Utilizing Synchrotron-Based X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography to Visualize the Microscopic Structure of Starch Hydrogels In Situ.

This study aimed to visualize the microstructures of starch hydrogels using synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT). Waxy maize starch (WMS, 3.3% amylose, db), pea starch (PS, 40.3% amylose), and high-amylose maize starch (HMS, 63.6% amylose) were cooked at 95 and 140 °C to prepare starch hydrogels. WMS and HMS failed to form a gel after 95 °C cooking and storage, while PS developed a firm gel. At 140 °C cooking, HMS of a high amylose nature was fully gelatinized and generated a rigid gel with the highest strength. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and µCT revealed the unique structural features of various starch hydrogels/pastes prepared at different temperatures, which were greatly affected by the degree of swelling and dispersity of the starches. As a nondestructive method, µCT showed certain advantages over SEM, including minimal shrinkage of the hydrogels, relatively simple sample preparation, and allowing for three-dimensional reconstruction of the hydrogel microstructure. This study indicated that synchrotron-based µCT could be a useful technique in visualizing biopolymer-based hydrogels.

Graphislactone A, a Fungal Antioxidant Metabolite, Reduces Lipogenesis and Protects against Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice.

Graphislactone A (GPA), a secondary metabolite derived from a mycobiont found in the lichens of the genus Graphis, exhibits antioxidant properties. However, the potential biological functions and therapeutic applications of GPA at the cellular and animal levels have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of GPA in mitigating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanisms through a series of experiments using various cell lines and animal models. GPA demonstrated antioxidant capacity on a par with that of vitamin C in cultured hepatocytes and reduced the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide in primary macrophages. However, in animal studies using an NAFLD mouse model, GPA had a milder impact on liver inflammation while markedly attenuating hepatic steatosis. This effect was confirmed in an animal model of early fatty liver disease without inflammation. Mechanistically, GPA inhibited lipogenesis rather than fat oxidation in cultured hepatocytes. Similarly, RNA sequencing data revealed intriguing associations between GPA and the adipogenic pathways during adipocyte differentiation. GPA effectively reduced lipid accumulation and suppressed lipogenic gene expression in AML12 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In summary, our study demonstrates the potential application of GPA to protect against hepatic steatosis in vivo and suggests a novel role for GPA as an underlying mechanism in lipogenesis, paving the way for future exploration of its therapeutic potential.

Establishment of an inspection standard for decomposition and methane production rates of organic waste co-digestion facilities in Korea.

Domestic organic waste resources have increased over the past decade and treatment of this waste via co-digested biogasification facilities is increasing annually. However, inspection standards for such facilities are not well-established. Herein, we aimed to derive calculation formulas and factors related to organic matter decomposition efficiency and methane production rate in accordance with waste treatment facility inspection standards. We also aimed to determine the optimum waste mixing ratio. Sample (field) surveys of 18 treatment facilities and complete enumeration of 110 facilities were conducted. Calculation formulas and factors were derived using the survey data and biochemical methane potential (BMP) test. The calculated coefficients derived through the BMP test were 0.512 m3 CH4/kgVSin for food waste, 0.601 m3 CH4/kgVSin for livestock manure, and 0.382 m3 CH4/kgVSin for sewage sludge. The final derived calculation factors were 65.0% for food waste, 36.0% for livestock manure, and 20.0% for sewage sludge for organic matter decomposition efficiency, and 0.380 m3 CH4/kgVSin for food waste, 0.27 m3 CH4/kgVSin for livestock manure, and 0.140 m3 CH4/kgVSin for sewage sludge for methane production rates. The derived effective capacity calculation factors can be utilized in future waste treatment facility inspection methods by aiding in the establishment of appropriate inspection standards for co-digested biogasification facilities other than single food waste treatment facilities. In addition, the optimum mixing ratio can be used as design data for co-digested biogasification facilities.

A review on intense pulsed light process as post-treatment for metal oxide thin films and nanostructures for device application.

