cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Snakes in Our Midst”: The Media, the Military and American Policy toward Vichy North Africa

Abstract This article recounts the media's role in one of the more controversial military and diplomatic actions of the Second World War, the American decision to install Admiral Jean Darlan as head of the Vichyite administration in North Africa in the wake of the Allied landings in 1942. Darlan's administration continued to enforce anti-Jewish directives, persecute political enemies, and indeed lock up many of those who had—at great personal risk—aided the Allies. Journalists learned of these actions, but their initial attempts to report on them were spiked by military censors. Eventually several correspondents were able to get word of these injustices into their reports from the field, and American policy began to change. Drawing on the published memoirs of several of the main actors, as well as State Department, U.S. Army and other archival material, this article traces these events in more detail as reported by four correspondents on the scene—A.J. Liebling, Ernie Pyle, John MacVane, and Drew Middleto...
AM last page: master's degree in health professions education programs.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Department of Defense. References and Online Resources 1. Tekian A, Harris I. Preparing health professions education leaders worldwide: A description of masters-level programs. Med Teach. 2012;34:52–58. 2. For a list of master’s degree in HPE programs in the United States, along with their associated Web site addresses, please see Supplemental Digital Table 1, available at http://links.lww.com/ACADMED/A146. 3. For additional information on master’s degree in HPE programs worldwide, please see the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (www.faimer.org) and MedEdWorld (www.mededworld.org). Author contact: tekian@uic.edu Just 15 years ago, the number of master’s degree in health professions education (HPE) programs worldwide was in the single digits.1 Today, there are 121 such programs, with new HPE programs created annually.1–3 The purpose of this AM Last Page is to provide information about the existing master’s degree in HPE programs, with a focus on location, core content, and program characteristics.
Microwave Spectrum and Molecular Structure of Vinyl Chloride–Acetylene, A Side Binding Complex

The structure of the gas-phase bimolecular complex formed between vinyl chloride and acetylene is determined using a combination of broad-band, chirped-pulse, and narrow-band, Balle–Flygare Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy from 5.8 to 20.7 GHz. Although all previous examples of complexes formed between protic acids and haloethylenes are observed to have similar modes of binding regardless of the specific identity of the acid, HF, HCl, or HCCH, the vinyl chloride–HCCH complex has HCCH located at one end of the vinyl chloride with the secondary interaction occurring with the geminal hydrogen atom as opposed to the “top” binding configuration found for vinyl chloride–HF. Nevertheless, the details of the structure, such as hydrogen bond length (3.01 A) and amount of deviation from linearity (58.5°), do reflect the strength of the interaction and show clear correlations with the gas-phase acidity. Comparison with analogous complexes allows the determination of the relative importance of electrostatic i...
Influence of NaCl on Electrochemical Corrosion of N80 Steel in CO_2 Saturated Solution

The effect of NaCl on the corrosion behavior of N80 steel in the CO_2-saturated solution was studied by electrochemical impedance spectrum(EIS) and polarization measurement. The results shows that the increase of NaCl concentration decreases the corrosion rate of the steel, which could be attributed to the decrease of hydroxide ion concentration and the dissolution of CO_2, and the adsorption of Cl~- on the surface of N80 steel is described by the Temkin isotherm.
Emergency Plan in the Construction of Shenyang Metro Line 1

The construction of Shenyang Metro Line 1 is complex,involving many departments and there exists risks in the construction,so once accident happens,it will cause serious consequences.To ensure safety in the construction,the emergency plan for the construction of Shenyang Metro Line 1 is compiled based on large collections of data and investigations,which is applied and practised in the construction and it is satisfying.
THE DYNAMIC RELIABILITY INDEX OF EXISTING REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS

Considering concrete damage and reinforcing bar damage and time-dependent deterioration on the materials'strength at the same time.The time-dependent models of the strength and stiffness on existing reinforced concrete structure are put forward.Dynamic reliability index is calculated,so that results of reliability appraisal become more clear and reasonable.The formula of time-dependent resistance on the T-type member in flexure is given.The engineering example is given to illustrate the correctness of the method.
Long-term influence of body mass index on cardiovascular events after atrial fibrillation ablation

Background Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapeutic rhythm approach in symptomatic patients. Obesity is a dominant driver of AF recurrence after ablation. However, being both overweight and underweight drives long-term cardiac and general health risks. Long-term data are needed to understand the influence of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after ablation in regard to arrhythmia recurrence and cardiovascular outcomes.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Promoting Awareness, Screenings, and Patient Support

