Digital Commons Network^™

How Neutral Is Switzerland: Theories Of Neutrality In The Post-War Era, Paulo Frank

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has forced Switzerland to reassess its long-standing policies on neutrality, highlighting the overall evolution of state neutrality occasioned by modern geopolitics. Since the end of the Cold War, collective security regimes, integrated economies, and multinational alliances have risen to prominence as vehicles for global prosperity and peace, as neutrality’s role in the international system has diminished. In place of traditional conceptions of neutrality, new theories of the practice have emerged allowing for countries to claim neutral status despite a lessening of their obligations and increased integration into global affairs. This note recontextualizes Switzerland’s status …

Taking Stock Of Investor-State Disputes Involving Energy Transition, Chen Yu

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

The influence of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (“ISDS”) on energy transition has sparked significant debate among commentators. While ISDS can theoretically protect sustainable investments from political risks, investors have extensively used it to challenge states’ energy transition policies. Against this backdrop, this paper tackles a critical yet overlooked question in the literature: how exactly has ISDS interfered with governmental regulatory activities concerning energy transition? It examines all ISDS cases involving energy transition issues up to 2023 and analyzes the regulatory measures at stake, the legal grounds for disputes, and the reasoning of investment tribunals. It identifies two notable problems: the lack …

Adopting The Eu's Co-Regulation Approach To Artificial Intelligence In The U.S., Emily Seitz

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

No abstract provided.

The Patriarchal Project Of Apartheid: Exploring The Gendered Dimensions Of Apartheid And International Justice Pathways Forward, Akila Radhakrishnan, Alyssa T. Yamamoto

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

Although the South African apartheid regime was first and foremost a race-based project, it was also a gendered project. The regime’s dystopian vision to entrench the systematic oppression of non-white people, particularly black people, was rooted in an ideological commitment not just to white supremacy, but to white male supremacy. This paper unpacks the gendered experiences of apartheid and outlines potential avenues to facilitate a more intersectional approach to justice and accountability efforts. Part I traces the patriarchal vision underpinning the South African apartheid regime—and the distinctly gendered dimensions of apartheid’s operationalization and legacy. Adopting a comparative approach, Part II …

The 1923 Hague Rules Of Air Warfare: Can Interwar Aerial Bombardment Rules Work In A 21st Century War?, Alec R. Casey

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

No abstract provided.

The Monist Doctrine As A Catalyst For Integration In Africa, Rose Rameau, Abdul Baasit Aziz Bamba

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aspires to establish a unified market across Africa, integrating approximately 1.2 billion people and generating a cumulative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeding US $3.4 trillion. A key challenge in this endeavor is the legal divergence among African nations, particularly the coexistence of monist and dualist legal systems, which affects the domestication and implementation of international treaties.

In dualist jurisdictions, international treaties require domestic legislative enactment before assuming legal force, a process that often results in delays and inconsistencies. Conversely, under the monist doctrine, international agreements acquire immediate domestic applicability, eliminating the need for …

Defining The Field Of Law And Macroeconomics: A Framework From International Monetary Law, Nikita Aggarwal, Adam Feibelman

Minnesota Journal of International Law, Vols. 28:2 onward (2019-present)

This Article proposes an analytical framework for defining the contours of the emerging field of law and macroeconomics drawing on the International Monetary Fund’s principle of “macro-criticality.” Such a framework can help steer scholarly debate toward a clearer understanding of the relationship between law and the economy and inform policymaking within that domain. In its native context, the macro-criticality principle limits the IMF’s jurisdiction to policy areas that are critical for member countries’ domestic and external stability. The IMF’s approach distinguishes between a core set of macrocritical policies and other non-core policies that are contextually macrocritical. Over time, the IMF …

Law Student As Client: Applying Client-Centered Lawyering Skills To Law Student Development, Rachel Johnson

Newsletters & Other Publications

In this article I demonstrate how I’ve brought my client advising skills into my work with law students. My work with law students is informed by my use of the client-centered lawyering model as adapted from my practice background. I will address how the skills of client-centered lawyering model translate remarkably well advising law students through what I call the law student-centered development model. This model of working with law students helps advisors train the next generation of lawyers in key lawyering skills through the modeling of those skills.

