catena-Poly[[bis­(N,N-dimethyl­formamide-κO)zinc]-μ2-oxalato-κ4 O 1,O 2:O 1′,O 2′]

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Zn(C2O4)(C3H7NO)2]n, the ZnII ion is situated on a twofold rotation axis and has a distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry defined by the O atoms of two dimethyl­formamide mol­ecules and four O atoms of two bidentate oxalate ligands. The oxalate anion is located on an inversion centre and bridges two metal ions, resulting in a polymeric structure with infinite zigzag chains extending parallel to [010]

CloudNine: Analyzing Meteorological Observation Impact on Weather Prediction Using Explainable Graph Neural Networks

The impact of meteorological observations on weather forecasting varies with sensor type, location, time, and other environmental factors. Thus, quantitative analysis of observation impacts is crucial for effective and efficient development of weather forecasting systems. However, the existing impact analysis methods are difficult to be widely applied due to their high dependencies on specific forecasting systems. Also, they cannot provide observation impacts at multiple spatio-temporal scales, only global impacts of observation types. To address these issues, we present a novel system called ``CloudNine,'' which allows analysis of individual observations' impacts on specific predictions based on explainable graph neural networks (XGNNs). Combining an XGNN-based atmospheric state estimation model with a numerical weather prediction model, we provide a web application to search for observations in the 3D space of the Earth system and to visualize the impact of individual observations on predictions in specific spatial regions and time periods

Effects of fibrin-binding oligopeptide on osteopromotion in rabbit calvarial defects

Purpose: Fibronectin (FN) has been shown to stimulate bone regeneration in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of bovine bone mineral coated with synthetic oligopeptides to enhance bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial defects. Methods: Oligopeptides including fibrin-binding sequences of FN repeats were synthesized on the basis of primary and tertiary human plasma FN structures. Peptide coated and uncoated bone minerals were implanted into 10 mm calvarial defects in New Zealand white rabbits, and the animals were sacrificed at 4 or 8 weeks after surgery. After specimens were prepared, histologic examination and histomorphometric analysis were performed. Results: At 4 weeks after surgery, the uncoated groups showed a limited amount of osteoid formation at the periphery of the defect and the oligopeptide coated groups showed more osteoid formation and new bone formation in the center of the defect as well as at the periphery. At 8 weeks, both sites showed increased new bone formation. However, the difference between the two sites had reduced. Conclusions: Fibrin-binding synthetic oligopeptide derived from FN on deproteinized bovine bone enhanced new bone formation in rabbit calvarial defects at the early healing stage. This result suggests that these oligopeptides can be beneficial in reconstructing oral and maxillofacial deformities or in regenerating osseous bone defects. ⓒ 2010 Korean Academy of Periodontology.

The application of diniconazole and prohydrojasmon as plant growth regulators to induce growth and tuberization of potato

The potato is a major vegetable crop around the world, and tuberous hypertrophy is a highly complex developmental process effected by various factors that play central role in potato growth. Tuber growth under hypertrophic conditions is regulated by variations in carbohydrates and endogenous phytohormones. In the present study, we aimed to establish the basis for the enlargement of potato tubers, including changes in the chemical content of factors related to tuber formation and hypertrophy based on phytohormonal regulation, plants height and tuber biomass and other selected attributes. Our results reveal that the application of plant growth regulators such as diniconazole (Din) and prohydrojasmon (PDJ) significantly impact on potato plants growth and yield, including that of tubers. Plants treated with Din and PDJ effectively showed stunted growth and re-duced development but enhance the tuber formation and its weight. Plants treated with Din and PDJ significantly reduced the GAs and ABA accumulation and increase the sucrose level and cause significant increase in tuber development. In conclusion, a higher gibberellin content in potatoes may inhibit tuberization. Diniconazole and PDJ treatment reduced gibberellin accumulation, which in turn regu-lated abscisic acid content, demonstrating that the abscisic acid content mostly increased as gibberellin content decreased, and thereby promoting tuberization

Irreversible extinction of ferroelectric polarization in P(VDF-TrFE) thin films upon melting and recrystallization

We observed the irreversible extinction of ferroelectric polarization in spun coated poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) thin films upon melting and recrystallization. We investigate the alteration of the ferroelectric properties correlated with the preferred polymer crystal orientation with respect to the electrodes using grazing incident scattering, spectroscopy, and electron microscopes. Heat treatment above melting point gave rise to the significant reduction of the ferroelectric performance mainly caused by the modification of molecular orientation of polymer crystals whose c and b axes are perpendicular and parallel to the electrode surface, respectively, leading to almost zero effective electric field. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physicsopen464

Results of Air Caloric and Other Vestibular Tests in Patients with Chronic Otitis Media

