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This study focused on achieving high ionic conductivity in Li-La-TiO (LLTO) solid electrolyte. To enhance ionic conductivity, the synthesis reaction was optimized by controlling the composite crystal structure of TiO2 at the B-site of the perovskite (ABO3) structured LLTO, incorporating rutile, brookite, and anatase phases. The solid-phase LLTO, synthesized utilizing the core – shell structured composite-phase TiO2 developed in this study for the first time, successfully transformed its crystal structure to β-LLTO (tetragonal to cubic). This resulted in a significant improvement in ionic conductivity (i.e. 1.11 × 10−4 Scm−1). The study findings confirmed that the composite crystal structure TiO2 used in the solid-phase synthesis of LLTO induced an increase in oxygen vacancies during the synthesis process, thereby reducing the step-free energy required for the final synthesis.

Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the independent assessment of screening mammograms have not been well established in a large screening cohort of Asian women. We compared the performance of screening digital mammography considering breast density, between radiologists and AI standalone detection among Korean women. Methods We retrospectively included 89,855 Korean women who underwent their initial screening digital mammography from 2009 to 2020. Breast cancer within 12 months of the screening mammography was the reference standard, according to the National Cancer Registry. Lunit software was used to determine the probability of malignancy scores, with a cutoff of 10% for breast cancer detection. The AI’s performance was compared with that of the final Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category, as recorded by breast radiologists. Breast density was classified into four categories (A–D) based on the radiologist and AI-based assessments. The performance metrics (cancer detection rate [CDR], sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], recall rate, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]) were compared across breast density categories. Results Mean participant age was 43.5 ± 8.7 years; 143 breast cancer cases were identified within 12 months. The CDRs (1.1/1000 examination) and sensitivity values showed no significant differences between radiologist and AI-based results (69.9% [95% confidence interval [CI], 61.7–77.3] vs. 67.1% [95% CI, 58.8–74.8]). However, the AI algorithm showed better specificity (93.0% [95% CI, 92.9–93.2] vs. 77.6% [95% CI, 61.7–77.9]), PPV (1.5% [95% CI, 1.2–1.9] vs. 0.5% [95% CI, 0.4–0.6]), recall rate (7.1% [95% CI, 6.9–7.2] vs. 22.5% [95% CI, 22.2–22.7]), and AUC values (0.8 [95% CI, 0.76–0.84] vs. 0.74 [95% CI, 0.7–0.78]) (all P

Genetic selection for high growth rate, breast muscle yield, and feed efficiency in modern broilers has been a double-edged sword. While it has resulted in marked benefits in production, it has also introduced widespread incidence of breast muscle myopathies. Broiler myopathies are phenotypically characterized by myodegeneration and fibrofatty infiltration, which compromise meat quality. These lesions resemble those of various myopathies found in humans, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, and sarcopenia. Fibroadipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are interstitial muscle-resident mesenchymal stem cells that are named because of their ability to differentiate into both fibroblasts and adipocytes. This cell population has clearly been established to play a role in the development and progression of myopathies in mice and humans. Gene expression studies of wooden breast and other related disorders have implicated FAPs in broilers, but to our knowledge this cell population have not been characterized in chickens. In this review, we summarize the evidence that FAPs may be a novel, new target for interventions that reduce the incidence and development of chicken breast muscle myopathies.

While intelligence of voice-based personal assistants (VPAs) is evolving, limited research has investigated how various intelligence attributes impact consumer trust and adoption of VPAs. Drawn from social agency theory and the technology acceptance model, the current study developed and empirically tested a holistic research framework of the effects of intelligence attributes on consumers’ behavioral responses to VPAs through trust. We identified three aspects of intelligence attributes as functional (ease of use, usefulness), hedonic (enjoyment, innovativeness), and anthropomorphic attributes (humanness, autonomy) and two types of trust in VPAs as competence and integrity. Results showed dynamic relationships among VPAs’ intelligence attributes, consumer trust, and behavioral intentions. Specifically, both functional and hedonic attributes promote competence, whereas anthropomorphic attributes increase integrity. Further, both competence and integrity lead to positive word-of-mouth (WOM), while only competence positively influences consumers’ usage intention. In addition, a user's level of technology anxiety (an individual difference variable) was found to serve as a moderator in the trust model. This study offers both theoretical contributions and practical implications regarding consumer trust development in the context of VPAs.

This paper presents a data-driven approach to maximize the power of a wind farm by developing a dynamic mode decomposition with input and output for reduced order model (DMDior)-based reduced order model (ROM) for model predictive control (MPC). The main goal of this research is to efficiently model and manage the complex flow field within a wind farm to enhance power production. We leveraged DMDior to transform extensive high-dimensional flow data into an accurate yet simplified ROM, which successfully represents the essential dynamic features of wind flow, including the critical interactions between turbines and their adaptive response to environmental changes. Based on this ROM, the MPC framework was carefully designed. MPC uses this model to dynamically adjust the yaw angle of a wind turbine to optimally match changing wind patterns to maximize power output. The system also incorporates an adaptive Kalman filter designed for the state estimation in MPC applications. This estimation is critical to the effective execution of the MPC in each iteration. This ensures that the MPC operates based on the most up-to-date and accurate representation of the wind farm’s state, improving the overall reliability and efficiency of the control strategy. This approach demonstrates a practical and effective way to increase the power output of a wind farm, with experimental results indicating a power increase of about 4.72%.

Abstract Greenland ice core records exhibited 100-fold higher dust concentrations during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) than during the Holocene, and dust input temporal variability corresponded to different climate states in the LGM. While East Asian deserts, the Sahara, and European loess have been suggested as the potential source areas (PSAs) for Greenland LGM dust, millennial-scale variability in their relative contributions within the LGM remains poorly constrained. Here, we present the morphological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics of insoluble microparticles to constrain the provenance of dust in Greenland NEEM ice core samples covering cold Greenland Stadials (GS)-2.1a to GS-3 (~ 14.7 to 27.1 kyr ago) in the LGM. The analysis was conducted on individual particles in microdroplet samples by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman microspectroscopy. We found that the kaolinite-to-chlorite (K/C) ratios and chemical index of alteration (CIA) values were substantially higher (K/C: 1.4 ± 0.7, CIA: 74.7 ± 2.9) during GS-2.1a to 2.1c than during GS-3 (K/C: 0.5 ± 0.1, CIA: 65.8 ± 2.8). Our records revealed a significant increase in Saharan dust contributions from GS-2.1a to GS-2.1c and that the Gobi Desert and/or European loess were potential source(s) during GS-3. This conclusion is further supported by distinctly different carbon contents in particles corresponding to GS-2.1 and GS-3. These results are consistent with previous estimates of proportional dust source contributions obtained using a mixing model based on Pb and Sr isotopic compositions in NEEM LGM ice and indicate millennial-scale changes in Greenland dust provenance that are probably linked to large-scale atmospheric circulation variabilities during the LGM.

