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Federated learning (FL) has emerged as a promising distributed machine learning technique. It has the potential to play a key role in future Internet of Things (IoT) networks by ensuring the security and privacy of user data combined with efficient utilization of communication resources. This paper addresses the challenge of maximizing energy efficiency in FL systems. We employed simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and multi-carrier non-orthogonal multiple access (MC-NOMA) techniques. Also, we jointly optimized power allocation and central processing unit (CPU) resource allocation to minimize latency-constrained energy consumption. We formulated an optimization problem using a Markov decision process (MDP) and utilized a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) reinforcement learning algorithm to solve our MDP problem. We tested the proposed algorithm through extensive simulations and confirmed it converges in a stable manner and provides enhanced energy efficiency compared to conventional schemes.

To assess the performance of hazardous waste sites remediation technologies like in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) with persulfate (S2O82−) researchers must periodically measure concentrations of target contaminants. Due to the presence of relatively high concentrations of the residual oxidant expected in many samples, the standard analytical method requires the addition of a relatively high concentration of ascorbic acid to prevent the oxidation process from continuing after sample collection. We discovered that addition of ascorbic acid quencher results in a radical chain reaction that transforms two common halogenated solvents (i.e., tetrachloroethene and hexachloroethane). To avoid the artifact associated with the radical chain reaction, a small quantity of n-hexane can be added to aqueous samples to extract target compounds and protect them from the radical chain reaction initiated by addition of the quencher. We recommend the use of this alternative sample preservation method whenever high concentrations of residual S2O82− are expected to be present in water samples that are contaminated with halogenated solvents.

Facial features are determined by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. However, genes underlying facial similarities in individuals from the same family remain less explored. To identify genetic variants associated with heritable facial features, we investigated familial (parent–offspring) associations and estimated familial correlation and heritability using 39 facial measurements in 408 individuals from 117 Korean families. Facial trait heritability ranged from 0.124 to 0.669. Longitudinal facial growth-related traits were highly heritable, including distances from the nasion to right alare (h2 = 0.668898), pogonion to midendocanthion (h2 = 0.661557), subnasale to midendocanthion (h2 = 0.656882), and morphological facial height (h2 = 0. 654376). We identified the top three significant genome-wide associated variants in the eye, nose, and lip–jaw regions. CNTLN (rs10511632: beta = −0.02696, p = 1.146 × 10−9) and BRCA1 (rs397509305: beta = 0.02741, p = 7.17 × 10−9) loci were associated with distance from the nasion to the right alare. The TMPRSS6 (rs228913: beta = 0.05101, p = 3.68 × 10−9) locus was associated with the distance from the labiale superius to the pogonion and lower facial height. These associations were maintained in an independent unrelated population. In conclusion, we identified new gene variants associated with longitudinal facial morphology that may affect individual facial differences, which has important implications for clinical and forensic applications.

Elite bodybuilders consume energy drink (ED) immediately before or during strength training. However, the effects of ED on cardiovascular responses have not been fully understood. In this study, the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which are indices of arterial stiffness and endothelial function in response to acute ED consumption, were examined. Forty-five young men (30.0 ± 3.9 years) were investigated: sedentary (CON, n = 15), physically active (PA, n = 15), and bodybuilders (BD, n = 15). After they consumed commercial ED, their vascular function was analyzed at the following time points: pre, post, 30 min and 60 min. At baseline, the age, height and systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the groups did not significantly differ; conversely, their weight, body mass index, lean mass, fat percent and grip strengths significantly differed (p < 0.05). After ED consumption, central and peripheral blood pressure markedly increased in the PA and CON groups (p < 0.05) but not in the BD group. cfPWV, augmentation index and wave reflection were not different among the groups and did not change at any time point (p > 0.05). However, FMD notably differed among the groups after ED consumption. The FMD of the BD group increased sharply and significantly after ED consumption at post-time points (pre, 6.5% ± 1.7%; post, 13.1% ± 2.6%; 30 min, 10.7% ± 2.9%; 60 min, 8.9% ± 2.4%, p = 0.001). The FMD markedly increased after ED consumption in the PA group (p = 0.004), but it did not change in the CON group (p > 0.05). ED consumption acutely triggered the increase in endothelial function in the BD and PA groups. Therefore, these findings helped elucidate the distinct cardiovascular responses to ED intake among different populations with varying physical activity or training levels.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the association between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the incidence of falls from the perspective of geriatric morbid conditions. Methods Data were sourced from the triennial National Survey of Older Koreans conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2017–2020). In total, 8,135 male participants aged 65 and older were included, and information was gathered through questionnaires and physical measurements. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the impact of BPH on the risk of falls, and subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the influence of BPH on specific types of falls. Results Of the participants, 15.2% (1,238 of 8,135) reported that their BPH treatment exceeded 3 months, and 8.0% (648 of 8,135) reported experiencing falls, with 61.4% (398/648) of these falls resulting in injuries. A significant association was identified between BPH and both falls (odds ratio [OR], 1.798; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.479–2.185) and falls with injuries (OR, 2.133; 95% CI, 1.689–2.694). A subgroup analysis indicated a correlation between BPH and falls in groups having one (OR, 1.912; 95% CI, 1.356–2.694) and 2 or more conditions (OR, 1.856; 95% CI, 1.455–2.367) involving visual and auditory impairments, cognitive decline, depression, lower motor weakness, and limitations in daily activities. Conclusions The findings indicate that BPH contributes to the incidence of falls among older men, particularly those with comorbid conditions. Considering the heightened fall risk among elderly individuals suffering from multiple morbidities, particularly those with BPH, targeted interventions are essential for mitigating the risk of falls in this vulnerable group.

The extensive use of β-lactam antibiotics has led to significant resistance, primarily due to hydrolysis by β-lactamases. OXA class D β-lactamases can hydrolyze a wide range of β-lactam antibiotics, rendering many treatments ineffective. We investigated the effects of single amino acid substitutions in OXA-10 on its substrate spectrum. Broad-spectrum variants with point mutations were searched and biochemically verified. Three key residues, G157D, A124T, and N73S, were confirmed in the variants, and their crystal structures were determined. Based on an enzyme kinetics study, the hydrolytic activity against broad-spectrum cephalosporins, particularly ceftazidime, was significantly enhanced by the G157D mutation in loop 2. The A124T or N73S mutation close to loop 2 also resulted in higher ceftazidime activity. All structures of variants with point mutations in loop 2 or nearby exhibited increased loop 2 flexibility, which facilitated the binding of ceftazidime. These results highlight the effect of a single amino acid substitution in OXA-10 on broad-spectrum drug resistance. Structure–activity relationship studies will help us understand the drug resistance spectrum of β-lactamases, enhance the effectiveness of existing β-lactam antibiotics, and develop new drugs.

