Search

Objective This study aimed to explore the characteristics and factors related to changes in cognitive function in vulnerable individuals with cognitive impairment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods Among patients who visited a local university hospital with subjective cognitive complaints, those who had been tested for cognitive function at least once after the onset of COVID-19 and tested regularly at least three times within the last 5 years were included (1st, the initial screening; 2nd, the test immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic; 3rd, the most recent test after the pandemic). Finally, 108 patients were included in this study. They were divided into groups according to whether the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) was maintained/improved and deteriorated. We investigated the characteristics of the changes in cognitive function and related factors during COVID-19.Results When comparing CDR changes before and after COVID-19, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.317). Alternatively, the main effect of the time when the test was conducted was significant (p

Objective : The aim of this study was to verify the equivalence and effectiveness of the tablet-administered Korean Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (K-RBANS) for the prevention and early detection of dementia.Methods : Data from 88 psychiatry and neurology patient samples were examined to evaluate the equivalence between tablet and paper administrations of the K-RBANS using a non-randomly equivalent group design. We calculated the prediction scores of the tablet-administered K-RBANS based on demographics and covariate-test scores for focal tests using norm samples and tested format effects. In addition, we compared the receiver operating characteristic curves to confirm the effectiveness of the K-RBANS for preventing and detecting dementia.Results : In the analysis of raw scores, line orientation showed a significant difference (t=-2.94, p

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic findings of testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the case files of eight patients (14 to 24 years old; mean, 17 years) with mumps orchitis and testicular atrophy who were treated between January 2011 and September 2017. On gray-scale and color Doppler, the ultrasonographic features of volume, shape, echogenicity, and degree of blood flow in the testes were analyzed as part of both initial and follow-up ultrasonography. The duration between the initial diagnosis of mumps orchitis and the ultrasonographic diagnosis of testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis ranged from 25 to 230 days (mean, 95.9 days). Results Of the eight patients with testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis, the testes were affected unilaterally in seven patients (6 right-sided and 1 left-sided) and bilaterally in one patient. The affected testes (n=9) were 23%-55% (mean, 44.7%) smaller in volume (mean, 6.3±2.0 mL) than the contralateral normal testes (n=7) (mean, 10.8±2.3 mL) on follow-up ultrasonography (P=0.001). The shape of the atrophic testes was oblong in seven cases and elliptical in two cases. The atrophic testes were either heterogeneously hypoechoic with multiple hyperechoic islands (n=7) or heterogeneously hyperechoic (n=2). On follow-up color Doppler ultrasonography, the degree of vascularity of the atrophic testis was either similar to (n=3) or lower than (n=6) that of the contralateral testis. Conclusion On ultrasonography, atrophic testes after mumps orchitis tended to exhibit an oblong shape, heterogeneous low echogenicity with multiple hyperechoic islands, and decreased vascularity.

Propionic acid (PA) is commonly present in Emmental cheese (EM) with relatively high concentration. Even though PA is allowed as GRAS in the USA, it may cause neurological disorders if it is consumed excessively. The maximum level of the preservative PA in cheese is set at 3.0 g/kg by the Korean Food Code. Also, the minimum level of PA in EM (150 mg / 100 g) was set by Codex in 1967. Therefore, PA monitoring in EM, with relatively high level of intrinsic PA, is necessary to recommend the sound use of the PA in the EM ripened. The current official PA analysis method consisting of steam distillation and solvent extraction / evaporation, is too cumbersome to be handled in sample preparation process. In this study, acidic acetone-based direct extraction method was successfully applied to 12 EM samples for the determination of PA level.

