Research Report Institute of Aerospace Medicine 2018 · 2019. 12. 10. · The Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the Ger-man Aerospace Center (DLR) comprises depart-ments in Cologne

Research ReportInstitute of Aerospace Medicine 2018

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Preface

The Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the Ger-man Aerospace Center (DLR) comprises depart-ments in Cologne and in Hamburg with an inter-nationally unique research infrastructure. At DLR, the Institute serves as the interface between so-phisticated technology and life sciences research comprising biology, medicine, and psychology. The research is conducted in close collaboration with leading national and international research institutions. The long-standing experience of the Institute in selecting and caring for pilots, air traf-fic controllers, and astronauts in particular direct-ly after return to Earth provides a solid founda-tion guiding our research efforts. Mechanism-ori-ented human research, which is a particular strength of our Institute, is fostered by the state-of-the-art research infrastructure at the :envihab facility. Systematic ground-based studies in radia-tion, astro- and gravitational biology are con-

ducted in dedicated simulation facilities and are complemented by successful investigations in space. Our overarching goal is to conduct re-search that improves the lives of human beings in space and on Earth. Influences of environmental factors, such as at-mosphere conditions, radiation, gravity, and noise, on human health and performance are in the fo-cus of our research. We translate mechanistic un-derstanding to targeted preventive measures for aerospace and terrestrial medicine. Human-hu-man and Human-machine interactions are another important research focus. The issue is increasingly relevant given the demographic change and digi-talization thrust in years to come.The present report provides an exemplary over-view of our research activities in 2018 illustrating our interdisciplinary and translational research ap-proach.

The aerospace medical research facility :envihab of the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne

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Preface ��03

Cardiovascular Aerospace Medicine �� 07

Gerlach, D. et al.: Pharmacological baroreflex testing with fMRI reveals baroreflex mediated

brainstem nuclei ��08

Hoffmann, F. et al.: Evolution of human pulmonary hemodynamics during severe sustained

hypoxia �� 10

Limper, U. et al.: Preserved cardiac and cerebral function during 14 days of severe normobaric

hypoxia (8.5%) �� 12

Muscle and Bone Metabolism �� 15

Piechowski, S. et al.: Virtual reality and eyetracking during docking training �� 16

Wilhelm, J. et al.: Lymphatic vessel during unloading �� 18

Yilmaz, K.; Rittweger, J.: Assessment of vertical treadmill running under different levels

of simulated gravity �� 20

Wiedmann, I. et al.: Acceptance of 3D accelerometery for real world gait speed in paediatrics ��22

Wunder, J. et al.: Assessment of vibration-induced stretch-shortening cycles by B-mode

ultrasound �� 24

Sleep and Human Factors �� 27

Bartels, S. et al .: Effects of nocturnal aircraft noise on sleep and annoyance of primary school

children �� 28

Weidenfeld, S. et al.: Noise-induced annoyance due to nocturnal road traffic: results of a field

study ��30

Elmenhorst, E.-M. et al.: Trait vulnerability of cognitive performance and glucose tolerance under

sleep restriction �� 32

Rooney, D. et al.: Transient pressure changes in high speed trains do not interfere with speech

intelligibility ��34

Clinical Aerospace Medicine �� 37

Stern, C.; Trammer, M.: Another “Direct Return” of an European astronaut ��38

Stern C. et al.: Optic disc edema in test subjects during 30 days of 6° head down tilt bed rest ��40

Study Team ��43

Noppe, A. et al.: CoolSpin-Study: External cooling as stabilizing cardiovascular countermeasure

in hypergravity ��44

von der Wiesche, M. et al.: Direct Return: Medical and technological innovation

for ESA-astronauts´ first days back on Earth ��46

Aviation and Space Psychology ��49

Melcher, W. et al.: Ability requirements of unmanned aerial systems operators ��50

Hermes, M. et al.: The impact of training on ability testing �� 52

Pecena, Y. et al.: Human performance assessments in remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS)

implementations ��54

Oubaid, V.; Zinn, F.: GAP – A new approach in measuring behavior in groups for Aviation

and Space personnel ��56

Table of contents

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Radiation Biology �� 59

Schennetten, K. et al.: Measurement of UV radiation in commercial aircraft ��60

Matthiä, D.; Berger, T.: Energetic particles in space: Impact of the September 2017 event

on human radiation exposure ��62

Beblo-Vranesevic, K. et al.: Refutation of a long-existing hypothesis: No correlation between

desiccation and radiation tolerance ��64

Diegeler, S. et al.: Intercellular communication in response to ionizing radiation ��66

Cortesão, M. et al.: Effect of space radiation and microgravity on the fungus Aspergillus niger ��68

Siems, K. et al.: BIOFILMS: Influence of antimicrobial copper-surfaces on biofilm formation

of Staphylococcus capitis �� 70

Gravitational Biology ��73

Hauslage, J.; Berger, T.: Eu:CROPIS: Waste-management under lunar/Mars gravitation and long

duration radiation measurements �� 74

Frett, T. et al.: Spin Your Thesis: Exercise in artificial gravity as a countermeasure for long-term

human spaceflight �� 76

Liemersdorf, C. et al.: NeuroSpace: Changes in neuronal development indicated by live-cell

imaging in hypergravity �� 78

Hauslage, J., Hemmersbach, R.: Validation of ground-based facilities by means

of a mechanosensitive biosensor ��80

Publications ��84

Events, Presentations, Talks ��94

Institute Lectures ��94

Workshops, Events, Seminars at the Institute ��95

Teaching Activities �� 97

Graduations ��98

Awards ��99

Patents ��100

Imprint ��102

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Cardiovascular Aerospace Medicine

Gerlach, D. et al.: Pharmacological baroreflex testing with fMRI reveals baroreflex mediated brainstem nuclei �� 08

Hoffmann, F. et al.: Evolution of human pulmonary hemodynamics during severe sustained hypoxia �� 10

Limper, U. et al.: Preserved cardiac and cerebral function during 14 days of severe normobaric hypoxia (8.5%) ��12

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Pharmacological baroreflex testing with fMRI reveals baroreflex mediated brainstem nuclei

BackgroundBrainstem nuclei mediate baroreflex adjustments in efferent sympathetic and parasympathetic traffic. Yet, human brainstem physiology is poorly under-stood given the lack of suitable methodology. We developed a novel approach combining pharmaco-logical testing, beat-by-beat cardiovascular moni-toring, and high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess human barore-flex regulation at the level of the brainstem.Method and materials: In 11 healthy men (30.7 ±6.6 years; 24.1 ±1.9 kg/m2), we monitored con-tinuous finger arterial blood pressure and ECG using customized hardware during multiband fMRI brain acquisitions. We applied repeated in-travenous phenylephrine (PHE, 25 and 75 µg, n=8) and nitroprusside (NTP 25 and 75 µg, n=8)

boluses using a remote controlled injector. Brain-stem and hypothalamus fMRI images were analyz-ed to identify brainstem nuclei involved in barore-flex-mediated blood pressure control using a masked general linear model (GLM). Blood pressure (BP) changes were correlated with the time-courses of blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signals by mixed-effects general linear model [1].

ResultsPharmacological baroreflex testing yielded barore-flex sensitivity measurements with typical blood pressure and inter-beat interval (RR) patterns. Cor-relation of the baroreflex-mediated changes in systolic blood pressure with BOLD signals clearly revealed brainstem nuclei. The solitary tract (NTP: 7.3; PHE: 6.0 t-value), the caudal ventrolateral me-

Fig. 1: Flow chart of the two-step statistical approach

used in the study. In the first-level analysis, the time-

course of systolic blood pressure (SBP) recorded during

repeated phenylephrine bolus injections was used as

regressor in a general linear model (GLM) on the func-

tional MRI time-series leading to voxel-wise parameter

estimate maps. In the second-level analysis, parameter

estimates of all subjects were combined in a second

GLM to calculate a group level statistical parametric

map that was thresholded using family-wise error cor-

rection and threshold-free cluster enhancement. All

analyses were restricted to the lower brainstem.

D.A. Gerlach 1, J. Manuel Sánchez 2, A. Hoff 1, H. Kronsbein 1,3, F. Hoffmann 1, K. Heusser 1, H. Ehmke 3, J. Jordan 1, J. Tank 1, F. Beissner 2

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Hannover Medical School, Institute for

Neuroradiology, Hannover, Germany, 3 University Medical Center Eppendorf, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Physiology,

Hamburg, Germany

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Fig. 2: Brainstem regions showing activations associated with blood pressure changes elicited by phenylephrine

bolus injections. Left: transversal lower brainstem slices with an anatomical group template overlaid with the statis-

tical parametric map of the positive BOLD correlation with SBP (t-values encoded by color scale) and the corre-

sponding atlas slice (modified from [2]). Middle: BOLD overlay with the brainstem atlas [2]. Right: sagittal view of

the brainstem with marked corresponding transversal slices. Prominent activation maxima include (a) left rostral

ventrolateral medulla (rVLM), Ncl. raphe obscurus (ROb), and right Ncl. ambiguus (NA), (b) Ncl. raphe obscurus

(ROb), left intermediate reticular nucleus (IRt) extending to nucleus tractus solitarii, and right caudal ventrolateral

medulla (cVLM), and (c) Ncl. hypoglossus (12N) extending to IRt and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagal nerve

(DMN), right inferior olive extending to the cVLM. A: anterior, P: posterior, L: left, R: right.

dulla (PHE: 5.8 t-value), the rostral ventrolateral medulla (NTP: 5.6; PHE: 7.1 t-value), the nucleus ambiguus (PHE: 5.8 t-value), the paraventricular nucleus (NTP:7.1; PHE: 4.5 t-value), and raphe nu-clei (NTP: 5.7; PHE: 6.0 t-value) were identified with high sensitivity and corrected for multiple comparisons (p < 0.01).

ConclusionWe developed a novel approach testing baroreflex regulation at the level of the brainstem in humans. The methodology identified baroreflex-mediated

activation and deactivation patterns consistent with previous investigations in animal models. The methodology can be applied to elucidate human physiology and mechanisms of autonomic cardio-vascular disease.

Corresponding author: [email protected]

References

[1] Gerlach et al., Front. Neurosci. 13, 2019

[2] Paxinos et al., The Human Nervous System,

Elsevier Academic Press, 2012


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Evolution of human pulmonary hemodynamics during severe sustained hypoxia

BackgroundSusceptible individuals experience hypoxia-in-duced pulmonary hypertension when ascending to high altitude [1]. Descent is considered the pri-mary intervention to treat this condition. A human feasibility study testing influences of severe sus-tained normobaric hypoxia corresponding to >7,000 m altitude on the heart allowed us to fol-low the evolution of pulmonary hypertension us-ing state-of-the-art cardiovascular imaging.

Material & MethodsTwo healthy, professional mountaineers (subject A, male 57 years, subject B, female 50 years) pre-acclimatized for one week in the field at 4559 m altitude. Then, they stayed at the :envihab facil-ity of our Institute where normobaric hypoxia was achieved by nitrogen dilution starting at 13.5% O2 to a minimum of 8% O2 over three weeks. After-wards, 8.5% O2 during the daytime and 8.8% O2 at night was kept for another 14 days. Velocity

Fig. 1: Echocardiographic

exam in one subject in

the chamber with hypoxic

conditions

F. Hoffmann 1,2, U. Limper 2,3, V. Zaha 4, H. Reuter 1, L. Zange 5,6, J. Schulz-Menger 5,6, M. Hein 7, H. Sadek 8,9, S. Baldus 1, B. Levine 10, J. Jordan 2, J. Tank 2

1 Department of Internal Medicine III University of Cologne, Germany, 2 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 3 Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University; Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany, 4 The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA, 5 Working Group on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Experimental and Clinical Research Center - a joint cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max-Delbrück Cente r for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany, 6 Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany, 7 Department of Anasthesiology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Germany, 8 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 9 Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 10 Division of

Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas

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Fig. 2: Development of right ventricular systolic peak pressure (RVsP – excluding cen-

tral venous pressure) as pulmonary artery pressure surrogate. Displayed are individual

data of the two subjects A and B, as well as the oxygen level on the secondary Y-axis.

Dotted vertical lines indicate study phases.

encoded single plane phase contrast MRI of the pulmonary artery (PA) and echocardiography were performed one month before, during and one and three months after hypoxia for assessment of right ventricular (RV) function, and endsystolic pressure (RVsP), PA- area, flow and distensibility.

ResultsRight ventricular endsystolic pressure (RVsP) was related to the decrease in oxygen during acclimati-zation. In subject B RVsP peaked at 67 mmHg, 48 mmHg higher than baseline. RVsP decreased steadily to a minimum of 44 mmHg after two weeks while still at 8.5% oxygen (Fig. 2). Peak values occurred with clinical symptoms of acute mountain sickness and a drop in exercise capacity but without signs of cerebral or pulmonary ede-ma. In subject A peak RVsP was 44 mmHg and remained stable over the entire hypoxia exposure. Table 1 shows the results for RV-function and pul-monary artery hemodynamics. ConclusionIn healthy humans, severe normobaric hypoxia in-duces pulmonary hypertension with paradoxically preserved right ventricular function. Pulmonary hypertension may improve over time in some indi-viduals, even in the face of sustained hypoxia. This is even more remarkable as it contradicts current clinical consens [2]. The findings attest to the re-markable physiological reserve of healthy human beings allowing for adaptation to massively in-creased pulmonary pressure


References

[1] Naeije, Int. J. Sports Med. 13, 1992

[2] Boussuges et al. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med 161, 2000

BSL FU FU

Study-Day -30 1 21 33 +34 +111

O2-level [%] 21,0 13,4 8,0 8,5 21,0 21,0

Subject A Echo RVsP [mmHg] 17 28 37 43 23 22

TAPSE [mm] 34 32 28 31 28 37

MRI PAAmean [mm²] 771 856 890 771 811 817

PAdistens [1/mmHg] 1,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 1,0 0,8

RVSV [ml] 90 77 68 59 84 85

Subject B Echo RVsPs [mmHg] 19 33 55 52 19 20

TAPSE [mm] 31 30 30 23 30 31

MRI PAA mean [mm²] 804 1064 1207 1069 861 846

PAdistens [1/mmHg] 2,1 1,3 1,1 0,9 2,1 1,9

RVSV [ml] 109 100 77 73 101 102

Table 1: RVsP – Right ventricular endsystolic pressure, TAPSE - tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, PAAmean –PA mean Area, PAdistens –

PA distensibility, RVSV – right ventricular stroke volume, BSL -30 – baseline 30 days before study, FU +34/+111 – follow up 34/111 days after study.


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Preserved cardiac and cerebral function during 14 days of severe normobaric hypoxia (8.5%)

The failing adult mammalian heart is unable to re-generate damaged myocardial cells, though this potential exists in the heart of immature mam-mals. This absent regenerative potential of the adult human heart is the reason why causative treatment strategies for myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure are still not available today. Oxygen metabolism and the production of reac-tive oxygen species (ROS) have been suggested to control proliferation of myocardial cells [1]. Reduc-ing ambient oxygen concentration should there-fore lead to a diminished ROS production which in turn should re-start myocardial proliferation. In fact in mice with myocardial infarction, two weeks of extreme normobaric hypoxia (7% O2) induced

myocardial regeneration, thus, ameliorating cardi-ac function [2]. We conducted a pilot study to test feasibility and safety of implementing this ap-proach in healthy humans. The study was conducted in the :envihab laborato-ry at DLR in Cologne. Two healthy professional mountaineers (1 woman 49 yrs., 1 man 56 yrs.) participated in the normobaric hypoxia study. Fol-lowing 3 weeks slowly progressive hypoxia accli-matization, we maintained the inspiratory oxygen fraction around 8.7±0.2% for 2 weeks (Fig. 1). We applied magnetic resonance imaging to assess cardiac structure and function and brain tissue morphology before, during, and after hypoxia. We regularly conducted cognitive function testing.

Fig. 1: Hypoxia profile of

the study. Blue: actual

inspiratory oxygen frac-

tions. Black: hypox-

ia-equivalent altitudes,

yellow and blue dots:

day- and nighttime oxy-

gen fractions. Red dotted

graph: attempted hypoxia

profile.

U. Limper 1,2, F. Hoffmann 1,3, V. Zaha 4, L. Zange 5,6, S. Kühn 7, C. Mühl 1, H. Reuter 3, M. Hein 8, J. Schulz-Menger 5,6, H. Sadek 9, M. Basner 10, B. Levine 11, J. Jordan 1, J. Tank 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medi-cine, Witten/Herdecke University, Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany, 3 Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Cologne, Ger-many, 4 The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 5 Working Group on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance - a joint cooperation between Charité Medical Faculty and Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany, 6 Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany, 7 Center of Aerospace Medicine of the German Air Force, Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany, 8 Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Germany, 9 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 10 Unit for Experimental Psychiatry/Division of Sleep and Chronobiology, Department of Psychia-try, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA, 11 Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

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Fig. 3: Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain of the male subject before and during

hypoxia. A marked dilation of the veins of his brain is visible in hypoxia (8% O2), which

indicates that the brain responds with an increase in blood volume to hypoxia.

Despite the severe hypoxia the participants main-tained a normal daily life during the study includ-ing high cognitive tasks and regular exercise (im-age). Left ventricular (-46ml, -50ml) and right ventricular (-44ml, -77ml) end-diastolic volumes decreased during hypoxia compared to baseline in both subjects (Fig. 2). End-systolic volumes, re-mained stable in the left ventricle (+5ml, -7ml) while decreasing in the right ventricle (-15ml, -50ml). During hypoxia, a 20 bpm increase in heart rate in both individuals did not compensate for the loss in stroke volume resulting in a small decrease in cardiac output. Left ventricular mass index was lower after hypoxia (-8g/m², -3g/m²). We observed markedly dilated cerebral veins in both subjects (Fig. 3) and scattered cerebral white matter le-sions. Yet, cognitive function testing remained stable in severe hypoxia. Both cerebral findings,


References

[1] Kimura et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 123, 2017

[2] Nakada et al., Nature 541, 2017

Fig. 2: Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart of the female subject before and dur-

ing hypoxia. Marked contractions of the enddiastolic volumes during severe hypoxia

(8% O2) are visible, which can be attributed to several adaptive mechanisms of the

human body to hypoxia.

Fig. 4: The female subject

is exercising on a rotating

climbing wall under

hypoxic atmospheric con-

ditions while two scien-

tists breathing normoxic

air via facemasks are

monitoring her.

fully recovered within a few weeks in normoxia.We conclude that 14 days of severe normobaric hypoxia between 8 and 9% O2 is feasible in healthy humans following an individualized acclimatization profile; however, larger studies in healthy individu-als are required. Our ultimate goal is to test whether the approach can induce cardiac regeneration in patients after a myocardial infarction.

Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Nancy Hansen and Ralf Dujmovits for their keen partici-pation in this pilot study.


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Muscle and Bone Metabolism

Piechowski, S. et al.: Virtual reality and eyetracking during docking training ��16

Wilhelm, J. et al.: Lymphatic vessel during unloading �� 18

Yilmaz, K.; Rittweger, J.: Assessment of vertical treadmill running under different levels of simulated gravity �� 20

Wiedmann, I. et al.: Acceptance of 3D accelerometery for real world gait speed in paediatrics �� 22

Wunder, J. et al.: Assessment of vibration-induced stretch-shortening cycles by B-mode ultrasound �� 24

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Virtual reality and eyetracking during docking training

The ability to manually dock a spacecraft on a space station can be crucial for mission safety. The computer-based learning program “6df” is an ab-stract docking simulation that teaches and refresh-es the needed skill of controlling six degrees of freedom. During the AGBRESA bed rest study ad-ditional technologies can be tested that might im-prove this learning process. Common two-dimen-sional (2D) presentation of the learning program “6df” for docking is compared to a stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) presentation. Since the beginning of docking simulation at the end of the last century, it has been of interest to analyze the operator’s eye movements. Several eye tracking systems have been prepared for use in space but did not reach practicality. With proceeding com-mercialization, for example in the gaming industry, plug-and-play systems emerged that suggest an easy and robust applicability of eye tracking.With this study we would like to investigate if there is a faster learning progress with 3D pres-entation compared to standard 2D presentation. Moreover, eye tracking is used to answer the ques-tion whether there is a relationship between dock-ing quality and extent or timing of visual informa-

tion processing regarding speed and distance of the spacecraft.Until now twelve subjects (33.33% female) partic-ipated in the ongoing study. Each of them com-pleted 20 training sessions which lasted approxi-mately 45 minutes and were conducted twice a week. The learning program is self-sufficient and adapts itself to the individual learning speed. Half of the participants were presented with a UNI-TY-based stereoscopic visualization of docking, whereas the other half used the standard version of the learning program “6df”. Learning progress was measured as the number of tasks needed to reach a target task in the middle of the learning range. In the 2D group an eye tracking device (To-bii C4) could be used to assess eye movements as well as pupil dilation. This only required an addi-tional short calibration phase.Results showed no significantly faster learning progress while using 3D technology. Looking at the eye movements, there was a continuous de-crease in pupil dilation while approaching the docking point. Various task types produced specif-ic eye patterns and subjects differed in eye transi-tion frequency. Furthermore there was a signifi-

Fig. 1: Subject using the stereoscopic version of the “6df” docking program during bed rest in six degree head-down tilt.

S. Piechowski, W. Pustowalow, M. Arz, J. Rittweger, E. Mulder, B. Johannes

Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany

17

cant positive relationship between visual control of speed and distance to the docking point and the quality of the docking maneuver.Preliminary results suggest that the learning pro-cess does not benefit above average from stereo-scopic presentation during early training stages. As the real maneuver has to be flown with a two dimensional view, one may favor common 2D training in comparison to the (yet) costlier 3D sys-tem. The analysis of eye movements during dock- Corresponding author: [email protected]

Fig. 2: Exemplary eye movement protocol of one subject “flying” a low level docking task. Marked areas of interest

are: task overview from above (left corner), visor (in the middle) and two displays for speed and distance informa-

tion (right corner).

Fig. 3: Decreasing dilation of the left pupil during

approach to the docking point. Each time interval com-

prises approximately ten seconds, “1” being the last

time interval before docking contact. Error bars depict

a 95% confidence interval.

