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The physical properties of high-purity copper under high pressure were investigated with X-ray diffraction(XRD) using the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation and a diamond anvil cell(DAC) and First-principles calculation using ab-initio simulation program. And they differ 15 % from those reported in the past. The previously reported experimental isothermal bulk moduli for polycrystalline copper and single crystalline copper are 140.2±3.9 GP and 137.6±0.2 GPa respectively, and the theoretical isothermal bulk modulus of copper is 134.6 GPa. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 However, the recently measured bulk moduli of copper are 120.8±4.4 GPa for polycrystal and 120.7±2.1 GPa for single crystal respectively. The difference might mainly come from the purity of copper owing to the development of scientific technology, and the 3-dimensional effect of defects in nearly pure(perfect) crystalline materials was first observed by using DAC and XRD.

Background: Long QT syndrome has been associated with sudden cardiac death likely caused by early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and polymorphic ventricular tachycardias (PVTs). Suppressing the late sodium current (I NaL ) may counterbalance the reduced repolarization reserve in long QT syndrome and prevent EADs and PVTs. Methods: We tested the effects of the selective I NaL blocker GS967 on PVT induction in a transgenic rabbit model of long QT syndrome type 2 using intact heart optical mapping, cellular electrophysiology and confocal Ca 2+ imaging, and computer modeling. Results: GS967 reduced ventricular fibrillation induction under a rapid pacing protocol (n=7/14 hearts in control versus 1/14 hearts at 100 nmol/L) without altering action potential duration or restitution and dispersion. GS967 suppressed PVT incidences by reducing Ca 2+ -mediated EADs and focal activity during isoproterenol perfusion (at 30 nmol/L, n=7/12 and 100 nmol/L n=8/12 hearts without EADs and PVTs). Confocal Ca 2+ imaging of long QT syndrome type 2 myocytes revealed that GS967 shortened Ca 2+ transient duration via accelerating Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger (I NCX )-mediated Ca 2+ efflux from cytosol, thereby reducing EADs. Computer modeling revealed that I NaL potentiates EADs in the long QT syndrome type 2 setting through (1) providing additional depolarizing currents during action potential plateau phase, (2) increasing intracellular Na + (Na i ) that decreases the depolarizing I NCX thereby suppressing the action potential plateau and delaying the activation of slowly activating delayed rectifier K + channels (I Ks ), suggesting important roles of I NaL in regulating Na i . Conclusions: Selective I NaL blockade by GS967 prevents EADs and abolishes PVT in long QT syndrome type 2 rabbits by counterbalancing the reduced repolarization reserve and normalizing Na i . Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.

Various nanostructures have been adopted for anti-reflection coating due to the graded refractive index. The interference between the two interfaces may sometimes cause an oscillating reflectance spectrum under certain conditions. The anti-reflection performances of a few nanostructure arrays were investigated using the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation method. The study showed that the appropriate modulation of the height of nanostructures is a very effective method for suppressing the reflection peaks and flattening the reflectance spectrum.

Due to the rapid growth in the use of blue-light-based electrical panels and much brighter lighting environments, the socioeconomic impact by retinal light injury is critical. Understanding the material property and mechanisms underlying this hazard is important for both effective and user-friendly product development. The InGaN based blue LED has been applied to excite the yellow phosphor (Y3Al5O12:Ce3+) for white light generation. In this study, custom-made phosphor-converted white light emitting diode (pc-WLED) with correlated color temperature (CCT) ranging from 2700K to 6500K were used for exposure treatments to assess the potential retinal injury. We examined LED induced retinal neuronal cell damage in a rat model through functional and histopathological measurements. Electroretinography (ERG), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for pathological examinations. The experimental results indicate that blue-rich-LED light could induce more photochemical injury to the retina after the exposure. The results of this study suggest that retinal injury is mainly induced by photosensitizer-and photopigment-mediated oxidative stress with color temperature dependent effect, and users should be more aware of this effect before switching to LED lamps for domestic lighting.

