cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamics-Based Health Monitoring of Wind Turbine Rotor Blades Using Integrated Inertial Sensors

By analyzing the rotor structural dynamic response of a wind turbine, this research aims to improve decision making in operation and maintenance. To illustrate the potential of this measurement technique, a horizontal axis wind turbine test-bed is used to experimentally simulate the rotor structural dynamic response to uniform flow as well as horizontal and vertical shear flow across the rotor plane. The structural dynamic characteristics of the wind turbine rotor are described in the context of modal analysis where each mode of vibration occurs at a particular frequency with a particular modal deflection shape. These deflection shapes facilitate the effectiveness with which a given aerodynamic load couples into the rotor to produce mechanical power in addition to vibrations of the rotor. Operational modal analysis is used to explore the effects of changes in the wind state on the sensitivity of condition monitoring data to two types of damages in the turbine rotor, ice accretion and blade root cracking. Additionally, the degree to which various damage mechanisms can be identified in the presence of yaw and pitch set points is analyzed. It is shown that certain frequencies in the measured response using the flap, edgewise, and span directions of the wind turbine are sensitive to a change in condition of the rotor for use in detecting that type of damage. By analyzing the changes in the modal response amplitudes, the type of damage present in the rotor system can also be classified.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Remodeling of synaptic structures in the motor cortex following spinal cord injury

After spinal cord injury (SCI), structural reorganization occurs at multiple levels of the motor system including the motor cortex, and this remodeling may underlie recovery of motor function. The present study determined whether SCI leads to a remodeling of synaptic structures in the motor cortex. Dendritic spines in the rat motor cortex were visualized by confocal microscopy in fixed slices, and their density and morphology were analyzed after an overhemisection injury at C4 level. Spine density decreased at 7 days and partially recovered by 28 days. Spine head diameter significantly increased in a layer-specific manner. SCI led to a higher proportion of longer spines especially at 28 days, resulting in a roughly 10% increase in mean spine length. In addition, filopodium-like long dendritic protrusions were more frequently observed after SCI, suggesting an increase in synaptogenic events. This spine remodeling was accompanied by increased expression of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule, which attenuates adhesion between the pre- and postsynaptic membranes, in the motor cortex from as early as 3 days to 2 weeks after injury, suggesting a decrease in synaptic adhesion during the remodeling process. These results demonstrate time-dependent changes in spine density and morphology in the motor cortex following SCI. This synaptic remodeling seems to proceed with a time scale ranging from days to weeks. Elongation of dendritic spines may indicate a more immature and modifiable pattern of synaptic connectivity in the motor cortex being reorganized following SCI.
Simulation and optimization of the NSLS-II SRX beamline combining ray-tracing and wavefront propagation

The Sub-micron Resolution X-ray spectroscopy (SRX) beamline will benefit from the ultralow emittance of the National Synchrotron Light Source II to address a wide variety of scientific applications studying heterogeneous systems at the sub-micrometer scale. This work focuses on the KB branch (ΔE: 4.65-28 keV). Its main optical components include a horizontally focusing mirror forming an adjustable secondary source, a horizontally deflecting monochromator and two sets of Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors as focusing optics of two distinct inline stations for operations requiring either high flux or high resolution. In the first approach, the beamline layout was optimized with ray-tracing calculations involving Shadowvui computer codes. As a result, the location and characteristics of optics were specified for achieving either the most intense or the smallest monochromatic beam possible on the target (1013 ph/s or 1012 ph/s respectively in a 500 nm or 65 nm focal spot). At the nanoprobe station, the diffraction limited focusing of X-rays is governed by the beam coherence. Hence, a classical geometric approach is not anymore adapted. To get reliable estimates of the Nanoprobe performances, a wavefront propagation study was performed using Synchrotron Radiation Workshop (SRW) code. At 7.2 keV, calculations show an intense (1012 ph/s) 67 nm wide diffraction limited spot achieved with actual metrological data of mirrors.
A task-based comparison of two reconstruction algorithms for digital breast tomosynthesis

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) generates 3-D reconstructions of the breast by taking X-Ray projections at various angles around the breast. DBT improves cancer detection as it minimizes tissue overlap that is present in traditional 2-D mammography. In this work, two methods of reconstruction, filtered backprojection (FBP) and the Newton-Raphson iterative reconstruction were used to create 3-D reconstructions from phantom images acquired on a breast tomosynthesis system. The task based image analysis method was used to compare the performance of each reconstruction technique. The task simulated a 10mm lesion within the breast containing iodine concentrations between 0.0mg/ml and 8.6mg/ml. The TTF was calculated using the reconstruction of an edge phantom, and the NPS was measured with a structured breast phantom (CIRS 020) over different exposure levels. The detectability index d’ was calculated to assess image quality of the reconstructed phantom images. Image quality was assessed for both conventional, single energy and dual energy subtracted reconstructions. Dose allocation between the high and low energy scans was also examined. Over the full range of dose allocations, the iterative reconstruction yielded a higher detectability index than the FBP for single energy reconstructions. For dual energy subtraction, detectability index was maximized when most of the dose was allocated to the high energy image. With that dose allocation, the performance trend for reconstruction algorithms reversed; FBP performed better than the corresponding iterative reconstruction. However, FBP performance varied very erratically with changing dose allocation. Therefore, iterative reconstruction is preferred for both imaging modalities despite underperforming dual energy FBP, as it provides stable results.
The Anglophone Toponyms Associated with John Smith's Description and Map of New England

