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Thin-film-transistor-liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs) still dominate most of the display markets due to a big leap in image quality while keeping low cost and superior reliability, and its evolution is continuing to compete with emerging emissive displays. In this paper, recent progress in liquid crystal technologies mainly focusing on fringe-field switching (FFS) and polymer-stabilized vertical alignment (PS-VA) modes and materials for improving electro-optic performances is reviewed.

We present a novel brush coating method for fabricating a coatable polarizer that utilizes a mixture of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (h-SWCNTs) grafted with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups and a reactive mesogen (RM), which possess a long-range orientational ordering of their rod-shaped molecules with photo-sensitive functional groups. The h-SWCNTs are shortened to a length of around 150 nm by an acid sonochemical oxidation process and then dispersed in an RM solution. The brush-coated thin layer initially consists of h-SWCNT clusters, but applying an in-plane electric field induces large-scale stretching of these along the field direction, after which the layer is photo-polymerized by ultraviolet irradiation to form a film embedding the stretched nanotubes. The uniaxially aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produce a broadband absorption spectrum that enables the film to exhibit an optical anisotropic property that absorbs incident light from the ultraviolet to the visible spectrum selectively depending on the polarization direction, thus acting as a coatable CNT polarizer. The dispersibility and elongation of h-SWCNT clusters induced by applying the electric field, as well as the anisotropic light-absorption properties of the h-SWCNT film, are investigated.

A thin layer of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exhibiting optical anisotropy is prepared by electroactively elongating SWCNT agglomerates. SWCNTs are doped into a reactive mesogen (RM) solution, and the composite solution is spin-coated on an interdigitated-electrode substrate. The spherical shaped SWCNT agglomerates observed in the solution of thin layers are electroactively elongated and aligned along the direction of the external electric field. After elongating the SWCNT agglomerates, the transparency of RM-SWCNT thin composite layers increases by about 14%. In addition, the elongated SWCNT agglomerates present significant optical anisotropy such that an incident light with a polarization direction parallel and perpendicular to the elongated direction of SWCNTs is absorbed and transmitted, respectively. The electroactively elongating strategy adopted to realize the optical anisotropy of SWCNT agglomerates suggests a new way to fabricate an optically anisotropic SWCNT thin layer.

Background and objective: Prediction of postoperative excessive blood loss is useful for management of Intensive Care Unit after cardiac surgery. The aim of present study was to examine the effectiveness of International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis scoring system in patients with cardiac surgery. Method: After obtaining approval from the institutional review board, the medical records of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery using Cardio-Pulmonary Bypass between March 2010 and February 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis score was calculated in intensive care unit and patients were divided with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group and non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group. To evaluate correlation with estimated blood loss, student t-test and correlation analyses were used. Results: Among 384 patients with cardiac surgery, 70 patients with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group (n = 20) or non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group (n = 50) were enrolled. Mean disseminated intravascular coagulation scores at intensive care unit admission was 5.35 ± 0.59 (overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group) and 2.66 ± 1.29 (non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group) and overt disseminated intravascular coagulation was induced in 29% (20/70). Overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group had much more EBL for 24 h (p = 0.006) and maintained longer time of intubation time (p = 0.005). Conclusion: In spite of limitation of retrospective design, management using International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis score in patients after cardiac surgery seems to be helpful for prediction of the post- cardio-pulmonary bypass excessive blood loss and prolonged tracheal intubation duration. Resumo: Justificativa e objetivo: A previsão de perda sanguínea excessiva no pós-operatório é útil para o manejo em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) após cirurgia cardíaca. O objetivo do presente estudo foi examinar a eficácia do sistema de classificação da Sociedade Internacional de Trombose e Hemostasia (International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis – ISTH) em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Método: Após obter a aprovação do Comitê de Pesquisa Institucional, os prontuários de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca eletiva usando circulação extracorpórea (CEC) entre março de 2010 e fevereiro de 2014 foram retrospectivamente revisados. O escore ISTH foi calculado na UTI, e os pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos: grupo com coagulação intravascular disseminada (CID) manifesta e grupo com CID não-manifesta. Para avaliar a correlação com a Perda Estimada de Sangue (PES), o teste t de Student e as análises de correlação foram utilizados. Resultados: Dentre os 384 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca, 70 pacientes com CID manifesta (n = 20) ou CID não manifesta (n = 50) foram incluídos. As médias dos escores CID na admissão na UTI foram 5,35 ± 0,59 (Grupo CID manifesta) e 2,66 ± 1,29 (Grupo CID não manifesta) e induzida CID manifesta em 29% (20/70). O grupo CID manifesta apresentou PES superior durante 24 horas (p = 0,006) e um tempo maior de intubação (p = 0,005). Conclusão: Apesar da limitação do desenho retrospectivo, o uso do escore ISTH para o manejo de pacientes após cirurgia cardíaca parece ser útil para prever a perda sanguínea excessiva pós-CEC e o prolongamento da intubação traqueal. Keywords: Cardiac surgery, Coagulation, Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, Morbidity, Transfusion, Palavras-chave: Cirurgia cardíaca, Coagulação, Coagulação intravascular disseminada, Morbidade, Transfusão

