Search

Sn– x Zn ( x =9, 25, and 50 wt%) alloy solders were applied in a photovoltaic (PV) ribbon. The effects of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) on series resistance and bond reliability of Sn– x Zn PV modules were investigated. Cu 5 Zn 8 and AgZn 3 IMCs were found at the interfaces (solder/Cu and solder/Ag). The Zn content in the solder dominated the growth behavior of IMCs at the interface. The IMC thickness increased with increasing Zn content in the solder, and thus the bond reliability of the PV module deteriorated. After a bias was applied for a long duration, the interfacial characteristics and solder matrix were affected by the bias-induced thermal diffusion. In addition, the evolution in IMCs due to thermal diffusion during bias changed the original series resistance of the ribbon material and affected the series resistance of the PV module. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid (PLA), pure magnesium powder, and calcium phosphate powder were used to form a three-phase degradable biomedical composite. The effects of various powder proportions in polylactic acid–Mg–Ca 3 (PO 4) 2 composites were analyzed through mechanical and biological tests, which revealed that both the tensile and impact strength of the composite increased. Additionally, ductility presented only after a small proportion of powder was added. Hardness slightly increased because of dispersion strengthening. Furthermore, the addition of pure magnesium and calcium phosphate accelerated the degradation rate, and biocompatible salts were generated after degradation, which can improve healing and renewal in bone tissue. None of the composites exhibited cytotoxicity, meeting biological safety requirements. Overall, PLA10M10C (10 wt.% Mg, 10 wt.% Ca 3 (PO 4) 2) exhibited superior performance. Accordingly, PLA10M10C can serve as a reference for degradable biomedical material applications in orthopedic implants. • PLA, Mg and TCP powders were mixed to form a degradable biomedical composite. • The Young's modulus of the PLA composites was within the range of human bones. • PLA10M10Ca composite exhibited an acceptable relative cell growth rate (>75%). • PLA10M10Ca composite can serve as a reference for degradable biomedical material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cognitive impairment in Parkinson''s disease (PD) has been determined to be due to the interruption of frontal-subcortical neural circuits. To evaluate which kind of frontal-subcortical dysfunction may be present and the relationship of this dysfunction with P300 in PD patients, non-demented PD patients and controls were rendered for comprehensive Frontal Test Battery and P300 assessments. PD patients manifested significantly with frontal dysfunction and revealed a good correlation between P300 and executive dysfunction. We conclude that PD patients may manifest with cognitive impairment related to frontal dysfunction, and P300 may be an indicator reflecting the evolution of dysexecutive syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Present study investigates the effects of the electrical fatigue test on the microstructures, electrical properties and elemental distribution of gold (Au)-coated Ag-4Pd (ACA4P) alloy wire. The electrical fatigue test is an important method for estimating the reliability of electronic devices to cyclic thermal stress caused by bias-induced Joule heat. In the bias test, the thermal diffusion behavior of Au atoms on the wire surface was more intense with increasing current density. The Au atoms diffused along the grain boundary of the wire and finally distributed throughout the wire matrix. In the bias fatigue test, the electrical resistances of the wire and ball bond decreased, and then increased as the bias cycle increased to 6000 cycles. An increase in grain size of the wire and ball bonded wires by bias-induced thermal energy caused their electrical resistances to decrease. Poisson's effect caused the diameter of the wire to decrease, and thus increased the resistance of the wire. The growth of Ag 2 Al intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at the bonding interface was responsible for the increase in the resistance of the ball bonded wire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common organisms causing endogenous endophthalmitis in East Asia. Herein we report the cases of two diabetic patients with K. pneumoniae renal abscess and endophthalmitis. Although endogenous endophthalmitis is rare, both internists and ophthalmologists should be alert to the possibility of endogenous endophthalmitis in diabetic patients caused by K. pneumoniae renal abscess. Intravitreal ceftazidime, amikacin, and corticosteroid at an appropriate dosage are required for cases of endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, wire is made of nanometer flash-gold (Au) film deposited onto the surface of Ag-2.5 wt% Pd-1.5 wt% Au wire (APA wire), denoted as AAPA wire. The flash-Au film increases the resistance to chlorination and sulfidation of the silver (Ag) alloy wire, which is susceptible to deterioration in a chlorine- and sulfur-rich environment. In the chlorination test, the mechanical properties of the AAPA wire were better than those of the APA wire. Chloride ions corrode the wire along grain boundaries, resulting in a change from ductile fracture to brittle fracture in the tensile test. Chloride ions preferentially corroded the aluminum (Al) pad, greatly decreasing the reliability of the ball bond. The wedge bond did not fail due to the use of Au pad. In the sulfidation test, the average diameter of the wire increased with increasing sulfidation time. After sulfidation, the electrical conductivity decreased due to the thickening of Ag 2 S, whose resistance is high, and a decrease in the effective channel of the electric current. In addition, the formation of Ag 2 S caused a consumption of Ag atoms in the Ag wire, and thus formed voids at the interface between the sulfide layer and the Ag wire. The fracture of the sulfided ball bond was located in the heat-affected zone after the tensile test. The results show that the AAPA wire has better resistance in chlorination and sulfidation environment. • Flash-gold coated Ag-2.5Pd-1.5Au wire (AAPA) is a corrosion-resistant fine wire. • The flash gold layer provides good resistance in chlorination and sulfidation. • Chloride ions preferentially corroded the bonding surface of the ball bond. • The effects of sulfidation on the wire are greater than that of bonding surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection caused by bacteria, or less commonly by fungi. It can occur after penetrating eye procedures, trauma, or the spread of infection from contiguous structures or via emboli from distant organs. Because of the time-critical nature of the treatment, endophthalmitis is treated with the clinical diagnosis and modified by the microbiological report of the intraocular contents. The current strategy for managing endophthalmitis relies on pre-clinical literature, case series, and one large multi-center randomized clinical trial on post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis. Culture-susceptibility of the microorganisms from undiluted vitreous guides the definitive treatment in non-responsive cases. Strategies to reduce the incidence of endophthalmitis after penetrating eye procedures have been developed concurrently with refined means of treatment. Despite these advances, outcomes remain poor for many patients. Although consensus articles have been published on managing endophthalmitis, treatment patterns vary, and controversies remain. These include (1) the use of newer methods for early and precise microbiological diagnosis; (2) the choice of intravitreal antibiotics; (3) the need for systemic therapy; (4) early and complete vitrectomy. Here, we review the current consensus and address controversies in diagnosing and managing endophthalmitis. This review is intended to familiarize physicians and ophthalmologists with different aspects of endophthalmitis management to make informed decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate the surgical results of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) repaired using vitrectomy combined with inverted internal limiting membrane repositioning (ILMR) and autologous blood clot (ABC) in highly myopic eyes. Design Retrospective, interventional case series. Participants Twenty-seven cases of MHRD. Methods Twenty-seven cases of highly myopic eyes with MHRD in 27 patients who underwent a vitrectomy combined with ILMR and ABC and were followed up over 6 months were reviewed. The anatomic outcomes of MHRD were evaluated by fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were compared as the functional outcome. Main Outcome Measures Retinal reattachment, macular hole (MH) closure, and BCVA before and after surgery. Results In total, women accounted for 85% (23/27) of the MHRD patients. The mean age was 59.1±10.6 years. The mean axial length was 29.37±1.92 mm. Type 1 MHRD was present in 9 eyes, and type 2 MHRD was present in 18 eyes. After a single surgery, the retina was attached and the hole was closed in 26 eyes (96%), and 100% retinal attachment was achieved by another vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that occurred 3 months after the initial surgery. A parafoveal unclosed hole was found in 1 eye (4%) during the follow-up period, and the patient did not undergo further treatment. Three eyes with a closed hole showed persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) after gas absorption. In 2 of these cases, the fluid absorbed completely during the follow-up period, but 1 eye exhibited persistent SRF, which was resolved progressively during the 12 months of follow-up. The surgery significantly improved the BCVAs {from 1.8±0.7 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units to 1.3±0.7 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units ( P = 0.001)} at 3 and 6 months and at the last visit