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At least 343 records · Page 19

Central and Eastern North America Ground-Motion Characterization (NGA-East)

This document is the final project report of the Next Generation Attenuation for Central and Eastern North America (CENA) project (NGA-East). The NGA-East objective was to develop a new ground-motion characterization (GMC) model for the CENA region. The GMC model consists of a set of new ground-motion models (GMMs) for median and standard deviation of ground motions and their associated weights to be used with logic-trees in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses (PSHA). NGA-East is a large multidisciplinary project coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER), at the University of California. The project has two components: (1) a set of scientific research tasks, and (2) a model-building component following the framework of the “Seismic Senior Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 3” (Budnitz et al. 1997; NRC 2012). Component (2) is built on the scientific results of component (1) of the NGA-East project. This report documents the tasks under component (2) of the project. Under component (1) of NGA-East, several scientific issues were addressed, including: (a) development of a new database of ground motion data recorded in CENA; (b) development of a regionalized ground-motion map for CENA, (c) definition of the reference site condition; (d) simulations of ground motions based on different methodologies; and (e) development of numerous GMMs for CENA. The scientific tasks of NGA-East were all documented as a series of PEER reports. The scope of component (2) of NGA-East was to develop the complete GMC. This component was designed as a SSHAC Level 3 study with the goal of capturing the ground motions’ center, body, and range of the technically defensible interpretations in light of the available data and models. The SSHAC process involves four key tasks: evaluation, integration, formal review by the Participatory Peer Review Panel (PPRP), and documentation (this report). Key tasks documented in this report include review and evaluation of the empirical groundmotion database, the regionalization of ground motions, and screening sets of candidate GMMs. These are followed by the development of new median and standard deviation GMMs, the development of new analyses tools for quantifying the epistemic uncertainty in ground motions, and the documentation of implementation guidelines of the complete GMC for PSHA computations. Appendices include further documentation of the relevant SSHAC process and additional supporting technical documentation of numerous sensitivity analyses results. The PEER reports documenting component (1) of NGA-East are also considered “attachments” to the current report and are all available online on the PEER website (https://peer.berkeley.edu/). The final NGA-East GMC model includes a set of 17 GMMs defined for 24 ground-motion intensity measures, applicable to CENA in the moment magnitude range of 4.0 to 8.2 and covering distances up to 1500 km. Standard deviation models are also provided for site-specific analysis (single-station standard deviation) and for general PSHA applications (ergodic standard deviation). Adjustment factors are provided for consideration of source-depth effects and hanging-wall effects, as well as for hazard computations at sites in the Gulf Coast region.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Final Report for DTRA Project "High-resolution Velocity and Attenuation Model for Eastern Mediterranean/Mideast Region"

The overall goal of this project is to build a high-resolution velocity and attenuation model for a region spanning from the eastern Mediterranean Sea and extending eastward into the Middle East. Phase I of this project, covered in this report, focuses on the analysis of the SHDAS array, updated dispersion and amplitude measurements, development of surface wave group velocity models, and construction of a preliminary 1-degree, velocity-only model for the study region. These will be discussed in turn.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Play Fairway Analysis: Structurally Controlled Geothermal Systems in the Eastern Great Basin Extensional Regime, Utah

