cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voiced stops in the command performance of Southern US English

Four self-identified code-switchers from Southwest Virginia and six actors who did not identify as having Southern accents each recorded two sets of stimuli in which they aimed to produce a more Southern and a more Standardized US accent. An analysis of the Voice Onset Time (VOT) of phrase and word initial voiced stops revealed that both groups of speakers produced more tokens with prevoicing (lead or negative lag voicing) when speaking in the Southern versus the Standard guise, and that in the Standard guise, the Southern speakers produced more prevoiced tokens than the actors. These findings support fairly recent descriptions of lead voicing as a feature of Southern US English. They additionally show that despite the lack of overt commentary about this feature, speakers have an awareness of the association between lead voicing and Southern US English because they manipulate the feature in a socially meaningful way; in Labov's [(1972). Sociolinguistic Patterns (Blackwell, Oxford)] terminology, negative lag voicing is a marker of Southern US English.
Depression Risk Is Associated With Weakened Synchrony Between the Amygdala and Experienced Emotion.

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with aberrant limbic neural responses to emotional stimuli. We assessed how self-generated emotions modulate trial-by-trial limbic activity and whether this brain-emotion synchrony varies by familial MDD risk (regardless of personal MDD history) and neuroticism. Methods Participants (n = 74, mean age = 34 years) were later-generation family members of depressed or nondepressed probands as part of a longitudinal cohort study. Using an emotion induction task, we examined participant-specific modulation of anatomically defined limbic neurobiology. Neuroticism, mental health, and familial parenting style were assessed, and MDD assessments were routinely collected throughout the previous longitudinal assessments of the study. Results Participant-specific emotional arousal modulated amygdala and hippocampal activity. Lasso regression identified attenuated right amygdala arousal modulation as being relatively more associated with neuroticism (even though neuroticism was not associated with arousal ratings). Attenuated amygdala modulation and neuroticism were significantly more likely in offspring of parents with MDD. Parental MDD, but not personal history of MDD, predicted attenuated amygdala modulation. Conclusions Attenuated right amygdala modulation by emotional arousal was associated with neuroticism, indicating that the amygdala was less synchronous with emotional experiences in individuals higher in neuroticism. This neurophenotype was predicted by participants’ parental MDD history but not by their own MDD history; that is, it was observed in unaffected and affected offspring of parents with MDD. These data suggest that weak amygdala-emotion synchrony may be a predisposing risk factor for MDD, rather than a result of the illness, and they suggest pathways by which this risk factor for depression is passed intergenerationally.
Variable expression of CXCR4 in molecular subtypes of infiltrating gliomas.

Aim Glioblastomas (GBMs) and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are infiltrating gliomas with poor prognosis. CXCR4 has been linked to glioma cell invasion, survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of CXCR4 in molecular subtypes of adult and pediatric infiltrating gliomas. Materials and methods We evaluated the expression of CXCR4 in 21 DIPGs and 44 adult infiltrating gliomas (25 GBM, 8 astrocytomas, and 11 oligodendrogliomas) by immunohistochemistry. Mutations in 315 cancer genes and rearrangements in 28 genes were evaluated by next-generation sequencing. Results CXCR4 was expressed in -DIPGs and adult infiltrating gliomas in tumor cells (28.6% and 5.6%, respectively) and endothelial cells (14.3% and 19.4%?, respectively). In adult gliomas, there was a correlation between CXCR4 expression and mutations in EGFR, PIK3CA, TERT promoter, and CDKN2A/B loss. In contrast, CXCR4 expression was not detected in IDH1/IDH2 mutant gliomas. These associations were confirmed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Conclusion CXCR4 is expressed in a subset of DIPGs and GBMs, but it is not expressed in astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas. CXCR4 expression is variable and it is influenced by tumor genomic alterations. It is important to consider CXCR4 expression in clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of CXCR4 inhibitors in the treatment of gliomas.
Sinusoidal Steady-State (Phasor)

The frequency does not change in a linear circuit. The voltage and current throughout the circuit have the form of A cos (ωt + φ), which has a short-hand notation A ∠ φ. This short-hand notation is referred to “phasor.” This “phasor” is, in fact, a complex number.
By invitation only: on why do politicians bring interest groups into committees

In democratic politics, the participation of interest groups in policymaking is commonly understood as a secluded affair. Why would interest groups and policymakers make public an otherwise private...
Socioeconomic Disparities and Risk Factors in Patients Presenting With Ischemic Priapism: A Multi-Institutional Study.

