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At least 91 records · Page 5

Overview of the recent experimental research on the J-TEXT tokamak

The J-TEXT capability is enhanced compared to two years ago with several upgrades of its diagnostics and the increase of electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) power to 1 MW. With the application of electron cyclotron wave (ECW), the ECW assisted plasma startup is achieved; the tearing mode is suppressed; the toroidal injection of 300 kW ECW drives around 24 kA current; fast electrons are generated with toroidal injected ECW and the runaway current conversion efficiency increases with ECRH power. The mode coupling between 2/1 and 3/1 modes are extensively studied. The coupled 2/1 and 3/1 modes usually lead to major disruption. Their coupling can be either suppressed or avoided by external resonant magnetic perturbation fields and hence avoids the major disruption. It is also found that the 2/1 threshold of external field is significantly reduced by a pre-excited 3/1 mode, which can be either a locked island or an external kink mode. The disruption control is studied by developing prediction methods capable of cross tokamak application and by new mitigation methods, such as the biased electrode or electromagnetic pellet injector. The high-density operation and related disruptions are studied from various aspects. Approaching the density limit, the collapse of the edge shear layer is observed and such collapse can be prevented by applying edge biasing, leading to an increased density limit. The density limit is also observed to increase, if the plasma is operated in the poloidal divertor configuration or the plasma purity is increased by increasing the pre-filled gas pressure or ECRH power during the start-up phase.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Impact of classical statistics on thermal conductivity predictions of BAs and diamond using machine learning molecular dynamics

Machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) have greatly enhanced molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, achieving near-first-principles accuracy in thermal conductivity studies. In this work, we reveal that this accuracy, observed in BAs and diamond at sub-Debye temperatures, stems from an accidental error cancelation: classical statistics overestimates specific heat while underestimating phonon lifetimes, balancing out in thermal conductivity predictions. However, this balance is disrupted when isotopes are introduced, leading MLIP-based MD to significantly underpredict thermal conductivity compared to experiments and quantum statistics-based Boltzmann transport equation. This discrepancy arises not from classical statistics affecting phonon–isotope scattering rates but from its impact on the interplay between phonon–isotope and phonon–phonon scattering in the normal scattering-dominated BAs and diamond. In conclusion, this work underscores the limitations of MLIP-based MD for thermal conductivity studies at sub-Debye temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding local plant extinctions before it is too late: bridging evolutionary genomics with global ecology

Understanding evolutionary genomic and population processes within a species range is key to anticipating the extinction of plant species before it is too late. However, most models of biodiversity risk under global change do not account for the genetic variation and local adaptation of different populations. Population diversity is critical to understanding extinction because different populations may be more or less susceptible to global change and, if lost, would reduce the total diversity within a species. Here, two new modeling frameworks advance our understanding of extinction from a population and evolutionary angle: Rapid climate change-driven disruptions in population adaptation are predicted from associations between genomes and local climates. Furthermore, losses of population diversity from global land-use transformations are estimated by scaling relationships of species' genomic diversity with habitat area. Overall, these global eco-evolutionary methods advance the predictability – and possibly the preventability – of the ongoing extinction of plant species.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Collaborative Research: The Evolution of Magnetic Skeletons During 3D Reconnection. Final report

We investigated how the plasmoid instability affects the evolution of topological features of a magnetic field and the process of magnetic reconnection with three sub-projects. (i) We extensively studied the criterion for plasmoid-mediated current sheet disruption and the onset of fast reconnection. Scaling relations with respect to plasma parameters have been established, using both direct numerical simulations and analytic theories, for the disruption time, the current sheet width, the instability linear growth rate, and the dominant mode wavenumber. (ii) We applied the theories of plasmoid-mediated current sheet disruption to magnetohydrodynamic turbulence and predicted a steepening of the turbulence energy spectrum. This steepening has been confirmed by direct numerical simulations. (iii) We performed numerical simulations of ultraviolet burst events in the solar atmosphere with a spine-dome magnetic topology. The plasmoid instability leads to unsteady reconnection, which is consistent with solar observations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

