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Description, Nanocomplex immobilized scaffold effects on anti-inflammation, antibacterial activity, angiogenesis, and bone regeneration., Biodegradable polymers have been used with various systems for tissue engineering. Among them, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) has been widely used as a biomaterial for bone regeneration because of its great biocompatibility and biodegradability properties. However, there remain substantial cruxes that the by-products of PLGA result in an acidic environment at the implanting site, and the polymer has a weak mechanical property. In our previous study, magnesium hydroxide (MH) and bone extracellular matrix are combined with a PLGA scaffold (PME) to improve anti-inflammation and mechanical properties and osteoconductivity. In the present study, the development of a bioactive nanocomplex (NC) formed along with polydeoxyribonucleotide and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) provides synergistic abilities in angiogenesis and bone regeneration. This PME hybrid scaffold immobilized with NC (PME/NC) achieves outstanding performance in anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. Such an advanced PME/NC scaffold suggests an integrated bone graft substitute for bone regeneration.

The causal attribution of performance has not been explicitly considered in the performance feedback literature, despite its potential value in learning from prior performance. In this study, we develop a theory concerning the attribution in learning from performance feedback and explore how the attribution of past alliance performance can influence a firm’s choice between future acquisitions and alliances. We also examine the mechanisms by which attribution manifests by exploring how three theoretical factors, known to influence attribution, can moderate the relationship - the diffusion of responsibility, the perceived capability of partners, and the ambiguity of performance information. We find strong evidence supporting our predictions. This study contributes to the performance feedback literature by integrating attribution with performance feedback theory. It also extends research on corporate strategy by providing a behavioral account of the choice between acquisitions and alliances.

We utilize a quasi-experimental setting that exogenously changes costs to acquire the targeted firm, which allows us to examine the relationship between the costs of acquisitions and decisions to pursue alliances. We find that firms with increased acquisition costs, due to the increased takeover protection, are more likely to experience alliances than their comparison group and that equity alliances are more likely to be adopted to substitute for acquisitions than non-equity alliances. Our post-hoc analyses also reveal that when the cost of acquisition increases, acquisitions indeed become less likely and that the sequential investment relationship of alliances and acquisitions becomes less likely. Finally, we show that following an increase in takeover protection, alliance performance decreases and acquisition premium increases.

Recently, the involvement of the nervous system in the pathology of allergic diseases has attracted increasing interest. However, the precise pathophysiological role of enteric neurons in food allergies has not been elucidated. We report the presence of functional high-affinity IgE receptors (FcεRIs) in enteric neurons. FcεRI immunoreactivities were observed in approximately 70% of cholinergic myenteric neurons from choline acetyltransferase-eGFP mice. Furthermore, stimulation by IgE-antigen elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration in isolated myenteric neurons from normal mice, suggesting that FcεRIs are capable of activating myenteric neurons. Additionally, the morphological investigation revealed that the majority of mucosal mast cells were in close proximity to enteric nerve fibers in the colonic mucosa of food allergy mice. Next, using a newly developed coculture system of isolated myenteric neurons and mucosal-type bone-marrow-derived mast cells (mBMMCs) with a calcium imaging system, we demonstrated that the stimulation of isolated myenteric neurons by veratridine caused the activation of mBMMCs, which was suppressed by the adenosine A3 receptor antagonist MRE 3008F20. Moreover, the expression of the adenosine A3 receptor gene was detected in mBMMCs. Therefore, in conclusion, it is suggested that, through interaction with mucosal mast cells, IgE-antigen-activated myenteric neurons play a pathological role in further exacerbating the pathology of food allergy.

In this article, a layered shell element-based, elastic finite element method for predicting welding distortion in multi-pass welding is developed. The welding distortion generated in each pass can be predicted by employing layer-by-layer equivalent plastic strains as thermal expansion coefficients and using the heat-affected zone (HAZ) width as the mesh size. The final distortion can be expressed as the sum of the distortions for each pass. This study focuses on extraction of the equivalent plastic strain and HAZ width through 3D thermal elastic plastic analysis (TEPA) for each pass. The input variables extracted from each pass can be converted and added to simulate the final distortion of the multi-pass welding. A 10 mm thick, multi-pass butt-welded joint, subjected to three passes, is simulated via the proposed method. The predicted welding distortion is compared with the 3D TEPA results and the measured experimental data. The outcome indicates that good agreement can be obtained.

