Calligraphic interdigitated capacitive sensors for green electronics.

This study presents a novel approach to fabricating interdigitated capacitive (IDC) touch sensors using graphite-based pencils on a wood substrate. The sensors were designed to detect touches and pressure variations, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for sensor fabrication. The fabrication process involved abrasion of graphite pencils on a wooden substrate to create conductive traces, followed by the integration of interdigitated electrode structures. Capacitance variations resulting from touch interactions were investigated to calibrate sensor responses for tailored tasks. The sensitivity of the sensor was found to be 1.2 pF/kPa, highlighting its responsiveness to pressure variations. Additionally, the sensors were interfaced with an Arduino Uno microcontroller board to demonstrate practical applications, such as replicating arrow key functionality. Additionally, the sensors exhibit sensitivity to environmental factors, with the relative change in capacitance increasing from 0.1 to 0.65 as relative humidity ranges from 30 to 90%. Furthermore, variations in temperature from 30 to 60ºC result in a relative change in capacitance increasing to approximately 0.5. The results indicate the feasibility and versatility of using wood-based substrates and graphite-based pencils for fabricating IDC touch sensors, offering promising prospects for sustainable and accessible sensor technology.

Enhancement on CT for preoperative diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid cancer: a comparison across experience levels.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of quantitative CT parameters indicating strong lymph node (LN) enhancement in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), comparing them with qualitative analysis by radiologists of varying experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 463 LNs from 399 patients with DTC. Three radiologists independently analyzed strong LN enhancement on CT. Qualitative analysis of strong enhancement was defined as LN cortex showing greater enhancement than adjacent muscles on the arterial phase. Quantitative analysis included the mean attenuation value (MAV) of LN on arterial phase (LNA) and venous phase (LNV), LNA normalized to the common carotid artery (NAVCCA), internal jugular vein (NAVIJV), and sternocleidomastoid muscle (NAVSCM), attenuation difference [AD; (LNA - MAVSCM)], and relative washout ratio [((LNA - LNV)/LNA) × 100]. The interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of the quantitative and qualitative analyses were evaluated. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was excellent for all quantitative CT parameters (ICC, 0.83-0.94) and substantial for qualitative assessment (κ = 0.61). All CT parameters except for LNV showed good diagnostic performance for metastatic LNs (AUC, 0.81-0.85). NAVCCA (0.85, 95% CI: 0.8-0.9) and AD (0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.89) had the highest AUCs. All quantitative parameters except for NAVIJV had significantly higher AUCs than qualitative assessments by inexperienced radiologists, with no significant difference from assessments by an experienced radiologist. CONCLUSION: Quantitative assessment of LN enhancement on arterial phase CT showed higher interobserver agreement and AUC values than qualitative analysis by inexperienced radiologists, supporting the need for a standardized quantitative CT parameter-based model for determining strong LN enhancement. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: When assessing strong LN enhancement in DTC, quantitative CT parameters indicating strong enhancement can improve interobserver agreement, regardless of experience level. Therefore, the development of a standardized diagnostic model based on quantitative CT parameters might be necessary. KEY POINTS: Accurate preoperative assessment of LN metastasis in thyroid cancer is crucial. Quantitative CT parameters indicating strong LN enhancement demonstrated excellent interobserver agreement and good diagnostic performance. Quantitative assessment of contrast enhancement offers a more objective model for the identification of metastatic LNs.

Toward Ideal Low-Frequency Noise in Monolayer CVD MoS2 FETs: Influence of van der Waals Junctions and Sulfur Vacancy Management.

The pursuit of sub-1-nm field-effect transistor (FET) channels within 3D semiconducting crystals faces challenges due to diminished gate electrostatics and increased charge carrier scattering. 2D semiconductors, exemplified by transition metal dichalcogenides, provide a promising alternative. However, the non-idealities, such as excess low-frequency noise (LFN) in 2D FETs, present substantial hurdles to their realization and commercialization. In this study, ideal LFN characteristics in monolayer MoS2 FETs are attained by engineering the metal-2D semiconductor contact and the subgap density of states (DOS). By probing non-ideal contact resistance effects using CuS and Au electrodes, it is uncovered that excess contact noise in the high drain current (ID) region can be substantially reduced by forming a van der Waals junction with CuS electrodes. Furthermore, thermal annealing effectively mitigates sulfur vacancy-induced subgap density of states (DOS), diminishing excess noise in the low ID region. Through meticulous optimization of metal-2D semiconductor contacts and subgap DOS, alignment of 1/f noise with the pure carrier number fluctuation model is achieved, ultimately achieving the sought-after ideal LFN behavior in monolayer MoS2 FETs. This study underscores the necessity of refining excess noise, heralding improved performance and reliability of 2D electronic devices.

