Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Language-Related ERPs: Scalp Distributions and Modulation by Word Type and Semantic Priming

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from the scalp to investigate the processing of word stimuli. Three tasks were used: (1) a task comparing words that provided an anomalous or normal sentence ending, (2) a word-list task in which different word types were examined, and (3) a word-list task in which semantic priming was examined. ERPs were recorded from a 50-channel montage in an attempt to dissociate overlapping ERP features by their scalp distributions. The focus of these studies was the N400, an ERP previously associated with language processing (Kutas & Hillyard, 1980). The temporal interval typically associated with N400 (250500 msec) was found to contain overlapping ERP features. Two of these features were common to both sentence and word-list tasksbut one appeared different. Anomalous sentence endings and words with semantic content in lists both showed coincident negative left frontotemporal and midline-anterior ERP foci, peaking at 332 msec for sentences and 316 msec for word lists. The most negative voltage obtained in the sentence task peaked at 386 msec and had a midline-posterior focus. A right frontotemporal focus developed after the midline-posterior focus and outlasted its duration. The most negative voltage for content words in lists was reached at 364 msec. The distribution of this ERP was extensive over the midline and appeared to differ from that observed in the sentence task. Modulation of language-related ERPs by word type and semantic priming was investigated using the word-list tasks, which required category-detection responses. Two novel findings were obtained: (1) The ERP distributions for words serving grammatical function and content words differed substantially in word lists. Even when devoid of any sentence context, function words presented significantly attenuated measures of N400 compared to content words. These findings support hypotheses that suggest a differential processing of content and function words. (2) Semantic priming functionally dissociated two ERP features in the 250500 msec range. The later and most negative midline ERP feature (peaking at 364 msec) was attenuated by semantic priming. However, the earlier left frontotemporal feature (peaking at 316 msec) was enhanced by semantic priming. The isolation of this novel language-related ERF' that is sensitive to semantic manipulations has important consequences for temporal and mechanistic aspects of theories of language processing.
Improving Administrative Internship Programs: Perceptions of Illinois Principals.

As the e cacy of educational administration programs has come under increased national scrutiny, one area which has received particular attention is the administrative internship component. In Illinois, various professional, governmental, and state-supported organizations such as the Commission on School Leader Preparation, Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, and the Wallace Foundation have focused attention on the internship experience. A recent report to the Illinois General Assembly by the Illinois School Leader Task Force included a series of recommendations to improve the quality of school leadership programs. One of the recommendations suggested improvement of the administrative internship. There is a growing body of research which con rms the di erence highly e ective principals can make. Therefore, this study was designed to gather important information from the perspectives of Illinois principals about the nature and scope of Illinois university K-12 administrative internship programs. Principals presented recommendations regarding the types of experiences that should be included in the internship to adequately prepare administrators for their rst administrative position. In addition, principals o ered professors of education administration suggestions to improve other internship components. This manuscript reports the results of this research study. note: This module has been peer-reviewed, accepted, and sanctioned by the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) as a signi cant contribution to the scholarship and practice of education administration. In addition to publication in the Connexions Content ∗Version 1.1: May 14, 2009 7:39 am -0500 †http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ http://cnx.org/content/m23291/1.1/ OpenStax-CNX module: m23291 2 Commons, this module is published in the International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, 1 Volume 4, Number 2 (April June, 2009). Formatted and edited by Theodore Creighton, Virginia Tech.
Phase I trial and clinical pharmacological evaluation of hexamethylene bisacetamide administration by ten-day continuous intravenous infusion at twenty-eight-day intervals.

