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At least 1,513 records · Page 84

A Gene Cluster That Encodes Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Contributes to Bacterial Persistence and Antibiotic Tolerance in Burkholderia thailandensis

Persister cells are genetically identical variants in a bacterial population that have phenotypically modified their physiology to survive environmental stress. In bacterial pathogens, persisters are able to survive antibiotic treatment and reinfect patients in a frustrating cycle of chronic infection. To better define core persistence mechanisms for therapeutics development, we performed transcriptomics analyses of Burkholderia thailandensis populations enriched for persisters via three methods: flow sorting for low proton motive force, meropenem treatment, and culture aging. Although the three persister-enriched populations generally displayed divergent gene expression profiles that reflect the multimechanistic nature of stress adaptations, there were several common gene pathways activated in two or all three populations. These include polyketide and nonribosomal peptide synthesis, Clp proteases, mobile elements, enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, and ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter systems. In particular, identification of genes that encode polyketide synthases (PKSs) and fatty acid catabolism factors indicates that generation of secondary metabolites, natural products, and complex lipids could be part of the metabolic program that governs the persistence state. We also found that loss-of-function mutations in the PKS-encoding gene locus BTH_I2366, which plays a role in biosynthesis of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, resulted in increased sensitivity to antibiotics targeting DNA replication. Furthermore, treatment of multiple bacterial pathogens with a fatty acid synthesis inhibitor, CP-640186, potentiated the efficacy of meropenem against the persister populations. Altogether, our results suggest that bacterial persisters may exhibit an outwardly dormant physiology but maintain active metabolic processes that are required to maintain persistence.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The Multi-Purpose Detector for NICA heavy-Ion Collider at JINR

The Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) is designed to study heavy-ion collisions at the Nuclotron-based heavy Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) at JINR, Dubna. Its main components located inside a superconducting solenoid are a tracking system composed of a silicon microstrip vertex detector followed by a large volume time-projection chamber, a time-of-flight system for particle identification and a barrel electromagnetic calorimeter. A zero degree hadron calorimeter is designed specifically to measure the energy of spectators. In this paper, all parts of the apparatus are described and their tracking and particle identification parameters are discussed in some detail.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A Variational Inference Approach to Inverse Problems with Gamma Hyperpriors

Hierarchical models with gamma hyperpriors provide a flexible, sparse-promoting framework to bridge L 1 and L 2 regularizations in Bayesian formulations to inverse problems. Despite the Bayesian motivation for these models, existing methodologies are limited to maximum a posteriori estimation. The potential to perform uncertainty quantification has not yet been realized. This paper introduces a variational iterative alternating scheme for hierarchical inverse problems with gamma hyperpriors. The proposed variational inference approach yields accurate reconstruction, provides meaningful uncertainty quantification, and is easy to implement. In addition, it lends itself naturally to conduct model selection for the choice of hyperparameters. Here, we illustrate the performance of our methodology in several computed examples, including a deconvolution problem and sparse identification of dynamical systems from time series data.

Bayesian shrinkage↗

VizBin - an application for reference-independent visualization and human-augmented binning of metagenomic data

Background: Metagenomics is limited in its ability to link distinct microbial populations to genetic potential due to a current lack of representative isolate genome sequences. Reference-independent approaches, which exploit for example inherent genomic signatures for the clustering of metagenomic fragments (binning), offer the prospect to resolve and reconstruct population-level genomic complements without the need for prior knowledge. Results: We present VizBin, a Java™-based application which offers efficient and intuitive reference-independent visualization of metagenomic datasets from single samples for subsequent human-in-the-loop inspection and binning. The method is based on nonlinear dimension reduction of genomic signatures and exploits the superior pattern recognition capabilities of the human eye-brain system for cluster identification and delineation. We demonstrate the general applicability of VizBin for the analysis of metagenomic sequence data by presenting results from two cellulolytic microbial communities and one human-borne microbial consortium. The superior performance of our application compared to other analogous metagenomic visualization and binning methods is also presented. Conclusions: VizBin can be applied de novo for the visualization and subsequent binning of metagenomic datasets from single samples, and it can be used for the post hoc inspection and refinement of automatically generated bins. Due to its computational efficiency, it can be run on common desktop machines and enables the analysis of complex metagenomic datasets in a matter of minutes. The software implementation is available at https://claczny.github.io/ VizBin under the BSD License (four-clause) and runs under Microsoft Windows™, Apple Mac OS X™ (10.7 to 10.10), and Linux.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Repository performance confirmation.

