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This study focuses on older participants' experiences of and views on a lifelong learning program at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. As many third age adults tend not to have the opportunity to receive tertiary education when they were young, this program aims to fulfil their dream of studying at a university and boost their self-esteem and self-confidence. Using qualitative research methods, this research was conducted after the MiniU program (supported by the Institute of Active Aging of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 participants after the program. While participants had acquired knowledge and experience of university life from the Mini-U program, they also reported concerns and difficulties with participation including difficulties in memorizing course content and financial difficulties. The program has offered a unique opportunity for enhancing participants' interpersonal relationships and wellbeing. The research also further informs the development of creative lifelong learning programs aimed at improving the well-being of older people.

This research explores the possibility of providing a general guideline for the use of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) in youth work and examining the experiences of the frontline youth workers in Hong Kong who have adopted LSP to engage youngsters, who have been experiencing enormous socioeconomic challenges in different aspects. A 12-session workshop applied into social training for special educational needs (SEN) secondary students was held with the major objective of enhancing their communication skills. All sessions were divided into three parts: introduction, utilization, and expression. Most participants' abilities in oral description and word usage improved upon completion of the workshop, and they have more motivation and initiation in communicating with others in the group. LSP could thus be proven as a useful method in the SEN workshop in terms of establishing rapport and relationships, expressing the participants' thoughts, as it has provided an alternative for trainers to support the kids concern. Apart from LSP, this research has also found that other approaches such as snorkeling, adventured-based counseling, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could also be effective approaches adopted by practitioners to support young people.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. Understanding factors associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines is the key to a successful vaccination programme. This cross-sectional study explored the rate of vaccination intention and identified its predictors using the health belief model (HBM) in the general population in Hong Kong during the pandemic. Data were collected between December 2020 and January 2021 via telephone surveys. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 1255 adults (>18 years, 53% female) completed the telephone survey. Overall, 42% indicated an intention to vaccinate, 31.5% showed vaccine hesitancy, and 26.5% reported refusal to receive any COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals who were men, older in age, working, with past experiences of other pandemics, less concerned with the vaccine safety, with poorer knowledge about COVID-19, and having greater levels of perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, cues to action, and acceptance of governmental preventive measures related to COVID-19 were significantly more likely to report an intention to vaccinate. The low intention among the Hong Kong population reflects the importance of developing effective vaccination promotion campaigns with the predictors identified in this study.

Objectives: To effectively control the spread of COVID-19, the public’s adherence to relevant disease preventive measures (DPM) is critical. This study examined individuals’ adherence to various DPM and identified facilitators and barriers to adherence in a community sample in Hong Kong. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, telephone surveys were conducted over December 2020 and January 2021. Participants provided responses on their adherence to DPM as well as other psychosocial and cognitive factors via the phone. Results: Of the sample of 1255 Chinese adults (aged >18 years, 53% women), 94.4% wore face masks in public areas; 88.4% avoided touching their eyes, nose, and mouth; 82.1% performed hand hygiene practices; 81.5% used alcohol-based hand rubs; 74.6% abided by social distancing; and 39.7% tested for COVID-19 on a voluntary basis. Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived acceptability, and disruptions to daily life related to COVID-19 were associated with individuals’ adherence to DPM. Conclusions: Adherence to DPM was strong in Hong Kong, and the adherence level could be predicted by various factors. It is vital to consider these factors in order to improve the public’s adherence.

As Hong Kong is undergoing rapid population ageing over the past few decades, and this trend is expected to persist due to low fertility rates and extended life expectancy. This trend has significant implications for Hong Kong’s labor market and workforce. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the experiences, needs, and definitions of older workers in Hong Kong. It helps to draw attention to issues of occupational safety and health (OSH) risks and help identifying and promoting strategies and interventions for effectively supporting the ageing workforce in the workplace. The major objective of this research is to identify the OSH problems and challenges perceived by the older workers, employers and other stakeholders. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are applied. A qualitative study with focus groups and individual in-depth interviews have been conducted with a representative sample of 70 stakeholders, including employees, employers, representative of labour unions, policymakers, NGO representatives and researchers in the related disciplines. We obtained their views on age-related changes within the older workforce and how such changes would affect their work ability, the OSH issues facing the older workers in different industries, and the facilitators and barriers associated with remaining in or joining the labour force. Feasible intervention strategies for effectively supporting the ageing workforce in the workplace are also being identified.

