cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENT OF A 4 K GM/JT CRYOCOOLER

4 K Gifford-McMahon/Joule-Thomson cryocoolers, which have refrigeration capacity rating of 3.5 W at 4.3 K and efficiency relative to Carnot 4%, were developed. One prototype has operated for 20,000 hours without JT service and several other units for 10,000 hours each in the field. No JT blockage problems have been observed. Several types of interface were also developed for application, e.g., recondensing helium in the cryostat for MRI or single crystal growth, and cooling sensors or mixers for far-infrared wave measurements.
Competitive exclusion over broad spatial extents is a slow process: evidence and implications for species distribution modeling

There is considerable debate about the role of competition in shaping species distributions over broad spatial extents. This debate has practical implications because predicting changes in species' geographic ranges in response to ongoing environmental change would be simpler if competition could be ignored. While this debate has been the subject of many reviews, recent literature has not addressed the rates of relevant processes. This omission is surprising in that ecologists hypothesized decades ago that regional competitive exclusion is a slow process. The goal of this review is to reassess the debate under the hypothesis that competitive exclusion over broad spatial extents is a slow process. Available evidence, including simulations presented for the first time here, suggests that competitive exclusion over broad spatial extents occurs slowly over temporal extents of many decades to millennia. Ecologists arguing against an important role for competition frequently study modern patterns and/or range dynamics over periods of decades, while much of the evidence for competition shaping geographic ranges at broad spatial extents comes from paleoecological studies over time scales of centuries or longer. If competition is slow, as evidence suggests, the geographic distributions of some, perhaps many species, would continue to change over time scales of decades to millennia, even if environmental conditions did not continue to change. If the distributions of competing species are at equilibrium it is possible to predict species distributions based on observed species-environment relationships. However, disequilibrium is widespread as a result of competition and many other processes. Studies whose goal is accurate predictions over intermediate time scales (decades to centuries) should focus on factors associated with range expansion (colonization) and loss (local extinction), as opposed to current patterns. In general, understanding of modern range dynamics would be enhanced by considering the rates of relevant processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Biologics and Patches

Over the past decade, surgical instrumentation and repair constructs have improved the biomechanical strength of rotator cuff repairs, making mechanical failure rare. Most recurrent rotator cuff tears are thought to be due to the compromised biological environment at the relatively avascular healing site. Treatments that augment the biology of rotator cuff healing provide the potential to improve patient outcomes following repair. Most of the research focusing on enhancing tendon healing is in the preclinical stages. The most promising of this research will be reviewed here, but the focus of the chapter will be on modalities available to surgeons now including platelet rich plasma (PRP) and patches. To date, results of PRP augmentation in the setting of large rotator cuff repairs are not very promising. Patches can help when used in the appropriate setting. It is important to note that patient selection is a critical element of improving outcomes. Perhaps the most effective way to currently improve the biological environment of rotator cuff repairs is to optimize medical conditions such as diabetes and smoking cessation.
Nonnative Pest Prevention and Control

The ability to efficiently produce and market US agricultural goods is contingent on keeping them relatively free of harmful weeds, insects, microbes, and diseases. Despite public and private investments of up to $15.5 billion a year in prevention and control, US agricultural producers still incur at least $98.7 billion in losses and damages to nonnative pests each year. Policies and interventions that prevent or control nonnative pests play a crucial role in safeguarding US agriculture. This chapter surveys a wide array of activities at international, federal, and public–private partnership levels, such as: sanitary and phytosanitary standards, agricultural inspections, off-shore preclearance programs, fees and fines for contaminated shipments, surveillance using sentinel plots, compensation for destroyed crops or livestock, certification based on biosecurity measures, animal disease traceability, disease insurance, compartmentalization, commodity-based trade, and regionalization. Each intervention is assessed according to four criteria: technical, allocative, and dynamic market efficiency; and nonmarket beneficial outcomes. Interventions commonly affect technical, allocative, and dynamic market efficiency, but few affect nonmarket beneficial outcomes. Efforts to address all four criteria are complicated, however, because some interventions improve one criterion at the expense of others.
Distribution of quaternary ammonium salt encapsulated polyoxometalates in polyurethane films

Abstract The distribution behavior of amphiphilic quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) encapsulated nickel substituted polyoxometalates (Ni-POMs) in hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyurethane films for potential coating additive applications was investigated. The relative lengths of the alkyl and ethoxy tail moieties of QAS exhibited significant effects on additive distribution behavior within polyurethane. Nonpolar-polar interactions between the QAS(Ni-POM) additive and polyurethane matrix determined dispersion and segregation of the additives. Incorporation of QAS(Ni-POM) in polyurethane resulted in the formation of circular surface domains, the diameters of which were dependent on QAS composition, loading concentration, and solvent evaporation rate. XPS depth profiling analysis indicated that QAS(Ni-POM)s surface segregated in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic polyurethanes. Reduced antimicrobial activity of the QAS(Ni-POM) coatings relative to QAS coatings confirmed that QAS remained coordinated to POM during film preparation. Alkyl tail length affected the hydrophilic character of QAS(Ni-POM), while ethoxy tail length modulated effective molecular radius, both of which are facile means to control the dispersion and phase separation of encapsulated POMs in polyurethane coatings.
Outcomes after relapse from first autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma.

