Transient liquid phase bonding using Cu foam and Cu–Sn paste for high-temperature applications

This study presents a new structure for transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding using Cu foam and Cu–Sn paste. Cu foam and Cu–Sn paste with large reaction surface areas were used to reduce the long bonding time, which is a disadvantage of the conventional TLP bonding process. After applying the Cu–Sn paste at an optimized ratio to the top and bottom of the Cu foam, pressure was applied to fill the pores inside the Cu foam with the paste, and a bonding process was performed at 260 °C under a pressure of 3 kgf. Bonded joints composed of only the Cu skeleton and Cu–Sn intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were confirmed within a bonding time of 5 min. In addition, the proportion of the Cu3Sn phase in the joint increased with the bonding time. After a bonding time of 40 min, the joint was mostly composed of a Cu skeleton and Cu3Sn, with a measured shear strength of approximately 39.2 MPa. After the joint analysis of the as-bonded samples, a high-temperature storage test (HTST) was conducted to evaluate their high-temperature long-term reliability. As a result of HTST, because most of the joint was converted to Cu3Sn after the bonding process, the shear strength did not decrease despite heat treatment at a high temperature of 240 °C, and a similar microstructure of the joint was maintained

A new Gammarus species (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridae) from Northwestern Islands, South Korea

Kwon, So-Yeon, Kim, Min-Seop, Heo, Jun-Haeng, Kim, Young-Hyo (2020): A new Gammarus species (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridae) from Northwestern Islands, South Korea. Zootaxa 4896 (4): 535-546, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4896.4.

A Machine Learning-Based Energy Management Agent for Fine Dust Concentration Control in Railway Stations

This study developed a reinforcement learning-based energy management agent that controls the fine dust concentration by controlling facilities such as blowers and air conditioners to efficiently manage the fine dust concentration in the station. To this end, we formulated an optimization problem based on the Markov decision-making process and developed a model for predicting the concentration of fine dust in the station by training an artificial neural network (ANN) based on supervised learning to develop the transfer function. In addition to the prediction model, the optimal policy for controlling the blower and air conditioner according to the current state was obtained based on the ANN to which the Deep Q-Network (DQN) algorithm was applied. In the case study, it is confirmed that the ANN and DQN of the predictive model were trained based on the actual data of Nam-Gwangju Station to converge to the optimal policy. The comparison between the proposed method and conventional method shows that the proposed method can use less power consumption but achieved better performance on reducing fine dust concentration than the conventional method. In addition, by increasing the value of the ratio that represents the compensation due to the fine dust reduction, the learned agent achieved more reduction on the fine dust concentration by increasing the power consumption of the blower and air conditioner

A Machine Learning-Based Energy Management Agent for Fine Dust Concentration Control in Railway Stations

This study developed a reinforcement learning-based energy management agent that controls the fine dust concentration by controlling facilities such as blowers and air conditioners to efficiently manage the fine dust concentration in the station. To this end, we formulated an optimization problem based on the Markov decision-making process and developed a model for predicting the concentration of fine dust in the station by training an artificial neural network (ANN) based on supervised learning to develop the transfer function. In addition to the prediction model, the optimal policy for controlling the blower and air conditioner according to the current state was obtained based on the ANN to which the Deep Q-Network (DQN) algorithm was applied. In the case study, it is confirmed that the ANN and DQN of the predictive model were trained based on the actual data of Nam-Gwangju Station to converge to the optimal policy. The comparison between the proposed method and conventional method shows that the proposed method can use less power consumption but achieved better performance on reducing fine dust concentration than the conventional method. In addition, by increasing the value of the ratio that represents the compensation due to the fine dust reduction, the learned agent achieved more reduction on the fine dust concentration by increasing the power consumption of the blower and air conditioner

