Relationship between theory of planned behavior factors and optimistic bias and vegetable and fruit intake in college students.

The purpose of this study is to verify the validity of the theory of planned behavior on the vegetable and fruit consumption behavior of college students and to explore the influence of the theory of planned behavior variables on the vegetable and fruit consumption behavior and the role of optimism bias in the relationship. The participants in this study were 249 college students (male: 107, female: 142), and their average age was 20.57 (SD = 2.14) years. In this study, we used a vegetable and fruit consumption frequency list based on Korean nutritional intake standards, the Fruit and Vegetable Module questionnaire, and a questionnaire measuring attitudes toward vegetable and fruit consumption, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention, and optimistic bias. As a result of the analysis, it was verified that it was appropriate to adopt the theory of planned behavior model, which includes a direct path from perceived behavioral control to vegetable and fruit consumption behavior. In hierarchical regression analysis, the Theory of Planned Behavior variables explained about 28.8% of vegetable and fruit consumption behavior, and perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor, and optimism bias accounted for an additional 1.9% of vegetable and fruit consumption behavior. appeared to explain it. In addition, optimistic bias moderated the relationship between attitude toward vegetable and fruit consumption and vegetable and fruit consumption behavior. Considering the results, it is reasonable to explain vegetable and fruit consumption behavior with the theory of planned behavior, and it was found that optimistic bias plays an important role in the relationship between attitudes toward vegetable and fruit consumption and vegetable and fruit consumption behavior.

Enhancement on Radon Adsorption Property of GAC using Nano-size Carbon Colloids

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is well-known as an efficient adsorbent against a number of gaseous pollutants. Radon is one of those pollutants, and radon has been classified as the second leading cause of lung cancer in USA. This study was to enhance the radon removal efficiency with applying nano-technology. Nano-size carbon colloids (NCC) was produced through electrolysis which is simple and cheap. NCC was used for impregnation with activated carbon. Surface areas of both NCC-treated and non-treated activated carbon did not show a significant difference. However, the results of radon removal efficiency show that impregnated carbon with NCC could capture about 1.3 ~ 2 times of more radon gas compared to non-treated activated carbon. It is assumed that nano-size carbon colloids might have filled up meso-pores, and meso-pores turned into micro-pores eventually. Because meso-pores initially accounted for large portion of whole pores, more radon could be captured to NCC-impregnated activated carbon. Keywords: Radon, Nano-Size Carbon Collid, Activated Carbo

Helicobacter pylori infection combined with DENA revealed altered expression of p53 and 14-3-3 isoforms in Gulo−/− mice

AbstractUnlike most other mammals, human bodies do not have the ability to synthesize vitamin C inside of their own bodies. Therefore, humans must obtain vitamin C through daily diet. Gulo−/− mice strain is known with deficiency, in which vitamin C intake can be controlled by diet like human, and would be valuable for investigating the molecular mechanism of various diseases. In the present study, we established Gulo−/− mice model and investigated the differentially expressed proteins in stomach tissue of Gulo−/− mice after Helicobacter pylori-infected, and followed by DENA, using immunohistochemistry and proteomic approach. The results of immunohistochemistry analysis of stomach tissue showed that the tumor suppressor, p53 protein, expression was significantly decreased (p<0.05) but not messenger RNA (mRNA) transcriptional level, and 14-3-3ε, 14-3-3δ, Ki-67 and cleaved caspase 3 expressions were significantly increased (p<0.05) by H. Pylori infection, and followed by DENA treatment in Gulo−/− mice. Moreover, knockdown of 14-3-3 isoforms (14-3-3ε, 14-3-3σ, 14-3-3ζ and 14-3-3η) were significantly increased sub-G1 phase (characteristics of apoptosis) in AGS cells and, phenotypic changes like cell shrinkage, density and cleaved nuclei were also observed. Proteome analyses showed that 14-3-3σ, 14-3-3η, and tropomyosin alpha-1 chain were down-regulated, and Hspd1 protein and HSC70 were up-regulated after H. Pylori-infection, and followed by DENA. The combined results of immunohistochemistry and proteomic analysis suggest that H. pylori altered the p53 and 14-3-3 isoforms expression and DENA further enhanced the H. pylori effect, which might be involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis of gastric cancer on Gulo−/− mice

The association between lower urinary tract symptoms and depressive symptoms in older Korean adults: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and depressive symptoms in Korean adults aged 60 and above. We prospectively collected data from 524 older adults (68.7% male, 31.3% female) who visited a community center called Bitgoeul Senior Health Town, Gwangju, Korea, between 2021 and 2022. The mean age of the participants was 77.78 ± 5.44 years. All participants completed a set of questionnaires, including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ), and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF). The mean total IPSS score was 8.76 ± 6.10, the mean SMCQ 3.68 ± 2.66, and the mean GDS-SF score 2.75 ± 3.15, respectively. Severe voiding symptoms were more prevalent in older adults with advanced age, insomnia and high SMCQ and GDS-SF scores. Multivariable analyses revealed that IPSS was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 3.233, p < 0.001). Furthermore, female gender (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–4.07, odds ratio (OR) = 2.12, p = 0.023). Moderate or severe IPSS scores (95% CI: 1.03–2.98, OR = 1.75, p = 0.040) and high SMCQ scores (95% CI: 2.14–6.15, OR = 3.62, p < 0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for depression in older adults. Our findings indicate a significant association between the severity of subjective voiding symptoms and depressive symptoms in older Korean adults. These results underscore the necessity of assessing and managing LUTS in this demographic, considering patients’ mental health and overall well-being

