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The high power density, high efficiency, and wide speed range of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are attractive features. However, the cogging torque and unsuppressed torque ripple of PMSMs degrade torque quality and reliability and cause vibration. This article compares the effectiveness of PMSMs in reducing the cogging torque, torque ripple, and vibration by applying each stator tooth chamfer types: inner eccentricity chamfer, outer eccentricity chamfer, linear chamfer, and circular chamfer. First, stator tooth chamfers were applied to the reference model to confirm the tendency of cogging torque, torque ripple, and electromagnetic force according to the design variables by chamfer types, and it was demonstrated that the chamfer needs to be applied in a way that reduces the harmonics of the air-gap magnetic flux density to improve the performances through finite element analysis (FEA). Next, the optimum design for reducing cogging torque, torque ripple, and electromagnetic force was performed for each stator tooth chamfer types for a valid comparison. As a result, it was confirmed that there are advantageous stator tooth chamfer types based on each performance. Finally, a prototype was fabricated and tested to validate the FEA results of the optimum model for performance comparison.

We propose the electrified catalytic inductive heating system (ECIHS), which utilizes electromagnetic induction heating (IH) of a monolithic catalytic composite to induce direct and efficient heat transfer to the liquid-phase reaction environment. Herein, we demonstrated that the ECIHS could be utilized to extract hydrogen from liquid-phase perhydro-dibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT) within just 3.5 s, accounting for a 16.4-fold improvement in the reaction rate compared with conventional heating methods. This remarkable observation underscores the potential of the ECIHS for on-site hydrogen utilization, empowering various advanced applications such as hydrogen-powered vehicles. Furthermore, the capabilities of the ECIHS for efficient heat and mass transfer in the liquid phase are also translatable to a myriad of different chemical processing schemes with high industrial value. Overall, the ECIHS represents a major breakthrough in the development of sustainable chemical processing methods, further propelling efforts to achieve full decarbonization in the global chemical processing industry.

AbstractA fungal strain designated KNUF-22-014, belonging to the family Ophiocordycipitaceae, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Sobaeksan National Park, South Korea. Phylogenetic trees based on the combined sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit of 28S rRNA (LSU) gene, as well as on five concatenated loci (LSU, ITS, translation elongation factor 1α, β-tubulin, and subunit 1 of RNA polymerase II), revealed that the isolate falls within the clade containing the genus Tolypocladiumbut occupies a distinct phylogenetic position. Its closest relative is T. tropicale. Morphologically, strain KNUF-22-014 can be distinguished from T. tropicaleby the shape of its phialides (subcylindrical vs. lageniform), its conidiophore type (arborescent or unbranched vs. trichodermatoid), and its larger conidia size (2.1 ± 0.1 µm vs. 1.5 ± 0.1 µm). Phylogenetic analysis and morphological observations indicate that KNUF-22-014 represents a novel species in the genus Tolypocladium, for which the name Tolypocladium sobaeksanensesp. nov. is proposed.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been utilized in a variety of applications owing to their nonflammability, low volatility, and tunable chemical properties. However, removing impurities during the synthesis process is complex and costly. In this work, we introduce a novel and cost-effective method to purify [bmim][BF4], an IL, by inducing phase separation using a halocarbon refrigerant such as chlorodifluoromethane (Rf-22). The technique utilizes a ternary phase diagram consisting of [bmim][BF4], water, and halocarbons to achieve a purity greater than 99% and simplify the purification process. Large-scale process simulations based on experimental data were performed using the ASPEN Plus process simulator. The minimum [bmim][BF4] sales price of the developed process was estimated to be $12,004 per metric ton, making it an economically viable option for [bmim][BF4] production.

Evading recognition of immune cells is a well-known strategy of tumors used for their survival. One of the immune evasion mechanisms is the synthesis of kynurenine (KYN), a metabolite of tryptophan, which suppresses the effector T cells. Therefore, lowering the KYN concentration can be an efficient antitumor therapy by restoring the activity of immune cells. Recently, kynureninase (KYNase), which is an enzyme transforming KYN into anthranilate, was demonstrated to show the potential to decrease KYN concentration and inhibit tumor growth. However, due to the limited bioavailability and instability of proteins in vivo, it has been challenging to maintain the KYNase concentration sufficiently high in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we developed a nanoparticle system loaded with KYNase, which formed a Biodegradable and Implantable Nanoparticle Depot named ‘BIND’ following subcutaneous injection. The BIND sustainably supplied KYNase around the TME while located around the tumor, until it eventually degraded and disappeared. As a result, the BIND system enhanced the proliferation and cytokine production of effector T cells in the TME, followed by tumor growth inhibition and increased mean survival. Finally, we showed that the BIND carrying KYNase significantly synergized with PD-1 blockade in three mouse models of colon cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.

