Extreme Gradient Boosting to Predict Atomic Layer Deposition for Platinum Nano-Film Coating.

Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of high accuracy and low inference time. The current study applies this XGBoost to the production of platinum nano-film coating through atomic layer deposition (ALD). In order to generate a database for model development, platinum is coated on α-Al2O3 using a rotary-type ALD equipment. The process is controlled by four parameters: process temperature, stop valve time, precursor pulse time, and reactant pulse time. A total of 625 samples according to different process conditions are obtained. The ALD coating index is used as the Al/Pt component ratio through ICP-AES analysis during postprocessing. The four process parameters serve as the input data and produces the Al/Pt component ratio as the output data. The postprocessed data set is randomly divided into 500 training samples and 125 test samples. XGBoost demonstrates 99.9% accuracy and a coefficient of determination of 0.99. The inference time is lower than that of random forest regression, in addition to a higher prediction safety than that of the light gradient boosting machine.

Aggresomal sequestration and STUB1-mediated ubiquitylation during mammalian proteaphagy of inhibited proteasomes.

The 26S proteasome, a self-compartmentalized protease complex, plays a crucial role in protein quality control. Multiple levels of regulatory systems modulate proteasomal activity for substrate hydrolysis. However, the destruction mechanism of mammalian proteasomes is poorly understood. We found that inhibited proteasomes are sequestered into the insoluble aggresome via HDAC6- and dynein-mediated transport. These proteasomes colocalized with the autophagic receptor SQSTM1 and cleared through selective macroautophagy, linking aggresomal segregation to autophagic degradation. This proteaphagic pathway was counterbalanced with the recovery of proteasomal activity and was critical for reducing cellular proteasomal stress. Changes in associated proteins and polyubiquitylation on inhibited 26S proteasomes participated in the targeting mechanism to the aggresome and autophagosome. The STUB1 E3 Ub ligase specifically ubiquitylated purified human proteasomes in vitro, mainly via Lys63-linked chains. Genetic and chemical inhibition of STUB1 activity significantly impaired proteasome processing and reduced resistance to proteasomal stress. These data demonstrate that aggresomal sequestration is the crucial upstream event for proteasome quality control and overall protein homeostasis in mammals.

Multi-Layered QCA Content-Addressable Memory Cell Using Low-Power Electronic Interaction for AI-Based Data Learning and Retrieval in Quantum Computing Environment.

In this study, we propose a quantum structure of an associative memory cell for effective data learning based on artificial intelligence. For effective learning of related data, content-based retrieval and storage rather than memory address is essential. A content-addressable memory (CAM), which is an efficient memory cell structure for this purpose, in a quantum computing environment, is designed based on quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA). A CAM cell is composed of a memory unit that stores information, a match unit that performs a search, and a structure, using an XOR gate or an XNOR gate in the match unit, that shows good performance. In this study, we designed an XNOR gate with a multilayer structure based on electron interactions and proposed a QCA-based CAM cell using it. The area and time efficiency are verified through a simulation using QCADesigner, and the quantum cost of the proposed XOR gate and CAM cell were reduced by at least 70% and 15%, respectively, when compared to the latest research. In addition, we physically proved the potential energy owing to the interaction between the electrons inside the QCA cell. We also proposed an additional CAM circuit targeting the reduction in energy dissipation that overcomes the best available designs. The simulation and calculation of power dissipation are performed by QCADesigner-E and it is confirmed that more than 27% is reduced.

Quantum LFSR Structure for Random Number Generation Using QCA Multilayered Shift Register for Cryptographic Purposes.

A random number generator (RNG), a cryptographic technology that plays an important role in security and sensor networks, can be designed using a linear feedback shift register (LFSR). This cryptographic transformation is currently done through CMOS. It has been developed by reducing the size of the gate and increasing the degree of integration, but it has reached the limit of integration due to the quantum tunneling phenomenon. Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA), one of the quantum circuit design technologies to replace this, has superior performance compared to CMOS in most performance areas, such as space, speed, and power. Most of the LFSRs in QCA are designed as shift registers (SR), and most of the SR circuits proposed based on the existing QCA have a planar structure, so the cell area is large and the signal is unstable when a plane intersection is implemented. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a multilayered 2-to-1 QCA multiplexer and a D-latch, and we make blocks based on D-latch and connect these blocks to make SR. In addition, the LFSR structure is designed by adding an XOR operation to it, and we additionally propose an LFSR capable of dual-edge triggering. The proposed structures were completed with a very meticulous design technique to minimize area and latency using cell interaction, and they achieve high performance compared to many existing circuits. For the proposed structures, the cost and energy dissipation are calculated through simulation using QCADesigner and QCADesigner-E, and their efficiency is verified.