Repository performance confirmation links the technical bases of repository science and societal acceptance. This paper explores the myriad aspects of what has been labeled performance confirmation in U.S. programs, which involves monitoring as a collection of distinct activities combining technical and social significance in radioactive waste management. This paper is divided into four parts: (1) A distinction is drawn between performance confirmation monitoring and other testing and monitoring objectives; (2) A case study illustrates confirmation activities integrated within a long-term testing and monitoring strategy for Yucca Mountain; (3) A case study reviews compliance monitoring developed and implemented for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant; and (4) An approach for developing, evaluating and implementing the next generation of performance confirmation monitoring is presented. International interest in repository monitoring is exhibited by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme 'Monitoring Developments for Safe Repository Operation and Staged Closure' (MoDeRn) Project. The MoDeRn partners are considering the role of monitoring in a phased approach to the geological disposal of radioactive waste. As repository plans advance in different countries, the need to consider monitoring strategies within a controlled framework has become more apparent. The MoDeRn project pulls together technical and societal experts to assimilate a common understanding of a process that could be followed to develop a monitoring program. A fundamental consideration is the differentiation of confirmation monitoring from the many other testing and monitoring activities. Recently, the license application for Yucca Mountain provided a case study including a technical process for meeting regulatory requirements to confirm repository performance as well as considerations related to the preservation of retrievability. The performance confirmation plan developed as part of the Yucca Mountain license application identified a broad suite of monitoring activities. A revision of the plan was expected to winnow the number of activities down to a manageable size. As a result, an objective process for the next stage of performance confirmation planning was developed as an integral part of an overarching long-term testing and monitoring strategy. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant compliance monitoring program at once reflects its importance to stakeholders while demonstrating adequate understanding of relevant monitoring parameters. The compliance criteria were stated by regulation and are currently monitored as part of the regulatory rule for disposal. At the outset, the screening practice and parameter selection were not predicated on a direct or indirect correlation to system performance metrics, as was the case for Yucca Mountain. Later on, correlation to performance was established, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant continues to monitor ten parameters originally identified in the compliance certification documentation. The monitoring program has proven to be effective for the technical intentions and societal or public assurance. The experience with performance confirmation in the license application process for Yucca Mountain helped identify an objective, quantitative methodology for this purpose. Revision of the existing plan would be based on findings of the total system performance assessment. Identification and prioritization of confirmation activities would then derive from performance metrics associated with performance assessment. Given the understanding of repository performance confirmation, as reviewed in this paper, it is evident that the performance confirmation program for the Yucca Mountain project could be readily re-engaged if licensing activities resumed.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Coordination and Control of Flexible Building Loads for Renewable Integration; Demonstrations using VOLTTRON

Renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power have a high degree of uncertainty. Large-scale integration of these variable generation sources into the grid is a big challenge for power system operators. Buildings, in which we live and work, consume about 75% of the total electricity in the United States. They also have a large capacity of power flexibility due to their massive thermal capacitance. Therefore, they present a great opportunity to help the grid to manage power balance. In this report, we study coordination and control of flexible building loads for renewable integration. We first present the motivation and background, and conduct a literature review on building-to-grid integration. We also compile a catalog of flexible building loads that have great potential for renewable integration, and discuss their characteristics. We next collect solar generation data from a photovoltaic panel on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory campus, and conduct data analysis to study their characteristics. We find that solar generation output has a strong uncertainty, and the uncertainty occurs at almost all time scales. Additional data from other sources are also used to verify our study. We propose two transactive coordination strategies to manage flexible building loads for renewable integration. We prove the theories that support the two transactive coordination strategies and discuss their pros and cons. In this report, we select three types of flexible building loads—air-handling unit, rooftop unit, and a population of WHs—for which we demonstrate control of the flexible load to track a dispatch signal (e.g., renewable generation fluctuation) using experiment, simulation, or hardware-in-the-loop study. More specifically, we present the system description, model identification, controller design, test bed setup, and experiment results for each demonstration. We show that coordination and control of flexible loads has a great potential to integrate variable generation sources. The flexible loads can successfully track a power dispatch signal from the coordinator, while having little impact on the quality of service to the end-users.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Methods of orbital experiments synthesis

Experiment selection in orbital program planning based on broad system synthesis, discussing identification and grouping of objectives, critical issues and experimental equipment requirements

Gradecak, V.↗

Study of aircraft in intraurban transportation systems, volume 1

An analysis of an effective short range, high density computer transportation system for intraurban systems is presented. The seven county Detroit, Michigan, metropolitan area, was chosen as the scenario for the analysis. The study consisted of an analysis and forecast of the Detroit market through 1985, a parametric analysis of appropriate short haul aircraft concepts and associated ground systems, and a preliminary overall economic analysis of a simplified total system designed to evaluate the candidate vehicles and select the most promising VTOL and STOL aircraft. Data are also included on the impact of advanced technology on the system, the sensitivity of mission performance to changes in aircraft characteristics and system operations, and identification of key problem areas that may be improved by additional research. The approach, logic, and computer models used are adaptable to other intraurban or interurban areas.

Stout, E. G.↗

Semi-automatic crop inventory from sequential ERTS-1 imagery

The detection of a newly introduced crop into the Imperial (California) Valley by sequential ERTS-1 imagery is proving that individual crop types can be identified by remote sensing techniques. Initial results have provided an extremely useful product for water agencies. A system for the identification of field conditions enables the production of a statistical summary within two to three days of receipt of the ERTS-1 imagery. The summary indicates the total acreage of producing crops and irrigated planted crops currently demanding water and further indicates freshly plowed fields that will be demanding water in the near future. Relating the field conditions to the crop calendar of the region by means of computer techniques will provide specific crop identification for the 8000 plus fields.

