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The thickness effect in ferroelectric thin films has been theoretically investigated using the Landau–Khalatnikov theory. Ferroelectric properties such as the hysteresis loop, and its associated coercive field and the remanent polarization of various film thicknesses have been numerically simulated. In this simulation, the thin film was modeled by the stacking of layers, each of which has unique parameters for the Landau free energy. Due to the interfacial effects near the electrodes, the parameters for the surface layers are different from those for the bulk. The simulated result shows that the coercive field decreases while the remanent polarization increases with thickness. Both of these trends qualitatively agree with experiments. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish a real‐time predictive scoring model based on sonographic characteristics for identifying malignant cervical lymph nodes (LNs) in cancer patients after neck irradiation. Methods: One‐hundred forty‐four irradiation‐treated patients underwent ultrasonography and ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirations (USgFNAs), and the resultant data were used to construct a real‐time and computerised predictive scoring model. This scoring system was further compared with our previously proposed prediction model. Results: A predictive scoring model, 1.35 × (L axis) + 2.03 × (S axis) + 2.27 × (margin) + 1.48 × (echogenic hilum) + 3.7, was generated by stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis. Neck LNs were considered to be malignant when the score was ≥ 7, corresponding to a sensitivity of 85.5%, specificity of 79.4%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 82.3%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 83.1%, and overall accuracy of 82.6%. When this new model and the original model were compared, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (c‐statistic) were 0.89 and 0.81, respectively (P < .05). Conclusions: A real‐time sonographic predictive scoring model was constructed to provide prompt and reliable guidance for USgFNA biopsies to manage cervical LNs after neck irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The study investigating the effects of d-met for rescuing NIHL in guinea-pigs. [•] The rescue of noise-induced PTS with d-met being in a dose-dependent manner. [•] d-Met-dose-dependent preservation of ATPase activities in noise-exposed animals. [•] d-Met mediating a dose-dependent decrease in noise-induced oxidative stress. [•] Reversal of oxidative stress and ATPase activities relating to hearing improvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which investigates the feasibility of powered saline irrigation for endoscopic removal of fungus balls in maxillary sinuses. It notes that the handpiece tip of the powered saline irrigation system was inserted in the sinus and powered saline sprays were used to remove diseased material from the maxillary sinus mucosa. It cites that the results in the study showed the superiority of the saline irrigation technique.

The main objective of this study is to improve the quality of injection-molded lenses with the implementation of DMAIC procedures based on the Six Sigma approach. At first, critical-to-quality factors (CTQ) are determined according to customer requirements for quality. The causal factors for the lens properties are identified within the processing window being tested. Adopted for the analysis procedures, the Taguchi design-of-experiment method (DOE) is employed for screening pertinent process parameters in the injection process. After completing the DOE procedures, confirmation experiments are conducted with selected combinations of factors and levels. The experimental results show substantial improvement for the profile accuracy on molded lenses. As a further step, an optimal set of factors and levels are taken during the mass-production processing conditions. In conclusion, the Six Sigma approach can effectively improve the upper process capability index CPU from 0.57 to 1.75, i.e., 0.07 defects per million, without an upgrade of production equipment or an increase of production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an extremely rare complication after ventriculoperitoneal shunting. The peritoneal tube migrated into the stomach 8 months after the operation and patient presented with gastric bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Office‐based laryngeal procedures (OBLPs) are emerging as effective alternative modalities for vocal disorders. This study systematically investigates the haemodynamic status of patients, specifically focusing on the potential effects of underlying comorbidity and medication use. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary referral centre. Participants: We prospectively recruited 214 consecutive patients who received OBLPs during January‐December 2015. All procedures were performed under local anaesthesia without sedation, in an upright (sitting) position. Main outcome measures: We measured heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and oxygen saturations at baseline (before procedure), immediately after local anaesthesia to the pharynx and larynx, immediately after completing of procedure, and 20 minutes after the procedure. Results: Systolic, diastolic blood pressures and HR all significantly increased after local anaesthesia, and gradually decreased after the procedure (P<.01). Oxygen concentration remained unchanged. Patients with comorbidity and those receiving vasoactive medications showed significantly higher perioperative blood pressures than the other patients (P<.05), but the trend remained similar. Prominent hypertension (systolic ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic ≥100 mm Hg) was noted in 17 patients, more commonly in patients with older age, higher baseline blood pressures and receiving vasoactive medications. Only 2% of patients with normal baseline measurements developed prominent hypertension perioperatively. Tachycardia (HR≥100 bpm) developed in 22 patients, more frequently in patients with higher baseline HRs, and perceiving greater discomforts. Conclusion: This study revealed that routine haemodynamic monitoring may not be necessary for all the OBLPs, but should be considered for older patients, those with higher baseline blood pressure or HR, sensitive patients who might be more susceptible to perioperative discomfort, and those receiving vasoactive medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs about a study based on the use of direct corticosteroid injection for treating vocal process granuloma. It mentions that procedure began with local anesthesia of the pharynx and larynx including spraying 10 percent Xylocaine over the pharynx, tonsil, and epiglottis. It includes that 6 months after the procedure, treatment outcomes showed substantial improvement of clinical symptoms and size reduction of granulomas in all 10 patients who participated in the study.

