Continuous Productivity Improvement Using IoE Data for Fault Monitoring: An Automotive Parts Production Line Case Study.

This paper presents a case study of continuous productivity improvement of an automotive parts production line using Internet of Everything (IoE) data for fault monitoring. Continuous productivity improvement denotes an iterative process of analyzing and updating the production line configuration for productivity improvement based on measured data. Analysis for continuous improvement of a production system requires a set of data (machine uptime, downtime, cycle-time) that are not typically monitored by a conventional fault monitoring system.

Iron Accumulation and Changes in Cellular Organelles in WDR45 Mutant Fibroblasts.

Iron overload in the brain, defined as excess stores of iron, is known to be associated with neurological disorders. In neurodegeneration accompanied by brain iron accumulation, we reported a specific point mutation, c.974-1G>A in WD Repeat Domain 45 (), showing iron accumulation in the brain, and autophagy defects in the fibroblasts.

Tunable Product Selectivity in Electrochemical CO Reduction on Well-Mixed Ni-Cu Alloys.

Electrochemical reduction of CO on copper-based catalysts has become a promising strategy to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and gain valuable chemicals and fuels. Unfortunately, however, the generally low product selectivity of the process decreases the industrial competitiveness compared to the established large-scale chemical processes. Here, we present random solid solution CuNi alloy catalysts that, due to their full miscibility, enable a systematic modulation of adsorption energies.

Impact of symmetry-breaking of non-fullerene acceptors for efficient and stable organic solar cells.

The concurrent enhancement of short-circuit current ( ) and open-circuit voltage ( ) is a key problem in the preparation of efficient organic solar cells (OSCs). In this paper, we report efficient and stable OSCs based on an asymmetric non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) IPC-BEH-IC2F. The NFA consists of a weak electron-donor core dithienothiophen[3,2-]-pyrrolobenzothiadiazole (BEH) and two kinds of strong electron-acceptor (A) units [9-indeno[1,2-]pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile (IPC) with a tricyclic fused system and 2-(5,6-difluoro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (IC2F)].

The Aftermath: Post-pandemic Psychiatric Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a South Korean Perspective.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted our everyday life. Along with the fear of getting infected or of having loved ones infected, the lifestyle changes and the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic have profound impact on mental health of the general population. While numerous studies on immediate psychological responses to COVID-19 are being published, there is a lack of discussion on its possible long-term sequelae.

Spectroscopic Evidence for a Cobalt-Bound Peroxyhemiacetal Intermediate.

Aldehyde deformylation reactions by metal dioxygen adducts have been proposed to involve peroxyhemiacetal species as key intermediates. However, direct evidence of such intermediates has not been obtained to date. We report the spectroscopic characterization of a mononuclear cobalt(III)-peroxyhemiacetal complex, [Co(Me-TPADP)(OCH(O)CH(CH)CH)] (), in the reaction of a cobalt(III)-peroxo complex () with 2-phenylpropionaldehyde (2-PPA).

A functional model for quercetin 2,4-dioxygenase: Geometric and electronic structures and reactivity of a nickel(II) flavonolate complex.

Quercetin 2,4-dioyxgenase (QueD) has been known to catalyze the oxygenative degradation of flavonoids and quercetin. Recent crystallographic study revealed a nickel ion occupies the active site as a co-factor to support O activation and catalysis. Herein, we report a nickel(II) flavonolate complex bearing a tridentate macrocyclic ligand, [Ni(Me-TACN)(Fl)(NO)](HO) (1, Me-TACN = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, Fl = 3-hydroxyflavone) as a functional model for QueD.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Mixed Nanofertilizer Influencing the Nutrient Use Efficiency, Productivity, and Nutritive Value of Tomato Fruits.

Due to the higher potential for enhancing nutrient use efficiency, nanofertilizer (NF) is crucial in sustainable crop production. Thus, foliar-applied mixed nanofertilizer (MNF) and commercial fertilizer (CF) into the soil (CFs) were claimed together ([MNF + CFs]) and comparative nutrient use efficiency (NUE), productivity, and nutritional properties of tomato fruits were investigated. The mixed nanofertilizer (MNF) was prepared in our laboratory and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared.

A forebrain neural substrate for behavioral thermoregulation.

Thermoregulatory behavior is a basic motivated behavior for body temperature homeostasis. Despite its fundamental importance, a forebrain region or defined neural population required for this process has yet to be established. Here, we show that Vgat-expressing neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH neurons) are required for diverse thermoregulatory behaviors.

PMP(Porphyrin-Micelle-PSMA) Nanoparticles for Photoacoustic and Ultrasound Signal Amplification in Mouse Prostate Cancer Xenografts.

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is used widely in cancer diagnosis. However, the availability of PA agents has not made great progress due to the limitations of the one currently in use, porphyrin. Porphyrin-Micelle (PM), developed by synthesizing porphyrin and PEG-3.

Magnetism-controlled assembly of composite stem cell spheroids for the biofabrication of contraction-modulatory 3D tissue.

Biofabrication of organ-like engineered 3D tissue through the assembly of magnetized 3D multi-cellular spheroids has been recently investigated in tissue engineering. However, the cytotoxicity of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and contraction-induced structural deformation of the constructs have been major limitations. In this study, we developed a method to fabricate composite stem cell spheroids using MNP-coated fibers, alleviating MNP-mediated toxicity and controlling structural assembly under external magnetic stimuli.

Discovery and Mechanism of Action of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Ceramidases.

Sphingolipid metabolism is tightly controlled by enzymes to regulate essential processes in human physiology. The central metabolite is ceramide, a pro-apoptotic lipid catabolized by ceramidase enzymes to produce pro-proliferative sphingosine-1-phosphate. Alkaline ceramidases are transmembrane enzymes that recently attracted attention for drug development in fatty liver diseases.

