cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An LCP packaged high-power, high-efficiency CMOS millimeter-wave oscillator

This paper, for the first time, demonstrates the performance of a CMOS millimeter-wave oscillator packaged on low-cost, organic liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The oscillator is embedded in a laser-ablated cavity and then its GSG pads are wire bonded to CPW lines on LCP substrate. Measurements were taken of the bare-die oscillator and the packaged oscillator in order to verify the effects of the wire bonding and LCP packaging. The oscillator achieves a peak output power of +4.6 dBm when measured on wafer and +4.2 dBm when measured on package. Peak DC to RF efficiencies of 11.54% and 9.89% are measured for the unpackaged and packaged cases, respectively. These output powers and efficiencies are the highest reported to date for a packaged or unpackaged millimeter-wave CMOS oscillator to the best of the authors' knowledge. The tunable frequencies are 41.08–42.87 GHz and 41.32–42.60 GHz for the unpackaged and packaged oscillator, respectively. Simulations are also performed to investigate an on-package compensation technique to mitigate the effects of the packaging on the oscillator performance.
Continuous prehospitalization monitoring of cardiac rhythm

Abstract A continuous electrocardiographic telemetry system is described which permits simultaneous voice communications. The data observed suggest that continuous ECG telemetry is a useful tool in the prehospitalization detection of arrhythmias in patients with coronary heart disease. The instituting of earlier therapy for arrhythmias may reduce the incidence of early death.
Phase I study of highly selective supradose cisplatin infusions for advanced head and neck cancer.

PURPOSETo determine the maximum dose-intensity of cisplatin (DDP) that could be administered by selective intraarterial (IA) infusion in combination with systemic sodium thiosulfate neutralization to patients with head and neck carcinoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSForty-two patients (23 untreated stage III/IV, 19 recurrent) received highly selective IA DDP, rapidly delivered through microcatheters placed angiographically, to a maximum dose-intensity of 200 mg/m2/wk. Concurrently, the systemic effects of DDP were neutralized by intravenous (IV) bolus sodium thiosulfate.RESULTSProblems related to the infusion technique occurred in eight of 140 courses, all of which were inconsequential. The rates of reversible grade I/II and grade III/IV toxicity were 14.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicity, which consisted of severe electrolyte loss, occurred at a dose of 200 mg/m2/wk. The maximum-tolerated dose of DDP was 150 mg/m2 administered weekly for four doses. The overall and complete response rates in 38 ass...
CONTESTED PORTRAYALS: Medical and Legal Social Control of Juvenile Sex Offenders

While juvenile courts were originally designed to respond to troubled youth by providing treatment appropriate to the needs of individual offenders, advocates of a system that "gets tough" on young criminals by meting out punishments based on offense characteristics (both present offense and past offense history) have become increasingly influential in recent years. In this article. I examine a special case, that of juvenile sex offenders in a Washington State county. for whom a 1990 law reintroduced treatment as a central goal. While Washington has been a forerunner in the shift toward a juvenile justice system in which offending behavior is the central factor in decision making, I argue that, largely as a result of this law, juvenile sex offending has been "medicalized" and that, in this process, distinctions based on offense characteristics have noticeably diminished. This case study provides both empirical support for established theoretical arguments regarding medicalization and a detailed explication of the differences between medical and legal assumptions about social problems. Since its inception, the juvenile justice system has served as an arena for cultural battles over the nature of youth and the causes of delinquency. The very idea that there should be a separate court for juvenile offenders was based on late nineteenth-century beliefs that juvenile offenders were less responsible for their actions than adults, that environment played an important role in causing delinquency, and that juvenile delinquents were malleable and could therefore be helped through various treatment programs
DNA mismatch repair and cancer

Mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes have been associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Studies in bacteria, yeast and mammals suggest that the basic components of the MMR system are evolutionarily conserved, but studies in eukaryotes also imply novel functions for MMR proteins. Recent results suggest that mutations in MMR genes lead to tumorigenesis in mice, but DNA replication errors appear to be insufficient to initiate intestinal tumorigenesis in this model system. Additionally, MMR-deficient cell lines display a mutator phenotype and resistance to several cytotoxic agents, including compounds widely used in cancer chemotherapy.
Aluminosilicate stabilities under blood plasma conditions

Abstract Aluminosilicates occur in the core of plaques in the brains of Alzheimer victims, This paper shows that under conditions prevailing in the blood plasma, the free Al 3+ concentrations permitted by six aluminosilicates (6–100 × 10 −14 M) are competitive with those from citrate and transferrin at 10 μM or greater total aluminium concentrations. With equilibria in a competitive range, kinetic effects play a significant role. Aluminosilicates probably form at bound Al 3+ sites bathed in a silicic acid-containing fluid.
A connection to deep groundwater alters ecosystem carbon fluxes and budgets: Example from a Costa Rican rainforest