AbstractThis article clarifies a well-known but hitherto unexamined phenomenon: the Anglophone toponyms imposed on Captain John Smith's map, New England ([1617]). It explains names that are otherwise obscure to modern historians and geographers, it considers the pattern of the new toponyms, and it allocates responsibility for the names not only to the future Charles I but also to Smith himself. It also lists the indigenous place and polity names recorded by Smith in his Description of New England (1616). It concludes with a cautionary tale concerning historiographic presumptions about the map's efficacy in shaping the adoption of toponyms by subsequent English colonists.
Interaction with membranes of cytochrome c554 from Nitrosomonas europaea.

Abstract Twoc-cytochromes extrinsically bound to the membranes ofNitrosomonas europaeahave been identified. One is the tetraheme cytochromec554, a protein previously described as soluble and periplasmic. Depending on the concentration of Fe and Cu in the growth medium, from 50 to 100% of the total cellular cytochromec554 is membrane-associated. The cytochromesc554 found in the soluble or membrane fractions are identical in the spectroscopic, chromatographic, or primary structural properties examined. The interaction of cytochromec554 with membranes is ionic in nature; it is disrupted by high concentrations of salt. Both membrane-derived and periplasmic forms of cytochromec554 rebind tightly to membranes which have been washed free of the cytochrome. Cytochromec554 binds to phospholipid vesicles, suggesting that phospholipids may play a role in the interaction of this cytochrome with the membrane. During the oxidation of NH2OH, the ability of the soluble hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) to transfer electrons to its natural electron acceptor, cytochromec554, is substantially impaired when the latter is bound to phospholipid vesicles. The secondc-cytochrome associated with membranes inN. europaeais identified as HAO based on its catalytic activity and the presence of a 464-nm ferrous absorption band. A small fraction of HAO is found to be membrane-bound and only in cells grown under low Fe/low Cu. This subpopulation of HAO can be released from the membranes without detergents.
Operational sex ratio versus gender density as determinants of copulation duration in the walnut fly, Rhagoletis juglandis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

In laboratory and field studies of the walnut fly, Rhagoletis juglandis Cresson (Diptera: Tephritidae), we assessed the effect of operational sex ratio on copulation duration and partitioned the sex ratio effect into component effects due to male density and female density. In our first laboratory experiment, results were clearly consistent with theoretical expectation: increases in male density were associated with significant increases in copulation duration while increases in female density were associated with significant decreases in copulation duration. These component effects yielded a striking composite effect of operational sex ratio (OSR) on copulation duration in which male-biased ratios were associated with low frequencies of short copulations and female-biased ratios were associated with high frequencies of short copulations. Consistent with a priori expectations concerning costs of territorial behavior, the effect of male density on copulation duration was stronger than that of female density. There was no significant interaction between the effects of gender density on copulation duration: each gender density contributed additively to the composite OSR effect on copulation duration. In contrast to the effect of OSR, overall density had little effect. Field data corroborated these findings fully and showed additionally that OSR in the vicinity of fruit tended in nature to be male-biased. In a second laboratory experiment, we measured copulation duration for individuals exposed alternately to male-biased and female-biased ratios. Individual flies consistently copulated for longer in male-biased environments than in female-biased ones. We propose that this plasticity permits individuals to track changes in local sex ratio over space and time and respond appropriately.
Phonon renormalization effects in an itinerant electron ferromagnet

