cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application and interpretation of histocompatibility data in pediatric kidney transplantation.

Purpose of review Advances in technology to assess immunologic risk in solid organ transplant offer an opportunity to optimize the approach to pediatric deceased donor kidney transplant in the setting of a new allocation system in the United States. Recent findings Degree of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, class II HLA mismatch, unacceptable antigens and donor-specific antibody (DSA) detected by solid-phase assays, and epitope matching pretransplant affect pediatric kidney transplant outcomes. Detection of de novo DSAs (dnDSAs) posttransplant has been associated with increased risk of acute rejection and worse allograft function. Development of dnDSA occurs in recipients with greater epitope mismatching. Summary Improved long-term outcomes may be anticipated in pediatric kidney transplant recipients by incorporating extended HLA mismatch information and updating the clinical approach to donor kidney matching using available technology to identify clinically relevant immunologic risk.
New capsular tension segment with 2-point fixation for zonular weakness

We describe clinical applications and surgical techniques for a new type of capsular tension segment (CTS) for use during cataract surgery. The Ambati CTS is distinguished from other CTS devices by having 2 eyelets close to each other, which allows it to distribute tension to 2 points, avoiding too much stress at a single point on the anterior capsulotomy, which prevents peaking of the capsulorhexis, and potentially reducing the risk for anterior capsule tear. Two of these CTS devices could possibly be used to provide 4-point fixation of a capsular bag in eyes with near-complete zonular instability. We describe 4 cases and 2 surgical techniques for implanting the new CTS, 1 technique in an adult patient with zonular weakness secondary to trauma and the other in 3 children with subluxated lenses due to Marfan syndrome.
Overview of thermal ablation therapy for focal hepatic neoplasms

Percutaneous image-guided ablative therapies using thermal energy sources such as radiofrequency, microwave, high intensity focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, and laser have received much recent attention as minimally-invasive strategies for the treatment of focal malignancy in the liver. Potential benefits of these techniques include the ability to ablate tumor in non-surgical candidates, reduced morbidity as compared to surgery, and the potential to perform the procedure on an outpatient basis. This article will present an overview of the principles and techniques used for thermal ablation, as well as review the results of published clinical trials.
Engaging Diverse Men: An Intersectional Analysis of Men’s Pathways to Antiviolence Activism:

Despite the demonstrated utility of intersectionality, research on men allied with women’s rights movements has largely focused on white, heterosexual, middle-class, young men. This study illustrat...
Understanding the polychalcogenides as building blocks to solid state materials: Speciation of polychalcogenides in solutions

Abstract Many chalcogenide compounds are formed from a diverse set of primary building blocks that include binary salts of alkali metal chalcogenides that are reacted with metals or metal salts in a variety of solutions and reaction conditions to form highly-diverse structures with varying and interesting physical properties. This review expands upon an earlier review by our group in 1997 that incorporates many of the more recent studies on the speciation of polysulfides, polyselenides, and polytellurides in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions and what has been learned in the intervening 20 years. We introduce comparisons of solution speciation across different spectroscopic platforms and provide further evidence for the use of electrospray mass spectrometry, in conjunction with complementary techniques that offer a glimpse of possible reaction compositions that lead to new materials.
The value of waivers from the affordable care act

ABSTRACTThe Affordable Care Act requires health insurance plans to offer coverage without annual limits. This requirement began to be enforced in September of 2010, but some employers received special waivers that delayed the start of enforcement for them. Using data from the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP), we conduct an event study of the stock prices of these companies as their waivers were announced. We find that waivers do not lead to a statistically significant increase in the stock prices of waiver recipients.
Adaptable liquid crystal elastomers with transesterification-based bond exchange reactions

Adaptable liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have recently emerged to provide a new and robust method to program monodomain LCE samples. When a constant stress is applied with active bond exchange reactions (BERs), polymer chains and mesogens gradually align in the strain direction. Mesogen alignment is maintained after removing the BER stimulus (e.g. by lowering the temperature) and the programmed LCE samples exhibit free-standing two-way shape switching behavior. Here, a new adaptable main-chain LCE system was developed with thermally induced transesterification BERs. The network combines the conventional properties of LCEs, such as an isotropic phase transition and soft elasticity, with the dynamic features of adaptable network polymers, which are malleable to stress relaxation due to the BERs. Polarized Fourier transform infrared measurements confirmed the alignment of polymer chains and mesogens after strain-induced programming. The influence of the creep stress, temperature, and time on the strain amplitude of two-way shape switching was examined. The LCE network demonstrates an innovative feature of reprogrammability, where the reversible shape-switching memory of programmed LCEs is readily deleted by free-standing heating as random BERs disrupt the mesogen alignment, so LCEs are reprogrammed after returning to the polydomain state. Due to the dynamic nature of the LCE network, it also exhibits a surface welding effect and can be fully dissolved in the organic solvent, which might be utilized for green and sustainable recycling of LCEs.
Optic Nerve Regeneration After Crush Remodels the Injury Site: Molecular Insights From Imaging Mass Spectrometry.

