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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Infrared Spectroscopy of Pa-beta and [Fe II] Emission in NGC 4151

We present spatially resolved 1.24-1.30 micron spectroscopy with a resolution of 240 km/s of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 4151. Broad Pa-beta, narrow Pa-beta, and narrow [Fe II] (lambda = 1.2567 micron) emission lines are identified in the spectrum. Additionally, a spatially unresolved narrow component probably due to [S ix] (lambda = 1.25235 micron) is observed on the nucleus. The narrow Pa-beta and [Fe II] lines are observed to be extended over a scale of 5 sec. The spatial variation of the velocity centers of the Pa-beta and [Fe II] lines show remarkable similarity, and additionally show similarities to the velocity structure previously observed in ground based spectroscopy of [O III] emission in NGC 4151. This leads to the conclusion that the [Fe II] emission arises in clouds in the Seyfert narrow line region that are physically correlated with those narrow line clouds responsible for the optical emission. The [Fe II] emission line, however, is significantly wider than the Pa-beta emission line along the full spatial extent of the observed emission. This result suggests that despite the correlation between the bulk kinematics of Pa-beta and [Fe II], there is an additional process, perhaps fast shocks from a wind in the Seyfert nucleus, contributing to the [Fe II] emission.

Knop, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Evidence for Increased Beta-Adrenoreceptor Responsiveness Induced by 14 Days of Simulated Microgravity in Humans

We studied hemodynamic responses to alpha and beta receptor agonists in 8 healthy men ( 38+- 2 yrs) before and after 14 days of 6 degree head-down tilt (HDT) to test the hypothesis that increased adrenergic responsiveness is induced by prolonged exposure to microgravity. Immediately following a 30-min baseline period, a steady-state infusion of isoproterenol (ISO) was used to assess beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic responsiveness. ISO was infused at three graded constant rates of 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 ug/kg/min. After heart rate and blood pressure had been allowed to return to baseline levels following ISO infusion graded infusion of phenylephrine (PE) was used to assess responsiveness of alpha I-vascular receptors. PE was infused at three graded constant rates of 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 ug/kg/min. Each infusion interval for both drugs was 9 min. During the infusions, constant monitoring of beat-to-beat blood pressure and heart rate was performed and leg blood flow was measured with occlusion plethysmography at each infusion level. The slopes calculated from linear regressions between ISO and PE doses and changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and leg vascular resistance for each subject were used to represent alpha- and beta- adrenoreceptor responsiveness. Fourteen days HDT increased the slopes of heart rate (1056 +- 107 to 1553 +- 83 beats/ug/kg/min; P= 0.014) and vasodilation (-469ft +- 111 to -l446 +- 309 PRU/ug/kg/min; P =0.0224) to ISO infusion. There was no alteration in blood pressure or vascular resistance responses to PE infusion after HDT. Our results provide evidence that microgravity causes selective increases in beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic responsiveness without affecting alpha 1-vascular responses.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM↗
NASA NTRS1999

Electrical Stimulation Decreases Coupling Efficiency Between Beta-Adrenergic Receptors and Cyclic AMP Production in Cultured Muscle Cells

Electrical stimulation of skeletal muscle cells in culture is an effective way to simulate the effects of muscle contraction and its effects on gene expression in muscle cells. Expression of the beta-adrenergic receptor and its coupling to cyclic AMP synthesis are important components of the signaling system that controls muscle atrophy and hypertrophy, and the goal of this project was to determine if electrical stimulation altered the beta-adrenergic response in muscle cells. Chicken skeletal muscle cells that had been grown for seven days in culture were subjected to electrical stimulation for an additional two days at a pulse frequency of 0.5 pulses/sec and a pulse duration of 200 msec. At the end of this two-day stimulation period, beta-adrenergic receptor population was measured by the binding of tritium-labeled CGP-12177 to muscle cells, and coupling to cAMP synthesis was measured by Radioimmunoassay (RIA) after treating the cells for 10 min with the potent (beta)AR agonist, isoproterenol. The number of beta adrenergic receptors and the basal levels of intracellular cyclic AMP were not affected by electrical stimulation. However, the ability of these cells to synthesize cyclic AMP was reduced by approximately 50%. Thus, an enhanced level of contraction reduces the coupling efficiency of beta-adrenergic receptors for cyclic AMP production.

