cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Word integration and regression programming during reading: a test of the E-Z reader 10 model

Participants read sentences with two types of target nouns, one that did and one that did not require a determiner to form a legal verb-noun phrase sequence. Sentences were presented with and without the critical determiner to create a local noun integration difficulty when a required determiner was missing. The absence of a required determiner did not influence 1st-pass reading of the verb, the noun, and the posttarget word. It did, however, have a profound effect on 2nd-pass reading. All three words were a likely target of a regression when a required determiner was missing, and the noun and the posttarget word were likely sources of a regression. These results are consistent with novel E-Z reader model assumptions, according to which identification of the noun should be followed by its integration, and integration difficulties can lead to the initiation of a regression to the noun. However, integration difficulties influenced eye movements earlier and later than predicted by the new model.
INTERPHASE DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID CONDENSATION, LATE DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID REPLICATION, AND GENE INACTIVATION.

Interphase Deoxyribonucleic Acid Condensation, Late Deoxyribonucleic Acid Replication, and Gene Inactivation
Sunburn browning decreases at-harvest internal fruit quality of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.).

Changes in internal fruit quality associated with increasing severity of sunburn browning of apples were investigated at harvest in five cultivars. Apples were sorted into five classes ranging from no sunburn (Sb-0) to severe sunburn browning (Sb-4). Fruit quality of flesh tissue was compared beneath the sunburned area, the shaded side, and the shoulder side of each apple. All two-way interactive effects (i.e., sunburn classes vs. sides of fruit, sunburn classes vs. cultivars, and cultivars vs. sides of fruit) were significant (P ≤ 0.05) for all fruit quality traits. For the treatment combination of sunburn class and side of fruit, flesh firmness, and soluble solids concentration increased on the sun side, but titratable acidity averaged over cultivars for the sun side generally declined as sunburn severity increased from Sb-1 to Sb-4. Starch cleared more quickly on the shaded and shoulder sides as compared to the sun-exposed side of all fruit with sunburn browning. Starch also generally cleared more rapi...
Akt2 deficiency as a therapeutic strategy protects against acute lung injury

Evaluation of: Vergadi E, Vaporidi K, Theodorakis EE et al. Akt2 deficiency protects from acute lung injury via alternative macrophage activation and miR-146a induction in mice. J. Immunol. 192, 394-406 (2013). Acute respiratory distress syndrome currently has limited effective treatments; however, recent evidence suggests that modulation of alveolar macrophage responses may be an effective method for protection or repair of lung injury. Vergadi et al. are the first to demonstrate that depletion of Akt2 kinase and microRNA-146a induction in mice resulted in polarization of alveolar macrophages towards an M2 activation phenotype and resulted in less severe injury following acid-induced lung injury. However, this M2 polarization also resulted in increased lung bacterial load following infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
2D diffuse optical imaging using clustered sparsity

Diffuse optical imaging (DOI) is a non-invasive technique which measures hemodynamic changes in the tissue with near infrared light, and has been increasingly used to study brain functions. Due to the nature of light propagation in the tissue, the reconstruction problem is severely ill-posed. Sparsityregularization has achieved promising results in recent works for linearized DOI problem. In this paper, we exploit more prior information to improve DOI besides sparsity. Based on the functional specialization of the brain, the in vivo absorption changes caused by specific brain function can be clustered in certain region(s) and not randomly distributed. Thus, a new algorithm is proposed to utilize this prior in reconstruction. Results of numerical simulations and phantom experiments have demonstrated the superiority of the proposed method over the state-of-the-art.
Outcomes of laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy tube placement in 299 patients.

Background Jejunostomy catheters for jejunal feeding are an effective method to improve nutritional status in malnourish patients. However, this procedure is commonly being performed using an open approach, which can be associated with more postoperative pain and prolonged recovery. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients who underwent placement of feeding jejunostomy using a laparoscopic approach.
Vann McGee's counterexample to modus ponens

After rejecting some unjustified criticism of McGee's claim about modus ponens, I argued for two conditionals: If the Adams-Appiah theory of conditionals is correct, then modus ponens is saved from McGee's counterexample. If the Lewis-Jackson theory is correct, the same holds. Furthermore, I raised some doubts whether the antecedents of these conditionals are true. But, if one of them were, then, by modus ponens, modus ponens would be generally valid.
Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and a TRH analogue, MK-771, on punished responding of squirrel monkeys

The effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and an enzyme-resistant analogue, MK-771, were compared on punished responding of squirrel monkeys maintained either by food presentation or stimulus-shock termination. Both TRH and MK-771 (1.0–30 mg/kg IM) produced dose-related decreases in punished responding maintained by food presentation and dose-related increases in punished responding maintained by shock termination. TRH was more potent than MK-771 in altering punished response rates maintained by either event.
6 A-resolution X-ray structure of a variable surface glycoprotein from Trypanosoma brucei.

The variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) is the predominant component of the surface coat of the African trypanosome1. The expression of antigenically distinct VSGs on minor populations during infection allows the parasite to escape the host immune response2,3. Purification of the protein is facilitated by the enzymatic release of a soluble form of VSG (sVSG) which occurs on cell lysis4. The soluble form is a dimer with an approximate molecular weight of 120,000–130,0005. Partial proteolysis of sVSG6 reveals a protease-sensitive link between an amino-terminal domain which comprises about two-thirds of the molecule, and a C-terminal domain which contains the membrane attachment site7. We have obtained crystals suitable for high-resolution structural analysis from preparations of three sVSG: MITat 1.2, ILTat 1.25 and ILTat 1.22. The crystal structure of the dimer of the MITat 1.2 amino-terminal domain has been solved to 6 A resolution. We report here that the dimer is an unusual 90 A rod-like molecule composed of a helical bundle of at least four 80 A-long α-helices.
Differential gene expression associated with postnatal equine articular cartilage maturation

Articular cartilage undergoes an important maturation process from neonate to adult that is reflected by alterations in matrix protein organization and increased heterogeneity of chondrocyte morphology. In the horse, these changes are influenced by exercise during the first five months of postnatal life. Transcriptional profiling was used to evaluate changes in articular chondrocyte gene expression during postnatal growth and development. Total RNA was isolated from the articular cartilage of neonatal (0–10 days) and adult (4–5 years) horses, subjected to one round of linear RNA amplification, and then applied to a 9,367-element equine-specific cDNA microarray. Comparisons were made with a dye-swap experimental design. Microarray results for selected genes (COL2A1, COMP, P4HA1, TGFB1, TGFBR3, TNC) were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Fifty-six probe sets, which represent 45 gene products, were up-regulated (p < 0.01) in chondrocytes of neonatal articular cartilage relative to chondrocytes of adult articular cartilage. Conversely, 586 probe sets, which represent 499 gene products, were up-regulated (p < 0.01) in chondrocytes of adult articular cartilage relative to chondrocytes of neonatal articular cartilage. Collagens, matrix-modifying enzymes, and provisional matrix non-collagenous proteins were expressed at higher levels in the articular cartilage of newborn foals. Those genes with increased mRNA abundance in adult chondrocytes included leucine-rich small proteoglycans, matrix assembly, and cartilage maintenance proteins. Differential expression of genes encoding matrix proteins and matrix-modifying enzymes between neonates and adults reflect a cellular maturation process in articular chondrocytes. Up-regulated transcripts in neonatal cartilage are consistent with growth and expansion of the articular surface. Expression patterns in mature articular cartilage indicate a transition from growth to homeostasis, and tissue function related to withstanding shear and weight-bearing stresses.
Texture analysis using computer vision

Abstract Surfaces of industrial parts need to be specified based on their utility and application environment. Surface characterization is hence very vital for design, manufacturing and inspection. Current techniques of surface measurement use surface profilometers, coordinate measuring machines and some optical techniques to estimate the nature of the surfaces. With the advent of automation surface characterization needs to be totally computerized so that the task of inspection (of surfaces) is greatly simplified. In the present paper a methodology is presented that uses a computer vision system to characterize the nature of the surface. In doing so, optical principles and lighting are discussed. Simple experiments were conducted using precalibrated gauge blocks to verify the feasibility of the method. A simple discussion is then presented with details on how to use this system for inspection. The advantages of using a vision system over other techniques is also adequately discussed.
Melatonin receptors in human hypothalamus and pituitary: implications for circadian and reproductive responses to melatonin

Two major physiological roles for the pineal hormone melatonin (MEL) have been identified in vertebrates: the hormone influences circadian rhythmicity and regulates seasonal responses to changes in day length. These effects of MEL are thought to be due to interaction with specific, high affinity MEL receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and hypophysial pars tuberalis (PT), respectively. Using the ligand 2-[125I]iodo-MEL ([125I]MEL), we examined putative MEL receptors in these regions in human and monkey tissue specimens by in vitro autoradiography. Specific, high affinity [125I]MEL-binding sites (Kd, 53.3 +/- 13.0 pM) were consistently observed in the human SCN. In contrast, specific [125I]MEL binding was detectable in the PT of only one of the eight human specimens examined. Specific [125I]MEL binding was also detected in the pars distalis of several subjects, but with an inconsistent distribution. In rhesus monkey tissue, MEL receptors were readily detected in the SCN and, as in all other seasonally breeding species examined to date, in the PT. The relative absence of MEL receptors from the human PT suggests that neuroendocrine responses to MEL in humans may occur by fundamentally different mechanisms than those that underlie the photoperiodic regulation of reproduction in seasonally breeding species.
Immediate effects of cochlear implantation on voice quality.

