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At least 1,027 records · Page 57

Conformal BK equation at QCD Wilson-Fisher point

High-energy scattering in pQCD in the Regge limit is described by the evolution of Wilson lines governed by the BK equation. In the leading order, the BK equation is conformally invariant and the eigenfunctions of the linearized BFKL equation are powers. It is a common belief that at d ≠ 4 the BFKL equation is useless since unlike d = 4 case it cannot be solved by usual methods. However, we demonstrate that at critical Wilson-Fisher point of QCD the relevant part of NLO BK restores the conformal invariance so the solutions are again powers. As a check of our approach to high-energy amplitudes at the Wilson-Fisher point, we calculate the anomalous dimensions of twist-2 light-ray operators in the Regge limit j → 1.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Anatomy of deconfinement

In the weak coupling limit of ${\rm SU}(N)$ Yang-Mills theory and the ${\rm O}(N)$ vector model, explicit state counting allows us to demonstrate the existence of a partially deconfined phase: $M$ of $N$ colors deconfine, and $\frac{M}{N}$ gradually grows from zero (confinement) to one (complete deconfinement). We point out that the mechanism admits a simple interpretation in the form of spontaneous breaking of gauge symmetry. In terms of the dual gravity theory, such breaking occurs during the formation of a black hole. We speculate whether the breaking and restoration of gauge symmetry can serve as an alternative definition of the deconfinement transition in theories without center symmetry, such as QCD. We also discuss the role of the color degrees of freedom in the emergence of the bulk geometry in holographic duality.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

An augmented Lagrangian filter method

Here, we introduce a filter mechanism to enforce convergence for augmented Lagrangian methods for nonlinear programming. In contrast to traditional augmented Lagrangian methods, our approach does not require the use of forcing sequences that drive the first-order error to zero. Instead, we employ a filter to drive the optimality measures to zero. Our algorithm is flexible in the sense that it allows for equality-constrained quadratic programming steps to accelerate local convergence. We also include a feasibility restoration phase that allows fast detection of infeasible problems. We provide a convergence proof that shows that our algorithm converges to first-order stationary points. We provide preliminary numerical results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

The influence of wintertime SST variability in the Western North Pacific on ENSO diversity

Abstract Sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTa) in the Western North Pacific (WNP) have been linked to the development of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events a full year in advance. However, the contribution of the WNP precursor to the temporal evolution and spatial complexity of ENSO remains unclear. Using the preindustrial experiment of the Community Earth System Model as the control climate, a partially coupled experiment is conducted in which WNP SSTa are restored to the model climatology. By comparing the perturbed experiment to the control, we are able to clearly characterize ENSO’s response to WNP SST variability. We find that the WNP is predominantly linked to eastern Pacific (EP) ENSO events. Without SST variability in the WNP, central Pacific (CP) ENSO events are more likely to develop. This variation in ENSO flavor is controlled by how the WNP projects onto wind stress anomalies in the western equatorial Pacific, which in turn impacts the discharge and recharge of ocean heat during the ENSO cycle. Specifically, the removal of SSTa in the WNP weakens the buildup of ocean heat in the western equatorial Pacific, which then hinders the development of EP-type events.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗

Understanding the role of negative charge in the scaffold of an artificial enzyme for CO 2 hydrogenation on catalysis

Here, we have approached the construction of an artificial enzyme by employing a robust protein scaffold, lactococcal multidrug resistance regulator, LmrR, providing a structured secondary and outer coordination spheres around a molecular rhodium complex, [Rh I (P Et2 N gly P Et2 ) 2 ] - . Previously, we demonstrated a 2–3 fold increase in activity for one Rh-LmrR construct by introducing positive charge in the secondary coordination sphere. In this study, a series of variants was made through site-directed mutagenesis where the negative charge is located in the secondary sphere or outer coordination sphere, with additional variants made with increasingly negative charge in the outer coordination sphere while keeping a positive charge in the secondary sphere. Placing a negative charge in the secondary or outer coordination sphere demonstrates decreased activity by a factor of two compared to the wild-type Rh-LmrR. Interestingly, addition of positive charge in the secondary sphere, with the negatively charged outer coordination sphere restores activity. Vibrational and NMR spectroscopy suggest minimal changes to the electronic density at the rhodium center, regardless of inclusion of a negative or positive charge in the secondary sphere, suggesting another mechanism is impacting catalytic activity, explored in the discussion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Minerals limit the deep soil respiration response to warming in a tropical Andisol

