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We present the results of a spectral analysis using simultaneous multifrequency (22, 43, 86, and 129 GHz) very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the Korean VLBI Network (KVN) on BL Lac object, Markarian 421 (Mrk 421). The data we used was obtained from January 2013 to June 2018. The light curves showed several flux enhancements with global decreases. To separate the variable and quiescent components in the multifrequency light curves for milliarcsecond-scale emission regions, we assumed that the quiescent radiation comes from the emission regions radiating constant optically-thin synchrotron emissions (i.e., a minimum flux density with an optically thin spectral index). The quiescent spectrum determined from the multifrequency light curves was subtracted from the total CLEAN flux density, yielding a variable component in the flux that produces the time-dependent spectrum. We found that the observed spectra were flat at 22-43 GHz, and relatively steep at 43-86 GHz, whereas the quiescent-corrected spectra are sometimes quite different from the observed spectra (e.g., sometimes inverted at 22-43 GHz ). The quiescent-corrected spectral indices were much more variable than the observed spectral indices. This spectral investigation implies that the quiescent-spectrum correction can significantly affect the multifrequency spectral index of variable compact radio sources such as blazars. Therefore, the synchrotron self-absorption B-field strength (B_SSA) can be significantly affected because B_SSA is proportional to the fifth power of turnover frequency., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ

We conducted a polarimetry campaign from radio to X-ray wavelengths of the high-synchrotron-peak (HSP) blazar Mrk 421, including Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) measurements on 2022 December 6-8. We detected X-ray polarization of Mrk 421 with a degree of $\Pi_{\rm X}$=14$\pm$1$\%$ and an electric-vector position angle $\psi_{\rm X}$=107$\pm$3$^{\circ}$ in the 2-8 keV band. From the time variability analysis, we find a significant episodic variation in $\psi_{\rm X}$. During 7 months from the first IXPE pointing of Mrk 421 in 2022 May, $\psi_{\rm X}$ varied across the range of 0$^{\circ}$ to 180$^{\circ}$, while $\Pi_{\rm X}$ maintained similar values within $\sim$10-15$\%$. Furthermore, a swing in $\psi_{\rm X}$ in 2022 June was accompanied by simultaneous spectral variations. The results of the multiwavelength polarimetry show that the X-ray polarization degree was generally $\sim$2-3 times greater than that at longer wavelengths, while the polarization angle fluctuated. Additionally, based on radio, infrared, and optical polarimetry, we find that rotation of $\psi$ occurred in the opposite direction with respect to the rotation of $\psi_{\rm X}$ over longer timescales at similar epochs. The polarization behavior observed across multiple wavelengths is consistent with previous IXPE findings for HSP blazars. This result favors the energy-stratified shock model developed to explain variable emission in relativistic jets. The accompanying spectral variation during the $\psi_{\rm X}$ rotation can be explained by a fluctuation in the physical conditions, e.g., in the energy distribution of relativistic electrons. The opposite rotation direction of $\psi$ between the X-ray and longer-wavelength polarization accentuates the conclusion that the X-ray emitting region is spatially separated from that at longer wavelengths., Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables; Accepted for publication in A&A

The lower energy peak of the spectral energy distribution of blazars has commonly been ascribed to synchrotron radiation from relativistic particles in the jets. Despite the consensus regarding jet emission processes, the particle acceleration mechanism is still debated. Here, we present the first X-ray polarization observations of PG 1553+113, a high-synchrotron-peak blazar observed by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). We detect an X-ray polarization degree of $(10\pm2)\%$ along an electric-vector position angle of $\psi_X=86^{\circ}\pm8^{\circ}$. At the same time, the radio and optical polarization degrees are lower by a factor of $\sim$3. During our IXPE pointing, we observed the first orphan optical polarization swing of the IXPE era, as the optical angle of PG 1553+113 underwent a smooth monotonic rotation by about 125$^\circ$, with a rate of $\sim$17 degrees per day. We do not find evidence of a similar rotation in either radio or X-rays, which suggests that the X-ray and optically emitting regions are separate or, at most, partially co-spatial. Our spectro-polarimetric results provide further evidence that the steady-state X-ray emission in blazars originates in a shock-accelerated and energy-stratified electron population., Comment: Accepted for pubblication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 3 Figures, 13 pages

