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At least 37 records · Page 2

A novel role for Bcl2l13 in promoting beige adipocyte biogenesis

Highlights: • Bcl2l13 expression is induced in Browning of white adipose tissues in Mice. • Knockdown of Bcl2l13 in beige adipocytes represses adipogenesis and thermogenic programing. • Bcl2l13 induces thermogenic programing by regulating mitochondrial dynamic and biogenesis. Bcl2l13 is a member of the Bcl-2 family that has been found to play a central role in regulating apoptosis. Recently Bcl2l13 has been reported to induce mitophagy as a functional mammalian homolog of Atg32. However, the role of Bcl2l13 in adipose tissue has not been investigated yet. In the present study, we found that Bcl2l13 expression was increased in white adipose tissue browning process stimulated by cold exposure or β3-adrenergic agonist CL-316,243 in vivo as well as during brown adipocytes differentiation in vitro. Moreover, Bcl2l13 disruption dramatically inhibited the browning program of preadipocytes, evidenced by reduced Prdm16, Ucp1, Dio2 and Adrb3 expression. Our findings revealed that the inhibition effect of Bcl2l13 disruption on browning program may be independent of altering autophagy activity, but through regulating mitochondrial dynamic and biogenesis, supported by decreased mitochondrial fission/fussion genes, PGC-1α and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes expression. Taken together, our study uncovered a novel function of Bcl2l13 in adipocytes differentiation and promoting browning program.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Exponential Decay of Sensitivity in Graph-Structured Nonlinear Programs

We study solution sensitivity for nonlinear programs (NLPs) whose structures are induced by graphs. These NLPs arise in many applications such as dynamic optimization, stochastic optimization, optimization with partial differential equations, and network optimization. We illustrate that for a given pair of nodes, the sensitivity of the primal-dual solution at one node against a data perturbation at the other node decays exponentially with respect to the distance between these two nodes on the graph. In other words, the solution sensitivity decays as one moves away from the perturbation point. This result, which we call exponential decay of sensitivity, holds under the strong second-order sufficiency condition and the linear independence constraint qualification. We also present conditions under which the decay rate remains uniformly bounded; this allows us to characterize the sensitivity behavior of NLPs defined over subgraphs of infinite graphs. The theoretical developments are illustrated with numerical examples.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Adaptive PID Gain Scheduling Control for Hydropower Turbine Using Neural CDE and Stochastic Distribution Shaping

This paper introduces a gain-scheduling PID controller design strategy for hydroturbine frequency control mode. This scheme first uses real data to learn the nonlinear dynamics of the hydroturbine using neural controlled differential equations and then perturbs the obtained nonlinear system at different equilibrium points, based on which a static output feedback adaptive dynamic programming algorithm is then used to optimize the PID gains for each equilibrium point. Moreover, a continuous-time version of stochastic distribution control is proposed to further fine-tune the optimized PID gains. Finally, the controller is obtained by implementing linear interpolation between the optimized PID control gains. The simulation results show that the proposed gain-scheduling PID controller can control a larger range of operation points compared with the given fixed PID controller and the baseline method. Compared with the given fixed PID controller, the proposed gain-scheduling PID controller can regulate hydroturbine frequency against disturbances induced by power-load variation with over 50% less overshoot for some operation points.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

The Problem of Package Guidance with Incomplete Information for a Linear Control System with a Delay

The control-package method is applied to solve the problem of constructing guaranteed positional guidance for a linear control dynamical system with a delay under incomplete information about the initial state. The problem is solved for the case when the initial state is contained in a compact functional set. A solvability criterion and a method for the construction of a guidance program package are proposed. The proposed procedure is applied to a particular linear control system of delayed differential equations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Neural Lyapunov Differentiable Predictive Control

We present a learning-based predictive control methodology using the differentiable programming framework with sufficient Lyapunov-based guarantees. The neural Lyapunov differentiable predictive control (NLDPC) learns the policy by constructing a computational graph encompassing the system dynamics, state, and input constraints, and the necessary Lyapunov certification constraints, and thereafter using the automatic differentiation to update the neural policy parameters. In conjunction, our approach jointly learns a Lyapunov function that certifies the regions of state-space with stable dynamics. We also provide an initial condition sampling-based statistical guarantee for the training of NLDPC. Our offline training approach provides a computationally efficient and scalable alternative to classical model predictive control solutions, which now directly comes with Lyapunov based guarantees as shown in this paper. We substantiate the advantages of the proposed approach with simulations to stabilize the double integrator model and on an example of controlling an aircraft model.