A research team with membership from the University of Utah/Energy & Geoscience Institute, the University of Utah/Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, and the Utah Geological Survey, undertook a play fairway analysis (PFA) for geothermal resources in the Eastern Great Basin (EGB) extensional tectonic regime of western Utah. This is a high-priority region for geothermal exploration because active Basin and Range (B&R) extension with volcanism having a N-S strike is superimposed upon pre-existing E-W belts of plutonic rocks and large-scale structural lineaments. Cumulative heat flow along the N-S strike of the state totals approximately 5 GWt above background stable interior. Three electricity producing power plants currently exist with substantial potential for increase. Succinctly, our PFA approach aims to resolve potential sources of heat and permeability in the region, which are the two principal criteria for establishing a geothermal resource. An initial Phase 1 was carried out using only existing geoscientific data in the area. Criteria selected for focusing heat potential include direct heat flow measurements in boreholes, magnetotelluric (MT) low resistivity anomalies, fluid/gas geochemistry, and proximity to recent volcanic eruptions. Permeability is established through geological structures (fault density, critically stressed areas, seismicity, gravity), and MT low resistivity anomalies. In Phase II of this PFA project, additional geological, geophysical and geochemical data were acquired and analysis carried out primarily over promising composite common risk (CCR) areas initially identified in Phase I in order to focus prospectivity and prepare for drilling recommendations. These prospects are near the Twin Peaks rhyolite field, high heat flow areas north of the producing Cove Fort system, and geophysical structure beneath the Crater Knoll area off the northeast flank of the Mineral Mountains. Additional data included MT site fill-in, structural mapping and analysis using high-resolution imagery, gravity and on-ground mapping, Nodal 3C passive seismic collection, and passive 3He surveying. Heat source and permeability potential are again expressed in terms of their individual common risk segment (CRS) maps, with a color scheme using green for most favorable (low risk) and red for least favorable (high risk). Diverse data types are united through the technique of probability kriging, which establishes prospectivity thresholds for each data type and then computes probability of exceeding that threshold over the PFA area. Modified CRS and CCRS maps are compared to those of Phase I to highlight tighter prospectivity focus. In doing so, the prospectivity threshold for heat was increased significantly to narrow the targeting. In the final Phase III of this project where a recommended deep thermal gradient hole was sited, additional geophysical, geochemical and geological field collection and analysis was carried out to refine drill hole targeting. This includes prospect-scale MT, gravity, structure, passive seismic deployment (Cove Fort area), and detailed 3He isotope profiling. It was the recommendation of the DOE Technical Monitoring Team (TMT) that one or more holes be sited in the north-ern Cove Fort area where legacy TG gradient holes showed high cumulative heat flow. These were to be of moderate depth, 2000-3000 feet, to reach the geothermal fluid table expected to start in excess of 1000 feet depth. The drilling organization stipulated by the DOE/GTO was that of the USGS Research Drilling Program (RDP) centered in Las Vegas, NV. A detailed well plan, appended to this report, was developed principally by Dr. Ben Barker consulting to University of Utah, Dr. Steve Pye on the DOE TMT, Mr. Steven Crawford of the USGS-RDP, and the project PI Phil Wannamaker. However, temperature and possible H 2 S at the systems lead to cancellation of the drilling last-minute as this appeared outside the experience base of the USGS-RDP. We hope to have the opportunity to revisit the test drilling and expand the Play Fairway Analysis of this region at some point in the future.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

The Value of Increased HVDC Capacity Between Eastern and Western U.S. Grids: The Interconnections Seam Study

The Interconnections Seam Study examines the potential economic value of increasing electricity transfer between the Eastern and Western Interconnections using high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission and cost-optimizing both generation and transmission resources across the United States. The study conducted a multi-model analysis that used co-optimized generation and transmission expansion planning and production cost modeling. Four transmission designs under eight scenarios were developed and studied to estimate costs and potential benefits. The results show benefit-to-cost ratios that reach as high as 2.9, indicating significant value to increasing the transmission capacity between the interconnections under the cases considered, realized through sharing generation resources and flexibility across regions.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Event Screening Methods for the Eastern Interconnection Situational Awareness and Monitoring System (ESAMS)

The Eastern Interconnection Situational Awareness and Monitoring System (ESAMS) is a tool developed to explore the applications and advantages of sharing phasor measurement unit (PMU) data among operating entities. An initial conclusion from testing was that detected events required further screening before being reported to ensure that events would be of interest to system operators. The methods described in this report were integrated into ESAMS to meet this need. First, an event is screened for whether the change in voltage angle measurements indicates that the detected disturbance is sufficiently large. Next, an event is classified to determine if it was related to a loss of generation. Finally, a neural network is used to determine if the system’s response to the disturbance is normal or abnormal. These methods were tested with one month of field-measured PMU data. Results indicate that the additional information provided by these additional screening tools will improve selection of events for inclusion in the daily event reports automatically generated by ESAMS.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

An Extension Industrial Assessment Center in Eastern Great Lakes Region

The extension IAC at CWRU is funded for 3 years to conduct 10 assessments of small and medium-sized manufacturing facilities each year in Eastern Great Lakes region. Total 30 assessments was proposed in the SOPO but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the IAC program was suspended for 1.5 years. A total of 20 assessments was contracted to the extension IAC at CWRU which have been successfully accomplished. In the proposal, we proposed to train 18 students in the extension IAC program, and actually we selected and trained 19 students even though the IAC project was suspended during half of its project period.

