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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 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

TU-F-BRF-08: Intensity Modulation Expanded to Spatio-Temporal Space; IMRT Combined with Optimal Fractionation Schedule

Purpose: Past efforts to improve the therapeutic ratio have focused on a spatial approach where highly conformal radiation dose is given to tumors while minimizing dose to normal tissues, e.g., IMRT, VMAT, and IGRT. However, the fractionation schedule, i.e., a temporal approach to radiotherapy, has been largely overlooked so far in maximizing the therapeutic ratio. We establish a rigorous mathematical spatio-temporal approach to systematically investigate the feasibility and potential benefits of simultaneously optimizing radiation dose distribution in space and time. Methods: Stochastic control formalism is constructed to maximize the average tumor BED by choosing an optimal radiation dose distribution for an optimal number of fractions subject to normal tissue BED constraints. Three separate simulations are run on two groups of phantom cases; 5 cases with prostate cancer and 5 cases with head-and-neck cancer. (1) Conventional IMRT with 70Gy/35fx for head-and-neck, and 81Gy/45fx for prostate, (2) IMRT is done independently from the fractionation schedule optimization (S-model), (3) integrated spatio-temporal approach (I-model) where radiation intensities are simultaneously optimized for the first time ever in space and time. Final tumor BEDs from the three trials are compared in prostate and head-and-neck cases. Results: Numerical simulations show that final tumor BED from I-model is 20–90% larger than conventional IMRT, and 20-50% larger than S-model for head-and-neck cancer with α/β=10 and Tdouble=2–50 days. Final tumor BED from I-model is also 90–140% larger than conventional IMRT, and 20–30% larger than S-model for prostate cancer with α/β=2 and Tdouble=5–80 days. Conclusion: Our spatio-temporal optimization of radiotherapy allows an expansion of search space for the optimal treatment plans to include the temporal distribution of radiation dose in addition to the spatial distribution. Such spatio-temporal approach shows great potential to improve the therapeutic ratio, particularly with fast growing, aggressive tumors with short doubling time and/or low α/β.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Angular distribution of gamma-ray emission from velocity-dependent dark matter annihilation in subhalos

We consider the effect of velocity-dependent dark matter annihilation on the angular distribution of gamma rays produced in dark matter subhalos. We assume that the dark matter potential is spherically symmetric, characterized by a scale radius and scale density, and the velocity distribution is isotropic. We find that the effect of velocity-dependent dark matter annihilation is largely determined by dimensional analysis; the angular size of gamma-ray emission from an individual subhalo is rescaled by a factor which depends on the form of the dark matter distribution, but not on the halo parameters, while the relative normalization of the gamma-ray flux from different mass subhalos is rescaled by a factor which depends on the halo parameters, but not on the form of the dark matter distribution. We apply our results to a Navarro-Frenk-White profile for the case of an individual subhalo and comment on the application of these results to a distribution of subhalos.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Bayesian Monte Carlo Evaluation of Imperfect (n, 233 U) Data and Model

Conventional nuclear data evaluation methods using generalized linear least squares make the following assumptions: prior and posterior probability distribution functions (PDFs) of all model parameters and data are normal (Gaussian); the linear approximation is sufficiently accurate to minimize the cost function (even for nonlinear models); the model (e.g., of neutron cross section) and experimental data (including covariance data) are without defect and prior PDFs of parameters and measured data are known perfectly. Neglect of covariance between model parameters and measured data in conventional evaluations contributes to imperfections. These assumptions are inherent to the generalized linear least squares minimization method commonly used for resolved resonance region neutron cross section evaluations but are often not justified due to the presence of non-normal PDFs, nonlinear models (e.g., R-matrix formalism), and inherent imperfections in data and models (e.g., imperfect covariance data). Here, these assumptions are removed in a mathematical framework of Bayes’ theorem, which is implemented using the Metropolis-Hastings Monte Carlo method. Most importantly, new parameters are introduced to parameterize discrepancies between the theoretical model and measured data to quantify judgement about discrepancies or imperfections in a reproducible manner. An evaluation of 233U in the eV region using the ENDF-B/VIII.0 library and transmission data (Guber et al.) is presented, and posterior parameters are compared to those obtained by conventional evaluation methods. This example illustrates the effects of removing the most harmful assumption: that of model-data perfection.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Using Median Point in Keeling Plot to Reduce the Uncertainty of the Isotopic Composition of Evapotranspiration