In this paper, we introduce a data-driven approach to wind farm control, offering an alternative to the FLORIS wind farm simulator. Our method estimates the power of a wind farm and determines the optimal yaw angle to maximize power generation. Initially, we develop a power estimation neural network using data from FLORIS for power estimation and validate its accuracy and reliability. Subsequently, this power estimation neural network is employed to determine the optimal yaw angle for maximum power production. The efficacy of this yaw decision neural network is verified through various performance metrics. We then present dynamic simulations by integrating the yaw decision neural network, constructed through our data-driven approach, with a dynamic wind farm simulator. We believe this addresses the limitations of FLORIS, a steady-state simulator. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed yaw decision neural network in dynamic environments, underscoring the potential of a data-driven approach to overcome the challenges posed by the steady-state wind farm simulator. This study offers innovative solutions for the efficient control and optimization of wind farm.

We studied a candidate TPS (thermal protection system) material for reusable re-entry space vehicle applications. The material was based on a high-temperature-resistant material called Cerakwool. A total of six specimens were fabricated with substrate densities of 0.45 g/cm3, 0.40 g/cm3, and 0.35 g/cm3, with two specimens for each density. All specimens were coated with high-emissivity TUFI (toughened unpiece fibrous insulation), with coating thicknesses ranging from 445 to 1606 µm. The specimens were tested using an HVOF (high-velocity oxygen fuel) material ablation test facility. For each density specimen pair, one specimen was tested at 1 MW/m2 and the remaining one was tested at 0.65 MW/m2. The average stagnation point temperature for specimens tested at 1 MW/m2 was ~893 °C, approximately 200 °C higher than those tested at 0.65 MW/m2. This suggests a ~200 °C increase in stagnation point temperature for a 0.35 MW/m2 rise in incident heat flux. During the tests, internal temperatures were measured at three locations. For all tested specimens, regardless of heat flux test conditions and density, the temperature at ~40 mm from each specimen’s stagnation point remained around or below 50 °C, well within the 180 °C design limit set for the TPS back face temperature. Post-test visual inspections revealed no signs of ablation or internal damage, confirming the material’s reusability.

This study aimed to develop eco-friendly disinfection technology for ginger seed rhizomes by evaluating the effects of various organic agricultural treatments on germination rates, fresh weight, and disease resistance. The Korean native ginger variety, Bongdongjaerae, and the Chinese variety, Laiwu xiao, were treated with lime–sulfur mixtures, antifungal bacterial isolates, and microalga. Results showed that the 0.4% lime–sulfur treatment achieved the highest germination rate of 89.0% for domestic ginger grown under a single-bed cultivation. The combined treatment with Bacillus velezensis strains GT227 and GT234 and Chlorella fusca (CHK0058) significantly increased the fresh weight, highlighting its potential to enhance ginger growth under organic farming conditions. Single-bed cultivation yielded better results compared to flat-bed cultivation, showing higher fresh weights and lower infection rates. Overall, organic treatments, particularly the combination of CHK0058, GT227, and GT234, proved effective in enhancing ginger growth and reducing disease incidence, highlighting the potential for sustainable agricultural practices in ginger cultivation.

Current diagnostic systems for Alzheimer's disease (AD) rely upon clinical signs and symptoms, despite the fact that the multiplicity of clinical symptoms renders various neuropsychological assessments inadequate to reflect the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Since putative neuroimaging biomarkers play a crucial role in understanding the etiology of AD, we sought to stratify the diverse relationships between AD biomarkers and cognitive decline in the aging population and uncover risk factors contributing to the diversities in AD. To do so, we capitalized on a large amount of neuroimaging data from the ADNI study to examine the inflection points along the dynamic relationship between cognitive decline trajectories and whole-brain neuroimaging biomarkers, using a state-of-the-art statistical model of change point detection. Our findings indicated that the temporal relationship between AD biomarkers and cognitive decline may differ depending on the synergistic effect of genetic risk and biological sex. Specifically, tauopathy-PET biomarkers exhibit a more dynamic and age-dependent association with Mini-Mental State Examination scores (p

Abstract The purpose of this research was to investigate perceptions of risks and benefits associated with popular risky fashion practices (tanning and wearing stilettos) among young adult women. Objectives were to (a) determine if fashion interest predicted benefit perceptions among young women, (b) determine the role of antecedents (fashion interest, risk perceptions, benefit perceptions, consumption emotions) in predicting the behavioral frequency of risky fashion practices, and (c) explore the extent to which tanning and wearing stilettos are similar/different in underlying mechanisms. Undergraduate women were emailed a link to a Qualtrics online survey and a total of 671 provided usable responses; 328 were tanners and 343 wore stilettos. Benefits tapped the attractiveness and fashionability that is expected from engaging in tanning and wearing stilettos, while risks focused on health risks such as melanoma or joint damage associated with tanning or wearing stilettos. Path analyses and decomposition of effects found that fashion interest was positively related to frequency of wearing stilettos, but was not related directly to tanning frequency. Fashion interest was a significant driver of perceived benefits for both risky behaviors. Benefit perceptions increased positive emotion and risk perceptions increased negative emotion; only positive emotion influenced the frequency of risky fashion practices. For both tanning and wearing stilettos, perceived benefits increased risky fashion practice frequency both directly and indirectly through positive emotion. However, perceived risks decreased fashion practice frequency only directly. Thus, perceived benefits outweigh perceived risks among women who engage in these risky fashion practices.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the impact of ocular demodicosis on dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) across different age populations: young (20 to

In this study, we investigated the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of martensitic medium-Mn steels with varying levels of S and Ti contents using thermal desorption analysis, silver decoration, slow strain rate tensile testing, and fractography. The S or S–Ti added specimens demonstrated higher HE resistance compared to the S-free specimens. This is because the S or S–Ti added specimens had a large volume fraction of fine MnS or Ti(C,N)–MnS complex inclusions with a size less than ∼1 μm, which provide strong irreversible H trap sites. However, coarse elongated inclusions were found to be detrimental to HE resistance. Therefore, we concluded that to improve the HE resistance of martensitic medium-Mn steel, it is important to distribute a large volume fraction of fine MnS or Ti(C,N)–MnS complex inclusions without coarse elongated ones.

