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In this study, we present the effects of the morphological modification of an oxygen-sensing film on improving the sensitivity of luminescent oxygen sensors. Pores were made inside the volume and on the external surface of the oxygen-sensing film consisting of platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) oxygen-sensitive dye embedded in a polystyrene (PS) polymer matrix. The size of the pores with diameters from 300 nm to 1 μm was controlled through the phase separation of the ternary system of PS, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and chloroform. Photoluminescence (PL) intensity and oxygen accessibility of the oxygen-sensing film were considered the main factors affecting the sensitivity of the sensors. PL intensity was analyzed through the diffused reflectance and absorbance of the oxygen-sensing film. Oxygen accessibility was analyzed based on the Langmuir-Hill absorption theory by considering the sensitivity saturation behaviors of the oxygen-sensing film above the excitation light source intensity of 1000 cd/m 2 . The optimized porous-structured oxygen-sensing film showed 61% higher sensitivity than the solid oxygen-sensing film. According to the measurement results, the sensitivity enhancement in the porous sensing film was significantly more driven by the increase in oxygen accessible sites than the increase in PL intensity. Furthermore, the sensing film with pores only on its external surface and not inside its volume showed 72% enhanced sensitivity relative to the solid sensing film. Therefore, the external surface area of the sensing film affects the sensitivity of the oxygen-sensing film significantly more than the pores inside the volume of the sensing film because the external surface acts as an oxygen diffusion barrier that limits the amount of oxygen that can access the oxygen-sensitive dye embedded in the polymer matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin film transistors (TFTs) based on metal oxides have high mobility, transparency, and excellent stability, and are considered to be a key part of the next generation transparent electronic devices. Solution-processed metal oxide thin films using the sol-gel method has enabled the deposition of metal oxide thin films without a vacuum system, and it allows metal oxide TFTs to be fabricated more efficiently at low cost and over a large area through a simple process. In this study, we fabricated In 2 O 3 using the sol-gel method and adopted various self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to modify the interface between the semiconductor and dielectric layer. We used octadecyltrichlorosilane as a hydrophobic surface and partially removed it through exposure to UV radiation to form a patterned semiconductor using a simple spin-coating procedure that remarkably reduced the leakage current. 3-aminopropylsilane, (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane, and cyclopentadienyltrimethylsilane as SAM materials and toluene and water as solvents to dilute them were used to modify the surface of the SiO 2 . We measured the contact angle under various conditions and the electrical characteristics of the TFTs annealed in various temperatures of 230, 250, and 300 °C to confirm the effect of interface energy modification, and concluded that surface energy affected the mobility of the In 2 O 3 transistors and the lower surface energy enhanced the mobility of the TFTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extrusion technology is known to enhance feed quality by controlling feed processing conditions. Although extrusion technology has been extensively used to improve livestock feed quality, research on its effects on quality in fish is lacking. Furthermore, studies on feed processing, the physical properties of feed produced using extruders, and the effects of extrusion on formulated feed quality remain scarce. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of extrusion pressure and raw material particle size on the growth performance and digestive physiology of rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). Experimental diets were prepared under different extrusion pressures by manipulating the screw speed [low pressure (LP), 1080 rpm/min; high pressure (HP), 620 rpm/min] and mean raw material particle sizes [small size (SS), 199.1 μm3; large size (LS), 1026.8 μm3] in a two-level factorial design. Four experimental diets (SS/LP, SS/HP, LS/LP, and LS/HP) were randomly assigned to 12 tanks (3 replicates), which were each stocked with 30 fish (initial mean body weight, 82.7 ± 0.2 g). After a 16-week feeding trial, observations showed that SS and LP enhanced fish weight gain and plasma growth-related hormone activity. In addition, SS and LP increased intestinal digestive activity in fish, positively affecting growth. These results indicate that manipulating physical pellet qualities by adjusting the feed ingredient extrusion pressure and raw material particle size can improve the growth performance and digestive physiology of rockfish, which should be considered in feed manufacturing. • Extrusion pressure and particle size improved rockfish growth rate and growth hormone activity. • Higher water absorption ability of feed was associated with better fish growth. • SS and LP enhanced fish weight gain and plasma growth-related hormone activity. • SS and LP increased the digestive activity of the intestines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and plays an essential role in hematopoiesis. UHRF1 and DNMT1 are both crucial for regulating genome-wide maintenance of DNA methylation. Specifically, it is well known that hypermethylation is crucial characteristic of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the mechanism underlying how DNA methylation regulates the differentiation of AML cells, including THP-1 is not fully elucidated. In this study, we report that UHRF1 or DNMT1 depletion enhances the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation of THP-1 cells. Transcriptome analysis and genome-wide methylation array results showed that depleting UHRF1 or DNMT1 induced changes that made THP-1 cells highly sensitive to PMA. Furthermore, knockdown of UHRF1 or DNMT1 impeded solid tumor formation in xenograft mouse model. These findings suggest that UHRF1 and DNMT1 play a pivotal role in regulating differentiation and proliferation of THP-1 cells and targeting these proteins may improve the efficiency of differentiation therapy in AML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies report that psychological factors are associated with outcomes of carpal tunnel release. However, interpretation of the association is difficult as there are diverse outcome parameters and patient expectations are different. We performed a systematic review to assess the relationships between psychological factors and the various outcome parameters. Methods: We identified 611 papers and selected 8 papers that fit the inclusion criteria. Psychological factors assessed were anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, coping, and mental health status. Outcomes of interest included satisfaction and measures of perceived level of function, pain, and physical measures of recovery. Results: For satisfaction and perceived level of function as the outcome, three studies reported a significant association, one study found an association approaching a value of significance, and one study reported no association. For pain as the outcome, two studies reported a significant association. For physical measures, one study reported no association. Conclusions: This systematic review found that depression correlates with postoperative pain, but that the association is less clear between psychological factors and outcomes such as satisfaction, perceived level of symptom and function, and physical measures of recovery. As pain may not be a primary symptom or outcome of CTS, we consider that the current literature does not strongly support the association between psychological factors and outcomes of CTR. This review could be of benefit during preoperative counseling in patients with psychological disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanocomposite heterojunction photoanode involving CdS nanoflowers (NFs) and one-dimensional TiO 2 nanotube (NT) arrays was reported. The self-assembled TiO 2 NT arrays were fabricated by an anodization method and the surface of TiO 2 NT arrays was decorated with CdS NFs by employing hydrothermal method for the first time. The CdS NF morphology was optimized by controlling the hydrothermal reaction time from 0 to 72 h. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) study of the CdS-NF/TiO 2 -NT photoanode revealed good coverage of hydrothermally grown CdS NFs on the surface of TiO 2 NT arrays. The photoelectrochemical measurements were performed under 100 mW cm −2 illumination using polysulfide electrolyte. A 5.5-fold photocurrent enhancement was observed for the CdS-NF/TiO 2 -NT array photoanode synthesized with a 48 h CdS hydrothermal reaction compared to a pristine TiO 2 NT array film. Annealing of TiO 2 NTs as well as CdS NFs led to further improvement in the photocurrent on account of greater crystallinity, significantly higher visible light photon absorption and improved interface properties between CdS and TiO 2 . These findings were supported by optical absorption, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that kisspeptin influences reproduction and onset of puberty in fishes. Unlike mammals, which produce only one kisspeptin (Kiss1), some teleosts have two, Kiss1 and Kiss2, both thought to be involved in the stimulation of gonadotropin (GTH) secretion. In Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ), however, only Kiss2 has been identified so far. The effect of Kiss2 on GTH release varies significantly depending on species and reproductive stage. Furthermore, its physiological function in this species is not clearly defined. In this study, kiss2 gene expression profiles were examined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the brain, pituitary, and gonads of Nile tilapia at different reproductive stages (male: immature, pre-spermiation, post-spermiation; female: immature, pre-spawning, post-spawning). The kiss2 mRNA expression profiles of the brain, pituitary, and gonads of both sexes shared a similar pattern their expression was significantly higher at the immature stage than at the mature or post-spawning stages, implying it is involved in early gonadal maturation in this species. To investigate the effect of kisspeptin on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis in vivo, synthetic kisspeptin2 (FNYNPLSLRF) was injected into immature male and female tilapia intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 200 pmol/g body weight. The results showed that synthetic Kiss2 administration increased the expression of GnRH I , fshβ and lhβ mRNA in the brain and increased 17 β -estradiol (E 2 ) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels in the plasma. These results suggest that Kiss 2 stimulates the expression of GnRH and GTH genes in immature Nile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the effect of mechanical bending on the performance of flexible organic light-emitting diodes (f-OLEDs). External bending was applied to induce tensile stress in the device. The current-voltage-luminescence ( J - V - L ) characteristics of the f-OLED were measured before, during, and after bending. The variation in the f-OLED performance was explained in terms of the changes in the injection barrier measured using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Charge carrier transport was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Impedance spectroscopy (IS) was used to analyze the dynamics of the charge carriers. The variations in photoluminescence (PL) peak intensity and position were used to investigate the effects of the inter- and intra-chain distances in the active layer of the f-OLED on the carrier mobility. Based on our analysis, we found that the degradation of the f-OLED after mechanical bending was induced by an increase in the number of charges accumulated at the interface between the emission layer and the electron transfer layer in the f-OLED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared sulfur/active carbon composites via a simple solution-based process using the following commercial activated carbon-based materials: coal, coconut shells, and sawdust. Although elemental sulfur was not detected in any of the sulfur/activated carbon composites based on Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results confirmed its presence in the activated carbon. These results indicate that sulfur was successfully impregnated in the activated carbon and that all of the activated carbons acted as sulfur reservoirs. The sulfur/activated carbon composite cathode using coal exhibited the highest discharge capacity and best rate capability. The first discharge capacity at 1 C (1.672 A g −1 ) was 1240 mAh g −1 , and a large reversible capacity of 567 mAh g −1 was observed at 10 C (16.72 A g −1 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A possibility for the new synthesis method of diamond nanoparticles is studied using a hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) reactor. Considering the growth mechanism of diamonds at low pressure from the well-known observation of simultaneous diamond deposition and graphite etching without violating the second law of thermodynamics, diamond nanoparticles should be generated in the gas phase. To confirm the generation of diamond nanoparticles in the gas phase under the synthesis condition of diamond films by HFCVD, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid membrane was exposed for 3–15 s using a capturing apparatus and the grid membrane was observed by TEM. The number density of captured nanoparticles increased with increasing capture time whereas the size of them was changed only slightly. In addition, to confirm whether the nanoparticles are electrically charged or not, the electric bias was applied to the stainless steel plate placed below the holder of the TEM grid. The positive bias increased the number density of nanoparticles whereas the negative bias decreased it, indicating that nanoparticles are negatively charged. The TEM images showed that the captured nanoparticles had a diameter of 4–6 nm and 0.206 nm of crystalline lattice spacing, which indicates the {111} plane of diamond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Growth of saplings is more affected by leaf traits and soil variation than that of adults in broadleaf trees. • Growth of adults is more affected by leaf traits and soil variation than that of saplings in coniferous trees. • Absolute growth rate is more sensitive to leaf traits and soil variation than relative growth rate. • Leaf traits showed different effects on broadleaf sapling growth in different habitat types. • Soil variation had positive effects on broadleaf sapling and coniferous adult growth in the high-nutrient habitat type. Knowledge of the leaf trait–growth rate relationship is essential for assessing plant physiological performance in forest ecosystems. Intraspecific leaf trait variation may have different effects on tree growth at various spatial and temporal scales. Plant functional-group and life-stage approaches have the potential to clarify the specific roles to understand the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship. Our research determined the significance of leaf traits and soil variation in broadleaf and coniferous tree growth across different life stages and habitat types. In a 9 ha Liangshui forest dynamic plot in Northeast China, we used linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) to model tree growth as a function of leaf traits and soil variables in three habitat types with different soil organic matter and slope conditions. Tree growth in the broadleaf saplings was more significantly influenced by leaf traits and soil variation than that in the