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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 109 records · Page 6

Biocompatibility of NbTaTiVZr with Surface Modifications for Osteoblasts

Here, we report a potential biomedical material, NbTaTiVZr, and the impact of surface roughness on the osteoblast culture and later behavior based on in vitro tests of preosteoblasts. Cell activities such as adhesion, viability, and typical protein activity on NbTaTiVZr showed comparable results with that of commercially pure Ti (CP-Ti). In addition, NbTaTiVZr with a smooth surface exhibits better cell adhesion, viability, and typical protein activity which shows that surface modification can improve the biocompatibility of NbTaTiVZr. This supports the biological evidence and shows that NbTaTiVZr can potentially be evaluated as a biomedical material for clinical use.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

TWIST2 inhibits EMT and induces oxidative stress in lung cancer cells by regulating the FGF21-mediated AMPK/mTOR pathway

Twist related protein 2 (TWIST2) plays an important role in bone development, tumorigenesis, tumour progression and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). At present, there are few reports about the role of TWIST2 in lung cancer, which need to be further explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the role and molecular mechanism of TWIST2 in the occurrence and development of lung cancer. The expression of TWIST2 in tissues of patients and cell lines was measured using RT-qPCR and western blotting. MTT and CCK8 assays were used to detect cell proliferation and viability. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of EMT-related proteins, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin and Slug. The results revealed that TWIST2 is lowly expressed in the tissues of lung cancer patients and cell lines. Further studies found that overexpression of TWIST2 significantly induced apoptosis and promoted the expression of E-cadherin, as well as inhibiting the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin and Slug. More importantly, TWIST2 induced oxidative stress in lung cancer cells. In addition, TWIST2 regulated the FGF21 and AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway, which is involved in the molecular mechanism of the gene in lung cancer cells. We suggest that the mechanism of TWIST2 inhibition of the progression of lung cancer is by regulating the FGF21-mediated AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Confinement performance predictions for a high field axisymmetric tandem mirror

This paper presents Hammir tandem mirror confinement performance analysis based on Realta Fusion's first-of-a-kind model for axisymmetric magnetic mirror fusion performance. This model uses an integrated end plug simulation model including, heating, equilibrium, and transport combined with a new formulation of the plasma operation contours (POPCONs) technique for the tandem mirror central cell. Using this model in concert with machine learning optimization techniques, it is shown that an end plug utilizing high temperature superconducting magnets and modern neutral beams enables a classical tandem mirror pilot plant producing a fusion gain Q > 5. The approach here represents an important advance in tandem mirror design. The high fidelity end plug model enables calculations of heating and transport in the highly non-Maxwellian end plug to be made more accurately. The detailed end plug modelling performed in this work has highlighted the importance of classical radial transport and neutral beam absorption efficiency on end plug viability. The central cell POPCON technique allows consideration of a wide range of parameters in the relatively simple near-Maxwellian central cell, facilitating the selection of more optimal central cell plasmas. These advances make it possible to find more conservative classical tandem mirror fusion pilot plant operating points with lower temperatures, neutral beam energies, and end plug performance requirements than designs in the literature. Despite being more conservative, it is shown that these operating points have sufficient confinement performance to serve as the basis of a viable fusion pilot plant provided that they can be stabilized against MHD and trapped particle modes.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

Confinement performance predictions for a high field axisymmetric tandem mirror

This paper presents a Hammir tandem mirror confinement performance analysis based on Realta Fusion’s first-of-a-kind model for axisymmetric magnetic mirror fusion performance. This model uses an integrated end plug simulation model including, heating, equilibrium and transport combined with a new formulation of the plasma operation contours (POPCONs) technique for the tandem mirror central cell. Using this model in concert with machine learning optimization techniques, it is shown that an end plug utilizing high temperature superconducting magnets and modern neutral beams enables a classical tandem mirror pilot plant producing a fusion gain Q > 5. The approach here represents an important advance in tandem mirror design. The high-fidelity end plug model enables calculations of heating and transport in the highly non-Maxwellian end plug to be made more accurately. The detailed end plug modelling performed in this work has highlighted the importance of classical radial transport and neutral beam absorption efficiency on end plug viability. The central cell POPCON technique allows consideration of a wide range of parameters in the relatively simple near-Maxwellian central cell, facilitating the selection of more optimal central cell plasmas. These advances make it possible to find more conservative classical tandem mirror fusion pilot plant operating points with lower temperatures, neutral beam energies and end plug performance requirements than designs in the literature. Despite being more conservative, it is shown that these operating points have sufficient confinement performance to serve as the basis of a viable fusion pilot plant provided that they can be stabilized against magnetohydrodynamic and trapped particle modes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Extracellular vesicles promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells under oxidative stress

