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Abstract This study evaluated an oscillometric device (OD), Microlife WatchBP Office AFIB, and a hybrid manual auscultatory device (AD), Greenlight 300TM, to determine a suitable blood pressure (BP) measurement device for the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in a mercury‐free context. Adhering to the 2018 Universal Standard's suggested consensus, the study involved 800 subjects (mean age 51.2 ± 17.5 years; 44.3% male), who underwent triplicate BP measurements following 5 min of rest in a randomized order (OD‐first: 398 participants; AD‐first: 402 participants). BP difference was calculated as OD value minus AD value, with results stratified by measurement sequence. The overall BP difference and tolerable error probability were ‐1.1 ± 6.5/‐2.6 ± 4.9 mmHg and 89.2%/92.5% for systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP), respectively. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.907/0.844 for SBP/DBP (OD‐first/AD‐first: 0.925/0.892 for SBP, 0.842/0.845 for DBP). The overall agreement for hypertension (BP ≥ 140 and/or 90 mmHg) was 0.71 (p

Abstract Postnatal growth restriction (PGR) can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) potentially due to impairments in oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) within cardiomyocyte mitochondria. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if PGR impairs cardiac metabolism, specifically OxPhos. FVB (Friend Virus B‐type) mice were fed a normal‐protein (NP: 20% protein), or low‐protein (LP: 8% protein) isocaloric diet 2 weeks before mating. LP dams produce ∼20% less milk, and pups nursed by LP dams experience reduced growth into adulthood as compared to pups nursed by NP dams. At birth (PN1), pups born to dams fed the NP diet were transferred to LP dams (PGR group) or a different NP dam (control group: CON). At weaning (PN21), all mice were fed the NP diet. At PN22 and PN80, mitochondria were isolated for respirometry (oxygen consumption rate, JO2) and fluorimetry (reactive oxygen species emission, JH2O2) analysis measured as baseline respiration (LEAK) and with saturating ADP (OxPhos). Western blotting at PN22 and PN80 determined protein abundance of uncoupling protein 3, peroxiredoxin‐6, voltage‐dependent anion channel and adenine nucleotide translocator 1 to provide further insight into mitochondrial function. ANOVAs with the main effects of diet, sex and age with α‐level of 0.05 was set a priori. Overall, PGR (7.8 ± 1.1) had significant (P = 0.01) reductions in respiratory control in complex I when compared to CON (8.9 ± 1.0). In general, our results show that PGR led to higher electron leakage in the form of free radical production and reactive oxygen species emission. No significant diet effects were found in protein abundance. The observed reduced respiratory control and increased ROS emission in PGR mice may increase risk for CVD in mice.

Abstract Cancer vaccines offer a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy by inducing systemic, tumor‐specific immune responses. Tumor extracellular vesicles (TEVs) are nanoparticles naturally laden with tumor antigens, making them appealing for vaccine development. However, their inherent malignant properties from the original tumor cells limit their direct therapeutic use. This study introduces a novel approach to repurpose TEVs as potent personalized cancer vaccines. The study shows that inhibition of both YAP and autophagy not only diminishes the malignancy‐associated traits of TEVs but also enhances their immunogenic attributes by enriching their load of tumor antigens and adjuvants. These revamped TEVs, termed attenuated yet immunogenically potentiated TEVs (AI‐TEVs), showcase potential in inhibiting tumor growth, both as a preventive measure and a possible treatment for recurrent cancers. They prompt a tumor‐specific and enduring immune memory. In addition, by showing that AI‐TEVs can counteract cancer growth in a personalized vaccine approach, a potential strategy is presented for developing postoperative cancer immunotherapy that's enduring and tailored to individual patients.

The incidence of colitis‐associated colorectal cancer (CAC) has increased due to a high‐nutrient diet, increased environmental stimuli and inherited gene mutations. To adequately treat CAC, drugs should be developed by identifying novel therapeutic targets. E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase pellino homolog 3 (pellino 3; Peli3) is a RING‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in inflammatory signalling; however, its role in the development and progression of CAC has not been elucidated. In this study, we studied Peli3‐deficient mice in an azoxymethane/dextran sulphate sodium‐induced CAC model. We observed that Peli3 promotes colorectal carcinogenesis with increased tumour burden and oncogenic signalling pathways. Ablation of Peli3 reduced inflammatory signalling activation at the early stage of carcinogenesis. Mechanistic studies indicate that Peli3 enhances toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)‐mediated inflammation through ubiquitination‐dependent degradation of interferon regulatory factor 4, a negative regulator of TLR4 in macrophages. Our study suggests an important molecular link between Peli3 and colonic inflammation‐mediated carcinogenesis. Furthermore, Peli3 can be a therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of CAC.

Abstract The authors evaluated the efficacy, safety, and characteristics of patients who respond well to standard dose triple combination therapy including chlorthalidone 25 mg with telmisartan 80 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg in hypertensive patients. This is a multicenter, double‐blind, active‐controlled, phase 3, randomized trial. Patients are randomized to triple combination (telmisartan 40 mg/amlodipine 5 mg/chlorthalidone 12.5 mg, TEL/AML/CHTD group) or dual combination (telmisartan 40 mg/amlodipine 5 mg, TEL/AML group) treatment and then dose up titration to TEL 80/AML5/CHTD25mg and TEL80/AML5, respectively. The primary endpoint is the change of mean sitting systolic blood pressure (MSSBP) at week 8. A Target BP achievement rate, a response rate, and the safety endpoints are also evaluated. Total 374 patients (mean age = 60.9 ± 10.7 years, male = 78.3%) were randomized to the study. The baseline MSSBPs/diastolic BPs were 149.9 ± 12.2/88.5 ± 10.4 mm Hg. After 8 weeks treatment, the change of MSSBPs at week 8 are −19.1 ± 14.9 mm Hg (TEL/AML/CHTD) and −11.4 ± 14.7 mm Hg (TEL/AML) (p

