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In this paper, a 1.1- $\mu \text{m}$ -pitch 33-Mpixel 240-fps backside-illuminated 3-D-stacked CMOS image sensor with three-stage cyclic-cyclic-successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is developed. The narrow-pitch interconnection technology that connects the pixels and arrayed ADCs inside the pixel area is described. The 3-D-stacked architecture, constructed using the interconnection technology, makes it possible to place a $\textsf {1932} ~{(}\textsf {H}{)} \times \textsf {4}~ {(}\textsf {V}{)}$ correlated-double-sampling/ADC array underneath the pixel area. Furthermore, the pipelined and parallel operation of the three-stage cyclic-cyclic-SAR ADC architecture effectively reduces the conversion time period and power consumption and achieves 12-b precision within one horizontal scan time of $0.92~\mu \text{s}$ . As a result, the interconnection technology and ADC architecture achieved a high frame rate of 240 fps in 33 Mpixels. Random noise of 3.6 $\text{e}^{-}$ and low power consumption of 3.0 W were attained at an extremely high pixel rate of 7.96 Gpixel/s. A good figure of merit is achieved compared with recently developed image sensors.

The purpose of the present study was twofold: (1) to examine the mediator effects of imagination between learning environment and academic performance, and (2) to compare differences between the environment–imagination–performance structural models of science and engineering majors. A survey was administered at eight universities across different regions of Taiwan. The participants in this study were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 529 science majors, whereas the second group consisted of 523 engineering majors. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the structure of the measures employed in this study. A structural equation modeling was used to test all the hypotheses proposed. With respect to the science group, our results showed that, through the mediation of imagination, learning resources had a dominant impact on academic performance, whereas both human aggregate and organizational measure had moderate influences. In contrast, among the engineering group, both human aggregate and social climate had relatively strong effects on academic performance, whereas both learning resources and organizational measure had mild influence. These findings seem promising enough to warrant further inquiry. They also provide insights for fields in which imaginative talent and creative performance are essential. Finally, practical applications of the present study were suggested, limitations were acknowledged, and future research was discussed.

The efficacy of systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy has been widely assessed in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For example, doxorubicin is the most commonly studied chemotherapeutic agent for HCC. However, it has been shown to have a response rate of only 10-20% in clinical trial. In addition, its potential benefit has been reduced by the related adverse effect. So far, the multikinase inhibitor, sorafenib, is considered to provide survival benefit over supportive care. However, the long term prognosis of those cancer patients still remain poor. Therefore, in the present experiment, we proposed to use the so-called peptide targeting chemotherapy to overcome the adverse event in the conventional targeted chemotherapy. In order to perform this experiment, we have construct some specific peptides which can bind specifically to the cancer cells and cancer vascular endothelia by using a phage displayed 12-mer random peptide library. We have obtained 3 different peptides and one control peptide. Each contains 12 amino acids: a. L-peptide: RLLDTNRPLLPY (anti-different cancer cell membrane); b. control peptide: RLLDTNRGGGGG; c. SP-94-peptide: SFSHHTPILP (anti-NPC tumor cell and hepatoma cell membranes) and d. PC5-52-peptide: SVSVGMKPSPRP (anti-tumor endothelia). Those L-peptide (L-P), SP-peptide (SP-P), PC5-52-peptide and a control peptide (C-P) were linked to liposomal iron oxide nanoparticles; and also used those peptides to link liposomal doxorubicin (L-D). Using peptide linked liposomal iron oxide, we can localize the peptide targeted tumor cells and tumor endothelia, and then we used those peptides linked liposomal doxorubicin to treat SCID mice bearing different cancer xenografts. Our results showed that when L-P-L-D containing 2mg/kg of SCID mouse body weight was used to treat xenografts bearing SCID mice, the tumor could be well controlled, and no specific adverse event was seen. However, when the control peptide was used to replace the specific peptide, the xenograft size was also shown decrease, but the visceral organs revealed marked apoptotic change. In conclusion, the specific peptides linked liposomal doxorubicin nanoparticles can be used for treatment of SCID mice bearing cancer xenografts with minimal adverse event, especially in the SCID miceγspecies (NGS), which show a remarkable tumor suppression. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Chin-Tarng Lin, Cheng-Der Wu, Jen-Chien Lee, Han-Chung Wu, Chung-Wei Lee, Ming-Chieh Hsu. Preclinical verification of the efficacy of targeting peptides linked liposomal nanoparticles for therapy of hepatocellular and nasopharyngeal carcinomas and breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2184.

