Assessing genomic diversity and signatures of selection in Pinan cattle using whole-genome sequencing data.

BACKGROUND: Crossbreeding is an important way to improve production beef cattle performance. Pinan cattle is a new hybrid cattle obtained from crossing Piedmontese bulls with Nanyang cows. After more than 30 years of cross-breeding, Pinan cattle show a variety of excellent characteristics, including fast growth, early onset of puberty, and good meat quality. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, and genomic region under the selection of Pinan cattle based on whole-genome sequencing data of 30 Pinan cattle and 169 published cattle genomic data worldwide.  RESULTS: Estimating ancestry composition analysis showed that the composition proportions for our Pinan cattle were mainly Piedmontese and a small amount of Nanyang cattle. The analyses of nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium decay indicated that the genomic diversity of Pinan cattle was higher than that of European cattle and lower than that of Chinese indigenous cattle. De-correlated composite of multiple selection signals, which combines four different statistics including θπ, CLR, FST, and XP-EHH, was computed to detect the signatures of selection in the Pinan cattle genome. A total of 83 genes were identified, affecting many economically important traits. Functional annotation revealed that these selected genes were related to immune (BOLA-DQA2, BOLA-DQB, LSM14A, SEC13, and NAALADL2), growth traits (CYP4A11, RPL26, and MYH10), embryo development (REV3L, NT5E, CDX2, KDM6B, and ADAMTS9), hornless traits (C1H21orf62), and climate adaptation (ANTXR2). CONCLUSION: In this paper, we elucidated the genomic characteristics, ancestry composition, and selective signals related to important economic traits in Pinan cattle. These results will provide the basis for further genetic improvement of Pinan cattle and reference for other hybrid cattle related studies.

Genome-wide association study and scan for signatures of selection point to candidate genes for body temperature maintenance under the cold stress in Siberian cattle populations.

BACKGROUND: Design of new highly productive livestock breeds, well-adapted to local climatic conditions is one of the aims of modern agriculture and breeding. The genetics underlying economically important traits in cattle are widely studied, whereas our knowledge of the genetic mechanisms of adaptation to local environments is still scarce. To address this issue for cold climates we used an integrated approach for detecting genomic intervals related to body temperature maintenance under acute cold stress. Our approach combined genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and scans for signatures of selection applied to a cattle population (Hereford and Kazakh Whiteheaded beef breeds) bred in Siberia. We utilized the GGP HD150K DNA chip containing 139,376 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. RESULTS: We detected a single candidate region on cattle chromosome (BTA)15 overlapping between the GWAS results and the results of scans for selective sweeps. This region contains two genes, MSANTD4 and GRIA4. Both genes are functional candidates to contribute to the cold-stress resistance phenotype, due to their indirect involvement in the cold shock response (MSANTD4) and body thermoregulation (GRIA4). CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to a novel region on BTA15 which is a candidate region associated with the body temperature maintenance phenotype in Siberian cattle. The results of our research and the follow up studies might be used for the development of cattle breeds better adapted to cold climates of the Russian Federation and other Northern countries with similar climates.

An Assessment of Three Different In Situ Oxygen Sensors for Monitoring Silage Production and Storage.

Oxygen (O2) concentration inside the substrate is an important measurement for silage-research and-practical management. In the laboratory gas chromatography is commonly employed for O2 measurement. Among sensor-based techniques, accurate and reliable in situ measurement is rare because of high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the introduction of O2 in the silage. The presented study focused on assessing three types of commercial O2 sensors, including Clark oxygen electrodes (COE), galvanic oxygen cell (GOC) sensors and the Dräger chip measurement system (DCMS). Laboratory cross calibration of O2 versus CO2 (each 0-15 vol.%) was made for the COE and the GOC sensors. All calibration results verified that O2 measurements for both sensors were insensitive to CO2. For the O2 in situ measurement in silage, all O2 sensors were first tested in two sealed barrels (diameter 35.7 cm; height: 60 cm) to monitor the O2 depletion with respect to the ensiling process (Test-A). The second test (Test-B) simulated the silage unloading process by recording the O2 penetration dynamics in three additional barrels, two covered by dry ice (0.6 kg or 1.2 kg of each) on the top surface and one without. Based on a general comparison of the experimental data, we conclude that each of these in situ sensor monitoring techniques for O2 concentration in silage exhibit individual advantages and limitations.

