Machine learning approach for the estimation of missing precipitation data: a case study of South Korea.

Precipitation is one of the driving forces in water cycles, and it is vital for understanding the water cycle, such as surface runoff, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration. However, missing precipitation data at the observatory becomes an obstacle to improving the accuracy and efficiency of hydrological analysis. To address this issue, we developed a machine learning algorithm-based precipitation data recovery tool to detect and predict missing precipitation data at observatories. This study investigated 30 weather stations in South Korea, evaluating the applicability of machine learning algorithms (artificial neural network and random forest) for precipitation data recovery using environmental variables, such as air pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The proposed model showed a high performance in detecting the missing precipitation occurrence with an accuracy of 80%. In addition, the prediction results from the models showed predictive ability with a correlation coefficient ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 and R2 values of 0.53. Although both algorithms performed similarly in estimating precipitation, ANN performed slightly better. Based on the results of this study, we expect that the machine learning algorithms can contribute to improving hydrological modeling performance by recovering missing precipitation data at observation stations.

Analysis of Weather Factors on Aircraft Cancellation using a Multilayer Complex Network.

Airlines provide one of the most popular and important transportation services for passengers. While the importance of the airline industry is rising, flight cancellations are also increasing due to abnormal weather factors, such as rainfall and wind speed. Although previous studies on cancellations due to weather factors considered both aircraft and weather factors concurrently, the complex network studies only treated the aircraft factor with a single-layer network. Therefore, the aim of this study was to apply a multilayer complex network (MCN) method that incorporated three different factors, namely, aircraft, rainfall, and wind speed, to investigate aircraft cancellations at 14 airports in the Republic of Korea. The results showed that rainfall had a greater impact on aircraft cancellations compared with wind speed. To find out the most important node in the cancellation, we applied centrality analysis based on information entropy. According to the centrality analysis, Jeju Airport was identified as the most influential node since it has a high demand for aircraft. Also, we showed that characteristics and factors of aircraft cancellation should be appropriately defined by links in the MCN. Furthermore, we verified the applicability of the MCN method in the fields of aviation and meteorology. It is expected that the suggested methodology in this study can help to understand aircraft cancellation due to weather factors.

Enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio in fiber-optics based SERS detection by rough-cutting the end surface.

Fiber-optics based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (FO-SERS) has an unique advantage of being able to remotely detect analyte molecules because the fiber length can be adjusted as desired. However, the Raman signal of the fiber-optic material is so strong that it is an important challenge in utilization of optical fiber for remote SERS sensing. In this study, we found that the background noise signal was greatly reduced by ca. 32% compared to conventional fiber-optics with a flat surface cut. To confirm the feasibility of FO-SERS detection, silver nanoparticles labeled with 4-fluorobenzenethiol were attached onto the end surface of an optical fiber to form a SERS-signaling substrate. The SERS intensity from the fiber-optics with a roughened surface as SERS substrate was increased significantly with respect to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values compared to optical fibers with flat end surface. This result implies that the fiber-optics with roughened surface could be used as an efficient alternative for FO-SERS sensing platform.

Identification of a frit-related sample carryover in newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry.

The need for high-throughput analysis of multiple analytes for inborn errors of metabolism in newborn screening (NBS) has led to the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) into the NBS laboratory. In a flow-injection analysis (FIA), the predominant MS/MS method utilized for NBS, samples are introduced directly into the mass spectrometer without chromatographic separation. When a high-throughput FIA-based MS/MS method is implemented on newer generations of mass spectrometers with increased sensitivity, the risk of carryover and contamination increases. In the present study, we report the carryover of ornithine identified during the implementation of the NeoBase™ 2 (PerkinElmer) non-derivatized kits on the Xevo-TQD platform (Waters Corporation) and describe the source of the carryover, which was traced to the stainless-steel frit-type inline filter. Furthermore, a possible compound-dependent interaction with the stainless-steel frit is suggested based on the structure of ornithine and its effect on separation techniques. Investigation and mitigation of carryover can be a time and resource consuming process, and to this end, our report on identification of a stainless-steel frit as the source of delayed elution and carryover of ornithine should be recognized as a rare, albeit possible source of carryover in FIA-MS/MS methods adopted for NST.