Background:Multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion between rheumatology and radiology is vital in diagnostic and prognostic management of patients’ outcome. Nevertheless, discrepancies of the radiology report and clinical history cause unnecessary confusion and distresses to clinicians and patients. This could potentially affect subsequent clinical management.Objectives:This survey was aimed to evaluate outcomes of rheumatology / radiology MDT discussion and to identify any discrepancies between original reports of the radiology images and amended reports following MDT. We also looked for potential reasons for the discrepancies and their impact on patient and health care resources due to erroneous original reporting.Methods:We looked at all types of images which were discussed in rheumatology/ radiology MDT of University Hospital Plymouth from October 2016 to April 2019. A total of 154 images were randomly selected and their reports were analyzed. The original reports were compared with the addendum made after the MDT and on the rheumatology electronic records. Clinical letters were also looked at to identify changes in follow up and treatment plans after the MDT.Results:The majority of discussed images were X-rays (88). This is followed by 56 MRIs, 8 Ultrasounds and 2 others including CT.After MDT review 38/88 X-rays (43%), 9/56 MRIs (16%) and 1/ 8 USS (13%) reports were amended. 31/38 amended X-ray (82%) and 5/9 amended MRIs (56%) were externally reported originally. In addition, 4 X-rays and 1 MRI reported by Radiology trainees were also amended.Following the MDT outcome, the management plan was changed in 18/38 (47%) amended X-ray reports and 6/ 9 (67%) in amended MRI reports.There were 17 rheumatology referrals by GP that were based on erroneous X-rays reporting and 3 of them were rejected after the MDT. The others were brought to the MDT after the first clinic visit and were discharged subsequently.Conclusion:Joint rheumatology/ radiology MDT discussion makes significant outcome to patient care by minimizing unnecessary investigations and treatment based on erroneous or unclear reporting. Question is raised about efficacy of outsourcing of radiology reporting and need for intensive training for radiology trainees in reporting muscululoskeletal(MSK) images. Since significant numbers of GP referrals were based on erroneous reports, reporting done by MSK radiologists would have reduced unnecessary burden and waste of outpatient rheumatology resources.The images submitted for MDT were selected largely by consultant rheumatologists based on their review of the images and reliance on the original report. Therefore, clinical impact is underestimated in this survey as there were potentially other images not reviewed in MDT that had ended in unnecessary clinical consultation. This survey emphasizes the need and importance of incorporating formal musculoskeletal radiology training into routine rheumatology training program.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background/objectives Among older adults, intergenerational support can help to improve well-being. This study examines the correlation between intergenerational relationships and the subjective well-being among older Chinese immigrants in the United States. Design Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were applied to test the association between intergenerational relationships and self-rated well-being. The mediating effects of sense of control and the moderation effects of support from friends were also tested. Sample A cross-sectional sample of 2717 older Chinese immigrants, aged 60 years and older, with children and grandchildren was drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly. Measurements Study measures included four items concerning intergenerational relationships: the Pearlin Mastery Scale, two items on seeking support from friends, and single items measuring self-rated health status and quality of life. Results Only the feeling of closeness with children was positively linked with subjective well-being, while coresidence and frequency of talking were not. Support from friends moderated the association with self-rated health status, while sense of control partially mediated the association between feeling of closeness and both self-rated health status and quality of life. Conclusion A stronger sense of closeness with children correlates to self-rated health status and quality of life among older Chinese immigrants. The effects of sociocultural changes affecting Chinese American families, and potential implications for older adults' health, could be addressed through strategies to develop emotional closeness with their families and to support sense of control and well-being among older Chinese adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:S557-S563, 2019.

BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES Prior research has shown that social engagement is beneficial to older adults' health and well-being. This study examined the association between environmental factors and social engagement of older Chinese immigrants in the United States. SAMPLE A cross-sectional data set of Chinese immigrants in the greater Chicago, IL, area (Population Study of Chinese Elderly; n = 3159), was used in this study. DESIGN Multiple regression models were used to test the associations between older adults' engagement in cognitive and social activities and environmental factors, including financial difficulties, social support, neighborhood cohesion, neighborhood disorder, and sense of community. MEASUREMENT Eight questions measuring participants' engagement in cognitive and social activities, a single-item question measuring financial difficulties, a 12-item social support measurement, an eight-item neighborhood cohesion measurement, and a six-item neighborhood disorder and sense of community scale. RESULTS Having fewer financial difficulties and a cohesive neighborhood is related to a higher level of engagement in both cognitive and social activities. More social support from family and friends and a sense of community are associated with higher levels of social activities engagement, but not cognitive activity engagement. Neighborhood cohesion has a stronger association with social engagement than other environmental factors and most individual-level factors. Surprisingly, neighborhood disorder is positively related to social activity engagement, which needs further examination. The associations between environmental factors and social engagement showed no significant difference between healthy and unhealthy older adults. CONCLUSION This study highlights the need for policies and programs to promote an active lifestyle among older immigrants by creating facilitative social and physical environments. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:S571-S576, 2019.

The purpose of this study is to optimise the settings of the Retinal Image Analysis Laboratory (RIALAB), a semi-automatic drusen quantification software, in planning for high-throughput quantification of drusen in clinical studies of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).A comparison of five different settings in RIALAB was made on 67 images from the Rotterdam eye study (population-based study) and 56 images from the fellow eye of patients with active neovascular AMD in King's College Hospital, London (hospital-based study).The 'Few Outer' setting was the best setting, with it being most appropriate for 52 (77.6%) of the Rotterdam cohort and 47 (83.9%) for the London cohort. Pearson's χ(2)-test revealed both results to be statistically significant (P0.0001).RIALAB is a viable algorithm and software package that can detect, quantify, and analyse drusen efficiently in both population-based and hospital-based studies. We have shown that the 'Few Outer' drusen setting can be employed as the default setting, with fine-tuning only needed in a minority of cases, thus helping to speed up workflow.

A mathematical model is presented to explain the effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the minority carrier recombination lifetime (LT) and surface barrier observed in thermally oxidized, RCA cleaned, and contaminated silicon wafers. The proposed model assumes that UV photons (4.9 eV) modify the density of two interface traps and the oxide charge density. It considers the conversion between the two species of traps with energy levels E1 and E2, relative to the intrinsic Fermi level (Ei). These modifications directly affect the surface recombination velocity and hence the effective LT. The changes in the effective lifetime and the surface barrier as a result of UV irradiation as simulated by the model was found to be in good agreement with experimental data.

The minority carrier recombination lifetimes of ultraviolet-irradiated silicon wafers were studied using the laser-microwave photoconductance method. These wafers were intentionally surface contaminated with metals. With ultraviolet irradiation, the effective minority carrier recombination lifetimes of these samples are enhanced. The lifetime enhancement occurs at a faster rate for contaminated wafers. These lifetime enhancements are not permanent; with cessation of the ultraviolet radiation, the preirradiation levels can be restored.

