Integrated Logic Circuits Based on Wafer-Scale 2D-MoS2 FETs Using Buried-Gate Structures.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) materials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), stand out due to their atomically thin layered structure and exceptional electrical properties. Consequently, they could potentially become one of the main materials for future integrated high-performance logic circuits. However, the local back-gate-based MoS2 transistors on a silicon substrate can lead to the degradation of electrical characteristics. This degradation is caused by the abnormal effect of gate sidewalls, leading to non-uniform field controllability. Therefore, the buried-gate-based MoS2 transistors where the gate electrodes are embedded into the silicon substrate are fabricated. The several device parameters such as field-effect mobility, on/off current ratio, and breakdown voltage of gate dielectric are dramatically enhanced by field-effect mobility (from 0.166 to 1.08 cm2/V·s), on/off current ratio (from 4.90 × 105 to 1.52 × 107), and breakdown voltage (from 15.73 to 27.48 V) compared with a local back-gate-based MoS2 transistor, respectively. Integrated logic circuits, including inverters, NAND, NOR, AND, and OR gates, were successfully fabricated by 2-inch wafer-scale through the integration of a buried-gate MoS2 transistor array.

Valorization of CO2 to ß-farnesene in Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

The valorization of CO2 into valuable products is a sustainable strategy to help overcome the climate crisis. In particular, biological conversion is attractive as it can produce long-chain hydrocarbons such as terpenoids. This study reports the high yield of ß-farnesene production from CO2 by expressing heterologous ß-farnesene synthase (FS) into Rhodobacter sphaeroides. To increase the expression of FS, a strong active promoter and a ribosome binding site (RBS) were engineered. Moreover, ß-farnesene production was improved further through the supply of exogenous antioxidants and additional nutrients. Finally, ß-farnesene was produced from CO2 at a titer of 44.53 mg/L and yield of 234.08 mg/g, values that were correspondingly 23 times and 46 times higher than those from the initial production of ß-farnesene. Altogether, the results here suggest that the autotrophic production of ß-farnesene can provide a starting point for achieving a circular carbon economy.

Clinical reasoning in traditional medicine exemplified by the clinical encounter of Korean medicine: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Clinical reasoning is generally defined to be a way of thinking for diagnostic or therapeutic decision making in clinical practice. Different cognitive models have been proposed for the clinical reasoning which takes place during the clinical encounter with a patient. This may have similarities with similar approaches used in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM). Jinchal, the clinical encounter, has specific features in TKM and different Jinchal processes are closely related to several underlying cognitive models in clinical reasoning. It is a necessary process to see the patient, but in TKM, the method has a characteristic aspect and emphasis is placed on importance. METHODS: Experts consensus were reached through panel discussion. Narrative description on the concept of clinical reasoning and explanation on Jinchal process in TKM were suggested. RESULTS: This article analyses the Jinchal process using theoretical concepts from four authentic KM schools of clinical reasoning which are currently used in contemporary practice. CONCLUSION: Future research should focus on the similarities and differences in understanding clinical reasoning in KM as well as the broader field of traditional East Asian Medicine.

Repeated Dry Sauna Therapy Improves Quality of Life in Obese Korean People.

BACKGROUND: Dry sauna treatments improve the quality of life for chronic pain, congestive heart failure, and type 2 diabetes patients. This study aimed to determine whether dry sauna therapy improved the quality of life of obese people. METHODS: A total of 38 consecutive participants aged over 20 years with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 were recruited for the study. The participants were treated with a 90°C dry sauna for 15 minutes, twice daily for 4 consecutive days. To assess the quality of life, all participants completed the 5 level EQ-5D questionnaires and the EQ-Visual Analog Scale. Study parameters were measured on the same day prior to commencing the sauna sessions in a fasted state and 2 days after the last sauna session. RESULTS: The average age was 62.3±9.5 years; 84.2% of the participants were female. The mean body mass index was 28.5±2.4 kg/m2. Dry sauna significantly improved the mean 5 level EQ-5D index scores from 0.83±0.12 to 0.89±0.11 and increased the mean EQ-Visual Analog Scale from 79.0±15.2 to 91.1±9.7. However, there were no significant changes in body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, or body composition before and after the 8-session sauna therapy. CONCLUSION: Dry sauna improved the health-related quality of life of obese patients without adverse events. Further clinical studies in larger study populations are needed to verify these findings and provide concrete evidence for obesity treatment.

