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This study aimed to identify risk factors for involuntary referral by police to emergency room (ER) psychiatric services for community-based patients with a mental illness via a generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis. The analysis was based on data from the Management Information System of Psychiatric Care (MISPC) system for patients with a severe mental illness in Taipei, Taiwan and registered referral records of the police. Data on 6378 patients aged ≥20 years were used in this study, including 164 patients who were involuntarily referred to the ER by the police and 6214 patients who were not during the period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. GEEs were utilized to explore possible risk factors of repeated involuntary referral to ER psychiatric services for patients with a severe mental illness. The logistic regressions indicated that patients defined as "severe" according to the Mental Health Act of Taiwan (crude odds ratio (OR): 3.840, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 2.407–6.126), with a disability (crude OR: 3.567, 95 % CI: 1.339–9.501), with two or more family members with a psychiatric disorder (crude OR: 1.598, 95 % CI: 1.002–2.548), with a history of a suicide attempt (crude OR: 25.582, 95 % CI: 17.608–37.167), and with a history of domestic violence (crude OR: 16.141, 95 % CI: 11.539–22.579) were positively associated with involuntary referral to ER psychiatric services. However, age (crude OR: 0.971, 95 % CI: 0.960–0.983) and the MISPC score (crude OR: 0.834, 95 % CI: 0.800–0.869) were inversely associated with involuntary referral to ER psychiatric services. After adjusting for demographics and potential confounders, we found that patients defined as "severe" (Exp (β): 3.236), with a disability (Exp (β): 3.715), with a history of a suicide attempt (Exp (β): 8.706), and with a history of domestic violence (Exp (β): 8.826), as well as age (Exp (β): 0.986) and the MISPC score (Exp (β): 0.902) remained significantly associated with repeated involuntary referral to ER psychiatric services. In conclusion, community-based mentally ill patients with a history of a suicide attempt, with a history of domestic violence, with a severe illness, and with a profound level of disability were highly associated with involuntary referral to ER psychiatric services. We suggest that community mental health case managers identify significant factors associated with involuntary referral to ER psychiatric services to accordingly arrange case management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy parts were fabricated on the surface of 304 stainless steel (SS) substrate by laser directed energy deposition (LDED). Microstructure, microhardness and tribological behavior of as-deposited samples and 750 °C–950 °C aging-treated samples were tested. Carbides precipitated from Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy, and martensite transformation from γ-Co (FCC) to ε-Co (HCP) occurred in high temperature. The changes of microstructure caused by aging treatment could increase the microhardness and change wear mechanism. Tensile property of Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy at 750 °C–950 °C was also investigated. Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy formed a hard-sliding structure under high temperature, leading to high tensile strength. The main fracture mode of Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy was brittle cleavage fracture. • Discussed the effects of various elements in laser clad Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy • Revealed the wear mechanism of laser clad Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy • Evaluated the tensile property of Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy at high temperatures • Analyzed the fracture mechanism of Co-Cr-Ni-W alloy during stretching [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients receiving brain Intensity-modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) are treated with 1-3 fields. Typically, beam angles must be selected manually, requiring substantial planner time and experience. The choice of beam angles has a major impact on the treatment plan quality. An AI model was developed to automate this process aiming to improve efficiency and potentially plan quality. AI performance was tested by comparing predicted beam angles to the human ground truth angles and evaluating plans resulting from each set of beam angles. Previously treated IMPT brain patients were divided into a training (n = 40) and validation set (n = 10) for the AI. Beam-angle selection in the AI was cast as a multi-label classification problem, training the convolution neural network with a Circular Earth Mover's Distance based regularization and multi-label circular-smooth label technique. An analytical post-processing algorithm is employed to minimize distance to the target and avoid organs-at-risk. Finalized gantry angle predictions are discretized in steps of 5°. For an independent test set of n = 10 patients beam angles were predicted by the AI and compared to those chosen by human planners. Both sets of angles were used to create treatment plans with an automated knowledge-based planning (KBP) tool for brain