Abstract The isotopic composition of evapotranspirationδ ET is a crucial parameter in isotope-based evapotranspiration (ET) partitioning and moisture recycling studies. The Keeling plot method is the most prevalent method to calculateδ ET , though it contains large extrapolated uncertainties from the least squares regression. Traditional Keeling regression uses the mean point of individual measurements. Here, a modified Keeling plot framework was proposed using the median point of individual measurements. We tested theδ ET uncertainty using the mean point [σ ET (mean)] and median point [σ ET (median)]. Multiple resolutions of input and output data from six independent sites were used to test the performance of the two methods. Theσ ET (mean) would be greater thanσ ET (median) when the mean value of inverse vapor concentration () is greater than the median value of inverse vapor concentration []. When applying the filter ofr 2 > 0.8, around 70% ofσ ET (mean) was greater thanσ ET (median). This phenomenon might be due to the normality of the vapor concentrationC υ producing the asymmetric distribution of 1/C υ . The median method could perform significantly better than the mean method when inputting high-resolution measurements (e.g., 1 Hz) and when the water vapor concentrationC υ is relatively low. Compared to the mean method, applying the median method could on average reduce 6.88% of ET partitioning uncertainties and could on average reduce 9.00% of moisture recycling uncertainties. This study provided a new insight of the Keeling plot method and emphasized handling model output uncertainty from multiple perspectives instead of only from input parameters.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nonlinear optimization for a tumor invasion PDE model

In this work, we introduce a methodology to approximate unknown parameters that appear on a non-linear reaction–diffusion model of tumor invasion. These equations consider that tumor-induced alteration of micro-environmental pH furnishes a mechanism for cancer invasion. A coupled system reaction–diffusion explaining this model is given by three partial differential equations for the non-dimensional spatial distribution and temporal evolution of the density of normal tissue, the neoplastic tissue growth and the excess concentration of H{sup +} ions. The tumor model parameters have a corresponding biological meaning: the reabsorption rate, the destructive influence of H{sup +} ions in the healthy tissue, the growth rate of tumor tissue and the diffusion coefficient. We propose to solve the direct problem using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and minimize an appropriate functional including both the real data (obtained via in-vitro experiments and fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy) and the numerical solution. The gradient of the functional is computed by the adjoint method.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Insights into Acetone Photochemistry on Rutile TiO2(110). 1. Off-Normal CH3 Ejection from Acetone Diolate.

Thermal- and photon-stimulated reactions of acetone co-adsorbed with oxygen on rutile TiO2(110) surface are studied with infrared reflection-adsorption spectroscopy (IRAS) combined with temperature programmed desorption and angle-resolved photon stimulated desorption. IRAS results show that n2-acetone diolate ((CH3)2COO) is produced via thermally-activated reactions between the chemisorbed oxygen with co-adsorbed acetone. Formation of acetone diolate is also consistent with 18O / 16O isotopic exchange experiments. During UV irradiation at 30 K, CH3 radicals are ejected from the acetone diolate with a distribution that is peaked at .-. +- 66 degrees from the surface normal along the azimuth (i.e. perpendicular to the rows of bridging oxygen and Ti5c ions). This distribution is also consistent with the orientation of the C–CH3 bonds in the n2-acetone diolate on TiO2(110). The acetone diolate peaks disappear from the IRAS spectra after UV irradiation and new peaks are observed and associated with n2-acetate. The data presented here demonstrate direct signatures of the proposed earlier 2-step mechanism for acetone photooxidation on TiO2(110)

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2020

Perturbation-Based Diagnosis of False Data Injection Attack Using Distributed Energy Resources

Modern smart grid relies on various sensor measurements for its operational control. In a successful false data injection attack, the attacker manipulates the measurements from the grid sensors such that undetected errors are introduced into the estimates of the system parameters leading to catastrophic situations. This paper proposes a novel perturbation based false data injection attack detection mechanism that utilizes inverter based distributed energy resources (DERs) to create low magnitude perturbation signal in the distribution system voltage that is inconsequential to the normal grid operation. Two voltage sensitivity analysis based algorithms are designed to identify the optimal set of DERs that can create the voltage perturbation signal of desired magnitude. An analytical method of voltage sensitivity analysis is used to compute the magnitude of voltage perturbation signal at each node in a computationally efficient manner. Then, a detection mechanism is developed that checks for the presence of the perturbation sequence in each sensor measurement. A sensor measurement is deemed authentic if the voltage perturbation signal is present in the data. In case of sensor malfunction or cyber-attack, the perturbation signal will not be present in the measurement data. Performance of the proposed attack detection mechanism is validated via simulation of the IEEE 69 bus test system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-dimensional maximum-entropy phase space tomography using normalizing flows

