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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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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

A physiological signal derived from sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence quantifies crop physiological response to environmental stresses in the U.S. Corn Belt

Sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) measurements have shown unique potential for quantifying plant physiological stress. However, recent investigations found canopy structure and radiation largely control SIF, and physiological relevance of SIF remains yet to be fully understood. This study aims to evaluate whether the SIF-derived physiological signal improves quantification of crop responses to environmental stresses, by analyzing data at three different spatial scales within the U.S. Corn Belt, i.e. experiment plot, field, and regional scales, where ground-based portable, stationary and space-borne hyperspectral sensing systems are used, respectively. We found that, when controlling for variations in incoming radiation and canopy structure, crop SIF signals can be decomposed into non-physiological (i.e. canopy structure and radiation, 60% ~ 82%) and physiological information (i.e. physiological SIF yield, Φ F , 17% ~ 31%), which confirms the contribution of physiological variation to SIF. We further evaluated whether Φ F indicated plant responses under high-temperature and high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) stresses. The plot-scale data showed that Φ F responded to the proxy for physiological stress (partial correlation coefficient, r p = 0.40, p < 0.001) while non-physiological signals of SIF did not respond ( p > 0.1). The field-scale Φ F data showed water deficit stress from the comparison between irrigated and rainfed fields, and Φ F was positively correlated with canopy-scale stomatal conductance, a reliable indicator of plant physiological condition (correlation coefficient r = 0.60 and 0.56 for an irrigated and rainfed sites, respectively). The regional-scale data showed Φ F was more strongly correlated spatially with air temperature and VPD ( r = 0.23 and 0.39) than SIF ( r = 0.11 and 0.34) for the U.S. Corn Belt. The lines of evidence suggested that Φ F reflects crop physiological responses to environmental stresses with greater sensitivity to stress factors than SIF, and the stress quantification capability of Φ F is spatially scalable. Utilizing Φ F for physiological investigations will contribute to improve our understanding of vegetation responses to high-temperature and high-VPD stresses.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1980

Physiology of man and animals in the Tenth Five-Year Plan: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Congress of the I. P. Pavlov All-Union Physiological Society

Research in the field of animal and human physiology is reviewed. The following topics on problems of physiological science and related fields of knowledge are discussed: neurophysiology and higher nervous activity, physiology of sensory systems, physiology of visceral systems, evolutionary and ecological physiology, physiological cybernetics, computer application in physiology, information support of physiological research, history and theory of development of physiology. Also discussed were: artificial intelligence, physiological problems of reflex therapy, correlation of structure and function of the brain, adaptation and activity, microcirculation, and physiological studies in nerve and mental diseases.

Lange, K. A.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Migratory Behavior and Physiological Development as Potential Determinants of Life History Diversity in Fall Chinook Salmon in the Clearwater River

We studied the influence of behavior, water velocity, and physiological development on the downstream movement of subyearling fall Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in free-flowing and impounded reaches of the Clearwater and Snake rivers as potential mechanisms that might explain life history diversity in this stock. Movement rates and the percentage of radio-tagged fish that moved faster than the average current velocity were highest in the free-flowing Clearwater River compared to impounded reaches. This provided support for our hypothesis that water velocity is a primary determinant of downstream movement regardless of a fish’s physiological development. In contrast, movement rates slowed and detections became fewer in impounded reaches where velocities were much lower. The percentage of fish that moved faster than the average current velocity continued to decline and reached zero in the lower-most reach of Lower Granite Reservoir suggesting that behavioral disposition to move downstream was low. These findings contrast those of a similar, previous study of Snake River subyearlings in spite of hydrodynamic conditions being similar. Physiological differences between Snake and Clearwater river migrants shed light on this disparity. Subyearlings from the Clearwater River were parr-like in their development and never showed an increase in gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity as did smolts from the Snake River. The later emergence timing and cooler rearing temperatures in the Clearwater River may suppress normal physiological development that causes many fish to delay downstream movement and adopt a yearling life history strategy.

