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At least 271 records · Page 15

NREM sleep as a novel protective cognitive reserve factor in the face of Alzheimer's disease pathology

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology impairs cognitive function. Yet some individuals with high amounts of AD pathology suffer marked memory impairment, while others with the same degree of pathology burden show little impairment. Why is this? One proposed explanation is cognitive reserve i.e., factors that confer resilience against, or compensation for the effects of AD pathology. Deep NREM slow wave sleep (SWS) is recognized to enhance functions of learning and memory in healthy older adults. However, that the quality of NREM SWS (NREM slow wave activity, SWA) represents a novel cognitive reserve factor in older adults with AD pathology, thereby providing compensation against memory dysfunction otherwise caused by high AD pathology burden, remains unknown. Here, we tested this hypothesis in cognitively normal older adults (N = 62) by combining 11 C-PiB (Pittsburgh compound B) positron emission tomography (PET) scanning for the quantification of β-amyloid (Aβ) with sleep electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to quantify NREM SWA and a hippocampal-dependent face-name learning task. We demonstrated that NREM SWA significantly moderates the effect of Aβ status on memory function. Specifically, NREM SWA selectively supported superior memory function in individuals suffering high Aβ burden, i.e., those most in need of cognitive reserve (B = 2.694, p = 0.019). In contrast, those without significant Aβ pathological burden, and thus without the same need for cognitive reserve, did not similarly benefit from the presence of NREM SWA (B = -0.115, p = 0.876). This interaction between NREM SWA and Aβ status predicting memory function was significant after correcting for age, sex, Body Mass Index, gray matter atrophy, and previously identified cognitive reserve factors, such as education and physical activity (p = 0.042). These findings indicate that NREM SWA is a novel cognitive reserve factor providing resilience against the memory impairment otherwise caused by high AD pathology burden. Furthermore, this cognitive reserve function of NREM SWA remained significant when accounting both for covariates, and factors previously linked to resilience, suggesting that sleep might be an independent cognitive reserve resource. Beyond such mechanistic insights are potential therapeutic implications. Unlike many other cognitive reserve factors (e.g., years of education, prior job complexity), sleep is a modifiable factor. As such, it represents an intervention possibility that may aid the preservation of cognitive function in the face of AD pathology, both present moment and longitudinally.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Analysis and Distribution of Proppant Recovered from Fracture Faces in the HFTS Slant Core Drilled through a Stimulated Reservoir

Although sand proppant has been used since 1949 to increase efficacy of hydraulically fractured treatments by preventing fractures from closing after well depressurization, many questions remain regarding the behavior and distribution of proppant in the subsurface. To this end, we quantified the amount of recovered proppant in open fractures within a slant core drilled through hydraulically fractured Wolfcamp Shale. To improve understanding of hydraulic-fracture growth and patterns, we then addressed basic questions such as the following regarding proppant behavior in the subsurface: Is there variation along the length of the examined core? Is the proppant mainly found in hydraulic fractures, in reactivated natural fractures, or is it transported into drilling-induced fractures during recovery? Do the majority of proppant grains remain whole or tend to get crushed? To answer these questions, we collected all material from every open fracture (407 samples total) within ~600 ft of core. Samples consisted of drilling mud, aluminum shavings from the core barrel, shale and lithic fragments, calcite, and, potentially, sand proppant (95% plain and 5% colored resin-coated grains) pumped during the hydraulic fracturing of adjacent wells. We then washed, sieved into four size fractions, weighed, and imaged all samples for quantitative image analysis. Retrieved samples were labeled with respect to a master fracture database, where fractures were identified in the core and on CT scans of each 3-ft interval, allowing us to code them as either hydraulic, natural reactivated, or drilling/recovery-induced fractures. From this coding, we quantified the amount of proppant within each fracture, analyzed the distribution of grains among different fracture types, and traced base versus colored grains. Proppant packs 0.5–1 cm thick were found in two locations where there was complex fracture geometry, but fracture faces showed no evidence of proppant embedment. In situ sand patches were found on a few fracture faces, mostly in fractures near the proppant packs. Pumped proppant was 100 and 40/70 mesh (149–420 μm), and even though widespread grain crushing is not observed, the majority of recovered proppant ranges from 63 to 250 μm. The distribution of retrieved proppant, especially the larger retrieved sizes (250– >500 μm), mirrors the proximity of the slant core to the hydraulic fracture treatment wells. Hydraulic fracture samples contained variable amounts of proppant, and natural reactivated fractures sometimes contained more proppant than nearby hydraulic fractures, suggesting transference between fracture types in the subsurface. Regarding colored proppant, some colored sands occurred in discreet fractures, whereas other colors appeared to be mixed and widespread. Ultimately, all fractures contain at least some proppant, especially in the smallest size fractions; however, the extent to which the proppant was introduced during the core-drilling process is still unknown. Our study is one of the first attempts at physically recovering and quantifying injected proppant from parted fracture breaks within a stimulated reservoir, and the results are significant in terms of understanding propped fracture networks and predicting future proppant distribution during hydraulic fracturing.

