Vocalization and Intrusion of R in English

Deletion and insertion of r in some dialects of English (Homer left vs. Wanda arrived) have been dealt with by many researchers (McCarthy 1991, 1993; Halle and Idsardi 1997). As pointed out by Halle and Idsardi, there are two non- trivial difficulties in analyzing r-phenomena. One is the arbitrariness of r-intrusion; that is, why only rs, not others, are inserted after a, J, and a. The other is the opacity problem resulting from the interaction of schwa insertion and r-deletion. If schwa insertion takes place between a high glide and a coda r, and the coda r is deleted afterwards, the result of applying these rules to the word fear I /fijr/ will be [fijəl In this form, the schwa insertion rule becomes opaque since there remains no surface environment for this rule. Such an opacity problem has been considered to be problematic in the standard Qptimality Theory (Prince and Smolensky 1993) that is surface-oriented. The primary aim of this article is to provide a unified way of resolving the above two problems. To this end, I adopt an alternative view of r-phenomena, in which r-deletion is treated as r-vocalization (weakening) and r-insertion as glide insertion. Based on these assumptions, a new OT analysis is proposed

Broadband Epsilon-Near-Zero Perfect Absorption in the Near-Infrared

Perfect absorption (PA) of incident light is important for both fundamental light-matter interaction studies and practical device applications. PA studies so far have mainly used resonant nanostructures that require delicate structural patterning. Here, we realize tunable and broadband PA in the near-infrared region using relatively simple thin film coatings. We adjust the growth condition of an ITO film and control its epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) wavelength. We show that this results in highly tunable PA in the telecommunication window. Then, using an ITO multilayer of different ENZ wavelengths, we demonstrate broadband PA that covers a wide range of near-infrared wavelengths. The use of ENZ coatings makes PA adjustable during the film growth and does not require any structural patterning afterward. It also facilitates the chip-scale integration of perfect absorbers with other device components. Broadband PA relaxes the single wavelength condition in previous PA studies, and thus it is suitable for many practical device applications, including sensors, photodetectors, and energy harvesting devicesopen0

Influence of Carbon Content and Isothermal Heat Treatment Temperature on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Strength Bainitic Steels

The effect of carbon content and isothermal heat treatment conditions on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of ultra-high strength bainitic steels was investigated. A reduction in carbon content from 0.8 wt% to 0.6 wt% in super-bainite steel with typical chemistry effectively improved not only the Charpy impact toughness but also the strength level. This suggests that reducing the carbon content is a very promising way to obtain better mechanical balance between strength and impact toughness. The higher Charpy impact toughness at a lower carbon content of 0.6 wt% is thought to result from a reduction in austenite fraction, and refinement of the austenite grain. The coarse austenite grains have a detrimental effect on impact toughness, by prematurely transforming to deformation-induced martensite during crack propagation. Mechanical properties were also affected by the isothermal treatment temperature. The lower isothermal temperature enhanced the formation of bainitic ferrite with a refined microstructure, which has a beneficial influence on strength, but reduces impact toughness. The lower impact toughness at lower isothermal temperature is attributed to the sluggish redistribution of carbon from the bainitic ferrite into the surrounding austenite. Higher solute carbon in the bainitic ferrite contributes to an increase of strength, but at the same time, encourages a propensity to cleavage fracture.11Ysciescopuskc

Sleep Status and the Risk Factor of Drowsy-Related Accidents in Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Background and Objective The purpose of this study was to describe prevalence of sleep problems including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and sleep insufficiency in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, and to quantify risk of drowsy-related accidents in CMV drivers. Methods CMV drivers were invited to participate in this study. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about sleep habits, sleep disorders, work environments, and experience of drowsy-related accidents. A home sleep test (Watch-PAT 200) was also undertaken to detect OSA. Results Among 110 participants, 89 with eligible data of questionnaires and home sleep tests were included in the analysis. 91.0% of participants had OSA with peripheral arterial tonometry respiratory distress index (pRDI) ≥ 5/h and 23.6% had moderate to severe OSA with pRDI ≥ 15/h. 55.1% perceived that their sleep is insufficient. 52.3% of participants experienced drowsy driving. Drowsy driving-related motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and near miss MVCs were reported by 9.6% and 37.9% of participants, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that increased risk of drowsy driving was associated with perceived sleep insufficiency [odds ratio (OR) = 3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–9.64]. Increased risk of drowsy driving-related near miss MVC was associated with perceived sleep insufficiency (OR = 3.06, 95% CI 1.11–8.44) and continuous driving for more than 4 hours (OR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.00–9.58). Conclusions OSA and perceived sleep insufficiency are prevalent in CMV drivers. Perceived sleep insufficiency and longer continuous driving hours increased risk of drowsy-related accidents

