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At least 1,459 records · Page 81
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Morpho-physiological and transcriptomic responses of field pennycress to waterlogging

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a new biofuel winter annual crop with extreme cold hardiness and a short life cycle, enabling off-season integration into corn and soybean rotations across the U.S. Midwest. Pennycress fields are susceptible to winter snow melt and spring rainfall, leading to waterlogged soils. The objective of this research was to determine the extent to which waterlogging during the reproductive stage affected gene expression, morphology, physiology, recovery, and yield between two pennycress lines (SP32-10 and MN106). In a controlled environment, total pod number, shoot/root dry weight, and total seed count/weight were significantly reduced in SP32-10 in response to waterlogging, whereas primary branch number, shoot dry weight, and single seed weight were significantly reduced in MN106. This indicated waterlogging had a greater negative impact on seed yield in SP32-10 than MN106. We compared the transcriptomic response of SP32-10 and MN106 to determine the gene expression patterns underlying these different responses to seven days of waterlogging. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between waterlogged and control roots were doubled in MN106 (3,424) compared to SP32-10 (1,767). Functional enrichment analysis of upregulated DEGs revealed Gene Ontology (GO) terms associated with hypoxia and decreased oxygen, with genes in these categories encoding proteins involved in alcoholic fermentation and glycolysis. Additionally, downregulated DEGs revealed GO terms associated with cell wall biogenesis and suberin biosynthesis, indicating suppressed growth and energy conservation. Interestingly, MN106 waterlogged roots exhibited significant stronger regulation of these genes than SP32-10, displaying a more robust transcriptomic response overall. Together, these results reveal the reconfiguration of cellular and metabolic processes in response to the severe energy crisis invoked by waterlogging in pennycress.

ERF-VII↗
DOE OSTI2016

( Suzaku Suzaku) observation of the high-inclination binary EXO 0748-676 in the hard state

Utilizing archived Suzaku data acquired on 2007 December 25 for 46 ks, the X-ray spectroscopic properties of the dipping and eclipsing low-mass X-ray binary EXO 0748−676 were studied. At an assumed distance of 7.1 kpc, the data provided a persistent unabsorbed luminosity of 3.4×10{sup 36} erg cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} in 0.6−55 keV. The source was in a relatively bright low/hard state, wherein the 0.6−55 keV spectrum can be successfully explained by a “double-seed” Comptonization model incorporating a common corona with an electron temperature of ∼13 keV. The seed photons are thought to be supplied from both the neutron star surface and a cooler truncated disk. Compared to a sample of non-dipping, low-mass X-ray binaries in the low/hard state, the spectrum is subject to stronger Comptonization with a relatively larger Comptonizing y-parameter of ∼1.4 and a larger coronal optical depth of ∼5. This result, when attributed to the high inclination of EXO 0748−676, suggests that the Comptonizing corona may elongate along the disk plane and provide a longer path for the seed photons when viewed from edge-on inclinations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

THE LAST MINUTES OF OXYGEN SHELL BURNING IN A MASSIVE STAR

We present the first 4 π– three-dimensional (3D) simulation of the last minutes of oxygen shell burning in an 18 M {sub ⊙} supernova progenitor up to the onset of core collapse. A moving inner boundary is used to accurately model the contraction of the silicon and iron core according to a one-dimensional stellar evolution model with a self-consistent treatment of core deleptonization and nuclear quasi-equilibrium. The simulation covers the full solid angle to allow the emergence of large-scale convective modes. Due to core contraction and the concomitant acceleration of nuclear burning, the convective Mach number increases to ∼0.1 at collapse, and an ℓ = 2 mode emerges shortly before the end of the simulation. Aside from a growth of the oxygen shell from 0.51 M {sub ⊙} to 0.56 M {sub ⊙} due to entrainment from the carbon shell, the convective flow is reasonably well described by mixing-length theory, and the dominant scales are compatible with estimates from linear stability analysis. We deduce that artificial changes in the physics, such as accelerated core contraction, can have precarious consequences for the state of convection at collapse. We argue that scaling laws for the convective velocities and eddy sizes furnish good estimates for the state of shell convection at collapse and develop a simple analytic theory for the impact of convective seed perturbations on shock revival in the ensuing supernova. We predict a reduction of the critical luminosity for explosion by 12% – 24% due to seed asphericities for our 3D progenitor model relative to the case without large seed perturbations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Unveiling the First Black Holes With JWST:Multi-wavelength Spectral Predictions

