Compact Vital-Sensing Band with Uninterrupted Power Supply for Core Body Temperature and Pulse Rate Monitoring.

Although wearable devices for continuous monitoring of vital signs have undergone significant advancements, their need for frequent recharging precludes continuous operation, potentially leading to adverse outcomes being overlooked. Additionally, the scattered locations of the sensors hamper wearability. Herein, we present a compact vital-sensing band with uninterrupted power supply designed for continuous monitoring of core body temperature (CBT) and pulse rate.

Predictive Synthesis of Transition Metal Carbide via Thermochemical Oxocarbon Equilibrium.

Fabricating nanoscale metal carbides is a great challenge due to them having higher Gibbs free energy of formation (Δ) values than other metal compounds; additionally, these carbides have harsh calcination conditions, in which metal oxidation is preferred in the atmosphere. Herein, we report oxocarbon-mediated calcination for the predictive synthesis of nanoscale metal carbides. The thermochemical oxocarbon equilibrium of CO-CO reactions was utilized to control the selective redox reactions in multiatomic systems of Mo-C-O, contributing to the phase-forming and structuring of Mo compounds.

Machine learning-based exploration of molecular design descriptors for area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) precursors.

Context: Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) is a thin film deposition technique developed using conventional ALD by considering the surface chemical nature of the substrate. Selecting appropriate precursors is a critical step in developing an efficient AS-ALD process with high deposition selectivity. However, the current efficiency of research on viable AS-ALD precursors is limited because of the absence of theoretical design rules for precursor chemical structures.

Cognitive Impairment in a Child With Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Case Report.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor encephalitis is a complex autoimmune inflammatory neurological disorder that presents with epileptic seizures and rapid functional deterioration, including movement disorders and cognitive impairment, especially in young patients. Despite aggressive initial treatment with immune therapy, such as corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis, patients often need intensive rehabilitative therapies for their long-lasting deficits. We report a pediatric case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in Korea that presented with symptoms of muscle weakness of the four extremities, dysarthria, dysphagia, and cognitive impairment in the acute phase.

Noninvasive and Continuous Monitoring of the Core Body Temperature through the Quantitative Measurement of Blood Perfusion Rate.

Core body temperature (CBT) is one of the four vital signs that must be monitored continuously. The continuous recording of CBT is possible through invasive methods by inserting a temperature probe into specific body sites. We report a novel method to monitor CBT through the quantitative measurement of skin blood perfusion rate (ω).

Effects of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Bloom Toxin Microcystin-LR on Gonadotropin-Dependent Ovarian Follicle Maturation and Ovulation in Mice.

Background: Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) originate from the excessive growth or bloom of cyanobacteria often referred to as blue-green algae. They have been on the rise globally in both marine and freshwaters in recently years with increasing frequency and severity owing to the rising temperature associated with climate change and increasing anthropogenic eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urbanization. Humans are at a great risk of exposure to toxins released from CyanoHABs through drinking water, food, and recreational activities, making CyanoHAB toxins a new class of contaminants of emerging concern.

Enhanced production of difficult-to-express proteins through knocking down rnpA gene expression.

Escherichia coli has been employed as a workhorse for the efficient production of recombinant proteins. However, some proteins were found to be difficult to produce in E. coli.

Data-driven prediction models for forecasting multistep ahead profiles of mammalian cell culture toward bioprocess digital twins.

Recently, the advancement in process analytical technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled the generation of enormous culture data sets from biomanufacturing processes that produce various recombinant therapeutic proteins (RTPs), such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Thus, now it is very important to exploit them for the enhanced reliability, efficiency, and consistency of the RTP-producing culture processes and for the reduced incipient or abrupt faults. It is achievable by AI-based data-driven models (DDMs), which allow us to correlate biological and process conditions and cell culture states.

Positive short term effects of an integrative korean medicine treatment package for low back pain caused by motor vehicle accidents: A retrospective chart review of real - world practice data.

