Showing papers by "Chung-Ang University published in 2020"
Donostia International Physics Center1, Rovira i Virgili University2, Victoria University of Wellington3, MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology4, University of Cambridge5, University of California, Santa Barbara6, Queen's University Belfast7, Technical University of Denmark8, University of Victoria9, Chung-Ang University10, University of Jena11, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology12, Rutgers University13, University of Strathclyde14, University of Liverpool15, University of Iowa16, University of Minnesota17, Heidelberg University18, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology19, Chalmers University of Technology20, Humboldt University of Berlin21, University of Michigan22, Jiangnan University23, Stanford University24, Xiamen University25, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich26, Hokkaido University27, Seoul National University28, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign29, Kwansei Gakuin University30, University of Vigo31, Free University of Berlin32, Northwestern University33, University of Duisburg-Essen34, National Research Council35, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram36, Duke University37, Northeastern University (China)38, Temple University39, Wuhan University40, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology41, Jilin University42, Ikerbasque43
TL;DR: Prominent authors from all over the world joined efforts to summarize the current state-of-the-art in understanding and using SERS, as well as to propose what can be expected in the near future, in terms of research, applications, and technological development.
Abstract: The discovery of the enhancement of Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on nanostructured metal surfaces is a landmark in the history of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Significant experimental and theoretical effort has been directed toward understanding the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect and demonstrating its potential in various types of ultrasensitive sensing applications in a wide variety of fields. In the 45 years since its discovery, SERS has blossomed into a rich area of research and technology, but additional efforts are still needed before it can be routinely used analytically and in commercial products. In this Review, prominent authors from around the world joined together to summarize the state of the art in understanding and using SERS and to predict what can be expected in the near future in terms of research, applications, and technological development. This Review is dedicated to SERS pioneer and our coauthor, the late Prof. Richard Van Duyne, whom we lost during the preparation of this article.
1,768 citations
TL;DR: A cascade of transitions is reported that characterizes the correlated high-temperature parent phase 11, 12 from which various insulating and superconducting ground-state phases emerge at low temperatures in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene.
Abstract: Magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene exhibits a variety of electronic states, including correlated insulators1–3, superconductors2–4 and topological phases3,5,6. Understanding the microscopic mechanisms responsible for these phases requires determination of the interplay between electron–electron interactions and quantum degeneracy (the latter is due to spin and valley degrees of freedom). Signatures of strong electron–electron correlations have been observed at partial fillings of the flat electronic bands in recent spectroscopic measurements7–10, and transport experiments have shown changes in the Landau level degeneracy at fillings corresponding to an integer number of electrons per moire unit cell2–4. However, the interplay between interaction effects and the degeneracy of the system is currently unclear. Here we report a cascade of transitions in the spectroscopic properties of magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene as a function of electron filling, determined using high-resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy. We find distinct changes in the chemical potential and a rearrangement of the low-energy excitations at each integer filling of the moire flat bands. These spectroscopic features are a direct consequence of Coulomb interactions, which split the degenerate flat bands into Hubbard sub-bands. We find these interactions, the strength of which we can extract experimentally, to be surprisingly sensitive to the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field, which strongly modifies the spectroscopic transitions. The cascade of transitions that we report here characterizes the correlated high-temperature parent phase11,12 from which various insulating and superconducting ground-state phases emerge at low temperatures in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. Electron–electron interactions in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene can split usually degenerate electronic bands, giving rise to a cascade of electronic transitions revealed by spectroscopy.
284 citations
TL;DR: The structural and molecular similarities of gelatin to other extracellular matrix proteins are compared and analyzed and current strategies for gelatin crosslinking and production are described and recent applications of gelatin-based biomaterials in cell culture and tissue regeneration are discussed.