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate contemporary clinical presentations of priapism, their association with socioeconomic characteristics, and the role of prescribing providers in priapism episodes in a large cohort of patients managed at 3 major academic health systems. Methods We identified all consecutive patients presenting with ischemic priapism to the emergency departments of three major academic health systems (2014 –2019). Demographic characteristics, priapism etiologies, and clinical management were evaluated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to assess the contribution of socioeconomic characteristics and the role of prescribing providers in priapism episodes. Results We identified 102 individuals with a total of 181 priapism encounters. Hispanic race, lower income quartile, sickle-cell disease, and illicit drug use were associated with increased risk of recurrent episodes. Of ICI users, 57% received their prescriptions from non-urological medical professionals (NUMPs); the proportion with recurrent episodes was higher for NUMPs compared to urologists (24% vs 0%, P = 0.06) with no demographic differences identified between patients treated by either group. Conclusion Socioeconomic disparities exist among patients presenting with recurrent episodes of priapism, potentially highlighting systemic issues with access to care and patient education. With most patients who developed ischemic priapism from ICI being prescribed these medications by NUMPs, further investigation is required to elucidate the prescribing and counseling patterns of these providers. Increased awareness of disparities and complications may improve patient safety.
The Environmental Unconscious in African Literature

In Writing for an Endangered World: Literature, Culture, and Environment in the U.S. and Beyond, Lawrence Buell coins the concept of the environmental unconscious. The concept, which Buell develops from Frederic Jamesons notion of the political unconscious refers to habitually foreshortened environmental perception (18). Byron Caminero-Santagmelo clarifies this further when he notes that the term environmental unconscious refers to all those aspects of the physical environment that are suppressed in our awareness by inattention, ignorance, specialized training, conventions and the like (214). I believe that the notion of the environmental unconscious is apt for describing the literary representation of the inattentiveness of white settlers to their environment in colonial Africa, and by the seeming repression of the environment in the literary productions of some African writers. In this paper, I focus on Doris Lessings The Grass is Singing, and Chenjerai Hoves Bones, as well as Gabriel Okaras The Voice. Critics of the novels of Lessing and Hove have focused on the critique of colonialism that the texts set up but have not paid attention to what I consider to be the environmental unconscious of Slatter in Lessings novel and Manyepo in Hoves novel. Similarly, critics of Okaras novel have remarked on its strength as a critique of post-independence corruption and the authors remarkable linguistic experimentation where English words are transposed to an Ijaw syntactic structure. What the existing scholarship on the novel leaves out is the repressed oil exploration and its attendant environmental pollution that lurks around it nevertheless. In bringing these texts together, I hope to explore the shades of the environmental unconscious that they manifest and to show how they complicate and/or rewrite Buells concept of the environmental unconscious.
20 Years of the Dynamics of Memory: The Long and Winding Road Linking Cellular Mechanisms to Behavior

The first Computational Neuroscience meetings in the 1990s fostered an increasing focus on biologically realistic modeling of neurons to understand the function of neural circuits. This chapter reviews some of the developments over the past 20 years, relating papers presented at the early meetings to subsequent developments. The review addresses developments in research on associative memory function, hippocampal memory function, the functional role of theta rhythm oscillations, and the discovery and modeling of grid cells.
Innovative Realizations of High Heat-Flux Boiling and Condensing Flows for Milli-Meter and Micro-Meter Scale Applications

For shear driven mm-scale flows, the traditional boiler and condenser operations pose serious problems of degraded performance (low heat-flux values, high pressure drops, and device-and-system level instabilities). The innovative devices are introduced for functionality and high heat load capabilities needed for shear dominated electronic cooling situations that arise in milli-meter scale operations, certain gravity-insensitive avionics-cooling and zero-gravity applications.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Severe Folate Deficiency Causes Secondary Depletion of Choline and Phosphocholine in Rat Liver

It has previously been shown that choline deficiency causes depletion of hepatic folate concentration in rats. Two separate experiments were undertaken to investigate the converse phenomenon: whether folate deficiency would lead to depletion of hepatic choline. In Experiment 1, severe folate deficiency was induced in rats by feeding an amino acid-defined diet containing (per kg diet) 1.4 g choline, 0 mg folate and 10 g succinylsulfathiazole. Control rats were fed the same diet containing 8 mg folate/kg. After 4 wk, plasma and hepatic folate concentrations were significantly depleted in the severely folate-deficient rats compared with controls (P < 0.001), and hepatic choline and phosphocholine concentrations were 65 and 80% lower, respectively (P < 0.001). In Experiment 2, moderate folate deficiency was induced in rats by feeding the same diet as described above, but with the succinylsulfathiazole omitted. After 24 wk, significant systemic folate deficiency was present in the moderately folate-deficient rats compared with controls (P < 0.001). A modest reduction (36%, P = 0.087) in hepatic choline concentration was observed in the moderately folate-deficient rats compared with controls. No significant differences in hepatic phosphocholine concentrations were detected between the two groups. These results indicate that severe folate deficiency causes secondary hepatic choline deficiency in rats.
Plant Growth Responses

The question of whether magnetic fields may exert an influence on biological processes in plants is controversial. We are confronted on the one hand by a number of reports which purport to demonstrate effects of magnetic fields on one or more phases of plant growth and development and, on the other hand, with experiments where the magnetic field had no effect.
Nancy A. Niedzielski & Dennis R. Preston, Folk linguistics. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2000. Pp. xx, 375. Hb.

