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At least 559 records · Page 31

LIMB-DARKENED RADIATION-DRIVEN WINDS FROM MASSIVE STARS

We calculated the influence of the limb-darkened finite-disk correction factor in the theory of radiation-driven winds from massive stars. We solved the one-dimensional m-CAK hydrodynamical equation of rotating radiation-driven winds for all three known solutions, i.e., fast, {Omega}-slow, and {delta}-slow. We found that for the fast solution, the mass-loss rate is increased by a factor of {approx}10%, while the terminal velocity is reduced about 10%, when compared with the solution using a finite-disk correction factor from a uniformly bright star. For the other two slow solutions, the changes are almost negligible. Although we found that the limb darkening has no effects on the wind-momentum-luminosity relationship, it would affect the calculation of synthetic line profiles and the derivation of accurate wind parameters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Synthesis, Structure, and Band Gap of a Novel Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Material Based on Antimony Halide and Organoamine

Using an organoamine, 2,5-bis (1-imidazoly) pyridine (L), a novel inorganic-organic hybrid material based on antimony halide formulated as {(CH_3)_2L}{sup 2+}{(Sb_4Cl_8I_8)"0"."5}{sup 2–}(1) was synthesized in situ via solvothermal technique and characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. During the synthesis, the organoamine L was transformed in situ into the imidazolium ion, {(CH_3)_2L}{sup 2+}. In the compound 1, four Sb(III) ions are linked by two u{sub 3{sup −}}I{sup –} and four uu{sub 2{sup −}}I{sup –} ligands into a (Sb{sub 4}I{sub 8}Cl{sub 8}){sup 4–}unit, in which eight Cl{sup –}ions and two I{sup –}ions act as the terminal ligands. The uncoordinated {(CH_3)_2L}{sup 2+} organoamine moieties are linked with the (Sb{sub 4}I{sub 8}Cl{sub 8}){sup 4–} clusters via H bonds into three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture. The band structure calculation shows that the compound has an indirect band gap of 2.253 eV.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evaluation of Changes to the MTR Fuel Dissolution Flowsheet to Increase the Number of L-Bundles Charged to a Dissolver

Material Test Reactor (MTR) fuels are dissolved in the H-Canyon facility using a Hg-catalyzed, HNO₃ dissolution flowsheet. The flowsheet is based on experimental work in which laboratory-scale experiments were used to provide bounding values for both offgas and H₂ generation rates. The generation of H₂ gas, primarily from the dissolution of Al, is controlled by limiting the surface area exposed to the solution. The number of L-Bundles charged and their submergence level defines the exposed surface area which is directly proportional to the H₂ generation rate. For the MTR fuel dissolution flowsheet, the maximum number of L-Bundles which can be charged to a dissolver was specified as a function of the Al concentration in the solution and the submergence level of the bundle. The MTR fuels are currently dissolved in the 6.1D dissolver. To reach the desired terminal Al concentration, a total of 12 L-Bundles of fuel are dissolved per batch. Depending on the submergence level being used in the dissolver, the 12 bundles are dissolved in three charges of four bundles per charge or in a sequence of three, four, and five bundles. However, if six L-Bundles could be dissolved in the initial charge, a dissolver batch could be completed in two dissolutions instead of three. To assess the feasibility of dissolving six bundles in the first charge, the Savannah River National Laboratory evaluated changes to the MTR flowsheet which increase the number of bundles which can be charged to a dissolver. Since the development of the existing MTR fuel dissolution flowsheet, improved offgas measurement methods have been developed to more accurately calculate the offgas composition and generation rate during laboratory-scale dissolutions. In the first part of this study, improvements in the calibration model for the Raman spectrometer (used for offgas characterization) and a more effective data smoothing routine were applied to existing data. The uncertainty in the offgas composition data used to define the MTR fuel dissolution flowsheet were subsequently re-evaluated which resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the uncertainty of the H₂ gas concentration measurements. The reduced uncertainty was used in new calculations to define the maximum number of L-Bundles which can be charged to either the 6.1D or 6.4D dissolver as a function of the Al concentration. With the reduced uncertainty in the H₂ concentration measurements, a flowsheet was defined which supported initially charging 6 bundles to a dissolver. This flowsheet is based on the use of 0.002 M Hg, an L-Bundle immersion depth of 54 in., an air sparge/purge flowrate of 40 scfm, an iodine reactor operating temperature of 200 °C, and not exceeding 60% of the H₂ LFL in the dissolver offgas. In the second phase of this study, calculations were performed to assess the impact of changing various operating parameters to increase the number of L-Bundles charged to an H-Canyon dissolver. Applying the improved offgas measurement techniques including the reduced uncertainty in the H₂ concentration measurements to the existing data, the number of bundles of MTR fuel which can be charged to either the 6.1D or 6.4D dissolver were calculated based on varying the bundle immersion depth (44-60 in.), air sparge/purge flowrate (40-60 scfm), iodine reactor operating temperature (150-200 °C), and the percentage of the H₂ LFL which must not be exceeded (60-76%). Qualitatively, the percentage of the LFL had the largest influence on the maximum number of bundles which can be charged to a dissolver followed by the air sparge/purge flowrate, L-Bundle immersion depth, and the iodine reactor operating temperature. During the evaluation of each variable, the other variables were held at the baseline flowsheet conditions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

