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Highly concentrated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a precursor of PM2.5, are released from car-painting booths, laundries, printing presses, and refineries. H2, as an eco-friendly substitute to fossil fuels, can be produced by the steam reforming of highly concentrated VOCs. However, catalyst deactivation caused by coke accumulation is a serious issue in relation to steam-reforming reactions. A series of 15Ni-M/Al2O3 (M = 5 wt% of Ce, La, Sm, Fe, Tb, Ca, Mn, Sr, V, Hf, and Cs) has been synthesized to investigate their catalytic activity during the steam reforming of the highly concentrated toluene, xylene, and butyl acetate (6000–7000 ppm) mixture released from car-painting booths. The influence of the reaction conditions is studied at T = 400–600 °C, steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C) = 3–15, and gas-hourly-space-velocity (GHSV) = 15,000–40,000 h−1. NiCe/Al2O3 shows the optimal H2 yield and VOC conversion of 91 % and 99 %, respectively, at 550 °C, an S/C of 6, and a GHSV of 15,000 h−1 among all the prepared catalysts. Under the same reforming conditions, the unpromoted Ni/Al2O3 catalyst exhibits an H2 yield and VOC conversion of 73 % and 75 %, respectively. The NiCe/Al2O3 catalyst shows a stable H2 yield and VOC conversion over a 100 h reaction period, with a maximum coking rate of 1.80 mgc gcat-1h−1. The superior catalytic performance and durability of the NiCe/Al2O3 catalyst are associated with its low acidity, strong metal–support interaction, high metal dispersion with a small Ni crystallite size, high Ni0 (77 %) and Ce+3 (80 %) content, and abundant oxygen vacancies (91.4 %).

Objectives South Korea grapples with a disproportionately high incidence of unmet medical needs, a concern that is particularly acute among police officers, who are exposed to significant occupational risks. Given the pivotal role of police officers in upholding democratic values and public safety, their well-being holds critical societal implications. This study aims to determine the incidence of unmet medical needs among police officers and identify the influencing factors.Design This is a retrospective and cross-sectional study. Applying the Andersen behavioural model and multiple logistic regression analysis, we explored factors impacting unmet medical needs.Setting The study took place in South Korea and involved its total force of police officers.Participants Our analysis encompassed data from 6591 participants, representing 5.2% of South Korea’s total police officers.Outcome measures Unmet medical needs.Results Our findings revealed several influencing factors. First, predisposing factors included sex, with women experiencing a higher incidence of unmet medical needs. Second, enabling factors highlighted the significance of job positions and reduced annual leave guarantees in influencing unmet medical needs. Finally, need factors demonstrated the substantial impact of chronic diseases, heightened levels of depression, reduced subjective health assessments, increased stress levels and exposure to rough physical activity on driving unmet medical needs.Conclusions To mitigate and pre-empt the long-term health repercussions associated with unmet medical needs, intervention strategies should prioritise these identified factors. An integrated healthcare programme emerges as a critical necessity for addressing the healthcare challenges faced by police officers.

Objective: Although some previous studies have investigated health in police officers, investigations of related factors have been limited to work-related associations or those affecting certain police officers. To address this gap, this study investigated relationships between sociodemographic factors, work-related factors, health behaviors, health conditions, and self-rated bad health (SRBH) in Korean police officers. Methods: In 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in cooperation with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA). The respondents were 6,591 police officers aged 21–60 years, all of whom agreed to complete the survey online using the police agency’s intranet. After collecting data, we conducted a multiple logistic regression analysis to examine factors that were associated with SRBH, with calculations for adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). The study model included a range of individual socioeconomic characteristics, work-related variables, health behaviors, and health conditions. Results: Although the associated factors varied according to age group, several factors generally related to SRBH, including the lack of exercise, stress, having one or more chronic diseases, and work-related pain. By contrast, neither sex nor sleep duration were associated with SRBH of respondents. Monthly night work, smoking, and alcohol consumption were only associated with SRBH of certain age groups. Conclusions: Several variables clearly related to SRBH of police officers. In this context, health-related associations, especially stress and chronic diseases, tended to differ according to age, including those that should be considered to improve health. These findings have important implications for relevant healthcare programs and interventions.