The purposes of this study were to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model for future breast cancer risk prediction based on mammographic images, investigate the feasibility of the AI model, and compare the AI model, clinical statistical risk models, and Mirai, a state of-the art deep learning algorithm based on screening mammograms for 1–5-year breast cancer risk prediction. We trained and developed a deep learning model using a total of 36,995 serial mammographic examinations from 21,438 women (cancer-enriched mammograms, 17.5%). To determine the feasibility of the AI prediction model, mammograms and detailed clinical information were collected. C-indices and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for 1–5-year outcomes were obtained. We compared the AUCs of our AI prediction model, Mirai, and clinical statistical risk models, including the Tyrer–Cuzick (TC) model and Gail model, using DeLong’s test. A total of 16,894 mammograms were independently collected for external validation, of which 4002 were followed by a cancer diagnosis within 5 years. Our AI prediction model obtained a C-index of 0.76, with AUCs of 0.90, 0.84, 0.81, 0.78, and 0.81, to predict the 1–5-year risks. Our AI prediction model showed significantly higher AUCs than those of the TC model (AUC: 0.57; p < 0.001) and Gail model (AUC: 0.52; p < 0.001), and achieved similar performance to Mirai. The deep learning AI model using mammograms and AI-powered imaging biomarkers has substantial potential to advance accurate breast cancer risk prediction.

Recent therapeutic strategies for hemophilia include long-term therapeutic gene expression using adeno-associated virus (AAV) and rebalancing therapy via the downregulation of anticoagulant pathways. However, these approaches have limitations in immune responses or insufficiency to control acute bleeding. Thus, we developed a therapeutic strategy for hemophilia B by a combined rebalancing and human factor 9 (hF9) gene knockin (KI) using a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and AAV. Antithrombin (AT; Serpin Family C Member 1 [Serpinc1]) was selected as the target anticoagulation pathway for the gene KI. First, the combined use of LNP-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and AAV donor resulted in 20% insertions or deletions (indels) in Serpinc1 and 67% reduction of blood mouse AT concentration. Second, hF9 coding sequences were integrated into approximately 3% of the target locus. hF9 KI yielded approximately 1,000 ng/mL human factor IX (hFIX) and restored coagulation activity to a normal level. LNP-CRISPR injection caused sustained AT downregulation and hFIX production up to 63 weeks. AT inhibition and hFIX protein-production ability could be maintained by the proliferation of genetically edited hepatocytes in the case of partial hepatectomy. The co-administration of AAV and LNP showed no severe side effects except random integrations. Our results demonstrate hemophilia B therapy by a combination of rebalancing and hF9 KI using LNP and AAV.

Background As South Korea achieved universal health care (UHC) in 1989, patients’ access to low-cost health services has highly increased. However, as liability for high-cost procedures is still high, patients’ accessibility to high-cost services is has been limited. For this reason, the Korean government has implemented an initiative of the “Mid-term Health Benefits Security Plan” to expand the health benefits coverage since 2005. Nevertheless, it has been criticized as the policy has yet to show any transparent evidence of reducing patients’ out-of-pocket costs since its implementation. This study aims to identify if the benefit expansion policy affected a reduction of patients’ health care spending and utilization after policy implementation. Methods We analyze data from the Korean Health Panel Survey for years 2009-2016, a nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized Korean citizens that provide the most comprehensive information on health care utilization and costs. We utilize two-part difference-in-differences (DID) models to estimate the patients' probability of accessing any care and the intensity of care, health care spending and utilization, conditional on the initiated care Results The total out-of-pocket(OOP) payments and inpatient spending decreased by USD 175.33 (p = 0.033) and USD 358.86 (p =0.018), respectively, which were statistically significant. Outpatient spending increased by USD 57.43 (p =0.607), but it was not statistically significantly associated with the policy implementation. In utilization, there were no significant changes in either the number of visits or hospital stays. Conclusions Even though we found that the policy led to a reduction in patients' OOP spending, the effects of the policy were largely limited to inpatient services and patients with high incomes. As the limited benefits of the policy to the particular services and patients might raise some equity issues, the government needs to extend the range of coverage more broadly so that a more comprehensive population can benefit from the policy.

Stable electrodes are crucial for the practical applications of electrochemical systems. In this study, we report a simple method for synthesizing three-dimensional glassy-like carbon (3D·GC) on an alumina substrate through pyrolysis of benzyl alcohol and applying it to electrocatalytic reactions. Given its distinctive 3D morphology and stability in aqueous solution, the 3D·GC electrode exhibits significantly higher electrocatalytic activity than the commercial GC. Moreover, the rough surface of the 3D·GC electrode is favorable for direct immobilization of catalytic sites, such as metals (Au and Ag) and single-atom catalysts. The developed method for immobilizing single Ni sites is successfully applied to the 3D·GC electrode, resulting in the Ni SAC-3D·GC electrode that exhibits high CO selectivity and durability for electrochemical CO2 reduction. The Faradaic efficiency of CO is over 90% across a wide potential range. Due to direct immobilization, the Ni SAC-3D·GC electrode shows remarkable stability even after multiple reuse cycles, indicating its potential for long-term electrocatalytic applications. To gain an understanding of the mechanism underlying the high CO selectivity during CO2 reduction, the theoretical interactions between the individual Ni sites and the carbon substrate are explored. This theoretical analysis highlights the crucial role of the carbon substrate in stabilizing the COOH intermediate for electrochemical CO2 reduction under neutral conditions.

ABSTRACT: Breast muscle myopathies in broilers compromise meat quality and continue to plague the poultry industry. Broiler breast muscle myopathies are characterized by impaired satellite cell (SC)-mediated repair, and localized tissue hypoxia and dysregulation of oxygen homeostasis have been implicated as contributing factors. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that hypoxia disrupts the ability of SC to differentiate and form myotubes, both of which are key components of myofiber repair, and to determine the extent to which effects are reversed by restoration of oxygen tension. Primary SC were isolated from pectoralis major of young (5 d) Cobb 700 chicks and maintained in growth conditions or induced to differentiate under normoxic (20% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions for up to 48 h. Hypoxia enhanced SC proliferation while inhibiting myogenic potential, with decreased fusion index and suppressed myotube formation. Reoxygenation after hypoxia partially reversed effects on both proliferation and myogenesis. Western blotting showed that hypoxia diminished myogenin expression, activated AMPK, upregulated proliferation markers, and increased molecular signaling of cellular stress. Hypoxia also promoted accumulation of lipid droplets in myotubes. Targeted RNAseq identified numerous differentially expressed genes across differentiation under hypoxia, including several genes that have been associated with myopathies in vivo. Altogether, these data demonstrate localized hypoxia may influence SC behavior in ways that disrupt muscle repair and promote the formation of myopathies in broilers.

