Logic-in-memory based on an atomically thin semiconductor.

The growing importance of applications based on machine learning is driving the need to develop dedicated, energy-efficient electronic hardware. Compared with von Neumann architectures, which have separate processing and storage units, brain-inspired in-memory computing uses the same basic device structure for logic operations and data storage1-3, thus promising to reduce the energy cost of data-centred computing substantially4. Although there is ample research focused on exploring new device architectures, the engineering of material platforms suitable for such device designs remains a challenge. Two-dimensional materials5,6 such as semiconducting molybdenum disulphide, MoS2, could be promising candidates for such platforms thanks to their exceptional electrical and mechanical properties7-9. Here we report our exploration of large-area MoS2 as an active channel material for developing logic-in-memory devices and circuits based on floating-gate field-effect transistors (FGFETs). The conductance of our FGFETs can be precisely and continuously tuned, allowing us to use them as building blocks for reconfigurable logic circuits in which logic operations can be directly performed using the memory elements. After demonstrating a programmable NOR gate, we show that this design can be simply extended to implement more complex programmable logic and a functionally complete set of operations. Our findings highlight the potential of atomically thin semiconductors for the development of next-generation low-power electronics.

Improved deep belief network for estimating mango quality indices and grading: A computer vision-based neutrosophic approach.

This research introduces a revolutionary machinet learning algorithm-based quality estimation and grading system. The suggested work is divided into four main parts: Ppre-processing, neutroscopic model transformation, Feature Extraction, and Grading. The raw images are first pre-processed by following five major stages: read, resize, noise removal, contrast enhancement via CLAHE, and Smoothing via filtering. The pre-processed images are then converted into a neutrosophic domain for more effective mango grading. The image is processed under a new Geometric Mean based neutrosophic approach to transforming it into the neutrosophic domain. Finally, the prediction of TSS for the different chilling conditions is done by Improved Deep Belief Network (IDBN) and based on this; the grading of mango is done automatically as the model is already trained with it. Here, the prediction of TSS is carried out under the consideration of SSC, firmness, and TAC. A comparison between the proposed and traditional methods is carried out to confirm the efficacy of various metrics.

Postoperative acute pain management with duloxetine as compared to placebo: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Duloxetine has been used as an adjunct in multimodal analgesia for acute postoperative pain in clinical studies. This meta-analysis aims to conclude whether oral duloxetine, when given perioperatively, is any better than a placebo in managing postoperative pain. Effects of duloxetine on postoperative pain scores, time to first rescue analgesia, postoperative rescue analgesia consumption, side effects attributable to duloxetine, and patient satisfaction profile were assessed. METHOD: MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scholar Google, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched with keywords including "Duloxetine" AND "postoperative pain", "Duloxetine" AND "acute pain" and with "Duloxetine" till October 2022. This meta-analysis included randomized clinical trials in which perioperative duloxetine 60 mg per oral was administered not more than 7 days before surgery and for at least 24 after surgery but not more than 14 days after surgery. All RCTs in which the comparator is placebo and outcomes related to analgesic efficacy like pain scores, opioid consumption, and side effects of duloxetine until 48 h postoperatively were included. Data were extracted from the studies and a risk of bias summary was formed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Effect sizes were given as standardized mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RR) by the Mantel-Haenszel test for the categorical outcome. Confirmation of publication bias was done by Egger's regression test (p < 0.05). If publication bias or heterogeneity was detected, the trim-and-fill method was used to calculate the adjusted effect size. Sensitivity analysis was done by leaving one out method after excluding the study with a high risk of bias. Subgroup analysis was done based on the type of surgery and gender. The study was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42019139559. FINDINGS: 29 studies with 2043 patients met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed for this meta-analysis. Postoperative pain scores at 24 h [Std. Mean Difference (95% CI); -0.69 (-1.07, -0.32)] and at 48 h [-1.13 (-1.68, -0.58)] are significantly less with duloxetine (p-value < 0.05). Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly more in patients where duloxetine was administered [1.27 (1.10, 1.45); p-value > 0.05]. Opioid consumption up to 24 h [-1.82 (-2.46, -1.18)] and 48 h [-2.48 (-3.46, -1.50)] was significantly less (p-value < 0.05) in patients who received duloxetine. Complications and recovery profiles were similar in patients receiving either duloxetine or a placebo. INTERPRETATION: Based on GRADE findings, we conclude that there is low to moderate evidence to advocate the use of duloxetine for managing postoperative pain. Further trials are needed to replicate or refute these results based on robust methodology.