Whole-Genome Scanning for Selection Signatures Reveals Candidate Genes Associated with Growth and Tail Length in Sheep.

Compared to Chinese indigenous sheep, Western sheep have rapid growth rate, larger physique, and higher meat yield. These excellent Western sheep were introduced into China for crossbreeding to expedite the enhancement of production performance and mutton quality in local breeds. Here, we investigated population genetic structure and genome-wide selection signatures among the Chinese indigenous sheep and the introduced sheep based on whole-genome resequencing data. The PCA, N-J tree and ADMIXTURE results showed significant genetic difference between Chinese indigenous sheep and introduced sheep. The nucleotide diversity (π) and linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay results indicated that the genomic diversity of introduced breeds were lower. Then, Fst & π ratio, XP-EHH, and de-correlated composite of multiple signals (DCMS) methods were used to detect the selection signals. The results showed that we identified important candidate genes related to growth rate and body size in the introduced breeds. Selected genes with stronger selection signatures are associated with growth rate (CRADD), embryonic development (BVES, LIN28B, and WNT11), body size (HMGA2, MSRB3, and PTCH1), muscle development and fat metabolism (MSTN, PDE3A, LGALS12, GGPS1, and SAR1B), wool color (ASIP), and hair development (KRT71, KRT74, and IRF2BP2). Thus, these genes have the potential to serve as candidate genes for enhancing the growth traits of Chinese indigenous sheep. We also identified tail-length trait-related candidate genes (HOXB13, LIN28A, PAX3, and VEGFA) in Chinese long-tailed breeds. Among these genes, HOXB13 is the main candidate gene for sheep tail length phenotype. LIN28A, PAX3, and VEGFA are related to embryonic development and angiogenesis, so these genes may be candidate genes for sheep tail type traits. This study will serve as a foundation for further genetic improvement of Chinese indigenous sheep and as a reference for studies related to growth and development of sheep.

Use of Dichlorodimethylsilane to Produce Polydimethylsiloxane as a Substitute for Vitreous Humour: Characteristics and In Vitro Toxicity.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a substitute for vitreous humour in vitreoretinal surgery and is usually produced from octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4). In Indonesia, both commercial PDMS and D4 are limited and expensive. Dichlorodimethylsilane (DCMS) can be an alternative to produce PDMS. DCMS is cheaper and easier to obtain than D4. However, more extra effort is needed in order to produce PDMS from DCMS. Therefore, this study aimed to produce PDMS from DCMS by varying the ratio of DCMS precursor to dichloromethane (DCM) solvent at ratios of 1:1 and 1:4 through the hydrolysis-condensation method under neutral conditions. The PDMS produced had medium- (2.06 Pa·s) and high viscosity (3.59 Pa·s), with densities ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 g/mL. The refractive index was 1.4034-1.4036 and surface tension was 21 × 10-3 N/m, while they were able to transmit ~100% visible light, which were similar values to the commercial PDMS characteristics. PDMS samples were characterized using IR and NMR spectroscopy, which confirmed they were of PDMS type. The most optimum DCMS:DCM ratio was 1:1 due to the medium-viscosity PDMS type that could be produced. The in vitro HET-CAM toxicity test showed that samples were non-irritant, similar to PDMS produced from D4. PDMS from DCMS was non-toxic and ready to be used as a vitreous humuor substitution.

Computational study on persulfate activation by two-dimensional carbon materials with various nitrogen proportions for carbamazepine oxidation in wastewater: The essential role of graphitic N atoms.

