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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

Atomic faulting induced exceptional cryogenic strain hardening in gradient cell–structured alloy

Coarse-grained materials are widely accepted to display the highest strain hardening and the best tensile ductility. We experimentally report an attractive strain hardening rate throughout the deformation stage at 77 kelvin in a stable single-phase alloy with gradient dislocation cells that even surpasses its coarse-grained counterparts. Contrary to conventional understanding, the exceptional strain hardening arises from a distinctive dynamic structural refinement mechanism facilitated by the emission and motion of massive multiorientational tiny stacking faults (planar defects), which are fundamentally distinct from the traditional linear dislocation–mediated deformation. In conclusion, the dominance of atomic-scale planar deformation faulting in plastic deformation introduces a different approach for strengthening and hardening metallic materials, offering promising properties and potential applications.

Gradient dislocation structure↗

Exception to the Rule: Genomic Characterization of Naturally Occurring Unusual Vibrio cholerae Strains with a Single Chromosome

Here, the genetic make-up of most bacteria is encoded in a single chromosome while about 10% have more than one chromosome. Among these, Vibrio cholerae , with two chromosomes, has served as a model system to study various aspects of chromosome maintenance, mainly replication, and faithful partitioning of multipartite genomes. Here, we describe the genomic characterization of strains that are an exception to the two chromosome rules: naturally occurring single-chromosome V. cholerae . Whole genome sequence analyses of NSCV1 and NSCV2 (natural single-chromosome vibrio) revealed that the Chr1 and Chr2 fusion junctions contain prophages, IS elements, and direct repeats, in addition to large-scale chromosomal rearrangements such as inversions, insertions, and long tandem repeats elsewhere in the chromosome compared to prototypical two chromosome V. cholerae genomes. Many of the known cholera virulence factors are absent. The two origins of replication and associated genes are generally intact with synonymous mutations in some genes, as are recA and mismatch repair (MMR) genes dam , mutH , and mutL ; MutS function is probably impaired in NSCV2. These strains are ideal tools for studying mechanistic aspects of maintenance of chromosomes with multiple origins and other rearrangements and the biological, functional, and evolutionary significance of multipartite genome architecture in general.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Genome expansion by allopolyploidization in the fungal strain Coniochaeta 2T2.1 and its exceptional lignocellulolytic machinery

Abstract Background Particular species of the genus Coniochaeta (Sordariomycetes) exhibit great potential for bioabatement of furanic compounds and have been identified as an underexplored source of novel lignocellulolytic enzymes, especially Coniochaeta ligniaria . However, there is a lack of information about their genomic features and metabolic capabilities. Here, we report the first in-depth genome/transcriptome survey of a Coniochaeta species (strain 2T2.1). Results The genome of Coniochaeta sp. strain 2T2.1 has a size of 74.53 Mbp and contains 24,735 protein-encoding genes. Interestingly, we detected a genome expansion event, resulting ~ 98% of the assembly being duplicated with 91.9% average nucleotide identity between the duplicated regions. The lack of gene loss, as well as the high divergence and strong genome-wide signatures of purifying selection between copies indicates that this is likely a recent duplication, which arose through hybridization between two related Coniochaeta -like species (allopolyploidization). Phylogenomic analysis revealed that 2T2.1 is related Coniochaeta sp. PMI546 and Lecythophora sp. AK0013, which both occur endophytically. Based on carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZy) annotation, we observed that even after in silico removal of its duplicated content, the 2T2.1 genome contains exceptional lignocellulolytic machinery. Moreover, transcriptomic data reveal the overexpression of proteins affiliated to CAZy families GH11, GH10 (endoxylanases), CE5, CE1 (xylan esterases), GH62, GH51 (α- l -arabinofuranosidases), GH12, GH7 (cellulases), and AA9 (lytic polysaccharide monoxygenases) when the fungus was grown on wheat straw compared with glucose as the sole carbon source. Conclusions We provide data that suggest that a recent hybridization between the genomes of related species may have given rise to Coniochaeta sp. 2T2.1. Moreover, our results reveal that the degradation of arabinoxylan, xyloglucan and cellulose are key metabolic processes in strain 2T2.1 growing on wheat straw. Different genes for key lignocellulolytic enzymes were identified, which can be starting points for production, characterization and/or supplementation of enzyme cocktails used in saccharification of agricultural residues. Our findings represent first steps that enable a better understanding of the reticulate evolution and “eco-enzymology” of lignocellulolytic Coniochaeta species.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Exceptional response and multisystem autoimmune-like toxicities associated with the same T cell clone in a patient with uveal melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Balancing the potential for durable remissions with autoimmune-like toxicities is a key clinical challenge in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Certain toxicities are associated with an increased response rate; however, the molecular underpinnings of this association are poorly understood. Here, we report a patient with wide spread uveal melanoma who had an exceptional response to treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab, but suffered severe immune-related sequelae, including central serous retinopathy with retinal detachment, tinnitus, and vitiligo resembling Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, and refractory enteritis. TCR-sequencing of the primary tumor, a hepatic metastasis, duodenal biopsy and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, identified the identical T cell clone in all four tissues. This case gives preliminary evidence for cross-reactivity as a mechanism for the association between effect and toxicity of ICIs.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