The intense pulsed light (IPL) post-treatment process has attracted great attention in the device fabrication due to its versatility and rapidity particularly for solution process functional structures in devices, flexible/printed electronics, and continuous manufacturing process. The metal oxide materials inherently have multi-functionality and have been widely used in form of thin films or nanostructures in device application such as thin film transistors, light emitting diodes, solar cells, supercapacitors, etc. The IPL treatment enhances the physical and/or chemical properties of the functional metal oxide through photothermal effects. However, most metal oxides are transparent to most range of visible light and require more energy for post-treatment. In this review, we have summarized the IPL post-treatment processes for metal oxide thin films and nanostructures in device applications. The sintering and annealing of metal oxides using IPL improved the device performances by employing additional light absorbing layer or back-reflector. The IPL process becomes an innovative versatile post-treatment process in conjunction with multi-functional metal oxides in near-future device applications.

Optical Energy-Difference Conservation in a Synthetic Anti-PT-Symmetric System.

Anti-parity-time (APT) symmetry is associated with various effects beyond the fundamental limitations implied in the standard Hermitian-Hamiltonian dynamics. Here, we create an optical APT-symmetric system in a synthetic frequency domain using a conventional fiber without intrinsic gain or loss and experimentally reveal photonic APT-symmetric effects, including energy-difference conservation and synchronized power oscillation, which have not yet been confirmed experimentally in the optical domain. The optical fiber-based APT-symmetric system has a long interaction length because of its negligible loss, and the APT-symmetric Hamiltonian is precisely tunable with optical pumping density and phase mismatch. On this basis, we observe the phase transition at exceptional points, energy-difference conservation, and synchronized power oscillation. Our results provide a robust theoretical and experimental framework connecting the emerging non-Hermitian physics with technologically important nonlinear fiber-optic interactions.

Multifunctional Partially Reflective Surface for Smart Blocks.

In general, a partially reflective surface (PRS) is mainly used to increase the gain of an antenna; some metallic objects placed on the PRS degrades the antenna performance because the objects change the periodic structure of the PRS. Herein, we propose a multifunctional PRS for smart block application. When a passenger passes over a smart block, the fare can be simultaneously collected and presented through the LED display. This requires high gain antenna with LED structure. The high gain characteristic helps the antenna identify passengers only when they pass over the block. The multifunctional PRS has a structure in which an LED can be placed in the horizontal direction while increasing the antenna gain. We used the antenna's polarization characteristics to prevent performance deterioration when LED lines are placed in the PRS. We built the proposed antenna and measured its performance: At 2.41 GHz, the efficiency was 81.4%, and the antenna gain was 18.3 dBi. Furthermore, the half-power beamwidth was 18°, confirming a directional radiation pattern.

Two new secondary metabolites isolated from Avena sativa L. (Oat) seedlings and their effects on osteoblast differentiation.

Seedlings of natural crops are valuable sources of pharmacologically active phytochemicals. In this study, we aimed to identify new active secondary metabolites in Avena sativa L. (oat) seedlings. Two new compounds, avenafuranol (1) and diosgenoside (2), along with eight known compounds (3-10) were isolated from the A. sativa L. seedlings. Their chemical structures were elucidated via 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution ESIMS, IR spectroscopy, optical rotation analysis, and comparisons with the reported literature. The effect of each isolated compound on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity for osteoblast differentiation induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) was investigated using the C2C12 immortal mouse myoblast cell line. Compounds 1, 4, 6, 8, and 9 induced dose-dependent increases in ALP expression relative to ALP expression in cells treated with only BMP-2, and no cytotoxicity was observed. These results suggest that A. sativa L. seedlings are a natural source of compounds that may be useful for preventing bone disorders.

Comparative transcriptomes of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas reveal molecular similarities that span classical anatomic boundaries.

