A Comparative Analysis of Laser-Ablated Surface Characteristics Between the Si Face and C Face of Silicon Carbide Substrates.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has significant potential as a third-generation semiconductor material due to its exceptional thermal and electronic properties, yet its high hardness and brittleness make processing costly and complex. This study introduces ultraviolet laser ablation as a method for direct SiC material removal, investigating the effects of varying scanning speeds on surface composition, hardness, and ablation depth. The results indicate optimal processing speeds for the Si and C faces at 200 mm/s and 100 mm/s, respectively.

Biocompatible Heterogeneous Packaging and Laser-Assisted Fluid Interface Control for In Situ Sensor in Organ-on-a-Chip.

The development of bionic organ-on-a-chip technology relies heavily on advancements in in situ sensors and biochip packaging. By integrating precise biological and fluid condition sensing with microfluidics and electronic components, long-term dynamic closed-loop culture systems can be achieved. This study aims to develop biocompatible heterogeneous packaging and laser surface modification techniques to enable the encapsulation of electronic components while minimizing their impact on fluid dynamics.

What does it mean when the pleasant smells come and go? Correlation between UPSIT odor identification status and fluctuation of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including olfactory dysfunction. Prior studies have shown that olfaction deteriorates with disease progression, however fluctuations in olfaction and related PD symptoms have been less explored. This study aimed to investigate correlations between changes in odor identification ability and PD symptoms.

Interfacial Elemental Analysis of Slanted Edge-Contacted Monolayer MoS Transistors via Directionally Angled Etching.

Edge contacts offer a significant advantage for enhancing the performance of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) devices by interfacing with the metallic contacts on the lateral side, which allows the encapsulation of all of the channel material. However, despite intense research, the fabrication of feasible electrical edge contacts to TMDCs to improve device performance remains a great challenge, as interfacial chemical characterization via conventional methods is lacking. A major bottleneck in explicitly understanding the chemical and electronic properties of the edge contact at the metal-two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor interface is the small cross section when characterizing nominally one-dimensional edge contacts.

Prolapsed fallopian tube to the vagina after hysterectomy a year ago: A case report.

Objective: This case report aims to present a rare occurrence of fallopian tube prolapse into the vaginal vault following hysterectomy, underscoring the importance of recognizing this uncommon complication.

Case Report: A 45-year-old woman, with a history of hysterectomy for adenomyosis, presented with symptoms mimicking a vaginal tumor, including persistent discharge, abdominal pain, postcoital bleeding, and weight loss. Imaging raised concerns of malignancy, but surgery revealed a prolapsed fallopian tube with chronic inflammation.

Clinical Outcomes of a Modified Technique Combining Submucosal Turbinectomy and Extended Neural Targeting in Chronic Rhinitis Management.

Background/aim: This study evaluated the outcomes of combining submucosal turbinectomy with extensive disruption of the pterygopalatine ganglionic efferent nerve fibers through a minimucosal incision in patients with intractable rhinitis, irrespective of their dependency on the posterior nasal nerve.

Patients And Methods: We describe an endoscopic extended neurectomy procedure performed via a minimucosal pocket. The primary outcome measures included the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and runny nose and nasal obstruction subdomains of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), which were assessed pre-procedure and at 3 and 6 months post-procedure.

Barriers to quality cancer care: a qualitative exploration of oncology case managers' experiences in facilitating guideline implementation in Taiwan.

Background: In cancer care, the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) has been shown to improve the quality and effectiveness of medical services. To facilitate physicians' adherence to these guidelines, Taiwan established the position of oncology case manager (OCM) in 2010, one of whose responsibilities is to monitor physicians' compliance. However, there have been few explorations of their experiences and the barriers they face in facilitating guideline implementation.

Enhancing Stability in All-Vacuum-Evaporated Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells via a Bipolar Host as a Hole-Transporting Layer.

Growing an ultrathin hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite film while maintaining high efficiency and addressing photostability challenges for commercial devices remains a significant hurdle. In this study, we explore the incorporation of organometallic copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and (a previously published spiro-based interfacial material for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), featuring an ortho-oriented carbazole donor) as an addition to the hole-transporting layer (HTL) in all-vacuum-deposited CsFAPb(IBr) PSCs. By innovatively introducing a 3 nm-thin layer at the CuPc-perovskite interface, we achieve a deeper understanding of the crystallographic dynamics of perovskites, resulting in a uniform and pinhole-free film.

Potential damage to ovarian reserve from laparoscopic electrocoagulation in endometriomas and benign ovarian cysts: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometriomas and benign ovarian cysts is often conducted through hemostatic methods, with bipolar electrocoagulation as a common approach. This study evaluated the impact of electrocoagulation, primarily through bipolar energy, versus nonthermal hemostatic methods on ovarian reserve in patients undergoing laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometriomas and benign ovarian cysts.

Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted by searching the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases.

The optimal measurement period of actigraphy for circadian rhythm in relation to adiposity: A retrospective case-control study.

Background: This study focused on the relationship between adiposity and Rest-Activity Rhythms (RAR), utilizing both parametric cosine-based models and non-parametric algorithms. The emphasis was on the impact of varying measurement periods (7-28 days) on this relationship.

Methods: We retrieved actigraphy data from two datasets, encompassing a diverse cohort recruited from an obesity outpatient clinic and a workplace health promotion program.

From Sea to Science: Coral Aquaculture for Sustainable Anticancer Drug Development.