Abstract Phonon renormalization of the magnon energy of an itinerant electron ferromagnet is investigated via a Green-function treatment of the transverse dynamical susceptibility. The itinerant electron model is extended to include the effects of phonons through the one-electron hopping integrals and the resulting Hamiltonian is used in an equation of motion analysis which yields the renormalized magnon dispersion relation as the pole of the susceptibility. The magnon energy is examined for a completely aligned ferromagnet with parabolic band structure and the lowest-order corrections are found to be second order in the electron-phonon interaction parameter. In the presence of phonons the magnons exhibit a reciprocal lifetime which varies quadratically with wave vector for long-wavelength excitations. The low-temperature behavior of the corrections to the magnon energy is found to be associated with the thermal excitation of electrons across the Fermi surface.
Antagonism by methotrexate on mercaptopurine disposition in lymphoblasts during up-front treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Methotrexate is postulated to enhance mercaptopurine activation to thioguanine (INN, tioguanine) nucleotides, but the interaction has never been studied in vivo in cancer cells. Methods: We investigated the effect of methotrexate on mercaptopurine disposition in plasma and leukemic blasts during up-front treatment of 233 children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Children were randomized to receive intravenous mercaptopurine (1 g/m2 over a 6-hour period) or to receive methotrexate (low dose, 6 oral doses of 30 mg/m2, or high dose, 1 g/m2 intravenously), followed by intravenous mercaptopurine. All combinations have been previously used in frontline trials for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Results: Compared with mercaptopurine alone, methotrexate resulted in higher plasma mercaptopurine concentrations (30.3 ± 14.7 μmol/L versus 23.5 ± 18.0 μmol/L, P < .001) but, conversely, a 13-fold lower thioguanine nucleotide concentration (0.57 ± 0.66 pmol/5 × 106 cells versus 7.4 ± 15.2 pmol/5 × 106 cells, P < .001) in bone marrow leukemic lymphoblasts. Methotrexate was also associated with higher plasma hypoxanthine concentrations compared with those of patients given mercaptopurine alone (8.7 ± 13.5 μmol/L versus 3.8 ± 2.5 μmol/L, P = .029). The percentage change in leukocyte counts measured over a 3-day period showed that mercaptopurine alone had little effect (mean decrease, 20% ± 33%). In contrast, despite causing lower intracellular thiopurine active metabolite concentrations, methotrexate produced a greater decrease in leukocyte counts (mean, 53% ± 35%) compared with those in patients receiving mercaptopurine alone (P < .0001). Conclusion: These pharmacologic findings in the target tissue are consistent with the recently demonstrated lack of clinical benefit of intravenous mercaptopurine in combination with methotrexate. We conclude that, in the setting of newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, methotrexate antagonizes thiopurine metabolite disposition in leukemic blasts after intravenous mercaptopurine. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, 506–516; doi: 10.1016/S0009-9236(03)00063-8
Arabidopsis thaliana MSI4/FVE associates with members of a novel family of plant specific PWWP/RRM domain proteins.

AtMSI4/FVE/ACG1, one of five Arabidopsis thaliana genes encoding MSI1-like proteins, helps determine plant growth and development (including control of flowering), as well as responses to certain biotic and abiotic stresses. We reasoned that the product of this gene, AtMSI4, acts through protein partners, which we have co-immunopurified with AtMSI4 from A. thaliana suspension culture cells and identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Many of the proteins associated with AtMSI4 have distinct RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains, which we determined to be responsible for association with AtMSI4; and most of the associated RRM domain proteins also contain PWWP domains that are specific to plants. We propose these novel ATMSI4-associated proteins help form nucleoprotein complexes that determine pleiotropic functional properties of AtMSI4/FVE/ACG1 involving plant development and responses to stress.
Design of a planar multiband Sierpinski E-shaped carpet antenna with CPW fed for multi standard wireless terminals

In this paper Sierpinski E-Carpet antenna based on the implementation of fractal technique is proposed for multiband applications in 2-10 GHz band. There appeared 5 resonant frequencies at 2.35 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 5.503 GHz, 7.248GHz, and 8.79GHz for 2nd iteration. From the return loss plot it is seen that antenna achieved the IEEE Bluetooth/WLAN (2.4-2.484 GHz), WiMAX (3.4-3.69 GHz) and WIFI (5.1-5.825 GHz) frequency band with -10dB return loss. Also nearly omni-directional radiation pattern is observed. A prototype of the design is successfully implemented with close agreement between measurement and simulation result.
Effect of protein and energy sources and bulk density of diets on growth performance of chicks

Four completely randomized designed experiments (EXP) were conducted to determine the effect of energy, amino acid (AA) levels, and bulk density of diets on growth performance of chicks fed diets containing corn (C) or cornstarch:dextrose (CD) as energy sources and soybean meal (SBM) or soy protein isolate (SPI) as protein sources. The chicks were fed C-SBM diets 6 to 8 d posthatching before allotment to treatment, and the assay periods ranged from 7 to 14 d. Initial weights were 86, 93, 94, and 71 g in EXP 1 to 4, respectively. Treatments were replicated 6 to 8 times with 4, 5, or 6 chicks per replicate. In EXP 1, the treatments were 1) C-SBM (1.26% Lys and 3,200 kcal of ME/kg); 2) CD-SPI (1.26% Lys and 3,460 kcal of ME/kg); 3) CD-SPI (1.36% Lys and 3,460 kcal of ME/kg); and 4) CD-SPI (1.26% Lys and 3,200 kcal of ME/kg). The AA in all diets were increased in proportion to Lys. In EXP 2, chicks were fed C or CD as the energy source and SBM or SPI as the protein source in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. In EXP 3, the treatments were 1) C-SBM (1.26% Lys and 3,200 kcal of ME/kg); 2) CD-SPI (1.26% Lys and 3,200 kcal of ME/kg); 3) Diet 1 limit-fed to chicks consuming 90% of Diet 2; 4) Diet 2 limit-fed to chicks consuming 90% of Diet 2. In EXP 4, Diets 1 and 2 were the same as Diets 1 and 2 in EXP 3, but fed in mash or pelleted form. In all EXP, chicks with access ad libitum to diets with SPI had decreased (P 0.05) on ADG, ADFI, or gain:feed. In EXP 3, ADG was decreased in chicks fed the diets with SPI relative to those fed diets with SBM, but the decrease was much greater in chicks that had access ad libitum to feed (protein source x feed intake, P < 0.01) than in those limit-fed to the same feed intake. In EXP 4, ADG, ADFI, and gain:feed were decreased (P < 0.01) in chicks fed diets with SPI as the protein source. Pelleting increased (P < 0.01) ADG, ADFI, and gain:feed regardless of protein source, but the increase was much greater in chicks fed the diets with SPI (protein source x feed form, P < 0.01). Results from these EXP indicate that diets with SPI compared with SBM do not result in maximum growth performance in commercial broilers, and the problem may be due somewhat to nutrient deficiency but more to the physical form of the diet.
Swallowing apnea as a function of airway closure.

