cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Work in progress — Engaging engineering students in broader abet outcomes via community of learners instruction

This paper presents the design-based research framework for a new course (the contemporary world of electrical engineering) that uses a community of learners model to integrate professional and personal development skills into an in-depth overview of major sub-fields of electrical engineering. The combination of a community of learners format with a gateway (survey) course context targets (a) improvement in the student's sense of belonging to various levels of community within the University and (b) enhancing the student's understanding and embrace of broader ABET outcomes. These broader outcomes include those criteria that are typically difficult for engineering programs to address in a meaningful integrated way, including professional and ethical responsibility, broader impacts of technology, and rich, meaningful oral and written communication.
Racial and Gender Identity Development for Black and White Women in Interracial Partner Relationships

Abstract This article presents findings from an exploratory qualitative study, which used individual interviews and a focus group to investigate how women in Black-White interracial heterosexual partner relationships retrospectively described their racial identity development and the influence of gender identity development on this process. Social consrructionist, feminist, and racial identity development theories guided the grounded theory methodology. Participants described both constraining and empowering racial identities. Salient constraining racial identities were being a “sell-out” or “traitor,” being a “rule-breaker,” having a masked reference group orientation, needing to prove reference group orientation, and having minority family status. Empowering racial identities included refusing to take sides, being “not racial,” being neutral, identifying by respect rather than by race, having a multiple reference group orientation, being strong, and being an educator and mediator. Gender identity themes...
A kinetic characterization of choline esterases in Limulus polyphemus.

Abstract 1. Kinetic analyses confirmed the existence of different esterase activities in extracts from the ventral nerve cord and cardiac muscle of Limulus. 2. On the basis of sensitivity to selective inhibitors and substrate specificity both esterases behave as “true” acetylcholinesterase. 3. In contrast to lobster axonal acetylcholinesterase, the esterase activities in extracts from Limulus ventral nerve cord, as well as from cardiac muscle, exhibited a low sensitivity to inhibition by procaine.
Nonlinear least-squares analyses of complex impedance and admittance data for solid electrolytes

Abstract A nonlinear least-squares curve fitting technique, suitable for use with a laboratory minicomputer, is described for the analysis of a complex impedance (admittance) spectrum in which distortions of the various shapes constituting the complex plane plot occur because of overlapping time constants. With this technique, estimates of the parameter values occurring in an equivalent circuit are first obtained by a geometrical-fitting procedure and these are then used as the initial parametric values in a complex least-squares method which simultaneously fits the real and imaginary parts of the impedance (admittance) to a model (equivalent circuit), thereby yielding best-fit values of the circuit parameters as well as their confidence intervals. The method is illustrated by analyzing: (1) artificial, computer-generated impedance (admittance) data constructed for some simple RC circuits commonly used to model solid electrolyte behavior; and (2) measured admittance response of the fast sodium ion conductor NASICON at 486 K.
Estrogen stimulates the human endometrium to express a factor(s) that promotes vascular smooth muscle cell migration as an early step in microvessel remodeling

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration is a pivotal early step in blood vessel remodeling; however, very little is known about the regulation of this process in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. In this study, explants of human endometrium were incubated with estradiol and/or progesterone and the conditioned medium (CM) applied to cultures of VSMC to test the hypothesis that estrogen and progesterone stimulate endometrial cells to secrete a factor(s) that promotes VSMC migration. Endometrial explants were composed of highly organized glands and stroma. VSMC migration (cells migrated in 21 h/mm2 fibronectin-coated semipermeable membrane) in the presence of CM from human endometrial explants obtained in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle and incubated for 24 h with estradiol was approximately threefold greater (P < 0.001) than with medium alone and greater (P < 0.05) than with CM from explants treated with estradiol plus progesterone or progesterone. It is concluded, therefore, that estrogen stimulates endometrial secretion of a factor(s) that promotes VSMC migration as an early step in vessel remodeling within the endometrium.
Immunoglobulin E Production in the Absence of Interleukin-4-Secreting CD1-Dependent Cells

A lymphocyte population that expresses surface markers found on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells secretes large amounts of interleukin-4 (IL-4) immediately after T cell receptor ligation. These NK-like T cells are thus thought to be important for the initiation of type 2 T helper cell (TH2) responses. CD1-deficient mice were found to lack this lymphocyte subset, but they could nevertheless mount a protypical TH2 response; after immunization with antibody to immunoglobulin D (IgD), CD1-deficient mice produced IgE. Thus, although dependent on CD1 for their development, IL-4-secreting NK-like T cells are not required for TH2 responses.
α1,3Fucosyltransferases in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells

Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) has a glycophenotype of aberrant sialylation and/or fucosylation. The CF glycophenotype is expressed on membrane glycoconjugates of CF airway epithelial cells as increased fucosyl residues in α1,3/4 linkage to N -acetyl glucosamine, decreased fucosyl residues in α1,2 linkage to galactose and decreased sialic acid. To define the cause of this phenotype, the enzyme activity of α1,3fucosyltransferase (FucT) was examined in extracts of CF airway epithelial cells with a variety of low molecular weight substrates. Using Galβ1,4GlcNAc as substrate, the activity was divided into 66% α1,3FucT and 34% α1,2FucT. mRNA expression examined with probes to FucTIII, IV, and VII showed that the highest expression of two CF cell lines was for FucTIV. Only one CF cell line expressed mRNA for FucTIII. The non CF airway epithelial cells had significant enzyme activity for α1,3FucT and strong mRNA expression for FucTIV. Thus as reported previously for α1,2FucT, the biochemical capacity for α1,3FucT was present in both the CF and non CF cells and can not be the cause of the CF glycophenotype. These results support the hypothesis that wild type CFTR acts in the Golgi and when mutated as in CF, faulty compartmentalization of terminal glycosyltransferases results, yielding the CF glycophenotype.
Experimental characterization of hydraulic jump caused by jet impingement on micro-patterned surfaces exhibiting ribs and cavities

Abstract This paper reports experimental results characterizing hydraulic jumps that form due to liquid jet impingement on patterned surfaces with alternating microscale-ribs and cavities. The surfaces are tested in both hydrophilic (wetted cavity regions, Wenzel state) and superhydrophobic (unwetted cavity regions, Cassie–Baxter state) states. Similar to jet impingement on a smooth surface, when a liquid jet strikes a ribbed surface it moves radially outward in a thin film and eventually experiences a hydraulic jump, where the thickness of the film increases by an order of magnitude, and the velocity decreases accordingly. However, the anisotropy of the patterned surface causes a disparity in frictional resistance resulting in a hydraulic jump which is elliptical rather than circular in shape. Both the major and minor axes radii of the hydraulic jump are a function of the jet Reynolds number and imposed downstream water depth. We obtain results for cavity fractions (relative width of cavity to total rib/cavity spacing) of 0.5, 0.8, and 0.93 and compare these to results obtained on a smooth surface. The jet issued from a nozzle with a radius of 0.6 mm, the Reynolds number ranged from 1.2 × 10 4 to 2.1 × 10 4 , and a range of downstream depths were explored. The parameter ranges explored result in small scale hydraulic jumps, where the jump radii are generally smaller than a few centimeters. Results show both major and minor axis jump radii decrease with increasing water depth or decreasing jet Reynolds number, following classical hydraulic jump behavior. When the Wenzel state exists, the major axis is nominally the same for both the smooth and structured surfaces at the same Reynolds number and downstream depth. For both the Wenzel and Cassie–Baxter states, as the cavity fraction of the superhydrophobic surface increases, the major axis of the hydraulic jump radius increases modestly and the minor axis decreases. These changes are exaggerated when the Cassie–Baxter state prevails. Also, as the cavity fraction increases the eccentricity of the jump increases, and this is more pronounced when the Cassie–Baxter state exists.
Mediation of acute ethanol-induced motor disturbances by cerebellar adenosine in rats.

The possible involvement of brain adenosine in acute ethanol-induced motor incoordination (MI) and inhibition of spontaneous motor activity (SMA) was investigated in male Sprague- Dawley rats. Pretreatment with theophylline or 7-(2-chloroethyl)-theophylline, adenosine antagonists, markedly reduced ethanol-induced MI and inhibition of SMA during a 60 min test period compared with saline + ethanol group. On the contrary, pretreatment with (−)-N6(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (R-PIA), an adenosine agonist, or dilazep, an adenosine uptake blocker, markedly potentiated the ethanol-induced MI as well as inhibition of SMA in a 60 min test period compared with saline + ethanol group. No effect on motor coordination was seen when the drug pretreatment was not followed by ethanol. However, the adenosine agonists and antagonists did alter SMA when the pretreatment with these drugs was not followed by ethanol. Ethanol clearance was not altered by the drug pretreatment as blood ethanol levels were similar in all groups except for lower ethanol levels in the R-PIA-treated group. Adenosine A1 binding studies, using 3H-R-PIA as the radioligand and crude membrane preparation from cerebellar cortex, revealed an increase in Bmax with no significant change in Kd in ethanol-treated animals vs. saline control. Theophylline pretreatment prevented the increase in Bmax elicited by ethanol. Collectively, the data suggest that endogenous cerebellar adenosine may be a participating factor in ethanol-induced motor dysfunctions.
Taxane resistance in prostate cancer mediated by AR-independent GATA2 regulation of IGF2.

