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As a quest for two-dimensional conducting interface with exotic functionalities for future electronic devices, the perovskite heterointerface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) has been intensively studied. For the LAO/STO heterostructure, the critical thickness of the LAO layer for metallic conduction is 4 unit cells (uc) according to the polar catastrophe scenario. However, we find that metallic conduction can also be induced at the LAO/STO interface with only 1 uc of LAO, as long as it is capped by 3 or more uc of STO. Consistent results are obtained from density functional theory calculations. For this STO/LAO/STO trilayer, we also confirmed a peculiar non-BCS-type superconductivity with a suppressed superconducting gap, which may imply a superconducting coupling distinct from previously reported BCS-type superconductivity in LAO/STO heterointerface. These observations suggest that the STO/LAO/STO trilayer can be another testing board to explore carrier conduction in two-dimensional electron systems for electronic device applications utilizing exotic functionalities.

Background Eosinophils are encountered in many skin diseases, but the role of eosinophils in atopic dermatitis (AD) remains uncertain. Objective To examine the role of serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and total IgE as a biomarker of disease severity and relapse in severe recalcitrant AD. Methods We enrolled 99 patients with AD: 37 with severe recalcitrant AD, 20 with severe AD, and 42 with mild to moderate AD. We examined the difference in serum level of total IgE, ECP, and EDN between the groups and whether any correlation existed between disease severity and ECP or EDN. Lastly, difference in levels of ECP or EDN between those who experienced relapse was examined in the severe recalcitrant group. Results Serum levels of total IgE, ECP, and EDN were significantly higher in the severe recalcitrant AD group and severe AD group compared with the mild to moderate AD group. No significant difference was found in serum levels of total IgE, ECP, and EDN between the severe recalcitrant group and severe group. EDN had a significant positive correlation with the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis. No significant correlation was found between EDN and ECP. In the severe recalcitrant group, 29.7% of patients experienced relapse, and EDN was significantly higher in those who experienced relapse. The cutoff value of EDN for predicting relapse was 64.5. Conclusion EDN correlated with the disease severity of AD. EDN may predict relapse in severe recalcitrant AD. The EDN serum level could be considered a candidate molecule as a clinical biomarker for evaluating AD disease activity and a predictor of relapse.

Background/Aims: Although the role of capsule endoscopy (CE) in Crohn’s disease (CD) has expanded, CE is not used routinely for diagnosing and evaluating CD in Korea. We aimed to investigate current patterns of practice and evaluate the clinical significance of the use of CE in CD in Korean patients. Methods: Among 651 CE procedures performed for various indications, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent CE in 57 cases of suspected CD (sCD) and 14 cases of established CD (eCD). Results: In the sCD group, CE was most commonly used for the initial diagnosis of CD (54.4%). Capsule retention was found in only 1 patient in the eCD group (1/71, 1.4%). In the sCD group, 28.1% of patients were diagnosed with CD on the basis of CE findings; other diseases diagnosed included tuberculous enteritis (7.0%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy (5.3%), and other enteritis (17.5%). Only 11.5% of patients with eCD (14/122) un derwent CE. The indication for CE in the 14 patients with eCD was to assess disease extent and activity. The overall diagnostic yield of CE was 59.7%. Therapeutic strategies were changed in 70.2% of patients in the sCD group and 50% of those in the eCD group based on CE findings. Conclusions: In clinical practice, CE was most commonly indicated for the initial diagnosis of CD and was not generally performed in patients with eCD. CE appears to be an effective diagnostic modality for evaluating sCD and is useful for determining therapeutic strategies for patients with sCD and those with eCD. (Intest Res 2017;15:467-474)

A celebrity athlete’s transgression damages the public’s trust in that celebrity. However, little is known about whether demonstrating an outstanding performance after the transgression mitigates the negative consequence of that transgression. It also remains unexplored whether engaging in reparation can restore consumer trust and generate forgiveness. Taking a longitudinal approach, we found that post-transgression performance slightly increased competence-based trust but had no impact on increasing integrity-based trust and forgiveness. However, post-transgression reparation efforts enhanced both integrity-based trust and forgiveness over time. Findings also suggest that performance has little impact on generating forgiveness, countering the popular notion that winning takes care of everything.

The initial online publication contained a typesetting mistake. The original article has been corrected.

