Search

We aimed to assess the association of tramadol use with the risk of dementia. This population-based retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database included a total of 1,865,827 older adult patients aged 60 years or older with common musculoskeletal pain between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007. Individuals who were newly dispensed tramadol (N = 41,963) were identified and propensity score–matched with those who were not (N = 41,963). Over a maximum of 14-year follow-up, the incidence rates (events per 1000 person-years) of all-cause dementia were 6.1 for nonusers, 6.2 for those with cumulative tramadol use of 1–14 days, 7.7 for those with 15–90 days of use, and 8.0 for those with > 90 days of use. Longer cumulative duration of tramadol use was associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia compared with nonuse (1 to 14 days: aHR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96–1.17; 15 to 90 days: aHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.10–1.35; and more than 90 days: aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00–1.39; test for trend: P < 0.001). The results showed a similar pattern for Alzheimer's disease and were robust across subgroup and sensitivity analyses, but not for vascular dementia. This study found that exposure to tramadol was associated with an increased risk of dementia. Taking this potential risk into consideration, clinicians should carefully weigh potential benefits and risks when prescribing tramadol to older adults with musculoskeletal pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We hypothesized that multiple absorbable screws/K-wires would be effective for native head preservation in comminuted radial head fracture fixation (com-RHFs). Methods: Seventeen patients who met the inclusion criteria between 2018 and 2020 were included. Radiologic findings indicating proper union and clinical outcomes such as the range of elbow motion, visual analog scale score, and Mayo Elbow Performance Score were assessed prospectively after surgery and at least three years of follow-up. Results: The mean follow-up period was 4.6 years. Eleven, one, three, and two patients presented with isolated com-RHFs, type 2 (accompanied injury of medial collateral ligament), type 4 ("terrible triad") fractures, and type 5 posterior olecranon fracture-dislocations, respectively. Union was achieved after a mean of nine weeks postoperatively. The head and shaft angles did not differ significantly from the contralateral normal values (p = 0.778 and 0.872, coronal and sagittal, respectively). At the final follow-up, the mean flexion–extension/pronation-supination arcs were 126.47 ± 4.92°/135.59 ± 10.13°, and thus were significantly different from those on the contralateral side (p < 0.001, both), however the arcs were functional ranges for ordinary daily life. Also, functional status was satisfactory in all individuals. The arthritis grade and extent of heterotrophic ossification were satisfactory in all cases, and there were no serious complications requiring revision surgery. Conclusions: Absorbable screw/K-wire fixation for com-RHFs is an option before radial head arthroplasty associated with a low complication rate and no need for revision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of an appropriate preclinical model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) that recapitulates the whole disease spectrum impedes exploration of disease pathophysiology and the development of effective treatment strategies. Here, we develop a mouse model (Streptozotocin with high-fat diet, STZ + HFD) that gradually develops fatty liver, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), hepatic fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the context of metabolic dysfunction. The hepatic transcriptomic features of STZ + HFD mice closely reflect those of patients with obesity accompanying type 2 diabetes mellitus, MASH, and MASLD-related HCC. Dietary changes and tirzepatide administration alleviate MASH, hepatic fibrosis, and hepatic tumorigenesis in STZ + HFD mice. In conclusion, a murine model recapitulating the main histopathologic, transcriptomic, and metabolic alterations observed in MASLD patients is successfully established. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) characterizes a spectrum of liver disorders initiated by hepatic lipid accumulation associated with metabolic syndrome. Here, the authors generate a mouse model that recapitulates the main histopathologic, transcriptomics, and metabolic alterations observed in MASLD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycopene is a compound classified as carotenoid, also known as tetraterpenoids, and its high antioxidative capabilities make demand in pharmaceutical and nutrient fields. For these reasons, much research on microbial production of lycopene has been developed and reported for more than two decades. Nevertheless, a standardized in vitro biosynthesis method for lycopene synthesis has not been reported to date. The major reasons of the absence of this method lie on the poor solubility of hydrophobic intermediates (geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate [GGPP] and phytoene), and the difficulty of employing membrane-binding enzyme, phytoene desaturase (CrtI) into in vitro reactions. In this study, we developed a standard method of in vitro biosynthesis of lycopene from geranyl pyrophosphate using four enzymes, namely farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (IspA), GGPP synthase (CrtE), phytoene synthase (CrtB), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), and liposome-the key material, which can provide both hydrophobic area and a lipid membrane for the membrane-binding enzyme CrtI. Moreover, we performed a screening of the in vitro lycopene synthetic pathway using cell-free protein synthesis system, which verifies the applicability of our system as a tool for screening the lycopene synthesis pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a novel spatiotemporal crowdsensing and caching (SCAC) framework to address the surging demands of urban wireless network traffic. In the context of rampant urbanization and ubiquitous digitization in cities, effective data traffic management is crucial for maintaining a dynamic urban ecosystem. Leveraging user mobility patterns and content preferences, this study formulates an offloading policy to alleviate congestion across urban areas. Our approach uses an AI-based method at the cell level, providing a practical and scalable solution that can be readily adapted to bustling metropolitan areas. The implementation of our model demonstrated its effectiveness in reflecting real-world urban dynamics, resulting in significant reductions in peak-hour traffic and robust performance across diverse urban settings. The deployment strategy initiates from densely populated transportation hubs, gradually expanding to broader urban areas. This systematic expansion adheres to a policy framework that emphasizes data privacy and sustainable urban development, ensuring alignment with societal needs and regulatory frameworks. By addressing technological efficacy and societal impact, this study enhances the understanding of urban wireless traffic management. It offers mobile network operators, policymakers, and urban planners a comprehensive strategy to harness the potential of spatiotemporal technology, thereby ensuring that cities remain dynamic, efficient, and well-prepared for the future of