GATA2 has been well-characterized as a critical pioneer transcription factor for androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Vidal and colleagues identify increased GATA2 and its AR-independent transactivation of IGF2 as a mechanism that can mediate taxane resistance through activation of IGF1/insulin receptor signaling.
Investigation of scattering mechanisms in HfO 2 gated Hall structures with In 0.77 Ga 0.23 As quantum well channel

Future CMOS logic applications call for replacement of silicon channels with higher mobility III–V compound semiconductors, whereas the need for power reduction requires utilization of gate oxides with higher dielectric constant [1]. However, as compared to HEMTs, high-k gated surface inversion channel N-MOSFETs demonstrate significant mobility degradation due to close proximity of the channel to the interface. In this work we present results of detailed investigation of major scattering mechanisms leading to degradation of mobility in HfO 2 -gated, modulation doped, strained In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As/In 0.77 Ga 0.23 As QW structures grown on semi-insulating InP substrates. By varying In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As/InAlAs barrier and HfO 2 thickness along with controlling interface state density (D it ) and using temperature dependent Hall mobility measurements we have de-convoluted the contribution of various scattering mechanisms to channel mobility degradation.
In the Shadows of Gompers: Lucy Robins and the Politics of Amnesty, 1918–1922

This essay examines Lucy Robins's contributions to the amnesty movement. A protege of Emma Goldman, Robins undertook her amnesty campaign at Goldman's behest. Frustrated with what she defined as the left's lack of “constructive” solutions, Robins shifted her political alliances and joined the American Federation of Labor. Robins's choice to pursue amnesty within the A.F. of L., the essay argues, sheds important light on the early history of the civil liberties movement and its relationship to labor politics.
Induction of detoxifying enzymes by allelochemicals and host plants in the fall armyworm

Abstract The effect of various plant substances and host plants on the microsomal oxidases and glutathione S-transferase was investigated in the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)) maintained on a meridic diet. The glucosinolate, sinigrin, and the hydrolytic products of glucosinolates, β-phenylethylisothiocyanate, indole 3-acetonitrile, and indole 3-carbinol, and flavone were found to be potent inducers of the glutathione S-transferase in the armyworm. An 18-fold increase in the transferase activity was observed when larvae were fed a diet containing 0.2% indole 3-acetonitrile for 2 days. These compounds, with the exception of β-phenylethylisothiocyanate which appeared to be inhibitory, also stimulated the microsomal aldrin epoxidase significantly. In all instances, no induction of the microsomal oxidase or glutathione S-transferase was observed by the plant hormones, indole 3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid; the terpenoids, stigmasterol, sitosterol, and β-carotene; the polyphenolic gossypol; and the flavonol, quercetin; some of them were found to be inhibitory. Using corn, potato, and sweet potato as inducers of various microsomal oxidases, it was found that the inducing pattern of the N-demethylase was different from the two epoxidases and O-demethylase. Corn leaves were the most active compared with other aerial parts of corn (silks, developing corn, and husk) in inducing the microsomal oxidase. The microsomal oxidase in the younger larvae appeared to be less inducible by host plants than in the older larvae.
On Cayley's formula for counting forests

Abstract In 1889, A. Cayley stated that the number of forests with n labeled vertices that consist of s distinct trees such that s specified vertices belong to distinct trees is snn − s − 1 for 1 ⩽ s ⩽ n. In this paper Cayley's formula is proved in a very simple way.
Use of GAG-like polysaccharides to engineer hydrogel-filled nanofibrous structures

The goal of this study is the complete simulation of the structural and the functional components of the extra-cellular matrix using semi-synthetic polysaccharides for tissue engineering applications
A 6.25-Gb/s binary transceiver in 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS for serial data transmission across high loss legacy backplane channels

A transceiver capable of 6.25-Gb/s data transmission across legacy communications equipment backplanes is described. To achieve a bit error rate (BER) <10/sup -15/, transmit and receive equalization that can compensate up to 20 dB of channel loss is employed to remove intersymbol interference (ISI) resulting from finite channel bandwidth and reflections. The transmit feed-forward equalizer (FFE) uses a four-tap symbol-spaced programmable finite impulse response (FIR) filter followed by a 4-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that drives a 50-/spl Omega/ transmission line. The receiver uses a half-baud-rate adaptive decision feedback equalizer (DFE) that cancels the first four symbol-spaced taps of postcursor ISI without use of speculative techniques. Both the transmitter and receiver use an LC-oscillator-based phase-locked loop (PLL) to provide low jitter clocks. Techniques to minimize the complexity of the FIR and DFE implementations are described. The transceiver is designed to be integrated in a standard ASIC flow in a 0.13-/spl mu/m digital CMOS technology. System measurements indicate the ability to transmit and recover data eyes that have been fully closed due to crosstalk and signal loss.
A sequential test for homogeneity of multinomial proportions

We consider the problem of testing the equality of propor-tions in several multinomial populations. The standard likelihood ratio procedure is modified to construct a repeated significance test. This test is as powerful as the likelihood ratio test, but it requires less number of populations for sampling purposes.
Elevation of serum β-hexosaminidase and α-d-mannosidase in type 2 gaucher disease: a clinical and biochemical study