Young, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Plasma Beta Above a Solar Active Region: Rethinking the Paradigm

In this paper, we present a model of the plasma beta above an active region and discuss its consequences in terms of coronal magnetic field modeling. The beta-plasma model is representative and derived from a collection of sources. The resulting beta variation with height is used to emphasize the assumption that the magnetic pressure dominates over the plasma pressure must be carefully considered depending on what part of the solar atmosphere is being considered. This paper points out (1) that the paradigm that the coronal magnetic field can be constructed from a force-free magnetic field must be used in the correct context, since the forcefree region is sandwiched between two regions which have beta greater than 1, (2) that the chromospheric MgIICIV magnetic measurements occur near the beta-minimum, and (3) that, moving from the photosphere upwards, beta can return to 1 at relatively low coronal heights, e.g. R approximately 1.2R(sub)s.

Gary, G. Allen↗
NASA NTRS1997

Color threshold and ratio of S100 beta, MAP5, NF68/200, GABA & GAD. I. Distribution in inner ear afferents

Afferents of chick embryos (Gallus domesticus) VIIIth nerve were examined at E3, E6, E9, E13, El7, and hatching (NH) for anti-S100 beta, anti-MAP5, anti-GABA, anti-GAD and anti-NF68/200 stain. Different ages were processed together to determine if the distribution of these antibodies changed during synaptogenesis and myelination. Color thresholding showed that saturation of pixels changed for S100 beta only 5%, for NF68/200 10%, and for MAP5, 10%, between E9-NH. Color ratio of NF68/200 over MAP5 was 1.00 at E13 and 0.25 at E16 and NH. S100 beta, GABA and GAD were co-expressed on nerve endings at the edge of the maculae and center of the cristae, whereas hair cells in the center of the maculae expressed either S100 beta or GABA, but not both. S100 beta/NF68/200 shared antigenic sites on the chalices, but NF68/200 expression was higher than S100 beta in the chalices at hatching. MAP5 was expressed in more neurons than NF68/200 at E11, whereas NF68/200 was more abundant than MAP5 at hatching. The results suggest that: 1) the immunoexpression of these neuronal proteins is modulated concomitantly with the establishment of afferent synapses and myelination; 2) S100 beta may serve a neurotrophic function in the chalices where it is co-expressed with the neurotransmitter GABA and its synthesizing enzyme GAD.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS2000

In vivo regulation of the beta-myosin heavy chain gene in soleus muscle of suspended and weight-bearing rats

In the weight-bearing hindlimb soleus muscle of the rat, approximately 90% of muscle fibers express the beta-myosin heavy chain (beta-MHC) isoform protein. Hindlimb suspension (HS) causes the MHC isoform population to shift from beta toward the fast MHC isoforms. Our aim was to establish a model to test the hypothesis that this shift in expression is transcriptionally regulated through specific cis elements of the beta-MHC promoter. With the use of a direct gene transfer approach, we determined the activity of different length beta-MHC promoter fragments, linked to a firefly luciferase reporter gene, in soleus muscle of control and HS rats. In weight-bearing rats, the relative luciferase activity of the longest beta-promoter fragment (-3500 bp) was threefold higher than the shorter promoter constructs, which suggests that an enhancer sequence is present in the upstream promoter region. After 1 wk of HS, the reporter activities of the -3500-, -914-, and -408-bp promoter constructs were significantly reduced ( approximately 40%), compared with the control muscles. However, using the -215-bp construct, no differences in promoter activity were observed between HS and control muscles, which indicates that the response to HS in the rodent appears to be regulated within the -408 and -215 bp of the promoter.

Non-NASA Center↗
DOE OSTI2011

LOW HORIZONTAL BETA FUNCTION IN LONG STRAIGHTS OF THE NSLS-II LATTICE

The NSLS-II storage ring lattice is comprised of 30 DBA cells arranged in 15 superperiods. There are 15 long straight sections (9.3m) for injection, RF and insertion devices and 15 short straights (6.6m) for insertion devices. In the baseline lattice, the short straights have small horizontal and vertical beta functions but the long straights have large horizontal beta function optimized for injection. In this paper, we explore the possibility of maintaining three long straights with large horizontal beta function while providing the other 12 long straights with smaller horizontal beta function to optimize the brightness of insertion devices. Our study considers the possible linear lattice solutions as well as characterizing the nonlinear dynamics. Results are reported on optimization of dynamic aperture required for good injection efficiency and adequate Touschek lifetime. This paper discusses dynamic aperture optimization for the NSLS-II lattice with alternate high and low horizontal beta function in the long straights, which is proposed for the optimization of the brightness of insertion devices. The linear optics is optimized to meet the requirements of lattice function and source properties. Nonlinear optimization for a lattice with working point at (37.18, 16.2) is performed. Considering the realistic magnets errors and physical apertures, we calculate the frequency maps and plot the tune footprint. The results show that the lattice with high-low beta function has adequate dynamic aperture for good injection efficiency and sufficient Touschek lifetime.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Structure of the iSH2 domain of Human phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85 beta Subunit Reveals Conformational Plasticity in the Interhelical Turn Region

