141 research outputs found

    Quantification of The Performance of CMIP6 Models for Dynamic Downscaling in The North Pacific and Northwest Pacific Oceans

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    Selecting a reliable global climate model as the driving forcing in simulations with dynamic downscaling is critical for obtaining a reliable regional ocean climate. With respect to their accuracy in providing physical quantities and long-term trends, we quantify the performances of 17 models from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) over the North Pacific (NP) and Northwest Pacific (NWP) oceans for 1979–2014. Based on normalized evaluation measures, each model’s performance for a physical quantity is mainly quantified by the performance score (PS), which ranges from 0 to 100. Overall, the CMIP6 models reasonably reproduce the physical quantities of the driving variables and the warming ocean heat content and temperature trends. However, their performances significantly depend on the variables and region analyzed. The EC-Earth-Veg and CNRM-CM6-1 models show the best performances for the NP and NWP oceans, respectively, with the highest PS values of 85.89 and 76.97, respectively. The EC-Earth3 model series are less sensitive to the driving variables in the NP ocean, as reflected in their PS. The model performance is significantly dependent on the driving variables in the NWP ocean. Nevertheless, providing a better physical quantity does not correlate with a better performance for trend. However, MRI-ESM2-0 model shows a high performance for the physical quantity in the NWP ocean with warming trends similar to references, and it could thus be used as an appropriate driving forcing in dynamic downscaling of this ocean. This study provides objective information for studies involving dynamic downscaling of the NP and NWP oceans

    Long distance fiber Bragg grating strain sensor interrogation using a high speed Raman-based Fourier domain mode-locked fiber laser with recycled residual Raman pump

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    We propose a novel fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor interrogation using a Raman-based Fourier-domain mode locking (FDML) fiber laser for a high speed and long distance measurement. A residual Raman pump after the generation of the Raman-based FDML fiber laser is recycled for secondary signal amplification in a 2-m erbium-doped fiber (EDF) to further enhance the output power. The chromatic dispersion is precisely controlled to suppress the phase noise in the FDML laser cavity, resulting in the improvement of an R-number of 1.43 mm/dB. After recycling residual pump, we achieve the 40-km round trip transmission of the sensing probe signal with a high scan rate of 30.8 kHz. With 205-mW residual pump power, the bandwidth and the maximum gain are measured to be more than 50 nm, 10.3 dB at 1550 nm, respectively. The sensitivity of the proposed Raman-based FDML fiber laser to strain is also measured, which are 0.81 pm/μstrain in the spectral domain and 0.19 ns/μstrain in the time domain, respectively

    Thermal Hall effects due to topological spin fluctuations in YMnO_3

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    The thermal Hall effect in magnetic insulators has been considered a powerful method for examining the topological nature of charge-neutral quasiparticles such as magnons. Yet, unlike the kagome system, the triangular lattice has received less attention for studying the thermal Hall effect because the scalar spin chirality cancels out between adjacent triangles. However, such cancellation cannot be perfect if the triangular lattice is distorted. Here, we report that the trimerized triangular lattice of multiferroic hexagonal manganite YMnO3 produces a highly unusual thermal Hall effect under an applied magnetic field. Our theoretical calculations demonstrate that the thermal Hall conductivity is related to the splitting of the otherwise degenerate two chiralities of its 120˚ magnetic structure. Our result is one of the most unusual cases of topological physics due to this broken Z2 symmetry of the chirality in the supposedly paramagnetic state of YMnO3, due to strong topological spin fluctuations with the additional intricacy of a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

    Characteristics of primary and immortalized fibroblast cells derived from the miniature and domestic pigs