[1] Field studies of watershed carbon fluxes and budgets are critical for understanding the carbon cycle, but the role of deep regional groundwater is poorly known and field examples are lacking. Here we show that discharge of regional groundwater into a lowland Costa Rican rainforest has a major influence on ecosystem carbon fluxes. This influence is observable through chemical, isotopic, and flux signals in groundwater, surface water, and air. Not addressing the influence of regional groundwater in the field measurement program and data analysis would give a misleading impression of the overall carbon source or sink status of the rainforest. In quantifying a carbon budget with the traditional “small watershed” mass balance approach, it would be critical at this site and likely many others to consider watershed inputs or losses associated with exchange between the ecosystem and the deeper hydrogeological system on which it sits.
Attenuation of the behavioral effects of meperidine and normeperidine by daily administration of diazepam

The effects of meperidine, normeperidine, morphine, pentobarbital and d-methadone were determined on the key-pecking behavior of pigeons responding under a multiple fixed-ratio (FR), fixed-interval (FI) schedule of grain presentation. Dose-effect curves were obtained for each drug alone and during daily administration of 10 mg/kg of diazepam. The daily administration of diazepam had little effect on the behavior itself. Meperidine and normeperidine caused dose-related decreases in both FI and FR responding. The dose-effect curves for these drugs during daily administration of diazepam were shifted to the right compared to the dose-effect curves determined in the absence of daily diazepam. In contrast, the effects of morphine, d-methadone and pentobarbital either were not affected by daily administration of diazepam or were shifted to the left by daily administration of diazepam. These data further support the hypothesis that the behavioral effects of meperidine and normeperidine are due to a proconvulsive action produced by these drugs. In contrast, the effects of morphine, d-methadone and pentobarbital are not due to such a proconvulsive action.
Psychological Stress as a Trigger for Herpes Zoster: Might the Conventional Wisdom Be Wrong?

The causes for zoster remain largely unknown. Psychological stress is one commonly considered risk factor. We used self-controlled case series methods to look for increases in zoster following death or catastrophic health event occurring in a previously healthy spouse. We found no increase, although this stressor led to increased mental health visits.
A low-order dynamic model of a tracked robot inclusive of non-linear slip

This work presents results of low-order modelling of the planar dynamics of a tracked robot focusing on the coupled lateral, rotational, and longitudinal dynamics. This model is validated experimentally using a novel rolling roadway simulator that allows for uniform surface interaction as well as accurate sensing of vehicle position and orientation at high bandwidth. Comparing simulations to experimental tests using aggressive planar manoeuvres, the model was found to capture major components of chassis behaviour even for combined manoeuvres, for example lane changes while accelerating or decelerating, or lane changes during a steady turn.
Complete genome sequence of Nitrosospira multiformis, an ammonia-oxidizing bacterium from the soil environment.

The complete genome of the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium Nitrosospira multiformis (ATCC 25196T) consists of a circular chromosome and three small plasmids totaling 3,234,309 bp and encoding 2,827 putative proteins. Of the 2,827 putative proteins, 2,026 proteins have predicted functions and 801 are without conserved functional domains, yet 747 of these have similarity to other predicted proteins in databases. Gene homologs from Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosomonas eutropha were the best match for 42% of the predicted genes in N. multiformis. The N. multiformis genome contains three nearly identical copies of amo and hao gene clusters as large repeats. The features of N. multiformis that distinguish it from N. europaea include the presence of gene clusters encoding urease and hydrogenase, a ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase-encoding operon of distinctive structure and phylogeny, and a relatively small complement of genes related to Fe acquisition. Systems for synthesis of a pyoverdine-like siderophore and for acyl-homoserine lactone were unique to N. multiformis among the sequenced genomes of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Gene clusters encoding proteins associated with outer membrane and cell envelope functions, including transporters, porins, exopolysaccharide synthesis, capsule formation, and protein sorting/export, were abundant. Numerous sensory transduction and response regulator gene systems directed toward sensing of the extracellular environment are described. Gene clusters for glycogen, polyphosphate, and cyanophycin storage and utilization were identified, providing mechanisms for meeting energy requirements under substrate-limited conditions. The genome of N. multiformis encodes the core pathways for chemolithoautotrophy along with adaptations for surface growth and survival in soil environments.
Body area network security: robust key establishment using human body channel