In an era where digital interactions are increasingly prevalent, the challenge of effectively regulating online hate speech has emerged as a crucial societal concern. Balancing the regulation of such speech with the preservation of online freedom of expression is a delicate task, requiring broad consensus among internet users. This study delves into the various factors shaping public attitudes towards the regulation of online hate speech in South Korea. An online survey of 1,000 Internet users provided the data for a structural equation model. Our findings reveal that experiences of victimization by hate speech, online activity such as content uploading, assessment of social harm caused by online hate speech, and assessment on the effectiveness of regulatory measures all play significant roles in garnering support for regulation. Notably, online activity correlates strongly with increased encounters with hate speech. This, in turn, leads to a more profound understanding of its social harm and, consequently, a heightened inclination to support regulatory measures. These insights underscore the growing urgency to address online hate speech, especially as online activity continue to intensify. This study contributes to the discourse on online hate speech regulation by highlighting the complex interplay of personal experience, perceived harm, and efficacy of regulation in shaping public consensus.

Water quality is substantially influenced by a multitude of dynamic and interrelated variables, including climate conditions, landuse and seasonal changes. Deep learning models have demonstrated predictive power of water quality due to the superior ability to automatically learn complex patterns and relationships from variables. Long short-term memory (LSTM), one of deep learning models for water quality prediction, is a type of recurrent neural network that can account for longer-term traits of time-dependent data. It is the most widely applied network used to predict the time series of water quality variables. First, we reviewed applications of a standalone LSTM and discussed its calculation time, prediction accuracy, and good robustness with process-driven numerical models and the other machine learning. This review was expanded into the LSTM model with data pre-processing techniques, including the Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise method and Synchrosqueezed Wavelet Transform. The review then focused on the coupling of LSTM with a convolutional neural network, attention network, and transfer learning. The coupled networks demonstrated their performance over the standalone LSTM model. We also emphasized the influence of the static variables in the model and used the transformation method on the dataset. Outlook and further challenges were addressed. The outlook for research and application of LSTM in hydrology concludes the review.

The aim of this study is to enhance comprehension of the different types and features of dementia, including their symptoms, diagnosis and medical treatment, and to propose various evidence-based exercise interventions and their clinical applications tailored to each specific type of dementia. The theoretical review includes the analysis of publications in the scientific databases PubMed/Medline, Ebsco, Scielo, and Google. A total of 177 articles were found, of which 84 were studied in depth. With the prevalence of all forms of dementia projected to increase from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million in 2050, personalized treatment strategies are needed. This review discusses various forms of dementia, including their pathologies, diagnostic criteria, and prevalence rates. The importance of accurate diagnosis and tailored care is emphasized, as well as the effectiveness of physical exercise in improving cognitive function in dementia patients. For Alzheimer’s, a combination of drug therapies and exercises is recommended to enhance cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter activity. To improve cognitive and motor functions in Lewy body dementia, a combination of pharmacological and physical therapies is recommended. For managing frontotemporal dementia, a mix of medication and exercises aimed at emotion regulation, including aerobic exercises, and a unified protocol, is suggested. For mild cognitive impairment, aerobic and functional exercises are important in delaying cognitive decline and enhancing cognitive performance. In conclusion, individualized care and treatment plans tailored to the specific characteristics of each disease type can improve the quality of life for individuals with this condition and effectively manage this growing global health issue.

Abstract mRNA‐based protein replacement therapy has received much attention as a novel intervention in clinical disease treatment. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are widely used for their therapeutic potential to efficiently deliver mRNA. However, clinical translation has been hampered by the immunogenicity of LNPs that may aggravate underlying disease states. Here, we report a novel ionizable LNP with enhanced potency and safety. The piperazine‐based biodegradable ionizable lipid (244cis) was developed for LNP formulation and its level of protein expression and immunogenicity in the target tissue was evaluated. It was found that 244cis LNP enabled substantial expression of the target protein (human erythropoietin), while it minimally induced the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) as compared to other conventional LNPs. Selective lung targeting of 244cis LNP was further investigated in tdTomato transgenic mice with bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The repeated administration of 244cis LNP with Cre recombinase mRNA achieved complete transfection of lung endothelial cells (~80%) and over 40% transfection of Sca‐1‐positive fibroblasts. It was shown that 244cis LNP allows the repeated dose of mRNA without the loss of activity due to its low immunogenicity. Our results demonstrate that 244cis LNP has great potential for the treatment of chronic diseases in the lungs with improved potency and safety.

In the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus, the quorum-sensing (QS) signal molecule cyclo-(L-phenylalanine-L-proline) (cFP) plays a critical role in triggering a signaling pathway involving the components LeuO-vHUαβ-RpoS-KatG via the membrane signal receptor ToxR. In this study, we investigated the impact of iron on the expression of these signaling components. We found that the transcription of the membrane sensor protein ToxR was not significantly affected by Fur-iron. However, Fur-iron repressed the transcription of genes encoding all the downstream cytoplasmic components in this pathway by binding to the upstream regions of these genes. Consequently, the expression of genes regulated by the alternative sigma factor RpoS, as well as the resistance to hydrogen peroxide conferred by KatG, were repressed. Additionally, we observed that in Vibrio cholerae, genes dependent on ToxR showed higher expression levels in a fur-deletion mutant compared to the wild type. These findings indicate that iron, in association with Fur, represses virtually all the cytoplasmic components responsible for the ToxR-dependent cFP-signaling pathways in these two pathogenic Vibrio species. This study, along with our previous reports demonstrating the repression of components involved in AI-2 dependent QS signaling by Fur-iron, highlights the crucial role of iron in quorum-sensing regulation, which is closely associated with the pathogenicity of this human pathogen.

Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a unique environment that is developed by the tumor and controlled by tumor-induced interactions with host cells during tumor progression. The TME includes immune cells, which can be classified into two types: tumor- antagonizing and tumor-promoting immune cells. Increasing the tumor treatment responses is associated with the tumor immune microenvironment. Targeting the TME has become a popular topic in research, which includes polarizing macrophage phenotype 2 into macrophage phenotype 1 using Toll-like receptor agonists with cytokines, anti-CD47, and anti-SIPRα. Moreover, inhibiting regulatory T cells through blockades and depletion restricts immunosuppressive cells in the TME. Reprogramming T cell infiltration and T cell exhaustion improves tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, such as CD8+ or CD4+ T cells. Targeting metabolic pathways, including glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolisms, can suppress tumor growth by restricting the absorption of nutrients and adenosine triphosphate energy into tumor cells. In conclusion, these TME reprogramming strategies exhibit more effective responses using combination treatments, biomaterials, and nanoparticles. This review highlights how biomaterials and immunotherapy can reprogram TME and improve the immune activity.

Abstract In this work, two single particle analytical techniques such as a quantitative energy-dispersive electron probe X-ray microanalysis (ED-EPMA), called low-Z particle EPMA, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform-Infrared (ATR-FTIR) imaging were applied in combination for the characterization and distinction of six standard asbestos and one non-asbestos Mg-silicate minerals of micrometer size. Asbestos fibers have been reported as a natural carcinogen which causes some serious illness like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Atmospheric aerosols are heterogeneous mixtures and airborne asbestos fibers would be present due to their extensive industrial uses for various purposes. The fibers could also be airborne from natural and anthropogenic sources. As different asbestos fibers have different carcinogenic properties, it is important to determine different types of individual asbestos and non-asbestos Mg-silicate mineral particles and their sources for the public health management. In our previous works, the speciation of individual aerosol particles was performed by the combined use of the two single-particle analytical techniques, which demonstrated that the combined use of the two analytical techniques is powerful for detailed characterization of externally heterogeneous aerosol particle samples and has great potential for characterization of atmospheric aerosols. In this work, it is demonstrated that the identification and differentiation of asbestiform and non-asbestiform Mg-silicate mineral particles is clearly performed using the two single particle analytical techniques in combination than using either technique individually. Especially, anthophyllite and talc can be differentiated using this analytical approach, which has not been easy up until now.

Abstract Background To investigate the differential contribution of the left atrial (LA) function and left ventricular (LV) fibrosis to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods Data of 370 patients with HCM (n = 133), DCM (n = 114) and reperfused AMI (n = 123) who underwent both echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) were comprehensively reviewed. Phasic LA volumes, LA-global longitudinal strain (GLS), LA stiffness index, defined as E/e′/LA-GLS and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) of LV were measured using CMR. Results E/e′ was correlated with PASP in all groups; however, the predicted value was significantly attenuated after adjusting for LA volume and LA strain in HCM and DCM, but remained significant in AMI. The LA stiffness index was related to PASP in HCM (p = 0.01) and DCM (p = 0.03) independent of LA volume index and E/e′, but not in AMI. In DCM, ECV was significantly related to PASP (p

Under strong laser fields, materials exhibit extreme non-linear optical response, such as high harmonic generation. These higher harmonics provide insights into electron behaviour in materials in sub-laser cycle timescale. Here, Cha et al study higher harmonic generation resulting from the laser driven motion of massless Dirac fermions in graphene.

This study developed a safety assessment tool for geological disposal systems called APro, a systemically integrated modeling system based on modularizing and coupling the processes which need to be considered in a geological disposal system. Thermal, hydraulic, chemical, canister failure, radionuclide release and transport processes were considered in the current version of APro. Each of the unit processes in APro consists of a single Default Module, and several Alternative Modules which can increase the flexibility of the model. As an initial stage of developing the modularization concept and modeling interface, the Default Modules of each unit process were described, with one Alternative Module of chemical process. The computation part of APro is mainly a MATLAB workspace controlling COMSOL and PHREEQC, which are coupled by an operator splitting scheme. The APro model domain is a stylized geological disposal system employing the Swedish disposal concept (KBS-3 type), but the repository layout can be freely adjusted. In order to show the applicability of APro to the total system performance assessment of geological disposal system, some sample simulations were conducted. From the results, it was confirmed that coupling of the thermal and hydraulic processes and coupling of the canister failure and the radionuclide release processes were well reflected in APro. In addition, the technical connectivity between COMSOL and PHREEQC was also confirmed.

We aimed to investigate candidate proteins related to long-term caloric restriction and feed efficiency in bovine longissimus dorsi muscle (LM). A total of 31 Korean native steers were randomly distributed to ad libitum (n = 16) or caloric restriction group (n = 15) to conduct two feeding trials for 13 mon. In the first trial (10–18 mon of age), steers were fed with 100% ad libitum (NEg = 0.63 Mcal/kg) or caloric restriction (80% of the previous day’s feed intake of ad libitum group). In the second trial (18–23 mon of age), the energy value of 100% ad libitum diet was 1.13 Mcal/kg NEg and those in caloric restriction group diet was 0.72 Mcal/kg NEg. At the endpoint of this experiment, in each group, 6 animals were selected with high (n = 3) or low feed efficiency (n = 3) to collect muscle tissue samples (6 animals/group). From muscle tissues of 23 mo of age, we excavated 9 and 12 differentially expressed (two-fold or more) proteins in a nutritional group and feed efficiency group using two-dimensional electrophoresis, respectively. Of these proteins, heat shock protein beta-6 was up-regulated in both the caloric restriction and the low feed efficiency group. In bovine embryonic fibroblasts, the mRNA expression of heat shock protein beta-6 increased after adipogenic differentiation, however, decreased after myogenic differentiation. Our data provide that heat shock protein beta-6 may be an adipogenic protein involved in the mechanism of caloric restriction and feed efficiency in the LM of the steer.

Abstract Here, we investigated the different perception of dry eye symptoms between in patients with and without primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS). In this study, 221 patients with dry eye disease (DED) without pSS (non-SS DED group) and 55 patients with DED with pSS (SS DED group) were included. The ocular discomfort was evaluated using ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire and patients were further divided into 3 severity subgroups according to OSDI scores. The OSDI score was higher in the non-SS DED group even after matching corneal erosion scores despite the ocular surface erosions and tear deficiency was worse in the SS DED group. The corneal sensitivity was nearly normal in both groups without inter-group difference (Non-SS DED group: 5.82 ± 0.54 cm, SS DED group: 5.90 ± 0.29 cm, p = 0.217). Moreover, all clinical parameters were not significantly correlated with OSDI scores in both non-SS DED group and SS DED group. In the mild and severe OSDI subgroups, the ocular surface erosions and tear deficiency were worse in the SS DED group whereas the OSDI scores were not different between groups. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware that pSS patients may complain less of their discomfort unlike their actual severe status of DED.