Applications of artificial intelligence in urologic oncology.

PURPOSE: With the recent rising interest in artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, many studies have explored the potential and usefulness of AI in urological diseases. This study aimed to comprehensively review recent applications of AI in urologic oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the PubMed-MEDLINE databases for articles in English on machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models related to general surgery and prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. The search terms were a combination of keywords, including both "urology" and "artificial intelligence" with one of the following: "machine learning," "deep learning," "neural network," "renal cell carcinoma," "kidney cancer," "urothelial carcinoma," "bladder cancer," "prostate cancer," and "robotic surgery." RESULTS: A total of 58 articles were included. The studies on prostate cancer were related to grade prediction, improved diagnosis, and predicting outcomes and recurrence. The studies on bladder cancer mainly used radiomics to identify aggressive tumors and predict treatment outcomes, recurrence, and survival rates. Most studies on the application of ML and DL in kidney cancer were focused on the differentiation of benign and malignant tumors as well as prediction of their grade and subtype. Most studies suggested that methods using AI may be better than or similar to existing traditional methods. CONCLUSIONS: AI technology is actively being investigated in the field of urological cancers as a tool for diagnosis, prediction of prognosis, and decision-making and is expected to be applied in additional clinical areas soon. Despite technological, legal, and ethical concerns, AI will change the landscape of urological cancer management.

Comparison of remimazolam and desflurane in emergence agitation after general anesthesia for nasal surgery: A prospective randomized controlled study.

Background: Remimazolam is an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine. Few studies have evaluated the effects of remimazolam-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on emergence agitation (EA). This study aimed to compare the incidence and severity of EA between TIVA using remimazolam and desflurane. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study enrolled 76 patients who underwent nasal surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups of 38 each: desflurane-nitrous oxide (N2O) (DN) and remimazolam-remifentanil (RR) groups. The same protocol was used for each group from induction to emergence, except for the use of different anesthetics during maintenance of anesthesia according to the assigned group: desflurane and nitrous oxide for the DN group and remimazolam and remifentanil for the RR group. The incidence of EA as the primary outcome was evaluated using three scales: Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, and Aono's four-point agitation scale. Additionally, hemodynamic changes during emergence and postoperative sense of suffocation were compared. Results: The incidence of EA was significantly lower in the RR group than in the DN group in all three types of EA assessment scales (all P < 0.001). During emergence, the change in heart rate differed between the two groups (P = 0.002). The sense of suffocation was lower in the RR group than in the DN group (P = 0.027). Conclusions: RR reduced the incidence and severity of EA in patients undergoing nasal surgery under general anesthesia. In addition, RR was favorable for managing hemodynamics and postoperative sense of suffocation.

Multifunctional carbon nanotubes coated stainless steel mesh for electrowetting, hydrophobic, and dye absorption behavior.

Electrowetting behaviour for carbon nanotubes (CNT) grown on stainless steel mesh was investigated. The effect of temperature, time, and applied bias voltage on the contact angle of water droplets was studied. The impact of temperature variation on contact angle was also performed for the temperature ranging from 25 to 70 °C. A decrement of contact angle by 68% was observed for the mentioned range indicating a transition from a hydrophobic to hydrophilic nature. A similar trend was observed on the application of electric potential to the CNT-modified stainless-steel mesh ranging from 0 to 8 V with a transition of contact angle from 146 to 30 deg respectively. A comparative analysis for the contact angle variation with time for CNT-coated mesh and uncoated mesh was performed for 180 min. It is observed that uncoated mesh shows a reduction in contact angle to 0 deg with time while the CNT coated mesh shows surplus hydrophobicity with a 2 deg decrement in the extent of time. CNT-modified mesh successfully absorbs 95% of rhodamine B (RB) dye and detergent from water in 10 cycles.