8598 Background: Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is an integral treatment for eligible patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM). However, disease relapse post-ASCT remains inevitable for ma...
Microresonator soliton dual-comb spectroscopy

Dual-comb spectroscopy is demonstrated using microresonator soliton frequency combs by measuring the absorption spectrum of H13CN in the near-infrared. The results show the potential for a chip-based, high-precision spectroscopic system.
On the crushing of polydisperse foams

Abstract Open-cell low-density foams are widely used in energy absorption and impact mitigation applications because of the low stress crushing response that extends to strains of 50–60%. In a continuing effort to connect the microstructure to these unique properties, we use micromechanically accurate foam models of the same relative density to examine the effect of cell-size distribution ( polydispersity ) on the full crushing response of aluminum open-cell foams under both quasi-static and dynamic loadings. A foam model starts as a Laguerre tessellation originating from a dense packing of polydisperse spheres with prescribed probability distributions of radii. The tessellation then becomes the initial condition in Surface Evolver to generate soap froth that satisfies Plateau's laws. Such soap froths are subsequently “dressed” with the desired solid material and discretized with finite elements to create foam models of different polydispersity levels. Quasi-static simulations show that the limit stress decreases with increasing polydispersity while the plateau stress is less affected and governed by the relative density, which in this case remains constant. Foams of different polydispersity were also crushed by impact under a range of super-critical speeds. The Hugoniot of a highly polydisperse foam is reported and is compared to the corresponding one of a monodisperse foam of the same density. The results indicate only a modest variation of the shock kinetics with polydispersity, but a drop is recorded in both the distal and proximal stresses, as well as the associated energy absorption capacity of the foam.
Probabilistic sensitivity analysis in cost-effectiveness. An application from a study of vaccination against pneumococcal bacteremia in the elderly.

Objectives: We explore the policy implications of probabilistic sensitivity analysis in cost-effectiveness analysis by applying simulation methods to a decision model.Methods: We present the multiway sensitivity analysis results of a study of the cost-effectiveness of vaccination against pneumococcal bacteremia in the elderly. We then execute a probabilistic sensitivity analysis of the cost-effectiveness ratio by specifying posterior distributions for the uncertain parameters in our decision analysis model. In order to estimate probability intervals, we rank the numerical values of the simulated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) to take into account preferences along the cost-effectiveness plane.Results: The 95% probability intervals for the ICER were generally much narrower than the difference between the best case and worst case results from a multiway sensitivity analysis. Although the multiway sensitivity analysis had indicated that, in the worst case, vaccination in the 85 and older age group was not acceptable from a policy standpoint, probabilistic methods indicated that the cost-effectiveness of vaccination was below $50,000 per quality-adjusted life-year in greater than 92% of the simulations and below $100,000 in greater than 95% of the simulations.Conclusions: Probabilistic methods can supplement multiway sensitivity analyses to provide a more comprehensive picture of the uncertainty associated with cost-effectiveness ratios and thereby inform policy decisions.
Aging and the Circadian Control of the Gastrointestinal System: From the Brain to the Gut Microbiome (and Back)

The effect of aging on circadian clocks within the gastrointestinal system and the role played by melatonin and circadian clocks in the process of gastrointestinal aging is reviewed. Although we know quite a lot about the physiological and molecular mechanisms of circadian clocks in mammals, we know very little about the mechanisms of food-entrainable rhythmicity. The role played by the pineal hormone melatonin has been posited as a key to understanding aging and clock function, but the evidence is incomplete. Finally, new data about aging and circadian control of the intestinal microbiome is placed in the context of the circadian system as a whole.
Forecasting critical points and post-critical limit cycles in nonlinear oscillatory systems using pre-critical transient responses

Abstract A unique method for forecasting Hopf bifurcations and the complete post-bifurcation dynamics of nonlinear oscillatory systems is proposed. The method is model-less and uses measurements of the system only in the pre-bifurcation regime. The forecasts are three-dimensional bifurcation diagrams using a few measurements of the system response to perturbations in the pre-bifurcation regime. To demonstrate the forecasting method and its advantages, it is employed to predict bifurcation diagrams of a 3-DOF fluid-structural system. Surrogate measurement data is obtained from simulations and used as input for the forecasting algorithm. Results show that the bifurcation diagrams are forecasted accurately in both supercritical and subcritical bifurcations. The method accurately forecasts the bifurcation point, the bifurcation type and the post-bifurcation limit cycle amplitudes despite the fact that only pre-bifurcation regime data are used for forecasting.
Phosphorylation of Dihydropyridine-Sensitive Calcium Channels from Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle

The entry of Ca into many excitable cells occurs through voltage-dependent Ca channels that are activated in response to depolarization. An interesting aspect of some Ca channels is that in addition to their voltage dependence, they can be regulated by neurotransmitters. This has been most thoroughly characterized in electrophysiological studies of cardiac cells (Reuter, 1983; Tsienet al., 1986). The probability of opening of the predominant type of cardiac Ca channel, that which is sensitive to dihydropyridines (Niliuset al., 1985), is increased by norepinephrine and decreased by acetylcholine (Reuter, 1983; Heschleret al., 1986; Tsienet al., 1986). This regulation is believed to be mediated by cyclic AMP (cAMP) and to involve a cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the channel itself or an associated regulatory protein (Reuter, 1983). A similar type of regulation by cAMP has also been observed with Ca channels in skeletal muscle and some neuronal preparations (Schmidet al., 1985; Chad and Eckert, 1986). The regulation of Ca channels by mechanisms implicating protein kinases other than cAMP-dependent protein kinase also has been reported (Di Virgilioet al., 1986; Paupardin-Tritschet al., 1986; Rane and Dunlap, 1986; Galizziet al., 1987; Stronget al., 1987). A goal of our laboratory is to elucidate the biochemical events involved in the regulation of Ca channels by phosphorylation-dependent processes. To this end we initiated studies with dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca channels from cardiac and skeletal muscle to determine if any of the peptide components of these channels serve as a substrate for cAMP-dependent, as well as Ca-dependent, protein kinases.
CIVILIZATIONAL CONNECTIONS: EARLY ISLAM AND LATIN-EUROPEAN RENAISSANCE

The paper discusses four interrelated themes. First, there is a description on the ―lost paradigm‖ of Islamic connections to European Renaissance, followed by a discussion of evidence that this Renaissance depended crucially upon the intellectual armory acquired through prolonged contacts with early Islamic civilization. The influence of many Muslim scholars on Western Enlightenment also cannot be denied. The paper documents the influence of some key Islamic scholars such as Al-Kindi, Ibn-e-Sina, Al-Ghazali and in particular Ibn-e-Rushd, whose writings contributed hugely to the European Enlightenment. This is followed by a discussion of the various sources of transmission of that intellectual armory that enabled Latin-Europeans to exit from the Dark Ages and contributed towards medieval Renaissance as well as subsequent Italian Renaissance.
How does training in anesthesia residency shape residents’ approaches to patient care handoffs? A single-center qualitative interview study

Handoffs are a complex procedure whose success relies on mutual discussion rather than simple information transfer. Particularly among trainees, handoffs present major opportunities for medical error. Previous research has explored best practices and pitfalls in general handoff education but has not discussed barriers specific to anesthesiology residents. This study characterizes the experiences of residents in anesthesiology as they learn handoff technique in order to inform strategies for teaching this important component of perioperative care. Methods: In 2016, we conducted a semi-structured interview study of 30 anesthesia residents across all three postgraduate years at a major academic hospital. Interviews were coded by two coders using a grounded theory approach and an iterative process designed to enhance reliability and validity. Residents cited lack of consistency as a major impediment to proper handoff education. They found the impact of lectures and written materials to be limited. The level of guidance and direction they received from one-to-one attendings was described as highly variable. Residents’ comfort in executing handoffs was heavily dependent on location and situation. They felt that coordination among the parties involved in the handoff was difficult to achieve, causing confusion about the importance of handoffs as well as proper protocol. Finally, residents offered opinions on when handoff education should occur during the residency and had several recommendations for its improving, including standardization of key handoff topics. In a single center study of anesthesiology resident handoff education, residents exhibited confusion related to a perceived disconnect between the stated importance of effective handoffs and a lack of consensus on proper handoff technique. Standardization of curriculum and framing expectations has the potential to enhance resident handoff training in academic anesthesia departments.
Evaluación de la influencia de la agitación para la producción de biomasa microalgal en un fotobiorreactor panel plano a escala laboratorio