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) proteins actively trigger signaling pathways leading to cell growth, proliferation and survival. These proteins have multiple isoforms and consist of a catalytic p110 subunit and a regulatory p85 subunit. The iSH2 domain of the p85 {beta} isoform has been implicated in the binding of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of influenza A viruses. Here, the crystal structure of human p85 {beta} iSH2 determined to 3.3 {angstrom} resolution is reported. The structure reveals that this domain mainly consists of a coiled-coil motif. Comparison with the published structure of the bovine p85 {beta} iSH2 domain bound to the influenza A virus nonstructural protein 1 indicates that little or no structural change occurs upon complex formation. By comparing this human p85 {beta} iSH2 structure with the bovine p85 {beta} iSH2 domain, which shares 99% sequence identity, and by comparing the multiple conformations observed within the asymmetric unit of the bovine iSH2 structure, it was found that this coiled-coil domain exhibits a certain degree of conformational variability or 'plasticity' in the interhelical turn region. It is speculated that this plasticity of p85 {beta} iSH2 may play a role in regulating its functional and molecular-recognition properties.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Rapid synthesis of beta zeolites

The invention provides methods for rapidly synthesizing heteroatom containing zeolites including Sn-Beta, Si-Beta, Ti-Beta, Zr-Beta and Fe-Beta. The methods for synthesizing heteroatom zeolites include using well-crystalline zeolite crystals as seeds and using a fluoride-free, caustic medium in a seeded dry-gel conversion method. The Beta zeolite catalysts made by the methods of the invention catalyze both isomerization and dehydration reactions.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Inhibition of arsenic induced-rat liver injury by grape seed exact through suppression of NADPH oxidase and TGF-{beta}/Smad activation

Chronic arsenic exposure induces oxidative damage to liver leading to liver fibrosis. We aimed to define the effect of grape seed extract (GSE), an antioxidant dietary supplement, on arsenic-induced liver injury. First, Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a low level of arsenic in drinking water (30 ppm) with or without GSE (100 mg/kg, every other day by oral gavage) for 12 months and the effect of GSE on arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity was examined. The results from this study revealed that GSE co-treatment significantly attenuated arsenic-induced low antioxidant defense, oxidative damage, proinflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic genes. Moreover, GSE reduced arsenic-stimulated Smad2/3 phosphorylation and protein levels of NADPH oxidase subunits (Nox2, Nox4 and p47phox). Next, we explored the molecular mechanisms underlying GSE inhibition of arsenic toxicity using cultured rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). From the in vitro study, we found that GSE dose-dependently reduced arsenic-stimulated ROS production and NADPH oxidase activities. Both NADPH oxidases flavoprotein inhibitor DPI and Nox4 siRNA blocked arsenic-induced ROS production, whereas Nox4 overexpression suppressed the inhibitory effects of GSE on arsenic-induced ROS production and NADPH oxidase activities, as well as expression of TGF-{beta}1, type I procollagen (Coll-I) and {alpha}-smooth muscle actin ({alpha}-SMA) mRNA. We also observed that GSE dose-dependently inhibited TGF-{beta}1-induced transactivation of the TGF-{beta}-induced smad response element p3TP-Lux, and that forced expression of Smad3 attenuated the inhibitory effects of GSE on TGF-{beta}1-induced mRNA expression of Coll-I and {alpha}-SMA. Collectively, GSE could be a potential dietary therapeutic agent for arsenic-induced liver injury through suppression of NADPH oxidase and TGF-{beta}/Smad activation. - Research Highlights: > GSE attenuated arsenic-induced low antioxidant defense, oxidative damage, proinflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic genes. > GSE reduced arsenic-mediated Smad2/3 phosphorylation and NADPH oxidase subunits (Nox2, Nox4 and p47phox). > Beneficial effects of GSE on As-induced liver injury was via inhibition of NADPH oxidase and TGF-{beta}/Smad activation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Identification and Quantification of Beta-Emitters in Waste Packages by Segmented Gamma-Scanning - 20114

