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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS1991

Extracellular matrix and cell shape: potential control points for inhibition of angiogenesis

Capillary endothelial (CE) cells require two extracellular signals in order to switch from quiescence to growth and back to differentiation during angiogenesis: soluble angiogenic factors and insoluble extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Soluble endothelial mitogens, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), act over large distances to trigger capillary growth, whereas ECM molecules act locally to modulate cell responsiveness to these soluble cues. Recent studies reveal that ECM molecules regulate CE cell growth and differentiation by modulating cell shape and by activating intracellular chemical signaling pathways inside the cell. Recognition of the importance of ECM and cell shape during capillary morphogenesis has led to the identification of a series of new angiogenesis inhibitors. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of capillary regulation may result in development of even more potent angiogenesis modulators in the future.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS2004

Input/output properties of the lateral vestibular nucleus

This article is a review of work in three species, squirrel monkey, cat, and rat studying the inputs and outputs from the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN). Different electrophysiological shock paradigms were used to determine the synaptic inputs derived from thick to thin diameter vestibular nerve afferents. Angular and linear mechanical stimulations were used to activate and study the combined and individual contribution of inner ear organs and neck afferents. The spatio-temporal properties of LVN neurons in the decerebrated rat were studied in response to dynamic acceleration inputs using sinusoidal linear translation in the horizontal head plane. Outputs were evaluated using antidromic identification techniques and identified LVN neurons were intracellularly injected with biocytin and their morphology studied.

Efferent Pathways/anatomy & histology/physiology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reanalysis of Rodent Data from Spacelab Life Sciences-1

The space bioscience field has long been plagued by the challenge of spaceflight with effects of radiation and microgravity. Having multiple and repeated spaceflight experiments for model organisms to solve these space stressors is costly and time consuming. Therefore, reusing and reanalyzing legacy experiments is one way that scientists can draw new conclusions in a timely manner and without using too many resources. Moreover, advances in general biological knowledge allows legacy experiments to be placed into more complete context.Here we aim to analyze all data and metadata taken from rats flown on the SLS-1 mission to create a comprehensive biological model that can be supplemented with current data to allow new discoveries in how space flown organisms adapt to the space environment. Our approach begins with the identification of all the data and metadata, including graphs and tables, for SLS-1 in NASA archives and other sources. Then, each piece of data and metadata will be digitized, reformatted and analyzed. Lastly, a previously developed astronaut model will be used to create the data framework and a comprehensive biological rodent model. The datasets we are using is from the 1991 SpaceLab Life Science 1 (SLS-1) NASA Mission. This was the first designated spacelab mission flown. All 29 rodents were tested for nine days in two different habitats: Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) and Animal Enclosure Module (AEM). The rodents were prepared for a live return and compared to a ground control. A total of 30 rodent experiments were accepted as flight studies on the mission. By digitization and reorganizing SLS-1 rat data we will both directly generate new insights and indirectly enable other scientists to by providing the data and metadata in a digitized form.

Space Biology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reanalysis of Rodent Data from Spacelab Life Science-1

Space Biology↗

NASA NTRS2001

Molecular motors and their functions in plants

Molecular motors that hydrolyze ATP and use the derived energy to generate force are involved in a variety of diverse cellular functions. Genetic, biochemical, and cellular localization data have implicated motors in a variety of functions such as vesicle and organelle transport, cytoskeleton dynamics, morphogenesis, polarized growth, cell movements, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear fusion, and signal transduction. In non-plant systems three families of molecular motors (kinesins, dyneins, and myosins) have been well characterized. These motors use microtubules (in the case of kinesines and dyneins) or actin filaments (in the case of myosins) as tracks to transport cargo materials intracellularly. During the last decade tremendous progress has been made in understanding the structure and function of various motors in animals. These studies are yielding interesting insights into the functions of molecular motors and the origin of different families of motors. Furthermore, the paradigm that motors bind cargo and move along cytoskeletal tracks does not explain the functions of some of the motors. Relatively little is known about the molecular motors and their roles in plants. In recent years, by using biochemical, cell biological, molecular, and genetic approaches a few molecular motors have been isolated and characterized from plants. These studies indicate that some of the motors in plants have novel features and regulatory mechanisms. The role of molecular motors in plant cell division, cell expansion, cytoplasmic streaming, cell-to-cell communication, membrane trafficking, and morphogenesis is beginning to be understood. Analyses of the Arabidopsis genome sequence database (51% of genome) with conserved motor domains of kinesin and myosin families indicates the presence of a large number (about 40) of molecular motors and the functions of many of these motors remain to be discovered. It is likely that many more motors with novel regulatory mechanisms that perform plant-specific functions are yet to be discovered. Although the identification of motors in plants, especially in Arabidopsis, is progressing at a rapid pace because of the ongoing plant genome sequencing projects, only a few plant motors have been characterized in any detail. Elucidation of function and regulation of this multitude of motors in a given species is going to be a challenging and exciting area of research in plant cell biology. Structural features of some plant motors suggest calcium, through calmodulin, is likely to play a key role in regulating the function of both microtubule- and actin-based motors in plants.

