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Variable stiffness mechanisms have become popular for improving the performance of meso/microscale robots due to their ability to enable safe, effective, and versatile operation without additional actuators. In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), they can provide low stiffness for adaptability and an extended workspace and high stiffness for stable manipulation. This study aims to optimize the pattern design that maximizes the stiffness ratio while preventing buckling. Longitudinal slits were identified as the ideal shape for maximizing the ratio using topology optimization. The effects of the design parameters were investigated by analytical modeling and finite element analysis (FEA). Finally, we established a design optimization process to maximize the variable stiffness ratio while ensuring safety. The load and buckling tests of 19 cases were verified in both the experiment and FEA. Buckling occurred in eight cases, consistent with the expected results from the proposed map. Among the tested cases, the tube with the optimal pattern parameter set exhibits the highest stiffness ratio of 2.67 while satisfying the given stiffness constraint (greater than 0.3 times the flexural stiffness of the initial tube) and avoiding buckling. The proposed optimization method potentially enables an extended workspace and more versatile functionality for MIS instruments.

This paper aims to identify and understand factors affecting insiders' intention to disclose patients' medical information and to investigate how these factors affect the intention to disclose. Based on the literature review on deterrence theory and health information security awareness (HISA), we identify relevant factors and develop a research model explaining insiders' intention to disclose patients' health information. We collect data (N = 105) through scenario-based experiments. Results show that two personal factors, collectivism, and IT proficiency, play a significant role in the model. While collectivism affects two components (health information security regulation awareness and punishment severity awareness) of HISA which influences intention to disclose, IT proficiency moderates the relationship between HISA and intention to disclose. In addition, HISA negatively affects reporting assessment and intention to disclose. This paper aims to fill a research gap in understanding factors affecting insiders' intentions to disclose protected health information. We identify and investigate factors (e.g., collectivism, HISA, reporting assessment, and IT proficiency) that may affect insiders' disclosing intentions. We find that collectivism affects two components of HISA which influence reporting assessment and disclosing intention. We also discover that IT proficiency moderates the relationship between HISA and intention to disclose. Our findings suggest that we need to carefully consider personal factors such as collectivistic nature and IT proficiency in managing insiders' security breaches.

Ferroptosis, a type of cell death induced by lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a novel anti-cancer strategy. Cancer cells frequently acquire resistance to ferroptosis. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To address this issue, we conducted a thorough investigation of the genomic and transcriptomic data derived from hundreds of human cancer cell lines and primary tissue samples, with a particular focus on non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). It was observed that mutations in Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and subsequent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2, also known as NFE2L2) activation are strongly associated with ferroptosis resistance in NSCLC. Additionally, AIFM2 gene, which encodes ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1),was identified as the gene most significantly correlatedwith ferroptosis resistance, followed by multiple NRF2 targets. We found that inhibition of NRF2 alone was not sufficient to reduce FSP1 protein levels and promote ferroptosis, whereas FSP1 inhibition effectively sensitized KEAP1-mutant NSCLC cells to ferroptosis. Furthermore, we found that combined inhibition of FSP1 and NRF2 induced ferroptosis more intensely. Our findings imply that FSP1 is a crucial suppressor of ferroptosis independent of NRF2 and that synergistically targeting both FSP1 and NRF2 may be a promising strategy for overcoming ferroptosis resistance in cancer.

This study analyses the affectivity of social disgust behind the oppressive exclusion of social minorities, such as the forced institutionalisation of vagrants in modern Korean society. This social exclusion of vagrants is divided into two forms: the forced institutionalisation of ‘infected vagrants’ during the Japanese occupation and the forced institutionalisation of ‘vagrants themselves’ during the developmental state. In both cases, the visible power apparatus of exclusion of minorities was socially legitimised by the effective use of disgust politics of purification and isolation. Through this analysis, this study joins the discourse on affective communities as a critical alternative to deinstitutionalisation by revealing the dynamics of the social disgust that threatens the community’s existence.

