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At least 217 records · Page 12

Deployment of an Advanced Electrocardiographic Analysis (A-ECG) to Detect Cardiovascular Risk in Career Firefighters

INTRODUCTION Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of line of duty death among firefighters, accounting for approximately 45% of fatalities annually. Firefighters perform strenuous muscular work while wearing heavy, encapsulating personal protective equipment in high ambient temperatures, under chaotic and emotionally stressful conditions. These factors can precipitate sudden cardiac events like myocardial infarction, serious dysrhythmias, or cerebrovascular accidents in firefighters with underlying cardiovascular disease. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors is recommended but not always followed in this population. PHASER is a project charged with identifying and prioritizing risk factors in emergency responders. We have deployed an advanced ECG (A-ECG) system developed at NASA for improved sensitivity and specificity in the detection of cardiac risk. METHODS Forty-four professional firefighters were recruited to perform comprehensive baseline assessments including tests of aerobic performance and laboratory tests for fasting lipid profiles and glucose. Heart rate and conventional 12-lead ECG were obtained at rest and during incremental treadmill exercise testing (XT). In addition, a 5-min resting 12-lead A-ECG was obtained in a subset of firefighters (n=18) and transmitted over a secure networked system to a physician collaborator at NASA for advanced-ECG analysis. This A-ECG system has been proven, using myocardial perfusion and other imaging, to accurately identify a number of cardiac pathologies including coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy. RESULTS Subjects mean (SD) age was 43 (8) years, weight 91 (13) kg, and BMI of 28 (3) kg/square meter. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was 39 (9) ml/kg/min. This compares with the 45th %ile in healthy reference values and a recommended standard of 42 ml/kg/min for firefighters. The metabolic threshold (VO2Theta) above which lactate accumulates was 23 (8) ml/kg/min. The chronotropic index, a measure of cardiovascular strain during XT was 35 (8) /L compared with reference values for men of 40 /L. Total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C were 202 (34),126 (29), and 55 (15) mg/dl, respectively. Fifty-one percent of subjects had .3 cardiovascular risk factors, 2 subjects had resting hypertension (BP.140/90), and 23 had pre-hypertension (.120/80 but <140/90). Seven had exaggerated exercise induced hypertension but only one had ST depression on XT ECG, at least one positive A-ECG score for CAD, and documented CAD based on cardiology referral. While all other subjects, including those with fewer risk factors, higher aerobic fitness, and normal exercise ECGs, were classified as healthy by A-ECG, there was no trend for association between risk factors and any of 20 A-ECG parameters in the grouped data. CONCLUSIONS A-ECG screening correctly identified the individual with CAD although there was no trend for A-ECG parameters to distinguish those with elevated BP or multiple risk factors but normal XT ECG. We have demonstrated that a new technology, advanced-ECG, can be introduced for remote firefighter risk assessment. This simple, time and cost-effective approach to risk identification that can be acquired remotely and transmitted securely can detect individuals potentially at risk for line-of-duty death. Additional research is needed to further document its value.

Dolezal, B. A.↗

Ares Upper Stage Processes to Implement Model Based Design - Going Paperless

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has all but replaced the drafting board for design work. Increased productivity and accuracy should be natural outcomes of using CAD. Going from paper drawings only to paper drawings based on CAD models to CAD models and no drawings, or Model Based Design (MBD), is a natural progression in today?s world. There are many advantages to MBD over traditional design methods. To make the most of those advantages, standards should be in place and the proper foundation should be laid prior to transitioning to MBD. However, without a full understanding of the implications of MBD and the proper control of the data, the advantages are greatly diminished. Transitioning from a paper design world to an electronic design world means re-thinking how information gets controlled at its origin and distributed from one point to another. It means design methodology is critical, especially for large projects. It means preparation of standardized parts and processes as well as strong communication between all parties in order to maximize the benefits of MBD.

