Plasma-discharge-integrated slot structure for microwave power limiter.

A slot structure was combined with a discharge electrode to limit incident high-power microwaves via the integration of plasma discharge. At the target resonating frequency of 9.45 GHz, the surface current was concentrated at an electrode, and the electric field was enhanced by the proposed design to lower the response power level of the incident signal.

Transparent and Flexible Graphene Pressure Sensor with Self-Assembled Topological Crystalline Ionic Gel.

This study demonstrates transparent and flexible capacitive pressure sensors using a high- ionic gel composed of an insulating polymer (poly(vinylidene fluoride--trifluoroethylene--chlorofluoroethylene), P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)) blended with an ionic liquid (IL; 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide, [EMI][TFSA]). The thermal melt recrystallization of the P(VDF-TrFE-CFE):[EMI][TFSA] blend films develops the characteristic topological semicrystalline surface of the films, making them highly sensitive to pressure. Using optically transparent and mechanically flexible graphene electrodes, a novel pressure sensor is realized with the topological ionic gel.

6-Bromo-2-naphthol from Silene armeria extract sensitizes Acinetobacter baumannii strains to polymyxin.

The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which are resistant to various antibiotics. Combination therapies using natural compounds with antibiotics have been found to have synergistic effects against several pathogens. Synergistic natural compounds can potentiate the effects of polymyxins for the treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infection.

Seasonal dynamics of the bacterial communities associated with cyanobacterial blooms in the Han River.

DNA-based analyses of bacterial communities were performed to identify the bacteria co-occurring with cyanobacterial blooms in samples collected at a single site over 2 years. Microcystis aeruginosa was the most predominant species (81% in 2018, and 94% in 2019) within the phylum Cyanobacteria, and microcystins were detected during all cyanobacterial blooms. The stereo microscope and scanning electron microscope observations showed bacterial associations on and around the aggregated M.

Culture-independent and culture-dependent analyses of the bacterial community in the phycosphere of cyanobloom-forming Microcystis aeruginosa.

Confocal and scanning electron microscopic observations have previously shown the strong bacterial association of Microcystis aeruginosa cells on their surfaces. DNA-based analyses of the associated bacterial communities were carried out using two M. aeruginosa strains grown in the laboratory and eight newly collected cyanobacterial bloom samples.

Slippery and Wear-Resistant Surfaces Enabled by Interface Engineered Graphene.

Friction and wear remain the primary cause of mechanical energy dissipation and system failure. Recent studies reveal graphene as a powerful solid lubricant to combat friction and wear. Most of these studies have focused on nanoscale tribology and have been limited to a few specific surfaces.

Amentoflavone, a novel cyanobacterial killing agent from Selaginella tamariscina.

Harmful cyanobacterial bloom (HCB) by Microcystis aeruginosa is increasingly becoming a serious concern to the environment and human health alike. Currently, many physical, chemical, and biological controls are underway to eliminate HCB, but natural chemicals are rarely used. To find a control agent with low environmental toxicity and high potential for practical use, 60 plant extracts were screened.

Direct Synthesis of a Self-Assembled WSe /MoS Heterostructure Array and its Optoelectrical Properties.

Functional van der Waals heterojunctions of transition metal dichalcogenides are emerging as a potential candidate for the basis of next-generation logic devices and optoelectronics. However, the complexity of synthesis processes so far has delayed the successful integration of the heterostructure device array within a large scale, which is necessary for practical applications. Here, a direct synthesis method is introduced to fabricate an array of self-assembled WSe /MoS heterostructures through facile solution-based directional precipitation.

Atomic-Level Customization of 4 in. Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Multilayer Alloys for Industrial Applications.

Despite many encouraging properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a central challenge in the realm of industrial applications based on TMD materials is to connect the large-scale synthesis and reproducible production of highly crystalline TMD materials. Here, the primary aim is to resolve simultaneously the two inversely related issues through the synthesis of MoS Se ternary alloys with customizable bichalcogen atomic (S and Se) ratio via atomic-level substitution combined with a solution-based large-area compatible approach. The relative concentration of bichalcogen atoms in the 2D alloy can be effectively modulated by altering the selenization temperature, resulting in 4 in.

Electronic Structure of Nonionic Surfactant-Modified PEDOT:PSS and Its Application in Perovskite Solar Cells with Reduced Interface Recombination.

The interfacial properties of organolead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) affect the exciton and charge-transport dynamics significantly. Thus, proper modification of the interfaces between perovskite and charge-transport layers is an efficient method to increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs. In this work, we explore the effect of a nonionic surfactant, that is, Triton X-100 (TX) additive, in the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hole-transport layer.

Stretchable Electroluminescent Display Enabled by Graphene-Based Hybrid Electrode.

Stretchable alternating-current electroluminescent (ACEL) devices are required due to their potential in wearable, biomedical, e-skin, robotic, lighting, and display applications; however, one of the main hurdles is to achieve uniform electroluminescence with an optimal combination of transparency, conductivity, and stretchability in electrodes. We therefore propose a fabrication scheme involving strategically combining two-dimensional graphene layers with a silver nanowire (Ag NW)-embedded PEDOT:PSS film. The developed hybrid electrode overcomes the limitations of commonly known metallic NWs and ionic conductor-based electrodes for ACEL applications.

Lithography-free plasma-induced patterned growth of MoS2 and its heterojunction with graphene.