BACKGROUND: Combat wounds have unique features including significant devitalization due to high-energy blast, deep contamination, complex/composite tissue loss, and multiple coexisting injuries. In this regard, Composite Tissue Allotransplantation (CTA) is an innovative reconstructive modality that can provide functional restoration after complex musculoskeletal trauma. CTA is now a clinical reality with numerous upper extremity and face transplants performed worldwide thus providing new hope for service members suffering from catastrophic combat trauma and devastating tissue defects. Broader clinical application of CTA, however, continues to be hampered by requirement for long-term multi-drug immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection. This study for the first time proposes a novel cell-based therapy utilizing Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) that augments nerve regeneration while minimizing the need for immunosuppression. METHODS: Sciatic nerve transections and repairs were performed on Lewis rats in control and experimental groups with local and systemic (intravenous) MSC injection (n=8 per group). Syngeneic (Lewis-Lewis) and Allogeneic (Lewis-Brown Norway) hind limb transplants were performed to analyze neuroregenerative effects of MSC with and without allo-immune response (n=4 per group). RESULTS: Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) amplitudes significantly improved for systemic MSC injection groups relative to controls after sciatic nerve transection and repair. However, no significant differences were observed between groups in functional gait analysis. In addition, histomorphometry and gastrocnemius weight data did not indicate any significant differences among groups. However, the number and density of axons observed between 6 and 16 weeks increased by approximately 35% and 30%, respectively. Syngeneic hind limb transplants that received local or systemic MSC injections showed significant enhancement of functional recovery following MSC therapy.

Objective Clonidine is an α 2 -adrenoceptor agonist which, by coupling with G-protein, has been proposed as an alternative treatment for refractory ascites of patients with cirrhosis for several years. Genetic polymorphisms of β-adrenoceptor and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers have been reported to affect drug response in patients with cirrhosis. This study evaluated the clonidine–diuretic response rate, favourable predictors and genetic components of the clonidine–diuretic response in patients with cirrhosis with refractory ascites. Methods 270 patients with cirrhosis with refractory ascites were randomised equally into two treatment groups to receive diuretics alone or the clonidine–diuretics association. The primary end point was clonidine–diuretic response rate. Secondary end points were mean daily dose of diuretics, times of paracentesis, ascites-related readmission and 1-year survival rate. Results Good clonidine responders had better natriuresis and diuresis as well as a significant decrease in abdominal circumference, plasma renin, aldosterone and norepinephrine levels. The overall clonidine–diuretics response rate was 55–60%. In patients with cirrhosis, the prevalence of ARDA 2 C WD/DD and GNB3 CT/TT genotypes was 71% and 77%, respectively. Among the responders, 71% of patients with cirrhosis had the ARDA 2 C WD/DD genotype and 67% has the GNB3 CT/TT genotype. Besides higher baseline norepinephrine levels, the presence of both ARDA 2 C WD/DD and GNB3 CT/TT genotypes showed a positive predictive value of 82% and a negative predictive value of 79% for good clonidine response. Conclusions These results suggest that neurohormonal and genetic testing may be used as predictive factors for the additive effects of clonidine on the diuresis and natriuresis effects of diuretics in patients with cirrhosis with refractory ascites.

Therefore, infection of central lines remains a major clinical concern, especially in paediatrics patients, who have relatively morevulnerable immune systems and therefore a concomitant higher morbidity and mortality.In view of this, an audit of sepsis incidence in all children receiving PN at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Cardiff, was performed tocompare sepsis incidence with available figures from the literature to benchmark performance, as well as to introduce changes if deemednecessary.The case notes of all PN cases (except neonates) in 2006–2007 were obtained from pharmacy records and reviewed for indications andPN duration. Electronic results reporting systems were used to review biochemical and microbiological results. Sepsis during PN wasdefined as ‘likely’ if the CRP level exceeded 50mg/l, and was proven by positive blood cultures

Conventionally, wafers are passivated by thermal oxidation at temperatures exceeding 900 °C for about an hour prior to effective minority carrier recombination lifetime measurement. This article discusses a method where a reduced duration and low-temperature (650 °C) oxidation followed by ultraviolet radiation was found to be efficacious in passivating silicon wafers for photoconductive decay measurements. The effective minority carrier recombination lifetimes of wafers deliberately contaminated with iron, measured by the conventional and the present methods were well correlated.

