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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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Clean Energy Co-Benefits: Air Quality, Health and Just Energy Transitions

Outdoor air pollution is a leading environmental risk factor and contributes to public health concerns. With assistance from the Department of State, NREL researchers supported the expansion of the Intervention Model for Air Pollution (InMAP) to Global InMAP model. This model offers a new approach to estimating the human health impacts caused by air pollutant emissions and how those impacts are distributed across populations around the world. Further research sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and executed by NREL and the University of Minnesota applied the Global InMAP Model for the first time in a study of the effects of renewable electricity deployment on air quality and human health in Southeast Asia. This brief details the inception, application, and novel approach of the Global InMAP model, and more broadly NREL's capabilities for air quality modeling and health effects co-benefits analyses in the context of just energy transitions.

air quality↗
DOE OSTI2020

Systems with greater perenniality and crop diversity enhance soil biological health

Abstract Soil health has received heightened interest because of its association with long‐term agricultural sustainability and ecological benefits, including soil carbon (C) accumulation. We examined the effects of crop diversity and perenniality on soil biological health and assessed impacts on mineralization and C stabilization processes across 10 systems including four no‐till annual row crops, two monoculture perennials, and four polyculture perennials. Crop diversity increased soil biological health in both annual and perennial systems. Rotated annuals with a cover crop increased permanganate oxidizable C (POXC) and soil organic matter relative to continuous corn ( Zea mays L.). Perennial polycultures also had 88% and 23% greater mineralizable C relative to the annual and monoculture perennial systems, respectively. All polyculture perennials had significantly greater POXC relative to switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) and annual systems, with the exception of restored prairie. Of the systems assessed in this study, incorporating perennial polycultures into rotations is the most effective way to increase soil biological health and enhance C stabilization.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Assessing outdoor air quality and public health impact attributable to residential black carbon emissions in rural China

Black carbon (BC) is a significant component of particulate matter (PM) that relates to air pollution, climate forcing, and further implications for public health. BC is predominantly released from the combustion of solid fuels. Combustion of low-quality fuels in rural China may induce severe respiratory and cardiopulmonary health outcomes for residents, which have however been inadequately assessed. One major reason for the limited understanding is the lack of a high-resolution inventory. An improved method of estimating the BC-associated public health burden is needed. This work quantified premature mortalities due to residential BC emissions in rural China. Domestic BC emissions at 1×1 km resolution were compiled based on previous field investigation, which were further configured for air quality simulation. A chemistry transport model, WRF–CMAQ v5.2, was employed for simulating BC concentrations. The consequent premature mortalities were quantified by a BC-specific concentration-response function (CRF) derived from an epidemiological study. Results show that residential combustion of solid fuel in rural China emitted 648.0 Gg (95%CI: 361.0–965.9) BC in 2014, after dispersion, accounting for 51.8% of annual mean ground-level BC concentration in China. Such impact was most severe in North and Northeast China, and the Sichuan Basin. The further investigation estimated 171,000 (95%CI: 69,000–387,000) premature mortalities that were attributable to exposure to rural residential BC. These findings reveal the major contribution of rural residential BC emissions to air pollution formation and public health impacts. Our findings are anticipated to provide useful information for enacting the next-stage environmental strategy for the residential sector in China.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Long-term trends of impacts of global gasoline and diesel emissions on ambient PM 2.5 and O 3 pollution and the related health burden for 2000–2015

Global economic development and urbanization during the past two decades have driven the increases in demand of personal and commercial vehicle fleets, especially in developing countries, which has likely resulted in changes in year-to-year vehicle tailpipe emissions associated with aerosols and trace gases. However, long-term trends of impacts of global gasoline and diesel emissions on air quality and human health are not clear. In this study, we employ the Community Earth System Model in conjunction with the newly developed Community Emissions Data System as anthropogenic emission inventory to quantify the long-term trends of impacts of global gasoline and diesel emissions on ambient air quality and human health for the period of 2000–2015. Global gasoline and diesel emissions contributed to regional increases in annual mean surface PM 2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 μm) concentrations by up to 17.5 and 13.7 µg m –3 , and surface ozone (O 3 ) concentrations by up to 7.1 and 7.2 ppbv, respectively, for 2000–2015. However, we also found substantial declines of surface PM 2.5 and O 3 concentrations over Europe, the US, Canada, and China for the same period, which suggested the co-benefits of air quality and human health from improving gasoline and diesel fuel quality and tightening vehicle emissions standards. Globally, we estimate the mean annual total PM 2.5- and O 3 -induced premature deaths are 139 700–170 700 for gasoline and 205 200–309 300 for diesel, with the corresponding years of life lost of 2.74–3.47 and 4.56–6.52 million years, respectively. Diesel and gasoline emissions create health-effect disparities between the developed and developing countries, which are likely to aggravate afterwards.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