Gregory, Melanie↗

Rapid Process to Generate Beam Envelopes for Optical System Analysis

The task of evaluating obstructions in the optical throughput of an optical system requires the use of two disciplines, and hence, two models: optical models for the details of optical propagation, and mechanical models for determining the actual structure that exists in the optical system. Previous analysis methods for creating beam envelopes (or cones of light) for use in this obstruction analysis were found to be cumbersome to calculate and take significant time and resources to complete. A new process was developed that takes less time to complete beam envelope analysis, is more accurate and less dependent upon manual node tracking to create the beam envelopes, and eases the burden on the mechanical CAD (computer-aided design) designers to form the beam solids. This algorithm allows rapid generation of beam envelopes for optical system obstruction analysis. Ray trace information is taken from optical design software and used to generate CAD objects that represent the boundary of the beam envelopes for detailed analysis in mechanical CAD software. Matlab is used to call ray trace data from the optical model for all fields and entrance pupil points of interest. These are chosen to be the edge of each space, so that these rays produce the bounding volume for the beam. The x and y global coordinate data is collected on the surface planes of interest, typically an image of the field and entrance pupil internal of the optical system. This x and y coordinate data is then evaluated using a convex hull algorithm, which removes any internal points, which are unnecessary to produce the bounding volume of interest. At this point, tolerances can be applied to expand the size of either the field or aperture, depending on the allocations. Once this minimum set of coordinates on the pupil and field is obtained, a new set of rays is generated between the field plane and aperture plane (or vice-versa). These rays are then evaluated at planes between the aperture and field, at a desired number of steps perceived necessary to build up the bounding volume or cone shape. At each plane, the ray coordinates are again evaluated using the convex hull algorithm to reduce the data to a minimal set. When all of the coordinates of interest are obtained for every plane of the propagation, the data is formatted into an xyz file suitable for FRED optical analysis software to import and create a STEP file of the data. This results in a spiral-like structure that is easily imported by mechanical CAD users who can then use an automated algorithm to wrap a skin around it and create a solid that represents the beam.

Howard, Joseph↗

Review, Selection and Installation of a Rapid Prototype Machine

The objective of this paper is to impress upon the reader the benefits and advantages of investing in rapid prototyping (additive manufacturing) technology thru the procurement of one or two new rapid prototyping machines and the creation of a new Prototype and Model Lab at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This new resource will be available to all of United Space Alliance, LLC (USA), enabling engineers from around the company to pursue a more effective means of communication and design with our co-workers, and our customer, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Rapid Protoyping/3D printing industry mirrors the transition the CAD industry made several years ago, when companies were trying to justify the expenditure of converting to a 3D based system from a 2D based system. The advantages of using a 3D system seemed to be outweighed by the cost it would take to convert not only legacy 2D drawings into 3D models but the training of personnel to use the 3D CAD software. But the reality was that when a 3D CAD system is employed, it gives engineers a much greater ability to conceive new designs and the ability to engineer new tools and products much more effectively. Rapid Prototyping (RP) is the name given to a host of related technologies that are used to fabricate physical objects directly from Computer Aided Design (CAD) data sources. These methods are generally similar to each other in that they add and bond materials in a layer wise-fashion to form objects, instead of machining away material. The machines used in Rapid Prototyping are also sometimes referred to as Rapid Manufacturing machines due to the fact that some of the parts fabricated in a RP machine can be used as the finished product. The name "Rapid Prototyping" is really a misnomer. It is much more than prototypes and it is not always rapid.