The purpose of this research was to ascertain whether the existence of swallowing apnea (SA) was the sole result of glottic closure or the result of its own neural mechanism. Forty individuals served as participants. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of 10 individuals with laryngectomy less than one year and 10 individuals greater than one year, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 comprised 20 individuals who were age- and gender-matched to Groups 1 and 2. SA duration (SAD) was acquired during saliva swallows and 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-ml water boluses. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine mean differences in SAD as a function of group and bolus volume. Significant main effects of group and bolus volume were found and a significant interaction of group × bolus volume was found. In post-hoc analyses, both groups with laryngectomy exhibited statistically longer SADs than control groups. In single-df comparisons, the laryngectomy group over one year exhibited significantly shorter SADs on smaller versus larger bolus volumes. Even though SA is theoretically no longer needed in individuals with laryngectomy, the presence of SA remained in both groups with laryngectomy. Thus, these results support the hypothesis that SA is the result of its own neural command.
NADPH oxidase 4 induces cardiac arrhythmic phenotype in zebrafish

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cardiac arrhythmia, although a causal relationship remains undefined. We have recently demonstrated a marked up-regulation of NADPH oxidase isoform 4 (NOX4) in patients with atrial fibrillation, which is accompanied by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the impact on the cardiac phenotype of NOX4 overexpression in zebrafish. One-cell stage embryos were injected with NOX4 RNA prior to video recording of a GFP-labeled (myl7:GFP zebrafish line) beating heart in real time at 24–31 h post-fertilization. Intriguingly, NOX4 embryos developed cardiac arrhythmia that is characterized by irregular heartbeats. When quantitatively analyzed by an established LQ-1 program, the NOX4 embryos displayed much more variable beat-to-beat intervals (mean S.D. of beat-to-beat intervals was 0.027 s/beat in control embryos versus 0.038 s/beat in NOX4 embryos). Both the phenotype and the increased ROS in NOX4 embryos were attenuated by NOX4 morpholino co-injection, treatments of the embryos with polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase, or NOX4 inhibitors fulvene-5, 6-dimethylamino-fulvene, and proton sponge blue. Injection of NOX4-P437H mutant RNA had no effect on the cardiac phenotype or ROS production. In addition, phosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II was increased in NOX4 embryos but diminished by polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase, whereas its inhibitor KN93 or AIP abolished the arrhythmic phenotype. Taken together, our data for the first time uncover a novel pathway that underlies the development of cardiac arrhythmia, namely NOX4 activation, subsequent NOX4-specific NADPH-driven ROS production, and redox-sensitive CaMKII activation. These findings may ultimately lead to novel therapeutics targeting cardiac arrhythmia.
Size distribution as a measure of dispersant performanceA paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental and Engineering Science.

Study of the chemical dispersion of crude oil using size distribution methods can provide important information needed for oil-spill response strategy, which is lacking in the more commonly used mass–concentration methods. Therefore, identification of a reliable method or methods that can provide accurate information regarding droplet size and the mass of oil dispersed is necessary. This research compared four such methods. Gravimetric analysis of the oil mass dispersed was biased low due to loss of volatile components, whereas UV spectroscopy provided accurate results. Size–distribution data obtained using an optical particle counter (OPC) produced accurate estimates of oil mass dispersed, but microscopic examination produced inaccurate and poorly reproducible estimates. Although size–distribution metrics (e.g., estimates of the mean diameter of the size distribution) produced by the two methods were similar, microscopic examination gave unreliable estimates of the number concentration of dispersed oil d...
Development of a small animal peripheral challenge model of Japanese encephalitis virus using interferon deficient AG129 mice and the SA14-14-2 vaccine virus strain

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the most common cause of viral encephalitis in Asia, and it is increasingly a global public health concern due to its recent geographic expansion. While commercial vaccines are available and used in some endemic countries, JEV continues to be a public health problem, with 50,000 cases reported annually. Research with virulent JEV in mouse models to develop new methods of prevention and treatment is restricted to BSL-3 containment facilities, confining these studies to investigators with access to these facilities. We have developed an adult small animal peripheral challenge model using interferon-deficient AG129 mice and the JEV live-attenuated vaccine SA14-14-2, thus requiring only BSL-2 containment. A low dose of virus (10PFU/0.1ml) induced 100% morbidity in infected mice. Increased body temperatures measured by implantable temperature transponders correlated with an increase in infectious virus and viral RNA in serum, spleen and brain as well as an increase in pro-inflammatory markers measured by a 58-biomarker multi-analyte profile (MAP) constructed during the course of infection. In the future, the MAP measurements can be used as a baseline for comparison in order to better assess the inhibition of disease progression by other prophylactic and therapeutic agents. The use of the AG129/JEV SA14-14-2 animal model makes vaccine and therapeutic studies feasible for laboratories with limited biocontainment facilities.
Spatial context influences patch residence time in foraging hierarchies.