Particle accelerators generate charged-particle beams with tailored distributions in six-dimensional position-momentum space (phase space). Knowledge of the phase space distribution enables model-based beam optimization and control. In the absence of direct measurements, the distribution must be tomographically reconstructed from its projections. In this paper, we highlight that such problems can be severely underdetermined and that entropy maximization is the most conservative solution strategy. We leverage —invertible generative models—to extend maximum-entropy tomography to six-dimensional phase space and perform numerical experiments to validate the model's performance. Our numerical experiments demonstrate consistency with exact two-dimensional maximum-entropy solutions and the ability to fit complicated six-dimensional distributions to large measurement sets in reasonable time. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The statistics of BAT-to-XRT flux ratio in GRBs: Evidence for a characteristic value and its implications

We present the statistics of the ratio, R, between the prompt and afterglow “plateau” fluxes of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We define this as the ratio of the mean prompt energy flux in Swift BAT and the Swift XRT one, immediately following the steep transition between these two states and the beginning of the afterglow stage referred to as the “plateau”. Like the distribution of many other GRB observables, the histogram of R is log-normal with maximum at a value R{sub m}≃2000, FWHM of about two decades, and with the entire distribution spanning about five decades in the value of R. We note that the peak of the distribution is close to the proton-to-electron mass ratio (R{sub m}≃m{sub p}/m{sub e}=1836), as proposed to be the case in an earlier publication, on the basis of a specific model of the GRB dissipation process. It therefore appears that, in addition to the values of the energy of peak luminosity E{sub pk}∼m{sub e}c{sup 2}, GRBs present us with one more quantity with an apparent characteristic value. The fact that the values of both these quantities (E{sub pk} and R) are consistent with the same specific model invoked to account for the efficient conversion of their relativistic proton energies to electrons argues favorably for its underlying assumptions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-270: A Technique for Modeling a Diode Array Into the TPS for Lung SBRT Patient Specific QA

Purpose: To accurately match the treatment planning system (TPS) with the measurement environment, where quality assurance (QA) devices are used to collect data, for lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) patient specific QA. Incorporation of heterogeneities is also studied. Methods: Dual energy computerized tomography (DECT) and single energy computerized tomography (SECT) were used to model phantoms incorporating a 2-D diode array into the TPS. A water-equivalent and a heterogeneous phantom (simulating the thoracic region of a patient) were studied. Monte Carlo and pencil beam planar dose distributions were compared to measured distributions. Composite and individual fields were analyzed for normally incident and planned gantry angle deliveries. γ- analysis was used with criteria 3% 3mm, 2% 2mm, and 1% 1mm. Results: The Monte Carlo calculations for the DECT resulted in improved agreements with the diode array for 46.4% of the fields at 3% 3mm, 85.7% at 2% 2mm, and 92.9% at 1% 1mm.For the SECT, the Monte Carlo calculations gave no agreement for the same γ-analysis criteria. Pencil beam calculations resulted in lower agreements with the diode array in the TPS. The DECT showed improvements for 14.3% of the fields at 3% 3mm and 2% 2mm, and 28.6% at 1% 1mm.In SECT comparisons, 7.1% of the fields at 3% 3mm, 10.7% at 2% 2mm, and 17.9% at 1% 1mm showed improved agreements with the diode array. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that modeling the diode array in the TPS is viable using DECT with Monte Carlo for patient specific lung SBRT QA. As recommended by task groups (e.g. TG 65, TG 101, TG 244) of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), pencil beam algorithms should be avoided in the presence of heterogeneous materials, including a diode array.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

The occurrence and wave properties of H⁺-, He⁺-, and O⁺-band EMIC waves observed by the Van Allen Probes

We perform a statistical study of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves detected by the Van Allen Probes mission to investigate the spatial distribution of their occurrence, wave power, ellipticity, and normal angle. The Van Allen Probes have been used which allow us to explore the inner magnetosphere (1.1 to 5.8 RE). Magnetic field measurements from the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science on board the Van Allen Probes are used to identify EMIC wave events for the first 22 months of the mission operation (8 September 2012 to 30 June 2014). EMIC waves are examined in H⁺-, He⁺-, and O⁺-bands. Over 700 EMIC wave events have been identified over the three different wave bands (265 H⁺-band events, 438 He⁺-band events, and 68 O⁺-band events). EMIC wave events are observed between L = 2 – 8, with over 140 EMIC wave events observed below L = 4. The results show that H⁺-band EMIC waves have two peak magnetic local time (MLT) occurrence regions: pre-noon (09:00 < MLT ≤ 12:00) and afternoon (15:00 < MLT ≤ 17:00) sectors. He⁺-band EMIC waves feature an overall stronger dayside occurrence. O⁺-band EMIC waves have one peak region located in the morning sector at lower L shells (L < 4). He⁺-band EMIC waves average the highest wave power overall (>0.1 nT²/Hz), especially in the afternoon sector. Ellipticity observations reveal that linearly polarized EMIC waves dominate in lower L shells.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Fast rise of 'Neptune-size' planets (4-8 R {sub ⊕}) from P ∼ 10 to ∼250 days—statistics of Kepler planet candidates up to ∼0.75 au