Purpose This paper aims to explore trade policy measures taken in response to COVID-19 and analyses in detail their extent and nature. It assesses their compatibility with World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements: specifically, whether they were necessary and justifiable efforts to protect the security and health of populations and asks how this widespread recourse to trade barriers may impact on international business? Design/methodology/approach This paper analyses an extensive database from the International Trade Centre of trade measures taken in response to COVID-19. It differentiates by type of country, nature and coverage of measures (imports or exports, type of product…). On the basis of existing jurisprudence, this paper analyses whether restrictive measures were likely to be judged legal under WTO rules. Findings This paper finds that, although the majority of trade measures are probably justifiable, there were nevertheless many measures whose coverage and/or nature was such that a justification under existing WTO exceptions is, at the very least, arguable. Such widespread and intense instigation of potentially WTO incompatible measures in such a short period of time undoubtedly undermines the global trade rules on which international business has relied for decades. Originality/value There is little existing analysis of the legality of measures taken under the security exceptions and no substantial analyses of the measures taken in response to COVID-19. Furthermore, little scholarly attention has been paid to the impacts on international business of the increasing use of WTO “exceptions” to justify trade measures to protect national industries and populations.

Objective To compare the reliability of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) in evaluating thyroidectomy scars. Methods At 6 months after the operation, 112 patients who underwent thyroid surgery via collar neck incision were evaluated by two blinded plastic surgeons and two senior residents using the VSS and the observer component of the POSAS. In addition, the observer-reported VAS score and patient-reported Likert score were evaluated. Internal consistency, interobserver reliability, and correlations between the patient- and observer-reported outcomes were examined. Results The observer component of POSAS scores demonstrated higher internal consistency and interobserver reliability than the VSS. However, the correlations between the observer-reported VAS score and the patient-reported Likert score (0.450) and between the total sum of patient and observer component scores (0.551) were low to moderate. Conclusions The POSAS is more consistent over repeated measurements; accordingly, it may be considered a more objective and reliable scar assessment tool than the VSS. However, a clinician's perspective may not exactly match the patient's perception of the same scar.

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The meter reading.system field has been researched from conventional methods centered on image processing technology to techniques based on learning methods such as machine learning or deep learning. The biggest problem for meter reading systems based on computer vision is difficulty in recognizing the various kinds of meters. In fact, there are more than five major manufacturers for the meters installed in Korea. There are different meter reading areas, ID regions, and number formats by version. Because of these problems, most of the meter reading is still done hands-on. In this paper, we present an automatic meter.reading system that can work simply and efficiently, compared to existing meter reading systems that need a skilled worker. Our meter reading system consists of three parts: i) detection of meter-reading and ID regions using You Only Look Once (YOLO), ii) digit segmentation for recognition, and iii) convolutional neural network (CNN)-based digit recognition. It is possible to robustly detect and recognize various meter types by using the method presented here. Therefore, it can provide an environment where gas meter checkers can work efficiently without inconvenient procedures.

Progranulin (PGRN) is a cysteine-rich secreted protein expressed in endothelial cells, immune cells, neurons, and adipocytes. It was first identified for its growth factor-like properties, being implicated in tissue remodeling, development, inflammation, and protein homeostasis. However, these findings are controversial, and the role of PGRN in liver disease remains unknown. In the current study, we examined the effect of PGRN in two different models of chronic liver disease, methionine‐choline‐deficient diet (MCD)-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. To induce long-term expression of PGRN, PGRN-expressing adenovirus was delivered via injection into the tibialis anterior. In the CCl4-induced fibrosis model, PGRN showed protective effects against hepatic injury, inflammation, and fibrosis via inhibition of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation. PGRN also decreased lipid accumulation and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production and fibrosis in the MCD-induced NASH model. In vitro treatment of primary macrophages and Raw 264.7 cells with conditioned media from hepatocytes pre-treated with PGRN prior to stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or palmitate decreased their expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Furthermore, PGRN suppressed inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression in a cell culture model of hepatocyte injury and primary stellate cell activation. These observations increase our understanding of the role of PGRN in liver injury and suggest PGRN delivery as a potential therapeutic strategy in chronic inflammatory liver disease.