An Atomic Force Microscopy system for nanostructure patterning through local anodic oxidation is designed and constructed. We introduce here a novel method of patterning using motorized high precision XY stages controlled by software to provide precise pattern movements while the tip remains stationery, as opposed to conventional tip movements. A microscope with solid state camera imaging system is integrated to obtain real time images of the cantilever to ‘mark’ the precise location of patterns. We have successfully demonstrated the patterning of nanoscale oxide structures on silicon sample using this system.

Designing robots for home entertainment has become an important appli- cation of intelligent autonomous robot. Yet, robot design takes considerable amount of time and the short life cycle of toy-type robots with fixed prototypes and repetitive behaviors is in fact disadvantageous. Therefore, it is important to develop a frame- work of robot configuration so that the user can always change the characteristics of his pet robot easily. In this paper, we present a user-oriented interactive framework to construct emotion-based pet robots. Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed framework.

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the minority carrier recombination lifetime was studied using a laser-microwave photoconductance (LM-PCD) method for wafers oxidized at 700, 900, and 1000°C and for different oxidation times at these temperatures. For wafers oxidized at 1000°C, the lifetime was found to decrease with UV irradiation. For wafers oxidized at 700 and 900°C, the lifetimes could decrease or increase depending on the duration of oxidation and UV irradiation.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of performing vascularized musculoskeletal xenografts between mice and rats using immunosuppression. Vascularized musculoskeletal grafts were harvested from the hind limb of C57BL/6J (B6) mice, transplanted heterotopically into Lewis rats, and revascularized by microanastomoses of the graft artery and the recipient femoral artery and the graft vein to the recipient femoral vein. Recipient rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 received no immunosuppression (n = 10), group 2 was treated with cyclosporine (10 mg/kg/day; n = 10), group 3 was treated with 15-deoxyspergualin (5 mg/kg/day; n = 10), and group 4 received both cyclosporine and 15-deoxyspergualin (n = 10). Graft survival was directly examined on postoperative days 4, 7, and 14. In vitro assays were performed using mixed lymphocyte reactions and anti-donor cytotoxic antibody assays to assess the recipient's immune response. Grafts were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry. All grafts in group 1 were rejected by day 4. In groups 2 and 3, all grafts were rejected by day 7. In group 4, however, 8 of 10 recipients had viable grafts on day 14. Data from mixed lymphocyte reactions showed that cell-mediated immune responses were uniformly suppressed in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared with group 1. However, anti-donor antibody production was only partly suppressed in groups 2 and 3, suggesting that graft rejection was primarily caused by circulating cytotoxic anti-donor antibodies in groups 1, 2, and 3. Histologic observations in groups 1, 2, and 3 confirmed the important role of the humoral mechanism in xenograft rejection. Furthermore, immunohistochemical results demonstrated that the small vessels in the rejected grafts showed anti-rat immunoglobulin and complement depositions. Only a combination therapy of cyclosporine and 15-deoxyspergualin attenuated the rejection of xenografts.

In this study, we sought to identify antepartum characteristics that predict the de novo development of diabetes 11-26 months after the index pregnancy in a carefully characterized cohort of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Oral and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs and FSIGTs), hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps with labeled glucose, and body composition studies were performed on 91 islet cell antibody-negative Latino women with GDM during the third trimester of pregnancy. The women were documented to be diabetes-free within 6 months postpartum. Their diabetes status was ascertained again between 11 and 26 months postpartum. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of the development of diabetes within that interval. Fourteen of the women developed diabetes by World Health Organization criteria 11-26 months after delivery of the index pregnancy. Three antepartum variables were independent predictors of diabetes: the 1-h postchallenge plasma glucose concentration from the 100-g OGTT at which GDM was diagnosed (higher = increased risk; P = 0.003); an index of pancreatic beta-cell compensation for insulin resistance, defined as the product of the 30-min incremental plasma insulin:glucose ratio on a 75-g OGTT and the insulin sensitivity index from a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (lower = increased risk, P = 0.009); and the basal glucose production rate after an overnight fast (higher = increased risk; P = 0.04). We conclude that postchallenge hyperglycemia, poor pancreatic beta-cell compensation for insulin resistance, and elevated endogenous glucose production during pregnancy precede the development of type 2 diabetes in young Latino women by at least 1-2 years.

