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At least 145 records · Page 8

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2017

Assessing endothelial function and providing calibrated UFMD data using a blood pressure cuff

Methods and apparatus are provided for assessing endothelial function in a mammal. In certain embodiments the methods involve using a cuff to apply pressure to an artery in a subject to determine a plurality of baseline values for a parameter related to endothelial function as a function of applied pressure (P.sub.m); b) applying a stimulus to the subject; and applying external pressure P.sub.m to the artery to determine a plurality of stimulus-effected values for the parameter related to endothelial function as a function of applied pressure (P.sub.m); where the baseline values are determined from measurements made when said mammal is not substantially effected by said stimulus and differences in said baseline values and said stimulus-effected values provide a measure of endothelial function in said mammal.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Assessing endothelial function and providing calibrated UFMD data using a blood pressure cuff

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

Assessing endothelial function and providing calibrated UFMD data using a blood pressure cuff

Methods and apparatus are provided for assessing endothelial function in a mammal. In certain embodiments the methods involve using a cuff to apply pressure to an artery in a subject to determine a plurality of baseline values for a parameter related to endothelial function as a function of applied pressure (Pm); b) applying a stimulus to the subject; and applying external pressure Pm to the artery to determine a plurality of stimulus-effected values for the parameter related to endothelial function as a function of applied pressure (Pm); where the baseline values are determined from measurements made when said mammal is not substantially effected by said stimulus and differences in said baseline values and said stimulus-effected values provide a measure of endothelial function in said mammal.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

Framework for assessing impacts of pile-driving noise from offshore wind farm construction on a harbour seal population

Offshore wind farm developments may impact protected marine mammal populations, requiring appropriate assessment under the EU Habitats Directive. We describe a framework developed to assess population level impacts of disturbance from piling noise on a protected harbour seal population in the vicinity of proposed wind farm developments in NE Scotland. Spatial patterns of seal distribution and received noise levels are integrated with available data on the potential impacts of noise to predict how many individuals are displaced or experience auditory injury. Expert judgement is used to link these impacts to changes in vital rates and applied to population models that compare population changes under baseline and construction scenarios over a 25 year period. We use published data and hypothetical piling scenarios to illustrate how the assessment framework has been used to support environmental assessments, explore the sensitivity of the framework to key assumptions, and discuss its potential application to other populations of marine mammals. -- Highlights: • We develop a framework to support Appropriate Assessment for harbour seal populations. • We assessed potential impacts of wind farm construction noise. • Data on distribution of seals and noise were used to predict effects on individuals. • Expert judgement linked these impacts to vital rates to model population change. • We explore the sensitivity of the framework to key assumptions and uncertainties.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Bioaccumulation of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls and pentachlorophenol in the serum of northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris)

Northern elephant seals (NES) (Mirounga angustirostris) from the Año Nuevo State Reserve (CA, USA) were sampled at 1-, 4-, 7- and 10-week post-weaning. Concentrations of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (HO-PCBs) and their parent PCBs were measured in the serum of each individual. The ΣHO-PCB concentrations in the serum increased significantly between early and late fast (from 282±20 to 529±31 pg/mL). This increase might result from a mobilisation of HO-PCBs transferred from the mother during gestation and/or lactation and stored in the pup's liver. Food deprivation has been shown to exacerbate biotransformation capacities in mammals, birds and fish. The HO-penta-CBs was the predominant homologue group, followed by HO-hexa-CBs and HO-hepta-CBs. No preferential pathway for the metabolism of HO-PCBs (HO-direct insertion or NIH-shift of a chlorine atom) could be evidenced. The concentrations of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the serum of weaned NES increased from 103±7 pg/mL at early fast to 246±41 pg/mL at late fast, which is within the range of PCP concentrations usually encountered in marine mammals. - Highlights: • Σ HO-PCB concentrations in serum significantly increased between early and late fast. • The HO-penta-CBs were the predominant homologue group measured in serum. • No preferential pathway for the metabolism of HO-PCBs could be evidenced. • PCP concentrations in serum significantly increased between early and late fast.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

The conservation value of forest fragments in the increasingly agrarian landscape of Sumatra

