A new axiomatization of the core on fuzzy NTU games

In this note we show that on the domain of fuzzy NTU games whose core is non-empty, the core is the only solution satisfying non-emptiness, individual rationality and the reduced game property.Fuzzy games

Primary immune thrombocytopenia responding to antithyroid treatment in a patient with Graves’ disease

published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

Theoretical study on a modified subcooling vapor-compression refrigeration cycle using hydrocarbon mixture R290/R600a

In this study, a modified subcooling vapor-compression refrigeration cycle (MSVRC) using refrigerant mixture R290/R600a was proposed for applications in refrigerator-freezers. In the MSVRC, A phase separator is utilized to split the refrigerant mixture and obtain two different components after partial condensation in the condenser. Moreover, an internal evaporating subcooler is introduced to enhance the overall system performance. Energetic and exergetic analysis methods are used to theoretically evaluate the system operating performance of MSVRC and compared with the traditional vapor-compression refrigeration cycle (TVRC). The simulation results show that the MSVRC outperforms TVRC in the aspect of coefficient of performance (COP), volumetric cooling capacity and exergy efficiency. Under the given operation condition, the COP, volumetric cooling capacity and exergy efficiency of the MSVRC can be improved up to 2%, 6.1% and 3.9%, respectively, in comparison with those of the TVRC. The system performance characteristics of the proposed cycle demonstrate its potential advantages for application in domestic refrigerator-freezers

m6A mRNA demethylase FTO regulates melanoma tumorigenicity and response to anti-PD-1 blockade

Melanoma is one of the most deadly and therapy-resistant cancers. Here we show that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA demethylation by fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) increases melanoma growth and decreases response to anti-PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. FTO level is increased in human melanoma and enhances melanoma tumorigenesis in mice. FTO is induced by metabolic starvation stress through the autophagy and NF-κB pathway. Knockdown of FTO increases m6A methylation in the critical protumorigenic melanoma cell-intrinsic genes including PD-1 (PDCD1), CXCR4, and SOX10, leading to increased RNA decay through the m6A reader YTHDF2. Knockdown of FTO sensitizes melanoma cells to interferon gamma (IFNγ) and sensitizes melanoma to anti-PD-1 treatment in mice, depending on adaptive immunity. Our findings demonstrate a crucial role of FTO as an m6A demethylase in promoting melanoma tumorigenesis and anti-PD-1 resistance, and suggest that the combination of FTO inhibition with anti-PD-1 blockade may reduce the resistance to immunotherapy in melanoma. © 2019, The Author(s)

Temperature effects of Mach-Zehnder interferometer using a liquid crystal-filled fiber

We demonstrated a simple and cost-effective method to fabricate all fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) based on cascading a short section of liquid crystal (LC)-filled hollow-optic fiber (HOF) between two single mode fibers by using automatically splicing technique. The transmission spectra of the proposed MZI with different LC-infiltrated length were measured and the temperature-induced wavelength shifts of the interference fringes were recorded. Both blue shift and red shift were observed, depending the temperature range. Based on our experimental results, interference fringe was observed with a maximum interferometric contrast over 35dB. The temperature-induced resonant wavelength blue-shifts 70.4 nm for the MZI with an LC length of 9.79 mm and the wavelength temperature sensitivity of -1.55 nm/°C is easily achieved as the temperature increases from 25°C to 77°C

pKNOT: the protein KNOT web server

Knotted proteins are more commonly observed in recent years due to the enormously growing number of structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Studies show that the knot regions contribute to both ligand binding and enzyme activity in proteins such as the chromophore-binding domain of phytochrome, ketol–acid reductoisomerase or SpoU methyltransferase. However, there are still many misidentified knots published in the literature due to the absence of a convenient web tool available to the general biologists. Here, we present the first web server to detect the knots in proteins as well as provide information on knotted proteins in PDB—the protein KNOT (pKNOT) web server. In pKNOT, users can either input PDB ID or upload protein coordinates in the PDB format. The pKNOT web server will detect the knots in the protein using the Taylor's smoothing algorithm. All the detected knots can be visually inspected using a Java-based 3D graphics viewer. We believe that the pKNOT web server will be useful to both biologists in general and structural biologists in particular