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), resulting from residual lens epithelial cell (LEC) epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), abnormal proliferation, and migration, is the most common complication of cataract surgery. A recent study determined that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate the EMT process during cutaneous wound healing and tumour metastasis. However, their underlying mechanism in PCO is unclear. In this study, we examined the secreted EVs from a scratch model in vitro. We found that the production of ROS was increased after mechanical injury, especially at the wound edge, and there was an increased viability of LECs, which can be blocked by diphenyleneiodonium, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Cell viability and migration were increased upon treatment with 1 μM H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, but significantly reduced when the concentration of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} increased to 100 μM. Transwell assay showed that both post-surgery LECs and LECs treated with 1 μM H{sub 2}O{sub 2} significantly induced the migration of normal LECs by EV secretion. Extraction and quantification of EVs derived from injured and H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-treated LECs showed a similar increase in production. Co-incubation of EVs from both injured and H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-treated LECs with normal LECs and organ-cultured mouse lenses activated EMT, which was attenuated by a ROS inhibitor. These results suggest that EVs participate in ROS-induced lens EMT, making EVs a potential target for treating PCO.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

First-principles thermodynamic assessment of Sr-containing secondary phase formation in strontium-substituted lanthanum manganites for solid oxide cell applications

Sr-secondary phase formation is a potentially significant degradation mode with direct impact upon solid-oxide cell (SOC) commercial viability. A first-principles based thermodynamic study was performed for La 1−x Sr x MnO 3±δ (LSM) perovskites to assess their stability against formation of different Sr-secondary phases, including SrO, SrCrO 4 , SrSO 4 , SrCO 3 , and Sr(OH) 2 , for SOC applications. The Sr-secondary phase formation reaction free energies were determined via a thermodynamic model by combining ab initio lattice dynamics calculations for the solid phases and ab initio thermodynamic data for the gas phases. The current approach expands the previously reported thermodynamic modeling studies by integrating first-principles based point defect equilibria into the thermodynamic analysis. The modeling results obtained using this new approach indicate an increased tendency to form the SrO oxide upon decreasing the oxygen partial pressure. Additionally, the enhancing factors to form the Sr-related secondary phase from the associated SrO activity in LSM are further quantified by considering the equilibrium of SrO reacting with the contaminant gas species as a function of temperature and pressure.

defect thermodynamics modeling↗

Sorafenib derivatives-functionalized gold nanoparticles confer protection against tumor angiogenesis and proliferation via suppression of EGFR and VEGFR-2

Sorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor that has been highlighted as a tumor suppressor due to its anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties, whereas the clinical application of Sorafenib is restricted by the side effects it may cause. The past decade has witnessed the development of a series of sorafenib derivatives to improve the clinical performance of sorafenib. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely utilized in drug delivery systems due to their unique properties, including biocompatible nature, simple preparation, and easy surface modification. Herein, this study is aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effects of new sorafenib derivatives-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-New Sor) in tumor formation and metastasis as well as the underlying mechanisms. Initially, new sorafenib derivatives were constructed and combined with AuNPs to form AuNPs-New Sor, and the properties of synthesized AuNPs-New Sor were identified in a mouse model of tumorigenesis. The effect of AuNPs-New Sor on tumor vascular normalization was investigated by assessing vascular permeability and perfusion rate. Next, we evaluated the effect of AuNPs-New Sor on migration and viability of tumor cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as well as on HUVEC angiogenesis in vitro. A melanoma mouse model was further established for in vivo substantiation of the anti-tumor effect of AuNPs-New Sor. According to the results, AuNPs could deliver new sorafenib derivatives into tumor tissues and downregulate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), thereby suppressing tumor migration, EMT, and angiogenesis in vitro. In addition, AuNPs-New Sor displayed competitive anti-tumor activities in vivo. Taken together, AuNPs-New Sor may attenuate tumor development and angiogenesis through downregulation of EGFR and VEGFR-2.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on Poly(l-lysine)-Tethered Hydrogels: Synergistic Effect of Substrate Stiffness and Positive Charge Density