Abstract Pancreaticobiliary tract cancer has a poor prognosis with unmet needs in a new target treatment. Some studies have reported that an enhancement of T‐cell immunity is associated with a good prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunoprofile as a prognostic marker of pancreaticobiliary tract cancers. Unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n = 80) and biliary tract cancer (BTC, n = 74) diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2018 in Samsung Medical Center were analyzed. Expression levels of CD8, FOXP3, PD‐1, PD‐L1, and CXCL13 in PDAC and BTC tissue samples were examined with immunohistochemical staining, which was evaluated with various clinical factors. In PDAC, higher degree of PD‐L1 expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0095). On the other hand, higher infiltrations of PD‐1+ immune cells (p = 0.0002) and CD8+ T cells (p = 0.0067) were associated with longer OS. In BTC, higher FOXP3+ (p = 0.0343) and CD8+ (p = 0.0028) cell infiltrations were associated with better survival. Low infiltration of CD8+ (p = 0.0148), FOXP3+ (p = 0.0208), PD‐1+ (p = 0.0318) cells in PDAC, and FOXP3+ cells (p = 0.005) in BTC were considerably related to metastasis. In a combined evaluation of clinical factors and immunoprofiles, univariate analysis revealed that operation after chemotherapy (p

Abstract Background Ageing traits and frailty are important health issues in modern medicine. Evidence supporting the causal effects of tobacco smoking on various ageing traits is required. Methods This study performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis instrumenting 377 genetic variants associated with being an ever‐smoker at a genome‐wide significance level to test the causal estimates from tobacco smoking. The outcome data were obtained from 337 138 white British ancestry participants from the UK Biobank. Leucocyte telomere length, appendicular lean mass index, subjective walking pace, handgrip strength, and wristband accelerometry‐determined physical activity degree were collected as ageing‐related outcomes. Summary‐level MR analysis was performed using the inverse variance‐weighted method and pleiotropy‐robust MR methods, including weighted median and MR‐Egger. Observational association between the outcome traits and phenotypically being an ever‐smoker was also investigated. Results Summary‐level MR analysis indicated that a higher genetic predisposition for tobacco smoking was significantly associated with shorter leucocyte telomere length (twofold increase in prevalence of smoking towards standardized Z‐score, −0.041 [−0.054, −0.028]), lower appendicular lean mass index (−0.007 [−0.010, −0.005]), slower walking pace (ordinal category, −0.047 [−0.054, −0.033]) and lower time spent on moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (hours per week, −0.39 [−0.56, −0.23]). The causal estimates were non‐significant towards handgrip strength phenotype (kg, 0.074 [−0.055, 0.204]). Pleiotropy‐robust MR results generally supported the main causal estimates. The observational findings also showed significant association between being an ever‐smoker and the ageing traits. Conclusions Genetically predicted and observational tobacco smoking status are significantly associated with poor ageing phenotypes. Healthcare providers may continue to reduce tobacco use, which may be helpful in reducing the burden of ageing and frailty.

Background This study explored the risk factors, neuroimaging features, and prognostic implications of nonhypertensive white matter hyperintensity (WMH) in patients with acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Methods and Results We included 2283 patients with hypertension and 1003 without from a pool of 10 602. Associations of moderate‐to‐severe WMH with known risk factors, functional outcome, and a composite of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, and all‐cause mortality were evaluated. A subset of 351 patients without hypertension and age‐ and sex‐matched pairs with hypertension and moderate‐to‐severe WMH was created for a detailed topographic examination of WMH, lacunes, and microbleeds. Approximately 35% of patients without hypertension and 65% of patients with hypertensive stroke exhibited moderate‐to‐severe WMH. WMH was associated with age, female sex, and previous stroke, irrespective of hypertension. In patients without hypertension, WMH was associated with initial systolic blood pressure and was more common in the anterior temporal region. In patients with hypertension, WMH was associated with small vessel occlusion as a stroke mechanism and was more frequent in the periventricular region near the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle. The higher prevalence of occipital microbleeds in patients without hypertension and deep subcortical lacunes in patients with hypertension were also observed. Associations of moderate‐to‐severe WMH with 3‐month functional outcome and 1‐year cumulative incidence of the composite outcome were significant (both P

Abstract We aimed to develop a biocompatible treatment to overcome the limitations of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fracture patients. We synthesized an injectable hydrogel containing PMMA. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) spheroids were included in the injectable PMMA‐doped gel (= PMMA‐doped spheroid gel). In vitro, the osteogenic/anti‐inflammatory effects of the embedded spheroids were investigated by the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction method. In vivo, we used ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced osteoporotic rats with injured femurs to investigate the pain‐relief effects. The OVX rats were divided into four groups according to the materials injected (non, PMMA, PMMA gel, and PMMA‐spheroid gel) into the lesion. The immunofluorescence (IF) intensity levels of painful markers in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were measured. In vitro, a volumetric ratio of the gel of 8 (gel):2 (PMMA) was non‐cytotoxic for MSCs and promoted the expression of osteogenic/anti‐inflammatory markers. In vivo, the values of several bone parameters in the PMMA‐doped spheroid gel group showed remarkable increases compared to those in the PMMA group. In addition, the IF intensity levels of the painful markers were noticeably decreased in the PMMA‐spheroid gel group. We, therefore, suggest that this treatment can be useful for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients.

