Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who Wins on Appeal? Upperdogs and Underdogs in the United States Courts of Appeals

The central focus of this investigation is the effect of litigation resources on the success of appellants appearing before the United States Courts of Appeals. The analysis parallels the earlier study by Wheeler et al. (1987) of who wins in state supreme courts. The findings are that litigation resources are much more strongly related to appellant success in the courts of appeals than in either the United States or state supreme courts. Upperdog litigants win much more frequently in the courts of appeals in both published and unpublished decisions of the courts of appeals even after controls are introduced for partisan and regional effects and the differences among types of cases.
Constraints on star formation from the close packing of protostars in clusters

The millimetre-wave continuum sources (MCS) in Ophiuchus have mutual collision rates less than their collapse rates by a factor of 10 to 100, suggesting that most will form stars without further interactions. However, the ratio of these rates would have exceeded unity in the past if they were only 2.5 times larger than they are now. Such a high previous ratio suggests three possible scenarios: (1) the MCS contracted from lower densities and acquired their present masses through collisional agglomeration, (2) they contracted independently from lower densities elsewhere and moved to the cluster core recently, or (3) they grew from smaller sizes at a constant high density. The third of these is most likely, implying that the MCS formed in the shocked regions of a supersonically turbulent fluid. The first scenario gives the wrong mass function and the second does not give the observed hierarchical clustering. The ratio of rates also exceeds unity today if the MCS have envelopes with smooth profiles that end in pressure balance with the ambient cloud cores; this suggests again that turbulent flows define their outer layers. Proximity constraints like this are even more important in massive clusters, including globular clusters, in which massive stars with the same or greater space density are more strongly interacting than the Ophiuchus MCS. As a result, the density contrast for MCS must be larger in massive clusters than it is in Ophiuchus or else significant coalescence will occur in the protostellar phase, possibly forming massive black holes. A proportionality to the second power of the Mach number allows the MCS cores to collapse independently. These results suggest that stars in dense clusters generally form on a dynamical time by the continuous collection and rapid collapse of turbulence-shocked gas. Implications of proximity constraints on the initial stellar mass function (IMF) are also discussed. Warm cloud cores can produce a top-heavy IMF because of a simultaneous increase in the thermal Jeans mass and the collisional destruction rate of low-mass MCS.
The Evolution of TMD Diagnosis

This review explores the principles and process associated with the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TMD diagnosis has evolved substantially over the past 25 y. Previously, diagnosis focused solely on aberrations in oral structures, largely without empirical evidence. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) were developed on core principles of 1) a dual-axis system reflecting the biopsychosocial model, 2) a clear operationalization for reliability, and 3) the allowance of multiple diagnoses. These principles were retained in the subsequent validation research of the RDC/TMD, and the current diagnostic system—the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD)—has improved on those principles as well as on diagnostic validity and protocols for assessing the psychosocial domain. Further investigations into etiology and its potential contribution to taxonomy revision are described, particularly within the context of complex disease. The review concludes with an outline of major research areas already underway that will support future revisions of the DC/TMD.
Preliminary evaluation of the effect of dutasteride on PCA3 in post‐DRE urine sediments: A randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group pilot study

Dutasteride is commonly used in patients that are also at risk for prostate cancer (PCa). Therefore, the influence of dutasteride on PCa markers has to be studied. To date, only the effect of dutasteride on serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) has been studied. This was the first study to investigate the effect of dutasteride on the new PCa marker PCA3, longitudinally and in a dose dependent manner.
College Admissions Tournament and High School Student Achievement: Evidence from Texas Top 10% Plan

This paper investigates the incentive effects of the Texas Top 10% Plan on high school students’ academic achievement. We analyze the college admissions process in the tournament model a la Lazear and Rosen (JPE, 1981). The Top 10% Plan substantially improved the probability of admissions to state flagship public universities for students from low-performing Texas high schools. We find that under the Top 10% policy, low-performing high schools – 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th quintiles in the school achievement distribution – experience a larger increase in academic achievement, as measured by 10 th -grade TAAS pass rates, relative to schools in the top quintile. Furthermore, this pattern holds for students of all races. Sensitivity analyses show that our findings are not a result of pre-existing trends, school accountability requirements, or strategic choice of high schools.
The yeast SUMO isopeptidase Smt4/Ulp2 and the Polo Kinase Cdc5 act in an opposing fashion to regulate sumoylation in mitosis and cohesion at centromeres