42 ENGINEERING↗

INL CRMO XRF Report 2024-01: Provenance Determinations for 135 Haskett Projectile Points from Eastern Idaho

This report presents provenance determinations for 135 obsidian and fine-grained volcanic (FGV) Haskett projectile points from across eastern Idaho. These determinations were made using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Cultural Resource Management Office (CRMO) under the direction of Dr. Kyle Freund.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Argon-isotopic Age Dating Analyses for Eastern Snake River Plain Volcanic Rock Samples

Argon-isotopic age dating analyses were conducted on 25 volcanic rock samples obtained from 22 boreholes and collected at three surface locations in the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP). The analyses were conducted to reduce uncertainties for characterizing volcanic hazards at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as part of the Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 3 Probabilistic Volcanic Hazards Assessment (PVHA). Results of the argon-isotopic age dating analyses will be used to estimate the recurrence of basaltic and silicic volcanism and for assessing the spatial and temporal distributions of volcanic events in the ESRP.

58 - GEOSCIENCES↗

INL CRMO XRF Report 2025-05: Provenance Determinations for 23 Folsom and Midland Projectile Points from Eastern Idaho

This report presents provenance determinations for 23 obsidian and fine-grained volcanic Folsom and Midland projectile points from eastern Idaho. Provenance determinations were made using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Cultural Resource Management Office (CRMO) under the direction of Dr. Kyle Freund.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

INL CRMO XRF Report 2025-06: Provenance Determinations for 246 Obsidian and Fine-grained Volcanic Artifacts from Folsom-era Sites in Eastern Idaho

This report presents provenance determinations for 246 obsidian and fine-grained volcanic artifacts from Folsom-era sites in eastern Idaho. Provenance determinations were made using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometry at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Cultural Resource Management Office (CRMO) under the direction of Dr. Kyle Freund.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Growing representation in Nuclear Physics in Eastern TN

We propose to recruit a cohort of undergraduates from Minority Serving Institutions(MSIs) to participate in nuclear physics (NP) research in Eastern Tennessee (ET) as part of the new NPET Fellowship Program. The program balances mentorship from leaders in their fields with professional development and networking workshops throughout the year. Through the activities of the program, the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) Physics and Astronomy Department and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will partner to develop the physics identity and feelings of belonging and will improve the retention of under-represented minority (URM) students in the field.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Metagenomes from Eastern Brazilian Amazonian floodplains in the wet and dry seasons

Brief sample description Sediment samples from 0 to 10 cm depth were collected in triplicate from two floodplains of the Eastern Brazilian Amazon, one located on the Amazonas River (FP2, 2°28'11.2"S 54°38'49.9"W) and the other at the intersection between the Amazonas and the Tapajós rivers (FP3, 2°22'44.8"S 54°44'21.1"W), in the wet and dry seasons (May and October 2016, respectively). Total DNA was extracted in duplicate from 0.25 g of sediment using PowerLyzer PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit. The metagenomic libraries were constructed using NEBNext Ultra II DNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina and paired-end sequenced (2 x 150 bp) on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Detailed information about the study sites, sampling, sediment physicochemical properties, DNA extraction and quantification have been previously described by Gontijo et al. (2021). Sample IDs: M1, M2 and M3: FP2, wet season M4, M5 and M6: FP3, wet season M7, M8 and M9: FP2, dry season M10, M11 and M12: FP3, dry season

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Common Garden

Located at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), this data set is composed of the geographic coordinates of four transgenic Populus tremula x alba INRA 717-IB4 lines (CHX20, XBAT35, EXO70, DIR18) as well as a wild type (WT), and Empty vector (EV)). Our site is monitored by an ATOMS 41 weather station, which collects solar radiation, air temperature, vapor and atmospheric pressure, precipitation, and other weather variables. We will assess a suite of variables reflecting growth and performance, focusing on root allocation and soil carbon sequestration.

CBI, Populus, common garden, transgenic↗

A framework for studying the effects of offshore wind energy development on birds and bats in the Eastern United States

Offshore wind energy development (OWED), while a key strategy for reducing carbon emissions, has potential negative effects to wildlife that should be examined to inform decision making and adaptive management as the industry expands. We present a conceptual framework to guide the long-term study of potential effects to birds and bats from OWED. This framework includes a focus on exposure and vulnerability as key determinants of risk. For birds and bats that are exposed to OWED, there are three main effects of interest that may impact survival and productivity: 1) collision mortality, 2) behavioral responses, including avoidance, displacement, and attraction, and 3) habitat-mediated effects to prey populations. If these OWED effects cause changes in survival and/or breeding success (e.g., fitness), they have the potential for population-level consequences, including changes in population size and structure. Understanding the influence of ecological drivers on exposure and effect parameters can help to disentangle the potential impacts of OWED from other stressors. We use this theoretical framework to summarize existing relevant knowledge and identify current priority research questions (n=22) for the eastern United States, where largescale development of OWED is primarily in the planning and early construction phase. We also identify recommendations for study design and further prioritization of research topics.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Ecological prevalence, genetic diversity, and epidemiological aspects of Salmonella isolated from tomato agricultural regions of the Virginia Eastern Shore