Cyclin D1 acts as a barrier to pluripotent reprogramming by promoting neural progenitor fate commitment

AbstractA short G1 phase is a characteristic feature of the cell cycle structure of pluripotent cells, and is reestablished during Yamanaka factor-mediated pluripotent reprogramming. How cell cycle control is adjusted to meet the requirements of pluripotent cell fate commitment during reprogramming is less well understood. Elevated levels of cyclin D1 were initially found to impair pluripotency maintenance. The current work further identified Cyclin D1 to be capable of transcriptionally upregulating Pax6, which promoted reprogramming cells to commit to a neural progenitor fate rather than a pluripotent cell fate. These findings explain the importance of reestablishment of G1-phase restriction in pluripotent reprogramming

Random Lasing Action from Randomly Assembled ZnS Nanosheets

Lasing characteristics of randomly assembled ZnS nanosheets are studied at room temperature. Under 266-nm optical excitation, sharp lasing peaks emitted at around 332 nm with a linewidth less than 0.4 nm are observed in all directions. In addition, the dependence of lasing threshold intensity with the excitation area is shown in good agreement with the random laser theory. Hence, it is verified that the lasing characteristics of randomly assembled ZnS nanosheets are attributed to coherent random lasing action

Morphology, thermal, and electrical properties of polypropylene hybrid composites co-filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Wegrzyn, M., Galindo, B., Benedito, A., & Gimenez, E. (2015). Morphology, thermal, and electrical properties of polypropylene hybrid composites co‐filled with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 132(46)., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/app.42793. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."[EN] In this study, nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP) with various loadings of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) were formed by masterbatch dilution/mixing approach from individual masterbatches PP-MWCNT and PP-GnP. Melt mixing on a twin-screw extruder at two different processing temperatures was followed by characterization of morphology by transmitted-light microscopy including the statistical analysis of agglomeration behavior. The influence of processing temperature and weight fractions of both nanofillers on the dispersion quality is reported. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites investigated by DSC and TGA show sensitivity to the nanofillers weight fraction ratio and to processing conditions. Electrical conductivity is observed to increase up to an order of magnitude with the concentration of each nanofiller increasing from 0.5 wt % to 1.0 wt %. This is related with a decrease of electrical conductivity observed for unequal concentration of both nanofillers. This particular behavior shows the increase of electrical properties for higher MWCNT loadings and the increase of thermo-mechanical properties for higher GnP loadings. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.This study is funded by the European Community's Seventh Framework Program (FP7-PEOPLE-ITN-2008) within the CONTACT project Marie Curie Fellowship under grant number 238363.Wegrzyn, M.; Galindo-Galiana, B.; Benedito, A.; Giménez Torres, E. (2015). Morphology, thermal, and electrical properties of polypropylene hybrid composites co-filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 132(46). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.42793S13246Yang, L., Liu, F., Xia, H., Qian, X., Shen, K., & Zhang, J. (2011). Improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon nanotube/polypropylene composite by vibration during injection-moulding. Carbon, 49(10), 3274-3283. doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2011.03.054Singh, I. V., Tanaka, M., & Endo, M. (2007). Effect of interface on the thermal conductivity of carbon nanotube composites. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 46(9), 842-847. doi:10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2006.11.003Kuan, H.-C., Ma, C.-C. M., Chang, W.-P., Yuen, S.-M., Wu, H.-H., & Lee, T.-M. (2005). Synthesis, thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of multiwall carbon nanotube/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite. Composites Science and Technology, 65(11-12), 1703-1710. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.02.017Arasteh, R., Omidi, M., Rousta, A. H. A., & Kazerooni, H. (2011). A Study on Effect of Waviness on Mechanical Properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Epoxy Composites Using Modified Halpin–Tsai Theory. Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part B, 50(12), 2464-2480. doi:10.1080/00222348.2011.579868Cai, D., Jin, J., Yusoh, K., Rafiq, R., & Song, M. (2012). High performance polyurethane/functionalized graphene nanocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal properties. Composites Science and Technology, 72(6), 702-707. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.01.020Yan, D., Zhang, H.-B., Jia, Y., Hu, J., Qi, X.-Y., Zhang, Z., & Yu, Z.-Z. (2012). Improved Electrical Conductivity of Polyamide 12/Graphene Nanocomposites with Maleated Polyethylene-Octene Rubber Prepared by Melt Compounding. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 4(9), 4740-4745. doi:10.1021/am301119bHaslam, M. D., & Raeymaekers, B. (2013). A composite index to quantify dispersion of carbon nanotubes in polymer-based composite materials. Composites Part B: Engineering, 55, 16-21. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.05.038Kuilla, T., Bhadra, S., Yao, D., Kim, N. H., Bose, S., & Lee, J. H. (2010). Recent advances in graphene based polymer composites. Progress in Polymer Science, 35(11), 1350-1375. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2010.07.005Pötschke, P., Dudkin, S. M., & Alig, I. (2003). Dielectric spectroscopy on melt processed polycarbonate—multiwalled carbon nanotube composites. Polymer, 44(17), 5023-5030. doi:10.1016/s0032-3861(03)00451-8Stankovich, S., Dikin, D. A., Dommett, G. H. B., Kohlhaas, K. M., Zimney, E. J., Stach, E. A., … Ruoff, R. S. (2006). Graphene-based composite materials. Nature, 442(7100), 282-286. doi:10.1038/nature04969Sathyanarayana, S., Olowojoba, G., Weiss, P., Caglar, B., Pataki, B., Mikonsaari, I., … Henning, F. (2012). Compounding of MWCNTs with PS in a Twin-Screw Extruder with Varying Process Parameters: Morphology, Interfacial Behavior, Thermal Stability, Rheology, and Volume Resistivity. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 298(1), 89-105. doi:10.1002/mame.201200018Vega, J. F., Martínez-Salazar, J., Trujillo, M., Arnal, M. L., Müller, A. J., Bredeau, S., & Dubois, P. (2009). Rheology, Processing, Tensile Properties, and Crystallization of Polyethylene/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites. Macromolecules, 42(13), 4719-4727. doi:10.1021/ma900645fAlig, I., Lellinger, D., Dudkin, S. M., & Pötschke, P. (2007). Conductivity spectroscopy on melt processed polypropylene–multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Recovery after shear and crystallization. Polymer, 48(4), 1020-1029. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2006.12.035Chaharmahali, M., Hamzeh, Y., Ebrahimi, G., Ashori, A., & Ghasemi, I. (2013). Effects of nano-graphene on the physico-mechanical properties of bagasse/polypropylene composites. Polymer Bulletin, 71(2), 337-349. doi:10.1007/s00289-013-1064-3Hill, D. E., Lin, Y., Rao, A. M., Allard, L. F., & Sun, Y.-P. (2002). Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Polystyrene. Macromolecules, 35(25), 9466-9471. doi:10.1021/ma020855rYu, Y.-H., Lin, Y.-Y., Lin, C.-H., Chan, C.-C., & Huang, Y.-C. (2014). High-performance polystyrene/graphene-based nanocomposites with excellent anti-corrosion properties. Polym. Chem., 5(2), 535-550. doi:10.1039/c3py00825hZhang, S., Yin, S., Rong, C., Huo, P., Jiang, Z., & Wang, G. (2013). Synergistic effects of functionalized graphene and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the electrical and mechanical properties of poly(ether sulfone) composites. European Polymer Journal, 49(10), 3125-3134. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2013.07.011Huang, G., Wang, S., Song, P., Wu, C., Chen, S., & Wang, X. (2014). Combination effect of carbon nanotubes with graphene on intumescent flame-retardant polypropylene nanocomposites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 59, 18-25. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2013.12.010Chatterjee, S., Nafezarefi, F., Tai, N. H., Schlagenhauf, L., Nüesch, F. A., & Chu, B. T. T. (2012). Size and synergy effects of nanofiller hybrids including graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes in mechanical properties of epoxy composites. Carbon, 50(15), 5380-5386. doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2012.07.021Im, H., & Kim, J. (2012). Thermal conductivity of a graphene oxide–carbon nanotube hybrid/epoxy composite. Carbon, 50(15), 5429-5440. doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2012.07.029Jiang, X., & Drzal, L. T. (2011). Improving electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene through incorporation of paraffin wax coated exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets and multi-wall carbon nano-tubes. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 42(11), 1840-1849. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.08.011Hwang, S.-H., Park, H. W., Park, Y.-B., Um, M.-K., Byun, J.-H., & Kwon, S. (2013). Electromechanical strain sensing using polycarbonate-impregnated carbon nanotube–graphene nanoplatelet hybrid composite sheets. Composites Science and Technology, 89, 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2013.09.005Chatterjee, S., Nüesch, F. A., & Chu, B. T. T. (2013). Crystalline and tensile properties of carbon nanotube and graphene reinforced polyamide 12 fibers. Chemical Physics Letters, 557, 92-96. doi:10.1016/j.cplett.2012.11.091Lahiri, D., Hec, F., Thiesse, M., Durygin, A., Zhang, C., & Agarwal, A. (2014). Nanotribological behavior of graphene nanoplatelet reinforced ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites. Tribology International, 70, 165-169. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2013.10.012Pavlidou, S., & Papaspyrides, C. D. (2008). A review on polymer–layered silicate nanocomposites. Progress in Polymer Science, 33(12), 1119-1198. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.07.008Wegrzyn, M., Juan, S., Benedito, A., & Giménez, E. (2013). The influence of injection molding parameters on electrical properties of PC/ABS-MWCNT nanocomposites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 130(3), 2152-2158. doi:10.1002/app.39412Pegel , S. Villmow , T. Pötschke , P. In Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites: Preparation, Properties and Applications McNally , T. Pötschke , P. Woodhead Publishing Cambridge 2011Zhang, R., Moon, K., Lin, W., & Wong, C. P. (2010). Preparation of highly conductive polymer nanocomposites by low temperature sintering of silver nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 20(10), 2018. doi:10.1039/b921072eGrossiord, N., Kivit, P. J. J., Loos, J., Meuldijk, J., Kyrylyuk, A. V., van der Schoot, P., & Koning, C. E. (2008). On the influence of the processing conditions on the performance of electrically conductive carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites. Polymer, 49(12), 2866-2872. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2008.04.03