Seminal quantitative group acoustic data are presented on voice quality changes following electrical stimulation (ES) of the auditory nerve via a single-channel cochlear implant (CI). It was found that the fundamental frequency (Fo) of our patients was significantly lower after the first day of ES, while intensity and speaking duration were not significantly different from pre-CI values. These results suggest that the CI provides enough frequency information < 300 Hz to permit immediate and independent alterations in voice Fo towards normal-hearing speakers values. Our findings also indicate that intensity and speaking duration require additional time before differences found become significant. Longitudinal data are still needed to determine if Fo continues to lower and if intensity and/or speaking duration change significantly to approximate values observed in normal-hearing individuals.
A survey of persons who use integrated control devices.

Integrated devices allow users to operate multiple pieces of assistive technology items from a single input device. Through this single input device, users with severe physical limitations are able to operate several other devices such as a wheelchair, telephone, computer, and communication aid. Twenty-four integrated control users completed a telephone survey to ascertain consumer satisfaction with integrated controls. Eighteen were either satisfied or very satisfied with the evaluation for an integrated control, one was neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, two were very dissatisfied, and three did not respond to the question. Twenty were very satisfied or satisfied and four were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the training they received. Twenty-two respondents indicated they were either very satisfied or satisfied with their integrated control device, one was neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and one was very dissatisfied. In general, respondents were satisfied with their integrated contr...
Educating Second Language Children: The Whole Child, the Whole Curriculum, and the Whole Community (Fred Genesee)

(1994). Educating Second Language Children: The Whole Child, the Whole Curriculum, and the Whole Community (Fred Genesee) Bilingual Research Journal: Vol. 18, No. 3-4, pp. 169-177.
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production with Tunable Nanorod Heterostructures

We report the design of a multicomponent nanoheterostructure aimed at photocatalytic production of hydrogen. The system is composed of a platinum-tipped cadmium sulfide rod with an embedded cadmium selenide seed. In such structures, holes are three-dimensionally confined to the cadmium selenide, whereas the delocalized electrons are transferred to the metal tip. Consequently, the electrons are now separated from the holes over three different components and by a tunable physical length. The seeded rod metal tip samples studied here facilitate efficient long-lasting charge carrier separation and minimize back reaction of intermediates. By tuning the nanorod heterostructure length and the seed size, we were able to significantly increase the activity for hydrogen production compared to that of unseeded rods. This structure was found to be highly active for hydrogen production, with an apparent quantum yield of 20% at 450 nm, and was active under orange light illumination and demonstrated improved stability ...
Shovelnose sturgeon exhibit predator avoidance behaviour in the presence of a hungry predator

Summary An experiment was designed to test whether age-0 shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) exhibited predator avoidance behaviour in response to a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) predator. It was hypothesized that shovelnose sturgeon would not exhibit any innate predator avoidance behaviour because previous reports have shown a congener of the shovelnose sturgeon, the pallid sturgeon (S. albus), to be an unfavourable prey item for channel catfish. The results, however, indicated that shovelnose sturgeon generally avoided space occupied by the catfish predator and spent a greater proportion of time in the predator avoidance zone within the experimental tank. Bitten fish, in particular, spent a greater period of time in the predator avoidance zone. Of all sturgeon used in this experiment (N = 30), 73% swam within the fork length (350 mm) of the catfish predator. The results seem to indicate that shovelnose sturgeon were initially oblivious to the risk of predation by the catfish predator, but after interaction (e.g. being chased or bitten) appeared to display predator avoidance behaviour. Predator avoidance behaviour in shovelnose sturgeon may thus be suggested as a learned rather than an innate behaviour.
Planktonic foraminifera of the northern Indian Ocean: Distribution and preservation in surface sediments