Understanding responses of organisms to spatial heterogeneity in resources has emerged as a fundamentally important challenge in contemporary ecology. We examined responses of foraging herbivores to multi-scale heterogeneity in plants. We asked the question, “Is the behavior observed at coarse scales in a patch hierarchy the collective outcome of fine scale behaviors or, alternatively, does the spatial context at coarse scales entrain fine scale behavior?” To address this question we created a nested, two-level patch hierarchy. We examined the effects of the spatial context surrounding a patch on the amount of time herbivores resided in the patch. We developed a set of competing models predicting residence time as a function of the mass of plants contained in a patch and the distance between patches and examined the strength of evidence in our observations for these models. Models that included patch mass and inter-patch distance as independent variables successfully predicted observed residence times (bears: r2=0.67–0.76 and mule deer: r2=0.33–0.55). Residence times of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) responded to the spatial context surrounding a patch. Evidence ratios of Akaike weights demonstrated that models containing effects of higher levels in the hierarchy on residence time at lower levels received up to 34 times more support in the data than models that failed to consider the higher level context for grizzly bears and up to 48 times more support for mule deer. We conclude that foraging by large herbivores is influenced by more than one level of heterogeneity in patch hierarchies and that simple empirical models offer a viable alternative to optimal foraging models for the prediction of patch residence times.
Runx3/AML2/Cbfa3 Regulates Early and Late Chondrocyte Differentiation

We studied the expression and function of Runx3 during chondrogenesis and chondrocyte maturation. We found that Runx3 is essential for mediating the early stage of endochondral ossification through cooperation with other Runx family members. Introduction: Runx proteins are spatially and temporally co-expressed during skeletal formation. A cooperative and/or redundant function between these factors was postulated, yet the mechanisms underlying these cooperative effects are unknown. Materials and Methods: Expression patterns of Runx3 transcripts were assessed during mouse embryonic developments and limb bud—derived mesenchymal cell differentiation into mature chondrocytes by real-time RT-PCR. Runx3 protein distribution was also determined by immunohistochemistry in mouse embryos. Runx3 gain and loss of function was performed through overexpression and siRNA knockdown of Runx3 into the limb bud—derived cell line MLB13MYC clone17, respectively. Co-transfection experiments were performed in clone 17 cells using the Runx1 promoter and Runx3 cDNA. Promoter activity was measured by luciferase reporter assay. Results: Both Runx3 isoforms are significantly upregulated at the onset of cartilage mineralization and bone formation in E15.5 mice. This upregulation follows that of Sox9 and is concomitant with that of alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, Runx3 expression remains high during later stages of embryonic development when the levels of osteocalcin are maximal. We determined the expression patterns of Runx3 during chondrogenesis and chondrocyte maturation using mouse limb bud—derived micromass cultures between days 3 and 21. Whereas Runx3 mRNAs are progressively upregulated between days 3 and 14, it is dramatically downregulated at day 21. Markers of chondrocyte maturation alkaline phosphatase and type X collagen are upregulated and maintained throughout the 21 days of culture. Runx3 role in mediating chondrocyte terminal differentiation through gain and loss of function in MLB13MYC clone17 shows that Runx3 regulates both early and late markers of chondrocyte maturation. Finally, Runx3 transcriptionally inhibits Runx1 expression in chondrocytes. Conclusions: We show a role for Runx3 in mediating stage-specific chondrocyte maturation. Our study clearly suggests that, whereas Runx3 may cooperate with Runx2 to induce chondrocyte terminal differentiation, it inhibits Runx1 expression during late maturation.
Cognitive Reserve and Lifestyle

The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) suggests that innate intelligence or aspects of life experience like educational or occupational attainments may supply reserve, in the form of a set of skills or repertoires that allows some people to cope with progressing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology better than others. There is epidemiological evidence that lifestyle characterized by engagement in leisure activities of intellectual and social nature is associated with slower cognitive decline in healthy elderly and may reduce the risk of incident dementia. There is also evidence from functional imaging studies that subjects engaging in such leisure activities can clinically tolerate more AD pathology. It is possible that aspects of life experience like engagement in leisure activities may result in functionally more efficient cognitive networks and therefore provide a CR that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of dementia.
Evolution and Variation of the Yeast (Saccharomyces) Genome

In this review we describe the role of the yeast Saccharomyces in the development of human societies including the use of this organism in the making of wine, bread, beer, and distilled beverages. We also discuss the tremendous diversity of yeast found in natural (i.e., noninoculated) wine fermentations and the scientific uses of yeast over the past 60 years. In conclusion, we present ideas on the model of "genome renewal" and the use of this model to explain the mode by which yeast has evolved and how diversity can be generated.
Conformational Intermediates in the Production of the Combinable Form of the β-Subunit of Chorionic Gonadotropin

