National Taiwan University

Genome-wide association study of estimated glomerular filtration rate using repeated measurements in the Taiwan Biobank

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health issue, with genetic factors playing a significant role in kidney function. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous loci associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (...

Social norms and technology engagement in later life: An experimental study

While previous studies have focused on the importance of self-efficacy and usefulness for willingness to engage with and learn about technology, this study tests whether social norms about the role of elderly people in modern society impact older adults’ intentions to learn about...

Mechanically Coupled Supramolecular Scissors Govern Photomechanical and Elastic Responses in Molecular Crystals

Mechanically responsive molecular crystals offer a powerful platform for transducing molecular motion into macroscopic mechanical work, yet molecular-level understanding of how crystal structures govern molecular motion and, consequently, mechanical behavior remains limited. A no...

Synthesis and Application of 3,3-Difluoro Sialic Acid as a Sialyltransferase and Neuraminidase Inhibitor

Abstract Sialic acid (Neu5Ac) is a monosaccharide terminating glycoconjugates, serving as ligands for lectins in health and disease. Tools to target sialyltransferases (STs) and neuraminidases (NEUs) are important in the study of sialoglycans. 3FaxNeu5Ac is a common ST inhibitor,...

A Scoping Review of Digital Behavioral Approaches to Improve Medication Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Purpose of Review Consistent medication adherence is fundamental for achieving favorable health outcomes in diabetes care; however, attaining optimal adherence remains a challenge. This review summarized recent evidence on digital behavioral interventions designed to imp...

Effect of APOE and LPA genotypes on the risk of dementia after myocardial infarction: a clinic-based cohort study

Survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) face elevated risk of subsequent cognitive decline, yet the relative contributions of neurodegenerative susceptibility ( APOE4 ) and lipid-mediated vascular burden ( LPA risk variants) to post-MI dementia remain unclear, particularly in Asi...

Strong tropical cyclones have a more gradual increase trend through interaction with ocean subsurface

Understanding changes in global tropical cyclone (TC) intensity and their long-term trends is critical for enhancing societal resilience. Given their disproportionate impacts, shifts in strong TCs, which are defined here as Category 4 and above, are of particular concern. We exam...

Cilostazol Treatment for Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Targeting Dural Lymphatics

BACKGROUND: The meningeal lymphatic system contributes to hematoma resolution and neurological recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We previously demonstrated that intraperitoneal cilostazol administration promotes dural lymphatic growth and enhances clearance of intrac...

Impact of Baseline Synchronous Adenoma Burden on the Risk of Metachronous Advanced Neoplasia

Background and study aim: Individuals classified as “high-risk” at initial colonoscopy face an elevated risk of metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasms (meta-ACRN), but risk heterogeneity within this group remains unclear. We aimed to stratify meta-ACRN risk among high-risk in...

Hydrothermally Grown NiFe Layered Double Hydroxide on Hastelloy Fiber Paper for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Anion-Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

Abstract Hastelloy fiber paper (HAP) exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and structural robustness; however, its application as a porous transport layer (PTL) in water electrolysis systems remains relatively underexplored. In this study, a highly act...

Achieving 10% Efficiency in Quantum Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells via Vacancy‐Engineered Carbon Nitride in CuS/C Heterostructures

ABSTRACT The development of high‐efficiency counter electrodes (CEs) is a pivotal challenge for advancing the performance of quantum dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). This study reports the rational synthesis of a CuS/C‐DCN ox heterostructure, featuring copper sulfide nanopart...

Benzodifluoranthenes and Their π‐Extended Derivatives: Syntheses, Structural Analyses, Properties, and Hole Mobilities

ABSTRACT New classes of arenes, benzo[1,2‐ b :5,4‐ b′ ]difluoranthene ( syn ‐B b D), benzo[1,2‐ b :4,5‐ b′ ]difluoranthene ( anti ‐B b D) and their π‐extended derivatives, were regioselectively synthesized by rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular annulations of bis[2‐(arylethynyl)phen...

The burden of suicide by paraquat poisoning in Taiwan (1987–2017): trends, geographic variations, and demographic characteristics

Pesticide self-poisoning accounts for 14%–20% of global suicides. Paraquat, a highly lethal pesticide, is involved in a considerable number of suicides in some countries. This study investigated the burden, trends, geographic variations, and demographic characteristics of pestici...

Urban–Rural Disparities in School Lunch Food Composition: Evidence from 12.7 Million Dish Records in Taiwan’s National School Food Registry

Background/Objectives: For many schoolchildren—particularly those in low-resource areas—the school lunch is the most reliable balanced meal of the day, so its composition is a direct determinant of dietary equity. The aim of this study was to quantify urban–rural disparities in s...

Sperm-specific fertility factors SMZ-1/2 promote FB-MO biogenesis and MSP filament assembly in C. elegans

Abstract In nematode sperm, motility is powered by polymerization of major sperm protein (MSP) into filaments assembled from a specialized organelle (FB–MO), but how filament formation begins is unclear. We identify two sperm-specific PDZ proteins, SMZ-1 and SMZ-2 (SMZ-1/2), that...

Impact of Source Contact Segmentation on the Electrical Characteristics of 4H‐SiC Planar MOSFETs

Source contact (SC) segmentation is investigated as a layout approach for tuning the capacitance, conduction, blocking, and switching characteristics of 1.7 kV 4H‐silicon carbide (4H‐SiC) planar metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs). Three‐dimensional TCAD...

Polygenic architecture of childhood emotional and behavioral problems in East Asian youth: a multivariate genome-wide study

Abstract Background Emotional and behavioral problems in childhood, commonly classified as internalizing and externalizing symptoms, represent early manifestations of vulnerability to later psychiatric disorders. However, their genetic architecture remains largely characterized i...

Orchestrating Anion–π + Interactions to Accelerate Metal‐Free Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence

ABSTRACT Overcoming the long‐standing trade‐off between efficiency and radiative rate in metal‐free phosphorescence remains a central challenge in molecular photophysics and is pivotal for the next‐generation optoelectronic technologies. Here, we demonstrate that tuning the stren...

Influence of baseline nutritional status on ketogenic diet efficacy in children with drug-resistant epilepsy

Nutritional status may influence the efficacy of ketogenic diet (KD) therapy in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. This study enrolled 43 children (25 girls, 18 boys) with drug-resistant epilepsy. Pre-KD nutritional status was assessed using 24-h diet recalls and 3-day food r...

How Norms Depend on the Presence and Status of Observers: The Relational Contingency of Everyday Behaviors in 90 Societies

Norms are fundamental to social life, but basic questions about how they are affected by social context remain. Specifically, how do normative constraints depend on the presence and status of observers, and how do such relational contingencies vary across cultures? Using data fro...