Monolayered transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are easily exposed to air, and their crystal quality can often be degraded via oxidation, leading to poor electronic and optical device performance. The degradation becomes more severe in the presence of defects, grain boundaries, and residues. Here, we report crack propagation in pristine TMD monolayers grown by chemical vapor deposition under ambient conditions and light illumination. Under a high relative humidity (RH) of ∼60% and white light illumination, the cracks appear randomly. Photo-oxidative cracks gradually propagated along the grain boundaries of the TMD monolayers. In contrast, under low RH conditions of ∼2%, cracks were scarcely observed. Crack propagation is predominantly attributed to the accumulation of water underneath the TMD monolayers, which is preferentially absorbed by hygroscopic alkali metal-based precursor residues. Crack propagation is further accelerated by the cyclic process of photo-oxidation in a basic medium, leading to localized tensile strain. We also found that such crack propagation is prevented after the removal of alkali metals via the transfer of the sample to other substrates.

Background and purpose: Diagnosing Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE) is challenging. In contrast to other types of autoimmune encephalitis, HE shows an excellent response to steroid treatment. We aimed to investigate the rates of antithyroid antibodies (ATAs) and probable HE in patients with unexplained mental dysfunction and compare the clinical characteristics between the good- and poor-outcome groups. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and electroencephalography (EEG) and neuroimaging findings of patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of our hospital from March 1, 2006, to February 28, 2023. Using our proposed diagnostic criteria for probable HE, we compared the clinical characteristics between the good- and poor-outcome groups. We also investigated the rates of ATA positivity and probable HE. Results: In total, 198 patients exhibited altered mentation, rapidly progressive cognitive decline, or myoclonus. ATA tests were performed on 86 patients, and the detection rates of ATAs and probable HE were 29.1% and 25.6%, respectively. Of the 22 patients enrolled, the good- and poor-outcome groups comprised 19 and 3 patients, respectively. Clinical seizures occurred in seven patients. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus on EEG was observed in six patients, all of whom were intractable to antiepileptic drugs. Nineteen of 21 patients (90.5%) treated with immunosuppressants showed good outcomes. Conclusions: HE is a rare clinical disorder, but not as rare as previously thought. When HE is suspected, steroids should be considered the first-line treatment. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are critical to achieve good outcomes in HE.

BackgroundPredicting how long a patient with far advanced cancer has to live is a significant part of hospice and palliative care. Various prognostic models have been developed, but have not been fully compared in South Korea.ObjectivesWe aimed to compare the accuracy of the Prognosis in Palliative Care Study (PiPS), Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI), Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP) and Objective Prognostic Score (OPS) for patients with far advanced cancer in a palliative care unit in South Korea.MethodsThis prospective study included patients with far advanced cancer who were admitted to a single palliative care unit at the National University Hospital. Variables for calculating the prognostic models were recorded by a palliative care physician. The survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of each model were calculated.ResultsA total of 160 patients participated. There was a significant difference in survival rates across all groups, each categorised through the five prognostic models. The overall accuracy (OA) of the prognostic models ranged between 54.5% and 77.6%. The OA of clinicians’ predictions of survival ranged between 61.9% and 81.3%.ConclusionThe PiPS, PPI, PaP and OPS were successfully validated in a palliative care unit of South Korea. There was no difference in accuracy between the prognostic models, and OA tended to be lower than in previous studies.

This article presents a 16-Gb/s/pin 0.764-pJ/b single-ended four-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM-4) transceiver in a 4-nm CMOS process. A switching-jitter compensation technique is proposed in the receiver (RX) to improve timing margins from 0.31 to 0.37 UI at 16 Gb/s, as it adjusts transition slope of the front-end outputs. To compensate for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation in a PAM-4 signal, relaxed impedance matching is used, where 20 $\Omega $ is used as a transmitter (TX) impedance instead of 50 $\Omega $ . To maximize eye openings further, fractionally spaced feedforward equalization (FS-FFE) is used with a tap spacing of 0.8 UI. The relaxed termination scheme along with FS-FFE improves eye openings by 2.25 times compared with the conventional design using a 50- $\Omega $ TX impedance with 1-UI spacing FFE.

The 2-pole 6-slot (2p6s) permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is an attractive option for ultra-high-speed (UHS) applications due to its excellent manufacturability and balanced magnetic force. UHS PMSMs should be designed with short stack lengths and end coil heights to address rotor dynamics issues. In addition, given their high frequency, these PMSMs should be designed considering stator iron loss, rotor eddy current loss, and ac copper loss. The performance of the same pole-slot combination varies significantly based on the slot pitch. Hence, we compared the size and efficiency of the 2p6s UHS PMSM based on the slot pitch. For a fair comparison, an optimal design was performed for each slot pitch. To reduce computation time, optimization was conducted in two stages: size minimization and efficiency maximization. It was confirmed that in terms of total axial length, the one-slot pitch UHS PMSM is the shortest due to the advantage of having a short-end coil height, even with the lowest winding factor and largest stack length. Furthermore, it was determined that the two-slot pitch UHS PMSM offers an excellent trade-off between efficiency and size.