Context: Interest has recently renewed in using Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Poaceae) (called Italian ryegrass; IRG) silage as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory diet. Objective: This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic potential of IRG silage and identified the primary components in IRG active fractions. Materials and methods: Total 16 fractions were separated from the chloroform-soluble extract of IRG aerial part using Sephadex LH-20 column before HPLC analysis. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the fractions at doses of 0–100 μg/mL were investigated using various cell-free and cell-mediated assay systems. To explore anti-septic effect of IRG fractions, female ICR and BALB/c mice orally received 40 mg/kg of phenolic acid and flavonoid-rich active fractions F7 and F8 every other day for 10 days, respectively, followed by LPS challenge. Results: The active fractions showed greater antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential compared with other fractions. IC50 values of F7 and F8 to reduce LPS-stimulated NO and TNF-α production were around 15 and 30 μg/mL, respectively. Comparison of retention times with authentic compounds through HPLC analysis revealed the presence of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, myricetin and kaempferol in the fractions as primary components. These fractions inhibited LPS-stimulated MAPK and NF-κB activation. Supplementation with F7 or F8 improved the survival rates of mice to 70 and 60%, respectively, in LPS-injected mice and reduced near completely serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Discussion and conclusion: This study highlights antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic activities of IRG active fractions, eventually suggesting their usefulness in preventing oxidative damage and inflammatory disorders.

The initiation of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2) has been associated with a characteristic ECG pattern of short-long RR intervals. We hypothesize that this characteristic pattern increases APD dispersion in LQT2, thereby promoting arrhythmia. We investigated APD dispersion and its dependence on two previous cycle lengths (CLs) in transgenic rabbit models of LQT2, LQT1, and their littermate controls (LMC) using random stimulation protocols. The results show that the short-long RR pattern was associated with a larger APD dispersion in LQT2 but not in LQT1 rabbits. The multivariate analyses of APD as a function of two previous CLs (APDn = C + α1CLn−1 + α2CLn−2) showed that α1 (APD restitution slope) is largest and heterogeneous in LQT2 but uniform in LQT1, enhancing APD dispersion under long CLn−1 in LQT2. The α2 (short-term memory) was negative in LQT2 while positive in LQT1, and the spatial pattern of α1 was inversely correlated to α2 in LQT2, which explains why a short-long combination causes a larger APD dispersion in LQT2 but not in LQT1 rabbits. In conclusion, short-long RR pattern increased APD dispersion only in LQT2 rabbits through heterogeneous APD restitution and the short-term memory, underscoring the genotype-specific triggering of arrhythmias in LQT syndrome.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of transhepatic tract embolisation after a biliary intervention using n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and autologous blood. Between January 2017 and December 2018, 42 consecutive patients (mean age: 71 ± 15 years, 24 men) with malignant (n = 26) or benign (n = 16) biliary obstructions underwent percutaneous biliary intervention followed by tract embolisation within 2 weeks. Forty-six transhepatic tracts (4 bilateral) in 42 patients were embolised using a NBCA and lipiodol mixtures (1:1–1:2 ratios) after intraductal infusion of peripherally obtained autologous blood. The indwelling catheter diameters were 8.5–14 Fr. The median interval between percutaneous biliary drainage and tract embolisation was 10 days (range 3–14 days). Glue-cast formation via fluoroscopy and immediate complications were reviewed retrospectively in medical records. Follow-up data (median: 135, range 11–720 days) including computed tomography (CT) images (n = 17) were evaluated for delayed complications and glue-cast formation. Successful glue-cast formations were achieved in all 46 tracts. No patients experienced haemorrhage, and only one patient had external bile leakage. Eight patients complained of abdominal pain (numerical scale ≤ 5) immediately after embolisation, which was controlled by analgesics. Two patients had transient fever. Segmental (n = 11) or sub-segmental (n = 6) glue-cast patterns were identified along the transhepatic tract by follow-up CT. No biliary obstructions were caused by inadvertent glue spread. Fragmented glue was detected outside the stent in one patient. Transhepatic parenchymal tract embolisation with NBCA and autologous blood is a safe and feasible method for preventing bile leakage. Level 4, Case Series.

