FORTRAN program for computing coordinates of circular-arc, single and tandem, turbine and compressor, blade sections on a plane

Coordinates for circular arc blade section of aircraft high speed compressor gas turbines were computed using FORTRAN 4 program. Aerodynamic configurations studied include single segment airfoils, airfoils with slots, and mutiple segment tandem arranged airfoil

Design knowledge capture for the space station

The benefits of design knowledge availability are identifiable and pervasive. The implementation of design knowledge capture and storage using current technology increases the probability for success, while providing for a degree of access compatibility with future applications. The space station design definition should be expanded to include design knowledge. Design knowledge should be captured. A critical timing relationship exists between the space station development program, and the implementation of this project

An approach to design knowledge capture for the space station

The design of NASA's space station has begun. During the design cycle, and after activation of the space station, the reoccurring need will exist to access not only designs, but also deeper knowledge about the designs, which is only hinted in the design definition. Areas benefiting from this knowledge include training, fault management, and onboard automation. NASA's Artificial Intelligence Office at Johnson Space Center and The MITRE Corporation have conceptualized an approach for capture and storage of design knowledge

FORTRAN program for computing coordinates of circular arc single and tandem turbomachinery blade sections on a plane

FORTRAN program for computing coordinates of circular arc single and tandem turbomachinery blade sections on plan

Off-design correlation for losses due to part-span dampers on transonic rotors

Experimental data from 10 transonic fan rotors were used to correlate losses created by part-span dampers located near the midchord position on the rotor blades. The design tip speed of these rotors varied from 419 to 425 m/sec, and the design pressure ratio varied from 1.6 to 2.0. Additional loss caused by the dampers for operating conditions between 50 and 100 percent of design speed were correlated with relevant aerodynamic and geometric parameters. The resulting correlation predicts the variation of total-pressure-loss coefficient in the damper region to a good approximation

Considerations for a design and operations knowledge support system for Space Station Freedom

Engineering and operations of modern engineered systems depend critically upon detailed design and operations knowledge that is accurate and authoritative. A design and operations knowledge support system (DOKSS) is a modern computer-based information system providing knowledge about the creation, evolution, and growth of an engineered system. The purpose of a DOKSS is to provide convenient and effective access to this multifaceted information. The complexity of Space Station Freedom's (SSF's) systems, elements, interfaces, and organizations makes convenient access to design knowledge especially important, when compared to simpler systems. The life cycle length, being 30 or more years, adds a new dimension to space operations, maintenance, and evolution. Provided here is a review and discussion of design knowledge support systems to be delivered and operated as a critical part of the engineered system. A concept of a DOKSS for Space Station Freedom (SSF) is presented. This is followed by a detailed discussion of a DOKSS for the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Work Package-2 portions of SSF

Model Identification and Seismic Analysis of Meloland Road Overcrossing

This report presents the results of research directed toward model identification and seismic analysis of the MRO. This research has been implemented to meet the requirements of Tasks 4 and 5 of the UNR-D&M research program (Sec. 1.1.3) and also to provide a basis for developing improved bridge modeling procedures as required under the D & M research program on SBOs (Sec. 1.1.4). The scope of this research effort consisted of our development of a finite element model of the MRO whose parameters were estimated through the application of state-of-the-art system identification methods to the MRO's recorded motions from the Imperial Valley Earthquake. These estimated model parameters were also checked for consistency with an overall range of model parameter values computed using established engineering procedures. This model was then used in a series of parametric dynamic analyses of the seismic response of the MRO which enabled us to evaluate the effects of uncertainties in the various model parameters on the demand forces and moments in the structural members and the foundation springs. Maximum foundation spring forces and moments obtained from these analyses were used as input to nonlinear static analyses of the MRO's pile foundations in order to compute the demand forces and moments within the piles. The demand forces and moments within the MRO's structural and pile elements were then compared against the capacities of these elements. These analysis results have been interpreted to assess the seismic performance and design of the MRO, and also to provide an important basis for our development of improved modeling and seismic evaluation procedures for short bridge overcrossing structures. The above efforts have focused on the modeling and analysis of the MRO's translational and rotational response to transverse horizontal input motions; i.e., the bridge's response to vertical and longitudinal input motions was not included in this research. This focus on the MRO's response to transverse horizontal input motions was adopted because: (a) this response will lead to more severe earthquake-induced internal forces and moments, particularly in the central pier which is the element of an SBO that is typically most vulnerable to seismic excitation; and (b) our past evaluations of the MRO's recorded motions have shown that its response to transverse horizontal input motions is strongly affected by SSI, whereas SSI has only a negligible effect of the MRO's response to vertical and longitudinal input motions (Werner, et. al., 1987)

Characterization of Protein Metabolism in Undifferentiated and Differentiated Murine Muscle Tissue

