cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CXCL8 protects human neurons from amyloid-β-induced neurotoxicity: Relevance to Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in senile plaques colocalized with activated microglia and astrocytes. Recent studies suggest that CXCL8 is involved in the AD pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine the cellular sources of CXCL8 in the central nervous system during AD pathogenesis, and investigate the effects of CXCL8 on neuronal survival and/or functions. Our results showed significantly higher CXCL8 levels in AD brain tissue lysates as compared to those of age-matched controls. Upon Aβ and/or pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation, microglia, astrocytes and neurons were all capable of CXCL8 production in vitro. Although CXCL8-alone did not alter neuronal survival, it did inhibit Aβ-induced neuronal apoptosis and increased neuronal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production. We conclude that microglia, astrocytes and neurons, all contribute to the enhanced CXCL8 levels in the CNS upon Aβ and/or pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation. Further, CXCL8 protects neurons possibly by paracrine or autocrine loop and regulates neuronal functions, therefore, may play a protective role in the AD pathogenesis.
Recovering stimuli from memory: A statistical method for linking discrimination and reproduction responses

Investigations of sensory memory have often relied on discrimination processes: participants judge whether a reference stimulus is identical to a remembered stimulus. Recently, investigators have used response modes in which participants directly reproduce stimuli. Findings using reproduction tasks have suggested new ways of thinking about biases that pervade psychophysics. To allow an assessment of whether results obtained using reproduction responses persevere for discrimination tasks, this paper presents a statistical model that links the two approaches. The model uses the pattern of discrimination judgements to estimate parameters that represent the means and standard deviations that would have occurred under a reproduction task. An analysis of stimuli that have been previously studied using reproduction responses illustrates the method. Simulations investigate bias and efficiency, large-sample confidence intervals and the performance of likelihood-ratio tests of the adequacy of special submodels.
Response cost and time-place discrimination by rats in maze tasks

Time-place discrimination has been shown reliably in several avian and insect species, but only occasionally in rats and fish. In the present experiments, we explored the effects of response cost on time-place discrimination by rats. In the first experiment, we increased the cost of making a choice and the cost of recovering from a wrong choice in two types of maze, a radial arm and a vertical maze. In the radial arm maze, we found only general place preference, whereas in the vertical maze, we obtained evidence of time-place discrimination. In the second experiment, we found that the proportion of rats showing time-place discrimination increased with the height and, therefore, the response cost of the vertical maze. These results suggest that rats do not automatically store and/or retrieve the time and place of reward events but that response cost is an important trigger for time-place discrimination.
Thermodynamics of proton dissociations from aqueous citric acid: apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities of citric acid and its sodium salts at the pressure 0.35 MPa and at temperatures from 278.15 K to 393.15 K

Abstract Apparent molar volumes V φ and apparent molar heat capacities C p , φ have been determined for aqueous citric acid and its mono-, di-, and tri-sodium salts at the pressure p = 0.35 MPa and at temperatures 278.15 ⩽T / K ⩽ 393.15. Densities were measured using a vibrating-tube densimeter (DMA 512, Anton Paar, Austria) at the pressure p = 0.35 MPa and at temperatures 278.15 ⩽T / K ⩽ 368.15. These results were used to calculate the apparent molar volumes of each solute over the concentration range 0.01 ⩽m / ( mol · kg − 1 ) ⩽ 1.0. Heat capacities of these same solutions were measured using a twin fixed-cell, differential-output, power-compensation, temperature-scanning calorimeter (NanoDSC model 6100, Calorimetry Sciences Corporation, Spanish Fork, UT, U.S.A.) at the pressure p = 0.35 MPa and at temperatures 278.15 ⩽T / K ⩽ 393. Equations to describe the ( m , T , V φ ) and ( m , T , C p , φ ) surfaces of each solute were obtained by regression. Using these equations we calculated the surfaces ( m , T , Δ r V m ), ( m , T , Δ r C p , m ), ( m , T , Δ r H m ), ( m , T , pQ a ), and ( m , T , Δ r S m ) for each of the three-proton dissociation reactions of aqueous citric acid. The Δ r H m and pQ a surfaces were calculated for each proton dissociation reaction by integration using our ( m , T , Δ r C p , m ) results with the molality dependence of Δ r H m , and pQ a for each reaction at T = 298.15 K obtained from the literature. Corrections for the partial dissociation and/or hydrolysis of each citrate species were applied in these calculations.
Communication-centric SoC design for nanoscale domain