A fatal case of pneumonia caused by Thermothelomycesthermophila.

Thermothelomyces thermophila (formerly Myceliophthora thermophila) is usually found in soil and specifically compost as an environmental dematiaceous fungus. Here, we report the first case of invasive pulmonary infection caused by T. thermophila in a pediatric patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. T. thermophila was serially cultured from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and sputum samples obtained from this patient with respiratory symptoms. The patient received antifungal treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (160 mg daily) and itraconazole (200 mg daily) combination therapy, but she died. By the antifungal susceptibility testing, low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were observed for itraconazole (MIC 0.06 µg/mL), voriconazole (MIC 0.12 µg/mL), and posaconazole (MIC 0.03 µg/mL) but high MIC was observed with amphotericin B (MIC 4.0 µg/mL). Since T. thermophila is usually found in the environment, it can be considered as a contaminant and may cause difficulties in diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the potential of pathogen through repeated culture and to conduct an antifungal susceptibility testing to find a suitable antifungal agent.

Effects of Maitland Thoracic Joint Mobilization and Lumbar Stabilization Exercise on Diaphragm Thickness and Respiratory Function in Patients with a History of COVID-19.

Objective: We investigated the effects of maitland thoracic joint mobilization and lumbar stabilization exercise on diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19. Methods: Thirty patients who had passed one month after COVID-19 onset were randomly divided into maitland thoracic mobilization and lumbar stabilization and combined breathing exercise groups; each group performed thoracic mobilization and lumbar stabilization exercises and combined breathing exercise and ergometer exercises, respectively, for 50 min, three times a week, for eight weeks. We used the MYSONO U5 MicroQuark to evaluate diaphragm thickness and respiratory function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the one second, peak expiratory flow), respectively. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in general patient characteristics and change in diaphragm thickness and respiratory function. Both groups showed significant improvement within each parameter. However, the maitland thoracic mobilization and lumbar stabilization group showed more significant improvements than did the combined breathing exercise group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed the maitland thoracic joint mobilization and lumbar stabilization exercise on the diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19.

Smart soft contact lenses for continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure in glaucoma care.

Continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure, particularly during sleep, remains a grand challenge in glaucoma care. Here we introduce a class of smart soft contact lenses, enabling the continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure, even during sleep. Uniquely, the smart soft contact lenses are built upon various commercial brands of soft contact lenses without altering their intrinsic properties such as lens power, biocompatibility, softness, transparency, wettability, oxygen transmissibility, and overnight wearability. We show that the smart soft contact lenses can seamlessly fit across different corneal curvatures and thicknesses in human eyes and therefore accurately measure absolute intraocular pressure under ambulatory conditions. We perform a comprehensive set of in vivo evaluations in rabbit, dog, and human eyes from normal to hypertension to confirm the superior measurement accuracy, within-subject repeatability, and user comfort of the smart soft contact lenses beyond current wearable ocular tonometers. We envision that the smart soft contact lenses will be effective in glaucoma care.

New Opportunities for Organic Semiconducting Polymers in Biomedical Applications.

The life expectancy of humans has been significantly elevated due to advancements in medical knowledge and skills over the past few decades. Although a lot of knowledge and skills are disseminated to the general public, electronic devices that quantitatively diagnose one's own body condition still require specialized semiconductor devices which are huge and not portable. In this regard, semiconductor materials that are lightweight and have low power consumption and high performance should be developed with low cost for mass production. Organic semiconductors are one of the promising materials in biomedical applications due to their functionalities, solution-processability and excellent mechanical properties in terms of flexibility. In this review, we discuss organic semiconductor materials that are widely utilized in biomedical devices. Some advantageous and unique properties of organic semiconductors compared to inorganic semiconductors are reviewed. By critically assessing the fabrication process and device structures in organic-based biomedical devices, the potential merits and future aspects of the organic biomedical devices are pinpointed compared to inorganic devices.