Abstract Sialic acid (SA) is present in glycoconjugates and important in cell–cell recognition, cell adhesion, and cell growth and as a receptor. Among the four mammalian sialidases, cytosolic NEU2 has a pivotal role in muscle and neuronal differentiation in vitro. However, its biological functions in vivo remain unclear due to its very low expression in humans. However, the presence of cytoplasmic glycoproteins, gangliosides, and lectins involved in cellular metabolism and glycan recognition has suggested the functional importance of cytosolic Neu2 sialidases. We generated a Neu2 knockout mouse model via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering and analyzed the offspring littermates at different ages to investigate the in vivo function of cytosolic Neu2 sialidase. Surprisingly, knocking out the Neu2 gene in vivo abrogated overall lipid metabolism, impairing motor function and leading to diabetes. Consistent with these results, Neu2 knockout led to alterations in sialylated glycoproteins involved in lipid metabolism and muscle function, as shown by glycoproteomics analysis.

Since the first demonstration of 3D bicontinuous porous architectures as a promising electrode for rechargeable batteries, many attempts have been made to extend this concept to other applications. Although some recent investigations have shown potential of bicontinuous structures as supercapacitor electrodes, there is a lack of capturing their capability for ultrafast charge/discharge as well as of manipulating the components in a more careful manner. Herein, novel bicontinuous porous Fe3O4/Ni supercapacitor electrodes fabricated by hierarchical multiscale engineering across three different length scales are reported. The electrodes comprise mesostructured epitaxial Ni scaffold (atomic‐scale), ultrathin pseudocapacitive Fe3O4 nanosheets (nanoscale), and interconnected periodic pores (mesoscale). It is highlighted that the electrodes can be cycled as a capacitor at an ultrahigh scan rate up to 100 V s−1 and also exhibit excellent line‐filtering properties at 120 Hz including the areal capacitance (272 μF cm−2), phase angle (−76°), and time constant (0.3 ms). This is attributed to the synergistic effects of rapid electron conduction, efficient utilization of surface‐limited reaction, and facile ion diffusion, enabled by engineering the properties at different levels of length scales. As a result, the electrode‐based symmetric supercapacitors enable remarkable line‐filtering performance with the significantly suppressed voltage ripple.

The aim of the present study was to find acoustic correlates of perceived personality from the speech produced in a formal communicative setting-that of Korean customer service employees in particular. This work extended previous research on voice personality impressions to a different sociocultural and linguistic context in which speakers are expected to speak politely in a formal register. To use naturally produced speech rather than read speech, we devised a new method that successfully elicited spontaneous speech from speakers who were role-playing as customer service employees, while controlling for the words and sentence structures they used. We then examined a wide range of acoustic properties in the utterances, including voice quality and global acoustic and segmental properties using Principal Component Analysis. Subjects of the personality rating task listened to the utterances and rated perceived personality in terms of the Big-Five personality traits. While replicating some previous findings, we discovered several acoustic variables that exclusively accounted for the personality judgments of female speakers; a more modal voice quality increased perceived conscientiousness and neuroticism, and less dispersed formants reflecting a larger body size increased the perceived levels of extraversion and openness. These biases in personality perception likely reflect gender and occupation-related stereotypes that exist in South Korea. Our findings can also serve as a basis for developing and evaluating synthetic speech for Voice Assistant applications in future studies.

Abstract Background Multiple gestations are associated with an increased incidence of preeclampsia. However, there exists no evidence for an association between multiple gestations and development of hypertension(HTN) later in life. This study aimed to determine whether multiple gestations are associated with HTN beyond the peripartum period. Methods In this retrospective nationwide population-based study, women who delivered a baby between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008, and underwent a national health screening examination within one year prior to their pregnancy were included. Subsequently, we tracked the occurrence of HTN during follow-up until December 31, 2015, using International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision codes. Results Among 362,821 women who gave birth during the study period, 4,944 (1.36%) women had multiple gestations. The cumulative incidence of HTN was higher in multiple gestations group compared with singleton group (5.95% vs. 3.78%, p

Abstract We evaluated the reliability and validity of the 5-scale grading system to interpret the point-of-care immunoassay for tear matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Six observers graded red bands of photographs of the readout window in MMP-9 immunoassay kit (InflammaDry) two times with 2-week interval based on the 5-scale grading system (i.e. grade 0–4). Interobserver and intraobserver reliability were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients. The interobserver agreements were analyzed according to the severity of tear MMP-9 expression. To validate the system, a concentration calibration curve was made using MMP-9 solutions with reference concentrations, then the distribution of MMP-9 concentrations was analyzed according to the 5-scale grading system. Both intraobserver and interobserver reliability was excellent. The readout grades were significantly correlated with the quantified colorimetric densities. The interobserver variance of readout grades had no correlation with the severity of the measured densities. The band density continued to increase up to a maximal concentration (i.e. 5000 ng/mL) according to the calibration curve. The difference of grades reflected the change of MMP-9 concentrations sensitively, especially between grade 2 and 4. Together, our data indicate that the subjective 5-scale grading system in the point-of-care MMP-9 immunoassay is an easy and reliable method with acceptable accuracy.

Abstract Background Recent advances in tissue clearing techniques, combined with high-speed image acquisition through light sheet microscopy, enable rapid three-dimensional (3D) imaging of biological specimens, such as whole mouse brains, in a matter of hours. Quantitative analysis of such 3D images can help us understand how changes in brain structure lead to differences in behavior or cognition, but distinguishing densely packed features of interest, such as nuclei, from background can be challenging. Recent deep learning-based nuclear segmentation algorithms show great promise for automated segmentation, but require large numbers of accurate manually labeled nuclei as training data. Results We present Segmentor, an open-source tool for reliable, efficient, and user-friendly manual annotation and refinement of objects (e.g., nuclei) within 3D light sheet microscopy images. Segmentor employs a hybrid 2D-3D approach for visualizing and segmenting objects and contains features for automatic region splitting, designed specifically for streamlining the process of 3D segmentation of nuclei. We show that editing simultaneously in 2D and 3D using Segmentor significantly decreases time spent on manual annotations without affecting accuracy as compared to editing the same set of images with only 2D capabilities. Conclusions Segmentor is a tool for increased efficiency of manual annotation and refinement of 3D objects that can be used to train deep learning segmentation algorithms, and is available at https://www.nucleininja.org/ and https://github.com/RENCI/Segmentor .

