Technologies of lithium ion secondary batteries (LIB) were pioneered by Sony. Since the introduction of LIB on the market first in the world in 1991, the LIB has been applied to consumer products as ...diverse as cellular phones, video cameras, notebook computers, portable minidisk players and others. Years of assiduous efforts and researches to improve LIB performances enabled LIB to play a leading role in the portable secondary battery market. In this article, the past 10 years’ technological achievement is traced and future possibilities are discussed.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Precise electrical manipulation of nanoscale defects such as vacancy nano-filaments is highly desired for the multi-level control of ReRAM. In this paper we present a systematic investigation on the ...pulse-train operation scheme for reliable multi-level control of conductive filament evolution. By applying the pulse-train scheme to a 3 bit per cell HfO2 ReRAM, the relative standard deviations of resistance levels are improved up to 80% compared to the single-pulse scheme. The observed exponential relationship between the saturated resistance and the pulse amplitude provides evidence for the gap-formation model of the filament-rupture process.
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a heterogeneous disorder associated with several genes. The majority of cases are still unsolved. Our aim was to identify the molecular diagnosis of a Brazilian ...cohort with POI. Genetic analysis was performed using a customized panel of targeted massively parallel sequencing (TMPS) and the candidate variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Additional copy number variation (CNV) analysis of TMPS samples was performed by CONTRA. Fifty women with POI (29 primary amenorrhea and 21 secondary amenorrhea) of unknown molecular diagnosis were included in this study, which was conducted in a tertiary referral center of clinical endocrinology. A genetic defect was obtained in 70% women with POI using the customized TMPS panel. Twenty-four pathogenic variants and two CNVs were found in 48% of POI women. Of these variants, 16 genes were identified as BMP8B, CPEB1, INSL3, MCM9, GDF9, UBR2, ATM, STAG3, BMP15, BMPR2, DAZL, PRDM1, FSHR, EIF4ENIF1, NOBOX, and GATA4. Moreover, a microdeletion and microduplication in the CPEB1 and SYCE1 genes, respectively, were also identified in two distinct patients. The genetic analysis of eleven patients was classified as variants of uncertain clinical significance whereas this group of patients harbored at least two variants in different genes. Thirteen patients had benign or no rare variants, and therefore the genetic etiology remained unclear. In conclusion, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a highly effective approach to identify the genetic diagnoses of heterogenous disorders, such as POI. A molecular etiology allowed us to improve the disease knowledge, guide decisions about prevention or treatment, and allow familial counseling avoiding future comorbidities.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Benchmark Study of the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (BSAF), which started in ...2012 and continued until 2018, was one of the earliest responses to the accident at Fukushima Daiichi. The project, divided into two phases, addressed the investigation of the accident at Units 1, 2, and 3 by severe accident (SA) codes until 500 h, focusing on thermal hydraulics, core relocation, molten corium concrete interaction (MCCI), and fission product release and transport. The objectives of the BSAF were to make up plausible scenarios based primarily on SA forensic analysis, support the decommissioning, and inform SA code modeling. The analysis and comparison among the institutes have brought up vital insights regarding the accident progression, identifying periods of core meltdown and relocation and reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and primary containment vessel (PCV) leakage/failure through the comparison of pressure, water level, and containment atmosphere monitoring system (CAMS) signatures. The combination of code results and inspections (muon radiography, PCV inspection) has provided a picture of the current status of the debris distribution and plant status. All units present a large relocation of core materials and all of them present ex-vessel debris with Unit 1 and Unit 3 showing evidence of undergoing MCCI. Uncertainties have been identified, in particular on the time and magnitude of events such as corium relocation in the RPV and into the cavity floor and RPV and PCV rupture events. Main uncertainties resulting from the project are the large and continuous MCCI progression predicted by basically all the SA codes and the leak pathways from the RPV to the PCV and the PCV to the reactor building and environment. The BSAF project represents a pioneering exercise that has set the basis and provided lessons learned not only for code improvement but also for the development of new related projects to investigate in detail further aspects of the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
9.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome: a review Batista, Rafael Loch; Costa, Elaine M Frade; Rodrigues, Andresa de Santi ...
Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism,
03/2018, Volume:
62, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Open access
Androgenic insensitivity syndrome is the most common cause of disorders of sexual differentiation in 46,XY individuals. It results from alterations in the androgen receptor gene, leading to a frame ...of hormonal resistance, which may present clinically under 3 phenotypes: complete (CAIS), partial (PAIS) or mild (MAIS). The androgen receptor gene has 8 exons and 3 domains, and allelic variants in this gene occur in all domains and exons, regardless of phenotype, providing a poor genotype - phenotype correlation in this syndrome. Typically, laboratory diagnosis is made through elevated levels of LH and testosterone, with little or no virilization. Treatment depends on the phenotype and social sex of the individual. Open issues in the management of androgen insensitivity syndromes includes decisions on sex assignment, timing of gonadectomy, fertility, physcological outcomes and genetic counseling.
Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are a diverse group of conditions that can be challenging to diagnose accurately using standard phenotypic and biochemical approaches. Obtaining a specific ...diagnosis can be important for identifying potentially life-threatening associated disorders, as well as providing information to guide parents in deciding on the most appropriate management for their child. Within the past 5 years, advances in molecular methodologies have helped to identify several novel causes of DSDs; molecular tests to aid diagnosis and genetic counselling have now been adopted into clinical practice. Occasionally, genetic profiling of embryos prior to implantation as an adjunct to assisted reproduction, prenatal diagnosis of at-risk pregnancies and confirmatory testing of positive results found during newborn biochemical screening are performed. Of the available genetic tests, the candidate gene approach is the most popular. New high-throughput DNA analysis could enable a genetic diagnosis to be made when the aetiology is unknown or many differential diagnoses are possible. Nonetheless, concerns exist about the use of genetic tests. For instance, a diagnosis is not always possible even using new molecular approaches (which can be worrying for the parents) and incidental information obtained during the test might cause anxiety. Careful selection of the genetic test indicated for each condition remains important for good clinical practice. The purpose of this Review is to describe advances in molecular biological techniques for diagnosing DSDs.
PDF