MHD stability and disruptions in the SPARC tokamak

SPARC is being designed to operate with a normalized beta of $β_N$ = 1.0, a normalized density of $n_G$ = 0.37 and a safety factor of $q_{95}$ ≈ 3.4, providing a comfortable margin to their respective disruption limits. Further, a low beta poloidal $β_p$ = 0.19 at the safety factor $\textit{q}$ = 2 surface reduces the drive for neoclassical tearing modes, which together with a frozen-in classically stable current profile might allow access to a robustly tearing-free operating space. Although the inherent stability is expected to reduce the frequency of disruptions, the disruption loading is comparable to and in some cases higher than that of ITER. The machine is being designed to withstand the predicted unmitigated axisymmetric halo current forces up to 50 MN and similarly large loads from eddy currents forced to flow poloidally in the vacuum vessel. Runaway electron (RE) simulations using GO+CODE show high flattop-to-RE current conversions in the absence of seed losses, although NIMROD modelling predicts losses of ~80 %; self-consistent modelling is ongoing. A passive RE mitigation coil designed to drive stochastic RE losses is being considered and COMSOL modelling predicts peak normalized fields at the plasma of order 10 –2 that rises linearly with a change in the plasma current. Massive material injection is planned to reduce the disruption loading. A data-driven approach to predict an oncoming disruption and trigger mitigation is discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Simulation of MHD instabilities with fluid runaway electron model in M3D- C 1

Runaway electrons are generated in a tokamak during the start up, during normal operation and during a plasma disruption. During a disruption, runaway electrons can be accelerated to high energies, potentially damaging the first wall. To predict the consequences of runaway generation during a disruption, it is necessary to consider resonant interactions of runaways with the bulk plasma. Here we consider the interactions of runaways on low mode number tearing modes. We have developed a fluid runaway electron model for the 3D MHD code M3D-C1[Jardin,et al. J Comput. Sci Discovery 6 014002 (2012)]. To benchmark, we have reproduced the MHD linear tearing mode results (with runaway electrons) in a circular cylinder presented in previous analytic studies[[Helander, P., et al, Phys. Plasmas 14 144102 (2007)] and extended here with a numerical eigenvalue calculation. Furthermore, we find that the low mode number tearing mode has a rotation caused by the MHD - runaways interaction, and the toroidal current scale length is much smaller with runaways than that for without and decreases as the runaway speed increases.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Bipartite chromatin recognition by Hop1 from two diverged Holozoa

In meiosis, ploidy reduction is driven by a complex series of DNA breakage and recombination events between homologous chromosomes, orchestrated by meiotic HORMA domain proteins (HORMADs). Meiotic HORMADs possess a central chromatin binding region (CBR) whose architecture varies across eukaryotic groups. Here, we determine high-resolution crystal structures of the meiotic HORMAD CBR from two diverged aquatic Holozoa,Schistosoma mansoniandPatiria miniata, which reveal tightly associated plant homeodomain (PHD) and winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) domains. We show that PHD–wHTH CBRs bind duplex DNA through their wHTH domains, and identify key residues that disrupt this interaction. Combining experimental and predicted structures, we show that the CBRs’ PHDs likely interact with the tail of histone H3, and may discriminate between unmethylated and trimethylated H3 lysine 4. Finally, we show that Holozoa Hop1 CBRs bind nucleosomes in vitro in a bipartite manner involving both the PHD and wHTH domain. Our data reveal how meiotic HORMADs with PHD–wHTH CBRs can bind chromatin and potentially discriminate between chromatin states to drive meiotic recombination to specific chromosomal regions.

Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics↗

PLANETARY DEFENSE: FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PLANETARY SCIENCE AND ASTROBIOLOGY DECADAL SURVEY 2023 - 2032

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine was chartered by the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD), with support from the National Science Foundation, to conduct a new decadal survey to develop a comprehensive science and mission strategy for planetary science (1). The survey was tasked to determine the current state of knowledge and to identify the most important scientific questions to be addressed in astrobiology and planetary science during the upcoming decade of 2023 - 2032. For the first time, the decadal survey also included and addressed the topic of planetary defense, now recognized as a key element of NASA’s planetary science activities under the direction of NASA’s SMD Planetary Defense Coordination Office. The topic of planetary defense was included in the decadal survey as a dedicated chapter, divided into five sections based on the framework from the U.S. National NEO Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan (2). These sections discussed: NEO Detection, Tracking, and Characterization NEO Modelling, Prediction, and Integration NEO Deflection and Disruption Missions International Cooperation on NEO Preparation NEO Impact Emergency Procedures and Action Protocols Content of these sections included identifying the activities, ground- and space-based assets, facilities, resources, technologies, and missions that should be considered to enable NEO preparedness over the next decade. Supporting inputs to this chapter involved contributions from submitted white papers authored by many members of the NEO science and planetary defense communities. In addition, a planetary defense rapid mission architecture study commissioned by the decadal survey small bodies panel and led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory examined several different types of in-situ characterization and mitigation demonstration missions. All of this input contributed to the formulation of 42 findings and 11 recommendations that suggest a path forward for increasing our understanding of the NEO population and their associated physical characteristics, modelling the impact probabilities and hazard potential of these objects, and implementing plans to develop and test NEO impact mitigation capabilities. Including planetary defense in the decadal survey has helped sharpen the focus on this international issue and provided key inputs for stakeholders and decision makers to consider when developing future planetary defense-related activities. Such information is vital for developing a long-term integrated planetary defense capability able to protect humanity in the decades to come.

NEO Detection and Characterization↗

Resistive wall tearing mode disruptions in DIII-D and ITER tokamaks

Disruptions are a serious problem in tokamaks, in which thermal and magnetic energy confinement is lost. This paper uses data from the DIII-D experiment, theory, and simulations to demonstrate that resistive wall tearing modes (RWTMs) produce the thermal quench (TQ) in a typical locked mode shot. Analysis of the linear RWTM dispersion relation shows the parameter dependence of the growth rate, particularly on the resistive wall time. Linear simulations of the locked mode equilibrium show that it is unstable with a resistive wall and stable with an ideally conducting wall. Nonlinear simulations demonstrate that the RWTM grows to sufficient amplitude to cause a complete thermal quench. The RWTM growth time is proportional to the thermal quench time. Here, the nonlinearly saturated RWTM magnetic perturbation amplitude agrees with experimental measurements. The onset condition is that the q = 2 rational surface is sufficiently close to the resistive wall. Collectively, this identifies the RWTM as the cause of the TQ. In ITER, RWTMs will produce long TQ times compared to present-day experiments. ITER disruptions may be significantly more benign than previously predicted.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Discriminability of Prediction Artifacts in a Time Delayed Virtual Environment

Overall latency remains an impediment to perceived image stability and consequently to human performance in virtual environment (VE) systems. Predictive compensators have been proposed as a means to mitigate these shortcomings, but they introduce rendering errors because of induced motion overshoot and heightened noise. Discriminability of these compensator artifacts was investigated by a protocol in which head tracked image stability for 35 ms baseline VE system latency was compared against artificially added (16.7 to 100 ms) latency compensated by a previously studied Kalman Filter (K-F) predictor. A control study in which uncompensated 16.7 to 100 ms latencies were compared against the baseline was also performed. Results from 10 subjects in the main study and 8 in the control group indicate that predictive compensation artifacts are less discernible than the disruptions of uncompensated time delay for the shorter but not the longer added latencies. We propose that noise magnification and overshoot are contributory cues to the presence of predictive compensation.