digital connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are valuable in predicting response to cancer therapy. PDOs are ideal models for precision oncologists. However, their practical application in guiding timely clinical decisions remains challenging. This study focused on patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer and employed a cancer organoid-based diagnosis reactivity prediction (CODRP)-based precision oncology platform to assess the efficacy of EGFR inhibitor treatments. CODRP was employed to evaluate EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) drug sensitivity. The results were compared to those obtained using area under the curve index. This study validated this index by testing lung cancer-derived organoids in 14 patients with lung cancer. The CODRP index-based drug sensitivity test reliably classified patient responses to EGFR-TKI treatment within a clinically suitable 10-day timeline, which aligned with clinical drug treatment responses. This approach is promising for predicting and analyzing the efficacy of anticancer, ultimately contributing to the development of a precision medicine platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILES) has been utilized in a variety of artificial intelligence analyses owing to its capability of representing chemical structures using line notation. However, its ease of representation is limited, which has led to the proposal of BigSMILES as an alternative method suitable for the representation of macromolecules. Nevertheless, research on BigSMILES remains limited due to its preprocessing requirements. Thus, this study proposes a conversion workflow of BigSMILES, focusing on its automated generation from SMILES representations of homopolymers. BigSMILES representations for 4,927,181 records are provided, thereby enabling its immediate use for various research and development applications. Our study presents detailed descriptions on a validation process to ensure the accuracy, interchangeability, and robustness of the conversion. Additionally, a systematic overview of utilized codes and functions that emphasizes their relevance in the context of BigSMILES generation are produced. This advancement is anticipated to significantly aid researchers and facilitate further studies in BigSMILES representation, including potential applications in deep learning and further extension to complex structures such as copolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-sided vestibular disorders are common in clinical practice; however, their models have not been fully established. We investigated the effect of unilateral or bilateral deficits in the vestibular organs on the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and optokinetic reflex (OKR) of zebrafish using in-house equipment. For physical dislodgement of the otoliths in the utricles of zebrafish larvae, one or both utricles were separated from the surrounding tissue using glass capillaries. The video data from VOR and OKR tests with the larvae was collected and processed using digital signal processing techniques such as fast Fourier transform and low-pass filters. The results showed that unilateral and bilateral damage to the vestibular system significantly reduced VOR and OKR. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between unilateral and bilateral damage. This study confirmed that VOR and OKR were significantly reduced in zebrafish with unilateral and bilateral vestibular damage. Follow-up studies on unilateral vestibular disorders can be conducted using this tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional microbiome development has steadily increased; with this, the viability of microbial strains must be maintained not only after the manufacturing process but also at the time of consumption. Survival is threatened by various unavoidable factors during freeze-drying and shelf storage. Here, the aim was to optimize the manufacturing process of the functional strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 after freeze-drying and storage. Explosive growth was achieved using a medium composition with two nitrogen sources and a mineral, and growth was drastically improved by neutralizing the medium pH during the culture of L. plantarum IDCC 3501. Culture optimization involved a smaller cell size, leading to less intracellular free water. Moreover, when maltodextrin (MD) powder was directly added to the harvested cells, some intracellular free water was extracted from the bacterial cells, resulting in a dramatic increase in the viability of L. plantarum IDCC 3501 after freeze-drying and subsequent storage. Furthermore, MD enhanced survival in a dose-dependent manner. Bacterial survival was correlated with lysozyme tolerance; therefore, the positive result might have been caused by the osmotic dehydration of intracellular free water, which would potentially damage the bacterial cells via ice crystallization and/or a phase transition during freeze-drying. These critical factors of L. plantarum IDCC 3501 processing provide perspectives on survival issues for manufacturing microbiome strains. Key points: • Culture conditions for probiotic bacteria were optimized for high growth yield. • Osmotic dehydration improved bacterial survival after manufacturing and shelf storage. • Reduction in intracellular free water content is crucial for intact survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional microbiome development has steadily increased; with this, the viability of microbial strains must be maintained not only after the manufacturing process but also at the time of consumption. Survival is threatened by various unavoidable factors during freeze-drying and shelf storage. Here, the aim was to optimize the manufacturing process of the functional strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501 after freeze-drying and storage. Explosive growth was achieved using a medium composition with two nitrogen sources and a mineral, and growth was drastically improved by neutralizing the medium pH during the culture of L. plantarum IDCC 3501. Culture optimization involved a smaller cell size, leading to less intracellular free water. Moreover, when maltodextrin (MD) powder was directly added to the harvested cells, some intracellular free water was extracted from the bacterial cells, resulting in a dramatic increase in the viability of L. plantarum IDCC 3501 after freeze-drying and subsequent storage. Furthermore, MD enhanced survival in a dose-dependent manner. Bacterial survival was correlated with lysozyme tolerance; therefore, the positive result might have been caused by the osmotic dehydration of intracellular free water, which would potentially damage the bacterial cells via ice crystallization and/or a phase transition during freeze-drying. These critical factors of L. plantarum IDCC 3501 processing provide perspectives on survival issues for manufacturing microbiome strains. Key points: • Culture conditions for probiotic bacteria were optimized for high growth yield. • Osmotic dehydration improved bacterial survival after manufacturing and shelf storage. • Reduction in intracellular free water content is crucial for intact survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare genetic condition characterized by uncontrolled insulin secretion, resulting in hypoglycemia. Although glucagon has lately been regarded as a therapeutic option for CHI, its use is severely hampered by its poor solubility and stability at physiological pH, as well as its short duration of action. To address these constraints, we developed HM15136, a novel long-acting glucagon analog composed of a glucagon analog conjugated to the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin G4 via a polyethylene glycol linker. In this study, we established that HM15136 was more soluble than natural glucagon (≥ 150 mg/mL vs 0.03 mg/mL). Next, we confirmed that HM15136 activated glucagon receptor in vitro and induced glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in rat primary hepatocytes. Pharmacokinetics (PK)/Pharmacodynamics (PD) analysis of HM15136 shows that HM15136 has a markedly longer half-life (36 h vs. < 5 min) and increased bioavailability (90%) compared to native glucagon in mice. Further, HM15136 could effectively reverse acute hypoglycemia induced by insulin challenge, and multiple doses of HM15136 could sustain increased blood glucose levels in CHI rats. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HM15136 promotes sustained elevation of blood glucose, demonstrating the potential for development as a once-weekly therapy for CHI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic fibres have been considered one of the desired device platforms due to their dimensional compatibility with fabrics by weaving with yarns. However, a precise connecting process between each electronic fibre is essential to configure the desired electronic circuits or systems. Here, we present an integrated electronic fibre platform by fabricating electronic devices onto a one-dimensional microfibre substrate. Electronic components such as transistors, inverters, ring oscillators, and thermocouples are integrated together onto the outer surface of a fibre substrate with precise semiconductor and electrode patterns. Our results show that electronic components can be integrated on a single fibre with reliable operation. We evaluate the electronic properties of the chip on the fibre as a multifunctional electronic textile platform by testing their switching and data processing, as well as sensing or transducing units for detecting optical/thermal signals. The demonstration of the electronic fibre suggests significant proof of concepts for the realization of high performance with wearable electronic textile systems. Towards further integration and miniaturization of e-textiles, in this work, authors demonstrate an integrated electronic fibre platform by fabricating multiple electronic components such as transistors, inverters, ring oscillators, and thermocouples onto the outer surface of a microfibre substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral phonons are concerted mirror-symmetric movements of atomic groups connected by covalent and intermolecular bonds. Such lattice vibrations in crystals of biomolecules should be highly specific to their short- and long-range organizations, but their chiroptical signatures and structure–property relationships remain uncertain. Here we show that terahertz chiroptical spectroscopy enables the registration and attribution of chiral phonons for microscale and nanoscale crystals of amino acids and peptides. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations indicate that sharp mirror-symmetric bands observed for left- and right-handed enantiomers originate from the collective vibrations of biomolecules interconnected by hydrogen bonds into helical chains. The sensitivity of chiral phonons to minute structural changes can be used to identify physical and chemical differences in seemingly identical formulations of dipeptides used in health supplements. The generality of these findings is demonstrated by chiral phonons observed for amyloid nanofibrils of insulin. Their spectral signatures and polarization rotation strongly depend on their maturation stage, which opens a new door for medical applications of terahertz photonics. Chiral phonons—long-range lattice vibrations with rotational motion of atoms—are observed by terahertz chiroptical spectroscopy in biocrystals. Terahertz circular dichroism peaks between 0.2 and 2.0 THz clearly identify the chirality of these phonons in various microcrystalline and nanofibrils of biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-pipecolic acid (L-PA) is a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of many important drugs. However, there is a lack of research on the efficient extraction and purification process for L-PA. Here, eleven different organic solvents were evaluated for selective extraction of L-PA by physical extraction. Among these solvents, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) showed the highest extraction yield of L-PA, and analysis of the linear solvation energy relationship between the solvents showed that MEK was the most suitable solvent for L-PA extraction. The highest extraction yield of L-PA was 37% under optimal conditions (pH 6, 20°C, 30 min and ratio of 1). Furthermore, the repetitive extraction of L-PA from bioconversion solution was also investigated. The MEK gave high purity of L-PA (93.1% and 22.8% yield) from the bioconversion mixture. Our study is the first approach to show easy recovery of L-PA by liquid-liquid extraction and the application of MEK extraction method to L-lysine bioconversion mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether pulmonary function tests (PFTs) can predict pulmonary complications and if they are, to find new cutoff values in current open lung resection surgery. In this observational study, patients underwent open lung resection surgery at a tertiary hospital were analyzed (n = 1544). Various PFTs were tested by area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUCROC) to predict pulmonary complications until 30 days postoperatively. In results, PFTs were generally not effective to predict pulmonary complications (AUCROC: 0.58–0.66). Therefore, we could not determine new cutoff values, and used previously reported cutoffs for post-hoc analysis [predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (ppoFEV1) < 40%, predicted postoperative diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (ppoDLCO) < 40%]. In multivariable analysis, old age, male sex, current smoker, intraoperative transfusion and use of inotropes were independent risk factors for pulmonary complications (model 1: AUCROC 0.737). Addition of ppoFEV1 or ppoDLCO < 40% to model 1 did not significantly increase predictive capability (model 2: AUCROC 0.751, P = 0.065). In propensity score-matched subgroups, patients with ppoFEV1 or ppoDLCO < 40% showed higher rates of pulmonary complications [13% (21/160) vs. 24% (38/160), P = 0.014], but no difference in in-hospital mortality [3% (8/241) vs. 6% (14/241), P = 0.210] or mean survival duration [61 (95% CI 57–66) vs. 65 (95% CI 60–70) months, P = 0.830] compared to patients with both > 40%. In conclusion, PFTs themselves were not effective predictors of pulmonary complications. Decision to proceed with surgical resection of lung cancer should be made on an individual basis considering other risk factors and the patient's goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photophysical and photochemical properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) strongly depend on their morphological and chemical features. However, systematic and uniform manipulation of the chemical structures of GQDs remains challenging due to the difficulty in simultaneous control of competitive reactions, i.e., growth and doping, and the complicated post-purification processes. Here, we report an efficient and scalable production of