11 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Promoting Awareness, Screenings, and Patient Support Ken Tillman, PhD, RN, East Tennessee State University College of Nursing, Johnson City, TN Thousands of individuals die each year from a ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). These deaths can be prevented by promoting awareness of AAA disease and encouraging individuals who are at risk to have a simple ultrasound screening. Fortunately, many AAAs are discovered accidently during tests for other reasons. Depending on the size of aortic dilation corrective surgery may or may not be performed. Individuals diagnosed with an AAA have many questions and need education about the disease process and treatment protocols. This is especially true for individuals with an AAAwho do not require immediate surgical repair. These individuals may experience stress, anxiety and feel like they are ‘‘living with a time bomb’’ internally. Nurses are in key positions to promote awareness of AAA disease, advocate for screening of at risk individuals, and provide education and support to individuals diagnosed with an AAA. The SVN has a collaborative relationship with AAAneurysm Outreach (AO), a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of AAA disease and screenings for at risk individuals. Through these organizations individual nurses and SVN Chapters have access to a variety of resources to help create awareness about AAA disease and provide education and support to patients diagnosed with an AAA.
Management principles of osteoporotic fractures

Osteoporotic fractures are difficult to manage. They pose a number of difficulties to the surgeon arising from the underlying poor bone stock compromising the intention to achieve optimum fixation. Moreover, the frail elderly patients present with a variety of medical co-morbidities increasing the risk of developing perioperative complications. Despite these recognized challenges, there are currently a number of improving technologies and strategies at the surgeon's disposal to provide more confidence with fracture fixation and maximize the chance of success.
SDNFV-Based Routing Service Composition Model

With the rapid development of Internet, varieties of new types of applications are emerging out. Accordingly, the user communication demands for diversified applications exhibit more and more complex characteristics. The conventional approach to deal with this issue for Internet Service Provider (ISP) is continuous purchasing of new physical network equipment, which inevitably causes high technical costs and operating expense. Fortunately, the paradigms of decoupling control plane from data plane in Software Defined Networking (SDN) and decoupling functional services from underlying physical equipment in Network Function Virtualization (NFV) bring significant insights to deal with this challenging issue. Accordingly, with appropriately reusing diversified software-based routing functions and then adaptively selecting them to compose customized routing services, a novel SDNFV (i.e., SDN and NFV) based routing service composition model is proposed. In addition, considering continuously generated information by large-scale network communication activities, we combine machine learning with the proposed model. According to the user feedbacks for the provided services, the appropriate routing function selection and service composition is trained and optimized by the method of multi-layer feed-forward neural network. Simulation results verify the feasibility of the proposed model.
Freaks of Fancy, Revisited: Nineteenth-Century Ornamented Typography in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract This article offers a historical analysis of 21st-century American engagements with 19th-century ornamented typography, demonstrating how this form of historicist practice constructs purposeful continuities between past and present by aligning 19th- and 21st-century modes of production. These alignments, balanced on fraught cultural divisions between handmade/machine-made and authentic/artificial, are resolutely ahistorical yet speak volumes about the dynamics of information capitalism, deindustrialization, and recession in recent US history. The analysis focuses upon two genres of neo-19th-century typographic revivals: heritage letterpress fetishism, which invokes an imagined return to authentic handcraft, and revivalist authentications of digital design practice, in which designers use the old to confer legitimacy upon the new.
Reliable metal-to-metal oxide antifuses

This paper presents a new high performance, reliable metal-to-metal antifuse. The problem of switch-off in the programmed antifuses is avoided by using metals with low thermal conductivity and thin oxide. >
Decreased PTEN amplifies PI3K signaling and enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine release in COPD

Introduction and background: The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is activated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the mechanisms that regulate this pathway are yet to be elucidated. Aims and objectives: We investigated the expression and role of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN), the major negative regulator of the PI3K pathway in COPD. Methods: The protein levels and immunopurified PTEN activities were measured in peripheral lung from patients with COPD and compared to controls. Airways epithelial BEAS-2B cells were incubated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in the presence or absence of L-buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO), and the effect of PTEN knock–down by RNA interference was also examined. Results: PTEN protein was significantly decreased in peripheral lung of patients with COPD compared to the subjects without COPD (PTEN/β-actin ratio in healthy: 1.30±0.62 vs COPD: 0.71±0.27; p 1 %predicted; r=0.41; p=0.014), although no difference was observed in PTEN activity. Conversely, phosphorylated Akt, as a marker of PI3K activation, showed a negative correlation with PTEN protein levels (r=-0.43; p=0.0085). In BEAS-2B cells, CSE decreased PTEN protein, mainly through the suppression of the mRNA transcription. PTEN knock-down potentiated Akt phosphorylation and enhanced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6, and CXCL8. Conclusions: Oxidative stress reduces PTEN protein levels, which may result in increased PI3K signalling and amplification of inflammation in COPD.
Viral Infection in the Development and Progression of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Viral infections are an important cause of pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Numerous viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A (H1N1) virus, have been implicated in the progression of pneumonia to ARDS; yet the incidence of progression is unknown. Despite acute and chronic morbidity associated with respiratory viral infections, particularly in ‘at risk’ populations, treatment options are limited. Thus, with few exceptions, care is symptomatic. In addition, mortality rates for viral related ARDS have yet to be determined. This review outlines what is known about ARDS secondary to viral infections including the epidemiology, the pathophysiology and diagnosis. In addition, emerging treatment options to prevent infection, and to decrease disease burden will be outlined. We focused on RSV and influenza A (H1N1) viral-induced ARDS, as these are the most common viruses leading to pediatric ARDS, and have specific prophylactic and definitive treatment options.
Femtosecond real-time probing of reactions MMXVII: The predissociation of sodium iodide in the A 0+ state