Human trophoblastic cells synthesize and secrete hCG as well as uncombined forms of the a- and β-subunits of hCG. We have previously reported that the rate-limiting step in aβ-dimer assembly in cultured JAR choriocarcinoma cells is a conformational change in β-subunit accompanied by the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds. We now report on the intermediate steps in the acquisition of this combinable conformation by the β-subunit. The earliest biosynthetically labeled form of β detected in JAR cells is a precursor termed pβ1 that lacks at least one of the intramolecular disulfide bonds found in mature β-subunit, that does not combine with a-subunit, and that does not react with a monoclonal antibody specific for free β. The pβ precursor rapidly assumes (within 5 min) a new conformation termed pβ2 that, in contrast to pβ1, migrates more slowly on nonreduced sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, combines with α to form the hCG dimer, and reacts with the monoclonal anti-free β antibody. Pulse-ch...
Working Memory Constraints on the Resolution of Lexical Ambiguity: Maintaining Multiple Interpretations in Neutral Contexts

This paper proposes a model of how working memory capacity constrains a reader′s ability to maintain multiple interpretations of a lexical ambiguity during reading comprehension. The model predicts that readers with a large working memory capacity (high-span readers) can maintain multiple interpretations of an unresolved lexical ambiguity longer than those with a small working memory capacity (low- span readers). In Experiment 1, subjects read sentences in which a homograph was preceded by neutral contexts and disambiguated much later, as in Since Ken really liked the boxer, he took a bus to the nearest pet store to buy the animal. Consistent with the model′s prediction, when the target homograph had one highly frequent meaning, high-span readers showed little effect of ambiguity on encountering the disambiguation, irrespective of which interpretation of the homograph (dominant or subordinate) turned out to be correct, suggesting that they had both interpretations readily available. In contrast, low-span readers showed a large ambiguity effect when the disambiguation was in favor of the subordinate interpretation, suggesting that they had only the dominant interpretation available. Experiment 2 showed that even mid-span readers were able to maintain multiple interpretations provided that the disambiguation occurred soon enough, further illustrating working memory constraints on ambiguity resolution.
Protein, casein, and noncasein protein percentages in milk with high somatic cell counts.

More than 1000 milk samples of individual cows with somatic cell counts ranging from 20,000 to 20,000,000 per ml were analyzed by amido black dye binding for total protein, whey protein, and casein. Ten classes of varying somatic cell counts were established. The mean total protein percentage for normal samples (counts <500,000/ml) was 3.2% and different from all the other protein class means, ranging from 3.4 to 3.9%. Total protein content increased with somatic cell count. There was no significant difference among any of the ten classes for casein values. Whey protein percentages for normal samples were different from the rest. Whey protein content increased with somatic cell count.
Politics Versus Policy in Public Works Grants A Critical Test of the Simple Model

It is commonly accepted that members of Congress influence federal agencies informally, and that in turn the federal agencies strategically accommodate members of Congress. However, in recent years allegations of accommodation of congressional interests by federal agencies has been met with some skepticism. In this study I frame a critical test of the informal gains of U.S. House subcommittee members and leaders against that of substantive policy criteria in the awarding of distributive grants, specifically with respect to the Title I public works program of the Economic Development Administration during the period from 1978 to 1982. Utilizing a multinomial probit model of grant distributions to House members' districts, I find no substan tively strong or statistically significant "political benefits" for subcommittee members. However, subcommittee leaders are found to receive political benefits only during the critical test, and only enough to return the flow of grants to that which prevailed before the ...
Blue Nevus and Its Distinction from Mongolian Spot and the Nevus of Ota

Blue nevus (nevus blau) was first described by Tieche (1), a pupil of Jadassohn, in 1906. However, similar lesions had been described previously as “chromato-phoromas” by Riecke, in 1903, and as “melanofibromas” by Kreibich, according to Miescher (2). This lesion formerly has been regarded as uncommon or rare, yet one of us (Montgomery) has seen more than 500 cases, in half of which the diagnosis has been proved histologically. That blue nevi are not recognized more frequently may result from their confusion with ordinary pigmented nevi or because of the mistaken diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Nevertheless, Steg-maier and one of us (Montgomery) (3), in a study of nevi in children, found no example of blue nevus in 459 consecutive patients, and Pratt (4), in a tabulation of birthmarks among 879 white and 217 Negro newborn children found no blue nevi 1 week after birth in spite of the fact that 131 Negro children had Mongolian spots.
Void properties in silicon heavily doped with arsenic and phosphorus

