The biogenesis and regulation of animal microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, yet profoundly influential, non-coding RNAs that base-pair with mRNAs to induce RNA silencing. Although the basic principles of miRNA biogenesis and function have been established, recent breakthroughs have yielded important new insights into the molecular mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis. In this Review, we discuss the metazoan miRNA biogenesis pathway step-by-step, focusing on the key biogenesis machinery, including the Drosha-DGCR8 complex (Microprocessor), exportin-5, Dicer and Argonaute.

Next-generation air filtration nanotechnology for improved indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) significantly affects human health, with pollutants such as organic, inorganic substances, and biological contaminants contributing to various respiratory, neurological, and immunological diseases. In this review, we highlighted the need for advanced air filtration technologies to mitigate these pollutants, which are emitted from household products, building materials, combustion processes, and bioaerosols. While traditional HVAC systems and mechanical filtration methods have been effective, they are often energy-intensive and limited in their ability to capture specific pollutants.

Effect of AlCuFe Particles on the Anisotropic Mechanical Properties and Formability of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Based Alloy Sheets.

The presence of AlCuFe particles, formed due to Fe impurities in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys, significantly impacts mechanical properties and formability, which is crucial for the use of these alloys in the automotive and aerospace industries. In this study, we prepared Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-based alloy sheets with large (LF), small (SF), and no (NF) AlCuFe particles to explore their effects on recrystallization and mechanical behavior. These sheets were fabricated using controlled cooling rates and subsequent thermo-mechanical processing.

Role of histone modification in chromatin-mediated transcriptional repression in protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular flagellated protozoan responsible for trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infections. To persist in its host, T. vaginalis employs sophisticated gene regulation mechanisms to adapt to hostile environmental conditions.

Advanced strategies for enzyme-electrode interfacing in bioelectrocatalytic systems.

Advances in protein engineering-enabled enzyme immobilization technologies have significantly improved enzyme-electrode wiring in enzymatic electrochemical systems, which harness natural biological machinery to either generate electricity or synthesize biochemicals. In this review, we provide guidelines for designing enzyme-electrodes, focusing on how performance variables change depending on electron transfer (ET) mechanisms. Recent advancements in enzyme immobilization technologies are summarized, highlighting their contributions to extending enzyme-electrode sustainability (up to months), enhancing biosensor sensitivity, improving biofuel cell performance, and setting a new benchmark for turnover frequency in bioelectrocatalysis.

Modernizing load and emission factors for construction machinery based on real-world operation: Estimation of emission data in Korea.

The emissions inventory for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) in Korea relies on laboratory engine tests, which do not accurately reflect the real-world emissions from construction machinery. Hence, standardized real-world test conditions suitable for the Korean environment were first designed based on the manufacturer's testing methods and previous research. Next, using portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS), data on exhaust emissions and load factor (LF) were collected and analyzed during real-world tests on three types of construction machinery (excavators, loaders, and forklifts) with high registration rates and emissions in Korean environment.

l-Cysteine-Modified Carbon Dots Derived from for Thiram Pesticides Identification on Edible Perilla Leaves.

In this work, environmentally friendly fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) were developed for the purpose of thiram identification in the leaves of perilla plants. Powdered plant petals from were hydrothermally combined to create C-dots. Analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence were employed to examine the properties of C-dots.

Switchable radiative cooling and solar heating for sustainable thermal management.

Radiative thermal management technologies that utilize thermal radiation from nano/microstructure for cooling and heating have gained significant attention in sustainable energy research. Passive radiative cooling and solar heating operate continuously, which may lead to additional heating or cooling energy consumption due to undesired cooling or heating during cold nighttime/winters or hot daytime/summers. To overcome the limitation, recent studies have focused on developing radiative thermal management technologies that can toggle radiative cooling on and off or possess switchable dual cooling and heating modes to realize sustainable and efficient thermal management.

Denfivontinib activates effector T-cells through NLRP3-inflammasome, yielding potent anticancer effects by combination with pembrolizumab.

Various combination therapies have been investigated to overcome the limitations of using immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, determining the optimal combination therapy remains challenging. To overcome the therapeutical limitation, we conducted a translational research to elucidate the mechanisms by which AXL inhibition enhances the anti-tumor effects when combined with anti-PD-1 antibody therapy.

Flashlight-induced Ultrafast, Scalable Surface Activation of Highly Loaded Graphite Composite Anode.

Herein, a straightforward route for fabricating highly loaded graphite composite anodes with enhanced electrochemical performance via ultrafast, scalable flashlight irradiation is presented. When a flashlight irradiates the surface of a thick graphite anode, instantaneous and non-equilibrium photo-thermochemical interactions occur between the flashlight and the constituent materials of the anode. As a result, a porous structure (through which the electrolyte easily penetrates), a large reaction site, improved conductivity, as well as phase transformation of active graphite material can be developed on the anode surface, which can facilitate ion and electron transport at the interface with the electrolyte.

Radiative cooling technology with artificial intelligence.

As sustainable thermal management becomes a global priority, the development of radiative cooling (RC) technology has recently emerged as a promising solution. Simultaneously, recent advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential to revolutionize current research in sustainable cooling strategies. This article discusses the advancement of radiative cooling technology through the integration of AI, tackling the challenging issues arising from the conventional approach and offering strategic solutions to address global issues.

Transparent and visible light-activated antimicrobial air filters from electrospun crystal violet-embedded polyacrylonitrile nanofibers.

