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This paper concentrates on architectural epistemology, which has been dominated by Western intellectualism for a long time. Consequently, those “non-Western” built phenomena often occupy two positions in the global theoretical map. Whilst one is being subordinated in a Western-centric context, the other is being isolated from such a context. Both forms, however, display either the surfaced or twisted meaning of such a subject. Such innocence and misunderstanding, I argue, are imposed by a binary knowledge system rooted in the West. I intend to seek an alternative and adaptative way of achieving an understanding. The rising geopolitical significance of Asia and its role as the 2020 global pandemic’s origin draw attention to the region – not only empirically, but also theoretically. In this paper, I suggest to engage and problematise postcoloniality in contemporary architectural theory. I shall discuss a comparative analysis amongst architecture and urbanism strategically observed in Singapore and Taiwan with a critical literature review. I contend that a theorisation of the postcoloniality of architecture in urban maritime Asia suggests a new épistémè which, through a view from historical materialism, transcends the limitations noticed in current global scholarship of architectural theory.

Heritage usually represents how the past is valued today. This paper, however, introduces a new perspective based on historical materialism, which is evident in modern Asian architecture. It argues that contemporary Asian architecture moves away from traditional historicism and embraces different ways of relating to history. The paper explores the idea of “living heritage”, which is shaped by the postcolonial nature of current Asian architecture and urban planning. The core idea is that immediate historicity, the presence of appreciated historical values, creates a unique quality called “display-ness”. This concept involves not just physical, visual, and spatial aspects, but also how a place is institutionalised. As evidence, modern heritage is influenced by global political dynamics. In Asia, the quality of architecture has shifted from modernism to what might be called colonial modernity, showing a new focus on hybridity. By comparing Japan and Singapore, this paper illustrates this idea of display-ness, which suggests a blend of future urban developments and cultural history in the present.

Abstract The structural modification of hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) is an effective strategy for enhancing photovoltaic performance in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a series of dithienopyran (DTP)‐based HTMs (Me‐H, Ph‐H, CF3‐H, CF3‐mF, and CF3‐oF) is designed and synthesized by substituting different functional groups on the DTP unit and are used fabricating PSCs. In comparison with Me‐H having two methyl substituents on the dithienopyrano ring, the Ph‐H having two phenyl substituents on the ring exhibits higher PCEs. Notably, the incorporation of trifluoromethyl groups in CF3‐H endows the molecule with a larger dipole moment, deeper HOMO energy level, better film morphology, closer molecular stacking, more efficient defect‐passivation, enhanced hydrophobicity, and better photovoltaic performance when compared with the Ph‐H counterpart. Furthermore, the HTMs of CF3‐mF and CF3‐oF, which feature fluorine‐substituted triphenylamine, demonstrated excellent film‐forming properties, more suitable energy levels, enhanced charge mobility, and improved passivation of the buried interface between HTMs and perovskite. As a result, PSCs employing CF3‐mF and CF3‐oF gave impressive PCEs of 23.41 and 24.13%, respectively. In addition, the large‐area (1.00 cm2) PSCs based on CF3‐oF achieved a PCE of 22.31%. Moreover, the PSCs devices with CF3 series HTMs exhibited excellent long‐term stability under different conditions.

The relief from the COVID-19 pandemic today is globally phenomenal. However, its architectural representation still suggests dramatic variables caused by different localities. Conspicuously, the imposition of social distancing has been displayed very differently in different places upon architectural treatment. This paper argues that such a built scenario can be understood through a theorisation of a “postcolonial-urban complex” that integrates architecture’s inevitable engagement in the discourses of form and knowledge and the postcolonial values registered in spatial signification. The postcolonial-urban complex refers to a series of leads to a subject position of the post-pandemic-built environment, including a sense of counter-dualism, the dynamics of domination and the reified subjectivation. Existing scholarship of architectural and urban studies hence needs a thorough re-examination into the epistemic suitability for responding the immediate historicity. This paper argues that such a demand has become sensible from the recent situation of Asia and its architecture and urbanism – the engagement of some Asian metropolitan areas in shaping ephemeral and micro-geopolitical forms reacting to the limits caused by social distancing give evidence. To further consolidate such argumentation, this paper intends to examine semiotically and empirically the post-pandemic architectural treatment in Taipei, Taiwan, as a preliminary yet critical pilot study.

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.), also known as wolfberry, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely utilized as a functional food ingredient throughout East Asia. In this study, we developed a rapid high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method for the simultaneous separation of carotenoids in goji berries. This method successfully separates 17 carotenoids and their esters within 21 min using a Sunrise C30 column, with detection at 450 nm, a flow rate of 1.3 mL/min, and a column temperature of 25 °C. Method validation showed intra-day precision ranging from 0.97% to 6.21% and inter-day precision from 0.99% to 7.01%, demonstrating this method effectively minimizes analysis time while providing high separation efficiency and sensitivity. Goji berries extracted with a mixture of n-hexane/ethanol/acetone (1:1:1, v/v/v) and then saponified with a 40% potassium hydroxide methanol solution can completely convert carotenoid esters into free monomer forms. The highest carotenoid content in goji berry was all-trans-zeaxanthin (1721.94 ± 81.01 μg/g), followed by 9- or 9′-cis-zeaxanthin (79.53 ± 3.92 μg/g), 15- or 15′-cis-zeaxanthin (43.71 ± 2.17 μg/g), 9- or 9′-cis-zeaxanthin (36.51 ± 1.81 μg/g), all-trans-β-cryptoxanthin (25.76 ± 1.55 μg/g), all-trans-β-carotene (5.71 ± 0.83 μg/g), and 13- or 13′-cis-β-carotene (0.86 ± 0.13 μg/g).

Screening for osteoporosis is crucial for early detection and prevention, yet it faces challenges due to the low accuracy of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and limited access to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Recent advances in AI offer a promising solution through opportunistic screening using existing medical images. This study aims to utilize deep learning techniques to develop a model that analyzes chest X-ray (CXR) images for osteoporosis screening. This study included the AI model development stage and the clinical validation stage. In the AI model development stage, the combined dataset of 5122 paired CXR images and DXA reports from the patients aged 20 to 98 years at a medical center was collected. The images were enhanced and filtered for hardware retention such as pedicle screws, bone cement, artificial intervertebral discs or severe deformity in target level of T12 and L1. The dataset was then separated into training, validating, and testing datasets for model training and performance validation. In the clinical validation stage, we collected 440 paired CXR images and DXA reports from both the TCVGH and Joy Clinic, including 304 pared data from TCVGH and 136 paired data from Joy Clinic. The pre-clinical test yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.940, while the clinical validation showed an AUC of 0.946. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was 0.88. The model demonstrated an overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 89.0%, 88.7%, and 89.4%, respectively. This study proposes an AI model for opportunistic osteoporosis screening through CXR, demonstrating good performance and suggesting its potential for broad adoption in preliminary screening among high-risk populations.

Background: Long-term haemodialysis patients often experience physical symptom distress (PSD) and varying levels of demoralization. Spirituality and self-compassion can help patients to cope these challenges. However, the interrelations between these variables remain underexplored, necessitating further investigation. Objectives: To examine the effect of PSD on demoralization among haemodialysis patients and to determine whether spirituality and self-compassion mediate these relationships. Design: A cross-sectional correlational study. Settings: A convenience sample was used to recruit from two haemodialysis clinics. Methods: Self-report questionnaires were the Physical Symptom Distress Scale, Demoralization Scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale-12, and Self-Compassion Scale. Relationships and mediators were examined with Pearson's correlations and multiple linear regression analysis, respectively. Results: A total of 156 participants participated. Mean age of participants was 61.3 years (SD = 11.3). Most participants were male (66 %) and had received dialysis for ≥ 5 years (61.5 %). Pearson's correlation indicated higher scores for PSD were significantly associated with lower levels of spirituality and self-compassion and higher levels of demoralization. There was a significant total and direct effect of PSD on demoralization. Mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between PSD and demoralization was partially and significantly mediated by spirituality and self-compassion. Demoralization can be explained by 46.83 % variance accounted by these predictors in the mediation model. Conclusion: Long-term haemodialysis can cause chronic symptom distress and feelings of demoralization. The mediating effects of spirituality and self-compassion on PSD and demoralization suggest that these qualities may act as emotional regulators that enable haemodialysis patients to be more accepting of symptom distress, which results in lower levels of demoralization. Our findings imply that developing strategies to increase spirituality and self-compassion could help patients manage chronic symptom distress associated with haemodialysis, reduce demoralization, and ultimately improve their quality of life.