Non-NASA Center↗

DOE OSTI2021

Genetically engineered mouse models of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide with a diverse geographical distribution, poor prognosis, and diagnosis in advanced stages of the disease. Identification of the mechanisms involved in esophageal cancer development is evaluative to improve outcomes for patients. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cancer provide the physiologic, molecular, and histologic features of the human tumors to determine the pathogenesis and treatments for cancer, hence exhibiting a source of tremendous potential for oncology research. The advancement of cancer modeling in mice has improved to the extent that researchers can observe and manipulate the disease process in a specific manner. Despite the significant differences between mice and humans, mice can be great models for human oncology researches due to similarities between them at the molecular and physiological levels. Due to most of the existing esophageal cancer GEMMs do not propose an ideal system for pathogenesis of the disease, genetic risks, and microenvironment exposure, so identification of challenges in GEM modeling and well-developed technologies are required to obtain the most value for patients. In this review, we describe the biology of human and mouse, followed by the exciting esophageal cancer mouse models with a discussion of applicability and challenges of these models for generating new GEMMs in future studies.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS2003

The NASA Smart Probe Project for real-time multiple microsensor tissue recognition

BACKGROUND: Remote surgery requires automated sensors, effectors and sensor-effector communication. The NASA Smart Probe Project has focused on the sensor aspect. METHODS: The NASA Smart Probe uses neural networks and data from multiple microsensors for a unique tissue signature in real time. Animal and human trials use several probe configurations: (1) 8-microsensor probe (2.5 mm in diameter) for rodent studies (normal and subcutaneous mammary tumor tissues), and (2) 21-gauge needle probe with 3 spectroscopic fibers and an impedance microelectrode for breast cancer diagnosis in humans. Multisensor data are collected in real time (update 100 times/s) using PCs. RESULTS: Human data (collected by NASA licensee BioLuminate) from 15 women undergoing breast biopsy distinguished normal tissue from both benign tumors and breast carcinoma. Tumor margins and necrosis are rapidly detected. CONCLUSION: Real-time tissue identification is achievable. Potential applications, including probes incorporating nanoelectrode arrays, are presented. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Biopsy/methods↗

NASA NTRS1995

Identification of Methanotrophic Lipid Biomarkers in Cold-Seep Mussel Gills: Chemical and Isotopic Analysis

A lipid analysis of the tissues of a cold-seep mytilid mussel collected from the Louisiana slope of the Gulf of Mexico was used in conjunction with a compound-specific isotope analysis to demonstrate the presence of methanotrophic symbionts in the mussel gill tissue and to demonstrate the host's dependence on bacterially synthesized metabolic intermediates. The gill tissue contained large amounts of group-specific methanotrophic biomarkers, bacteriohopanoids, 4-methylsterols, lipopolysaccharide-associated hydroxy fatty acids, and type I-specific 16:1 fatty acid isomers with bond positions at delta-8, delta-10, and delta-ll. Only small amounts of these compounds were detected in the mantle or other tissues of the host animal. A variety of cholesterol and 4-methylsterol isomers were identified as both free and steryl esters, and the sterol double bond positions suggested that the major bacterially derived gill sterol(11.0% 4(alpha)-methyl-cholesta-8(14), 24-dien-3(beta)-ol) was converted to host cholesterol (64.2% of the gill sterol was cholest-5-en-3(beta)-ol). The stable carbon isotope values for gill and mantle preparations were, respectively, -59.0 and -60.4 per thousand for total tissue, -60.6 and -62.4 per thousand for total lipids, -60.2 and -63.9 per thousand for phospholipid fatty acids, and -71.8 and -73.8 per thousand for sterols. These stable carbon isotope values revealed that the relative fractionation pattern was similar to the patterns obtained in pure culture experiments with methanotrophic bacteria further supporting the conversion of the bacterial methyl-sterol pool.