Objectives We compared the cost-effectiveness of hospital-based treatment and that of community treatment centres (CTCs).Design We performed statistical analysis to compare the expenses incurred by COVID-19 patients who received hospital care with those incurred by COVID-19 patients who went to CTCs.Setting and participants A study was conducted on 411 530 COVID-19 inpatients and 243 329 CTC patients from January 2020 to December 2021.Main outcome measures We calculated the probability of severe disease, hospitalisation period and medical expenses for inpatients and CTC patients. Subsequently, we analysed the cost-effectiveness of CTC compared with hospitalisation.Results Comparing medical expenses, CTC patients incurred 2 220 000 KRW on average, which is less than the expenses incurred by hospitalised COVID-19 patients.Conclusions The study suggests that using a CTC may be more cost-effective than a hospital service alone.

Bone damage is a complex orthopedic problem primarily caused by trauma, cancer, or bacterial infection of bone tissue. Clinical care management for bone damage remains a significant clinical challenge and there is a growing need for more advanced bone therapy options. Nanotechnology has been widely explored in the field of orthopedic therapy for the treatment of a severe bone disease. Among nanomaterials, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) along with other biomaterials are emerging as a new paradigm for treatment with excellent potential for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. In recent years, a great deal of research has focused on demonstrating the potential for GNPs to provide for enhancement of osteogenesis, reduction of osteoclastogenesis/osteomyelitis, and treatment of bone cancer. This review details the latest understandings in regards to GNPs based therapeutic systems, mechanisms, and the applications of GNPs against various bone disorders. The present review aims to summarize i) the mechanisms of GNPs in bone tissue remodeling, ii) preparation methods of GNPs, and iii) functionalization of GNPs and its decoration on biomaterials as a delivery vehicle in a specific bone tissue engineering for future clinical application.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: The Korean Prostate & Voiding Health Association provided free prostate-related community health care and conducted surveys in all regions of Korea from 2001 to 2022 with the cooperation of local government public health centers. A total of 72,068 males older than 50 were surveyed and analyzed. History taking, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), transrectal ultrasonography, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, uroflowmetry, and urine volume testing were performed. Results: The mean prostate volumes in males in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s or above were 24.7 g, 27.7 g, 31 g, and 33.7 g, respectively. The proportion of males with high PSA greater than 3 ng/mL was 3.8% among males in their 50s, 7.7% among males in their 60s, 13.1% among males in their 70s, and 17.9% among males 80 years of age or older. The mean IPSS total scores in males in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s or above were 10.7, 12.7, 14.5, and 16, respectively. Severe symptoms were reported by 27.3% of males, whereas 51.7% reported moderate symptoms. The mean Qmax in males in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s or above were 20 mL/s, 17.4 mL/s, 15.4 mL/s, and 13.8 mL/s, respectively. Conclusions: In this population-based study, mean prostate volume, IPSS, PSA, and Qmax were 30.6±15.1 g, 14.8±8.2, 1.9±4.7 ng/mL, and 15.6±6.5 mL/s, respectively. Aging was significantly associated with increased prostate volume, PSA levels, and IPSS scores, and with decreased Qmax and urine volume.

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare condition characterized by abnormal bone mineralization. The manifestations of HPP vary from no symptoms to intrauterine fetal death; short stature is another indication of HPP. A 3 ½-year-old boy presented with short stature, transient hypercalcemia, and mild gait disturbance without definite bony deformity. Laboratory examination revealed transient hypercalcemia, normal phosphorous and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, and mildly low alkaline phosphatase levels. A targeted next-generation sequencing panel associated with inborn errors of metabolism revealed a pathogenic heterozygous mutation in the ALPL gene, c.979T>C (p.Phe327Leu). When a child visits a hospital with short stature, decreased height velocity, and low alkaline phosphatase level, clinicians should consider the possibility of HPP even if definite skeletal dysplasia is not evident.

As the cornerstone of IoT-based systems, WSN connecting a wide range of intelligent sensor nodes is expected to bring significant changes in the near future. Due to the limited battery capacity of the sensor node, WSN considers maximizing network lifetime by minimizing the power consumption to be the most important challenge. To this end, we propose a Distributed Adaptive Communication with On/Off switching and Dual queuing for Energy efficiency (DACODE) as a novel asynchronous duty cycling mechanism. The performance evaluation shows that the proposed mechanism significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining network throughput and guaranteeing data urgency and queue stability.

Abstract Metallic aerogels have attracted tremendous interest because of their superior properties, such as low density, high electrical conductivity, and large specific surface area. However, extremely brittle connections in their 3D networks remain a challenge. In this study, compressible aerogels with microporous fiber-like structure consisting of freeze-dried cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) were fabricated by unidirectional freeze-casting process. To improve the robustness, elasticity, and deformability of the aerogel, freeze-dried microfiber-structured CNFs assembled with AgNWs were used. The freeze-dried CNF/AgNW-based aerogels exhibited a low density (8.51–13.5 mg/cm3) and high porosity (up to 98.2%). Furthermore, these aerogels demonstrated impressive mechanical properties with high compressive strength (up to 4.85 kPa at 70% strain), elastic modulus (up to 16.3 kPa), and yield strength (up to 2 kPa). Additionally, the aerogels exhibited reversible deformability up to a 10% strain and maintained their durability over 200 cycles of compressive strain at 10%. The fabricated aerogels also showed a low electrical resistivity (

Abstract An ideal hydrogel for stem cell therapy would be injectable and efficiently promote stem cell proliferation and differentiation in body. Herein, an injectable, single‐component hydrogel with hyaluronic acid (HA) modified with phenylboronic acid (PBA) and spermidine (SM) is introduced. The resulting HAps (HA‐PBA‐SM) hydrogel is based on the reversible crosslinking between the diol and the ionized PBA, which is stabilized by the SM. It has a shear‐thinning property, enabling its injection through a syringe to form a stable hydrogel inside the body. In addition, HAps hydrogel undergoes a post‐injection “self‐curing,” which stiffens the hydrogel over time. This property allows the HAps hydrogel to meet the physical requirements for stem cell therapy in rigid tissues, such as bone, while maintaining injectability. The hydrogel enabled favorable proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and promoted their differentiation and mineralization. After the injection of hMSCs‐containing HAps into a rat femoral defect model, efficient osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and bone regeneration is observed. The study demonstrates that simple cationic modification of PBA‐based hydrogel enabled efficient gelation with shear‐thinning and self‐curing properties, and it would be highly useful for stem cell therapy and in vivo bone regeneration.