Growing supermassive black holes (∼10{sup 9} M{sub ⊙}) that power luminous z>6 quasars from light seeds—the remnants of the first stars—within a Gyr of the Big Bang poses a timing challenge. The formation of massive black hole seeds via direct collapse with initial masses ∼10{sup 4}--10{sup 5} M{sub ⊙} alleviates this problem. Viable direct-collapse black hole formation sites, the satellite halos of star-forming galaxies, merge and acquire stars to produce a new, transient class of high-redshift objects, obese black hole galaxies (OBGs). The accretion luminosity outshines that of the stars in OBGs. We predict the multi-wavelength energy output of OBGs and growing Pop III remnants at z = 9 for standard and slim disk accretion, as well as high and low metallicities of the associated stellar population. We derive robust selection criteria for OBGs—a pre-selection to eliminate blue sources, followed by color–color cuts ([F{sub 090W}−F{sub 220W}]>0;−0.3<[F{sub 200W}−F{sub 444W}]<0.3) and the ratio of X-ray flux to rest-frame optical flux (F{sub X}/F{sub 444W}≫1). Our cuts sift out OBGs from other bright, high- and low-redshift contaminants in the infrared. OBGs with predicted M{sub AB}<25 are unambiguously detectable by the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), on the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). For parameters explored here, growing Pop III remnants with predicted M{sub AB}<30 will likely be undetectable by JWST. We demonstrate that JWST has the power to discriminate between initial seeding mechanisms.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Magnetogenesis in a Collisionless Plasma: From Weibel Instability to Turbulent Dynamo

We report on a first-principles numerical and theoretical study of plasma dynamo in a fully kinetic framework. By applying an external mechanical force to an initially unmagnetized plasma, we develop a self-consistent treatment of the generation of “seed” magnetic fields, the formation of turbulence, and the inductive amplification of fields by the fluctuation dynamo. Driven large-scale motions in an unmagnetized, weakly collisional plasma are subject to strong phase mixing, which leads to the development of thermal pressure anisotropy. This anisotropy triggers the Weibel instability, which produces filamentary “seed” magnetic fields on plasma-kinetic scales. The plasma is thereby magnetized, enabling efficient stretching and folding of the fields by the plasma motions and the development of Larmor-scale kinetic instabilities such as the firehose and mirror. The scattering of particles off the associated microscale magnetic fluctuations provides an effective viscosity, regulating the field morphology and turbulence. During this process, the seed field is further amplified by the fluctuation dynamo until energy equipartition with the turbulent flow is reached. By demonstrating that equipartition magnetic fields can be generated from an initially unmagnetized plasma through large-scale turbulent flows, this work has important implications for the origin and amplification of magnetic fields in the intracluster and intergalactic mediums.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Effects of Gasoline Composition and Operating Parameters on the Response of End-Gas Autoignition to Nitric Oxide in a Lean-Burn DI-SI Engine

Lean operation of spark-ignition engines can lead to engine thermal efficiency gains and lower NOx emissions due to reduced combustion temperatures. Yet, lean operation could still face challenges in end-gas autoignition and knock generation due to higher intake pressures and trapped NO in the residual gas. Here, this study evaluates the impact of NO on end-gas autoignition for two gasoline fuels with similar octane rating but different composition: high cycloalkane fuel (HCA) and high olefin fuel (HO). Experiments were performed at stoichiometric and lean (λ = 2) conditions and at two engine speeds of 1400 rpm and 2000 rpm. Accompanying chemical kinetics simulations in CHEMKIN revealed that the mechanisms controlling the effect of NO on autoignition are similar λ = 2 and λ = 1, with NO + HO 2 = NO 2 + OH being the main pathway for enhancing reactivity by promoting low-temperature heat release (LTHR). The compositionally different fuels reacted differently to NO seeding and engine speed, and differences were augmented at λ = 2 compared to λ = 1 as the end-gas autoignition shifted to the low temperature regime. HO, which has inherent low temperature chemistry, was strongly impacted by engine speed at low NO seeding levels, with no noticeable peak of LTHR detected at 2000 rpm. On the other hand, LTHR of HCA was marginally affected by shortened residence time at higher engine speed as NO + HO 2 reaction was not greatly affected by shorter time scales, since HO 2 production was sustained even at 2000 rpm to support OH generation from NO + HO 2 . Contrary to HO, HCA exhibited greater sensitivity to NO seeding, as the increased OH production at higher NO concentrations offset the OH-quenching effect of cyclopentane, which accounts for 28.6% of HCA’s composition. Consequently, a sensitivity analysis revealed that fuels with weak inherent low-temperature chemistry, like HCA, are likely to be more sensitive to variations in NO concentration and charge temperature, whereas fuels with strong low temperature chemistry are more sensitive to variations in end-gas λ and intake pressure.