Surface characterization is important and has many applications in the paper industry. It includes both surface roughness and surface friction. In determining the surface roughness of paper and paperboard, non-contact methods such as air-leak methods In characterizing the surface roughness of paper and paperboard, it has been a common practice that the average roughness with the coefficient of variation (COV) has been conventionally determined. This practice, however, this runs the risk of drawing wrong conclusions since two different surfaces having the same average roughness and COV can exhibit totally different properties. To avoid such mistake, a stylus-type contact method has been developed to determine surface roughness of paper and paperboard such as printing & writing (P&W), kraft and liners. In this method, surface roughness profile has been generated to determine its variability which has been defined as the mean deviation from the roughness average, referred to as MDRA. In determining the MDRA, it is noted that thickness measurement is not required. In this method, stylus shape and size, contact force of the stylus to the surface, scan speed and resolution have been identified as the key parameters of generating stable surface roughness profiles. It has been further identified that the optimal conditions on these parameters should depend on paper grade. It is suggested that a stylus-type contact method should be used to determine surface roughness of paper and paperboard to help determine their practical applications such as printing, coating and embossing.

We explore the effect of high-speed blade coating on electrical characteristics of conjugated polymer-based thin-film transistors (TFTs). As the blade-coating speed increased, the thickness of the polymer thin-film was naturally increased while the surface roughness was found to be unchanged. Polymer TFTs show two remarkable tendencies on the magnitude of field-effect mobility with increasing blade-coating speed. As the blade-coating speed increased up to 2 mm/s, the fieldeffect mobility increased to 4.72 cm2V−1s−1. However, when the coating speed reached 6 mm/s beyond 2 mm/s, the field-effect mobility rather decreased to 3.18 cm2V−1s−1. The threshold voltage was positively shifted from 2.09 to 8.29 V with respect to increase in blade-coating speed.

Computer-based neuropsychological assessments have many advantages over traditional neuropsychological assessments. However, limited data are available on the validity and reliability of computer-based assessments. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of computer-based dementia assessment contents (Co-Wis). This study recruited 113 participants from Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu from June 2019 to December 2019 and received ethical approval. Participants were evaluated using standard and objective dementia cognitive test tools such as the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), and the Standardized Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-II (SNSB-II). To verify the effectiveness of Co-Wis, the concurrent validity, test−retest reliability (Pearson’s correlation coefficients), construct validity (Factor analysis), and signal detection analysis (ROC curve) were used. In most of the Co-Wis subtests, the concurrent validity and test−retest reliability showed statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The factor analysis showed that Co-Wis assessed the most major cognitive areas (Tucker−Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.876, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.897, RMSEA = 0.88). Thus, Co-Wis appears clinically applicable and with high reliability and validity. In the future, we should develop tests to evaluate both standard data and big data-based machine learning.

Paper records were generally degraded by some factors from atmospheric environments, like temperature, relative humidity or air pollutants. In this study, the degradation behavior of paper records by single or mixed gases of , , HCHO and TVOC was evaluated. The mechanical, optical and chemical properties of 4 kinds of paper (acid and neutral-based printing paper, traditional Hanji, and filter paper) were directly and indirectly affected by gaseous harmful materials. The brightness and value in all papers were slightly increased by accelerated aging under gaseous HCHO and TVOCs, but highly decreased by conditions under gases and . The optical properties of paper records were most vulnerable in acid-based paper and high stable in filter paper and traditional Hanji by air pollutant degradation. The aging treatments under mixed gas pollutants including resulted in decrease of physical, mechanical and optical properties of paper, so it was supposed that the concentration of gas would be strictly controlled for optimum indoor air quality management in domestic storage centers for paper records.

The role of Fat Mass and Obesity-associated protein (FTO) and its substrate N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in mRNA processing and adipogenesis remains largely unknown. We show that FTO expression and m6A levels are inversely correlated during adipogenesis. FTO depletion blocks differentiation and only catalytically active FTO restores adipogenesis. Transcriptome analyses in combination with m6A-seq revealed that gene expression and mRNA splicing of grouped genes are regulated by FTO. M6A is enriched in exonic regions flanking 5′- and 3′-splice sites, spatially overlapping with mRNA splicing regulatory serine/arginine-rich (SR) protein exonic splicing enhancer binding regions. Enhanced levels of m6A in response to FTO depletion promotes the RNA binding ability of SRSF2 protein, leading to increased inclusion of target exons. FTO controls exonic splicing of adipogenic regulatory factor RUNX1T1 by regulating m6A levels around splice sites and thereby modulates differentiation. These findings provide compelling evidence that FTO-dependent m6A demethylation functions as a novel regulatory mechanism of RNA processing and plays a critical role in the regulation of adipogenesis.

