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Abstract Cryotherapy leverages controlled freezing temperature interventions to engender a cascade of tumor‐suppressing effects. However, its bottleneck lies in the standalone ineffectiveness. A promising strategy is using nanoparticle therapeutics to augment the efficacy of cryotherapy. Here, a cold‐responsive nanoplatform composed of upconversion nanoparticles coated with silica – chlorin e6 – hyaluronic acid (UCNPs@SiO2‐Ce6‐HA) is designed. This nanoplatform is employed to integrate cryotherapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in order to improve skin cancer treatment efficacy in a synergistic manner. The cryotherapy appeared to enhance the upconversion brightness by suppressing the thermal quenching. The low‐temperature treatment afforded a 2.45‐fold enhancement in the luminescence of UCNPs and a 3.15‐fold increase in the photodynamic efficacy of UCNPs@SiO2‐Ce6‐HA nanoplatforms. Ex vivo tests with porcine skins and the subsequent validation in mouse tumor tissues revealed the effective HA‐mediated transdermal delivery of designed nanoplatforms to deep tumor tissues. After transdermal delivery, in vivo photodynamic therapy using the UCNPs@SiO2‐Ce6‐HA nanoplatforms resulted in the optimized efficacy of 79% in combination with cryotherapy. These findings underscore the Cryo‐PDT as a truly promising integrated treatment paradigm and warrant further exploring the synergistic interplay between cryotherapy and PDT with bright upconversion to unlock their full potential in cancer therapy.

Abstract Aim The study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the short‐form Nurse Professional Competence Scale–Korean version (NPC‐K) among Korean nursing students at the point of graduation. Design This was a cross‐sectional survey. Methods The Nurse Professional Competence scale was translated into Korean using the World Health Organization (WHO) translation method. A total of 195 graduating nursing students participated. Exploratory factor analysis for validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficients for reliability were examined. Results Factor analysis showed that five NPC‐K factors accounted for 68.38% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.97. The NPC‐K has high internal reliability and acceptable construct validity. The content of the scale reflected nursing students' confidence in formal competence requirements based on Korean cultural and educational backgrounds. An accurate assessment of nurse professional competence using the NPC‐K may help nursing academics enhance the quality of education and training.

With the arrival of the era of big data, the conventional von Neumann architecture is now insufficient owing to its high latency and energy consumption that originate from its separated computing and memory units. Neuromorphic computing, which imitates biological neurons and processes data through parallel procedures between artificial neurons, is now regarded as a promising solution to address these restrictions. Therefore, a device with analog switching for weight update is required to implement neuromorphic computing. Resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices are one of the most promising candidates owing to their fast-switching speed and scalability. RRAM is a non-volatile memory device and operates via resistance changes in its insulating layer. Many RRAM devices exhibiting exceptional performance have been reported. However, these devices only excel in one property. Devices that exhibit excellent performance in all aspects have been rarely proposed. In this Research Update, we summarize five requirements for RRAM devices and discuss the enhancement methods for each aspect. Finally, we suggest directions for the advancement of neuromorphic electronics.

Background Organ crosstalk between the kidney and the heart has been suggested. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute heart failure (AHF) are well-known independent risk factors for mortality in hospitalized patients. This study aimed to investigate if these conditions have an additive effect on mortality in hospitalized patients, as this has not been explored in previous studies. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 101,804 hospitalized patients who visited two tertiary hospitals in the Republic of Korea over a period of 5 years. AKI was diagnosed using serum creatinine-based criteria, and AHF was classified using International Classification of Diseases codes within 2 weeks after admission. Patients were divided into four groups according to the two conditions. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results AKI occurred in 6.8% of all patients (n = 6,920) and AHF in 1.2% (n = 1,244). Three hundred thirty-one patients (0.3%) developed both conditions while AKI alone was present in 6,589 patients (6.5%) and AHF alone in 913 patients (0.9%). Among the 5,181 patients (5.1%) who died, 20.8% died within 1 month. The hazard ratio for 1-month mortality was 29.23 in patients with both conditions, 15.00 for AKI only, and 3.39 for AHF only. The relative excess risk of interaction was 11.85 (95% confidence interval, 2.43‒21.27), and was more prominent in patients aged

Liquid metal dealloying (LMD) has recently attracted significant attention. Because the LMD process enables the production of three-dimensional (3D) interconnected non-noble metallic materials. In addition, the metallic melt medium is useful for the development of heterostructure (HS) metal–metal composites. However, the solidified liquid metal phase (low melting point metals such as Mg, Bi, Sn, or Cu) has a much lower strength than the developed ligament phase (e.g., Fe, FeCr, Ti, etc.). In this study, the soft Mg phase was strengthened by adding alloying element of Ni. A eutectic composition of Mg–10 at.% Ni melt leads to the formation of fine eutectic structure of (Mg–Mg2Ni) within 3D interconnected morphology. This hierarchical heterostructured composite consisted of FeCr ligament and Mg–Mg2Ni lamellar, and a high yield strength of 280 MPa and a noticeable elongation (1.5%) were achieved. The complex 3D morphology of ligament and lamellar geometrically constraint each other, and it prevents the early fracture of brittle Mg–Mg2Ni lamellar phase. The alloy design for the LMD melt gives insights for hierarchical HS materials with outstanding mechanical properties for structural applications.

