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To develop low-power, non-volatile computing-in-memory device using ferroelectric transistor technologies, ferroelectric channel materials with scaled thicknesses are required. Two-dimensional semiconductors, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), equipped with sliding ferroelectricity could provide an answer. However, achieving switchable electric polarization in epitaxial MoS 2 remains challenging due to the absence of mobile domain boundaries. Here we show that polarity-switchable epitaxial rhombohedral-stacked (3R) MoS 2 can be used as a ferroelectric channel in ferroelectric memory transistors. We show that a shear transformation can spontaneously occur in 3R MoS 2 epilayers, producing heterostructures with stable ferroelectric domains embedded in a highly dislocated and unstable non-ferroelectric matrix. This diffusionless phase transformation process produces mobile screw dislocations that enable collective polarity control of 3R MoS 2 via an electric field. Polarization–electric-field measurements reveal a switching field of 0.036 V nm −1 for shear-transformed 3R MoS 2 . Our sliding ferroelectric transistors are non-volatile memory units with thicknesses of only two atomic layers and exhibit an average memory window of 7 V with an applied voltage of 10 V, retention times greater than 10 4  seconds and endurance greater than 10 4 cycles. Rhombohedral-stacked molybdenum disulfide with sliding ferroelectric behaviour can be used to create atomically thin ferroelectric transistors for computing-in-memory device applications.

In recent years, the interlayer stacking angle of two-dimensional (2D) materials has been identified as a critical parameter for modulating carrier transport properties, demonstrating its importance in optimizing carrier mobility in heterostructures. Concurrently, advancements in transistor contact engineering have shown that semi-metal bismuth (Bi) can achieve ultra-low contact resistance in molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field-effect transistors (FETs).Building on this foundation, we investigated MoS2 transistors with Bi metal contacts, examining conductivity variations with different rotational angles of the Bi electrodes relative to the MoS2. Our results indicate that conductivity peaks at 0° and decreases with increasing contact angle, reaching a minimum at 30°. This trend is also reflected in carrier mobility, which nearly doubles at the optimal angle. These findings align with 3-band tight-binding theoretical simulations, suggesting that different contact angles alter transmission probabilities within the

The discovery of interfacial ferroelectricity in two-dimensional rhombohedral (3R)-stacked semiconductors opens up a new pathway for achieving ultrathin computing-in-memory devices. However, exploring ferroelectricity switching in natural 3R crystals is difficult due to lack of co-existing 3R stacking domains. Here, we present that MoS2 homoepitaxial patterns with 3R polytypic domains can manifest switchable ferroelectricity at room-temperature. Based on the diffusion limited aggregation theory, such MoS2 patterns are formed under the low Mo chemical potential and low temperature with respect to common chemical vapor deposition synthesis. The alternation of 3R polytypes in the MoS2 homoepitaxial patterns, observed by scanning transmission electron microscopy, accounts for ferroelectricity switching. The MoS2 field-effect transistors with 3R polytypic domains exhibit a repeatable counterclockwise hysteresis with gate voltage sweeping, an indication of ferroelectricity switching, and the memory window exceeds those measured for compact-shaped 3R bilayer devices. This work provides a direct growth concept for layered 3R-based ferroelectric memory.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the impact of interferon (IFN)‐based therapy on cardiovascular outcomes remains unclear. This nationwide cohort study included 7411 patients with HCV from The Taiwanese Chronic Hepatitis C Cohort registry who received IFN‐based therapy between 2003 and 2014. Patients were categorized into sustained virological response (SVR) (n = 5785) and non‐SVR (n = 1676) groups. The incidence of new‐onset CVD events, including stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia, was assessed using three Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for different sets of confounding factors. The cumulative CVD incidence was comparable in the SVR and non‐SVR groups (11.2% vs. 10.2%, p = 0.609). SVR was not significantly associated with a reduced overall CVD risk among the three models [hazards ratio (HR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–1.05, p = 0.158]. However, a lower risk of stroke was observed in patients who achieved an SVR, although the difference was not significant (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74–0.94). The results of the sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. An SVR following IFN‐based therapy did not substantially reduce the overall CVD risk; however, a potential reduction in stroke risk was observed. These results emphasize the importance of long‐term cardiovascular risk assessments and highlight the need for further research, particularly in the direct‐acting antiviral era in which increased cardiovascular benefits may be expected.

Background Large-scale real-world data of the 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) therapy for treatment-naïve patients of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with compensated cirrhosis is scarce. Methods The TASL HCV Registry (TACR) is an ongoing nationwide registry program that aims to set up a database and biobank of patients with chronic HCV infection in Taiwan. In this study, data were analyzed as of 31 October 2021 for treatment-naïve HCV patients with compensated cirrhosis receiving 8-week GLE/PIB therapy. Effectiveness reported as sustained virologic response at off-therapy week 12 (SVR12) and safety profiles were assessed. Patient characteristics potentially related to SVR12 were also evaluated. Results Of the 301 patients enrolled, 275 had available SVR12 data. The SVR12 rate was 98.2% (270/275) in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population and 89.7% (270/301) in the ITT population. For those mITT patients with genotype 3, FibroScan > 20 kPa, platelet < 150,000/µl, and FibroScan > 20 kPa and platelet < 150,000/µl, the SVR12 rates were 100% (6/6), 100% (12/12), 98.0% (144/147), 100% (7/7), respectively. Overall, 24.9% (75/301) patients experienced adverse events (AEs). The most frequent AEs (> 5%) included fatigue (9.0%) and pruritus (7.0%). Seven (2.3%) patients experienced serious AEs and two (0.7%) resulted in permanent drug discontinuation. None of them were considered as GLE/PIB-related. Conclusions In this large-scale real-world Taiwanese cohort, 8-week GLE/PIB therapy was efficacious and well tolerated for treatment-naïve compensated cirrhosis patients. SVR12 rates were similarly high as in the clinical trials, including those with characteristics of advanced liver disease.