Abstract Stealth technology is used to enhance the survival of military equipment in the field of military surveillance, as it utilizes a combination of techniques to render itself undetectable by enemy radar systems. Radar absorbing materials (RAMs) are specialized materials used to reduce the reflection (or absorption) of radar signals to provide stealth capability, which is a core component of passive countermeasures in military applications. The properties of RAMs can be optimized by adjusting their composition, microstructure, and surface geometry. Carbon‐based materials present a promising approach for the fabrication of ultrathin, versatile, and high‐performance RAMs due to their large specific surface area, lightweight, excellent dielectric properties, high electrical conductivity, and stability under harsh conditions. This review begins with a brief history of stealth technology and an introduction to electromagnetic waves, radar systems, and radar absorbing materials. This is followed by a discussion of recent research progress in carbon‐based RAMs, including carbon blacks, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene, and MXene, along with an in‐depth examination of the principles and strategies on electromagnetic attenuation characteristics. Hope this review will offer fresh perspectives on the design and fabrication of carbon‐based RAMs, thereby fostering a deeper fundamental understanding and promoting practical applications.

Abstract The number of antennas in automotive frequency‐modulated continuous wave (FMCW) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar systems is increasing. Existing greedy or subspace‐based methods cannot quickly and accurately estimate the direction of arrival (DoA) of the target. Therefore, we propose a fast and accurate DoA estimation algorithm for the automotive FMCW MIMO radar. To achieve both fastness and accuracy, we exploit the group sparsity in DoA estimation by defining the problem as a multiple measurement vector (MMV) compressive sensing and extend the step‐learnt iterative soft‐thresholding algorithm (SLISTA) to the MMV problem. To apply the extended SLISTA, we train the network in an unsupervised manner and normalise the input. We conduct experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Compared to the algorithms such as ISTA/FISTA/MFOCUSS that solve the same optimisation problem, the extended SLISTA exhibits the most accurate DoA estimation results for actual targets, with less execution time than a subspace‐based method. Moreover, the results show that the extended SLISTA prevents false detections, whereas greedy and subspace‐based methods do not.

Abstract Kori 1, the first commercial reactor in Korea, was permanently shut down in 2017 and is preparing for decommissioning in the mid‐2020s. Although Kori 1 is shut down, some radiation sources remain in the system; as such, the dismantling workers are exposed to radiation until decommissioning is completed. Unexpected radiation events have been reported in some decommissioning nuclear power plants (NPPs), which resulted in additional radiation exposure to workers and significant financial losses due to delays in the decommissioning schedule. Hence, an appropriate radiation protection program must be established to minimize radiation exposure as well as the economic burden. In this study, radiation doses from precedent decommissioning NPPs worldwide are compared with those estimated from Kori 1 to determine dose reduction measures that can achieve radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable to decommissioning workers.

Abstract Graphdiyne (GDY), a new 2D material, has recently proven excellent performance in photodetector applications due to its direct bandgap and high mobility. Different from the zero‐gap of graphene, these preeminent properties made GDY emerge as a rising star for solving the bottleneck of graphene‐based inefficient heterojunction. Herein, a highly effective graphdiyne/molybdenum (GDY/MoS2) type‐II heterojunction in a charge separation is reported toward a high‐performance photodetector. Characterized by robust electron repulsion of alkyne‐rich skeleton, the GDY based junction facilitates the effective electron–hole pairs separation and transfer. This results in significant suppression of Auger recombination up to six times at the GDY/MoS2 interface compared with the pristine materials owing to an ultrafast hot hole transfer from MoS2 to GDY. GDY/MoS2 device demonstrates notable photovoltaic behavior with a short‐circuit current of −1.3 × 10−5 A and a large open‐circuit voltage of 0.23 V under visible irradiation. As a positive‐charge‐attracting magnet, under illumination, alkyne‐rich framework induces positive photogating effect on the neighboring MoS2, further enhancing photocurrent. Consequently, the device exhibits broadband detection (453–1064 nm) with a maximum responsivity of 78.5 A W−1 and a high speed of 50 µs. Results open up a new promising strategy using GDY toward effective junction for future optoelectronic applications.

Abstract 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have significant research interests in various novel applications due to their intriguing physicochemical properties. Notably, one of the 2D TMDs, SnS2, has superior chemiresistive sensing properties, including a planar crystal structure, a large surface‐to‐volume ratio, and a low electronic noise. However, the long‐term stability of SnS2 in humid conditions remains a critical shortcoming towards a significant degradation of sensitivity. Herein, it is demonstrated that the subsequent self‐assembly of zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) can be achieved in situ growing on SnS2 nanoflakes as the homogeneous porous materials. ZIF‐8 layer on SnS2 allows the selective diffusion of target gas species, while effectively preventing the SnS2 from severe oxidative degradation. Molecular modeling such as molecular dynamic simulation and DFT calculation, further supports the mechanism of sensing stability and selectivity. From the results, the in situ grown ZIF‐8 porous membrane on 2D materials corroborates the generalizable strategy for durable and reliable high‐performance electronic applications of 2D materials.

