Doppler-free three-photon coherence in Doppler-broadened diamond-type atomic system.

We investigated the relationship between three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption (TPEIA) and four-wave mixing (FWM) in the 5S1/2-5P3/2-5D5/2 transition of 87Rb atoms. When the driving field was additionally coupled to the ground and intermediate states of a lower V-type configuration in a typical ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system, Doppler-free TPEIA and FWM spectra were simultaneously observed and then analyzed from the perspective of multi-photon atomic coherence. Comparing the TPEIA and FWM spectra according to the laser frequency detuning and laser intensity, we found that the enhanced TPEIA signal is strongly correlated with the generated FWM light. Analytical and numerical calculations for the analysis of the relationship are presented.

Trigger factor assisted soluble expression of recombinant spike protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious enteric pathogen of swine. The spike glycoprotein (S) of PEDV is the major immunogenic determinant that plays a pivotal role in the induction of neutralizing antibodies against PEDV, which therefore is an ideal target for the development of subunit vaccine. In an attempt to develop a subunit vaccine for PEDV, we cloned two different fragments of S protein and expressed as glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged fusion proteins, namely rGST-COE and rGST-S1D, in E.coli. However, the expression of these recombinant protein antigens using a variety of expression vectors, strains, and induction conditions invariably resulted in inclusion bodies. To achieve the soluble expression of recombinant proteins, several chaperone co-expression systems were tested in this study. RESULTS: We firstly tested various chaperone co-expression systems and found that co-expression of trigger factor (TF) with recombinant proteins at 15 °C was most useful in soluble production of rGST-COE and rGST-S1D compared to GroEL-ES and DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE/GroEL-ES systems. The soluble rGST-COE and rGST-S1D were purified using glutathione Sepharose 4B with a yield of 7.5 mg/l and 5 mg/l, respectively. Purified proteins were detected by western blot using mouse anti-GST mAb and pig anti-PEDV immune sera. In an indirect ELISA, purified proteins showed immune reactivity with pig anti-PEDV immune sera. Finally, immunization of mice with 10 µg of purified proteins elicited highly potent serum IgG and serum neutralizing antibody titers. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, soluble production of recombinant spike protein of PEDV, rGST-COE and rGST-S1D, were achieved by using TF chaperone co-expression system. Our results suggest that soluble rGST-COE and rGST-S1D produced by co-expressing chaperones may have the potential to be used as subunit vaccine antigens.

Atomic coherence effects in four-wave mixing process of a ladder-type atomic system.

We investigate the effects of atomic coherence on four-wave mixing (FWM), with respect to the transition routes between the hyperfine states in the 5S1/2-5P3/2-5D5/2 transition of 87Rb atoms. By comparing the FWM spectra with the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectra of the hyperfine states, we confirm that the FWM process is significantly influenced by both ladder-type and V-type two-photon coherences. From the observed FWM signal of each hyperfine structure, we clarify the role of two-photon coherence in the FWM process under EIT, double-resonance optical pumping (DROP), and two-photon absorption (TPA) conditions in a ladder-type atomic system, which is dependent on the open degree of the hyperfine states, the laser intensity, and the laser frequency detuning.

Highly bright photon-pair generation in Doppler-broadened ladder-type atomic system.

We report a bright photon-pair source with a coincidence counting rate per input power (cps/mW) of tens of thousands, obtained via spontaneous four-wave mixing from a Doppler-broadened atomic ensemble of the 5S1/2-5P3/2-5D5/2 transition of 87Rb. The photon-pair generation rate is enhanced by the two-photon coherence contributions from almost all the atomic velocity groups in the Doppler-broadened ladder-type atomic system. We obtained the violation of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality by a factor of 2370 ± 150. We believe that our scheme for highly bright paired photons is important as a useful quantum light source for quantum entanglement swapping between completely autonomous sources.

Production of soluble truncated spike protein of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus from inclusion bodies of Escherichia coli through refolding.