Abstract: Health care and medicine were revolutionized in recent years by the development of biomaterials, such as stents, implants, personalized drug delivery systems, engineered grafts, cell sheets, and other transplantable materials. These materials not only support the growth of cells before transplantation but also serve as replacements for damaged tissues in vivo. Among the various biomaterials available, those made from natural biological sources such as extracellular proteins (collagen, fibronectin, laminin) have shown significant benefits, and thus are widely used. However, routine biomaterial-based research requires copious quantities of proteins and the use of pure and intact extracellular proteins could be highly cost ineffective. Gelatin is a molecular derivative of collagen obtained through the irreversible denaturation of collagen proteins. Gelatin shares a very close molecular structure and function with collagen and thus is often used in cell and tissue culture to replace collagen for biomaterial purposes. Recent technological advancements such as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and three-dimensional printing, in general, have resulted in great strides toward the generation of functional gelatin-based materials for medical purposes. In this review, the structural and molecular similarities of gelatin to other extracellular matrix proteins are compared and analyzed. Current strategies for gelatin crosslinking and production are described and recent applications of gelatin-based biomaterials in cell culture and tissue regeneration are discussed. Finally, recent improvements in gelatin-based biomaterials for medical applications and future directions are elaborated. Impact statement In this study, we described gelatin's biochemical properties and compared its advantages and drawbacks over other extracellular matrix proteins and polymers used for biomaterial application. We also described how gelatin can be used with other polymers in creating gelatin composite materials that have enhanced mechanical properties, increased biocompatibility, and boosted bioactivity, maximizing its benefits for biomedical purposes. The article is relevant, as it discussed not only the chemistry of gelatin, but also listed the current techniques in gelatin/biomaterial manufacturing and described the most recent trends in gelatin-based biomaterials for biomedical applications.
263 citations
TL;DR: Primary polystyrene particles were the focus of this study, and it was determined that PS particles were potential immune stimulants that induced cytokine and chemokine production in a size-dependent and concentration-dependent manner.
Abstract: Environmental pollution arising from plastic waste is a major global concern. Plastic macroparticles, microparticles, and nanoparticles have the potential to affect marine ecosystems and human health. It is generally accepted that microplastic particles are not harmful or at best minimal to human health. However direct contact with microplastic particles may have possible adverse effect in cellular level. Primary polystyrene (PS) particles were the focus of this study, and we investigated the potential impacts of these microplastics on human health at the cellular level. We determined that PS particles were potential immune stimulants that induced cytokine and chemokine production in a size-dependent and concentration-dependent manner.
257 citations
University of Copenhagen1, Northeast Ohio Medical University2, University of Bern3, Sunnybrook Research Institute4, Policlinico Umberto I5, University of São Paulo6, Jaslok Hospital7, Chung-Ang University8, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich9, Huazhong University of Science and Technology10, Fudan University11, University of Verona12, University of Michigan13, University of Bergen14, Zhejiang University15, University of California, San Diego16, Kindai University17, Université Paris-Saclay18, Samsung Medical Center19, New Generation University College20, Chinese PLA General Hospital21, Imperial College London22, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital23, University of Pavia24, Paris Descartes University25, International University of Health and Welfare26, University of Barcelona27, University of Bologna28, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova29, King's College London30, Humanitas University31, Sun Yat-sen University32
TL;DR: The present, updated document describes the fourth iteration of recommendations for the hepatic use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, first initiated in 2004 by the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, intended to create standard protocols for the use and administration of UCAs in liver applications on an international basis to improve the management of patients.
Abstract: The present, updated document describes the fourth iteration of recommendations for the hepatic use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, first initiated in 2004 by the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. The previous updated editions of the guidelines reflected changes in the available contrast agents and updated the guidelines not only for hepatic but also for non-hepatic applications. The 2012 guideline requires updating as, previously, the differences in the contrast agents were not precisely described and the differences in contrast phases as well as handling were not clearly indicated. In addition, more evidence has been published for all contrast agents. The update also reflects the most recent developments in contrast agents, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and the extensive Asian experience, to produce a truly international perspective. These guidelines and recommendations provide general advice on the use of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) and are intended to create standard protocols for the use and administration of UCAs in liver applications on an international basis to improve the management of patients.
227 citations
Massachusetts Institute of Technology1, Texas Tech University2, University of Geneva3, CERN4, University of Strasbourg5, École normale supérieure de Lyon6, Université de Montréal7, Université catholique de Louvain8, University of Wisconsin-Madison9, Ohio State University10, University of Southampton11, University of Melbourne12, Imperial College London13, Rutgers University14, Claude Bernard University Lyon 115, University of California, Santa Cruz16, University of Porto17, University of Chicago18, University of California, Berkeley19, University of Zurich20, University of California, Irvine21, Lund University22, University of California, Davis23, University of Bristol24, Fermilab25, University of Grenoble26, Austrian Academy of Sciences27, Northwestern University28, University of Oxford29, RWTH Aachen University30, University of Malaya31, University of Washington32, Harvard University33, Durham University34, National Central University35, Chung-Ang University36, University of Tokyo37, Vrije Universiteit Brussel38, University of Auvergne39, University of Amsterdam40, Sao Paulo State University41, Stockholm University42, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory43, Carnegie Mellon University44, University of Padua45, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory46, University of Vienna47, Quaid-i-Azam University48, Max Planck Society49, University of Naples Federico II50, University of Copenhagen51, University of Hamburg52, Chulalongkorn University53, Cornell University54, Northeastern University55, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory56, Université libre de Bruxelles57, Centre national de la recherche scientifique58
TL;DR: The final report of the ATLAS-CMS Dark Matter Forum, a forum organized by ATLAS and CMS collaborations with the participation of experts on theories of dark matter, to select a minimal basis set of simplified models that should support the design of the early LHC Run-2 searches is presented in this paper.