McEndree, Caryl↗

Path Toward a Unifid Geometry for Radiation Transport

The Direct Accelerated Geometry for Radiation Analysis and Design (DAGRAD) element of the RadWorks Project under Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) of NASA will enable new designs and concepts of operation for radiation risk assessment, mitigation and protection. This element is designed to produce a solution that will allow NASA to calculate the transport of space radiation through complex computer-aided design (CAD) models using the state-of-the-art analytic and Monte Carlo radiation transport codes. Due to the inherent hazard of astronaut and spacecraft exposure to ionizing radiation in low-Earth orbit (LEO) or in deep space, risk analyses must be performed for all crew vehicles and habitats. Incorporating these analyses into the design process can minimize the mass needed solely for radiation protection. Transport of the radiation fields as they pass through shielding and body materials can be simulated using Monte Carlo techniques or described by the Boltzmann equation, which is obtained by balancing changes in particle fluxes as they traverse a small volume of material with the gains and losses caused by atomic and nuclear collisions. Deterministic codes that solve the Boltzmann transport equation, such as HZETRN [high charge and energy transport code developed by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC)], are generally computationally faster than Monte Carlo codes such as FLUKA, GEANT4, MCNP(X) or PHITS; however, they are currently limited to transport in one dimension, which poorly represents the secondary light ion and neutron radiation fields. NASA currently uses HZETRN space radiation transport software, both because it is computationally efficient and because proven methods have been developed for using this software to analyze complex geometries. Although Monte Carlo codes describe the relevant physics in a fully three-dimensional manner, their computational costs have thus far prevented their widespread use for analysis of complex CAD models, leading to the creation and maintenance of toolkit-specific simplistic geometry models. The work presented here builds on the Direct Accelerated Geometry Monte Carlo (DAGMC) toolkit developed for use with the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code. The workflow for achieving radiation transport on CAD models using MCNP and FLUKA has been demonstrated and the results of analyses on realistic spacecraft/habitats will be presented. Future work is planned that will further automate this process and enable the use of multiple radiation transport codes on identical geometry models imported from CAD. This effort will enhance the modeling tools used by NASA to accurately evaluate the astronaut space radiation risk and accurately determine the protection provided by as-designed exploration mission vehicles and habitats

Lee, Kerry↗

3D Scanning Laboratory

The 3D Scanning Lab uses a number of technologies to capture 3D surface data. Those technologies are structured light scanning, discrete point measurement photogrammetry and Light Detecting and Ranging(LIDAR). Structured light is a non-contact optical technique used to capture as built surface geometries quickly and accurately. LIDAR is a laser scanning technique used to capture 3D surfaces. And photogrammetry uses a certified DSLR camera to measure discrete registered and non-registered points in 3D space. MSFC’s 3D Scanning Team uses 3D scanning to provide hardware inspections, reverse engineered CAD models, manufacturing/process development and digital assemblies. The inspection process compares the captured data to CAD, providing a color plot detailing the deviations of the scan data to the CAD model. Dimensional measurements and GD&T can also be interrogated. Inspection can provide scan-to-scan data comparisons which is ideal for assessing tested hardware, e.g. comparing data captured before and after hardware testing. Reverse engineering is used to develop CAD models from scan data. This is useful for heritage hardware studies, developing building or structural models and inputs for simulation studies and design efforts. The lab uses the 3D surface scan data to drive manufacturing/machining processes, termed match machining. This technique has been used to modify nozzles, injectors, additive manufactured parts, composite barrel sections, etc. Parts of an assembly can be scanned and assembled in a virtual environment providing an accurate 3D representation of the assembled hardware in its as-scanned state. This can provide detailed information of internal components that would otherwise not be accessible.

Advanced Manufacturing↗

Redefining Design for Remanufacturing: A Practical Methodology for Prioritizing Remanufacturing Design Rules

Products are often discarded when they fail or no longer meet user needs. These outcomes are frequently shaped by early design decisions. While remanufacturing offers a sustainable alternative by restoring products to like‐new condition, its potential is often limited by designs that do not consider remanufacturing from the outset. This research addresses that challenge by introducing a structured Design for Remanufacturing (DfRem) methodology and a CAD‐integrated tool to support real‐time design decisions. The DfRem framework introduces a new primary design function focused on preserving product functionality across its life cycle. It is supported by a fault tree that identifies failure modes that limit remanufacturing potential and a hierarchy of design principles including Prevent, Minimize, Relocate, Restore, and others. Each principle is linked to actionable design rules that help engineers reduce the need for remanufacturing or improve its efficiency when necessary. To operationalize this framework, we developed CAD plugins for Autodesk Inventor and PTC Creo. These tools use a state machine model to present prioritized design rules based on selected failure modes and user input. By embedding DfRem logic directly into widely used CAD environments, the tool enables engineers to make sustainability‐informed decisions without disrupting existing workflows. Furthermore, this approach highlights the critical role of design in enabling circular and resource‐efficient product development, making remanufacturing a more practical and accessible strategy during the early stages of product design.