In order for two sensors within a body area network to determine they are on the same body, e.g., for security purposes, extensive prior work considers the use of physiological values. We study the practicality of using body physiological values for securely exchanging messages for sharing keys. Due to its popularity in the literature, we use electrocardiography (ECG) signals, and show that cardiac physiology is incompatible with such schemes, due to the sensitivity to a node's deployment location on the body and the outsiders' capability to remotely sense the physiological value. As a solution for key sharing, we inject an artificial voltage signal to build a communication channel secure against an outsider. By implementing our scheme on a dead mouse and analyzing the human body channel characteristic with empirical data, we demonstrate the practicality of our scheme for body area network applications.
National Crime Victimization Survey

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is the largest continuing self-reported victimization survey in the United States. It provides national estimates concerning both property and violent crime, including sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, theft, burglary, and automobile theft. These estimates are consistently higher than those derived from official data sources such as Uniform Crime Reports. The NCVS also includes details on incidents of victimization that allow for multivariate analysis in exploring the causes, correlates, and consequences of victimization. Since its inception in 1972, the survey has undergone a number of revisions and redesigns that have broadened the types of victimization included (e.g., hate-crime) and have improved on the survey's ability to capture victimization. Keywords: measures of crime; National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS); victimization surveys
The Biological Basis of Aging: Implications for Medical Genetics

Evolutionary biology explains why we age, but how we age is still being unraveled. Cloning genes for individual age-related diseases (Alzheimer disease, cancer, or macular degeneration, etc.) does not provide insights into the basis for aging itself, which increases the risk for specific diseases and functional decline in a multiplicity of organ systems. Segmental progeroid disorders, such as Werner syndrome, mimic multiple phenotypic features of aging. Genetic modification or caloric restriction has been shown to increase healthy life span in model organisms; whether these interventions have the same effect in our own species is not yet known.
Unveiling the American-Muslim press: News agendas, frames, and functions

The growing scholarly literature on Muslims and the media in the United States has paid little attention to the American-Muslim press. This study compares the coverage of two major American-Muslim publications, the bimonthly news magazine Islamic Horizons and the weekly tabloid Muslim Journal, at four key moments beginning with 9/11. Content analysis (N = 576) indicates both publications are overwhelmingly US-centric, focusing on domestic political and community affairs rather than the so-called ‘Muslim world’. Aiding Muslim assimilation into American society emerges as the most important function of the American-Muslim press. However, Muslim Journal attends almost exclusively to black Muslims while Islamic Horizons emphasizes the coverage of immigrant Muslims from the Middle East and South Asia – reflecting and reproducing a historical schism within American-Muslim society. The study also reveals how minority media can reinforce power structures within the minority community and thus serve as a means of ...
Perspective on hepatic peroxisomes and pancreatic hepatocytes - Immunocytochemical approaches

Continued exposure to certain hypolipidemic drugs, plasticizers and herbicides leads to proliferation of peroxisomes in hepatic parenchymal cells. Sustained induction of peroxisome proliferation leads to the development of liver tumors in rats and mice. Peroxisome proliferator-induced pleiotropic responses, including the development of phenotypic properties in liver tumors induced by these agents, have been examined using autoradiography, immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase, immunoelectron microscopy andin situ hybridization procedures in conjunction with northern blot and immunoblotting procedures. These studies confirmed that the biological effects of peroxisome proliferators were confined predominantly to liver cells and that the tumors appeared only in this organ. The cell specific effects of peroxisome proliferators have been documented in studies on the induction of peroxisome proliferationin vitro in primary liver cell cultures, in hepatocytes transplanted in subcutaneous fat or the anterior chamber of the eye in rats, and in rats with transdifferentiated pancreatic hepatocytes of the copper-deficiency model.
Structural Design of Loading Towers for UHV Transmission Tower Test Base

Based on collected information of UHV tested towers,the figure dimensions and loading points of loading towers at UHV Transmission Tower Test Base are confirmed.The paper introduces design process,including longitudinal loading tower,transverse loading tower and longitudinal reverse loading tower in details.In addition,loading tower design flow and load combination are described briefly.Several UHV transmission towers have been successfully tested since the end of 2008,which verifies the security and reliability of these 3 loading towers.
A Short Proof of the Sticky Face Lemma

The sticky face lemma describes the local behavior of the inverse of the normal-cone operator of a polyhedral convex set. This inverse, when applied to a vector, produces a face of the set. The lemma says that small perturbations of the vector produce only subfaces of the original face. This property is useful in analyzing variational analysis and optimization problems whose underlying sets are convex and polyhedral.
Observed Variations of Total Cloudiness and Cloud Types: Implications for the Atmospheric Radiation Budget