Post-translation modification through the SUMO pathway is cell cycle regulated, with specific SUMO conjugates accumulating in mitotic cells. The basis for this regulation, however, and its functional significance remain poorly understood. We present evidence that in budding yeast sumoylation during mitosis may be controlled through the SUMO deconjugating enzyme Smt4/Ulp2. We isolated the polo kinase Cdc5 as an Ulp2-interacting protein, and find a C-terminal region of Ulp2 is phosphorylated during mitosis in a Cdc5-dependent manner. cdc5 mutants display reduced levels of mitotic SUMO conjugates, suggesting Cdc5 may negatively regulate Ulp2 to promote sumoylation. Previously, we found one phenotype associated with ulp2 mutants is an inability to maintain chromatid cohesion at centromere-proximal chromosomal regions. We now show this defect is rescued by inactivating Cdc5, indicating Ulp2 maintains cohesion by counter-acting Cdc5 activity. The cohesin-regulator Pds5 is a likely target of this pathway, as Cdc5 overproduction forces Pds5 dissociation from chromosomes and Pds5 overproduction restores cohesion in ulp2 mutants. Overall, these observations reveal Cdc5 is a novel regulator of the SUMO pathway and suggest the outlines of a broader circuitry in which Ulp2 and Cdc5 act in a mutually antagonistic fashion to modulate maintenance and dissolution of cohesion at centromeres.
Modulatory Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Propofol-Induced Anaesthesia in Goats

Ascorbic acid modulates the central nervous system either physiologically or pharmacologically, and has been proposed to function as a neuromodulator. The effect of ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) on some physiological parameters, onset and duration of anaesthesia following propofol anaesthesia was evaluated in goats. A total of 24 goats divided into four groups, comprising five goats each in groups I and II, and seven goats each in groups III and IV were used for the experiment. Groups I and II served as control for AA (200 mg/kg) and propofol (5 mg/kg) intravenous treatments, respectively; while groups III and IV received AA at 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively before propofol anaesthesia. The result showed that AA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the onset of anaesthesia and increased the duration of propofol anaesthesia in goats. AA (300 mg/kg) induced a decrease (P < 0.05) in respiratory rate during anaesthesia, but there were no significant changes in heart rate and rectal temperature in the groups. In conclusion, AA potentiated the effect of propofol – induced anaesthesia in goats without alteration in heart rate and rectal temperature.
Using categorized web browsing history to estimate the user's latent interests for web advertisement recommendation

Online advertising has become a popular method for companies to market their products and services to potential customers. The methods used by conventional web advertisement systems to decide on which advertisements to display to users in a real-time bidding environment generally do not consider the latent interests of users and as such it is difficult for advertisers to target and acquire new customers with potential interest in the product. Therefore, we proposed the development of a recommender system which could recommend advertisements to users based on their latent interests. In this paper, we outline two experiment studies related to the development of this system. The first study was carried out to examine the effect of using a long and short browsing history acquisition period to train the user model and predict user interests. The results suggested that a longer browsing history acquisition period did not necessarily result in better predictive performance. The second study examined the use of a categorized web browsing history to predict user interest. The results showed the accuracy of the classifiers increased when website categories were used instead of Fully Qualified Domain Names.
Role of food allergy in serous otitis media.

BACKGROUND The relationship between IgE-mediated hypersensitivity and recurrent serous otitis media has not been completely established. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of food allergy in patients with recurrent serous otitis media. METHODS A total of 104 unselected patients (age range 1.5 to 9 years, mean 4.6 years) with recurrent serous otitis media were evaluated for food allergy by means of skin prick testing, specific IgE tests, and food challenge. Patients who were allergic to food(s) underwent an exclusion diet of the specific offending food(s) for a period of 16 weeks. A non-double blinded food challenge was performed with the suspected offending food(s). Their middle ear effusion was monitored and assessed by tympanometry (Welch Allyn Model 23600) during the pre-elimination, elimination and challenge diet phases. RESULTS There was a significant statistical association, by chi-square analysis, between food allergy and recurrent serous otitis media in 81/104 patients (78%). The elimination diet led to a significant amelioration of serous otitis media in 70/81 (86%) patients as assessed by clinical evaluation and tympanometry. The challenge diet with the suspected offending food(s) provoked a recurrence of serous otitis media in 66/70 patients (94%). CONCLUSIONS The possibility of food allergy should be considered in all pediatric patients with recurrent serous otitis media and a diligent search for the putative food allergen made for proper diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.
Bendable piezoresistive sensors by screen printing MWCNT/PDMS composites on flexible substrates