198 citations
TL;DR: The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) as discussed by the authors is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model.
Abstract: The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay—these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. This TDR is intended to justify the technical choices for the far detector that flow down from the high-level physics goals through requirements at all levels of the Project. Volume I contains an executive summary that introduces the DUNE science program, the far detector and the strategy for its modular designs, and the organization and management of the Project. The remainder of Volume I provides more detail on the science program that drives the choice of detector technologies and on the technologies themselves. It also introduces the designs for the DUNE near detector and the DUNE computing model, for which DUNE is planning design reports. Volume II of this TDR describes DUNE's physics program in detail. Volume III describes the technical coordination required for the far detector design, construction, installation, and integration, and its organizational structure. Volume IV describes the single-phase far detector technology. A planned Volume V will describe the dual-phase technology.
187 citations
TL;DR: Surgical masks might help prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV) and cotton masks have gained interest as a substitute because of shortages of both N and surgical masks.
Abstract: Background: During respiratory viral infection, face masks are thought to prevent transmission (1). Whether face masks worn by patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) prevent contamination of the environment is uncertain (2, 3). A previous study reported that surgical masks and N masks were equally e ective in preventing the dissemination of in uenza virus (4), so surgical masks might help prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV). However, the SARS–CoVpandemic has contributed to shortages of both N and surgical masks, and cotton masks have gained interest as a substitute.
156 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that the nano-bio hybrid materials can be applied as a promising electrochemical biosensor to monitor glucose levels in biofluids.
133 citations
Inje University1, Lenox Hill Hospital2, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital3, Kaohsiung Medical University4, University of Minnesota5, University of Virginia6, RWTH Aachen University7, Université libre de Bruxelles8, Stanford University9, Chung-Ang University10, Mercy Medical Center (Baltimore, Maryland)11, Harvard University12, Catholic University of Korea13, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine14, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust15, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center16, Kyungpook National University17, Konkuk University18, Chang Gung University19, Chiba University20, Osaka University21, Fukuoka University22, Dalian University of Technology23
TL;DR: A staging system has been developed to revise the 1994 ARCO classification for ONFH by an expert panel-based Delphi survey and ARCO approved and recommends this revised system as a universal staging of ONFH.
Abstract: Background The Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) presents the 2019 revised staging system of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) based on the 1994 ARCO classification. Methods In October 2018, ARCO established a task force to revise the staging system of ONFH. The task force involved 29 experts who used a web-based survey for international collaboration. Content validity ratios for each answer were calculated to identify the levels of agreement. For the rating queries, a consensus was defined when more than 70% of the panel members scored a 4 or 5 rating on a 5-point scale. Results Response rates were 93.1%-100%, and through the 4-round Delphi study, the 1994 ARCO classification for ONFH was successfully revised. The final consensus resulted in the following 4-staged system: stage I—X-ray is normal, but either magnetic resonance imaging or bone scan is positive; stage II—X-ray is abnormal (subtle signs of osteosclerosis, focal osteoporosis, or cystic change in the femoral head) but without any evidence of subchondral fracture, fracture in the necrotic portion, or flattening of the femoral head; stage III—fracture in the subchondral or necrotic zone as seen on X-ray or computed tomography scans. This stage is further divided into stage IIIA (early, femoral head depression ≤2 mm) and stage IIIB (late, femoral head depression >2 mm); and stage IV—X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis with accompanying joint space narrowing, acetabular changes, and/or joint destruction. This revised staging system does not incorporate the previous subclassification or quantitation parameters, but the panels agreed on the future development of a separate grading system for predicting disease progression. Conclusion A staging system has been developed to revise the 1994 ARCO classification for ONFH by an expert panel-based Delphi survey. ARCO approved and recommends this revised system as a universal staging of ONFH.