Adelstein, Bernard D.↗

Targeted disruption of pi–pi stacking in Malaysian banana lectin reduces mitogenicity while preserving antiviral activity

Lectins, carbohydrate-binding proteins, have been regarded as potential antiviral agents, as some can bind glycans on viral surface glycoproteins and inactivate their functions. However, clinical development of lectins has been stalled by the mitogenicity of many of these proteins, which is the ability to stimulate deleterious proliferation, especially of immune cells. We previously demonstrated that the mitogenic and antiviral activities of a lectin (banana lectin, BanLec) can be separated via a single amino acid mutation, histidine to threonine at position 84 (H84T), within the third Greek key. The resulting lectin, H84T BanLec, is virtually non-mitogenic but retains antiviral activity. Decreased mitogenicity was associated with disruption of pi–pi stacking between two aromatic amino acids. To examine whether we could provide further proof-of-principle of the ability to separate these two distinct lectin functions, we identified another lectin, Malaysian banana lectin (Malay BanLec), with similar structural features as BanLec, including pi–pi stacking, but with only 63% amino acid identity, and showed that it is both mitogenic and potently antiviral. We then engineered an F84T mutation expected to disrupt pi–pi stacking, analogous to H84T. As predicted, F84T Malay BanLec (F84T) was less mitogenic than wild type. However, F84T maintained strong antiviral activity and inhibited replication of HIV, Ebola, and other viruses. The F84T mutation disrupted pi–pi stacking without disrupting the overall lectin structure. These findings show that pi–pi stacking in the third Greek key is a conserved mitogenic motif in these two jacalin-related lectins BanLec and Malay BanLec, and further highlight the potential to rationally engineer antiviral lectins for therapeutic purposes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Tech-X contributions to the Center for Tokamak Transients (CTTS) Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) project (Final Report)

The Center for Tokamak Transients Simulations (CTTS) consists of computational plasma physicists, computer scientists, and applied mathematicians who are together developing and applying simulation software to improve our understanding of and ability to predict and control transient events in tokamak discharges, particularly those that lead to violent disruptions. We have major simulation activities concerning disruptions that are caused by violating ideal MHD stability criteria, vertical displacement events, resistive wall modes, and tearing modes. We are performing comprehensive modeling of disruption mitigation techniques, particularly by shattered pellet injection (SPI). The Center is built around two mature extended MHD codes: NIMROD and M3D-C1. These codes are being extended in a number of ways as required by the demands of disruption modeling, and are being optimized to work well for larger problem size and modern computer architectures as required to model tokamak plasmas with realistic parameters over the required timescales. The codes will be coupled to the FronTier code for state-of-the-art modeling of SPI. Validation with experimental data on DIII-D, NSTX, and JET is being facilitated by rigorous uncertainty quantification (UQ). The high-level objectives of the center are to: (1) Develop better understanding and improved predictive capability of when crossing a linear stability boundary will likely lead to a disruption, (2) Provide a tool for calculating vessel forces, both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric, for worst case VDE and other disruptions in tokamaks, (3) Develop increased understanding and improved predictive capability for locked mode disruptions and how best to avoid them, (4) Develop, verify, and validate 3D models for disruption mitigation by shattered pellets that can be used to design and optimize a system for future tokamaks, and (5) Increase the efficiency and scalability of the M3D-C1 and NIMROD codes so that they can model disruptions in ITER scale devices using the most powerful DOE HPC hardware, and (6) Demonstrate code-coupling via FronTier coupling with NIMROD and M3D-C1 and by interfacing these codes within a WDM framework.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Dwarf Galaxies at Cosmic Noon: New JWST Constraints on Satellite Models and Subhalo Tidal Evolution

