cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Election Day Registration's Effect on U.S. Voter Turnout

Objective. Early voter registration deadlines make voting more difficult for many American citizens. In an attempt to facilitate voting, several U.S. states now permit registration on election day, at the height of the campaign. This article examines the turnout effects of adopting election day registration (EDR) and other smaller reductions in closing dates. Methods. Primarily using the Current Population Study (1972–1996), we estimate the turnout advantage of EDR for citizens having low, middle and high socioeconomic status. Results. The elimination of closing dates, through EDR, is predicted to produce about a seven-percentage-point turnout boost in the average state. Those having a high school education and middle incomes are expected to see the largest turnout gains, with the less educated and poorer citizens doing almost as well. No evidence is found to link the implementation of EDR to subsequent changes in the electorate’s partisan balance. Conclusions. Even the most dramatic easing of voter registration costs has a modest effect on the total number of voters and little impact on the long-standing skew toward greater representation of those having higher status in the voting electorate of the United States.
A liquid crystal pixel array for signal discrimination in array biosensors.

A new optical design uses a liquid crystal pixel array (LCPA) to discriminate multiple fluorescence signals on a two-dimensional biosensor array. The LCPA can selectively control the transmission of fluorescence generated from multiple biosensing elements on a planar waveguide. This device sequentially acquires the fluorescence data from the substrate by making multiple individual measurements of the sensing elements on the waveguide. The biosensing elements are patterned according to the pixel layout of the LCPA and optically aligned so that each electronically driven pixel can either transmit or filter out the fluorescence signal as specified by the user. The primary advantage of this system is that a single detection channel (i.e. photomultiplier tube (PMT)) can be used to measure multiple fluorescence signals from a two-dimensional substrate while the LCPA provides for spatial resolution. We evaluate the performance of the LCPA by testing the optical homogeneity of the liquid crystal pixels and linear dynamic range for transmitting light. The LCPA is also used with well-developed biosensing chemistry modified for this optical format.
Stage-specific behavioral responses of Ageneotettix deorum (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in the presence of lycosid spider predators

Grasshoppers must gather food while avoiding size-selective predation from other arthropods, especially spiders, potentially leading to a trade-off between foraging and defensive behaviors. This trade-off becomes less intense as prey grow larger and are less susceptible to arthropod predation. Activity budgets were constructed for three nymphal (third- to fifth- instar) and adult life cycle stages of Ageneotettix deorum, a common rangeland grasshopper, for three conditions of predation risk by lycosid spiders (spider absence, spider presence, and presence of a nonlethal, chelicerae-modified spider). In third and fourth instars, exposure to predators resulted in reduced feeding activity, increased time spent in antipredator and defensive behaviors, and reduced general activity compared to individuals not exposed to spiders. No significant shifts in behaviors were observed for fifth-instar nymphs and adult A. deorum in response to spider presence. Activity levels in functional spiders and chelicerae-modified spiders were statistically indistinguishable.
The space-time CE/SE method for solving Maxwell's equations in time-domain

An innovative finite-volume-type numerical method named as the space-time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) method is applied to solve time-dependent Maxwell's equations. Test problems of electromagnetic scattering and antenna radiation are solved for validation. Numerical results are presented and compared with the analytical solutions, showing very good agreement.
Looking forward: novel therapeutic approaches in chronic and advanced phases of myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis (MF) is complex at the pathobiologic level and heterogeneous at the clinical level. The advances in molecular characterization of MF provide important insight into the mechanisms driving this chronic myeloid malignancy, refine risk stratification, offer novel therapeutic targets, and serve to measure therapeutic response. Although JAK2 inhibition has been the focus of laboratory and clinical efforts over the last decade, current experimental therapeutic approaches have broadened to include inhibitors of key alternative signaling pathways, epigenetic modulators, anti-fibrotics, and immunotherapies. Based on compelling preclinical rationale, a number of JAK2 inhibitor based combination therapies are now actively being evaluated in the clinic with the goal of disease course modification. The role and timing of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for MF has been challenged with the availability of commercial ruxolitinib and the plethora of experimental treatment options that exist. Integration of preconditioning JAK2 inhibition, reduced intensity conditioning regimens, and alternative donor sources are all being explored in an attempt to optimize this potentially curative modality. This review will summarize modern MF risk stratification, current clinical research approaches to chronic and advance phase MF focusing on novel agents alone and in combination, and update the reader on new directions in HSCT.
A Novel Approach to Atmospheric Measurements Using Gliding UASs

Atmospheric aerosols and ozone (O3) have lifetimes of days to weeks and continuously evolve chemically and physically. Frequent and globally spaced vertical profiles of O3, aerosol optical density, particle size distribution, hygroscopic growth, and light absorption coefficients are highly desired in order to understand their controlling processes and subsequent effects on air quality and climate. High costs and logistical restrictions prohibit frequent profiling on a global scale using current technologies. We propose a new approach using state-of-the-art technologies including 3D printing and an unpowered small Unmanned Aircraft System to make the desired measurements at a fraction of the cost of current conventional methods.
Marital Communication or Marital Adjustment? A Brief Report on the Marital Communication Inventory

Summary.--An analysis of clinical data from 17 middle-aged couples suggests that the Marital Communication Inventory, as a global measure, primarily assesses the perceived supportiveness of one's spouse. Previous reports of substantial correlations between self-report measures of marital adjustment and total scores on the inventory msy be reinterpreted as artifacts of a general evaluative component common to the measures. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between marital communication and marital adjustment. Although several studies have indicated that scores on the Marital Communication Inventory (Bienvenu, 1969, 1975) are highly associated with marital adjustment (Bienvenu, 1970; Gruber, 1973; Murphy & Mendelson, 1973; Matteson, 1974; Boyd & Roach, 1977), no substantial correlations becween the inventory and other measures of communication have been reporced. At least one insignificant relationship has been reporced by Elliott (1974) who found no relationship between scores on the inventory and a measure of empathy. This lack of evidence for convergent validity leaves open the possibility that the inventory is actually measuring marital adjustment rather than specific aspects of marital communication. Since previous research has indicated that the inventory may not be unidimensional and may include factors closely related to marital adjustment or marital conventionality (Schumrn, Figley, & Jurich, 1979), it might be possible therefore to isolate a group of items with high internal consistency that would explain most of the variance in the total inventory score. Jackson (1977) administered the invencory as a pre- and posttest to 17 middle-aged couples who participated in a parent adolescent communication workshop sponsored by a family service agency in a medium-size Midwestern city. A subscale of six items (12, 14, 18, 28, 32, 42), including questions such as "Does he let you know that you are imporcant to him?" and "Does he try to Lift your spirits when you are depressed or discouraged?", was isolated as a separate component of the total invencory of 46 items. The subscale was labeled "regard" because all items reflected an evaluation of [he spouse as caring and 'Requests for reprints should be directed to Dr. Jackson, now at School of Home Economics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05401. W. R. Schumm, now at Depr. of Family and Child Development. Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. A detailed report is on file in Document NAPS-03558 with Microfiche Publications, P. 0. Box 3513, Grand Central Station, New York, New York 10017. Remit $3.00 for fiche or $7.25 for photocopy.
Stability of colloidal silica: I. Effect of simple electrolytes

Abstract The stability of colloidal silica sols (Ludox HS and Ludox AM) in the presence of various concentrations of NaCl, LiCl, KCl, CsCl, NaBr, NaI, CaCl2, and Ca(NO3)2 has been studied as a function of pH. With increasing pH the stability of the silica sols towards electrolytes markedly decreases except for KCl and CsCl which show a minimum in stability at intermediate pH values. A moving boundary electrophoresis apparatus is described and the mobilities of the Ludox sols as a function of pH and the neutral electrolyte concentration are reported. No correlation was observed between the c.c.c. and the mobilities. Titration curves are given for the exchange of calcium ion for silanolic hydrogen on the sol surface. Ion exchange appears to be the primary reason for the destabilization of silica sols.
Recent Results On Complementarity Models For Engineering And Economics

Methods for solving some complementarity problems which arise in engineering and economics will be described. The term ‘direct algorithms’ has been used to describe the methods, since they seek directly to discover the correct way to enforce the complementarity condition xi, fi(x) = 0, for i = 1,2,... ,n. Such methods have great intuitive appeal for those not specializing in complementarity problems, since they are based on systematically determining which set of n equations in n unknowns needs to be satisfied in order to let every variable have physical significance (nonnegativity constraints). Some new classes of functions which are useful for applications of complementarity are introduced, and connections to the direct algorithms are shown. The methods have had several important applications recently. Among these, we consider two in detail: from mechanical engineering, the free boundary problem of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication, and from regiotial economics, the general spatial price equilibrium problem.
Alcoholism education in a psychiatric institute. II. Student nurses: relationship of personal characteristics, attitudes toward alcoholism and achievement.

During their senior year, students of the Wayne State University School of Medicine (Michigan) spend I month, full time, in a psychiatric rotation. Those assigned to the Detroit Psychiatric Institu...
Angiotensin-salt hypertension.

