How a Once-rejected Grant Proposal Was Later Funded by The State of Georgia

The article chronicles how a grant proposal rejected a year earlier turned into an approved proposal. This article discusses what the primary author learned through this grant-writing process and what major themes emerged as successful variables to achieve the state grant. In other words, we will examine how the accepted proposal was written differently from the rejected proposal

Acupuncture treatment for functional gastrointestinal disorders: Identification of major acupoints using network analysis

Background: Using network analysis, we sought to determine the acupoints most commonly used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), particularly functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: To explore the acupoint patterns used for FGID, data on acupoint combinations for FD and IBS were gathered from systematic reviews. Network analysis was used to determine the degree, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, and eigenvector centrality of each acupoint. The most common acupoint combinations for FD and IBS were examined based on the eigenvector centrality. Results: Network analysis revealed that CV12, ST25, ST36, CV10, and LR3, which had the highest eigenvector centrality values, were the main acupoints for treating FGID. CV12 was the main acupoint for treating FD, while ST25 was the hub acupoint for treating IBS in the abdomen. ST36, LR3, and PC6 were the key peripheral acupoints for FD and IBS. Conclusions: Using network analysis, we provided data that will aid the selection of both general and specific acupoints for FD and IBS, along with spatial information (i.e., the positions of acupoints on a body map). These findings could be applied in future acupuncture research on therapy for gastrointestinal system dysfunction. They may also help bridge the gap between the traditional meridian theory, which assumes that there is a link between diseases/symptoms and the specific body region being treated, and real-world clinical evidence

Hydrogen production by water reduction on Si photocathode coupled with Ni 2 P

While searching for an efficient, non-noble, earth-abundant catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), we synthesized hexagonal dinickel phosphide with different nanostructures using solvothermal phosphidation. Coupled atop p-type Si, this catalyst performed as a p-n heterojunction photocathode assembly and the performance varied when under different electrolyte media. Apart from changing the surface morphology, Ni 2 P was crystallized with an increase in the Ni δ+ /Ni 2+ ratio as the phosphidation temperature gradually increased. A systematic evaluation of the water splitting reaction shows that a very small amount of catalyst (>85% transmittance for the catalyst layer) exhibits a photocurrent of −10 mA cm −2 with a positive applied potential of 0.05 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode under simulated solar irradiation of AM 1.5G. We discuss the substantial charge transfer process at the depletion layer of the electrode/catalyst and the catalyst/electrolyte interface. Mott–Shottky analysis showed a shift in the flat band potential for Ni 2 P, which reveals the underlying mechanism for the role of the p-n junction for enhanced photoelectrochemical cell performance. © 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications Lt

Two-dimensional FeS2-encapsulated Au: a quasiepitaxial heterojunction for synergistic catalytic activity under photoelectrocatalytic water reduction

We report the development of two-dimensional pyrite-type FeS2 nanosheets with tunable bulk size controlled by sulfide-mediated thermal diffusion under inert atmosphere. We also synthesized Au heterostructures that are encapsulated by FeS2, where the sulfide concentration and annealing time lead to eccentric aggregation of the FeS2. p-type Si coupled with the as-prepared catalysts exhibited enhanced photocathodic performance under an acidic medium. With FeS2, the optimized photocathodic performance was obtained by achieving a geometric photocurrent of 10 mA cm2 at a positive applied potential of 0.08 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)). As the size of the FeS2 increased, the cathodic photocurrent also increased, which indicates a longer carrier lifetime and slow charge recombination on the catalyst surface. It was found that the direction of the FeS2 growth is aligned with the equivalent (111) plane of the Au, resulting in a unique Au–FeS2 heterostructure. The optimized heterostructure photocatalyst showed highly improved cathodic performance with an anodic shift of the cell voltage by 0.26 V (vs. RHE) compared with bare FeS2. This study demonstrates the synergistic effect of the generation of hot electrons on Au and fast charge flow across the FeS2 layer, which facilitates fast electron–hole separation and enhances the hydrogen evolution reaction. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 201911sciescopu

Second Korean guidelines for the management of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. The direct and indirect costs of the treatment of UC are high, and the quality of life of patients is reduced, especially during exacerbation of the disease. The incidence and prevalence of UC in Korea are still lower than those of Western countries, but have been rapidly increasing during the past decades. Various medical and surgical therapies, including biologics, are currently used for the management of UC. However, many challenging issues exist, which sometimes lead to differences in practice between clinicians. Therefore, the IBD study group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases established the first Korean guidelines for the management of UC in 2012. This is an update of the first guidelines. It was generally made by the adaptation of several foreign guidelines as was the first edition, and encompasses treatment of active colitis, maintenance of remission, and indication of surgery for UC. The specific recommendations are presented with the quality of evidence and classification of recommendations

Second Korean Guidelines for the Management of Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with an uncertain etiopathogenesis. CD can involve any site of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, and is associated with serious complications, such as bowel strictures, perforations, and fistula formation. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD in Korea are still lower compared with those in Western countries, but they have been rapidly increasing during the recent decades. Although there are no definitive curative modalities for CD, various medical and surgical therapies have been applied for the treatment of this disease. Concerning CD management, there have been substantial discrepancies among clinicians according to their personal experience and preference. To suggest recommendable approaches to the diverse problems of CD and to minimize the variations in treatment among physicians, guidelines for the management of CD were first published in 2012 by the IBD Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of the Intestinal Diseases. These are the revised guidelines based on updated evidence, accumulated since 2012. These guidelines were developed by using mainly adaptation methods, and encompass induction and maintenance treatment of CD, treatment based on disease location, treatment of CD complications, including stricture and fistula, surgical treatment, and prevention of postoperative recurrence. These are the second Korean guidelines for the management of CD and will be continuously revised as new evidence is collected