Preoperative prediction of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma using clinical, genetic, and biochemical markers: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) is approximately 15%-20%. Although there are indicators to assess metastatic risks, none of them predict metastasis reliably. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a scoring system using clinical, genetic, and biochemical risk factors to preoperatively predict the metastatic risk of PPGL. METHODS: In the cross-sectional cohort (n = 180), clinical, genetic, and biochemical risk factors for metastasis were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis, and a novel scoring system was developed. The scoring system was validated and compared with the age, size of tumor, extra-adrenal location, and secretory type (ASES) score in the longitudinal cohort (n = 114). RESULTS: In the cross-sectional cohort, pseudohypoxia group-related gene variants (SDHB, SDHD, or VHL), methoxytyramine >0.16 nmol/L, and tumor size >6.0 cm were independently associated with metastasis after multivariate logistic regression. Using them, the gene variant, methoxytyramine, and size of tumor (GMS) score were developed. In the longitudinal cohort, Harrell's concordance index of the GMS score (0.873, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.738-0.941) was higher than that of the ASES score (0.713, 95% CI: 0.567-0.814, p = 0.007). In the longitudinal cohort, a GMS score ≥2 was significantly associated with a higher risk of metastasis (hazard ratio = 25.07, 95% CI: 5.65-111.20). A GMS score ≥2 (p < 0.001), but not ASES score ≥2 (p = 0.090), was associated with shorter progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: The GMS scoring system, which integrates gene variant, methoxytyramine level, and tumor size, provides a valuable preoperative approach to assess metastatic risk in PPGL.

Assessing Radiation Exposure and Contrast Agent Utilization: A Comparative Analysis of the Woven EndoBridge Device and Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Managing Unruptured Wide-Neck Bifurcation Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: In this study, we determined whether there were significant differences in procedure time, radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, and total contrast media dose when unruptured wideneck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) were treated with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device and stent-assisted coil (SAC) embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The WEB device and SAC embolization (14:17) were used to treat 31 cases of internal carotid artery bifurcation, anterior communicating artery, middle cerebral artery bifurcation, and basilar bifurcation aneurysms between August 2021 and December 2022. The procedure time, radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, and total contrast medium dose between the 2 treatment groups were compared and analyzed. In the WEB device group, the results between operators were compared, and the follow-up radiologic outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: The procedure and fluoroscopy times were significantly shorter in the WEB device group. Radiation and total contrast media dose were also significantly smaller in the WEB device, but there was no significant difference in results between operators. The follow-up radiological outcome showed adequate occlusion in 83.3% (10/12) of cases. CONCLUSION: The WEB device can be used as an alternative treatment method among the available endovascular treatment methods for WNBAs to reduce radiation exposure and the dose of contrast media when used adequately with appropriate indications.

Engineered Hybrid Vesicles and Cellular Internalization in Mammary Cancer Cells.

Extracellular vesicles play an important role in intercellular communication, with the potential to serve as biomaterials for nanocarriers. Combining such extracellular vesicles and liposomes results in advanced drug delivery carriers. In this study, we attempted to fabricate hybrid vesicles using a membrane fusion method and incorporated an anticancer drug. As a result, we successfully prepared nanosized uniform hybrid vesicles and evaluated their physicochemical characteristics and intracellular uptake mechanisms via endocytosis in various cell lines. Compared to liposomes, the hybrid vesicles showed better physical properties and a relatively higher reduction in cell viability, which was presumably dependent on the specific cell type. These findings suggest that fusion-based hybrid vesicles offer a novel strategy for delivering therapeutic agents and provide insights into the types of extracellular vesicles that are useful in fabricating hybrid vesicles to develop an advanced drug delivery system.

Targeting Heme Oxygenase 2 (HO2) with TiNIR, a Theragnostic Approach for Managing Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Despite notable advancements in cancer therapeutics, metastasis remains a primary obstacle impeding a successful prognosis. Our prior study has identified heme oxygenase 2 (HO2) as a promising therapeutic biomarker for the aggressive subsets within tumor. This study aims to systematically evaluate HO2 as a therapeutic target of cancer, with a specific emphasis on its efficacy in addressing cancer metastasis. Through targeted inhibition of HO2 by TiNIR (tumor-initiating cell probe with near infrared), we observed a marked increase in reactive oxygen species. This, in turn, orchestrated the modulation of AKT and cJUN activation, culminating in a substantial attenuation of both proliferation and migration within a metastatic cancer cell model. Furthermore, in a mouse model, clear inhibition of cancer metastasis was unequivocally demonstrated with an HO2 inhibitor administration. These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of targeting HO2 as a strategic intervention to impede cancer metastasis, enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

A Case Study: Electrically Assisted Stress Relief Annealing for Cold-Coiled Helical Automotive Springs.

This study experimentally investigated electrically assisted (EA) stress relief annealing for cold-coiled commercial automotive springs. In EA stress relief annealing, the temperature of a spring is rapidly increased to the annealing temperature (400 °C) and is held constant for a specified time using a pulsed electric current. Experimental findings show that the effectiveness of the EA stress relief annealing is superior to that of the conventional stress relief annealing, especially in terms of process time. The present study suggests that EA stress relief annealing, with properly selected process parameters, can effectively substitute for time-consuming conventional stress relief annealing using a furnace for cold-coiled automotive springs.