Ion-Induced Surface Charge Dynamics in Freestanding Monolayers of Graphene and MoS_{2} Probed by the Emission of Electrons.

We compare the ion-induced electron emission from freestanding monolayers of graphene and MoS_{2} to find a sixfold higher number of emitted electrons for graphene even though both materials have similar work functions. An effective single-band Hubbard model explains this finding by a charge-up in MoS_{2} that prevents low energy electrons from escaping the surface within a period of a few femtoseconds after ion impact. We support these results by measuring the electron energy distribution for correlated pairs of electrons and transmitted ions. The majority of emitted primary electrons have an energy below 10 eV and are therefore subject to the dynamic charge-up effects at surfaces.

Comparison of two different volumes of 0.5%, ropivacaine used in ultrasound-guided adductor canal block after knee arthroplasty: A randomized, blinded, controlled noninferiority trial.

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to establish noninferiority of 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine as compared to 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine; for choosing right dose in adductor canal block (ACB) after knee arthroplasty (KA), this trial was conducted. Material and Methods: Forty patients undergoing bilateral KA with postoperative ultrasound-aided ACB were randomized: Group A patients received 20 mL 0.5% ropivacaine in the right limb and 10 mL 0.5% ropivacaine in the left limb. Group B patients received 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine in the right limb and 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine in the left limb. Catheter is positioned for intermittent boluses every 12-h up to 48 h. Results: In the final analysis (excluding six patients) based on split-body design between Group I (comprising 34 limbs which received 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine) and Group II (comprising 34 limbs which received 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine), baseline demographic data were collected. Length of the limb from anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the base of the patella was comparable between two groups: Group I (in cm; 149 ± 1.63) versus Group II (in cm; 149.5 ± 1.51) (P = 0.49, 95% CI of - 1.98 to 0.98). Primary outcomes, that is, quadriceps muscle strength, show a significant difference (P < 0.025) at various timeline. Secondary outcome pain scores and degree of knee flexion at various time intervals showed no significant difference. There was zero incidence of fall of the patient and no significant complication due to catheter was reported leading to discontinuation of catheter use in both groups. Conclusion: 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine is noninferior to 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine in providing postoperative analgesia with preserved quadriceps muscle strength.

Effect of amino acid infusion during cesarean delivery on newborn temperature: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of maternal amino acid (AA) infusion before and during cesarean delivery on neonatal temperature remains unknown. We hypothesized that thermogenic effects of AA metabolism would help maintain body temperature of newborn babies and their mothers. METHODS: Seventy-six parturients scheduled for elective singleton term cesarean delivery were equally randomized to receive intravenous 200 ml of AA or placebo approximately 1 h before subarachnoid block (infusion rate:100 ml/h). The primary outcome was the newborn rectal temperature at 0, 5 and 10 min after birth. The secondary outcomes included the maternal rectal temperature at six time-points: T0 = before starting study solution infusion, T1 = 30 min after starting infusion, T2 = one hour after starting infusion, T3 = during spinal block, T4 = half an hour after spinal block, T5 = at the time of birth and T6 = at the end of infusion, as well as maternal thermal discomfort and shivering episodes. RESULTS: There were no differences in newborn temperature between the two groups at any of the time-points (intervention-time-interaction effect, P = 0.206). The newborn temperature (mean [95%CI] °C) at birth was 37.5 [37.43-37.66] in the AA and 37.4 [37.34-37.55] in the placebo group. It showed a significant (P < 0.001) downward trend at 5 and 10 min after birth (time effect) in both groups. One neonate in the AA and five in the placebo group were hypothermic (temperature < 36.5 °C) (P = 0.20). There was a significant difference in the maternal temperature at all time points between the two groups (Intervention-time interaction effect, P < 0.001). However, after adjustment for multiplicity, the difference was significant only at T6 (P = 0.001). The mean difference [95%CI] in temperature decline from baseline (T0) till the end of infusion (T6) between the two groups was - 0.39 [- 0.55;- 0.22] °C (P < 0.0001). Six mothers receiving placebo and none receiving AA developed hypothermia (temperature < 36 °C) (P = 0.025). Maternal thermal discomfort and shivering episodes were unaffected by AA therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, maternal AA infusion before and during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery did not influence the neonatal temperature within 10 min after birth. In addition, the maternal temperature was only maintained at two hours of AA infusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.government, Identifier NCT02575170 . Registered on 10th April, 2015 - Retrospectively registered.