Summary Detection and analysis of viral genomes with Nanopore sequencing has shown great promise in the surveillance of pathogen outbreaks. However, the number of virus detection pipelines supporting Nanopore sequencing is very limited. Here, we present VirPipe, a new pipeline for the detection of viral genomes from Nanopore or Illumina sequencing input featuring streamlined installation and customization. Availability and implementation VirPipe source code and documentation are freely available for download at https://github.com/KijinKims/VirPipe, implemented in Python and Nextflow.

Cell-cell communication is important for cellular differentiation, organ function, and immune responses. In intercellular communication, the extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in delivering the cargo molecules such as genes, proteins, and enzymes, to regulate and control the ability of the recipient cells. In this study, the observation of intercellular cargo transfer

Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been extensively investigated for nanophotonics and biomedical applications. However, establishing a unified view of their emission characteristics to elucidate the underlying photophysics and expand the application fields of these materials is a great challenge due to their sophisticated internal energy transfer and lack of standardized single-particle spectroscopy (SPS) platform. Here, we present an SPS technique called multiband single-particle irradiance-dependent imaging (multiband SPIDI). We demonstrate that the emission characteristics of Yb

The ionic conductivity, bend strength, and electrochemical performance in a seawater battery (SWB) of an Na3.1Zr1.55Si2.3P0.7O11 (vA-NASICON) solid electrolyte were compared to those of Na3Zr2Si2PO12 (H-NASICON). vA-NASICON exhibited three times higher total ionic conductivity (8.6 × 10-4 S/cm) than H-NASICON (2.9 × 10-4 S/cm). This is due to the higher bulk ionic conductivity and lower grain boundary resistance of vA-NASICON. The higher bulk conductivity of vA-NASICON is a result of its higher Na content, leading to a larger concentration of charge carriers and/or the formation of a higher conductive rhombohedral phase. The lower grain boundary resistance of vA-NASICON is a result of its larger grain size and reduced ZrO2 content. The bend strength of vA-NASICON (95 MPa) was 30% higher than that of the H-NASICON ceramic. The higher bend strength of vA-NASICON was attributed to its reduced ZrO2 secondary phase (1.1 vol %) compared to that of H-NASICON (2.6 vol %). When the vA-NASICON ceramic was tested in the SWB as a solid electrolyte, an 8.27% improved voltage efficiency and 81% higher power output were demonstrated, compared to those of H-NASICON, as a result of its higher total ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. At the same time, the vA-NASICON membrane revealed comparable cycle life (1000 h) to that of H-NASICON. These results suggest that vA-NASICON can be a better alternative than H-NASICON for use in the SWB.

The purpose of this study is to examine differences in marital and sexual values according to gender, age, and Protestantism contexts using the 2012 and 2018 Korea General Social Surveys. Samples for marital values were from the 2012 survey (N=797 adults aged 20 and over), and those for sexual values were from the 2018 survey (N=550 adults aged 20 and over). There were four domains in marital values (happiness, child, cohabitation, and divorce) and three domains in sexual values (premarital intercourse, extramarital intercourse, and same-sex intercourse). We applied ANCOVA and post hoc analysis to examine the differences in each domain via gender, age, and Protestantism contexts. Results on marital values did not show significant interactions between gender, age group, and Protestantism contexts, while age differences were consistently significant in all domains of marital values. In results about sexual values, there were significant interactions between gender, age, and Protestantism contexts in all domains of sexual values. The findings of this study may promote an understanding of the dynamics and diversity of Korean contexts on marital and sexual values.

