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Background: Intussusception, a common cause of abdominal pain in children, often lacks clear underlying causes and is mostly idiopathic. Recurrence, though rare, raises clinical concerns, with rates escalating after each episode. Factors like pathological lead points and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) are associated with recurrent cases. On the other hand, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), often asymptomatic, in children has been declining. Although its infection is reported to be linked with HSP, its role in recurrent intussusception remains unexplored. Further research is needed to understand the interplay among H. pylori (culprit pathogen), HSP (trigger), and intractable intussusception so as to develop effective management strategies. Case presentation: A two-year-old girl experienced four atypical episodes of intussusception at distinct locations, which later coincided with HSP. Despite treatment with steroids, recurrent intussusception persisted, suggesting that HSP itself was not a major cause for intractable presentations. Subsequent identification of H. pylori infection and treatment with triple therapy resulted in complete resolution of her recalcitrant intussusception. Conclusion: This instructive case underscored a sequence wherein H. pylori infection triggered HSP, subsequently resulting in recurrent intussusception. While H. pylori infection is not common in young children, the coexistence of intractable intussusception and steroid-resistant recurrent HSP necessitates consideration of H. pylori infection as a potential underlying pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigates the feasibility of fitting windows with sun-shadings in order to minimize the lighting power costs in daylight-illuminated classrooms lit from a single side in subtropical regions. An IES-CPC model is created of a representative classroom in Taiwan, and a series of simulations is performed to determine the average illuminance value and the uniformity of the illuminance distribution in the classroom under various lighting conditions with no sun-shadings fitted to the window. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements obtained using an array of nine-channel photometers. Having confirmed the validity of the simulation scheme, the illumination properties of four different sun-shading designs are considered. The results show that a double-layered sun-shading represents the optimal sun-shading design in terms of achieving a uniform illumination distribution within the classroom. Given appropriate physical dimensions, this daylight access device achieves the minimum illuminance requirement of 500lx and improves the lighting uniformity ratio from 0.25–0.35 to 0.40–0.42. Furthermore, using this sun-shading device, the required illuminance ratio of 0.5 can be obtained simply by switching on one of the three rows of lights in the classroom. Accordingly, the daylight access device not only improves the illuminance conditions within the classroom, but also reduces the lighting power cost by 71.5% compared to the case where all of the lights are turned on. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Double-skin roof is known as a very effective way to reduce both the conduction and convection heat transfers from roof to the ceiling of building, on the other hand, RBS (radiant barrier system) is very effective in blocking the radiation heat transfer between roof and ceiling. In this study, prototypical double roofs inspired by the concepts of both double-skin structure and RBS technique was specifically designed to cut down the solar heat gain from roof. The effect of energy saving was experimentally measured. A double roof structure, formed by a roof plate and an aluminum foil-PP (polypropylene) board-RC slab, can achieve good performance of heat barrier and is highly recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study develops a MEMS-based formaldehyde gas sensor based on a suspended silicon nitride microstructure with an integrated micro Pt heater, a thin-film NiO sensing layer and Pt interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) to measure the resistance changes of the NiO layer in the presence of formaldehyde. A specific orientation of the NiO layer is observed as the substrate temperature in the sputtering process is increased. The increase in substrate temperature assists in the formation of a NiO layer with the correct stoichiometric ratio (1:1). When formaldehyde is present in the atmosphere, oxidation occurs near the heated NiO sensing layer. This oxidization causes a change in the electrical conductivity of the NiO film, and hence changes the measured resistance between the interdigitated electrodes. The formaldehyde concentration is then determined from the change in the measured resistance. The application of a voltage to the Pt heaters causes the temperature of the micro-hotplate to increase, which in turn enhances the sensitivity of the sensor. The current experimental results show that the sub-micrometer grain sizes of the sputtered oxide thin film yield a high degree of sensitivity (0.33Ωppm−1), a low hysteresis value (0.7ppm), a detection capability of less than 0.8ppm, a quick response time (13.2s), a quick recovery time (40.0s) and a high selectivity over a wide range of formaldehyde concentrations in the presence of interfering species, such as acetone, ethanol and methanol. The novel micro formaldehyde gas sensor developed in this study is ideal for applications aimed at preventing and controlling sick building syndrome (SBS). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Taiwan has a unique subtropical island climate. In the development of a green building material (GBM) evaluation system for Taiwan, evaluation criteria should differ from those in the frigid or temperate zones of the world. We aimed to provide academia and industry with an appropriate GBM evaluation method and to enhance the effectiveness of GBM. It means GBM should be concerned with creating more value with less impact to achieve 'eco-efficiency'. Eco-efficiency is the balance of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life-cycle within the Earth's estimated carrying capacity. We applied this method (eco-efficiency=quality/load) to comprehensively consider the efficiency of GBM. The first step was to review the literature to summarize GBM evaluation factors. Second, we conducted a two-stage survey by the fuzzy Delphi method to analyze the evaluation indicators' eco-efficiency dimension (quality or load) and the importance of evaluation factors for establishing the GBM Eco-Efficiency Evaluation System. Third, we analyzed the priority vector of the evaluation indicators by an analytic hierarchy process method before finally achieving the goal of constructing