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Detection of early-stage misalignment of the ball screw in feed drive systems is the topic addressed in this study. The triaxial vibration amplitudes and phases of a rotating ball screw at the ball screw nut were extracted using the Vold–Kalman filtering order tracking (VKFOT). The rotating ball screw locus at the rotation speed and its multiplier in the time domain were then constructed to obtain corresponding holospectra. By using a self-organizing map, the features corresponding to various holospectra were extracted and quantified into metrices as a measure signifying the severity of ball screw misalignment. Experimental results indicated that the proposed method effectively detected the ball screw misalignment even though this misalignment was less than 30 μm in size. The experiments conducted in this study demonstrated the high sensitivity and effectiveness of the proposed method, which also has a clear advantage due to its simpler instrumentation compared with traditional accelerometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threshold voltage (Vth) distributions of ground-select-line (GSL) cells and edge dummy (DMY0) cells in a 3-D NAND flash memory are investigated. We characterize the Vth distributions in 3-D NAND flash samples with different fabrication processes and bitline voltages. Large DMY0 and GSL Vth distribution tails are observed in certain fabrication process and operation voltage conditions. The DMY0 Vth tail is attributed to a random distribution of grain boundary (GB) traps in a poly-silicon channel between GSL and DMY0. The GSL Vth tail is affected by ion implant energy in an epitaxial silicon layer underneath a GSL. A 3-D TCAD simulation is performed to study the effects of a GB trap position and a bitline voltage on the Vth distribution of DMY0. The influence of an implant dose profile in the epitaxial silicon on the GSL Vth distribution is also analyzed by 3-D simulation. The GSL and the DMY0 Vth distributions can be significantly improved by optimizing a fabrication process and choosing an appropriate bitline voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transvaginal natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) approach for right-side colon surgery has been proven to exhibit favorable short-term outcomes. However, thus far, no study has reported the advantages of transrectal NOSE for right-side colon surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the technical feasibility, safety, and short-term outcomes of minimally invasive right hemicolectomy using the transrectal NOSE method and those of conventional mini-laparotomy specimen extraction. Methods: A study was conducted on consecutive patients who had minimally invasive right hemicolectomy either for malignancy or benign disease at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, between January 2017 and December 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: conventional surgery with specimen extraction using mini-laparotomy and NOSE surgery. Surgical outcomes, including complications, postoperative short-term recovery, and pain intensity, were analyzed. Results: We enrolled 297 patients (151 males, mean age 64.9 ± 12.8 years) who had minimally invasive right hemicolectomy. Of these 297 patients, 272 patients had conventional surgery with specimen extraction through mini-laparotomy and 25 patients had NOSE surgery (23 transrectal, 2 transvaginal). The diagnosis of colon disease did not differ significantly between the conventional and NOSE groups. Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were comparable. The postoperative hospital stay was significantly (p = 0.004) shorter in the NOSE group (median 5 days, range 3–17 days) than in the conventional group (median 7 days, range 3–45 days). Postoperative pain was significantly (p = 0.026 on postoperative day 1 and p = 0.002 on postoperative day 2) greater in the conventional group than in the NOSE group. Conclusions: NOSE was associated with acceptable short-term surgical outcomes that were comparable to those of conventional surgery. NOSE results in less postoperative wound pain and a shorter hospital stay than conventional surgery. Larger studies are needed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With potent immunomodulatory activities, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to be a beneficial treatment option for diseases with aberrant immune responses such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we used NZBWF1 mice as a SLE animal model to examine immunomodulation of MSCs as well as to assess the role of Toll-like receptor signalling in this circumstance. We found that mice receiving MSCs had a significant decrease in severity of proteinuria at 20 and 22 weeks of age (p = 0.009 and p = 0.022, respectively). Serum anti-dsDNA levels were significantly lower compared with the control group (p = 0.016 and p = 0.036, respectively). C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher at 22 weeks of age (p = 0.046 and p = 0.016, respectively). Altered expression of inflammation-associated cytokine profiles in the serum was also noted in mice receiving MSCs. Down-regulation of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling in the liver was