Concentric tube robots are catheter-sized continuum robots that show dexterous movement for minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, one of the major challenges to the practical usage of concentric tube robots is their instability, which potentially leads to the risk of tissue rupture. The snapping problem is caused by tubes having a high bending to torsional stiffness ratio (BTSR). Past efforts have shown that anisotropic patterning on tubes can alleviate the snapping problem. This research investigates the design optimization of patterns to minimize BTSR while satisfying stiffness constraints. Using topology optimization methods, rhombus-shaped patterns were identified as the ideal shape for stability. The generated designs were validated through finite element analysis and experimental testing to show the change of BTSR and the elimination of the snapping problem. Extensive parametric study is performed to analysis the sensitivity of the design parameters and provide the design guidelines. While satisfying the constraints, the proposed design method demonstrated 0.28 of BTSR with a rhombus angle of 60 degrees and a volume fraction of 0.55. The optimized design potentially improves the workspace and versatile trajectories of concentric tube manipulators.

Remote-controlled minimally invasive neuroendoscopic robotic surgical tools can be miniaturized to a size of less than 2 mm while maintaining their dexterity and force required to perform operations in brain without an open-skull surgery. However, these platforms lack haptic information to be received by the surgeons, leading to loss of control over tissue and causing unexpected slippage and trauma. This study presents the design of a small and highly sensitive material-based sensor being integrated to the tool shaft, known as the concentric tube manipulators, to achieve static and quasi-static force sensing and feedback. Through a nine-element design and contact mechanics modeling, the sensor system can generate real-time polar visual pressure profile displays. Optimizations are performed on the subcomponents of the sensor design including microstructures and electrodes to improve detection threshold with reduced hysteresis. The finalized design can sense a force from as low as 14.8 ± 1.22 mN to 1 N with excellent proportionality between the acquired signal and force applied while retaining its flexibility and sterilizability. The sensor will also enhance more intuitive force feedback for surgeons to use the dexterous neurosurgical tool, ensuring safety and quality of operations for minimally invasive surgeries for brain tumor and epilepsy practice.

2007년 최초 발의된 차별금지법의 제정을 둘러싼 갈등은 한국 사회의 차별, 인권에 관한 인식 지형을 드러내고 있다. 이 글은 한국의 포괄적 차별금지법 입법 과정에서 생산된 담론을 경계를 형성하는 핵심 가치로 이중화된 인권 담론이 내재하고 있음에 주목한다. 이 연구에서는 인권 담론 소통의 주요 통로인 매체를 분석해 차별금지법의 담론 지형을 분석한다. 연구자는 2000년 1월부터 2020년 10월까지 보도된 국내 주요 일간지의 뉴스 기사를 대상으로 비판담론연구(CDS)에 기초한 페어클로 등의 정치담화 분석과 함께 대량의 텍스트를 요약할 수 있는 텍스트마이닝(text mining) 방법인 구조화 토픽모델(STM)을 함께 적용한다. 이러한 미디어 분석을 통해 차별금지법에 관한 담론중 제정 반대 및 혐오 담론의 대척점에 서 있다고 여겨지던 인권의 기표가 오히려 소수자를 비롯한 여러 타자의 존재를 부정하는 담론으로 확대, 전용될 수 있음을 확인한다. 차별금지법의 핵심 이념인 인권을 이중적으로 해석하는 양상은 차별금지법 담론의 정파성을 반영하고 있다. 특히 차별금지법 제정을 반대하는 주요 행위자인 개신교 우파의 담론은 종교적 보수주의와 정치적 보수주의를 아우르며, 차별금지법 제정을 정치적 숙의의 쟁점이 아닌 윤리·종교적 가치 수호의 문제로 전환하고 있었다. 결국 일상 언어의 혐오표현을 제도적으로 규제하기 이전에, 대중매체의 차별에 관한 담론 생산이 정치적 공론장 형성에 중요한 기능을 한다는 점에 주목할 필요가 있다. 이러한 측면에서 향후 대중매체는 차별과 인권 감수성 제고를 통해 보도를 내보내는 과정에서 더 많은 관심을 기울일 것이 요청된다.