We report a case of a black infant who died at 9 months of age with clinical and pathological findings consistent with the acute neuronopathic form of Gaucher disease (Type 2). Analysis of peripheral blood platelets obtained from this child demonstrated very low levels of β-glucosidase activity. β-hexosaminidase (HEX) activity in the serum, however, was 30 times greater than the level in control sera and 15 times greater than the level observed in individuals affected with the chronic form of Gaucher disease (Type 1). Similarly, α-d-mannosidase (MANN) activity in the proband's serum was significantly elevated when compared with controls, and chronic Gaucher disease patients. We postulate that the cause of the elevation of these lysosomal enzymes is similar to the cause of elevation in Type 1 individuals but that patients with Type 2 Gaucher disease have a more serious cellular defect.
Construction, analysis, ligation, and self-assembly of DNA triple crossover complexes

This paper extends the study and prototyping of unusual DNA motifs, unknown in nature, but founded on principles derived from biological structures. Artificially designed DNA complexes show promise as building blocks for the construction of useful nanoscale structures, devices, and computers. The DNA triple crossover (TX) complex described here extends the set of experimentally characterized building blocks. It consists of four oligonucleotides hybridized to form three double-stranded DNA helices lying in a plane and linked by strand exchange at four immobile crossover points. The topology selected for this TX molecule allows for the presence of reporter strands along the molecular diagonal that can be used to relate the inputs and outputs of DNA-based computation. Nucleotide sequence design for the synthetic strands was assisted by the application of algorithms that minimize possible alternative base-pairing structures. Synthetic oligonucleotides were purified, stoichiometric mixtures were annealed by slow cooling, and the resulting DNA structures were analyzed by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis and heat-induced unfolding. Ferguson analysis and hydroxyl radical autofootprinting provide strong evidence for the assembly of the strands to the target TX structure. Ligation of reporter strands has been demonstrated with this motif, as well as the self-assembly of hydrogen-bonded two-dimensional crystals in two different arrangements. Future applications of TX units include the construction of larger structures from multiple TX units, and DNA-based computation. In addition to the presence of reporter strands, potential advantages of TX units over other DNA structures include space for gaps in molecular arrays, larger spatial displacements in nanodevices, and the incorporation of well-structured out-of-plane components in two-dimensional arrays.
Matching with a trio of concurrent variable-interval schedules of reinforcement

Abstract A trio of concurrent variable-interval schedules of reinforcement was arranged according to a changeover-key procedure, including a changeover delay of 1.5 sec. The three schedules provided a combined maximum reinforcement rate of 45 reinforcements per hour. With that restriction, the nine experimental conditions included several combinations of variable-interval schedules, sometimes including extinction. The pigeons matched relative response rate and relative time to relative reinforcement rate. Relative time appeared to match some-what better than relative response rate. Performance adjusted rapidly from one experimental condition to the next, whether the change involved two or all three schedules of the concurrent trio.
Assessment of selenium bioavailability from naturally produced high-selenium soy foods in selenium-deficient rats.

Abstract We assessed the bioavailability of selenium (Se) from a protein isolate and tofu (bean curd) prepared from naturally produced high-Se soybeans. The Se concentrations of the soybeans, the protein isolate and tofu were 5.2 ± 0.2, 11.4 ± 0.1 and 7.4 ± 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. Male weanling Sprague–Dawley rats were depleted of Se by feeding them a 30% Torula yeast-based diet (4.1 μg Se/kg) for 56 days, and then they were replenished with Se for an additional 50 days by feeding them the same diet containing 14, 24 or 30 μg Se/kg from the protein isolate or 13, 23 or 31 μg Se/kg from tofu, respectively. l -Selenomethionine (SeMet) was used as a reference. Selenium bioavailability was determined on the basis of the restoration of Se-dependent enzyme activities and tissue Se concentrations in Se-depleted rats, comparing those responses for the protein isolate and tofu to those for SeMet by using a slope-ratio method. Dietary supplementation with the protein isolate or tofu resulted in linear or log-linear, dose-dependent increases in glutathione peroxidase activities in blood and liver and in thioredoxin reductase activity in liver. Furthermore, supplementation with the protein isolate or tofu resulted in linear or log-linear, dose-dependent increases in the Se concentrations of plasma, liver, muscle and kidneys. These results indicated an overall bioavailability of approximately 101% for Se from the protein isolate and 94% from tofu, relative to SeMet. We conclude that Se from naturally produced high-Se soybeans is highly bioavailable in this model and that high-Se soybeans may be a good dietary source of Se.
Glycogen metabolism in the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata.