A Novel Method for Calibration of Digital Soil Images Captured under Irregular Lighting Conditions.

Soil color is commonly used as an indicator to classify soil and identify its properties. However, color-based soil assessments are susceptible to variations in light conditions and the subjectivity of visual evaluations. This study proposes a novel method of calibrating digital images of soil, regardless of lighting conditions, to ensure accurate identification. Two different color space models, RGB and CIELAB, were assessed in terms of their potential utility in calibrating changes to soil color in digital images. The latter system was determined to be suitable, as a result of its ability to accurately reflect illuminance and color temperature. Linear regression equations relating soil color and light conditions were developed based on digital images of four different types of soil samples, each photographed under 15 different light conditions. The proposed method can be applied to calibrate variations in the soil color obtained by digital images, thus allowing for more standardized, objective, and accurate classification and evaluation of soil based on its color.

A putative exosporium lipoprotein GBAA0190 of Bacillus anthracis as a potential anthrax vaccine candidate.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus ancthracis causes cutaneous, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal forms of anthrax. B. anthracis is a pathogenic bacterium that is potentially to be used in bioterrorism because it can be produced in the form of spores. Currently, protective antigen (PA)-based vaccines are being used for the prevention of anthrax, but it is necessary to develop more safe and effective vaccines due to their prolonged immunization schedules and adverse reactions. METHODS: We selected the lipoprotein GBAA0190, a potent inducer of host immune response, present in anthrax spores as a novel potential vaccine candidate. Then, we evaluated its immune-stimulating activity in the bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Protective efficacy of GBAA0190 was evaluated in the guinea pig (GP) model. RESULTS: The recombinant GBAA0190 (r0190) protein induced the expression of various inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) in the BMDMs. These immune responses were mediated through toll-like receptor 1/2 via activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways. We demonstrated that not only immunization of r0190 alone, but also combined immunization with r0190 and recombinant PA showed significant protective efficacy against B. anthracis spore challenges in the GP model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that r0190 may be a potential target for anthrax vaccine.

Development of a double-antibody sandwich ELISA for sensitive detection of Yersinia pestis.

We developed a biotin-streptavidin-based sandwich ELISA for the sensitive and specific detection of Yersinia pestis. In this assay, the F1 capsular protein and Y. pestis were captured by anti-F1 mouse monoclonal antibody followed by detection with biotinylated-anti-F1 rabbit polyclonal antibody and HRP-conjugated streptavidin. The developed F1 ELISA could detect not only the F1 protein up to 29 and 17 pg/ml but also Y. pestis up to 177.8 and 129.2 CFU/ml in PBS buffer and human serum, respectively. In addition, the F1 ELISA did not show any cross-reactivity with various proteins and bacterial strains.

Charge transport in pyroprotein-based electronic yarns.

Pyroprotein-based carbon materials produced by heat-treating silk proteins have many potential applications in electronic devices, such as electronic textiles. To further develop potential electronic devices using these pyroproteins, the charge transport mechanism has to be verified. However, the electrical characteristics of the pyroproteins have not been reported yet. In this study, the temperature-dependent charge transport behavior of pyroprotein-based electronic yarns prepared from commercial silks (e-CS yarns) is investigated with respect to various heat treatment temperatures (HTT, 800, 1000, 1200, and 1400 °C). The linear current-voltage properties are shown at a low bias of 100 nA from 9 K to 300 K. The temperature-dependent resistivity of the e-CS yarns can be clearly described by the crossover of 3-dimensional Mott variable range hopping and fluctuation-induced tunneling conduction at the crossover temperature (Tc). These Tc factors are significantly different, due to the structural modulation of the e-CS yarns depending on the HTT, and are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. This study is expected to provide a better understanding of the electrical properties of pyroproteins.