Organic memristors are promising candidates for the flexible synaptic components of wearable intelligent systems. With heightened concerns for the environment, considerable effort has been made to develop organic transient memristors to realize eco‐friendly flexible neural networks. However, in the transient neural networks, achieving flexible memristors with biorealistic synaptic plasticity for energy efficient learning processes is still challenging. Herein, a biodegradable and flexible polymer‐based memristor, suitable for the spike‐dependent learning process, is demonstrated. An electrochemical metallization phenomenon for the conductive nanofilament growth in a polymer medium of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is analyzed and a PVA‐based transient and flexible artificial synapse is developed. The developed device exhibits superior biodegradability and stable mechanical flexibility due to the high water solubility and excellent tensile strength of the PVA film, respectively. In addition, the developed flexible memristor is operated as a reliable synaptic device with optimized synaptic plasticity, which is ideal for artificial neural networks with the spike‐dependent operations. The developed device is found to be effectively served as a reliable synaptic component with high energy efficiency in practical neural networks. This novel strategy for developing transient and flexible artificial synapses can be a fundamental platform for realizing eco‐friendly wearable intelligent systems. An interactive preprint version of the article can be found here: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.166603245.58711630/v1.

Abstract Background Little is known about the association of changes in two body components, muscle and fat mass, with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among young adults. We investigated the association of changes in predicted lean body mass index (LBMI), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), and body fat mass index (BFMI) with the development of CVD among young adults. Methods This nationwide, population‐based cohort study included 3 727 738 young adults [2 406 046 (64.5%) men and 1 321 692 (35.5%) women] aged 20–39 years without a previous history of CVD who underwent two health screening examinations during 2009–2010 and 2011–2012. Using validated and robust prediction equations, we calculated the changes in predicted LBMI, ASMI, and BFMI from the first to the second examinations. Results The mean (SD) age was 32.2 (4.9) years, and 2 406 046 (64.5%) of the participants were men. A total of 23 344 CVD events were detected during 22 257 632 person‐years of follow‐up. Each 1 kg/m2 increase in predicted LBMI and ASMI change was associated with a reduced risk of CVD among men [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82–0.91; aHR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.69–0.82, respectively] and women (aHR: 0.77, 95% CI 0.63–0.95; aHR: 0.75, 95% CI 0.59–0.96). Each 1 kg/m2 increase in predicted BFMI change was associated with an increased risk of CVD among men (aHR: 1.16, 95% CI 1.10–1.22) and women (aHR: 1.32, 95% CI 1.06–1.65). In both sexes, decreases in predicted LBMI and ASMI were associated with greater CVD risk, and decreased predicted BFMI was associated with a reduced CVD risk. Those who maintained their BMI between −1 and +1 kg/m2 also had a decreased risk of CVD per 1 kg/m2 increase in predicted LBMI and ASMI change among men (aHR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.80–0.92; aHR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.76–0.95) and women (aHR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.47–0.83; aHR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.44–0.80) and had a greater risk of CVD per 1 kg/m2 increase in predicted BFMI change among men (aHR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.10–1.25) and women (aHR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.20–2.23). Regardless of changes in weight, such as from normal to obese or vice versa, these results were consistent. Conclusions Among young adults, increased predicted muscle mass or decreased predicted fat mass were associated with a reduced risk of development of CVD. Decreased predicted muscle mass or increased predicted fat mass were associated with an elevated risk of development of CVD.

Abstract This letter presents an adversarial knowledge distillation based on graph convolutional neural network. For knowledge distillation, many methods have been proposed in which the student model individually and independently imitates the output of the teacher model on the input data. Our method suggests the application of a similarity matrix to consider the relationship among output vectors, compared to the other existing approaches. The similarity matrix of the output vectors is calculated and converted into a graph structure, and a generative adversarial network using graph convolutional neural network is applied. We suggest similarity‐based knowledge distillation in which a student model simultaneously imitates both of output vector and similarity matrix of the teacher model. We evaluate our method on ResNet, MobileNet and Wide ResNet using CIFAR‐10 and CIFAR‐100 datasets, and our results outperform results of the baseline model and other existing knowledge distillations like KLD and DML.

Abstract Following the permanent shutdown of Kori Unit 1 in June 2017, the Republic of Korea has been preparing for full‐scale decommissioning work. In addition, the design life of 12 units will expire by 2030. If decommissioning begins without initially extending the lifespan of nuclear reactors, massive amounts of decommissioning wastes will be generated in a short period. The total amount of radioactive wastes generated during the dismantling of a pressurized water reactor is estimated as 6200 tons, and approximately 70% of the total radioactive wastes are classified as metal wastes. Self‐disposal through the decontamination of contaminated metals can contribute to the economic feasibility of decommissioning nuclear power plants because it can reduce the disposal cost of medium‐ and low‐level radioactive wastes. Therefore, this study evaluated the possibility of self‐disposal of steam generators that may occur during future decommissioning. The radioactivity analysis data on transferring the replaced steam generator of Hanul Unit 1 were used as the source term. The decontamination factor was calculated by applying 200 units from 1200 to 2000, and the radiation dose was evaluated using the RESRAD‐RECYCLE code. Consequently, the single‐nuclide concentration and sum of the allowable concentration fraction for mixed radionuclides at a decontamination factor of 1400 were below the regulatory requirements; however, the dose evaluation results exceeded the allowable dose in some scenarios. The decontamination factor was 2000, when the dose evaluation results for all scenarios met the regulatory requirements.

Abstract The occurrence of tick‐borne infectious diseases, including zoonotic babesiosis, has become a serious concern in recent years. In this study, we detected Babesia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 18S rRNA of the parasites isolated from ixodid ticks collected from small mammals in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Sequence analysis of the PCR amplicon revealed the presence of B. duncani, B. venatorum, B. capreoli/divergens, and, the most prevalent, B. microti in the ticks. The molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that the four species‐specific18S rRNA sequences clustered in four distinct clades. This is the first study to provide molecular evidence for the presence of zoonotic Babesia spp. other than B. microti in ticks in the ROK.

