SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “study protocol”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,549 records · Page 86

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2014

Methodology for Mechanical Property Testing of Fuel Cladding Using a Expanded Plug Wedge Test

An expanded plug method was developed earlier for determining the tensile properties of irradiated fuel cladding. This method tests fuel rod cladding ductility by utilizing an expandable plug to radially stretch a small ring of irradiated cladding material. The circumferential or hoop strain is determined from the measured diametrical expansion of the ring. A developed procedure is used to convert the load circumferential strain data from the ring tests into material pseudo-stress-strain curves, from which material properties of the cladding can be extracted. However, several deficiencies existed in this expanded-plug test that can impact the accuracy of test results, such as that the large axial compressive stress resulted from the expansion plug test can potentially induce the shear failure mode of the tested specimen. Moreover, highly nonuniform stress and strain distribution in the deformed clad gage section and significant compressive stresses, induced by bending deformation due to clad bulging effect, will further result in highly nonconservative estimates of the mechanical properties for both strength and ductility of the tested clad. To overcome the aforementioned deficiencies associated with the current expansion plug test, systematic studies have been conducted. By optimizing the specific geometry designs, selecting the appropriate material for the expansion plug, and adding new components into the testing system, a modified expansion plug testing protocol has been developed. A general procedure was also developed to determine the hoop stress in the tested ring specimen. A scaling factor, -factor, was used to convert the ring load Fring into hoop stress , and is written as _ = F_ring/tl , where t is the clad thickness and l is the clad length. The generated stress-strain curve agrees well with the associated tensile test data in both elastic and plastic deformation regions.

expansion plug test↗

DOE OSTI2018

Rapidly Assessing the Quality of Targeted Proteomics Experiments through Monitoring Stable-Isotope Labeled Standards

Selected reaction monitoring (SRM), also known as multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), is a data acquisition technique used in targeted analysis of molecules, including targeted proteomic studies. It exploits the unique capability of triple-quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometers to monitor the predefined precursor and fragment ion pairs of specific molecules of interest throughout a liquid chromatography (LC) elution profile. Compared to shotgun proteomics, targeted proteomics using SRM has high selectivity, high sensitivity, and a wide linear dynamic range,(1-3) which makes it especially useful in the accurate and reproducible quantification of low-abundance proteins in highly complex biological samples. SRM has been widely used in the fields of biomarker discovery,(4-7) analysis of protein post-translational modifications(8) and characterization of biological protein networks.(4,9) In the recent years, multiple technical advances have greatly improved the throughput of SRM analyses, allowing for the quantification of hundreds of peptides in a single analysis.(6,7,10) For example, a single 800-plex SRM assay (e.g., 400 unlabeled and heavy-labeled peptide pairs and 2400 transitions with retention time scheduling) using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has been developed to quantify proteins in plasma.(11) Advanced labeling techniques utilizing in vitro proteome-assisted MRM for protein absolute quantification (iMPAQT) demonstrated the capability of SRM in genome-wide protein quantification of over 18?000 human proteins.(12) Moreover, the scan speed of QQQ instrumentation has been greatly improved in recent releases of commercial instrumentation. The newly developed TSQ Altis (released in 2017) can scan more than 600 transitions per second, which is 6 times more than a traditional QQQ scan speed of 100 transitions per second. The breadth of measurement enabled by these technological improvements to QQQ mass spectrometry has increased the feasibility and popularity of large scale targeted proteomics studies,(13) a major application of which will be in clinical studies in which up to hundreds of protein candidates need to be quantified in hundreds of clinical specimens.(14) Quantitative accuracy is a primary motivating factor for utilizing a targeted proteomics protocol. The precise and reproducible absolute quantification produced by SRM assays is essential to many clinical and laboratory experiments.(15,16) Because the abundance of an endogenous peptide is calculated from the measurement of the spiked-in reference standard, it is essential to assess the data quality of these references.(17) In early applications of targeted proteomics, when instrument speed greatly limited the number of transitions that could be monitored, much of this quality assessment was done manually. However, recent improvements in instrument performance and experimental design have enabled a dramatic increase in the number of target peptides and associated SRM transitions, which makes manual quality assessment an untenable and laborious task. A variety of computational tools assist in SRM experiment design and data analysis. The first task in creating an SRM experiment is the choice of proteins and representative peptides to monitor. Achieving a reliable protein abundance requires appropriately choosing peptides that have a strong signal and are free from interferences in the biological matrix. Numerous computational tools exist to facilitate assay design by identifying peptides and refining SRM transitions.(18-21) To help share these assays and eliminate time spent designing the same transitions at multiple institutions, community portals have begun to host well-designed and vetted assays.(22-24) Analyzing the experimental data requires significant computational effort to align files across replicates and experimental conditions, pick peaks and produce quantitative values, normalize data and perform statistical tests, etc.(25-27)

