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Eight donor-acceptor-donor type croconium dyes with different donor moieties, such as indole, N -methylindole, benzo[ e ]indole, N -methylbenzo[ c,d ]indole, benzothiazole and quinoline groups, have been designed and discussed their pH response, near-infrared fluorescence/photoacoustic (NIR/PA) imaging and photothermal properties in solutions and tumor cells. Croconium dye with bisbenzothiazole CBT exhibited the best NIR-imaging. Croconium dye with bisindole CBI-1 showed the best PA-imaging. Dye CBI-3 with bisbenzo[ e ]indole showed the best photothermal. Four dyes with either indole or benzo[ e ]indole group CBI-1 , CBI-3 , CIT and CIQ showed pH response on fluorescence and photoacoustic spectra and photothermal. This study proves that preserving the indole group in croconium dyes was beneficial for their pH response and NIR/PA imaging, and the introduction of quinoline and thiazole groups was detrimental to the photostability. Gathered with pH response, NIR/PA imaging and photothermal property, dye CBI-1 is suitable for structural modification in the future for developing better cancer theranostic reagents. [Display omitted] • Croconium dyes with indole, benzo[ e ]indole, benzo[ c,d ]indole, benzothiazole and quinoline were synthesized. • The impact of these donors on their pH response, NIR/PA imaging and photothermal properties was discussed. • Croconium dye with bisindole CBI-1 is suitable for structural modification to develop better cancer theranostic reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The formation and temporal evolution of the modulated structure in a lamellar γ-based Ti−45Al−8.5Nb alloy have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in combination with first-principles theory in this work. The results show that the Nb-rich O phase as a constituent of the modulated structure is thermodynamically stable below 650 °C in the α 2 lamellae. The morphology of the O phase variants changes from thin plate-like shape with a low volume fraction at initial annealing to rectangle/square shape with a high volume fraction after a prolonged annealing, and the retransformed α 2 , named as α 2 - ІІ hereafter, emerges at intersections of the variants with two orthogonal habit planes due to their elastic interactions. The partitioning coefficient of Nb between the O phase and α 2 is about 2 at 600 °C. The diffusion coefficient of Nb derived from growth kinetics of the O phase is about (1.3 ± 0.2) × 10−22 m2s−1 in the α 2 lamellae. Significant precipitation hardening effect of the O phase has been revealed for the α 2 lamellae and γ/(α 2 +O) lamellar microstructure, which is supposed to be attributed to refining the α 2 lamellae associated with elastic strain energy from the α 2 →O phase transformation and introducing the interface between the modulated lamella and adjacent γ phase. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 3d–4f heterobinuclear complexes were constructed by employing the 2,2′-bipy (2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) ligand and corresponding metal ions (M II /Ln III , M = Co II , Cu II and Zn II ; Ln III = Nd III , Sm III , Eu III and Tb III ). Elemental analyses, IR, UV–vis–NIR spectra, PXRD and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveal that complexes 1 – 4 , 5 – 8 , and 9 – 12 are isomorphous, respectively. The zero-dimensional structures are further connected to 2D or 3D supramolecular network structures via extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Luminescence studies for the heterobinuclear complexes containing Sm III , Eu III and Tb III reveal that the chromophoric composed of Zn II /L may efficiently sensitize the luminescence of the rare earth cations which acts as an antenna, whereas the existence of Cu II leads to the quenching of the luminescence of Ln III ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: This study took advantage of a large population-based database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) to investigate the epidemiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Taiwan. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on secondary analysis of prospectively collected data in the NHI system and governmental data on death registry in Taiwan during 1997–2007. By using the broad and narrow definitions for IPF, we estimated incidence and prevalence rates of IPF, and its associated clinical outcomes. Results: The estimates of annual IPF incidence rates became more stable after 2000, ranging between 0.9 and 1.6 cases per 100,000 persons. The prevalence rates became more than twofold from 2000 to 2007 (from 2.8 to 6.4 cases per 100,000 persons for the broad definition, and from 2.0 to 4.9 cases per 100,000 persons for the narrow definition). Men of age older than 75 years had markedly higher incidence and prevalence rates than other groups. Around 40% of all incidences and about 30% of prevalent cases occurred in this population group. The median survival time after IPF diagnosis was 0.9 year (interquartile range (IQR), 0.2–2.5 years) and 0.7 year (IQR, 0.1–2.3 years) for the broad and narrow definitions, respectively. Progression of IPF was the leading cause of death, followed by cancer. Conclusions: In