Achieving well-defined multilayer structure is a key to improve device performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), especially in solution-processed OLEDs. Use of cross-linkable hole-transporting materials (HTMs) is therefore gaining much attention to achieve such multilayer structures. One of representative solution-processable HTM is TFB, poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(4,4'-(N-(4-sec-butylphenyl)diphenylamine)], but it does not have any cross-linkable units in its chemical structures. In this work, we performed basic physical characterization of a new cross-linkable HTM, HL-X026, and we also investigated its OLED characteristics. Actual solvent resistance by varying the thermal curing temperatures was measured. The thermally cross-linkable HL-X026 showed better device performances than simple TFB with higher luminance and efficiencies.

Fisheries subsidies norms and discussions at present are based on the subsidy framework under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. This approach is pertinent vis-à-vis various types of governmental subsidies provided to fisheries industries. It, however, fails to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, one of the core targets of the fisheries subsidies norms, because few governments ‘subsidize’ illegal activities such as IUU. As far as IUU fishing is concerned, the real challenge is not about subsidies but about how to enforce domestic laws and regulations to punish owners, operators, and fishermen engaged in such illegal activities. Future discussion of fisheries subsidies norms regarding IUU should reflect the law enforcement aspect in addition to the present subsidy aspect.

Celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpene, is the most potent antiobesity agent that has been reported thus far1. The mechanism of celastrol’s leptin-sensitizing and antiobesity effects has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identified interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL1R1) as a mediator of celastrol’s action by using temporally resolved analysis of the hypothalamic transcriptome in celastrol-treated DIO, lean, and db/db mice. We demonstrate that IL1R1-deficient mice are completely resistant to the effects of celastrol in leptin sensitization and treatment of obesity, diabetes, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Thus, we conclude that IL1R1 is a gatekeeper for celastrol’s metabolic actions. IL1R1 is a gatekeeper for celastrol’s metabolic actions.

Background Thoracodorsal vessels (TDVs) and internal mammary vessels (IMVs) have both been widely employed as recipient vessels for use in free muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS-TRAM) flaps. However, whether TDVs or IMVs are preferable as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes when TDVs were used as recipient vessels to those obtained when IMVs were used as recipient vessels for autologous breast reconstruction with a free MS-TRAM flap. Methods A retrospective matched-cohort study was performed. We retrospectively reviewed data collected from patients who underwent a free MS-TRAM flap for autologous breast reconstructions after mastectomy between March 2003 and June 2013. After a one-to-one matching using age, 100 autologous breast reconstructions were selected in this study. Of the 100 breast reconstructions, 50 flaps were anastomosed to TDVs and 50 to IMVs. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes including operation time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and aesthetic score were compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in patient demographics and clinical outcomes, including the complication rates and aesthetic scores. There were no major complications such as total or partial flap loss in either group. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate that both TDVs and IMVs were safe and efficient as recipient vessels in terms of the complication rates and aesthetic outcomes.

In this study, silicon dioxide contact holes were etched with C4F8 + CH2F2 + O2 + Ar gas plasmas, and the characteristics of the etching residue thereby generated inside the nanopatterns were investigated. The chemical composition of the etching residue formed on the sidewalls of the nano-contact patterns in the gas chemistry was investigated at various oxygen partial pressures by performing in situ Ar sputtering and X-ray photoelectron microscopy at different take-off angles. To investigate the effect of the plasma-active species (polymerizing radicals and charged species) on the formation of the etching residue, plasma diagnostics were conducted via optical emission spectroscopy and Langmuir probe measurements. It was found that as the oxygen content of the plasma increased, the thickness of the fluorocarbon (FC) polymer layer formed on the sidewalls of the nanopatterns decreased with a reduction in the FC polymer deposition rate of the plasma. In addition, at higher aspect ratios, the FC polymer layer showed a lower fluorine content.

