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Abstract The only characteristic of alpha-synuclein (AS) accumulation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of Parkinson’s disease (PD) found in pathological studies is the “rostrocaudal gradient,” which describes the more frequent presence of AS accumulation in the upper GI tract than in the lower GI tract. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and identify predictors of AS accumulation in the GI tract of PD patients. The frequency of AS accumulation in the GI tract was compared between PD patients (N = 97) who underwent radical GI surgery for cancer and individually matched controls (N = 94). We evaluated AS accumulation in the neural structures using phosphorylated AS immunohistochemistry. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of AS accumulation in the GI tract of PD patients. The frequency of AS accumulation was significantly higher in PD patients (75.3%) than in controls (8.5%, p-value

Abstract Our objective was to develop and evaluate the clinical feasibility of deep-learning-based synthetic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DL-SynCCT) in patients designated for nonenhanced CT (NECT). We proposed a weakly supervised learning with the utilization of virtual non-contrast CT (VNC) for the development of DL-SynCCT. Training and internal validations were performed with 2202 pairs of retrospectively collected contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) images with the corresponding VNC images acquired from dual-energy CT. Clinical validation was performed using an external validation set including 398 patients designated for true nonenhanced CT (NECT), from multiple vendors at three institutes. Detection of lesions was performed by three radiologists with only NECT in the first session and an additionally provided DL-SynCCT in the second session. The mean peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index map (SSIM) of the DL-SynCCT compared to CECT were 43.25 ± 0.41 and 0.92 ± 0.01, respectively. With DL-SynCCT, the pooled sensitivity for lesion detection (72.0% to 76.4%, P

As a result of globalization and other factors, periodic shocks to economic activity have become more frequent in recent years. How these periods of economic uncertainty affect different business sectors and industries has become an important emerging area of research activity. Sensory experiences are increasingly recognized as an important aspect of the customer experience. Likewise, online reviews and the usefulness rating given by review consumers are important factors in the consumers’ purchasing decision-making process. How these factors are affected by periods of crisis is an underexplored area of research that this study addresses through the exploration and comparison of the perceived helpfulness of sensory experience online reviews, specifically in the hotel industry, before and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary data were harvested from the Booking.com website before and during the pandemic; 143,739 online reviews were analyzed using a keyword search based on six dimensions of hotel services to identify those reviews with sensory experience content. The analysis applied Herzberg’s two-factor theory, where each service attribute was examined as both positive (satisfier) and negative (dissatisfier). Empirical analytical methods were applied to produce compelling findings. The findings indicate that the reviews of multisensory experiences affect the perceived value of a post both negatively and positively, respectively, and that the pandemic did not affect the relationship between reviews and the perceived helpfulness of the reviews. This study has both theoretical and practical implications for researchers and practitioners by applying and building on Herzberg’s two-factor theory of online reviews in the hospitality sector during a period of crisis, as well as addressing a gap in the existing literature on how the pandemic affected the relationships between the online reviews of sensory experiences and their perceived usefulness. Practitioners may find the results useful in how they allocate their resources and focus during such periods to optimize their competitiveness.

Abstract Aims/Introduction To investigate the long‐term efficacy of various encapsulated xenogeneic islet transplantation, and to explore the impact of different donor porcine genetic traits on islet transplantation outcomes. Materials and Methods Donor porcine islets were obtained from wild‐type, α1,3‐galactosyltransferase knockout (GTKO) and GTKO with overexpression of membrane cofactor protein genotype. Naked, alginate, alginate‐chitosan (AC), alginate‐perfluorodecalin (A‐PFD) and AC‐perfluorodecalin (AC‐PFD) encapsulated porcine islets were transplanted into diabetic mice. Results In vitro assessments showed no differences in the viability and function of islets across encapsulation types and donor porcine islet genotypes. Xenogeneic encapsulated islet transplantation with AC‐PFD capsules showed the most favorable long‐term outcomes, maintaining normal blood glucose levels for 180 days. A‐PFD capsules showed comparable results to AC‐PFD capsules, followed by AC capsules and alginate capsules. Conversely, blood glucose levels in naked islet transplantation increased to >300 mg/dL within a week after transplantation. Naked islet transplantation outcomes showed no improvement based on donor islet genotype. However, alginate or AC capsules showed delayed increases in blood glucose levels for GTKO and GTKO with overexpression of membrane cofactor protein porcine islets compared with wild‐type porcine islets. Conclusion The AC‐PFD capsule, designed to ameliorate both hypoxia and inflammation, showed the highest long‐term efficacy in xenogeneic islet transplantation. Genetic modifications of porcine islets with GTKO or GTKO with overexpression of membrane cofactor protein did not influence naked islet transplantation outcomes, but did delay graft failure when encapsulated.

Abstract Background and Objective This study aimed to assess and compare the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of a fixed-dose combination product (FDCP) comprising four different drugs (two antihypertensive drugs, amlodipine and losartan, and two lipid-lowering agents, ezetimibe and rosuvastatin) with their separate tablets. Methods A total of 60 participants were enrolled in this open-label, randomized, single-dose crossover study. Each participant received a single dose of FDCP and individual tablets during each period, with a 14-day washout period between the periods. The pharmacokinetic parameters of amlodipine, losartan, EXP3174 (an active metabolite of losartan), rosuvastatin, free ezetimibe, and total ezetimibe were evaluated and compared. Results The pharmacokinetic profiles of amlodipine, losartan, rosuvastatin, and ezetimibe after administration of the individual products were similar to those of FDCP. The geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals for maximum concentration (C max) and area under the curve (AUC) of FDCP to individual tablets were within 0.8–1.25 for all six analytes. No clinically relevant changes were observed in the vital signs or physical, biochemical, hematological, electrocardiographic, or urinalysis findings during the study, and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion This study demonstrated that a newly developed FDCP containing amlodipine, losartan, ezetimibe, and rosuvastatin exhibited pharmacokinetic equivalence with the individual products and met the regulatory criteria. Both formulations were well tolerated. Clinical Trial Registration This trial (NCT04322266) was retrospectively registered on 9 September 2019.

