Search

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of visual restoration after cataract surgery on plantar pressure and biomechanics of foot in elder individuals. METHODS: Thirty-two patients [male/female 5/27, (70.1±5.2) years old] with age-related cataract were recruited between October 2016 and December 2019. The footscan system was employed to record the data of plantar pressure during level walking before and 1-month after the cataract surgery. Parameters of peak pressure (PP), impulse (I), pressure-time integral (PTI) and time to peak pressure (TPP) from the regions of the 1st toe (T1), 2nd to 5th toes (T2-5), 1st to 5th metatarsal heads (M1-M5), midfoot (MF), medial hindfoot (HM) and lateral hindfoot (HL) were analyzed respectively. RESULTS: Post-operatively, the visual function was effectively reconstructed with improved visual acuity in both eyes (Z=-4.878, -4.801; P < 0.001). The PP (t=2.266, P=0.031) and I (t=2.152, P=0.039) values in M2 region on the dominant side (right foot) increased statistically at post-operative phase, while the changes of pressure and temporal para-meters in other regions remained stable. There was laterality in plantar pressure at pre-operative phase, manifested as greater PP values in M1, M2, MF, and HM regions on the dominant sides (t=-2.414, -2.478, -2.144, -5.269; P < 0.05), greater PP values in T1, M3, M5 and HL regions on the non-dominant sides (t=4.830, 3.155, 2.686, 3.683; P < 0.05), greater I values in M1, MF, and HM regions on the dominant sides (t=-2.380, -2.185, -5.320; P < 0.05) and greater I values in T1, M3, M5 and HL regions on the non-dominant sides (t=4.489, 2.247, 2.838, 3.992; P < 0.05). post-operatively, the pressure tended to be compatible between the two sides in regions of M3 and MF, while the magnitude of laterality in regions of M1 (Z(PP△)= -2.721, P=0.007; Z(I△)=-2.581, P=0.010), M2 (Z(PP△)=-2.674, P=0.007; Z(I△)=-2.375, P=0.018) and M5 (Z(PP△)=1.991, P=0.046; Z(I△)=2.150, P=0.032) was further increased. CONCLUSION: Changes in plantar pressure after cataract surgery were characterized as increased pressure in the 2nd metatarsal head area on the dominant side. Visual restoration might intensify the laterality in the medial of forefoot on the dominant side and the lateral of forefoot on the non-dominant side.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the electroencephalography (EEG) of the patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture when performing joint position perception movement task, to compare the differences between the ACL rupture side and the unaffected side, to identify the EEG change in the power spectrum caused by the ACL rupture, and to provide evidence for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabi-litation for ACL injury as well as knee instability. METHODS: Sixteen male patients, selected from the Department of Sports Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital from November 2014 to April 2015, with only ACL rupture on one side used isokinetic muscle strength testing equipment were enrolled in the study to perform unilateral active knee joint positional movement and passive knee joint positional movement tasks. EEG was recorded to compare between the affected and unaffected limb of ACL rupture patients when doing single leg movement tasks, including passive knee joint position test and active knee joint position sensation test. The target position of the active knee joint position movement task and the passive knee joint position movement task was 30 degrees of knee flexion. RESULTS: During the passive knee joint position test, there was no significant difference in EEG power spectrum of Delta[F (1, 15)=0.003, P=0.957, η(P)(2) =0.001], Theta[F (1, 15)=0.002, P=0.962, η(P)(2) < 0.001], Alpha[F (1, 15)=0.002, P=0.966, η(P)(2) =0.001], Beta[F (1, 15)=0.008, P=0.929, η(P)(2) =0.001] at Fz, Cz, and Pz between the affected and unaffected limbs in the ACL patients. During the active knee joint position movement task, the EEG power spectrum of Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta at Fz and Cz location, on the affected side was significant higher than on the unaffected side. CONCLUSION: This study compared the differences between the ACL rupture side and the unaffected side during active knee position movement task and passive knee position movement task, and identifyied the EEG changes in the power spectrum caused by the ACL rupture, It was found that the central changes caused by unilateral ACL rupture still existed during contralateral (unaffected) side movement. The EEG power spectrum of the affected side during active exercise was significantly higher than that of the unaffected side This study provides new electrophysiological evidence for the study of ACL injury.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the stress distribution characteristics of the graft after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, so as to provide theoretical reference for the surgical plan of ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Based on 3D MRI and CT images, finite element models of the uninjured knee joint and knee joint after ACL reconstruction were established in this study. The uninjured knee model included femur, tibia, fibula, medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, ACL and posterior cruciate ligament. The ACL reconstruction knee model included femur, tibia, fibula, medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, ACL graft and posterior cruciate ligament. Linear elastic material properties were used for both the uninjured and ACL reconstruction models. The elastic modulus of bone tissue was set as 17 GPa and Poisson' s ratio was 0.36. The material properties of ligament tissue and graft were set as elastic modulus 390 MPa and Poisson's ratio 0.4. The femur was fixed as the boundary condition, and the tibia anterior tension of 134 N was applied as the loading condition. The stress states of the ACL of the intact joint and the ACL graft after reconstruction were solved and analyzed, including tension, pressure, shear force and von Mises stress. RESULTS: The maximum compressive stress (6.34 MPa), von Mises stress (5.9 MPa) and shear stress (1.83 MPa) of the reconstructed ACL graft were all at the anterior femoral end. It was consistent with the position of maximum compressive stress (8.77 MPa), von Mises stress (8.88 MPa) and shear stress (3.44 MPa) in the ACL of the intact knee joint. The maximum tensile stress of the graft also appeared at the femoral end, but at the posterior side, which was consistent with the position of the maximum tensile stress of ACL of the uninjured knee joint. More-over, the maximum tensile stress of the graft was only 0.88 MPa, which was less than 2.56 MPa of ACL of the uninjured knee joint. CONCLUSION: The maximum compressive stress, von Mises stress and shear stress of the ACL graft are located in the anterior femoral end, and the maximum tensile stress is located in the posterior femoral end, which is consistent with the position of the maximum tensile stress of the ACL of the uninjured knee joint. The anterior part of ACL and the graft bore higher stresses than the posterior part, which is consistent with the biomechanical characteristics of ACL.