133 citations
TL;DR: This paper presents UAV classification, communication and application architectures, and an exhaustive survey of the existing routing protocols for flying ad hoc networks, and highlights the key features, strengths and weaknesses, and different mobility models used for the performance evaluation of theexisting FANET routing protocols.
Abstract: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is attracting considerable interest in academic research, commercial, and military applications. Multi-UAV systems organized in an ad hoc fashion called a flying ad hoc network (FANET) can cooperatively and collaboratively accomplish complex missions more efficiently compared to single large UAV systems. However, the unique features of FANETs such as high mobility, low node density, and high frequency of topology changes introduce challenges to the communication design, especially routing. Thus, the routing requirements of FANETs surpass those of MANETs or VANETs. In this paper, we present UAV classification, communication and application architectures, and an exhaustive survey of the existing routing protocols for flying ad hoc networks. Furthermore, we highlight the key features, strengths and weaknesses, and different mobility models used for the performance evaluation of the existing FANET routing protocols. More importantly, a proposed taxonomy and a review on the existing FANET routing protocols are presented. Finally, we highlight the existing challenges and open research issues.
TL;DR: This study devised a novel graph-based neural network that expanded the existing graph convolutional neural network (GCN) and employed a generative adversarial framework to ensure that a forecasted traffic state could be as realistic as possible considering the joint probabilistic density of real traffic states.
Abstract: The traffic state in an urban transportation network is determined via spatio-temporal traffic propagation. In early traffic forecasting studies, time-series models were adopted to accommodate autocorrelations between traffic states. The incorporation of spatial correlations into the forecasting of traffic states, however, involved a computational burden. Deep learning technologies were recently introduced to traffic forecasting in order to accommodate the spatio-temporal dependencies among traffic states. In the present study, we devised a novel graph-based neural network that expanded the existing graph convolutional neural network (GCN). The proposed model allowed us to differentiate the intensity of connecting to neighbor roads, unlike existing GCNs that give equal weight to each neighbor road. A plausible model architecture that mimicked real traffic propagation was established based on the graph convolution. The domain knowledge was efficiently incorporated into a neural network architecture. The present study also employed a generative adversarial framework to ensure that a forecasted traffic state could be as realistic as possible considering the joint probabilistic density of real traffic states. The forecasting performance of the proposed model surpassed that of the original GCN model, and the estimated adjacency matrices revealed the hidden nature of real traffic propagation.
University of Copenhagen1, Northeast Ohio Medical University2, University of Bern3, Sunnybrook Research Institute4, Policlinico Umberto I5, University of São Paulo6, Jaslok Hospital7, Chung-Ang University8, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich9, Huazhong University of Science and Technology10, Fudan University11, University of Verona12, University of Michigan13, University of Bergen14, Zhejiang University15, University of California, San Diego16, Kindai University17, Université Paris-Saclay18, Samsung Medical Center19, New Generation University College20, Chinese PLA General Hospital21, Imperial College London22, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital23, University of Pavia24, Paris Descartes University25, International University of Health and Welfare26, University of Barcelona27, University of Bologna28, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova29, King's College London30, Humanitas University31, Sun Yat-sen University32
TL;DR: These guidelines and recommendations provide general advice on the use of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) and are intended to create standard protocols for the use and administration of UCA in liver applications on an international basis to improve the management of patients.
Abstract: The present, updated document describes the fourth iteration of recommendations for the hepatic use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), first initiated in 2004 by the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). The previous updated editions of the guidelines reflected changes in the available contrast agents and updated the guidelines not only for hepatic but also for non-hepatic applications. The 2012 guideline requires updating as previously the differences of the contrast agents were not precisely described and the differences in contrast phases as well as handling were not clearly indicated. In addition, more evidence has been published for all contrast agents. The update also reflects the most recent developments in contrast agents, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as well as the extensive Asian experience, to produce a truly international perspective. These guidelines and recommendations provide general advice on the use of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) and are intended to create standard protocols for the use and administration of UCA in liver applications on an international basis to improve the management of patients.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a theoretical model to identify the latent factors influencing public acceptance of autonomous vehicles and examined their interrelationships by applying three diverse research paradigms anchoring on innovation diffusion, customer utility and social psychology.
TL;DR: An integrated model based on innovation diffusion theory (IDT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) was applied to examine the factors influencing a user’s behavioural intention to use AVs and revealed new findings that both PU and PEOU were influenced by the perceived characteristics of innovation.
