cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lack of support for the inability to taste phenylthiocarbamide as an endophenotypic marker in patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives.

Abstract Objective This study sought to replicate recent findings that both patients and relatives are significantly more likely to be phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) nontasters than healthy controls, and that within the patient group, nontasters have more severe positive and/or negative symptoms than tasters. Associations between PTC-tasting status and olfactory identification scores also were examined. Method PTC perception and olfactory identification were assessed in 48 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, 28 first-degree relatives, and 32 healthy volunteers. Results The three groups did not differ in PTC taste sensitivity. Findings did not change after: a sensitivity analysis that re-categorized participants who “possibly” tasted PTC, excluding Caucasian participants, or restricting the sample of patients to only those with schizophrenia. Among the patients, tasters and nontasters did not differ with regard to positive, negative, or general psychopathology symptoms. In the combined sample and the three groups separately, there were no associations between PTC-tasting status and olfactory identification scores. Conclusions This study, conducted specifically as an attempt to replicate previously reported findings, failed to provide support for PTC perception as an endophenotypic marker for schizophrenia. Further research is warranted.
Discussion of ‘Data mining reconsidered’

Summary The Hoover‐Perez description of the LSE [London School of Economics] general-to-specific methodology of model selection is formalized and analysed using the theory of model selection. Numerical evidence is provided to justify the claim that simple and elegant information criteria (which are easy to implement in applications) work at least as well, if not better, than the complicated algorithm attributed to the LSE methodology.
Intact Parathyroid Hormone Overestimates the Presence and Severity of Parathyroid-Mediated Osseous Abnormalities in Uremia*

To examine the possibility that uremia alters the relationship between bioactive PTH serum concentrations and its osseous end-organ response, we evaluated the relationship between circulating intact PTH and bone turnover in 39 end-stage renal disease patients with hyperparathyroid-mediated bone disease of varying severity. We excluded from analysis patients with coexistent defects in mineralization to insure that bone remodeling indices primarily reflected the effects of PTH. The distribution of serum PTH levels ranged from normal to markedly elevated. Regression analysis between circulating intact PTH concentrations, measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay, and osseous indices of hyperparathyroidism, determined by quantitative bone histological analysis of iliac crest bone biopsies, showed that bioactive serum PTH levels correlated linearly with bone formation (r = 0.836), woven osteoid volume (r = 0.718), and marrow fibrosis (r = 0.856), and nonlinearly with parameters of bone resorption (r = 0.760). From these functional relationships, we found that the average serum intact PTH level of approximately 165 pg/mL, a value that exceeds the upper limit of intact PTH in nonuremic subjects (65 pg/mL) by 2.5-fold, defines the upper normal limit of bone turnover in uremic subjects. Indeed, the average serum PTH concentrations reached 500 pg/mL before histological evidence of severe hyperparathyroidism developed in uremic subjects. These findings demonstrate that elevated PTH concentrations are necessary to maintain normal bone remodeling in the uremic setting. Consequently, it may not be necessary to attain normal serum intact PTH levels to control the osseous manifestations of PTH excess in uremic subjects.
Radiocarbon on Titan

We explore the likely production and fate of 14C in the thick nitrogen atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan and investigate the constraints that measurements of 14C might place on Titan's photochemical, atmospheric transport and surface-atmosphere interaction processes. Titan's atmosphere is thick enough that cosmic-ray flux limits the production of 14C: absence of a strong magnetic field and the increased distance from the Sun suggest production rates of ~9 atom/cm^2/s, ~4x higher than Earth. The fate and detectability of 14C depends on the chemical species into which it is incorporated: as methane it would be hopelessly diluted even in only the atmosphere. However, in the more likely case that the 14C attaches to the haze that rains out onto the surface (as tholin, HCN or acetylene and their polymers), haze in the atmosphere or recently deposited on the surface would be quite radioactive. Such radioactivity may lead to a significant enhancement in the electrical conductivity of the atmosphere which will be measured by the Huygens probe. Measurements with simple detectors on future missions could place useful constraints on the mass deposition rates of photochemical material on the surface and identify locations where surface deposits of such material are "freshest".
A role for sorting nexin 2 in epidermal growth factor receptor down-regulation: Evidence for distinct functions of sorting nexin 1 and 2 in protein trafficking