Abstract 1. 1. The distribution of glycogen in different tissues of the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata was determined; the cephalopedal region contained 15–17 mg, the mantle region 23–29 mg, the hepatopancreas 31–45 mg, and the ovotestis 50 mg of glycogen/g wet wt. 2. 2. There was a significant decrease in the glycogen content in the cephalopedal region after incubating the snails with 5-hydroxytryptamine (4 × 10−5 M) in vivo. 3. 3. Enzymatic degradation of glycogen from different tissues revealed that the degree of branching was 9% of the total glucosyl residues, and the length of outer branches was about 40% of the total glucosyl residues. 4. 4. There was an active form of glycogen phosphorylase in the cephalopedal region and the mantle region. Phosphorylase in the hepatopancreas was generally inactive, but could be activated by an endogenous phosphorylase kinase. 5. 5. Glycogen synthetase of the snail tissues required glucose-6-phosphate to be active.
Characterizing implications of two-dimensional space–time orientations for principal component analysis of geographic time series

This article introduces four new modes of principal component analysis (PCA) to investigate space–time variability in an image time series. Using the concept of tensors, an image time series can be understood as a space–time cube and can be analysed using six different orientations by grouping the basic elements (voxels) of the cube across different dimensions. Voxels grouped across columns or rows of the cube to produce vectors result in profiles. Voxels grouped across different planes to produce matrices result in slices. The traditional S-mode and T-mode PCA are thus the profile modes and slice modes across time and across space, respectively. This research introduces two profile-mode orientations across longitude and latitude and two slice-mode orientations across longitude–time and latitude–time. The research shows that a more complete understanding of the spatio-temporal variability in the data set can be achieved by investigating these different orientation modes, as individual modes have the capab...
Gaia: a middleware platform for active spaces

We envision a future where people's living spaces are interactive and programmable. Users interact with their offices, homes, cars, malls and airports to request information, benefit from the resources available, and configure the habitat's behavior. Data and tasks are always accessible and are mapped dynamically to convenient resources present in the current location. Users may extend the habitat with personal devices that seamlessly integrate with the environment. Such user-oriented interactive environments may require a novel software infrastructure to operate their resources, sense context properties, and assist in the development and execution of applications. In this article, we present an experimental middleware infrastructure called Gaia that we have used to prototype the resource management of and provide the user-oriented interfaces for such physical spaces populated with network-enabled computing resources.
Investigating factors that influence conventional distraction and tech-related distraction in math homework

This study examined high school students' distractions in math homework. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the scores of six items regarding conventional and tech-related distractions. Data revealed that conventional and tech-related distractions were empirically distinguishable. Two multilevel models were performed, with each type of distractions as the dependent variable. Both types of distraction were negatively related to four student-level variables (homework effort, homework environment, learning-oriented reasons, and value belief). In addition, both were positively related to three student-level variables (time on videogame, peer-oriented reasons, and time on homework) and one class-level variable (time on homework). Meanwhile, tech-related distraction was positively associated with parent education, whereas conventional distraction was negatively associated with expectancy belief, affective attitude, and grade level. This study examined high school students' distractions in math homework.Conventional distraction (CD) and tech-related distraction (TD) were distinguishable.Both CD and TD were negatively related to homework effort and value belief.CD was negatively related to expectancy belief, affective attitude, and grade level.TC was positively related to parent education.
An Extended Kalman Filter Formulation for Systematic Transfer of Information from Batch to Batch

In this paper, a modified extended Kalman filter (EKF) formulation is developed that allows for a systematic batch-to-batch transfer of the parameter estimates and covariance information. A simple and tunable stochastic description for the batch-to-batch behavior of the model parameters and initial conditions is proposed. Then, a method for incorporating such a model into a general ODE model describing the batch process is presented. An extended Kalman filter formulated based on this augmented model is capable of systematically transferring the parameter estimates and the covariance information at the end of a batch run to initialize the filter for the next batch. This provides an advantage over traditional EKF formulations, which can suffer due to insufficient measurements imposed by the finite batch duration. A simple tuning parameter is introduced in the stochastic parameter model that weighs the relative importance of the variance components for the batchwise-correlated and independent portions. This ...
Implications of a Subthreshold Resonance for Stellar Beryllium Depletion

Abundance measurements of the light elements lithium, beryllium, and boron are playing an increasingly important role in the study of stellar physics. Because these elements are easily destroyed in stars at temperatures (2 - 4) × 106 K, the abundances in the surface convective zone are diagnostics of the star's internal workings. Standard stellar models cannot explain depletion patterns observed in low-mass stars, and so do not account for all the relevant physical processes. These processes have important implications for stellar evolution and primordial lithium production in big bang nucleosynthesis. Because beryllium is destroyed at slightly higher temperatures than lithium, observations of both light elements can differentiate between the various proposed depletion mechanisms. Unfortunately, the reaction rate for the main destruction channel 9Be(p, α)6Li is uncertain. A level in the compound nucleus 10B is only 25.7 keV below the reaction's energetic threshold. The angular momentum and parity of this level are not well known; current estimates indicate that the resonance entrance channel is either s- or d-wave. We show that an s-wave resonance can easily increase the reaction rate by an order of magnitude at temperatures T ≈ 4 × 106 K. Observations of M < M☉ stars can constrain the strength of the resonance, as can experimental measurements at laboratory energies lower than 30 keV.
From grammar to lexicon: unsupervised learning of lexical syntax