Detailed metabolic studies were carried out to compare major regulatory steps in glucose metabolism in vivo between 25 normal pregnant Latino women without and 150 pregnant Latino women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The two groups were frequency-matched for age, BMI, and gestational age at testing in the third trimester. After an overnight fast, women with GDM had higher fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.0001) and immunoreactive insulin (P = 0.0003) concentrations and higher glucose production rates (P = 0.01) but lower glucose clearance rates (P = 0.001) compared with normal pregnant women. During steady-state hyperinsulinemia (approximately 600 pmol/l) and euglycemia (approximately 4.9 mmol/l), women with GDM had lower glucose clearance rates (P = 0.0001) but higher glucose production rates (P = 0.0001) and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations (P = 0.0002) than the normal women. These intergroup differences persisted when a subgroup of 116 women with GDM who were not diabetic < or = 6 months after pregnancy were used in the analysis. When all subjects were considered, there was a very close correlation between glucose production rates and plasma FFA concentrations throughout the glucose clamps in control (r = 0.996) and GDM (r = 0.995) groups. Slopes and intercepts of the relationships were nearly identical, suggesting that blunted suppression of FFA concentrations contributed to blunted suppression of glucose production in the GDM group. In addition to these defects in insulin action, women with GDM had a 67% impairment of pancreatic beta-cell compensation for insulin resistance compared with normal pregnant women. These results demonstrate that women with GDM have multiple defects in insulin action together with impaired compensation for insulin resistance. Our findings suggest that defects in the regulation of glucose clearance, glucose production, and plasma FFA concentrations, together with defects in pancreatic beta-cell function, precede the development of type 2 diabetes in these high-risk women.

Conventional search engines locate information by letting users establish a single Web checkpoint. By specifying one or more keywords, users direct search engines to return a set of documents that contain those keywords. From the documents (links) returned by search engines, user proceed to further probe the WWW from there. Hence, these initial set of documents (contingent upon the occurrence of keyword(s)) serve as a Web checkpoint. Generally, these links are numerous and may not result in much fruitful searches. By establishing multiple Web checkpoints, a richer and controllable search procedure can be constructed to obtain more relevant Web information. This paper presents the design and implementation of permitting multiple checkpoints to facilitate improved searching on the WWW. Web checkpointing is performed as part of the WHOWEDA project.

We examined antepartum clinical characteristics along with measures of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic β-cell function, and body composition in Latino women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for their ability to predict type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) within 6 months after delivery. A total of 122 islet cell antibody-negative women underwent oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests (OGTT; IVGTT), hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, and measurement of body fat between 29 and 36 weeks' gestation and returned between 1 and 6 months postpartum for a 75-g OGTT. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between antepartum variables and glucose tolerance status postpartum. At postpartum testing, 40% of the cohort had normal glucose tolerance, 50% had IGT, and 10% had diabetes by American Diabetes Association criteria. Independent antepartum predictors of postpartum diabetes were the 30-min incremental insulin:glucose ratio during a 75-g OGTT (P = 0.0002) and the total area under the diagnostic 100-g glucose tolerance curve (P = 0.003). Independent predictors of postpartum IGT were a low firstphase IVGTT insulin response (P = 0.0001), a diagnosis of GDM before 22 weeks' gestation (P = 0.003), and weight gain between prepregnancy and the postpartum examination (P = 0.03). All subjects had low insulin sensitivity during late pregnancy, but neither glucose clamp nor minimal model measures of insulin sensitivity in the 3rd trimester were associated with the risk of IGT or diabetes within 6 months' postpartum. These results highlight the importance of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, detectable under conditions of marked insulin resistance in late pregnancy, to predict abnormalities of glucose tolerance soon after delivery in pregnancies complicated by GDM. Moreover, the association of postpar-turn IGT with weight gain and an early gestational age at diagnosis of GDM suggests a role for chronic insulin resistance in mediating hyperglycemia outside the 3rd trimester in women with such a β-cell defect.