Abstract This work introduces a silent speech interface (SSI), proposing a few-layer graphene (FLG) strain sensing mechanism based on thorough cracks and AI-based self-adaptation capabilities that overcome the limitations of state-of-the-art technologies by simultaneously achieving high accuracy, high computational efficiency, and fast decoding speed while maintaining excellent user comfort. We demonstrate its application in a biocompatible textile-integrated ultrasensitive strain sensor embedded into a smart choker, which conforms to the user’s throat. Thanks to the structure of ordered through cracks in the graphene-coated textile, the proposed strain gauge achieves a gauge factor of 317 with

Abstract A novel 3D nnU-Net-based of algorithm was developed for fully-automated multi-organ segmentation in abdominal CT, applicable to both non-contrast and post-contrast images. The algorithm was trained using dual-energy CT (DECT)-obtained portal venous phase (PVP) and spatiotemporally-matched virtual non-contrast images, and tested using a single-energy (SE) CT dataset comprising PVP and true non-contrast (TNC) images. The algorithm showed robust accuracy in segmenting the liver, spleen, right kidney (RK), and left kidney (LK), with mean dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) exceeding 0.94 for each organ, regardless of contrast enhancement. However, pancreas segmentation demonstrated slightly lower performance with mean DSCs of around 0.8. In organ volume estimation, the algorithm demonstrated excellent agreement with ground-truth measurements for the liver, spleen, RK, and LK (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] > 0.95); while the pancreas showed good agreements (ICC = 0.792 in SE-PVP, 0.840 in TNC). Accurate volume estimation within a 10% deviation from ground-truth was achieved in over 90% of cases involving the liver, spleen, RK, and LK. These findings indicate the efficacy of our 3D nnU-Net-based algorithm, developed using DECT images, which provides precise segmentation of the liver, spleen, and RK and LK in both non-contrast and post-contrast CT images, enabling reliable organ volumetry, albeit with relatively reduced performance for the pancreas.

Abstract Background Parameters obtained from two‐dimensional (2D) cross‐sectional images have been used to determine body composition. However, data from three‐dimensional (3D) volumetric body images reflect real body composition more accurately and may be better predictors of patient outcomes in cancer. This study aimed to assess the 3D parameters and determine the best predictive factors for patient prognosis. Methods Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) between 2010 and 2016 were included in this study. Preoperative computed tomography images were analysed using an automatic segmentation program. Body composition parameters for muscle, muscle adiposity, subcutaneous fat (SF) and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) were assessed using 2D images at the third lumbar (L3) level and 3D images of the abdominal waist (L1–L5). The cut‐off points for each parameter were determined using X‐tile software. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the association between the parameters and the treatment outcomes, and the relative influence of each parameter was compared using a gradient boosting model. Results Overall, 499 patients were included in the study. At a median follow‐up of 59 months, higher 3D parameters of the abdominal muscles and SF from the abdominal waist were found to be associated with longer overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (all P

To simulate the verification process using materials from a decommissioned reactor, a mock-up of the bottom-mounted instrument nozzle in the Kori 1 reactor, where the nozzle was attached to a plate by J-groove dissimilar metal welding, was fabricated. The mock-up distortion was quantified by measuring the plate surface displacement after welding. The residual stresses formed on the support plate surface and the inner surface of the nozzle were then analyzed using the hole-drilling method, contour method, and neutron diffraction. Welding simulations were performed using a 3D finite element method to validate the measured results. The measured and computed stress distributions on the support plate exhibited reasonable agreement. Conversely, the stresses on the inside of the nozzle were found to have an indisputable difference in the contour method and neutron diffraction measurements, which demonstrated strong tensile and compressive hoop stresses, respectively. The possible origins of such differences were investigated and we have provided some suggestions for a precise evaluation in the simulation. This study is expected to be useful in future research on decommissioned reactors.

We show two experiment setups to verify the applicability of WDM (wavelength division multiplexing)-RoFSO (Radio-over-Free-Space Optics) system: (i) transmission of images files following the data format of IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network; (ii) robust performance analysis of bit error rate for on–off keying signal at a speed of 10 Gbps. Specifically, it is shown that, for 100 m indoor transmission, our testbed satisfies an error-free condition of BER ≤10−12, achieving a total data rate of 20 Gbps. In this paper, we contribute to the evaluation of the practical FSO measurement data by providing experimental measurements.

Purpose We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, recurrence, neurological outcomes, and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in children who visited 2 emergency departments (EDs) with febrile seizure (FS). Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 3,172 episodes, involving 2,510 children aged 6-60 months whose diagnoses were FSs at the EDs in 2 hospitals from 2013 through 2022. Through the review, we analyzed clinical characteristics and associated factors for the recurrence of FS. As a sub-analysis, the variables were compared between before (2017-2019) and during (2020-2022) the pandemic. Results A total of 3,172 FS-related visits to the EDs were found in 2,510 children. Of these, 890 children (35.5%) underwent recurrences of FS. The recurrence of FS was associated with boys (63.3% vs. 57.8%; P = 0.007), seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes (16.6% vs. 12.7%; P = 0.007), family history of FS (23.7% vs. 16.2%; P < 0.001), complex FS (13.3% vs. 8.0%; P < 0.001), and epilepsy diagnosed thereafter (9.1% vs. 3.0%; P < 0.001). During the pandemic, we noted a decrease in the number of FS-related visits to the EDs (from 1,274 to 383), an increase in the percentage of complex FS (9.3% vs. 13.8%; P = 0.012), and a decrease in the percentage of recurrent FS (49.4% vs. 33.4%; P < 0.001), compared to before the pandemic. Conclusion Our study identified factors associated with recurrence of FS, and confirmed the increase in complex FS with the decrease in the recurrence during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. These findings could be helpful when caring for children with FS in EDs.