Poor layout designs in manufacturing facilities severely reduce production efficiency and increase short- and long-term costs. Analyzing and deriving efficient layouts for novel line designs or improvements to existing lines considering both the layout design and logistics flow is crucial. In this study, we performed production simulation in the design phase for factory layout optimization and used reinforcement learning to derive the optimal factory layout. To facilitate factory-wide layout design, we considered the facility layout, logistics movement paths, and the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The reinforcement-learning process for optimizing each component of the layout was implemented in a multilayer manner, and the optimization results were applied to the design production simulation for verification. Moreover, a flexible simulation system was developed. Users can efficiently review and execute alternative scenarios by considering both facility and logistics layouts in the workspace. By emphasizing the redesign and reuse of the simulation model, we achieved layout optimization through an automated process and propose a flexible simulation system that can adapt to various environments through a multilayered modular approach. By adjusting weights and considering various conditions, throughput increased by 0.3%, logistics movement distance was reduced by 3.8%, and the number of AGVs required was reduced by 11%.

Permeable pavement is a technology that allows rainwater to infiltrate into the pavement. Permeable pavements not only help reduce surface runoff by allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the pavement, but also improve water quality with the filter layer that removes particulate matter pollutants. This study evaluated the particulate matter removal efficiency of bottom ash–sand mixtures as filter layers for removing fine (≤10 μm) or ultrafine (≤2.5 μm) particulate matter in the laboratory. Five filter media were tested: silica sand, bottom ash, and bottom ash–sand mixtures with 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 ratios. The mixed filters exhibited more consistent and stable particulate matter removal efficiency over time than either the uniform sand or bottom ash filter. The 50:50 bottom ash–sand mixture demonstrated removal rates of 58.05% for 1.8 μm particles, 93.92% for 10 μm particles, and 92.45% for 60 μm particles. These findings highlight the potential of bottom ash–sand mixtures as effective filter media for removing PM10 road dust, although field validation with actual pavement systems is necessary.

Since baseball players must grip and pinch the ball, grip strength is paramount. However, current assessments on various grip types need to be more comprehensive. This study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of different handgrip strengths measured by a dynamometer connected to a player’s smartphone. Sixty male baseball players sponsored by secondary schools (middle- and high-schools) or colleges varying in age (12–22 years) were selected as participants. For male baseball players, three types of grip strengths were evaluated using a dynamometer and smartphone application: power, pinch, and tripod grip. The test was conducted thrice for each grip. Overall grip strength measurements showed slight decreases across tests and tended to increase with academic grade level. Tests 1 and 2 indicated good-to-excellent retest reliability for three grip strength positions by determining their intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (middle-school power grip: 0.917 (0.644–0.973); collegiate pinch grip: 0.920 (0.770–0.970); high-school tripod grip: 0.929 (0.728–0.976)). In addition, these results determined moderate reliability compared to other grip strengths in the three groups (middle-school tripod grip from Tests 1 and 2: 0.779 (0.428–0.914); collegiate power grip from Tests 2 and 3: 0.738 (0.360–0.895)). This study concluded that the studied grip strength tests are reliable measurements, with an acceptable margin of error, for male baseball players from childhood to adulthood. Therefore, these handgrip strengths may be used as preliminary values to help discipline and rehabilitate baseball players and other athletes.

The high-temperature properties of titanium carbide (TiC)–reinforced stainless steel (SS) matrix composite, fabricated through infiltration process, were investigated across different temperatures. By adding highly concentrated and closely adjacent TiC particulate reinforcement, dramatic variations in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal conductivity properties, which originate from the phase transformation of the SS matrix, were effectively suppressed. Moreover, the addition of TiC significantly strengthened the SS, with its strengthening effect increasing at higher temperatures and reaching its highest value after the phase transformation. Therefore, TiC–SS composite exhibit great potential for use as advanced high-temperature-resistant structural materials.

BackgroundAlcohol use is a contributing factor in many cases of traumatic injury. There is conflicting evidence on the impact of alcohol use at the time of physical trauma on severity of injury and hospital course. Similarly, the significance of alcohol use disorder on outcomes in hospitalized trauma patients is unclear. This scoping review aims to provide a concise overview of the current literature surrounding peri-trauma alcohol use and alcohol use disorder on injury severity, in-hospital complications, patient outcomes, and long-term health impact of alcohol use in trauma. We will also explore the associated healthcare costs of this patient population.MethodsA systematic search of the following databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library will be completed to extract all studies that meet our inclusion criteria from January 2000 onwards. Case reports will be excluded. Two reviewers will screen all citations, abstracts, and full text articles. A third reviewer will act as tiebreaker at each stage of the screening process. A narrative synthesis without meta-analysis will be conducted and assessed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.DiscussionThis review will contribute to the literature by providing a concise overview of the current data on the impact of alcohol on outcomes following trauma. We will explore the overall themes in the literature, limitations, and future directions to focus forthcoming research in this patient population.Scoping review registrationThis project is registered via the Open Science Framework. The public registration is uniquely identified with the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z84WK.SupportThere were no funders or sponsors involved in the development of this protocol.

Abstract To combat the irreversible decline in renal function associated with kidney disease, it is essential to establish non‐invasive biomarkers for assessing renal microcirculation. However, the limited resolution and/or vascular sensitivity of existing diagnostic imaging techniques hinders the visualization of complex cortical vessels. Here, a 3D renal ultrafast Doppler (UFD) imaging system that uses a high ultrasound frequency (18 MHz) and ultrahigh frame rate (1 KHz per slice) to scan the entire volume of a rat's kidney in vivo is demonstrated. The system, which can visualize the full 3D renal vascular branching pyramid at a resolution of 167 µm without any contrast agent, is used to chronically and noninvasively monitor kidneys with acute kidney injury (AKI, 3 days) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD, 8 weeks). Multiparametric UFD analyses (e.g., vessel volume occupancy (VVO), fractional moving blood volume (FMBV), vessel number density (VND), and vessel tortuosity (VT)) describe rapid vascular rarefaction from AKI and long‐term vascular degeneration from DKD, while the renal pathogeneses are validated by in vitro blood serum testing and stained histopathology. This work demonstrates the potential of 3D renal UFD to offer valuable insights into assessing kidney perfusion levels for future research in diabetes and kidney transplantation.

Traditional methods for motion blur, often relying on a single layer, deviate from the correct colors. We propose a multilayer rendering method that closely approximates the motion blur effect. Our approach stores motion vectors for each pixel, divides these vectors into multiple sample points, and performs a backward search from the current pixel. The color at a sample point is sampled if it shares the same motion vector as its origin. This procedure repeats across layers, with only the nearest color values sampled for depth testing. The average color sampled at each point becomes that of the motion blur. Our experimental results indicate that our method significantly reduces the color deviation commonly found in traditional approaches, achieving structural similarity index measures (SSIM) of 0.8 and 0.92, which represent substantial improvements over the accumulation method.