adults. On the other hand, the growth of coniferous adults was more significantly influenced by leaf traits and soil variation than that of the saplings. The influence of leaf traits on the growth of broadleaf saplings was dependent on the habitat type. Soil variation had positive effects on the growth of broadleaf saplings and coniferous adults in the high-nutrient habitat type. Different functional types can provide different insights into the influence of leaf traits on tree growth. To apply leaf traits to forest management, the relationships of plant functional types, life stages, and local environments with tree growth need to be carefully considered, particularly in mixed-species forests with varying tree sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to assess whether the reconstructed breast volume changed postoperatively following a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap. Methods Patients were included if they had undergone unilateral breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap at the two selected centers between April 2017 and September 2019. Serial 3-D surface imaging of both breasts was taken at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was a volume ratio of the reconstructed to the contralateral breast. A linear mixed-effect model was used to evaluate whether the DIEP flap volume changed according to the postoperative time. Results A total of 74 patients were included in the analysis. The mean volume ratio of the reconstructed side compared with the contralateral breast at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were 106.9%, 105.9%, 108.7%, and 107.6%, respectively. In the linear mixed effect model, the volume ratio of the reconstructed breast did not change over time for immediate reconstructions (p = 0.376). However, there was an increase over time in delayed reconstructions (p = 0.043). Adjuvant radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy did not influence the volume ratio of the reconstruced breast. Correlation analysis using repeatedly measured values showed that both reconstruced and healthy breast volumes had positive correlation with the patient's body weight (p < 0.001). On the other hand, volume ratio of the breasts was not influenced by the patient's body weight (p = 0.493). The volume ratio of the reconstructed breast significantly decreased in the upper inner (p = 0.003) and the upper outer (p = 0.006) quadrants, while increasing in the lower outer (p = 0.002) quadrant throughout the first-year postoperative period. Conclusion The volume ratio of the reconstructed to the contralateral breast does not decrease postoperatively following DIEP flap breast reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for developing a simple and effective assessment tool for muscle mass has been increasing in a rapidly aging society. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters for estimating muscle mass. Overall, 212 healthy volunteers participated in this study. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) strength and root mean square (RMS) values of motor unit potentials from surface electrodes on each muscle (biceps brachii, triceps brachii, biceps femoris, rectus femoris) during isometric exercises of elbow flexion (EF), elbow extension (EE), knee flexion (KF), knee extension (KE) were acquired. New variables (MeanRMS, MaxRMS, and RatioRMS) were calculated from RMS values according to each exercise. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was performed to determine the segmental lean mass (SLM), segmental fat mass (SFM), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM). Muscle thicknesses were measured using ultrasonography (US). sEMG parameters showed positive correlations with MVC strength, SLM, ASM, and muscle thickness measured by US, but showed negative correlations with SFM. An equation was developed for ASM: ASM = −26.04 + 20.345 × Height + 0.178 × weight − 2.065 × (1, if female; 0, if male) + 0.327 × RatioRMS(KF) + 0.965 × MeanRMS(EE) (SEE = 1.167, adjusted R2 = 0.934). sEMG parameters in controlled conditions may represent overall muscle strength and muscle mass in healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effect of polyimide surface modification - using near-atmospheric pressure plasmas - on the line width and adhesion of inkjet-printed Ag was investigated by texturing and modifying the chemical composition of the polyimide surface. The polyimide surface was textured with He/O2, to increase the surface area of the polyimide substrate and it increased the water contact angle from 57 to 137°, when the textured polyimide surface was treated with a SF6 plasma after the texturing process. The textured polyimide surface also exhibited the increased adhesion strength of Ag film (by about two times), due to the increase in the contact area, as expected, according to the Wenzel model. The linewidth of the inkjet-printed Ag line decreased by about ten times from 330 µm (for the flat polyimide surface) to 23 µm (for the textured polyimide surface) in addition to having smoother line edges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of the heat generated in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) on their performance with a focus on the thermo-physical properties of the substrates. OLEDs were fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), and glass substrates, and the instantaneous and time-resolved performances of the OLEDs were compared. The device operation temperature ( T ) was predicted via heat transfer analysis using the finite element method (FEM). The value of T during operation was experimentally measured using an infrared (IR) camera, and the results were compared with the numerically calculated values. The effects of T on the time-resolved electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the OLEDs on the different substrates were also investigated. The experimental results of this study agreed well with the numerical predictions that the T of the OLEDs on the polymers are higher than the T of the OLEDs on glass during operation due to the relatively low thermal diffusivity ( α ) of the polymer substrates used in this study. The results also showed that the performance and reliability of the flexible OLEDs (f-OLED) are highly dependent on the heat extraction capabilities of the substrates; thus, the current density ( J ), luminescence ( L ), voltage ( V ) characteristics, and efficiencies ( η ) over time of the OLEDs on PET and PI are inferior to the OLEDs on the glass substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that not all sign idempotent sign pattern matrices allow idempotence. In this paper, we found a necessary and sufficient condition for a sign idempotent sign pattern matrix to allow idempotence. In addition, we investigated the nonnegativity of sign idempotent sign pattern matrices that allow idempotence. Finally, we show that if A is a sign idempotent sign pattern matrix, then A allows idempotence if and only if | A | = [ | a i j | ] also allows idempotence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of sulfur in sulfur/activated carbon composite is controlled from 32.37 wt.% to 55.33 wt.% by a one-step solution-based process. When the sulfur content is limited to 41.21 wt.%, it can be loaded into the pores of an activated carbon matrix in a highly dispersed state. On the contrary, when the sulfur content is 55.33 wt.%, crystalline sulfur can be detected on the surface of the activated carbon matrix. The best electrochemical performance can be obtained for a sulfur electrode with the lowest sulfur content. The sulfur/activated carbon composite with 32.37 wt.