We present the results of a radio multi-frequency ($\rm 3-340~GHz$) study of the blazar 3C~454.3. After subtracting the quiescent spectrum corresponding to optically thin emission, we found two individual synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) features in the wide-band spectrum. The one SSA had a relatively low turnover frequency ($\nu_{\rm m}$) in the range of $\rm 3-37~GHz$ (lower $\nu_{\rm m}$ SSA spectrum, LSS), and the other one had a relatively high $\nu_{\rm m}$ of $\rm 55-124~GHz$ (higher $\nu_{\rm m}$ SSA spectrum, HSS). Using the SSA parameters, we estimated magnetic field strengths at the surface where optical depth $\tau=1$. The estimated magnetic field strengths were $\rm >7~mG$ and $\rm >0.2~mG$ for the LSS and HSS, respectively. The LSS emitting region was magnetically dominated before the June 2014 $\gamma$-ray flare. The quasi-stationary component (C), $\sim 0.6~{\rm mas}$ apart from the 43 GHz radio core, became brighter than the core with decreasing observing frequency, and we found that component C was related to the LSS. A decrease in jet width was found near component C. As a moving component, K14 approached component C, and the flux density of the component was enhanced while the angular size decreased. The high intrinsic brightness temperature in the fluid frame was obtained as $T_{\rm B, int} \approx (7.0\pm1.0) \times 10^{11}~{\rm K}$ from the jet component after the 2015 August $\gamma$-ray flare, suggesting that component C is a high-energy emitting region. The observed local minimum of jet width and re-brightening behavior suggest a possible recollimation shock in component C., Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures, 5 tables, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We report the first $> 99\%$ confidence detection of X-ray polarization in BL Lacertae. During a recent X-ray/$\gamma$-ray outburst, a 287 ksec observation (2022 November 27-30) was taken using the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer ({\it IXPE}), together with contemporaneous multiwavelength observations from the Neil Gehrels {\it Swift} observatory and {\it XMM-Newton} in soft X-rays (0.3--10~keV), {\it NuSTAR} in hard X-rays (3--70~keV), and optical polarization from the Calar Alto, and Perkins Telescope observatories. Our contemporaneous X-ray data suggest that the {\it IXPE} energy band is at the crossover between the low- and high-frequency blazar emission humps. The source displays significant variability during the observation, and we measure polarization in three separate time bins. Contemporaneous X-ray spectra allow us to determine the relative contribution from each emission hump. We find $>99\%$ confidence X-ray polarization $\Pi_{2-4{\rm keV}} = 21.7^{+5.6}_{-7.9}\%$ and electric vector polarization angle $\psi_{2-4{\rm keV}} = -28.7 \pm 8.7^{\circ}$ in the time bin with highest estimated synchrotron flux contribution. We discuss possible implications of our observations, including previous {\it IXPE} BL Lacertae pointings, tentatively concluding that synchrotron self-Compton emission dominates over hadronic emission processes during the observed epochs., Comment: Accepted to ApJL. 16 pages, 8 figures

This work reports a series of new organic electro-optic salt crystals possessing unusual orthogonal dipole-coupling assembly that act as dimple-free THz generators. In the new crystals, optically anisotropic aromatic anions introducing highly electronegative fluorinated substituents are orthogonally assembled with optically anisotropic nonlinear optical benzothiazolium cations. These orthogonal cation–anion assembled crystals exhibit strong suppression of intrinsic THz phonon modes along the polar axis, which results in a wide THz absorption-free range from 1.5 to 4.0 THz without substantial absorption peaks. This is sharply in contrast to previous benchmark crystals with parallel cation–anion assembly; for example, in analogous crystals, several strong absorption peaks appear in this frequency range. This absence of strong absorption peaks is attributed to the orthogonal cation–anion dipole coupling assembly, the formation of fluorinate-induced strong interionic interactions, and a high packing ability of uniaxial anions. With top-level macroscopic optical nonlinearity, new orthogonal-dipole assembled crystals make dimple-free THz wave generation possible in the range of about 1.5–4.0 THz, which is very beneficial for characterizing signature peaks related to molecular phonon motions of analytes in THz spectroscopy. Therefore, orthogonal molecular assembly of optically highly anisotropic molecules provides an efficient way to substantially reduce and control intrinsic THz phonon modes.

Simple Summary Assessing enlargement of the left atrium (one of the four cardiac chambers) is extremely important for gaining information about dogs' heart disease, their prognosis, and directing treatment. However, people with different levels of experience may be required to make this assessment, and we don't know how observers with different experiences perform in making this assessment. In this study, five observers with different levels of experience evaluated the left atrium of 36 dogs in a blinded fashion (i.e., unaware of each other measurements, or of the identity of the dog), compared to two cardiologists. We then used statistical analysis to evaluate repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy of the measurements, and the capacity of correctly identifying left atrial enlargement. We found that the measurements performed by observers with more experience where more similar to the cardiologists' measurements, and that combining more than one technique for measuring the left atrium can improve accuracy of the identification of left atrial enlargement. Assessment of left atrial (LA) sizes in dogs informs clinical staging, risk assessment, treatment decisions, and prognosis. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of observers with different levels of experience measuring the LA with three different techniques. Echocardiographic images from 36 dogs with different degrees of left atrial enlargement (LAE) were retrospectively retrieved, anonymized and measured in a blinded fashion by a veterinary student, a first-year cardiology resident, a third-year cardiology resident, and two board-certified veterinary cardiologists. The LA to aortic root ratio (LA:Ao), LA antero-postero diameter indexed to body weight (LAiAPD) and left atrial area were measured. Inter- and intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for all three variables. Bland-Altman plots and accuracy in identification of LAE were calculated for th

