Why does tinnitus vary with naps? A polysomnographic prospective study exploring the somatosensory hypothesis.

Background: Tinnitus, defined as the conscious awareness of a noise without any identifiable corresponding external acoustic source, can be modulated by various factors. Among these factors, tinnitus patients commonly report drastic increases of tinnitus loudness following nap sleep. Previous studies have suggested that this clinical pattern could be attributed to a somatosensory modulation of tinnitus.

Monolithic 3D integration of 2D materials-based electronics towards ultimate edge computing solutions.

Three-dimensional (3D) hetero-integration technology is poised to revolutionize the field of electronics by stacking functional layers vertically, thereby creating novel 3D circuity architectures with high integration density and unparalleled multifunctionality. However, the conventional 3D integration technique involves complex wafer processing and intricate interlayer wiring. Here we demonstrate monolithic 3D integration of two-dimensional, material-based artificial intelligence (AI)-processing hardware with ultimate integrability and multifunctionality.

Self-Powering Sensory Device with Multi-Spectrum Image Realization for Smart Indoor Environments.

The development of organic-based optoelectronic technologies for the indoor Internet of Things market, which relies on ambient energy sources, has increased, with organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and photodetectors (OPDs) considered promising candidates for sustainable indoor electronic devices. However, the manufacturing processes of standalone OPVs and OPDs can be complex and costly, resulting in high production costs and limited scalability, thus limiting their use in a wide range of indoor applications. This study uses a multi-component photoactive structure to develop a self-powering dual-functional sensory device with effective energy harvesting and sensing capabilities.

Vaccination of Rabbits with a Cholera Conjugate Vaccine Comprising O-Specific Polysaccharide and a Recombinant Fragment of Tetanus Toxin Heavy Chain Induces Protective Immune Responses against Vibrio cholerae O1.

There is a need for next-generation cholera vaccines that provide high-level and durable protection in young children in cholera-endemic areas. A cholera conjugate vaccine (CCV) is in development to address this need. This vaccine contains the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) of Vibrio cholerae O1 conjugated via squaric acid chemistry to a recombinant fragment of the tetanus toxin heavy chain (OSP:rTTHc).

Fibriform Organic Electrochemical Diodes with Rectifying, Complementary Logic and Transient Voltage Suppression Functions for Wearable E-Textile Embedded Circuits.

In this study, a fibriform electrochemical diode capable of performing rectifying, complementary logic and device protection functions for future e-textile circuit systems is fabricated. The diode was fabricated using a simple twisted assembly of metal/polymer semiconductor/ion gel coaxial microfibers and conducting microfiber electrodes. The fibriform diode exhibited a prominent asymmetrical current flow with a rectification ratio of over 10, and its performance was retained after repeated bending deformations and washings.

Three-dimensional imaging performance of photoelectrochemical cells.

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell produces hydrogen energy using solar energy and an electrochemical reaction. In the hydrogen production process with water decomposition, electrons move from the anode to the cathode, and by measuring the current value at this time, the PEC cell can generate hydrogen and function as an image sensor at the same time. Due to the characteristics of the PEC cell that can perform both functions simultaneously, it can be applied as a device that can detect and respond to the surrounding environment without the need for an observation system such as a camera.

Validity of Luminex and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Measuring Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Six Cytokines Quantitatively in Bone Marrow Aspiration Supernatant: Pilot Study.

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other cytokines have been reported to be implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of hematologic malignancy. However, a quantitative measurement of VEGF and related cytokines is necessary to reflect the real situation in the bone marrow (BM). Currently, no such quantitative assays exist for use in the BM supernatant as their concentrations have not been previously validated in the BM.

Chip-less wireless electronic skins by remote epitaxial freestanding compound semiconductors.

Recent advances in flexible and stretchable electronics have led to a surge of electronic skin (e-skin)-based health monitoring platforms. Conventional wireless e-skins rely on rigid integrated circuit chips that compromise the overall flexibility and consume considerable power. Chip-less wireless e-skins based on inductor-capacitor resonators are limited to mechanical sensors with low sensitivities.

Integral imaging using a MoS Schottky diode.