Environment radiations in vault rooms resulting from Axesse linac use was assessed at Medical University Hospital using Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) during the use of the new radiation treatment known as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). The TLD-100H was calibrated using linac 6 MV photons. A total of 75 measurement points of the TLD-100H were utilized for environmental monitoring. The measured environment radiations were then visualized as three-dimensional graphical representations. Environment radiations were visualized using colored three-dimentional graphical representations. The radiations in NPC treatment of Rando phantom was found to reach levels up to 370 mSv/treatment. Many researchers consider TLD, which is the most cost-effective method to environment radiations. The minimum detectable dose (MDD) was also identified to demonstrate the reliability of the TLD approach. Quantitative results that provide practical guidance with ...

An accurate and rapid liquid chromatography–electrospray ionizaion– tandem mass spectrometry (LC—ESI—MS/MS) analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of antcins A, B, C, H, and K, dehydroeburicoic acid, and 4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole in the extract and capsule of Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) fruiting body. These seven signature compounds were ionized using an electrospray ion source and analyzed by a triple-quadrupole mass analyzer under a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The MRM transitions of m/z 453/409 (antcin A), m/z 467/408 (antcin B), m/z 469/425 (antcin C), m/z 485/413 (antcin H), m/z 487/407 (antcin K), m/z 467/337 (dehydroeburicoic acid), and m/z 197/139 (4,7-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole) were used to quantify these seven components, respectively. Their calibration curves presented good linear regressions (R2 > 0.997) within the tested concentration range. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 1.97% and 2.53%, respective...

This study monitors environmental radiation using a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) in the treatment vault of Axesse (Elekta 2538) linear accelerator. The TLD system was optimized for initial temperature, heat rate, and maximum set temperature using the Taguchi method. The half value layer was determined. Minimum detectable dose using this optimized TLD method was also identified.

We examine the universal serial bus (USB) Type-C interface reliability concern of electrical overstress (EOS), discuss design considerations for mitigation, and then verify our design by a proposed testing methodology. Type-C connectors feature conveniently reversible plugging and high power delivery, but their smaller pin spacing is easy to induce electrical overstress events to impact IC reliability. The possible weakness for USB system applications is examined in our work, and then design considerations for performance/reliability balance are discussed and implemented in our USB circuits. Finally, a testing methodology is proposed to validate the robustness of our design. With implementation of the EOS-resistant design, on-chip USB interfacial circuits can sustain EOS sufficiently.

This paper states the importance of determining the muzzle leaving time of guns with a high degree of accuracy. Two commonly used methods are introduced, which are the high speed photography method and photoelectric transducer method, and the advantage and disadvantage of these two methods are analyzed. Furthermore, a new method to determine the muzzle leaving time of guns based on the combination of high speed photography and synchronized trigger technology is present in this paper, and its principle and uncertainty of measurement are evaluated. The firing experiments shows that the present method has distinguish advantage in accuracy and reliability from other methods.

We develop a ReaxFF reactive force field used for the molecular dynamics simulations of thermophysical properties of liquid Cu and Zr metals. The ReaxFF parameters are optimized by fitting to the first-principles density-functional calculations on the equations of state for bulk crystal structures and surface energies. To validate the force field, we compare the ReaxFF results with those from experiments and embedded-atom-method (EAM) potentials. We demonstrate that the present ReaxFF force field well represents structural characteristics and diffusion behaviors of elemental Cu and Zr up to high-temperature liquid regions. It reasonably reproduces the thermodynamic processes associated with crystal-liquid interface. In particular, the equilibrium melting temperatures show better agreement with experimental measurements than the results from EAM potentials. The ReaxFF reactive force field method exhibits a good transferability to the nonreactive processes of liquid systems.