IMPT utilizing single-field optimization and robust optimization. Plan differences are therefore solely due to the choice of beam angles as automated KBP removes human optimization variability. Resulting plan quality was compared by standard clinical dosimetric parameters to the CTV, brain, brainstem, cochlea, cord, eye, lens, optic chiasm, optic nerves, pituitary, and temporal lobes. All Human and AI selected beam angles are shown in the table. For cases 1-6, AI and Human selected beam angles were within ±15° and resulting plans showed minimal dosimetric differences. In cases 7-9 AI beam angles reduced max dose while keeping organ-at-risk dose within ±2 Gy. In case 10 the AI chosen beam angles reduced cord Dmax by 9.1 Gy but increased left eye Dmax by 4.9 Gy, other organs-at-risk showed minimal differences. Gantry beam angle selection was automated by a newly developed AI model and tested on 10 brain IMPT patients. The comparison showed that the AI often chooses similar beam angles to the human planners. When there are differences, dosimetric analysis demonstrated that plans created from AI beam angles have at least the same quality as the human ones. Results motivate further research into this approach showing the AI being a promising tool to fill a current gap in the strive for automating proton treatment planning, increasing planning efficiency and potentially quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to further investigate the effects of agmatine on brain edema in the rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) injury using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring and biochemical and histopathologic evaluation. Materials and methods: Following surgical induction of MCAO for 90min, agmatine was injected 5min after beginning of reperfusion and again once daily for the next 3 post-operative days. The events during ischemia and reperfusion were investigated by T2-weighted images (T2WI), serial diffusion-weighted images (DWI), calculated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CE-T1WI) during 3h–72h in a 1.5T Siemens MAGNETON Avanto Scanner. Lesion volumes were analyzed in a blinded and randomized manner. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), Nissl, and Evans Blue stainings were performed at the corresponding sections. Results: Increased lesion volumes derived from T2WI, DWI, ADC, CE-T1WI, and TTC all were noted at 3h and peaked at 24h–48h after MCAO injury. TTC-derived infarct volumes were not significantly different from the T2WI, DWI-, and CE-T1WI-derived lesion volumes at the last imaging time (72h) point except for significantly smaller ADC lesions in the MCAO model (P<0.05). Volumetric calculation based on TTC-derived infarct also correlated significantly stronger to volumetric calculation based on last imaging time point derived on T2WI, DWI or CE-T1WI than ADC (P<0.05). At the last imaging time point, a significant increase in Evans Blue extravasation and a significant decrease in Nissl-positive cells numbers were noted in the vehicle-treated MCAO injured animals. The lesion volumes derived from T2WI, DWI, CE-T1WI, and Evans blue extravasation as well as the reduced numbers of Nissl-positive cells were all significantly attenuated in the agmatine-treated rats compared with the control ischemia rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that agmatine has neuroprotective effects against brain edema on a reperfusion model after transient cerebral ischemia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ca3−x Eu x Co4O9+δ (x=0.00, 0.05 and 0.10) samples were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis and their properties measured at 25–300K. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that all the samples are single phase. The thermopower of all the samples was positive, indicating that the predominant carriers are holes over the entire temperature range. The total thermal conductivity values decreased monotonically with increasing Eu3+ content. Ca2.95Eu0.05Co4O9+δ had the highest dimensionless figure of merit of 0.038 at 300K, representing an improvement of about 52% compared to undoped Ca3Co4O9+δ . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Amelogenins are the major constituent of developing extracellular enamel matrix proteins and are understood to have an exclusively epithelial origin. Recent studies have demonstrated that amelogenins can be detected in other tissues, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), but the role of amelogenins in MSCs remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of recombinant human full-length amelogenin (rh174) on the osteogenic differentiation of cultured human MSCs. MSCs isolated from human bone marrow were cultured in osteoblastic differentiation medium with 0, 10 or 100 ng/ml rh174. The mRNA levels of bone markers were examined by real-time PCR analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium concentration were determined. Mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining. The mRNA levels of ALP, type I collagen, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein in the MSCs treated with rh174 became significantly higher than those in non-treated controls. Treatment of MSCs with rh174 also enhanced ALP activity and calcium concentration, resulting in enhanced mineralization, as denoted by high intensity of alizarin red staining. In conclusion, the present study showed that rh174 enhances the mineralization accompanied by the upregulation of bone markers in human bone marrow MSCs during osteogenic differentiation, suggesting a certain role of amelogenin in the modulation of osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report experimental observation of ultra-long lifetime UV-induced absorption in undoped and 5mol.