Prediction of Phenoconversion into Alpha-Synucleinopathy in Patients with isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Using Event-Related Potentials During Visuospatial Attention Tasks.

Study Objectives: Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is recognized as a prodromal stage of alpha-synucleinopathies. Predicting phenoconversion in iRBD patients remains a key challenge. We aimed to investigate whether event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded during visuospatial attention task can serve as predictors of phenoconversion in iRBD patients.

Diagnosis of early-stage bladder cancer via unprocessed urine samples at the point of care.

Diagnostic kits for the optical detection of bladder cancer in urine can facilitate effective screening and surveillance. However, the heterogeneity of urine samples, owing to patients with bladder cancer often presenting with haematuria, interfere with the transduction of the optical signal. Here we describe the development and point-of-care performance of a device for the detection of bladder cancer that obviates the need for sample processing.

Si Characterization on Thinning and Singulation Processes for 2.5/3D HBM Package Integration.

As stacking technologies, such as 2.5D and 3D packages, continue to accelerate in advanced semiconductor components, the singulation and thinning of Si wafers are becoming increasingly critical. Despite their importance in producing thinner and more reliable Si chips, achieving high reliability remains a challenge, and comprehensive research on the effects of these processing techniques on Si chip integrity is lacking.

Spin-Orbit Coupling Driven Magnetic Response in Altermagnetic RuO.

The recent prediction of the new magnetic class, altermagnetism, has drawn considerable interest, fueled by its potential to host novel phenomena and to be utilized in next-generation spintronics devices. Among many promising candidates, rutile RuO is a prototypical candidate for realizing the prospects of altermagnetism. However, the experimental studies on RuO are still in the early stages.

Development of a wastewater based infectious disease surveillance research system in South Korea.

Wastewater-based epidemiology has been used in pathogen surveillance for microorganisms at the community level. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and trends of infectious pathogens in sewage from Yongin city and the relationships between these pathogens and the incidence of infectious diseases in the community. From December 2022 to November 2023, we collected inflow water from six wastewater treatment plants in Yongin city twice a month.

Selective Control of Electric Charge of Weyl Fermions in Pyrochlore Iridates.

Weyl fermions can exhibit exotic phenomena due to their magnetic charge in momentum space, while Weyl nodes are usually located away from Fermi energy, which forms electron or hole pockets as the electric charges. Previous studies have mostly focused on the magnetic charge, however, the electric charges are rarely explored. Here, the intriguing Hall responses arising from the interplay between magnetic and electric charges of Weyl fermions in pyrochlore iridates are reported.

First demonstration of 2T0C-FeDRAM: a-ITZO FET and double gate a-ITZO/a-IGZO FeFET with a record-long multibit retention time of >4-bit and >2000 s.

Conventional DRAM, consisting of one transistor and one capacitor (1T1C), requires periodic data refresh processes due to its limited retention time and data-destructive read operation. Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel 3D-DRAM memory scheme available with a single transistor and a single ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET) DRAM (2T0C-FeDRAM), which offers extended retention time and non-destructive read operation. This architecture uses a back-end-of-line (BEOL)-compatible amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS) that is suitable for increasing DRAM cell density.

Structural dynamics of protein-protein association involved in the light-induced transition of Avena sativa LOV2 protein.

The Light-oxygen-voltage-sensing domain (LOV) superfamily, found in enzymes and signal transduction proteins, plays a crucial role in converting light signals into structural signals, mediating various biological mechanisms. While time-resolved spectroscopic studies have revealed the dynamics of the LOV-domain chromophore's electronic structures, understanding the structural changes in the protein moiety, particularly regarding light-induced dimerization, remains challenging. Here, we utilize time-resolved X-ray liquidography to capture the light-induced dimerization of Avena sativa LOV2.

Investigating miR-6880-5p in extracellular vesicle from plasma as a prognostic biomarker in endocrine therapy-treated castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Background: Advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have progressed considerably, but a new biomarker that combines existing clinical and pathological data could be useful for a more precise diagnosis and prognosis. Some investigations have found that extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived miRNAs play crucial roles in various types of malignant tumors. The objective of this study was to explore EV miRNA and identify its biologic function as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRPC.

Modified apical dissection during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has improved patient recovery, but achieving optimal functional outcomes remains a challenge, especially early urinary continence. The Modified Apical Dissection (MAD) technique has been suggested to improve early continence compared to conventional RALP. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases was conducted to identify studies on MAD from inception to March 2024.

Stretchable Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor Array with Sophisticated Sensitivity, Strain-Insensitivity, and Reproducibility.