Emission characteristics of particulate matter, odors, and volatile organic compounds from the grilling of pork.

Meat-grilling restaurants are considered to be residential emission sources of air pollutants. To investigate the emission characteristics of particulate matter (PM), odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the grilling of meat, a grilling apparatus equipped with butane gas burners was used to grill pork belly and marinated pork ribs in a laboratory setting. When grilling the pork belly, the emission factor for PM with a diameter of 2.5 µm or below (PM2.5) was 754 mg-PM·kg-meat-1, accounting for 99% of total suspended particles (TSPs), while that of the marinated pork ribs was 137 mg-PM·kg-meat-1 (96% of TSPs). Ammonia and acetaldehyde were the most common odors emitted during grilling at 43-88 mg·kg-meat-1 and 22-30 mg·kg-meat-1, respectively. Aldehydes were the most significant contributor to total odor intensity (36%-67%). Benzene, vinyl acetate, and hexene were the most abundant VOCs for the pork belly, while butane, vinyl acetate, and n-dodecane were the most abundant for the marinated ribs. Among the VOCs emitted from the pork grilling process, hexene, butane, and toluene were the dominant ozone precursors. The information obtained in this study is useful for furthering the understanding of the characteristics of air pollutants emitted from actual meat-grilling restaurants. Additionally, knowledge of the PM, odor, and VOC emission characteristics and their emission factors is useful for establishing management strategies for air pollutants from meat-grilling restaurants.

Classification of Granite Soils and Prediction of Soil Water Content Using Hyperspectral Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging.

Soil water content is one of the most important physical indicators of landslide hazards. Therefore, quickly and non-destructively classifying soils and determining or predicting water content are essential tasks for the detection of landslide hazards. We investigated hyperspectral information in the visible and near-infrared regions (400-1000 nm) of 162 granite soil samples collected from Seoul (Republic of Korea). First, effective wavelengths were extracted from pre-processed spectral data using the successive projection algorithm to develop a classification model. A gray-level co-occurrence matrix was employed to extract textural variables, and a support vector machine was used to establish calibration models and the prediction model. The results show that an optimal correct classification rate of 89.8% could be achieved by combining data sets of effective wavelengths and texture features for modeling. Using the developed classification model, an artificial neural network (ANN) model for the prediction of soil water content was constructed. The input parameter was composed of Munsell soil color, area of reflectance (near-infrared), and dry unit weight. The accuracy in water content prediction of the developed ANN model was verified by a coefficient of determination and mean absolute percentage error of 0.91 and 10.1%, respectively.

A therapeutic human antibody against the domain 4 of the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen shows protective efficacy in a mouse model.

Since Bacillus anthracis is a high-risk pathogen and a potential tool for bioterrorism, numerous therapeutic methods including passive immunization have been actively developed. Using a human monoclonal antibody phage display library, we screened new therapeutic antibodies for anthrax infection against protective antigen (PA) of B. anthracis. Among 5 selected clones of antibodies based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results, 7B1 showed neutralizing activity to anthrax lethal toxin (LT) by inhibiting binding of the domain 4 of PA (PD4) to its cellular receptors. Through light chain shuffling process, we improved the productivity of 7B1 up to 25 folds. The light chain shuffled 7B1 antibody showed protective activity against LT both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the antibody also conferred protection of mice from 3 × LD50 challenges of fully virulent anthrax spores. Our result expands the possibility of developing a new therapeutic antibody for anthrax cure.

Thermomonas aquatica sp. nov., isolated from an industrial wastewater treatment plant.

A white-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain SY21T) was isolated from waste-activated sludge. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C and pH 7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SY21T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.5-98.0 % to Thermomonas species and clustered with the type species of the genus Thermomonas. In strain SY21T, the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8, and the cellular fatty acids consisted mainly of iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C11 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 and summed feature 9. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 67.9 mol% and the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SY21T and the closest phylogenetically related strain, Thermomonas carbonis KCTC 42013T, was 35.0±0.1 %. Based on the distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain SY21T represents a novel species of the genus Thermomonas, for which the name Thermomonas aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SY21T (=KCTC 62191T=NBRC 113114T).