A sophisticated Bayesian multilevel model for estimating group bias was developed to improve the utility of the ASTM E900-15 embrittlement trend curve (ETC) to assess the conditions of nuclear power plants (NPPs). For multilevel model development, the Baseline 22 surveillance dataset was basically classified into groups based on the NPP name, product form, and notch orientation. By including the notch direction in the grouping criteria, the developed model could account for TTS differences among NPP groups with different notch orientations, which have not been considered in previous ETCs. The parameters of the multilevel model and biases of the NPP groups were calculated using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. As the number of data points within a group increased, the group bias approached the mean residual, resulting in reduced credible intervals of the mean, and vice versa. Even when the number of surveillance test data points was less than three, the multilevel model could estimate appropriate biases without overfitting. The model also allowed for a quantitative estimate of the changes in the bias and prediction interval that occurred as a result of adding more surveillance test data. The biases estimated through the multilevel model significantly improved the performance of E900-15.

ZnO nanosheets with nanograin distributions, high mesoporosity, and ultrathin thickness have garnered considerable attention owing to their intriguing properties, such as high surface-to-volume ratio and chemical reactivity. Although various methods for fabricating two-dimensional structures have been reported, the surfactant-assisted method is advantageous as it produces nanosheet structures at the water–air interface without affecting the crystal structure of the material. This study developed an innovative surfactant-assisted synthesis method to fabricate flower-like Zinc Oxide (f-ZnO) nanostructures. The synthesis, performed at a mild temperature of 70 °C, yields f-ZnO with high surface area-to-volume ratios and porous morphology. The f-ZnO demonstrates photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance due to increased interfacial contact with electrolytes and the formation of a wurtzite ZnO crystal structure. Additionally, f-ZnO exhibits sensitivity and selectivity as a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas sensor. This facile synthesis method opens new avenues for developing functional oxide nanostructures for sensors, catalysts, and energy storage systems.

Abstract Prolyl‐tRNA synthetase 1 (PARS1) has attracted much interest in controlling pathologic accumulation of collagen containing high amounts of proline in fibrotic diseases. However, there are concerns about its catalytic inhibition for potential adverse effects on global protein synthesis. We developed a novel compound, DWN12088, whose safety was validated by clinical phase 1 studies, and therapeutic efficacy was shown in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis model. Structural and kinetic analyses revealed that DWN12088 binds to catalytic site of each protomer of PARS1 dimer in an asymmetric mode with different affinity, resulting in decreased responsiveness at higher doses, thereby expanding safety window. The mutations disrupting PARS1 homodimerization restored the sensitivity to DWN12088, validating negative communication between PARS1 promoters for the DWN12088 binding. Thus, this work suggests that DWN12088, an asymmetric catalytic inhibitor of PARS1 as a novel therapeutic agent against fibrosis with enhanced safety.

The reunion and restoration of large segmental bone defects pose significant clinical challenges. Conventional strategies primarily involve the combination of bone scaffolds with seeded cells and/or growth factors to regulate osteogenesis and angiogenesis. However, these therapies face inherent issues related to immunogenicity, tumorigenesis, bioactivity, and off-the-shelf transplantation. The biogenic micro-environment created by implanted bone grafts plays a crucial role in initiating the bone regeneration cascade. To address this, a highly porous bi-phasic ceramic synthetic bone graft, composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) and alumina (Al), was developed. This graft was employed to repair critical segmental defects, involving the creation of a 2 cm segmental defect in a canine tibia. The assessment of bone regeneration within the synthetic bone graft post-healing was conducted using scintigraphy, micro-CT, histology, and dynamic histomorphometry. The technique yielded pore sizes in the range of 230–430 μm as primary pores, 40–70 μm as secondary inner microchannels, and 200–400 nm as tertiary submicron surface holes. These three components are designed to mimic trabecular bone networks and to provide body fluid adsorption, diffusion, a nutritional supply, communication around the cells, and cell anchorage. The overall porosity was measured at 82.61 ± 1.28%. Both micro-CT imaging and histological analysis provided substantial evidence of robust bone formation and the successful reunion of the critical defect. Furthermore, an histology revealed the presence of vascularization within the newly formed bone area, clearly demonstrating trabecular and cortical bone formation at the 8-week mark post-implantation.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that is characterized by systemic immune system activation. This study was performed to assess the alleviative effect of administering an aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmoides leaves (AEEL) on cognitive dysfunction in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. The major bioactive compounds of AEEL were identified as a quinic acid derivative, caffeic acid-O-hexoside, and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid using UPLC Q-TOF/MSE. AEEL administration alleviated colitis symptoms, which are bodyweight change and colon shortening. Moreover, AEEL administration protected intestinal barrier integrity by increasing the tight junction protein expression levels in colon tissues. Likewise, AEEL improved behavioral dysfunction in the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. Additionally, AEEL improved short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the feces of DSS-induced mice. In addition, AEEL improved damaged cholinergic systems in brain tissue and damaged mitochondrial and antioxidant functions in colon and brain tissues caused by DSS. Also, AEEL protected against DSS-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation in colon and brain tissues by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that AEEL is a natural material that alleviates DSS-induced cognitive dysfunction with the modulation of gut–brain interaction.

This research paper presents the Buckley-James Q-learning (BJ-Q) algorithm, a cutting-edge method designed to optimize personalized treatment strategies, especially in the presence of right censoring. We critically assess the algorithm’s effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and its resilience across various scenarios. Central to our approach is the innovative use of the survival time to impute the reward in Q-learning, employing the Buckley-James method for enhanced accuracy and reliability. Our findings highlight the significant potential of personalized treatment regimens and introduce the BJ-Q learning algorithm as a viable and promising approach. This work marks a substantial advancement in our comprehension of treatment dynamics and offers valuable insights for augmenting patient care in the ever-evolving clinical landscape.

