Smart Roadside System for Driver Assistance and Safety Warnings: Framework and Applications

The use of newly emerging sensor technologies in traditional roadway systems can provide real-time traffic services to drivers through Telematics and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITSs). This paper introduces a smart roadside system that utilizes various sensors for driver assistance and traffic safety warnings. This paper shows two road application models for a smart roadside system and sensors: a red-light violation warning system for signalized intersections, and a speed advisory system for highways. Evaluation results for the two services are then shown using a micro-simulation method. In the given real-time applications for drivers, the framework and certain algorithms produce a very efficient solution with respect to the roadway type features and sensor type use

Real-Time Temporal Dynamics of Bicistronic Expression Mediated by Internal Ribosome Entry Site and 2A Cleaving Sequence

Multicistronic elements, such as the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and 2A-like cleavage sequence, serve crucial roles in the eukaryotic ectopic expression of exogenous genes. For utilization of multicistronic elements, the cleavage efficiency and order of elements in multicistronic vectors have been investigated; however, the dynamics of multicistronic element-mediated expression remains unclear. Here, we investigated the dynamics of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) IRES- and porcine teschovirus-1 2A (p2A)-mediated expression. By utilizing real-time fluorescent imaging at a minute-level resolution, we monitored the expression of fluorescent reporters bridged by either EMCV IRES or p2A in two independent cultured cell lines, HEK293 and Neuro2a. We observed significant correlations for the two fluorescent reporters in both multicistronic elements, with a higher correlation coefficient for p2A in HEK293 but similar coefficients for IRES-mediated expression and p2A-mediated expression in Neuro2a. We further analyzed the causal relationship of multicistronic elements by convergent cross mapping (CCM). CCM revealed that in all four conditions examined, the expression of the preceding gene causally affected the dynamics of the subsequent gene. As with the cross correlation, the predictive skill of p2A was higher than that of IRES in HEK293, while the predictive skills of the two multicistronic elements were indistinguishable in Neuro2a. To summarize, we report a significant temporal correlation in both EMCV IRES- and p2A-mediated expression based on the simple bicistronic vector and real-time fluorescent monitoring. The current system also provides a valuable platform to examine the dynamic aspects of expression mediated by diverse multicistronic elements under various physiological conditions.National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) of the Ministry of Science and ICT [NRF-2017R1C1B2008775, NRF-2017R1A4A1015534, NRF-2018M3C7A1022310]; KBRI basic research program through Korea Brain Research Institute - Ministry of Science and ICT [17-BR-04]Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Facile Method to Prepare for the Ni2P Nanostructures with Controlled Crystallinity and Morphology as Anode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Conversion reaction materials (transition metal oxides, sulfides, phosphides, etc.) are attractive in the field of lithium-ion batteries because of their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, the realization of these materials in lithium-ion batteries is impeded by large voltage hysteresis, high polarization, inferior cycle stability, rate capability, irreversible capacity loss in first cycling, and dramatic volume change during redox reactions. One method to overcome these problems is the introduction of amorphous materials. This work introduces a facile method to synthesize amorphous and crystalline dinickel phosphide (Ni2P) nanoparticle clusters with identical morphology and presents a direct comparison of the two materials as anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. To assess the effect of crystallinity and hierarchical structure of nanomaterials, it is crucial to conserve other factors including size, morphology, and ligand of nanoparticles. Although it is rarely studied about synthetic methods of well-controlled Ni2P nanomaterials to meet the above criteria, we synthesized amorphous, crystalline Ni2P, and self-assembled Ni2P nanoparticle clusters via thermal decomposition of nickel-surfactant complex. Interestingly, simple modulation of the quantity of nickel acetylacetonate produced amorphous, crystalline, and self-assembled Ni2P nanoparticles. A 0.357 M nickel-trioctylphosphine (TOP) solution leads to a reaction temperature limitation (similar to 315 degrees C) by the nickel precursor, and crystalline Ni2P (c-Ni2P) nanoparticles clusters are generated. On the contrary, a lower concentration (0.1 M) does not accompany a temperature limitation and hence high reaction temperature (330 degrees C) can be exploited for the self-assembly of Ni2P (s-Ni2P) nanoparticle clusters. Amorphous Ni2P (a-Ni2P) nanoparticle clusters are generated with a high concentration (0.714 M) of nickel-TOP solution and a temperature limitation (similar to 290 degrees C). The a-Ni2P nanoparticle cluster electrode exhibits higher capacities and Coulombic efficiency than the electrode based on c-Ni2P nanoparticle clusters. In addition, the amorphous structure of Ni2P can reduce irreversible capacity and voltage hysteresis upon cycling. The amorphous morphology of Ni2P also improves the rate capability, resulting in superior performance to those of c-Ni2P nanoparticle clusters in terms of electrode performance

Recurrent odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma (OGCC) at a reconstructed fibular flap : a case report with immunohistochemical findings

Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma (OGCC), a malignant counterpart of the odontogenic ghost cell tumor (OGCT), with aggressive growth characteristics, is exceedingly rare. A painful swelling in the jaw with local paresthesia is the most common symptom. We described a case of 47-year Korean woman who had a rare central epithelial odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma which recurred at reconstructed fibular flap. Immunohistochemical differences between OGCT and OGCC analyzed using primary and recurred surgical specimen. On the basis of this case, the tumor started as an OGCT and transformed into OGCC with highly aggressive, rapidly growing, infiltrative tumors. Our findings suggest that some of the cytokines produced by ghost cells may play important roles in causing extensive bone resorption in the odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma. Wide local excision with histologically clean margins is the treatment mode of selection. Also, we recommend close long-term surveillance of OGCT because of high recurrence and potential for malignancy transformation. © Medicina Oral

Phenotypic Characterization of Transgenic Miscanthus sinensis

Phytochromes are dimeric pigment proteins with reversible photochromism between red and far-red light-absorbing forms. They are photoreceptors that regulate various aspects of plant growth and development and have been used for biotechnological applications to improve agricultural performance of crops. Miscanthus species have been suggested as one of the most promising energy crops. In this paper, Arabidopsis phytochrome B (PHYB) gene was introduced into Miscanthus sinensis using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method that we developed recently, with the herbicide resistance gene (BAR) as a selection marker. After putative transgenic plants were selected using the herbicide resistance assay, genomic integration of the transgene was confirmed by genomic PCR and Southern blot analysis, and transgene expression was validated by Northern blot analysis. Compared to nontransformed control plants, transgenic plants overexpressing PHYB showed phenotypes with increased phytochrome B function, which includes increased chlorophyll content, decreased plant height, and delayed flowering. Therefore, these results suggest that Arabidopsis phytochrome B is functional in M. sinensis and provide a method to develop Miscanthus varieties with enhanced agricultural performance using phytochromes