% sulfur afforded the highest first discharge capacity of 1360 mAh g −1 at 1 C rate and a large reversible capacity of 702 mAh g −1 at 10 C (16.75 A/g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated silicon nanostructures (Si-NSs) on SiO/Si substrate in chemical vapor deposition. During the synthesis of Si-NSs, Si sunflower-shaped structures of one to hundred microns were observed, therein the nanoparticles (NPs), nanowires, and nanorods were aligned in an ordered manner. We suggest that the NSs reported here are evolved by the electrostatic force exerted by charged NPs in gas phase. This NS would help in understanding the role of spontaneous charging of NPs in the gas phase and the role of charged NPs in the gas phase for NSs growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of compressive stress on the performance of polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). Vertical contraction of the PLEDs under compressive stress was induced by loading the PLEDs during operation. The current density–luminescence–voltage ( J – L – V ) characteristics of the PLEDs under stress were measured and compared with those of unloaded PLEDs. To explain the changes in the PLED performance due to the stress, the chemistry and electronic energy band structures of each stressed layer constituting the PLEDs were analyzed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), respectively. According to the analysis, an irreversible deterioration in the fluorescent characteristics of the active layer and an increased electron energy barrier between the layers of the PLEDs were induced by the applied stress, which resulted in the significant degradation of the J – L – V characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoblast differentiation can be modulated by variations in order of nanoscale topography. Biopolymers embedded with carbon nanotubes can cause various orders of roughness at the nanoscale and can be used to investigate the dynamics of extracellular matrix interaction with cells. In this study, clear relationship between the response of osteoblasts to integrin receptor activation, their phenotype, and transcription of certain genes on polymer composites embedded with carbon nanotubes was demonstrated. We generated an ultrathin nanocomposite film embedded with carbon nanotubes and observed improved adhesion of pre-osteoblasts, with a subsequent increase in their proliferation. The expression of genes encoding integrin subunits α5, αv, β1, and β3 was significantly upregulated at the early of time-point when cells initially attached to the carbon nanotube/polymer composite. The advantage of ultrathin nanocomposite film for pre-osteoblasts was demonstrated by staining for the cytoskeletal protein vinculin and cell nuclei. The expression of essential transcription factors for osteoblastogenesis, such as Runx2 and Sp7 transcription factor 7 (known as osterix), was upregulated after 7 days. Consequently, the expression of genes that determine osteoblast phenotype, such as alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, and osteocalcin, was accelerated on carbon nanotube embedded polymer matrix after 14 days. In conclusion, the ultrathin nanocomposite film generated various orders of nanoscale topography that triggered processes related to osteoblast bone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared an injectable depot system for the long-term delivery of alendronate using a solid/water/oil/water multiple emulsion technique with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as a carrier. The microparticles were spherical with smooth surfaces, ranging from 20 to 70 μm in size. The microspheres (ALD-HA-RG504H-MC70) were optimally prepared by introducing a viscous material (hyaluronic acid) and a co-solvent system in the inner aqueous and oil phases, respectively, and showed a significantly increased drug encapsulation efficacy (>70%); the initial burst release was <10% after 1 day. In vitro drug release from ALD-HA-RG504H-MC70 followed zero-order kinetics for approximately 4 weeks and the alendronate plasma level was maintained for more than 1 month after intramuscular injection in rabbits. The ovariectomized (OVX) rats with ALD-HA-RG504H-MC70 injected intramuscularly (0.9 mg alendronate/kg/4 weeks) had 112% and 482% increased bone mineral density and trabecular area in the tibia than the OVX controls, respectively, and showed significant improvements in trabecular microarchitecture and bone strength. Furthermore, the major biomarkers of bone turnover revealed that ALD-HA-RG504H-MC70 suppressed effectively the progression of osteoporosis and facilitated new bone formation. Therefore, this sustained release depot system may improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy by reducing dose amounts and frequency with minimal adverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the factors that determine the efficiency of flexible organic light emitting diodes (f-OLEDs) in relation to transparent conductive electrodes (TCE). Indium tin oxide (ITO) was selected as the TCE and was deposited on polyimide substrates. Controlling the sputtering conditions, ITOs with various degrees of crystallinity were made. Flexible OLEDs (f-OLED) were fabricated on the ITOs, and the current density ( J)-luminescence ( L)-voltage ( V) characteristics of the f-OLEDs were evaluated. The experimental results revealed that the sheet carrier density and surface roughness of ITO are significantly increased and reduced, respectively, as the film crystallinity increased over a certain degree. Based on our X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, chemical bonds formed between the mostly crystallized ITO and a hole transfer layer (HTL) in f-OLEDs, deposited on ITO. To the contrary, In and Sn of the less crystallized ITO diffused into HTL with no formation of interfacial bonds, which may become barriers to carrier flows through HTL. The f-OLED on the mostly crystalline ITO showed significantly better J- L- V characteristics than on the less crystallized ITO, which proved that the crystallinity of ITO is the critical factor that determines the performance of the flexible organic devices constructed on the ITO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin dioxide was investigated as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The Na/SnO2 cell delivered a first discharge capacity of 747mAh/g, but the first charge capacity was 150mAh/g. The irreversible capacity in the first cycle was examined through characterization by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the SnO2 active material was not reduced fully to metallic Sn. Furrows and wrinkles were formed on the electrode surface owing to the volumetric expansion upon first discharge, which led to a deterioration of the electrode structure and a loss of electrical contact between the active materials. The analysis is summarized in the schematic drawing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher risk of major hemorrhage associated with concomitant use of dabigatran and simvastatin compared to other statins was previously reported with a suggestion of P-glycoprotein-mediated interaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of simvastatin on pharmacokinetics and anticoagulant effects of dabigatran, a direct oral anticoagulant. A total of 12 healthy subjects were enrolled in an open-label, two-period, single sequence study. Subjects were given 150 mg of dabigatran etexilate followed by 40 mg of once-daily simvastatin for seven days. Dabigatran etexilate was administered with simvastatin on the seventh day of simvastatin administration. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses were obtained until 24 h post-dose of dabigatran etexilate with or without co-administration of simvastatin. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived from noncompartmental analysis for dabigatran etexilate, dabigatran, and dabigatran acylglucuronide. When simvastatin was co-administered, geometric mean ratios of area under time-concentration curves for dabigatran etexilate, dabigatran, and dabigatran acylglucuronide were 1.47, 1.21, and 1.57, respectively, compared to when dabigatran etexilate was administered alone. Thrombin generation assay and coagulation assay showed similar profiles between before and after co-administration of simvastatin. This study provides evidence that simvastatin treatment plays a minor role in modulating pharmacokinetics and anticoagulant effects of dabigatran etexilate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated surface characteristics and biocompatibility of surface-modified thin titanium (Ti) foils as a regenerative barrier membrane for future application in guided bone regeneration (GBR) surgery to augment atrophic alveolar bone. Anodic oxidation and post-heat treatment were performed to prepare various Ti foil samples. Then, the in vitro soft and hard tissue compatibility of the samples was evaluated by examining the cell responses using primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and MG63 human osteoblast-like cells. Investigated Ti foil samples showed marked differences in physicochemical surface properties. Additional 400°C heat treatment applied to the anodized Ti surface led to formation of an anatase titanium dioxide structure and well-organized nanoscale protrusions, and significantly increased surface wettability. Anodization and heat treatment enhanced the growth of HGFs and MG63 cells in Ti foil samples. Additional heat treatment for 10 and 30 min further significantly improved the response of HGFs including spreading and proliferation, and upregulated the mRNA expression of cell adhesion- and maturation-related genes as well as the osteoblast differentiation of MG63 cells. Ti foil sample with thin oxide coating obtained by a 30 min heat treatment exhibited poor clinical plasticity as a regenerative barrier membrane, which showed complete coating failure in the bending test. Our results indicate that anatase Ti oxide coating of a specific film thickness with nanoscale surface protrusion morphology and hydrophilic characteristics obtained by anodization and post-heat treatment would be an effective approach as a biocompatible Ti regenerative membrane for inducing better regeneration of both gingival tissue and bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to develop a reliable pyrosequencing method to detect four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) gene and to compare the ethnic differences in their allelic frequencies. The pyrosequencing method was used to detect four FMO3 SNPs, namely, c.855C>T (N285N, rs909530), c.441C>T (S147S, rs1800822), c.923A>G (E308G, rs2266780) and c.472G>A (E158K, rs2266782). The allelic frequencies of these SNPs in 122 unrelated Korean subjects were as follows: i) 44.7% for c.855C>T; ii) 23.4% for c.441C>T; iii) 23.0% for c.923A>G; and iv) 27.1% for c.472G>A. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis revealed that the SNPs c.923A>G and c.472G>A exhibited a strong LD (D′=0.8289, r2=0.5332). In conclusion, the pyrosequencing method developed in this study was successfully applied to detect the c.855C>T, c.441C>T, c.923A>G and c.472G>A SNPs of FMO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present work, we investigate the effects of the size and volumetric fraction of Zr2Cu on the density and mechanical strength of liquid-reactive sintered W/MWCNTs/ Zr2Cu composites. Composite powders are formed by mechanical ball-milling and are sintered into a high density composite at 1400°C. During sintering, two major reactions occur: 1) C atoms in the MWCNTs reacted with the W matrix to form WC; 2) Zr in the Zr2Cu liquid phase, which flows through the capillaries between particles, reacts with WC in the W matrix to form ZrC. Based on our results, higher density composites with finer ZrC reinforcements are successfully produced using sub-micron size Zr2Cu powders. In addition, the amount of Zr2Cu is varied, and the optimal volumetric fraction of Zr2Cu that maximizes the hardness of the composite (1180Hv) is equal to 30vol.%. When the Zr2Cu content is less than the critical value, and the density of the composite is too low due to an insufficient amount of liquid. The hardness of the composite decreases when the Zr2Cu content is greater than 30vol.%, because excess liquid yields a network structure of WC, ZrC, and Zr. The experimental results also reveal that the sintering time required to reach the maximum hardness (1180Hv) significantly decreases as the size of Zr2Cu is reduced from micron-scale to nano-scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, a microstructured reactor with catalytic nickel plates is newly designed and developed for proper heat management in an exothermic water gas shift WGS reaction. The reactor is designed to increase the reactor capacity simply by numbering-up a set of a catalyst layers and heat exchanger layers. The WGS reactor is built up with two sets of a catalyst layers and heat exchanger layers. The performance of the reactor is verified by WGS testing with the variation of the furnace temperatures, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) and coolant (N2) flow rate. At a GHSV of 10,000 h−1, CO conversion reaches the equilibrium value with a CH4 selectivity of ≤0.5% at the furnace temperature of ≥375 °C. At high GHSV (40,000 h−1), CO conversion decreases considerably because of the heat from the exothermic WGS reaction at a large reactants mass. By increasing the coolant flow rate, the heat from the WGS reaction is properly managed, leading an increase of the CO conversion to the equilibrium value at GHSV of 40,000 h−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim This study investigated the efficacy of the hypothalamic nonapeptide oxytocin ( OT) by direct delivery to local defects using a microporous β-tricalcium phosphate ( TCP) as the carrier for the future applications as a method to achieve predictable bone regeneration of large osseous defects requiring sinus bone graft and guided bone regeneration procedures for implant placement. Material and Methods Both the ectopic and new bone formation induced by the OT-loaded microporous β- TCP powder was histomorphometrically compared with unloaded β- TCP in a subcutaneous ectopic bone formation model and calvarial critical-sized defects ( CSDs) in 45 rats. Results The OT-loaded β- TCP clearly enhanced ectopic bone formation compared with the unloaded control group. A High initial OT dose (250 μg) significantly increased ectopic bone formation at an early healing time-point compared with a lower OT dose (50 μg). The OT-loaded samples displayed greater new bone formation in the rat calvarial CSDs. Extensive new bone formation was achieved in the calvarial CSDs with the higher OT dose. Conclusion These results suggest that local OT delivery to bone substitute promotes new bone formation via an osteoinductive mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study investigated the efficacy of the hypothalamic nonapeptide oxytocin ( OT) by direct delivery to local defects using a microporous β-tricalcium phosphate ( TCP) as the carrier for the future applications as a method to achieve predictable bone regeneration of large osseous defects requiring sinus bone graft and guided bone regeneration procedures for implant placement. Material and Methods Both the ectopic and new bone formation induced by the OT-loaded microporous β- TCP powder was histomorphometrically compared with unloaded β- TCP in a subcutaneous ectopic bone formation model and calvarial critical-sized defects ( CSDs) in 45 rats. Results The OT-loaded β- TCP clearly enhanced ectopic bone formation compared with the unloaded control group. A High initial OT dose (250 μg) significantly increased ectopic bone formation at an early healing time-point compared with a lower OT dose (50 μg). The OT-loaded samples displayed greater new bone formation in the rat calvarial CSDs. Extensive new bone formation was achieved in the calvarial CSDs with the higher OT dose. Conclusion These results suggest that local OT delivery to bone substitute promotes new bone formation via an osteoinductive mode of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We formed groove patterns on the surface of a polymer substrate by hot-pressing Teflon. [•] The patterned substrate surface was reflected on the ITO film surface. [•] ITO bending reliability was significantly improved due to the increased surface area. [•] Flexible OLED on the