the GBM Eco-Efficiency Model. The achievement was the creation of the Taiwan GBM Eco-Efficiency Evaluation System and the GBM Eco-Efficiency Model. For academia, industry, and users, it could lead to the enhancement of GBM quality as well as provide feedback to modify the process in advance, reduce adverse environmental loads, and minimize the negative impact on the global environment. This method responds positively to human health and global sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sn, Al and Cu not only possess electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield efficiency, but also have acceptable costs. In this study, sputtered Sn–Al thin films and Sn–Cu thin films were used to investigate the effect of the crystallization mechanism and film thickness on the electromagnetic interference (EMI) characteristics. The results show that Sn–xAl film increased the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding after annealing. For as-sputtered Sn–xCu films with higher Cu atomic concentration, the low frequency EMI shielding could not be improved. After annealing, the Sn–Cu thin film with lower Cu content possessed excellent EMI shielding at lower frequencies, but had an inverse tendency at higher frequencies. For both the Sn–xAl and Sn–xCu thin films after crystallization treatment, the sputtered films had higher electrical conductivity, however the EMI shielding was not enhanced significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In recent years, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been considered an important technology affecting the development of industries around the world and is valued in many fields. In the construction industry, RFID benefits construction engineering and management by improving efficiency and control. This study describes the influence of combination manners of RFID and interior decorating materials on RFID system recognition by identifying appropriate combination manners and tag space layouts. The main study results include (1) building materials'' influence on effects of RFID, (2) readable distance between tags and readers, and (3) electronic wave penetration of passive tags. Limitations of the RFID applications on material management were also identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An innovative low temperature differential variable air volume fan-coil unit (LTD-VAV FCU) was developed to improve the defects of variable air volume (VAV) and cold air distribution energy-saving technologies. A test bench and procedures according to its unique air supply features were established to investigate the energy-saving and IAQ improving potential experimentally. The experimental results of the prototype indicated the supply air volume can be continuously varied between 0.09m3/s (200 CFM) and 0.38m3/s (813 CFM), controlled by the bypass damper giving an air supply/air return temperature difference from only 2.30 to 8.09°C. The effect of reducing the supply/return air temperature differential not only makes people feel comfortable, but also improves the cold draft and condensing at the outlet generated by ordinary air supply method. In addition, continuous capacity variations range from 0.45kW (383kcal/h) to 5.29kW (4550kcal/h) rendering to achieve the effect of comfort at a stable indoor thermal condition. Moreover, the temperature difference of chilled water ranges from 0.42 to 5.05°C, the chiller plant not only can be unloaded at a low temperature difference to enhance energy-saving, but also complement other areas for multi-area application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was conducted to assess (1) levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) in a dental clinic in southern Taiwan and (2) dental care personnel's health risks associated with due to chronic exposure to VOCs. An automatic, continuous sampling system and a multi-gas monitor were employed to quantify the air pollutants, along with environmental comfort factors, including temperature, CO2, and relative humidity at six sampling sites in the clinic over eight days. Specific VOC compounds were identified and their concentrations were quantified. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic VOC compounds were assessed based on the US Environmental Protection Agency's Principles of Health Risk Assessment in terms of whether those indoor air pollutants increased health risks for the full-time dental care professionals at the clinic. Increased levels of VOCs were recorded during business hours and exceeded limits recommended by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency. A total of 68 VOC compounds were identified in the study area. Methylene methacrylate (2.8 ppm) and acetone (0.176 ppm) were the only two non-carcinogenic compounds that posed increased risks for human health, yielding hazard indexes of 16.4 and 4.1, respectively. None of the carcinogenic compounds increased cancer risk. All detected PM10levels ranged from 20 to 150 μg/m3, which met the Taiwan EPA and international limits. The average PM10level during business hours was significantly higher than that during non-business hours (P= 0.04). Improved ventilation capacity in the air conditioning system was recommended to reduce VOCs and PM levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 20p13 microdeletion syndrome has been reported to be associated with developmental delays, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and unspecific dysmorphic characteristics. However, only a few cases of 20p13 microdeletion have been described, and therefore its typical features and precise pathogenesis remain elusive. Methods and Results: In this article, we report the case of a 9‐month‐old infant who presented with a large fontanelle, facial dysmorphism, and failure to thrive. Array‐comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis confirmed a 2.01‐Mb microdeletion in chromosome band 20p13 that involved SOX12 and NRSN2, both of which are considered paramount causative genes in patients with 20p13 microdeletion. To elucidate the typical features of 20p13 microdeletion, we further reviewed these previously reported cases and found that motor delay (90%) was the most common manifestation, followed by language delay (60%), abnormal digits (60%), mental retardation (50%), large fontanelle (50%), electroencephalography abnormalities (50%), and seizure (40%). Conclusion: This report highlights the potential of aCGH as a practical and powerful tool with which to detect submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities in individuals presenting with a wide spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from facial dysmorphism to failure to thrive. Additionally, the literature review casts new light on the clinical features of 20p13 microdeletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]