This paper attempts to coin a term “displayness” to emphasis the internal form of spatiotemporal display. In contemporary Asia, its displayness is argued to be the critical dynamics. Noticeably, this displayness implies a postcolonial perspective to question contemporary Asia’s complicated built heteroglossia. In other words, due to the inescapable marriage between the external cultural politics and the local essence, the Asian built environment showcases not only a binary identification of these two forces but also an emergent new identity in between, which, arguably, is identifiable of being urban Asian. The commercial exhibitions temporarily built along or within major shopping centres are the examples. This paper intends to face and analyse these temporary and seemingly superficial built objects as representations of the registered historicity of contemporary Asia. This paper analyses selected cases of temporary commercial exhibitions in Singapore and Taiwan which reflect the economic-political intervention into the Asian built environment, both as architectural landmarks and from the collective sense of urbanism. As a methodology, the architectural manifestations delivered as a form of understanding are analysed from the assistance of these temporal exhibitions’ ephemeral character, and this form is argued as a display of contemporary Asia’s postcoloniality reflected through its built historicity.

Edward Said in Orientalism kicked off the age of postcolonialism in a global context, which suggests not only transdisciplinary applicability but also a form of counter-discourse against the canons of Western intellectualism. This paper borrows this awareness to examine contemporary Singaporean architecture. In Orientalism, Said alerted his readers that discourse often is more powerful and influential than the targeted reality; the analytical unfolding of power/knowledge manipulation in discourse can be a bidirectional tool for understanding the relationship of domination. Architecturally, Singapore’s open-market strategy for the political economy since its independence in 1965 can be seen as a forceful ideology of Orientalism imposed on the built environment, both from the native people’s self-positioning as Singaporeans and this city-state’s internal colonisation accomplished by centrifugal manipulation via external and interventionist forces. As important representations, Singapore’s operative modernity, Sinophone identity and cultural-political hybridity are noticeable through the slang descriptors of Ang Mo, Ah Beng and Rojak. The seemingly objective characteristics of placeless internationalisation and subjective elitism perceived from the contemporary state and identity construction of Singaporean architecture hence are further explained through observations from a lens of Orientalism.

Background/purpose: Recent studies showed that Histone deacetylases 6 (HDAC6) inhibitors could improve arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rodent models, whereas lower HDAC6 expression was observed in RA patients’ synovial fibroblasts, raising the concerns to use HDAC6 inhibitors to treat RA patients. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of HDAC6 mRNA expression and promoter methylation in RA. Methods: The DNA and RNAs were extracted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 138 RA patients and 102 healthy controls. The pyrosequencing technique was used for promoter methylation analysis. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the HDAC6 mRNA expression. The patients’ clinical characteristics and disease biomarkers were recorded when blood sampling. Results: The HDAC6 mRNA expression was lower in the RA patients than controls (p = 0.001). The RA patients had significant hypomethylation of the HDAC6 promoter (p