Taiwan, elderly men were the major group suffering from IPF. Survival time was short after IPF diagnosis, and the poor survival was largely attributable to quick IPF progression after diagnosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cocoa tea is a new natural decaffeinated tea. Three types of cocoa tea (green, oolong and black) were produced and their sensory evaluation scores accessed. Main components and their dissolution rates in ten infusions of the three teas were analyzed by HPLC and spectrophotometry. The comprehensive score of sensory evaluations was 85.1, 86.8 and 94.4, respectively. Upon fermentation the contents of water extract (46.67%, 41.8% and 40%), tea polyphenols (38.58%, 30.41% and 23.6%) and total catechins (23.51%, 17.68% and 4.02%) in green, oolong and black teas decreased gradually, and theaflavins (0.11%, 0.11% and 0.17%), thearubigins (4.29%, 5.00% and 9.71%), theabrownins (2.75%, 4.90% and 13.52%), water-soluble carbohydrates, flavonoid glycoside and gallic acid in the three teas increased gradually. Theobromine (3.52%, 3.43% and 3.71%) was the alkaloid present in cocoa tea and its content did not change upon fermentation. In the three teas, 9–25% of the main components dissolved in the first 10s-infusion, more than 80% of most components dissolved in five infusions. A recommendation for consuming cocoa tea is to infuse tea leaves (g) with 50 times boiling water (ml) for 3min, the first infusion should not be discarded and five infusions were sufficient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated the miscibility behavior, specific interactions, and supramolecular structures of blends of the DNA-like copolymers poly(vinylbenzylthymine-co-butyl methacrylate) (T-PBMA) and poly(vinylbenzyladenine-co-styrene) (A-PS) with respect to their vinylbenzylthymine (VBT) and vinylbenzyladenine (VBA) contents. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and one- and two-dimensional Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that hydrogen bonding occurred exclusively between the VBA and VBT units. In addition, size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and viscosity analyses provided evidence for the formation of supramolecular network structures in these binary blend systems. A miscibility window existed in the A-PS/T-PBMA blend system when the VBT and VBA fractions in the copolymers were greater than 11mol%, as predicted using the Painter–Coleman association model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports an experimental and theoretical study of composition and temperature dependence of α 2 phase decomposition in lamellar γ-Ti−(43∼47)Al−(4∼10)Nb alloys. The α 2 phase decomposes to nano-sized orthorhombic (O) phase in the alloys (the Nb content ≥ 5.5 at.%) at temperatures of 550∼750° C. The transformation temperature decreases with increasing the Al content, but increases with increasing the Nb content. The Nb partitioning coefficient between O and α 2 typically equals to 2, and decreases with increasing the Al content and temperature, confirming that the O phase transformation is controlled by Nb diffusion. The α 2 to ω 0 phase transformation takes place in the alloys (the Nb content ≥ 7 at.%) at 800° C. The blocky ω 0 phase is enriched in Nb and the Nb partitioning coefficient between ω 0 and α 2 is about 1.3, indicating that the ω 0 phase transformation is also related to Nb diffusion. The pseudo-binary phase diagram calculated by first-principles correctly predicts the α 2 to O phase transformation at temperature below 750° C and α 2 to ω 0 phase transformation at temperature above 750° C in the alloys. Since the α 2 phase is unstable thermodynamically at intermediate temperature, such kinds of α 2 to O and ω 0 phase transformations are considered necessarily for design of high Nb-containing γ-TiAl alloys. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Yb:Er co-doped Al2O3 thin film was deposited on oxidized silicon wafers by microwave ECR plasma source enhanced RF magnetron sputtering, and annealed from 800°C to 1000°C. The photoluminescence at 1.53μm of thin film was obtained under room temperature. The mixture phase structure of γ and θ is observed by XRD, and the compositions of the thin film are investigated by EPMA. The maximum PL intensity was achieved with O2:Ar at 1:1, annealing temperature at 900°C, and experimental ratio of Yb:Er at 1:3.6. The energy transfer mechanism between Er and Yb ions is supported by theoretical analysis and experiment results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background/Purpose Esophageal stenting is a popular form of treatment of esophageal strictures in adults but is not widely used in children. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether esophageal stents could be used safely and effectively in the treatment of esophageal stenosis in children. Methods Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 8 children with corrosive esophageal stenosis. The stents were removed 1 to 4 weeks after insertion. Results The stents were placed in all patients without complications and were later removed successfully. After stent placement, all patients could take solid food without dysphagia. Stent migration occurred in one patient and so the insertion procedure was repeated to reposition the stent. During the 3-month follow-up period after stent removal, all children could eat satisfactorily. After 6 months, 2 children required balloon dilation (3 times in one and 5 times in the other). The dysphagia score improved in all patients. Conclusions The use of the covered retrievable expandable stent is an effective and safe method in treating childhood corrosive esophageal stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By incorporating digraph models, fault trees and fuzzy inference mechanisms in a unified framework, a novel approach for fault diagnosis is developed in this work. To relieve the on-line computation load, the fault origins considered in diagnosis are limited to the basic events in the cut sets of a given fault tree. The symptom occurrence order associated with each root cause is derived from system digraph with the qualitative simulation techniques. The implied candidate patterns are enumerated according to two proposed theorems and then encoded in the inference system with IF–THEN rules. The simulation results show that the proposed approach is not only feasible but also capable of identifying the most likely cause(s) of a hazardous event at the earliest possible time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intrarenal pelvis Wilms'' tumor is rare in children. A case of a 28-month-old boy with bilateral intrarenal pelvis Wilms'' tumor associated with a fibroepithelial polyp is reported in this article. The tumor was evaluated by ultrasonography, computed tomography, and intravenous pyelography. The boy underwent bilateral renal pelviotomies. Now he is being treated and followed up by pediatric oncologists. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel scheme is proposed to improve the gain performance of Erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers (EDWAs) by non-uniformly doping Er+3 ions along the propagating direction. Dependence of gain and pump efficiency on Er concentration is studied through an adaptive method based on the finite element method (FEM). Numerical results suggest that the optimized distribution of Er concentration operated by gain and pump efficiency can improve, in a certain degree, the gain value, i.e., the gain maximum, for a certain limited length. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During the past two decades, cytokines have emerged as key molecules to modulate innate and adaptive immunity and mediate anti-tumor activity. Although multiple cytokine types are implicated for such anti-tumor activity in several cancer types, it remains largely unknown in breast cancer. In this study, cytokines that are prior known for antitumor activity in different cancer types were examined against breast cancer using a 4T1 cells based xenograft-model. Our results showed Interleukin-12 (IL-12) (500 ng/mouse) significantly suppressed the growth of tumors, while other cytokines showed minimal suppression. Subsequent molecular analysis by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry confirmed the CD8 + cells infiltration and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by them in tumor environment. In addition, we observed that IFN-γ production by activated CD8 + cells directly induced apoptosis in tumor cells, which together indicate that IL-12 causes CD8 + cells to infiltrate and secrete IFN-γ in tumor environment, which induce apoptosis in them and causes tumor growth suppression. Furthermore, we showed that lower dosage of IL-12 and chemotherapy drug tamoxifen combinations enhanced the tumor suppression as opposed to single treatments, and thereby propose an alternate option for high dosage associated effects for both drug and cytokine treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes develops in Pdx1-haploinsufficient mice due to an increase in β-cell death leading to reduced β-cell mass and decreased insulin secretion. Knockdown of Pdx1 gene expression in mouse MIN6 insulinoma cells induced apoptotic cell death with an increase in Bax activation and knockdown of Bax reduced apoptotic β-cell death. In Pdx1 haploinsufficient mice, Bax ablation in β-cells increased β-cell mass, decreased the number of TUNEL positive cells and improved glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. These changes were not observed with Bak ablation in Pdx1-haploinsufficient mice. These results suggest that Bax mediates β-cell apoptosis in Pdx1-deficient diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the current high demand for energy saving and low power consumption, numerous studies have been conducted to meet this requirement. Higher switch efficiency is one of the factors for power saving in power inverters and converters. Among the methods for improved switch efficiency, the modified package structure is one of the solutions. An embedded power module enables shortened transmitting routes and lower parasitic reactions, suggesting better power switching performance. Meanwhile, embedding allows the power devices to integrate active or passive devices above or beneath a component, leading to a three-dimensional packaging structure. This feature is also applicable in the integration of power devices because of its double side contact structure. Four