Reliable Multivalued Conductance States in TaOx, Memristors through Oxygen Plasma-Assisted Electrode Deposition with in Situ-Biased Conductance State Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis

Transition metal oxide-based memristors have widely been proposed for applications toward artificial synapses. In general, memristors have two or more electrically switchable stable resistance states that device researchers see as an analogue to the ion channels found in biological synapses. The mechanism behind resistive switching in metal oxides has been divided into electrochemical metallization models and valence change models. The stability of the resistance states in the memristor vary widely depending on: oxide material, electrode material, deposition conditions, film thickness, and programming conditions. So far, it has been extremely challenging to obtain reliable memristors with more than two stable multivalued states along with endurances greater than similar to 1000 cycles for each of those states. Using an oxygen plasma-assisted sputter deposition method of noble metal electrodes, we found that the metal-oxide interface could be deposited with substantially lower interface roughness observable at the nanometer scale. This markedly improved device reliability and function, allowing for a demonstration of memristors with four completely distinct levels from similar to 6 x 10(-6) to similar to 4 x 10(-8) S that were tested up to 10(4) cycles per level. Furthermore through a unique in situ transmission electron microscopy study, we were able to verify a redox reaction-type model to be dominant in our samples, leading to the higher degree of electrical state controllability. For solid-state synapse applications, the improvements to electrical properties will lead to simple device structures, with an overall power and area reduction of at least 1000 times when compared to SRAM.11Ysciescopu

Synergistic surface modification for high-efficiency perovskite nanocrystal light-emitting diodes: divalent metal ion doping and halide-based ligand passivation

Surface defects of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) substantially compromise the optoelectronic performances of the materials and devices via undesired charge recombination. However, those defects, mainly the vacancies, are structurally entangled with each other in the PNC lattice, necessitating a delicately designed strategy for effective passivation. Here, a synergistic metal ion doping and surface ligand exchange strategy is proposed to passivate the surface defects of CsPbBr3 PNCs with various divalent metal (e.g., Cd2+, Zn2+, and Hg2+) acetate salts and didodecyldimethylammonium (DDA+) via one-step post-treatment. The addition of metal acetate salts to PNCs is demonstrated to suppress the defect formation energy effectively via the ab initio calculations. The developed PNCs not only have near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield and excellent stability but also show luminance of 1175 cd m−2, current efficiency of 65.48 cd A−1, external quantum efficiency of 20.79%, wavelength of 514 nm in optimized PNC light-emitting diodes with Cd2+ passivator and DDA ligand. The “organic–inorganic” hybrid engineering approach is completely general and can be straightforwardly applied to any combination of quaternary ammonium ligands and source of metal, which will be useful in PNC-based optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, and transistors

Prospective study of oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic modified complete mesocolic excision for non-metastatic right colon cancer (PIONEER study): study protocol of a multicentre single-arm trial

Abstract Background The introduction of complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for right-sided colon cancer has improved the oncologic outcomes. Recently, we have introduced a modified CME (mCME) procedure that keeps the same principles as the originally described CME but with a more tailored approach. Some retrospective studies have reported the favourable oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic mCME for right-sided colon cancer; however, no prospective multicentre study has yet been conducted. Methods This study is a multi-institutional, prospective, single-arm study evaluating the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic mCME for adenocarcinoma arising from the right side of the colon. A total of 250 patients will be recruited from five tertiary referral centres in South Korea. The primary outcome of this study is 3-year disease-free survival. Secondary outcome measures include 3-year overall survival, incidence of surgical complications, completeness of mCME, and distribution of metastatic lymph nodes. The quality of laparoscopic mCME will be assessed on the basis of photographs of the surgical specimen and the operation field after the completion of lymph node dissection. Discussion This is a prospective multicentre study to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic mCME for right-sided colon cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first study to prospectively and objectively assess the quality of laparoscopic mCME. The results will provide more evidence about oncologic outcomes with respect to the quality of laparoscopic mCME in right-sided colon cancer. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03992599 (June 20, 2019). The posted information will be updated as needed to reflect protocol amendments and study progress

Lattice strain-enhanced exsolution of nanoparticles in thin films

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Grant funded by the Korean Government (MSIP Grant No.2016R 1D1A1B 03933253). J.T.S.I. thanks the EPSRC for support on emergent nanomaterials through grant EP/R023522/1. H.H. and S.S.P.P. acknowledge the support by the Max Planck Society (MPG).Nanoparticles formed on oxide surfaces are of key importance in many fields such as catalysis and renewable energy. Here, we control B-site exsolution via lattice strain to achieve a high degree of exsolution of nanoparticles in perovskite thin films: more than 1100 particles μm−2 with a particle size as small as ~5 nm can be achieved via strain control. Compressive-strained films show a larger number of exsolved particles as compared with tensile-strained films. Moreover, the strain-enhanced in situ growth of nanoparticles offers high thermal stability and coking resistance, a low reduction temperature (550 oC), rapid release of particles, and wide tunability. The mechanism of lattice strain-enhanced exsolution is illuminated by thermodynamic and kinetic aspects, emphasizing the unique role of the misfit-strain relaxation energy. This study provides critical insights not only into the design of new forms of nanostructures but also applications ranging from catalysis, energy conversion/storage, nano-composites, nano-magnetism, to nano-optics.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe