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Abstract Background Iatrogenic mandibular nerve damage resulting from oral surgeries and dental procedures is painful and a formidable challenge for patients and oral surgeons alike, mainly because the absence of objective and quantitative methods for diagnosing nerve damage renders treatment and compensation ambiguous while often leading to medico-legal disputes. The aim of this study was to examine discriminating factors of traumatic mandibular nerve within a specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol and to suggest tangible diagnostic criteria for peripheral trigeminal nerve injury. Methods Twenty-six patients with ipsilateral mandibular nerve trauma underwent T2 Flex water, 3D short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) acquired by periodically rotating overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) pulse sequences; 26 injured nerves were thus compared with contra-lateral healthy nerves at anatomically corresponding sites. T2 Flex apparent signal to noise ratio (FSNR), T2 Flex apparent nerve-muscle contrast to noise ratio (FNMCNR) 3D STIR apparent signal to noise ratio (SSNR), 3D STIR apparent nerve-muscle contrast to noise ratio (SNMCNR), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and area of cross-sectional nerve (Area) were evaluated. Results Mixed model analysis revealed FSNR and FNMCNR to be the dual discriminators for traumatized mandibular nerve (p

Abstract In recent decades, strategies involving transition-metal catalyzed carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bond coupling have emerged as potent synthetic tools for constructing intricate molecular architectures. Among these, decarboxylative carbon-nitrogen bond formation using abundant carboxylic acids or their derivatives has garnered notable attention for accessing alkyl- or arylamines, one of key pharmacophores. While several decarboxylative amination methods have been developed, the involvement of a common carboradical intermediate currently poses challenges in achieving stereospecific transformation toward chiral alkylamines. Herein, we present a base-mediated, stereoretentive decarboxylative amidation by harnessing 1,4,2-dioxazol-5-one as a reactive and robust amidating reagent under transition-metal-free ambient conditions, encompassing all types of primary, secondary and tertiary carboxylic acids, thereby providing access to the important pharmacophore, α-chiral amines. This method exhibits high functional group tolerance, convenient scalability, and ease of applicability for 15N-isotope labeling, thus accentuating its synthetic utilities. Experimental and computational mechanistic investigations reveal a sequence of elementary steps: i) nucleophilic addition of carboxylate to dioxazolone, ii) rearrangement to form a dicarbonyl N-hydroxy intermediate, iii) conversion to hydroxamate, followed by a Lossen-type rearrangement, and finally, iv) reaction of the in situ generated isocyanate with carboxylate leading to C–N bond formation in a stereoretentive manner.

Abstract Background Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and multipotent progenitors (MPPs) play a pivotal role in maintaining lifelong hematopoiesis. The distinction between stem cells and other progenitors, as well as the assessment of their functions, has long been a central focus in stem cell research. In recent years, deep learning has emerged as a powerful tool for cell image analysis and classification/prediction. Methods In this study, we explored the feasibility of employing deep learning techniques to differentiate murine HSCs and MPPs based solely on their morphology, as observed through light microscopy (DIC) images. Results After rigorous training and validation using extensive image datasets, we successfully developed a three-class classifier, referred to as the LSM model, capable of reliably distinguishing long-term HSCs, short-term HSCs, and MPPs. The LSM model extracts intrinsic morphological features unique to different cell types, irrespective of the methods used for cell identification and isolation, such as surface markers or intracellular GFP markers. Furthermore, employing the same deep learning framework, we created a two-class classifier that effectively discriminates between aged HSCs and young HSCs. This discovery is particularly significant as both cell types share identical surface markers yet serve distinct functions. This classifier holds the potential to offer a novel, rapid, and efficient means of assessing the functional states of HSCs, thus obviating the need for time-consuming transplantation experiments. Conclusion Our study represents the pioneering use of deep learning to differentiate HSCs and MPPs under steady-state conditions. This novel and robust deep learning-based platform will provide a basis for the future development of a new generation stem cell identification and separation system. It may also provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell self-renewal.

Abstract We report a transition metal-catalyzed ring expansion of azulene that can be contrasted with C–H functionalization. This study represents the first example of the successful ring expansion of azulene using Cu(hfacac)2 (hfacac: hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with a diazo reagent. This result is notable for extending the Buchner reaction, previously limited to benzenoid aromatics, to nonbenzenoid compounds. The chemoselectivity of the reaction can be directed towards C–H functionalization by substituting the Cu catalyst with AgOTf. This approach does not require the addition of phosphine, NHC, or related ligands, and prefunctionalization of azulenes is unnecessary. Furthermore, the method exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, allowing for the synthesis of a wide range of 6,7-bicyclic compounds and C–H functionalized azulenes. We also present a theoretical study that explains the experimental observations, explaining why copper afford the ring expansion product while silver forms the C–H alkylation product.

The Zika virus has been shown to infect glioblastoma stem cells via the membrane receptor αvβ5, which is activated by the stem-specific transcription factor SOX2. Since the expression level of SOX2 is an important predictive marker for successful virotherapy, it is important to understand the fundamental mechanisms of the role of SOX2 in the dynamics of cancer stem cells and Zika viruses. In this paper, we develop a mathematical ODE model to investigate the effects of SOX2 expression levels on Zika virotherapy against glioblastoma stem cells. Our study aimed to identify the conditions under which SOX2 expression level, viral infection, and replication can reduce or eradicate the glioblastoma stem cells. Analytic work on the existence and stability conditions of equilibrium points with respect to the basic reproduction number are provided. Numerical results were in good agreement with analytic solutions. Our results show that critical threshold levels of both SOX2 and viral replication, which change the stability of equilibrium points through population dynamics such as transcritical and Hopf bifurcations, were observed. These critical thresholds provide the optimal conditions for SOX2 expression levels and viral bursting sizes to enhance therapeutic efficacy of Zika virotherapy against glioblastoma stem cells. This study provides critical insights into optimizing Zika virus-based treatment for glioblastoma by highlighting the essential role of SOX2 in viral infection and replication.