CAD↗

Rewired phenolic metabolism and improved saccharification efficiency of a Zea mays cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (zmcad2) mutant

Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant byproduct from cereal crops that can potentially be valorized as a feedstock to produce biomaterials. Zea mays CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE 2 (ZmCAD2) is involved in lignification, and is a promising target to improve the cellulose–to–glucose conversion of maize stover. Here, we analyzed a field–grown zmcad2 Mutator transposon insertional mutant. Zmcad2 mutant plants had an 18% lower Klason lignin content, whereas their cellulose content was similar to that of control lines. The lignin in zmcad2 mutants contained increased levels of hydroxycinnamaldehydes, i.e. the substrates of ZmCAD2, ferulic acid and tricin. Ferulates decorating hemicelluloses were not altered. Phenolic profiling further revealed that hydroxycinnamaldehydes are partly converted into (dihydro)ferulic acid and sinapic acid and their derivatives in zmcad2 mutants. Syringyl lactic acid hexoside, a metabolic sink in CAD–deficient dicot trees, appeared not to be a sink in zmcad2 maize. The enzymatic cellulose–to–glucose conversion efficiency was determined after 10 different thermochemical pre–treatments. Zmcad2 yielded significantly higher conversions compared with controls for almost every pre–treatment. However, the relative increase in glucose yields after alkaline pre–treatment was not higher than the relative increase when no pre–treatment was applied, suggesting that the positive effect of the incorporation of hydroxycinnamaldehydes was leveled off by the negative effect of reduced p–coumarate levels in the cell wall. Here, taken together, our results reveal how phenolic metabolism is affected in CAD–deficient maize, and further support mutating CAD genes in cereal crops as a promising strategy to improve lignocellulosic biomass for sugar–platform biorefineries.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Functional and Anatomical Imaging in Patients with Ischemic Symptoms and Known Coronary Artery Disease

Purpose of Review: This review is aimed at summarizing recent advances in functional, anatomical, and hybrid imaging techniques used in the assessment of ischemic complaints in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent Findings: Cardiovascular imaging has seen significant growth over the last decade in the fields of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), FFR derived from CCTA, cardiac magnetic resonance, radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging, and hybrid imaging for the purposes of evaluating symptoms concerning for ischemia. This growth stems from refinement of imaging techniques and hardware and software advances that have made current techniques more accurate with less acquisition time. However, every anatomic and functional imaging modality has important technical and patient-specific limitations. This review assesses these issues, guides a patient-centered imaging approach, and identifies important research questions to resolve. Summary: Recent advances in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging can provide important information in patients with known CAD beyond traditional imaging techniques; the use of these novel tools refines the clinical management of complex patients with ischemic symptoms and known CAD.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

A combined static-dynamic single-dose imaging protocol to compare quantitative dynamic SPECT with static conventional SPECT