% Mg-doped congruent lithium niobate crystals between 400nm and 2500nm wavelength range. The saturated absorption coefficient change in undoped congruent lithium niobate was about 3 to 7 times that in Mg-doped congruent lithium niobate in the mid-infrared spectrum. The UV-illuminated LiNbO3:Mg was fully recovered in the dark after 2 days, whereas the undoped congruent LiNbO3 still exhibited nontrivial infrared absorption. We attribute the cause of the UV-induced absorption to the creation of hole-trapped intermediate states O− near lithium vacancies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The low-energy Landau levels of multilayer graphene ribbons with AB-stacking in the presence of a uniform perpendicular magnetic field (B) are investigated by the Peierls coupling tight-binding model. They are dominated by the B-field strength, the interlayer interactions, and the ribbon width. Many dispersionless Landau levels and parabolic energy bands exist along k x and k z directions respectively. The former are doubly degenerate, while state degeneracy is absent for the latter. The occupied valence bands are asymmetric to the unoccupied conduction bands about the Fermi level (E F). Such features are directly reflected in density of states (DOS). DOS exhibits a lot of asymmetric prominent peaks because of 1D curving bands. Meanwhile, the Landau-level energies following the simple relation are observed. The predicted magnetoelectronic properties could be examined by the experimental measurements on transport conductance and absorption spectra. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The magnetoelectronic properties of one-dimensional AB-stacked bilayer zigzag graphene nanoribbons are investigated by the Peierls tight-binding model. The competition between magnetic and quantum confinement effects induces quasi-Landau levels (QLLs). The interlayer interactions lead to two groups of QLLs, asymmetry of conduction and valence QLLs about the Fermi level, and splitting of the degenerate partial flat bands. The density of states exhibiting many prominent peaks, corresponding to QLLs, could be verified by experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Magnetic bands of the hydrogen-terminated monolayer zigzag graphene ribbon subject to the spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field () are investigated through the Peierls-coupling tight-binding model. is a constant magnetic field defined on a strip of finite width that is smaller than the ribbon width. , step-function-like magnetic field, can change band shapes, alter band curvature, shift band edge states, and hybridize parabolic bands, sublinear bands, partial Landau levels, and Hall edge states. Such a not only induces Landau levels in the magnetic field but also modifies the parabolic bands along the boundary between the magnetic and nonmagnetic areas. The magnetic bands are strongly dependent on the configuration of the spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field. Density of states, e.g., the position, height and number of dominant strong peaks, feature such interesting characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We describe a method of ultrashort-pulse and ultrafast-pulse-train generation through optical parametric amplification of a laser beat wave. Numerical simulation shows that 250-fs laser pulses at 1.55μm are generated from a beat-wave seeded optical parametric amplifier pumped by a 30-ps laser at 1064nm. The pulse compression is attributable to sideband generation and parametric amplification under group velocity mismatch. Our experimental result confirms efficient generation of comb-like sidebands for the mixing waves from such an optical parametric amplifier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The glass formability, magnetic properties and thermal stability of the Y–Fe–B–M bulk metals (M=Al, Hf, Nb, Ta, and Ti) alloys have been investigated. For (Y0.06Fe0.72B0.22)98M2 series alloys, Al or Hf addition deteriorates the glass forming ability (GFA), but Nb or Ta addition broadens supercooled region from 50.2°C for ternary rod to 61.5°C for M=Ta and 62°C for M=Nb, respectively. The bulk glassy rod as large as 3mm in diameter can be obtained. However, their magnetization and Curie temperature are reduced due to the magnetic dilution by the addition of these nonmagnetic elements. On the other hand, for Y4Fe72B22M2 series alloys, almost all the substitution elements, except Al, can improve GFA of alloy rod, making the diameter of bulk glassy rod as large as 3mm for Ti or Hf substitution and 4mm for Ta or Nb substitution, respectively. It is arisen from the further expansion of the supercooled region to 70.4–84.2°C. In this study, Y4Fe72B22Ta2 amorphous rod displays the optimal glass forming ability and also good soft magnetic properties of σ s =123emu/g, H c =0.2Oe, and T C =276°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Ti effect on the glass forming ability and the magnetic properties of Y–Fe–B–Ti bulk metallic glasses have been investigated. Substituting 2 and 4at.