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BACKGROUND: People with forward head posture (FHP) and rounded shoulder posture (RSP) may experience shifts in scapular position and alterations in the strength of the muscles surrounding the scapula. Therefore, a reliable scapula position and scapula muscle strength test are required to identified scapula problem and provided appropriate intervention programs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the reliability of scapular position measurements obtained using a modified digital inclinometer and palpation meter, as well as muscle strength using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in individuals with FHP and RSP. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects underwent scapular position tests (upward rotation, anterior tilt, depression, and protraction) and strength tests of periscapular muscles (serratus anterior, upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius) on both the dominant and non-dominant sides. The reliability of the measurements was confirmed by computing the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Test and re-tests were conducted over a period of one week and actual values for each measurement were also obtained and assessed. RESULTS: The ICC ranged from 0.802 to 0.935 for the scapular position tests and from 0.808 to 0.949 for muscle strength tests on the dominant and non-dominant sides. For scapular position tests, SEM values ranged from 0.3 cm to 0.6 cm (protraction and depression), from 1.0∘ to 1.7∘ (upward rotation and anterior tilt) and MCID values ranged from 0.7 cm to 1.6 cm (protraction and depression), from 2.8∘ to 4.7∘ (upward rotation and anterior tilt). Regarding muscle strength tests, SEM and MCID values were in the range 14.4N–27.3N and 39.9N–75.7N, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Scapular position and periscapular muscle strength can be reproducibly measured in healthy subjects individuals with FHP and RSP. These instruments can hence be recommended for evaluating these functional traits in subjects with FHP and RSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: A winged scapula (WS) is associated with faulty posture caused by weakness of the serratus anterior (SA), which mainly acts as a scapular stabilizer muscle. It is important to accurately assess and train the SA muscle with a focus on scapula stabilizers during musculoskeletal rehabilitation of individuals with a WS. Objective: The authors examined muscle activity in the SA and pectoralis major (PM), upper trapezius (UT), and anterior deltoid (AD) as well as shoulder protraction strength during isometric shoulder protraction in individuals with and without a WS. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A clinical biomechanics laboratory. Participants: In total, 27 males with no shoulder, neck, or upper-extremity pain participated. Main Outcome Measures: Isometric shoulder protraction strength was collected and surface electromyography used to measure the activity of the SA, PM, UT, and AD muscles and selective SA activity ratio to other shoulder muscles. Results: Electromyography activity of the SA muscle and shoulder protraction strength were significantly lower in individuals with a WS compared with the non-WS group (P <.05). In contrast, PM muscle activity and the PM-to-SA, UT-to-SA, and AD-to-SA ratios were significantly greater in individuals with a WS than in individuals without winging (P <.05). Conclusions: Isometric shoulder protraction for measuring SA strength in individuals with a WS should focus on isolated muscle activity of the SA, and SA strengthening exercises are important for individuals with a WS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-stage isolated ac–ac converter without the commutation problem is proposed. The proposed converter has the step-up/down function dependence on the phase shift control which provides zero-voltage switching zero-voltage switching (ZVS) for all switches in rated condition. Also, the commutation paths of the secondary side switches are provided for any switching case by adding a single capacitor; originally, a filter capacitor is used for the switching mode power supply input, and in this case, this filter capacitor also solves the primary-side commutation problem. The ZVS and solving the commutation problem increase the power efficiency and reliability. The proposed converter achieves high power quality with a simple control algorithm. A 1 kW/ 220 Vrms prototype is implemented to verify the theoretical analysis and performance of the proposed converter. The California energy commission efficiency is 97.3%, the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input current is 2.45% at full load, and the THD of the output voltage is 1.07% at full load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The abductor hallucis (AbH) is a key muscle in the stability of the foot by supporting the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). Individuals with flat foot show a flattening of the MLA with a decreased selective AbH activity relative to the other foot extrinsic muscles during functional movement. OBJECTIVE: To examine the selective muscle activity of the abductor hallucis (AbH) during single-leg mini-squat (SMS) in subjects with flat foot and normal individuals. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy adults (13 men and 11 women) with flat or normal feet participated in this study. All subjects performed single minisquat (SMS), and data were collected using sEMG from the AbH, TA, and GCM during SMS. RESULTS: An inter-gender comparison of the EMG data revealed no difference. The EMG activity of the AbH in individuals with flat foot was significantly lower than that of individuals with normal feet. Moreover, the AbH/TA ratio in subjects with flat foot, , was significantly lower than that in subjects with normal feet. CONCLUSION: In a clinical setting, clinicians should focus on strengthening exercises of the AbH muscle due to reduced activation of the AbH muscle in individuals with flat foot. The selective muscle activity of the AbH muscle during SMS should be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kim, J.-S.; Hur, D.-S.; Park, T., and Jeong, Y.-M., 2023. The effect of groundwater level reduction by installing drainage layers for beach deformation. In: Lee, J.L.; Lee, H.; Min, B.I.; Chang, J.-I.; Cho, G.T.; Yoon, J.-S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Multidisciplinary Approaches to Coastal and Marine Management. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 116, pp. 131-135. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Coastal areas are favorable for the establishment of industrial facilities from an economic perspective and provide valuable space for tourism and leisure activities. However, these areas have faced significant problems since the late 20th century due to indiscriminate development and accelerated erosion caused by global warming. To prevent erosion, various coastal structures such as submerged breakwaters, detached breakwaters and groins are used for coastal restoration projects. However, the coastal structures used in coastal restoration projects might cause secondary damage. This study performed a movable-bed hydraulic experiment using a gravity drainage method that installs drainage layers with different permeability in the beach to naturally drain groundwater into the sea, thus reducing coastal erosion while minimizing the risk of secondary damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid (PLA) nano co mposite films were fabricated with graphene oxide (GO) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) as a hybrid-co-filler with GOCNT fraction varying from 0.05 to 0.4% by weight. The effect of the GOCNT on the physical, thermal, morphological, gas permeation, and optical properties was investigated. The X-ray diffraction test reveals no restacking and coagulation of GOCNT in the composite films. Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis shows an insignificant shift of glass transition and melting temperature but enhanced crystallization resulting from the existence of GOCNT as a nucleating agent. Scanning Electron Microscope scans indicate GOCNT embedded homogeneously without considerable aggregates in the PLA. Transmission of ultraviolet-visible radiation decreases to 30% with increasing fraction of GOCNT while Oxygen Transmission Rate diminishes to 67% in the film. These are attributed to the tortuous pathways provided by the well-dispersed hybrid GOCNT in the PLA. Compared to the pristine PLA film, the composite film shows an increase of 75% and 130% in the tensile strength and Young's modulus, respectively. Taken together, all of these improvements observed in the hybrid GOCNT-PLA composites should provide useful guidelines in customizing designs for applications across a range of fields including packaging, life sciences, cosmetics, and conventional synthetic plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Elderly patients in urology receive potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). • 73.7% of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms received PIMs at least once. • The average number of PIMs used per patient was 1.31 ± 1.25 (0–7). • Number of chronic diseases and polypharmacy were predictive factors for PIMs. To investigate polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly patients visiting the urology department for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We retrospectively analyzed digital medical records of individuals over the age of 65 who visited the urology department for LUTS. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 hospitals located in South Korea, between September 2017 and December 2017. All prescribed medications were analyzed using electronic medical records. The updated 2015 Beers criteria were used to identify and assess the appropriateness of the prescribed drugs in elderly patients. We analyzed a total of 2143 patients aged over 65 years from 10 institutions. The mean age was 74.2 ± 6.26 years (65–97), 1634 (76.2%) were men. Patients took a mean of 6.48 ± 2.46 medications (range 0–18), and polypharmacy was found in 1762 patients (82.2%). The number of patients who received PIMs at least once was 1579 (73.7%). The average number of PIMs used per patient was 1.31 ± 1.25 (0–7). PIM use ratio was 18.9 ± 0.15% (0–67%). The number of chronic diseases, and concurrent medication and polypharmacy were predictive factors associated with PIM use. Our multi-institutional results show that a substantial proportion of elderly patients took PIMs when visiting the urology department. Factors associated with PIMs were the number of chronic diseases and polypharmacy. Medication use in elderly patients, especially in urology, should be monitored carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Isosorbide propyl methacrylate (IsoPMA) was synthesized as an analog of BisGMA. • IsoPMA had lower water sorption than Isosorbide glycidyl methacrylate (IsoGMA). • IsoPMA had higher flexural strength than IsoGMA by compositing with BaAlSiO 2. • IsoPMA maintained its flexural strength better than IsoGMA after water sorption. Abstract We attempted to improve the low water resistance of isosorbide glycidyl methacrylate (IsoGMA), which was developed to replace bisphenol-A glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA), a bisphenol-A based dental material. For this purpose, a new isosorbide-based methacrylate, isosorbide propyl methacrylate (IsoPMA), which has no hydroxyl groups, was synthesized. IsoPMA had low viscosity compared to IsoGMA (246.6 cP vs 6810 cP at 25 °C) and less water sorption when it was used as a binder of a composite (2.07 vs 28 μg/mm3). Although the flexural strength of the IsoPMA resin was much lower than that of IsoGMA (38.5 vs 74.2 MPa), the reinforcing effect by barium silicate on the flexural strength of IsoPMA was larger than that of IsoGMA (38.5 → 93.0 MPa for IsoPMA vs 74.2 → 78.6 MPa for IsoGMA) because fewer voids were formed. Unlike in the IsoGMA composite, no internal cracks were found in the IsoPMA composite after the water uptake experiment; its flexural strength decreased by 40% from the initial value, but was better than the flexural strength of IsoGMA, which decreased by 70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Pretreatment of the empty fruit brunch (EFB) from oil palm was investigated for H 2 fermentation. The EFB was hydrolyzed at various temperatures, H 2 SO 4 concentrations, and reaction times. Subsequently, the acid-hydrolysate underwent enzymatic saccharification under various temperature, pH, and enzymatic loading conditions. Response surface methodology derived the optimum sugar concentration (SC), hydrogen production rate (HPR), and hydrogen yield (HY) as 28.30 g L−1, 2601.24 mL H 2 L−1d−1, and 275.75 mL H 2 g−1 total sugar (TS), respectively, at 120 °C, 60 min of reaction, and 6 vol% H 2 SO 4 , with the combined severity factor of 1.75. Enzymatic hydrolysis enhanced the SC, HY, and HPR to 34.52 g L−1, 283.91 mL H 2 g−1 TS, and 3266.86 mL H 2 L−1d−1, respectively, at 45 °C, pH 5.0, and 1.17 mg enzyme mL−1. Dilute acid hydrolysis would be a viable pretreatment for biohydrogen production from EFB. Subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis can be performed if enhanced HPR is required. Highlights • Dilute acid and enzymatic hydrolysis were optimized for oil palm empty fruit bunch. • Response surface methodology was used for optimization of pretreatment. • Dilute acid hydrolysis effectively pretreated the biomass for H 2 fermentation. • Subsequent enzymatic saccharification enhanced H 2 production rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background During maximal isometric protraction, it is important to determine the optimal resistance intensity in subjects with a winged scapula, for inducing isolated activity of the serratus anterior against the pectoralis major, which is activated as a synergistic muscle. The aim of the present study was to determine electromyographic activities of the serratus anterior and pectoralis major muscles during isometric shoulder protraction at different levels in subjects with and without a winged scapula. Methods Thirty male subjects performed isometric shoulder protraction in a sitting position at different resistance intensity levels (100%, 80%, and 60% of maximal protraction strength). Surface electromyographic data of the serratus anterior and pectoralis major muscles were gathered simultaneously using fixed instrumentation to measure isometric shoulder protraction. Findings Muscle activity of the serratus anterior in subjects without a winged scapula was significantly greater than that of subjects with a winged scapula across all three conditions, whereas muscle activity of the pectoralis major was lower in subjects without a winged scapula. In addition, winged scapula muscle activity corresponding to maximal protraction was significantly greater than that in the submaximal condition. Interpretation In a clinical setting, submaximal resistance can be more optimal than maximal effort during isometric shoulder protraction in individuals with a winged scapula. Highlights • Individuals with winged scapula showed decreased serratus anterior muscle activity. • Selective activation of the serratus anterior increased at submaximal intensity. • A submaximal effort level is recommended for individuals with a winged scapula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a bidirectional grid-connected single-power-conversion converter with low-input battery voltage. The proposed bidirectional converter consists of a bidirectional dc–dc converter and an unfolding bridge, and the power conversion stage only corresponds to a bidirectional dc–dc converter. The bidirectional dc-dc converter can perform bidirectional power conversion between the low input battery voltage and a rectified sine wave due to its step-up/down voltage regulation functions. The unfolding bridge unfolds the rectified sine wave into the grid voltage and provides a current path to the grid. The study also proposes a control algorithm to regulate the grid current through a single power-processing stage. The control algorithm is comprised of a feed-forward nominal voltage compensator