1. Experimental hypertension could be induced in rats by injecting angiotensin I or II subcutaneously. 2. Such hypertension lasted for about 1 h after injection. 3. Angiotensin-induced hypertension was enhanced and sustained by salt loading and diminished by salt restriction or spironolactone. 4. Angiotensin-salt hypertension is reversed by transplants of compatible renal medulla subcutaneously.
In-Situ DIC and Strain Gauges to Isolate the Deficiencies in a Model for Indentation Including Anisotropic Plasticity

A 60-mm diameter disk of 2024 aluminum was indented by opposing steel indenters over a central 10 mm region. Residual stress measurements made using neutron diffraction and the contour method matched each other, but not a finite element (FE) model with a calibrated model for plastic anisotropy of the aluminum. Since residual stresses are only the endpoint of the process, in situ data was needed to determine which portion of the load/unload process was causing model deficiencies. The indentation process was repeated on a new specimen with three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) to map full-field strain information and with resistance strain gauges to obtain high fidelity strain information at discrete locations. The DIC data was too noisy to extract strains, so displacements were analyzed after rigid body motion was removed. The deformation field revealed geometric imperfections of the indenters that were within tolerance, but had significant effect on the stress state. An updated FE model including geometric imperfections in the indenters gave better agreement with the DIC data. It did not however allow the material model to become the dominant effect and thus model calibration was unsuccessful.
The Spread of Investment Incentives to Developing Countries

In contrast to the long-standing use of investment incentives in developed nations, the use of incentives in developing countries is, for the most part, a more recent phenomenon. Some see this as largely a defensive reaction to their use in the North (Oman, 2000; Mora et al., 2005), while another important driver is fiscal decentralization in countries such as Brazil, India, China (Markusen and Nesse, 2007) and Vietnam (Hong et al., 2009). In these decentralized countries, we see a number of cases of subnational competition for investment comparable to those in the US. As in the United States, there is very little regulation of this competition, even though in the Brazilian case the main incentive used by the states was technically illegal. Vietnam actually has made the greatest efforts to regulate subnational incentives, with differentiated aid maxima a la the European Union, but in 2005 newspaper reports revealed widespread violation of these maxima by provincial governments (Hong et al., 2009).
Modifying Risk Factors in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction: A Review

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent among men and its presence is often an indicator of systemic disease. Risk factors for ED include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, hypogonadism, lower urinary tract symptoms, metabolic syndrome, and depression. Addressing the modifiable risk factors frequently improves a patient’s overall health and increases lifespan. The literature suggests that smoking cessation, treatment of hyperlipidemia, and increasing physical activity will improve erectile function in many patients. How the treatment of DM, depression, and hypogonadism impacts erectile function is less clear. Clinicians need to be aware that certain antihypertensive agents can adversely impact erectile function. The treatment of men with ED needs to address the underlying risk factors to ameliorate the disease process.
A new approach to implement 0.1 /spl mu/m MOSFET on thin-film SOI substrate with self-aligned source-body contact

An alternative approach was used to optimize SOI MOSFET for subquarter micron channel length. It involves a direct transfer of the optimized bulk Si structure to SOI substrate with film thickness of /spl ges/100 nm. Since the device is operating in non-fully depleted mode, floating body effect has to be eliminated. This is accomplished through a novel self-aligned asymmetric source-body contact in which the current conducts through tunneling. Test structures have been fabricated and good electrical results were obtained. >
Endoscopic antireflux surgery leading to obstruction in pediatric renal transplant patients.

To describe a multicenter experience with management of ureteral obstruction after injection of Dx/HA for VUR in pediatric renal transplant patients. The records of all pediatric renal transplant patients who underwent Dx/HA injection for VUR and had subsequent obstruction were identified, and the management and outcomes were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years. There were four patients identified, all of whom had a history of rising creatinine, recurrent UTI, and increasing hydronephrosis which led to the diagnosis of high-grade VUR. Obstruction was diagnosed within 24-72 hours after injection in three patients. One patient was asymptomatic, and rising creatinine and hydronephrosis were noted 1 month after injection. One patient was managed expectantly, while three patients underwent ureteral stent placement. After the stent was removed, one patient went on to open reimplant due to delayed obstruction, the second patient with voiding dysfunction is currently managed with an indwelling ureteral stent and may require further definitive surgery, the third patient recovered, and the fourth is being observed. Our cases illustrate that despite initial successful management of the obstruction in some, delayed obstruction is possible and may necessitate open reimplant. It is imperative that these patients have close follow-up after Dx/HA.
Mitochondrial Protein Kinase A Regulates Heme Biosynthesis