Development Of A Hypersonic Aerodynamic Analysis Methodology For Conceptual Design, Stephen Atkins

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

This research promotes the advancement of the Aerospace Vehicle Design Synthesis (AVDS) system through the development of a low order numerical hypersonic aerodynamic analysis methodology. The AVDS methodology outlines how to utilize disciplinary tools and relies on the careful selection or development of those tools to carry out the aerospace vehicle sizing and evaluation processes. An overview of the aerodynamic analysis process from both industrial and academic perspectives is presented to provide context for the present work. The different philosophies of design are discussed insofar as they dictate how aerodynamic tools are used in the design process. Next, a literature …

New Hampshire Shellfish Under Pressure: Physiological Effects Of Climate Change And Toxic Algal Blooms, Olivia Boyan

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Climate change driven effects on the ocean, including warming water, acidification, and changes in the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are causing metabolic pressures on marine organisms, particularly in the Gulf of Maine. Shellfish are susceptible to these pressures because their metabolic processes including growth and respiration are influenced by water temperature, pH, and consumption of algal toxins. This study investigates the effects of ocean warming, acidification, and diet toxicity level on the growth and respiration of Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and Sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus). Selected individuals were subjected to water treatments simulating ambient …

Enhancing Nursing Education To Improve Care For Women Experiencing A Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy, Sadie Caddell

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Enhancing Nursing Education to Improve Care for Women Experiencing a Substance Use Disorder During Pregnancy

Analyzing A Benchtop Model Of Combined Heat Power To An Industrial Scale, Chase Steven Carlton, Ashley Leach, Andrew Martin-Biggs, Tessa Wilker

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Analyzing a Benchtop Model of Combined Heat Power to an Industrial Scale

Presence Of Road Salts In Vernal Pools And Effects On Amphibian Development, Grace I. Bemis, Ella Mack

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Presence of Road Salts in Vernal Pools and Effects on Amphibian Development

Parasite Party: Investigating Ecological Drivers Of Trematode Parasite Prevalence Across The Isles Of Shoals, Aimee D. Bousquet, April Blakeslee, Amy Fowler, David Buck

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Parasite Party: Investigating Ecological Drivers of Trematode Parasite Prevalence Across the Isles of Shoals

How Vermont’S Composting Laws Can Be Used To Inform Similar Policies In New Hampshire, Felix Prigge

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

This presentation seeks to analyze how policy makers can use the success' and failures of another state's policies to inform their own measures in order to not repeat the same mistakes. It also discusses the importance of using public feedback as a baseline for improvement.

2026 Certified Population Of Tennessee Incorporated Municipalities And Counties, Tennessee. Department Of Economic And Community Development

Certified Population Reports

This report highlights the population of incorporated municipalities, the incorporated municipalities by country, and the census population of counties in Tennessee.

Open Contacts Adjacent To Posterior Dental Implants: Current Understanding And Emerging Preventive Concepts, Chiun-Lin Steven Liu, Shih-Cheng Wen, Ching-Jung Chang Chien, Je-Kang Du

Journal of Dental Sciences

Open proximal contacts between posterior dental implant restorations and adjacent natural teeth are a common yet underappreciated complication. This review examines the multifactorial etiology of open contact formation, including biomechanical discrepancies, prosthetic and surgical factors, occlusal force dynamics, and natural tooth migration. The clinical consequences-ranging from food impaction and gingival inflammation to proximal bone loss and diminished patient satisfaction-are also analyzed. These complications not only affected oral hygiene and comfort but might also contribute to peri-implant tissue breakdown and increased maintenance needs. Existing preventive and corrective strategies, such as prosthetic over-contouring, splinted restorations, and occlusal equilibration, are reviewed with attention …

Artificial Intelligence Applications In The Diagnosis And Management Of Cleft Lip And Palate: An Updated Review, Tu Manh Nguyen, Uyen Ngoc Thao Huynh, Thi Thuy Tien Vo, Yang-Che Wu, Chien-Fu Tseng, I-Ta Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is one of the most common congenital anomalies, significantly affecting both function and aesthetics while placing a considerable burden on healthcare systems worldwide. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in various medical fields, a thorough evaluation of its role in CL/P management has become essential. Therefore, this review was undertaken to summarize recent clinical applications of AI in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of CL/P. A comprehensive search of PubMed and IEEE Xplore was conducted from January 1, 2015, to May 31, 2025, using combined …

Applications Of Artificial Intelligence In Tooth Extraction: A Systematic Review, Masakazu Hamada, Ryota Nomura, Tatsuya Akitomo, Satoru Kusaka, Yuko Iwamoto, Shiori Yamamoto, Yuko Ogaya, Kazuhiko Nakano

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Tooth extraction is a common procedure in dental treatment. In recent years, with the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, research on tooth extraction using AI has been increasing. In the present study, we consider the applicability of AI to tooth extraction through a literature review. Materials and methods The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for (“tooth extraction”) AND (“artificial intelligence” OR “machine learning” OR “deep learning”) in June 2024. Results Thirty-five articles matched the eligibility criteria and were extracted for this review. The most widely covered topics were “relationship between the root of the …

