Structure of shock compressed model basaltic glass: Insights from O K-edge X-ray Raman scattering and high-resolution ^(27)Al NMR spectroscopy

The detailed atomic structures of shock compressed basaltic glasses are not well understood. Here, we explore the structures of shock compressed silicate glass with a diopside–anorthite eutectic composition (Di_(64)An_(36)), a common Fe-free model basaltic composition, using oxygen K-edge X-ray Raman scattering and high- resolution ^(27)Al solid-state NMR spectroscopy and report previously unknown details of shock-induced changes in the atomic configurations. A topologically driven densification of the Di_(64)An_(36) glass is indicated by the increase in oxygen K-edge energy for the glass upon shock compression. The first experimental evidence of the increase in the fraction of highly coordinated Al in shock compressed glass is found in the ^(27)Al NMR spectra. This unambiguous evidence of shock-induced changes in Al coordination environments provides atomistic insights into shock compression in basaltic glasses and allows us to microscopically constrain the magnitude of impact events or relevant processes involving natural basalts on Earth and planetary surfaces

Improved Correction of Atmospheric Pressure Data Obtained by Smartphones through Machine Learning

A correction method using machine learning aims to improve the conventional linear regression (LR) based method for correction of atmospheric pressure data obtained by smartphones. The method proposed in this study conducts clustering and regression analysis with time domain classification. Data obtained in Gyeonggi-do, one of the most populous provinces in South Korea surrounding Seoul with the size of 10,000 km2, from July 2014 through December 2014, using smartphones were classified with respect to time of day (daytime or nighttime) as well as day of the week (weekday or weekend) and the user’s mobility, prior to the expectation-maximization (EM) clustering. Subsequently, the results were analyzed for comparison by applying machine learning methods such as multilayer perceptron (MLP) and support vector regression (SVR). The results showed a mean absolute error (MAE) 26% lower on average when regression analysis was performed through EM clustering compared to that obtained without EM clustering. For machine learning methods, the MAE for SVR was around 31% lower for LR and about 19% lower for MLP. It is concluded that pressure data from smartphones are as good as the ones from national automatic weather station (AWS) network

Angiolipoma of the Posterior Mediastinum with Extension into the Spinal Canal: A Case Report

Angiolipoma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor, an unusual variant of lipoma, consisting of fatty and vascular components and located in the subcutis, usually in the trunk and extremities. We report a case of posterior mediastinal angiolipoma extending into the spinal canal and showing both fat and angiomatous features on CT scan

A Large Cystic Phyllodes Tumor of the Prostate

We report a 65 year-old man with a large cystic phyllodes tumor of the prostate. The patient complained of abdominal discomfort and had a soft palpable mass. Computer tomography showed a solid and cystic mass in the pelvic fossa; the mass was adjacent only to the prostate. We excised the mass. Microscopic findings of the mass showed hyperplastic epithelium lined cysts with leaf-like intraluminal epithelia lined stromal projections, less than 2 mitotic counts/10 HPF, low-to-moderated cellularity, and mild-to-moderate cytoplasm atypia. The pathological findings were consistent with a phyllodes tumor of the prostate, a low-grade tumor. Twenty-eight months after the operation, the patient was well with no recurrence or metastases

Patterned Si thin film electrodes for enhancing structural stability

A patterned film (electrode) with lozenge-shaped Si tiles could be successfully fabricated by masking with an expanded metal foil during film deposition. Its electrochemical properties and structural stability during the charge-discharge process were examined and compared with those of a continuous (conventional) film electrode. The patterned electrode exhibited a remarkably improved cycleability (75% capacity retention after 120 cycles) and an enhanced structural stability compared to the continuous electrode. The good electrochemical performance of the patterned electrode was attributed to the space between Si tiles that acted as a buffer against the volume change of the Si electrode

Barriers to Outpatient Hospital-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korean Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

ObjectiveTo investigate factors associated with enrollment and participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in Korea.MethodsPatients admitted to four university hospitals with acute coronary syndrome between June 2014 and May 2016 were enrolled. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS) made of 21-item questionnaire and divided in four subdomains was administered during admission. CRBS items used a 5-point Likert scale and ≥2.5 was considered as a barrier. Differences between CR non-attender and CR attender, or CR non-enroller and CR enroller in subscale and each items of CRBS were examined using the chi-square test.ResultsThe CR participation rate in four hospitals was 31% (170 of the 552). Logistical factors (odds ratio [OR]=7.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.62–12.55) and comorbidities/functional status (OR=6.60; 95% CI, 3.95–11.01) were identified as a barrier to CR enrollment in the subdomain analysis. Among patients who were enrolled (agreed to participate in CR during admission), only work/time conflict was a significant barrier to CR participation (OR=2.17; 95% CI, 1.29–3.66).ConclusionDiverse barriers to CR participation were identified in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Providing the tailored model for CR according to the individual patient's barrier could improve the CR utilization. Further multicenter study with large sample size including other CR indication is required

Chirality control of inorganic materials and metals by peptides or amino acids

Chirality exists everywhere in nature and may be one of the most important features in biological systems. The chirality of amino acid molecules is transferred to the peptide sequences, determining the secondary and further three-dimensional structures. As a result, even the macroscopic chirality observed in many living features can be controlled by the peptide sequence. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that achiral inorganic materials and metals, according to the crystallographic point group, can develop chiral morphologies that are precisely controlled by the amino acids and peptides. As a result, strong chiral optical responses can be generated even at visible wavelengths. In this review, we have highlighted recent pioneering examples to show the enantioselective interactions between inorganic materials/metals and amino acids/peptides and discussed the underlying mechanisms.Y

Improvement in the Oxidation Resistance of Cu Films by an Electroless Co-Alloy Capping Process

Co-alloy films with various solution compositions CoB, CoWB, and CoW B P were deposited with an electroless technique on Cu films without Pd activation, and their oxidation barrier performance was analyzed. The degrees of oxidation of all films were intensively studied. CoB showed excellent capping performance as an oxidation barrier, whereas CoWB and CoW B P exhibited even poorer oxidation resistance than the case of bare Cu at 400°C. The depth profile of the film compositions and chemical states of the CoB film before and after oxidation was investigated, the results of which suggested that the oxidation of the B component in the film had a clear role in the prevention of continuous Cu diffusion to the surface. The multilayer structure of CoB/ CoW B P/Cu for obtaining both electromigration and oxidation resistance was optimized, showing excellent oxidation resistance comparable to a single-composition CoB film.Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF), which is funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (no. 2008-02857), and by the KOSEF through the Research Center for Energy Conversion and Storage (RCECS)