Linguists who teach introductory courses in their discipline routinely encounter the nonlinguists' knowledge, or lack of it, about language. Their students are fairly predictable in their ignorance of basic linguistic concepts: For example, they typically believe that there in one standard dialect of English, that a word's true meaning has little to do with its current usage, and that nonstandard dialects are primitive languages. In fact, teachers of introductory courses in linguistics realize that their principal responsibility is to correct the many and common misperceptions about language that prevail their culture. In most respects, Folk linguistics is a systematic study of these misperceptions.
Templated grain growth of lead metaniobate ceramics by solid freeform fabrication

The feasibility of fused deposition of ceramics (FDC) process, a unique solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technique to fabricate grain oriented ceramic components using templated grain growth technique was investigated in lead metaniobate (PbNb 2 O 6 ; PN) ceramic. Needle-shaped PN seeds (2-5 μm-diameter, 10-50 μm-length) and equi-axed PN powder (0.3 μm-average diameter) were prepared by the molten salt and conventional solid-state reaction processes, respectively. Fine equi-axed powder and 5 wt% seeds were mixed and compounded with a thermoplastic binder to prepare suitable feedstock for FDC with a solids loading of 52 vol%. The compounded materials were then extruded into filaments of 1.78 mm-diameter. SEM analyses showed that the seeds survived harsh compounding during filament preparation without major damage. The seeds were also aligned in the extrusion direction upon filament fabrication. In the components deposited from the filaments using FDC, the seeds retained their alignment parallel to the deposition direction. The FDC components showed a highly oriented microstructure with ferroelectric orthorhombic phase upon sintering at 1300 °C for lh. XRD pattern collected from the surface of such samples showed that all the diffraction peaks from (hkl) planes with 1≠0 were missing in the pattern, implying the strong grain orientation in a plane parallel to the deposition layer.
Project Workspaces for Parallel Computing - The TRAPPER Approach

PC clusters running Windows NT have been investigated as a low-cost alternative to parallel computers. One important reason why NT clusters are not broadly accepted yet is the lack of powerful development environments, which are a crucial success factor for software development projects. This paper presents the new Windows NT version of TRAPPER, an integrated development and visualization environment for parallel systems. Emphasis is put on a new component called the project workspace tool. Project workspaces enable user-friendly interaction with all components and settings required for the development of a parallel application. They automate many repetitive tasks that are typical to parallel system development.
Transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma: Tumor control and visual results in 100 consecutive cases

Abstract Objective The authors evaluated the results of primary transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma in 100 cases. Design Prospective nonrandomized analysis of treatment method. Participants One hundred patients with choroidal melanoma were studied. Main outcome measures Tumor response, ocular side effects, and visual results. Results Of 100 consecutive patients with choroidal melanoma treated with transpupillary thermotherapy, the mean tumor basal diameter was 7.1 mm and tumor thickness was 2.8 mm. The tumor margin touched the optic disc in 34 eyes (34%) and was beneath the fovea in 42 eyes (42%). Documented growth was present in 64 eyes (64%), and known clinical risks for growth were present in all of the remaining 36 eyes (36%), with an average of 4 of 5 statistical risk factors for growth per tumor. After a mean of three treatment sessions and 14 months of followup, the mean tumor thickness was reduced to 1.4 mm. Treatment was successful in 94 eyes (94%) and failed in 6 eyes (6%). Three patients with amelanotic tumors showed no initial response to thermotherapy, but subsequent intravenous indocyanine green administration during thermotherapy resulted in improved heat absorption and tumor regression to a flat scar. The six eyes classified as treatment failures included four eyes with tumors that showed partial or no response to thermotherapy, thus requiring plaque radiotherapy or enucleation, and two eyes with recurrence, subsequently controlled with additional thermotherapy. After treatment, the visual acuity was the same (within 1 line) or better than the pretreatment visual acuity in 58 eyes (58%) and worse in 42 eyes (42%). The main reasons for poorer vision included treatment through the foveola for subfoveal tumor (25 eyes), retinal traction (10 eyes), retinal vascular obstruction (5 eyes), optic disc edema (1 eye), and unrelated ocular ischemia (1 eye). Temporal location (versus nasal and superior, P = 0.02) and greater distance from the optic disc ( P = 0.04) were risks for retinal traction. Conclusions Transpupillary thermotherapy may be an effective treatment for small posterior choroidal melanoma, especially those near the optic disc and fovea. Despite satisfactory local tumor control, ocular side effects can result in decreased vision. Longer follow-up will be necessary to assess the impact of thermotherapy on ultimate local tumor control and metastatic disease.
Loss of integrin alpha(v)beta6-mediated TGF-beta activation causes Mmp12-dependent emphysema.