In this paper, n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect-transistors (nMOSFETs) combining contact etch stop layer (CESL), SiGe channel, and Si-cap have been fabricated. The simulation results and electrical properties have also been investigated and indicated that the CESL type (tensile or compressive) or channel length (short or long) has a significant effect on the stress distribution of the channel. This is important because the stress in the channel region affects the carrier mobility and therefore the device performance. In order to verify the simulation results, the electrical properties such as mobility and output characteristics have been measured. According to the output characteristics, as channel length is 0.11 μm, the tensile CESL can enhance the performance of nMOSFETs. However, the improved trend is inverted when the channel length increases. On the other hand, we have also compared the threshold voltage (Vt) roll-off and subthreshold swing (SS) for different structures. The results show that the devices exhibit a worse Vt roll-off when CESL is adopted and SS degrades more when compressive stress is induced in the channel.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) in-corporating hafnium-silicate (HfSiON) dielectrics with different compositions were fabricated and investigated for hot carrier reli-ability. The experimental results reveal that the channel hot carrier (CHC) stress is worse than drain avalanche hot carrier (DAHC) stress. Moreover, the experimental results also show that the in-crease of oxide trapped charges (ΔNot) depends on Hf content and is about one order of magnitude larger than that of interface traps (ΔNit) after CHC or DAHC stress. Finally, some important interfa-cial parameters, including ΔNit, ΔDit and ΔNot, have also been characterized through the transconductance and subthrehsold swing (SS) methods.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors (MOSCs) and Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) incorporating hafnium dioxide (HfO2) dielectrics were fabricated and investi-gated. The electrical and interfacial properties were characterized including C-V, IDS-VGS, the mean density of interface traps per unit area and energy (), energy of interface traps density distribution, interface traps density (Nit), density of near-interface oxide traps per unit area (NNIOT), effective capture cross-section area (σs), mi-nority carrier lifetime (τFIJ) and surface recombination velocity (so) were studied. Furthermore, a comparison with MOSFETs using conventional SiO2 as gate dielectrics was also made.

Expressed sequence tags derived simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs), are different from traditional genomic SSR (gSSR) markers. They are more likely to be embedded in the functional gene sequences, less costly and time effective, and may provide abundant information. By analysis of 10,018 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) out of 10,829 for rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) available in public domain DNA databases, 799 SSR loci were found in the 643 non-redundant SSR-ESTs (SSR-containing ESTs), corresponding to one SSR in every 2.25 kb of the ESTs in rubber tree transcriptome. Of the total 799 SSRs in these ESTs, 673 (84.2%) contained simple repeat motifs while 126 (15.8%) represented compound motif types. Of the total EST-SSRs, 45.3% (362/799) were mononucleotide repeats (MNRs), 42.2% (337/799) were dinucleotide repeats (DNRs), 11.9% (95/799) were trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) and 0.6% (5/799) were tetranucleotide repeats (TTNRs) and hexanucleotide repeats (HNRs). The repeat motifs AAG and AG were the most abundant without regard to single nucleotide repeat. A total of 184 primer pairs were successful designed based on the non-redundant SSR-ESTs. Using 55°C as annealing temperature, 110 primer pairs successfully amplified 12 H. brasiliensis cultivated varieties and four related species. Analysis on 74 alleles amplified by 30 randomly selected primer pairs indicated the medium polymorphism of the EST-SSRs developed. Based on 272 alleles detected by 87 EST-SSR markers, an assessment of genetic diversity was carried out on 12 H. brasiliensis cultivated varieties and four related species. In addition, investigation based on five selected EST-SSRs by cloning and sequencing cross some cultivated species and related species provided evidence for cross-species/genera transferability of the EST-SSR markers developed in this study.

The mechanical properties of Ni-containing powder metal (PM) steels are usually inferior to those of their wrought counterparts. The main problem is attributed to the non-uniform Ni distribution, in addition to the problems caused by porosity. The effects of this non-uniform alloying on the mechanical properties were investigated in this study using mini tensile bars that were made of diffusion-alloyed FD-0405 (Fe-4Ni-1.5Cu-0.5Mo-0.5C) powders. In-situ observations under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were carried out during the tensile testing. The results indicated that the soft Ni-rich/C-lean area around the pore, which was identified as ferrite using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis, was responsible for the failures. By adding Cr in the form of prealloyed powders, the distribution of Ni and C became more uniform, and the Ni-rich/C-lean ferrite was replaced by bainite and martensite. After sintering at 1250 °C for 1 hour, the tensile strength of the Fe-4Ni-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-0.5C and Fe-4Ni-3Cr-0.5Mo-0.5C reached 1178 and 1323 MPa, respectively, without employing any accelerated cooling system. These properties are higher than all those reported to date in the literature for sinter-hardened PM alloys that were rapidly cooled after sintering. This significant improvement was attributed to the homogeneous alloying, particularly due to the reduction of the repelling effect between Ni and C, as was explained through the thermodynamics analysis using the Thermo-Calc program.

