Comparing effects of wearable robot-assisted gait training on functional changes and neuroplasticity: A preliminary study.

Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a promising technique for improving the gait ability of elderly adults and patients with gait disorders by enabling high-intensive and task-specific training. Gait functions involve multiple brain regions and networks. Therefore, RAGT is expected to affect not just gait performance but also neuroplasticity and cognitive ability.

Filbertone-Induced Nrf2 Activation Ameliorates Neuronal Damage via Increasing BDNF Expression.

Neurotrophic factors are endogenous proteins that promote the survival of various neuronal cells. Increasing evidence has suggested a key role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the dopaminergic neurotoxicity associated with Parkinson's Disease (PD). This study explores the therapeutic potential of filbertone, a bioactive compound found in hazelnuts, in neurodegeneration, focusing on its effects on neurotrophic factors and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.

Curvature-Specific Coupling Electrode Design for a Stretchable Three-Dimensional Inorganic Piezoelectric Nanogenerator.

Structures such as 3D buckling have been widely used to impart stretchability to devices. However, these structures have limitations when applied to piezoelectric devices due to the uneven distribution of internal strain during deformation. When strains with opposite directions simultaneously affect piezoelectric materials, the electric output can decrease due to cancellation.

Strong exciton-photon coupling in self-hybridized organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite microcavities.

Controlling coherent light-matter interactions in semiconductor microcavities is at the heart of the next-generation solid-state polaritonic devices. Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites are potential materials for room-temperature polaritonics owing to their high exciton oscillator strengths and large exciton binding energies. Herein, we report on strong exciton-photon coupling in the micro-platelet and micro-ribbon shaped methylammonium lead bromide single crystals.

Inverse design of color routers in CMOS image sensors: toward minimizing interpixel crosstalk.

Over the past decade, significant advancements in high-resolution imaging technology have been driven by the miniaturization of pixels within image sensors. However, this reduction in pixel size to submicrometer dimensions has led to decreased efficiency in color filters and microlens arrays. The development of color routers that operate at visible wavelengths presents a promising avenue for further miniaturization.

Large-scale photonic inverse design: computational challenges and breakthroughs.

Recent advancements in inverse design approaches, exemplified by their large-scale optimization of all geometrical degrees of freedom, have provided a significant paradigm shift in photonic design. However, these innovative strategies still require full-wave Maxwell solutions to compute the gradients concerning the desired figure of merit, imposing, prohibitive computational demands on conventional computing platforms. This review analyzes the computational challenges associated with the design of large-scale photonic structures.

Over a thousand-fold enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate for stable core-shell perovskite quantum dots through coupling with novel plasmonic nanogaps.

High Purcell enhancement structures and stable emitters are essential prerequisites for the successful development of novel fast-operating active devices. Furthermore, a uniform enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate is critical for practical applications. Despite considerable efforts being made to meet these requirements, achieving them still remains a challenging task.

What contributes to older Korean American immigrants becoming frail? A qualitative study.

Background: Frailty is prevalent in older adults and represents a dynamic condition that can improve with early detection and interventions focused on influencing factors. Older immigrant populations, marked by diverse cultural backgrounds, distinct health beliefs and behaviors, language barriers, and low health literacy, require a focused exploration of factors influencing frailty. This study examines the perceived factors affecting frailty among older Korean American immigrants (OKAIs).

Clinical Implications of the Skip Phenomenon in Patients with Persistent Bacteremia.

Intermittent negative blood cultures, known as the skip phenomenon (SP), frequently occur in patients with bacteremia (SAB), yet the clinical implications of SP in persistent SAB are not well understood. In this retrospective cohort study conducted at four university hospitals, SP was observed in 25 (11.3%) of 221 patients with persistent SAB.

Research Note: Establishment of vector system harboring duck RNA polymerase I promoter for avian influenza virus.

Reverse genetics (RG) systems are extensively utilized to investigate the characteristics of influenza viruses and develop vaccines, predominantly relying on human RNA polymerase I (pol I). However, the efficiency of RG systems for avian-origin influenza viruses may be compromised due to potential species-specific interactions of RNA pol I. In this study, we reported the polymerase activities of the duck RNA pol I promoter in avian cells and the generation of recombinant avian-derived influenza viruses using a novel vector system containing the duck RNA pol I promoter region to enhance the rescue efficiency of the RG system in avian cells.