demonstrated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and Western blotting. In addition to demonstrating the beneficial effects of MSC treatment in NZBWF1 mice, our study provided the first evidence for the association of MyD88-NF-κB signalling and MSC-mediated immunomodulation in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Chinese pregnant women in Hong Kong, the effect of psychiatric disorders on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, and the effect of antidepressants on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of women who delivered in Tuen Mun Hospital after 24 weeks of gestation between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017. Chinese pregnant women with psychiatric disorders were identified. Women with multiple pregnancy were excluded. Results: Of 9049 Chinese pregnant women included, 216 (2.4%) reported psychiatric disorders, with depressive disorders being the most prevalent (1%). Compared to pregnant women with no psychiatric disorders, pregnant women with psychiatric disorders were more likely to have gestational diabetes (10.2% vs 5.7%, p=0.005) and/or pre-existing diabetes (4.2% vs 1.9%, p=0.018) and preterm births before 37 weeks (13.9% vs 7.5%, p=0.001). Similarly, women with depressive disorders were more likely to have gestational diabetes (11.4% vs 5.7%, p=0.022) and preterm birth before 37 weeks (13.6% vs 7.5%, p=0.031). In multiple logistic regression, pregnant women with psychiatric disorders or depressive disorders were associated with nearly two-fold increase in the risks of gestational diabetes mellitus and preterm birth before 37 weeks, after adjusting for cofounding factors. Conclusion: Depression and psychiatric disorders were associated with preterm birth and gestational diabetes. Use of antidepressants had no adverse effect on maternal or fetal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient cell current caused by the trapping/detrapping of grain boundary traps in the polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) channel of a 3-D NAND cell string is comprehensively studied in this paper. This transient has a time constant of $10~\mu \text{s}$ or longer and is strongly dependent on the bias history. It is also affected by the trap distribution as revealed by TCAD simulations. Sensing offset between program verify and read results in “pseudo” charge loss/gain that reduces the sensing margin. The posttreatment of the poly-Si channel is suggested to mitigate this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of experimental methods has been employed for the study of Cl2 adsorption and reaction on Si(100)–(2×1). At 100 K, Cl2 adsorption occurs rapidly to a coverage of ∼0.7 Cl/Si. This is followed by slower adsorption kinetics with further Cl2 exposure. Two Cl adsorption states are observed experimentally. One of the adsorption states is terminally bonded Cl on the inclined dangling bond of the symmetric Si2 dimer sites, with a vibrational frequency, ν(SiCl) of 550∼600 cm-1. These bonded Cl atoms give four off-normal Cl+ ESDIAD emission beams from the orthogonal domains of silicon dimer sites. The Si–Cl bond angle for this adsorption configuration is estimated to be inclined 25°±4° off-normal. The second Cl adsorption state, a minority species, is bridge bonded Cl with ν(Si2Cl) of ∼295 cm-1 which produces Cl+ ion emission along the surface normal direction. Both adsorption states are present at low temperatures. Irreversible conversion from bridge bonded Cl to terminally bonded Cl begins to occur near 300 K; the conversion is complete near ∼673 K. LEED studies indicate that the (2×1) reconstruction for the substrate is preserved for all Cl coverages. The most probable Cl+ kinetic energy in electron stimulated desorption, ESD, is 1.1-+0.30.6 eV. A significant adsorbate-adsorbate quenching effect reducing the Cl+ ion yield in ESD occurs above a Cl(a) coverage of ∼0.5 ML (monolayer) due to interadsorbate interactions. The maximum Cl+ yield is about 4×10-7 Cl+/e at an electron energy of 120 eV. Temperature programmed desorption results show that SiCl2 is the major etching product which desorbs at about 840 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which employed a convenient kinetic uptake method to determine the absolute saturation monolayer coverage of carbon[sub2]hydrogen[sub2] and carbon[sub2]hydrogen[sub4] on a silicon (100)(2X1) surface. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Presents a study which modelled the tin diffusion step for producing niobate tin-copper superconducting wire by the external tin process. Experiment; Evaluation of each stage of the three-stage solid-state diffusion process; Discussion of the methods for minimizing void formation.