The results of a study of ground-based cloud observations over the period 1952–1981 for the oceans and 1971–1981 for the land are summarized here. It was found to be in agreement with Berlyand et al. (1980) that the global average total cloudiness (over land and oceans) was slightly more than 60 percent, a value that is significantly larger than that derived from earlier estimates based on considerably less observational data. Ocean areas have about 10 percent more clouds than land areas and, on average, there is about 5 percent more clouds in the Southern than in the Northern Hemisphere. The latitudinal distributions of the average total cloud amount and amounts for six different basic cloud groups are presented. The observations indicate a small increase in global total cloudiness over the 11-year period (1971–1981), as well as a marginally statistically significant increase in cirrus and cumulonimbus clouds, but a decrease in cumulus during that period.
Remote Sensing Studies of Oceanic Cloud-Radiation Feedbacks

Multi-year time series of earth radiation budget (ERB)parameters have recently become available from the Nimbus-7 satellite. These data permit an assessment of the natural variability of the measured parameters, including earth albedo, longwave terrestrial flux, and net radiation.
Leveraging carbon nanotube technologies in developing Physically Unclonable Function for cyber-physical system authentication

Cyber-physical system (CPS) research studies the interactions between the cyber components and the physical components of an integrated communication, computation and control system. It comprises the backbone of various critical infrastructures such as smart energy, transportation, and health care systems. Despite its wide popularity, significant security vulnerabilities exist in the prevailing CPSs. As there are many layers/components in a CPS which interact with each other frequently, it is desirable to leverage authenticated communications among them. This is why Physically Unclonable Function (PUF), which enables the challenge-response authentication scheme, has become popular. This paper proposes a new PUF design based on carbon nanotube (CNT) technologies. As fabrication induced variation manifest strongly in CNT based circuits, they are natural candidates for building highly secure PUFs. Our idea is to use a private key as the seed to generate a pseudo-random signal which will be decomposed into a set of secure pseudo-random basis using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). Subsequently, the proposed PUF design works as generating a signal according to a challenge and projecting it to the above secure pseudo-random basis, resulting in the PUF output response. Clearly, the saliency of our proposed secure pseudo-random EMD projection based CNT PUF design comes from the strong variations in CNT circuits and the secure pseudo-random EMD projection.
Exploring the Involvement of Bullying Among Students With Disabilities Over Time

Students with disabilities are disproportionately involved within the bullying dynamic. Few studies have investigated the bullying involvement of youth with disabilities over time. The current study evaluated the victimization and perpetration rates of 6,531 students in Grades 3 through 12, including 16% with disabilities, over the course of 3 years. Results revealed that students with disabilities experienced greater rates of victimization and engaged in higher levels of perpetration than their peers without disabilities over time. In addition, the discrepancy in victimization and perpetration rates between youth with and without disabilities remained consistent longitudinally. Results from this study support the recommendation that students with disabilities should receive direct instruction in social and communication skills to buffer these adverse experiences.
Capacity Development and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Guiding Principles*

Implementation of multi-tiered systems of support is occurring within and across a number of countries with an increased recent focus on the development of local system capacity to maintain high levels of practice implementation fidelity. The purpose of this paper is to describe the importance of local capacity development in the high fidelity and sustained implementation of empirically supported practices within a multi-tiered system of support. After we describe the rationale for, and descriptions of, capacity development and multi-tiered systems of support, we (a) present a framework for the development of implementation capacity, (b) emphasise guiding concepts and principles, and (c) use positive behavioural interventions and supports as an example of a capacity development framework. We conclude with implications and recommendations.
Economic success in sub-Saharan Africa : a new measure of economic complexity

In popular discourse, African countries are typically lumped together and there is little understanding about the large differences in economic complexity between them. This paper seeks to fill in that gap by creating an economic complexity index, which is a tool that can be used to help gauge the relative successes or failures of each African country's business environment. The tool is based on the Herfindahl index, which is a widely used measure of industry concentration in the economics literature that has been adapted for this use. Potential uses of the complexity index in future research include tracking economic development over time, creating an alternative measure of economic success besides GDP growth and examining correlations with business environment variables to find out which ones most influence economic development across industries.
High-frequency transformer design for the soft-switching solid state transformer (S4T)

High-frequency transformer is a key element of the solid state transformer. The high-frequency transformer for a patent-pending topology — soft-switching solid state transformer (S4T) — has a unique feature of DC biased flux. This paper first evaluates the high-frequency transformer design using different high-frequency magnetic materials. Then a new hybrid transformer design methodology, which incorporates magnetic cores and permanent magnets, is also proposed. The permanent magnets provide pre-biased flux for the magnetics such that the usable B-H curve range is extended. Finite element analysis simulation and experimental verification show that the hybrid design can save magnetic materials by more than 50%.
Resolving Conflicts between Competition and Other Values: The Roles of Courts and Other Institutions in the U.S. and the E.U.