African agricultural input subsidy programmes (ISPs) have primarily focused on conventional intensification: raising yields through increased use of inorganic fertiliser and improved seeds. Yet the yield effects from maize‐focused ISPs have been smaller than anticipated, due in part to poor maize yield response to inorganic fertiliser resulting from low soil organic matter or pH. Joint use of inorganic fertiliser with complementary soil fertility management practices—for example, organic fertiliser or maize‐legume intercropping—can contribute to more sustainable forms of agricultural intensification, while also improving yield response to inorganic fertiliser and the effectiveness of ISPs. We analyse the effects of Tanzania's ISP from 2008 to 2014, the National Agricultural Input Voucher Scheme (NAIVS), on use of these practices. Results from correlated random effects (CRE) multinomial logit (MNL) models suggest that NAIVS participation is associated with an 8–10 percentage point increase in the probabilities of inorganic fertiliser use alone and of joint use of inorganic fertiliser with organic fertiliser and/or maize‐legume intercropping on consistent maize‐growing households’ maize plots. CRE fractional MNL results suggest similar associations for the proportion of households’ total maize plots area under these practices. These results suggest that, in some cases, NAIVS may have contributed to sustainable intensification of maize production.

Seoul virus (SEOV), an etiological agent for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, poses a significant public health threat worldwide. This study evaluated the feasibility of a mobile Biomeme platform for facilitating rapid decision making of SEOV infection. A total of 27

We analytically show that the interfacial fluid's molecular dynamics of capillary bridges induces both elastic and dissipative forces to the shearing plane. Surprisingly, the nanometer-sized, liquid-solid contact line of the bridges exerts a giant "shear" force on the solid surface, which is 10^{5} higher than the usual viscous interaction and comparable to that of solid-solid direct-contact friction. These results are consistent with previously reported experimental data and may provide clues to longstanding questions on the apparent viscosity of the nanoconfined fluids.

Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is challenged by restricted visualization and dexterity, and the risk of internal carotid artery (ICA) injury. This study pursued two objectives: Development of a steerable, miniature multi-tool combining visualization and suction/irrigation, and development of a simulation model for ICA injury. The multi-tool featured a two degrees of freedom notched nitinol wrist controlled by a joystick. A theoretical range of motion of 90 degrees was intended. The inner lumen of the wrist was designed for suction and irrigation, a miniature camera attached to the tip would provide visualization. During testing, slack in the actuation cables affected the tools workspace and control. A maximum force of 0.45 N was applied through the tip. The simulation model was manufactured from medical grade ABS. It featured a removable nose cartridge for a cost efficient replacement method. A peristaltic pump and a needle tip were used for ICA injury simulation. For future evaluation of the model, a 5 point Likert scale was developed. Despite successful tests, some limitations remained. The tool was affected by slack and did not include illumination. No mucosal layer was included in the simulation model and haemostasis had to be assessed manually.

Surface tension is a key parameter for understanding nucleation in the very initial stage of phase transformation. Although surface tension has been predicted to vary with the curvature of the liquid-vapor interface, particularly at the large curvature of, e.g., the subnanometric critical nucleus, experimental study still remains challenging due to inaccessibility to such a small cluster. Here, by directly measuring the critical size of a single capillary-condensed nanomeniscus using atomic force microscopy, we address the curvature dependence of surface tension of alcohols and observe that the surface tension is doubled for ethanol and n-propanol with a radius-of-curvature of ∼-0.46 nm. We also find that the interface of larger negative (positive) curvature exhibits larger (smaller) surface tension, which evidently governs nucleation at the ∼1 nm scale and below, indicating more facilitated nucleation than normally expected. Such well characterized curvature effects contribute to better understanding and accurate analysis of nucleation occurring in various fields including materials science and atmospheric science.