Marine natural products offer immense potential for drug development, but the limited supply of marine organisms poses a significant challenge. Establishing aquaculture presents a sustainable solution for this challenge by facilitating the mass production of active ingredients while reducing our reliance on wild populations and harm to local environments. To fully utilize aquaculture as a source of biologically active products, a cell-free system was established to target molecular components with protein-modulating activity, including topoisomerase II, HDAC, and tubulin polymerization, using extracts from aquaculture corals.

Rest-Activity Rhythm Differences in Acute Rehabilitation Between Poststroke Patients and Non-Brain Disease Controls: Comparative Study.

Background: Circadian rhythm disruptions are a common concern for poststroke patients undergoing rehabilitation and might negatively impact their functional outcomes.

Objective: Our research aimed to uncover unique patterns and disruptions specific to poststroke rehabilitation patients and identify potential differences in specific rest-activity rhythm indicators when compared to inpatient controls with non-brain-related lesions, such as patients with spinal cord injuries.

Methods: We obtained a 7-day recording with a wearable actigraphy device from 25 poststroke patients (n=9, 36% women; median age 56, IQR 46-71) and 25 age- and gender-matched inpatient control participants (n=15, 60% women; median age 57, IQR 46.

Enhancing DSSCs and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production with D-A-A-π-A Sensitizers Containing 10'H-Spiro [Fluorene-9,9'-Phenanthren]-10'-one and Benzo[c][1,2,5]Thiadiazole.

Novel D-A-A-π-A organic sensitizers (FZ-sensitizer), utilizing spiro [fluorene-9,9'-phenanthren]-10'-one and benzo [c][1,2,5]thiadiazole moiety as two auxiliary acceptors, are synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and hydrogen production. By incorporating a bulky spiro [fluorene-9,9'-phenanthrene]-10'-one (A) and benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (A) between the donor (D) and π-bridge moiety, structural modifications inhibit molecular aggregation, while the carbonyl group enhances the capture of Li ions, thereby delaying charge recombination. Furthermore, the extended π-conjugation broadens the light absorption range and enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of FZ-2 under AM1.

Visual Acuity Impairment from Inflammatory Isolated Sphenoid Sinus Disease.

Background/aim: To investigate the treatment outcomes and determinants of prognosis in patients experiencing visual acuity (VA) deterioration due to inflammatory isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD) who underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery (EES).

Patients And Methods: Thirteen patients with 14 lesions treated with EES between March 2010 and April 2022 were included. Evaluation included improvements in VA using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) scale, resolution rates of associated symptoms, and identification of factors predicting VA recovery.

Quantification of Resection Margin following Sublobar Resection in Lung Cancer Patients through Pre- and Post-Operative CT Image Comparison: Utilizing a CT-Based 3D Reconstruction Algorithm.

Sublobar resection has emerged as a standard treatment option for early-stage peripheral non-small cell lung cancer. Achieving an adequate resection margin is crucial to prevent local tumor recurrence. However, gross measurement of the resection margin may lack accuracy due to the elasticity of lung tissue and interobserver variability.

Developing Methods for Assessing Mental Activity Using Human-Smartphone Interactions: Comparative Analysis of Activity Levels and Phase Patterns in General Mental Activities, Working Mental Activities, and Physical Activities.

Background: Human biological rhythms are commonly assessed through physical activity (PA) measurement, but mental activity may offer a more substantial reflection of human biological rhythms.

Objective: This study proposes a novel approach based on human-smartphone interaction to compute mental activity, encompassing general mental activity (GMA) and working mental activity (WMA).

Methods: A total of 24 health care professionals participated, wearing wrist actigraphy devices and using the "Staff Hours" app for more than 457 person-days, including 332 workdays and 125 nonworkdays.

Liver cancer initiation requires translational activation by an oncofetal regulon involving LIN28 proteins.

It is unknown which posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms are required for oncogenic competence. Here, we show that the LIN28 family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which facilitate posttranscriptional RNA metabolism within ribonucleoprotein networks, is essential for the initiation of diverse oncotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In HCC models driven by NRASG12V/Tp53, CTNNB1/YAP/Tp53, or AKT/Tp53, mice without Lin28a and Lin28b were markedly impaired in cancer initiation.

Metabolic inflexibility promotes mitochondrial health during liver regeneration.

Mitochondria are critical for proper organ function and mechanisms to promote mitochondrial health during regeneration would benefit tissue homeostasis. We report that during liver regeneration, proliferation is suppressed in electron transport chain (ETC)-dysfunctional hepatocytes due to an inability to generate acetyl-CoA from peripheral fatty acids through mitochondrial β-oxidation. Alternative modes for acetyl-CoA production from pyruvate or acetate are suppressed in the setting of ETC dysfunction.

Association of Childhood Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Adolescent Traditional and Cyberbullying Victimization in the Digital Generation: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Purpose: This population-based cohort study aimed to examine the association with childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bullying experiences during adolescence among Digital Generation individuals, exploring both traditional and cyberbullying.

Methods: This study included data from 15,240 participants, collected from the Taiwan Adolescent to Adult Longitudinal Study project. Participants, initially in seventh and 10th grade in 2015, were selected through a multistage stratified sampling approach.

The greatest loss of unpleasant smells may be related to the risk of more severe PD symptoms.

Background: Limited research has explored the relationship between the valence of olfactory dysfunction and PD clinical symptoms. This study aimed to investigate correlations between the emotional valence of olfactory impairment and different domains of PD symptoms.

Methods: PD patients who fulfilled the clinically probable PD diagnostic criteria of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Parkinson's Disease were recruited from the Center for Parkinson and Movement Disorders at Taichung Veterans General Hospital between October 2016 and April 2022.