This paper describes a sensitive, non-destructive displacement assay, using a fluorescent peptide indicator, for real-time monitoring of the interactions between RNA and RNA binding proteins (RBPs). The developed fluorescent peptide indicators, each containing a mid-sequence fluorophore unit, allowed sensing of target RNA and RNA-RBP interactions through changes in fluorescence intensity. We anticipate that this assay will open up new possibilities for meaningful studies of RNA-RBP interactions.

We demonstrate a facile approach for the fabrication of new silica (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles/polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP)-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven composite separators for use in lithium-ion batteries. By varying the SiO 2 /PVdF-HFP composition ratio, we can fine-tune the porous structure of the composite separators. At a low SiO 2 /PVdF-HFP ratio, a nonporous structure featuring the PVdF-HFP matrix and SiO 2 domains is obtained. By contrast, an unusual porous structure (i.e., highly-percolated interstitial voids formed between close-packed SiO 2 nanoparticles) is developed at a high SiO 2 /PVdF-HFP ratio, where PVdF-HFP serves as a binder to interconnect SiO 2 powders. This drastic change in the morphology of the composite separators is further confirmed by observing their air permeability and ionic conductivity. Meanwhile, a PET nonwoven is employed as a mechanical substrate to suppress thermal shrinkage of the composite separators. On the basis of morphological characterization, the effects of the composition ratio-dependent structural evolution of the composite separators on the electrochemical performance of cells are investigated. Notably, the composite separator fabricated from a composition ratio of SiO 2 /PVdF-HFP = 90/10 (wt%/wt%) provides superior cell performance owing to a well-tailored microporous structure, as compared to a commercialized polyethylene (PE) separator.

Evaporation-induced, close-packed silica (SiO 2 ) nanoparticle-embedded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven composite separator membranes (hereinafter, referred to as “NW-separators”) are fabricated for application in high-voltage/high-rate lithium-ion batteries. The heat-resistant PET nonwoven is employed as a physical support to suppress thermal shrinkage of the NW-separator. A distinctive characteristic of the NW-separator is the well-connected interstitial voids formed between compactly packed SiO 2 nanoparticles adhered by polyvinylidene fluoride–hexafluoropropylene (PVdF–HFP) binders. This allows for the evolution of highly percolated, electrolyte-philic microporous architecture in the NW-separator. In comparison to a commercialized polyethylene (PE) separator, the NW-separator featuring the aforementioned structural uniqueness exhibits substantial improvements in porosity, air permeability, and electrolyte wettability, which contribute to the facile ionic transport and retarded growth of cell impedance during cycling. As a result, superior cell performance is obtained in the NW-separator. Notably, this advantageous effect of the NW-separator on cell performance becomes more pronounced at challenging charge/discharge conditions of high voltages (herein, 4.4 V) and high current densities.

We describe the case of a healthy young man with a femoral head fracture by low-energy trauma that occurred without evidence of hip dislocation. While plain radiographs showed no definite fracture or dislocation, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a femoral head fracture with a wedge-shaped cortical depression at the superomedial aspect of the femoral head. Our patient reported feeling that the right hip had been displaced from its joint for a moment. This probably represented subluxation with spontaneous relocation. The characteristic findings and possible mechanisms of this fracture were postulated on the basis of the sequential 3 dimensional-CT and MRI. The clinical results of conservative treatment were better than those of previously reported indentation fractures.

