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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

Structural basis of RNA conformational switching in the transcriptional regulator 7SK RNP

7SK non-coding RNA (7SK) negatively regulates RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) elongation by inhibiting positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), and its ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) is hijacked by HIV-1 for viral transcription and replication. Methylphosphate capping enzyme (MePCE) and La-related protein 7 (Larp7) constitutively associate with 7SK to form a core RNP, while P-TEFb and other proteins dynamically assemble to form different complexes. Here, we present the cryo-EM structures of 7SK core RNP formed with two 7SK conformations, circular and linear, and uncover a common RNA-dependent MePCE-Larp7 complex. Further, together with NMR, biochemical, and cellular data, these structures reveal the mechanism of MePCE catalytic inactivation in the core RNP, unexpected interactions between Larp7 and RNA that facilitate a role as an RNP chaperone, and that MePCE-7SK-Larp7 core RNP serves as a scaffold for switching between different 7SK conformations essential for RNP assembly and regulation of P-TEFb sequestration and release.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Measurements of low-mode asymmetries in the areal density of laser-direct-drive deuterium–tritium cryogenic implosions on OMEGA using neutron spectroscopy

Areal density is one of the key parameters that determines the confinement time in inertial confinement fusion experiments, and low-mode asymmetries in the compressed fuel are detrimental to the implosion performance. The energy spectra from the scattering of the primary deuterium–tritium (DT) neutrons off the compressed cold fuel assembly are used to investigate low-mode nonuniformities in direct-drive cryogenic DT implosions at the Omega Laser Facility. For spherically symmetric implosions, the shape of the energy spectrum is primarily determined by the elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections for both neutron-deuterium and neutron-tritium kinematic interactions. Two highly collimated lines of sight, which are positioned at nearly orthogonal locations around the OMEGA target chamber, record the neutron time-of-flight signal in the current mode. An evolutionary algorithm is being used to extract a model-independent energy spectrum of the scattered neutrons from the experimental neutron time-of-flight data and is used to infer the modal spatial variations (l = 1) in the areal density. Experimental observations of the low-mode variations of the cold-fuel assembly (ρL 0 + ρL 1 ) show good agreement with a recently developed model, indicating a departure from the spherical symmetry of the compressed DT fuel assembly. As a result, another key signature that has been observed in the presence of a low-mode variation is the broadening of the kinematic end-point due to the anisotropy of the dense fuel conditions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Anomalistic Disturbance Torques during the Entry Phase of the Mars Exploration Rover Missions: A Telemetry and Mars-Surface Investigation

Shortly after landing on Mars, post-flight analysis of the "Spirit" entry data suggested that the vehicle experienced large, anomalistic oscillations in angle-of-attack starting at about M=6. Similar analysis for "Opportunity " found even larger oscillations starting immediately after maximum dynamic pressure at M=14. Where angles-of-attack of 1-2 degrees were expected from maximum dynamic pressure to drogue deployment, the reconstructions suggested 4 to 9 degrees. The next Mars lander, 2007 Phoenix project, was concerned enough to recommend further exploration of the anomalies. Detailed analysis of "Opportunity" data found significant anomalies in the hypersonic aerodynamic torques. The analysis showed that these torques were essentially fixed in the spinning vehicle. Nearly a year after landing, the "Oportunity" rover took pictures of its aeroshell on the surface, which showed that portions of the aeroshell thermal blanket assembly still remained. This blanket assembly was supposed to burn off very early in the entry. An analysis of the aeroshell photographs led to an estimate of the aerodynamic torques that the remnants could have produced. A comparison of two estimates of the aerodynamic torque perturbations (one extracted from telemetry data and the other from Mars surface photographs) showed exceptional agreement. Trajectory simulations using a simple data derived torque perturbation model provided rigid body motions similar to that observed during the "Opportunity" entry. Therefore, the case of the anomalistic attitude behavior for the "Opportunity" EDL is now considered closed and a suggestion is put forth that a similar event occurred for the "Spirit" entry as well.