In this essay we compare and contrast the methods used by courts and other institutions in the United States and in the European Union to resolve the conflicts that inevitably arise between competition law and other laws, policies, and values. In the U.S., because its generally-worded antitrust statutes give judges great interpretive freedom, the courts, in the course of deciding concrete disputes, play a large role in defining the boundary between antitrust and other bodies of law. In the E.U., competition law is effectively “constitutional” by virtue of its being part of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as a result of which the courts are more constrained in what they can do. At the same time, the Treaty permits the E.U.’s enforcement agency, the Directorate-General for Competition, to issue ex ante exemptions that serve to mediate between competition law and other laws and values. Flexibility is among the chief virtues of the U.S. approach to the reconciliation of conflicting concerns. The E.U. approach is less flexible but may provide greater predictability for private actors.
Linear Programming Problems on Time Scales

In this work, we study linear programming problems on time scales. This approach unifies discrete and continuous linear programming models and extends them to other cases “in between”. After a brief introduction to time scales, we formulate the primal as well as the dual time scales linear programming models. Next, we establish and prove the weak duality theorem and the optimality conditions theorem for arbitrary time scales, while the strong duality theorem is established for isolated time scales. Finally, examples are given in order to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented results.
Effect of math-specific self-efficacy on math literacy: Evidence from a Greek survey:

Prior research has suggested a strong link between student-level psychological constructs such as self-efficacy and achievement in academics. In this study, we looked at the relationship between ma...
DECREASED CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INFECTIONS WITH ANTIBIOTIC ENVELOPE: A META-ANALYSIS

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection rates have continued to increase and are associated with increased hospitalizations and mortality. A number of preventative strategies have been developed including an antibiotic coated envelope, but this approach has yet to gain widespread use
Facebook Use for Profile Maintenance and Social Grooming and Young Korean Women’s Appearance Comparison With Peers and Body Image Concerns:

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between Facebook use, appearance comparison with peers, and body image concerns among young Korean women. Focusing on two major types of social media activities (i.e., profile maintenance, social grooming), this study investigated whether these specific types of user activities would be significantly related to greater appearance comparison with peers, and in turn, would be linked to increased levels of body image concerns. An online survey (N = 305) was conducted among young Korean women (aged 18–29) in Korea. Results indicated that the frequency with which Korean female participants engaged in profile maintenance and social grooming activities on Facebook was positively associated with appearance comparison with peers, and the mediation analysis revealed that appearance comparison mediated the relationship between Facebook use variables and body image concerns, such as lower weight satisfaction and greater drive for thinness. Theoretical and practical...
Psychological Distress in Caregivers of Liver and Lung Transplant Candidates

Although organ transplantation represents a stressful experience for the entire family, surprisingly little research has focused on the adjustment of caregivers. The purpose of this study was to examine what caregivers report to be the greatest benefits and stressors pretransplant, the prevalence of psychological distress and caregiver strain in pretransplant caregivers as compared to normative populations, and the physical, psychological, and demographic variables that predict distress. Fifty-two caregivers of transplant candidates (28 liver and 24 lung) completed a series of questionnaires, including the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS-SR), SF-36 Health Survey, Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), and qualitative questions about benefits and stressors. The most commonly reported benefit of being a caregiver could be categorized as Helping the Patient, and the most common stressors were associated with Uncertainty/Waiting/Fears. Compared to normative samples of caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease, caregivers of liver transplant candidates reported more caregiver strain; there were no differences for lung transplant caregivers. Caregiver social functioning was found to be the only significant predictor of caregiver distress, with those caregivers who report greater distress also reporting extreme and frequent interference with normal social activities. Implications of these findings for psychological interventions are discussed.
Optimization of a macromolecular inhibitor of HIV-1 protease.