In an effort to improve thermal shrinkage and electrochemical performance of a separator for a lithium-ion battery, we develop a new composite separator by introducing ceramic coating layers onto both sides of a polyethylene (PE) separator. The ceramic coating layers are comprised of SiO 2 nanoparticles and polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) binders. In comparison to the dense structure of conventional nanocomposite coating layers, the ceramic coating layers are featured with close-packed SiO 2 nanoparticles, which affords a well-developed porous structure, i.e. highly connected interstitial voids formed between the nanoparticles. On the basis of this structural understanding of the composite separators, the effects of ceramic coating layers on the separator properties are investigated as a function of SiO 2 powder size. Owing to the existence of the heat-resistant SiO 2 coating layers, the composite separators show significant reduction in thermal shrinkage than the pristine PE separator. More intriguingly, in comparison to the large-sized (=530 nm) SiO 2 , the small-sized (=40 nm) SiO 2 offers a large number of SiO 2 nanoparticles in the ceramic coating layers, high porosity contributing to facile ion transport, and small increase in the cell impedance, which consequently allows substantial improvements in cell performances as well as thermal shrinkage of the separator.

We demonstrate potential application of a new composite non-woven separator, which is comprised of a phase inversion-controlled, microporous polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) gel polymer electrolyte and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) non-woven support, to high-voltage and high-power lithium-ion batteries. In comparison to a commercialized polyethylene (PE) separator, the composite non-woven separator exhibits distinct improvements in microporous structure and liquid electrolyte wettability. Based on the understanding of the composite non-woven separator, cell performances of the separator at challenging charge/discharge conditions are investigated and discussed in terms of ion transport of the separator and AC impedance of the cell. The aforementioned advantageous features of the composite non-woven separator play a key role in providing facile ion transport and suppressing growth of cell impedance during cycling, which in turn contribute to superior cell performances at harsh charge/discharge conditions such as high voltages and high current densities.

As drug candidates, one promising way to improve the cellular delivery efficacy of oligonucleotides is to introduce a cationic group. By introducing a cationic moiety into the oligonucleotide structure, they become capable of approaching the cell surface and also of crossing the cellular membrane. In an effort to develop cell-permeable oligonucleotides, we examined the piperazinephenyl-bearing 2'-deoxyuridine ((PP)U), which can be not only cationic but also fluorescent as a cationic monomer for cationic oligonucleotides. Several modified DNA oligonucleotides with different numbers of (PP)U building blocks were synthesized and evaluated for the effect on thermal stability and conformation by the introduction of (PP)U. The cellular delivery of modified oligonucleotides was different depending on the number of (PP)U building blocks. Furthermore, these (PP)U-modified oligonucleotides had sufficient fluorescence that we were able to identify the delivery results without the use of conventional fluorescent tags. They were predominantly localized in the cell cytoplasm. In addition, they were stable enough after 3 hours in the presence of nuclease. These results showed that a piperazinephenyl moiety that is conjugated with nucleobase is able to deliver and detect the oligonucleotides, which suggests that this concept of 'dual-function oligonucleotides' might be utilized in diagnostics, therapeutics, and as a convenient biological tool for probing the activity of oligonucleotides inside cells.

In a bid to develop a separator with improved thermal shrinkage that critically affects internal short-circuit failures of lithium-ion batteries, we demonstrate a new approach, which is based on introducing microporous composite coating layers onto both sides of a polyethylene (PE) separator. The composite coating layers consist of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles and polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) gel polymer electrolytes. The microporous structure of the composite coating layers is considered a crucial factor governing the thermal shrinkage and electrochemical performance of the separators. The microporous structure is determined by controlling the phase inversion, specifically the solvent–nonsolvent miscibility, in the coating solutions. To quantitatively identify the effect of the solvent–nonsolvent miscibility, three different nonsolvents are chosen in the decreasing order of solubility parameter ( δ ) difference against the solvent (acetone, δ = 20 MPa 1/2 ), which are respectively water ( δ = 48 MPa 1/2 ), butyl alcohol ( δ = 29 MPa 1/2 ), and isopropyl alcohol ( δ = 24 MPa 1/2 ). The microporous structure of the composite coating layers becomes more developed with the increase of not only the nonsolvent content but also the solubility parameter difference between acetone and nonsolvent. Based on this observation, we investigate the influence of the morphological variations on the thermal shrinkage and electrochemical performance of the composite separators.