and a repetitive control scheme. The feed-forward nominal voltage compensator presets the operating point to lighten the burden of the grid current control, and the repetitive controller provides precise control of the grid current. Thus, the proposed bidirectional grid-connected single-power-conversion converter results in high power quality and high efficiency. Experimental results based on a 250-W prototype module are conducted to evaluate the performance of the converter and to verify the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a high-efficiency two-stage three-level grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverter. The proposed two-stage inverter comprises a three-level step-up converter and a three-level inverter. The three-level step-up converter not only improves the power-conversion efficiency by lowering the voltage stress but also guarantees the balancing of the dc-link capacitor voltages using a simple control algorithm; it also enables the proposed inverter to satisfy the VDE 0126-1-1 standard of leakage current. The three-level inverter minimizes the overall power losses with zero reverse-recovery loss. Furthermore, it reduces harmonic distortion, the voltage ratings of the semiconductor device, and the electromagnetic interference by using a three-level circuit configuration; it also enables the use of small and low-cost filters. To control the grid current effectively, we have used a feed-forward nominal voltage compensator with a mode selector; this compensator improves the control environment by presetting the operating point. The proposed high-efficiency two-stage three-level grid-connected PV inverter overcomes the low efficiency problem of conventional two-stage inverters, and it provides high-power quality with maximum efficiency of 97.4%. Using a 3-kW prototype of the inverter, we have evaluated the performance of the model and proved its feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A high-efficiency bridgeless three-level power factor correction (PFC) rectifier is proposed. The circuit configuration of the proposed rectifier consists of four metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switches, and the reverse recovery problems of the switches are eliminated. Also, the proposed rectifier with three voltage levels reduces the power losses, harmonic components, voltage ratings, and electromagnetic interference. To control the grid current and the output voltage effectively, a feed-forward nominal voltage compensator with the mode selector is developed; by presetting the operating point of the grid voltage, this compensator improves the control environment. Thus, the proposed three-level PFC rectifier with developed control algorithm provides high power quality and high efficiency of 99.05%. Experimental results based on a 1-kW prototype are provided to evaluate its performance and verify the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The native form of lignocellulosic biomass is resistant to enzymatic breakdown. A well-designed pretreatment that can promote enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass with reasonable processing cost is therefore necessary. To this end, a number of different types of pretreatment technologies have been developed with a common goal of making biomass more susceptible to enzymatic saccharification. Among those, a pretreatment method using alkaline reagent has emerged as one of the most viable process options due primarily to its strong pretreatment effect and relatively simple process scheme. The main features of alkaline pretreatment are that it selectively removes lignin without degrading carbohydrates, and increases porosity and surface area, thereby enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis. In this review, the leading alkaline pretreatment technologies are described and their features and comparative performances are discussed from a process viewpoint. Attempts were also made to give insights into the chemical and physical changes of biomass brought about by pretreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Development of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is relatively common and associated with increased mortality. Recently, plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was used for the prediction of AKI. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of plasma NGAL. Design and methods One hundred twelve adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery with CPB were included. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, at intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and 24 h after ICU admission. The development of AKI, which is defined as an increase in serum creatinine by more than 50% within 3 postoperative days, was monitored. NGAL levels were analyzed by a Biosite Triage meter (Alere Medical, USA). Diagnostic performance of NGAL was analyzed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results In AKI patients (n = 13), plasma NGAL levels at ICU admission were significantly higher than those at baseline [177 (122–402) vs. 121 (74–158) ng/mL, median (interquartile range), p = 0.028], whereas serum creatinine showed no significant change. The predictive value of NGAL at ICU admission was 0.812 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68 to 0.95] with a cut-off value of 168.5 ng/mL (sensitivity, 61.5%; specificity, 88.9%). After the exclusion of 35 patients with preoperative decreased renal function, the predictive value was increased to 0.911 (95% CI, 0.82 to 1.00). Conclusions This study showed that plasma NGAL may serve as a useful biomarker for the early detection of AKI in adult patients following CPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We present density weighted support vector data description (DW-SVDD). [•] DW-SVDD improves classification accuracy by introducing density weight into the SVDD. [•] Density weight is relative density of each data points using the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) approach. [•] DW-SVDD prioritizes data points in high-density regions by applying density weight into the search of description of SVDD. [•] Experimental results demonstrated that the DW-SVDD improved the classification accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus tends to have the greatest impact on the smaller vessels and contributes significantly to occlusive disease from the popliteal artery distally. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes after a balloon angioplasty with or without stent placement in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) by chronic total occlusion (CTO) limited to below-the-knee (BTK) arteries. Material and Methods: From August 2005, patients who presented CLI and CTO limited to the BTK arteries, and who underwent endovascular treatment, were included in this study. The primary endpoints evaluated were technical success, limb salvage, and primary patency. The secondary endpoints evaluated were 30-day access site, intervention site, and systemic complications. Patency and limb salvage were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using Fisher's exact test. Results: The BTK endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed on 64 limbs. Technical success rate was 93.8% and limb salvage rate was 90.6%. Three of four limbs with technical failure and three of 60 limbs with technical success underwent BTK amputation and the comparison of these rates were significantly different (75% vs. 5%, P = 0.002). Primary patency rates for the limbs were 75% and 59.1% at 6-month and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Minor complications disappeared through the follow-up periods and there was no 30-day complication or systemic adverse events for the treated vessel. Conclusion: Even though EVT for CLI in patients with diabetes and CTO in isolated BTK arteries does not have comparable primary patency, it can lead to a very high rate of limb salvage. This result can accentuate the importance of more blood flow to the foot by means of successful revascularization using EVT rather than long-term patency in CTO of isolated BTK arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus tends to have the greatest impact on the smaller vessels and contributes significantly to occlusive disease from the popliteal artery distally. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes after a balloon angioplasty with or without stent placement in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) by chronic total occlusion (CTO) limited to below-the-knee (BTK) arteries. Material and Methods: From August 2005, patients who presented CLI and CTO limited to the BTK arteries, and who underwent endovascular treatment, were included in this study. The primary endpoints evaluated were technical success, limb salvage, and primary patency. The secondary endpoints evaluated were 30-day access site, intervention site, and systemic complications. Patency and limb salvage were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using Fisher's exact test. Results: The BTK endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed on 64 limbs. Technical success rate was 93.8% and limb salvage rate was 90.6%. Three of four limbs with technical failure and three of 60 limbs with technical success underwent BTK amputation and the comparison of these rates were significantly different (75% vs. 5%, P ¼ 0.002). Primary patency rates for the limbs were 75% and 59.1% at 6-month and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Minor complications disappeared through the follow-up periods and there was no 30-day complication or systemic adverse events for the treated vessel. Conclusion: Even though EVT for CLI in patients with diabetes and CTO in isolated BTK arteries does not have comparable primary patency, it can lead to a very high rate of limb salvage. This result can accentuate the importance of more blood flow to the foot by means of successful revascularization using EVT rather than long-term patency in CTO of isolated BTK arteries. . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The efficacy of extrusion pretreatment was evaluated by enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with straw of rapeseed, Brassica napus, an agricultural residue. An acceptable pretreatment result was obtained at a barrel temperature of 165 °C, acid concentration of 20 g L−1, liquid feeding rate of 13.4 cm3 min−1, solid feeding rate of 1.0 g min−1, screw rotation speed of 6.3 rad s−1, and residence time of 10.2 min, with a yield of xmg, representing the sum of the corresponding hydrolyzed sugars; xylose, mannose and galactose, of 794.3 g kg−1 and a glucose release of 21.0 g kg−1. These were calculated to be 963.0 g kg−1 and 910.3 g kg−1 based on cellulose and hemicellulose recoveries,respectively. The highest enzymatic digestibility of 781.0 g kg−1was higher than that obtained from the batch pretreatment with dilute acid by 1.4-fold. The SSF process afforded an ethanol concentration of 16.0 g L−1, corresponding to an ethanol yield of 790 g kg−1 based on the total available cellulose in the pretreated rapeseed straw. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] An apoptogenic ingredient collinin was isolated from the leaves of Zanthoxylum schinifolium. [•] Multidomain pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins Bak and Bax were activated by collinin. [•] Δψ m loss and caspase cascade activation, leading to PARP degradation, was induced by collinin. [•] Collin-induced apoptotic events were abrogated by overexpression of Bcl-2. [•] Either FADD-deficiency or caspase-8-deficiency failed to affect the sensitivity of Jurkat T cells to collinin-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study compares the efficacy of soaking and percolation pretreatments with alkaline solutions for lignocellulosic biomass. The pretreated biomasses underwent enzymatic hydrolysis. Various biomasses such as rice straw and barley were pretreated by soaking processes in various alkaline solutions including sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia and sodium carbonate. The enzymatic digestibility of rice straw and barley that had been pretreated by soaking in aqueous ammonia was 85% and 95%, respectively. Eucalyptus residue, Larix leptolepis and Pinus rigida exhibited relatively low enzymatic digestibility in the range of 3.2%–8.3%. Nevertheless, the enzymatic digestibility of pretreated eucalyptus residue was increased by five times compared to that of the initial biomass. In the pretreatment of eucalyptus residue, delignification was more than doubled with percolation pretreatment compared to soaking pretreatment. The enzymatic digestibility of the percolation pretreated eucalyptus residue was increased 12 times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposes an efficient control method to minimize process error and to reduce process variance in semiconductor manufacturing. The photolithography (photo) process forms a complex semiconductor circuit and is important for quality. Obstacles to the process include the facility itself, vibration, wear and tear, product/process changes and environmental influences. Control methodologies being currently used to address these issues often amplify the variation of the process by failing to perform adequate process control. Therefore, this paper proposes an effective process control method to reduce process variance by quickly detecting and identifying process disturbances and accurately reflecting the degree of change to process control. This study proposes dynamic deadband control that uses a region (band) to detect the status of a process change. It adjusts the process control based on the changes detected. In this research, the semiconductor manufacturing company is supported to perform control that is more precise and reduces fluctuations by producing products of uniform quality. In addition, it can contribute to yield due to the quality incentive and increased process control of semiconductor manufacturing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current status and challenges associated with the production and utilization of cellulosic ethanol in Korea are reviewed in this paper. Cellulosic ethanol has emerged as a promising option for mitigating Korea’s CO2 emissions and enhancing its energy security. Korea’s limited biomass resources is the most critical barrier to achieving its implementation targets for cellulosic ethanol. Efforts to identify new suitable biomass resources for cellulosic ethanol production are ongoing and intensive. Aquatic biomasses including macroalgae and plantation wastes collected in the Southeast Asia region have been found to have great potential as feedstocks for the production of cellulosic ethanol. R&D explorations into the development of technologies that can convert biomass materials to ethanol more efficiently also are underway. It is expected that cellulosic ethanol will be in supply from 2020 and that, by 2030, its use will have effectively reduced Korea’s total gasoline consumption by 10%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To understand the mechanism underlying T-cell toxicity of diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) from Fusarium sambucinum, its apoptogenic as well as growth retardation activity was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. Exposure to DAS (0.01–0.15 μM) caused apoptotic DNA fragmentation along with caspase-8 activation, Bid cleavage, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and PARP degradation, without any alteration in the levels of Fas or FasL. Under these conditions, necrosis was not accompanied. The cytotoxicity of DAS was not blocked by the anti-Fas neutralizing antibody ZB-4. Although the DAS-induced apoptotic events were completely prevented by overexpression of Bcl-xL, the cells overexpressing Bcl-xL were unable to divide in the presence of DAS, resulting from the failure of cell cycle progression possibly due to down-regulation in the protein levels of cdk4 and cyclin B1. The DAS-mediated apoptosis and activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3 were abrogated by either pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) or caspase-8 inhibitor (z-IETD-fmk). While the DAS-mediated apoptosis