Exploring the Unexplored: Identifying Implicit and Indirect Descriptions of Biomedical Terminologies Based on Multifaceted Weighting Combinations

In order to achieve relevant scholarly information from the biomedical databases, researchers generally use technical terms as queries such as proteins, genes, diseases, and other biomedical descriptors. However, the technical terms have limits as query terms because there are so many indirect and conceptual expressions denoting them in scientific literatures. Combinatorial weighting schemes are proposed as an initial approach to this problem, which utilize various indexing and weighting methods and their combinations. In the experiments based on the proposed system and previously constructed evaluation collection, this approach showed promising results in that one could continually locate new relevant expressions by combining the proposed weighting schemes. Furthermore, it could be ascertained that the most outperforming binary combinations of the weighting schemes, showing the inherent traits of the weighting schemes, could be complementary to each other and it is possible to find hidden relevant documents based on the proposed methods

Compressive performance of 50 MPa strength concrete-filled square and circular tube (CFT) columns using recycled aggregate

[EN] Recycled aggregate is an environmentally self-sustainable solution that can reduce construction waste and replace natural aggregates. However, there is a disadvantage in concrete such as initial strength drop and long-term strength development. Therefore, the interaction effect of the two materials can be expected by filling the cyclic aggregate concrete in the CFT column. In order to develop a concrete with compressive strength of 50 MPa as a recycled aggregate, we carried out a mixing experiment and fabricated 18 specimens to confirm the compressive behavior of a RCFT (Recycled Concrete Filled Tube) column that can be applied to actual buildings. Variable is the shape and thickness of steel pipe, concrete strength and mixing ratio, and coarse aggregate and fine aggregate are all used as recycled aggregate. The optimum mixing ratio for recycled aggregate concrete to be filled in the CFT filled steel pipe was found through three concrete preliminary mixing experiments. In addition, the compression test of the RCFT column was carried out to observe and analyze the buckling shape of the CFT column. Based on the analysis of the buckling configuration and the experimental data, the load-displacement curves of the specimens were drawn and the compressive behavior was analyzed.Choi, S.; Choi, WH.; Lee, K.; Ryoo, J.; Kim, S.; Park, Y. (2018). Compressive performance of 50 MPa strength concrete-filled square and circular tube (CFT) columns using recycled aggregate. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 305-313. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7021OCS30531

Exsolved Ru on BaCexOy catalysts for thermochemical ammonia synthesis

Ammonia (NH3) is a carbon-free and hydrogen-rich (17.8 wt% H2) chemical that has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector. Compared with hydrogen (H2), NH3 can be easily liquefied, stored, and transported globally. However, the conventional thermocatalytic process to synthesize NH3 accounts for 2% of global energy consumption and 1.2% of CO2 emissions annually. To make the process further efficient, new catalysts must be developed to allow for NH3 synthesis in milder conditions with high thermal stability. To this end, we have developed ruthenium (Ru) supported on perovskite (BaCexOy) via a ball-milling-assisted exsolution method that allows for a more tunable morphology. Reactivity is compared with the catalyst prepared via the conventional impregnation technique. The as-synthesized catalysts are characterized by XRD, H2-TPR, TEM, XPS, and APT. The NH3 synthesis is carried out in a packed-bed tube reactor thermochemically. Using N2 instead of Ar as the carrier gas during exsolution can favour reactivity by increasing active sites and perhaps improving metal-support interaction. The impregnated sample shows higher reactivity than the exsolved catalyst; however, the long-term durability is slightly better using the exsolved catalyst. Finally, APT results interestingly show that the exsolved catalyst is more resistant to hydride formation and hydrogen poisoning, which is one of the main deactivation mechanisms for such metallic catalysts

A Case of Stent Graft Infection Coupled With Aorto-Esophageal Fistula Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in a Complex Patient

The incidence of peri-stent graft infection (PGI) following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is low, but the associated mortality rates are extremely high. The diagnosis of this complication can be difficult due to nonspecific symptoms. Here, we report a case of PGI combined with an aorto-esophageal fistula (AEF) diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging after TEVAR. A 50-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic hemodialysis had received a stent graft for a contained rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Three months after stent-grafting, she experienced back pain. CT and PET imaging suggested a PGI. The patient underwent surgical treatment for PGI with AEF