Athlete endorsers’ transgressions pose a dilemma for loyal fans who have established emotional attachments toward the individual. However, little is known regarding how fans maintain their support for the wrongdoer. Drawing on moral psychology and social identity theory, the current study proposes and examines a conceptual model incorporating athlete identification, moral emotions, moral reasoning strategies, and consumer evaluations. By using an actual scandal involving an NFL player (i.e., Ray Rice), the results show that fan identification suppresses the experience of negative moral emotions but facilitates fans’ moral disengagement processes, which enables fans to support the wrongdoer. Moreover, negative moral emotions motivate the moral coupling process. Findings contribute to the sport consumer behavior literature that highly identified fans seem to regulate negative emotions but deliberately select moral disengagement reasoning strategies to maintain their positive stance toward the wrongdoer and associated brands.

We investigate the quantum transport properties of surface electrons on a topological insulator Bi2Te3 nanowire in a magnetotransport study. Although the nanowires are synthesized by using a relatively coarse method of electrochemical deposition, clear Aharonov–Bohm oscillations of phases 0 and π are observed, owing to the highly coherent surface electron channel. The oscillation amplitude exhibits exponential temperature dependence, suggesting that the phase coherence length Lφ is inversely proportional to the temperature, as in quasi-ballistic systems. In addition, a weak antilocalization analysis on the surface channel by using a one-dimensional localization theory, enabled by successful extraction of the surface contribution from the magnetoconductance data, is provided in support of the temperature dependence of Lφ.

We investigated the capability of a trained deep learning (DL) model with a convolutional neural network (CNN) in a different scanning environment in terms of ameliorating the quality of synthetic fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. The acquired data of 319 patients obtained from the retrospective review were used as test sets for the already trained DL model to correct the synthetic FLAIR images. Quantitative analyses were performed for native synthetic FLAIR and DL-FLAIR images against conventional FLAIR images. Two neuroradiologists assessed the quality and artifact degree of the native synthetic FLAIR and DL-FLAIR images. The quantitative parameters showed significant improvement on DL-FLAIR in all individual tissue segments and total intracranial tissues than on the native synthetic FLAIR (p &lt, 0.0001). DL-FLAIR images showed improved image quality with fewer artifacts than the native synthetic FLAIR images (p &lt, 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the preservation of the periventricular white matter hyperintensities and lesion conspicuity between the two FLAIR image sets (p = 0.217). The quality of synthetic FLAIR images was improved through artifact correction using the trained DL model on a different scan environment. DL-based correction can be a promising solution for ameliorating the quality of synthetic FLAIR images to broaden the clinical use of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Sharing has become one of the most prevalent behaviors in the online environment as the rise of social media enables individuals to share content (e.g., videos and pictures) more easily with others on social networking sites. Sharing has been mainly investigated from a reciprocal standpoint (exchange-based sharing), and there has been a lack of effort to expand our knowledge of sharing from prosocial and morality perspectives. In this regard, based on the dual process theory and the dual model of entertainment media, the current study examines the role of elevation in determining individuals’ online sharing and information searching behaviors. The results indicate that participants exhibited greater intentions to share a meaningful video online and search for more information about the actor compared with a hedonic video (Experiment 1), and this effect was further moderated by participants’ moral identity (Experiment 2) and different mindsets associated with a prosocial action (beneficiary vs. benefactor; Experiment 3). Theoretical and practical implications are discussed related to online sharing and entertainment media literature.

To determine the feasibility of using high-resolution volumetric zero echo time (ZTE) sequence in routine lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compare free breathing 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) and ZTE lung MRI in terms of image quality and small-nodule detection. Our Institutional Review Board approved this study. Twenty patients underwent both UTE and ZTE sequences during routine lung MR. UTE and ZTE images were compared in terms of subjective image quality and detection of lung parenchymal signal, intrapulmonary structures, and sub-centimeter nodules. Differences between the two sequences were compared through statistical analysis. Lung parenchyma showed significantly (p

Marketing managers often face dilemmas when their athlete endorsers are accused of immoral behavior. However, research findings have been equivocal as to whether athletes’ transgressions damage endorsed brand evaluations. Using two experiments, we empirically demonstrate that consumers’ moral reasoning (i.e., moral rationalization, moral coupling, and moral decoupling) has differential effects on evaluations of a transgressor (Study 1). In Study 2, we examine the causal effect of moral reasoning choice on evaluations of the transgressor and the associated brand. Findings show that moral coupling has negative effects on the athlete and brand evaluations, whereas moral decoupling and moral rationalization positively affect brand attitude and purchase intent through positive evaluation of the athlete. Findings from this study provide empirical evidence to explain how and why some consumers continue or discontinue their support for a troubled athlete and associated brand.