Throughout the world, tropical rainforests are being destroyed at an alarming rate, reducing many unprotected habitats to small fragments of remnant forests within the cleared landscape. Understanding the best way to provide wildlife habitat amid changing landscapes is essential for land use planning, especially in biodiversity hotspots like Indonesia. However, little is known about the conservation significance and mammalian use of forest fragments in Sumatra. In this study, camera trap surveys were conducted within Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and five surrounding forest fragments, and species composition metrics were used to compare their use. Twenty-eight species of mammals were found in the forest and 21 in the surrounding fragments. The fragments harbored a subset of the species found within the primary forest, as well as several species not observed in the forest. Critically endangered species such as Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) were found in the fragments, along with species of conservation concern such as marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) and Asiatic golden cat (Pardofelis temminickii). The biodiversity found within the fragments suggests that these small patches of remnant forest may be of conservation value to certain mammal species and may facilitate connectivity across the landscape.

biodiversity, tropical forests, mammals↗

DOE OSTI2014

The Molecular Architecture for the Intermediate Filaments of Hard [alpha]-Keratin Based on the Superlattice Data Obtained from a Study ofMammals Using Synchrotron Fibre Diffraction

High- and low-angle X-ray diffraction studies of hard {alpha}-keratin have been studied, and various models have been proposed over the last 70 years. Most of these studies have been confined to one or two forms of alpha keratin. This high- and low-angle synchrotron fibre diffraction study extends the study to cover all available data for all known forms of hard {alpha}-keratin including hairs, fingernails, hooves, horn, and quills from mammals, marsupials, and a monotreme, and it confirms that the model proposed is universally acceptable for all mammals. A complete Bragg analysis of the meridional diffraction patterns, including multiple-time exposures to verify any weak reflections, verified the existence of a superlattice consisting of two infinite lattices and three finite lattices. An analysis of the equatorial patterns establishes the radii of the oligomeric levels of dimers, tetramers, and intermediate filaments (IFs) together with the centre to centre distance for the IFs, thus confirming the proposed helices within helices molecular architecture for hard {alpha}-keratin. The results verify that the structure proposed by Feughelman and James meets the criteria for a valid {alpha}-keratin structure.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

Controlling for Survey Effort Is Worth the Effort: Comparing Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) Habitat Use Between Standardized and Opportunistic Photographic-Identification Surveys

Although opportunistic data collected from wildlife ecotours can provide useful information on marine mammal distribution and behavior, concerns exist about whether resultant analyses have diminished accuracy due to spatial bias. To address these concerns, this study compared common bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) habitat use results derived from standardized boat-based photographic-identification surveys and opportunistic photographic-identification surveys conducted during wildlife ecotours in Roanoke Sound, North Carolina. The main objectives of this study were to (1) identify areas of importance to dolphins, (2) identify activities (feed, mill, social, and travel) most often observed in these areas, and (3) determine the consistency of habitat use results between standardized and opportunistic surveys. Standardized survey hot spots for feeding and travel were located in southern Roanoke Sound according to the hot spot (Getis-Ord Gi*) spatial statistic. Conversely, opportunistic survey hot spots for feeding and travel were detected in central Roanoke Sound near the wildlife ecotour launch site. Opportunistic survey effort was concentrated around the ecotour launch site which introduced spatial bias by overestimating dolphin density in this area. These hot spot location differences between survey methods indicate that opportunistic survey results are affected by spatial bias which can lead to inaccurate conclusions about dolphin habitat use. Hot spot results of standardized data without survey effort supported the conclusion that spatial bias affected opportunistic habitat use results. Furthermore this study provides a direct comparison of standardized and opportunistic datasets and demonstrates the importance of controlling for survey effort when examining marine mammal distribution and habitat use.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Expected occurrence of wildlife in US Atlantic offshore wind areas

Offshore wind energy has entered a pivotal phase of development for the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a region that supports critical habitats, migratory corridors and flyways for many marine species. Assessing where and when marine wildlife occurs is a crucial first step in developing a risk assessment framework to evaluate potential risks and impacts of offshore wind development. In this study, we perform this initial assessment by evaluating the expected occurrence of marine mammal, seabird and sea turtle taxa in areas of interest to identify patterns and potential areas of concern. Specifically, this work depicts the expected monthly density of 84 marine species and taxa within each of the 29 active wind energy lease areas plus a 10 km buffer to account for nearby activity. We then compare these densities to subregional thresholds, evaluated as the 90th percentile of the subregion’s monthly density, to provide comparisons across the shelf region. This analysis synthesizes the most recent spatial distribution models of 31 marine mammal taxa (26 species and 5 guilds), 49 seabird species and 4 sea turtle species to provide a unified evaluation of the major marine wildlife in the region. Out of the 84 species and taxa analyzed, 56 exhibit levels of expected density in wind energy areas that exceed the corresponding 90th percentile subregional threshold at some point throughout the year. These results represent an initial assessment in the broader Occurrence, Exposure, Response, and Consequence (OERC) framework, originally developed by the U.S. Navy for marine species risk assessments. These results offer valuable guidance to marine spatial planners, management agencies and offshore wind developers on the expected locations and timing of interaction risk to wildlife species in or near wind energy areas across the region.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

