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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

The association between vaginal microbiota disorders and early missed abortion: A prospective study

Abstract Introduction The objective of this study was to explore the association between disordered vaginal microbiota and missed abortion to ascertain potential causes of missed abortion related to vaginal microbiology. Material and methods This study was a prospective cohort study with a comparison group (reference group). Vaginal secretions from the posterior fornix of women in the early stages of pregnancy were collected in the Xiangya Third Hospital of Central South University in Changsha, Hunan, China, from November 2018 to November 2019. A total of 54 cases of missed abortion (case group) and 50 cases of normal pregnancy requiring induced abortion (reference group) were analyzed. Bacterial DNA was extracted, hybridized with gene‐specific primers, and then detected using a bacterial chip. The composition and relative abundance of vaginal microbiota in the two groups were compared using α‐diversity analysis, β‐diversity analysis, and the linear discriminant analysis effect size method. Results The α‐diversity analysis showed that the Simpson index of the case group was lower than that of the reference group, whereas the Shannon index in the case group was higher. The relative abundance of Firmicutes in the case group (42.52%) was lower than in the reference group (51.03%, p < 0.05), as was the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (case group 16.51%, reference group 23.00%; p < 0.05). Interestingly, levels of Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma were lower in the case group ( p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus , Lactobacillus jensenii , and Lactobacillus gasseri was also significantly lower in the case group than in the reference group ( p < 0.05). The pathways enriched in the case group were predominantly related to metabolism, whereas the genetics‐related pathways were predominantly enriched in the reference group. Conclusions Bacteria are more diverse and unevenly distributed in patients with missed abortion. Decreases in the proportion of vaginal Lactobacillus and changes in Lactobacillus species in these patients may increase the chance of genital tract pathogenic bacterial infection. To our knowledge, our study was the first to observe that a decrease of Firmicutes levels in the vaginal microbiota might impair energy metabolism and have an association with missed abortion.

Sun, Dan↗
DOE OSTI2022

The safety of pranlukast and montelukast during the first trimester of pregnancy: A prospective, two‐centered cohort study in Japan

Abstract For leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), especially pranlukast, safety data during pregnancy is limited. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, two‐centered cohort study using data from teratogen information services in Japan to clarify the effects of LTRA exposure during pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes. Pregnant women who being counseled on drug use during pregnancy at two facilities were enrolled. The primary outcome of this study was major congenital anomalies. The incidence of major congenital anomalies in women exposed to montelukast or pranlukast during the first trimester of pregnancy was compared with that of controls. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the effects of maternal LTRA use during the first trimester of pregnancy on major congenital anomalies. The outcomes of 231 pregnant women exposed to LTRAs (montelukast n = 122; pranlukast n = 106; both n = 3) and 212 live births were compared with those of controls. The rate of major congenital anomalies in the LTRA group was 1.9%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that LTRA exposure was not a risk factor for major congenital anomalies (adjusted odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–2.05; p = 0.653). In addition, no significant difference was detected in stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and low birth weight between the two groups. The present study revealed that montelukast and pranlukast were not associated with the risk of major congenital anomalies. Our findings suggest that LTRAs could be safely employed for asthma therapy during pregnancy.

Hatakeyama, Shiro↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhancing the solubility of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors to increase future prospects for clinical development

SARS-CoV-2 poses an ongoing threat to human health as variants continue to emerge. Several effective vaccines are available, but a diminishing number of Americans receive the updated vaccines (only 22% received the 2023 update). Public hesitancy towards vaccines and common occurrence of “breakthrough” infections (i.e., infections of vaccinated individuals) highlight the need for alternative methods to reduce viral transmission. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells by fusing its envelope with the target cell membrane in a process mediated by the viral spike protein, S. The S protein operates via a Class I fusion mechanism in which fusion between the viral envelope and host cell membrane is mediated by structural rearrangements of the S trimer. We previously reported lipopeptides derived from the C-terminal heptad repeat (HRC) domain of SARS-CoV-2 S that potently inhibit fusion by SARS-CoV-2, both in vitro and in vivo. These lipopeptides bear an attached cholesterol unit to anchor them in the membrane. Here, to improve prospects for experimental development and future clinical utility, we employed structure-guided design to incorporate charged residues at specific sites in the peptide to enhance aqueous solubility. This effort resulted in two new, potent lipopeptide inhibitors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Detection prospects for the second-order weak decays of 124 Xe in multi-tonne xenon time projection chambers

