Current stress induced electrical instability in transparent zinc tin oxide thin-film transistors.

Transparent zinc tin oxide thin-film transistors (ZTO-TFTs) [Zn:Sn = 4:1-2:1] have been fabricated so as to estimate the electrical instability under constant current stress. The relative intensity of the drain current noise power spectra density has been shown to have a typical 1/f-noise character, and it is implied that the mobility fluctuation in ZTO-TFT [Zn:Sn = 4:1] can be enhanced by a short-range ordering in amorphous Zn-Sn-oxide, causing a larger shift of the threshold voltage (deltaV(th)).

MS-275, a benzamide histone deacetylase inhibitor, prevents osteoclastogenesis by down-regulating c-Fos expression and suppresses bone loss in mice.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes play important roles in physiological and pathological processes by catalyzing the deacetylation of lysine residues in histone and non-histone proteins. Inhibition of HDACs has emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy for various diseases including cancer and inflammatory diseases. We recently found that MS-275, a class I-specific HDAC inhibitor, exhibits an anabolic effect on bone through promoting expression of alkaline phosphatase in osteoblasts.

Stress-responsive hypothalamic-nucleus accumbens regulation may vary depending on stressors.

This study was conducted to determine if the stress-responsive hypothalamic-nucleus accumbens (NAc) regulation is a stressor specific event. Male SD rats were subjected to restraint or cold stress for 2 h, and then mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was examined by in situ hybridization and the plasma corticosterone levels by radioimmunoassay. Neuronal activations in the PVN and the NAc were examined by c-Fos immunohistochemistry and the brain GABA contents by HPLC.

Recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF-β) gene transfer promotes regeneration of crush-injured mental nerve in rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF-β) gene transfer at a crush-injured sensory nerve can enhance nerve regeneration.

Study Design: A 4-mm crush injury was made on the mental nerve of mandible in rats, and rhNGF-β adenovirus (6 μL, concentration = 1.0 × 10(11) pfu/μL) was injected at the crushed site for the experimental group (NGF-Ad group, n = 15) and the same volume of PBS for the controls (PBS group, n = 15).

Extremely thin bilayer electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) fabricated by chemical solution deposition (CSD).

An extremely thin bilayer electrolyte consisting of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) is successfully fabricated on a sintered NiO-YSZ substrate. Major processing flaws are effectively eliminated by applying local constraints to YSZ nanoparticles, and excellent open circuit voltage and cell performance are demonstrated in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) at intermediate operating temperatures.

CXCL10 promotes osteolytic bone metastasis by enhancing cancer outgrowth and osteoclastogenesis.

Amplification of the chemokines CXCL10 and RANKL has been suggested to promote osteoclast differentiation and osteolytic bone metastasis, but a function for endogenous CXCL10 in these processes is not well established. In this study, we show that endogenous CXCL10 is critical to recruit cancer cells to bone, support osteoclast differentiation and promote for the formation of osteolytic bone metastases. Neutralizing CXCL10 antibody reduced migration of cancer cells expressing the CXCL10 receptor CXCR3, and loss of CXCR3 or CXCL10 decreased bone tumor burden in vivo.

Association between CDK5RAP1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo in the Korean population.

The neuronal theory of the pathogenesis of vitiligo is supported by clinical, ultrastructural and biochemical findings. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1 (CDK5RAP1) is expressed in neuronal tissues, and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) seems to be critically involved in the migration of neuroblasts during early post-natal development. To evaluate whether CDK5RAP1 polymorphisms are associated with vitiligo patients in the Korean population, we conducted a case-control association study of 296 vitiligo patients and 426 healthy controls.

Nanostructured hybrid transparent conductive films with antibacterial properties.

Here, we demonstrate that the assembly of nanostructures with different dimensionalities yields "multicomponent hybrid" transparent conductive films (TCFs) with sheet resistance and optical transmittance comparable to that of indium tin oxide (ITO) films. It was shown that sheet resistance of single-component Ag nanowire (NW) films can be further decreased by introducing gold-decorated reduced graphene oxide (RG-O) nanoplatelets that bridge the closely located noncontacting metal NWs. RG-O nanoplatelets can act as a protective and adhesive layer for underneath metal NWs, resulting in better performance of hybrid TCFs compared to single-component TCFs.

Selective-area fluorination of graphene with fluoropolymer and laser irradiation.

We have devised a method to selectively fluorinate graphene by irradiating fluoropolymer-covered graphene with a laser. This fluoropolymer produces active fluorine radicals under laser irradiation that react with graphene but only in the laser-irradiated region. The kinetics of C-F bond formation is dependent on both the laser power and fluoropolymer thickness, proving that fluorination occurs by the decomposition of the fluoropolymer.

Stretchable semiconductor technologies with high areal coverages and strain-limiting behavior: demonstration in high-efficiency dual-junction GaInP/GaAs photovoltaics.

Notched islands on a thin elastomeric substrate serve as a platform for dual-junction GaInP/GaAs solar cells with microscale dimensions and ultrathin forms for stretchable photovoltaic modules. These designs allow for a high degree of stretchability and areal coverage, and they provide a natural form of strain-limiting behavior, helping to avoid destructive effects of extreme deformations.

The functional role of the cerebellum in visually guided tracking movement.

We propose a new method to provide a functional interpretation of motor commands (i.e., muscle activities) and their relationship to movement kinematics.