We present a combined scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and low-temperature magnetotransport study of Si:P δ-doped layers on vicinal Si(001) substrates. The substrates were misoriented 4° toward [110] resulting in a high step density on the starting growth surface. Atomically resolved STM was used to study all stages of the fabrication. We find only a weak influence of the high step density and discuss the implications for the fabrication δ-doped layers and planar nanoscale Si:P devices by scanning tunneling lithography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is an endemic disease in Taiwan. Prognostic factors the anatomical TNM stage are important for its prognostic stratification. An elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in various solid tumours. In this study, we analysed the prognostic impact of the NLR in NPC in Taiwan. Design: Single‐institution retrospective study. Setting: Medical centre. Participants: One hundred and eighty patients with NPC treated at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from January 2007 to December 2013. Main outcome measures: The association between the clinical or haematological presentations and the prognosis. Results: The majority of the 180 patients included in this study were men (80%) and were <65 years old (91.7%). A neck mass (55.6%) was the most common clinical presentation, followed by nasal (39.4%) and aural (30.6%) symptoms. In addition, the majority (75.4%) of patients had advanced stage (III and IV) disease. Patients with a high NLR (≧3.6) had significantly lower progression‐free survival, overall survival and disease‐specific survival rates. The association between high NLR and poor prognosis was more pronounced in patients with advanced disease than in those with early‐stage NPC. The results of a multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age, clinical symptoms including headache, diplopia and facial numbness, advanced disease stage, and high NLR were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: A high NLR is an independent poor prognostic factor of NPC in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion beam bombardment is a useful surface modification method in tailoring the microstructure and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic thin films. In this paper, Co thin films were bombarded by Ar + ion beam with oxygen and then capped with Al (to prevent oxidation). The oxygen content was altered from 0 to 41% to investigate the ion-beam bombardment effect. An oxide layer containing Al 2 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 and CoO was formed after the ion-beam bombardment with oxygen, as characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and x-ray diffraction. Enhanced coercivities (H c 's) (from 4.14 kA/m to 7.96 kA/m) and loop squareness (M r /M s. from 0.5 to 0.8) was induced by pure Ar + ion-beam bombardment that resulted in domain wall pinning due to bombardment-induced defects and Co spin reordering. H c exhibited a strong dependence on the oxygen content in the ion beam, due to the nature of the cobalt oxide formation. Field cooling to 180 K resulted in increased squareness (M r /M s. = 0.9) and reduced H c . The low-field magnetization measured during zero field and field cooling to further investigate the exchange bias magnetism identified an irreversibility temperature at 320 K in a film treated by ion-beam bombardment with an O 2 /Ar ratio of 21%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the treatment of acute leukemia with second haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation following allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

A correction is presented to the article "Prognostic impact of pre‐treatment neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective study of 180 Taiwanese patients".