Implementation of a Faith Community Nursing Transition of Care Program in the USA: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Faith community nursing (FCN) is a specialty nursing practice that integrates spiritual and religious practices into patient care. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the impact of the standardized FCN transition of care (TOC) program on the rate of hospital readmission and length of stay (LOS) through propensity score matching and difference-in-differences methods. Compared with those in the non-FCN group (n = 409), patients in the FCN group (n = 66) had a reduced likelihood of hospital readmission at 30, 90, and 180 days after discharge (by 8.

Self-Assembled Monolayer-Functionalized NiO Hole Injection layer for Improved Charge Injection in Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes.

The development of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) represents a promising advancement in next-generation display technology. However, there are challenges, especially in achieving efficient hole injection, maintaining charge balance, and replacing low-stability organic materials such as PEDOT:PSS. To address these issues, in this study, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were employed to modify the surface properties of NiO, a hole injection material, within the structure of ITO/HIL/TFB/QDs/ZnMgO/Al QLEDs.

Tetraoctylammonium Bromide Interlayer between NiLiO and Perovskite for Light-Emitting Diodes.

Physical vapor deposition is a favorable technique for fabricating light-emitting diodes (LEDs) due to its scalability and reproducibility. However, the performances of LEDs fabricated via this method are worse than those prepared via solution processing owing to the generation of high defect densities. In this study, we introduce a layer of tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOABr), an interfacial-modification compound containing four long octyl chains that are symmetrically arranged around an N atom, to reduce nonradiative recombination and trap densities in CsPbBr.

Automated Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Diagnosis via Artificial Intelligence-Based 3D T1 MRI Volumetric Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is reversible dementia that is underdiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to develop an automated diagnostic method for iNPH using artificial intelligence techniques with a T1-weighted MRI scan.

Materials And Methods: We quantified iNPH, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, and healthy controls on T1-weighted 3D brain MRI scans using 452 scans for training and 110 scans for testing.

Quality-diversity based semi-autonomous teleoperation using reinforcement learning.

Recent successes in robot learning have significantly enhanced autonomous systems across a wide range of tasks. However, they are prone to generate similar or the same solutions, limiting the controllability of the robot to behave according to user intentions. These limited robot behaviors may lead to collisions and potential harm to humans.

A Challenge for Emphysema Quantification Using a Deep Learning Algorithm With Low-dose Chest Computed Tomography.

Purpose: We aimed to identify clinically relevant deep learning algorithms for emphysema quantification using low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) through an invitation-based competition.

Materials And Methods: The Korean Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (KSIIM) organized a challenge for emphysema quantification between November 24, 2020 and January 26, 2021. Seven invited research teams participated in this challenge.

Nanoparticle delivery of recombinant IL-2 (BALLkine-2) achieves durable tumor control with less systemic adverse effects in cancer immunotherapy.

Recent strategies in cancer immunotherapy based on interleukin-2 (IL-2) are generally focused on reducing regulatory T cell (Treg) development by modifying IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Rα) domain. However, the clinical utility of high-dose IL-2 treatment is mainly limited by severe systemic toxicity. We find that peritumorally injectable 'BALLkine-2', recombinant human IL-2 (rIL-2) loaded porous nanoparticle, dramatically reduces systemic side effects of rIL-2 by minimizing systemic IL-2 exposure.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Maternal Blood: A Clue to Suspect Amnionitis.

There is no information about whether maternal neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) progressively increase with respect to the progression of acute histologic chorioamnionitis (acute-HCA) and increased maternal NLR is a risk factor for amnionitis, known as advanced acute-HCA, in pregnant women at risk for spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). The objective of the current study is to examine this issue. The study population included 132 singleton PTB (<34 weeks) due to either preterm labor or preterm-PROM with both placental pathology and maternal CBC results within 48 h before delivery.

Surface Activity-Tuned Metal Oxide Chemiresistor: Toward Direct and Quantitative Halitosis Diagnosis.

Continuous monitoring of hydrogen sulfide (HS) in human breath for early stage diagnosis of halitosis is of great significance for prevention of dental diseases. However, fabrication of a highly selective and sensitive HS gas sensor material still remains a challenge, and direct analysis of real breath samples has not been properly attempted, to the best of our knowledge. To address the issue, herein, we introduce facile cofunctionalization of WO nanofibers with alkaline metal (Na) and noble metal (Pt) catalysts the simple addition of sodium chloride (NaCl) and Pt nanoparticles (NPs), followed by electrospinning process.