Abstract We revisit the femtosecond transition-state spectroscopy of sodium iodide taking advantage of modern lasers and pulse-shaping to better map the low-lying electronic states, some forming predissociative wells through curve crossings. We also carry out high-level ab initio multi-reference configuration interaction calculations including spin-orbit coupling terms and using large correlation-consistent basis sets to arrive at accurate ground- and excited-state potential energy curves of NaI. Density matrix calculations employing vibrational wave functions determined from the ab initio X 0+ and A 0+ potentials are used to simulate time dependent wave packet dynamics of NaI pumped to the A 0+ state.
Algorithmic rationality: Epistemology and efficiency in the data sciences:

Recently, philosophers and social scientists have turned their attention to the epistemological shifts provoked in established sciences by their incorporation of big data techniques. There has been...
Teaching the Practice of Leading Sense-Making Discussions in Science: Science Teacher Educators Using Rehearsals

ABSTRACTRehearsal is an increasingly important teacher education pedagogy. We explore how 3 science teacher educators thought about and used pauses within rehearsals to support secondary science teacher candidates in learning to facilitate sense-making discussions. Video data indicated that the most common purposes for pausing a rehearsal were to provide feedback about the candidate’s practice and to problem solve with the candidates. Substantively, the most common foci were attending to student thinking and attending to the use of language. Interview data indicated that teacher educators responded to candidates’ needs when making decisions about pauses. These findings suggest that rehearsals can provide rich learning opportunities for teacher candidates in ways that are interactive and responsive to students’ ideas.
Investigation of Cs+ bombardment effects in ultra-thin oxynitride gate dielectrics characterization by DSIMS

A surface layer formation by Cs+ bombardment was observed during ultra-thin oxynitride gate dielectrics depth profiling. A significant thickness change relative to ultra-thin layer of oxynitride was noticed when testing a bombarded sample after a period of time. Cs, O and N depth profiles were examined by Dynamic Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (DSIMS). The bombarded sample and new sample were investigated for surface layer formation. Profile depth scale was calibrated by machine sputter rate according to a brand new standard sample with known nitride oxide layer thickness. The relationships of formed layer thickness versus bombardment time and distance were studied. This study aims to understand the effects of Cs layer formation in ultra-shallow oxynitride sample analysis to ensure accuracy of sample thickness quantification.
Evolution of structural mechanisms in thermoplastic polyimide (BTDA-DAH) from amorphous precursors as revealed by real-time uniaxial mechano-optical behavior

Abstract The real-time mechano-optical behavior of Polyimide 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) 1,6-diaminohexane (DAH) [PI(BTDA-DAH)] films during uniaxial deformation was investigated in the glassy and rubbery states as a function of temperature and stretch rate to understand the stretching characteristics of the polymer and elucidate the structural evolution. The study combined real-time spectral birefringence with true stress and true strain measurements and the data were further augmented by offline DSC and WAXD measurements. During deformation near glass transition temperature, initial photoelastic regime exhibiting very small slope is followed by regimes II and III. As the deformation temperature increases, the initial photoelastic regime disappears and gives way to temperature-independent regime I following classic stress-optical behavior. Regime I is followed by either a negative deviation from SOR into regime IIIa at lower deformation temperatures, or a positive deviation from SOR into regime II at higher deformation temperatures which eventually transitions into regime IIIc at large strains. The polymer was essentially amorphous in regime I. As the deformation increased, strain-induced crystallization occurred in regime II where crystallinity as high as 24% was achieved. The strain-induced crystals enhanced network connectivity and increased the rate of polymer chain orientation before transitioning to regime IIIc. Under conditions where regime II was not observed, a linear mechano-optical response in regime I extended to higher deformations before transitioning into regime IIIa where the highly oriented chains exhibited a “nematic-like” order with translational disorder along the chain directions. Based on the above observations a schematic for the structural evolution of PI(BTDA-DAH) during uniaxial deformation was proposed.
Abstraction Over the Life Course: Developmental and Methodological Concerns