Efficacy of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in comparison to non-pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in advanced, ALK plus non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose: Previous retrospective studies suggest that anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are sensitive to pemetrexed. To determine its efficacy, we retrospectively evaluated clinical outcomes of pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in patients with ALK+ NSCLC. Materials and Methods: We identified 126 patients with advanced, ALK+ NSCLC who received first-line cytotoxic chemotherapy. We compared response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rates according to chemotherapy regimens. Furthermore, we evaluated intracranial time to tumor progression (TTP) and proportion of ALK+ cells as prognostic factors. Results: Forty-eight patients received pemetrexed-based chemotherapy, while 78 received other regimens as first-line treatment. The pemetrexed-based chemotherapy group showed superior overall response (44.7% vs. 14.3%, p= 70%) showed prolonged OS on univariate analysis (not reached vs. 44.8 months, p=0.041), but not on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 0.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-1.42; p=0.106). Conclusion: Pemetrexed-based regimens may prolong PFS in patients with ALK+ NSCLC as a first-line treatment, but are not associated with prolonged OS. Exposure to second-generation ALK inhibitors may improve OS rates in patients with ALK+ NSCLC.

Tumor LAG-3 and NY-ESO-1 expression predict durable clinical benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an established treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that have demonstrated durable clinical benefits (DCBs). Previous studies have suggested NY-ESO-1 and LAG-3 to be surrogate markers of ICI responses in NSCLC; therefore, we explored the predictive value of their expression in NSCLC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 38 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies from 2013 to 2016 at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital after failed platinum-based chemotherapy. Tumor tissues from each patient were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis to determine NY-ESO-1, LAG-3, and PD-L1 expression, whose ability to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was then analyzed alongside their positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values. Results: NY-ESO-1 or LAG-3 expression was detected in all tumor samples from patients with high PD-L1 expression and was significantly associated with favorable outcomes, unlike PD-L1 expression. Patients with both NY-ESO-1- and LAG-3-expressing tumors had a high DCB rate and those with triple-positive PD-L1, LAG-3, and NY-ESO expression had a superior median OS and PFS than those with triple-negative expression. Furthermore, LAG-3 and NY-ESO-1 co-expression was an independent predictor of both PFS and OS, while LAG-3 displayed a good NPV. Conclusions: Patients with NSCLC who co-express NY-ESO-1 or LAG-3 with PD-L1 exhibit greater DCBs and improved long-term survival following anti-PD-1 therapy. Moreover, NY-ESO-1 and LAG-3 could be novel predictive biomarkers of survival and should be considered in the future use of ICIs.

A multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial, cost-effectiveness and qualitative research of electroacupuncture with usual care for patients with non-acute pain after back surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Although pain after back surgery is known to be difficult to control, various treatment options are available to patients and physicians. A protocol for a confirmatory randomized controlled trial (RCT) on pain and function after back surgery was designed based on the results of a pilot trial. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) with usual care (UC) versus UC alone on pain control and functional improvement after back surgery. Methods/design This study is a multi-center, randomized, assessor-blinded trial with an active control conducted in conjunction with a cost-effectiveness analysis and qualitative research. Participants with non-acute low back pain with or without leg pain after back surgery who have a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain intensity score ≥ 50 mm will be randomly assigned to either the EA with UC group (n = 54) or the UC group (n = 54). Following randomization, participants in both groups will receive the same UC treatment twice a week for a four-week treatment period. Participants assigned to the EA with UC group will additionally receive EA twice a week for the same four-week period. The primary outcome measure will be assessed using a VAS pain intensity score for low back pain. The secondary outcomes will include the Oswestry Disability Index, EuroQol 5-Dimension score, and drug intake. The primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at one, four, and eight weeks post randomization. Discussion The results of this study will provide evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of EA in managing postoperative pain following back surgery. In addition, the qualitative research results will help improve the quality of integrative medical interventions. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea, KCT0001939 . Registered on 8 June 2016