Many countries’ curriculum reforms focus on developing the next generations’ competencies of self-directed learning (SDL) to address rapid social changes and sustainable environmental development. Taiwan’s curriculum reform corresponds with the global trend in education. The latest curriculum reform, which proposed a 12-year basic education, was implemented in 2018 and included SDL explicitly in its guidelines. The reformed curriculum guidelines have been followed for over 3 years. Thus, it is necessary to conduct a large-scale survey to examine its impact on Taiwanese students. However, existing research instruments help provide a generalized analysis of SDL and have yet to be designed specifically for SDL of mathematics. Therefore, we developed a mathematics SDL scale (MSDLS) and examined its reliability and validity in this study. Subsequently, MSDLS was utilized to investigate Taiwanese students’ SDL of mathematics. The MSDLS consists of four sub-scales with 50 items. It has acceptable reliability, validity, and measurement invariance across gender and grade groups. The MSDLS was administered online to 5,575 junior high school students, and 5,456 valid responses were collected. The findings highlight the gender and grade differences in SDL of mathematics. Male students are higher than female students in many factors. It is noted that the SDL in mathematics does not increase with grade. In sum, the MSDLS is a helpful instrument for examining secondary school students’ SDL of mathematics.

BackgroundMonoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their derivatives are the fastest expanding category of pharmaceuticals. Efficient screening and generation of appropriate therapeutic human antibodies are important and urgent issues in the field of medicine. The successful in vitro biopanning method for antibody screening largely depends on the highly diverse, reliable and humanized CDR library. To rapidly obtain potent human antibodies, we designed and constructed a highly diverse synthetic human single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody library greater than a giga in size by phage display. Herein, the novel TIM-3-neutralizing antibodies with immunomodulatory functions derived from this library serve as an example to demonstrate the library’s potential for biomedical applications.MethodsThe library was designed with high stability scaffolds and six complementarity determining regions (CDRs) tailored to mimic human composition. The engineered antibody sequences were optimized for codon usage and subjected to synthesis. The six CDRs with variable length CDR-H3s were individually subjected to β-lactamase selection and then recombined for library construction. Five therapeutic target antigens were used for human antibody generation via phage library biopanning. TIM-3 antibody activity was verified by immunoactivity assays.ResultsWe have designed and constructed a highly diverse synthetic human scFv library named DSyn-1 (DCB Synthetic-1) containing 2.5 × 1010 phage clones. Three selected TIM-3-recognizing antibodies DCBT3-4, DCBT3-19, and DCBT3-22 showed significant inhibition activity by TIM-3 reporter assays at nanomolar ranges and binding affinities in sub-nanomolar ranges. Furthermore, clone DCBT3-22 was exceptionally superior with good physicochemical property and a purity of more than 98% without aggregation.ConclusionThe promising results illustrate not only the potential of the DSyn-1 library for biomedical research applications, but also the therapeutic potential of the three novel fully human TIM-3-neutralizing antibodies.

ObjectivesThis study applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in shared decision making (SDM) to understand behavioral intention in patients with type 2 diabetes with regard to injection therapy for blood sugar control.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted. Two hundred and fifty-four patients with type 2 diabetes participated this study and were interviewed by pharmacists in different clinics. A patient decision aid (PDA) entitled “Should I receive injection therapy regarding my type 2 diabetes condition?” was developed for this study and served as interview agenda which comprised 18 items to inquire their willingness to use injection therapy and related considerations during the SDM process.ResultsThe questionnaires were revised using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and a criteria of Cronbach's α > 0.7. This resulted in three constructs for all questionnaires that fit the TPB model. Attitude (β = 0.432; P < 0.001) and PBC (β = 0.258; P < 0.001) were directly correlated with intention. TPB explained 35.2% of the variance in intention toward the use of injection therapy.ConclusionsAttitude and PBC toward injection therapy positively and significantly influence the patients' intention to use injection therapy.Practical implicationsThese findings identify a key association for understanding behavioral intention in patients with type 2 diabetes with regard to blood sugar control during SDM.

A non-experimental, a quantitative SPSS research design (independent sample t-test, two-way ANOVA, multiple regression analysis) was used to examine the statistically significant difference existing among Taiwan college early childhood education students for the students with blended learning, background demographic characteristics, music emotion, learning styles, technology acceptance, and students’ satisfaction. The purpose of this quantitative research study is to examine the statistically significant difference existing among Taiwan college early childhood education students for students with blended learning, background demographic characteristics, music emotion, learning styles, technology acceptance, and students’ satisfaction.

Aim: The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome leads to the stimulation of cytokines and is significantly involved in the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations of NLRP3 gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) patients. Methods: A total of 239 patients with RA, 285 patients with primary SS, and 170 healthy controls were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and gene polymorphisms were genotyped through the TaqMan assay. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-Ro, and anti-CCP antibodies were detected using immunofluorescence immunoassay. Results: The T allele of rs4612666 CT elevated the susceptibility to RA disease. The RF titer during diagnosis of RA was significantly high in RA patients with the A allele of rs12079994 G/A polymorphism. The titer of anti-CCP during diagnosis of RA was high in the absence of the C allele of rs10754558 C/G polymorphisms in RA patients. Antinuclear antibody and anti-CCP were positively associated with the A allele of rs12079994 G/A polymorphism in primary SS. The C allele of rs4612666 C/T was negatively associated with ANA in primary SS. Conclusions: The results have shown that NLRP3 gene polymorphisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA and primary SS.

(1) Background: It is widely accepted that aberrant methylation patterns contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ten–eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenase is an essential enzyme of which there are three members, TET1, 2, and 3, involved in hydroxymethylation, a newly uncovered mechanism of active DNA methylation. The epigenomes of gene transcription are regulated by 5-hydroxymethylcytocine (5-hmC) and TETs, leading to dysregulation of the immune system in SLE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the global hydroxymethylation status in SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to explore the role of TETs in changing the patterns of methylation. (2) Methods: We collected PBMCs from 101 SLE patients and 100 healthy donors. TaqMan real-time polymerase chain-reaction assay was performed for the detection of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), 5-hmC, and TET2 mRNA expression and single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. The methylation rates in different CpG sites of TET2 promoters were examined using next-generation sequencing-based deep bisulfite sequencing. Putative transcription factors were investigated using the UCSC Genome Browser on the Human Dec. 2013 (GRCh38/hg38) Assembly. (3) Results: 5-mC and 5-hmC were both decreased in SLE. The mRNA expression level of TET2 was notably high and found to be correlated with the levels of immunologic biomarkers that are indicative of SLE disease activity. The analysis of methylation rates in the TET2 promoter revealed that SLE patients had significantly higher and lower rates of methylation in TET2 105146072-154 and TET2 105146218-331, respectively. (4) Conclusions: TET2 may play an important role in 5-mC/5-hmC dynamics in the PBMCs of SLE patients. The epigenetic modification of TET2 promoters could contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE and the intensity of the immunologic reaction.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become an essential global health issue and its elimination is a crucial target. A prenatal “opt-out” HIV screening program was initiated in 2005 in Taiwan. In recent 3 years, approximate screening and MTCT rates were 99% and 2.27% (1/44), respectively. Here, we describe the clinical management of mothers infected with HIV and MTCT rate at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), Taipei, Taiwan, in the years after the program was initiated. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of pregnant women infected with HIV, who were managed at NTUH between January 2005 and December 2016. HIV infection status of 39 infants born to mothers infected with HIV was available. Results: Between 2005 and December 2016, 50 pregnant women infected with HIV, with 57 parities were managed at NTUH, and 57 live infants were born. We excluded 18 parities because of missing data. Maternal antiviral treatment was administered in 37 of 39 infants. Only one infant tested positive for an HIV antibody test at 18 months, but showed definitive HIV exclusion at 20 months after a series of tests without administration of antiviral treatment. MTCT rate was 0%. Conclusion: Successful implementation of available perinatal HIV intervention dramatically reduced vertical transmission rate of HIV. MTCT rate was 0% in NTUH after the program. However, as NTUH is an HIV referral center, additional efforts are needed to achieve the World Health Organization criteria of lowering the vertical transmission rate of HIV to