Bioaerosols pose significant risks to indoor environments and public health, driving interest in advanced antimicrobial air filtration technologies. Conventional antimicrobial filters often suffer from diminished efficacy over time and require additional binders to retain antimicrobial agents. This study introduces CV@PAN, a self-disinfecting nanofiber fabricated via electrospinning of crystal violet (CV) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN).

Emerging biophysical techniques for probing synaptic transmission in neurodegenerative disorders.

Plethora of research has shed light on the critical role of synaptic dysfunction in various neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD). Synapses, the fundamental units for neural communication in the brain, are highly vulnerable to pathological conditions and are central to the progression of neurological diseases. The presynaptic terminal, a key component of synapses responsible for neurotransmitter release and synaptic communication, undergoes structural and functional alterations in these disorders.

Data-Driven Analysis of High-Temperature Fluorocarbon Plasma for Semiconductor Processing.

The semiconductor industry increasingly relies on high aspect ratio etching facilitated by Amorphous Carbon Layer (ACL) masks for advanced 3D-NAND and DRAM technologies. However, carbon contamination in ACL deposition chambers necessitates effective fluorine-based plasma cleaning. This study employs a high-temperature inductively coupled plasma (ICP) system and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (ToF-MS) to analyze gas species variations under different process conditions.

Advanced Bearing-Fault Diagnosis and Classification Using Mel-Scalograms and FOX-Optimized ANN.

Accurate and reliable bearing-fault diagnosis is important for ensuring the efficiency and safety of industrial machinery. This paper presents a novel method for bearing-fault diagnosis using Mel-transformed scalograms obtained from vibrational signals (VS). The signals are windowed and pass through a Mel filter bank, converting them into a Mel spectrum.

Enhanced Low-Humidity Performance of Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells via Membrane Surface Engineering.

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) play a pivotal role in meeting the energy needs of high-power applications such as construction and agricultural machinery and mobility. High-power operation often exacerbates problems associated with water management within the cell due to excessive water generation, affecting water distribution at the cathode and anode interfaces. Our research recognizes the importance of addressing challenges associated with the high-power operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for use in high-power fuel cell applications.

Characteristics and predictors of major occupational injuries in Korean farmers.

Farmers are exposed to various risks due to the nature of the agricultural environment, and occupational injuries occur consistently. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the characteristics and predictors of major non-fatal occupational injuries among farmers by analysing incidents of non-fatal occupational injuries resulting in at least 1 day off work using the Korean Agricultural Workers' Occupational Disease and Injury Survey data. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the predictors of agricultural occupational injuries, and the results indicated that the risk for non-fatal injuries was higher among older individuals, individuals with pre-existing physical limitations and individuals who use agricultural machinery.

Scalable Multistep Roll-to-Roll Printing of Multifunctional and Robust Reentrant Microcavity Surfaces via a Wetting-Induced Process.

Owing to their unique structural robustness, interconnected reentrant structures offer multifunctionality for various applications. a scalable multistep roll-to-roll printing method is proposed for fabricating reentrant microcavity surfaces, coined as wetting-induced interconnected reentrant geometry (WING) process. The key to the proposed WING process is a highly reproducible reentrant structure formation controlled by the capillary action during contact between prefabricated microcavity structure and spray-coated ultraviolet-curable resins.

Hydrogen and Solid Carbon Production via Methane Pyrolysis in a Rotating Gliding Arc Plasma Reactor.

Plasma-induced methane pyrolysis is a promising hydrogen production method. However, few studies have focused the decomposition of pure methane as a discharge gas. Herein, a rotating gliding arc reactor was used for the conversion of methane (discharge gas and feedstock) into hydrogen and solid carbon.

TMEM39A and TMEM131 facilitate bulk transport of ECM proteins through large COPII vesicle formation.

The growth of Caenorhabditis elegans involves multiple molting processes, during which old cuticles are shed and new cuticles are rapidly formed. This process requires the regulated bulk secretion of cuticle components. The transmembrane protein-39 (TMEM-39) mutant exhibits distinct dumpy and ruptured phenotypes characterized by notably thin cuticles.

The Influence of As-Cast Grain Size on the Formation of Recrystallized Grains and the Related Mechanical Properties in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Based Alloy Sheets.

The influence of as-cast grain size on recrystallization and the related mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-based alloys was investigated. Grain sizes ranging from 163 to 26 μm were achieved by adding Ti, Cr and Mn, and ZnO nano-particles, which acted as heterogeneous nucleation sites. A decrease in the as-cast grain size led to a corresponding reduction in the recrystallized grain size from 54 to 13 μm.

Anti-counterfeiting labels of photonic crystals with versatile structural colors.

Labels with structural color based on photonic crystals (PCs) have drawn significant attention due to their unique color emission, offering promising solutions for anti-counterfeiting applications. However, to meet the demands of future high-security applications, conventional structural color labels require further improvement. This study introduces a novel approach to fabricate highly encrypted anti-counterfeiting labels by combining close-packed and non-close-packed monolayers of nanoparticles (NPs) onto adhesive surfaces.

Priorities to inform research on tire particles and their chemical leachates: A collective perspective.

Concerns over the ecological impacts of urban road runoff have increased, partly due to recent research into the harmful impacts of tire particles and their chemical leachates. This study aimed to help the community of researchers, regulators and policy advisers in scoping out the priority areas for further study. To improve our understanding of these issues an interdisciplinary, international network consisting of experts (United Kingdom, Norway, United States, Australia, South Korea, Finland, Austria, China and Canada) was formed.