End-to-end automated microfluidic platform for synthetic biology: from design to functional analysis

DNAConstructor scripts.zip. Zip file containing files gfp_DNAConstructor.txt and rfp_DNAConstructor.txt, input script files for DNA Constructor. (ZIP 1.7 kb

Exploring Factors Influencing Perceived Quality on Sportswear Fabric

We examine how hedonic and utilitarian motivations have impact on emotions, and in turn, influence perceived quality from Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) perspectives. Previous studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of different factors on quality of fabrics by considering product related attributes (such as fabric types, touch feelings, price, etc.) and individual characteristics (such as personality) (McCann et al., 2005). They have counted the functional aspects of fabrics but have not convincingly answered how psychological attributes influence consumers’ perceptions about the quality of fabrics; practitioners need this vital information to better understand and conduct business around how consumers formulate their perceptions. For example, our findings can guide emotional design in sportswear fabrics (Hassenzahl, 2006). Also, we develop a more sophisticated theory that investigates what psychological constructs need to be considered. We, therefore, provide initial contributions that are both relevant to practitioners and rigorous to researchers

Compositions and methods for detecting mycobacterium

The present disclosure provides methods of detecting mycobacterium in an individual, generally involving detecting antibody to a mycobacterial lipid in a biological sample obtained from the individual. The present disclosure further provides compositions and kits for carrying out the methodsThe present disclosure provides methods of detecting mycobacterium in an individual, generally involving detecting antibody to a mycobacterial lipid in a biological sample obtained from the individual. The present disclosure further provides compositions and kits for carrying out the method

The transdiagnostic role of event-related rumination on internalizing and externalizing symptoms during the pandemic: a two-wave longitudinal study

BackgroundRumination is a well-established transdiagnostic vulnerability. However, few studies have explored the transdiagnostic role of event-related rumination. Moreover, there is a paucity of longitudinal studies clarifying the temporal precedence of event-related rumination. Therefore, this study aimed to longitudinally examine the mediating paths of event-related rumination between perceived stress and diverse symptomatic dimensions.MethodsA representative sample of Korean adults (N = 316) was recruited online and they completed a package of self-reported measures twice over a one-year period. Using prospective two-wave data collected during the pandemic, longitudinal indirect effects were examined using the hypothesized path model.ResultsAs expected, intrusive rumination acted as a transdiagnostic mediator in both internalizing and externalizing psychopathology and was positively associated with all subsequent symptom dimensions, except mania. Meanwhile, the beneficial role of deliberate rumination was less-transdiagnostic.ConclusionThese initial findings suggest that event-related rumination could be considered a transdiagnostic mediator and a target for prevention and intervention to maintain mental health during and after the pandemic

An advanced prediction method of ship resistance with heterogeneous hull roughness

Despite the ongoing efforts for predicting the effect of hull roughness on ship resistance, the majority of the studies have been treating the hull surfaces as uniformly (i.e., homogeneously) rough. This can be a limiting factor since the real ships' hulls are not uniform due to various reasons such as the heterogeneous accumulation of biofouling. The current study aims to propose a new prediction method for added resistance due to heterogeneous hull roughness. This newly proposed method incorporates the similarity law scaling and the Roughness Impact Factor to consider the relative impacts of hull roughness in different regions. Two separate case studies involving recent Experimental Fluid Dynamics (EFD) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results were used to assess the newly proposed method, which showed better prediction performance compared to the conventional method

The association of renin–angiotensin system blockades and pneumonia requiring admission in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND: The hallmark of COPD is chronic airway inflammation, which may be mediated by renin–angiotensin system. The renin–angiotensin system blockers such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have exhibited anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in patients with various diseases. We explored the effects of ACEi and ARBs on the risk of pneumonia in patients with COPD. METHODS: A nested case–control study was performed on COPD patients recruited from January 2010 to August 2013 in two referral hospitals in Korea. A total of 130 COPD patients admitted with pneumonia were included, and 245 COPD patients without pneumonia were selected as controls from a total of 1,646 such patients. Controls were matched with test patients by age, sex, and severity of airflow limitation. The effects of ACEi/ARBs use on the odds ratio (OR) for the development of pneumonia were tested through conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Elderly patients (over 70 years of age) constituted ~30% of each group; most of the patients were male (85%). Of the COPD patients with pneumonia, 21.5% had taken ACEi/ARBs for a mean of 9.8 months (standard deviation ±3.5 months). The proportions of ACEi/ARBs users and the mean duration of such use did not differ when compared to those of the control patients (26.9%, P=0.25; 9.6±3.6 months, P=0.83). Univariate analyses indicated that the use of ACEi/ARBs was not associated with a decreased risk of pneumonia (OR =0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.41–1.23, P=0.21), whereas both a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (OR =1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.12–3.06, P=0.02) and exposure to systemic steroids (OR =2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.28–4.23, P=0.005) did show an association. After adjustment for a history of tuberculosis, comorbid chronic renal disease, and exposure to corticosteroids, ACEi/ARBs reduced the risk of pneumonia in COPD patients (OR =0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.98, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the use of ACEi/ARBs was associated with reducing the risk of pneumonia in patients with COPD. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm the protective effect of ACEi/ARBs and elucidate the underlying mechanisms in COPD patients