Application-oriented patterned growth of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and their heterojunctions is of critical importance for sophisticated, customized two-dimensional (2D) electronic and optoelectronic devices; however, it is still difficult to fabricate these patterns in a simple, clean, and high controllability manner without using optical lithography. Here, we report the direct synthesis of patterned MoS2 and graphene-MoS2 heterojunctions via selective plasma treatment of a SiO2/Si substrate and chemical vapor deposition of MoS2. This method has multiple merits, such as simple steps, a short operating time, easily isolated MoS2 layers with clean surfaces and controllable locations, shapes, sizes and thicknesses, which enable their integration into the device structure without using a photoresist.

Detection of graphene domains and defects using liquid crystals.

The direct observation of the domain size and defect distribution in a graphene film is important for the development of electronic applications involving graphene. Here we report a promising method for observing graphene domains grown by chemical vapour deposition. The unavoidable development of crack or pinhole defects during the growth and transfer processes is visualized using a liquid crystal layer.

YKL-40 expression could be a poor prognostic marker in the breast cancer tissue.

YKL-40 is a glycoprotein involved in cellular growth, migration, and the inflammatory process. Elevation in serum levels of YKL-40 has been associated with worse prognosis in various cancers, including breast cancer. Given that the clinical significance of YKL-40 expression in breast cancer tissue is unclear, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of YKL-40 expression in breast cancer tissue using immunohistochemistry.

Calcium-sensing receptor and apoptosis in parathyroid hyperplasia of patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: This retrospective study investigated the characteristics of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) by examining the presence of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the rate of cell proliferation and apoptosis in parathyroid glands.

Methods: Eighteen diffuse and 57 nodular hyperplastic parathyroid glands from 24 patients with SHPT were compared with 14 primary adenomas and 33 normal parathyroid glands using immunohistochemical staining of CaSR and a marker of proliferative activity (Ki67 antigen). Apoptosis was measured using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling assay.

The anatomy of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve in Koreans.

Background: Preservation of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during thyroidectomy is important because its injury may lead to frequent occurrence of vocal fatigue and the inability to perform superenergetic phonation. Most studies on the anatomy of EBSLN have been performed in Western countries and, thus, have some limitations in their application to Koreans. We explored the anatomy of EBSLNs using intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in Korean adults.

The relationship between preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension and maternal risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: It has long been recognized that some human breast cancers are hormone dependent. Preeclampsia is a syndrome of pregnancy defined by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria and characterized by dysfunction of the maternal endothelium. Many hormonal changes occur with preeclampsia, and we hypothesize that these changes may influence the risk of maternal breast cancer.

The relationship between twin births and maternal risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

Women who undergo a greater number of menstrual cycles may be at increased risk of breast cancer, possibly due to cumulative exposure to ovarian hormones. Pregnancy reduces the lifetime number of menstrual cycles and also influences the levels of ovarian hormones. Twin pregnancies differ from singleton pregnancies in both hormone levels and perinatal changes.

A wideband spiral antenna for ingestible capsule endoscope systems: experimental results in a human phantom and a pig.

This paper presents the design of a wideband spiral antenna for ingestible capsule endoscope systems and a comparison between the experimental results in a human phantom and a pig under general anesthesia. As wireless capsule endoscope systems transmit real-time internal biological image data at a high resolution to external receivers and because they operate in the human body, a small wideband antenna is required. To incorporate these properties, a thick-arm spiral structure is applied to the designed antenna.

Association of a vascular endothelial growth factor gene 936 C/T polymorphism with breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Published studies on the association between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene 936 C/T polymorphism and breast cancer risk are inconclusive, and a meta-analysis is required to verify the association. Nine studies, including a total of 4,973 cases and 5,035 controls, were subjected to meta-analysis. When all eligible subjects were pooled for meta-analysis, the CT + TT genotypes were not associated with a significant decrease in breast cancer risk (odds ratio = 0.

Association of a TGF-β1 gene -509 C/T polymorphism with breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is negative regulator of cell proliferation and the cell cycle, and plasma levels of TGF-β1 are twice as high in TGF-β1 -509 T homozygotes as in -509 C homozygotes. Published studies on the association between the TGF-β1 gene -509 C/T polymorphism and breast cancer risk are inconclusive, and a meta-analysis is required to verify the association. We performed a meta-analysis of four studies, including a total of 5,986 cases and 6,829 controls.

Association of a progesterone receptor gene +331 G/A polymorphism with breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Published studies on the association between the progesterone receptor gene +331 G/A polymorphism and breast cancer risk are inconclusive, and meta-analysis is required to verify the association. Six studies, including a total of 6,849 cases and 6,589 controls, were subjected to meta-analysis. When all eligible subjects were pooled for meta-analysis, the AG + AA variant genotype was not associated with a significantly elevated breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.

Phase II study of vinorelbine monotherapy in anthracycline and taxane pre-treated metastatic breast cancer.

We performed a single-institution phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of vinorelbine monotherapy in patients previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes. Vinorelbine was administered at a dose level of 25 mg/m² intravenously on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, every four weeks, and responses were assessed after every two cycles of treatment. All of the patients had previously been treated with anthracyclines and taxanes.

Bevacizumab for salvage treatment of metastatic breast cancer: a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Although various new agents have been developed for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), overall survival rates have changed little in the last half century. We conducted meta-analysis to verify the clinical efficacy of bevacizumab for the salvage treatment of MBC. Event-based hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were derived, and a test of heterogeneity was applied.