Sorting nexin 1 (SNX1) and SNX2, homologues of the yeast vacuolar protein-sorting (Vps)5p, contain a phospholipid-binding motif termed the phox homology (PX) domain and a carboxyl terminal coiled-coil region. A role for SNX1 in trafficking of cell surface receptors from endosomes to lysosomes has been proposed; however, the function of SNX2 remains unknown. Toward understanding the function of SNX2, we first examined the distribution of endogenous protein in HeLa cells. We show that SNX2 resides primarily in early endosomes, whereas SNX1 is found partially in early endosomes and in tubulovesicular-like structures distributed throughout the cytoplasm. We also demonstrate that SNX1 interacts with the mammalian retromer complex through its amino terminal domain, whereas SNX2 does not. Moreover, activated endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) colocalizes markedly with SNX2-positive endosomes, but minimally with SNX1-containing vesicles. To assess SNX2 function, we examined the effect of a PX domain-mutated SNX2 that is defective in vesicle localization on EGFR trafficking. Mutant SNX2 markedly inhibited agonist-induced EGFR degradation, whereas internalization remained intact. In contrast, SNX1 PX domain mutants failed to effect EGFR degradation, whereas a SNX1 deletion mutant significantly inhibited receptor down-regulation. Interestingly, knockdown of SNX1 and SNX2 expression by RNA interference failed to alter agonist-induced EGFR down-regulation. Together, these findings suggest that both SNX1 and SNX2 are involved in regulating lysosomal sorting of internalized EGFR, but neither protein is essential for this process. These studies are the first to demonstrate a function for SNX2 in protein trafficking.
Preferential Trade Agreements and Unilateral Liberalization: Evidence from CAFTA

There is no consensus in the literature on whether preferential trade agreements help or hinder trade liberalization toward non-members. We examine the link between preferential trade liberalization and tariffs imposed against non-member countries for the case of CAFTA-DR. Using product data at the 6-digit HS level, we find that products with larger reductions in preferential tariffs experienced larger increases (or smaller decreases) in most-favored nation tariffs applied against non-members. However, we also uncover some interesting dynamics regarding the relationship between preferential liberalization and tariffs imposed against non-members. When we split the sample period into two sub-periods, we find an initial negative relationship between changes in preferential and most-favored nation tariffs during the first half of the sample period, followed by a positive relationship during the second half, although the evidence on the latter is not as strong. The results thus provide the first evidence of an initial stumbling block effect of preferential trade liberalization on unilateral liberalization, as well as (weaker) evidence of a subsequent building block effect.
Statin use is not associated with liver related mortality.

Background and Aim. Statins are commonly used medications for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Although there are reported cases of hepatotoxicity related to statins, very few are associated with severe course and liver failure. Material and methods. We used the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)-mortality linked files to assess the association between statin use and liver-related mortality. Patients with established causes of liver disease (HCV RNA-positive, HBs-Ag-positive, NAFLD by hepatic ultrasound, iron overload and excessive alcohol use of > 20 g of alcohol per day with elevated liver enzymes) were excluded. Results. Of all adult NHANES III participants enrolled in 1988-1994 (n = 20,050), 9,207 individuals had sufficient demographic, clinical and medical information making them eligible for this study (age 41.26 ± 0.38, 46.76% male, 76.67% Caucasian, BMI 26.39 ± 0.38, 16.99% had diabetes or insulin resistance, 16.97% had hypertension, 65.28% had dyslipdemia). Of the entire study cohort, 90 (1.25%) participants reported using statins at the time of the interview. Median mortality follow-up for the study cohort was 175.54 months. During this period, 1,330 individuals (11.25%) died with 26 (0.17%) being liver-related deaths. For the cohort using statins, there were 37 deaths (40.15%) after a median follow-up of 143.35 months. In fact, the top cause of death for statin users was cardiac related (16 cases, 33.62%). However, after adjusting for major demographic, clinical and metabolic confounders, statin use was not associated with cardiovascular deaths in males (Hazard Ratio, 0.79, 95% Confidence Interval, 0.30-2.13), but was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular deaths in females (odds ratio, 2.32, 95% confidence interval, 1.58-3.40). Furthermore, the rate of liver-related mortality was significantly lower (p = 0.0035) among statin users compared to non-statin users. Conclusions. After a decade of follow up, there was no association between statin use and liver-related mortality.
How do people talk with a robot?: an analysis of human-robot dialogues in the real world

This paper reports the preliminary results of a human-robot dialogue analysis in the real world with the goal of understanding users' interaction patterns. We analyzed the dialogue log data of Roboceptionist, a robotic receptionist located in a high-traffic area in an academic building [2][3]. The results show that (i) the occupation and background (persona) of the robot help people establish common ground with the robot, and (ii) there is great variability in the extent that users follow social norms of human-human dialogues in human-robot dialogues. Based on these results, we describe implications for designing the dialogue of a social robot.
Implications of organizational culture for supply chain disruption and restoration

Abstract To manage supply chain disruptions, many diverse organizational cultures must work together to restore services and help ensure resiliency. We use a model of culture taken from social anthropology, economics and public management illustrated through two interorganizational cases of humanitarian supply chain disruption: the Federal Emergency Management Agency contracting with Universe Truck Lines to deliver ice after Hurricane Katrina, and the World Food Programme interacting with the Southern African Development Community to deliver maize after the floods of 2002. We illustrate ways in which a lack of understanding of cultural biases is one explanation for poor management of supply chain disruption and how this hypothesis can help direct future research.
Optimizing vowel formant measurements in four acoustic analysis systems for diverse speaker groups

