Insect-derived biochar for CO adsorption under humid conditions: Elucidating adsorption mechanisms and competitive interactions with water molecules.

The CO adsorption capacity of biochar depends on the type of biomass used and its physicochemical properties; various sorption parameters including temperature, CO concentration, and humidity affect the CO adsorption capacity. Biochar derived from defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) biomass was investigated for direct CO capture and exhibited a hydrophilic/mesoporous structure that contained high concentrations of alkali and alkaline metals (>10 wt%), which contribute to CO chemisorption. The CO adsorption efficiency was higher at 25 °C compared with that at 30 °C and 35 °C, probably due to reduced Brownian motion of CO molecules at lower temperatures.

Pyrolytic conversion of cattle manure into value-added products and application of biochar for adsorption of sulfamethoxazole.

This study investigated the thermochemical conversion of cattle manure (CM) to propose a sustainable platform for its valorization, and explored the applicability of CM-derived biochar (CMB) as an environmental medium for the adsorptive removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). CM pyrolysis was conducted under two atmospheric conditions (N and CO), and the pyrogenic products were quantified and characterized. Real-time syngas monitoring revealed that CO enhanced CO generation from the CM, leading to the formation of a highly porous carbon structure in the produced biochar (CMBCO).

Sustainable management of medical plastic waste through carbon dioxide-assisted pyrolysis.

To address the challenges associated with medical plastic waste and to characterize its heterogeneity, non-recyclability, and potential biohazard risks, this study explored a carbon dioxide (CO)-assisted pyrolysis process as a sustainable disposal method. Medical plastic waste typically includes polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. To experimentally evaluate the functional reactivity of CO, we employed three pyrolysis setups (one-stage, two-stage, and catalytic processes).

Amplifying Photochromic Response in Tungsten Oxide Films with Titanium Oxide and Polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Tungsten oxide (WO) is known for its photochromic properties, making it useful for smart windows, displays, and sensors. However, its small bandgap leads to rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs, resulting in poor photochromic performance. This study aims to enhance the photochromic properties of WO by synthesizing hexagonal tungsten oxide via hydrothermal synthesis, which increases surface area and internal hydrates.

Improvement in functional motor scores in patients with non-ambulatory spinal muscle atrophy during Nusinersen treatment in South Korea: a single center study.

We analyzed the changes in various motor function scores over a four-year period in patients with non-ambulatory spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) during Nusinersen treatment. Patients underwent Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) or Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) before treatment, and approximately every 4 months thereafter. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP INTEND) or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Adult Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP ATEND), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), and Motor Function Measure (MFM) were performed based on baseline functional status.

Effects of exercise during active surveillance for prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The efficacy of exercise in men with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS) remains unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to examine the effects of exercise in PCa patients on AS.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library using search terms, including exercise, PCa, AS, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

The Health Status and Management of Migrant Workers in Cheonan: A Comparison Study With Korean Citizens.

Migrant workers face challenging working conditions, resulting in physical and mental vulnerability. The objective is to identify their health vulnerabilities and ensure their right to health. Health records of 163 migrant workers (113 males and 50 females) (Group A) and 163 Korean citizens (Group B) visiting our institution were analyzed from August 2021 to July 2022.

A novel 3D bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system for studying functional motor units.

Background: A motor unit (MU) is formed by a single alpha motor neuron (MN) and the muscle fibers it innervates. The MU is essential for all voluntary movements. Functional deficits in the MU result in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs).

A Small-Scale Hopper Design Using a Power Spring-Based Linear Actuator.

Hopping locomotion has the potential to enable small-scale robots to maneuver lands quickly while overcoming obstacles bigger than themselves. To make this possible, in this paper, we propose a novel design of a high-power linear actuator for a small-scale hopper. The key design principle of the linear actuator is to use a power spring and an active clutch.

One-Step Hybrid Bending/Diffusion Bonding Process and Analysis of the Bonding Characteristics of Titanium Alloy Sheets.

