Synthesis of Ag Nanostructures by Photochemical Reduction Using Citrate-Capped Pt Seeds

A simple synthesis of Ag nanostructures such as nanorods and nanowires has been demonstrated with citrate-capped Pt seeds. UV-visible spectra and photographs of the synthesized solutions at different UV exposure times showed that the citrate-capped Pt seed played a crucial role in the growth of Ag nanostructures. After UV exposure of the colloidal solution for 60 min, the average diameter, length, and aspect ratio of the Ag nanostructures were about 95 nm, 2.1 nm, and 22, respectively. The photochemical reduction is hypothesized to result from photoelectron transfer from adsorbed citrate to Pt nanoparticle seed allowing Ag ions to form Ag nanostructures. Based on X-ray diffraction spectra and transmission electron microscope images, the synthesized Ag nanostructures were a face-centered cubic single crystal with good purity. These results suggest that the photochemical reduction method can provide Ag nanostructures in the presence of citrate-capped Pt seeds at room temperature for anisotropic Ag products

Percutaneous Needle Decompression during Laparoscopic Gastric Surgery: A Simple Alternative to Nasogastric Decompression

Laparoscopic gastric surgeries are routinely performed with use of a nasogastric tube to decompress the upper gastrointestinal tract. A distended upper gastrointestinal tract can complicate successful laparoscopic gastric surgery as the distention compromises not only the visual field but also the laparoscopic manipulation of the stomach. Since nasogastric intubation is not without risks, we have attempted laparoscopic-assisted gastric cancer surgeries without nasogastric tubes. In this article we describe a simple method of aspirating gastric contents using a 9 cm long 19-gauge needle inserted percutaneously during laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy. First, a 9 cm long 19-gauge disposable needle was introduced through the abdominal wall. This needle was then introduced to the stomach through the anterior wall and the stomach gases and fluids were aspirated by connecting the needle to suction. Thus, a collapsed upper gastrointestinal tract was easily obtained. We performed this procedure instead of nasogastric decompression on twenty-two patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal subtotal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection. The results were good with only one patient experiencing wound infection (4.5%) and one patient with postoperative acalculus cholecystitis (4.5%). There were no patients with either intraabdominal infection or anastomotic leakage and none of the patients needed postoperative nasogastric decompression, except the patient who experienced acaculus cholecystitis. Percutaneous needle aspiration is a very simple and efficient technique with little risk of postoperative complications. It can be used as an alternative to nasogastric tube decompression of the gastrointestinal tract for laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy

Seq2Seq-SC: End-to-End Semantic Communication Systems with Pre-trained Language Model

While semantic communication is expected to bring unprecedented communication efficiency in comparison to classical communication, many challenges must be resolved to realize its potential. In this work, we provide a realistic semantic network dubbed seq2seq-SC, which is compatible to 5G NR and can work with generalized text dataset utilizing pre-trained language model. We also utilize a performance metric (SBERT) which can accurately measure semantic similarity and show that seq2seq-SC achieves superior performance while extracting semantically meaningful information.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 3 table

Homocysteine-induced peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in zebrafish and its attenuation by L-arginine

Elevated blood homocysteine (Hcy) level is frequently observed in aged individuals and those with age-related vascular diseases. However, its effect on peripheral microcirculation is still not fully understood. Using in vivo zebrafish model, the degree of Hcy-induced peripheral microcirculation dysfunction is assessed in this study with a proposed dimensionless velocity parameter (V) over bar (CV)/(V) over bar (PCV), where (V) over bar (CV) and (V) over bar (PCV) represent the peripheral microcirculation perfusion and the systemic perfusion levels, respectively. The ratio of the peripheral microcirculation perfusion to the systemic perfusion is largely decreased due to peripheral accumulation of neutrophils, while the systemic perfusion is relatively preserved by increased blood supply from subintestinal vein. Pretreatment with L-arginine attenuates the effects of Hcy on peripheral microcirculation and reduces the peripheral accumulation of neutrophils. Given its convenience, high reproducibility of the observation site, non-invasiveness, and the ease of drug treatment, the present zebrafish model with the proposed parameters will be used as a useful drug screening platform for investigating the pathophysiology of Hcy-induced microvascular diseases.111Ysciescopu