cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Eye of the Tiger, the Thrill of the Fight: Effective Larval and Adult Control Measures Against the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), in North America

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is a highly invasive container-inhabiting species with a global distribution. This mosquito, similar to other Stegomyia species such as Aedes aegypti (L.), is highly adapted to urban and suburban areas, and commonly oviposits in artificial containers, which are ubiquitous in these peridomestic environments. The increase in speed and amount of international travel and commerce, coupled with global climate change, have aided in the resurgence and expansion of Stegomyia species into new areas of North America. In many parts of their range, both species are implicated as significant vectors of emerging and re-emerging arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and now Zika. Although rapid and major advances have been made in the field of biology, ecology, genetics, taxonomy, and virology, relatively little has changed in the field of mosquito control in recent decades. This is particularly discouraging in regards to container-inhabiting mosquitoes, because traditional integrated mosquito management (IMM) approaches have not been effective against these species. Many mosquito control programs simply do not possess the man-power or necessary financial resources needed to suppress Ae. albopictus effectively. Therefore, control of mosquito larvae, which is the foundation of IMM approaches, is exceptionally difficult over large areas. This review paper addresses larval habitats, use of geographic information systems for habitat preference detection, door-to-door control efforts, source reduction, direct application of larvicides, biological control agents, area-wide low-volume application of larvicides, hot spot treatments, autodissemination stations, public education, adult traps, attractive-toxic sugar bait methods, lethal ovitraps, barrier-residual adulticides, hand-held ultra-low-volume adulticides, area-wide adulticides applied by ground or air, and genetic control methods. The review concludes with future recommendations for practitioners, researchers, private industry, and policy makers.
Subjunctive Verbs: A Result of Natural Grammatical Processes in First Language Acquisition, Second Language Learning, Language Variation, and Language History

This chapter shows that less-marked structures are acquired earlier by children and tend to be the basis of neutralization and analogical change in child language, as well as in second language learning, language variation, and historical change. I search for parallels in the acquisition, learning, variation, and history of mood in Spanish and French; I will construct a hierarchy of markedness explaining the development of mood in all these linguistic areas and language systems.
The Identification of Hypercoagulable Markers in Patients with Malignant Gliomas and Venous Thromboembolism.

Introduction : Patients with malignant gliomas have a high incidence of thrombotic events. There is no definitive data on what specific factors induce or predict for this hypercoagulable state. Aim : The purpose of this prospective study was to identify specific risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with malignant gliomas by examining suspected procoagulant markers in their plasma. Patients and Methods : Adult patients who presented for outpatient consultation to the neuro-oncology clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from 9/4/2003 to 6/9/2005 with a pathologically documented diagnosis of malignant glioma were evaluated for study. Patients with a prior diagnosis of VTE or on current chemotherapy or anticoagulant therapy were excluded. Upon study entry and prior to the initiation of radiation therapy or chemotherapy, a single peripheral blood sample was collected. Citrated plasma was stored at −80°C until batch testing occurred. Tests for D-dimer, von Willebrand factor antigen, fibrinogen, factor VIII, plasminogen, lupus anticoagulant, thrombin-antithrombin, and prothrombin fragment 1+2 were performed at reference laboratories. All patients were prospectively followed for development of symptomatic VTE (confirmed by radiological testing). Of the twenty-nine patients on study, twenty-five died and four are still alive. Time to death, number of recurrences, and number of hospitalizations were collected to determine if there was an association between these events and presence of VTE. Results: Twenty-nine patients who met criteria and had analyzable blood samples were included in study. The rate of symptomatic VTE was 24% and VTE occurred 1–13 months after entry onto the study. Development of VTE was associated with elevated levels of D-dimer [defined as greater than 500 mg/dL (p=0.0230)] and elevated levels of fibrinogen [defined as greater than 400% (p=0.0164)]. The median levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen were significantly greater in the patients who developed VTE compared to those who did not develop VTE (953 mg/dL v 481 mg/dL, p=0.0249 and 425% v 290%, p=0.0312, respectively). The number of hospitalizations was also significantly associated with the presence of VTE (p=0.0130). There was no association between the number of tumor recurrences/progressions or time to death and presence of VTE. All patients underwent surgery prior to study enrollment. There was no difference between the patients who developed VTE and those who did not in terms of timing of the surgery, presence of residual tumor, grade or type of tumor, or steroid use. Conclusion : The incidence of symptomatic VTE in patients with malignant gliomas was 24%. Elevated levels of D-dimer and fibrinogen at initiation of therapy were associated with the development of VTE. These risk factors may help determine which patients are at increased risk of VTE and might benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation. These suggestive results need to be confirmed in a larger trial.
Effect of Race and Ethnicity on Antihypertensive Medication Utilization Among Women in the United States: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Background Antihypertensive medication use may vary by race and ethnicity. Longitudinal antihypertensive medication use patterns are not well described in women. Methods and Results Participants from the Study of Women9s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a prospective cohort of women (n=3302, aged 42–52), who reported a diagnosis of hypertension or antihypertensive medication use at any annual visit were included. Antihypertensive medications were grouped by class and examined by race/ethnicity adjusting for potential confounders in logistic regression models. A total of 1707 (51.7%) women, mean age 50.6 years, reported hypertension or used antihypertensive medications at baseline or during follow‐up (mean 9.1 years). Compared with whites, blacks were almost 3 times as likely to receive a calcium channel blocker (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 2.24–3.82) and twice as likely to receive a thiazide diuretic (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.93–2.94). Blacks also had a higher probability of reporting use of ≥2 antihypertensive medications (odds ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.55–2.45) compared with whites. Use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and thiazide diuretics increased over time for all racial/ethnic groups. Contrary to our hypothesis, rates of β‐blocker usage did not decrease over time. Conclusions Among this large cohort of multiethnic midlife women, use of antihypertensive medications increased over time, with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers becoming the most commonly used antihypertensive medication, even for blacks. Thiazide diuretic utilization increased over time for all race/ethnic groups as did use of calcium channel blockers among blacks; both patterns are in line with guideline recommendations for the management of hypertension.
Practice patterns of bevacizumab-induced hypertension in cancer patients.