ZnO nanorods (NRs) and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are known to enhance the luminescence of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) through the high directionality of waveguide mode transmission and efficient energy transfer of localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances, respectively. In this work, we have demonstrated Ag NP-incorporated n-ZnO NRs/p-GaN heterojunctions by facilely hydrothermally growing ZnO NRs on Ag NP-covered GaN, in which the Ag NPs were introduced and randomly distributed on the p-GaN surface to excite the LSP resonances. Compared with the reference LED, the light-output power of the near-band-edge (NBE) emission (ZnO, λ = 380 nm) of our hybridized structure is increased almost 1.5-2 times and can be further modified in a controlled manner by varying the surface morphology of the surrounding medium of the Ag NPs. The improved light-output power is mainly attributed to the LSP resonance between the NBE emission of ZnO NRs and LSPs in Ag NPs. We also observed different behaviors in the electroluminescence (EL) spectra as the injection current increases for the treatment and reference LEDs. This observation might be attributed to the modification of the energy band diagram for introducing Ag NPs at the interface between n-ZnO NRs and p-GaN. Our results pave the way for developing advanced nanostructured LED devices with high luminescence efficiency in the UV emission regime.

The aims of this study were to explore whether a phenolic acid and flavonoid fraction (named PAFF) isolated from Lolium multiflorum Lam. protects against d-galactosamine (GalN)-induced liver damages in mice and to investigate the associated mechanisms. ICR mice received oral administration with various concentrations (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight) of PAFF once per 2 days for seven times before intraperitoneal injection with 800 mg/kg GalN. After a day of GalN challenge, blood and tissue samples were analyzed by biochemical, histopathological, real time RT-PCR, and Western blot methods. GalN challenge induced severe damage to hepatocytes with hepatocellular vacuolization and necrosis. GalN treatment increased serum ALT, ALP, AST, and LDH levels and hepatic MDA levels and stimulated mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the liver. GalN treatment also diminished the levels of GSH and the activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx in the liver. However, combined treatment with PAFF inhibited GalN-mediated increases in the histological damages and the levels of serum enzymes and hepatic MDA, restored the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes up to those in the control values, and augmented the GalN-stimulated expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the liver. Furthermore, PAFF treatment alone increased the cellular SOD activity and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the liver. Our results suggest that PAFF may protect against GalN-induced liver damage by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing cellular antioxidant activities through an activation of Nrf2/HO-1-dependent pathway.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a severe infantile form of non-immunoglobulin E-mediated gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity that manifests as profuse, repetitive vomiting, often with diarrhea, which leads to acute dehydration and lethargy and failure to thrive if chronic. Symptoms such as dehydration and lethargy are also observed in sepsis, viral infection, and food poisoning. It is difficult to differentiate FPIES from sepsis-like illness. The diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and/or an oral food challenge. FPIES developed in the patient with peripheral epimerase deficiency galactosemia after the use of soy formula. The change in feeding to soy formula is not required of a patient with peripheral epimerase deficiency galactosemia. Early intake of soy formula in our patient was harmful. Therefore, we think the changing the formula should be taken carefully. Another important point is the diagnosis. Late diagnosis and misdiagnosis are common, and inappropriate treatment or invasive treatment can occur.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype can influence neural response to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in normal individuals. In this study we established personalized stimulus intensity of facilitatory rTMS according to BDNF genotype in stroke patients. Twenty-two chronic stroke patients were enrolled. All patients underwent three different sessions of rTMS over the ipsilesional M1 in randomized order with a washout period exceeding 24 h: first condition, high-frequency rTMS with sub-threshold intensity; second condition, high-frequency rTMS with supra-threshold intensity; third condition, sham rTMS. Cortical excitability in the affected hemisphere was assessed with motor evoked potentials (MEPs) before and after stimulation. Data were analyzed according to BDNF genotype. Six [27.3%] and 16 [72.7%] participants were classified in the Val/Val group and Met allele group, respectively. In each group, significant increases were observed in the amplitude of MEPs after the stimulation in the first and second conditions (p