A new borate phosphor CaB

Environmental Accounting is also called Green Accounting and it measures, records and discloses impact of current corporate environmental activities on finance through an accounting system. At present, definitions in different countries are similar, as shown in Table 1.

This work presents Al 0.3 Ga 0.7 N/AlN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high electron mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs), grown on the Si substrate, with high-k Al 2 O 3 gate dielectric. The present AlGaN/AlN/GaN MOS-HEMT design (the control Schottky-gate HEMT) has showed two-terminal gate-drain breakdown voltage (BV GD )/turn-on voltage (V on ) of −146.6/1.12 (−96.4/0.98) V, maximum extrinsic transconductance (g m, max ) of 167.3 (124.2) mS/mm, saturated I DS density at V GS = 0 V (I DSS0 ) of 701.4 (538.2) mA/mm, maximum I DS density (I DS, max ) of 927.9 (646) mA/mm, A V of 211.8 (172.5), unity-gain cut-off frequency (f T ) of 16.8 (11) GHz, maximum oscillation frequency (f max ) of 18.8 (14) GHz, 2.4-GHz output power (P out ) of 17.2 (15.7) dBm, power gain (G S ) of 14.1 (13.4) dB, and power-added efficiency (PAE) of 32.2% (27.4%). Consequently, superior improvements of 52.2% in BV GD , 43.6% in I DS, max , 34.7% g m, max , and 52.7%/34.3% in f T /f max are achieved as compared with a control HEMT device.

AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high electron mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs), grown on the Si substrate, with high-k TiO 2 gate dielectric (k = 53.6) formed by using non-vacuum ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposition (USPD) method has been investigated. Pulse I-V and low-frequency noise spectra (1/f) are conducted to characterize the interface property. Enhanced device performances have been accomplished for the devised MOS-HEMT (Schottky-gate HEMT) for the gate dimensions of 1 × 100 μιη2, including drain-source current density (I DS ) at V GS = 0 V (I DSS0 ) of 384 (342) mA/mm, maximum I DS (I DS, max ) of 650 (511) mA/mm, maximum extrinsic transconductance (gm, max) of 107 (110) mS/mm, two-terminal gate-drain breakdown voltage (BV GD ) of −155 (−105) V, turn-on voltage (V on ) of 3.8 (1.8) V, on-state breakdown (BV DS ) of 139 (94) V, gate-voltage swing (GVS) of 2.7 (1.7) V, and on/off current ratio (I on /I off ) of 4.5 × 105 (3.5 × 102). Consequently, the present MOS-HEMT design by using the cost-effective USPD method is suitable for high-power RF circuit applications.

The use of diffusion-alloyed powders for fabricating powder metal parts, despite alleviating the segregation problem of the alloying elements while retaining good compressibility, still cannot attain homogeneous microstructure in as-sintered products. The presence of soft Ni-rich areas and pores causes poor mechanical properties compared to those of wrought steel counterparts. This study investigated the effects of adding 0.5 wt pct Cr, which was introduced in the 316L stainless steel powder form, on the microstructure and mechanical properties of diffusion-alloyed Fe-4Ni-1.5Cu-0.5Mo-0.5C (Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) FD-0405) steels. The results show that weak Ni-rich areas were present in the Cr-free specimen when sintered at 1120 °C and 1250 °C. These areas were lean in carbon because of the strong repelling effect between Ni and C. With the addition of 316L powders, the Cr was uniformly distributed and helped eliminate the soft Ni-rich areas, particularly in specimens sintered at 1250 °C. The distribution of carbon also improved. With a more uniform distribution of Ni and C, and more homogeneous microstructure, which consisted mainly of bainite and martensite, the mechanical properties of the Fe-4Ni-1.5Cu-0.5Mo-0.5C diffusion alloy steels were improved significantly.