Imagine a language that is completely unfamiliar; the only means of studying it are an ordinary grammar book and a very large corpus of text. No dictionary is available. How can easily recognized, surface grammatical facts be used to extract from a corpus as much syntactic information as possible about individual words? This paper describes an approach based on two principles. First, rely on local morpho-syntactic cues to structure rather than trying to parse entire sentences. Second, treat these cues as probabilistic rather than absolute indicators of syntactic structure. Apply inferential statistics to the data collected using the cues, rather than drawing a categorical conclusion from a single occurrence of a cue. The effectiveness of this approach for inferring the syntactic frames of verbs is supported by experiments on an English corpus using a program called Lerner. Lerner starts out with no knowledge of content words---it bootstraps from determiners, auxiliaries, modals, prepositions, pronouns, complementizers, coordinating conjunctions, and punctuation.
Iterative design of low rank controllers

Considers a discrete time system with weighted state and output noise. The problem is to compute a dynamic output feedback controller. The authors do this by minimising a quadratic cost function. >
A PLC application for large motor monitoring

Application is described of a PLC (programmable logic controller) for the gathering of data from solid-state motor protective devices and displaying that information in a control room some distance away. The PLC logic programming and BASIC programming required to accomplish this display of information are described. Programming tools and techniques to aid the engineer in implementing such a system are discussed. >
Why Angina in Aortic Stenosis With Normal Coronary Arteriograms

Hypertrophy is considered one of the major mechanisms of the myocardium for adapting to hemodynamic overload. More muscle mass provides more contractile elements for generating the extra work required by the overload. In pressure overload of aortic valve stenosis, concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) normalizes wall stress, a key determinant of ejection performance.1 Afterload is often expressed as wall stress (pressure×radius/thickness). As the pressure term in the numerator increases, it is offset by an increase in the thickness term of the denominator. In this way, the high systolic pressure required to drive blood through even a very stenotic aortic valve can be consistent with normal afterload and normal ejection fraction. See p 3170 Unfortunately, hypertrophy not only provides benefits but also has many pathological consequences. One of these is myocardial ischemia and the attendant angina reported by patients with aortic stenosis despite normal epicardial coronary arteries. The onset of angina greatly increases the risk of sudden death compared with the risk in asymptomatic patients with aortic valve stenosis.2,3 Angina occurs when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply. Demand is proportional to heart rate and wall stress, and the latter can be elevated in cases of aortic stenosis when hypertrophy is inadequate to normalize stress.1 After aortic valve replacement, there is marked regression of hypertrophy that may occur over the next several months to years,4 but angina is relieved immediately. Relief of angina immediately after surgery is probably due to the combination of sudden decreased oxygen demand after removal of pressure overload and increased oxygen supply of improved perfusion. However, there are remaining questions about the physiological mechanisms for reduced myocardial oxygen supply (coronary blood flow) in aortic stenosis and its improvement after relief of pressure overload. Specifically, what is it about critical aortic stenosis that is “critical” …
What is the effect of noise on the interval timing neural network

Cognitive processes, such as decision making, rate calculation and planning, are strongly affected by the ability of subjects to perceive durations in the seconds-to-hours range (interval timing) [1]. A classic interval timing paradigm is the peak interval (PI) procedure which consists of interspersed reinforced and probe trials. During the reinforced trials, a stimulus such as a tone or light is turned on to signal the beginning of the to-be-timed interval and the subject’s first response after the criterion time is reinforced. During the probe trials, no reinforcement is given and the stimulus remains on for about three times the criterion time [2]. The mean response rate over a very large number of trials has a Gaussian shape whose peak measures the accuracy of criterion time estimation and the spread of the timing function measures its precision. In the vast majority of species, protocols, and manipulations to date, interval timing is both accurate and time-scale invariant, i.e. time-estimation errors increase linearly with the estimated duration [3]. We used a computational model of interval timing that mimics the activity of cortico-striatal structures involved in interval timing known as striatal beat frequency (SBF) model (Figure ​(Figure1)1) [4]. In mammals, administration of DA agonist, e.g., methamphetamine or cocaine produce an immediate, scalar (proportional), leftward shift in perceived time (responding earlier in time than under control conditions) whereas DA antagonist, e.g., haloperidol, has an opposed effect. Upon chronic administration of DA drugs, the timing functions recalibrate, i.e., they shift back to the values prior to drug administration. Once the drug is discontinued, the timing functions rebound (in a scalar manner) in the opposite direction from the initial effects of the drug, which is a signature of the clock pattern. SBF model can mimic clock patterns by adjusting the firing rates of FC neurons proportional to dopamine levels. The frequency modulation by dopaminergic drugs also produces a Gaussian-like output in SBF model. However, behavioral experiments indicate that although the average responses in PI procedure follow an almost Gaussian curve, there is always a notable skewness and a long tail of the output function. We found that frequency variability (noise) determines the deviation form the Gaussian-like output. Figure 1 (A) Schematic representation of the two main areas involved in interval timing: frontal cortex (FC) and basal ganglia (BG). (B) SBF model consists of a set of cortical oscillators, a reference memory that stores the state of the system at reinforcement ...
Time to look for CD30 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, along the way to immunotherapy.

