Inductive Effect of Lewis Acidic Dopants on the Band Levels of Perovskite for a Photocatalytic Reaction.

Band-edge modulation of halide perovskites as photoabsorbers plays significant roles in the application of photovoltaic and photochemical systems. Here, Lewis acidity of dopants (M) as the new descriptor of engineering the band-edge position of the perovskite is investigated in the gradiently doped perovskite along the core-to-surface (CsPbBr-CsPbMBr). Reducing M-bromide bond strength with an increase in hardness of acidic M increases the electron ability of basic Br, thus strengthening the Pb-Br orbital coupling in M-Pb-Br, noted as the inductive effect of dopants.

Oxide Passivation of Halide Perovskite Resistive Memory Device: A Strategy for Overcoming Endurance Problem.

Owing to a low operation voltage, high on/off ratio, and tunable band gap, halide perovskites (HPs) are being conceived as an alternative to oxide or chalcogenide materials in resistive-switching (RS) memory devices. However, the HP-based RS memory devices face problems such as short endurance, low retention, and device stability. Herein, the oxide-passivated HP devices were fabricated by hybridizing the oxide sol-gel and halide adduct methods.

Usefulness of Relative Handgrip Strength as a Simple Indicator of Cardiovascular Risk in Middle-Aged Koreans.

Background: Reduced muscular strength, measured by handgrip strength, has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. However, the prognostic significance of handgrip strength has been less well-studied in the middle-aged Korean population. This study determined whether handgrip strength predicted 10-year CVD risk in this population and whether there is a sex-specific difference.

Influence of Comorbidities on Short-Term Functional Outcomes After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of comorbidities on physical function and quality of life of patients at 3 mos after total knee arthroplasty.

Design: Data from 140 patients who underwent a primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty were examined retrospectively. Comorbidities were osteoporosis, presarcopenia, degenerative spine disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Mass spectrometry-based serum proteomic signature as a potential biomarker for survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy.

Background: VeriStrat test is a serum assay which uses a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic signature derived from machine learning. It is currently used as a prognostic marker for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving chemotherapy. However, little is known about its role for NSCLC patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Physical Performance Correlates with Self-Reported Physical Function and Quality of Life in Patients at 3 Months after Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Although total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, assessment of postoperative outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to identify postoperative physical performance factors that are correlated with self-reported physical function and quality of life (QoL) at 3 months after unilateral TKA.

Methods: In total, 158 patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA completed performance-based physical function tests at 3 months after surgery, including Stair Climbing Tests (SCT), 6-Minute Walk Tests (6MWT), Timed Up and Go tests (TUG), and instrumental gait analysis.

Measurement of Quantum Yields of Monolayer TMDs Using Dye-Dispersed PMMA Thin Films.

In general, the quantum yields (QYs) of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (1L-TMDs) are low, typically less than 1% in their pristine state, significantly limiting their photonic applications. Many methods have been reported to increase the QYs of 1L-TMDs; however, the technical difficulties involved in the reliable estimation of these QYs have prevented the general assessment of these methods. Herein, we demonstrate the estimation of the QYs of 1L-TMDs using a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) thin film embedded with rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a reference specimen for measuring the QYs of 1L-TMDs.

Highly Efficient Photo-Induced Charge Separation Enabled by Metal-Chalcogenide Interfaces in Quantum-Dot/Metal-Oxide Hybrid Phototransistors.

Quantum dot (QD)-based optoelectronics have received great interest for versatile applications because of their excellent photosensitivity, facile solution processability, and the wide range of band gap tunability. In addition, QD-based hybrid devices, which are combined with various high-mobility semiconductors, have been actively researched to enhance the optoelectronic characteristics and maximize the zero-dimensional structural advantages, such as tunable band gap and high light absorption. However, the difficulty of highly efficient charge transfer between QDs and the semiconductors and the lack of systematic analysis for the interfaces have impeded the fidelity of this platform, resulting in complex device architectures and unsatisfactory device performance.

Tailored 2D/3D Halide Perovskite Heterointerface for Substantially Enhanced Endurance in Conducting Bridge Resistive Switching Memory.

Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites (HPs) have garnered significant attention for use in resistive switching (RS) memory devices due to their low cost, low operation voltage, high on/off ratio, and excellent mechanical properties. However, the HP-based RS memory devices continue to face several challenges owing to the short endurance and stability of the HP film. Herein, two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) perovskite heterojunction films were prepared via a low-temperature all-solution process and their RS behavior was investigated for the first time.

Functional Outcomes After Critical Pathway for Inpatient Rehabilitation of Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objective: To investigate functional outcomes after the application of a critical pathway for inpatient rehabilitation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: A total of 184 patients (57 males and 127 females; average age, 71.5±5.

Rehabilitation of neuromyelitis optica: Two CARE-compliant case reports.

Rationale: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic syndrome, is a central nervous system demyelinating disease consisting of optic neuritis and myelitis. Several studies have reported the effects of rehabilitation programs and specific exercises on outcomes in individuals with multiple sclerosis, but few have considered individuals with NMO. We present 2 cases of paraplegia due to NMO with rehabilitation outcome.

Bilateral Quadriceps Muscle Strength and Pain Correlate With Gait Speed and Gait Endurance Early After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between objective performance-based physical function, self-reported physical function, quality of life, and gait function at 1 mo after unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Design: Cross-sectional data from 195 patients who underwent unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty were analyzed. The isometric knee extensor and flexor strength of both knees, gait parameters, 6-min walk test, timed up-and-go test, timed stair-climbing test, knee flexion and extension range of motion of surgical knee, Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain, stiffness, and functional levels, EuroQol five-dimensions questionnaire, and visual analog scale for knee pain were assessed.

Comorbidities in Patients With End-Stage Knee OA: Prevalence and Effect on Physical Function.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and their effect on physical function, quality of life (QOL), and pain, in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: A rehabilitation facility at university hospital.

Antisolvent with an Ultrawide Processing Window for the One-Step Fabrication of Efficient and Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells.

Photovoltaic technologies based on perovskite absorber materials have led this optoelectronic field into a brand-new horizon. However, the present antisolvents used in the one-step spin-coating method always encounter problems with the very narrow process window. Herein, anisole is introduced into the one-step spin-coating method, and the technology is developed to fabricate perovskite thin films with ultrawide processing window with a dimethylformamide (DMF):dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ratio varying from 6:4 to 9:1 in the precursor solution, anisole dripping time ranging from 5 to 25 s, and an antisolvent volume varying from 0.

LuxR homologue SmcR is essential for Vibrio vulnificus pathogenesis and biofilm detachment, and its expression is induced by host cells.

Quorum sensing is a cell-to-cell communication system known to control many bacterial processes. In the present study, the functions of quorum sensing in the pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus, a food-borne pathogen, were assessed by evaluating the virulence of a mutant deficient in SmcR, a quorum-sensing regulator and homologue of LuxR. When biofilms were used as an inoculum, the smcR mutant was impaired in virulence and colonization capacity in the infection of mice.

Vibrio vulnificus AphB is involved in interleukin-8 production via an NF-κB-dependent pathway in human intestinal epithelial cells.

We previously reported that the aphB gene mutant of Vibrio vulnificus had significantly impaired motility and adherence to host cells. In this study, we investigated the role of V. vulnificus AphB on the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a proinflammatory cytokine, as well as its underlying mechanism in human intestinal epithelial INT-407 cells.