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence from the Asian crested ibis, Nipponia nippon (Aves, Pelecaniformes, Threskiornithidae), was determined and characterized in detail. This mitochondrial genome is 16,813 bp long, and consists of 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. The nucleotide composition is slightly biased with A + T contents of 53.79% (A, T, C, and G was 30.37%, 23.42%, 31.99%, and 14.22%, respectively). 11 PCGs are initiated by ATN codons, except for cox1 and cox2 with GTG instead. The phylogenetic relationships based on the maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods showed that the placement of N. nippon within the order Pelecaniformes, with forming the monoclade of the family Threskiornithidae.

BackgroundSerotonin-also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT-can induce nausea and vomiting (NV) by peripheral mechanisms via the activation of 5-HT3 receptors. In this study, we observed perioperative NV, including intraoperative NV, and changes in serum 5-HT concentrations. We evaluated the relationship between perioperative NV and serum 5-HT levels in patients undergoing cesarean section under epidural anesthesia, and carried out a pilot study to determine if further studies on a larger scale were justified.MethodsTwenty-eight patients who were scheduled for cesarean section under epidural anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were assigned to 2 groups according to the occurrence of NV after induction, i.e., an NV-positive or an NV-negative group. Serum 5-HT concentrations were measured before induction, at the time that NV occurred (in the case of the NV-positive group) or 5 min after the umbilical cord clamping (in the case of the NV-negative group) during surgery, and at 2 h postoperatively.ResultsNV occurred in 10 of the 28 patients. No significant differences in serum 5-HT concentrations were found within or between the two groups.ConclusionsThis study suggests that there is no correlation between serum 5-HT concentration and the occurrence of perioperative NV in patients undergoing cesarean section under epidural anesthesia, and the findings do not seem to support further investigations regarding a possible relationship between serum 5-HT concentration and perioperative NV.

BackgroundSevoflurane and propofol are used widely for interventional neuroradiology (INR). Using the bispectral index (BIS), we compared the clinical properties of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia in patients undergoing INR at comparable depths of anesthesia.MethodsThe patients were allocated randomly into two groups. The sevoflurane group received propofol (1.5 mg/kg), alfentanil (5 µg/kg), and rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) for induction, and the propofol group was induced with a target effect-site concentration of propofol (4 µg/ml), alfentanil (5 µg/kg), and rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg). After intubation, anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane or propofol with 67% nitrous oxide in 33% oxygen. Sevoflurane and propofol concentrations were titrated to maintain the BIS at 50-60. Phenylephrine or opioid was used to maintain the mean arterial pressure within 20% of the baseline values. The amounts of phenylephrine or alfentanil used, the number of patients showing movement during the procedure, and the recovery times were recorded.Results Compared to the propofol group, the sevoflurane group showed faster recovery in spontaneous ventilation, eye opening, extubation, and orientation (4 vs. 7 min, 7 vs. 9 min, 8 vs. 10 min, 10 vs. 14 min, respectively; P < 0.01). In the propofol group, significantly greater amounts phenylephrine were used (P < 0.05), and more patients moved during the procedure (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe use of sevoflurane in maintaining anesthesia during INR was associated with faster recovery, less patient movement during the procedure, and a more stable hemodynamic response when compared to propofol.

