ON SEMIDEFINITE LINEAR FRACTIONAL OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS (Study on Nonlinear Analysis and Convex Analysis)

Recently, semidefinite optimization problems have been intensively studied since many optimization problems can be changed into the problems and the problems are very tractable ([5]). In this paper, we review the duality results for semidefinite linear fractional optimization problems in the paper ([3] On duality theorems for semidefinite linear fractional optimization problems, Journal of Nonliner and Convex Analysis, volume 20, 2019, 1907-1912)

Physical characterization of amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistors with direct-contact asymmetric graphene electrode

High performance a-IGZO thin-film transistors (TFTs) are fabricated using an asymmetric graphene drain electrode structure. A-IGZO TFTs (channel length = 3 μm) were successfully demonstrated with a saturation field-effect mobility of 6.6 cm2/Vs without additional processes between the graphene and a-IGZO layer. The graphene/a-IGZO junction exhibits Schottky characteristics and the contact property is affected not only by the Schottky barrier but also by the parasitic resistance from the depletion region under the graphene electrode. Therefore, to utilize the graphene layer as S/D electrodes for a-IGZO TFTs, an asymmetric electrode is essential, which can be easily applied to the conventional pixel electrode structure. © 2014 Author(s).1

Acidic pH shock induces the expressions of a wide range of stress-response genes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Environmental signals usually enhance secondary metabolite production in <it>Streptomycetes </it>by initiating complex signal transduction system. It is known that different sigma factors respond to different types of stresses, respectively in <it>Streptomyces </it>strains, which have a number of unique signal transduction mechanisms depending on the types of environmental shock. In this study, we wanted to know how a pH shock would affect the expression of various sigma factors and shock-related proteins in <it>S. coelicolor </it>A3(2).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to the results of transcriptional and proteomic analyses, the major number of sigma factor genes were upregulated by an acidic pH shock. Well-studied sigma factor genes of <it>sigH </it>(heat shock), <it>sigR </it>(oxidative stress), <it>sigB </it>(osmotic shock), and <it>hrdD </it>that play a major role in the secondary metabolism, were all strongly upregulated by the pH shock. A number of heat shock proteins including the DnaK family and chaperones such as GroEL2 were also observed to be upregulated by the pH shock, while their repressor of <it>hspR </it>was strongly downregulated. Oxidative stress-related proteins such as thioredoxin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and osmotic shock-related protein such as vesicle synthases were also upregulated in overall.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From these observations, an acidic pH shock was considered to be one of the strongest stresses to influence a wide range of sigma factors and shock-related proteins including general stress response proteins. The upregulation of the sigma factors and shock proteins already found to be related to actinorhodin biosynthesis was considered to have contributed to enhanced actinorhodin productivity by mediating the pH shock signal to regulators or biosynthesis genes for actinorhodin production.</p

Dynamics of fish community structure in the Yeosu Coast, Korea: A comprehensive analysis of daily set-net catch data during 2008–2022

This study focuses on the Yeosu Coast, a critical ecological and economic zone on the Korean Peninsula. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of fish data obtained from daily set nets for the period of 2008–2022 (excluding 2017) to investigate variations in fish composition and community structure over a 15-year period. The catches were characterized by a prevalence of warm-water fish species, reflecting the temperate and subtropical character of the Yeosu Coast. The total catch during the study period was 3210.8 tonnes, with 2010 and 2016 registering the highest and lowest catches, respectively. Our analysis identified sea surface temperature as a primary factor correlated with these changes in species composition. The two dominant species, Scomberomorus niphonius (Cuvier, 1832) and Engraulis japonicus Temminck et Schlegel, 1846 together accounted for a remarkable 78.9% of the total catch. Notably, the Shannon–Weaver diversity index values were lower in 2015 than in 2008, indicating potential shifts in the community structure. Our analysis identified sea surface temperature as the most dominant factor that influenced these changes in species composition. Furthermore, we highlight the significant threats posed by climate change and the increasing number of jellyfish challenging fisheries on the Yeosu Coast. These threats have the potential to result in diminished set-net catches and declining biodiversity within this valuable ecosystem. Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring and addressing these ecological shifts to ensure the long-term sustainability of Yeosu Coast fisheries

Common allergens of atopic dermatitis in dogs: comparative findings based on intradermal tests