In the northern Indian Ocean, planktonic foraminiferal tests accumulate in a wide variety of surface-water environments and depositional settings. This variability enables us to isolate the effects that surface-water ecology and differential dissolution have on the distribution of planktonic foraminifera from 251 geographically widespread surface sediment samples. Foraminiferal abundance varies from 0 to > 104 whole foraminifera in the greater than 150 μm fraction per gram dry sediment. Values < 10 characterize the three deep basins of the equatorial Indian Ocean and the western Bay of Bengal. Foraminiferal tests are most abundant on carbonate covered Ninety-East and Carlsberg Ridges. Absolute abundance patterns are mainly controlled by non-ecological processes. Variations in dissolution resistant species (RSP) with water depth reveal that the foraminiferal lysocline (FL) varies regionally. The FL is deepest (3,800 m) in the equatorial region, rises abruptly to 3,300 m in the Arabian Sea, and varies from 2,600 m to near 2,000 m moving northward in the Bay of Bengal. Deep samples with anomalously low RSP (< 30%) suggest redeposition. Systematic geographic and depth-related variation is observed for the 17 most abundant foraminiferal species. Dissolution resistant species (G. menardii, G. tumida, G. dutertrei, P. obliquiloculata) generally exhibit a rapid and continuous increase in relative abundance at and below the FL. Susceptible species (G. ruber, G. bulloides, G. glutinata, for example) exhibit a rapid and continuous decrease in relative abundance at and below the FL. Moderately susceptible species (G. conglobatus, G. aequilateralis, G. conglomerata, for example) rapidly increase in abundance at the FL and systematically decrease with depth below the FL. Principal components analysis (PCA) of faunal data from minimally dissolved (< 30% RSP) samples reveals important ecologically related species intercorrelations. The major biogeographic gradient is the negative covarying relationship between aG. bulloides-G. glutinata species pair and a grouping ofG. sacculifer, G. conglobatus, G. aequilateralis, andG. ruber. PCA of all samples demonstrates how differential dissolution alters this and other species relationships. Species groupings that incorporateG. ruber, G. menardii, andG. dutertrei are particularly affected by dissolution. Comparison of average faunal data from minimally dissolved samples in the northern Indian Ocean with similar samples from other tropical regions suggests varying environmental factors produce distinct faunas within the tropical ocean. For example,G. bulloides, G. falconensis, andG. hexagona are significantly more abundant in northern Indian Ocean surface sediments while such species asG. ruber, G. sacculifer, G. dutertrei, andP. obliquiloculata dominate in other tropical regions.
Effectiveness of Prophylactic Ankle Stabilisers for Prevention of Ankle Injuries

Ankle injuries are common at many levels of athletic participation. A relatively recent approach in injury intervention is the use of prophylactic ankle stabilisers (PAS). PAS are used with the intention of reducing the frequency and severity of ankle injuries in a cost-effective manner. To date, 4 studies have been completed to determine the clinical efficacy of PAS. Although all of the studies have methodological limitations, a general consensus of agreement exists among the findings: PAS are effective in reducing the incidence of acute ankle sprains. However, the effect of PAS on ankle sprain severity remains unclear, as varying results have been reported. PAS do not increase the risk of knee injuries. The use of PAS for ankle injury reduction appears to be justified although further research is required.
Determination of Organophosphorus Insecticides in Water by C-18 Solid Phase Extraction and Quantitative TLC

The concentrated extract was spotted directly for silica gel TLC separation, followed by detection with TCQ reagent and quantification by densitometric scanning. Recoveries of ethyl parathion and azinphos-ethyl at fortification concentrations of 4 ppb and carbophenothion at 0.4 ppb were 90% or greater from waters not requiring silica gel cleanup, and 76-93% for ethyl parathion, diazinon, and malathion when this step was included
Diffractive Optics For Broadband Infrared Imagers: Design Examples

Two optical designs for infrared imagers, a fast (F/1) staring system and a slower (F/2.4) scanning system, are discussed to demonstrate the advantages and limitations of using hybrid diffractive/refractive elements as replacements for conventional elements. Each case is compared to a conventional design of all spherical elements satisfying a specific set of hypothetical requirements for resolution, field-of-view, and spectral bandwidth (8-12 μm). We find that as much as a 33 percent reduction in the number of elements can be achieved in the slower system using hybrid elements. For the fast system, spherochromatism greatly limits the performance of the hybrid design. A table is presented showing the trades among F-number, field-of-view, bandwidth, and materials needed to maintain constant resolution in the fast system.
Comparison of Children with Joint Angles in Spastic Diplegia with Those of Normal Children

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare joint angles between normal children and those with spastic diplegia using three-dimensional gait analysis. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects were eight patients with spastic diplegia and eight normal children. Three-dimensional gait analysis was used for the survey. The measured gait variables were the joints of the lower extremity in the sagittal plane, frontal plane, and transverse planes and the maximum and minimum angles of their stance phase and swing phases. [Results] In the sagittal plane, the maximum angles of both the right and left pelvis and hip joint in the stance phase and swing phases were significantly greater for children with spastic diplegia than for normal children. In the stance phase of the right side of the hip joint, the maximum angles of the hip in the swing phase and the knee joint’s minimum angles in the stance phase differed significantly. In the transverse plane, there were a significant differences on the left side of the pelvis in the maximum angles in the swing and stance phases. There were also significant differences on the right side pelvis, in the maximum and minimum angles in the stance phase and minimum angles in the swing phase. [Conclusion] Children with spastic diplegia employ a different gait strategy and pattern from normal children.
Nongenomic effects of estrogen mediate the dose-related myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction caused by acute ethanol in female rats.