Acute viral gastroenteritis in children hospitalized in Iksan, Korea during December 2010-June 2011

PurposeViral etiology is common in cases of children with acute diarrhea, and antibiotic therapy is usually not required. Therefore, it is important to determine the distribution of common viruses among children hospitalized with acute diarrhea.MethodsWe included 186 children who suffered from acute diarrhea and were hospitalized at the Wonkwang University Hospital Pediatric ward from December 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 in this study. Stool samples were collected and multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (multiplex RT-PCR) was used to simultaneously determine the viral etiology such as rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, or adenovirus.ResultsCausative viruses were detected in 72 of the 186 cases (38.7%). The mean age of the virus-positive cases was 1 year and 9 months (range, 1 month to 11 years). Rotavirus was detected in 50/186 (26.9%); norovirus, in 18/186 (9.7%); and astrovirus, in 3/186 cases (1.6%). Adenovirus was not detected in any of the cases. Proportions of norovirus genogroups I and II were 21.1% and 78.9%, respectively. Four of the 51 rotavirus-positive cases (7.8%) had received rotavirus vaccination at least once. The mean duration of diarrhea was 2.8 days (range, 1 to 10 days) and vomiting occurred in 39 of the 72 cases (54.2%).ConclusionViral etiology was confirmed in about one-third of the children with acute diarrhea, and the most common viral agent was rotavirus, followed by norovirus