The pathophysiology of visceral adipose tissues in cardiometabolic diseases.

Central pattern of fat distribution, especially fat accumulation within the intraabdominal cavity increases risks for cardiometabolic diseases. Portal hypothesis combined with a pathological remodeling in visceral fat is considered the major etiological factor explaining the independent contribution of visceral obesity to cardiometabolic diseases. Excessive remodeling in visceral fat during development of obesity leads to dysfunctions in the depot, characterized by hypertrophy and death of adipocytes, hypoxia, inflammation, and fibrosis. Dysfunctional visceral fat secretes elevated levels of fatty acids, glycerol, and proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines into the portal vein directly impacting the liver, the central regulator of systemic metabolism. These metabolic and endocrine products induce ectopic fat accumulation, insulin resistance, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver, which in turn causes or exacerbates systemic metabolic derangements. Elucidation of underlying mechanisms that lead to the pathological remodeling and higher degree of dysfunctions in visceral adipose tissue is therefore, critical for the development of therapeutics to prevent deleterious sequelae in obesity. We review depot differences in metabolic and endocrine properties and expendabilities as well as underlying mechanisms that contribute to the pathophysiological aspects of visceral adiposity in cardiometabolic diseases. We also discuss impacts of different weight loss interventions on visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic diseases.

A 32-Channel Sleeve Antenna Receiver Array for Human Head MRI Applications at 10.5 T.

For human brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high channel count ( ≥ 32 ) radiofrequency receiver coil arrays are utilized to achieve maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and to accelerate parallel imaging techniques. With ultra-high field (UHF) MRI at 7 tesla (T) and higher, dipole antenna arrays have been shown to generate high SNR in the deep regions of the brain, however the array elements exhibit increased electromagnetic coupling with one another, making array construction more difficult with the increasing number of elements. Compared to a classical dipole antenna array, a sleeve antenna array incorporates the coaxial ground into the feed-point, resulting in a modified asymmetric antenna structure with improved intra-element decoupling. Here, we extended our previous 16-channel sleeve transceiver work and developed a 32-channel azimuthally arranged sleeve antenna receive-only array for 10.5 T human brain imaging. We experimentally compared the achievable SNR of the sleeve antenna array at 10.5 T to a more traditional 32-channel loop array bult onto a human head-shaped former. The results obtained with a head shaped phantom clearly demonstrated that peripheral intrinsic SNR can be significantly improved compared to a loop array with the same number of elements- except for the superior part of the phantom where sleeve antenna elements are not located.

Metal-Oxide Heterojunction Optoelectronic Synapse and Multilevel Memory Devices Enabled by Broad Spectral Photocarrier Modulation.

Broad spectral response and high photoelectric conversion efficiency are key milestones for realizing multifunctional, low-power optoelectronic devices such as artificial synapse and reconfigurable memory devices. Nevertheless, the wide bandgap and narrow spectral response of metal-oxide semiconductors are problematic for efficient metal-oxide optoelectronic devices such as photonic synapse and optical memory devices. Here, a simple titania (TiO2 )/indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) heterojunction structure is proposed for efficient multifunctional optoelectronic devices, enabling widen spectral response range and high photoresponsivity. By overlaying a TiO2 film on IGZO, the light absorption range extends to red light, along with enhanced photoresponsivity in the full visible light region. By implementing the TiO2 /IGZO heterojunction structure, various synaptic behaviors are successfully emulated such as short-term memory/long-term memory and paired pulse facilitation. Also, the TiO2 /IGZO synaptic transistor exhibits a recognition rate up to 90.3% in recognizing handwritten digit images. Moreover, by regulating the photocarrier dynamics and retention behavior using gate-bias modulation, a reconfigurable multilevel (≥8 states) memory is demonstrated using visible light.

RNA outperforms DNA-based metabarcoding in assessing the diversity and response of microeukaryotes to environmental variables in the Arctic Ocean.

The Arctic Ocean (AO) has a harsh environment characterized by low temperatures, extensive ice coverage, and periodic freezing and melting of sea ice, which has provided diverse habitats for microorganisms. Prior studies primarily focused on microeukaryote communities in the upper water or sea ice based on environmental DNA, leaving the composition of active microeukaryotes in the diverse AO environments largely unknown. This study provided a vertical assessment of microeukaryote communities in the AO from snow and ice to sea water at a depth of 1670 m using high-throughput sequencing of co-extracted DNA and RNA. RNA extracts depicted microeukaryote community structure and intergroup correlations more accurately and responded more sensitively to environmental conditions than those derived from DNA. Using RNA:DNA ratios as a proxy for relative activity of major taxonomic groups, the metabolic activities of major microeukaryote groups were determined along depth. Analysis of co-occurrence networks showed that parasitism between Syndiniales and dinoflagellates/ciliates in the deep ocean may be significant. This study increased our knowledge of the diversity of active microeukaryote communities and highlighted the importance of using RNA-based sequencing over DNA-based sequencing to examine the relationship between microeukaryote assemblages and the responses of microeukaryotes to environmental variables in the AO.