HEAVY WATER COMPONENTS TEST REACTOR DECOMMISSIONING

The Heavy Water Components Test Reactor (HWCTR) Decommissioning Project was initiated in 2009 as a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Removal Action with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This paper summarizes the history prior to 2009, the major D&D activities, and final end state of the facility at completion of decommissioning in June 2011. The HWCTR facility was built in 1961, operated from 1962 to 1964, and is located in the northwest quadrant of the Savannah River Site (SRS) approximately three miles from the site boundary. The HWCTR was a pressurized heavy water test reactor used to develop candidate fuel designs for heavy water power reactors. In December of 1964, operations were terminated and the facility was placed in a standby condition as a result of the decision by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to redirect research and development work on heavy water power reactors to reactors cooled with organic materials. For about one year, site personnel maintained the facility in a standby status, and then retired the reactor in place. In the early 1990s, DOE began planning to decommission HWCTR. Yet, in the face of new budget constraints, DOE deferred dismantlement and placed HWCTR in an extended surveillance and maintenance mode. The doors of the reactor facility were welded shut to protect workers and discourage intruders. In 2009 the $1.6 billion allocation from the ARRA to SRS for site footprint reduction at SRS reopened the doors to HWCTR - this time for final decommissioning. Alternative studies concluded that the most environmentally safe, cost effective option for final decommissioning was to remove the reactor vessel, both steam generators, and all equipment above grade including the dome. The transfer coffin, originally above grade, was to be placed in the cavity vacated by the reactor vessel and the remaining below grade spaces would be grouted. Once all above equipment including the dome was removed, a concrete cover was to be placed over the remaining footprint and the groundwater monitored for an indefinite period to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Riparian and Upland Restoration at the U.S. Department of Energy Rocky Flats, Colorado, Site - 12360

Remedial investigation and cleanup at the Rocky Flats, Colorado, Site was completed in 2005. Uplands, riparian, and wetland habitat were disturbed during cleanup and closure activities and required extensive revegetation. Unavoidable disturbances to habitat of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (a federally listed species) and wetlands required consultation with regulatory agencies and mitigation. Mitigation wetlands were constructed in two drainages, and a third developed naturally where a soil borrow area intercepted the groundwater table. During the 50-plus years of site operations, 12 ponds were constructed in three drainages to manage and retain runoff and sewage treatment plant discharges prior to release off site. A batch-release protocol has been used for the past several decades at the terminal ponds, which has affected the riparian communities downstream. To return the hydrologic regime to a more natural flow-through system similar to the pre-industrial-use conditions, seven interior dams (of 12) have been breached, and the remaining five dams are scheduled for breaching between 2011 and 2020. At the breached dams, the former open water areas have transformed to emergent wetlands, and the stream reaches have returned to a flow-through system. Riparian and wetland vegetation has established very well. The valves of the terminal ponds were opened in fall 2011 to begin flow-through operations and provide water to the downstream plant communities while allowing reestablishment of vegetation in the former pond bottoms prior to breaching. A number of challenges and issues were addressed during the revegetation effort. These included reaching an agreement on revegetation goals, addressing poor substrate quality and soil compaction problems, using soil amendments and topsoil, selecting seeds, determining the timing and location of revegetation projects relative to continuing closure activities, weed control, erosion control, revegetation project field oversight, and contractual limitations. A variety of ecological restoration techniques were conducted at the site to meet these challenges. These efforts have resulted in vegetation becoming well established in most locations. (author)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