An Aquatic Acoustic Metrics Interface Utility for Underwater Sound Monitoring and Analysis

Fishes and other marine mammals suffer a range of potential effects from intense sound sources generated by anthropogenic underwater processes such as pile driving, shipping, sonars, and underwater blasting. Several underwater sound recording devices (USR) were built to monitor the acoustic sound pressure waves generated by those anthropogenic underwater activities, so the relevant processing software becomes indispensable for analyzing the audio files recorded by these USRs. However, existing software packages did not meet performance and flexibility requirements. In this paper, we provide a detailed description of a new software package, named Aquatic Acoustic Metrics Interface (AAMI), which is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) designed for underwater sound monitoring and analysis. In addition to the general functions, such as loading and editing audio files recorded by USRs, the software can compute a series of acoustic metrics in physical units, monitor the sound's influence on fish hearing according to audiograms from different species of fishes and marine mammals, and batch process the sound files. The detailed applications of the software AAMI will be discussed along with several test case scenarios to illustrate its functionality.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

NASA NTRS2002

The mammalian retina as a clock

Many physiological, cellular, and biochemical parameters in the retina of vertebrates show daily rhythms that, in many cases, also persist under constant conditions. This demonstrates that they are driven by a circadian pacemaker. The presence of an autonomous circadian clock in the retina of vertebrates was first demonstrated in Xenopus laevis and then, several years later, in mammals. In X. laevis and in chicken, the retinal circadian pacemaker has been localized in the photoreceptor layer, whereas in mammals, such information is not yet available. Recent advances in molecular techniques have led to the identification of a group of genes that are believed to constitute the molecular core of the circadian clock. These genes are expressed in the retina, although with a slightly different 24-h profile from that observed in the central circadian pacemaker. This result suggests that some difference (at the molecular level) may exist between the retinal clock and the clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of hypothalamus. The present review will focus on the current knowledge of the retinal rhythmicity and the mechanisms responsible for its control.

Review Literature↗

DOE OSTI2011

RADIATION DOSE ASSESSMENT FOR THE BIOTA OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS IN THE SHORELINE ZONE OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT COOLING POND

Radiation exposure of the biota in the shoreline area of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Pond was assessed to evaluate radiological consequences from the decommissioning of the Cooling Pond. The article addresses studies of radioactive contamination of the terrestrial faunal complex and radionuclide concentration ratios in bodies of small birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles living in the area. The data were used to calculate doses to biota using the ERICA Tool software. Doses from {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs were calculated using the default parameters of the ERICA Tool and were shown to be consistent with biota doses calculated from the field data. However, the ERICA dose calculations for plutonium isotopes were much higher (2-5 times for small mammals and 10-14 times for birds) than the doses calculated using the experimental data. Currently, the total doses for the terrestrial biota do not exceed maximum recommended levels. However, if the Cooling Pond is allowed to drawdown naturally and the contaminants of the bottom sediments are exposed and enter the biological cycle, the calculated doses to biota may exceed the maximum recommended values. The study is important in establishing the current exposure conditions such that a baseline exists from which changes can be documented following the lowering of the reservoir water. Additionally, the study provided useful radioecological data on biota concentration ratios for some species that are poorly represented in the literature.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Selective Enrichment Coupled with Proteomics to Identify S-Acylated Plasma Membrane Proteins in Arabidopsis

Protein S-acylation, predominately in the form of palmitoylation, is a reversible lipid post-translational modification (PTM) on cysteines that plays important roles in protein localization, trafficking, activity, and complex assembly. The functions and regulatory mechanisms of Sacylation have been extensively studied in mammals, owing to remarkable development of the high-resolution proteomics and the discovery of the S-acylation-related enzymes. However, the advance of S-acylation studies in plants lags farther behind than that in mammals, mainly due to the lack of knowledge about proteins responsible for this process, such as protein acyltransferases (PATs) and their substrates. In this article, a systematic protocol to study global S-acylation in Arabidopsis seedlings is described. The procedures are presented in detail, including preparation of Arabidopsis seedlings, enrichment of plasma membrane (PM) proteins, followed by enrichment of S-acylated proteins/peptides based on the acyl-biotin exchange (ABE) method, and large-scale identification of S-acylated proteins/peptides via mass spectrometry. This approach enables researchers to study S-acylation of PM proteins in plants in a systematic and straightforward way. Basic protocol 1: Preparation of Arabidopsis seedling materials Basic protocol 2: Isolation and enrichment of plasma membrane proteins Support protocol 1: Determination of protein concentration using BCA assay Basic Protocol 3: Enrichment of S-acylated proteins by ABE method Support protocol 2: Protein precipitation by methanol/chloroform method Basic Protocol 4: Trypsin digestion and proteomic analysis Alternate protocol 1: Pre-resin digestion and peptide level enrichment.

