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Rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor 1 (RhoGDI1) plays a critical role in regulating the activity of Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases). Phosphorylation of RhoGDI1 dynamically modulates the activation of Rho GTPases, influencing cell proliferation and migration. This study explored the involvement of Never In Mitosis A (NIMA)-related serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (NEK2) in phosphorylating RhoGDI1 and its implications in cancer cell behavior associated with tumor progression. We employed GST pull-down assays and immunoprecipitation to investigate the interaction between NEK2 and RhoGDI1. Truncation fragments identified the region of RhoGDI1 responsible for binding with NEK2. Phosphorylation assays determined the site of NEK2-mediated phosphorylation on RhoGDI1. Functional assays were conducted using overexpression of the RhoGDI1 substitution mutant to assess their impact on cancer cell behavior. NEK2 directly bound to RhoGDI1 and phosphorylated it at Ser174. This phosphorylation event facilitated cancer cell proliferation and motility by activating RhoA and Rac1. The RhoGDI1 aa 112–134 region was critical for the binding to NEK2. Disruption of the NEK2–RhoGDI1 interaction through overexpression of a RhoGDI1 truncated fragment (aa 112–134) led to diminished RhoGDI1 phosphorylation and RhoA/Rac1 activation induced by NEK2, resulting in reduced cancer cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, in vivo studies showed reduced tumor growth and lung metastasis when the NEK2–RhoGDI1 interaction was disrupted. This study indicates that NEK2 promotes the metastatic behaviors of cancer cells by activating RhoA and Rac1 by phosphorylating RhoGDI1.

This study aimed to enhance the stability and security of power plant control network systems by developing detectable models using artificial intelligence machine learning techniques. Due to the closed system operation policy of facility manufacturers, it is challenging to detect and respond to security threats using standard security systems. With the increasing digitization of control systems, the risk of external malware penetration is also on the rise. To address this, machine learning techniques were applied to extract patterns from network traffic data produced at an average of 6.5 TB per month, and fingerprinting was used to detect unregistered terminals accessing the control network. By setting a threshold between transmission amounts and attempts using one month of data, an anomaly judgment model was learned to define patterns of data communication between the origin and destination. The hypothesis was tested using machine learning techniques if a new pattern occurred and no traffic occurred. The study confirmed that this method can be applied to not only plant control systems but also closed-structured control networks, where availability is critical, and other industries that use large amounts of traffic data. Experimental results showed that the proposed model outperformed existing models in terms of detection efficiency and processing time.

Abstract The objective of this study is to assess the shear friction characteristics of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) prepared using artificially expanded bottom ash and dredged soil granules. A total of 37 concrete mixtures were prepared under the classification of three series. In the first and second series, the natural sand content for replacing lightweight fine aggregates and the water-to-cement ratio varied to obtain different densities and compressive strengths of concrete. The third series was designed to estimate the effect of the maximum aggregate size on the friction resistance along the shear crack plane of the monolithic interfaces. The frictional angle of the LWAC tested was formulated as a function of the ratio of the effective tensile and compressive strengths of concrete through the expansion of the integrated mathematical models proposed by Kwon et al., based on the upper-bound theorem of concrete plasticity. When predicting the shear friction strength of LWAC, the present mathematical model exhibits relatively good accuracy, yielding the mean and standard deviation of the ratios between experiments and predictions of 1.06 and 0.14, respectively, whereas the empirical equations proposed by the AASHTO provision and Mattock underestimated the results. Ultimately, an advanced modification factor for shear design of LWAC is proposed as a function of the density and compressive strength of concrete and the maximum size of aggregates.