Fig. 4: Correlation between docking accuracy and

visual control of the area of interest comprising infor-

mation about speed and distance to the docking point

ing training proved itself to be feasible and an op-portunity to gain more insight into the learning process. There are first hints at the possible suita-bility of eye tracking to give learners crucial feed-back about productive information processing strategies. Further conclusions are expected by the end of the second AGBRESA campaign.


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Lymphatic vessel during unloading

IntroductionIn skeletal muscle the lymphatic system is involved in the homeostasis and drain of extracellular fluid. Moreover the lymphatic system returns proteins and other macromolecules from the interstitial tissue to the blood vessel system. A disability of the lymphatic efflux can induce grave consequenc-es like local edema or even a systemic deficiency of blood proteins.The study “Exercise-Induced Decline in the Density of LYVE-1-Positive Lymphatic Vessels in Human Skeletal Muscle” from the Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne , shows that the density of lymphatic capillaries within the extracted biopsy of M. vastus lat. decreased significantly after a cycling training intervention. [3]After it has been asserted that raised endurance training leads to decreased density of lymphatic capillaries in human skeletal muscle, a change could also be assumed during atrophy in skeletal muscle.We hypothesize an increased density of lymphatic capillaries during atrophy in human skeletal mus-cle and use the Hephaistos Orthosis as atrophy model and analyzed biopsies from the M. soleus to investigate this hypothesis.

MaterialThe extracted biopsies are results of the “NutriHep” study. In the course of which 12 subjects were wearing the “Hephaistos Orthosis” for sixty days. 7 of them were treated by Lupin-substitution and daily electrostimulations while wearing the Hep-haistos Orthosis. 5 subjects of the control group used Hephaistos Orthosis without any treatments. The NutriHep study shows a muscular atrophy after load reduction while wearing the Hepahoios Or-thosis for sixty days. The subjects of the control group show an increased loss of muscle volume [2].

MethodsBiopsies were extracted pre and post induced at-rophy. Lymphatic capillaries were stained by im-munohistochemistry using Anti-LYVE-1 and Podo-planin antibodies for lymph specific staining and Anti-Caveolin-1 for detecting endothelial cells of lymphatic and blood vessels.

ResultsThe fragile construction of lymph capillaries leads to spread fragments of lymphatic endothelial cells. In this case counting single lymph vessels is imped-ed. Additionally the muscle fibres should be cut in

J. Wilhelm 1, J. Zange 1, W. Bloch 2, J. Rittweger 1 1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany

Fig. 1: Immunohistochemical stained cross-sections of soleus muscle; immunostaining showing LYVE-1 positive and

Caveolin-1 positive lymphatic capillary (red/orange) and Caveolin-1 positive blood capillary (green) (1) 60x objective;

(2) 20x objective

19

cross-sections to improve identifying single lymph vessels. Our preliminary results of 4 NutriHep-sub-jects (1 pre and 1 post slices) show the following percentages: lymphatic vessels in non-atrophic muscle 0.24+/-0.038%, in atrophic muscle 0.35+/-0.114%. For the ratio of lymphatic to blood vessels we found 3.6+/-1.612% in non-atrophic muscle, while in atrophy it was 5.59+/-1.84%.

First ConclusionsWe could demonstrate that muscle atrophy increas-es the total fraction as well as the ratio in respect to blood vessels of lymphatic vessels in muscle biop-sies. However not all data was taken into account and further analyses are required. Especially the Lupin- and electrostimulation may have significant influence on these preliminary results.

OutlookInvestigating the numeric change of lymph vessels after induced muscle atrophy is the first step to comprehend the actual meaning of skeletal mus-cle contractions in relation to lymph drain. After-wards we will determine the relevance of immobi-lization caused atrophy. Comparing atrophied muscle tissue of immobilized subjects to astro-nauts after their stay aboard the ISS may appoint the effect of hydrostatic pressure – especially on calf muscles.


Fig. 2: Percent changes (means ± standard error of the mean) in the triceps surae muscle

and its three parts by the orthosis intervention in the control and in the countermeasure

group, respectively.

Fig. 3: Hephaistos Orthesis. Subjects wearing the HEP-Or-

thesis 60 days long for unloading calfmuscles.


References

[1] Gehlert et al., Lymphatic Res. Biol. 8, 2010

[2] Zange et al., PLoS One12, 2016

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Assessment of vertical treadmill running under different levels of simulated gravity

Prolonged exposure to microgravity during space-flights leads to severe deconditioning in the physi-cal performance of astronauts which affects crew health and safety during mission critical maneu-vers dangerously. To understand the effectiveness of the existing inflight daily countermeasures, treadmill running in simulated microgravity under different levels of adjusted g-load is compared to usual treadmill running on Earth.For purposes of exercise planning onboard the ISS, the objective of this study was to assess the oxy-gen uptake using spiroergometric assessment of men and women (n=26, 8 female and 6 male 20-30 years; 6 male and 6 female 50-60 years) during running on a horizontal treadmill and on a vertical treadmill under different levels of simulated gravity with the Vertical Treadmill Facility (VTF) and Sub-

ject loading system (SLS) from the European Space Agency (ESA). This study was carried out in the Physiology Laboratory of the Institute of Aer-ospace Medicine at the Department of Muscle and Bone Metabolism at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne, Germany.After assessing the maximum oxygen uptake using the Bruce-protocol on the horizontal treadmill, an incremental running protocol on both the vertical and horizontal treadmill was performed in randomized order, starting at a speed of 4 kph and increasing every 4 min by 2.5 kph to a maximum of 19 kph. The runs on the vertical treadmill were performed under 0.3g, 0.6g and 1 g of body weight. 26 subjects were included with a total of 90 runs. 14 of 104 runs were excluded.

K. Yilmaz, J. Rittweger


Fig 1: Vertical treadmill facility with the subject loading system set up in the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR),

Cologne, Germany.

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The maximum speed for 0.3g and 0.6g on the vertical treadmill was higher than on the horizon-tal treadmill (P <0.001). By contrast, peak oxygen uptake was greater for the horizontal treadmill than for all conditions on the vertical treadmill (P <0.001), and so was maximal heart rate (P <0.05). The reduction in peak oxygen uptake on the verti-cal treadmill was strikingly similar across the three simulated gravity conditions and cannot be ex-


Table 1: Maximum speed in [km/h], Maximum oxygen uptake (“VO2 peak”) in [ml/min*kg)] and maximum heart rate

in [beats/min] that are measured on the horizontal (“horizontal”) treadmill and vertical treadmill under a load of 1g

of body weight(“vert_1g”), 0.6g of body weight (“vert_0.6g”) and 0.3g of body weight (“vert_0.3g”).

*, **, ***: significant main effect for condition with P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively

a, aa, aaa: significantly different from Vert.1g condition with P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively

No significant condition*group interaction terms were found (all P ≥ 0.20).

Fig 2: Maximum reached oxygen uptake in [ml /(kg*min)] in relation

to runningspeed in [kilometer/h] on the horizontal (“hor”) treadmill

(colour = red) and vertical treadmill under a load of 1g of body

weight (“1.0g”) (colour = blue), 0.6g of body weight (“0.6 → g”)

(colour = orange) and 0.3g of body weight (“0.3g”)(colour=green).

Fig 3: left: Maximum reached heartrate in [beats/min] in relation to the four

different running conditions. right: Maximum reached oxygen uptake in [ml

/(kg*min)] in relation to the four different running conditions.“horizontal”=

Horizontal treadmill , “v 1g”= vertical treadmill under a load of 1g of body

weight, “v03g”= vertical treadmill under a load of 0.3g of body weight

0.6g of body weight, “v 0.6g”= vertical treadmill under a load of 0.6g of

body weight (“0.6g”). Red filled points= women between 20-30 years, red

empty points= women between 50-60 years, blue filled points= men

between 20-30 years, blue empty points= men between 50-60 years.


Treadmill horizontal vert�1g vert�0.6g vert�0.3g

Maximum Speed*** 13.2 11.5 15.9aaa 18.5aaa

[km/hr] (2.4) (2.6) (3.1) (1.1)

VO2 peak*** 41.7aaa 30.5 32.9 30.9[ml/(min*kg)] (7.2) (6.6) (7.0) (5.2)

Maximum Heart Rate** 170.8aa 152.2 154.9 151.5 [beats/min] (14.4) (23.5) (20.2) (18.0)

plained by inability to run faster. Rather, gravity-re-lated impediment of gas exchange-, or impedi-ment of perfusion in horizontal position can be suspected. If this should be the case, this would constitute a substantial limitation to exercise in space.

22

Acceptance of 3D accelerometery for real world gait speed in paediatrics

BackgroundIn paediatric rehabilitation the most important aim is to enable the patient to manage the daily living by himself. For the clinical setting a large number of assessments is available [1], which do represent e.g. the ability to walk but not predom-inantly assess the challenges the patient has to face at home. Wearables are widespread and have been proven very useful as an assessment for physical activity to close the gap [2] between laboratory condi-tions and real life. These devices are well estab-lished in various fields for adult population [3]. Therefore, the question arises if they can also be used in children.

I. Wiedmann 1,2,3, M. Grassi 4,5, I. Duran 1, R. Lavrador 1, E. Arlberg 1, M. Daumer 4,5,6, E. Schönau 7, J. Rittweger 2,7

1 Centre of Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; 2 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center

(DLR), Cologne, Germany; 3 European University of Applied Science, Department of Applied Health Science, Brühl, Germany; 4 Sylvia Lawry Centre

for Multiple Sclerosis - The Human Motion Institute, Munich, Germany; 5 Trium Analysis Online, Munich, Germany; 6 Technical University of Munich,

Munich, Germany; 7 Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Fig. 1: Acceptance measured via wearing time and

questionnaire concerning the restriction of activity of

daily living and wearing comfort.

23

Objectives Assessment of the children’s acceptance to wear a 3D-accelerometer which is attached to the waist under real-world conditions, and also to compare gait speed during supervised testing with the non-supervised gait speed in every-day life. Methods In several recruitment waves two groups of chil-dren, 30 subjects with cerebral palsy (personal re-cruitment), classified with the Gross Motor Func-tion Classification System Level I&II and 30 healthy children as control (personal recruitment or e-mail recruitment), aged 3-12, had been asked to wear an accelerometric device for 7 days at home. Ini-tially they had to perform a 1-minute-walking test under laboratory conditions. Acceptance has been measured via wearing time and questionnaire. Subjects could rate restriction of daily living and wearing comfort with a score between 1 and 5. Under laboratory conditions a mobile perambulator has been used as “gold standard“ to evaluate the validity of the accelero-metric device for children.


Fig. 2: Validity of gait speed measured by the accelerometric device compared with the gold standard.


References

[1] Schimpl et al., PLoS One 8, 2011

[2] Daumer et al., Biomed. Tech. 6, 2007

[3] Jämsä et al., Clin. Biomech. 1, 2006

Results Generally, acceptance was good in terms of wear-ing time and reported comfort (Fig. 1). There was a difference of approximately one hour in the daily wearing time between groups (p=0.3), but no significant group differences in reported restric-tion of activity of daily living and comfort of wear-ing (prestriction=0.9; pcomfort= 0.7). In general, it has been more difficult to attract sub-jects for study participation than to make them wearing the accelerometric device. Bland-Altman analysis showed moderate, systematic variation be-tween gold standard and 3D-accelerometry (Fig. 2).

Conclusion 3D-accelerometry is well accepted in paediatric rehabilitation patients.

24

Assessment of vibration-induced stretch-shortening cycles by B-mode ultrasound

It has been demonstrated in the past that stretch-shortening is occurring during vibration exercise [1]. However, because of technical limita-tions the investigated vibration frequency was substantially lower than frequencies used in clini-cal applications. Now we not only assess elonga-tions of the contractile elements, we also infer upon force modulation by vibration-induced stretch-shortening. This enables us to estimate to which extent vibration exercise increases muscu-lar tissue stresses above stresses during conven-tional resistive exercise. The study is performed on the muscle atrophy re-search and exercise system (MARES). This facility was used on the International Space Station to in-vestigate the multifold aspects of muscle function, with astronauts’ self-testing via crew-guided pro-cedures. The aim of the present study is to assess the modulation of vibration-induced stretch-short-ening cycles on alterations in pennation angle and fascicle length, and to compare fascicle dynamics during vibration and during voluntary contractions with varying force contractions. It is anticipated that through addition of high-speed B-mode ultra-sound (which was not available on ISS), we can deepen our understanding of muscle mechanics

and thus better interpret results from our ISS ex-periment ‘Sarcolab3’. Of the available MARES routines, we are here us-ing the ‘angle-torque relationship’ (ATR) and the ‘sinusoidal Perturbation’ (SP) profiles. During the ATR the subjects perform their maximum volun-tary contraction (MVC) in plantar flexion in differ-ent ankle angles. The SP protocol includes 100 periods of each vibration, applied via a foot plate against which the subject performs plantar flexion contractions at 25%, 50%, 0% and 75% of the MVC. Vibrations are applied at 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 12, 14, and 16 Hz.We are examining the pennation angle and the fascicle length of the medial gastrocnemius mus-cle, using B-mode ultrasound. The ultrasound vid-eos are evaluated using a semi-automatic tracking algorithm, which calculates the fascicular length and the pennation angle. For this purpose, it is assumed that a fascicle is the straight-line connec-tion between the upper and the lower aponeuro-sis, in the arrangement of the intramuscular con-nective tissue. The algorithm implements an affine extension of the optical flow model based on the Lucas-Kanade method. With the data recorded before the vibration, the calibration curves of the

J. Wunder, W. Sies, J. Rittweger


Fig. 1: MARES ankle setting with the ultrasonic probe

holder.

25

respective subjects are generated. The calibration curve applies the fascicle length or pennation an-gle to the force level. Using fast Fourier transfor-mation, the amplitude spectra are calculated for each condition, in order to isolate the changes in the musculature associated with the vibration. The difference of the sum in the end and in the beginning yield in the change in the muscle asso-ciated with the oscillation frequency. The changes


Fig. 2: Amplitude spectrum of the end of 7 Hz vibration bout during 25% MVC. Marked in red the three bins

which are considered for further analysis.

Fig. 3: Diagram for one subject at 7 Hz induced vibration. The calibration curve of pre vibration is shown in red. The

red points are the force levels which the subject has to apply. The blue dotted line is calculated from the difference

between the amplitude spectra at the end and beginning of the vibration. According to the polynomial fitted cali-

bration curve we can estimate how much additional force occurs associated with oscillation.


[1] Cochrane et al., Muscle & Nerve 40, 2009

in the amplitude spectrum applied to the calibra-tion curve reveal how far the force changes due to the induced vibration.

26

27

Sleep and Human Factors

Bartels, S. et al.: Effects of nocturnal aircraft noise on sleep and annoyance of primary school children �� 28

Weidenfeld, S. et al.: Noise-induced annoyance due to nocturnal road traffic: results of a field study �� 30

Elmenhorst, E. et al.: Trait vulnerability of cognitive performance and glucose tolerance under sleep restriction � 32

Rooney, D. et al.: Transient pressure changes in high speed trains do not interfere with speech intelligibility �� 34

28

Effects of nocturnal aircraft noise on sleep and annoyance of primary school children

Children are thought to be more at risk to nega-tive consequences of transportation noise, since, amongst other factors, undisturbed sleep is vital for their physiological and cognitive development [1]. However, little is known about childhood sleep exposed to aircraft noise and associated short-term annoyance response. An investigation seemed particularly necessary given the differ-ences of sleep architecture between children and adults. We investigated the acute effects of nocturnal aircraft noise on sleep and resulting short-term

annoyance response in a field study conducted around Cologne/Bonn Airport. Sleep of 51 chil-dren aged 8 to 10 years was measured polysom-nographically (via EEG, EMG, EOG, ECG, and pulse oximetry) during four consecutive nights at home. During each night, aircraft noise exposure was recorded inside the children`s bedrooms and noise metrics were calculated. Children evaluated their aircraft noise-induced short-term annoyance on a five-point scale ("1 = not" to "5 = very” disturbed or annoyed) in the morning. Further information on potential mod-

S. Bartels, J. Quehl, D. Aeschbach


Fig. 1: Acoustic and polysomnographic measurement devices.

29

Fig. 2: Effect of aircraft noise exposure on duration of

slow wave sleep per total sleep time.

Fig. 3: Effect of aircraft noise exposure on noise-associ-

ated awakening reactions.

Fig. 4: Effect of aircraft noise exposure on short-term-

annoyance rating in the morning.Corresponding authors: [email protected]

[1] van Kamp et al., Noise Health 15, 2013

[2] Durdik et al., J. Clin. Sleep Med. 14, 2018

erating factors of annoyance response (e.g., noise sensitivity, attitudes towards air traffic) was ob-tained in personal interviews.For the prediction of objective sleep quality from aircraft noise exposure, we applied mixed models with random intercept and the number of aircraft noise events as dichotomous factor (median split at 37.5 events). The following variables were ana-lyzed: a) proportion of slow wave sleep (S3 and S4) per total sleep time (in %), b) proportion of waking during sleep period time (in %), c) sleep efficiency (proportion of total sleep time during time in bed, in %), d) proportion of REM sleep per total sleep time (in %), e) number of noise-as-sociated awakenings, f) self-rated sleep quality ("1 = very good" to "5 = very bad").Subjective sleep quality did not differ between the two exposure groups (p = .694). Likewise, aircraft noise-induced annoyance was not signifi-cantly increased in higher exposed nights (p = .369). Additional mixed logistic regression analyses revealed that annoyance ratings were not influenced by established noise metrics such as number of aircraft noise events or equivalent sound pressure levels. Instead, the self-reported noise sensitivity, the attitude that aircraft are dangerous, and the use of coping strategies in the presence of aircraft noise at home had a sig-nificant impact.From the results, it is concluded that nighttime aircraft noise exposure can objectively impair childhood sleep, but these deteriorations are not reflected in higher short-term annoyance and lower subjective sleep quality. These findings un-derline the importance of objective measures for identifying noise-induced changes in children`s sleep. The magnitude of slow wave sleep reduc-tion due to higher exposure was similar to the findings in a study comparing sleep parameters in healthy children vs. children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [2]. The potential health impact of the small but recurrent loss of slow wave sleep due to aircraft noise is currently un-known, and should be the focus of future re-search.


30

Noise-induced annoyance due to nocturnal road traffic: results of a field study

Traffic noise is a growing and serious environ-mental problem due to its association with health risk, sleep disturbances and annoyance of which the latter is particularly pervasive. Since many traffic noise studies are based on laboratory sur-veys or exhibit shortcomings in noise measure-ment, there is a lack of valid exposure-response relationships between traffic noise and annoy-ance. To fill this gap for road traffic, precise meas-urements of noise parameters (e.g., A-weighted energy equivalent sound pressure level [LAeq]) are needed. Furthermore we intended to explore the

effect of different noise sources on annoyance by comparing data from a new study on road traffic with those from previous studies on air and rail-way traffic.Forty healthy participants (mean age = 29.1; SD = 11.7; 26 females) were studied at their homes in areas with moderate nighttime road traffic in the vicinity of Cologne and Bonn. On four consecu-tive mornings the participants completed a ques-tionnaire that asked for their annoyance due to road traffic noise in the previous night (1 = “not at all” to 5 = “extremely annoyed”) as well as for

S. Weidenfeld, E.-M. Elmenhorst, S. Sanok, U. Müller, D. Aeschbach


31


Fig. 1: Exposure-response curve for the probability to be annoyed by nocturnal road

traffic noise events as a function of LAeq. 95 % confidence interval corresponds to the

grey area.

Fig. 2: Annoyance probability by nocturnal road, railway traffic and aircraft noise as a

function of the LAeq.


[1] Pennig et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 2012

[2] Quehl and Basner, J. Environ. Psychol. 26, 2006

non-acoustical mediators of annoyance (e.g., subjective sleep quality, perceived noise load, perceived degree of having adapted to road traf-fic noise). Measurements of acoustic parameters were undertaken inside the participants’ bed-room. We applied logistic regression using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models to derive the probability to be annoyed (categories ≥ 2) by road traffic noise as a function of the LAeq and non-acoustical mediators (Fig. 1). In a further analysis the road traffic data were combined with those from two earlier field studies in which the effect of nocturnal railway noise (1) and aircraft noise (2) on residents’ annoyance in the vicinity of Cologne and Bonn were investigated. The pooled data sets were used to derive comparative expo-sure-response curves for noise-induced annoy-ance by road, railway and air traffic (Fig. 2).The analysis of the road traffic data revealed a statistically significant rise in the annoyance with increasing LAeq (p = .023, OR = 1.159). The extent of the perceived noise load had a reinforcing ef-fect (p < .001, OR = 44.606), whereas a high subjective sleep quality had a reducing effect (p = .007, OR = .924) on annoyance. In the pooled data set annoyance increased again with increasing LAeq (p =.001, OR = 1.043). In contrast, the perceived degree of an individual’s adapta-tion to traffic noise reduced annoyance (p < .001, OR = .528). The probability to be annoyed turned out to be higher for road traffic noise than for aircraft noise (p = .001, OR = 3.026), whereas railway noise did not differ from aircraft noise (reference) in its impact on annoyance (p = .079, OR = 1.812).The current field-study on road traffic noise em-phasizes the importance of subjective sleep qual-ity for annoyance responses and delivers a predic-tion model for road traffic noise-induced noctur-nal short-term annoyance in areas with moderate traffic. The analysis of the pooled data set re-vealed the LAeq to be a significant acoustical pre-dictor for annoyance even when taking noise from different traffic sources into consideration. Additionally, we found an important influence of the perceived degree of an individual’s adapta-tion and showed that the extent of annoyance

tends to vary depending on the respective noise source. The significant differences in annoyance reactions between aircraft and road traffic might be explained by the different temporal patterns of noise distribution throughout the night.