Effect of Intravenous Lidocaine, Dexamethasone, and Their Combination on Postoperative Sore Throat: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST), hoarseness, and cough after tracheal intubation are not uncommon. Although both lidocaine and dexamethasone have been used independently to reduce these events, there is no study assessing the combined effects of lidocaine and dexamethasone. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study enrolled 180 patients requiring general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation for >90 minutes. They received 1 of the 4 intravenous agents just before induction of anesthesia: lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) in group L, dexamethasone (8 mg) in group D, lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg) with dexamethasone (8 mg) in group DL, and placebo as normal saline in group NS. Standard anesthesia protocol was followed. Incidence and severity of a sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice were assessed up to 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of POST, and the main effects of dexamethasone and lidocaine were the primary interest. RESULTS: Data of 45 patients in D, 44 in L, 44 in DL, and 43 in NS groups were analyzed. The incidence of a sore throat was 36%, 43%, 25%, and 56% in group D, L, DL, and NS, respectively (P = .02). Dexamethasone with or without lidocaine reduced the incidence of the POST (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.82; P < .01). However, lidocaine was not effective in reducing POST (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-1.14; P = .12). No difference was observed in the severity of a sore throat, incidence and severity of a cough, and hoarseness among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone, with or without lidocaine, was effective in reducing the incidence of POST in patients requiring prolonged tracheal intubation.

Electron-Beam Manipulation of Silicon Dopants in Graphene.

The direct manipulation of individual atoms in materials using scanning probe microscopy has been a seminal achievement of nanotechnology. Recent advances in imaging resolution and sample stability have made scanning transmission electron microscopy a promising alternative for single-atom manipulation of covalently bound materials. Pioneering experiments using an atomically focused electron beam have demonstrated the directed movement of silicon atoms over a handful of sites within the graphene lattice. Here, we achieve a much greater degree of control, allowing us to precisely move silicon impurities along an extended path, circulating a single hexagon, or back and forth between the two graphene sublattices. Even with manual operation, our manipulation rate is already comparable to the state-of-the-art in any atomically precise technique. We further explore the influence of electron energy on the manipulation rate, supported by improved theoretical modeling taking into account the vibrations of atoms near the impurities, and implement feedback to detect manipulation events in real time. In addition to atomic-level engineering of its structure and properties, graphene also provides an excellent platform for refining the accuracy of quantitative models and for the development of automated manipulation.

A malignant wheeze!

Asthma is a common disorder presenting with nonspecific features, which may mimic other conditions such as tracheal tumors. Tracheal tumors are often misdiagnosed as asthma. We report a case of a 38-year female who was being worked up for persistent wheeze that was initially attributed to acute asthma, only to be later discovered as tracheal tumor. A high index of suspicion for alternative diagnoses must be kept in mind while evaluating a patient who presents with clinical features suggestive of asthma, but fails to respond to standard therapy. The present case report emphasizes the fact that not all wheezes are asthma.

Adhesion molecules, chemokines and matrix metallo-proteinases response after albendazole and albendazole plus steroid therapy in swine neurocysticercosis.

The treatment of neurocysticercosis (NCC) varies with location, number and stage of the Taenia solium cysticerci (cysts). Albendazole (ABZ) effectively kills cysticerci, and subsequently induces neuro-inflammation facilitated by leukocyte infiltration. We hypothesize that immune response varies around drug responder (degenerating/dying) and non-responder (viable) cysts after ABZ and ABZ plus steroid (ABZS) therapy, which may determine the disease pathogenesis. Twenty cysticercotic swine were treated with ABZ (n = 10; group1) and ABZS (n = 10; group2). Expression of adhesion molecules, chemokines and matrix metallo-proteinases (MMPs) was measured by qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and ELISA. Gelatin gel zymography was performed to detect the activity of MMP-2 and -9. In group1, ABZ therapy induced higher expressions of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1), VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), E-selectin, MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), Eotaxin-1, MIP-1α (macrophage inflammatory protein-1α), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), MMP-2 and MMP-9 around ABZ responder (AR) cysts. Three pigs with cyst burdens ≥10 died following ABZ therapy. However, in group2, moderate expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, RANTES and MMP-9 were associated with ABZS responder (ASR), whereas low expressions of these molecules were associated with ABZS non-responder (ASNR) cysts. In conclusion, ABZ alone therapy is not safe since it causes death of pigs due to higher inflammatory immune response around dying cysts. However, combination therapy is an effective treatment regimen even with the high cyst burden.