Latissimus dorsi (LD) free flap and reconstruction plate used for extensive maxillo-mandibular reconstruction after tumour ablation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to consider the indications and evaluate the clinical advantages and disadvantages including, results and complications, of immediate reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi (LD) free flap and reconstruction plate (R-plate) in advanced oro-mandibular tumour resection.

Methods And Materials: Our cohort included 116 patients who underwent LD free flap and R-plate reconstruction. Flap survival, postoperative function, donor/recipient site complication and aesthetics were evaluated.

Analysis of the BOLD Characteristics in Pass-Band bSSFP fMRI.

Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) has been proposed as an alternative method to acquire the blood oxygenation level dependent contrast. Particularly, pass-band bSSFP functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is believed to utilize the sensitivity of bSSFP in a relatively wide and flat off-resonance frequency band of the bSSFP profile. The method has a potential to provide higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) efficiency with reduced imaging artifacts compared to conventional approaches.

Synthesis of high quality monolayer graphene at reduced temperature on hydrogen-enriched evaporated copper (111) films.

We report new findings on the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of monolayer graphene with negligible defects (≥95% negligible defect-peak over 200 μm × 200 μm areas) on evaporated copper films. Compared to copper foils used in the CVD of graphene, several new unexpected results have been observed including high-quality monolayer synthesis at temperatures <900 °C, a new growth window using a hydrogen-free methane precursor for low-defects, and electron microscope evidence of commensurate growth of graphene grains on underlying copper grains. These thermal, chemical, and physical growth characteristics of graphene on copper films can be attributed to the distinct differences in the dominant crystal orientation of copper films (111) versus foils (100), and consequent dissimilar interplay with the precursor gas.

Platelet-rich plasma combined with fractional laser therapy for skin rejuvenation.

Background And Objectives: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous concentration of human platelets contained in a small volume of plasma and has recently been shown to accelerate wound healing and rejuvenate aging skin. The current study was conducted to determine whether there are additional effects of PRP combined with fractional laser therapy.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two Korean women underwent three sessions of fractional laser; 11 were treated with topical application of PRP combined with fractional laser.

Simultaneous transfer and doping of CVD-grown graphene by fluoropolymer for transparent conductive films on plastic.

Chemical doping can decrease sheet resistance of graphene while maintaining its high transparency. We report a new method to simultaneously transfer and dope chemical vapor deposition grown graphene onto a target substrate using a fluoropolymer as both the supporting and doping layer. Solvent was used to remove a significant fraction of the supporting fluoropolymer, but residual polymer remained that doped the graphene significantly.

Autoantibodies in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients induce internalization of muscarinic type 3 receptors.

Objectives: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte infiltration into the salivary and lachrymal glands, leading to dry mouth and eyes. The presence of functional autoantibodies against muscarinic type 3 receptor (M3R) has been reported in pSS patients. However, the pathological role of anti-M3R autoantibodies in pSS salivary dysfunction remains controversial.

A comparative study of catalytic partial oxidation of methane over CeO2 supported metallic catalysts.

In the present study, the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) over various active metals supported on CeO2 (M/CeO2, M = Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh and Ru) has been investigated. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), CO chemisorption and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. Ir/CeO2 catalysts showed higher BET surface area, higher metal dispersion, small active metal nano-particles (approximately 3 nm) than compared to other M/CeO2 catalysts.

5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan Suppressed Food Intake in Rats Despite an Increase in the Arcuate NPY Expression.

This study was conducted to define the underlying mechanism of hypophagia induced by increased central serotonergic action. Rats received 3 daily injections of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), a serotonin precursor, at a dose of 100 mg/kg/10 ml saline at 1 h before lights off. A significant suppression in food intake was observed shortly after the 5-HTP injection and persisted during 3 daily 5-HTP injections.

The clinical application of the dental mini C-arm for the removal of broken instruments in soft and hard tissue in the oral and maxillofacial area.

Many kinds of broken instruments, such as needles, probes, scalpels and catheters, are reported to be left in patients after surgery. These parts should be removed as soon as possible to prevent further complications. However, it is not easy to identify the exact location of the instrument intraoperatively, and a risk of damage exists for neighbouring nerves or vessels during the removal.

The contribution of myelin to magnetic susceptibility-weighted contrasts in high-field MRI of the brain.

T(2)*-weighted gradient-echo MRI images at high field (≥ 7T) have shown rich image contrast within and between brain regions. The source for these contrast variations has been primarily attributed to tissue magnetic susceptibility differences. In this study, the contribution of myelin to both T(2)* and frequency contrasts is investigated using a mouse model of demyelination based on a cuprizone diet.

Acral angioosteoma cutis.

Acral angioosteoma cutis is a rare disease first described in 2006 that is characterized by vascular proliferation with ossification at the acral area, and which bears clinical similarity to pyogenic granuloma. However, there is no lobular pattern in the capillary proliferation that is a typical histopathological feature in pyogenic granuloma. Metaplastic cutaneous ossification is associated with multiple skin diseases and inflammatory conditions such as scars, nevi, basal cell carcinomas, pilomatricomas, chondroid syringomas, and venous stasis.

Hyperphagia and depression-like behavior by adolescence social isolation in female rats.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of adolescence social isolation on food intake and psycho-emotional behaviors of female rats. Female littermates were either single-caged (social isolation) or group-caged (control) from postnatal day 28, and then subjected to behavioral sessions during postnatal day 50-53. Body weight gain of the isolates was accelerated during the experimental period and food intake was persistently greater than group-caged controls from postnatal day 35.