Combined Striatum, Brain Stem, and Optic Nerve Involvement due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an Ambulatory Child

In children, Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis has been characterized by acute onset of an encephalopathy associated with extrapyramidal symptoms and symmetric basal ganglia with or without brain stem involvement on magnetic resonance imaging. Our case, showing unilateral optic neuritis, ophthalmoplegia, no extrapyramidal symptoms, and typical striatal involvement on magnetic resonance imaging, broadens the spectrum of varying clinical manifestations of childhood M. pneumoniae-associated encephalopathy

Copper nanofiber-networked cobalt oxide composites for high performance Li-ion batteries

We prepared a composite electrode structure consisting of copper nanofiber-networked cobalt oxide (CuNFs@CoOx). The copper nanofibers (CuNFs) were fabricated on a substrate with formation of a network structure, which may have potential for improving electron percolation and retarding film deformation during the discharging/charging process over the electroactive cobalt oxide. Compared to bare CoOxthin-film (CoOxTF) electrodes, the CuNFs@CoOxelectrodes exhibited a significant enhancement of rate performance by at least six-fold at an input current density of 3C-rate. Such enhanced Li-ion storage performance may be associated with modified electrode structure at the nanoscale, improved charge transfer, and facile stress relaxation from the embedded CuNF network. Consequently, the CuNFs@CoOxcomposite structure demonstrated here can be used as a promising high-performance electrode for Li-ion batteries

Measurement of backscattering strength of artificial bubbles in the Southern Sea of the Korean Peninsula

Bubbles greatly affect the propagation of sound waves as the acoustic characteristics of a bubble cluster in water are distinct from those of undisturbed water. Therefore, bubble clusters affect the ability of sensors to detect underwater targets by blocking or reflecting sound waves. Additionally, the bubble wakes produced by ships in movement can be detected by wake-homing torpedoes, thus greatly threatening the safety of the ship. Thus, research on bubble dynamics in water is crucial for the development of military technology. Recently, we conducted a quantitative estimation of the acoustic characteristics of artificial bubbles, including their backscattering strength, existence time, population density spectrum level and void fraction in an ideal water-tank environment. Based on our previous findings, the present study sought to measure the acoustic characteristics of artificial bubbles using an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) in the southern sea of the Korean Peninsula, which is a real marine environment. Additionally, we validated the ADCP measurements by comparing them to those obtained using a scattering strength measurement system (SSMS) developed by our team. Collectively, our findings provide a basis for the development of military technology, as well as for the study of bubble in water