Abstract We aimed to develop a biocompatible treatment to overcome the limitations of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fracture patients. We synthesized an injectable hydrogel containing PMMA. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) spheroids were included in the injectable PMMA‐doped gel (= PMMA‐doped spheroid gel). In vitro, the osteogenic/anti‐inflammatory effects of the embedded spheroids were investigated by the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction method. In vivo, we used ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced osteoporotic rats with injured femurs to investigate the pain‐relief effects. The OVX rats were divided into four groups according to the materials injected (non, PMMA, PMMA gel, and PMMA‐spheroid gel) into the lesion. The immunofluorescence (IF) intensity levels of painful markers in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were measured. In vitro, a volumetric ratio of the gel of 8 (gel):2 (PMMA) was non‐cytotoxic for MSCs and promoted the expression of osteogenic/anti‐inflammatory markers. In vivo, the values of several bone parameters in the PMMA‐doped spheroid gel group showed remarkable increases compared to those in the PMMA group. In addition, the IF intensity levels of the painful markers were noticeably decreased in the PMMA‐spheroid gel group. We, therefore, suggest that this treatment can be useful for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death globally. Clinical practice guidelines aimed at improving disease management and positively impacting major cardiac adverse events recommend genetic testing for inherited cardiovascular conditions such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), long QT syndrome (LQTS), hereditary amyloidosis, and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH); however, little is known about how consistently practitioners order genetic testing for these conditions in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the adoption of guideline-directed genetic testing for patients diagnosed with DCM, HCM, LQTS, hereditary amyloidosis, or FH.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study captured real-world evidence of genetic testing from ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes, procedure codes, and structured text fields of de-identified patient records in the Veradigm Health Insights Ambulatory EHR Research Database linked with insurance claims data. Data analysis was conducted using an automated electronic health record analysis engine. Patient records in the Veradigm database were sourced from more than 250,000 clinicians serving over 170 million patients in outpatient primary care and specialty practice settings in the United States and linked insurance claims data from public and private insurance providers. The primary outcome measure was evidence of genetic testing within six months of condition diagnosis.ResultsBetween January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021, 224,641 patients were newly diagnosed with DCM, HCM, LQTS, hereditary amyloidosis, or FH and included in this study. Substantial genetic testing care gaps were identified. Only a small percentage of patients newly diagnosed with DCM (827/101,919; 0.8%), HCM (253/15,507; 1.6%), LQTS (650/56,539; 1.2%), hereditary amyloidosis (62/1,026; 6.0%), or FH (718/49,650; 1.5%) received genetic testing.ConclusionsGenetic testing is underutilized across multiple inherited cardiovascular conditions. This real-world data analysis provides insights into the delivery of genomic healthcare in the United States and suggests genetic testing guidelines are rarely followed in practice.

Ferrocene-based nanoparticles have garnered interest as reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanocarriers of anticancer drugs and imaging agents. However, their biomedical applications remain limited due to their poor physiological stability. PEGylation of nanocarriers improves their stability and biocompatibility. In this study, we aimed to develop novel PEG-ferrocene nanoparticles (PFNPs) with enhanced stability and ROS responsiveness for the delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and imaging agents. PEGylation improved the stability of ferrocene nanoparticles, inhibiting their ROS-responsive destruction. Several PEG-ferrocene polymers containing different molar ratios of methacrylic acid and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate was designed for optimization. ROS-responsive polymers with optimal monomer ratios were self-assembled into PFNPs with enhanced stability. The PFNPs distended, effectively releasing encapsulated PTX and imaging agents within 8 h in the presence of ROS. Furthermore, they remained stable, with no changes in their hydrodynamic diameters or polydispersity indexes after storage in an aqueous solution and biological buffer. The accumulation of PFNPs in a tumor model in vivo was 15-fold higher than a free dye. PTX-loaded PFNPs showed a substantial tumor-suppression effect, reducing tumor size to approximately 18% of that in the corresponding control group. These findings suggest a promising application of ROS-responsive PFNPs in tumor treatment as biocompatible nanocarriers of anticancer drugs and imaging agents.

Abstract Nanofiber networks comprising polymer-metal core–shell structures exhibit several advantages, such as high uniformities and considerable flexibilities. Additionally, the flexibility of the nanofiber network may be further enhanced by engineering the network topology. Therefore, in this study, the topologies of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-Pt core–shell nanofiber (CS NF) networks were engineered, and their performances as flexible transparent electrodes were comprehensively evaluated. Three distinct topologies of nanofiber networks were induced using circular, square, and rectangular electrode collectors. A highly uniform nanofiber network was obtained using the square electrode collector, which generated a high density of nanofiber junctions (nodes). Consequently, this nanofiber network exhibited the smallest sheet resistance $$\left({R}_{\mathrm{s}}\right)$$ R s and lowest optical transmittance $$\left(T\right)$$ T among the three CS NF networks. In contrast, nanofiber bundles were frequently formed in the randomly aligned CS NF network prepared using the circular electrode collector, reducing the node density. As a result, it simultaneously exhibited a very small $${R}_{\mathrm{s}}$$ R s and high $$T$$ T , generating the largest percolation figure of merit $$\left(\Pi =330.5\right)$$ Π = 330.5 . Under certain strain directions, the CS NF network with the engineered topology exhibited a significantly enhanced mechanical durability. Finally, a flexible piezoelectric pressure sensor with CS NF network electrodes was fabricated and its sensing performance was excellent.

This paper presents the experimental results of self-interference cancellation for a $2\times 2$ multiple input multiple output (MIMO) in-band full-duplex radio front-end. The proposed radio-frequency (RF) front-end consists of two rat-race couplers and a four antennas network for passive suppression, and four self-interference active cancellation. The canceller generates an identical signal to the residual self-interference signal, and then subtracts it from the received signal. The RF canceller has a single signal path(tap) composed of attenuator, phase shifter, and time delay circuit which all are variable. To broaden the bandwidth of active cancellation, the time delay circuit is developed to have a wide delay variation range and to control the shape of the delay over the frequency. The experimental results demonstrate the 50-dB self-interference cancellation over the bandwidth of 90 MHz at the center frequency of 2.53 GHz.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases possess unique domains. In this study the structure of the vertebrate IARS1 and EARS1 complex reveals that vertebrate IARS1 protects the DNA repair factor BRCA1 from proteolytic degradation via its UBX-fold domain.