We have treated 33 patients with different types of advanced cancer by 10-day continuous i.v. infusion courses of hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), a drug that produces differentiation of a variety of transformed cell lines on prolonged exposure in vitro to drug concentrations of 3 to 5 mM. In this dose-finding and pharmacokinetic study, five dosage levels were explored from 12 to 28 g/m2/day. Patients who had not shown progression of disease were given repeat courses of therapy at 28-day intervals. Seventy-two courses of therapy were administered; 17 patients received one course; eight patients received two; six patients received three; and one patient each received four and 17+ courses, respectively. The maximal tolerated dose was 28 g/m2/day for 10 days; the dose-limiting toxic effects were thrombocytopenia with hemorrhage and central nervous system dysfunction manifesting as disorientation and confusion. Based on these studies the recommended dosage for Phase II studies by the 10-day schedule is 24 g/m2/day. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated rapid clearance of HMBA from plasma; the decay phase data fit a one compartment model with a mean plasma half-life of 2.5 h and a range from 0.6 to 5.8 h. Mean plasma steady-state levels in our patients were 0.37, 0.58, 0.86, 0.88, and 1.42 mM, at the 12-, 16-, 20-, 24-, and 28-g/m2/day dosage levels, respectively. The data indicate that plasma HMBA concentrations of 1 mM can be maintained for 10 days with acceptable patient tolerance, but that HMBA concentrations in excess of 1.4 mM for 10 days are associated with substantial hematological and central nervous system toxicity. Objective antitumor effects were observed in five patients; one woman with non-small cell lung cancer, who has received 17+ courses over a period of 28+ mo, achieved a partial remission that continues at 28+ mo on therapy. Transient regression of cutaneous metastases was observed in three patients with breast carcinoma and one patient with colorectal carcinoma.
Investigation of Geometric Effect Impact on SONOS Memory in a NAND Array Structure

Geometric effects on program/erase speeds, endurance, and charge retention of polysilicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon-type memories are investigated with various structures, including Flash cells, capacitors, and NAND array strings of different dimensions. NAND strings with common word-lines or/and bit-lines were employed to characterize the Lg and W effect on device performance, which builds up the capability to extrapolate the cell properties of various dimensions. For a charge trapping storage device, it suggests that the evaluation carried out on a large-area device always leads to a conclusion more optimistic than the cell inside array of a real product in all aspects. In addition, a numerical model is proposed to elucidate the observed phenomena from a statistical viewpoint.
Polarization-preserved and polarization-rotated synchronization of chaotic vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

The synchronization process in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) based master-slave configuration, where the master laser has been destabilised by optical feedback from an external mirror, has been investigated. The dynamics of both VCSEL polarization modes have been modeled and used to study the chaos synchronization mechanism in both polarization preserved, and polarization rotated unidirectionally coupled master and slave configurations. Two types of synchronization have been identified in the polarization rotated case, one of which may afford an opportunity to effect multiplexed message encoding using orthogonal laser modes.
WFST compression for automatic speech recognition

The large size of Weighted Finite-State Transducers (WFSTs) used in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), such as the language model or integrated networks, is an important problem for many ASR applications. To address this problem, we present a general purpose compression technique for WFSTs that is specially designed for the finite-state machines most commonly used in ASR. Experiments run on two large tasks show the method to be very effective, typicality reducing memory and disk requirements to less than 35%. By combining it with “on-the-fly” composition, the memory requirements are further reduced to below 14%. These reductions show no negative impact on recognition speed.
Mid-segment harvesting of right internal thoracic artery decreases sternal ischemia.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to preserve sternal vascularity better by harvesting only midsegment of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) than using conventional bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) harvesting method, and we evaluated the sternal vascularity with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS In this prospective clinical randomized investigation, 135 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) were divided into three groups: Full-RITA group who had a full length of both ITA as a graft for CABG (n=45); mid-RITA group - a midsegment of RITA and left internal thoracic artery (LITA) (n=45); and non-RITA group who had only LITA (n=45). Before and after surgery, all patients underwent a bone scan with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to evaluate the sternal vascular activity. Comparisons of variables were performed by Chi-square, ANOVA, Tukey HSD and paired t test as appropriate. The Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons. RESULTS Postoperative early scans (6.9+/- 0.9 days) showed a reduction of blood flow in the both sides of the sternum compared with the preoperative scans (p<0.001). In full-RITA group, there was no significant difference between left and right hemi-sternum (0.56+/- 0.04 and 0.55+/- 0.02 respectively). However, in mid-RITA and non-RITA groups, right hemi-sternum showed significantly better vascularity than left hemi-sternum in the early postoperative period (p<0.001). Three patients (6.6%) with diabetes mellitus in full-RITA group had sternal infection; one of them was deep sternal infection with dehiscence. In mid-RITA group, there was only two patients who had superficial infection (4.4%) and in non-RITA group there was no infection (p=0.234). CONCLUSION Mid-RITA harvesting technique can be preferred to preserve sternal vascularity better than conventional technique. By improving new techniques and methods, more acceptable sternal complications could be achieved than full-RITA technique.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Light-Intensity Physical Activity Are Independently Associated with Reduced Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Urban Black South African Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND Low levels of physical activity, poor cardiorespiratory fitness, and a sedentary lifestyle have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Few studies have examined their independent associations in an urban black sub-Saharan African population. OBJECTIVES To examine the independent associations of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and sedentary time on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors for CVD and T2D in black South African women. MATERIALS AND METHODS A subsample (n = 76; 18-45 years) was recruited, as part of a cross-sectional study. Accelerometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS Light- but not moderate- to vigorous intensity physical activity was inversely associated with trunk fat mass (r = -0.25, P = 0.03). Sedentary time was associated with triglyceride (TG) (r = 0.36, P = 0.01) and TG/HDL-C (r = 0.34, P = 0.04), and these relationships were independent of body fat. Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with body fat % (r = -0.34, P = 0.02), central fat mass (r = -0.31, P = 0.03), visceral adipose tissue (VAT, r = -0.47, P < 0.01), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; r = -0.41, P = 0.01). The association between cardiorespiratory fitness and HOMA-IR was independent of body fat and physical activity, but not VAT. Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with sedentary time (r = -0.31, P = 0.03), but not with any of the physical activity variables (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Both physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with reduced total and central fat mass, VAT, and reduced cardiometabolic risk for CVD and T2D. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm whether the promotion of increasing light physical activity, while reducing sedentary time and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, reduces the risk for obesity, CVD and T2D.
pH responsive cylindrical MSN for oral delivery of insulin-design, fabrication and evaluation