A novel strategy for the low-cost, high-yield co-production of xylose and xylooligosaccharides together with no xylose inhibition was developed using a novel heterologous expression of XYN10Ks_480 endo-1,4-β-xylanase with a ricin-type β-trefoil type of domain and XYN11Ks_480 endo-1,4-β-xylanase with a CBM 2 superfamily from the Kitasatospora sp in an actinomycetes expression system. Xylose is the main building block for hemicellulose xylan. Our findings demonstrated high levels of expression and catalytic activity for XYN10Ks_480 during hydrolysis of the extracted xylan of bagasse, and three types of xylan-based substrates were used to produce xylose and xylooligosaccharides. However, hydrolysis by XYN11Ks_480 produced xylooligosaccharides without xylose formation. This study demonstrated how integrating sodium hypochlorite-extracted xylan and enzymatic hydrolysis could provide an alternative strategy for the generation of XOS from lignocellulosic material.

Biporous structures at the nano–microscale are promising candidates for controlling phase change heat transfer, through their enhanced capillary wicking and fluid transportation. However, existing methods for fabricating biporous structures involve complex process which is not suitable for small-scale thermal devices such as heat pipes, owing to their confined and non-flat inner structures. Herein, we report the biporous structures inside copper-sintered heat pipes, enabled by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polyethyleneimine (PEI) coating for enhanced thermal performance. The repetitive filling and removing of the oppositely charged solutions with MWCNT-PEI and carboxylic-functionalized MWCNTs assembled the nanoporous MWCNT-PEI coatings (10, 20, and 40 bilayers) on the microporous copper-sintered inner surfaces. The fiber-like MWCNT networks structurally manipulated morphology and thickness of biporous structures, while the hydrophilic PEI shells chemically optimized wettability. A reduced thermal resistance (∼14.3%) was observed for MWCNT-PEI coating in 10 bilayers, due to the enhanced capillary wicking, interfacial contact areas, and bubble dynamics, whereas the 40 bilayers did not exhibit improved thermal performance owing to the redundant nanoporous layers causing reduced volume of microporous structures and increased thermal resistance. The LbL-assembled MWCNT-PEI coatings would act as functional layers to improve the performance of miniaturized and thin-film-based thermal devices.

Sclerotinia homoeocarpa isolates were collected from golf courses in Japan and the United States (2016–2017). Japan isolates were collected during a monitoring study and the U.S. isolates were collected due to field failure. Five succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) active ingredients (boscalid, fluopyram, fluxapyroxad, isofetamid, and penthiopyrad) were examined using in vitro sensitivity assays to determine cross-resistance. Sequence analysis revealed a point mutation leading to an amino acid substitution (H267Y) and a silent mutation (CTT to CTC) at codon 181 in the SdhB subunit gene. Isolates with the B-H267Y (n = 10) mutation were resistant to boscalid and penthiopyrad and had increased sensitivity to fluopyram. SdhB silent mutation 181C>T isolates (n = 2) were resistant to boscalid, isofetamid, and penthiopyrad. Sequence analysis revealed 3 mutations leading to an amino acid substitution (G91R, n = 5; G150R, n = 1; G159W, n = 1) in the SdhC subunit gene. Isolates harboring the SdhC (G91R or G150R) mutations were resistant to boscalid, fluxapyroxad, isofetamid, and penthiopyrad. A genetic transformation system was used to generate mutants from a SDHI sensitive isolate to confirm the B-H267Y and C-G91R mutations were direct determinants of SDHI resistance and associated with in vitro sensitivity assay results.