The imperative transition to renewable energy drives the need for innovation. Biomass, particularly wood pellets, has demonstrated poor performance in co-firing scenarios. This study employed pyrolysis to convert wood pellets into biochar with improved fuel quality. The biochar production and characterization were investigated at pyrolysis temperatures of 400°C to 500°C. The findings revealed significant improvements: the observed fixed carbon content increased from 67.2% to 78.8%, and the calorific value increased 1.2 times higher within the pyrolysis temperature increased. On the other hand, as the pyrolysis temperature increased from 400°C to 500°C, biochar yields decreased from 49% to 37%. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis revealed distinct weight loss during heating, illuminating component volatilization and residue accumulation. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy elucidated structural changes, demonstrating the evolution of cellulose and hemicellulose into aromatic structures. Ultimately, these insights into biochar characteristics informed the optimization of pyrolysis processes, contributing to the production of superior biochar for renewable energy applications. Keywords: biochar, biomass, carbon storage, pyrolysis, wood pellet

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has induced many lifestyle changes, with reductions in healthy activities, including walking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify strategies to maintain good health during a pandemic. Demographics, walking habits, health behaviors, health status, recognition of social capital, and changes in walking practice of 800 residents were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. Among the participants, 73.9%, 15.8%, and 10.4% reported no change, a decrease, and an increase in walking practice, respectively. Individuals in their 50 s and 60 s showed 6.388- and 5.054-times greater increases in walking, respectively, than did those aged 19–29 years. Walking increased more among high-income people than among low-income people. Additionally, walking practice increased in people participating in social gatherings, those with pets that needed walks, those with a COVID-19 history, those who considered walking as both a habitual and leisure activity, those with nearly no stress, and those satisfied with their safety, the natural environment, and public transportation; other health behaviors or conditions were not related to an increase in walking practice. To maintain good health during a pandemic, walking practice should be promoted in people in their 20 s and low-income groups. Moreover, people should be encouraged to attend meetings, including online interaction, and safe walking routes should be created within the community. Walking should be encouraged as a method of relieving stress, and the benefits of walking for recovery after an infectious disease should be emphasized. Furthermore, the direct effects of walking should be studied.

As renewable energy source integration increases, P2G technology that can store surplus renewable power as methane is expected to expand. The development of a CO2 methanation catalyst, one of the core processes of the P2G concept, is being actively conducted. In this work, low-rank coal (LRC) was used as a catalyst support for CO2 methanation, as it can potentially enhance the diffusion and adsorption behavior by easily controlling the pore structure and composition. It can also improve the process efficiency owing to its simplicity (no pre-reduction step) and high thermal conductivity, compared to conventional metal oxide-supported catalysts. A screening of single metals (Ni, Co, Ru, Rh, and Pd) on LRC was performed, which showed that Ni was the most active. When Ni on the LRC catalyst was doped with a promoter (Ce and Mg), the CO2 conversion percentage increased by >10% compared to that of the single Ni catalyst. When the CO2 methanation activity was compared at 250–500 °C, the Ce-doped Ni/Eco and Mg-doped Ni/Eco catalysts showed similar or better activity than the commercial metal oxide-supported catalyst. In addition, the catalytic performance remained stable even after the test for an extended time (~200 h). The results of XRD, TEM, and TPR showed that highly efficient LRC-based CO2 methanation catalysts can be made when the metal dispersion and composition are modified.