A global analysis on the systemic effects of antibiotics in cultured fish and their potential human health risk: a review

Abstract The rearing of fish in intensive systems reduces their immunity leading to eruption of diseases, consequently prompting the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are currently used in cultured fish globally to treat/prevent diseases. On the one hand, antibiotics used in aquaculture help to improve fish health by killing or inhibiting pathogenic bacteria proliferation. However, on the other hand, they cause multiple side effects. To date, information on systemic effects of antibiotics in cultured fish is scattered and their potential human health risk remains elusive. This review critically analyses and discusses the available information in the literature on the positive and negative effects of antibiotics in cultured fish and their potential human health risk via fish consumption. The review found 44 different antibiotics dominated by oxytetracycline were studied in various fish species worldwide. Antibiotics used in global aquaculture either decrease or increase fish growth and survival rates. They induce oxidative stress, which affect antioxidant and detoxification responses and cause host–microbiota dysbiosis. These changes compromise the fish immunity system, which ultimately lead to cellular damage. The toxicities generated inhibit the fish aerobic glycolysis, suppress lipogenesis and fatty acid β‐oxidation while increase energy demand by initiating gluconeogenesis and anaerobic glycolysis. Consumption of fish treated with antibiotics causes human health risk. Future studies are required on agents to restore dysfunctions induced by antibiotics in cultured fish, while attempts to limit their utilisation in aquaculture production are underway. [Correction added on 21 November 2020, after first online publication: The abstract has been amended to clarify the scope of the review.]

Limbu, Samwel Mchele↗
DOE OSTI2020

Integrating Health and Energy Efficiency in Multi-Family Buildings

The intersection between health and the built environment has long been known. Since the 18 th century, public health officials have been targeting building issues, such as crowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate ventilation in efforts to reduce infectious diseases and fire hazards. More recently, federal agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HUD, and the DOE have been working to reduce or eliminate indoor building factors that are known to have adverse health impacts on Americans, including reducing lead in housing and indoor air pollution that causes respiratory disease, and ensuring access to adequate heating, cooling, and moisture control. PNNL, in support of FEMP’s HBI, undertook a review of literature and existing best practices to identify current activities and research on the intersection between traditional energy-efficiency measures and occupant health within multi-family buildings. While the HBI methodology has focused on traditional office building spaces, it is now expanding into additional building use types. This overview explores some of the most impactful resources to help property owners and managers understand more about multi-family residential buildings that are both healthy and energy efficient. The federal government provides direct oversight and operation across several types of multi-family residential housing, including dormitories, barracks, and senior community living centers.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Substation Secondary Asset Health Monitoring and Management System (SSHM)

Electric Power Group, LLC (EPG) was awarded DOE OE0000850 to design, develop, and demonstrate a real-time software application for substation secondary equipment health monitoring and management at host utility American Electric Power (AEP), a cost share partner. This project addresses the need for monitoring substation equipment health and providing operators with tools to identify and take pre-emptive action to avoid catastrophic equipment failure. By monitoring synchrophasor data in real time, data anomalies that indicate potential asset failure can be detected and alerts can be sent to operators in time to take corrective actions. EPG developed two data driven algorithms to identify abnormal equipment signature patterns as well as a method using substation linear state estimation (SLSE). The software has been deployed on hardened PC’s and tested and validated for cost share partner AEP’s substations - 138kV and 765 kV. The SSHM software has been accepted by AEP and final demonstration of DOE - OE0000850 for AEP and DOE was successfully completed on March 17th, 2020. EPG developed the Substation Secondary Asset Health Monitoring (SSHM) Platform to analyze equipment failure signatures in PMU data and alert substation personnel when pre-emptive inspection, repairs and other actions are warranted to prevent potential catastrophic failures. This is the first system that automatically monitors the health of substation secondary assets and alerts users to emerging failures using synchrophasor measurements. SSHM uses high resolution PMU data from PTs, CTs, and CCVTs to analyze equipment signatures and identify anomalies that are precursor indicators of potential equipment failure. When an anomaly is detected, there is a likelihood of potential failure of monitored equipment, the system alerts the user with visual alarms including alarm trend charts and indicator lights on a oneline diagram of the substation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Epidemic Intelligence Service Alumni in Public Health Leadership Roles