Integrins are heterodimeric cell-surface proteins that regulate cell growth, migration and survival. We have shown previously that the epithelial-restricted integrin αvβ6 has another critical function; that is, it binds and activates latent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)1,2. Through a global analysis of pulmonary gene expression in the lungs of mice lacking this integrin (Itgb6 null mice) we have identified a marked induction of macrophage metalloelastase (Mmp12)—a metalloproteinase that preferentially degrades elastin and has been implicated in the chronic lung disease emphysema3. Here we report that Itgb6-null mice develop age-related emphysema that is completely abrogated either by transgenic expression of versions of the β6 integrin subunit that support TGF-β activation, or by the loss of Mmp12. Furthermore, we show that the effects of Itgb6 deletion are overcome by simultaneous transgenic expression of active TGF-β1. We have uncovered a pathway in which the loss of integrin-mediated activation of latent TGF-β causes age-dependent pulmonary emphysema through alterations of macrophage Mmp12 expression. Furthermore, we show that a functional alteration in the TGF-β activation pathway affects susceptibility to this disease.
An Investigation on Driver Behaviors and Eye-Movement Patterns at Grade Crossings Using a Driving Simulator

Collisions at grade crossings are often attributed to driver failure to detect warnings, to comprehend their meaning, or to react appropriately. One of the solutions to tackling these problems is the development of various visual signs. We designed three types of visual warnings at virtual grade crossings: a gate with lights and crossbuck, a gate with a crossbuck, and a crossbuck alone. Study 1 shows that vehicle speeds of 18 participants in the period 20 seconds before approaching the crossing (critical zone) decreased in comparison to the baseline (pre-critical zone) for visual warning type 1, a gate with lights. Additionally, participants, who were exposed to a train early in the scenario, showed more defensive driving behaviors than the other case. In study 2, we considered drivers’ eye movement pattern in the pre-critical and the critical zone for 17 participants. Design applications of warnings in vehicles and on roads and further research directions are discussed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Variable-Length Convolutional Coding for Short Blocklengths With Decision Feedback

This paper presents a variable-length decision-feedback coding scheme that achieves high rates at short blocklengths. This scheme uses the reliability-output Viterbi algorithm (ROVA) to determine when the receiver's decoding estimate satisfies a given error constraint. We evaluate the performance of both terminated and tail-biting convolutional codes at average blocklengths less than 300 symbols, using the ROVA and the tail-biting ROVA, respectively. Comparing with recent results from finite-blocklength information theory, simulations for both the BSC and the AWGN channel show that the reliability-based decision-feedback scheme can surpass the random-coding lower bound on throughput for feedback codes at some blocklengths less than 100 symbols. This is true both when decoding after every symbol is permitted and when decoding is limited to a small number of increments. Finally, the performance of the reliability-based stopping rule with the ROVA is compared with retransmission decisions based on CRCs. For short blocklengths where the latency overhead of the CRC bits is severe, the ROVA-based approach delivers superior rates.
Protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes. Assays, purification, and properties of different ribosomal factors and their roles in peptide chain initiation.

Abstract Protein synthesis initiation was studied using preincubated reticulocyte ribosomes, and the transfer of methionine from Met-tRNAfmet into the NH2-terminal positions of the polypeptides synthesized in response to poly[r(U-G)] and poly[r(A-U-G)] messengers was measured. Methionine transfer reactions in the above systems were dependent on the addition of 0.5 m KCl wash of reticulocyte ribosomes (I fraction). The I fraction was further purified by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. At least three protein factors (IF-1, IF-2, IF-3) that eluted from the column stimulated both poly[r(U-G)]- and poly[r(A-U-G)]-directed methionine transfer reactions. However, the ability of these factors to catalyze the methionine transfer reactions in response to poly[r(U-G)] and poly[r(A-U-G)] messengers (containing two different initiation codons GUG and AUG) was significantly different. Also, these three factors when added together catalyzed more than additive transfer of methionine in response to poly[r(U-G)] messenger but not in response to poly[r(A-U-G)] messenger. A protein factor also found in the crude I fraction that eluted similarly to IF-1 on DEAE-cellulose chromatography, bound Met-tRNAfmet in the presence of GTP. The complex formed was quantitatively retained on Millipore filter and was assayed accordingly. The complex formation was specific for reticulocyte Met-tRNAfmet. Escherichia coli Met-tRNAfmet and f-Met-tRNAfmet also form similar complexes with IF-1; however, this complex formation was not GTP dependent. A preformed Met-tRNAfmet (reticulocyte) complex was more active in methionine transfer reactions than free Met-tRNAfmet (reticulocyte), indicating that this complex formation is an essential step in peptide chain initiation. Another protein factor (Fx) was obtained by re-extraction of the 0.5 m KCl-washed ribosomes with 1 m KCl. This factor bound Met-tRNAfmet and other aminoacyl tRNAs in the absence of GTP. As was the IF-1 complex, the aminoacyl tRNAs-Fx complexes were retained on Millipore filters and were assayed accordingly. The Fx fraction possibly binds unspecifically to different RNA species as the binding of Met-tRNAfmet to Fx was inhibited by addition of uncharged crude reticulocyte tRNA, poly(r-U), poly(r-A), and poly(r-U):poly(r-A). The Fx fraction strongly inhibited protein synthesis in response to poly[r(U-G)], poly[r(A-U-G)], and poly(r-U) messengers. With poly(r-U) messenger tested, the inhibition of polyphenylalanine synthesis by Fx fraction was overcome by increasing the poly(r-U) concentration.
A May AER Papers Seminar and an Analytic Project for Advanced Undergraduates