32

Trait vulnerability of cognitive performance and glucose tolerance under sleep restriction

Epidemiological studies consistently indicate that chronic sleep restriction is associated with in-creased all-cause mortality [1] and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases [2, 3], type 2 diabetes [4] and trait-like impairments in cognitive functions [5-7]. We examined whether this trait vulnerability of cognitive performance to sleep loss extends al-so to glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Thirty-six healthy volunteers underwent a 12-day sleep lab study. In a sequential design, they com-pleted one adaptation night and two baseline

nights with 8 h time in bed (TIB) each, 5 nights with 5 h TIB (sleep restriction group: N=21, 9 fe-male, mean age 26 ± 4 years SD, mean BMI 23.1 ± 1.9 kg/cm2 SD) or 5 nights with 8 h TIB (control group: N=15, 5 female, mean age 28 ± 6 years SD, mean BMI 23.6 ± 2.9 kg/cm2 SD ), followed by one night with 8 h TIB, one 38-h period of acute sleep deprivation, and a final night with 10 h TIB. Oral glucose tolerance was tested in the morning im-mediately after lights on (>10 h fasting) on the second baseline day, after 5 nights with 5 h or 8 h

E.-M. Elmenhorst 1, D. Elmenhorst 2, E. Hennecke 2, D. Lange 1, J. Fronczek-Poncelet 2, A. Bauer 2, D. Aeschbach 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Institute of Neuroscience and

Medicine (INM-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany

Fig. 1: Area under the curve (AUC) of serum glucose concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test for the

sleep restriction group (on the left) and for the control group (on the right) in the morning after 8 h baseline (B,

blue columns) time in bed (TIB), after 5 experimental nights (E5, red columns) with either 5 h TIB in the sleep

restriction group or with 8 h TIB in the control group, after one night with 8 h TIB (R, green columns), and after 24

h of sustained wakefulness (SD, purple columns). * indicate significant differences.

33


[1] Cappuccio et al., Sleep 33, 2010

[2] Cappuccio et al., Eur Heart J. 32, 2011

[3] Grandner et al., Sleep Med. 15, 2014

[4] Buxton & Marcelli, Soc. Sci. Med. 71, 2010

[5] Van Dongen et al., Sleep. 26, 2003

[6] Van Dongen et al., Sleep.27, 2004

[7] Elmenhorst et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 115, 2018

TIB, after the recovery night, and after 24 h of sustained wakefulness. Fasting serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as those 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after glucose intake were analyzed in blood samples. Additionally, areas under the curve (AUC) for glucose, insulin, and HOMA were calculated. Averaged daytime results of a 3-hourly performed psychomotor vigilance task (10-min PVT) were considered. Effects on the dependent variables were analyzed with mixed ANOVAs in SAS with ‘sleep condition’ (4x) and ‘sex’ (2x) as factors (post-hoc Bonferroni-Holm adjustment) for each of the two groups. Pearson correlations between impairments (differences to baseline) in glucose metabolism and performance were calculated. In comparison to baseline AUC of glucose (Δ 32.5 ± 7.0 mg*h/dl), insulin (Δ 44.9 ± 9.2 mU*h/dl), and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA; Δ 20.7 ± 3.9) were increased after sleep restriction (all p=0.0003), stayed elevated after one night of recovery sleep (glucose Δ 17.3 ± 6.8 mg*h/dl; insu-lin Δ 24.7 ± 9.2 mU*h/dl; HOMA Δ 11.3 ± 3.8; all p<0.02), but returned to baseline levels after 24 h of sleep deprivation (all p>0.6). The control group did not show significant changes in glucose toler-ance and insulin sensitivity.


Impairments after 5 nights of sleep restriction showed significant correlations between mean speed / 10th percentile of speed and glucose at 90 min (r=-0.51/r=-0.52), insulin at 30 min (r=-0.55/r=-0.59), 90 min (r=-0.61/-0.61), and at 120 min (r=-0.51/trend r=-0.49) after exposure.Sleep restriction, but not acute sleep deprivation, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Impairments due to sleep restriction outlasted a single night of recovery sleep, but did not show cumulative effects with acute sleep deprivation. Chronic sleep restriction and acute sleep depriva-tion appear to activate different regulatory re-sponses in glucose metabolism. Individuals under sleep restriction appeared to be likewise either vulnerable or resilient regarding both glucose me-tabolism and cognitive performance.

Fig. 2: Correlation between impairments in the 10th percentile (10P) of psychomotor vigilance performance (PVT)

speed and glucose levels 90 min after glucose ingestion indicating a trait resilience / vulnerability to sleep restriction

(5 nights with 5 h TIB).

34

Transient pressure changes in high speed trains do not interfere with speech intelligibility

High speed trains are becoming a backbone of the transportation infrastructure in many coun-tries. To facilitate safe operation in increasingly complex railway networks a multitude of driver assistance systems are under development. The auditory channel can be used to provide informa-tion without disrupting visual attention, but it must be interruption-free. Disequilibrium of tym-panic air pressure promotes conductive hearing loss and it is not known whether the transient pressure changes experienced in high speed trains when passing through tunnels may inter-fere with speech intelligibility.Our primary objective was to assess whether transient pressure changes of 25 hPa in two sec-onds affect speech intelligibility in persons with normal hearing ability and our secondary ques-tion was whether the direction of the pressure change makes a difference.Since statistical tests only control for false posi-tives it was crucial to study a sufficiently sized sample to restrict false negative outcomes as

well. Data for a reliable power calculation was nonexistent and we conducted a pilot study with 20 participants (10 female, mean age 27 years ± 6 SD) to estimate variability. The upper 80% confidence limit guided sample size of the main campaign with 72 participants (35 female, 25 years ± 5 SD), enabling us to identify a 10% difference in speech intelligibility while limiting the chance of alpha and beta error to 5% and 10% respectively.Speech intelligibility was measured using the monosyllable word test by Wallenberg and Koll-meier [1]. Subsequent to each audibly presented test word participants were asked to identify the word from five written alternatives, each differ-ing in one of three phonemes.We used a cross-over design in which each par-ticipant was studied in a single one hour session. Participants were presented with two test blocks of 50 words each. In one block each test word was played immediately after a pressure change, while the other block was performed at steady

D. Rooney, M. Wittkowski, S. Bartels, D. Aeschbach

Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Cologne, Germany

Figure 1: Experimental assem-

bly in the pressure chamber. A

real time controller synchro-

nised chamber pressure,

announcement of WAKO test

words and response collection

via tablet computers. A homo-

geneous acoustic environment

was created using independ-

ent signal processors for each

of the four loudspeakers (LS)

for noise and the two LS for

test word playback.

35


[1] Wallenberg & Kollmeier, Audiologische Akustik 28, 1989

ambient pressure of 950 hPa. To account for po-tential order effects, we permutated the pressure condition. A speech simulating background noise of 67 dB(A) was constantly played throughout the experiment, masking the operating sounds of the chamber. The signal to noise ratio of the pre-sented test words was adjusted to yield 50% speech intelligibility without pressure changes.To maintain an overall family-wise error rate of 5% we devised hierarchical testing using com-plete alpha spending from the primary to the secondary hypothesis.On average participants understood 0.7 more words when listening in steady ambient pressure, compared to experiencing a pressure change be-fore announcement of the test word. This would equate to an effect size of 0.1, however, a two-sided Wilcoxon signed rank test (Z=-1.29; p=0.20) did not detect this to be distinguishable from chance. When comparing increasing and decreasing pressure the average understanding differed by 0.2 words, which was not formally


Fig. 2: Estimators and

95%-confidence intervals of

intra-individual differences

based on t-distribution (df=71).

Visibly, no difference, i.e. zero,

is within the interval borders.

tested since the primary hypothesis lacked statis-tical significance.High speed train drivers are not only operating their vehicles in ever more complex railway infra-structures, but they are also subject to a multi-tude of factors, such as monotonous operating cycles and shift work, known to increase the likelihood of fatigue and human error, conse-quences of which may be catastrophic. Advanced assistance systems are a necessity to ensure safe rail operation in this ever more demanding envi-ronment. Such systems can safely make use of speech to communicate relevant information to train drivers. The pressure changes occurring dur-ing the passage of tunnels, a peculiarity of the train environment, do not interfere with speech intelligibility and are consequently not a risk fac-tor when using the verbal auditory channel.

36

37

Clinical Aerospace Medicine

Stern, C.; Trammer, M.: Another “Direct Return” of an European astronaut �� 38

Stern, C. et al.: Optic disc edema in test subjects during 30 days of 6° head down tilt bed rest �� 40

38

Another “Direct Return” of an European astronaut

Until 2014 European astronauts used to stay in Star City or were brought to the NASA Johnson Space Center after their Soyuz landing in Ka-zakhstan. Alexander Gerst was the first European astronaut to profit from the so called “Direct Return”. Euro-pean astronauts are flown directly after their land-ing back to the European Astronaut Center and DLR in Cologne where the needs of postflight sci-ence examinations, clinical data collection and re-habilitation are covered.

In December 2018 Alexander Gerst returned after a 197 day stay on board of the International Space Station to the Institute of Aerospace Medicine´s research facility :envihab. He was the second Euro-pean astronaut who served as a commander of the ISS. In addition to this, he is the European as-tronaut who spent the most time in space. He re-turned already for the second time to the :envihab after his time in space and is now the fourth Euro-pean astronaut who was brought to our Institute directly after his landing in Kazakhstan.

C. Stern, M. Trammer


Fig. 1: Nocturnal arrival of Alexander Gerst at the :envihab after his landing in Kazakhstan.

39


Following the agreed postflight examination pro-tocol of the participating space agencies we per-formed immediately after his arrival in the :envihab a blood draw and an electrocardiogram. During the first three postflight weeks the following ex-aminations among others were performed: -Several blood draws-Exercise Stress Tests (cycle and treadmill)-Eye examinations (including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, slit lamp examination, intraocular pres-sure, OCT, visual field and ultrasound)-Audiogram -Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-Brain MRI-Dermatological assessment-Fitness assessmentThe astronaut received also two hours of recondi-tioning every day at the European Astronaut Center.A main focus lays on the examinations of the eye as more than 60% of long-term mission astro-nauts show changes in the anatomical structure of the eye. These changes may include globe flatten-ing with hyperopic shift, optic disc edema, cotton wool spots and choroideal folds.We perform the medical examinations in the scope of medical monitoring to get more knowl-edge about the influence on the health status of astronauts by their stay on the International Space Station. But we also conduct medical examina-tions for scientific studies which address special fields of interest to research the long-term effect of microgravity on the human body for more knowledge and experience to prepare the astro-nauts better for Moon and Mars missions. When astronauts land in Kazakhstan, there is an armada of specialists helping the astronauts out of the Soyuz capsule and to recover their legs – in the

Clinical Aerospace

Fig. 2: Slit lamp examination of Alexander Gerst.

true sense of the word. This support will not be available on Moon and Mars and therefore the crew must stay in proper body condition during their long missions, reducing muscle and bone loss, as well as other microgravity side effects as much as possible.With these examinations we contribute to the fast recovery of the astronauts as well as for science.

40

Optic disc edema in test subjects during 30 days of 6° head down tilt bed rest

In 2008 the first cases of eye changes in astro-nauts were published [1]. When NASA detected these changes in astronauts, it started a survey of all astronauts concerning observed vision changes during and after their missions. 29% of short-term mission and 60% of long-term mission astronauts reported a degradation in distant and near visual acuity. About 60% of long-term space mission astronauts showed ophthalmological changes like posterior globe flattening and a resulting hyperop-ic shift, an increased optic sheath diameter, optic disc edema, choroidal folds and cotton wool spots. These changes were in the beginning called “Visual impairment and intracranial syndrome”

(VIIP) and now are summarized under the acronym SANS (Space Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome). The pathologies can be transient or can stay for years. Fluid shift, a different pressure gradient be-tween intracranial pressure and intraocular pres-sure, increased CO² and high sodium intake are discussed as possible causes [2]. Because the causes of SANS are still unknown re-search needs to be executed for safe future mis-sions especially in the scope of Moon and Mars. In 2018 NASA performed a 30 days head down tilt bed rest study together with and at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine with the main focus on possi-ble eye changes. The VaPER study (VIIP and Psy-

C. Stern, M. Trammer, D. Mittelstädt, S. Stupp


Fig. 1: Ocular Coherence Tomography is performed in the laying position in all test subjects.

41

chological :envihab Research) took place under the conditions of the International Space Station with a strict bed rest in head down tilt and additional increased CO². For the first time the test subjects were not allowed to use a pillow and were ob-served 24/7 to make sure that the very strict head down tilt position was complied with. The eyes of the 11 test subjects were examined in a similar way as the astronauts are examined before, during and after the mission. The Ocular Coherence Tomogra-phy enables us to measure the retina and optic disc correct to 5 µm and changes can be demon-strated in a quantitative matter. Out of the 11 test subjects, 5 persons showed optic disc edema in

Clinical Aerospace

Fig. 2: Optic disc edema in one of the test subjects.


[1] Mader et al., Ophthalmology 118, 2011

[2] Wostyn et al., Aerospace Med. Hum. Performance 89, 2018

[3] Laurie et al., Ophthalmology 126, 2019

different degrees [3]. As two variables were changed at the same time (CO² and strict head down tilt) it is not clear which one was the crucial one to create for the very first time optic disc ede-ma in bed rest studies. Therefore the following NASA study takes place without the increased CO² condition.

42

43

Study Team

Noppe, A. et al.: CoolSpin-Study: External cooling as stabilizing cardiovascular countermeasure in hypergravity �� 44

von der Wiesche, M. et al.: Direct Return: Medical and technological innovation for ESA-astronauts´ first days back on Earth 46

44

CoolSpin-Study: External cooling as stabilizing cardio-vascular countermeasure in hypergravity

Orthostatic dysfunction is observed in astronauts after a prolonged stay in weightlessness or in subjects after mid- or long-term bed rest studies. Development of countermeasures to avoid ortho-static dysfunction after space flight is mandatory. Artificial Gravity generated by centrifugation is a promising multi-system countermeasure which could help to maintain physical fitness of crew-members even on long term missions.In a previous study using the Short Arm Human Centrifuge (SAHC) at DLR Cologne, it was demonstrated via measurements of skin perfu-sion that the resistance vessels on the lower leg are capable of active constriction despite drasti-cally increased local arterial pressure. This could also be maintained in hypergravity conditions of +2Gz. On the other hand, skin perfusion in-creased significantly in an area with paralyzed vessels. In addition, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) revealed microvascular blood pooling in

the lower leg muscles and a progressive hemo-concentration [1]. Previous experiments showed that the control of peripheral body temperature due to thermoregulation processes plays an im-portant role in cardiovascular regulation [1,2]. Venous pooling is a factor here, but also the mi-crovascular component [1]. Based on these find-ings we conducted a randomized trial in cross-over design to test the hypothesis that external peripheral cooling can improve orthostatic toler-ance in hypergravity. Study aims were as follows: 1. Differentiation of the contribution of the sys-temic sympathetic response and the local myo-genic response of resistance vessels to the vasoconstriction of the dermal vessels under dif-ferent gravitational loads.2. Determination of the max. acceleration (and thus of the local arterial pressure) up to which the tone of the resistance vessels can withstand these pressures.3. Determination of the compliance of the various compartments of blood-fluid displacement in the lower leg, namely the large veins, the muscular resistance vessels and the transvascular fluid fil-tration.4. The influence of thermoregulation on orthos-tatic responses and g-Force induced Loss of Con-sciousness (GLOC).Different methods of microcirculation were com-bined: laser Doppler flux for measuring skin per-fusion, iontophoresis for topical application of Na-nitroprusside (complete vascular paralysis) and Phentolamin (non-selective α-receptor block-er) into the skin and NIRS for measurement of hemoglobin concentration in muscle.In addition, the usability and efficiency of the peripheral cooling before and during G+ load was tested. A statement on the efficiency and benefits in terms of protection against orthostat-ic events and the probability of occurrence of a presyncope on the one hand, and also with re-gard to post-expositional physical and cognitive performance on the other hand can be made.

A. Noppe 1, T. Frett 1, O. Opatz 2, H. Habazettl 2, N. Kagelmann 2, F. Paulke 1, M. von der Wiesche 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Charité, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space

Medicine, Berlin, Germany

Fig. 1: Test subject with cooling pad (blue pads) and

wiring for iontophoresis.

45

18 healthy male participants were involved in the study which was conducted in the :envihab facili-ty on the SAHC of our Institute.Pre and post centrifugation several tests were performed (table 1). Subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group A was cooled on the 1st day and per-formed their centrifuge run on their 2nd study day without cooling. Group B was handled vice versa. There was a wash out phase of at least 3 days between both study days.Cooling was achieved by using an ArcticSun5000 medical cooling system, and adhere the cooling pads to the thighs of the subjects (Fig. 1). An experienced physician monitored the centrifu-gation and terminated the protocol when the subject showed presyncopal signs (dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, sweating, heart palpita-tions, sudden drop in blood pressure) according the general termination criteria for SAHC runs.18 participants performed two study days each with all tests incl. final VO2max-Test. Analysis of all data is still work in progress.

Study Team

Fig. 2: g-profile of the centrifuge protocol.

This study was performed in cooperation with the Charité, Berlin, as a project in the frame of the 2nd National Centrifuge Program (NZP2), an-nounced by the DLR Space Administration.


[1] Habazettl et al., Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 116, 2016

[2] Opatz et al., Brit. J. Anaes. 111, 2013

Activity Description Duration [min] g-force (Gz)

Arrival/Anamnesis - Brief medical examination- Venipuncture

~20min -

Preparation Supine on SAHC - BIA pre- ECG- SpO2- Blood pressure cuff and Finometer- NIRS- Double sensor- Electrodes for microcirculation- Cooling pads (thighs)- Blood draw pre- Response test pre

~60 min -

Centrifugation - Rotation 10 min 1g

Supine on SAHC - Break and cooling/no cooling 10 min -

Centrifugation - Rotation (after 30’’, 1’30’’, 2’15’’ of each g-lev-el: questions about subjective well-be-ing and coldness)

3 min3 min3 min3 min

1g2g3g4g

Supine on SAHC - Blood draw post- BIA post- Response test post

15 min -

Out of Centrifuge - VO2max (Cycling) post 40 min -

End of protocol - Medical release 5 min -

Table 1: COOLSPIN Study protocol

46

Direct Return: Medical and technological innovation for ESA-astronauts´ first days back on Earth

The DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine has longtime experience in supporting human space-flights. Ever since contributing to the Spacelab Program, the Institute has supported the psycho-logical and medical astronaut selection, training and mission operations. The program is flanked by state-of-the-art ground based biological, medical and psychological research. Initiated by ESA, we started in 2014 hosting most of the ESA-Astronauts after their ISS missions in :envihab for their first 21 days back on Earth - the so-called “Direct Return”. The :envihab, derived from the words environ-ment and habitat, is fully operational since 2013. Only with this unique medical research facility of our Institute the Direct Return at DLR could be realized. Within its eight modules, :envihab hous-es multi-purpose laboratories and specialized

equipment for life science research. Together with the advantages of the Cologne campus which means only a few meter distance to the EAC as well as to the Flight Medicine Clinic the Institute now supports a large number of the postflight activities of ESA astronauts.Astronauts, crew surgeon and operational staff can be easily accommodated in :envihab. All of them find a comfortable, noise-reduced and qui-et place with a small kitchen and a large living area. The crew quarters are access-controlled avoiding infection and providing astronaut priva-cy. A large control room located directly next to the crew quarter allows ESA and DLR perfect su-pervision of all scheduled activities during the first busy weeks after returning to Earth.All medical post-flight examinations required ac-cording to the Medical Standards for crew mem-

M. von der Wiesche, A. Nitsche, W. Doering, M. Trammer, C. Stern


Fig. 1: Entrance hall of :envihab.

47

Study Team

Fig. 2: Crew quarter – view insight.

Fig. 3: Alexander Gerst entering Module 5 of :envihab

functioning as crew quarter.Corresponding author: [email protected]

bers can be performed at the adjacent DLR Flight Medicine Clinic. As a great advantage pre- and post-flight examinations and measurements can be performed at the same site with the same equipment and the same staff, thus limiting vari-ability. Similarly, post-flight experiments are con-ducted by DLR scientists within :envihab. In No-vember 2014, Alexander Gerst was the first as-tronaut to directly return to Cologne, followed by Andreas Mogensen (Sept. 2015), Timothy Peake (June 2016) and Thomas Pesquet (June 2017). ISS commander Alexander Gerst was hosted a sec-ond time in December 2018. As the next astro-naut we expect Luca Parmitano in :envihab in February 2020.

48

49

Aviation and Space Psychology

Melcher, W. et al.: Ability requirements of unmanned aerial systems operators �� 50

Hermes, M. et al.: The impact of training on ability testing �� 52

Pecena, Y. et al.: Human performance assessments in remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) implementations �� 54

Oubaid, V.; Zinn, F.: GAP – A new approach in measuring behavior in groups for Aviation and Space personnel �� 56

50

Ability requirements of unmanned aerial systems operators

In military contexts, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) offer two major advantages over manned aviation: They can be deployed during dangerous missions too risky for crewed aircraft or person-nel on the ground, and they have been argued to be more cost effective in procuration and opera-tion than manned aviation [1]. Since the introduc-tion of UAS in the German Bundeswehr, their usage as well as the demand for qualified operat-ing personnel have increased. The aim of the study, conducted in cooperation with the Ger-man Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine is to develop specific requirement profiles for UAS operating personnel, and to identify potential differences in the requirements between un-manned and manned military aviation personnel.During an initial job analysis phase, operators

were observed on-the-job, allowing to determine the different operating positions of each UAS system and the associated tasks. Subsequently, more than 300 experienced UAS operators and pilots of manned aircraft completed an extended German version of the Fleishman Job Analysis Survey (F-JAS) [2]. The F-JAS consists of 73 scales for assessing individuals’ abilities and skills from cognitive, psychomotor, physical, sensory, and interactive/social domains. Two additional scales on operational monitoring and vigilance from previous DLR research projects on future require-ments in aviation jobs were used [3, 4].The domain means for each system and operat-ing position are shown in Fig. 2. Requirements for UAS operators were high, particularly in the cog-nitive and the interactive/social domains, where-

W. Melcher 1, M. F. Neumann 1, H. Eißfeldt 1, A. Schwab 2

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Hamburg, Germany, 2 Center of Aerospace Medicine, German Air Force,

Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany

Fig. 1: Ground control station of KZO system (© Bundeswehr, Neumann).