This collection of papers is based on the international seminar "Social Networks for the Next Media Literacy" report. The seminar was held in February 2021, and the final event of the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research "The New Literacy for Media Infrastructure" project, which Shin Mizukoshi led for three years, starting in 2018. In the following articles, Mizukoshi first outlines the aims and results of this research project. According to their country of origin, three pieces will then be presented in the following order: Belgium, Korea, and Japan. First, Jacques and Verbesselt examined the "In the Shoes of an Algorithm" project, which started in Belgium in 2018, intending to develop an educational response to the issues raised by recommendation algorithms used in digital media. The project provided a pen-and-paper educational game in which participants work together in teams to design their recommendation algorithm. Second, Ahn, Oh, and Jeong discussed the possibilities and challenges of using the University Gallery, GINUESIUM at Gyeongin National University of Education for media art and literacy education. They found the space has been played a role of convergence platform through participation and convergence of university people and local residents. GINUESIUM is a space where artists, visitors, curators, and educators communicate, and it is a physical space where constant participation and interaction are made to meet their needs and values. Finally, Mizukoshi reexamined the concept of the media biotope, which he coined around the year 2000, as a space for people to improve their media literacy in a fully digitalized environment. Under the digital transformation of media, the new media biotope should be a shelter and sanctuary of learning, caring, where adults are rehabilitated in their engagement with the media. It will be a place where the real and virtual intertwine. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of considering the next generation of media l

Along with early-onset cancers, multiple primary cancers (MPCs) are likely resulting from increased genetic susceptibility; however, the associated predisposition genes or prevalence of the pathogenic variants genes in MPC patients are often unknown. We screened 71 patients with MPC of the stomach, colorectal, and endometrium, sequencing 65 cancer predisposition genes. A subset of 19 patients with early-onset MPC of stomach and colorectum were further evaluated for variants in cancer related genes using both normal and tumor whole exome sequencing. Among 71 patients with MPCs, variants classified to be pathogenic were observed in 15 (21.1%) patients and affected Lynch Syndrome (LS) genes: MLH1 (n = 10), MSH6 (n = 2), PMS2 (n = 2), and MSH2 (n = 1). All carriers had tumors with high microsatellite instability and 13 of them (86.7%) were early-onset, consistent with LS. In 19 patients with early-onset MPCs, loss of function (LoF) variants in RECQL5 were more prevalent in non-LS MPC than in matched sporadic cancer patients (OR = 31.6, 2.73-1700.6, p = 0.001). Additionally, there were high-confidence LoF variants at FANCG and CASP8 in two patients accompanied by somatic loss of heterozygosity in tumor, respectively. The results suggest that genetic screening should be considered for synchronous cancers and metachronous MPCs of the LS tumor spectrum, particularly in early-onset. Susceptibility variants in non-LS genes for MPC patients may exist, but evidence for their role is more elusive than for LS patients.

From a safety perspective, a machine learning method embedded in real-world applications is required to distinguish irregular situations. For this reason, there has been a growing interest in the anomaly detection (AD) task. Since we cannot observe abnormal samples for most of the cases, recent AD methods attempt to formulate it as a task of classifying whether the sample is normal or not. However, they potentially fail when the given normal samples are inherited from diverse semantic labels. To tackle this problem, we introduce a latent class-condition-based AD scenario. In addition, we propose a confidence-based self-labeling AD framework tailored to our proposed scenario. Since our method leverages the hidden class information, it successfully avoids generating the undesirable loose decision region that one-class methods suffer. Our proposed framework outperforms the recent one-class AD methods in the latent multi-class scenarios.

Recommendation algorithms play an important role in the current media landscape by fostering interactions between users of digital media platforms and media content. The growing concern with recommendation algorithms raises important questions for media educators who emphasize critical analysis of media content and creative production and are required to develop media education initiatives focused on a critical understanding of digital platforms and their underlying technical infrastructures. What are teenagers’ current perception and experiences of recommendation algorithms? What should be the key issues these initiatives should address, and how should they be addressed? The "In the Shoes of an Algorithm" project approached these questions through design-based research (DBR). This project led to the creation of a series of pen-and-paper games designed to (1) help teenagers share their daily experiences of recommendation algorithms to identify core issues that should be addressed by media educators and (2) to foster a better understanding of key issues related to recommendation algorithms used by digital media platforms. The project was initiated in Belgium and expanded as an international program, in collaboration with South- Korean researchers and practitioners.