Gibbons, Bryson C.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Tropical Cyclone Precipitation Response to Surface Warming in Aquaplanet Simulations With Uniform Thermal Forcing

While many modeling studies have attempted to estimate how tropical cyclone (TC) precipitation is impacted by climate change, the multitude of analysis techniques and methodologies have resulted in varying conclusions. Simplified models may be able to help overcome this problem. Radiative-convective equilibrium (RCE) model simulations have been used in various configurations to study fundamental aspects of Earth's climate. While many RCE modeling studies have focused on TC genesis, intensification, and size, limited work has been done using RCE to study TC precipitation. Here, in this study, the response of TC precipitation to sea surface temperature (SST) change is analyzed in global Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) aquaplanet simulations run with Radiative-Convective Equilibrium Model Intercomparison Project protocols, with the addition of planetary rotation. We expect that the insight gained about how TC precipitation responds to SST warming will help predict how TCs in the real world respond to climate change. In the CAM RCE simulations, the warmer SST simulations have less TCs on average, but the TCs tend to be larger in outer size and more intense. As simulation SST increases, more extreme precipitation rates occur within TCs, and more of the TC precipitation comes from these extreme rates. For extreme (99th percentile) TC precipitation, SST, and TC intensity increases dominate the 8.6% per K increase, while TC outer size changes have little impact. For accumulated TC precipitation, SST, and TC intensity contributions are still the majority, but TC outer size changes also contribute to the 6.6% per K increase.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

Multi-scale computer-aided design and photo-controlled macromolecular synthesis boosting uranium harvesting from seawater

By integrating multi-scale computational simulation with photo-regulated macromolecular synthesis, this study presents a new paradigm for smart design while customizing polymeric adsorbents for uranium harvesting from seawater. A dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) approach, combined with a molecular dynamics (MD) study, is performed to simulate the conformational dynamics and adsorption process of a model uranium grabber, i.e., PAO m -b-PPEGMA n , suggesting that the maximum adsorption capacity with atomic economy can be achieved with a preferred block ratio of 0.18. The designed polymers are synthesized using the PET-RAFT polymerization in a microfluidic platform, exhibiting a record high adsorption capacity of uranium (11.4 ± 1.2 mg/g) in real seawater within 28 days. This study offers an integrated perspective to quantitatively assess adsorption phenomena of polymers, bridging metal-ligand interactions at the molecular level with their spatial conformations at the mesoscopic level. The established protocol is generally adaptable for target-oriented development of more advanced polymers for broadened applications.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2019

Mechanism of glucocerebrosidase activation and dysfunction in Gaucher disease unraveled by molecular dynamics and deep learning

The lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase-1 (GCase) catalyzes the cleavage of a major glycolipid glucosylceramide into glucose and ceramide. The absence of fully functional GCase leads to the accumulation of its lipid substrates in lysosomes, causing Gaucher disease, an autosomal recessive disorder that displays profound genotype–phenotype nonconcordance. More than 250 disease-causing mutations in GBA1 , the gene encoding GCase, have been discovered, although only one of these, N370S, causes 70% of disease. In this work, we have used a knowledge-based docking protocol that considers experimental data of protein–protein binding to generate a complex between GCase and its known facilitator protein saposin C (SAPC). Multiscale molecular-dynamics simulations were used to study lipid self-assembly, membrane insertion, and the dynamics of the interactions between different components of the complex. Deep learning was applied to propose a model that explains the mechanism of GCase activation, which requires SAPC. Notably, we find that conformational changes in the loops at the entrance of the substrate-binding site are stabilized by direct interactions with SAPC and that the loss of such interactions induced by N370S and another common mutation, L444P, result in destabilization of the complex and reduced GCase activation. Our results provide an atomistic-level explanation for GCase activation and the precise mechanism through which N370S and L444P cause Gaucher disease.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

Standardized perioperative management in acute abdominal surgery: Swedish SMASH controlled study

Abstract Background Acute high-risk abdominal surgery is common, as are the attendant risks of organ failure, need for intensive care, mortality, or long hospital stay. This study assessed the implementation of standardized management. Methods A prospective study of all adults undergoing emergency laparotomy over an interval of 42 months (2018–2021) was undertaken; outcomes were compared with those of a retrospective control group. A new standardized clinical protocol was activated for all patients including: prompt bedside physical assessment by the surgeon and anaesthetist, interprofessional communication regarding location of resuscitation, elimination of unnecessary factors that might delay surgery, improved operating theatre competence, regular epidural, enhanced recovery care, and frequent early warning scores. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. Secondary endpoints were duration of hospital stay, need for intensive care, and surgical complications. Results A total of 1344 patients were included, 663 in the control group and 681 in the intervention group. The use of antibiotics increased (81.4 versus 94.7 per cent), and the time from the decision to operate to the start of surgery was reduced (3.80 versus 3.22 h) with use of the new protocol. Fewer anastomoses were performed (22.5 versus 16.8 per cent). The 30-day mortality rate was 14.5 per cent in the historical control group and 10.7 per cent in the intervention group (P = 0.045). The mean duration of hospital (11.9 versus 10.2 days; P = 0.007) and ICU (5.40 versus 3.12 days; P = 0.007) stays was also reduced. The rate of serious surgical complications (grade IIIb–V) was lower (37.6 versus 27.3 per cent; P = <0.001). Conclusion Standardized management protocols improved outcomes after emergency laparotomy.

Timan, Terje J.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Performance Evaluation of a Single-Phase Grid-Forming Inverter Through Hardware Experiments

This study conducts hardware experiments to assess the performance of a commercial single-phase grid-forming (GFM) inverter using a purely hardware-based approach. We adhere to a testing protocol for the GFM inverter and enhance it by exploring the transient performance of GFM inverters across various grid dynamic events. Quantifiable performance metrics are established for each testing scenario to gain insights into the performance of the single-phase GFM inverters. Based on the comprehensive tests, the following observations are summarized: 1) The performance of the single-phase GFM inverter is satisfactory, and it is capable of being the islanding master for residence homes when the main grid is gone. 2) For frequency response, the inverter is able to stay connected but cannot inject the needed active power to support the grid. This may be improved by the manufacturer by using droop control. 3) The GFM inverter exhibits harmful transients in voltage and frequency during islanding operation, which can be enhanced by maintaining the same operating points before and after the breaker is open.

black start↗

DOE OSTI2013

Boron neutron capture therapy for oral precancer: proof of principle in an experimental animal model

Field-cancerized tissue can give rise to second primary tumours, causing therapeutic failure. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on biological targeting and would serve to treat undetectable foci of malignant transformation. The aim of this study was to optimize BNCT for the integral treatment for oral cancer, with particular emphasis on the inhibitory effect on tumour development originating in precancerous conditions, and radiotoxicity of different BNCT protocols in a hamster cheek pouch oral precancer model.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2012

Dosimetry concepts for scanner quality assurance and tissue dose assessment in micro-CT