Occurrence of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is important for genome integrity. Here, the authors reveal that Pellino1 is a DSB-responsive ubiquitin ligase required for promoting the accumulation of ATM and MRN complex at DSB sites via NBS1 ubiquitination.

PURPOSE This study was to investigate the effects of pre-scuba diving exercise intensity on vein bubble formation after scuba diving. METHODS The participants were divided into four groups: Non-Exercise group (NEG/n=20) and Low Intensity-Exercise group (LEG/ n=20) and Moderate Intensity-Exercise group (MEG/n=20) and High Intensity-Exercise group (HEG/n=20). The LEG group and MEG group and HEG group took part in the exercise program on pre-scuba diving. RESULTS The results of this study were as follows: First, As for the Subclavian vein of Left bubble grade, there were significantly increased in NEG group and MEG group and HEG group. Second, As for the Subclavian vein of Right bubble grade, there were significantly increased in NEG group and MEG group and HEG group. Third. As for the Right atrium of bubble grade. There were significantly increased in NEG group and MEG group and HEG group. CONCLUSIONS As conclusions, this study confirmed that the pre-scuba diving exercise intensity could improve the vein bubble formation of scuba diver.

The localized surface plasmon resonance of metallic nanoparticles has attracted much attention owing to its unique characteristics, including the enhancement of signals in sensors and photothermal effects. In particular, hollow gold nanostructures are highly promising for practical applications, with significant advantages being found in their material properties and structures: 1) the interaction between the outer surface plasmon mode and inner cavity mode leads to a greater resonance, allowing it to absorb near-infrared light, which can readily penetrate tissue; 2) it has anti-corrosiveness and good biocompatibility, which makes it suitable for biomedical applications; 3) it shows a reduced net density and large surface area, allowing the possibility of nanocarriers for drug delivery. In this review, we present information on the classification, characteristics, and synthetic methods of hollow gold nanostructures; discuss the recent advances in hollow gold nanostructures in biomedical applications, including biosensing, bioimaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery; and report on the existing challenges and prospects for hollow gold nanostructures.

PURPOSE This study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise training on isokinetic muscular function and nerve conduction velocity and pain in the obesity women with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS The participants were divided into two groups: Exercise group (n=10) and Control group (n=10). The combined exercise training program for 12 weeks. RESULTS The results of this study were as follows: First, As for the isokinetic muscular function abilities, there were significantly increased in extensors, flexors of Left, Right in the exercise group. Second, As for the nerve conduction velocity, there were significantly increased in distal motor latency (DML), distal sensory latency (DSL), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), distal motor amplitude (DMA), distal sensory amplitude (DSA) in the exercise group. and as for the pain, there were significantly increased in the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS As conclusions, this study confirmed that the combined exercise training could improve the isokinetic muscular function and nerve conduction velocity and pain of obesity women with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Smart factories have made great progress with the development of various ICT technologies, such as IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence. The recent development of smart factory technology has shown results in automation and data acquisition and processing. However, it still has incomplete points to be converted to advanced technology, including intelligence. For intelligentization, there is a need to propose a new research method in addition to the previous methodologies. Considering the specificity of the factory, the data structure and methodology of the Semantic Web can be effective. Therefore, in this study, a smart factory was designed by the convergence of monitoring technology, autonomous control technology, and semantic web technologies. Based on the proposed methodology, a methodology for the autonomous control of a smart factory on a digital twin was designed.