MYCN amplification drives the development of neuronal cancers in children and adults. Given the challenge in therapeutically targeting MYCN directly, we searched for MYCN-activated metabolic pathways as potential drug targets. Here we report that neuroblastoma cells with MYCN amplification show increased transcriptional activation of the serine-glycine-one-carbon (SGOC) biosynthetic pathway and an increased dependence on this pathway for supplying glucose-derived carbon for serine and glycine synthesis. Small molecule inhibitors that block this metabolic pathway exhibit selective cytotoxicity to MYCN-amplified cell lines and xenografts by inducing metabolic stress and autophagy. Transcriptional activation of the SGOC pathway in MYCN-amplified cells requires both MYCN and ATF4, which form a positive feedback loop, with MYCN activation of ATF4 mRNA expression and ATF4 stabilization of MYCN protein by antagonizing FBXW7-mediated MYCN ubiquitination. Collectively, these findings suggest a coupled relationship between metabolic reprogramming and increased sensitivity to metabolic stress, which could be exploited as a strategy for selective cancer therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies a MYCN-dependent metabolic vulnerability and suggests a coupled relationship between metabolic reprogramming and increased sensitivity to metabolic stress, which could be exploited for cancer therapy.See related commentary by Rodriguez Garcia and Arsenian-Henriksson, p. 3818.

Kendall W Wannamaker,1 Sarah Kenny,1 Rishi Das,1 Aaron Mendlovitz,2 Jordan M Comstock,1 Edward R Chu,1 Sepehr Bahadorani,1 Nathan J Gresores,2 Kinley D Beck,1 Chelsey J Krambeer,2 Daniel S Kermany,2 Roberto Diaz-Rohena,1 Daniel P Nolan,2 Jeong-Hyeon Sohn,1 Michael A Singer21Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; 2Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates, San Antonio, TX, USABackground and objective: The dexamethasone (DEX) implant is known to cause temporary intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes after implantation. The purpose of this study is to determine if IOP spikes after DEX implant cause significant thinning in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).Study design, patients, and methods: A total of 306 charts were reviewed with 48 and 21 patients meeting inclusion criteria for the cross-sectional and prospective groups, respectively. Cross-sectional inclusion criteria: IOP spike ≥22 mmHg up to 16 weeks after DEX implant, DEX implant in only 1 eye per patient, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) RNFL imaging of both eyes ≥3 months after IOP spike. Prospective inclusion criteria: OCT RNFL performed within 1 year prior to DEX implantation, IOP spike ≥22 mmHg up to 16 weeks after DEX implant, and OCT RNFL performed ≥3 months after IOP spike. The average RNFL thickness in the contralateral eye was used as the control in the cross-sectional group. Institutional review board approval was obtained.Results: In the cross-sectional group, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean RNFL thicknesses in the treated vs untreated eyes (80.4±15.5 μm and 82.6±15.8 μm, respectively; P=0.33) regardless of treatment diagnosis, magnitude of IOP spike, or history of glaucoma. In the prospective group, mean RNFL thicknesses before and after IOP spikes ≥22 mmHg were similar (78.0±14.8 μm and 75.6±13.6 &amp

Sepehr Bahadorani,1 Chelsey Krambeer,2 Kendall Wannamaker,1 Wayne Tie,1 Michael Jansen,1 Jason Espitia,2 Jeong-Hyeon Sohn,1 Michael A Singer2 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; 2Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates, San Antonio, TX, USA Purpose: The purpose of this study was to correlate the degree of ocular hypertension with the number of Ozurdex injections.Methods: Intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations for a total of 183 injections were studied over a period of at least 12 months. The main indications for treatment were uveitis, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.Results: Results of the study demonstrate that repeated Ozurdex injections do not increase the frequency of IOP spikes beyond 30 mmHg. For lower IOPs, however, a positive correlation exists. Furthermore, patients with primary open angle glaucoma and uveitis had the highest IOP response to repeated injections. On average, patients with an IOP of ≥28.6 mmHg received pressure lowering medications, after which their IOP reached a stable level (16.7 mmHg) without the need for additional interventions.Conclusion: The data support the conclusion that multiple Ozurdex injections does not increase the frequency of IOP spikes beyond 30 mmHg, but patients still must be closely monitored if they have a history of primary open angle glaucoma. Keywords: Ozurdex, dexamethasone, glaucoma, intraocular pressure, ocular hypertension

The reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) composites are coated onto the polycaprolactone (PCL) substrate via spray coating technique to prepare a flexible supercapacitor. The electrochemical properties of the flexible PCL supercapacitor as a function of bending cycles and angles are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. The EIS and charge/discharge curves of the flexible PCL supercapacitor exhibit capacitive behavior even after prolonged bending cycles up to 500. The highest capacitance value of the unbent PCL supercapacitor is 52.5 F g-1 which retained 65% after 500 bending with 6000th galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles.

