Regulation of the Catabolic Cascade in Osteoarthritis by the Zinc-ZIP8-MTF1 Axis

SummaryOsteoarthritis (OA), primarily characterized by cartilage degeneration, is caused by an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic factors. Here, we investigated the role of zinc (Zn2+) homeostasis, Zn2+ transporters, and Zn2+-dependent transcription factors in OA pathogenesis. Among Zn2+ transporters, the Zn2+ importer ZIP8 was specifically upregulated in OA cartilage of humans and mice, resulting in increased levels of intracellular Zn2+ in chondrocytes. ZIP8-mediated Zn2+ influx upregulated the expression of matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP3, MMP9, MMP12, MMP13, and ADAMTS5) in chondrocytes. Ectopic expression of ZIP8 in mouse cartilage tissue caused OA cartilage destruction, whereas Zip8 knockout suppressed surgically induced OA pathogenesis, with concomitant modulation of Zn2+ influx and matrix-degrading enzymes. Furthermore, MTF1 was identified as an essential transcription factor in mediating Zn2+/ZIP8-induced catabolic factor expression, and genetic modulation of Mtf1 in mice altered OA pathogenesis. We propose that the zinc-ZIP8-MTF1 axis is an essential catabolic regulator of OA pathogenesis

Environmental Noise Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks with Input Transform for Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are essential for people with hearing loss, and noise estimation and classification are some of the most important technologies used in devices. This paper presents an environmental noise classification algorithm for hearing aids that uses convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and image signals transformed from sound signals. The algorithm was developed using the data of ten types of noise acquired from living environments where such noises occur. Spectrogram images transformed from sound data are used as the input of the CNNs after processing of the images by a sharpening mask and median filter. The classification results of the proposed algorithm were compared with those of other noise classification methods. A maximum correct classification accuracy of 99.25% was achieved by the proposed algorithm for a spectrogram time length of 1 s, with the correct classification accuracy decreasing with increasing spectrogram time length up to 8 s. For a spectrogram time length of 8 s and using the sharpening mask and median filter, the classification accuracy was 98.73%, which is comparable with the 98.79% achieved by the conventional method for a time length of 1 s. The proposed hearing aid noise classification algorithm thus offers less computational complexity without compromising on performance

Quantitative Analysis of Tris-HCl Buffer using THz Time Domain Spectroscopy

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Optical Properties of Crystalline α-Lactose Monohydrate in Terahertz Range

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THz Vibration Spectroscopy of Crystalline α-Lactose Monohydrate

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Relation of R&D expense to turnover and number of listed companies in all industrial fields

In this research, we studied the relation of research and development (R&D) investment to turnover and number of listed companies by using the financial information of publicly listed enterprises in all industrial fields of the world from 2007 to 2015. First of all, the present condition (as of 2017) of number and distribution of publicly listed enterprises was investigated. Secondly, the industrial areas having top 10 average turnovers and R&D expenses during 9 years (2007 ~ 2015) were analyzed by using their descriptive statistics and CAGR values. Finally, the analyses of correlation and linear regression were performed by using average R&D expense (independent variable) and average turnover or the number of listed enterprises (dependent variables). In other words, two models with different combination of independent and dependent variables (Model A: R&D expense and turnover, Model B: R&D expense and number of listed firms) were developed for the statistical analyses. As a result, it was confirmed that both the turnover and the number of listed companies were influenced by the R&D investment because the coefficients of determination for Model A and Model B were 0.686 and 0.612, respectively (both pvalues < 2.2 × 10− 16). From the results of this study, it is expected that the unlisted firms (e.g., start-up companies) can build the basis of their growth and innovation when they invest in R&D higher inducing the increases in (1) turnover and (2) probability of becoming a listed firm. Thus, the financial information of enterprises can be utilized effectively as the quantitative evidence in order to develop the research model and methodology related to their growth and innovation

Terahertz Dielectric Relaxation Dynamics of Tris-HCl Buffer

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Terahertz spectroscopy of Alzheimer’s Amyloid Fibrils

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Terahertz Near-Field Microscopy

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Terahertz Emission and Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics of Ar-Ion Implanted Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Films

We investigated THz emission from Ar-ion-implanted Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films. THz radiation from the CIGS films increases as the density of implanted Ar ions increases. This is because Ar ions contribute to an increase in the surface surge current density. The effect of Ar-ion implantation on the carrier dynamics of CIGS films was also investigated using optical pump THz probe spectroscopy. The fitted results imply that implanted Ar ions increase the charge transition of intra-and carrier–carrier scattering lifetimes and decrease the bandgap transition lifetime