ABSTRACT: The effect of cinnamon powder on the quality and mitigation of off-flavor in fried chicken drumsticks made from long-term thawed Korean native chicken (Woorimatdag No. 1, WRMD1) was investigated. The WRMD1 drumsticks were categorized into 5 groups: conventional thawing (16 h, CT), long-term thawing (48 h, LT), cinnamon powder added into ‘LT’ as marinade (0.03%, CM) or incorporated into the batter (1.35%, CB), and long-term thawing with cinnamon powder incorporated both in the marinade and batter (0.03% + 1.35%, CMB). The crude fat content was significantly higher in the CT and CMB than that of the CB. The CM, CB, and CMB showed significantly lower levels of 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance compared with the CT and LT. The predominant fatty acids in all treatments were C18:1n9, C18:2n6, and C16:0. The LT displayed lower total unsaturated fatty acid content than the CT (P < 0.05). The CM effectively decreased lipid oxidative volatiles, such as 1-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2-octen-1-ol, (E), in the LT (P < 0.05). Both the CM and CB showed an inclination to increase specific pyrazines associated with pleasant notes compared with the LT, and showed higher levels of pyrazines, such as pyrazine, 2-ethyl-6-methyl-, and pyrazine, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethyl-, than those of the CMB (P < 0.05). The CM contained higher levels of 2,3-butanedione when compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that cinnamon had an effect in discriminating the treatment groups with cinnamon addition from both the CT and LT, whereas the CM, CB, and CMB formed distinct clusters. The CM and CMB received significantly higher aroma scores from panelists in comparison to the other groups. These findings suggest that the CM (0.03% cinnamon powder) can be used to enhance the aroma in fried WRMD1 drumsticks by reducing or masking the off-flavor volatiles associated with long-term thawing.

ABSTRACT: This study was aimed to identify and compare the taste-related compounds (nucleotide-related compounds, free amino acid contents, and fatty acid composition) and aroma (volatile organic compounds [VOC]) compounds in the chicken breast meat from 3 kinds of Korean native chicken (KNC), namely Hanhyup 3 (HH3), Woorimatdag 1 (WRMD1) and Woorimatdag 2 (WRMD2). Among the 3 breeds, WRMD1 had significantly higher IMP and AMP contents than HH3. WRMD2 exhibited higher levels of umami and sweet-taste amino acids and oleic acid composition compared to HH3 (P < 0.05). HH3 showed a higher composition of unsaturated fatty acids than WRMD2 (P < 0.05). On their discrimination by flavor composition, some compounds including aspartic acid were analyzed as important compounds. Regarding aroma compounds, unique aroma compounds were detected for each breed and some compounds such as isopropyl myristate, p-cresol, (S)-(+)-3-Methyl-1-pentanol, and cyclic octa-atomic sulfur were expected to be utilized as key compounds in discrimination of the 3 breeds. From the result of this study, the differences on the flavor compounds of three breeds were elucidated and key compounds for their discrimination were presented.

Abstract Finding d-electron heavy fermion states has been an important topic as the diversity in d-electron materials can lead to many exotic Kondo effect-related phenomena or new states of matter such as correlation-driven topological Kondo insulator. Yet, obtaining direct spectroscopic evidence for a d-electron heavy fermion system has been elusive to date. Here, we report the observation of Kondo lattice behavior in an antiferromagnetic metal, FeTe, via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, scanning tunneling spectroscopy and transport property measurements. The Kondo lattice behavior is represented by the emergence of a sharp quasiparticle and Fano-type tunneling spectra at low temperatures. The transport property measurements confirm the low-temperature Fermi liquid behavior and reveal successive coherent-incoherent crossover upon increasing temperature. We interpret the Kondo lattice behavior as a result of hybridization between localized Fe 3dxy and itinerant Te 5pz orbitals. Our observations strongly suggest unusual cooperation between Kondo lattice behavior and long-range magnetic order.

This study analyzes the factors influencing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) employment among Korean young job seekers. While past studies have focused on factors such as the individual traits, competence, and environment surrounding job seekers, this study focuses on social and psychological factors based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Stratified random sampling was used to recruit 700 job seekers aged 19–29 years who were unemployed or seeking employment. They responded to an online survey with items on demographic information and their perceptions of SME employment. The results indicated that subjective norms (0.434) influenced SME employment intention more than attitude (0.233) and perceived behavioral control (0.078). Furthermore, the effects of subjective norms on SME employment intention varied by educational level and residency, as negative social perceptions of SME reduced SME employment intention among Korean young job seekers with higher education and who resided in metropolitan areas. While previous studies validated the direct relationship between SME employment intention with education and residency, this study empirically identifies that these two variables moderate the association between subjective norm and SME employment intention. This implies that measures to enhance SME employment intention among Korean young job seekers should focus on transforming subjective norms.

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) systems are widely used today across various applications. Due to their interoperability, there are many instances where the receiver can vary, and consequently, the air gap may differ depending on the application. In such distance-variable WPT systems, the self-inductance of the transmitting and receiving coils can change, which means that zero-voltage switching (ZVS) is not always guaranteed. In this paper, we propose a method to determine the matching capacitor that is sufficient to ensure ZVS in a distance-variable system. According to our theoretical approach, the matching capacitance should be determined for the farthest air gap. The proposed idea was verified through experiments, and the results demonstrate that the ZVS is guaranteed within the specified range of variable distances.