Acute ethanol lowers blood pressure (BP) and cardiac output in proestrus and after chronic estrogen (E2) replacement in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. However, whether rapid nongenomic effects o...
Seasonal variations in the utilization of ammonium and nitrate by photoplankton in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, USA

The nitrogenous nutrition of the phytoplankton in Vineyeard Sound, Massachusetts, USA was investigated over a 15-month period. Highest rates of ammonium uptake were observed immediately prior to, or during, the diatom bloom periods, and with one exception were found in the <10 μm size class. The saturating rate of ammonium uptake correlated well with temperature and gave Q10 values of 2.6–3.2; correlations with ambient solar irradiation were not nearly so clear. Uptake rates of ammonium exceeded those of nitrate except during the winter bloom of the diatom Rhizosolenia delicatula; yet calculation of the f ratio revealed that nitrate was relatively important in the nitrogenous nutrition of the phytoplankton throughout the year.
Lobular carcinoma of the breast metastatic to bone with unusual clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features mimicking osteopoikilosis

A 55-year-old woman who underwent a right radical mastectomy for infiltrating lobular carcinoma was found to have multiple diffuse osteoblastic bone lesions. Since she was asymptomatic, had no elevation of alkaline phosphatase, and the lesions did not take up technetium pyrophosphate on bone scan, she was thought to have osteopoikilosis. An iliac bone biopsy was performed that showed greatly thickened bony trabeculae with diffuse delicate marrow fibrosis entrapping easily overlooked short strands of small malignant cells. The histologic picture also closely resembled osteopoikilosis. Although infiltrating lobular carcinoma has been recognized as separate from ductal carcinoma in the primary site, its recognition in metastatic foci is still vague. Attention is drawn to its histologic appearance in skeletal metastases so that such lesions will be more recognizable in the future.
The influence glutamic acid in protonated b3 → b2 formation from VGEIG and related analogs.

Abstract A direct pathway for the fragmentation of peptide b 3 fragment ions to b 2 ions has, until now, not been identified. Experimental evidence for the formation of a b 3 anhydride structure and isomerization to an extended macrocycle is demonstrated here by comparison of the completely different fragmentation patterns of the b 3 ions generated from protonated VGEIG and its methyl ester. In particular, the absence of a b 2 ion in the fragmentation spectrum of the methyl ester b 3 indicates that facile fragmentation of an anhydride-type b 3 is responsible for virtually all b 2 ions formed. The stability of this b 3 structure and the ease with which it fragments to the b 2 may be responsible for the relatively high abundance of the b 3 and b 2 ions. IRMPD action spectroscopy measurements indicate the presence of a ring protonated oxazolone in the b 2 population. VGEIG and three related analogs, VA l EIG, VA d EIG, and V(Aib)EIG were studied by QCID-HDX-SORI experiments in an FT-ICR instrument, and provide significant evidence for extensive alpha proton scrambling in an ion–molecule complex formed between the b 2 and neutral loss fragment following formation of the b 2 . MS 3 and HDX of VG(2,2-d2)EIG indicate that the scrambled b 2 ions have the same structure as the unscrambled b 2 . Based on these data and with the support of molecular modeling, we propose a new mechanism for this scrambling, in which the alpha protons are transferred in a multi-step pathway during an ion–molecule complex formed between the b 2 and amino-terminated anhydride ring neutral loss component.
Use of Thermal and Pressure Shocks to Induce Triploid Hybrid Saugeyes

Abstract The effects of thermal (heat, cold) and pressure shocks were evaluated for inducing triploidy in saugeyes (female walleye Stizostedion vitreum × male sauger S. canadense). Sterile triploid saugeyes are preferred for stocking because fertile diploid saugeyes have, through introgression, compromised the genetic integrity of parental stocks in Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Pressure shock was better than both heat and cold shocks for inducing triploidy, and heat shock was better than cold shock. Heat shocks of 31°C applied 5 min after gamete activation (time of initiation, TI) for durations of 15, 20, and 25 min resulted in an average triploidy rate (±SD) of 79.8 ± 1.9% and average survival to the eyed stage of 52.2 ± 3.4% (compared with 67.5% for controls). Cold shocks of 1.2 ± 0.7°C applied at a TI of 5 min for durations of 120, 150, and 180 min resulted in 30.8 ± 1% triploidy and survival to the eyed-stage of 24.6 ± 3.2% (compared with 35.1% for controls). In small-scale experiments, pr...
Why is the equilibrium notion essential for a unified institutional theory? A friendly remark on the article by Hindriks and Guala

This short commentary basically supports the unified approach to institutions of Hindriks and Guala (2014). First, using a flow diagram over the two-by-two boxes in the space spanned by the collective-individual dimension and the behavior (play)-cognitive (belief) dimension, it argues that the classical game theory and the so-called institution-as-rule theory are both incomplete and that they should be regarded as complementary for an integrated theory of institution as a process. However, the substantive forms of institutions ought to be linguistic representations (i.e. rules and ideas) that summarize equilibrium states of play of the societal game so as to mediate them to be incorporated into minds of players as collective intentionality (i.e. shared beliefs). From this perspective this note also supports the authors’ argument to unpack the ‘Y’ term in Searle's notion of constitutive rule (that is, the regulative rule) and submit it to be based on a neo-Hegelian notion of mutual recognition (i.e. equilibrium).
Millimeter-wave tapered-slot antennas on synthesized low permittivity substrates