ITO with surface grooves was successfully fabricated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper introduces the problem of searching for social network accounts, e.g., Twitter accounts, with the rich information available on the Web, e.g., people names, attributes, and relationships to other people. For this purpose, we need to map Twitter accounts with Web entities. However, existing solutions building upon naive textual matching inevitably suffer low precision due to false positives (e.g., fake impersonator accounts) and false negatives (e.g., accounts using nicknames). To overcome these limitations, we leverage 'relational' evidences extracted from the Web corpus. We consider two types of evidence resources- First, web-scale entity relationship graphs, extracted from name co-occurrences crawled from the Web. This co-occurrence relationship can be interpreted as an 'implicit' counterpart of Twitter follower relationships. Second, web-scale relational repositories, such as Freebase with complementary strength. Using both textual and relational features obtained from these resources, we learn a ranking function aggregating these features for the accurate ordering of candidate matches. Another key contribution of this paper is to formulate confidence scoring as a separate problem from relevance ranking. A baseline approach is to use the relevance of the top match itself as the confidence score. In contrast, we train a separate classifier, using not only the top relevance score but also various statistical features extracted from the relevance scores of all candidates, and empirically validate that our approach outperforms the baseline approach. We evaluate our proposed system using real-life internet-scale entity-relationship and social network graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the utility of the combined application of Benzo-(1,2,3)-thidiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH), a systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducer, and the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR),Bacillus subtilisstrain B4 (B4), was investigated for the suppression of soft rot disease caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum SCC1 (SCC1) in tobacco seedlings. Soft rot disease was completely suppressed in tobacco with combined application of B4 strain and 0.1 mM BTH when compared to individual application upon pathogen challenge. In addition, the population of bacterial cells of B4 strain was found to be greater when cultured in growth media in the presence of BTH, compared to the growth of B4 strain in the absence of BTH. Spectrophotometer analysis revealed that there was an increased broad range of compounds in the culture filtrate of B4 strain when grown with BTH, compared to the culture filtrate of B4 strain alone. The combined application of B4 strain and 0.1 mM BTH induced the increased expression of PR1a::GUS on tobacco and elicited systemic resistance against SCC1 when compared to individual application. However, there was low expression of PR1a::GUS in the water-treated control. Hence, the integrated use of BTH and B4 strain might be one of the strategies for biological control of soft rot disease through induced systemic resistance (ISR) in tobacco plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study assessed the osseointegration of grit-blasted titanium (Ti) implants with a hydrophilic phosphate ion-incorporated oxide surface in rabbit cancellous bone, and compared its bone healing with commercially available phosphate-incorporated clinical implants obtained by micro-arc oxidation (TiUnite, TU implant). Material and methods The hydrophilic phosphate-incorporated Ti surface (P implant) was produced by hydrothermal treatment on grit-blasted moderately rough-surfaced clinical implant. The TU surface was used as a control. The surface characteristics were evaluated by field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical profilometry, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy ( ICP- AES). Thirty-two threaded implants with lengths of 10 and 3.3 mm diameter (16 P implants and 16 TU implants) were placed in the femoral condyles of 16 New Zealand White rabbits. Histomorphometric analysis, removal torque tests, and surface analysis of the torque-tested implants were performed 4 weeks after implantation. Results The P and TU implants displayed micro-rough surface features with similar R a values at the micron-scale. ICP- AES analysis revealed that both the P and TU implants released phosphate ions into the solution. The torque-tested P and TU implants exhibited a considerable quantity of bone attached to the surface. The P implants exhibited significantly higher bone-implant contact percentages, both in terms of the all threads region and the total lateral length of implants compared with the TU implants ( P < 0.01), but no statistical difference was found for the removal torque values. Conclusion These results suggest that the phosphate-incorporated Ti oxide surface obtained by hydrothermal treatment achieves rapid osseointegration in cancellous bone by increasing the degree of bone-implant contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of skeletal muscle mass is essential for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Muscle ultrasonography has emerged as a useful tool for evaluating sarcopenia because it can be used to assess muscle quality and quantity. This study investigated whether muscle ultrasonography is effective for estimating appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and screening for sarcopenia. This study prospectively enrolled 212 healthy volunteers aged 40–80 years. ASM was measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI) were measured in four muscles (biceps brachii, BB; triceps brachii, TB; rectus femoris, RF; biceps femoris, BF) on the dominant hand. A hold-out cross-validation method was used to develop and validate the ASM prediction equation. In the model development group, the ASM prediction equations were deduced as follows: estimated ASM for men (kg) = 0.167 × weight (kg) + 0.228 × height (cm) + 0.143 × MT of BF (mm)– 0.822 × EI to MT ratio of BB– 28.187 (R2 = 0.830) and estimated ASM for women (kg) = 0.115 × weight + 0.215 × height (cm) + 0.139 × MT of RF–0.638 × EI to MT ratio of BB– 23.502 (R2 = 0.859). In the cross-validation group, the estimated ASM did not significantly differ from the measured ASM in both men (p = 0.775; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.948) and women (p = 0.516; ICC = 0.973). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the ratios of EI to MT in the BF and RF muscles in men and MT in the BB muscle in women could be valuable parameters for sarcopenia screening. Therefore, our study suggests that muscle ultrasound could be an effective tool for estimating ASM and screening sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zero-truncated Poisson distributions are certain discrete probability distributions whose supports are the set of positive integers, which are also known as the conditional Poisson distributions or the positive Poisson distributions. Recently, as a natural extension of those distributions, Kim–Kim studied the zero-truncated degenerate Poisson distributions. In this paper, we introduce the r -truncated degenerate Poisson random variable with parameter α > 0 , whose probability mass function is given by p λ , r (i) = (1) i , λ e λ (α) − e λ , r (α) α i i ! , (i = r + 1 , r + 2 , r + 3 , ...) , and investigate various properties of this random variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is two-fold. First, we investigate a finite sum involving the generalized falling factorial polynomials, in some special cases of which we express it in terms of the degenerate Stirling numbers of the second kind, the degenerate Bernoulli polynomials and the degenerate Frobenius–Euler polynomials. Second, we consider the degenerate Eulerian polynomials and deduce the generating function and a recurrence relation for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective It is unclear whether surface bioactive chemistry or hydrophilicity plays a more dominant role in the osseointegration of micro-structured titanium implants having the same surface topography at the micrometer and submicrometer scales. To understand their comparative effect on enhancing the early osseointegration of micro-rough-surfaced implants, this study compared the bone healing-promoting effect of surface strontium ( Sr) chemistry that has been shown in numerous studies to super-hydrophilicity in the early osseointegration of moderately rough-surfaced clinical oral implants ( SLA® implant) in rabbit cancellous bone. Material and methods Hydrothermal treatment was performed to incorporate Sr ions into the surface of clinical SLA implants ( SLA/ Sr implant). The surface characteristics were evaluated by using field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical profilometry. Twenty screw implants (10 control and 10 experimental) were placed in the femoral condyles of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. The early osseointegration of the SLA/ Sr implant was compared with a chemically modified super-hydrophilic SLA implant ( SLActive® implant) by histomorphometric and resonance frequency analysis after 2 weeks of implantation. Results The SLA/ Sr and SLActive implants exhibited an identical surface topography and average R a values at the micron and submicron scales. The SLA/ Sr implant displayed a high amount of surface Sr content (15.6 at.%). There was no significant difference in the implant stability quotient ( ISQ) values between the two groups. However, histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher bone-to-implant contact percentage in the SLA/ Sr implants compared with the SLActive implants in rabbit cancellous bone ( P < 0.01). Conclusion The results indicate that the surface Sr chemistry surpasses the effect of super-hydrophilicity in promoting the early bone apposition of moderately rough Ti surface in cancellous bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider the g-extension of Bernstein numbers and polynomials which are slightly different Carlitz's q-Bernstein numbers and polynomials. From those q-Bernoulli numbers and polynomials, we de-rive same interesting identities between g-Bernoulli numbers and g-Bernstein polynomials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In [1], Carlitz introduced g-extension of Bernoulli numbers and polynomials and Kim gave the Witt's formula for the Carlitz's g-Bernoulli numbers and polynomials(see [7, 8]). In this paper we consider the modified q-Bernoulli numbers and polynomials which are slightly different Carlitz's q-Bernoulli numbers and polynomials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present study, the ability of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), Bacillus vallismortis strain BS07 (BS07) was evaluated as one of the potential biocontrol agents against multiple pathogens in chili pepper. Under greenhouse conditions, chili pepper seedlings treated with BS07 or chemical control, benzothiadiazole (BTH) by soil drench suppressed the soft rot incidence significantly by reducing the percent disease lesion area per leaf disk compared to negative control. The treatment with BS07 or BTH induced plant resistance against phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici upon pathogen challenge. There was a greater reduction of anthracnose infection caused by Colletotrichum acutatum on matured fruits in BS07 or BTH treated plants when compared to untreated control. Under field conditions, percent of soft rot incidence and disease severity of phytophthora blight were significantly reduced in BS07 and BTH treated plants when compared to untreated control. In the case of anthracnose disease, the significant reduction of disease was observed during the two years on matured fruits, when compared to untreated control. The study also clearly showed that there was a significant increase of fruit yield in BS07 treated plants, and it has also been observed that BS07 treated plants showed higher chlorophyll content in the fresh leaves compared to untreated control. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analyses of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves revealed up-regulation of PR1a gene expression in Col-0, while there was no expression in Nag-G plants treated with BS07 suspensions. This suggests that the systemic resistance might be evolved by the mechanism of salicylic acid (SA) dependent pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bisphosphonates are recommended for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget's disease, bone metastasis, and multiple myeloma. However, the efficacy of oral preparations is limited because of their low bioavailabilities and adverse effects from the gastrointestinal tract. This study was conducted to investigate whether Nα-deoxycholyl- l-lysyl-methylester (DCK), an absorption enhancer derived from deoxycholic acid, can increase the oral bioavailability of ibandronate. We prepared a physical complex of ibandronate with DCK, and evaluated its permeability across a parallel artificial membrane. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic profile and oral absorption of the optimized formulation were also studied in rats. DCK enhanced the apparent membrane permeability of ibandronate by 14.4-fold in a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay model, compared with when ibandronate was applied alone. When ibandronate-DCK complex was intrajejunally administered to rats, it resulted in a 2.8- and 4.3-fold increase in maximum plasma concentration and area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measurable time point, respectively. These results demonstrate that the ibandronate-DCK formulation can improve the oral absorption of ibandronate, allowing less frequent dosing to avoid side effects as well to enhance patient compliance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:341-346, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the factors that determine the joint strength of carbon steels welded by an extended joining process in air. Our main focus was on the effects of alloying elements (e.g., C, Si, Cr, and Mn, which are more reactive with O than with Fe) on scale adhesion, joint microstructure, and, ultimately, joint strength. Five carbon steels with different compositions of the same set of alloying elements are selected for this investigation. The model steels are hot-rolled, and surface descaling is performed several times during processing. The hot-rolled plates are welded with 1000% deformation at approximately 1000°C. The joint strengths are evaluated by uniaxial tension testing. The joint microstructures and fractured surfaces are investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). In addition, chemical analysis for phase identification is performed by electron probe X-ray micro-analysis (EPMA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of our analyses reveal that Si increases the scale content at the joint by forming Fe2SiO4 along the interfaces between the Fe oxides and alloys and that this phase anchors the scale to the substrate. When both the C and Si contents are increased, Fe2SiO4 constitutes a larger portion of the scale–substrate interface, and the density of the internal oxide particles in the substrate near the joint is markedly increased. The tension test results demonstrate that the joint strength is decreased with increasing contents of C and Si because the joint failure is initiated by brittle fracture of the scale at the joint and the void nucleation sites around the internal oxides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Recent studies have suggested that magnesium (Mg) ions exert a beneficial effect on implant osseointegration. This study assessed the osseointegration of nanoporous titanium (Ti) surface incorporating the Mg produced by hydrothermal treatment in rabbit cancellous bone to determine whether this surface would further enhance