Se evaluo la influencia de la agitacion sobre la produccion de biomasa en un fotobiorreactor (fbr) panel plano mediante la modificacion de los aspersores en el difusor. La evaluacion se realizo mediante la elabo-racion de 3 difusores con diametros de aspersor diferentes (1, 2 y 4 mm). A traves de un analisis de varianza anova y una prueba t,se seleccionaron los diametros de 1 y 2 mm para ingresar dioxido de carbono (co2), obteniendo una tasa de crecimiento de 0,37 dias -1 y 0,35 dias -1,respectivamente. El analisis indico que a menor diametro de aspersor en el difusor mayor tasa de crecimiento. Mediante el planteamiento de las ecuaciones de transferencia de masa se verifico que la disminucion del tamano de la burbuja promueve la transferencia entre las fases gas-liquido
Body composition and markers of cardiometabolic health in transgender youth compared to cisgender youth: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Context Up to 1.8% of adolescents identify as transgender and many more seek care, yet the impact of gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on cardiometabolic health is unknown. Objective To determine insulin sensitivity and body composition among transgender females (TF) and males (TM) on estradiol or testosterone, compared to cisgender females (CF) and males (CM). Design Pilot, cross-sectional study conducted from 2016-2018. Setting. Academic regional transgender referral center. Participants Transgender adolescents on either testosterone or estradiol for at least 3 months were recruited. Nineteen TM were matched to 19 CM and 42 CF on pubertal stage and body mass index (BMI). Eleven TF were matched to 23 CF and 13 TF to 24 CM on age and BMI. Main Outcome Measure(s) 1/[fasting insulin] and body composition (dual-energy absorptiometry, DXA). Results Total body fat was lower in TM than CF (29±7 vs. 33±7%, p=0.002) and higher than CM (28±7 vs. 24±9%, p=0.047). TM had higher lean mass than CF (68±7 vs. 64±7%, p=0.002) and lower than CM (69± vs. 73±8%, p=0.029). Insulin sensitivity was not different between the groups. TF had lower body fat than CF (31±7 vs. 35±8%, p=0.033) and higher than CM (28±6 vs. 20±10, p=0.001). TF had higher lean mass than CF (66±6 vs. 62±7%, p=0.032) and lower than CM (69±5 vs. 77±9%, p=0.001). TF were more insulin resistant than CM (0.078±0.025 vs. 0.142±0.064, p=0.011). Conclusions Transgender adolescents on GAHT have significant differences in body composition compared to cisgender controls, with a body composition intermediate between BMI-matched cisgender males and females. These changes in body composition may have consequences for the cardiometabolic health of transgender adolescents. Precis Transgender youth on gender affirming hormone therapy have differences in their percent fat and lean mass compared to cisgender (non-transgender) youth.
Mechanical Thrombectomy: Techniques and Hybrid Approaches for Recanalization

This chapter discusses the evolution of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and addresses techniques and technological choices for improved procedural performance. We examine maneuvers such as active deployment of stent retrievers, utilization of pinning technique with blind exchange, as well as the approach for distal vessel occlusions.
Low-cost optical fiber physical unclonable function reader based on a digitally integrated semiconductor LiDAR

This paper introduces an integrated fiber physical unclonable function (PUF) verification system based on a semiconductor laser source at substantially lower complexity and cost than existing alternatives. A source sub-section consisting of a linear frequency-swept semiconductor laser is used in combination with an optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR)/LiDAR-based measurement sub-section in order to conduct fiber identification via measurement of the unique Rayleigh reflection pattern of a section of optical fiber. When using these Rayleigh reflection patterns as PUFs, this technique results in a maximum equal error rate (EER) of 0.15% for a 5-cm section of optical fiber and an EER of less than 1% for a 4-cm section. These results demonstrate that the system can serve as a robust method fiber identification for device and communication verification applications.
Measured concentrations of consumer product chemicals in California house dust: Implications for sources, exposure, and toxicity potential

Household dust is a reservoir of various consumer product chemicals. Thus, characterizing comprehensive chemical profiles of house dust may help improve our understanding of residential chemical exposure. We have previously developed a method for detecting a broad spectrum of chemicals in dust by applying a combination of target, suspect screening, and non-target methods with mass spectrometry preceded by liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Building upon a previous study that detected 271 compounds in 38 dust samples, we presented concentrations of 144 compounds that were confirmed and quantified by standards in the same set of samples. Ten compounds were measured with median concentrations greater than 10 000 ng/g of dust: cis-hexadec-6-enoic acid, squalene, cholesterol, vitamin E, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dioctyl terephthalate, linoleic acid, tricaprylin, tris(1-chloroisopropyl) phosphate, and oxybenzone. We also reviewed in vitro toxicity screening data to identify compounds that were not previously detected in indoor dust but have potential for adverse health effects. Among 119 newly detected compounds, 13 had endocrine-disrupting potential and 7 had neurotoxic potential. Toxicity screening data were not available for eight biocides, which may adversely affect health. Our results strive to provide more comprehensive chemical profiles of house dust and identified information gaps for future health studies.
Distributed Middleware for Edge Vision Systems