ABSTRACTPreventing perinatal transmission is important for hepatitis B (HepB) elimination. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the interval between HepB birth-dose (HepB-BD) to second-dose (HepB-SD) vaccination on perinatal transmission. Among 39,313 infants born to HepB s-antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers from a Korean national database 38,411 (97.7%) had completed timely immunophylaxis with HepB-BD 41,572 (99.8%) with hepatitis B immune globulin, and 1027 (2.6%) were HBsAg-positive at ≥ 9 months. Maternal factors (i.e. HepB e-antigen status, age, or nationality) were associated with an increased risk of infection whereas short gestational length decreased it. The HepB-BD – HepB-SD interval (

Abstract The experimental realization of p-orbital systems is desirable because p-orbital lattices have been proposed theoretically to host strongly correlated electrons that exhibit exotic quantum phases. Here, we synthesize a two-dimensional Fe-coordinated bimolecular metal-organic framework which constitutes a honeycomb lattice of 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene molecules and a Kagome lattice of 5,15-di(4-pyridyl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrin molecules on a Au(111) substrate. Density-functional theory calculations show that the framework features multiple well-separated spin-polarized Kagome bands, namely Dirac cone bands and Chern flat bands, near the Fermi level. Using tight-binding modelling, we reveal that these bands are originated from two effects: the low-lying molecular orbitals that exhibit p-orbital characteristics and the honeycomb-Kagome lattice. This study demonstrates that p-orbital Kagome bands can be realized in metal-organic frameworks by using molecules with molecular orbitals of p-orbital like symmetry.

When dementia is diagnosed, it is most often already past the point of irreversible neuronal deterioration. Neuropsychological tests are frequently used in clinical settings; however, they must be administered properly and are oftentimes conducted after cognitive impairment becomes apparent or is raised as a concern by the patient or a family member. It would be beneficial to develop a non-invasive system for approximating cognitive scores which can be utilized by a general practitioner without the need for cognitive testing. To this end, gait, visual, auditory, postural, and olfactory function parameters, reported history of illness, and personal habits were used to train an elastic-net regression model in predicting the cognitive score. Community-dwelling men (N = 104) above the age of sixty-five participated in the current study. Both individual variables and principal components of the motor and sensory functions were included in the elastic-net regression model, which was trained on 70% of the dataset. The years of education, limits of stability testing time, regular ophthalmological exams, postural testing time principal component, better ear score on the sentence recognition test, and olfactory discrimination score largely contributed to explaining over 40% of the variance in the cognitive score.

Abstract We study topological phase transitions in tetragonal NaZnSb $$_{1-x}$$ 1 - x Bi $$_x$$ x , driven by the chemical composition x. Notably, we examine mirror Chern numbers that change without symmetry indicators. First-principles calculations are performed to show that NaZnSb $$_{1-x}$$ 1 - x Bi $$_x$$ x experiences consecutive topological phase transitions, diagnosed by the strong $${\mathbb {Z}}_2$$ Z 2 topological index $$\nu _{0}$$ ν 0 and two mirror Chern numbers $$\mu _{x}$$ μ x and $$\mu _{xy}$$ μ xy . As the chemical composition x increases, the topological invariants ( $$\mu _{x}\mu _{xy}\nu _{0}$$ μ x μ xy ν 0 ) change from (000), (020), (220), to (111) at x = 0.15, 0.20, and 0.53, respectively. A simplified low-energy effective model is developed to examine the mirror Chern number changes, highlighting the central role of spectator Dirac fermions in avoiding symmetry indicators. Our findings suggest that NaZnSb $$_{1-x}$$ 1 - x Bi $$_{x}$$ x can be an exciting testbed for exploring the interplay between the topology and symmetry.

Defect centers in two-dimensional materials has shown promise for applications in quantum information and sensing. Lee et al. computationally discover a class of substitutional defect centers in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides with promising qubit characteristics operating at telecom wavelengths.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the difference in the thigh meat quality of Ross 308 broiler from conventional and welfare farms. Methods Thigh meat samples of Ross 308 broilers (age, 35 d; carcass weight, 1.1 kg) from conventional farm (RCF, n = 60) and animal welfare farms (RAWF, n = 60) were analyzed. Proximate composition, pH, color (lightness, redness, and yellowness), water-holding capacity (WHC), shear force, total aerobic bacteria (TAB), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) were measured and the levels of bioactive compounds such as dipeptides (anserine and carnosine), creatine, creatinine, and their anti-oxidation activity were determined. Results The RCF and RAWF did not differ significantly in their proximate composition, WHC, color, and creatine and carnosine levels. The pH value was significantly lower in RAWF than in RCF on day 7. The shear force value was significantly higher in RAWF than in RCF throughout the storage duration. TAB in RCF on day 9 were significantly higher than those in RAWF. The VBN content of RAWF was significantly lower than that of RCF after 5 days of storage. Creatinine content was significantly higher in RAWF (3.50 mg/100 g) than in RCF (3.08 mg/100 g) on day 1. Along with higher carnosine and anserine contents of RAWF, it had significantly higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities than those of RCF. Conclusion These results imply that the animal welfare farming system beneficially affects the overall oxidative stability of Ross 308 thigh meat.

