753 research outputs found
A new cloud detection algorithm for NOAA AVHRR imagery
1999 IEEE TENCO
Microstructure Design of Multifunctional Particulate Composite Materials using Conditional Diffusion Models
This paper presents a novel modeling framework to generate an optimal
microstructure having ultimate multifunctionality using a diffusion-based
generative model. In computational material science, generating microstructure
is a crucial step in understanding the relationship between the microstructure
and properties. However, using finite element (FE)-based direct numerical
simulation (DNS) of microstructure for multiscale analysis is extremely
resource-intensive, particularly in iterative calculations. To address this
time-consuming issue, this study employs a diffusion-based generative model as
a replacement for computational analysis in design optimization. The model
learns the geometry of microstructure and corresponding stress contours,
allowing for the prediction of microstructural behavior based solely on
geometry, without the need for additional analysis. The focus on this work is
on mechanoluminescence (ML) particulate composites made with europium ions and
dysprosium ions. Multi-objective optimization is conducted based on the
generative diffusion model to improve light sensitivity and fracture toughness.
The results show multiple candidates of microstructure that meet the design
requirements. Furthermore, the designed microstructure is not present in the
training data but generates new morphology following the characteristics of
particulate composites. The proposed approach provides a new way to
characterize a performance-based microstructure of composite materials
Switching Magnetism and Superconductivity with Spin-Polarized Current in Iron-Based Superconductor
We have explored a new mechanism for switching magnetism and
superconductivity in a magnetically frustrated iron-based superconductor using
spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SPSTM). Our SPSTM study on single
crystal SrVOFeAs shows that a spin-polarized tunneling current can
switch the Fe-layer magnetism into a non-trivial (22) order, not
achievable by thermal excitation with unpolarized current. Our tunneling
spectroscopy study shows that the induced (22) order has
characteristics of plaquette antiferromagnetic order in Fe layer and strongly
suppressed superconductivity. Also, thermal agitation beyond the bulk Fe spin
ordering temperature erases the state. These results suggest a new
possibility of switching local superconductivity by changing the symmetry of
magnetic order with spin-polarized and unpolarized tunneling currents in
iron-based superconductors.Comment: 33 pages, 16 figure
Adaptive laboratory evolution of a genome-reduced Escherichia coli.
Synthetic biology aims to design and construct bacterial genomes harboring the minimum number of genes required for self-replicable life. However, the genome-reduced bacteria often show impaired growth under laboratory conditions that cannot be understood based on the removed genes. The unexpected phenotypes highlight our limited understanding of bacterial genomes. Here, we deploy adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) to re-optimize growth performance of a genome-reduced strain. The basis for suboptimal growth is the imbalanced metabolism that is rewired during ALE. The metabolic rewiring is globally orchestrated by mutations in rpoD altering promoter binding of RNA polymerase. Lastly, the evolved strain has no translational buffering capacity, enabling effective translation of abundant mRNAs. Multi-omic analysis of the evolved strain reveals transcriptome- and translatome-wide remodeling that orchestrate metabolism and growth. These results reveal that failure of prediction may not be associated with understanding individual genes, but rather from insufficient understanding of the strain's systems biology
Cartilage regeneration using human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background and Objectives: Human umbilical-cord-blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) have recently been used in clinical cartilage regeneration procedures with the expectation of improved regeneration capacity. However, the number of studies using hUCB-MSCs is still insufficient, and long-term follow-up results after use are insufficient, indicating the need for additional data and research. We have attempted to prove the efficacy and safety of hUCB-MSC treatment in a comprehensive analysis by including all subjects with knee articular cartilage defect or osteoarthritis who have undergone cartilage repair surgery using hUCB-MSCs. We conducted a meta-analysis and demonstrated efficacy and safety based on a systematic review.
Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. For this study, we searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library literature databases up to June 2022. A total of seven studies were included, and quality assessment was performed for each included study using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Statistical analysis was performed on the extracted pooled clinical outcome data, and subgroup analyses were completed. Results: A total of 570 patients were included in the analysis. In pooled analysis, the final follow-up International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score showed a significant increase (mean difference (MD), −32.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), −38.32 to −27.32; p < 0.00001) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 93%, p < 0.00001) compared to the preoperative score. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores at final follow-up were significantly decreased (MD, 30.73; 95% CI, 24.10–37.36; p < 0.00001) compared to the preoperative scores, with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 95%, p < 0.00001). The visual analog scale (VAS) score at final follow-up was significantly decreased (MD, 4.81; 95% CI, 3.17–6.46; p < 0.00001) compared to the preoperative score, with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 98%, p < 0.00001). Two studies evaluated the modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (M-MOCART) score and confirmed sufficient improvement. In a study analyzing a group treated with bone marrow aspiration concentrate (BMAC), there was no significant difference in clinical outcome or M-MOCART score, and the post-treatment International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade increased.
Conclusion: This analysis demonstrated the safety, efficacy, and quality of repaired cartilage following hUCB-MSC therapy. However, there was no clear difference in the comparison with BMAC. In the future, comparative studies with other stem cell therapies or cartilage repair procedures should be published to support the superior effect of hUCB-MSC therapy to improve treatment of cartilage defect or osteoarthritis
PKA-activated ApAF–ApC/EBP heterodimer is a key downstream effector of ApCREB and is necessary and sufficient for the consolidation of long-term facilitation
Long-term memory requires transcriptional regulation by a combination of positive and negative transcription factors. Aplysia activating factor (ApAF) is known to be a positive transcription factor that forms heterodimers with ApC/EBP and ApCREB2. How these heterodimers are regulated and how they participate in the consolidation of long-term facilitation (LTF) has not, however, been characterized. We found that the functional activation of ApAF required phosphorylation of ApAF by PKA on Ser-266. In addition, ApAF lowered the threshold of LTF by forming a heterodimer with ApCREB2. Moreover, once activated by PKA, the ApAF–ApC/EBP heterodimer transactivates enhancer response element–containing genes and can induce LTF in the absence of CRE- and CREB-mediated gene expression. Collectively, these results suggest that PKA-activated ApAF–ApC/EBP heterodimer is a core downstream effector of ApCREB in the consolidation of LTF
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