and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were slightly suppressed by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor (CsA), both caspase-8 activation and Bid cleavage were not affected by CsA. The activated normal peripheral T cells possessed a similar susceptibility to the cytotoxicity of DAS. These results demonstrate that the T-cell toxicity of DAS is attributable to not only apoptosis initiated by caspase-8 activation and subsequent mitochondrion-dependent or -independent activation of caspase cascades, which can be regulated by Bcl-xL, but also interruption of cell cycle progression caused by down-regulation of cdk4 and cyclin B1 proteins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Near-infrared (NIR) bis(heptamethine cyanine) (BHmC) dyes containing a flexible polymethylene linker between the two cyanine subunits are a novel class of compounds with versatile spectroscopic properties. The first bis-cyanine of this type is BHmC-10 (with a decamethylene bridge) that has been reported by us recently [G. Patonay, J.S. Kim, R. Kodagahally, L. Strekowski, Appl. Spectrosc., in press]. As part of this work, additional bis-cyanines BHmC-4, BHmC-6, and BHmC-8 were synthesized and their spectral properties were evaluated for the dyes free in solution and in the presence of human serum albumin (HSA). These bis-cyanines undergo H-type aggregation, mainly H-type intramolecular complexation between the two cyanine subunits, when free in aqueous solution. This H-type interaction in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) is characterized by hypsochromic (H) absorption at 700nm, low extinction coefficient, and low fluorescence quantum yield. By contrast, an analogous monomeric cyanine exhibits strong fluorescence under similar conditions. Upon binding with HSA, the fluorescence of BHmC-6 changes negligibly, that for BHmC-8 shows a slight increase, and the fluorescence of BHmC-4 is greatly increased. It is suggested that BHmC-4 binds with HSA in the open form exclusively, while the H-type intramolecular interaction in BHmC-6 is mostly retained in the complex with HSA. Bis-cyanine BHmC-4 may be of significant bioanalytical utility due to its negligible fluorescence in aqueous solution and a strong increase in fluorescence upon binding with a protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Corn stover was pretreated with aqueous ammonia in a flow-through column reactor, a process termed ammonia recycled percolation (ARP). This method was highly effective in delignifying of the biomass, reducing the lignin content by 70–85%. Most lignin removal occurred within the first 20 min of the process. Lignin removal by ARP was further confirmed by FTIR analysis and lignin staining. The ARP process solubilized 40–60% of the hemicellulose but left the cellulose intact. The solubilized carbohydrate existed in oligomeric form. Carbohydrate decomposition during the pretreatment was insignificant. Corn stover treated for 90 min exhibited enzymatic digestibility of 99% with 60 FPU/g of glucan enzyme loading, and 92.5% with 10 FPU/g of glucan. The digestibility of ARP treated corn stover was substantially higher than that of α-cellulose. The enzymatic digestibility was related with the removal of lignin and hemicellulose, perhaps due to increased surface area and porosity. The SEM pictures indicated that the biomass structure was deformed and its fibers exposed by the pretreatment. The crystallinity index increased with pretreatment reflecting removal of the amorphous portion of biomass. The crystalline structure of the cellulose in the biomass, however, was not changed by the ARP treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUD: The control of hip and ankle joint movement is important for patients with dynamic knee valgus (DKV), but few studies have used non-elastic taping (NET) to adjust alignment of the hip and ankle joints during overhead squat (OHS) simultaneously in patients with DKV. OBJECTIVE: We investigated changes in lower extremity joint kinematics and dynamic balance after the application of NET to the hip and ankle joints during OHS. METHODS: A total of 30 DKV patients participated in this study. We determined the kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle joints, and scores on the lower quarter Y-balance test (YBT-LQ) during OHS under three conditions (non-taping, NET on hip and ankle, and sham taping). RESULTS: Hip internal rotation, knee valgus, and the ankle dorsiflexion angle were significantly lower with NET than with non- or sham taping. The hip flexion angle and scores on the YBT-LQ were significantly greater with NET than with non- or sham taping. CONCLUSIONS: The application of NET while performing a OHS is a useful method for correcting lower extremity alignment in patients with DKV, however, application of NET on the ankle should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the chemical pretreatment method using ethanol organosolv with hydrogen peroxide was investigated to improve enzymatic saccharification of corn stover. The pretreatment method using ethanol with hydrogen peroxide in a flow-through reaction was proposed to lower the reaction severity such as the pretreatment temperature. With the same reaction time, the pretreatment process using organosolv (30 wt.% ethanol) containing 1 wt.% hydrogen peroxide at 150 °C resulted in a similar conversion yield as the result of the alkali pretreatment method using 15 wt.% aqueous ammonia at 170 °C. When corn stover was pretreated with 30 wt.% ethanol solution containing 5 wt.% hydrogen peroxide, a glucose conversion yield of 69.7 wt.% and glucose production of 23.8 g were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) has been suggested to increase trunk stabilizing muscle activity; however, no study has identified the effects of the ADIM on trunk muscles and trunk movements during lifting and lowering (L & L) tasks. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of the ADIM on transversus abdominis (TrA) thickness during standing, the activity of the TrA, internal oblique (IO) and multifidus (MF), and the kinematics of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex during L & L tasks. METHODS: Fifteen male participants practiced expirations without and with the ADIM using ultrasound biofeedback. After training for each condition, the participants performed expirations with and without the ADIM in the standing position and during L & L tasks. TrA thickness during the standing position and muscular activities (EMG) of the bilateral TrA/IO and MF, and the peak angle of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex in the sagittal plane during L & L tasks were measured. RESULTS: TrA thickness during standing was increased with expiration with ADIM compared to that without the ADIM (p < 0.05). When performing expiration with the ADIM, increased activity of the TrA/IO and MF was observed by EMG, as well as peak pelvic anterior tilt and hip flexion with decreased peak lumbar flexion during L & L tasks (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ADIM could be an effective strategy to improve trunk stability and reduce lumbar flexion during L & L tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dynamic membrane (DM) is a biofilm that forms on a support material, acting as a filter to retain high-density biomass. This study aims to explain the effects of alginate immobilization on DM formation during dark-H 2 fermentation. Galactose is used as a model substrate. Heat-treated anaerobic sludge, with and without immobilization, is used for an inoculum for two identical lab-scale DM bioreactors (DMBR). The DMBRs are continuously operated for more than 40 days by changing the hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 12 to 3 h. Biomass retention and H 2 production performance are significantly improved at an HRT of 3 h with immobilization. The alginate-added bioreactor shows higher extracellular polymeric substance content both in the mixed liquor and the DM. At an HRT of 3 h with immobilization, the fraction of Sporolactobacillus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. increases, possibly contributing to DM