Advances in genomics in recent years have provided key insights into defining cancer subtypes "within-a-tissue"-that is, respecting traditional anatomically driven divisions of medicine. However, there remains a dearth of data regarding molecular profiles that are shared across tissues, an understanding of which could lead to the development of highly versatile, broadly applicable therapies. Using data acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we performed a transcriptomics-centered analysis on 1494 patient samples, comparing the two major histological subtypes of solid tumors (adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas) across organs, with a focus on tissues in which both subtypes arise: esophagus, lung, and uterine cervix. Via principal component and hierarchical clustering analysis, we discovered that histology-driven differences accounted for a greater degree of inherent molecular variation in the tumors than did tissue of origin. We then analyzed differential gene expression, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNA expression between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas and found 1733 genes, 346 CpG sites, and 42 microRNAs in common between organ sites, indicating specific adenocarcinoma-associated and squamous cell carcinoma-associated molecular patterns that were conserved across tissues. We then identified specific pathways that may be critical to the development of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, including Liver X receptor activation, which was upregulated in adenocarcinomas but downregulated in squamous cell carcinomas, possibly indicating important differences in cancer cell metabolism between these two histological subtypes of cancer. In addition, we highlighted genes that may be common drivers of adenocarcinomas specifically, such as IGF2BP1, which suggests a possible link between embryonic development and tumor subtype. Altogether, we demonstrate the need to consider biological similarities that transcend anatomical boundaries to inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies. All data sets from our analysis are available as a resource for further investigation.

UV Irradiation-Induced SERS Enhancement in Randomly Distributed Au Nanostructures.

Currently used platforms for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors generally employ metallic nanostructures for enrichment of the plasmonic hotspots in order to provide higher Raman signals, but this procedure is still considered challenging for analyte-surface affinity. This study reports a UV irradiation-induced SERS enhancement that amplifies the interactions between the analytes and metallic surfaces. The UV light can play critical roles in the surface cleaning to improve the SERS signal by removing the impurities from the surfaces and the formation of the negatively charged adsorbed oxygen species on the Au surfaces to enhance the analyte-surface affinity. To evaluate this scenario, we prepared randomly distributed Au nanostructures via thermal annealing with a sputtered Au thin film. The UV light of central wavelength 254 nm was then irradiated on the Au nanostructures for 60 min. The SERS efficiency of the Au nanostructures was subsequently evaluated using rhodamine 6G molecules as the representative Raman probe material. The Raman signal of the Au nanostructures after UV treatment was enhanced by up to approximately 68.7% compared to that of those that did not receive the UV treatment. We expect that the proposed method has the potential to be applied to SERS enhancement with various plasmonic platforms.

Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheet/Quantum Dot Dynamic Memristive Structure Driven by Photoinduced Phase Transition.

MoS2 2D nanosheets (NS) with intercalated 0D quantum dots (QDs) represent promising structures for creating low-dimensional (LD) resistive memory devices. Nonvolatile memristors based 2D materials demonstrate low power consumption and ultrahigh density. Here, the observation of a photoinduced phase transition in the 2D NS/0D QDs MoS2 structure providing dynamic resistive memory is reported. The resistive switching of the MoS2 NS/QD structure is observed in an electric field and can be controlled through local QD excitations. Photoexcitation of the LD structure at different laser power densities leads to a reversible MoS2 2H-1T phase transition and demonstrates the potential of the LD structure for implementing a new dynamic ultrafast photoresistive memory. The dynamic LD photomemristive structure is attractive for real-time pattern recognition and photoconfiguration of artificial neural networks in a wide spectral range of sensitivity provided by QDs.

Highly enhanced voltage holding property for low-frequency-driven fringe-field switching liquid crystal mode by charge-trapping effect of carbon-nanotube-doped surface.

We herein propose a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) doping method into liquid crystal (LC) alignment polyimides (PIs) with low resistivity for resolving both issues of voltage holding and image sticking in low-frequency-driven fringe-field switching (FFS) LC modes using negative dielectric LCs (n-LCs). By utilizing strong ion trapping ability of MWCNTs, the FFS n-LC cell aligned by low resistivity PIs with 0.05 wt% MWCNT doping exhibited an excellent voltage holding ratio of 99% under an extremely low operation frequency of 0.5 Hz and approximately 23.6 times better surface discharging property than that aligned by high resistivity PIs.

Hydrophobic Paper-Based SERS Sensor Using Gold Nanoparticles Arranged on Graphene Oxide Flakes.