Background: SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a clinical mainstay that is typically performed with static imaging protocols and visually or semi-quantitatively assessed for perfusion defects based upon the relative intensity of myocardial regions. Dynamic cardiac SPECT presents a new imaging technique based on time-varying information of radiotracer distribution, which permits the evaluation of regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR). In this work, a preliminary feasibility study was conducted in a small patient sample designed to implement a unique combined static-dynamic single-dose one-day visit imaging protocol to compare quantitative dynamic SPECT with static conventional SPECT for improving the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Fifteen patients (11 males, four females, mean age 71 ± 9 years) were enrolled for a combined dynamic and static SPECT (Infinia Hawkeye 4, GE Healthcare) imaging protocol with a single dose of {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin administered at rest and a single dose administered at stress in a one-day visit. Out of 15 patients, eleven had selective coronary angiography (SCA), 8 within 6 months and the rest within 24 months of SPECT imaging, without intervening symptoms or interventions. The extent and severity of perfusion defects in each myocardial region was graded visually. Dynamically acquired data were also used to estimate the MBF and CFR. Both visually graded images and estimated CFR were tested against SCA as a reference to evaluate the validity of the methods. Results: Overall, conventional static SPECT was normal in ten patients and abnormal in five patients, dynamic SPECT was normal in 12 patients and abnormal in three patients, and CFR from dynamic SPECT was normal in nine patients and abnormal in six patients. Among those 11 patients with SCA, conventional SPECT was normal in 5, 3 with documented CAD on SCA with an overall accuracy of 64%, sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 83%. Dynamic SPECT image analysis also produced a similar accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. CFR was normal in 6, each with CAD on SCA with an overall accuracy of 91%, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 100%. The mean CFR was significantly lower for SCA detected abnormal than for normal patients (3.86±1.06 vs 1.94±0. 0.67, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The visually assessed image findings in static and dynamic SPECT are subjective, and may not reflect direct physiologic measures of coronary lesion based on SCA. The CFR measured with dynamic SPECT is fully objective, with better sensitivity and specificity, available only with the data generated from the dynamic SPECT method.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Hybrid anatomo-functional imaging of coronary artery disease: Beneficial irrespective of its core components

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common and important cause of ischemic heart disease, with major implications on global morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive testing is crucial in the diagnostic and prognostic work-up of patients with or at risk of CAD, and also to guide decision making in terms of pharmacologic and revascularization therapy. The traditional paradigm is to view anatomic (i.e., coronary computed tomography) and functional imaging (e.g., myocardial perfusion scintigraphy) tests as opposing alternatives. Such approach is too reductionist and does not capitalize on the strengths of each type of test while risking to overlook the inherent limitations. The combination of anatomic and functional tests in a logic of hybrid imaging holds the promise of overcoming the limitations inherent to anatomic and functional testing, enabling more accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and guidance for revascularization in patients with CAD.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Diagnostic value of stress thallium-201/rest technetium-99m-sestamibi sequential dual isotope high-speed myocardial perfusion imaging for the detection of haemodynamically relevant coronary artery stenosis

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of stress thallium-201/rest technetium-99m-sestamibi sequential dual-isotope high-speed myocardial perfusion imaging (DI-HS-MPI) against invasively determined fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients prospectively underwent DI-HS-MPI before invasive coronary angiography. Perfusion was scored visually by summed stress score on a patient and coronary territory basis. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined by the presence of ≥ 90% stenosis/occlusion or fractional flow reserve ≤ 0.80 for coronary stenosis ≥ 50%. Results: FFR was measured in 69 of 162 coronary vessels, with 1.28 ± 0.56 vessels assessed/patient. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of MPI for the detection of significant CAD were 92.8%, 69.2%, and 81.4%, on a patient basis, and 83.7%, 90.4%, and 88.8% by coronary territory. Conclusions: DI-HS-MPI accurately detects functionally significant CAD as defined by using FFR.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

An experimental and computational analysis of combustion heat release transformation in dual fuel combustion

Dual fuel (DF) diesel-methane combustion, which employs a high-reactivity fuel (diesel) to ignite a low-reactivity fuel (methane), is a widely studied combustion strategy for internal combustion engines, with significant potential for engine-out emissions reductions without the need for major hardware modifications. A phenomenon, which has been reported in the DF literature, but not explained fully, is the transformation of the shape of the apparent heat release rate (AHRR) curve as the start of injection (SOI) of diesel is advanced beyond a certain threshold; coincidentally, this AHRR transformation is usually accompanied by a sharp decrease in engine-out emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The goal of the present work is to establish the underlying physical reason(s) that cause the AHRR transformation. The AHRR transformation was observed on a single cylinder research engine (SCRE) at an indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) of 5 bar at a speed of 1500 rev/min. The transformation occurred over a range of SOIs from 330 to 320 crank angle degrees (CAD). While the 330 CAD SOI exhibited a typical two-stage AHRR curve, with a clearly definable first-stage peak followed by a second-stage AHRR with little-to-no low temperature heat release (LTHR) present and high engine-out NOx, the 320 CAD SOI exhibited a single-stage, Gaussian-like AHRR curve, with noticeable LTHR and at least one order-of-magnitude lower NOx emissions. Here, leveraging analysis of experimental data and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations, the authors show that the AHRR transformation is impacted mainly by differences in local equivalence ratio distributions within the cylinder at ignition onset for different diesel SOIs.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Crosstalk between cyclophilins and T lymphocytes in coronary artery disease