As the global population ages, frailty, which has been shown to affect and predict the quality of life (QoL) of older adults, has become a central issue. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effects of daily physical activity (DPA) and healthy life self-efficacy (HLSE) on the relationship between frailty and QoL in older adults using a serial multiple mediation model. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Data were collected using the Taiwanese version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, the EuroQoL visual analog scale, the Kihon Checklist, and the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scales. The PROCESS macro for SPSS based on the bootstrap method was used to determine the mediating effects of DPA and HLSE on the relationship between frailty and QoL. The results showed that frailty was found to have both direct and indirect effects on QoL. As predicted, DPA and HLSE partially mediated the relationship between frailty and quality of life (DPA: B = −0.71, p < 0.001; HLSE: B = −0.32, p < 0.001). In addition, serial mediation analyses indicated that the association between frailty and QoL was partially mediated by DPA and HLSE in a sequential manner (B = −0.16, p < 0.001). The serial mediation has a causal chain linking DPA and HLSE, with a specified direction of causal flow. According to the results of the serial multiple mediation model, the elderly should be encouraged to continue their activities in daily life, which not only improves self-efficacy and confidence in maintaining health but also reduces the negative impact of frailty on QoL.

Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of use for treating epilepsy. Because of the side effects of Western antiepileptic therapy and the quest for more accessible treatment, complementary and alternative medicines have become popular. Traditional Chinese medical diet therapy appears to be safe and effective. We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library through November 2020 for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical settings, including plants, fungi, and animals. Combinations of keywords included “epilepsy,” “seizure,” “antiepileptic,” “anticonvulsive,” “Chinese herbal medicine,” “Chinese herb,” and each of the Latin names, English names, and scientific names of herbs. We also summarized the sources and functions of these herbs in Chinese medicine. Different herbs can be combined to increase antiepileptic effects through various mechanisms, including anti-inflammation, antioxidation, GABAergic effect enhancement, modulation of NMDA channels and sodium channel, and neuroprotection. Despite reports of their anticonvulsive effects, adequate experimental evidence and randomized controlled clinical trials are required to confirm their antiepileptic effects.

Octyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane are organic UV filters with poor photostability and will become photoallergy or phototoxic substance when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The organic UV filters coated by microcapsules can reduce the photodegradation and avoid direct contact with the skin. Through microencapsulation, the application of UV filters in cosmetics becomes more effective and safer. This study first used the sol-gel method to create organic/inorganic composite UV filter microcapsules. We used sodium alginate as a shell material of the microcapsule to encapsulate UV filters. CaCO3 and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were used as cross-linking agents, and sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) and polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) were used as emulsifiers in the interfacial polymerization method for preparation. The results indicated that the microcapsules with 3 g of CaCO3 cross-linking agents had a similar particle size and better entrapment efficiency. The average sizes were 61.0 ± 4.9 μm and 48.6 ± 4.7 μm, and entrapment efficiencies were 75.3 ± 1.9% and 74.8 ± 1.7% for octyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, respectively. Utilizing sodium alginate as a cross-linking agent is better than TEOS due to the higher calcium content. In vitro transdermal delivery analysis showed that the release rate became steady.

The development of multifunctional nanomaterials has received growing research interest, thanks to its ability to combine multiple properties for severing highly demanding purposes. In this work, holmium oxide nanoparticles are synthesized and characterized by various tools including XRD, XPS, and TEM. These nanoparticles are found to emit near-infrared fluorescence (800–1100 nm) under a 785 nm excitation source. Imaging of the animal tissues was demonstrated, and the maximum imaging depth was found to be 2.2 cm. The synthesized nanoparticles also show the capability of facilitating dye (fluorescein sodium salt and rhodamine 6G) degradation under white light irradiation. The synthesized holmium oxide nanoparticles are envisioned to be useful for near-infrared tissue imaging and dye-degradation.