We propose a novel, normally-off AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) governed by polarization engineering. The fundamental concept is to grade the Al composition of the barrier layer from GaN to Al x Ga 1− x N, thereby alleviating the impact of piezoelectric polarization on the two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) and establishing a conduction-band profile well above the Fermi energy. These effects lead to a positive shift in the threshold voltage of the device and benefit the normally-off operation. It is observed that the device’s DC transfer characteristics can be further modulated simply by adjusting the Al composition of the Al y Ga 1− y N cap layer and the p-type doping concentration at the top of the GaN buffer layer. These findings, based on a physical simulation of the proposed device, provide a guideline for the implementation of highly efficient, normally-off AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.

Background Long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) is a congenital disease arising from a loss of function in the slowly activating delayed potassium current I Ks , which causes early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (pVT). Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying pVT using a transgenic rabbit model of LQT1. Methods Hearts were perfused retrogradely, and action potentials were recorded using a voltage-sensitive dye and CMOS cameras. Results Bolus injection of isoproterenol (140 nM) induced pVT initiated by focal excitations from the right ventricle (RV; n=16 of 18 pVTs). After the pVT was initiated, complex focal excitations occurred in both the RV and the left ventricle, which caused oscillations of the QRS complexes on ECG, consistent with the recent proposal of multiple shifting foci caused by EAD chaos. Moreover, the action potential upstroke in pVT showed a bimodal distribution, demonstrating the coexistence of 2 types of excitation that interacted to produce complex pVT: Na + current (I Na )-mediated fast conduction and L-type Ca 2+ current (I Ca )-mediated slow conduction coexist, manifesting as pVT. Addition of 2 μM tetrodotoxin to reduce I Na converted pVT into monomorphic VT. Reducing late I Na in computer simulation converted pVT into a single dominant reentry, agreeing with experimental results. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that pVT in LQT1 rabbits is initiated by focal excitations from the RV and is maintained by multiple shifting foci in both ventricles. Moreover, wave conduction in pVT exhibits bi-excitability, that is, fast wavefronts driven by I Na and slow wavefronts driven by I Ca co-exist during pVT.

Two recent studies (Newton-Cheh, C. et al. (2009) Common variants at ten loci influence QT interval duration in the QTGEN Study. Nat. Genet. 41, 399-406 and Pfeufer, A. et al. (2009) Common variants at ten loci modulate the QT interval duration in the QTSCD Study. Nat. Genet. 41, 407-414) identified an association, with genome-wide significance, between a single nucleotide polymorphism within the gene encoding RING finger protein 207 (RNF207) and the QT interval. We sought to determine the role of RNF207 in cardiac electrophysiology. Morpholino knockdown of RNF207 in zebrafish embryos resulted in action potential duration prolongation, occasionally a 2:1 atrioventricular block, and slowing of conduction velocity. Conversely, neonatal rabbit cardiomyocytes infected with RNF207-expressing adenovirus exhibited shortened action potential duration. Using transfections of U-2 OS and HEK293 cells, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry data demonstrate that RNF207 and the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) potassium channel interact and colocalize. Furthermore, RNF207 overexpression significantly elevated total and membrane HERG protein and HERG-encoded current density by ∼30-50%, which was dependent on the intact N-terminal RING domain of RNF207. Finally, coexpression of RNF207 and HSP70 increased HERG expression compared with HSP70 alone. This effect was dependent on the C terminus of RNF207. Taken together, the evidence is strong that RNF207 is an important regulator of action potential duration, likely via effects on HERG trafficking and localization in a heat shock protein-dependent manner.

This paper reports an analysis on the relationship between the tilt of the proof mass in MEMS switch and the chattering phenomena. Low-g MEMS acceleration switch developed by Kim’s group was modelled in 2D and displacements of each end of the proof mass were analysed using RK 4th method. Some elementary assumptions were made to ease the modelling and analysis. The chattering time of the MEMS switch gets longer as the tilt of the proof mass increases. The reason is that the elongated travel distance of one end of proof mass increases the impact velocity and lengthens the bouncing back time. From the results, we found that the chattering phenomena can last very long even if the tilt of the proof mass is very small.