% Ti for Fe or B in Y6Fe72B22 alloy decreases the saturation magnetization (σ s) and deteriorates the glass forming ability, respectively. However, substitution of 2at.% Ti for Y in Y6Fe72B22 alloy induces larger supercooled region of 72.7°C, which not only makes the bulk glassy rod as large as 3mm in diameter, but also results in the superior soft magnetic properties of σ s =126emu/g, coercivity (H c)=0.2Oe and Curie temperature (T C)=268°C. Among all Y–Fe–B–Ti bulk amorphous rods, Y4Fe72B22Ti2 displays the best glass forming ability and also the proper soft-magnetic properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With approximately 0.7mol% Ni doping, the formation of hexagonal phase in BaTiO3 after sintering at a temperature above 1385°C in air has been observed. The shape of the h-BaTiO3 grains is plate-like, and the length of these h-BaTiO3 plates can be longer than 15mm. As the amount of Ni doping increases above or decreases below 0.7mol%, the hexagonal phase disappears and the resulting microstructure is dominated by small BaTiO3 grains. This critical amount of Ni (i.e. 0.7mol%) corresponds to the solubility of Ni in BaTiO3. The exaggerated growth of the plate-like grains in BaTiO3 relates strongly to the formation of oxygen vacancies due to the presence of Ni acceptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were grown on the (112¯0) surface of sapphire using fast-pulse laser deposition. It was found that when the oxygen pressure was above 2.66 Pa, the growth was epitaxial with the [111] direction perpendicular to the substrate. The epitaxial relation and crystal quality were evaluated by using high-resolution X-ray diffraction, which showed distinct pendellösung oscillations in θ–2θ scan of the ITO(222) reflection. The in-plane orientation relationship, ITO [33¯0]//Al2O3 [5¯501] and ITO [1¯/4,3¯/4,1]//Al2O3 [0001], was identified by X-ray ϕ scan, where no other domains with different orientations could be detected. Good values of mobility, >30 cm2/Vs, and resistivity, ∼2×10−4 Ω cm, were measured by the Hall and van der Pauw methods at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Through the tight-binding model, the effect of electric field on electronic and optical properties of a zigzag (an armchair) H-terminated nanographite ribbon is studied. The effective electric field shifts the Fermi level (E F), modifies the energy dispersions, alters the subband spacing, produces the new edge state, changes the band gap, and causes the semiconductor–metal transitions. First, in the metallic zigzag ribbon, the degeneracy of flat bands at E F is lifted by the electric field. Meanwhile, an energy band gap E g, depending on the ribbon width and the field strength, is induced. And while the field strength increases, the semiconductor–metal transition occurs in both the semiconducting armchair and the zigzag ribbons. Then, the effect of electric field on band structures is completely reflected in the features of density of states—the shift of peak position, the change of peak height and the alternation of band gap. Most importantly, the effective electric field has great influence on the low-energy absorption spectra. It can change frequency of the first peak, alter the peak height, and even produce the new peaks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The 921 Chi-Chi earthquake, a 7.5M earthquake with center located near Chi-Chi of Nan Tou County occurred on September 21, 1999 and caused more than 2400 fatalities and totaling billions of dollars losses due to destruction and damages to private and public buildings, roads, bridges and hydraulic structures in central Taiwan. This 921 Chi-Chi earthquake also triggered close to 26,000 landslides with a total area of 15,977ha and severely disturbed mountain slopes, thus setting the conditions for occurrence of more landslides and other related disasters. Post-earthquake watershed restoration works progressed without disruptions by major typhoon rainstorms until July 29–30, 2001 when typhoon Toraji hit eastern and central Taiwan with heavy rainfall having peak hourly intensity exceeding 70mm/h. This rainstorm caused several major debris flows and debris floods that destroyed or severely damaged dams, roads, bridges, dikes and houses, in addition to causing 103 casualties, 111 missing (presumed dead), 189 injured. This study (1) explores the characteristics and impacts of debris flows/floods and (2) investigates hydrometeorological and land use attributes of debris flows and debris floods associated with this typhoon Toraji in central Taiwan. Debris floods, different from more familiar debris flows, are extreme peak streamflows containing large quantities of muds, rocks and debris normally occurring in third and fourth order watersheds. Data analysis and field investigations revealed that the disastrous debris flows and debris floods during typhoon Toraji were essentially caused by very heavy rainfalls on inherently unstable mountain slopes that were loosened further earlier by the 921 Chi-Chi earthquake. The extremely intense rainfall