Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “favorability”

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.

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

At least 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Catalytic Bias of NADH-Dependent Reduced Ferredoxin: NADP+ Oxidoreductase (Nfn) and its Relevance to Ethanol Production in Thermoanaerobacterium Saccharolyticum

NADH-dependent reduced ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase (Nfn) enzyme catalyzes an energy-conserving flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB) reaction. In microbial metabolism, Nfn links redox pools of three electron carriers - ferredoxin (Fd), NAD(H), and NADP(H) - through the following FBEB reaction: 2 NADPH + NAD+ + 2 Fdox 2 NADP+ + NADH + 2 Fdred + H+ The forward reaction is termed electron bifurcation, and the reverse reaction is electron confurcation. Catalytic bias describes an enzyme's tendency to favor one direction of a reversible reaction over the other and is expressed as the ratio of activities in the two directions. Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum (Tsac) is a thermophilic, ethanologenic bacterium that ferments hemicellulose to ethanol at yields above 90%. Its Nfn enzyme is known to support ethanol production, presumably by operating in the confurcating direction to balance cellular cofactors, but this has not previously been demonstrated. To investigate the Tsac Nfn further, we heterologously expressed, purified, and reconstituted the proteins NfnS (NfnA), NfnL (NfnB), and the putative partner Fd with iron-sulfur cluster and/or FAD cofactors. Activity assays monitoring the oxidation or reduction of Fd showed that, across pH 5-10, Tsac Nfn is catalytically biased towards the confurcating direction, favoring NADPH generation over NADPH oxidation by at least fivefold. Using protein electrochemistry, we also determined the reduction potentials of the cofactors in NfnL and Fd. These results indicate that the energetic landscape of FBEB in Tsac Nfn is similar to that in an ortholog. However, Tsac Fd has redox properties distinct from previously assayed Fds, suggesting that the identity and redox properties of Fd may help determine the catalytic bias of Nfn. Additionally, we confirmed the standalone ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNOR) activity of NfnL but found it to be low and likely insignificant for in vivo redox conversion. We also show how the catalytic bias of Nfn integrates with the hydrogen cycling mechanism proposed in Tsac to better explain cofactor balancing for ethanol production. Our work advances the understanding of electron transfer processes within metabolic networks for the generation of valuable bioproducts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evolutionary consequences of nascent multicellular life cycles

A key step in the evolutionary transition to multicellularity is the origin of multicellular groups as biological individuals capable of adaptation. Comparative work, supported by theory, suggests clonal development should facilitate this transition, although this hypothesis has never been tested in a single model system. We evolved 20 replicate populations of otherwise isogenic clonally reproducing ‘snowflake’ yeast (Δace2/∆ace2) and aggregative ‘floc’ yeast (GAL1p::FLO1 /GAL1p::FLO1) with daily selection for rapid growth in liquid media, which favors faster cell division, followed by selection for rapid sedimentation, which favors larger multicellular groups. While both genotypes adapted to this regime, growing faster and having higher survival during the group-selection phase, there was a stark difference in evolutionary dynamics. Aggregative floc yeast obtained nearly all their increased fitness from faster growth, not improved group survival; indicating that selection acted primarily at the level of cells. In contrast, clonal snowflake yeast mainly benefited from higher group-dependent fitness, indicating a shift in the level of Darwinian individuality from cells to groups. Through genome sequencing and mathematical modeling, we show that the genetic bottlenecks in a clonal life cycle also drive much higher rates of genetic drift—a result with complex implications for this evolutionary transition. Our results highlight the central role that early multicellular life cycles play in the process of multicellular adaptation.

Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics↗
NASA NTRS1972

Error studies for ground tracking of synchronous satellites

The results of various sets of tracking error analysis studies of the ability of ground stations to determine the position and velocity of synchronous satellites are summarized. The effects of varying: (1) the ground station configuration from 1 to 6 tracking stations in differing locations; (2) the ground station measurement type such as S-Band, C-Band, VHF, and lasers and (3) the uncertainties in ground station location are investigated. The linear error analysis computer program used includes the effects of ground tracking station location uncertainties, measurement noise and biases, and station timing bias. Results show that two ground trackers are needed if at least 2000 meters position accuracy is desired, with a favorable two-station solution giving less than 500 meters position accuracy. Under favorable circumstances, a multi-station laser solution gives a synchronous satellite position accuracy of less than 100 meters. The various cases illustrate features of synchronous satellite tracking from ground stations.

