Therapeutic Effect of Melittin–dKLA Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Melanoma

Melanoma is an immunogenic tumor and a serious type of skin cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) express an M2-like phenotype and are involved in all stages of melanomagenesis; it is hence a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. We herein investigated whether melittin–dKLA inhibits the growth of melanoma by inducing apoptosis of M2-like macrophages. For the in vitro study, a conditioned medium of macrophages was prepared from M0, M1, or M2-differentiated THP-1 cells with and without melittin–dKLA. The affinity of melittin for M2 macrophages was studied with FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-conjugated melittin. For the in vivo study, murine melanoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously in the right flank of mice, melittin–dKLA was intraperitoneally injected at 200 nmol/kg every three days, and flow cytometry analysis of TAMs was performed. Since melittin binds preferentially to M2-like macrophages, melittin–dKLA induced more caspase 3 expression and cell death in M2 macrophages compared with M0 and M1 macrophages and melanoma cells. Melittin–dKLA significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of M2 macrophages, resulting in a decrease in melanoma tumor growth in vivo. The CD206⁺ M2-like TAMs were reduced, while the CD86⁺ M1-like TAMs were not affected. Melittin–dKLA is therapeutically effective against melanoma by inducing the apoptosis of M2-like TAMs.     

Vine Copula Specifications for Stationary Multivariate Markov Chains

Vine copulae provide a graphical framework in which multiple bivariate copulae may be combined in a consistent fashion to yield a more complex multivariate copula. In this article, we discuss the use of vine copulae to build flexible semiparametric models for stationary multivariate higher‐order Markov chains. We propose a new vine structure, the M‐vine, that is particularly well suited to this purpose. Stationarity may be imposed by requiring the equality of certain copulae in the M‐vine, while the Markov property may be imposed by requiring certain copulae to be independence copulae.     

Perovskite Nanoparticle Composite Films by Size Exclusion Lithography

Perovskite nanoparticle composite films with capability of high‐resolution patterning (≥2 µm) and excellent resistance to various aqueous and organic solvents are prepared by in situ photosynthesis of acrylate polymers and formamidinium lead halide (FAPbX₃) nanoparticles. Both positive‐ and negative‐tone patterns of FAPbX₃ nanoparticles are created by controlling the size exclusive flow of nanoparticles in polymer networks. The position of nanoparticles is spatially controlled in both lateral and vertical directions. The composite films show high photoluminescence quantum yield (up to 44%) and broad color tunability in visible region (λ_peak = 465–630 nm).     

Intergenerational benefits of family-based HIV interventions.

The longitudinal impact of a family-based intervention on grandchildren of parents with HIV (PWH) is evaluated. Because PWH and their daughters demonstrated gains over 6 years when randomized to a coping skills intervention compared with a control condition, the adjustment of the PWH's grandchildren was also compared across conditions. Grandchildren in the intervention condition reported significantly fewer internalizing and externalizing behavioral symptoms compared with grandchildren in the control condition. There is weak evidence that grandchildren in the intervention condition had higher scores on measures of cognitive development and more positive home environments. These results suggest that there are possibly long-term, intergenerational benefits of an intervention for families coping with HIV. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermodynamically Stable Synthesis of Large‐Scale and Highly Crystalline Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers and their Unipolar n–n Heterojunction Devices

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers are considered to be potential materials for atomically thin electronics due to their unique electronic and optical properties. However, large‐area and uniform growth of TMDC monolayers with large grain sizes is still a considerable challenge. This report presents a simple but effective approach for large‐scale and highly crystalline molybdenum disulfide monolayers using a solution‐processed precursor deposition. The low supersaturation level, triggered by the evaporation of an extremely thin precursor layer, reduces the nucleation density dramatically under a thermodynamically stable environment, yielding uniform and clean monolayer films and large crystal sizes up to 500 µm. As a result, the photoluminescence exhibits only a small full‐width‐half‐maximum of 48 meV, comparable to that of exfoliated and suspended monolayer crystals. It is confirmed that this growth procedure can be extended to the synthesis of other TMDC monolayers, and robust MoS₂/WS₂ heterojunction devices are easily prepared using this synthetic procedure due to the large‐sized crystals. The heterojunction device shows a fast response time (≈45 ms) and a significantly high photoresponsivity (≈40 AW^?1) because of the built‐in potential and the majority‐carrier transport at the n–n junction. These findings indicate an efficient pathway for the fabrication of high‐performance 2D optoelectronic devices.     

