Bifunctional NiCo-CuO Nanostructures: A Promising Catalyst for Energy Conversion and Storage.

This investigation explores the potential of co-incorporating nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) into copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures for bifunctional electrochemical charge storage and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). A facile wet chemical synthesis method is employed to co-incorporate Ni and Co into CuO, yielding diverse nanostructured morphologies, including rods, spheres, and flake. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analyses confirmed the formation of NiCo-CuO nanostructure, with minor phases of nickel oxide (NiO) and cobalt tetraoxide (CoO).

Adverse birth and obstetric outcomes in the offspring of male adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A nationwide population-based study.

Background The growing population of male adolescent and young adult (AYA, 15-40 years old) cancer survivors has heightened interest in their reproductive health. However, studies have reported conflicting findings on the potential risks of cancer and its treatments on birth and obstetric outcomes. Methods We utilized encrypted identification numbers for both fathers and mothers to link three nationwide Taiwan datasets from 2004 to 2019, identifying 3,785 births with a paternal history of AYA cancer.

Association between leisure-time physical activity and incident cancer risk: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: The effects of physical activity on the development of different types of cancers have not been comprehensively studied. This nationwide, population-based cohort study investigated the effects of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on the development of different types of cancer in Taiwanese adults. A total of 67,890 adult participants (≥ 18 y old) from five rounds (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017) of the Taiwan National Health Interview Survey were included.

Accumulation and bio-oxidation of arsenite mediated by thermoacidophilic Cyanidiales: innate potential biomaterials toward arsenic remediation.

Addressing geogenic and anthropogenic arsenic (As) pollution is critical for environmental health. This study explored arsenite [As(III)] removal using Cyanidiales, particularly Cyanidium caldarium (Cc) and Galdieria partita (Gp), under acidic to neutral pH, and determined As(III) detoxification mechanisms in relation to As speciation and protein secondary structure in Cyanidiales. Regarding As(III) sorption amounts, Cc outperformed Gp, reaching 83.

Utilizing collimated aperture with proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) for stereotactic radiotherapy.

Purpose: Proton stereotactic radiosurgery (PSRS) has emerged as an innovative proton therapy modality aimed at achieving precise dose delivery with minimal impact on healthy tissues. This study explores the dosimetric outcomes of PSRS in comparison to traditional intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) by focusing on cases with small target volumes. A custom-made aperture system designed for proton therapy, specifically tailored to small target volumes, was developed and implemented for this investigation.

Clinical factor-based risk stratification for precision therapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer. In this study, we analyzed the pretreatment clinical and F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) characteristics of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to develop a scoring prototype for risk stratification.

Methods: Two cohorts were constructed in this study.

Smart retail SKUs checkout using improved residual network.

Intelligent signal processing in unmanned stores enhances operational efficiency, notably through automated SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) recognition, which expedites customer checkout. Distinguishing itself from generic detection algorithms, the retail product detection algorithm addresses challenges like densely arranged items, varying scales, large quantities, and product similarities. To mitigate these challenges, firstly we propose a novel boundary regression neural network architecture, which enhances the detection of bounding box in dense arrangement, minimizing computational costs and parameter sizes.

Early experiences with edoxaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in the Southeast Asia region.

Edoxaban, a once-daily, direct-acting oral anticoagulant, is approved to prevent stroke or systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and treat venous thromboembolism. The clinical benefit of edoxaban for stroke prevention in Asian patients with NVAF has been demonstrated in clinical and real-world studies. We share early clinical experiences with once-daily edoxaban and discuss its evidence-based use in patients with NVAF in Southeast Asia through several cases of patients at high risk, including frail patients, elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and patients with increased bleeding risk.

First principal observation documenting the three-dimensional uptake of cadmium and spatial distribution of cadmium hydroxyapatite mineral in bone char.

The 3-D matrix scale ion-exchange mechanism was explored for high-capacity cadmium (Cd) removal using bone chars (BC) chunks (1-2 mm) made at 500 °C (500BC) and 700 °C (700BC) in aqueous solutions. The Cd incorporation into the carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHAp) mineral of BC was examined using a set of synchrotron-based techniques. The Cd removal from solution and incorporation into mineral lattice were higher in 500BC than 700BC, and the diffusion depth was modulated by the initial Cd concentration and charring temperature.

Cancer survivorship and risk of pregnancy complications, adverse obstetric outcomes, and maternal morbidities in female adolescents and young adults: a nationwide population-based study from Taiwan.

Background: Cancer treatment in female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (i.e., those diagnosed between 15 and 39 years of age) may adversely affect multiple bodily functions, including the reproductive system.

2023 Consensus of Taiwan Society of Cardiology on the Pharmacological Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure.

The prevalence of heart failure is increasing, causing a tremendous burden on health care systems around the world. Although mortality rate of heart failure has been significantly reduced by several effective agents in the past 3 decades, yet it remains high in observational studies. More recently, several new classes of drugs emerged with significant efficacy in reducing mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Comparative microstructural study on the teeth of Mesozoic birds and non-avian dinosaurs.

Although it is commonly considered that, in birds, there is a trend towards reduced dentition, teeth persisted in birds for 90 Ma and numerous macroscopic morphologies are observed. However, the extent to which the microstructure of bird teeth differs from other lineages is poorly understood. To explore the microstructural differences of the teeth of birds in comparison with closely related non-avialan dinosaurs, the enamel and dentine-related features were evaluated in four Mesozoic paravian species from the Yanliao and Jehol biotas.