Johnson, C. W.↗

Stream network analysis and geomorphic flood plain mapping from orbital and suborbital remote sensing imagery application to flood hazard studies in central Texas

The author has identified the following significant results. Development of a quantitative hydrogeomorphic approach to flood hazard evaluation was hindered by (1) problems of resolution and definition of the morphometric parameters which have hydrologic significance, and (2) mechanical difficulties in creating the necessary volume of data for meaningful analysis. Measures of network resolution such as drainage density and basin Shreve magnitude indicated that large scale topographic maps offered greater resolution than small scale suborbital imagery and orbital imagery. The disparity in network resolution capabilities between orbital and suborbital imagery formats depends on factors such as rock type, vegetation, and land use. The problem of morphometric data analysis was approached by developing a computer-assisted method for network analysis. The system allows rapid identification of network properties which can then be related to measures of flood response.

Baker, V. R.↗

Preliminary input to the space shuttle reaction control subsystem failure detection and identification software requirements (uncontrolled)

The current baseline method and software implementation of the space shuttle reaction control subsystem failure detection and identification (RCS FDI) system is presented. This algorithm is recommended for conclusion in the redundancy management (RM) module of the space shuttle guidance, navigation, and control system. Supporting software is presented, and recommended for inclusion in the system management (SM) and display and control (D&C) systems. RCS FDI uses data from sensors in the jets, in the manifold isolation valves, and in the RCS fuel and oxidizer storage tanks. A list of jet failures and fuel imbalance warnings is generated for use by the jet selection algorithm of the on-orbit and entry flight control systems, and to inform the crew and ground controllers of RCS failure status. Manifold isolation valve close commands are generated in the event of failed on or leaking jets to prevent loss of large quantities of RCS fuel.

Bergmann, E.↗

Skylab hardware report operational bioinstrumentation system

The Skylab Operational Bioinstrumentation System is a personal, individually adjustable biomedical system designed to monitor the basic physiological functions of each suited crewman during specified periods of a manned space mission. The basic physiological functions of this system include electrocardiogram, respiration by impedance pneumogram, body temperature, cardiotachometer, and subject identification. The Operational Bioinstrumentation System was scheduled to monitor each crewman during launch, extravehicular activities, suited intravehicular experiments, and undocking and return.

Luczkowski, S.↗

Fourth NASA Inter-Center Control Systems Conference

Space vehicle control applications are discussed, along with aircraft guidance, control, and handling qualities. System simulation and identification, engine control, advanced propulsion techniques, and advanced control techniques are also included.

Source record↗

Research on numerical algorithms for large space structures

Numerical algorithms for analysis and design of large space structures are investigated. The sign algorithm and its application to decoupling of differential equations are presented. The generalized sign algorithm is given and its application to several problems discussed. The Laplace transforms of matrix functions and the diagonalization procedure for a finite element equation are discussed. The diagonalization of matrix polynomials is considered. The quadrature method and Laplace transforms is discussed and the identification of linear systems by the quadrature method investigated.

Denman, E. D.↗

Clocks for airborne systems

The potential performance of compact oscillators, needed for the development of accurate clocks for future airborne systems (such as Identification Friend or Foe schemes), is addressed. In particular, extensive testing of rubidium oscillators manufactured by Efratom is discussed. The results indicate that an accuracy of better than 10 microseconds should be achievable in tactical aircraft provided that appropriate measures are adopted to counter the many environmental factors. In a favorable environment a stability of better than 5 x 10 to the -13th power for one day is achievable with present commercial units, but improvements are required to suit operation in an aircraft. With further development of rubidium controlled clocks the ultimate limitation on time accuracy in aircraft will probably be associated with time dissemination, maintenance difficulties and doctrinal hurdles.

Houlding, N.↗

Restructurable controls for aircraft

Future aircraft with highly sophisticated controls are likely to have multiple interdependent failure modes which will be difficult for the pilot to recognize. Such failures may lead to unanticipated sequences of events from which the pilot cannot intuitively recover. Advances in the state-of-the-art in failure detection, failure identification, and control system technology suggest it may be feasible to detect and identify potentially catastrophic failures in flight controls and to restructure the controls in real time to execute a safe landing. Two accidents are reviewed, one in which the pilot successfully restructured the controls and one in which he did not, but for which a solution existed. The problem requirements and potential theoretical techniques which apply are also discussed.

Howell, W. E.↗

Merits of supplemental ground-based measurements of lightning electric fields in the interpretation of airborne measurements

Calculations are presented which indicate that airborne recordings of the electric fields from lightning will be difficult to interpret without correlated continuous broadband electric field measurements at a ground-based station. Furthermore, through application of the results in Master et al. (1981), field measurements made at altitudes above ground may be calibrated by comparison with ground-based measurements of the same discharge. The requirements of the electric-field recording systems sufficient for identification, characterization, and calibration of airborne field measurements are discussed.

Beasley, W. H.↗