Elliott, Sara↗

The role of irradiation on deformation-induced martensitic phase transformations in face-centered cubic alloys

Localized deformation, including that by the deformation-induced shearing martensitic phase transformation, is responsible for hardening and embrittlement in irradiated face-centered cubic alloys. These localized deformation processes can have profound consequences on the mechanical integrity of common structural metals used in extreme radiation environments such as nuclear reactors. This article aims to review and understand exactly how irradiation affects the martensitic phase transformation in face-centered cubic alloys, with an emphasis on austenitic stainless steel, given its ubiquity in the archival literature. The influence of irradiation on stacking fault energy and subsequent implications on the phase transformation are discussed. Mechanisms by which irradiation-induced microstructures enhance the phase transformation are also described, including the surface energy contribution of irradiation-induced cavities (i.e., voids and bubbles) toward the critical martensite nucleation energy, and partial dislocation–cavity interactions. In conclusion, a deformation mechanism map illustrates how irradiation-induced cavities can modulate the martensitic transformation pathway.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Data-Model Assimilation at the FACE and AmeriFlux Sites Toward Predictive Understanding of Carbon Sequestration at Ecosystem and Regional Scales

The project was conducted during the period from 9/1/2007 to 8/31/2011 with three major tasks: (1) development of data assimilation (DA) techniques for terrestrial carbon research; (2) applications of DA techniques to analysis of carbon cycle at Duke and other FACE sites; and (3) inverse analysis at AmeriFlux sites. During this period, we have developed a variety of techniques, including (1) ensemble Kalman filter to estimate model parameters or state variables (Gao et al. 2011), (2) Conditional inversion to estimate parameters of a carbon cycle model (Wu et al. 2009), and (3) various methods to quantify uncertainty of estimated parameters and predicted C sinks (e.g., Weng et al. 2011), and (4) information theory to evaluate information content of different model structures and data sets (Weng and Luo 2011). We applied the DA techniques to and did modeling at the Duke FACE and other global change experimental sites. We addressed the following issues: (1) interactive effects of CO 2 , warming and precipitation on ecosystem processes (e.g., Luo et al. 2008, Weng and Luo 2008, Zhou et al. 2008), (2) effects of warming on estimated parameters related to photosynthesis and residence times (Zhou et al. 2010); and (3) uncertainty in estimated parameters and predicted C sequestration (Gao et al. 2011, Weng and Luo 2011). In addition, we have done data assimilation to estimate carbon residence and carbon sequestration in US continent (Zhou and Luo 2008) and temperature sensitivity at the global scale (Zhou et al. 2009).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Remixing the ‘Appropriate Mix’: Reassessing NATO’s Deterrence and Defense Posture in the Face of New Threats

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the countries of Europe face a renewed challenge from the east vis-à-vis the Putin regime in Moscow. In the face of these new challenges, NATO must reconsider its deterrence and defense posture in order to deter conflict in Europe. Unfortunately, Russian attempts to rewrite the rules of the post-Cold War international order by force have been coupled with nuclear saber rattling and overt nuclear threats. Russia’s nuclear threats, in addition to provocative changes to Russia’s nuclear posture in its Military Doctrine, are methods to make up for Russia’s conventional military inferiority relative to NATO and the United States. Some have described Moscow’s actions as laying the groundwork for a nuclear coercion strategy. While the decrease in the nuclear arsenals of Russia and the United States has reduced the likelihood of nuclear annihilation to an all-time low since the height of the Cold War, Russia’s nuclear coercion strategy is increasing the probability of nuclear employment in Europe. The probability of nuclear use is compounded by Russia’s tremendous local military advantage around its periphery in spite of U.S. global military primacy. This military advantage increases the incentive to use military force if Russian decision-makers conclude that a quick military victory is possible, or if Russian leaders miscalculate based on an incorrect assessment of military force balance or resolve of their adversary. The integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia (referred to as the Baltics in this paper) into the NATO alliance in 2004 makes Russia’s military advantage in its periphery increasingly relevant. Each NATO state is required to assist any NATO state that comes under attack per Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty. The Baltic states’ proximity to Russia, their weak indigenous militaries, their former status as Soviet Republics, large population of ethnic Russians, and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s claim that he will protect Russians wherever they are makes the Baltics the most likely flashpoint for conflict between NATO and Russia. This analysis will tackle the problem of reshaping NATO’s deterrence and defense posture in light of the new Russian threat and its obligation to defend its most vulnerable members. Specifically, it will assess the suitability of NATO’s “appropriate mix” of nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities to deterring conventional conflict with Russia and, if conventional deterrence fails, preventing Russian nuclear escalation. It will use a scenario-based approach informed by a deterrence model to explore how changes to NATO’s posture and policy could impact the deterrence of Russian aggression.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Observations Regarding Commonly Available Materials for Face Shield Emulated-Personal Protective Equipment