New iodocuprates(I) with N-heterocyclic molecules as the cations

Under the hydrothermal conditions, the reactions between CuI, KI and bp/bpp (bp=4,4′-bipiperidine, bpp=1,3-bis(4-piperidyl)propane) in an acidic alcohol solution produced three new organically templated iodocuprates(I) as [H{sub 2}bp]{sub 2}[Cu{sub 2}I{sub 6}] 1, [tmbp][Cu{sub 2}I{sub 4}] 2 and [tmbpp] 2 [Cu{sub 4}I{sub 8}]·2H{sub 2}O 3 (tmbp{sup 2+}=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-4,4′-bipiperidinium; tmbpp{sup 2+}=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,3-bis(4-piperidyl)propane dication). X-ray analysis revealed that (i) tmbp{sup 2+} and tmbpp{sup 2+} in compounds 2 and 3 originated from the complete N-alklation of bp/bpp with CH{sub 3}OH; (ii) templated by H{sub 2}bp{sup 2+}, the inorganic anion [Cu{sub 2}I{sub 6}]{sup 2−} of 1 possesses a dinuclear structure, whereas templated by tmbp{sup 2+}, the inorganic anion [Cu{sub 2}I{sub 4}]{sup 2−} of 2 exhibits a one-dimensional (1D) chain structure; (iii) templated by tmbpp{sup 2+}, the inorganic anion [Cu{sub 4}I{sub 8}]{sup 4−} of 3 shows a cubane-like structure modified by four terminal I{sup −} ions. The photoluminescence analysis indicates that compounds 1 and 2 emit blue light, while compound 3 emits green light. - Graphical abstract: By employing hydrothermal in situ N-alkylation of bp/bpp with CH{sub 3}OH, three new organically templated iodocuprates(I) were obtained. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Three new organically templated iodocuprates(I) were reported. • Cations tmbp{sup 2+} and tmbpp{sup 2+} originated from in situ alkylation of bp/bpp with CH{sub 3}OH. • H{sup +} and I{sup −} play a key role in alkylation of bp/bpp with CH{sub 3}OH. • Photoluminescence emission for iodocuprates(I) is related to Cu···Cu interaction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Redundant control of migration and adhesion by ERM proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells

Highlights: •The three ERM proteins are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cell. •ERM depletion inhibited PDGF-evoked migration redundantly. •ERM depletion increased cell adhesion redundantly. •ERM depletion did not affect PDGF-evoked Ca signal, Rac1 activation, proliferation. •ERM proteins control PDGF-induced migration by regulating adhesion. -- Abstract: Ezrin, radixin, and moesin possess a very similar structure with a C-terminal actin-binding domain and a N-terminal FERM interacting domain. They are known to be involved in cytoskeleton organization in several cell types but their function in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ERM proteins in cell migration induced by PDGF, a growth factor involved in pathophysiological processes like angiogenesis or atherosclerosis. We used primary cultured VSMC obtained from rat aorta, which express the three ERM proteins. Simultaneous depletion of the three ERM proteins with specific siRNAs abolished the effects of PDGF on cell architecture and migration and markedly increased cell adhesion and focal adhesion size, while these parameters were only slightly affected by depletion of ezrin, radixin or moesin alone. Rac1 activation, cell proliferation, and Ca{sup 2+} signal in response to PDGF were unaffected by ERM depletion. These results indicate that ERM proteins exert a redundant control on PDGF-induced VSMC migration by regulating focal adhesion turn-over and cell adhesion to substrate.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Atomically sharp jagged edges of chemical vapor deposition-grown WS 2 for electrocatalysis