Objective: Numerous studies have indicated that early decompressive craniectomy (DC) for patients with major infarction can be life-saving and enhance neurological outcomes. However, most of these studies were conducted by neurologists before the advent of intra-arterial thrombectomy (IA-Tx). This study aims to determine whether neurological status significantly impacts the final clinical outcome of patients who underwent DC following IA-Tx in major infarction. Methods: This analysis included 67 patients with major anterior circulation major infarction who underwent DC after IA-Tx, with or without intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, radiological findings, and compared the neurological outcomes based on the "surgical time window" and neurological status at the time of surgery. Results: For patients treated with DC following IA-Tx, a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of 7 was the lowest score correlated with a favorable outcome (p=0.013). Favorable outcomes were significantly associated with successful recanalization after IA-Tx (p=0.001) and perfusion/diffusion (P/D)-mismatch evident on magnetic resonance imaging performed immediately prior to IA-Tx (p=0.007). However, the surgical time window (within 36 hours, p=0.389; within 48 hours, p=0.283) did not correlate with neurological outcomes. Conclusion: To date, early DC surgery after major infarction is crucial for patient outcomes. However, this study suggests that the indication for DC following IA-Tx should include neurological status (GCS ≤7), as some patients treated with early DC without considering the neurological status may undergo unnecessary surgery. Recanalization of the occluded vessel and P/D-mismatch are important for long-term neurological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Stroke caused from large vessel occlusion (LVO) has emerged as the most common stroke subtype worldwide. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration (IV-tPA) and additional intraarterial thrombectomy (IA-Tx) is regarded as standard treatment. In this study, the authors try to find the early recanalization rate of IV-tPA in LVO stroke patients. Methods: Total 300 patients undertook IA-Tx with confirmed anterior circulation LVO, were analyzed retrospectively. Brain computed tomography angiography (CTA) was the initial imaging study and acute stroke magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) followed after finished IV-tPA. Early recanalization rate was evaluated by acute stroke MRA within 2 hours after the IV-tPA. In 167 patients undertook IV-tPA only and 133 non-recanalized patients by IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx tried (IV-tPA + IA-Tx group). And 131 patients, non-recanalized by IV-tPA (IV-tPA group) additional IA-Tx recommend and tried according to the patient condition and compliance. Results: Early recanalization rate of LVO after IV-tPA was 12.0% (36/300). In recanalized patients, favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale, 0-2) was 69.4% (25/36) while it was 32.1% (42/131, p<0.001) in non-recanalized patients. Among 133 patients, nonrecanalized after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and undertook additional IA-Tx, the clinical outcome was better than not undertaken additional IA-Tx (favorable outcome was 42.9% vs. 32.1%, p=0.046). Analysis according to the perfusion/diffusion (P/D)-mismatching or not, in patient with IV-tPA with IA-Tx (133 patients), favorable outcome was higher in P/D-mismatching patient (52/104; 50.0%) than P/D-matching patients (5/29; 17.2%; p=0.001). Which treatment tired, P/D-mismatching was favored in clinical outcome (iv-tPA only, p=0.008 and IV-tPA with IA-Tx, p=0.001). Conclusion: The P/D-mismatching influences on the recanalization and clinical outcomes of IV-tPA and IA-Tx. The authors would like to propose that we had better prepare IA-Tx when LVO is diagnosed on initial diagnostic imaging. Furthermore, if the patient shows P/D-mismatching on MRA after IV-tPA, additional IA-Tx improves treatment results and lessen the futile recanalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, neurointerventionists have been increasingly concerned regarding the prevention of infection and time delay in performing emergency thrombectomy procedures in patients with acute stroke. This study aimed to analyze the effects of changes in mechanical thrombectomy protocol before and after the COVID-19 pandemic on procedure time and patient outcomes and to identify factors that significantly impact procedure time. Methods: The last-normal-to-door, first-abnormal-to-door, door-to-imaging, door-to-puncture, and puncture-to-recanalization times of 88 patients (45 treated with conventional pre-COVID-19 protocol and 43 with COVID-19 protection protocol) were retrospectively analyzed. The recanalization time, success rate of mechanical thrombectomy, and modified Rankin score of patients at discharge were assessed. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify variables that significantly influenced the time delay in the door-to-puncture time and total procedure time. Results: The door-to-imaging time significantly increased under the COVID-19 protection protocol (p=0.0257) compared to that with the conventional pre-COVID-19 protocol. This increase was even more pronounced in patients who were suspected to be COVID-19-positive than in those who were negative. The door-to-puncture time showed no statistical difference between the conventional and COVID-19 protocol groups (p=0.5042). However, in the multivariate analysis, the last-normal-to-door time and door-to-imaging time were shown to affect the door-to-puncture time (p=0.0068 and 0.0097). The total procedure time was affected by the occlusion site, last-normal-to-door time, door-to-imaging time, and type of anesthesia (p=0.0001, 0.0231, 0.0103, and 0.0207, respectively). Conclusion: The COVID-19 protection protocol significantly impacted the door-to-imaging time. Shortening the door-to-imaging time and performing the procedure under local anesthesia, if possible, may be required to reduce the door-to-puncture and doorto- recanalization times. The effect of various aspects of the protection protocol on emergency thrombectomy should be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graph data structure is popular because it can intuitively represent real-world knowledge. Graph databases have attracted attention in academia and industry because they can be used to maintain graph data and allow users to mine knowledge. Mining reachability relationships between two nodes in a graph, termed reachability query processing, is an important functionality of graph databases. Online traversals, such as the breadth-first and depth-first search, are inefficient in processing reachability queries when dealing with large-scale graphs. Labeling schemes have been proposed to overcome these disadvantages. The state-of-the-art is the 2-hop labeling scheme: each node has in and out labels containing reachable node IDs as integers. Unfortunately, existing 2-hop labeling schemes generate huge 2-hop label sizes because they only consider local features, such as degrees. In this paper, we propose a more efficient 2-hop label size reduction approach. We consider the topological sort index, which is a global feature. A linear combination is suggested for utilizing both local and global features. We conduct experiments over real-world and synthetic directed acyclic graph datasets and show that the proposed approach generates smaller labels than existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of a tetR family transcriptional regulatory gene (SCO1712) as a global antibiotic regulatory gene from a Streptomyces interspecies DNA microarray analysis is reported. The SCO1712 disruption in Streptomyces coelicolor contributed significantly to upregulation of antibiotic biosynthesis through pathway-specific regulators and also suggested possible role of SCO1712 for encoding a novel antibiotic downregulator.

Discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculations, each of a distinctive morphology, are performed to demonstrate the specific ways in which shape affects the absorption and scattering of light. The control of nanostructure shape has allowed the optimization of plasmon resonance for molecular detection and spectroscopy.

In this study, a circulating current suppression strategy is proposed using high-frequency voltage compensation when asynchronous carriers exist between modules in modular and scalable inverter systems (MSISs). In MSIS, an inverter and a control unit constitute one module. Because each module is connected in parallel, the power capacity and efficiency can be increased. However, according to the switching state in the parallel module, a circulating current can be generated. This current causes stress on the switches. Furthermore, the circulating current not only deteriorates the current control performance but also increases the difficulty of load sharing. In this study, a novel method is proposed to suppress high-frequency circulating current caused by asynchronous carriers. This current can be reduced by generating the same switching pattern in two modules using high-frequency voltage compensation. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since business startups are known to have positive effects on the economic growth of a country, it is necessary to review the factors influencing the willingness to start new businesses for the people to act on business startups. In this regard, the study sought to reexamine the findings of previous research showing that the innovative, initiative, and risk-taking characteristics, which are the constitutive elements of entrepreneurships, influence the willingness to start up. Furthermore, in this study, attempts were made to empirically analyze the direct and indirect relationships of self-leadership influencing the willingness to start new businesses. Consequently, first, it showed that college students' entrepreneurship has positive effects on the willingness to start new businesses. Second, the significance of the gender of college students was not confirmed as to playing a regulating role in the relationship between entrepreneurship and the willingness to start up. Third, the relationship between self-leadership and the willingness to start new businesses was validated to be significant in a positive direction. Fourth, no mediating effect of self-leadership in the relationship between entrepreneurship and the willingness to start new businesses was observed. Such research