General theory of spontaneous emission near exceptional points

Here, we present a general theory of spontaneous emission at exceptional points (EPs)—exotic degeneracies in non-Hermitian systems. Our theory extends beyond spontaneous emission to any light–matter interaction described by the local density of states (e.g., absorption, thermal emission, and nonlinear frequency conversion). Whereas traditional spontaneous-emission theories imply infinite enhancement factors at EPs, we derive finite bounds on the enhancement, proving maximum enhancement of 4 in passive systems with second-order EPs and significantly larger enhancements (exceeding 400×) in gain-aided and higher-order EP systems. In contrast to non-degenerate resonances, which are typically associated with Lorentzian emission curves in systems with low losses, EPs are associated with non-Lorentzian lineshapes, leading to enhancements that scale nonlinearly with the resonance quality factor. Our theory can be applied to dispersive media, with proper normalization of the resonant modes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Isolation and characterization of IgG3 glycan-targeting antibodies with exceptional cross-reactivity for diverse viral families

Broadly reactive antibodies that target sequence-diverse antigens are of interest for vaccine design and monoclonal antibody therapeutic development because they can protect against multiple strains of a virus and provide a barrier to evolution of escape mutants. Using LIBRA-seq (linking B cell receptor to antigen specificity through sequencing) data for the B cell repertoire of an individual chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), we identified a lineage of IgG3 antibodies predicted to bind to HIV-1 Envelope (Env) and influenza A Hemagglutinin (HA). Two lineage members, antibodies 2526 and 546, were confirmed to bind to a large panel of diverse antigens, including several strains of HIV-1 Env, influenza HA, coronavirus (CoV) spike, hepatitis C virus (HCV) E protein, Nipah virus (NiV) F protein, and Langya virus (LayV) F protein. We found that both antibodies bind to complex glycans on the antigenic surfaces. Antibody 2526 targets the stem region of influenza HA and the N-terminal domain (NTD) region of SARS-CoV-2 spike. A crystal structure of 2526 Fab bound to mannose revealed the presence of a glycan-binding pocket on the light chain. Antibody 2526 cross-reacted with antigens from multiple pathogens and displayed no signs of autoreactivity. These features distinguish antibody 2526 from previously described glycan-reactive antibodies. Further study of this antibody class may aid in the selection and engineering of broadly reactive antibody therapeutics and can inform the development of effective vaccines with exceptional breadth of pathogen coverage.

Microbiology↗

Exceptional points in a passive strip waveguide

Abstract Exceptional points (EPs) in non‐Hermitian systems have attracted significant interest due to their unique behaviors, including novel wave propagation and radiation. While EPs have been explored in various photonic systems, their integration into standard photonic platforms can expand their applicability to broader technological domains. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate EPs in an integrated photonic strip waveguide configuration, exhibiting unique deep wave penetration and uniform‐intensity radiation profiles. By introducing the second‐order grating on one side of the waveguide, forward and backward propagating modes are coupled both directly through second‐order coupling and indirectly through first‐order coupling via a radiative intermediate mode. To describe the EP behavior in a strip configuration, we introduce modified coupled‐mode equations that account for both transverse and longitudinal components. These coupled‐mode formulas reveal the formation of EPs in bandgap closure, achieved by numerically optimizing the grating’s duty cycle to manipulate the first‐ and second‐order couplings simultaneously. Experimental observations, consistent with simulations, confirm the EP behavior, with symmetric transmission spectra and constant radiation profiles at the EP wavelength, in contrast to conventional exponential decay observed at detuned wavelengths. These results demonstrate the realization of EPs in a widely applicable strip waveguide configuration, paving the way for advanced EP applications in nonlinear and ultrafast photonics, as well as advanced sensing technologies.