Growth and NO-Sensing Properties of Biaxial p-SnO/n-ZnO Heterostructured Nanowires.

Biaxial p-SnO/n-ZnO heterostructured nanowires (average length of 10 μm) were grown onto a glass substrate by thermal evaporation in vacuum. These nanowires had spherical ball tips, and the size of the SnO part increased gradually from the top to the bottom of the nanowire, but the corresponding size of ZnO varied slightly. The Sn-Zn alloy formed in the tips resulted in determined as the catalyst of the growth of the ZnO nanowires.

Hypoglycemic effect of whole grain diet in C57BL/KsJ- mice by activating PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways.

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by abnormal blood glucose level, is a metabolic disease caused by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Previous studies have reported that whole grain intake alleviated various metabolic syndromes. Here, the hypoglycemic effect of whole grain diet (WGD) on type II diabetes was investigated in C57BL/KsJ- mice.

Stretchable Supercapacitors Based on Carbon Nanotubes-Deposited Rubber Polymer Nanofibers Electrodes with High Tolerance against Strain.

We report a new fabrication method for a fully stretchable supercapacitor based on single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-coated electrospun rubber nanofibers as stretchable supercapacitor electrodes. The deposition conditions of SWCNT on hydrophobic rubber nanofibers are experimentally optimized to induce a uniform coating of SWCNT. For surfactant-assisted coating of SWCNT, both water contact angle and sheet resistance were lower compared to the cases with other surface treatment methods, indicating a more effective coating approach.

Enhanced Moisture-Reactive Hydrophilic-PTFE-Based Flexible Humidity Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring.

Flexible sensors connected to cell phones are a promising technology that can aid in continuously monitoring signals in our daily lives, such as an individual's health status and information from buildings, farms, and industry. Among such signals, real-time humidity monitoring is crucial to a comfortable life, as human bodies, plants, and industrial environments require appropriate humidity to be maintained. We propose a hydrophilic polytetrafluoroethylene (H-PTFE)-based flexible humidity sensor integrated with readout circuitry, wireless communication, and a mobile battery.

Label-Free and Recalibrated Multilayer MoS Biosensor for Point-of-Care Diagnostics.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensors have attracted significant attention as promising candidates for highly sensitive, label-free biomolecule detection devices. In this paper, toward practical applications of biosensors, we demonstrate reliable and quantitative detection of a prostate cancer biomarker using the MoS FET biosensor in a nonaqueous environment by reducing nonspecific molecular binding events and realizing uniform chemisorption of anti-PSA onto the MoS surface. A systematic and statistical study on the capability of the proposed device is presented, and the biological binding events are directly confirmed and characterized through intensive structural and electrical analysis.

Evaluation of a Behavioral Intervention With Multiple Components Among Low-Income and Uninsured Adults With Obesity and Diabetes.

Purpose: To examine the effects of a community-based behavioral intervention with multiple components on health outcomes among low-income and uninsured adults who were obese and had diabetes and treated in a "real-world" setting.

Design: A longitudinal design with a retrospective comparison group was used to examine the ability of a health promotion program to improve body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among 87 treatment group and 62 comparison group participants.

Setting: Urban/metropolitan city in the United States.

Broadband pH-Sensing Organic Transistors with Polymeric Sensing Layers Featuring Liquid Crystal Microdomains Encapsulated by Di-Block Copolymer Chains.

We report broadband pH-sensing organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) sensing layers. The PDLC layers are prepared by spin-coating using ethanol solutions containing 4-cyano-4'-pentyl-biphenyl (5CB) and a diblock copolymer (PAA-b-PCBOA) that consists of LC-philic block [poly(4-cyano-biphenyl-4-oxyundecyl acrylate) (PCBOA)] and acrylic acid block [poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)]. The spin-coated sensing layers feature of 5CB microdomains (<5 μm) encapsulated by the PAA-b-PCBOA polymer chains.

Mixed Electronic and Ionic Conductor-Coated Cathode Material for High-Voltage Lithium Ion Battery.

A lithium ionic conductor, Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.