after surgery. Seven patients underwent cataract surgery during the follow-up period. Conclusions A vitrectomy combined with ILMR and ABC is effective for closing MHs and reattaching the retina and significantly improves the postoperative BCVA in MHRD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four kinds of poly(ethylene terephalate) (PET)/indium–tin–oxide (ITO) specimen were prepared to examine the effect of prestrain applied to the PET substrate before the coating of ITO film on the mechanical, microstructure, optical, and electrical properties and morphology. The dependence and interaction among these properties/parameters are established and discussed. The mean slenderness ratio of the crystalline porosities in the ITO film decreased with increasing prestrain. The tilt angle of tubular porosities increased due to the increase in the particle size of ITO deposited on the PET substrate. A nonzero prestrain reduced both interplanar spacing (d-spacing) and the mean surface roughness of the ITO film. An increase in the substrate prestrain decreased the mean transmittance but increased the mean reflectance of the specimens. An increase in the ITO particle size lowered the optical band gap (Eg) and mean reflection and increased the mean transmittance. PET/ITO specimens with larger Eg values had higher carrier mobility (Mb). A nonzero prestrain leads to a smooth ITO film with low electrical resistance. Decreasing Young's modulus in combination with increasing specimen's hardness is helpful to the increase in the pop-in depth and the decrease in the pop-out depth in the nanoindentations. The electrical current–depth curve from nanoindentation tests and the stress–depth curve can be used to efficiently identify the depths of pop-in and pop-out. The PET/ITO specimen with 2% prestrain had the largest pop-in depth and the smallest pop-out depth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To examine the optical components and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to identify any associations between the OCT findings and the visual acuities of the patients. Design: Prospective, case-controlled study. Participants and Controls: Children who were between 6 and 14 years of age were divided into the following 4 groups: Patients with a history of threshold ROP who had been treated using laser therapy or cryotherapy (group 1), patients with regressed ROP who had not received any treatment (group 2), patients who were born prematurely but who had no history of ROP (group 3), and normal full-term children (group 4). The posterior poles of the eyes of all of the patients seemed to be normal. Methods: Visual acuities, optical components, and macular thicknesses were measured in 4 groups of patients, and comparisons between the groups were made. Macular thicknesses were measured using OCT. Main Outcome Measures: Visual acuity (VA), optical components, and OCT findings. Results: We enrolled 133 patients in the study. Patients in group 1 had significantly thicker foveas than the other patients, as demonstrated by OCT, and this finding was negatively correlated with gestational age. The incidence of abnormal foveal contours among patients in group 1 was significantly higher than among the rest of the patients. Retention of the inner retinal layers was noted in group 1 patients; however, the structure of the outer retina remained intact. Greater degrees of myopic shift and astigmatism, steeper corneal curvatures, shallower anterior chamber depths, and thicker lenses were noted in previously treated ROP patients. These findings corresponded with poor VA and high refractive errors in group 1 patients. Conclusions: Patients with a history of threshold ROP are more likely to show abnormal foveal development and have a poorer visual prognosis than other patient groups despite a fundus with no macular dragging, disc dragging, or retinal detachment. A steeper corneal curvature, shallower anterior chamber, and greater lens thickness are the main changes in the optical components in these patients. Financial Disclosure(s): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: GaN nanotips array was fabricated by an iodine-assist enhanced focused ions beam etching (IFIBE) via the double masks silver oxide (AgO) and gallium oxide (GaO). The function of AgO is used to protect from the elimination of GaO so as to remain GaO on GaN nanotip. The different size of silver cluster was able to assist the formation of GaN nanotips through the double mask process (AgO and GaO). After IFIBE process, the silver mask disappeared and only gallium oxide with a polycrystalline structure was left on top. Oxide-capping GaN nanotips were able to improve the field emission properties (turn-on field was 2.2V/μm) due to the lower work function of GaN resulted from the distribution of electron existed the interface between GaN and GaO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The etching scale was controled by the layball process and a focus ion beam (FIB) was used to