Reversibly Controlled Ternary Polar States and Ferroelectric Bias Promoted by Boosting Square-Tensile-Strain.

Interaction between dipoles often emerges intriguing physical phenomena, such as exchange bias in the magnetic heterostructures and magnetoelectric effect in multiferroics, which lead to advances in multifunctional heterostructures. However, the defect-dipole tends to be considered the undesired to deteriorate the electronic functionality. Here, deterministic switching between the ferroelectric and the pinched states by exploiting a new substrate of cubic perovskite, BaZrO3 is reported, which boosts the square-tensile-strain to BaTiO3 and promotes four-variants in-plane spontaneous polarization with oxygen vacancy creation. First-principles calculations propose a complex of an oxygen vacancy and two Ti3+ ions coins a charge-neutral defect-dipole. Cooperative control of the defect-dipole and the spontaneous polarization reveals ternary in-plane polar states characterized by biased/pinched hysteresis loops. Furthermore, it is experimentally demonstrated that three electrically controlled polar-ordering states lead to switchable and nonvolatile dielectric states for application of nondestructive electro-dielectric memory. This discovery opens a new route to develop functional materials via manipulating defect-dipoles and offers a novel platform to advance heteroepitaxy beyond the prevalent perovskite substrates.

Construction of a vector-field cryogenic magnetic force microscope.

Owing to the high resolution of magnetic force microscopes (MFMs) operating at low temperatures and high-applied magnetic fields, they can be employed to study various phenomena observed in topological magnetic materials and superconductors. In this study, we constructed a low-temperature MFM equipped with a 2-2-9-T vector magnet and a three-axis fiber-optic alignment system. The three-axis alignment device enables in situ calibration of the scanner at low temperatures as well as optimizes the intensity and sensitivity of the interferometer signal. A massive homebuilt vibration isolation table lowers the resonance frequency of the system and minimizes mechanical noise. Consequently, the minimum detectable force gradient of our proposed model is close to the thermodynamic limit of the cantilever. To demonstrate the low-temperature capability of the MFM, we obtained magnetic domain images of the van der Waals ferromagnet Fe4GeTe2 and the Abrikosov superconducting vortices of an Nb film. Furthermore, we performed field angle-dependent MFM experiments in a van der Waals magnetic insulator Cr2Ge2Te6 to verify its vector-field functionality and observed a transition in the domains from the stripe to the bubble phase with respect to the magnetic field angle. The vector-field capability of our MFM can be useful for investigating various anisotropic magnetic phenomena in topological magnetic and superconducting materials.

Retina-Inspired Color-Cognitive Learning via Chromatically Controllable Mixed Quantum Dot Synaptic Transistor Arrays.

Artificial photonic synapses are emerging as a promising implementation to emulate the human visual cognitive system by consolidating a series of processes for sensing and memorizing visual information into one system. In particular, mimicking retinal functions such as multispectral color perception and controllable nonvolatility is important for realizing artificial visual systems. However, many studies to date have focused on monochromatic-light-based photonic synapses, and thus, the emulation of color discrimination capability remains an important challenge for visual intelligence. Here, an artificial multispectral color recognition system by employing heterojunction photosynaptic transistors consisting of ratio-controllable mixed quantum dot (M-QD) photoabsorbers and metal-oxide semiconducting channels is proposed. The biological photoreceptor inspires M-QD photoabsorbers with a precisely designed red (R), green (G), and blue (B)-QD ratio, enabling full-range visible color recognition with high photo-to-electric conversion efficiency. In addition, adjustable synaptic plasticity by modulating gate bias allows multiple nonvolatile-to-volatile memory conversion, leading to chromatic control in the artificial photonic synapse. To ensure the viability of the developed proof of concept, a 7 × 7 pixelated photonic synapse array capable of performing outstanding color image recognition based on adjustable wavelength-dependent volatility conversion is demonstrated.

Large-Area Pixelized Optoelectronic Neuromorphic Devices with Multispectral Light-Modulated Bidirectional Synaptic Circuits.