Grown-in voids in silicon are strongly affected by donor dopants. For As-doped wafers, voids (revealed as light-scattering surface defects observed after cleaning) show a pronounced increase in their density up to [As] = 1.7 × 1019 cm−3, but at higher [As] the void density drops sharply. A similar behaviour was found for P-doped wafers where a sharp drop occurs at [P] > 2.9 × 1019 cm−3. Such a dependence is accounted for by an effect of minor impurity species: vacancy-impurity complexes (trapped vacancies) and interstitial impurity atoms (trapped self-interstitials). The total incorporated concentration of the vacancy species is first incremented due to the trapped vacancies. At higher impurity concentrations, it is reduced due to an increased contribution of negatively charged interstitial impurity species. The simulated dependence of void density and size on the impurity concentration is well consistent with the experimental data.
Constraints on the origin of Archean trondhjemites based on phase relationships of Nûk gneiss with H2O at 15 kbar

We report the T-X(H2O) phase relations for the trondhjemitic Nuk gneiss which comprises the principal component of the second phase of Archean (3.0–2.8 by) igneous activity in the Godthab region of southwestern Greenland. A pressure of 15 kbar was chosen to place constraints on possible protoliths for trondhjemitic melts at lower crustal depths. Under H2O-saturated conditions, a melting interval of ∼135° C separates the solidus at ∼610° C from the liquidus at 745° C. H2O-saturation at 15 kbar occurs at approximately 15.5 wt % H2O. The H2O-undersaturated liquidus extends along a curved path from ∼745° C at 15.5 wt % H2O to ∼1100° C at 2% H2O. Lower H2O contents were not investigated. At low H2O contents ( 7%), mafic residues consisting of some combination of Hb, Ga, Ep, and Bi are possible and could correspond to amphibolitic source rocks. At lower melt H2O contents (< 5%), possible residues consist of Na-Pl+Qz±Ga and could correspond to an earlier generation of tonalitic-trondhjemitic rocks. However, such residues would not impart the highly fractionated REE patterns characteristic of Archean trondhjemites. If a first generation of tonalitic-trondhjemitic melts was generated by higher pressure partial fusion of eclogite and emplaced at 55 km depth, it would crystallize to an assemblage consisting almost entirely of Na-Pl+Qz with highly fractionated REE patterns. These rocks in turn could be partially melted to yield a second generation of trondhjemites which would inherit the highly fractionated REE patterns because neigher Pl nor Qz is capable of significantly fractionating HREE from LREE.
Finding axes of skewed symmetry

A bilaterally symmetric figure on an arbitrarily oriented plane viewed under orthographic projection yields a “skew symmetric” figure whose axes of symmetry and skew constrain the orientation of the underlying plane. Detection of skewed symmetries and extraction of axis orientations constitute a necessary practical issue that has not received much attention. We develop a strong necessary condition on the axes of symmetry and skew in a planar skew symmetric figure which constrains, them to lie on a one-dimensional locus in a two-dimensional space of orientation pairs. The practicality of our technique is demonstrated with illustrations from an experimental testbed. A heuristic symmetry evaluator is used in conjunction with our constraint to determine axes of skewed symmetry.
Deactivation and stability of K-CoMoSx mixed alcohol synthesis catalysts

Abstract Potassium-promoted cobalt molybdenum sulfide (K-CoMoSx) mixed alcohol synthesis catalysts were operated from 118 to 3969 h for the purpose of studying catalyst deactivation. Continuous and discontinuous sulfiding with H2S and methyl sulfides was considered. Fresh and discharged catalysts were analyzed via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). When continuously sulfided, selectivity was maintained for thousands of hours. Without sulfur cofeed, catalysts exhibited a change in selectivity from alcohols to hydrocarbons over periods of hundreds of hours. Sulfur deprivation resulted in oxidization, carburization, and coking of the catalyst surface and segregation of cobalt into crystalline Co9S8. It is suggested that in the absence of a sulfiding agent, the catalyst surface becomes more acidic (oxidized) promoting dehydration of alcohols (selectivity change) and coking (blocking active sites). Reintroduction of H2S may reverse oxidation on non-coked surfaces. Proper sulfur maintenance may render catalysts operable for years without need of regeneration or replacement.
Increased Stability of Self‐Concept in Students Served by a College Counseling Center

Subjects were 18 undergraduates who were clients of a college counseling service and 25 controls matched for age, IQ, and honesty of self-report. Hypotheses tested were: (a) that at the beginning of treatment experimental clients (group E) would show more variability of self-concept on a test-retest questionnaire (with a week intervening between testing) than would controls (group C); and (b) that eight weeks after the second testing group E would show significantly increased stability on test-retest with an alternate form questionnaire while group C would not show similar changes. Both hypotheses were confirmed beyond the .05 level of confidence. Increased stability of self-concept should follow psychotherapy because of increased self-understanding and abandonment of unrealistic self-referrent ideas. Results were interpreted as supporting Rogers' concept of essential changes in psychotherapy and offering a promising method for assessing effects of therapy. Suggestions for further research are made.
A 40 GHz 2.1 V static frequency divider in SiGe using a low-voltage latch topology

An alternative low-voltage latch topology based on switched emitter followers is proposed, and its characteristics are compared to a traditional current-mode latch. A static 1:8 frequency divider based on this latch is implemented in a SiGe BiCMOS technology with f/sub T/=120 GHz. The divider operates at a maximum frequency of 42 GHz and consumes 160 mW from a 2.1 V power supply.
Optimal linear feedback control of bilinear systems