The advent of JWST has revolutionized the study of faint satellite galaxies at z ≳ 1, enabling statistical constraints on galaxy evolution and the galaxy–halo connection in a previously unexplored mass and redshift regime. We compare satellite abundances at 1 < z < 3.5 from recent JWST observations with predictions from cosmological dark-matter-only zoom-in simulations. We identify and quantify several sources of biases that can impact theoretical satellite counts, finding that assumptions about subhalo tidal evolution introduce the largest uncertainty in predictions for the satellite mass function. Using a flexible galaxy disruption model, we explore a range of disruption scenarios, spanning hydrodynamically motivated and idealized prescriptions, to bracket plausible physical outcomes. We show that varying galaxy durability can change the predicted satellite mass functions by a factor of ∼3.5. The JWST data and our fiducial model are consistent within 1σ–2σ across the full redshift (1 < z < 3.5) and stellar mass (M⋆ > 10 7 M ⊙ ) range probed. We find evidence that subhalos are at least as long-lived as predicted by hydrodynamic simulations. Our framework will enable robust constraints on the tidal evolution of subhalos with future observations. This work presents the first direct comparison between cosmological models and observations of the high-redshift satellite population in this low-mass regime. These results showcase JWST’s emerging power to test structure formation in the first half of the Universe in a new domain and to constrain the physical processes driving the evolution of low-mass galaxies across cosmic time.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Fatigue analysis of the Spallation Neutron Source 2 MW target design

Upgrades to the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are under way with two major projects. The first project is the Proton Power Upgrade (PPU), which will double the power capacity of the SNS accelerator system to enable the operation of a future second neutron source target station—the second project. PPU also will increase power to the SNS first target station – which currently operates at 1.4 MW with 1.0 GeV protons – to 2 MW with 1.3 GeV protons. Final design of the PPU 2 MW target module is finished, including all necessary design and analysis calculations. The fatigue evaluation described herein is an assessment of the fitness of the PPU 2 MW target mercury vessel to resist failure from cyclic loading from the pulsed 60 Hz proton beam and thermal changes from disrupted operation. In addition to the reliability predictions, the method, detail, and depth of this fatigue evaluation are superior to those of past target design assessments. Furthermore, the thermal fatigue life is predicted to exceed 3125 thermal cycles per 1250 h of operation for all load cases. The design also meets the (relative) fatigue design goal for combined thermal and pulse loading of greater than 0.5 times the minimum fatigue life calculated for a jet-flow target design operating at 1.4 MW—the most robust design to date in terms of resistance to fatigue failure. From the onset of the PPU, it has been known that pulse loading requires effective application of helium gas injection into the target mercury to reduce beam pressure loading. For the PPU 2 MW target, none of the pulse load cases requires a maximum strain reduction from gas injection of more than 50% (for base material) to meet the fatigue design goal. This level of reduction is achievable from gas injection, according to historical strain measurements from 1.4 MW target operation. Overall, the PPU 2 MW target design is predicted to have superior resistance to fatigue failure compared with past target designs.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Influence of clinostat rotation on fertilized amphibian egg pattern specification

Pattern specification in fertile Xenopus eggs rotated on horizontal clinostats was monitored with respect to primary embryonic axis formation, subsequent morphogenesis, and compartmentalization of the cytoplasm. At the speeds of 1 to 24 rpm (which are believed to simulate microgravity) a large percentage of eggs developed normal axial structures. Eggs clinostated at 12 rpm showed a randomization of dorsal/ventral polarity. The cytoplasmic compartments showed some clinostat effects but no abnormal mixing, disruption or dislocation of compartments. It is predicted that Xenopus eggs fertilized and allowed to develop in space will retain normal cytoplasmic density compartments, establish primary axes and undergo normal morphogenesis in space. Their dorsal/ventral polarity may not, however, be determined by the sperm entrance site (as is the case for 1 g eggs).

Neff, A. W.↗

The phase relationship between gyrophase-bunched ions and MHD-like waves

Recent calculations and computer simulations of the right-hand resonant ion beam instability have indicated that gyrophase-bunched ion distributions may be generated as a first step in the disruption of field-aligned beams. Theory predicts a distinct phase angle relationship between the gyrovelocity of the phase-bunched ions and the wave magnetic field. In this paper, observations of such a relationship between gyrophase-bunched ions and MHD-like waves upstream from the earth's bow shock are presented. The observed phases are in accord with the theoretical predictions of the right-hand resonant ion beam instability.