Missed Central Venous Guide Wires: A Systematic Analysis of Published Case Reports.

OBJECTIVE: The inadvertent loss of an entire guide wire during central venous catheterization can lead to serious patient harm and require additional investigations as well as retrieval procedures. We aimed to analyze globally published reports of lost wires during central venous catheterization to understand its possible etiology, presentation, treatment, and outcomes with an objective of finding solutions to make the procedure safer. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Scopus, and CINAHL, supplemented by scanning the reference lists of relevant publications. STUDY SELECTION: All reports describing an inadvertent intravascular loss of a complete guide wire during placement of central venous catheters published up to December 2014 were included. Reports exclusively describing the 1) retrieval method, 2) partially retained guide wires, and 3) entrapped guide wires during withdrawal were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: In each instance, we collected data about the method of the missed guide wire detection, the time interval between the procedure and detection, the supplementary investigations performed to confirm the diagnosis, and the risk factors associated with such events as well as the complications, the final outcome, and the wire retrieval methods used. DATA SYNTHESIS: A systematic analysis of the accessed publications was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, the number of reported instances of lost guide wires during central venous catheterization has increased rapidly. Unsupervised or improperly supervised insertions of the central catheters by trainees, distractions during insertions, and high workload are the main risk factors. A retained guide wire increases the risk and cost of additional diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, as well as imposing many minor-to-serious life-threatening complications. Continuing education along with simulator-based skill development, vigilant supervision, and a shared workload during out of hours working are likely to prevent such occurrences.

Propofol and fentanyl take longer for induction of anesthesia in aortic regurgitation: a case-controlled prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine if induction time of anesthesia in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) is different from patients with a normal aortic valve (AV). DESIGN: A prospective, case-control study. SETTING: A single institutional study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four male patients scheduled for cardiac surgery, group I (n = 12) patients with competent AV and group 2 (n = 12) with severe AR. INTERVENTIONS: General anesthesia was induced by intravenous infusion of propofol and fentanyl. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Continuous measurements of heart rate, intra-arterial blood pressure, and bispectral index were recorded. Induction doses of propofol and fentanyl were analyzed and compared. There was significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of induction time of anesthesia (mean ± SD 308 ± 68.2 seconds in group 1 v 445 ± 97.9 seconds in group 2). The patients in group 2 (AR) required significantly larger doses of propofol (0.91 ± 0.40 mg/kg) than the patients in group 1 (0.49 ± 0.17 mg/kg). Similarly, fentanyl dose was increased in the group 2 patients (20.8 ± 15.9 µg/kg) compared with the group 1 patients (9.2 ± 2.9 µg/kg). CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that there was a significant prolongation of the induction time of anesthesia and the need of larger doses of propofol and fentanyl by slow intravenous infusion regimen in patients with AR compared with patients with a competent aortic valve.

Complete atrioventricular block-an uncommon clinical presentation in an adult patient with proven dengue fever.

Dengue is a viral disease that clinically presents with fever, thrombocytopenia-related haemorrhagic complications and shock in its severest form. This female patient in her 40s primarily presented to the emergency department of the cardiac centre as syncopal attacks with a complete atrioventricular block. Temporary cardiac pacing as an emergency procedure helped to maintain cardiac rhythm and haemodynamics. A history of recent onset fever helped us to suspect and confirmed by serology for dengue pathology. Normal sinus rhythm was restored after 2 days, and we removed the temporary pacing. Cardiac arrhythmia did not recur in 6 months of follow-up. The aetiology for dengue-related cardiac arrhythmia is still not established. In the recovery phase from fever, complete heart block may show up as a primary presentation in the emergency. Its timely diagnosis and temporary pacing may allow spontaneous recovery. The inclusion of electrocardiography in dengue patient guidelines should help clinicians to dictate its treatment.