Materials Science↗

Exceptional Points in Novel Multiscale Quantum-Nanoplasmonic Materials for Enhanced Sensing and Other Applications

Lossy quantum systems can display fascinating behaviors around singularities known as exceptional points in their complex eigenvalue spaces. Interest in these systems was ignited over two decades ago when Carl Bender and Stefan Boettcher—a LANL Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the time—pointed out that many features of conventional lossless quantum systems, such as real operator eigenvalues, could be recovered in lossy systems exhibiting parity- and time-reversal (ΡΤ) symmetry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Exceptional preservation of fossils in an Upper Proterozoic shale

An exceptionally well-preserved and distinctive assemblage of Late Proterozoic fossils from subtidal marine shales is reported. In addition to the spheromorphic acritarchs and cyanobacteria sheaths routinely preserved in Proterozoic rocks, this assemblage includes multicellular algae, a diverse assortment of morphologically complex protistan vesicles, and probable heterotrophic bacteria. Thus, it provides one of the clearest and most taxonomically varied views of Proterozoic life yet reported.

Butterfield, N. J.↗

A2163 - An exceptionally hot cluster of galaxies

The X-ray spectrum of the distant galaxy cluster A2163 was measured in the energy range 1-18 keV with the Ginga satellite. A combined analysis of these data with data previously obtained with the Einstein Observatory is presented. The mean temperature and X-ray luminosity derived are exceptionally high compared to other clusters: kT = 12.9 keV, L(x) (2-10 keV) = 3.5 x 10 exp 45 ergs/s for z = 0.15, as are the gas mass (6.7 x 10 exp 14 solar mass) and binding mass (25 x 10 exp 14 solar mass). The very existence of such a cluster can provide interesting constraints on the relative distribution of 'visible' mass and dark matter, an important parameter in cold dark matter models for formation of structure in the universe.

Arnaud, M.↗

Process Management and Exception Handling in Multiprocessor Operating Systems Using Object-Oriented Design Techniques

The programming of the interrupt handling mechanisms, process switching primitives, scheduling mechanism, and synchronization primitives of an operating system for a multiprocessor require both efficient code in order to support the needs of high- performance or real-time applications and careful organization to facilitate maintenance. Although many advantages have been claimed for object-oriented class hierarchical languages and their corresponding design methodologies, the application of these techniques to the design of the primitives within an operating system has not been widely demonstrated. To investigate the role of class hierarchical design in systems programming, the authors have constructed the Choices multiprocessor operating system architecture the C++ programming language. During the implementation, it was found that many operating system design concerns can be represented advantageously using a class hierarchical approach, including: the separation of mechanism and policy; the organization of an operating system into layers, each of which represents an abstract machine; and the notions of process and exception management. In this paper, we discuss an implementation of the low-level primitives of this system and outline the strategy by which we developed our solution.

Russo, Vincent↗

A Further Investigation of the Exceptional Zircon Aggregate in Lunar Thin Section 73235,82

Introduction: Smith et al. described an exceptional zircon assemblage in thin section 82 from lunar breccia 73235 which, in transmitted light, resembles a cluster of pomegranate seeds, situated in a clast dominated by bytownite (Fig.1). They reported that high-contrast back-scattered electron (BSE) images of the zircon assemblage clearly show an overgrowth around most of the crystals. Most significantly these authors reported that the age of the rims of ca 4.18Ga is 120 million years younger than age of the interiors, dated at ca 4.31Ga. Smith et al. concluded that ca 4.31 billion years ago a relatively large (500+micron) zircon crystallized within a clast of Ca rich plagioclase. The zircon was fractured into numerous smaller crystals and was subsequently overgrown by a second generation of zircon at approximately 4.18Ga.

Pidgeon, R. T.↗

Integrated Formulation of Beacon-Based Exception Analysis for Multimissions

Further work on beacon-based exception analysis for multimissions (BEAM), a method of real-time, automated diagnosis of a complex electromechanical systems, has greatly expanded its capability and suitability of application. This expanded formulation, which fully integrates physical models and symbolic analysis, is described. The new formulation of BEAM expands upon previous advanced techniques for analysis of signal data, utilizing mathematical modeling of the system physics, and expert-system reasoning,

Mackey, Ryan↗

Non-Hermitian Gyroscopes: Can Exceptional Points Increase Sensor Precision

We show that exceptional points in conservatively coupled systems can increase the quantum-limited precision of laser gyroscopes as a result of gain saturation, but that this requires recovery of the beat note by interference with an auxiliary mode, with consequences for the quantum and classical noise that depend on the particular recovery scheme.

David D Smith↗