Tropical regions hold one third of the world’s soil organic carbon, but few experiments have warmed tropical soils in situ. The vulnerability of these soils to climate change-induced losses is uncertain with many hypothesizing these soils would be less sensitive to climate change because already-high temperatures in tropical systems might limit microbial sensitivity or due to increased mineral protection of organic carbon in highly weathered tropical soils. Here we present the results of a deep soil (0–100 cm) warming experiment in a tropical Andisol. Andisols can store large, persistent pools of soil carbon that are protected from decomposition by poorly and non-crystalline minerals (PNCM). In 20 cm depth intervals, we measured key soil properties including carbon, nitrogen, pH, PNCM, bacterial and fungal richness along with temperature, moisture, and CO 2 production. Over a year of soil warming, CO 2 production significantly increased by 50–300% per degree of warming, but only in the top 40 cm of the soil profile in contrast to the results of other deep soil warming experiments. Multimodal analysis supported our hypothesis that high concentrations of PNCM was the primary driver of the lack of CO 2 response, followed by high relative soil moisture and low bacterial richness, which may be a proxy for organic carbon availability. The lack of elevated CO 2 production in response to warming suggests a limited positive feedback to climate change in Andisols driven by their strong mineral protection of organic matter. Therefore, Andisols should be considered high priority restoration or protection areas when considering the management of soil carbon stocks as part of climate action.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Growth and survival rates of dispersing free embryos and settled larvae of pallid sturgeon ( Scaphirhynchus albus ) in the Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota

We released nearly 1.0 million 1-day post-hatch (dph) and 5-dph pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) free embryos in the Missouri River on 1 July 2019 and sequentially captured survivors at multiple sites through a 240-km river reach to quantify daily growth and survival rates during the early life stages. Genetic analysis was used to assign captured fish to released family lots and known ages. Growth rate was similar (0.74–0.75 mm day –1 ) between the 1- and 5-dph age groups during the 3–4-day dispersal period when water temperature averaged 16.8 °C. Daily survival rate was 0.64 during 1–4 dph for the original 1-dph age group and 0.80 during 5–7 dph for the original 5-dph age group. Total survival during free embryo dispersal (hatch to 9 dph) was estimated as 0.0437. The transition from dispersing as free embryos to settling as benthic larvae was verified for fish originally released as 5 dph. Growth of settled larvae was quantified with a Gompertz model through 75 dph (9 September; 112 mm) when water temperature was 18.8–21.0 °C in the rearing areas. Settled larvae had an estimated daily survival rate of 0.96, and estimated total survival during 9–75 dph was 0.0714. This study provides the first empirical survival estimates for pallid sturgeon early life stages in natural settings and is one of few studies reporting similar information for other sturgeon species. Applications of this work extend to pallid sturgeon restoration programs where population models are being developed to predict recruitment potential and population responses to river management alternatives.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Characterizing the movements and habitat use of two fish species of concern in a regulated ecosystem

In freshwater ecosystems in the northwest United States, the distribution and movements of fish between their essential habitats are particularly impacted by the presence of hydroelectric dams. Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus and Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii var. lewisi are two fish species of concern inhabiting the Pend Oreille River between Idaho and Washington states. The purpose of this study was to identify the behavior and habitat use of Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the restricted area of the Pend Oreille River, downstream of Albeni Falls Dam (AFD), using a long-term radiotelemetry dataset. Between 2015 and 2018, 24 Bull Trout and 24 Westslope Cutthroat Trout were captured, tagged, and released downstream AFD. Among the fish tagged, 79% (n = 19 of 24) of Bull Trout and 67% (n = 16 of 24) of Westslope Cutthroat Trout were detected during the study period. Our results revealed movements of fish towards tributary confluences mostly in May, June, and July for both species with Bull Trout traveling longer distances than Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Although the sample size was limited, Bull Trout individual movements towards the dam suggested attempts to re-ascend the river, indicating the importance of restoring upstream connectivity.

