cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A contractile activity that closes phagosomes in macrophages

Studies of Fc-mediated phagocytosis by mouse macrophages identified a contractile activity at the distal margins of forming phagosomes. Time-lapse video microscopic analysis of macrophages containing rhodamine-labeled actin and fluorescein dextran showed that actin was concentrated at the distal margins of closing phagosomes. Phagocytosis-related contractile activities were observed when one IgG-opsonized erythrocyte was engaged by two macrophages. Both cells extended pseudopodia until they met midway around the erythrocyte. It was then constricted and pulled into two phagosomes, which remained interconnected by a string of erythrocyte membrane. Butanedione monoxime, an uncompetitive inhibitor of class II and perhaps other myosins, and wortmannin and LY294002, inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, prevented the constrictions without inhibiting the initial pseudopod extension. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed the presence of myosins IC, II, V and IXb in phagosomes. Of these, only myosin IC was concentrated around the strings connecting shared erythrocytes, suggesting that myosin IC mediates the purse-string-like contraction that closes phagosomes. The sequential processes of pseudopod extension and contraction can explain how macropinosomes and spacious phagosomes form without guidance from a particle surface.
An intensive vascular surgical skills and simulation course for vascular trainees improves procedural knowledge and self-rated procedural competence

Abstract Background Surgical skills and simulation courses are emerging to meet the demand for vascular simulation training for vascular surgical skills, but their educational effect has not yet been described. We sought to determine the effect of an intensive vascular surgical skills and simulation course on the procedural knowledge and self-rated procedural competence of vascular trainees and to assess participant feedback regarding the course. Methods Participants underwent a 1.5-day course covering open and endovascular procedures on high-fidelity simulators and cadavers. Before and after the course, participants completed a written test that assessed procedural knowledge concerning index open vascular and endovascular procedures. Participants also assessed their own procedural competence in open and endovascular procedures on a 5-point Likert scale (1: no ability to perform, 5: performs independently). Scores before and after the course were compared among postgraduate year (PGY) 1-2 and PGY 3-7 trainees. Participants completed a survey to rate the relevance and realism of open and endovascular simulations. Results Fifty-eight vascular integrated residents and vascular fellows (PGY 1-7) completed the course and all assessments. After course participation, procedural knowledge scores were significantly improved among PGY 1-2 residents (50% correct before vs 59% after; P P = .003). Self-rated procedural competence was significantly improved among PGY 1-2 (2.2 ± 0.1 before vs 3.1 ± 0.1 after; P P ≤ .0001). Self-rated procedural competence significantly improved for both endovascular (2.4 ± 0.1 before vs 3.3 ± 0.1 after; P P Conclusions This intensive vascular surgical skills and simulation course improved procedural knowledge concerning index open vascular and endovascular procedures among PGY 1-2 and PGY 3-7 trainees. The course also improved self-rated procedural competence across all levels of training for open and endovascular procedures. Trainees rated the value of a surgical skills and simulation course highly. These results support strong consideration for the implementation of similar intensive simulation and surgical skills courses with ongoing objective assessment of their educational effect.
Exit, Voice and Mobility

Labour Mobility has become an essential right to the citizens of Europe. Utilising the Hirschman model of Exit, Voice and Loyalty as a starting point, Pfister develops an argument focusing on the increased saliency of exit in the New Economy. This increased labour mobility affects the liberty of fiscal policy in European states which is empirically investigated through an analysis of taxation trends.
Reformulation of DFT + U as a pseudohybrid hubbard density functional for accelerated materials discovery

Insulators and semiconductors are used extensively in industry and a data-driven approach is necessary to investigate the properties of these materials. A new theory of electronic properties is consistent with findings from experiments of transition-metal oxides.
Why should cancer patients participate in clinical trials

Primary care physicians can help their cancer patients decide whether to enter a clinical trial of an experimental treatment by frankly discussing the pros and cons. Phase 1 trials pose difficult emotional issues for patients and ethical issues for physicians.
Impact of Blackmargined Aphid Control on Yield in Western Irrigated Pecan Orchards with Systemic Insecticides

From 1977 to 1979, the efficacy and residual activity of disulfoton G and aldicarb G were compared when applied to pecans grown under and southwestern U.S. conditions for control of Monellia caryella (Fitch) season-long population reduction was obtained with aldicarb at rates from 2.80 to 11.50 kg of AI/ha. Disulfoton was more effective at 3.36 than at 2.24 kg of AI/ha, but neither rate approached aldicarb in effectiveness under irrigated conditions. Differential solubility of the two materials is proposed as an explanation of erratic control achieved with disulfoton. No significant effects were observed of controlled vs. uncontrolled blackmargined aphid populations on pecan Yield (kg of nuts per tree). Similarly, no effects were observed on quality components, i.e., weight per nut, volume per nut, percentage of kernel, etc., or on tree growth when measured as trunk cross-sectional area. No cumulative effects of controlled vs. uncontrolled aphid populations over a 2-year period were observed.
The effect of altered thyroid state on prolactin binding to liver and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats.