Optimization and modelling of magnesium oxide (MgO) photocatalytic degradation of binary dyes using response surface methodology.

Textile industry dye effluent contains a mixture of different kinds of dyes. Many times, photocatalysis is targeted as a solution for the treatment of dye effluent from the textile industry. Many researches have been published related to the photocatalysis of single textile dyes but in the real-world scenario, effluent is a mixture of dyes. Magnesium oxide (MgO) is used as a photocatalyst to treat a mixture (binary solution) of Methylene blue (MB) and Methylene violet (MV) along with individual MB and MV dyes in this article. MgO shows remarkable photocatalytic activity at about 93 and 88% for MB and MV dye in binary solution within 135 min. Furthermore, to study the influence of process parameters, experiments are designed with the help of the central composite design (CCD), and Response surface methodology (RSM) is used to study the interactions between parameters. For this study, five parameters are selected i.e., Photocatalyst dosage, initial concentration of both dyes, time of exposure to the light source, and pH of the binary solution. The photocatalytic process is also optimized and finally optimization of process parameters is validated with an experiment. The result of the validation experiment is very close to the predicted photocatalytic activity.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and the Risk of Falls in Older Men: Insights From a Population-Based Study on Geriatric Morbid Conditions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the incidence of falls from the perspective of geriatric morbid conditions. METHODS: Data were sourced from the triennial National Survey of Older Koreans conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2017-2020). In total, 8,135 male participants aged 65 and older were included, and information was gathered through questionnaires and physical measurements. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the impact of BPH on the risk of falls, and subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the influence of BPH on specific types of falls. RESULTS: Of the participants, 15.2% (1,238 of 8,135) reported that their BPH treatment exceeded 3 months, and 8.0% (648 of 8,135) reported experiencing falls, with 61.4% (398/648) of these falls resulting in injuries. A significant association was identified between BPH and both falls (odds ratio [OR], 1.798; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.479-2.185) and falls with injuries (OR, 2.133; 95% CI, 1.689-2.694). A subgroup analysis indicated a correlation between BPH and falls in groups having one (OR, 1.912; 95% CI, 1.356-2.694) and 2 or more conditions (OR, 1.856; 95% CI, 1.455-2.367) involving visual and auditory impairments, cognitive decline, depression, lower motor weakness, and limitations in daily activities. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that BPH contributes to the incidence of falls among older men, particularly those with comorbid conditions. Considering the heightened fall risk among elderly individuals suffering from multiple morbidities, particularly those with BPH, targeted interventions are essential for mitigating the risk of falls in this vulnerable group.

Comparison of TERT and 5-Hydroxymethylcytocine immunohistochemistry in various thyroid carcinomas.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation is associated with an aggressive clinical course in thyroid carcinomas. Therefore, detection of TERT promoter mutation is essential for proper patient management. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is an epigenetic marker involved in the DNA demethylation pathway, and its loss has been observed in various tumors. Loss of 5hmC has also been reported in thyroid carcinomas and is presented as a possible predictive biomarker for TERT promoter mutation and worse prognosis. This study evaluated the expression of TERT and 5hmC by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 105 patients (44 in the TERT mutant group and 61 in the TERT wild group) with various thyroid carcinomas. H-scores were calculated using an image analyzer. The median H-scores of TERT IHC were significantly higher in the TERT mutant group than in the TERT wild group (47.15 vs. 9.80). The sensitivity and specificity of TERT IHC for predicting TERT promoter mutations were 65.9 and 65.7 %, respectively. Regardless of TERT promoter mutation status, the 5hmC H-scores were markedly lower in all subtypes of thyroid carcinomas compared to those in their normal counterparts. Significant differences in 5hmC H-scores were observed between N0 and N1 in total thyroid carcinomas, but not within the papillary thyroid carcinoma subgroup. In conclusion, TERT and 5hmC IHC have limitations in predicting the presence of TERT promoter mutations. The expression of 5hmC was downregulated in various thyroid carcinomas compared to that in normal and benign lesions, but comprehensive further studies are required to elucidate the role of 5hmC in thyroid carcinomas.

Innovative synthesis technique for high-performance dielectric resonator antennas: laser-induced shockwave sintering of potassium sodium niobate (KNN).