formation. However, lactic-acid concentration does not increase, implying it can be further consumed by the dominant bacteria, Clostridium butyricum. Image 1 • Dynamic membrane (DM) was established in H 2 production from galactose. • Inoculation with alginate facilitated DM formation and H 2 production. • Sporolactobacillus and Lactobacillus increased along with the DM formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Korea, pig-to-nonhuman primate trials of solid organs have only been performed recently, and the results are not sufficiently satisfactory to initiate clinical trials. Since November 2011, we have performed 30 kidney pig-to-nonhuman primate xenotransplantations at Konkuk University Hospital. Donor αGal-knockout–based transgenic pigs were obtained from 3 institutes. The knock-in genes were CD39, CD46, CD55, CD73 , and thrombomodulin , and 2-4 transgenic modifications with GTKO were done. The recipient animal was the cynomolgus monkey. We used the immunosuppressants anti-CD154, rituximab, anti–thymocyte globulin, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. The mean survival duration of the recipients was 39 days. Except for a few cases for which survival durations were <2 days because of technical failure, 24 grafts survived for >7 days, with an average survival duration of 50 days. Long-term survival was observed 115 days after the removal of the contralateral kidney, which is currently the longest-recorded graft survival in Korea. We confirmed functioning grafts for the surviving transplanted kidneys after the second-look operation, and no signs of hyperacute rejection were observed. Although our survival results are relatively poor, they are the best-recorded results in South Korea, and the ongoing results are improving. With the support of government funds and the volunteering activities of clinical experts, we aim to further improve our experiments and contribute to the commencement of clinical trials of kidney xenotransplantation in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Minimal immunosuppression pig-to-monkey corneal xenotransplantation was studied. • We compared graft survival rate of full-thickness and lamellar xenotransplantation. • Partial corneal grafts had superior survival to full-thickness grafts. • Full-thickness graft tissue presented a higher immunological response. The graft survival rate of full-thickness corneal xenotransplantation (XTP) with minimal immunosuppression in genetically engineered pigs is unknown, whereas lamellar corneal XTP shows satisfactory results. We compared graft survival between full-thickness and lamellar transplantations in the same genetically engineered pig. Six pig-to-monkey corneal transplantations were performed on 3 transgenic pigs. Two corneas harvested from 1 pig were transplanted into 2 monkeys using full-thickness and lamellar corneal xenotransplantation. The transgenic donor pigs used were α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout + membrane cofactor protein (GTKO+CD46) in one recipient and GTKO+CD46+ thrombomodulin (TBM) in the other. The graft survival time for GTKO+CD46 XTP was 28 days. With the addition of TBM, the survival differences between lamellar and full-thickness XTP were 98 days versus 14 days and >463 days (ongoing) versus 21 days, respectively. An excessive number of inflammatory cells was observed in failed grafts, but none were in the recipient's stromal bed. Unlike full-thickness corneal XTP, lamellar xenocorneal transplantation does not exhibit surgical complications, such as retrocorneal membrane or anterior synechia. The graft survival of lamellar XTP in this study was not as good as in our previous experiments, although the survival period was superior to that of full-thickness XTP. The difference in graft survival based on transgenic type is not definitive. Further studies using transgenic pigs and minimal immunosuppression need to focus on improving graft survival of lamellar XTP and using a larger sample size to determine the potential of full-thickness corneal XTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a monitoring chart for anomaly detection of non-linear process signals generated by semiconductor manufacturing processes. In these manufacturing processes, fault detection and classification (FDC) and statistical process control (SPC) have been established as fundamental techniques to improve production efficiency and yield. Non-linear process signals are collected through automatic sensing during each operation cycle of a manufacturing process. As these cyclic signals non-linearly vary on the process state, the usage of the prevalent SPC chart is limited. Therefore, we propose a more efficient monitoring chart considering non-linear and time-variant characteristics. Using the principal curve, a non-linear smoothing algorithm, we construct a time-variant centerline that represents the standard pattern of the process. Then, control limits are calculated with time-variant variances over the course of the process. To evaluate performance, the proposed method was applied to industrial data for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), a semiconductor manufacturing process. We employed the misdetection ratio of signals to evaluate the performance. The proposed method demonstrated superior performance compared to other existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (M, K, Q, D, R, I, EP and LARS) and three auxiliary proteins (AIMP1, 2 and 3) are known to form a multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) in mammalian cells. We combined size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with reversed-phase liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (RPLC-MRM-MS) to characterize MSC components and free ARS proteins in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293T) cells. Crude cell extract and affinity-purified proteins were fractionated by SEC in non-denaturing state and ARSs were monitored in each fraction by MRM-MS. The eleven MSC components appeared mostly in earlier SEC fractions demonstrating their participation in complex formation. TARSL2 and AIMP2-DX2, despite their low abundance, were co-purified with KARS and detected in the SEC fractions, where MSC appeared. Moreover, other large complex-forming ARS proteins, such as VARS and FARS, were detected in earlier fractions. The MRM-MS results were further confirmed by western blot analysis. Our study demonstrates usefulness of combined SEC-MRM analysis for the characterization of protein complexes and in understanding the behavior of minor isoforms or variant proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand changes in biological responses in nonhuman primate (NHP) recipients of xenotransplantation (XTP), we retrospectively investigated chronological changes in cytokine profiles of NHP recipients after solid-organ XTP. Plasma samples were collected from 7 NHP recipients of pig heart or kidney XTP with α-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GTKO) under anti-CD154-based immune suppression at the following time points: immediately before; 2 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after XTP; and weekly thereafter until the graft failed. The plasma levels of the following cytokines were measured: interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), D-dimer, C3a, and histone-complexed DNA fragments. For in vitro experiments, human natural killer (NK) cells were cocultured with wild-type porcine endothelial cells (PECs), GTKO-PECs, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, with or without anti-CD154 antibody. IFN-γ levels in the culture supernatants were compared. IFN-γ levels peaked on day 7 or 10 of XTP and then decreased to basal levels, whereas proinflammatory cytokine levels increased along with the elevation of histone-complexed DNA fragments and were sustained until xenograft failure. In vitro, human NK cells produced more IFN-γ when in contact with wild-type PECs than with human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which was not reduced by the use of GTKO-PECs or addition of anti-CD154 antibody to the mixture. In NHP recipients of XTP, the early peak of IFN-γ priming subsequent inflammatory responses may be attributed to NK cell activation in response to xenografts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Feature selection and classification techniques have been studied independently without considering the interaction between both procedures, which leads to a degraded performance. In this paper, we present a new neural network approach, which is called an algorithm learning based neural network (ALBNN), to improve classification accuracy by integrating feature selection and classification procedures. In general, a knowledge-based artificial neural network operates on prior knowledge from domain experience, which provides it with better starting points for the target function and leads to better classification accuracy. However, prior knowledge is usually difficult to identify. Instead of using unknown background resources, the proposed method utilizes prior knowledge that is mathematically calculated from the properties of other learning algorithms such as PCA, LARS, C4.5, and SVM. We employ the extreme learning machine in this study to help obtain better initial points faster and avoid irrelevant time-consuming work, such as determining architecture and manual tuning. ALBNN correctly approximates a target hypothesis by both considering the interaction between two procedures and minimizing individual procedure errors. The approach produces new relevant features and improves the classification accuracy. Experimental results exhibit improved performance in various classification problems. ALBNN can be applied to various fields requiring high classification accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: NaOH catalyzed steam explosion was applied to improve the enzymatic digestibility of Eucalyptus grandis. The impregnation of wood chip with NaOH solutions before steam explosion was carried out to investigate the effects of alkaline catalysis on solid recovery, enzymatic digestibility, and glucose recovery. The lignin removal was significantly affected by NaOH as a catalyst and the glucose recovery increased with increased severity index. The use of NaOH showed higher enzymatic digestibility than the use of water at most severity indexes due to the delignification of biomass and the increase of accessibility to cellulose of enzyme. The maximum glucose recovery was 65.55% having 4.4361 of severity index with 7wt.% of NaOH catalyzed steam explosion at 210°C during 9min. NaOH catalyzed steam explosion was effective to enhance the enzymatic digestibility due to the removal of lignin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: With recent advances in post-operative care and surgical methods, the number of cardiovascular re-operations is increasing. We analyzed our institutional experience to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the approach methods for cardiac re-operations. Methods: Between September 2007 and December 2010, we performed 208 cardiac re-operations, defined as surgery which was not performed within a month from the previous operation or during the same hospitalization for the same disease and reviewed retrospectively. According to the surgical approach, we divided patients into two groups: median sternotomy group (S-group, n = 146), and thoracotomy group (T-group, n = 62). Results: There were no differences in sex or mean interval from the first surgery to re-operation between the two groups. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass, adhesion dissection time, bleeding control time, and operation time were significantly shorter in the T-group. The need for transfusion (p = 0.001) during adhesion dissection and the chest tube drainage (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the T-group. There were 10 operative deaths in the S-group (6.8%) and 5 in the T-group (8.1%) (p = 0.757). Pneumonia was the most common cause of death in both groups. Post-operative bleeding did not result in death and there were no cases of wound infection in the T-group. Conclusions: Two approaches for repeated cardiac surgery were safe and effective in terms of mortality, wound infection, bleeding, operation time, adhesion dissecting time, and bleeding control time. We were able to obtain a good visual field and perform safe surgery by applying the thoracotomy method in selective patients for cardiovascular re-operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(J Card Surg 2011;26:16-21) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A pharmacological dose (2.5–10 μM) of 17α-estradiol (17α-E2) exerted a cytotoxic effect on human leukemias Jurkat T and U937 cells, which was not suppressed by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780. Along with cytotoxicity in Jurkat T cells, several apoptotic events including mitochondrial cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-9, -3, and -8, PARP degradation, and DNA fragmentation were induced. The cytotoxicity of 17α-E2 was not blocked by the anti-Fas neutralizing antibody ZB-4. While undergoing apoptosis, there was a remarkable accumulation of G2/M cells with the upregulatoin of cdc2 kinase activity, which was reflected in the Thr56 phosphorylation of Bcl-2. Dephosphorylation at Tyr15 and phosphorylation at Thr161 of cdc2, and significant increase in the cyclin B1 level were underlying factors for the cdc2 kinase activation. Whereas the 17α-E2-induced apoptosis was completely abrogated by overexpression of Bcl-2 or by pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk, the accumulation of G2/M cells significantly increased. The caspase-8 inhibitor z-IETD-fmk failed to influence 17α-E2-mediated caspase-9 activation, but it markedly reduced caspase-3 activation and PARP degradation with the suppression of apoptosis, indicating the contribution of caspase-8; not as an upstream event of the mitochondrial cytochrome c release, but to caspase-3 activation. In the presence of hydroxyurea, which blocked the cell cycle progression at the G1/S boundary, 17α-E2 failed to induce the G2/M arrest as well as apoptosis. These results demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of 17α-E2 toward Jurkat T cells is attributable to apoptosis mainly induced in G2/M-arrested cells, in an ER-independent manner, via a mitochondria-dependent caspase pathway regulated by Bcl-2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To understand antitumor activity of an edible mushroom Paecilomyces japonica, we have investigated its effect on the cell cycle. When Jurkat T cells transfected with vector (JT/Neo) or Bcl-2 gene (JT/Bcl-2) were treated with the ethyl acetate extract (4–6μg/ml) of P. japonica for 40h, JT/Neo cells underwent apoptosis with no detectable G1-arrest, whereas JT/Bcl-2 cells that failed to induce apoptosis accumulated at the G1 along with reduction of hyperphosphorylated Rb. The cdk4, cyclin E and A, required for the G1-cdks that phosphorylate Rb, were markedly downregulated in JT/Bcl-2 cells, and the G1-cdk inhibitor p27Kip1 was significantly upregulated. GC–MS analysis identified a component structurally similar to diacetoxyscirpenol as the effective ingredient contributing to the G1-arrest. These results demonstrate that P. japonica can arrest the cell cycle of JT/Bcl-2 cells at the G1 by suppressing phosphorylation of Rb through downregulation of the activity of G1-cdks, and thus potentiates apoptotic cell death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Van der Waals (vdW) layered materials are promising channel materials for next‐generation field‐effect transistors (FETs). However, in vdW layered‐material FETs, the Schottky barrier and tunnel barrier at the vdW interfaces significantly reduce the electron injection efficiencies at electrical contacts, thereby limiting the development of high‐speed and low‐power FETs. This study demonstrates that intercalated lithium (Li) ions at vdW interfaces lower the Schottky and tunnel barriers at the electrical contacts of multilayer tungsten diselenide FETs owing to the low potential energy of Li and the mild electron doping from intercalation, thus decreasing the resistance at the vdW interfaces and enhancing the current flow and field‐effect