No standard treatment exist for reducing symptoms related to sequelae of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). In Korea, comprehensive Korean Medicine (KM) treatment that includes botanical drugs (herbal medicine), acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, tuina, moxibustion, and cupping is covered by automobile insurance and increasingly used to help alleviate such pain. This study aimed to analyze real-world data and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of comprehensive KM treatment for low back pain caused by MVAs.

Effect of Comorbidities on the Infection Rate and Severity of COVID-19: Nationwide Cohort Study With Propensity Score Matching.

Background: A vaccine against COVID-19 has been developed; however, COVID-19 transmission continues. Although there have been many studies of comorbidities that have important roles in COVID-19, some studies have reported contradictory results.

Objective: This study was conducted using real-world data from COVID-19 patients in South Korea and aimed to investigate the impact of patient demographics and comorbidities on the infection rate and severity of COVID-19.

Comparing the Effects of Exoskeletal-Type Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Patients with Ataxic or Hemiplegic Stroke.

This study aimed to discover the effects of robotic rehabilitation utilizing an exoskeletal-type robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) device on patients with ataxic and hemiplegic stroke and to compare its effectiveness between the two groups. This was a retrospective study, and the electronic charts of 22 patients who underwent RAGT treatment from October 2019 to June 2021 were reviewed. Patients were divided into ataxic and hemiplegic groups based on their symptoms.

Ligand Effect in 1-Octanethiol Passivation of InP/ZnSe/ZnS Quantum Dots-Evidence of Incomplete Surface Passivation during Synthesis.

The lack of anionic carboxylate ligands on the surface of InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), where zinc carboxylate ligands can be converted to carboxylic acid or carboxylate ligands via proton transfer by 1-octanethiol, is demonstrated. The as-synthesized QDs initially have an under-coordinated vacancy surface, which is passivated by solvent ligands such as ethanol and acetone. Upon exposure of 1-octanethiol to the QD surface, 1-octanethiol effectively induces the surface binding of anionic carboxylate ligands (derived from zinc carboxylate ligands) by proton transfer, which consequently exchanges ethanol and acetone ligands that bind on the incomplete QD surface.

Robust Co alloy design for Co interconnects using a self-forming barrier layer.

With recent rapid increases in Cu resistivity, RC delay has become an important issue again. Co, which has a low electron mean free path, is being studied as beyond Cu metal and is expected to minimize this increase in resistivity. However, extrinsic time-dependent dielectric breakdown has been reported for Co interconnects.

Thermodynamically driven self-formation of Ag nanoparticles in Zn-embedded carbon nanofibers for efficient electrochemical CO reduction.

The electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR), which converts CO into value-added feedstocks and renewable fuels, has been increasingly studied as a next-generation energy and environmental solution. Here, we report that single-atom metal sites distributed around active materials can enhance the CORR performance by controlling the Lewis acidity-based local CO concentration. By utilizing the oxidation Gibbs free energy difference between silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), and carbon (C), we can produce Ag nanoparticle-embedded carbon nanofibers (CNFs) where Zn is atomically dispersed by a one-pot, self-forming thermal calcination process.

Toward Economical and Sustainable Production of Renewable Plastic: Integrative System-Level Analyses.

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is one of the promising renewable plastic monomers enabling to address several environmental issues, instead of petroleum-based terephthalic acid (TPA). In this study, an integrative process for the co-production of FDCA and furfural as well as activated carbon was developed, and the economic feasibility and environmental sustainability for the proposed process were evaluated. In the proposed process, there were major four catalytic conversion reactions: (1) hydrolysis of biomass to its derivatives (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), (2) dehydration of hemicellulose to furfural, (3) dehydration of cellulose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and (4) successive oxidation of HMF to FDCA.

Enhanced Electroluminescence via a Nanohybrid Material Consisting of Aromatic Ligand-Modified InP Quantum Dots and an Electron-Blocking Polymer as the Single Active Layer in Quantum Dot-LEDs.