Fluorescent paper strip immunoassay with carbon nanodots@silica for determination of human serum amyloid A1.

A fluorescent paper strip immunoassay in conjunction with carbon nanodots@silica (CND@SiO) as a label was developed for the quantitative measurements of human serum amyloid A1 (hSAA1) in serum at clinically significant concentrations for lung cancer diagnosis. Monodispersed CND@SiO was prepared by cohydrolysis between silane-crosslinked carbon nanodots and silica precursors via the Ströber method and further attached covalently to anti-hSAA1 (14F8) monoclonal antibody [anti-hSAA1(14F8)] specific to the hSAA1 target. The hSAA1 concentrations were then determined by quantifying the blue fluorescence intensity upon 365 nm excitation of the captured hSAA1 with anti-hSAA1(14F8)-CND@SiO conjugates in the test line on a paper strip where anti-hSAA1 (10G1) monoclonal antibody was physisorbed.

Recent Advances in Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic CO Reduction: A Mini-Review.

Solar energy-driven carbon dioxide (CO) reduction to valuable solar fuels/chemicals (e.g., methane, ethanol, and carbon monoxide) using particulate photocatalysts is regarded as one of the promising and effective approaches to deal with energy scarcity and global warming.

Epigenetically defined therapeutic targeting in H3.3G34R/V high-grade gliomas.

High-grade gliomas with arginine or valine substitutions of the histone H3.3 glycine-34 residue (H3.3G34R/V) carry a dismal prognosis, and current treatments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, are not curative.

Material Modeling of PMMA Film for Hot Embossing Process.

This study provides an analysis of the hot embossing process with poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) film. The hot embossing process engraves a fine pattern on a flexible film using a stamp, applied heat and pressure. As the quality of the embossing pattern varies according to various process variables, the mechanism of making the embossed shape is complicated and difficult to analyze.

Facile and versatile ligand analysis method of colloidal quantum dot.

Colloidal quantum-dots (QDs) are highly attractive materials for various optoelectronic applications owing to their easy maneuverability, high functionality, wide applicability, and low cost of mass-production. QDs usually consist of two components: the inorganic nano-crystalline particle and organic ligands that passivate the surface of the inorganic particle. The organic component is also critical for tuning electronic properties of QDs as well as solubilizing QDs in various solvents.

Comparative metabolic profiling of posterior parietal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus in conditioned fear memory.

Fear conditioning and retrieval are suitable models to investigate the biological basis of various mental disorders. Hippocampus and amygdala neurons consolidate conditioned stimulus (CS)-dependent fear memory. Posterior parietal cortex is considered important for the CS-dependent conditioning and retrieval of fear memory.

A multifunctional electronic suture for continuous strain monitoring and on-demand drug release.

Surgical sutures are widely used for closing wounds in skin. However, the monitoring of wound integrity and promoting tissue regeneration at the same time still remains a challenge. To address this, we developed a drug-releasing electronic suture system (DRESS) to monitor the suture integrity in real-time and enhance tissue regeneration by triggered drug release.

SALM4 negatively regulates NMDA receptor function and fear memory consolidation.

Many synaptic adhesion molecules positively regulate synapse development and function, but relatively little is known about negative regulation. SALM4/Lrfn3 (synaptic adhesion-like molecule 4/leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 3) inhibits synapse development by suppressing other SALM family proteins, but whether SALM4 also inhibits synaptic function and specific behaviors remains unclear. Here we show that SALM4-knockout (Lrfn3) male mice display enhanced contextual fear memory consolidation (7-day post-training) but not acquisition or 1-day retention, and exhibit normal cued fear, spatial, and object-recognition memory.

The critical role of interference control in metaphor comprehension evidenced by the drift-diffusion model.

We address the question of, among several executive functions, which one has a strong influence on metaphor comprehension. To this end, participants took part in a metaphor comprehension task where metaphors had varying levels of familiarity (familiar vs. novel metaphors) with different conditions of context (supporting vs.

A 3D flexible neural interface based on a microfluidic interconnection cable capable of chemical delivery.

The demand for multifunctional neural interfaces has grown due to the need to provide a better understanding of biological mechanisms related to neurological diseases and neural networks. Direct intracerebral drug injection using microfluidic neural interfaces is an effective way to deliver drugs to the brain, and it expands the utility of drugs by bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In addition, uses of implantable neural interfacing devices have been challenging due to inevitable acute and chronic tissue responses around the electrodes, pointing to a critical issue still to be overcome.

Hypoxia with inflammation and reperfusion alters membrane resistance by dynamically regulating voltage-gated potassium channels in hippocampal CA1 neurons.

Hypoxia typically accompanies acute inflammatory responses in patients and animal models. However, a limited number of studies have examined the effect of hypoxia in combination with inflammation (Hypo-Inf) on neural function. We previously reported that neuronal excitability in hippocampal CA1 neurons decreased during hypoxia and greatly rebounded upon reoxygenation.

Control of hippocampal prothrombin kringle-2 (pKr-2) expression reduces neurotoxic symptoms in five familial Alzheimer's disease mice.

Background And Purpose: There is a scarcity of information regarding the role of prothrombin kringle-2 (pKr-2), which can be generated by active thrombin, in hippocampal neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Experimental Approach: To assess the role of pKr-2 in association with the neurotoxic symptoms of AD, we determined pKr-2 protein levels in post-mortem hippocampal tissues of patients with AD and the hippocampi of five familial AD (5XFAD) mice compared with those of age-matched controls and wild-type (WT) mice, respectively. In addition, we investigated whether the hippocampal neurodegeneration and object memory impairments shown in 5XFAD mice were mediated by changes to pKr-2 up-regulation.