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown 2D transition metal dichalcogenides can adopt faceted edges. To investigate how sharp these sites can be, we utilize aberration-corrected annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) to resolve the atomic structure of two-dimensional (2D) WS 2 domains that show jagged edges. Nanoscale triangular edge structures with S zigzag terminations are observed. Both the peak and valley regions exhibit near-atomic sharpness. The peaks are as sharp as two atoms in width. Highly ordered valley sites display a minimum width of three atoms, and prospective single-atom valleys appear as two-atom-wide sites in the ADF-STEM contrast. Regarding the kinetics, density-functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the 2-W-atom peak would not evolve into a single-W-atom peak even though the latter configuration is also stable with a high enough binding energy under the growth conditions. These results help deepen our understanding of the possible structuring at the nanoscale and the atomic-scale limits of peaks and valleys formed via intersection of two zigzag edges. The enriched edge sites lead to higher catalytic activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Paleoclimatic implications of glacial fluctuations in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, northern Andes, Colombia, during the Lateglacial and Holocene

The reconstruction of former mountain glaciers from geomorphic mapping and cosmogenic-nuclide surface-exposure dating provides a unique opportunity to infer patterns of past terrestrial climate variability. Tropical mountain glaciers are particularly valuable as there are comparatively few terrestrial climate proxies at equatorial latitudes relative to higher latitudes. As the single largest climate zone on Earth, the tropics play an outsized role in mediating global climate via the ocean-atmosphere transfer of latent heat and water vapor. Nonetheless, there remains a persistent gap in our understanding of how the tropics influenced – or were influenced by – the high-magnitude climate shifts of the Late Pleistocene, and whether this high-energy region simply responded to extratropical forcing or was itself a driver of global climatic change. To help address this knowledge gap, we analyzed geologic evidence for past glacial fluctuations in three adjacent valleys in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, the highest subrange of the Eastern Cordillera in the Colombian Andes, to provide a terrestrial record of atmospheric temperature during the latter part of Termination 1. Coupled with geomorphic mapping and paleo-snowline reconstructions, our beryllium-10 glacial chronology indicates that glaciers in the humid inner tropics underwent pronounced growth and gradual decay during the Antarctic Cold Reversal (14.5–12.8 ka) and Younger Dryas (12.8–11.7 ka) periods, respectively, following a trend that, according to directly dated moraine records from throughout both polar hemispheres, appears to have been global. While the specific mechanism(s) behind this large-scale behavior remains to be corroborated, we revisit the hypothesis that ocean-atmosphere heat transfer and water vapor flux are key drivers of abrupt Lateglacial temperature fluctuations. Subsequent to the Lateglacial, deglaciation of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy accelerated during the Early Holocene, a pattern also observed in other tropical glacier records. More recently, the magnitude of snowline rise and glacier retreat over the last two centuries supports the view that modern tropospheric warming is anomalously strong at least relative to the last ∼16,000 years.

Andes↗

Experimental and Theoretical Insights into the Structure of Tellurium Chloride Glasses

Here, the structure of the binary chalcohalide glasses Te 1-x CL x (0.35 <= x <= 0.65) is considered by combining experimental and theoretical results. The structural network properties are influenced by a competition between ionic and covalent bonding in such glasses. At first, a focus is placed on the detailed information available by using the complementary high-energy X-ray and the neutron diffractions in both the reciprocal and real spaces. The main characteristic suggested by the structure factors S(Q) concerns the presence of three length scales in the intermediate range order. The total correlation function T(r) lets us also suppose that the structure of these glasses is more complicated than Te-chain fragments with terminal Cl as demonstrated in crystalline Te 3 Cl 2 . Molecular dynamics simulations were subsequently performed on Te 3 Cl 2 and Te 2 Cl 3 , and coupled with the experimental data, a highly reticulated network of chalcogen atoms, with a fair amount of chlorine atoms bonded in a bridging mode, is proposed. The simulations clearly lead to a glass description that differs markedly from the simple structural model based on only Te atom chains and terminal Cl atoms. Solidstate NMR experiments and NMR parameters calculations allowed validation of the presence of Te highly coordinated with chlorine in these glasses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synthesis of Mo 4 VAlC 4 MAX Phase and Two-Dimensional Mo 4 VC 4 MXene with Five Atomic Layers of Transition Metals

