cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comorbid Depression and Diabetes as a Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease in Elderly Mexican Americans

Background The links between diabetes, depression, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been established, but they are still poorly understood. However, little research has examined the effect that comorbidity of depression and diabetes has on cognitive impairment in an ethnically diverse sample. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between comorbid diabetes and depression on cognitive dysfunction; and examine the relationship in an ethnically diverse population. Methods and results Analyses of data from 2,436 participants (914 men and 1,522 women) of three separate cohorts: HABLE, FRONTIER, and TARCC. In the HABLE cohort, comorbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 3.008; 95% CI = 1.358-6.667), age (OR = 1.138; 95% CI = 1.093-1.185), and education (OR = 0.915; 95% CI = 0.852-0.982) increased the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis among elderly Mexican American. In the TARCC cohort, results showed an increase risk of MCI in both non-Hispanic whites (OR = 18.795; 95% CI = 2.229-158.485) and Mexican Americans (OR = 8.417; 95% CI = 2.967-23.878). Finally, results in the FRONTIER cohort showed that in elderly Mexican Americans, comorbidity (OR = 2.754; 95% CI = 1.084-6.995) and age (OR = 1.069; 95% CI = 1.023-1.118) significantly increased risk of MCI. In non-Hispanic whites, comorbidity did not significantly increase risk of MCI. Conclusions Among elderly Mexican Americans, comorbid depression and diabetes significantly increased risk for MCI and AD across cohorts. Effects of comorbid diabetes and depression on MCI were inconclusive. Our results support the link between comorbid diabetes and depression and risk for cognitive decline among Mexican Americans. This finding is of critical importance as the Hispanic population is at higher risk of developing AD.
Collection of peripheral blood stem cells after a preceding autograft: unfavorable effect of prior interferon-α therapy

Collection of peripheral blood stem cells after a preceding autograft: unfavorable effect of prior interferon-α therapy
A Review of “Chivalry in Medieval England”

Professor of medieval history at the University of London and the author of several notable books on medieval English monarchs, plus a thematic study of art and memory in the same epoch, Nigel Saul...
Clifford Algebras: The Basics

This chapter introduces the Clifford algebra of a quadratic module over a commutative ring. This theory is well established in the literature. Refer, for example, to Baeza [1978], Hahn-O’Meara, or Knus [1991], for the theory over rings, and to Lam, O’Meara [1971], or Scharlau [1985] for the theory over fields. This chapter recalls the basic concepts, constructions, and facts. Only a few proofs are provided. Throughout, R is a commutative ring and M is a quadratic module over R with underlying quadratic form q and bilinear form h.
Bistability and oscillations in co-repressive synthetic microbial consortia

Synthetic microbial consortia are conglomerations of genetically engineered microbes programmed to cooperatively bring about population-level phenotypes. By coordinating their activity, the constituent strains can display emergent behaviors that are difficult to engineer into isogenic populations. To do so, strains are engineered to communicate with one another through intercellular signaling pathways that depend on cell density. Here, we used computational modeling to examine how the behavior of synthetic microbial consortia results from the interplay between population dynamics governed by cell growth and internal transcriptional dynamics governed by cell-cell signaling. Specifically, we examined a synthetic microbial consortium in which two strains each produce signals that down-regulate transcription in the other. Within a single strain this regulatory topology is called a “co-repressive toggle switch” and can lead to bistability. We found that in co-repressive synthetic microbial consortia the existence and stability of different states depend on population-level dynamics. As the two strains passively compete for space within the colony, their relative fractions fluctuate and thus alter the strengths of intercellular signals. These fluctuations drive the consortium to alternative equilibria. Additionally, if the growth rates of the strains depend on their transcriptional states, an additional feedback loop is created that can generate oscillations. Our findings demonstrate that the dynamics of microbial consortia cannot be predicted from their regulatory topologies alone, but are also determined by interactions between the strains. Therefore, when designing synthetic microbial consortia that use intercellular signaling, one must account for growth variations caused by the production of protein.
Eyelid: Conjunctival Müllerectomy

Patients should have been evaluated and deemed appropriate for such surgical intervention. The procedure should be considered for patients with unilateral or bilateral upper eyelid ptosis of up to 2 mm with levator function greater than 11 mm. Phenylephrine testing may be conducted to further identify surgical candidates. Patients should have been educated about the risks and benefits of the procedure, including alternatives.
Getting to Know Web GIS

In the last decade, web GIS has been a hot topic in the field of geographic information science. By providing the geospatial data open access, visualization, and analysis on the web, the web-based ...
Laissez-Faire Capitalism: Bottled or Tap Water for Public Consumption, an Essay