Introduction: Depression stands out as an important health issue that affects the entire family. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and level of depression and its relationship with autoantibodies, individual, environmental, laboratory and lifestyle parameters in miscarriage-patients. Aims: To evaluate the causes or effects of depression in recurrent miscarriage-patients. Methods: 50 variables containing sociodemographic data, healthrelated habits, depression, serum molecules and blood parameters were evaluated in recurrent miscarriage-patients and healthy women with natural childbirth. Results: Although no significant differences for 4 sociodemographic and 18 health-related lifestyle parameters were found between patients and controls, depression score and its prevalence was higher in patients than controls. Depression scores were higher in miscarriage-patients (ranging 3–36, mean = 11.92±1.37) than controls (ranging 0–8, mean = 3.05±0.63) which 80.96% of them had no or mild, 2.38% mild-moderate, 4.76% moderate and 11.9% severe depression. There was also a significant association between antidouble-stranded-DNA-antibody (anti-dsDNA) or rheumatoid-factor (RF) level and depression in miscarriage-patients. Interestingly, depression score was inversely correlated with the level of solubleleptin-receptor (sLeptinR) and soluble-glyeoprotein-130 (sgp130) after controlling for covariates in patient groups. Depression of miscarriage-patients was correlated with hookah consumption rate. Surprising that, the association between abortion histories and depression in miscarriage-patients become not significant after controlling for age. Conclusions: Depression score and its prevalence are higher in miscarriage-patients than controls. The depression levels are correlated with certain autoantibodies such as anti-dsDNA or some habits like hookah smoking in miscarriage-patients. Inverse association between depression and some soluble molecules like sgp130 or sLeptinR in recurrent miscarriage-patients also remained to be elucidated.

Introduction: Depression stands out as an important health issue that affects the entire family. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and level of depression and its relationship with autoantibodies, individual, environmental, laboratory and lifestyle parameters in miscarriage-patients. Aims: To evaluate the causes or effects of depression in recurrent miscarriage-patients. Methods: 50 variables containing sociodemographic data, healthrelated habits, depression, serum molecules and blood parameters were evaluated in recurrent miscarriage-patients and healthy women with natural childbirth. Results: Although no significant differences for 4 sociodemographic and 18 health-related lifestyle parameters were found between patients and controls, depression score and its prevalence was higher in patients than controls. Depression scores were higher in miscarriage-patients (ranging 3–36, mean = 11.92±1.37) than controls (ranging 0–8, mean = 3.05±0.63) which 80.96% of them had no or mild, 2.38% mild-moderate, 4.76% moderate and 11.9% severe depression. There was also a significant association between antidouble-stranded-DNA-antibody (anti-dsDNA) or rheumatoid-factor (RF) level and depression in miscarriage-patients. Interestingly, depression score was inversely correlated with the level of solubleleptin-receptor (sLeptinR) and soluble-glyeoprotein-130 (sgp130) after controlling for covariates in patient groups. Depression of miscarriage-patients was correlated with hookah consumption rate. Surprising that, the association between abortion histories and depression in miscarriage-patients become not significant after controlling for age. Conclusions: Depression score and its prevalence are higher in miscarriage-patients than controls. The depression levels are correlated with certain autoantibodies such as anti-dsDNA or some habits like hookah smoking in miscarriage-patients. Inverse association between depression and some soluble molecules like sgp130 or sLeptinR in recurrent miscarriage-patients also remained to be elucidated.