Tolson, Robert H.↗

Empirical validation and comparison of methodologies to simulate micro and macro-encapsulated PCMs in the building envelope

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has the potential to shift peak electricity demand. Passive TES is usually implemented in building envelope as micro and macro encapsulated phase change materials (PCM) to shift electric energy demand and therefore requires careful heat transfer analysis. Whole building energy modelling with simplified heat transfer analysis has become extremely important for designers, architects, engineers, and researchers to predict energy performance of buildings. It is important to validate PCM modelling algorithms used in building energy programs to quantify their error and prove their capacity to model different PCM encapsulation types. This study uses data from a microencapsulated PCM and two macroencapsulated PCMs (Bio based PCM and hydrate salts) tested in full-scale using the Advanced Multiscale Building Energy Research (AMBER) Lab located at the Colorado School of Mines and is used to validate a numerical algorithm written in MATLAB language. To approximate the heat transfer through a wall assembly with macroencapsulated PCM pouches, several modelling techniques that can reduce 3D heat transfer characteristics to 1D are explored in this research. A parallel path heat transfer modelling approach is found to give the closest agreement with the experimental data for the pouched PCMs in building envelope applications.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Plant Bioengineering Atlas: A Knowledge Graph of Genes, DNA Constructs, and Plant Traits.

Plant bioengineering has generated tens of thousands of genotype-to-phenotype relationships, but this knowledge remains fragmented across narrative literature and difficult to use computationally. Inconsistent descriptions of DNA constructs, host species, and traits, including variable species names, omitted regulatory elements, and inconsistent gene symbols, impede data reuse, comparative analysis, and design-build-test-learn cycles. Here, we present the Plant Bioengineering Atlas, a literature-mined, ontology-grounded knowledge base assembled using an artificial intelligence (AI)-aided extraction pipeline. A large language model parsed open-access primary research articles to generate structured, provenance-anchored records of engineered genes, modification types, promoter-gene-terminator constructs, host species, target traits, and reported phenotypes, with every record traceable to its source. The current release contains 14,358 curated records encompassing 6,998 distinct genes across 436 plant species from 6,452 papers published between 2000 and 2026. Corpus analysis reveals that experiments are concentrated in a small group of model and crop species, disease and pathogen resistance is the most frequently engineered trait class, and constitutive regulatory parts (particularly the CaMV 35S promoter and NOS terminator) remain pervasive. Two in five records omit one or both flanking regulatory elements (i.e., promoter and terminator), while only 23.4% describe cassettes in which both elements resolve to named part classes, exposing a systematic reproducibility gap. We organize these data into a knowledge graph linking genes, constructs, species, and traits; provide access through an interactive web portal; and propose an AI-compatible documentation standard for AI-ready reporting. The Plant Bioengineering Atlas provides a foundation for data-driven hypothesis generation and AI-aided plant biodesign.

, Genes, DNA Constructs↗

Statistical Analysis of Trans‐Ionospheric Pulse Pairs and Inferences on Their Characteristics

Trans-ionospheric pulse pairs (TIPPs), first observed in 1993, are signatures of in-cloud lightning discharges observed by satellite-based broadband very high frequency (VHF) receivers. It has been definitively shown that TIPPs are the space-based signatures of compact intracloud discharges (CIDs), and that the associated pair of pulses that comprise a TIPP result from the direct VHF pulse from the discharge, followed by a pulse reflected from the Earth's surface. However, the ratio of the peak amplitudes of these two pulses can vary widely, with the second pulse often having considerably higher peak amplitude than the first. This observation has not been satisfactorily explained. Using data collected from geostationary orbit by the Radio Frequency Sensor (RFS) and matched to locations reported by the Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360), we assemble the largest database to date of 76,348 TIPPs with associated location, altitude, and amplitude ratio of the two pulses in the TIPP. We show that the amplitude ratio of TIPPs is strongly correlated to the altitude of the associated discharges and the geometry of the source location with respect to the Earth's surface and the receiver. These observations strongly suggest that the difference in amplitude of the two pulses is driven by a nondipole radiated beam pattern that is dependent on the polarity of the CID, velocity of the current wavefront, and viewing angle.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Challenges and Lessons Learned From Fabrication, Testing, and Analysis of Eight MQXFA Low Beta Quadrupole Magnets for HL-LHC