Abstract: Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are a key transportation technology of the future and will be integral to smart cities. An increased understanding of user adoption is necessary to promote AV usage. This ...
TL;DR: Green, rapid, facile, cost-effective and ecofriendly synthesis of AgNPs using Pseudoduganella eburnea MAHUQ-39 shows strong antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogenic microbes and can be used as a powerful antimicrobial agent for various therapeutic applications.
Abstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown great promise in biomedical applications. The exact mechanism and mode of action of AgNPs regarding antimicrobial activity are still not well known. Moreover, synthesis of nanoparticles by physical and chemical methods is expensive and not ecofriendly. This study highlights the green, rapid, facile, cost-effective and ecofriendly synthesis of AgNPs using Pseudoduganella eburnea MAHUQ-39 and also investigates their antibacterial mechanisms. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image revealed a spherical shape of the AgNPs. The size of the synthesized AgNPs was 8 to 24 nm. The elemental mapping and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed the crystalline structure of AgNPs. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified the functional groups that are involved in the reduction of silver ion to AgNPs. The green synthesized AgNPs exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogenic microbes. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 100 μg/mL and 6.25 μg/mL, respectively, and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were 200 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, respectively. Our data demonstrated that synthesized AgNPs created structural changes of cells and destroyed the membrane integrity of strains S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Therefore, AgNPs synthesized by strain MAHUQ-39 can be used as a powerful antimicrobial agent for various therapeutic applications.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that wild-type FUS binds single-stranded RNA stoichiometrically in a length-dependent manner and that multimers induce highly dynamic interactions with RNA, giving rise to small and fluid condensates.
TL;DR: The Dune experiment as discussed by the authors is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model.
Abstract: The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay—these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. DUNE is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. Central to achieving DUNE's physics program is a far detector that combines the many tens-of-kiloton fiducial mass necessary for rare event searches with sub-centimeter spatial resolution in its ability to image those events, allowing identification of the physics signatures among the numerous backgrounds. In the single-phase liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) technology, ionization charges drift horizontally in the liquid argon under the influence of an electric field towards a vertical anode, where they are read out with fine granularity. A photon detection system supplements the TPC, directly enhancing physics capabilities for all three DUNE physics drivers and opening up prospects for further physics explorations. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. Volume IV presents an overview of the basic operating principles of a single-phase LArTPC, followed by a description of the DUNE implementation. Each of the subsystems is described in detail, connecting the high-level design requirements and decisions to the overriding physics goals of DUNE.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized the recent progress in the utilization of TiO2 for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and highlighted the strategies for modulating the properties toward the high photocatalysis activity of the material, including structural engineering, compositional engineering, and doping.
TL;DR: This article proposes a method that can compute the scheduling solutions of multiple electric vehicle charging stations in a distributed manner while handling run-time time-varying dynamic data and achieves a desirable performance in terms of reducing the operation costs of electric vehiclecharging stations.
Abstract: This article proposes a novel multiagent deep reinforcement learning method for the energy management of distributed electric vehicle charging stations with a solar photovoltaic system and energy storage system. In the literature, the conventional method is to calculate the optimal electric vehicle charging schedule in a centralized manner. However, in general, the centralized approach is not realistic under certain environments where the system operators for multiple electric vehicle charging stations handle dynamically varying data, such as the status of the energy storage system and electric vehicle-related information. Therefore, this article proposes a method that can compute the scheduling solutions of multiple electric vehicle charging stations in a distributed manner while handling run-time time-varying dynamic data. As shown in the data-intensive performance evaluation, it can be observed that the proposed method achieves a desirable performance in terms of reducing the operation costs of electric vehicle charging stations.
TL;DR: It is suggested that environmental bacteriophages could be reservoirs of widely variable, unknown ARGs that could be disseminated via virus-host interactions and showed that viruses in the environment carry as-yet-unreported functional ARGs, albeit in small quantities.