SummaryThe effects of propylthiouracil (PTU) and pharmacological doses of thyroxine (T4) on growth and prolactin (PRL)-binding activity of DMBA-induced mammary tumors were studied. The hypo- or hyperthyroidism induced by these respective treatments did not affect the growth rate of established tumors, PRL binding activity in these tumors or plasma PRL in the tumor-bearing rats. In contrast, both PTU and T4 treatments caused a large reduction of PRL binding activity in the liver.
Chemically Mediated Mating Success in Male Oriental Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Males of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), are highly attracted to the chemical methyl eugenol. Despite wide use of this lure in detection and eradication programs, little attention has been given to explaining the underlying biological basis of this sex-specific attraction. Here, we report results of laboratory experiments that examined effects of methyl eugenol on mating behavior of male B. dorsalis . Treated males that fed on methyl eugenol mated more frequently than control males that had had no prior exposure to the lure. The effect of methyl eugenol was relatively long lasting; treated males whose feeding was restricted to 30 s had a mating advantage 35 d later. Enhanced mating success appeared to result from two factors: treated males displayed higher levels of wing-fanning than control males; also, for a given level of wing-fanning, treated males attracted more females per minute than did control males, indicating that signals produced by treated males were more attractive to females. Mechanisms and the possible adaptive function of female choice are discussed, and potential usefulness of prerelease exposure to lures is noted for sterile insect programs.
Sex Pheromone Studies with the Omnivorous Leafroller, Platynota stultana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Effect of Various Environmental Factors on Attraction of Males to the Traps Baited with Virgin Females

Trapping studies conducted by using virgin female traps indicate that more males of Platynota stultana Walsingham were attracted to the traps placed in established vineyards than any other crop. Larger numbers of males were caught in traps placed at 1.2 and 1.8 meters above the soil surface than any other higher or lower elevations. Traps placed in the fallow land at 0 and 10 meters from grapes attracted significantly more males than the traps placed at 20, 40, 80, or 160 meters away. Seasonal population fluctuation curve indicates 3 moth flight peaks during the period July-December 1970, and 6 during 1971.
Imaging tools for the investigation of human gas exchange.

the early documentation of large-scale gravitationally oriented gradients of ventilation and blood flow in the upright human lung provided a mechanistic explanation for the modest extent of VA/Q heterogeneity revealed by gas exchange measurements ([9][1]). Subsequent animal studies comparing prone
Alcohol consumption regression models for distinguishing between beverage type effects and beverage preference effects

In relating health outcomes to alcohol consumption, several investigators have evaluated differences among beverage types, but there is no consistency with respect to models used for this purpose. Furthermore, beverage type effects and beverage preference effects have not been evaluated simultaneously. In this report, the authors propose regression models which permit the simultaneous evaluation of beverage type (congener dose response) effects and beverage preference (sociobehavioral) effects. The presence of sociobehavioral effects can be established even if the variables responsible for them have not been measured or identified. The models are applied to a data set from 589 women who participated in an oral contraceptive study at the Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland) in 1988-1989.
On the Accuracy of Fault Detection and Separation in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines Using MCSA/MVSA and LDA

In this paper, the motor current/voltage signature analysis and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) are evaluated with respect to the accuracy to detect the status of permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) whether it is healthy or faulted, determine the type of that fault, and estimate the severity in the case of static eccentricity or turn-to-turn short-circuit fault. Three types of faults are discussed: static eccentricity, turn-to-turn short circuit, and partial demagnetization fault. Two-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) is used to model and simulate the machine under healthy and faulted conditions. Fast Fourier transform is applied to the phase voltage or current signals to obtain the frequency spectrum. A combination of the amplitude of the harmonics of the stator voltage or current signals are used as detailed features for the classifier for fault detection. LDA is chosen as a classification method for both detecting the fault and estimating its severity. Two different winding types of PMSMs are tested: a concentrated and a distributed winding machine. To validate the simulation results, experiments at different operational points are carried out and the results are compared with the sFEA.
Economic Analysis of 360 MW Unit Motor-driven Pump Changed to Steam Feed Pump

The reconstruction of"motor-driven pump changed to steam feed pump"is a usual modus operandi of unit equipped with motor-driving feed pumps to reduce the coal consumption.And thermal performance test is the most direct and valid means to evaluate it.This paper,through the results of thermal performance conventional test on an imported 360 MW unit,makes an economical comparison with the unit which is retrofitted from"motor-driven pump changed to steam feed pump",and the heat rate,plant use of electricity rate and coal consumption rate are given respectively,the conclusion of economic evaluation is given.
Modeling the Dynamics of an HIV Epidemic

The evolution of an HIV epidemic involves many population dynamics that are closely linked with age. Understanding these dynamics can help policy makers and program planners design interventions, measure progress in the fight against HIV, and prepare for the future impact of the disease. To this end, we propose a model for sex- and age-specific projections of HIV prevalence that uses B-splines to model changes in HIV incidence. We are able to combine HIV prevalence data from antenatal clinics with prevalence data from nationally representative surveys to estimate the model parameters. Several approaches are also proposed for generating forecasts from our relatively parsimonious B-spline model. We apply these techniques to investigate the dynamics of HIV incidence in Tanzania. The results support a rapid increase in HIV incidence from the early 1980s to the early 1990s, followed by a decline up through 2003. We also generate forecasts of HIV prevalence for 2007 and 2011, and compare them to nationally representative data from these years. Our assessment of the predictive performance of the approaches suggests that additional information is needed to produce accurate forecasts of sex- and age-specific prevalence, but that B-splines provide a potentially useful approach for achieving this goal.
Digital Humanities futures: Conflict, power, and public knowledge

This article interrogates tensions in Digital Humanities (DH) and calls for critical introspection of our practices. Arguing that digital humanities (dh) has become a site of struggle for the future of the academy, the essay rejects a monolithic understanding of dh, arguing that such a representation encourages tensions by hiding the varying disciplinary knowledge productions, national structures, and local contexts that form specific dh practices. Insisting on specificity as a counter narrative to that of the sweeping representation of DH's revolutionary change, the article suggests that the current analysis of dh as a battle between insiders and outsiders is a potentially destructive form of resistance. Attending to continued problems with the treatment of race and gender in the field, the essay argues that such issues are core to particular dh practices. Cet article s'interroge sur les tensions dans les Humanites numeriques (Hn) et fait appel a une introspection critique de nos pratiques. Affirmant que les humanites numeriques (hn) sont devenues un lieu de lutte pour l'avenir de l'academie, la these rejette une comprehension monolithique des hn, estimant qu'une telle representation encourage les tensions en dissimulant les productions de connaissances disciplinaires, les structures nationales, et les contextes locaux variables qui forment des pratiques precises en hn. En insistant sur la specificite comme moyen de contrer la narration a la representation absolue du changement revolutionnaire des Hn, l'article suggere que l'analyse actuelle des hn comme une lutte entre internes et externes est une forme de resistance qui pourrait etre eventuellement destructrice. S'attaquant aux problemes persistants du traitement des races et des genres dans le domaine, la these soutient que de telles questions sont au cœur des pratiques particulieres des hn.
Assessing the impact on female literacy and education on maternal and infant health

Literacy and access to education have long been found to correlate with positive indicators of women's reproductive health. The research points to the heightened ability of even marginally literate and schooled women to determine and seek appropriate healthcare. The purpose of this article is to highlight the continuous, pervasive problems that are caused for women and children due in part to the exclusion of women from the benefits of literacy and education in lower income countries. This is explored through an examination of the literature on women's literacy and education and trends in child and maternal mortality. The relationships between these are examined. Next, an analysis of current literacy rates of women worldwide are correlated with statistical predictors of maternal and child health including infant mortality, child mortality, maternal mortality, and fertility. Worldwide human development and gender development rankings are also considered. The findings demonstrate that female literacy and education negatively correlate with a number of key vital indicators of reproductive health, and that 75% of the countries with the lowest literacy rates for women are listed in the lowest 20% on the human development index.
1,2-H- versus 1,2-C-Shift on Sn-Silsesquioxanes

Lewis acidic zeolites such as Sn-Beta catalyze glucose isomerization to fructose via an intramolecular 1,2-H-shift reaction, a key step for converting lignocellulosic biomass into renewable chemicals. Na-exchange of Sn-Beta titrates the neighboring SiOH group in the open Sn site and shifts catalyst selectivity to mannose formed by a 1,2-C-shift reaction. To probe structure/activity relationships in the zeolite, tin-containing silsesquioxanes with (1a) and without (1b) a neighboring SiOH group were recently synthesized and tested. These molecular catalysts are active for glucose conversion, and the presence (absence) of the SiOH favors fructose (mannose) selectivity by intramolecular H(C)-shift reactions. Using density functional theory, we investigated numerous H/C-shift pathways on these tin-silsesquioxane catalysts. On both 1a and 1b, the H-shift reaction occurs through a bidentate binding mode without participation of the SiOH, while the bidentate binding mode is not favored for the C-shift due to ster...
Nontransplant therapy for bone marrow failure

Nontransplant therapeutic options for acquired and constitutional aplastic anemia have significantly expanded during the last 5 years. In the future, transplant may be required less frequently. That trilineage hematologic responses could be achieved with the single agent eltrombopag in refractory aplastic anemia promotes new interest in growth factors after years of failed trials using other growth factor agents. Preliminary results adding eltrombopag to immunosuppressive therapy are promising, but long-term follow-up data evaluating clonal evolution rates are required before promoting its standard use in treatment-naive disease. Danazol, which is traditionally less preferred for treating cytopenias, is capable of preventing telomere attrition associated with hematologic responses in constitutional bone marrow failure resulting from telomere disease.
EEG analysis of Evoked Potentials of the brain to develop a mathematical model for classifying Tinnitus datasets

Tinnitus is hearing a sound of buzzing, ringing, whooshing, etc. when there are no actual sounds existing specially when the background is quiet. Per statistics from the American Tinnitus Association, these symptoms affect twenty percent of population's life. In this study, we investigate 12 individuals distributed between 6 normal subjects and 6 subjects suffering from Tinnitus to develop a mathematical model for identifying Tinnitus patients in compare with normal subjects using a 14-channel low cost commodity neuroheadset (Emotiv). Our pipeline involves collecting Electroencephalography (EEG) data from the 12 subjects. We then perform noise reduction, after that we split the data into training and testing datasets, followed by labeling, fusion and randomization using Independent Component Analysis approach to then be passed to several classification algorithms to be compared and chosen from the best candidate models based on the best calculated accuracy. We compare Support Vector Machine approach versus K Nearest Neighbor as final models. We then validate the selected model using the test data resulting in a model capable of classifying EEG data as Tinnitus or not. Our method demonstrates that commodity EEG neuroheadsets can be used to identify Tinnitus patients using our proposed model.
Linked read sequencing resolves complex genomic rearrangements in gastric cancer metastases

Genome rearrangements are critical oncogenic driver events in many malignancies. However, the identification and resolution of the structure of cancer genomic rearrangements remain challenging even with whole genome sequencing. To identify oncogenic genomic rearrangements and resolve their structure, we analyzed linked read sequencing. This approach relies on a microfluidic droplet technology to produce libraries derived from single, high molecular weight DNA molecules, 50 kb in size or greater. After sequencing, the barcoded sequence reads provide long range genomic information, identify individual high molecular weight DNA molecules, determine the haplotype context of genetic variants that occur across contiguous megabase-length segments of the genome and delineate the structure of complex rearrangements. We applied linked read sequencing of whole genomes to the analysis of a set of synchronous metastatic diffuse gastric cancers that occurred in the same individual. When comparing metastatic sites, our analysis implicated a complex somatic rearrangement that was present in the metastatic tumor. The oncogenic event associated with the identified complex rearrangement resulted in an amplification of the known cancer driver gene FGFR2. With further investigation using these linked read data, the FGFR2 copy number alteration was determined to be a deletion-inversion motif that underwent tandem duplication, with unique breakpoints in each metastasis. Using a three-dimensional organoid tissue model, we functionally validated the metastatic potential of an FGFR2 amplification in gastric cancer. Our study demonstrates that linked read sequencing is useful in characterizing oncogenic rearrangements in cancer metastasis.
A Self-Tuning Decoupling Controller for General Stochastic Multivariable Systems and Application

Abstract This paper presents a novel selt-tuning decoupling controller for general stochastic multivariable systems. The self-tuning decoupling scheme is constructed using the feedforward control strategy and Generalized Minimum variance approach. The new algorithem is implemented in implicit form and can control unstable and/or nonminimum phase processes. This scheme only requires a priori knowledge of the delay between each of the inpute and outputs. It also has the global convergence properties, i.e. with probability one this algorithm will ensure the system inputs and outputs are sample mean square bounded and the conditional mean square generalized output tracking error acheves its global minimum possible value for linear feedback control. The experimental results of self-tuning decoupling control for an electrica-lly heated system demonstrate the effectiveness of the controller proposed.
Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation of Chromosomal Proteins, Epigenetic Regulation and Human Genomic Integrity in Health and Disease

The reproducible and accurate expression of genetic information and the integrity of the human genome, both temporally and topographically, rely heavily on the biochemical ability of nuclear proteins to physically interact with each other, as well as with DNA and RNA, at the molecular level. The strength and specificity of these interactions is primarily determined by the intracellular concentrations of each molecule present. Whereas, the affinity is dictated by the collective primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of the polypeptides themselves, notwithstanding the intrinsic physicochemical and structural properties of the different types of nucleic acids involved. For the most part, the interactions of DNA with protein molecules occur spontaneously in chromatin because the appropriately folded structures of nuclear proteins are adopted prior to their nucleoplasmic internalization via active and passive transport mechanisms. Once transported into the cell nucleus, most proteins whether, structural in nature, like the histones localized within highly compacted interphase chromatin, or as functional enzymes that modulate chromatin dynamics, such as DNA and RNA polymerases (the catalysts responsible for DNA replication, DNA repair, and transcription) are frequently regulated by unique epigenetic mechanisms of amino acid specific covalent chemical modification, e.g., phosphorylation, acetylation, SUMOylation, nitrosylation, and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, just to list a few. Interestingly, while most of these biochemical pathways may be ubiquitous to the cytosolic and plasma membrane compartments, the modification of chromatin proteins via ADP-ribose polymerization, especially when catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases 1 and 2 (PARP-1 and PARP-2), exclusively localizes within the nucleoplasm. Emphasis is placed here to review the current state of the latter, particularly as it pertains to the balance between human health and disease.
Knudsen cell studies of the uptake of gaseous ammonia and amines onto C3–C7 solid dicarboxylic acids

While atmospheric particles affect health, visibility and climate, the details governing their formation and growth are poorly understood on a molecular level. A simple model system for understanding the interactions between the gas and particle phases is the reaction of bases with acids, both of which are common constituents of atmospheric particles. In the present study, uptake coefficients for the reactions of gas phase ammonia, methylamine, ethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine with a series of solid dicarboxylic acids (diacids) were measured at 296 ± 1 K using a Knudsen cell interfaced to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The uptake coefficients (γ) for a given amine follow an odd-even trend in carbon number of the diacid, and are larger for the odd carbon diacids. Values range from γ = 0.4 for ethylamine on malonic acid (C3) to less than ∼10-6 for ammonia and all amines on adipic (C6) and pimelic (C7) acids. Basicity or structure of the amines/ammonia alone do not explain the effect of the base on uptake. The crystal structures of the diacids also play a key role, which is especially evident for malonic acid (C3). Evaporation of aqueous mixtures of amines/ammonia with odd carbon diacids show the formation of ionic liquids (ILs) or in some cases, metastable ILs that revert back to a stable solid salt upon complete evaporation of water. The trends with amine and diacid structure provide insight into the mechanisms of uptake and molecular interactions that control it, including the formation of ionic liquid layers in some cases. The diversity in the kinetics and mechanisms involved in this relatively simple model system illustrate the challenges in accurately representing such processes in atmospheric models.
Congress, public opinion, and an informal constraint on the commander-in-chief:

US presidents have routinely ordered the use of force without seeking prior authorisation from Congress. However, this practice does not mean that the legislature is irrelevant, as Congress often i...
Narrowing beam-walking is a clinically feasible approach for assessing balance ability in lower-limb prosthesis users.

Objective Challenging clinical balance tests are needed to expose balance deficits in lower-limb prost-hesis users. This study examined whether narrowing beam-walking could overcome conceptual and practical limitations identified in fixed-width beam-walking. Design Cross-sectional. Participants Unilateral lower-limb prosthesis users. Methods Participants walked 10 times along a low, narrowing beam. Performance was quantified using the normalized distance walked. Heuristic rules were applied to determine whether the narrowing beam task was "too easy," "too hard," or "appropriately challenging" for each participant. Linear regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to determine whether combinations of the first 5 trials could predict participants' stable beam-walking performance. Results Forty unilateral lower-limb prosthesis users participated. Narrowing beam-walking was appropriately challenging for 98% of participants. Performance stabilized for 93% of participants within 5 trials, while 62% were stable across all trials. The mean of trials 3-5 accurately predicted stable performance. Conclusion A clinical narrowing beam-walking test is likely to challenge a range of lower-limb prosthesis users, have minimal administrative burden, and exhibit no floor or ceiling effects. Narrowing beam-walking is therefore a clinically viable method to evaluate lower-limb prosthesis users' balance ability, but requires psychometric testing before it is used to assess fall risk.
From Megaloblastosis to Molecular Definition in Methylmalonic Acidemia

In 1965 I joined Dr. Barness at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. A year earlier Elizabeth Jamison Hodges had published a children’s book1 that described a story with amazing similarities to many of the adventures that the three of us—ie, Bill Mellman, Frank Oski, and I—had with the “Chief.” Let me quote from the introduction of that book.
State-Of-The-Art Analytical Techniques for Ambient Vapor Phase Organics and Volatile Organics in Aqueous Samples from Energy-Related Activities

The presence of organic components in the ambient air is a fact of life in a modern society, since volatile organic compounds are ubiquitous. Automobile exhaust, fossil fuel burning, and the chemical industry contribute many organic compounds to the air. It is not unreasonable to expect that products from reactions of these chemicals with NO2 and SO2, by photochemical (1–5) or other processes, will be also observed in the atmosphere (6). However, many organic constituents are suspected to enter the environment directly by industrial pollution (7). Carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds find frequent use as intermediates in organic synthesis, e.g., in the preparation and use of plastics, fabrics, dyes, resins, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc. Organic solvents, heavily used in industry, are also sources of high levels of organic vapors.
Atomistic Modeling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract In order to improve the performance, reliability, and efficiency of solid oxide fuel cells, it is important to understand the underlying atomic-level interactions and mechanisms that dictate the global operation dynamics. As a complement to the ongoing experimental progress in this area, a great deal of atomistic-level modeling studies has recently appeared in the literature. This chapter reviews the development of kinetic Monte Carlo simulation approaches for translating atomic-level information into experimentally observable properties. The combination of advanced experimental techniques with atomic-level simulations should provide the insight necessary for the optimal design of next-generation fuel cells.
Uncertainty quantification in three dimensional natural convection using polynomial chaos expansion and deep neural networks

Abstract This paper analyzes the effects of input uncertainties on the outputs of a three dimensional natural convection problem in a differentially heated cubical enclosure. Two different cases are considered for parameter uncertainty propagation and global sensitivity analysis. In case A, stochastic variation is introduced in the two non-dimensional parameters (Rayleigh and Prandtl numbers) with an assumption that the boundary temperature is uniform. Being a two dimensional stochastic problem, the polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) method is used as a surrogate model. Case B deals with non-uniform stochasticity in the boundary temperature. Instead of the traditional Gaussian process model with the Karhunen-Lo e ve expansion, a novel approach is successfully implemented to model uncertainty in the boundary condition. The boundary is divided into multiple domains and the temperature imposed on each domain is assumed to be an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) random variable. Deep neural networks are trained with the boundary temperatures as inputs and Nusselt number, internal temperature or velocities as outputs. The number of domains which is essentially the stochastic dimension is 4, 8, 16 or 32. Rigorous training and testing process shows that the neural network is able to approximate the outputs to a reasonable accuracy. For a high stochastic dimension such as 32, it is computationally expensive to fit the PCE. This paper demonstrates a novel way of using the deep neural network as a surrogate modeling method for uncertainty quantification with the number of simulations much fewer than that required for fitting the PCE, thus, saving the computational cost.
Antenna Radiation Pattern Compressive Sensing

Modern wireless communications is placing ever greater demands on the system's antenna. But high-resolution, wide-band antenna pattern measurement remains a slow, expensive process that can hinder research, development, and production. This paper explores the use of compressive sensing to accelerate the measurement process. Compessive sensing is particularly well suited to applications that meet four criteria: the data is high -dimensional and very sparse, current measurement methods are expensive, the measurements are conducted in a controlled environment, and there are sufficient processing resources for data recovery. Wide-band antenna pattern measurement meets all of these criteria, making it an ideal candidate for compressive sensing. This paper reviews standard sampling methods, illustrating the advantages of compressive sensing. Simulations of several compressive sensing architectures are presented that require fewer measurements than traditional methods, significantly accelerating the measurement process. Additionally, the structure of the sensing signals is optimized within a compressive sensing framework, further increasing system performance.
Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility Initial Approach to Restart Criticality Following Extended Standby Operation

AbstractThe Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility was constructed in 1958 and became operational in 1959. The TREAT reactor is an air-cooled test reactor that can be operated in multiple modes: up to 20 GW for short-duration “burst” pulses (approximately 100 to 200 ms) producing an intense neutron pulse; lower power (megawatt range)–shaped transients intended to simulate fuel heating prior to accident conditions being imposed; or in a low power mode of up to 120 kW for experiment preconditioning or neutron radiography. TREAT operated from 1959 through 1994 when it was put into a standby condition. With the accident at Fukashima-Daiichi that resulted in extensive fuel failure, the U.S. Department of Energy selected TREAT for restart and irradiation of new accident-tolerant fuel designs for U.S. commercial nuclear plants. This paper discusses the basic process that was used to perform the initial criticality following the TREAT extended shutdown operation from 1994 to 2017.
Perturbation theory to model shielding effectiveness of cavities loaded with electromagnetic dampeners

It is well-known that a slotted resonant cavity with high-quality factor exhibits interior electromagnetic (EM) fields that may be even larger than the external field. The authors aim to reduce the cavity's EM fields and quality factor over a frequency band analytically, numerically, and experimentally by introducing microwave absorbing materials in the cavity. A perturbation model approach was developed to estimate the quality factor of loaded cavities, which is validated against full-wave simulations and experiments. Results with 78.7 mils (2 mm) thick ECCOSORB-MCS absorber placed on the inside cavity wall above and below the aperture slot (with only 0.026% cavity volume) result in a reduction of shielding effectiveness >19 dB and reductions in quality factor >91%, providing confirmation of the efficacy of this approach.
Neonatal Airway Management

