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At least 1,459 records · Page 81
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Hindlimb Suspension as a Model to Study Ophthalmic Complications in Microgravity Status Report: Optimization of Rat Retina Flat Mounts Staining to Study Vascular Remodeling

Preliminary data from a prior tissue‐sharing experiment has suggested that early growth response protein‐1 (Egr1), a transcription factor involved in various stress responses in the vasculature, is induced in the rat retina after 14 days of hindlimb suspension (HS) and may be evidence that mechanical stress is occurring secondary to the cephalad fluid shift. This mechanical stress could cause changes in oxygenation of the retina, and the subsequent ischemia‐ or inflammation‐driven hypoxia may lead to microvascular remodeling. This microvascular remodeling process can be studied using image analysis of retinal vessels and can be then be quantified by the VESsel GENeration Analysis (VESGEN) software, a computational tool that quantifies remodeling patterns of branching vascular trees and capillary or vasculogenic networks. Our project investigates whether rodent HS is a valid model to study the effects of simulated‐weightlessness on ocular structures and their relationship with intracranial pressure (ICP). One of the hypotheses to be tested is that HS‐induced cephalad fluid shift is accompanied by vascular engorgement that produces changes in retinal oxygenation, leading to oxidative stress, hypoxia, microvascular remodeling, and cellular degeneration. We have optimized the procedure to obtain flat mounts of rat retina, staining of the endothelial lining in vasculature and acquisition of high quality images suitable for VESGEN analysis. Briefly, eyes were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 hours and retinas were detached and then mounted flat on microscope slides. The microvascular staining was done with endothelial cell‐specific isolectin binding, coupled to Alexa‐488 fluorophore. Image acquisition at low magnification and high resolution was performed using a new Leica SP8 confocal microscope in a tile pattern across the X,Y plane and multiple sections along the Z‐axis. This new confocal microscope has the added capability of dye separation using the Linear Unmixing method and allows us to remove the autofluorescence originating from the photoreceptor layer. In summary, we have an improved method for studying the retinal microvasculature that will provide an increase in the quality of images captured and will be applied throughout the various animal cohorts of the recentlyinitiated study that will evaluate rodent HS as a model to study ophthalmic complications in microgravity.

Theriot, Corey A.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Ancient Martian aeolian sand dune deposits recorded in the stratigraphy of Valles Marineris and implications for past climates

Aeolian sediment transport, deposition, and erosion have been ongoing throughout Mars’ history. This record of widespread aeolian processes is preserved in landforms and geologic units that retain important clues about past environmental conditions including wind patterns. In this study we describe landforms within Melas Chasma, Valles Marineris, that occur in distinct groups with linear to crescentic shapes, arranged with a characteristic wavelength; some possess slope profiles analogous to modern sand dunes, yet show evidence for lithification. Based on the features’ dimensions, asymmetry, and spatial patterns relative to modern equivalents, we interpret these landforms to be two classes of aeolian bedforms: decameter-scale mega-ripples and sand dunes. The presence of superposed erosional features and depositional units indicates these landforms were cemented and likely ancient. Melas paleo-dunes are found atop Hesperian-aged layered deposits, but we estimate them to be younger, likely lithified in the Amazonian period. Although a range of degradation was observed, some paleo-dunes are >10 m tall and maintain steep lee sides (>25°), an uncommon scenario for terrestrial examples as other geologic processes lead to dune obliteration. The preserved paleo-bedform geometries are largely consistent with those of modern aeolian indicators, suggesting no major shifts in wind regime or contributing boundary conditions. Finally, we propose their appearance and context require sequential periods of dune migration, stabilization following catastrophic burial, cementation, differential erosion, exposure, and burial. The presence of wholly preserved duneforms appears to be more common on Mars compared to the Earth and may signal something important about Martian landscape evolution. Plain Language Summary Wind-driven sand dunes are common on modern Mars and the presence of certain sedimentary rock layers indicates these landforms occurred there in the past. Here, we explore features in the canyons of Valles Marineris which show characteristics frequently attributed to dunes, yet evidence for their lithification and burial is clear. Their horizontal extent, height, shape, slopes, and collective spatial patterns led to our interpretation of them as lithified dune fields. The heavily eroded appearance along with superposed elements such as craters and boulders led to the conclusion that these are relatively ancient landforms. Despite this erosion This level of preservation is rare for terrestrial sand dunes due to erosion and tectonics, thus providing an opportunity to reconstruct the various factors contributing to their history. Understanding the circumstances that led to the preservation of these ancient duneforms will yield crucial information regarding planetary sedimentary processes and the geologic history of the region.