Background To validate the usefulness of subacromial bursa lidocaine for determination of the therapeutic steroid injection site in patients with adhesive capsulitis Methods Ninety-two patients with adhesive capsulitis were randomly divided into the LC (lidocaine test) group (n = 46), in which LC injection was performed at the subacromial bursa prior to therapeutic steroid injection, and GH (glenohumeral) group (n = 46), in which the steroid was injected into the GH. Patients in the LC group received steroid injection at the subacromial bursa or GH according to the result of the LC. Both groups underwent the same exercise protocol. Improvement of the shoulder pain was checked at 2 weeks and 3 months postinjection and expressed on an ordinal scale. Passive range of motion was recorded preinjection, and 2 weeks and 3 months postinjection. Results Two weeks postinjection, 37 patients expressed “much improved” and 7 patients expressed “slightly improved” pain levels in the LC group, whereas 18 patients each expressed “much improved” and “slightly improved” pain levels in the GH group, which was significantly different (p

OBJECTIVE To investigate the long-term effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on edema reduction in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients after axillary dissection, according to the initial volume of edema. METHODS A retrospective review of 57 patients with unilateral arm after an axillary dissection for breast cancer was performed. The patients, treated with two weeks of CDT and self-administered home therapy, were followed for 24 months. Arm volume was serially measured by using an optoelectronic volumeter prior to and immediately after CDT; and there were follow-up visits at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the percent excess volume (PEV) prior to CDT: group 1, PEV

Recently, there has been renewed interest in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. Poaceae) as a functional food and for its medicinal properties.This study examines the anti-inflammatory potential of the active fractions of barley and the mechanisms involved.The macrophages were exposed to 100 μg/mL of each of the barley extracts in the presence of 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and after 24 or 48 h of incubation, cells or culture supernatants were analyzed by various assays. The anti-inflammatory potential of barley fractions was also investigated using the LPS-injected septic mouse model. The active constituents in the fractions were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The active fractions, named F₄, F₇, F₉ and F₁₂, inhibited almost completely the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase. Pre-treatment with these fractions at 100 μg/mL diminished the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels to 19.8, 3.5, 1.2 and 1.7 ng/mL, respectively, compared to LPS treatment alone (41.5 ng/mL). These fractions at 100 μg/mL also suppressed apparently the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β and the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-κB in LPS-stimulated cells. Mice injected intraperitoneally with LPS (30 mg/kg BW) showed 20% survival at 48 h after injection, whereas oral administration of the fractions improved the survival rates to 80%. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of the derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids and fatty acids in the fractions.The aerial parts of barley are useful as functional food to prevent acute inflammatory responses.

In 3D wafer-stacking technology, one of the major issues is wafer warpage. Especially, The important reason of warpage has been known due to CTE(Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) mismatch between materials. It was too hard to choose how to make the FE model for blanket structured wafer level 3D packaging, because the thickness of each layer in wafer level 3D packaging was too small (micro meter or nano meter scale) comparing with diameter of wafer (6 or 8 inches). In this study, the FE model using the shell element was selected and simulated by the ANSYS WorkBench to investigate effects of the CTE on the warpage. To verify the FE model, it was compared by experimental results.

Corn, sorghum, barley, Italian ryegrass (IRG), and alfalfa have long been used in human and/or animal diets. While their nutritional information is widely available, their potentials for anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-tumor are barely explored. In the present study, several serial extracts were prepared from 70% methanol extracts of these forage crops and their bioactive potentials were investigated using cell-free and cell-mediated experimental systems. Chloroform extracts in this study generally showed stronger activity to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions than butanol or water extracts. IRG and sorghum chloroform extracts especially almost completely suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-mediated production of nitric oxide, tumor-necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. These extracts also inhibited dramatically the viability and DNA synthesis of human skin dermatofibrosarcoma cells without a toxic effect on primary cultured control cells. These beneficial effects appeared to be associated with the amount of flavonoids contained in the extracts.