51

as physical abilities were generally low for both UAS operators and sensor operators. Individual scales reveal overall high requirements for all UAS operators irrespective of operating position or system in selective attention, vigilance, dependa-bility, and perseverance. Moreover, some require-ments were rather specific for a particular posi-tion: For UAS operators (irrespective of the oper-ated system), problem sensitivity, time sharing, operational monitoring, and self-control were critical abilities. For sensor or payload operators, demands were highest for the abilities flexibility of closure, spatial orientation, visualization, per-ceptual speed, near vision, achievement striving, and self-sufficiency.We also found differences in requirements be-tween the systems. Operating the Aladin system posed lower demands on their operators when compared to other UAS. For the remaining three systems (Luna, KZO, and Heron), largely similar abilities were required: No differences were found for sensor/payload operators between the three systems. For the operating position (exclud-ing the Aladin system), small differences were


Fig. 2: F-JAS mean score per ability domain, error bars indicate standard deviation. Average ratings ≥ 4 on the

behaviorally-anchored rating scale indicate highly relevant requirements for performing a job successfully [2].

found in the interpersonal/social skill domain only (KZO operators reported higher demands than Heron operators). Differences between manned and unmanned aviation were expected in psych-omotor and physical abilities due to the high level of automation in UAS and will be addressed in future analyses. Additional future steps will include collecting and including additional data from incident re-ports and expert workshops. Together with the present data, the results will also assist deter-mining the possible impact of HMI concepts and different levels of automation on operator de-mands. The outcomes will contribute valuable information about which human factors are rel-evant to be considered in personnel selection, training, and stress management of future mili-tary UAS operators.


[1] Gertler, Congressional Research Service, 2012

[2] Kleinmann et al., Hogrefe, 2010

[3] Eißfeldt, Proc. 32th EAAP, 2016

[4] Eißfeldt et al., DLR Forschungsbericht, 2009

52

The impact of training on ability testing

Ability tests are core elements in performance research as well as in applied contexts and are increasingly carried out using computer-based versions. The Department of Aviation and Space Psychology at DLR, Hamburg, has employed computer-based ability tests for several years to select cockpit personnel and air traffic controllers for several major European airlines, air traffic con-trol organizations and the European Space Agen-cy (Fig. 1). In the last few decades a private commercial training and coaching industry has developed to prepare individuals for these computer-based as-sessments. Evidence suggests that such commer-

cial training programs can result in score gains in ability tests, thereby creating an advantage for those who can afford it and challenging the fair-ness of ability assessment. As a consequence, several authors recommended freely offering training software to all participants to increase measurement fairness. However, it is still an un-answered question whether the unsupervised use of training software could have a negative impact on the measurement properties of ability tests. The goal of the present study was to an-swer this question by examining the subjects' ability test scores for measurement and structural invariance across different amounts of comput-

M. Hermes 1, F. Albers 1, J.R. Böhnke 2, G. Huelmann 1, J. Maier 1, D. Stelling 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Hamburg, Germany, 2 Dundee Centre for Health and Related Research,

School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

Fig. 1: DLR Testing Room.

53

er-based training. Structural equation modeling was employed in a sample of 15,752 applicants who participated in high-stakes assessments with computer-based ability tests. A descriptive analysis showed that there were training effects consistent with previously pub-lished research (Fig. 2). But most importantly, the invariance analysis demonstrated that the structure of the tests was not altered by offering free training to all appli-cants: across different training amounts, our analyses supported measurement and structural invariance of ability scores. Particularly in times of internet testing and the


Fig. 2: Relation between the mean number of computer-based training runs and mean test performance. Due to

small sample sizes with more than 40 training runs and increasingly larger confidence intervals, applicants with on

average more than 40 training runs have been aggregated (only for display purposes; n = 262, M = 53 training

runs). N = 15,752; the data point with the smallest sample size is at 39 training runs with n = 28.

growing (online) availability of information about tests, to be reliable and fair, psychological diag-nostics have to react. Our results suggest that free computer-based training is an appropriate way to react to today's challenges without affect-ing the measurement quality in diagnostic deci-sion making, and tests for measurement invari-ance are an efficient way to screen for such po-tential biases.


This report has already been published: Hermes et al., Comput.

Human Behav. 93, 2019

54

Human performance assessments in remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) implementations

IntroductionRemotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) receive more and more attention in the aviation sector. The role of humans in RPAS differs from crewed aviation due to technological advancements and increased automation. Therefore, it is important that the human factor (HF) is considered suffi-ciently in concept designs. Here, we assessed if and how human performance (HP) issues have been considered in RPAS concept designs devel-oped in the DLR-project “Unmanned Freight Op-erations” (UFO).

MethodA multi-method approach (Fig. 1) was used to as-sess how HP has been considered in the concept designs [1]. Firstly, the Fleishman Job Analysis Sur-vey (F-JAS [2]), consisting of 73 behavior-anchored

scales covering cognitive, psychomotor, sensory, social and interpersonal abilities was used to as-sess RPAS job requirements. Eighty-two RPAS-op-erators (data from ongoing data collection; [3]) rated job tasks on a 1 to 7 scale in relation to the ability required, irrespective of the time spent on the task, its difficulty, or the importance of the ability. Secondly, two aviation psychologists from DLR Hamburg organized a workshop with nine end-users (air traffic controllers and safety person-nel from various backgrounds: tower, approach and center) from the German Air Navigation Ser-vice Provider (ANSP) DFS in 2016. The first aim was to evaluate ANSP-based RPAS cargo operations from an end-users perspective. The second aim was to determine ANSP-personnel’s prognosis for the earliest possible implementation of such a concept. Finally, the Human Performance Assess-ment Process (HPAP), a standardized methodology to assess HP considerations in concept designs (developed in a SESAR project [4]) was used to systematically identify HP aspects in the UFO con-cept designs. An adapted version of the HPAP was used: Issues related to the HP arguments were specified and recommendations expressed accord-ingly (Table 1).

ResultsFirstly, the F-JAS revealed that cognitive, and so-cial and interpersonal abilities were considered most important (Table 2). Secondly, the work-shop with end-users showed that the general concept of ANSP-based RPAS was seen as feasi-ble and realistic to implement within the next 10 years. The end-users expressed skepticism to-wards the possible increase in responsibilities and the new tasks were not necessarily perceived as job enrichment. Therefore, a clear definition of roles and responsibilities was considered impor-tant. Finally, the core implications derived from the HPAP include the following aspects: Task

Y. Pecena, M. Mendes, S. Eschen, N. Schimpf, H. Eißfeldt

Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Hamburg

Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of the applied multi-method approach.

55

distributions need to be clear and well defined. A high level of automation is needed, but operators must be kept in the control loop in order to main-tain situational awareness. To minimize workload and confusion, the different types of RPAS con-trolled by a remote pilot need to be limited. Risks of automation have to be further examined, and equipment must be reliable for operators to be able to develop trust in the automated system. Questions related to team structures cannot be answered as yet, but currently established roles are going to change. Fast and stable communica-tion between all relevant actors must be estab-lished. Proposed changes in roles and responsibil-ities must be acceptable to the affected human actors, and the impacts on job satisfaction have to be considered.

Conclusion & OutlookBoth cognitive and interactive abilities proved to be equally important. End-users considered the ANSP-based RPAS concept feasible, but also ex-pressed scepticism towards the potential in-crease in responsibilities. Further investigations on HF, based on the resulting activity list from the HPAP analysis, need to be conducted (e.g., via simulations, workshops or interviews). By applying the HPAP, DLR researchers gained valu-able expertise that will be useful for future con-cept developments.


Table 1: Selected example of the revised HPAP argument structure.

Table 2: Rank order of top ten RPAS operator require-

ments. Mean ratings (1 = low to minimum level, 7 =

highest level of the ability required for the job) are

given.


[1] Pecena et al., Proc. 33rd EAAP, 2018

[2] Fleishman, Fleishman job analysis survey (F-JAS), Rating Scale

Booklet. Consulting Psychologists Press Inc. 1992

[3] Keye-Ehing et al., Proc. 5th DGPL e.V., 2017

[4] Chalon-Morgan et al., Proc. 30th EAAP, 2012

56

GAP – A new approach in measuring behavior in groups for Aviation and Space personnel

Civil aviation and spaceflight are teamwork envi-ronments, and teamwork and leadership skills are of the utmost significance, as recent job require-ment analyses for pilots reveal [1] (Fig. 1). Over 70% of flight accidents involve pilot factors as most studies report [2], and the most common factors relate to insufficient team skills (including poor communication, decision making, and ad-herence to procedures). The rare accidents in hu-man spaceflight show similar contributing factors (e.g. Columbia space shuttle accident [3]); proba-bly a higher degree of team skills is needed due to long confinement conditions.

Computer based group tasksEvaluating team skills in the pilot selection process is ambitious due to methodological constraints and designing useful group tasks is a demanding assignment [4]. Socially desired behavior for exam-ple has to be focused and it decreases with the cognitive challenge in a given situation. Common assessment center group tasks suffer from their required simplicity (in order to be observable) and therefore show only medium validities [5]. The DLR

V. Oubaid, F. Zinn

Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Hamburg, Germany

project GAP (Group Assessment of Performance and Behavior) [6] started to improve the quality of group tasks by developing a fully digital system on the candidates´ and on the observers´ side [4]. All tasks are presented on individual touchscreens provoking a face-to-face discussion. These com-puter based group tasks allow a more realistic simulation of individual and team workload, and therefore add relevant information to draw selec-tive decisions in selection procedures. An addition-al individual is integrated in order to increase mental load, again to reduce socially desired be-havior.

Computer based behavior observationIn traditional AC’s the group of observers write down what they see. A real-time registration of mental performance is not very likely. Additional-ly, a distraction from observing process while writing as well as an interference of observation & judgement (“good/bad behavior”) is highly probable. In GAP, all observation is organized by using a set of behavioral anchors (buttons on the touch screen), as a job-significance-analysis and an Act-Frequency-Analysis [7]. The objectivity of behavioral observation increases. On the ob-

Fig. 1: Mean score Pilot requirements with N=230

pilots from various fleets (F33 Airbus A380).

Fig. 2: GAP setup at DLR Hamburg.

57


Fig. 3: GAP Interrater Reliabilities (ICC; Intra class correlations; average

measures) for N=1600 candidates.

Fig. 4: Correlations between the GAP individual and group task; N=131.

server´s touch screen task-relevant information (e.g., state of candidate´s moves, objective errors) is displayed to assist the observer with the inten-tion to allow a higher degree of complexity of group tasks (Fig. 2).

ResultsThe analysis of Intraclass correlations (ICC) as a measure of Interrater Reliability was conducted by comparing the ratings of 4 observers (two aviation psychologists and two training pilots) indebted in pilot selection at DLR Hamburg, rat-ing a group of four flight school applicants. Fig-ure 3 shows the ICC scores for the GAP areas of competence (Fig. 3). As can be seen in Figure 4 the correlations be-tween the (independent) individual performance in a sample of N=131 flight school applicants vary with the complexity of the group task (Fig. 4). But GAP serves not only as a method for personnel selection on high risk occupations, e.g., pilots or astronauts. GAP is used as a research environment for small groups, e.g., in confinement studies. GAP offers a platform to conduct systematic research on safety issues in small groups under hazardous conditions.


[1] Oubaid & Graefe zu Baringdorf, Proc. 31rd Conf. Europ.

Assoc. Aviat. Psychol, 2014

[2] Anon., Regional Airlines Safety Study: Preliminary Informa-

tion Paper, Bureau of Air Safety Investigation BASI, 1996

[3] Gehman et al., Columbia accident investigation board

report, US Natl. Adv. Com. Health Manpower, 2003

[4] Zinn et al., in Bor et al. (eds), Pilot Selection: Psychological

Principles and Practice. Taylor & Francis, Milton Park, in press

[5] Schmidt & Hunter, Psy. Bulletin 124, 1998

[6] Oubaid et al., in Voogt & D’Oliveira (eds), Mechanisms in the

Chain of Safety: Research and Operational Experiences in Avia-

tion Psychology. Ashgate 2012

[7] Buss & Craiksonality, Psychol. Rev. 90, 1983

58

59

Radiation Biology

Schennetten, K. et al.: Measurement of UV radiation in commercial aircraft �� 60

Matthiä, D.; Berger, T.: Energetic particles in space: Impact of the September 2017 event on human radiation exposure � 62

Beblo-Vranesevic, K. et al.: Refutation of a long-existing hypothesis: No correlation between desiccation and radiation tolerance �� 64

Diegeler, S. et al.: Intercellular communication in response to ionizing radiation �� 66

Cortesão, M. et al.: Effect of space radiation and microgravity on the fungus Aspergillus niger �� 68

Siems, K. et al.: BIOFILMS: Influence of antimicrobial copper- surfaces on biofilm formation of Staphylococcus capitis �� 70

60

Measurement of UV radiation in commercial aircraft

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is significantly higher at aviation altitudes with respect to sea level due to weaker attenuation by the atmos-phere [1]. At higher flight levels clear sky condi-tions cause permanent direct sunlight during day-time hours. Cockpit windshields protect pilots from UV-B radiation but studies have shown that this is not necessarily the case for UV-A radiation [2].The Radiation Protection in Aviation Group of the DLR Radiation Biology Department performed spectral measurements of UV irradiance with an array spectroradiometer on several short-haul and long-haul commercial flights in cooperation with Lufthansa German Airlines. The measurements at the surface of cockpit windshields revealed speci-mens with good and poor attenuation of UV-A which highly depends on the manufacturer of the windshield. All of the measurements discussed in this report refer to windshields with poor UV-A attenuation. During an approach for landing the altitude dependence of UV-A irradiance was measured behind a windshield with high spatial resolution (Fig. 1). A nearly linear trend for higher flight levels was observed which corresponds to a relative rate of change of 6.5% per km.Measurements of the maximal UVR irradiance were compared to recommended exposure limits by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). ICNIRP recommends limits for the weighted UVR exposure and for the

K. Schennetten 1, M. M. Meier 1, M. Scheibinger 2

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Lufthansa German Airlines, Lufthansa Basis,

Frankfurt/Main, Germany

unweighted UV-A exposure. Measurements at the pilot’s position were performed with direct sun-light under blinding conditions with low solar ele-vation angles. In this case the recommended un-weighted UV-A exposure limit would be exceeded, if no sunglasses or visors were used. The use of the visor for filtering direct sunlight reduced the UV-A irradiance by a factor of about 30. The recom-mended weighted UVR exposure limit was not exceeded, neither with the use of the visor at the pilot’s position nor without it. In the case of high solar elevation angles the pilot is not exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, meas-urements at the surface of the windshields with a large field of view and permanent direct sunlight during high solar elevation angles do not repre-sent the exposure conditions at the pilot’s posi-tion. These measurements at the surface of the windshield exceed the recommended unweighted UV-A exposure limit and in some scenarios also the recommended weighted UVR exposure limit. An efficient and comparatively economic solution for reducing the UV-A transmittance could be the use of transparency films which block UV-A at the surface of the windshields. We recommend the use of sunglasses that block UV-A.


[1] Blumthaler et al., J. Photochem. Photobiol. B 39, 1997

[2] Chorley et al., Aerosp. Med. Hum. Perform. 87, 2016

61

Radiation Biology

Fig. 1: Altitude dependence of UV-A (315nm-400nm) irradiance during the approach to Frankfurt Airport.

62

Energetic particles in space: Impact of the September 2017 event on human radiation exposure

Astronauts in space are constantly exposed to an elevated level of cosmic radiation compared to the general public on ground. The intensity of the om-nipresent galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) follows the solar activity cycle and sporadic solar particle events (SPEs) can further increase this exposure. SPEs which are caused by energetic particles accel-erated at or close to the sun are more likely to oc-cur during times of enhanced solar activity and can sometimes be recorded at the Earth’s surface by ground-based Neutron Monitors (NMs); these events are then called ground level enhancements (GLE). The most recent GLE occurred in September 2017 during a period of enhanced solar activity comprising two of the largest solar X-ray flares of the past decades. Images of NASA’s Solar Dynam-ic Observatory (SDO) of the second of these flares

D. Matthiä, T. Berger


(Fig. 1, left) impressively illustrate its intensity. This flare occurred on 10 September and was followed by a sharp increase in proton intensity in space and count rates increase of NMs on Earth (Fig. 1, right).The event was also recorded by several instru-ments on-board the International Space Station (ISS), among which was the DOSTEL instrument of the Radiation Biology department led DOSIS-3D project [1,2], and by the MSL-RAD instrument on the surface of Mars [3,4,5] for which our Radiation Biology Department is co-investigator. Additional-ly, numerical simulations of the event were per-formed at the Department with GEANT4, a Mon-te-Carlo toolkit calculating the transport of parti-cles through matter and complementing the measurements of the radiation exposure [6]. Such calculations facilitate the further investigation of

Fig. 1: Extreme ultraviolet images of the 10 Sept 2017 flare taken by NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory (left) and

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) proton (a), GOES X-ray (b) and Neutron Monitor meas-

urements (c); adapted from [6].

63

Fig. 2: Dose rate in silicon measured by the DOSIS 3D-DOSTEL and ISS-RAD on-board the ISS (a) and calculated (b).

The cut-off rigidity RC (c) quantifies the magnetic shielding along the ISS trajectory; adapted from [1].


[1] Berger et al., Space Weather 16, 2018

[2] Jiggens et al., Space Weather, 17, 2019

[3] Ehresmann et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. 45, 2018

[4] Zeitlin et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. 45, 2018

[5] Hassler et al., Space Weather 16, 2018

[6] Matthiä et al., Space Weather 16, 2018

potential impacts of the event on the radiation exposure of humans in space in hypothetical fu-ture scenarios, for instance exploration missions to Moon and Mars. The comparison of the data measured in geosta-tionary orbit, on-board the ISS and on the Martian surface showed that the impact of the event on the dose rates and the particle intensity varied significantly depending on the measurement loca-tion. While the proton intensity measured in geo-stationary orbit increased shortly after the X-ray flare, corresponding increases in the dose rates were recorded about 7 hours later on the surface of Mars and more than 12 hours later on-board the ISS. The underlying reason for the different responses to the event are the magnetic shielding in low Earth orbit (LEO) which varies over the ISS trajectory and the large distance between Earth and Mars in the ecliptic plane at the time of the event. Fig. 2 illustrates how the magnetic shielding effect modulates the dose rates along the ISS tra-jectory. The energetic particles affect the dose rates only when the lowest magnetic shielding is reached (lowest cut-off rigidity RC).

While the measured and calculated dose on the ISS during the event [1,2] corresponded to the equivalent of about half a day of typical exposure on the space station, the calculations showed that the exposure in a lightly shielded environ-ment in interplanetary space could have been considerable, reaching values which could have led to immediate radiation effects [6]. The inves-tigation of the event which was observed with an unprecedented set of detectors at different loca-tions in space and the comparison of measure-ments and calculations significantly improved the understanding of how such an event can impact human radiation exposures in different scenarios in space.

Radiation Biology

64

Refutation of a long-existing hypothesis: No correlation between desiccation and radiation tolerance

Anaerobic microorganisms are widely distributed in Earth's extreme environments, yet we still know little about their physiology and their capacity to adapt to extreme conditions. In particular, there is a paucity of studies whereby different anaerobic microorganisms from extreme environments are investigated to understand their diverse physiolog-ical and metabolic capabilities. In this study, the two stressors of interest were the tolerance to pe-riods of water loss and the exposure to ionizing radiation. These stressors also occur in other ex-treme environments, but their combination is rare. Microorganisms frequently experience periodic desiccation in subaerial environments or during dispersal. Although most natural environments do not experience ionizing radiation beyond the level of naturally occurring background radiation [1], this stress can be explored as a proxy for an organ-ism’s ability to repair general cell damage. Further-more, there has often been claimed a correlation between desiccation and ionizing radiation resist-ance, which is of interest to explore further. It is suggested that the physiological basis and repair mechanisms to counteract the stress-induced damage by radiation or desiccation might be linked or might even be the same [2].

K. Beblo-Vranesevic 1, M. Bohmeier 1, A.K. Perras 2,3, P. Schwendner 4, E. Rabbow 1, C. Moissl-Eichinger 2,5, C.S. Cockell 4, P. Vannier 6, V.T. Marteinsson 6,7, E.P. Monaghan 8, P. Ehrenfreund 8,9, L. Garcia-Descalzo 10, F. Gómez 10, M. Malki 11, R. Amils 11, F. Gaboyer 12, F. Westall 12, P. Cabezas 13, N. Walter 13, P. Rettberg 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of

Graz, Graz, Austria, 3 Department of Microbiology and Archaea, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany, 4 UK Center for Astrobiology,

School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 5 BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria, 6 MATIS - Prokaria, Rey-

kjavík, Iceland, 7 Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland, 8 Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Leiden,

Netherland, 9 Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA, 10 Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial - Centro de

Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Madrid, Spain, 11 Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain, 12 Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Orléans, France, 13 European Science Foundation (ESF),

Strasbourg, France

Four facultative anaerobic and two obligate anaer-obic bacteria were isolated from extreme Mars ana-logue environments (deep subsurface, halite mine, sulfidic anoxic spring, mineral-rich river) in the frame of the EU-funded MASE project (Mars Ana-logues for Space Exploration, grant agreement n° 607297) [3]. The isolates were investigated under anoxic conditions for their survivability after desic-cation for up to 6 months and their tolerance to ionizing radiation up to 3000 Gy. The results indi-cated that tolerances to both stresses are highly strain-specific features. Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 showed a high desiccation tolerance but its radiation tolerance was very low. The most radia-tion-tolerant strains were Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 and Halanaerobium sp. MASE-BB-1. In both cases, cultivable cells were detectable after an ex-posure to 3 kGy of ionizing radiation, but cells only survived desiccation for 90 and 30 days, respective-ly. The other investigated strains exhibited a desic-cation and radiation tolerance between that of Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 and Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 (Fig. 1). These results indicated that facultative and obligate anaerobic organisms living in extreme environments possess varied spe-cies-specific tolerances to extremes [4, 5].