Recent advances in Deep Learning, have made possible distributed multi-camera vision analytics targeted at a variety of surveillance applications involving automated real-time analysis of events from multiple video perspectives. However, the latency critical nature of these applications necessitates computing at the Edge of the network, close to the cameras [1] . The required Edge computing infrastructure is necessarily distributed, with cloud like capabilities such as fault tolerance, scalability, multi-application tenancy, and security, while functioning at the unique operating environment of the Edge. Characteristics of the Edge include, highly heterogeneous hardware platforms with limited computational resources, variable latency wireless networks, and minimal physical security. To enable vision analytics at the Edge, application developers need a distributed middleware layer that provides a suitable abstraction of the Edge computing system, allowing cloud like DevOps workflow at the Edge. Middleware layers facilitate application development by providing suitable system abstractions thereby allowing the application programmers to focus on the applications needs rather than system details. In this poster, we present the requirements of such a middleware system. We propose a distributed messaging system with storage capabilities as a potential candidate for the middleware layer.
Rousseau’s Observations on Inequality and the Causes of Moral Corruption:

Rousseau’s passionate attack on inequalities political, social, and economic, his critique of reigning governments in the name of democracy, and his questioning of the authority of science or philo...
Extrinsic Kernel Ridge Regression Classifier for Planar Kendall Shape Space

Kernel methods have had great success in Statistics and Machine Learning. Despite their growing popularity, however, less effort has been drawn towards developing kernel based classification methods on Riemannian manifolds due to difficulty in dealing with non-Euclidean geometry. In this paper, motivated by the extrinsic framework of manifold-valued data analysis, we propose a new positive definite kernel on planar Kendall shape space $\Sigma_2^k$, called extrinsic Veronese Whitney Gaussian kernel. We show that our approach can be extended to develop Gaussian kernels on any embedded manifold. Furthermore, kernel ridge regression classifier (KRRC) is implemented to address the shape classification problem on $\Sigma_2^k$, and their promising performances are illustrated through the real data analysis.
The Acquisition of Verbal Agreement in Instructed Italian L2A

Author(s): Rodgers, Daryl M | Abstract: Researchers propose that L2 learners acquire the abstract features of agreement at relatively low levels of L2 proficiency (Bruhn de Garavito, 2003a, 2003b). However, some argue that there is also evidence for the use of default forms in learners’ errors (McCarthy, 2007, 2008), and that these may be predicted based on the morphological underspecification hypothesis (MUSH). Studies in Italian child L1A (e.g., Pizzuto a Caselli, 1992) and Italian adult L2A (e.g., Banfi a Bernini, 2003) have found evidence for the use of such variability and for defaults, in particular 3rd person singular forms. Similar results have been found in studies on the acquisition of L2 verbal inflection in other languages, including Spanish (McCarthy, 2007). Other views (e.g., the MSIH) propose instead that inflection is generally correct and that defaults surface as nonfinite/ bare forms not inflected ones (e.g., Prevost a White, 2000).This present study examined the acquisition of verbal agreement in both comprehension and production by 85 university-level L2 learners of Italian. By analyzing accuracy rates, evidence was found for the acquisition of agreement morphology even at low levels of proficiency, particularly in comprehension. Although error rates were generally low, patterns emerged whereby certain persons of the verb (especially the 3rd person singular) were used as defaults to replace other forms. It is argued that results provide support for no impairment in adult L2A in general, and for the MUSH in particular.
Serials Spoken HereReports of Conferences, Institutes and Seminars

Reports are f the 2006 North Carolina Serials Conference and the Janus Conference on Research Library Collections, a spring 2006 update.
Preferential leaching of indium metal during room temperature ionic liquid processing of Pd–In nanoparticle-biopolymer composites

Abstract Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) is a green engineering process that uses Ionic Liquids (IL) to prepare functional biocomposites for applications including water purification, energy storage, sensing, and thermal enhancement. The composition of the welding solution can significantly impact welding efficiency as well as the structure and composition of fiber-welded biocomposites. This study evaluates how NFW solvent composition influences metal leaching from lignocellulose fiber-supported Pd–In nanoparticles. Solutions were prepared from pure, dry 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, and controlled amounts of IL contaminants (water, acetic acid), and one molecular co-solvent (acetonitrile). Lignocellulose fibers with embedded Pd–In nanoparticles were welded in each solution and reconstituted in water; the recovered precipitates/filtrates were evaluated using ICP-MS to determine how much palladium and indium leached from each catalyst into the welding solvent. Our data show how excess acetic acid in the NFW solvent causes indium metal to dealloy from Pd–In nanoparticles. Because Pd–In nanoparticles are proven hydrogenation catalysts for water purification, nitrate reduction tests were performed with each fiber-welded product and compared to unwelded control samples. These data show how preferential leaching of indium directly impacted the catalysts nitrate reduction reactivity, and provide insight into how one might control this phenomenon to optimize development of fiber-welded catalyst systems.
Clinical results of early stage prostatic cancer treated by pelvic lymphadenectomy and 125iodine implants.