Purpose: At present, no established methods exist for dosimetry in micro computed tomography (micro-CT). The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate practical concepts for both dosimetric scanner quality assurance and tissue dose assessment for micro-CT. Methods: The computed tomography dose index (CTDI) was adapted to micro-CT and measurements of the CTDI both free in air and in the center of cylindrical polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantoms of 20 and 32 mm diameter were performed in a 6 month interval with a 100 mm pencil ionization chamber calibrated for low tube voltages. For tissue dose assessment, z-profile measurements using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) were performed and both profile and CTDI measurements were compared to Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations to validate an existing MC tool for use in micro-CT. The consistency of MC calculations and TLD measurements was further investigated in two mice cadavers. Results: CTDI was found to be a reproducible quantity for constancy tests on the micro-CT system under study, showing a linear dependence on tube voltage and being by definition proportional to mAs setting and z-collimation. The CTDI measured free in air showed larger systematic deviations after the 6 month interval compared to the CTDI measured in PMMA phantoms. MC calculations were found to match CTDI measurements within 3% when using x-ray spectra measured at our micro-CT installation and better than 10% when using x-ray spectra calculated from semi-empirical models. Visual inspection revealed good agreement for all z-profiles. The consistency of MC calculations and TLD measurements in mice was found to be better than 10% with a mean deviation of 4.5%. Conclusions: Our results show the CTDI implemented for micro-CT to be a promising candidate for dosimetric quality assurance measurements as it linearly reflects changes in tube voltage, mAs setting, and collimation used during the scan, encouraging further studies on a variety of systems. For tissue dose assessment, MC calculations offer an accurate and fast alternative to TLD measurements allowing for dose calculations specific to any geometry and scan protocol.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2025

Quality-Controlled Meteorological Data from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC) Network, Phoenix, Arizona (1987-2024)

This dataset contains 15- or 30-minute interval meteorological data from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC), Arizona, USA, covering eight key variables across multiple sensor stations between 1987 and 2024. Each variable is stored as a separate CSV file, containing time-series data that have undergone rigorous quality control (QC) procedures and, where appropriate, short-gap interpolation for consistency. The quality control (QC) pipeline consisted of four sequential tests: (1) a range test to ensure all values fall within physically realistic limits, (2) a step test to identify abrupt and implausible changes between consecutive records, (3) a proximity test that validates flagged values from step test using data from nearby stations and exceedance probability thresholds, and (4) a persistence test to detect and remove periods of unrealistically constant readings. These thresholds were calibrated to Arizona’s environmental conditions and sensor specifications. After QC, short gaps (≤2 hours) were linearly interpolated to ensure consistent temporal resolution, except for wind variables. Due to a major upgrade in FCDMC’s data transmission system, only ALERT-2 protocol data (2016–2024) for wind variables are included; earlier ALERT-1 data were excluded because of irregular sampling and high missing rates. This dataset supports regional climate and infrastructure resilience studies by providing standardized, high-resolution meteorological data for the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2021

Omics-Lethal Human Viruses, MERS-CoV Experiment MCL003

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the human host response to wild-type icMERS-CoV virus infection and mockulum. Sample data was obtained from human lung adenocarcinoma cells (Calu-3) for proteome, metabolome, and lipidome expression analysis. Resulting quantitative data profiles were evaluated for extreme outlier behavior using MPLEX protocol. Secondary host-associated viral dataset downloads contain one or more statistically processed (normalization data transformation) quantitative dataset collections resulting in qualitative expression analyses of primary host-pathogen experimental study designs. Leveraging unique high-resolution Omics capabilities for proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics dataset download each have a direct relationship to a primary sample submission corresponding to a specific MERS-CoV virus infection.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

An Advanced Cyber-Physical System Security Testbed for Substation Automation

A Cyber-Physical System (CPS) testbed serves as a powerful platform for testing and validating cyber intrusion detection and mitigation strategies in substations. This study presents the design and development of a CPS testbed that can effectively assess the real-time dynamics of a substation. Cyber attacks exploiting IEC 61850-based SV and GOOSE protocols are demonstrated using the testbed, along with an analysis on attack detection. Realistic timing measurements are obtained, and the time frames for deploying detection and mitigation strategies are evaluated.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