A commonly applied method for the non-destructive characterization of the radioactive inventory of waste packages (e.g. 200-l drums) is segmented gamma-scanning. The gamma-emitting inventory is identified via their characteristic lines in the measured spectra. The corresponding net peak areas allow for quantification applying appropriate models. The identification and quantification of beta-emitters present in the waste package require further evaluation. While some of them emit gamma-rays, too, which can be used for identification and quantification, pure beta-emitters contribute to the gamma-spectra only by their Bremsstrahlung-spectra. {sup 32}P, {sup 90}Sr and {sup 90}Y are typical representatives of these isotopes. A method is developed for identification and quantification of these pure beta-emitters in radioactive waste packages. Origin of the procedure is the evaluation of the measured gamma-spectrum. After the identification of all lines present in the spectrum (characteristic gamma-lines, single- and double-escape-lines, X-ray-lines, annihilation peak etc.) this information is used together with calibration data of the detection system and further a-priori information like matrix composition, cross-section data from databases etc. to simulate the spectra without the Bremsstrahlung-components by an appropriate method. This may be Monte Carlo simulations or, like in our case, a computer code taking into account mathematical descriptions of the physical effects like photo effect, (multiple) Compton scattering, backscattering etc. and the attenuation effects of the waste matrix. In any case, the resulting spectrum must simulate the real spectrum without its Bremsstrahlung-component as good as possible. Subtracting the simulated from the measured spectrum then results in the Bremsstrahlung-components caused by the beta-emitters. Prior to evaluation, a set of Bremsstrahlung-spectra is calculated and stored for different beta-emitters in different matrices using the Bethe-Heitler equation. This data set can be extended for new conditions, if necessary, and is allocated in a data base for future application. Applying a non-linear optimization using the generalized reduced gradient method for comparing the calculated with the derived Bremsstrahlung-spectra results in the identification of the beta-emitter and a factor, which is proportional to its activity. The proportionality is determined by previous calibration measurements. The application of the method is demonstrated by measurements on a 200-l mock-up drum and a real waste package. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Corrections for Exchange and Screening Effects in Low-energy Beta Decays

The beta spectra of {sup 241}Pu and {sup 63}Ni have been recently measured using metallic magnetic calorimeters. This powerful experimental technique allows theoretical beta spectra calculations to be tested at low energy with an accuracy never before achievable. Their comparison with classical beta calculations exhibits a significant deviation below 4 keV for {sup 241}Pu and 8 keV for {sup 63}Ni. The atomic exchange effect explains the main part of this deviation in the {sup 63}Ni beta spectrum. This effect has a significant contribution, equivalent to the magnitude of the screening, in the {sup 241}Pu beta spectrum.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Fusion alpha-particle losses in a high-beta rippled tokamak

In tokamak plasmas, the confinement of energetic ions depends on the magnetic field structure. If the plasma pressure is finite, the equilibrium current (i.e., the Pfirsch-Schlüter current and diamagnetic current) flows in the plasma to maintain the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium. These plasma currents generate poloidal and toroidal magnetic field and alter the field structure. Moreover, if we consider the non-axisymmetry of magnetic field structures such as toroidal field (TF) ripples, the non-axisymmetric component of the equilibrium current can alter TF ripples themselves. When the plasma beta becomes high, the changes in the field structure due to the equilibrium current might affect the confinement of energetic ions significantly. We intend to clarify how these currents alter the field structure and affect the confinement of alpha particles in high-beta plasma. The MHD equilibrium is calculated using VMEC and the orbits of fusion alpha particles are followed by using the fully three-dimensional magnetic field orbit-following Monte Carlo code. In relatively low-beta plasma (e.g., the volume-averaged beta value <β>≤2%), the changes in the magnetic field component due to the plasma current negligibly affect the confinement of alpha particles except for the Shafranov shift effect. However, for <β>≥3%, the diamagnetic effect reduces the magnetic field strength and significantly increases alpha-particle losses. In these high-beta cases, the non-axisymmetric field component generated by the equilibrium current also increases these losses, but not as effectively as compared to the diamagnetic effect.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

{beta} decay of {sup 81}Zn and migrations of states observed near the N=50 closed shell

