Amorphous ITZO-Based Selector Device for Memristor Crossbar Array.

In the era of digital transformation, a memristor and memristive circuit can provide an advanced computer architecture that efficiently processes a vast quantity of data. With the unique characteristic of memristor, a memristive crossbar array has been utilized for realization of nonvolatile memory, logic-in-memory circuit, and neuromorphic system. However, the crossbar array architecture suffers from leakage of current, known as the sneak current, which causes a cross-talk interference problem between adjacent memristor devices, leading to an unavoidable operational error and high power consumption. Here, we present an amorphous In-Sn-Zn-O (a-ITZO) oxide semiconductor-based selector device to address the sneak current issue. The a-ITZO-selector device is realized with the back-to-back Schottky diode with nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. Its nonlinearity is dependent on the oxygen plasma treatment process which can suppress the surface electron accumulation layer arising on the a-ITZO surface. The a-ITZO-selector device shows reliable characteristics against electrical stress and high temperature. In addition, the selector device allows for a stable read margin over 1 Mbit of memristor crossbar array. The findings may offer a feasible solution for the development of a high-density memristor crossbar array.

No one is an island: Awe encourages global citizenship identification.

Recent theorizing has suggested that awe is a collective emotion, as research has demonstrated a clear link between experiencing awe and behaving prosocially. The present research extends past work by investigating the scope and sources of awe-inspired prosociality, focusing on whether awe's effects extend beyond local/national interests to include global or humanitarian goals. Specifically, we examine how by increasing feelings of smallness, awe encourages a sense of global citizenship, promoting cosmopolitan (vs. parochial) prosociality. Four experiments found that varied awe elicitors (recall, pictures, videos) and cues (universe, peaceful/fearful nature scenes) boost global citizenship identification by first increasing perception of the self as small. Downstream effects included greater valuing of interconnectedness (Experiment 2) and higher appreciation of diversity (Experiment 3). In Experiment 4, awe-through small self- and global citizenship-further translated into larger donation allocations to global (vs. local) charities. Given global problems such as pandemics and climate change, our findings have implications for how emotions can promote a sense of shared responsibility when commitment across borders is essential. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Exercise Pills for Drug Addiction: Forced Moderate Endurance Exercise Inhibits Methamphetamine-Induced Hyperactivity through the Striatal Glutamatergic Signaling Pathway in Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Physical exercise reduces the extent, duration, and frequency of drug use in drug addicts during the drug initiation phase, as well as during prolonged addiction, withdrawal, and recurrence. However, information about exercise-induced neurobiological changes is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of forced moderate endurance exercise training on methamphetamine (METH)-induced behavior and the associated neurobiological changes. Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to the administration of METH (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and/or forced moderate endurance exercise (treadmill running, 21 m/min, 60 min/day) for 2 weeks. Over the two weeks, endurance exercise training significantly reduced METH-induced hyperactivity. METH and/or exercise treatment increased striatal dopamine (DA) levels, decreased p(Thr308)-Akt expression, and increased p(Tyr216)-GSK-3ß expression. However, the phosphorylation levels of Ser9-GSK-3ß were significantly increased in the exercise group. METH administration significantly increased the expression of NMDAr1, CaMKK2, MAPKs, and PP1 in the striatum, and exercise treatment significantly decreased the expression of these molecules. Therefore, it is apparent that endurance exercise inhibited the METH-induced hyperactivity due to the decrease in GSK-3ß activation by the regulation of the striatal glutamate signaling pathway.

Moral in whose eyes? Cross-cultural differences in moral decision making and behaviour.

All people want to feel that they are morally adequate. People tend to evaluate their moral adequacy by judging their behaviour through their own eyes (first-person perspective) or the eyes of others (third-person perspective). People in all cultures use both perspectives, but there may be cultural variations in which perspective takes precedence. By conducting two studies, we explore the way people in face cultures are more likely to secure their moral self-regard through the eyes of others (vs. their own eyes), whereas the opposite is true in case of people from dignity cultures. Study 1 found that people from face culture (Korean participants) cheated to a lesser extent when others were invoked (vs. not invoked), but people from dignity culture (American participants) were not affected by this priming. Study 2 found that moral intentions were more strongly influenced by what participants perceived others to do in moral situations in face (vs. dignity) cultures. In contrast, moral intentions were found to be more strongly influenced by what they believed they should do in moral situations in dignity (vs. face) cultures.

A 10 nV/rt Hz noise level 32-channel neural impedance sensing ASIC for local activation imaging on nerve section.