The influence of Gait Training Combined with Portable Functional Electrical Stimulation on motor function, balance and gait ability in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Problems with motor functions, balance and gait ability commonly occur in stroke patients and cause asymmetric posture imbalance and gait patterns. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of gait training (GT) combined with portable functional electrical stimulation (FES) on motor functions, balance and gait ability of stroke patients. METHODS: A single blind, randomized control trial was conducted with 34 post stroke patients who were randomly allocated to two groups: 1) FES + GT group (n= 17) and the placebo FES + GT (PLBO + GT) group (n= 17). All interventions were given for 30 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used to measure motor function of lower extremity. Performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA) was used to balance and gait ability. OptoGait was used to analyze gait ability. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in motor function, balance and gait ability. The FES + GT group showed significantly greater improvement in motor function, balance and gait abilities after four weeks compared to the PLBO + GT group. CONCLUSION: It was found that the gait training applied with FES is effective in improving the motor function, balance and gait abilities of stroke patients.

Effects of ankle joint proprioceptive training and thermal approach on stroke patients' trunk, balance stability and gait parameter.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have investigated factors for trunk, balance stability and gait parameters of post-stroke patients. Evidence-based recommendations are required for the treatment of ankle proprioceptive exercise with thermal stimulation in post-stroke patients. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of ankle proprioceptive exercise with thermal stimulation on the trunk stability, balance, and gait ability of post-stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 30 patients were randomly divided into the ankle proprioceptive training and thermal stimulation group (APT) and control group. The APT group performed ankle proprioceptive exercises with thermal stimulation for 60 min five times a week for eight weeks. The control group followed conservative treatment for 60 min five times a week for eight weeks. Trunk stability was measured with the trunk impairment scale (TIS) and balance tests were performed with the center of pressure (COP), limits of stability (LOS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and functional reach test (FRT) and gait ability was performed by OptoGait and 10 m WT. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p< 0.05) between before and after training in both groups. The APT group showed significant improvement in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study can be used as intervention data for recovering trunk, balance stability and gait parameters in post-stroke patients.

Effects of Task-Specific Training after Cognitive Sensorimotor Exercise on Proprioception, Spasticity, and Gait Speed in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background and objectives: Common problems in stroke patients include loss of proprioception, spasticity, and impaired gait. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of task-specific training (TST) combined with cognitive sensorimotor exercise (CSE) on proprioception, spasticity and gait speed in stroke patients. Materials andMethods: Thirty-seven subjects were randomly divided into three groups; (1) the TST after CSE group (Experimental I, n = 13); (2) the TST group (Experimental II, n = 12), and (3) a conventional physical therapy training group (control group, n = 12). Evaluations were performed before the commencement of training and again eight weeks after training was initiated. An electrogoniometer was used to evaluate proprioception variation. The composite spasticity score (CSS) and MyotonePRO were used to evaluate spasticity. In addition, 10 m walk test was used to assess gait speed. Results: After training, the Experimental I group showed significant improvement in proprioception compared to the Experimental II and control group (p < 0.05). In CSS, gastrocnemius muscle tone (GMT) and gait speed among three groups, Experimental I group differed significantly after eight weeks of training compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the TST combined with CSE provided significant improvements in proprioception, spasticity, and gait speed.

Effects of Cognitive Sensory Motor Training on Lower Extremity Muscle Strength and Balance in Post Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Sensory motor impairment, the most common neuromuscular condition in stroke patients, often contributes to muscle weakness and imbalance. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of cognitive sensory-motor training (CSMT) on the muscle strength and balance ability in post-stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-five participants after stroke were randomly assigned to the CSMT (n = 17) or control group (n = 18). All participants received 30 min of training each time, five times per week, for six weeks. Lower extremity muscle strength of tibialis anterior (LEMTA) was evaluated using a digital muscular dynamometer. The Medical Research Council (MRC) scale was used to evaluate muscle strengths of the hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint. For balance ability test, the center of pressure (COP) movement distance and limited of stability (LOS) were measured using BioRescue. RESULTS: LEMTA, MRC scale, balance ability were significantly more improved in the CSMT group than in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that CSMT is beneficial and effective for improving muscle strength of the lower extremity and balance ability of post-stroke patients.

Rapid custom prototyping of soft poroelastic biosensor for simultaneous epicardial recording and imaging.