Abstract Eighty patients with clinically early stage adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with pelvic lymphadenectomy and interstitial implantation of 125 iodine seeds. A new applicator that permits greater accuracy in spacing the seeds has been developed. Postoperative complications were minimal, with urinary irritability beingthe most common. Multiple transrectal needle biopsies were performed 12 and 18 months after treatment in 46 patients. The prostatic biopsies were negative for carcinoma in 61 per cent and positive in 39 per cent of the patients. Long-termfollowup is needed to correlate post-treatment biopsies with survival and to determine if patients with positive biopsies should receive further treatment.
Arteriovenous Malformation Phenotype Resembling Congenital Hemangioma Contains KRAS Mutations

Extracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is most commonly caused by a somatic mutation in MAP2K1. We report two patients with vascular anomalies that had an unclear clinical diagnosis most consistent with either an AVM or congenital hemangioma. Lesions were cutaneous, reddish-purple with telangiectasias, present at birth, and had defined borders. Histopathology indicated AVM and both lesions contained somatic KRAS mutations. A rare AVM phenotype exists that shares clinical features with congenital hemangioma.
Sex in the Time of COVID-19: Results of an Online Survey of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men's Experience of Sex and HIV Prevention During the US COVID-19 Epidemic.

This paper presents data from a recent cross-sectional survey of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the US, to understand changes in sexual behavior and access to HIV prevention options (i.e. condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)) during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 survey was conducted online from April to May, 2020. GBMSM were recruited through advertisements featured on social networking platforms, recruiting a sample size of 518 GBMSM. Analysis considers changes three in self-reported measures of sexual behavior: number of sex partners, number of anal sex partners and number of anal sex partners not protected by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or condoms. Approximately two-thirds of the sample reported that they believed it was possible to contract COVID-19 through sex, with anal sex reported as the least risky sex act. Men did not generally feel it was important to reduce their number of sex partners during COVID-19, but reported a moderate willingness to have sex during COVID-19. For the period between February and April-May 20,202, participants reported a mean increase of 2.3 sex partners during COVID-19, a mean increase of 2.1 anal sex partners (range - 40 to 70), but a very small increase in the number of unprotected anal sex partners. Increases in sexual behavior during COVID-19 were associated with increases in substance use during the same period. High levels of sexual activity continue to be reported during the COVID-19 lockdown period and these high levels of sexual activity are often paralleled by increases in substance use and binge drinking. There is a clear need to continue to provide comprehensive HIV prevention and care services during COVID-19, and telehealth and other eHealth platforms provide a safe, flexible mechanism for providing services.
Materials Characterization for VLSI

Publisher Summary The characterization of materials at small dimensions requires the concerted measurement of chemical, structural, and functional (e.g., electrical, magnetic) properties concomitant with sufficient understanding of their interaction to enable reproduction of the material. The measurement of these properties becomes increasingly difficult as (1) the form of the material changes from bulk to film to surface, (ii) the physical size decreases from crystal to slice to chip to individual device element, and (iii) the elemental concentration decreases from major component (> 0.1%) to dopant (1–1000 ppma) to trace (
Defending a Social Learning Explanation: A Comment on the Origins of Shared Intuitions of Justice

This Response addresses the November 2007 Vanderbilt Law Review Article, The Origins of Shared Intuitions of Justice, by Professors Paul H. Robinson, Robert Kurzban, and Owen D. Jones. The Article reviews empirical evidence that people share surprisingly similar moral inclinations — especially with respect to core social principles like opposition to unprovoked physical harm, the taking of property, and cheating in exchanges — and argues that a specific evolved human mechanism provides a more plausible explanation of these similarities than an accumulated social learning theory. This Response defines the “accumulated social learning” theory and defends it, addressing its purported shortcomings and highlighting areas in which accumulated social learning theory explains present evidence better than an evolutionary theory. Specifically, this Response explains that accumulated social learning theory predicts that people will widely share core moral inclinations, just like evolutionary theory. Furthermore, on the more peripheral issues in which the data demonstrate that moral inclinations vary, social learning theory better accounts for the variability. This Response concludes that accumulated social learning theory provides the simpler, cleaner explanation of the current data.
Sharing Stories Through Art: Promoting Resident Connection During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