The author describes two learning activities for teaching economics at the advanced undergraduate level: a May AER papers seminar and an analytic project. Both experiences help students learn to "do economics." The May AER papers seminar promotes in-depth synthesis and interpretation. Based on printed session papers of the American Economic Association's annual meetings, the seminar relies on four structured components: a session-choice process, an advance question and answer exercise, a seminar discourse strategy, and a critical impact paper. The analytic project requires independent problem formulation and solution. Components include a write-up procedure for the project report, a prior class presentation, a listener-response exercise, and two-phase feedback.
Frequency dependence of fracture stiffness

The frequency dependence of fracture specific stiffness, for seismic or ultrasonic wave transmission, is shown to be a simple scaling property of fractures with spatially inhomogeneous distributions of stiffness. Different frequencies sample different subsets of the fracture geometry. Therefore the frequency dependence may be a simple consequence of fracture geometry and requires no additional dynamical mechanism. In this letter, the dynamic fracture stiffness is determined based on the displacement discontinuity model for wave transmission across a fracture. Local transmission coefficients are assumed to depend on the local static stiffness. For a fracture with a single value of static stiffness, the dynamic stiffness is frequency independent. A strongly inhomogeneous distribution of fracture stiffnesses produces a strong frequency dependence for the dynamic stiffness.
Coal demineralization using sodium hydroxide and acid solutions

Abstract A coal product which exceeds the purity requirements for ash, iron and silicon in Hall Cell anode carbon was prepared by a unique leaching sequence involving caustic treatment, followed by treatments with sulphuric and nitric acids. The two acid leaching steps for the three-step process can also be combined with no adverse effect on the coal quality for anode purposes. In the process, the majority of the pyrite reacts with NaOH, forming Fe2O3 and Na2S. Na2S is dissolved in the leaching liquor and Fe2O3 is trapped in the coal matrix. The incorporation of sodium with organic sulphur increases the ash content and decreases the heating value of caustic leached coal on a dry basis. The silicon and aluminium contents are lowered by reactions with NaOH. While most of the reaction products are soluble sodium silicates and aluminates, the remaining silica and alumina form noselite. Dilute sulphuric acid dissolves nearly all of the sodium salts. The remaining iron compounds are dissolved by nitric acid.
SU‐GG‐J‐81: Efficacy of Patient Setup Correction Procedure in Prostate Radiotherapy

Purpose: Using an on‐board cone‐beam CT(CBCT) based statistical margin model to determine whether a prostate center‐of‐mass (COM) based translation correction procedure can significantly reduce the CTV‐to‐PTV margin required for prostate patients who were first setup based on skin/alpha‐cradle markers (SAM).Method and Materials: A total 110 CBCT scans were performed, daily in the first week of radiotherapy and once weekly afterward, for 10 prostate patients immediately after their clinical setup based on SAM. Soft tissue matching was used to estimate the required translation corrections by matching the COM of the observed prostate volumes on treatment planningCT and CBCTs. Based on the CBCT prostate volumes, a statistical model (Bayesian margin expectation model) provided patient specific optimal margins before and after a prostate COM based translation correction was added to the patient SAM based setup. We compared these margins to determine the efficacy of prostate COM based translation correction when it is added to the SAM based setup. Results: After the 5 daily CBCTs from the first week, all 10 patient prostate uniform margins for 95% tumor geometric coverage were reduced after applying the prostate COM based translation correction to their SAM based setup. However, the percentage reduction varied from patient to patient, ranging from 1% to 60% with a median value of 22%. In 4 of 10 patients, margin reduction greater than 4mm was obtained. In general, patients with more deformable prostates benefited less from COM translation. Beyond the first 5 CBCTs, very little further margin change was obtained. Conclusions: The addition of prostate COM based translation correction to SAM based setup did reduce the uniform margin required to achieve 95% tumor geometric coverage, but the extent of reduction was patient specific. In general, incorporating COM translation in prostate margin determination can help reduce bladder/rectal doses.
Studies to prolong function of experimental auxiliary liver grafts.