Abstract We investigated the doping and temperature evolutions of the optical response of Sr3(Ir1−x Mn x )2O7 single crystals with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.36 by utilizing infrared spectroscopy. Substitution of 3d transition metal Mn ions into Sr3Ir2O7 is expected to induce an insulator-to-metal transition via the decrease in the magnitude of the spin–orbit coupling and the hole doping. In sharp contrast, our data reveal the resilience of the spin–orbit coupling and the incoherent character of the charge transport. Upon Mn substitution, an incoherent in-gap excitation at about 0.25 eV appeared with the decrease in the strength of the optical transitions between the effective total angular momentum J eff bands of the Ir ions. The resonance energies of the optical transitions between the J eff bands which are directly proportional to the magnitude of the spin–orbit coupling hardly varied. In addition to these evolutions of the low-energy response, Mn substitution led to the emergence of a distinct high-energy optical excitation at about 1.2 eV which is larger than the resonance energies of the optical transitions between the J eff bands. This observation indicates that the Mn 3d states are located away from the Ir 5d states in energy and that the large difference in the on-site energies of the transition metal ions is responsible for the incoherent charge transport and the robustness of the spin–orbit coupling. The effect of Mn substitution was also registered in the temperature dependence of the electronic response. The anomaly in the optical response of the parent compound observed at the antiferromagnetic transition temperature is notably suppressed in the Mn-doped compounds despite the persistence of the long-range antiferromagnetic ordering. The suppression of the spin-charge coupling could be related to charge disproportionation of the Ir ions.

Abstract Background Numerous people never receive a formal dementia diagnosis. This issue can be addressed by early detection systems that utilize alternative forms of classification, such as gait, balance, and sensory function parameters. In the present study, said functions were compared between older adults with healthy cognition, older adults with low executive function, and older adults with cognitive impairment, to determine which parameters can be used to distinguish these groups. Results A group of cognitively healthy older men was found to have a significantly greater gait cadence than both the low executive function group (113.1 ± 6.8 vs. 108.0 ± 6.3 steps/min, p = 0.032) and the cognitively impaired group (113.1 ± 6.8 vs. 107.1 ± 7.4 steps/min, p = 0.009). The group with low executive function was found to have more gait stability than the impaired cognition group, represented by the single limb support phase (39.7 ± 1.2 vs. 38.6 ± 1.3%, p = 0.027). Additionally, the healthy cognition group had significantly greater overall postural stability than the impaired cognition group (0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1, p = 0.003), and the low executive function group had significantly greater mediolateral postural stability than the impaired cognition group (0.2 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.6, p = 0.012). The low executive function group had fewer mistakes on the sentence recognition test than the cognitively impaired (2.2 ± 3.6 vs. 5.9 ± 6.4, p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in visual capacity, however, the low executive function group displayed an overall greatest ability. Conclusions Older adults with low executive function showcased a lower walking pace, but their postural stability and sensory functions did not differ from those of the older adults with healthy cognition. The variables concluded as good cognitive status markers were (1) gait cadence for dividing cognitively healthy from the rest and (2) single limb support portion, mediolateral stability index, and the number of mistakes on the sentence recognition test for discerning between the low executive function and cognitive impairment groups.

A general synthetic solution toward high-oxidation state securinega alkaloids could be useful for systematic biological studies. Here, the authors report a divergent synthesis of C4-oxygenated securinega alkaloids via stereocontrolled diversifications on the piperidine core.

Introduction: The effects of the proximal tibial slope angle on the proximal tibial epiphysis remain unknown. To elucidate those effects, we investigated the strain distribution in proximal tibial epiphysis with different proximal tibial slope angles and proximal tibial epiphysis closure periods using finite element analysis. Materials and methods: The finite element models of the proximal tibia were reconstructed from CT images and consisted of cancellous/cortical bone and epiphyseal plate. The variations in proximal tibial slope angle (range: 6–16°) and four closure variations in proximal tibial epiphysis (open, semi-open, semi-closed, and closed) were prepared. The loading force on the medial and lateral joint surface, and the tensile force by the patellar tendon were applied to the models, and the distal area of the tibia was fixed. The ratio of the equivalent strain in semi-open/semi-closed proximal tibial epiphysis to the strain in open proximal tibial epiphysis on different proximal tibial slope angles were calculated. Results: The strain ratio between the semi-open/semi-closed and open proximal tibial epiphysis models indicated significant differences between 6 or 8° of proximal tibial slope angle and 12, 14, and 16° of proximal tibial slope angle models. In the increased proximal tibial slope angle model, a hoop-shaped strain in the closing proximal tibial epiphysis was found, and the maximum strain was found in the tibial tubercle. Discussion: During epiphyseal closure, adolescents with an increased proximal tibial slope angle over 12° are significantly at risk for suffering from proximal tibial epiphyseal fractures compared with those under 10°.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature and time of sous-vide cooking method on the characteristics of Thoroughbred horse loin. Sliced portions (200 ± 50 g) were cooked by boiling (control) and sous-vide (65 and 70 °C for 12, 18, and 24 h). The samples were analyzed for proximate composition, pH, color, texture, microstructure, sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), microbiology, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nucleotide content, and fatty acids composition. The color analysis showed decreased redness at elevated temperatures. Improved tenderness, demonstrated by reduced shear force values (36.36 N at 65 °C for 24 h and 35.70 N at 70 °C for 24 h). The micrographs indicated dense fiber arrangements at 70 °C. The SDS-PAGE revealed muscle protein degradation with extended sous-vide cooking. The VOC analysis identified specific compounds, potentially distinctive markers for sous-vide cooking of horse meat including 1-octen-3-ol, decanal, n-caproic acid vinyl ester, cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl, and 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-epoxybutane. This study highlights the cooking time’s primary role in sous vide-cooked horse meat tenderness and proposes specific VOCs as potential markers. Further research should explore the exclusivity of these VOCs to sous-vide cooking.

A microrobot that could continuously receive both electrical energy and propulsion force from a wireless power transfer system would offer tremendous benefits. However, wireless powering systems produce a time-varying magnetic field that can be harmful if the generated magnetic field needed for microrobot movement is large. To limit exposure, power transfer efficiency must be enhanced. This paper derived and analyzed the magnetic force applied to a microrobot from a wireless power transfer system. Unlike previously introduced Lorentz force-based microrobot propulsion, the proposed method is independent of a wireless power transfer system’s frequency. Therefore, this frequency can be determined considering maximum power transfer efficiency. The theoretical analysis and simulation by numerical analysis were compared, and results were verified though actual fabrication and measurement. Analyses of the transmitting and receiving coils were conducted. The optimum force, with less than 9% discrepancy, was determined while achieving a 3.6% improvement in power transfer efficiency.