Tiffan, Kenneth F.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Influence of Population Variation of Physiological Parameters in Computational Models of Space Physiology

The earliest manifestations of Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome become evident after months of spaceflight and include a variety of ophthalmic changes, including posterior globe flattening and distension of the optic nerve sheath. Prevailing evidence links the occurrence of VIIP to the cephalic fluid shift induced by microgravity and the subsequent pressure changes around the optic nerve and eye. Deducing the etiology of VIIP is challenging due to the wide range of physiological parameters that may be influenced by spaceflight and are required to address a realistic spectrum of physiological responses. Here, we report on the application of an efficient approach to interrogating physiological parameter space through computational modeling. Specifically, we assess the influence of uncertainty in input parameters for two models of VIIP syndrome: a lumped-parameter model (LPM) of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, and a finite-element model (FEM) of the posterior eye, optic nerve head (ONH) and optic nerve sheath. Methods: To investigate the parameter space in each model, we employed Latin hypercube sampling partial rank correlation coefficient (LHSPRCC) strategies. LHS techniques outperform Monte Carlo approaches by enforcing efficient sampling across the entire range of all parameters. The PRCC method estimates the sensitivity of model outputs to these parameters while adjusting for the linear effects of all other inputs. The LPM analysis addressed uncertainties in 42 physiological parameters, such as initial compartmental volume and nominal compartment percentage of total cardiac output in the supine state, while the FEM evaluated the effects on biomechanical strain from uncertainties in 23 material and pressure parameters for the ocular anatomy. Results and Conclusion: The LPM analysis identified several key factors including high sensitivity to the initial fluid distribution. The FEM study found that intraocular pressure and intracranial pressure had dominant impact on the peak strains in the ONH and retro-laminar optic nerve, respectively; optic nerve and lamina cribrosa stiffness were also important. This investigation illustrates the ability of LHSPRCC to identify the most influential physiological parameters, which must therefore be well-characterized to produce the most accurate numerical results.

biomechanics↗
DOE OSTI2017

A multi-species synthesis of physiological mechanisms in drought-induced tree mortality

Widespread tree mortality associated with drought has been observed on all forested continents and global change is expected to exacerbate vegetation vulnerability. Forest mortality has implications for future biosphere–atmosphere interactions of carbon, water and energy balance, and is poorly represented in dynamic vegetation models. Reducing uncertainty requires improved mortality projections founded on robust physiological processes. However, the proposed mechanisms of drought-induced mortality, including hydraulic failure and carbon starvation, are unresolved. A growing number of empirical studies have investigated these mechanisms, but data have not been consistently analysed across species and biomes using a standardized physiological framework. Here in this work, we show that xylem hydraulic failure was ubiquitous across multiple tree taxa at drought-induced mortality. All species assessed had 60% or higher loss of xylem hydraulic conductivity, consistent with proposed theoretical and modelled survival thresholds. We found diverse responses in non-structural carbohydrate reserves at mortality, indicating that evidence supporting carbon starvation was not universal. Reduced non-structural carbohydrates were more common for gymnosperms than angiosperms, associated with xylem hydraulic vulnerability, and may have a role in reducing hydraulic function. In conclusion, our finding that hydraulic failure at drought-induced mortality was persistent across species indicates that substantial improvement in vegetation modelling can be achieved using thresholds in hydraulic function.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1992

Publications of the space physiology and countermeasures program, regulatory physiology discipline: 1980 - 1990

A 10-year cumulative bibliography of publications resulting from research supported by the Regulatory Physiology discipline of the Space Physiology and Countermeasures Program of NASA's Life Sciences Division is provided. Primary subjects included in this bibliography are circadian rhythms, endocrinology, fluid and electrolyte regulation, hematology, immunology, metabolism and nutrition, temperature regulation, and general regulatory physiology. General physiology references are also included. Principal investigators whose research tasks resulted in publication are identified by asterisk. Publications are identified by a record number corresponding with their entry in the Life Sciences Bibliographic Database, maintained at the George Washington University.