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pig, <it>Sus scrofa domestica </it>includes both the miniature and commercial domestic breed. These animals have influenced the human life and economies and have been studied throughout history. Although the miniature breeds are more recent and have increasingly been used in a variety of biomedical studies, their cell lines have rarely been established. Therefore, we sought to establish primary and immortal cell lines derived from both the miniature and domestic pig to better enable insight into possible <it>in vivo </it>growth differences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>in vitro </it>lifespan of primary domestic pig fibroblast (PF) and miniature pig fibroblast (MPF) cells using a standard 3T3 protocol was determined. Both of the primary PF and MPF cells were shown to have a two-step replicative senescence barrier. Primary MPF cells exhibited a relatively shorter lifespan and slower proliferation rate compared to those of primary PF cells. Beyond senescence barriers, lifespan-extended PF and MPF cells were eventually established and indicated spontaneous cellular immortalization. In contrast to the immortalized PF cells, immortal MPF cells showed a transformed phenotype and possessed more frequent chromosomal abnormalities and loss of p53 regulatory function. The lifespan of primary MPF and PF cells was extended by inactivation of the p53 function using transduction by SV40LT without any detectable senescent phenotype.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that p53 signaling might be a major determinant for the replicative senescence in the MPF cells that have the shorter lifespan and slower growth rate compared to PF cells <it>in vitro</it>.</p

    Genetic diversity and genetic structure of the Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) populations from Asia

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    This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.Abstract Background The roe deer, Capreolus sp., is one of the most widespread meso-mammals of Palearctic distribution, and includes two species, the European roe deer, C. capreolus inhabiting mainly Europe, and the Siberian roe deer, C. pygargus, distributed throughout continental Asia. Although there are a number of genetic studies concerning European roe deer, the Siberian roe deer has been studied less, and none of these studies use microsatellite markers. Natural processes have led to genetic structuring in wild populations. To understand how these factors have affected genetic structure and connectivity of Siberian roe deer, we investigated variability at 12 microsatellite loci for Siberian roe deer from ten localities in Asia. Results Moderate levels of genetic diversity (H E = 0.522 to 0.628) were found in all populations except in Jeju Island, South Korea, where the diversity was lowest (H E = 0.386). Western populations showed relatively low genetic diversity and higher degrees of genetic differentiation compared with eastern populations (mean Ar = 3.54 (east), 2.81 (west), mean F ST = 0.122). Bayesian-based clustering analysis revealed the existence of three genetically distinct groups (clusters) for Siberian roe deer, which comprise of the Southeastern group (Mainland Korea, Russian Far East, Trans-Baikal region and Northern part of Mongolia), Northwestern group (Western Siberia and Ural in Russia) and Jeju Island population. Genetic analyses including AMOVA (F RT = 0.200), Barrier and PCA also supported genetic differentiation among regions separated primarily by major mountain ridges, suggesting that mountains played a role in the genetic differentiation of Siberian roe deer. On the other hand, genetic evidence also suggests an ongoing migration that may facilitate genetic admixture at the border areas between two groups. Conclusions Our results reveal an apparent pattern of genetic differentiation among populations inhabiting Asia, showing moderate levels of genetic diversity with an east-west gradient. The results suggest at least three distinct management units of roe deer in continental Asia, although genetic admixture is evident in some border areas. The insights obtained from this study shed light on management of Siberian roe deer in Asia and may be applied in conservation of local populations of Siberian roe deer

    Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in the Korean population

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    AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the Korean population

    Protection of nigral dopaminergic neurons by AAV1 transduction with Rheb(S16H) against neurotoxic inflammation in vivo