The complete hardware implementation of an optoelectronic neuromorphic computing system is considered as one of the most promising solutions to realize energy-efficient artificial intelligence. Here, a fully light-driven and scalable optoelectronic neuromorphic circuit with metal-chalcogenide/metal-oxide heterostructure phototransistor and photovoltaic divider is proposed. To achieve wavelength-selective neural operation and hardware-based pattern recognition, multispectral light modulated bidirectional synaptic circuits are utilized as an individual pixel for highly accurate and large-area neuromorphic computing system. The wavelength selective control of photo-generated charges at the heterostructure interface enables the bidirectional synaptic modulation behaviors including the excitatory and inhibitory modulations. More importantly, a 7 × 7 neuromorphic pixel circuit array is demonstrated to show the viability of implementing highly accurate hardware-based pattern training. In both the pixel training and pattern recognition simulation, the neuromorphic circuit array with the bidirectional synaptic modulation exhibits lower training errors and higher recognition rates, respectively.

Changes in physiological network connectivity of body system in narcolepsy during REM sleep.

BACKGROUND: Narcolepsy is marked by pathologic symptoms including excessive daytime drowsiness and lethargy, even with sufficient nocturnal sleep. There are two types of narcolepsy: type 1 (with cataplexy) and type 2 (without cataplexy). Unlike type 1, for which hypocretin is a biomarker, type 2 narcolepsy has no adequate biomarker to identify the causality of narcoleptic phenomenon. Therefore, we aimed to establish new biomarkers for narcolepsy using the body's systemic networks. METHOD: Thirty participants (15 with type 2 narcolepsy, 15 healthy controls) were included. We used the time delay stability (TDS) method to examine temporal information and determine relationships among multiple signals. We quantified and analyzed the network connectivity of nine biosignals (brainwaves, cardiac and respiratory information, muscle and eye movements) during nocturnal sleep. In particular, we focused on the differences in network connectivity between groups according to sleep stages and investigated whether the differences could be potential biomarkers to classify both groups by using a support vector machine. RESULT: In rapid eye movement sleep, the narcolepsy group displayed more connections than the control group (narcolepsy connections: 24.47 ± 2.87, control connections: 21.34 ± 3.49; p = 0.022). The differences were observed in movement and cardiac activity. The performance of the classifier based on connectivity differences was a 0.93 for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively. CONCLUSION: Network connectivity with the TDS method may be used as a biomarker to identify differences in the systemic networks of patients with narcolepsy type 2 and healthy controls.

Experimental signatures of nodeless multiband superconductivity in a [Formula: see text] single crystal.

In order to understand the superconducting gap nature of a [Formula: see text] single crystal with [Formula: see text], in-plane thermal conductivity [Formula: see text], in-plane London penetration depth [Formula: see text], and the upper critical fields [Formula: see text] have been investigated. At zero magnetic field, it is found that no residual linear term [Formula: see text] exists and [Formula: see text] follows a power-law [Formula: see text] (T: temperature) with n = 2.66 at [Formula: see text], supporting nodeless superconductivity. Moreover, the magnetic-field dependence of [Formula: see text]/T clearly shows a shoulder-like feature at a low field region. The temperature dependent [Formula: see text] curves for both in-plane and out-of-plane field directions exhibit clear upward curvatures near [Formula: see text], consistent with the shape predicted by the two-band theory and the anisotropy ratio between the [Formula: see text](T) curves exhibits strong temperature-dependence. All these results coherently suggest that [Formula: see text] is a nodeless, multiband superconductor.

Positive, but Not Negative, Self-Perceptions of Aging Predict Cognitive Function Among Older Adults.

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) refer to attitudes about one's aging process and are linked to physical health and longevity. How SPA correlates with cognitive function in older adulthood is less well known. 136 older adults were administered a multifaceted SPA measure, The Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ), in addition to a demographic form and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Positive and negative subscales of the B-APQ were correlated with aspects of cognitive function. Regression analyses revealed that only the positive B-APQ subscales predicted mental status (ß = .19, p < .05), short-delay memory (ß = .16, p < .05), processing speed (ß = -.21, p < .05), and two measures of executive function (ß = -.21, p < .01; ß = .18, p < .05). This is the first study to demonstrate that positive dimensions of SPA relate to cognitive function in older adulthood.