This study examines the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication through sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) treatment on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Utilizing data from the Taiwan HCV Registry, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 2180 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 695 of whom had T2DM. HbA1c levels significantly decreased in the diabetes group from 7.32% ± 1.72% at baseline to 6.87% ± 1.34% after achieving sustained virological response (SVR12). Patients with higher baseline HbA1c levels and cirrhosis experienced more pronounced HbA1c reductions. Among diabetic patients with HbA1c levels ≥ 6.5, 24.6% achieved levels < 6.5 following HCV elimination, while 24.4% of prediabetic patients observed HbA1c reductions < 5.7. Multivariate analysis identified fasting glucose levels and diabetes status as significant factors associated with HbA1c decline. These findings suggest that successful HCV treatment can improve glycemic control, highlighting the need for collaboration between hepatology and non‐hepatology specialists in patient care.

Spectrum utilization becomes more and more important while new communication techniques keep increasing and the spectrum bands remain finite. Cognitive radio is a revolutionary technology to make use of the spectrum more effectively. In order to avoid the interference to the primary user, spectrum sensing must be sensitive and reliable. Cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) is one of the ways to increase the reliability of spectrum sensing. The information fusion technique is a key component of CSS. In this paper, we proposed a novel fusion scheme based on spatial correlation technique. We utilize geographical information with reputational weights to propose a two-level fusion scheme called secure centralized spectrum sensing (SCSS). The simulation results show that as the attackers present high density aggregation at some areas, the correct sensing ratio of SCSS is increasing as well even when the number of attackers is very large.

As Android Operating System (OS) for mobile computing devices become one of the major trends, the utilization of smartphones set the record for global users and they are taking advantages of the contemporary Instant Messaging (IM) as a convenient tool to communicate with global users in real time because of its competitive rate, high availability, robust reliability, and agile mobility. Undoubtedly, as IM has gradually become one of the channels to commit the cybercrime, the digital evidence collection, analysis, and preservation of the non-volatile data from the Random Access Memory (RAM) of the computing device in terms of cyber trails that were unknowingly left on the crime scene. Hence, this research conducts the design of the experiments to fulfill the essence of contribution of the paper. The Skype Chat and MSN are the popular IM tools, which are widely utilized in contemporary digital era. This paper provides a generic paradigm for the digital forensics specialists and law enforcement agencies to ponder if similar situations are faced.

Background/Aims: The survival benefit of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages B/C, remains largely uncertain. We aimed to explore the impact of DAA therapy on overall survival (OS) in HCC patients using a nationwide cohort study. Methods: We utilized the nationwide Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL) HCV Registry (TACR) database to include all adults receiving a DAA therapy for HCV, excluding those with other viral infections, liver transplantation, non-HCC malignancies, and terminal-staged HCC. We respectively analyzed the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for sustained virological response (SVR) and adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for OS. Results: Between December 2013 and December 2020, 2,205 (9.3%) patients with HCC and 21,569 (90.7%) patients without HCC were include. The SVR rates were 96.6% in the HCC group and 98.8% in the non-HCC group (P<0.001), with HCC being an independent risk factor affecting SVR (aOR 0.41; 95% CI 0.31-0.54; P<0.001). In the whole patient cohort, SVR was independently associated with improved OS (aHR 0.46; 95% CI 0.35-0.60; P<0.001). Among patients with baseline HCC, SVR remained an independent factor related to OS (aHR 0.41; 95% CI 0.28-0.59; P<0.001). The impact of SVR on OS persisted significantly across BCLC stages 0/A and stages B/C. Conclusions: High SVR rates among HCC patients underscore the importance of DAA therapy in enhancing OS, reaffirming its efficacy across various HCC stages. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2025;31:899-913)

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who failed antiviral therapy are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the potential role of metformin and statins, medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLP), in reducing HCC risk among these patients. Methods: We included CHC patients from the T-COACH study who failed antiviral therapy. We tracked the onset of HCC 1.5 years post-therapy by linking to Taiwan’s cancer registry data from 2003 to 2019. We accounted for death and liver transplantation as competing risks and employed Gray’s cumulative incidence and Cox subdistribution hazards models to analyze HCC development. Results: Out of 2,779 patients, 480 (17.3%) developed HCC post-therapy. DM patients not using metformin had a 51% increased risk of HCC compared to non-DM patients, while HLP patients on statins had a 50% reduced risk compared to those without HLP. The 5-year HCC incidence was significantly higher for metformin non-users (16.5%) versus non-DM patients (11.3%; adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.51; P=0.007) and metformin users (3.1%; aSHR=1.59; P=0.022). Statin use in HLP patients correlated with a lower HCC risk (3.8%) compared to non-HLP patients (12.5%; aSHR=0.50; P<0.001). Notably, the increased HCC risk associated with non-use of metformin was primarily seen in non-cirrhotic patients, whereas statins decreased HCC risk in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Conclusions: Metformin and statins may have a chemopreventive effect against HCC in CHC patients who failed antiviral therapy. These results support the need for personalized preventive strategies in managing HCC risk. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2024;30:468-486)