Abstract Optical imaging has been essential for scientific observations to date, however its biomedical applications has been restricted due to its poor penetration through tissues. In living tissue, signal attenuation and limited imaging depth caused by the wave distortion occur because of scattering and absorption of light by various molecules including hemoglobin, pigments, and water. To overcome this, methodologies have been proposed in the various fields, which can be mainly categorized into two stategies: developing new imaging probes and optical techniques. For example, imaging probes with long wavelength like NIR-II region are advantageous in tissue penetration. Bioluminescence and chemiluminescence can generate light without excitation, minimizing background signals. Afterglow imaging also has high a signal-to-background ratio because excitation light is off during imaging. Methodologies of adaptive optics (AO) and studies of complex media have been established and have produced various techniques such as direct wavefront sensing to rapidly measure and correct the wave distortion and indirect wavefront sensing involving modal and zonal methods to correct complex aberrations. Matrix-based approaches have been used to correct the high-order optical modes by numerical post-processing without any hardware feedback. These newly developed imaging probes and optical techniques enable successful optical imaging through deep tissue. In this review, we discuss recent advances for multi-scale optical imaging within deep tissue, which can provide reseachers multi-disciplinary understanding and broad perspectives in diverse fields including biophotonics for the purpose of translational medicine and convergence science. Graphical Abstract Methodologies for multi-scale optical imaging within deep tissues are discussed in diverse fields including biophotonics for the purpose of translational medicine and convergence science. Recent imaging probes have tried deep tissue imaging by NIR-II imaging, bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, and afterglow imaging. Optical techniques including direct/indirect and coherence-gated wavefront sensing also can increase imaging depth.

Transplanted cells rarely survive because of the inflammatory cytokines after spinal cord injury. To increase the survival, we synthesized a hydrophilic and aligned nanofibrous mat. We electrospun thiolate (SH)/aligned (A) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibrous mats. The PLGA-SH (A) nanofibrous mats were conjugated with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to increase the hydrophilicity. The contact angle is decreased from 105.3° ± 5.2 (for randomly directional PLGA mats) to 28.1° ± 2.8 (for PLGA-GNP (A) mats). Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were dissociated from the embryonic spinal cords of Fisher 344 rats. We embedded the embryonic spinal-cord-derived NPCs in glycol chitosan (gC)-oxidized hyaluronate (oHA) hydrogels (=NPC graft). The NPC graft was transplanted into spinal-cord-injured Sprague-Dawley rats. Afterwards, the aligned PLGA-GNP nanofibrous mat was positioned onto the NPC-grafted region (=Injury + NPC graft + PLGA-GNP (A) nanofibrous mat (INP) group). We also added Injury (=I) and Injury + NPC graft (=IN) groups as control groups. The survival outcomes of transplanted NPCs were noticeably increased in the INP group compared to those in the IN group. We suggest a separate implanting therapy of NPCs and a hydrophilic PLGA-GNP (A) nanofibrous mat for spinal cord injuries.

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging has gained much attention, providing structural and functional information in combination with clinical ultrasound (US) imaging systems. 2D PA and US imaging is easily implemented, but its heavy dependence on operator skills makes 3D imaging preferable. In this study, we propose a panoramic volumetric clinical PA and US imaging system equipping a handheld imaging scanner weighing 600 g and measuring 70 × 62 × 110 mm3. Multiple PA/US scans were performed to cover a large field-of-view (FOV), and the acquired PA/US volumes were mosaic-stitched after manually correcting the positions and rotations in a total of 6 degrees of freedom. PA and US maximum amplitude projection images were visualized online, while spectral unmixed data was quantified offline. The performance of the system was tested via tissue-mimicking phantom experiments. The system’s potential was confirmed in vivo by panoramically imaging vascular networks in human arms and necks, with FOVs of 331 × 38 and 129 × 120 mm2, respectively. Further, we quantified hemoglobin oxygen saturation levels in the radial artery, brachial artery, carotid artery, and jugular vein. We hope that this system can be applied for various clinical fields such as cardiovascular imaging, dermatology, vascular surgery, internal medicine, and oncology.

Abstract Background While various quantitative studies based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Technology Acceptance Models (TAM) exist in the general medical sectors, just a few have been conducted in the behavioral sector; they have all been qualitative interview-based studies. Objective The purpose of this study is to assess the adoption dimensions of a behavioral electronic health record (EHR) system for behavioral clinical professionals using a modified clinical adoption (CA) research model that incorporates a variety of micro, meso, and macro level factors. Methods A questionnaire survey with quantitative analysis approach was used via purposive sampling method. We modified the existing CA framework to be suitable for evaluating the adoption of an EHR system by behavioral clinical professionals. We designed and verified questionnaires that fit into the dimensions of the CA framework. The survey was performed in five US behavioral hospitals, and the adoption factors were analyzed using a structural equation analysis. Results We derived a total of seven dimensions, omitting those determined to be unsuitable for behavioral clinical specialists to respond to. We polled 409 behavioral clinical experts from five hospitals. As a result, the ease of use and organizational support had a substantial impact on the use of the behavioral EHR system. Although the findings were not statistically significant, information and service quality did appear to have an effect on the system's ease of use. The primary reported benefit of behavioral EHR system adoption was the capacity to swiftly locate information, work efficiently, and access patient information via a mobile app, which resulted in more time for better care. The primary downside, on the other hand, was an unhealthy reliance on the EHR system. Conclusions We demonstrated in this study that the CA framework can be a useful tool for evaluating organizational and social elements in addition to the EHR system's system features. Not only the EHR system's simplicity of use, but also organizational support, should be considered for the effective implementation of the behavioral EHR system. Trial Registration: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (IRB No.: B-1904-534-301).

Disclosures: Funding for the study was provided by Illumina, Inc. Mauro Longoni and Sucheta Bhatt are employees of Illumina, Inc. Andrew Ward, Kanchan Bhasin, Donghyun Lee, and Rajesh Dash are affiliated with HealthPals, Inc. Therapeutic Area: Preventive Cardiology Best Practices Background: Real-world data (RWD) increasingly plays a role in understanding healthcare delivery providing clinical insights from community-level clinical practice. Electronic Health Record (EHR) datasets have the advantage of including a large sample of patients and representing clinical practice that is not limited to tertiary care settings but extends to ambulatory/outpatient primary care. We sought to characterize patient characteristics and utilization of healthcare resources for two genetic cardiomyopathies encountered in clinical practice, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Veradigm Health Insights Ambulatory Electronic Health Record (HIAE) Research Database using the HealthPals Clinical Intelligence (CLINT) analysis platform. The analysis included over 18,000 primary care practices and 1,500 cardiology practices composed of over 250,000 clinicians, serving over 170 million patients. HCM/DCM diagnoses were based on ICD-10-CM codes or structured EHR text fields. New diagnoses were identified by requiring a one-year wash-in time free of HCM/DCM diagnosis. Cohorts were characterized across demographics, clinical measurements, provider visits, and 32 cardiovascular and metabolic baseline comorbidities. Medical utilization patterns were identified for primary care, cardiology, non-cardiology, and genetics specialties. Results: We identified 22,254 patients with a new diagnosis of HCM and 69,331 with a new diagnosis of DCM. The HCM cohort had a median age of 67 (IQR: 57-76) years and was 53% female; the DCM cohort had a median age of 70 (IQR: 60-78) and was 37% female. Heart failure was present at baseline in 19% of HCM and 54% of DCM cases. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity were highly prevalent in both groups (table 1). Few individuals were documented as having received guideline-recommended cardiomyopathy-specific genetic testing, screening, counseling, or referrals to genetic counselors in their EHR records. Conclusion: RWD provided insights on the clinical characteristics associated with new HCM and DCM diagnoses. We documented an underutilization of genetic testing and evaluation despite guideline recommendations. Future work should explore how genetic testing impacts further downstream management and clinical outcomes.