bone healing of moderately rough-surfaced implants in cancellous bone, and compared the result with commercially available micro-arc oxidized Mg-incorporated implants. Material and methods: The Mg-incorporated Ti surfaces (RBM/Mg) were obtained by hydrothermal treatment using an alkaline Mg-containing solution on grit-blasted moderately rough (RBM) implants. Untreated RBM and recently introduced Mg-incorporated microporous Ti implants produced by micro-arc oxidation (M) were used controls in this study. The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical profilometry. Twenty-four threaded implants with a length of 10 mm (eight RBM implants, eight RBM/Mg implants and eight M implants) were placed in the femoral condyles of 12 New Zealand White rabbits. Histomorphometric analysis was performed 4 weeks after implantation. Results: Hydrothermally treated and untreated grit-blasted implants displayed almost identical surface morphologies and Ra values at the micron-scale. The RBM/Mg implants exhibited morphological differences compared with the RBM implants at the nano-scale, which displayed nanoporous surface structures. The Mg-incorporated implants (RBM/Mg and M) exhibited more continuous bone apposition and a higher degree of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) than the untreated RBM implants in rabbit cancellous bone. The RBM/Mg implants displayed significantly greater BIC% than untreated RBM implants, both in terms of the all threads region and the total lateral length of implants ( P<0.05), but no statistical differences were found between the RBM/Mg and M implants except BIC% values in total lateral length. Conclusion: These results indicate that a nanoporous Mg-incorporated surface may be effective in enhancing the osseointegration of moderately rough grit-blasted implants by increasing the degree of bone−implant contact in areas of cancellous bone. To cite this article: Park J-W, An C-H, Jeong S-H, Suh J-Y. Osseointegration of commercial microstructured titanium implants incorporating magnesium: a histomorphometric study in rabbit cancellous bone. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012; 294-300. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.02144.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we modify Eschenbach’s algorithm for constructing sign idempotent sign pattern matrices so that it correctly constructs all of them. We find distinct classes of sign idempotent sign pattern matrices that are signature similar to an entrywise nonnegative sign pattern matrix. Additionally, if for a sign idempotent sign pattern matrix A there exists a signature matrix S such that SAS is nonnegative, we prove such S is unique up to multiplication by if the signed digraph is not disconnected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the surface characteristics and in vitro biocompatibility of a titanium (Ti) oxide layer incorporating the manganese ions (Mn) obtained by hydrothermal treatment with the expectation of utilizing potent integrin–ligand binding enhancement effect of Mn for future applications as an endosseous implant surface. The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thin-film X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical profilometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The in vitro biocompatibility of the Mn-containing Ti oxide surface was evaluated in comparison with untreated bare Ti using a mouse calvaria-derived osteoblastic cell line (MC3T3-E1). The hydrothermal treatment produced a nanostructured Mn-incorporated Ti oxide layer approximately 0.6μm thick. ICP-AES analysis demonstrated that the Mn ions were released from the hydrothermally treated surface into the solution. Mn incorporation notably decreased cellular attachment, spreading, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteoblast phenotype gene expression compared with the bare Ti surface (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the Mn-incorporation into the surface Ti oxide layer has no evident beneficial effects on osteoblastic cell function, but instead, actually impaired cell behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the surface characteristics and in vitro biocompatibility of a titanium (Ti) oxide layer incorporating calcium ions (Ca) obtained by hydrothermal treatment with or without post heat-treatment in the Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy. The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thin-film X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. In vitro biocompatibility of the Ca-containing surfaces was assessed in comparison with untreated surfaces using a pre-osteoblast cell line. Hydrothermal treatment produced a crystalline CaTiO3 layer. Post heat-treatment at 400°C for 2h in air significantly decreased water contact angles in the CaTiO3 layer (p <0.001). The Ca-incorporated alloy surfaces displayed markedly increased cell viability and ALP activity compared with untreated surfaces (p <0.001), and also an upregulated expression of various integrin genes (α1, α2, α5, αv, β1 and β3) at an early incubation time-point. Post heat-treatment further increased attachment and ALP activity in cells grown on Ca-incorporated Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy surfaces. The results indicate that the Ca-incorporated oxide layer produced by hydrothermal treatment and a simple post heat-treatment may be effective in improving bone healing in Ti–13Nb–13Zr alloy implants by enhancing the viability and differentiation of osteoblastic cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For a simple graph , let denote the complement of relative to the complete graph and let where denotes the adjacency matrix of . The complete product of two simple graphs and is the graph obtained from and by joining every vertex of to every vertex of . In is represented in terms of , , and . In this paper we extend the notion of complete product of simple graphs to that of generalized complete product of matrices and obtain their characteristic polynomials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the osteoconductivity of titanium (Ti) implants with a phosphate (P)- and strontium (Sr) ion-incorporated oxide surface, produced by hydrothermal treatment in the rabbit cortical and cancellous bone, for future biomedical applications as a biocompatible endosseous implant surface. The P- and Sr ion-incorporated Ti implants (P/Sr implant) were produced by hydrothermal treatment using a P- and Sr-containing solution. The surface characteristics were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, thin-film X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical profilometry. Forty screw implants (20 control and 20 experimental) were placed in the tibiae and femoral condyles of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. The surface in vivo osteoconductivity of the P/Sr implants was compared with micro-arc oxidized (TO) implants with surface calcium and P chemistry by histomorphometric analysis in the cortical and cancellous bone after 4 weeks of implantation. The P/Sr implants showed moderately rough surface features and had lower R values than the TO implants. Histologically, more direct bone apposition was observed on the surface of the P/Sr implants. The P/Sr implants displayed significantly higher bone-to-implant contact percentages compared with the TO implant in both the tibiae and the femoral condyles ( P<0.01). The results indicate that the hydrothermally produced P- and Sr ion-incorporated Ti oxide surface may be effective in improving implant osseointegration in both cortical and cancellous bone by increasing bone apposition, due to its surface properties combining micro-topography, P/Sr chemistry and superior wettability. Park J-W. Increased bone apposition on a titanium oxide surface incorporating phosphate and strontium. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. , 2011; 230-234. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2010.01974.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]