chemically tailored N-doped GQDs (NGs) with high uniformity and crystallinity via a simple one-step solvent catalytic reaction for the thermolytic self-assembly of molecular precursors. We find that the graphitization of N-containing precursors during the formation of NGs can be modulated by intermolecular interaction with solvent molecules, the mechanism of wh ich is evidenced by theoretical calculations and various spectroscopic analyses. Given with the excellent visible-light photoresponse and photocatalytic activity of NGs, it is expected that the proposed approach will promote the practical utilization of GQDs for various applications in the near future. Photophysical and photochemical features of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) strongly depend on their chemical nature that remains challenging to be controlled in a systematic and uniform manner. Here the authors report an efficient solvent-catalyst-aided growth of chemically tailored N-doped GQDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal management in devices directly affects their performance, but it is difficult to apply conventional cooling methods such as the use of cooling liquids or fans to micro devices owing to the small size of micro devices. In this study, we attempted to solve this problem by employing a heat sink fabricated using copper with porous structures consisting of single-layer graphene on the surface and graphene oxide inside the pores. The porous copper/single-layer graphene/graphene oxide composite (p-Cu/G/rGO) had a porosity of approximately 35%, and the measured pore size was approximately 10 to 100 µm. The internal GO was reduced at a temperature of 1000 °C. On observing the heat distribution in the structure using a thermal imaging camera, we could observe that the p-Cu/G/rGO was conducting heat faster than the p-Cu, which was consistent with the simulation. Furthermore, the thermal resistance of p-Cu/G/rGO was lower than those of the p-Cu and pure Cu. When the p-Cu/G/rGO was fabricated into a heat sink to mount the light emitting diode (LED) chip, the measured temperature of the LED was 31.04 °C, which was less than the temperature of the pure Cu of 40.8 °C. After a week of being subjected to high power (1000 mA), the light intensity of p-Cu/G/rGO decreased to 95.24%. However, the pure Cu decreased significantly to 66.04%. The results of this study are expected to be applied to micro devices for their effective thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza, one of the most contagious and infectious diseases, is predominantly transmitted through aerosols, leading to the development of filter-based protective equipment. Though the currently available filters are effective at removing submicron-sized particulates, filter materials with enhanced virus-capture efficiency are still in demand. Coating or chemically modifying filters with molecules capable of binding influenza viruses has received attention as a promising approach for the production of virus-capturing filters. For this purpose, tannic acid (TA), a plant-derived polyphenol, is a promising molecule for filter functionalization because of its antiviral activities and ability to serve as a cost-efficient adhesive for various materials. This study demonstrates the facile preparation of TA-functionalized high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter materials and their efficiency in influenza virus capture. Polypropylene HEPA filter fabrics were coated with TA via a dipping/washing process. The TA-functionalized HEPA filter (TA-HF) exhibits a high in-solution virus capture efficiency of up to 2,723 pfu/mm2 within 10 min, which is almost two orders of magnitude higher than that of non-functionalized filters. This result suggests that the TA-HF is a potent anti-influenza filter that can be used in protective equipment to prevent the spread of pathogenic viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schisandra chinensis, Lycium chinense, and Cornus officinalis are cultivated in South Korea, China and Japan. Because of their beneficial biological effectiveness, the consumption of these herbs is increasing. The objective of this study was to analyze the pesticide residue levels on these herbal fruits produced in Korea. A short- and long-term risk assessment of the pesticides in herbal fruits was conducted. Pesticides were detected in most samples, and all samples with multiple residues were also noted. The average numbers of pesticides detected in the S. chinensis, L. chinense, and C. officinalis samples were 1.84, 10.28, and 5.87, respectively. The short-term and highest long-term risks, and the cumulative risk (cHI) were 0.633%, 1.14%, and 7.56% (S. chinensis), 1.0 × 10−1%, 1.1 × 10−5%, and 4.0 × 10−5% (L. chinense), and 2.2 × 10−5%, 1.6 × 10−5%, and 8.9 × 10−5% (C. officinalis). No significant health risk for consumers via herbal fruit consumption was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In data mining or machine learning, one of the most commonly used feature extraction techniques is principal component analysis (PCA). However, it performs poorly on a large dataset. In this paper, we propose a new method of accelerating conventional PCA, named hash-tree PCA. It samples the objects that are similar to each other without losing the original data distribution. First, it explores similar objects and stores them in hash tables. Afterward, it samples a certain number of the objects from each hash table and creates a new dataset with a reduced number of objects. Finally, it executes PCA on the sampled dataset. Experimental results show that our method outperforms the PCA and fast PCA methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability, biopolymer-based materials are a good replacement for synthetic materials. We prepared cellulose-based films blended with various biopolymers by co-dissolution in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate followed by regeneration in ethanol. Cellulose was blended with bacterial cellulose, β-cyclodextrin, dextran, starch, agarose, agar, arabic gum, κ-carrageenan, chitosan, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, xylan, lignin, gelatin, collagen, and silk. Physicochemical properties including surface morphology, thermal properties, optical properties, and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the blended films were highly dependent on the biopolymer types. The altered properties of the blended films influenced the adsorption capacity for dyes and proteins and cytotoxicity. The adsorption capacity of a cellulose/chitosan film for methyl orange was 9.1-fold higher, that of a cellulose/silk film for crystal violet was 7.9-fold higher, and that of a cellulose/chitosan film for lysozyme was 7.9-fold higher than that of cellulose film. Gelatin as a blending biopolymer most efficiently enhanced cell viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We conducted a single-center retrospective study to evaluate the effects of intraoperative hypotension (IOH) on postoperative myocardial injury during major noncardiac surgery in patients with prior coronary stents with preoperatively normal cardiac troponin I levels. Although IOH is assumed to increase the risk of postoperative myocardial injury in patients with prior coronary stents, the level and duration of hazardous low blood pressure have not been clarified. Methods: Of 2517 patients with prior coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery between January 2010 and March 2017, we analyzed 195 undergoing major surgery (vascular, abdominal, and thoracic surgery) who had a normal preoperative high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) level and were followed up postoperatively within 3 days. Postoperative myocardial injury was defined as a hs-cTnI level greater than the 99th percentile reference value. Primary IOH exposure was defined as a decrease of ≥ 50%, 40%, or 30% from the preinduction mean blood pressure. Additional definition of IOH was absolute mean blood pressure < 70, < 60 or < 50 mmHg. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the exposure and myocardial injury. Results: Myocardial injury occurred in 53 (27.2%) cases. The predefined levels of IOH were not significantly associated with postoperative myocardial injury, but intraoperative continuous inotropes/vasopressors use was significantly higher in patients with myocardial injury (P = 0.004). Operation time ≥ 166 min (OR = 2.823, 95% CI 1.184–6.731, P = 0.019) and abdominal vascular surgery (OR = 2.693, 95% CI 1.213–5.976, P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for myocardial injury. Conclusion: Although patients with prior coronary stents with normal hs-cTnI levels did not show association between varying levels of IOH and postoperative myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, intraoperative need of continuous inotropes/vasopressors was higher in patients with postoperative myocardial injury. Abdominal vascular surgery and surgical time were independent risk factors for myocardial injury after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose-based magnetic hydrogel microbeads were prepared through sol–gel transition using a 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate-in-oil emulsion. Surface properties of the microbeads were altered by blending cellulose with chitosan, carrageenan, lignin, or starch. The adsorption capacity of the cellulose microbeads for crystal violet was 1.3 times higher after blending cellulose with carrageenan, while that for methyl orange was 2.0 times higher after blending cellulose with chitosan. As a model study, kinetics and isotherms for the adsorption of crystal violet on the cellulose/carrageenan microbeads were investigated to understand the effect of the biopolymer on the adsorption properties. Adsorption capacities of the cellulose microbeads for pepsin and bovine serum albumin were 1.6 and 1.2 times higher after blending cellulose with chitosan, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the cellulose/carrageenan microbeads for lysozyme was 1.2 times higher than that of the cellulose microbeads. The cellulose/alkali lignin and cellulose/starch magnetic microbeads were found to be efficient supports for immobilization of lipase. Specific activities of lipase immobilized on the cellulose/alkali lignin and cellulose/starch magnetic microbeads were 1.2- and 1.4-fold higher than that of free lipase, respectively. Under denaturing thermal conditions, the half-life of lipase immobilized on the cellulose/alkali lignin and cellulose/starch magnetic microbeads was 47- and 56-fold higher than that of free lipase, respectively. Thus, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controllability, the cellulose/biopolymer/Fe3O4 hydrogel microbeads may have many potential applications in biocatalytic, biomedical, and environmental fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated whether preventive use of dexmedetomidine during surgery was effective for reducing emergence agitation and postoperative delirium.Methods: In this double-blind randomized-controlled trial, 143 patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection surgery were randomly assigned to the dexmedetomidine-sevoflurane (DEX-Sevo, n = 73) or sevoflurane (Sevo, n = 70) groups. Dexmedetomidine or saline administration was started after inducing anesthesia and continued until the end of surgery at a fixed dose (0.5 µg·kg-1·hr-1). The primary endpoint was the incidence of delirium up until the end of postoperative day 3. Emergence agitation and postoperative delirium were measured with the Riker sedation agitation scale and the confusion assessment method, respectively. The secondary endpoints were serum cytokine and catecholamine levels.Results: The DEX-Sevo group showed less frequent emergence agitation than the Sevo group (13% vs 35%, respectively; relative risk, 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.79; P = 0.011) but the incidence of delirium after discharge from the postanesthesia care unit was not different (25% vs 25%, DEX-Sevo vs Sevo). Both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were lower in the DEX-Sevo group than in the Sevo group. Nevertheless, the interleukin (IL)6/IL10 ratio (median difference, 5.8; 95% CI,1.8 to 10.0; P = 0.012) and IL8/IL10 ratio (median difference, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.2 to 1.3; P = 0.007) were higher in the DEX-Sevo group than in the Sevo group, indicating a pro-inflammatory cytokine balance in the DEX-Sevo group. Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were lower in the DEX-Sevo group than in the Sevo group (both, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Intraoperative dexmedetomidine reduced emergence agitation but not postoperative delirium in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Dexmedetomidine seemed to affect emergence agitation through catecholamines, but not through an anti-inflammatory action. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (KCT 0001877); registered 7 April, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing interest in ultraviolet (UV) protection, many efforts have been made to replace synthetic UV filters in sunscreens with natural materials. Wood is a highly scattering natural material mainly due to its cellular structure and can also absorb light through its components such as lignin. In this work, we first apply wood powder obtained from fine grinding of wood as an UV-shielding additive in sunscreens. The powders originating from softwood, hardwood, and waste wood were characterized using photography, color analysis, size analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy. Effects of its addition to a commercial sunscreen on UV-blocking performance were also examined. The wood powders were light in color unlike technical lignin, and when they were added to the sunscreen, they could enhance the sun protection factor (SPF) value significantly. In particular, the softwood powder increased the SPF value more than threefold at a concentration of 5 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose hydrogel microspheres were prepared by sol-gel transition using an ionic liquid-in-oil emulsion. Factors that influenced the formation of these microspheres, including the ratio of ionic liquid to oil, surfactant concentration, and stirring speed, were optimized for lipase immobilization. Using the optimized method, Candida rugosa lipase was efficiently immobilized on the microspheres by physical adsorption. As compared with the free lipase, the specific activity of the immobilized lipase was 1.4 times higher, its half-life at 45°C was 41 times longer, and it showed an enhanced stability over a wide pH range. The lipase immobilized on cellulose microspheres showed a much higher loading efficiency, immobilization yield, and specificity constant than lipase immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose or millimeter-sized hydrogel beads. To increase the reusability of cellulose microspheres as an enzyme support