In the realm of 35nm technology, it becomes possible to have thousands of IP blocks that need to communicate efficiently. Large-scale integration of these blocks onto a single chip makes the use of truly scalable networks-on-chips (NoC) communication architectures inevitable. This paper provides an overview of the outstanding research issues involved in designing application-specific NoC architectures by considering explicitly the level of customization envisioned in the communication architecture. For each category of approaches, we discuss the significance of the problem, provide a problem statement and survey the relevant solutions to date.
On the performance of estimators for burst-mode offset QPSK

The Cramer-Rao bound for the joint estimator of carrier frequency offset, carrier phase offset, and symbol timing offset for offset QPSK is derived and used to identify “good” training sequences. Conveniently, sequences that repeat a single OQPSK constellation point are found to be the “best” for all three estimators when half-sine pulse shaping is used.
Why should we report adverse incidents

Three papers in this issue of the Journal illustrate the challenges of measuring and reporting therapeutic mishaps. Using a broad definition of ‘adverse incidents’ that embraces injuries (including death) from any cause, drug errors, unexpected events (e.g. convulsions) or findings (e.g. Hb8gm/dl), and worrisome indicators (e.g. LOS5 days), Stanhope et al. (1998) found 196 incidents identified from 500 consecutive deliveries in two obstetric units. While many (most?) of these ‘incidents’ were not actual injuries, the fact that 39% of patients had something other than a perfectly smooth course is very disturbing. It is an unpleasant reminder that, even in 1996, the most normal of biological events, childbirth, is still fraught with hazard. Also disturbing, but less surprising, is their finding that of incidents that were discoverable on later record review only 23% were reported (as required) when they occurred. In their search for explanations for non-reporting by survey of the staffs of these same two units, Vincent et al. (1998) found that one-third of physicians did not know how to find the list of reportable incidents and 15% did not know how to file a report. No single reason for non-reporting among 12 reasons suggested by the investigators was accepted by a majority of respondents, suggesting that the problem is multi-factorial or, more probably, denial of reality by the respondents. The authors also note the role of perceived lack of necessity and concern about disciplinary action as factors in non-reporting.
Sjögren's syndrome. Proposed criteria for classification

The term "Sjogren's syndrome" (SS) is frequently used to describe the occurrence of keratoconjunctivis sicca and xerostomia in association with an autoimmune disorder. However, well-defined criteria for the classification of SS have not been established, and this diagnosis is being applied to a wide spectrum of conditions, ranging from clear "autoimmune" disease in some patients, to sicca complaints without evidence of a systemic immune process in elderly patients. Here, we review the clinical and laboratory features of patients referred for evaluation of sicca symptoms. In particular, we emphasize the need for care in choosing the site for minor salivary gland biopsy, and we describe the histologic features that aid in the evaluation of these biopsy specimens. In an attempt to identify a population of patients whose conditions might have a common etiopathogenesis and, thus, a common treatment program, we propose the following criteria for a diagnosis of SS: 1) objective evidence of keratoconjunctivis sicca, as documented by rose bengal or fluorescein dye staining; 2) objective evidence of diminished salivary gland flow; 3) minor salivary gland biopsy, obtained through normal mucosa, with the specimen containing at least 4 evaluable salivary gland lobules, and having an average of at least 2 foci/4 mm2; 4) evidence of a systemic autoimmune process, as manifested by the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and/or antinuclear antibody. The diagnosis of "definite SS" would be made when all 4 criteria are met; the diagnosis of "possible SS" would be made when 3 criteria are present. Specific exclusions for this diagnosis are preexisting lymphoma, graft-versus-host disease, sarcoidosis, and acquired immunodeficiency disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Competition between TiCl4 hydrolysis and oxidation and its effect on product TiO2 powder

The competition between hydrolysis and oxidation of TiCl[sub 4] during vapor-phase synthesis of titania powders was experimentally investigated. The effects of reactor temperature, reactant mixing and H[sub 2]O/TiCl[sub 4] ratio were studied in a hot wall aerosol flow reactor. The presence of water vapor resulted in rounded particles instead of the faceted ones observed in the absence of water; this effect was most pronounced at lower reactor temperatures. Mixing the water and TiCl[sub 4] vapor streams at low temperature resulted in anatase titania. Larger aggregates with smaller primary particles were observed for powders synthesized in the presence of water vapor. The mixing temperature of the water and TiCl[sub 4] vapors, as well as the H[sub 2]O/TiCl[sub 4] ratios, did not affect the aggregate size or specific surface area. Analysis of micrographs of titania aggregates made in the presence of water revealed that the fractal dimension increased with process temperature.
Endometriosis (adenomyoma) in postoperative scars