Abstract: Antibiotic resistance developed by bacteria is a significant threat to global health. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) spread across different bacterial populations through multiple dissemination routes, including horizontal gene transfer mediated by bacteriophages. ARGs carried by bacteriophages are considered especially threatening due to their prolonged persistence in the environment, fast replication rates, and ability to infect diverse bacterial hosts. Several studies employing qPCR and viral metagenomics have shown that viral fraction and viral sequence reads in clinical and environmental samples carry many ARGs. However, only a few ARGs have been found in viral contigs assembled from metagenome reads, with most of these genes lacking effective antibiotic resistance phenotypes. Owing to the wide application of viral metagenomics, nevertheless, different classes of ARGs are being continuously found in viral metagenomes acquired from diverse environments. As such, the presence and functionality of ARGs encoded by bacteriophages remain up for debate. We evaluated ARGs excavated from viral contigs recovered from urban surface water viral metagenome data. In virome reads and contigs, diverse ARGs, including polymyxin resistance genes, multidrug efflux proteins, and β-lactamases, were identified. In particular, when a lenient threshold of e value of ≤ 1 × e−5 and query coverage of ≥ 60% were employed in the Resfams database, the novel β-lactamases blaHRV-1 and blaHRVM-1 were found. These genes had unique sequences, forming distinct clades of class A and subclass B3 β-lactamases, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration analyses for E. coli strains harboring blaHRV-1 and blaHRVM-1 and catalytic kinetics of purified HRV-1 and HRVM-1 showed reduced susceptibility to penicillin, narrow- and extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and carbapenems. These genes were also found in bacterial metagenomes, indicating that they were harbored by actively infecting phages. Our results showed that viruses in the environment carry as-yet-unreported functional ARGs, albeit in small quantities. We thereby suggest that environmental bacteriophages could be reservoirs of widely variable, unknown ARGs that could be disseminated via virus-host interactions.
TL;DR: The SERS-based imaging aptasensor platform proposed in this work overcomes the issues inherent in conventional approaches (the time-consuming and labor-intensiveness of RT-PCR and low sensitivity and quantitative analysis limits of lateral flow assay kits).
TL;DR: This review provides comprehensive strategies for the utilization of Ti3C2Tx as a catalyst for improving solar-driven HER, including surface functional groups engineering, structural modification, and cocatalyst coupling.
Abstract: Low dimensional transition metal carbide and nitride (MXenes) have been emerging as frontier materials for energy storage and conversion. Ti3C2Tx was the first MXenes that discovered and soon become the most widely investigated among the MXenes family. Interestingly, Ti3C2Tx exhibits ultrahigh catalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. In addition, Ti3C2Tx is electronically conductive, and its optical bandgap is tunable in the visible region, making it become one of the most promising candidates for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this review, we provide comprehensive strategies for the utilization of Ti3C2Tx as a catalyst for improving solar-driven HER, including surface functional groups engineering, structural modification, and cocatalyst coupling. In addition, the reaming obstacle for using these materials in a practical system is evaluated. Finally, the direction for the future development of these materials featuring high photocatalytic activity toward HER is discussed.
TL;DR: It is suggested that prior use of RAAS inhibitors was not independently associated with mortality among COVID-19 patients in Korea.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors may facilitate host cell entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or attenuate organ injury via RAAS blockade. We aimed to assess the associations between prior use of RAAS inhibitors and clinical outcomes among Korean patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We performed a nationwide population-based cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database. Claim records were screened for 69 793 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 until 8 April 2020. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to compare the clinical outcomes between RAAS inhibitor users and nonusers. RESULTS: Among 5179 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 762 patients were RAAS inhibitor users and 4417 patients were nonusers. Relative to nonusers, RAAS inhibitor users were more likely to be older, male, and have comorbidities. Among 1954 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 377 patients were RAAS inhibitor users, and 1577 patients were nonusers. In-hospital mortality was observed for 33 RAAS inhibitor users (9%) and 51 nonusers (3%) (Pâ
<â
.001). However, after adjustment for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, immunosuppression, and hospital type, the use of RAAS inhibitors was not associated with a higher risk of mortality (adjusted OR, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-1.44; Pâ
=â
.60). No significant differences were observed between RAAS inhibitor users and nonusers in terms of vasopressor use, modes of ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, renal replacement therapy, and acute cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that prior use of RAAS inhibitors was not independently associated with mortality among COVID-19 patients in Korea.
TL;DR: The sensitivity of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to neutrino oscillation is determined, based on a full simulation, reconstruction, and event selection of the far detector and full simulation and parameterized analysis of the near detector as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The sensitivity of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to neutrino oscillation is determined, based on a full simulation, reconstruction, and event selection of the far detector and a full simulation and parameterized analysis of the near detector. Detailed uncertainties due to the flux prediction, neutrino interaction model, and detector effects are included. DUNE will resolve the neutrino mass ordering to a precision of 5σ, for all δCP values, after 2 years of running with the nominal detector design and beam configuration. It has the potential to observe charge-parity violation in the neutrino sector to a precision of 3σ (5σ) after an exposure of 5 (10) years, for 50% of all δCP values. It will also make precise measurements of other parameters governing long-baseline neutrino oscillation, and after an exposure of 15 years will achieve a similar sensitivity to sin 22 θ13 to current reactor experiments.