A 10 nV/rt Hz noise level 32-channel neural impedance sensing ASIC is presented for the application of local activation imaging in nerve section. It is increasingly known that the monitoring and control of nerve signals can improve physical and mental health. Major nerves, such as the vagus nerve and the sciatic nerve, consist of a bundle of fascicles. Therefore, to accurately control a particular application without any side effects, we need to know exactly which fascicle was activated. The only way to find locally activated fascicle is to use electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The ASIC to be introduced is designed for neural EIT applications. A neural impedance sensing ASIC was implemented using CMOS 180-nm process technology. The integrated input referred noise was calculated to be 0.46 µVrms (noise floor 10.3 nVrms/rt Hz) in the measured noise spectrum. At an input of 80 mV, the squared correlation coefficient for linear regression was 0.99998. The amplification gain uniformity of 32 channels was in the range of + 0.23% and - 0.29%. Using the resistor phantom, the simplest model of nerve, it was verified that a single readout channel could detect a signal-to- noise ratio of 75.6 dB or more. Through the reservoir phantom, real-time EIT images were reconstructed at a rate of 8.3 frames per second. The developed ASIC has been applied to in vivo experiments with rat sciatic nerves, and signal processing is currently underway to obtain activated nerve cross-sectional images. The developed ASIC was also applied to in-vivo experiments with rat sciatic nerves, and signal processing is currently underway to obtain locally activated nerve cross-sectional images.

Solution-Processed Organic and Oxide Hybrid CMOS Inverter for Low Cost Electronic Circuits.

We demonstrated an organic and oxide hybrid CMOS inverter with the solution-processed semiconductor and source/drain electrodes. For the solution-processed n- and p-type semiconductor, InGaZnO solution and TIPS-pentacene/PαMS blend were spin-coated respectively while Silver ink and PEDOT:PSS solution were drop-casted with the help of the bank to serve as source/drain electrodes. The InGaZnO and the TIPS-pentacene transistors show typical n- and p-type transistor operations with low off-current. Based on the combination of the solution-processed n- and p-type transistors, full-swing characteristic curve with low static current of the hybrid CMOS were obtained.

Fermented rice bran downregulates MITF expression and leads to inhibition of alpha-MSH-induced melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma.

Rice bran contains various polyphenolic compounds with anti-oxidative activities, and it has long been known to inhibit melanogenesis, but the inhibition mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Cofermentation of rice bran with Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of the resulting extract to B16F1 melanoma cells. Marked reduction of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) induced melanin synthesis was also observed upon treatment with fermented rice bran extract but it had no direct inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity, while the intracellular tyrosinase activity was reduced by the extract. This result was further confirmed by an immunoblot assay measuring the level of tyrosinase protein. In addition, the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanogenesis, was significantly decreased by the extract. All together, the fermented rice bran extracts showed an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis through downregulation of MITF, along with reduced cytotoxicity.

Anti-aging effect of rice wine in cultured human fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

The application of rice wine on skin is known to have beneficial effects such as enhancement of the skin barrier function and skin whitening. In this study, we focused on examination of the anti-aging effects of rice wine. The treatment of fibroblasts with rice wine in vitro increased the expression of procollagen and laminin-5, a key basement membrane component in cultured human fibroblasts. Rice wine significantly reduced the expression of UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in a dose-dependent manner in both cultured human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. In addition, treatment with rice wine decreased UV-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in human keratinocytes. An in vivo study using hairless mice showed that topical application of rice wine protected mouse skin from photoaging. Thus, we suggest that rice wine may have potential as an effective agent for the prevention and treatment of UV-induced skin aging.

New approaches to pathogenic gene function discovery with human squamous cell cervical carcinoma by gene ontology.

PURPOSE: This study utilized mRNA differential display and the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to characterize the multiple interactions of a number of genes with gene expression profile involved in squamous cell cervical carcinoma. METHODS: mRNA differential displays were used to identify potential transcripts that were differentially expressed between cervix cancers of 13 patients (invasive cancer stages Ib-IIb) and universal reference RNAs comprised of 17 different normal cervixes. Aberrant bands were excised and used to make cDNA, which was sequenced. DNA sequences were compared to other nucleic acids in the NCBR database for homology. Transcript expression was verified in select samples using RT-PCR and North blotting. The specific functions were correlated with gene expression patterns via gene ontology. RESULTS: Fifty-eight genes were up- or down-regulated above 2-fold and organized into reciprocally dependent sub-function sets depending on the cervical cancer pathway. The GO analysis showed that squamous cell cervical carcinogenesis underwent complete up-regulation of cell cycle, transport, epidermal differentiation, protein biosynthesis, and RNA metabolism. Also, genes belonging to protein metabolism and catabolism activity were significantly up-regulated. In contrast, significant down-regulation was shown in muscle development, cell adhesion, and damaged DNA binding activity. CONCLUSION: The GO analysis can overcome the complexity of the gene expression profile of the squamous cell cervical carcinoma-associated pathway and identify several cancer-specific cellular processes as well as genes of unknown function. Also, GO analysis can serve as a powerful basis for a molecular classification of carcinogenesis.