investige the dry–wet etching (DWE) mechanism. Increasing the beam current of dry-etching raised the height of nano prominent structures, but deteriorated the interface of Ag/Si film, and even damaged the Ag film because of Ga+ bombardment. Regardless of the Ag nanoshape deposition, the residual Ag films were doped with Ga+ and were sensitive to DWE. After wet-etching, the nano hollow formed and the Ag films sunk. However, AgGa sidewall films formed by the concentration gradient and the oxidative potential and this increased the volume of microporous phases, resulting in a reduction in the depth. Also, 15–30nm Ag nano-particles were able to enhance the DWE mechanism in the Ag/Si nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZnO/Ag/Al multilayer structures were deposited on glass with different annealing conditions and were compared with as-deposited ZnO thin film. The results show that the alloying effects of the Al–Ag film not only induced different interface mechanisms through annealing, but also improved the optoelectronic properties. The alloying ratio of the Al–Ag film increased with the increasing temperatures. Due to the higher ratio of Al–Ag alloying layer, some atoms diffused into the ZnO matrix at higher annealing temperatures, and the PL of the ZnO thin film was destroyed. Oppositely, at lower annealing temperatures, the Al–Ag alloying layer had a better ratio (Al:Ag = 4:1) which could enhance the PL spectra of the ZnO thin film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of autologous heparinized whole blood in assisting internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling by coating the ILM for macular hole (MH) repair. Design: Prospective, interventional case series. Participants: Twenty-nine patients (32 eyes) who underwent blood-assisted ILM peeling for MH repair. Methods: Patients in whom stage 2–4 idiopathic MHs had developed and who desired surgery were enrolled in this study. After core vitrectomy, autologous heparinized whole blood was applied to cover the macula and to coat the surface of the macular area in the fluid-filled vitreous cavity. The redundant blood was removed and only a very thin film of blood was left on the macular area. The blood-coated ILM was removed by forceps in a circular fashion. To confirm the removed membrane was the ILM, the first 10 specimens were examined by electron microscopy (EM). Main Outcome Measures: The MH closure rate, the interval mean visual acuity (before and after surgery), retinal changes, and the EM results of the ILM specimens. Results: All 32 eyes in 29 patients completed 12 months of follow-up. The ILM were coated by autologous heparinized whole blood, removed without difficulty, and confirmed by EM. The whole blood highlighted the contrast of the coated and noncoated areas during the ILM peeling procedure. The MHs were closed in all surgical eyes with a single surgery (100%). Compared with study entry, the mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity 12 months after surgery improved significantly (1.02 and 0.53, respectively; P<0.001). At 12 months of follow-up, 31 eyes (96.9%) had stable or improved vision. No toxic fundus changes were observed during follow-up. Conclusions: Autologous heparinized whole blood coated the ILM and facilitated visibility during ILM peeling. Autologous heparinized whole blood is a cost-effective and useful tool for assisting MH surgery. Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, we have investigated the photoluminescence spectra of europium-doped zinc oxide crystallites prepared by a vibrating milled solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, luminescence spectra and time-resolved spectra analysis were used to characterize the synthetic ZnO:Eu3+ powders. XRD results of the powders showed a typical wurtzite hexagonal crystal structure. A second phase occurred at 5mol% Eu2O3-doped ZnO. The 5D0–7F1 (590nm) and 5D0–7F2 (609nm) emission characteristics of Eu3+ appeared after quenching with more than 1.5mol% Eu2O3 doping. The Commission Internationale d’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of a ZnO:Eu3+ host excited at λ ex=467nm revealed a red-shift phenomenon with increase in Eu3+ ion doping. The lifetime of the Eu3+ ion decreased as the doping concentration was increased from 1.5 to 10mol%, and the time-resolved 5D0→7F2 transition presents a single-exponential decay behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Following the global trend of reducing animal testing, various reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) models for skin irritation test (SIT) have been developed, verified, validated and included in OECD TG 439. We developed a new RHE called EPiTRI and a SIT method using EPiTRI (EPiTRI-SIT model) following the OECD guidelines. EPiTRI possesses morphological, biochemical and physiological properties similar to human epidermis with well-differentiated multilayered viable cells with barrier function. The EPiTRI-SIT model was tested for 20 reference