Abstract Four techniques have been used in an effort to prolong function of homografted auxiliary liver placed in the retroperitoneal area of 29 pigs: 1. (a) Immunosuppression 2. (b) Arterialization of both hepatic artery and portal vein 3. (c) Arterialization of portal vein alone 4. (d) Retransplantation after failure of the original graft. Regardless of the vascular supply employed in these experiments, none of these auxiliary livers functioned efficiently more than 4–5 days. Retransplantation provided only temporary prolongation of liver support. Reasons why homografted livers in the orthotopic position outperform heterotopic livers are discussed. Even slight obstruction to hepatic outflow present in the abdominal vena cava may depress graft function as compared to the zero or negative pressure in the hepatic veins at the diaphragm. Intermittent external pressure on the liver is also considered to be a factor. It is concluded that auxiliary livers in the right retroperitoneal space might be acceptable for temporary clinical liver assist but that until they can be made to function for prolonged periods, they will not be longrange benefit.
The effect of traps on the muon spin relaxation function

In summary it is clear that μSR in the presence of traps has led to a significant generalization of prior NMR theories of spin relaxation to include the effects of a non-stationary distribution of diffusing particles. In both the high field transverse geometry and in zero field it is possible to extract significant information regarding the concentrations and binding energies of traps, and, in the latter case, to unambiguously measure the temperature dependence of the relaxation rate to traps. At the same time it is also clear that significant problems still remain to be solved. Many of these are concerned with our present inadequate knowledge regarding the diffusion of muons in even pure materials, let alone the disordered systems upon which we have concentrated here. However, given the growth in our understanding of trapping phenomena over the past several years, it is probably not too much to hope that in another few years many of these present questions will also be answered.
Contrasting Undersampled Boosting with Internal and External Feature Selection for Patient Response Datasets

Class imbalance (where one class has many more instances than the other class(es)) and high dimensionality (large number of features per instance) are two prevalent problems that are frequently present in patient response datasets. In addition to these problems, these datasets are notoriously difficult to build effective models from. This paper introduces a new hybrid boosting algorithm named SelectRUSBoost which combines data sampling and feature selection with every iteration of boosting. We test SelectRUSBoost along with RUSBoost combined with external feature selection on a set of five patient response datasets. In addition to the datasets we also utilize two classifiers, three filter-based feature selection techniques, and four feature subset sizes. Our results show that SelectRUSBoost will, with few exceptions, outperform RUSBoost combined with external feature selection. Also, the feature selection technique information gain outperformed the other techniques for all combinations of boosting approach, classifier, and feature subset size, and in addition for this feature selection technique SelectRUSBoost always (without exception) outperformed RUSBoost combined with external selection. Statistical analysis confirmed that SelectRUSBoost gives better performance than RUSBoost combined with external selection. This is the first work which utilizes SelectRUSBoost in a bioinformatics study.
Iterative Learning Identification Applied to Automated Off-Highway Vehicle

This brief presents an approach for identifying the lateral dynamics of an automated off-highway agricultural vehicle for the purpose of automatic steering controller design. A second-order model is proposed to represent the vehicle lateral dynamics. An iterative learning identification (ILI) method is used to identify the model parameters. Simulation and experimental results under various test conditions show parameter convergence. The ILI results are compared with a gradient-based adaptive parameter estimation approach. The results highlight the practical benefit of the ILI approach for systems with repeated trajectories.
On the future of personality measurement.

This article examines a number of closely related issues in personality theory and assessment that have troubled the history of personality measurement and must be dealt with in its future. These issues include the multiple determinism of behavior, the role of context, the multiple goals of personality measurement, the “subject” as potential expert and colleague, the analysis of environments, and the role of person variables. Finally, some close parallels developing between personality psychology and cognitive psychology and the emergence in psychology of a new image of the human being are considered.
The Structure of Benzoquinone Chemisorbed on Pd(111): Simulation of EC-STM Images and HREELS Spectra by Density Functional Theory

Earlier studies on the chemisorption of hydroquinone (H2Q) on well-defined Pd(111) surfaces based on electrochemistry, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy revealed that H2Q undergoes oxidative chemisorption to generate an adlayer of benzoquinone oriented flat, albeit with a slight tilt. Certain structural details, however, such as the actual adsorbate structure and the surface coordination site could not be unambiguously confirmed solely from the experimental measurements. Density functional theory was thus employed not only to calculate the total adsorption energies of the likely configurations but also to simulate their respective vibrational spectra. The results suggest that: (1) the flat-adsorbed quinone ring is centered on a bridge site in which the C2 axis that points along the para-oxygen atoms is rotated 30° from the [110] direction of the Pd(111) substrate; (2) the p-oxygen atoms are located above twofold sites; and (3) quinonoid ring is slightly puckered with the C–H bonds tilted away from the surface, at an angle of approximately 20°.
Towards a Workflow Management System for Service Oriented Modules