This paper presents 30-GHz linear-tapered slot antennas (LTSA) and 94-GHz constant-width slot antennas (CSWA) on synthesized low dielectric constant substrates (/spl epsiv//sub r/=2.2). The performance of tapered-slot antennas (TSA) is sensitive to the effective thickness of the substrate. We have reduced the effective thickness by selectively machining holes in the dielectric substrate. The machined substrate antenna radiation patterns were significantly improved independent of the machined hole size or lattice as long as the quasi-static effective thickness remained the same, even if the hole/lattice geometry is comparable to a wavelength. The method was applied at 94 GHz on a CSWA with excellent radiation pattern improvement, making it suitable for f/1.6 imaging array applications.
Sketching articulation and pose for facial animation

We present a method for articulating and posing meshes, in particular facial meshes, through a 2D sketching interface. Our method establishes an interface between 3D meshes and 2D sketching with the inference of reference and target curves. Reference curves allow for user selection of features on a mesh and their manipulation to match a target curve. Our articulation system uses these curves to specify the deformations of a character rig, forming a coordinate space of mesh poses. Given such a coordinate space, our posing system uses reference and target curves to find the optimal pose of the mesh with respect to the sketch input. We present results demonstrating the efficacy of our method for mesh articulation, mesh posing with articulations generated in both Maya and our sketch-based system, and mesh animation using human features from video. Through our method, we aim to both provide novice-accessible articulation and posing mesh interfaces and rapid prototyping of complex deformations for more experienced users.
Meniscus-Assisted Magnetic Bead Trapping on Ewod-Based Digital Microfluidics for Specific Protein Localization

This paper presents a technique to localize specific proteins utilizing magnetic beads (MBs) in digital (droplet) microfluidics, operated by electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD). We identify the fundamental differences between digital and continuous microfluidics in utilizing magnetic beads, and demonstrate the technique on an EWOD device. We also show specific, localized concentration of a target protein over antibody- conjugated MBs ("MB-Abs") as proof of concept.
Gender Differences in Pain, Fatigue, and Depression in Patients With Cancer

A quick review of virtually any research topic documents the pervasiveness of sex and gender bias throughout all of science. A large portion of both animal and human research has been, and continues to be, done primarily with male subjects. This gender bias influences research results and often leads to inappropriate and questionable generalizations of research findings, usually from studies done with male participants to females. Needless to say, this bias exists in symptom management research on pain, fatigue, and depression in patients with cancer. This article reviews the evidence from the studies on gender differences in pain, fatigue, and depression in patients with cancer. It should be noted that research studies on gender differences in cancer-related pain, fatigue, and depression are minimal in number, are restricted to studies of the differences in prevalence rates and severity scores, and for the most part have yielded inconsistent results. Additional investigations are warranted to determine whether the gender differences in prevalence rates and severity of these symptoms represent clinically meaningful differences. If these gender differences are substantiated, these findings will guide the design of studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for these differences, as well as the development and testing of gender specific interventions to treat cancer-related pain, fatigue, and depression.
An information dissemination protocol for an ad hoc network

Previous research has illustrated that location-based routing protocols improve the effectiveness of mobile ad hoc network (MANET) routing. The goal of a location server, which may be used in conjunction with a location-based routing protocol, is to provide accurate location information on the mobile nodes in the network. In this paper, we propose an information dissemination protocol called LEAP (legend exchange and augmentation protocol), which we use to implement a location server for a MANET. We compare our legend-based location server to three other location service alternatives via extensive simulations, and illustrate that our LEAP implementation offers both effective accuracy and low overhead.
A 1972 prediction of Uranian rings based on the Alfvén critical velocity effect

It is speculated from an empirical point of view that there may be yet unobserved matter around the planet Uranus inside the orbit of Miranda. Such matter, if any, is likely to be emplaced in the form of rings.
Reconsidering Judicial Preferences

Among political scientists, not only is it uncontroversial to say that judges seek to etch their political values into law; it would be near heresy to suggest otherwise. And yet this article does just that because research conducted by scholars (mostly outside of political science) has demonstrated that the policy goal is not the only motivation; it may not even be dominant for many judges. The evidence is now so strong that it poses a serious challenge to the extremely (un)realist(ic) conception of judicial behavior that has dominated the study of law and legal institutions for generations. In addition to reviewing this evidence, we offer a more realistic conception of judicial motivations and suggest how different approaches to the study of courts can contribute to this new avenue of research.
Effect of unemployment on school leavers' self-esteem