chemicals in Performance Standard of OECD TG 439 (GD 220), showing good predictive capacity with 100% sensitivity, 70% specificity and 85% accuracy. EPiTRI had sensitivity in detecting di-n-propyl disulphate, as an irritant chemical (UN GHS Category 2), whereas most validated reference methods detected it as a non-irritant. An international validation study of EPiTRI-SIT was conducted in four laboratories to confirm the within- and between-laboratory reproducibility, as well as predictive capacity. The phase I/II within-laboratory and between-laboratory reproducibility was 100%/95% and 95%, respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of EPiTRI-SIT was 96%, 70% and 83%, respectively, which fulfilled the OECD criteria. Thus, EPiTRI, meets the criteria of Performance Standards of OECD TG 439 (GD 220) and is suitable for screening irritating chemicals in vitro. • Structure and function of new reconstructed human epidermis,EPiTRI, similar to human epidermis. • International validation study of EPiTRI-SIT meets the acceptance criteria of OECD GD 220. • EPiTRI-SIT classify di-n-propyl disulphide as an irritant whereas VRMs as non-irritant chemical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the principal growth factor responsible for the retinal neovascularization in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Current therapies for ROP include laser ablation and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. However, these treatments either destroy the peripheral retina or associate with problems of persistent peripheral avascular retina or later recurrence of ROP. In the present study we investigated a new therapeutic approach by exploring the potential role of a specific microRNA, miR-126, in regulating VEGFA expression and retinal neovascularization in a rat oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. We demonstrated that miR-126 mimic and plasmid effectively suppresses VEGFA mRNA expression in both human and rat retinal pigment epithelium cell lines, quantified with qRT-PCR. Animal experiments on rat OIR model revealed that intravitreal injection of miR-126 plasmid efficiently downregulated VEGFA expression in the intraocular fluid and retinal tissues measured by ELISA, and significantly suppressed retinal neovascularization, which was confirmed by calculating sizes of neovascularization areas on fluorescence microscopic images of flat mounted retina stained with Alexa Fluor 594-conjugated isolectin B4 to visualize blood vessels. Together, these results showed that intravitreal injection of miR-126 plasmid could inhibit retinal neovascularization by down-regulating VEGFA expression, suggesting a potential therapeutic effect for ROP. [Display omitted] • Transfection of miR-126 effectively suppresses VEGFA expression in both human and rat retinal pigment epithelium cell lines. • Intravitreal delivery of miR-126 plasmid efficiently downregulated VEGFA expression in the intraocular fluid and retinal tissues, and significantly suppressed retinal neovascularization in rat OIR model. • miR-126 contributes to VEGFA regulation and may serves as a new therapeutic approach for ROP in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the macular choroidal thickness in 2 types of early dry-type myopic maculopathy. Design: Prospective, observational, comparative study. Methods: Patients with a refractive error of less than −8 diopters were included and were classified into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 24 eyes with a tessellated fundus, and group 2 consisted of 33 eyes with diffuse chorioretinal atrophy, but not to the extent of patchy chorioretinal atrophy. These 2 groups were compared with regard to their clinical characteristics, refractive error, axial length, macular choroidal thickness, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Linear regression was used to evaluate the explanatory variables in terms of macular choroidal thickness and BCVA. Results: Patients in group 1 were significantly younger and had better BCVA, less myopia, shorter axial length, and less staphyloma than those in group 2. Refractive error, axial length, and BCVA correlated significantly with macular choroidal thickness in group 2. However, no such significant correlations were observed in group 1. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age and macular choroidal thickness were the variables that associated most strongly with BCVA, whereas neither refractive error nor axial length was a significant predictor of BCVA. In group 2, eyes with lacquer cracks showed worse BCVA and thinner macular choroidal thickness than eyes without lacquer cracks. Conclusions: Macular choroidal thickness is an important factor in myopic maculopathy and can be a better indicator of its severity. These findings suggest that BCVA reduction in eyes with dry-type myopic maculopathy can be related to a thinner macular choroidal thickness and to the development of lacquer cracks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]