Effects of the Decrease in Blood Lead Levels on Renal and Neurological Functions Among Occupationally Exposed and Unexposed Populations of South India: A Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to lead in excess of the permissible limit is a known risk factor leading to preventable morbidity. The present study aimed to assess whether there is a change in the neurological and renal parameters among adults with blood lead levels (BLLs) higher than recommended at baseline and after prevention among differently exposed adults. METHODOLOGY: In the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India, a cohort study was carried out in 2022-2023 among 180 adult males and females aged 20 to 60 years in three groups: direct occupational exposure, indirect occupational exposure, and no occupational exposure. If the blood levels were more than or equal to 5 mcg/dL, the participant's detailed neurological examination was done at baseline and end of follow-up. During the six-month follow-up period, health education on lead awareness was given monthly. BLLs were estimated using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Serum creatinine was estimated using Jaffe's modified method. On neurological examination, reflexes, power, and sensation were assessed. The vibration perception threshold was determined using a biothesiometer. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 180 participants, the mean BLLs at baseline were 7.15±3.06 mcg/dL. The findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in mean BLLs at baseline to end of six-month follow-up. Despite this improvement, participants with BLLs ≥5 mcg/dL still accounted for a considerable proportion, albeit reduced, particularly in Groups 1 and 2. There were no statistically significant changes observed in the proportions of participants with abnormal serum creatinine, anemia, or abnormal neurological parameters. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that while prevention activities may effectively reduce overall BLLs, there might be challenges in completely mitigating the impact on certain health parameters, such as renal and neurological functions.

Evaluation of ELISA, neck muscle, tongue and eyelid examinations for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis in a highly endemic area of north India.

Swine cysticercosis is very common in the developing countries where pigs are raised. Undercooked measly pork consumption leads to taeniasis; Taenia carriers act as source of human and swine cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. Diagnosis of swine cysticercosis is important to break the cycle of disease transmission. The present study compared the neck muscle, tongue and eye examinations, and serum ELISA with different preparations (crude lysate, cyst fluid, scolex and cyst wall antigens) of Taenia solium cyst for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis. Total of 24 pigs initially identified by neck muscle, tongue and eyelid examinations were purchased from local slaughter house and subjected to MRI for confirmation of cysticercosis. Sera from 20 MRI confirmed infected pigs and 50 disease free controls were subjected to ELISA with T. solium cyst antigens. Neck muscle examination was 100% sensitive and 75% specific for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis, whereas tongue and eye examinations were 70% and 25% sensitive, respectively. ELISA with crude lysate had 85% sensitivity and 98% specificity. ELISA with cyst fluid, scolex and cyst wall antigens showed 70%, 65%, and 45% sensitivity, respectively. The present study showed that neck muscle examination was highly sensitive but less specific, while ELISA with crude antigens had reasonable sensitivity and high specificity for diagnosis of swine cysticercosis. ELISA with crude lysate can be used as a screening tool for swine infection.

Utility of telemedicine for providing Obstetrics and Gynecology services during the COVID-19 pandemic-A single center experience from a tertiary care teaching hospital located in South India.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impeded the provision of public healthcare within a healthcare system that was already under considerable strain. Routine patient care services were impacted during that time, leading to the promotion of telemedicine as a means of maintaining uninterrupted healthcare services. Telemedicine involves the utilization of electronic technology and communication to provide health-related information and medical care to individuals who are physically separated from healthcare professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the feasibility of utilizing telemedicine for providing women's health services, we conducted a six-month analysis of data collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology's teleconsultation application at AIIMS, Mangalagiri. Our objective was to evaluate the practicality of telemedicine in delivering diverse healthcare services to women. Our institution offered two types of telehealth services: a "call-based"approach and an "app-based" approach. We examined several parameters within the data, including the distribution of ages, the geographic locations of teleconsultation registrations, whether the registrations were new or follow-up cases, the various presenting complaints, the recommended treatments, the number of consultations (single or multiple), and whether cases required in-person or hospital visits. Additionally, we also compared patient responses between these two modalities. RESULTS: The "call-based" consultation method was preferred by the majority of our patients (94%). The registered cases included both related to obstetrics and gynecology, with a higher proportion of complaints relating to gynecological issues (82.5%). We were able to make a diagnosis in 77% of cases, while in 20% of cases, additional physical examinations and diagnostic tests were necessary. Follow-up appointments were recommended for 53% of patients. The success rate of consultations for patients seeking obstetrics and gynecology services showed a statistically significant difference (P value < 0.001). The vast majority of patients (99%) expressed high satisfaction with the consultation process. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine proved to be an effective approach in mitigating the overcrowding of hospitals and preventing the spread of infection. Its success suggests that telemedicine can be a viable option for managing elective gynecology matters and low-risk obstetric cases in the future, thereby alleviating the strain on healthcare systems.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity and their effect on COVID-19 severity and hospitalization among younger than 50 years versus older than 50 years population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cohort studies have shown that both overweight and obesity have their impact by increasing hospitalization with COVID-19. We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and MedRxiv databases following the PRISMA guidelines. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA software version 16 MP (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA) and Med Calc software version 22.009(Med Calc software Ltd, Ostend, Belgium). The primary outcome was to measure the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their impact on the risk of hospitalization among COVID-19 patients under and above 50 years of age. In total, 184 studies involving 2,365,377 patients were included. The prevalence of overweight was highest among those younger than 50 years of age over those older than 50 years of age, (26.33% vs. 30.46%), but there was no difference in obesity (36.30% vs. 36.02%). Overall, the pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity among hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 31.0% and 36.26%, respectively. Compared with normal weight, the odds of hospitalization with overweight (odds ratio [OR] 2.186, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.19, 3.99], p < 0.01) and obesity (OR 3.069, 95% CI [1.67, 5.61], p < 0.001) in those younger than 50 years and obesity (OR 3.977, 95% CI [2.75, 5.73], p < 0.001) in the older than 50 years age group were significantly high. The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among the under 50 years age group and obesity among the older than 50 years age group significantly increased the rate of COVID-19 infections, severity and hospitalization.