Jahnke, Linda L.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Astrocyte Reactivity by Alcohol Dependence in the Central Amygdala

Astrocytes play essential roles in the brain, but prolonged insult can result in the loss or diminishment of homeostatic functions and increased neuroinflammatory response. The central amygdala (CeA) is an important limbic region in reward and stress responsivity as well as in the development of alcohol dependence. Using a multi-omics approach with Aldh1l1-EGFP/Rpl10a mice and the chronic intermittent ethanol – two-bottle choice exposure model, we have characterized the translational response of CeA astrocytes, as well as the proteomic and phosphoproteomic changes in dependent, non-dependent, and naïve mice. We identified astrocyte-specific alterations in neuroimmune functions and antioxidant/oxidative stress pathways in dependent animals while non-dependent EtOH drinking altered cytoskeletal plasticity related pathways. Proteomic analysis showed down-regulation of astrocyte physiological functions in dependent animals while phosphoproteomic analysis identified cytoskeleton remodeling in both dependent and non-dependent animals suggesting the development of a reactive astrocyte phenotype. Astrocyte morphological reconstruction showed increased CeA astrocyte complexity in dependent and non-dependent groups compared to naïve mice. The astrocyte-specific increase in neuroimmune functions, down-regulation of astrocyte homeostatic functions, alteration in protein phosphorylation-mediated cytoskeleton remodeling, and increased astrocyte complexity demonstrate EtOH induced astrocyte activation in the CeA and suggest the presence of both adaptive and maladaptive reactive astrocytes. These findings highlight the roles CeA astrocytes play in the progression of alcohol intake to dependence and are the first step in the identification of novel astrocyte-specific therapeutic approaches for alcohol use disorder through the potentiation of adaptive changes and inhibition of maladaptive changes in astrocytes.

Hashimoto, Joel↗

NASA NTRS2003

Quantifying clustered DNA damage induction and repair by gel electrophoresis, electronic imaging and number average length analysis

Assessing DNA damage induction, repair and consequences of such damages requires measurement of specific DNA lesions by methods that are independent of biological responses to such lesions. Lesions affecting one DNA strand (altered bases, abasic sites, single strand breaks (SSB)) as well as damages affecting both strands (clustered damages, double strand breaks) can be quantified by direct measurement of DNA using gel electrophoresis, gel imaging and number average length analysis. Damage frequencies as low as a few sites per gigabase pair (10(9)bp) can be quantified by this approach in about 50ng of non-radioactive DNA, and single molecule methods may allow such measurements in DNA from single cells. This review presents the theoretical basis, biochemical requirements and practical aspects of this approach, and shows examples of their applications in identification and quantitation of complex clustered damages.

NASA Program Biological Systems Research↗

DOE OSTI2023

Deriving spatially explicit direct and indirect interaction networks from animal movement data

Abstract Quantifying spatiotemporally explicit interactions within animal populations facilitates the understanding of social structure and its relationship with ecological processes. Data from animal tracking technologies (Global Positioning Systems [“GPS”]) can circumvent longstanding challenges in the estimation of spatiotemporally explicit interactions, but the discrete nature and coarse temporal resolution of data mean that ephemeral interactions that occur between consecutive GPS locations go undetected. Here, we developed a method to quantify individual and spatial patterns of interaction using continuous‐time movement models (CTMMs) fit to GPS tracking data. We first applied CTMMs to infer the full movement trajectories at an arbitrarily fine temporal scale before estimating interactions, thus allowing inference of interactions occurring between observed GPS locations. Our framework then infers indirect interactions—individuals occurring at the same location, but at different times—while allowing the identification of indirect interactions to vary with ecological context based on CTMM outputs. We assessed the performance of our new method using simulations and illustrated its implementation by deriving disease‐relevant interaction networks for two behaviorally differentiated species, wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ) that can host African Swine Fever and mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) that can host chronic wasting disease. Simulations showed that interactions derived from observed GPS data can be substantially underestimated when temporal resolution of movement data exceeds 30‐min intervals. Empirical application suggested that underestimation occurred in both interaction rates and their spatial distributions. CTMM‐Interaction method, which can introduce uncertainties, recovered majority of true interactions. Our method leverages advances in movement ecology to quantify fine‐scale spatiotemporal interactions between individuals from lower temporal resolution GPS data. It can be leveraged to infer dynamic social networks, transmission potential in disease systems, consumer–resource interactions, information sharing, and beyond. The method also sets the stage for future predictive models linking observed spatiotemporal interaction patterns to environmental drivers.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1976

