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BACKGROUND: After high-intensity exercises, the body’s core temperature increases, affecting the body’s metabolism, increasing thermal stress and muscle fatigue. The most popular technique to maximize post-workout recovery is cryotherapy. However, the cooling effect may vary depending on the body part being cooled since body tissues do not process the same perfusion. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effects of hand cooling on human body functional recovery and exercise ability improvement by comparing normal rest and rest with hand cooling gloves after high-intensity exercise. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects participated in this study wherein they exercised and used normal rest for one session and hand cooling rest for the next. Blood lactate concentration, heart rate recovery rate, VO2 max measurement, and the degree of recovery of muscle strength, muscular endurance, and muscle fatigue were investigated in both groups to determine the efficacy of hand cooling gloves for postexercise recovery. RESULTS: When hands were cooled after exercise, blood lactate concentration and body temperature significantly decreased, and cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, and muscular endurance significantly recovered. CONCLUSION: Using hand cooling gloves after exercise could attenuate core temperature elevation and improve postexercise recovery. It could also effectively improve athletic performance without using large-scale facilities.

This study establishes a reliable image-based multivariable technique for measuring the trans-stenotic pressure gradient.A self-made in vitro steady flow model based on adjustable velocities and stenotic properties were used as the experimental subject. The pre-stenotic flow velocity, severity, and length of the stenosis were used as the input variables. Based on equations used to fit the plots of the physically measured pressure gradient values versus each input variable, a multivariable formula for the pressure gradient measurement could then be derived. The flow model was scanned using velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) to validate the derived formula while simultaneously measuring the trans-stenotic pressure gradient. The correlation between the physically-measured pressure gradient values and the pressure gradient values calculated using the new formula were subsequently analyzed.The results of linear regression analysis using the physically measured pressure gradient values for the new method were compared to values obtained using the simplified Bernoulli equation (RThe derived multivariable technique was found to reliably measure the trans-stenotic pressure gradient, with better performance than a traditional procedure based on the simplified Bernoulli equation.

Effective channel control with low contact resistance can be accomplished through selective ion implantation in Si and III-V semiconductor technologies; however, this approach cannot be adopted for ultrathin van der Waals materials. Herein, we demonstrate a self-aligned fabrication process based on self-terminated p-doping and layer-by-layer chemical etching to achieve low contact resistance as well as a high on/off current ratio in ultrathin tungsten diselenide (WSe

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a promising material for power devices because of its wide bandgap and high thermal conductivity. However, carbon remaining in the metal–SiC interface (carbon cluster) adversely affects the ohmic contacts. As a result, the ohmic contact characteristic worsens and the on-state power loss of the device increases. In addition, the carbon cluster in the metal–SiC interface degrades the device’s high-temperature thermal stability. In this paper, Co/Si/Co/Si is used as an ohmic contact material to reduce the carbon cluster and improve the thermal stability. The specific contact resistivity was measured, and the effect of the Co:Si composition ratio and the annealing condition for the ohmic contact was analyzed. The thermal stability was investigated by measuring the specific contact resistivity through a thermal duration test. The measurement results were analyzed using the X-ray diffraction method.

BACKGROUND Recently, single-person households have increased in Korea and this trend may have potential public health implications and affect various health behaviors. This study investigated the associations between living alone and health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption among Korean adults. METHODS We used data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2015 and a total of 17,088 adults were included. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis and calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Single-person households accounted for about 10% of the total participants. The proportions of currently smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were higher among individuals living alone than those living together among younger women and middle-aged and elderly men and women. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, living alone was associated with increased odds of currently smoking compared to living together among middle-aged men and women (OR, 7.37; 95% CI, 2.33-23.32 in men and OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.04-5.36 in women) after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION From this nationwide, population-based study, we found that living alone is associated with increased odds of currently smoking, especially in middle-aged people. Public health concerns may be warranted for middle-aged single-person households to reduce health risks related to smoking.

This study proposes a manufacturing method for reproducing some physical properties of the heart by comparing the elasticity, tear resistance, and hardness of a pig heart and three-dimensional printing materials, Agilus and Tango. A Digital Force Gauge was used to analyze elastic modulus and tear resistance, whereas a Shore A hardness meter was used to measure hardness. Agilus and Tango had 10 and 5 times higher elasticity, respectively, 2 and 4 times higher tear resistance, and a higher Shore A hardness than the pig heart. In summary, the pig heart had a more similar elasticity and Shore A hardness than the Tango sample, whereas more tear resistance was similar to the Agilus sample. Therefore, we proposed elasticity and tear resistance equations that can be used to build a heart model and a conversion table for heart fabrication at various thicknesses.