This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of Allium ochotense on fatty liver and hepatitis in chronic alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. The physiological compounds of a mixture of aqueous and 60% ethanol (2:8, w/w) extracts of A. ochotense (EA) were identified as kestose, raffinose, kaempferol and quercetin glucoside, and kaempferol di-glucoside by UPLC Q-TOF MSE. The EA regulated the levels of lipid metabolism-related biomarkers such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in serum. Also, EA ameliorated the levels of liver toxicity-related biomarkers such as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and total bilirubin in serum. EA improved the antioxidant system by reducing malondialdehyde contents and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and reduced glutathione content. EA improved the alcohol metabolizing enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Treatment with EA alleviated lipid accumulation-related protein expression by improving phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) expression levels. Especially, EA reduced inflammatory response by regulating the toll-like receptor–4/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (TLR-4/NF-κB) signaling pathway. EA showed an anti-apoptotic effect by regulating the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2), BCl-2-associated X protein (BAX), and caspase 3. Treatment with EA also ameliorated liver fibrosis via inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta 1/suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic (TGF-β1/Smad) pathway and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Therefore, these results suggest that EA might be a potential prophylactic agent for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

IntroductionSince the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), public safety measures, including social distancing and school closures, have been implemented, precipitating psychological difficulties and heightened online activities for adolescents. However, studies examining the impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health and their coping strategies in Asian countries are limited. Further, most studies have used survey measures to capture mental health challenges so far. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the psychological challenges South Korean adolescents experienced and their coping strategies during the pandemic using the Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Text mining (TM) technique on adolescents’ social media texts/posts.MethodsThe data were gathered from social media texts/posts such as online communities, Twitter, and personal blogs from January 1, 2019, to October 31, 2021. The 12,520,250 texts containing keywords related to adolescents’ common psychological difficulties reported during the pandemic, including self-harm, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), and insomnia, were analyzed by TM, NLP using information extraction, co-occurrence and sentiment analysis. The monthly frequency of the keywords and their associated words was also analyzed to understand the time trend.ResultsAdolescents used the word “self-harm” in their social media texts more frequently during the second wave of COVID-19 (August to September 2020). “Friends” was the most associated word with “self-harm.” While the frequency of texts with “Insomnia” stayed constant throughout the pandemic, the word “ADHD” was increasingly mentioned in social media. ADHD and insomnia were most frequently associated with ADHD medications and sleeping pills, respectively. Friends were generally associated with positive words, while parents were associated with negative words.ConclusionDuring COVID-19, Korean adolescents often expressed their psychological challenges on social media platforms. However, their coping strategies seemed less efficient to help with their difficulties, warranting strategies to support them in the prolonged pandemic era. For example, Korean adolescents shared psychological challenges such as self-harm with friends rather than their parents. They considered using medicine (e.g., sleeping pills and ADHD medication) as coping strategies for sleep and attention problems.

BackgroundElectroacupuncture has been used as a treatment; however, a visual bibliometric analysis has not yet been performed in this field. In this study, we aimed to suggest future research topics and directions related to the field by examining the last 20 years of research trends and hotspots of electroacupuncture in stroke.MethodsWe searched the Web of Science database on electroacupuncture as a treatment for stroke published from 2003 to 2022. We analyzed the papers by annual publication, research fields, nations, affiliations, authors, journals, and keywords. VOSviewer software was used to visualize the bibliometric analysis and results. A total of 440 papers were included in the analysis.ResultsThe number of publications has gradually increased every year, and neuroscience has become the most actively studied field. Neural Regeneration Research journal and China had the most publications. Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as an affiliated institute, published the most articles. Chen Lidian and Tao Jing presented the largest number of papers, making them the leading contributors in this field. Four clusters were created by analyzing keywords, such as “neuroprotection,” “clinical rehabilitation,” “neuroplasticity,” and “pretreatment-induced tolerance”.ConclusionThis study is the first to analyze the research trends in electroacupuncture as a treatment for stroke using the VOSviewer. It shows the current state of research in the field by visualizing research trends and hotspots. This will help offer reference data for future studies.

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide has been used in many industrial sectors including applications such as water purification, bleaching, oxidizing agents, and rocket fuels. As the conventional anthraquinone route of hydrogen peroxide production consumes significant energy and generates a substantial amount of chemical waste, an alternative method, the electrochemical production through the two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), has garnered attention on the basis of eco‐friendly in situ synthesis with low energy input. For practical viability, the use of non‐precious metal‐based catalysts is necessary, such as a transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni)‐heteroatom (N, B, O, P, S) moiety or mesoporous structures with efficient mass transfer of the reactants and products from metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). The ORR reaction pathway and the adsorption energy of the reaction intermediate of *OOH are affected by the combination of transition metals and heteroatoms. For the MOF, the interaction between metal and ligands, types of transition metals, and the synergistic effect between the two metal species of metal alloys can alter the ORR activity. This review discusses recently reported non‐precious metal catalysts for the two‐electron ORR focusing on modification of the atomic configuration for increasing the electrocatalytic activity towards the two‐electron ORR.

This study was investigated to examine the neuroprotective effect of fermented Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (FPB) in ethanol-induced-dementia mice. Consumption of FPB by mice resulted in improved memory dysfunction in the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. FPB significantly decreased oxidative stress by regulating levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in brain tissues. In addition, FPB restored cerebral mitochondrial dysfunction by modulating levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP. In addition, FPB enhanced the cholinergic system via the regulation of acetylcholine (ACh) content, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and expressions of AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in brain tissues. FPB ameliorated neuronal apoptosis through modulation of the protein kinase B (AKT)/B-cell lymphoma (BCL)-2 signaling pathway. Also, FPB improved inflammation response by down-regulating the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. Additionally, FPB ameliorated synaptic plasticity via the increase of the expressions of synaptophysin (SYP), postsynaptic density protein (PSD)-95, and growth-associated protein (GAP)-43. Treatment with FPB also reinforced the blood–brain barrier by increasing tight junctions including zonula occludens (ZO)-1, occludin, and claudin-1. In conclusion, these results show that FPB can improve cognitive impairment via AKT/NF-κB pathways in ethanol-induced-dementia mice.

Next generation smart lighting requires high colour rendering and wide colour controllability. Here, Jung et al. realise, via a systematic colour optimisation and a computational charge transport simulation, white quantum dot light-emitting diodes with high colour performance.