Two-dimensional carbon materials with various N atom proportions (2D-CNMs) are constructed to clarify the optimal catalyst for carbamazepine (CBZ) oxidation and the inner mechanism for persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (P-AOPs). Results show that peroxydisulfate (PDS) can be activated by all 2D-CNMs with the order of C3N > C71N > graphene > C2N > CN, while C3N is the only catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The C3N with the maximum graphitic N can activate PDS and PMS in a wide temperature range at any pH, and demonstrates the optimal CBZ oxidation performance. Notably, the graphitic N atoms promote P-AOPs from five aspects: (i) electron structure, (ii) electrical conductivity, (iii) electron transfer from persulfate to catalysts, (iv) electron jump of co-system before and after activation, (v) interaction between catalyst and persulfate. The most vigorous activity of C3N is attributed to the greatest number of graphitic N. This work clarifies the essential role of graphitic N atoms with implications for the catalyst design, and facilitates the environmental applications of P-AOPs for micropollutant abatement.

Highly Stable and Enhanced Performance of p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells via Cuprous Oxide Hole-Transport Layers.

Solar light is a renewable source of energy that can be used and transformed into electricity using clean energy technology. In this study, we used direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) to sputter p-type cuprous oxide (Cu2O) films with different oxygen flow rates (fO2) as hole-transport layers (HTLs) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The PSC device with the structure of ITO/Cu2O/perovskite/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM)/bathocuproine (BCP)/Ag showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.91%. Subsequently, a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) Cu2O film was embedded and promoted the device performance to 10.29%. As HiPIMS has a high ionization rate, it can create higher density films with low surface roughness, which passivates surface/interface defects and reduces the leakage current of PSCs. We further applied the superimposed high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (superimposed HiPIMS) derived Cu2O as the HTL, and we observed PCEs of 15.20% under one sun (AM1.5G, 1000 Wm-2) and 25.09% under indoor illumination (TL-84, 1000 lux). In addition, this PSC device outperformed by demonstrating remarkable long-term stability via retaining 97.6% (dark, Ar) of its performance for over 2000 h.

Resequencing and Signatures of Selective Scans Point to Candidate Genetic Variants for Hair Length Traits in Long-Haired and Normal-Haired Tianzhu White Yak.

Tianzhu white yak is a rare local yak breed with a pure white coat in China. In recent years, breeders have discovered long-haired individuals characterized by long hair on the forehead in the Tianzhu white yak, and the length and density of the hair on these two parts of the body are higher than that of the normal Tianzhu white yak. To elucidate the genetic mechanism of hair length in Tianzhu white yak, we re-sequence the whole genome of long-haired Tianzhu White yak (LTWY) (n = 10) and normal Tianzhu White yak (NTWY) (n = 10). Then, fixation index (F ST), θπ ratio, cross-population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR), integrated haplotype score (iHS), cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH), and one composite method, the de-correlated composite of multiple signals (DCMS) were performed to discover the loci and genes related to long-haired traits. Based on five single methods, we found two hotspots of 0.2 and 1.1 MB in length on chromosome 6, annotating two (FGF5, CFAP299) and four genes (ATP8A1, SLC30A9, SHISA3, TMEM33), respectively. Function enrichment analysis of genes in two hotspots revealed Ras signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and Rap1 signaling pathway were involved in the process of hair length differences. Besides, the DCMS method further found that four genes (ACOXL, PDPK1, MAGEL2, CDH1) were associated with hair follicle development. Henceforth, our work provides novel genetic insights into the mechanisms of hair growth in the LTWY.

Tailoring the Hybrid Magnetron Sputtering Process (HiPIMS and dcMS) to Manufacture Ceramic Multilayers: Powering Conditions, Target Materials, and Base Layers.

