Porous Carbon Interlayer Derived from Traditional Korean Paper for Li-S Batteries.

A carbonized interlayer effectively helps to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. In this study, a simple and inexpensive carbon intermediate layer was fabricated using a traditional Korean paper called "hanji". This carbon interlayer has a fibrous porous structure, with a specific surface area of 91.82 m2 g-1 and a BJH adsorption average pore diameter of 26.63 nm. The prepared carbon interlayer was utilized as an intermediary layer in Li-S batteries to decrease the charge-transfer resistance and capture dissolved lithium polysulfides. The porous fiber-shaped carbon interlayer suppressed the migration of polysulfides produced during the electrochemical process. The carbon interlayer facilitates the adsorption of soluble lithium polysulfides, allowing for their re-utilization in subsequent cycles. Additionally, the carbon interlayer significantly reduces the polarization of the cell. This simple strategy results in a significant improvement in cycle performance. Consequently, the discharge capacity at 0.5 C after 150 cycles was confirmed to have improved by more than twofold, reaching 230 mAh g-1 for cells without the interlayer and 583 mAh g-1 for cells with the interlayer. This study demonstrates a simple method for improving the capacity of Li-S batteries by integrating a functional carbon interlayer.

Enhanced ultra high frequency EMI shielding with controlled ITO nano-branch width via different tin material types.

The development of technologies for electromagnetic wave contamination has garnered attention. Among the various electromagnetic wave frequencies, for high frequencies such as those in the K and Ka ranges, there is a limitation of using only the properties of a single material. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the absorption coefficients by increasing the path of electromagnetic waves through internal scattering at an interface or a structure inside the material. Here, we accurately demonstrated the role of Sn in the growth of an indium tin oxide (ITO) nano-branch structure and grew high-density ITO nano-branches with the lowest thickness possible. Consequently, we obtained shielding efficiencies of 21.09 dB (K band) and 17.81 dB (Ka band) for a film with a thickness of 0.00364 mm. Owing to the significantly high specific shielding efficiency and low thickness and weight, it is expected to be applied in various fields.

Intestinal Immune Cell Populations, Barrier Function, and Microbiomes in Broilers Fed a Diet Supplemented with Chlorella vulgaris.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on the distribution of immune cells, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier function, antioxidant markers, and the cecal microbiome in 10-day-old broiler chickens. A total of 120 day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were assigned to two dietary treatments using a randomized complete block design, with body weight as the blocking factor. Birds fed a diet containing CV showed an increase in CD4+ T cells (p < 0.05) compared to those fed the control diet. The relative mRNA expression of intestinal epithelial barrier function-related markers (occludin and avian ß-defensin 5) was elevated (p < 0.05) in the CV-supplemented group compared to the control group. The alpha diversity indices (Chao1 and observed features) of the cecal microbiome in 10-day-old birds increased (p < 0.05), indicating higher richness within the cecal bacterial community. In the microbiome analysis, enriched genera abundance of Clostridium ASF356 and Coriobacteriaceae CHKCI002 was observed in birds fed the diet containing CV compared to those fed the control diet. Taken together, dietary CV supplementation might alter intestinal barrier function, immunity, and microbiomes in 10-day-old broiler chickens.

Biotransformation of d-Xylose-Rich Rice Husk Hydrolysate by a Rice Paddy Soil Bacterium, Priestia sp. Strain JY310, to Low Molecular Weight Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a versatile thermoplastic with superior biodegradability and biocompatibility that is intracellularly accumulated by numerous bacterial and archaeal species. Priestia sp. strain JY310 that was able to efficiently biotransform reducing sugars in d-xylose-rich rice husk hydrolysate (reducing sugarRHH) to PHB was isolated from the soil of a rice paddy. Reducing sugarRHH including 12.5% d-glucose, 75.3% d-xylose, and 12.2% d-arabinose was simply prepared using thermochemical hydrolysis of 3% H2SO4-treated rice husk for 15 min at 121 °C. When cultured with 20 g/L reducing sugarRHH under optimized culture conditions in a batch bioreactor, Priestia sp. strain JY310 could produce PHB homopolymer up to 50.4% of cell dry weight (6.2 g/L). The melting temperature, heat of fusion, and thermal decomposition temperature of PHB were determined to be 167.9 °C, 92.1 J/g, and 268.1 °C, respectively. The number average and weight average molecular weights of PHB with a broad polydispersity index value (4.73) were estimated to be approximately 16.2 and 76.8 kg/mol, respectively. The findings of the present study suggest that Priestia sp. strain JY310 can be exploited as a good candidate for the low-cost production of low molecular weight PHB with improved biodegradability and reduced brittleness from inexpensive agricultural waste hydrolysates.

