Hybrid crystalline-ITO/metal nanowire mesh transparent electrodes and their application for highly flexible perovskite solar cells

Here, we propose crystalline indium tin oxide/metal nanowire composite electrode (c-ITO/metal NW-GFRHybrimer) films as a robust platform for flexible optoelectronic devices. A very thin c-ITO overcoating layer was introduced to the surface-embedded metal nanowire (NW) network. The c-ITO/metal NW-GFRHybrimer films exhibited outstanding mechanical flexibility, excellent optoelectrical properties and thermal/chemical robustness. Highly flexible and efficient metal halide perovskite solar cells were fabricated on the films. The devices on the c-ITO/AgNW- and c-ITO/CuNW-GFRHybrimer films exhibited power conversion efficiency values of 14.15% and 12.95%, respectively. A synergetic combination of the thin c-ITO layer and the metal NW mesh transparent conducting electrode will be beneficial for use in flexible optoelectronic applications

Accumulation of Phosphorylated β-Catenin Enhances ROS-Induced Cell Death in Presenilin-Deficient Cells

Presenilin (PS) is involved in many cellular events under physiological and pathological conditions. Previous reports have revealed that PS deficiency results in hyperproliferation and resistance to apoptotic cell death. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PS on β-catenin and cell mortality during serum deprivation. Under these conditions, PS1/PS2 double-knockout MEFs showed aberrant accumulation of phospho-β-catenin, higher ROS generation, and notable cell death. Inhibition of β-catenin phosphorylation by LiCl reversed ROS generation and cell death in PS deficient cells. In addition, the K19/49R mutant form of β-catenin, which undergoes normal phosphorylation but not ubiquitination, induced cytotoxicity, while the phosphorylation deficient S37A β-catenin mutant failed to induce cytotoxicity. These results indicate that aberrant accumulation of phospho-β-catenin underlies ROS-mediated cell death in the absence of PS. We propose that the regulation of β-catenin is useful for identifying therapeutic targets of hyperproliferative diseases and other degenerative conditions

The Role of Presenilin and its Interacting Proteins in the Biogenesis of Alzheimer’s Beta Amyloid

The biogenesis and accumulation of the beta amyloid protein (Aβ) is a key event in the cascade of oxidative and inflammatory processes that characterises Alzheimer’s disease. The presenilins and its interacting proteins play a pivotal role in the generation of Aβ from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). In particular, three proteins (nicastrin, aph-1 and pen-2) interact with presenilins to form a large multi-subunit enzymatic complex (γ-secretase) that cleaves APP to generate Aβ. Reconstitution studies in yeast and insect cells have provided strong evidence that these four proteins are the major components of the γ-secretase enzyme. Current research is directed at elucidating the roles that each of these protein play in the function of this enzyme. In addition, a number of presenilin interacting proteins that are not components of γ-secretase play important roles in modulating Aβ production. This review will discuss the components of the γ-secretase complex and the role of presenilin interacting proteins on γ-secretase activity

The New Economy and New Business Models

This chapter tackles the definition of New Economy, its main elements and its transformation, a theoretical perspective, the economics of digital information; negligible marginal costs, network externalities and barriers and enablers of business model change. Digital Business Models; origins, concept, guidelines to develop a consensus for the business models and Digital Business Models best practices identified are also outlined. The chapter draws to a close with the key information regarding the main characteristics for E-Business Environment: generic e-Business Strategies, new Strategies for E-Organizations and new Digital Business Models for E-Organizations.2019-2

Incidence and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Korean community-based cohort

Ah Young Leem,1 Boram Park,2 Young Sam Kim,1 Ji Ye Jung,1 Sungho Won2 1Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Chest Disease, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Purpose: COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have used spirometry to investigate its incidence, especially in Asia. In the present study, we analyzed the incidence and risk factors of COPD using a community cohort database in Korea. Patients and methods: The study included 6,517 subjects aged 40–69 years from the Ansung–Ansan cohort database I–III (2001–2006). We calculated the crude incidence rate and the standardized incidence rate corrected for the Korean general population and the world population with COPD. We also determined the relative risks (RRs) for incident COPD and the attributable risks. Results: In total, 329 new COPD cases were diagnosed during follow-up. The overall crude incidence rate per 100,000 person-years was 1,447. The standardized incidence rate corrected for the Korean general population was 1,550; this value was higher in men and increased with increasing age. Risk factors for incident COPD were age ≥60 years (adjusted RR [aRR] =2.52 vs age <60 years), male sex (aRR =2.02 vs female), heavy smoking (≥20 pack-years; aRR =2.54 vs never smoker), and lowest income group (first quartile; aRR =2.03 vs fourth quartile). The adjusted attributable risk was highest for education level of high school or lower (44.9%), followed by smoking history (25.8%), income (22.9%), and sex (12.0%). Conclusion: In Korea, 15.5/1,000 people are diagnosed with COPD annually. The incidence rate increases with increasing age, heavier smoking, and decreasing income, with a higher rate in men than in women. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, incidence rate, relative risk, attributable ris