PURPOSE This study aimed to provide fundamental data contributing to balance ability and gait ability in elderly with chronic arthritis by functional gait exercise on balance ability and gait ability. METHODS Twenty voluntary subjects (10 exercise, 10 non-exercise) with an understanding toward the aims of this study were selected and their balance ability and gait ability, before and after the functional gait exercise, were measured. RESULTS As for the balance ability, there were significant differences between pre- and post-values in the exercise group after completing the functional gait exercise program. Meanwhile, in the aspect of comparisons between post-values in both groups, there were significant improvements in up (U), down (D), right (R), left (L) rate of the exercise group. As for the gait ability, there were significant differences between pre- and post-values in the exercise group after completing the functional gait exercise program. In the aspect of comparisons between post-values in both groups, there were significant improvements in only the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS The study results indicate that the functional gait exercise program is effective in improving the balance ability and gait ability of elderly with chronic arthritis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to examine on the effects of 12 weeks combined exercised on physical fitness, Irisin and BNDF in white-collar women workers who are sedentary lifestyles. METHODS In this study, there were controlled groups and exercise group: one was composed of women who had no regular exercise program and sedentary lifestyle (n=20), the other was made of white-collar women who had combined exercise, no muscular skeletal disease, same lifestyle (n=19), totally 39 women were participated in this study. Combined exercises were composed of aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, flexibility, and balance exercise: Conducting mid-level exercise with 65% VO2max consumption, 3 times a week, and 80 minutes for 12 weeks. For certifying the purpose of this study, calculate the average and standard deviation of every variant using descriptive statistics and apply analysis of covariance measures ANCOVA for interaction between groups. RESULTS In LBM and Body fat percentage, there was no significant difference after exercise. In other words, there was significant difference in body fat (p

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of core stability exercises on the counter balance and dynamic balance ability of tennis club members and to provide the basic data for developing the training methods for improving the athletic performance and injury prevention through physical imbalance. METHODS In order to achieve these goals, 12 subjects who are currently registered as a player in the having 5 years or more athletic career. As a result of observing improvements on counter balance and dynamic balance ability using the core stability exercises, the following conclusion was derived. RESULTS As for the counter balance ability, there were no significant differences between pre- and post-values in the exercise group after completing the core stabilization program. As for the dynamic balance ability, there were significant differences between pre- and post-values in the exercise group, except for down (D) postures, whereas, there were no changes or decreases between pre- and post-values in the control group after completing the core stabilization program. Meanwhile, in the aspect of comparisons between post-values in both groups, there were significant improvements in up-right (UR), right (R), down-right (DR), down/left (DL), left (L), up/left (UL), and overall dynamic scores (OVE) of the exercise group. In the aspect of comparisons between post-values in both groups, there were significant improvements in only the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS When concluding the results of this study, it was found that core stability exercises was an effective exercise in the improvement of counter balance and dynamic balance ability of tennis club members. In addition, in order to have precise and stable movements through stabilization of position improvement of physical imbalance, it is thought to require a suitable training development for tennis club members along with repetitive training.

Few studies have reported on the flowering time mechanism of tropical maize under short-day conditions. Drought, another important factor that affects flowering time, has been reported to delay the silking date in tropical maize. However, due to the lack of genetic information related to flowering in maize, the mechanism by which drought delays flowering is unclear. To further understand this process, we analyzed drought-responsive genes using RNA sequencing and identified genes related to flowering time, including contigs from de novo assembly. The results revealed changes in the expression of flowering-time genes, including INDETERMINATE1 (ID1), Heading date 3a (Hd3a), CONSTANS-like genes, and ZEA MAYS CENTRORADIALES8 (ZCN8), which are known to be crucial factors in flowering. In particular, Hd3a, CONZ1, and ZCN8, which have been reported to accelerate flowering under short-day conditions, were downregulated by drought stress. Changes in gene expression appear to play an important role in changes in flowering time under drought. These expression profiles will help to further understand the flowering-time genes of tropical maize and the delayed flowering time resulting from drought.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces helix distorting photolesions such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PP) which threaten genomic integrity if unrepaired. In mammals, nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the only pathway that removes UV-induced DNA damages. Here we describe DNA slot blot repair assay for quantitative detection of NER activity using DNA damage specific antibodies such as anti-CPD and anti-6-4PP. Briefly, genomic DNA irradiated with UV was isolated from cells, and the genomic DNA was vacuum-transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane using a Bio-Dot SF microfiltration apparatus (Bio-Rad). A monoclonal antibody that recognizes CPD or 6-4PP was applied to detect the remaining amount of photolesions in the genomic DNA. For loading control of even loading, DNA onto the membrane can be further analyzed by SYBR-gold staining.

In future ubiquitous networks, sensor nodes should collect various environmental data and parameters. Because sensor nodes tend to have small and often irreplaceable batteries with limited power capacity, energy-efficient aggregation and routing are essential to achieve to a prolonged network lifetime. We propose a simple cluster-based data aggregation and routing algorithm (SCAR) that decreases the incurred overhead during the selection of cluster heads in wireless sensor networks. The performance results show that SCAR can prolong network lifetime via energy conservation and achieve energy-balancing when nodes are fixed or have limited mobility.