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Electrochemiluminescent tactile visual synapse enabling in situ health monitoring
No full textTactile visual synapses combine the functionality of tactile artificial synapses with the ability to visualize their activity in real time and provide a direct and intuitive visualization of the activity, offering an efficient route for in situ health monitoring. Herein we present a tactile visual synapse that enables in situ monitoring of finger rehabilitation and electrocardiogram analysis. Repetitive finger flexion and various arrhythmias are monitored and visually guided using the developed tactile visual synapse combined with an electrical and optical output feedback algorithm. The tactile visual synapse has the structure of an electrochemical transistor comprising an elastomeric top gate as a tactile receptor and an electrochemiluminescent ion gel as a light-emitting layer stacked on a polymeric semiconductor layer, forming an electrical synaptic channel between source and drain electrodes. The low-power (similar to 34 mu W) visualization of the tactile synaptic activity associated with the repetitive motions of fingers and heartbeats enables the development of a convenient and efficient personalized healthcare system.N
Natural biomaterials for sustainable flexible neuromorphic devices
No full textNeuromorphic electronics use neural models in hardware to emulate brain-like behavior, and provide powerefficient, extremely compact, and massively-parallel processing, so they are ideal candidates for nextgeneration information-processing units. However, traditional rigid neuromorphic devices are limited by their unavoidable mechanical and geometrical mismatch with human tissues or organs. At the same time, the rapid development of these electronic devices has generated a large amount of electronic waste, thereby causing severe ecological problems. Natural biomaterials have mechanical properties compatible with biological tissues, and are environmentally benign, ultra-thin, and lightweight, so use of these materials can address these limitations and be used to create next-generation sustainable flexible neuromorphic electronics. Here, we explore the advantages of natural biomaterials in simulating synaptic behavior of sustainable neuromorphic devices. We present the flexibility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of these neuromorphic devices, and consider the potential applicability of these properties in wearable and implantable bioelectronics. Finally, we consider the challenges of device fabrication and neuromorphic system integration by natural biomaterials, then suggest future research directions.N
Simulations of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves (CCKWs) With Three Different Cumulus Parameterization Schemes
No full textConvectively coupled Kelvin waves (CCKWs) significantly influence tropical rainfall variability; however, accurately simulating these waves remains a challenge in atmospheric modeling. Cumulus parameterization is a critical element in model-generated CCKW activity among the various factors. This study investigated the impact of cumulus parameterization on CCKW simulation by analyzing the coupling mechanism between tropical convection and Kelvin waves, expanding on the stratiform instability theory. This theory suggests that CCKWs are enhanced through a positive feedback loop between stratiform heating and temperature. We aimed to minimize contamination from large-scale environmental influences by employing the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model configured for tropical channel simulations with spectral nudging. We assessed three distinct cumulus parameterization schemes: Grell-Freitas (GF), Multi-scale Kain-Fritsch (MSKF), and New Tiedtke (NTDK). Our analysis revealed that the NTDK scheme simulates the strongest CCKW signal, whereas the GF and MSKF schemes exhibit weaker signals. The vertical-mode decomposition of diabatic heating and temperature identified two prominent modes corresponding to deep convection and stratiform precipitation. The results demonstrated that NTDK shows the most favorable conditions for CCKW enhancement, characterized by substantial contributions from the second mode of heating and temperature anomalies. These aspects underline the critical role of cumulus parameterization for the enhancement of CCKWs, highlighting the importance of accurately representing stratiform instability to reduce deficiencies in CCKW modeling.Y
A Review on van der Waals Heterostructures for Integrating High Performance Electronic Devices
No full textThe integration of heterostructures is a challenging task because of the strong interaction at the interface, thermal budget, and the lattice mismatch at the heterointerfaces. In contrast, the van der Waals (vdW) interaction approach creates atomically sharp heterointerfaces with improved contact and junction engineering because of weak interaction energies. In this review, we discuss the fundamental approach for facilitating vdW interactions between various heterointerfaces, offering an advanced approach to material integration. Subsequently, we highlight the advanced direct formation of heterointerfaces and their practical applications in transistors, diodes, light-emitting diodes, and next-generation electronic devices. Additionally, we provide a forward-thinking outlook on the remaining hurdles to be overcome to achieve next-generation semiconductor devices.Y
DNA sensors in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic prospects
No full textDNA sensors generally initiate innate immune responses through the production of type I interferons. While extensively studied for host defense against invading pathogens, emerging evidence highlights the involvement of DNA sensors in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Elevated levels of modified, damaged, or ectopically localized self-DNA and non-self-DNA have been observed in patients and animal models with obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. The accumulation of cytosolic DNA aberrantly activates DNA signaling pathways, driving the pathological progression of these disorders. This review highlights the roles of specific DNA sensors, such as cyclic AMP-GMP synthase and stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING), absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), interferon gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), and DEAD-box helicase 41 (DDX41) in various metabolic disorders. We explore how DNA signaling pathways in both immune and non-immune cells contribute to the development of these diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the intricate interplay between metabolic stress and immune responses, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets for managing metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Understanding the mechanisms of DNA sensor signaling in these contexts provides a foundation for developing novel interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of these pervasive health issues.Y
Dyadic Appraisals of Family Decisions and Health Tasks in Midlife-Older Couples