The emergence of highly pathogenic variant porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains, from 2013 to 2014, in North American and Asian countries have greatly threatened global swine industry. Therefore, development of effective vaccines against PEDV variant strains is urgently needed. Recently, it has been reported that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of S1 domain of PEDV spike protein is responsible for binding to the 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), a possible sugar co-receptor. Therefore, the NTD of S1 domain could be an attractive target for the development of subunit vaccines. In this study, the NTD spanning amino acid residues 25-229 (S25-229) of S1 domain of PEDV variant strain was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in the form of inclusion bodies (IBs). S25-229 IBs were solubilized in 20 mM sodium acetate (pH 4.5) buffer containing 8 M urea and 1 mM dithiothreitol with 95% yield. Solubilized S25-229 IBs were refolded by 10-fold flash dilution and purified by one-step cation exchange chromatography with >95% purity and 20% yield. The CD spectrum of S25-229 showed the characteristic pattern of alpha helical structure. In an indirect ELISA, purified S25-229 showed strong reactivity with mouse anti-PEDV sera. In addition, immunization of mice with 20 µg of purified S25-229 elicited highly potent serum IgG titers. Finally, mouse antisera against S25-229 showed immune reactivity with native PEDV S protein in an immunofluorescence assay. These results suggest that purified S25-229 may have potential to be used as a subunit vaccine against PEDV variant strains.

Condition for Doppler-free three-photon resonance in a ladder-type atomic system.

We report the essential condition for three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption (TPEIA) in a Doppler-broadened ladder-type atomic system. When the two coupling lasers operate at different frequencies, we observed Doppler-free TPEIA resonance at a counterintuitive frequency, which is the almost half-frequency detuning of the frequency difference between the two coupling fields. Considering three-photon coherence in a Doppler-broadened ladder-type three-level atomic system, the TPEIA due to the atomic group of non-zero velocity was in good agreement with the calculated TPEIA spectrum under the one-photon resonance condition of all three optical fields. From the results, we found that an atomic group with a proper velocity for ladder-type TPEIA should satisfy the one-photon resonances of all three optical fields.

Relationship between two- and three-photon coherence in a ladder-type atomic system.

We investigated the relationship between two- and three-photon coherence in terms of the transition routes and coupling field intensities in a Doppler-broadened ladder-type atomic system for the 5S(1/2)-5P(3/2)-5D(5/2) transition in (87)Rb atoms. Three-photon electromagnetically induced absorption (TPEIA) due to three-photon coherence was observed in the only transition route that exhibited a dominant two-photon coherence effect. We showed that two-photon coherence is a necessary condition for three-photon coherence phenomena. A comparison of the relative magnitudes of the electromagnetically induced transparency and TPEIA as a function of the coupling field intensity revealed that the increase of three-photon coherence was faster than that of two-photon coherence. Considering three-photon coherence in a Doppler-broadened ladder-type three-level atomic system, the relation between two- and three-photon coherence was numerically calculated.

Spatial transport of atomic coherence in electromagnetically induced absorption with a paraffin-coated Rb vapor cell.

We report the spatial transport of spontaneously transferred atomic coherence (STAC) in electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), which resulted from moving atoms with the STAC of the 5S(1/2) (F = 2)-5P(3/2) (F' = 3) transition of (87)Rb in a paraffin-coated vapor cell. In our experiment, two channels were spatially separate; the writing channel (WC) generated STAC in the EIA configuration, and the reading channel (RC) retrieved the optical field from the spatially transported STAC. Transported between the spatially separated positions, the fast light pulse of EIA in the WC and the delayed light pulse in the RC were observed. When the laser direction of the RC was counter-propagated in the direction of the WC, we observed direction reversal of the transported light pulse in the EIA medium. Furthermore, the delay time, the magnitude, and the width of the spatially transported light pulse were investigated with respect to the distance between the two channels.

Identification of exonic nucleotide variants of the thyroid hormone responsive protein gene associated with carcass traits and Fatty Acid composition in korean cattle.