Mukherjee, Sayak↗

On optimal control of hybrid dynamical systems using complementarity constraints

Optimal control for switch-based dynamical systems is a challenging problem in the process control literature. In this study, we model these systems as hybrid dynamical systems with finite number of unknown switching points and reformulate them using non-smooth and non-convex complementarity constraints as a mathematical program with complementarity constraints (MPCC). We utilize a moving finite element based strategy to discretize the differential equation system to accurately locate the unknown switching points at the finite element boundary and achieve high-order accuracy at intermediate non-collocation points. We propose a globalization approach to solve the discretized MPCC problem using a mixed NLP/MILP-based strategy to converge to a non-spurious first-order optimal solution. The method is tested on three dynamic optimization examples, including a gas–liquid tank model and an optimal control problem with a sliding mode solution.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

THERMAL ANNEALING OF IRRADIATED PREHYDRIDED ZIRCALOY-4 MATERIALS

Hydrogen-assisted irradiation growth is an important issue for reliability and performance of nuclear materials in nuclear fuel cladding and fuel assembly components. The mechanisms of irradiation growth are not entirely clear and the role of hydrogen and hydrides are less so. There is evidence that breakaway irradiation growth is strongly influenced by the formation and dynamics of dislocation loops that vary with alloy composition, heat treatment and hydrogen content. Thermal annealing of eight Zircaloy-4 specimens irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory as part of the joint EPRI Nuclear Fuels Industry Research (NFIR) and Fuel Reliability Program (FRP) AsTeR irradiation growth study were performed by hot-stage transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dilatometry via NSUF RTE 17-1093. Two fluence levels (6.7 and 12.3 dpa) and three hydrogen contents (~10, 40, 120 ppm) were investigated. TEM with a hot stage was used for the quantification of "a" and "c" dislocation loop population densities and size distributions at a range of temperatures from 25 to 800oC. DSC and dilatometry were performed by dynamically heating and cooling from 30 to 750ºC at rates of 5, 10, and 20 oC/min to determine the behavior of dislocation loop annealing. Dynamic temperature DSC tests were able to detect the temperature ranges and enthalpies of "a" and "c" loop annihilation, hydride dissolution and precipitation, secondary particle precipitation, and a?a + ß phase transformations upon heating and cooling. Dilatometry tests showed that all of the test showed initial linear expansion followed by a decrease in expansion rate from about 400 to 600 ºC associated with annihilation of "a" and "c" loops and showed evidence for the thermal stabilizing effect of hydrogen on dislocation loops. The results are discussed in the context of the larger AsTeR program that will include higher exposure (~20 dpa) and different alloys when they become available in 2021.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Deep Learning Explicit Differentiable Predictive Control Laws for Buildings

We present a differentiable predictive control (DPC) methodology for learning constrained control laws for unknown nonlinear systems. DPC poses an approximate solution to multiparametric programming problems emerging from explicit nonlinear model predictive control (MPC). Contrary to approximate MPC, DPC does not require supervision by an expert controller. Instead, a system dynamics model is learned from a small dataset of recorded observations of the perturbed system's dynamics and the control law is optimized offline by interaction with the learned system model. The DPC method is based on two sequential steps, i) system identification using a constrained neural state-space model, and ii) optimization of an explicit control law parametrized by another neural network in closed-loop simulation with the identified neural state-space model. The combination of a differentiable closed-loop system and penalty methods for constraint handling of system outputs and inputs allows us to optimize the control law's parameters directly by backpropagating economic MPC loss through the learned system model. By incorporating domain knowledge and leveraging established techniques from optimal control, our method leverages deep neural networks as nonlinear function approximators for system identification and control while avoiding concomitant costs of intractably large datasets, and computationally expensive over-parametrized models. The scalability, data efficiency, and constrained optimal control capability of the proposed DPC method are demonstrated in simulation using a multi-zone building emulator.

Drgona, Jan↗

Discrete Control of a Dynamical System with Delay Under Conditions of Uncertainty

In this paper, we present a numerical solution of the discrete control problem for the immune response in an infectious disease under conditions of uncertainty. This problem is described by a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equation with delay. Conditions of uncertainty mean that values of the parameters of the model are unknown and their estimates are corrected by new experimental data. We propose an algorithm that allows one, within the framework of the mathematical model of an infectious disease, to construct the control and to identify parameters. By using the algorithm proposed, we develop treatment programs based on immunotherapy. We show that immunotherapy is an effective treatment for all main forms of disease: acute, chronic, and lethal.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

THERMAL DIAGNOSTICS WITH THE ATMOSPHERIC IMAGING ASSEMBLY ON BOARD THE SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY: A VALIDATED METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIAL EMISSION MEASURE INVERSIONS

We present a new method for performing differential emission measure (DEM) inversions on narrow-band EUV images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The method yields positive definite DEM solutions by solving a linear program. This method has been validated against a diverse set of thermal models of varying complexity and realism. These include (1) idealized Gaussian DEM distributions, (2) 3D models of NOAA Active Region 11158 comprising quasi-steady loop atmospheres in a nonlinear force-free field, and (3) thermodynamic models from a fully compressible, 3D MHD simulation of active region (AR) corona formation following magnetic flux emergence. We then present results from the application of the method to AIA observations of Active Region 11158, comparing the region's thermal structure on two successive solar rotations. Additionally, we show how the DEM inversion method can be adapted to simultaneously invert AIA and Hinode X-ray Telescope data, and how supplementing AIA data with the latter improves the inversion result. The speed of the method allows for routine production of DEM maps, thus facilitating science studies that require tracking of the thermal structure of the solar corona in time and space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quantum Computing Strategy 2026

Quantum computing (QC) is a rapidly maturing technology with the potential for revolutionary impacts on stockpile stewardship science and national security. Recent developments in fault-tolerant architectures have compressed vendor roadmaps, and predictions of a production-ready quantum computer by the mid-2030s are becoming increasingly credible. This strategy provides a roadmap for integrating QC into the Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) program by investing in four strategic focus areas: 1. Develop Capabilities in Mission-Relevant Quantum Applications: ASC will prioritize developing quantum-ready applications in mission areas that have shown significant promise for quantum advantage, including simulations of materials in extreme environments, nuclear dynamics, solving linear and nonlinear partial differential equations, and uncertainty quantification. These applications directly support stockpile stewardship science and modernization objectives. 2. Conduct R&D in Algorithms, Software, and Hardware: Sustained research into quantum algorithms, robust software tools, and quantum hardware is essential. ASC will develop efficient quantum algorithms; invest in quantum compilers, debuggers, and performance tools; and explore specialized quantum hardware tailored to NNSA’s unique requirements. 3. Engage with Vendors and Partners: Early and active collaboration with commercial quantum hardware vendors and academic partners is critical. Through testbeds, co-design agreements, and quantum demonstration facilities, ASC will influence hardware design, gain early access to emerging technologies, and ensure that quantum platforms evolve to meet mission needs. 4. Build Knowledge, Experience, and Workforce: Expanding and upskilling the quantum-trained workforce is essential to long-term success. This includes hiring, internal training, university outreach, and postdoctoral support to ensure ASC maintains the expertise required to operate, program, and integrate quantum systems as they become available. While quantum computing will never replace classical computing, it has the potential to solve certain problems with speed and accuracy that would be unachievable using any conceivable classical high-performance computing (HPC) system. By investing strategically in QC, ASC will help propel the emergent QC industry, maintain U.S. technological leadership, ensure mission readiness, and position itself to rapidly adopt quantum technologies as they mature.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Model-based and Model-free Designs for an Extended Continuous-time LQR with Exogenous Inputs