Tamarind xyloglucan (TXG) is edible, bioavailable and mucoadhesive polysaccharide. The aim of this study was (i) to investigate molecular docking studies on the interaction of TXG to MUC1 and cytokine receptors and (ii) to assess the mucoadhesive role of TXG in UC. In vivo study: C57Bl6 mice were administered with DSS 3% (w/v) in drinking water; TXG 100 or 300 mg/kg/day was given orally for 7 days simultaneously. TXG consistently binds to MUC1 and cytokine receptors in molecular docking studies. TXG decreased the expression of MUC1 and MUC2. The mucoadhesive ability of TXG decreased IL-1β and IL-6 levels. Furthermore, TXG decreased the expression of TLR4, MyD88, I-κB and NF-κB thereby attenuating inflammation via TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. TXG mucoadhesion to MUC1 played a pivotal role in attenuating inflammation. To conclude, the mucoadhesive role of TXG is important in the attenuation of inflammation and healing of UC.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the leading chronic gastrointestinal disorder, if untreated can cause colon cancer. We characterized tamarind xyloglucan (TXG) as an edible nano-fiber and investigated its role in UC mice. TXG was an efficient free radical quencher and antioxidant in nature. TXG increased the cell viability in DSS-induced cytotoxicity of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) and quenched intracellular reactive oxygen species in IEC-6 cells. Experimental colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administering DSS 3% (w/v) in drinking water; TXG 100 and 300 mg/kg/day were given orally for 7 days simultaneously. TXG protected the colon by attenuating inflammatory cell infiltration, submucosal edema and crypt abscesses. TXG decreased oxidative stress by decreasing MDA, superoxide anion count, iNOS, NOX, COX-2 and p47 expression. Additionally, TXG decreased inflammation by decreasing TNF-α and increasing IL-10. Altogether, TXG is a novel antioxidant and plays an important role in attenuating DSS-induced UC in mice.

Objective: Intact amniotic membranes may serve to protect the extremely fragile preterm infant from some of the mechanical forces caused by strong uterine contraction. This article introduces the technique of “en caul” cesarean delivery and reviews the experience of the National Taiwan University Hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study carried out to perform the “en caul” cesarean delivery for early preterm labors between October 2007 and December 2008. Cases were included if the estimated birth weight was below 1,500 g or gestational age was = 32 weeks. Results: Twenty women including four twin pregnancies were included, and 23 neonates were born with intact membranes. Preterm labor was indicated in 16 cases, and nine of the cases were due to severe hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Except in the case of placenta accreta, all underwent lower transverse uterine incision without wound extension. One fetus died after 3 days due to sepsis and the mortality rate was 4.3%. A total of 15 babies had an Apgar score at 5 minutes of more than seven. The value of first arterial pH was 7.278 ± 0.117 and hemoglobin was 16.1 ± 2.1 g/dL. The corrected post-menstrual age at discharge was 277.75 ± 38.56 days. Conclusion: Cesarean delivery en caul is an effective and easy technique for extremely preterm fetuses to protect them from pressure trauma and also results in less uterine injury.

Microgrid operation is challenging because the amount of electricity that is produced from renewables is uncertain and the inertia of distributed generation resources is very small. Energy storage systems can regulate energy, improve the reliability of the power system and enhance the transient stability. This paper determines the optimal capacities of energy storage systems in an islanded microgrid that is composed of wind-turbine generators, photovoltaic arrays, and micro-turbine generators. The energy storage system can enhance the reliability of the microgrid and eliminate the unnecessary load shedding when a severe transient (such as a generator outage) occurs in the islanded microgrid. The studied problem is expressed as a multi-objective programming formulation, which is solved using an immunity-based algorithm. Four objective functions are optimized: minimum of energy storage capacity, minimum of load shedding, maximum of the lowest swing frequency, and minimum of the Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI). These four objective functions are subject to both steady-state constraints and the transient-state equality constraint. The steady-state constraints include the total shed load limit, the feasible range of energy storage capacities while the transient-state equality constraint is expressed by the dynamic equation. The Pareto optimums are explored and optimality of the problem is investigated. The simulation results based on an islanded 15-bus microgrid show the applicability of the proposed method.