The mechanical and wear behavior of CrN/CrAlN multilayers were improved by tailoring the experimental conditions of a hybrid magnetron sputtering process based on a high-power impulse (HiPIMS) and two direct current magnetron sputtering (dcMS) power supplies. To this end, the influence of the base layer and of the combination of Cr and CrAl targets, which were switched to the dcMS and HiPIMS power supplies in different configurations, were investigated with respect to the growth of ceramic CrN/CrAlN multilayers onto commercial gas-nitrided diesel piston rings. The microstructure, grain morphology, and mechanical properties were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and instrumented nanoindentation. Bench wear tests simulating the operation of a combustion engine were conducted against a gray cast iron cylinder liner under reciprocating conditions using 0W20 oil as a lubricating agent enriched with Al2O3 particles. The results revealed a significant increase in hardness, resistance to plastic strain, and wear resistance when two CrAl targets were switched to a HiPIMS and a dcMS power supply, and a Cr target was powered by another dcMS power supply. The compressive coating stresses were slightly reduced due to the soft Cr base layer that enabled stress relief within the multilayer. The proposed concept of hybrid magnetron sputtering outperformed the commercial PVD coatings of CrN for diesel piston rings manufactured by cathodic arc evaporation.

Room Temperature Deposition of Nanocrystalline SiC Thin Films by DCMS/HiPIMS Co-Sputtering Technique.

Due to an attractive combination of chemical and physical properties, silicon carbide (SiC) thin films are excellent candidates for coatings to be used in harsh environment applications or as protective coatings in heat exchanger applications. This work reports the deposition of near-stoichiometric and nanocrystalline SiC thin films, at room temperature, on silicon (100) substrates using a DCMS/HiPIMS co-sputtering technique (DCMS-direct current magnetron sputtering; HiPIMS-high-power impulse magnetron sputtering). Their structural and mechanical properties were analyzed as a function of the process gas pressure. The correlation between the films' microstructure and their mechanical properties was thoroughly investigated. The microstructure and morphology of these films were examined by appropriate microscopic and spectroscopic methods: atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy, while their mechanical and tribological properties were evaluated by instrumented indentation and micro-scratch techniques. The lowest value of the working gas pressure resulted in SiC films of high crystallinity, as well as in an improvement in their mechanical performances. Both hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E) values were observed to be significantly influenced by the sputtering gas pressure. Decreasing the gas pressure from 2.0 to 0.5 Pa led to an increase in H and E values from 8.2 to 20.7 GPa and from 106.3 to 240.0 GPa, respectively. Both the H/E ratio and critical adhesion load values follow the same trend and increase from 0.077 to 0.086 and from 1.55 to 3.85 N, respectively.

On Improving Wear Resistance of Cr-Al-N Coatings Using Dynamic Glancing Angle DC Magnetron Sputtering.

The development of alternatives for wear protection in surface engineering can be responsible for a significant decrease in energy waste as a large amount of the energy produced in the world is lost due to tribological contact. Dynamic Glancing Angle Deposition has been recently evaluated as a route to produce coatings with improved wear performance. In this technique, the substrate oscillates along with a determined range in front of the sputtering target during the growth of the film. In this study, five oscillatory ranges (0, ±5°, ±10°, ±15°, ±20°) were probed to manufacture nanostructured Cr-Al-N coatings using direct current magnetron sputtering, and their impact was investigated on the grain morphology, phase formation, chemical composition, and performance of the coatings. FEG-SEM revealed the formation of multilayer-like architecture across the grains of the coatings. The deposition rate and hardness improved, and a more than 2-fold decrease in the material loss was observed in a comparison between the stationary-deposited conventional coating and the sample produced under ±10° oscillatory range. This indicated the potential use of this technique in future surface engineering applications.

Genome-Wide Scanning for Signatures of Selection Revealed the Putative Genomic Regions and Candidate Genes Controlling Milk Composition and Coat Color Traits in Sahiwal Cattle.