Abstract Thirty-one cases of endometriosis in postoperative scars were analyzed. It was found that in the majority of cases the lesion followed operations performed on the uterus or fallopian tubes, but that in the performance of most of these operations the lining of these organs had not been exposed. A few of the tumors seem to have originated from exposedp ortions of endometrium and to have invaded the abdominal wall secondarily, but others were definitely separated from the uterine lining. The etiology of this condition is unknown, but, in most cases, the best evidence points toward transplantation or invasion (migration) of endometrium from the lining of the uterus. The endometriomas in question resemble endometrium, histologically, and in one case an unabsorbed suture was presented, which may or may not represent the contaminating vehicle during the original operation. In a large number of cases in which the condition followed ventral suspension of the uterus, the round ligaments were involved with endometriosis, at those points at which they were sutured to the anterior abdominal wall. Pain, worse at the menstrual period, and the presence of a palpable nodule, were most commonly complained of by the patients. Few of the tumors discharged a bloody fluid at the menstrual period. In a few cases there were no symptoms. The diagnoses were made more often in the ten years prior to the time of this report, for the medical profession is now more aware of this entity than it had been formerly. The differential diagnosis most often includes, keloids, desmoids, fibromas, neuromas, incarcerated omental hernias and uterine or tubal fistulas. If the condition is uncomplicated, cure may be obtained by wide excision. One instance of recurrence was encountered; undoubtedly the condition in this case was caused by inadequate excision at the time of the first operation.
School engagement among Latino youth in an urban middle school context: Valuing the role of social support

The education of many Latino youth residing in urban communities is often hindered by fear of crime and violence occurring in places where they live and attend school. Addressing these concerns, this study tested a path model predicting school engagement that included neighborhood and school environment variables (e.g., neighborhood youth behavior, neighborhood safety, and school safety) and social support variables (e.g., teacher support, friend support, parent support, and neighbor support). A total of 226 Latino youth from an urban middle school in the northeastern United States participated in the study. The hypothesized model was found to fit data from the sample and showed direct effects of teacher support, friend support, and parent support on school engagement. In addition, neighborhood youth behavior and neighborhood safety influenced school engagement indirectly through its effect on social support variables. Implications for school-based interventions are discussed.
On Banach Spaces Verifying Grothendieck's Theorem

The projective tensor product � 2 ˆ ⊗ X of � 2 with any Banach space X sits inside the space Rad(X )o f all almost unconditionally summable sequences in X .I fX is of cotype 2 and u : X −→ Y is 2-summing, then u takes Rad(X )i nto� 2 ˆ ⊗ Y .C onsequently, if X is of cotype 2, then every operator from X to � 2 is 1-summing if and only if � 1 ˇ ⊗ X ⊆ � 2 ˆ ⊗ X .I nt his case, each 2-summing operator from � 2 to X is nuclear, and X does not have non-trivial type provided that dim X = ∞.
Decorin mimic promotes endothelial cell health in endothelial monolayers and endothelial-smooth muscle co-cultures.

Abstract Non-specific cytotoxins, including paclitaxel and sirolimus analogues, currently utilized as anti-restenotic therapeutics, affect not only smooth muscle cells (SMCs) but also neighbouring vascular endothelial cells (ECs). These drugs inhibit the formation of an intact endothelium following vessel injury, thus emphasizing the critical need for new candidate therapeutics. Utilizing our in vitro models, including EC monolayers and both hyperplastic and quiescent EC-SMC co-cultures, we investigated the ability of DS-SILY20 , a decorin mimic, to promote EC health. DS-SILY20 increased EC proliferation and migration by 1.5- and 2-fold, respectively, which corresponded to increased phosphorylation of ERK-1/2. Interestingly, IL-6 secretion and the production of both E-selectin and P-selectin were reduced in the presence of 10 μ m DS-SILY20 , even in the presence of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokine platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In hyperplastic and quiescent EC-SMC co-cultures, DS-SILY20 treatment reduced the secretion of IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, corresponding to a 23% decrease in p38 phosphorylation. E-selectin and P-selectin expression was further reduced following DS-SILY20 treatment in both co-culture models. These results indicate that DS-SILY20 promotes EC health and that this decorin mimic could serve as a potential therapeutic to promote vessel healing following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Daily and major life events: a test of an integrative model of psychosocial stress

The hypothesis that negative daily events mediate the relationship between major negative events and psychological symptomatology was tested using a three-wave, three-variable panel design. Measures of major and daily life events and psychological symptomatology were administered to 58 older adolescents at three time points during the transition from high school to college. The results indicated that the pathways from major life events to daily events and from daily events to psychological symptomatology were significant at each of the time points, but that the direct pathways from major events to psychological symptomatology were not significant at any time point. Thus, the hypothesis was fully supported. The findings are discussed in light of their implications for an integrative theory of the process by which major and daily events have an effect on psychological symptomatology.
Miocene winged fruits of Loxopterygium (Anacardiaceae) from the Ecuadorian Andes