Cooley, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Use of the space shuttle to avoid spacecraft anomalies

An existing data base covering 304 spacecraft of the U.S. space program was analyzed to determine the effect on individual spacecraft failures and other anomalies that the space shuttle might have had if it had been operational throughout the period covered by the data. By combining the results of this analysis, information on the prelaunch activities of selected spacecraft programs, and shuttle capabilities data, the potential impact of the space shuttle on future space programs was derived. The shuttle was found to be highly effective in the prevention or correction of spacecraft anomalies, with 887 of 1,230 anomalies analyzed being favorably impacted by full utilization of shuttle capabilities. The shuttle was also determined to have a far-reaching and favorable influence on the design, development, and test phases of future space programs. This is documented in 37 individual statements of impact.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1971

Location of energy barriers. IV - Effect of rotation and mass on the dynamics of reactions A + BC.

Examination of the effect of the inclusion of a small but significant amount of rotational energy in the reagents, and of a change in reagent masses in a previous study of the effect of barrier location on the dynamics of thermonuclear reaction A + BC yields AB + C. The qualitative generalizations introduced in the previous study are found to remain valid despite the introduction of the variables. Of these generalizations the most important is that reagent translational energy favors reaction on surface I, whereas reagent vibration is the most favorable to reaction on surface II.

Hodgson, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Absolute intensity and polarization of rotational Raman scattering from N2, O2, and CO2

An experimental examination of the absolute intensity, polarization, and relative line intensities of rotational Raman scattering (RRS) from N2, O2, and CO2 is reported. The absolute scattering intensity for N2 is characterized by its differential cross section for backscattering of incident light at 647.1 nm, which is calculated from basic measured values. The ratio of the corresponding cross section for O2 to that for N2 is 2.50 plus or minus 5 percent. The intensity recent for N2, O2, and CO2 are shown to compare favorably to values calculated from recent measurements of the depolarization of Rayleigh scattering plus RRS. Measured depolarizations of various RRS lines agree to within a few percent with the theoretical value of 3/4. Detailed error analyses are presented for intensity and depolarization measurements. Finally, extensive RRS spectra at nominal gas temperatures of 23 C, 75 C, and 125 C are presented and shown to compare favorably to theoretical predictions.

Penney, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Structural aspects of Imbrium sculpture, part G

Apollo 16 metric photographs taken at low to high sun angles provided the first stereographic coverage of the distinctive landforms collectively referred to as Imbrium sculpture. The sculpture consists of a series of nearly linear ridges and troughs extending radially outward for more than 1000 km from the rim of the Imbrium Basin. The origin of the ridges and troughs, whether by deposition and impact scoring by fluidized clouds of ejecta from the Imbrium Basin or by faulting and volcanism during and subsequent to basin formation, is controversial. Evidence indicative of the mode of origin of Imbrium sculpture is summarized as follows. Evidence of volcano-tectonic mode of origin is favored by: (1) wide variation in relative age of parts of the sculpture; (2) furrows without rims; (3) absence of ballistic shielding; (4) asymmetry of sculpture; (5) absence of randomly oriented clusters; and (6) association with other features of structural origin. An origin by ejecta scoring and deposition is favored by the gradational ejecta with a Fra Mauro-type texture. Features that are ambiguous as to mode or origin are furrows made of coalesced crater chains and prominent rims on furrows.

Scott, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Electromagnetic position sensor for a magnetically supported model in a wind tunnel

An investigation was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using superconducting force-producing coils for positioning a model in a wind tunnel. The cryostat containing the forcing coils surrounded the test section of the tunnel, thus favoring an electromagnetic position sensor. Another reason favoring this choice was the fact that the performance of an electromagnetic sensor is essentially unaffected by the shape of the model.