Intellectuals denote capitalism, as binary categorizations of social and economic constructs. The economic constructs call attention to processes of production, distribution of items for consumption, proprietary operations, and growth that is proportionate to earnings acquired by commercialism, whereas social constructs are deep-seated in individual (the pursuit of life, liberty, happiness, and goals) rights. Politically, it is the paradigm shift from capitalism to laissez-faire (freedom) of capitalism that intellectuals protest together with bottled and tap water. Notwithstanding, legally it is non-objective laws as opposed to laws of humanity that come into question. Should bottled water distributors have more autonomy then both state and local government who provide tap water for public consumption? Is there a difference between bottled and tap water? Are there consistent regulations for monetarization of the production and distribution of bottled and tap water? Despite the fact economically, the authority of production for both processes results are commercialism. In this document, commercialism means an act of manufacturing to sell water for a profit that outmaneuvers all consequences. This document looks at laissez-faire capitalism in lieu of objective laws. In the context of public consumption, it denotes the acceptances of watered-down processes that call attention to the quality of botted and tap water. The supposition of laissez-faire capitalism prescribes both government influence and intrusion in corporate matters should be negligible. As a final point, this document discusses the objectionable approaches to standardize bottled and tap water processes for public consumption has instigated the perception of regulatory oversight.
Impact of Obesity on Surgical Approaches to Gynecologic Malignancies

As already described in previous chapters, the obesity epidemic in America is on the rise, with approximately 36% of Americans being obese, and more than 6% having Class III obesity (8% in women) defined as a BMI ≥40 kg/m2. The rising obesity rate in women has profound effects on gynecologic malignancy occurrence and treatment. As surgery is a part of treating the majority of gynecologic malignancies, understanding the nuances of intra-operative and peri-operative management of the obese patient is an essential skill of the gynecologic oncologist. This chapter will briefly review the medical and anesthetic considerations for surgery in the obese woman with a gynecologic malignancy. It will focus on the impact of obesity in surgery in both endometrial cancer and in ovarian cancer as well as mention the impact on other gynecologic cancers. The chapter concludes with a mention of techniques that can be employed to facilitate surgery in obese women.
Online false data detection and lost packet forecasting system using time series neural networks for IEC 61850 sampled measured values

Migrating to a smart grid requires a paradigm shift in the implementation of power system applications. With the advent of IEC 61850, contemporary Substation Automation Systems (SAS) are utilizing electronic instrument transformers and merging units to transmit current and voltage measurements over Ethernet as Sampled Measured Values (SMV). However, if a substation's network resources are not properly managed, the high transmission rate of SMV would make them prone to packet loss. Also, the strict 4ms time constraint imposed on SMVs makes encrypting these messages nearly impossible. As such, this paper presents an online device level fake data detection system for detecting fake SMV messages without violating the 4ms time constraint set forth by IEC 61850. In order to ensure a reliable SAS operation, this paper also presents a coupled neural network — time series method for forecasting lost SMV packets. The proposed algorithm was implemented in a system composed of merging units and intelligent electronic devices developed for this purpose. Real-time experimental results of the proposed algorithms over a real IEC 61850 network showed excellent results in terms of detecting fake messages and increasing the robustness of protection schemes by accurately forecasting dropped SMV packets.
Conservative Management of High-grade Renal Trauma Does Not Lead to Prolonged Hospital Stay.

Objective To evaluate the effect of conservative management of high-grade renal trauma on length of hospitalization, we aim to describe characteristics of patients with high-grade renal trauma that are associated with an increased length of stay (LOS) and the effect of conservative vs surgical management on hospital LOS. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who suffered unilateral high-grade renal trauma (grade 3 or higher) from September 1977 to August 2012 at San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, CA was performed. Patients' demographic information, mechanism of injury, injury grade, data about associated injuries, hospital LOS, and management were collected. Descriptive analysis was performed using chi-square, ordered logistic regression, and linear regression analysis. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Fine-Gray model of competing risks survival analysis, adjusting for trauma type, grade, surgery, associated injury, and complications. Results The cohort consisted of 408 patients with high-grade unilateral renal trauma of which 257 patients underwent renal exploration. The adjusted multivariable analysis revealed that trauma type, injury grades, nongenitourinary surgery, associated injuries, and complications were associated with increased hospital LOS (P Conclusion There is no significant difference between conservative and surgical management of high-grade renal trauma in terms of hospital LOS. Conservative management of high-grade renal trauma does not impact patients' length of hospitalization.
Was sind (gewöhnliche) Brüche

Viele wurden sagen, es sind Zahlen, die man mit einem Bruchstrich schreibt, oben der Zahler, unten der Nenner. Das ist schon mal das Wesentlichste. Meistens denkt man an positive Zahlen, also dass Zahler und Nenner positive ganze Zahlen sind, d. h. naturliche Zahlen.
Tunable modulation of refracted lamb wave front facilitated by adaptive elastic metasurfaces

