Cybersecurity challenges in energy sector (virtual power plants) - can edge computing principles be applied to enhance security?

Distributed generators (D.G.'s) enable us to generate, supply and be self-reliant on power while also allows us to supply power to meet the demand through virtual power plants.

More than protection: the function of TiO interlayers in hematite functionalized Si photoanodes.

Worldwide significant efforts are ongoing to develop devices that store solar energy as fuels. In one such approach, solar energy is absorbed by semiconductors and utilized directly by catalysts at their surfaces to split water into H2 and O2. To protect the semiconductors in these photo-electrochemical cells (PEC) from corrosion, frequently thin TiO2 interlayers are applied.

Fabrication of microporous layer - free hierarchical gas diffusion electrode as a low Pt-loading PEMFC cathode by direct growth of helical carbon nanofibers.

Improving interfacial contact between each component in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can lead to a significant increase in power density and Pt utilization. In this work, the junction between the catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer (GDL) is greatly enhanced through direct attachment of helical carbon nanofibers, giving rise to a hierarchical structure within the electrical interconnections. The alternative novel GDL is produced by spraying a thin layer of PdC precursor on commercial carbon paper, followed by chemical vapor deposition growth resulting in a surface morphology of well-attached nanofibers surrounding the microfibers present in the commercial carbon paper.

A microstructured p-Si photocathode outcompetes Pt as a counter electrode to hematite in photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Herein, we communicate about an Earth-abundant semiconductor photocathode (p-Si/TiO2/NiOx) as an alternative for the rare and expensive Pt as a counter electrode for overall photoelectrochemical water splitting. The proposed photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting device mimics the "Z"-scheme observed in natural photosynthesis by combining two photoelectrodes in a parallel-illumination mode. A nearly 60% increase in the photocurrent density (Jph) for pristine α-Fe2O3 and a 77% increase in the applied bias photocurrent efficiency (ABPE) were achieved by replacing the conventionally used Pt cathode with an efficient, cost effective p-Si/TiO2/NiOx photocathode under parallel illumination.

Mechanisms of MAFG Dysregulation in Cholestatic Liver Injury and Development of Liver Cancer.

Background & Aims: MAF bZIP transcription factor G (MAFG) is activated by the farnesoid X receptor to repress bile acid synthesis. However, expression of MAFG increases during cholestatic liver injury in mice and in cholangiocarcinomas. MAFG interacts directly with methionine adenosyltransferase α1 (MATα1) and other transcription factors at the E-box element to repress transcription.

Influence of Sb as a Double Donor on Hematite (Fe) Photoanodes for Surface-Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

To exploit the full potential of hematite (α-FeO) as an efficient photoanode for water oxidation, the redox processes occurring at the FeO/electrolyte interface need to be studied in greater detail. Ex situ doping is an excellent technique to introduce dopants onto the photoanode surface and to modify the photoanode/electrolyte interface. In this context, we selected antimony (Sb) as the ex situ dopant because it is an effective electron donor and reduces recombination effects and concurrently utilize the possibility to tuning the surface charge and wettability.

Predictors of Mortality in the Critically Ill Cirrhotic Patient: Is the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Enough?

Background: Critically ill cirrhotics require liver transplantation urgently, but are at high risk for perioperative mortality. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, recently updated to incorporate serum sodium, estimates survival probability in patients with cirrhosis, but needs additional evaluation in the critically ill. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive power of ICU admission MELD scores and identify clinical risk factors associated with increased mortality.

Management of refractory ascites in cirrhosis: Are we out of date?

Cirrhosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with liver transplantations as it only possible cure. In the face of a significant organ shortage many patients die waiting. A major complication of cirrhosis is the development of portal hypertension and ascites.

Cultured circulating tumor cells and their derived xenografts for personalized oncology.

Recent cancer research has demonstrated the existence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in cancer patient's blood. Once identified, CTC biomarkers will be invaluable tools for clinical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. In this review, we propose culture as a rational strategy for large scale amplification of the limited numbers of CTCs from a patient sample, to derive enough CTCs for accurate and reproducible characterization of the biophysical, biochemical, gene expressional and behavioral properties of the harvested cells.

Peribiliary hepatic cysts presenting as hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a patient with end-stage liver disease.

Peribiliary cysts are cystic dilatations of peribiliary glands in the liver. They are present in ~50% of cirrhotic patients, but are underrecognized because they are usually asymptomatic and rarely present as obstructive jaundice. A 63-year-old male with hepatitis C cirrhosis, awaiting liver transplantation, had a new finding of intrahepatic dilatation on magnetic resonance imaging.