Abstract The target classification of unknown classes using radar sensor data is discussed. The neural network‐based classifier shows high classification accuracy for the learned class targets. However, there is a risk of false decision for the untrained class target owing to an overconfidence problem. The output confidence of the classifier is calibrated using the deep convolutional neural network ensemble structure to propose a method to set the proper threshold for output confidence to decide unknown class targets. When using the proposed method, the accuracy of the learned target is maintained similar to that of the existing single neural network‐based classifier, whereas the unknown class target is better identified. Further analysis verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method using commercial automotive radar. The proposed method can classify learned targets with an accuracy of 95% and distinguish unknown class targets with an accuracy of at least 85%. Based on the interaction with other sensors, individual sensors need to make reserved decisions about uncertain information. It is expected that the proposed ensemble network will be efficient in designing the classifier to perform target classification including unknown class decision.

Abstract Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) is an effective noninvasive treatment modality for brain disorders with high clinical potential. However, the therapeutic effects of ultrasound neuromodulation are not widely explored due to limitations in preclinical systems. The current preclinical studies are head‐fixed, anesthesia‐dependent, and acute, limiting clinical translatability. Here, this work reports a general‐purpose ultrasound neuromodulation system for chronic, closed‐loop preclinical studies in freely behaving rodents. This work uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to design and fabricate a small and lightweight transducer capable of artifact‐free stimulation and simultaneous neural recording. Using the general‐purpose system, it can be observed that state‐dependent ultrasound neuromodulation of the prefrontal cortex increases rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and protects spatial working memory to REM sleep deprivation. The system will allow explorative studies in brain disease therapeutics and neuromodulation using ultrasound stimulation for widespread clinical adoption.

Background Apart from nondippers’ impact on cardiovascular events, the prevalence of isolated nocturnal hypertension (INH) and its consequences on both the heart and brain were not clearly investigated in the general population. Methods and Results The participants underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring evaluations for arterial stiffness, echocardiography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. They were grouped into normotension, INH, and overt diurnal hypertension, based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and history of antihypertensive treatment. White matter hyperintensity, arterial stiffness, and echocardiographic parameters were compared. Of the 1734 participants, there were 475 (27.4%) subjects with normotension, 314 with INH (18.1%), and 945 with overt diurnal hypertension (54.5%). Prevalence of INH was not different between sex or age. Of INH, 71.3% (n=224) was caused by elevated diastolic blood pressure. After multivariable adjustment, INH showed higher pulse wave velocity (P

Neuromorphic electronics attract significant attention as a new computing architecture. Despite much effort for achieving practical neuromorphic systems, it is still challenging to construct a synapse array ideal for complex neural networks. Herein, a novel strategy for developing a highly integrated crossbar array of a one‐selector–one‐memory (1S–1R) synapse by systematically engineering ion injection is demonstrated. In the proposed synapse, an electrochemical metallization (ECM) memristor consisting of unstable filaments and a typical ECM device with stable filaments act as a selector with a low leakage current and a stable memory device, respectively. To overcome the voltage‐matching issues in constructing the 1S–1R synapse with high integration density, ion injection related with the electrical properties is optimized in the ECM devices via the distribution of active metal nanoparticles at the interface. The developed synapse possesses a high on/off ratio, superior selectivity, low operating current, and stable multilevel conductance, compared to the previously reported devices. High feasibility for complex neuromorphic systems is demonstrated, and the neural network based on the developed synapse array exhibits reliable parallel computation with high energy efficiency. This promising concept of realizing complex neuromorphic electronics is a fundamental building block for the practical artificial intelligence.

Abstract Background Bismuth quadruple (BQ) therapy is known to have poor patient compliance and a complex dosing method, and no appropriate third‐line regimen exists if second‐line BQ therapy fails. In Korea, some alternative regimens have shown unsatisfactory eradication rates. Therefore, we investigated the success rates of the second‐line moxifloxacin–rifabutin triple (MRT) regimen and compared it with BQ regimen in subgroup analysis of peptic ulcer patients. Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective study of 71 patients who underwent a second‐line MRT for Helicobacter pylori after failing to clarithromycin triple regimen. To compare the eradication rate in gastric ulcer patients, 51 patients in the MRT group and 132 patients in BQ group were included. After age and sex propensity matching, 45 patients were included in each group (the alpha value and power were set at 0.05% and 77%, respectively). Results The eradication rate in the MRT group was 69.0% (49/71) in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis and 77.8% (49/63) in the per‐protocol (PP) analysis. These were significantly lower than the eradication rate in the BQ group (82.5%, p = 0.019 in the ITT analysis; 89.3%, p = 0.022 in the PP analysis). In subgroup analysis of peptic ulcer patients, the success rate of BQ group was significantly higher than that of MRT group in both ITT and PP populations (81.8% (108/132) vs. 60.8% (31/51) in the ITT populations, p = 0.004; and 90.0% (108/120) vs. 72.1% (31/43) in the PP populations, p = 0.010). Among the 14 patients with MRT therapy failure, 10 were eradicated with BQ as the third‐line regimen. The eradication rate of the third‐line BQ after the second‐line MRT failure was 90.0% (9/10). Conclusion Second‐line MRT therapy was not as effective as BQ therapy, so it should be considered for limited use only when BQ is not available.