Abstract Background and aims Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common cause of emergency hospitalization and may require readmission for re-bleeding. Recently, a novel endoscopic hemostatic powder (UI-EWD/Nexpowder™, Nextbiomedical, Incheon, South Korea) was developed and applied for the control of LGIB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemostatic efficacy and long-term safety of UI-EWD in LGIB. Patients and methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of LGIB at a single tertiary center in south Korea. One hundred and sixty-seven consecutive patients with LGIB who were initially successful in endoscopic hemostasis were included and divided into the conventional treatment group (n = 112) and the UI-EWD therapy group (n = 55; 38 patients with conventional treatment and 17 patients with UI-EWD alone). The success rate of hemostasis, adverse events related to UI-EWD, and re-bleeding rate were evaluated. Results The incidence of endoscopic hemostasis applied to the hepatic flexure (7.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.011) and larger than 4 cm (25.5% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in the UI-EWD group than in the conventional therapy group. The cumulative rebleeding rate within 28 days in the UI-EWD group was 5.5% (3/55), which was significantly lower than that in the conventional treatment group (17.0% [19/112]; p = 0.039). No UI-EWD-related adverse events were recorded. Conclusion Based on our results, application of UI-EWD in LGIB showed promising results for the prevention of re-bleeding, especially in locations where it is difficult to approach or cases with more bleeding. There were no significant complications, such as perforation or embolism. In particular, UI-EWD should be considered first for anatomical or technical impediments to endoscopic access in LGIB.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been applied in clinical treatment of tumors for a long time. However, insufficient supply of pivotal factors including photosensitizer (PS), light, and oxygen in tumor tissue dramatically reduces the therapeutic efficacy of PDT. Nanoparticles have received an influx of attention as drug carriers, and recent studies have demonstrated their promising potential to overcome the obstacles of PDT in tumor tissue. Physicochemical optimization for passive targeting, ligand modification for active targeting, and stimuli-responsive release achieved efficient delivery of PS to tumor tissue. Various trials using upconversion NPs, two-photon lasers, X-rays, and bioluminescence have provided clues for efficient methods of light delivery to deep tissue. Attempts have been made to overcome unfavorable tumor microenvironments via artificial oxygen generation, Fenton reaction, and combination with other chemical drugs. In this review, we introduce these creative approaches to addressing the hurdles facing PDT in tumors. In particular, the studies that have been validated in animal experiments are preferred in this review over proof-of-concept studies that were only performed in cells.

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells into the hyperplastic synovial tissue, resulting in subsequent destruction of adjacent articular cartilage and bone. Methotrexate (MTX), the first conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), could alleviate articular damage in RA and is implicated in humoral and cellular immune responses. However, MTX has several side effects, so efficient delivery of low-dose MTX is important. Methods To investigate the efficacy of MTX-loaded nanoparticles (MTX-NPs) against experimental model of RA, free MTX or MTX-NPs were administered as subcutaneous route to mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) at 3 weeks after CII immunization. The levels of inflammatory factors in tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, real-time PCR, and flow cytometry. Results MTX-NPs ameliorated arthritic severity and joint destruction in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice compared to free MTX-treated CIA mice. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor, were reduced in MTX-NPs-treated mice. Number of CD4 + IL-17 + cells decreased whereas the number of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + cells increased in spleens from MTX- NPs-treated CIA mice compared to MTX-treated CIA mice. The frequency of CD19 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory B cells increased in ex vivo splenocytes from MTX-loaded NPs-treated CIA mice compared to MTX-treated CIA mice. Conclusion The results suggest that MTX-loaded NPs have therapeutic potential for RA.

Rapid evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility is important in the treatment of nosocomial infections by Gram-negative bacteria, which increasingly carry carbapenemases and metallo-β-lactamases. We developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based assays for four β-lactamase genes (blaKPC, blaNDM-1, blaIMP-1 group, and blaVIM). The assays were evaluated using eight reference bacterial strains (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter bereziniae) harboring six β-lactamase genes. A total of 55 Gram-negative bacterial strains, including 47 clinical P. aeruginosa isolates, fully characterized by next-generation sequencing (NGS), were used to evaluate the LAMP assays. The results were compared to those of conventional PCR. The LAMP assays were able to detect as few as 10 to 100 copies of a gene, compared to 10 to 104 copies for conventional PCR. The LAMP assay detected four β-lactamase genes with a sensitivity similar to that using purified DNA as the template in DNA-spiked urine, sputum, and blood specimens. By contrast, the sensitivity of PCR was 1- to 100-fold lower with DNA-spiked clinical specimens. Therefore, the LAMP assays were proved to be an appropriate tool for the detection of four β-lactamases.

Abstract Background Combination therapy using more than one drug can result in a synergetic effect in clinical treatment of cancer. For this, it is important to develop an efficient drug delivery system that can contain multiple drugs and provide high accumulation in tumor tissue. In particular, simultaneous and stable loading of drugs with different chemical properties into a single nanoparticle carrier is a difficult problem. Results We developed rhamnolipid-coated double emulsion nanoparticles containing doxorubicin and erlotinib (RL-NP-DOX-ERL) for efficient drug delivery to tumor tissue and combination chemotherapy. The double emulsion method enabled simultaneous loading of hydrophilic DOX and hydrophobic ERL in the NPs, and biosurfactant RL provided stable surface coating. The resulting NPs showed fast cellular uptake and synergetic tumor cell killing in SCC7 cells. In real-time imaging, they showed high accumulation in SCC7 tumor tissue in mice after intravenous injection. Furthermore, enhanced tumor suppression was observed by RL-NP-DOX-ERL in the same mouse model compared to control groups using free drugs and NPs containing a single drug. Conclusions The developed RL-NP-DOX-ERL provided efficient delivery of DOX and ERL to tumor tissue and successful tumor therapy with a synergetic effect. Importantly, this study demonstrated the promising potential of double-emulsion NPs and RL coating for combination therapy. Graphical Abstract