A new method for the design of the optimal linear feedback control of the general bilinear system is presented. The design procedure is based on the method of successive approximations. The linear feedback control obtained stabilizes the closed loop system and minimizes a quadratic performance criterion. >
Optimal Restocking Fees and Information Provision in an Integrated Demand-Supply Model of Product Returns

Product returns cost U.S. companies more than $100 billion annually. The cost and scale of returns management issues necessitate a deeper understanding of how to deal with product returns. We develop an analytical model that describes how consumer purchase and return decisions are affected by a seller's pricing and restocking fee policy. Taking into account the consumers' strategic behavior, we derive the seller's optimal policy as a function of consumer preferences, consumer uncertainty about product attributes, consumer hassle cost for returns, and the effectiveness of the seller's forward and reverse channel capability. We allow for two sources of consumer uncertainty and show how the seller may use its price and restocking fee as a means of targeting a segment of consumers who know their product consumption utilities. We find that even if it is possible to eliminate returns costlessly through the provision of information about the fit between consumer preferences and product characteristics, returns can nevertheless be part of an optimal product sales process. That is, we identify conditions under which it is (or is not) optimal to provide product fit information to consumers. We show that the marginal value of information to the seller is decreasing in the operational efficiency of the seller's forward and reverse logistics process as well as the level of product uncertainty. We identify the impact of multiple product options and sources of consumer uncertainty on the model's results. The analysis generates testable hypotheses about how consumer-level and seller-level parameters affect the return policies observed in the marketplace.
Multiplex spectroscopy of jet-cooled NO2

Abstract We report the multiplexing (use in tandem) of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) spectroscopies to probe jet-cooled NO 2 near 487 nm. We find that the multiplexing of these methods can be used to determine relative line strength factors and the ratio of populations in different energy levels, and to elucidate the transition dipole moment dependence of the DFWM signal.
Differential Response of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein–Positive Astrocytes in the Rat Prefrontal Cortex Following Ethanol Self‐Administration

Background Prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction is believed to contribute to the transition from controlled substance use to abuse. Because astrocytes have been suggested to play a key role in the development and maintenance of drug-seeking behaviors, we sought to determine whether PFC astrocytes are affected by ethanol (EtOH) self-administration. Methods EtOH consumption was modeled in rats by 3 self-administration paradigms where EtOH was made concurrently available with water in the home cage either continuously (CEA) or intermittently (IEA). In the third paradigm, EtOH was only available in the operant chamber (OEA). To avoid the potential confound of acute EtOH effects, all rats were sacrificed after either 24-hour or 3-week abstinence. In all groups, the effect of EtOH consumption on PFC astrocytes was measured using unbiased stereological counting of cells expressing the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). GFAP immunoreactivity commonly changes in response to pharmacological insult or injury. Results GFAP-positive astrocyte number increased in the prelimbic and anterior cingulate cortex regions of the PFC after IEA. No change was found in the infralimbic or orbitofrontal cortex after IEA. After 3-week abstinence, there was a reduction of astrocytes in the prelimbic and orbitofrontal cortex of the CEA cohort as well as a reduction in the orbitofrontal cortex of the OEA cohort. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that discrete PFC subregions contain GFAP-positive astrocyte populations that respond differentially to distinct EtOH consumption paradigms. A better understanding of how specific astrocyte populations uniquely adapt to EtOH consumption could provide insight for targeted therapeutic interventions.
Ambient air pollution and neurotoxicity on brain structure: Evidence from women's health initiative memory study

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the putative adverse effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5: PM with aerodynamic diameters <2.5μm) on brain volumes in older women. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 1,403 community-dwelling older women without dementia enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, 1996–1998. Structural brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed at the age of 71–89 years in 2005–2006 to obtain volumetric measures of gray matter (GM) and normal-appearing white matter (WM). Given residential histories and air monitoring data, we used a spatiotemporal model to estimate cumulative PM2.5 exposure in 1999–2006. Multiple linear regression was employed to evaluate the associations between PM2.5 and brain volumes, adjusting for intracranial volumes and potential confounders. Results Older women with greater PM2.5 exposures had significantly smaller WM, but not GM, volumes, independent of geographical region, demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyles, and clinical characteristics, including cardiovascular risk factors. For each interquartile increment (3.49μg/m3) of cumulative PM2.5 exposure, the average WM volume (WMV; 95% confidence interval) was 6.23cm3 (3.72–8.74) smaller in the total brain and 4.47cm3 (2.27–6.67) lower in the association areas, equivalent to 1 to 2 years of brain aging. The adverse PM2.5 effects on smaller WMVs were present in frontal and temporal lobes and corpus callosum (all p values <0.01). Hippocampal volumes did not differ by PM2.5 exposure. Interpretation PM2.5 exposure may contribute to WM loss in older women. Future studies are needed to determine whether exposures result in myelination disturbance, disruption of axonal integrity, damages to oligodendrocytes, or other WM neuropathologies. Ann Neurol 2015;78:466–476