e20664 Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors such as bevacizumab (BV) can result in side-effects such as hypertension (HTN), proteinuria and acute kidney injury (AKI). Th...
Creating cellular: A history of the AMPS project (1971-1983) [History of Communications]

The article following, written by one of the lead engineers in the project, describes the development of AMPS, the first cellular telephone system in the United States. As noted, the project ran for over 12 years and required the services of a "vast number" of engineers at AT&T's Bell Labs. The hundreds of millions of people currently using cellphones, smart phones, and all the other mobile wireless equipment available in the United States, as well as everywhere else in the world, often take these devices and the infrastructure behind them for granted. Until the cellular concept was recognized, it wasn 't clear that many mobile phones could simultaneously share the same channels in a local area. With the cellular concept agreed on, problems such as tracking of cell phones and handoff from cell to cell had to be resolved. Computerized base stations had to be designed and tested. A myriad other important development and design issues and problems had to be resolved. Dick Frenkiel very clearly describes the various engineering problems that had to be solved, step by step, sometimes quite painstakingly. He gives credit to the many teams of Bell engineers who worked on this project. He also points out policy issues involving the FCC that had to be resolved. Competition for scarce radio spectral space was fierce. Competing engineering companies and telephone operators had to be assuaged. In the meantime, I urge you to read on through this exciting description of the genesis of cellular telephony in the United States.
Using Weight-of-Experts Messaging to Communicate Accurately About Contested Science

Research indicates that balanced news coverage of opposing scientific claims can result in heightened uncertainty among audiences about what is true. In this study, we test the ability of a weight-...
Cosupport computations for finitely generated modules over commutative noetherian rings

Abstract We show that the cosupport of a commutative noetherian ring is precisely the set of primes appearing in a minimal pure-injective resolution of the ring. As an application of this, we prove that every countable commutative noetherian ring has full cosupport. We also settle the comparison of cosupport and support of finitely generated modules over any commutative noetherian ring of finite Krull dimension. Finally, we give an example showing that the cosupport of a finitely generated module need not be a closed subset of Spec R, providing a negative answer to a question of Sather-Wagstaff and Wicklein [29] .
Psychophysical Tuning Curves as a Correlate of Electrode Position in Cochlear Implant Listeners

Speech understanding abilities vary widely among cochlear implant (CI) listeners. A potential source of this variability is the electrode-neuron interface (ENI), which includes peripheral factors such as electrode position and integrity of remaining spiral ganglion neurons. Suboptimal positioning of the electrode array has been associated with poorer speech outcomes; however, postoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans are often not available to clinicians. CT-estimated electrode-to-modiolus distance (distance from the inner wall of the cochlea) has been shown to account for some variability in behavioral thresholds. However, psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) may provide additional insight into site-specific variation in channel interaction. Thirteen unilaterally implanted adults with the Advanced Bionics HiRes90K device participated. Behavioral thresholds and PTCs were collected for all available electrodes with steered quadrupolar (sQP) configuration, using a modified threshold sweep procedure, used in Bierer et al. (Trends Hear 19:1-12, 2015). PTC bandwidths were quantified to characterize channel interaction across the electrode array, and tip shifts were assessed to identify possible contributions of neural dead regions. Broader PTC bandwidths were correlated with electrodes farther from the modiolus, but not correlated with sQP threshold, though a trend was observed. Both measures were affected by scalar location, and PTC tip shifts were observed for electrodes farther from the modiolus. sQP threshold was the only variable correlated with word recognition. These results suggest PTCs may be used as a site-specific measure of channel interaction that correlates with electrode position in some CI listeners.
Die Ausgangsbedingungen beim Mitarbeitergespräch (Organisatorisches Umfeld, Selbstbild, Bild vom anderen)