This study explored the synthesis and sintering of potassium sodium niobate (KNN) nanoparticles, emphasizing morphology, crystal structure, and sintering methods. The as-synthesized KNN nanoparticles exhibited a spherical morphology below 200 nm. Solid state sintering (SSS) and laser-induced shockwave sintering (LISWS) were compared, with LISWS producing denser microstructures and improved grain growth. Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction confirmed KNN perovskite structure, with LISWS demonstrating higher purity. High-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra indicated increased binding energies in LISWS, reflecting enhanced density and crystallinity. Dielectric and loss tangent analyses showed temperature-dependent behavior, with LISWS-3 exhibiting superior properties. Antenna performance assessments revealed LISWS-3's improved directivity and reduced sidelobe radiation compared to SSS, attributed to its denser microstructure. Overall, LISWS proved advantageous for enhancing KNN ceramics, particularly in antenna applications.

Treatment Patterns with Mirabegron and Antimuscarinics for Overactive Bladder: A Prospective, Registry Study in Taiwan and South Korea (FAITH).

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess overactive bladder (OAB) treatment patterns and factors associated with effectiveness and persistence. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, observational registry study of adults starting OAB therapy with mirabegron or antimuscarinics was undertaken. Primary endpoints were time from treatment initiation to discontinuation/switching; proportion who discontinued/switched; and reasons for discontinuation/switching. Secondary endpoints included OAB Symptom Score (OABSS), OAB Questionnaire: Short Form, and OAB Bladder Assessment Tool scores; factors associated with effectiveness and persistence; and safety. RESULTS: In total, 556 patients initiating mirabegron and 250 initiating antimuscarinics were enrolled. There was no treatment switch, change, or discontinuation in 68.5% of the mirabegron initiator group and median time to treatment change was not reached. Mean initial treatment duration was 130.8 days. In multivariable models, baseline OABSS was the only variable significantly associated with change from baseline in OABSS, and patients with mild and moderate OAB had significantly better persistence with mirabegron than those with severe OAB. Urinary tract infection was the most common adverse event with mirabegron. There was no treatment switch, change, or discontinuation in 60.4% of the antimuscarinics initiator group and median time to treatment change was not reached. Solifenacin was the most frequent initial treatment (66.0%). Mean treatment duration was 122.2 days. In multivariable models, baseline OABSS was the only variable significantly associated with change from baseline in OABSS, while patients with OAB medication in the 12 months before enrollment had significantly better persistence with antimuscarinics than those with no previous OAB medication. Dry mouth was the most common adverse event with antimuscarinics. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron and solifenacin were commonly prescribed as first-line OAB medications. There was no treatment switch, change, or discontinuation in more than 60% of the mirabegron initiator and antimuscarinics initiator groups. Mean initial treatment duration was 130.8 days and 122.2 days for mirabegron and antimuscarinics, respectively. Graphical Abstract available for this article. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03572231.

Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor (TSH PitNET): A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGRUOUND: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (TSH PitNET) is a rare subtype of PitNET. We investigated the comprehensive characteristics and outcomes of TSH PitNET cases from a single medical center. Also, we compared diagnostic methods to determine which showed superior sensitivity. METHODS: A total of 17 patients diagnosed with TSH PitNET after surgery between 2002 and 2022 in Samsung Medical Center was retrospectively reviewed. Data on comprehensive characteristics and treatment outcomes were collected. The sensitivities of diagnostic methods were compared. RESULTS: Seven were male (41%), and the median age at diagnosis was 42 years (range, 21 to 65); the median follow-up duration was 37.4 months. The most common (59%) initial presentation was hyperthyroidism-related symptoms. Hormonal co-secretion was present in four (23%) patients. Elevated serum alpha-subunit (α-SU) showed the greatest diagnostic sensitivity (91%), followed by blunted response at thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation (80%) and elevated sex hormone binding globulin (63%). Fourteen (82%) patients had macroadenoma, and a specimen of one patient with heavy calcification was negative for TSH. Among 15 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months, 10 (67%) achieved hormonal and structural remission within 6 months postoperatively. A case of growth hormone (GH)/TSH/prolactin (PRL) co-secreting mixed gangliocytoma-pituitary adenoma (MGPA) was discovered. CONCLUSION: The majority of the TSH PitNET cases was macroadenoma, and 23% showed hormone co-secretion. A rare case of GH/TSH/PRL co-secreting MGPA was discovered. Serum α-SU and TRH stimulation tests showed great diagnostic sensitivity. Careful consideration is needed in diagnosing TSH PitNET. Achieving remission requires complete tumor resection. In case of nonremission, radiotherapy or medical therapy can improve the long-term remission rate.