The smart factory environment has been transformed into an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) environment, which is an interconnected and open approach. This has made smart manufacturing plants vulnerable to cyberattacks that can directly lead to physical damage. Most cyberattacks targeting smart factories are carried out using malware. Thus, a solution that efficiently detects malware by monitoring and analyzing network traffic for malware attacks in smart factory IIoT environments is critical. However, achieving accurate real-time malware detection in such environments is difficult. To solve this problem, this study proposes an edge computing-based malware detection system that efficiently detects various cyberattacks (malware) by distributing vast amounts of smart factory IIoT traffic information to edge servers for deep learning processing. The proposed malware detection system consists of three layers (edge device, edge, and cloud layers) and utilizes four meaningful functions (model training and testing, model deployment, model inference, and training data transmission) for edge-based deep learning. In experiments conducted on the Malimg dataset, the proposed malware detection system incorporating a convolutional neural network with image visualization technology achieved an overall classification accuracy of 98.93%, precision of 98.93%, recall of 98.93%, and F1-score of 98.92%.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to improve the three-dimensional (3D) understanding of optimal lateral cortical hinge in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) via a computational cadaveric simulation of actual size. Methods: The computed tomography data of 117 adult cadavers were imported into Mimics® software to design 3D models of tibia and fibula. To simulate the MOWTHO, a virtual cutting plane was developed inside the safe zone based on established landmarks. After splitting and distracting through the cutting plane, the 10-mm cylinder (Ø 30 mm; height 10 mm) was placed vertically to be occupied properly in the nonosteotomized lateral cortex. The cross points between the round cylinder and cutting plane represented the anterior and posterior hinge points, which were used to validate the 3D position and direction of cortical hinge. Results: A 10-mm cylinder did not violate the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and the protruding segment of the condylar area was less than 2 mm in 115 models. The connecting line between anterior and posterior hinge points was an average of 12.1° (range 0–24.1°, SD 4.64) to the lateral side. In the nonoverlapping anteroposterior projection between proximal fibula and tibia, the posterior hinge point was laid over the PTFJ as close as possible. Based on free 360° rotation and magnification without any tilt, no posterior cortical disruption of PTFJ was observed while securing a minimum width of 10 mm. Conclusion: If the posterior hinge point was placed immediately above the PTFJ without involvement, the nonosteotomized portion carried sufficient width greater than 10 mm, despite lateral rotation at an average hinge direction of 12.1°.

Abstract The objective of this study is to examine the workability and various mechanical properties of concrete using artificial lightweight aggregates produced from expanded bottom ash and dredged soil. Fifteen concrete mixes were classified into three groups with regard to the designed compressive strengths corresponding to 18 MPa, 24 MPa, and 35 MPa. In each group, lightweight fine aggregates were replaced by using natural sand from 0 to 100% at an interval of 25%. Thus, the density of concrete ranged between 1455 and 1860 kg/m3. Based on the regression analysis using test data, a reliable model was proposed to clarify lower early-age strength and higher long-term strength gains of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) when compared with the predictions of the fib model. The proposed model also indicates that a lower water-to-cement ratio is required with the decrease in the natural sand content to achieve the designed compressive strength of concrete. The partial use natural sand is favorable for enhancing the tensile resistance capacity, shear friction strength, and bond behavior with a reinforcing bar of LWAC. The fib model overestimates direct tensile strength, bond strength and the amount of slip at the peak bond stress of LWAC. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the density of concrete as a critical factor in conjunction with its compressive strength to rationally evaluate the various mechanical properties of LWAC.

Gitelman syndrome is characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypocalciuria, and hypomagnesemia. The clinical course of Gitelman syndrome in pregnant women remains unclear, but it is thought to be benign. We report here the first Korean case of atypical eclampsia in a 31-year-old who was diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome incidentally during an antenatal screening test. The patient did well during pregnancy despite significant hypokalemia. At 33 weeks’ gestation, the patient exhibited eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and renal insufficiency without significant hypertension or proteinuria. We explain this unusual clinical course through a review of the relevant literature.

The application of biosensors is expanding in diverse fields due to their high selectivity and sensitivity. Biosensors employ biological components for the recognition of target analytes. In addition, the amplifying nature of biosynthetic processes can potentially be harnessed to for biological transduction of detection signals. Recent advances in the development of highly productive and cost-effective cell-free synthesis systems make it possible to use these systems as the biological transducers to generate biosensing signals. This review surveys recent developments in cell-free biosensors, focusing on the newly devised mechanisms for the biological recognition of analytes to initiate the amplification processes of transcription and translation.