We investigate the detection prospects for two-neutrino and neutrinoless second-order weak decays of 124 Xe – double-electron capture (0/2νECEC), electron capture with positron emission (0/2νECβ + ) and double-positron emission (0/2νβ + β + ) – in multi-tonne xenon time projection chambers. We simulate the decays in a liquid xenon medium and develop a reconstruction algorithm which uses the multi-particle coincidence in these decays to separate signal from background. This is used to compute the expected detection efficiencies as a function of position resolution and energy threshold for planned experiments. In addition, we consider an exhaustive list of possible background sources and find that they are either negligible in rate or can be greatly reduced using our topological reconstruction criteria. In particular, we draw two conclusions: First, with a theoretical half-life of $T^{2νECβ^+}_{1/2}$= (1.7 ± 0.6) ∙10 23 year, the 2νECβ + decay of 124 Xe will likely be detected in upcoming Dark Matter experiments (e.g. XENONnT or LZ), and their major background will be γ-rays from detector construction materials. Second, searches for the 0νECβ + decay mode will likely be background-free, and new parameter space may be within reach. To this end we investigate two different scenarios of existing experimental constraints on the effective neutrino mass. The necessary 500 kg-year exposure of 124 Xe could be achieved by the baseline design of the DARWIN observatory, or by extracting and using the 124 Xe from the tailings of the nEXO experiment. We demonstrate how a combination of 124 Xe results with those from 0νβ - β - searches in 136 Xe could help to identify the neutrinoless decay mechanism.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical Imaging of Interfaces in Energy Storage via Scanning Probe Methods: Techniques, Applications, and Prospects

Developing a deeper understanding of dynamic chemical, electronic, and morphological changes at interfaces is key to solving practical issues in electrochemical energy storage systems (EESSs). To unravel this complexity, an assortment of tools with distinct capabilities and spatiotemporal resolutions have been used to creatively visualize interfacial processes as they occur. This review highlights how electrochemical scanning probe techniques (ESPTs) such as electrochemical atomic force microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, scanning ion conductance microscopy, and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy are uniquely positioned to address these challenges in EESSs. We describe the operating principles of ESPTs, focusing on the inspection of interfacial structure and chemical processes involved in Li-ion batteries and beyond. We discuss current examples, performance limitations, and complementary ESPTs. Finally, we discuss prospects for imaging improvements and deep learning for automation. We foresee that ESPTs will play an enabling role in advancing EESSs as we transition to renewable energies.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Prospects and applications of on-chip lasers

Abstract Integrated silicon photonics has sparked a significant ramp-up of investment in both academia and industry as a scalable, power-efficient, and eco-friendly solution. At the heart of this platform is the light source, which in itself, has been the focus of research and development extensively. This paper sheds light and conveys our perspective on the current state-of-the-art in different aspects of application-driven on-chip silicon lasers. We tackle this from two perspectives: device-level and system-wide points of view. In the former, the different routes taken in integrating on-chip lasers are explored from different material systems to the chosen integration methodologies. Then, the discussion focus is shifted towards system-wide applications that show great prospects in incorporating photonic integrated circuits (PIC) with on-chip lasers and active devices, namely, optical communications and interconnects, optical phased array-based LiDAR, sensors for chemical and biological analysis, integrated quantum technologies, and finally, optical computing. By leveraging the myriad inherent attractive features of integrated silicon photonics, this paper aims to inspire further development in incorporating PICs with on-chip lasers in, but not limited to, these applications for substantial performance gains, green solutions, and mass production.

Zhou, Zhican↗
DOE OSTI2022

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy for morning bright light therapy to improve sleep and plasma biomarkers in US Veterans with TBI. A prospective, open-label, single-arm trial

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with persistent sleep-wake dysfunction, including insomnia and circadian rhythm disruption, which can exacerbate functional outcomes including mood, pain, and quality of life. Present therapies to treat sleep-wake disturbances in those with TBI (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) are limited by marginal efficacy, poor patient acceptability, and/or high patient/provider burden. Thus, this study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of morning bright light therapy, to improve sleep in Veterans with TBI (NCT03578003). Thirty-three Veterans with history of TBI were prospectively enrolled in a single-arm, open-label intervention using a lightbox (~10,000 lux at the eye) for 60-minutes every morning for 4-weeks. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes included questionnaires related to sleep, mood, TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and pain; wrist actigraphy as a proxy for objective sleep; and blood-based biomarkers related to TBI/sleep. The protocol was rated favorably by ~75% of participants, with adherence to the lightbox and actigraphy being ~87% and 97%, respectively. Post-intervention improvements were observed in self-reported symptoms related to insomnia, mood, and pain; actigraphy-derived measures of sleep; and blood-based biomarkers related to peripheral inflammatory balance. The severity of comorbid PTSD was a significant positive predictor of response to treatment. Morning bright light therapy is a feasible and acceptable intervention that shows preliminary efficacy to treat disrupted sleep in Veterans with TBI. A full-scale randomized, placebo-controlled study with longitudinal follow-up is warranted to assess the efficacy of morning bright light therapy to improve sleep, biomarkers, and other TBI related symptoms.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Regional Tau Effects on Prospective Cognitive Change in Cognitively Normal Older Adults