results have the following significances. First, while there is an awareness that the concepts of business start-up, entrepreneurship, and leadership carry masculinity, the lack of regulating effect of gender may reflect the changing phases of time and society where women's participation has been increasing. Second, self-leadership is a concept by which one pioneers his or her own life and an influencing factor on the willingness to start up; however, since it has enormous impacts on the entrepreneurship and willingness to start up, relevant mediating effects were not observed and the magnitude of the important influence between entrepreneurship and the willingness to start up were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for occupational blood exposures (OBEs) and transmission of bloodborne pathogens. This study elucidated the incidence rate and epidemiological characteristics of OBEs among HCWs and investigated the pathogen transmission rate for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Methods: Self-reported OBEs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were obtained from the electronic recording system. OBE incidence densities per 100 person-years and per 100 bed-years were calculated with a 5-year trend analysis. OBE characteristics and pathogen transmission rates were evaluated.Results: Among 10,452 HCWs and 1072 average yearly beds, 1076 OBEs were reported. OBE incidence rate was 5.6 cases per 100 person (full-time equivalent)-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years. Incidence rate decreased and was significantly associated with a decrease of beds served per HCW. Housekeeping showed the highest OBE rate (14.8%) followed by doctors (8.5%) and nurses (6.2%). OBEs occurred in wards, emergency rooms, and operating rooms (38.1%, 13.3% and 12.2%, respectively) via percutaneous (86.7%) and mucocutaneous exposures (13.2%). Of OBEs associated with HBV (n = 133), HCV (n = 126), and HIV (n = 25), only one led to an infection (HCV; transmission rate of 0.8%). Neither HBV nor HIV infection occurred.Conclusions: OBE incidence rate in a Korean university hospital was 5.6 cases per 100 person-years and 20.3 per 100 bed-years and was related to HCW workload and work proficiency. Though the actual bloodborne pathogen transmission rate was low, efforts to prevent OBE should be made for hospital safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate redox-active inks and linear sweep voltametry is used to control the assembly of charged nanostructures with sub-100 nm dimensions. The orthogonal assembly of oligonucleotide functionalized nanoparticles was affected using patterned substrate as a working electrode in an electrochemical cell.

Fatigue fracture of the pelvis is the form of fracture due to repetitive micro-stress accumulation, can be affected by a number of factors such as patient's nutritional status, biomechanics, social status and so on. Still there is no study about precise standard degree of external force that lead to stress fracture, but it may caused by compression force, traction force or complex force and others. Avulsion stress to ischial tuberosity or anterior superior iliac spine by attached muscle is known as the main factor for the avulsion fracture. This report will deal with 19 years old conscripted policeman who occurred ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture after training of 6- hour running for 5 days accompanying hip hyper-flexion motion. This reports aims to provide case study of stress fracture occurred after 5 days of exercise which is relatively short period who had no specific trauma history or pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the progression of clinical symptoms and disease course of calcific tendinitis in the hip region according to types of calcification. Materials and Methods: Among patients with the hip pain, 28 patients (21 males and 7 females; mean age 51 years, range 32-74 years) showing calcified lesions in simple radiography without other possible sources of pain were analyzed retrospectively. Twelve patients displayed a symptom duration of less than three weeks (acute; average=1±0.9 week) and 16 displayed greater than three weeks (chronic; average=21.0±19.5 weeks). Lesions were classified as nodular (11, 39.3%), nodular-fragmented (13, 46.4%), or amorphous (4, 14.3%). Initial symptoms, progression of clinical features, radiological findings and prognosis were investigated and analyzed according to calcification type. Results: In 15 patients (53.6%), lesions were located superior to the great trochanter. On average, the acute group was younger (44.58 vs. 55.44 years, P=0.006), suffered more (mean pain Numeric Rating Scale [NRS], 6.3 vs. 3.8; P<0.001), and recovered more (difference between initial and follow-up NRS, 5.1 vs. 2.63; P<0.001) than the chronic group. The mean length of initial lesions was longer in the acute group than the chronic group (15.8 vs. 9.1 mm, P=0.008). When compared to patients with distinctive margins (15, 53.6%), those with nondistinctive margins showed better improvement (difference between initial and follow-up NRS, 4.7 vs. 2.8; P=0.01) and more significant decrease in lesion size (difference between initial and follow-up length, 10.8 vs. 2.6 mm; P=0.003). Conclusion: Calcific tendinitis