Sleep deprivation significantly impairs a range of cognitive and brain function, particularly episodic memory and the underlying hippocampal function. However, it remains controversial whether one or ...two nights of recovery sleep following sleep deprivation fully restores brain and cognitive function. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and examined the effects of two consecutive nights (20-hour time-in-bed) of recovery sleep on resting-state hippocampal connectivity and episodic memory deficits following one night of total sleep deprivation (TSD) in 39 healthy adults in a controlled in-laboratory protocol. TSD significantly reduced memory performance in a scene recognition task, impaired hippocampal connectivity to multiple prefrontal and default mode network regions, and disrupted the relationships between memory performance and hippocampal connectivity. Following TSD, two nights of recovery sleep restored hippocampal connectivity to baseline levels, but did not fully restore memory performance nor its associations with hippocampal connectivity. These findings suggest that more than two nights of recovery sleep are needed to fully restore memory function and hippocampal-memory associations after one night of total sleep loss.
OBJECTIVES At present, almost nothing is known about longitudinal trends in the proportion of Korean adults meeting recommended guidelines for physical activity or the inter-related factors. The ...purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal trends in how Korean adults met new guidelines for physical activity between 2008 and 2013 and to evaluate a range of factors that could have influenced these trends. METHODS Analysis involved a dataset of 36,009 adults aged ≥20 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2013. The volume of physical activity and muscular activity were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire, and each domain of activity was characterized as being either low or high, based upon physical activity guidelines for Korean adults. RESULTS Based on new physical activity guidelines, 22.0%, 26.6%, and 36.8% of Korean adults met the guideline requirements for moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, respectively; 21.8% adults met the requirements for muscular activity. The odds ratio for meeting the requirements of the physical activity guidelines was significantly lower in the elderly population, infemales, and in participants with low income. Moreover, the longitudinal trend for meeting the guidelines for physical activity showed a significant reduction from 2008 to 2012. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the self-reporting questionnaire used in the present study showed that ~35% of Korean adults met the guidelines for physical activity. Furthermore, the longitudinal trend for meeting physical activity guidelines showed a significant reduction between 2008 and 2012. Finally, our findings showed that physical activity estimates for Korean adults vary substantially depending on socio-demographic characteristics.
Composite cathodes comprising the solid powders of LiCoO2, electrolyte and Super P carbon are prepared using three different mixing methods to apply to all-solid-state lithium batteries, and their ...morphological and electrochemical properties are compared. By applying the wet-mixing method, composite cathodes with greater homogenous distribution of solid particles are obtained when compared to those prepared by dry-mixing. As a result of this favorable feature, a higher discharge capacity of 84 mAh g−1 and a capacity retention of 73% are maintained at the 50th cycle in the all-solid-state cell using the composite cathode prepared by wet-mixing with a ball mixer, which resulted from the smaller interfacial resistance for the intercalation/deintercalation of the Li ions in this composite cathode. This is determined to be due to the homogenous distribution of the constituent particles leading to significantly reduced electrode polarization.
► Composite cathodes are prepared by three different mixing methods. ► Morphological and electrochemical properties differ according to the mixing method. ► Sonication followed by wet-mixing was effective to improve the cell performance. ► Mixing method is critical for all-solid-state batteries to achieve high performance.
A retrospective matched cohort study.
To comprehensively compare the 2-year postoperative results of posterior correction and fusion with segmental pedicle screw instrumentation versus with hybrid ...(proximal hooks and distal pedicle screws) constructs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated at a single institution.
Despite the reports of satisfactory correction and maintenance of scoliotic curves by pedicle screw instrumentation, there have been no reports on the comprehensive comparison of AIS treatment after segmental pedicle screw instrumentation versus hybrid instrumentation.
A total of 58 AIS patients that underwent posterior fusion with hybrid instrumentation (29) or pedicle screw (29) instrumentation at a single institution were sorted and matched according to four criteria: similar patient age, fusion levels, identical Lenke curve type, and identical operative methods. Patients were compared at 2-year follow-up according to radiographic changes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, pulmonary function tests, and SRS-24 outcome scores.
The two cohorts were well matched. The preoperative major Cobb angle averaged 62 degrees in the screw group and 60 degrees in the hybrid group. Average major curve correction was 70% in the screw group and 56% in the hybrid group (P = 0.001). At 2-year follow-up, major curve correction was 65% and 46%, respectively (P < 0.001). At 2-year follow-up, thoracic sagittal Cobb angle changes between T5 and T12 were 9.0 degrees decrease in the screw group and 2.4 degrees decrease in the hybrid group compared with preoperative (P = 0.024). There were no differences in the lowest instrumented vertebra below the lower end vertebra (P = 0.56), operative time (P = 0.14), and average estimated blood loss (P = 0.54). Two years following surgery, the screw group demonstrated improved percent predicted pulmonary function values compared with that of the hybrid group (FVC; 81% --> 81% in screw group vs. 85% --> 79% in hybrid group P = 0.08, FEV1; 73% --> 79% in screw group vs. 79% --> 75% in hybrid group, P = 0.006). Postoperative total SRS-24 scores were similar in both groups (hybrid group: 99 vs. screw group: 95) (P = 0.19). There were no neurologic complications related to hybrid or pedicle screw instrumentation.
Pedicle screw instrumentation offers a significantly better major curve correction and postoperative pulmonary function values without neurologic problems compared with hybrid constructs. Both instrumentation methods offer similar junctional change, lowest instrumented vertebra, operative time, and postoperative SRS-24 outcome scores in the operative treatment of AIS.