of typhoon Toraji provided not only additional materials by creating new and reactivating or enlarging old landslides but also high peak stream flows required for occurrence of debris flows and debris floods. The destruction and damaging power of debris flows and debris floods witnessed during typhoon Toraji suggests that the effectiveness of engineering structures for disaster prevention is limited. For disaster mitigation, it is required to have more comprehensive strategies such as (1) land use zoning that regulates and restricts human encroachment on hazardous areas and (2) implementation of evacuation drills and relocation plan for people currently living in the hazardous zones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A method using the extended Kalman filter (EKF) is proposed to identify the hydraulic parameters in leaky aquifer systems both with and without considering the aquitard storage. In the case without considering the aquitard storage, Hantush and Jacob''s model combined with EKF can optimally determine the parameters for the leaky aquifer when analyzing the drawdown data. Coupled with Neuman and Witherspoon''s model, the EKF is also employed to estimate the four parameters of aquifers. The observed drawdown data may be either interpolated using the Lagrangian polynomial or recursively used while implementing the EKF. The proposed method can identify the parameters, using part of the interpolated drawdown data or recursively used data, and obtains results with good accuracy. In the field-pumping test, a long pumping time may not be necessary if the proposed method is implemented on a computer, which is connected to pressure transducers and a data logger. In the process of parameter estimation, the leakage coefficient changes marginally for the first few observations. This phenomenon reflects the fact that there is a time lag between the start of pumping and the leakage effect on the drawdown. The analyses of the data uncertainty demonstrate that the EKF approach is applicable for drawdown data even when it contains white noise or temporal correlated noise. Finally, the choice between Hantush and Jacob''s model and Neuman and Witherspoon''s model depends on the hydrogeological condition of the aquifer system indicated in the analyses of the model uncertainty. Hantush and Jacob''s model is shown to be a good choice for representing the leaky aquifer system if the aquitard storage is comparatively small. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A mathematical expression of the quantitative causal principle is given, using the expression this letter shows the unified expressions of D’Alembert–Lagrange, virtual work, Jourdian, Gauss and general D’Alembert–Lagrange principles of differential style, first finds the intrinsic relations among these variational principles, the conservation quantities of the above principles are first found, finally the Noether conservation charges of the all differential variational principles in the systems with the symmetry of Lie group Dm are first obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chitosan (CTS) microspheres were prepared by a spray drying method using type-A gelatin and ethylene oxide–propylene oxide block copolymer as modifiers. Surface morphological characteristics and surface charges of prepared microspheres were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microelectrophoresis. The particle shape, size and surface morphology of microspheres were significantly affected by the concentration of gelatin. Betamethasone disodium phosphate (BTM)-loaded microspheres demonstrated good drug stability (less 1% hydrolysis product), high entrapped efficiency (95%) and positive surface charge (37.5 mV). The in vitro drug release from the microspheres was related to gelatin content. Microspheres containing gelatin/CTS 0.4∼0.6(w/w) had a prolong release pattern for 12 h. These formulation factors were correlated to particulate characteristics for optimizing BTM microspheres in pulmonary delivery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

General Weitzenbo¨ck theory of crystals with different dislocation distributions is proposed, the new results of Vα(t)=Mα(t) and Vm(t)=M(t) are deduced. In terms of Einstein equivalence principle, we overcome the nonperfect properties of the Volterra process, the reference, idealized and deformation states of the crystals in general case are unifiedly represented by general manifolds, we gain the new general expression of Burgers vector in practical available Euclidean space, the wrong expressions (up to now viewed as correct in all articles and books) of the strain tensor are corrected, the exact strain tensor formulas in exact condensed theory are given, the new relative volume expansion value and their new relation δ=gijEij=Eaa are given, the hard difficulty giving the really serious one-to-one correspondences between the two theories of dislocations in Euclidean space and Weitzenbo¨ck material manifolds is overcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Describes the instrumentation for time-resolved electron diffraction (TRED) spanning the time domain from microseconds to picoseconds. Modification of the existing nanosecond apparatus; Data analysis procedures to evaluate the experimental TRED intensities.