Electron overcharge causes rapid luminescence quenching in the quantum dot (QD) emission layer in QD light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs), resulting in low device performance. In this paper we describe the application of different aromatic thiol ligands and their influence on device performance as well as their behavior in combination with an electron blocking material (EBM). The three different ligands, 1-octanethiol (OcSH), thiophenol (TP), and phenylbutan-1-thiol (PBSH), were introduced on to InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs referred to as QD-OcSH, QD-TP, and QD-PBSH.

Concordance between the international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury motor examination and needle electromyography findings in muscles with a motor power grade of zero or trace.

To evaluate the accuracy of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) motor examination in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) with motor grade 0 or 1 and analyze its degree of concordance with needle electromyography (EMG) findings for each key muscle. Retrospective study. University hospital in Goyang, Korea.

Maternal and Neonatal Risk Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Population-Based Nationwide Study.

To investigate the maternal and neonatal risk factors related to pregnancy and birth affecting the occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders to their children using the medical claim data for the whole population. The study was conducted on all the babies born in Korea from 2005 to 2009 based on data from the National Health Information Database. All birth records were tracked from birth to December 31, 2015.

Sick Sinus Syndrome Combined with Wallenberg Syndrome: a Case Report.

Cardiac arrhythmia is a rare manifestation of the Wallenberg syndrome; lesions are located in the brainstem, especially the lower medulla, which regulates sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. A 55-year-old man was admitted to the university hospital with symptoms including ataxia, left ptosis, decreased sensation of pain and temperature on the right side, left facial numbness, and dizziness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an infarction in the left dorsolateral medulla.

Phase Engineering of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides via a Thermodynamically Designed Gas-Solid Reaction.

Polymorph conversion of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) offers intriguing material phenomena that can be applied for tuning the intrinsic properties of 2D materials. In general, group VIB TMDs can have thermodynamically stable 2H phases and metastable 1T/T' phases. Herein, we report key principles to apply carbon monoxide (CO)-based gas-solid reactions for a universal polymorph conversion of group VIB TMDs without forming undesirable compounds.

A cell surface-reducing microenvironment induces early osteogenic commitment.

Stem cell-based therapy has been highlighted as a potential avenue to promote tissue regeneration, where stimulation of stem cells to differentiate into the targeted cell type is essential. One of the factors that induce stem cells to differentiate is their surrounding microenvironment. In this study, the correlation between mild reductant and early osteogenic commitment was evaluated.

Quasi-graphitic carbon shell-induced Cu confinement promotes electrocatalytic CO reduction toward C products.

For steady electroconversion to value-added chemical products with high efficiency, electrocatalyst reconstruction during electrochemical reactions is a critical issue in catalyst design strategies. Here, we report a reconstruction-immunized catalyst system in which Cu nanoparticles are protected by a quasi-graphitic C shell. This C shell epitaxially grew on Cu with quasi-graphitic bonding via a gas-solid reaction governed by the CO (g) - CO (g) - C (s) equilibrium.

Leaf-inspired homeostatic cellulose biosensors.

An incompatibility between skin homeostasis and existing biosensor interfaces inhibits long-term electrophysiological signal measurement. Inspired by the leaf homeostasis system, we developed the first homeostatic cellulose biosensor with functions of protection, sensation, self-regulation, and biosafety. Moreover, we find that a mesoporous cellulose membrane transforms into homeostatic material with properties that include high ion conductivity, excellent flexibility and stability, appropriate adhesion force, and self-healing effects when swollen in a saline solution.

Epidemiology of Spinal Cord Injury: Changes to Its Cause Amid Aging Population, a Single Center Study.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiologic and demographic characteristics of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who were admitted to a department of rehabilitation of a university hospital.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Medical records including sex, age at injury, type of disability, traumatic or non-traumatic etiology and presence of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of patients with SCI who were admitted to the department of rehabilitation between 2012 and 2018 were reviewed.