Bacillus subtilis is a gram-positive bacterium that has developed to coordinate gene expression and to survive against changes of nutrients and toxic chemicals. Flavonoids are exuded by plant cells and are abundant in the soil. To counteract the antibacterial effects of flavonoids, B. subtilis expresses flavonoid-detoxifying enzymes, and their expression is negatively regulated by transcription factors, including YetL. YetL was shown to control B. subtilis growth through the promoter regions of yetL and yetM genes in response to some flavonoids. Despite the functional significance of the YetL transcription factor in bacterial survival, no structural information is available for YetL. Here, we report the crystal structure of YetL and propose a flavonoid-induced regulatory mechanism. The YetL structure contains the canonical winged helix-turn-helix motif of the MarR superfamily but distinctly presents an additional N-terminal helix. In the dimeric assembly of YetL, the H1 helix intersects the YetL dimer and contributes to extensive intersubunit interactions. As a transcription factor, YetL recognizes a 28-mer operator of double-stranded DNA that contains a palindromic sequence. Moreover, our comparative structural analysis of YetL and other MarR members allows us to propose a flavonoid-induced transcription regulatory mechanism that is used for bacterial adaptation to environmental changes and stresses.

The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of time-velocity curve acquired by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) using an in-vitro flow model as a reference for hemodynamic studies. The time- velocity curves of the PC-MRI were compared with Doppler ultrasonography (US) and also compared with those obtained in the electromagnetic flowmeter. The correlation between techniques was analyzed using an electromagnetic flowmeter as a reference standard; the maximum, minimum, and average velocities, full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), and ascending gradient (AG) were measured from time-velocity curves. The correlations between an electromagnetic flowmeter and the respective measurement technique for the PC-MRI and Doppler US were found to be high (mean R2 > 0.9, p

Background Assistant equipment for the visually impaired has a white cane. If the information in the three-dimensional space is transmitted by sound, the blind can draw a three-dimensional space. Objective This study developed "Visual System," an ambulation aid/guide for the blind that transforms visual-spatial information into auditory information, and verified its utility. Unlike conventional systems, which are in essence simple collision-warning systems, Visual System helps the visually impaired to recreate their surroundings and to be cognizant of the location and proximity of obstacles. Methods Ten subjects with normal vision (mean age: 32.4 years; male-to-female ratio: 6 to 4) were selected for blind tests. The subjects were instructed to detect and avoid obstacles presented in various three-dimensional settings. Prior to the tests, experiments were conducted to determine the distance to each subject. Upon completion of Visual System-based detection training, obstacles were presented and tests conducted. For evaluation, the subjects' vertical position detection, horizontal position detection, distance detection, and overall performance success were each evaluated. Results The total performance scores ranged between 88 (lowest) and 100 (highest), with a mean score of 91.5. Conclusions The results indicate that Visual System as a product can assist the visually impaired in their daily functioning.

This study aims to compare an electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated four-dimensional (4D) phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using variables controlled in a laboratory environment to minimize bias factors.Data from 4D PC-MRI were compared with computational fluid dynamics using steady and pulsatile flows at various inlet velocities. Anatomically realistic models for a normal aorta, a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm were constructed using a three-dimensional printer.For the normal aorta model, the errors in the peak and the average velocities were within 5%. The peak velocities of the penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and the abdominal aortic aneurysm models displayed a more extensive range of differences because of the high-speed and vortical fluid flows generated by the shape of the blood vessel. However, the average velocities revealed only relatively minor differences.This study compared the characteristics of PC-MRI and CFD through a phantom study that only included controllable experimental parameters. Based on these results, 4D PC-MRI and CFD are powerful tools for analyzing blood flow patterns in vivo. However, there is room for future developments to improve velocity measurement accuracy.

Discussions on the design of intergovernmental fiscal relations often revolve around the premise that intergovernmental grants – especially earmarked grants – should be minimised. It is also often argued that intergovernmental grants imply a vertical fiscal imbalance between central and subnational governments. These arguments are based on the “benefit principle”, and emphasise the importance of establishing a clear linkage between expenditure and revenue decisions of subnational governments. But in reality, almost all local governments worldwide provide, at least to some extent, essential (redistributive) public services such as health, education, and social services, which require substantial revenues. The four country cases examined in this chapter show the importance of intergovernmental relations in the role of co-ordinating across levels of government for the efficient and equitable provision of essential public services. They also show that, in many countries, earmarked grants play an important role in the provision of these services.