MXenes are a family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides with a general formula of M n+1 X n T x , in which two, three, or four atomic layers of a transition metal (M: Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, Ta, etc.) are interleaved with layers of C and/or N (shown as X), and T x represents surface termination groups such as –OH, =O, and –F. Here, we report the scalable synthesis and characterization of a MXene with five atomic layers of transition metals (Mo 4 VC 4 T x ), by synthesizing its Mo 4 VAlC 4 MAX phase precursor that contains no other MAX phase impurities. These phases display twinning at their central M layers which is not present in any other known MAX phases or MXenes. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to examine the structure of both phases. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to study the composition of these materials. Density functional theory calculations indicate that other five transition metal-layer MAX phases (M' 4 M"AlC 4 ) may be possible, where M' and M" are two different transition metals. The predicted existence of additional Al-containing MAX phases suggests that more M 5 C 4 T x MXenes can be synthesized. Additionally, we characterized the optical, electronic, and thermal properties of Mo 4 VC 4 T x . Here, this study demonstrates the existence of an additional subfamily of M 5 X 4 T x MXenes as well as a twinned structure, allowing for a wider range of 2D structures and compositions for more control over properties, which could lead to many different applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure and tailspike glycosidase machinery of ORF212 from E. coli O157:H7 phage CBA120 (TSP3)

Bacteriophage tailspike proteins mediate virion absorption through reversible primary receptor binding, followed by lipopolysaccharide or exopolysaccharide degradation. The Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteriophage CBA120 genome encodes four distinct tailspike proteins, annotated as ORFs 210 through 213. Previously, we reported the crystal structure of ORF210 (TSP1). Here we describe the crystal structure of ORF212 (TSP3) determined at 1.85 Å resolution. As observed with other tailspike proteins, TSP3 assembles into a trimer. Each subunit of TSP3 has an N-terminal head domain that is structurally similar to that of TSP1, consistent with their high amino acid sequence identity. In contrast, despite sharing a β-helix fold, the overall structure of the C-terminal catalytic domain of TSP3 is quite different when compared to TSP1. The TSP3 structure suggests that the glycosidase active site resides in a cleft at the interface between two adjacent subunits where three acidic residues, Glu362 and Asp383 on one subunit, and Asp426 on a second subunit, are located in close proximity. Comparing the glycosidase activity of wild-type TSP3 to various point mutants revealed that catalysis requires the carboxyl groups of Glu362 and Asp426, and not of Asp383, confirming the enzyme employs two carboxyl groups to degrade lippopolysaccharide using an acid/base mechanism.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Multiple Glycogen-binding Sites in Eukaryotic Glycogen Synthase Are Required for High Catalytic Efficiency toward Glycogen

Glycogen synthase is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of glycogen and has an essential role in glucose homeostasis. The three-dimensional structures of yeast glycogen synthase (Gsy2p) complexed with maltooctaose identified four conserved maltodextrin-binding sites distributed across the surface of the enzyme. Site-1 is positioned on the N-terminal domain, site-2 and site-3 are present on the C-terminal domain, and site-4 is located in an interdomain cleft adjacent to the active site. Mutation of these surface sites decreased glycogen binding and catalytic efficiency toward glycogen. Mutations within site-1 and site-2 reduced the V{sub max}/S{sub 0.5} for glycogen by 40- and 70-fold, respectively. Combined mutation of site-1 and site-2 decreased the V{sub max}/S{sub 0.5} for glycogen by >3000-fold. Consistent with the in vitro data, glycogen accumulation in glycogen synthase-deficient yeast cells ({Delta}gsy1-gsy2) transformed with the site-1, site-2, combined site-1/site-2, or site-4 mutant form of Gsy2p was decreased by up to 40-fold. In contrast to the glycogen results, the ability to utilize maltooctaose as an in vitro substrate was unaffected in the site-2 mutant, moderately affected in the site-1 mutant, and almost completely abolished in the site-4 mutant. These data show that the ability to utilize maltooctaose as a substrate can be independent of the ability to utilize glycogen. Our data support the hypothesis that site-1 and site-2 provide a 'toehold mechanism,' keeping glycogen synthase tightly associated with the glycogen particle, whereas site-4 is more closely associated with positioning of the nonreducing end during catalysis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structural Basis for Prereceptor Modulation of Plant Hormones by GH3 Proteins