In this research, we investigate the relationship between a movie’s gross and its budget, year of release, season of release, genre, and rating. The movie data used in this research are severely skewed to the right, resulting in the problems of nonlinearity, non-normal distribution, and non-constant variance of the error terms. To overcome these difficulties, we employ a Gaussian copula marginal regression (GCMR) model after adjusting the gross and budget variables for inflation using a consumer price index. An analysis of the data found that year of release, budget, season of release, genre, and rating were all statistically significant predictors of movie gross. Specifically, one unit increases in budget and year were associated with an increase in movie gross. G movies were found to gross more than all other kinds of movies (PG, PG-13, R, and Other). Movies released in the fall were found to gross the least compared to the other three seasons. Finally, action movies were found to gross more than biography, comedy, crime, and other movie genres, but gross less than adventure, animation, drama, fantasy, horror, and mystery movies.

During a severe accident, steam generator (SG) tubes undergo rapid changes in the pressure and temperature. Therefore, an appropriate creep model to predict a short term creep damage is essential. In this paper, a novel creep model for Alloy 690 SG tube material was proposed. It is based on the theta (θ) projection method that can represent all three stages of the creep process. The original θ projection method poses a limitation owing to its inability to represent experimental creep curves for SG tube materials for a large strain rate in the tertiary creep region. Therefore, a new modified θ projection method is proposed; subsequently, a master curve for Alloy 690 SG material is also proposed to optimize the creep model parameters, θi (i = 1–5). To adapt the implicit creep scheme to the finite element code, a partial derivative of incremental creep with respect to the stress is necessary. Accordingly, creep model parameters with a strictly linear relationship with the stress and temperature were proposed. The effectiveness of the model was validated using a commercial finite element analysis software. The creep model can be applied to evaluate the creep rupture behavior of SG tubes in nuclear power plants.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a movement disorder that develops due to degenerative loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Recent advances in MRI techniques have demonstrated various imaging findings that can reflect the underlying pathophysiological processes occurring in Parkinson’s disease. Many imaging studies have shown that such findings can assist in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and its differentiation from atypical parkinsonism. In this review, we present MRI techniques that can be used in clinical assessment, such as nigrosome imaging and neuromelanin imaging, and we provide the detailed imaging features of Parkinson’s disease reflecting nigrostriatal degeneration.

Abstract This study was performed to evaluate the improvement effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from peanut (Arachis hypogaea) sprout (EFPS) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced cognitive deficits in C57BL/6 mice. Mice were randomly divided four groups (n = 13) as control (normal chow), HFD, EFPS 20 (20 mg/kg of body weight; intragastric administration) and EFPS 50 (50 mg/kg of body weight; intragastric administration) groups. HFD was provide for 15 weeks excepting control group. EFPS ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in Y-maze, passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. EFPS significantly improved glucose tolerance and serum lipid profile, and reduced body weight. EFPS ameliorated oxidative stress by regulating MDA levels and SOD activity in liver and brain tissues. In addition, EFPS restored brain mitochondrial dysfunction related to energy metabolism. Moreover, the bioactive compounds of EFPS were identified as di-caffeic acid, caffeic acid, dihydrokaempferol-hexoside, di-p-coumaroyl tartaric acid isomer and group B soyasaponins using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight (UPLC-Q-TOF) mass spectrometry. These results show that EFPS can improve cognitive functions in HFD-induced diabetic mice.

Steam generator (SG) tubes in a nuclear power plant can undergo rapid changes in pressure and temperature during an accident; thus, an accurate model to predict short-term creep damage is essential. The theta (θ) projection method has been widely used for modeling creep-strain behavior under constant stress. However, many creep test data are obtained under constant load, so creep rupture behavior under a constant load cannot be accurately simulated due to the different stress conditions. This paper proposes a novel methodology to obtain the creep curve under constant stress using a modified θ projection method that considers the increase in true stress during creep deformation in a constant-load creep test. The methodology is validated using finite element analysis, and the limitations of the methodology are also discussed. The paper also proposes a creep-strain model for alloy 690 as an SG material and a novel creep hardening rule we call the damage-fraction hardening rule. The creep hardening rule is applied to evaluate the creep rupture behavior of SG tubes. The results of this study show its great potential to evaluate the rupture behavior of an SG tube governed by creep deformation.

Abstract Northeast Asia has been suffering from dramatic increases of particulate matter (PM) since the late 1990s, and it still continues to undergo haze despite various abating regulations. In this study, we investigated aerosol-cloud-precipitation (ACP) interactions with the varied PM, and the impact of long-range transport (LRT) process on ACP in springtime was assessed in Northeast Asia. Our long-term (1995–2019) analysis of PM10 exhibited the correlation with decreases of both sunshine duration and drizzle occurrences that can be interpreted as direct and indirect aerosol effects, while cloud cover induced by the varied PM10 was found only in more than 90% cloud cover (9/10–10/10 category). The online WRF-Chem with wind-blown dust simulation indicated that cloud water was affected by secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) formation near the surface in upwind areas dominantly, whereas, along the LRT pathway, cloud water perturbation altitudes were increased quasi-linearly toward downward between 1 and 3 km. The gas-to-particle conversion ratios of sulfur ([SO4 2−]/[SO2 + SO4 2−]) and nitrogen ([NO3 −]/[NO2 + NO3 −]) both remain aloft long at the same vertical levels of most perturbed cloud altitude enough to be transported over long distance in springtime. Formations of sulfate and nitrate showed different ACP interaction timing; distinctive shifts in the ratios observed at the exit (Shanghai-Yellow Sea) by nitrate, and entrance areas (Seoul-Tokyo) by sulfate along the LRT pathway, respectively, with higher ratios of 0.8 or more in springtime. Our results indicate that ACP processes have been enhanced at a LRT-related altitude with different SIA production timings that can be considered in species-specific springtime PM abatements over Northeast Asia.