Background Hyaluronic acid (HA) is well known to exert an anti-inflammatory effect during oral wound healing and is commonly applied after tooth extraction. However, no double-blind randomized controlled study comparing two hyaluronate mouthwash products has been conducted so far. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the efficacy of Mucobarrier® and Aloclair® in terms of clinical symptoms. Results A total of 112 patients were randomly assigned to assess the degree of discomfort, pain reduction, redness, burning sensation, and swelling between two groups on the day of surgery and 7 days later in a double blind test, with a total 56 Aloclair patients and 56 Mucobarrier patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall discomfort, degree of pain reduction, redness, burning sensation, and swelling between the Mucobarrier and Aloclair groups. Conclusion The local application of hyaluronic acid mouth wash after wisdom tooth extraction is beneficial in reducing overall discomfort and pain reduction, and the clinical utility of Mucobarrier® is no different from Aloclair®. Trial registration Institutional Review Board of Yonsei University College of Dentistry, 2-2018-0036. Registered 10 September 2018—prospectively registered, https://eirb.yuhs.ac/

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widely found opportunistic pathogen. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains and persistent chronic infections have increased. The protein encoded by the pa0423 gene in P. aeruginosa is proposed to be critical for pathogenesis and could be a virulence-promoting protease or a bacterial lipocalin that binds a lipid-like antibiotic for drug resistance. Although two functions of proteolysis and antibiotic resistance are mutually related to bacterial survival in the host, it is very unusual for a single-domain protein to target unrelated ligand molecules such as protein substrates and lipid-like antibiotics. To clearly address the biological role of the PA0423 protein, we performed structural and biochemical studies. We found that PA0423 adopts a single-domain β-barrel structure and belongs to the lipocalin family. The PA0423 structure houses an internal tubular cavity, which accommodates a ubiquinone-8 molecule. Furthermore, we reveal that PA0423 can directly interact with the polymyxin B antibiotic using the internal cavity, suggesting that PA0423 has a physiological function in the antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa.

This study proposes a new assistive device for the blind that uses more than one-dimensional data to draw objects. The study aims to convert three-dimensional (3-D) spatial information into sound information using 6-axis and ultrasonic sensors, and to draw a 3-D depiction of the space ahead for the user. Fourteen participants were involved in testing, wherein 4 were visually impaired. Moreover, the male to female ratio was 7:3, with the average age of participants at 28.8 years. An initial sound recognition experiment was designed to assess the device’s accuracy through participant use. Recognition rates were 70% for normal participants and 88% for the blind participants. Additional experiments expanded the environmental conditions by requiring participants to discern the distances of 10 objects, positioned at both high and low locations. Two different scenarios were employed: stationary and walking scenarios. The stationary distance measurement participants scored an average of 96 points, while the walking participants averaged 81 points. Under the given conditions, this study found that its assistive device for the visually impaired can draw a 3-D space with 88.5% accuracy. This probability promises a basic level of utility that can assist those with visual impairment in controlled environments, such as hospitals and homes., This study proposes a new assistive device for blind people that converts three-dimensional (3-D) spatial information into sound information using 6-axis and ultrasonic sensors, and then draws a 3-D depiction of the space ahead for the user. Human testing found that this assistive device for the visually impaired can draw a 3-D space with 88.5% accuracy, a basic level of utility that can assist those with visual impairment in controlled environments, such as hospitals and homes.

Renewable energy is gaining more attention than before in terms of tackling climate change and ensuring the public safety. The South Korean (hereafter, Korean) government has announced various policies to expand renewable energy sources and reduce the share of nuclear and coal-fired power. Since the energy sources are directly related to the lives of people, it is important to identify the public's acceptability of changes in the energy mix. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze public preferences for changes in the shares of energy sources. For estimation of preference, this study used a mixed logit model that reflects the reference point to consider the relative shares of the energy sources and the relative level of attributes. In addition, this study used a hierarchical Bayesian logit model to examine whether the public characteristics result in any preference difference on the electricity service attributes. The results show that the Korean public's acceptability is high for renewable energy source expansion policy. Based on the analysis, this study found that the respondent's level of education had a significant effect on the preference for increase of renewable energy sources.