This letter reports designs of adaptive metasurfaces capable of modulating incoming wave fronts of elastic waves through electromechanical-tuning of their cells. The proposed elastic metasurfaces are composed of arrayed piezoelectric units with individually connected negative capacitance elements that are online tunable. By adjusting the negative capacitances properly, accurately formed, discontinuous phase profiles along the elastic metasurfaces can be achieved. Subsequently, anomalous refraction with various angles can be realized on the transmitted lowest asymmetric mode Lamb wave. Moreover, designs to facilitate planar focal lenses and source illusion devices can also be accomplished. The proposed flexible and versatile strategy to manipulate elastic waves has potential applications ranging from structural fault detection to vibration/noise control.
“The Stone Master”: On the Invisibility of Women’s Writing from the Soviet Ukrainian Periphery

Until the last decade of the Soviet state’s existence, only very few Ukrainian women writers achieved literary fame. This study sheds new light on Soviet Ukrainian political, historical, and social contexts that contributed to the invisibility of Ukrainian women’s writing by examining the case of Lviv-based author Nina Bichuia (b. 1937). Bichuia’s career and the publication history of her works illustrate several characteristics and paradoxes of Soviet literary politics concerning the Soviet periphery—i.e., the non-Russian republics, such as Ukraine. In particular, this article analyzes the differences in permissible literary expression between Moscow the metropole, Kyiv, the centre of the Ukrainian periphery, and Lviv, the Western Ukrainian periphery. It considers gender politics and biases in the Soviet Ukrainian literary establishment and the strictures of the Soviet “Friendship of Peoples” discourse, which had a provincializing effect on Ukrainian literary production and the tastes of the reading public. The article offers a close reading of Bichuia’s last short story, “Kaminnyi hospodar” (“The Stone Master,” 1990), which reflects this author’s “final word” on the Soviet environment for writing literature in the Western Ukrainian periphery. By analyzing Bichuia’s use of important literary intertexts and employing recent theorizations about Soviet state discourse, I demonstrate how “The Stone Master” imaginatively represents and criticizes the regime of discursive monopoly established by the Soviet system. This regime is shown to force a Ukrainian female writer into silence, which can be strategic, but cannot result in greater literary visibility .
Descriptive Epidemiology of the MOON Shoulder Instability Cohort.

Background:Shoulder instability is a common diagnosis among patients undergoing shoulder surgery.Purpose:To perform a descriptive analysis of patients undergoing surgery for shoulder instability through a large multicenter consortium.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:All patients undergoing surgery for shoulder instability who were enrolled in the MOON Shoulder Instability Study were included. Baseline demographics included age, sex, body mass index, and race. Baseline patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Shoulder Activity Score, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). The preoperative physician examination included active range of motion (ROM) and strength testing. Preoperative imaging assessments with plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography were also included and analyzed.Results:Twenty-six surge...
Mannheim, Shils, And Aron and The ‘End of Ideology’ Debate

ABSTRACTThis essay traces the history of the concept of ideology from its beginnings in the early nineteenth century to the beginnings of the Twenty-first but pays close attention to those of Karl ...
Spontaneous remission in diffuse large cell lymphoma: a case report.

Spontaneous remission in solid malignancies has been documented. However, spontaneous remission in aggressive diffuse large b cell lymphoma is exceedingly rare. Previous reports of lymphoma remission suggest that not yet fully characterized tumor-intrinsic and microenvironment mechanisms cooperate with spontaneous regression. Here, we report the case of an 88-year-old white woman with diffuse large b cell lymphoma (follicular lymphoma transformed) who achieved morphologic spontaneous remission 3 months after her diagnostic core biopsy. We examined 16 similar cases of diffuse large b cell lymphoma suggesting that spontaneous remission is preferentially observed in elderly patients soon after their biopsy microtrauma, especially if malignancies are Epstein–Barr virus driven and activated B-cell type. Our case and reported analysis highlight that anti-tumor adaptive T cell responses are potentially augmented in a subset of patients leading to lymphoma regression. In these patients, it is possible that “primed” innate anti-tumor T cell immunity is enhanced in immunogenic lymphoma subtypes after tissue biopsy. Our case and analysis not only reinforce the role of innate T cell anticancer immunity, but also originates potential proof of concept for investigation of unexplored pathways that could favorably impact T cell therapy.
Modeling and identification of electro-elastic nonlinearities in ultrasonic power transfer systems

We establish a nonlinear non-conservative mathematical framework for the acoustic-electro-elastic dynamics of the response of a piezoelectric disk to high-level acoustic excitation in the context of ultrasound acoustic energy transfer. Nonlinear parameter identification is performed to estimate the parameters representing nonlinear piezoelectric coefficients. The identification is based on exploiting the vibrational response of the disk operating in the thickness mode under dynamic actuation. The nonlinearly coupled electro-elastic governing equations, for the piezoelectric receiver subjected to acoustic excitation, are derived using the generalized Hamilton’s principle. The method of multiple scales is used to obtain an approximate solution that forms the basis for parameter identification. The identified coefficients are then experimentally validated. The effects of varying these coefficients on the nonlinear response, optimal resistive electrical loading, and power generation characteristics of the receiver are investigated.
2D stokesian simulation of particle aggregation at quiescent air/oil-water interfaces