Disorder-induced bulk photovoltaic effect in a centrosymmetric van der Waals material.

Sunlight is widely seen as one of the most abundant forms of renewable energy, with photovoltaic cells based on pn junctions being the most commonly used platform attempting to harness it. Unlike in conventional photovoltaic cells, the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) allows for the generation of photocurrent and photovoltage in a single material without the need to engineer a pn junction and create a built-in electric field, thus offering a solution that can potentially exceed the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit. However, it requires a material with no inversion symmetry and is therefore absent in centrosymmetric materials. Here, we demonstrate that breaking the inversion symmetry by structural disorder can induce BPVE in ultrathin PtSe2, a centrosymmetric semiconducting van der Waals material. Homogenous illumination of defective PtSe2 by linearly and circularly polarized light results in a photoresponse termed as linear photogalvanic effect (LPGE) and circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE), which is mostly absent in the pristine crystal. First-principles calculations reveal that LPGE originates from Se vacancies that act as asymmetric scattering centers for the photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Our work emphasizes the importance of defects to induce photovoltaic functionality in centrosymmetric materials and shows how the range of materials suitable for light sensing and energy-harvesting applications can be extended.

Substitutional p-Type Doping in NbS2 -MoS2 Lateral Heterostructures Grown by MOCVD.

Monolayer MoS2 has attracted significant attention owing to its excellent performance as an n-type semiconductor from the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) family. It is however strongly desired to develop controllable synthesis methods for 2D p-type MoS2 , which is crucial for complementary logic applications but remains difficult. In this work, high-quality NbS2 -MoS2 lateral heterostructures are synthesized by one-step metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) together with monolayer MoS2 substitutionally doped by Nb, resulting in a p-type doped behavior. The heterojunction shows a p-type transfer characteristic with a high on/off current ratio of ≈104 , exceeding previously reported values. The band structure through the NbS2 -MoS2 heterojunction is investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and quantum transport simulations. This work provides a scalable approach to synthesize substitutionally doped TMDC materials and provides an insight into the interface between 2D metals and semiconductors in lateral heterostructures, which is imperative for the development of next-generation nanoelectronics and highly integrated devices.

Electrical spectroscopy of defect states and their hybridization in monolayer MoS2.

Defects in solids are unavoidable and can create complex electronic states that can significantly influence the electrical and optical properties of semiconductors. With the rapid progress in the integration of 2D semiconductors in practical devices, it is imperative to understand and characterize the influence of defects in this class of materials. Here, we examine the electrical response of defect filling and emission using deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and reveal defect states and their hybridization in a monolayer MOCVD-grown material deposited on CMOS-compatible substrates. Supported by aberration-corrected STEM imaging and theoretical calculations, we find that neighboring sulfur vacancy pairs introduce additional shallow trap states via hybridization of individual vacancy levels. Even though such vacancy pairs only represent ~10% of the total defect concentration, they can have a substantial influence on the off currents and switching slopes of field-effect transistors based on 2D semiconductors. Our technique, which can quantify the energy states of different defects and their interactions, allows rapid and nondestructive electrical characterization of defect states important for the defect engineering of 2D semiconductors.