The thyroid hormone responsive protein (THRSP) gene is a functional gene that can be used to indicate the fatty acid compositions. This study investigates the relationships of exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the THRSP gene and fatty acid composition of muscle fat and marbling score in the 612 Korean cattle. The relationships between fatty acid composition and eight SNPs in the THRSP gene (g.78 G>A, g.173 C>T, g.184 C>T, g.190 C>A, g.194 C>T, g.277 C>G, g.283 T>G and g.290 T>G) were investigated, and according to the results, two SNPs (g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T) in exon 1 were associated with fatty acid composition. The GG and CC genotypes of g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T had higher unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content (p<0.05). In addition, the ht1*ht1 group (Val/Ala haplotype) in a linkage disequilibrium increased MUFAs and marbling scores for carcass traits (p<0.05). As a result, g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T had significantly relationships with UFAs and MUFAs. Two SNPs in the THRSP gene affected fatty acid composition, suggesting that GG and CC genotypes and the ht1*ht1 group (Val/Ala haplotype) can be markers to genetically improve the quality and flavor of beef.

Study of Effects of Post-Weld Heat Treatment Time on Corrosion Behavior and Manufacturing Processes of Super Duplex Stainless SAF 2507 for Advanced Li-Ion Battery Cases.

Lithium-ion batteries are superior energy storage devices that are widely utilized in various fields, from electric cars to small portable electric devices. However, their susceptibility to thermal runaway necessitates improvements in battery case materials to improve their safety. This study used electrochemical analyses, including open-circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization, and critical pitting temperature (CPT) analyses, to investigate the corrosion resistance of super duplex stainless steel (SAF 2507) applied to battery cases in relation to post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) time. The microstructure during the manufacture, laser welding, and PWHT was analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron backscatter diffraction, and the chemical composition was analyzed using dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron probe micro-analysis. The PWHT increased the volume fraction of austenite from 5% to 50% over 3 min at 1200 °C; this increased the OCP from -0.21 V to +0.03 V, and increased the CPT from 56 °C to 73 °C. The PWHT effectively improved the corrosion resistance, laying the groundwork for utilizing SAF 2507 in battery case materials. But the alloy segregation and heterogeneous grain morphology after PWHT needs improvement.

Advances in Methane Emission Estimation in Livestock: A Review of Data Collection Methods, Model Development and the Role of AI Technologies.

This review examines the significant role of methane emissions in the livestock industry, with a focus on cattle and their substantial impact on climate change. It highlights the importance of accurate measurement and management techniques for methane, a potent greenhouse gas accounting for 14-16% of global emissions. The study evaluates both conventional and AI-driven methods for detecting methane emissions from livestock, particularly emphasizing cattle contributions, and the need for region-specific formulas. Sections cover livestock methane emissions, the potential of AI technology, data collection issues, methane's significance in carbon credit schemes, and current research and innovation. The review emphasizes the critical role of accurate measurement and estimation methods for effective climate change mitigation and reducing methane emissions from livestock operations. Overall, it provides a comprehensive overview of methane emissions in the livestock industry by synthesizing existing research and literature, aiming to improve knowledge and methods for mitigating climate change. Livestock-generated methane, especially from cattle, is highlighted as a crucial factor in climate change, and the review underscores the importance of integrating precise measurement and estimation techniques for effective mitigation.

Phase measurement of fast light pulse in electromagnetically induced absorption.

We report the phase measurement of a fast light pulse in electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) of the 5S1/2 (F = 2)-5P3/2 (F' = 3) transition of 87Rb atoms. Using a beat-note interferometer method, a stable measurement without phase dithering of the phase of the probe pulse before and after it has passed through the EIA medium was achieved. Comparing the phases of the light pulse in air and that of the fast light pulse though the EIA medium, the phase of the fast light pulse at EIA resonance was not shifted and maintained to be the same as that of the free-space light pulse. The classical fidelity of the fast light pulse according to the advancement of the group velocity by adjusting the atomic density was estimated to be more than 97%.

Identification of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) Gene Interactions in Korean Native Cattle Based on the Multifactor-dimensionality Reduction Method.

Fat quality is determined by the composition of fatty acids. Genetic relationships between this composition and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) gene were examined using 513 Korean native cattle. Single and epistatic effects of 7 SNP genetic variations were investigated, and the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method was used to investigate gene interactions in terms of oleic acid (C18:1), mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and marbling score (MS). The g.6850+77 A>G and g.14047 C>T SNP interactions were identified as the statistically optimal combination (C18:1, MUFAs and MS permutation p-values were 0.000, 0.000 and 0.001 respectively) of two-way gene interactions. The interaction effects of g.6850+77 A>G, g.10213 T>C and g.14047 C>T reflected the highest training-balanced accuracy (63.76%, 64.70% and 61.85% respectively) and was better than the individual effects for C18:1, MUFAs and MS. In addition, the superior genotype groups were AATTCC, AGTTCC, GGTCCC, AGTCCT, GGCCCT and AGCCTT. These results suggest that the selected SNP combination of the SCD1 gene and superior genotype groups can provide useful inferences for the improvement of the fatty acid composition in Korean native cattle.

Identification of the SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) for Fatty Acid Composition Associated with Beef Flavor-related FABP4 (Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4) in Korean Cattle.

In this study, we investigated the relationship between unsaturated fatty acids influencing beef flavor and four types of SNPs (c.280A>G, c.388G>A, c.408G>C and c.456A>G) located at exon 2, 3 and 4 of the FABP4 gene, which is a fatty acid binding protein 4 in Korean cattle (n = 513). When analyzing the relationship between single genotype, fatty acids and carcass trait, individuals of GG, GG, CC and GG genotypes that are homozygotes, had a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids and marbling scores than other genotypes (p<0.05). Then, haplotype block showed strong significant relationships not only with unsaturated fatty acids (54.73%), but also with marbling scores (5.82) in ht1×ht1 group (p<0.05). This ht1×ht1 group showed significant differences with unsaturated fatty acids and marbling scores that affected beef flavor in Korean cattle. Therefore, it can be inferred that the ht1×ht1 types might be valuable new markers for use in the improvement of Korean cattle.

Effects of L-glutamine supplementation on degradation rate and rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Two follow-up studies (exp. 1 and 2) were conducted to determine the effects of L-glutamine (L-Gln) supplementation on degradation and rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro. METHODS: First, rumen liquor from three cannulated cows was used to test L-Gln (50 mM) degradation rate and ammonia-N production at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after incubation (exp. 1). Second, rumen liquor from two cannulated steers was used to assess the effects of five levels of L-Gln including 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after incubation on fermentation characteristics, gas production, and degradability of nutrients (exp. 2). RESULTS: In exp. 1, L-Gln degradation rate and ammonia-N concentrations increased over time (p<0.001). In exp. 2, pH was reduced significantly as incubation time elapsed (p<0.001). Total gas production tended to increase in all groups as incubation time increased. Acetate and propionate tended to increase by increasing glutamine (Gln) levels, whereas levels of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were the highest in 0.5% and 3% Gln groups (p<0.001). The branched-chain VFA showed both linear and quadratic effects showing the lowest values in the 1% Gln group particularly after 6 h incubation (p<0.001). L-Gln increased crude protein degradability (p<0.001), showing the highest degradability in the 0.5% Gln group regardless of incubation time (p<0.05). Degradability of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber showed a similar pattern showing the highest values in 0.5% Gln group (p<0.10). CONCLUSION: Although L-Gln showed no toxicity when it was supplemented at high dosages (2% to 3% of DM), 0.5% L-Gln demonstrated the positive effects on main factors including VFAs production in-vitro. The results of this study need to be verified in further in-vivo study.