Nodal Stations and Diagnostic Performances of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

There are no accurate data on the relationship between nodal station and diagnostic performance of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). We evaluated the impact of nodal station and size on the diagnostic performance of EBUS-TBNA in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Consecutive patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes for staging or diagnosis of NSCLC were included in this retrospective study. Between May 2009 and February 2010, EBUS-TBNA was performed in 373 mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes in 151 patients. The overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and negative predictive value (NPV) of EBUS-TBNA were 91.6%, 98.6%, 93.8%, and 84.3%, respectively. NPV of the left side nodal group was significantly lower than those of the other groups (P = 0.047) and sensitivity of the left side nodal group tended to decrease (P = 0.096) compared with those of the other groups. Diagnostic sensitivity and NPV of 4L lymph node were 83.3% and 66.7%, respectively. However, diagnostic performances of EBUS-TBNA did not differ according to nodal size. Bronchoscopists should consider the impact of nodal stations on diagnostic performances of EBUS-TBNA

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout and knock-in mutations in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Genome editing is crucial for genetic engineering of organisms for improved traits, particularly in microalgae due to the urgent necessity for the next generation biofuel production. The most advanced CRISPR/Cas9 system is simple, efficient and accurate in some organisms; however, it has proven extremely difficult in microalgae including the model alga Chlamydomonas. We solved this problem by delivering Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) comprising the Cas9 protein and sgRNAs to avoid cytotoxicity and off-targeting associated with vector-driven expression of Cas9. We obtained CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at three loci including MAA7, CpSRP43 and ChlM, and targeted mutagenic efficiency was improved up to 100 fold compared to the first report of transgenic Cas9-induced mutagenesis. Interestingly, we found that unrelated vectors used for the selection purpose were predominantly integrated at the Cas9 cut site, indicative of NHEJ-mediated knock-in events. As expected with Cas9 RNPs, no off-targeting was found in one of the mutagenic screens. In conclusion, we improved the knockout efficiency by using Cas9 RNPs, which opens great opportunities not only for biological research but also industrial applications in Chlamydomonas and other microalgae. Findings of the NHEJ-mediated knock-in events will allow applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in microalgae, including "safe harboring" techniques shown in other organisms142561sciescopu

CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout and knock-in mutations in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Genome editing is crucial for genetic engineering of organisms for improved traits, particularly in microalgae due to the urgent necessity for the next generation biofuel production. The most advanced CRISPR/Cas9 system is simple, efficient and accurate in some organisms; however, it has proven extremely difficult in microalgae including the model alga Chlamydomonas. We solved this problem by delivering Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) comprising the Cas9 protein and sgRNAs to avoid cytotoxicity and off-targeting associated with vector-driven expression of Cas9. We obtained CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at three loci including MAA7, CpSRP43 and ChlM, and targeted mutagenic efficiency was improved up to 100 fold compared to the first report of transgenic Cas9-induced mutagenesis. Interestingly, we found that unrelated vectors used for the selection purpose were predominantly integrated at the Cas9 cut site, indicative of NHEJ-mediated knock-in events. As expected with Cas9 RNPs, no off-targeting was found in one of the mutagenic screens. In conclusion, we improved the knockout efficiency by using Cas9 RNPs, which opens great opportunities not only for biological research but also industrial applications in Chlamydomonas and other microalgae. Findings of the NHEJ-mediated knock-in events will allow applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in microalgae, including safe harboring techniques shown in other organisms.