTRACT Currents generated by depolarizing voltage pulses were recorded in neurons from the pyramidal cell layer of the CA1 region of rat or guinea pig hip-pocampus with single electrode voltage-clamp or tight-seal whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. In neurons in situ in slices, and in dissociated neurons, subtrac-tion of currents generated by identical depolarizing voltage pulses before and after exposure to tetrodotoxin revealed a small, persistent current after the transient current. These currents could also be recorded directly in dissociated neurons in which other ionic currents were effectively suppressed. It was concluded that the persistent current was carded by sodium ions because it was blocked by TIX, decreased in amplitude when extraceUular sodium concentration was reduced, and was not blocked by cadmium. The amplitude of the persistent sodium current var-ied with clamp potential, being detectable at potentials as negative as- 70 mV and reaching a maximum at ~-40 mV. The maximum amplitude at-40 mV in 21 cells in slices was-0.34 0.05 nA (mean 1 SEM) and-0.21 0.05 nA in 10 dissociated neurons. Persistent sodium conductance increased sigmoidally with

Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Body Composition at Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

PURPOSE: To determine the behaviour of body composition, especially body water in females in relation to their menstrual cycle and in response to aerobic exercise. METHODS: Eight females (age = 20.4 ± 1.6 yrs) performed four sessions of aerobic activity at 70% of their calculated VO2max. VO2max was determined by utilizing the Bruce Protocol. The speed for each subject’s aerobic activity was then calculated using the ACSM metabolic running equation. The four sessions of aerobic activity were identical in format and performed on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 of each subject’s menstrual cycle. Sessions began with measurements of body weight, body fat, extracellular fluid (ECF), intracellular fluid (ICF), and fat-free mass (FFM) via single-frequency and multiple-frequency bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) prior to aerobic activity. Subjects then completed 30 minutes of aerobic activity at the calculated speed to yield an intensity of 70% VO2max. Following the aerobic activity, all measures taken pre-exercise were measured again at three separate time points post-exercise; post-0min, post-15min, and post-30min. This combined for a total of 4 separate time points at which measurements were taken; pre, post-0min, post-15min, and post-30 min. RESULTS: Significance was seen for a condition difference in body mass (pCONCLUSIONS:Body water responses to aerobic exercise varied across the days of the menstrual cycle, which caused fluctuations in body weight, ECF, and ICF. The percent changes in ICF values from pre to post-30min were increased by 3.2% on day 14 and decreased by 5.6% on day 7. ICF behaviour on different days suggests that the menstrual cycle may have impacts on performance. Further investigation is required to back up such claims. Future studies should investigate the effects of different duration and/or intensity of aerobic exercises on body composition along with blood pressure, heart rate, and RPE

Absorbent products for urinary/faecal incontinence: a comparative evaluation of key product designs

Background: The UK health service, nursing homes and public spend around £94 million per year on incontinence pads (absorbent products) to contain urine and/or faeces, but the research base for making informed choices between different product designs is very weak.Objectives: The aim of this trial was to compare the performance and cost-effectiveness of the key absorbent product designs to provide a more solid basis for guiding selection and purchase.A further aim was to carry out the first stage in the development of a quality of life instrument for measuring the impact of absorbent product use on users' lives.Design: The work involved three clinical trials focusing on the three biggest market sectors. Each trial had a similar crossover design in which each participant tested all products within their group in random order.Settings, participants and methods: In Trial 1, 85 women with light urinary incontinence living in the community tested three products from each of the four design categories available (total of 12 test products): disposable inserts (pads); menstrual pads; washable pants with integral pad; and washable inserts. In Trial 2a, 85 moderate/heavily incontinent adults (urinary or urinary/faecal) living in the community (49 men and 36 women) tested three (or two) products from each of the five design categories available (total of 14 test products): disposable inserts (with mesh pants); disposable diapers (nappies); disposable pull-ups (similar to toddlers' trainer pants); disposable T-shaped diapers (nappies with waist-band); and washable diapers. All products were provided in a daytime and a (mostly more absorbent) night-time variant. In these first two trials, the test products were selected on the basis of data from pilot studies. In Trial 2b, 100 moderate/heavily incontinent adults (urinary or urinary/faecal) living in 10 nursing homes (27 men and 73 women) evaluated one product from each of the four disposable design categories from Trial 2a. Products were selected on the basis of product performance in Trial 2a and, again, daytime and night-time variants were provided. The first phase of work to develop a quality of life tool for measuring the impact of using different pad designs was carried out by interviewing participants from Trials 1 and 2a.Outcome measures: Product performance was characterised using validated questionnaires, which asked the participants (in Trials 1 and 2a) or carers (all participants in Trial 2b, except for the few who could report for themselves) to evaluate various aspects of pad performance (leakage, ease of putting on, discreetness, etc.) using a five-point scale (very good–very poor) at the end of the week (or 2 weeks for Trial 2b) of product testing. In addition, participants/carers were asked to save individual used pads in bags for weighing and to indicate the severity of any leakage from them on a three-point scale (none, a little, a lot). These data were used to determine differences in leakage performance. Numbers of laundry items and pads used were recorded to estimate costs, and skin health changes were recorded by the participant or by the researchers (Trial 2b). At the end of testing, participants were interviewed and ranked their preferences (with and without costs), stated the acceptability of each design (highly acceptable–totally unacceptable) and recorded their overall opinion on a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0–100 points (worst design–best design). This VAS score was used with product costs to estimate cost-effectiveness. In addition, a timed pad changing exercise was conducted with 10 women from Trial 2b to determine any differences between product designs.Results: Results presented are for statistically and clinically significant findings.<br/

Enabling Entry Technologies for Ice Giant Missions

The highest priority science goals for Ice Giant missions are: 1) Interior structure of the Planet, and 2) Bulk composition that includes isotopes and noble gases. The interaction between the planetary interior and the atmosphere requires sustained global measurements. Noble gas and Isotope measurements require in situ measurement. Drag modulated aerocapture utilizing ADEPT offers more mass delivered to the Ice Giants than with propulsive orbit insertion. The Galileo Probe entered at a hot spot which created interpretation challenges. Juno is providing valuable orbital measurements, but without in situ measurements the story is incomplete. Planetary scientists interested in Ice Giant missions should perform mission design studies with these new Entry System technologies to assess the feasibility within the context of the international collaboration framework. A mission architecture that includes probe(s) along with an orbiting spacecraft can deploy the probes at the desired location while taking simultaneous measurements from orbit to provide invaluable data that can correlate both global and local measurements. Entry System Technologies currently being developed by NASA are poised to enable missions that position the Orbiter & Probes through drag modulated aerocapture (ADEPT), and HEEET enables the Probes to survive the extreme environments encountered for entry into the atmospheric interior