For rapid and reliable detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) from pig clinical samples, a multiplex, real-time, reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (mqRT-LAMP) was developed using two sets of primers and assimilating probes specific to the PEDV N gene and the Sus scrofa β-actin gene, which was used as an endogenous internal positive control (EIPC) to avoid false-negative results. The assay specifically amplified both target genes of PEDV and EIPC in a single reaction without any interference but did not amplify other porcine viral nucleic acids. The limit of detection was 10 copies/μL, 100-fold lower than that of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and equivalent to that of quantitative/real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). This assay has high repeatability and reproducibility with coefficients of variation < 4.0%. The positive signal of the mqRT-LAMP assay was generated within 25 min, demonstrating advantages in rapid detection of PEDV over RT-PCR or qRT-PCR assay, which require at least 2 h turnaround times. In clinical evaluation, the detection rate of PEDV by mqRT-LAMP assay (77.3%) was higher than that of RT-PCR assay (69.7%), and comparable to qRT-PCR (76.8%) with almost 100% concordance (kappa value 0.98). The developed mqRT-LAMP assay can serve as an advanced alternative method for PEDV diagnosis because it has high sensitivity and specificity, rapidity, and reliability even in resource-limited laboratories.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), a member of the species Protoparvovirus carnivoran1, is one of the most fatal pathogens of domestic and wild carnivores. The virus endemically infects domestic carnivores worldwide and its cross-species transmission threatens endangered wild carnivores, including Siberian tigers. In this study, a fatal FPV infection in endangered Siberian tigers was investigated to trace the origin of the virus and elucidate the reason behind FPV’s infection of the vaccinated tigers. Our genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus detected in the infected tigers, designated as the KTPV-2305 strain, was closely related to FPV strains circulating in Korean cats, suggesting that it might have been transmitted from stray cats wandering around the zoo. Compared with the prototype FPV reference strains, the KTPV-2305 strain carried three distinct amino acid (aa) mutations in the VP2 protein sequence (I101T, I232V, and L562V) in this study. These three mutations are commonly found in most global FPV strains, including Korean strains, indicating that these mutations are common evolutionary characteristics of currently circulating global FPVs. The reason why the vaccinated tigers were infected with FPV was most likely the insufficient protective immunity of the affected tigress or vaccine failure triggered by the interference of maternal-derived antibodies in the affected tiger cubs. These findings suggest that improved vaccination guidelines are urgently needed to save the lives of wild carnivores from this fatal virus.

This study investigated the ameliorating effect of the aqueous extract of Codium fragile on PM2.5-induced pulmonary dysfunction. The major compounds of Codium fragile were identified as palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleamide using GC/MS2 and hexadecanamide, oleamide, and 13-docosenamide using UPLC-Q-TOF/MSE. Codium fragile improved pulmonary antioxidant system deficit by regulating SOD activities and reducing GSH levels and MDA contents. It suppressed pulmonary mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating ROS contents and mitochondrial membrane potential levels. It regulated the inflammatory protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-JNK, p-NF-κB, iNOS, Caspase-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In addition, it improved the apoptotic protein expression of BCl-2, BAX, and Caspase-3 and attenuated the fibrous protein expression of TGF-β1, p-Smad-2, p-Smad-3, MMP-1, and MMP-2. In conclusion, this study suggests that Codium fragile might be a potential material for functional food or pharmaceuticals to improve lung damage by regulating oxidative stress inflammation, cytotoxicity, and fibrosis via the TLR/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-amnestic property of Korean red pine bark extract (KRPBE) on TMT-induced cognitive decline in ICR mice. As a result of looking at behavioral function, the consumption of KRPBE improved the spatial work ability, short-term learning, and memory ability by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. KRPBE suppressed antioxidant system damage by assessing the SOD activity, reduced GSH content, and MDA levels in brain tissue. In addition, it had a protective effect on cholinergic and synaptic systems by regulating ACh levels, AChE activity, and protein expression levels of ChAT, AChE, SYP, and PSD-95. Also, the KRPBE ameliorated TMT-induced mitochondrial damage by regulating the ROS content, MMP, and ATP levels. Treatment with KRPBE suppressed Aβ accumulation and phosphorylation of tau and reduced the expression level of BAX/BCl-2 ratio and caspase 3, improving oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Moreover, treatment with KRPBE improved cognitive dysfunction by regulating the neuro-inflammatory protein expression levels of p-JNK, p-Akt, p-IκB-α, COX-2, and IL-1β. Based on these results, the extract of Korean red pine bark, which is discarded as a byproduct of forestry, might be used as an eco-friendly material for functional foods or pharmaceuticals by having an anti-amnesia effect on cognitive impairment.

A large scale approach for multifunctional smart display systems in traditional textiles has yet to be demonstrated. Here, authors present a foldable, rollable 46-inch smart textile lighting/display system for smart homes and internet of things applications via the systematic design and integration of versatile fibre devices into textile form factors.

Abstract Background Pulmonary venous aneurysm (PVA) is a rare condition characterized by aneurysmal dilatation of the pulmonary vein in humans. The diagnosis is incidental usually as there are no clinical symptoms. This case report describes a histological diagnosis of PVA in a New Zealand White rabbit. Case presentation A 1.5-kg male New Zealand White rabbit was acclimatized in an animal room for 5 weeks until the experiment began. However, the rabbit was found dead, with signs of nasal hemorrhage. Necropsy revealed tracheal and pulmonary hemorrhage, and the epistaxis had a pulmonary origin. PCR and ELISA to detect antigens and antibodies pertaining to the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus showed negative results. Multiple ballooning lesions (50–200 μm size) in the pulmonary veins were observed on histological examination, and PVA was diagnosed. Death was attributed to a spontaneous rupture of the PVA and massive hemorrhage into the lung parenchyma that extended into the trachea and nasal passages. Conclusions To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first report of a PVA in a rabbit.

Abstract Background The common marmoset is widely used in current biomedical research for various research fields. We observed macrocytic anemia in a perinatal common marmoset with gradual weight loss and diarrhea. The objective of this case report is to describe the diagnosis and treatment of macrocytic anemia in a perinatal common marmoset. Case presentation A 7-year-old female common marmoset showed clinical signs of gradual weight loss and intermittent diarrhea beginning 3 months after giving birth. Macrocytic anemia was diagnosed due to a decreased red blood cell (RBC) count, low hemoglobin level, and increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Multivitamins containing cobalamin and folate were administered for 7 days, and the patient’s RBC count recovered to near the normal range with this treatment. Conclusions Macrocytic anemia can be diagnosed by evaluating the MCV on a complete blood count (CBC) and cobalamin or folate levels and be treated by supplementation with cobalamin and folate. Such supplements may be needed during pregnancy and lactation in female common marmosets and/or in animals with chronic diarrhea.