The growing need for the implementation of stretchable biosensors in the body has driven rapid prototyping schemes through the direct ink writing of multidimensional functional architectures. Recent approaches employ biocompatible inks that are dispensable through an automated nozzle injection system. However, their application in medical practices remains challenged in reliable recording due to their viscoelastic nature that yields mechanical and electrical hysteresis under periodic large strains. Herein, we report sponge-like poroelastic silicone composites adaptable for high-precision direct writing of custom-designed stretchable biosensors, which are soft and insensitive to strains. Their unique structural properties yield a robust coupling to living tissues, enabling high-fidelity recording of spatiotemporal electrophysiological activity and real-time ultrasound imaging for visual feedback. In vivo evaluations of custom-fit biosensors in a murine acute myocardial infarction model demonstrate a potential clinical utility in the simultaneous intraoperative recording and imaging on the epicardium, which may guide definitive surgical treatments.

All-printed stretchable corneal sensor on soft contact lenses for noninvasive and painless ocular electrodiagnosis.

Electroretinogram examinations serve as routine clinical procedures in ophthalmology for the diagnosis and management of many ocular diseases. However, the rigid form factor of current corneal sensors produces a mismatch with the soft, curvilinear, and exceptionally sensitive human cornea, which typically requires the use of topical anesthesia and a speculum for pain management and safety. Here we report a design of an all-printed stretchable corneal sensor built on commercially-available disposable soft contact lenses that can intimately and non-invasively interface with the corneal surface of human eyes. The corneal sensor is integrated with soft contact lenses via an electrochemical anchoring mechanism in a seamless manner that ensures its mechanical and chemical reliability. Thus, the resulting device enables the high-fidelity recording of full-field electroretinogram signals in human eyes without the need of topical anesthesia or a speculum. The device, superior to clinical standards in terms of signal quality and comfortability, is expected to address unmet clinical needs in the field of ocular electrodiagnosis.

Effects of Kinesio Taping with Squat Exercise on the Muscle Activity, Muscle Strength, Muscle Tension, and Dynamic Stability of Softball Players in the Lower Extremities: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Knee injuries are common among female softball players, and the stability of the lower extremities and the strength of the knee are essential factors for them. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping with squat exercise (KTSE) on lower extremity muscle activity, muscle strength, muscle tone, and dynamic stability of softball players. METHODS: In this study, 40 softball players were randomly assigned to the KTSE group and sham taping with squat exercise (SKTSE) group. All subjects were tested three times a week for 6 weeks, i.e., for a total of 18 times. To evaluate the lower-extremity muscle activity, muscle strength, and muscle tone of the lower extremities, as well as dynamic stability, we used Noraxon Mini DTS, a digital muscular meter from JTech Medical, MyotonPRO, and the side hop test (a clinical evaluation method), respectively. These items were measured before the experiment and 6 weeks after the start of the experiment. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant differences in lower-extremity muscle activity, muscle strength, muscle tone, and dynamic stability (p < 0.05). After the experiment, significant effects on lower-extremity muscle activity, muscle strength, muscle tone, and dynamic stability were observed in the KTSE group compared with in the SKTSE group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: KTSE did not have a negative effect on all items of the functional performance test. KTSE improved lower-extremity muscle activity, muscle strength, muscle tone, and dynamic stability.

Printing Flexible and Hybrid Electronics for Human Skin and Eye-Interfaced Health Monitoring Systems.

Advances in printing materials and techniques for flexible and hybrid electronics in the domain of connected healthcare have enabled rapid development of innovative body-interfaced health monitoring systems at a tremendous pace. Thin, flexible, and stretchable biosensors that are printed on a biocompatible soft substrate provide the ability to noninvasively and unobtrusively integrate with the human body for continuous monitoring and early detection of diseases and other conditions affecting health and well being. Hybrid integration of such biosensors with extremely well-established silicon-based microcircuit chips offers a viable route for in-sensor data processing and wireless transmission in many medical and clinical settings. Here, a set of advanced and hybrid printing techniques is summarized, covering diverse aspects ranging from active electronic materials to process capability, for their use in human skin and eye-interfaced health monitoring systems with different levels of complexity. Essential components of the devices, including constituent biomaterials, structural layouts, assembly methods, and power and data processing configurations, are outlined and discussed in a categorized manner tailored to specific clinical needs. Perspectives on the benefits and challenges of these systems in basic and applied biomedical research are presented and discussed.

