Low-temperature synthesis of CuO-interlaced nanodiscs for lithium ion battery electrodes

In this study, we report the high-yield synthesis of 2-dimensional cupric oxide (CuO) nanodiscs through dehydrogenation of 1-dimensional Cu(OH)2 nanowires at 60°C. Most of the nanodiscs had a diameter of approximately 500 nm and a thickness of approximately 50 nm. After further prolonged reaction times, secondary irregular nanodiscs gradually grew vertically into regular nanodiscs. These CuO nanostructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements. The possible growth mechanism of the interlaced disc CuO nanostructures is systematically discussed. The electrochemical performances of the CuO nanodisc electrodes were evaluated in detail using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes enables the enhanced reversible capacities and capacity retention of CuO nanodisc electrodes on cycling by offering more efficient electron transport paths

Video-Based Stylized Rendering using Frame Difference

In this paper, we suggest video based stylized rendering using frame difference. Stylized rendering using video frame has a temporal problem that occurs a difference between the previous and current frame. To reduce the temporal problem, we generate reference maps using temporal frame difference in correction and rendering steps. A correction method using reference maps can be reduced flickering effect caused by frame difference between the previous and current frame. We use a background map, an average map, and a quadtree-based summed area table as reference maps. Among these reference maps, the method using quadtree based summed area table can completely remove a flickering and popping effect. Also, a post-blurring method using bilateral filtering can be represented smooth, stylized rendering by removing unnecessary noise. Suggested stylized rendering system can be used in various fields such as visual art, advertisement, game and movie for stylized image contents generation

Effect of proton irradiation on the fluctuation-induced magnetoconductivity of FeSe1−xTex thin films

The influence of proton irradiation on the fluctuation-induced magnetoconductivity of high quality FeSe1−xTex (x=0.4, 0.55) (FST) thin films has been investigated. The measurements were performed with magnetic fields up to 13 T applied in the two main crystal directions. The results were interpreted in terms of the Ginzburg–Landau approach for three-dimensional materials under a total-energy cutoff. The analysis shows that properly-tuned proton irradiation does not appreciably affect fundamental superconducting parameters like the Tc value, the upper critical fields or the anisotropy. This has important consequences from the point of view of possible applications due to the enhancement of vortex pinning induced by irradiation.YSK was supported by the NRF grant funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (No. NRF-2015M2B2A9028507 and NRF-2016R1A2B4012672). TP was supported by the NRF grant funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning of Korea (No. 2012R1A3A2048816). JM acknowledges support by project FIS2016-79109-P (AEI/FEDER, UE) and by the Xunta de Galicia (project AGRUP 2015/11). SL was supported by the Global Research Network program through the NRF funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT & Future Planning (NRF-2014S1A2A2028361)S

The cortical activation pattern by a rehabilitation robotic hand: a functional NIRS study

Introduction: Clarification of the relationship between external stimuli and brain response has been an important topic in neuroscience and brain rehabilitation. In the current study, using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we attempted to investigate cortical activation patterns generated during execution of a rehabilitation robotic hand. Methods: Ten normal subjects were recruited for this study. Passive movements of the right fingers were performed using a rehabilitation robotic hand at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. We measured values of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO), deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR) and total-hemoglobin (HbT) in five regions of interest: the primary sensory-motor cortex (SM1), hand somatotopy of the contralateral SM1, supplementary motor area (SMA), premotor cortex (PMC), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Results: HbO and HbT values indicated significant activation in the left SM1, left SMA, left PMC, and left PFC during execution of the rehabilitation robotic hand (uncorrected, p < 0.01). By contrast, HbR value indicated significant activation only in the hand somatotopic area of the left SM1 (uncorrected, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results appear to indicate that execution of the rehabilitation robotic hand could induce cortical activation. © 2014 Chang, Lee, Gu, Lee, Jin, Yeo, Seo and Jang.1

The Efficacy of Preemptive Analgesia With Pregabalin in Septoplasty

ObjectivesPregabalin is used to treat neuropathic pain and has shown analgesic properties in postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of pregabalin in reducing postoperative pain in patients after septoplasty.MethodsForty-seven patients scheduled for elective septoplasty were randomly assigned to groups that received either pregabalin (150 mg) or placebo, both one hour before surgery and 12 hours after the initial dose. Pain (verbal numerical rating scale, VNRS) and side effect assessments were performed at 6, 12, 12 to 24, and 24 to 48 hours postoperatively.ResultsFrom 1 to 12 hours postoperatively, VNRS scores for pain were lower in the pregabalin group (n=24) than in the placebo group (n=23; P<0.05). The number of patients who needed rescue analgesics was lower in the pregabalin group (P=0.042). The incidence of nausea and vomiting did not differ between groups (P=0.666), and the incidence of sedation was higher in the placebo groups (P=0.022).ConclusionThe perioperative administration of oral pregabalin (150 mg twice) is an effective and safe way to reduce early postoperative pain in patients undergoing septoplasty