material, magnetic cellulose microspheres were also prepared by adding Fe3O4. The lipase immobilized on magnetic cellulose microspheres was simply recovered using a magnet and continuously reused with a minimal loss of activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Porencephalic cysts and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) edema around the intracranial shuntcatheter are rare complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery. Possible mechanisms leading to a porencephalic cyst formation in a patient with a VPS include taut ventricle, dysfunction of distalcatheters, and irreversible damage to the brain parenchyma caused by shunt insertion, chemotherapy, or radiation. Most of the previous reports were due to shunt malfunction and treatment consisted of shunt revision or removal.Case Report: We present a case of porencephalic cyst formation in a 6-year-old female as a result ofcerebrospinal fluid under-drainage that was promptly improved with shunt valve adjustment.Coclusions: A heightened index of suspicion is required to prevent misdiagnosis of porencephalic cysts astumors or abscesses that may lead to unnecessary surgical explorations. Further research is needed toelucidate the pathophysiological mechanism that causes a porencephalic cyst formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A view factor is an important morphological parameter used in parameterizing in-canyon radiative energy exchange process as well as in characterizing local climate over urban environments. For realistic representation of the in-canyon radiative processes, a complete set of view factors at the horizontal and vertical surfaces of urban facets is required. Various analytical and numerical methods have been suggested to determine the view factors for urban environments, but most of the methods provide only sky-view factor at the ground level of a specific location or assume simplified morphology of complex urban environments. In this study, a numerical method that can determine the sky-view factors ( ψ and ψ ) and wall-view factors ( ψ and ψ ) at the horizontal and vertical surfaces is presented for application to real urban morphology, which are derived from an analytical formulation of the view factor between two blackbody surfaces of arbitrary geometry. The established numerical method is validated against the analytical sky-view factor estimation for ideal street canyon geometries, showing a consolidate confidence in accuracy with errors of less than 0.2 %. Using a three-dimensional building database, the numerical method is also demonstrated to be applicable in determining the sky-view factors at the horizontal (roofs and roads) and vertical (walls) surfaces in real urban environments. The results suggest that the analytically based numerical method can be used for the radiative process parameterization of urban numerical models as well as for the characterization of local urban climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of internet-of-thing (IoT) devices has recently been growing at a rapid rate. From the fact that most of IoT devices are connected through advanced wireless technologies, their coexistence issues become important. Distributed and densely-deployed nature of IoT networks render wireless scheduling very challenging. This work develops a distributed scheduling strategy for a network of wireless IoT devices. To be precise, it aims at maximizing the overall sum rate of the wireless network where a centralized coordination is not supported. The proposed approach considers a synchronized slotted structure consisting of two phases: distributed scheduling and distributed communication phase. In the distributed scheduling phase, IoT devices, via reciprocal exchange of simple messages, share local information with neighboring devices and decide scheduling policies. In the distributed communication phase, the devices communicate with their neighbors on scheduled slots. To this end, a state-of-the-art message-passing framework is introduced to develop a distributed scheduling algorithm. Based on the notion of a factor graph, the developed distributed scheduling algorithm finds an efficient scheduling solution that maximizes the overall sum rate of the network. Simulation results verify that the developed algorithm outperforms existing distributed techniques to a considerable extent in a consistent fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with advancements in surgical techniques and instrumentation, the lateral lumbar interbody fusion is being used increasingly as an alternative procedure to anterior approach. In this study, we illustrated a oblique retroperitoneal approach for lumbar interbody fusion with one incision site and tilting of the operation table in adult spinal deformity and evaluate the radiographical findings and clinical outcomes of patients treated using this technique. This study included 32 patients scheduled to undergo anterior and posterior long-level fusions for lumbar degenerative kyphosis or degenerative lumbar scoliosis. Data collected included blood loss, operative time, incision size, and perioperative complications. Pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters and clinical outcome measures were assessed. Mean follow-up time was 26.1 months. The mean blood losses were 107.4 and 102.4 ml, and the mean operative times were 116, 97, and 82 min for the patients within five levels (4 cases), four levels (18 cases), and three levels (10 cases). The mean incision sizes were 14.63, 13.82, and 12.5 cm in the patients with five, four, and three levels. The mean pelvic incidence was 50.3°. The mean preoperative sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was + 13.66 cm, and the last follow-up SVA was + 2.94 cm. The preoperative lumbar lordosis (LL) was 5.79°, and the last follow-up LL was 46.54°. The mean correction angle was 41°. The mean Cobb angle decreased from a preoperative value of 21.55° to 9.6°at the last follow-up. An oblique retroperitoneal approach is very safe, allowing reproducible access from L1 to S1 for lumbar interbody fusion in adult spinal deformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine age-dependent alterations in serum cytokines, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokine production, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F (PGF). Nine hundred eighty-seven healthy and nonobese subjects were divided into five age groups: 20-34 (group 1), 35-44 (group 2), 45-54 (group 3), 55-64 (group 4), and 65-80 (group 5) years of age. After adjusting for BMI, sex, and smoking and drinking status, serum interferon (IFN)-γ levels decreased in groups 3, 4, and 5 compared with those in groups 1 and 2. Production of IFN-γ by unstimulated PBMCs was lower in the older groups (groups 4 and 5) than in the younger groups (groups 1 and 3). Serum interleukin (IL)-12 was lower in group 5 than in groups 1 and 2. In contrast, both serum and PBMC IL-6 were higher in group 5 than in groups 1, 2, and 3. Urinary 8-epi-PGF increased in group 3 compared with that in group 1 and further increased in group 5. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that serum IFN-γ levels were negatively affected by age, and NK cell activity at a ratio of E: T = 5:1 was positively affected by PBMC IFN-γ. This study shows the age-related reductions in serum and PBMC IFN-γ and serum IL-12 and age-related increases in serum and PBMC IL-6 and oxidative stress in healthy nonobese subjects. Additionally, circulating IL-6 levels may be a better marker of the chronic low-grade inflammatory activity associated with aging than systemic levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and IL-1β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate virtual water export through five crops (barley, rice, maize, soybeans, and wheat) in terms of the external virtual water rate, within and outside of Asia from 2000 to 2012, and in comparison with that within and outside the European Union (EU). The external virtual water rate indicates the proportion of virtual water export outside of a boundary. Approximately 46.9% of the green water exports and 40.9% of the blue water exports were discharged from Asia to non-Asian countries. For example, Thailand, which is the main exporter in Asia, exported 55.5% of the total virtual water exported to non-Asian countries, and Kazakhstan exported 63.8% of the total virtual water exported to European countries. In comparison, the external virtual water rate for the EU was 30.2% (green water) and 25.2% (blue water). The virtual water trade is also important to the main importers in Asia. We evaluated the virtual water dependency on exporters in East Asia of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. These three countries have a high dependency on virtual water imported from only a few exporters; thus, they should extend their virtual water trade boundary to include additional exporters. These results provide information necessary for the development of an integrated water strategy in Asia, and could convince the main Asian importers of the risks of serious dependency on foreign water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing recognition that various planning agencies in warranty system sectors have a significant interest in measuring and forecasting the growth of green warranty claims. The difficulties lie in finding a forecasting model that can incorporate both internal and external influences on green warranty diffusion, as well as an acceptable measure for green warranty growth. This paper uses models based on the knowledge of traditional diffusion theories as well as artificial neural networks. Additionally, it integrates the two into a hybrid model in order to study green warranty growth. A count of warranty claims is used as a reliable measure of green warranty growth in all the models. This paper demonstrates that a simple Neural Network model, if properly calibrated, can create a very flexible response function to forecast green warranty diffusion. The neural network model successfully modeled both the internal and external influences in the warranty data, while the traditional formulations could only model the internal influences. The predictive validation of the results was enhanced by replicating the comparisons on simulated data with various degrees of external influence. This paper suggests that when there are external influences such as green warranty, the neural network model will be superior to the best traditional diffusion model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbe-assisted phytoremediation has been considered a promising measure for the remediation of heavy metal-polluted soil. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of diazotrophic plant growth-promoting Herbaspirillum sp. GW103 on growth and lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) accumulation in Zea mays L. The strain GW103 exhibited plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic deaminase. Treatment of Z. mays L. plants with GW103 significantly increased 19, 31, and 52% of plant biomass and 10, 50, and 126% of chlorophyll a contents in Pb, Zn, and Pb + Zn-amended soils, respectively. Similarly, the strain GW103 significantly increased Pb and Zn accumulation in shoots and roots of Z. mays L., which were 77 and 25% in Pb-amended soil, 42 and 73% in Zn-amended soil, and 27 and 84% in Pb + Zn-amended soil. Furthermore, addition of GW103 increased 8, 12, and 7% of total protein content, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels, respectively, in Z. mays L. plants. The results pointed out that isolate GW103 could potentially reduce the phytotoxicity of metals and increase Pb and Zn accumulation in Z. mays L. plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The M 5.8 earthquake in Gyeongju, southeastern Korea, on September 12, 2016 11:32:54 (UTC) was the largest earthquake on the Korean Peninsula since instrumental monitoring began in 1978. It was preceded by an M 5.1 foreshock and is being followed by numerous aftershocks. Within an hour of the mainshock, the first temporary seismic station to monitor aftershocks was installed at about 1.5 km east of the announced epicenter. The current temporary seismic network consists of 27 stations equipped with broadband sensors covering an area of ∼38 × 32 km in the mainshock region. This is the first high-density aftershock monitoring array in the Korean Peninsula. Initial results, using data from both the regional seismic networks and the aftershock monitoring array, indicate that earthquakes during the first 10 days following the mainshock are related to the Yangsan Fault System. Establishment of an official rapid-response team to monitor aftershocks of major earthquakes is advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immature pear ( Pyrus pyrifolia cv. Niitaka) fruits were fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Aspergillus oryzae, which are commonly used as starters for manufacturing fermented foods. Fermented immature pear fruit extracts (FIPF) by L. mesenteroides showed significantly higher radical-scavenging activity using DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals and reducing power capacity than unfermented immature pear fruit extracts. L. mesenteroides-FIPF more effectively inhibited the formation of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide in copper ion-induced rat blood plasma. In addition, the L. mesenteroides-FIPF strongly inhibited tyrosinase activity and the growth of pathogenic skin bacteria. In contrast, enhanced antioxidative and antibacterial activities were not apparent in A. oryzae-FIPF. The antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of the fermented and unfermented immature pear fruits were correlated with the flavonoid contents. These results indicate that fermentation enhances antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of immature pear fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of climate change on green and blue water use with temporal change in the transplanting and growing season for paddy fields in South Korea using the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios in 2025 (2011-2040), 2055 (2041-2070), and 2085 (2071-2100). The optimal transplant date determined by an accumulated temperature analysis, between 27 April and 21 May in 1995, was delayed until 29 June in 2085, and the average growing period was decreased by about 20 days in 2085. Changes in the transplanting season and growing period could influence the efficiency of future green water use and blue water savings. Approximately 810.5 Mm of green water was available during the 1995 transplanting season, but the predicted use of green water was 1524.7 Mm in future for the optimal transplanting season. In addition, 923.0 Mm of blue water savings can be expected in 2025. This study showed that appropriate change of transplanting season could mitigate the water requirements in paddy fields by optimizing phenology, improving green water efficiency, and blue water savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Fe-based powder of composition Fe-3 wt% Cr-0.5 wt% Mo was prepared using a water atomization process. After atomization, the total oxide content of the powder was calculated as ca. 2.09 wt%. Gas reduction of the as-atomized powder using CO, CH, and H gases was carried out in a horizontal vacuum tubetype furnace at 900 °C. Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations for the reduction reactions were carried out using FactSage and HSC Chemistry programs. The results showed that the reduction proceeded in two stages: from FeO to FeO, and finally to Fe. Each reducing gas was evaluated and compared based on the oxide reduction capability. The lowest oxygen content was achieved for CH4 (0.49 wt%). However, with CH, cementite (FeC) was also detected due to cracking of CH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butanol is considered an attractive biofuel and a commercially important bulk chemical. However, economical production of butanol by solventogenic clostridia, e.g., via fermentative production of acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE), is hampered by low fermentation performance, mainly as a result of toxicity of butanol to microorganisms and high substrate costs. Recently, sugars from marine macroalgae and syngas were recognized as potent carbon sources in biomass feedstocks that are abundant and do not compete for arable land with edible crops. With the aid of systems metabolic engineering, many researchers have developed clostridial strains with improved performance on fermentation of these substrates. Alternatively, fermentation strategies integrated with butanol recovery processes such as adsorption, gas stripping, liquid-liquid extraction, and pervaporation have been designed to increase the overall titer of butanol and volumetric productivity. Nevertheless, for economically feasible production of butanol, innovative strategies based on recent research should be implemented. This review describes and discusses recent advances in the development of biomass feedstocks, microbial strains, and fermentation processes for butanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper analyzed outcomes of the osteosynthesis with a locking plate system for the fractures of the humerus in throwers using the anterior humeral approach.Methods: Retrospective case series including 31 patients. Bone union was assessed through follow-up radiographs. Results of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion in the elbow joint, time of return to work, and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) were evaluated to determine functional outcomes. Direction and length of the fracture, the distal cortical length, the humeral diameter, and the total humeral length were measured as part of fracture configuration analysis.Results: Mean patient age was 25.8 (range, 18-34) years. The follow-up average was 16.0 months (range, 12-23). Delayed union was observed in one (3.1 %) patient. Mean final VAS was 0.4 (range, 0-2), mean time of return to work was 18.2 weeks (range, 13-36), and mean MEPS was 96.3 (range, 88-100) points. All fractures showed a spiral configuration. Mean fracture length was 79.7 (95 % CI, 72.6-86.7) mm, and mean distal cortical length was 48.3 (95 % CI, 37.8-58.8) mm.Conclusions: The results of the current study indicates that plate osteosynthesis using a locking plate system combined with interfragmentary lag screws through anterior humeral approach may be a favorable option for the surgical treatment of humeral shaft fractures in throwers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ butanol recovery fermentation has been intensively studied as an effective alternative to conventional butanol production, which is limited due to the cellular toxicity of butanol. However, the low biocompatibility of adsorbents often leads to failure of in situ recovery fermentations. In this study, Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 was cultured in flasks without shaking and in situ recovery fermentation was performed by using an adsorbent L493. The amounts of acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) increased by 34.4 % in the presence of the adsorbent. In contrast, cell growth and production of organic acids and ABE were retarded in the 7-L batch fermentations with in situ butanol recovery. Cell damage occurred in the fermentor upon agitation in the presence of the adsorbent, unlike in static flask cultures with in situ recovery. Ex situ recovery fermentation using circulation of fermentation broth after mid-exponential phase of cell growth was developed to avoid adsorbent-cell incompatibility. No apparent cell damage was observed and 25.7 g/L of ABE was produced from 86.2 g/L glucose in the fed-batch mode using 7 L fermentors. Thus, ex situ recovery fermentation with C. beijerinckii is effective for enhancing butanol fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Korea's food self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) dramatically decreased from 56 % in 1980 to 27 % in 2010, due to changes in food production and consumption patterns. Naturally, the changes in food self-sufficiency and consumption patterns will affect the world agricultural trade. This study aims to analyze trends in water footprints (WFs) on the basis of statistics for per capita food consumption in the last 25 years. The WFs for potential water requirements (WFs) were estimated using food production and consumption scenarios for the targets of the SSRs in 2015 and 2020. The WFs for per capita food consumption (WFs) were estimated at 512.9 m (1985) and 822.9 m (2010). Cereals and meats accounted for 36.3 and 21.5 % of the total WFs in 1985, and 18.3 and 38.6 % in 2010, respectively. This implies that with economic development, Korea's dietary patterns have changed from cereal to meat-oriented. To achieve the targets of 52 % (2015) and 55 % (2020) food SSR based on calories, additional WFs are estimated to be 1255.5 Mm (2015) and 1923.9 Mm (2020). Results of this study are expected to be a useful basis for making long-term policies for sustainable agricultural production and water management from technical and social perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillometers have been widely used in estimating the surface-layer sensible heat flux $$(Q_\mathrm{H})$$ over natural and urban surfaces, but their application over water bodies is rare. Here, a large aperture scintillometer (LAS) was deployed over a coastal maritime area ('a beach') with an optical path distance of 1 km to investigate LAS capability in estimating the sensible heat fluxes. The measurements were conducted for clear days in the cold season, characterized by a warmer sea surface than the overlying air throughout the studied days. The LAS-derived $$Q_\mathrm{H} $$ showed a significant diurnal variability of 10-150 W m $$^{-2}$$ at the coastal site, and it was found that local thermal advection and tidal change at the site largely influenced the diurnal variability. A series of sensitivity tests indicated that the uncertainty in the LAS-derived $$Q_\mathrm{H} $$ was less than 11 %, except when De Bruin's similarity function was used. The overall results demonstrate that the LAS system can detect the magnitude and variability of the turbulent heat exchange at the coastal site with high temporal resolution, suggesting its usefulness for estimating $$Q_\mathrm{H} $$ in the coastal maritime environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]