Step-skew is a common technique for eliminating the cogging torque of a target harmonic order in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). However, when step-skew is applied to the rotor, the cogging torque of the target harmonic order is not completely eliminated due to 3-D leakage flux. Therefore, the 3-D leakage flux should be considered in designing a PMSM with step-skew for cogging torque reduction. The most accurate way to consider the 3-D leakage flux is to perform 3-D finite element analysis (FEA), but it has the disadvantage of high computation time. To resolve this challenge, this article proposes a design method that utilizes transfer learning to reduce the time for 3-D FEA while maintaining accuracy. Through the proposed method, a large amount of 2-D FEA-based data and a small amount of 3-D FEA-based data are used instead of a large amount of 3-D FEA-based data, with similar accuracy as using a large amount of 3-D FEA-based data, and the computational time is highly reduced. Finally, a prototype is fabricated and tested to verify the validity of the proposed design method for cogging torque reduction.

Recently, a new monkey computational phantom, called Visible Monkey, was developed for non-ionizing radiation studies in animal research. In this study, we extended its applications to ionizing radiation studies by implementing the voxel model of the Visible Monkey into three general-purpose Monte Carlo (MC) codes: MCNP6, PHITS, and Geant4. The implementation work for MCNP and PHITS was conducted using the LATTICE, UNIVERSE, and FILL cards. The G4VNestedParameterisationclass was used for Geant4. Then, organ dose coefficients (DCs) for idealized photon beams in the antero-posterior direction were calculated using the three codes and compared, showing excellent agreement (differences <3%). Additionally, organ DCs in other directions (postero-anterior, left-lateral, and right-lateral) were calculated and compared with those of the newborn and 1-year-old reference phantoms. Significant differences were observed (e.g., the stomach DC of the monkey was 5-fold greater than that of the 1-year-old phantom at 0.03 MeV) while the differences tended to decrease with increasing energy (mostly <20% at 10 MeV). The results of this study allows conducting MC simulations using the Visible Monkey to estimate organ-level doses, which should be valuable to support/improve monkey experiments involving ionizing radiation exposures.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with chest pain in the emergency department are assigned to cardiac monitoring for several hours, blocking access for patients in greater need. We sought to validate a previously derived decision rule for safe removal of patients from cardiac monitoring after initial evaluation in the emergency department. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled adults (age [greater than or equal to] 18 yr) who presented with chest pain and were assigned to cardiac monitoring at 2 academic emergency departments over 18 months. We collected standardized baseline characteristics, findings from clinical evaluations and predictors for the Ottawa Chest Pain Cardiac Monitoring Rule: whether the patient is currently free of chest pain, and whether the electrocardiogram is normal or shows only nonspecific changes. The outcome was an arrhythmia requiring intervention in the emergency department or within 8 hours of presentation to the emergency department. We calculated diagnostic characteristics for the clinical prediction rule. RESULTS: We included 796 patients (mean age 63.8 yr, 55.8% male, 8.9% admitted to hospital). Fifteen patients (1.9%) had an arrhythmia, and the rule performed with the following characteristics: sensitivity 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 78.2%-100%) and specificity 36.4% (95% CI 33.0%-39.6%). Application of the Ottawa Chest Pain Cardiac Monitoring Rule would have allowed 284 out of 796 patients (35.7%) to be safely removed from cardiac monitoring. INTERPRETATION: We successfully validated the decision rule for safe removal of a large subset of patients with chest pain from cardiac monitoring after initial evaluation in the emergency department. Implementation of this simple yet highly sensitive rule will allow for improved use of health care resources., Chest pain is a common presentation to the emergency department, with more than 8 million visits annually, and accounts for about 5%-7% of all visits to emergency departments in the [...]

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 116was released to provide a comprehensive dataset of the dose coefficients (DCs) for external exposures produced with the adult reference voxel phantoms of ICRP Publication 110. Although an advanced skeletal dosimetry method for photons and neutrons using fluence-to-dose response functions (DRFs) was introduced in ICRP Publication 116, the ICRP-116 skeletal DCs were calculated by using the simple method conventionally used (i.e., doses to red bone marrow and endosteum approximated by doses to spongiosa and/or medullary cavities). In the present study, the photon and neutron DRFs were used to produce skeletal DCs of the ICRP-110 reference phantoms, which were then compared with the ICRP-116 DCs. For photons, there were significant differences by up to ∼2.8 times especially at energies <0.3 MeV. For neutrons, the differences were generally small over the entire energy region (mostly <20%). The general impact of the DRF-based skeletal DCs on the effective dose calculations was negligibly small, supporting the validity of the ICRP-116 effective DCs despite their skeletal DCs derived from the simple method. Meanwhile, we believe that the DRF-based skeletal DCs could be beneficial in better estimates of skeletal doses of individuals for risk assessments.

Weekend catch-up sleep is associated with a lower prevalence of hyperuricemia in Korean postmenopausal women with insufficient sleep, especially at 1 to 2 hours of weekend catch-up sleep.