Fuselier, S. A.↗

Prediction of non-intuitive metabolic targets with bayesian metabolic control analysis to improve 3-hydroxypropionic acid production in Aspergillus niger

Development of efficient bioconversion processes is limited by the ability to predictably improve metabolic flux. Here we deployed Bayesian Metabolic Control Analysis as a platform to integrate multi-omics data with metabolic modeling and evaluated its ability to predict genetic interventions that improve metabolic flux. Global Metabolomics and proteomics data was collected from 17 Aspergillus niger strains engineered to produce the platform biochemical 3-hydroxypropionic acid from which seven actional genetic interventions were predicted from significant flux control coefficients. Of the suggested genetic interventions, two were present within the intuitively designed strains used for training (malonic semialdehyde dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase) while five predicted targets were present within non-intuitive areas of the metabolic network including 5-formyltetrahydrofolate deformylase and four mitochondrial enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA ligase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malate dehydrogenase. Six of the targets were validated in the highest performing 3-HP strain used for multi-omics data generation which contained a prior disruption of the highest scoring target malonic semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Predicted directional perturbation of five of the six tested targets significantly improved titer and rate of 3-HP production and two significantly improved yield. The greatest improvements were observed following disruption of the non-intuitive target succinyl-CoA ligase which increased titer by 39% and yield by 29% (to 20.4 g/L 3-HP and 0.31 g 3-HP/g glucose) over the strains used for training. This study demonstrates the utility of Bayesian Metabolic Control Analysis and highlights the ability to predict meaningful genetic targets in unexpected areas of metabolism to improve engineered strains for bioconversion.

3-hydroxypropionic acid↗

Decoding Cancer Variants of Unknown Significance for Helicase–Nuclease–RPA Complexes Orchestrating DNA Repair During Transcription and Replication

All tumors have DNA mutations, and a predictive understanding of those mutations could inform clinical treatments. However, 40% of the mutations are variants of unknown significance (VUS), with the challenge being to objectively predict whether a VUS is pathogenic and supports the tumor or whether it is benign. To objectively decode VUS, we mapped cancer sequence data and evolutionary trace (ET) scores onto crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy structures with variant impacts quantitated by evolutionary action (EA) measures. As tumors depend on helicases and nucleases to deal with transcription/replication stress, we targeted helicase–nuclease–RPA complexes: (1) XPB-XPD (within TFIIH), XPF-ERCC1, XPG, and RPA for transcription and nucleotide excision repair pathways and (2) BLM, EXO5, and RPA plus DNA2 for stalled replication fork restart. As validation, EA scoring predicts severe effects for most disease mutations, but disease mutants with low ET scores not only are likely destabilizing but also disrupt sophisticated allosteric mechanisms. For sites of disease mutations and VUS predicted to be severe, we found strong co-localization to ordered regions. Rare discrepancies highlighted the different survival requirements between disease and tumor mutations, as well as the value of examining proteins within complexes. In a genome-wide analysis of 33 cancer types, we found correlation between the number of mutations in each tumor and which pathways or functional processes in which the mutations occur, revealing different mutagenic routes to tumorigenesis. We also found upregulation of ancient genes including BLM, which supports a non-random and concerted cancer process: reversion to a unicellular, proliferation-uncontrolled, status by breaking multicellular constraints on cell division. Together, these genes and global analyses challenge the binary “driver” and “passenger” mutation paradigm, support a gradient impact as revealed by EA scoring from moderate to severe at a single gene level, and indicate reduced regulation as well as activity. The objective quantitative assessment of VUS scoring and gene overexpression in the context of functional interactions and pathways provides insights for biology, oncology, and precision medicine.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