During erythropoiesis, heme production becomes dramatically increased to support the production of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin. Heme biosynthesis requires an eight-step enzymatic cascade culminating with the insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX by the mitochondrial enzyme ferrochelatase (FECH). This last step is the rate-limiting step in red blood cells (RBCs) and represents a critical regulatory juncture in RBC biology and human blood diseases. Most notably, in humans, FECH mutations are strongly associated with a disorder called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) that typically presents with mild anemia and porphyria resulting from inadequate heme production and upstream accumulation of porphyrin intermediates, respectively. Disease severity can be highly heterogeneous, suggesting that additional modulators of FECH likely exist. However, despite its implications in EPP and other human blood disorders, very little is known regarding such regulatory mechanisms. Here, using complementary biochemical and genetics approaches, we identify FECH as a direct physiologic target for protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation during erythroid maturation. Quantitative proteomics revealed that PKA becomes enriched in mitochondria of differentiating murine erythroid cells. Phosphorylation of a highly conserved Thr116 in the catalytic domain of human FECH by PKA increases its activity resulting in elevated hemoglobinization of erythroblasts. We examined the importance of this phosphorylation in vivo by taking advantage of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to knock-in the analogous Thr115Ala substitution into the endogenous Fech gene in murine RBCs. This approach allowed us to examine FECH function in a more physiologic context. Murine erythroid cells harboring only Thr115Ala Fech show reduced ferrous iron incorporation into protoporphyrin IX and, consequently, compromised hemoglobinization. In primary murine erythroid cells, we demonstrate that a distinct PKA gene expression signature is induced early in erythropoiesis. This suggests that the PKA pathway is engaged by physiologic signaling mechanisms during RBC development. Together, our results support a model where in maturing RBCs, PKA becomes enriched in the mitochondria where it phosphorylates FECH. Phosphorylation of FECH is required for full activity to support elevated heme biosynthesis and hemoglobin production. Our data also uncover PKA as a novel mechanism that links early erythroid signaling pathways to regulate heme biosynthesis and suggests that porphyrin accumulation can result not only from defective porphyrin transport but also aberrant cell signaling. Disclosures Bauer:Biogen: Research Funding; Editas Medicine: Consultancy.
Acute Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is the classic glomerulonephritis related to bacterial infections and used to be the most common type of immune complex glomerulonephritis in the past. Therefore, APSGN has been extensively studied, and we learned a tremendous amount of information about the pathogenesis of immune complex glomerulonephritis through these studies. In recent decades, after the widespread use of antibiotics, APSGN became much less common, particularly in developed countries, and became a rare diagnosis in the average nephropathology laboratory. However, APSGN still remains a frequent form of glomerulonephritis in third-world countries, particularly in areas where the disease occurs in epidemics. In this chapter, we review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, renal biopsy findings, morphologic differential diagnosis, and clinicopathologic correlations of APSGN.
Is Wrongful Discrimination Really Wrong

In this paper I examine the various grounds advanced in the literature, including those I have advanced, for explaining what makes discrimination wrongful when it is wrongful. I find none of them persuasive. I conclude, not only were past explanations of wrongful discrimination mistaken, but also that, to date, no convincing explanation exists. If and when discrimination is wrongful, we still don’t know why it is.
Expanding the Capabilities and Applications of Gas Phase Miniature Chemical Analysis Systems (µChemLab

Sandia National Laboratories has developed both gas and liquid phase chemical analysis systems. An autonomous hand-held system has been fabricated and demonstrated for sensitive and selective detection of gas phase chemical warfare agents. Recent efforts have focused on maturing this technology and extending its application to other analytical needs. We have now fabricated an on-chip packed gas chromatography column and demonstrated its ability to separate gases such as methane, ethane, ethylene, and acetylene. We have also demonstrated the use of a thermally isolated membrane to rapidly modify and pyrolize fatty acids to form volatile fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). This new tool is useful in analyzing biological samples. Finally, we have used rapid temperature ramping of our on-chip open tubular columns to enable separation of low volatility analytes such as explosives and FAMEs. These new capabilities significantly extend the applicability of Sandia’s µChemLab™ technology.
Challenging Stigma: Identity Talk among Male Sex Workers in a Recovery Program:

Research shows that stigma can generate severe and prolonged negative consequences for particular groups. Affected populations often attempt to mitigate stigma and its effects by implementing vario...
Beauty, Bath and Beyond: Framing Bathsheba as a Royal Fantasy in 2 Sam 11,1-5

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the function of beauty in David and Bathsheba’s encounter in 2 Sam 11,1-5. It argues that the female bather’s pleasant appearance, rather than simply kindling king David’s desire, focalizes the woman as sexually available (and vulnerable) and wraps the whole episode in a royal fantasy of shared intimacy. The focus on Bathsheba’s beautiful body—her wash, her motion towards the king, her self-sanctification and her pregnancy—frames the episode in a very erotic way, suggesting adultery. It conceals the sexual violence committed by the king who sends, takes and sleeps with the woman. David’s violent entitlement to Bathsheba reveals the beauty politics at play in his royal House.
An examination of the associations between pediatric loss of control eating, anxiety, and body composition in children and adolescents