With abstraction defined and conceptually clarified, we may now proceed to think about the development of this mode of thought over the life course. The first thing to establish is that abstraction is an integral part of intellectual growth in the first two decades of life. Whereas quite a lot of theory and empirical work concerns cognitive development in youth, much less research attention is focused on the much longer period of adulthood. Thus, certain that abstraction improves with age early in life, we shall concentrate on issues surrounding its development throughout the adult years. Does abstraction tend to level off in adulthood and then decline during the later years of life? Or does abstraction remain stable throughout adulthood for most people? Or does it begin to decline soon after biological maturity? These are deceptively simple questions. The full extent to which they can be answered here will not be known until the fourth, empirical chapter of this book. This chapter examines some of the methodological issues that arise in the study of adult intellectual development. We will see that the way in which one sets out to answer the above questions can lead to mistaken conclusions. By taking these spurious sources of influence into account, we should be in a better position to evaluate the genuine relationship between abstraction and age.
Using Election Forensics to Detect Election Fraud in the Philippine Elections, 2016

This paper uses the tools of election forensics to investigate electoral fraud in the most recent Philippine national elections, 2016. We first focus on digit tests, finite mixture model and its equivalents. We pay particular attention to the measurement of stolen votes and geographic allocation of election fraud across national elections. We then focus on Marcos v. Robredo court case, which helps us to validate some of our research findings for the vice-presidential election.
The influence of pre-existing rib fractures on Global Human Body Models Consortium thorax response in frontal and oblique impact.

Abstract Many post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) considered for use in biomechanical impact tests have pre-existing rib fractures (PERFs), usually resulting from cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These specimens are typically excluded from impact studies with the assumption that the fractures will alter the thoracic response to loading. We previously used the Global Human Body Models Consortium 50th percentile whole-body finite element model (GHBMC M50-O) to demonstrate that up to three lateral or bilateral PERFs do not meaningfully influence the response of the GHBMC thorax to lateral loading. This current study used the GHBMC M50-O to explore the influence of PERFs on thorax response in frontal and oblique loading. Up to six PERFs were simulated on the anterior or lateral rib regions, and the model was subjected to frontal or oblique cylindrical impactor, frontal seatbelt, or frontal seatbelt + airbag loading. Changes in thorax force-compression responses due to PERFs were generally minor, with the greatest alterations seen in models with six PERFs on one side of the ribcage. The observed changes, however, were small relative to mid-size male corridors for the loading conditions simulated. PERFs altered rib strain patterns, but the changes did not translate to changes in global thoracic response. Within the limits of model fidelity, the results suggest that PMHS with up to six PERFs may be appropriate for use in frontal or oblique impact testing.
Treatment Effect in Earlier Trials of Patients With Chronic Medical Conditions: A Meta-Epidemiologic Study

Abstract Objective To determine whether the early trials in chronic medical conditions demonstrate an effect size that is larger than that in subsequent trials. Methods We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating a drug or device in patients with chronic medical conditions through meta-analyses (MAs) published between January 1, 2007, and June 23, 2015, in the 10 general medical journals with highest impact factor. We estimated the prevalence of having the largest effect size or heterogeneity in the first 2 published trials. We evaluated the association of the exaggerated early effect with several a priori hypothesized explanatory variables. Results We included 70 MAs that had included a total of 930 trials (average of 13 [range, 5-48] RCTs per MA) with average follow-up of 24 (range, 1-168) months. The prevalence of the exaggerated early effect (ie, proportion of MAs with largest effect or heterogeneity in the first 2 trials) was 37%. These early trials had an effect size that was on average 2.67 times larger than the overall pooled effect size (ratio of relative effects, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.12-3.37). The presence of exaggerated effect was not significantly associated with trial size; number of events; length of follow-up; intervention duration; number of study sites; inpatient versus outpatient setting; funding source; stopping a trial early; adequacy of random sequence generation, allocation concealment, or blinding; loss to follow-up or the test for publication bias. Conclusion Trials evaluating treatments of chronic medical conditions published early in the chain of evidence commonly demonstrate an exaggerated treatment effect compared with subsequent trials. At the present time, this phenomenon remains unpredictable. Considering the increasing morbidity and mortality of chronic medical conditions, decision makers should act on early evidence with caution.
Extreme Response and Fatigue Damage of Ship-Shaped FPSO

