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Breast cancer cells possess a deregulated apoptotic pathway with increased expression levels of anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family proteins and ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) protein activity. Therefore, combined interference of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family and S6K1 protein expression may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with breast cancer. In the present study, it was identified that the administration of a combination of ABT263 [navitoclax; a Bcl-2/Bcl-extra large (Bcl-xL) inhibitor] and PF4708671 (an S6K1 inhibitor) markedly increased apoptotic cell death in the BT474 breast cancer cells compared with the administration of either agent alone. Furthermore, the downregulation of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and S6K1 with small interfering RNA induced a significant increase in cell death compared with RNA interference of either agent alone. Notably, combination treatment with ABT263 and PF4708671 decreased the expression level of survivin protein, with this ectopic expression of survivin attenuating cell death. Thus, the present study determined that the combined inhibition of Bcl-2/Bcl-xL and S6K1 may be a good strategy for treating patients with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality. The identification of early diagnostic biomarkers improved outcomes for lung cancer patients. Serum fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) levels are elevated in numerous malignancies due to hemostatic alterations. The serum FDP levels were compared to the levels of cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen (CYFRA 21-1), another well-established biomarker. The serum samples from 193 lung cancer patients, 84 healthy controls and 106 patients with benign respiratory diseases were obtained. The serum FDP level was measured using the DR-70 immunoassay and the CYFRA 21-1 level was measured by electrochemiluminescence using the Roche Analytics E170. Receiver operating characteristics curves were used to assess the predictive sensitivity and specificity. The mean serum FDP level in lung cancer patients (35.01±229.02 µg/ml) was significantly higher compared to the 190 non-cancerous subjects (0.60±0.75 µg/ml; P=0.039). The mean serum CYFRA 21-1 level in lung cancer patients (4.50±6.67 ng/ml) was also significantly higher compared to the non-cancerous subjects (1.40±0.83 ng/ml; P<0.05). FDP exhibited clinical sensitivity and specificity of 86 and 75%, respectively, at an optimal cut-off at 0.67 µg/ml. CYFRA 21-1 exhibited clinical sensitivity and specificity of 77 and 74%, respectively, at a cut-off of 1.65 ng/ml. The serum FDP area under the curve (0.87) was slightly higher compared to CYFRA 21-1 (0.83). Therefore, it is apparent that serum FDP is comparable to CYFRA 21-1 as a lung cancer biomarker and can be used for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity is crucial for clinical decision-making and optimizing patient outcomes. Recent advances in real-time three dimensional (3D) echocardiography provide the option of real-time full volume color Doppler echocardiography (FVCD) measurements. This makes it practical to quantify MR by subtracting aortic stroke volume from the volume of mitral inflow in an automated manner. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with more than a moderate degree of MR assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were consecutively enrolled during this study. MR volume was measured by 1) two dimensional (2D) Doppler TTE, using the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) and the volumetric quantification methods (VM). Then, 2) real time 3D-FVCD was subsequently obtained, and dedicated software was used to quantify the MR volume. MR volume was also measured using 3) phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (PC-CMR). In each patient, all these measurements were obtained within the same day. Automated MR quantification was feasible in 30 of 32 patients. RESULTS: The mean regurgitant volume quantified by 2D-PISA, 2D-VM, 3D-FVCD, and PC-CMR was 72.1 ± 27.7, 79-9 ± 36.9, 69-9 ± 31.5, and 64.2 ± 30.7 mL, respectively (p = 0.304). There was an excellent correlation between the MR volume measured by PC-CMR and 3D-FVCD (r = 0.85, 95% CI 0.70-0.93, p < 0.001). Compared with PC-CMR, Bland-Altman analysis for 3D-FVCD showed a good agreement (2 standard deviations: 34.3 mL) than did 2D-PISA or 2D-VM (60.0 and 62.8 mL, respectively). CONCLUSION: Automated quantification of MR with 3D-FVCD is feasible and accurate. It is a promising tool for the real-time 3D echocardiographic assessment of patients with MR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We did this retrospective study to explore the association between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and clinical features in postoperative recurrent female non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: We reviewed clinical data on 86 female patients who had postoperative recurrent disease between December 1992 and July 2007. The start of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy was treated as a censoring event. Corresponding surgical specimens of primary tumors were used to test for EGFR mutations. Results: Thirty patients presented with local recurrence and distant recurrence was identified in 56. Thirty-four of the 86 patients (40%) harbored EGFR mutations. Patients with distant recurrence were more likely to have EGFR mutations than patients with local recurrence (48% versus 23%; P = 0.024). On multivariate analysis, distant recurrence was associated with