Decorating surface charge of graphite nanoplate using an electrostatic coupling agent for 3-dimensional polymer nanocomposite

Here, we report a facile approach to electrostatically couple the surface charges of graphite nanoplate (GNP) fillers and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer particles using ethylene maleic anhydride (EMA) copolymer as an electrostatic coupling agent. Our strategy involved switching the intrinsic repulsive electrostatic interactions between the directly exfoliated GNPs fillers and the PMMA particles to attractive electrostatic surface interactions for preparing core(PMMA)-shell (GNP) precursor in order to optimizing 3-dimensionally dispersed polymer nanocomposite. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the composites dramatically increased by a factor of 16.7 in the EMA-coupled GNP/PMMA composites compared with that of the EMA-free GNP/PMMA composites. In addition, the percolation threshold was also notably reduced from 0.32 to 0.159 vol% after electrostatic coupling of the GNPs fillers and PMMA particles. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48390.     

Evaluation of Monkman-Grant parameters for type 316LN and modified 9Cr-Mo stainless steels

The Monkman-Grant (M-G) and its modified parameters were evaluated for type 316LN and modified 9Cr-Mo stainless steels prepared with minor element variations. Several sets of creep data for the two alloy systems were obtained by constant-load creep tests in 550-650°C temperature range. The M-G parameters,m, m’,C, andC’ were proposed and discussed for the two alloy systems. Them value of the M-G relation was 0.90 in type 316LN steel and 0.84 in modified 9Cr-Mo steel. Them’, value of the modified relation was 0.94 in type 316LN steel and 0.89 in 9Cr-Mo steel. Although creep fracture modes and creep properties between type 316LN and modified 9Cr-Mo steels showed a basic difference, the M-G and its modified relations demonstrated linearity quite well. Them’ of modified relation almost overlapped regardless of the creep testing conditions and chemical variations in the two alloy systems, and the parameterm’ was closer to unity than that of the M-G relation.     

Compact Dipole Antenna for Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting Service

A compact dipole antenna for the terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (TDMB) application is presented. The length of the antenna is about 0.06λ at the TDMB resonance frequency of 190 MHz. Miniaturization of the antenna is achieved by using meander structures and lumped elements. The proposed antenna has two resonance frequencies and covers the TDMB band from 174 MHz to 216 MHz in Korea. The antenna has good impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics for the TDMB. The experimental results of the designed dipole antenna are presented and analyzed.     

Expression, exon-intron organization, and chromosome mapping of the human sodium iodide symporter

The active iodide uptake of the thyroid gland in humans is mediated by the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS). In this report, we show that hNIS expression was detected primarily in thyroid tissue, but also in breast, colon, and ovary tissues. Expression of hNIS is greatly reduced in thyroid tumors compared to normal thyroid tissue. Among tumor tissues, hNIS expression appears to be variable, consistent with the variable response to radioiodide treatment observed for thyroid carcinomas. The coding region of hNIS is interrupted by 14 introns, and the nucleotide sequence of each exon-intron junction is reported. Using this information, an alternatively spliced form of hNIS was identified. Finally, the chromosome location of the hNIS gene was mapped to chromosome 19p.     

Pseudorandomness of Basic Structures in the Block Cipher KASUMI

The notion of pseudorandomness is the theoretical foundation on which to consider the soundness of a basic structure used in some block ciphers. We examine the pseudorandomness of the block cipher KASUMI, which will be used in the next‐generation cellular phones. First, we prove that the four‐round unbalanced MISTY‐type transformation is pseudorandom in order to illustrate the pseudorandomness of the inside round function FI of KASUMI under an adaptive distinguisher model. Second, we show that the three‐round KASUMI‐like structure is not pseudorandom but the four‐round KASUMI‐like structure is pseudorandom under a non‐adaptive distinguisher model.     

Impedance matching by series condensers for power receivers of in vivo robotic capsules

An impedance matching technique using series condensers for the power receivers of in vivo robotic capsules is proposed. The power delivery function of the condenser ratio and its optimal ratio are derived. Experimental results validate the derived function.     

High affinity hormone binding to the extracellular N-terminal exodomain of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor is critically modulated by exoloop 3

The human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) consists of two distinct domains of >330 amino acids, the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and membrane-associated endodomain. The exodomain alone binds hormone with high affinity, whereas the endodomain is the site of receptor activation. Coordination of these two domains is essential for successful hormone action but little is known about their functional and structural relationship. In this communication, we report that exoloop 3 of FSH-R constrains follicle-stimulating hormone binding to the exodomain. When the FSH-R exodomain was prepared by truncating its endodomain, the hormone binding affinity of the exodomain was slightly improved, compared with the wild type receptor. The binding affinity was further improved by >3-fold when the exodomain was attached to the membrane-associated domain of CD8. These results suggest that the FSH-R endodomain attenuates hormone binding at the exodomain. As a first step to test this hypothesis, the 11 amino acids except Ala589 of exoloop 3 were individually substituted with Ala. Ala substitution for Leu583 or Ile584 improved the hormone binding affinity by 4-6-fold while totally abolishing cAMP induction, indicating an inverse relationship. The Ala substitution for Lys580 or Pro582 had a similar trend but to a lesser extent. This significant improvement in the binding affinity suggests that the four residues at the N-terminal region of exoloop 3 interact with the exodomain and constrain the hormone binding in the wild type receptor. This effect is specific since substitutions for other than the 4 residues did not improve the hormone binding affinity. Computer modeling shows that the 4 residues can be positioned on one side of exoloop 3. This result and the apparent inverse relationship of hormone binding and cAMP induction suggest that these two essential functions may work against each other. Therefore, hormone binding might be compromised to preserve cAMP inducibility while maintaining a reasonably high, but below maximum, binding affinity.     

Motion based object tracking with mobile camera

An efficient algorithm which detects and tracks a moving object is proposed. The global motion energy caused by camera movement is eliminated by finding the maximal matching position with the cross-correlation value between two consecutive frames using the spiral scanning technique. The region of a moving object is segmented exactly by combining the results of the temporal derivatives and edge map from one image, and the actual centroid of the moving object is determined as the mid-point of the cumulative distribution of the projection profile of the region     

Perioperative specific management of blood volume loss in craniosynostosis surgery

Accurate assessment and replacement of blood loss and fluid-electrolyte deficit during craniosynostosis repair is difficult owing to patient size and the diversity of surgical technique. Forty-three patients undergoing primary craniosynostosis repair over a 10-year period were studied retrospectively to determine blood loss and fluid deficit and to assess blood transfusion practices during both intraoperative and postoperative periods. Blood loss was calculated on the basis of estimated red cell mass (ERCM) and fluid-electrolyte imbalance was investigated with blood samplings. Blood transfusion was considered appropriate if the postoperative or posttransfusion ERCM was within 12% of the preoperative value. Estimated fluid requirement (EFR) was used in 4 ml kg(-1) h(-1) except for neonates. Intraoperatively, 80% of all patients were appropriately managed with respect to blood transfusion and EFR. Postoperatively only 20% of the patients receiving transfusions were transfused appropriately. In 23.3% of these patients (10/43) unexpected respiratory distress developed immediately after their recovery from the anesthesia. With the measurement of estimated blood volume and allowable blood loss, appropriate transfusion could be achieved for the successful treatment of the primary craniosynostosis.