Kwang-Hee Shin,1 Hyeon Cheol Jeong,1 Dong-Hee Choi,2 Sung Nyun Kim,3 Tae-Eun Kim4 1College of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 2Department of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 3Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, 4Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea Background: Although many studies have investigated the association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in TNF-α G-308A gene with depression, their association is still controversial. To clarify this, we performed a meta-analysis.Method: Studies related to TNF-α G-308A and depression were retrieved from PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus (up to April 18, 2017). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in the models of allele comparison (G vs A), homozygote comparison (GG vs AA), dominant (GG vs GA + AA), and recessive (GG + GA vs AA) to estimate the strength of the associations.Results: A total of 10 case–control studies were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant association between TNF-α G-308A and depression was found (G vs A: OR [95% CI] =1.09 [0.92, 1.29]; GG vs AA: 1.24 [0.71, 2.15]; GG vs GA + AA: 1.01 [0.76, 1.35]; GG + GA vs AA: 1.22 [0.70, 2.13]). In subgroup analyses by ethnicity or age group, no statistically significant association between TNF-α G-308A polymorphisms and depression was shown.Conclusion: This meta-analysis revealed that TNF-α G-308A polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to depression. Keywords: TNF-α G-308A, rs1800629, genetic polymorphism, depressive disorder

Stretchable reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) composite electrodes were prepared using a spray coating technique onto gold-coated latex substrates. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was used as a stretchable electrolyte in order to assemble a symmetrical electrochemical capacitor (EC). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) indicated a typical double layer capacitance, even after a number of stretching cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed a well-defined capacitive responsewith lowinternal resistance after repetitive stretching to 100% strain.Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements with up to 100 stretch cycles yielded symmetrical charge/discharge curves indicating reversibility and facile kinetics. The highest capacitance of an unstrained latex EC was 61 F g-1 (15.3 mF cm-2), which decreased to 49 F g-1 (12.3 mF cm-2) and 42 F g-1 (10.5 mF cm-2) after 50 and 100 stretching cycles, respectively. The stretchable EC subjected to 100 stretching cycles retained approximately 67% of its initial capacitance value after 3,000 charge/discharge cycles.

Stretchable and/or flexible electronic devices have emerged as a new generation technologies for wearable and implantable including high performance sportswear, wearable displays and bio-integrated devices. Stretchable and rechargeable energy storage devices are essential component of fully stretchable and flexible electronic devices. The stretchable and flexible supercapacitors are promising candidates due to their high power density, long life, durability and safety. In this thesis, we have demonstrated stretchable and flexible supercapacitors base on nanocarbon materials such as, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Nanocarbon material based supercapacitors have been extensively investigated. However, to date nanocarbon material based supercapacitors have not been investigated for use as stretchable and flexible energy storage devices. Therefore, the theme of this thesis is to successfully design and develop novel nanocarbon material based stretchable and flexible supercapacitors with high durability and performance. Chapter 1 introduces nanocarbon-based materials such as, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene with literature review of nanocarbon-based electrode and supercapacitor for investigation of nanocarbon material based energy storage devices. Chapter 2 also introduces general experimental including chemical, reagents, characterization methodology, instrumentation and fundamental of the electrochemistry. Chapter 3 investigates the development of stretchable electrode by incorporating acid-treated single-wall nanotubes (SWCNTs) onto latex (natural rubber) substrate using spray coating technique. The use of acid-treated single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) improves capacitance due to increased functional groups on the SWCNTs. Electrochemical properties of the electrode are determined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Galvanostatic charge/discharge tests are also carried out. The impedance and

We report on the fabrication of reduced graphene oxide/single-walled carbon nanotubes (rGO/SWNTs) electrodes deposited onto stretchable polyurethane via spray coating. The electrochemical properties of the rGO/SWNTs electrodes were compared to pure rGO and SWNT electrodes. The highest capacitance value obtained for the unstretched rGO/SWNTs electrode was 265 F g-1 in 1 M H2SO4 at 5 mV s-1, which decreased to 219 and 162 F g-1 after 50 and 100 stretching cycles (at 100% strain), respectively. The rGO/SWNTs composite electrode also retained approximately 75% of its initial capacitance under constant 100% strain. Further characterization, including galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), showed that the rGO/SWNTs electrode retained a well-defined capacitive response after repetitive stretching to 100% strain. Overall, the rGO/SWNTs composite electrode showed enhanced electrochemical properties in comparison to rGO and SWNTs electrodes. Approximately 65% of the initial capacitance for the rGO/SWNTs composite electrode is retained after 100 stretching cycles and then maintained up to the 3000th CV cycle, making the electrodes a potential option for stretchable energy storage applications.

The reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) composites are deposited onto the poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) substrate using spray coating technique to fabricate a flexible supercapacitor. The electrochemical properties of the PETcomplete device as a function of bending cycles and angles are performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests. The EIS and charge/discharge curves of the flexible PET supercapacitor show good capacitive behavior even after prolonged bending cycles up to 500. The highest capacitance value obtains for the unbent PET supercapacitor is 42.2 F g1 (8.8 mF cm2 ). The capacitance value of the PET supercapacitor is retained 75% after 500 bending with 6000th galvanostatic charge/ discharge cycles.

Cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanorods were synthesized by fast hydrothermal process for supercapacitor electrodes. The structural and morphological studies revealed the formation of CoOOH with hexagonal rhomb-centered crystal structure and excellent rod like morphology of approx. 5-10 nm diameter. The electrochemical characterization was performed for both half cell and symmetric full cell configuration using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge test and impedance spectroscopy in 3 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. The fabricated CoOOH electrodes showed maximum specific capacitance value of 198 F g−1 for a half cell and 94 F g−1 for a symmetric capacitor of 10 mg cm−2 active material per electrode and showed better energy and power densities. Moreover, the CoOOH electrode exhibits good capacitance retention (83%) after 5000 charge/discharge cycles.

Hyeon-Uk Jeong,1 Mihwa Kwon,2 Yongnam Lee,3 Ji Seok Yoo,3 Dae Hee Shin,3 Im-Sook Song,2 Hye Suk Lee1 1College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 420-743, Korea; 2College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea; 3Central R&D Institute, Yungjin Pharm Co., Ltd., Suwon 443-270, Korea Abstract: We investigated the in vitro transport characteristics of catalposide in HEK293 cells overexpressing organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), OAT3, organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), OATP1B3, organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1), OCT2, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). The transport mechanism of catalposide was investigated in HEK293 and LLC-PK1 cells overexpressing the relevant transporters. The uptake of catalposide was 319-, 13.6-, and 9.3-fold greater in HEK293 cells overexpressing OAT3, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 transporters, respectively, than in HEK293 control cells. The increased uptake of catalposide via the OAT3, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 transporters was decreased to basal levels in the presence of representative inhibitors such as probenecid, furosemide, and cimetidine (for OAT3) and cyclosporin A, gemfibrozil, and rifampin (for OATP1B1 and OATP1B3). The concentration-dependent OAT3-mediated uptake of catalposide revealed the following kinetic parameters: Michaelis constant (Km) =41.5 µM, maximum uptake rate (Vmax) =46.2 pmol/minute, and intrinsic clearance (CLint) =1.11 µL/minute. OATP1B1- and OATP1B3-mediated catalposide uptake also showed concentration dependency, with low CLint values of 0.035 and 0.034 µL/minute, respectively. However, the OCT1, OCT2, OAT1, P-gp, and BCRP transporters were apparently not involved in the uptake of catalposide into cells. In addition, catalposide inhibited the transport activities of OAT3, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 with half-maximal inhibitory

In this report single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were coated onto latex using spray coating to produce a stretchable electrode. The electrochemical properties of the electrode were determined using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests were also carried out. The impedance and charge/discharge curves of the latex/SWNTs electrode showed good capacitive behavior even after repetitive stretching to 100% strain. The highest capacitance value obtained for the unstretched SWNTs electrode was 119 F g−1 in 1 M Na2SO4 at 5 mV s−1. After the 100th stretch ≈ 80% of the original capacitance value was retained.

Jeong-Sup Hong,1,2 Myeong-Kyu Park,1 Min-Seok Kim,1 Jeong-Hyeon Lim,1 Gil-Jong Park,1 Eun-Ho Maeng,1 Jae-Ho Shin,3 Meyoung-Kon Kim,4 Jayoung Jeong,5 Jin-A Park,2 Jong-Choon Kim,6 Ho-Chul Shin2 1Health Care Research Laboratory, Korea Testing and Research Institute, Gimpo, South Korea; 2College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea; 3Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Seongnam-si, South Korea; 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University Medical School and College, Seoul, South Korea; 5Toxicological Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea; 6College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea Abstract: This study investigated the potential adverse effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles ([ZnOSM20(+) NPs] zinc oxide nanoparticles, positively charged, 20 nm) on pregnant dams and embryo–fetal development after maternal exposure over the period of gestational days 5–19 with Sprague-Dawley rats. ZnOSM20(+) NPs were administered to pregnant rats by gavage at 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day. All dams were subjected to a cesarean section on gestational day 20, and all of the fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. Toxicity in the dams manifested as significantly decreased body weight after administration of 400 mg/kg/day NPs; reduced food consumption after administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day NPs; and decreased liver weight and increased adrenal glands weight after administration of 400 mg/kg/day NPs. However, no treatment-related difference in: number of corpora lutea; number of implantation sites; implantation rate (%); resorption; dead fetuses; litter size; fetal deaths and placental weights; and sex ratio were observed between the groups. On the other hand, significant decreases between treatment groups and controls were seen for fetal weights after adminis