Young people who do not go to college after high school face much higher unemployment rates than adults, and their failure to find satisfactory employment may impede the growth of self-esteem at a crucial developmental stage. The effect of unemployment was studied in a subsample from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth whose self-esteem was measured in 1980 while still in school and again in 1987. Unemployment and unsatisfactory employment in 1987 were both negatively related to self-esteem in 1987. All groups showed increases in self-esteem between interviews, but those satisfactorily employed gained most. In a different analysis, the percentage of time unemployed since leaving school was also negatively related to self-esteem. Although percentage of time unemployed did not add any explanatory power to the prediction of 1987 self-esteem by 1987 unemployment, it may operate indirectly on self-esteem via 1987 employment status.
A Sample Approximation Approach for Optimization with Probabilistic Constraints

We study approximations of optimization problems with probabilistic constraints in which the original distribution of the underlying random vector is replaced with an empirical distribution obtained from a random sample. We show that such a sample approximation problem with a risk level larger than the required risk level will yield a lower bound to the true optimal value with probability approaching one exponentially fast. This leads to an a priori estimate of the sample size required to have high confidence that the sample approximation will yield a lower bound. We then provide conditions under which solving a sample approximation problem with a risk level smaller than the required risk level will yield feasible solutions to the original problem with high probability. Once again, we obtain a priori estimates on the sample size required to obtain high confidence that the sample approximation problem will yield a feasible solution to the original problem. Finally, we present numerical illustrations of how these results can be used to obtain feasible solutions and optimality bounds for optimization problems with probabilistic constraints.
Understanding pretreatment efficacy of four cholinium and imidazolium ionic liquids by chemistry and computation

Certain ionic liquids (ILs) offer a potentially more sustainable and environmentally responsible alternative to organic solvents for many industrial applications, including biorefineries, where they are used to pretreat lignocellulose. To gain a more robust understanding of the roles of cations and anions in the process, we monitored the impact of the respective ILs on Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) in terms of lignin content, cellulose crystallinity, and enzymatic digestibility. The behaviors of four ILs, based on one of two cations, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C2mim]+) and cholinium ([Ch]+), and one of two anions, acetate ([OAc]−) and lysinate ([Lys]−), were compared. While all four ILs were effective in pretreating switchgrass, ILs containing [Lys]− anions provided greater delignification (70–80% vs. 16–50%) after addition of water as an anti-solvent and higher glucose yields (78–96% vs. 56–90%) compared to those obtained by the use of ILs containing [OAc]− anions. Measurements of the Kamlet–Taft parameters using a series of dyes indicated a greater hydrogen bond basicity for the ILs with [Lys]− anions as compared to acetate ILs. To understand the effective delignification ability of lysinate-based ILs, interaction energies of individual ions and ion pairs with a model dilignol substrate were determined by quantum chemical calculations. The results show that the addition of antisolvent significantly influenced the interaction energies governing lignin removal during the process.
On the large-deviations optimality of scheduling policies minimizing the drift of a Lyapunov function

We show that for a large class of scheduling algorithms, when the algorithm minimizes the drift of a Lyapunov function, the algorithm is optimal in maximizing the asymptotic decay-rate of the probability that the Lyapunov function value exceeds a large threshold. The result in this paper extends our prior results to the important and practically-useful case when the Lyapunov function is not linear in scale, in which case the evolution of the fluid-sample-paths becomes more difficult to track. We use the notion of generalized fluid-sample-paths to address this difficulty, and provide easy-to-verify conditions for checking the large-deviations optimality of scheduling algorithms. As an immediate application of the result, we show that the log-rule is optimal in maximizing the asymptotic decay-rate of the probability that the sum queue exceeds a threshold B.
Introduction to Arabic Natural Language Processing

he Arabic language has recently become the focus of an increasing number of projects in natural language processing (NLP) and computational linguistics (CL). In this book, I try to provide NLP/CL system developers and researchers (computer scientists and linguists alike) with the necessary background information for working with Arabic.I discuss various Arabic linguistic phenomena and review the state-of-the-art in Arabic processing.
Winter fluxes of methane from Minnesota peatlands

Winter fluxes of methane were investigated in northern Minnesota during 1988–89 and 1989–90. Two bogs and a fen emitted methane throughout the snow-covered season (November through March). Fluxes decreased to a low level of 3–16 mg CH4 m−2 d−1 in late March, reflecting decreasing peat temperatures and (in 1989–90) increasing depth of frost in the peat. Winter fluxes calculated by integration for an open poor fen, an open bog, a forested bog hollow, and a hummock site in the forested bog averaged 49, 12, 13, and 5 mg m−2 d−1, respectively, in 1989–1990 (the year most measurements were made). These comprised 11%, 4%, 15%, and 21% of total annual flux.
Basal ganglia and dopamine contributions to probabilistic category learning