We present an extended linear quadratic regulator (LQR) design for continuous-time linear time-invariant (LTI) systems in the presence of exogenous inputs. We first propose a model-based solution with cost minimization guarantees for states and inputs using dynamic programming (DP). The control law consists of a combination of the optimal state feedback and an additional optimal term dependent on the exogenous inputs. The control gains for the two components are obtained by solving a set of matrix differential equations. We provide these solutions for both finite horizons and steady-state cases. In the second part of the paper, we formulate a reinforcement learning (RL) based algorithm which does not need any model information except the input matrix, and can compute an approximate steady-state LQR gain using measurements of the states, the control inputs, and the exogenous inputs. Both model-based and data-driven optimal control algorithms are tested with a numerical example under different exogenous inputs showcasing the effectiveness of the designs.

Mukherjee, Sayak↗

Nanometer-Scale Correlations in Aqueous Salt Solutions

The intermediate-range (1–4 nm) correlation of cations, an- ions, and water in aqueous alkaline earth salt solutions is measured using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. We differentiate from the entire solution structure factor, S(Q), a separate region at low Q (<1 °A-1) containing local diffraction maxima (pre-peaks) that indicate nanometer-scale oscillatory behavior. These features are quantitatively reproduced with classical molecular dynamics simulations. At high concentrations, the pre-peaks emerge from correlations arising from existence of small quasi close-packed lattice- like structures comprised of cation hydration spheres. We also analyze the concentration dependence of the pre-peak and discuss the overall results in light of the rich literature dealing with intermediate-range correlations underlying universal phenomena in concentrated electrolytes. The authors were supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC05-76RL01830. Computing resources were generously allocated by PNNL's Institutional Computing program. DOE Contract No. DEAC02- 06CH11357 supports operation of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.

Chemical physics, nucleation, Madelung potential↗

Convex relaxation for Fokker–Planck equation

We propose an approach to directly estimate the moments or marginals for a high-dimensional equilibrium distribution in statistical mechanics by solving the high-dimensional Fokker–Planck equation in terms of low-order cluster moments or marginals. With this approach, we bypass the exponential complexity of estimating the full high-dimensional distribution and directly solve the simplified partial differential equations for low-order moments/marginals. Moreover, the proposed moment/marginal relaxation is fully convex and can be solved via off-the-shelf solvers. We further propose a time-dependent version of the convex programs to study non-equilibrium dynamics. In a specific setting, we show the proposed method can recover a mean-field-type equilibrium density. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm for high-dimensional systems.

Chen, Yian↗

TAS: 89 0227: TAS Recovery Act - Optimization and Control of Electric Power Systems: ARRA