By the end of October 2022, the US HL-LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP) had completed fabrication of ten MQXFA magnets and tested eight of them. The MQXFA magnets are the low-beta quadrupole magnets to be used in the Q1 and Q3 Inner Triplet elements of the High Luminosity LHC. This AUP effort is shared by BNL, Fermilab, and LBNL, with strand verification tests at NHMFL. An important step of the AUP QA plan is the testing of MQXFA magnets in a vertical cryostat at BNL. The acceptance criteria that could be tested at BNL were all met by the first four production magnets (MQXFA03-MQXFA06). Subsequently, two magnets (MQXFA07 and MQXFA08) did not meet some of the criteria and were disassembled. Furthermore, lessons learned during the disassembly of MQXFA07 caused a revision to the assembly specifications that were used for MQXFA10 and subsequent magnets. In this article, we present a summary of 1) the fabrication and test data for all the MQXFA magnets; 2) the analysis of MQXFA07/A08 test results with characterization of the limiting mechanism; 3) the outcome of the investigation, including the lessons learned during MQXFA07 disassembly; and 4) the finite element analysis correlating observations with test performance.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Chromosome-level genome assemblies and genetic maps reveal heterochiasmy and macrosynteny in endangered Atlantic Acropora

Abstract Background Over their evolutionary history, corals have adapted to sea level rise and increasing ocean temperatures, however, it is unclear how quickly they may respond to rapid change. Genome structure and genetic diversity contained within may highlight their adaptive potential. Results We present chromosome-scale genome assemblies and linkage maps of the critically endangered Atlantic acroporids,Acropora palmataandA. cervicornis. Both assemblies and linkage maps were resolved into 14 chromosomes with their gene content and colinearity. Repeats and chromosome arrangements were largely preserved between the species. The family Acroporidae and the genusAcroporaexhibited many phylogenetically significant gene family expansions. Macrosynteny decreased with phylogenetic distance. Nevertheless, scleractinians shared six of the 21 cnidarian ancestral linkage groups as well as numerous fission and fusion events compared to other distantly related cnidarians. Genetic linkage maps were constructed from oneA. palmatafamily and 16A. cervicornisfamilies using a genotyping array. The consensus maps span 1,013.42 cM and 927.36 cM forA. palmataandA. cervicornis, respectively. Both species exhibited high genome-wide recombination rates (3.04 to 3.53 cM/Mb) and pronounced sex-based differences, known as heterochiasmy, with 2 to 2.5X higher recombination rates estimated in the female maps. Conclusions Together, the chromosome-scale assemblies and genetic maps we present here are the first detailed look at the genomic landscapes of the critically endangered Atlantic acroporids. These data sets revealed that adaptive capacity of Atlantic acroporids is not limited by their recombination rates. The sister species maintain macrosynteny with few genes with high sequence divergence that may act as reproductive barriers between them. In the AtlanticAcropora, hybridization between the two sister species yields an F1 hybrid with limited fertility despite the high levels of macrosynteny and gene colinearity of their genomes. Together, these resources now enable genome-wide association studies and discovery of quantitative trait loci, two tools that can aid in the conservation of these species.

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology↗

A multiscale model of the action of a capsid assembly modulator for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is strongly associated with increased risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis. While existing treatments effectively inhibit the HBV life cycle, viral rebound frequently occurs following treatment interruption. Consequently, functional cure rates of chronic HBV infection remain low and there is increased interest in a novel treatment modality, capsid assembly modulators (CAMs). Here, we develop a multiscale mathematical model of CAM treatment in chronic HBV infection. By fitting the model to participant data from a phase I trial of the first-generation CAM vebicorvir, we estimate the drug’s dose-dependent effectiveness and identify the physiological mechanisms that drive the observed biphasic decline in HBV DNA and RNA, and mechanistic differences between HBeAg-positive and negative infection. Finally, we demonstrate analytically and numerically that the relative change of HBV RNA more accurately reflects the antiviral effectiveness of a CAM than the relative change in HBV DNA.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Expansion of the Fast Neutron Hodoscope at TREAT to Support Fuel Safety Experiments