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of three wind farm simulators, examining the influence of wake on the local wind speed and power output for downstream turbines using experimental data. The study features experiments in three distinct scenarios, evaluating differences among the simulators by calculating the local wind speed and power for each. Each simulator employs a unique wake model, which substantially affects the local wind speed experienced by downstream turbines. Furthermore, the experiment involves adjusting parameter values for each simulator to assess their respective impacts on wind farm performance. The findings of this research are expected to play an important role in investigations related to power optimization and wake effects in the wind farm control.

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for stroke, following hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, and is an important risk factor for the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease, including stroke. Recent guidelines recommend considering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapies, such as statins (preferably), ezetimibe, or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of stroke, adhering to the “lower is better” approach. In this review, we examined the evidence supporting lipid-lowering medications like statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary stroke prevention and dyslipidemia management in different stroke subtypes. Stroke guidelines advocate for administering the maximum tolerable dose of statins as the primary treatment and as soon as possible despite the potential for new-onset diabetes mellitus and possible muscle and liver toxicity due to their demonstrated benefits in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and mortality reduction. When statin use is insufficient for LDL lowering, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors are recommended as complementary therapies. It is essential to establish lipid-lowering therapy goals based on the stroke subtype and the presence of comorbidities.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the influence of cold airflow from the air conditioner on skin barrier function and filaggrin degradation products (FDPs) in children with atopic deramtitis (AD). Methods: In a case-control study, 28 children with AD and 12 normal children without AD were exposed to one of two air conditioner modes (conventional or wind-free) for 2 h. Skin temperature, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin pH were measured on right cheek and forearm at pre- and post-exposure time points. We also measured filaggrin and FDPs from the volar surface of the forearm. Results: In AD patients, skin temperature on the forearm decreased after exposure to the conventional and wind-free modes (P

BackgroundValve regurgitation can decrease with resolution of hemodynamic loads on the left ventricle (LV) after kidney transplantation (KT). We aimed to investigate the natural course of left-side valve regurgitation after KT and factors associated with progression.MethodsAmong patients who underwent KT in two tertiary centers, 430 (224 men, mean age 50 ± 13 years) were examined by echocardiography within 3 months before KT and between 6 and 36 months after KT. Mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic regurgitation (AR) were graded according to the current guidelines. Regression was defined as a decrease in regurgitation by one or more steps, and progression was an increase in one or more steps after KT. Clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with progression of MR and AR were analyzed.ResultsMild or greater MR was observed in 216 (50%) patients before KT, and mild or greater AR was observed in 99 (23%). During the follow-up period of 23.4 ± 9.9 months, most patients experienced regression or no change in regurgitation after KT, but 34 patients (7.9%) showed MR progression and 37 (8.6%) revealed AR progression. Patients who showed MR progression were more likely to receive a second KT, have mitral annular calcifications, and show a smaller decrease in LV end-systolic dimension. Patients who showed AR progression were more likely to have persistent hypertension after KT, aortic valve calcifications, and a smaller reduction of LV end-systolic dimension.ConclusionsRisk factors for progression of MR after KT include a second KT, MAC and a smaller decrease in LV end-systolic dimension after KT. Risk factors for progression of AR include valve calcification, persistent hypertension and a smaller decrease in LV end-systolic dimension after KT. Further echocardiographic surveillance and risk factor management after KT are warranted in these patients.

This study evaluated the effects of maternal fish oil supplementation rich in n-3 PUFA on the performance and bone health of offspring broilers at embryonic development stage and at market age. Ross 708 broiler breeder hens were fed standard diets containing either 2.3% soybean oil (SO) or fish oil (FO) for 28 days. Their fertilized eggs were collected and hatched. For a pre-hatch study, left tibia samples were collected at 18 days of incubation. For a post-hatch study, a total of 240 male chicks from each maternal treatment were randomly selected and assigned to 12 floor pens and provided with the same broiler diets. At 42 days of age, growth performance, body composition, bone microstructure, and expression of key bone marrow osteogenic and adipogenic genes were evaluated. One-way ANOVA was performed, and means were compared by student's t-test. Maternal use of FO in breeder hen diet increased bone mineral content (p < 0.01), bone tissue volume (p < 0.05), and bone surface area (p < 0.05), but decreased total porosity volume (p < 0.01) during the embryonic development period. The FO group showed higher body weight gain and feed intake at the finisher stage than the SO group. Body composition analyses by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed that the FO group had higher fat percentage and higher fat mass at day 1, but higher lean mass and total body mass at market age. The decreased expression of key adipogenic genes in the FO group suggested that prenatal FO supplementation in breeder hen diet suppressed adipogenesis in offspring bone marrow. Furthermore, no major differences were observed in expression of osteogenesis marker genes, microstructure change in trabecular bone, or bone mineral density. However, a significant higher close pores/open pores ratio suggested an improvement on bone health of the FO group. Thus, this study indicates that maternal fish oil diet rich in n-3 PUFA could have a favorable impact on fat mass and skeletal integrity in broiler offspring.

Introduction: Kidney stone disease has a high prevalence worldwide of approximately 10 % of the population and is characterized by a high recurrence rate Kidney stone disease results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and life-style risk factors, and the dissection of these factors is complex. Methods: The Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC) is an investigator-initiated prospective, multi-centric longitudinal, observational study in patients with kidney stones followed with regular visits over a period of 3 years after inclusion. Ongoing follow-ups by biannual telephone interviews will provide long-term outcome data up to 10 years. Results: SKSC comprises 782 adult patients (age > 18 yrs) with either recurrent stones or a single stone event with at least one risk factor for recurrence. In addition, a control cohort of 207 individuals without kidney stone history and absence of kidney stones on a low-dose CT-scan at enrolment has also been recruited. SKSC includes extensive collections of clinical data, biochemical data in blood and 24 hr urine samples, and genetic data. Biosamples are stored at a dedicated biobank. Information on diet and dietary habits were collected through food frequency questionnaires and standardized recall interviews by trained dieticians with the Globodiet software. Conclusion: SKSC provides an unique opportunity and resource to further study cause and course of kidney disease in a large population with data and samples collected of a homogenous collective of patients throughout the whole Swiss population.