Fructose, glucose and sucrose, as the major soluble sugars and citric and malic acids, as the major organic acids, were identified and determined in kale ( Brassica oleraceae L. var. acephala DC., black cabbage) leaves. Fructose was the predominant sugar (2011 mg 100 g −1 dry wt) identified, followed by glucose (1056 mg 100 g −1 dry wt) and sucrose (894 mg 100 g −1 dry wt). The contents of citric and malic acids were at 2213 and 151 mg 100 g −1 dry wt in the leaves. The 16:0, 18:2 n − 6 and 18:3 n − 3 fatty acids were the most abundant fatty acids in the leaves. Considering the level of these fatty acids, 18:3 n − 3 was found to be the highest (85.3 μg g −1 dry wt), contributing 54.0% of the total fatty acid content. Linoleic acid (18:2 n − 6), being the second most abundant fatty acid was present at 18.6 μg g −1 dry wt, contributing 11.8% of the total fatty acid content. In the seed oil of kale, 22:1 n − 9 was the most abundant fatty acid (4198 μg g −1 dry wt, 45.7%), with 18:2 n − 6 (1199 μg g −1 dry wt, 12.3%) and 18:1 n − 9 (1408 μg g −1 dry wt, 14.8%) being the second next most abundant fatty acids. The most abundant amino acid was glutamic acid (Glu) which was present at 33.2 mg g −1 dry wt. Aspartic acid, which was the second most abundant amino acid, was present at 27.6 mg g −1 dry wt and accounted for 10.2% of the total amino acid content of kale leaf. The amino acid content was assessed by comparing the percentages of the essential amino acids in kale leaf versus those of a World Health Organization (WHO) standard protein. The protein of kale leaf compares well with that of the WHO standard. Only one amino acid, lysine, had a score that fell below 100%; the lysine score of kale leaf was 95%. This study attempts to contribute to knowledge of the nutritional properties of the plant. These results may be useful for the evaluation of dietary information.

Infraclavicular subclavian venepuncture in the oedematous burned patient is often difficult because of increased depth of the vein. In addition, proper patient positioning is not easily achieved because of extensive burns, generalised oedema and bulky dressings. To overcome these difficulties, a modified technique of infraclavicular subclavian venepuncture has been developed. The introducer needle is bent to create a mild curvature. It is inserted at a point 1–2 cm inferior to the palpable lower border of the clavicle along the junction of the middle and medial thirds of the bone, advanced along the deep surface of the clavicle and directed at the superior border of the suprasternal notch. This medial point of insertion shortens the distance of access to the subclavian vein. The curve allows the tip to be kept close to the undersurface of the clavicle as the needle is advanced, thereby reducing the risk of injury to deep structures. The advantages of the modified technique are demonstrated in anatomical dissections. This technique is a viable alternative when conventional techniques fail.

The date plum persimmon fruit (Diospyros lotus L., fam: Ebenaceae) is cultivated throughout northern of Turkey for its edible fruits. Sugars and organic acids were measured during fruit maturation and ripening using HPLC. The analyses showed that fructose and glucose were the main sugars accumulated in the fruit pulp. Fructose and glucose increased up to 43,552.8 mg.100 g−1 fw and 35,450.8 mg.100 g−1 fw respectively during fruit ripening. Sucrose content remained relatively low and decreased during ripening. The major organic acids found in date plum fruit were citric and malic acids, which increased through the immature and midripe maturity, and then the levels decreased in the overripe fruit. Palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1) and linolenic acid (18:3) were among the major fatty acids determined by GC throughout the maturation and ripening of the fruits. The levels of these fatty acids were found to be significantly different (P=0.05) between the three maturity stages. The fruits displayed the level of linoleic acid (0.7%) in low and α-linolenic acid (17.8%) in higher quantities, and the combined levels of linoleic and α-linolenic acid comprised ∼19% (120.1 μg.g−1 dw) of the total fatty acid content in the over ripened fruit. These results show that naturally parthenocarpic date plum fruits have high levels of sugars and organic acids and moderate levels of fatty acids that significantly changed during maturation and ripening. This information can be used by nutritionalists and food technologists to improve the nutrition of local people and develop food products that would be beneficial to human health.

The contents of sugars, organic acids, and amino acids (after acid hydrolysis) were determined during development and maturation of medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) fruit from 39 days after full bloom (DAF) until 2 weeks after the beginning of fruit drop (161 DAF). Fructose, glucose and sucrose were identified as the principal sugars and their levels varied remarkably during development. The fructose level increased continually through development reaching its maximum by 161 DAF (1200 mg/100 g fresh weight) while the increase of sucrose reached maximum at 131 DAF and had decreased at 161 DAF. After some fluctations at 69 DAF, glucose level remained high (686 mg/100 g fresh weight) at 161 DAF, when compared with Stage IV (131 DAF). While the level of malic acid increased continually, the ascorbic acid level decreased dramatically through fruit development; both acids reached their maximum and minimum levels at 161 DAF, i.e. 428 and 8.4 mg/100 g fresh weight, respectively. The total amino acid composition also changed in decreasing trend throughout development and remained low at 161 DAF. In the ripe fruit, glutamate and aspartate were the major amino compounds identified. These changes in the identified compounds can be related to the metabolic activity during fruit development and maturation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of acarbose in the improvement of glycemic control in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and sulfonylureas. A 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter group comparison study was conducted. Patients were randomized to receive acarbose titrated up to 100-mg tid (n=36) or matching placebo (n=33). Concomitant sulfonylurea treatment remained unchanged throughout the study. The primary efficacy parameter was the change in HbA(1c) from baseline to double-blind endpoint. Secondary efficacy variables consisted of the change from baseline to endpoint in blood glucose (fasting and 1-h postprandial), serum insulin (fasting and 1-h postprandial), and urinary glucose. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, acarbose treatment was associated with significantly greater reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) (-0.91% vs. placebo 0.13%, P=.0018) and 1-h postprandial blood glucose levels (-2.84 mmol/l vs. placebo -0.28 mmol/l, P=.002) compared to placebo. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups regarding changes in fasting blood glucose, fasting or 1-h postprandial serum insulin, urinary glucose, or body weight. Adverse events occurred with similar frequency in both treatment arms except for drug-related gastrointestinal side-effects associated with acarbose (acarbose 48.5% and placebo 12.5%). This study has shown that the use of acarbose in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and sulfonylureas is efficacious in improving metabolic control and that acarbose is safe and well tolerated.