Calculates the acceleration-field for a structure-based laser-driven linear accelerator. Capability of the apertures of transmitting electrons; Computation of the acceleration field for a cylindrically focused, crossed laser-beam linear accelerator; Decrease of energy gain and width apertures.

Conventional linear regression analysis methods used to measure muscle fatigue based on mean power frequency (MPF) can yield results that are dependent on the epoch of each MPF value. An improved algorithm containing two window segmenting methods, overlapped and non‐overlapped schemes, is provided to investigate the effect of window length on linear regression analysis during sustained isometric constant force muscle contraction. The minimal length of each segment can be determined by making the slope sign changes to be zero. In conclusion, the minimal length is independent of the epoch of each MPF value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanocrystalline strontianite (nano-SrCO3) was synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method. The crystal phase and grain size analyses were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The thermal properties of nano-strontianite and reference strontianite were investigated using the thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and high-temperature XRD. The results of TG and DTA revealed that the phase transition and decomposition temperatures of nano-SrCO3 were lower than those of the reference SrCO3. It was also observed that the high-temperature XRD result was in accordance with the TG/DTA measurement. This phenomenon was mainly attributed to the high surface energy of nanomaterials, in which a large number of dangling bonds were present. Consequently, a lower temperature (energy) was sufficient for the phase transition or decomposition of nano-SrCO3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Proposes a structure for a crossed-laser beam, gigaelectron volt per meter gradient vacuum electron linear accelerator. Limitation of the average acceleration gradient; Discussion of similar schemes; Role of Lawson-Woodwart theorem in ruling out the possibility of net energy; Similarity of principles between mode-locked lasers and continuous wave lasers.

Focuses on case studies of five boys, ages three to six years, conducted to find out association between acute central nervous system dysfunction and influenza infection. Overview of serologic and virologic tests performed on the children; Mental or psychiatric states of the children during the two-year follow-up.