Public figures’ transgressions attract considerable media attention and public interest. However, little is understood about the impact of celebrity endorsers’ transgressions on associated brands. Drawing on research on moral reasoning, we posit that consumers are not always motivated to separate judgments of performance from judgments of morality (moral decoupling) or simply excuse a wrongdoer (moral rationalization). We propose that consumers also engage in moral coupling, a distinct moral reasoning process which allows consumers to integrate judgments of performance and judgments of morality. In three studies, we demonstrate that moral coupling is prevalent and has unique predictive utilities in explaining consumers’ evaluation of the transgressor (Studies 1 and 2). We also show that transgression type (performance related vs. performance unrelated) has a significant impact on consumers’ choice of moral reasoning strategy (Study 2). Finally, we demonstrate that consumers’ support for (or opposition toward) a brand endorsed by a transgressor is a direct function of moral reasoning choice (Study 3). Findings suggest that public figure’s immoral behavior and its spillover to an extended brand is contingent on consumers’ moral reasoning choices.

We present a MEMS-based device on a silicon nitride membrane in order to measure the thermoelectric properties of a single nanowire. A temperature gradient along a nanowire was generated by a nanoheater, and the temperature was measured by Pt thermometers. A thermal simulation using a finite element method was conducted to analyze the temperature distribution over the MEMS device. The validity of the MEMS device was established by testing the Pt nanowires which had different symmetry configurations. From the test results of Pt nanowires, a convincing temperature calibration method was proposed and applied to an actual case of Bi 2 Te 3 nanowire. We measured a Seebeck coefficient of −53 μV/K and electrical conductivity of 2.23 × 10 5 S/m for a single Bi 2 Te 3 nanowire with a diameter of 70 nm at 300 K. Our solid design for thermoelectric measurements based on a membrane structure enables the fast and high-yield characterization of one-dimensional nanostructures.

Despite its explosive growth in North America, relatively little research has been conducted on the gambling implications of fantasy sports. The current study examines whether financial information (i.e. entry fee and payout) in an advertisement promoting a fantasy football service influences perceptions about opponents' perceived skill level and expected outcomes. This study also examines the impact of perceived opponents' skill and perceived winning expectations on the desire to participate in the advertised fantasy sports service. Findings indicated that entry fee and reward information significantly increased the participants' expectation of opponent quality, but that this expectation did not result in decreases in the subjects' self-reported probability of winning the league. Additionally, subjects indicated that they were most likely to join a league in which the expected opponents' skill level was nearly equal to their own. In the presence of an advertised monetary reward, however, perceived winnin...

During the month of October, the National Football League (NFL) activates a breast cancer awareness campaign - Crucial Catch - in which players, referees and coaches wear pink apparel and gear to promote its cause. Given that more than 17 million people in the USA watch a regular season game every week, this campaign reaches a broad audience. Using a representative sample of US adults (N = 600), this study examined differences in demographic variables (age, gender and race) and domain-specific personal variables (television viewership, cause involvement) on various campaign-related outcomes including cause-related outcomes (i.e., breast cancer perception and donation intentions to support the campaign) and organisation-related outcomes (i.e., perceived motives of the NFL, attitude toward the NFL and behaviour toward the NFL). Findings show how consumers' demographic, lifestyle and psychographic characteristics influence their responses to the campaign.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in lower airway inflammatory immune responses, including cellular responses and responses in terms of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the airway, to rhinovirus (RV) infection on asthma exacerbation by comparing a control and a murine asthma model, with or without RV infection. Methods: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with a crude extract of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df ) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and were subsequently intranasally treated with a crude extract of Df or PBS. Airway responsiveness and cell infiltration, differential cell counts in BALF, and cytokine and chemokine concentrations in BALF were measured 24 hours after intranasal RV1B infection. Results: RV infection increased the enhanced pause (Penh) in both the Df sensitized and challenged mice (Df mice) and PBS-treated mice (PBS mice) (P

Participation in fantasy sports has become one of the most popular forms of interactive online entertainment, attracting more than 32 million players in North America. The purpose of this study was to examine the biasing effects of an advertisement promoting the popular online service. Using the illusion of control theory as a framework, a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment (N = 156) was conducted to examine the effects of two marketer-controlled variables (i.e., customization level and expert information) on participants’ illusory judgments and their decisions to participate in the advertised service. The results showed that both manipulated features evoked biases in control perceptions. Furthermore, illusory control increases winning expectancy and increased winning expectancy leads to favorable attitude and decision toward the advertised product. Findings suggest that promotional information emphasizing control heuristics and expert knowledge can increase consumers’ beliefs that they can control their outcome, which subsequently influences their decision to participate.