AbstractThe fungal strain KNUF-22-18B, belonging to Cucurbitariaceae, was discovered from a stink bug (Hygia lativentris) during the investigation of insect microbiota in Chungnam Province, South Korea. The colonies of the strain KNUF-22-18B were wooly floccose, white to brown in the center on oatmeal agar (OA), and the colonies were buff, margin even, and colorless, reverse white to yellowish toward the center on malt extract agar (MEA). The strain KNUF-22-18B produced pycnidia after 60 days of culturing on potato dextrose agar, but pycnidia were not observed on OA. On the contrary, N. keratinophilaCBS 121759Tabundantly formed superficial pycnidia on OA and MEA after a few days. The strain KNUF-22-18B produced chlamydospores subglobose to globose, mainly in the chain, with a small diameter of 4.4–8.8 μm. At the same time, N. keratinophilaCBS 121759Tdisplayed a globose terminal with a diameter of 8–10 μm. A multilocus phylogeny using the internal transcribed spacer regions, 28S rDNA large subunit, β-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II large subunit genes further validated the uniqueness of the strain. The detailed description and illustration of the proposed species as Neocucurbitaria chlamydosporasp. nov. from Korea was strongly supported by molecular phylogeny.

AbstractThe fungal strain belonging to the genus Monochaetiaof the family Sporocadaceae was isolated from hairy long-horned toad beetle (Moechotypa diphysis) during the screening of microfungi associated with insects from Gangwon Province, Korea. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced white, light brown to dirty black surface, and olivaceous green colonies with the higher growth, while the closest strain M. ilicisKUMCC 15–0520Twere light brown to brown, and M. schimaeSAUCC 212201Tlight brown to brown toward center. The strain KNUF-6L2F produced shorter (5.7–14.0 μm) apical appendages than M. ilicis(6.0–24.0 μm), but similar to M. schimae(7.0–12.5 μm). Three median cells of KNUF-6L2F were light brown to olivaceous green, whereas brown and olivaceous cells were observed from M. ilicisand M. schimae, respectively. And the strain KNUF-6L2F produced larger conidiogenous cells than M. ilicisand M. schimae. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses based on molecular datasets of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1α), and β-tubulin (TUB2) genes corroborated the strain’s originality. Thus, the strain is different from other known Monochaetiaspecies, according to molecular phylogeny and morophology, hence we suggested the new species Monochaetia medianasp. nov. and provided a descriptive illustration.

AbstractIn this study, fungal strains designated as KNUF-22-14A and KNUF-22-15A were isolated from soil samples in Korea. These two strains were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics as well as phylogenetic analyses and were found to be morphologically and phylogenetically identical. Upon their morphological comparison with closely related species, such as Tolypocladium album, T. amazonense, T. endophyticum, T. pustulatum, and T. tropicale, a difference in the size of short phialides [0.6–2.4(–9.3) × 0.8–1.4 µm] was observed. Meanwhile, these strains had larger conidia (1.2–3.0 × 1.2–3.0 µm) than T. album, T. amazonense, T. endophyticum, and T. tropicaleand smaller conidia than T. pustulatum. Phylogenetic analyses using a multi-locus datasets based on ITS, LSU, and SSU showed that KNUF-22-14A and KNUF-22-15A formed a distinct cluster from previously identified Tolypocladiumspecies. Thus, these fungal strains isolated from soil in Korea are proposed as a novel species according to their characteristics and are named Tolypocladium globosumsp. nov.

AbstractIn this study, a fungal strain KNUF-22-025 belonging to the genus Botryotrichumwas isolated from the soil in Korea. The cultural and morphological characteristics of this strain differed from those of closely related species. On malt extract agar, strain KNUF-22-025 showed slower growth than most of the related species, except B. domesticum. The conidia size (9.6–21.1 × 9.9–18.4 µm) of strain KNUF-22-025 was larger than those of B. piluliferum, B. domesticum, and B. peruvianumbut smaller than those of B. atrogriseumand B. iranicum. Conidiophores in strain KNUF-22-025 (137 µm) were longer than those in other closely related species but shorter than those in B. atrogriseum. Multi-locus analysis of molecular markers, such as ITS, 28S ribosomal DNA, RBP2, and TUB2revealed that strain KNUF-22-025 was distinct from other Botryotrichumspecies. Thus, this strain is proposed as a novel species based on morphological characteristics along with molecular phylogeny and named Botryotrichum luteumsp. nov.

Real-time breath isoprene sensing provides noninvasive methods for monitoring human metabolism and early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Nonetheless, the stable alkene structure and high humidity of the breath hinder sensitive and selective isoprene detection. In this work, we derived well-defined Co3O4@polyoxometalate yolk–shell structures using a metal–organic framework template. The inner space, including highly catalytic Co3O4yolks surrounded by a semipermeable polyoxometalate shell, enables stable isoprene to be reformed to reactive intermediate species by increasing the gas residence time and the reaction with the inner catalyst. This sensor exhibited selective isoprene detection with an extremely high chemiresistive response (180.6) and low detection limit (0.58 ppb). The high sensing performance can be attributed to electronic sensitization and catalytic promotion effects. In addition, the reforming reaction of isoprene is further confirmed by the proton transfer reaction–quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis. The practical feasibility of this sensor in smart healthcare applications is exhibited by monitoring muscle activity during the workout.

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and full-duplex (FD) are promising candidates for achieving the spectral efficiency to meet the needs of 5G communications. One essential key to realizing practical FD massive MIMO systems is how to effectively mitigate the self-interference (SI). Conventionally, however, the performance comparison of different SI methods by reflecting the actual channel characteristics was insufficient in the literature. Accordingly, this paper presents a performance analysis of SI cancellation (SIC) methods in FD massive MIMO systems. Analytical and numerical results confirm that, in an imperfect channel-estimation case, the ergodic rates performance of the spatial suppression in the uplink outperforms those of the SI subtraction, due to the correlation between the precoder and the estimation error of the SI channel. In addition, we discuss which method performs better under different given system constraints such as uplink and downlink sum rates, the total transmit power, and the power scaling law.