Matthew Chojnacki↗
DOE OSTI2013

The effects of re-firing process under oxidizing atmosphere and temperatures on the properties of strontium aluminate phosphors

Graphical abstract: The comparative emission spectra of standard and re-fired Phosphor A under oxidizing atmosphere at various temperatures. The colour of Phosphor A re-fired at higher temperatures above 900 °C shifted from yellowish-green to bluish-green in the dark. But, the bluish-green emission could only be seen when it was exposed to UV and disappeared as soon as the light source was removed. Moreover, the emission intensities decreased as the re-firing temperatures increased. This could be attributed to the oxidation of Eu{sup 2+} during the re-firing process. It is well known fact from the literature that the reduction of Eu{sup 3+} to Eu{sup 2+} in appropriate host materials needs an annealing process in a reducing atmosphere such as H{sub 2}, H{sub 2}/N{sub 2} mixture or CO. Up to now, the reduction phenomena of Eu{sup 3+} → Eu{sup 2+} in air have been found in phosphates (Ba{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}:Eu), sulphates (BaSO{sub 4}:Eu), borates (SrB{sub 4}O{sub 7}:Eu, SrB{sub 6}O{sub 10}:Eu and BaB{sub 8}O{sub 13}:Eu) and aluminates (Sr{sub 4}Al{sub 14}O{sub 25}:Eu). Interestingly, an apparent blue shift in the phosphorescence spectrum was observed in the samples re-fired at 1000 °C and above, indicating a minimal effect on the oxidation state or the electronic energy levels of the co-doped Dy{sup 3+} ions, which were thought to act as long-lived hole traps resulting in long afterglow. - Highlights: • This study examines the effects re-firing at oxidizing atmosphere of photoluminescence of three different commercial SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Dy{sup 3+}-phosphors. • All the commercial SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Dy{sup 3+}-phosphors completely lost their phosphorescence after being re-fired at 1300 °C. • Oxidizing environment and re-firing temperature naturally affecting the valance of Eu{sup 2+} may cause the basic lattice structure to be modified and also limit their applications at higher temperatures, such as third firing vetrosa décor or glaze applications in ceramic industry. • It was thought that this kind of study may be promising to provide many outcome studies, may act to encourage additional efforts along these lines. - Abstract: Inorganic phosphorescent pigments have a very wide application, consisting of ceramic decoration and glazes. Therefore, in the present study 3 different commercially available strontium aluminate phosphors (coded Phosphor A, B and C) emitting yellowish-green light were investigated to determine their behaviour when re-fired under oxidizing atmosphere. The phosphors were re-fired at 10 different temperatures and consequent effects were studied. All the samples were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser particle size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and fluorescence spectrometer analysis. It was found that firing them under oxidizing atmosphere strongly affected their phosphorescence abilities especially over 800–900 °C, because doped europium ions (Eu{sup 2+}) in their structures are oxidized to Eu{sup 3+}. It was also concluded that the phosphor powders clumped as the temperature rose, leading to their particle size distributions to change.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Business Case Evaluation of Gas Switching Reforming (GSR) Technology: A Promising Technology for Natural Gas Reforming with Integrated CO2 Capture

Hydrogen is essential in the transition to sustainable energy, and developing low-carbon production methods is a key research focus. Traditional steam methane reforming (SMR) dominates the hydrogen industry but contributes substantially to CO2 emissions. In response, Gas Switching Reforming (GSR) has emerged as a novel process that integrates carbon capture and utilizes process heat more efficiently. Unlike other reforming methods, GSR consolidates oxidation and reduction reactions within a single reactor, which minimizes external energy inputs and simplifies scaling. Like conventional steam methane reforming (SMR), GSR can be integrated with water-gas shift and pressure swing adsorption units for pure hydrogen production. This work presents a comprehensive business case analysis of GSR technology based on experimental results in Technology Readiness Level 3, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic (TEA) evaluation incorporating ASPEN Plus process modeling considering different configurations and energy scenarios. The TEA incorporates data from kinetic experiments from various catalysts to evaluate the GSR process under various conditions. The goal of this work is to evaluate GSR’s potential to serve as a low-carbon alternative to SMR, focusing on global warming potential and additional impact categories to evaluate a wide spectrum of environmental impacts. Comparative assessments were conducted with SMR, chemical loop reforming (CLR), and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis to explore trade-offs across environmental metrics. The environmental impact assessment of this work encompasses the entire hydrogen production lifecycle from raw material extraction to plant decommissioning, using a cradle-to-gate boundary. Preliminary findings highlight that GSR, when integrated with low-carbon energy sources, could significantly reduce environmental impacts, making it a promising candidate for low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure. The insights from this business case evaluation aim to guide industry in scale-up and commercialization of this promising clean energy technology.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Adiabatic phase-conserving processes for executing quantum operations with ultracold atoms

We have studied the regimes of deterministic single-atom Rydberg excitation in the conditions of Rydberg blockade and the methods of compensation for the dynamic phase of the wave function during the adiabatic passage. Using these methods, we have proposed schemes of single-qubit and two-qubit quantum states with mesoscopic atomic ensembles containing a random number of atoms, considred as quibits. The double adiabatic passage of the Förster resonance for two interacting atoms with a deterministic phase shift can be used for the implementation of two-qubit gates with reduced sensitivity of the gate fidelity to the fluctuations of the interatomic distance. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measurement of the nuclear polarization of hydrogen and deuterium molecules using a Lamb-shift polarimeter

Lamb-shift polarimeters are used to measure the nuclear polarization of protons and deuterons at energies of a few keV. In combination with an ionizer, the polarization of hydrogen and deuterium atoms was determined after taking into account the loss of polarization during the ionization process. The present work shows that the nuclear polarization of hydrogen or deuterium molecules can be measured as well, by ionizing the molecules and injecting the H{sub 2}{sup +} (or D{sub 2}{sup +}) ions into the Lamb-shift polarimeter.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Platinum (II) azatetrabenzoporphyrins for near-infrared organic light emitting diodes

In this paper, we describe a series of platinum (II) azatetrabenzoporphyrin emitters for near-infrared (NIR) organic light emitting diode (OLED) applications. Platinum (II) aza-triphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin (PtNTBP) results in a 72 nm shift in the photoluminescent (PL) emission spectrum to 842nm compared to 770nm of the platinum (II) tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin (PtTPTBP). Also, the full width at half maximum of the emission spectrum of PtNTBP was significantly narrowed to 27 nm compared to 40nm for PtTPTBP. The multilayer devices fabricated by thermal vacuum evaporation process employing PtTPTBP, PtNTBP, and cis-PtN 2 TBP exhibit electroluminescent (EL) emission peak at 770 nm, 848 nm, and 846 nm with the peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 8.0%, 2.8%, and 1.5%, respectively. Even with the decrease in EQE of devices employing PtNTBP and cis-PtN 2 TBP compared with those employing PtTPTBP, the combination of the spectral narrowing and the bathochromic shift to lower energy EL emission demonstrates the promise of PtNTBP for NIR applications. In the meanwhile, the solution-processed single-layer device using PtNTBP demonstrates the EQE of 0.33% and the peak EL emission at 844 nm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

2nd World Congress on Integrated Computational Materials Engineering, Part II: Process Optimization: Multi-Objective Optimization of Microstructure in Wrought Magnesium Alloys.

The microstructural features that govern the mechanical properties of wrought magnesium alloys include grain size, crystallographic texture, and twinning. Several processes based on shear deformation have been developed that promote grain refinement, weakening of the basal texture, as well as the shift of the peak intensity away from the center of the basal pole figure — features that promote room temperature ductility in Mg alloys. At ORNL, we are currently exploring the concept of introducing nano-twins within sub-micron grains as a possible mechanism for simultaneously improving strength and ductility by exploiting a potential dislocation glide along the twin-matrix interface — a mechanism that was originally proposed for face-centered cubic materials. Specifically, we have developed an integrated modeling and optimization framework in order to identify the combinations of grain size, texture and twin spacing that can maximize strength-ductility combinations. A micromechanical model that relates microstructure to material strength is coupled with a failure model that relates ductility to a critical shear strain and a critical hydrostatic stress. The micro-mechanical model is combined with an optimization tool based on genetic algorithm. A multi-objective optimization technique is used to explore the strength-ductility space in a systematic fashion and identify optimum combinations of the microstructural parameters that will simultaneously maximize the strength-ductility in the alloy.

crystal plasticity↗
DOE OSTI2013

A simple facile approach to large scale synthesis of high specific surface area silicon nanoparticles

An inexpensive, facile, and high throughput synthesis of silicon nanoparticles was achieved by the mechano-chemical reduction reaction of magnesium silicide (Mg{sub 2}Si) and silicon monoxide (SiO) using a high energy mechanical milling (HEMM) technique followed by acid leaching. Characterization of the resultant product using X-Ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and surface area analyses was performed at various stages of the synthesis process. XRD patterns show that the final product formed is single phase silicon and the nanocrystalline nature was confirmed by the shifted transverse optical (TO) band, characteristic of nc-Si determined by Raman analysis. SEM and TEM shows the presence of particles of different sizes in the range of few nanometers to agglomerates of few microns which is consistent with products obtained from mechanical milling. BET measurements show a very high specific surface area (SSA) of ∼190 m{sup 2}/g obtained due to acid leaching which is also validated by the porous nature of the particles confirmed by the SEM images. - Graphical abstract: Schematic showing the large scale production of nanosized silicon and BET surface area of the product formed at various stages.

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

Microbial drought resistance may destabilize soil carbon

Droughts are becoming more frequent and intense with climate change. As plants and microbes respond to drought, there may be consequences for the vast stocks of organic carbon stored in soils. If microbes sustain their activity under drought, soils could lose carbon, especially if inputs from plants decline. Empirical and theoretical studies reveal multiple mechanisms of microbial drought resistance, including tolerance and avoidance. Physiological responses allow microbes to acclimate to drought within minutes to days. Along with dispersal, shifts in community composition could allow microbiomes to maintain functioning despite drought. Microbes might also adapt to drier conditions through evolutionary processes. Together, these mechanisms could result in soil carbon losses larger than currently anticipated under climate change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Increased abundance of a common scavenger affects allocation of carrion but not efficiency of carcass removal in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone

Abstract The 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan caused the evacuation of > 100,000 people and prompted studies on environmental impacts of radiological contamination. However, few researchers have explored how the human evacuation has affected ecosystem processes. Despite contamination, one common scavenger (wild boar, Sus scrofa ) is 2–3× more abundant inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone (FEZ). Shifts in abundance of some scavenger species can have cascading effects on ecosystems, so our objective was to investigate impacts of the evacuation and the resulting increase in wild boar on vertebrate scavenger communities. We deployed cameras at 300 carcasses in the FEZ and a nearby inhabited area, and quantified carcass fate, scavenger species, and detection/persistence times. We also tested effects of carcass size and habitat on scavenger community composition and efficiency by balancing trials across two carcass sizes and habitats in each zone. Overall scavenger richness and carcass removal rates (73%) were similar in the FEZ and inhabited area, but species-specific carcass removal rates and occurrence differed between zones. Wild boar removed substantially more carcasses inside the FEZ, with implications for nutrient and contaminant distribution. Our results suggest carcass size affects scavenging dynamics more than human activity or habitat, and abundance changes of common scavengers can influence carrion resource allocation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Quantum diffraction effects on the atomic polarization collision in partially ionized dense plasmas

The influence of quantum diffraction on the electron-atom polarization collision process is investigated in partially ionized dense plasmas. The pseudopotential model and eikonal method are employed to obtain the eikonal phase shift and eikonal cross section as functions of the impact parameter, collision energy, Debye length, electron de Broglie wavelength, and atomic polarizability. The results show that the eikonal phase shift for the electron-hydrogen atom polarization collision decreases with an increase of the electron de Broglie wavelength. It is important to note that the influence of quantum diffraction produces the repulsive part in the electron-atom polarization interaction. It is also found that the quantum diffraction effect enhances the differential eikonal cross section. Additionally, the total eikonal cross section decreases with increasing electron de Broglie wavelength. The variations of the eikonal cross section due to the influence of finite size of the de Broglie wavelength and Debye radius are also discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photoelectrochemical and photosensing behaviors of hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorods

ZnO nanorods have been grown on indium-tin-oxide coated glass substrates by a low cost chemical process. Current-voltage characteristics have been studied using ZnO nanorods as photoanode in an electrochemical cell. The flat band voltage shift and depletion width of ZnO nanorods/electrolyte interface have been estimated from Mott-Schottky (MS) characteristics. The electrochemical impedance measurements have been carried out to study the charge transport mechanism at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface under dark and white light (100 mW/cm{sup 2}) illumination. The doping concentration of nanorods has been extracted from MS plot. Photoresponse behavior of ZnO nanorods is found to be enhanced than seed layers with the incident of white light. Spectral dependent photovoltage of ZnO nanorods has been carried out using monochromatic light of wavelength 250–600 nm. The photopotential recovery time has been estimated for nanorods and seed layers. The stability of ZnO nanorods as a photoanode has been investigated.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Nanoscale order and crystallization in nitrogen-alloyed amorphous GeTe

The nanoscale order in amorphous GeTe thin films is measured using fluctuation transmission electron microscopy (FTEM). The order increases upon annealing at 145 °C, which indicates a coarsening of subcritical nuclei. This correlates with a reduction in the nucleation delay time in laser crystallization. A shift in the FTEM peak positions may indicate a transformation in local bonding. In samples alloyed with 12 at. % nitrogen, the order does not change upon annealing, the peak does not shift, and the nucleation time is longer. The FTEM data indicate that nitrogen suppresses the structural evolution necessary for the nucleation process and increases the thermal stability of the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Salinization and sedimentation drive contrasting assembly mechanisms of planktonic and sediment‐bound bacterial communities in agricultural streams

Abstract Agriculture is the most dominant land use globally and is projected to increase in the future to support a growing human population but also threatens ecosystem structure and services. Bacteria mediate numerous biogeochemical pathways within ecosystems. Therefore, identifying linkages between stressors associated with agricultural land use and responses of bacterial diversity is an important step in understanding and improving resource management. Here, we use the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) ecoregion, a highly modified agroecosystem, as a case study to better understand agriculturally associated drivers of stream bacterial diversity and assembly mechanisms. In the MAP, we found that planktonic bacterial communities were strongly influenced by salinity. Tolerant taxa increased with increasing ion concentrations, likely driving homogenous selection which accounted for ~90% of assembly processes. Sediment bacterial phylogenetic diversity increased with increasing agricultural land use and was influenced by sediment particle size, with assembly mechanisms shifting from homogenous to variable selection as differences in median particle size increased. Within individual streams, sediment heterogeneity was correlated with bacterial diversity and a subsidy‐stress relationship along the particle size gradient was observed. Planktonic and sediment communities within the same stream also diverged as sediment particle size decreased. Nutrients including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, which tend to be elevated in agroecosystems, were also associated with detectable shifts in bacterial community structure. Collectively, our results establish that two understudied variables, salinity and sediment texture, are the primary drivers of bacterial diversity within the studied agroecosystem, whereas nutrients are secondary drivers. Although numerous macrobiological communities respond negatively, we observed increasing bacterial diversity in response to agricultural stressors including salinization and sedimentation. Elevated taxonomic and phylogenetic bacterial diversity likely increases the probability of detecting community responses to stressors. Thus, bacteria community responses may be more reliable for establishing water quality goals within highly modified agroecosystems that have experienced shifting baselines.

DeVilbiss, Stephen E.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Implications of CT noise and artifacts for quantitative {sup 99m}Tc SPECT/CT imaging

Purpose: This paper evaluates the effects of computed tomography (CT) image noise and artifacts on quantitative single-photon emission computed-tomography (SPECT) imaging, with the aim of establishing an appropriate range of CT acquisition parameters for low-dose protocols with respect to accurate SPECT attenuation correction (AC). Methods: SPECT images of two geometric and one anthropomorphic phantom were reconstructed iteratively using CT scans acquired at a range of dose levels (CTDI{sub vol} = 0.4 to 46 mGy). Resultant SPECT image quality was evaluated by comparing mean signal, background noise, and artifacts to SPECT images reconstructed using the highest dose CT for AC. Noise injection was performed on linear-attenuation (μ) maps to determine the CT noise threshold for accurate AC. Results: High levels of CT noise (σ ∼ 200–400 HU) resulted in low μ-maps noise (σ ∼ 1%–3%). Noise levels greater than ∼10% in 140 keV μ-maps were required to produce visibly perceptible increases of ∼15% in {sup 99m}Tc SPECT images. These noise levels would be achieved at low CT dose levels (CTDI{sub vol} = 4 μGy) that are over 2 orders of magnitude lower than the minimum dose for diagnostic CT scanners. CT noise could also lower (bias) the expected μ values. The relative error in reconstructed SPECT signal trended linearly with the relative shift in μ. SPECT signal was, on average, underestimated in regions corresponding with beam-hardening artifacts in CT images. Any process that has the potential to change the CT number of a region by ∼100 HU (e.g., misregistration between CT images and SPECT images due to motion, the presence of contrast in CT images) could introduce errors in μ{sub 140} {sub keV} on the order of 10%, that in turn, could introduce errors on the order of ∼10% into the reconstructed {sup 99m}Tc SPECT image. Conclusions: The impact of CT noise on SPECT noise was demonstrated to be negligible for clinically achievable CT parameters. Because CT dose levels that affect SPECT quantification is low (CTDI{sub vol} ∼ 4 μGy), the low dose limit for the CT exam as part of SPECT/CT will be guided by CT image quality requirements for anatomical localization and artifact reduction. A CT technique with higher kVp in combination with lower mAs is recommended when low-dose CT images are used for AC to minimize beam-hardening artifacts.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-631: Preliminary Results for Analytical Investigation Into Effects of ArcCHECK Setup Errors

