Framework for network modularization and Bayesian network analysis to investigate the perturbed metabolic network

Background: Genome-scale metabolic network models have contributed to elucidating biological phenomena, and predicting gene targets to engineer for biotechnological applications. With their increasing importance, their precise network characterization has also been crucial for better understanding of the cellular physiology.Results: We herein introduce a framework for network modularization and Bayesian network analysis (FMB) to investigate organism's metabolism under perturbation. FMB reveals direction of influences among metabolic modules, in which reactions with similar or positively correlated flux variation patterns are clustered, in response to specific perturbation using metabolic flux data. With metabolic flux data calculated by constraints-based flux analysis under both control and perturbation conditions, FMB, in essence, reveals the effects of specific perturbations on the biological system through network modularization and Bayesian network analysis at metabolic modular level. As a demonstration, this framework was applied to the genetically perturbed Escherichia coli metabolism, which is a lpdA gene knockout mutant, using its genome-scale metabolic network model.Conclusions: After all, it provides alternative scenarios of metabolic flux distributions in response to the perturbation, which are complementary to the data obtained from conventionally available genome-wide high-throughput techniques or metabolic flux analysis

Reliability Analysis on Flexural Behavior of FRP Bridge Decks

Design codes for the design of FRP bridge decks shall be established to promote the use of such innovative materials. For the purpose of preparing code provisions, reliability analyses were conducted to evaluate proper levels of safety and serviceability. Based on the results, several guidelines on design codes are suggested

Palladium Catalysts for Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane with Preferential B−H Activation

Cationic Pd(II) complexes catalyzed the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane in the most efficient manner with the release of 2.0 equiv of H_2 in less than 60 s at 25 °C. Most of the hydrogen atoms were obtained from the boron atom of the ammonia borane. The first step of the dehydrogenation reaction was elaborated using density functional theory calculations

Successful Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery for Recurrent Uterine Fibroid Previously Treated with Uterine Artery Embolization

A 45-year-old premenopausal woman was referred to our clinic due to recurring symptoms of uterine fibroids, nine years after a uterine artery embolization (UAE). At the time of screening, the patient presented with bilateral impairment and narrowing of the uterine arteries, which increased the risk of arterial perforation during repeated UAE procedures. The patient was subsequently referred for magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) treatment. Following the treatment, the patient experienced a significant improvement in symptoms (symptom severity score was reduced from 47 to 12 by 1 year post-treatment). MR images at 3 months showed a 49% decrease in fibroid volume. There were no adverse events during the treatment or the follow-up period. This case suggests that MRgFUS can be an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent fibroids following previous UAE treatment

Improvement in carrier mobility of metal oxide thin-film transistor by a microstructure modification

Metal oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) have been rapidly penetrating as an emerging backplane technology for the next generation high pixel density, large-size liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes panels because of their intriguing properties such as their high field-effect mobility, low subthreshold gate swing, good uniformity, low temperature processing capability, and transparency to visible light.[1-3] However, the typical field-effect mobility of IGZO TFTs in the practical production line is ~10 cm2/Vs, which is still not enough to drive the high-end flat panel displays with the ultra-high-definition, large size ( 60 inch) and high frame rate ( 240 Hz). One of ways to improve the mobility of electron carriers in metal oxide semiconductor would involve the lattice ordering, which leads to the substantial reduction in the carrier scattering with the semiconductor. Approach that seeks to utilize the crystallization of metal oxide semiconductor has yet to be attempted despite the potential scientific and engineering implication. In this presentation, we explored the metal-induced crystallization of amorphous zinc thin oxide (a-ZTO) and indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) semiconductor at a low temperature. The fabricated crystalline ZTO TFTs exhibited a high field-effect mobility of 33.5 cm2/Vs, subthreshold gate swing of 0.40 V/decade, and ION/OFF ratio of \u3e 5 107. The method in this study is expected to be applied to any type of metal oxide semiconductor. Acknowledgment This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded the Korean government (NRF-2015R1A2A2A01003848) and the industrial strategic technology development program funded by MKE/KEIT (10051403). References 1. K. Nomura et al., Nature 432, 488 (2004). 2. T. Kamyia et al., Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater. 11, 044305 (2010). 3. J. Y. Kwon and J. K. Jeong, Semicond. Sci. Technol. 30, 024002 (2015

Delayed Presentation of Renocolic Fistula at 4 Months after Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Causes of previously reported reno-colic fistulas included primary renal and colonic pathologic states involving infectious, malignant or other inflammatory processes. However, reno-colic fistula after renal injury is extremely uncommon. We report an unusual delayed presentation of reno-colic fistula that occurred at 4 months later after blunt abdominal trauma