Energy↗
DOE OSTI2024

Shrub Seedling Experiment: Environmental Conditions, Vegetation Composition, and Seedling Recruitment, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 2018-2019

In June 2018, a manipulative seed-addition experiment was established at the Council Mile Marker 71 (CN_MM71), Quartz Creek Burn Area (Kougarok Mile Marker 86), and Quartz Creek Unburned (Kougarok Mile Marker 80) sites on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska. At each site, 5 replicate blocks were established in disturbed and intact upland tussock tundra (a total of 40 plots). Disturbed plots at Council were located on thermo-erosional (thermokarst) slopes, while disturbed plots in Quartz Creek were in burned areas affected by the Mingvk Lake fire in 2015. Using a split-plot design, an additional manual disturbance treatment (scraping to remove the surface bryophyte layer) was implemented across all blocks in June 2018. Seeds of five erect, deciduous shrubs were broadcast seeded into each plot in June 2018, and seedlings were censused in August 2018 and August 2019. The dataset includes ancillary measurements of plot-level environmental conditions (soil temperature, moisture, chemistry, thaw depth, microtopography, substrate thickness) and vegetation composition (NDVI and estimated percent cover by species and plant functional type). Dataset contains 10 csv data files (five data files with corresponding data dictionaries and one file-level metadata file) and one pdf user guide. The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was research effort to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research. The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska. Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Structure-based inhibitors of amyloid beta core suggest a common interface with tau

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is characterized by plaques of amyloid beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles of tau. Aβ aggregation is thought to occur at early stages of the disease, and ultimately gives way to the formation of tau tangles which track with cognitive decline in humans. Here, we report the crystal structure of an Aβ core segment determined by MicroED and in it, note characteristics of both fibrillar and oligomeric structure. Using this structure, we designed peptide-based inhibitors that reduce Aβ aggregation and toxicity of already-aggregated species. Unexpectedly, we also found that these inhibitors reduce the efficiency of Aβ-mediated tau aggregation, and moreover reduce aggregation and self-seeding of tau fibrils. The ability of these inhibitors to interfere with both Aβ and tau seeds suggests these fibrils share a common epitope, and supports the hypothesis that cross-seeding is one mechanism by which amyloid is linked to tau aggregation and could promote cognitive decline.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1971

Experimental investigation to simulate propellant heating in the nuclear light bulb engine.

Experiments to heat a simulated propellant to high bulk temperatures by the absorption of thermal radiation are discussed. Argon seeded with micron-sized carbon particles was used as the simulated propellant; a 500 kw d-c arc was used as the radiant energy source. Bulk temperatures up to 3860 K were obtained with greater than 95% of the incident radiation absorbed. The arc radiation source, seed dispersal equipment, techniques used to prevent transparent wall coating by the seeds, and calorimetric measurement of bulk temperature are also discussed.

Klein, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Use of meteorological satellite observations in weather modification programs

The potential value of weather satellite data in field operations of weather modification is appraised. It was found that satellites could play a useful role in operational weather modification projects, particularly in the recognition of treatment opportunities. Satellite cloud photographs and infrared observations appear promising in the identification of treatment opportunities in seeding orographic cloud systems for increased snowpack, in seeding convective clouds for increased rainfall, in identifying hail threats, and in tracking and observing hurricanes as an aid to timing and location of seeding treatments. It was concluded that the potential value of satellite data in the treatment and evaluation phases of operational projects is not as great as in the recognition of treatment opportunity.

Dennis, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry study of sterols from Pinus elliotti tissues.

A comparative study of the sterol components of slash pine (Pinus elliotti) callus tissue cultures, seeds, and seedlings was carried out using GC-MS techniques. Cholesterol, desmosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol and cycloeucalenol were identified in all tissues while lophenol and 24-methylenelophenol were identified in only the seed and seedlings. 24-Ethylidenelophenol was detected in trace concentrations in only the seedlings. Sitosterol was the predominant sterol component, i.e., 80.8, 38.1 and 47.8% of the tissue culture, seed and seedling sterols, respectively.

Laseter, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Results and progress on the NASA Lewis H2-O2 MHD program

It was found that flame sprayed ceramic coatings on combustion chamber and nozzle walls permit operation with hot walls, thereby eliminating possible problems associated with seed condensation. However, under the conditions of experiment the net heat transfer was unexpectedly increased over that of cold copper walls. Pressure disturbances associated with oblique pressure waves were measured in a MHD channel. These disturbances are due to a rocket-type nozzle which was designed to achieve low weight rather than perfectly parallel flow at the exit. A new nozzle with parallel flow at the exit was designed. Electrical conductivity measurements agreed well with theory except at low combustion pressures and/or high ratios of seed/oxygen mass flows (seed was injected into oxygen flow line). The discrepancy is believed to be the result of poor atomization of the seed at high ratios of seed/oxygen mass flows which results in droplet sizes which do not completely vaporize the combustor.

