Pancreas segmentation is necessary for observing lesions, analyzing anatomical structures, and predicting patient prognosis. Therefore, various studies have designed segmentation models based on ...convolutional neural networks for pancreas segmentation. However, the deep learning approach is limited by a lack of data, and studies conducted on a large computed tomography dataset are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to perform deep-learning-based semantic segmentation on 1006 participants and evaluate the automatic segmentation performance of the pancreas via four individual three-dimensional segmentation networks. In this study, we performed internal validation with 1,006 patients and external validation using the cancer imaging archive pancreas dataset. We obtained mean precision, recall, and dice similarity coefficients of 0.869, 0.842, and 0.842, respectively, for internal validation via a relevant approach among the four deep learning networks. Using the external dataset, the deep learning network achieved mean precision, recall, and dice similarity coefficients of 0.779, 0.749, and 0.735, respectively. We expect that generalized deep-learning-based systems can assist clinical decisions by providing accurate pancreatic segmentation and quantitative information of the pancreas for abdominal computed tomography.
The medium cut-off (MCO) dialyzer has shown good clearance of large middle molecules, but its long-term effects are unclear. We investigated whether MCO hemodialysis (HD) over one year could reduce ...middle molecule levels and cell-free hemoglobin (CFH), without albumin loss. A prospective cohort study in 57 hemodialysis patients was conducted. The patients were assigned to the MCO dialyzer group or the high-flux dialyzer group, according to the HD machine they used. The reduction ratio (RR) and one-year changes in small and middle molecules and CFH were analyzed. Over a 12-month follow-up, MCO HD did not reduce the serum levels of middle molecules (lambda free light chain FLC, from 135.7 ± 39.9 to 132.0 ± 39.1 mg/L; kappa FLC, from 168.2 ± 58.5 to 167.7 ± 65.8 mg/L; β2-microglobulin, from 25.6 ± 9.6 to 28.4 ± 4.8 mg/L) or albumin (from 3.96 ± 0.31 to 3.94 ± 0.37 g/dL). MCO HD provided excellent RR of lambda FLC (49.3 ± 10.3%), kappa FLC (69.6 ± 10.4%) and β2-microglobulin (80.9 ± 7.3%), compared to high-flux HD. CFH was also removed well during an MCO HD session (RR of CPH, 85.5 78.7-97.3 %), but long-term change was not significant (from 57.8 46.2-79.1 to 62.0 54.6-116.7 mg/L). The MCO dialyzer can be used effectively and safely in conventional HD settings, but long-term effects on large middle molecules and CFH were not significant. Further studies are needed to verify clinical benefits of the MCO dialyzer.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A dual-rotor yokeless and segmented armature (YASA)-type axial-flux permanent magnet (AFPM) motor with a surface-mounted permanent magnet (SPM) array type was developed for urban air mobility (UAM) ...aircraft in this work. The proposed AFPM motor had rated and peak output powers of 75.5 and 104 kW, respectively, with rated and peak rotational speeds of 1800 rpm. To achieve a high torque, a cobalt–iron alloy core material was used for the stator core. The prototype AFPM motor, developed by KSEP in the Republic of Korea, was successfully manufactured and verified through experimentation. Additionally, the thermal stability of the winding and permanent magnets (PMs) was confirmed with a water-cooling system. A structure analysis of the proposed AFPM motor was conducted due to the detachment of an uneven air-gap length in the prototype AFPM motor. An output performance comparison based on core materials for the stator and rotor was carried out to explore the material cost reduction. Subsequently, the design for performance improvement by applying a Halbach permanent magnet (HPM) array type was investigated for further research.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean workers have reported various types of sickness presenteeism (SP: continuing to attend work during illness). Understanding SP through mental health perspectives ...will help to make practical strategy for better working conditions. We examined the association between SP and depression among Korean workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation with the socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
Data from the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey were used as a representative nationwide sample dataset. We surveyed the experience of depression in the last two weeks from individuals who worked more than a week recently. We investigated the associations between SP and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were scored using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the significance of the associations.
Analysis of the data obtained from 84,514 participants revealed that 1700 (2.2 %) participants reported experiencing depressive symptoms in 2020. Employees with SP showed higher association with depressive symptoms than employers or self-employed individuals (OR = 2.18, 95 % CI: 1.85, 2.56 among employees vs. OR = 1.76, 95 % CI: 1.29, 2.40 among employers or self-employed individuals).
SP has become more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. A protective strategy against SP among vulnerable workers is necessary for a healthier and safer society.
•Sick presenteeism(SP) was significantly associated with depressive symptoms.•Employees showed the higher association than employers or self-employed workers.•SP has become more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
•An 4D printed SMC actuator was fabricated using SMA and SMP with a FDM 3D printer.•A volume fraction of SMA:SMP of 1:5 showed the largest length change of 8 mm, and the most rapid response time of 4 ...s.•The reversible actuator mechanism explains the SMC actuation via each shape memory effect.•SMC showed potential application for stents and valve controllers via 3D printing technology to achieve customized designs.
A fused deposition modeling (FDM) tool was used to fabricate a shape memory composite (SMC) that combined a shape memory alloy (SMA) with a shape memory polymer (SMP). The SMA caused a shape memory effect due to a phase change between martensite and austenite phases, in turn due to a temperature change. Also, the SMP had a shape memory effect caused by changes in the proportions of hard and soft segments near the glass transition temperature (Tg). Usually, common SMAs and SMPs are not reversible, so these materials do not go back to their original shapes once they are deformed. In this study, we fabricated 4D printing actuator via reversible SMC actuations using 3D printing technology. Nylon 12 was used as the 3D printing material in filament form. Moreover, the volume fraction of SMA to SMP was varied to find the optimum ratio for good operation cycles. A volume fraction of SMA:SMP of 1:5 showed the largest length change, of 8 mm, and the most rapid response time, of 4 s in overall dimension of 140mm×10mm×1mm (length×width×thickness).Thus, the SMC showed promising results for the application of stents and valve controllers that could be manufactured by 3D printing technology.