Fructose, glucose, and sucrose as the major soluble sugars, and citric, malic, and ascorbic acids as the major organic acids were determined by HPLC, and palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and linolenic acid (18:3n-3) as the major fatty acids were determined by GC in medlar (Mespilus germanica 'Dutch') fruit. The compositional changes of these constituents were monitored during the post harvest period of commercially sold Dutch form throughout its rapid ripening (fruit softening-darkening). Sucrose was highest at 1 WAH (228.4 mg/100 g fresh wt) and then decreased, remaining very low at 4 WAH (1.4 mg/100 g fresh wt). As for the levels of fructose and glucose, their levels shifted up to 2230.8 and 845.2 mg/100 g fresh wt at 2 and 3 WAHs, then the levels lessened to their lowest concentration. The levels of the three acids were high at the beginning, except malic acid level at 2 WAH, all acids leveled off through the latter weeks of post harvest period. In the fruit studied, the levels of saturated palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), and unsaturated oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and linolenic acid (18:3n-3) were most abundant fatty acids detected throughout medlar ripening (pulp softening and darkening). The level of palmitic and stearic acids as well as the level of linoleic and linolenic acids were the highest at 1 WAH and then suddenly decreased as the medlar soften and the pulp becomes slightly (2 WAH) and fully (3 WAH) brown through 2 and 4 WAHs. In addition to these prominent fatty acids, a remarkable decrease was also obtained in the content of some other fatty acids (C10–15, C16:1, C20–24).

In order to resolve the problems that the Chinese mobile communication was facing (high dropped call rate, not so good voice quality, etc.), we developed a 20-pole high-temperature superconductor thin-film microstrip filter with steep band edges. This filter which had a quasi-elliptic type frequency response was designed for GSM-1800 base station receiver system. Its frequency ranged from 1711 MHz to 1789 MHz. It was fabricated using double-sided YBCO thin films on LaAlO3 substrate. The substrate size was 0.52 mm × 21 mm × 40 mm. Experiments were performed on a Stirling cooler at a temperature of 60 K. The measured insertion loss in the passband is below 0.35 dB, return loss is bigger than 13.5 dB, and the steepness of the band-edge is up to 18 dB/MHz. Then we assembled it with an LNA (low noise amplifier) into a vacuum chamber to get a base station receiver front end and measured it. Its measured gain is 22.5 dB, and noise figure is below 0.6 dB in the passband which is very important to improve the sensitivity of the base station system.

Molybdenum is usually fabricated through the powder metallurgy (P/M) process, using fine powders with a relatively high oxygen content. Oxygen, however, is one of the main elements causing embrittlement during the deformation processing of molybdenum, such as rolling, extrusion, and forging. Thus, how to deoxidize the compact as completely as possible is critical in the P/M process. This study shows that, as an alternative to hydrogen reduction, molybdenum oxides can be reduced by adding organic lubricants to the compact and by sintering the compact under high vacuum with long sintering times. After 10 hours of sintering at 1750 °C and a 0.03 torr vacuum, the oxygen content decreased from 0.927 wt pct of the green compact to 0.017 wt pct. The ductility also improved significantly compared to compacts sintered for 5 hours, which contained 0.218 wt pct oxygen. The morphology evolution, weight changes, and the X-ray analysis indicated that the oxide was first present in the form of MoO3. It was then transformed into MoO2 before deoxidation was completed. Two deoxidation mechanisms were identified: evaporation and decomposition of MoO3 and MoO2, with evaporation being dominant in the early-stage sintering and decomposition being dominant in the later stage.