In this study, we propose a fast rebuild technology for evaluating light quality in large areas. Outdoor light quality, which is measured by illuminance uniformity and the color rendering index, is difficult to conform after improvement. We develop an algorithm for a lighting quality mapping system and coordinates using a micro spectrometer and GPS tracker integrated with a quadcopter or unmanned aerial vehicle. After cruising at a constant altitude, lighting quality data is transmitted and immediately mapped to evaluate the light quality in a large area.

The objective of this study was to assess the functional state of corticospinal projections in the non-dominant hand according to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphisms. We investigated this in 34 healthy right-handed individuals (12 men, mean age 27.4 ± 3.4 years) who underwent two experimental sessions consisting of corticospinal excitability measurements with single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and hand motor function assessments with a sequential finger motor task of the non-dominant hand. Experimental sessions were separated by periods of at least 2 days to avoid carryover effects. Data were analyzed according to BDNF polymorphism (Val/Val vs. Val/Met vs. Met/Met group). Ten (29.4%), seventeen (50.0%), and seven (20.6%) participants were allocated to the Val/Val, Val/Met, and Met/Met groups, respectively. Motor thresholds to TMS did not differ among groups, but the amplitude of the motor-evoked potentials in the non-dominant hand induced by suprathreshold (120% of MT) TMS was significantly lower in the Met/Met group than in the other two groups (p

This study proposes an algorithm for calculating the outputs of a stepless, tunable, four-chip LED according to a black body radiation curve; the proposed algorithm is based on the generalized reduced gradient method. The lumen outputs of the four-chip LEDs were calculated in real time at color temperatures ranging between 2500 K and 6500 K without using a lookup table, enabling achieving high-quality lighting designs. Finally, the algorithms for the stepless dimming method, with average color shift Duv 0.0027, is proposed. This algorithm has much smaller memory size requirements for the microcontroller unit than the current method.

A high-quality museum lighting system should demonstrate optimal color rendering and high light source efficiency. In addition, an adequate lighting management system is required for energy saving and visual comfort. However, symmetrical total internal reflection (TIR) lenses typically applied in lighting fixtures are inadequate for providing a comfortable lighting experience for museum visitors. This paper presents a new optical lens that forms a novel asymmetrical triangular light distribution for improving the vertical illuminance uniformity of museum exhibits. Moreover, the proposed lens can reduce the reflective glare caused by the glass covering exhibits. Monte Carlo ray tracing simulation techniques were used to develop various lens structures and numerous microstructures, which enabled changing the light distribution from a traditional symmetrical to an asymmetrical triangle. Finally, an asymmetrical TIR lens with a microstructure surface was constructed and applied to exhibit lighting. According to the ray tracing results obtained using Tracepro simulation software and DIALux lighting design software, the asymmetrical lens formed an asymmetrical triangular light distribution with an LED light source and enhanced the illuminance uniformity by 29 %, improving the light quality of museum exhibits. The preliminary simulation results revealed that the proposed lens structure effectively improved the LED lighting quality in the museum.

Enhancement of the external quantum efficiency of a GaN-based vertical-type light emitting diode (VLED) through the coupling of localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance with the wave-guided mode light is studied. To achieve this experimentally, Ag nanoparticles (NPs), as the LSP resonant source, are drop-casted on the most top layer of waveguide channel, which is composed of hydrothermally synthesized ZnO nanorods capped on the top of GaN-based VLED. Enhanced light-output power and external quantum efficiency are observed and the amount of enhancement remains steady with the increase of the injected currents. To understand the observations theoretically, the absorption spectra and the electric field distributions of the VLED with and without Ag NPs decorated on ZnO NRs are determined using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The results prove that the observation of enhancement of the external quantum efficiency can be attributed to the creation of an extra escape channel for trapped light due to the coupling of the LSP with wave-guided mode light, by which the energy of wave-guided mode light can be transferred to the efficient light scattering center of the LSP.