Numerous researchers have studied innovations in future sixth-generation (6G) wireless communications. Indeed, a critical issue that has emerged is to contend with society's insatiable demand for high data rates and massive 6G connectivity. Some scholars consider one innovation to be a break-through-the application of free-space optical (FSO) communication. Owing to its exceedingly high carrier frequency/bandwidth and the potential of the unlicensed spectrum domain, FSO communication provides an excellent opportunity to develop ultrafast data links that can be applied in a variety of 6G applications, including heterogeneous networks with enormous connectivity and wireless backhauls for cellular systems. In this study, we perform video signal transmissions via an FPGA-based FSO communication prototype to investigate the feasibility of an FSO link with a distance of up to 20 km. We use a channel emulator to reliably model turbulence, scintillation, and power attenuation of the long-range FSO channel. We use the FPGA-based real-time SDR prototype to process the transmitted and received video signals. Our study also presents the channel-generation process of a given long-distance FSO link. To enhance the link quality, we apply spatial selective filtering to suppress the background noise generated by sun-light. To measure the misalignment of the transceiver, we use sampling-based pointing, acquisition, and tracking to compensate for it by improving the signal-to-noise ratio. For the main video signal transmission testbed, we consider various environments by changing the amount of turbulence and wind speed. We demonstrate that the testbed even permits the successful transmission of ultra-high-definition (UHD: 3840 × 2160 resolution) 60 fps videos under severe turbulence and high wind speeds.

ABSTRACTThis study examined a network of concepts used in the curriculum, textbooks, instruction, and assessment in relation to somatic cell division and investigated the alignment of science concepts used in them. Textbooks and teachers’ instruction and evaluation questions were collected to analyse the alignment between the concepts and the conceptual network used in the curriculum, textbooks, instruction, and assessment on the basis of the national science curriculum in the Republic of Korea. The findings of this study suggest that the concept of a cell was used as a linkage, and a lack of conceptual linkage prevailed between the curriculum, textbooks, instruction, and assessment in the somatic cell division unit. In comparison with the curriculum, a rapid increase in the number of concepts presented in classes led to a complicated conceptual network. As the conceptual network was complex and ambiguous, the concepts that students can learn are more likely to be ambiguous. Therefore, the conceptual network could be instrumental for facilitating students’ conceptual understanding of somatic cell division. The alignment of concepts and conceptual linkage in the teaching of somatic cell division could contribute to improving conceptual associations between the curriculum, textbooks, instruction, and assessment.

Blue micro-light-emitting diodes (μLED)-integrated gas sensors were fabricated as monolithic structure by directly loading sensing materials onto the μLED.SnO2nanoparticles are activated by blue μLED and exhibit outstanding sensitivity to NO2at μ-Watt power levels.Noble metal (Au, Pd, Pt)-decorated SnO2showed the tunable gas selectivity for 4 target gases under blue light illumination.

Background: To develop an inflammation-related immunohistochemistry marker-based algorithm that confers higher diagnostic ability for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) than IIM-related histopathologic features. Methods: Muscle biopsy tissues from 129 IIM patients who met the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria and 73 control tissues from patients with non-inflammatory myopathies or healthy muscle specimens were evaluated for histological features and immunostaining results of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, CD163, MX1, MHC class I, MHC class II, and HLA-DR. Diagnostic algorithms for IIM were developed based on the results of the classification and regression tree (CART) analysis, which used immunostaining results as predictor variables for classifying patients with IIMs. Results: In the analysis set (IIM, n= 129; control, n= 73), IIM-related histopathologic features had a diagnostic accuracy of 87.6% (sensitivity 80.6%; specificity 100.0%) for IIMs. Notably, muscular expression of CD163 (99.2% vs. 20.8%, p&lt; 0.001) and MHC class I (87.6% vs. 23.1%, p&lt; 0.001) was significantly higher in the IIM group than in controls. Based on the CART analysis results, we developed an algorithm combining CD163 and MHC class I expression that conferred a diagnostic accuracy of 95.5% (sensitivity 96.1%; specificity 94.5%). In addition, our algorithm was able to correctly diagnose IIM in 94.1% (16/17) of patients who did not meet the 2017 EUALR/ACR criteria but were diagnosed as having IIMs by an expert physician. Conclusions: Combination of CD163 and MHC class I muscular expression may be useful in diagnosing IIMs.

High pressure or strain is an effective strategy for generating phase transformations in van der Waals (vdW) layered materials without introducing defects, but this approach remains difficult to perform consistently. We present a scalable and facile method for achieving phase transformation in vdW materials, wherein solid vdW materials are subject to internal thermal stress within a molten metal mantle as it undergoes cooling. This internal thermal stress is principally the product of differential thermal expansion between mantle and core and can be tuned by the mantle material and temperature conditions. We validated this approach by achieving phase transformation of red phosphorus to black phosphorus, and metallic 1T′- to semiconducting 2H-MoTe2crystals. We further demonstrate quantum electronic phase transformation of suppressed charge density wave in TiSe2by means of electron–phonon coupling using the same system.