S-acylation, palmitoylation, plasma membrane prote↗

DOE OSTI2025

Metabolic skinflint or spendthrift? Insights into ground sloth integument and thermophysiology revealed by biophysical modeling and clumped isotope paleothermometry

Abstract Remains of megatheres have been known since the 18th -century and were among the first megafaunal vertebrates to be studied. While several examples of preserved integument show a thick coverage of fur for smaller ground sloths living in cold climates such as Mylodon and Nothrotheriops , comparatively very little is known about megathere skin. Assuming a typical placental mammal metabolism, it was previously hypothesized that megatheres would have had little-to-no fur as they achieved giant body sizes. Here the “hairless model of integument” is tested using geochemical analyses to estimate body temperature to generate novel models of ground sloth metabolism, fur coverage, and paleoclimate with Niche Mapper software. The simulations assuming metabolic activity akin to those of modern xenarthrans suggest that sparse fur coverage would have resulted in cold stress across most latitudinal ranges inhabited by extinct ground sloths. Specifically, Eremotherium predominantly required dense 10 mm fur with implications for seasonal changes of coat depth in northernmost latitudes and sparse fur in the tropics; Megatherium required dense 30 mm fur year-round in its exclusive range of cooler, drier climates; Mylodon and Nothrotheriops required dense 10–50 mm fur to avoid thermal stress, matching the integument remains of both genera, and further implying the use of behavioral thermoregulation. Moreover, clumped isotope paleothermometry data from the preserved teeth of four genera of ground sloth yielded reconstructed body temperatures lower than those previously reported for large terrestrial mammals (29 ± 2°–32 ± 3° C). This combination of low metabolisms and thick fur allowed ground sloths to inhabit various environments.

Deak, Michael D.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Complementary effects of supplemental feeding and straw retention on winter biodiversity in rice agroecosystems

Rice paddies are both major food-production systems and critical winter habitats for wildlife. In the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) adjoining the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), post-harvest interventions such as supplementary grain feeding and straw retention are promoted through agronomic and conservation incentives. These measures differ in ecological scope: feeding provides direct, concentrated energetic subsidies, whereas straw management alters habitat structure and resource bases. We clarified whether these pathways function in complementary or substitutive ways to support resilient, long-term conservation strategies in rice agroecosystems. Using camera traps, we evaluated the effects of three straw treatments (chopped-straw, whole-straw, straw-removed) and supplemental feeding on winter bird and mammal communities across 48 rice fields in the CCZ. Our results demonstrate that feeding produced strong, localized increases in bird abundance and richness, driven mainly by cranes (Grus japonensis and Antigone vipio) and geese (Anser spp.), with limited effects on Shannon diversity or functional structure. Among non-feeding fields, chopped-straw paddies consistently supported higher richness and Shannon diversity than whole-straw or straw-removed fields, while centroid shifts in taxonomic and functional space were modest. Mammal abundance and diversity were largely insensitive to feeding or straw regimes, varying instead with road and forest distance and regional context. Supplemental feeding and straw retention are therefore not interchangeable tools: feeding concentrates a few avian guilds, whereas chopped-straw retention enhances baseline diversity across farmland. Collectively, our findings suggest integrating low-input straw retention with targeted feeding offers a more robust pathway for sustaining winter biodiversity in rice agroecosystems.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Programmed cell clearance: From nematodes to humans

