TCAD-Machine learning framework for device variation and operating temperature analysis with experimental demonstration

This work, for the first time, experimentally demonstrates a TCAD-Machine Learning (TCAD-ML) framework to assist the analysis of device-to-device variation and operating (ambient) temperature without the need of physical quantities extraction. The ML algorithm used in this work is the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) followed by third order polynomial regression. After calibrated to limited \u27expensive\u27 experimental data, \u27low cost\u27 TCAD simulation is used to generate a large amount of device data to train the ML model. The ML was then used to identify the root cause of device variation and operating temperature from any given experimental current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. We applied this framework to study the ultra-wide-bandgap gallium oxide (Ga2O3) Schottky barrier diode (SBD), an emerging device technology that holds great promise for temperature sensing, RF, and power applications in harsh environments. After calibration, over 150,000 electrothermal TCAD simulations are performed with random variation of physical parameters (anode effective work function, drift layer doping, and drift layer thickness) and operating temperature. An ML model is trained using these TCAD data and we found 1,000-10,000 TCAD data can train an accurate machine. We show that without physical quantities extraction, performing PCA is essential for the TCAD trained ML model to be applicable to analyze experimental characteristics. The physical parameters and temperatures predicted by the ML model show good agreement with experimental analysis. Our TCAD-ML framework shows great promise to accelerate the development of new device technologies with a significantly more efficient process of material and device experimentation

Oral health of community dwelling elders in Hong Kong

Introduction: The world’s population is ageing and the elders are vulnerable to oral health problems. This project aimed to observe the oral health status of community dwelling elders in Hong Kong, investigate the oral health impact on their quality of life and nutritional status, and provide oral health education and preventive service. Methods: Community dwelling elders (65 or above) were recruited from five community centers. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed to collect information on their socio-demographic background and oral health perception/practice. Their oral health related quality of life (OHQoL) and nutritional status were measured by using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), respectively. Their tooth and periodontal status, oral hygiene and soft tissues were examined. Individualized advice, oral health education and scaling were provided. Results: A total of 195 elders participated. Despite their sound knowledge on dental caries, their awareness of the causes and risk factors of periodontal diseases was low. Several misconceptions of oral health were common and their expectation towards oral health was low. Although 81% brush their teeth at least twice a day, over 75% did not perform interdental cleaning mainly due to unawareness of the necessity (32%) and lack of skills (42%). Their dental visits were treatment-driven and mainly for pain-relieving and emergency care. Only 19% were regular dental attendees. The mean (SD) DMFT was 8.9 (7.8). Over 60% had periodontal pockets; 6% were edentulous and 38% had fewer than 20 teeth. The mean (SD) total GOHAI score was 56.4 (8.0); 60% reported negative impact of oral health on their quality of life. The mean (SD) MNA score was 25.2 (2.9); 30% had malnutrition or were at risk. Multivariate analysis showed that tooth loss and untreated decayed teeth (DT) were significant determinants of poor OHQoL; older age, higher education level, and poorer OHQoL were significantly associated with higher risk of malnutrition (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Oral health problems are common among community dwelling elders in Hong Kong. Their oral health awareness and practice are yet to be improved. Tooth loss and unmet treatment need for dental caries significantly compromise elders’ quality of life, which in turn increases their risk for malnutrition. Outreach oral health education and service are well received by the community.published_or_final_versio

Penaeid shrimp genome provides insights into benthic adaptation and frequent molting

Crustacea, the subphylum of Arthropoda which dominates the aquatic environment, is of major importance in ecology and fisheries. Here we report the genome sequence of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, covering similar to 1.66 Gb (scaffold N50 605.56 Kb) with 25,596 protein-coding genes and a high proportion of simple sequence repeats (>23.93%). The expansion of genes related to vision and locomotion is probably central to its benthic adaptation. Frequent molting of the shrimp may be explained by an intensified ecdysone signal pathway through gene expansion and positive selection. As an important aquaculture organism, L. vannamei has been subjected to high selection pressure during the past 30 years of breeding, and this has had a considerable impact on its genome. Decoding the L. vannamei genome not only provides an insight into the genetic underpinnings of specific biological processes, but also provides valuable information for enhancing crustacean aquaculture

RAGE Expression in Human T Cells: A Link between Environmental Factors and Adaptive Immune Responses

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is a scavenger ligand that binds glycated endproducts as well as molecules released during cell death such as S100b and HMGB1. RAGE is expressed on antigen presenting cells where it may participate in activation of innate immune responses but its role in adaptive human immune responses has not been described. We have found that RAGE is expressed intracellularly in human T cells following TCR activation but constitutively on T cells from patients with diabetes. The levels of RAGE on T cells from patients with diabetes are not related to the level of glucose control. It co-localizes to the endosomes. Its expression increases in activated T cells from healthy control subjects but bystander cells also express RAGE after stimulation of the antigen specific T cells. RAGE ligands enhance RAGE expression. In patients with T1D, the level of RAGE expression decreases with T cell activation. RAGE+ T cells express higher levels of IL-17A, CD107a, and IL-5 than RAGE− cells from the same individual with T1D. Our studies have identified the expression of RAGE on adaptive immune cells and a role for this receptor and its ligands in modulating human immune responses