BACKGROUND: In the evolutionary time scale, selection shapes the genetic variation and alters the architecture of genome in the organisms. Selection leaves detectable signatures at the genomic coordinates that provide clues about the protein-coding regions. Sahiwal is a valuable indicine cattle adapted to tropical environments with desirable milk attributes. Insights into the genomic regions under putative selection may reveal the molecular mechanisms affecting the quantitative and other important traits. To understand this, the present investigation was undertaken to explore signatures of selection in the genome of Sahiwal cattle using a medium-density genotyping INDUS chip. RESULT: De-correlated composite of multiple selection signals (DCMS), which combines five different univariate statistics, was computed in the dataset to detect the signatures of selection in the Sahiwal genome. Gene annotations, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) enrichment, and functional analyses were carried out for the identification of significant genomic regions. A total of 117 genes were identified, which affect a number of important economic traits. The QTL enrichment analysis highlighted 14 significant [False Discovery Rate (FDR)-corrected p-value ≤ 0.05] regions on chromosomes BTA 1, 3, 6, 11, 20, and 21. The top three enriched QTLs were found on BTA 6, 20, and 23, which are associated with exterior, health, milk production, and reproduction traits. The present study on selection signatures revealed some key genes related with coat color (PDGFRA, KIT, and KDR), facial pigmentation (LEF), milk fat percent (MAP3K1, HADH, CYP2U1, and SGMS2), sperm membrane integrity (OSTC), lactation persistency (MRPS30, NNT, CCL28, HMGCS1, NIM1K, ZNF131, and CCDC152), milk yield (GHR and ZNF469), reproduction (NKX2-1 and DENND1A), and bovine tuberculosis susceptibility (RNF144B and PAPSS1). Further analysis of candidate gene prioritization identified four hub genes, viz., KIT, KDR, MAP3K1, and LEF, which play a role in coat color, facial pigmentation, and milk fat percentage in cattle. Gene enrichment analysis revealed significant Gene ontology (GO) terms related to breed-specific coat color and milk fat percent. CONCLUSION: The key candidate genes and putative genomic regions associated with economic traits were identified in Sahiwal using single nucleotide polymorphism data and the DCMS method. It revealed selection for milk production, coat color, and adaptability to tropical climate. The knowledge about signatures of selection and candidate genes affecting phenotypes have provided a background information that can be further utilized to understand the underlying mechanism involved in these traits in Sahiwal cattle.

Q-Matrix Designs of Longitudinal Diagnostic Classification Models With Hierarchical Attributes for Formative Assessment.

Longitudinal diagnostic classification models (DCMs) with hierarchical attributes can characterize learning trajectories in terms of the transition between attribute profiles for formative assessment. A longitudinal DCM for hierarchical attributes was proposed by imposing model constraints on the transition DCM. To facilitate the applications of longitudinal DCMs, this paper explored the critical topic of the Q-matrix design with a simulation study. The results suggest that including the transpose of the R-matrix in the Q-matrix improved the classification accuracy. Moreover, 10-item tests measuring three linear attributes across three time points provided satisfactory classification accuracy for low-stakes assessment; lower classification rates were observed with independent or divergent attributes. Q-matrix design recommendations were provided for the short-test situation. Implications and future directions were discussed.

Nitrogen-Enriched Cr1-xAlxN Multilayer-Like Coatings Manufactured by Dynamic Glancing Angle Direct Current Magnetron Sputtering.