Author(s): Stark, David T; Anderson, David MG; Kwong, Jacky MK; Patterson, Nathan Heath; Schey, Kevin L; Caprioli, Richard M; Caprioli, Joseph | Abstract: PurposeMammalian central nervous system axons fail to regenerate after injury. Contributing factors include limited intrinsic growth capacity and an inhibitory glial environment. Inflammation-induced optic nerve regeneration (IIR) is thought to boost retinal ganglion cell (RGC) intrinsic growth capacity through progrowth gene expression, but effects on the inhibitory glial environment of the optic nerve are unexplored. To investigate progrowth molecular changes associated with reactive gliosis during IIR, we developed an imaging mass spectrometry (IMS)-based approach that identifies discriminant molecular signals in and around optic nerve crush (ONC) sites.MethodsONC was performed in rats, and IIR was established by intravitreal injection of a yeast cell wall preparation. Optic nerves were collected at various postcrush intervals, and longitudinal sections were analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) IMS and data mining. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to compare discriminant molecular features with cellular features of reactive gliosis.ResultsIIR increased the area of the crush site that was occupied by a dense cellular infiltrate and mass spectral features consistent with lysosome-specific lipids. IIR also increased immunohistochemical labeling for microglia and macrophages. IIR enhanced clearance of lipid sulfatide myelin-associated inhibitors of axon growth and accumulation of simple GM3 gangliosides in a spatial distribution consistent with degradation of plasma membrane from degenerated axons.ConclusionsIIR promotes a robust phagocytic response that improves clearance of myelin and axon debris. This growth-permissive molecular remodeling of the crush injury site extends our current understanding of IIR to include mechanisms extrinsic to the RGC.
An experimentally-calibrated damage mechanics model for stone fracture in shock wave lithotripsy

A damage model suggested by the Tuler–Butcher concept of dynamic accumulation of microscopic defects is obtained from experimental data on microcrack formation in synthetic kidney stones. Experimental data on appearance of microcracks is extracted from micro-computed tomography images of BegoStone simulants obtained after subjecting the stone to successive pulses produced by an electromagnetic shock-wave lithotripter source. Image processing of the data is used to infer statistical distributions of crack length and width in representative transversal cross-sections of a cylindrical stone. A high-resolution finite volume computational model, capable of accurately modeling internal reflections due to local changes in material properties produced by material damage, is used to simulate the accumulation of damage due to successive shocks. Comparison of statistical distributions of microcrack formation in computation and experiment allows calibration of the damage model. The model is subsequently used to compute fracture of a different aspect-ratio cylindrical stone predicting concurrent formation of two main fracture areas as observed experimentally.
Effects of Geometric Toy Design on Parent-Child Interactions and Spatial Language.

Abstract Geometric forms have formal definitions. While knowing shape names is considered important for school-readiness, many children do not understand the defining features of shapes until well into elementary school ( Satlow & Newcombe, 1998 ). One reason is likely that they do not encounter enough variety in the shapes they see ( Resnick, Verdine, Golinkoff, & Hirsh-Pasek, 2016 ). The present study observed 60 parents and their 3-year-old children during play with geometric toys, exploring how spatial language varied with the nature of the shape-toy set (canonical shapes versus a mix of canonical and unusual or less-canonical variants) and whether geometric shapes were presented as tangible, traditional toys or shown on a touchscreen tablet app. Although children in the app condition heard more shape names than the other conditions due to the language produced by the app itself, children used more overall words and more spatial language with tangible toys that included varied shapes. In addition, parents used more shape names with sons than with daughters and tended to adjust their use of spatial language more in response to varied shape sets with boys, although these findings need replication to evaluate generality. These data suggest that including non-canonical shapes in tangible shape toys may provide a low-cost, high-impact way of refining adult-child interactions that might facilitate children’s early geometric knowledge.
Modern Hungers: Food and Power in Twentieth-Century Germany

As this review was in preparation, major media outlets ramped up their coverage of the ongoing Venezuelan food crisis. Reports varied detailing a wave of malnutrition and food scarcity, both of whi...
The fatty acid composition of the retinal vasculature of normal and diabetic human eyes.