TL;DR: Significant roles of functional biomaterials in advanced spheroid engineering with emphasis on the use of spheroids in the reconstruction of artificial 3D tissue for tissue engineering are also thoroughly discussed.
Abstract: Multi-cellular spheroids are formed as a 3D structure with dense cell-cell/cell-extracellular matrix interactions, and thus, have been widely utilized as implantable therapeutics and various ex vivo tissue models in tissue engineering. In principle, spheroid culture methods maximize cell-cell cohesion and induce spontaneous cellular assembly while minimizing cellular interactions with substrates by using physical forces such as gravitational or centrifugal forces, protein-repellant biomaterials, and micro-structured surfaces. In addition, biofunctional materials including magnetic nanoparticles, polymer microspheres, and nanofiber particles are combined with cells to harvest composite spheroids, to accelerate spheroid formation, to increase the mechanical properties and viability of spheroids, and to direct differentiation of stem cells into desirable cell types. Biocompatible hydrogels are developed to produce microgels for the fabrication of size-controlled spheroids with high efficiency. Recently, spheroids have been further engineered to fabricate structurally and functionally reliable in vitro artificial 3D tissues of the desired shape with enhanced specific biological functions. This paper reviews the overall characteristics of spheroids and general/advanced spheroid culture techniques. Significant roles of functional biomaterials in advanced spheroid engineering with emphasis on the use of spheroids in the reconstruction of artificial 3D tissue for tissue engineering are also thoroughly discussed.
TL;DR: Numerical results from extensive simulations show that the proposed deep-learning-based approach provides effective battery charging control in multi-drone scenarios.
Abstract: State-of-the-art drone technologies have severe flight time limitations due to weight constraints, which inevitably lead to a relatively small amount of available energy. Therefore, frequent battery replacement or recharging is necessary in applications such as delivery, exploration, or support to the wireless infrastructure. Mobile charging stations (i.e., mobile stations with charging equipment) for outdoor ad-hoc battery charging is one of the feasible solutions to address this issue. However, the ability of these platforms to charge the drones is limited in terms of the number and charging time. This paper designs an auction-based mechanism to control the charging schedule in multi-drone setting. In this paper, charging time slots are auctioned, and their assignment is determined by a bidding process. The main challenge in developing this framework is the lack of prior knowledge on the distribution of the number of drones participating in the auction. Based on optimal second-price-auction, the proposed formulation, then, relies on deep learning algorithms to learn such distribution online. Numerical results from extensive simulations show that the proposed deep learning-based approach provides effective battery charging control in multi-drone scenarios.
Leiden University Medical Center1, NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital2, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai3, Yonsei University4, University of Milan5, Beaumont Hospital6, University of Ottawa7, Innsbruck Medical University8, Seoul National University Hospital9, University of British Columbia10, Unica Corporation11, Chung-Ang University12, VU University Medical Center13, University of Ulsan14, Mayo Clinic15, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center16, Emory University17, Brigham and Women's Hospital18, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute19
TL;DR: Results of this study suggest that, on a per-patient and per-lesion basis, 1K plaque was associated with a lower risk for future ACS and that measurement of1K plaque may improve risk stratification beyond plaque burden.