Peritoneal dialysis is now widely used in the management of renal failure. Since frequent blood sampling is needed to assess the adequacy of dialysis, we decided to investigate whether equilibrated peritoneal fluid could be used instead of blood samples to monitor biochemical values in patients being treated with peritoneal dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The transport properties of carbon nanoscrolls in a uniform electric field are investigated by using the Landauer–Buttiker formula. The energy dispersions depend sensitively on the geometry and the field strength. The bandgaps may become zero and exhibit the semiconductor-metal transitions. Variations in the electronic structures with the geometry or the field strength are reflected in the conductance. The conductance exhibits a stepwise behavior, caused by the discrete number of quantized channels contributing to transport. The shoulders of the conductance are stretched out as temperature rises. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study describes the utilization of a novel conjugated copolymer, namely, poly[2,3-bis(thiophen-2-yl)-acrylonitrile-9,9′-dioctyl-fluorene] (FLC8) for organic solar cell application for the first time. The highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of FLC8 are −5.68 and −3.55eV, respectively, which lie between the corresponding values of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methylester (PCBM). In addition, both electron and hole mobilities of FLC8 are in the range of 10−4 (cm2/Vs), making it an excellent ambipolar polymer. Such unique properties make FLC8 a good candidate to form a ternary cascade bulk-heterojunction organic solar cell when blending with P3HT and PCBM. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ternary cascade solar cell can be increased by up to 30% as compared with the reference cell without FLC8. We suspect that this enhancement of PCE is caused by the additional charge separation offered by the cascade structure and the fast charge transfer due to the ambipolarity of FLC8. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The 1 axis-3 position (1A-3P) sun tracking PV was built and tested to measure the daily and long-term power generation of the solar PV system. A comparative test using a fixed PV and a 1A-3P tracking PV was carried out with two identical stand-alone solar-powered LED lighting systems. The field test in the particular days shows that the 1A-3P tracking PV can generate 35.8% more electricity than the fixed PV in a partly-cloudy weather with daily-total solar irradiation HT =11.7MJ/m2 day, or 35.6% in clear weather with HT =18.5MJ/m2 day. This indicates that the present 1A-3P tracking PV can perform very close to a dual-axis continuous tracking PV (). The long-term outdoor test results have shown that the increase of daily power generation of 1A-3P tracking PV increases with increasing daily-total solar irradiation. The increase of monthly-total power generation for 1A-3P sun tracking PV is between 18.5–28.0%. The total power generation increase in the test period from March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011, is 23.6% in Taipei (an area of low solar energy resource). The long-term performance of the present 1X-3P tracking PV is shown very close to the 1-axis continuous tracking PV in Taiwan (). If the 1A-3P tracking PV is used in the area of high solar energy resource with yearly-average HT >17MJ/m2 day, the increase of total long-term power generation with respect to fixed PV will be higher than 37.5%. This is very close to that of dual-axis continuous tracking PV. The 1A-3P tracker can be easily mounted on the wall of a building. The cost of the whole tracker is about the same as the regular mounting cost of a conventional rooftop PV system. This means that there is no extra cost for 1A-3P PV mounted on buildings. The 1A-3P PV is quite suitable for building-integrated applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we have analyzed the wake field amplitude in two types of double slab structures, one with dielectric slabs and the another with both dielectric and plasma liner. It is observed that the plasma liner enhances the dielectric wake field amplitude, thus reduces the requirement of large amplitude drive current. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study is intended to develop an intelligent supplier decision support system which is able to consider both the quantitative and qualitative factors. It is composed of (1) the collection of quantitative data such as profit and productivity, (2) a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based fuzzy neural network (FNN) to derive the rules for qualitative data, and (3) a decision integration model for integrating both the quantitative data and fuzzy knowledge decision to achieve the optimal decision. The results show that the decision support system developed in this study make more precise and favorable judgments in selecting suppliers after taking into account both qualitative and quantitative factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The thermal plastic deformation behavior of the (Zr53Cu30Ni9Al8)99.5Si0.