The protein SLITRK2 plays an important role in synaptic communication. This study identifies X-linked SLITRK2 variants that underlie neurodevelopmental disorders by impairing excitatory synapses.

Nuclear energy sources are indispensable in cost effectively achieving carbon neutral economy, where public opinion is critical to adoption as the consequences of nuclear accident can be catastrophic. In this context, discussion on spent nuclear fuel is a prerequisite to expanding nuclear energy, as it leads to the issue of radioactive waste disposal. Given the dearth of study on spent nuclear fuel public acceptance, we use text mining and big data analysis on the news article and public comments data on Naver news portal to identify the Korean public opinion on spent nuclear fuel. We identify that the Korean public is more interested in the nuclear energy policy than spent nuclear fuel itself and that the alternative energy sources affect the position towards spent nuclear fuel. We recommend relating spent nuclear fuel issue with nuclear energy policy and environmental issues of alternative energy sources to further promote spent nuclear fuel.

Abstract Perchlorate has been observed in many environments on Earth and Mars but its sources remain poorly quantified. In this study, we use a global three‐dimensional chemical transport model to simulate perchlorate's gas‐phase photochemical production, atmospheric transport, and deposition on Earth's surface. Model predictions are compared to newly compiled observations of atmospheric concentrations, deposition flux, and oxygen isotopic composition of perchlorate. We find that the modeled gas‐phase production of perchlorate is consistent with reported stratospheric observations. Nevertheless, we show that this mechanism alone cannot explain the high levels of perchlorate observed at many near‐surface sites (aerosol concentrations >0.1 ng m−3 and deposition fluxes >10 g km−2 yr−1) or the low 17O‐excess observed in perchlorate sampled from pristine environments (

Cancer secretome is a reservoir for aberrant glycosylation. How therapies alter this post- translational cancer hallmark and the consequences thereof remain elusive. Here, we show that an elevated secretome fucosylation is a pan-cancer signature of both response and resistance to multiple targeted therapies. Large-scale pharmacogenomics revealed that fucosylation genes display widespread association with resistance to these therapies. In cancer cell cultures, xenograft mouse models, and patients, targeted kinase inhibitors distinctively induced core fucosylation of secreted proteins less than 60 kDa. Label-free proteomics of N-glycoproteomes identified fucosylation of the antioxidant PON1 as a critical component of the therapy-induced secretome (TIS). N-glycosylation of TIS and target core fucosylation of PON1 are mediated by the fucose salvage-FUT8-SLC35C1 axis with PON3 directly modulating GDP-Fuc transfer on PON1 scaffolds. Core fucosylation in the Golgi impacts PON1 stability and folding prior to secretion, promoting a more degradation-resistant PON1. Global and PON1-specific secretome de-N-glycosylation both limited the expansion of resistant clones in a tumor regression model. We defined the resistance-associated transcription factors (TFs) and genes modulated by the N-glycosylated TIS via a focused and transcriptome-wide analyses. These genes characterize the oxidative stress, inflammatory niche, and unfolded protein response as important factors for this modulation. Our findings demonstrate that core fucosylation is a common modification indirectly induced by targeted therapies that paradoxically promotes resistance.

Abstract Background Noma is a rare disease that occurs mainly in malnourished patients in developing countries. Noma starts as facial swelling and gingival necrosis that eventually necrotizes underlying tissues including the jaw bone, leaving severe disfigurement. It is reported extremely rarely in patients with severe immunosuppression or blood dyscrasia. Case presentation The gingivitis that occurred in a 12-year-old Asian female patient with acute myeloid leukemia was getting increasingly worse. Although the proper treatment was done, the patient’s condition did not improve, and eventually, a large full-thickness defect was left in the maxillofacial part. Conclusions Early diagnosis and management is the only way to prevent the progression, which leads to facial disfigurement. We present a case of noma in a pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patient, in which oral function was restored through surgical intervention.

Microrobots can be utilized in various applications, but their ability to move and perform tasks in various environments is especially important. In this paper, we introduce a 3-mm microrobot that can move in a liquid-filled tube, such as a vein, against gravity using an external wireless power transfer-based microrobot propulsion system. The force required to move against gravity was determined by calculating the effects of buoyance and gravity on the microrobot. Based on this information, the current required for the transmitting coil to induce sufficient propulsion was derived using the relation between the incident magnetic field and the magnetic force on a magnetic material. The propulsion system was experimentally tested, and the microrobot successfully moved upward against gravity. In addition, the level of human exposure to the applied electromagnetic field was determined to be within recommended guidelines using the electromagnetic simulation software Sim4Life.

The density of donor-like state distributions in solution-processed indium–zinc-oxide (IZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) is thoroughly analyzed using photon energy irradiation. This study focuses on quantitatively calculating the distribution of density of states (DOS) in IZO semiconductors, with a specific emphasis on their variation with indium concentration. Two calculation methods, namely photoexcited charge collection spectroscopy (PECCS) and photocurrent-induced DOS spectroscopy (PIDS), are employed to estimate the density of the donor-like states. This dual approach not only ensures the accuracy of the findings but also provides a comprehensive perspective on the properties of semiconductors. The results reveal a consistent characteristic: the Recombination–Generation (R-G) center energy ET, a key aspect of the donor-like state, is acquired at approximately 3.26 eV, irrespective of the In concentration. This finding suggests that weak bonds and oxygen vacancies within the Zn-O bonding structure of IZO semiconductors act as the primary source of R-G centers, contributing to the donor-like state distribution. By highlighting this fundamental aspect of IZO semiconductors, this study enhances our understanding of their charge-transport mechanisms. Moreover, it offers valuable insight for addressing stability issues such as negative bias illumination stress, potentially leading to the improved performance and reliability of solution-processed IZO TFTs. The study contributes to the advancement of displays and technologies by presenting further innovations and applications for evaluating the fundamentals of semiconductors.