Safe and effective airway management of neonates requires unique knowledge and clinical skills. Practitioners should have an understanding of neonatal airway anatomy and respiratory physiology and their clinical implications related to airway management. It is vital to recognize the potential sequelae of prematurity. Clinicians should be familiar with the skills and techniques available for managing normal neonatal airways. This review provides stepwise considerations for managing the neonatal airway: specific considerations for neonatal airway management, assessment and preparation, induction and premedication, and techniques and strategies for airway management in patients with normal anatomy and in patients who are difficult to intubate.
Integration of Multi-level Molecular Scoring for the Interpretation of RAS-Family Genetic Variation

Abstract Protein-coding genetic variants are the first considered in most studies and Precision Medicine workflows, but their interpretation is primarily driven by DNA sequence-based analytical tools and annotations. Thus, more specific and mechanistic interpretations should be attainable by integrating DNA-based scores with scores from the protein 3D structure. However, reliable and reproducible standardization of methods that use 3D structure for genomic variation is still lacking. Further, we believe that the current paradigm of aiming to directly predict the pathogenicity of variants skips the critical step of inferring, with precision, molecular mechanisms of dysfunction. Thus, we report herein the development and evaluation of single and composite 3D structure-based scores and their integration with protein and DNA sequence-based scores to better understand not only if a genomic variant alters a protein, but how. We believe this is a critical step for understanding mechanistic changes due to genomic variants, designing functional validation tests, and for improving disease classifications. We applied this approach to the RAS gene family encoding seven distinct proteins and their 935 unique missense variants present somatically in cancer, in rare diseases (termed RASopathies), and in the currently healthy adult population. This knowledge shows that protein structure-based scores are distinct from information available from genomic annotation, that they are useful for interpreting genomic variants, and they should be taken into consideration in future guidelines for genomic data interpretation. Significance Statement Genetic information from patients is a powerful data type for understanding individual differences in disease risk and treatment, but most of the genetic variation we observe has no mechanistic interpretation. This lack of interpretation limits the use of genomics data in clinical care. Standard methods for genomics data interpretation take advantage of annotations available for the human reference genome, but they do not consider the 3D protein molecule. We believe that changes to the 3D molecule must be considered, to augment current practice and lead to more precise interpretation. In this work, we present our initial process for systematic multi-level molecular scores, including 3D, to interrogate 935 RAS-family variants that are relevant in both cancer and rare diseases.
Microstructural characterization of phase-separated co-deposited Cu–Ta immiscible alloy thin films

Elevated temperature co-sputtering of immiscible elements results in a variety of self-organized morphologies due to phase separation. Cu–Ta is used as a model system to understand the evolution of phase-separated microstructural morphologies by co-sputtering thin films with nominal 50–50 at.% composition at four temperatures: 25, 400, 600, and 800 °C. Scanning/transmission electron microscopy of the film cross sections showed the microstructure morphology varied from nanocrystalline Cu–Ta at 25 °C to a wavy ribbon-like structure at 400 °C, to Cu-rich agglomerates surrounded by Ta-rich veins at 600 and 800 °C. In the agglomerate-vein morphology, microstructural features were present on two length scales, from a few nanometers to a few tens of nanometers, thus making the structures hierarchical. On the nanoscale, the Cu-rich agglomerates contained Ta precipitates, whereas the Ta-rich veins had embedded Cu nanocrystals. The various microstructures can be attributed to the highly disparate constituent element interdiffusion at the deposition temperatures with the Cu having orders of magnitude higher mobility than Ta at the deposition temperatures. This study of processing–microstructure relationship will be useful in guiding the design of hierarchical multiphase microstructures in binary or multicomponent thin films with tailored mechanical properties.
The survival impact of CKS1B gains or amplification is dependent on the background karyotype and TP53 deletion status in patients with myeloma.

Gains or amplification (amp) of chromosome 1q21/CKS1B are reported to be a high-risk factor in myeloma. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the impact of CKS1B gain/amp on overall survival in the context of other genetic aberrations, such as TP53 deletion, FGFR3-IGH, IGH-MAF, MYEOV/CCND1-IGH, and RB1, as well as karyotype. The cohort included 132 myeloma patients with CKS1B gain/amp detected by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. There were 72 men and 60 women with a median age of 65 years (range 39–88 years). A normal, simple, or complex karyotype was observed in 39.5%, 5.4%, and 55% of patients, respectively. “Double hit,” defined as CKS1B gain/amp coexisting with TP53 deletion, or “triple hit,” defined as double hit plus t(4;14)FGFR3-IGH or t(14;16)IGH-MAF, were identified in 25 patients (18.9%) and five patients (3.8%), respectively. Double and triple hit were highly associated with a complex karyotype (p = 0.02). Ninety-nine patients (99/128, 77.3%) received stem cell transplantation. The median follow-up time was 48.2 months (range 2–104 months); 68 patients (51.5%) died, with a median overall survival of 58.8 months. Multivariate analysis (Cox model) showed that double hit with TP53 deletion (p = 0.0031), triple hit (p = 0.01), and complex karyotype (p = 0.0009) were each independently associated with poorer overall survival. Stem cell transplantation was associated with better overall survival, mainly in patients with a double or triple hit and complex karyotype (p = 0.003). These findings indicate that the inferior outcome of myeloma patients with CKS1B gain/amp is attributable to the high number of high-risk patients in this group. The prognostic impact of CKS1B gain/amp depends on the background karyotype and TP53 status.
The Staging of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma has been challenging because of a paucity of cases and poor survival. At least 5 staging systems were proposed before 1990 until the first consensus system was published in 1995. This system used tumor, node, metastasis designations and borrowed heavily from parenchymal lung cancer descriptors. With the establishment of a database to collect cases from 1995 to 2013, evidence-based revisions to the 1995 staging classification were published in 2016. With improving imaging technology, clinical staging will become more refined and, it is hoped, more useful for prognostication even without operative resection.
Reproduction and reproductive tract morphology of male and female pigs whose mothers were heat stressed during the second month of gestation.