Abstract Hypothesis Aggregation of particles on a liquid interface is controlled by inter-particle forces and hydrodynamic interactions. Previous experimental work has shown atypical structures despite diffusion limited cluster aggregation like behavior. It is likely that this is primarily due to the role of capillary quadrupoles in allowing particle repositioning after aggregation, which is tested here. Experiments Using Stokesian dynamics and inter-particle forces unique to particles at liquid interfaces, aggregation of particles adsorbed to a liquid interface is studied. Simulations’ parameters are adjusted to control hydrodynamic interaction strength, initial particle position, and inter-particle forces magnitudes to compare to existing experimental results and hypothesis. Findings It is found that initial particle position plays a small role on equilibrium interfacial microstructure but has a significant impact on aggregation kinetics. Interfacial hydrodynamic interactions and inter-particle forces have a strong impact on equilibrium microstructure by altering the amount particles can reposition, which is consistent with published results. Capillary forces that allow significant repositioning after contact appear to play a key role in previously observed fractal dimensions of particle laden interfaces.
The color of skin: Red diseases of the skin, nails, and mucosa

Red color is pervasive in local and systemic skin conditions. It is a color that often reflects variations of dermal blood flow and extends beyond the rubor and calor of inflammation. The pathophysiology of red skin involves remote and local chemical mediators that dilate arteriolar smooth muscle and increase blood flow to superficial vessels and capillary beds. Incident light hits hemoglobin, which preferentially absorbs light of shorter wavelengths, such as blue, and reflects warmer colors. Due to its pervasiveness and consistency, red color is a useful descriptive factor in helping narrow a differential diagnosis. Red skin disorders include a variety of conditions involving endocrine mediators, cardiovascular responses, and the disruption of the skin barrier. An understanding of the blood's role in these disorders equips clinicians to generate differential diagnoses through the lens of pathophysiology. Dermatologists can improve management by considering red skin as part of systemic disease rather than as an isolated incident.
Fourier Transforms and Ulam Stabilities of Linear Differential Equations

The purpose of this paper is to study the Hyers–Ulam stability and Generalized Hyers–Ulam stability of the general Linear Differential Equations of first order and second order with constant coefficients using Fourier Transform method. Moreover, the Hyers–Ulam stability constants of these differential equations are obtained. Some examples are given to illustrate the main results.
Diagnosis of EVALI: General Approach and the Role of Bronchoscopy.

A 23-year-old man arrives at the ED with a 3-week history of dyspnea, dry cough, fevers, and night sweats. Two weeks previously, he was evaluated in an outpatient clinic and given a course of azithromycin for presumed infectious pneumonia. His symptoms did not improve, and he was seen 1 week later in an urgent care center and given a prescription for doxycycline, which he has been taking without improvement. He states that he feels miserable, has severe nausea and vomiting, and has not eaten in several days. His only medical history is childhood asthma. He reports no surgeries and takes no medications. He has no risk factors for HIV, does not smoke combustible cigarettes or use IV drugs, and has not recently traveled. Examination shows a room air saturation of 89%, a temperature of 38.3°C, and a respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min. Results of his examination are normal, and there are no rales or wheezing heard in the lungs. Chest radiograph shows bilateral, consolidative opacities. WBC count is 14,000, with left shift. Results of biochemistries are normal. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 104, and procalcitonin is 0.08. Urine toxicology screen is positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Asked specifically about vaping and e-cigarette use, he reports that he recently began using THC "carts" that his friend gets from an unknown supplier. What is the diagnosis and what additional steps are necessary to confirm it? Is bronchoscopy indicated?
Achieving Joint Transmission and Performance Reliability with Minimal-Cost-Variance Control

This paper explores the design process of transponded satellite communications using control-theoretic approach, pre-qualification processes, and performance risk mitigation methods. Specifically, the approach seeks to move beyond traditional joint transmission of multiple transmit uplinks to a non-processing satellite transponder, and generating an aggregate downlink to a ground hub, toward a greater consideration of performance reliability exposure for shared transponded satellite communications. The minimal-cost-variance control based joint transmission further relies on dynamical feedback estimates supported by Kalman filtering that guide the mitigation of closed-loop performance uncertainty associated with the employment of joint transmission for transponded links. The system and method herein are also used to identify positive consequences that effectively address inherent uncertainties in transponded satellite communications as opposed to simply avoiding them and using unnecessary conservative link margins.
Post-dispersal factors influence recruitment patterns but do not override the importance of seed limitation in populations of a native thistle