Studies suggest that tau deposition starts in the anterolateral entorhinal cortex (EC) with normal aging, and that the presence of β-amyloid (Aβ) facilitates its spread to neocortex, which may reflect the beginning of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Functional connectivity between the anterolateral EC and the anterior-temporal (AT) memory network appears to drive higher tau deposition in AT than in the posterior-medial (PM) memory network. Here, we investigated whether this differential vulnerability to tau deposition may predict different cognitive consequences of EC, AT, and PM tau. Using 18 F-flortaucipir (FTP) and 11 C-Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, we measured tau and Aβ in 124 cognitively normal human older adults (74 females, 50 males) followed for an average of 2.8 years for prospective cognition. We found that higher FTP in all three regions was individually related to faster memory decline, and that the effects of AT and PM FTP, but not EC, were driven by Aβ+ individuals. Moreover, when we included all three FTP measures competitively in the same model, only AT FTP significantly predicted memory decline. Our data support a model whereby tau, facilitated by Aβ, transits from EC to cortical regions that are most closely associated with the anterolateral EC, which specifically affects memory in the initial stage of AD. Memory also appears to be affected by EC tau in the absence of Aβ, which may be less clinically consequential. These findings may provide clarification of differences between normal aging and AD, and elucidate the transition between the two stages. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Tau and β-amyloid (Aβ) are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but are also found in cognitively normal people. It is unclear whether, and how, this early deposition of tau and Aβ may affect cognition in normal aging and the asymptomatic stage of AD. We show that tau deposition in the entorhinal cortex (EC), which is common in advanced age, predicts memory decline in older adults independent of Aβ, likely reflecting normal, age-related memory loss. In contrast, tau in anterior-temporal (AT) regions is most predictive of memory decline in Aβ+ individuals. These data support the idea that tau preferentially spreads to specific cortical regions, likely through functional connections, which plays a primary role in memory decline in the early stage of AD.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Additive manufacturing for COVID-19: Devices, materials, prospects, and challenges

The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) where improvised manufacturing in particular 3D printing has addressed many needs. This prospective discusses the current global crisis, then follows the wide interest in addressing the shortage of medical devices and PPEs used for treatment and protection against pathogens. An overview of the 3D printing process with polymer materials is given followed by the different 3D printing projects of PPEs and medical devices that emerged for the pandemic (including validation/testing). The potential for rapid prototyping with different polymer materials and eventual high-throughput production is emphasized.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Outlook on texture evolution in additively manufactured stainless steels: Prospects for hydrogen embrittlement resistance, overview of mechanical, and solidification behavior

Abstract Realizing application specific manufacture with fusion-based additive manufacturing (F-BAM) processes requires understanding of the physical phenomena that drive evolution of microstructural attributes, such as texture. Current approaches for understanding texture evolution in F-BAM are majorly considerate of the phenomena occurring only during solidification. This hinders the comprehensive understanding and control of texture during F-BAM. In this perspective article, we discuss several physical phenomena occurring during and after solidification that can determine texture in F-BAM processed stainless steels (SS). A crystal plasticity-coupled hydrogen adsorption-diffusion modeling framework is also leveraged to demonstrate the prospects of grain boundary engineering with F-BAM for enhanced hydrogen embrittlement resistance of SS. Implications of varying thermokinetics in F-BAM for solidification behavior of SS are discussed. Additionally, microstructural attributes that are key to high temperature mechanical performance of SS are highlighted. Considerations as outlined in this perspective article will enable grain boundary engineering and application specific microstructural design of SS with F-BAM. Graphical abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

A prospective on machine learning challenges, progress, and potential in polymer science

Abstract Artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) continue to see increasing interest in science and engineering every year. Polymer science is no different, though implementation of data-driven algorithms in this subfield has unique challenges barring widespread application of these techniques to the study of polymer systems. In this Prospective, we discuss several critical challenges to implementation of ML in polymer science, including polymer structure and representation, high-throughput techniques and limitations, and limited data availability. Promising studies targeting resolution of these issues are explored, and contemporary research demonstrating the potential of ML in polymer science despite existing obstacles are discussed. Finally, we present an outlook for ML in polymer science moving forward. Graphical Abstract

Struble, Daniel C. (ORCID:0009000093410612)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Future Physics Prospects with the CMS Detector at the High-Luminosity LHC

The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider is expected to deliver up to 3000 fb ^{-1} − 1 of proton-proton collisions at 14 TeV center-of-mass energy. We present prospects for selected heavy-ion, Standard Model and Higgs sector measurements with the CMS detector at the HL-LHC, and discuss potential sensitivity to several beyond-Standard Model new physics scenarios.