Arthroscopic suture anchor repair versus pullout suture repair in posterior root tear of the medial meniscus: a prospective comparison study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate functional and radiographic results of arthroscopic suture anchor repair for posterior root tear of the medial meniscus (PRTMM) and compare with pullout suture repair. METHODS: From December 2006 to August 2008, 51 consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic repair of PRTMM at our hospital. The repair technique was switched over time from pullout suture repair (group 1) to suture anchor repair (group 2). Of the patients, 6 were lost to follow-up, leaving a study population of 45 patients, with 22 menisci (48.9%) in group 1 and 23 (51.1%) menisci in group 2. The mean follow-up duration was 25.9 months (range, 24 to 27 months) in group 1 and 26.8 months (range, 24 to 28 months) in group 2. Compared variables included International Knee Documentation Committee criteria, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, gap distance at PRTMM, structural healing, meniscal extrusion, and cartilage degeneration of the medial femoral condyle. RESULTS: At 2 years postoperatively, both groups showed significant improvements in function (P < .05) and did not show significant differences in Kellgren-Lawrence grade (P > .05) compared with preoperatively. On magnetic resonance imaging, the gap distance at PRTMM was 3.2 ± 1.1 mm in group 1 and 2.9 ± 0.9 mm in group 2 preoperatively (P > .05). Complete structural healing was seen in 11 cases in group 1 and 12 cases in group 2 (P > .05). Mean meniscal extrusion of 4.3 ± 0.9 mm (group 1) and 4.1 ± 1.0 mm (group 2) preoperatively was significantly decreased to 2.1 ± 1.0 mm (group 1) and 2.2 ± 0.8 mm (group 2) postoperatively (P < .05). Regardless of repair technique, incompletely healed cases showed progression of cartilage degeneration (4 cases in group 1 and 2 cases in group 2). CONCLUSIONS: For PRTMM, our results show significant functional improvement in both the suture anchor repair and pullout suture repair groups. Reduction of meniscal extrusion seems to be appropriate to preserve its protective role against progression of cartilage degeneration after complete healing at PRTMM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prospective therapeutic comparative study.

Benefits and Risks of Antiviral Treatment during Pregnancy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and can lead to severe liver diseases. The World Health Organization has planned to eliminate viral hepatitis, including hepatitis caused by HBV and hepatitis C virus, by 2030. As mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is a main cause of chronic HBV infection, MTCT prevention is the main target to reduce the risk of chronic HBV infection and eliminate the disease. Recent clinical trials and meta-analyses found that antiviral therapy could prevent MTCT effectively in mothers with ≥200,000 IU/mL of HBV DNA, in combination with serial vaccination and hepatitis B immune globulin administration in infants. Despite the preventive role of antivirals for MTCT of HBV, there are several concerns regarding antiviral therapy with respect to the safety of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. This review summarizes the benefits and risks of antiviral treatment during pregnancy in women with chronic HBV infection.

Change in plasma sirtuin 1 level by injection into uterus of resveratrol in Korean cattle.

Bovine embryonic development is closely associated with mitochondrial biogenesis, which is regulated by the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Resveratrol, which is a type of natural phenol produced by several plants and used as a dietary supplement, is the activator of SIRT1. Although it has been reported that resveratrol increased SIRT1 level in in vitro bovine blastocysts, there are no in vivo reports on the change in the plasma SIRT1 level in cows. Therefore, we investigated the change in the level of plasma SIRT1 by injecting different concentrations of resveratrol into the uterus of Korean cattle heifer. The level of plasma SIRT1 in the 1.0 µM resveratrol-injected group was the highest among all groups (P < 0.05). Although the level of plasma SIRT1 increased on days 7, 9, and 14 in the resveratrol-injected group, the level of plasma SIRT1 in the control group decreased. When 1.0 µM resveratrol was directly injected into the uterus of cows during artificial insemination, a pregnancy rate was 21.0% higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, our results identified that the level of plasma SIRT1 was increased by direct injection of resveratrol and improved conception rate by injection into uterus of cow during artificial insemination.

Lupus myocarditis presenting as acute congestive heart failure: a case report.

A young woman who had a delivery history 3 months previously presented with dyspnea and orthopnea. Initial findings of physical examination, chest radiography, and echocardiogram showed typical congestive heart failure with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. At first, we considered peripartum cardiomyopathy because she had given birth to a baby 3 months previously. However, even though we massively tried conventional drug therapy for 10 days, the patient still remained with refractory heart failure. We performed additional laboratory studies such as complement level and autoantibodies, of which the results supported systemic lupus erythematosus. We could make the diagnosis of acute lupus myocarditis and treated her with corticosteroid. The symptoms were dramatically disappeared and LV function also improved.