The aim of the present study was to re-visit the gingival dimension using digital scanning in a healthy Korean population. Forty-eight periodontally healthy volunteers (38 males and 10 females, mean age: 24.3 ± 2.2 years) were included. The mucogingival junction was highlighted using 2.5% diluted iodine solution. Then, the facial gingiva and mucosa of both jaws were digitally scanned using an intraoral digital scanner. Using computer software and periodontal probing, the heights and areas of keratinized gingiva (KG) and attached gingiva (AG) were measured. Similar distribution patterns in the gingival heights were noted in the maxilla and mandible. The maxilla showed substantially greater gingival values than the mandible. The heights of the KG and AG were notably smaller on the mandibular first premolar (2.37 mm and 1.07 mm, median value) and second molar (3.28 mm and 1.78 mm) than on the other teeth. The area of the KG was the largest in the canine (63.74 mm2 and 46.85 mm2) and first molar (64.14 mm2 and 58.82 mm2) in each jaw. Mandibular first and second molars, mandibular canine, and maxillary canine showed the highest value of the area under the receiver operation characteristics curve (&gt, 0.7) for differentiating between males and females. The gingival dimensions recorded using intraoral scanner demonstrated similar distribution patterns as in previous studies.

Background: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (RP-EBUS-TBLB) is widely used for diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions (PLLs). To date, there have been no reports regarding the clinical outcomes of RP-EBUS-TBLB for PLLs in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Objectives: This study was performed between October 2017 and December 2019 to identify the safety and diagnostic performance of RP-EBUS-TBLB in IPF patients. Methods: Patients were divided into the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) group (n = 39, 4%), the probable UIP group (n = 12, 1%), and the noninterstitial lung disease (non-ILD) group (n = 903, 95%). Results: The diagnostic yield was significantly lower in the UIP group than in the non-ILD group (62% vs. 76%; p = 0.042), but there were no significant differences between the UIP and probable UIP groups (62% vs. 83%; p = 0.293) or the probable UIP and non-ILD groups (83% vs. 76%; p = 0.741). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the mean diameter of PLLs, positive bronchus sign on CT, and “within the lesion” status on EBUS were independently associated with success of the procedure. Especially, the presence of the UIP pattern on CT (OR, 0.385; 95% CI: 0.172–0.863; p = 0.020) was independently associated with failed diagnosis. Among patients with UIP, “within the lesion” status on EBUS (OR, 25.432; 95% CI: 2.321–278.666; p = 0.008) was shown to be a factor contributing to a successful diagnosis. Overall, there were no significant differences in complication rates among the 3 study groups. Conclusion: RP-EBUS-TBLB can be performed safely with an acceptable diagnostic yield, even in patients with IPF.

We analyse the risk and return relationship of firms sorted by environmental and social (ES) ratings. We document that ES ratings do not have a statistically significant relationship with either average stock returns or unconditional market risk measures. Firms with high ES ratings have significantly lower downside risk than firms with lower ES ratings. However, a two standard-deviation move across stocks on ES score results in a decrease in downside risk measuring only 4–8% of the underlying downside risk measure’s standard deviation. This decrease in downside risk for high ES firms can be partly attributed to the news sentiment about the firms and institutional trading. Our results suggest that ES investing may not be justified solely based on the risk-return relationship of ES firms.

Artemisia argyi is widely used as traditional medicine in East Asia. However, its effects against inflammation and gastric ulcers have not been reported yet. We analyzed anti-inflammatory activity and its molecular mechanisms of A. argyi using RAW264.7 cells line, then evaluated the curative efficacy in rats with acute gastric ulcers. Nitric oxide and IL-6 production was measured using Griess reagent and an ELISA kit. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-6, and mucin (MUC)1, MUC5AC, and MUC6 mRNA were determined by SYBR Green or Taqman qRT-PCR methods. The phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, p38, and c-Jun protein were detected by western blotting. RW0117 inhibited LPS-induced NO and IL-6 production. The mRNA levels of iNOS and IL-6 were strongly suppressed. The phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and c-Jun decreased by treatment with RW0117. Oral administration of RW0117 recovered the amount of mucin mRNA and protein level that was decreased due to gastric ulcers by HCl-EtOH. A. argyi exhibited strong anti-inflammatory effects and contributed to the modulation of HCl-EtOH-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