Purpose This study systematically assessed the effects of select linear predictive coding (LPC) analysis parameter manipulations on vowel formant measurements for diverse speaker groups using 4 trademarked Speech Acoustic Analysis Software Packages (SAASPs): CSL, Praat, TF32, and WaveSurfer. Method Productions of 4 words containing the corner vowels were recorded from 4 speaker groups with typical development (male and female adults and male and female children) and 4 speaker groups with Down syndrome (male and female adults and male and female children). Formant frequencies were determined from manual measurements using a consensus analysis procedure to establish formant reference values, and from the 4 SAASPs (using both the default analysis parameters and with adjustments or manipulations to select parameters). Smaller differences between values obtained from the SAASPs and the consensus analysis implied more optimal analysis parameter settings. Results Manipulations of default analysis parameters in C...
Making embedded software reuse practical and safe

Reuse of application software has been limited and sometimes has led to accidents. This paper suggests some requirements for successful and safe application software reuse and demonstrates them using a case study on a real spacecraft.
The Laparoscopic Approach to Rectal Prolapse

This chapter represents a current opinion on the impact laparoscopy may have on the outcomes of full-thickness rectal prolapse (FTRP) surgery, and presents a concise insight on laparoscopic surgical technique, the authors’ personal experience, and an overview of the literature dealing with this specific subject.
Experimental Set Up of P300 Based Brain Computer Interface Using a Bioamplifier and BCI2000 System for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Objective Brain computer interface (BCI) is one of the most promising technologies for helping people with neurological disorders. Most current BCI systems are relatively expensive and difficult to set up. Therefore, we developed a P300-based BCI system with a cheap bioamplifier and open source software. The purpose of this study was to describe the setup process of the system and preliminary experimental results. Methods Ten spinal cord-injured patients were recruited. We used a sixteen-channel EEG(KT88-1016, Contec, China) and BCI2000 software (Wadsworth center, NY, USA). Subjects were asked to spell a 5-character word using the P300-based BCI system with 10 minutes of training. EEG data were acquired during the experiment. After subjects spelled the word for ten trials, the spelling accuracy and information transfer rate (ITR) were obtained in each patients. Results All subjects performed the experiment without difficulty. The mean accuracy was 59.4±22.8%. The spelling accuracy reversely correlated with the age. Younger subjects spelled with higher accuracy than older subjects (p=0.018). However, sex, injury level, time since injury and ASIA scale were not correlated with the accuracy. The mean of ITR was 2.26±1.22 bit/min. Conclusion This study showed that a BCI system can be set up inexpensively with a low-price bioamplifier and open-source software. The spelling accuracy was moderately achieved with our system. P300-based BCI is useful in young patients, but modification is necessary in old patients who have low ability of recognition and concentration.
FinFET reliability

For advanced nodes, semiconductor companies are making a transition to FinFET's from planar devices. In moving from planar to FinFETs, new features due to 3-d shapes of Fins are introduced. These features can both improve or degrade reliability compared to the planar technologies. This tutorial will first introduce the fundamental concepts and current understanding in basic FEOL Reliability mechanisms such as TDDB, BTI and HCI. It will then provide a review of methodologies used to evaluate these mechanisms. The tutorial will then introduce and review the new features such as corners, sidewalls etc and how they impact FEOL reliability. Additional effects that become more important due to 3-d nature of FinFETs such as self-heating are also discussed and reviewed. The tutorial will attempt to project impact of FinFETs for next generation technologies.
Monitoring Data Analysis on Personal Dosage Received by Radiation Workers in Jinhua,2008-2011

[Objective] To assess the personal dosage level of external exposure for radiation workers in Jinhua.[Methods] Thermoluminescence dosimetry was applied to measure the personal external radiation dosage of workers exposed to radiation in Jinhua during 2008-2011.[Results] Totally 799 radiation workers were monitored from 2008 to 2011.The collective annual dosage equivalent was 854.70 man mSv and the average annual effective dosage was 1.07 mSv/a.The workers receiving annual dosage equivalent less than 5 mSv accounted for 98.12%.The average annual individual effective dosage was higher in the interventional radiology workers than in other work types,and the numbers of interventional radiology workers monitored increased every year.[Conclusion] Most of the radiation workers in Jinhua city are safe in the working conditions according to the related national standards.The interventional radiology workers should be a key population for radiation prevention.
Does optimal foraging theory predict the foraging performance of a large air-breathing marine predator?