With the emergence of service-oriented architectures (SOAs), workflow management systems are being used to create applications from service compositions. Because service compositions may extend across platforms, domains, and virtual organisations, classical implementations of workflow management systems must be extended to address interoperability and reliability. In particular, there is a need to define interoperable and scalable communication mechanisms to support workflows over loosely-coupled environments and to provide support for runtime verification to increase user confidence in workflow behavior. This paper presents a road map towards creating a scientific workflow management system that leverages SOA and runtime verification technologies.
Hydrogenated amorphous silicon films deposited by DC planar magnetron reactive sputtering

Abstract Reactive sputtering has the advantage in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) deposition that it permits wide control of the hydrogen content in the films. This is in contrast to the commonly used method of plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, where the hydrogen enters the system on Si containing molecules, such as SiH 4 or Si 2 H 6 , and control is limited. Most reactive sputtering work has been done using RF driven planar diodes or magnetrons. RF sputtering systems have the disadvantage that the substrates can be subjected to electron and ion bombardment to a degree that is difficult to quantify. This paper describes α-Si:H films with high photo-to-dark conductivity ratios (10 5 –10 6 ) and low midgap densities of states (∼ 5 × 10 15 cm −3 −eV −1 ) that we have deposited by DC magnetron sputtering onto borosilicate glass substrates. Particular attention is given to the influence of the hydrogen partial pressure on the film properties such as the hydrogen content and bonding, the photo- and dark-conductivity, and the optical bandgap.
Energy transfer in oxygen-hydrogen collisions

Abstract A formula is obtained for the rate coefficient for the production of a particle with a specific energy in an elastic collision with the atoms of a thermal gas. Accurate calculations are carried out of the energy transfer in elastic collisions of oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The fractions of hydrogen atoms with sufficient energy to escape from Venus produced in collisions of oxygen atoms with energies of 2.6 eV in a gas of atomic hydrogen at 100, 200 and 300 K are respectively 5.1, 6.9 and 8.5%. The mutual diffusion coefficient D of oxygen and hydrogen atoms is obtained. It can be represented by Dn = 7.25 × 1017T0.71cm−1s−1 where n is the total atom density and T is the temperature.
Deposition of eosinophil-granule major basic protein and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the mucosa of the small intestine in infants with cow's milk-sensitive enteropathy.

Abstract Background: Cow's milk–sensitive enteropathy (CMSE) is an important cause of chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive in infancy. The immunopathology of the mucosal lesion associated with CMSE has not yet been described. Objectives: This study investigated the eosinophil activation and the role of adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of intestinal mucosal damage associated with CMSE. Methods: Twenty-one patients with chronic diarrhea and abnormal mucosa on duodenal biopsy specimens were included. The patients had negative responses to skin prick tests and RASTs with milk. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with CMSE by milk challenge test and were designated as the CMSE group. Seven patients with no milk intolerance were defined as the non-CMSE group. Four infants with frequent vomiting and no mucosal abnormalities were also studied as the control group. Immunohistochemical stains for eosinophil major basic protein (MBP), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on endoscopic duodenal biopsy specimens were performed. Results: The degree of eosinophil degranulation, as evidenced by localization of extracellular MBP, was significantly greater in the CMSE group compared with the non-CMSE and control groups ( P P r = 0.79, P Conclusion: These results strongly suggest eosinophils and VCAM-1 are implicated in the pathogenesis of mucosal damage associated with CMSE. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:1195-201.)
The Market Perception of Convertible Debt Versus Straight Debt: some Empirical Evidence from U.S. Firms and Non-U.S. Firms Listed in the U.S.

Accounting for convertible debt has long been a source of controversy in the accounting profession in the U.S. Current U.S. accounting rules require classifying convertible debt at date of issuance as “entirely debt” until conversion, despite numerous studies that assert that convertible debt is not “entirely debt”, but is a blend of debt and equity. Convertible debt has taken on international interest because of the issuance of International Accounting Standard (IAS) 32, Financial Instruments; Disclosure and Presentation, which prescribes reporting separate debt and equity components for convertible debt. This study examines convertible debt issued by U.S. firms and non-U.S. firms listed in the U.S. using a levels approach. Specifically, convertible debt is compared to straight debt and contrary to ex ante expectation, convertible debt was not found to be perceived as being significantly different than straight debt for U.S. firms for any years and is statistically different in only two of the six years tested for non-U.S. firms. The validity of this study's findings is underscored by its research design, which compares convertible debt and straight debt issued by the same firms. The findings suggest that investors regard reported amounts of convertible debt similar to straight debt in their assessment of firm value.
Montessori Methods + A Living Textbook > Traditional CS Instruction (Abstract Only)