A novel endo-β-1,4-mannanase gene was cloned from a novel actinomycetes, Nonomuraea jabiensis ID06-379, isolated from soil, overexpressed as an extracellular protein (47.8 kDa) in Streptomyces lividans 1326. This new endo-1,4-β-mannanase gene (manNj6-379) is encoded by 445-amino acids. The ManNj6-379 consists of a 28-residue signal peptide and a carbohydrate-binding module of family 2 belonging to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 5, with 59–77% identity to GH5 mannan endo-1,4-β-mannanase. The recombinant ManNj6-379 displayed an optimal pH of 6.5 with pH stability ranging between 5.5 and 7.0 and was stable for 120 min at 50 °C and lower temperatures. The optimal temperature for activity was 70 °C. An enzymatic hydrolysis assay revealed that ManNj6-379 could hydrolyze commercial β-mannan and biomass containing mannan.

Silver nanowire networks can offer exceptionally high performance as transparent electrodes for stretchable sensors, flexible optoelectronics, and energy harvesting devices. However, this type of electrode suffers from the triple drawbacks of complexity of fabrication, instability of the nanowire junctions, and high surface roughness, which limit electrode performance and utility. Here, a new concept in the fabrication of silver nanowire electrodes is reported that simultaneously addresses all three of these drawbacks, based on an electrospun nanofiber network and supporting substrate having silver vapor condensation coefficients of one and near‐zero, respectively. Consequently, when the whole substrate is exposed to silver vapor by simple thermal evaporation, metal selectively deposits onto the nanofiber network. The advantage of this approach is the simplicity, since there is no mask, chemical or dry metal etching step, or mesh transfer step. Additionally, the contact resistance between nanowires is zero and the surface roughness is sufficiently low for integration into organic photovoltaic devices. This new concept opens the door to continuous roll‐to‐roll fabrication of high‐performance fused silver nanowire electrodes for myriad potential applications.\ud \ud

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disorder modulated by numerous factors. Recent failures of drugs targeting single factors suggest that multitargeting drugs could be useful for the treatment of IBD. Natural medicines may be an alternative option for the treatment of IBD, owing to the complex nature of the disease. However, most natural medicines have poor in vitro and in vivo translational potential because of inadequate pharmacokinetic study. KM1608, a mixture of the medicinal plants Aucklandia lappa, Terminalia chebula, and Zingiber officinale, was examined for its anti-colitis effects and biodistribution using bioimaging. Dehydrocostus lactone, as a marker compound, was analyzed to assess the biodistribution of KM1608. KM1608 significantly attenuated the disease activity of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice and suppressed inflammatory mediators such as myeloperoxidase, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-&alpha, and IL-6), and the Th2-type cytokine IL-4 in the colon. Optical fluorescence imaging revealed that KM1608 was distributed in the intestinal area as a target organ. Collectively, our findings suggest that KM1608 is a potential therapeutic formulation for IBD.

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Cancer cachexia is a highly debilitating condition characterized by weight loss and muscle wasting that contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of pancreatic cancer. The factors that induce cachexia in pancreatic cancer are largely unknown. We previously showed that pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) secreted by pancreatic cancer cells is responsible for tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we analyzed the relation between pancreatic cancer-derived PAUF and cancer cachexia in mice and its clinical significance. Body weight loss and muscle weight loss were significantly higher in mice with Panc-1/PAUF tumors than in those with Panc-1/Mock tumors. Direct administration of rPAUF to muscle recapitulated tumor-induced atrophy, and a PAUF-neutralizing antibody abrogated tumor-induced muscle wasting in Panc-1/PAUF tumor-bearing mice. C2C12 myotubes treated with rPAUF exhibited rapid inactivation of Akt-Foxo3a signaling, resulting in Atrogin1/MAFbx upregulation, myosin heavy chain loss, and muscle atrophy. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and body weight loss were significantly higher in pancreatic cancer patients with high PAUF expression than in those with low PAUF expression. Analysis of different pancreatic cancer datasets showed that PAUF expression was significantly higher in the pancreatic cancer group than in the nontumor group. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data found associations between high PAUF expression or a high DNA copy number and poor overall survival. Our data identified tumor-secreted circulating PAUF as a key factor of cachexia, causing muscle wasting in mice. Neutralizing PAUF may be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia., Pancreatic cancer: Protein promotes cancer-related weight loss A protein involved in tumor growth is also a likely cause of weight loss during pancreatic cancer, and may be a useful target for prognosis and treatment. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) is secreted by pancreatic cancer cells and is also found in other cancers where significant weight loss occurs. Wonbeak Yoo, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea, and co-workers examined the role of PAUF in cancer-related weight loss in mice. Mice inoculated with PAUF-expressing cancer cells experienced weight loss despite no change in food consumption. PAUF increased muscle atrophy and triggered muscle wasting pathways. PAUF is routinely measured in cancer patients, and could therefore provide a convenient biomarker to inform treatment decisions. The researchers suggest that neutralising PAUF could be a valuable therapeutic option.