Drowsiness on the road is a widespread problem with fatal consequences; thus, a multitude of systems and techniques have been proposed. Among existing methods, Ghoddoosian et al. utilized temporal blinking patterns to detect early signs of drowsiness, but their algorithm was tested only on a powerful desktop computer, which is not practical to apply in a moving vehicle setting. In this paper, we propose an efficient platform to run Ghoddoosian’s algorithm, detail the performance tests we ran to determine this platform, and explain our threshold optimization logic. After considering the Jetson Nano and Beelink (Mini PC), we concluded that the Mini PC is most efficient and practical to run our embedded system in a vehicle. To determine this, we ran communication speed tests and evaluated total processing times for inference operations. Based on our experiments, the average total processing time to run the drowsiness detection model was 94.27 ms for the Jetson Nano and 22.73 ms for the Beelink (Mini PC). Considering the portability and power efficiency of each device, along with the processing time results, the Beelink (Mini PC) was determined to be most suitable. Additionally, we propose a threshold optimization algorithm, which determines whether the driver is drowsy, or alert based on the trade-off between the sensitivity and specificity of the drowsiness detection model. Our study will serve as a crucial next step for drowsiness detection research and its application in vehicles. Through our experiments, we have determined a favorable platform that can run drowsiness detection algorithms in real-time and can be used as a foundation to further advance drowsiness detection research. In doing so, we have bridged the gap between an existing embedded system and its actual implementation in vehicles to bring drowsiness technology a step closer to prevalent real-life implementation.

Modern broiler chickens are incredibly efficient, but they accumulate more adipose tissue than is physiologically necessary due to inadvertent consequences of selection for rapid growth. Accumulation of excess adipose tissue wastes feed in birds raised for market, and it compromises well-being in broiler-breeders. Studies driven by the obesity epidemic in humans demonstrate that the fatty acid profile of the diet influences adipose tissue growth and metabolism in ways that can be manipulated to reduce fat accretion. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) can inhibit adipocyte differentiation, induce fatty acid oxidation, and enhance energy expenditure, all of which can counteract the accretion of excess adipose tissue. This mini-review summarizes efforts to counteract the tendency for fat accretion in broilers by enriching the diet in n-3 PUFA.

The city of Seoul will limit the maximum particulate matter (PM10) concentration to ≤35 μg/m3 (from 2024). Herein, a numerical parametric study was conducted on the PM removal efficiency of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters installed in the ceiling of subway cabins. The PM10 concentration distribution was explored according to the flow rate and flow rate ratio of the air introduced into the cabin. Under the current ventilation conditions of the subway train HVAC system, the PM10 concentration was highest in the cabin central area where exhaust outlets are located and decreased toward both ends of the cabin. The indoor airflow was improved and the PM10 concentration was reduced by increasing the flow rate of the supplied air at both ends of the cabin while decreasing it in the central area. It was found that the strengthened PM10 concentration criterion of Seoul can be met by increasing the ventilation flow rate to 700 CMH (currently, 500 CMH) and the filter efficiency to 85% (currently, 70%) while maintaining the current flow rate ratio. These results are expected to be used as important reference data for reducing the PM concentration in subway cabins and thereby improving indoor air quality.

According to the stringent regulations on particulate matter (PM) concentrations in Seoul, Korea, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in subway stations must be maintained below 50 and 30 μg/m3, respectively, by 2024. Therefore, the PM concentrations in a subway station were analyzed considering air-conditioning diffuser arrangement and filtration efficiency, with the total ventilation flow rate of the station maintained constant. Dynamic analysis was performed under a worst-case scenario, wherein outdoor air was introduced through ground entrances and high-concentration dust (PM10, PM2.5) was introduced from stationary train cabins into the platforms through open platform screen doors (PSDs). Although the average PM concentrations were predicted to satisfy the reinforced criteria of Seoul under the existing operating conditions, the recommended limits were exceeded in certain local areas. To address this, the PM concentrations were predicted by changing the diffuser arrangement in the waiting room and maintaining the total ventilation flow rate constant. When the diffusers were placed near the waiting room walls, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were reduced by approximately 10.5 and 5%, respectively, compared to the previous diffuser arrangement. Thus, the required PM concentration criteria were satisfied in nearly all areas of the target station, except for certain areas close to PSDs. The study findings can form the basis for improving the air quality of other subway stations.

This paper reports a case study of SevenBräu, the first company to acquire a license for small and medium scale beer manufacturing in Korea. This study explores how SevenBräu analyzed its consumers, competition, and environment to set its target market and successfully positioned itself to explore new markets in Korea. The company accomplished this through a mixture of marketing strategies with differentiated products and consumer benefits. SevenBräu has been growing fast and establishing its image as a “high-quality craft beer locally produced in a traditional way” and a “beer with regional characteristics,” with young consumers (aged 20 to 35) as the main target. Such remarkable growth of SevenBräu can be attributed to factors such as: (1) product differentiation to satisfy the needs of consumers for taste, flavor, diversity, and freshness, (2) developing brands with regional characteristics and actively communicating its strategy through earned and owned media, and (3) sustainable management, considering both social value creation and environmental performance. Lastly, this case study presents challenges in the areas of brand management, value delivery network, and communication that SevenBräu needs to address in the beer market that faces increasing competition.

Green tea extract derived from the leaves of Camellia sinensis L. (CS), is a representative beverage with antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-viral properties. CS extract is also used in cosmetics. Colloidal gold is generally a sol or colloidal suspension of gold nanoparticles in water. Colloidal gold green tea (CGCS), cultivated as a fertilizer using this colloidal gold solution, contains gold minerals and possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-tumor properties. However, the skin bioactivity of CGCS has not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effect of the CGCS extract on skin whitening. CGCS extract contained high levels of phenols and flavonoids and displayed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner. CGCS extract inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells more effectively than the CS extract. Moreover, the CGCS extract decreased the expression levels of the melanogenesis-related proteins, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins (TRPs), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). In conclusion, our study showed that the CGCS extract inhibits the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 via the downregulation of MITF, thereby inhibiting melanin synthesis. Therefore, CGCS can potentially be used as a skin-whitening ingredient in the cosmetic industry.

We investigated the tunneling of graphene/insulator/metal heterojunctions by revising the Tsu–Esaki model of Fowler–Nordheim tunneling and direct tunneling current. Notably, the revised equations for both tunneling currents are proportional to V3, which originates from the linear dispersion of graphene. We developed a simulation tool by adopting revised tunneling equations using MATLAB. Thereafter, we optimized the device performance of the field-emission barristor by engineering the barrier height and thickness to improve the delay time, cut-off frequency, and power-delay product.