Nanostructure Engineering by Oblique Angle Deposition for Photodetectors and Other Applications.

Oblique angle deposition (OAD) holds significant potential for diverse applications, including energy harvesting devices, optoelectronic sensors, and electronic devices, owing to the creation of unique nanostructures. These nanostructures are characterized by their porosity and nanoscale columns, which can exist in numerous forms depending on deposition conditions. As a result, the engineering of nanostructures using OAD achieves the successful modulation of optical properties such as absorption, reflection, and transmission.

Snapshot angle-resolved channeled spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry for thin-film characterization.

We present an angle-resolved channeled spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry (ACSE) system operating in a near-normal-incidence configuration with a line-scan spectrometer. The hardware covers the visible spectral range from 480 to 680 nm and provides incidence angles from 0° to 60°. By analyzing the spectral interference envelope, we accurately separate and extract the low-frequency (DC) and high-frequency (AC) components of the interferometric signal, corresponding to the baseline intensity and modulation, respectively.

Ability of Head Impact Measurements to Predict Sports Concussions: A Review.

Background And Objectives: Provide a review of the current landscape of motion sensor-based analyses of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) and shed light on avenues for further investigation.

Methods: A review of the literature on motion sensor-based concussion studies was conducted using search terms "concussion prediction sensor," "concussion prediction motion," "concussion diagnosis sensor," and "concussion diagnosis motion" in PubMed (between January 2000 and March 2024). In total, 207 publications were initially identified.

Genetic variations and recurrence in stage III Korean colorectal cancer: Insights from tumor-only mutation analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has the second highest incidence rate among all cancers in Korea, with approximately 30% of patients with regional CRC experiencing recurrence. Understanding the genetic drivers of recurrence is essential for early detection and targeted treatment. Therefore, many studies have focused on genetic analysis using tumor-normal matched samples, as this approach provides more comprehensive insights.

Exploring methylation signatures for high de novo recurrence risk in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits high de novo recurrence rates post-resection. Current post-surgery recurrence prediction methods are limited, emphasizing the need for reliable biomarkers to assess recurrence risk. We aimed to develop methylation-based markers for classifying HCC patients and predicting their risk of de novo recurrence post-surgery.

- Transcriptional Cascade Suggests Activation Mechanism for -Dependent Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres During Malignant Transformation of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: Elongation of Telomeres and Poor Survival.

: In eukaryotes with a double-stranded linear DNA genome, the loss of terminal DNA during replication is inevitable due to an end-replication problem; here, telomeres serve as a buffer against DNA loss. Thus, the activation of the telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) is a prerequisite for malignant transformation. : We compared neurofibroma (NF, benign) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) occurring in the same patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis, where each NF-MPNST pair shared the same genetic background and differentiation lineage; this minimizes the genetic bias and contrasts only those changes that are related to malignant transformation.

Rolling the Dice with Light Competition: Introducing a True Random Number Generator Powered by Photo-Induced Polarity Current.

The pursuit of hardware-based security solutions has highlighted the true random number generator (TRNG). Various physical phenomena, from noise generation to quantum physics complexities, have been explored for random number generation. The arc discharge light-induced TRNG (ALTRNG) is introduced, featuring wavelength-dependent photocurrent generation and arc discharge irradiation.

Integration of Functional Materials in Photonic and Optoelectronic Technologies for Advanced Medical Diagnostics.

Integrating functional materials with photonic and optoelectronic technologies has revolutionized medical diagnostics, enhancing imaging and sensing capabilities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent innovations in functional materials, such as quantum dots, perovskites, plasmonic nanomaterials, and organic semiconductors, which have been instrumental in the development of diagnostic devices characterized by high sensitivity, specificity, and resolution. Their unique optical properties enable real-time monitoring of biological processes, advancing early disease detection and personalized treatment.

Noncanonical role of Golgi-associated macrophage TAZ in chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis.

Until now, Hippo pathway-mediated nucleocytoplasmic translocation has been considered the primary mechanism by which yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) transcriptional coactivators regulate cell proliferation and differentiation via transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD)-mediated target gene expression. In this study, however, we found that TAZ, but not YAP, is associated with the Golgi apparatus in macrophages activated via Toll-like receptor ligands during the resolution phase of inflammation. Golgi-associated TAZ enhanced vesicle trafficking and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in M1 macrophage independent of the Hippo pathway.

An evolutionarily conserved cation channel tunes the sensitivity of gustatory neurons to ephaptic inhibition in .

In ephaptic coupling, physically adjacent neurons influence one another's activity via the electric fields they generate. To date, the molecular mechanisms that mediate and modulate ephaptic coupling's effects remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel lateralizes the potentially mutual ephaptic inhibition between gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs).

A Real-Time Wearable Electromyography Measurement System for Small Animals.

The intramuscular electromyography (EMG) measurement method for experimental animals has been implemented in various ways. Among these methods, tethering cables to external measurement devices can restrict the movement of experimental animals, while implantable devices may cause unwanted side effects due to the constant presence of a device with considerable size and weight. To address these issues, we propose a low-cost, wireless, detachable EMG measurement system and experimental procedure.