The Identification of Scientific Programs to Utilize the Space Environment

A program to identify and develop ideas for scientific experimentation on the long duration exposure facility (LDEF) was completed. Four research proposals were developed: (1) Ultra pure germanium gamma ray radiation detectors in the space environment, intended to develop and demonstrate an X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy system incorporating a temperature cyclable high-purity germanium detector and diode heat pipe cryogenic system for cooling, (2) growth, morphogenesis and metabolism of plant embryos in the zero-gravity environment, to investigate if the space environment induces mutations in the embryogenic cells so that mutants of commercial significance with desirable attributes may be obtained, (3) effect of zero gravity on the growth and pathogenicity of selected zoopathic fungi. It is possible that new kinds of treatment for candidiasis, and tichophytosis could eventuate from the results of the proposed studies, and (4) importance of gravity to survival strategies of small animals. Gravitational effects may be direct or mediate the selection of genetic variants that are preadapted to weightlessness.

Kulacki, F. A.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Quantifying fish otolith mineralogy for trace-element chemistry studies

Otoliths are frequently used to infer environmental conditions or fish life history events based on trace-element concentrations. However, otoliths can be comprised of any one or combination of the three most common polymorphs of calcium carbonate - aragonite, calcite, and vaterite - which can affect the ecological interpretation of otolith trace-element results. Previous studies have reported heterogeneous calcium carbonate compositions between left and right otoliths but did not provide quantitative assessments of polymorph abundances. In this study, neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to identify and quantify mineralogical compositions of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha otolith pairs. We found mineralogical compositions frequently differed between otoliths in a pair and accurate calcium carbonate polymorph identification was rarely possible by visual inspection alone. The prevalence of multiple polymorphs in otoliths is not well-understood, and future research should focus on identifying otolith compositions and investigate how variations in mineralogy affect trace-element incorporation and potentially bias environmental interpretations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1993

COSMIC monthly progress report

Activities of the Computer Software Management and Information Center (COSMIC) are summarized for the month of August, 1993. Tables showing the current inventory of programs available from COSMIC are presented and program processing and evaluation activities are discussed. Ten articles were prepared for publication in the NASA Tech Brief Journal. These articles (included in this report) describe the following software items: (1) MOM3D - A Method of Moments Code for Electromagnetic Scattering (UNIX Version); (2) EM-Animate - Computer Program for Displaying and Animating the Steady-State Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Near Field and Surface-Current Solutions; (3) MOM3D - A Method of Moments Code for Electromagnetic Scattering (IBM PC Version); (4) M414 - MIL-STD-414 Variable Sampling Procedures Computer Program; (5) MEDOF - Minimum Euclidean Distance Optimal Filter; (6) CLIPS 6.0 - C Language Integrated Production System, Version 6.0 (Macintosh Version); (7) CLIPS 6.0 - C Language Integrated Production System, Version 6.0 (IBM PC Version); (8) CLIPS 6.0 - C Language Integrated Production System, Version 6.0 (UNIX Version); (9) CLIPS 6.0 - C Language Integrated Production System, Version 6.0 (DEC VAX VMS Version); and (10) TFSSRA - Thick Frequency Selective Surface with Rectangular Apertures. Activities in the areas of marketing, customer service, benefits identification, maintenance and support, and dissemination are also described along with a budget summary.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2021

Large Vessel Activity and Low-Frequency Underwater Sound Benchmarks in United States Waters

Chronic low-frequency noise from commercial shipping is a worldwide threat to marine animals that rely on sound for essential life functions. Although the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recognizes the potential negative impacts of shipping noise in marine environments, there are currently no standard metrics to monitor and quantify shipping noise in U.S. marine waters. However, one-third octave band acoustic measurements centered at 63 and 125 Hz are used as international (European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive) indicators for underwater ambient noise levels driven by shipping activity. We apply these metrics to passive acoustic monitoring data collected over 20 months in 2016–2017 at five dispersed sites throughout the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone: Alaskan Arctic, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (Northwest Atlantic), and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Northeast Pacific). To verify the relationship between shipping activity and underwater sound levels, vessel movement data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) were paired to each passive acoustic monitoring site. Daily average sound levels were consistently near to or higher than 100 dB re 1 μPa in both the 63 and 125 Hz one-third octave bands at sites with high levels of shipping traffic (Gulf of Mexico, Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, and Cordell Bank). Where cargo vessels were less common (the Arctic and Hawaii), daily average sound levels were comparatively lower. Specifically, sound levels were ~20 dB lower year-round in Hawaii and ~10-20 dB lower in the Alaskan Arctic, depending on the season. Although these band-level measurements can only generally facilitate differentiation of sound sources, these results demonstrate that international acoustic indicators of commercial shipping can be applied to data collected in U.S. waters as a unified metric to approximate the influence of shipping as a driver of ambient noise levels, provide critical information to managers and policy makers about the status of marine environments, and to identify places and times for more detailed investigation regarding environmental impacts.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Apple Bitter Rot: Biology, Ecology, Omics, Virulence Factors, and Management of Causal Colletotrichum Species