Paper-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors have garnered much attention in the past decade owing to their ubiquity, ease of fabrication, and environmentally friendly substrate. The main drawbacks of a paper substrate for a SERS sensor are its high porosity, inherent hygroscopic nature, and hydrophilic surface property, which reduce the sensitivity and reproducibility of the SERS sensor. Here, we propose a simple, quick, convenient, and economical method for hydrophilic to hydrophobic surface modification of paper, while enhancing its mechanical and moisture-resistant properties. The hydrophobic paper (h-paper) was obtained by spin-coating diluted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution onto the filter paper, resulting in h-paper with an increased contact angle of up to ≈130°. To complete the h-paper-based SERS substrate, gold nanoparticles arranged on graphene oxide (AuNPs@GO) were synthesized using UV photoreduction, followed by drop-casting of AuNPs@GO solution on the h-paper substrate. The enhancement of the SERS signal was then assessed by attaching a rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecule as a Raman probe material to the h-paper-based SERS substrate. The limit of detection was 10 nM with an R2 of 0.966. The presented SERS sensor was also tested to detect a thiram at the micromolar level. We expect that our proposed AuNPs@GO/h-paper-based SERS sensor could be applied to point-of-care diagnostics applications in daily life and in spacecraft.

Fast-switching optically isotropic liquid crystal nano-droplets with improved depolarization and Kerr effect by doping high k nanoparticles.

We proposed and analyzed an optically isotropic nano-droplet liquid crystal (LC) doped with high k nanoparticles (NPs), exhibiting enhanced Kerr effects, which could be operated with reduced driving voltages. For enhancing the contrast ratio together with the light efficiencies, the LC droplet sizes were adjusted to be shorter than the wavelength of visible light to reduce depolarization effects by optical scattering of the LC droplets. Based on the optical analysis of the depolarization effects, the influence of the relationship between the LC droplet size and the NP doping ratio on the Kerr effect change was investigated.

Highly sensitive and flexible strain sensors based on patterned ITO nanoparticle channels.

We demonstrate a highly sensitive and flexible bending strain sensor using tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanoparticles (NPs) assembled in line patterns on flexible substrates. By utilizing transparent ITO NPs without any surface modifications, we could produce strain sensors with adjustable gauge factors and optical transparency. We were able to control the dimensional and electrical properties of the sensors, such as channel height and resistance, by controlling the NP assembly speed. Furthermore, we were able to generate controlled gauge factor with values ranging from 18 to 157, which are higher than previous cases using metallic Cr NPs and Au NPs. The alignment of the ITO NPs in parallel lines resulted in low crosstalk between the transverse and longitudinal bending directions. Finally, our sensor showed high optical transmittance, up to ∼93% at 500 nm wavelength, which is desirable for flexible electronic applications.

Conductive multi-walled boron nitride nanotubes by catalytic etching using cobalt oxide.

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are ceramic compounds which are hardly oxidized below 1000 °C due to their superior thermal stability. Also, they are electrically almost insulators with a large band gap of 5 eV. Thus, it is a challenging task to etch BNNTs at low temperature and to convert their electrical properties to a conductive behavior. In this study, we demonstrate that BNNTs can be easily etched at low temperature by catalytic oxidation, resulting in an electrically conductive behavior. For this, multi-walled BNNTs (MWBNNTs) impregnated with Co precursor (Co(NO3)2·6H2O) were simply heated at 350 °C under air atmosphere. As a result, diverse shapes of etched structures such as pits and thinned walls were created on the surface of MWBNNTs without losing the tubular structure. The original crystallinity was still kept in the etched MWBNNTs in spite of oxidation. In the electrical measurement, MWBNNTs with a large band gap were converted to electrical conductors after etching by catalytic oxidation. Theoretical calculations indicated that a new energy state in the gap and a Fermi level shift contributed to MWBNNTs being conductive.

The influence of the vibration form roller exercise on the pains in the muscles around the hip joint and the joint performance.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the vibration form-roller exercise on the pain in the hip joint and the joint performances. [Subjects and Methods] 30 adult patients were randomly sampled and divided into form-roller group (15) and the vibration form-roller group (15). The two groups were exposed to an exercise regimen of 3 sessions per week, over 4 weeks. Each session was composed of warming-up (5M), main exercises (20M), and five minutes of cool-down (5M). [Results] The result of this study, in the intra-group comparison of the Performance, the PRE group increase in the flexion, extension, and abduction of the hip joint, the VPRE group increase in flexion, extension, external rotation and internal rotation. In the comparison between groups, the VPRE group increase in the flexion and internal rotation. Through the intra-group comparison the pressure pain, the PRE group and the VPRE group decreases in the all muscles. In the comparison between the groups, there was increase in the iliotibial tract of the VPRE group. [Conclusion] The result of this study the effect of the form-roller & vibration form-roller exercises. Therefore, various exercise methods would have to be developed in order to overcome the limitations in the existing form-roller exercises.