Virginia is the third largest producer of fresh-market tomatoes in the United States. Tomatoes grown along the eastern shore of Virginia are implicated almost yearly in Salmonella illnesses. Traceback implicates contamination occurring in the pre-harvest environment. To get a better understanding of the ecological niches of Salmonella in the tomato agricultural environment, a 2-year study was undertaken at a regional agricultural research farm in Virginia. Environmental samples, including tomato (fruit, blossoms, and leaves), irrigation water, surface water and sediment, were collected over the growing season. These samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella using modified FDA-BAM methods. Molecular assays were used to screen the samples. Over 1500 samples were tested. Seventy-five samples tested positive for Salmonella yielding over 230 isolates. The most commonly isolated serovars were S. Newport and S. Javiana with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis yielding 39 different patterns. Genetic diversity was further underscored among many other serotypes, which showed multiple PFGE subtypes. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of several S. Newport isolates collected in 2010 compared to clinical isolates associated with tomato consumption showed very few single nucleotide differences between environmental isolates and clinical isolates suggesting a source link to Salmonella contaminated tomatoes. Nearly all isolates collected during two growing seasons of surveillance were obtained from surface water and sediment sources pointing to these sites as long-term reservoirs for persistent and endemic contamination of this environment.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A scoping review of zoonotic parasites and pathogens associated with abattoirs in Eastern Africa and recommendations for abattoirs as disease surveillance sites

Abattoirs are facilities where livestock are slaughtered and are an important aspect in the food production chain. There are several types of abattoirs, which differ in infrastructure and facilities, sanitation and PPE practices, and adherence to regulations. In each abattoir facility, worker exposure to animals and animal products increases their risk of infection from zoonotic pathogens. Backyard abattoirs and slaughter slabs have the highest risk of pathogen transmission because of substandard hygiene practices and minimal infrastructure. These abattoir conditions can often contribute to environmental contamination and may play a significant role in disease outbreaks within communities. To assess further the risk of disease, we conducted a scoping review of parasites and pathogens among livestock and human workers in abattoirs across 13 Eastern African countries, which are hotspots for zoonoses. Our search results (n = 104 articles) showed the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and macroparasites (nematodes, cestodes, etc.) in cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, camels, and poultry. Most articles reported results from cattle, and the most frequent pathogen detected was Mycobacterium bovis, which causes bovine tuberculosis. Some articles included worker survey and questionnaires that suggested how the use of PPE along with proper worker training and safe animal handling practices could reduce disease risk. Based on these findings, we discuss ways to improve abattoir biosafety and increase biosurveillance for disease control and mitigation. Abattoirs are a ‘catch all’ for pathogens, and by surveying animals at abattoirs, health officials can determine which diseases are prevalent in different regions and which pathogens are most likely transmitted from wildlife to livestock. We suggest a regional approach to biosurveillance, which will improve testing and data gathering for enhanced disease risk mapping and forecasting. Next generation sequencing will be key in identifying a wide range of pathogens, rather than a targeted approach.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Characterization of Oral Candida spp. Biofilms in Children and Adults Carriers from Eastern Europe and South America

Background: Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCACs) are known to colonize and invade various tissues, including the oral mucosa. In this work, we aimed to characterize mature biofilms of several Candida spp. clinical isolates (n = 33) obtained from the oral mucosa of children, adults, and elders of Eastern Europe and South America. Methods: Each strain was evaluated for its capacity to form biofilms in terms of total biomass using the crystal violet assay and for matrix components production (proteins and carbohydrates) using the BCA and phenol-sulfuric tests, respectively. The effect of different antifungals on biofilm formation was studied. Results: in the children’s group, a predominance of C. krusei (81%) was observed, while, among adults, the main species was C. albicans (59%). Most strains showed a reduced response to antimicrobial drugs when in biofilm form (p < 0.01). Moreover, it was observed that strains isolated from children produced more matrix, with higher levels of protein and polysaccharides. Conclusions: children were more likely to be infected by NCACs than adults. More importantly, these NCACs were able to form biofilms richer in matrix components. This finding is of clinical importance, particularly in pediatric care, since stronger biofilms are highly associated with antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and higher therapeutic failure.

Alves, Anelise Maria Costa Vasconcelos (ORCID:0000↗