A new species of asymmetrically winged fruit is described from Miocene sediments of Andean Ecuador. The new fruit is readily placed in the genus Loxopterygium of the Anacardiaceae based on the size, position of the stigma, wing venation, and serration of the wing tip. The new fossil species is very similar to extant species of Loxopterygium now distributed in dry habitats of coastal Ecuador and Peru, as well as dry interior forests of Bolivia and northern Argentina. We use the fossil to calibrate a molecular-based phylogeny of some members of the Anacardiaceae, showing that dry forest habitats may have been present in South America for more than 10 million years.
COUNT BUFFON ON CULTURAL CHANGES OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

(1960). COUNT BUFFON ON CULTURAL CHANGES OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 1-22.
Mutational analysis of PPARG as a candidate tumour suppressor gene in enteropancreatic endocrine tumours

Summary Objectives Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or deletion of chromosome 3p is a frequent finding in enteropancreatic endocrine tumours (EPETs), suggesting the pathogenetic involvement of one or more tumour suppressor genes on 3p. PPARG, the gene encoding the gamma isoform of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ), is highly expressed in normal human pancreatic islet cells, is located at 3p25, and has been reported to sustain loss-of-function mutations in human colorectal carcinomas. Additionally, the development of islet cell hyperplasia in an islet cell-specific pparg knockout mouse has further emphasized the attractiveness of PPARG as a candidate gene important in the pathogenesis of EPETs. Therefore, we sought to examine PPARG for intragenic inactivating mutations, the evidence needed to rigorously establish it as a tumour suppressor in EPETs. Patients and design Twenty-three EPETs from 20 patients were examined for coding region mutations in PPARG and for LOH on 3p at microsatellite markers flanking PPARG. Results LOH on 3p was detected in tumours from six patients (30%), but no intragenic mutations were detected in PPARG, whether or not LOH was present. Conclusion These findings strongly suggest that PPARG does not commonly function as a classical tumour suppressor gene in the pathogenesis of EPETs.
Modeling performance of three-dimensional nanojunction photovoltaic devices

We present an analytical approach for modeling the device physics of three-dimensionally nanostructured devices. The approach for the first time describes three-dimensional diffusion as well as distinguishes between isolated and interdigitated pn junction devices. The modeling technique can be applied to various device architectures, including isolated radial pn junctions, inverted grain boundary junctions, point-contact nanojunctions, and extended nanojunctions. As a test case, we use low quality material properties of CdTe to show that the solar power conversion efficiencies of the nanojunction designs are superior to that of the planar junction, with the extended nanojunction geometry performing the best.
PLL jitter reduction by utilizing a ferroelectric capacitor as a VCO timing element

Ferroelectric capacitors have steadily been integrated into semiconductor processes due to their potential as storage elements within memory devices. Polarization reversal within ferroelectric capacitors creates a high nonlinear dielectric constant along with a hysteresis profile. Due to these attributes, a phase-locked loop (PLL), when based on a ferroelectric capacitor, has the advantage of reduced cycle-to-cycle jitter. PLLs based on ferroelectric capacitors represent a new research area for reduction of oscillator jitter.
Using Pooled Kappa to Summarize Interrater Agreement across Many Items

We propose the pooled estimator of kappa, an efficient estimator when summarizing the interrater agreement for qualitative data with many items but few subjects. We evaluate this estimator through a simulation of proposed and alternative (average kappa) estimators and subsequently apply our method to calculate pooled and average kappas over 2,176 rated items from six semistructured interviews with sponsors of the CAHPS. The proposed pooled kappa estimator efficiently summarizes interrater agreement by domain. It is more widely applicable and makes better use of scarce subjects than simply averaging item-level kappas.
Seasonal variation in plant-insect associations: utilization of Solanum dulcamara by Leptinotarsa decemlineata.