The fatty acid composition of the human retinal vasculature has been determined. The principal constituents were palmitate, stearate, oleate, and arachidonate. Retinal vessel preparations were found to differ in composition from the retina as a whole in that they contained proportionately less stearate and very little docosahexaenoate. Although marked alterations in the morphology of retinal blood vessels are known to occur tuith advancing age and diabetes, these changes were not found to be accompanied by major alterations in the relative abundance of the principal fatty acids of vessel preparations.
Pediatric Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication

Indications for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in the pediatric population are similar to those for the adult population. On top of that, in the pediatric population, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also be complicated by failure to thrive, recurrent episodes of aspiration, and laryngospasm leading to severe cyanotic or apneic events. These are also indications for Nissen fundoplication. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
Literacies in Families and Communities

Over the last three decades, research on family and community literacy practices has moved from the periphery to center stage in a quest to understand which policies best support the acquisition and development of literacy skills among diverse populations. Indeed, some of the most important theoretical insights concerning the nature and acquisition of literacy in the last twenty-five years have come from research focusing on contexts outside of traditional school domains, that is, in homes and communities (Hull & Schultz, 2002). Correspondingly, within policy circles, addressing family and community roles in literacy development is increasingly viewed as essential for “breaking the cycle of illiteracy” and for resolving many countries’ “literacy crises” (Auerbach, 1989).
Evaporation of Pure Liquids from Open Surfaces

We developed an estimation technique for the evaporation rate of volatile liquids from open surfaces in the presence of a flowing air stream which, we believe, is an improvement over previous methods, particularly when the air velocity is greater than about 50 centimeters per second (100 feet per minute). The estimation technique is predicated on solution of the classical mass transfer coefficient model with the gas-phase mass transfer coefficient estimated by the correlation of Mackay and Matsugu. The new technique requires only the vapor pressure and molecular weight of the vaporizing substance, the ambient air temperature and velocity, and the area of the liquid pool for its solution. Other properties of the ambient air are incorporated into the model by the kinetic theory of gases. Our model was tested against experimental results on 19 different organic compounds generated by four different experimenters over a wide range of experimental conditions. The model matched the experimental data well, usually within 20 percent. The model can be used to obtain estimates of the evaporation rates of organic liquids resulting from spills or open surface operations.
Generating Sample Paths

This chapter develops methods for simulating paths of a variety of stochastic processes important in financial engineering. The emphasis in this chapter is on methods for exact simulation of continuous-time processes at a discrete set of dates. The methods are exact in the sense that the joint distribution of the simulated values coincides with the joint distribution of the continuous-time process on the simulation time grid. Exact methods rely on special features of a model and are generally available only for models that offer some tractability. More complex models must ordinarily be simulated through, e.g., discretization of stochastic differential equations, as discussed in Chapter 6.
Chronic Nicotine Exposure Reduces Antioxidant Function of Simvastatin in Renal Proximal Tubule Cells.

Background/aim We have previously reported that simvastatin exhibits antioxidant properties via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP-response element binding (CREB) protein-dependent induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) and chronic nicotine exposure inhibits ERK/CREB signaling in renal proximal tubule cells (through p66shc). Herein, whether nicotine dampens simvastatin-dependent HO1 induction was determined. Materials and methods Renal proximal tubule (NRK52E) cells were pre-treated with 200 μM nicotine for 24 h followed by 10 μM simvastatin. Promoter activity of HO1 and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and activation of CREB and ERK (via ELK1) were determined in luciferase reporter assays. CREB and p66shc were modulated via genetic means. Results Nicotine suppressed simvastatin-dependent activation of HO1 and MnSOD promoters and activity of CREB and ELK1 via p66shc. Overexpression of CREB or knockdown of p66shc restored simvastatin-dependent induction of HO1 and MnSOD in the presence of nicotine. Conclusion Antioxidant efficiency of simvastatin might be significantly lessened in smokers/E-cigarette users.
Image Fusion: an Introduction to Multispectral Signal Processing

A new generation of affordable infrared (IR) cameras provides both IR and visible images, which allows professors to introduce the concept of multispectral (and hyperspectral) signal processing in a particularly motivating way for students. We describe the use of a FLIR E60 camera in a graduate digital image processing course, in which IR and visible images were used as the basis for an open-ended final project in the course. We used both pre- and post-project questionnaires to confirm that the project was a positive experience for the students, and helped motivate them to master the course material.
“There’s a difference between Black people and n******”: A cultural contracts exploration of interracial communication barriers

Fear, prejudice, and racism create communication barriers between Black and White individuals which complicates interracial communication (Hopson, 2011). This qualitative, interpretive analysis is ...
A longitudinal characterization of perfusion in the aging brain and associations with cognition and neural structure.