65

Fig. 1: Survival of the MASE isolates after

anoxic desiccation (A-F) and after exposure

to ionizing radiation under anoxic condi-

tions (G-L). For desiccation experiments,

the cells were applied to glass slides, dried

and stored under anoxic conditions for up

to 6 months. For anoxic irradiation experi-

ments, the cells were exposed to ionizing

radiation up to 3 kGy in liquid culture

medium under anoxic conditions. Acidiphil-

ium sp. PM (A, G), Buttiauxella sp. MASE-

IM-9 (B, H), Clostridium sp. MASE-IM-4 (C,

I), Halanaerobium sp. MASE-BB-1 (D, J), Tri-

chococcus sp. MASE-IM-5 (E, K), Yersinia

intermedia MASE-LG-1 (F, L). Solid lines are

the survival curves fitted by hand based on

the survival data; N0 : viable cells without

desiccation or without irradiation; N: viable

cells after desiccation or without irradiation

(n=3 with standard deviation); *: no viable

cells detected.


[1] Thorne, J., Radiol. Prot. 23, 2003

[2] Mattimore & Battista, J., Bacteriol. 178, 1996

[3] Cockell et al., Int. J. Astrobiol. 17, 2017

[4] Beblo-Vranesevic et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 365, 2018

[5] Beblo-Vranesevic et al., PloS One 12, 2017

[6] Billi et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66, 2000

[7] Stan-Lotter & Fendrihan, Life 5, 2015

[8] Beblo et al., Arch. Microbiol. 193, 2011

These species-specific adaptation strategies could be a general adaptation to a (dry) habitat and the formation of cell aggregates and biofilms. Addi-tionally, there are some intracellular factors which play a role inside the cells like specific (reactive oxygen species scavenging) enzymes and compat-ible solutes. Although a correlation between des-iccation and ionizing radiation resistance has been hypothesized for some aerobic microorganisms (like Deinococcus radiodurans [2], Chroococcidiop-sis [6] and some haloarchaea [7]) our data from the MASE project, as well from earlier studies with other extremophilic (hyper-) thermophilic bacterial and archaeal strains showed that there is no over-

all correlation between tolerance to desiccation and ionizing radiation, suggesting that the physio-logical basis of both forms of tolerances is not necessarily linked [8].

Radiation Biology

66

Intercellular communication in response to ionizing radiation

One of the major limiting factors in human spaceflight is cosmic radiation. Exposure to space-relevant radiation qualities (such as accel-erated heavy ion nuclei) can have detrimental effects on human health. Irradiated cells com-municate with neighboring cells via secretion of signaling factors which can initiate radiation re-sponses in non-irradiated cells [1]. Molecular understanding of these intercellular communi-cations helps to assess radiation risks and offers new opportunities for pharmacological mitiga-tion of harmful radiation effects.

S. Diegeler, C. Baumstark-Khan, C.E. Hellweg


Fig. 1: The surviving fraction of MEFs was assessed after direct exposure with increas-

ing X-ray doses (purple) and after treatment with conditioned medium (blue).

67

Fig. 2: Relative senescence induction in MEFs exposed to X-rays (purple), treated with conditioned

medium (blue) or treated with the DNA-damaging agent etoposide (green).


[1] Diegeler & Hellweg, Front. Immunol. 8, 2017

In order to analyze the intercellular communica-tion, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were directly X-irradiated or treated with conditioned medium which contains signaling factors secret-ed by irradiated MEFs. The treatment modalities were compared for cellular survival and induc-tion of permanent cell cycle arrest (senescence). As seen in Figure 1, while directly irradiated cells show a steep decrease in survival with decrease in survival with increasing dose, cells treated with conditioned medium suffer a threshold-de-pendent drop to a lower survival level at condi-tioning doses higher than 2 Gy.Cells can respond to genotoxic stresses with a permanent proliferation stop – the stress-in-duced senescence – in order to protect the or-ganism from neoplastic transformation. MEFs become senescent after treatment with the an-ti-cancer drug etoposide and after exposure to high X-ray doses (8 Gy). Intercellular communi-cation with irradiated cells can also induce se-

nescence, as shown in Figure 2 by treatment of MEF cells with medium conditioned by cells ex-posed to moderate (4 Gy) and high (8 Gy) X-ray doses (Fig. 2).In conclusion, secreted factors from high-dose irradiated cells can have detrimental effects on neighboring, non-irradiated cells. The relevance for space mission-relevant doses will be analyz-ed in future studies.

Radiation Biology

68

Effect of space radiation and microgravity on the fungus Aspergillus niger

M. Cortesão 1, A. de Haas 1, R. Unterbusch 1, M. Laue 2, T. Schütze 3, V. Meyer 3, A. Fujimori 4, R. Moeller 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Advanced Light and Electron

Microscopy, Berlin, Germany, 3 Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technical University of Berlin,

Berlin, Germany, 4 National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (NIRS/QST), Department of Basic Medical Sciences for

Radiation Damages, Chiba, Japan

Fungi are able to colonize indoor-closed habitats such as space stations, growing in a variety of solid and liquid substrates – e.g., walls, windows, life-support systems, etc.. Their growth is usually associated with material degradation and spore formation, which can pose a threat to both astro-nauts’ health and spacecraft safety, in particular when in long-duration missions [1-4]. The outer space environment is known to be challenging to life mainly due to microgravity and space radiation [5-6]. As human space missions grow longer in duration and complexity, being able to under-

stand the growth of fungi aboard spacecraft is crucial for a successful future of space exploration. It will be important not only in the fungal mainte-nance of similar indoor environments here on Earth, such as hospitals, but also in the fun-gal-based production of pharmaceuticals, food and other compounds of interest, and assessing future opportunities for biotechnology in space [7]. Aspergillus niger is one of the predominant fungi detected aboard the Russian Space Station (Mir) as well as the International Space Station (ISS) [4]. Despite its spaceflight relevance, A. niger

Fig. 1: LD90 – radiation dose at which there is only 10% survival, of Aspergillus niger spores of different strains after

exposure to A) heavy ions (Fe and He ions) and X-rays (200 keV); and B) UV-C radiation at 254 nm. Energy and LET

of the ions: He ions 150 MeV/n (2.2 keV/µm), Fe ions 500 MeV/n (200 keV/µm).

69

Fig. 2: Scanning electron microscopy images of the basal mycelium of different A. niger strains after growth in sim-

ulated microgravity (SMG), compared with growth under terrestrial gravity (Ground). Scale bars: 10 µm.


[1] Checinska et al., Microbiome 3, 2015

[2] Alekhova et al., Appl. Biochem. Microbiol. 41, 2005

[3] Novikova et al., Res. Microbiol. 157, 2006

[4] Klintworth et al., Acta Astronautica 44, 1999

[5] Horneck et al., Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 74, 2010

[6] Chancellor et al., Life 4, 2014

[7] Meyer et al., in Krull & Bley (eds) Filaments in Bioprocesses.

Springer International 2015

[8] Fuchs et al., J. Microbiol. Meth. 152, 2018

[9] Zeitlin et al., Science 340, 2013

[10] Silverman et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 15, 1967

spore resistance to space radiation as well as its growth under spaceflight microgravity environ-ment is not well characterized. Therefore, to un-derstand how space radiation affects A. niger spores, spores of different strains having different levels of pigmentation and DNA repair capabilities were subjected to UV (254 nm) as well as to sparsely (X-rays) and densely (accelerated heavy ion) ionizing radiation. With regard to space radi-ation resistance, spores of A. niger were able to withstand high doses of ionizing radiation: X-rays (lethal dose for 90% of the initial population LD90 ~ 350 Gy), helium and iron ion irradiation (LD90 ~ 500 Gy and ~ 100 Gy, respectively). Interestingly, drying the spores before irradiation resulted in an increased sensitivity towards ionizing radiation (Fig. 1). Survivability after exposure to UV-C radia-tion indicated high resistance of A. niger spores (LD90 ~ 1000 J/m2) (Fig. 1) which is significantly higher than the LD90 of other microorganisms such as Deinococcus radiodurans. Moreover, ex-posure to high fluences of UV decreased A. niger biofilm formation. To study how microgravity af-fects the growth of A. niger, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methodology [8] was used to study morphological and structural changes in-duced by simulated microgravity (SMG) using cli-norotation, and under terrestrial gravity (1xg). The data obtained suggest that simulated microgravity induces changes in colony thickness, and imply that melanin plays a role in adapting to the low

gravity environment (Fig. 2). It is important to note that the doses used in this study are multiple times higher than doses expected from traveling in space. For instance, a 180 day trip to Mars is cal-culated to yield a dose of 0.66 ± 0.12 Gy. There-fore, it is not expected for A. niger spores to be easily inactivated due to space radiation [9], sug-gesting that current planetary protection guide-lines may need revising to include the high resist-ance of fungal spores. Further studies should ad-dress fungal spore resistance to combined environmental factors of the space environment such as vacuum, air pressure, temperature fluctu-ations and mixed types of radiation. In particular testing to what extent vacuum dried A. niger spores are vulnerable to space radiation, since this condition was previously shown to increase radia-tion resistance of A. niger spores [10].

Radiation Biology

70

BIOFILMS: Influence of antimicrobial copper-surfaces on biofilm formation of Staphylococcus capitis

K. Siems 1, D. Müller 2, F. Mücklich 2, E. Grohmann 3, M. Laue 4, C. E. Hellweg 1, R. Moeller 1

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Department of Materials Science and Engineering,

Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany, 3 Beuth Hochschule für Technik, Fachbereich Life Sciences and Technologie, Berlin, Germany, 4 Robert

Koch Institute (RKI), Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, Germany

Biofilms are accumulations of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and produce dense matrices of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which mainly include polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids [1]. Long-term human missions to space require methods for sustaining the health and safety of the crew. Therefore, microbiological monitoring and reduction of contamination are important. Microbial biofilms are of special inter-est here because they can jeopardize astronauts’ health, can cause damage to spaceflight equip-ment and are difficult to eliminate due to their in-creased resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants [2]. However, the introduction of antimicrobial surfaces for medical, pharmaceutical and industri-al purposes has shown a unique potential for re-ducing and preventing biofilm formation. ESA supports the International Space Station (ISS) experiment BIOFILMS “Biofilm inhibition on flight equipment and on board the ISS using microbio-logically lethal metal surfaces". The main goal of the project is to evaluate the effect of microgravity on biofilm formation on non-inhibitory surfaces such as steel and on antimicrobial metal surfaces. These surfaces are going to be composed of differ-ent metals with and without nanostructures, which are generated by direct laser interference patterning (DLIP).

For the project, human-relevant bacterial strains were selected. One of the selected strains is Staphylococcus capitis subsp. capitis K1-2-2-23, which was isolated on the ISS from steel and is forming strong biofilms. To evaluate the antimi-crobial efficacy of the surfaces against biofilm formation, the adhesion of cells to the surfaces was tested. For this, S. capitis subsp. capitis K1-2-2-23 was incubated in direct contact with the surfaces for 24 h at 37 °C in liquid growth medi-um. A smooth steel plate and a smooth copper plate were analyzed via scanning electron micros-copy (SEM) after incubation (Fig. 1).On steel surface a dense, flat layer of bacteria was attached. These bacteria were cocci shaped and embedded into a netlike biofilm matrix. In the matrix, intact cells with smooth cell walls were apparent and some of the embedded cells were lysed, which is common in aged biofilms. Occasionally, bacteria were arranged in piles and some cells showed cleavage furrows in different stages, which indicates that bacteria were active-ly reproducing within the biofilm.Compared to steel, fewer cells adhered to the copper surface. The cells were not producing EPS since no biofilm matrix is apparent in the SEM images. The cell wall was often coated with small particles, which are most likely corrosion particles

71

Fig. 1: SEM images of Staphylococcus capitis subsp. capitis (strain K1-2-2-23: isolated aboard the ISS on steel) adhering to steel (left) and copper

(right) after 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Imaging: T2 detector, 2 kV, 100 – 25 pA, working distance: 2 mm, 20000-fold magnification (Michael

Laue, RKI Berlin).


[1] Flemming and Wingender, Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 8, 2010

[2] Stewart and Costerton, Lancet 358, 2001

[3] Grass et al., Environ. Microbiol. 13, 2011

[4] Hans et al., Biointerphases 11, 2015

from the copper surface. Some cells were covered completely with these particles. The reduction of adherent cells to copper and the reduced EPS prodution might be caused by the release of cop-per ions from the surface into the medium, which damages and ultimately kills the cell [3]. Also, the direct contact of bacteria with the copper surface makes the cells more susceptible to damage by copper ions [4]. In further experiments (data not shown) it was observed that all copper containing surfaces reduced biofilm formation. Especially pure copper surfaces, which were structured with DLIP, were very efficient in reducing growth and biofilm formation of S. capitis subsp. capitis K1-2-2-23. The obtained results lay the founda-tion for the BIOFILMS spaceflight project that will be conducted aboard the ISS and may provide suitable antimicrobial surfaces for spaceflight purposes.

Radiation Biology

72

73

Gravitational Biology

Hauslage, J.; Berger, T.: Eu:CROPIS: Waste-management under lunar/Mars gravitation and long duration radiation measurements ��74

Frett, T. et al.: Effects of exercises in artificial gravity as a countermeasure for long-term human space flight �� 76

Liemersdorf, C. et al.: NeuroSpace: Changes in neuronal development indicated by live-cell imaging in hypergravity � 78

Hauslage, J., Hemmersbach, R.: Validation of ground-based facilities by means of a mechanosensitive biosensor �� 80

74

Eu:CROPIS: Waste-management under lunar/Martian gravitation and long duration radiation measurements

Life support systems are mandatory for long du-ration space missions and closed habitats like space stations or planetary outposts, because it is impossible to carry along sufficient supplies of water, food and oxygen. All kinds of life support systems have to withstand altered gravity and an enhanced radiation environment during human space exploration. The DLR compact satellite mission Eu:CROPIS (Euglena gracilis: Combined Regenerative Organ-ic-food Production In Space) serves for the first time as a test bed for investigating the behavior of biological life support systems under lunar and Martian gravity, which is achieved by rotation of the satellite [1]. In parallel, the radiation environ-ment is measured for one year at 600km altitude and thus under the conditions humans will expe-rience during interplanetary missions. The NASA experiment PowerCells deals with synthetic biol-ogy and in situ resource utilization (ISRU). The satellite is a cylindrical container (1m diame-ter x 1m height), with four solar panels (1m x 1m). In orbit, the top side will face the sun, and it will rotate to achieve altered gravity levels within the payload: after a spin-up phase of several weeks, it will reach about 20.5 rpm and generate an ac-

J. Hauslage, T. Berger


Plant growth 1xg control in the ground model of

Eu:CROPIS.

The RAMIS (RAdiation Measurement In Space) detector

mounted at the top surface of the satellite.

celeration force of 0.16 x g on the reference radi-us, which equals the acceleration on the surface of the Moon. After 6 months of lunar gravity, the experiment will be terminated. The satellite will ramp up its rotation rate to achieve 31.6 rpm, generating 0.38 x g on the reference radius, which is the acceleration on Mars and the second set of experiments will start. A challenge in hu-man space flight is the processing of urine. Pres-ently, water is the only component recovered from it, while all dissolved substances such as urea and salts are extracted and then discarded. In our approach, we follow the concept to use these valuable commodities and include them in a closed system to grow fresh fruits and vegeta-bles after proper conversion. Waste management means biodegradation of waste into food pro-duction, closing of element cycles, as well as op-timization of plant growing in space, which bears also new technologies for agriculture on Earth in extreme environments [2,3]. Core element of the life support system is the DLR C.R.O.P.® (Combined Regenerative Organic-food Production) system, a microbiological trickle filter made from lava rock, providing a large number of different bacteria (Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter, etc.)

75


Fig. 1: Successful launch of Eu:CROPIS on December 3, 2018.


[[1] Hauslage et al., Microgravity Sci. Technol. 30, 2018

[2] Bornemann et al., Life Sci. Space Res. 7, 2015

[3] Bornemann et al., Life Sci. Space Res. 18, 2018

[4] Strauch et al., Int. J. Astrobiol. 44, 2017

with suitable habitats on and inside the porous surface of the substrate [2,3]. Urea is decomposed to ammonia and CO2 and converted via nitrite to nitrate. The oxygen necessary for this reaction is initially provided by Euglena gracilis, a photosyn-thetic flagellate [4] and later on by tomato plants. All components of the biological experiment were designed and manufactured by DLR and the Uni-versity of Erlangen.The RAMIS (RAdiation Measurement In Space) detector developed at our Institute measures the radiation environment during the mission by means of two RAMIS detectors. The first one is mounted at the top surface of the satellite under very low shielding (which is only provided by the aluminum casing of the detector itself). The sec-ond one is positioned as a sensor for the primary Eu:CROPIS payload and will provide radiation quantities and dosimetry for the biological sam-ples. RAMIS uses an arrangement of two silicon detectors in telescope geometry, and enables to investigate the following scientific objectives: the first aim is the exact determination of the fluxes of protons and electrons in the Earth´s radiation belts. These data will serve as input for the valida-tion and benchmarking of current radiation field

models and in addition for further model develop-ments. As a second aim the experiment will deter-mine the variation of the galactic cosmic ray con-tribution to the radiation field by measuring the relevant parameters in dependence of the orbit of the satellite. In a next step, analyzing the data gathered for the radiation field parameters, the experiment will also provide the relevant quanti-ties for radiation dosimetry as the absorbed dose, the energy deposition spectra and the relevant dose equivalent.After the successful launch on 3rd of December 2018, the satellite has reached its orbit and achieved the desired rotation speed (Fig. 1). DLR Institutes involved: Institute for Space Sys-tems, Institute for Aerospace Medicine, Institute for Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems, Space Observations and Astronaut Training.

76

Spin Your Thesis: Exercise in artificial gravity as a countermeasure for long-term human spaceflight

T. Frett 1, A. Noppe 1, G. Petrat 1, M. Arz 1, D. A. Green 2,3,4

1 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany, 2 Space Medicine Team (HRE-OM), European Astronaut

Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany, 3 KBRwyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany, 4 King’s College London, London, UK

Fig. 1: Before and after centrifugation: Several physio-

logical measurements (e.g. beat-to-beat blood pres-

sure, ecg) during leg press exercises were recorded.

Real and simulated weightlessness cause multiple physiological changes in the human organism. For instance the absence of gravity results in a loss of mechanical loading upon the muscles and bones and in a redistribution of fluids in the body. Micro-

gravity has also been associated with changes in the acid-base balance (mostly for dietary reasons), which may contribute to progressive reduction of bone, cartilage and muscle mass, particularly in the lower extremities. Deconditioning is also observed in the cardiovascular system contributing to post-flight orthostatic intolerance. Cognitive perfor-mance is critical for space missions and has been suggested to be negatively affected by the space environment and thus strategies to optimize psy-chological wellbeing are required [1].Combination of artificial gravity (AG) provided by a human centrifuge (Short Arm Human Centrifuge, SAHC) and exercise has been proposed as a way to mitigate the physiological deconditioning associat-ed with microgravity and thereby support human health during long-term space missions. However, research is needed to define which AG dose and mode of exercise should be part of a new training protocol during centrifugation [2].Hence, the Spin your Thesis! – Human Edition pro-gramme from ESA in cooperation with the Ger-man Aerospace Center (DLR) provides the oppor-tunity to university students to perform experi-mental research on the SAHC as part of this process.For the first campaign, the objectives of the three selected experiments were to • compare the effects of AG on skeletal muscle

pump-mediated blood pressure modulation dur-ing a stand test before and after centrifugation,

• investigate the effect of the g-force with exercise upon the height of the lumbar and cervical in-tervertebral discs (IVD), and

• determine psychological and physiological ef-fects of music on stress reactions caused by changed gravity conditions.

The study has been conducted using the SAHC in the :envihab building at DLR, Institute of Aero-space Medicine, at Cologne. Ten healthy male participants had been recruited.

77


Fig. 2: Ultrasound examinations of the intervertebral discs were one

part of the experiments to investigate the effects of centrifugation on

the disc height.

Fig. 3: All participants were familiarized with the experiment protocol.

Safety checks and a continuous monitoring of vital parameters by a

physician are mandatory for each centrifuge experiment.


[1] Clement et al., Artificial Gravity. Springer, 2007

[2] Clement et al., NPJ Microgravity 3, 2017

Each participant was selected by a medical screen-ing done at DLR’s Aeromedical Center (AMC). The medical examination consisted of a clinical-chemi-cal analysis (glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid, SGOT, SGPT, γGT, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL), hematology (blood count), urine analysis (glucose, protein, urobilinogen), resting ECG, exercise test to verify endurance capacity and a medical history. All volunteers underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment and gave a written informed consent prior to the study.Each of them had been centrifuged at +1g and +1.5g at center of mass (CoM) in the supine posi-tion on the SAHC and performed four periods of leg press exercises during rotation. A linear sledge

Measurement Duration [min] Comment

Baseline 5 Passive baseline on the SAHC without rotation

Ramp up 30-40 seconds Ramping up to +1Gz

Baseline at +1Gz 5 Passive baseline on the SAHC with +1Gz rotation

Exercise phase#1at +1Gz CoM

5 5 min exercise (6 squats/min)

Ramp down 30-40 seconds Ramping down to full stop

Break 10-15 In-between measurements

Ramp up 30-40 seconds Ramping up to +1.5Gz

Baseline at 1.5 Gz 5 Passive baseline on the SAHC with +1.5 Gz rotation

Exercise phase#2 at +1.5 Gz CoM

5 5 min exercise (6 squats/min)

Ramp down few seconds Ramping down to full stop

Table 1: General procedure of the centrifuge protocol

system was used to support the performance of leg presses.All participants completed the protocol. No drop-outs occurred due to cardiovascular or sensori-motor problems. The data were shared with ESA and the participating teams after completion of the SAHC runs. The students’ groups analysed the complete data, publications of the results are currently in the review process at different jour-nals.