Infections associated with antibacterial-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality of patients, presenting one of the greatest therapeutic challenges for treatment of community-acquired and nosocomial infections. To develop antimicrobial hydrogel coatings to control the adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa, we have used photo-cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels with varied cross-linking densities and covalently grafted poly(l-lysine) (PLL) at different weight compositions (ϕ PLL ). Both surface stiffness and positive charge density of the hydrogels were efficiently tuned over a broad range to investigate their effects on two main strains of P. aeruginosa, PA01 and PA14. We found that both number and viability of attached cells were positively correlated with the hydrogel stiffness, leading to thicker and larger coverage of cell colonies at 72 h postseeding on the stiffer substrates. The dependence of both PA01 and PA14 strains on ϕ PLL , however, was nonmonotonic. Positive charges from dissociated amine groups in the grafted PLL chains significantly promoted initial adhesion and proliferation of both strains at low ϕ PLL and developed into the thickest biofilms on the stiffest hydrogels grafted with ϕ PLL of 1–2%. Nevertheless, on the softest hydrogels grafted with PLL at high ϕ PLL of 7–10%, the bacteria no longer attached or survived. These results not only improved our fundamental understanding of bacteria-material interactions but also provided a series of PLL-grafted PEGDA hydrogels with controlled stiffness and positive charge density as ideal surface coating materials to prevent bacterial infections.

bacteria↗

First-Principles Thermodynamic Assessments of Sr-Containing Secondary Phase Formation in La1-xSrxMnO3±δ Perovskites for Solid Oxide Cell Applications

Sr-secondary phase formation is a potentially significant degradation mode threatening solid-oxide cell (SOC) commercial viability. A first-principles thermodynamic study was performed for rhombohedral perovskite (La1-xSrx) MnO3±δ (LSM) to assess its stability against Sr secondary phase formation in SOC applications. In this work, the Sr secondary phase formation reaction free energies were determined by combining ab initio lattice dynamics calculations for the solid phases and an ab initio thermodynamics approach for the gas phases. Furthermore, this approach goes beyond previous thermodynamic modeling studies by integrating first-principles based point-defect equilibria into the analyses. The modeling results indicate an increased tendency to form SrO oxide from LSM upon decreasing the oxygen partial pressure. Additionally, enhancing factors to form the Sr-related secondary phase from the associated SrO activity in LSM are further quantified by considering the equilibrium of SrO reacting with contaminant gas species as a function of temperature and gas pressure.

Defect and phase stability↗

Application of iPSCs derived pancreatic β-like cells using pancreatic bio-scaffold

This study aimed toengineer a pancreatic tissue. Intact rat pancreases were successfully decellularized, and were reseeded with human-induced pluripotent stem cells using different 2D and 3D culture growth factors. The differentiation process was assessed for the presence of a pancreas-like tissue. The histology and SEM analysis revealed cell attachment in all samples, except for the Exp4, and the Flow-cytometry provided 87% viability for the differentiated cells. In Exp1, PDX1 with the positive expression of 2.87±0.06 was dramatically higher than Exp2 with a 2.44±0.06 reaction. NGN3-reactions were 8±0.1 and 6.6±0.2 in Exp1 and Exp2 at P < 0.05, respectively. C-peptide with the expression of 7.5±0.7 in Exp3 was almost equal to that in Exp1 and Exp2. Glucagon (5.1±1) and PDX1 (3.2±0.82) in Exp3 indicated no significant difference. The significant upregulations of pancreatic endocrine markers (PDX1 and NGN3), and the cell-specific glucose transporter (GLUT2) were observed in the differentiated IPCs in the 3D culture of Exp2 after 21 days. The highest insulin and C-peptide concentrations were observed in Exp2. In Exp3, insulin secretion in response to high glucose and 10 mM arginine was 42.43 ±6.34 μU/ml. A decellularized pancreas in the presence of hiPSCs and growth factors could be efficiently used as a natural scaffold.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Actinomycetota isolated from the sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis as a source of novel compounds with pharmacological applications: diversity, bioactivity screening, and metabolomic analysis

