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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 343 records · Page 19

Exopolysaccharide is required for motility, stress tolerance, and plant colonization by the endophytic bacterium Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN

Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN is an endophytic bacterium and has been shown to promote the growth and health of many different plants. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) plays important roles in plant-bacteria interaction and tolerance to environmental stresses. However, the function of EPS in PsJN and its interaction with plants remain largely unknown. In this study, a deletion mutation of bceQ gene, encoding a putative flippase for the EPS biosynthesis, was introduced in the genome of PsJN. The ΔbceQ mutant produced a significantly lower level of EPS than the wild type strain in culture media. Compared to the wild type PsJN, the ΔbceQ mutant was more sensitive to desiccation, UV damage, salt (NaCl) and iron (FeCl 3 ) stresses, and bacteriophage infection. More importantly, the mutation of bceQ decreased the endophytic colonization of PsJN in camelina (Camelina sativa) and pea (Camelina sativa) under plant drought stress conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that EPS production is required for the maximal colonization of an endophytic bacterium in the plant tissues under stress conditions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The effects of stress and physical aging on the creep compliance of a polymeric composite

An experimental study was performed to determine the effects of stress and physical aging on the matrix dominated viscoelastic properties of IM7/8320, a high temperature fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite. Established creep/aging test techniques developed for polymers were adapted for testing of the composite material. The transverse and shear compliance for an orthotropic plate were found from creep compliance measurements at constant, sub-Tg temperatures. These compliance terms were shown to be effected by physical aging. Aging time shift factors and shift rates were found to be a function of applied stress.

Gates, Thomas E.↗

Silenced long non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage elevates microRNA-495-3p to suppress atherosclerotic plaque formation via reducing Krüppel-like factor 5

Objective: Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque plays a critical role in AS progression. We aimed to investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) activated by DNA damage (NORAD)/microRNA-495-3p (miR-495-3p)/Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) axis on atherosclerotic plaque formation. Methods: The ApoE{sup −/-} mice were fed a high-fat diet to construct AS mouse models and the modeled mice were treated with altered NORAD, miR-495-3p or KLF5. NORAD, miR-495-3p and KLF5 expression in mouse aorta tissues were evaluated, and the levels of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress factors, endothelial function indices and blood lipid in mice were all determined. The atherosclerotic plaque area, lipid deposition area, collagen fibers and CD68 expression in mouse aorta tissues were assessed. The regulatory relation between NORAD and miR-495-3p, and the target relation between miR-495-3p and KLF5 were confirmed. Results: NORAD and KLF5 were increased whereas miR-495-3p was decreased in atherosclerotic mouse aortas. Inhibited NORAD or elevated miR-495-3p suppressed inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, blood lipid level, atherosclerotic plaque area, collagen fibers and CD68 expression in atherosclerotic mouse aortas. Effects of elevated miR-495-3p on atherosclerotic mice could be reversed by up-regulation of KLF5. NORAD served as a sponge of miR-495-3p and miR-495-3p directly targeted KLF5. Conclusion: Silenced NORAD elevated miR-495-3p to suppress atherosclerotic plaque formation via reducing KLF5. Findings in our research may be helpful for exploring molecular mechanisms of AS.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Mechanical property characterization of Borsic/aluminum laminates at room and elevated temperatures

Six Borsic/aluminum laminate orientations exposed to a braze temperature cycle were tested in tension, compression, and shear to determine tangent modulus, maximum stress and strain, and Poisson's ratio of the laminates at room and elevated temperatures. Mechanical properties in tension were determined from flat tensile and sandwich beam tests. Room temperature flat tensile tests were performed on laminates in the as-received condition to compare with specimens exposed to a braze temperature cycle. Sandwich beam tests were also used to determine mechanical properties in compression. Shear properties were determined from biaxially loaded, picture frame shear specimens. Results are presented by using functional relations between stress and strain and tangent modulus and strain, and in tables by indicating maximum stress and strain and Poisson's ratio.

Mcwithey, R. R.↗

Modeling gas migration through clay-based buffer material using coupled multiphase fluid flow and geomechanics with stress-dependent gas permeability