a high frequency of EGFR mutations (OR, 3.3; P = 0.028). Survival analysis showed poor survival of patients with mutated EGFR (HR, 2.3; P = 0.017) or with non-adenocarcinoma histology (HR, 3.3; P = 0.001). Conclusion: The association between recurrence pattern and EGFR mutation status was suggested in recurrent female NSCLC patients. In addition, our data indicate unfavorable disease process of EGFR mutated tumors. Further studies need to be conducted to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed this retrospective study to assess the association of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with metastatic presentations in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The data from 125 patients with stage III or IV NSCLC were analyzed. We detected EGFR mutations in 36 NSCLC patients. EGFR mutations were predominant in never-smokers (P < .001), patients with adenocarcinomas (P < .001), and female patients (P < .001). When the metastatic sites were analyzed, pleural metastases were associated with a high incidence of EGFR mutations (P = .028). Particularly, pleural metastases with minimal effusion (PMME) were associated with EGFR mutational status (P = .001). Patients with N3 lesions were less likely to harbor EGFR mutations (P = .033). On multivariate analysis, N3 lesions (P = .017) and PMME (P < .001) remained significant factors for EGFR mutations. EGFR mutations may be associated with different presentations of pleural and N3 nodal metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper dealt with the thermal shock damages of MoSi2 intermetallics by a nondestructive technique. The flexural strength of MoSi2 intermetallics depending on the thermal shock cycles has been also investigated. The thermal shock test was repeatedly performed up to 80 cycles at the temperature difference of 423 K. The flexural strength of MoSi2 intermetallics decreased with the increase of thermal shock cycle, due to the creation of crack and its propagation. MoSi2 intermetallics represented the drastic reduction of ultrasonic wave velocity at the thermal shock of 40 cycles. The attenuation coefficient of MoSi2 intermetallics increased with increasing the thermal shock cycle due to the activation of damage degree [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Spinal metastatic disease is characterised by the preservation of the intervertebral disc structure, even after severe destruction of the vertebral body by neoplastic tissues. Anatomical features of the discs are thought to be the reason for the disc’s resistance to metastatic cancer. However, little is known about the biochemical mechanism to prevent or attenuate the local invasion of cancer cells into the discs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that Fas ligand (FasL) produced by nucleus pulposus cells can kill Fas-expressing cancer cells infiltrating into the discs by the activation of caspases. Fas-expressing MCF-7 breast cancer cells were cultured with (experimental group) and without (control group) supernatant of nucleus pulposus cells containing FasL (50 pg/ml) for 48 h. The apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was determined by the TUNEL technique. In addition, the activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3 was investigated by Western blot analysis. After treatment with supernatant of the nucleus pulposus cells containing FasL, the apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was significantly increased, along with the activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3 compared with those of the control group. Our results suggest that the Fas/FasL interaction of nucleus pulposus and cancer cells might be a potential mechanism of the disc’s resistance to metastatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary water stress corrosion crack (PWSCC) in the piping used at the nuclear power plant has been one of the major issues for the safety of plant. The major objective in this paper is to clarify the corrosion degree and damage by the PWSCC using nondestructive technique. The instrument of the tube typed reactor with the internal conditions of the temperature of 473K under pressure of 10 MPa was designed for corrosion of the material. The tensile specimens of the same material with the reactor were corroded in the reactor for evaluation of mechanical properties according to the corrosion. The corrosion of the specimen was maintained over one year, and an acoustic emission technique was applied to inspect the corrosion damage of the specimen periodically. A tensile test was performed for the corroded specimen, and then the elastic waves caused the deformation of the corroded specimen were analyzed. With the increase of the corrosion time the elastic waves generated in the specimen due to the tensile load showed a little difference, and these differences of the waves work as a cause of the change of acoustic emission (AE) parameters. The number of AE events at the beginning of the load increased with the corrosion time. AE parameters of amplitude and energy decreased as the corrosion times increased, while the level of duration time and count were increased with the corrosion periods. The velocity and attenuation of the elastic wave were also analyzed for the specimen, and these factors showed a close relation with the corrosion times. In addition, SEM and XRD analysis were performed to evaluate the damage behavior of the carbon steel due to corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiNi shape memory alloy was used to recover the shape of transformed objects using its shape memory effect. This shape memory effect plays an important role inside metal matrix composite. A