In 2024 the Fuel Motion Monitoring System (FMMS), or Hodoscope, at the Transient Reactor Test Facility, is being expanded from 96 viewing channels to 192 viewing channels, effectively doubling the FMMS field of view. Here, this increase in capability will allow the FMMS to support larger scale fuel tests, encompassing height-of-core test devices, test devices with multi-pin fuel assemblies, and test devices with recirculating coolant flow. Work supporting the expansion included refurbishing 96 additional proton recoil scintillator (PRS) detectors, doubling the data acquisition system (DAS) installed architecture, improving time synchronization in the DAS, and new research to measure the PRS detector energy-dependent, fast-neutron detection efficiency. In addition, laboratory activities have produced an improved benchtop testing capability for assessing the DAS, time synchronization, and external start triggering, along with an updated capability to scan PRS detectors to develop a preliminary flat-field normalization prior to deployment to TREAT.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗

Criticality Safety and Fuel Performance Considerations for Enrichment Above 5 Weight Percent in the Uranium Dioxide Fuel Cycle

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is preparing for anticipated licensing applications requesting fuel enrichments of UO 2 ceramic fuels enriched in excess of 5 weight percent (w/o) 235 U for commercial light-water reactors (LWRs). PNNL has been tasked with providing technical assistance to the NRC related to the review and approval of requests for enrichment increases above the current 5 w/o 235 U enrichment limit. This report will provide the agency with technical assistance to enhance the staff’s knowledge base and to identify developmental needs required to support the licensing of greater than 5 w/o UO 2 ceramic fuels. This report provides a background on increasing enrichment of UO 2 LWR fuel beyond 5 w/o 235 U. The primary concern of increasing enrichment is the impacts to criticality safety. This report will focus on criticality safety as it relates to enrichment, conversion of uranium hexafluoride to UO 2 , fuel assembly fabrication, transportation of fresh/spent fuel assemblies, reactor operations, and storage of fresh/spent fuel assemblies. The report provides a general summary of each of the steps in the UO 2 fuel cycle starting from transportation of enriched UF 6 through dry cask storage of spent fuel assemblies. This report also discusses other impacts of increased enrichment during reactor operation and the surrounding fuel cycle activities. Current needs regarding both data and analytical codes to support the increase above 5 w/o 235 U are identified and discussed.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Genomic profiles of four novel cyanobacteria MAGs from Lake Vanda, Antarctica: insights into photosynthesis, cold tolerance, and the circadian clock

Cyanobacteria in polar environments face environmental challenges, including cold temperatures and extreme light seasonality with small diurnal variation, which has implications for polar circadian clocks. However, polar cyanobacteria remain underrepresented in available genomic data, and there are limited opportunities to study their genetic adaptations to these challenges. This paper presents four new Antarctic cyanobacteria metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from microbial mats in Lake Vanda in the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica. The four MAGs were classified as Leptolyngbya sp. BulkMat.35, Pseudanabaenaceae cyanobacterium MP8IB2.15, Microcoleus sp. MP8IB2.171, and Leptolyngbyaceae cyanobacterium MP9P1.79. The MAGs contain 2.76 Mbp – 6.07 Mbp, and the bin completion ranges from 74.2–92.57%. Furthermore, the four cyanobacteria MAGs have average nucleotide identities (ANIs) under 90% with each other and under 77% with six existing polar cyanobacteria MAGs and genomes. This suggests that they are novel cyanobacteria and demonstrates that polar cyanobacteria genomes are underrepresented in reference databases and there is continued need for genome sequencing of polar cyanobacteria. Analyses of the four novel and six existing polar cyanobacteria MAGs and genomes demonstrate they have genes coding for various cold tolerance mechanisms and most standard circadian rhythm genes with the Leptolyngbya sp. BulkMat.35 and Leptolyngbyaceae cyanobacterium MP9P1.79 contained kaiB3, a divergent homolog of kaiB.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Fabrication of a focusing soft X-ray collector payload

A large area X-ray focusing collector with arc minute resolution and a position sensitive detector capable of operating in the soft X-ray region was developed for use on sounding rockets in studying stellar X-ray sources. The focusing payload consists of the following components, which are described: (1) a crossed paraboloid mirror assembly; (2) an aspect camera and star tracker; (3) a focal plane assembly containing an imaging proportional counter and its preamplifiers, high voltage power supplies and gas system; (4) a fiducial system; and (5) housekeeping, data handling, instrumentation and telemetry electronics. The design, tests, and operation are described.