Henderson, Conor↗
DOE OSTI2022

Prospects for Higgs and di-Higgs measurements at the ATLAS experiment

The large dataset of about 3000 {fb}^{-1} f b − 1 that will be collected at the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) will be used to measure Higgs boson processes in detail. This large dataset will also provide sensitivity to di-Higgs processes and will allow for the improvement of the constraints on the Higgs boson self coupling. Studies based on current ATLAS analyses using LHC Run 2 data have been carried out to understand the expected precision and limitations of the Higgs and di-Higgs measurements at the HL-LHC. This paper presents the ATLAS prospects for Higgs and di-Higgs results at the HL-LHC.

Betti, Alessandra↗
DOE OSTI2020

Prospects of Neutrino Cross Section Measurements Using the NuMI off axis at ICARUS [Poster]

ICARUS, a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber, will serve as the Far Detector of the short-baseline neutrino program using the Booster beamline at Fermilab. It is 103 mrad off-axis of the NuMI beamline. Prospects for cross-section measurements and the status of the trigger system using the PMT system to collect electron and muon neutrinos from NuMI will be shown. Accurate neutrino cross-section measurements on argon are required for precise measurements of neutrino oscillation physics such as CP- violation and the ordering of the neutrino masses.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Parametric Study to Assess Technical Prospect Feasibility for Offshore CO 2 Storage

This report is a white paper on the parametric study to assess technical prospect feasibility for CO 2 storage with and without CO 2 -EOR. The SECARB Offshore GOM team reviewed key parameters that previous modeling experience suggests have the largest impact on CO 2 plume size and CO 2 -EOR performance (SSEB, 2019) These parameters include tectonic impacts (reservoir dip and fault block size), reservoir properties (permeability) and development strategies (well field payout, waterflood, and CO 2 flooding strategies). These parameters are further evaluated in this study in order to identify upper and lower boundary conditions for the parametric values. The boundary conditions are needed to set constraints for key parameters when performing modeling assessments. Understanding the key parametric values for the GOM will facilitate locating successful offshore carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) projects in terms of plume size, CO 2 stored and, in the case of EOR, oil recovery. Importantly, this white paper focuses on both technical factors (geologic and engineering), but does not address economic, commercial, or stakeholder considerations. The report is organized into four sections and includes a review of the datasets used to define the parameter ranges, the results of a full-physics reservoir simulation, a summary of a reduced order modeling approach to evaluate the impact of the study parameters, and, finally, a discussion of the work that will occur during the next phase of the project.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spatial Seal Database for Prospective Storage Resources in the USA

The goal of the Spatial Seal Database for Prospective Storage Resources in the USA is to provide relevant information and spatial extents of caprock and seal rocks. A lack of aggregated information is readily available that focuses on the caprock and seal units within sedimentary basins. The EPA class VI permit requires an assessment of the confining zone as part of submitting a permit. The data catalog of seal unit names and relevant properties with the seal spatial extent database aims to help provided important data for carbon storage based assessments. The data catalog and database are designed to show what seal data is available in a sedimentary basin and guide stakeholders to the original data source for those datasets.

Pantaleone, Scott↗
DOE OSTI2024

Prospecting for Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements from Marcellus Shale in the Western Portion of the Appalachian Basin with Non-Destructive Core Characterization

Identification of sources for domestic critical minerals and rare earth elements (CM/REE) has been deemed essential for the energy transition by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The U.S. DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) Geomaterials Characterization Laboratory has performed non-destructive core characterizations on energy-relevant rock cores for the past decade. During this time, NETL has published over 36 technical reports and made the associated data publicly available. Much of this work focuses on unconventional shale gas, subsurface carbon storage systems, and carbon-ore. These efforts provide cm-scale petrophysical and elemental data, photographic documentation, detailed core descriptions, and computed tomography (CT) data for each well. This provides a first phase prospecting resource for CM/REE resources and can provide a map for pin-pointing intervals and lithologies for further development. Using historical core characterization data from 12 Marcellus wells from the western portion of the Appalachian Basin, this study builds an improved understanding of the chemostratigraphy of the basin. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and CT images were used to determine lithologic intervals and potential ore bodies for further analysis, including benchtop digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to better understand the CM/REE enrichments.

Paronish, Thomas J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Status and Prospects of SBND

The Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) is one of the neutrino detectors positioned along the the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab. It is the near detector in the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) Program, as well as having a wide-ranging independent physics program. The detector began taking neutrino data in the summer of 2024 and has already collected over 1 million neutrino events. Thanks to its unique combination of measurement resolution and statistics, SBND will soon carry out a rich program of neutrino interaction measurements and novel searches for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). As the SBN near detector, it will enable the full potential of the SBN sterile neutrino program by performing a precise characterisation of the unoscillated event rate and constraining BNB flux and neutrino-argon cross-section systematic uncertainties. In this talk, the physics reach, current status, and future prospects of SBND are discussed.

Paton, Josephine [Fermilab]↗