Abstract Aims To combat health conditions, such as multi-resistant bacterial infections, cancer, and metabolic diseases, new drugs need to be urgently found and, in this respect, marine Actinomycetota have a high potential to produce secondary metabolites with pharmacological importance. We aimed to study the cultivable Actinomycetota community associated with a marine sponge from the Portuguese coast, Hymeniacidon perlevis, and investigate the potential of the retrieved isolates to produce compounds with antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-obesity properties. Methods and results The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed 79 Actinomycetota isolates affiliated with 12 genera—Brachybacterium, Dietzia, Glutamicibacter, Gordonia, Micrococcus, Micromonospora, Nocardia, Nocardiopsis, Paenoartrhobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, and Tsukamurella, most of which affiliated with the genus Streptomyces. The screening of antimicrobial activity revealed 13 strains, all belonging to the Streptomyces genus, capable of inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis, or Staphylococcus aureus. Forty-three extracts exhibited cytotoxic activity against at least one tested cell line (HepG2, HCT-116, and hCMEC-D3). Three extracts that were active against the two cancer cell lines tested, did not reduce the viability of the non-cancer endothelial cell line, hCMEC-D3. One Gordonia strain exhibited anti-obesity activity, revealed by its ability to reduce the neutral lipids in zebrafish larvae. Mass spectrometry-based dereplication analysis of active extracts identified several compounds associated with known Actinomycetota natural products. Nonetheless, five clusters contained metabolites that did not match any annotated natural products, suggesting they may represent new bioactive molecules. Conclusions This work contributed to increase the knowledge on the diversity and bioactive potential of Actinomycetota associated with H. perlevis.

Fonseca, Ana C.↗

Inclusion of Biological Targets in the Analysis of Electrical Characteristics of Non-Thermal Plasma Discharge

In Plasma Medicine studies, the effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on biological targets is typically correlated with the amount of stable reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced in a liquid medium. The effect of NTP and the response of the biological target on cellular redox mechanisms is overlooked in these investigations. Additionally, the influence of electrical properties of cells on the physical properties of NTP is neglected. Therefore, we used a floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge plasma to explore the impact of cell structure, size, and viability of the biological target on the physical properties of NTP. Lissajous figures were used to determine circuit capacitance and energy per cycle during NTP exposure of different cell suspensions. We show that both, structural integrity and active enzymic processes of cells change the electrical properties of NTP. Correlations were also drawn between NTP-produced hydrogen peroxide and nitrite with measured capacitance. Our studies indicate that the observed changes between different cell suspensions may be due to a feedback loop between the biological target and the NTP source. In future studies, a more detailed analysis is needed to improve the control of clinical NTP devices.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Programmable Aggregation of Artificial Cells with DNA Signals

Cell aggregation is a complex behavior, which is closely related to the viability, differentiation, and migration of cells. An effort to create synthetic analogs could lead to considerable advances in cell physiology and biophysics. Rendering and modulating such a dynamic artificial cell system require mechanisms for receiving, transducing, and transmitting intercellular signals, yet effective tools are limited at present. Here we construct synthetic cells from engineered lipids and show their programmable aggregation behaviors using DNA oligonucleotides as a signaling molecule. The artificial cells have transmembrane channels made of DNA origami that are used to recognize and process intercellular signals. We demonstrate that multiple small vesicles aggregate onto a giant vesicle after a transduction of external DNA signals by an intracellular enzyme, and that the small vesicles dissociate when receiving ‘release’ signals. Furthermore, this work provides new possibilities for building synthetic protocells capable of chemical communication and coordination.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structural basis of peptidoglycan endopeptidase regulation

Most bacteria surround themselves with a cell wall, a strong meshwork consisting primarily of the polymerized aminosugar peptidoglycan (PG). PG is essential for structural maintenance of bacterial cells, and thus for viability. PG is also constantly synthesized and turned over; the latter process is mediated by PG cleavage enzymes, for example, the endopeptidases (EPs). EPs themselves are essential for growth but also promote lethal cell wall degradation after exposure to antibiotics that inhibit PG synthases (e.g., β-lactams). Thus, EPs are attractive targets for novel antibiotics and their adjuvants. However, we have a poor understanding of how these enzymes are regulated in vivo, depriving us of novel pathways for the development of such antibiotics. Here, we have solved crystal structures of the LysM/M23 family peptidase ShyA, the primary EP of the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae. Our data suggest that ShyA assumes two drastically different conformations: a more open form that allows for substrate binding and a closed form, which we predicted to be catalytically inactive. Mutations expected to promote the open conformation caused enhanced activity in vitro and in vivo, and these results were recapitulated in EPs from the divergent pathogens Neisseria gonorrheae and Escherichia coli. Our results suggest that LysM/M23 EPs are regulated via release of the inhibitory Domain 1 from the M23 active site, likely through conformational rearrangement in vivo.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A high-throughput and low-waste viability assay for microbes