A model for gas migration through clay-based buffer material is developed for modeling gas generation and migration associated with deep geologic nuclear waste disposal. The model is based on a multiphase fluid flow and geomechanics simulator that is adapted to consider enhanced gas flow when gas pressure is high enough to approach the confining stress magnitude. A key feature in the model is a direct coupling between gas permeability and stress, through a non-linear stress-dependent permeability function. The model was first tested and calibrated by modelling two different laboratory gas migration tests on Wyoming (MX-80) bentonite samples. The calibrated model was then applied to model gas migration through a bentonite buffer of a large-scale gas injection test (Lasgit) conducted at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden. Observed preferential gas migration along interfaces (between compacted blocks and along the canister surface) required explicit representation of such interfaces in the model. The model with the stress-dependent gas permeability accurately captured observed experimental responses in terms of gas breakthrough time, peak gas pressure, and cumulative gas flow rates. The calibrated model was finally applied to simulate migration of hydrogen gas generated within a breached nuclear waste canister over 10,000 years, involving migration of much larger gas volumes. For the considered gas generation rate and host rock properties, the generated gas could migrate through the bentonite buffer and released into the surrounding host rock at a maximum gas pressure somewhat higher than the initial total stress, though a significant amount of hydrogen remained within the buffer. This modelling sets the stage for further detailed analysis of the impact of hydrogen gas generation on the long-term performance of nuclear waste repositories.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Terrestrial Spaceflight Analogs: Antarctica

Alterations in immune cell distribution and function, circadian misalignment, stress and latent viral reactivation appear to persist during Antarctic winterover at Concordia Station. Some of these changes are similar to those observed in Astronauts, either during or immediately following spaceflight. Others are unique to the Concordia analog. Based on some initial immune data and environmental conditions, Concordia winterover may be an appropriate analog for some flight-associated immune system changes and mission stress effects. An ongoing smaller control study at Neumayer III will address the influence of the hypoxic variable. Changes were observed in the peripheral blood leukocyte distribution consistent with immune mobilization, and similar to those observed during spaceflight. Alterations in cytokine production profiles were observed during winterover that are distinct from those observed during spaceflight, but potentially consistent with those observed during persistent hypobaric hypoxia. The reactivation of latent herpesviruses was observed during overwinter/isolation, that is consistently associated with dysregulation in immune function.

Crucian, Brian↗

Integrating Experiments and Well Logs to Predict Caney Shale Static Mechanical Properties During Production with Supervised Machine Learning

Caney shale is one of the emerging oil reservoirs in Oklahoma. Understanding the impact of effective stress on its mechanical properties is critical for predicting hydraulic fracture geometry and overall hydrocarbon production. The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact of effective stress on the dynamic Young’s modulus using ultrasonic velocity measurements for Caney shale samples. A triaxial cell was utilized to measure ultrasonic (P-wave and S-wave) velocities for ten downhole Caney shale samples under various effective stresses to indirectly assess the impact of pore pressure change. The dynamic Young’s moduli estimated from these measurements were integrated with available conventional well logs (excluding sonic logs) and triaxial test results from Benge et al. (2021) to predict the static Young’s modulus using Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models. The results showed that the estimated dynamic Young’s moduli from ultrasonic measurements were higher than the corresponding static Young’s modulus of cores from the same vertical well at similar depths. With increasing effective stress, the dynamic Young’s modulus increased for all samples. The estimated dynamic-to-static correction factor tended to be higher in zones of high neutron porosity (PHIN) and low density compared to other zones. Finally, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) for RF and XGBoost models identified depth, gamma ray (GR), and PHIN as key features for predicting the static Young’s modulus. This study enhances our understanding of the dynamic and static Young’s moduli for the Caney shale interval, as a function of effective stress and conventional well logs. The findings from this study can improve predictions of production throughout the well's lifespan by offering insights into the mechanical property degradation resulting from pore pressure depletion.

Kholy, Sherif M.↗

A study of the use of vibration and stress wave sensing for the detection of bearing failure

Results from an experimental study of vibrations and stress waves emitted from ball bearings are presented. Fatique tests were run with both high quality bearings and man faulted bearings, all of one size. Tests were instrumented with different sensors to detect the noises from 10 Hz to 1 MHz. Frequency spectrum plots are presented. The modulation characteristics of the ultrasonic noises were analyzed, and acoustic emission type measurements were conducted. Results are presented which show that there are usable acoustic signal levels even beyond 500 KHz. These signal levels are modulated by a low frequency carrier which is a function of the stress loading and acoustic transmissibility. The results were correlated to fault size in the bearings. The correlation shows that the sensor used for signals from 100 KHz to 1 MHz gave the best sensitivity and detected the generation of very small spalls or pits.