Smith, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Results and progress on the NASA Lewis H2-O2 MHD program

A rocket test facility at the NASA Lewis Research Center has been used to develop interelectrode insulating materials, measure heat losses, and determine the fluid dynamic and electrical properties of MHD ducts and the cesium-seeded H2-O2 working fluid. Test results show that flame sprayed ceramic coatings on combustion chamber and nozzle walls permit operation with hot walls, eliminating problems associated with seed condensation; however, the net heat transfer was unexpectedly increased over that of cold copper walls. Pressure disturbances associated with oblique pressure waves were measured in a rocket nozzle designed to achieve low weight rather than perfectly parallel flow at the exit. Electrical conductivity measurements were in good agreement with theory except at low combustion pressures and/or high seed/oxygen mass flow ratios. The discrepancy is thought to result from poor atomization of the seed, producing droplets which do not completely vaporize during their residence time.

Smith, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Natural precedents to active magnetospheric experiments

Some of the natural analogs of proposed seeding experiments in the magnetosphere are: electric charged particle injections during substorms; lightning-induced whistlers providing wave injections; 'detachment' of plasma from the plasmapause, which is equivalent to light-ion seeding in the outer magnetosphere. In the present paper, the characteristics of some natural precedents to active experiments are reviewed, and their relative advantages and drawbacks are examined. One of these precedents - wave generation in detached plasma regions - is then discussed in some detail; the discussion reveals the generation of ELF electromagnetic noise when the energetic electrons exceed the stably trapped limit, and also indicates that a critical dimension for the seeded volume exists transverse to the geomagnetic field.

Russell, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Spectroscopic determination of electrical conductivity in an MHD duct from absolute intensity measurements

Measurements of the electrical conductivity in the NASA Lewis cesium seeded, H2-O2 MHD duct made by applying a voltage across the channel from one end electrode to the other, measuring the current, and using the inner electrodes as probes to monitor the voltage distribution along the channel were found to be in good agreement with theory except at low combustion pressures and/or high ratios of seed/oxygen mass flows. To corroborate these measurements and to analyze the possibility of nonuniform seed injection as a cause of the above deviations, a spectroscopic investigation of the plasma conductivity was undertaken. Radial profiles of emission coefficient were obtained from measured transverse profiles of the absolute integrated intensity by Abel inversion. Radial profiles of electrical conductivity were then obtained under two different assumptions. In the first the Cs seed fraction is assumed uniform and equal to the measured flow rate at the time when the temperature and conductivity were obtained. In the second method the local temperature and pressure are taken to be those given by a one-dimensional channel calculation including heat transfer and friction. The results of the two methods are compared to the previously measured conductivity.

Wang, S. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Heat transfer evaluation in a plasma core reactor

Numerical evaluations of heat transfer in a fissioning uranium plasma core reactor cavity, operating with seeded hydrogen propellant, was performed. A two-dimensional analysis is based on an assumed flow pattern and cavity wall heat exchange rate. Various iterative schemes were required by the nature of the radiative field and by the solid seed vaporization. Approximate formulations of the radiative heat flux are generally used, due to the complexity of the solution of a rigorously formulated problem. The present work analyzes the sensitivity of the results with respect to approximations of the radiative field, geometry, seed vaporization coefficients and flow pattern. The results present temperature, heat flux, density and optical depth distributions in the reactor cavity, acceptable simplifying assumptions, and iterative schemes. The present calculations, performed in cartesian and spherical coordinates, are applicable to any most general heat transfer problem.

Smith, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Dendritic web silicon for solar cell application

The dendritic web process for growing long thin ribbon crystals of silicon and other semiconductors is described. Growth is initiated from a thin wirelike dendrite seed which is brought into contact with the melt surface. Initially, the seed grows laterally to form a button at the melt surface; when the seed is withdrawn, needlelike dendrites propagate from each end of the button into the melt, and the web portion of the crystal is formed by the solidification of the liquid film supported by the button and the bounding dendrites. Apparatus used for dendritic web growth, material characteristics, and the two distinctly different mechanisms involved in the growth of a single crystal are examined. The performance of solar cells fabricated from dendritic web material is indistinguishable from the performance of cells fabricated from Czochralski grown material.

Seidensticker, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Whiskers, cones and pyramids created in sputtering by ion bombardment

A thorough study of the role which foreign atoms play in cone formation during sputtering of metals revealed many experimental facts. Two types of cone formation were distinquished, deposit cones and seed cones. Twenty-six combinations of metals for seed cone formation were tested. The sputtering yield variations with composition for combinations which form seed cones were measured. It was demonstrated that whisker growth becomes a common occurrence when low melting point material is sputter deposited on a hot nonsputtered high melting point electrode.

Wehner, G. K.↗