Experimental investigation of nanoparticle formation characteristics from advanced gasoline and diesel fueled light duty vehicles under different certification driving modes

This paper mainly focused on the comparison of nanoparticle size distribution and number concentration level characteristics with gasoline and diesel fueled light duty vehicles. In the engine research, particle size distribution and number concentrations were analyzed by a DMS500 with engine parameters. Time-resolved particle number concentration levels from test vehicles were measured by a golden particle measurement system (GPMS) as recommended by a Particle Measurement Programme (PMP) on certification modes such as New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), Federal Test Procedure (FTP)-75, and Highway Fuel Economy Test (HWFET). In addition, particle emission characteristics from vehicles were analyzed by DMS500 during transient and high-speed driving conditions. From the results, we found that the formation of particles was highly dependent on vehicle speed and load conditions for each mode. The diesel vehicle equipped with a particulate filter showed substantial reduction of the total particle number whose number concentration was equivalent to that of the gasoline vehicle. The nucleation mode particles from gasoline fuel were mainly emitted; however, the accumulation mode particles from the diesel fuel were generally analyzed. This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Kyoung Doug Min Simsoo Park received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Seoul National University in 1977 and 1979, respectively, and a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He served as a Chief Research Engineer at Hyundai Motor Company, a Director for Publication of the KSME, a Technical Advisor of Hyundai-Kia Motor Company, and an Editing Director, Project Director, International Director, Accounting Director, and General Affair Director of KSAE. He is currently Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of IJAT at KSAE and a professor in school of mechanical engineering at Korea University. Hyungmin Lee received his B.S. degrees from Republic of Korea Naval Academy in 1997 and his M.S. degrees from Korea University in 2005, respectively. He served as an Operation Officer, Command Engineer Officer at various naval vessels. He is currently Ph.D. course in school of mechanical engineering at Korea University and his rank is a Lieutenant Commander of Korea Navy.     

LiMn0.5Co0.5BO3 solid solution: Towards high performance cathode material for next-generation lithium-ion battery

LiMn_0.5Co_0.5BO₃ solid solution is synthesized by Sol-gel method. The crystal structure, morphology and the electrochemical properties of the LiMn_0.5Co_0.5BO₃ solid solution are analyzed. X-ray diffraction analysis result reveals the existence of monoclinic phase with C2/c space group. Raman spectroscopy result indicates the presence of Co-O and Mn-O stretching vibration. X–ray Photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the surface oxidation of Mn in the LiMn_0.5Co_0.5BO₃ solid solution. Transmission electron microscopy image shows the elongated spherical shaped particle with diameter of 40 nm. Galvanostatic charge – discharge studies indicate that the LiMn_0.5Co_0.5BO₃ solid solution delivers the first discharge capacity of 110 mAh g^?1 at C/10 rate with good stability and yield 68 mAh g^?1 at 75th cycle. The enhanced electrochemical properties demonstrated in this study will give more attention to borate based cathode material as a potential alternative to current lithium-ion battery cathodes.     

Specific engine performance and gaseous emissions characteristics of European test cycle and worldwide harmonized driving cycle for a heavy-duty diesel engine

This study compares the engine operating behavior and regulated gaseous emissions characteristics between the reference European cycles (ESC/ETC) and the worldwide harmonized driving cycles (WHSC/WHTC), which will be applied in the Euro VI heavy-duty diesel engine emissions regulations, for the diesel particulate filter (DPF) equipped Mercedes 12 L diesel engine. The speed and load distribution for two additional representative harmonized cycles which cover a more realistic operating range for a heavy duty engine were established to verify the engine performance over wide range of the cycle work, fuel consumption, and exhaust system temperature as well as engine coolant temperature for repeated validation tests. The WHTC, including an additional test with cold start and transient operation before the hot start, had a substantial influence on the THC, CO, NOx, and PM exhaust emissions levels because of the engine heat-up time and temperature rising characteristics of aftertreatment device. Moreover, the different engine operating conditions of the WHSC influenced on the specific engine performance and gaseous emissions behavior unlike those of the ESC. Finally, the statistical analysis results through repeated tests validated the stationary and transient cycles running at the fully warm-up condition, however, those of WHTC were closely dependent on the inclusion of cold start condition or aggressive acceleration gradient of engine speed and load trace.