The emergence of cell culture experiments have greatly expanded the understanding of skeletal muscle physiology. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the behaviors of cells grown in culture at various stages versus in vivo. This preliminary set of studies was designed to assess alterations of anabolic responses between undifferentiated and differentiated muscle tissue in [high] and [low] glucose media along with varying dosages of insulin. Purpose: Determine if there is a disparity in fractional synthesis rates (FSR) between C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes with varying levels of insulin and in [high] (4.5g/L) and [low] glucose (2.75 g/L) media. Methods: All cells that were going to be differentiated were started on a [high] glucose differentiation media for 48 hours. The [high] glucose differentiation media was continually applied for the [high] glucose group until harvest of the cells. The [low] glucose media group had the [high] glucose differentiation media removed and [low] glucose differentiation media was applied for 48 hours until the cells were harvested. Both [low] and [high] glucose groups received three different levels of insulin. T-25’s received either 75 µL, 150 µL, or 300 µL. T-75’s 195 µL, 390 µL, and 780 µL. Deuterium oxide was applied 24 hours prior to harvest of the cells at a level of 4%. Results: Preliminary data demonstrates that differentiated murine myotubes have slightly elevated FSR than undifferentiated myoblasts (p\u3c0.013). When insulin was added to the growth media, FSR was found to be elevated in undifferentiated cells compared to controls (p\u3c0.05). Within the differentiated myotubes, the [low] glucose myotubes had higher FSR than myotubes that were incubated in [high] glucose myotubes (p\u3c0.001). There was also no difference in FSR based on flask size for either the undifferentiated (p\u3e0.181) or differentiated (p\u3e0.464) C2C12’s. Conclusion: Future investigators must be aware of the ratio of undifferentiated cells and differentiated myotubes as this ratio could confound results as myoblasts are still present even at later stages of differentiation. Current protocols for differentiation media, regarding insulin addition, provide for optimal anabolic responses. Elevated FSR rates in the myotubes fed [low] glucose media could be explained by the cells having a higher turnover rate of cellular proteins

Pharmacological Inhibition of mTOR and ERK1/2 Resulted in Attenuated Protein Synthesis Rates in Differentiated C2C12 Myoblasts in a Similar Fashion to in vivo Rodent Studies.

Fractional protein synthesis rates have long been used as in indicator of acute alterations in the anabolic state of various tissues. Through the use of a number of stable and isotopic tracer methodologies, the measurement of fractional synthesis rates (FSR) in vivo has become a staple of skeletal muscle physiology. Through the application of a deuterium oxide tracer, this project sought to measure pharmacological perturbations in fractional synthesis rates in culture in differentiated C2C12 murine myotubes. PURPOSE: To assess myofibrillar protein FSR in differentiated C2C12 murine myotubes following pharmacological inhibition of rapamycin-sensitive (mTOR) or -insensitive (ERK1/2) pathways, and how signal transduction through these pathways impact FSR as compared to previous in vivo studies of pharmacological inhibition studies in skeletal muscle. METHODS: C2C12 murine myoblasts were cultured in collagen coated 6 well culture dishes, and grown to 60-70% confluency using a high glucose DMEM growth media (GM). Cultures were transitioned to a differentiation media (DM) upon reaching target confluency. DM was changed daily for 4 days to allow for complete differentiation to myotubes. Cultures were randomly assigned treatment conditions of cell control (CC), rapamycin inhibition (RAPA), ERK1/2 inhibition (ERK), and electrical stimulation (ESTIM). Cultures underwent treatment conditions for 24 hours with a 4% deuterium oxide GM supplement. Analysis was carried out using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer. RESULTS: Fractional rates of protein synthesis were significantly lower in the RAPA (p=0.028) and ERK (p=0.029) groups as compared to CC, with no differences between RAPA and ERK groups (p\u3e0.05). Although statistics were not applied to the ESTIM group due to low sample size, electrical pulse stimulation shows promise for the stimulation of FSR in cultured myotubes. CONCLUSION: Diminished FSR in both RAPA and ERK groups are consistent with previous findings from in vivo rodent studies. These results may indicate comparable alterations in skeletal muscle anabolic signaling in cell culture as well as in vivo rodent models. Further investigations into anabolic signaling mechanisms related to the control of protein synthesis are needed

Development of Cursor-on-Target Control for Semi-Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The research presented in this thesis focuses on developing, demonstrating, and evaluating the concept of a Cursor-on-Target control system for semi-autonomous unmanned aircraft systems. The Department of Defense has mapped out a strategy in which unmanned aircraft systems will increasingly replace piloted aircraft. During most phases of flight autonomous unmanned aircraft control reduces operator workload, however, real-time information exchange often requires an operator to relay decision changes to the unmanned aircraft. The goal of this research is to develop a preliminary Cursor-on-Target control system to enable the operator to guide the unmanned aircraft with minimal workload during high task phases of flight and then evaluate the operator\u27s ability to conduct the mission using that control system. For this research, the problem of Cursor-on-Target control design has multiple components. Initially, a Cursor-on-Target controller is developed in Simulink. Then, this controller is integrated into the Aviator Visual Design Simulator to develop an operator-in-the-loop test platform. Finally, a ground target is simulated and tracked to validate the Cursor-on-Target controller. The Cursor-on-Target control system is then evaluated using a proposed operator rating scale