Triangular Resection of the Upper Lateral Cartilage for Middle Vault Deviation

Objectives Middle vault deviation has a significant effect on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the nose, and its management continues to be a challenge. Spreader graft and its modification techniques have been focused, but there has been scarce consideration for removing surplus portion and balancing the upper lateral cartilage (ULC). This study aimed to report the newly invented triangular-shaped resection technique (“triangular resection”) of the ULC and to evaluate its efficacy for correcting middle vault deviation. Methods A retrospective study included 17 consecutive patients who presented with middle vault deviation and underwent septorhinoplasty by using triangular resection at a tertiary academic hospital from February 2014 and March 2016. Their outcomes were evaluated pre- and postoperatively including medical photographs, acoustic rhinometry and subjective nasal obstruction using a 7-point Likert scale. Results The immediate outcomes were evaluated around 1 month after surgery, and long-term outcomes were available in 12 patients; the mean follow-up period was 9.1 months. Nasal tip deviation angle was reduced from 5.66º to 2.37º immediately (P<0.001). Middle vault deviation also improved from 169.50º to 177.24º (P<0.001). Long-term results were 2.49º (P=0.015) for nasal tip deviation and 178.68º (P=0.002) for middle vault deviation. The aesthetic outcome involved a complete correction in eight patients (47.1%), a minimally visible deviation in seven patients (41.2%) and a remaining residual deviation in two patients (11.8%). Pre- and postoperative minimal cross-sectional areas (summation of the right and left sides) were 0.86 and 1.07, respectively (P=0.021). Fifteen patients answered about their nasal obstruction symptoms and the median symptom score had alleviated from 6.0 to 3.0 (P=0.004). Conclusion Triangular resection of the ULC is a simple and effective method for correcting middle vault deviation and balancing the ULCs without complications as internal nasal valve narrowing

Transcatheter coil embolization of the inferior epigastric artery in a huge abdominal wall hematoma caused by paracentesis in a patient with liver cirrhosis

Therapeutic paracentesis is considered to be a relatively safe procedure and is performed commonly for the control of massive ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. The commonest puncture site, approximately 4 or 5 cm medial of left anterior superior iliac spine, can be located across the route of the inferior epigastric artery, which is one of the sites of potential massive bleeding. In a 46-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis and refractory ascites, a huge abdominal wall hematoma developed after therapeutic paracentesis. The patient was not stabilized by conservative treatment, and inferior epigastric artery injury was confirmed on angiography. Angiographic coil embolization of the inferior epigastric artery was conducted, after which the bleeding ceased and the hematoma stopped growing. This case indicates that physicians performing paracentesis should be aware of the possibility of inferior epigastric artery injury and consider early angiographic coil embolization when a life-threatening abdominal wall hematoma develops

Angiomyofibroblastoma-Like Tumor of the Scrotum

Various tumors can occur in the scrotum. Of them, angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors are very rare mesenchymal tumors. Angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors cannot be easily differentially diagnosed from other malignant tumors invading the male genital tract on the basis of clinical characteristics and imaging study. Therefore, surgical removal and a histopathologic diagnosis must also be performed

Insulin-inducible SMILE inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis

The role of a glucagon/cAMP-dependent protein kinase–inducible coactivator PGC-1α signaling pathway is well characterized in hepatic gluconeogenesis. However, an opposing protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt-inducible corepressor signaling pathway is unknown. A previous report has demonstrated that small heterodimer partner–interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE) regulates the nuclear receptors and transcriptional factors that control hepatic gluconeogenesis. Here, we show that hepatic SMILE expression was induced by feeding in normal mice but not in db/db and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Interestingly, SMILE expression was induced by insulin in mouse primary hepatocyte and liver. Hepatic SMILE expression was not altered by refeeding in liver-specific insulin receptor knockout (LIRKO) or PKB β-deficient (PKBβ−/−) mice. At the molecular level, SMILE inhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor 4–mediated transcriptional activity via direct competition with PGC-1α. Moreover, ablation of SMILE augmented gluconeogenesis and increased blood glucose levels in mice. Conversely, overexpression of SMILE reduced hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression and ameliorated hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in db/db and HFD-fed mice. Therefore, SMILE is an insulin-inducible corepressor that suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis. Small molecules that enhance SMILE expression would have potential for treating hyperglycemia in diabetes