Abstract Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop novel PMV [poly (methacrylic acid-co-vinyl triethoxylsilane)]-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with improved hypoglycemic effect for oral insulin (INS) delivery. Methods: MSN was synthesized under acidic condition using Pluronic® P 123 and Tetra ethoxy orthosilane. Surfactant was removed by calcination. Calcined MSN was coated with pH sensitive polymer PMV. Cytotoxicity of this coated MSN was evaluated by MTT assay using CHO-K1 cell line. Different MSN samples were characterized with BET surface area analyzer, FESEM, TEM, FT-IR, XRD, TG-DTA. In vivo study was performed using male rats. Pharmacokinetic study was conducted using HPLC. Results and discussion: Highest surface area (304.3921 m2/g) was observed in case of calcined sample. Adsorption pore width of final coated sample was highest (64.7844 nm) compared with others. No noticeable cytotoxicity was observed for this coated support. The entrapment efficiency of insulin was found to be 39.39%. In vitro studies were done at different pH using Franz-diffusion cell. Results showed significant release at pH 7.4. Cumulative drug release over a period of 6 h was more than 48% at this systemic pH. Effect of this MSN-PMV-INS on blood glucose level was retained for 16 h. This novel formulation has shown 73.10% relative bioavailability of insulin. Conclusion: A novel-coated mesoporous silica support was successfully developed for delivery of insulin through oral route.
Estimation of state, actuator and sensor faults for T-S models

For nonlinear systems described by Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) model, a T-S observer is proposed to estimate both system state, sensor and actuator faults. The method uses the technique of descriptor systems by considering sensor and actuator faults as auxiliary state variables. This method has the advantage to estimate the state variables and the sensor and actuator faults simultaneously. The observer gains are then determined based on Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) technique. A numerical example is proposed to demonstrate the efficiency of the given design.
Diabetes nurse educators' experiences of providing care for women, with gestational diabetes mellitus, from disadvantaged backgrounds.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore diabetes nurse educators' experiences of providing care for women, with gestational diabetes mellitus, from disadvantaged backgrounds and to gather information which would assist with the development of an educational programme that would support both women and diabetes educators. BACKGROUND Rates of gestational diabetes mellitus have increased dramatically in recent years. This is concerning as gestational diabetes mellitus is linked to poorer pregnancy outcomes including hypertension, stillbirth, and nursery admission. Poorest outcomes occur among disadvantaged women. gestational diabetes mellitus is also associated with maternal type 2 diabetes and with child obesity and type 2 diabetes among offspring. Effective self-management of gestational diabetes mellitus reduces these risks. Diabetes nurse educators provide most education and support for gestational diabetes mellitus self-management. DESIGN An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, as espoused by Smith and Osborn (Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods, 2008, Sage, London, 51), provided the framework for this study. METHODS The views of six diabetes educators were explored through in-depth interviewing. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to steps outlined by Smith and Osborn (Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods, 2008, Sage, London, 51). RESULTS Three themes emerged from the data: (1) working in a suboptimal environment, (2) working to address the difficulties and (3) looking to the future. Throughout, the diabetes nurse educators sought opportunities to connect with women in their care and to make the educational content understandable and meaningful. CONCLUSIONS Low literacy among disadvantaged women has a significant impact on their understanding of gestational diabetes mellitus information. In turn, catering for women with low literacy contributes to increased workloads for diabetes nurse educators, making them vulnerable to burnout. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE There is a need for targeted educational programmes for women with low literacy. Resources should be literacy appropriate, with photographs and simple text, and include culturally appropriate foods and information. This approach should lead to an improvement in the women's uptake of gestational diabetes mellitus information and may lead to a lessening of the workload burden for diabetes nurse educators.
Investigating the Nonlinear Dynamics of Emerging and Developed Stock Markets