composite using shape memory alloy has a large advantage that can control crack initiation and propagation, when compared with other composites due to the shape memory effect of shape memory alloy under high temperature. In this study, TiNi/Al6061 and TiNi/2024 shape memory composites were fabricated by the hot press method, and a fatigue test was performed to evaluate the fatigue damage for the shape memory composites under room temperature and high temperature. The relationship of the crack growth rate and the stress intensity factor for these shape memory composites were clarified at both temperature conditions. The delay effect of crack propagation due to shape memory alloy was also evaluated under high temperature. In addition, an acoustic emission technique was used to evaluate the crack initiation and the control of crack propagation by shape memory effect under fatigue test nondestructively. The relationship between AE parameter and the degree of fatigue damage of the shape memory composites was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high temperature property of SiC/SiC composites fabricated by the melt infiltration (MI) process has been investigated. SiC/SiC composites reinforced with BN/SiC double coated Hi-Nicalon SiC fibers were fabricated by infiltrating molten silicon into a braiding fibric preform containing C and SiC particles. The mechanical properties of MI-SiC/SiC composites were carried out at the elevated temperatures using the three point bending test. The microstructure of MI-SiC/SiC composites was examined by means of SEM and EDS. The matrix region of MI-SiC/SiC composites represented the chemical fluctuation depending on the composition ratio of Si and C elements. The flexural strength of MI-SiC/SiC composites greatly decreased at the temperatures higher than 1100 °C, due to microstructural instabilities such as interfacial debonding and matrix oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of thermotropic polyurethanes containing biphenyl units was synthesized by polyaddition reaction of diisocyanates such as 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, 2,5-tolylene diisocyanate, 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, and 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, with 4,4□-bis(9-hydroxynonoxy)biphenyl (BP9). Structures of the monomer and the corresponding polymers were identified using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic methods. BP9 exhibited a smectic type mesophase, however, nematic phase was found for all synthesized liquid crystalline polyurethanes except for 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate/BP9 based polyurethane. Their phase transition temperatures and thermal stability were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray scattering. The infrared study indicated that the hydrogen bonding among urethane linkages attributed to the mesomorphism. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of synthesized polyurethanes showed that no weight loss of the polymers observed up to 280°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Apoptosis is thought to be a critical component of disc degeneration. Two main pathways of Fas-mediated apoptosis have been identified: Type I, which is the death-inducing signaling complex pathway, and Type II, which is the mitochondrial pathway. The apoptotic pathway for anulus fibrosus cells, which is phenotypically different from that of nucleus pulposus cells, has not been elucidated to our knowledge. The ultimate initiators or executioners of apoptosis are caspases. There are also inhibitors of caspases, which have the potential of being used as anti-apoptotic therapeutic agents. We therefore undertook this study to determine (1) the apoptotic pathway of anulus fibrosus cells and (2) the anti-apoptotic potential of caspase inhibitors. Methods: Rat anulus fibrosus cells were isolated, cultured, and placed in either 0% (apoptosis-promoting condition) or 10% (normal control) fetal bovine serum. We identified and quantified the presence of apoptotic cell death, caspase activities, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, we examined the cells for the expression of Fas, procaspases, and cytochrome-c. Finally, we analyzed the degree of anti-apoptotic effects of caspase inhibitors on the cells in 1% fetal bovine serum. Results: The percentage of apoptosis and Fas expression in the cells incubated in 0% fetal bovine serum were increased compared with those in the cells incubated in 10% fetal bovine serum (both p < 0.001). Caspase-8, 9, and 3 activities were increased and expression of procaspases was decreased in the 0% fetal bovine serum compared with those in the 10% fetal bovine serum (all p < 0.001). In contrast, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome-c release into the cytosol were unchanged in the 0% fetal bovine serum. Pancaspase and caspase-8 inhibitors reduced apoptotic cell death (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), but caspase-9 inhibitor did not reduce apoptotic cell death. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, unlike nucleus pulposus cells, anulus fibrosus cells are Fas Type-I cells, which undergo apoptosis through the death-inducing signaling complex. We also found that apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells can be attenuated by caspase inhibitors. Clinical Relevance: Caspase inhibitors may play a therapeutic role in slowing disc degeneration that is due to inappropriate or excessive apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is well known that age-related fibrosis, or decreases in the elastin-to-collagen ratio of the ligamentum flavum, along with hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, are associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. However, the molecular mechanism by which this fibrosis and hypertrophy develop is unknown. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metallo-proteinase (TIMPs) are proteinase inhibitors that suppress extracellular matrix degradation. Elevated TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression has been implicated in various fibrotic diseases of the liver, kidney, lung, and heart. These TIMP5 can also induce cellular proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in a wide range of cell types. These findings led us to postulate that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 might also be associated with hypertrophy and fibrosis of the ligamentum flavum in lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: We quantified and localized TIMP expression in ligamentum flavum tissues that had been obtained during surgery from thirty patients with spinal stenosis and from thirty gender-matched control patients with disc herniation. The thickness of the ligamentum flavum at the level of the facet joint was measured on axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. In addition, we examined ligamentum flavum tissues for the expression of markers of cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Results: The ligamentum flavum was significantly thicker in the patients with spinal stenosis (mean, 5.68 mm) than in the patients with disc herniation (mean, 2.70 mm) (p < 0.001). The concentration of TIMP-2 in the ligamentum flavum was significantly higher in the patients with spinal stenosis (mean, 12.62 ng/mL) than in those with disc herniation (mean, 8.85 ng/mL) (p = 0.028). TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were detected in the cytoplasm of ligamentum flavum fibroblasts. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentrations were associated with hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (p = 0.015 and p = 0.003, respectively). None of the samples from the patients with stenosis had evidence of proliferation of ligamentum flavum fibroblasts. The expression of markers for apoptosis was significantly higher in the patients with spinal stenosis (58.8%) than in those with disc herniation (26.6%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased TIMP expression has been implicated in fibrosis and hypertrophy of the extracellular matrix of several organs. Our results suggest that increased expression of TIMP-2 in ligamentum flavum fibroblasts is associated with fibrosis and hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in patients with spinal stenosis. Clinical Relevance: Gaining insights into the molecular pathogenesis of hypertrophy and fibrosis of the ligamentum flavum may eventually result in new therapeutic and potentially noninvasive alternatives to the treatment of spinal stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two main pathways of Fas-mediated apoptosis have been identified: the Type-I (death-inducing signaling complex) pathway and the Type-II (mitochondrial) pathway. While apoptotic cell death has been implicated in lumbar degenerative disc disease, we are not aware of any studies in which surgically removed discs from live humans have been examined to determine which of the two pathways is involved in the apoptosis of disc cells. As an initial step in the development of therapies to inhibit inappropriate or premature apoptosis of disc cells, our objective was to determine which pathway is involved. Methods: We examined thirty-two samples of herniated lumbar disc tissue with use of immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis to determine the presence of several proteins, including caspase-8 (associated with the Type-I pathway); BID (BH3 interacting domain death agonist), cytochrome-c, and caspase-9 (associated with the Type-II pathway); and caspase-3 (an executioner of apoptosis). The TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TDT]-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) assay was performed to confirm the occurrence of apoptosis of the disc cells. Results: The proteins associated with the Type-II pathway (BID, cytochrome-c, and caspase-9) stained positively in all samples. Although the protein associated with the Type-I pathway (caspase-8) was not detected on immunohistochemical analysis, a small amount of caspase-8 was detected on Western blot analysis. However, the expression of Type-II proteins was still higher than the expression of caspase-8 on Western blot analysis. The expression of caspase-3 was identified in all samples with immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. TUNEL-positive disc cells were identified in all samples. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that human disc cells are Type-II cells, which undergo apoptotic cell death through mitochondrial involvement. Clinical Relevance: Future therapeutic modalities to inhibit inappropriate or premature apoptotic cell death in degenerating discs should be directed to the mitochondrial pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article locates a critical historical shift in modern subject formation in the intellectual discourses from the incipient stage of the Culture Movement between 1914 and 1922. I argue that re-inscribing the nineteenth century modern European discourses on bio-politics, aesthetics, and cultural racism in the context of anti-colonial nationalism, the nationalist reformist discourses of this period produced the colonial-modern subject that is vitalistic, voluntaristic and sovereign in the delimited sphere of culture and aesthetics. The