Acyl acid amido synthetases of the GH3 family act as critical prereceptor modulators of plant hormone action; however, the molecular basis for their hormone selectivity is unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of benzoate-specific Arabidopsis thaliana AtGH3.12/PBS3 and jasmonic acid-specific AtGH3.11/JAR1. These structures, combined with biochemical analysis, define features for the conjugation of amino acids to diverse acyl acid substrates and highlight the importance of conformational changes in the carboxyl-terminal domain for catalysis. We also identify residues forming the acyl acid binding site across the GH3 family and residues critical for amino acid recognition. Our results demonstrate how a highly adaptable three-dimensional scaffold is used for the evolution of promiscuous activity across an enzyme family for modulation of plant signaling molecules.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Inhibition of DNA methylation in P. soloecismus alters algae productivity

Eukaryotic organisms regulate the organization, structure, and accessibility of their genomes through chromatin remodeling that can be inherited as epigenetic modifications. These DNA and histone protein modifications are ultimately responsible for an organism’s molecular adaptation to the environment, resulting in distinctive phenotypes. Epigenetic manipulation of algae holds yet untapped potential for the optimization of biofuel production and bioproduct formation; however, epigenetic machinery and modes-of-action have not been well characterized in algae. We sought to determine the extent to which the biofuel platform species Picochlorum soloecismus utilizes DNA methylation to regulate its genome. We found candidate genes with domains for DNA methylation in the P. soloecismus genome. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing revealed DNA methylation in all three cytosine contexts (CpG, CHH, and CHG). While global DNA methylation is low overall (~1.15%), it occurs in appreciable quantities (12.1%) in CpG dinucleotides in a bimodal distribution in all genomic contexts, though terminators contain the greatest number of CpG sites per kilobase. The P. soloecismus genome becomes hypomethylated during the growth cycle in response to nitrogen starvation. Algae cultures were treated daily across the growth cycle with 20 μM 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5AZA) to inhibit propagation of DNA methylation in daughter cells. 5AZA treatment significantly increased optical density and forward and side scatter of cells across the growth cycle (16 days). This increase in cell size and complexity correlated with a significant increase (~66%) in lipid accumulation. Site specific CpG DNA methylation was significantly altered with 5AZA treatment over the time course, though nitrogen starvation itself induced significant hypomethylation in CpG contexts. Genes involved in several biological processes, including fatty acid synthesis, had altered methylation ratios in response to 5AZA; we hypothesize that these changes are potentially responsible for the phenotype of early induction of carbon storage as lipids. This is the first report to utilize epigenetic manipulation strategies to alter algal physiology and phenotype. Collectively, these data suggest these strategies can be utilized to fine-tune metabolic responses, alter growth, and enhance environmental adaption of microalgae for desired outcomes.

5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine↗

THREE-DIMENSIONAL FEATURES OF THE OUTER HELIOSPHERE DUE TO COUPLING BETWEEN THE INTERSTELLAR AND INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS. IV. SOLAR CYCLE MODEL BASED ON ULYSSES OBSERVATIONS

The solar cycle has a profound influence on the solar wind (SW) interaction with the local interstellar medium (LISM) on more than one timescales. Also, there are substantial differences in individual solar cycle lengths and SW behavior within them. The presence of a slow SW belt, with a variable latitudinal extent changing within each solar cycle from rather small angles to 90 Degree-Sign , separated from the fast wind that originates at coronal holes substantially affects plasma in the inner heliosheath (IHS)-the SW region between the termination shock (TS) and the heliopause (HP). The solar cycle may be the reason why the complicated flow structure is observed in the IHS by Voyager 1. In this paper, we show that a substantial decrease in the SW ram pressure observed by Ulysses between the TS crossings by Voyager 1 and 2 contributes significantly to the difference in the heliocentric distances at which these crossings occurred. The Ulysses spacecraft is the source of valuable information about the three-dimensional and time-dependent properties of the SW. Its unique fast latitudinal scans of the SW regions make it possible to create a solar cycle model based on the spacecraft in situ measurements. On the basis of our analysis of the Ulysses data over the entire life of the mission, we generated time-dependent boundary conditions at 10 AU from the Sun and applied our MHD-neutral model to perform a numerical simulation of the SW-LISM interaction. We analyzed the global variations in the interaction pattern, the excursions of the TS and the HP, and the details of the plasma and magnetic field distributions in the IHS. Numerical results are compared with Voyager data as functions of time in the spacecraft frame. We discuss solar cycle effects which may be reasons for the recent decrease in the TS particles (ions accelerated to anomalous cosmic-ray energies) flux observed by Voyager 1.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A DETAILED SPATIOKINEMATIC MODEL OF THE CONICAL OUTFLOW OF THE MULTIPOLAR PLANETARY NEBULA NGC 7026