Suicide ideation in older people: a qualitative review and Meta-aggregation of Asian studies

AimsTo appraise and synthesize qualitative studies examining older Asian people’s experiences of suicidal ideation.DesignQualitative review and meta-aggregation.Data sourcesFour databases were accessed to retrieve papers published between 1990 and 2022 including the grey literature, hand-searching of reference lists of retrieved papers and key journals. The phenomenon of interest included participants older than 60 years old, must have experienced a form of suicidal ideation and/or an unsuccessful attempt, had actively thought about harming themselves and be of Asian ethnicity.Review methodsThis review was conducted according to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research and the Joanna Briggs Institute’s System for the Unified Management of the Assessment and Review of Information.ResultsOf the 289 potential studies, seven papers met the inclusion criteria. Two synthesized findings resulted from this review–The Suffering Situation: A Life without Meaning in Older Age and The Healing Situation: A Life Worth Living. The experiences of older Asian people varied from feelings of loneliness, despair and isolation to wanting to live a fruitful life into old age.ConclusionSuicidal ideation in the older person is a growing concern especially with the rise in suicide in this age group. Rising health care costs and erosion of traditional family values means that the older person views themselves as a burden. However, because of the limited number of qualitative studies from an Asian perspective it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of the issues surrounding suicide in older people

The microRNA-29 family in cartilage homeostasis and osteoarthritis

MicroRNAs have been shown to function in cartilage development and homeostasis, as well as in progression of osteoarthritis. The objective of the current study was to identify microRNAs involved in the onset or early progression of osteoarthritis and characterise their function in chondrocytes. MicroRNA expression in mouse knee joints post-DMM surgery was measured over 7 days. Expression of miR-29b-3p was increased at day 1 and regulated in the opposite direction to its potential targets. In a mouse model of cartilage injury and in end-stage human OA cartilage, the miR-29 family were also regulated. SOX9 repressed expression of miR-29a-3p and miR-29b-3p via the 29a/b1 promoter. TGFβ1 decreased expression of miR-29a, b and c (3p) in primary chondrocytes, whilst IL-1β increased (but LPS decreased) their expression. The miR-29 family negatively regulated Smad, NFκB and canonical WNT signalling pathways. Expression profiles revealed regulation of new WNT-related genes. Amongst these, FZD3, FZD5, DVL3, FRAT2, CK2A2 were validated as direct targets of the miR-29 family. These data identify the miR-29 family as microRNAs acting across development and progression of OA. They are regulated by factors which are important in OA and impact on relevant signalling pathways

Waning effectiveness against COVID-19-related hospitalisation, severe complications, and mortality with two to three doses of CoronaVac and BNT162b2: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate waning effectiveness against severe and fatal COVID-19 with 2-3 doses of CoronaVac/BNT162b2, where data is limited. METHODS: A case-control study included individuals aged ≥18 years, unvaccinated or received 2-3 doses of CoronaVac/BNT162b2, using electronic healthcare databases in Hong Kong. Those with first COVID-19-related hospitalisation, severe complications, or mortality between 1 January and 15 August 2022 were defined as cases and matched with up-to-10 controls by age, sex, index date, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19-related outcomes was estimated at different time intervals from second and third dose vaccination (0-13 up-to 210-240 days) using conditional logistic regression adjusted for comorbidities and medications. RESULTS: By 211-240 days after second dose, VE against COVID-19-related hospitalisation reduced to 46.6% (40.7%-51.8%) for BNT162b2 and 36.2% (28.0%-43.4%) for CoronaVac, and VE against COVID-19-related mortality were 73.8% (55.9%-84.4%) and 76.6% (60.8%-86.0%). After third dose, VE against COVID-19-related hospitalisation decreased from 91.2% (89.5%-92.6%) for BNT162b2 and 76.7% (73.7%-79.4%) for CoronaVac at 0-13 days, to 67.1% (60.4%-72.6%) and 51.3% (44.2%-57.5%) at 91-120 days. VE against COVID-19-related mortality for BNT162b2 remained high from 0-13 days [98.2% (95.0%-99.3%)] to 91-120 days [94.6% (77.7%-98.7%)], and for CoronaVac reduced from 0-13 days [96.7% (93.2%-98.4%)] to 91-120 days [86.4% (73.3%-93.1%)]. CONCLUSIONS: Significant risk reduction against COVID-19-related hospitalisation and mortality after CoronaVac or BNT162b2 vaccination was observed for >240 and >120 days after second and third dose compared to unvaccinated, despite significant waning over time. Timely administration of booster doses could provide higher levels of protection