We report the fabrication of nanopatterned conduction channels and electrical transport of a two-dimensional electron gas formed at a LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerface. The nanoscale channels are formed by electron beam lithography and Ar-ion etching. The negative magnetoconductance data observed at low temperature are attributed to the weak antilocalization effect due to the strong spin-orbit interaction inherent in the electron gas at the heterointerface whereas the conductance fluctuations are caused by quantum interference between the electron wavefunctions. The gatedependent characteristic parameters, obtained using the Maekawa-Fukuyama model, reveal that the spin-orbit interaction in the nanopatterned metal-oxide heterostructure is gate-tunable, which will be useful for building spintronic devices.

Celebrity athlete endorsers are often engaged in immoral transgressions that cannot be controlled by marketers. While previous research on celebrity endorsement has emphasized how utilizing athletes could enhance persuasiveness of marketing communications, empirical research on consumer responses to athletes’ transgression and their associated brands remains sparse in the literature. In the present study, we focus on moral reasoning strategy (e.g., moral decoupling referring to exclusion of immorality in evaluation process: Bhattacharjee et al. 2012; moral rationalization referring to justification of immorality in evaluation process: Bandura et al. 1996) as a main processing mechanism. In two experimental studies, we identified the existence of a distinct moral reasoning process (i.e., moral coupling) which allows consumers to integrate judgments of morality and performance of a transgressed athlete. Study 1 examined the effect of moral reasoning priming on consumers’ judgments of a transgressed athlete’s morality and performance. Study 2 utilized path analyses to examine causal relations between different types of moral reasoning choices, attitude toward the athlete (AAth), attitude toward the endorsed brand (ABrd), and purchase intent (PI).

The possibility of lateral extension of conjugation within a covalently grafted molecular layer by a scanning probe-based method was tested. A molecular layer derived from ω-(N-pyrrolyl)propanol was formed on n-type Si(111) surface. Application of large sample biases greater than ±4 V during conductive atomic force microscope (AFM) scans under vacuum resulted in changes of mechanical and electrical characteristics of the molecular layer: the tip-sample conductance was increased greatly, the friction was reduced significantly, and the surface potential of the scanned area was increased. The reduction in friction could be attributed to molecular linking formed within the layer. The increased conductance suggested extended conjugation among the pyrrolyl end groups. Therefore, it was inferred that the biased AFM scan successfully induced local polymerization/oligomerization within the covalently grafted molecular layer.

We investigated the effects of sodium sulfite (Na(2)SO(3)) on rhinovirus (RV)-induced chemokine production in A549 airway epithelial cells. Our results demonstrated that the treatment of A549 cells with 2,500 μM Na(2)SO(3) enhanced the mRNA expression of RV-induced interleukin (IL)-8 1.8 fold (p = 0.025); and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), 2.9 fold (p = 0.025). Moreover, the secretion of IL-8, RANTES, and interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 was increased in a statistically significant manner without affecting cell viability and RV replication. Our results suggest that Na(2)SO(3) may potentiate RV infection by enhancing chemokine production.

This study represents the first epidemiological study based on the national registry of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) in Korea. Patient data were collected from 23 major hospitals. A total of 152 patients with PID (under 19 yr of age), who were observed from 2001 to 2005, have been entered in this registry. The period prevalence of PID in Korea in 2005 is 11.25 per million children. The following frequencies were found: antibody deficiencies, 53.3% (n = 81), phagocytic disorders, 28.9% (n = 44); combined immunodeficiencies, 13.2% (n = 20); and T cell deficiencies, 4.6% (n = 7). Congenital agammaglobulinemia (n = 21) and selective IgA deficiency (n = 21) were the most frequently reported antibody deficiency. Other reported deficiencies were common variable immunodeficiencies (n = 16), X-linked agammaglobulinemia (n = 15), IgG subclass deficiency (n = 4). Phagocytic disorder was mostly chronic granulomatous disease. A small number of patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, hyper-IgE syndrome, and severe combined immunodeficiency were also registered. Overall, the most common first manifestation was pneumonia. This study provides data that permit a more accurate estimation PID patients in Korea.