Programmed cell clearance is a highly regulated physiological process of elimination of dying cells that occurs rapidly and efficiently in healthy organisms. It thus ensures proper development as well as homeostasis. Recent studies have disclosed a considerable degree of conservation of cell clearance pathways between nematodes and higher organisms. The externalization of the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) has emerged as an important “eat-me” signal for phagocytes and its exposition on apoptotic cells is controlled by phospholipid translocases and scramblases. However, there is mounting evidence that PS exposure occurs not only in apoptosis, but may also be actively expressed on the surface of cells undergoing other forms of cell death including necrosis; PS is also expressed on the surface of engulfing cells. Additionally, PS may act as a “save-me” signal during axonal regeneration. Here we discuss mechanisms of PS exposure and its recognition by phagocytes as well as the consequences of PS signaling in nematodes and in mammals. - Highlights: • Cell clearance pathways are conserved between nematodes and mammals. • Phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization is a common signal for cell clearance. • Translocases and scramblases are involved in PS exposure during apoptosis. • PS also functions as a “save-me” signal to mediate the fusion of injured axons. • Definitions of cell death should take into account whether/how cells are cleared.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

Near-infrared laser irradiation improves the development of mouse pre-implantation embryos

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of near-infrared laser irradiation on the in vitro development of mouse embryos. Female ICR mice were superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and mated with male mice. Two-cell stage embryos were collected 40 h after administering hCG and cultured in M16 medium. Two-cell embryos (0 h after culture), 8-cell embryos (approx. 30 h after culture), morula (approx. 48 h after culture), and blastocysts (approx. 73 h after culture) were irradiated at 904 nm for 60 s. These embryos were cultured in a time-lapse monitoring system and the timing of blastocyst hatching was evaluated. Some of the irradiated blastocysts were transferred to the uterine horns of pseudopregnant recipients immediately after irradiation. Pregnancy rates, and offspring growth and fertility, were evaluated. Near-infrared laser irradiation increased the speed of in vitro mouse embryo development. In irradiated blastocysts, hatching was faster than in control (non-irradiated) blastocysts (18.4 vs. 28.2 h, P < 0.05). When 195 irradiated blastocysts were transferred to 18 pseudopregnant mice, all became pregnant and 92 (47.2%) normal-looking pups were born alive. When 182 control blastocysts were transferred to 17 pseudopregnant mice, 14 (82.4%) became pregnant and 54 (29.7%) normal-looking pups were born alive. The growth trajectories (up to 5 weeks) of offspring from irradiated blastocysts were similar to those from control blastocysts. Second generation offspring from transplanted animals were all fertile. These results indicate that near-infrared laser irradiation improves the quality of mouse embryo development in vitro, and increases the live birth rate without affecting the normality of the offspring. Thus, the near-infrared laser method may enhance the quality of embryos and contribute to improvements in reproductive technologies in mammals. - Highlights: • Irradiation of blastocysts with a near-infrared laser improves embryo development. • Irradiation of blastocysts increases the live birth rate after embryo transfer. • Irradiation of blastocysts did not affect the normality of the pups. • Near-infrared laser irradiation may be useful to enhance the quality of embryos. • This study may contribute to improvements in reproductive technologies in mammals.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

Secreted glycoprotein BmApoD1 plays a critical role in anti-oxidation and anti-apoptosis in Bombyx mori

Highlights: • Three apolipoprotein D homologs were identified from the genome of lepidopteran insect. • N-linked glycans were essential to the secretion of BmApoD1. • BmApoD1 transcription was up-regulated after oxidant or starvation treatment in larvae. • BmApoD1 can protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce actinomycin D-induced cell apoptosis. Recent studies highlighted that apolipoprotein D (ApoD) and its homologs exert neuroprotective and antioxidant functions in mammals and Drosophila. Unlike mammals and Drosophila, lepidopteran insects possess three distinct ApoD homologs. However, few information on their functions in lepidopteran insects are available. In this study, we investigated the protective potential of a novel ApoD homolog, BmApoD1, in Bombyx mori. Quantitative PCR analyses demonstrated that BmApoD1 is extensively expressed at low levels during the larval stage but abundantly expressed in the testis during the pupal and adult stages. Tryptophan fluorescence titration demonstrated that recombinant BmApoD1 protein can bind retinoic acid and ergosterol. In addition, we provided evidence that N-linked glycans of BmApoD1 are essential to BmApoD1 secretion, and three residues, namely, Asp69, Asp104, and Asp196, are the glycosylation sites of BmApoD1. Furthermore, we showed that BmApoD1 is significantly up-regulated in the larvae after oxidant or starvation treatment. The recombinant BmApoD1 protein can protect cells from oxidative stress induced by H{sub 2}O{sub 2} and reduce actinomycin D-induced cell apoptosis. These observations, together with the transcriptional up-regulation of BmApoD1 in several tissues upon oxidative insult, identify BmApoD1 as a potent antioxidant. Our results demonstrate that BmApoD1 is critical for metabolic adaptation of B. mori to environmental challenges.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