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) was studied by means of thermo mechanical analysis (TMA) and high-temperature compression test in the supercooled liquid region. Using the result obtained from TMA, the deformation behavior for (Zr53Cu30Ni9Al8)99.5Si0.5 BMG rod was investigated by compression test at different strain rates (5×10−3∼5×10−1 s−1) and temperatures in the supercooled liquid region, specifically at 733K, 738K, 743K, 748K, and 753K. The value of flow stress with a constant strain rate of 5×10−3 s−1 decreases with increasing temperature and reaches a relatively low flow stress of 36MPa at the test temperature of 753K. Conversely, the value of flow stress increases with the strain rate in compression. In this paper, an imprinted hologram pattern with 0.6μm depth was demonstrated which showed extremely good microforming ability of this (Zr53Cu30Ni9Al8)99.5Si0.5 BMG in the supercooled liquid region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: SU-8 resist was used as a core/cladding waveguide material to fabricate a Mach¿Zehnder interferometer (MZI) for biochemical sensing. The refractive index of the SU-8 resist was fine-tuned with a ¿n of 0.004 for single-mode transmission. The UV lithography processes of the SU-8 resist were also optimized to pattern the high resolution (1µm) and high aspect ratio (AR=6) Y-branch structure of the optical interferometer. Optical measurements reveal that the SU-8 MZI chip can efficiently transmit the NIR laser (¿=1310nm) with a total loss less than 6dB. When one branch of the MZI is in contact with the analyte, the interfered intensity stabilizes after the soaking time exceeds 5min. NaCl solution with a concentration of 10-9g/l can be detected using the SU-8 MZI chip. In the future, the polymer MZI chip can be mass-produced by molding process (or the LIGA process). The low-cost, label-free, real-time and high-sensitivity MZI chip will benefit many applications related to biological, environmental and industrial detection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: To review the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and outcome of therapy in children with septic pulmonary embolism. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients in a tertiary paediatric facility in northern Taiwan. Results: Ten children were identified with septic pulmonary emboli in a four year retrospective chart review between 1998 and 2001. Seven were immunocompetent, two were premature infants, one had β thalassemia major. Seven had community acquired staphylococcal infections and bacteraemia, of which six were methicillin resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) isolates. Five had soft tissue infections, two bone infections, one suppurative otitis media, one catheter related infection, and one unknown foci of infection. Multiple and bilateral nodular pulmonary parenchymal lesions were common on plain chest radiographs, but chest computed tomography scans showed the additional findings of a "vessel sign" and central cavitations, confirming the existence of septic pulmonary embolism. Conclusions: Community acquired MRSA infections occurred in seven patients with septic pulmonary embolism but without predisposing high risk factors. Critically ill children with skin, soft tissue, or bone infections, when associated with septic pulmonary embolism in an area with a high rate of MRSA, should be empirically treated with glycopeptides (such as vancomycin or teicoplanin) before susceptibility results are known, in order to minimise morbidity and avoid mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The passion fruit peel (PFP) is the by-product of juice processing and is rich in phenolic compounds and dietary fibers. As the high ADF content in PFP (34.20%), we proceeded to treat PFP with cellulase. The ADF decreased to 16.70% after enzymatic processing, and we supposed that enzymolytic passion fruit peel (EPF) should have a greater growth performance than PFP to broilers. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary PFP or EPF supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, meat quality, and cecal short-chain fatty acids, microbiota, and metabolites in broilers. In Exp. 1, 180 1-day-old Sanhuang broilers (male, 36.17 ± 2.47 g) were randomly allocated into 3 treatments, with 6 replicates in each treatment. The 3 experimental diets included 1 basal diet (control) and 2 PFP-added diets supplemented with 1 and 2% PFP, respectively. The trial lasted for 42 d. In Exp. 2, 144 Sanhuang broilers (male, 112-day-old, 1.62 ± 0.21 kg) were randomly allocated to 3 treatments. Each treatment was distributed among 6 pens, and each pen contained 8 broilers. The 3 treatment diets included: a control diet, a positive control diet supplementing 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline, and the experimental diet supplementing 3% EPF. The trial lasted for 56 d. Results showed that dietary 1 and 2% PFP addition did not affect growth performance in Exp. 1, and the 3% EPF supplementation had a negative effect on ADFI (P < 0.05) in Exp. 2. A decreased serum triglyceride (P < 0.05) in broilers was observed in Exp. 1. Broilers fed EPF had a higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.05), and lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P < 0.05) and glucose (P < 0.05) in Exp. 2. We also found that broilers from PFP or EPF-treated treatments had an increased butyrate content and higher microbial diversity in the cecum. The effects of antioxidation, anti-inflammatory function, and elevated SCFAs were confirmed after the microbe and untargeted metabolomic analysis. Dietary EPF supplementation significantly increased the SCFA-generating bacteria, anti-inflammatory-related bacteria, the antioxidant-related and anti-inflammatory-related metabolites. Moreover, dietary 3% EPF addition positively affects the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, which strongly correlate with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, the proper addition level did not affect the growth performance, and the PFP and EPF could improve the antioxidation state, anti-inflammatory activity, and intestinal functions of Sanhuang broilers to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]