Older adults' technology use and its association with health and depressive symptoms: Findings from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Background: Information and communication technology (ICT) provides older adults with access to information and resources that benefit their health. Purpose: To explore ICT use among older adults and examine the influence of information technology (IT), communication technology (CT), or ICT use on older adults' self-rated health status and depressive symptoms. Method: A sample of community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older in the United States (N = 4,976) from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Findings: Older adults who embraced ICT and used this technology for a variety of purposes were more likely to report better health status, and were less likely to experience major depressive symptoms than nonusers. Discussion: In accordance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, nursing professional can play an important role by responding to older adults' diverse technology preferences and effectively incorporating them into nursing practice.

Establishment of patient-derived three-dimensional organoid culture in renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma is a heterogeneous kidney cancer, and over 403,000 cases were reported worldwide in 2018. Current methods for studying renal cell carcinoma are limited to two-dimensional (2D) culture of primary cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models. Numerous studies have suggested that 2D culture poorly represents the diversity, heterogeneity, and drug-resistance of primary tumors. The time and cost associated with patient-derived xenograft models poses a realistic barrier to their clinical utility. As a biomimetic model, patient-derived three-dimensional (3D) organoid culture can overcome these disadvantages and bridge the gap between in vitro cell culture and in vivo patient-derived xenograft models. Here, we establish a patient-derived 3D organoid culture system for clear cell renal cell carcinoma and demonstrate the biomimetic characteristics of our model with respect to both primary kidney cancer and conventional 2D culture. Materials and Methods: Normal renal tissues and tumor tissues were collected from patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The dissociated cells were cultured as conventional 2D culture and 3D organoid culture. The biomimetic characteristic of the two cultures were compared. Results: Compared with 2D culture, the 3D organoid cultures retained the characteristic lipid-rich, clear cell morphology of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Carbonic anhydrase 9 and vimentin were validated as biomarkers of renal cell carcinoma. Expression of the two validated biomarkers was more enhanced in 3D organoid culture. Conclusions: Patient-derived 3D organoid culture retains the characteristics of renal cell carcinoma with respect to morphology and biomarker expression.

Influence of combinatory effects of STEM setups on the sensitivity of differential phase contrast imaging.

Differential phase-contrast (DPC) imaging in the scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode has been suggested as a new method to visualize the nanoscale electromagnetic features of materials. However, the quality of the DPC image is very sensitive to the electron-beam alignment, microscope setup, and specimen conditions. Unlike normal STEM imaging, the microscope setup variables in the DPC mode are not independent; rather, they are correlated factors decisive for field sensitivity. Here, we systematically investigated the independent and combinatory effects of microscope setups on the sensitivity of the DPC image in a hard magnet, Nd2Fe14B alloy. To improve sensitivity, a smaller overlap of the electron beam with annular detectors and a greater camera length were required. However, these factors cannot be controlled independently in the two-condenser-lens system. In this linked system, the effect of the camera length on the DPC sensitivity was slightly more predominant than the overlap. Furthermore, the DPC signal was noisy and scattered at a small overlap of less than 11%. The electron-beam current does not evidently affect the sensitivity. In addition, the DPC sensitivity was examined with respect to the sample thickness, and the optimum thickness for high sensitivity was approximately 65 nm for the hard magnetic material Nd2Fe14B. This practical approach to the STEM setup and sample thickness may provide experimental guidelines for further application of the DPC analysis method.

An Instant Donning Multi-Channel EEG Headset (with Comb-Shaped Dry Electrodes) and BCI Applications.

We developed a new type of electroencephalogram (EEG) headset system with comb-shaped electrodes that enables the wearer to quickly don and utilize it in daily life. Two models that can measure EEG signals using up to eight channels have been implemented. The electrodes implemented in the headsets are similar to a comb and are placed quickly by wiping the hair (as done with a comb) using the headset. To verify this headset system, donning time was measured and three brain computer interface (BCI) application experiments were conducted. Alpha rhythm-based, steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based, and auditory steady state response (ASSR)-based BCI systems were adopted for the validation experiments. Four subjects participated and ten trials were repeated in the donning experiment. The results of the validation experiments show that reliable EEG signal measurement is possible immediately after donning the headsets without any preparation. It took approximately 10 s for healthy subjects to don the headsets, including an earclip with reference and ground electrodes. The results of alpha rhythm-based BCI showed 100% accuracy. Furthermore, the results of SSVEP-based and ASSR-based BCI experiments indicate that performance is sufficient for BCI applications; 95.7% and 76.0% accuracies were obtained, respectively. The results of BCI paradigm experiments indicate that the new headset type is feasible for various BCI applications.