Abstract Counting viable cells is a universal practice in microbiology. The colony-forming unit (CFU) assay has remained the gold standard to measure viability across disciplines, but it is time-intensive and resource-consuming. Here we describe the geometric viability assay (GVA) that replicates CFU measurements over 6 orders of magnitude while reducing over 10-fold the time and consumables required. GVA computes a sample’s viable cell count on the basis of the distribution of embedded colonies growing inside a pipette tip. GVA is compatible with Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis ), biofilms and fungi ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ). Laborious CFU experiments such as checkerboard assays, treatment time-courses and drug screens against slow-growing cells are simplified by GVA. The ease and low cost of GVA evinces that it can replace existing viability assays and enable viability measurements at previously impractical scales.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Methods for Estimating Hydrogen Fuel Tank Characteristics

The pressure vessels needed to store hydrogen for next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are expected to be a substantial portion of the total system mass, volume, and cost. Gravimetric capacity, volumetric capacity, and cost per kilogram of usable hydrogen are key performance metrics that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) uses to determine the viability of hydrogen fuel cell systems. Research and development related to hydrogen storage systems covers a wide range of potential operating conditions, from cryogenic temperatures to high temperatures (above ambient) and low pressure to high pressure. Researchers at PNNL have developed methods for estimating these key pressure vessel characteristics to support on-board hydrogen storage system design and performance evaluation and to support decision-making about DOE hydrogen storage system research investments. This article describes the pressure tank estimation methodology that has been used as a stand-alone calculation and has been incorporated into larger system evaluation tools. The methodology estimates the geometry, mass, and material cost of type I, type III, and type IV pressure vessels based on operating pressure and material strength at the system's operating temperature, using classical thin-wall and thick-wall pressure vessel stress calculations. The geometry, mass, and material cost requirements of the pressure vessel have significant impacts on the total system performance. For example, hydrogen storage materials that can separately achieve a very high hydrogen density can be deemed impractical for use in fuel cell vehicle hydrogen storage systems because the pressure tank containing them is too large, heavy, or expensive. This article describes the design philosophy and analytical process of the tank characteristic estimation methodology, which has been implemented in spreadsheet calculation tools and system-level analysis tools used by DOE researchers. Each of the three tank types (type I, type III, and type IV) uses a different analysis methodology with some common elements. This article also provides examples of implementing the methodology to perform parametric studies of all three pressure vessel types. The goal of this article is to present the methodology in sufficient detail so it can be implemented in other hydrogen fuel cell vehicle design and analysis tools.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Impact of Carbon Support Structure on the Durability of PtCo Electrocatalysts

High performing, low-Pt content fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are critical to the economic viability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for the transportation industry. Considerable research has been conducted to reduce the Pt content in fuel cells, leading to the development of transition metal alloys, such as Platinum-Cobalt (PtCo). The degree of degradation of PtCo catalysts can be impacted by the catalyst metal itself and its interactions with the carbon support. Several low-loaded PtCo MEAs were fabricated, with various combinations of porous and solid carbon cathode catalyst supports. The MEAs were subjected to an accelerated stress test (AST), and the catalyst degradation characterized using electrochemical, X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy techniques. Porous supports retain more of their electrochemically-active surface area (ECSA) and demonstrate higher performance after the AST. Overall, this is believed to be due to the ability of the porous supports to trap the metal particles within the pores, slowing their dissolution/precipitation, and agglomeration.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Impact of Carbon Support Structure on the Durability of PtCo Electrocatalysts

High performing, low-Pt content fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are critical to the economic viability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for the transportation industry. Considerable research has been conducted to reduce the Pt content in fuel cells, leading to the development of transition metal alloys, such as Platinum-Cobalt (PtCo). The degree of degradation of PtCo catalysts can be impacted by not only the composition and morphology of the catalyst particle itself, but also its interactions with the carbon support. In this study several low-PtCo MEAs were fabricated, with various combinations of porous and solid carbon cathode catalyst supports. The MEAs were subjected to an accelerated stress test (AST), and the catalyst degradation characterized using electrochemical, X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy techniques. Porous supports retain more of their electrochemically-active surface area (ECSA) and demonstrate higher performance after the AST. This is believed to be due to the ability of the porous supports to trap the metal particles within the pores, slowing their dissolution/precipitation, and agglomeration. However porous supports also exhibit greater increases in transport resistance probably associated with enhanced Co leaching under the AST conditions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