Whole Genome Analysis of the Red-Crowned Crane Provides Insight into Avian Longevity

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an endangered, large-bodied crane native to East Asia. It is a traditional symbol of longevity and its long lifespan has been confirmed both in captivity and in the wild. Lifespan in birds is known to be positively correlated with body size and negatively correlated with metabolic rate, though the genetic mechanisms for the red-crowned crane's long lifespan have not previously been investigated. Using whole genome sequencing and comparative evolutionary analyses against the grey-crowned crane and other avian genomes, including the long-lived common ostrich, we identified red-crowned crane candidate genes with known associations with longevity. Among these are positively selected genes in metabolism and immunity pathways (NDUFA5, NDUFA8, NUDT12, SOD3, CTH, RPA1, PHAX, HNMT, HS2ST1, PPCDC, PSTK CD8B, GP9, IL-9R, and PTPRC). Our analyses provide genetic evidence for low metabolic rate and longevity, accompanied by possible convergent adaptation signatures among distantly related large and long-lived birds. Finally, we identified low genetic diversity in the red-crowned crane, consistent with its listing as an endangered species, and this genome should provide a useful genetic resource for future conservation studies of this rare and iconic species

Characteristics and outcomes of endoscopically resected colorectal cancers that arose from sessile serrated adenomas and traditional serrated adenomas

Background/AimsThe efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection of colorectal cancer derived from sessile serrated adenomas or traditional serrated adenomas are still unknown. The aims of this study were to verify the characteristics and outcomes of endoscopically resected early colorectal cancers developed from serrated polyps.MethodsAmong patients who received endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancers from 2008 to 2011, cancers with documented pre-existing lesions were included. They were classified as adenoma, sessile serrated adenoma, or traditional serrated adenoma according to the baseline lesions. Clinical characteristics, pathologic diagnosis, and outcomes were reviewed.ResultsOverall, 208 colorectal cancers detected from 198 patients were included: 198 with adenoma, five with sessile serrated adenoma, and five with traditional serrated adenoma. The sessile serrated adenoma group had a higher prevalence of high-grade dysplasia (40.0% vs. 25.8%, P<0.001) than the adenoma group. During follow-up, local recurrence did not occur after endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancers developed from serrated polyps. In contrast, two cases of metachronous recurrence were detected within a short follow-up period.ConclusionsCautious observation and early endoscopic resection are recommended when colorectal cancer from serrated polyp is suspected. Colorectal cancers from serrated polyp can be treated successfully with endoscopy

Experimental and numerical study of Pd/Ta and PdCu/Ta composites for thermocatalytic hydrogen permeation

The development of stable and durable hydrogen (H2) separation technology is essential for the effective use of H2 energy. Thus, the use of H2 permeable membranes, made of palladium (Pd), has been extensively studied in the literature. However, Pd has considerable constraints in large-scale applications due to disadvantages such as very high cost and H2 embrittlement. To address these shortcomings, copper (Cu) and Pd were deposited on Ta to fabricate a composite H2 permeable membrane. To this end, first, Pd was deposited on a tantalum (Ta) support disk, yielding 7.4 × 10−8 molH2 m−1 s−1 Pa−0.5 of permeability. Second, a Cu–Pd alloy on a Ta support was synthesized via stepwise electroless plating and plasma sputtering to improve the durability of the membrane. The use of Cu is cost-effective compared with Pd, and the appropriate composition of the PdCu alloy is advantageous for long-term H2 permeation. Despite the lower H2 permeation of the PdCu/Ta membrane (than the Pd/Ta membrane), about two-fold temporal stability is achieved using the PdCu/Ta composite. The degradation process of the Ta support-based H2 permeable membrane is examined by SEM. Moreover, thermocatalytic H2 dissociation mechanisms on Pd and PdCu were investigated and are discussed numerically via a density functional theory study