We present extensive, long-slit, high-resolution coverage of the complex planetary nebula (PN) NGC 7026. We acquired 10 spectra using the Manchester Echelle Spectrometer at San Pedro Martir Observatory in Baja California, Mexico, and each shows exquisite detail, revealing the intricate structure of this object. Incorporating these spectra into the three-dimensional visualization and kinematic program SHAPE and using Hubble Space Telescope images of NGC 7026, we have produced a detailed structural and kinematic model of this PN. NGC 7026 exhibits remarkable symmetry consisting of three lobe pairs and four sets of knots, all symmetrical about the nucleus and displaying a conical outflow. Comparing the three-dimensional structure of this nebula to recent XMM-Newton X-ray observations, we investigate the extended X-ray emission in relation to the nebular structure. We find that the X-ray emission, while confined to the closed, northern lobes of this PN, shows an abrupt termination in the middle of the southeast lobe, which our long slit data show to be open. This is where the shocked fast wind seems to be escaping the interior of the nebula and the X-ray emission rapidly cools in this region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optimising National WM Strategies through early consideration of Nuclear Safeguards - 18607

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards stand alongside safety and security as one of the three pillars for prudent management of all nuclear material, including nuclear waste. Although safety considerations, including public and environmental radiation protection, are the traditional drivers of waste management strategies, there is a requirement for nuclear safeguards in shaping and quantifying long-term solutions for special classes of radioactive waste. This is especially important when considering the disposal of nuclear material in a repository that could be released from regulatory oversight for radiation protection after a period of institutional control, as some safeguards oversight would still be required. Failure to consider nuclear safeguards at the early stages of planning may alternatively lead to excessive volumes for disposal or the need to recondition already treated wastes. At the very least, safeguards measures should be considered before countries seek to dispose of legacy nuclear materials, decommissioning wastes and other materials containing uranium, thorium or plutonium in an operating repository. Nuclear safeguards are the set of tools and techniques used by the IAEA to verify that countries comply with their international obligations not to divert nuclear materials to nuclear explosive devices. Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), nuclear safeguards apply to all uranium, thorium and plutonium held in non-weapons NPT states, with limited exceptions. In nuclear-weapon states, much of their material is likewise subject to IAEA safeguards through conditions in agreements with respective suppliers of the uranium. Under IAEA safeguards, such nuclear material must remain accounted for and accessible for periodic verification-analogous to the safety concepts of reversibility and retrievability. Nevertheless, safeguards requirements can be terminated - provided that the State and the [IAEA] agree that such nuclear material is practicably irrecoverable - through dilution or immobilisation in solid form (such as cement, glass or ceramic). This means candidate material can be disposed of as non- nuclear material, with no further safeguards requirements, provided this criterion is met. Unlike radiological wastes where repository design strongly influences pathways for radionuclide migration and overall safety performance, repository design is not a factor in considering the termination of safeguards on nuclear material. This paper looks at similarities and differences in the safety, security and safeguards regulatory requirements for the management of radioactive waste and nuclear material in Australia. In particular, it outlines recent experience gained from participation in Australia's waste acceptance criteria working group for a national low-level waste repository and intermediate-level waste store, as well as from Australia's overall waste management strategy. These items of work have coincided with the IAEA update of its internal policy on termination of safeguards on nuclear material. Australia's experience shows how inclusion of safeguards criteria in the planning process is leading to optimisations in choice of facility concepts, project sequencing and equitable distribution of economic risk. By considering the three pillars-safety, security and safeguards-early on in the planning process, Australia's waste management strategy will provide a benchmark for other states in establishing and updating their own waste acceptance criteria for the disposal of nuclear material. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