Efficacy of Yokukansankachimpihange on sleep disturbance in Parkinson's disease: A study protocol of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that includes motor and nonmotor symptoms. Sleep disturbance is known to decrease the quality of life in patients with PD, and there are limitations to the pharmacotherapy currently in use. Therefore, complementary treatment therapies are required to address these limitations. The traditional herbal medicines Yokukansan (YKS) and Yokukansankachimpihange (YKSCH) have been used to treat insomnia and night crying in children, suggesting their effectiveness against sleep disturbance in patients with PD. We will evaluate whether YKSCH improves sleep disturbance in PD and will identify YKS-related changes in hemodynamic parameters, and neurotransmitter and hormone levels in patients with PD experiencing sleep disturbance. METHODS: We will conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel trial in 34 patients with PD and sleep disturbance, randomly allocating the patients to either placebo-control (n = 17) or treatment groups (n = 17). The total study period will be 16 weeks; administration of YKSCH or placebo, as intervention, will be performed for a 12-week period, and follow-up will be performed over a 4-week period. All subjects will undergo conventional treatment, and be required to maintain a regular medication schedule throughout the study period. The primary outcome measure will be the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Sleep Scale score, and the secondary outcome measures will be polysomnography results, findings from instruments related to sleep disorders, neurotransmitter and hormone levels, and hemodynamic changes in the brain cortex. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This trial will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of YKSCH for sleep improvement in PD with sleep disturbance, and investigate the underlying mechanism of action. We expect improvement in the scores for subjective and objective sleep scales, hemodynamic changes in prefrontal cortical activity, and changes in neurotransmitter and hormone levels. The findings will provide insight into the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of YKSCH in PD, and lay the foundation for further studies on whether YKSCH improves sleep disturbance in PD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0002869).

Do In Seung Gi­Tang extract suppresses adipocyte differentiation in 3T3­L1 cells.

Blood stasis syndrome (BSS), additionally called Eohyul, is a basic pathological concept in Traditional Korean Medicine. Do In Seung Gi­Tang (DISGT) is herbal medicine used for the treatment of BSS. It primarily treats metabolic diseases (MDs) including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and gynecological diseases, by promoting blood circulation. The present study aimed to investigate the anti­adipogenesis effect of DISGT in 3T3­L1 adipocytes using Oil Red O staining, and assessing levels of triglycerides (TGs) and leptin in adipocytes by ELISA and western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that DISGT treatment had inhibitory effects on fat droplet formation, TG accumulation, leptin production and cytokine content, during 3T3­L1 adipocyte differentiation, without affecting cell viability. Additionally, DISGT treatment significantly suppressed the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator­activated receptor Î³ and CAAT/enhancer binding protein α. These results provide evidence that DISGT has anti­adipogenesis effects on preadipocytes and adipocytes by significantly blocking adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation, and suppressing adipogenic gene expression. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the potential of DISGT as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of MDs.

Perception of pattern identification in traditional medicine: a survey of Korean medical practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: To survey assesses the perception of pattern identification (PI) diagnosis of Traditional Medicine (TM) by Korean medical doctors (KMDs). METHODS: A total of 14,485 KMDs affiliated with the Association of Korean Medicine were sent surveys via email, and 1646 (11.1%) responded to the questionnaire on their perception of PI diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 1646 respondents, more than ninety percent (1562, 94.9%) reported that they treated patients using PI. The most critical problem with PI diagnosis was the lack of objective diagnostic indicators (561, 34.1%). Ninety percent had issues diagnosing patients because of different diagnoses between KMDs (1491, 90.5% ). The majority of respondents thought herbal medicine was most related to PI (1528, 92.8%). Half of the respondents answered that PI of Ba Gang was the most commonly used PI system. Participants reported that it was most important to study standardisation of PI diagnosis and to develop standardised PI diagnoses using the classification system of the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases. The foremost PI type that physicians thought should be included in standardisation and objectification of PI ofTKM was the PI of Ba Gang. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that we should focus on the standardisation of PI diagnosis and PI of Ba Gang in future research on PI diagnosis in TM. However, we cannot completely discount the possibility that a biased selection of subjects and a low response rate limit the generalisability of the findings.