No full textShared appraisals and collaboration within couples play important roles in optimizing health. Less is known about concordance regarding collaboration, factors associated with concordance, and implications for health. Data from 2,761 couples from the Health and Retirement Study (2014/2016 and 2016/2018 waves) were examined to determine within-couple concordance in completion of two tasks (family decisions and medical forms). The majority of couples were concordant regarding who makes family decisions (69.7%) and who completes medical forms (64.4%); 62% agreed they make family decisions collaboratively versus 25.5% completing medical forms collaboratively. Concordance was significantly associated with greater marital support and longer marital duration. Concordance was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms 2 years later, but the link between concordance in making major family decisions and self-rated health differed by age and gender. Future research at the intersection of concordance and collaboration may shed important light on how older couples navigate tasks and decisions.N
Fast inference for quantile regression with tens of millions of observations
No full textBig data analytics has opened new avenues in economic research, but the challenge of analyzing datasets with tens of millions of observations is substantial. Conventional econometric methods based on extreme estimators require large amounts of computing resources and memory, which are often not readily available. In this paper, we focus on linear quantile regression applied to ultra-large datasets, such as U.S. decennial censuses. A fast inference framework is presented, utilizing stochastic subgradient descent (S-subGD) updates. The inference procedure handles cross-sectional data sequentially: (i) updating the parameter estimate with each incoming new observation, (ii) aggregating it as a Polyak–Ruppert average, and (iii) computing a pivotal statistic for inference using only a solution path. The methodology draws from time-series regression to create an asymptotically pivotal statistic through random scaling. Our proposed test statistic is calculated in a fully online fashion and critical values are calculated without resampling. We conduct extensive numerical studies to showcase the computational merits of our proposed inference. For inference problems as large as (n,d)∼(107,103), where n is the sample size and d is the number of regressors, our method generates new insights, surpassing current inference methods in computation. Our method specifically reveals trends in the gender gap in the U.S. college wage premium using millions of observations, while controlling over 103 covariates to mitigate confounding effects.Y
Smart filtering facepiece respirator with self-adaptive fit and wireless humidity monitoring
No full textThe widespread emergence of airborne diseases has transformed our lifestyle, and respirators have become an essential part of daily life. Nevertheless, finding respirators that fit well can be challenging due to the variety of human facial sizes and shapes, potentially compromising protection. In addition, the current respirators do not inform the user of the air quality in case of continuous long-term use. Here, we introduce a smart filtering facepiece respirator incorporating a humidity sensor and pressure sensory feedback for self-fit adjusting and maintaining an adequate fit. The humidity detection sensor uses laser-induced graphene, and the pressure sensor array based on the dielectric elastomeric sponge monitors the respirator contact on the user's face, providing real-time closed-loop feedback and the wearer's fitting status. Those membrane sensors show outstanding performance, such as a low humidity hysteresis of 0.131 % and a precise pressure detection limit of 0.23 +/- 0.02 kPa. As a result of the self-fit adjusting mode, the overall fit factor is increased by 10 % on average compared to the commercial respirator. This significant improvement in fit factor, coupled with the innovative design, has the potential to develop next-generation facepiece respirators as essential personal protective equipment.N
Clinical evaluation of the accuracy of two face scanners with different scanning technologies
No full textObjectives: This study compared the clinical accuracy of two different stationary face scanners, employing progressive capture and multi-view simultaneous capture scanning technologies. Methods: Forty dentate volunteers participated in the study. Soft tissue landmarks were marked with a pen on the participants' faces to measure the distances between them. Clinical measurements were manually obtained using a digital vernier caliper by two independent examiners. The participants were then scanned using one of two stationary face scanners: Obiscanner (Fifthingenium), which employs progressive capture technology requiring the subject's head to rotate during image acquisition, or RAYFace (RAY), which utilizes multiple cameras to simultaneously capture a complete 3D image. The scans were imported into mesh-processing software, and digital measurements were taken by the same examiners. Data analysis included pairwise comparison tests and the calculation of the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC; α = 0.05). Results: Digital measurements were significantly longer than clinical measurements across all measured distances (p < 0.001). Comparisons between the scanners revealed that vertical measurements using RAYface exhibited greater percentage differences compared to those using Obiscanner (p < 0.05), while horizontal measurements were more variable with Obiscanner than those obtained using RAYface (p < 0.05). Intra-examiner differences were significant for both methods (p < 0.001), although inter-examiner differences were only significant for clinical measurements (p < 0.001), not for digital measurements (p > 0.05). Inter-examiner reliability for digital measurements was high (ICC≥0.99). Conclusions: Significant differences were observed in the accuracy of the two stationary face scanners using progressive capture and multi-view simultaneous capture scanning technologies, with each device demonstrating specific strengths and limitations. Clinical Significance: Although face scanners offer relatively high accuracy and consistency, particularly across different acquisition technologies, careful consideration of their performance characteristics is essential for optimizing accuracy in facial measurements.N
Autophagy-dependent splicing control directs translation toward inflammation during senescence
No full textThe cellular proteome determines the functional state of cells and is often skewed to direct pathological conditions. Autophagy shapes cellular proteomes primarily through lysosomal degradation of either damaged or unnecessary proteins. Here, we show that autophagy directs the senescence-specific translatome to fuel inflammation by coupling selective protein degradation with alternative splicing. RNA splicing is significantly altered during senescence, some of which surprisingly depend on autophagy, including exon 5 skipping of the translation regulator EIF4H. Systematic translatome profiling indicates that this event is key to the translational bias toward inflammation in senescence. Autophagy promotes these changes by selectively degrading the splicing regulator splicing factor proline and glutamine rich (SFPQ) via the autophagy receptor NBR1. These autophagy-centric inflammatory controls appear to be conserved during human tissue aging and cancer. Our work highlights the role of autophagy in the on-demand functional remodeling of cellular proteomes as well as the crosstalk between autophagy, alternative splicing, and inflammatory translation.N