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This letter presents an 11 b 200 MS/s 28 nm CMOS 2b/cycle successive‐approximation register (SAR) analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC). The offset calibration technique is proposed to reduce the comparator offset mismatch that degrades the linearity of the high‐resolution 2b/cycle SAR ADC. The offset mismatch is reduced to within 0.25 least significant bit (LSB) by generating a compensation voltage from capacitor‐resistor (C‐R) hybrid digital‐to‐analogue converters (DACs). The prototype ADC implemented in a 28‐nm CMOS process demonstrates measured differential and integral non‐linearities within 0.6 LSB and 1.73 LSB at 11 b resolution, respectively. The measured signal‐to‐noise‐and‐distortion ratio (SNDR) and spurious‐free dynamic range (SFDR) are 50.9 dB and 66.2 dB at Nyquist, respectively. The prototype ADC occupies an active die area of 0.115 mm2 and consumes 3.98 mW at a 1.1‐V supply voltage. This letter presents an 11 b 200 MS/s 28‐nm CMOS 2b/cycle successive‐approximation register (SAR) analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC). The proposed calibration technique reduces the comparator offset mismatch to within 0.25 LSB at 11 b resolution, enabling the implementation of high‐resolution 2b/cycle SAR ADC.

Osteocytes are mechanosensory commander cells to regulate bone remodeling throughout the lifespan. While the osteocytes are known as terminally differentiated cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells, the detailed mechanisms of osteocyte differentiation remain unclear. In this study, we fabricated 3D self-organized spheroids using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Under the osteogenesis induction medium, the spheroid culture model exerted the osteocyte-likeness within 2 days compared to a conventional 2D monolayer model. Moreover, we showed that an inhibition of actin polymerization in the spheroid further up-regulated the osteocyte gene expressions. Notably, we represented that the cell condensed condition acquired in the 3D spheroid culture model determined a differentiation fate of MSCs to osteocytes. Taken together, we suggest that our self-organized spheroid model can be utilized as a new in vitro model to represent the osteocyte and to recapitulate an in vitro ossification process.

[...]the future direction of global higher education development has become increasingly unpredictable. Before the pandemic, global higher education witnessed a steady rise in international student mobility, the emergence of joint study programs, enhanced transparency and compatibility in educational systems regionally and advancements in quality assurance. [...]in this special issue, we aim to compile the opinions of various experts on the theme “How can we build mutual trust and cooperation in global higher education in the future?” The first set of four articles focuses on developing regional cooperation and mutual trust in higher education in each region, i.e. Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. The article provides an overview of how these standards were developed under the “Tuning Educational Structures in Europe” (TUNING) project and subsequently expanded into the “Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes” (AHELO) project involving non-EU countries. [...]Wagenaar introduces the new “Measuring and Comparing Achievements of Learning Outcomes in Higher Education in Europe” (CALOHEE) project and examines whether the developments made by European nations and higher education institutions during and after the Bologna Process adequately demonstrate the quality and relevance of learning in light of present-day societal challenges and the transformative effects of information technology on everyday life.

Cultured plant cells often biosynthesize secondary metabolites to a lesser extent relative to the mother plants. This phenomenon is associated with epigenetic alterations of the biosynthetic gene(s). Here we investigated the effectiveness of epigenetic modifiers, such as inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), to activate cryptic secondary metabolite biosynthesis in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) BY-2 cells. The BY-2 suspension cells cultured with an HDAC inhibitor, suberoyl bis -hydroxamic acid, exhibited strong biosynthesis of four compounds that were originally present at trace concentrations. The induced compounds were identified as caffeoylputrescine ( 1 ), 4- O -β- d -glucopyranosylferulic acid ( 2 ), 5- O -caffeoylquinic acid ( 3 ), and feruloylputrescine ( 4 ). Biosynthetic activation of compounds 1 – 4 was reproduced by two other HDAC inhibitors. Treatment of the cells with a DNMT inhibitor (zebularine) also activated the biosynthesis of compounds 1 – 4 , but had a limited effectiveness relative to the HDAC inhibitors, indicating that histone acetylation levels are involved more than DNA methylation levels in the epigenetic regulation of the biosynthesis of compounds 1 – 4 in the BY-2 cells. Following our previous demonstration using cultured cells of a monocotyledonous plant, this study demonstrates the utility of epigenetic modifiers to activate cryptic secondary metabolite biosynthesis in cultured cells of a dicotyledonous plant.