Ultrasonic Cutting of Frozen Semen Straws to Optimize the Use of Spermatozoa for In Vitro Fertilization.

The objective of the present study was to establish conditions for using technology that can potentially enhance the efficiency of bovine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen semen. Frozen semen from selected bulls can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen as genetic resources; however, these resources are considered consumable because they cannot be regenerated. Therefore, to optimize the utilization of frozen semen, as many oocytes as possible should be fertilized with one straw. However, a sufficient number of prepared oocytes might not be available for one experiment, which can limit the use of the total spermatozoa population. Thus, an economical method for producing embryos needs to be established by optimizing technology for transplantable embryos. In this study, the utilization of frozen semen was increased by dividing the straw with an ultrasonic cutter. The post-thaw survival rate of uncut straws from Korean Proven Bulls did not differ from that of half cuttings. When ultrasonic cutting was applied to frozen semen, spermatozoa could be prepared for IVF trials at least four times, and blastocysts were produced. Therefore, cutting frozen semen with an ultrasonic cutter represents a potentially useful tool to expand genetic resources from excellent breeding stocks. This approach could also be valuable in the field of IVF of endangered species or rare breeds for their preservation, as well as in ovum pick-up (OPU) techniques.

Sertoli Cell Tumor (SCT) in a Captive Black Bear (Ursus americanus).

A black bear of 29-year-old (Ursus americanus) died unexpectedly in captivity without any gross lesions or clinical signs. We identified a firm, lobulated, yellowish tan, and well-circumscribed mass embedded inside the testicular tissue at the time of necropsy. The tumor sections exhibited soft necrotic and hemorrhagic areas beneath its capsule. Histologically, the tumor comprised Sertoli cells arranged in tubules and solid sheets supported by prominent fibrous connective tissues. The Sertoli cells were positive for vimentin and ER-ß expression, whereas it showed negative staining for inhibin-α, cytokeratin 19, and S-100. To the best of our knowledge, this is the rare case report of testicular Sertoli cell tumor in black bear.

Differentiation of equine induced pluripotent stem cells into mesenchymal lineage for therapeutic use.

In previous work, we established an equine induced pluripotent stem cell line (E-iPSCs) from equine adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) using a lentiviral vector encoding four transcription factors: Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. In the current study, we attempted to differentiate these established E-iPSCs into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by serial passaging using MSC-defined media for stem cell expansion. Differentiation of the MSCs was confirmed by analyzing expression levels of the MSC surface markers CD44 and CD29, and the pluripotency markers Nanog and Oct4. Results indicated that the E-iPSC-derived MSCs (E-iPSC-MSCs) retained the characteristics of MSCs, including the ability to differentiate into chondrogenic, osteogenic, or myogenic lineages. E-iPSC-MSCs were rendered suitable for therapeutic use by inhibiting immune rejection through exposure to transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-ß2) in culture, which down-regulated the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) proteins that cause immune rejection if they are incompatible with the MHC antigen of the recipient. We reported 16 cases of E-iPSC-MSC transplantations into injured horses with generally positive effects, such as reduced lameness and fraction lines. Our findings indicate that E-iPSC-MSCs can demonstrate MSC characteristics and be safely and practically used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in horses.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Study Using Oblique Angle Deposition of Ag Using Different Substrates.