When it comes to educating children, we may agree that it makes no sense to teach them to write before they have mastered the alphabet. Yet, it is common for CS instructors to forge ahead with the next topic even though some students have failed to gain the necessary understanding of the current topic. The tightly integrated nature of CS topics often makes this "forward progress" turn into no progress at all for those students.We propose an individualized approach to CS instruction where students progress to more advanced concepts only after they have demonstrated proficiency in prerequisite topics. We use a constructivist model of individualized instruction supported by specialized materials and a support system of instructor and peers: core Montessori components. In our case, the specialized materials are realized in a "living textbook" which incorporates scaffolded lessons delivered to students at the appropriate time based on their individual progress and also integrates a social communication network between students, peers, and the instructor (guide).Maria Montessori said that "our aim is not only to make the child understand ... but to enthuse them to their innermost core." Our prior work focused on giving our students motivating materials and creating a "Comfort Zone of Proximal Development." Combining this with Montessori methods, we believe we can help all students succeed in Computer Science, some at a slower pace and others exploring more concepts than we previously dreamed possible. We will explore the details of this approach in our (en)lightening talk.
Three-Dimensional Forced Convection Flow in Plane Symmetric Sudden Expansion

Simulations of three-dimensional flow and heat transfer in laminar incompressible forced convection in plane symmetric sudden expansion (backward-facing step in rectangular duct) are presented for different Reynolds numbers. The duct’s downstream (H) and upstream (h) heights are 0.04m and 0.02m, respectively, thus providing a step height (S) of 0.01m and an expansion ratio of 2. The duct’s width (W) is 0.08m, thus resulting in an aspect ratio of 4 before and 2 after the expansion, respectively. The incoming flow is considered to be isothermal, hydro-dynamically steady and fully developed. Uniform and constant heat flux is specified on the stepped walls, while the other walls are treated as adiabatic surfaces. The flow appears to be symmetric for the low Reynolds number range that is considered in this study (Re=150). A “jet-like” flow develops near the sidewall and its impingement on the stepped wall creates a swirling flow inside the primary recirculation region adjacent to the stepped wall, and that is responsible for creating a maximum in the Nusselt number distribution. The results reveal that the location where the streamwise component of wall shear stress is zero on the stepped wall does not coincide with the location of the outer edge of the primary recirculation region, especially in the region near the sidewall. Neither one of these boundary lines represents the reattachment region of the separated flow in the region adjacent to the sidewall. The maximum Nusselt number on the stepped wall is located inside the primary recirculation region and is not identical to the “jet-like” flow impingement point. The maximum friction coefficient on the stepped wall is located inside the primary recirculation region, and it is at the center of the duct for the Reynolds number range considered in this study. The minimum friction coefficient on the stepped wall is located at the impingement of the “jet-like” flow.© 2003 ASME
Microstructurally induced fracture nucleation and propagation in martensitic steels

Abstract A dislocation-density grain boundary (GB) interaction scheme that is representative of dislocation-density transmission and blockage within GBs is developed and incorporated into a dislocation-density based multiple-slip crystalline plasticity framework for a detailed analysis of fracture nucleation and growth in martensitic steels. This formulation accounts for variant morphologies and orientation relationships (ORs) that are uniquely inherent to lath martensitic microstructures. Specialized finite-element (FE) methodologies using overlapping elements to represent evolving failure surfaces and microstructurally-based failure criteria for cleavage are then used to investigate the effects of martensitic variant distributions and ORs on the dominant dislocation-density mechanisms for the localization of plastic strains, and the initiation and propagation of fracture surfaces in martensitic microstructures subjected to quasi-static and dynamic strain-rates. The results indicate that the local dislocation-density behavior at the variant boundaries and the interiors influence dominant failure initiation and growth. A dislocation-density GB interaction, which is based on dislocation-density accumulation and transmission at variant boundaries, is developed and used to predict stress build-up or relaxation, and together with the orientation of the cleavage planes in relation to the lath morphology, intergranular and transgranular fracture modes can be determined.
Physical insights into the photoactivated Ullmann coupling process producing highly conjugated oligothiophene films on a copper substrate.

This paper describes the details of surface reactions producing >100-nm-thick conjugated polymer films. When 2,5-diiodothiophene films deposited on copper are irradiated with UV at room temperature in Ar environments, oligothiophene films are synthesized. The average conjugation length of the produced film varies from ∼7 to 3−4 as the film thickness increases from ∼100 to ∼500 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the produced films reveals evidence for the formation of organo-copper intermediate species at the copper−monomer film interface and their diffusion from the copper surface into the monomer film during the photochemical process. A one-dimensional diffusion-reaction model is presented to explain the formation, diffusion, and reaction of organo-copper intermediates in the multilayer film during the photochemical reaction. The model simulation results qualitatively explain the decrease of the Ullmann coupling contribution in the photochemical reaction with the film thickness.