We report a 1550 nm band Raman distributed temperature fiber-optic sensor based on 35 km-long single-mode fiber. We achieved the temperature resolution of 2.6 °C with a measurement time of 600 s using a finite impulse response filter.

We previously used the Curtius rearrangement to synthesize various phenolic acid phenethyl urea compounds from phenolic acids and demonstrated their beneficial anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. Here, we investigated the effects of one of these synthetic compounds, (E)-1-(3,4-dihydroxystyryl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)urea (DSHP-U), on nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and cytokine secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DSHP-U suppressed LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression at a concentration of 50 microM and inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 kinase. Inhibitors of phosphorylated (p)-ERK and p-p38, but not of p-JNK, reduced LPS-stimulated NO production. DSHP-U also prevented the nuclear translocation of the Rel A (p65) subunit and DNA-NF-kappaB binding by suppressing IkappaBalpha phosphorylation and by the degradation of IkappaBalpha in LPS-stimulated cells. Furthermore, DSHP-U decreased the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 in LPS-treated macrophages. However, the LPS-stimulated expression of LPS receptors, such as Toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation factor-2, and CD14, was unchanged after DSHP-U treatment at significantly high levels. Our data suggest that DSHP-U blocks NO and inflammatory cytokine production in LPS-stimulated macrophages and that these effects are mainly mediated through the inhibition of the ERK/p38- and NF-kappaB signaling pathways.

We present some comments to the paper "Monolithic integration of GaN-based light-emitting diodes and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors: comment," [Opt. Express22, A1589 (2014)].

Periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts play important roles in bone remodeling. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts stimulate bone remodeling while gingival fibroblasts protect abnormal bone resorption. However, few studies had examined the differences in stimulation of osteoclast formation between the two fibroblast populations. The precise effect of mechanical forces on osteoclastogenesis of these populations is also unknown. This study revealed that more osteoclast-like cells were induced in the co-cultures of bone marrow cells with periodontal ligament than gingival fibroblasts, and this was considerably increased when anti-osteoprotegerin (OPG) antibody was added to the co-cultures. mRNA levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) were increased in both populations when they were cultured with dexamethasone and vitamin D(3). Centrifugal forces inhibited osteoclastogenesis of both populations, and this was likely related to the force-induced OPG up-regulation. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling by a pharmacological inhibitor (10 microM PD98059) or by siERK transfection suppressed the force-induced OPG up-regulation along with the augmentation of osteoclast-like cells that were decreased by the force. These results suggest that periodontal ligament fibroblasts are naturally better at osteoclast induction than gingival fibroblasts, and that centrifugal force inhibited osteoclastogenesis of the periodontal fibroblasts through OPG production and ERK activation.

Type I collagen (COL I) is the predominant collagen in the extracellular matrix of periodontal ligament (PDL), and its expression in PDL fibroblasts (PLF) is sensitive to mechanical force. However, the mechanism by which PLF induces COL I to respond to mechanical force is unclear. This study examined the nature of human PLF in mediating COL I expression in response to centrifugal force. Signal transduction pathways in the early stages of mechanotransduction involved in the force-driven regulation of COL I expression were also investigated. Centrifugal force up-regulated COL I without cytotoxicity and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 kinase. ERK and JNK inhibitor blocked the expression of COL I but p38 kinase inhibitor had no effect. Centrifugal force activated activator protein-1 (AP-1) through dimerization between c-Fos and c-Jun transcription factors. ERK and JNK inhibitors also inhibited AP-1-DNA binding, c-Fos nuclear translocation, and c-Jun phosphorylation that were increased in the force-exposed PLF. Further, transfecting the cells with c-Jun antisense oligonucleotides almost completely abolished the force-induced increase of c-Jun phosphorylation and COL I induction. Our findings suggest that mechanical signals are transmitted into the nucleus by ERK/JNK signaling pathways and then stimulate COL I expression through AP-1 activation in force-exposed human PLF.