Whether plant populations are limited by seed or microsite availability is a long-standing debate. However, since both can be important, increasing emphasis is placed on disentangling their relative importance and how they vary through space and time. Although uncommon, seed addition studies that include multiple levels of seed augmentation, and follow plants through to the adult stage, are critical to achieving this goal. Such data are also vital to understanding when biotic pressures, such as herbivory, influence plant abundance. In this study, we experimentally added seeds of a native thistle, Cirsium canescens, at four augmentation densities to plots at two long-term study sites and quantified densities of seedlings and reproductive adults over 9 years. Recruitment to both seedling and adult stages was strongly seed-limited at both sites; however, the relative strength of seed limitation decreased with plant age. Fitting alternative recruitment functions to our data indicated that post-dispersal mortality factors were important as well. Strong density-dependent mortality limited recruitment at one site, while density-independent limitation predominated at the other. Overall, our experimental seed addition demonstrates that the environment at these sites remains suitable for C. canescens survival to reproduction and that seed availability limits adult densities. The results thus provide support for the hypothesis that seed losses due to the invasive weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus, rather than shifting microsite conditions, are driving C. canescens population declines. Shifts in the importance of density-dependent recruitment limitation between sites highlights that alternate strategies may be necessary to recover plant populations at different locations.
Maternal experiences of intimate partner violence and adolescent delinquency: Pathways through parenting stress and harsh parenting behaviors

Women with children in the home are more likely to report experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to women without children in the home. Consistently, research has identified an assoc...
Development Status of a Small, Direct-Injection Diesel Engine at Isuzu

Development status of small direct injection diesel engine at Isuzu Motors Ltd. is reviewed. There is much difficulty in combustion optimization of small DI engines, due to small combustion chamber volume, large surface to volume ratio, wide engine speed range and so on. Novel ideas in the area of injection system, combustion chamber and induction swirl were tried to solve these problems and their effects are presented here. Our prototype DI engines which adopted some of these ideas has turned out to have better fuel economy by about 15 percent, 2 - 3 dB(A) higher noise level than IDI and almost the same power output performance as IDI. As to exhaust emissions, they have a possibility to conform to '86 California emission standards, in inertia weight classes up to 2625 LBS. The remaining problem areas are noise emission, durability of injection pump and cabin heater performance. These problems must be solved by further innovation, before DI engines will be successful in passenger car application.
Influence of high luminal PO2 on the anaerobic bacteria of the rat colon.

Abstract The influence of high luminal P O 2 on Colonic anaerobes was investigated by chronically perfusing the colon of unrestrained rats with O 2 or N 2 . A luminal P O 2 , of approximately 700 mm Hg did not significantly influence the fecal concentration of total anaerobes recovered on rabbit blood agar or of Bifidobacterium sp . and Bacteroides sp . recovered on selective media. However, the O 2 infusion reduced the rat's excretion of CH 4 (a metabolic product of anaerobic bacteria) to about 5% of the control value, although the feces of O 2 -treated rats produced CH 4 normally. This study suggests that the production of metabolites by the Colonic bacteria may sometimes be more accurately studied in situ rather than in culture. Measurement of volatile bacterial metabolites in breath may provide a simple means of studying the in situ metabolism of a variety of colonic bacteria in man.
Role of Natural Killer and T-Cells in Interferon Induced Inhibition of Spontaneous Metastases of the B16F10L Murine Melanoma

We have previously demonstrated that interferon (IFN) treatment of mice bearing the spontaneously metastasizing B16F10L murine melanoma on days -5 to -1 prior to surgical removal (day 0) of the primary tumor resulted in survival of >50% of treated mice. The antitumor effect was correlated with an early increase of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity followed by a later developing specific cytolytic T-cell response. The purpose of this study was to establish definitively the roles of NK, CD4, and CD8 cells as mediators of the antitumor/antimetastatic effects of IFN. Mice were depleted of NK, CD4, and/or CD8 cells during the period of IFN treatment by administration of anti-asialo-GM1, anti-L3T4, and/or anti-Lyt-2 antisera. Depletion of NK cells, alone or in combination with T-cells, eliminated the protective effect of IFN treatment. Depletion of both CD4 and CD8 cells, however, did not significantly alter the therapeutic effect of IFN therapy. Collectively, these data conclusively demonstrated the importance of NK cells as mediators of the IFN induced antitumor state. However, in mice depleted of CD4 cells alone, the protective effect of IFN was eliminated, in spite of the presence of intact NK cells. In vitro analysis of NK cytotoxicity on day 1 after surgery demonstrated ( a ) a lack of IFN induced stimulation of NK activity in CD4 depleted mice and ( b ) a significant increase in both baseline and IFN induced NK cytotoxicity in CD8 depleted mice. These data suggested a CD8 cell mediated inhibition of NK activity/stimulation in CD4 depleted mice, possibly responsible for the lack of response to IFN therapy in that group. These results demonstrate the importance of not only individual components of the immune system but also the interaction of these components in both the natural and IFN induced control of spontaneous B16F10L metastases.
Unequal Inequalities? Poverty, Sexual Orientation, and the Dynamics of Constitutional Law