Auch wenn wir uns in dieser Arbeit nur mit dem Zwiegesprach zwischen einem Vorgesetzten und einem unterstellten Mitarbeiter befassen, so ist es doch sinnvoll, sich vorab kurz mit dem organisatorischen Umfeld zu beschaftigen, in dem solche Gesprache stattfinden.
Validation of a Two-Dimensional Hyperbolic System Modelling a Gas Fluidized Bed

Numerical solutions of a gas fluidized bed model in two space dimensions are presented. This model is hyperbolic and contains particle pressure, but no particle viscosity. The results are compared with experimental data available in the literature for a wide variety of phenomena. Investigated are: the rise velocity of a single, isolated bubble; the frequency of variation of bubble diameter with time; bubble splitting; bubble frequency and the coalescence of a bubble chain formed by gas injected through a single orifice; analysis of the coalescence of bubbles aligned vertically, as well as that of those not in vertical alignment; the formation of slugs in narrow beds; and, eruption at the bed surface. The simulation results show both qualitative and quantitative agreement with the literature.
A Talk with George Bernard Shaw

The January [1951] issue of the Atlantic Monthly carried on its outside cover a portrait of George Bernard Shaw and on its inside pages a report by Vincent Sheean of the last visit he had paid to Shaw before his death on November 1, 1950. This is only one of an impressive series of articles which have been published in all sorts of magazines and newspapers since last November articles indicative of the deep impression which the dramatist had made on his generation, nay, on many generations; for he was more than ninety-four years old when he died, and his long career had enabled him to include far more than one generation in the army of those who had been stirred by his restless mind and entertained by his Irish wit.
The Nature of Scientists' Nature of Science Views

What views of nature of science do scientists hold, and what are the implications of these views for science education? For science educators, nature of science is an important component of scientific literacy. Yet for scientists, nature of science is rarely a topic of thought or discussion. This chapter presents dialogue from interviews with two scientists as they discussed their views of nature of science from the perspective of their own research areas and experiences. A molecular biochemist and an astrophysicist offer insights into how they view specific nature of science aspects (such as tentativeness, creativity, and subjectivity) and how their views emerge from personal and contemporary science practices. The scientists portray a commitment and sophistication in what they say, while also demonstrating variety in their views. The chapter closes with implications for science education and questions for future research.
California Restrictive Employment Covenants After Edwards

In Edwards v. Arthur Andersen, the California Supreme Court reaffirmed the state's strong policy against noncompetition agreements, rejecting the Ninth Circuit's "narrow restraint" exception. We explain what the Court did, why California's policy makes sense, and what the opinion will mean for employers, for the high-tech industry, and for trade secret law.
Intravascular stimulation of the motor cortex

Minimally invasive intravascular electrodes chronically implanted via the superior sagittal sinus can stimulate the motor cortex of sheep, and elicit muscular activity.
NK cell expression of Tim-3: First impressions matter.

Abstract Given the heightened interest in manipulation of co-signaling cascades for cancer immunotherapy, we sought to determine how/whether tumors decorated with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) impact the expression of co-signaling molecules on human NK cells. Stimulation of NK cells with aggregated IgG1 resulted in the upregulation of HAVCR2 – the gene encoding T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-containing domain (Tim)-3 – known to be involved in the induction of peripheral T cell tolerance. This upregulation of HAVCR2 was recapitulated at the protein level, following NK cell stimulation by either mAb opsonized tumors, recombinant human IgG1 Fc multimer, and/or non-Fc stimuli e.g. IL-12/IL-18. The patterns of Tim-3 expression were temporally distinct from the FcR mediated induction of the co-signaling molecule, 4-1BB (CD137), with Tim-3 increases observed twenty minutes following exposure to Fc multimers and remaining at high levels for at least six hours, while increases in CD137 expression were first observed at the four-hour time point. Importantly, these Tim-3+ NK cells were functionally diverse, as evidenced by the fact that their ability to produce IFN-γ in response to an NK cell responsive tumor was strictly dependent upon the stimuli employed for Tim-3 induction. These data suggest that Tim-3 upregulation is the common end-result of NK cell activation by a variety of unique and overlapping stimuli and is not an independent marker of NK cell exhaustion. Furthermore, our observations potentially explain the diverse functionality attributed to Tim-3+ NK cells and should be considered prior to use of anti-Tim-3 inhibitory mAbs for cancer immunotherapy.
Design and Research of Trusted Acquisition Terminals Based on Domestic Password