78

NeuroSpace: Changes in neuronal development indicated by live-cell imaging in hypergravity

C. Liemersdorf, Y. Lichterfeld, T. Frett, R. Hemmersbach


Fig. 1: Live-Cell Imaging Microscope on the Short-Arm Human Centrifuge at :envihab, DLR Cologne

The "HyperScope" live cell imaging microscope, was installed on the short-am human centrifuge within the DLR

:envihab. A swing-out platform enabled minimization of shear forces on the hardware. During extensive test sce-

narios, several modifications have been implemented optimizing the environment for the cells as well as the micro-

scopic imaging routines.

The perception and neural integration of gravita-tional input is an appropriate example to investi-gate multisensory integration. Recent studies have shown that altered gravity significantly af-fects excitability of neuronal cells [1]. Altered gravity can lead to an incorrect multisensory inte-gration and in turn to a significant reduction in human performance. Conclusively, neuronal cells and their signaling are sensitive to changes in gravity conditions. Neuronal cells and especially their synaptic activity are therefore valuable tar-gets in research applications.In order to investigate the role of altered gravity on cellular behavior, we used primary murine hip-

pocampal neurons as a cellular in vitro model for neuronal cells of the human brain as well as co-cultured astrocytes, the major type of glial cells, which are important for neuronal injury re-pair, but also to provide nutrients and growth factors to the neurons [2, 3, 4]. Live-cell imaging under hypergravity conditions was carried out by installing a live-cell imaging system (Zeiss Ax-io-Observer Z1) on the short-arm human centri-fuge of the DLR :envihab facility (Fig. 1) [5]. Astrocytic migratory characteristics are important for future ex vivo or even in vivo studies, in which astrocytes will be migrating towards a nervous tissue injury site in order to form a glial scar to

79


Fig. 2: Live Measurement of Astrocyte Migration under 2g Hypergravity

Primary murine cortical astrocytes were exposed to 2xg hypergravity conditions for 9h or kept at 1xg normal gravity

as a control.

(A) A confluent monolayer of primary astrocytes was subjected to the wound-healing assay. Time-lapse images

were selected from a defined region for time points 0h to 9h. (B) The individual samples derived from n=3 inde-

pendent cultures were analyzed with regard to their migration rate in µm each for 1µm of total scratch length for

every time point during the 9h exposure time. The inter-individual variation is within expected margins for each 1xg

and 2xg sample. (C) Comparing the mean migration rate of astrocytes exposed to 1xg (circles) or 2xg hypergravity

(squares) indicates a significant (p=0.0014) decrease in migration velocity of approx. 20% due to the impact of

hypergravity.


[1] Ritzmann et al., Microgravity Sci. Technol. 29, 2017

[2] Dotti et al., J. Neurosci. 8, 1988

[3] Bradke & Dotti, Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 10, 2000

[4] Kaech & Banker, Nat. Protocols 1, 2006

[5] Frett et al., Microgravity Sci. Technol. 28, 2016

counteract neuronal regeneration processes. Thus, primary astrocytes were exposed to 2xg hyper-gravity and their migratory behavior was analyzed. The cells were inhibited to start migrating com-pared to normal gravity conditions (Fig. 2). The mean migration rate revealed an approx. 20% decrease of migration velocity of astrocytes at 2xg hypergravity than control cells derived from the same culture at 1xg. For future studies, a longer exposure and imaging time of approx. 24h instead of 9h will yield insight into the adaptation rate of the cells to altered grav-ity conditions. Importantly, neuronal activity meas-ured by calcium-dependent imaging is a next aim.

Further, the stimulation of the cells with pharmaco-logical substances will identify underlying mecha-nisms of cytoskeletal rearrangements, which are thought to be responsible for the occurring chang-es, such as the migratory deficit of astrocytes under enhanced gravity conditions.

80

Validation of ground-based facilities by means of a mechanosensitive biosensor

J. Hauslage, R. Hemmersbach


Fig. 1: Ground-based facilities for the simulation of microgravity for small biological systems. Fast-rotating clinostats

(DLR) are characterized by one rotation axis and have been designed for on-line microscopy (a), cultivation of

cells in suspension (b) or adherent cell cultures (c). Random Positioning Machine (Airbus Defense and Space

Netherlands) (d).

Limited access to space flight opportunities moti-vated developments to achieve microgravity con-ditions - to at least some extent - in the Earth laboratory in order to prepare space experiments and obtain indications upon gravity-related sign-aling pathways. Though gravity has been the only constant environmental factor during evolution, experimenters try to create a condition in which a biological system abandons its orientation with respect to gravity, and, under optimal conditions, even does no longer perceive gravity and experi-ences conditions similar to weightlessness. The principle of a two-dimensional (2D) clinostat, which we apply in our experiments, works as follows: samples in cuvettes are rotated around one axis which is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the Earthly gravity vector. In order to keep accelerations as minimal as possible, the di-

ameter of the sample cuvettes is kept small (in the range of below 4mm) and placed in the center of rotation. Our 2D clinostats are con-stantly rotating in one direction, thereby inducing a static change of the gravity vector in relation to the sample. In turn, sedimentation is prevented, which is the basic mechanism of gravisensing. Heavy masses with a higher density than the sur-rounding medium have to sediment, thereby acti-vating a physiological signal transduction chain which results in a graviresponse. Random Posi-tioning Machines (RPMs), another type of ground-based experimental platforms, are char-acterized by two rotation axes, gimbal-mounted and rotated with randomly changing the speed as well as the direction of rotation. It is assumed that over time the gravity level approaches zero (for review see [1]).

81


Fig. 2: Bioluminescence of P. noctiluca, seen in nature as

ocean lighting and used as biosensor for mechanical

stress (top). Bottom: After a relaxation time of 3600s

and thus achievement of a stable level of emitted pho-

tons, the platform was started first in the clinostat mode

and thereafter in the RPM mode. The differences in

photons produced by the dinoflagellates clearly demon-

strate the mechanical stimulation, which is negligible in

the clinostat, but significant in the RPM mode [2].


[1] Brungs et al., Microgravity Sci. Technol. 28, 2016

[2] Hauslage et al., npj Microgravity 3, 2017

In order to demonstrate potential impacts of these two kinds of simulation approaches – cli-norotation versus random positioning - we ap-plied a fast reacting biosensor, the dinoflagellate Pyrocystis noctiluca [2]. Deformation of the cell membrane of P. noctiluca due to shear stress re-sults in a detectable bioluminescence emission, which can be measured by photomultipliers. We exposed P. noctiluca to different microgravity simulation methods. Cells in an RPM operated with random velocities and directions showed significantly greater mechanical stress as indicat-ed by the bioluminescence signal compared to clinostat experiments and thus constant rotation around one axis. We conclude that, in contrast to an RPM, one axis clinorotation induces a substan-tially less non-gravitational stimulation through shear forces. Therefore, we apply clinostats as our preferred means to simulate microgravity in ongoing cell biological experiments. In some cases, a direct comparison with results obtained in real micro-gravity was already possible and validated 2D cli-norotation as an appropriate method to simulate microgravity for some questions in gravitational biology [1]. In order to guarantee a high quality of simulation, a small sample volume and conse-quently a restricted experimental time have to be taken into account. Ground-based facilities provide the opportunity to prepare space experiments and learn about the sensitivity and behavior of the biological sys-tem of interest. However, operation modes should be carefully considered in order to avoid a misinterpretation of results impacted by external forces resulting in stress responses.

82

83

Publications ��84

Events, Presentations, Talks ��94Institute Lectures �� 94

Workshops, Events, Seminars at the Institute �� 95

Teaching Activities �� 97

Graduations ��98

Awards ��99

Patents ��99

Imprint �� xx

84

Publications

Journal articles (peer-reviewed)

Acharya, A., Brungs, S., Henry, M., Rotshteyn, T., Yaduvanshi, N.S., Wegener, L., Jentzsch, S., Hescheler, J., Hemmersbach, R., Boeuf, H., Sachinidis, A. (2018) Modulation of differentia-tion processes in murine embryonic stem cells exposed to parabolic flight-induced acute hypergravity and micro-gravity. Stem Cells and Development, 27 (12), 838-847. Mary Ann Liebert. DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0294 ISSN 1547-3287.

André, N., Grande, M., Achilleos, N., Barthélémy, M., Bouchemit, M., Benson, K., Blelly, P.-L., Budnik, E., Caussarieu, S., Cecconi, B., Cook, T., Génot, V., Guio, P., Goutenoir, A., Grison, B., Hueso, R., Indurain, M., Jones, G.H., Lilensten, J., Marchaudon, A., Mat-thiä, D., Opitz, A., Rouillard, A., Stanislawska, I., Soucek, J., Tao, C., Tomasik, L., Vaubaillon, J. (2018) Virtual planetary space weather services offered by the Europlanet H2020 Re-search Infrastructure. Planetary and Space Science, 150, 50-59. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2017.04.020. ISSN 0032-0633.

Appel, J. K., Köhler, J., Guo, J., Ehresmann, B., Zeitlin, C., Mat-thiä, D., Lohf, H., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R.F., Hassler, D., Brinza, D.E., Böhm, E., Böttcher, S., Martin, C., Burmeister, S., Reitz, G., Rafkin, S., Posner, A., Peterson, J., Weigle, G. (2018) Detecting upward directed charged particle fluxes in the Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector. Earth and Space Science, 5 (1), 2-18. American Geophysical Un-ion (AGU). DOI: 10.1002/2016ea000240. ISSN 2333-5084.

Bak, E.N., Larsen, M.G., Jensen, S.K., Nørnberg, P., Moeller, R., Finster, K. (2018) Wind-driven saltation: an overlooked chal-lenge for life on Mars. Astrobiology, 19 (4), 497-505. Mary Ann Liebert Inc. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1856. ISSN 1531-1074.

Baque, M., Hanke, F., Böttger, U., Leya, T., Moeller, R., de Vera, J.-P. (2018) Protection of cyanobacterial carotenoids' Ra-man signatures by Martian mineral analogues after high-dose gamma irradiation. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 49 (10), 1617-1627. Wiley. DOI: 10.1002/jrs.5449. ISSN 0377-0486.

Bartels, S., Rooney, D., Müller, U. (2018) Assessing aircraft noise-induced annoyance around a major German airport and its predictors via telephone survey – The COSMA study. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environ-ment, 59, 246-258. Elsevier. ISSN 1361-9209

Basner, M., Nasrini, J., Hermosillo, E., McGuire, S., Dinges, D., Moore, T., Gur, R., Rittweger, J., Mulder, E., Wittkowski, M., Donoviel, D., Stevens, B., Bershad, E. (2018) Effects of -12° head-down tilt with and without elevated levels of CO2 on cognitive performance: the SPACECOT study. Journal of Ap-plied Physiology, 124 (3), 750-760. American Physiological Soci-ety. ISBN 29357516. ISSN 8750-7587.

Beblo-Vranesevic, K., Bohmeier, M., Perras, A.K., Schwend-ner, P., Rabbow, E., Moissl-Eichinger, C., Cockell, C.S., Vannier, P., Marteinsson, V.T., Monaghan, E.P., Ehrenfreund, P., Gar-cia-Descalzo, L., Gómez, F., Malki, M., Amils, R., Gaboyer, F., Westall, F., Cabezas, P., Walter, N., Rettberg, P. (2018) Lack of correlation of desiccation and radiation tolerance in micro-organisms from diverse extreme environments tested un-der anoxic conditions. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 365 (6). Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny044. ISSN 0378-1097.

Beck, P., Tank, J., Gauger, P., Beck, L., Zirngibl, H., Jordan, J., Limper, U. (2018) Modeling human orthostatic responses on the Moon and on Mars. Clinical Autonomic Research, 3, 325-332. DOI: 10.1007/s10286-018-0527-x. ISSN 0959-9851.

Berger, T., Matthiä, D., Burmeister, S., Rios, R., Lee, K., Semo-nes, E., Hassler, D.M., Stoffle, N., Zeitlin, C. (2018) The Solar particle event on 10 September 2017 as observed on-board the International Space Station (ISS). Space Weather, 16, 1173.1189. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018SW001920. ISSN 1542-7390.

Birkenfeld, A.L., Jordan, J., Dworak, M., Merkel, T., Burnstock, G. (2018) Myocardial metabolism in heart failure: Puriner-gic signalling and other metabolic concepts. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 194, 132-144. DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.08.015. ISSN 0163-7258.

85

Publications

Bornemann, G., Waßer, K., Hauslage, J. (2018) The influ-ence of nitrogen concentration and precipitation on ferti-lizer production from urine using a trickling filter. Life Sciences in Space Research, 18, 12-20. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2018.04.003. ISSN 2214-5524.

Bruder, C., Schulze Kissing, D. (2018) DLR COCO-Symposi-um about collaborative operations in control rooms (meet-ing report). Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 8, 58-61. Hogrefe. ISSN 2192-0931.

Caiani, E.G., Landreani, F., Costantini, L., Mulder, E., Gerlach, D.A., Vaida, P., Migeotte, P.-F. (2018) Mitral and aortic flow adaptation to 58-days head-down bed-rest assessed by PC-MRI, and effectiveness of high-intensity jump training countermeasure. European Heart Journal, Suppl. 1, P874. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy564.P874. ISSN 0195-668X.

Chishti, A.A., Baumstark-Khan, C., Koch, K., Kolanus, W., Fe-les, S., Konda, B., Azhar, A., Spitta, L.F., Henschenmacher, B., Diegeler, S., Schmitz, C., Hellweg, C.E. (2018) Linear energy transfer modulates radiation-induced NF-kappa B activation and expression of its downstream target genes. Radiation Research, 189, 354-370. Radiation Research Society. DOI: 10.1667/RR14905.1. ISSN 0033-7587.

Chobanyan-Jürgens, C., Heusser, K., Duncker, D., Veltmann, C., May, M., Mehling, H., Luft, F.C., Schröder, C., Jordan, J., Tank, J. (2018) Cardiac pacemaker channel (HCN4) inhibition and atrial arrhythmogenesis after releasing cardiac sympathet-ic activation. Scientific Reports, 8. Nature Publishing Group. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26099-9. ISSN 2045-2322.

Copeland, K., Matthiä, D., Meier, M.M. (2018) Solar cosmic ray dose rate assessments during GLE 72 using MIRA and PANDOCA. Space Weather, 16, 969-976. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018SW001917. ISSN 1542-7390.

Debevec, T., Ganse, B., Mittag, U., Eiken, O., Mekjavic, I.B., Rit-tweger, J. (2018) Hypoxia aggravates inactivity-related muscle wasting. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 1-10. Frontiers Me-dia S.A. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00494. ISSN 1664-042X.

Djonlagic, I., Aeschbach, D., Harrison, S.L., Dean, D., Yaffe, K., Ancoli-Israel, S., Stone, K., Redline, S. (2018) Associations be-tween quantitative sleep EEG and subsequent cognitive decline in older women. Journal of Sleep Research, e12666. Wiley. DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12666. ISSN 0962-1105.

Djouiai, B., Thwaite, J.E., Laws, T.R., Commichau, F.M., Setlow, B., Setlow, P., Moeller, R. (2018) Role of DNA repair and pro-tective components in Bacillus subtilis spore resistance to inactivation by 400 nm blue light. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 84, 19, AEM.01604-18. American Society for Mi-crobiology. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01604-18. ISSN 0099-2240.

Ehresmann, B., Hassler, D.M., Zeitlin, C., Guo, J., Wimmer-Schwe-ingruber, R.F., Matthiä, D., Lohf, H., Burmeister, S., Rafkin, S.C.R., Berger, T., Reitz, G. (2018) Energetic particle radia-tion environment observed by RAD on the surface of Mars during the September 2017 event. Geophysical Research Letters, 45, 5305-5311. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018GL077801. ISSN 0094-8276.

Elmenhorst, E.-M., Elmenhorst, D., Benderoth, S., Kroll, T., Bauer, A., Aeschbach, D. (2018) Cognitive impairments by alcohol and sleep deprivation indicate trait characteristics and a potential role for adenosine A1 receptors. Proceed-ings of the National Academy of Science, 115, 8009-8014. Na-tional Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1803770115. ISSN 0027-8424.

Elmenhorst, E.-M., Elmenhorst, D. (2018) Risiko Schlafman-gel. Spektrum der Wissenschaft (6), 42-50. Spektrum der Wis-senschaft. ISSN 0170-2971.

Engeli, S., Stinkens, R., Heise, T., May, M., Goossens, G.H., Blaak, E.E., Jax, T., Albrecht, D., Pal, P., Tegtbur, U., Haufe, S., Langen-ickel, T.H., Jordan, J. (2018) Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan on exercise-induced lipid metabolism in patients with obesity and hypertension. Hypertension, 71, 70-77. American Heart Association, Inc.. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10224. ISSN 0194-911X.

86

Fanciulli, A., Jordan, J., Biaggioni, I., Calandra-Buonaura, G., Cheshire, W.P., Cortelli, P., Eschlboeck, S., Grassi, G., Hilz, M.J., Kaufmann, H., Lahrmann, H., Manica, G., Mayer, G., Nor-cliffe-Kaufmann, L., Pavy-Le Traon, A., Raj, S.R., Robertson, D., Rocha, I., Struhal, W., Thijs, R., Tsioufis, K.P., van Dijk, J.G., Wen-ning, G.K. (2018) Consensus statement on the definition of neurogenic supine hypertension in cardiovascular auto-nomic failure by the American Autonomic Society (AAS) and the European Federation of Autonomic Societies (EFAS). Clinical Autonomic Research, 28, 355-362. DOI: 10.1007/s10286-018-0529-8. ISSN 0959-9851.

Fiebrandt, M., Hillebrand, B., Lackmann, J.-W., Raguse, M., Mo-eller, R., Awakowicz, P., Stapelmann, K. (2018) Inactivation of B. subtilis spores by low pressure plasma—influence of optical filters and photon/particle fluxes on the inactiva-tion efficiency. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 51, 045401. Institute of Physics (IOP) Publishing. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/aa9f0a. ISSN 0022-3727.

Floreani, M., Rejc, E., Taboga, P., Ganzini, A., Pisot, R., Simunic, B., Biolo, G., Reggiani, C., Passaro, A., Narici, M., Rittweger, J., di Prampero, P., Lazzer, S. (2018) Effects of 14 days of bed rest and following physical training on metabolic cost, me-chanical work, and efficiency during walking in older and young healthy males. PLoS One, 13, 1-18. Public Library of Science (PLoS). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194291. ISBN PMID 29529070. ISSN 1932-6203.

Floreani, M., Taboga, P., Botter, A., Toniolo, L., Cancellara, L., Narici, M.V., Simunic, B., Pisot, R., Biolo, G., Passaro, A., Rittwe-ger, J., Reggiani, C., Lazzer, S. (2018) Loss of maximal explo-sive power of lower limbs after two weeks of disuse and incomplete recovery after retraining in older adults. The Journal of Physiology, 596, 647-665. Wiley. DOI: 10.1113/JP274772. ISBN 29266264. ISSN 0022-3751.

Fuchs, F.M., Holland, G., Moeller, R., Laue, M. (2018) Directed freeze-fracturing of Bacillus subtilis biofilms for conven-tional scanning electron microscopy. Journal of Microbiologi-cal Methods, 152, 165-172. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2018.08.005. ISSN 0167-7012.

Fujimori, A., Beblo-Vranesevic, K., Leuko, S., Moeller, R. (2018) Studying the effects of galactic cosmic radiation on astro- and microbiological model systems. Seitai no kagaku (Science of human body), 69, 1-8. Tōkyō : Igaku Shoin, 1967. ISSN 0370-9531.

Gassner, S., Oubaid, V., Hampe, W., Zöllner, C (2018) Frage-bogenbasierte Anforderungsanalyse für das Berufsbild des Anästhesiologen [questionnaire-based specification analysis for the occupational profile of anaesthesiologists]. Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, 59), 114-120. DIOmed Ver-lags GmbH. ISSN 0170-5334.

Guo, J., Zeitlin, C., Wimmer-Schweingruber, R.F., McDole, T., Kühl, P., Appel, J.C., Matthiä, D., Krauss, J., Köhler, J. (2018) A generalized approach to model the spectra and radiation dose rate of solar particle events on the surface of Mars. The Astronomical Journal, 155, 49. IOP Publishing. DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/aaa085. ISSN 0004-6256.

Hahn, C., Hans, M., Hein, C., Dennstedt, A., Mücklich, F., Rett-berg, P., Hellweg, C.E., Leichert, L.I., Rensing, C., Moeller, R. (2018) Antimicrobial properties of ternary eutectic alumi-num alloys. BioMetals, 31, 759-770. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s10534-018-0119-1. ISSN 0966-0844.

Haslbeck, A., Hörmann, H.-J., Gontar, P. (2018) Stirring the pot: comparing stick input patterns and flight-path control strategies in airline pilots. The International Journal of Aero-space Psychology, 28, 1-16. Taylor & Francis. DOI: 10.1080/24721840.2018.1481343 ISSN 2472-1840.

Hassler, D.M., Zeitlin, C., Ehresmann, B., Wimmer-Schweingru-ber, R.F., Guo, J., Matthiä, D., Rafkin, S., Berger, T., Reitz, G. (2018) Space weather on the surface of Mars: impact of the September 2017 events. Space Weather 16, 1702-1708. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018SW001959. ISSN 1542-7390.

Hauslage, J., Strauch, S.M., Eßmann, O., Haag, F.W.M., Richter, P., Krüger, J., Stoltze, J., Becker, I., Nasir, A., Bornemann, G., Müller, H., Delovski, T., Berger, T., Rutczynska, A., Maršálek, K., Lebert, M. (2018) Eu:CROPIS - Euglena gracilis: Combined Regenerative Organic-food Production in Space - a space experiment testing biological life support systems under Lunar and Martian gravity. Microgravity Science and Technol-ogy, 30, 933-942. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s12217-018-9654-1. ISSN 0938-0108

87

Publications

He, L., Wang, S., Cortesao, M., Wu, M., Moeller, R., Setlow, P., Li, Y. (2018) Single-cell analysis reveals individual spore re-sponses to simulated space vacuum. npj Microgravity, 4. Na-ture Publishing Group. DOI: 10.1038/s41526-018-0059-7. ISSN 2373-8065.