Optimal foraging theory (OFT) suggests that air-breathing diving animals should minimize costs associated with feeding under water (e.g. travel time, oxygen loss) while simultaneously maximizing benefits gained from doing so (e.g. foraging time, energy gain). Humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae , foraging along the Western Antarctic Peninsula appear to forage according to OFT, but the direct costs and benefits in terms of their behaviours (e.g. allocation of time) have not been examined. We compared the foraging behaviour of humpback whales in this region inferred from multisensor high-resolution recording tags to their behaviour predicted by OFT time allocation models assuming the following currencies were being maximized: (1) the proportion of time spent foraging, (2) the net rate of energetic gain and/or (3) the ratio of energy gained to energy expended (i.e. efficiency). Model predictions for all three currencies were similar, suggesting any of these OFT models were suitable for comparison with the observed data. However, agreement between observed and optimal behaviours varied widely depending on the physiological and behavioural values used to derive optimal predictions, highlighting the need for an improved understanding of cetacean physiology. Despite this, many of the theoretical OFT predictions were supported: shallow dives (i.e.
Transcranial direct current stimulation lessens dual task cost in people with Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) progressively impairs motor and cognitive function. Gait dysfunction in PD is exacerbated during dual task gait. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may therapeutically benefit motor and cognitive deficits. We examined the effect of a bilateral tDCS protocol on dual task gait in people with PD. Material and methods Participants with PD between 50 and 80 years received two sessions of tDCS protocol (1 active, 1 sham) separated by 7 days. tDCS protocols were randomized and blinded to participants. After each tDCS protocol, participants performed single and dual task gait. Single 20-min session of bilateral tDCS (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; left = anode, right = cathode) at 2 mA and one sham session. Each participant was assessed at baseline for disease severity [Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)] and executive function [Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)]. Following each tDCS condition (active and sham), participants performed Timed Up and Go (TUG) single and dual task conditions (TUG alone , TUG motor , TUG cognitive ) and PDQ-39. Results Ten participants average age of 68.7 years (±10.2) and average PD duration average 7.9 years (±7.1) were included. The UPDRS ( M = 37) and RBANS ( M = 13%ile) were administered prior to testing. No differences were observed on dependent t -test for TUG conditions or PDQ-39. Dual task cost TUG motor was −20.95% (tDCS active ) versus −22.58% (tDCS sham ) and TUG cognitive was −25.24% (tDCS active ) versus −41.85% (tDCS sham ). Conclusions Our bilateral tDCS protocol in people with PD did not significantly improve dual task gait. However, dual task cost following tDCS was lessened, most dramatically in the presence of a cognitive distractor. A larger sample size is warranted to draw further conclusions about our bilateral tDCS approach.
Explaining China’s Escalation over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands

This article examines China’s behavior in the dispute with Japan over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands. Before 2010, China adopted a low-key approach to the dispute. After 2010, however, China chose to escalate the dispute, first in response to Japan’s detention of a Chinese fishing vessel in September 2010 and then in response to the Japanese government’s purchase of three of the islands in September 2012. China escalated because Japan’s actions challenged China’s relatively weak position in the dispute. By escalating, China could counter Japanese actions and strengthen its position in the dispute. Since late 2013, the dispute appears to have stabilized. China’s patrols within twelve nautical miles of the islands have strengthened China’s position in the dispute, while Japan has refrained from developing the islands.
Effect of fan induced photoperiod on live performance and yield of male broiler chickens

Abstract Increasing broiler house size and ventilation capacity has resulted in increased light ingress through ventilation system components. Light ingress may alter the effective photoperiod for broiler chickens and create local increases in light intensity. This study examined live performance and processing yields in male broilers reared to 63 d of age exposed to either a constant light intensity of 2.5 lx for 18L:6D or a variable light intensity to mimic light ingress through tunnel fans. Body weight, body weight gain, and mortality were not different between treatments. Feed conversion ratio and feed consumption were significantly increased for the variable light treatment, with a difference of 0.06 g feed:g gain (P = 0.01) and 228 g/bird (P = 0.02), respectively. The data herein illustrate the need to mitigate light ingress through ventilation system components to improve live performance in broilers.
One-way wireless clock transfer for coherent distributed arrays

One-way wireless clock transfer for cohering the emissions of separated radio frequency transmitters is demonstrated in this paper. The clock signal is modulated onto a carrier frequency and transferred from the master node to the slave node over a wireless link. Leveraging recent developments in high-accuracy microwave ranging developed by the authors, the one-way clock transfer method can be used to implement a simple, low-overhead distributed clock alignment method for cohering the emissions of transmitters in coherent distributed arrays.
Energy management of end users modeling their reaction from a GENCO's point of view

In this study, price-controlled energy management problem of the end users are investigated in the generation scheduling and unit commitment problems of a generation company (GENCO) to minimize its overall cost. Herein, the reaction of end users with respect to the energy management schemes is modeled considering different mathematical behavioral models for the end users. It is shown that price-controlled energy management of end users has a considerable potential for minimizing the operation cost of a GENCO. In addition, it is proven that just an optimal scheme of energy management is able to result in the minimum value of operation cost for the GENCO.
Helicobacter pylori as an oncogenic pathogen, revisited