Health survey on workers and residents near the municipal waste and industrial waste incinerators in Korea

Hazardous substances, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) also have been detected in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and industrial waste incinerators in Korea. In this study, we estimated the exposure status of these hazardous substances and their heath effects in workers and residents near the MSW incinerators and residents near the industrial waste incinerators. We interviewed 13 workers and 16 residents from the area around the two MSW incinerators, and further 10 residents from the area around one industrial waste incinerator, which is suspected to emit higher hazardous substances. During the interview we collected information including sociodemographic information, personal habits, work history, detailed gynecologic and other medical history. Blood samples from 45 subjects were also collected for analysis of PCDDs and PCDFs, which were analyzed by HRGC-HRMS (High Resolution Gas Chromatography - High Resolution Mass Spectrometers). In addition to a questionnaire survey, urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as oxidative injury biomarkers. Urinary concentrations of 8-OH-dG were determined by in vitro ELISA (JAICA, Fukuroi, Japan). MDA were determined by HPLC using adduct with TBA (thiobarbituric acid). The PCDD/F concentrations in residents from the area around industrial waste incinerator were higher than those in workers and residents from the area around MSW incinerator. The average toxic equivalency (TEQ) concentrations of PCDD/Fs in residents from the area around industrial waste incinerator were 53.4 pg I-TEQs/g lipid. The average TEQ concentrations of PCDD/Fs in workers and residents near MSW incinerator were 12.2 pg I-TEQs/g lipid. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of each person was calculated, and the EDI of all workers and residents near MSW incinerator were within the tolerable daily intake range. But for only 30% of 10 people near the industrial waste incinerator were the EDI within the tolerable daily intake range (14 pg I-TEQ/kg bw/day) suggested by WHO (1997). The oxidative stress of residents near the industrial waste incinerator was higher than that in workers and residents from the area around MSW incinerator. This oxidative stress may have been caused by hazardous substances, such as PCDD/Fs emitted by incinerators. The residents from the area around industrial waste incinerator were exposed to hazardous substances such as PCDD/Fs. Proper protection strategies against these hazardous chemicals are needed.X1119sciescopu

Strong instantaneous contribution in femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing from 350 mu m InP due to virtual excitation

We have observed strong four-wave mixing (FWM) signals from the third up to the seventh order for a 350 mu m undoped InP at 10 K with an excitation at far below the band gap. The third order spectrally resolved FWM signal shifts continuously to blue as time delay moves away from positive to negative. The peak intensities of the third and fifth order time-integrated FWM signals decrease rapidly as the detuning increases, as (detuning)(-2) and (detuning)(-6), respectively. The FWM signal at far below the band gap is attributable to the strong instantaneous contribution of the excitation pulse

Relationship between blood levels of heavy metals and lung function based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV–V

Ah Young Leem, Se Kyu Kim, Joon Chang, Young Ae Kang, Young Sam Kim, Moo Suk Park, Song Yee Kim, Eun Young Kim, Kyung Soo Chung, Ji Ye Jung Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Chest Disease, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea Background: Heavy metal exposure may contribute to inflammation in the lungs via increased oxidative stress, resulting in tissue destruction and obstructive lung function (OLF). In this study, we evaluated the relationship between lead and cadmium levels in blood, and lung function in the Korean population.Methods: Pooled cross-sectional data from 5,972 subjects who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2012 were used for this study. OLF was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) <0.7. Graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure levels of lead and cadmium in blood.Results: Adjusted means for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status in blood lead and cadmium levels were increased with age and were higher in men and current smokers. The FEV1/FVC ratio was lower in the highest quartile group of lead (78.4% vs 79.0%; P=0.025) and cadmium (78.3% vs 79.2%; P<0.001) concentrations, compared with those in the lowest quartile groups. Multiple linear regression demonstrated an inverse relationship between the FEV1/FVC ratio and concentrations of lead (estimated -0.002; P=0.007) and cadmium (estimated -0.005; P=0.001). Of the 5,972 subjects, 674 (11.3%) were classified into the OLF group. Among current smokers, the risk of OLF was higher in subjects in the highest quartile group of cadmium concentration than in those in the lowest quartile group (odds ratio 1.94; 95% confidence interval 1.06–3.57).Conclusion: We demonstrated a significant association between the FEV1/FVC ratio and blood concentrations of lead and cadmium in the Korean population. The risk for OLF was elevated with increasing concentrations of cadmium among current smokers. Keywords: lead, cadmium, pulmonary function, obstructive lung diseas