occurring in the hip area displayed a variety of characteristics. Although complaining of more severe pain in the initial phase, patients with acute pain or calcific lesions with nondistinctive margins showed better symptom improvement when compared to their counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an emergency encountered in orthopedic practice requiring prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment, necrotizing fasciitis around the hip must be discriminated from Fournier gangrene. The current case report describes a patient who suffered from bilateral type I necrotizing fasciitis around the hips, which was alleviated by prompt surgical debridement and intensive postoperative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal degradation of titanium-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs; MIL-125 and MIL-125-NH2 at 350 °C for 6 h in air produced TiO2 nanoparticles of ca. 10 nm in diameter. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscope analyses indicated that those nanoparticles were aggregated randomly within each crystalline particle of their MOF precursors. The TiO2 nanoparticles prepared from MIL-125-NH2 exhibited higher activity for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile method for the fabrication of a three-dimensional (3D) porous silicon@nickel (Si@Ni) inverse opal structure for Li ion batteries by using an electrodeposition method and a colloidal crystal as a sacrificial template. The Ni inverse opal structure was fabricated first by electrodeposition of Ni on the pre-formed colloidal crystal template, followed by removal of the template. Finally, the Si@Ni inverse opal structure was obtained by electrodeposition of Si onto the Ni inverse opal structure. The highly porous structure of the electrode containing a conductive and mechanically strong Ni scaffold could sufficiently accommodate volume expansion during the Si-Li alloying. A coin cell using the Si@Ni inverse opal structure as an anode exhibited a high charge capacity of 2548.5 mA h g-1, stable cycling retention, and high rate performance without the need for binders or conducting additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joining multiple datasets in MapReduce may amplify the disk and network overheads because intermediate join results have to be written to the underlying distributed file system, or map output records have to be replicated multiple times. This paper proposes a method for applying filters based on the processing order of input datasets, which is appropriate for the two types of multiway joins: common attribute joins and distinct attribute joins. The number of redundant records filtered depends on the processing order. In common attribute joins, the input records do not need to be replicated, so a set of filters is created, which are applied in turn. In distinct attribute joins, the input records have to be replicated, so multiple sets of filters need to be created, which depend on the number of join attributes. The experimental results showed that our approach outperformed a cascade of two-way joins and basic multiway joins in cases where small portions of input datasets were joined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrated that white emission can be obtained from nano-structured top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes (TEOLEDs) based on a blue emitting layer (EML). The nano-structured TEOLEDs were fabricated on nano-patterned substrates, in which both optical micro-cavity and scattering effects occur simultaneously. Due to the combination of these two effects, the electroluminescence spectra of the nano-structured device with a blue EML exhibited not only blue but also yellow colours, which corresponded to the intrinsic emission of the EML and the resonant emission of the micro-cavity effect. Consequently, it was possible to produce white emission from nano-structured TEOLEDs without employing a multimode micro-cavity. The intrinsic emission wavelength can be varied by altering the dopant used for the EML. Furthermore, the emissive characteristics turned out to be strongly dependent on the nano-pattern sizes of the nano-structured devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate efficacy in patients with brain metastasis (BM) on entry into the lapatinib expanded access program (LEAP). Methods: LEAP is a worldwide, single-arm, open-label study. HER2-positive, locally-advanced or metastatic breast cancer patients with progression after an anthracycline, taxane, and trastuzumab were eligible. Patients received capecitabine 2000 mg/m2 daily in two divided doses, days 1-14, every 21 days and lapatinib 1250 mg once daily. Results: Among 186 patients enrolled in 6 Korean centers, 58 had BM. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 18.7 weeks in patients with BM and 19.4 weeks without BM (P = 0.88). In patients with BM, brain response was synchronized with systemic responses (P = 0.0001). Overall survival (OS) was 48.9 weeks in patients with BM and 64.6 weeks without BM (P = 0.23). Multivariable analysis found hormone receptor positivity (P = 0.003) and clinical benefit rate (CBR) of combined systemic and brain disease (P<0.0001) significantly associated with prolonged brain PFS, and CBR of combined systemic and brain disease (P = 0.03) and longer trastuzumab use (P = 0.047) associated with prolonged OS in patients with BM; prior capecitabine did not affect PFS or OS in patients with BM. Conclusion: Lapatinib plus capecitabine is equally effective in patients with or without BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this research is to establish an evaluation model for business value of a company|!