Wallace-Robinson, Janice↗
NASA NTRS2016

Microgravity-Induced Physiological Fluid Redistribution: Computational Analysis to Assess Influence of Physiological Parameters

Space flight impacts human physiology in many ways, the most immediate being the marked cephalad (headward) shift of fluid upon introduction into the microgravity environment. This physiological response to microgravity points to the redistribution of blood and interstitial fluid as a major factor in the loss of venous tone and reduction in heart muscle efficiency which impact astronaut performance. In addition, researchers have hypothesized that a reduction in astronaut visual acuity, part of the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome, is associated with this redistribution of fluid. VIIP arises within several months of beginning space flight and includes a variety of ophthalmic changes including posterior globe flattening, distension of the optic nerve sheath, and kinking of the optic nerve. We utilize a suite of lumped parameter models to simulate microgravity-induced fluid redistribution in the cardiovascular, central nervous and ocular systems to provide initial and boundary data to a 3D finite element simulation of ocular biomechanics in VIIP. Specifically, the lumped parameter cardiovascular model acts as the primary means of establishing how microgravity, and the associated lack of hydrostatic gradient, impacts fluid redistribution. The cardiovascular model consists of 16 compartments, including three cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments, three cranial blood compartments, and 10 thoracic and lower limb blood compartments. To assess the models capability to address variations in physiological parameters, we completed a formal uncertainty and sensitivity analysis that evaluated the relative importance of 42 input parameters required in the model on relative compartment flows and compartment pressures. Utilizing the model in a pulsatile flow configuration, the sensitivity analysis identified the ten parameters that most influenced each compartment pressure. Generally, each compartment responded appropriately to parameter variations associated with itself and adjacent compartments. However, several unexpected interactions between components, such as between the choroid plexus and the lower capillaries, were found, and are due to simplifications in the formulation of the model. The analysis illustrates that highly influential parameters and those that have unique influences within the model formulation must be tightly controlled for successful model application.

gravitational physiology↗
NASA NTRS2020

Fluorescence Correction Vegetation Index (FCVI): A physically based reflectance index to separate physiological and non-physiological information in far-red sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence

Sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has been used to track vegetation photosynthetic activity for improving estimation of gross primary productivity (GPP) and detecting plant stress. There are both physical and physiological controls of SIF measured at the surface and retrieved from remote sensing including satellite observations. In order to accurately use SIF for monitoring of plant physiology, the effects of physically-based radiation processes related to leaf and canopy structure, notably photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorption and SIF scattering and re-absorption, must be characterized. In this study, we investigate both PAR absorption and SIF scattering processes and find that although it is difficult to quantify their effects individually by using just reflectance, the combined effects of the two processes can be well approximated by a reflectance index. This index, referred to as FCVI (Fluorescence Correction Vegetation Index), is defined as the difference between near-infrared (NIR) and broad-band visible (VIS, 400–700 nm) reflectance acquired under identical sun-canopy-observer geometry of the SIF measurements. The development of the index was based on the physical connection between reflectance and far-red SIF, which was revealed by using the spectral invariant theory. The utility of FCVI to correct far-red SIF for PAR absorption and scattering effects, thus improving the link to photosynthesis, was tested with data from: (i) a field experiment for a growing season; and (ii) a numerical experiment which included a number of scenarios generated by a radiative transfer model. For both the observations and simulations, the FCVI provided a promising estimate of the impact of the physically-based radiation processes on far-red SIF of moderately dense canopies (i.e., FCVI ≥ 0.18). Normalizing the TOC far-red SIF by both the incident PAR (iPAR) and the FCVI provided a good estimate of the far-red fluorescence emission efficiency of the canopies examined. This approach enhances our ability to generalize retrievals for vegetation processes as they change through natural growth phases and seasons. Taken together, far-red SIF and FCVI may enable the assessment of the light partitioning of vegetation canopies, an essential step to facilitate the use of far-red SIF for tracking physiological processes.