Piezo1-Mediated Mechanotransduction In Cementocytes Via Protein Kinase B And P38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling, Kaixin Xiong, Yukihiko Sakisaka, Taichi Tenkumo, Eiji Nemoto, Kentaro Maruyama, Faisal Muhammad, Shigeki Suzuki, Hiroyuki Tada, Satoru Yamada

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Cementocytes, terminally differentiated cells embedded within cellular cementum, are morphologically similar to osteocytes; however, their mechanosensory function remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel, contributes to the regulation of osteo/cementogenic gene expression in murine cementocyte-like IDG-CM6 cells. Materials and methods IDG-CM6 cells were subjected to cyclic stretch or treated with Piezo1-specific agonist Yoda1 or antagonist GsMTx4. Expression levels of osteo/cementogenic genes (Wnt1, Sost, Opg) and protein levels were analyzed. The involvement of intracellular signaling pathways was assessed using pharmacological inhibitors targeting mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) pathways. Results Cyclic …

Bacterial Counts In Saliva Of Patients With Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Cross-Sectional Research, Madoka Funahara, Akira Imakiire, Ryuichiro Funahara, Sakiko Soutome, Yuki Sakamoto, Masahiro Umeda

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Dysphagia in older adults requiring long-term care often necessitates nutritional management via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Although PEG effectively prevents food aspiration, it does not mitigate the risk of silent saliva aspiration, leaving patients vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bacterial count in the saliva of PEG users. Materials and methods This study included 13 PEG users and 13 oral feeders residing in a facility for individuals with disabilities. We investigated the participants’ age, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, oral wetness, Oral Hygiene Index Debris Index (OHI-DI), Winkel Tongue Coating …

Suppression Of Distal-Less Homeobox 3 Increased Alveolar Bone Mass In Mouse Tooth Socket By Targeting Thrombospondin 1, Chang Diao, Fang Li, Kai Sun, Miao Yu, Haochen Liu, Hailan Feng, Yang Liu, Dong Han

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Alveolar ridge resorption after tooth extraction significantly impacts dental implantation and prosthodontic treatment outcomes. Sustaining alveolar bone mass remains a critical clinical challenge and a major focus of research. Notably, patients with tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) syndrome, characterized by distal-less homeobox 3(DLX3) loss-of function mutations, exhibit increased jaw bone density and demonstrate long-term preservation of alveolar bone mass post-tooth extraction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DLX3 knockdown on bone remodeling following tooth extraction and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods we established a murine maxillary incisor extraction model to investigate alveolar bone healing. An empty …

Simultaneous Labial And Lingual Augmented Corticotomy Increase Periodontal Hard And Soft Tissues In 10 Skeletal Class Ii Patients – A Preliminary Study, Xiaochi Chang, Yi Feng, Cheng Lin, Chang Shu, Yichong Sun, Youmin Mei, Jianxia Hou

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose During pre-orthognathic orthodontic procedures in skeletal Class II patients, mandibular anterior tooth retraction could cause depletion of periodontal tissues on the labial and lingual sides. This study aimed to assess the changes in alveolar bone thickness, gingival thickness and keratinized gingiva width of the mandibular anterior teeth after labial and lingual augmented corticotomy (LLAC). Materials and methods 10 patients suffering from skeletal Class II malocclusion undergoing orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment were included and LLAC was performed on their mandibular anterior teeth at the same time. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at preoperatively (T0), 14 days postoperatively (Ts), and 6 …

Effects Of Ovariectomy Of Rat On Tongue Neuropathy: Relevance To Burning Mouth Syndrome, Momoyo Kobayashi, Akiko Okada-Ogawa, Yoshiki Imamura, Hirotaka Shinozuka, Noboru Noma, Koichi Iwata, Masamichi Shinoda

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is common in postmenopausal women, indicating that sex hormones are involved in disease pathogenesis. Recent studies have shown that the decreased nerve innervation of the papillae of the tongue may be related to neuropathic pain conditions in BMS. However, it remains unknown whether sex hormones contribute to changes in the nerve fiber density in the tongues of patients with BMS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine changes in pain intensity and nerve fiber density in the tongue of ovariectomized (OVX) rats subjected to surgical menopause to elucidate one aspect of the mechanism …

Clinical Decision Support Of Advanced Large Language Models In Endodontic Disease, Jiahe Li, Xian He, Yong Wang, Yanan Liu, Jie Liu, Mingxiao Liu, Tianyu Huang, Zeyu Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Large language models (LLMs) exhibit significant potential for clinical decision support, yet their application in endodontic disease remains underexplored. Materials and methods This study assessed the decision-making capabilities of three advanced LLMs (GPT-4o, Claude 3.5, and Grok2) in specialized endodontic contexts. A question bank of 421 multiple-choice questions was constructed across 27 core endodontic topics, including theory, procedures, and 35 complex cases. The three LLMs were tested using standardized prompts, with performance evaluated via topic-stratified accuracy analysis. Results Claude 3.5 achieved the highest overall accuracy (73.39 %), followed by Grok2 (66.27 %) and GPT-4o (46.32 %). Grok2 excelled in …