Abstract Background Data on the link between anxiety and body composition in youth are mixed. Yet, anxiety and disordered eating are highly correlated. One pathway between anxiety and excess body weight and fat mass may be through loss of control (LOC) eating. We examined whether LOC eating mediated the relationship between anxiety and body composition in youth with and without overweight. Method Non-treatment-seeking youth (8–17 years) participated in studies examining weight and eating behaviors. Anxiety (child- and parent-report of child) and LOC eating were assessed by self-report questionnaires and interviews, respectively. Fat mass was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or air displacement plethysmography. Cross-sectional mediation models with bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals (CI) were conducted. Results 257 youth (12.91 ± 2.76 years; 52.5% female; BMI-z 0.93 ± 1.07) were studied. There was a significant indirect path between child-reported anxiety and both BMI-z (ab = .005, SE = 0.003, 95% CI = 0.001–0.01) and body fat mass (ab = 0.001, SE = 0.001, 95% CI ≤0.001–0.003) through the number of LOC episodes in the past month. No significant indirect paths through the number of LOC episodes was observed for parent-report of child anxiety on BMI-z (ab = 0.004, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = −0.01–0.03) or body fat mass (ab = 0.001, SE = 0.002, 95% CI = −0.002–0.01). No direct paths were observed between anxiety and body composition regardless of the informant. Discussion LOC eating appears to mediate the relationship of child-reported anxiety with body composition in non-treatment seeking boys and girls. Prospective data are needed to determine if anxiety promotes LOC eating that results in increased risk for excess body weight and fat gain.
CHAPTER 1 – Parathyroids: Morphology and Pathology

This chapter focuses on morphologic abnormalities and pathology of parathyroids. It traces the history and development of parathyroid gland. In the 8-10 mm embryo, the parathyroids begin to develop from the third and fourth branchial pouches. It migrates to and remains at the lower poles of the thyroid. The morphologic abnormalities in the parathyroid glands are related to hyperfunction such as primary hyperparathyroidism. The focus is on this aspect of parathyroid pathology, because almost all surgical specimens of parathyroid lesions are derived from patients with hyperparathyroidism. The chapter highlights parathyroid pathology in hypoparathyroidism and the pathology of the glands in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. Surgical pathologists dealing with the parathyroids evaluate parathyroid tissue in patients who have hypercalcemia. The predominant effect of parathyroid hormone is to increase serum calcium. The usual clinical problem is not to distinguish normal from hypercalcemic patients, but rather to distinguish those who have hypercalcemia caused by hyperparathyroidism from those who have hypercalcemia arising from other causes. Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disease in which the absence of a known stimulus, one or more parathyroid glands, secrete excess parathyroid hormone that produce hypercalcemia. The development, anatomy, histology, diseases, pathology, intraoperative assessment, and special studies of parathyroid hormone are described.
Protein Folding in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the principal protein-folding organelle for secretory and membrane proteins. Proteins are folded, assembled, and post-translationally modified in the ER. Chaperones and folding enzymes assist in this process. Before exiting the ER, all proteins undergo quality control such that only properly folded proteins transit to the Golgi and cell surface. The ER is also the site for sterol and lipid synthesis. As a major synthetic organelle, the ER is extremely sensitive to perturbations in homeostasis. Accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins within the ER induces a signaling pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), which acts to restore ER homeostasis. This article discusses the basic mechanisms of protein folding in the ER, the role of the key ER chaperones, induction of the UPR, ER-associated degradation, and human diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation.
Metabolic Gradients in Tissue Culture Studies of Human Cancer Cells

When cancer is first identified in a person, we find on histopathological evaluation that the new growth appears as a tissue organized in characteristic multilayered arrangements of cells. Inevitably, those tumor cells in immediate intimate association with the circulation of the host, as represented by the blood vessels in the tumor, are in a different metabolic status than are tumor cells many cell diameters away from the blood vessels. As a specific expression of this gradient, the observations of Tannock (1968) are appropriate. He found in a transplantable mammary carcinoma that tumor cells in close proximity to blood vessels had a high index of tritiated thymidine incorporation, whereas a few cell diameters away from the vessels labeling was much less. A common observation of diagnostic histopathology is that tumor cells close to vessels are clearly viable while in the same microscopic field the tumor cells most distant from the same vessels are necrotic. Several factors contribute to these conditions, including pO2, pCO2, pH, and the concentrations of essential metabolites and cell products. The situation is extremely complex; these factors are interrelated and yet each may have unique effects on the system.
The eye cannot see what the mind does not know: female genital mutilation.