Since 1951, the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has trained physicians, nurses, scientists, veterinarians, and other allied health professionals in applied epidemiology. To understand the program’s effect on graduates’ leadership outcomes, we examined the EIS alumni representation in five select leadership positions. These positions were staffed by 353 individuals, of which 185 (52%) were EIS alumni. Among 12 CDC directors, four (33%) were EIS alumni. EIS alumni accounted for 29 (58%) of the 50 CDC center directors, 61 (35%) of the 175 state epidemiologists, 27 (56%) of the 48 Field Epidemiology Training Program resident advisors, and 70 (90%) of the 78 Career Epidemiology Field Officers. Of the 185 EIS alumni in leadership positions, 136 (74%) were physicians, 22 (12%) were scientists, 21 (11%) were veterinarians, 6 (3%) were nurses, and 94 (51%) were assigned to a state or local health department. Among the 61 EIS alumni who served as state epidemiologists, 40 (66%) of them were assigned to a state or local health department during EIS. Our evaluation suggests that epidemiology training programs can serve as a vital resource for the public health workforce, particularly given the capacity strains brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1972

Apollo experience report: Protection of life and health

The development, implementation, and effectiveness of the Apollo Lunar Quarantine Program and the Flight Crew Health Stabilization Program are discussed as part of the broad program required for the protection of the life and health of U.S. astronauts. Because the goal of the Apollo Program has been the safe transport of men to the moon and back to earth, protection of the astronauts and of the biosphere from potentially harmful lunar contaminants has been required. Also, to ensure mission success, the continuing good health of the astronauts before and during a mission has been necessary. Potential applications of specific aspects of the health and quarantine programs to possible manned missions to other planets are discussed.

Wooley, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Leave taking and overtime behavior as related to demographic, health, and job variables

An intra-installation model is formulated that correlates demographic, health and job related variables to the various types and amounts of leave and overtime taking behavior of employees. Statistical comparison of composite health ratings assigned to subjects based upon clinical criteria and bio-statistical data show that those employees who take the most annual leave as well as sick leave are the ones that have the poorest health ratings; employees who put in the most overtime have also the poorest health records. Stress effects of peak activity periods increase use of sick leave immediately after peak activity but not the use of annual leave.

Arnoldi, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Environmental health program in NASA

The NASA policy on environmental health uses medical and environmental concepts to: (1) Determine the health status of employees; (2) prevent illness and promote good health among employees; and (3) identify and control factors that affect the health of personnel and quality of environment. Evaluation and control of physical, chemical, radiological and biological factors surrounding personnel and which represent physiological and psychological stresses and impairment are considered.

Marrazzo, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Systems identification and application systems development for monitoring the physiological and health status of crewmen in space

The use of automated, analytical techniques to aid medical support teams is suggested. Recommendations are presented for characterizing crew health in terms of: (1) wholebody function including physiological, psychological and performance factors; (2) a combination of critical performance indexes which consist of multiple factors of measurable parameters; (3) specific responses to low noise level stress tests; and (4) probabilities of future performance based on present and periodic examination of past performance. A concept is proposed for a computerized real time biomedical monitoring and health care system that would have the capability to integrate monitored data, detect off-nominal conditions based on current knowledge of spaceflight responses, predict future health status, and assist in diagnosis and alternative therapies. Mathematical models could play an important role in this approach, especially when operating in a real time mode. Recommendations are presented to update the present health monitoring systems in terms of recent advances in computer technology and biomedical monitoring systems.

Leonard, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimating Health Services Requirements

In computer program NOROCA populations statistics from National Center for Health Statistics used with computational procedure to estimate health service utilization rates, physician demands (by specialty) and hospital bed demands (by type of service). Computational procedure applicable to health service area of any size and even used to estimate statewide demands for health services.

Alexander, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Integrated control and health management. Orbit transfer rocket engine technology program

To insure controllability of the baseline design for a 7500 pound thrust, 10:1 throttleable, dual expanded cycle, Hydrogen-Oxygen, orbit transfer rocket engine, an Integrated Controls and Health Monitoring concept was developed. This included: (1) Dynamic engine simulations using a TUTSIM derived computer code; (2) analysis of various control methods; (3) Failure Modes Analysis to identify critical sensors; (4) Survey of applicable sensors technology; and, (5) Study of Health Monitoring philosophies. The engine design was found to be controllable over the full throttling range by using 13 valves, including an oxygen turbine bypass valve to control mixture ratio, and a hydrogen turbine bypass valve, used in conjunction with the oxygen bypass to control thrust. Classic feedback control methods are proposed along with specific requirements for valves, sensors, and the controller. Expanding on the control system, a Health Monitoring system is proposed including suggested computing methods and the following recommended sensors: (1) Fiber optic and silicon bearing deflectometers; (2) Capacitive shaft displacement sensors; and (3) Hot spot thermocouple arrays. Further work is needed to refine and verify the dynamic simulations and control algorithms, to advance sensor capabilities, and to develop the Health Monitoring computational methods.