Davis, J. M.↗

The High Energy Astronomy Observatory X-ray Telescope

The High Energy Astronomy Observatory-Mission B (HEAO-B) is a satellite observatory for the purpose of performing a detailed X-ray survey of the celestial sphere. Measurements will be made of stellar radiation in the range 0.2 through 20 keV. The primary viewing requirement is to provide final aspect solution and internal alignment information to correlate an observed X-ray image with the celestial sphere to within one-and-one-half arc seconds. The Observatory consists of the HEAO Spacecraft together with the X-ray Telescope. The Spacecraft provides the required attitude control and determination system, data telemetry system, space solar power system, and interface with the launch vehicle. The X-ray Telescope includes a high resolution mirror assembly, optical bench metering structure, X-ray detectors, detector positioning system, detector electronics and aspect sensing system.

Miller, R.↗

Influence of mistuning on blade torsional flutter

An analytical technique for the prediction of fan blade flutter was evaluated by utilizing first stage fan flutter data from tests on an advanced high performance engine. The formulation includes both aerodynamic and mechanical coupling among all the blades of the assembly. Mistuning is accounted for in the analysis so that individual blade inertias, frequencies, or damping can be considered. Airfoil stability was predicted by calculating a flutter determinant, the eigenvalues of which indicate the extent of susceptibility to flutter. When blade to blade differences in frequencies are considered, a stable system is predicted for the test points examined. For a tuned system, it was found that torsional flutter can be predicted at a limited number of interblade phase angles. Examination of these phase angles indicated that they were "close" to the condition of acoustic resonance. For the range of Mach numbers and reduced frequencies considered, the so called subcritical flutter cannot be predicted. The essential influence of mechanical coupling among the blades is to change the frequencies of the system with little or no change in damping; however, aerodynamic coupling together with mechanical coupling could change not only frequencies, but also damping in the system, with a trend toward instability.

Srinivasan, A. V.↗

MAGSAT project

Programs for the conversion of MAGSAT tapes (both CHRONICLE and CHRONINT formats) from IBM binary to DEC 10 binary were developed in ASSEMBLY language) and programs for selection of only a particular part of CHRONICLE tape (e.g., passes over the Indian subcontinent) were also prepared. Data on a few selected quiet and disturbed days were studied by substracting the main field, and the anomalies over the Indian region were partly identified on few of the passes. A national Workshop on MAGSAT was arranged. The potentialities and usefulness of MAGSAT data particularly in the study of crustal lithology was discussed.

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A microprocessor-based control system for the Vienna PDS microdensitometer

The Motorola Exorset 30 system, based on a Motorola 6809 microprocessor which serves as control processor for the microdensitometer is presented. User communication and instrument control are implemented in this syatem; data transmission to a host computer is provided via standard interfaces. The Vienna PDS system (VIPS) software was developed in BASIC and M6809 assembler. It provides efficient user interaction via function keys and argument input in a menu oriented environment. All parameters can be stored on, and retrieved from, minifloppy disks, making it possible to set up large scanning tasks. Extensive user information includes continuously updated status and coordinate displays, as well as a real time graphic display during scanning.

Jenkner, H.↗

Concept definition for space station technology development experiments. Experiment definition, task 2

The second task of a study with the overall objective of providing a conceptual definition of the Technology Development Mission Experiments proposed by LaRC on space station is discussed. During this task, the information (goals, objectives, and experiment functional description) assembled on a previous task was translated into the actual experiment definition. Although still of a preliminary nature, aspects such as: environment, sensors, data acquisition, communications, handling, control telemetry requirements, crew activities, etc., were addressed. Sketches, diagrams, block diagrams, and timeline analyses of crew activities are included where appropriate.

Source record↗