This paper describes a new technique for the detection of uncharged or feebly charged small molecules (

Purpose: Synthesis of regulated on activation, normal T-cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) in the airway has previously been shown to be elevated after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, since few studies have examined whether RSV-infected asthma patients express a higher level of RANTES than do normal individuals, we used a murine model of asthma to address this question. Methods: We prepared Dermatophagoides farinae-sensitized mice as an asthma model, and then infected them with RSV and analyzed the changes in airway responsiveness and the cell populations and cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Results: RANTES synthesis increased in response to RSV infection in both control mice and in asthma model (D. farinae) mice. However, there was no significant difference in the amount of RANTES produced following RSV infection between control and D. farinae mice. RSV infection affected neither interferon-γsynthesis nor airway responsiveness in either control or D. farinae mice. Conclusion: RSV infection did not induce more RANTES in a murine model of asthma than in control mice.

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and describe the epidemiological characteristics of Kawasaki disease among children in Korea. Methods: Questionnaires for surveying the epidemiology of Kawasaki disease were distributed to a total of 101 hospitals that conduct pediatric residency programs. Then, we retrospectively obtained the data, which covered a three-year period (2006–2008) and analyzed them. Results: During the three-year study period, a total of 9039 cases of Kawasaki disease were reported from 84 hospitals (response rate, 83.2%), comprising 5375 boys and 3664 girls (male : female ratio, 1.47:1). The outbreak rate per 100 000 children

We have used electrochemical deposition method to make CdS thin film and nanostructure. 0.02 M sodium thiosulfate and 0.2 M cadmium aqueous solution were prepared in pH 2.5 and 85 °C and we used the nanoimprinting technology for CdS nanostructure. We imprinted polymer resin on ITO/glass and it was used working electrode. From this study, we focus on how well build the CdS window layer on the ITO and on fabricating the CdS nanorods vertically aligned on window layer. Instead of conventional way to build the nanorods, one of the promising techniques, nanoimprinting, would be suggested.

Surface texturing is well known as one of the major paths to improving the efficiency of silicon solar cells by increasing the short circuit current through effective photon trapping. However, the effects of the pyramids created after surface texturing on the other properties remain obscure. In this work, we studied the effect of the surface morphologies on the formation of both the emitter layer and metal electrode using the screen printing method, which is a cost-effective method of fabricating silicon solar cells. Various textured surfaces, such as with large, small, sharp or smooth pyramids, were investigated in comparison with a flat surface. The contact resistance was measured from a TLM patterned cell by I–V measurement under dark conditions and SEM, TEM and UV–vis spectrophotometer were used to evaluate the surfaces.

The effect of different surface morphologies obtained by anisotropic etching on the light trapping and short circuit current of single crystalline silicon solar cells was investigated. The anisotropic texturing of a (1 0 0) silicon surface was performed using potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution and/or tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution including isopropyl alcohol (IPA) additive or tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) additive. Texturing in TMAH solution formed smaller pyramids on the textured surface compared with texturing in KOH solution. Although the textured samples showed similar reflectances (except in the case of the TBA additive), they showed different short circuit currents. Texturing in KOH/TMAH solution led to a 9.6% increase in short circuit current compared with texturing in KOH/IPA solution, a typical etchant in commercial processes. Based on these results, the reflectivity has no simple proportionality relationship to the short circuit current, and the short circuit current of silicon solar cells should be the criterion used in evaluating texturing effects on reducing reflectance and forming a sound junction with high collection efficiency.

This study addresses the optimization of rf magnetron-sputtered hydrogenated ZnO:Al (HAZO) films as front contacts in microcrystalline silicon solar cells. The front contact of a solar cell has to be highly conductive and highly transparent to visible and infrared radiation. Furthermore, it has to scatter the incident light efficiently in order for the light to be effectively trapped in the underlying silicon layers. In this research, HAZO films were rf-magnetron-sputtered on glass substrates from a ceramic (98 wt% ZnO, 2 wt% Al 2 O 3 ) target. Various compositions of AZO films on glass substrates were prepared by changing the H 2 /(Ar + H 2 ) ratio of the sputtering gas. The resulting smooth films exhibited high transparencies ( T ⩾ 85% for visible light including all reflection losses) and excellent electrical properties ( ρ = 2.7 × 10 −4 Ω · cm). Depending on their structural properties, these films developed different surface textures upon post-deposition etching using diluted hydrochloric acid. The light-scattering properties of these films could be controlled simply by varying the etching time. Moreover, the electrical properties of the films were not affected by the etching process. Therefore, within certain limits, it is possible to optimize the electro-optical and light-scattering properties separately. The microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H)-based p–i–n solar cells prepared using these new texture-etched AZO:H substrates showed high quantum efficiencies in the long wavelength range, thereby demonstrating effective light trapping. Using the optimum AZO:H thin-film textured surface, we achieved a p–i–n μc-Si solar cell efficiency of 7.78%.