article also demonstrates that this spiritually and aesthetically sovereign subjectivity is simultaneously imbricated with the Korean nationalists' adaptation of what Foucault defines as "governmentality," bio-political discipline of the population, to their program of national strengthening and anti-colonial resistance. The first section of the article discusses how the nationalist discourses translated biological and material vitalism, available from Social Darwinism and liberal ideology, into a spiritual brand of vitalism and voluntarism. The second section deals with the convergence between the ideas of sovereignty of self and aesthetics on the one hand and the role of aesthetics as ethnonationalizing and hegemonizing interpellation on the other. The third section examines how the discourse of cultural racism of modern European origin was joined to the conceptions of the sovereign aesthetic subjectivity and bio-political disciplining of the population by focusing on Yi Kwang-su's writings. Yi Kwang-su couples the need for modern bio-political disciplining of Koreans with moral and cultural reforms that must take place through the construction of a voluntaristic, autonomous self, which, in turn, can occur only through the education of emotion in the sphere of literature, aesthetics and culture. This reform of sentiment, morality, and behaviors is, for Yi, necessarily a program of racial improvement or racial rehabilitation. T... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genomic clone, which includes the CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) open reading frame and its 5′- and 3′- flanking non-coding regions, has been isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and sequenced. The CCT gene is approximately 3.0 kb in length and contains 8 exons interrupted by 7 introns, which range from 74 to 626 nucleotides. All nucleotide sequences for the intron 3′ splice sites are consistent with the consensus AG sequence of plant pre-mRNA processing, while the major GT consensus sequence for the 5′ splice site is conserved in 5 of 7 introns. Introns 5 and 6 have a minor GC consensus sequence instead. In the 5′-flanking region there are two sequences related to a cold-responsive element found in the cold-inducible promoter of the A. thaliana cor15a gene, plus one gibberellin-response element. The results from reverse transcriptase-PCR indicate that the expression of A. thaliana CCT is regulated by temperature. The expression level of CCT increased after a 30-min treatment at 5°C. When the plants were returned to 22°C, the expression of CCT also decreased to the original level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aminoalcoholphosphotransferase (AAPT) catalyzes the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine from diacylglycerol plus a CDP-aminoalcohol such as CDP-choline or CDP-ethanolamine. Previously we reported the cloning of a cDNA encoding this enzyme from Chinese cabbage roots, and suggested the presence of possible isoforms [Min et al. (1997) J. Plant Biol. 40: 234]. We now report the cDNA cloning and expression analysis of a second AAPT from Chinese cabbage. This AAPT cDNA, AAPT2, contains an open reading frame of 1,170 bp coding for a protein of 389 amino acids. It shares 95% identity and 96% similarity with Chinese cabbage AAPT1 at the deduced amino acid level. The results from reverse transcriptase-PCR indicate that expression of AAPT2 is regulated temporally and up-regulated by low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract Background Suicide rates in older adults are much higher than those in younger age groups. Given the rapid increase in the proportion of older adults in Korea and the high suicide rate of this age group, it is worth investigating the mechanism of suicidal ideation for older adults. Generally, adverse childhood experiences are positively associated with suicidal ideation; however, it is not fully understood what mediating relationships are linked to the association between these experiences and current suicidal ideation. Methods The data from 685 older Korean adults were analyzed utilizing logistic regression, path analyses, and structural equation modeling. Based on our theoretical background and the empirical findings of previous research, we examined three separate models with mental health, physical health, and social relationship mediators. After that, we tested a combined model including all mediators. We also tested another combined model with mediation via mental health moderated by physical health and social relationships. Results The univariate logistic regression results indicated that childhood adversity was positively associated with suicidal ideation in older adults. However, multivariate logistic regression results demonstrated that the direct effect of childhood adversity became nonsignificant after accounting all variables. Three path models presented significant mediation by depression and social support in the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation. However, combined structural equation models demonstrated that only mediation by a latent variable of mental health problems was statistically significant. Social relationships moderated the path from mental health problems to suicidal ideation. Conclusions Despite several limitations, this study has clinical implications for the development of effective strategies to mitigate suicidal ideation. In particular, effectively screening the exposure to adverse childhood experiences, early identification and treatment of depressive symptoms can play a crucial role in weakening the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation in older adults.