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a systematic method to predict extreme response and conduct fatigue assessment in which the site-specific wave conditions and the service history are accounted for. The extreme response is predicted using both short-term and long-term approaches, and the fatigue strength is assessed using a closed-form spectral fatigue method. The proposed approach may be applied to newly built or converted floating production storage offloadings (FPSOs). FPSO design is highly wave condition dependent. Both extreme response and fatigue life can be significantly affected by site-specific wave environments. Collecting accurate wave data is an important part of the design. Wave spectral shapes have significant effects on fatigue life. Choosing the best suitable spectrum based on the associated fetch and duration is required. In predicting extreme responses, the long-term approach is preferred because it has less uncertainty. However, the chapter recommends using the long-term approach together with the short-term approach for obtaining a conservative result. The short-term extreme approach depends on long-term prediction of extreme wave spectra and proper application of the derived wave spectral family. It is not necessarily simpler than the long-term approach.
Human gut microbe co-cultures have greater potential than monocultures for food waste remediation to commodity chemicals

Food waste represents an underutilized resource for commodity chemical generation. Constituents of the human gut microbiota that are already adapted to a food waste stream could be repurposed for useful chemical production. Industrial fermentations utilizing these microbes maintain organisms in isolation; however, microbial consortia offer an attractive alternative to monocultures in that metabolic interactions may result in more efficient processes with higher yields. Here we computationally assess the ability of co-cultures vs. monocultures to anaerobically convert a Western diet to commodity chemicals. The combination of genome-scale metabolic models with flux-balance analysis predicts that every organism analyzed can benefit from interactions with another microbe, as evidenced by increased biomass fluxes in co-culture vs. monoculture. Furthermore, microbe combinations result in emergent or increased commodity chemical production including butanol, methane, formaldehyde, propionate, hydrogen gas, and urea. These overproducing co-cultures are enriched for mutualistic and commensal interactions. Using Clostridium beijerinckii co-cultures as representative examples, models predict cross-fed metabolites will simultaneously modify multiple internal pathways, evident by different internal metabolic network structures. Differences in degree and betweenness centrality of hub precursor metabolites were correlated to C. beijerinckii metabolic outputs, and thus demonstrate the potential of co-cultures to differentially direct metabolisms to useful products.
The t-transformed power method distributions for simulating univariate and multivariate non-normal distributions

This paper introduces a family of t-transformed power method distributions for fitting empirical and theoretical distributions with a wide range of skew and kurtosis values. Equations associated wi...
Heat shock proteins: A dual carrier-adjuvant for an anti-drug vaccine against heroin

Heroin is a highly abused opioid that has reached epidemic status within the United States. Yet, existing therapies to treat addiction are inadequate and frequently result into rates of high recidivism. Vaccination against heroin offers a promising alternative therapeutic option but requires further development to enhance the vaccine's performance. Hsp70 is a conserved protein with known immunomodulatory properties and is considered an excellent immunodominant antigen. Within an antidrug vaccine context, we envisioned Hsp70 as a potential dual carrier-adjuvant, wherein immunogenicity would be increased by co-localization of adjuvant and antigenic drug hapten. Recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70 was appended with heroin haptens and the resulting immunoconjugate granted anti-heroin antibody production and blunted heroin-induced antinociception. Moreover, Hsp70 as a carrier protein surpassed our benchmark Her-KLH cocktail through antibody-mediated blockade of 6-acetylmorphine, the main mediator of heroin's psychoactivity. The work presents a new avenue for exploration in the use of hapten-Hsp70 conjugates to elicit anti-drug immune responses.
Single cell transcriptomics reveals a signaling roadmap coordinating endoderm and mesoderm lineage diversification during foregut organogenesis

Visceral organs, such as the lungs, stomach, liver and pancreas, derive from the fetal foregut through a series of inductive interactions between the definitive endoderm (DE) epithelium and the surrounding splanchnic mesoderm (SM) 1,2. This foregut patterning, which occurs between embryonic day (E) 8.5 and E9.5 in the mouse embryo, equivalent to 17-23 days of human gestation, defines the landscape of the thoracic cavity and disruptions in this process can lead to severe congenital defects. While patterning of the endoderm lineages has been fairly well studies, the SM which is known to provide many paracrine factors required for organogeneis is virtually unstudied 1,2. In particular we lack a comprehensive understanding of the molecular nature of SM regional identity, the mechanisms by which SM signaling boundaries are established, the role of the epithelium in SM patterning and how SM and DE lineages are dynamically coordinated during organogenesis. Here we used single cell transcriptomics to generate a high-resolution expression map of the embryonic mouse foregut. This uncovered an unexpected diversity in SM progenitors that developed in close register with the organ-specific epithelium. These data allowed us to infer a spatial and temporal signaling roadmap of the combinatorial endoderm-mesoderm interactions that orchestrate foregut organogenesis. We validated key predictions with mouse genetics, showing importance of epithelial signaling in mesoderm patterning. Finally, we leveraged the signaling road map to generate different SM subtypes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which previously have been elusive.
Rivaroxaban Treatment in Two Breastfeeding Mothers: A Case Series