Driven by strong market demand, various research approaches for in-cell touch display implementation have been undertaken in recent years, with several being successfully delivered to the industry and market. As a result, in-cell touch-display solutions that offer low-profile formfactor, low module cost, and simplified supply chain have extensively replaced conventional add-on touch panels. Among these, in-cell touch liquid-crystal display (LCD) using segmented-VCOM electrodes, also known as advanced in-cell touch (AIT) LCD [1] running on touch-display-driver IC (TDD), has emerged as one of the best-performing solutions in the market.

This paper proposes an MPC-based controller to efficiently execute multiple hierarchical tasks for underactuated and constrained robotic systems. Existing task-space controllers or whole-body controllers solve instantaneous optimization problems given task trajectories and the robot plant dynamics. However, the task-space control method we propose here relies on the prediction of future state trajectories and the corresponding costs-to-go terms over a finite time-horizon for computing control commands. We employ acceleration energy error as the performance index for the optimization problem and extend it over the finite-time horizon of our MPC. Our approach employs quadratically constrained quadratic programming, which includes quadratic constraints to handle multiple hierarchical tasks, and is computationally more efficient than nonlinear MPC-based approaches that rely on nonlinear programming. We validate our approach using numerical simulations of a new type of robot manipulator system, which contains underactuated and constrained mechanical structures., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

The multilateral trading system is faltering. The WTO’s leadership is at its lowest point. There is no visible sign that this global hemorrhage will cease any time soon. This is not just about a surge of global protectionism. It is a serious blow to rule of law and global governance. For instance, demise of the multilateral trading system may delay, frustrate or even derail efforts to establish a multilateral system under rule of law in other sectors of the international community. Consider recent initiatives in the international investment sector. Discussions to pursue global competition regulation may become ever more elusive. New norms to cover artificial intelligence and digital economy may be another victim, all having seen the fall of a once-dominant global multilateral regime on trade. In a sense, global rule of law may fade and lose its relevance gradually. The WTO and its Members should be aware that what is at stake is not simply trade liberalization. It is the 73-year accumulation of global efforts to establish a truly multilateral system. The global trade regime with its multilateral structure is a vital asset of the global community. What is in danger is not merely goods or services trade—it is rather global governance based on rule of law.

For a nonlinear system (e.g. a robot) with its continuous state space trajectories constrained by a linear temporal logic specification, the synthesis of a low-level controller for mission execution often results in a non-convex optimization problem. We devise a new algorithm to solve this type of non-convex problems by formulating a rapidly-exploring random tree of barrier pairs, with each barrier pair composed of a quadratic barrier function and a full state feedback controller. The proposed method employs a rapid-exploring random tree to deal with the non-convex constraints and uses barrier pairs to fulfill the local convex constraints. As such, the method solves control problems fulfilling the required transitions of an automaton in order to satisfy given linear temporal logic constraints. At the same time it synthesizes locally optimal controllers in order to transition between the regions corresponding to the alphabet of the automaton. We demonstrate this new algorithm on a simulation of a two linkage manipulator robot., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC) copyright 2020 IEEE