To start where we began, there are many differences that distinguish these two movements. The point is decidedly not to flatten these differences or to treat them as more alike than they are. Instead, the fact that some broad themes link even these disparate cases suggests that there are institutional insights here that can help us think critically about the role of courts going forward. Perhaps the clearest takeaway is that courts rarely act in a vacuum. They act in the context of other actors (other courts, political bodies, public opinion), and their decisions are given meaning, in part, by how these other actors, along with social movements, react. For this reason, thinking about the role of courts in 2020 means thinking about the interacting roles of these other actors, as well.
Sentence and Text Comprehension: Evidence from Human Language Processing

In this presentation, I will survey research that is aimed at discovering how people process sentences and texts in natural language. In particular, I will survey evidence for the existence of several kinds of information constraints in language processing, including lexical, syntactic, world-knowledge, discourse coherence, referential and intonational information.
A novel sliding mode-based fault tolerant control design for vehicle active suspension systems

In this paper, a novel sliding mode-based control approach is proposed for a full vehicle suspension system subject to actuator faults and model uncertainties. The underlying design concept is to retain system stability and reliability in the presence of actuator faults, parameter variations and neglected nonlinear effects. The proposed approach is based on a new variable structure control, derived from optimal sliding surfaces, to attain a control signal with reduced chattering, typically present in sliding mode control. System stability is derived using Lyapunov theory. The proposed approach was implemented on a realistic 7-DOF full car model subject to uncertainties and actuator faults. Robustness of the overall scheme, optimized ride comfort and road holding ability under both healthy and faulty conditions are the main positive features of the proposed approach.
The Origin of Hsi Hu or the Western Lake of Hanchow

Summary Hsi Hu, the Western Lake of Hanchow, has been famous as summer resort and playing ground since the Tang and Sung Dynasties. During the time of Han, however, it was called Ming Shen Hu while in the time of three Kingdom, it was called Chien Tang Hu , the latter name being derived from the river, Chien Tang Kiang. Since the Hanchow city was built in the Sui Dynasty which is several hundred years after Han, so the history of Hsi Hu should be reckoned as much older than the city itself. On the other hand, Hsi Hu has never been noticed in any writings before the time when Shiuchinchu was published. The circumference of Hsi Hu is about 30 li or expressed more exactly about 4,987,879 sq. km. in area. The lake is closed by hills on all sides except toward the east. Those hills consist of the Carboniferous limestone, quartzose sandstone and liparite, the last one being of very young age. The sandstone formation could probably be correlated with the Nanking grit of Richthofen; but its contact with the Carboniferous limestone was not observed. On average, the depth of the lake measures about 5-6 ft., the maximum being not more than 10 ft. Two articles have appeared dealing with the origin of Hsi Hu. The first is by Mr. Seku, in his “Report on the Geology of Hanchow, Chekiang”, published in Journal of the Geological Society of Tokyo, Vol. XVI, 1909. Mr. Seku's opinion is briefly as follows:
Complex Shock Wave Phenomena

Complexity in shock wave phenomena arises in almost every natural or technological system with shock waves. Shock waves are responsible for some of the most beautiful structures in the universe as well as some of the most destructive creations of mankind. Even the most basic shock wave phenomena are fundamentally nonlinear in nature, thus rendering it difficult to subject to precise analysis. Nonetheless, the basic phenomena are best understood by breaking the complex system of shocks into simpler pieces more amenable to study including analysis, simulation, observations, and experiments. Modern practice in computational science can integrate each of these elements together via verification and validation to quantify our understanding and assist advances in our knowledge. Keywords: shock wave; rarefaction; shear; material interface; equation of state; multiphysics; Riemann problem; validation; verification; sensitivity; uncertainty; transonic flow
A retransmission protocol for the message service of a land mobile satellite experiment

The objectives of NASA's land mobile satellite experiments are discussed. The assigned multiple access protocol combined with a retransmission scheme is to provide reliable transmission of data messages from mobiles to base stations (BSs). The sequences for communication between mobiles and BSs, mobiles and the network management center (NMC), and BSs and NMC are examined, and an example of mobiles/BSs communication is provided. The performance of the retransmission protocol and data message reservation and message channels delays are analyzed. A bit error rate of 0.001 is observed for satellite channels in a mobile environment and the message error probability is between 0-0.1.
Bayesian segmental growth mixture Tobit models with skew distributions