NASA NTRS1989

Communications among elements of a space construction ensemble

Space construction projects will require careful coordination between managers, designers, manufacturers, operators, astronauts, and robots with large volumes of information of varying resolution, timeliness, and accuracy flowing between the distributed participants over computer communications networks. Within the CSC Operations Branch, we are researching the requirements and options for such communications. Based on our work to date, we feel that communications standards being developed by the International Standards Organization, the CCITT, and other groups can be applied to space construction. We are currently studying in depth how such standards can be used to communicate with robots and automated construction equipment used in a space project. Specifically, we are looking at how the Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP) and the Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS), which tie together computers and machines in automated factories, might be applied to space construction projects. Together with our CSC industrial partner Computer Technology Associates, we are developing a MAP/MMS companion standard for space construction and we will produce software to allow the MAP/MMS protocol to be used in our CSC operations testbed.

Davis, Randal L.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Specimen block counter-staining for localization of GUS expression in transgenic arabidopsis and tobacco

A simple counter-staining procedure has been developed for comparative beta-glucuronidase (GUS) expression and anatomical localization in transgenic herbaceous arabidopsis and tobacco. This protocol provides good anatomical visualization for monitoring chimeric gene expression at both the organ and tissue levels. It can be used with different histochemical stains and can be extended to the study of woody species. The specimens are paraffin-embedded, the block is trimmed to reveal internal structure, safranin-O staining solution is briefly applied to the surface of the block, then washed off and, after drying, a drop of immersion oil is placed on the stained surface for subsequent photographic work. This gives tissue counter-staining with good structural preservation without loss of GUS staining product; moreover, sample observation is rapid and efficient compared to existing procedures.

NASA Discipline Plant Biology↗

NASA NTRS1999

Effects of spaceflight on rhesus quadrupedal locomotion after return to 1G

Effects of spaceflight on Rhesus quadrupedal locomotion after return to 1G. Locomotor performance, activation patterns of the soleus (Sol), medial gastrocnemius (MG), vastus lateralis (VL), and tibialis anterior (TA) and MG tendon force during quadrupedal stepping were studied in adult Rhesus before and after 14 days of either spaceflight (n = 2) or flight simulation at 1G (n = 3). Flight simulation involved duplication of the spaceflight conditions and experimental protocol in a 1G environment. Postflight, but not postsimulation, electromyographic (EMG) recordings revealed clonus-like activity in all muscles. Compared with preflight, the cycle period and burst durations of the primary extensors (Sol, MG, and VL) tended to decrease postflight. These decreases were associated with shorter steps. The flexor (TA) EMG burst duration postflight was similar to preflight, whereas the burst amplitude was elevated. Consequently, the Sol:TA and MG:TA EMG amplitude ratios were lower following flight, reflecting a "flexor bias." Together, these alterations in mean EMG amplitudes reflect differential adaptations in motor-unit recruitment patterns of flexors and extensors as well as fast and slow motor pools. Shorter cycle period and burst durations persisted throughout the 20-day postflight testing period, whereas mean EMG returned to preflight levels by 17 days postflight. Compared with presimulation, the simulation group showed slight increases in the cycle period and burst durations of all muscles. Mean EMG amplitude decreased in the Sol, increased in the MG and VL, and was unchanged in the TA. Thus adaptations observed postsimulation were different from those observed postflight, indicating that there was a response unique to the microgravity environment, i.e., the modulations in the nervous system controlling locomotion cannot merely be attributed to restriction of movement but appear to be the result of changes in the interpretation of load-related proprioceptive feedback to the nervous system. Peak MG tendon force amplitudes were approximately two times greater post- compared with preflight or presimulation. Adaptations in tendon force and EMG amplitude ratios indicate that the nervous system undergoes a reorganization of the recruitment patterns biased toward an increased recruitment of fast versus slow motor units and flexor versus extensor muscles. Combined, these data indicate that some details of the control of motor pools during locomotion are dependent on the persistence of Earth's gravitational environment.