In laboratory studies, Solanum dulcamara (nightshade) is one of the better host species for survival and growth of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The dynamics of L. decemlineata on S. dulcamara in the field, however, are far different than would be predicted from laboratory results. Therefore, a number of experiments were performed to determine the suitability of S. dulcamara for L. decemlineata under seasonal, field conditions. Field experiments showed that between 40 and 67% of first—generation adult females entered diapause without reproducing when fed S. dulcumara as both larvae and adults, although no adults entered diapause when fed S. tuberosum in both life—stages. Dispersal by first—generation adults from S. dulcamara was not observed in mark—recapture experiment. Survival of L. decemlineata on S. dulcamara did not differ significantly from survival on S. tuberosum during the part of the season corresponding to the development period of first—generation larvae. Survival on S. dulcamara was two—thirds lower during part of the season corresponding to the development period of the second—generation larvae, however. Emergence mass and larval development time varied less over the season on S. dulcamara than did survival. Analyses of extractable leaf protein, free amino acids, and glycoalkaloids showed significant seasonal variation in the concentrations of these S. dulcamara phytochemicals which are known to affect L. decemlineata feeding growth and survival. Multiple regression analyses between phytochemical concentration and larval survival showed that survival was significantly] positively associated with leaf nutritional quality (extractable protein and one free amino acid) during the first generation, and significantly negatively associated with leaf glycoalkaloid content during the second generation. Thus the seasonal variation in the suitability of S. dulcamara for L. decemlineata survival was most strongly associated with the two seasonally most variable S. dulcamara phytochemical factors. The unique and independent contribution of variation in either one to the variation in L. decemlineata survival, however, could not accurately be predicted without considering the simultaneous, independent variation in the other.
Fast shadow detection for urban autonomous driving applications

This paper presents shadow detection methods for vision-based autonomous driving in an urban environment. Shadows misclassified as objects create problems in autonomous driving applications. Real-time efficient algorithms in dynamic background settings are proposed. Without the static background assumption, which was often used in previous work to develop fast algorithms, our scheme estimates the varying background efficiently. A combination of various features classifies each pixel into one of the following categories: road, shadow, dark object, or other objects. In addition to pixel level classification, spatial context is also used to identify the shadows. Our results show that our methods perform well for autonomous driving applications and are fast enough to work in real time.
SEX‐LIMITED MUTATIONS AND THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM

Although the developmental and genetic mechanisms underlying sex differences are being elucidated in great detail in a number of species, there remains a breach between proximate and evolutionary studies of sexual dimorphism. More precisely, the evolution of sex-limited gene expression at autosomal loci has not been well reasoned using either theoretical or empirical methods. Here, I show that a Mendelian genetic model including elementary details of sexual differentiation provides novel insight into the evolution of sex differences via sex limitation. This model indicates that the nature of allelic effects and the pattern of selection must be known in both sexes to predict the evolution of sex differences. That is, selection interacts with genetic variation for sexual dimorphism to produce unanticipated patterns of trait divergence or convergence between the sexes. Ultimately, this model may explain why previous models for the evolution of sexual dimorphism do not predict the erratic behavior of the sex difference during artificial selection experiments.
Spiral Flows in Finite Rotating Annular Tubes

Three-dimensional, time-dependent, axisymmetric flows of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in an annular tube as well as in a circular one were analyzed numerically. The flow was produced from rest by a pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet of a finite, annular (or circular) tube which was rotating around its axis. An implicit finite-difference scheme of the Navier-Stokes equations was developed to obtain the time variations of three velocity components and of the pressure as boundary conditions vary. Entrance effects on the velocity field, the pressure, and the Bernoulli-sum were analyzed.
The People's Choice? The Role of Opinions in the Policymaking Process

This document looks at the role that people's perceptions have on the policymaking process, particularly about how biases in their evaluation of public goods provision may affect the demand for public policies.It also provides policy recommendations on how to improve policy dialogue.
Confounding Issues in Cancer Progress—The Impact of Investor Requirements on Senior Management Compensation and Regulatory Decisions Tivozanib and Aveo Pharmaceuticals

Previous research has demonstrated that profits are a key requirement in private pharmaceutical development. We sought to examine the extent that pressure of financial incentives exerted by investo...
A Billion Ubiquitin Variants to Probe and Modulate the UPS

Low-affinity but highly specific protein-protein interactions abound within the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Selection for ubiquitin variants (UbVs) that bind tightly to HECT ubiquitin ligases proved remarkably useful for probing enzyme mechanism and modulating E3 activities in cells.
Dislocation core radii near elastic stability limits

Recent studies of transition metal alloys with compositions that place them near their limits of elastic stability [e.g., near the body-centered-cubic (BCC) to hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) transition] suggest interesting behavior for the dislocation cores. Specifically, the dislocation core size is predicted to diverge as the stability limit is approached. Here a simple analysis rooted in elasticity theory and the computation of ideal strength is used to analyze this divergence. This analysis indicates that dislocation core radii should diverge as the elastic limits of stability are approached in the BCC, HCP, and face-centered-cubic (FCC) structures. Moreover, external stresses and dislocation-induced stresses also increase the core radii. Density functional theory based total-energy calculations are combined with anisotropic elasticity theory to compute numerical estimates of dislocation core radii.
Investigation of Individuals Bitten by Animals in Huarong Country