The {beta} decay of the N=51 nucleus {sup 81}Zn was studied by means of {beta}-{gamma} spectroscopy and from isotopically pure beams produced at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF). We observe several competing {beta} transitions populating {sup 81}Ga that are interpreted as allowed Gamow-Teller decays to positive parity, core excited states, and first-forbidden decays to negative parity states. The measured {beta}-decay pattern suggests an assignment of I{sup {pi}}=5/2{sup +} for the {sup 81}Zn ground state. The systematics of core excited states in N=50 isotones indicate a strengthening of the N=40 subshell gap near {sup 78}Ni.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

On the discrimination of different mechanisms for 0{nu}2{beta} decay

Nuclear matrix elements (NME) for 0{nu}{beta}{beta} decay are calculated in four candidate nuclei ({sup 76}Ge, {sup 82}Se, {sup 100}Mo, {sup 130}Te) within the quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) and its variants. We assume up to four coexisting mechanisms for 0{nu}2{beta} decay, mediated by light Majorana neutrino exchange ({nu}), heavy Majorana neutrino exchange (N), R-parity breaking supersymmetry (Re), and squark-neutrino (q-tilde), interfering either constructively or destructively with each other. With simple algebraic techniques we show that, by changing the NME within the QRPA variants, the relative contribution of each mechanism to the decay amplitude changes dramatically, even assuming accurate measurements of decay lifetimes. As a consequence, the considered 0{nu}{beta}{beta} mechanisms are nearly degenerate from a phenomenological viewpoint. We discuss implications of such degeneracy on prospective searches for absolute neutrino masses.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2012

The search for Majorana neutrinos with neutrinoless double beta decays: From CUORICINO to LUCIFER experiment

The study of neutrino properties is one of the fundamental challenges in particle physics nowadays. Fifty years of investigations established that neutrinos are massive but the absolute mass scale has not yet been measured. Moreover its true nature is still unknown. Is the neutrino its own antiparticle (thus violating the lepton number) as proposed by Majorana in 1937? The only way to probe the neutrino nature is through the observation of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (0{nu}{beta}{beta}), a very rare spontaneous nuclear transition which emits two electrons and no neutrinos. In this paper, after a brief introduction to the theoretical framework of Majorana's neutrino, a presentation of experimental challenges posed by 0{nu}{beta}{beta} search will be given as well as an overview of present status and future perpectives of experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

De novo design of small beta barrel proteins

Small beta barrel proteins are attractive targets for computational design because of their considerable functional diversity despite their very small size (<70 amino acids). However, there are considerable challenges to designing such structures, and there has been little success thus far. Because of the small size, the hydrophobic core stabilizing the fold is necessarily very small, and the conformational strain of barrel closure can oppose folding; also intermolecular aggregation through free beta strand edges can compete with proper monomer folding. Here, we explore the de novo design of small beta barrel topologies using both Rosetta energy–based methods and deep learning approaches to design four small beta barrel folds: Src homology 3 (SH3) and oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) topologies found in nature and five and six up-and-down-stranded barrels rarely if ever seen in nature. Both approaches yielded successful designs with high thermal stability and experimentally determined structures with less than 2.4 Å rmsd from the designed models. Using deep learning for backbone generation and Rosetta for sequence design yielded higher design success rates and increased structural diversity than Rosetta alone. The ability to design a large and structurally diverse set of small beta barrel proteins greatly increases the protein shape space available for designing binders to protein targets of interest.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2010

Effect of annealing treatment on K{beta}-to-K{alpha} x-ray intensity ratios of 3d transition-metal alloys

The influence of heat annealing treatment on the K{beta}-to-K{alpha} x-ray intensity ratios of 3d transition metal was carried out by x-ray fluorescence studies of various alloy compositions. K{beta}-to-K{alpha} x-ray intensity ratios of Fe, Ni, Ti, Co, and Cu in Fe{sub x}Ni{sub 1-x}, Ti{sub x}Ni{sub 1-x}, and Co{sub x}Cu{sub 1-x} alloys unannealed and thermally annealed at different temperatures have been measured following excitation by 22.69-keV x rays from a 10-mCi {sup 109}Cd radioactive point source. The experimental data obtained after annealing treatment indicate deviations of K{beta}-to-K{alpha} x-ray intensity ratios for 3d transition metals in different alloy compositions from the corresponding ratios for unannealed samples. The present investigation makes it possible to perform reliable interpretation of experimental K{beta}-to-K{alpha} x-ray intensity ratios for various 3d transition metals in their alloys and can also provide quantitative information about the changes of the K{beta}-to-K{alpha} x-ray intensity ratios of these metals with annealing treatment in considered systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