An Efficient State Space Generation for the Analysis of Real-Time Systems

State explosion is a well-known problem that impedes analysis and testing based on state-space exploration. This problem is particularly serious in real-time systems because unbounded time values cause the state space to be infinite even for simple systems. In this paper, we present an algorithm that produces a compact representation of the reachable state space of a real-time system. The algorithm yields a small state space, but still retains enough information for analysis. To avoid the state explosion which can be caused by simply adding time values to states, our algorithm uses history equivalence and transition bisimulation to collapse states into equivalent classes. Through history equivalence, states are merged into an equivalence class with the same untimed executions up to the states. Using transition bisimulation, the states that have the same future behaviors are further collapsed. The resultant state space is finite and can be used to analyze real-time properties. To show the effectiveness of our algorithm, we have implemented the algorithm and have analyzed several example applications

A Universal Analysis Pipeline for Hybrid Capture-Based Targeted Sequencing Data with Unique Molecular Indexes

Hybrid capture-based targeted sequencing is being used increasingly for genomic variant profiling in tumor patients. Unique molecular index (UMI) technology has recently been developed and helps to increase the accuracy of variant calling by minimizing polymerase chain reaction biases and sequencing errors. However, UMI-adopted targeted sequencing data analysis is slightly different from the methods for other types of omics data, and its pipeline for variant calling is still being optimized in various study groups for their own purposes. Due to this provincial usage of tools, our group built an analysis pipeline for global application to many studies of targeted sequencing generated with different methods. First, we generated hybrid capture-based data using genomic DNA extracted from tumor tissues of colorectal cancer patients. Sequencing libraries were prepared and pooled together, and an 8-plexed capture library was processed to the enrichment step before 150-bp paired-end sequencing with Illumina HiSeq series. For the analysis, we evaluated several published tools. We focused mainly on the compatibility of the input and output of each tool. Finally, our laboratory built an analysis pipeline specialized for UMI-adopted data. Through this pipeline, we were able to estimate even on-target rates and filtered consensus reads for more accurate variant calling. These results suggest the potential of our analysis pipeline in the precise examination of the quality and efficiency of conducted experiments

In vitro embryo rescue for the production of hypotetraploids after cross between hypotetraploid and tetraploid grape cultivars

Consumer demand for seedless grape with high quality and large berry has been increasing. Breeding of hypotetraploid grape was suggested as one of promising methods to satisfy it, but low frequency of hypotetraploid occurrence and low seed germination by abortive embryo were indicated as the major problem to hamper the development of hypotetraploid grape. Hence, this study was carried out to evaluate the basic efficiency of in ovulo embryo culture after the cross between hypotetraploid (‘Hanareum’) and tetraploid (‘Honey Black’ and ‘Kyoho’) grape cultivars on the establishment of hypotetraploid grapes. Embryos and plantlets were hardly obtained in ovules cultured at six after the cross pollination (WAP), but ovules inoculated at 10 WAP produced more embryos as well as plantlets regardless of cross combination. Furthermore, we found that embryo formation was not affected by the basal media in ovules cultured at six WAP, but utilization of specific medium can be more beneficial for embryo formation when ovules were cultured at 10 WAP. A total of 17 plants were obtained from ovules cultured at 10 WAP, and above 50% of plants were identified as hypotetraploid grapes. These results indicate that in vitro embryo rescue after cross pollination between hypotetraploid and tetraploid grape can enhance the efficiency for the breeding of hypotetraploid grapes

Evaluation of Genetic Stability and Effects of Plant Growth Regulators for in vitro Propagation of Underutilized Vitis amurensis ‘Cheongsan’

Vitis amurensis ‘Cheongsan’ is a plant with high economic value in both medical and agricultural applications. However, its utilization has been restricted owing to difficulties encountered when applying traditional mass propagation methods, requiring instead application of in vitro propagation methods for their mass scale production. Hence, this study was conducted to find the optimal plant growth regulators for shoot multiplication and root induction during in vitro propagation. Among the three cytokinins used at multiple concentrations for culture initiation and shoot multiplication, the most positive response was found with MS medium containing 5.0 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA), compared to more modest responses from other types of cytokinin, such as kinetin (KIN) and thidiazuron (TDZ). For root induction, medium supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) produced a callus and inhibited shoot growth in explants, whereas indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) did not create any significant problems, but did display differences in root induction efficiencies. Generally, root induction responses with IBA were better that those with IAA. The maximum rooting rates were observed without callus formation and no shoot growth inhibition from explants grown on media supplemented with 0.67 μM IBA. Further, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analyses revealed that micropropagated plantlets generated in medium supplemented with 5.0 μM BA and 0.67 μM IBA did not lead to genetic variation. Therefore, the application of the in vitro propagation method developed in this study could be used on a commercial scale and will offer opportunities to strengthen the industrial use of V. amurensis ‘Cheongsan’

Photo-patternable and transparent films using cellulose nanofibers for stretchable origami electronics

Substantial progress in flexible or stretchable electronics over the past decade has extensively impacted various technologies such as wearable devices, displays and automotive electronics for smart cars. An important challenge is the reliability of these deformable devices under thermal stress. Different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between plastic substrates and the device components, which include multiple inorganic layers of metals or ceramics, induce thermal stress in the devices during fabrication processes or long-term operations with repetitions of thermal cyclic loading-unloading, leading to device failure and reliability degradation. Here, we report an unconventional approach to form photo-patternable, transparent cellulose nanofiber (CNF) hybrid films as flexible and stretchable substrates to improve device reliability using simultaneous electrospinning and spraying. The electrospun polymeric backbones and sprayed CNF fillers enable the resulting hybrid structure to be photolithographically patternable as a negative photoresist and thermally and mechanically stable, presenting outstanding optical transparency and low CTE. We also formed stretchable origami substrates using the CNF hybrid that are composed of rigid support fixtures and elastomeric joints, exploiting the photo-patternability. A demonstration of transparent organic light-emitting diodes and touchscreen panels on the hybrid film suggests its potential for use in next-generation electronics.ope

Rosarugosides A and D from osa rugosa Flower Buds: Their Potential Anti-Skin-Aging Effects in TNF-α-Induced Human Dermal Fibroblasts

This present study investigated the anti-skin-aging properties of Rosa rugosa. Initially, phenolic compounds were isolated from a hot water extract of Rosa rugosa\u27s flower buds. Through repeated chromatography (column chromatography, MPLC, and prep HPLC), we identified nine phenolic compounds (1-9), including a previously undescribed depside, rosarugoside D (1). The chemical structure of 1 was elucidated via NMR, HR-MS, UV, and hydrolysis. Next, in order to identify bioactive compounds that are effective against TNF-α-induced NHDF cells, we measured intracellular ROS production in samples treated with each of the isolated compounds (1-9). All isolates reduced the level of ROS at a concentration of 10 μM. Particularly, two depsides-rosarugosides A and D (2 and 1)-significantly inhibited ROS expression in TNF-α-induced NHDFs compared to the other phenolic compounds. Subsequently, the production of MMP-1 and procollagen type Ι α1 by these two depsides was examined. Remarkably, rosarugoside A (2) significantly decreased MMP-1 secretion at all concentrations. In contrast, rosarugoside D (1) regulated the expression of procollagen type Ι α1. These findings collectively suggest that Rosa rugosa extracts and their isolated compounds, rosarugosides A (2) and D (1), hold significant potential for protecting against aging and skin damage. Overall, these findings suggest that Rosa rugosa extracts and their isolated compounds, rosarugosides A (2) and D (1), have the potential to prevent and protect against aging and skin damage, although more specific quantitative analysis is needed