This paper presents piezoresistive sensors array, developed by screen printing of polymer nanocomposites based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in poly (dimethyl-siloxane) (PDMS) matrix. The sensors are printed on 25 μm thick flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate in the form of segmental arrays with parallel plate structures, whereby, MWCNT/PDMS nanocomposites layer is sandwiched between two printed silver plates of 1×1 mm2 area each. Force concentrator structures, printed on separate PET sheet, are adhered to the bottom substrate with proper alignment to the sensory cells. Three different polymer nanocomposites (by wt. %) of carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in PDMS matrix have been investigated here for possible application as a tactile sensor in an electronic skin for robots and general purpose applications. The change in resistance value is observed when structures are subjected to normal compressive forces as well as when they are bent.
Listening to voices from below: learning from older women’s self-organised groups to decolonise social work in Uganda

Although professional social work in Uganda has a long history, given its colonial origin in the 1950s, the profession is still struggling with challenges such as an unclear professional mandate, public recognition and relevance. These challenges point to the ultimate need for decolonisation although social workers are grappling with finding ways to decolonise and localise their practice. This paper presents local knowledge on the self-organised mutual support groups led by older women, based on life story interviews of 10 older women in a rural community in South Western Uganda. Local knowledge on groups’ formation and functions, their strengths and constraints will be presented. The main argument is that this local knowledge and experience can provide a basis for culturally appropriate social work interventions that build on the already existing initiatives and wisdom of people from below. The paper begins with a discussion on the current situation of social work in Uganda before presenting the empirical findings on older women’s self-organised groups and how they can inform decolonisation of social work practice in Uganda. Keywords: decolonisation, social work, culturally relevant, older women, Uganda, community-based
No difference in electroencephalographic power spectra or sensory-evoked potentials in patients anaesthetized with desflurane or sevoflurane

Background and objective: Hitherto, neither desflurane nor sevoflurane, with similar physicochemical properties, have been compared with regard to their effects on the central nervous system. We compared the effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on electrical cortical activity and sensory transmission at two anaesthetic concentrations in patients undergoing hysterectomy. Methods: The 1 and 2 MAC in nitrous oxide/oxygen (55%/45%) of desflurane or sevoflurane were administered while electroencephalographic power spectra and the somatosensory-evoked potentials were measured and correlated with cardiovascular effects. Results: Both volatile agents induced a concentration-related increase of power in the slow delta-band and a concomitant decrease of power in the fast beta-domain. There was a close correlation with regard to the decrease in beta-power and heart rate (r2 = 0.988) and systolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.952) following both agents. Desflurane and sevoflurane had little effect on the early N20-peak, but affected the late N100-peak. There was a concentration-related increase in latency and a depression of amplitude height. Changes were not significantly different between both agents. Conclusions: Both desflurane and sevoflurane possess a similar profile with regard to their hypnotic effects and a similar outline in depressing propagation within the sensory nervous system. Cortical nervous effects are mirrored closely in heart rate and systolic blood pressure.
Modeling and simulation of a switched reluctance generator system based on variable generation voltage converter

When switched reluctance generator (SRG) is operating below its rated speed, the back electromotive force (EMF) may be lower than the excitation voltage, as a result, the phase current will not increase at the generation stage which would reduce the machine utilization coefficient and conversion efficiency of the system. To solve this problem, a variable generation voltage converter is presented in this paper. Compared with the conventional asymmetric bridge converter, the proposed converter needs less power switching devices and can regulate the generation voltage. Besides, the SRG system can achieve low cost and high efficiency below the rated speed. The feasibility and validity of SRG system are verified by mathematical modeling and Matlab simulation.
The national accounts for Italy, Spain and Portugal

Abstract The paper deals with the development of historical national accounting in Italy, Spain and Portugal - three Latin countries with. generally speaking, the same statistical tradition. We present a detailed account of the literature with a critical assessment of the existing series and an agenda for further research. Italy is the country with a longer tradition in historical national accounting. while Portugal is just beginning to produce historical estimates. For each country we select the best existing estimates, that are published here for the first time - including a complete new set of output estimates for Portugal. We find a common pattern of GDP growth for all three countries - an intriguing feature that will deserve more attention in the future.
An extension of GHMMs for environments with occlusions and automatic goal discovery for person trajectory prediction

Robots navigating in a social way should use some knowledge about common motion patterns of people in the environment. Moreover, it is known that people move intending to reach certain points of interest, and machine learning techniques have been widely used for acquiring this knowledge by observation. Learning algorithms such as Growing Hidden Markov Models (GHMMs) usually assume that points of interest are located at the end of human trajectories, but complete trajectories cannot always be observed by a mobile robot due to occlusions and people going out of sensor range. This paper extends GHMMs to deal with partial observed trajectories where people's goals are not known a priori. A novel technique based on hypothesis testing is also used to discover the points of interest (goals) in the environment. The approach is validated by predicting people's motion in three different datasets.
Patterns of expression of neuropeptides in GABAergic nonprincipal neurons in the mouse hippocampus: Quantitative analysis with optical disector