Ensor, L. C.↗

A hidden cysteine in Fis1 targeted to prevent excessive mitochondrial fission and dysfunction under oxidative stress

Fis1-mediated mitochondrial localization of Drp1 and excessive mitochondrial fission occur in human pathologies associated with oxidative stress. However, it is not known how Fis1 detects oxidative stress and what structural changes in Fis1 enable mitochondrial recruitment of Drp1. We find that conformational change involving α1 helix in Fis1 exposes its only cysteine, Cys41. In the presence of oxidative stress, the exposed Cys41 in activated Fis1 forms a disulfide bridge and the Fis1 covalent homodimers cause increased mitochondrial fission through increased Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria. Our discovery of a small molecule, SP11, that binds only to activated Fis1 by engaging Cys41, and data from genetically engineered cell lines lacking Cys41 strongly suggest a role of Fis1 homodimerization in Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria and excessive mitochondrial fission. The structure of activated Fis1-SP11 complex further confirms these insights related to Cys41 being the sensor for oxidative stress. Importantly, SP11 preserves mitochondrial integrity and function in cells during oxidative stress and thus may serve as a candidate molecule for the development of treatment for diseases with underlying Fis1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

On the numerical performance of three-dimensional thick shell elements using a hybrid/mixed formulation

Three-dimensional thick shell elements with 8, 16, and 18 nodes are formulated by using the hybrid/mixed method. In bending applications, these elements are free from locking effect and give improved stress predictions. Finite element equations are derived from the Hellinger-Reissner variational principle in which both the displacement and stress fields are approximated by independent interpolation functions. For the assumption of stress parameters, three guidelines are followed: (1) suppression of kinematic deformation modes, (2) invariant element property, and (3) the constraint index exhibited by the element, when applied to constrained-media problems, must be greater than or equal to one. Numerical results are presented to show the element's behavior characteristics regarding sensitivity to locking, distortion effect (patch tests), mesh convergence and the accuracy of stress evaluation.

Graf, W.↗

Multiplicative noise and the diffusion of conserved densities

Stochastic fluid dynamics governs the long time tails of hydrodynamic correlation functions, and the critical slowing down of relaxation phenomena in the vicinity of a critical point in the phase diagram. In this work we study the role of multiplicative noise in stochastic fluid dynamics. Multiplicative noise arises from the dependence of transport coefficients, such as the diffusion constants for charge and momentum, on fluctuating hydrodynamic variables. We study long time tails and relaxation in the diffusion of a conserved density (model B), and a conserved density coupled to the transverse momentum density (model H). Careful attention is paid to fluctuation-dissipation relations. We observe that multiplicative noise contributes at the same order as non-linear interactions in model B, but is a higher order correction to the relaxation of a scalar density and the tail of the stress tensor correlation function in model H.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A General Reliability Model for Ni-BaTiO3-Based Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors

The evaluation for potential space project applications of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) with Ni electrode and BaTiO3 dielectric material requires an in-depth understanding of the MLCCs reliability. A general reliability model for Ni-BaTiO3 MLCCs is developed and discussed in this paper. The model consists of three parts: a statistical distribution; an acceleration function that describes how a capacitors reliability life responds to external stresses; and an empirical function that defines the contribution of the structural and constructional characteristics of a multilayer capacitor device, such as the number of dielectric layers N, dielectric thickness d, average grain size r, and capacitor chip size A. Application examples are also discussed based on the proposed reliability model for Ni-BaTiO3 MLCCs.

statistical modeling↗

Evidence for a cytokine-sensitive network of iron-associated genes that protects pancreatic islets against ferroptosis

Background/Objectives: The micronutrient iron is closely connected to inflammation and is among the complex factors contributing to beta-cell failure in diabetes. High levels of dietary iron increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and excessive iron uptake by beta-cells can cause oxidative stress and inhibit function. Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in obese individuals, such as interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and there is evidence that these low levels of circulating cytokines can lead to islet dysfunction. Methods: In this study, gene microarray and other data were analyzed for expression differences in islets treated for 48 h with 10 pg/mL IL-1beta + 20 pg/mL IL-6 as a model of low-grade inflammation versus untreated. Results: Three iron-associated genes were among the most cytokine-sensitive in the mouse genome: Hamp, Steap4, and Lcn2. These proteins are all involved with increasing/retaining cellular iron. We hypothesized that increased cellular iron would lead to increased susceptibility to ferroptosis. Surprisingly, 24 h pre-exposure to low-grade inflammation, which upregulates this iron-gene network, prevented subsequent erastin-induced ferroptosis. We also found that Steap4 overexpression reduced islet dysfunction caused by high-dose proinflammatory cytokines (10× low-dose), suggesting an overall protective effect. Steap4 overexpression also upregulated Hamp and Lcn2, suggesting Steap4 regulates these cytokine-sensitive iron genes.; in contrast, ferritin and ferroportin gene expression, which are not sensitive to cytokines, were unchanged. Conclusions: These data suggest an inflammation-induced network of genes involved in cellular iron uptake and retention plays a protective role in islets against oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

IL-1β↗

Plasticity Tool for Predicting Shear Nonlinearity of Unidirectional Laminates Under Multiaxial Loading