> Our alarms ring promptly in the early mornings, a synchronous wakeup call for resident physicians. We hurry to get dressed, brew our coffee, and head into the hospital. It is the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and we are careful to isolate ourselves during our commutes. It is our civic duty. We used to take for granted the familiar sounds of our daily migrations from home to work; the rhythmic streams of music played a bit too loudly through the headphones of fellow train passengers, the cacophonous honking of horns in backed up traffic, and the quick “hellos” exchanged between passersby in the crosswalk. Now, we hear mostly silence. > This sense of eerie quiet and seclusion also permeates the hospital, and beyond. At sign out, we greet our colleagues with smiles that remain hidden under our surgical masks. We bathe shared pagers and workstations in antiseptic, sterilizing the process of transition from shift to shift. In caring for patients, we struggle to build rapport amid the barriers of personal protective gear and safe social distancing practices. We grapple with laughter and loss through plastic face shields, human touch diminished as a silent enemy invades. After work, we have difficulty effectively processing our experiences and emotions, our friends and loved ones accessible only virtually or from afar. We feel … Address correspondence to Dr Danielle Rabinowitz, Md, MM, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston MA, 02115. E-mail: danielle.rabinowitz{at}childrens.harvard.edu
Improving Channel Hydrate Stability via Localized Chemical Tuning of the Water Environment

One of the long-standing challenges in working with organic hydrates in general, and channel hydrates in particular, is their propensity to lose water over time and convert (either partially or ful...
Una experiencia de formación de profesores a partir del trabajo con comunidades en California

This article describes the results of a teacher training model that involves contact with local communities and action- research practices. The study included students enrolled in the education program at a university in southern California during the 2007-08 school year. They were interviewed during the course of their 16-week projects in which they analyzed the global culture of students and parents from various ethnic groups as subsequent input for classroom work and, ultimately, the design of lessons and the development of educational plans pursuant to the requirements of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Among other conclusions, it was found that transforming teachers acquire a variety of useful skills for their work as educators in the global village by learning about the community from the inside out.
Purification and properties of a sulfite reductase from leaf tissue.

Abstract Sulfite reductase (EC 1.8.1.2) has been purified 190-fold from spinach leaves. The enzyme catalyzes the reduction of sulfite to sulfide, with the use of reduced methyl viologen. NADH and NADPH are not capable of replacing reduced methyl viologen. A stoichiometry of 6 molecules of reduced methyl viologen oxidized per molecule of sulfide formed has been found. The enzyme, following treatment with reduced methyl viologen, is sensitive to inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzoate and cyanide. Without treatment with reduced methyl viologen the enzyme is not sensitive to either compound. Inhibition is not relieved by thiol compounds. Sensitivity of the enzyme to p-chloromercuribenzoate is lost in the presence of sulfite, while cyanide sensitivity remains. These results suggest the occurrence of two catalytically active sites, a p-chloromercuribenzoate-sensitive, sulfite-protected site, and a cyanide-sensitive site. Nucleoside di- and triphosphates, irrespective of the kinds of base and sugar, stimulate reductase activity. Pyrophosphate gives the same stimulation as nucleoside diphosphates. This effect is observed in 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(N-glycine)-1,3-dihydroxypropane buffer, but not in phosphate buffer.
A guide to Modula-2

A book that presents Modula-2 through a comprehensive development of language features combined with example programs. It is carefully organized to serve as both a text and reference.
The Eastern Enlargement of the European Union: Public Discourses in the Czech and Slovak Republics

The article examines the so-called Eastern enlargement of the European Union from the point of view of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Although they joined the EU at the same time, the experience of both states is diverse. The author argues that the chief obstacles on the “way back to Europe” were not so much the implementation of the acquis , but internal political weakness and unsatisfactory public discourse on the merits of joining the the EU. Slovakia, with its incorporation into the second wave of candidate countries due to its unacceptable political situation during Meciar’s government, is used as the best exemplar of the political weakness. The Czech Republic illustrates, with its initial sense of exceptionalism that turned into nationalistic-populist rhetoric of political parties’ leaders and eventually mounted into relatively low level of “yes-votes” in the closing referendum, represents the poor public discourse. Methodologically, the author analyses discursive interactions and institutional capacity using an actor-centered approach.
PRIMS: making NVRAM suitable for extremely reliable storage

Non-volatile byte addressable memories are becoming more common, and are increasingly used for critical data that must not be lost. However, existing NVRAM-based file systems do not include features that guard against file system corruption or NVRAM corruption. Furthermore, most file systems check consistency only after the system has already crashed. We are designing PRIMS to address these problems by providing file storage that can survive multiple errors in NVRAM, whether caused by errant operating system writes or by media corruption. PRIMS uses an erasure-encoded log structure to store persistent metadata, making it possible to periodically verify the correctness of file system operations while achieving throughput rates of an order of magnitude higher than page-protection during small writes. It also checks integrity on every operation and performs on-line scans of the entire NVRAM to ensure that the file system is consistent. If errors are found, PRIMS can correct them using file system logs and extensive error correction information. While PRIMS is designed for reliability, we expect it to have excellent performance, thanks to the ability to do word-aligned reads and writes in NVRAM.
Strange Bedfellows: Homo-eroticism and Landscape in Two Bush Novels from the 1920s