|#39;s existing patents portfolio to improve the performance of the technology development and the company|!|#39;s competitiveness through identifying the right direction for technology development. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; This research targets 11 leading companies in ten manufacturing industries and one e-business industry and evaluates their existing patents portfolios. This research developed a core business model set by using clustering and classification. For comparative analysis, this research sets NAVER as a leading company and DAUM as a following company in e-business industry. Findings |!|#8211; This research proposes nine business model components to evaluate a patent from business perspectives. Second, by evaluating a company|!|#39;s existing patents portfolio in view of business model components, this research proposes the importance of business model components and developed six core business models. Through these role models, companies can analyze the directions for development in the future and find companies with similar characteristics. Originality/value |!|#8211; This research develops a methodology to provide the direction for technology development of a company by evaluating technologies through the patents portfolio of a company rather than evaluating the value of a single patent. It is different from previous research that evaluates R|!|#38;D from technology perspectives; this research takes account of the business value of technologies by developing tools in view of business model components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sb2S3-sensitized mesoporous-TiO2solar cells using several conjugated polymers as hole-transporting materials (HTMs) are fabricated. We found that the cell performance was strongly correlated with the chemical interaction at the interface of Sb2S3as sensitizer and the HTMs through the thiophene moieties, which led to a higher fill factor (FF), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and short-circuit current density (Jsc). With the application of PCPDTBT (poly(2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)) as a HTM in a Sb2S3-sensitized solar cell, overall power conversion efficiencies of 6.18, 6.57, and 6.53% at 100, 50, and 10% solar irradiation, respectively, were achieved with a metal mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bandgap-engineered monodisperse HgTe NCs of different sizes were synthesized by means of a facile temperature-control method, a non-aqueous and non-Te-gas process. The photo-physical properties of the synthesized NCs in a simple photovoltaic device were tested. It was shown that this cell is capable of processing signals up to the 100 kHz level below 3 dB and hence is suitable for use in NIR photodetection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional conjugated polymers can be used to build unperturbed percolation pathways that transport electric charges in the active layer of an organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell. Electrospinning is known to be a facile method for the preparation of 1-D nanofibers, but the diameters of electrospun conjugated polymers have previously been too large for OPV cells. In particular, it has not been possible to electrospin poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to produce homogeneous nanofibers. We report a new method for the preparation of homogeneous P3HT nanofibers with diameters less than 100 nm and examine the photoluminescence (PL) properties of these nanofibers as a preliminary test of their use in an OPV cell. Nanofibers of P3HT with diameters less than 100 nm can be successfully and simply electrospun by using the proposed method, in particular without adopting a dual nozzle system, with the aid of an auxiliary polymer, polyethylene oxide (PEO), and a polar solvent mixture consisting of chloroform, dimethylformamide (DMF), and acetic acid. After removal of the auxiliary polymer, a composite film composed of virgin P3HT nanofibers and PCBM was found to exhibit almost 100% PL quenching. These results suggest that the proposed method can be used to produce P3HT nanofibers with an efficient photo-energy conversion structure that is useful in OPV cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