Thermal broadening of Cl+ electron stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (ESDIAD) patterns, related to the vibrational motion of the adsorbate, has been investigated by subtraction of patterns measured at different temperatures. In the case of Cl on Si(100), the observed difference pattern between 130 and 305 K indicates that azimuthally isotropic motion of Cl occurs about the most probable Si–Cl bond direction. Equal distributions from the in-plane and out-of-plane bending motions are observed, correlating with the ∼200 cm-1 frequencies associated with these motions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, an improved damage model based on construction technology of virtual load spectrum is developed. A predetermined reliability index is used as the termination criterion to calculate the fatigue life, and the results of statistical analysis have shown that the accuracy of fatigue life prediction result has been greatly improved. The model is targeting cyclic loading applications. The main advantage of the model is the use of construction technology of virtual load spectrum for expanding load spectrum and the Monte Carlo method for correcting fatigue damage. Another advantage concerns the link between predetermined reliability criterion and the fatigue life, which puts forward a new method of calculating fatigue life. The convergence proof of the model is presented, and physical experiment data are shown for validation. Several illustrative examples are presented to confirm the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed damage model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sepsis will induce stroke, new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) increase ischemic stroke (IS) in in-hospitalization and long-term period after sepsis. Physicians must alert this condition and given suitable treatment. Aim: The associated of IS and new-onset AF in septicemia survivors after discharge have to be evaluated. Design: The inpatient data was used of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD) in 2010. We identified patients suffered their first occurrence of septicemia (International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] is 038, 003.1, 036.1) and excluded less than 18 years old. Patients had AF (ICD-9-CM to 427.3×) during the same admission or after septicemia hospitalization discharged were defined as new-onset AF. The outcome was IS happened after septicemia discharge (ICD-9-CM as 433-437). Methods: The factors related to IS after septicemia survival were established using multivariate logistic regression with forward stepwise selection. Results: There were 1286 new-onset AF and 1026 IS happened after septicemia discharge. The crude odds ratio (OR) were 3.88 (95% confidence interval [C.I.]: 1.69-8.89) and 1.62 (95% C.I.: 1.14-2.3) in middle-aged and elderly septicemia survivors with newonset AF induced IS. The risk of IS after septicemia survivors was noticed adjusted OR 1.74 (95% C.I.: 1.26-2.41) for new-onset AF. Conclusion: The middle-aged and elderly septicemia survivors suffered from new-onset AF had increased incidence of IS within three months. New-onset AF was a mediator factor of IS in septicemia survivors of Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, inorganic/organic composites containing poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) coated core-shell SiO2 microspheres were prepared via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The thermal responsive polymer, N-isopropylacrylamide was treated with methanol, water and CuBr/CuBr2/1,1,4,7,7-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) at room temperature to form PNIPAM@SiO2 microspheres. The as-prepared PNIPAM@SiO2 microspheres were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, XPS, SEM, TEM analyses. Hemoglobin (Hb) was immobilized onto the surfaces of PNIPAM@SiO2 microspheres via hydrophobic and π-π stacking interactions. The as-prepared Hb/PNIPAM@SiO2 electrode exhibits well-defined redox peak at a formal potential of −0.38 V, validating the direct electrochemistry of Hb. The Hb immobilized composite film retained its bioelectroactivity without any significant loss of catalytic activity. The modified electrode detects H2O2 over a wide linear concentration range (0.1 μM to 333 μM) with a detection limit of 0.07 μM. This modified electrode also successfully detects H2O2 from food and disinfectant samples with appreciable recovery values, validating its practicality. We believe that PNIPAM@SiO2 composite has great potential to be used in the detection of H2O2 and development of other enzyme based biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acinetobacter baumannii represents a significant cause of nosocomial infections. Therefore, we combined real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the propidium monoazide ( PMA-q PCR) to assess the feasibility of detecting viable, airborne A. baumannii. The biological collection efficiencies of three samplers for collecting airborne A. baumannii were evaluated by PMA-q PCR in a chamber study. After sampling, the effects of storage in collection fluid on A. baumannii were evaluated. The results showed that the culturable ratio of A. baumannii measured using the culture method was significantly correlated with the viable ratio measured using PMA-q PCR, but was not significantly correlated with the q PCR results. It was indicated that the AGI-30 impinger and the Bio Sampler were much more effective than the Nuclepore filter sampler for collecting airborne A. baumannii. The storage temperature was critical for aerosol samples, as the loss of viable A. baumannii was minimized when the PMA-bound DNA was stored at −20°C or if the collected cells were stored at 4°C and subsequently processed by PMA-q PCR within 1 month. The PMA-q PCR method was also to distinguish between colistin-sensitive and