Vesicles such as liposomes, polymersomes, and exosomes have been widely used as drug delivery carriers; however, peptide vesicles (peptidesomes) despite their potential utility are far less well developed. Peptidesomes are distinctive because peptides play dual roles as a self-assembly building block and a bioactive functional unit. In order for peptidesomes to become successful nanodrugs, the issues related to differences in nanostructural properties between in vitro and in vivo conditions should be addressed. Here, we delineate a multivariate approach to feedback control the structures of peptide building blocks, nanoparticle size, drug loading process, nanoparticle aggregation, cytotoxicity, cell targeting capability, endosome disruption function, protease resistance, and in vivo performance, which eventually enabled the successful development of a highly efficacious peptidesome for in vivo cancer therapy. This study lays the groundwork for the successful in vivo translation of peptide nanodrugs.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility and patency of our newly developed titanium vascular anastomotic device (TVAD) in a pig jugular vein. TVAD was made of commercially pure grade 2 titanium. The patency and anastomotic time were simultaneously confirmed in an ex-vivo system developed by the authors and in vivo using pig jugular veins. Five 8-month-old pigs, with body weights of 50–60 kg, underwent anastomosis of both jugular veins using the device. Graft patency was evaluated for 12 weeks by biplane angiography and sonography. All tissue biopsy samples were analysed by histology. In all 10 cases, the anastomosis was completed in

The expression of the two major virulence genes of Vibrio cholerae—tcpA (the major subunit of the toxin co-regulated pilus) and ctxAB (cholera toxin)—is regulated by the ToxR regulon, which is triggered by environmental stimuli during infection within the human small intestine. Special culture methods are required to induce the expression of virulence genes in V. cholerae in the laboratory setting. In the present study, induction of the expression of virulence genes by two point mutations (65th and 139th amino acids) in toxT, which is produced by the ToxR regulon and activates the transcription of the virulence genes in V. cholerae, under laboratory culture conditions has been investigated. Each of the four toxT alleles assessed displayed different transcriptional activator functions in a given V. cholerae strain. Although the ToxR regulon has been known to not be expressed by El Tor biotype V. cholerae strains cultured under standard laboratory conditions, the variant toxT alleles that we assessed in this study enabled the expression virulence genes in El Tor biotype strains grown under simple culture conditions comprising shake culture in LB medium, suggesting that the regulation of virulence gene expression may be regulated more complexly than previously thought and may involve additional factors beyond the production of ToxT by the ToxR regulon.

This study designed an externally pressurized bearing and analyzed the rotordynamics of a turbo expander for a hydrogen liquefaction plant. The turbo expander, comprising a turbine and compressor wheel assembled to a shaft, lowered the temperature of the helium refrigerant. Its rated speed was 75,000 rpm, and an externally pressurized gas bearing was selected to support the rotor. Pressurized helium was used as the lubricant for the bearing operation. To design the rotor–bearing system, we conducted a bearing performance analysis and rotordynamic characteristic prediction using the developed numerical model. We calculated the bearing stiffness and flow rate of the bearing gas for various feed parameters and selected the appropriate orifice diameter for maximum stiffness. The predicted Campbell diagram showed that the system had a sufficient separation margin with the critical speed, and the predicted critical speed correlated well with the nonlinear orbit simulation. A successful operation was achieved with the manufactured turbo expander within the rated speed. The shaft vibration was monitored during the operation test, and the test results revealed two critical speeds below the rated speed, as predicted by the analytical model. In addition, the shaft vibration was maintained at

Abstract In this paper, we propose a real-time prediction model that can respond to particulate matters (PM) in the air, which are an indication of poor air quality. The model applies interpolation to air quality and weather data and then uses a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to predict PM concentrations. The interpolation transforms the irregular spatial data into an equally spaced grid, which the model requires. This combination creates the interpolated CNN (ICNN) model that we use to predict PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations. The PM10 and PM2.5 evaluation results show an effective prediction performance with an R-squared higher than 0.97 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of approximately 16% of the standard deviation. Furthermore, both PM10 and PM2.5 prediction models forecast high concentrations with high reliability, with a probability of detection higher than 0.90 and a critical success index exceeding 0.85. The proposed ICNN prediction model achieves a high prediction performance using spatio-temporal information and presents a new direction in the prediction field.

Reconstruction of patient-specific scaffolds to repair uniquely shaped bone defects remains a major clinical challenge in tissue engineering. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds have received considerable attention as a promising technology for the rapid generation of custom shapes. However, synthetic polymers commonly used for 3D printing, such as polycaprolactone (PCL), lack the biological capacity to mimic native extracellular matrix functions to support cell growth and differentiation into desired tissues. We described the preparation and characterization of a 3D hybrid model for bone tissue engineering that comprises an extracellular matrix (ECM)-enriched hydrogel embedded in a PCL scaffold. The human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell–derived matrisome (BMTS) was utilized as a source of ECM-enriched biomacromolecules, and scaffold biocompatibility was evaluated in vitro using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). The 3D hybrid model exhibited excellent BM-MSC viability and osteogenic activity in vitro in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D cultures. Furthermore, bone remodeling was evaluated by in vivo through a rat calvarial defect model; notably, the fabricated 3D hybrid model effectively enhanced vascularized bone regeneration. Therefore, this promising BMTS-based 3D hybrid model might serve as an excellent bone tissue-engineered scaffold for use in orthopedic applications.

Owing to their excellent electrical conductivity and robust mechanical properties, carbon-based nanocomposites are being used in a wide range of applications and devices, such as electromagnetic wave interference shielding, electronic devices, and fuel cells. While several approaches have been developed for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and carbon-black-based polymer nanocomposites, most studies have focused on the simple blending of the carbon material with a polymer matrix. However, this results in uncontrolled interactions between the carbon filler and the polymer chains, leading to the agglomeration of the carbon filler. Herein, we report a new strategy for synthesizing sulfonated polystyrene (PSS)-grafted carbon black nanoparticles (NPs) via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization. Treatments with O2 plasma and H2O2 result in the effective attachment of the appropriate initiator to the carbon black NPs, thus allowing for the controlled formation of the PSS brushes. The high polymeric processability and desirable mechanical properties of the PSS-grafted carbon black NPs enable them suitable for use in nonfluorinated-hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells, which must exhibit high proton conductivity without interrupting the network of channels consisting of ionic clusters (i.e., sulfonic acid moieties).

The license for Kori-1, the first commercial reactor in Busan, Korea, was terminated in June 2017; therefore, preparations are being made for its decommissioning. Because the radioactivity of Bio-shield varies greatly throughout the structure, the doses received by the workers depend on the location, order, and duration of dismantling operations. Thus, a model for evaluating the worker external dose during the dismantling of the Kori-1 bio-shield was developed, and work scenarios for dose assessment were designed. The Dose evaluation code VISIPLAN was used for dose assessment. The dose rate around the bio-shield was evaluated and the level of exposure to the operator was evaluated according to the work scenario. The maximum annual external dose was calculated as 746.86 mSv for a diamond wire saw operator under dry cutting conditions, indicating that appropriate protective measures, such as changing dismantling sequence, remote monitoring, shield installation, and adjustment of work team are necessary for the safe dismantling of the bio-shield. Through these protective measures, it was found that the worker's dose could be below the dose limit.