Cerebral perfusion declines across the lifespan and is altered in the early stages of several age-related neuropathologies. Little is known, however, about the longitudinal evolution of perfusion in healthy older adults, particularly when perfusion is quantified using magnetic resonance imaging with arterial spin labeling (ASL). The objective was to characterize longitudinal perfusion in typically aging adults and elucidate associations with cognition and brain structure. Adults who were functionally intact at baseline (n = 161, ages 47-89) underwent ASL imaging to quantify whole-brain gray matter perfusion; a subset (n = 136) had repeated imaging (average follow-up: 2.3 years). Neuropsychological testing at each visit was summarized into executive function, memory, and processing speed composites. Global gray matter volume, white matter microstructure (mean diffusivity), and white matter hyperintensities were also quantified. We assessed baseline associations among perfusion, cognition, and brain structure using linear regression, and longitudinal relationships using linear mixed effects models. Greater baseline perfusion, particularly in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right thalamus, was associated with better executive functions. Greater whole-brain perfusion loss was associated with worsening brain structure and declining processing speed. This study helps validate noninvasive MRI-based perfusion imaging and underscores the importance of cerebral blood flow in cognitive aging.
A 28-/37-/39-GHz Linear Doherty Power Amplifier in Silicon for 5G Applications

This paper presents the first 28-/37-/39-GHz linear Doherty power amplifier (PA) in silicon for broadband fifth-generation (5G) applications. We introduce a new transformer-based on-chip Doherty power combiner that can reduce the impedance transformation ratio (ITR) in power back-off (PBO) and, thus, improve the bandwidth and power-combining efficiency. We also devise a “driver-PA co-design” method that creates power-dependent uneven feeding in the Doherty PA and enhances the Doherty operation without any hardware overhead or bandwidth compromise. For the proof of concept, we implement a 28-/37-/39-GHz PA fully integrated in a standard 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS process, which occupies 1.8 mm $^{\mathbf {2}}$ . The PA achieves a 52% −3-dB small-signal $\text{S}_{\mathbf {21}}$ bandwidth and a 40% −1-dB large-signal saturated output power ( $\text{P}_{\mathbf {sat}}$ ) bandwidth. At 28/37/39 GHz, the PA achieves +16.8−/+17.1−/+17-dBm $\text{P}_{\mathbf {sat}}$ , +15.2−/+15.5−/+15.4-dBm $\text{P}_{\mathbf {1\,dB}}$ , and superior 1.72/1.92/1.62 times efficiency enhancement over class-B operation at 5.9-/6-/6.7-dB PBO. Moreover, the PA demonstrates multi-gigabit-per-second data rates with excellent efficiency and linearity for 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (64-QAM) in three millimeter-wave (mm-wave) 5G bands. This PA advances the state of the art for Doherty, wideband, and 5G silicon PAs in mm-wave bands. It supports drop-in upgrade for current PAs in existing mm-wave systems and opens doors to compact system solutions for future multiband 5G massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and phased-array platforms.
Inverse-designed photonic fibers and metasurfaces for nonlinear frequency conversion [Invited]

Typically, photonic waveguides designed for nonlinear frequency conversion rely on intuitive and established principles, including index guiding and bandgap engineering, and are based on simple shapes with high degrees of symmetry. We show that recently developed inverse-design techniques can be applied to discover new kinds of microstructured fibers and metasurfaces designed to achieve large nonlinear frequency-conversion efficiencies. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate complex, wavelength-scale chalcogenide glass fibers and gallium phosphide three-dimensional metasurfaces exhibiting some of the largest nonlinear conversion efficiencies predicted thus far, e.g., lowering the power requirement for third-harmonic generation by 104 and enhancing second-harmonic generation conversion efficiency by 107. Such enhancements arise because, in addition to enabling a great degree of tunability in the choice of design wavelengths, these optimization tools ensure both frequency- and phase-matching in addition to large nonlinear overlap factors.
Civic Engagement, College Experience, and Social Network Composition

This is a qualitative chapter from my mixed-methods dissertation on civic engagement and higher education. I analyze how college experience and social networks affect levels of civic engagement amongst college students and college dropouts to assess the extent to which the social networks developed within the college environment are effective conduits for the transmission of politically relevant social capital, civic norms, and civic values.
High-Efficiency, Selection-free Gene Repair in Airway Stem Cells from Cystic Fibrosis Patients Rescues CFTR Function in Differentiated Epithelia.