To improve the thermal shrinkage of the separators that are essential to securing the electrical isolation between electrodes in lithium-ion batteries, we develop a new separator based on a ceramic composite membrane. Introduction of microporous, ceramic coating layers onto both sides of a polyethylene (PE) separator allows such a progress. The ceramic coating layers consist of nano-sized alumina (Al2O3) powders and polymeric binders (PVdF-HFP). The microporous structure of the ceramic coating layers is observed to be crucial to governing the thermal shrinkage as well as the ionic transport of the ceramic composite separators. This microporous structure is determined by controlling the phase inversion, more specifically, nonsolvent (water) contents in the coating solutions. To provide a theoretical basis for this approach, a pre-investigation on the phase diagram for a ternary mixture comprising PVdF-HFP, acetone, and water is conducted. On the basis of this observation, the effect of phase inversion on the morphology and air permeability (i.e. Gurley value) of ceramic coating layers is systematically discussed. In addition, to explore the application of ceramic composite separators to lithium-ion batteries, the influence of the structural change in the coating layers on the thermal shrinkage and electrochemical performance of the separators is quantitatively identified.

As a new approach to improve the thermal stability of separator membranes crucially affecting the internal short-circuit failures of lithium-ion batteries, we develop a new composite separator membrane. The composite separator membrane is prepared by introducing microporous composite coating layers onto both sides of a polyethylene (PE) separator membrane. The composite coating layers consist of silica (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles and gel-type polymer electrolytes (PVdF-HFP, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene). The microporous morphology of composite coating layers is determined by controlling the phase inversion, more specifically the solvent-nonsolvent miscibility in the coating solutions. To induce the phase inversion, three different nonsolvents are chosen in the decreasing order of solubility parameter (δ) difference against the solvent (acetone, δ = 20 MPa 1/2 ); the nonsolvents are water (δ = 48 MPa 1/2 ), ethanol (δ = 26 MPa 1/2 ), and isopropyl alcohol (δ = 24 MPa 1/2 ). The microporous structure of composite coating layers becomes more developed with the increase of not only the nonsolvent content, but also the solubility parameter difference between acetone and the nonsolvent. Based on this understanding of the phase inversion, the influence of the morphological variation on the thermal shrinkage and electrochemical performance of the composite separator membranes is quantitatively identified.

N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is a prevalent modification of RNAs. m(6)A exists in mRNA and plays an important role in RNA biological pathways and in RNA epigenetic regulation. We applied diazirine photocrosslinking to the event of m(6)A recognition mediated by the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) demethylase. A highly photoreactive diazirine adjacent to m(6)A on the RNA successfully recruited activated FTO complexes with an m(6)A preference. The process of recognition of m(6)A via FTO using diazirine photocrosslinking was controlled by the α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) cosubstrate and the Fe(II) cofactor, which are involved in m(6)A oxidative demethylation. In addition, FTO bound to ssRNAs prior to the m(6)A recognition process. Diazirine photocrosslinking contributes to increasing the chances of capturing activated FTO complexes with specific m(6)A recognition and provides new insights into the dynamic FTO oxidative demethylation process.

Recently various quality assurance activities have been applied in software industry for the purpose of software qualify improvement, and the ultimate target of those activities are focused on removing defects from its developed applications. We declared "ZERO DEFECT 21" movement on March 1999 whose purpose is to deliver defect-free applications to the customer. In this paper we would like to introduce the followings Approaching Methods, Achievements of "ZERO DEFECT 21". After accomplishing first you of "ZERO DEFECT 21" movement which consist of Audits and Software inspections, we could get the following improvement . due to conducting the "Audits," we could prevent 22 cases of customer claims, enhance 11.7% of design quality and improve 23.3% of deliverable reusability : also, due to conducting the "Periodic Sampling inspection and Final inspection," we could enhance 123% of defect rate compared with early stage of development and 247% of defect rate compared with previous yew. Based on the survey results, we could conclude that "ZERO DEFECT 21 " movement provides confidence to project team members and reliability to our customers.ce to project team members and reliability to our customers.