HIV protease (HIV PR) has been identified as a key target in the treatment of HIV infection, and antiviral drugs that block its proteolytic activity have been developed. However, there are numerous ways in which a drug can lose effectiveness during long-term therapy. In particular several protease-mediated mechanisms result in reduced antiviral sensitivity of the various anti HIV protease inhibitors. As with inhibitors of reverse transcriptase, protease inhibitors have shown a sensitivity to variations in the protease that weaken drug affinities, both in cell culture and in vivo [1,2]. These include: 1) mutations of active site residues that are direct substrate specificity determinants; 2) mutations of non-active site residues that indirectly interfere with inhibitor binding through long range structural changes; 3) mutations that increase enzyme catalysis; 4) mutations that increase enzyme stability and half-life; and 5) mutations that provide new substrate specificities with corresponding mutations in the gag—pol polyprotein precursor substrate. Since the binding modes of both the natural substrates for HIV protease and the substrate analog class of inhibitors are similar, amino acid substitutions that occur in the substrate binding pocket are among the more common resistance mutations that arise in response to HIV protease inhibitors. However, the structural basis for the loss of sensitivity of a viral protease to a drug is not always obvious or predictable. This inability to anticipate the variety of mechanisms of viral resistance to new protease inhibitors complicates the task of designing more effective drugs. In this work, we consider the possibility of creating a new class of inhibitors that can pose a greater challenge to the development of protease-mediated viral resistance.
The Future of Liquefied Natural Gas Trade

Previously disconnected regional natural gas markets are becoming increasingly integrated, largely due to liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade. Some factors are accelerating this trend, such as rapid demand growth, climate change policy, a desire to avoid transit country risks associated with pipelines, and seasonality in demand. However, other factors are acting to inhibit global market development, such as geopolitics, market structure, the emergence of unconventional sources of gas supply, and a move to alternative energy. The manner in which these forces act to offset or reinforce each other will be crucial to the nature of global LNG trade in years to come.
Model-Based Interpolation, Prediction, and Approximation

Model-based interpolation, prediction, and approximation are contingent on the choice of model: since multiple alternative models typically can reasonably be entertained for each of these tasks, and the results are correspondingly varied, this often is a considerable source of uncertainty. Several statistical methods are illustrated that can be used to assess the contribution that this uncertainty component makes to the uncertainty budget: when interpolating concentrations of greenhouse gases over Indianapolis, predicting the viral load in a patient infected with influenza A, and approximating the solution of the kinetic equations that model the progression of the infection.
The Interaction of Folate Ligands with Macromolecules

Folic acid was obtained in pure form in 1944 and identified as a water-soluble vitamin essential for normal hematopoiesis in man and animals in 1948. Since then, the biochemical function of folic acid and its active coenzymes as carriers of carbon units for biosynthetic reactions has been well defined (Blakely, 1969). The physiology of folate transport, cellular uptake, and intracellular storage has been less clearly appreciated. Unlike vitamin B12 and iron, a carrier protein which is required for transport and cellular uptake of folate* has not been identified. The major fraction of plasma folate circulates free or loosely bound to a variety of proteins; a storage protein for folates in tissues has not been definitely established.
Social conflict, civil society, and maternal mortality in African countries:

This study looks at the association between social conflicts, civil society freedom, and democracy, and how social conflicts impact maternal mortality in African countries as a first step toward understanding how to use civil society to pressure Sub-Saharan African governments into improving maternal mortality ratios and other human development indicators. Pro-Government riots were negatively associated with civil society freedom. Organized Demonstrations and Organized Riots were positively associated with civil society freedom when North African countries were included in the data, but when they were excluded, only Organized Riots were associated with civil society freedoms. The period under study included the Arab Spring, which was characterized by high numbers of Organized Demonstrations in North African countries. I theorized that Organized Demonstrations occur less often in Sub-Saharan African countries due to lower levels of internet connectivity (used to organize) or because government forces use s...
Heritable Ectopic Mineralization Disorders: Pathomechanisms and Potential Treatment.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a prototype of heritable ectopic mineralization disorders, is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite in the skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system, with protean manifestations (Li et al., 2016; Li and Uitto, 2013; Neldner, 1988). The classic form of PXE is late-onset and slow-progressing, and the major clinical problems relate to loss of vision and development of cardiovascular complications (Neldner, 1988). The classic form of PXE is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ABCC6 gene encoding ATP-binding cassette subfamily C, member 6 (ABCC6), a putative transmembrane efflux transporter protein expressed primarily in the liver and kidneys. The metabolic hypothesis concerning PXE postulates that the absence of functional ABCC6 activity, primarily in the liver, results in deficiency of circulating factor(s) that is physiologically required to prevent ectopic mineralization under normal calcium and phosphate homeostasis (Li et al., 2016) (Figure 1). However, the factor(s) transported by ABCC6 from the intracellular milieu to the extracellular space have not been identified.
The Promise of Corporate Character Theory

A Response to Clockwork Corporations: A Character Theory of Corporate Punishment by Mihailis Diamantis.
Effect of molecular architecture on ring polymer dynamics in semidilute linear polymer solutions.