Hellweg, C.E., Berger, T., Baumstark-Khan, C. (2018) Strahl-enrisiko auf Langzeitraumflügen. Flugmedizin Tropenmedizin Reisemedizin, 25, 205-212. Georg Thieme Verlag. DOI: 10.1055/a-0748-7956. ISSN 1864-4538.

Hellweg, C.E., Chishti, A.A., Diegeler, S., Spitta, L.F., Hen-schenmacher, B., Baumstark-Khan, C. (2018) Molecular signaling in response to charged particle exposures and its importance in particle therapy. International Journal of Parti-cle Therapy, 5, 60-73. Particle Therapy Cooperative Group. DOI: 10.14338/IJPT-18-00016.1. ISSN 2331-5180.

Hellweg, C.E., Spitta, L., Koch, K., Chishti, A.A., Henschen-macher, B., Diegeler, S., Konda, B., Feles, S., Schmitz, C., Berger, T., Baumstark-Khan, C. (2018) The role of the nucle-ar factor κB pathway in the cellular response to low and high linear energy transfer radiation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19 (8), 2220. Multidisciplinary Digital Pub-lishing Institute (MDPI). DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082220. ISSN 1661-6596.

Hennecke, E., Elmenhorst, D., Mendolia, F., Putzke, M., Bau-er, A., Aeschbach, D., Elmenhorst, E.-M. (2018) Reestablish-ment of individual sleep structure during a single 14-h re-covery sleep episode after 58 h of wakefulness. Journal of Sleep Research, 28, e12641. Wiley. DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12641. ISSN 0962-1105.

Heusser, K., Thöne, A., Lipp, A., Menne, J., Beige, J., Reuter, H., Hoffmann, F., Halbach, M., Eckert, S., Wallbach, M., Koziolek, M., Haarmann, H., Joyner, M., Paton, J.F.R., Diedrich, A., Haller, H., Jordan, J., Tank, J. (2018) The efficacy of electrical baro-reflex activation therapy is independent of peripheral chemoreceptor modulation. FASEB Journal, 32, 1�Suppl., 884-886. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Bi-ology. ISSN 0892-6638.

Holz, O., Heusser, K., Müller, M., Windt, H., Schwarz, K., Schin-dler, C., Tank, J., Hohlfeld, J.M., Jordan, J. (2018) Airway and systemic inflammatory responses to ultrafine carbon black particles and ozone in older healthy subjects. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A: Current Issues, 81, 576-588. Taylor & Francis. DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2018.1463331. ISSN 1528-7394.

Ivanova, K., Eiermann, P., Tsiockas, W., Hemmersbach, R., Gerzer, R. (2018) Differential regulation of cGMP signaling in human melanoma cells at altered gravity: simulated mi-crogravity down-regulates cancer-related gene expression and motility. Microgravity Science and Technology, 30, 457-467. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s12217-018-9611-z ISSN 0938-0108.

Jiggens, P., Clavie, C., Evans, H., O'Brien, T.P., Witasse, O., Mi-shev, A. L., Nieminen, P., Daly, E., Kalegaev, V., Vlasova, N., Bor-isov, S., Benck, S., Poivey, C., Cyamukungu, M., Mazur, J., Heyn-derickx, D., Sandberg, I., Berger, T., Usoskin, I. G., Paassilta, M., Vainio, R., Straube, U., Müller, D., Sánchez-Cano, B., Hassler, D., Praks, J., Niemelä, P., Leppinen, H., Punkkinen, A., Aminalra-gia-Giamini, S., Nagatsuma, T. (2018) In-situ data and effect correlation during September 2017 solar particle event. Space Weather, 17, 99-117. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018SW001936. ISSN 1542-7390.

Jordan, J., Biaggioni, I. (2018) Letter by Jordan and Biaggioni regarding article, "Particulate Matter Exposure and Stress Hormone Levels: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Trial of Air Purification". Circulation, 137, 1205-1206. DOI: 10.1007/s10286-018-0505-3 ISSN 0009-7322.

Jordan, J., Birkenfeld, A.L., Melander, O., Moro, C. (2018) Natriu-retic peptides in cardiovascular and metabolic crosstalk. Hy-pertension, 72, 270-276. American Heart Association, Inc. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11081. ISSN 0194-911X.

Jordan, J., Grassi, G. (2018) The norepinephrine transporter deserves more attention. Journal of Hypertension, 36, 1472-1474. Wolters Kluver Health. DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001757. ISSN 0263-6352.

Jordan, J., Kurschat, C., Reuter, H. (2018) Arterial hyperten-sion. Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 115, 557-568. Deutscher Ärzte-Ver-lag GmbH. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0557. ISSN 0012-1207.

88

Kaufmann, H., Jordan, J. (2018) The Clinical Autonomic Re-search journal 2018 and onward. Clinical Autonomic Re-search, 28, 1-2. DOI: 10.1007/s10286-018-0505-3. ISSN 0959-9851.

Keijsers, J.M.T., Leguy, C.A.D., Narracott, A.J., Rittweger, J., van de Vosse, F.N., Huberts, W. (2018) Modeling regulation of vascular tone following muscle contraction: Model devel-opment, validation and global sensitivity analysis. Journal of Computational Science, 24, 143-159. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.jocs.2017.04.007. ISSN 1877-7503.

Klug, L., Mahler, A., Rakova, N., Mai, K., Schulz-Menger, J., Rahn, G., Busjahn, A., Jordan, J., Boschmann, M., Luft, F.C. (2018) Normobaric hypoxic conditioning in men with meta-bolic syndrome. Physiological Reports, 6, e13949. Wiley. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13949. ISSN 2051-817X.

Koltai, E., Bori, Z., Osvath, P., Ihasz, F., Peter, S., Toth, G., Degens, H., Rittweger, J., Boldogh, I., Radak, Z. (2018) Master athletes have higher miR-7, SIRT3 and SOD2 expression in skeletal muscle than age-matched sedentary controls. Redox Biolo-gy, 19, 46-51. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2018.07.022. ISSN 2213-2317.

Kotsis, V., Jordan, J., Micic, D., Finer, N., Leitner, D.R., Toplak, H., Tokgozoglu, L., Athyros, V., Elisaf, M., Filippatos, T.D., Redon, J., Redon, P., Antza, C., Tsioufis, K., Grassi, G., Seravalle, G., Coca, A., Sierra, C., Lurbe, E., Stabouli, S., Jelakovic, B., Nilsson, P.M. (2018) Obesity and cardiovascular risk: a call for action from the European Society of Hypertension Working Group of Obesity, Diabetes and the High-risk Patient and European Association for the Study of Obesity: part A: mechanisms of obesity induced hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia and practice guidelines for treatment. Journal of Hypertension, 36, 1427-1440. Wolters Kluver Health. DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001730. ISSN 0263-6352.

Kotsis, V., Tsioufis, K., Antza, C., Seravalle, G., Coca, A., Sierra, C., Lurbe, E., Stabouli, S., Jelakovic, B., Redon, J., Nilsson, P.M., Jordan, J., Micic, D., Finer, N., Leitner, D.R., Toplak, H., Tokgozo-glu, L., Athyros, V., Elisaf, M., Filippatos, T.D., Grassi, G. (2018) Obesity and cardiovascular risk: a call for action from the European Society of Hypertension Working Group of Obe-sity, Diabetes and the High-risk Patient and European As-sociation for the Study of Obesity: part B obesity-induced cardiovascular disease, early prevention strategies and fu-ture research directions. Journal of Hypertension, 36 7, 1441-1455. Wolters Kluver Health. DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001731. ISSN 0263-6352.

Krause, L., Braun, M., Hauslage, J., Hemmersbach, R. (2018) Analysis of statoliths displacement in Chara rhizoids for validating the microgravity-simulation quality of clinorota-tion modes. Microgravity Science and Technology, 30, 229-236. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s12217-017-9580-7. ISSN 0938-0108.

Locher, B., Piquerez, A., Habermacher, M., Ragettli, M., Röösli, M., Brink, M., Cajochen, C., Vienneau, D., Foraster, M., Müller, U., Wunderli, J.M. (2018) Differences between outdoor and in-door sound levels for open, tilted, and closed windows. In-ternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, 1-16. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010149. ISSN 1661-7827.

Lützenberg, R., Solano, K., Buken, C., Sahana, J., Riwaldt, S., Kopp, S., Krüger, M., Schulz, H., Saar, K., Huebner, N., Hem-mersbach, R., Bauer, J., Infanger, M., Grimm, D., Wehland, M. (2018) Pathway analysis hints towards benefcial effects of long-term vibration on human chondrocytes. Cellular Physi-ology and Biochemistry, 47, 1729-1741. S. Karger AG. DOI: 10.1159/00049100. ISSN 1015-8987.

Maier, J., Marggraf-Micheel, C., Zinn, F., Dehne, T., Bosbach, J. (2018) Ceiling-based cabin displacement ventilation in an aircraft passenger cabin: analysis of thermal comfort. Build-ing and Environment, 146, 29-36. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.09.031. ISSN 0360-1323.

Manuel, J., Nazarenko, N., Heusser, K., Tank, J., Jordan, J., Beissner, F. (2018) Deciphering the neural signature of hu-man blood pressure control. FASEB Journal, 31, 1�Suppl, 114.12. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biolo-gy. ISSN 0892-6638.

89

Publications

Mariani, S., Tarokh, L., Djonlagic, I., Cade, B.E., Morrical, M.G., Yaffe, K., Stone, K.L., Loparo, K.A., Purcell, S., Redline, S., Aeschbach, D. (2018) Evaluation of an automated pipeline for large-scale EEG spectral analysis: the National Sleep Research Resource. Sleep Medicine, 47, 126-136. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.1128. ISSN 1389-9457.

Marshall-Goebel, K., Stevens, B., Rao, C.V., Suarez, J.I., Calvillo, E., Arbeille, P., Sangi-Haghpeykar, H., Donoviel, D., Mulder, E., Bershad, E.M. (2018) Internal jugular vein volume during head-down tilt and carbon dioxide exposure in the SPACE-COT study. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 89, 351-356. Aerospace Medical Association. DOI: 10.3357/AMHP.4934.2018. ISBN 29562964. ISSN 2375-6314.

Matthiä, D., Meier, M.M., Berger, T. (2018) The solar parti-cle event on 10-13 September 2017: spectral reconstruction and calculation of the radiation exposure in aviation and space. Space Weather, 16, 977-986. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018SW001921. ISSN 1542-7390.

Meier, M., Matthiä, D. (2018) Classification and communica-tion of aviation related space weather radiation events. SF Journal of Aviation and Aeronautical Science, 1. ScienceForecast.

Meier, M.M., Copeland, K., Matthiä, D., Mertens, C.J., Schen-netten, K. (2018) First steps toward the verification of mod-els for the assessment of the radiation exposure at aviation altitudes during quiet space weather conditions. Space Weather, 16, 1269-1276. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018SW001984. ISSN 1542-7390.

Mittag, U., Kriechbaumer, A., Rittweger, J. (2018) Torsion – an underestimated form shaping entity in bone adapta-tion? Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 18, 407-418. International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. ISSN 1108-7161.

Mittelstaedt, J., Wacker, J., Stelling, D. (2018) Effects of dis-play type and motion control on cybersickness in a virtual bike simulator. Displays, 51, 43-50. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.displa.2018.01.002. ISSN 0141-9382.

Mittelstaedt, J., Wacker, J., Stelling, D. (2018) Emotional and cognitive modulation of cybersickness: the role of pain catastrophizing and body awareness. Human Factors. SAGE Publications. DOI: 10.1177/0018720818804382. ISSN 0018-7208 (im Druck)

Mittelstaedt, J., Wacker, J., Stelling, D. (2018) VR aftereffect and the relation of cybersickness and cognitive perfor-mance. Virtual Reality, 23, 143-154. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s10055-018-0370-3. ISSN 1359-4338

Müller, M., Shimizu, T., Binder, S., Rettberg, P., Zimmermann, J.L., Morfill, G.E., Thomas, H. (2018) Plasma afterglow circulation apparatus for decontamination of spacecraft equipment. AIP Advances, 8,, 105013. American Institute of Physics (AIP). DOI: 10.1063/1.5040303. ISSN 2158-3226.

Narici, L., Reitz, G., Lobascio, C. (2018) Integrated simulations of Mars flights on the ISS. Advances in Space Research, 62 (5), 990-996. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2018.06.020. ISSN 0273-1177.

Neumann, M.F., Viska, C.G., van Huis, S., Palermo, R. (2018) Similar distraction, but differential suppression, for faces and non-face objects: evidence from behaviour and event-related potentials. Biological Psychology, 139, 39-46. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.09.011. ISSN 0301-0511.

O'Callaghan, E.L., Hart, E.C., Sims-Williams, H., Javed, S., Burchell, A.E., Papouchado, M., Tank, J., Heusser, K., Jordan, J., Menne, J., Haller, H., Nightingale, A.K., Paton, J.F.R., Patel, N.K. (2018) Chronic deep brain stimulation decreases blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in a drug- and device- resistant hypertensive patient. Hypertension, 69, 522-528. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONNAHA.116.08972. ISSN 0194-911X.

Onofri, S., Selbmann, L., Pacelli, C., Zucconi, L., Rabbow, E., de Vera, J.-P. (2018) Survival, DNA, and Ultrastructural Integrity of a Cryptoendolithic Antarctic Fungus in Mars and Lunar Rock Analogues Exposed Outside the International Space Station. Astrobiology. Mary Ann Liebert Inc.. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1728. ISSN 1531-1074.

90

Onofri, S., Selbmann, L., Pacelli, C., de Vera, J.P., Horneck, G., Hallsworth, J.E., Zucconi, L. (2018) Integrity of the DNA and cellular ultrastructure of cryptoendolithic fungi in space or Mars conditions: A 1.5-year study at the International Space Station. Life, 8, 23. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). DOI: 10.3390/life8020023. ISSN 2075-1729.

Oparil, S., Acelajado, M.C., Bakris, G.L., Berlowitz, D.R., Cifkova, R., Dominiczak, A.F., Grassi, G., Jordan, J., Poulter, N.R., Rodg-ers, A., Whelton, P.K. (2018) Hypertension. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 36, 1472-1474. Springer. DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2018.14. ISSN 2056-676X.

Pacelli, C., Selbmann, L., Zucconi, L., Coleine, C., de Vera, J.-P., Rabbow, E., Böttger, U., Dadachova, E., Onofri, S. (2018) Re-sponses of the black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus to sim-ulated Mars and space conditions on rock analogues. Astro-biology, 19, 209-220. Mary Ann Liebert Inc.. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1631. ISSN 1531-1074.

Piotrowski, T., Rittweger, J., Zange, J. (2018) A comparison of squatting exercise on a centrifuge and with Earth gravity. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 1-10. Frontiers Media S.A. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01759. ISSN 1664-042X.

Putze, F., Mühl, C., Lotte, F., Fairclough, S., Herff, C. (2018) De-tection and estimation of working memory states and cog-nitive functions based on neurophysiological measures. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 440. Frontiers Media S.A.. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00440. ISSN 1662-5161.

Rittweger, J., Albracht, K., Flück, M., Ruoss, S., Brocca, L., Lon-ga, E., Moriggi, M., Seynnes, O., Di Giulio, I., Tenori, L., Vignoli, A., Capri, M., Gelfi, C., Luchinat, C., Franceschi, C., Bottinelli, R., Cerretelli, P., Narici, M. (2018) Sarcolab pilot study into skele-tal muscle’s adaptation to long-term spaceflight. npj Micro-gravity, 4, 1-9. Nature Publishing Group. DOI: 10.1038/s41526-018-0052-1. ISSN 2373-8065.

Rittweger, J., Ireland, A., Lüscher, S., Nocciolino, L.M., Pilot, N., Pisani, L., Cointri, G.R., Ferretti, J.L., Capozza, R. F. (2018) Fibula: the forgotten bone – may it provide some insight on a wider scope for bone mechanostat control? Current Osteo-porosis Reports, 16, 775-778. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s11914-018-0497-x. ISSN 1544-1873.

Salvadego, D., Keramidas, M.E., Kölegard, R., Brocca, L., Lazzer, S., Mavelli, I., Rittweger, J., Eiken, O., Mekjavic, I., Grassi, B. (2018) Planhab*: hypoxia does not worsen the impairment of skeletal muscle oxidative function induced by bed rest alone. Journal of Physiology, 596, 3341-3355. Wiley. DOI: 10.1113/JP275605. ISSN 0022-3751.

Schoenrock, B., Zander, V., Dern, S., Limper, U., Mulder, E., Ver-aksits, A., Viir, R., Kramer, A., Stokes, M.J., Salanova, M., Peipsi, A., Blottner, D. (2018) Bed rest, exercise countermeasure and re-conditioning effects on the human resting muscle tone sys-tem. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 1-20. Frontiers Media S.A. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00810 . ISSN 1664-042X.

Schwendner, P., Bohmeier, M., Rettberg, P., Beblo-Vranese-vic, K., Gaboyer, F., Moissl-Eichinger, C., Perras, A.K., Vannier, P., Marteinsson, V.T., Garcia-Descalzo, L., Gómez, F., Malki, M., Amils, R., Westall, F., Riedo, A., Monaghan, E.P., Ehrenfreund, P., Cabezas, P., Walter, N., Cockell, C. (2018) Beyond chloride brines: variable metabolomic responses in the anaerobic organism Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 to NaCl and Mg-SO4 at identical water activity. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, 335. Frontiers Media S.A.. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00335. ISSN 1664-302X.

Simunic, B., Pisot, R., Rittweger, J., Degens, H. (2018) Age-re-lated slowing of contractile properties differs between power-, endurance- and non-athletes; a tensiomyographic assessment. Journals of Gerontology - Series A, 73, 1602-1608. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly069. ISSN 1079-5006.

Spitta, L.F., Diegeler, S., Baumstark-Khan, C., Hellweg, C.E. (2018) An in-vitro approach for water quality determi-nation: activation of NF-κB as marker for cancer-related stress responses induced by anthropogenic pollutants of drinking water. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25, 3985-3995. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7901-9. ISSN 0944-1344.

91

Publications

Stinkens, R., van der Kolk, B.W., Jordan, J., Jax, T., Engeli, S., Heise, T., Jocken, J. W., May, M., Schindler, C., Havekes, B., Schaper, N., Albrecht, D., Kaiser, S., Hartmann, N., Letzkus, M., Langenickel, T.H., Goossens, G.H., Blaak, E.E. (2018) The ef-fects of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition by sacu-bitril/valsartan on adipose tissue transcriptome and pro-tein expression in obese hypertensive patients. Scientific Reports, 8, 1-7. Nature Publishing Group. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22194-z. ISSN 2045-2322.

Strauch, S.M., Becker, I., Pölloth, L., Richter, P.R., Haag, F.W.M., Hauslage, J., Lebert, M. (2018) Restart capability of rest-ing-states of Euglena gracilis after 9 months of dormancy: preparation for autonomous space flight experiments. In-ternational Journal of Astrobiology, 17, 101-111. Cambridge University Press. DOI: 10.1017/S1473550417000131. ISSN 1473-5504.

Strewe, C., Zeller, R., Feuerecker, M., Hoerl, M., Matzel, S., Kum-prej, I., Crispin, A., Johannes, B.W., Debevec, T., Mekjavic, I., Eiken, O., Thiel, M., Schelling, G., Choukèr, A. (2018) PlanHab study: consequences of combined normobaric hypoxia and bed rest on adenosine kinetics. Scientific Reports, 8, 1-9. Na-ture Publishing Group. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20045-5. ISSN 2045-2322.

Szijártó, I.A., Markó, L., Filipovic, M.R., Miljkovic, J.L., Tabeling, C., Tsvetkov, D., Wang, N., Rabelo, L.A., Witzenrath, M., Die-drich, A., Tank, J., Akahoshi, N., Kamata, S., Ishii, I., Gollasch, M. (2018) Cystathionine γ-lyase-produced hydrogen sulfide controls endothelial NO bioavailability and blood pressure. Hypertension, 71, 1210-1217. American Heart Association, Inc.. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA. ISSN 0194-911X.

Ulrich, N., Nagler, K., Laue, M., Cockell, C.S., Setlow, P., Moeller, R. (2018) Experimental studies addressing the longevity of Bacil-lus subtilis spores – the first data from a 500-year experiment. PLoS One, 13, e0208425. Public Library of Science (PLoS). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208425. ISSN 1932-6203.

Van Kleef, M.E.A.M., Heusser, K., Oey, P.J., Tank, J., Diedrich, A., Jordan, J., Blankestijn, P.J., Williams, B., Spiering, W. (2018) The effect of endovascular baroreflex amplification on sympathetic nerve activity in patients with resistant hyper-tension: a proof-of-mechanism study. European Heart Jour-nal, 39, suppl�1, pp.ehy566-P5370. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy566.P5370. ISSN 0195-668X.

Willmes, D.M., Kurzbach, A., Henke, C., Schumann, T., Zahn, G., Heifetz, A., Jordan, J., Helfand, S.L., Birkenfeld, A.L. (2018) The longevity gene INDY (I'm Not Dead Yet) in metabolic con-trol: potential as pharmacological target. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 185, 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.10.003. ISSN 0163-7258.

Yang, P., Nie, X.-T., Zhao, D.-D., Wang, Z., Li, R., Xu, H.-Y., Rit-tweger, J., Shang, P. (2018) Deformation regimes of colla-gen fibrils in cortical bone revealed by in situ morphology and elastic modulus observations under mechanical load-ing. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 79, 115-121. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.12.015 ISBN 29291465 ISSN 1751-6161.

Zammuto, V., Fuchs, F.M., Fiebrandt, M., Stapelmann, K., Ulrich, N.J., Maugeri, T.L., Pukall, R., Gugliandolo, C., Moeller, R. (2018) Comparing spore resistance of Bacillus strains isolated from hydrothermal vents and spacecraft assembly facilities to environmental stressors and decontamination treatments. Astrobiology, 18, 1425-1434. Mary Ann Liebert Inc. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1715. ISSN 1531-1074.