colistin-resistant A. baumannii, and no colistin-sensitive A. baumannii was detected by PMA-q PCR upon treatment of the Bio Sampler collection medium with 2 μg/ml colistin for 5 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundTo investigate the risk of completed suicide in offspring during adolescence in relation to prior history of the same-sex parent's death by suicide and other causes.MethodA total of 500 adolescents who died by suicide at age 15–19 years between 1997 and 2007 were identified from the Taiwan Mortality Registration (TMR). For each case, 30 age- and time-matched controls were selected randomly from all adolescents registered in the Taiwan Birth Registry (TBR). A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to assess the risk of adolescent completed suicide in relation to their same-sex parent.ResultsAdolescent suicide risk was positively associated with both paternal [odds ratio (OR) 5.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17–13.33] and maternal suicide (OR 6.59, 95% CI 1.82–23.91). The corresponding risk estimates associated with paternal and maternal deaths from non-suicidal causes were much lower, at 1.88 and 1.94 respectively. The risk of suicide in male adolescents was significantly associated with prior history of paternal death by suicide (OR 8.23, 95% CI 2.96–22.90) but not of maternal death by suicide (OR 3.50, 95% CI 0.41–30.13). On the other contrary, the risk of suicidal death in female adolescents was significantly associated with prior history of maternal suicide (OR 9.71, 95% CI 1.89–49.94) but not of paternal suicide (OR 2.42, 95% CI 0.30–19.57). However, these differences did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsAlthough limited by sample size, our study indicates that adolescent offspring suicidal death is associated with prior history of their same-sex parent's death by suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose to test if gravimetry can prove useful in discriminating different models of long-term deep crustal processes in the case of the Taiwan mountain belt. We discuss two existing tectonic models that differ in the deep processes proposed to sustain the long-term growth of the orogen. One model assumes underplating of the uppermost Eurasian crust with subduction of the deeper part of the crust into the mantle. The other one suggests the accretion of the whole Eurasian crust above crustal-scale ramps, the lower crust being accreted into the collisional orogen. We compute the temporal gravity changes caused only by long-term rock mass transfers at depth for each of them. We show that the underplating model implies a rate of gravity change of −6 × 10−2 μGal yr−1, a value that increases to 2 × 10−2 μGal yr−1 if crustal subduction is neglected. If the accretion of the whole Eurasian crust occurs, a rate of 7 × 10−2 μGal yr−1 is obtained. The two models tested differ both in signal amplitude and spatial distribution. The yearly gravity changes expected by long-term deep crustal mass processes in Taiwan are two orders of magnitude below the present-day uncertainty of land-based gravity measurements. Assuming that these annually averaged long-term gravity changes will linearly accumulate with ongoing mountain building, multidecadal time-series are needed to identify comparable rates of gravity change. However, as gravity is sensitive to any mass redistribution, effects of short-term processes such as seismicity and surface mass transfers (erosion, sedimentation, ground-water) may prevent from detecting any long-term deep signal. This study indicates that temporal gravity is not appropriate for deciphering the long-term deep crustal processes involved in the Taiwan mountain belt. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although individual biomimetic nanograss and nanopillar arrays have been investigated widely to decrease surface reflections in energy applications, there have been few studies using them in combination to improve antireflection properties. By using hydrogen plasma to fabricate a silicon nanograss on a nanopillar array, we could decrease the reflection of the nanograss at longer wavelengths, while decreasing the non-specular reflection of the nanopillars over a wide spectral range. Simulations based on rigorous coupled-wave analysis supported the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lanyu is a miniature pig breed indigenous to Lanyu Island, Taiwan. It is distantly related to Asian and European pig breeds. It has been inbred to generate two breeds and crossed with Landrace and Duroc to produce two hybrids for laboratory use. Selecting sets of informative genetic markers to track the genetic qualities of laboratory animals and stud stock is an important function of genetic databases. For more than two decades, Lanyu derived breeds of common ancestry and crossbreeds have been used to examine the effectiveness of genetic marker selection and optimal approaches for individual assignment. In this paper, these pigs and the following breeds: Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire, Meishan and Taoyuan, TLRI Black Pig No. 1, and Kaohsiung Animal Propagation Station Black pig are studied to build a genetic reference database. Nineteen microsatellite markers (loci) provide information on genetic variation and differentiation