Jeong-Sup Hong,1,2 Myeong-Kyu Park,1 Min-Seok Kim,1 Jeong-Hyeon Lim,1 Gil-Jong Park,1 Eun-Ho Maeng,1 Jae-Ho Shin,3 Yu-Ri Kim,4 Meyoung-Kon Kim,4 Jong-Kwon Lee,5 Jin-A Park,2 Jong-Choon Kim,6 Ho-Chul Shin2 1Health Care Research Laboratory, Korea Testing and Research Institute, Gimpo, 2College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, 3Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Seongnam-si, 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University Medical School and College, Seoul, 5Toxicological Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Chungcheongbuk-do, 6College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea Abstract: This study investigated the potential adverse effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnOSM20[-] NPs; negatively charged, 20 nm) on pregnant dams and embryo–fetal development after maternal exposure over the period of gestational days 5–19 with Sprague Dawley rats. ZnOSM20(-) NPs were administered to pregnant rats by gavage at 0 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day, and 400 mg/kg/day. All dams were subjected to caesarean section on gestational day 20, and all the fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. Toxicity in the dams manifested as significantly decreased body weight at 400 mg/kg/day and decreased liver weight, and increased adrenal glands weight at 200 mg/kg/day and 400 mg/kg/day. However, no treatment-related difference in the number of corpora lutea, the number of implantation sites, the implantation rate (%), resorption, dead fetuses, litter size, fetal deaths, fetal and placental weights, and sex ratio were observed between the groups. Morphological examinations of the fetuses demonstrated no significant difference in the incidences of abnormalities between the groups. No significant difference was found in the Zn content of fetal tissue between the control and high-dose groups. These results showed t

DNA methylation, mediated by the combined action of three DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B), is essential for mammalian development and is a major contributor to cellular transformation. To elucidate how DNA methylation is targeted, we mapped the genome-wide localization of all DNMTs and methylation, and examined the relationships among these markers, histone modifications, and nucleosome structure in a pluripotent human tumor cell line in its undifferentiated and differentiated states. Our findings reveal a strong link between DNMTs and transcribed loci, and that DNA methylation is not a simple sum of DNMT localization patterns. A comparison of the epigenomes of normal and cancerous stem cells, and pluripotent and differentiated states shows that the presence of at least two DNMTs is strongly associated with loci targeted for DNA hypermethylation. Taken together, these results shed important light on the determinants of DNA methylation and how it may become disrupted in cancer cells., National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant RC1HG005334), National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Postdoctoral Fellowship 0905968)

Yong-Yeon Cho,1 Hyeon-Uk Jeong,1 Jeong-Han Kim,2 Hye Suk Lee1 1College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea; 2Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Abstract: Honokiol, 2-(4-hydroxy-3-prop-2-enyl-phenyl)-4-prop-2-enyl-phenol, an active component of Magnolia officinalis and Magnolia grandiflora, exerts various pharmacological activities such as antitumorigenic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and antithrombotic effects. To investigate whether honokiol acts as a perpetrator in drug interactions, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes, including cytochrome P450 (CYP), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), and sulfotransferase 2A1 (SULT2A1), were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction following 48-hour honokiol exposure in three independent cryopreserved human hepatocyte cultures. Honokiol treatment at the highest concentration tested (50 µM) increased the CYP2B6 mRNA level and CYP2B6-catalyzed bupropion hydroxylase activity more than two-fold in three different hepatocyte cultures, indicating that honokiol induces CYP2B6 at higher concentrations. However, honokiol treatment (0.5–50 µM) did not significantly alter the mRNA levels of phase I enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19) or phase II enzymes (UGT1A1, UGT1A4, UGT1A9, UGT2B7, and SULT2A1) in cryopreserved human hepatocyte cultures. CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylase and CYP3A4-catalyzed midazolam 1'-hydroxylase activities were not affected by 48-hour honokiol treatment in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. These results indicate that honokiol is a weak CYP2B6 inducer and is unlikely to increase the metabolism of concomitant CYP2B6 substrates and cause pharmacokinetic-based drug interactions in humans. Keywords: honokiol, human hepatocytes, drug interactions, cytochrome P450, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases

We report here genome sequences and comparative analyses of three closely related parasitoid wasps: Nasonia vitripennis, N. giraulti, and N. longicornis. Parasitoids are important regulators of arthropod populations, including major agricultural pests and disease vectors, and Nasonia is an emerging genetic model, particularly for evolutionary and developmental genetics. Key findings include the identification of a functional DNA methylation tool kit; hymenopteran-specific genes including diverse venoms; lateral gene transfers among Pox viruses, Wolbachia, and Nasonia; and the rapid evolution of genes involved in nuclear-mitochondrial interactions that are implicated in speciation. Newly developed genome resources advance Nasonia for genetic research, accelerate mapping and cloning of quantitative trait loci, and will ultimately provide tools and knowledge for further increasing the utility of parasitoids as pest insect-control agents.