Abstract Background Although, in daily living, almost all stair ambulation is conducted posterior to level walking, or vice versa, there are only a few studies related to the transition compared to the studies on steady-state stair walking. Furthermore, neuromotor control in the instant of the transition is different from that of the steady-state stair walking. However, there are only a few studies investigating the transition from level walking to stair ascent in the elderly by comparing with young adults, and there is no study on the assistance of the transition movement in the elderly who are experiencing neurophysiological changes. Thus, this pilot study aimed to compare the flat surface-to-stair ascent transition by the elderly to that seen in young adults, and to investigate how vibrotactile somatosensory stimulus (VSS), which has a positive effect on muscle performance and gait, affects the transition tasks in elderly people. Results In the first half of the stance phase, the elderly exhibited a higher moment and power of the hip extensor and a less moment and power of the knee extensor compared with young adults. In the second half of the stance phase, positive plantar-flexor power and support moment was higher in the elderly. In addition, during the single-limb support phase, dorsiflexion was maintained in the elderly, whereas young adults appeared to have decreased dorsiflexion. When the VSS was applied, the moment and power of the hip extensor, the plantar-flexor moment, and the support moment in the entire of the stance phase were increased. In addition, it was found that the degree of the kinetics parameters was different depending on the frequencies of the VSS. Conclusions This pilot study has revealed evident biomechanical differences between elderly people and young adults during the transition from level walking to stair ascent. Additionally, it has shown that the VSS may accentuate the features of the transition movement of the elderly and regulate joint kinetics. The results of the present pilot study can provide a base for further research and understanding of movement, which can be utilized in designing assistance aids for the elderly. Trial registration CRIS, KCT0005434 , Registered 25 September 2020, Retrospectively registered.

Electromyography (EMG) is one of the most common methods to detect muscle activities and intentions. However, it has been difficult to estimate accurate hand motions represented by the finger joint angles using EMG signals. We propose an encoder-decoder network with an attention mechanism, an explainable deep learning model that estimates 14 finger joint angles from forearm EMG signals. This study demonstrates that the model trained by the single-finger motion data can be generalized to estimate complex motions of random fingers. The color map result of the after-training attention matrix shows that the proposed attention algorithm enables the model to learn the nonlinear relationship between the EMG signals and the finger joint angles, which is explainable. The highly activated entries in the color map of the attention matrix derived from model training are consistent with the experimental observations in which certain EMG sensors are highly activated when a particular finger moves. In summary, this study proposes an explainable deep learning model that estimates finger joint angles based on EMG signals of the forearm using the attention mechanism.

Background: Portosystemic shunt and atrial septal defect (ASD) are generally congenital diseases in dogs. Rarely, dogs with congenital vascular anomalies could be related to other vascular anomalies. Case Description: A 1-year-old male Maltese dog, neutered and weighing 1.7 kg, was brought in for additional assessment of a congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS). CPSS was diagnosed as porto-caval shunt by computed tomography. Surgical attenuation was performed. Although prognosis after CPSS attenuation was good, the dog was presented with exercise intolerance one year after the operation. Thoracic radiographs observed generalized cardiomegaly. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary hypertension and right-to-left shunting ASD. Conclusion: The present study reports a rare case of CPSS concurrent with ASD in a dog. As dogs with CPSS might have been associated with other vascular anomalies; therefore, echocardiography is recommended for early diagnosis of other cardiovascular anomalies.

Abstract Background Sit-to-stand (STS) is a complex movement that requires successful postural control. Aging is a normal part of human life that leads to weakness of sensory capabilities, resulting in diminished postural control. Therefore, STS movement is a challenging task for the elderly. Local tendon vibration (LTV) can be utilized to assist STS of the elderly by improving postural control. Many studies have revealed that the LTV has various physiological positive effect. However, previous studies did not consider subjects’ individual difference for properties of applied LTV. Also, there are almost no studies to assist and to improve elder’s STS movement. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of lower limb LTV on postural sway during STS in the elderly, and to examine whether a specific vibration frequency can increase postural control in the elderly. Results The common characteristic differences between the elderly and younger population during STS movement were analyzed. In addition, the effect of vibration on the center of mass (COM) and the center of pressure (COP) variable responses in young adults and the elderly were investigated. As a result, the elderly exhibit larger COP sway area and higher COP mediolateral (ML) displacement than the young adults. In addition, the elderly generally have lower COM velocities in all directions compared to the young adults. It was found that COP and COM related to postural stability are affected when LTV of the 180 Hz, 190 Hz and 250 Hz is applied to the elderly. Particularly, the 190 Hz vibration induced significant reduction in COP sway area and COP ML displacement. Conclusions These results mean that the LTV contributes to stability of elders’ STS movement by reducing postural sway. Furthermore, a reduction of postural sway depends on frequency of the LTV. These findings suggest that individual response to characteristics of vibration must be considered, and imply that the LTV can be used as rehabilitation therapy to improve postural control in the elderly, and utilized in motion assistive devices to deliver apt vibration frequencies. Trial registration CRIS, KCT0005434 , Registered 25 September 2020, Retrospectively registered, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index/index.do

