Gravity-oriented microfluidic device for uniform and massive cell spheroid formation

We propose a simple method for forming massive and uniform three-dimensional (3-D) cell spheroids in a multi-level structured microfluidic device by gravitational force. The concept of orienting the device vertically has allowed spheroid formation, long-term perfusion, and retrieval of the cultured spheroids by user-friendly standard pipetting. We have successfully formed, perfused, and retrieved uniform, size-controllable, well-conditioned spheroids of human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK 293) in the gravity-oriented microfluidic device. We expect the proposed method will be a useful tool to study in-vitro 3-D cell models for the proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism of embryoid bodies or tumours.     

Distributed fusion receding horizon filtering for uncertain linear stochastic systems with time-delay sensors

A new distributed fusion receding horizon filtering problem is investigated for uncertain linear stochastic systems with time-delay sensors. First, we construct a local receding horizon Kalman filter having time delays (LRHKFTDs) in both the system and measurement models. The key technique is the derivation of recursive error cross-covariance equations between LRHKFTDs in order to compute the optimal matrix fusion weights. It is the first time to present distributed fusion receding horizon filter for linear discrete-time systems with delayed sensors. It has a parallel structure that enables processing of multisensory time-delay measurements, so the calculation burden can be reduced and it is more reliable than the centralized version if some sensors turn faulty. Simulations for a multiple time-delays system show the effectiveness of the proposed filter in comparison with centralized receding horizon filter and non-receding versions.     

略论中国语言文学系在韩国的"发展史"

在韩国,"中文热"由来已久,最早可追溯到三国时期.中韩两国是近邻,从与平民百姓做贸易时有关的翻译,到与政治外交公文书有关的写作,毋庸置疑都需要"中文人才".当时还未出现专门教授中文的大学,只能由官方主管设置一些机构来教授中文,并且从古代三国开始到高丽、朝鲜一直继承教授中文的传统.虽然各个时期的中文教育机构在"名称"上有所不同,但在课程设置方面或多或少都涉及到中国语言、文学等方面的科目,并且随着时间的推移,与中国有关的学科越来越细化并趋向专业化.     

Congenital atresia of the left main coronary artery in an infant

Congenital atresia of the left main coronary artery is a rare occurrence, and surgical revascularizationbypass graft is required. We here report a rare case of congenital coronary anomaly in an infant. A 10-month-old male infant was admitted to the hospital with heart failure symptoms. Echocardiographic examinations revealed mitral valve regurgitation and ischemic changes of the anterolateral papillary muscle and chordae. Coronary angiography showed atresia of the left main coronary artery with a severe hypoplastic left anterior descending artery and a circumflex coronary artery. Unfortunately, sudden cardiac arrest occurred after catheterization and the infant did not recover despite of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further studies are needed to find a newer diagnostic method to detect coronary anomaly in an infant, and coronary angiography, if necessary, has to be performed very carefully.     

Mentoring in the virtual organization: keys to building successful schools and businesses

Mentoring can take on a whole new perspective when people have a common goal but are in different physical locations. The benefits of virtual mentoring, in other words, mentoring when the mentor and mentee are not geographically co‐located, and which occurs mainly by electronic communication, can be substantial. They include lowered costs, increased access to mentors, and no limitations on space, time, and location. There are also disadvantages to virtual mentoring. Notable among these is the lack of face‐to‐face communication, something that adds another dimension to understanding the tone and attitude of messages between mentors and mentees. This article not only defines and analyzes the concept of mentoring as performed in the virtual organization but also deals with phases of mentoring and types of mentors used in this relatively new work environment. The synthesis of the literature and the authors’ experience results in a list of keys to successful mentoring in the virtual organization. These are: trust, self‐motivation, flexibility, communication skills, and technological skills. In addition, implications for worldwide mentoring are discussed.     

The role of materialism on social,emotional and behavioural difficulties for British adolescents

The relationship between materialism and social-emotional behavioural difficulties (SEBDs) was assessed by comparing a sample of adolescents receiving in-school behavioural support with adolescents not receiving any support. All participants completed the Youth Materialism Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Binary logistic regression indicated that adolescents who reported higher levels of materialism were more likely to be classified into a group considered ‘at-risk’ for developing conduct and peer problems. Hierarchical logistic regression assessed the moderation of behavioural support and indicated that adolescents in receipt of behavioural support who reported higher levels of materialism were at a greater risk of hyperactivity in comparison to those who receive support but reported lower levels of materialism. For adolescents not receiving behavioural support, less materialistic attitudes placed them at a greater risk of hyperactivity. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between different SEBD typologies and the potential effects of materialism during adolescence.     

Connecting to the Good Life through outdoor adventure leadership experiences designed for Indigenous youth

Indigenous voices are largely silent in the outdoor education and adventure therapy literature. The purpose of this research collaboration was to understand how a 10-day outdoor adventure leadership experience (OALE) may promote resilience and well-being for Indigenous youth through their participation in the program. The process was examined through a community-based participatory research project that sought insight from the perspectives of one First Nations community in Canada. The OALE was implemented with six different groups for a total of 43 youth participants (ages 11.9–18.7 years) from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve in northeastern Ontario. Field data were collected from multiple sources including participant interviews, journals, focus groups, and talking circles. Using a critical ethnographic lens, we analyzed the data inductively to understand how the OALE promoted resilience and well-being. We listened to Indigenous voices, adhered to principles of Indigenous coding for thematic content and respected Indigenous ways of knowing for interpreting results. The process of connecting to the Good Life (Anishinaabe Bimaadziwin) or waking up (nsidwaaswok) to the Good Life emerged as the dominant theme. Connecting to the Good Life may offer a simple yet compelling way to understand the net impact of the OALE.