Summary Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disorder caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. Mortality in CF patients is mostly due to respiratory sequelae. Challenges with gene delivery have limited attempts to treat CF using in vivo gene therapy, and low correction levels have hindered ex vivo gene therapy efforts. We have used Cas9 and adeno-associated virus 6 to correct the ΔF508 mutation in readily accessible upper-airway basal stem cells (UABCs) obtained from CF patients. On average, we achieved 30%–50% allelic correction in UABCs and bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) from 10 CF patients and observed 20%–50% CFTR function relative to non-CF controls in differentiated epithelia. Furthermore, we successfully embedded the corrected UABCs on an FDA-approved porcine small intestinal submucosal membrane (pSIS), and they retained differentiation capacity. This study supports further development of genetically corrected autologous airway stem cell transplant as a treatment for CF.
Regional replication of landscape genetics analyses of the Mississippi slimy salamander, Plethodon mississippi

Landscape genetics can identify habitat features that facilitate or resist gene flow, providing a framework for anticipating the impacts of land use changes on dispersal of individuals. To inform management, a better understanding of how inferences derived from one study region are applicable to other regions is needed. We investigated the manner in which five landscape variables correlated with gene flow among Plethodon mississippi populations in two study regions. We compared order of importance, direction (facilitation vs. resistance of gene flow) and scale of effect, and functional relationships of variables within each study area. In forests in Mississippi and Alabama, USA, we tested individual-based genetic distances derived from microsatellite genotypes against effective distances caused by agriculture, hardwoods, pine, manmade structures, and wetlands that were optimized for both scale and transformation using maximum likelihood population effects modeling. Of the landscape variables, agriculture and wetlands ranked at the top of both study areas’ models. In both forest regions, agriculture was consistently associated with resistance, whereas pine was inferred to facilitate gene flow. However, we found region-specific differences in effects of wetlands, hardwoods, and manmade structures. Configuration of the latter landscape variables differed between forest regions, which may explain the contrasting outcomes. Our results underscore the value of metareplication in revealing which components of landscape genetics models may be consistent across different portions of a species’ range, and those that have context-dependent impacts on gene flow. We also highlight the need to consider habitat configuration when interpreting the results of landscape genetics analyses.
The matroid intersection cover problem

Abstract We consider the matroid intersection cover problem. This is a special case of set cover where the sets are derived from the intersection of matroids. We introduce a technique for computing matroid intersection covers. We give polynomial-time algorithms to compute partition decompositions for matroids that commonly arise in combinatorial optimization problems. We then give a polynomial-time algorithm for computing matroid intersection covers given the partition decompositions of the matroids. Combining these algorithms, we obtain an O ( 1 ) -approximation algorithm when each of the O ( 1 ) matroids is of a standard type.
Integrated sensor data processing for occupancy detection in residential buildings

Abstract Based on the data from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the total annual energy consumed by buildings in the United States has increased by 325% over the past 70 years. Many commercial buildings utilize a building management system (BMS) and occupancy sensors to better control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, the complex and costly installation process of occupancy sensors prolongs the return on investment for the residential sector. This paper presents a cost-effective approach to occupancy detection utilizing a two-layer detection scheme based on data obtained from multiple non-intrusive sensors (temperature and motion). The sensor data were consumed by multiple heuristic models (lower layer) for recognizing a set of human activities (door handle touch, water usage, and motion near the door area). As non-intrusive sensors, such as temperature sensors, may lead to less accurate occupancy information, a data fusion scheme using machine learning (upper layer) is utilized to holistically validate any individual sensor. The proposed two-layer methodology enhances the validity and reliability of occupancy detection. The human activities data was used to train and test four machine learning models (Random Forest, Decision Tree, K-Nearest Neighbor, and Support Vector Machine). The proposed occupancy detection system was installed in a 62 m2 living lab. Four temperature sensors and one motion sensor were used to collect the environmental information for 54 days. The validity of the proposed detection system was verified by the accuracy and the F1-score of each model. In all machine learning models, the two-layer detection system showed significant improvements to the accuracy and the F1-score over the current state-of-the-art approach with the same data. As such, the proposed work demonstrated similar or improved level of the accuracy (95%) and F1-score (95%) over other works, while using reduced sensor density.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) refers to a complex, multidimensional disorder resulting in defects in reproduction and metabolism. Although one of the primary characteristic of PCOS is the presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries, the complexity of the syndrome is reflected in the wide range of its clinical manifestations, most notably insulin resistance (50 %), obesity (70 %), irregular menses (80 %), and signs of hyperandrogenism (80 %), such as hirsutism and acne.
Verrucous Carcinoma of the Esophagus Is A Genetically Distinct Subtype of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