The bundle-series initiation is currently used as the method for simultaneously transmitting blast signals from a detonator to a large number of shock tubes for blasting using shock tubes and its initiation modes affect the ability and probability of signal transmission. A numerical study of the influence of initiation modes on the pressure impulse generated by detonators and transmitted to a large number of shock tubes has been undertaken with ANSYS AUTODYN code and validated through experimental results of signal transmission probability of shock tubes. Numerical simulations and experiments used lateral and frontal bundle-series initiation modes for a large number of shock tubes. For a bundle of many shock tubes, peak pressures of pressure impulses affected within all shock tubes beside the first layer around a detonator, and signal transmission probabilities were higher for frontal bundle-series initiation mode than for lateral bundle-series initiation mode. The magnitude of a numerically obtained pressure impulse to a bundle of shock tubes shows a good correlation with the experimentally obtained signal transmission probability of shock tubes. Finally, the results are employed in the application of a frontal bundle-series initiation mode with the simultaneous bundle-series initiating a large number of shock tubes for blastings in mining and construction.

Radiofrequency (RF) transmit field (B1) mapping is a promising method in mitigating the B1 inhomogeneity in various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. Although several phase- or magnitude-based B1 mapping methods have been proposed, these methods often require complex modeling, long acquisition time, or specialized MRI sequences. A recently introduced simultaneous echo refocusing (SER) technique can be applied in the B1 mapping method to extend the three-dimensional (3D) spatial coverage only without long data acquisition. Therefore, in this study, a multislice B1 mapping method using composite spin echo sequences and SER techniques is proposed to obtain more accurate B1 mapping with short data acquisition time. To evaluate the performance of the proposed B1 mapping method, computational simulations were performed and compared with Morrell’s method, double angle method, and Yarnykh’s method. These results showed that the angle-to-noise ratio of the proposed B1 mapping method has wider B1 range compared to that of other B1 mapping methods. In addition, the proposed B1 mapping methods were compared to the multislice iterative signal intensity mapping method in both phantom and in vivo human experiments, and there was no remarkable difference between the two methods regarding the flip angle distribution in these experiments. Based on these results, this study demonstrated that the proposed B1 mapping method is suitable for accurately measuring B1 propagation under the condition providing reduced scan time and wider 3D coverage of B1 mapping by applying composite RF pulse and SER techniques into the phase-sensitive method.

In sample surveys, when we need information regarding rare sensitive issues which people often do not prefer to share with others. In such situations this is also awkward for interviewers to ask the direct questions related to confidential and private matters of interviewees. An approach towards the open queries about sensitive issues generally results in the high non-response rates or misleading answers. The aim of this paper is to develop an effective randomized response model to overcome with these types of challenges arising due to sensitive nature of characteristic under study. In this paper we have proposed three-stage randomized response model for estimating mean number of individuals who possessed rare sensitive attribute which makes use of Poisson distribution. The properties of the proposed estimation procedures have been deeply examined when the parameter of a rare unrelated attribute is known as well as unknown. Privacy protection of respondents is also an equally important matter of concern. So measure of privacy protection for the proposed randomized response model has also been examined. Empirical studies are performed to support the theoretical results, which show the dominance of the proposed estimators over well-known contemporary estimators. From the findings of this study we may conclude that proposed randomized response model is rewarding in terms of percent relative efficiencies and privacy protection and may be recommended to survey practitioners for real life applications.

Abstract This study aimed to validate and evaluate deep learning (DL) models for screening of high myopia using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). This retrospective cross-sectional study included 690 eyes in 492 patients with OCT images and axial length measurement. Eyes were divided into three groups based on axial length: a “normal group,” a “high myopia group,” and an “other retinal disease” group. The researchers trained and validated three DL models to classify the three groups based on horizontal and vertical OCT images of the 600 eyes. For evaluation, OCT images of 90 eyes were used. Diagnostic agreements of human doctors and DL models were analyzed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the three DL models was evaluated. Absolute agreement of retina specialists was 99.11% (range: 97.78–100%). Absolute agreement of the DL models with multiple-column model was 100.0% (ResNet 50), 90.0% (Inception V3), and 72.22% (VGG 16). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the DL models with multiple-column model were 0.99 (ResNet 50), 0.97 (Inception V3), and 0.86 (VGG 16). The DL model based on ResNet 50 showed comparable diagnostic performance with retinal specialists. The DL model using OCT images demonstrated reliable diagnostic performance to identify high myopia.

A new practical modeling of the Norton's power law creep is proposed and implemented to analyze the high temperature behaviors of Alloy 690 SG tube material. In the model, both the stress exponent n and the rate constant B are simply treated as the temperature dependent parameters. Based on the two-step optimization procedure, the temperature function of the rate constant B(T) was determined for the data set of each B value after fixing the stress exponent n value by using the prior optimized function at each temperature. This procedure could significantly reduce the numerical errors when using the power law creep equations. Based on the better description of the steady-state creep rates, the experimental rupture times could also be well predicted by using the Monkman-Grant relationship. Furthermore, the difference in tensile strengths at high temperatures could be very well estimated by assuming the imaginary creep stress related to the given strain rate after correcting the temperature effects on the elastic modulus.

Objective To assess nocturnal hypokinesia using the Korean version of the Nocturnal Hypokinesia Questionnaire (NHQ-K) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients across disease stages. Methods We developed the NHQ-K and performed questionnaire-based interviews with 108 PD patients from three referral hospitals. Clinical associations of nocturnal hypokinesia and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were also analyzed. Results The NHQ-K showed acceptable internal consistency (0.83) and interrater reliability (0.95). Nocturnal hypokinesia significantly affected HRQoL in PD patients at both the early and advanced stages (adjusted p < 0.001). Increased severity of nocturnal hypokinesia was associated with dyskinesias, off-period disability, apathy, and anxious mood in PD patients (adjusted p < 0.01) after controlling for disease severity and medication dose. Conclusion The NHQ-K is useful for screening nocturnal hypokinesia in PD patients. Given the high impact of nocturnal hypokinesia on HRQoL, comprehensive management of nocturnal disability is needed for PD patients.