As one of the core equipment of power consumption information collection system, the acquisition terminal carries a large amount of data and faces many information security risks. This paper analyzes the trusted computing system based on the China’s own cryptographic algorithm, combs the security risks faced by the acquisition terminal, and applies the trusted technology based on the China’s own cryptographic algorithm to the security reinforcement of the acquisition terminal. The design and research of the trusted acquisition terminal based on TCM is carried out from three aspects: the overall architecture, trusted start and trust chain transmission, which can improve the security and protection ability of the acquisition terminal effectively.
QoS-Aware Power Control in Internet of Drones for Data Collection Service

Internet of Drones (IoD) utilizes drones as the Internet of Things devices to collect information (e.g., air pollutant level and traffic condition) over different points of interests, and has been explored in several applications such as object tracking and traffic surveillance. However, owing to the limited battery capacity of drones, energy efficient strategies are required in IoD systems. Meanwhile, the varying wireless channel conditions as a drone flies in the air may degrade the user quality of service (QoS). Power control, which adapts to the varying channel conditions and also controls the energy consumption, helps address these challenges. In this paper, we investigate power control in IoD for the data collection service to minimize the energy consumption of a drone while meeting the QoS requirement. The problem is formulated as a sum-of-ratios fractional programming problem, which is NP-complete. We then propose a PowEr conTROL (PETROL) algorithm to solve this problem and derive its rate of convergence. Extensive simulations demonstrate the performances of PETROL.
Bright Future for Democracy

Lady Viqar-Un-Nisa Noon, Mr. Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Mr. Ross Masood Husain and especially my beloved friend, Dr. Raja Ikram Azam, and all the members and supporters of the Pakistan Futuristic Institute are to be most heartily congratulated for convening this regional conference of the World Futures Studies Federation to consider one of the most important, and perplexing, questions facing the world today: the future of democracy in developing countries. In my brief remarks today, however, I would like to expand the scope of that inquiry to make problematic the future of democracy anywhere in the world. I frankly am very doubtful that democracy has a bright future anywhere, unless there are more meetings like this, where the participants are willing and able to look frankly into the future, with all its tsunamis and whirlwinds of change rather than only, or merely, projecting past battles and circumstances into the future. It is also necessary for us to try to see clearly the new, as well as the old, forces and trends which are working against, as well as for, the creation of viable democracies. And finally, we need to be willing and able to look beyond the forms and structures of so-called democratic governments of the past and present and the social systems within which they are situated, and see what new, and hopefully more truly, democratic forms and structures might be envisioned and invented to take the place of those which emerged in response to historical and political pressures of the past which may, or may not, be as important, or important at all, in the future.
A 1 to 20 GHz Silicon-Germanium Low-Noise Distributed Driver for RF Silicon Photonic Mach-Zehnder Modulators

This paper investigates co-design of a broadband RF low-noise driver for silicon photonic (SiP) Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZM). The frequency response of SiP modulators demonstrates significant spur-free dynamic range (SFDR) reduction in microwave bands due to a reduction in the linearity and noise figure of the modulator. A low-noise distributed driver circuit is proposed in a 0.13µm SiGe process for the SiP modulator. The driver consists of a broadband LNA, an active balun, and a high-voltage swing driver. The MZM is fabricated in a 65-nm Silicon Photonic (SiP) process. The RoF transmitter achieves a 1-20 GHz bandwidth and an SFDR of 109 dB•Hz2/3 at 7 GHz and 11 GHz.
Staged Versus Complete Repair in the Symptomatic Neonate With Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background The optimal management of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in symptomatic neonates remains unknown. We compared outcomes for those undergoing palliation vs complete repair in the neonatal period. Methods In a retrospective cohort study of symptomatic neonates with TOF who had a neonatal complete repair (group 1, n = 112) or staged repair (group 2, n = 26) from 2000 to 2013, we compared outcomes at 4 time points: neonatal complete repair vs palliation (group 1 vs 2A), neonatal vs later complete repair (group 1 vs 2B), the single vs combined admissions to achieve a complete repair (group 1 vs group 2A + 2B), and cumulative events 2 years after complete repair for both groups. Results Demographics, anatomy, comorbidities, surgical approach, and mortality were similar between groups 1 and 2. Group 1 had a longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and more postprocedure cardiac events compared with group 2A; a longer duration of intubation, intensive care, and postprocedure hospital stay compared with groups 2A and 2B; and a longer total hospital stay compared with group 2B. With combined admissions for group 2, there was no difference in the total duration of intensive care, total hospital stay, or reinterventions compared with group 1. Conclusions Both management options result in similar survival; however, early morbidity was greater with neonatal complete repair. The impact of increased neonatal exposures, such as cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, and intensive care, on neurocognitive development requires further study but should be considered when choosing an optimal strategy.
Critical timing of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) removal in sweetpotato