Background: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a reversible direct factor Xa inhibitor used for the treatment and prevention of coagulation in numerous syndromes. There is very limited information available ...
Decolonizing Knowledge in Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti Trilogy

How do indigenous and other forms of marginalized knowledges transform not only Eurocentric assumptions about the subject of human rights but also the role of the university, which has traditionally functioned to legitimize certain forms of knowledge and modes of knowledge production while erasing others? How does a decolonial approach to knowledge work force us to consider not just what we know but how and where we know, what methods and epistemologies we employ to produce knowledge and within and through what institutions beyond the state? Naijamerican science fiction writer Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti trilogy (2015–2018) presents an especially generative set of texts through which to think through these questions. Its multi-text narrative centers around the university as a crucial institution for producing and legitimizing (or failing to legitimize) decolonial knowledge. Moreover, it frames knowledge production as a process that emerges through the interdependent, collaborative, and at times fractious interactions of multiple, diverse agents. Finally, Okorafor grounds her work within a deeply Afrocentric vision of science fiction.
Identification and Interaction Between Centrosomal Protein Centriolin and the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase, HECTD1

Uncontrolled cellular division is a central hallmark of cancer. Thus, studying the molecular functions and interactions of the proteins that regulate the complex processes of cell division is cruci...
Associations between digital technology and substance use among U.S. adolescents: Results from the 2018 Monitoring the Future survey

Abstract Objective Social media and other digital technology use facilitate connection among adolescents, but also may reinforce norms and substance-related content from peers and advertisers. We use nationally representative data to examine the association between digital technology and past 30-day use of alcohol, cannabis, and vaping. Methods Data were drawn from the 2018 Monitoring the Future survey of US adolescents (N = 44,482). Poisson regressions estimated the association between hours/day of technology use and past 30-day use of alcohol, cannabis, and vaping adjusting for grade, sociodemographics, and other past-year drug use. Results Across grades, mean hours of social media/day was 3.06 (standard deviation = 2.90), past 30-day alcohol, cannabis, flavor vaping, cannabis vaping, and nicotine vaping were 15.7 %, 12.6 %, 10.6 %, 4.9 %, and 11.2 %, respectively. Digital technology use that required interaction with others was associated with increased risk of past 30-day drinking, cannabis use, and vaping. For example, social media 3+ hours/day was associated with past 30-day drinking (adjusted relative risk [aRR]: 1.99, 95 % CI: 1.65, 2.41). The magnitude of association was consistent across texting, phone calls, and video chatting, which were all more strongly associated with substance use than with activities that do not require interaction such as gaming and watching videos. Conclusion Digital technology that facilitates interaction among adolescents, such as texting and social media, is associated with past substance use. Magnitudes of association are consistent across substances, supporting the hypothesis that networks of adolescents are social drivers of substance use, rather than the technology itself.
Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) of compact toroid plasmas

Compact toroids have in the past been characterized by high plasma density and low magnetic fields, and hence, have not been accessible for ECRH experiments. However, the MS Spheromak planned for construction at the University of Maryland will alleviate this situation having B ∼20kG and n ∼ 1014 cm−3. We calculate good transmission to the center of the MS Spheromak plasma and almost complete absorption at the 2nd harmonic of the electron cyclotron frequency. Absorption in Spheromaks is much stronger than in Tokamaks because of the flatter magnetic field profile. A gyrotron at 100 GHz, 500 kW, and τ≲1 msec would be suitable for a significant experimental demonstration.
Simultaneous Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Bilateral Native Nephrectomy and Kidney Transplantation for Patients With Large Polycystic Kidneys.

OBJECTIVE To describe our technique of simultaneous hand-assisted laparoscopic bilateral native nephrectomy (BNN) and kidney transplantation (KT) in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and present our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of adult ESRD patients with symptomatic autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who underwent a hand-assisted laparoscopic BNN at the time of KT. We reviewed patients’ and donor characteristics, and perioperative and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS A total of 52 patients underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic BNN at the time of KT from January 2014 to October 2019. The median age of the recipients was 53.4 years, 57.7% were males, and the median body mass index was 29.0 kg/m2. All but one received a kidney from a living donor and the majority (86.5%) were pre-emptive. One patient required a small bowel resection due to an intraoperative small bowel injury. There was no solid organ injury during the procedure. All patients showed immediate allograft function and a steady decline in serum creatinine. The median decline in the creatinine and hemoglobin on day 1 was 1.2 mg/dL (inter quartile range 0.6-2.3) and 2.2 g/dL (inter quartile range 1.4-3.0), respectively. CONCLUSION Simultaneous hand-assisted laparoscopic bilateral nephrectomy with KT through a modified Gibson incision is feasible and safe in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon without compromising allograft function.
The Beast Within: Racial Representation and Reversals in the Planet of the Apes Reboot