among studied breeds. High differentiation index (FST) and Cavalli-Sforza chord distances give genetic differentiation among breeds, including Lanyu's inbred populations. Inbreeding values (FIS) show that Lanyu and its derived inbred breeds have significant loss of heterozygosity. Individual assignment testing of 352 animals was done with different numbers of microsatellite markers in this study. The testing assigned 99% of the animals successfully into their correct reference populations based on 9 to 14 markers ranking D-scores, allelic number, expected heterozygosity (HE) or FST, respectively. All miss-assigned individuals came from close lineage Lanyu breeds. To improve individual assignment among close lineage breeds, microsatellite markers selected from Lanyu populations with high polymorphic, heterozygosity, FST and D-scores were used. Only 6 to 8 markers ranking HE, FST or allelic number were required to obtain 99% assignment accuracy. This result suggests empirical examination of assignment-error rates is required if discernible levels of co-ancestry exist. In the reference group, optimum assignment accuracy was achievable achieved through a combination of different markers by ranking the heterozygosity, FST and allelic number of close lineage populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A child's gender and ordinal position within a family have varied implications on his or her personality and cognitive development. However, little is known about whether or not parental educational level may moderate the effects of birth order and gender. Methods Basic Competence Test ( BCT) scores of 290 588 young adolescents aged 15-16 years in Taiwan were analysed. Parental educational level was calculated as the highest educational attainment of the subjects' parents. The multiple linear regression model was used to assess the modification effects of parental educational levels on the associations of interest. Results After controlling for covariates, we noted a clear inverse relationship between birth order and BCT scores in Mandarin, Mathematics and Science. Additionally, boys had significantly lower mean scores in Mandarin, but had significantly higher mean scores in both Mathematics and Science. We also found the significant interactive effects of birth order, gender and parental educational attainment on BCT scores, in which the birth order and gender effects were more evident in higher-educated families than in lower-educated ones. Conclusions This large cohort study confirmed that both birth order and gender may pose independent influences on BCT scores; moreover, such influences are significantly modified by parental educational attainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lupus nephritis (LN) is usually associated with widespread effacement of the podocytes’ foot processes leading to proteinuria. Induction of urokinase receptor (uPAR) signaling in podocytes leads to foot process effacement and urinary protein loss via promoting podocytes’ motility and kidney permeability in the glomerulus. Very little is known about uPAR signaling in LN. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an immunosuppressive agent, efficiently modulates the development of LN in humans and mice, but there are no data concerning the direct uPAR involvement on podocytes in LN. The MMF efficiency and uPAR involvement signaling in NZB×NZW F1 lupus-prone mice were examined by proteinuria, renal function and pathology, immune complex deposits, and uPAR expression of podocytes by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative RT-PCR. After MMF treatment, the proteinuria (p < 0.01), BUN level (p < 0.05) and immunodeposition in glomeruli (p < 0.001) were significantly improved. Most important, the renal uPAR mRNA levels (p < 0.001) and uPAR protein level of podocytes (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced. The beneficial effect of MMF on LN could be attributed, at least in part, to the inhibition of uPAR expression in podocytes. These findings demonstrated uPAR could have potential as a predictive index for response to LN therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse temporal variations of gravity measured in southern Taiwan since November 2006 at 10 sites using absolute gravimeters and, since November 2008, at 70 sites using a relative gravimeter. We describe and apply methods to interpret the gravity changes in terms of local hydrological processes and vertical ground motions. The effect of land water is computed from local rainfall data and a model of rain accumulation and discharge in the ground. The effect of the vertical motions of the ground is estimated using time-series of permanent Global Positioning System (GPS) stations and the theoretical gravity to height ratio of −2 μGal cm−1. Unexpectedly, Morakot typhoon (2009 August), the strongest typhoon in Taiwan in 50 yr, was responsible for the highest gravity changes. Morakot triggered numerous large landslides and debris flow deposits. Their thicknesses are estimated from the gravity changes (up to ∼280 μGal) along with field observations and satellite images. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This investigation examines a novel means of integrating high-performance AlN piezoelectric thin films with a flexible stainless steel substrate (SUS304) to fabricate a double-sided piezoelectric transducer for wind-power generators. The double-sided piezoelectric transducer is constructed by depositing AlN piezoelectric thin films on both the front and the back sides of SUS304 substrate. The titanium (Ti) and platinum (Pt) layers were deposited using a dual-gun DC sputtering system between the AlN piezoelectric thin film and the back side of the SUS304 substrate. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction of AlN piezoelectric films reveal a rigid surface structure and highly c-axis-preferred orientation. To fabricate a transducer with a resonant frequency of about 90 Hz, a cantilever length of 1 cm and a vibration area of 1 cm2are designed, based on the cantilever vibration theory. The maximum open circuit voltage of the power transducer is approximately 14.6 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate that, with appropriate staining, high-resolution X-ray microscopy can image complicated tissue structures-cerebellum and liver-and resolve large or small amounts of Au nanoparticles in these tissues. Specifically, images of tumor tissue reveal high concentrations of accumulated Au nanoparticles. PEG (poly(ethylene glycol)) coating is quite effective in enhancing this accumulation and significantly modifies the mechanism of uptake by reticuloendothelial system (RES) organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the spatial correlation characteristics of multiple antenna arrays deployed in wireless communication systems. First, we derive a general closed-form formula for the spatial correlation function (SCF) of a multiple antenna array with arbitrary array configuration under uniform signal angular energy distribution. Based on this formula, we then explore the characteristics of the SCF for several multiple antenna arrays with different array geometries. It is found that a multiple antenna array with a three-dimensional (3-D) array geometry can reduce the magnitude of its SCF and hence, improve the ergodic channel capacity (ECC) of wireless communication systems. Accordingly, we present a method to find the optimum 3-D antenna array geometry for maximizing the ECC of a wireless communication system. This method develops a novel objective function to incorporate with a particle swarm optimization (PSO) for solving the resulting optimization problem. Simulation results are provided for confirming the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, a design methodology of adaptive block backstepping controller is proposed in this study for a class of multi-input systems with mismatched perturbations to solve regulation problems. According to the number of blocks (m) in the plant to be controlled, m -- 1 virtual input controllers are firstly designed from the first block to the (m -- 1)th block. Then the proposed robust controller is designed in accordance with the last block. Adaptive mechanisms are used in each of the virtual input controllers as well as the robust controller, so that the least upper bound of perturbations except that of the input channel is not required during the design process. Furthermore, asymptotic stability is guaranteed by the proposed control method. A numerical example is also given for demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of postnatal mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) with their general multipotentiality has fueled much interest in the development of cell-based therapies. Proper identification of transplanted MSC is crucial for evaluating donor cell distribution, differentiation, and homing. Lack of an efficient marker of transplanted MSC has precluded our understanding of MSC-related regenerative studies, especially in large animal models such as pigs. In the present study, we produced transgenic pigs harboring an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene. The pigs provide a reliable and reproducible source for obtaining stable EGFP-labeled MSC, which is very useful for donor cell tracking after transplantation. The undifferentiated EGFP-tagged MSC express elevated levels of EGFP while maintaining MSC stemness. These cells exhibited homogeneous surface epitopes and possessed classic tri-lineage differentiation potential into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, with robust EGFP expression maintained in all differentiated progeny. Injection of donor MSC can dramatically increase thickness of infarcted myocardium and improve cardiac function in mice. Moreover, the MSC with their strong EGFP expression can be easily distinguished from the background autofluorescence in myocardial infarcts. We demonstrated an efficient, effective, and easy way to identify MSC after long-term culture and transplantation. With the transgenic model, we are able to obtain stem/progenitor cells in earlier passages compared to transfection of traceable markers into established MSC. As the integration site of the transgene is the same for all cells, we have lessened the potential for positional effects and the heterogeneity of the stem cells. The EGFP-transgenic pigs may serve as useful biomedical and agricultural models of somatic stem cell biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel low-voltage low-power programming method for nand Flash cell is presented. By