We infer the period (P) and size (R{sub p} ) distribution of Kepler transiting planet candidates with R{sub p} ≥ 1 R {sub ⊕} and P < 250 days hosted by solar-type stars. The planet detection efficiency is computed by using measured noise and the observed time spans of the light curves for ∼120,000 Kepler target stars. We focus on deriving the shape of planet periods and radius distribution functions. We find that for orbital periods P > 10 days, the planet frequency dN{sub p} /dlog P for 'Neptune-size' planets (R{sub p} = 4-8 R {sub ⊕}) increases with period as ∝P {sup 0.7±0.1}. In contrast, dN{sub p} /dlog P for 'super-Earth-size' (2-4 R {sub ⊕}) as well as 'Earth-size' (1-2 R {sub ⊕}) planets are consistent with a nearly flat distribution as a function of period (∝P {sup 0.11±0.05} and ∝P {sup –0.10±0.12}, respectively), and the normalizations are remarkably similar (within a factor of ∼1.5 at 50 days). Planet size distribution evolves with period, and generally the relative fractions for big planets (∼3-10 R {sub ⊕}) increase with period. The shape of the distribution function is not sensitive to changes in the selection criteria of the sample. The implied nearly flat or rising planet frequency at long periods appears to be in disagreement with the sharp decline at ∼100 days in planet frequency for low-mass planets (planet mass m{sub p} < 30 M {sub ⊕}) recently suggested by the HARPS survey. Within 250 days, the cumulative frequencies for Earth-size and super-Earth-size planets are remarkably similar (∼28% and 25%), while Neptune-size and Jupiter-size planets are ∼7% and ∼3%, respectively. A major potential uncertainty arises from the unphysical impact parameter distribution of the candidates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

TURBULENCE SETS THE INITIAL CONDITIONS FOR STAR FORMATION IN HIGH-PRESSURE ENVIRONMENTS

Despite the simplicity of theoretical models of supersonically turbulent, isothermal media, their predictions successfully match the observed gas structure and star formation activity within low-pressure (P/k < 10{sup 5} K cm{sup –3}) molecular clouds in the solar neighborhood. However, it is unknown whether or not these theories extend to clouds in high-pressure (P/k > 10{sup 7} K cm{sup –3}) environments, like those in the Galaxy's inner 200 pc central molecular zone (CMZ) and in the early universe. Here, we present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array 3 mm dust continuum emission within a cloud, G0.253+0.016, which is immersed in the high-pressure environment of the CMZ. While the log-normal shape and dispersion of its column density probability distribution function (PDF) are strikingly similar to those of solar neighborhood clouds, there is one important quantitative difference: its mean column density is one to two orders of magnitude higher. Both the similarity and difference in the PDF compared to those derived from solar neighborhood clouds match predictions of turbulent cloud models given the high-pressure environment of the CMZ. The PDF shows a small deviation from log-normal at high column densities confirming the youth of G0.253+0.016. Its lack of star formation is consistent with the theoretically predicted, environmentally dependent volume density threshold for star formation which is orders of magnitude higher than that derived for solar neighborhood clouds. Our results provide the first empirical evidence that the current theoretical understanding of molecular cloud structure derived from the solar neighborhood also holds in high-pressure environments. We therefore suggest that these theories may be applicable to understand star formation in the early universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Hybrid Data-Driven and Model-Based Anomaly Detection Scheme for DER Operation

This paper proposes a hybrid data and model-based anomaly detection scheme to secure the operation of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution grids. Data-driven autoencoders are set up at the edge device level and they use local DER operational data as inputs. The abnormal statuses are detected by analyzing reconstruction errors. In parallel, modelbased state estimation (SE) is set up at the central level and it uses system-wide models and measurements as data inputs. The anomalies are identified by analyzing measurement residuals. The hybrid scheme preserves the benefits of both data-driven and model-based analyses and thus improves the robustness and the accuracy of anomaly detection. Numerical tests based on the model of a real distribution feeder in Southern California highlight the proposed scheme's effectiveness and benefits.