AIMS Oesophageal verrucous carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare and morphologically distinct type of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Diagnosing VSCC on biopsy material is challenging, given the lack of significant atypia and the presence of keratinising epithelium and exophytic growth. The molecular pathogenesis of VSCC remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterise the genomic landscape of VSCC in comparison to conventional oesophageal SCC. METHODS AND RESULTS Three cases of VSCC from the Brigham and Women's Hospital pathology archive were identified. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour tissue was used for p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC), high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in-situ mRNA hybridisation (ISH) and DNA isolation. Tumour DNA was sequenced using a targeted massively parallel sequencing assay enriched for cancer-associated genes. Three additional cases of VSCC were identified by image review of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) oesophageal SCC cohort. VSCC cases were negative for p16 IHC and high-risk HPV ISH. TP53 mutations (P < 0.001) and copy number variants (CNVs) for CDKN2A (P < 0.001), CDKN2B (P < 0.01) and CCND1 (P < 0.01) were absent in VSCC and significantly less frequent in comparison to conventional SCC. Five VSCC cases featured SMARCA4 missense mutations or in-frame deletions compared to only four of 88 conventional SCC cases (P < 0.001). VSCC featured driver mutations in PIK3CA, HRAS and GNAS. Recurrent CNVs were rare in VSCC. CONCLUSIONS VSCC is not only morphologically but also genetically distinct from conventional oesophageal SCC, featuring frequent SMARCA4 mutations and infrequent TP53 mutations or CDKN2A/B CNVs. Molecular findings may aid in establishing the challenging diagnosis of VSCC.
Sex-Related Differences in Murine Models of Chemically Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

We developed two models of chemically induced chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis in mice (intratracheally administered hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intratracheally administered nitrogen mustard (NM)) and investigated male–female differences. Female mice exhibited higher 30-day survival and less weight loss than male mice. Thirty days after the instillation of either HCl or NM, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid displayed a persistent, mild inflammatory response, but with higher white blood cell numbers and total protein content in males vs. females. Furthermore, females exhibited less collagen deposition, milder pulmonary fibrosis, and lower Ashcroft scores. After instillation of either HCl or NM, all animals displayed increased values of phosphorylated (activated) Heat Shock Protein 90, which plays a crucial role in the alveolar wound-healing processes; however, females presented lower activation of both transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways: ERK and SMAD. We propose that female mice are protected from chronic complications of a single exposure to either HCl or NM through a lesser activation of TGF-β and downstream signaling. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms that confer a protective effect in females could help develop new, gender-specific therapeutics for IPF.
Particle Production at the AGS

The systematic behavior of particle production at the AGS has been extensively studied in order to discern if a signal for the formation of the Quark-Gluon Plasma is present in the high baryon density environment created at these energies and to test the adequacy of model descriptions. Beginning with oxygen beams in 1987 and culminating with the commissioning of the Au beam in 1992 there is now a wealth of data available for a wide range of bombarding conditions from pA to Au-Au collisions at AGS energies. Only a few features of the data will be discussed here, especially those features which need a better theoretical understanding.
The use of histidase for the study of amniotic cell origin and histidinemia.

Abstract Histidase activtiy in the human fetal epidermis and amniotic cells was studied to establish an epidermal origin of amniotic cells. Whereas fetal skin contains histidase activity as early as 20 weeks' gestation, in amniotic cells histidase activity appeared only at term and, even then, there was a wide variability in specific activity levels. Significance of these results to amniotic cell origins and to the use of amniotic cells in prenatal diagnosis of histidinemia is discussed.
Effects of the In-Cylinder Environment on Diffusion Flame Lift-Off in a DI Diesel Engine

The diffusion flame lift-off length of isolated, free diesel jets in quiescent atmospheres is known to have a strong influence on soot formation by affecting fuel/air mixing prior to combustion. In realistic engine environments, the proximity and temperature of in-cylinder surfaces, in-cylinder gas flows (swirl), and interactions between adjacent jets may affect the behavior of the flame lift-off, and thereby affect soot formation. To better understand the influence of these factors on the lift-off length and on soot formation, optical imaging diagnostics were employed to measure the flame lift-off length in an optically-accessible heavy-duty Direct Injection (DI) diesel engine. A two-camera OH chemiluminescence diagnostic was developed and employed to measure the flame lift-off length for a range of injector nozzle geometries and engine operating conditions. A two-camera OH Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (OH-PLIF) diagnostic for side-on illumination of the jet,was also developed and utilized to aid in the interpretation of the OH chemiluminescence data. The diesel flame lift-off lengths in the optical engine were shorter than those observed previously for single, isolated jets in a quiescent atmosphere. Also, high cycle-to-cycle variation was observed in the lift-off length data from the engine, yielding considerable uncertainty in most of the reported trends. However, on average, the lift-off length was 7% longer on the windward side of the jet relative to the weak in-cylinder swirl flow. The proximity of the firedeck to the jets (14° down-angle) did not cause preferential vertical asymmetry in the flame shape, on average. A reduction in the interjet spacing angle from 90° (i.e., 4-holes) to 45° (8-holes) was correlated with a 35% reduction in the lift-off length, along with decreased sensitivity to ambient gas temperature and density. The mechanism by which the proximity of adjacent jets affects the lift-off length was not firmly identified, but fluid mechanical/thermal coupling between jets and/or internal injector fuel flow characteristics may be important. In realistic Dl diesel engine environments, high cycle-to-cycle variability, decreased temperature dependence, and shortening of the lift-off length may hinder soot reduction methods that rely on manipulation of the mean flame lift-off length.
Crack-tip fields in anisotropic shells