Adrenal insufficiency in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this systematic review was to enhance diagnostic approaches and summarize therapeutic strategies in the management of AI in patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS: A literature search of PubMed and Medline databases was performed and 91 publications containing 105 cases were included for the final analysis. RESULTS: The following frequency of clinical signs and symptoms was noted: abdominal pain (39.04%) was the leading symptom, followed by fever (33.33%), vomiting (23.81%), and nausea (19.05%). APS was present in 73%, SLE in 17% of the patients, while 2% had a diagnosis of both, SLE and APS. ACTH stimulation test (ACTHst) was performed in 18% of cases and 76.6% of them were unresponsive towards stimulation. Variable treatment approaches were used: hydrocortisone was most commonly used (38.09%), followed by fludrocortisone (26.67%), prednisolone (20.00%) and volume replacement treatment (11.43%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis highlights the importance of an early diagnosis and initiation of therapeutic management when AI is suspected. In line, signs and symptoms related to autoimmune diseases in patients with AI should be reviewed crtitically.

Tubular organotypic culture model of human kidney.

Cell-culture methods that simplify the inherent complexities of the kidney have not sufficiently reproduced its true characteristics. Although reports indicate that organoid methodology surpasses traditional cell culture in terms of reproducing the nature of organs, the study of human kidney organoids have been confined to pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, it has not yet progressed beyond the developmental state of embryonic kidney even after complicate additional differentiation processes. We here describe the kidney organotypic culture method that uses adult whole kidney tissues but mainly differentiates into tubular cells. This model was validated based on the retention of key kidney organotypic-specific features: 1) expression of Tamm-Horsfall protein; 2) dome-like organoid configurations, implying directed transport of solutes and water influx; and 3) organoid expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in response to nephrotoxic injury (i.e., gentamicin and cisplatin exposure). This 3D-structured organoid prototype of the human renal tubule may have applications in developing patient-specific treatments for kidney diseases.

Technology use and its association with health and depressive symptoms in older cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Acknowledging the expanding influence of technology in the promotion of health and wellness, this study assessed the role of information and communication technology (ICT) use in the lives of older cancer survivors. METHODS: A community sample of cancer survivors aged 65 and older (N = 1411) was extracted from a 2011 U.S. National Health and Aging Trends Study dataset. Weighted multiple regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationships between survey respondents' ICT use and their self-rated health status and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The majority of respondents reported rarely or never engaging in ICT use. Greater use of communication technology such as emailing or texting was associated with decreased risk for severe depressive symptoms and higher self-rated health status. Information technology use was not associated with depressive symptoms and self-rated health status. CONCLUSIONS: Investigation into reasons behind older cancer survivors' apparent low rates of engagement with ICT is warranted, particularly the examination of access as a potential barrier. Findings indicated that frequent use of communication technology was positively linked with mental and physical wellness. The nature of the relationships between communication technology use and physical and mental health merits further research, helping to determine whether community-based educational efforts to improve technology access and skills may benefit the growing population of older cancer survivors.

Violation of Ohm's law in a Weyl metal.

Ohm's law is a fundamental paradigm in the electrical transport of metals. Any transport signatures violating Ohm's law would give an indisputable fingerprint for a novel metallic state. Here, we uncover the breakdown of Ohm's law owing to a topological structure of the chiral anomaly in the Weyl metal phase. We observe nonlinear I-V characteristics in Bi0.96Sb0.04 single crystals in the diffusive limit, which occurs only for a magnetic-field-aligned electric field (E∥B). The Boltzmann transport theory with the charge pumping effect reveals the topological-in-origin nonlinear conductivity, and it leads to a universal scaling function of the longitudinal magnetoconductivity, which completely describes our experimental results. As a hallmark of Weyl metals, the nonlinear conductivity provides a venue for nonlinear electronics, optical applications, and the development of a topological Fermi-liquid theory beyond the Landau Fermi-liquid theory.

Domain engineering of the metastable domains in the 4f-uniaxial-ferromagnet CeRu2Ga2B.

In search of novel, improved materials for magnetic data storage and spintronic devices, compounds that allow a tailoring of magnetic domain shapes and sizes are essential. Good candidates are materials with intrinsic anisotropies or competing interactions, as they are prone to host various domain phases that can be easily and precisely selected by external tuning parameters such as temperature and magnetic field. Here, we utilize vector magnetic fields to visualize directly the magnetic anisotropy in the uniaxial ferromagnet CeRu2Ga2B. We demonstrate a feasible control both globally and locally of domain shapes and sizes by the external field as well as a smooth transition from single stripe to bubble domains, which opens the door to future applications based on magnetic domain tailoring.