Flexible submental sensor patch with remote monitoring controls for management of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders.

Successful rehabilitation of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders (i.e., dysphagia) requires frequent performance of head/neck exercises that primarily rely on expensive biofeedback devices, often only available in large medical centers. This directly affects treatment compliance and outcomes, and highlights the need to develop a portable and inexpensive remote monitoring system for the telerehabilitation of dysphagia. Here, we present the development and preliminarily validation of a skin-mountable sensor patch that can fit on the curvature of the submental (under the chin) area noninvasively and provide simultaneous remote monitoring of muscle activity and laryngeal movement during swallowing tasks and maneuvers. This sensor patch incorporates an optimal design that allows for the accurate recording of submental muscle activity during swallowing and is characterized by ease of use, accessibility, reusability, and cost-effectiveness. Preliminary studies on a patient with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia, and on a healthy control participant demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this system.

Electrohydrodynamic-Jet (EHD)-Printed Diketopyrrolopyroole-Based Copolymer for OFETs and Circuit Applications.

We report the employment of an electrohydrodynamic-jet (EHD)-printed diketopyrrolopyrrole-based copolymer (P-29-DPPDTSE) as the active layer of fabricated organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and circuits. The device produced at optimal conditions showed a field-effect mobility value of 0.45 cm2/(Vs). The morphologies of the printed P-29-DPPDTSE samples were determined by performing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy experiments. In addition, numerical circuit simulations of the optimal printed P-29-DPPDTSE OFETs were done in order to observe how well they would perform in a high-voltage logic circuit application. The optimal printed P-29-DPPDTSE OFET showed a 0.5 kHz inverter frequency and 1.2 kHz ring oscillator frequency at a 40 V supply condition, indicating the feasibility of its use in a logic circuit application at high voltage.

Analysis of the Effect of Backpack Design with Reduced Load Moment Arm on Spinal Alignment.

In this study, we designed a backpack that can reduce the moment arm of backpack load by placing the center of gravity of the backpack close to the axis of the spine. In order to investigate the effect of sagittal spinal alignment compared with the general backpack, we conducted the study using radiological images. The participants in this study were 18 adults (8 males and 10 females). The subjects participated in the experiment without carrying the backpack, wearing the normal backpack, and wearing a backpack designed to reduce the load moment arm by placing the center of gravity close to the body. Spinal alignment parameters were measured and analyzed using 3D radiography measurement software based on radiographic images taken under three conditions. The overall angle of lumbar lordosis, upper arc, lower arc, difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis, lower cervical lordosis, and sagittal vertical axis were measured. In the case of wearing the backpack rather than without the backpack, there was a significant difference in the overall angle of lumbar lordosis, lower arc, lower cervical spine angle, difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis, and sagittal vertical axis. In the case of wearing the backpack with reduced moment arm, the overall angle and lower arc of lumbar lordosis were significantly increased compared to those with the normal backpack. The difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis was significantly decreased. The results showed that a normal backpack caused imbalance of sagittal spinal alignment, and the backpack reducing the load moment arm by placing the backpack's center of gravity close to the vertebral joint played a positive role in reducing the change of lumbar alignment compared with the normal backpack.

Programmed Design of Highly Crystalline Organic Semiconductor Patterns with Uniaxial Alignment via Blade Coating for High-Performance Organic Field-Effect Transistors.

A solution-printing technique that enables the patterning and aligning of organic semiconducting crystals is necessary for their practical application. Here, we report the facile growth of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS-PEN) semiconducting crystal patterns via a novel blade-coating technique. Defining low/high shearing-speed regions alternatively in a programmed manner enables the growth of TIPS-PEN crystals in low-speed regions and their patterning in high-speed regions. Various crystal-analysis tools, including polarized UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering, and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure, reveal that a crystal grown at an optimum shearing speed is highly oriented along the shearing direction with high crystallinity, and its molecules have a more edge-on orientation for efficient lateral-charge transport. As a result, organic field-effect transistors comprised of these crystals show a high field-effect mobility of up to 1.74 cm2/(V s). In addition, various crystal patterns can be created by simply changing the programming parameters, suggesting the broad utility of the crystal patterns and printing technique.