Asymptotic crack-tip fields including the effect of transverse shear deformation in an anisotropic shell are presented. The material anisotropy is defined here as a monoclinic material with a plane symmetry at x3 = 0. In general, the shell geometry near the local crack tip region can be considered as a shallow shell. Based on Reissner shallow shell theory, an asymptotic analysis is conducted in this local area. It can be verified that, up to the second order of the crack tip fields in anisotropic shells, the governing equations for bending, transverse shear and membrane deformation are mutually uncoupled. The forms of the solution for the first two terms are identical to those given by respectively the plane stress deformation and the antiplane deformation of anisotropic elasticity. Thus Stroh formalism can be used to characterize the crack tip fields in shells up to the second term and the energy release rate can be expressed in a very compact form in terms of stress intensity factors and Barnett- Lothe tensor L. The first two order terms of the crack-tip stress and displacement fields are derived. Several methods are proposed to determine the stress intensity factors and 'T-stresses'. Three numerical examples of two circular cylindrical panels and a circular cylinder under symmetrical loading have demonstrated the validity of the approach. The application of a fail-safe design philosophy can be greatly enhanced by a thorough under- standing of the resistance of structures and structural materials to failure in the presence of a discontinuity. Shell-like structural components comprise major load-carrying components in aircraft and space vehicles such as aircraft fuselage, reusable launch vehicles, solid propellant rocket motors, and spacecraft use propellant tanks, etc. Depending on their structural details that a variety of failure modes may occur, the failure behavior and resulting residual strength present formidable challenges to the design of these structures and in service structures beyond their original life goal. Motivated by the role of the curvature on the crack tip behavior of shell-like structures, the stress analysis of a crack in isotropic shells based on ordinary linear elastic fracture mechanics has been attracted considerable attention since 1960s. The presence of the curvature causes the coupling between membrane and bending stresses or a combination of in plane and out of plane displacements. Under the small strain and small deformation assumptions, solutions based on linearized classical shell theory can be found (e.g., Folias, 1965, 1967; Copley and Sanders, 1969; Erdogan and Kibler, 1969; Simmonds et al., 1978). Since Kirchhoff assump- tion only enables the satisfaction of two boundary conditions along the crack surfaces, the Kirchhoff boundary condition for transverse shear resultant yields the angular distribution of the leading singular stress term near the crack tip depending on the Poisson's ratio. The
Aggregated active distribution networks for secondary control of islanded power systems

Future distribution networks with high penetration of renewable resources and energy storage can provide ancillary services such as frequency regulation. This study proposes a secondary frequency control scheme based on aggregated active distribution networks. The proposed method is based on hierarchical coordinated control of bidirectional controlled energy storages under islanding situations. The constitution of under-generated islanding, where total initial generation is less than the total load and the over-generated island with an initial excess generation scenarios are investigated with secondary control support. Experimental results clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed aggregated control in a laboratory based testbed involving actual generators, energy storage and phasor measurement units.
Sirococcus conigenus, Sirococcus piceicola sp. nov. and Sirococcus tsugae sp. nov. on conifers: anamorphic fungi in the Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales

Summary Sirococcus is a genus of asexually reproducing fungi that includes important pathogens causing shoot blight and tip dieback of conifers. In this paper, the type species of Sirococcus, S. conigenus ,i s redescribed and illustrated, and an epitype designated. In addition, two new species are recognized. Sirococcus piceicola sp. nov. is described from species of Picea in Canada and Switzerland. A second new species, S. tsugae sp. nov., is known only from western North America on species of Cedrus and Tsuga. These three species can be distinguished based on morphological differences and molecular sequence data from four genes. The three species of Sirococcus on conifers vary in conidiomatal wall structure, shape of the conidiogenous cells, and shape and size of conidia.
The average stress in a suspension of cube-shaped magnetic particles subject to shear and magnetic fields