A one-step hybrid bending/diffusion bonding process (HB/DBP) was developed for application to Ti-6Al-4V sheets to effectively improve buy-to-fly (BTF) ratio of aircraft parts, integrating sequential diffusion bonding followed by a bending process. The resulting bonding characteristics of these titanium alloy sheets were analyzed. Microstructural analysis and mechanical lap shear tests were performed to estimate the bonding quality.

Dipo: a miniaturized hopping robot via lightweight and compact actuator design for power amplification.

Kangaroo rats are well known as representative hoppers in small-scale animals. Especially kangaroo rats show rapid movement when a predator approaches. If this amazing motion can be applied to small-scale robots, they will be able to traverse lands at high speed while overcoming size limitations.

Triterpenoids from the leaves of Abies koreana and their biological activities.

Seven undescribed triterpenoids, abikoranes A-G, along with three known triterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Abies koreana E. H. Wilson.

Applications of agricultural residue biochars to removal of toxic gases emitted from chemical plants: A review.

Crop residues are representative agricultural waste materials, massively generated in the world. However, a large fraction of them is currently being wasted, though they have a high potential to be used as a value-added carbon-rich material. Also, the applications of carbon-rich materials from agricultural waste to industries can have economic benefit because waste-derived carbon materials are considered inexpensive waste materials.

NGSpop: A desktop software that supports population studies by identifying sequence variations from next-generation sequencing data.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is widely used in all areas of genetic research, such as genetic disease diagnosis and breeding, and it can produce massive amounts of data. The identification of sequence variants is an important step when processing large NGS datasets; however, currently, the process is complicated, repetitive, and requires concentration, which can be taxing on the researcher. Therefore, to support researchers who are not familiar enough with bioinformatics to identify sequence variations regularly from large datasets, we have developed a fully automated desktop software, NGSpop.

Survival benefit of direct transport to trauma centers among patients with unintentional injuries in Korea: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Objective: This study investigated the characteristics and survival rates of patients with unintentional severe trauma who visited a regional trauma center (TC) or a non-TC.

Methods: This retrospective, national, population-based, observational, case-control study included patients with abnormal Revised Trauma Score from January 2018 to December 2018. We divided hospitals into two types, TC and non-TC, and compared several variables, including in-hospital mortality.

CRABP1-CaMKII-Agrn regulates the maintenance of neuromuscular junction in spinal motor neuron.

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRABP1) binds retinoic acid (RA) specifically in the cytoplasm with unclear functions. CRABP1 is highly and specifically expressed in spinal motor neurons (MNs). Clinical and pre-clinical data reveal a potential link between CRABP1 and MN diseases, including the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The complete chloroplast genome of (Nakai) Pamp. (Asteraceae), a traditional medicinal herb in Korea.

(Nakai) Pamp. is a widely used heath food and a well-known traditional Korean herbal medicine. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of was determined using high-throughput sequencing technology.

First Drinking Experiences during Adolescence in South Korea: A Qualitative Study Focusing on the Internal and External Factors.

This study explored the internal and external factors affecting the first drinking experience during Korean adolescence. To achieve this, we collected 34 cases revealing specific drinking experiences during adolescence in Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.

Enhanced light extraction efficiency and viewing angle characteristics of microcavity OLEDs by using a diffusion layer.

The viewing angle characteristics and light extraction efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a micro-cavity structure were enhanced. This was accomplished by inserting a diffusion layer composed of nano-sized structures of a transparent polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) combined with a zinc oxide (ZnO) semi-planarization layer with a high refractive index (n = 2.1) into the devices.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of economical standard tea plant, cultivar Sangmok, in Korea.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of cultivar Sangmok was determined using high-throughput sequencing technology. We sequenced Sangmok chloroplast genome and performed comparative with 21 published other and species from different genus for phylogenetic analysis. Chloroplast genome was 153,044 bp in length, containing a pair of 24,627 bp inverted repeat (IR) regions, which were separated by small and large single-copy regions (SSC and LSC) of 19,155 and 64,665 bp, respectively.