Direct and Indirect Detection of Neutralino Dark Matter and Collider Signatures in an SO(10)SO(10) Model with Two Intermediate Scales

We investigate the detectability of neutralino Dark Matter via direct and indirect searches as well as collider signatures of an $SO(10)$ model with two intermediate scales. We compare the direct Dark Matter detection cross section and the muon flux due to neutralino annihilation in the Sun that we obtain in this model with mSUGRA predictions and with the sensitivity of current and future experiments. In both cases, we find that the detectability improves as the model deviates more from mSUGRA. In order to study collider signatures, we choose two benchmark points that represent the main phenomenological features of the model: a lower value of $|\mu|$ and reduced third generation sfermion masses due to extra Yukawa coupling contributions in the Renormalization Group Equations, and increased first and second generation slepton masses due to new gaugino loop contributions. We show that measurements at the LHC can distinguish this model from mSUGRA in both cases, by counting events containing leptonically decaying $Z^0$ bosons, heavy neutral Higgs bosons, or like--sign lepton pairs.Comment: 21 pages, 16 figure

New Frontiers of Laser Welding Technology

With the advances in power sources and optic technologies, high-power laser welding has been utilized in many applications such as automotive, battery manufacturing, and electronic industries. The low-heat input of laser power and its precise control enables minimal thermal damage and geometric inaccuracy in the weldment. Recently, laser welding has evolved in combination with machine learning, monitoring and control technology, new materials, and new processes. This Special Issue aims to present the recent advances in the development in innovative laser welding technologies based on new laser power sources, laser optics, systems, and monitoring technologies. A total of six papers are presented in this Special Issue

Evaluation of stability and safety of equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from amniotic fluid for clinical application

Amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs), which can be obtained from fetal tissue, reportedly have self-renewal capacity and multi-lineage differentiation potential. The aim of this study was to identify the biological characteristics of AF-MSCs and evaluate their stability and safety in long-term culture. To confirm the biological characteristics of AF-MSCs, morphology, proliferation capacity, karyotype, differentiation capacity, gene expression level, and immunophenotype were analyzed after isolating AF-MSCs from equine amniotic fluid. AF-MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. Immunophenotype analyses revealed expression levels of ≥95% and ≤ 2% of cells for a positive and negative marker, respectively. Analysis of the MSCs relative gene expression levels of AF-MSCs was approximately at least twice that of the control. The endotoxin level was measured to verify the safety of AF-MSCs and was found to be less than the standard value of 0.5 EU/ml. AF-MSCs were cultured for a long time without any evidence of abnormalities in morphology, proliferation ability, and karyotype. These results suggest that amniotic fluid is a competent source for acquiring equine MSCs and that it is valuable as a cell therapy due to its high stability

Effect of natural antioxidants on the aggregation and disaggregation of beta-amyloid

Purpose: To examine the relationship between higher antioxidant activity and aggregation or disaggregation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) for 21 plants.Methods: Twenty-nine natural plant extracts and their antioxidant activities were analyzed using DPPH assay. The aggregation and disaggregation of Aβ were analyzed using Thioflavin-T assay.Results: Eleven plant extracts exhibited high antioxidant activities with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values < 20.0 μg/mL. Furthermore, the plant extracts efficiently inhibited Aβ aggregation with a mean IC50 value of 17.0 μg/mL. However, four plant extracts exhibiting low antioxidant activities (IC50 > 80.0 μg/mL) inhibited Aβ aggregation less efficiently with a mean IC50 value of 75.7 μg/mL. Furthermore, plant extracts with high antioxidant activities were not invariably efficient for disaggregating pre-formed Aβ aggregates.Conclusion: High antioxidant activities were positively correlated with the inhibition of Aβ aggregation, although not with the disaggregation of pre-formed Aβ aggregates. Nevertheless, potent antioxidants may be helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease.Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, β-Amyloid, Aggregation, Disaggregation, Antioxidant

Numerical modeling to analysis the abrasion of knee joint by walking pattern

In current studies, growing up of treatment of the knee joint damage such as arthritis, the research to prevent knee joint is under way. As knee joints could be damaged by various types of motion, one of the most influential factor of the abrasion on the knee joint is progressed by walking. It could be classified as 3 types of walking, 1. Walking plain, 2. Climbing stairs or uphill and 3. Going down. In this study, to find the damaged point of knee joint, the following ways would be used. After comparing the knee joint angle with interior and exterior movement of the knee in accordance with the joint dynamics of typical height, the walking pattern for walking up the stairs can be comprehended. It could be shown the variation of the center of rotation of knee joint. From this, the contact point which is pressed on the knee joints in accordance with each walking pattern could be derived. The numerical modeling could be made by quantifying the variety that is caused by the center of mass of knee bone. It would be expected to calculate the contact point on the knee joint through walking patterns. This numerical model is considered of the kinematics system in our knee

Prevalence and Genetic Structures of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 6D, South Korea

To determine prevalence and genetic structures of new serotype 6D strains of pneumococci, we examined isolates from diverse clinical specimens in South Korea during 1991–2008. Fourteen serotype 6D strains accounted for 10.4% of serogroup 6 pneumococci from blood, sputum, nasopharynx, and throat samples. Serotype 6D strains consisted of 3 sequence types