The effects of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty chronic stroke patients who do not show abnormal response to electric stimulation were enrolled in this study and each 15 subjects were randomized either into the study group and the sham-controlled group. The subjects performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 20 minutes while tDCS device was attached to them (for study group, the device was on while for the sham-controlled group, the device was turned off 30 seconds later) [Results] The results of FVC, FEF1 and FEV1/FVC in the study group and those of FVC and FEV1 in the sham-controlled group were significantly increased after the breathing exercise. The independent comparison result between the groups showed that the breathing performance of study group significantly improved based on the results of FVC and FEV1. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed that breathing exercise effectively improved FVC and FEV1 in chronic stroke patients. Also, the breathing exercise using tDCS was more effective in improving FVC and FEV1.

Genome-editing technologies for gene correction of hemophilia.

Hemophilia is caused by various mutations in blood coagulation factor genes, including factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX), that encode key proteins in the blood clotting pathway. Although the addition of therapeutic genes or infusion of clotting factors may be used to remedy hemophilia's symptoms, no permanent cure for the disease exists. Moreover, patients often develop neutralizing antibodies or experience adverse effects that limit the therapy's benefits. However, targeted gene therapy involving the precise correction of these mutated genes at the genome level using programmable nucleases is a promising strategy. These nucleases can induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) on genomes, and repairs of such induced DSBs by the two cellular repair systems enable a targeted gene correction. Going beyond cultured cell systems, we are now entering the age of direct gene correction in vivo using various delivery tools. Here, we describe the current status of in vivo and ex vivo genome-editing technology related to potential hemophilia gene correction and the prominent issues surrounding its application in patients with monogenic diseases.

Low-concentration photovoltaic module with reflective compound parabolic concentrator fabricated by roll-to-roll slot-die coating and 3D printing.

We fabricate a low-concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) module with a reflective compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) using roll-to-roll (R2R) slot-die coating and 3D printing technologies. A highly reflective silver thin-film is coated on a flexible plastic substrate, and the CPC frame is manufactured via 3D printing. The slot-die-coated silver film with thickness of more than 100 nm stably exhibits 95% reflectivity at 550 nm. Further, CPC concentrators with concentration ratios of 4X and 3X are assembled into silicon solar cells and characterized. Although the fill factor and maximum voltage slightly decrease, power and efficiency increase by factors of 3.51 and 2.63 with respect to the no-CPC-module case. Our approach can be used to optimize the design of various engineering products.

Design and synthesis of amorphous SiOx structures generated by Sn quantum dots: growth mechanism and luminescent origin.

SiOx structures with different diameters of a few hundreds of nanometers and/or a few micrometers are prepared using applied thermal evaporation. Subsequently, Sn quantum dot-based SiOx architectures are synthesized via the continuous steps of the carbothermal reduction of SnO2, substitution of Sn(4+) for In(3+), thermal oxidation of Si, Sn sublimation, interfacial reaction, and diffusion reaction consistent with corresponding phase equilibriums. Several crystalline and spherical-shaped Sn quantum dots with diameters between 2 and 7 nm are observed in the amorphous SiOx structures. The morphological evolution, including hollow Sn (or SnOx) sphere and wire-like, worm-like, tube-like, and flower-like SiOx, occurs stepwise on the Si substrate upon increasing the given process energies. The optical characteristics based on confocal measurements reveal the as-synthesized SiOx structures, irrespective of whether crystallinity is formed, which all have visible-range emissions originating from the numerous different-sized and -shaped Sn quantum dots permeating into the SiOx matrix. In addition, photoluminescence emissions ranging between ultraviolet and red regions are in agreement with confocal measurements. The origins of the morphology- and luminescence-controlled amorphous SiOx with Sn quantum dots are also discussed.