The Center for Disease Control has recommended that to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 the public should wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. These face coverings and other Emulated-Personal Protective Equipment (E-PPE) can be made by using Commonly Available Materials (CAMs). As E-PPE recommendations continue to flood the media, a Sandia COVID-19 LDRD effort, the Sandia E-PiPEline Team, systematically evaluated E-PPE design options considering their effectiveness, durability, build difficulty, build cost, and comfort. Using qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluation tools, results of the investigation are presented here to provide guidelines for home and office construction of E-PPE.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Observations Regarding Commonly Available Materials for Face Covering Emulated-Personal Protective Equipment

The Center for Disease Control has recommended that to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 the public should wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. These face coverings and other Emulated-Personal Protective Equipment (E-PPE) can be made by using Commonly Available Materials (CAMs). As E-PPE recommendations continue to flood the media, a Sandia COVID-19 LDRD effort, the Sandia E-PiPEline Team, systematically evaluated E-PPE design options considering their effectiveness, durability, build difficulty, build cost, and comfort. Using qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluation tools, results of the investigation are presented here to provide guidelines for home and office construction of E-PPE.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Benefit-Cost Analysis for Utility-Facing Grid Modernization Investments: Trends, Challenges, and Considerations

In recent years, many electric utilities have submitted grid modernization plans for review by state public utility commissions. A central objective of these plans is to demonstrate that grid modernization investments will provide net benefits to customers, be reasonable and be in the public interest. The plans typically include some form of benefit-cost analysis, but the assumptions, methodologies and frameworks vary considerably between utilities. This report: -Describes utility-facing technologies and projects for modernizing distribution systems, including interdependencies of grid components -Highlights benefit-cost considerations related to grid modernization -Summarizes recent trends in benefit-cost analysis for grid modernization based on a review of 21 plans by U.S. electric utilities -Discusses challenges state public utility commissions face in reviewing utility plans and provides options for addressing challenges

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Surface Roughness in Face Turning of Large-Diameter Parts

The roughness in face turning of large-diameter cylindrical parts is experimentally studied. Parts made of materials that differ in machinability are turned. Recommendations are made regarding the cutting conditions that ensure the elimination of buildup in the face turning of large-diameter parts.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Face-on Accretion System in High-mass Star Formation: Possible Dusty Infall Streams within 100 AU

We report on interferometric observations of a face-on accretion system around the high-mass young stellar object, G353.273+0.641. The innermost accretion system of 100 au radius was resolved in a 45 GHz continuum image taken with the Jansky-Very Large Array. Our spectral energy distribution analysis indicated that the continuum could be explained by optically thick dust emission. The total mass of the dusty system is ∼0.2 M {sub ☉} at minimum and up to a few M {sub ☉} depending on the dust parameters. 6.7 GHz CH{sub 3}OH masers associated with the same system were also observed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The masers showed a spiral-like, non-axisymmetric distribution with a systematic velocity gradient. The line-of-sight velocity field is explained by an infall motion along a parabolic streamline that falls onto the equatorial plane of the face-on system. The streamline is quasi-radial and reaches the equatorial plane at a radius of 16 au. This is clearly smaller than that of typical accretion disks in high-mass star formation, indicating that the initial angular momentum was very small, or the CH{sub 3}OH masers selectively trace accreting material that has small angular momentum. In the former case, the initial specific angular momentum is estimated to be 8 × 10{sup 20} (M{sub ∗}/10 M {sub ☉}){sup 0.5} cm{sup 2} s{sup −1}, or a significant fraction of the initial angular momentum was removed outside of 100 au. The physical origin of such a streamline is still an open question and will be constrained by the higher-resolution (∼10 mas) thermal continuum and line observations with ALMA long baselines.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Orbital Dynamics of Candidate Transitional Millisecond Pulsar 3FGL J1544.6-1125: An Unusually Face-on System

We present the orbital solution for the donor star of the candidate transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) 3FGL J1544.6-1125, currently observed as an accreting low-mass X-ray binary. The orbital period is 0.2415361(36) days, entirely consistent with the spectral classification of the donor star as a mid-to-late K dwarf. The semi-amplitude of the radial velocity curve is exceptionally low at K{sub 2}=39.3±1.5 km s{sup −1}, implying a remarkably face-on inclination in the range 5°–8°, depending on the neutron star and donor masses. After determining the veiling of the secondary, we derive a distance to the binary of 3.8 ± 0.7 kpc, yielding a 0.3–10 keV X-ray luminosity of 6.1±1.9×10{sup 33} erg s{sup −1}, similar to confirmed tMSPs. As face-on binaries rarely occur by chance, we discuss the possibility that Fermi-selected samples of transitional millisecond pulsars in the sub-luminous disk state are affected by beaming. By phasing emission line strength on the spectroscopic ephemeris, we find coherent variations, and argue that these variations are most consistent with emission from an asymmetric shock originating near the inner disk.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Data and figures for "Integrated modeling of boron powder injection for real-time plasma-facing component conditioning"