Towler, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Application of the hydrogen-bubble technique for velocity measurements in thin liquid films.

A unique adaptation of the hydrogen-bubble flow visualization method was applied to measure velocity profiles and film thicknesses of very thin films on an inclined plane wall. Data were obtained in the three flow regions for a developing falling film with an initially uniform velocity profile and thickness less than or equal to 0.1 in. The measured profiles compared more favorably with parabolic profiles in the intermediate fully developed region than in the initial developing region. However, measured film thicknesses compared favorably with a simplified solution of the integral momentum equation based on parabolic velocity profiles. The results confirm the theoretical prediction that a relatively long distance may be required even for a thin film before nonaccelerating flow with a constant film thickness is obtained and Nusselt's classical analysis applies. The experimental technique was shown to be a practical experimental method for obtaining data for the two-dimensional laminar flow of thin liquid films.

Thomas, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Organic analysis of lunar samples and the Martian surface.

In addition to the organogenic elements (H, C, N, O, S, P) which are necessary for the synthesis of organic molecules, the lunar samples from Apollo 11, 12, 14, and 15 contain substantial amounts of CO, N2, and CO2 which are released at relatively high temperatures and smaller amounts of more complex organic compounds (e.g., benzene). The lunar surface provides one of the less favorable solar system models for the synthesis of organic compounds; yet small amounts of these compounds have been detected in the returned samples. It is reasonable to assume that the different physical and developmental features of the planet Mars (increased gravitational field, presence of an atmosphere with CO2, CO, and H2O, recent volcanic and tectonic activity, etc.) would favor an increased organic content of the surface of this planet relative to the moon. Therefore the organic molecules present in the Martian soil should be measurable by miniaturized mass spectrometers after fractional distillation or gas chromatographic separation of the volatiles released by moderate heating.

Oro, J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effects of ultrasonic fields in the phosphoric acid process

A process of apatite decomposition with sulfuric acid was studied under the influence of ultrasound in the phosphoric acid production process. The studies were carried out with and without ultrasonic fields in the reaction mixture, which resembled the mixing ratio used in technical production processes. Ultrasound with a frequency of 20 kHz and an intensity of 1 W/sq cm was used in the studies. A very favorable ultrasonic effect upon the degree of apatite decomposition was observed. The ultrasonic field affects the shape of byproduct gypsum crystals. In the H3PO4 production process without ultrasound, the byproduct gypsum crystallizes as long, thin needles which cause problems in filtration. In the trials involving the application of wound, gypsum crystallized in the form of small platelets possessing a favorable ratio of length to width.

Kowalska, E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The application of ERTS-1 data to the land use planning process

Land resource data has been extracted on a percent of cell basis from ERTS imagery, RB-57 color infrared imagery and best available conventional sources for a 10,000 square kilometer test area in eastern Wisconsin. First, the data from the three sources is compared on a spatial basis for a 300 square kilometer portion of the test area. For those land resource variables associated with cover, ERTS derived resource data compared favorably with both the RB-57 and conventional data. Second, the effect of the data source on land use decisions is examined. Three interstate highway corridors are located through the same region based upon data extracted from each of the three sources. A policy of preserving natural environmental systems was used as a basis for the corridors selection in each case. The resulting three corridors compare favorably.

Clapp, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Application of Markov chain theory to ASTP natural environment launch criteria at Kennedy Space Center

To aid the planning of the Apollo Soyuz Test Program (ASTP), certain natural environment statistical relationships are presented, based on Markov theory and empirical counts. The practical results are in terms of conditional probability of favorable and unfavorable launch conditions at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). They are based upon 15 years of recorded weather data which are analyzed under a set of natural environmental launch constraints. Three specific forecasting problems were treated: (1) the length of record of past weather which is useful to a prediction; (2) the effect of persistence in runs of favorable and unfavorable conditions; and (3) the forecasting of future weather in probabilistic terms.