anomaly detection↗
DOE OSTI2017

Pathogenic implications of distinct patterns of iron and zinc in chronic MS lesions

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which oligodendrocytes, the CNS cells that stain most robustly for iron and myelin are the targets of injury. Metals are essential for normal CNS functioning, and metal imbalances have been linked to demyelination and neurodegeneration. Using a multidisciplinary approach involving synchrotron techniques, iron histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, we compared the distribution and quantification of iron and zinc in MS lesions to the surrounding normal appearing and periplaque white matter, and assessed the involvement of these metals in MS lesion pathogenesis. We found that the distribution of iron and zinc is heterogeneous in MS plaques, and with few remarkable exceptions they do not accumulate in chronic MS lesions. We show that brain iron tends to decrease with increasing age and disease duration of MS patients; reactive astrocytes organized in large astrogliotic areas in a subset of smoldering and inactive plaques accumulate iron and safely store it in ferritin; a subset of smoldering lesions do not contain a rim of iron-loaded macrophages/microglia; and the iron content of shadow plaques varies with the stage of remyelination. Zinc in MS lesions was generally decreased, paralleling myelin loss. Iron accumulates concentrically in a subset of chronic inactive lesions suggesting that not all iron rims around MS lesions equate with smoldering plaques. Furthermore, upon degeneration of iron-loaded microglia/macrophages, astrocytes may form an additional protective barrier that may prevent iron-induced oxidative damage.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Inter-radiologist agreement using Society of Abdominal Radiology-American Gastroenterological Association (SAR-AGA) consensus nomenclature for reporting CT and MR enterography in children and young adults with small bowel Crohn disease

Purpose: To assess inter-radiologist agreement using the Society of Abdominal Radiology-American Gastroenterological Association (SAR-AGA) consensus recommendations for reporting CT/MR enterography exams in pediatric and young adult small bowel Crohn disease (CD). Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant retrospective investigation; the requirement for informed consent was waived. 25 CT and 25 MR enterography exams performed in children and young adults (age range: 6–23 years) between January 2015 and April 2017 with a distribution of ileal CD severity (phenotype) were identified: normal or chronic CD without active inflammation (40%), active inflammatory CD (20%), stricturing CD (20%), and penetrating CD (20%). Five fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists, blinded to one another, documented key imaging findings and standardized impressions based on SAR-AGA consensus recommendations. Inter-radiologist agreement was evaluated using Fleiss’ multi-rater kappa statistic (κ) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Inter-radiologist agreement was moderate for all key imaging findings except presence of ulcerations (κ 0.37 [95% CI 0.28–0.46]) and sacculations (κ 0.31 [95% CI 0.23–0.40]). Agreement for standardized impressions was substantial for stricturing disease (κ 0.79 [95% CI 0.70–0.87]) and moderate for presence of inflammation (κ 0.49 [95% CI 0.44–0.56]) and penetrating disease (κ 0.58 [95% CI 0.49–0.67]). No significant difference in agreement was found between CT and MRI. Conclusions: Agreement among five pediatric radiologists was moderate to substantial for SAR-AGA standardized impressions and fair to moderate for key imaging findings of pediatric and young adult CD.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neutron Diffraction Residual Stress Study of a AA2219-T87 Self-Reacting Friction Stir Weld

2219-T87 is a precipitation hardenable aluminum-copper alloy which sees wide use in structural aerospace components. Thick panels of this alloy are joined via self-reacting friction welding (SRFSW); however, this thermomechanical process can result in significant loss of the alloy’s strengthening precipitates and large residual stresses which are detrimental to mechanical behavior and performance. High-resolution maps of the residual strain and stress states along the normal, transverse, and longitudinal directions of 2219-T87 SRFSW were obtained using neutron diffraction measurements. Residual stress had the highest tensile value in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the largest compressive stress in the base metal region of the normal and transverse directions. Line profile residual stress distributions displayed an “M”-shaped distribution in each direction with the longitudinal direction being the most pronounced while 2D residual stresses displayed an hourglass-shaped pattern. Further, average maximal longitudinal residual stress values ranged from 60.6 to 85.6% of yield. Microhardness testing across the transverse weld section produced a “V”-shaped curve with slight hardness recovery in the stir zone. Maximal and minimal microhardness values were observed in the base metal (154 HV) and thermomechanically affected zone (82 HV), respectively. Microstructural evolution was recorded using optical microscopy and showed decreasing grain size from the HAZ to the stir zone.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