High-speed polarized low coherence scanning interferometry based on spatial phase shifting.

In this investigation, we describe polarized low coherence scanning interferometry (PLCSI) to enhance the measurement speed based on the spatial phase shifting technique by using a polarized CMOS camera. In every scanning step, the visibility of the correlogram can be directly extracted by spatial phase shifting. PLCSI does not need any scanning conditions such as a scanning step size smaller than that determined by the Nyquist sampling limit and equidistant scanning step, which restrict the measurement speed of the typical low coherence scanning interferometry (LCSI). The measurement data can also be significantly reduced due to the larger scanning step size. PLCSI can be comparable to confocal scanning microscopy in the view of monitoring visibilities. In the experiments, three types of specimens such as a plane mirror, a concave mirror, and a step height specimen were measured by PLCSI with various scanning step sizes, and it was confirmed that the surface profiles were successfully reconstructed. Moreover, the compensation technique of the surface profile, precisely determined by the phase information, was also discussed.

Single-Shot Imaging of Two-Wavelength Spatial Phase-Shifting Interferometry.

In this investigation, we propose an effective method to measure 3D surface profiles of specimens with single-shot imaging. Based on the two-wavelength interferometric principle and spatial phase-shifting technique using a polarization pixelated camera, the proposed system can not only rapidly measure the phase, but also overcome the 2π-ambiguity problem of typical phase-shifting interferometry. The rough surface profile can be calculated by the visibility of the interference fringe and can compensate for the height discontinuity by phase jumps occurring in a fine height map. An inclined plane mirror and a step height specimen with 9 µm were used for the validation of capability of measuring continuously smooth surface and large step heights. The measurement results were in good agreement with the results of typical two-wavelength interferometry.

SERS-Based Immunoassays for the Detection of Botulinum Toxins A and B Using Magnetic Beads.

Rapid and sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) is important for immediate treatment with proper antitoxins. However, it is difficult to detect BoNTs at the acute phase of infection, owing to its rarity and ambiguous symptoms. To resolve this problem, we developed a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunoassay technique for the rapid and sensitive detection of BoNTs. Magnetic beads and SERS nanotags as capture substrates and detection probes, respectively, and Nile Blue A (NBA) and malachite green isothiocyanate (MGITC) as Raman reporter molecules were used for the detection of two different types of BoNTs (types A and B), respectively. The corresponding limits of detection (LODs) were determined as 5.7 ng/mL (type A) and 1.3 ng/mL (type B). Total assay time, including that for immunoreaction, washing, and detection, was less than 2 h.

Muramyl dipeptide potentiates a Bacillus anthracis poly-γ-d-glutamic acid capsule surrogate that induces maturation and activation of mouse dendritic cells.

Poly-γ-d-glutamic acid (PGA) of anthrax is an important pathogenic factor due to its anti-phagocytic activity. Additionally, PGA has the ability to activate mouse macrophages for the secretion of cytokines through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2. Peptidoglycan (PGN), a major bacterial cell-wall component, induces inflammatory responses in the host. We assessed whether PGA can induce maturation and cytokine expression in immature mouse dendritic cells (DCs) in the existence of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), the minimum motif of PGN with immunostimulatory activity. Stimulation of immature DCs with PGA or MDP alone augmented expression of costimulatory molecules and MHC class II proteins, which are all cell surface markers indicative of maturation. The observed effects were further enhanced by costimulation of PGA and MDP. PGA alone was sufficient to induce expression of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP1-α, whereas MDP alone did not under the same conditions. Treatment with MDP enhanced PGA-induced expression of the tested inflammatory mediators; however, the synergistic effect found for PGA and MDP was not observed in TLR2- or nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) 2-knockout DCs. Additionally, MDP augmented PGA-induced MAP kinases and NF-κB activation, which is crucial for expression of cytokines. Furthermore, MAP kinase and NF-κB inhibitors attenuated MDP enhancement of PGA-induced cytokine production. In addition, co-culture of splenocytes and PGA/MDP-matured DCs induced higher expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ compared to that of splenocytes and PGA-matured DCs. Collectively, our results suggest that PGA and MDP cooperatively induce inflammatory responses in mouse DCs through TLR2 and NOD2 via MAP kinase and NF-κB pathways, subsequently leading to lymphocyte activation.