TGF-β superfamily-induced transcriptional activation pathways establish the RAD52-dependent ALT machinery during malignant transformation of MPNSTs.

To study telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) activation during malignant transformation, we compared neurofibroma (NF) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) in the same patient with type-1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), a total of 20 NF-MPNST pairs in 20 NF1 patients. These comparisons minimized genetic bias and contrasted only changes associated with malignant transformation, while subtracting changes that developed upon the transformation of normal cells to the benign tumor. TGF-β superfamily genes were found to activate the PAX and SOX transcription factors, leading to TMM activation.

Metal Organic Frameworks Based Wearable and Point-of-Care Electrochemical Sensors for Healthcare Monitoring.

The modern healthcare system strives to provide patients with more comfortable and less invasive experiences, focusing on noninvasive and painless diagnostic and treatment methods. A key priority is the early diagnosis of life-threatening diseases, which can significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling treatment at earlier stages. While most patients must undergo diagnostic procedures before beginning treatment, many existing methods are invasive, time-consuming, and inconvenient.

A Neuropeptide Signaling Network That Regulates Developmental Timing and Systemic Growth in Drosophila.

Animals sense chemical cues such as nutritious and noxious stimuli through the chemosensory system and adapt their behavior, physiology, and developmental schedule to the environment. In the Drosophila central nervous system, chemosensory interneurons that produce neuropeptides called Hugin (Hug) peptides receive signals from gustatory receptor neurons and regulate feeding behavior. Because Hug neurons project their axons to the higher brain region within the protocerebrum where dendrites of multiple neurons producing developmentally important neuropeptides are extended, it has been postulated that Hug neurons regulate development through the neuroendocrine system.

A sexually transmitted sugar orchestrates reproductive responses to nutritional stress.

Seminal fluid is rich in sugars, but their role beyond supporting sperm motility is unknown. In this study, we found Drosophila melanogaster males transfer a substantial amount of a phospho-galactoside to females during mating, but only half as much when undernourished. This seminal substance, which we named venerose, induces an increase in germline stem cells (GSCs) and promotes sperm storage in females, especially undernourished ones.

Enzymeless detection and real-time analysis of intracellular hydrogen peroxide released from cancer cells using gold nanoparticles embedded bimetallic metal organic framework.

Abnormal cell growth and proliferation can lead to tumor formation and cancer, one of the most fatal diseases worldwide. Hydrogen peroxide (HO) has emerged as a cancer biomarker, with its concentration being crucial for distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells. Herein, a cost-effective and enzymeless electrochemical sensing system for the monitoring of intracellular HO has been constructed.

Male cuticular pheromones stimulate removal of the mating plug and promote re-mating through pC1 neurons in females.

In birds and insects, the female uptakes sperm for a specific duration post-copulation known as the ejaculate holding period (EHP) before expelling unused sperm and the mating plug through sperm ejection. In this study, we found that females shortens the EHP when incubated with males or mated females shortly after the first mating. This phenomenon, which we termed ale-nduced HP hortening (MIES), requires Or47b+ olfactory and ppk23+ gustatory neurons, activated by 2-methyltetracosane and 7-tricosene, respectively.

Ultrasonic nanotechnology for the effective management of skin infections: an update.

Ultrasonic nanotechnology represents a groundbreaking advancement in the management of skin infections, addressing the significant limitations of conventional treatments. poses substantial challenges, including antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation, necessitating novel and effective approaches. By harnessing the power of ultrasonic waves and nanostructures, this technology offers a precise mechanism to disrupt bacterial cells, enhancing antibiotic susceptibility and facilitating the eradication of bacterial colonies.

Molecular and cellular basis of sodium sensing in labellum.

Appropriate ingestion of salt is essential for physiological processes such as ionic homeostasis and neuronal activity. Generally, low concentrations of salt elicit attraction, while high concentrations elicit aversive responses. Here, we observed that sugar neurons in the L sensilla of the labellum cf.

Multi-omics analysis sandbox toolkit for swift derivations of clinically relevant genesets and biomarkers.

The utilization of multi-omics research has gained popularity in clinical investigations. However, effectively managing and merging extensive and diverse datasets presents a challenge due to its intricacy. This research introduces a Multi-Omics Analysis Sandbox Toolkit, an online platform designed to facilitate the exploration, integration, and visualization of datasets ranging from single-omics to multi-omics.

Molecular and cellular organization of odorant binding protein genes in .

Chemosensation is important for the survival and reproduction of animals. The odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to be involved in chemosensation together with chemosensory receptors. While OBPs were initially considered to deliver hydrophobic odorants to olfactory receptors in the aqueous lymph solution, recent studies suggest more complex roles in various organs.

Postprandial sodium sensing by enteric neurons in Drosophila.

Sodium is essential for all living organisms. Animals including insects and mammals detect sodium primarily through peripheral taste cells. It is not known, however, whether animals can detect this essential micronutrient independently of the taste system.

Long-term neuropeptide modulation of female sexual drive via the TRP channel in .

Connectomics research has made it more feasible to explore how neural circuits can generate multiple outputs. Female sexual drive provides a good model for understanding reversible, long-term functional changes in motivational circuits. After emerging, female flies avoid male courtship, but they become sexually receptive over 2 d.