This study delves into the development of a novel 10 by 10 sensor array featuring 100 pressure sensor pixels, achieving remarkable sensitivity up to 888.79 kPa, through the innovative design of sensor structure. The critical challenge of strain sensitivity inherent is addressed in stretchable piezoresistive pressure sensors, a domain that has seen significant interest due to their potential for practical applications.

Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-Surface (REASON).

The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) is a dual-frequency ice-penetrating radar (9 and 60 MHz) onboard the Europa Clipper mission. REASON is designed to probe Europa from exosphere to subsurface ocean, contributing the third dimension to observations of this enigmatic world. The hypotheses REASON will test are that (1) the ice shell of Europa hosts liquid water, (2) the ice shell overlies an ocean and is subject to tidal flexing, and (3) the exosphere, near-surface, ice shell, and ocean participate in material exchange essential to the habitability of this moon.

Extrinsic hydrophobicity-controlled silver nanoparticles as efficient and stable catalysts for CO electrolysis.

To realize economically feasible electrochemical CO conversion, achieving a high partial current density for value-added products is particularly vital. However, acceleration of the hydrogen evolution reaction due to cathode flooding in a high-current-density region makes this challenging. Herein, we find that partially ligand-derived Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) could prevent electrolyte flooding while maintaining catalytic activity for CO electroreduction.

Secondary Cancer after Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer: A Nationwide Study.

Purpose: Androgen signaling is associated with various secondary cancer, which could be promising for potential treatment using androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This study investigated whether ADT use was associated with secondary cancers other than prostate cancer in a nationwide population-based cohort.

Materials And Methods: A total, 278,434 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2017 were identified.

The association between the severity of erectile dysfunction and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with and without cardiovascular disease.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered a microvascular disorder and serves as an indicator for the potential development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) reflects early myocardial damage caused by microvascular disorders, the association between ED and LVDD remains poorly elucidated.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 123 patients with ED.

Enhanced linear and symmetric synaptic weight update characteristics in a Pt/p-LiCoO/p-NiO/Pt memristor through interface energy barrier modulation by Li ion redistribution.

Artificial synaptic devices have been extensively investigated for neuromorphic computing systems, which require synaptic behaviors mimicking the biological ones. In particular, a highly linear and symmetric weight update with a conductance (or resistance) change for potentiation and depression operation is one of the essential requirements for energy-efficient neuromorphic computing; however, it is not sufficiently met. In this study, a memristor with a Pt/p-LiCoO/p-NiO/Pt structure is investigated, where a low interface energy barrier between the Pt electrode and the NiO layer makes for a more linear and symmetric conductance change.

Herbicide Bioassay Using a Multi-Well Plate and Plant Spectral Image Analysis.

A spectral image analysis has the potential to replace traditional approaches for assessing plant responses to different types of stresses, including herbicides, through non-destructive and high-throughput screening (HTS). Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a rapid bioassay method using a multi-well plate and spectral image analysis for the diagnosis of herbicide activity and modes of action. Crabgrass (), as a model weed, was cultivated in multi-well plates and subsequently treated with six herbicides (paraquat, tiafenacil, penoxsulam, isoxaflutole, glufosinate, and glyphosate) with different modes of action when the crabgrass reached the 1-leaf stage, using only a quarter of the recommended dose.

Promoting Self-Efficacy of Individuals With Autism in Practicing Social Skills in the Workplace Using Virtual Reality and Physiological Sensors: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Individuals with autism often experience heightened anxiety in workplace environments because of challenges in communication and sensory overload. As these experiences can result in negative self-image, promoting their self-efficacy in the workplace is crucial. Virtual reality (VR) systems have emerged as promising tools for enhancing the self-efficacy of individuals with autism in navigating social scenarios, aiding in the identification of anxiety-inducing situations, and preparing for real-world interactions.

Endolymphatic hydrops asymmetry distinguishes patients with Meniere's disease from normal controls with high sensitivity and specificity.

Background: Many endolymphatic hydrops (EH) MRI studies in the literature do not include a normal control group. Consequently, it remains unclear which outcome measure in EH MRI can most effectively distinguish between MD patients and normal controls.

Methods: Gadolinium-enhanced EH imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate the extents of hydrops in MD patients and age-/sex-matched normal controls.

Spike Optimization to Improve Properties of Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction Synaptic Devices for Neuromorphic Computing System Applications.

The continuous advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology depends on the efficient processing of unstructured data, encompassing text, speech, and video. Traditional serial computing systems based on the von Neumann architecture, employed in information and communication technology development for decades, are not suitable for the concurrent processing of massive unstructured data tasks with relatively low-level operations. As a result, there arises a pressing need to develop novel parallel computing systems.