Multilayer-like CrN and Cr1-xAlxN coatings with different Al contents were deposited onto a stainless steel substrate using dynamic glancing angle deposition direct current magnetron sputtering (DGLAD dcMS) in a N rich atmosphere to understand the role of Al on the growth of the films and mechanical properties of the nitrides with a multilayer architecture. Chemical analysis by means of energy dispersive analysis (EDS) and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) depth profiling revealed that while CrN samples were close to stoichiometric, the Cr1-xAlxN coatings presented excess N between 70 and 80% at. An expressive change in texture was observed as the CrN coating changed its preferred orientation from (111) to (200) with the addition of Al, followed by a modification in morphology from grains with faceted pyramidal tops in CrN to dome-shaped grains in Cr1-xAlxN coatings. Multilayer-like nanostructures of corrugated grains were produced with a periodicity of approximately 30 nm using dynamic glancing angle deposition. The deposition rate was drastically reduced with an increase of Al, meanwhile, the best mechanical performance was achieved for the coating with a higher content of Al, with hardness up to 27 GPa and a higher value of maximum resistance to plastic deformation.

New Evidence for Ag-Sputtered Materials Inactivating Bacteria by Surface Contact without the Release of Ag Ions: End of a Long Controversy?

The study provides new evidence for Ag-coated polyester (PES) mediating Escherichia coli inactivation by way of genetically engineered E. coli (without porins, from now denoted porinless bacteria). This allows the quantification of the bactericidal kinetics induced by the Ag surface without the intervention of Ag ions. Bacterial inactivation mediated by Ag-PES was seen to be completed within 60 min. The samples were prepared by high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) at different sputter powers. In anaerobic media, this process required 120 min. The amounts of ions (Ar+, Ag+, and Ag2+) generated during the deposition by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and HiPIMS were determined by mass spectrometry. The thickness of the Ag films sputtered on PES by DCMS (0.28 A) during 100 s was found to be 340 nm. Thicknesses of 250, 230, and 200 nm were found when sputtering with HiPIMS was tuned at 8, 17, and 30 A, respectively. By scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM-HAADF), the atomic distribution of Ag and oxygen was detected. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a shift in the Ag oxidation state was observed within the bacterial inactivation period. This reveals redox catalysis within the time required for the total bacterial inactivation due to the interaction between the bacterial suspension and Ag-PES. Surface properties of the Ag-coated PES samples were additionally investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The formation of Ag plasmon was detected by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and was a function of the applied sputtering energy. The indoor sunlight irradiation dose required to induce an accelerated bacterial inactivation was found to be 5-10 mW/cm2.

Reactive magnetron co-sputtering of Ti-xCuO coatings: Multifunctional interfaces for blood-contacting devices.

Multifunctional interfaces that promote endothelialisation, suppress the viability of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), prevent the adhesion and activation of platelets, while demonstrating antibacterial activity are of great interest for surface engineering of blood-contacting devices. Here, we report for the first time the high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS)/DC magnetron sputtering (DCMS) co-sputtering of Ti-xCuO coatings that demonstrate this required multifunctionality. The Cu contents and surface chemistry of the coatings are optimized, and the critical role of copper release on the viability of endothelial cells (ECs) and SMCs, platelet adhesion, and antibacterial activities is elucidated. Rutile phase is formed for Ti-xCuO coatings with Cu atomic concentrations in the range of 1.9 to 13.7 at.%. Rutile and nanocrystalline/amorphous structures were determined for the coatings with 16.8 at.% Cu, while an amorphous phase was observed for the coating with 33.9 at.% Cu. The Ti-xCuO coatings with higher Cu contents were more susceptible to corrosion, and the release rates of Cu ions increased with increasing the Cu contents, maintaining a stable releasing state for up to 28 days. The Ti-xCuO coatings with optimum microstructure and Cu contents of 3.1 and 4.2 at.% promoted the viability and proliferation of ECs, suppressed the viability of smooth muscle cells, inhibited the platelet adhesion and activation, and showed excellent antibacterial activities. Such multifunctionality was achieved in one-pot through controlled copper ions release in the presence of titanium oxides such as TiO2 and Ti2O3 on the surface. The Ti-xCuO coatings developed through HPPMS/DCMS co-sputtering are attractive for surface modification of blood-contacting materials such as implantable cardiovascular devices.