Financial time-series has been of interest of many statisticians and financial experts. Understanding the characteristic features of a financial-time series has posed some difficulties because of its quasi-periodic nature. Linear statistics can be applied to a periodic time series, but since financial time series is non-linear and non-stationary, analysis of its quasi periodic characteristics is not entirely possible with linear statistics. Thus, the study of financial series of stock market still remains a complex task having its specific requirements. In this paper keeping in mind the recent trends and developments in financial time series studies, we want to establish if there is any significant relationship existing between trading behavior of developing and developed markets. The study is conducted to draw conclusions on similarity or differences between developing economies, developed economies, developing-developed economy pairs. We take the leading stock market indices dataset for the past 15 years in those markets to conduct the study. First we have drawn probability distribution of the dataset to see if any graphical similarity exists. Then we perform quantitative techniques to test certain hypotheses. Then we proceed to implement the Ensemble Empirical Mode Distribution technique to draw out amplitude and phase of movement of index value each data set to compare at granular level of detail. Our findings lead us to conclude that the nonlinear dynamics of emerging markets and developed markets are not significantly different. This could mean that increasing cross market trading and involvement of global investment has resulted in narrowing the gap between emerging and developed markets. From nonlinear dynamics perspective we find no reason to distinguish markets into emerging and developed any more.
Impact of Wind and Solar on the Value of Energy Storage

This analysis evaluates how the value of energy storage changes when adding variable generation (VG) renewable energy resources to the grid. A series of VG energy penetration scenarios from 16% to 55% were generated for a utility system in the western United States. This operational value of storage (measured by its ability to reduce system production costs) was estimated in each VG scenario, considering provision of different services and with several sensitivities to fuel price and generation mix. Overall, the results found that the presence of VG increases the value of energy storage by lowering off-peak energy prices more than on-peak prices, leading to a greater opportunity to arbitrage this price difference. However, significant charging from renewables, and consequently a net reduction in carbon emissions, did not occur until VG penetration was in the range of 40%-50%. Increased penetration of VG also increases the potential value of storage when providing reserves, mainly by increasing the amount of reserves required by the system. Despite this increase in value, storage may face challenges in capturing the full benefits it provides. Due to suppression of on-/off-peak price differentials, reserve prices, and incomplete capture of certain system benefits (such as the cost of power plant starts), the revenue obtained by storage in a market setting appears to be substantially less than the net benefit (reduction in production costs) provided to the system. Furthermore, it is unclear how storage will actually incentivize large-scale deployment of renewables needed to substantially increase VG penetration. This demonstrates some of the additional challenges for storage deployed in restructured energy markets.
Open loop linear parametric modeling of the qt variability

Open loop linear parametric modeling approach was applied to describe the variability of the ventricular depolarization and repolarization duration (i.e. the QT interval from the ECG). Several model structures were compared. The model maximizing the goodness of fit describes the QT interval as a linear combination of its own past values plus two exogenous influences (i.e. heart period interval and respiration) and a colored noise. When this model was applied to a protocol imposing a progressive increase of the sympathetic activity and modulation (i.e. the graded head-up tilt), the goodness of fit gradually decreased, thus suggesting a progressive uncoupling between QT duration and heart period that cannot be the result of influences unrelated to heart period changes.