ABSTRACT Apple bitter rot is caused by various Colletotrichum spp. that threaten apple production globally resulting in millions of dollars in damage annually. The fungus causes a decline in fruit quality and yield, eventually rotting the fruit and rendering it inedible. The pathogen is difficult to keep out of orchards because of its broad host range and transmissibility by rain splash and insects. Once the disease manifests, pathogen identification is difficult due to evolving taxonomy and similar morphology between species. Current management strategies are threatened by an increase in fungicide resistance and regulations on many multisite fungicides, leading to a pressing need for new management options for control. This review aims to summarise the most current knowledge regarding the biology, virulence factors, ecology, omics and emerging management strategies for Colletotrichum species that cause apple bitter rot. Taxonomy Colletotrichum species—Domain Eukaryota, Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Sordariomycetes, Order Glomerellales, Family Glomerellaceae, Genus Colletotrichum . Biology Hemibiotrophic pathogen with a wide host range that establishes a biotrophic interaction where it penetrates host plants using appressoria followed by a switch to necrotrophy causing rot symptoms. Toxins Cercosporin, colletotrichins, colletotric acid, ferricrocin. Host Range The host range varies by species but largely occurs on dicotyledonous plants and is less prevalent on monocots as well as gymnosperms, ferns, mosses and animals (e.g., insects). Disease Symptoms Symptoms often manifest as flat to sunken necrotic areas on fruit. Lesions on leaves and fruit can have concentric rings with abundant pathogen sporulation. Disease Control Colletotrichum spp. are primarily managed by single‐site quinone outside inhibitor (Qol), methyl benzimidazole carbamate (MBC), demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides, and multisite dithiocarbamate and phthalimide fungicides. Susceptibility may vary with species, strain specificity, or geographic region. Other management options include clean stock production, cultural practices, resistance breeding, and biological control through the introduction of protective or competing microorganisms.

Boeckman, Nathanial J. [Plant Pathology Laboratory↗

NASA NTRS2010

An Overview of My Internship with the Ecological Program at John F. Kennedy Space Center

During my internship with Innovative Health Applications, I participated in numerous longterm research projects involving the study of various plant and animal life at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). I observed the monitoring of nesting sea turtles. I learned about the transfer of egg clutches from the northern Gulf Coast in an effort to help the hatchlings avoid the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I gained knowledge of tracking the movements of important sport fish and sharks in this area using a hydro-acoustic tag and receiver system. This effort included routinely taking water quality data at multiple sites around KSC. Alligator population and nesting assessments was another part of my internship. I observed the biologists take morphometric measurements, blood, urine and tissue samples from alligators found in KSC waterways. I assisted in taking photosynthesis and reflectance measurements on various scrub oaks and palmettos. I participated in Florida Scrub-Jay surveys in an effort to monitor their population trends and was involved in Southeastern beach mouse trapping and identification. I also assisted in seagrass surveys monitoring the health of the seagrass beds.

Owen, Samantha↗

DOE OSTI2021

Towards Resolving the Risk of Turbine Collision on Fish: FY21-22 Seedling Report Phase I

The most important concern for permitting tidal and river turbines is the collision risk of marine animals with the turbine blades. Our understanding of the risk to individual fish from colliding with turbine blades is poor; if these collisions were to occur, it is unknown whether fish will sustain recoverable injuries or be killed. Equally unknown is the impact these collisions might have on populations, particularly for threatened, endangered, or commercially managed fish species. In addition to observations of interactions of fish with turbines, numerical models need to be developed or expanded to predict impacts on fish populations. These models could replace expensive and technically challenging monitoring programs in high energy, often murky, tidal or river waters. In this project, a multi-pronged approach was taken to understand the state of knowledge for collision risk of fish with turbines and build a pathway forward. This approach included a workshop with experts, a literature review of modeling and empirical studies, the development of a research framework, and the identification of case studies to address through future work. This project is a first step towards the future development of effective and robust numerical models for assessing the collision risk of fish around turbines. This will achieve a balanced and improved estimate of the severity of collision risk to fish at the population scale.

Garavelli, Lysel↗