Electronic-dimensionality reduction of bulk MoS2 by hydrogen treatment.

A reduction in the electronic-dimensionality of materials is one method for achieving improvements in material properties. Here, a reduction in electronic-dimensionality is demonstrated using a simple hydrogen treatment technique. Quantum well states from hydrogen-treated bulk 2H-MoS2 are observed using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). The electronic states are confined within a few MoS2 layers after the hydrogen treatment. A significant reduction in the band-gap can also be achieved after the hydrogen treatment, and both phenomena can be explained by the formation of sulfur vacancies generated by the chemical reaction between sulfur and hydrogen.

Species-Specific Interactions between Plant Metabolites and Insect Juvenile Hormone Receptors.

Because juvenile hormone (JH) controls insect development and its analogs are used as insecticides, juvenile hormone disruptors (JHDs) represent potential sources from which novel pesticides can be developed. Many plant species harbor JHD activity, which has previously been attributed plant secondary metabolites (i.e., diterpenes) that disrupt insect development by interfering with the JH-mediated heterodimer formation of insect juvenile receptor complexes. The results of the present study indicate that plant JHD activity is also concentrated in certain plant groups and families and that plant metabolites have insect group-specific activity. These findings suggest that reciprocal diversification has occurred between plants and insects through the evolution of the plant metabolites and JH receptors, respectively, and that plant metabolites could be developed into insect group-specific pesticides with limited effects on non-target species.

Odor mitigation and bacterial community dynamics in on-site biocovers at a sanitary landfill in South Korea.

Unpleasant odors emitted from landfills have been caused environmental and societal problems. For odor abatement, two pilot-scale biocovers were installed at a sanitary landfill site in South Korea. Biocovers PBC1 and PBC2 comprised a soil mixture with different ratios of earthworm casts as an inoculum source and were operated for 240 days. Their odor removal efficiencies were evaluated, and their bacterial community structures were characterized using pyrosequencing. In addition, the correlation between odor removability and bacterial community dynamics was assessed using network analysis. The removal efficiency of complex odor intensity in the two biocovers ranged from 81.1% to 97.8%. Removal efficiencies of sulfur-containing odors (hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide), which contributed most to complex odor intensity, were greater than 91% in both biocovers. Despite the fluctuations in ambient temperature (-8.2 to 31.3 °C) and inlet complex odor intensity (10,000-42,748 of odor dilution ratio), biocovers PBC1 and PBC2 displayed stable deodorizing performance. A high ratio of earthworm casts as an inoculum source led to high odor removability during the first 25 days of operation, but different mixing ratios of earthworm casts did not significantly affect overall odor removability. A bacterial community analysis showed that Methylobacter, Arthrobacter, Acinetobacter, Rhodanobacter, and Pedobacter were the dominant genera in both biocovers. Network analysis results indicated that Steroidobacter, Cystobacter, Methylosarcina, Solirubrobacter, and Pseudoxanthomonas increased in relative abundance with time and were major contributors to odor removal, although these bacteria had a relatively low abundance compared to the overall bacterial community. These data contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between bacterial community dynamics and deodorizing performance in biocovers.

Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Sensors for the Detection of Sub-ppm Nitric Oxide Gas.

In this paper, we demonstrate the highly sensitive carbon nanotube (CNT) sensors for the detection of sub-ppm nitric oxide (NO) gas operating at room temperature. Such achievement can be realized by functionalizing CNT thin films with amine-based polymers through a solution-process technology at low temperature. In addition to high sensitivity, functionalized CNT sensors exhibit high selectivity towards NO gas, which is an effective and practical factor for health-care monitoring nano-electronics. We also investigated the effect of a post-cleaning treatment on the sensing performance of functionalized CNT thin films for sub-ppm NO gas sensors. We believe that this work can open-up new routes to realize high performance human-interactive electronics for respiratory diseases detection in exhaled air.