Grown-in crystal-originated particles (COPs) on the surface of silicon nitride-doped Czochralski (CZ)-grown silicon wafers were characterized using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These nanometer-scale COPs are categorized into kite-shaped, parallelepiped- plate and needle-shaped COPs, respectively, with unique features distinctively different from the octahedral voids commonly found in conventional CZ-grown silicon wafers. Based on the experimental data obtained, it is postulated that nitrogen dopants in the silicon crystals could influence the formation of these COPs with different morphologies and sizes. This may be supported by a simple analysis of the mapping distribution of COPs on the nitride-doped CZ-grown silicon wafer, which reveals that the densities of the smaller-size parallelepiped- plate and needle-shaped COPs are negligible at the center of the silicon wafer but increase to a significant proportion comparable to that of the kite-shaped COPs at the outer edges of the silicon wafer along the radial directions. These observations are thought to correlate well with the presence of nitrogen dopants and the radial concentrations of the excess free vacancy. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.

6-bit gamma compensated digital data driver using LTPS TFTs was integrated in AMOLED panel. We have applied conventional register ladder D/A converter circuits with 9 points reference voltage for each color. We have obtained both good gray scale and good white balance by optimizing the reference voltage. DC/DC converter and serial to parallel converter have also been integrated by TFT. The number of pixels is 768 × 228 dots. The width of the data driver designed by 2micron rule is only 2.6mm.

A minicomputer-based Mossbauer data acquisition system has been designed and built. The operation of this Mossbauer spectrometer is analogous to conventional systems with a multichannel analyzer in the multiscaling or time mode. However, this minicomputer-based system uses two addressable fast scalers to effectively reduce the channel advance deadtime by two or three orders of magnitude. Another advantage of this design is that it can easily be implemented on almost any minicomputer or microprocessor.

A wafer level integration method is proposed for building large capacity bubble memory chips using present processing technology. A single cell pattern is stepped and repeated to generate a matrix of cells. Each cell has basically a major‐minor structure. With exchange switch pairs and geometry tolerant junction elements, the bubbles can be transferred between major loops of the adjacent cells in the same row or column. The control functions of those cells in the same row are also interconnected to the edge of the wafer, and thus can share the same driver electronics. These cells are integrated magnetically and electrically. They can share one or a few I/O ports and effectively form a large capacity chip. Since all the cells are identical, the final chip size can be any combination of the cells. A yield model study is performed to show the relationship between chip size and yield.

A block replicate bubble memory chip with a 14×16μm2 bit cell size has been developed using state‐of‐the art bubble technology. Organized into 282 minor loops and 1025 bits per minor loop, the total capacity of the chip is 289,050 bits. At 25°C and 45 Oe drive the start‐stop operating bias margin is 18 Oe up to at least 300 kHz field rate. For operation over the temperature range −25°C to 100°C and up to 300 kHz, all chip drive parameters have at least ±10 percent operating range indicating that no drive parameter is required to be temperature compensated.

One half of deaths among trauma victims occur within 1 hour of injury and are due to rapid hemorrhage or CNS trauma. We developed a rapid hemorrhage model in unanesthetized swine to simulate human exsanguination. We compared the ability of four crystalloid solutions to prevent death after an otherwise fatal hemorrhage: normal saline (NS), Ringer's lactate (RL), Plasmalyte-A (PA), and Plasmalyte-R (PR). Five days before hemorrhage swine received an aortic sideport and a central venous treatment catheter. Aortic blood (54 ml/kg) was removed in 15 minutes from 116 swine. The percentages of shed blood replaced were 14% in 5 minutes with NS, 100% in 20 minutes with NS, and 300% in 30 minutes with NS, RL, PA, or PR. We found that all mortalities were determined within 2 hours after hemorrhage and that RL provided the best survival rate of 67% (NS 300% = 50%, PR = 40%, and PA = 30%.) After an analysis of arterial blood gas, lactate, acid-base, heart rate, and aortic pressure measurements, we conclude that RL is the superior crystalloid solution because of its decreased chloride load (compared to NS) and because of the absence of acetate or magnesium (compared to PA and PR).