We report the performance of a MoS Schottky diode on three-dimensional (3D) integral imaging. The MoS Schottky diode has asymmetric Pt electrodes for the Schottky contact and Ti/Au electrodes for the ohmic contact. Such a Schottky diode exhibits an excellent rectification ratio of 10, a broad spectral photoresponse in the 450-700 nm range, an almost ideal linearity of 1, and a wide linear dynamic range of 106 dB.

Scalable production and immunogenicity of a cholera conjugate vaccine.

There is a need to develop cholera vaccines that are protective in young children under 5 years of age, which induce long-term immunity, and which can be incorporated into the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in cholera-endemic countries. The degree of protection afforded by currently available oral cholera vaccines (OCV) to young children is significantly lower than that induced by vaccination of older vaccine recipients. Immune responses that protect against cholera target the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) of Vibrio cholerae, and young children have poor immunological responses to bacterial polysaccharides, which are T cell independent antigens.

Near-Infrared Self-Powered Linearly Polarized Photodetection and Digital Incoherent Holography Using WSe/ReSe van der Waals Heterostructure.

Polarization-sensitive photodetection has attracted considerable attention as an emerging technology for future optoelectronic applications such as three-dimensional (3D) imaging, quantum optics, and encryption. However, traditional photodetectors based on Si or III-V InGaAs semiconductors cannot directly detect polarized light without additional optical components. Herein, we demonstrate a self-powered linear-polarization-sensitive near-infrared (NIR) photodetector using a two-dimensional WSe/ReSe van der Waals heterostructure.

Analysis of the Relationship between the Expression Levels of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Cytokine Genes in Bone Marrow.

: Recently, various associations of NGAL with several hematological cancers have been reported. However, given that the regulation of gene expression by cytokines is tissue-specific, expression in relation to those of cytokine genes has not been analyzed in bone marrow (BM) tissue. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between and 48 cytokine gene expression levels in mononuclear cells (MNCs) of BM at the time of diagnosis of hematological malignancy and to explore the expression pattern of and related cytokine genes in patients with hematological malignancies and controls.

Long-term reliable physical health monitoring by sweat pore-inspired perforated electronic skins.

Electronic skins (e-skins)-electronic sensors mechanically compliant to human skin-have long been developed as an ideal electronic platform for noninvasive human health monitoring. For reliable physical health monitoring, the interface between the e-skin and human skin must be conformal and intact consistently. However, conventional e-skins cannot perfectly permeate sweat in normal day-to-day activities, resulting in degradation of the intimate interface over time and impeding stable physical sensing.

High-performance coaxial piezoelectric energy generator (C-PEG) yarn of Cu/PVDF-TrFE/PDMS/Nylon/Ag.

Coaxial type piezoelectric energy generator (C-PEG) nanofiber was fabricated by a self-designed continuous electrospinning deposition system. Piezoelectric PVDF-TrFE nanofiber as an electroactive material was electrospun at a discharge voltage of 9-12 kV onto a simultaneously rotating and transverse moving Cu metal wire at an angular velocity of ω  = 60-120 RPM. The piezoelectric coefficient d of the PVDF-TrFE nanofiber was approximately -20 pm V.

Spirally Wrapped Carbon Nanotube Microelectrodes for Fiber Optoelectronic Devices beyond Geometrical Limitations toward Smart Wearable E-Textile Applications.

Fiber optoelectronics technology has recently attracted attention as enabling various form factors of wearable electronics, and the issue of how to control and optimize the configuration and physical properties of the electrode micropatterns in the microfiber devices has become important. Here, spirally wrapped carbon nanotube (CNT) microelectrodes with a controlled dimension are demonstrated for high-performance fiber optoelectronic devices. Inkjet-printed CNT microelectrodes with the desired dimension on an agarose hydrogel template are rolling-transferred onto a microfiber surface with an efficient electrical interface.

All 2D WSe/MoS heterojunction photodiode and its image sensor application.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered van der Waals atomic crystals exhibit many fascinating properties. In particular, their dangling-bond-free nature enables different 2D materials to be stacked on the top of each other without restraint, thereby forming a heterostructure. In this study, a high-performance all 2D / heterojunction photodiode with a graphene contact as an electrode is demonstrated.