Gastric cancer is an inflammation-associated malignancy aetiologically related to infection with the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, which is considered a necessary but insufficient cause. Unless treated, H. pylori causes life-long acute and chronic gastric inflammation resulting in progressive gastric mucosal damage that may result in gastric cancer. The rate of progression from superficial gastritis, to an atrophic metaplastic mucosa, and ultimately to cancer relates to the virulence of the infecting H. pylori as well as host and environmental factors. H. pylori virulence is a reflection of its propensity to cause severe gastric inflammation. Both mucosal inflammation and H. pylori can cause host genomic instability, including dysregulation of DNA mismatch repair, stimulation of expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase, abnormal DNA methylation and dysregulation of micro RNAs, which may result in an accumulation of mutations and loss of normal regulation of cell growth. The difference in cancer risk between the most and least virulent H. pylori strain is only approximately 2-fold. Overall, none of the putative virulence factors identified to date have proved to be disease-specific. The presence, severity, extent and duration of inflammation appear to be the most important factors and current evidence suggests that any host, environmental or bacterial factor that reliably enhances the inflammatory response to the H. pylori infection increases the risk of gastric cancer.
A taxonomy of motion applications in data visualization

We propose a new taxonomy that explains the roles of motion in data visualization, focusing especially on their communicative aspects. Our taxonomy clarifies the main axis in how visualization designers can employ motion in data portrayal.
Direction of effects in categorical variables: Looking inside the table.

In the variable-oriented domain, direction of dependence analysis of metric variables is defined in terms of changes that the independent (or causal) variable has on the univariate distribution of the dependent variable. In this article, we take a person-oriented perspective and extend this approach in two aspects, for categorical variables. First, instead of looking at univariate frequency distributions, direction dependence is defined in terms of special interactions. That is, direction dependence is defined as a process that can be detected “inside the table” instead of in its marginals. Second, the present approach takes an event-based perspective. That is, direction of effect is defined for individual categories of variables instead of the entire range of possible scores (or categories). Log-linear models are presented that allow researchers to test the corresponding hypotheses. Simulation studies illustrate characteristics and performance of these models. An empirical ex-ample investigates whether there is truth to the adage that money does not buy happiness. Extensions and limitations are discussed.
Researchers' participation in and motivations for engaging with research information management systems.

This research is supported by an OCLC/ALISE Library and Information Research Grant for 2016 and a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) of the U.S. Government (grant number LG-73-16-0006-16). This article reflects the findings and conclusions of the authors, and does not necessarily reflect the views of IMLS, OCLC, and ALISE.
Differential retention and release of CO2 and CH4 in kerogen nanopores: Implications for gas extraction and carbon sequestration

Abstract Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), the two major components generated from kerogen maturation, are stored dominantly in nanometer-sized pores in shale matrix as (1) a compressed gas, (2) an adsorbed surface species and/or (3) a species dissolved in pore water (H2O). In addition, supercritical CO2 has been proposed as a fracturing fluid for simultaneous enhanced oil/gas recovery (EOR) and carbon sequestration. A mechanistic understanding of CH4-CO2-H2O interactions in shale nanopores is critical for designing effective operational processes. Using molecular simulations, we show that kerogen preferentially retains CO2 over CH4 and that the majority of CO2 either generated during kerogen maturation or injected in EOR will remain trapped in the kerogen matrix. The trapped CO2 may be released only if the reservoir pressure drops below the supercritical CO2 pressure. When water is present in the kerogen matrix, it may block CH4 release. However, the addition of CO2 may enhance CH4 release because CO2 can diffuse through water and exchange for adsorbed methane in the kerogen nanopores.
Between Istanbul and Venice: Agency, Faith, and Empire in the Sixteenth Century

Noel Malcolm’s Agents of Empire: Knights, Corsairs, Jesuits and Spies in the Sixteenth-Century Mediterranean World brilliantly excavates and reconstructs the lives of the members of the Bruni and the Bruti, two prominent Albanian families, whose members played significant roles in the political and military history of the Ottoman and Venetian Empires. This review essay attempts to place this important work in the broader context of Malcolm’s oeuvre and, in particular, to assess the book’s contributions to our understanding of agency, religion, and empire in the early modern period.
High fabrication yield organic tandem photovoltaics combining vacuum- and solution-processed subcells with 15% efficiency