The circular F-type mitochondrial genome (15,761 bp) was completely sequenced for a Korean freshwater mussel Nodularia douglasiae (synonym Unio douglasiae; Unionidae, Unionida, Bivalvia). It contains 13 PCGs, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, as generally shown in metazoan mitochondrial genomes. Its gene order is identical to that of F-type mitochondrial genomes observed in other freshwater mussels. With nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the complete F-type mitochondrial genomes obtained from 38 unionid species reported so far, phylogenetic analyses were done and discussed. The present study may give valuable helps to explore genetic diversity and population structures of other freshwater mussels as well as N. douglasiae.

BackgroundRapid and complete reversal of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is desirable at the end of surgery. Sugammadex reverses rocuronium-induced NMB by encapsulation. It is well tolerated in Caucasian patients, providing rapid reversal of moderate (reappearance of T2) rocuronium-induced NMB. We investigated the efficacy and safety of sugammadex versus neostigmine in Korean patients.MethodsThis randomized, safety assessor-blinded trial (NCT01050543) included Korean patients undergoing general anesthesia. Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was given prior to intubation with maintenance doses of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg as required. Patients received sugammadex 2.0 mg/kg or neostigmine 50 µg/kg with glycopyrrolate 10 µg/kg to reverse the NMB at the reappearance of T2, after the last rocuronium dose. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time from sugammadex or neostigmine administration to recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) ratio to 0.9. The safety of these medications was also assessed.ResultsOf 128 randomized patients, 118 had evaluable data (n = 59 in each group). The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) time to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 was 1.8 (1.6, 2.0) minutes in the sugammadex group and 14.8 (12.4, 17.6) minutes in the neostigmine group (P < 0.0001). Sugammadex was generally well tolerated, with no evidence of residual or recurrence of NMB; four patients in the neostigmine group reported adverse events possibly indicative of inadequate NMB reversal.ConclusionsSugammadex was well tolerated and provided rapid reversal of moderate rocuronium-induced NMB in Korean patients, with a recovery time 8.1 times faster than neostigmine. These results are consistent with those reported for Caucasian patients.

Copepods, small aquatic crustaceans, are the most abundant metazoan zooplankton and outnumber every other group of multicellular animals on earth. In spite of ecological and biological importance in aquatic environment, their morphological plasticity, originated from their various lifestyles and their incomparable capacity to adapt to a variety of environments, has made the identification of species challenging, even for expert taxonomists. Molecular approaches to species identification have allowed rapid detection, discrimination, and identification of cryptic or sibling species based on DNA sequence data. We examined sequence variation of a partial mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I gene (COI) from 133 copepod individuals collected from the Korean Peninsula, in order to identify and discriminate 94 copepod species covering six copepod orders of Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida, Monstrilloida, Poecilostomatoida and Siphonostomatoida. The results showed that there exists a clear gap with ca. 20 fold difference between the averages of within-specific sequence divergence (2.42%) and that of between-specific sequence divergence (42.79%) in COI, suggesting the plausible utility of this gene in delimitating copepod species. The results showed, with the COI barcoding data among 94 copepod species, that a copepod species could be distinguished from the others very clearly, only with four exceptions as followings: Mesocyclops dissimilis-Mesocyclops pehpeiensis (0.26% K2P distance in percent) and Oithona davisae-Oithona similis (1.1%) in Cyclopoida, Ostrincola japonica-Pseudomyicola spinosus (1.5%) in Poecilostomatoida, and Hatschekia japonica-Caligus quadratus (5.2%) in Siphonostomatoida. Thus, it strongly indicated that COI may be a useful tool in identifying various copepod species and make an initial progress toward the construction of a comprehensive DNA barcode database for copepods inhabiting the Korean Peninsula.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to measure lumbar epidural pressure (EP) during the insertion of a Tuohy needle under general anesthesia and to evaluate the influence of airway pressure on EP.MethodsLumbar EP was measured directly through a Tuohy needle during intermittent positive pressure ventilation in fifteen patients. Mean and peak EP were recorded after peak inspiratory pressures (PIP) of 0, 15, and 25 cmH2O.ResultsAll measured lumbar EPs were positive, with the pressure increasing during inspiration and decreasing during expiration. Median EP was 6.0 mmHg (interquartile range, 4.0-8.0) at 0 cmH2O of PIP, 6.5 mmHg (4.5-8.5) at 15 cmH2O, and 8.5 mmHg (6.0-10.5) at 25 cmH2O, increasing significantly at 15 cm H2O PIP, and further increasing at 25 cmH2O (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe demonstrate the influence of increased airway pressure on lumbar EP measured directly through a Tuohy needle. Lumbar EPs were positive, and increasing PIP levels significantly increased lumbar EP.