Bion 11 Project↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Validation of Decompression Sickness Risk Mitigation Protocols for Planetary Spaceflight Missions

BACKGROUND: Apollo missions used a 100% O2 cabin atmosphere which effectively eliminated the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) during extravehicular activity (EVA) on the moon. NASA’s future missions to the moon and Mars are expected to use nitrox gas mixtures of up to 34% O2, 66% N2, which will reduce flammability risk compared with Apollo, but will necessitate Oxygen prebreathe prior to EVA to reduce DCS risk to acceptable levels. Prebreathe protocols used on the space shuttle and International Space Station are validated for microgravity EVAs, but the significantly increased risk of DCS during equivalent ambulatory EVAs make these protocols inapplicable to planetary EVA. An “exploration atmosphere” of 56.5 kPa (8.2 psia), 34% O2, 66% N2 has been recommended by NASA as a compromise that balances prebreathe duration, hypoxia, and flammability risk, assuming a 29.6 kPa (4.3 psi) spacesuit. However, this atmosphere may not be used for vehicles that do not support frequent EVA, and with commercial providers and international providers expected to provide landers, pressurized rovers, habitats, and spacesuits, different combinations of vehicle and spacesuit atmospheres are possible and will each require validated prebreathe protocols. OVERVIEW: Key components of a multi-year strategic roadmap include: 1) Establish hypobaric chamber facility capable of supporting 8-person EVA prebreathe validation tests at saturation atmospheres up to 36% O2; 2) validate an EVA physical workload simulation for use during prebreathe validation testing; 3) validate the recommended “exploration atmosphere” prebreathe protocol; 4) validate prebreathe protocols for additional atmospheric combinations that bound the most likely potential operating ranges of future vehicles and spacesuits; and 5) update DCS risk estimation models based on results of prebreathe validation studies. DISCUSSION: Details and data from completion of the first two steps of the strategic roadmap will be presented; the third step is currently underway, with pilot results provided in a companion presentation. Steps four and five will require a multi-year series of chamber tests; collaborations are being pursued.

Andrew F. J. Abercromby↗

DOE OSTI2023

An introduction to financial option pricing on a qudit-based quantum computer

The financial sector is anticipated to be one of the first industries to benefit from the increased computational power of quantum computers, in areas such as portfolio optimisation and risk management to financial derivative pricing. Financial mathematics, and derivative pricing in particular, are not areas quantum physicists are traditionally trained in despite the fact that they often have the raw technical skills needed to understand such topics. On the other hand, most quantum algorithms have largely focused on qubits, which are comprised of two discrete states, as the information carriers. However, discrete higher-dimensional qudits, in addition to possibly possessing increased noise robustness and allowing for novel error correction protocols in certain hardware implementations, also have logarithmically greater information storage and processing capacity. In the current NISQ era of quantum computing, a wide array of hardware paradigms are still being studied and any potential advantage a platform offers is worth exploring. Here we introduce the basic concepts behind financial derivatives for the unfamiliar enthusiast as well as outline in great detail the quantum algorithm routines needed to price a European option, the simplest derivative. This is done within the context of a quantum computer comprised of qudits and employing the natural higher-dimensional analogue of a qubit-based pricing algorithm with its various subroutines. From these pieces, one should relatively easily be able to tailor the scheme to more complex, realistic financial derivatives. Finally, the entire stack is numerically simulated with the results demonstrating how the qudit-based scheme's payoff quickly approaches that of both a similarly-resourced classical computer as well as the true payoff, within error, for a modest increase in qudit dimension.

Bornman, Nicholas↗

DOE OSTI2024

Performance Evaluation of a Single-Phase Grid-Forming Inverter Through Hardware Experiments

dynamic performance↗