, November 2013; 54(11): 2341–2342© 2013 Informa UK, Ltd.ISSN: 1042-8194 print / 1029-2403 onlineDOI: 10.3109/10428194.2013.782612 Correspondence: Francisco Vega, Department of Hematopathology, Th e University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Texas, USA, 77030. E-mail: fvegava@mdanderson.org.
Pre- and postwar generations of rural female youth and the future of the German nation, 1871–1933

Just before the First World War, German agricultural economists and social-welfare experts constructed a new social category – rural female youth, whose mobility provoked growing alarm. Framing rural flight in terms of gender and generation allowed experts to focus on its demographic, economic, and moral threats, and rural female youth became a target for reform. These debates presaged a wave of popular anxiety over rural female youth that expanded dramatically during the Weimar Republic. However, prewar court testimonies of runaway maids in rural Saxony suggest that some rural girls understood their mobility in terms of ‘getting ahead’, and resisted efforts to restrict their occupational, social, and spatial horizons.
Thrombospondin-1 suppresses wound healing and granulation tissue formation in the skin of transgenic mice.

The function of the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) in tissue repair has remained controversial. We established transgenic mice with targeted overexpression of TSP‐1 in the skin, using a keratin 14 expression cassette. TSP‐1 transgenic mice were healthy and fertile, and did not show any major abnormalities of normal skin vascularity, cutaneous vascular architecture, or microvascular permeability. However, healing of full‐thickness skin wounds was greatly delayed in TSP‐1 transgenic mice and was associated with reduced granulation tissue formation and highly diminished wound angiogenesis. Moreover, TSP‐1 potently inhibited fibroblast migration in vivo and in vitro . These findings demonstrate that TSP‐1 preferentially interfered with wound healing‐associated angiogenesis, rather than with the angiogenesis associated with normal development and skin homeostasis, and suggest that therapeutic application of angiogenesis inhibitors might potentially be associated with impaired wound vascularization and tissue repair.
Estimating Surge-Based Flood Risk with the Coastal Louisiana Risk Assessment Model

ABSTRACT Johnson, D.R.; Fischbach, J.R., and Ortiz, D.S., 2013. Estimating surge-based flood risk with the coastal Louisiana risk assessment model. The Coastal Louisiana Risk Assessment model (CLARA) was designed to facilitate comparisons of current and future flood risk under a variety of protection system configurations in a wide range of environmental, operational, and economic uncertainties. It builds on previous studies of coastal risk by incorporating system fragility and a larger number of future scenarios than previously analyzed. Flood depths and direct economic damage from a wide range of simulated storm events are aggregated to produce a statistical summary of coastal risk under different assumptions about future conditions. CLARA's estimates of project-level effects on flood risk reduction were used as one of the key decision drivers in selecting the risk reduction projects included in the Master Plan. Depending on the scenario, the final alternative is projected to reduce expected annual dama...
Genetic Disorders and Mental Retardation

Abstract. Genetic disorders are responsible for nearly 50 percent of the half million moderately and severely mentally retarded. These include chromosomal abnormalities, those due to single genes, and others resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. With the exception of specific metabolic diseases, most are not treatable so that prevention by genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis becomes imperative. Neither of these can be accomplished without an accurate diagnosis underlining the importance of a diagnostic evaluation for all moderately and severely retarded individuals
The Effect of Critical Plasma Densities of Laser-Produced Plasma on Production of Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation

Accurate modeling and comprehensive understanding of laser-produced plasma (LPP) for various applications should consider details of spatial and temporal input power deposition from laser sources, absorption/reflection of laser light from the surface of the solid/liquid target, hydrodynamic evolution of the target, absorption/reflection of laser from the evolving target vapor, atomic physics and vapor ionization, absorption/reflection in a heated plasma layer, and photon generation and transport during the different phases of the evolving target. The high energy interaction with general heterogeneous target systems (HEIGHTS) simulation package for LPP incorporates detail models in full 3-D geometry of laser interactions with various target materials for different applications, including fusion, advanced lithography, directed energy lethality, and surface modifications of materials. HEIGHTS illustrates strong dependence of laser absorption/propagation on wavelength and the variation in hydrodynamic evolution of the produced plasma sources.
Transition tests for high performance microprocessors