We used atomic layer deposition (ALD) to evaluate the effect of single Al2O3 cycle insertion at various locations on SnO2 and Al-doped SnO2 thin film transistors (TFTs). The ALD process was used to deposit the SnO2 thin film in 67 cycles (5 nm thickness). The position of the Al doped layer of Al-doped SnO2 was controlled by inserting a single Al2O3 cycle into the 56th, 34th and 12th cycles out of 67 cycles. The inserted Al doping layer was analyzed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Crystallinity and thickness of SnO2 and Al-doped SnO2 were measured using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Al-doped SnO2 thin films were prepared at different single Al2O3 cyclic positions for use as channel layers. XPS analysis showed that the oxygen vacancies within the film ranged from 32.8% to 41.6%. Also, the carrier concentration varied from 1.44 x 1016 to 2.80 x 1020 cm−3 depending on the Al doping position based on Hall measurements. In addition, the field effect mobility and on/off current ratios ranged from 1.4 to 8.1 cm2/Vsec and from 5.29 x 102 to 1.56 x 107, respectively. Lastly, the threshold voltage varied from −6.56 to 11.60 V. Overall, SnO2 and Al doped SnO2 channel layers deposited using atomic layer deposition were adjusted to exhibit switching characteristics by inserting a single Al2O3 cycle based on position.

Background Defining the 99th percentile upper reference limits (URL) of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is critical because it is clinically important in determining myocardial injury, and is variable among reagents, age, sex, or races. The analytical performance of the new, high- sensitivity reagent Beckman Coulter Access hsTnI was evaluated, and its 99th percentile URL was determined in the Korean population. Methods Analytical performances of Access hsTnI assay were evaluated including imprecision and limit of measurements. To define the reference limits, 600 healthy subjects were included with similar proportions of sex and age groups. Results Beckman Coulter Access hsTnI assay presented a limit of blank, detection, and quantitation at 10% CV of 0.32 ng/L, 0.63 ng/L, and 6.1 ng/L, respectively, and 98.3% of the healthy population showed cTnI above the limit of detection. The 99th percentile URLs were 9.5 ng/L (90% CI 7.4–14.9), 7.8 ng/L (90% CI 5.5–19.2 ng/L), and 11.3 ng/L (90% CI 8.0–15.7 ng/L) in 600 healthy participants, 300 women and 300 men, respectively with imprecision less than 10% CV. The median values and 99th percentile URLs of hsTnI were higher in men and the age group ≥50 years than in women and the age group Conclusions Access hsTnI assay met the performance criteria of the IFCC for high-sensitivity cTnI assays. Their 99th percentile URLs in the Korean population were lower than the manufacturer’s claims. cTnI values were significantly different among different sex and age groups.

Background Whole-genome sequencing plays a critical role in the genomic epidemiology intended to improve understanding the spread of emerging viruses. Dabie bandavirus, causing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), is a zoonotic tick-borne virus that poses a significant public health threat. We aimed to evaluate a novel amplicon-based nanopore sequencing tool to obtain whole-genome sequences of Dabie bandavirus, also known as SFTS virus (SFTSV), and investigate the molecular prevalence in wild ticks, Republic of Korea (ROK). Principal findings A total of 6,593 ticks were collected from Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, ROK in 2019 and 2020. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of SFSTV RNA in three Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. Two SFTSV strains were isolated from H. longicornis captured from Pocheon and Cheorwon. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based nanopore sequencing provided nearly full-length tripartite genome sequences of SFTSV within one hour running. Phylogenetic and reassortment analyses were performed to infer evolutionary relationships among SFTSVs. Phylogenetic analysis grouped SFTSV Hl19-31-4 and Hl19-31-13 from Pocheon with sub-genotype B-1 in all segments. SFTSV Hl20-8 was found to be a genomic organization compatible with B-1 (for L segment) and B-2 (for M and S segments) sub-genotypes, indicating a natural reassortment between sub-genotypes. Conclusion/Significance Amplicon-based next-generation sequencing is a robust tool for whole-genome sequencing of SFTSV using the nanopore platform. The molecular prevalence and geographical distribution of SFTSV enhanced the phylogeographic map at high resolution for sophisticated prevention of emerging SFTS in endemic areas. Our findings provide important insights into the rapid whole-genome sequencing and genetic diversity for the genome-based diagnosis of SFTSV in the endemic outbreak.