Abstract: Importance: Plaque morphologic measures on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) have been associated with future acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the evolution of calcified coronary plaques by noninvasive imaging is not known. Objective: To ascertain whether the increasing density in calcified coronary plaque is associated with risk for ACS. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter case-control cohort study included individuals enrolled in ICONIC (Incident Coronary Syndromes Identified by Computed Tomography), a nested case-control study of patients drawn from the CONFIRM (Coronary CT Angiography Evaluation for Clinical Outcomes: An International Multicenter) registry, which included 13 study sites in 8 countries. Patients who experienced core laboratory-verified ACS after baseline CCTA (n = 189) and control individuals who did not experience ACS after baseline CCTA (n = 189) were included. Patients and controls were matched 1:1 by propensity scores for age; male sex; presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes; family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD); current smoking status; and CAD severity. Data were analyzed from November 2018 to March 2019. Exposures: Whole-heart atherosclerotic plaque volume was quantitated from all coronary vessels and their branches. For patients who underwent invasive angiography at the time of ACS, culprit lesions were coregistered to baseline CCTA lesions by a blinded independent reader. Low-density plaque was defined as having less than 130 Hounsfield units (HU); calcified plaque, as having more than 350 HU and subcategorized on a voxel-level basis into 3 strata: 351 to 700 HU, 701 to 1000 HU, and more than 1000 HU (termed 1K plaque). Main Outcomes and Measures: Association between calcium density and future ACS risk. Results: A total of 189 patients and 189 matched controls (mean [SD] age of 59.9 [9.8] years; 247 [65.3%] were male) were included in the analysis and were monitored during a mean (SD) follow-up period of 3.9 (2.5) years. The overall mean (SD) calcified plaque volume (>350 HU) was similar between patients and controls (76.4 [101.6] mm3 vs 99.0 [156.1] mm3; P =.32), but patients who experienced ACS exhibited less 1K plaque (>1000 HU) compared with controls (3.9 [8.3] mm3 vs 9.4 [23.2] mm3; P =.02). Individuals within the highest quartile of 1K plaque exhibited less low-density plaque, as a percentage of total plaque, when compared with patients within the lower 3 quartiles (12.6% [10.4%] vs 24.9% [20.6%]; P <.001). For 93 culprit precursor lesions detected by CCTA, the volume of 1K plaque was lower compared with the maximally stenotic lesion in controls (2.6 [7.2] mm3 vs 7.6 [20.3] mm3; P =.01). The per-patient and per-lesion results were similar between the 2 groups when restricted to myocardial infarction cases. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this study suggest that, on a per-patient and per-lesion basis, 1K plaque was associated with a lower risk for future ACS and that measurement of 1K plaque may improve risk stratification beyond plaque burden.
TL;DR: In this article, a dual-mode algorithm based on manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanosheets was proposed for the detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in livestock serum and pasteurized milk.
Abstract: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity plays a crucial role in foods and varies greatly in livestock and dairy products; it is quite difficult to compatibly monitor the different activities in various complicated foods. Herein, we proposed a ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetry dual-mode assay based on manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanosheets for the visualization of ALP activity in livestock serum and pasteurized milk samples compatibly. MnO2 nanosheets could oxidize dopamine into green fluorescent polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles, so to quench the red fluorescent quantum dots (QDs), or oxidize colorless 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into yellow TMBox. In the coexistence of ALP and 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid, MnO2 nanosheets were reduced into Mn2+ ions by the catalysate of ascorbic acid, failing to generate PDA nanoparticles, and therefore, recovering the fluorescence of QDs for ratiometric fluorescence detection of high-activity ALP, or weakening the oxidization of TMB for colorimetric detection of ultralow-activity ALP. The ratiometric fluorescence-colorimetry combination extended the linear range over three orders of magnitude (0.04–80 mU/mL), and lowered the detection limit down to 0.015 mU/mL, along with profuse ALP-dependent (fluorescence) color changes for visual detection of ALP activity. Excellent recognition selectivity for ALP was attained over possibly coexistent reducing substances. Furthermore, the endogenous ALP were detected ranging from 17.32 to 269.54 mU/mL in seven typical livestock sera, consistent with that measured by commercial ALP assay kit; the detection results for ALP in four pasteurized milks matched well with that by test paper. The developed dual-mode assay held great potential for rapid on-site visual determination of reductant-related analytes in complicated matrices.
TL;DR: This article studies Bitcoin and Ethereum and explores features in their network that explain their price hikes and identifies key network features that help to determine the demand and supply dynamics in a cryptocurrency.
Abstract: Recently, the Blockchain-based cryptocurrency market witnessed enormous growth. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, reached all-time highs many times over the year leading to speculations to explain the trend in its growth. In this article, we study Bitcoin and Ethereum and explore features in their network that explain their price hikes. We gather data and analyze user and network activity that highly impact the price of these cryptocurrencies. We monitor the change in the activities over time and relate them to economic theories. We identify key network features that help us to determine the demand and supply dynamics in a cryptocurrency. Finally, we use machine learning methods to construct models that predict Bitcoin price. Based on our experimental results using two large datasets for validation, we confirm that our approach provides an accuracy of up to 99% for Bitcoin and Ethereum price prediction in both instances.