Enhancing 2D Growth of Organic Semiconductor Thin Films with Macroporous Structures via a Small-Molecule Heterointerface

The physical structure of an organic solid is strongly affected by the surface of the underlying substrate. Controlling this interface is an important issue to improve device performance in the organic electronics community. Here we report an approach that utilizes an organic heterointerface to improve the crystallinity and control the morphology of an organic thin film. Pentacene is used as an active layer above, and m-bis(triphenylsilyl) benzene is used as the bottom layer. Sequential evaporations of these materials result in extraordinary morphology with far fewer grain boundaries and myriad nanometre-sized pores. These peculiar structures are formed by difference in molecular interactions between the organic layers and the substrate surface. The pentacene film exhibits high mobility up to 6.3 cm(2)V(-1)s(-1), and the pore-rich structure improves the sensitivity of organic-transistor-based chemical sensors. Our approach opens a new way for the fabrication of nanostructured semiconducting layers towards high-performance organic electronics.X116049Nsciescopu

A Study on Self-Diagnosis Method to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Based on SVM

In this paper, a study was conducted to find a self-diagnosis method to prevent the spread of COVID-19 based on machine learning. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. According to WHO(World Health Organization)’s situation report published on May 18th, 2020, COVID-19 has already affected 4,600,000 cases and 310,000 deaths globally and still increasing. The most severe problem of COVID-19 virus is that it spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which occurs in everyday life. And also, at this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19.Because of the secure diffusion method and the absence of a vaccine, it is essential to self-diagnose or do a self-diagnosis questionnaire whenever possible. But self-diagnosing has too many questions, and ambiguous standards also take time. Therefore, in this study, using SVM(Support Vector Machine), Decision Tree and correlation analysis found two vital factors to predict the infection of the COVID-19 virus with an accuracy of 80%. Applying the result proposed in this paper, people can self-diagnose quickly to prevent COVID-19 and further prevent the spread of COVID-19

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Bangpungtongsung-San, a Traditional Herbal Prescription

Bangpungtongsung-san (BPTS), a traditional oriental herbal prescription, is widely used for expelling wind, draining heat, and providing general improvement to the immune system. In this study, we investigated the effects of BPTS on induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), proinflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS- ) stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, and on paw edema in rats. At concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/mL, treatment with BPTS inhibited levels of expression of LPS-induced NF-κB and MAPKs (ERK, JNK, and p38) as well as production of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by LPS. These results suggest that BPTS may exert anti-inflammatory effects via reduction of proinflammatory mediators, including NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6 through suppression of the signaling pathways of NF-κB and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophages. In addition, using the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, an antiedema effect of BPTS was observed in rats. These findings may provide scientific evidence validating the use of BPTS in treatment of patients with heat syndrome in Korean oriental medicine

Microscopic Features of Fractured Fragment of Nickel-Titanium Endodontic Instruments by Two Different Modes of Torsional Loading

This study compared the microscopic features of the fractured endodontic nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments by two different torsional loadings: repetitive torsional loading (RTL) and single torsional loading (STL) based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ProTaper Next, HyFlex EDM, and V-Taper 2 were compared in this study. In the STL method, the torsional load was applied after fixing the 3 mm tip of the file, by continuous clockwise rotation (2 rpm) until fracture. In the RTL method, a preset rotational loading (0.5 N·cm) was applied and the clockwise loading to the preset torque and counterclockwise unloading to original position were repeated at 50 rpm until the file fractured. Fractured fragments by two methods were compared under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the topographic features of the fractured surfaces and longitudinal aspects. SEM examinations showed significantly different features according to the loading methods. Specimens from the RTL method showed ruptured aspects on cross sections, with multiple areas of initiated cracks while the STL method showed the typical features of torsional failure, such as circular abrasion marks and fatigue dimples. This study suggested a new repetitive torsional loading method which is much more clinically relevant and may result in a different fracture feature from STL method

Naked-eye observation of water-forming reaction on palladium etalon: transduction of gas-matter reaction into light-matter interaction