The oblique angle deposition of Ag with different deposition rates and substrates was studied for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) efficiency. The deposition rate for the Ag substrate with maximum SERS efficiency was optimized to 2.4 Å/s. We also analyzed the morphology of Ag nanorods deposited at the same rate on various substrates and compared their SERS intensities. Ag deposited on SiO2, sapphire, and tungsten showed straight nanorods shape and showed relatively high SERS efficiency. However, Ag deposited on graphene or plasma-treated SiO2 substrate was slightly or more aggregated (due to high surface energy) and showed low SERS efficiency.

Deterrent effects of demerit points and license sanctions on drivers' traffic law violations using a proportional hazard model.

Current traffic law enforcement places an emphasis on reducing accident risk from human factors such as drunk driving and speeding. Among the various strategies implemented, demerit points and license sanction systems have been widely used as punitive and educational measures. Limitations, however, exist in previous studies in terms of estimating the interaction effects of demerit points and license sanctions. To overcome such limitations, this work focused on identifying the interaction effects of demerit points and license sanctions on driver traffic violation behavior. The interaction deterrent effects were assessed by using a Cox's proportional hazard model to provide a more accurate and unbiased estimation. For this purpose, five years of driver conviction data was obtained from the Korea National Police Agency (KNPA). This data included personal characteristics, demerit point accumulation and license sanction status. The analysis showed that accumulated demerit points had specific deterrent effects. Additionally, license revocation showed consistent and significant deterrent effects, greater than those for suspension. Male drivers under their 30s holding a motorcycle license were identified as the most violation-prone driver group, suggesting that stricter testing for the acquisition of a motorcycle driver's license is needed.

Triangular radial Nb2O5 nanorod growth on c-plane sapphire for ultraviolet-radiation detection.

Nb2O5 nanostructures with excellent crystallinities were grown on c-plane sapphire and employed for ultraviolet-(UV)-radiation detection. The triangular radial Nb2O5 grown on the c-sapphire substrate had a 6-fold symmetry with domain matching epitaxy on the substrate. Owing to the radial growth, the nanorods naturally connected when the deposition time increased. This structure can be used as a UV-detector directly by depositing macroscale electrodes without separation of a single nanorod and e-beam lithography process. It was confirmed that electric reactions occur at different UV irradiation wavelengths (254 nm and 365 nm).

Age- and gender-specific estimates of cumulative CT dose over 5 years using real radiation dose tracking data in children.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to develop a mechanism to estimate and analyze cumulative radiation risks from multiple CT exams in various clinical scenarios in children. OBJECTIVE: To identify major contributors to high cumulative CT dose estimates using actual dose-length product values collected for 5 years in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2006 and July 2011 we reviewed 26,937 CT exams in 13,803 children. Among them, we included 931 children (median age 3.5 years, age range 0 days-15 years; M:F = 533:398) who had 5,339 CT exams. Each child underwent at least three CT scans and had accessible radiation dose reports. Dose-length product values were automatically extracted from DICOM files and we used recently updated conversion factors for age, gender, anatomical region and tube voltage to estimate CT radiation dose. We tracked the calculated CT dose estimates to obtain a 5-year cumulative value for each child. The study population was divided into three groups according to the cumulative CT dose estimates: high, ≥30 mSv; moderate, 10-30 mSv; and low, <10 mSv. We reviewed clinical data and CT protocols to identify major contributors to high and moderate cumulative CT dose estimates. RESULTS: Median cumulative CT dose estimate was 5.4 mSv (range 0.5-71.1 mSv), and median number of CT scans was 4 (range 3-36). High cumulative CT dose estimates were most common in children with malignant tumors (57.9%, 11/19). High frequency of CT scans was attributed to high cumulative CT dose estimates in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (35 in 1 child) and malignant tumors (range 18-49). Moreover, high-dose CT protocols, such as multiphase abdomen CT (median 4.7 mSv) contributed to high cumulative CT dose estimates even in children with a low number of CT scans. CONCLUSION: Disease group, number of CT scans, and high-dose CT protocols are major contributors to higher cumulative CT dose estimates in children.