The name SuperOPF is used to refer several projects, problem formulations and soft-ware tools intended to extend, improve and re-define some of the standard methods of optimizing electric power systems. Our work included applying primal-dual interior point methods to standard AC optimal power flow problems of large size, as well as extensions of this problem to include co-optimization of multiple scenarios. The original SuperOPF problem formulation was based on co-optimizing a base scenario along with multiple post-contingency scenarios, where all AC power flow models and constraints are enforced for each, to find optimal energy contracts, endogenously determined locational reserves and appropriate nodal energy prices for a single period optimal power flow problem with uncertainty. This led to example non-linear programming problems on the order of 1 million constraints and half a million variables. The second generation SuperOPF formulation extends this by adding multiple periods and multiple base scenarios per period. It also incorporates additional variables and constraints to model load following reserves, ramping costs, and storage resources. A third generation of the multi-period SuperOPF, adds both integer variables and a receding horizon framework in which the problem type is more challenging (mixed integer), the size is even larger, and it must be solved more frequently, pushing the limits of currently available algorithms and solvers. The consideration of transient stability constraints in optimal power flow (OPF) problems has become increasingly important in modern power systems. Transient stability constrained OPF (TSCOPF) is a nonlinear optimization problem subject to a set of algebraic and differential equations. Solving a TSCOPF problem can be challenging due to (i) the differential-equation constraints in an optimization problem, (ii) the lack of a true analytical expression for transient stability in OPF. To handle the dynamics in TSCOPF, the set of differential equations can be approximated or converted into equivalent algebraic equations before they are included in an OPF formulation. In Chapter 4, a rigorous evaluation of using a predefined and fixed threshold for rotor angles as a mean to determine transient stability of the system is developed. TSCOPF can be modeled as a large-scale nonlinear programming problem including the constraints of differential-algebraic equations (DAE). Solving a TSCOPF problem can be challenging due to (i) the differential-equation constraints in an optimization problem, (ii) the lack of a true analytical expression for transient stability constraint in OPF. Unfortunately, even the current best TSCOPF solvers still suffer from the curse of dimensionality and unacceptable computational time, especially for large-scale power systems with multiple contingencies. In chapter 5, thse issues will be addressed and a new method to incorporate the transient stability constraints will be presented.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

First Principles Nonadiabatic Excited-State Molecular Dynamics in NWChem

Computational simulation of non-adiabatic molecular dynamics is an indispensable tool for understanding complex photoinduced processes such as internal conversion, energy transfer, charge separation, and spatial localization of excitons, to name a few. Here, we report an implementation of the fewest-switches surface hopping algorithm in the NWChem computational chemistry program. Here the surface hopping method is combined with linear-response time-dependent density functional theory calculations of adiabatic excited state potential energy surfaces. To treat quantum transitions between arbitrary electronic Born{Oppenheimer states, we have implemented both numerical and analytical differentiation schemes for derivative non-adiabatic couplings. A numerical approach for the time-derivative non-adiabatic couplings together with an analytical method for calculating non-adiabatic coupling vectors is an efficient combination for surface hopping approaches. Additionally, electronic decoherence schemes and a state reassigned unavoided crossings algorithm are also implemented to improve the accuracy of the simulated dynamics and to handle trivial unavoided crossings. We apply our code to study the ultrafast decay of photoexcited benzene, including a detailed analysis of the potential energy surface, population decay time scales, and vibrational coordinates coupled to the excitation dynamics. The development presented in this work is a baseline for future implementations of more sophisticated frameworks for simulating of non-adiabatic molecular dynamics in NWChem.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

LungMAP: The Molecular Atlas of Lung Development Program

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is funding an effort to create a molecular atlas of the developing lung (LungMAP) to serve as a research resource and public education tool. The lung is a complex organ with lengthy development time driven by interactive gene networks and dynamic cross talk among multiple cell types to control and coordinate lineage specification, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, morphogenesis, and injury repair. A better understanding of the processes that regulate lung development, particularly alveologenesis, will have a significant impact on survival rates for premature infants born with incomplete lung development and will facilitate lung injury repair and regeneration in adults. A consortium of four research centers, a data coordinating center, and a human tissue repository provides high-quality molecular data of developing human and mouse lungs. LungMAP includes mouse and human data for cross correlation of developmental processes across species. LungMAP is generating foundational data and analysis, creating a web portal for presentation of results and public sharing of data sets, establishing a repository of young human lung tissues obtained through organ donor organizations, and developing a comprehensive lung ontology that incorporates the latest findings of the consortium. The LungMAP website (www.lungmap.net) currently contains more than 6,000 high-resolution lung images and transcriptomic, proteomic, and lipidomic human and mouse data and provides scientific information to stimulate interest in research careers for young audiences. This paper presents a brief description of research conducted by the consortium, database, and portal development and upcoming features that will enhance the LungMAP experience for a community of users.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