The paper focuses on two bush novels published in 1923: E.L. Grant Watson's The Desert Horizon and Marie Bjelke Petersen's Jewelled Nights arguing that they tilt the scales of mateship towards a subversive homo-erotic reading than other Austrlaian novels.
Household Energy Consumption and Housing Choice in the U.S. Residential Sector

Energy use in residential buildings accounted for 21% of U.S. CO2 emissions in 2013. Efforts to reduce energy use in the residential sector have been overly focused on improving energy efficiency of buildings. This article incorporates housing policy debate into energy policy, hoping to provide new opportunities for planners to participate in residential energy policy. Using data from the latest Residential Energy Consumption Survey, structural equation modeling has been applied to isolate the direct and indirect effects of household and housing characteristics on residential energy use. Results show that more than 80% of a household's indirect effect on energy consumption happens through the building characteristics, which is characterized as the housing choice effect on energy consumption. Planners can participate in residential energy management efforts by influencing housing needs and priorities of communities towards more sustainable compact housing units.
Gratings and Grating Antennas

A grating is an array of parallel obstructions separated from one another at a distance comparable to a wavelength. When an electromagnetic wave is incident up on a grating, it scatters to one or more specific angles determined by the spacing of the grating and the frequency of the wave. Since this effect is a diffraction phenomenon, gratings are often also referred to as diffraction gratings. One of the most important uses of the diffraction grating is as an antenna for millimeter-wave through optical frequencies. This type of diffraction grating is the primary focus of this article. In integrated optics, grating antennas are used to couple power into and out of dielectric waveguides. For millimeter-wave systems, grating antennas have received attention for several key advantages that they have in comparison with other conventional microwave antennas. They have low radiation losses, they are inexpensive and easy to fabricate, and they are planar. There is also considerable interest in using grating antennas to implement low-cost beam steering at millimeter-wave frequencies. This article examines gratings and grating antennas in a series of five sections. Each of these sections is presented in such a way that it may be read independently from the others. An overview of the historical development of diffraction gratings is presented. The fundamental principles behind grating diffraction are explained in a manner suitable for those with an RF/microwave background. A clear design procedure for grating antennas is offered, along with an extensive reference list for those interested in further study. Some of the latest and most impressive applications of millimeter-wave gratings are described. The article then concludes with a brief discussion of the future of this field. Keywords: gratings; grating antennas; diffraction gratings; scanning antennas
Serum lipid profiles and risk of cardiovascular disease in three different male populations in northern Nigeria.

The Fulani of northern Nigeria are indigenous semi-nomadic pastoralists whose diet consists largely of dairy products. Despite their consumption of relatively large amounts of saturated fats, an earlier study showed that their total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum triglyceride levels fall within the reference range of values for North Americans. Men in the cities of Jos and Abuja, two populations who also reside in northern Nigeria, differ from the Fulani with regard to diet and activity level. Males in both Jos and Abuja have diets consisting of high protein or carbohydrate and are more sedentary than the Fulani subjects. The main aims of the study were to measure the concentrations of various lipids in the blood serum of male urban dwellers in Jos and Abuja and to compare their blood lipid profiles with those of the rural Fulani (mean age 33.9 years). Blood serum samples from 118 men in Jos (mean age 37.9 years) and 77 men in Abuja (mean age 34.4 years) were analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12. In addition to height and weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. The mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL values for the three groups of subjects fell within or close to the accepted range of values for North Americans. However, the Fulani males had HDL values (mean, 33.9 mg/dL) below the range of values prescribed for North Americans (>40 mg/dL). Moreover, the Fulani men and the men in Abuja had a total cholesterol/ HDL ratio of 4.2 and 4.0 respectively, which exceed the accepted value ( 12.4 micromol/L) was very high. Their mean homocysteine levels ranged from 14.7 to 16.7 pmol/L and could not be accounted for by folate or vitamin B12 status. The mean blood pressures of the Abuja (127/77 mm Hg) and the Fulani (120/74 mm Hg) men were within the normotensive range (<130/85 mm Hg). However, the mean blood pressures of the Jos males (131/85 mm Hg) indicated borderline hypertension. These data indicate that, with regard to serum lipids, urban and rural adult Nigerian males have generally favourable risk factors for cardiovascular disease when compared with healthy North Americans. All three sub-populations, however, have levels of homocysteine that are cause for concern vis-a-vis their overall health status.