Texturing the surfaces of silicon wafer is one of the most important ways of increasing their efficiencies. The texturing process reduces the surface reflection loss through photon trapping, thereby increasing the short circuit current of the solar cell. The texturing of crystalline silicon was carried out using alkaline solutions. Such solutions resulted in anisotropic etching that leads to the formation of random pyramids. Before the texturing process was carried out, saw-damage etching was performed in order to remove the surface defects and damage caused by wire sawing. In general, potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution has been used for saw-damage etching. This etching results in a fairly flat surface. The results from this study showed that the outcome of the surface texturing is related to the original surface morphology of the silicon. It was found that saw-damage etching using an acidic solution improved the effects of the texturing. In this case, regular and small pyramids were formed on the surface of the silicon. This reduced the reflectance of the surface, thereby increased the short circuit current and the conversion efficiency of the solar cell.

Organic solar cell devices were fabricated using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and 6,6-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), which play the role of an electron donor and acceptor, respectively. The transparent electrode of organic solar cells, indium tin oxide (ITO), was replaced by Al-doped ZnO (AZO). ZnO has been studied extensively in recent years on account of its high optical transmittance, electrical conduction and low material cost. This paper reports organic solar cells based on Al-doped ZnO as an alternative to ITO. Organic solar cells with intrinsic ZnO inserted between the P3HT/PCBM layer and AZO were also fabricated. The intrinsic ZnO layer prevented the shunt path in the device. The performance of the cells with a layer of intrinsic ZnO was superior to that without the intrinsic ZnO layer.

We report a facile one-pot synthetic method for the formation of CdTe/CdSe tetrapod nanocrystals with type II band alignment. The crystal growth kinetics can be controlled by changing the injection temperature, rate and concentration of the chalcogen precursor, allowing the structure of CdTe/CdSe tetrapod nanocrystals to be synthesized without changing the underlying chemistry. Only the multiple injection of Se precursor promotes epitaxial growth of a CdSe nanorod on the end of CdTe tetrapod arms. This synthesis shows that the mechanism of tetrapod nucleated growth may be generally applicable for creating other non-core/shell heterostructures. The heterostructure nanocrystals are composed of a CdTe tetrapod core and four CdSe nanorod tips, showing optical properties typical of type II heterostructures that are well suited for photovoltaic applications.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • The analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of dexibuprofen compared with ibuprofen in adults with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and dental pain. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Dexibuprofen is as effective and tolerable as ibuprofen, and a dose of 5 mg kg−1 of dexibuprofen would be sufficient to control fever caused by upper respiratory tract infection in children. AIM To evaluate the antipyretic efficacy and tolerability of dexibuprofen compared with ibuprofen in children with fever caused by upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). METHODS The study population consisted of children aged 6 months to 14 years. At the time of visit to the hospital, the children had fever; the cause of fever was determined to be URTI by a paediatrician based on history taking and physical examination. The study was a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled parallel group, comparative, Phase 3 clinical trial, conducted at three hospitals. By using a computer-based random assignment program, the subjects were allocated to the following three groups: 5 mg kg−1 dexibuprofen group, 7 mg kg−1 dexibuprofen group, and 10 mg kg−1 ibuprofen group. RESULTS In the clinical trial of the antipyretic action of dexibuprofen in patients with fever caused by URTI, there was no statistically significant difference in maximal decrease of temperature and mean time to become apyrexial among the 5 mg kg−1 dexibuprofen, 7 mg kg−1 dexibuprofen and 10 mg kg−1 ibuprofen groups (P > 0.05). There also was no significant difference in adverse drug reaction (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Dexibuprofen is as effective and tolerable as ibuprofen. A dose of 5 mg kg−1 and 7 mg kg−1 dexibuprofen in place of 10 mg kg−1 ibuprofen would be sufficient to control fever caused by URTI in children.

Core/shell heterostructure nanowires are one of the most interesting mesoscopic systems potentially suitable for the study of quantum interference phenomena. Here, we report on experimental observations of both the Aharonov-Bohm (h/e) and the Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak (h/2e) oscillations in radial core/shell (In2O3/InOx) heterostructure nanowires. For a long channel device with a length-to-width ratio of about 33, the magnetoresistance curves at low temperatures exhibited a crossover from low-field h/2e oscillation to high-field h/ e oscillation. The relationship between the oscillation period and the core width was investigated for freestanding or substrate-supported devices and indicated that the current flows dominantly through the core/shell interface.