This study implements a plasticity tool to predict the nonlinear shear behavior of unidirectional composite laminates under multiaxial loadings, with an intent to further develop the tool for use in composite progressive damage analysis. The steps for developing the plasticity tool include establishing a general quadratic yield function, deriving the incremental elasto-plastic stress-strain relations using the yield function with associated flow rule, and integrating the elasto-plastic stress-strain relations with a modified Euler method and a substepping scheme. Micromechanics analyses are performed to obtain normal and shear stress-strain curves that are used in determining the plasticity parameters of the yield function. By analyzing a micromechanics model, a virtual testing approach is used to replace costly experimental tests for obtaining stress-strain responses of composites under various loadings. The predicted elastic moduli and Poisson's ratios are in good agreement with experimental data. The substepping scheme for integrating the elasto-plastic stress-strain relations is suitable for working with displacement-based finite element codes. An illustration problem is solved to show that the plasticity tool can predict the nonlinear shear behavior for a unidirectional laminate subjected to multiaxial loadings.

Wang, John T.↗

Thiol redox switches regulate the oligomeric state of cyanobacterial Rre1, RpaA and RpaB response regulators

Cyanobacteria employ two‐component sensor‐response regulator systems to monitor and respond to environmental challenges. The response regulators RpaA, RpaB, Rre1 and RppA are integral to circadian clock function and abiotic stress acclimation in cyanobacteria. RpaA, RpaB and Rre1 are known to interact with ferredoxin or thioredoxin, raising the possibility of their thiol regulation. Here, we report that Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Rre1, RpaA and RpaB exist as higher‐order oligomers under oxidising conditions and that reduced thioredoxin A converts them to monomers. We further show that these response regulators contain redox‐responsive cysteine residues with an E m7 around −300 mV. These findings suggest a direct thiol modulation of the activity of these response regulators, independent of their cognate sensor kinases.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A data science approach for analysis and reconstruction of spinodal-like composition fields in irradiated FeCrAl alloys

A statistical method for the analysis of continuously distributed data representative of composition fluctuations in irradiated FeCrAl alloys acquired using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) method is presented. Using probability distribution functions, direct and cross-covariances between the elemental compositions, the effects of alloy composition and irradiation dose were investigated on the spatial distribution and length scale of composition fluctuations at the nanoscale. We have observed that, for neutron-irradiated FeCrAl alloys, the distribution of Fe and Cr followed a left-skewed and right-skewed distribution, respectively for all (average) alloy compositions and irradiation doses. The analysis also revealed enhanced spatial gradients in the elemental compositions at higher irradiation dose. Direct and cross-covariance estimates of the experimental data were also utilized for reconstruction of composition data through fitting it to a parametric form of the covariance functions. Linear Model of Coregionalization was used to determine the parameters of the covariance functions. Subsequently, a spectral method was utilized for simulating a realization of the alloy compositions. Close correspondence was observed between the experimental and the reconstructed data which was analyzed using probability distribution functions and covariance functions. Composition space of the experimental and reconstructed data and dislocation velocities as a function of applied stress and line directions over the entire composition maps were also examined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Attaining regularization length insensitivity in phase-field models of ductile failure

In this work, a cohesive phase-field model of ductile fracture in a finite-deformation setting is presented. The model is based on a free-energy function in which both elastic and plastic work contributions are coupled to damage. Using a strictly variational framework, the field evolution equations, damage kinetics, and flow rule are jointly derived from a scalar least-action principle. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of a rational function for the stress degradation that maintains a fixed effective strength with decreasing regularization length. The model is employed to examine crack growth in pure mode-I problems through the generation of crack growth resistance (J-R) curves. In contrast to alternative models, the current formulation gives rise to J-R curves that are insensitive to the regularization length. Numerical evidence suggests convergence of local fields with respect to diminishing regularization length as well.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Reduced-order modeling of near-field THMC coupled processes for nuclear waste repositories in shale

Performance assessment (PA) of geologic radioactive waste repositories requires three-dimensional simulation of highly nonlinear, thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC), multiphase flow and transport processes across many kilometers and over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Integrating the effects of a near-field geomechanical process (i.e. buffer swelling) into coupled THC simulations through reduced-order modeling, rather than through fully coupled geomechanics, can reduce the dimensionality of the problem and improve computational efficiency. In this study, PFLOTRAN simulations model a single waste package in a shale host rock repository, where re-saturation of a bentonite buffer causes the buffer to swell and exert stress on a highly fractured disturbed rock zone (DRZ). Three types of stress-dependent permeability functions (exponential, modified cubic, and Two-part Hooke’s law models) are implemented to describe mechanical characteristics of the system. Overall, our modeling study suggests that compressing fractures reduces DRZ permeability, which could influence the rate of radionuclide transport and exchange with corrosive species in host rock groundwater that could accelerate waste package degradation. Less permeable shale host rock delays buffer swelling, consequently retarding DRZ permeability reduction as well as chemical transport within the barrier system.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