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    We recently reported that adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1) transduction of murine nigral dopaminergic (DA) neurons with constitutively active ras homolog enriched in brain with a mutation of serine to histidine at position 16 [Rheb(S16H)] induced the production of neurotrophic factors, resulting in neuroprotective effects on the nigrostriatal DA system in animal models of Parkinson&apos;s disease (PD). To further investigate whether AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction has neuroprotective potential against neurotoxic inflammation, which is known to be a potential event related to PD pathogenesis, we examined the effects of Rheb(S16H) expression in nigral DA neurons under a neurotoxic inflammatory environment induced by the endogenous microglial activator prothrombin kringle-2 (pKr-2). Our observations showed that Rheb(S16H) transduction played a role in the neuroprotection of the nigrostriatal DA system against pKr-2-induced neurotoxic inflammation, even though there were similar levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta), in the AAV1-Rheb(S16H)-treated substantia nigra (SN) compared to the SN treated with pKr-2 alone; the neuroprotective effects may be mediated by the activation of neurotrophic signaling pathways following Rheb(S16H) transduction of nigral DA neurons. We conclude that AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction of neuronal populations to activate the production of neurotrophic factors and intracellular neurotrophic signaling pathways may offer promise for protecting adult neurons from extracellular neurotoxic inflammation.1

    Risk of ventricular tachycardia and its outcomes in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy due to acute kidney injury

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    Background Despite efforts to treat critically ill patients who require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to acute kidney injury (AKI), their mortality risk remains high. This condition may be attributable to complications of CRRT, such as arrhythmias. Here, we addressed the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) during CRRT and its relationship with patient outcomes. Methods This study retrospectively enrolled 2,397 patients who started CRRT due to AKI from 2010 to 2020 at Seoul National University Hospital in Korea. The occurrence of VT was evaluated from the initiation of CRRT until weaning from CRRT. The odds ratios (ORs) of mortality outcomes were measured using logistic regression models after adjustment for multiple variables. Results VT occurred in 150 patients (6.3%) after starting CRRT. Among them, 95 cases were defined as sustained VT (i.e., lasting ≥30 seconds), and the other 55 cases were defined as non-sustained VT (i.e., lasting <30 seconds). The occurrence of sustained VT was associated with a higher mortality rate than a nonoccurrence (OR, 2.04 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–3.39 for the 30-day mortality; OR, 4.06 and 95% CI, 2.04–8.08 for the 90-day mortality). The mortality risk did not differ between patients with non-sustained VT and nonoccurrence. A history of myocardial infarction, vasopressor use, and certain trends of blood laboratory findings (such as acidosis and hyperkalemia) were associated with the subsequent risk of sustained VT. Conclusion Sustained VT occurrence after starting CRRT is associated with increased patient mortality. The monitoring of electrolytes and acid-base status during CRRT is essential because of its relationship with the risk of VT

    Neurotrophic interactions between neurons and astrocytes following AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction in the hippocampus in vivo

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    Background and Purpose: We recently reported that AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction could protect hippocampal neurons through the induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the rat hippocampus in vivo. It is still unclear how neuronal BDNF produced by AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction induces neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus and whether its up-regulation contributes to the enhance of a neuroprotective system in the adult brain. Experimental Approach: To determine the presence of a neuroprotective system in the hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer&apos;s disease (AD), we examined the levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein, BDNF and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and their receptors, tropomyocin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and CNTF receptor α(CNTFRα), in the hippocampus of AD patients. We also determined whether AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction stimulates astroglial activation and whether reactive astrocytes contribute to neuroprotection in models of hippocampal neurotoxicity in vivo and in vitro. Key Results: AD patients may have a potential neuroprotective system, demonstrated by increased levels of full-length TrkB and CNTFRα in the hippocampus. Further AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction induced sustained increases in the levels of full-length TrkB and CNTFRα in reactive astrocytes and hippocampal neurons. Moreover, neuronal BDNF produced by Rheb(S16H) transduction of hippocampal neurons induced reactive astrocytes, resulting in CNTF production through the activation of astrocytic TrkB and the up-regulation of neuronal BDNF and astrocytic CNTF which had synergistic effects on the survival of hippocampal neurons in vivo. Conclusions and Implications: The results demonstrated that Rheb(S16H) transduction of hippocampal neurons could strengthen the neuroprotective system and this intensified system may have a therapeutic value against neurodegeneration in the adult brain. © 2019 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society1
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