Objective To analyze the epidemiological regularity of individuals bitten by animals in Huarong Country,and to provide the scientific evidence for rabies control and prevention. Methods Animal bite patients in Huarong Country in 2009 were investigated with questionnaires.All the animal bite cases in Huarong Country in 2009 were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods.All the data were analyzed by SPSS13.0 statistics software. Results There were 3,284 animal bite outpatients in Huarong Country in 2009,the male patients accounted for 57% and the female 43%.The average daily cases of animal bite were 9.The injury time was from May to September,and the main biting animal was the dog(79.4%).The animal bite rate was 46.25/10,000 in 2009. Conclusions Strengthening the comprehensive management of dogs and cats,handling the wound and injecting the hydrophobia vaccine timely are the effective measures to prevent rabies.
Recently developed high-efficiency organic photoactive materials for printable photovoltaic cells: a mini review

Abstract Organic photovoltaic materials have the potential to revolutionize the solar energy industry as they are compatible with printing technologies that produce thin, flexible solar cells. In order for such material to be commercially viable, high power conversion efficiency (PCE) is necessary. The PCE of organic photovoltaic cells is largely determined by the material in the photoactive layer. Many different structures and types of organic materials for the active layer have been explored, such as benzodithiophene-based polymers and fused-ring ladder-type molecules. In recent years PCE values have neared or exceeded the theorized lower PCE limit of 10% for commercialization. In this review, the authors explore organic electron donors and acceptors that have been developed in the past 3 years (2013–2016) and have led to high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. Ultimately, the steadily climbing PCE values in recent years and variety of materials producing high PCEs points to a bright future for this area of solar energy.
Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion in Biomembranes: General Principles and Model System Studies

Abstract This chapter analyzes the general principles of photovoltaic solar energy conversion in biomembranes. Biological systems are inherently complex. However, unlike naturally occurring photosynthetic membranes, BLM-based photoconversion model systems are sufficiently simple to allow investigators to analyze the underlying photochemical and photophysical processes with mathematical rigor previously attainable only in physics and their progenies. We used a BLM-based model system of artificial electron pump to develop useful concepts and to devise a null current method, which can perform meaningful signal measurements that could be analyzed in terms of conventional concepts in electricity (equivalent circuit analysis). This method was then extended to the analysis of model membranes reconstituted from bacteriorhodopsin, which is perhaps the simplest photosynthetic pigment. Comparison of photosynthetic membranes with their non-biological counterparts yielded some interesting insights. Both the silicon photodiode and photosynthetic membranes start the conversion process with light-driven charge separation in an anisotropic environment. Whereas rectification is a key feature of the silicon photodiode for minimizing unwanted internal charge recombination, biological systems apparently used a different strategy to accomplish the same purpose. Illumination opens a proton conduction channel in bacteriorhodopsin, and cessation of illumination shuts off the conduction channel completely. Indirect evidence indicates that chlorophyll-based photosynthetic membranes also adopt the same strategy to prevent internal charge recombination in the dark, thus greatly enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of photoconversion.
Determining Quiescent Colloidal Suspension Viscosities Using the Green-Kubo Relation and Image-Based Stress Measurements

By combining confocal microscopy and stress assessment from local structural anisotropy, we directly measure stresses in 3D quiescent colloidal liquids. Our noninvasive and nonperturbative method allows us to measure forces $\ensuremath{\lesssim}50\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{fN}$ with a small and tunable probing volume, enabling us to resolve the stress fluctuations arising from particle thermal motions. We use the Green-Kubo relation to relate these measured stress fluctuations to the bulk Brownian viscosity at different volume fractions, comparing against simulations and conventional rheometry measurements. We find that the Green-Kubo analysis gives excellent agreement with these prior results, suggesting that similar methods could be applied to investigations of local flow properties in many poorly understood far-from-equilibrium systems, including suspensions that are glassy, strongly sheared, or highly confined.
Inhibitor or promoter: Insights on the corrosion evolution in a graphene protected surface

Abstract Corrosion is a fundamental electrochemical problem that results in significant material degradation and failure and affects the performance of many engineering components. Additionally, corrosion associated material losses often produce contamination of surrounding media. Discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials has opened a venue for multiple attempts in designing atomically thin anticorrosive coatings for prevention and control of corrosion propagation in metals. It was shown that graphene, for example, when uniformly coating a metal surface can inhibit corrosion-initiated degradation of copper and nickel. Here we demonstrate that graphene plays an important role in oxidation-based corrosion processes. Non-uniform graphene coverage has an enormous effect on corrosion protection and may lead even to acceleration of corrosion. We demonstrate that when immersed in sodium chloride solution the exposed edges of graphene become the centers for iron oxidation and propagation. Beneficially, high mechanical stability of graphene substantially eliminates metal losses and leads to only oxidation-based mass increase. Our extensive characterization analysis indicates the reason for this is high concentrations of trapped chlorine atoms on the edge of detached from the surface graphene flake. Chlorine increases metal dissolution and results in significant oxidation sites along the graphene edge line.
Classifying Emergent Behavior to Reveal Design Patterns

Methods for breaking down emergent phenomena into categories typically focus on some measure, qualitative or quantitative, of the degree of complexity of the system. While such categories are useful for clarifying what, exactly, is meant by the word “emergence,” they are less useful for developing practical means of identifying, mitigating, or encouraging emergent behavior. This chapter discusses several systems of classification of emergence that focus instead on characterizing either the form of the emergent behavior or the causal factors that encourage it. These typologies are used as a basis to propose the development of a set of design patterns that are broadly applicable to designing for emergent behavior in systems of a variety of domains. Case studies are used to illustrate these principles, and further work toward expanding and codifying the principles is discussed.
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Impact of Opioid Prescribing Protocol at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry:

Prescription opioid medications continue to be abused on an epidemic level and have been shown to be a “gateway” drug to heroin abuse. Individuals experimenting with opioids commonly fall in the 10- to 19-year age range in which dentists are the highest prescribers. To reduce the number of excess opioids, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Minnesota, developed and implemented an evidence-based opioid prescribing policy. Data were collected via electronic health record for the previous year and compared with the year following the protocol implementation. The results showed a drastic decrease (>46%) in the number of prescriptions given over a 1-year period. All departments reported a decrease in opioid prescriptions and the average number of tablets per prescription. The concern of undertreating pain was not found to be significant, as there was no increase in after-hours calls, recall appointments, or documentable emergency room visits. The results support the efficacy of an opioid prescribing policy's ability to lower the frequency and number of opioids given to patients, while still adequately treating patients' pain. Continued evaluation and modifications of the protocol and close monitoring of prescriber habits will enhance patients' pain control while also limiting the number of opioids available for abuse.
Soft Computing for Perception-Based Decision Processing and Analysis: Web-Based BISC-DSS

Searching a database records and ranking the results based on multicriteria queries is central for many database applications used within organizations in finance, business, industrial and other fields. For Example, the process of ranking (scoring) has been used to make billions of financing decisions each year serving an industry worth hundreds of billion of dollars. To a lesser extent, ranking has also been used to process hundreds of millions of applications by U.S. Universities resulting in over 15 million college admissions in the year 2000 for a total revenue of over $250 billion. College admissions are expected to reach over 17 million by the year 2010 for total revenue of over $280 billion. In this paper, we will introduce fuzzy query and fuzzy aggregation as an alternative for ranking and predicting the risk for credit scoring and university admissions, which currently utilize an imprecise and subjective process. In addition we will introduce the BISC Decision Support System. The main key features of the BISC Decision Support System for the internet applications are 1) to use intelligently the vast amounts of important data in organizations in an optimum way as a decision support system and 2) To share intelligently and securely company’s data internally and with business partners and customers that can be process quickly by end users. The model consists of five major parts: the Fuzzy Search Engine (FSE), the Application Templates, the User Interface, the database and the Evolutionary Computing (EC).
Discontinuation of everolimus due to unrelated adverse events in cancer patients.

e14020Background: The mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor everolimus, a targeted agent used widely in cancer patients, is often discontinued due to serious adverse events. It is challeng...
Multiply-Binding Polymeric Imidazole Ligands: Influence of Molecular Weight and Monomer Sequence on Colloidal Quantum Dot Stability

This study addresses the colloidal stability of polymer-coated core/shell CdSe/CdxZn1–xS quantum dots (QDs) in the presence of l-glutathione (GSH) under neutral conditions by means of photoluminesc...
Soil sealing by algae: An alternative to plastic pond liners for outdoor algal cultivation

Abstract Commercial production of algal biofuels is currently limited by high capital costs, particularly costs of synthetic pond liners that minimize seepage of cultivation fluids, salts, and nutrients into the subsurface beneath outdoor algae cultivation facilities. Even some profitable nutraceutical companies bear the high costs of pond liners. However, studies of animal waste holding ponds and aquaculture facilities have shown that underlying soils can effectively “self-seal”, potentially eliminating the need for plastic liners. Here, we explored the potential for self-sealing with algae to provide an alternative to synthetic pond liners in unlined algae cultivation ponds. Laboratory-scale soil column experiments were used to investigate soil clogging by algae, a topic rarely discussed in the literature. Columns composed of fine sand, loamy sand, and loam soil displayed reductions in saturated hydraulic conductivity of the entire soil column of up to two orders of magnitude in response to infiltration by the alga Scenedesmus dimorphus suspended in algal culture nutrient solution at a density of 5 × 108 cells L−1. Scanning electron microscope imaging showed a dense algal layer on the surface of each soil column, thickly coating mineral grains with algal material and filling pore spaces. The algal coating was absent in samples at >3 cm depth in the soil columns, and measurements of chlorophyll content also confirmed that algal cells were mostly confined to the soil surface. In this study, the application of an algal suspension contributed significantly to soil sealing. This new application of biological sealing technology should be studied further to determine its utility and durability as an alternative to plastic liners, perhaps in conjunction with soil compaction to achieve hydraulic conductivities beneath algal production ponds that are protective of groundwater quality.
BOUNDARY LAYER (ATMOSPHERIC) AND AIR POLLUTION | Convective Boundary Layer

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 1, pp 244–253, © 2003, Elsevier Ltd.
Ethical issues in HIV phylogenetics and molecular epidemiology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW HIV phylogenetic and molecular epidemiology analyses are increasingly being performed with a goal of improving HIV prevention efforts. However, ethical, legal and social issues are associated with these analyses, and should be considered when performed. RECENT FINDINGS Several working groups have recently outlined the major issues surrounding the use of molecular epidemiology for HIV prevention. First, the benefits of HIV molecular epidemiology remain unclear, and further work is needed to quantitatively demonstrate the benefits that can be expected. Second, privacy loss is an important risk, with implications of disclosure varying by the regional legal and social climate. Inferential privacy risks will increase with technological improvements in sequencing and analysis. Third, data sharing, which enhances the utility of the data, may also increase the risk of inferential privacy loss. Mitigation strategies are available to address each of these issues. SUMMARY HIV molecular epidemiology for research and public health pose significant ethical issues that continue to evolve with improving technology, increased sampling and a changing legal and social climate. Guidance surrounding these issues needs to be developed for researchers and public health officials in an iterative and region specific manner that accounts for the potential benefits and risks of this technology.
Giant Choroid Plexus Papilloma Resection Utilizing a Transcollation System.

Background Large vascular brain tumors pose an exceptional challenge in young children. Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is an example of a rare, often large and especially vascular neuroepithelial tumor that most commonly arises in children under 5 yr old. Although patients may be cured by total resection, this tumor poses significant surgical risks and challenges related to intraoperative hemostasis. Objective To describe our experience using a transcollation system during brain tumor surgery in a child to achieve hemostasis and minimize blood loss while preserving normal brain tissue. Methods A 3-yr-old girl presented following a fall and was found to have a giant CPP growing from the right lateral ventricle. Given the vascularity of the tumor and the low intravascular reserve in a small child, a transcollation device was used to reduce blood loss intraoperatively. Results Gross total resection was achieved with approximately 300 mL of blood loss without complications. The patient did well postoperatively. Imaging performed at 3 mo after resection revealed return of normal brain architecture. Conclusion Transcollation devices appear to be an effective and safe addition to the armamentarium of neurosurgical hemostatic options in intracranial tumor resection in which there is a high risk of intraoperative hemorrhage.
The achilles heel of minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissection: Seroma formation.

Abstract Objective To describe the incidence of post-operative seroma and interventions attempted to reduce this complication in patients undergoing minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissection (MILND). Background MILND has resulted in fewer wound complications, hospital readmissions, and shorter length of stay; unfortunately, seroma formation remains a major source of morbidity. Methods A retrospective study of MILNDs performed from 2010 to 2017 was conducted. Different interventions were trialed attempting to combat this problem. We report the analysis with respect to seroma formation. Results Forty-one patients underwent 44 MILND. Twenty-two (50%) patients developed symptomatic seroma requiring aspiration and/or drain placement. Risk factors associated with seroma on univariate analysis were increased number of metastatic nodes (p = 0.028), increasing BMI (p = 0.046), increasing age (p = 0.056), and larger suction drain bulbs (p = 0.013). There was an association with postoperative seroma formation and post-operative lymphedema (p = 0.001). Multiple interventions trialed to reduce seroma formation were unsuccessful in reducing the seroma rate. Conclusion Seromas formation continues to be a common morbidity following MILND. Further research is needed to determine how seroma incidence can be reduced in patients undergoing MILND.