Garavelli, Lysel↗

Mass removal efficiencies in water and consequences after a river diversion into coastal wetlands: second thoughts

Abstract Salinity control, nutrient additions, and sediment supply were directly or indirectly the rationale for a $220 million coastal wetland restoration project (Davis Pond River Diversion) that began in 2002. We sampled Mississippi River water going in and out of the receiving basin from 1999 to 2018 to understand why wetland loss increased after it began. There was a reduction in inorganic sediments, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations within the ponding area of 77%, 39% and 34%, respectively, which is similar to that in other wetlands. But the average sediment accumulation of 0.6 mm year −1 inadequately balances the present-day 5.6 mm year −1 sea level rise or the 7.9 ± 0.13 mm year −1 accretion rates in these organic soils. Nutrients added likely reduced live belowground biomass and soil strength, and increased decomposition of the organic matter necessary to sustain elevations. The eutrophication of the downstream aquatic system from the diversion, principally by P additions, increased Chl a concentrations to a category of ‘poor’ water quality. We conclude that this diversion, if continued, will be a negative influence on wetland area and will eutrophy the estuary. It is a case history example for understanding the potential effects arising from proposed river diversions.

Turner, R. Eugene (ORCID:0000000307767506)↗

Sequential Image Recovery Using Joint Hierarchical Bayesian Learning

Abstract Recovering temporal image sequences (videos) based on indirect, noisy, or incomplete data is an essential yet challenging task. We specifically consider the case where each data set is missing vital information, which prevents the accurate recovery of the individual images. Although some recent (variational) methods have demonstrated high-resolution image recovery based on jointly recovering sequential images, there remain robustness issues due to parameter tuning and restrictions on the type of sequential images. Here, we present a method based on hierarchical Bayesian learning for the joint recovery of sequential images that incorporates prior intra- and inter-image information. Our method restores the missing information in each image by “borrowing” it from the other images. More precisely, we couple sequential images by penalizing their pixel-wise difference. The corresponding penalty terms (one for each pixel and pair of subsequent images) are treated as weakly-informative random variables that favor small pixel-wise differences but allow occasional outliers. As a result, all of the individual reconstructions yield improved accuracy. Our method can be used for various data acquisitions and allows for uncertainty quantification. Some preliminary results indicate its potential use for sequential deblurring and magnetic resonance imaging.

Xiao, Yao↗

Grass(stage)root movement to ensure future resilience of longleaf pine ecosystems

Recent interest in restoring longleaf pine ecosystems highlights the need for an improved understanding, appreciation, and consideration of longleaf pine’s unique life history compared to other southern pines. Longleaf pine ecosystems are considered more resilient than other southern pine ecosystems and the attributes that confer this resilience may be related to belowground carbon allocation patterns that occur during the seedling stage of its life history where it exists for years in a grass stage. The long residence time spent in the grass stage has impeded adoption of longleaf pine by landowners for decades, which has resulted in efforts to expedite emergence from the grass stage through silviculture, nursery production, and selection breeding techniques; however, expedited emergence may come at the expense of root and belowground carbohydrate storage reserve development —traits that purportedly enhance longleaf pine tree and ecosystem resilience relative to other southern pine species. Furthermore, I caution that efforts to expedite longleaf pine emergence from the grass stage also consider the potential implications on belowground carbon allocation and identify research priorities to help facilitate the improvement of longleaf pine seedling silviculture, nursery production, and breeding in a way that ensures the maintenance of attributes linked to resilience.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Reversible inhibition and reactivation of electron transfer in photosystem I