FeNiN films with 0–56 at % Ni concentrations were prepared by dual ion beam sputtering in a nitrogen–argon gas mixture. Effects of nitrogen and nickel concentrations on the structure and magnetic properties of FeNiN films have been studied. FeNiN films with lower nickel and nitrogen concentrations contained the bcc α-(FeNi) phase, films with 8–12 at % nitrogen and 5–25 at % Ni concentrations contained α″-(Fe, Ni)16N2 and γ′-(Fe, Ni)4N phases, and films with 30–56 at % Ni concentrations consisted of a mixture of fcc γ-FeNi alloy and γ′-(Fe, Ni)4N phases. The FeNiN films with 8–12 at % nitrogen and 5–15 at % nickel concentrations showed high saturation magnetization of 2.2–2.3 T and low coercivity of 96–110 A/m. The variation of the magnetic properties was attributed to the change in the structure of the films.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships among three key anthropometric parameters in the unilateral cleft lip to determine the correlations, if any, among these indices of severity. Using a standardized anthropometric documentation protocol, preoperative measurements of 125 unilateral cleft lips (103 complete and 22 incomplete) were performed under general anesthesia by a single surgeon at the time of primary lip repair at the age of 3 months. The following key measurements were analyzed statistically: (1) the philtral height difference (PHD) between the cleft and noncleft sides, (2) the nasal floor width difference (NFWD) between the cleft and noncleft sides, and (3) the cleft width (CW). The mean values of all three indices were greater in the complete group versus the incomplete group. These differences were statistically significant. Linear relationships were obtained between NFWD and GAP, between PHD and GAP, and between PHD and NFWD in the complete group. In contrast, the relationships between PHD and GAP, and between PHD and NFWD were nonlinear in the incomplete group. These findings suggest that there was a strong correlation between the transverse and vertical tissue deficiencies in the complete cleft lip. In incomplete clefts, however, this correlation did not exist. In other words, the incomplete cleft lip can be associated with a severely short philtrum even in the presence of a relatively mild transverse tissue deficit. Therefore, it is not necessarily easier to repair an incomplete cleft lip in terms of the correction of the vertical tissue deficiency.

The correct differential diagnosis of an abnormal head shape in an infant or a child is vital to the management of this common condition. Establishing the presence of craniosynostosis, which warrants surgical correction, versus non-synostotic causes of head deformity, which do not, is not always straightforward. This paper deals with three groups of abnormal head shape that may cause diagnostic confusion: the spectrum of metopic synostosis; the dolicho-cephaly of prematurity versus sagittal synostosis; and the differential diagnosis of plagiocephaly. Special emphasis has been placed on the problem of posterior plagiocephaly, in the light of recent evidence demonstrating that lambdoid synostosis has been overdiagnosed. Metopic synostosis presents as a wide spectrum of severity. Although only severe forms of the disorder are corrected surgically, all cases should be monitored for evidence of developmental problems. The dolichocephalic head shape of preterm infants is non-synostotic in origin and is managed nonsurgically. The scaphocephalic head shape resulting from sagittal synostosis requires surgical intervention for correction. Posterior plagiocephaly may be due to unilambdoid synostosis or positional molding, which have very different clinical and imaging features. True lambdoid synostosis is rare. Most cases of posterior plagiocephaly are due to positional molding, which can usually be managed nonsurgically. Regardless of the suture(s) involved, all children with confirmed craniosynostosis should be monitored for increased intracranial pressure and developmental problems.

Validity of measurement is an important concept in counseling. We present the results of three studies synthesizing the practices of validation in counseling, with an eye towards comparing the validation practices against the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, NCME, Standards for educational and psychological testing. American Educational Research Association, Washington, DC, 1999). In Study 1, validation papers published in four major counseling journals in North America in 2009–2011 were synthesized. In Study 2, papers addressing the validation practices on the construct of mattering were summarized. In Study 3, the validity evidence of the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey (KOIS) was reviewed. Together, the three studies provide a broad lens into the validation practices in counseling. The results showed that validation practices were not in line with the current, modern view of validity. Implications for validation research, practice, and pedagogy/curriculum development in the counseling profession are discussed.

Objective: The role of the musculus uvulae in velopharyngeal function, its morphologic status in cleft palate, and its fate in palatoplasty procedures are subjects of controversy. The aims of this investigation were to re-examine this velar muscle to clarify its anatomic characteristics, to analyze its role in speech physiology, and to study the surgical implications of this information for cleft palate repair. Methods: Its attachments, morphology, and relations were examined in 18 fresh human adult cadavers by detailed dissection under 3.2× magnification and light microscopy. Results: The musculus uvulae was observed to be a paired midline muscle extending between the tensor aponeurosis anteriorly and the base of the uvula posteriorly along the nasal aspect of the velum. It had no attachments to the hard palate. Conclusions: These findings suggest that its action is to increase midline bulk on the nasal aspect of the velum, thus contributing to the levator eminence. It may also have an extensor effect on the nasal aspect of the velum, displacing it toward the posterior pharyngeal wall. Both of these actions would serve to maximize midline velopharyngeal contact. One clinical application of this anatomic information is that the muscle should be preserved in the dissection performed during intravelar veloplasty. Furthermore, it should be recognized that the musculus uvulae is invariably divided and reoriented incorrectly in the Furlow double opposing Z-plasty.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether a child’s phonological awareness and visual skills before instruction in school had any predictive power for later Chinese reading ability among 1st-graders in Taiwan. The study also examined the extent to which phonological awareness and visual skills varied in three separate testing sessions during the 1st grade. These testing sessions took place just before the children had learned the alphabetic system Zhu-Yin-Fu-Hao, immediately after the children had learnt Zhu-Yin-Fu-Hao, and, finally, at the end of the first year of schooling. Forty 6-year-old Chinese children from Taiwan took part in the study. The test materials included a Chinese Characters Reading Test, a set of Phonological Awareness tests, a Visual Paired Associates learning test, and a vocabulary and IQ test. Phonological awareness at the first testing session was found to be significantly related to the ability to read Chinese characters at the end of the first year. However, the predictive power of early phonological awareness decreased markedly when the effects of preschool reading scores were partialled out. Therefore, the study provided evidence that phonological processes are significantly related to success in the first year of Chinese reading, but was unable to establish whether or not differences in phonological skills are a cause of differences in the reading ability of Chinese children. In addition 10 weeks of instruction in Zhu-Yin-Fu-Hao led to an increase in performance on all tests of phonological awareness. This is consistent with the view that learning an alphabetic script improves phonological awareness ability.