In this paper, a prototype of ship basic planning system is implemented for the small and medium sized shipyards based on the internet technology and concurrent engineering concept. The system is designed from the user requirements. Consequently, standardized development environment and tools are selected. These tools are used for the system development to define and evaluate core application technologies. The system will contribute to increasing competitiveness of small and medium sized shipyards in the 21st century industrial en-vironment.

Smart work services can help to reduce work time and help to remove irrational processes in the process of product management, by providing proper information promptly. To make the smart work environment, the system has to be in a data-driven manner so that the data can keep its consistency. Preexisting data acquisition method in inspection job is almost based on documents or handover from other engineers. However, sometimes it produces inconsistent data which is different from updated information and it leads to potential risk factors. To prevent and reduce inconstant information between users and updated information, this paper suggests radio-frequency identification device (RFID) and cloud technology.

The use of magnetic bead-immobilized DNA as movable template for cell-free protein synthesis has been investigated. Magnetic microbeads containing chemically conjugated plasmids were used to direct cell-free protein synthesis, so that protein generation could be readily programmed, reset and reprogrammed. Protein synthesis by using this approach could be ON/OFF-controlled through repeated addition and removal of the microbead-conjugated DNA and employed in sequential expression of different genes in a same reaction mixture. Since the incubation periods of individual template plasmids are freely controllable, relative expression levels of multiple proteins can be tuned to desired levels. We expect that the presented results will find wide application to the flexible design and execution of synthetic pathways in cell-free chassis.

Background/Aim: Cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), CDDP] is a widely used and effective antitumor drug in clinical settings, notorious for its nephrotoxic side effects. This study investigated the mechanisms of CDDPinduced damage in African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells, with a focus on the role of Peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) and Peroxiredoxin II (Prx II) of the peroxiredoxin (Prx) family, which scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Materials and Methods: We utilized the Vero cell line derived from African green monkey kidneys and exposed these cells to various concentrations of CDDP. Cell viability, apoptosis, ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed. Results: CDDP significantly compromised Vero cell viability by elevating both cellular and mitochondrial ROS, which led to increased apoptosis. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger Nacetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) effectively reduced CDDP-induced ROS accumulation and subsequent cell apoptosis. Furthermore, CDDP reduced Prx I and Prx II levels in a doseand time-dependent manner. The inhibition of Prx I and II exacerbated cell death, implicating their role in CDDPinduced accumulation of cellular ROS. Additionally, CDDP enhanced the phosphorylation of MAPKs (p38, ERK, and JNK) without affecting AKT. The inhibition of these pathways significantly attenuated CDDP-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: The study highlights the involvement of Prx proteins in CDDPinduced nephrotoxicity and emphasizes the central role of ROS in cell death mediation. These insights offer promising avenues for developing clinical interventions to mitigate the nephrotoxic effects of CDDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study tried to observe additional benefit of agomelatine (AGO) treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in routine practice. Methods: Retrospective chart review (n = 63) was conducted for additional benefit of combination with or switching to AGO in MDD patients without full remission. The primary endpoint was the mean change of Clinical Global Impression-Clinical Benefit (CGI-CB) total scores from baseline to the endpoint. Additional secondary endpoints were also collected. Results: The changes of CGI-CB (Z = −3.073, p = 0.002) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (Z = −3.483, p ＜ 0.001) total scores were significantly decreased from baseline to the endpoint, respectively. At the endpoint, the remission rate was 22.6% (n = 18) and 28.6% of patient had improvement in CGI-CB total scores at the endpoint. No significant adverse events were observed. Conclusion: This study has shown additional benefit of AGO treatment as combination or switching agent for MDD patients without full remission in routine practice. However, adequately-powered and well-controlled studies are necessary for generalization of the present findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]