The effect of a homogeneous magnetic field (H) on the bulk stress in a dilute suspension of weakly Brownian, magnetic cubes suspended in a Newtonian fluid subjected to a linear shear flow is studied. The stresslet on each cube is anisotropic and depends on its orientation. Application of a magnetic field results in anisotropy in the orientation distribution. The steady-state orientation distribution is derived as a function of the angle between the directions of the magnetic field and the fluid vorticity vector and the ratio of the magnetic torque to the viscous torque. Knowledge of the distribution function is used to derive a general expression for the bulk stress in a general linear flow field and a magnetic field. Specific numerical results are obtained for the intrinsic viscosity in a simple shear flow when the magnetic field is either parallel or perpendicular to the vorticity. When the magnetic field is perpendicular to vorticity, we find that the intrinsic viscosity increases at first with increasing shear rate passes through a maximum and then shear thins. The intrinsic viscosity can vary from 3.25 to 5.5 in response to changes in the relative strengths of the shear and magnetic fields. The maximum value of 5.5 is obtained when the magnetic moment of the cube, which is assumed to be parallel to the normal of one of the faces, lies in the flow gradient plane at an angle of π/4 from the flow direction.
Dynamics of surface water in ZrO2 studied by quasielastic neutron scattering.

A quasielastic neutron scattering experiment has revealed the dynamics of surface water in a high surface area zirconium oxide in the temperature range of 300–360 K. The characteristic times of the rotational (picoseconds) and translational (tens of picoseconds) components of diffusion motion are well separated. The rotational correlation time shows an Arrhenius-type behavior with an activation energy of 4.48 kJ/mol, which is lower compared to bulk water. The rotational diffusion at room temperature is slower by about a factor of 2 compared to bulk water, whereas the translational diffusion slows down by a factor of 40. In contrast to bulk water, the translational correlation time exhibits an Arrhenius-type temperature dependence with an activation energy of 11.38 kJ/mol. Comparison of different models for jump diffusion processes suggests that water molecules perform two-dimensional jumps at a well-defined, almost temperature-independent distance of 4.21–4.32 A. Such a large jump distance indicates a low molecular density of the layer of diffusing molecules. We argue that undissociated water molecules on an average form two hydrations layers on top of the surface layer of hydroxyl groups, and all the layers have similar molecular density. Quasielastic neutron scattering experiment assesses the dynamics of the outermost hydration layer, whereas slower motion of the water molecules in the inner hydration layer contributes to the elastic signal.
Developing compact autoregressive characterisations of terrain topology profiles

Terrain is the principal source of vertical excitation into the vehicle system, but it is impractical to simulate long distances of every terrain type. A terrain characterisation method is developed for grouping terrain into sets with similar characteristics. Profiles are considered realisations of a stochastic process, described by an autoregressive (AR) model and characterised by the AR coefficients and a single cumulative probability function for the residual process. A set of basis vectors is developed onto which the inverse cumulative probability function (ICPF) of the residual process is mapped. The ICPF is estimated with a small number of basis vectors. The AR and ICPF coefficients of the residual process are jointly dependent on the underlying terrain profiles, so additional basis vectors that map these dependent coefficients onto a reduced set of coefficients are developed. It is shown that six coefficients are required to characterise US highways.
Reconstruction of the probe angular distribution from a series of electron spin resonance spectra of tilted oriented samples

Model-independent methods for the reconstruction of the nitroxide spin probe angular distribution of labeled oriented biological assemblies from electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra were investigated. We found that accurate probe angular distribution information could be obtained from the simultaneous consideration of a series of ESR spectra originating from a sample at differing tilt angles relative to the Zeeman magnetic field. Using simulated tilt series data sets, we developed a consistent criteria for judging the reliability of the simulated fit to the data as a function of the free spectral parameters and thereby have increased the significance of the model-independent reconstruction of the probe angular distribution derived from the fit. We have also enhanced the angular resolution measurable with the model-independent methodology by increasing the rank of the order parameters that we can reliably deduce from a spectrum. This enhancement allows us to accurately deduce higher resolution features of the spin probe distribution. Finally we investigated the usefulness of fitting the tilt series data in multiple data sets such that tilt series data from many identical sample preparations are fitted simultaneously. This method proved to be useful in rapidly reducing a large amount of data by eliminating any redundant computations in the application of the enhanced model-independent analysis to identical sets of tilt series data. We applied the methodology developed here to ESR spectra from probe labeled muscle fibers to study the orientation of myosin cross-bridges in fibers. This application is described in the accompanying paper.
Cleaning and Decontamination of Potent Compounds in the Pharmaceutical Industry

One of the significant issues encountered when handling potent compounds is the ability to clean contaminated surfaces to a safe and operable level. Such a level, whether driven by good manufacturi...
Middle Childhood: An Evolutionary-Developmental Synthesis

Middle childhood—conventionally going from about 6–11 years of age—is a crucial yet underappreciated phase of human development. On the surface, middle childhood may appear like a slow-motion interlude between the spectacular transformations of infancy and early childhood and those of adolescence. In reality, this life stage is anything but static: the transition from early to middle childhood heralds a global shift in cognition, motivation, and social behavior, with profound and wide-ranging implications for the development of personality, sex differences, and even psychopathology.