In this work, we achieved the production of pristine multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polyethylene (PE) composites composed of uniformly dispersed, PE-coated MWCNT strands, by the in situ polymerization of ethylene with Cp2ZrCl2 immobilized onto the sidewalls of pristine MWCNTs as a catalyst. The prepared composites showed a highly increased Young’s modulus (359%) as compared to homopolyethylene, due to well-dispersed pristine MWCNTs in the PE matrices. Electronic interactions and binding modes between zirconocenes and CNTs were investigated by theoretical and experimental methods, and both methods indicated that the sidewalls of CNTs could form a coordination bond with the positively charged active species and act as a ligand with strong electron donation.

We have studied gate hysteresis of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) on silicon oxide substrates in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) at low temperatures. It is found that the hysteresis is neither reduced by thermal annealing at temperatures over 300 °C under UHV nor significantly affected by independent adsorption of ammonia or water at T = 56 K. However, the hysteresis decreases greatly upon coadsorption of water and ammonia below condensation temperatures and restores completely with desorption of the adsorbed water layer. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that the main cause of gate hysteresis in CNFETs on silicon oxide substrate is charge transfer between the carbon nanotube and charge traps at the silicon oxide/ambient interface. We propose a mechanism for gate hysteresis that involves surface silanol groups as the major sources of screening charges. This surface silanol model is supported by results from scanning surface potential microscopy (SSPM).

Summary Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology that occurs predominantly in children

In order to broaden our knowledge of the primary immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus infections, we compared the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) produced in vitro during RSV and adenovirus infections of bronchial epithelial cells. We infected BEAS-2B cells—a human bronchial epithelial cell line—with RSV, adenovirus serotype 3, or serotype 7 and measured the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES in the cell culture supernatants. When the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1, RSV induced the production of markedly higher concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES than the adenovirus. When the MOI of the adenovirus was increased to 100, the production of IL-6 and IL-8 increased. However, the amounts produced were still lower than those produced by RSV with the MOI of 1. There was no statistically significant increase in the production of RANTES in spite of the MOI of the adenovirus was increased to 100. Adenovirus serotype 7 induced the production of considerably more IL-6 and IL-8 than serotype 3 in the MOI of 100. However, neither adenovirus serotype triggered an increase in the production of RANTES in spite of the MOI of 100. This demonstrates that RSV could have a superior capacity to stimulate the production of IL-6, IL-8, and RANTES in the bronchial epithelial cells. This study may help to explain the differences in the clinical outcomes of RSV and adenovirus infections. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:277–282. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We report controlled formation of sub-100 nm-thin electron channels in SrTiO$_3$ by doping with oxygen vacancies induced by Ar$^+$-ion irradiation. The conducting channels exhibit a consistent high electron mobility (~15,000 cm$^2$V$^{-1}$s$^{-1}$), which enables clear observation of magnetic quantum oscillations, and gate-tunable linear magnetoresistance. Near the onset of electrical conduction, the metal-insulator transition is induced by the mobility suppression. With the high electron mobility and the ease of controlled channel formation, this ion-irradiation doping method may provide an excellent basis for developing oxide electronics.

The prevalent ages at onset for Kawasaki Disease (KD) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection are known to be similar in Korea and Japan. We evaluated the correlation between EBV infection and KD. The antibodies to EBV such as anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG and IgM, anti-diffuse and restricted early antigen IgG (anti-EADR IgG), and the anti-EBV determined nuclear antigen IgG (anti-EBNA IgG) were examined in 29 KD patients at five separate times sequentially during a period of one year, and also in 14 other children with a past history of KD. The results of each group were compared with those of age-matched controls. The positive rates of anti-VCA IgG and IgM at presentation in the KD patients were 41.4% (12/29) and 0% (0/29), respectively. Only one patient was found to be anti-VCA IgM-positive within two months. There were no cases of anti-VCA IgG except one, anti-EADR IgG and anti-EBNA IgG positive to negative seroconversion during the year. The children with a past history of KD showed higher anti-EBNA IgG-positive rates than the controls (p = 0.04). There was no difference in the seropositive rates of the antibodies to EBV, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus. In conclusion, children with KD were noted to have normal immune responses to EBV infection. Children with a past history of KD seemed to be infected with EBV at a later age than children with no history of KD.