Tumor LAG

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an established treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that have demonstrated durable clinical benefits (DCBs). Previous studies have suggested NY-ESO-1 and LAG-3 to be surrogate markers of ICI responses in NSCLC; therefore, we explored the predictive value of their expression in NSCLC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 38 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies from 2013 to 2016 at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital after failed platinum-based chemotherapy. Tumor tissues from each patient were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis to determine NY-ESO-1, LAG-3, and PD-L1 expression, whose ability to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was then analyzed alongside their positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values. Results: NY-ESO-1 or LAG-3 expression was detected in all tumor samples from patients with high PD-L1 expression and was significantly associated with favorable outcomes, unlike PD-L1 expression. Patients with both NY-ESO-1- and LAG-3-expressing tumors had a high DCB rate and those with triple-positive PD-L1, LAG-3, and NY-ESO expression had a superior median OS and PFS than those with triple-negative expression. Furthermore, LAG-3 and NY-ESO-1 co-expression was an independent predictor of both PFS and OS, while LAG-3 displayed a good NPV. Conclusions: Patients with NSCLC who co-express NY-ESO-1 or LAG-3 with PD-L1 exhibit greater DCBs and improved long-term survival following anti-PD-1 therapy. Moreover, NY-ESO-1 and LAG-3 could be novel predictive biomarkers of survival and should be considered in the future use of ICIs.Y

Serum Obestatin/Ghrelin Ratio Is Altered in Patients after Distal Gastrectomy

Background/Aims: Ghrelin is a peptide hormone produced mainly in the stomach, and obestatin is derived by proteolytic cleavage of the ghrelin prepro-hormone. The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative serial changes in these hormones and whether hyperplasia of ghrelin-expressing cells occurs in the remnant stomach. Methods: We prospectively analyzed serial serum samples of 45 early gastric cancer patients and remnant stomach samples of 24 patients. Result: The serum obestatin level on day 2 was lower than that on day 0, and it subsequently returned to the level observed on day 0. In contrast, the serum ghrelin level was lower on days 120 and 210 than on day 0. Eventually, the obestatin/ghrelin ratio was significantly high on day 210 (p = 0.0003). Moreover, we did not observe an increase in the number of ghrelin-expressing cells. The number of ghrelin-expressing cells correlated with the serum ghrelin level. Conclusion: The serum level of obestatin and ghrelin exhibits a different time course in patients who have undergone gastrectomy, and there was no ghrelin-expressing cell hyperplasia in the remnant stomach despite the decrease in serum ghrelin. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, BaselThis study was supported by a Samsung Medical Center Clinical Research Development Program grant (CRS 105-31-2), and a grant from the Korean Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare (01-PJ10-PG6-01GN15-0001).Samson WK, 2008, J ENDOCRINOL, V196, P559, DOI 10.1677/JOE-07-0364Huda MSB, 2008, INT J OBESITY, V32, P129, DOI 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803694Green BD, 2007, PEPTIDES, V28, P981, DOI 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.02.003De Smet B, 2007, NEUROGASTROENT MOTIL, V19, P211, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2006.00883.xSamson WK, 2007, AM J PHYSIOL-REG I, V292, pR637, DOI 10.1152/ajpregu.00395.2006Ohno T, 2006, NEUROGASTROENT MOTIL, V18, P129, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2005.00747.xTakachi K, 2006, J SURG RES, V130, P1, DOI 10.1016/j.jss.2005.08.003Zhang JV, 2005, SCIENCE, V310, P996, DOI 10.1126/science.1117255Choe YH, 2005, J CLIN ENDOCR METAB, V90, P5441, DOI 10.1210/jc.2004-1935Jeon TY, 2004, J CLIN ENDOCR METAB, V89, P5392, DOI 10.1210/jc.2004-0872Leonetti F, 2003, J CLIN ENDOCR METAB, V88, P4227, DOI 10.1210/jc.2003-030133Kojima M, 1999, NATURE, V402, P656