Studies of the medial temporal lobe and basal ganglia memory systems have recently been extended towards understanding the neural systems contributing to category learning. The basal ganglia, in particular, have been linked to probabilistic category learning in humans. A separate parallel literature in systems neuroscience has emerged, indicating a role for the basal ganglia and related dopamine inputs in reward prediction and feedback processing. Here, we review behavioral, neuropsychological, functional neuroimaging, and computational studies of basal ganglia and dopamine contributions to learning in humans. Collectively, these studies implicate the basal ganglia in incremental, feedback-based learning that involves integrating information across multiple experiences. The medial temporal lobes, by contrast, contribute to rapid encoding of relations between stimuli and support flexible generalization of learning to novel contexts and stimuli. By breaking down our understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms contributing to different aspects of learning, recent studies are providing insight into how, and when, these different processes support learning, how they may interact with each other, and the consequence of different forms of learning for the representation of knowledge.
Action potential initiation site depends on neuronal excitation

The initiation site in neurons is where the excitatory and inhibitory inputs sum to generate action potentials. It is generally considered to be at a fixed location, typically at the axon hillock or initial segment, although action potentials, or impulses, could in theory arise at a site that shifts dynamically. The data reported here show that the initiation site can shift in a graded manner, by as much as 175 microm, depending on the level of neuronal excitation. Laser axotomy reveals that the Anterior Pagoda (AP) neuron of the leech is excitable within the synaptic neuropil before its axon bifurcates. Using an electrophysiological technique to measure relative delays in impulses arriving at different sites, we have found that depolarization, either by applied current or by synaptic input, can shift the site of impulse initiation in the cell proximally toward the soma and neurites receiving synaptic input. Impulse initiation in this region should enhance the efficacy of inputs synapsing there. Conversely, hyperpolarization can shift the initiation site distally. A shifting initiation site, therefore, may be a mechanism by which synaptic inputs can rapidly enhance or suppress the active response of the AP neuron to other synaptic inputs.
Not All News Is the Same Protests, Presidents, and the Mass Public Agenda

Few studies examine whether the public agenda responds to different types of issue coverage in the same way. After outlining why such differences are likely, this study takes advantage of daily polling data and a rare sequence of news cycles surrounding the issue of gun control to compare how coverage of different political actors and events drives an issue's placement on the public agenda. Coverage generated by the citizen activist group, the Million Mom March, is estimated to have a greater influence on public opinion compared to coverage of a string of school shootings or, finally, President Clinton's campaign. Tests show that group or political biases do not drive these results but, along with evidence from the 2009 health care protests, coverage of citizen demonstrations consistently outperforms presidential news in its association with the mass public agenda. Although elected officials are granted greater access to news media coverage, the findings suggest that such access does not grant a corresponding influence on the public agenda. More generally, it demonstrates that news storyline content has measurable implications for news media agenda setting at the national level. Language: en
High-temperature characteristics of IGBTs in soft- and hard-switching converters

This paper reports on the experimental and theoretical performances of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) characteristics at elevated temperatures when used in soft- and hard-switching converters. It is shown that di/dt-dependent turn-on voltage spike and dynamic forward voltage saturation occur due to conductivity modulation lag in the drift region. During turn-off, temperature- and dv/dt-dependent elevated current waveforms were measured that are caused by the minority carrier storage and recombination in the drift region of the device. The measured data is shown to be in excellent agreement with the simulated results over the entire range of dv/dt, di/dt and temperature variations. The simulations were performed using an advanced mixed device and circuit simulator in which device carrier dynamics was studied under boundary conditions imposed by circuit operation. >
Community annotation and bioinformatics workforce development in concert—Little Skate Genome Annotation Workshops and Jamborees

Recent advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies have equipped biologists with a powerful new set of tools for advancing research goals. The resulting flood of sequence data has made it critically important to train the next generation of scientists to handle the inherent bioinformatic challenges. The North East Bioinformatics Collaborative (NEBC) is undertaking the genome sequencing and annotation of the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) to promote advancement of bioinformatics infrastructure in our region, with an emphasis on practical education to create a critical mass of informatically savvy life scientists. In support of the Little Skate Genome Project, the NEBC members have developed several annotation workshops and jamborees to provide training in genome sequencing, annotation and analysis. Acting as a nexus for both curation activities and dissemination of project data, a project web portal, SkateBase (http://skatebase.org) has been developed. As a case study to illustrate effective coupling of community annotation with workforce development, we report the results of the Mitochondrial Genome Annotation Jamborees organized to annotate the first completely assembled element of the Little Skate Genome Project, as a culminating experience for participants from our three prior annotation workshops. We are applying the physical/virtual infrastructure and lessons learned from these activities to enhance and streamline the genome annotation workflow, as we look toward our continuing efforts for larger-scale functional and structural community annotation of the L. erinacea genome.
Background in topology

If X is a set, then x ∈ X means that x is an element of X, while y ∉ X means that y is not an element of X. A set which has a single element x is denoted by (x). On logical grounds, it is necessary to distinguish between an object x and the set (x) consisting of the single object x. However, as a matter of notational convenience we shall use frequently the same symbol for an object x and the set consisting of the single object x. It is also convenient to use the concept of the empty set which has no element. The empty set will be denoted by the symbol O.