This paper presents an extension of the standard Tobit to simultaneously address segmental phases, subpopulation heterogeneity, lower limit of detection, and skewness in outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) longitudinal data. A major problem often encountered in an HIV/AIDS research is the development of drug resistance to antiretroviral (ARV) drug or therapy. For dealing with drug resistance problem, estimating the time at which drug resistance would develop is usually sought. Following ARV treatment, the profile of each subject's viral load tends to follow a `broken stick' like growth trajectory, indicating multiple phases of decline and increase in viral loads. Such multiple phases with multiple change-points are captured by subject-specific random parameters of growth curve models. To account subpopulation heterogeneity of drug resistance among patients, the turning-points are also allowed to differ by latent classes of patients on the basis of trajectories of observed viral loads. These features of viral longitudinal data are jointly modeled in a unified framework of segmental growth mixture Tobit mixed-effects models with skew distributions for a response variable with left censoring and skewness under the Bayesian approach. The proposed methods are illustrated using real data from an AIDS clinical study.
Using Big Box Biology to Teach Diversity

The increase in “big box” stores over the past decade has provided a great source of specimens for use in teaching diversity in biology.
Liver Abscess Production by Non-Spore-Forming Anaerobic Bacteria in a Mouse Model

Abstract A model anaerobic infection consisting of progressive intrahepatic abscesses was produced in mice by injection of single and combined species of non-spore-forming anaerobic bacteria.
Dendritic cell differentiation pathways of CD34+ cells from the peripheral blood of head and neck cancer patients

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have increased levels of immune-suppressive peripheral blood CD34+ cells. This study showed that the peripheral blood CD34+ cells of HNSCC patients are capable of differentiating into dendritic cells. Because CD34+ cells can differentiate through several pathways into dendritic cell subpopulations, the intermediate cells through which the blood CD34+ cells of HNSCC patients differentiate were identified. After 6-7 days of culturing the CD34+ cells of HNSCC patients with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, stem cell factor, and tumor necrosis factor at, there appeared CD14+CD1a+ and a lesser proportion of CD14(-)CD1a+ cells resembling the precursor cells of the bipotential and committed dendritic cell differentiation pathways that have been described for cord blood CD34+ cells. To functionally analyze whether these populations were in fact precursor cells, they were isolated and cultured for an additional 10-12 days. Each of these populations was shown to function as precursor cells because they were able to develop into cells that resembled dendritic cells, although a higher proportion developed from the CD14-CD1a+ cells. In contrast, expression of the dendritic activation/maturation marker CD83 was highest on the cells that developed from CD14+CD1a+ cells. Thus, the CD34+ cells whose levels are increased in HNSCC patients can develop into both committed and bipotential dendritic precursor cells, which can subsequently give rise to dendritic cells.
Magnetic stabilization of a spacecraft and the effect of compensation of information errors

The system of spacecraft angular stabilization of middle accuracy rating and with magnetic executive devices is considered. A three-axis magnetometer is used as a single sensitive element of the subsystem of attitude determination. Combination of specific features of the control law and the algorithm of attitude determination allows one to realize a sufficiently reliable stabilization system of simple design, which is rather economical, as far as computing time is concerned.
The Effect of Pressure on Moisture Diffusion in Polymer Matrix Composites

Temperature and humidity play a significant role in the mechanical behavior and long-term durability of polymer matrix composites (PMCs). Several standard test methods including some accelerated test methods involving higher temperatures and pressures are available for environmental qualification of these PMCs. While the effect of temperature on humidity diffusion has been studied extensively, the effect of pressure has received less attention. This study seeks to interrogate the effect of pressure on diffusion. This effect was observed by building test chambers designed to maintain a constant relative humidity of 80 % at 60 °C at three different pressures (0.1014 MPa, 0.5171 MPa, and 1.0342 MPa). A liquid water immersion test chamber at 60 °C was also considered. It was observed that the time to saturation and the saturation moisture content increased with increasing chamber pressure. Immersion in liquid water provided the upper bound for the maximum moisture saturation and a lower bound for the time to saturation.
Different mutagenic specificities in phages S13 and T4: in vivo treatment with N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