Background and Objective Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) of the posterior pole accounted for only 3.5% of all RRD cases in Japan, with most being macular hole retinal detachments, which are difficult to treat. Retinal detachment of the posterior pole not caused by a macular hole is rare. Herein, we report a case of RRD of the posterior pole that was successfully treated by embedding the original retinal flap with a bridging vessel into the retinal hole. Patients and Methods A 56-year-old woman with a preoperative visual acuity of 20/100 was diagnosed with RRD of the posterior pole. We sealed the original retinal tear by embedding the retinal flap within the tear. Results One year after surgery, blood flow was maintained in the bridging vessels and peripheral retina. Conclusion This technique may be useful for treating retinal detachment caused by retinal tears of the posterior pole. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2025;56:57–59.]

We present a renormalized Gauss-Bonnet formula for a strictly pseudoconvex manifold with a complete Kähler metric given by a globally defined potential function near the boundary. When the metric is asymptotically Einstein, the boundary contribution in the formula is explicitly written down in terms of the pseudo-hermitian geometry of the boundary and is shown to be a global CR invariant. The CR invariant generalizes the Burns-Epstein invariant on 3-dimensional CR manifolds.

ObjectiveSocial isolation is a risk factor for depression in older age. However, little is known regarding whether its impact varies depending on country-specific cultural contexts regarding social relationships. The present study examined the association of social isolation with depression onset among older adults in England, which has taken advanced measures against social isolation, and Japan, a super-aged society with a rapidly increasing number of socially isolated people.DesignProspective longitudinal study.SettingWe used data from two ongoing studies: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES).ParticipantsOlder adults aged ≥65 years without depression at baseline were followed up regarding depression onset for 2 years (2010/2011–2012/2013) for the ELSA and 2.5 years (2010/2011–2013) for the JAGES.Primary outcome measureDepression was assessed with eight items from the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for the ELSA and Geriatric Depression Scale for the JAGES. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate social isolation using multiple parameters (marital status; interaction with children, relatives and friends; and social participation).ResultsThe data of 3331 respondents from the ELSA and 33 127 from the JAGES were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that social isolation was significantly associated with depression onset in both countries. In the ELSA, poor interaction with children was marginally associated with depression onset, while in the JAGES, poor interaction with children and no social participation significantly affected depression onset.ConclusionsDespite variations in cultural background, social isolation was associated with depression onset in both England and Japan. Addressing social isolation to safeguard older adults’ mental health must be globally prioritised.

The impacts of misinformation and disinformation have rarely been studied in economics. In this paper, I examine these impacts using a model constructed on the basis of the concept of ranked information. The value of information is changeable and differs across people; therefore, disinformation can be used as a tool to manipulate people’s behaviors. I first define misinformation and disinformation and then show the mechanism through which disinformation decreases efficiency by manipulating ranked information. Decreases in efficiency are observed as decreases in total factor productivity, lowered success rates of investment, and increased costs of bad speculations. In addition, disinformation generates economic rents and, as a result, increases inequality, possibly by a great deal. Furthermore, disinformation can cause large-scale economic fluctuations.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical features of Parkinson’s disease (PD)/PD dementia (PD/PDD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).MethodsPatients with iNPH who were admitted to the Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine over the past 10 years have been retrospectively analyzed. The diagnosis of iNPH and concomitant PD/PDD or DLB was established using diagnostic criteria. Motor symptoms were assessed by the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III. 123I-ioflupane single-photon emission computed tomography (DaT-SPECT) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC)-based assay were performed for alpha synuclein aggregation.ResultsOverall, 79 patients met the criteria for iNPH, of which 34 developed iNPH without accompanying disorders (iNPHa; 43%), 23 developed iNPH with comorbid PD/PDD (iNPHc + PD/PDD; 29.1%), and 8 developed iNPH with comorbid DLB (iNPHc + DLB; 10.1%). Significant differences in facial expansion and upper-limb parkinsonism were observed with a comorbidity of either PD/PDD or DLB. The specific binding ratio (SBR) of DaTscan was reduced in iNPHa (p = 0.02), but it reduced further with comorbid PD/PDD (p < 0.01) or DLB (p < 0.01). RT-QuIC was positive for all 13 comorbid PD/PDD and negative for all 19 iNPHa.ConclusionThese results highlight that synucleinopathies coexist with iNPH. These can be differentiated by performing DaTscan and RT-QuIC, which can affect its clinical features.