Search

Previous studies report low self-concept clarity in depression, but they are limited to nonclinical samples and self-report questionnaires. To comprehensively understand the relationship between self-concept clarity and depression, this study expanded the range of depression to include clinical samples and explored self-concept clarity through a behavioral task. In Study 1, the self-concept clarity scale was administered to 48 nonclinical and 53 clinical participants, and the quadratic model best explained the relationship. In Study 2, 24 undergraduates and 21 depressed patients completed the me/not-me task. Shorter reaction time and greater internal consistency of negative self-descriptive words were associated with higher depression severity. The results suggest that a certain and consistent negative self-view relates to more severe depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garnet-type Li6.1Ga0.3La3Zr2O12 (LGLZO) exhibits high ionic conductivity and extremely low electronic conductivity. The electrochemical properties strongly depend on the characteristics of the grain boundaries and pores in the oxide–ceramic electrolyte. Currently, the main issue of LGLZO is its large grain boundary resistance due to high-temperature sintering. Herein, we propose an effective method for reinforcing the chemical and structural characteristics of the grain boundaries using a Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 (LBA) sintering aid. In this study, the LBA sintering aid is critical because it fills grain boundaries and void spaces. As a result, LGLZO solid-state electrolytes with sintering aids significantly enhance the ionic conductivity and reduce the activation energy, especially in the grain boundary region. Another crucial issue is the formation of Li dendrites in LGLZO. Since dendritic Li propagates along the grain boundaries, the optimized LGLZO solid-state electrolyte demonstrates excellent stability against Li metals. Overall, the LGLZO electrolyte with the LBA sintering aid exhibits stable long-term cycling performance due to the well-designed grain boundaries. The addition of Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 (LBA) sintering aid to Li6.1Ga0.3La3Zr2O12 (LGLZO) solid electrolytes enhances grain boundary characteristics and reduces porosity. This modification leads to a substantial increase in ionic conductivity and mechanical stability, while effectively preventing Li dendrite formation. The optimized LGLZO sample with LBA exhibits improved long-term cycling performance, making it a promising candidate for high-performance all-solid-state batteries. These findings underscore the critical role of grain boundary engineering in enhancing the electrochemical properties of garnet-type electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we detected signatures of selection in Hanwoo and Angus beef cattle using allele frequency and haplotype-based methods based on imputed whole genome sequence variants. Our dataset included 13,202 Angus animals with 10,057,633 imputed SNPs and 10,437 Hanwoo animals with 13,241,550 imputed SNPs. The dataset was subset down to 6,873,624 SNPs in common between the two populations to identify within population (runs of homozygosity, extended haplotype homozygosity) and between population signals of selection (allele fixation index, extended haplotype homozygosity). Assuming these selection signals were complementary to each other, they were combined into a decorrelated composite of multiple signals to identify regions under selection for each of the breeds. 27 genomic regions spanning 25.15 Mb and harboring 360 genes were identified in Angus on chromosomes 1,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21 and 28. Similarly, in Hanwoo, 59 genes and 17 genomic regions spanning 5.21 Mb on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 24 were identified. Apart from a small region on chromosome 13, there was no major overlap of selection signals between the two breeds reflecting their largely different selection histories, environmental challenges, breeding objectives and breed characteristics. Positional candidate genes identified in selected genomic regions in Angus have been previously associated with growth, immunity, reproductive development, feed efficiency and adaptation to environment while the candidate genes identified in Hanwoo included important genes regulating meat quality, fat deposition, cholesterol metabolism, lipid synthesis, neuronal development, and olfactory reception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method that can predict the interface width in an overlapping joint configuration for laser welding of Al alloys using sensors and a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep-learning model. The inputs for multi-input CNN-based deep-learning prediction models are spectral signals, represented by the light intensity measured by a spectrometer and dynamic images of the molten pool filmed by a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The interface width, used as learning data for modeling, was constructed as a database along with the process signal by cross-sectional analysis. In this study, we present results showing high accuracy in predicting the interface width in the overlap joint configuration for Al alloy laser welding. For predicting the interface width, five models are created and compared: a single CCD and spectrometer sensor algorithm, a multi-sensor algorithm with two input variables (CCD, spectrometer), a multi-sensor algorithm excluding the processing beam in the spectrometer data on the combination of Al 6014-T4 (top)/Al 6014-T4 (bottom), and a multi-sensor algorithm applied to the combination of Al 6014-T4 (top)/Al 5052-H32 (bottom). The multi-sensor algorithm with two input variables (CCD and spectrometer) on the same material combination showed the highest accuracy among the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural killer cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (NK‐EVs) are candidate biotherapeutics against various cancers. However, standardised potency assays are necessary for a reliable assessment of NK‐EVs' cytotoxicity. This study aims to thoroughly evaluate a highly sensitive resazurin phenoxazine‐based cell viability potency assay (measurement of the cellular redox metabolism) for quantifying the cytotoxicity of NK‐EVs against leukaemia K562 cells (suspension model) and breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells (adherent model) in vitro. The assay was evaluated based on common analytical parameters setforth by regulatory guidelines, including specificity, selectivity,accuracy, precision, linearity, range and stability. Our results revealed that this resazurin‐based cell viability potency assay reliably and reproducibly measured a dose‐response of NK‐EVs' cytotoxic activity against both cancer models. The assay showed precision with 5% and 20% variation for intra‐run and inter‐run variability. The assay signal showed specificity and selectivity of NK‐EVs against cancer target cells, as evidenced by the diminished viability of cancer cells following a 5‐hour treatment with NK‐EVs, without any detectable interference or background. The linearity analysis of target cancer cells revealed strong linearity for densities of 5000 K562 and 1000 MDA‐MB‐231 cells per test with a consistent range. Importantly, NK‐EVs' dose‐response for cytotoxicity showed a strong correlation (|ρ| ∼ 0.8) with the levels of known cytotoxic factors associated with the NK‐EVs' corona (FasL, GNLY, GzmB, PFN and IFN‐γ), thereby validating the accuracy of the assay. The assay also distinguished cytotoxicity changes in degraded NK‐EVs, indicating the ability of the assay to detect the potential loss of sample integrity. Compared to other commonly reported bioassays (i.e., flow cytometry, cell counting, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, DNA‐binding reporter assay and confluence assay), our results support this highly sensitive resazurin‐based viability potency assay as a high‐throughput and quantitative method for assessing NK‐EVs' cytotoxicity against both suspension and adherent cancer models for evaluating NK‐EVs' biotherapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although social entrepreneurship has gained popularity and our understanding of social entrepreneurship has evolved, insufficient attention has been given to understand the behaviours of consumers, a key stakeholder of social entrepreneurship. Because consumers directly impact the performance of social enterprises, it is imperative to address this research gap. Relying on the theory of planned behaviour, we examine the relationship between consumers' intentions and behaviours when purchasing social enterprise products and services. Moreover, this study explores how consumers' sociodemographic characteristics, such as political ideology, trust towards social entrepreneurship, and household income, influence the relationship between consumers' intentions and behaviours. Based on a sample of randomly selected 972 Korean consumers, this study finds a consumer's intention is positively associated with behaviour, and the positive relationship between intention and action is strengthened when a consumer has a progressive political ideology and higher income level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The literature indicates that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of ischemic stroke. However, the causal relationship between OSA and ischemic stroke is not well established. This study examined whether preexisting OSA symptoms affect the onset of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS:We investigated consecutive patients who were admitted with acute ischemic stroke, using a standardized protocol including the Berlin Questionnaire on symptoms of OSA prior to stroke. The collected stroke data included the time of the stroke onset, risk factors, and etiologic subtypes. The association between preceding OSA symptoms and wake-up stroke (WUS) was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:We identified 260 subjects with acute ischemic strokes with a definite onset time, of which 25.8% were WUS. The presence of preexisting witnessed or self-recognized sleep apnea was the only risk factor for WUS (adjusted odds ratio=2.055, 95% confidence interval=1.035-4.083, p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS:Preexisting symptoms suggestive of OSA were associated with the occurrence of WUS. This suggests that OSA contributes to ischemic stroke not only as a predisposing risk factor but also as a triggering factor. Treating OSA might therefore be beneficial in preventing stroke, particularly that occurring during sleep.