Multijunction solar cells are effective for increasing the power conversion efficiency beyond that of single-junction cells. Indeed, the highest solar cell efficiencies have been achieved using two or more subcells to adequately cover the solar spectrum. However, the efficiencies of organic multijunction solar cells are ultimately limited by the lack of high-performance, near-infrared absorbing organic subcells within the stack. Here, we demonstrate a tandem cell with an efficiency of 15.0 ± 0.3% (for 2 mm2 cells) that combines a solution-processed non-fullerene-acceptor-based infrared absorbing subcell on a visible-absorbing fullerene-based subcell grown by vacuum thermal evaporation. The hydrophilic–hydrophobic interface within the charge-recombination zone that connects the two subcells leads to >95% fabrication yield among more than 130 devices, and with areas up to 1 cm2. The ability to stack solution-based on vapour-deposited cells provides significant flexibility in design over the current, all-vapour-deposited multijunction structures. Organic tandem solar cells combining solution- and vapour-deposited layers are difficult to fabricate due to the degradation of the underlying subcell during the deposition of the next subcell. Here, Che et al. design a charge recombination layer that protects the underlying cell and leads to 15% average PCE for 2 mm2 devices and 11.5% PCE for 1 cm2 devices.
Multi-lineage expansion potential of primitive hematopoietic progenitors: superiority of umbilical cord blood compared to mobilized peripheral blood.

Abstract Objective The majority of studies assessing ex-vivo expansion of primitive hematopoietic cells only address production of myeloid progeny whereas it may be more appropriate to maintain or expand progenitors that retain capacity for multilineage differentiation. In this study, we assessed the capacity of the murine fetal liver cell line AFT024 to expand primitive myeloid progenitors (LTC-IC) and lymphoid progenitors (NK-IC) from umbilical cord blood (CB) and mobilized peripheral blood (PB) CD34 + lin − 38 − cells. Methods Sorted cells were established in expansion cultures in direct contact with the feeder or in a transwell above the feeder (noncontact culture) and various combinations of Flt-3L (FL), stem cell factor, interleukin 7, thrombopoietin (Tpo), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α added. Frequency of LTC-IC and NK-IC was assessed at day 0 and following 2 and 5 weeks expansion culture. Results CB contained significantly more LTC-IC and NK-IC at day 0 and showed an enhanced capacity for expansion compared to PB. The combination of FL and Tpo showed maximal expansion of CB LTC-IC and NK-IC at 5 weeks in both contact and noncontact conditions. In contrast, expansion of PB LTC-IC and NK-IC was maximal at 2 weeks and required multiple cytokines. Conclusions These results demonstrate that AFT024 can expand primitive hematopoietic progenitors from CB and PB and expanded cells retain the capacity for myeloid and lymphoid differentiation. These findings emphasize the importance of assessing multi-lineage differentiation capacity following ex-vivo expansion. Elucidation of specific factors necessary for ex-vivo expansion will contribute to the development of a clinically applicable system.
CHAPTER 5 – Receptors for Parathyroid Hormone and Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein: Signaling and Regulation

The chapter focuses on: (1) Signal transduction and transmembrane signaling by the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)/ Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein (PTHrP) receptor. (2) Regulation and genetic disorder of PTH/PTHrP receptor. The endocrine effects of PTH and the paracrine actions of PTHrP are initiated by the same intrinsic plasma membrane receptor. The sequence of the PTH/PTHrP receptor cDNA was obtained and it was evident that the protein had a predicted topology similar to that of other known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There has been great progress in understanding the molecular basis of activation of the G protein-coupled receptor for PTH and PTHrP. Ligand binding to define sites in the extracellular and transmembrane domains facilitates a conformational change in the receptor that appears to include the movement of the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane helices 3 and 6 away from one another. Specific cytoplasmic amino acids, particularly in the second and third cytoplasmic loops, mediate the activation of the cognate G proteins G s and G q , resulting in activation of adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. Once activated, PTH/PTHrP receptors are subject to regulatory phosphorylation on serine residues in the cytoplasmic tail. Phosphorylation of the receptor followed by the binding of arrestin may participate in both desensitization and endocytosis of the PTH/PTHrP receptor, but this is yet to be demonstrated unequivocally. The receptor also contains other determinants of endocytosis (both positive and negative), and these are likely to regulate PTH/PTHrP receptor down-regulation during chronic exposure to agonists. Further progress in understanding the structural basis of PTH/PTHrP receptor function will continue to provide insights into the control of cellular function by these essential regulatory polypeptides.
Microbiology of Potable Water

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the microbiology of potable water from a historical as well as an ecological perspective. The historical perspective reacquaints with the insights and endeavors of investigators who preceded researchers in the quest for protection and understanding of the microbial quality of water. The ecological perspective is reviewed as it applies to applied ecology, which attempts to explain why and how organisms move from one ecosystem to another and the mechanisms which prevent or enhance such movement. “Ecosystem” is defined as each unique environment, i.e., source waters, treatment plants, or distribution systems. Once this view is adopted, the subject of potable water microbiology becomes a series of discrete yet intimately linked parts. One can imagine the source water, treatment plants, and the distribution system as separate ecosystems linked together by the continuous flow of water from its origin to the consumer. This chapter identifies the critical linkages and how they function in each of these systems. It endeavors to report not only the state of knowledge of microbiology, but also the importance of chemistry and engineering aspects, in each compartment of the potable water system.
Using bar preservation to constrain reworking in channel-dominated fluvial stratigraphy