Graves, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Flight investigation of installation effects on a wedge nozzle installed on an underwing nacelle

A flight research program was conducted using a modified F-106B aircraft with an underwing-nacelle - engine installation to investigate installation effects on a wedge nozzle with retracted shrouds from Mach 0.70 to 1.10. These configurations simulated the subsonic flight geometries of a variable-geometry wedge nozzle design for Mach 2.70 operation. The nozzle was tested with a J85-GE-13 turbojet engine, and data were compared with that of 0.34-scale isolated wind tunnel model. Data are also compared with the flight results of a boattail plug nozzle and a cylindrical nacelle plug nozzle. A favorable installation effect occurred from Mach 0.82 to 0.96 with a nominal 4-percent corrected secondary weight-flow ratio. This favorable effect resulted from changes in pressure forces on the nozzle surfaces. The wedge nozzle gross thrust coefficient was about the same as the boattail nacelle plug nozzle and 2.50 to 1.30 percent higher than the cylindrical nacelle plug nozzle over the subsonic Mach number range.

Johns, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Planetary magnetism

The origin and maintenance of planetary magnetic fields are discussed. The discussion is not limited to dynamo theories, although these are almost universally favored. Thermoelectric currents are found to be a possible alternative for Jupiter. Two energy sources for dynamos are considered: convection and precessionally induced fluid flow. The earth is the most favorable planet for precessionally driven dynamo, although Neptune is a possibility. Jupiter is likely to have a convectionally driven dynamo, as may Saturn, but the relevant properties of Saturn are not yet well known. Conclusions for each planet are given.

Stevenson, D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Studies of cluster X-ray sources, energy spectra for the Perseus, Virgo, and Coma clusters

Final Uhuru X-ray differential-energy spectra are presented for the Perseus, Virgo, and Coma clusters. Power-law and isothermal bremsstrahlung model spectra with low-energy cutoffs are given, and the energy-dependent Gaunt factor is calculated for the bremsstrahlung. The spectra, which are best fits to the Uhuru data between 2 and 10 keV, are compared with previous observations of these sources in the energy range from 0.1 to 100 keV. The problem of parameter estimation is discussed, error bars with 68% confidence are given for the independently determined slope and cutoff parameters, and the 68% confidence limits are plotted for the fitted spectral functions. The data for Perseus above 20 keV marginally favor the bremsstrahlung fit, those for Virgo between 0.25 and 1.0 keV clearly favor that curve, and those for Coma indicate a low-energy turnover or cutoff. Implications of such a cutoff are briefly discussed.

Kellogg, E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Application of LANDSAT data to delimitation of avalanche hazards in Montane, Colorado

The author has identified the following significant results. Photointerpretation of individual avalanche paths on single band black and white LANDSAT images is greatly hindered by terrain shadows and the low spatial resolution of the LANDSAT system. Maps produced in this way are biased towards the larger avalanche paths that are under the most favorable illumination conditions during imaging; other large avalanche paths, under less favorable illumination, are often not detectable and the smaller paths, even those defined by sharp trimlines, are only rarely identifiable.

Knepper, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mineral target areas in Nevada from geological analysis of LANDSAT-1 imagery

Geological analysis of LANDSAT-1 Scene MSS 1053-17540 suggests that certain known mineral districts in east-central Nevada frequently occur near faults or at faults or lineament intersections and areas of complex deformation and flexures. Seventeen (17) areas of analogous characteristics were identified as favorable targets for mineral exploration. During reconnaissance field trips eleven areas were visited. In three areas evidence was found of mining and/or prospecting not known before the field trips. In four areas favorable structural and alteration features were observed which call for more detailed field studies. In one of the four areas limonitic iron oxide samples were found in the regolith of a brecciated dolomite ridge. This area contains quartz veins, granitic and volcanic rocks and lies near the intersection of two linear fault structures identified in the LANDSAT-1 imagery. Semiquantitative spectroscopic analysis of selected portions of the samples showed abnormal contents of arsenic, molybdenum, copper, lead, zinc, and silver. These limonitic samples found were not in situ and further field studies are required to assess their source and significance.

Abdel-Gawad, M.↗