Aim: The diagnosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) in those outside the typical age range (6 months−4 years) is often delayed, potentially worsening prognosis. The features of KD in children ≤6 months and ≥5 years were compared with those presenting within the more typical age distribution. Methods: Korean children with complete diagnostic criteria for KD were grouped according to their age at presentation: Group A (≤6 months), Group B (7 months−4 years) and Group C (≥5 years). The clinical features, laboratory findings and outcome in each group were compared. Results: Of 136 children presenting to a single centre between 1999 and 2003, 10 children were in Group A, 114 in Group B and 12 in Group C. The mean total fever duration was 8 days in Group C and 6.2 days in Group A (P = 0.03). All children in Group C had cervical lymphadenopathy, compared with 50% of Group A and 64% of Group B (P = 0.01). Coronary artery lesions were commoner in older children (Group C, 42%) compared with Group B (17%, P = 0.05). All children had an equivalent leukocytosis, but Group C had significantly higher neutrophil counts (P = 0.001). Group A had significantly lower mean haemoglobin (P = 0.003) and total protein (P = 0.002) at presentation and a more marked thrombocytosis 1 week after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (P

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) is responsible for 10-40% of cases of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. Occasionally, progression to severe pneumonia occurs despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. We retrospectively evaluated the effect of prednisolone in 15 children with MP whose clinical and radiographic course worsened despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, including appropriate macrolides. The mean ( +/- SD) age was 6.1 +/- 1.9 years, and 10 were boys. All children had received macrolides at presentation, but they had persistent fever and progressively worsening radiographic findings. In addition to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, we added prednisolone (1 mg/kg for 3-7 days, then tapered over 7 days) on day 6 (+/-1.5 days) of admission. Fourteen children became afebrile within 24 hr, and their clinical status and radiographic findings improved over several days. The white blood cell count at presentation was 7,500 +/- 2,000/mm3, with a proportion demonstrating lymphopenia (lymphocyte differential, 19.7 +/- 5.7%). In conclusion, corticosteroid treatment appeared to be temporally associated with clinical and radiographic improvement, and may be helpful for reducing morbidity in children with macrolide-nonresponsive severe MP. Further studies may be warranted.

The constant level of various proteins including albumin and cellular components in intravascular pool in vivo is strictly controlled by an unknown homeostatic mechanism, although there are fluctuations seen in pathologic conditions. Because the majority of the IgG in the serum is regarded as self-reactive natural autoantibodies, IgG may have a role to react with all proteins in vivo. It is hypothesized that like an immune system, a homeostatic mechanism for the protein pool also has a sensitive role to identify and memorize the extent and repertoire of both normal and pathogenic proteins on an individual basis, and IgG may be one of the major players in performing these functions. This hypothesis may explain the unresolved clinical observations as followed: (1) the marked increased IgG levels observed in self-limiting diseases presumed to come from immunological insults such as acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, (2) an immediate reduction of all protein levels except immunoglobulins after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in Kawasaki disease, (3) a unified explanation for the variety of immunomodulating effects exerted by IVIG, (4) the IgG-enzyme complexes observed in benign conditions such as macroamylasemia and hyperphosphatasemia, and (5) the marked decreased IgG level, which is correlated with the albumin level in minimal change nephrotic syndrome. IgG may be a 'watch-dog' for the disturbances of protein homeostasis in vivo. IgG may control the pathogenic proteins that appeared in disordered states, and it may help prevent the loss of proteins in case of nephrotic syndrome.

We report in-plane enyne metathesis and subsequent Diels-Alder reactions on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) terminating in vinyl and acetylenyl groups on gold. After the formation of SAMs of vinyl and acetylenyl group-containing dithiols on gold, in-plane enyne metathesis of the vinyl and acetylenyl groups, leading to the formation of 1,3-diene, was achieved on the SAMs, and Diels-Alder reactions were then successfully performed with tetracyanoethylene, maleic anhydride, and maleimide. The reactions were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry. In-plane enyne metathesis developed herein would offer a versatile platform for the functionalization of surfaces with mild reaction conditions and a high compatibility in functional groups.

In the present study, nano-sized ceria powders were prepared by the two-emulsion method in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide. The effect of the ceria precursor concentration and the addition of an aqueous sodium hydroxide on the crystallite size, the size distribution and the morphology of the synthesized powders were investigated. The precipitates were obtained by mixing two water-in-oil emulsions with kerosene containing cerium nitrate aqueous solution and sodium hydroxide aqueous solution. The synthesized ceria powders were characterized by XRD and TEM. The synthesized ceria powders had nearly spherical shape and a uniform crystallite size in a range of 10 to 20 nm depending on the concentration of precursor solution and an addition amount of mineralizer.