dies that contain two insulated gate bipolar transistors and two diodes in this study were embedded and integrated in a carrier substrate to produce a next-generation power inverter module. The process began by attaching a die on a Cu lead frame by a SAC305 solder paste. This is followed by a lamination process to form a built-up dielectric layer on the Cu lead frame. The conducting vias and circuits were formed on the built-up dielectric layer by a UV laser and were metalized with sputtered seed layer and electroplating. The circuit layout can be revealed with subsequent etching processes by hatching another layer of electroplated Sn using UV laser. Finally, a layer of solder mask was printed to prevent electric shock on the surface layer. Structure and process features are discussed, and electrical testing and reliability tests are conducted in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ilmenite and titanaugite have very similar physiochemical properties. Iron, titanium, calcium, magnesium, and other metal ions exist on the surface of both minerals, making it difficult to separate the two minerals. In this study, oxalic acid was used as a depressant in the microflotation of ilmenite and titanaugite and the depressive effect of oxalic acid toward titanaugite was demonstrated. Through a series of microflotation, oxalic acid composition analysis, reaction thermodynamic calculations, and XPS analysis, oxalic acid was found to significantly and selectively inhibit titanaugite. Oxalic acid was adsorbed onto mineral surfaces via a chemical chelating reaction with metal ions, predominately Ca 2+ . Therefore, oxalic acid selectively depressed titanaugite during ilmenite flotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The decomposition of the coarse primary M2C carbide in M2 high speed steel was investigated by using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction analysis. It is indicated that the SEM observation using deeply etched samples can clearly reveal the details of the decomposition products of primary M2C eutectic carbides. The MC is granular and M6C is peanut-shaped in the decomposition products, and the decomposition products are found to be very small in the size. With the increase of annealing temperature and duration, part of the peanut-shaped M6C carbides change to simple skeleton-shaped ones. The phase transformation refinement of primary M2C carbides in M2 steel by the decomposition of metastable M2C carbides at high temperature can be obtained if suitable annealing parameters are applied. The complete decomposition of M2C to M6C and MC will occur when (1 100 °C, 4 h) or (1 150 °C, 2 h) annealing treatment is employed in M2 high speed steel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) and the expected lifetime utility loss of patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Methods: PMV was defined as more than 21 days of mechanical ventilation. A total of 633 patients fulfilled this definition and were followed for 9 years (1998–2007) to obtain their survival status. Quality of life of 142 patients was measured with the EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) questionnaire during the period 2008 to 2009. The survival probabilities for each time point were adjusted with a utility measurement of quality of life and then extrapolated to 300 months to obtain the QALE. We compared the age-, gender-matched reference populations to calculate the expected lifetime utility loss. Results: The average age of subjects was 76 years old. The life expectancy and loss of life expectancy were 1.95 years and 8.48 years, respectively. The QALE of 55 patients with partial cognitive ability and the ability to respond was 0.58 quality-adjusted life years (QALY), whereas the QALEs of 87 patients with poor consciousness were 0.28 and 0.29 QALY for the EQ-5D measured by family caregivers and nurses, respectively. The loss of QALE for PMV patients was 9.87 to 10.17 QALY, corresponding to a health gap of 94% to 97%. Conclusions: Theses results of poor prognosis would provide stakeholders evidence for communication to facilitate clinical decisions. The estimation may be used in future studies to facilitate the cost-effectiveness and reduction of the health gap. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We analyze the effect of the laser annealing on the crystallization of Er3+ doped amorphous Al2O3 thin films deposited on the silica-on-silicon substrate. These thin films were prepared by the microwave electron cyclotron resonance plasma source and were annealed by pulse CO2 laser. The Gauss intensity distribution of laser beam was mended at 3× f position in the collimation system. Strong crystallization occurred in Al2O3 thin films and liquid phase crystallization was proposed to appear with the increase of laser powers. Photoluminescence intensity enhancement by a factor of 47 around 1.53μm has been realized by laser annealing process and Raman spectra study has suggested that Er3+ emission centers excited by Si nanocrystal (Si-nc) were formed in the Al2O3–SiO2 materials. The dual wavelength energy transfer mechanism between 800nm and 980nm is proposed in Er-doped Si-nc in Al2O3–SiO2 thin films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]