Understanding the dynamics of ring polymers is a particularly challenging yet interesting problem in soft materials. Despite recent progress, a complete understanding of the nonequilibrium behavior of ring polymers has not yet been achieved. In this work, we directly observe the flow dynamics of DNA-based rings in semidilute linear polymer solutions using single molecule techniques. Our results reveal strikingly large conformational fluctuations of rings in extensional flow long after the initial transient stretching process has terminated, which is observed even at extremely low concentrations (0.025 c*) of linear polymers in the background solution. The magnitudes and characteristic timescales of ring conformational fluctuations are determined as functions of flow strength and polymer concentration. Our results suggest that ring conformational fluctuations arise due to transient threading of linear polymers through open ring chains stretching in flow. Understanding the dynamics of ring polymers is challenging are despite recent progress, understanding of the nonequilibrium behavior of ring polymers has not yet been achieved. Here, the authors directly observe the flow dynamics of DNA-based rings in semidilute linear polymer solutions using single molecule techniques.
Who Is Excluded? Who Is Empowered? Marginalization and Resistance in the Curriculum

This chapter addresses the curriculum as an instrument of marginalization and erasure for ethnic, linguistic, and racial minorities in the United States, and how individuals and groups have resisted this reality by demanding space within the traditional curriculum or authoring separate curricula that challenge and critique it. The sources for the chapter range from the work of Black schoolteachers in the 1890s who presented untold stories of slavery and struggle, to Mexican American students in the 1960s who demanded to see themselves reflected and valued in their school’s offerings, to Navajo educators in the 1980s working to preserve and transmit communal values in place of cultural assimilation. Each source calls us to consider curriculum as a contested space today, and how future educators and students, parents, policymakers, and activists, might influence these debates.
Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity provides long-term relief for weight-related diseases. It is currently recognized as a safe and effective treatment for patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35. The advancement of laparoscopic and video instrumentation and technology has allowed the application of minimally invasive surgical techniques to bariatric surgery. Currently, laparoscopic approaches provide a recognized advantage to surgery for obesity, and specifically the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been demonstrated to provide optimal outcomes in selected patients. However, laparoscopic bariatric surgery remains challenging. These challenges include difficulty in access, retraction, tissue manipulation, and identifying anatomic landmarks. These challenges make laparoscopic bariatric surgery difficult to learn and difficult for surgeons who lack an experienced assistant. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) is an effective technique, applicable on a wide variety of advanced laparoscopic procedures (1). It provides the benefits of precise tissue manipulation, tactile feedback, blunt tissue dissection, and retraction, and it can be a valuable tool for the transition into and completion of minimally invasive bariatric surgery.
Effect of sodium hypochlorite on conventional and heat-treated nickel-titanium endodontic rotary instruments - An in vitro study.

Abstract Background/purpose Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a highly alkaline solution which exhibits antimicrobial properties. However, it causes corrosion to endodontic rotary files. This study investigated the effect of NaOCl on the metal surface of five different unused endodontic rotary files in vitro. Materials and methods Two non-heat-treated nickel-titanium (NiTi) files, ProTaper, BioRace, and three heat-treated NiTi files, VortexBlue, TRUShape, and EdgeFile X7 files, were immersed in 4% NaOCl for 5, 10, and 20 min, and 1, 6 and 24 h. The corrosion susceptibility was evaluated by visual inspection and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results In the TRUShape group, the black particulate matter was mostly formed at the file's curvature and shaft. A large amount of precipitate accumulated in the EdgeFile group. The extent and prevalence of surface defects were found to be consistently higher in EdgeFile X7 instruments than in any other instruments. EdgeFile X7 and TRUShape files exhibited a greater corrosive tendency to NaOCl than BioRace, ProTaper, and VortexBlue not only under visual inspection, but also under SEM analysis after prolonged immersion (1, 6, 24 h) in 4% NaOCl. However, shorter immersion periods (5, 10, 20 min) showed little surface corrosion across all experimental groups. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, EdgeFile X7 and TRUShape files exhibit greater corrosive tendencies to NaOCl in vitro than BioRace, ProTaper, and VortexBlue files after prolonged immersion in 4% NaOCl. However, shorter immersion periods, which more closely approximate clinical conditions during single root canal therapy, may not show surface corrosion across all experimental groups.
Impact of age and comorbidity on survival among patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective To identify predictors of overall survival (OS) and to stratify patients according to significant prognostic variables. Methods A retrospective study of 274 consecutive patients with primary Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Kaplan-Meier, Cox proportional hazard models, and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) were used for analysis of OS. These results were further validated using National Cancer Database cohort of 21 895 patients. Results Median OS was 3.65 years. T-classification and N-classification, alcoholic beverages/week, age, and adjuvant treatment were significant predictors of OS. RPA identified high-risk subpopulations: N0-1 patients with CCI ≥ 4.5 and N2-3 patients ordered by those not receiving adjuvant treatment, those with T3-4 disease despite adjuvant therapy, and those having T1-2 disease with adjuvant therapy. Conclusions This study utilized significant prognostic indicators and RPA to highlight the importance of age, N-classification, T-classification, comorbidity, and adjuvant therapy in conjunction with American Joint Committee on Cancer staging to improve preoperative counseling.
General knowledge of marijuana and kratom in an urban dental patient population: A cross-sectional study