This dataset contains raw and processed data, as well as supplementary figures used in the paper titled "Integrated modeling of boron powder injection for real-time plasma-facing component conditioning." The data includes simulation results for boron transport and deposition in DIII-D tokamak scenarios, and processed plots. It provides insights into the effects of boron powder injection on plasma-facing component conditioning and surface composition.

ablative particle injection↗

Gas velocity and temperature near a liquid rocket injector face

The gas flow near the injector of a liquid propellant rocket was investigated by rapidly inserting butt-welded platinum-platinum rhodium thermocouples through the injector into the chamber. The transient responses of the thermocouples were analyzed to determine average gas temperatures and velocities. A method of fitting exponential curves to repeated measurements of the transient temperature at several positions near the injector face produced consistent results. Preliminary tests yielded gas flow directions and gas compositions at the injector face. Average gas temperatures were found to be between 3100 (1700) and 3500 F (1950 C) and the average gas velocities between 550 (170) and 840 feet/second (260 m/sec).

Boylan, D. M.↗

Face-seal lubrication: 1: Proposed and published models

The numerous published theories on the mechanism of hydrodynamic lubrication of face seals were reviewed. These theories employ either an inclined-slider-bearing macrogeometry or an inclined-slider-bearing microgeometry to produce hydrodynamic pressure that separates the surfaces of the primary seal. Secondary seal friction and primary ring inertia effects are not considered. Hypothetical seal operating models were devised to include secondary seal friction and primary ring inertia effects. It was hypothesized that these effects induce relative angular misalinement of the primary seal faces and that this misalinement is, in effect, an inclined slider macrogeometry. Stable running was postulated for some of these hypothetical operating models. In others, periodic loss of hydrodynamic lubrication was postulated to be possible with certain combinations of waviness and angular misalinement. Application of restrictions that apply to seal operation led to a hydrodynamic governing equation for the new model that is a two-dimensional, time-dependent Reynolds equation with the short-bearing approximation.

Ludwig, L. P.↗

Electron microscopic and optical studies of prism faces of synthetic quartz

Application of electron and optical microscopic techniques to the study of growth spirals on quartz crystal faces is described. Attention is centered on the centers of the spirals and on screw ledges; overhanging kinks are revealed on one side of the spiral centers. The possibility that these special features may have developed after growth of the crystals went to completion is explored. The conjecture is raised that such structures might result from adsorption of growth-inhibiting impurities at the center of the growth spiral on the quartz habit faces.

Buzek, B. C.↗

Effects of grazing flow on the steady-state flow resistance and acoustic impedance of thin porous-faced liners

The effects of grazing flow on the steady state flow resistance and acoustic impedance of seven Feltmetal and three Rigimesh thin porous faced liners were studied. The steady-state flow resistance of the ten specimens was measured using standard fluid mechanical experimental techniques. The acoustic impedance was measured using the two microphone method. The principal findings of the study are that the effects of grazing flow were measured and found to be small; small differences were measured between steady-state and acoustic resistance, and a semi-empirical model was derived that correlated the steady-state resistance data of the seven Feltmetal liners and the face sheet reactance of both the Feltmetal and Rigimesh liners.

Hersh, A. S.↗

Flight-measured pressure characteristics of aft-facing steps in thick boundary layer flow for transonic and supersonic Mach numbers

Aft-facing step base pressure flight data were obtained for three step heights for nominal transonic Mach numbers of 0.80, 0.90, and 0.95, and for supersonic Mach numbers of 2.2, 2.5, and 2.8 with a Reynolds number, based on the fuselage length ahead of the step, of about 10 to the 8th power. Surface static pressures were measured ahead of the step, behind the step, and on the step face (base), and a boundary layer rake was used to obtain boundary layer reference conditions. A comparison of the data from the present and previous experiments shows the same trend of increasing base pressure ratio (decreasing drag) with increasing values of momentum thickness to step height ratios. However, the absolute level of these data does not always agree at the supersonic Mach numbers. For momentum thickness to height ratios near 1.0, the differences in the base pressure ratios appear to be primarily a function of Reynolds number based on the momentum thickness. Thus, for Mach numbers above 2, the data analyzed show that the base pressure ratio decreases (drag increases) as Reynolds number based on momentum thickness increases for a given momentum thickness and step height.

Powers, S. G.↗