OBJECTIVE--Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a major cytoplasmic protein in adipocytes and macrophages and is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated whether [...]

Here, we report two-dimensional, single-crystalline holey graphyne (HGY) synthesized in an interfacial two-solvent system through a Castro-Stephens-type coupling reaction from 1,3,5-tribromo-2,4,6-triethynylbenzene. As a new type of 2D carbon allotrope, HGY is alternately linked between benzene rings and C≡C bonds and is composed of a pattern of six-vertex and highly strained, eight-vertex rings and an equal percentage of sp2and sphybridized carbon atoms. By combining experimental and theoretical studies, we systematically investigated the stability of HGY and its vibrational and optical properties. Density functional theory computations predicted that HGY is a p-type semiconductor that embraces a direct bandgap (∼1.1 eV) with a high carrier mobility. Transmission electron microscopic studies revealed that the synthesized HGY sheets are highly crystalline with AB stacking. Its semiconducting character, nonlinear spbonding, and special π-conjugated structure endow HGY with promising applications in optoelectronic, energy harvesting, gas separation, catalysis, water remediation, sensor, and energy-related fields.

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess the dentoskeletal factors of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) that can predict anterior open-bite development after stabilization splint treatment (ST).MethodsEighty-seven TMD patients were classified into three groups according to the degree of overbite changes after ST. Statistically significant differences in dental and skeletal measurements before ST among the groups were investigated.ResultsPre-ST dental and skeletal measurements that were significantly different among the groups were upper central incisor (U1) to point A-pogonion (A-Pog), facial height ratio (FHR), A point–nasion-B point angle (ANB), Wits appraisal, ramus height, angle of convexity, and sella to condylion. Among these factors, FHR, ramus height, and sella to condylion had a positive relationship with overbite changes.DiscussionDentoskeletal factors, i.e., FHR, ramus height, and sella to condylion, can predict anterior open-bite development after ST in TMD patients.

The application of the social identity theory, to develop an econometric model for the analysis of the role of host country nationals as socializing agents in the success of managers employed outside their home countries, is described.

Increasing globalization is enhancing the role of employees in foreign subsidiaries, a study on host country national categorization on female expatriates is presented by focusing American and Indian women expatriates.

Many expatriate human resource policies are such that they favor expatriates over local staff. An inequitable treatment creates tension and less cooperativeness between local staff and expatriates thereby increasing adjustment problems for expatriates. Therefore human resource practices of expatriating organizations should focus on providing equitable compensation for local and expatriate employees and selecting only those expatriates are truly worth the higher pay.

Efficient and durable high-current-density bifunctional electrocatalysts are vital for cost-effective production of alkaline water electrolyzers (AWEs) on an industrial scale. However, existing commercial catalysts, such as Raney Ni which requires over 2.5 V for just 500 mA cm−2, fail to achieve high current densities with low cell voltages. In this study, we introduce a bifunctional RuP2/Ni5P4/NiMoO4heterostructure electrocatalyst, synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, followed by the controlled addition of ruthenium (Ru) and subsequent phosphorization. This process yielded (Ru, Ni) phosphides and NiMoO4with a moderate weight percentage and mass loading of Ru content, approximately 1.02 wt% and 61 μg cm−2, respectively. The synergistic effect of these phosphides and bimetallic oxides significantly improves water dissociation, as well as the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER and OER) performances. Under industrial conditions (80 °C and 6 M KOH), our catalyst achieves low overpotentials of 273 mV for HER and 390 mV for OER at 2000 mA cm−2, outperforming commercial Pt/C and RuO2catalysts. Additionally, in an AWE, our catalyst maintains a low operating voltage of 1.76 V for 1 A cm−2, with consistent performance over 100 h at 500 mA cm−2. It records an electricity consumption of 3.97 kW h Nm−³ and an electrolyzer efficiency of 89.1%, underscoring its potential for cost-effective industrial applications. Furthermore, accelerated degradation tests under variable current loads show no significant change in cell voltage and high-frequency resistance (HFR), demonstrating robustness for intermittent energy sources. This work proposes a novel design principle for high-performance electrocatalysts, significantly reducing reliance on noble metals and offering a robust, efficient solution for industrial-scale hydrogen production.

This study is concerned with the development of multi-input multi-output control algorithms for the active vibration suppression of structures using accelerometer signals and force-type actuators. The concept of the single-input single-output virtual tuned mass damper control algorithm developed in the previous study was extended to cope with multiple natural modes of structure equipped with a limited number of sensors and actuators. Two control algorithms were developed based on the assumption of collocated control. One is the decentralized virtual tuned mass damper control that produces the actuator signal using only the accelerometer signal of that actuator position. The other is the centralized virtual tuned mass damper control that is designed in modal-space, and produces the modal control force using the modal coordinate. Both the theoretical and experimental results show that the proposed control algorithms are effective in suppressing multiple natural modes with a lesser number of sensors and actuators. However, the decentralized virtual tuned mass damper control can be designed and implemented more easily than the centralized virtual tuned mass damper control.