Fluvial deposits comprising more than 80% channel facies are often thought to have accumulated during intervals of relatively slow subsidence in sedimentary basins. This interpretation stems from the conceptual model that migrating and avulsing rivers rework their own deposits during times of limited accommodation creation, preferentially removing and bypassing fine floodplain deposits. Alternatively, channel-dominated stratigraphy may reflect avulsion patterns that favor channel preservation over floodplain preservation, or channel networks fed by sand-rich sediment sources that never deposited significant floodplain sediments. These potential origins of channel-dominated stratigraphy cannot be differentiated without a way of independently assessing how ancient rivers eroded and reworked their own alluvium. Here we propose a new method that uses fluvial-bar preservation as a proxy for reworking in channel-dominated stratigraphy. We apply this approach to the lower Castlegate Sandstone (Upper Cretaceous, Utah, USA) and use geometric modeling to investigate the degree to which sediment supply and avulsion dynamics influence fluvial deposit preservation. Castlegate exposures in central Utah show up to 80% bar preservation in some localities, suggesting that, in contrast to previously published interpretations, Castlegate channel deposits are not heavily reworked and accommodation-creation rates during Castlegate deposition might have been relatively high. Model comparisons indicate that well-preserved Castlegate deposits could have resulted from random avulsions in a rapidly aggrading basin with a sand-dominated sediment supply, or under lower aggradation conditions if river avulsions avoided previously occupied locations. This approach represents a new advance for interpreting the relationships between basin accommodation, sediment supply, and avulsion dynamics on ancient landscapes and provides a new method for estimating sediment reworking and bypass from ancient river deposits.
Can We Be More Innovative with Program Revision?: Using a Data-Driven 360 Degree Program Review Model

This paper presents a program revision framework that examines every aspect of a degree program and uses an assessment process built on data analytics: a data-driven 360-Degree program review model. A data driven approach was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate an existing program and the improved program after implementing changes.
Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 Acting as an Oncoprotein Drives Estrogen-Induced Breast Carcinogenesis

We have previously shown nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1)-mediated transcriptional programming of mitobiogenesis contributes to estrogen-induced breast cancer through modulating cell cycle progression. In this study, we report a new role of NRF1 that goes beyond that of programming mitobiogenesis. Specifically, we report a novel oncogenic function of NRF1 supporting its causative role in breast cancer development and progression. The gain of NRF1 and/or treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2) produced heterogeneous breast cancer stem cell (BCSC)-like subsets composed of more than 10 distinct cell sub-populations. Flow sorting combined with confocal imaging of markers for pluripotency, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and BCSCs phenotypically confirmed that the BCSC-like subset arise from cell re-programming. Thus, we determined the molecular actions of NRF1 on its target gene CXCR4 because of its known role in the acquisition of the BCSC-like subset through EMT. CXCR4 was activated by NRF1 in a redox-dependent manner during malignant transformation. An NRF1-induced BCSC-like subset was able to form xenograft tumors in vivo, while inhibiting transcription of CXCR4 prevented xenograft tumor growth. Consistent with our observation of NRF1-driven breast tumorigenesis in the experimental model, higher protein levels of NRF1 were also found in human breast cancer tissue specimens. This highly novel role of NRF1 in the stochastic acquisition of BCSC-like subsets and their progression to a malignant phenotype may open an entirely new research direction targeting NRF1 signaling in invasive breast cancer. Our discovery of targeting transcriptional activation of CXCR4 to inhibit NRF1-induced oncogenic transformation provides a mechanistic explanation for estrogen-dependent breast carcinogenesis and opens new avenues in strategic therapeutics to fight breast cancer.
What's in a definition?: a simulation framework for modeling sepsis interventions using electronic health records

Sepsis, the body’s inflammatory response to infection, is a serious complication and leading cause of in-hospital mortality. Timely intervention is both difficult and critical since sepsis can rapidly worsen to organ dysfunction and septic shock. However, the lack of a gold-standard definition renders the lines between these transitions unclear, complicating medical decision-making. Using electronic health records, we build a simulation framework to study the evolution of dynamic physiological and cellular responses to therapeutic interventions in septic patients. Since sepsis trajectories can manifest differently depending on patient characteristics, we incorporate patient heterogeneity through comorbidity, age, race, and gender. Under therapeutic interventions recommended by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we illustrate the framework on patient trajectories using the CMS criteria for sepsis definition. The framework is designed to support the comparison and quantification of the impact of clinical definitions and recommended interventions on the timely identification of sepsis states.
Improvement of Tribological and Biocompatibility Properties of Orthopedic Materials Using Piezoelectric Direct Discharge Plasma Surface Modification.