mobility. Compared with before‐Li intercalation, the multilayer WSe2 planar FET demonstrates ≈1000 times higher current (IDS = 17.8 μA) at VGS = 50 V, ≈110 times higher maximum field‐effect mobility (μFE = 97.67 cm2 V−1 s−1), and ≈1000 times higher on/off current ratio (on/off ratio = ≈107). Furthermore, in multilayer WSe2 vertical FETs with vdW heterostructures having a structural strength of approximately the same as the current density, the intercalated Li ions at the graphene/WSe2 vdW interfaces additionally improves the current density and the vertical mobility by ≈20 times (1.00 A cm−2) and 10 times (2.52 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1), respectively. This study establishes a method to reduce the resistance at vdW interfaces for developing high‐speed and low‐power multilayer vdW material FETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of poloxamer‐based thermo‐sensitive sol–gel instillation, after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), for preventing urethral stricture. Patients and Methods: In all, 198 patients underwent TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Recruited patients were randomly divided into two groups: groups A and B. Patients in Group A (100 patients, experimental group) received poloxamer‐based thermo‐sensitive sol–gel instillation and patients in the Group B (98 patients, control group) received lubricant instillation after TURP. Each patient was evaluated at 4 (V1), 12 (V2), and 24 weeks (V3) after TURP. The effectiveness of poloxamer‐based thermo‐sensitive sol–gel instillation was evaluated based on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS‐Quality of Life (QoL), Overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB‐q), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post‐void residual urine volume (PVR), and cystoscopy. Results: Amongst the initial 198 participants, 80 patients in Group A and 83 in Group B completed the study. There were no significant differences in IPSS‐QoL and OAB‐q between the groups. However, Qmax was significantly different between groups A and B, at a mean (SD) of 18.92 (9.98) vs 15.58 (9.24) mL/s (P = 0.028) at 24 weeks after TURP. On cystoscopic examination, urethral stricture after TURP was found in two of the 80 patients in Group A and 10 of 83 in Group B (P = 0.023). Conclusions: Poloxamer‐based thermo‐sensitive sol–gel instillation after TURP lowered the incidence of urethral stricture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soaking in aqueous ammonia enhanced methane production from maize bran biomass. • Optimal pretreatment conditions were found as 72.5 °C, 7 h, and a S/L of 1:6.2. • The maximum methane yield was 293.8 mL CH 4 /g COD. • Validation experiments confirmed the accuracy of response surface methodology. In this study, maize bran biomass was subjected to soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) pretreatment to reduce and eliminate lignin, a major component that hinders biological digestibility. The effect of SAA pretreatment on the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of maize bran were investigated by using statistical techniques on batch anaerobic test. Response surface methodology by the central-composite design has verified the effects and the interactions of three variables, pretreatment temperature (10–110 °C), pretreatment time (1–11 h) and solid to liquid (S/L) ratio (0.068–0.307) on the responses: methane yield (MY), methane productivity rate (MPR), delignification and sugar recovery were monitored keenly. The optimal regions predicted via overlay plots for the multiple response falls within the following ranges: pretreatment temperatures between 55 and 70 °C, pretreatment time of 5 to 8 h and S/L ratio of 0.14 to 0.185. The optimal conditions were found at 72.5 °C, an S/L ratio of 0.14, and 7.02 h resulting to an MY of 293.8 mL/g COD, and an MPR of 106.0 mL CH 4 /g VSS-day. The model equations for the multiple responses were within p < 0.05 meaning it is significant and is fitted to the data sets. Validation experiments has confirmed that the pretreatment conditions with optimal responses presented are in close agreement comparing the ones obtained from the experiment and that as estimated by the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aortic valve calcification quantification using cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is a reliable marker for aortic stenosis (AS) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease.Purpose: To determine the association of Agatston aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) with morphological and hemodynamic characteristics of BAV and define cut-off AVCS for optimizing the grade of AS in patients with bicuspid AS.Material and Methods: This study included 161 BAV patients with AS regardless of aortic regurgitation who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and CCT. BAVs were classified according to orientation of cusps and presence of raphe. Associations of AVCS with characteristics of BAV morphology and functional variables were determined by linear regression analysis. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to determine the cut-off AVCS greater than which the diagnosis of severe AS was optimized.Results: AVCS was significantly different according to sex ( P < 0.001), AS severity ( P < 0.001), type of valvular dysfunction ( P = 0.011), and orientation of cusps ( P = 0.028). Multiple linear regression showed that AVCS was significantly associated with sex (estimate = -0.583, P < 0.001) and AS severity (estimate = 0.817, P < 0.001). AVCS was a predictor for severe AS with AUC of 0.80 in both women ( P = 0.002) and men ( P < 0.001). Its cut-off value was 1423 Agatston unit (AU) in women and 2573 AU in men.Conclusions: In patients with bicuspid AS, AVCS was significantly higher in men and those with severe AS. However, AVCS was not significantly associated with morphological characteristics of BAV or the type of valvular dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the optimum conditions for pretreatment of corn stover using organosolv were determined. The predicted optimum conditions, determined using the response surface methodology, were ethanol concentration of 56.6 wt %, reaction temperature of 187.5 °C, and 320 mL of liquid throughput. Moreover, the pretreatment using recycled organosolv was carried out under the predicted optimum conditions. The pretreatment effect of the organosolv decreased as the organosolv was reused in the pretreatment process. When performing pretreatment with the initial organosolv, enzymatic digestibility for glucan was 71.0%. The digestibility was reduced as low as less than 66% in the first reuse process. Nevertheless, when repeatedly reusing the organosolv, the glucan digestibility remained mostly stable. It was confirmed that organosolv can be reused in the flow-through pretreatment of corn stover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural residues are a potentially economical and eco-friendly source for second-generation ethanol production. In the present study, efficient cellulolytic enzyme production was studied using agricultural residues as a carbon source. Four types of agricultural residues were evaluated as carbon sources for Trichoderma harzianum KUC1716. Barley straw was identified as the optimal carbon source for the fungus such that the highest enzyme activity occurred in these cultures compared to cultures that used empty fruit bunches (EFB), miscanthus, or rice straw sources. T. harzianum KUC1716 produced high levels of filter paperase (FPase) and cellobiohydrolase (CBH) under optimized medium conditions when a central composite design and response surface methodology were used. Furthermore, T. harzianum KUC1716 fungal enzymes exhibited a significant hydrolysis yield for various types of agricultural residues compared to a commercial enzyme. Our study demonstrates that utilization of agricultural residues for both enzyme production and enzymatic saccharification will contribute to an increase in economical and eco-friendly production of biofuels and bio-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]