Background: We found some important early findings in simple radiographs under the bisphosphonate (BP) treatment through a retrospective study. Here, we report the degree of reversibility of the early findings before overt fracture and analyze the factors affecting the differences through a retrospective case–control study. Methods: We retrospectively inspected the clinical charts of patients diagnosed with atypical femoral fracture (AFF) at our institute between March 2006 and September 2018. Among the 209 screened patients, 102 patients were ultimately divided into 3 categories: Category 1 was described as endosteal diffuse flaring (EDF, early IAFF); category 2 was typical IAFF, with a tiny/partial crack that was limited to less than half of the thickness of the cortex; and category 3 was IAFF with a crack through the entire cortex. Demographics, clinical factors, and three categories of incomplete atypical femoral fracture (IAFF) were analyzed to determine whether their radiological condition “improved” or “progressed” after cessation of BP via univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Thirty-three, 53, and 16 were classified as categories 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 consisted of 79 patients whose IAFF on the side of interest improved and 23 patients whose IAFF progressed, respectively. The uni/multivariate analyses of the groups demonstrated that the total period of BP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.49) and period of cessation of BP (OR = 0.24) were significant variables. In addition, prophylactic treatment for a contralateral IAFF was a strong factor for progression of the incomplete lesion on the side of interest (OR = 25.99). The rate of progression was significantly higher in patients with a mean treatment period of 43 months or longer, and in those with a mean cessation period shorter than 1.2 months. Conclusion: Early-stage IAFF was found to be a unique finding in simple radiographs before the typical features of AFF. This EDF (category 1) was definitively reversible to normal bone when administration of BP was stopped. In addition, a long period of BP treatment and recent cessation of BP adversely affected IAFF with respect to spontaneous healing. Level of Evidence: Level III, a retrospective case–control study.

ObjectiveThere is little evidence for finding optimal antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia, especially in paediatrics. To evaluate the performance and clinical benefit of several prediction methods for 1-year treatment continuation of antipsychotics.Design and SettingsPopulation-based prognostic study conducting using the nationwide claims database in Korea.Participants5109 patients aged 2–18 years who initiated antipsychotic treatment with risperidone/aripiprazole for schizophrenia between 2010 and 2017 were identified.Main outcome measuresWe used the conventional logistic regression (LR) and common six machine-learning methods (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, ridge, elstic net, randomforest, gradient boosting machine, and superlearner) to derive predictive models for treatment continuation of antipsychotics. The performance of models was assessed using the Brier score (BS), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC). The clinical benefit of applying these models was also evaluated by comparing the treatment continuation rate between patients who received the recommended medication by models and patients who did not.ResultsThe gradient boosting machine showed the best performance in predicting treatment continuation for risperidone (BS, 0.121; AUROC, 0.686; AUPRC, 0.269). Among aripiprazole models, GBM for BS (0.114), SuperLearner for AUROC (0.688) and random forest for AUPRC (0.317) showed the best performance. Although LR showed lower performance than machine learnings, the difference was negligible. Patients who received recommended medication by these models showed a 1.2–1.5 times higher treatment continuation rate than those who did not.ConclusionsAll prediction models showed similar performance in predicting the treatment continuation of antipsychotics. Application of prediction models might be helpful for evidence-based decision-making in antipsychotic treatment.

Researchers for the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) have been exploring — as a cost-effective alternative to wired backhaul — integrated access and backhaul (IAB) frameworks for 5G new radio (NR). A promising solution for this framework is the integration of full duplex (FD) technologies to enhance the spectral efficiency and efficiently utilize network resources. This approach, which we refer to as FD IAB, involves a significant technical challenge — self-interference (SI) in the IAB framework. In fact, this challenge casts doubt over the performance and feasibility of FD IAB. In this article, we introduce the FD IAB framework and its enabling technologies and also evaluate the framework's link-level SI reduction and system-level downlink throughput performance. Thereafter, we validate the attenuation level in the SI channel with antenna separation and high directional gain through 28 GHz hardware prototype measurements. Our numerical evaluations and hardware prototype measurements confirm that FD IAB represents a promising framework for 5G NR.

A giant cluster emerges discontinuously in bond percolation in various networks when the growth of large clusters is globally suppressed. It was recently revealed that this phenomenon occurs even in a scale-free (SF) network, where hubs accelerate the growth of large clusters. The SF network used in the previous study was disassortative, though, so it is necessary to check whether the phenomenon also occurs in an assortative SF network, where each hub prefers to be connected to another hub and thus the large cluster growth is accelerated. In this paper, we find that the phenomenon, namely the discontinuous emergence of a giant cluster in bond percolation with the global suppression of large clusters, also occurs in an assortative SF network. Interestingly, the network generated by occupied bonds has a different structure from the underlying network unlike the previous study. Specifically, the generated network is also assortative but not an SF network at the transition point, unlike the disassortative SF network generated at the transition point in the previous study. We observe similar behaviors in two additional models and discuss the results.