In photosystem I (PSI) complexes at room temperature light induced electron transfer can proceed down multiple protein-cofactor branches, and the process can be an order of magnitude faster on one branch compared to the other. One factor that might contribute to this branch asymmetry is a tryptophan amino acid at position 673 on the psaB protein. This amino acid is located between two of the pigments involved in electron transfer on the psaB protein branch. The corresponding residue on the psaA protein branch is a glycine amino acid. Microsecond time-resolved step-scan FTIR difference spectroscopy at 77 K has been used to study isolated PSI complexes from wild type and a mutant where the tryptophan residue was changed to phenylalanine. Photoaccumulated FTIR difference spectra indicate changes in the protein structure upon mutation. In the mutant we also find that the electron transfer processes is inhibited following long periods of repetitive flash illumination at room temperature. This is due to double protonation of the pigment involved in electron transfer. However, we show that we can restore electron transfer functionality by incubating the light-treated mutant PSI samples in the presence of newly added (not protonated) pigment.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Ca2+ Effects on Fe(II) Interactions with Mn-Binding Sites in Mn-Depleted Oxygen-Evolving Complexes of Photosystem II and on Fe Replacement of Mn in Mn-Containing, Ca-Depleted Complexes

Fe(II) cations bind with high efficiency and specificity at the high-affinity (HA), Mn-binding site (termed the “blocking effect” since Fe blocks further electron donation to the site) of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in Mn-depleted, photosystem II (PSII) membrane fragments (Semin et al. in Biochemistry 41:5854, 2002). Furthermore, Fe(II) cations can substitute for 1 or 2Mn cations (pH dependent) in Ca-depleted PSII membranes (Semin et al. in Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes 48:227, 2016; Semin et al. in Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B 178:192, 2018). In the current study, we examined the effect of Ca2+ cations on the interaction of Fe(II) ions with Mn-depleted [PSII(-Mn)] and Ca-depleted [PSII(-Ca)] photosystem II membranes. We found that Ca2+ cations (about 50 mM) inhibit the light-dependent oxidation of Fe(II) (5 µM) by about 25% in PSII(-Mn) membranes, whereas inhibition of the blocking process is greater at about 40%. Blocking of the HA site by Fe cations also decreases the rate of charge recombination between QA- and YZ•+ from t1/2?=?30 ms to 46 ms. However, Ca2+ does not affect the rate during the blocking process. An Fe(II) cation (20 µM) replaces 1Mn cation in the Mn4CaO5 catalytic cluster of PSII(-Ca) membranes at pH 5.7 but 2 Mn cations at pH 6.5. In the presence of Ca2+ (10 mM) during the substitution process, Fe(II) is not able to extract Mn at pH 5.7 and extracts only 1Mn at pH 6.5 (instead of two without Ca2+). Measurements of fluorescence induction kinetics support these observations. Inhibition of Mn substitution with Fe(II) cations in the OEC only occurs with Ca2+ and Sr2+ cations, which are also able to restore oxygen evolution in PSII(-Ca) samples. Nonactive cations like La3+, Ni2+, Cd2+, and Mg2+ have no influence on the replacement of Mn with Fe. These results show that the location and/or ligand composition of one Mn cation in the Mn4CaO5 cluster is strongly affected by calcium depletion or rebinding and that bound calcium affects the redox potential of the extractable Mn4 cation in the OEC, making it resistant to reduction.

calcium↗

Damage Tolerance Assessment of Laser Clad Repairs of Coarse Grain Ti-6Al-4V

Background: Laser cladding offers a promising approach to repairing aviation components, with the ability to restore the geometric shape and the static and fatigue strength. Objective: The damage tolerance of a coarse grain Ti-6Al-4 V material is assessed via three sets of samples: (i) baseline, (ii) laser clad repaired, and (iii) laser cladding followed by heat treatment. Method: The specimens were subjected to fatigue loading using a marker band technique, in which cracks initiated from pre-defined laser slots and the small crack growth rates were measured by quantitative fractography. Additional characterization was performed on these samples, including hardness measurements, microstructure analysis, and multimodal residual stress analyses. Results: The region of the specimen undergoing laser cladding exhibited higher hardness values and a compressive residual stress, based on the slitting method. The samples subjected to heat treatment after cladding displayed negligible differences in grain size and minimal residual stress relaxation. Conclusions: The results demonstrated significant variability, with data demonstrating that cracks in the laser clad region (exhibiting the largest compressive residual stress) grew faster than cracks in the substrate region of the sample or in the baseline cases. Finally, these counterintuitive results are rationalized with additional analyses from synchrotron-based energy dispersive X-ray diffraction and high energy X-ray diffraction, demonstrating significant spatial variability in the residual elastic strains in the millimeter-sized prior β grains within the material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Elamipretide effects on the skeletal muscle phosphoproteome in aged female mice