d hoc networks have a scalability problem. When the nodes of an ad hoc network increase in number or mobility, the amount of control traffic for routing increases and could cause traffic congestion. Cluster-based routing schemes have been proposed as a solution to this problem. Typical cluster-based ad hoc networks use a proactive routing scheme for intra-cluster routes and a reactive routing scheme for inter-cluster routes. In this study, we propose a new cluster-based routing scheme for ad hoc networks which makes use of the mobility of nodes. Nodes are divided into two groups on the basis of their mobility. For a route search within a cluster, a proactive routing scheme is used for low-mobility nodes and a flooding-based reactive routing scheme is used for high-mobility nodes. The required control traffic of the proposed scheme is analyzed and optimal parameters of the proposed scheme are derived from the analysis. The numerical results show that the proposed scheme produces far less control traffic than a typical cluster-based routing scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We were able to attach CdSe quantum dots (QDs) having a ZnS inorganic glue layer directly to a mesoporous TiO2(mp-TiO2) surface by spray coating and thermal annealing. Quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells based on CdSe QDs having ZnS as the inorganic glue layer could easily transport generated charge carriers because of the intimate bonding between CdSe and mp-TiO2. The application of spray pyrolysis deposition (SPD) to obtain additional CdSe layers improved the performance characteristics to Voc= 0.45 V, Jsc= 10.7 mA/cm2, fill factor = 35.8%, and power conversion efficiency = 1.7%. Furthermore, ZnS post-treatment improved the device performance to Voc= 0.57 V, Jsc= 11.2 mA/cm2, fill factor = 35.4%, and power conversion efficiency = 2.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the transformation of rhombic dodecahedral gold nanoparticles through two different pathways depending on the water content. The gold nanoparticles were prepared by reducing HAuCl4with N,N-dimethylforamide in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and water. Not only the concentration of PVP but also the water content has a critical role in determining the shape transformation of the gold nanocrystals. At low water content the rhombic dodecahedron is transformed into a rhombicuboctahedron to a truncated octahedron and then to an octahedron, while at higher water content the rhombic dodecahedron is transformed into a rhombicuboctahedron and then to a cube or a truncated cube and then to a cuboctahedron and to a truncated octahedron. In addition, we demonstrated cell imaging by using the truncated octahedral, rhombic dodecahedral and octahedral gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyaluronic acid (HA), linear high-molecular-weight glycosaminoglycan produced from Streptococcus sp., has raised interest in the medical and cosmetics industries because of the various biological functions of HA. In this paper, we report on the optimization of medium components for HA production in Streptococcus sp. ID9102 (KCTC 11935BP) by two-step optimization (one-factor-at-a-time and taguchi orthogonal array design). In the first step, medium components, such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphate, and mineral sources, were selected for HA production in Streptococcus sp. ID9102 (KCTC 11935BP) using the one-factor-at-a-time method. In the second step, the concentration of the selected medium components was optimized using taguchi orthogonal array design. The design for medium optimization was developed and analyzed using MINITAB 14 software. In addition, the effect of amino acid and organic acid, such as glutamine, glutamate, and oxalic acid, was studied for HA production in Streptococcus sp. ID9102 (KCTC 11935BP). Through these processes, the optimum medium comprising 4% glucose, 0.75% yeast extract, 1.0% casein peptone, 0.25% K2HPO4, 0.05% MgCl2, 0.5% NaCl, 0.04% glutamine, 0.06% glutamate, and 0.02% oxalic acid was determined. We were able to produce HA with a molecular weight of 5.9 × 106 at a productivity of 6.94 g/l on pilot scale fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscale fish bowls, hollow particles with engineered holes in their surfaces, were prepared using two different methods. In the first method, commercial latex beads suspended in water were swollen with a good solvent of the polymer, followed by freezing with liquid nitrogen and evaporation of the solvent below 0 °C. While one big hole was generated when the amount of solvent used for the swelling was relatively low, small holes could be produced in the outer surface of each bowl by increasing the degree of swelling. The porosity and pore structure show a similar dependence on the degree of swelling for both amorphous and semicrystalline polymers even though they are supposed to exhibit different phase behaviors during the freezing and solvent evaporation processes. In the second method, a polymer emulsion in water was prepared and then frozen with liquid nitrogen, followed by solvent evaporation below 0 °C. The porosity and pore structure could be controlled by adjusting the concentration of the polymer solution used to prepare the emulsion. As for encapsulation, the bowl-shaped particles could be transformed back into solid beads via thermal annealing at a temperature near the glass transition temperature of the polymer or by adding a good solvent of the polymer to the colloidal suspension. In a proof-of-concept experiment, microscale fish bowls were fabricated from poly(caprolactone), quickly loaded with a fluorescent dye, and sealed through thermal annealing. The encapsulated dye could then be slowly released in a phosphate buffered saline, suggesting their potential use as a new class of microscale capsules for drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]