The III-nitride-based micron-scale light-emitting device (LED) could suppress the current crowding effect and increase the light extraction from micro-cavity. The uniform and high light extraction efficiency could be achieved with micro-LEDs. No reliable micro-LEDs or micro-LEDs array could be fabricated due to the etching damage and p-type ohmic contact stability. The single micro-LEDs with mesa-structure were fabricated with device size changed from 15 to 5 μm. The 3 μm single micro-LEDs with ring-structure were fabricated by lithography technology in diffraction mode. In low current injection (0–2 V), the tunneling-recombination current through the shallow state was increasing while the device size was shrinking. In middle current injection (2–2.6 V), the tunneling recombination through the deep gap state was also increasing due to the etching damage. Under high-current injection (>2.6 V), the current transport was described by drift–diffusion-recombination model and Schottky-like p-type contact. The high fluctuation of the series resistance and high ideality factor was observed in micro-LEDs. The post-treatment with hot KOH solution was used to reduce the etching damage. After post-treatment, the etching damage was reduced with mesa-structure. The micro-ring device was destroyed after post-treatment. No power saturation with 15×15 um 2 micro-LEDs were observed under high-current density injection with electroluminescence measurement.

A series of multi-functional zwitterionic compounds having both ester and sulfonate groups were synthesized and their electrochemical properties were investigated. The effect of added zwitterionic compounds on the cycling performance of the cell containing 1 M LiPF6 in EC, DMC, and EMC (1/1/1 by vol.) was also examined. The cell capacity was not varied much at 1/5 C up to 50 cycles with the addition of either 2.25 wt% N-methylpyrrolidinium-N-(propyl sulfonate) (MePyS) or N-methylpiperidinium-N-(propyl sulfonate) (MePipS) as an additive, but dropped significantly at higher C rate of 1 C. Such a sharp decrease of the performance at higher C rate was not observed when MePyS or MePipS was replaced by N-(2-acetoxyethyl) pyrrolidinium-N-(propyl sulfonate) (EsPyS) or N-(2-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium-N-(propyl sulfonate) (EsPipS), implying the positive role of the ester functional group.FT-IR study clearly demonstrates that ester-containing zwitterionic compounds are able to interact with Li+ ions through both sulfonate and ester functional groups. Keywords: Zwitterionic compounds, Lithium battery, Ionic liquids, Cycling performance

The conversion-phosphor selection engine with chromaticity coordinates and additive color-mixing theory for light-emitting diodes is constructed. The parameters are linked by the generalized reduced gradient method for optimization. Finally, this model can be used in the LED dispensing process for 2700K and high color rendering index requirement.

An analysis of asymmetrical lenses with microstructures for museum exhibition lighting is proposed. According to simulation results, using an asymmetrical light shape will increase the illumination uniformity more than 13.1% relative to the standard lambertian light shape.

In this paper, the algorithm for the stepless tunable four-chip LED on the black body radiation curve, using the Generalized Reduced Gradient method, is proposed. The lumen outputs of four-chip LED, for color temperatures between 2500K and 6500K, are then calculated in real-time, without using a lookup table, and for high quality lighting design.

In this paper, a prototype of AC LED light engine is implemented. This light engine is highly designed and integrated with different fields, including optical, mechanical, electrical part, control system, and safety requirement. Our light engine can directly install in different lighting fixtures like down light or spot light, which is very convenient and cost-saving for luminaries manufactures. It also can offer customized solutions about CCT, beam angle, even involved intelligent control system in the future. The specification of light engine is that the CCT is 4601K, CRI is 81, and the lm/W is 102 at 10W input power.

This paper presents a universal wireless controller for PWM, Analog and TRIAC dimming. The presented dimming control system is a universal controller which was based on the Bluetooth wireless network. The universal controller was designed by the algorithm which is compatible with Analog (0–10V), Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and TRIAC dimming control interface. Therefore, there is no compatible problem with the new lamps. The control system integrated with microcontroller, bluetooth module, power module and TRIAC module. Users can use the mobile devices to control the lighting. It not only can control the commercially lamps, but also can achieve the wireless smart lighting controlled.