Holzmann, Wilfried A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Plant health sensing

If plants are to be used as a food source for long term space missions, they must be grown in a stable environment where the health of the crops is continuously monitored. The sensor(s) to be used should detect any diseases or health problems before irreversible damage occurs. The method of analysis must be nondestructive and provide instantaneous information on the condition of the crop. In addition, the sensor(s) must be able to function in microgravity. This first semester, the plant health and disease sensing group concentrated on researching and consulting experts in many fields in attempts to find reliable plant health indicators. Once several indicators were found, technologies that could detect them were investigated. Eventually the three methods chosen to be implemented next semester were stimulus response monitoring, video image processing and chlorophyll level detection. Most of the other technologies investigated this semester are discussed here. They were rejected for various reasons but are included in the report because NASA may wish to consider pursuing them in the future.

Manukian, Ara↗
NASA NTRS1990

Psychological Health Maintenance on Space Station Freedom

The scheduling of crew rotations for up to 180 days on Space Station Freedom presents a special challenge for behavioral scientists who are tasked with providing psychological support for the crews, their families, and mission flight controllers. Preflight psychological support planning may minimize the negative impact of psychological and social issues on mission success, as well as assist NASA management in making real-time mission planning decisions in the event of a significant social event (for example, the death of a family member). During flight, the combined psychological, emotional, and social stressors on the astronauts must be monitored, along with other aspects of their health. The Health Maintenance Facility (HMF) will have the capability of providing preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic assistance for significant psychiatric and interpersonal problems which may develop. Psychological support will not end with the termination of the mission. Mental health professionals must be part of the team of medical personnel whose job will be to facilitate the transition—physical and mental—from the space environment back to planet Earth. This paper reviews each phase of mission planning for Space Station Freedom and specifies those factors that may be critical for psychological health maintenance on extended-duration space missions.

Patricia A Santy↗
NASA NTRS1993

Health monitoring of Japanese payload specialist: Autonomic nervous and cardiovascular responses under reduced gravity condition (L-0)

In addition to health monitoring of the Japanese Payload Specialists (PS) during the flight, this investigation also focuses on the changes of cardiovascular hemodynamics during flight which will be conducted under the science collaboration with the Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) Experiment of NASA. For the Japanese, this is an opportunity to examine firsthand the effects of microgravity of human physiology. We are particularly interested in the adaption process and how it relates to space motion sickness and cardiovascular deconditioning. By comparing data from our own experiment to data collected by others, we hope to understand the processes involved and find ways to avoid these problems for future Japanese astronauts onboard Space Station Freedom and other Japanese space ventures. The primary objective of this experiment is to monitor the health condition of Japanese Payload Specialists to maintain a good health status during and after space flight. The second purpose is to investigate the autonomic nervous system's response to space motion sickness. To achieve this, the function of the autonomic nervous system will be monitored using non-invasive techniques. Data obtained will be employed to evaluate the role of autonomic nervous system in space motion sickness and to predict susceptibility to space motion sickness. The third objective is evaluation of the adaption process of the cardiovascular system to microgravity. By observation of the hemodynamics using an echocardiogram we will gain insight on cardiovascular deconditioning. The last objective is to create a data base for use in the health care of Japanese astronauts by obtaining control data in experiment L-O in the SL-J mission.

Sekiguchi, Chiharu↗
NASA NTRS1993

New health and safety initiatives at the Department of Energy (DOE)

This document touches on some of the more important lessons learned and the more noteworthy initiatives DOE has put into motion in the last three years to protect the health and safety of our contractor employees. What we have learned in the process should come as no surprise to those of you who have been working in the field: (1) that management commitment to safety and health is critical to a successful program; (2) that meaningful employee participation in all aspects of the program enhances its effectiveness at every level; and (3) that the dedication and expertise of medical and occupational safety and health professionals are needed if the challenging problems presented by the complex and technologically advanced environment at DOE facilities are to be overcome. I believe that we have made a good beginning in the long and arduous task of building an Occupational Safety and Health Program that will serve as a model for others, and I can assure you that we intend to continue our efforts to protect every worker within the complex from occupational injury and disease.

Ziemer, Paul L.↗