Abstract Magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) is one of the most important properties in two-dimensional magnetism since the magnetization in two dimension is vulnerable to the spin rotational fluctuations. Using density functional theory calculation, we show that perpendicular electric field dramatically enhances the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic anisotropies in Fe3GeTe2 and Fe4GeTe2 monolayers, respectively, allowing the change of easy axis in both systems. The changes of the MAE under the electric field are understood as the result of charge redistribution inside the layer, which is available due to the three-dimensional (3D) network of Fe atoms in the monolayers. As a result, we suggest that due to the unique structure of FenGeTe2 compounds composed by peculiar 3D networks of metal atoms, the MAE can be dramatically changed by the external perpendicular electric field.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the conditions, characteristics, and risk factors of level IIb lymph node metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma and to formulate surgical criteria for level IIb lymph node dissection. We analyzed clinical and pathological records for 541 oral squamous carcinoma patients in relation to level IIb metastasis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect risk factors for level IIb lymph node metastasis; a predictive model was built based on multivariate analysis and tested in a validation group. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the training group indicated that level IIa metastasis and Lymphovascular permeation (LVP) were two independent risk factors for level IIb lymph node metastasis. This model was built and tested in a validation group, the area under the curve being 0.697 (P

Impairments in gait, postural stability, and sensory functions were proved to be strongly associated with severe cognitive impairment such as in dementia. However, to prevent dementia, it is necessary to detect cognitive deterioration early, which requires a deeper understanding of the connections between the aforementioned functions and global cognition. Therefore, the current study measured gait, postural, auditory, and visual functions and, using principal component analysis, explored their individual and cumulative association with global cognition. The global cognitive function of 82 older Korean males was determined using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The motor and sensory functions were summarized into seven independent factors using factor analysis, followed by age and education-level-adjusted linear regression model analysis. The seven factors obtained using factor analysis were gait speed, gait stability, midstance, general auditory ability, auditory recognition, overall visual ability, and postural stability. The linear regression model included years of education, gait stability, postural stability, and auditory recognition, and was able to explain more than half of the variability in cognitive score. This shows that motor and sensory parameters, which are obtainable through wearable sensors and mobile applications, could be utilized in detecting cognitive fluctuations even in the early stages of cognitive deterioration.

Triplet harvesting processes are essential for enhancing efficiencies of fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes. Besides more conventional thermally activated delayed fluorescence and triplet-triplet annihilation, the hot exciton mechanism has been recently noticed because it helps reduce the efficiency roll-off and improve device stability. Hot exciton materials enable the conversion of triplet excitons to singlet ones via reverse inter-system crossing from high-lying triplet states and thereby the depopulation of long-lived triplet excitons that are prone to chemical and/or efficiency degradation. Although their anti-Kasha characteristics have not been clearly explained, numerous molecules with behaviors assigned to the hot exciton mechanism have been reported. Indeed, the related developments appear to have just passed the stage of infancy now, and there will likely be more roles that computational elucidations can play. With this perspective in mind, we review some selected experimental studies on the mechanism and the related designs and then on computational studies. On the computational side, we examine what has been found and what is still missing with regard to properly understanding this interesting mechanism. We further discuss potential future points of computational interests toward aiming for eventually presenting in silico design guides.

Understanding the density of state (DOS) distribution in solution-processed indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) is crucial for addressing electrical instability. This paper presents quantitative calculations of the acceptor-like state distribution of solution-processed IZO TFTs using thermal energy analysis. To extract the acceptor-like state distribution, the electrical characteristics of IZO TFTs with various In molarity ratios were analyzed with respect to temperature. An Arrhenius plot was used to determine electrical parameters such as the activation energy, flat band energy, and flat band voltage. Two calculation methods, the simplified charge approximation and the Meyer–Neldel (MN) rule-based carrier–surface potential field-effect analysis, were proposed to estimate the acceptor-like state distribution. The simplified charge approximation established the modeling of acceptor-like states using the charge–voltage relationship. The MN rule-based field-effect analysis validated the DOS distribution through the carrier–surface potential relationship. In addition, this study introduces practical and effective approaches for determining the DOS distribution of solution-processed IZO semiconductors based on the In molarity ratio. The profiles of the acceptor-like state distribution provide insights into the electrical behavior depending on the doping concentration of the solution-processed IZO semiconductors.

Abstract We used 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing to evaluate changes in the gut microbiota of mice fed a diet supplemented with either raw or cooked beef loin powder for 9 weeks. Male BALB/c mice (n = 60) were randomly allocated to five groups: mice fed AIN-93G chow (CON), chow containing 5% (5RB) and 10% (10RB) raw beef loin powder, and chow containing 5% (5CB) and 10% (10CB) cooked beef loin powder. Dietary supplementation with both RB and CB increased the relative abundance of Clostridiales compared to the CON diet (p 0.05). Mice fed 10CB showed a higher abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae and a lower abundance of Desulfovibrionaceae compared with the CON mice (p

Abstract Solid‐state molecular phonons play a crucial role in the performance of diverse photonic and optoelectronic devices. In this work, new organic terahertz (THz) generators based on a catechol group that acts as a phonon suppressing intermolecular adhesive are developed. The catechol group is widely used in mussel‐inspired mechanical adhesive chemistry. Newly designed organic electro‐optic crystals consist of catechol‐based nonlinear optical 4‐(3,4‐dihydroxystyryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium (DHP) cations and 4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonate anions (TFS), which both have multiple interionic interaction capability. Interestingly, compared to benchmark organic crystals for THz generators, DHP‐TFS crystals concomitantly achieve top level values of the lowest void volume and the highest crystal density, resulting in an exceptionally small amplitude of solid‐state molecular phonons. Simultaneously achieving small molecular phonon amplitude, large optical nonlinearity and good phase matching at infrared optical pump wavelengths, DHP‐TFS crystals are capable of generating broadband THz waves of up to 16 THz with high optical‐to‐THz conversion efficiency; one order of magnitude higher than commercial inorganic THz generators.