Trade-off between Zr Passivation and Sn Doping on Hematite Nanorod Photoanodes for Efficient Solar Water Oxidation: Effects of a ZrO2 Underlayer and FTO Deformation.

Herein we report the influence of a ZrO2 underlayer on the PEC (photoelectrochemical) behavior of hematite nanorod photoanodes for efficient solar water splitting. Particular attention was given to the cathodic shift in onset potential and photocurrent enhancement. Akaganite (β-FeOOH) nanorods were grown on ZrO2-coated FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) substrates.

Targeting mTOR in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Treatment options for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are limited; however, new therapies targeting specific tumor-related molecular characteristics may help certain patient cohorts. Emerging preclinical data have shown that inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in specific KRAS-dependent PDAC subtypes leads to inhibition of tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Early phase II studies of mono-mTOR inhibition have not shown promise.

Impact of margin status and lymphadenectomy on clinical outcomes in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: implications for adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is controversial. Minimal data exists regarding the clinical significance of margin clearance distance and lymph node (LN) parameters, such as extent of dissection and LN ratio. We assessed the impact of these variables on clinical outcomes to more clearly define the subset of patients who may benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).

Sn/Be Sequentially co-doped Hematite Photoanodes for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation: Effect of Be(2+) as co-dopant.

For ex-situ co-doping methods, sintering at high temperatures enables rapid diffusion of Sn(4+) and Be(2+) dopants into hematite (α-Fe2O3) lattices, without altering the nanorod morphology or damaging their crystallinity. Sn/Be co-doping results in a remarkable enhancement in photocurrent (1.7 mA/cm(2)) compared to pristine α-Fe2O3 (0.

Profile of Inflammation-associated genes during Hepatic Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Expression of genes associated with inflammation was analyzed during differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to hepatic cells. Messenger RNA transcript profiles of differentiated endoderm (day 5), hepatoblast (day 15) and hepatocyte-like cells (day 21) were obtained by RNA sequencing analysis. When compared to endoderm cells an immature cell type, the hepatic cells (days 15 and 21) had significantly higher expression of acute phase protein genes including complement factors, coagulation factors, serum amyloid A and serpins.

Photoelectrochemical, impedance and optical data for self Sn-diffusion doped Fe2O3 photoanodes fabricated at high temperature by one and two-step annealing methods.

The optical, morphological and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of transition metal oxide semiconductors are important to understand their influence on water oxidation performance. Herein, we provide experimental evidences for a better understanding of the factors that dictate the interactions of Sn-diffusion doping on the PEC properties of Fe2O3 photoanodes fabricated at high temperature by one- and two-step annealing methods. The synthesis, characterization methods and other experimental details are provided.

Hemodynamic Consequences of Laparoscopy for Patients on Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Background: Technologic advances and superior survival with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) have led to an expanding population that develops intraabdominal conditions requiring intervention. Whether laparoscopy can be performed without detrimental effects on hemodynamics and device function is not well described.

Materials And Methods: Effects of laparoscopy performed on MCS were retrospectively assessed.

Combined Lung-Kidney Transplantation: An Analysis of the UNOS/OPTN Database.

Poor outcomes after thoracic transplantation with concurrent renal dysfunction are well described: without transplantation or with thoracic-only transplantation, patients face unacceptably high mortality. Outcomes after combined lung-kidney transplantation (LKT) remain largely uninvestigated. The United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database was queried to identify all LKTs, lung transplantations (LTs), and kidney transplantations (KTs) performed in the United States from 1995 to 2013.

Fulminant clostridium difficile colitis: comparing computed tomography with histopathology: are they concordant?

A Total abdominal colectomy (TAC) is recommended for fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (FCDC) because intraoperative assessment of diseased segments is inaccurate. To determine whether computerized tomography (CT) provides an accurate assessment of disease, we examined the concordance between CT and histopathologic colitis distribution in patients undergoing TAC for FCDC. The ileocolon was divided into seven distinct segments.

Outcomes of vascular resection in pancreaticoduodenectomy: single-surgeon experience.

Extension of pancreatic adenocarcinoma into adjacent vasculature often necessitates resection of the portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The vein is reconstructed primarily by end-to-end anastomosis of vein remnants or venoplasty or by use of autologous or synthetic vein grafts. The objective of this study was to review outcomes in patients undergoing PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, specifically comparing the short- and long-term outcomes between the patients undergoing vascular resection and those undergoing standard PD.

A simple algorithm for drain management after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Pancreatic fistula (PF) continues to be the Achilles' heel of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with both morbidity and mortality linked to its occurrence. The optimal drain management strategy after PD remains unclear. We evaluated drain amylase (DA) levels on postoperative Day (POD) 0 to 5 in 76 consecutive patients undergoing PD to determine the patterns associated with PF.