Abstract In this study, we aimed to investigate the recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) by inducing cellular differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons. We dissociated NSCs from the spinal cords of Fisher 344 rat embryos. An injectable gel crosslinked with glycol chitosan and oxidized hyaluronate was used as a vehicle for NSC transplantation. The gel graft containing the NSC and positively charged gold nanoparticles (pGNP) was implanted into spinal cord lesions in Sprague–Dawley rats (NSC‐pGNP gel group). Cellular differentiation of grafted NSCs into neurons (stained with β‐tubulin III [also called Tuj1]) was significantly increased in the NSC‐pGNP gel group (***p

Abstract Modern autonomous vehicles are being equipped with various automotive sensors to perform special functions. Especially, it is important to predict the heading direction of the front vehicle to adjust the speed of the ego‐vehicle and select appropriate actions. Here, we propose a method for estimating the instantaneous heading direction of a vehicle using automotive radar sensor data. First, using a frequency‐modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar in the 77 GHz band, we accumulate the automotive radar sensor data for different movements of the front vehicle (e.g., stop, going ahead, reversing, turning left, and turning right). To distinguish the different movements of the vehicle, we use the convolutional neural network (CNN) and train it using the acquired radar sensor data. Because the CNN algorithm usually uses image data as input, it is essential to convert radar sensor data into image data. Therefore, we apply a high‐resolution angle estimation algorithm to the obtained radar data and convert it into a two‐dimensional range map. After the CNN model is trained with the obtained radar sensor data, various movements of the front vehicle can be classified with over 94% of accuracy.

Abstract The inertial measurement unit (IMU) and magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) sensor orientation and position are widely used in the medical, robotics, and other fields. In general, the orientations can be defined by the integration of angular velocity data, and the positions are also computed from the double integration of acceleration data. However, the acceleration and angular velocity data are often inaccurate due to measurement errors which arise when the sensor moves quickly. Therefore, the orientations and positions significantly differ from the actual values. To address these issues, several techniques are proposed for the accurate measurement of IMU and MARG sensor orientations and positions. The proposed optimization method is applied to raw sensor data to compute faithful orientations by stabilizing and accelerating the convergence of the optimization process. Furthermore, a deep neural network based on 1D convolutional neural network (CNN) layers is proposed to predict the desired velocity from raw acceleration data. The method is validated qualitatively and quantitatively with an optical motion capture (mocap) system. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly improves orientation and position estimations compared to those of other approaches.

Abstract Water, abundant and ubiquitous in nature, is an easy yet powerful resource for the creatures to survive by putting together with their topologies interfacing their living environment. Here, a slippery, water‐infusing surface (SWIS) that retains a thick and stable water layer on the membrane is presented, robustly maintaining the oil repellency against the pressure and friction of immiscible liquids. Inspired by the plant trichome structures and their function, grooved nanotrichome, formed on the fibrous membrane by the oxygen plasma etching, induces robust water lubrication on the SWIS. SWIS membrane repels and separates highly viscous and adhesive oils in air and underwater by preventing oils from adhering to the lubricating surface. Repeated tests both in air and underwater confirm the antiadhesion and self‐cleaning properties of the SWIS. The SWIS oil scooper, fixed on a frame with a handle, successfully collects spilled oil on a pilot‐scale oil spill site and a real ocean oil spill site by simply scooping and recovering the oil. In addition, SWIS membrane is expected to help protect environments with further applications such as oil‐wastewater treatment and oil separation in food.

Background The combined associations of physical activity and particulate matter (PM) with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is yet unclear. Methods and Results The study population consisted of 18 846 cancer survivors who survived for at least 5 years after initial cancer diagnosis from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Average PM levels for 4 years were determined in administrative district areas, and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) information was acquired from health examination questionnaires. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the risk for CVD. Among patients with low PM with particles ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5; (19.8–25.6 μg/m3) exposure, ≥5 times per week of MVPA was associated with lower CVD risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60–0.99) compared with 0 times per week of MVPA. Also, a higher level of MVPA frequency was associated with lower CVD risk (P for trend=0.028) among cancer survivors who were exposed to low PM2.5 levels. In contrast, ≥5 times per week of MVPA among patients with high PM2.5 (25.8–33.8 μg/m3) exposure was not associated with lower CVD risk (aHR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.79–1.21). Compared with patients with low PM2.5 and MVPA ≥3 times per week, low PM2.5 and MVPA ≤2 times per week (aHR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03–1.55), high PM2.5 and MVPA ≥3 times per week (aHR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07–1.67), and high PM2.5 and MVPA ≤2 times per week (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.12–1.70) was associated with higher CVD risk. Conclusions Cancer survivors who engaged in MVPA ≥5 times per week benefited from lower CVD risk upon low PM2.5 exposure. High levels of PM2.5 exposure may attenuate the risk‐reducing effects of MVPA on the risk of CVD.

Abstract Background The purpose of the current study was to investigate the predictive value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) for programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients through a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE database, from the earliest available date of indexing through 30 April 2020, were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of 18F‐FDG PET/CT for prediction of PD‐L1 expression in NSCLC patients. Results Across six studies (1739 patients), the pooled sensitivity for 18F‐FDG PET/CT was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.58–0.82) with heterogeneity (I2 = 90.9, P

Summary Targeted gene regulation is indispensable for reprogramming a cellular network to modulate a microbial phenotype. Here, we adopted the type II CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system for simple and efficient regulation of target genes in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. A single CRISPRi plasmid was generated to express a nuclease‐deficient Cas9 gene and a designed single guide RNA, under control of l‐rhamnose‐inducible PrhaBAD and the constitutive Biobrick J23119 promoter respectively. Two target genes were selected to probe the CRISPRi‐mediated gene regulation: exogenous green fluorescent protein on the multicopy plasmid and endogenous glpR on the P. putida KT2440 chromosome, encoding GlpR, a transcriptional regulator that represses expression of the glpFKRD gene cluster for glycerol utilization. The CRISPRi system successfully repressed the two target genes, as evidenced by a reduction in the fluorescence intensity and the lag phase of P. putida KT2440 cell growth on glycerol. Furthermore, CRISPRi‐mediated repression of glpR improved both the cell growth and glycerol utilization, resulting in the enhanced production of mevalonate in an engineered P. putida KT2440 harbouring heterologous genes for the mevalonate pathway. CRISPRi is expected to become a robust tool to reprogram P. putida KT2440 for the development of microbial cell factories producing industrially valuable products.