It is estimated that 200 million women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and of these, 44 million are girls younger than 15.1 FGM is the removal of part or all of the female genitalia or organs for non-medical reasons and often takes place under traumatic, unsterile conditions. FGM leads to medical and psychiatric complications for the affected woman herself, and can harm future generations who may suffer from FGM-related complications of labour. Immediately after the procedure a girl or woman may experience haemorrhaging, sepsis, urinary retention and sometimes death. In the long term, women who have experienced FGM may suffer from chronic menstrual issues, urinary tract infections, dyspareunia, post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. Moreover, FGM may lead to increased caesarean section rates, and some studies have demonstrated increased rates of infant death.2 FGM is a human rights violation, public health issue and form of interpersonal violence. Just as health professionals need to be equipped to respond to modern slavery, or human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault, they need to have the tools to care for those who have experienced FGM.3 In 2012, the United Nations outlined the important role the health …
Characterization and preliminary imaging evaluation of a clinical prototype stationary intraoral tomosynthesis system.

Purpose Technological advancements in dental radiography have improved oral care on many fronts, yet diagnostic efficacy for some of the most common oral conditions, such as caries, dental cracks and fractures, and periodontal disease, remains relatively low. Driven by the clinical need for a better diagnostic yield for these and other dental conditions, we initiated the development of a stationary intraoral tomosynthesis (s-IOT) imaging system using carbon nanotube (CNT) x-ray source array technology. Here, we report the system characterization and preliminary imaging evaluation of a clinical prototype s-IOT system approved for human use. Methods The clinical prototype s-IOT system is comprised of a multibeam CNT x-ray source array, high voltage generator, control electronics, collimator cone, and dynamic digital intraoral detector. During a tomosynthesis scan, each x-ray source is operated sequentially at fixed, nominal tube current of 7 mA and user-specified pulse width. Images are acquired by a digital intraoral detector and the reconstruction algorithm generates slice information in real time for operator review. In this study, the s-IOT system was characterized for tube output, dosimetry, and spatial resolution. Manufacturer specifications were validated, such as tube current, kVp, and pulse width. Tube current was measured with an oscilloscope on the analog output of the anode power supply. Pulse width, kVp, and peak skin dose were measured with a dosimeter with ion chamber and high voltage accessory. In-plane spatial resolution was evaluated via measurement of MTF and imaging of a line pair phantom. Spatial resolution in the depth direction was evaluated via artifact spread measurement. The size of the collimated radiation field was evaluated for compliance with FDA regulations. A dental phantom and human specimens of varying pathologies were imaged on a clinical 2D intraoral imaging system as well as s-IOT for comparison and to explore potential clinical applications. Results The measured tube current, kVp, and pulse width values were within 3% of the set values. A cumulative peak skin dose of 1.12 mGy was measured for one complete tomosynthesis scan using a 50-ms pulse per projection view. Projection images and reconstruction slices revealed MTF values ranging from 8.1 to 9.3 cycles/mm. Line pair imaging verified this result. The radiation field was found to meet the FDA requirements for intraoral imaging devices. Tomosynthesis reconstruction slice images of the dental phantom and human specimens provided depth resolution, allowing visibility of anatomical features that cannot be seen in the 2D intraoral images. Conclusions The clinical prototype s-IOT device was evaluated and found to meet all manufacturer specifications. Though the system capability is higher, initial investigations are targeting a low-dose range comparable to a single 2D radiograph. Preliminary studies indicated that s-IOT provides increased image quality and feature conspicuity at a dose comparable to a single 2D intraoral radiograph.
Structure-Based Engineering of Irreversible Inhibitors against Histone Lysine Demethylase KDM5A.

The active sites of hundreds of human α-ketoglutarate (αKG) and Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases are exceedingly well preserved, which challenges the design of selective inhibitors. We identified a noncatalytic cysteine (Cys481 in KDM5A) near the active sites of KDM5 histone H3 lysine 4 demethylases, which is absent in other histone demethylase families, that could be explored for interaction with the cysteine-reactive electrophile acrylamide. We synthesized analogs of a thienopyridine-based inhibitor chemotype, namely, 2-((3-aminophenyl)(2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethoxy)methyl)thieno[3,2-b]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid (N70) and a derivative containing a (dimethylamino)but-2-enamido)phenyl moiety (N71) designed to form a covalent interaction with Cys481. We characterized the inhibitory and binding activities against KDM5A and determined the cocrystal structures of the catalytic domain of KDM5A in complex with N70 and N71. Whereas the noncovalent inhibitor N70 displayed αKG-competitive inhibition that could be reversed...
Threat Analysis of the Security Credential Management System for Vehicular Communications