Highlights: • CD147 receptor expression is elevated in T lymphocytes from CAD patients. • Intracellular CypA and B expression are augmented in T lymphocytes from CAD patients. • CypA, B and C, and IL-1β and IL-6 serum levels are increased in patients with CAD. • CypA and B levels in T lymphocytes are correlated with CypA and B serum levels, respectively. Cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis are currently some of the most widespread diseases of our time. Within cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease and underlying atherosclerosis were recently linked with systemic and local inflammation. Cyclophilins participate in the initiation and progression of these inflammatory-related diseases. Cyclophilins are released into the extracellular space upon inflammatory stimuli and participate in the pathology of cardiovascular diseases. The cell surface receptor for extracellular cyclophilins, the CD147 receptor, also contributes to coronary artery disease pathogenesis. Nevertheless, the physiological relevance of cyclophilin's family and their receptor in cardiovascular diseases remains unclear. The present study aimed to better understand the role of cyclophilins in cardiovascular artery disease and their relationship with inflammation. Hence, cyclophilins and pro-inflammatory interleukins were measured in the serum of 30 subjects (divided into three groups according to coronary artery disease status: 10 patients with acute coronary syndrome, 10 patients with chronic coronary artery disease, and 10 control volunteers). In addition, cyclophilin levels and CD147 receptor expression were measured in T lymphocytes purified from these subjects. Cyclophilin A, B, and C, pro-inflammatory interleukins, and CD147 membrane expression were significantly elevated in patients with coronary artery disease.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Testing the Activation Analysis for Fusion in OpenMC

OpenMC is a community-developed Monte Carlo neutron and photon transport simulation code. It can perform fission simulations such as fixed-source, k-eigenvalue, and subcritical multiplication calculations on models built using either a constructive solid geometry or CAD representation. To explore the use of OpenMC for fusion activation analysis, a detailed model of the Fusion Neutronics Science Facility (FNSF) was first developed for comparisons against an existing SERPENT model. A 90-degree model of FNSF in Standard-Triangle-Language (STL) CAD format was converted to Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) using each code's built-in functions, and the geometries were validated by ensuring no cells overlapped and no particles were lost during simulations. The neutron fluxes were calculated and compared for multiple components close to the plasma. The results show differences mostly below 1% in fluxes and averaged 8% for activity and decay heat. Here, the work described in this study tests the CAD-based geometry using the DagMC toolkit in OpenMC and compares the activation analysis of OpenMC to SERPENT code.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Integrated Neutronics Modeling for Inertial Fusion Energy Systems: Development and Application to LD-FIRST