The Planet of the Apes franchise, born of the racially charged allegorical novel La Planete des Singes (1963) by Pierre Boulle, has long skirted the line with its fevered use of the perennial compa...
Gender Disparity in Host Responses to Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Series

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignant tumor with high mortality worldwide. One remarkable clinical feature of HBV-related HCC is that the risk of development is higher in males and postmenopausal females compared to other females. Increasing evidence also indicates that the prognosis of HBV-associated HCC may involve gender disparity, with females having more favorable outcomes. The proposed mechanism of this gender disparity is thought to be complex and multifactorial. Attributions have been made to gender differences in behavioral risk factors, host stress, immune response, psychology, metabolic risk factors, tumor biology, and hormonal factors. Gender disparities in hormonal factors and stress with consequent incited inflammation and hepatocarcinogenesis in HBV-related HCC is a particularly burgeoning area of investigation. Clarifying these mechanisms could provide insight into HBV-related HCC pathogenesis, and potentially provide a target for prevention and treatment of this disease. Reported herein is a case series involving two families affected by vertically transmitted chronic hepatitis B, longitudinally observed over multiple decades, with family members demonstrating discordant outcomes related to HCC, with worse outcomes among affected males. As a supplement to this case, we review the currently available literature on gender differences in outcomes from HBV-related HCC. In reporting this case series, we aim to add our important observation to the current literature and highlight the need for further research in the mechanisms involved in gender disparity in the prognosis of HBV-related HCC.
Simulation of Afshar's Double Slit Experiment.

Shahriar S. Afshar claimed that his 2007 modified version of the double-slit experiment violates complementarity [1]. He makes two modifications to the standard double-slit experiment. First, he adds a wire grid that is placed in between the slits and the screen at locations of interference minima. The second modification is to place a converging lens just after the wire grid. The idea is that the wire grid implies the existence of interference minima(wave-like behavior), while the lens can simultaneously obtain which-way information (particle-like behavior). More recently, John G. Cramer [2] argued that the experiment bolstered the Transactional Interpretation of Quantum mechanics (TIQM). His argument scrutinizes Bohr's complementarity in favor of TIQM. We analyze this experiment by simulation using the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics [3] and find that it agrees with the wave particle duality relation given by Englert, Greenberg and Yasin (E-G-Y) [4, 5]. We conclude that the use of Afshar's experiment to provide a testbed for quantum mechanical interpretations is limited.
The challenge of improving risk assessment in asymptomatic individuals: the additive prognostic value of electron beam tomography?

The detection of atherosclerosis has changed considerably over the past few decades, with an ever-increasing array of diagnostic tools available to the researcher and practicing clinician. For many decades, traditional risk factor assessment was the mainstay for prognostication, forming a basis for
Plasticity in the intrinsic excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons

During learning and development, the level of synaptic input received by cortical neurons may change dramatically. Given a limited range of possible firing rates, how do neurons maintain responsiveness to both small and large synaptic inputs? We demonstrate that in response to changes in activity, cultured cortical pyramidal neurons regulate intrinsic excitability to promote stability in firing. Depriving pyramidal neurons of activity for two days increased sensitivity to current injection by selectively regulating voltage-dependent conductances. This suggests that one mechanism by which neurons maintain sensitivity to different levels of synaptic input is by altering the function relating current to firing rate.
Measuring Factor Abundance Across Many Factors and Countries

Empirical studies of factor proportion theory face the challenge of measuring factor abundance in a world with many factors of production and countries. This paper introduces a mean weighted measure of factor abundance, and using data for nine factors and 33 countries, presents the resulting factor abundance rankings. These rankings, unlike others in the literature, are quite sensible. Further, there is a positive empirical link between factor abundance and factor content for each factor except agricultural labor.
The Effect of Preparation of the Cow on the Rate of Milking

Summary and Conclusions Preparing the cow for milking by stimulation with a wash and massage of the udder with water at 120 to 130° F. was found to increase the rate of milking and decrease the time required for the milking process as compared with no preparation.
Old Testament and Church Ministries in Two Ecumenical Dialogues

: To understand any church institution as founded by Jesus, one must take account of its relationship to his work of bringing the Old Testament revelation and its institutions to their eschatological realization. A sample of the work of recent ecumenical dialogues (BEM and the international Lutheran– Roman Catholic document on church and justification) shows that their discussions of church institutions have failed to do this adequately. This failure has complicated the efforts at unity to which these dialogues intend to contribute. Attention to the Old Testament roots of church institutions can help ecumenical ecclesiology to focus better on some important issues.
Wood Hemicelluloses: Part I