Introduction Despite the high prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) among the elderly population, the rate of treatment is low due to stigmas and barriers to medical access. Wearable devices such as smartphones and smartwatches can help to screen MDD symptoms earlier in a natural setting while forgoing these concerns. However, previous research using wearable devices has mostly targeted the younger population. By collecting longitudinal data using wearable devices from the elderly population, this research aims to produce prediction algorithms for late-life depression and to develop strategies that strengthen medical access in community care systems.Methods and analysis The current cohort study recruited a subsample of 685 elderly people from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study—Cardiovascular Disease Association Study, a national large cohort established in 2004. The current study has been conducted over a 3-year period to explore the development patterns of late-life depression. Participants have completed three annual face-to-face interviews (baseline, the first follow-up and the second follow-up) and 2 years of app-based surveys and passive sensing data collection. All the data collection will end at the second follow-up interview. The collected self-report, observational and passive sensing data will be primarily analysed by machine learning.Ethics and dissemination This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Yonsei University Mirae Campus Institutional Review Board (1041849–2 02 111 SB-180-06) in South Korea. All participants provided written informed consent. The findings of this research will be disseminated by academic publications and conference presentations.

9-(2-Ethyl-hexyl)-3-[2-(4-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)vinyl]-9H-carbazole (EHCS) was synthesized as a monolithic photorefractive molecule forming low T[sub g](∼25 °C) organic glass. It showed distinct photoconductivity due to the carbazole moiety and the optical nonlinearity by the push-pull structure. The EHCS glass showed excellent optical quality and great stability as the ethylhexyl group effectively suppressed the crystallization in the films. Also, the extremely simple structure of EHCS contributed to a very high chromophore concentration. This single-component photorefractive glass of EHCS showed large net gain (56.3 cm-1) and diffraction efficiency (12%). Photorefractivity of EHCS glass was greatly improved by doping with a small amount (<1%) of 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF). The two-beam coupling gain of samples with TNF was 113 cm-1 and the diffraction efficiency was 29%. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAs life expectancy increases, understanding the mechanism for late-life depression and finding a crucial moderator becomes more important for mental health in older adults. Childhood adversity increases the risk of clinical depression even in old age. Based on the stress sensitivity theory and stress-buffering effects, stress would be a significant mediator, while social support can be a key moderator in the mediation pathways. However, few studies have tested this moderated mediation model with a sample of older adults. This study aims to reveal the association between childhood adversity and late-life depression in older adults, taking into consideration the effects of stress and social support.MethodsThis study used several path models to analyze the data from 622 elderly participants who were never diagnosed with clinical depression.ResultsWe found that childhood adversity increases the odds ratio of depression by approximately 20% in older adults. Path model with mediation demonstrates that stress fully mediates the pathway from childhood adversity to late-life depression. Path model with moderated mediation also illustrates that social support significantly weakens the association between childhood adversity and perceived stress.ConclusionThis study provides empirical evidence to reveal a more detailed mechanism for late-life depression. Specifically, this study identifies one crucial risk factor and one protective factor, stress and social support, respectively. This brings insight into prevention of late-life depression among those who have experienced childhood adversity.

This study was carried out to observe and measure the microstructure, distance between dendrite arms, aspect ratio, and Knoop hardness change of extruded material formed by the hydro co-extrusion of Al3003/Al4004 clad material manufactured by the duo-casting method. The specimen of duo-casted Al3003/Al4004 clad materials was circle shaped; it was composed of Al3003 (outside) and Al4004 (inside) materials. The manufacturing conditions of the hydro co-extruded specimen were 423 K temperature and 6.5 ratio of extrusion. At the interface of the duo-casted Al3003/Al4004 clad material, a non-junction at the interface and non-metallic inclusions of Si- and Mn-based oxides were observed. Al3003 exhibits equiaxed crystals; Al4004 has a casted structure with dendrites before extrusion, showed slight deformation during extrusion, and then finally exhibited completely deformed structures after extrusion. In the cast material, the distance between dendrite arms increased, and the aspect ratio of dendrites tended to decrease from the surface to the center. However, in the case of the extruded material, neither Al3003 nor Al4004 changed significantly from the surface to the inside. As extrusion progressed, the Knoop hardness value at the interface of Al3003/Al4004 increased rapidly compared with those of Al3003 and Al4004 matrixes.