A diagnostic classification version of Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire using diagnostic classification models.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain more precise and rich information from the measurements for schizotypal personality disorder (SPD), a cutting-edge psychometric theory called diagnostic classification models (DCMs) was first employed in the present study to develop a diagnostic classification version of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (DC-SPQ) based on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. METHODS: Under the framework of DCMs, 980 college students were recruited to calibrate item parameters of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Items that fit the psychometric characteristic would be selected to compose the DC-SPQ, prior to an analysis of its indexes. RESULTS: Results showed that the DC-SPQ had high reliability and validity in both the classical test theory and DCMs, in addition to showing a sensitivity of 0.921 and a specificity of 0.841 with area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.936. Meanwhile, the four-factor model proposed adequately fits with the data. More importantly, the DC-SPQ provides not only the general-level information similar to traditional questionnaires but also the symptom-level information with the posterior probability, which provides an insight into delivering the individual-specific intervention that is tailor made to schizotypal personality disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the DC-SPQ is very valuable for psychometric detection in that it can clarify the symptom being measured and provide more reasonable estimates.

Innovative Ti1- xNb xN-Ag Films Inducing Bacterial Disinfection by Visible Light/Thermal Treatment.

This study presents innovative Ti1- xNb xN-Ag films obtained by a suitable combination of low-energy and high-energy sputtering leading to bacterial inactivation. The bacterial inactivation kinetics by the TiNbN layers was drastically enhanced by the addition of 6-7% Ag and proceeded to completion within 3 h after the film autoclaving. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the samples after autoclaving presented in their upper layers TiO2, Nb2O5 and Ag2O with a surface composition of Ti0.81Nb0.19N0.99Ag0.068. Surface potential/pH changes in the Ti1- xNb xN-Ag films were monitored during bacterial inactivation. Surface redox processes during the bacterial inactivation were detected by XPS. The diffusion of Ag in the Ti1- xNb xN-Ag films was followed at 50 and 70 °C pointing. The beneficial thermal treatment points out to the bifunctional bacterial inactivation properties of these films and their potential application in healthcare facilities. Interfacial charge transfer (IFCT) under light irradiation between Ag2O, Nb2O5 and TiO2 is suggested consistent with the data found during the course of this study. The TiO2/Nb2O5 lattice mechanism is discussed in the framework of the Verwey's controlled valence model. The surface properties of the Ti1- xNb xN-Ag films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

Building a semantic web-based metadata repository for facilitating detailed clinical modeling in cancer genome studies.

BACKGROUND: Detailed Clinical Models (DCMs) have been regarded as the basis for retaining computable meaning when data are exchanged between heterogeneous computer systems. To better support clinical cancer data capturing and reporting, there is an emerging need to develop informatics solutions for standards-based clinical models in cancer study domains. The objective of the study is to develop and evaluate a cancer genome study metadata management system that serves as a key infrastructure in supporting clinical information modeling in cancer genome study domains. METHODS: We leveraged a Semantic Web-based metadata repository enhanced with both ISO11179 metadata standard and Clinical Information Modeling Initiative (CIMI) Reference Model. We used the common data elements (CDEs) defined in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data dictionary, and extracted the metadata of the CDEs using the NCI Cancer Data Standards Repository (caDSR) CDE dataset rendered in the Resource Description Framework (RDF). The ITEM/ITEM_GROUP pattern defined in the latest CIMI Reference Model is used to represent reusable model elements (mini-Archetypes). RESULTS: We produced a metadata repository with 38 clinical cancer genome study domains, comprising a rich collection of mini-Archetype pattern instances. We performed a case study of the domain "clinical pharmaceutical" in the TCGA data dictionary and demonstrated enriched data elements in the metadata repository are very useful in support of building detailed clinical models. CONCLUSION: Our informatics approach leveraging Semantic Web technologies provides an effective way to build a CIMI-compliant metadata repository that would facilitate the detailed clinical modeling to support use cases beyond TCGA in clinical cancer study domains.