Intradermal tests were performed on 58 dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis from 2004~2008 at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University, Korea. To compare the allergen distribution observed in the present investigation to the results from other studies conducted in Korea and elsewhere, the allergens were grouped according to their kinds. There was no significant difference in gender distribution among the dogs. The most common breeds among the 58 dogs were Maltese (n = 11) and Shih-tzu (n = 11). The average age was 4.8 years. The most frequently produced a positive reaction on the intradermal tests was mold (67.3%) followed by house dust (54.5%) and house dust mites (49.1%). The present study found a low distribution of dogs allergic to various outdoor allergens compared to studies performed in other countries; this may reflect differences in living conditions for dogs living in Korea

Recent advances in the imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

The role of imaging is crucial for the surveillance, diagnosis, staging and treatment monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Over the past few years, considerable technical advances were made in imaging of HCCs. New imaging technology, however, has introduced new challenges in our clinical practice. In this article, the current status of clinical imaging techniques for HCC is addressed. The diagnostic performance of imaging techniques in the context of recent clinical guidelines is also presented

Iron chaperones PCBP1 and PCBP2 mediate the metallation of the dinuclear iron enzyme deoxyhypusine hydroxylase

Although cells express hundreds of metalloenzymes, the mechanisms by which apoenzymes receive their metal cofactors are largely unknown. Poly(rC)-binding proteins PCBP1 and PCBP2 are multifunctional adaptor proteins that bind iron and deliver it to ferritin for storage or to prolyl and asparagyl hydroxylases to metallate the mononuclear iron center. Here, we show that PCBP1 and PCBP2 also deliver iron to deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH), the dinuclear iron enzyme required for hypusine modification of the translation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 5A. Cells depleted of PCBP1 or PCBP2 exhibited loss of DOHH activity and loss of the holo form of the enzyme in cells, particularly when cells were made mildly iron-deficient. Lysates containing PCBP1 and PCBP2 converted apo-DOHH to holo-DOHH in vitro with greater efficiency than lysates lacking PCBP1 or PCBP2. PCBP1 bound to DOHH in iron-treated cells but not in control or iron-deficient cells. Depletion of PCBP1 or PCBP2 had no effect on the cytosolic Fe-S cluster enzyme xanthine oxidase but led to loss of cytosolic aconitase activity. Loss of aconitase activity was not accompanied by gain of RNAbinding activity, a pattern suggesting the incomplete disassembly of the [4Fe-4S] cluster. PCBP depletions had minimal effects on total cellular iron, mitochondrial iron levels, and heme synthesis. Thus, PCBP1 and PCBP2 may serve as iron chaperones to multiple classes of cytosolic nonheme iron enzymes and may have a particular role in restoring metal cofactors that are spontaneously lost in iron deficient cells

In Utero Development of the Fetal Gall Bladder in the Korean Population

OBJECTIVE: To provide reference ranges of the fetal gall bladder in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fetal gall bladder development was evaluated in well-dated, non-anomalous fetuses in the Korean population between February and April 2003 and the visualization rate and reference values were determined from the obtained data. RESULTS: The visualization rate of the fetal gall bladder increased as gestation advanced to a plateau above 90%, which was maintained between 16 and 34 weeks. The measured parameters from the fetal gall bladder had a significant positive relationship with gestational age (p = 0.000 for all cases), and the correlation of length and area with the gestational age (r = 0.741 and r = 0.690, respectively) was better than the correlation of width, height, and volume with gestational age. The repeatability coefficients and coefficients of variation between the two operators were 5.56 mm and 12.9% for the length and 344.11 mm(2) and 33.52% for the area. The median length of the fetal gall bladder in the Korean population was not significantly different from the mean length of gall bladders in the Caucasian and African-American populations (p = 0.915). CONCLUSION: We have provided reference values for the fetal gall bladder throughout the gestation period in the Korean population

Spirulina

Skin regeneration is a complex process involving massive proliferation and alignment of cells, where there are obstacles to completion of regeneration, the main one being excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from inflammation or infection. Spirulina, blue-green algae that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, has been used to relieve such ROS stress. In this study, Spirulina extract loaded PCL (Spirulina-PCL) nanofiber was evaluated as a cutaneous wound dressing in view of antioxidative mechanism. In addition to increasing fibroblast viability, the Spirulina extract and its dressing modulated intra- and extracellular ROS by enhancing antioxidant mechanism of fibroblast under oxidative stress. Finally, in vivo assays confirmed that Spirulina-PCL helps regenerate wounds and enhance regeneration. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that Spirulina and nanofiber have the potential for application to cutaneous wound to facilitate skin regeneration