The age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function is known as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia progresses based on complex processes involving protein dynamics, cell signaling, oxidative stress, and repair. We have previously found that 8-week treatment with elamipretide improves skeletal muscle function, reverses redox stress, and restores protein S-glutathionylation changes in aged female mice. This study tested whether 8-week treatment with elamipretide also affects global phosphorylation in skeletal muscle consistent with functional improvements and S-glutathionylation. Using female 6–7-month-old mice and 28–29-month-old mice, we found that phosphorylation changes did not relate to S-glutathionylation modifications, but that treatment with elamipretide did partially reverse age-related changes in protein phosphorylation in mouse skeletal muscle.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Energy Storage as an Equity Asset

Abstract Purpose of Review This review offers a discussion on how energy storage deployment advances equitable outcomes for the power system. It catalogues the four tenets of the energy justice concept—distributive, recognition, procedural, and restorative—and shows how they relate to inequities in energy affordability, availability, due process, sustainability, and responsibility. Recent Findings Energy storage systems have been deployed to support grid reliability and renewable resource integration, but there is additional emerging value in considering the connections between energy storage applications and equity challenges in the power system. Through a thorough review of the energy justice and energy transitions literature, this paper offers the equity dimensions of storage project design and implementations. Summary Emerging energy programs and projects are utilizing energy storage in pursuit of improved equity outcomes. Future research and policy design should integrate energy justice principles to align storage penetration with desired equity outcomes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Energy Justice Through Energy Storage: Supporting Energy Resilience in Disadvantaged Communities

This paper reviews energy storage technologies as a possible solution to address power outages and mitigate the impacts, enhancing vulnerable communities’ resilience to climate change. More frequent and severe extreme weather events are one of the main consequences of climate change. These events, coupled with the nation’s aging and frail energy infrastructure, are causing many communities throughout the United States to experience more frequent and longer power outages, resulting in economic, health, and social impacts. Impacts from power outages are not equally felt across communities, with disproportionate impacts across communities representing a matter of energy justice. From an energy justice standpoint, programs and policies that facilitate energy storage technologies should be intentionally designed to include distributive, procedural, recognition, and restorative justice.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Protein–chromophore interactions controlling photoisomerization in red/green cyanobacteriochromes

Abstract Photoreceptors in the phytochrome superfamily use 15,16-photoisomerization of a linear tetrapyrrole (bilin) chromophore to photoconvert between two states with distinct spectral and biochemical properties. Canonical phytochromes include master regulators of plant growth and development in which light signals trigger interconversion between a red-absorbing 15Z dark-adapted state and a metastable, far-red-absorbing 15E photoproduct state. Distantly related cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) carry out a diverse range of photoregulatory functions in cyanobacteria and exhibit considerable spectral diversity. One widespread CBCR subfamily typically exhibits a red-absorbing 15Z dark-adapted state similar to that of phytochrome that gives rise to a distinct green-absorbing 15E photoproduct. This red/green CBCR subfamily also includes red-inactive examples that fail to undergo photoconversion, providing an opportunity to study protein–chromophore interactions that either promote photoisomerization or block it. In this work, we identified a conserved lineage of red-inactive CBCRs. This enabled us to identify three substitutions sufficient to block photoisomerization in photoactive red/green CBCRs. The resulting red-inactive variants faithfully replicated the fluorescence and circular dichroism properties of naturally occurring examples. Converse substitutions restored photoconversion in naturally red-inactive CBCRs. This work thus identifies protein–chromophore interactions that control the fate of the excited-state population in red/green cyanobacteriochromes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