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•IMBL-1412 isolate showed high JHAN and insecticidal activity against P. xylostella.•IMBL-1823 isolate showed high JHAN and insecticidal activity against P. xylostella.•Both IMBL-1412 ...and IMBL-1823 were identified as Streptomyces lactacystinicus.•Ethyl acetate fraction of them showed high JHAN and insecticidal activities.
Due to their specificity to target insects and low toxicity to non-target organisms, insect growth regulators (IGRs) have been promising alternatives to neurotoxic insecticides. Actinobacteria produce a wide range of secondary metabolites with insecticidal and insect growth regulatory activities. In this study, the culture media of 25 actinobacteria isolates showing high juvenile hormone antagonist (JHAN) activity were assessed for their insecticidal activity to identify novel IGR compounds toxic to Plutella xylostella. Among them, four isolates exhibited high insecticidal activity against 3rd instar larvae of P. xylostella. Two isolates of IMBL-1412 and IMBL-1823 showing relatively high insecticidal activities (greater than90% mortality) were identified as Streptomyces lactacystinicus based on colony color on various International Streptomyces Project (ISP) media and nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. The ethyl acetate fractions of both isolates showed high JHAN and insecticidal activities against P. xylostella larvae at a concentration of 100 ppm when the culture media of these two isolates were extracted sequentially using hexane, ethyl acetate, and butyl alcohol. These results suggested that secondary metabolites of these actinobacterial isolates could be efficiently applied to develop novel IGR insecticides for the control of P. xylostella.
An imbalanced gut microbiome has been linked to a higher risk of many bone-related diseases. The objective of this study was to discover biomarkers of osteoporosis (OP). So, we collected 76 stool ...samples (60 human controls and 16 OP patients), extracted DNA, and performed 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene-based amplicon sequencing. Among the taxa with an average taxonomic composition greater than 1%, only the
genus showed a significant difference between the two groups. The Linear Discriminant Effect Size analysis and qPCR experiments indicated the
genus as a potential biomarker of OP. Moreover, a total of 11 metabolic pathways varied between the two groups. Our study concludes that the genus
is potentially crucial for diagnosing and treating osteoporosis. The findings of this study might help researchers better understand OP from a microbiome perspective. This research might develop more effective diagnostic and treatment methods for OP in the future.
Doping of van der Waals layered semiconductor materials is an essential technique to realize their full potential for implementation in nanoelectronics. Herein, defect‐engineered and area‐selective ...n‐doping of ambipolar multi‐layer WSe2 are demonstrated via Ar plasma treatment. The contact regions of the WSe2 are exposed to a mild Ar plasma treatment to induce Se vacancy, while the channel region is protected by a hexagonal boron nitride. The results are systematically analyzed using structural and optical characterization methods, and the origin of the n‐type properties in the plasma‐treated WSe2 is proposed using plane‐wave density functional theory calculations. The formation of a defect‐induced donor level in the source and drain regions of the multi‐layer WSe2 helps to improve the contact behaviors in field‐effect transistors (FETs), enhancing the transport of the free electrons. The n‐channel current on/off ratio (from 12.8 to 8.3 × 106) and contact resistance (as low as 2.68 kΩ∙mm) of the n‐type WSe2 FETs are greatly improved by the area‐specific Ar plasma treatment, enabling the fabrication of a WSe2‐based complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor inverter. This method provides a viable route to control the carrier type and concentration in ambipolar van der Waals layered semiconductors, paving the way for high‐performance nanoelectronic devices.
Defect‐engineered and area‐selective n‐doping of ambipolar layered WSe2 are demonstrated via Ar plasma treatment. The formation of a defect‐induced donor level improved the contact behaviors in field‐effect transistors, enhancing the transport of free electrons. The n‐channel current on/off ratio and contact resistance are greatly improved by area‐specific Ar plasma, enabling the fabrication of a WSe2‐based complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor inverter.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent and common nutritional deficiency worldwide and is a global health problem with significant risk, particularly among women of reproductive age. Oral ...iron supplementation is the most widely used and cost-effective treatment for iron deficiency and IDA. However, there are limitations regarding side effects such as enteritis, treatment compliance, and bioavailability. Intestinal microbiome characteristic research has been recently conducted to overcome these issues, but more is needed. Against this background, a metagenomics study on the 16S gene in the feces of young women vulnerable to IDA was conducted. As a result of analyzing 16 normal subjects and 15 IDA patients, significant differences in bacterial community distribution were identified. In particular, a significant decrease in
was characteristic in IDA patients compared with normal subjects. Furthermore, in the case of patients who recovered from IDA following iron supplementation treatment, it was confirmed that
significantly recovered to normal levels. However, no significance in beta diversity was seen compared with before treatment. There were also no differences in the beta diversity results between the recovered and normal subjects. Therefore, intestinal dysbiosis during the disease state was considered to be restored as IDA improved. Although the results were derived from a limited number of subjects and additional research is needed, the results of this study are expected to be the basis for developing treatment and prevention strategies based on host-microbiome crosstalk in IDA.
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