Aim: To analyze the knowledge of dental patients in an urban setting regarding the legality and potential clinical benefits of marijuana and kratom. Materials and Methods: This presented cross-sectional study had 18-item questionnaire consisting of four demographic questions, six questions focused on marijuana, and eight questions focused on kratom, which was distributed in paper and pencil format to a convenience sample of 400 dental patients in the waiting area of an urban dental school. Data were entered into Qualtrics Research Suite software and analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ2 test with significance at P < 0.05. Results: Four hundred (400) surveys were completed anonymously by adult volunteers. Results showed a variable level of knowledge regarding the legality and potential clinical use of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With some questions, a statistically significant difference in knowledge was observed relative to age and highest level of education of the respondent. In contrast, compared to any knowledge of marijuana, respondents had little to no knowledge of kratom or mitragynine legality, health benefits, or potential as a substitute for opioids. Conclusion: Knowledge of marijuana is to be expected as its widespread use and debates of its legality have been in the public eye for years in the United States. Although similar debates regarding whether kratom should be legal continue, this survey suggests that the public has little to no knowledge of what it is. As opioid use disorder increases, so does the search for opioid substitutes. It is important that the public be made aware of potential opioid substitutes other than marijuana so that personal choices and decisions can be made with current and correct information.
Child Rights: The Movement, International Law, and Opposition

Over twenty years after the 1989 UN General Assembly vote to open the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for signature and ratification by UN member states, the United States remains one of only two UN members not to have ratified it. The other is Somalia. Child Rights: The Movement, International Law, and Opposition explores the reasons for this resistance. It details the objections that have arisen to accepting this legally binding international instrument, which presupposes indivisible universal civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, and gives children special protection due to their vulnerability. The resistance ranges from isolationist attitudes toward international law and concerns over the fiscal impact of implementation, to the value attached to education in a faith tradition and fears about the academic deterioration of public education. The contributors to the book reveal the significant positive influence that the CRC has had, despite not being ratified, on subjects such as educational research, child psychology, development ethics, normative ethics, and anthropology. The book also explores the growing homeschooling trend, which is often evangelically led in the US, but which is at loggerheads with an equally growing social science-based movement of experts and ethicists pressing for greater autonomy and freedom of expression for children. Looking beyond the US, the book also addresses some of the practical obstacles that have emerged to implementing the CRC in both developed countries (for example, Canada and the United Kingdom) and in poorer nations. This book, polemical and yet balanced, helps the reader evaluate both positive and the negative implications of this influential piece of international legislation from a variety of ethical, legal, and social science perspectives.
Slaveholders in the South: The networks of Cubans and Southerners in the age of the second slavery

This study examines the alliances between Cuban and Southern planters before 1861 as a means of counteracting the rise of abolitionism across the Atlantic. The massive expansion of slavery in Cuba ...
The effect of COVID-19 on liver transplantation: impact, practice patterns, therapeutics, and next steps.

Purpose of review To assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the pandemic on liver transplant candidates, recipients, and donors, and review guidelines and recommendations for integrating COVID-19 therapies into current practice. Recent findings COVID-19 has high morbidity and mortality for transplant candidates; interestingly, posttransplant comorbidities play a larger role than immunosuppression status. COVID-19 therapies and vaccinations are well tolerated in pre and postliver transplant patients with few exceptions, although further research is needed regarding effectiveness in this patient population. Provider practice patterns should evolve to minimize contagion during the current pandemic and prepare for an increase in liver disease due to after-shocks of missed diagnosis and progression of liver disease. Summary COVID-19 has spurred new research and technologies to ensure the safety of liver transplant candidates, recipients, and donors, and most COVID-19 therapies are safe in this patient population. Further work needs to be done regarding the use of COVID-19 positive organs and the efficacy of vaccines in the transplant population.