Abstract The global burden of bone-related diseases is increasing in the aging society; thus, improved bone targeted imaging for their early identification and treatment are needed. In this study, we screened novel peptide ligands for hydroxyapatite, a major inorganic component of teeth and bones, and identified a peptide enabling in vivo bone targeting and real-time fluorescence bone detection. To isolate peptides highly specific for hydroxyapatite, we used negative and positive selection from a randomized 8-mer peptide phage library and identified hydroxyapatite-specific peptides (HA-pep2, HA-pep3, and HA-pep7). Among these three peptides, HA-pep3 showed the highest binding capacity and superior dissociation constant towards hydroxyapatite surfaces over time (~ 88.3% retained on hydroxyapatite after two weeks). Furthermore, HA-pep3 was highly specific for hydroxyapatite compared to other calcium salt-based materials. Using this superior specificity, HA-pep3 showed higher accumulation in skull, spine, and joints in comparison with scrambled control peptide during real-time whole-body imaging. Ex vivo analysis of the major organs and bone from mice demonstrated that the fluorescence intensity in bone was about 3.32 folds higher in the case of HA-pep3 than the one exhibited by the scrambled control peptide. Our study identified a novel approach for targeting ligands for bone specific imaging and can be useful for drug delivery applications.

X-ray based radiography, the main modality for diagnostic imaging of bone structures and fractures, provides sensitive images, but it inherently involves potentially harmful X-ray exposure. As non-ionizing alternatives, various optical imaging methods have been explored. Here, we demonstrate non-ionizing, label-free, multispectral photoacoustic (PA) imaging of bones in small animals in vivo. in situ. and ex vivo. Using near-infrared light excitation and acoustic detection, the spine and ribs were successfully visualized in high-resolution PA images. PA 3D volume images of the spine and ribs were clearly visualized together with blood vessels and several organs including the spleen, liver, and cecum, without using any exogenous contrast agent nor ionizing radiation. Quantification results of multispectral PA signals from blood vessels and bones were in good agreement with their absorption coefficients. Further, a rib fracture was photoacoustically imaged. Our results demonstrate PA imaging's potential as a non-ionizing and label-free technique for imaging bone tissues.

Few studies have focused on the projected future changes in wave climate in the Chinese marginal seas. For the first time, we investigate the projected changes of the mean and extreme wave climate over the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea (BYE) during two future periods (2021–2050 and 2071–2100) under the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios from the WAM wave model simulations with a resolution of 0.1°. This is currently the highest-resolution wave projection dataset available for the study domain. The wind forcings for WAM are from high-resolution (0.22°) regional climate model (RCM) CCLM-MPIESM simulations. The multivariate bias-adjustment method based on the N-dimensional probability density function transform is used to correct the raw simulated significant wave height (SWH), mean wave period (MWP), and mean wave direction (MWD). The annual and seasonal mean SWH are generally projected to decrease (-0.15 to -0.01 m) for 2021–2050 and 2071–2100 under the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios, with statistical significance at a 0.1 level for most BYE in spring and for most of the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea in annual and winter/autumn mean. There is a significant decrease in the spring MWP for two future periods under both the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios. In contrast, the annual and summer/winter 99th percentile SWH are generally projected to increase for large parts of the study domain. Results imply that the projected changes in the mean and 99th percentile extreme waves are very likely related to projected changes in local mean and extreme surface wind speeds, respectively.

Introduction Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is typically compared with influenza to contextualize its health risks. SARS-CoV-2 has been linked with coagulation disturbances including arterial thrombosis, leading to considerable interest in antithrombotic therapy for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the independent thromboembolic risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with influenza remains incompletely understood. We evaluated the adjusted risks of thromboembolic events after a diagnosis of COVID-19 compared with influenza in a large retrospective cohort. Methods We used a US-based electronic health record (EHR) dataset linked with insurance claims to identify adults diagnosed with COVID-19 between April 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020. We identified influenza patients diagnosed between October 1, 2018 and April 31, 2019. Primary outcomes [venous composite of pulmonary embolism (PE) and acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT); arterial composite of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI)] and secondary outcomes were assessed 90 days post-diagnosis. Propensity scores (PS) were calculated using demographic, clinical, and medication variables. PS-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results There were 417,975 COVID-19 patients (median age 57y, 61% women), and 345,934 influenza patients (median age 47y, 66% women). Compared with influenza, patients with COVID-19 had higher venous thromboembolic risk (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.38–1.70), but not arterial thromboembolic risk (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95–1.10). Secondary analyses demonstrated similar risk for ischemic stroke (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.98–1.25) and MI (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.85–1.03) and higher risk for DVT (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.19–1.56) and PE (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.57–2.10) in patients with COVID-19. Conclusion In a large retrospective US cohort, COVID-19 was independently associated with higher 90-day risk for venous thrombosis, but not arterial thrombosis, as compared with influenza. These findings may inform crucial knowledge gaps regarding the specific thromboembolic risks of COVID-19.

This study aims to improve our understanding of the response of precipitation to forcings by proposing a physically-based equation that resolves simulated precipitation based on the atmospheric energy budget. The equation considers the balance between latent heat release by precipitation and the sum of the slow response by tropospheric temperature changes and the fast response by abrupt radiative forcing (RF) changes. The equation is tuned with three parameters for each climate model and then adequately reproduces time-varying precipitation. By decomposing the equation, we highlight the slow response as the largest contributor to forcing-driven responses and uncertainty sizes in simulations. The second largest one to uncertainty is the fast-RF response from aerosols or greenhouse gases (GHG), depending on the low or highest Coupled Model Intercomparison Projection 6 future scenarios. The likely range of precipitation change at specific warming levels under GHG removal (GGR) and solar radiation management (SRM) mitigation plans is evaluated by a simple model optimizing the relationship between temperature and decomposed contributions from multi-simulations under three scenarios. The results indicate that GGR has more severe effects from aerosols than GHG for a 1.5 K warming, resulting in 0.91%–1.62% increases in precipitation. In contrast, SRM pathways project much drier conditions than GGR results due to the tropospheric cooling and remaining anthropogenic radiative heating. Overall, the proposed physically-based equation, the decomposition analysis, and our simple model provide valuable insights into the uncertainties under different forcings and mitigation pathways, highlighting the importance of slow and fast responses to human-induced forcings in shaping future precipitation changes.