This paper analyzes low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite downlinks when an airborne interference source moves parallel to the satellite trajectory by considering the relative angle differences between the ...satellites and the interference sources. To make the experimental interference situations more like actual environments, the LEO trajectories are obtained from two-line element set (TLE) data. Airborne interference sources with various altitudes move parallel to the LEO trajectories, and a jamming to signal (J/S) ratio is calculated based on the relative angle differences between the ground station, the LEO satellite, and the interference source. To accurately calculate the J/S ratio, we should apply the sidelobe gain from which the interference signal enters to the ground station antenna. In order to calculate the relative angle difference ψ, the coordinates of the satellite and the interference source are converted from the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) to the ground station-centered east–north-up (ENU) system. The resulting J/S ratio demonstrates that the distance and the relative angle difference ψ between the ground stations, LEO satellite, and airborne interference source appear to be important factors causing changes in the J/S ratio. Among them, the relative angle difference ψ, which determines the sidelobe gain of the ground station antenna, is the most significant factor affecting the J/S ratio variation.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly individuals. However, the currently used intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor ...are invasive, and repetitive injections are also accompanied by a risk of intraocular infection. The pathogenic mechanism of AMD is still not completely understood, but a multifactorial mechanism that combines genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including cellular senescence, has been suggested. Cellular senescence refers to the accumulation of cells that stop dividing due to the presence of free radicals and DNA damage. Characteristics of senescent cells include nuclear hypertrophy, increased levels of cell cycle inhibitors such as p16 and p21, and resistance to apoptosis. Senolytic drugs remove senescent cells by targeting the main characteristics of these cells. One of the senolytic drugs, ABT-263, which inhibits the antiapoptotic functions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, may be a new treatment for AMD patients because it targets senescent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. We proved that it selectively kills doxorubicin (Dox)-induced senescent ARPE-19 cells by activating apoptosis. By removing senescent cells, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was reduced, and the proliferation of the remaining cells was increased. When ABT-263 was orally administered to the mouse model of senescent RPE cells induced by Dox, we confirmed that senescent RPE cells were selectively removed and retinal degeneration was alleviated. Therefore, we suggest that ABT-263, which removes senescent RPE cells through its senolytic effect, has the potential to be the first orally administered senolytic drug for the treatment of AMD.
The prospective association of muscular weakness with the risk of all-cause and premature mortality in a general population remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective ...effects of handgrip strength and muscular weakness on risk for all-cause and premature mortality over 10 years using a large nationwide sample of Korean adults. The study participants included 9229 middle and older adults (4131 males and 5098 females), using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2006-2016. Muscular strength was measured using handgrip strength. Muscle weakness was defined using the sex-specific handgrip strength index based on the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (AWGSOP). The primary outcome was all-cause and premature mortality assessed based on the death certificate. The hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was negatively associated with level of handgrip strength independent of potential confounding factors (HR: 2.06, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.62-2.63 for lowest quartile vs. highest quartile). When examined using muscle weakness defined using the AWGSOP diagnosis, the mortality was 1.56 times higher in the weak group (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.36-1.78). We also found that risk of premature mortality was observed in the lowest quartile (HR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.80-3.05) and the muscle weakness group (HR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.52-2.13) in the fully adjusted model. Our 10-year prospective cohort study showed that handgrip strength and muscle weakness are strongly associated with an increased risk of all-cause and premature mortality in healthy middle-aged and older adults.
► High performance, mesoporous hard carbon spherule-sulfur electrode. ► Highly conducting glycol-based electrolyte. ► Unique, high energy, lithium free silicon–sulfur battery.
In this work we ...disclose a new, lithium metal-free, silicon–sulfur, lithium ion battery based on a high-rate sulfur–carbon composite cathode, formed by trapping sulfur in highly porous and hard carbon spherules, combined with a lithiated, silicon–carbon nanocomposite anode, separated by a glycol-based electrolyte. This 2
V battery shows an average specific capacity of 300
mAh
g
−1
(S), a long cycle life, an expected low cost and high safety. Due to these properties, this new battery is expected to be a very valid power source for efficient electric vehicles.
This paper presents a preflight diagnosis method for detecting multicopter’s motor abnormalities using jig equipment data. While operating multicopters on a regular basis, determining whether it can ...perform the flight or not is important. For this, we use disturbance observer’s output as a feature for detecting degree of the abnormality by Gaussian process regression. During the ground inspection test where most of the disturbances are under control, motor degradation and disturbances are significantly correlated. Then, motor degradation can be estimated using the Gaussian process regression. To create multivariate output models against different degrees of motor abnormalities, we use multitask a Gaussian process regression model. To verify the performance of the proposed approach, actual preflight tests on a ground jig device developed in-house were performed with an actual quadcopter drone.
Abstract This study investigates the effects of different types of physical activity (PA) on the physical fitness (PF) of young children in Japan, with a particular focus on how substituting ...sedentary behavior (SB) with active behaviors influences PF. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1843 participants aged 3–6 years from northeastern Japan. Using triaxial accelerometers, we quantified PA, and PF was assessed via standardized tests. The innovative application of isotemporal substitution modeling (ISM) allowed us to analyze the impact of reallocating time from SB to more active states, specifically moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light physical activity (LPA). Our findings reveal a robust association between increased MVPA and enhanced PF outcomes, underscoring the health benefits of reducing SB. Notably, replacing SB with LPA also showed beneficial effects on certain PF metrics, indicating LPA's potential role in early childhood fitness. These results highlight the critical importance of promoting MVPA and minimizing sedentary periods to bolster PF in young children. The study offers vital insights for shaping public health policies and emphasizes the need to cultivate an active lifestyle from an early age to secure long-term health advantages.
PDF