Effects of temperature, target/substrate distance, and background pressure on growth of ZnO nanorods by pulsed laser deposition.

The growth of ZnO nanorods on the c-plane of Al2O3 substrates by PLD was been investigated by controlling processing conditions such as growth temperature, distance between target and substrate, and background oxygen pressure. ZnO nanorods were observed from the growth temperature of 600 degrees C for the oxygen pressure of 30 mTorr and the target/substrate distance of 70 mm. The diameters of the ZnO nanorods at the temperature of 700 degrees C and the oxygen pressure of 30 mTorr were approximately 200, 70, and 40 nm for the distance of 45, 70, and 100 mm, respectively.

Transmission electron microscopy study of 3.2 YSZ single crystals manufactured by the skull melting method.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were performed to examine the spontaneously ordered structure in single crystals of 3.2 mole% of Y2O3 added ZrO2 (3.2 YSZ) manufactured by the Skull melting method.

Two-dimensional layered MoS₂ biosensors enable highly sensitive detection of biomolecules.

We present a MoS2 biosensor to electrically detect prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a highly sensitive and label-free manner. Unlike previous MoS2-FET-based biosensors, the device configuration of our biosensors does not require a dielectric layer such as HfO2 due to the hydrophobicity of MoS2. Such an oxide-free operation improves sensitivity and simplifies sensor design.

Folate ligand anchored liquid crystal microdroplets emulsion for in vitro detection of KB cancer cells.

A KB cancer cell-selective, liquid crystal microdroplets emulsion is prepared using folic acid-conjugated block copolymers (PS-b-PAA-FA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a mediator to induce configurational transitions in 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) liquid crystal microdroplets emulsion. The prepared liquid crystal microdroplets emulsion has shown a configurational transition from radial to bipolar on interacting with KB cancer cells, but no transition from radial to bipolar configuration is observed when liquid crystal microdroplets emulsion was allowed to interact with other normal cells such as fibroblast and osteoblast. The KB cancer cell selectivity of liquid crystal microdroplets emulsion has been considered due to the presence of KB cancer cell folate receptor-specific ligand (FA) at the surface of liquid crystal microdroplets, which allowed liquid crystal microdroplets to interact specifically with KB cancer cells.

Pattern difference of dissociated hand muscle atrophy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and variants.

Introduction: Split hand is considered to be a specific feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: We evaluated the pattern difference of intrinsic hand muscles of upper limb-onset ALS (UL-ALS), upper limb-onset progressive muscular atrophy (UL-PMA), brachial amyotrophic diplegia (BAD), and Hirayama disease (HD) by measuring objective electrophysiological markers.

Results: The abductor digiti minimi (ADM)/abductor pollicis brevis (APB) compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude ratio was significantly higher in UL-ALS than other variants, but a considerable proportion of UL-ALS cases had an amplitude ratio in the range of other variants.

A centrifugally actuated point-of-care testing system for the surface acoustic wave immunosensing of cardiac troponin I.

A fully automated point-of-care testing (POCT) system with a surface acoustic wave (SAW) immunosensor was developed for rapid and sensitive detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in body fluid (plasma and whole blood). The assay, based on gold nanoparticle sandwich immunoassay and subsequent gold staining, was performed on the SAW immunosensor packaged inside a disposable microfluidic cartridge. The entire fluidic process, including plasma separation, reagent transport, metering, and mixing, was carried out by controlling the centrifugal force acting on the rotating cartridge and laser-irradiated ferrowax microvalves.

Low temperature growth and optical properties of ZnO nanowires using an aqueous solution method.

ZnO nanowires were grown on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates at a low temperature of 90 degrees C using an aqueous solution method. The ZnO seeds were coated on the ITO thin films by using a spin coater. ZnO nanowires were formed in an aqueous solution containing zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2 x 6H2O) and hexamethylenetetramine (C6H12N4).

Sensitive and simultaneous detection of cardiac markers in human serum using surface acoustic wave immunosensor.

We present a rapid and sensitive surface acoustic wave (SAW) immunosensor that utilizes gold staining as a signal enhancement method. A sandwich immunoassay was performed on sensing area of the SAW sensor, which could specifically capture and detect cardiac markers (cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK)-MB, and myoglobin). The analytes in human serum were captured on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that were conjugated in advance with detection antibodies.