BackgroundNeck flexion has been shown to increase cranial spread of contrast agent when a small fixed volume was injected into the high thoracic epidural space. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of volume of contrast medium on its distribution through the high thoracic epidural space during neck extension and flexion using the rabbit model.MethodsAn epidural catheter was introduced into the epidural space of New Zealand white rabbits with the tip located at the T3-4 intervertebral level. The neck was extended or flexed (n = 8 for each group), and the contrast medium was injected with the volume increasing by increments of 0.1 ml/kg, up to 0.3 ml/kg. The spread of contrast medium was determined by counting the number of vertebral body units using lateral epidurographic images.ResultsIn both groups, the total spread of contrast medium was similar, increasing continuously with injected volume. The cranial spread was greater in the flexion group than the extension group. However, the caudal spread was greater in the extension than in the flexion group. In the extension group, the contrast medium spread caudally about twice as far as it spread cranially, but there was no statistically significant difference between cranial and caudal spread in the flexion group.ConclusionsIn the high thoracic epidural space of rabbit, the contrast medium of varying doses showed limited cranial spread. The flexion of the neck increased cranial spread and extension of the neck increased caudal spread.

BackgroundWe hypothesized that, even in patients taking aspirin, the variance of preoperative platelet response to collagen might be associated with myocardial injury during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between preoperative whole-blood aggregometry (WBA) by collagen and the postoperative myocardial injuries.MethodsFor 44 patients who were scheduled for elective off-pump CABG and taking aspirin, WBA was measured by the impedance method in the presence of collagen (2 mg/ml or 5 mg/ml) as stimulatory agents. After CABG, myocardial injury was evaluated by analysis of the creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and by electrocardiography.ResultsHigh response group (n = 13) on preoperative WBA with collagen (2 and 5 mg/ml) showed significantly higher postoperative cardiac enzyme levels (CK, CK-MB and LD) than those of low response group (n = 31).ConclusionsIn patients who take aspirin and undergoing off-pump CABG, the preoperative platelet response to collagen is correlated with postoperative myocardial injury.

The goal of this study was to examine the factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, criterion validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the Brief Strengths Scale-12 (BSS-12) in Korean population. The Korean sample comprised 288 college students (68.1% were female), ranging in age 19 to 30 years (mean age = 21.65 years, SD = 1.98). Results showed that a three-factor model with exploratory structural equation modeling provided a better model fit than the other competing models. Indices of internal consistency reliability, criterion validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the BSS-12 were acceptable. These results suggest that the BSS-12 can be used as an effective tool for measuring character strengths in Korean population.

Introduction This study aimed to investigate whether low-volume local anesthetic with intravenous dexamethasone can reduce the incidence of diaphragmatic paresis while maintaining the analgesic duration compared with conventional volume of local anesthetic without intravenous dexamethasone when performing ultrasound-guided superior trunk block in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods Eighty-four adult patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided superior trunk block using 7 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with 0.15 mg/kg of intravenous dexamethasone (treatment group), or 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with intravenous normal saline (control group). The co-primary outcomes were (1) the duration of analgesia (time between block completion and onset of surgical pain with a Numeric Rating Scale pain score of 4 or higher), which was compared against a non-inferiority margin of 3 hours, and (2) the incidence of diaphragmatic paresis evaluated using M-mode ultrasonography in the post-anesthesia care unit. Results The mean duration of analgesia was 12.4 (6.8) and 11.2 (4.6) hours in the treatment and control groups, respectively (mean difference: -1.2 hours; 95% CI -3.8 to 1.3]; p for non-inferiority<0.001), meeting the non-inferiority criteria. The incidence of diaphragmatic paresis was 45.2% and 85.4% in the treatment and control groups, respectively (relative risk: 0.53; 97.5% CI 0.35 to 0.80; p<0.001). Conclusions Superior trunk block using low-volume local anesthetic with intravenous dexamethasone can reduce the incidence of diaphragmatic paresis while providing non-inferior analgesic duration compared with the conventional volume of local anesthetic in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Trial registration number Clinical Research Information Service of Republic of Korea Registry (KCT0005998). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and objective Prediction of postoperative excessive blood loss is useful for management of Intensive Care Unit after cardiac surgery. The aim of present study was to examine the effectiveness of International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis scoring system in patients with cardiac surgery. Method After obtaining approval from the institutional review board, the medical records of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery using Cardio-Pulmonary Bypass between March 2010 and February 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis score was calculated in intensive care unit and patients were divided with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group and non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group. To evaluate correlation with estimated blood loss, student t-test and correlation analyses were used. Results Among 384 patients with cardiac surgery, 70 patients with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group (n = 20) or non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group (n = 50) were enrolled. Mean disseminated intravascular coagulation scores at intensive care unit admission was 5.35 ± 0.59 (overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group) and 2.66 ± 1.29 (non-overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group) and overt disseminated intravascular coagulation was induced in 29% (20/70). Overt disseminated intravascular coagulation group had much more EBL for 24 h (p = 0.006) and maintained longer time of intubation time (p = 0.005). Conclusion In spite of limitation of retrospective design, management using International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis score in patients after cardiac surgery seems to be helpful for prediction of the post- cardio-pulmonary bypass excessive blood loss and prolonged tracheal intubation duration.

Objective: Anxiety sensitivity is associated with the onset and progression of various emotional disorders. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index 3 (ASI-3) is a self-report scale for anxiety sensitivity. This study aims to resolve the ongoing controversy about the factorial structure of the ASI-3 using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), a newly advanced technique. Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), ESEM, bifactor-CFA, and bifactor-ESEM were used to investigate the factorial structure of the ASI-3. Three hundred Korean college students (female = 195, age: 21.74 ± 2.34) filled out the ASI-3 and the Distress Intolerance Index. Results: The bifactor-ESEM model exhibited a model fit superior to the 4 alternative models. The general factor showed higher loadings and reliability and explained common variance than the 3 specific factors in the bifactor-ESEM model. Most items reflected the global factor, but 6 items (Items 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 17) from the specific factors had insufficient loadings. Moreover, the global factor of the ASI-3 was associated with distress intolerance scores, indicating adequate criterion-related validity. Conclusion: The factorial structure of the ASI-3 is best described as a bifactor-ESEM model for Korean college students. Additionally, the bifactor-ESEM model of the ASI-3 includes a strong global factor that explains a large amount of the observed variance in the ASI-3 items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dexmedetomidine sedation has advantages, such as low incidence of respiratory depression and prolonged block duration, but also significant disadvantages, such as slow onset, high rate of sedation failure, and a long context- sensitive half- life. Remimazolam provides rapid sedation and recovery, high sedation efficacy and has minimal hemodynamic effects. We hypothesized that patients who received remimazolam would require less rescue midazolam than dexmedetomidine. Methods Patients (n=103) scheduled for surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine (DEX group) or remimazolam (RMZ group) targeting a Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score of 3 or 4. Rescue midazolam was administered if the patient failed to be sedated after the initial loading dose or despite infusion rate adjustment. Results Rescue midazolam administration was significantly higher in the DEX group (0% vs 39.2%; p<0.001). Patients in the RMZ group reached the target sedation level more rapidly. The incidences of bradycardia (0% vs 25.5%; p<0.001) and hypertension (0% vs 21.6%; p<0.001) were higher in the DEX group. Respiratory depression occurred at a higher rate in the RMZ group (21.2% vs 2.0%; p=0.002), but no patients required manual ventilation. Patients in the RMZ group recovered faster, had a shorter PACU stay and higher satisfaction scores. Hypotensive episodes in the PACU were more frequent in the DEX group (1.9% vs 29.4%; p<0.001). Conclusions Remimazolam showed excellent sedation efficacy, minimal hemodynamic effects, and fewer adverse events in the PACU than dexmedetomidine. However, it is important to note that respiratory depression was more frequent with the use of remimazolam. Trial registration number NCT05447507. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study was carried out to investigate the mediating effect of the social media use motives between covert narcissism and problematic social media use in the Korean population. Methods: College students using social networking service (SNS) (n = 603, 43.6% male) filled out self-report questionnaires of covert narcissism, social media use motives, and problematic social media use. Results: Participants who reported more covert narcissism reported more problematic social media use. In addition, the relations between covert narcissism and problematic social media use was mediated by information, enhancement, coping, and conformity motives. Conclusion: The findings of this study can help to establish an intervention program suitable for a specific population group and identify high-risk groups for problematic social media use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]