The mutagenic effect of N -methyl- N′ -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine is different in the single-stranded DNA phage S13 from that in the double-stranded T4 treated in vivo . In S13, as had been found in Salmonella typhimurium , both transitions GC→AT and AT→GC are induced by N -methyl- N′ -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine with about equal frequency; in T4, GC→AT greatly predominates. S13 and T4 are now known to differ from each other in their responses to the mutagens nitrous acid, 5-bromodeoxyuridine and N -methyl- N′ -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine. In each of the three cases, the behavior of the mutagen suggests that the factor determining the different responses is the molecular environment at the replication point of the DNA, which in turn should depend on the specific mechanism of replication, the nature of the DNA polymerase and the base composition of the DNA. The molecular environment should be significantly different for S13 and T4.
Clinical study of botulinum-A toxin in the treatment of sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of intraglandular (parotid and submandibular) botulinum-A toxin (BTX-A) in the treatment of sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Study Design: Prospective, open-label, dose-escalation study. Setting: Tertiary care Children's Hospital. Patients: Twenty-two subjects between 8 and 21 years of age with CP and significant sialorrhea. Intervention/Technique: The first 12 subjects were injected in only the submandibular gland and the second 10 in the submandibular and parotid glands. Injections were performed under ultrasound localization. The first group (divided into 3) received a total of 10, 20, or 30 units of BTX-A. The second group (divided into 3) received a standard of 30 units in the submandibular gland and 20, 30, or 40 units in the parotid glands. Main Outcome Measure(s): Drool quantification using a pre- and postinjection drool rating scale, dental roll weights, and drool quotient. Swallowing was evaluated pre- and postinjection with a formal speech therapy evaluation. Results: All subjects successfully underwent BTX-A injections without local or systemic complications. There were no adverse effects on swallowing. Objective drool quantification with dental rolls was extremely difficult in this population. Most indicative of results was the drool rating questionnaire and the drool quotient. Conclusions: BTX-A is a potentially safe and promising, minimally invasive treatment for sialorrhea in children with cerebral palsy.
Improving electret properties of PP filaments with barium titanate

Abstract Barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) containing polypropylene (PP) composite filaments were melt spun to modify polymer electrostatic charging characteristics. Sample filaments were charged with a corona instrument and their surface potentials were measured. Initial surface potential as well as potential stability was monitored through an accelerated decay procedure. It was found that both BaTiO 3 concentration and charging temperature influence the charging characteristics of the fibers. When BaTiO 3 /PP composite filaments were charged at 130 °C, significant enhancements were observed when compared to samples charged at room temperature. The distribution of BaTiO 3 particles within the filaments and changes in the crystal structure were also examined.
Controlled fine needle biopsy of the uterine cervix during pregnancy

Cervical sampling could furnish tissue-based information regarding premature cervical ripening and effacement. This report assesses the effect of cervical fine needle biopsy (FNB) in the evaluation of cervical shortening. Retrospective cohort study evaluating adverse events during the first week following FNB in women with short cervix. Patients with a cervical length(CL) ≤25 mm had a cervical FNB between 16 and 24 weeks. The risk of FNB was compared to a control group that was similarly evaluated but did not undergo FNB. One hundred and thirty-two FNBs were performed in 94 participants. The mean gestational age and CL at enrollment were 20.4 ± 2.3 weeks and 15.7 ± 0.6 mm. Within 7 days of FNB, there were 3 adverse events (2.3%) in the study group compared to 5 in the control group (2.1%). FNB of the cervix in high risk gravidae is feasible in clinical situations. It did not increase the risk of adverse events compared to women studied under a similar protocol without FNB.
ASSIMILATION OF ORGANIC MATTER BY ZOOPLANKTON1

A method for direct measurement of percentage of assimilation of organic matter by zooplankton that does not require the quantitative recovery of feces and can be adapted for use in the field as well as in laboratory investigations is described. If it is assumed that only the organic fraction of the food ingested by a zooplankton animal is affected by the digestive process, it can be shown that percentage of utilization is defined as where F′ is the ash-free dry weight: dry weight ratio (fraction of organic matter) in the ingested food, and E’ is the same ratio in a representative sample of feces. The method compares favorably, as a measure of assimilation, with direct measurement of the quantity of organic matter lost from food during passage through the digestive tract.
Communication and Representation as Elements in Mathematical Literacy

The process standards of communication and representation in the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics are critical tools to help students develop mathematical literacy. In the mathematics classroom, students need to be encouraged to use speaking, listening, reading, and writing to communicate their understanding of mathematics words, symbols, and concepts. In addition, they should be encouraged to use multiple representations (such as diagrams) to move fluently between verbal, symbolic, graphical, and numerical forms of mathematics concepts.
Development of photoactivable nanofiber membranes for efficient metal ion extraction

A novel spiropyran nanofiber was developed an applied to the extraction of heavy metal ions from drinking water. The objective of this work was to capitalize on the high surface area achievable via nanotechnology to develop a high efficiency, cost effective system to enable analysis for a range of applications including ground, lake and river water monitoring. Assessment and remediation of heavy metal contamination is of utmost importance in industrial, environmental, and human water consumption applications. We have developed technology for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions without the need for ancillary reagents in the metal binding-and-release process, as are common in more conventional methods. As an alternative, we have employed photoactivable compounds, triggered by illumination with light of appropriate wavelengths, to control binding and release events. This technology has the potential to reduce the high consumption of ancillary reagents and decrease waste stream volume, not to mention the capacity to reduce the high recurring costs borne by users.