Quality Improvement of Capsular Polysaccharide in by Purification Process Optimization.

is the causative agent of many diseases, most notably pneumonia. Most of the currently used vaccines to protect against this pathogen employ pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) as antigens, but purifying CPS of sufficient quality has been challenging. A purification process for CPS comprising conventional methods such as ultrafiltration, CTAB precipitation, and chromatography was previously established; however, this method resulted in high cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS) contamination, especially for serotype 5.

Self-Powered Visible-Invisible Multiband Detection and Imaging Achieved Using High-Performance 2D MoTe/MoS Semivertical Heterojunction Photodiodes.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures herald new opportunities for conducting fundamental studies of new physical/chemical phenomena and developing diverse nanodevice applications. In particular, vdW heterojunction p-n diodes exhibit great potential as high-performance photodetectors, which play a key role in many optoelectronic applications. Here, we report on 2D MoTe/MoS multilayer semivertical vdW heterojunction p-n diodes and their optoelectronic application in self-powered visible-invisible multiband detection and imaging.

Residual modulation reduction in optical sectioning using a suitable spatial light modulator waveform.

We propose a method to improve the axial response of structured illumination microscopy via selection of an illumination pattern with a sinusoidal or square wave within the cutoff frequency of the imaging system. Residual modulation within a sectioned image is mitigated by accurate phase-shifting via the electrical spatial light modulator control signal, which is based on an illumination pattern having a suitable waveform. Reduction in residual modulation is observed in the sinusoidal pattern with a spatial frequency sufficiently below the cutoff frequency of the imaging system.

InAs on GaAs Photodetectors Using Thin InAlAs Graded Buffers and Their Application to Exceeding Short-Wave Infrared Imaging at 300 K.

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) detectors and emitters have a high potential value in several fields of applications, including the internet of things (IoT) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), gas sensing. Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) photodetectors are widely used in the SWIR region of 1-3 μm; however, they only capture a part of the region due to a cut-off wavelength of 1.7 μm.

A New Architecture for Fibrous Organic Transistors Based on a Double-Stranded Assembly of Electrode Microfibers for Electronic Textile Applications.

Herein, a unique device architecture is proposed for fibrous organic transistors based on a double-stranded assembly of electrode microfibers for electronic textile applications. A key feature of this work is that the semiconductor channel of the fiber transistor comprises a twist assembly of the source and drain electrode microfibers that are coated by an organic semiconductor. This architecture not only allows the channel dimension of the device to be readily controlled by varying the thickness of the semiconductor layer and the twisted length of the two electrode microfibers, but also passivates the device without affecting interconnections with other electrical components.

How do plants see the world? - UV imaging with a TiO nanowire array by artificial photosynthesis.

The concept of plant vision refers to the fact that plants are receptive to their visual environment, although the mechanism involved is quite distinct from the human visual system. The mechanism in plants is not well understood and has yet to be fully investigated. In this work, we have exploited the properties of TiO2 nanowires as a UV sensor to simulate the phenomenon of photosynthesis in order to come one step closer to understanding how plants see the world.

Effects of mental workload on involuntary attention: A somatosensory ERP study.

Previous psychophysiological assessments of mental workload have relied on the addition of visual or auditory stimuli. This study investigated the tactile ERP and EEG spectral power correlates of mental workload by relating limited-capacity involuntary attention allocation to changes in late positive potential (LPP) amplitude, alpha, and theta powers. We examined whether mental workload (high-level cognitive control) can be evaluated using somatosensory stimuli.

Changes in the activity of trunk and hip extensor muscles during bridge exercises with variations in unilateral knee joint angle.

[Purpose] This study compared abdominal and hip extensor muscle activity during a bridge exercise with various knee joint angles. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy male subjects performed a bridge exercise in which the knee joint angle was altered. While subjects performed the bridge exercise, external oblique, internal oblique, gluteus maximus, and semitendinosus muscle activity was measured using electromyography.

Evaluation of 3D cognitive fatigue using heart-brain synchronization.

The purpose of this study was to identify an evaluation method for 3D cognitive fatigue based on a heart-brain synchronization phenomenon known as the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP). Thirty undergraduate students (15 females) watched a video in both 2D and 3D for an hour. Because visual fatigue is related to cognitive load, the HEP was used as an indicator of communication between the heart and the brain and therefore of cognitive function; responses were compared after 2D and 3D viewing.