Population-level Balance in Signed Networks

Statistical network models are useful for understanding the underlying formation mechanism and characteristics of complex networks. However, statistical models for \textit{signed networks} have been largely unexplored. In signed networks, there exist both positive (e.g., like, trust) and negative (e.g., dislike, distrust) edges, which are commonly seen in real-world scenarios. The positive and negative edges in signed networks lead to unique structural patterns, which pose challenges for statistical modeling. In this paper, we introduce a statistically principled latent space approach for modeling signed networks and accommodating the well-known \textit{balance theory}, i.e., ``the enemy of my enemy is my friend'' and ``the friend of my friend is my friend''. The proposed approach treats both edges and their signs as random variables, and characterizes the balance theory with a novel and natural notion of population-level balance. This approach guides us towards building a class of balanced inner-product models, and towards developing scalable algorithms via projected gradient descent to estimate the latent variables. We also establish non-asymptotic error rates for the estimates, which are further verified through simulation studies. In addition, we apply the proposed approach to an international relation network, which provides an informative and interpretable model-based visualization of countries during World War II

Semi‐supervised joint learning for longitudinal clinical events classification using neural network models

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163377/2/sta4305.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163377/1/sta4305_am.pd

A missing link in the estuarine nitrogen cycle?: coupled nitrification-denitrification mediated by suspended particulate matter

In estuarine and coastal ecosystems, the majority of previous studies have considered coupled nitrification-denitrification (CND) processes to be exclusively sediment based, with little focus onsuspended particulate matter (SPM) in the water column. Here, we present evidence of CND processes in the water column of Hangzhou Bay, one of the largest macrotidal embayments in the world

The Effects of Guizhi Fuling Capsule Drug Serum on Uterine Leiomyoma Cells and Its Mechanism

Aims. To observe the effects of Guizhi Fuling Capsule (GZFLC) drug serum on uterine leiomyoma cells and explore its mechanism. Main Methods. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups (normal saline lavage group and GZFLC lavage group), then, respectively, blank serum and GZFLC drug serum were collected, and finally human uterine leiomyoma cells were treated. Human leiomyoma tissues were collected from 20 patients who underwent uterine leiomyomas operations, and leiomyoma cells were primary cultured. The leiomyoma cells were treated by GZFLC drug serum in different concentrations (10%, 20%, and 30%) and variable treatment time (12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Cell proliferation was observed using CCK8 assay. Flow cytometry and Annexin V/PI were used to assay the effects of GZFLC drug serum on cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to assay the effects of GZFLC drug serum on TSC2, FOXO, and 14-3-3γ expression in uterine leiomyoma cells. Key Findings. In the concentrations of 10%～30%, GZFLC drug serum could inhibit proliferation of leiomyoma cells in dose-dependent manner; at the time of 36 h, cell inhibition rate was at the peak; GZFLC drug serum could induce apoptosis of leiomyoma also in a dose-dependent manner, and apoptosis rate quickly achieved maximum at 12 h time points, and then second apoptosis peak appeared at 36 h. Compared to nontreatment group, TSC2, FOXO, and 14-3-3γ expressions in drug serum group were significantly changed after 12 h treatment. Significance. GZFLC drug serum can efficiently inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of leiomyoma cells, which is related to the 14-3-3γ pathway

Exosome delivery to the testes for dmrt1 suppression: a powerful tool for sex-determining gene studies

Exosomes are endosome-derived extracellular vesicles about 100 nm in diameter. They are emerging as prom ising delivery platforms due to their advantages in biocompatibility and engineerability. However, research into and applications for engineered exosomes are still limited to a few areas of medicine in mammals. Here, we expanded the scope of their applications to sex-determining gene studies in early vertebrates. An integrated strategy for constructing the exosome-based delivery system was developed for efficient regulation of dmrt1, which is one of the most widely used sex-determining genes in metazoans. By combining classical methods in molecular biology and the latest technology in bioinformatics, isomiR-124a was identified as a dmrt1 inhibitor and was loaded into exosomes and a testis-targeting peptide was used to modify exosomal surface for efficient delivery. Results showed that isomiR-124a was efficiently delivered to the testes by engineered exosomes and revealed that dmrt1 played important roles in maintaining the regular structure and function of testis in juvenile fish. This is the first de novo development of an exosome-based delivery system applied in the study of sex determining gene, which indicates an attractive prospect for the future applications of engineered exosomes in exploring more extensive biological conundrums.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A missing link in the estuarine nitrogen cycle?: coupled nitrification-denitrification mediated by suspended particulate matter

In estuarine and coastal ecosystems, the majority of previous studies have considered coupled nitrification-denitrification (CND) processes to be exclusively sediment based, with little focus onsuspended particulate matter (SPM) in the water column. Here, we present evidence of CND processes in the water column of Hangzhou Bay, one of the largest macrotidal embayments in the world