A low-molecular-weight hydrogel derived from riboflavin (vitamin B(2)) that self-assembles to provide supramolecular nanofibers, biocompatible material, can be used to deliver VEGF-siRNA efficiently into human cells by the endocytosis pathway, where the siRNA is functionalized.

Homogeneous oligodeoxyguanylates incorporating small-molecule intercalator pyrene moieties in a 1,5 relationship form various structures of dimer, trimer, tetramer and internal hairpin form that are yellowish in color because of the intermolecular interactions between the pyrene units.

We appended pyrene units covalently onto adenosine (forming A(P) units) and then incorporated them into oligonucleotides such that they were positioned in complementary locations in opposite strands in the middle positions of hairpin stems. System 1 (A(P)A(P)) behaves as an effective molecular beacon (MB) that changes color from green to blue upon duplex formation. In addition, we attached a cholesterol unit to a free terminus of one of these hairpins; this approach enhanced the cellular delivery of the modified MB relative to those encountered when using conventional transfection methods. These structurally simple cholesterol-based MB systems, which can be synthesized very efficiently, have good potential for opening up new and exciting opportunities in the field of in vivo biosensors.

Covelently labeled pyrene excimer molecular beacon (MB) with cholesterol moiety has been developed for enhanced the cellular delivery of MB.(1) Pyrene units were covalently attached into adenosine and incorporated to oligonucleotides at the complementary locations in opposite strands in the middle positions of hairpin stems. The system behaves as an effective MB that changes color from green to blue upon duplex formation. A cholesterol unit was also attached into a free terminus of one of these hairpins. The cholesterol-linked MBs enhanced the cellular delivery of the MBs and showed similar cell permeability to conventional transfection methods. These structurally simple cholesterol-based MB systems, which can be synthesized very efficiently, have good potential for opening up new and exciting opportunities in the field of in vivo biosensors.

not Available.

not Available.

not Available.

We demonstrate a novel and facile approach to fabrication of a new composite nonwoven separator for a lithium-ion battery, which comprises a phase inversion-controlled, microporous polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) gel polymer electrolyte and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven support. The thermally stable PET nonwoven is chosen as a mechanical support and contributes to improving the thermal shrinkage of the composite nonwoven separator. The microporous PVdF-HFP gel polymer electrolyte serves as a pore size controller for the composite nonwoven separator. In order to provide a theoretical basis for this approach, an investigation of the phase diagram for coating solutions consisting of PVdF-HFP, solvent (acetone), and nonsolvent (water) is preceded. Based on this understanding of the phase behavior, the effects of phase inversion, more specifically, the water content in the coating solutions, on the morphology evolution of the composite nonwoven separators are identified. The phase inversion-governed microporous structures of the composite nonwoven separators play a crucial role in determining electrochemical performances of cells. The composite nonwoven separator is expected to be a promising alternative to a commercialized polyethylene (PE) separator, particularly in next-generation lithium-ion batteries necessitating superior battery safety and performance.

Recently, RNA bulges, three-dimensional structural motifs that function as molecular handles in RNA, were identified in various sequences and have been proposed as the interaction site for RNA-binding drugs. However direct and sensitive monitoring methods specific to RNA bulges have not been well developed. We describe here pyrene-labeled uridine derivatives which were incorporated into HIV TAR RNA bulge sites resulting in greatly enhanced fluorescence, allowing the effective monitoring of base conformations in HIV TAR RNA. To clarify this fluorescence enhancement, Hartree-Fock calculations were performed for natural and pyrene-labeled HIV TAR RNA. The calculated results showed a considerable rotation of the pyrene moiety at U25 due to argininamide-induced conformational changes in the RNA bulge. This simple and efficient method can be used to elucidate conformational changes in specific bulge regions.