Palmer amaranth is the most common and troublesome weed in North Carolina sweetpotato. Field studies were conducted in Clinton, NC, in 2016 and 2017 to determine the critical timing of Palmer amaranth removal in ‘Covington’ sweetpotato. Palmer amaranth was grown with sweetpotato from transplanting to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 wk after transplanting (WAP) and maintained weed-free for the remainder of the season. Palmer amaranth height and shoot dry biomass increased as Palmer amaranth removal was delayed. Season-long competition by Palmer amaranth interference reduced marketable yields by 85% and 95% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Sweetpotato yield loss displayed a strong inverse linear relationship with Palmer amaranth height. A 0.6% and 0.4% decrease in yield was observed for every centimeter of Palmer amaranth growth in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The critical timing for Palmer amaranth removal, based on 5% loss of marketable yield, was determined by fitting a log-logistic model to the relative yield data and was determined to be 2 WAP. These results show that Palmer amaranth is highly competitive with sweetpotato and should be managed as early as possible in the season. The requirement of an early critical timing of weed removal to prevent yield loss emphasizes the importance of early-season scouting and Palmer amaranth removal in sweetpotato fields. Any delay in removal can result in substantial yield reductions and fewer premium quality roots.Nomenclature: Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.; sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas L. Lam. ‘Covington'
Questioning a Single Narrative: Multiple Identities Shaping Black Queer and Transgender Student Retention:

Researchers explore factors that influence retention and persistence of queer and transgender students and examine retention and persistence among Black students. However, there is a dearth of rete...
An Ecological Perspective on Dolomite Formation in Great Salt Lake, Utah

Protodolomite was detected in sediments from Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, U.S.A. that have no history of elevated temperature or pressure, conditions that are thought to promote dolomitization of sedimentary carbonates. Protodolomite was abundant in a non-oolitic sediment core from the South Arm (SA) of GSL at 26% salinity. Protodolomite was also abundant in a non-oolitic NA sediment hand sample yet was absent in a nearby oolitic sediment hand sample in locations that likely receive allochthonous nutrients. Protodolomite was not detected in benthic photosynthetic mats from the SA. However, the mats comprised aragonite with halite and minimal calcite; benthic photosynthetic mats do not form in the NA. To begin to identify potential controls on the formation of protodolomite in the SA and NA of GSL, the composition and abundance of 16S rRNA gene transcripts, carbon cycling activities, and porewater geochemistry of the sediment cores were characterized. Transcripts affiliated with a dominant halophilic, heterotrophic sulfate-reducing bacterium were detected in the uppermost sections of the SA core and their abundance was positively correlated with rates of acetate oxidation/assimilation and concentrations of sulfide. Differences in the quality of organic matter between the SA and NA cores, as indicated by carbon to nitrogen ratios, indicate fresh deposition of photosynthetic biomass at the SA sediment core site but not in the NA sediment core site. Sediment grains from the SA core exhibit micrometer-sized euhedral protodolomite crystals that were not detected in the NA core. Collectively, these observations suggest that deposition of photosynthetic biomass drives the development of a sharp, anoxic lens of heterotrophic sulfate reduction. Sulfide, in turn, may promote dehydration of Mg2+-water complexes and primary protodolomite nucleation and growth. The scarcity of dolomite in the NA sediment core may result from constraints imposed by a combination of extreme hypersalinity and depositional environment on phototrophs and sulfate reducers, their activities, and the thermodynamics of protodolomite formation.
African-American and caucasian female cancer patients’ cancer and treatment information needs and preferred information sources

9073 Background: Patients need information to maximize access to appropriate care, make informed decisions about treatment and communicate with their physicians and other healthcare providers. This...
Territoriality drives preemptive habitat selection in recovering wolves: Implications for carnivore conservation

According to the ideal-free distribution (IFD), individuals within a population are free to select habitats that maximize their chances of success. Assuming knowledge of habitat quality, the IFD predicts that average fitness will be approximately equal among individuals and between habitats, while density varies, implying that habitat selection will be density dependent. Populations are often assumed to follow an IFD, although this assumption is rarely tested with empirical data, and may be incorrect when territoriality indicates habitat selection tactics that deviate from the IFD (e.g. ideal-despotic distribution or ideal-preemptive distribution). When territoriality influences habitat selection, species' density will not directly reflect components of fitness such as reproductive success or survival. In such cases, assuming an IFD can lead to false conclusions about habitat quality. We tested theoretical models of density-dependent habitat selection on a species known to exhibit territorial behaviour in order to determine whether commonly applied habitat models are appropriate under these circumstances. We combined long-term radiotelemetry and census data from grey wolves Canis lupus in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA to relate spatiotemporal variability in wolf density to underlying classifications of habitat within a hierarchical state-space modelling framework. We then iteratively applied isodar analysis to evaluate which distribution of habitat selection best described this recolonizing wolf population. The wolf population in our study expanded by >1,000% during our study (~50 to >600 individuals), and density-dependent habitat selection was most consistent with the ideal-preemptive distribution, as opposed to the ideal-free or ideal-despotic alternatives. Population density of terrestrial carnivores may not be positively correlated with the fitness value of their habitats, and density-dependent habitat selection patterns may help to explain complex predator-prey dynamics and cascading indirect effects. Source-sink population dynamics appear likely when species exhibit rapid growth and occupy interspersed habitats of contrasting quality. These conditions are likely and have implications for large carnivores in many systems, such as areas in North America and Europe where large predator species are currently recolonizing their former ranges.
Electrohydrodimerization of biomass-derived furfural generates a jet fuel precursor