Background The reptiles, characterized by both diversity and unique evolutionary adaptations, provide a comprehensive system for comparative studies of metabolism, physiology, and development. However, molecular resources for ectothermic reptiles are severely limited, hampering our ability to study the genetic basis for many evolutionarily important traits such as metabolic plasticity, extreme longevity, limblessness, venom, and freeze tolerance. Here we use massively parallel sequencing (454 GS-FLX Titanium) to generate a transcriptome of the western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) with two goals in mind. First, we develop a molecular resource for an ectothermic reptile; and second, we use these sex-specific transcriptomes to identify differences in the presence of expressed transcripts and potential genes of evolutionary interest. Results Using sex-specific pools of RNA (one pool for females, one pool for males) representing 7 tissue types and 35 diverse individuals, we produced 1.24 million sequence reads, which averaged 366 bp in length after cleaning. Assembly of the cleaned reads from both sexes with NEWBLER and MIRA resulted in 96,379 contigs containing 87% of the cleaned reads. Over 34% of these contigs and 13% of the singletons were annotated based on homology to previously identified proteins. From these homology assignments, additional clustering, and ORF predictions, we estimate that this transcriptome contains ~13,000 unique genes that were previously identified in other species and over 66,000 transcripts from unidentified protein-coding genes. Furthermore, we use a graph-clustering method to identify contigs linked by NEWBLER-split reads that represent divergent alleles, gene duplications, and alternatively spliced transcripts. Beyond gene identification, we identified 95,295 SNPs and 31,651 INDELs. From these sex-specific transcriptomes, we identified 190 genes that were only present in the mRNA sequenced from one of the sexes

The authors begin by providing the historical and social background of Korean media education, which has its roots in civil participation activities in the 1980s. Then, they discuss the legal and governmental policies on media education, focusing on the Broadcasting Act and the diverse programs provided by governmental organizations, particularly those under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. They also provide good examples of media education practices by groups of teachers, civil society associations and the media industry, in addition to introducing the recent changes in the newly reformed National Curriculum, which includes some elements of media literacy. They conclude by pointing out the need for a more consistent policy on media literacy and a forum to activate discussion on the topic.., Los autores parten de los antecedentes históricos y sociales de la educación en medios coreana, la cual tiene sus raíces en actividades de participación civil en los ochenta. Luego, discuten las políticas legales y gubernamentales en educación en medios, fijando su atención en el Acta de Difusión y los diversos programas elaborados por organizaciones gubernamentales, particularmente aquéllas bajo el Ministerio de Cultura. También brindan buenos ejemplos de prácticas de educación en medios por grupos de educadores, asociaciones de la sociedad civil y la industria mediática, además de presentar los últimos cambios en el recién reformado Plan de Estudios Nacional, el cual incluye algunos elementos de alfabetización mediática. Concluyen señalando la necesidad de una política más consistente en alfabetización mediática y un foro para activar la discusión sobre el tema..

The authors begin by providing the historical and social background of Korean media education, which has its roots in civil participation activities in the 1980s. Then, they discuss the legal and governmental policies on media education, focusing on the Broadcasting Act and the diverse programs provided by governmental organizations, particularly those under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. They also provide good examples of media education practices by groups of teachers, civil society associations and the media industry, in addition to introducing the recent changes in the newly reformed National Curriculum, which includes some elements of media literacy. They conclude by pointing out the need for a more consistent policy on media literacy and a forum to activate discussion on the topic, Los autores parten de los antecedentes históricos y sociales de la educación en medios coreana, la cual tiene sus raíces en actividades de participación civil en los ochenta. Luego, discuten las políticas legales y gubernamentales en educación en medios, fijando su atención en el Acta de Difusión y los diversos programas elaborados por organizaciones gubernamentales, particularmente aquéllas bajo el Ministerio de Cultura. También brindan buenos ejemplos de prácticas de educación en medios por grupos de educadores, asociaciones de la sociedad civil y la industria mediática, además de presentar los últimos cambios en el recién reformado Plan de Estudios Nacional, el cual incluye algunos elementos de alfabetización mediática. Concluyen señalando la necesidad de una política más consistente en alfabetización mediática y un foro para activar la discusión sobre el tema.

Randall-Sundrum scenario with all the standard model (SM) fermions and gauge bosons in the bulk is phenomenologically studied. Even though the simple assumption of universal bulk fermion mass m_\psi leads to the same Kaluza-Klein (KK) mass spectrum for all the SM fermions and thus suppresses new contributions to Flavor-Changing-Neutral-Current and the \rho parameter, large Yukawa coupling of the top quark generates its KK mode mixing and breaks the degeneracy: unacceptably large contribution to \Delta \rho occurs. With a different bulk fermion mass to SU(2) singlet bottom quark, we demonstrate that there exists some parameter space to satisfy the \Delta \rho constraint., Comment: Contributed to 31st International Conference on High Energy Physics (ICHEP 2002), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 24-31 Jul 2002