Although the advent of endoscopic technology is expanding the fields of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in adults, there have been to date no reports of its use in the pediatric population. Because of its minimally invasive nature, yet wide range of exposure, endoscopic techniques have much appeal in this age group. Herein we present our initial experience with endoscopic pediatric plastic surgery. From February 1995 to December 1995, 41 patients were treated utilizing 5-mm and 10-mm endoscopes at Scottish Rite Children's Medical Center, Atlanta, GA. There were 19 males and 22 females. The mean age at surgery was 5.6 years (range, 7 months-15 years). The most common types of procedures performed were insertion of tissue expanders (N = 19), excision of facial dermoids (N = 7), torticollis release (N = 5), and excision of vascular lesions (N = 4). The remaining 6 patients underwent a variety of reconstructive procedures. The complication rate in the tissue expander group was 3 out of 39 expanders inserted (9.5%), and consisted of infection (N = 2) and rupture (N = 1). In the dermoid group, complications consisted of wound infection requiring reoperation (N = 1), and transient frontal paresis (N = 1). One patient in the hemangioma group had an incomplete resection necessitating open excision. The remaining patients all had satisfactory outcomes with no complications. The majority of the procedures were done on an outpatient basis. These results suggest that endoscopic techniques are eminently applicable in the pediatric population, providing the benefits of small and remote incisional wounds with complication rates that are comparable to those of conventional surgical treatment.

Strained-Si technology could enhance the carrier mobility and improve the device performance. Contact-etch-stop-layer (CESL) structure with different stress and SiGe channel was fabricated with 90-nm technology. The electrical properties of N and PMOSFET devices combining CESL and SiGe channel were investigated. The short channel effects (SCE), such as drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL), were also studied. Moreover, the stress contour in the SiGe channel has been simulated with TCAD to understand the relationship between stress distribution and device performance for different CESL structures. It is observed that the stress in the channel region was independent of the type of N or PMOSFET devices, but it was dependent on the CESL type and channel length. Based on the experimental and simulation results, it is confirmed that the device performance is associated with the stress in the channel, and the approach of CESL stressor and SiGe channel is shown to effectively improve the mobility of NMOSFETs and PMOSFETs.

Ferrets have become an indispensable tool in the understanding of influenza virus virulence and pathogenesis. Furthermore, ferrets are the preferred preclinical model for influenza vaccine and therapeutic testing. Here we characterized the influenza infectome during the different stages of the infectious process in ferrets with and without prior specific immunity to influenza. RNA from lung tissue and lymph nodes from infected and naïve animals was subjected to next-generation sequencing, followed by de novo data assembly and annotation of the resulting sequences; this process generated a library comprising 13,202 ferret mRNAs. Gene expression profiles during pandemic H1N1 (pdmH1N1) influenza virus infection were analyzed by digital gene expression and solid support microarrays. As expected during primary infection, innate immune responses were triggered in the lung tissue; meanwhile, in the lymphoid tissue, genes encoding antigen presentation and maturation of effector cells of adaptive immunity increased dramatically. After 5 days postinfection, the innate immune gene expression was replaced by the adaptive immune response, which correlates with viral clearance. Reinfection with homologous pandemic influenza virus resulted in a diminished innate immune response, early adaptive immune gene regulation, and a reduction in clinical severity. The fully annotated ferret infectome will be a critical aid to the understanding of the molecular events that regulate disease severity and host-influenza virus interactions among seasonal, pandemic, and highly pathogenic avian influenzas.

The purpose of this article applies the monthly final energy yield and failure data of 202 PV systems installed in Taiwan to analyze the PV operational performance and system availability. This data is collected by Industrial Technology Research Institute through manual records. Bad data detection and failure data estimation approaches are proposed to guarantee the quality of the received information. The performance ratio value and system availability are then calculated and compared with those of other countries. It is indicated that the average performance ratio of Taiwan-s PV systems is 0.74 and the availability is 95.7%. These results are similar with those of Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Japan.