Search

In this study, platinum (Pt) and tungsten (W), two materials with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and work functions (WF), are used as the top electrode (TE) and the bottom electrode (BE) in metal/ferroelectric/metal (MFM) structures to explore the ferroelectricity of hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO) with a thickness less than 10 nm. The electrical measurements indicate that a higher CTE mismatch between HZO and TE/BE is beneficial for enhancing the ferroelectric properties of nanoscale HZO thin films. The different WFs of TE and BE generate a built-in electric field in the HZO layer, leading to shifts in the hysteresis loops and the capacitance–voltage characteristics. The structural characterizations reveal that the preferred formation of the orthorhombic phase in HZO is dominated by the W BE. The device in which W is used as the TE and BE (the W/HZO/W MFM structure) presents the optimal ferroelectric performance of a high remanent polarization (2 P r = 55.2 μ C cm−2). The presence of tungsten oxide (WO x ) at the W/HZO interfaces, as revealed by high-resolution transmission microscopy, is also responsible for the enhancement of ferroelectric properties. This study demonstrates the significant effects of different CTEs and WFs of TE and BE on the properties of ferroelectric HZO thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histopathological classification of human prostate cancer (PCA) relies on the morphological assessment of tissue specimens but has limited prognostic value. To address this deficiency, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis of human prostatic acini generated in a three-dimensional basement membrane that recapitulates the differentiated morphological characteristics and gene expression profile of a human prostate glandular epithelial tissue. We then applied an acinar morphogenesis-specific gene profile to two independent cohorts of patients with PCA (total n = 79) and found that those with tumors expressing this profile, which we designated acini-like tumors, had a significantly lower risk of postoperative relapse compared with those tumors with a lower correlation (hazard ratio, 0.078; log-rank test P = 0.009). Multivariate analyses showed superior prognostic prediction performance using this classification system compared with clinical criteria and Gleason scores. We prioritized the genes in this profile and identified programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) and Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) as critical regulators and surrogate markers of prostatic tissue architectures, which form a gene signature that robustly predicts clinical prognosis with a remarkable accuracy in several large series of PCA tumors (total n = 161; concordance index, 0.913 to 0.951). Thus, by exploiting the genomic program associated with prostate glandular differentiation, we identified acini-like PCA and related molecular markers that significantly enhance prognostic prediction of human PCA.

The stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is an important feature of alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), which has been extensively studied. However it remains a real challenge due to the harsh working condition. Herein, we developed a novel type of polysulfone-based AEMs with three modified 1,2-dimethylbenzimidazoliums containing different substitutes at C4- and C7-position. The results showed that the introduction of the substitutes could obviously improve the dimensional and alkaline stabilities of the corresponding membranes. The swelling ratios of resultant AEMs were all lower than 10% after water immersion. The membrane with 4,7-dimethoxy-1,2-dimethylbenzimidazolium group exhibited the highest alkaline stability. Only 9.2% loss of hydroxide conductivity was observed after treating the membrane in 1 mol·L KOH solution at 80 °C for 336 h. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) study on the three functional group models showed that the substitutes at C4- and C7-position affected the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies of the different 1,2-dimethylbenzimidazolium groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeThis study investigated the relationship between peripheral nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and balance performance in older adults with diabetes.MethodsTwenty older adults with diabetes were recruited to evaluate the NCV of their lower limbs and balance performance. The balance assessments comprised the timed up and go (TUG) test, Berg balance scale (BBS), unipedal stance test (UST), multidirectional reach test (MDRT), maximum step length (MSL) test and quiet standing with eyes open and closed. The relationship between NCV and balance performance was evaluated by Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and the balance performances of the diabetic patients with and without peripheral neuropathy were compared by using Mann–WhitneyUtests.ResultsThe NCV in the lower limbs exhibited a moderate to strong correlation with most of the balance tests including the TUG (r = −0.435 to −0.520,p < 0.05), BBS (r = 0.406–0.554,p < 0.05), UST (r = 0.409–0.647,p < 0.05) and MSL (r = 0.399–0.585,P < 0.05). In addition, patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy had a poorer TUG (p < 0.05), BBS (p < 0.01), UST (p < 0.05) and MSL performance (p < 0.05) compared with those without peripheral neuropathy (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings revealed that a decline in peripheral nerve conduction in the lower limb is not only an indication of nerve dysfunction, but may also be related to the impairment of balance performance in patients with diabetes. Implications for RehabilitationNerve conduction velocity in the lower limbs of diabetic older adults showed moderate to strong correlations with most of the results of balance tests, which are commonly used in clinics.Decline in nerve conduction velocity of the lower limbs may be related to the impairment of balance control in patients with diabetes.Diabetic older adults with peripheral neuropathy exhibited greater postural instability than those without peripheral neuropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]