Zea, L., Nisar, Z., Rubin, P., Cortesao, M., Luo, J., McBride, S.A., Moeller, R., Klaus, D., Müller, D., Varanasi, K.K., Muecklich, F., Stodieck, L. (2018) Design of a spaceflight biofilm experi-ment. Acta Astronautica, 148, 294-300. Elsevier. DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.04.039. ISSN 0094-5765.

Zeitlin, C., Hassler, D.M., Guo, J., Ehresmann, B., Wimmer-Schwe-ingruber, R.F., Rafkin, S.C.R., Freiherr von Forstner, J.L., Lohf, H., Berger, T., Matthiä, D., Reitz, G. (2018) Analysis of the radi-ation hazard observed by RAD on the surface of Mars during the September 2017 solar particle event. Geophysi-cal Research Letters, 45, 5845-5851. Wiley. DOI: 10.1029/2018GL077760. ISSN 0094-8276.

Zhang, Y., Moeller, R., Tran, S., Dubovcova, B., Akepsimaidis, G., Meneses, N., Drissner, D., Mathys, A. (2018) Geobacillus and Bacillus spore inactivation by low energy electron beam technology: Resistance and influencing factors. Fron-tiers in Microbiology, 9, 2720. Frontiers Media S.A. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02720. ISSN 1664-302X.

92

Zitting, K.-M., Münch, M.Y., Cain, S.W., Wang, W., Wong, A., Ronda, J.M., Aeschbach, D., Czeisler, C.A., Duffy, J.F. (2018) Young adults are more vulnerable to chronic sleep def-ciency and recurrent circadian disruption than older adults. Scientific Reports, 8, 11052. Nature Publishing Group. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29358-x. ISSN 2045-2322.

Publications in scientific books

Erzinger, G.S., Schmoeller, F., Pinto, L.H., Américo, L., Hemmers-bach, R., Hauslage, J., Häder, D.-P. (2018) Bioluminescence Systems in Environmental Biosensors. In: Bioassays. Ad-vanced Methods and Applications. Elsevier. 241-262. ISBN 978-0128118610, 012811861X.

Funke, O., Horneck, G. (2018) The Search for Signatures of Life and Habitability on Planets and Moons of Our Solar System. In: Biological, Physical and Technical Basics of Cell Engi-neering. Springer Nature. 457-481. ISBN Print:978-981-10-7903-0; Online:978-981-10-7904-7.

Goerke, P., Kusch, R.I. (2018) Personalauswahl. In: Karrierep-erspektiven in der Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie. Meet the Experts: Wissen aus erster Hand. Springer. 7-30. ISBN 978-3-662-54239-2.

Hemmersbach, R., Häder, D.-P., Braun, M. (2018) Methods for Gravitational Biology Research. In: Gravitational Biology I. Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganism and Plants. SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences. Springer Nature. 13-26. IS-BN 978-3-319-93893-6. ISSN 2196-5560.

Häder, D.-P., Braun, M., Hemmersbach, R. (2018) Gravity Sensing, Graviorientation and Microgravity. In: Gravitational Biology I. Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorgan-isms and Plants. SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences. Springer Nature. 1-11. ISBN 978-3-319-93893-6. ISSN 2196-5560.

Häder, D.-P., Braun, M., Hemmersbach, R. (2018) Bioregener-ative Life Support Systems in Space Research. In: Gravita-tional Biology I. Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microor-ganisms and Plants. SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences. Spring-er Nature. 113-122. ISBN 978-3-319-93893-6. ISSN 2196-5560.

Häder, D.-P., Hemmersbach, R. (2018) Gravitaxis in Flagel-lates and Ciliates. In: Gravitational Biology I. Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants. Springer-Briefs in Space Life Sciences. Springer Nature. 27-45. ISBN 978-3-319-93893-6. ISSN 2196-5560.

Knie, M., Wolfschoon Riberro, B., Fischer, J., Schmitz, B., Van Damme, K., Hemmersbach, R., Häder, D.-P., Laforsch, C. (2018) Approaches to Assess the Suitability of Zooplankton for Bi-oregenerative Life Support Systems. In: Into Space. A Journey of How Humans Adapt and Live in Microgravity. IntechOpen. 171-207. ISBN 978-1-78923-221-9, Print ISBN: 978-1-78923-220-2.

Pecena, Y., Mittelstaedt, J., Seemüller, A., Maschke, P., (2018) Psychological Selection of Female Space Flight Par-ticipant (SFP) Candidates. In: Flugsicherheit in Forschung und Praxis. 57-64. 5. Fachtagung DGLP 25.-26.10.2017

Reitz, G., Hellweg, C.E. (2018) Space Radiation and its Bio-logical Effects. In: Applications of Laser-Driven Particle Acceler-ation. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.

Tobiska, W.K., Meier, M.M., Matthiä, D., Copeland, K. (2018) Chararterizing the Variation in Atmospheric Radation at Aviation Altitudes. In: Extreme Events in Geospace: Origins, Predictability, and Consequences Elsevier. 453-467. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-812700-1.00018-2. ISBN 978-0-12-812700-1.

de Vera J.P. and The Life Detection Group of BIOMEX/BIO-SIGN* (2018/2019) A Systematic Way to Life Detection: Combining Field, Lab and Space Research in Low Earth Orbit. In: Biosignatures for Astrobiology. Advances in Astrobiol-ogy and Biogeophysics. Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-96175-0�5.

*Life Detection Group of BIOMEX/BIOSIGN: Mickaël Baqué, Daniela Billi, Ute Böttger, Charles S. Cockell, Rosa de la Torre, Bernard H Foing, Franziska Hanke, Stefan Leuko, Jesús Martin-ezFrías, Ralf Moeller, Karen Olsson-Francis, Silvano Onofri, Pet-ra Rettberg, Susanne Schröder, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Laura Selbmann, Dirk Wagner, Laura Zucconi

93

Reports (without peer-review)

Bartels, S., Müller, U. (2018) Fluglärmstudie COSMA am Flughafen Köln/Bonn: Wie belästigt sind die Anwohner und welche Einstellungen haben sie zum naheliegenden Flughafen und Flugverkehr? Lärmbekämpfung, 13 (2), 55-62. Springer.

International MSR Objectives and Samples Team, iMOST: Beaty, D. W., Grady, M. M., McSween, H. Y., Sefton-Nash, E., Carrier, B. L., Altieri, F., Amelin, Y., Ammannito, E., Anand, M., Benning, L. G., Bishop, J. L., Borg, L. E., Boucher, D., Brucato, J. R., Buse-mann, H., Campbell, K. A., Czaja, A. D., Debaille, V., Des Marais, D. J., Dixon, M., Ehlmann, B. L., Farmer, J. D., Fernandez-Remolar, D. C., Filiberto, J., Fogarty, J., Glavin, D. P., Goreva, Y. S., Hallis, L. J., Harrington, A. D., Hausrath, E. M., Herd, C. D. K., Horgan, B., Humayun, M., Kleine, T., Kleinhenz, J., Mackelprang, R., Man-gold, N., Mayhew, L. E., McCoy, J. T., McCubbin, F. M., McLen-nan, S. M., Moser, D. E., Moynier, F., Mustard, J. F., Niles, P. B., Ori, G. G., Raulin, F., Rettberg, P., Rucker, M. A., Schmitz, N., Schwenzer, S. P., Sephton, M. A., Shaheen, R., Sharp, Z. D., Shus-ter, D. L., Siljeström, S., Smith, C. L., Spry, J. A., Steele, A., Swin-dle, T. D., ten Kate, I. L., Tosca, N. J., Usui, T., Van Kranendonk, M. J., Wadhwa, M., Weiss, B. P., Werner, S. C., Westall, F., Wheeler, R. M., Zipfel, J., Zorzano, M. P. (2018) The Potential Science and Engineering Value of Samples Delivered to Earth by Mars Sample Return - Final Report (white paper). NASA, MEPAG.

Möhler, U., Schreckenberg, D., Müller, U., Liepert, M., Skow-ronek, V., Belke, C., Benz, S. (2018) Maximalpegelkriterien für die Beurteilung von Schienenverkehrslärm in der Nacht. Lärmbekämpfung, 13 (1), 15-22. Springer.

Publications

94

Events, Presentations and Talks

16.01.2018Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Reuber, Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln, Institut für Werkzeug- und Fertigungstechnik, “Ver-fahren, Anwendungen und Potenziale additiver Ferti-gungstechnologien“

06.02.2018Dr. Christian von Dewitz, Schwielowsee, Germany: “Ethische Maßstäbe und rechtliche Grundlagen klinischer Studien am Menschen, die nicht dem Arzneimittel-, Medizinpro-dukte- oder Strahlenschutzrecht unterfallen”

20.02.2018Prof. Ulrich Kintscher, M.D., Charité - Universitätsmedizin Ber-lin, Director, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, CCR, Berlin, Germany: “Adipose Tissue Lipolysis and Chronic Heart Failure”

13.03.2018Prof. Dr. Jörn Rittweger, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany/Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne, Germany: “SARCOLAB3: Pi-lot-study and preliminary results from 4 crew members”

15.03.2018Dr. Mirko Moroni, Laboratory Head, Disease Genomics, Bayer AG, Drug Discovery, Pharmaceuticals - MDC – Max Dellbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany: “Role of PIE-ZO channels in mechanotransduction”

10.04.2018Prof. Dr. Justin Lawley, Institut für Sportmedizin, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Österreich: “Protecting the human brain in space: The choice of impedance, occlusion or vacuum”

17.04.2018Prof. Dr. A.H. Jan Danser, Division of Pharmacology and Vas-cular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands: “Endothelin-1: a central factor in both preeclampsia and VEGF inhibition-induced hyper-tension”

24.04.2018Prof. Dr. Michael Schloter, Research Unit for Comparative Mi-crobiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleiss-heim, Germany: “The role of exercise as a driver for the structure and function of the human gut microbiome”

15.05.2018Prof. Dr. Anders Eklund, Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden: “The astronaut syn-drome Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure – Aspects on assessment and modeling of CSF and venous system?”

29.05.2018 Prof. Dr. med. Friedrich C. Luft, MD, Experimental and Clin-ical Research Center and Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany, “Genes that “really” cause hy-pertension” 13.06.2018Nikea J. Ulrich, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology, Space Microbiology Research Group, Cologne, Germany: “Enduring the Antarctic Extremes: from humans inside Concordia Station to the microbes outside”

26.06.2018Prof. Carsten Lundby, Clinical Professor, University of Copen-hagen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen, Den-mark: “Determination, regulation and importance of blood volume adaptations to exercise training”

28.06.2018Dr. Ganesan Sathiyanarayanan, CEA Enhanced Eurotalent, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology of the Rhizosphere and Extreme Environments (LEMIRE), Biosciences and Biotechnology Institute of Aix-Marseille (BIAM), CEA Cadarache, St-Paul-lez-Durance, France: “Arctic extremophiles from thawing permafrost and their biotechnological and ecological implications”

10.07.2018Prof. Alexandros Georgakilas, DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece: “Complex DNA damage as the triggering mechanism for radiation systemic effects”

30.08.2018Philip D. Chilibeck, Ph.D., Professor, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada: “Novel exer-cise and nutritional interventions for preserving vascular health during space flight”

Institute Lectures

95


04.09.2018 Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Wolfram Döhner, Interdisziplinäre Schlaganfallforschung, BCRT - Berlin-Brandenburg Centrum für regenerative Therapien, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany: “Obesity and mortality in health and disease - Paradox or paradigm? About old guidelines and new data”

25.09.2018Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Gründer, Direktor, Institut für Physiolo-gie, Medizinische Fakultät der RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany: “A small peptide from cone snail venom enhances muscle pain by slowing desensitization of Acid-Sensing Ion Chan-nel 3 (ASIC3)”

09.10.2018Dr. Harald Huber, Institute for Microbiology and Archaeal Center, University of Regensburg, Germany: “Photodynamic in-activation of Microorganisms by Reactive Oxygen Species”

30.10.2018Francesco P. Cappuccio, MD, DSc, FRCP, FFPH, FBIHS, FESC, FAHA, Cephalon Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine & Epidemiol-ogy, University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School, Division of Health Sciences, Coventry, UK: “Sleep deprivation and car-dio-metabolic disease”

13.11.2018PD Dr. Gregor Grass, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany: “Anthrax – detection, diagnosis and bio-forensics”

15.11.2018Prof. Betty Nusgens, Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biolo-gy, University of Liege, Belgium: “The Biolab Experiment Cy-toskeleton - why and how”

27.11.2018Cédric Moro, Ph.D., Research Director, Obesity Research Labo-ratory, Inserm UMR1048, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovas-cular Diseases, Toulouse, France: “Natriuretic peptides: a po-tential target for metabolic diseases?”

18.12.2018Kemal S. Türker, BDS, PhD, Professor of Physiology, Koc Univer-sity School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey: “A new method to study functional neuronal networks in human neuromus-cular system”

Workshops, Events, Seminars at the Institute

17.1.2018Visit: Scientific Committee EASA

17.1.2018Visit: Research Track, Cologne University

17.1.2018Visit: Students TU Braunschweig

23.1.2018Visit: Students RWTH Aachen

24.01.18Visit: Federal Association Unternehmer mittelständische Wirtschaft

25.1.2018Visit: Director JAXA Paris Office

31.1.2018-1.2.2018Workshops: Space Health Week/EAC

20.2.2018Visit: DLR Graduate Program

22.-23.2.2018Scientific Advisory Board Institute of Aerospace Medicine

1.-2.3.2018Workshops: Spin your Thesis/EAC

96

8.3.2018Visit: Member of the Bundestag Reinhard Houben

12.3.2018Visit: Student initiative Euroavia, Stuttgart University

14.3.2018Visit: Bayer AG

3.-6.4.2018Workshops: Students Cologne University: Space Medicine

11.4.2018Visit: FDP Parliamentary Group Cologne

19.04.2018Visit: Freundeskreis German Air Force

26.4.2018Girls Day

2.5.2018Visit: Minister of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy Northrine Westphalia Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart


9.5.2018Visit: Delegation European NKS Health/Life Science

16.5.2018Visit: Wissenschaftsrat

14.6.2018Visit: Institute for Cell Biology Bonn University

21.6.2018Visit: Region Köln/Bonn e.V.

25.6.2018Workshop: Antimicrobial surfaces

5.7.2018Visit: Prorector for Science Univ.-Prof.'in Dr. Bettina Rockenbach Cologne University

6.7.2018Visit: Students RWTH Aachen

12.7.2018Workshop: ChemCologne

18.7.2018Visit: Prof. Dr. Nina Kloster, TH Cologne

14.8.2018Visit: Delegation Bonn University

30.8.2018Visit: ADAC

5.9.2018Visit: gewi-Institut für Gesundheitswirtschaft e.V.

10.9.2018Visit: Representatives Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy Northrine Westphalia

15.9.2018Workshop: Science meets Clinic

17.9.2018Visit: Foundation der Deutschen Wirtschaft

18.9.2018Visit: DLR Graduate Program

20.09.18Visit: NASA delegation project E-MIST

25.9.2018Visit: Prime Minister Armin Laschet

4.10.2018Visit: ISRI Delegation from India

5.10.2018Visit: Jim Bridenstine, NASA

16.10.2018Visit and Workshop: International SANS Working Group

30.10.2018Visit: Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft

15.11.2018Visit: United Nations / Germany High Level Forum

16.1.2018Visit: Students Munich University

28.11.2018Visit: GIZ/DLR Workshop

97

05.12.18Visit: Workshop Participants Medical Association of North Rhine-Westphalia

6.12.2018Visit: DAF

8.12.2018Workshop: Human Physiology Workshop

11.12.2018Visit: Students Bonn University



18.12.2018Visit: Institute of Human Genetics, Cologne University

20.12.2018Visit: Member of the Bundestag Thomas Jarzombek

Name University Subject

Aeschbach, Daniel Havard Medical School Sleep Medicine

Anken, Ralf Universität Hohenheim Zoologie

Berger, Thomas/Hellweg, Christine ISU Strasbourg Master of Space Studie (MSS)

Berger, Thomas/Hellweg, Christine Universität Bonn Strahlenschutzkurs

Elmenhorst, Eva Maria RWTH Aachen Flug/Reisemedizin

Elmenhorst, Eva Maria RWTH Aachen Raumfahrtmedizin

Elmenhorst, Eva Maria Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Frings-Meuthen, Petra Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Hellweg, Christine FU Berlin Pathologie

Hellweg, Christine FU Berlin Immunologie

Hellweg, Christine Universität Bonn Radiopharmaziekurs

Hellweg, Christine Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Hemmersbach, Ruth Universität Bonn Biologie

Jordan, Jens Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Liemersdorf, Christian Universität Bonn Biologie

Lindlar, Markus Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Med. Businessystem

Lindlar, Markus Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Biomed. Informatik

Mittelstädt, Justin Universität Hamburg Psychologische Diagnostik: Psychologische Gutacht-en

Mittelstädt, Justin Universität Hamburg Psychologische Diagnostik: Praktische Übungen zu diagnostischen Verfahren

Mulder, Edwin Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Pecena, Yvonne ISU Strasbourg MSSP&SSP Lecture, Space Psychology

Rittweger, Jörn Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Rittweger, Jörn Universität Köln Medizin (Spezielle Pädiatrie)

Stern, Claudia Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Tank, Jens Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Propädeutik

Zange, Jochen Universität Köln Medizin (Wahlpflichtblock Weltraumphysiologie)

Zange, Jochen Universität Köln Medizin (Research Track)

Teaching Activities

98

University Space Aviation

Manchester Metropolitian University 1

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 2

RWTH Aachen 2

Sporthochschule Köln 2

Universität Bonn 1

Universität Düsseldorf 1

Universität Essen 2

Universität Göttingen 2

Universität Heidelberg 4

Universität Köln 2

Universität Leiden 1

Universität Saarland 1

Universität Zürich 1

University Space Traffic Aviation

FH Aachen 1 1

TU Darmstadt 1

RWTH Aachen 1

Uni Leiden 1

Uni Regensburg 1

University Space

Universität Erlangen 1

King’s College London, Great Britain 1

Universität Hamburg 1

University Space

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg 3

Universität Bonn 2

Universität Perugia 1

Supervised Doctoral Students

Supervised Doctoral Students

Doctorates

Bachelor Degrees

Graduations

99

Graduations, Awards, Patents

Marta CortesãoGrant – PhD, grant for the Biofilms 8 Conference in Aarhus, Den-mark, from May 27-29, 2018

Marta CortesãoTravel Grant, DAAD, für Feldforschung am Jet Propulsion Labo-ratory, Pasadena,USA, July 02-31, 2018

Marta Cortesão2nd prize – Student contest “Space Factor”, EANA 2018, Berlin, Germany, September 24-28, 2018

Marta CortesãoWomen in Aerospace-Europe grant – WIA-E 2018

Marta CortesãoDGE Messreiseförderung, Messreise: Robert Koch-Institut, Ber-lin, Topic: „How does simulated microgravity affect the micro-morphology and colony structure of the fungus Aspergillus ni-ger?“, April 1st – Mai 24, 2019

Timo Frett1. Posterpreis "Verträglichkeit von reaktiven Sprüngen auf einer Kurzarmhumanzentrifuge", 56. Wissenschaftliche Jahrestagung der DGLRM

Felix FuchsFEMS YSMG grant – registration fees for the 8th European Spores Conference in Royal Holloway, University of London

Felix FuchsGrant – PhD, grant for the Biofilms 8 Conference in Aarhus, Den-mark, from May 27-29, 2018

Darius GerlachTravel grant, 29th International Symposium On The Autonomic Nervous System, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Autonomes Nervensystem

Darius GerlachFMS/Penaz Wesseling travel Fellowship Award for “Functional brainstem imaging reveals brainstem nuclei governing human baroreflex function” at the 29th International Symposium On The Autonomic Nervous System

Darius GerlachDeutsche Hochdruckliga e.V. DHL®: Reisestipendium und Einla-dung zu den „Best of …“ Sessions

Hendrik Kronsbein1. Preis „Trainee Poster Competition” der American Autonomic Society, 29th International Symposium On The Autonomic Nerv-ous System

Markus RohdeFörderpreis Elektrotechnik H-BRS 2018, Bachelorarbeit: „Ab-schätzung der Gefährdung durch terrestrische Gammastrahlen-blitze auf kommerziellen Flugreisen“ Katharina SiemsEarly career award (young microbiologist), EANA 2018, Berlin, Germany, September 24-28, 2018

Awards

100

Department Gravitational BiologyDeutsches Patent- und Markenamt, 15.03.2018: Anlage zur Düngemittelherstellung aus organischen Abfällen sowie Verfahren zur Düngemittelherstellung aus organischen Abfällen (Patent No. DE 10 2014 216 922 B4 2018.03.15)

Department Radiation BiologyDeutsches Patent- und Markenamt, 26.04.2018: Verwendung eines Messsystems sowie Verfahren zur Erfassung abrupt auftretender kurzzeitiger hochdosisgenerierender Strahl-ungsereignisse (Patent No. DE 10 2015 206 807 B4 2018.04.26)

Patents

Department Cardiovascular Aerospace MedicineDeutsches Patent- und Markenamt, 02.10.2018: Keilförmiges Lagerkissen (Gebrauchsmuster No. 202017003430.1)

DLR at a glance

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is the national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalisation is integrated into national and internation-al cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the planning and implementation of the German space programme. DLR is also the umbrella organisation for the nation’s largest project management agency.

DLR has approximately 8000 employees at 20 locations in Germany: Cologne (headquarters), Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Dresden, Goettingen, Ham-burg, Jena, Juelich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Oldenburg, Stade, Stutt-gart, Trauen, and Weilheim. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tokyo and Washington D.C.

Imprint

Publisher:German Aerospace Center (DLR)Institute of Aerospace Medicine

Address:Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, GermanyPhone +49 2203 601-0E-mail [email protected]

DLR.de

Images DLR (CC-BY 3.0), unless otherwise stated.Cover image: © Christian Kober - Adobe Stock

Documents

Research Report Institute of Aerospace Medicine 2018 · 2019. 12. 10. · The Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the Ger-man Aerospace Center (DLR) comprises depart-ments in Cologne