utilizing the self-channel boosting technique, a sufficiently high local field is established in a nand string that causes efficient hot-carrier injection. This method has been successfully demonstrated in the 75-nm-node floating-gate nand cells, along with comprehensive studies on bias and timing effects. Requirements for high-voltage supporting devices, circuitry, and process in conventional Fowler–Nordheim programmed nand cells are greatly mitigated. It would be very attractive for scaled nand Flash technology in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a surface plasmon resonance biosensing technique based on electro-optically modulated attenuated total reflection. The initial wavevector of the light for exciting surface plasmons is specified by setting the incident angle and is then modulated by electro-optic effect. The light power which is attenuated-total-reflected from the metal/dielectric interface is correspondingly electro-optically modulated. Its variation with the applied voltage is utilized to determine the analyte concentration. In the biosensing process, the incident angle determines the initial position of the operation point and thus the detection sensitivity. The presented technique has the features of resolution tunability and sensitivity tunability under various base indices of sensing layer or analyte solution for optimal operation. In this work, the effects of the incident angle, the Au-film thickness, and the ridge width on the detection sensitivity are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel array architecture is proposed for floatinggate nor-type nonvolatile memory cells. By embedding a floating \n+ region between two cells in each memory pair, punchthrough (PT) immunity is greatly improved. Since the operating cell and the cascade cell belong to two independent wordlines, bit-pattern effect on read and program characteristics is mitigated, and multilevel-cell storage can be easily realized. No additional program disturb has been found. Erase, endurance, and retention characteristics are comparable with its conventional counterpart. According to simulations, Lg as short as 56 nm, which is projected to serve for 28 nm technology node, is feasible without suffering a serious PT effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 16 July 2008, two pairs of consecutive bursts of Pi2 pulsations were recorded simultaneously across the THEMIS ground-based observatory system. Wavelet transformation reveals that for each high-latitude pair, the dominant frequency of the first burst is higher than that of the second. But at low latitudes, the dominant frequency does not change. It is suggested that both pairs result from fast magnetospheric cavity waves with the second burst also containing shear Alfvén waves. INTERMAGNET magnetograms at auroral latitudes showed magnetic variations affected by two recurrent electrojets for each pair. The ground-based magnetometers and those at geostationary orbit sensed magnetic perturbations consistent with the formation of the substorm current wedge. Four consecutive enhancements of energetic electron and ion fluxes detected by the THEMIS probes in the dayside magnetosphere appeared in the later afternoon and then in the early afternoon. The horizontal magnetic variation vectors had vortex patterns similar to those induced by the upward and downward field-aligned currents during substorm times. The hodogram at mid-L stations had a polarization pattern similar to the one induced by the substorm current wedge for each Pi2 burst. The mapping of ground Pi2 onset timing to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) observations shows that they appear under two cycles of north-to-south and then north variation. CLUSTER 4 in the south lobe observed wave-like magnetic fluctuations, probably driven by near-Earth reconnection, similar to those on the ground. These two observations are consistent with the link of double-onset substorms to magnetotail reconnection externally triggered by IMF variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life for Children (CP QOL-Child) questionnaire. We performed forward (into Chinese) and backward translation of the CP QOL-Child for: (1) the primary caregiver form (for parents of children with CP aged 4-12 years); and (2) the child self-report form (for children with cerebral palsy aged 9-12 years). Psychometric properties assessed included test-retest reliability, internal consistency, item discrimination, construct validity, and concordance between the forms of questionnaire. The Chinese CP QOL-Child was completed by 145 caregivers and 44 children. Excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency were obtained. Item discrimination analysis revealed a majority of the items have moderate to good discriminating power. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated distinguishable domain structure as on the original English version. Significant associations were found between lower QOL and more severe motor disability. Consistent with the English version, the highest correlation between the primary caregiver and child forms on QOL was in the domain of functioning. Results of this study indicate that the Chinese CP QOL-Child appears to be valid for use in Mandarin-Chinese speaking children with cerebral palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, a variable structure control (VSC) scheme with adaptive mechanisms embedded is proposed in this study for a class of perturbed multi-input multi-output (MIMO) non-linear systems to solve robust tracking problems. The dynamic equation of the control system contains a perturbed leading coefficient matrix, which can be either positive definite or negative definite, and the perturbation is composed of parameter variations, input gain uncertainties, external disturbances etc. By introducing some adaptive mechanisms embedded in the variable structure controller, the proposed control scheme is capable of suppressing the perturbations to achieve asymptotic stability without knowing their upper bounds except for those of the uncertainties of the input gains. An example of its application to a rigid robot manipulator is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microlens array is usually formed by thermal reflow of polymer disks and can be one microstructure of the light guide plate (LGP). Here, we propose an ultraviolet (UV) backside exposure technology to fabricate the photoresist cone-like microstructure on the PMMA substrate at room temperature and then use UV LIGA-like process to transfer the microstructure for the application of 3.6 in. (72 mm × 57.5 mm) LGP. The electroforming was used to transfer UV master mold to the inverse cone-like microstructure of nickel metal mold and then hot embossing was used for one more pattern transfer to the same cone-like microstructure on PMMA substrate. The optical microscope and alpha-stepper profiler were used to examine the morphology and profile of LGP microstructure. The optical luminance and uniformity of LGP were measured using BM9 luminance meter in comparison with commercial product. The light uniformity and luminance of the cone-like LGP microstructure reach 75–80% and 2,800–3,000 cd/cm2, respectively which meet the requirements of commercial LGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar radiation is one of the most important factors affecting climate and environment, and its long-term variation is of much concern in climate change studies. In the light of the limited number of radiation stations with reliable long-term time series observations, this paper presents a new evaluation of the long-term variation of surface solar radiation over China by combining quality-controlled observed data and two radiation models. One is the ANN-based (Artificial Neutral Network) model and the other is a physical one. The two models produced radiation trends comparable to the observed ones at a few stations possessing reliable and continuous data. Then, the trend estima tion is extended by the ANN-based model to all 96 radiation stations and furthermore extended by the physical model to all 716 China Meteorological Administration (CMA) routine stations. The new estimate trend is different from previous ones in two aspects. First, the magnitude of solar radiation over China decreased by about -0.19 Wm-2 yr-1 between 1961 and 2000, which is greatly less in magnitude than trends estimated in previous studies (ranging over -0.41 to -0.52 Wm-2 yr-1). Second, the "From Dimming to Brightening" transition in China during the late 1980s and the early 1990s was addressed in previous studies, but this study indicates the solar radiation reached a stable level since the 1990s and the transition is not noticeable. These differences are attributed to inappropriate data and approaches in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Isolation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs), by the approach of plastic adherence, has been difficult due to persistent contamination by haematopoietic cells (HCs); we have observed that this contamination was due to engagement between HCs and mMSCs. The HCs can be lifted together with the mMSCs despite their insensitivity to trypsin digestion. Herein, we provide a single-step procedure to rapidly segregate mMSCs from HC contaminants using transient lower-density plastic adherence (tLDA). Materials and methods: The tLDA was performed by replating bone marrow adherent cells at lower density (1.25 × 104 cells/cm2) than usual, allowing for transient adherence of no more than 3 h, followed by trypsin digestion. tLDA-isolated cells were evaluated by immunophenotyping, multi-differentiation potentials, immunosuppressive properties, and therapeutic potential as demonstrated by symptoms of osteoporosis. Results: The single-step tLDA method can effectively eliminate the persistent HC contaminants; tLDA-isolated cells were phenotypically equivalent to those reported as mMSCs. The isolated cells possessed classic tri-lineage differentiation potential into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages and had immunosuppressive properties. After intravenous transplantation, they migrated into the allogeneic bone marrow and rescued hosts from osteoporosis symptoms, demonstrating their therapeutic potential. Conclusions: We have developed a simple and economical method that effectively isolates HC-free, therapeutically functional mMSCs from bone marrow cell adherent cultures. These cells are suitable for various mechanistic and therapeutic studies in the mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]