ObjectiveAlthough systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity diminishes after starting dialysis, flares have been documented during dialysis. Hence, we studied the various clinical and therapeutic variables of patients with SLE who had a disease flare while on dialysis.MethodsThe medical records of patients with SLE who received dialysis at 2 tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea were reviewed. The disease activity was analyzed in terms of the nonrenal SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and the factors associated with SLE flares were evaluated.ResultsOf the total of 121 patients with SLE on dialysis, 96 (79.3%) were on hemodialysis (HD) and 25 (20.7%) were on peritoneal dialysis (PD). During a median follow-up of 45 months (IQR 23-120) after the initiation of dialysis, 32 (26.4%) patients experienced an SLE flare (HD, n = 25; PD, n = 7). The most common features of SLE flare were hematologic (40.6%; thrombocytopenia [31.2%] and leukopenia [21.8%]) and constitutional manifestations (40.6%). Fever was the most common (34.3%) feature among the constitutional symptoms. Treatments for disease flares were based on corticosteroids, and 11 (34.3%) patients required additional immunosuppressants, including cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil. Nonrenal SLEDAI score before dialysis initiation (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.36; P= 0.001) was a significant risk factor for disease flare during dialysis.ConclusionMore than a quarter of the patients with SLE experienced a disease flare during dialysis, which most commonly had hematologic manifestations, particularly thrombocytopenia. Continued follow-up and appropriate treatments, including immunosuppressants, should be considered for patients with SLE receiving dialysis.

AbstractAlthough ApiosporaSacc. has previously been considered a sexual morph of Arthriniumspecies on the basis of phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological diagnoses, a recent study delimited these as different species. Recently, 14 species, including eight new species, of marine Arthriniumhave been reported from Korea. Six known species have previously been renamed as species in the genus Apiospora(A. arundinis, A. marii, A. piptatheri, A. rasikravindrae, A. sacchari, and A. saccharicola). However, the eight new species of marine Arthrinium(Ar. agari, Ar. arctoscopi, Ar. fermenti, Ar. koreanum, Ar. marinum, Ar. pusillispermum, Ar. sargassi, and Ar. taeanense) are yet to be studied, and thus the taxonomic status of these species remains to be clarified. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer, 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and beta-tubulin regions to confirm the phylogenetic position of these eight species. Based on these analyses, we re-identified the eight Arthriniumspecies as new combinations in Apiospora. Additionally, among the six known Apiosporaspecies, two (A. piptatheriand A. rasikravindrae) have not previously been recorded in Korea. On the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, we report these as new species in Korea. Herein, we present scanning electron micrographs detailing the morphologies of these species, along with phylogenetic trees and detailed descriptions.

The economic viability and systemic sustainability of a green hydrogen economy are primarily dependent on its storage. However, none of the current hydrogen storage methods meet all the targets set by the US Department of Energy (DoE) for mobile hydrogen storage. One of the most promising routes is through the chemical reaction of alkali metals with water; however, this method has not received much attention owing to its irreversible nature. Herein, we present a reconditioned seawater battery-assisted hydrogen storage system that can provide a solution to the irreversible nature of alkali-metal-based hydrogen storage. We show that this system can also be applied to relatively lighter alkali metals such as lithium as well as sodium, which increases the possibility of fulfilling the DoE target. Furthermore, we found that small (1.75 cm2) and scaled-up (70 cm2) systems showed high Faradaic efficiencies of over 94%, even in the presence of oxygen, which enhances their viability.

Cross-species transmission of viral diseases alarms our global community for its potential of novel pandemic events. Of various viral pathogens noted recently, parvoviruses have posed public health threats not only to humans but also to wild animals. To investigate the prevalence of parvoviruses in wild Manchurian chipmunks, here we detected genetic fragments of the nonstructural protein of parvovirus by polymerase chain reaction in wild Manchurian chipmunk specimens captured in the central and southern regions of South Korea and compared their sequence homology with references. Of a total of 348 specimens examined, chipmunk parvovirus (ChpPV)-specific gene fragments were detected with a 31.32% rate (109 chipmunks of 348) in their kidney, liver, lung, and spleen samples, and the chipmunks captured in Gangwon Province exhibited the highest positive rate (45.37%), followed by Gyeongsang (35.29%), Gyeonggi (31.03%), Chungcheong (20.00%), and Jeolla (19.70%). When compared with the reference sequences, a partial ChpPV sequence showed 97.70% identity to the previously reported Korean strain at the nucleic acid level. In the phylogenetic analysis, ChpPV exhibited closer relationship to primate parvoviruses, erythroviruses, and bovine parvovirus than to adeno-associated viruses. Despite limited sample size and genetic sequences examined in this study, our results underline the prevalence of ChpPV in Korea and emphasize the need of close surveillance of parvoviruses in wild animals.

Pertussis, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. The incidence of pertussis has been increasing in South Korea to due to waning vaccine-induced immunity. Culture has a low sensitivity and a long turnaround time (TAT). Recently, a rapid multi-polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) test with a TAT of about 1 h was developed for the detection of respiratory pathogens (17 viruses and three bacteria), including B. pertussis. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mPCR for early diagnosis and treatment of pertussis.