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is proposing a new Laser Driven Fusion Integration Research and Science Test Facility (LD-FIRST) with the goal of providing an experimental testbed for future Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) systems. However, IFE systems require detailed and accurate multiphysics modeling to quantify material damage, thermal loading, and tritium breeding within complex chamber environments. This article presents the first step in an integrated multiphysics framework that couples meshed CAD-based geometry within Monte Carlo neutronic simulations to enable high-fidelity analysis of IFE chamber concepts, with future coupling to external codes. The neutronics workflow utilizes OpenMC and its third-party capability to use CAD-based geometries through DAGMC and tally on unstructured meshes with Libmesh to evaluate neutron transport behavior, geometric fidelity, and material performance under reactor-relevant conditions. The use of tailored tallies on unstructured meshes in this framework allows direct transfer without interpolating to CFD simulation tools. Two IFE chambers were evaluated, both conceived by LLNL: HYLIFE-II and Laser IFE (LIFE). This work produced high-fidelity conformal surface and volumetric meshes of the HYLIFE-II and LIFE chambers with mapped spatial insight into material damage, thermal loading, and tritium breeding. The HYLIFE-II model was built utilizing available resources and used as a test case to verify that the neutronics framework can handle complex geometries. The LIFE chamber CAD was provided by LLNL and was the main focus of this work. This work analyzes multiple ternary alloy breeding materials for the LIFE chamber, across different 6 Li enrichments to produce data relevant to the LD-FIRST project. This work also investigates the level of model fidelity for the LIFE chamber, and results show that inclusion of detailed first wall and coolant structures increased the predicted tritium breeding ratio (TBR) by ~30%, highlighting the sensitivity of tritium breeding and the need for a high-fidelity simulation framework for IFE chambers. These developments provide a scalable toolset for the design and optimization of next-generation IFE chambers, forming a solid foundation for future coupled multiphysics analysis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

SU-E-I-30: Image Analysis in Ultrasonography for Diagnosis of Sjoegren's Syndrome Using Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform

Purpose: Sjoegren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease invading mainly salivary and lacrimal glands. Ultrasonography is used for an initial and non-invasive examination of this disease. However, the ultrasonography diagnosis tends to lack in objectivity and depends on the operator's skills. The purpose of this study is to propose a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for SS based on a dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) and machine learning. Methods: The subjects of this study were 174 patients suspected of having SS at Nagasaki University Hospital and examined with ultrasonography of the parotid glands. Out of these patients, 77 patients were diagnosed with SS by sialography. A region of interest (ROI) of 128 × 128 pixels was set within the parotid gland that was indicated by a dental radiologist. The DT-CWT was applied to the images in the ROI and every image was decomposed into 72 sub-images of the real and imaginary components in six different resolution levels and six orientations. The statistical features of the sub-image were calculated and used as data input for the support vector machine (SVM) classifier for the detection of SS. A ten-fold cross-validation was employed to verify the Resultof SVM. The accuracy of diagnosis was compared by a CAD system with a human observer performance. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the detection of SS were 95%, 86%, and 91% through our CAD system respectively, while those by a human observer were 84%, 81%, and 83% respectively. Conclusion: The proposed computer-aided diagnosis system for Sjoegren's syndrome in ultrasonography based on dual-tree complex wavelet transform had a better performance than a human observer.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

SU-E-T-339: Dosimetric Verification of Acuros XB Dose Calculation Algorithm On An Air Cavity for 6-MV Flattening Filter-Free Beam

Purpose: This study was to verify the accuracy of Acuros XB (AXB) dose calculation algorithm on an air cavity for a single radiation field using 6-MV flattening filter-free (FFF) beam. Methods: A rectangular slab phantom containing an air cavity was made for this study. The CT images of the phantom for dose calculation were scanned with and without film at measurement depths (4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 cm). The central axis doses (CADs) and the off-axis doses (OADs) were measured by film and calculated with Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) and AXB for field sizes ranging from 2 Χ 2 to 5 Χ 5 cm{sup 2} of 6-MV FFF beams. Both algorithms were divided into AXB-w and AAA -w when included the film in phantom for dose calculation, and AXB-w/o and AAA-w/o in calculation without film. The calculated OADs for both algorithms were compared with the measured OADs and difference values were determined using root means squares error (RMSE) and gamma evaluation. Results: The percentage differences (%Diffs) between the measured and calculated CAD for AXB-w was most agreement than others. Compared to the %Diff with and without film, the %Diffs with film were decreased than without within both algorithms. The %Diffs for both algorithms were reduced with increasing field size and increased relative to the depth increment. RMSEs of CAD for AXB-w were within 10.32% for both inner-profile and penumbra, while the corresponding values of AAA-w appeared to 96.50%. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the dose calculation with AXB within air cavity shows more accurate than with AAA compared to the measured dose. Furthermore, we found that the AXB-w was superior to AXB-w/o in this region when compared against the measurements.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