With a variety of platforms and media vehicles, designers not only have a challenge on new concepts such as varied expression forms, elements, principles, and aesthetic concepts, they also have to take into account users’ cognitive tendencies and social media aspects during the design thinking process, especially in trying to enhance the user experience. Dynamic identities aim to improve a traditionally static visual experience with a multi-dimensional angle. In addition, not only does interaction design express creativity and cognitive philosophy via all senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste, it also combines psychological perception with aesthetics. “Interaction” is a process of communication, which influences both cognition and mentality. This study is based on three key factors/aspects of interaction aesthetics: cognitive level of recognition, physical level of functionality, and psychological level of emotion. Forty-four dynamic identities from January 2011 to July 2012 were studied with a case study method, analyzing the design process and related principles. Through focus groups and in-depth interviews, this study investigates the concept of interaction design to classify three types of dynamic identities: “functionality”, “entertainment”, and “identification”. Different characteristics of media and platforms are analyzed by framing the corporate identity system to form a unique dynamic identity. This paper proposes that functionality dynamic identities give rise to the “customization” and “modularity” design principles; whereas entertainment dynamic identities bring forth the “aesthetically pleasing” and “entertaining” design principles. Moreover, through the user-centered design experience a “personalized” design principle is born.

There is an increasing demand for high-reality video systems. The ITU-R has standardized video parameters for ultra-high-definition TV (UHDTV), and the full-specification video signal stated in this international standard is prescribed as having a 7,680 (H) × 4,320 (V) pixel count, 120Hz frame frequency with progressive scanning, 12b tone reproduction, and wide color gamut. A 33Mpixel 120fps CMOS image sensor with a 12b column-parallel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is reported in [1]. In addition to standard operation, higher sensitivity, smaller pixels, and a higher frame rate of 240fps or more are required for CMOS image sensors. Backside-illuminated stacked CMOS image sensors [2] are effective for simultaneously achieving both high sensitivity for small pixels and high operation speed. However, these stacked structures are still insufficient for high-frame-rate UHDTV image sensors since the pixel wafer and the ASIC wafer are connected by through-silicon vias in the peripheral area.

The purpose of this abstract was to assess the efficacy of peptide targeted chemotherapy for pancreatic carcinoma. Previously we have constructed four peptides that bind specifically to cancer cell lines, which were derived from three different carcinoma cell lines and their vascular endothelia: L-peptide: (L-P, anti-cancer cell membrane), RLLDTNRPLLPY; SP-94-P (anti-hepato-pancreatic cancer cell membrane), SFSHHTPILP; PC5-52-peptide (anti-tumor endothelia), SVSVGMKPSPRP; and control peptide, RLLDTNRGGGGG. These peptides were linked to pegylated liposomal iron oxide nanoparticles to identify the targeted tumor cells and vascular endothelia using MRI analysis, and were also linked to dextran coated liposomal doxorubicin (L-D) for treatment of non-obese diabetic, severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice bearing pancreatic cancer cell (PANC-1) xenografts. Our results demonstrated that the tumor intensity of MRI is clearly decreased after SP-94-P-iron oxide was applied, and that in combination of application of L-P linked L-D (L-P-L-D) plus SP-94-P linked L-D (SP-94-P-L-D) and PC5-52-P linked L-D (PC5-52-P-L-D), they could inhibit pancreatic tumor growth with very mild adverse events. The use of the control peptide linked L-D also led to a decrease of the xenograft size, but also induced marked apoptotic change of their visceral organs. It is concluded that the combination of L-P-L-D, SP-94-P-L-D and PC5-52-P-L-D to treat pancreatic cancer xenograft in NOD SCID mice can clearly inhibit pancreatic cancer growth with minimal adverse events. Citation Format: Chin-Tarng Lin, Chen-Der Wu, Jen-Chieh Lee, Han-Chung Wu, Chung-Wei Lee, Chin-Feng Lin, Ming-Chieh Hsu. Peptide-targeted chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3880.