Purpose: As three-dimensional diode arrays increase in popularity for patient-specific quality assurance for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), it is important to evaluate an array’s susceptibility to setup errors. The ArcCHECK phantom is set up by manually aligning its outside marks with the linear accelerator’s lasers and light-field. If done correctly, this aligns the ArcCHECK cylinder’s central axis (CAX) with the linear accelerator’s axis of rotation. However, this process is prone to error. This project has developed an analytical expression including a perturbation factor to quantify the effect of shifts. Methods: The ArcCHECK is set up by aligning its machine marks with either the sagittal room lasers or the light-field of the linear accelerator at gantry zero (IEC). ArcCHECK has sixty-six evenly-spaced SunPoint diodes aligned radially in a ring 14.4 cm from CAX. The detector response function (DRF) was measured and combined with inverse-square correction to develop an analytical expression for output. The output was calculated using shifts of 0 (perfect alignment), +/−1, +/−2 and +/−5 mm. The effect on a series of simple inputs was determined: unity, 1-D ramp, steps, and hat-function to represent uniform field, wedge, evenly-spaced modulation, and single sharp modulation, respectively. Results: Geometric expressions were developed with perturbation factor included to represent shifts. DRF was modeled using sixth-degree polynomials with correlation coefficient 0.9997. The output was calculated using simple inputs such as unity, 1-D ramp, steps, and hat-function, with perturbation factors of: 0, +/−1, +/−2 and +/−5 mm. Discrepancies have been observed, but large fluctuations have been somewhat mitigated by aliasing arising from discrete diode placement. Conclusion: An analytical expression with perturbation factors was developed to estimate the impact of setup errors on an ArcCHECK phantom. Presently, this has been applied to simple functions, but is being developed to handle more realistic clinical cases.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Agricultural Management Affects the Active Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Composition and Nitrification

Cropping system diversity provides yield benefits that may result from shifts in the composition of root-associated bacterial and fungal communities, which either enhance nutrient availability or limit nutrient loss. We investigated whether temporal diversity of annual cropping systems (four versus two crops in rotation) influences the composition and metabolic activities of root-associated microbial communities in maize at a developmental stage when the peak rate of nitrogen uptake occurs. We monitored total (DNA-based) and potentially active (RNA-based) bacterial communities and total (DNA-based) fungal communities in the soil, rhizosphere, and endosphere. Cropping system diversity strongly influenced the composition of the soil microbial communities, which influenced the recruitment of the resident microbial communities and, in particular, the potentially active rhizosphere and endosphere bacterial communities. The diversified cropping system rhizosphere recruited a more diverse bacterial community (species richness), even though there was little difference in soil species richness between the two cropping systems. In contrast, fungal species richness was greater in the conventional rhizosphere, which was enriched in fungal pathogens; the diversified rhizosphere, however, was enriched in Glomeromycetes. While cropping system influenced endosphere community composition, greater correspondence between DNA- and RNA-based profiles suggests a higher representation of active bacterial populations. Cropping system diversity influenced the composition of ammonia oxidizers, which coincided with diminished potential nitrification activity and gross nitrate production rates, particularly in the rhizosphere. The results of our study suggest that diversified cropping systems shift the composition of the rhizosphere’s active bacterial and total fungal communities, resulting in tighter coupling between plants and microbial processes that influence nitrogen acquisition and retention.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