Abstract Diabetic retinopathy is currently treated by highly invasive repeated therapeutic injections and surgical interventions without complete vision recovery. Here, a noninvasive smart wireless far red/near‐infrared (NIR) light emitting contact lens developed successfully for the repeated treatment of diabetic retinopathy with significantly improved compliance. A far red/NIR light emitting diode (LED) is connected with an application‐specific integrated circuit chip, wireless power, and communication systems on a PET film, which is embedded in a silicone elastomer contact lens by thermal crosslinking. After in vitro characterization, it is confirmed that the retinal vascular hyper‐permeability induced by diabetic retinopathy in rabbits is reduced to a statistically significant level by simply repeated wearing of smart far red/NIR LED contact lens for 8 weeks with 120 µW light irradiation for 15 min thrice a week. Histological analysis exhibits the safety and feasibility of LED contact lenses for treating diabetic retinopathy. This platform technology for smart LED contact lens would be harnessed for various biomedical photonic applications.

Abstract Chiral organic ligand‐incorporated low‐dimensional metal‐halide perovskites have received increasing attention for next‐generation photodetectors because of the direct detection capability of circularly polarized light (CPL), which overcomes the requirement for subsidiary optical components in conventional CPL photodetectors. However, most chiral perovskites have been based on low‐dimensional structures that confine chiroptical responses to the ultraviolet (UV) or short‐wavelength visible region and limit photocurrent due to their wide bandgap and poor charge transport. Here, chiroptical properties of 3D Cs0.05FA0.5MA0.45Pb0.5Sn0.5I3 polycrystalline films are achieved by incorporating chiral plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into the mixed PbSn perovskite, without sacrificing its original optoelectronic properties. CPL detectors fabricated using chiral AuNP‐embedded perovskite films can operate without external power input; they exhibit remarkable chirality in the near‐infrared (NIR) region with a high anisotropy factor of responsivity (gres) of 0.55, via giant plasmon resonance shift of chiral plasmonic AuNPs. In addition, a CPL detector array fabricated on a plastic substrate demonstrates highly sensitive self‐powered NIR detection with superior flexibility and durability.

Abstract Background Multi‐segment foot models (MFMs) for assessing three‐dimensional segmental foot motions are calculated via various analytical methods. Although validation studies have already been conducted, we cannot compare their results because the experimental environments in previous studies were different from each other. This study aims to compare the kinematics, repeatability, and reproducibility of five MFMs in the same experimental conditions. Methods Eleven healthy males with a mean age of 26.5 years participated in this study. We created a merged 29‐marker set including five MFMs: Oxford (OFM), modified Rizzoli (mRFM), DuPont (DFM), Milwaukee (MiFM), and modified Shriners Hospital for Children Greenville (mSHCG). Two operators applied the merged model to participants twice, and then we analysed two relative angles of three segments: shank‐hindfoot (HF) and hindfoot‐forefoot (FF). Coefficients of multiple correlation (CMC) and mean standard errors were used to assess repeatability and reproducibility, and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) of the t‐value was employed to compare kinematics. Results HF varus/valgus of the MiFM and mSHCG models, which rotated the segment according to radiographic or goniometric measurements during the reference frame construction, were significantly more repeatable and reproducible, compared to other models. They showed significantly more dorsiflexed HF and plantarflexed FF due to their static offset angles. DFM and mSHCG showed a greater range of motion (ROM), and some models had significantly different FF points of peak angle. Conclusions Under the same conditions, rotating the segment according to the appropriate offset angle obtained from radiographic or goniometric measurement increased reliability, but all MFMs had clinically acceptable reliability compared to previous studies. Moreover, in some models, especially HF varus/valgus, there were differences in ROM and points of peak angle even with no statistical difference in SPM curves. Therefore, based on the results of this study, clinicians and researchers involved in the evaluation of foot and ankle dysfunction need an understanding of the specific features of each MFM to make accurate decisions.

Abstract In this study, using the Climate Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) simulations and by empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the first mode of variability in interannual surface air temperature (SAT) in Antarctica (EOF1) was examined for the period between 1979–2004 and 2051–2099 during the austral summer. The ensemble mean of EOF1 of the CMIP5 models shows a positive SAT anomaly over the northern Antarctic Peninsula (AP) and a negative SAT anomaly over Eastern Antarctica (EA) in both periods. A poleward expansion of the AP positive anomaly and an increase in the negative anomaly over interior EA are expected in 2051–2099, resulting in a larger difference of interannual SAT between interior EA and the AP in 2051–2099 than in 1979–2004. The increasing difference in the interannual SAT is consistent with a larger magnitude of the SAM‐related circulation anomalies in the future.