Abstract In recent years, minuscule gas bubbles called bulk nanobubbles (BNBs) have drawn increasing attention due to their unique properties and broad applicability in various technological fields, such as biomedical engineering, water treatment, and nanomaterials. However, questions remain regarding the stability and behavior of BNBs. In the present work, BNBs were generated in water using a gas–liquid mixing method. NB analysis was performed using a nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) method to investigate the coarsening behavior of BNBs in water over time. The diameters of the BNBs increased, and their cubic radii increased linearly (r3 ~ t) over time. While the concentration of BNBs decreased, the total volume of BNBs remained the same. The size distribution of the BNBs broadened, and the concentration of larger BNBs increased over time. These results indicate that relatively small BNBs disappeared due to dissolution and larger BNBs grew through mass transfer between BNBs instead of coalescence. In other words, BNBs underwent Ostwald ripening: gas molecules from smaller BNBs diffused through the continuous phase to be absorbed into larger BNBs.

Development of cathode materials with high activity, stability, and wide operating pH range is crucial for electro-Fenton reactions. Herein, mesoporous sulfur-modified metal oxides were coated onto stainless steel meshes and applied as a cathode to promote in-situ generation of H2O2 for electro-Fenton processes. Different mesoporous metal oxides with and without sulfur-modification were synthesized using Fe, Ni, and Zn precursors to investigate the effect of sulfur doping. Among them, sulfur doped Fe2O3 showed the best electrocatalytic performance, and it was attributed to several factors such as large specific surface area, high-efficiency oxygen reduction reaction activity, and enhanced electron/charge transfer. The effect of operational parameters such as applied voltage, catalyst dosage, initial pH, initial concentration of phenol, and electrolyte concentration on the catalytic performance was investigated in terms of degradation efficiencies and rate constants. The results indicate that for high concentration 100 ppm phenol solution, 78% removal efficiency with a rate constant of 0.186 h−1 was achieved with sulfur-doped Fe2O3 on stainless steel mesh electrode under optimal conditions in 8 h. This cathode worked effectively in a wide pH range (3–10) due to its pH self-control ability and exhibited superior stability and reusability with insignificant deterioration in the catalytic activity. This study offers an alternative approach to fabricate electrocatalysts with low-cost sulfur-doped metal oxides for electro-Fenton systems.

This study was conducted to confirm the effects of Korean red ginseng on lung and brain dysfunction in a BALB/c mice model exposed to particulate matter (PM)2.5 for 12 weeks. Learning and cognitive abilities were assessed with Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. To evaluate the ameliorating effect of red ginseng extract (RGE), the antioxidant system and mitochondrial function were investigated. The administration of RGE protected lung and brain impairment by regulating the antioxidant system and mitochondrial functions damaged by PM2.5-induced toxicity. Moreover, RGE prevented pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) pathway. RGE attenuated PM2.5-induced pulmonary and cognitive dysfunction by regulating systemic inflammation and apoptosis via the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)/c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) pathway. In conclusion, RGE might be a potential material that can regulate chronic PM2.5-induced lung and brain cognitive dysfunction.

This study was conducted to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction improvement effect of aqueous extract of Codium fragile (AECF) by regulating the imbalance of the gut–brain axis in chronic particulate matter (PM)2.5-exposed mice. The physiological compounds of AECF were identified as hexadecanamide, oleamide, octadecanamide, stearidonic acid, and linolenic acid by the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-TOF MSE) analysis. To evaluate the effect of PM2.5 on the antioxidant system, superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents, reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were measured in colon and brain tissues. AECF significantly ameliorated the imbalance of the antioxidant systems. Also, AECF improved intestinal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the abundance of the gut microbiome, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contents, and tight junction protein expression against PM2.5-induced damage. In addition, AECF prevented PM2.5-induced inflammatory and apoptotic expression via the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) pathway in colon and brain tissues. Additionally, AECF enhanced the mitochondrial function, including the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents in brain tissues. Furthermore, AECF regulated the cholinergic system, such as acetylcholine (ACh) contents, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and protein expression levels of AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in brain tissues. To evaluate the effect of cognitive dysfunction caused by PM2.5-induced intestinal dysfunction, behavior tests such as Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests were performed. From the results of the behavior tests, AECF ameliorated spatial learning and memory, short-term memory, and long-term learning and memory function. This study confirmed that AECF reduced PM2.5-induced cognitive dysfunction by regulating gut microbiome and inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function by enhancing the gut–brain axis. Based on these results, this study suggests that AECF, which contains fatty acid amides, might be a potential material for ameliorating PM2.5-induced cognitive dysfunction via gut–brain axis improvement.

The stock index is actively used for the realization of profits using derivatives and via the hedging of assets; hence, the prediction of the index is important for market participants. As market uncertainty has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and with the rapid development of data engineering, a situation has arisen wherein extensive amounts of information must be processed at finer time intervals. Addressing the prevalent issues of difficulty in handling multivariate high-frequency time-series data owing to multicollinearity, resource problems in computing hardware, and the gradient vanishing problem due to the layer stacking in recurrent neural network (RNN) series, a novel algorithm is developed in this study. For financial market index prediction with these highly complex data, the algorithm combines ResNet and a variable-wise attention mechanism. To verify the superior performance of the proposed model, RNN, long short-term memory, and ResNet18 models were designed and compared with and without the attention mechanism. As per the results, the proposed model demonstrated a suitable synergistic effect with the time-series data and excellent classification performance, in addition to overcoming the data structure constraints that the other models exhibit. Having successfully presented multivariate high-frequency time-series data analysis, this study enables effective investment decision making based on the market signals.