Effects of Pancreatic Fistula After Minimally Invasive and Open Pancreatoduodenectomy.

Importance: Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) are the biggest contributor to surgical morbidity and mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy. The impact of POPF could be influenced by the surgical approach.

Objective: To assess the clinical impact of POPF in patients undergoing minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) and open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD).

Proteomics in Acute Heart Transplant Rejection, On Behalf of the GRAfT Investigators.

Background: Proteomic phenotyping can provide insights into rejection pathophysiology, novel biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.

Methods: Within the prospective, multicenter Genomic Research Alliance for Transplantation study, 181 proteins were evaluated from blood drawn at the time of endomyocardial biopsy; protein fold change, logistic regression, and pathway analyses were conducted, with protein discovery adjusted for a 5% false discovery rate.

Results: Among 104 adult heart transplant patients (31% female sex, 53% Black race, median age 52 y), 74 had no rejection, 18 developed acute cellular rejection (ACR), and 12 developed antibody-mediated rejection (AMR).

Controlled Au-coated PDMS microwell array for surface-enhanced DNA biochips.

Microwell technology is crucial in biological applications due to its ability to handle small sample sizes and perform numerous assays efficiently. This study aimed to develop a novel technique for microwell fabrication using pressure-assisted steam technology, offering lower cost, simplicity, and high reproducibility. Mechanical properties of microwell surfaces were successfully controlled and characterized, making them suitable for DNA capture.

Flashlight-induced Ultrafast, Scalable Surface Activation of Highly Loaded Graphite Composite Anode.

Herein, a straightforward route for fabricating highly loaded graphite composite anodes with enhanced electrochemical performance via ultrafast, scalable flashlight irradiation is presented. When a flashlight irradiates the surface of a thick graphite anode, instantaneous and non-equilibrium photo-thermochemical interactions occur between the flashlight and the constituent materials of the anode. As a result, a porous structure (through which the electrolyte easily penetrates), a large reaction site, improved conductivity, as well as phase transformation of active graphite material can be developed on the anode surface, which can facilitate ion and electron transport at the interface with the electrolyte.

Soft wearable thermo+touch haptic interface for virtual reality.

Touch is an inherent source of tactile sensation in everyday life, followed by vision and audition. For rich tactile feedback, multimodal haptic feedback is necessary because a single touch simultaneously excites multiple types of tactile receptors. In this paper, we present a soft wearable thermotouch haptic interface (THI) that simultaneously and independently provides touch and thermal stimulation using only one end-effector, the thermotouch haptic actuator (THA).

Comparing 1-L and 2-L Polyethylene Glycol with Ascorbic Acid for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/aims: Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has become the standard for initial evaluation in the diagnosis of small bowel lesions. Although optimal visualization of the mucosa is important, patients experience difficulty in consuming a large volume of bowel preparation agents. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 1-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) with ascorbic acid (AA) and 2-L PEG with AA.

Ferrocene-Functionalized Atomically Precise Metal Clusters Exhibit Synergistically Enhanced Performance for CO Electroreduction.

The integration of organometallic compounds with metal nanoparticles can, in principle, generate hybrid nanocatalysts endowed with augmented functionality, presenting substantial promise for catalytic applications. Herein, we synthesize an atomically precise metal cluster (AgCu) catalyst integrated with alkynylferrocene molecules (AgCu-Fc). This hybrid catalyst design facilitates a continuous electron transfer channel via an ethynyl bridge and establishes a distinctive local chemical environment, resulting in remarkably enhanced catalytic activity in CO electroreduction.

Poor housing conditions in adolescence and adult health outcomes: an outcome-wide longitudinal approach.

Background: While prior literature has documented the impact of housing quality on health, the long-lasting effects of poor housing conditions in adolescence on adult health remain understudied. This study employs an outcome-wide longitudinal approach to estimate the association between poor housing conditions in adolescence and a set of health outcomes in adulthood.

Methods: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a large-scale, nationally representative sample of US adolescents, were used.