The scope and need for scan based transition tests in the context of high volume manufacturing testing of microprocessors is discussed. A classification of transition faults for latch based design is presented. Finally, we discuss a silicon experiment to understand the most fundamental issue of scan based transition testing viz. their robustness.
Role of the Murein Precursor UDP-N-Acetylmuramyl-l-Ala-γ-d-Glu- meso-Diaminopimelic Acid-d-Ala-d-Ala in Repression of β-Lactamase Induction in Cell Division Mutants

Certain β-lactam antibiotics induce the chromosomal ampC β-lactamase of many gram-negative bacteria. The natural inducer, though not yet unequivocally identified, is a cell wall breakdown product which enters the cell via the AmpG permease component of the murein recycling pathway. Surprisingly, it has been reported that β-lactamase is not induced by cefoxitin in the absence of FtsZ, which is required for cell division, or in the absence of penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2), which is required for cell elongation. Since these results remain unexplained, we examined an ftsZ mutant and other cell division mutants (ftsA, ftsQ, and ftsI) and a PBP2 mutant for induction of β-lactamase. In all mutants, β-lactamase was not induced by cefoxitin, which confirms the initial reports. The murein precursor, UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-l-Ala-γ-d-Glu-meso-diaminopimelic acid-d-Ala-d-Ala (UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide), has been shown to serve as a corepressor with AmpR to repress β-lactamase expression in vitro. Our results suggest that β-lactamase is not induced because the fts mutants contain a greatly increased amount of corepressor which the inducer cannot displace. In the PBP2(Ts) mutant, in addition to accumulation of corepressor, cell wall turnover and recycling were greatly reduced so that little or no inducer was available. Hence, in both cases, a high ratio of repressor to inducer presumably prevents induction.
Reduced-complexity error-State diagrams in TCM and ISI channel performance evaluation

The performance evaluation of trellis-coded modulation (TCM) schemes and intersymbol interference (ISI) channels via union bounds involves a transfer function computation of an error-state diagram which enumerates all possible error events. This letter presents a new method for obtaining equivalent error-state diagrams with a reduced number of states.
Cardiovascular disease, estrogen deficiency, and inflammatory cytokines.

The incidence of hypertension increases in women after menopause, as does the susceptibility to myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases.1 The mechanisms responsible for increased cardiovascular disease risk after menopause are unknown. However, postmenopausal women exhibit increases in inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and inflammatory cytokines, which have been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Arenas et al2 report data in this issue of Hypertension that support this hypothesis. With menopause, the sex hormone levels decrease drastically. Estrogens have been shown to be antioxidative and to modulate both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator systems. For example, estradiol is known to increase NO synthase synthesis and activity3 and to reduce expression of the angiotensin (Ang) type 1 receptor (AT1R).4 Therefore, loss of estrogen production with menopause should be associated with increases in oxidative stress mediated by the renin–Ang system (RAS) because of increased expression of AT1Rs. This could occur even in the face of no change or lower levels of Ang II with aging. The consequences of increasing oxidative stress would lead to reductions in bioavailable NO because of the increased superoxide production but also the loss of antioxidant capacity. The combination of NO and superoxide produces peroxynitrite, a potent oxidant that is thought to reduce the levels of prostacyclin and increase the levels of thromboxane A2 because of peroxynitrite-mediated protein nitration.1 Both reactive …
Invasion of epithelial cells by Campylobacter jejuni is independent of caveolae

Caveolae are 25–100 nm flask-like membrane structures enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. Researchers have proposed that Campylobacter jejuni require caveolae for cell invasion based on the finding that treatment of cells with the cholesterol-depleting compounds filipin III or methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) block bacterial internalization in a dose-dependent manner. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of caveolae and caveolin-1, a principal component of caveolae, in C. jejuni internalization. Consistent with previous work, we found that the treatment of HeLa cells with MβCD inhibited C. jejuni internalization. However, we also found that the treatment of HeLa cells with caveolin-1 siRNA, which resulted in greater than a 90% knockdown in caveolin-1 protein levels, had no effect on C. jejuni internalization. Based on this observation we performed a series of experiments that demonstrate that MβCD acts broadly, disrupting host cell lipid rafts and C. jejuni- induced cell signaling. More specifically, we found that MβCD inhibits the cellular events necessary for C. jejuni internalization, including membrane ruffling and Rac1 GTPase activation. We also demonstrate that MβCD disrupted the association of the β1 integrin and EGF receptor, which are required for the maximal invasion of epithelial cells. In agreement with these findings, C. jejuni were able to invade human Caco-2 cells, which are devoid of caveolae, at a level equal to that of HeLa cells. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrate that C. jejuni internalization occurs in a caveolae-independent manner.