Despite the increasing interest in upgrading biomass-derived molecules to value-added products, the electrochemical conversion of biomass platform chemicals to highly valuable biofuels, such as jet fuel, has not yet received wide attention. Herein, we report a catalyst-free electrochemical route for the production of a jet fuel precursor, hydrofuroin, from the electrohydrodimerization of furfural, which can be readily derived from lignocellulose and already has an industrial production of 300 000 tons per year. Detailed electrochemical studies using carbon and copper electrodes at various pH values enabled us to probe the reduction mechanism of furfural and obtain the kinetic details, such as the diffusion constant and electron transfer rate. Preparative electrolysis in a batch electrolyzer achieved a high yield of hydrofuroin (94%) with an excellent faradaic efficiency of 93%. Finally, a flow electrolyzer was employed to demonstrate the great promise of large-scale production of hydrofuroin from the electrohydrodimerization of furfural.
Vulvar Nevus and Malignant Melanoma

The vulvar nevus was the first lesion to be recognized to have unique features so that it was originally designated as vulvar atypia. It is now clear that the vulva is one area of the skin, areolar in women, penis in men, and ear to have unique features attributed to the anatomic sites. In this chapter, the issue of vulvar nevus will be clearly defined with emphasis on the varying degree of cytologic atypia that occur on this special site as well as other features such as mitotic activity, maturation, and unusual growth feature that accompanied time of altering hormone during pregnancy. Emphasis will be placed on the differences between these lesions and dysplastic nevi as well as melanoma in situ. In addition, a review of malignant melanoma involving the vulva will be discussed.
The COVID-19 Trial Finder.

Clinical trials are the gold standard for generating reliable medical evidence. The biggest bottleneck in clinical trials is recruitment. To facilitate recruitment, tools for patient search of relevant clinical trials have been developed, but users often suffer from information overload. With nearly 700 COVID-19 trials conducted in the United States as of August 2020, it is imperative to enable rapid recruitment to these studies. The COVID-19 Trial Finder was designed to facilitate patient-centered search of COVID-19 trials, first by location and radius distance from trial sites, and then by brief, dynamically-generated medical questions to allow users to pre-screen their eligibility for nearby COVID-19 trials with minimum human computer interaction. A simulation study using 20 publicly available patient case reports demonstrates its precision and effectiveness.
Pedagogy in a pandemic: Responsibilisation and agency in the (re)making of teachers

This paper focuses on the making of teachers as educational subjects within a specific socio-historical context. It attempts to create a critical ontology of teacher identity, as highlighted by ped...
The Case for Virtual Sepsis Surveillance and Intervention.

Study Objective: To determine whether deployment of an integrated virtual sepsis surveillance program could improve time to antibiotics and mortality in a longitudinal cohort of non-present on admi...
The bagel and blob signs in tubal ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy carries the potential for disastrous maternal complications. Early first trimester pelvic ultrasound examinations are frequently obtained in cases of pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding to assess for such diagnoses. The "bagel sign" and the "blob sign" described two sonographic appearances of tubal ectopic pregnancy with positive predictive values of > 95%. Current ectopic pregnancy consensus statements differ in the interpretation of these findings; however, radiologists should have familiarity with the appearances of these findings so as to best educate ordering providers on the potential for presence of a tubal ectopic pregnancy and need for very close patient surveillance.
Fisura anal: anatomía, patogenia y tratamiento

Anal fissure is a common anorectal condition. While it often presents as a small oval tear in the anoderm, it can cause significant pain and anguish to the patient. The exact etiology is still debatable but increased anal tone is associated with most fissures. The initial management is medical with agents intended to reduce the anal tone. More chronic fissures usually require surgical intervention. Lateral internal sphincterotomy has a high success rates and is considered the gold standard of interventions.In this article we review the relevant anatomy, pathophysiology and contemporary treatment optionsfor anal fissures.
A Case of Chilblains-like Lesions Post SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine?