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication allows vehicles to exchange information to work cooperatively which promotes safety, mobility, and entertainment applications. The U.S. Department of Transportation (US-DOT) is mandating this technology to be equipped in all new vehicles in the U.S. by 2021. However, such a cooperative system opens new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities to consider. Broadcasted basic safety messages influence operations that require integrity assurance to prohibit unauthorized modification, guarantee the authenticity of the source, and safeguard sensitive data to uphold privacy. Vehicular Public Key Infrastructure (V-PKI) is a critical component to secure this prominent transportation technology. The Security Credential Management System (SCMS) is the leading candidate design for V-PKI that facilitates trusted communications by managing security certificates for authorized devices while protecting the privacy of vehicular users. This research focuses on identifying and analyzing threats to the proposed SCMS for its main use cases. Using the Microsoft Threat Modeling tool, this work identifies threats into six categories of the STRIDE threat classification model: Spoofing Identity, Tampering with Data, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, and Elevation of Privilege. This tool recommends mitigation strategies to each threat, to which this research matches to current SCMS defense mechanics. This work ensures SCMS readiness as a vital V-PKI for vehicular networks.
Idly Scribbling Rhymers: Poetry, Print and Community in Nineteenth-Century Japan

How and why did poetry become a rhetorical tool for national mobilization and social debates during the rapid sociocultural transformation of the Meiji period (1868–1912)? Robert Tuck's Idly Scribb...
Legal Review of Vasectomy Litigation and the Variables Impacting Trial Outcomes.

Abstract Objective To demonstrate the substantial litigious risks associated with vasectomy, a common urologic procedure. We examined the risk factors and types of negligence involved in vasectomy cases that go to trial and their associated outcomes. Methods Using the Westlaw legal database, we searched all jury verdicts and settlements for the term “vasectomy” from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2017. Each case was evaluated for defendant specialty, alleged malpractice breach, resulting complications, outcome including verdict and monetary payment, and whether or not a pregnancy was involved. Results The Westlaw database query returned 67 unique cases which were settled (13.3%) or went to trial in court (86.7%). Of these, the majority (64.2%) were decided in favor of the defending physician. The most commonly alleged breach of duty was negligence in postoperative care (38.8%). This was followed by negligent surgical performance (37.3%) and negligence in performing informed consent (29.9%). The cases filed for negligence in postoperative care, surgical performance, and informed consent were all generally decided in favor of the defendant (61.5%, 56%, and 90%, respectively). Of the 57 cases that specified, 82.5% of the physicians listed in the litigation were urologists. The average settlement won by each plaintiff was $401,913, although most cases were settled for the medical and litigation costs themselves. Conclusion Medical malpractice cases related to the perioperative aspects of vasectomy involve many areas of negligence. This data may guide vasectomists in where to focus time and communication to best serve patients and minimize litigation.
Duration of sudden stop spells: A hazard model approach

Using a hazard‐based duration model, we analyze the determinants of the duration of a period of sudden stop, which is defined as a drop in capital inflow by two standard deviations, for at least two consecutive quarters. The hazard model estimates the conditional probability that the country exits the sudden stop today given that it experienced one until the end of last period. We find that a higher ratio of foreign exchange reserves to short‐term external debt shortens the duration of sudden stops. We also find that a higher global economic growth rate tends to shorten sudden stop spells. Our results are robust to various alternative specifications.
Exploring the Association between Work-Family Conflict and Job Involvement among Private Correctional Staff

In private correctional institutions, staff are an important resource, since they are tasked with a myriad of duties necessary to operate a humane, safe, and secure facility. As political demands f...
Disentangling relationships between bicultural stress and mental well-being among Latinx immigrant adolescents.

Background The Acculturative Process and Context Framework (Ward & Geeraert, 2016) proposes that acculturative stressors influence psychological well-being over time. In fact, extant literature has linked bicultural stress with psychological functioning; yet, no studies have explored the causal dominance of bicultural stress. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the directionality of prospective relations among bicultural stress and psychosocial functioning (i.e., depressive symptoms, hopefulness, and self-esteem) in Latinx immigrant adolescents across 5 waves. Method There were 303 Latinx adolescents who were recruited for this study from Los Angeles and Miami and were assessed across 5 waves at 6-month intervals. Adolescents were 14.50 years old on average (SD = .88) and 53.16% were male. Adolescents reported living in the United States for 2.07 years on average (SD = 1.87). A Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) was used to examine the between- and within-person relations among bicultural stress, depressive symptoms, hopefulness, and self-esteem in a comprehensive model. Results The comprehensive RI-CLPM including bicultural stress, depressive symptoms, hopefulness, and self-esteem exhibited excellent model fit. Between-person, trait-like relations among constructs ranged from small to large, as expected. Within-person, cross-lagged estimates among constructs were overall inconsistent, with some evidence that, within individuals, self-esteem influences later hopefulness. Conclusion Findings from this study indicate that the RI-CLPM is an effective strategy to examine bicultural stress and well-being processes among adolescents. There is a need for further research examining bicultural stress among Latinx immigrant youth, particularly within prevention and intervention studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Enhancing solar water evaporation with activated carbon

Fresh water production through sustainable approaches such as solar thermal sources is attracting widespread attention. One of the recently developed approaches aims at utilizing black particles to enhance evaporation and steam generation through efficient photo-thermal conversion process in direct solar thermal desalination systems. Activated carbon serves as one such material for meeting the objectives of freshwater production with negligible increments in cost of the overall system. A series of chemical and physical characterizations were performed to explore the possibility of using activated carbon as a stable carbon source. Optical characterization showed granular activated carbon to have 96.35% solar absorptance and its dispersion in water to have less than 1.5% transmittance (absorbance of 1.85) at 100 mg/L concentration. Outdoor experiments were performed at the University of California-Merced in the month of September (2019), with peak irradiation of 0.8 suns. The comparative measurements showed that the total evaporation enhancement was 38% and 100% for granular activated carbon and activated carbon dispersions, respectively, when compared to pure DI water.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of Rickettsia conorii during in vitro infection of human and tick host cells

Pathogenic Rickettsia species belonging to the spotted fever group are arthropod-borne, obligate intracellular bacteria which exhibit preferential tropism for host microvascular endothelium in the mammalian hosts, resulting in disease manifestations attributed primarily to endothelial damage or dysfunction. Although rickettsiae are known to undergo evolution through genomic reduction, the mechanisms by which these pathogens regulate their transcriptome to ensure survival in tick vectors and maintenance by transovarial/transstadial transmission, in contrast to their ability to cause debilitating infections in human hosts remain unknown. In this study, we compare the expression profiles of rickettsial sRNAome/transcriptome and determine the transcriptional start sites (TSSs) of R. conorii transcripts during in vitro infection of human and tick host cells. We performed deep sequencing on total RNA from Amblyomma americanum AAE2 cells and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) infected with R. conorii. Strand-specific RNA sequencing of R. conorii transcripts revealed the expression 32 small RNAs (Rc_sR’s), which were preferentially expressed above the limit of detection during tick cell infection, and confirmed the expression of Rc_sR61, sR71, and sR74 by quantitative RT-PCR. Intriguingly, a total of 305 and 132 R. conorii coding genes were differentially upregulated (> 2-fold) in AAE2 cells and HMECs, respectively. Further, enrichment for primary transcripts by treatment with Terminator 5′-Phosphate-dependent Exonuclease resulted in the identification of 3903 and 2555 transcription start sites (TSSs), including 214 and 181 primary TSSs in R. conorii during the infection to tick and human host cells, respectively. Seventy-five coding genes exhibited different TSSs depending on the host environment. Finally, we also observed differential expression of 6S RNA during host-pathogen and vector-pathogen interactions in vitro, implicating an important role for this noncoding RNA in the regulation of rickettsial transcriptome depending on the supportive host niche. In sum, the findings of this study authenticate the presence of novel Rc_sR’s in R. conorii, reveal the first evidence for differential expression of coding transcripts and utilization of alternate transcriptional start sites depending on the host niche, and implicate a role for 6S RNA in the regulation of coding transcriptome during tripartite host-pathogen-vector interactions.
Collagen stimulants in facial rejuvenation: a systematic review

Collagen-stimulating agents relating to facial rejuvenation are part of the family of soft tissue fillers that can be used for facial contouring, volume restoration and skin rejuvenation through bi...
Scaffolded reaching can encourage motor development: Commentary on van den Berg & gredebäck (2020)

Recent findings regarding the effectiveness of sticky mittens training as a motor intervention have been mixed. This commentary argues that despite inconsistent results, overall patterns suggest that sticky mittens may facilitate reaching behavior. More research on this topic is needed.
Effect of Ingot Variability on Performance of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

Silicon ingots grown by the Czochralski method have natural distributions in their bulk material specifications such as bulk resistivity and metal impurities. Since high efficiency solar cell technologies, like silicon heterojunction cells, have superior surface passivation, bulk material is the dominant factor in cell performance. Device performance can be impacted by variations in bulk along the growth-axis of the ingot. In this paper, we sample wafers from every part of the ingot and measure bulk resistivity, before and after thermal annealing. We then passivate those samples to determine bulk lifetimes. We also prepare heterojunction structures and measure the minority carrier lifetime and pseudo efficiency of the wafers. It is seen that the wafers at the top of the ingot have higher values of resistivity after annealing which indicates the presence of thermal donors. This behavior is consistent with wafers of the ingot from another manufacturer. The lifetimes of wafers decrease as we move from top to bottom of the ingot pointing to the presence of metal impurities in the tail end of the ingot. However, these variations only lead to approximately 1% variation in cell efficiency, with possibly lower effect of bulk variation of ingot in thinner cells.