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on wood hemicelluloses. The major hemicelluloses of wood, structural details, such as the degree of branching of xylans and glucomannans, the distribution of their various side-chains, and the state of the uronic acid groups in the native xylans remain to be established. The possible presence of D-glucuronic acid and D-xylose residues in arabinogalactans needs confirmation. The physical chemistry of the wood hemicelluloses was largely neglected in the past, despite the many excellent techniques now available for investigating both the solid-state and the solution properties of polymer. The methods available for the structural studies of polysaccharides have been continuously improved over the past ten years. The numerous hemicelluloses occurring in the phloem have only recently attracted attention. In many species, some of them differ considerably from those present in the xylem. Wood hemicelluloses are, next to cellulose, the most abundant chemicals on the earth, a fact that make them a challenging subject for future fundamental and applied research.
Periodicities associated with low-order AlAs/GaAs superlattices

Abstract The use of molecular beam epitaxy to produce heterostructures has made it possible to better study superlattices with monolayer and submonolayer period spacings. In this work we examine the physical properties for the superlattice system (GaAs) n 1 (AlAs) n 2 /GaAs(001) for low values of n 1 and n 2 , i.e. n 1 = n 2 = 3,6,12. Normal, interrupted growth, and migration-enhanced epitaxy growth techniques were used to grow the superlattice structures and the X-ray diffraction spectra were obtained and the major and satellite peak positions analyzed. An analysis of the major diffraction peaks and their associated satellites exhibited superlattice periodicity in good agreement with theory. Diffraction peaks were also observed in regions adjacent to the primary diffraction peaks which did not occur in the expected satellite positions. An analysis of these peaks relative to the primary peaks indicates periodicities which are greater than the intended period. One possible cause for these periodicities is variations in growth conditions which occur while the superlattice is being grown. An understanding of low-order superlattices is important for structures which are dependent on interface sharpness.
Clinical research enrolling pregnant women: a workshop summary.

Abstract Clinical research investigates mechanisms of human disease, interventions, or new technologies, but pregnant women are often excluded from clinical studies. Few studies, beyond research on...
Spatial avoidance of hardware faults using FPGA partial reconfiguration of tile-based soft processors

This paper presents the design of a many-core computer architecture with fault detection and recovery using partial reconfiguration of an FPGA. The FPGA fabric is partitioned into tiles which contain homogenous soft processors. At any given time, three processors are configured in triple modulo redundancy to detect faults. Spare processors are brought online to replace faulted tiles in real time. A recovery procedure involving partial reconfiguration is used to repair faulted tiles. This type of approach has the advantage of recovering from faults in both the circuit fabric and the configuration RAM of an FPGA in addition to spatially avoiding permanently damaged regions of the chip. 1 2
Metastability in monolayer films transferred onto solid substrates by the Langmuir-Blodgett method: IR evidence for transfer-induced phase transitions

The rate at which a monomolecular film is deposited onto a solid substrate in the Langmuir-Blodgett process of preparing supported monolayer films influences the final structure of the transferred film. Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopic studies of monolayers transferred to germanium substrates show that the speed at which the substrate is drawn through the air/water interface influences the final conformation in the hydrocarbon chains of amphiphilic film molecules. This transfer-induced effect is especially evident when the monolayer is transferred from the expanded region of surface-pressure-molecular-area isotherms at low surface pressures; the effect is minimized when the film molecules are transferred from condensed phases at high surface pressures. This phenomenon has been observed for both a fatty acid and a phospholipid, which suggests that these conformational changes may occur in a variety of hydrocarbon amphiphiles transferred from the air/water interface. This conformational ordering may be due to a kinetically limited phase transition taking place in the meniscus formed between the solid substrate and aqueous subphase. In addition, the results obtained for both the phospholipid and fatty acid suggest that the structure of the amphiphile may help determine the extent and nature of the transfer-speed-induced structural changes taking place in the monomolecular film.
Taussig-Bing Anomaly: Total Repair with Closure of Ventricular Septal Defect Through the Pulmonary Artery

Total surgical repair of a Taussig-Bing malformation in an 8-year-old boy was accomplished successfully after previous palliative procedures. The child had undergone a Rashkind septostomy when he was 10 days old, banding of the pulmonary artery and division of a patent ductus arteriosus when he was 2 weeks old, and a Blalock-Hanlon septectomy when he was 1 year old. Complete repair involved patching the ventricular septal defect (VSD), debanding and patching the pulmonary artery, and rerouting the venous return by performing a Mustard procedure. Because of its high location, the VSD could not be reached properly through the tricuspid valve and was approached through the pulmonary arteriotomy. Excellent exposure was obtained by retracting the pulmonary valve, and patch closure of the defect was achieved without difficulties. We believe this approach to the VSD is preferable because no incision is necessary in the right ventricle. This is important since the right ventricle becomes the systemic ventricle after the Mustard operation.