The primary objective was to assess the development of fetal gonads and measure the subsequent reproductive capacity of boars and gilts whose mother was either subjected to gestational heat stress (GHS) or thermoneutral (GTN; control) conditions during pregnancy. Gilts were subjected to either GHS (28 to 38 °C; 65% to 88% relative humidity [RH]; n = 30) or GTN (17 to 22 °C; 56% to 65% RH; n = 29) for the second month of gestation (a period that coincides with a critical window of gonadal development). A subset of GHS (n = 12) and GTN (n = 11) gilts was sacrificed immediately following treatment for the collection of pregnancy data. The remaining gilts (n = 18 GHS and n = 18 GTN) were allowed to farrow. Female offspring from the farrowed gilts were studied through puberty, first insemination, and early pregnancy when fetal tissues were again collected. During the treatment period, GHS gilts had greater (P 0.10) for GHS vs. GTN. Likewise, the weight of the fetus, placenta, fetal testes, and fetal ovaries were similar (P > 0.10) for GHS and GTN pregnancies. There was a tendency for an effect of treatment (63.3 ± 2.3 vs. 70.1 ± 2.6; GHS vs. GTN; P 0.10) for the GHS and GTN gilts. Testes collected from castrated GHS boars had fewer prespermatogonia per seminiferous tubule cross section (P < 0.049). Female offspring from the GHS (n = 30) or GTN (n = 37) sows reached puberty at a similar age, and their pregnancies (ninth week of gestation) had fewer corpora lutea (15.6 ± 0.5 vs. 17.1 ± 0.4; GHS vs. GTN; P < 0.038) but the number of fetuses was similar for GHS and GTN. In summary, compared with GTN, GHS during a critical window of gonadal development tended to reduce the number of oogonia in the fetal ovary, reduced the number of prespermatogonia in the neonatal testes, and reduced ovulation rate at first pregnancy in gilts.
Cryptococcal Meningitis Presenting as Endophthalmitis in an Otherwise Asymptomatic Patient

Purpose: Cryptococcus neoformans is a budding yeast that has a tropism for the central nervous system where it may cause meningitis, which has a high mortality rate. Endophthalmitis is rare and typ...
Region-wide assessment of fine-scale associations between invasive plants and forest regeneration

Abstract Invasive plants are widely spread throughout the forests of the southern United States (US) and are expected to rapidly increase their distributional ranges over the next few decades. Multiple studies have shown that invasive plants pose great challenges to forest regeneration at local spatial scales; however, little is known about how those local-scale impacts of invasive plants may collectively influence forest regeneration at a regional scale. In this study, we hypothesized that invasive plants influence forest regeneration across southern US forests by altering tree seedling and sapling abundance and diversity. We used a total of 52,690 southern US forestland plots surveyed between 2015 and 2019 by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. We compiled presence/absence data from 16 major invasive plant taxa and calculated the number, richness, and diversity of seedlings and saplings for all major tree species present in the dataset. We used Generalized Linear Models to examine the relationship of the selected invasive plants to tree seedlings and saplings. We then used principal component analysis to evaluate whether negative relationships appeared to be related to niche differences. We found that the presence of invasive plants generally was negatively associated with tree seedling and sapling abundance, and that these negative interactions appeared to be independent of niche associations. Moreover, fast-growing hardwood tree species had the fewest negative species-wise associations with invasive plants, which suggests that the influence of plant invasions on forest regeneration may be partly mediated by the functional traits of regenerating tree species. We also found that the invasive plants evaluated in this study differentially influenced seedling versus sapling abundance and diversity, which could have complex implications for decision-making related to forest management strategies. Ultimately, the potential impact of these invasive plants on tree regeneration is likely to hamper the sustainable management of southern US forests (natural and managed) by the reduction of extant biodiversity. Thus, invasive plants should be incorporated into management strategies to help ensure the persistence of native forest communities and the ecological services they provide.