Techno-invasion and job satisfaction in China: The roles of boundary preference for segmentation and marital status

BACKGROUND: While the intensive work-related use of information and communication technologies after working hours have led to increased techno-invasion, much less is known regarding whether and for whom techno-invasion influences job satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and person-environment fit theory, this study examined the relationship between techno-invasion and decreased job satisfaction. Specific attention was paid to the moderating effect of boundary preference for segmentation and its joint influence with marital status on this relationship. METHODS: Questionnaire data were collected by an online survey of a nationwide and diverse sample of 472 employees from China. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: We found that techno-invasion negatively correlated with job satisfaction, which was strengthened by boundary preference for segmentation. Furthermore, the results of a three-way interaction effect suggested that the moderating role of boundary preference for segmentation on the relationship between techno-invasion and job satisfaction is stronger for unmarried employees than it is for married ones. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of techno-invasion on employees’ job satisfaction can be strengthened or weakened by their boundary preference for segmentation and marital status

Gene-Gene Interaction Analysis for the Accelerated Failure Time Model Using a Unified Model-Based Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction Method

Although a large number of genetic variants have been identified to be associated with common diseases through genome-wide association studies, there still exits limitations in explaining the missing heritability. One approach to solving this missing heritability problem is to investigate gene-gene interactions, rather than a single-locus approach. For gene-gene interaction analysis, the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method has been widely applied, since the constructive induction algorithm of MDR efficiently reduces high-order dimensions into one dimension by classifying multi-level genotypes into high- and low-risk groups. The MDR method has been extended to various phenotypes and has been improved to provide a significance test for gene-gene interactions. In this paper, we propose a simple method, called accelerated failure time (AFT) UM-MDR, in which the idea of a unified model-based MDR is extended to the survival phenotype by incorporating AFT-MDR into the classification step. The proposed AFT UM-MDR method is compared with AFT-MDR through simulation studies, and a short discussion is given

Stretchable organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse

Emulation of human sensory and motor functions becomes a core technology in bioinspired electronics for next-generation electronic prosthetics and neurologically inspired robotics. An electronic synapse functionalized with an artificial sensory receptor and an artificial motor unit can be a fundamental element of bioinspired soft electronics. Here, we report an organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse that uses an organic optoelectronic synapse and a neuromuscular system based on a stretchable organic nanowire synaptic transistor (s-ONWST). The voltage pulses of a self-powered photodetector triggered by optical signals drive the s-ONWST, and resultant informative synaptic outputs are used not only for optical wireless communication of human-machine interfaces but also for light-interactive actuation of an artificial muscle actuator in the same way that a biological muscle fiber contracts. Our organic optoelectronic sensorimotor synapse suggests a promising strategy toward developing bioinspired soft electronics, neurologically inspired robotics, and electronic prostheses.

A wearable multiplexed silicon nonvolatile memory array using nanocrystal charge confinement

Strategies for efficient charge confinement in nanocrystal floating gates to realize high-performance memory devices have been investigated intensively. However, few studies have reported nanoscale experimental validations of charge confinement in closely packed uniform nanocrystals and related device performance characterization. Furthermore, the system-level integration of the resulting devices with wearable silicon electronics has not yet been realized. We introduce a wearable, fully multiplexed silicon nonvolatile memory array with nanocrystal floating gates. The nanocrystal monolayer is assembled over a large area using the Langmuir-Blodgett method. Efficient particle-level charge confinement is verified with the modified atomic force microscopy technique. Uniform nanocrystal charge traps evidently improve the memory window margin and retention performance. Furthermore, the multiplexing of memory devices in conjunction with the amplification of sensor signals based on ultrathin silicon nanomembrane circuits in stretchable layouts enables wearable healthcare applications such as long-term data storage of monitored heart rates.