ObjectivesAir caloric results are supposed to be influenced by anatomic changes of the middle ear. The aims of our study were to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of abnormal air caloric results in patients with unilateral chronic otitis media and without any history of vertigo, and to compare caloric results with there of other vestibular function tests (VFTs).MethodsTwenty five patients with unilateral chronic otitis media (COM) who were scheduled for surgery underwent VFTs preoperatively. Hearing was assessed using pure-tone audiometry and vestibular function was assessed using a set of VFTs: air caloric, head-shaking nystagmus (HSN), vibration-induced nystagmus (VIN), and subjective visual vertical (SVV) tests.ResultsSix patients (24%) showed pathologic canal paresis (CP) on COM-sided ears. Two patients showed pathologic CP on the contralateral side. However, both of the two showed inverted nystagmus to warm air stimulation on the COM-side and hyperactive nystagmus to cold air stimulation on the COM-side, which means that the COM-sided ear was stimulated too much. There was pathologic HSN in 12 patients (48%), pathologic VIN in 7 (28%), and pathologic SVV in 5 (20%). Overall, 20 (80%) patients showed abnormal findings through a set of VFTs. Patients with an interaural difference of bone-conduction hearing thresholds ≥10 dB tended to show more abnormal VFT results than those for whom the interaural difference of bone-conduction hearing thresholds was <10 dB.ConclusionOur data show that one-fourth of patients with unilateral COM show abnormal caloric results on the COM side. However, subclinical latent vestibular imbalances were found to be common, which might be related to the gradual vestibular involvement in inflammatory processes, regardless of the caloric results. Results of a set of VFTs should be referred to when determining vestibular imbalance in patients with COM

Nucleotide sequence of the vmhA gene encoding hemolysin from Vibrio mimicus

AbstractThe structural gene (vmhA) of hemolysin from Vibrio mimicus (ATCC33653) was cloned and sequenced. The vmhA gene contains an open reading frame consisting of 2232 nucleotides which can code for a protein of 744 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 83 059. The similarity of amino acid sequence shows 81.6% identity with Vibrio cholerae El Tor hemolysin

Expression of Heterologous OsDHAR Gene Improves Glutathione (GSH)-Dependent Antioxidant System and Maintenance of Cellular Redox Status in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942.

An excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause severe oxidative damage to cellular components in photosynthetic cells. Antioxidant systems, such as the glutathione (GSH) pools, regulate redox status in cells to guard against such damage. Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) catalyzes the glutathione-dependent reduction of oxidized ascorbate (dehydroascorbate) and contains a redox active site and glutathione binding-site. The DHAR gene is important in biological and abiotic stress responses involving reduction of the oxidative damage caused by ROS. In this study, transgenic Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (TA) was constructed by cloning the Oryza sativa L. japonica DHAR (OsDHAR) gene controlled by an isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible promoter (Ptrc) into the cyanobacterium to study the functional activities of OsDHAR under oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide exposure. OsDHAR expression increased the growth of S. elongatus PCC 7942 under oxidative stress by reducing the levels of hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde (MDA) and mitigating the loss of chlorophyll. DHAR and glutathione S-transferase activity were higher than in the wild-type S. elongatus PCC 7942 (WT). Additionally, overexpression of OsDHAR in S. elongatus PCC 7942 greatly increased the glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide. These results strongly suggest that DHAR attenuates deleterious oxidative effects via the glutathione (GSH)-dependent antioxidant system in cyanobacterial cells. The expression of heterologous OsDHAR in S. elongatus PCC 7942 protected cells from oxidative damage through a GSH-dependent antioxidant system via GSH-dependent reactions at the redox active site and GSH binding site residues during oxidative stress

Risk and protective factors of depression in the general population during the COVID-19 epidemic in Korea

Background: The risk of depression has risen in the general population during the COVID-19 epidemic. This study was conducted to explore risk and protective factors associated with depression among the general population uninfected by COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,500 representative South Korean citizens aged 19–65 years through an anonymous online survey. Depression was defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of 10 or higher. Other questionnaires included one measuring psycho-behavioural and social changes, and stress, due to COVID-19, a six-item version of the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), and a three-item version of the UCLA loneliness scale. Results: Of the 1492 participants not infected by COVID-19, 312 (20.9%) exhibited depression. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that depression was positively associated with COVID-19-related stress and psycho-behavioural variables such as disturbances in eating and sleeping, younger age, smoking, underlying mental illness, and loneliness scale scores. In contrast, exercise three or more times per week and GQ-6 scale scores were inversely associated with depression. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining daily routines including eating, sleeping, and regular exercise and focusing on gratitude may be important for the prevention of depression. In addition, more attention should be paid to vulnerable populations, including young people, those with mental illnesses, and smokers, who might be more susceptible to depression