Various types of alloys and polymers are utilized in orthopedic implants. However, there are still several issues accompanied by the use of prosthetic materials, such as low wear performance and catastrophic failure. Surface enhancement of biomaterials is a promising method that can improve the success rate of prosthetic operations without negatively affecting their bulk properties while improving the biocompatibility of implants and reducing infections. Nonthermal plasma treatment has become a ubiquitous surface modification method in sterilization and healthcare applications. However, the clinical applications of such an approach have been limited due to the lack of detailed studies delineating the wear behavior and biocompatibility of implants after plasma treatment. In this study, we have employed a handheld piezoelectric direct discharge (PDD) plasma generator to modify the surface of two common metallic (Ti6Al4V) and nonmetallic (GUR1020 polymer) biomaterials used typically in joint and disc replace...
Designing for Preregistration: A User-Centered Perspective

The replication crisis---a failure to replicate foundational studies---has sparked a conversation in psychology, HCI, and beyond about scientific reliability. To address the crisis, researchers increasingly adopt preregistration: the practice of documenting research plans before conducting a study. Done properly, preregistration should reduce bias from taking exploratory findings as confirmatory. It is crucial to treat preregistration, often an online form/template, as a user-centered design problem to ensure preregistration achieves its intended goal. To understand preregistration in practice, we conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with preregistration users (researchers) who ranged in seniority and experience. We identified two main purposes researchers have for using preregistration, in addition to different user roles and adoption barriers. With the ultimate goal of improving the reliability of scientific findings, we suggest opportunities to explicitly support the different aspects of preregistration use based on our findings.
Mixture of Regression Models for Large Spatial Datasets

AbstractWhen a spatial regression model that links a response variable to a set of explanatory variables is desired, it is unlikely that the same regression model holds throughout the domain when t...
Proteomic analysis of decellularized pancreatic matrix identifies collagen V as a critical regulator for islet organogenesis from human pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract In pancreatic tissue engineering, generating human pancreatic islet organoids from stem cells has been challenging dfigue mainly to a poor understanding of niches required for multicellular tissue self-assembly in vitro. In this study, we aimed to identify bioactive, chemically defined niches from natural, biological materials for islet development in vitro. We investigated the proteomics of decellularized rat pancreatic extracellular matrix (dpECM) hydrogel using advanced bioinformatics analysis, and identified that type V collagen (ColV) is constantly and abundantly present in dpECM hydrogel. Niches provided to human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by presenting ColV in matrix coating substrates permitted stem cells progression into islet-like organoids that consist of all major pancreatic endocrine cell types, i.e. α, β, δ, and pancreatic polypeptide cells. In the presence of ColV niches, gene expressions of all key pancreatic transcription factors and major hormone genes significantly increased in iPSC-derived organoids. Most importantly, ColV-containing microenvironment resulted in enhanced glucose responsive secretions of both insulin and glucagon hormone from organoids. The study demonstrates that ColV is a critical regulator that augments islet self-assembly from iPSCs, and it is feasible to utilize natural biomaterials to build tissue cues essential for multicellular tissue production in vitro.
Sleep quality and nocturnal pain in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome and acetabular dysplasia (AD) are common pathologies that lead to pain in the young adult hip. Nocturnal pain in these patients is often reported, yet little is known regarding the effect of these hip pathologies on overall sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sleep quality in patients with AD and FAI syndrome. This cross-sectional study consisted of 115 patients who complained of hip pain secondary to either FAI syndrome or AD. One hundred fifteen patients with hip pain secondary to FAI syndrome and AD were assessed using the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and then Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multiple linear regression, with adaptive LASSO variable selection, was used to assess factors associated with sleep quality. Of the 115 patients, 62 had a diagnosis of FAI syndrome and 53 with AD. The mean age was 34.55 ± 11.66 (age range: 14 to 58 years), 76.52% had an ASA classification of 1 (ASA range: 1 to 3), and all Tonnis grades were either 0 or 1. The mean PSQI global score for all patients was 8.46 ± 4.35 (PSQI range: 0 to 21), indicating poor sleep quality. The adaptive LASSO-penalized least squares multiple linear regression revealed that HOOS Pain, SF-12 Role Emotional, and SF-12 Mental Health significantly predicted Sleep Quality (Adjusted R2 = 0.4041). Sleep quality improved as pain, emotional problems, and mental health improved. Patients with symptomatic FAI syndrome and AD have poor sleep quality. Worsening pain from a patient’s hip pathology is associated with poor sleep, even prior to the onset of osteoarthrosis of the hip. Patients presenting with hip pain from FAI syndrome and AD should be screened for sleep disturbance and may benefit from a multidisciplinary treatment approach.