Abstract Palladium is the most prominent material in both scientific and industrial research on gas storage, purification, detection, and catalysis due to its unique properties as a catalyst and hydrogen absorber. Advancing the dynamic optical phenomena of palladium reacting with hydrogen, transduction of the gas-matter reaction into light-matter interaction is attempted to visualize the dynamic surface chemistry and reaction behaviors. The simple geometry of the metal-dielectric-metal structure, Fabry–Perot etalon, is employed for a colorimetric reactor, to display the catalytic reaction of the exposed gas via water-film/bubble formation at the dielectric/palladium interface. The adsorption/desorption behavior and catalytic reaction of hydrogen and oxygen on the palladium surface display highly repeatable and dramatic color changes based on two distinct water formation trends: the foggy effect by water bubbles and the whiteout effect by water film formation. Simulations and experiments demonstrate the robustness of the proposed Fabry–Perot etalon as an excellent platform for monitoring the opto-physical phenomena driven by heterogeneous catalysis.This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (No. 2021R1A2C2009236 and No. 2020M3H5A108110413). Y.-S.R. acknowledges support from a grant of the Information and Communications Promotion Fund (ICT promotion fund) through the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), and Korea University Grant (K2311801). Y.P acknowledges support from KIST Institutional grants (No. 2E32451 and 2V09640

Treadmill Exercise Ameliorates Chemotherapy-Induced Muscle Weakness and Central Fatigue by Enhancing Mitochondrial Function and Inhibiting Apoptosis

Purpose Chemotherapy is associated with the side effects including damage to the mitochondrial DNA. Doxorubicin (DOX) serves as a chemotherapeutic agent for the patients with breast cancer or prostate cancer. DOX causes muscle weakness and fatigue. We investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on DOX-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in relation to central fatigue. For this study, we used the rat model of DOX-induced muscle damage. Methods DOX (2 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 1 time per week for 4 weeks. Treadmill running continued 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Muscle strength and fatigue index in the gastrocnemius were measured. Immunohistochemistry for the expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the dorsal raphe was conducted. We used western blot analysis for the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspases-3 in the gastrocnemius. Mitochondrial function in the gastrocnemius was also evaluated. Results DOX treatment decreased muscle strength with increase of fatigue index in the gastrocnemius. Mitochondria function was deteriorated and apoptosis in the gastrocnemius was enhanced by DOX treatment. Expressions of TPH and 5-HT in the dorsal raphe were increased by DOX treatment. Treadmill exercise attenuated DOX-induced muscle fatigue and impairment of mitochondria function. Apoptosis in the gastrocnemius was inhibited and over-expression of TPH and 5-HT was suppressed by treadmill exercise. Conclusions Apoptosis was enhanced and mitochondria function was deteriorated by DOX treatment, resulting in muscle weakness and central fatigue. Treadmill exercise suppressed apoptosis and prevented deterioration of mitochondria function in muscle, resulting in alleviation of muscle weakness and central fatigue during DOX therapy

predictive factors for longer operative times for thyroidectomy

Background/Objective: Conventional open thyroidectomy is considered as a safe surgery nowadays. However, surgeons sometimes encounter unexpected difficulty when performing thyroidectomies. The aim of this paper was to identify the predictors of a difficult thyroidectomy for the management of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: A database of patients who underwent open conventional thyroidectomy with cervical lymph node dissection after diagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma between July 2008 and June 2013 was examined. In addition, the patients were subgrouped by difficult thyroidectomy (DT) and nondifficult thyroidectomy to determine the predictors of DT according to operation time. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative morbidities were investigated. Results: No between-group differences in clinicopathologic factors and postoperative complications, except for male sex (p < 0.001) and tumor size (p = 0.039), were noted. Male sex [odds ratio (OR) 4.158, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.020–8.559, p = 0.043] and age < 45 years (OR 2.239, 95% CI 1.304–3.843, p = 0.003) were independent factors associated with DT in a multivariate logistic regression model. Elevated antithyroglobulin antibody (OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.000–1.008, p = 0.030) was a variable which is statistically significant, but not clinically significant. Discussion: Young age and male sex might be regarded as predictors of DT. Expecting DT before surgery might help surgeons, especially beginners, prevent troublesome situations