Ferritin Promotes Monocyte Osteoclastogenic Differentiation To Aggravate Alveolar Bone Resorption In Periodontitis, Wenxue Huang, Jie Zhang, Menglong Hu, Zhaoguo Yue, Ye Han, Xiaochi Chang, Jianxia Hou

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis critically impairs masticatory function and tooth stability, yet the mechanistic drivers linking immune dysregulation to osteolytic pathology remain incompletely characterized. This study elucidates how ferritin-an inflammation responsive iron chaperone secreted by activated monocytes-orchestrates monocyte-to-osteoclast differentiation to exacerbate bone destruction in periodontitis. Materials and methods Using a multidisciplinary approach, we combined: Immunohistochemical profiling of cluster of differentiation 68-positive (CD68+) cells and cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4+) cells in human periodontal tissues (periodontitis vs. healthy controls); Murine experimental periodontitis induced by maxillary molar ligation (8-week model); In vitro mechanistic studies where THP-1 monocytes (human acute monocytic …

Correlation Between Dental Amalgam Fillings And Urinary Mercury Levels In The Jordanian Population: A Comparative Population-Based Study, Ibrahim Al-Odat, Saad Al-Fawaeir, Naser Odat

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose The health risks of mercury-containing dental amalgam fillings remain controversial. Urinary mercury levels are used as a tool to assess mercury exposure toxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of dental amalgam fillings on urinary mercury levels in the Jordanian population. Materials and methods This study recruited an experimental group of 108 participants with dental amalgam fillings and control group of 109 participants without dental amalgam fillings. Urinary mercury levels were measured and compared between the two groups. Results The results showed a statistically significant increase in urinary mercury concentration in participants with dental amalgam fillings compared …

The Roles Of Cd24-Sec14 Like Lipid Binding 2 (Sec14l2) Axis In The Neoplastic Progression Of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas, Shi-Rou Chang, Chung-Hsien Chou, Chung-Ji Liu, Kuo-Wei Chang, Jian-Hua Pan, Sheng-Lin Yen, Shu-Chun Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Immune stimulation or escape are critical factors determining the survival of malignancies, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and head and neck SCC (HNSCC). CD24 (CD24A in mice) is a glycoprotein anchored to cell membranes, modulating macrophages' immune responses, cell interaction, tumorigenesis, and stemness. However, its roles in the OSCC pathogenesis are still controversial. The modulation of CD24 on the oncogenicity and immunity of OSCC were investigated in this study. Materials and methods Knockdown approaches and the establishment of stable tet-off CD24 expression cell subclones were used in cell and mouse models for phenotypic and transcriptomic analysis. Bioinformatic assessments …

Validation Of The Vietnamese Version Of The Patient's Denture Assessment Questionnaire In Complete Denture Wearers, Trang Ngoc Huyen Bui, Yang-Che Wu, Chien-Fu Tseng, Thi Thuy Tien Vo, Van Thi Thao Nguyen, Yuriko Komagamine, Manabu Kanazawa, Chi-Fen Chang, I-Ta Lee, Pao-Chang Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose The patient's denture assessment (PDA) is a standardized self-reported questionnaire developed in Japan to evaluate patient satisfaction with complete dentures. Although it has been validated in multiple languages, no validated version existed for the Vietnamese population. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Vietnamese version of the PDA (PDA-V) in a clinical sample of complete denture wearers. Materials and methods A cross-sectional validation study was conducted with 200 complete denture wearers in a public dental hospital in Vietnam. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in a subsample of 120 participants after …

Zygomatic Fracture Characteristics And Their Association With Brain Injury: Evidences From A 10-Year Retrospective Study In Northern Taiwan, Wei-Che Tai, Chen-Yin Yong, Sam Li-Sheng Chen, Yoichi Ohiro, Chih-Yuan Fang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Few studies have systematically examined the relationship between zygomatic fracture patterns or patient demographics and head injury. This study investigates the epidemiology of zygomatic fractures, their association with brain injury, and the influence of patient age, focusing on fracture classification and injury mechanisms. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of 272 patients with zygomatic fractures treated between 2012 and 2021 at a medical center in northern Taiwan was conducted. Fractures were classified using the Zingg system. Clinical data including age, injury etiology, concomitant injuries, and brain injury were analyzed. Statistical methods included chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple logistic …