Peiqi Yang↗
DOE OSTI2018

Comparative genomics and physiology of the genus Methanohalophilus , a prevalent methanogen in hydraulically fractured shale

Summary About 60% of natural gas production in the United States comes from hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs, such as shales or organic‐rich micrites. This process inoculates and enriches for halotolerant microorganisms in these reservoirs over time, resulting in a saline ecosystem that includes methane producing archaea. Here, we survey the biogeography of methanogens across unconventional reservoirs, and report that members of genus Methanohalophilus are recovered from every hydraulically fractured unconventional reservoir sampled by metagenomics. We provide the first genomic sequencing of three isolate genomes, as well as two metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs). Utilizing six other previously sequenced isolate genomes and MAGs, we perform comparative analysis of the 11 genomes representing this genus. This genomic investigation revealed distinctions between surface and subsurface derived genomes that are consistent with constraints encountered in each environment. Genotypic differences were also uncovered between isolate genomes recovered from the same well, suggesting niche partitioning among closely related strains. These genomic substrate utilization predictions were then confirmed by physiological investigation. Fine‐scale microdiversity was observed in CRISPR‐Cas systems of Methanohalophilus , with genomes from geographically distinct unconventional reservoirs sharing spacers targeting the same viral population. These findings have implications for augmentation strategies resulting in enhanced biogenic methane production in hydraulically fractured unconventional reservoirs.

Borton, Mikayla A.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data for Nitrogen Dynamics and Physiological N Use Efficiency in High-biomass Sorghum

Improving nitrogen (N) efficiency is essential for sustainable high-biomass sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench ) production. This study evaluated leaf and stem N dynamics, canopy N remobilization, and physiological nitrogen use efficiency (pNUE) in two photoperiod-sensitive sorghum hybrids under two N rates (0 and 168 kg-N ha−1) across multiple environments in Texas and Illinois. Leaf N concentrations increased with plant height in the canopy with steeper gradients under low-N conditions, indicating enhanced N remobilization when N is limited. Stem tissue showed less variation in N concentration across canopy nodal positions, with within-plant differences ranging from 1.2 to 7.6 g kg−1, compared to 3.1 to 16.3 g kg−1 in leaves. While pNUE was generally higher under unfertilized conditions, it varied largely by site; however, genotypic differences were minimal within the given year. These results highlight the importance of integrating environmental and management factors into breeding and fertilization strategies to enhance N efficiency in high-biomass sorghum.

Nitrogen↗
NASA NTRS1990

International Union of Physiological Sciences Commission on Gravitational Physiology, Annual Meeting, 11th, Lyons, France, Sept. 25-27, 1989, Proceedings

Topics discussed include recent space flight results in gravitational physiology, cardiovascular changes, current concepts in gravitational physiology, musculoskeletal changes, gravity and the cardiovascular system, hypergravic conditions, and head-down tilt. Papers are presented on the effect of space flight on the ultrastructure of the rat cerebellar and hemisphere cortex, a comparative study of cardiovascular responses in primates exposed to tilt test and lower body positive pressure, catecholamines during short- and long-term head-down bedrest, and effects of a 40-day tail-suspension on rat weight-bearing bones. Attention is also given to otolith versus vertical semicircular canal input in the inhibition of horizontal postrotatory nystagmus, cardiovascular responses to sustained acceleration, effects of high sustained hypergravity on plasma catecholamines, and the carotid baroreceptor cardiac-vagal reflex responses during 10 days of head-down tilt.