Salivary gland tumor Sialadenoma papilliferum (SialP) clinically resembles papillary epithelial lesions, such as squamous papilloma (SqP) or verrucous leukoplakia. Pathological sampling including an adequate depth of both the mucosa and submucosa layer is required for discrimination between the diseases. Though ductal proliferation in the submucosa is characteristic in SialP, papillary lesions arising at the mouth floor, specifically near the ductal orifice, are more problematic. Salivary gland ductal ectasia, along with the overlying papillary hyperplasia, may mimic the biphasic tumorous growth pattern of SialP, making discrimination extremely difficult. Further cellular dysplasia in the papillary mucosal lesion raises the possibility of malignant transformation in a known benign lesion, SialP. Herein, we present a case of SqP at the mouth floor which mimicked both clinical and pathological features of SialP and compared it with a definite case of SialP. Moreover, we discuss major differential points that clinicians and pathologists should consider during diagnosis of oral papillary lesions arising near the salivary glands.

A new class of highly efficient nonlinear optical organic salt crystals is reported. In nonlinear optics based on organic materials, it is well known that using two electron‐withdrawing groups (EWGs) onto cationic electron acceptors instead of conventional one EWG remarkably enhances microscopic optical nonlinearity for chromophores. However, the corresponding organic crystals possessing enhanced large macroscopic optical nonlinearity have not been reported yet. Herein, a design strategy is proposed for obtaining highly efficient nonlinear optical crystals based on two EWGs in cationic electron acceptors. Introducing a phenolic electron donor, promoting a head‐to‐tail interionic assembly, along with a two‐EWG N‐pyrimidinyl pyridinium electron acceptor in cationic chromophores results in a preferred non‐centrosymmetric, perfectly parallel alignment of chromophores in crystal. Newly designed OPR (4‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)pyridinium) crystals exhibit approximately two times larger effective first hyperpolarizability than that of analogous N‐alkyl OHP (4‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium) crystals based on only one EWG. OPR crystals exhibit comparable second‐order optical nonlinearity to benchmark red‐colored DAST (4‐(4‐(dimethylamino)styryl)‐1‐methylpyridinium 4‐methylbenzenesulfonate) crystals, but a significant blue‐shifted absorption resulting in orange‐color crystals. Therefore, phenolic organic salt crystals using two EWGs are highly promising materials for various nonlinear optical applications.

Abstract The goal of this study was to develop a deep learning-based algorithm to predict temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc perforation based on the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to validate its performance through comparison with previously reported results. The study objects were obtained by reviewing medical records from January 2005 to June 2018. 299 joints from 289 patients were divided into perforated and non-perforated groups based on the existence of disc perforation confirmed during surgery. Experienced observers interpreted the TMJ MRI images to extract features. Data containing those features were applied to build and validate prediction models using random forest and multilayer perceptron (MLP) techniques, the latter using the Keras framework, a recent deep learning architecture. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to compare the performances of the models. MLP produced the best performance (AUC 0.940), followed by random forest (AUC 0.918) and disc shape alone (AUC 0.791). The MLP and random forest were also superior to previously reported results using MRI (AUC 0.808) and MRI-based nomogram (AUC 0.889). Implementing deep learning showed superior performance in predicting disc perforation in TMJ compared to conventional methods and previous reports.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate disease patterns among military working dogs (MWDs) at the Armed Forces Medical Research Institute (AFMRI) to provide basic medical data on Korean MWDs. The medical records of procedures performed at AFMRI between November 2017 and March 2021 were reviewed. Physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory tests were performed according to the status of each dog. A total of 353 MWDs (215 males and 138 females; mean age, 6 ± 3 years) were analyzed in this study. Among Korean MWDs, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are the most frequently diagnosed, followed by dental and musculoskeletal disorders. Foreign body (FB) ingestion had the highest prevalence of GI disorders, with the most common FB being a leather collar or leash. General and dental surgeries, including removal of gastric FB and tooth extraction, were routinely performed at the AFMRI. Preventative care focusing on dental disease and FB ingestion may be helpful for effective performance and good quality of life in MWDs, with the regular assessment and prevention of environmental factors that may contribute to behavioral problems such as FB ingestion, coprophagy, and anorexia.

Organic phototransistors exhibit great promise for use in a wide range of technological applications due to their flexibility, low cost, and low-temperature processability. However, their low transparency due to visible light absorption has hindered their adoption in next-generation transparent electronics. For this reason, the present study sought to develop a highly sensitive organic phototransistor with greater transparency and significantly higher light sensitivity in the visible and UVA regions without deterioration in its electrical properties. An organic blended thin-film transistor (TFT) fabricated from the blend of an organic semiconductor and an insulating polymer demonstrated improved electrical properties in the dark and a higher current under light irradiation even though its transmittance was higher. The device exhibited a transmittance of 87.28% and a photosensitivity of 7049.96 in the visible light region that were 4.37% and 980 times higher than those of the single-semiconductor-based device. The carrier mobility of the device blended with the insulating polymer was improved and greatly amplified under light irradiation. It is believed that the insulating polymer facilitated the crystallization of the organic semiconductor, thus promoting the flow of photogenerated excitons and improving the photocurrent. Overall, the proposed TFT offers excellent low-temperature processability and has the potential to be employed in a range of transparent electronic applications.

A decisive spectroscopic evidence of the Hund’s coupling energy scale in multi-orbital correlated systems has been lacking. Here, the authors identify a kink feature due to Hund´s coupling in the spectral function of NiS2x Se x as they track its evolution across the Mott-insulator transition.