SARS-CoV-2 has been described to cause "COVID [coronavirus disease] toes," a chilblains-like syndrome.1,2,3 A 33-year-old White woman was evaluated in the hospital for painful new-onset blue and purple nodules on the tips of 3 fingers and 2 toes, 7 days after receiving the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Figure 1).
Rapidly Progressing Moyamoya Syndrome Secondary to Meningovascular Neurosyphilis and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Moyamoya syndrome is a chronic and progressive narrowing of the arteries in the brain caused by different mechanisms than the genetic mutation that leads to moyamoya disease. It is characterized by the narrowing and/or closing of the carotid artery with a collateral circulation development around the blocked vessels to compensate for the ischemia. In this report, we present a unique case of moyamoya syndrome that developed over the course of a few months in a patient with new-onset strokes and seizures in the setting of late diagnosis of neurosyphilis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To our knowledge, moyamoya syndrome secondary to coinfection with AIDS and meningovascular neurosyphilis has only been reported once in the literature.
The Effect of Annealing Thin Film Parylene C-Platinum Interfaces Characterized by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy

Thin film Parylene C has increasingly been employed as a substrate material with metals like platinum (Pt), especially in MEMS implantable devices. To assist in device design, broadband dielectric spectroscopy (up to 110 GHz) can characterize such materials with unique advantages unavailable in more-commonly used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (up to 1 MHz). In this work, coplanar waveguides (CPWs) fabricated from electron-beam evaporated Pt coated with Parylene C were measured with broadband dielectric spectroscopy to characterize the effect of thermal annealing. We confirmed that annealing caused no significant changes in Parylene C permittivity $(2.85\pm 0.13$ and $2.80\pm 0.18$ before and after annealing; respectively) and extended the upper frequency limit to 110 GHz for the known permittivity value. Pt resistivity was unexpectedly reduced by 20% from annealing. Results and implications herein may inform fabrication-related design considerations of implantable devices using thin film Parylene C and Pt metal with radio frequency (RF) applications such as wireless power and data transfer.
Racial Disparities in Poststroke Activity Limitations Are Not due to Differences in Prestroke Activity Limitation.

Background African Americans experience greater poststroke disability than whites. We explored whether these differences are because of differences in prestroke function. Methods The Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) is a nationally representative US panel survey of families and their descendants. We included all PSID respondents who reported an incident stroke between 2001 and 2011. Our primary outcome was an index representing the sum of total activities of daily living (ADL) limitations (0-7), and the secondary outcome was an index of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) limitations (0-6). Survey-weighted descriptive statistics and Poisson regression were used to estimate racial differences in ADL and IADL before, with, and after the wave when incident stroke was reported. Results A total of 534 incident strokes were identified, 198 (37%) in African Americans. There were no prestroke racial differences in activity limitations (.7 versus .7, P = .99). In the wave of the incident stroke (between 0 and 2 years from incident stroke), African Americans had considerably more ADL limitations than whites (2.2 versus 1.5, P = .048). These racial differences persisted after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. For IADLs, adjusted models suggested small prestroke racial differences and larger poststroke differences. Conclusions Racial disparities in poststroke ADL limitations are not due to prestroke activity limitations. Instead, differences appear largest in the first 2 years after stroke.
Chapter 12 Structure of Microvascular Networks in Genetic Hypertension

Microvascular rarefaction, defined by a loss of terminal arterioles, small venules, and/or capillaries, is a common characteristic of the hypertension syndrome. While rarefaction has been associated with vessel-specific free radical production, deficient leukocyte adhesion, and cellular apoptosis, the relationships of rarefaction with structural alterations at the network and cellular level remain largely unexplored. The objective of this study was to examine the architecture and perivascular cell phenotypes along microvascular networks in hypertensive versus normotensive controls in the context of imbalanced angiogenesis. Mesenteric tissues from age-matched adult male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were harvested and immunolabeled for PECAM and neuron-glia antigen 2 (NG2). Evaluation of intact rat mesenteric microvascular networks rats suggests that network alterations associated with hypertension are more complex than just a loss of vessels. Typical SHR versus WKY networks demonstrate a reduced branching architecture marked by more proximal arteriole/venous anastomoses and an absence of NG2 labeling along arterioles. Although less frequent, larger SHR microvascular networks display regions of dramatically increased vascular density. SHR and WKY lymphatic networks demonstrate increased vessel diameters and vascular density compared to networks in normotensive Wistar rats (the strain from which both the SHR and WKY originated). These observations provide a rationale for investigating the presence of local angiogenic factors and response of microvascular networks to therapies aimed at reversing rarefaction in genetic hypertension.
Neuronal Plasmalemmal Disruptions are Exacerbated in Perivascular Domains Following Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury in Swine (S27.006)