Stretchable Self-Healable Semiconducting Polymer Film for Active-Matrix Strain-Sensing Array

Skin-like sensory devidces shoud be stretchable and self-healable to meet the demands for future electronic skin applications. Despite recent notable advances in skin-inspired electronic materials, it remains challenging to confer these desired functionalities to an active semiconductor. Here, we report a strain-sensitive, stretchable, and autonomously self-healable semiconducting film achieved through blending of a polymer semiconductor and a self-healable elastomer, both of which are dynamically cross-linked by metal coordination. We observed that by controlling the percolation threshold of the polymer semiconductor, the blend film became strain sensitive, with a gauge factor of 5.75 x 105 at 100% strain in a stretchable transistor. The blend film is also highly stretchable (fracture strain, \u3e1300%) and autonomously self-healable at room temperature. We proceed to demonstrate a fully integrated 5 x 5 stretchable active-matrix transistor sensor array capable of detecting strain distribution through surface deformation

Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence is decreasing in Korea but increasing in the very elderly

Background/Aims A comprehensive analysis of trends in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important for planning public health initiatives. We aimed to analyze the trends in HCC incidence in South Korea over 10 years and to predict the incidence for the year 2028. Methods Data from patients with newly diagnosed HCC between 2008 and 2018 were obtained from Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were calculated to compare HCC incidence. A poisson regression model was used to predict the future incidence of HCC. Results The average crude incidence rate (CR) was 22.4 per 100,000 person-years, and the average ASR was 17.6 per 100,000 person-years between 2008 and 2018. The CR (from 23.9 to 21.2 per 100,000 person-years) and ASR (from 21.9 to 14.3 per 100,000 person-years) of HCC incidence decreased during the past ten years in all age groups, except in the elderly. The ASR of patients aged ≥80 years increased significantly (from 70.0 to 160.2/100,000 person-years; average annual percent change, +9.00%; P<0.001). The estimated CR (17.9 per 100,000 person-years) and ASR (9.7 per 100,000 person-years) of HCC incidence in 2028 was declined, but the number of HCC patients aged ≥80 years in 2028 will be quadruple greater than the number of HCC patients in 2008 (from 521 to 2,055), comprising 21.3% of all HCC patients in 2028. Conclusions The ASRs of HCC in Korea have gradually declined over the past 10 years, but the number, CR, and ASR are increasing in patients aged ≥80 years

Sundew-inspired adhesive hydrogel threads through reversible complexation of polyphenol and boronic acid

© 2021 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Adhesive hydrogels have been utilized as tissue sealants, hemostatic agents, and wound dressings, with the aim of replacing conventional sutures. To prevent immune response and serious inflammation from those hydrogels after sealing, natural biocompatible polysaccharides are widely used as a component of the hydrogels. However, the weak mechanical strength, insufficient adhesiveness, and rapid dissociation of the hydrogels necessitates additional suturing at the wound site. In this study, we report on a solid polysaccharide thread reversibly crosslinked with boronic acid-polyphenol complexation and its adhesive gelation for complete tissue sealing without additional suturing. The polysaccharide adhesive suture threads demonstrated long-term stability, which is useful when used for skin wound suturing. Specifically, their robust adhesion property occurred as soon as the threads were soaked, attaining a swollen hydrogel state, dependent on the presence of body fluids after suturing. Moreover, the pH of the body fluids affects the viscoelasticity and adhesiveness of the hydrogels in order to ensure a tight sealing. Therefore, we expect that these pH-responsive adhesive threads would be promising for the development of on-demand functional suture materials.11Nsciescopu

Molecular Rationale for the Design of Instantaneous, Strain-Tolerant Polymeric Adhesive in a Stretchable Underwater Human-Machine Interface

Strain-tolerant reversible adhesion under harsh mechanical deformation is important for realizing long-lasting polymeric adhesives. Despite recent advances, cohesive failure within adhesives remains a critical problem that must be solved to achieve adhesion that is robust against humidity, heat, and mechanical stress. Here, we report a molecular rationale for designing an instantaneous polymeric adhesive with high strain tolerance (termed as iPASTE) even in a stretchable human- machine interface. The iPASTE consists of two biocompatible and eco-friendly polymers, linearly oligomerized green tea extracts, and poly(ethylene glycol) for densely assembled networks via dynamic and reversible hydrogen bonds. Other than the typical approach containing nanoclay or branched adhesive precursors, the linear configuration and conformation of such polymer chains within iPASTE lead to strong and moisture-resistant cohesion/adhesion. Based on the strain-tolerant adhesion of iPASTE, it was demonstrated that a subaqueous interactive human-machine interface integrated with a robot arm and a gold nanomembrane strain-sensitive electronic skin can precisely capture a slithery artificial fish by using finger gesture recognition.11Nsciescopu