Abstract Understanding protein structure and function relationships in cellulose synthase (CesA), including divergent isomers, is an important goal. Here, we report results from mutant complementation assays that tested the ability of sequence variants of AtCesA7, a secondary wall CesA of Arabidopsis thaliana, to rescue the collapsed vessels, short stems, and low cellulose content of the irx3‐1 AtCesA7 null mutant. We tested a catalytic null mutation and seven missense or small domain changes in and near the AtCesA7 FTVTSK motif, which lies near the catalytic domain and may, analogously to bacterial CesA, exist within a substrate “gating loop.” A low‐to‐high gradient of rescue occurred, and even inactive AtCesA7 had a small positive effect on stem cellulose content but not stem elongation. Overall, secondary wall cellulose content and stem length were moderately correlated, but the results were consistent with threshold amounts of cellulose supporting particular developmental processes. Vibrational sum frequency generation microscopy allowed tissue‐specific analysis of cellulose content in stem xylem and interfascicular fibers, revealing subtle differences between selected genotypes that correlated with the extent of rescue of the collapsing xylem phenotype. Similar tests on PpCesA5 from the moss Physcomitrium (formerly Physcomitrella) patens helped us to synergize the AtCesA7 results with prior results on AtCesA1 and PpCesA5. The cumulative results show that the FTVTxK region is important for the function of an angiosperm secondary wall CesA as well as widely divergent primary wall CesAs, while differences in complementation results between isomers may reflect functional differences that can be explored in further work.

Abstract Human skin plays a critical role in a person communicating with his or her environment through diverse activities such as touching or deforming an object. Various electronic skin (E‐skin) devices have been developed that show functional or geometrical superiority to human skin. However, research into stretchable E‐skin that can simultaneously distinguish materials and textures has not been established yet. Here, the first approach to achieving a stretchable multimodal device is reported, that operates on the basis of various electrical properties of piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and piezoresistivity and that exceeds the capabilities of human tactile perception. The prepared E‐skin is composed of a wrinkle‐patterned silicon elastomer, hybrid nanomaterials of silver nanowires and zinc oxide nanowires, and a thin elastomeric dielectric layer covering the hybrid nanomaterials, where the dielectric layer exhibits high surface roughness mimicking human fingerprints. This versatile device can identify and distinguish not only mechanical stress from a single stimulus such as pressure, tensile strain, or vibration but also that from a combination of multiple stimuli. With simultaneous sensing and analysis of the integrated stimuli, the approach enables material discrimination and texture recognition for a biomimetic prosthesis when the multifunctional E‐skin is applied to a robotic hand.

Background The long‐term incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has not been well defined in large cohort studies of various race‐ethnic groups. Methods and Results A prospective cohort of patients with AIS who were registered in a multicenter nationwide stroke registry (CRCS‐K [Clinical Research Collaboration for Stroke in Korea] registry) was followed up for the occurrence of AMI through a linkage with the National Health Insurance Service claims database. The 5‐year cumulative incidence and annual risk were estimated according to predefined demographic subgroups, stroke subtypes, a history of coronary heart disease (CHD), and known risk factors of CHD. A total of 11 720 patients with AIS were studied. The 5‐year cumulative incidence of AMI was 2.0%. The annual risk was highest in the first year after the index event (1.1%), followed by a much lower annual risk in the second to fifth years (between 0.16% and 0.27%). Among subgroups, annual risk in the first year was highest in those with a history of CHD (4.1%) compared with those without a history of CHD (0.8%). The small‐vessel occlusion subtype had a much lower incidence (0.8%) compared with large‐vessel occlusion (2.2%) or cardioembolism (2.4%) subtypes. In the multivariable analysis, history of CHD (hazard ratio, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.01–3.93) was the strongest independent predictor of AMI after AIS. Conclusions The incidence of AMI after AIS in South Korea was relatively low and unexpectedly highest during the first year after stroke. CHD was the most substantial risk factor for AMI after stroke and conferred an approximate 5‐fold greater risk.

Abstract User‐interactive electronic skin (e‐skin) with a distinguishable output has enormous potential for human–machine interfaces and healthcare applications. Despite advances in user‐interactive e‐skins, advances in visual user‐interactive therapeutic e‐skins remain rare. Here, a user‐interactive thermotherapeutic device is reported that is fabricated by combining thermochromic composites and stretchable strain sensors consisting of strain‐responsive silver nanowire networks on surface energy‐patterned microwrinkles. Both the color and heat of the device are easily controlled through electrical resistance variation induced by applied mechanical strain. The resulting monolithic device exhibits substantial changes in optical reflectance and temperature with durability, rapid response, high stretchability, and linear sensitivity. The approach enables a low‐expertise route to fabricating dynamic interactive thermotherapeutic e‐skins that can be used to effectively rehabilitate injured connective tissues as well as to prevent skin burns by simultaneously accommodating stretching, providing heat, and exhibiting a color change.

Abstract Memory devices have been advanced so much, but still it is highly required to find stable and reliable materials with low‐power consumption. Halide perovskites (HPs) have been recently adopted for memory application since they have advantages of fast switching based on ionic motion in crystal structure. However, HPs also suffer from poor stability, so it is necessary to improve the stability of HPs. In this regard, combined first‐principles screening and experimental verification are performed to design HPs that have high environmental stability and low‐operating voltage for memory devices. First‐principles screening identifies 2D layered AB2X5 structure as the best candidate switching layer for memory devices, because it has lower formation energy and defect formation energy than 3D ABX3 or other layered structures (A3B2X7, A2BX4). To verify results, all‐inorganic 2D layered CsPb2Br5 is synthesized and used in memory devices. The memory devices that use CsPb2Br5 show much better stability and lower operating voltages than devices that use CsPbBr3. These findings are expected to provide new opportunity to design materials for reliable device applications based on calculation, screening, and experimental verification.