OBJECTIVE: To determine if neurons in perivascular domains are vulnerable to trauma-induced plasmalemmal damage following single or repetitive closed-head traumatic brain injury (TBI) in swine. BACKGROUND: Repetitive TBI may result in a neurodegenerative disease referred to as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A feature of CTE is preferential involvement of neurons around mid-size blood vessels. One possible explanation is that biomechanical loading profiles are maximal at vasculature-brain tissue interfaces. DESIGN/METHODS: Swine were subjected to sham conditions or rotational head acceleration (114-299 radians/second) using a HYGE pneumatic actuator, either a single injury or two injuries separated by 15 minutes or 7 days. To assess plasmalemmal compromise, Lucifer Yellow (LY), a small (457 Da) cell impermeant dye, was administered into the lateral ventricles prior to injury. Animals were sacrificed within 15 minutes, 8 hours, or 7 days post-injury (n=21 total) for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Closed-head inertial TBI induced acute plasmalemmal permeability in neural cells, virtually exclusively in neurons. LY+ cells were concentrated around blood vessels in the cerebral cortex, sub-cortical white matter and thalamus/midbrain following single or repetitive TBI (each p<0.05 vs. sham). Maximal perivascular cell permeability was observed following repetitive TBI separated by 7 days (p<0.01). This exacerbated cell permeability following delayed repetitive TBI corresponded with dramatic increases in astrocyte reactivity around blood vessels. Remarkably, approximately 11[percnt] of blood vessels were surrounded by LY+ cells following delayed repetitive TBI, versus 6[percnt] following same-day repetitive and 4[percnt] following single TBI (each p<0.05 vs. sham). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that micro-structural discontinuities at vasculature-brain tissue interfaces contribute to exacerbated plasmalemmal damage following TBI. Ongoing analyses are assessing the co-occurrence of plasmalemmal damage with the emergence of traumatic proteinopathies and evolving neurodegeneration. Study Supported by: Department of Veterans Affairs (RR&D Merit Award #B1097-I), National Institutes of Health (NINDS T32-NS043126), and Penn’s University Research Foundation. Disclosure: Dr. Duda holds stock and/or stock options in General Electric and Celgene, Inc. Dr. Harris has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kuo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cullen has nothing to disclose.
Teniposide-induced changes in the physical properties of phosphatidylcholine liposomes. A calorimetric study.

Abstract The anticancer agent teniposide has significant effects on plasma membrane components, in addition to its well known nuclear effects. Alterations in the properties and function of cellular membranes by various amphipathic compounds have been attributed previously to their relatively nonspecific interactions with membrane components. We have examined the interaction of teniposide with defined model membranes by monitoring drug-induced changes in the melting profile of phospholipids by differential scanning calorimetry. The main phase transition temperature of dimyristoyl- or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine was lowered and broadened by the presence of teniposide in the liposomes. These effects were essentially linear over the concentration range of 1–5 mole %. The calorimetric enthalpy of the gel to liquid-crystalline transition of the phospholipids was not changed by the addition of the drug. The characteristic pretransition of these saturated phospholipids was decreased by teniposide concentrations as low as 0.1 mole % and was abolished at teniposide concentrations greater than 1 mole %. The data confirm the lipophilic nature of teniposide and indicate that the non-specific interactions with membrane lipids should be considered when evaluating the membrane-related effects of this agent.
Distributed amplifier design for low noise applications

Design considerations for a distributed amplifier as a low-noise front-end block are discussed. Noise analysis for the distributed amplifier with real transmission lines is shown in detail. The analysis for gain and noise figure is verified with simulation results from a 5-stage distributed amplifier implemented in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process.
Water Treeing in Solid Dielectrics

The phenomenon of water-tree degradation of polyolefin insulating materials is reviewed with particular emphasis on the materials aspect of the problem. Specific topics include: methods of producing water trees in the laboratory, water-tree morphology, the nature of tree growth curves, and the effects of temperature, material, electrical variables, chemical factors and physical and mechanical changes on tree growth. Proposed mechanisms for tree initiation and growth, and contradictions in mechanisms and observations, are analyzed. Where possible, suggestions are made for experiments which would help clarify points of dispute. Appendices contain commonly accepted methods for staining treed materials, including filled rubber.
Audio-enhanced paper photos: encouraging social interaction at age 105

Photographs are powerful and pervasive media that facilitate communication and support reminiscence. Adding audio narrations to traditional paper photographs combines the familiarity of paper photos with the nuanced richness of voice. We enable creation of and interaction with audio-enhanced paper photographs through custom software deployed on a digital pen. This paper reports on use of a paper-digital photo album by an older adult (Ethel, age 105), her extended family, and nursing staff over a five-month field deployment. The interactive photo album was found to be easy to use and accessible, effectively engaged Ethel's and family members' interest, and provided a focal point for communication and social interaction. Family and caregivers report improvements in Ethel's social interaction. We discuss the properties of our audio-enhanced paper approach that make it a promising medium for engaging older adults and distill general design considerations for paper-digital photo albums.