Reynolds, Orr E.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utility of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Investigate the Impact of Physiological Changes of Pregnancy and Cancer on Oncology Drug Pharmacokinetics

The treatment of cancer during pregnancy remains challenging with knowledge gaps in drug dosage, safety, and efficacy due to the under-representation of this population in clinical trials. Our aim was to investigate physiological changes reported in both pregnancy and cancer populations into a PBPK modeling framework that allows for a more accurate estimation of PK changes in pregnant patients with cancer. Methods: Paclitaxel and docetaxel were selected to validate a population model using clinical data from pregnant patients with cancer. The validated population model was subsequently used to predict the PK of acalabrutinib in pregnant patients with cancer. Results: The Simcyp pregnancy population model reasonably predicted the PK of docetaxel in pregnant patients with cancer, while a modified model that included a 2.5-fold increase in CYP2C8 abundance, consistent with the increased expression during pregnancy, was needed to reasonably predict the PK of paclitaxel in pregnant patients with cancer. Changes in protein binding levels of patients with cancer had a minimal impact on the predicted clearance of paclitaxel and docetaxel. PBPK modeling predicted approximately 60% lower AUC and Cmax for acalabrutinib in pregnant versus non-pregnant patients with cancer. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PBPK modeling is a promising approach to investigate the effects of pregnancy and cancer on the PK of oncology drugs and potentially inform dosing for pregnant patients with cancer. Further evaluation and refinement of the population model are needed for pregnant patients with cancer with additional compounds and clinical PK data.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Timing is everything: diel metabolic and physiological changes in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica grown in simulated outdoor conditions

Microalgal cultures grown on a light-dark cycle experience diel patterns in metabolic and physiological processes, including cell cycle synchronization, but the implications for productivity in terms of biomass and commerciallyappealing molecules are not commonly appreciated. Despite a long history of diel response studies, only recently have photobioreactor technology advances enabled the use of sinusoidal light and temperature to more accurately mimic outdoor conditions. The present study investigates cell cycle progression and dynamic changes in biomass, triacylglycerol (TAG), and photosynthetic pigments on a 24-hour scale in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica grown using a sinusoidal light and temperature regime. Cell division synchronized to occur predominantly in the middle of the light period and biomass started to increase several hours earlier, as the cells prepared to divide. TAG levels increased during the day and decreased at night, with a mid-day dip corresponding to the time when lipid needs for cell divisionassociated membrane biosynthesis would be high. For the first time, photosynthetic pigment dynamics data, obtained with higher temporal resolution than previously reported for microalgae, was overlaid with cell cycle progression, indicating that while some photosynthetic pigments respond primarily to light, others are influenced by the cell cycle. Another novel observation was that the abundance of most photosynthetic pigments also fluctuated substantially on a rapid time scale during dawn, dusk, and the beginning of the dark period. Additionally, the results indicate that in a synchronized culture, potential product yields change substantially throughout the day. This may inform harvest timing to significantly increase yield.

microalgae, biofuels, Cell Lipids↗
DOE OSTI2019

Diatom Physiology Controls Silicic Acid Leakage in Response to Iron Fertilization

We explore how the iron dependence of the Si:P uptake ratio R Si:P of diatoms controls the response of the global silicon cycle and phytoplankton community structure to Southern Ocean iron fertilization. We use a data‐constrained model of the coupled Si‐P‐Fe cycles that features a mechanistic representation of nutrient colimitations for three phytoplankton classes and that is embedded in a data‐assimilated global ocean circulation model. We consider three parameterizations of the iron dependence of R Si:P , all of which are consistent with the available field data and allow equally good fits to the observed nutrient climatology but result in very different responses to iron fertilization: Depending on how sharply R Si:P decreases with increasing iron concentration, iron fertilization can either cause enhanced silicic acid leakage from the Southern Ocean or strengthened Southern Ocean silicon trapping. Enhanced silicic acid leakage occurs if decreases in R Si:P win over increases in diatom growth, while the converse causes strengthened Southern Ocean silicon trapping. Silicic acid leakage drives a floristic shift in favor of diatoms in the subtropical gyres and stimulates increased low‐latitude opal export. The diatom contribution to global phosphorus export increases, but the lower diatom silicon requirement under iron‐replete conditions reduces the global opal export. Regardless of R Si:P parameterization, the global response of the biological phosphorus and silicon pumps is dominated by the Southern Ocean. The Si isotope signature of opal flux becomes systematically lighter with increasing iron‐induced silicic acid leakage, consistent with sediment records from iron‐rich glacial periods.

Holzer, Mark↗