Neuropeptides are widely distributed in the central nervous system and are considered to play important roles in the regulation of neuronal activity. This study shows the patterns of expression of four neuropeptides [neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SOM), cholecystokinin (CCK), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)] in γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic neurons of the mouse hippocampus, with particular reference to the areal and dorsoventral difference. First, we estimated the numerical densities (NDs) of GABAergic neurons containing these neuropeptides using the optical disector. The NDs of NPY‐ and SOM‐positive GABAergic neurons were generally higher than those of CCK‐ and VIP‐positive GABAergic neurons. In the whole area of the hippocampus, the ND of NPY‐positive GABAergic neurons showed no significant dorsoventral difference (1.90 × 103/mm3 in the dorsal level, 2.09 × 103/mm3 in the ventral level), whereas the ND of SOM‐positive GABAergic neurons was higher in the ventral level (1.44 × 103/mm3) than in the dorsal level (0.80 × 103/mm3). The ND of CCK‐positive GABAergic neurons was also higher in the ventral level (0.57 × 103/mm3) than in the dorsal level (0.33 × 103/mm3). Similarly, the ND of VIP‐positive GABAergic neurons was higher in the ventral level (0.61 × 103/mm3) than in the dorsal level (0.43 × 103/mm3). Next, we calculated the proportions of GABAergic neurons containing these neuropeptides among the total GABAergic neurons. In the whole area of the hippocampus, NPY‐, SOM‐, CCK‐, and VIP‐positive neurons accounted for about 31%, 17%, 7%, and 8% of GABAergic neurons, respectively. The present data establish a baseline for examining potential roles of GABAergic neurons in the hippocampal network activity in mice. J. Comp. Neurol. 461:333–349, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Financial and macroeconomic co-operation in ASEAN: issues and policy initiatives.

The focus of this paper is threefold. First, the issue of “regional contagion” is discussed in some detail, particular attention being paid to definitions and the various possible transmission channels. This analytical discussion provides the context within which the scope if not type of regional cooperation in the financial and macroeconomic spheres may be discussed. Second, the main policy initiatives in ASEAN in these areas are briefly highlighted and discussed. Third, and finally, a concrete policy initiative for regional cooperation in ASEAN and the larger East Asian region is proposed.
Dynamic Wear Leveling for Phase-Change Memories With Endurance Variations

Phase change memory (PCM) has a write endurance problem. This problem is exacerbated due to endurance variations (EVs) when using advanced process technology (e.g., sub-20 nm), where PCM is expected to provide scaling benefits over dynamic random access memory (RAM). Wear leveling can solve this problem by dynamically changing the mapping from memory addresses to PCM physical addresses such that all PCM cells are evenly written, thereby extending the effective lifetime of such devices. PCM permits fine-grained writes, i.e., even bit level updates are allowed. To allow fine-grained wear leveling, this capability must be exploited. However, previous wear leveling approaches do not fully exploit fine-grained writes since fine-grained writes cause them to suffer from high data copy (called swap) overhead for address remapping, and/or high area and runtime overhead for the management of write frequency and address mapping information. This paper proposes a dynamic wear leveling method for PCMs that addresses all of these issues. The method: 1) uses bloom filters to enable low-cost write counters for fine-grained writes and 2) exploits the EV of PCM cells to avoid mapping hot data onto weak cells. To improve the effectiveness of the bloom filters, dynamic bloom filter management (write counts, hash functions, and write counter thresholds) and hot-cold address lists are used. The proposed method was evaluated using simulations and a hardware implementation. Using a small amount of PCM capacity overhead (0.3%), the proposed method extended the lifetime of a PCM device by 2.8-4.6 times over the existing methods when there were significant EVs.
Eosinophilic Cellulitis and Panniculitis with Generalized Vesicular Pustular Id Reaction after a Molten Aluminum Burn

&NA; Hypersensitivity reactions to aluminum are rare. Sensitization has been reported during the continuous application of aluminumcontaining antiperspirants or after the injection of aluminum‐adsorbed vaccines and allergen extracts containing aluminum. We report a rare case of a nonhealing ulcer at the site of an accidental molten aluminum burn that showed changes of eosinophilic cellulitis and panniculitis histologically. This process was followed by a generalized vesicular and pustular id reaction. The reactions resolved after 1 month of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Two months later, there was a relapse with bullae over the burn scar, accompanied by a pruritic oozing rash on the ears and face; the lesions were controlled again with systemic corticosteroid treatment. The clinicopathologic features suggest that the eosinophilic cellulitis with panniculitis and id reaction in the present case represents an unusual allergic reaction to aluminum. Aluminum allergy may be considered as a possible underlying process in the setting of eosinophilic cellulitis with panniculitis and id reaction.