A series of organic–inorganic hybrid materials consisting of an organic cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC) and inorganic titania (TiO2) were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel process. TiO2 was obtained through the hydrolysis of titanium n-butoxide (TNBT) with the catalysis of HCl. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that the glass-transition temperature of the hybrids was higher than that of pure COC, and it rose significantly as the TNBT content was increased from 1 to 15 wt %. Scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the morphology of fractured surfaces of the COC/TiO2 hybrid with 5 wt % TNBT was a single homogeneous phase, indicating that the miscibility between COC and TiO2 was good for the hybrids. According to ultraviolet–visible analysis, the transmittance of pure COC at 550 nm was high up to 91.7%. The light transmittance of the COC/TiO2 hybrids was still higher than 80% with the TNBT content up to 5 wt %. The decomposition temperatures of the hybrids, investigated with thermogravimetric analysis, were not affected significantly by the addition of TNBT. The oxygen barrier property of the hybrid films showed significant improvements in comparison with pure COC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

Polymer substrates are widely used in the flat-panel-display industry because of their flexibility, light weight, and high power efficiency. However, the lower glass-transition temperatures and thermal stability and higher water/oxygen permeation of cycloolefin co- polymers (COCs) constrain their applications in display substrates. In this research, COC/tetraethyloxysilane (TEOS) hybrids were synthesized via a sol-gel process. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the glass- transition temperature of the hybrids was higher than that of neat COC and rose significantly as the TEOS content was increased from 1 to 15 wt %. According to an analysis of IR spectra, the fraction of hydrogen- bonded carbonyl groups in the hybrids increased as the TEOS content increased. This meant that the interfacial interaction contributed by hydrogen bonds for the COC/ TEOS hybrid system increased as the TEOS content increased from 1 to 15 wt %. On the basis of scanning electron microscopy, the number of dispersed droplets of silica increased as the content of TEOS increased. The decomposition temperatures of the hybrids, investigated with thermogravimetric analysis, were not affected significantly by the addition of TEOS. 2007 Wiley Peri

This paper applies a particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach to the parameter identification for a class of nonlinear systems. In the PSO optimization process, the unknown system parameters are arranged in the form of a parameter vector (i.e. a particle), and the PSO algorithm employs the velocity updating and position updating formulas to an initial population, which is constituted by a great number of particles, such that the excellent particle is generated. The proposed algorithm manipulates the parameter vectors directly as real numbers rather than binary strings. Therefore, to implement the PSO algorithm in computer codes becomes fairly straightforward. In this study, the PSO algorithm is applied to estimate the parameters of the Genesio-Tesi nonlinear chaotic systems. The estimation performance of the PSO algorithm is verified by examining different sets of random initial populations under the presence of measurement noises. The simulation results reveal that the PSO algorithm provides a simple and effective means of solving parameter estimation problem of nonlinear systems.

The microstructures and magnetic properties of nickel nanorods fabricated using an anodic alumina oxide template and electroless deposition were investigated. The as-deposited nanorods were found to contain nanocrystalline grains with an average size of ∼2‐3 nm. The temperature-dependent magnetic hysteresis curves indicated superparamagnetic behavior of the as-deposited rods as a result of the reduction of ferromagnetic crystallites. The superparamagnetic (SM) Ni nanorods transformed into ferromagnetic (FM) ones when annealed at 400 ◦ C. Results from dark-field transmission electron microscopy reveal that the microstructure of the rods tends to form a laminar structure with grain growth parallel to the long axis of the rods, together with the enhancement of ferromagnetic ordering along the same direction. The results suggest that the SM‐FM phase transition obtained is microstructure driven. The Ni nanorods manufactured by the electroless deposition also have the potential to serve as magnetic building blocks in nanoscale devices, such as high-frequency inductors. On-chip magnetic spiral inductors were fabricated using these nanorods, and it was demonstrated that the nanorods can enhance inductance up to 6 GHz. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)