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Background. Bone metastasis (BM) has been proven to be responsible for the poor prognosis of primary malignant bone neoplasms (PMBNs). We aimed to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic factors for PMBNs patients with BM based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Methods. 4,758 patients diagnosed with PMBNs from 2010 to 2018 were selected from the SEER database. All patients were divided into two groups: the BM group or the non-BM group. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact method were used to assess baseline characteristics, and logistic regression analysis was applied to assess risk factors. In addition, a nomogram was constructed based on the results of Cox regression analysis among 227 patients with BM. The good performance and clinical applicability of the nomogram were tested by the concordance index, operating characteristic curve, area under the curve, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. Results. 227 (4.8%) patients had metastasis to bone at diagnosis. Primary site outside the extremities (axial: odds ratio, OR = 1.770 ; others: OR = 1.951 ), Ewing sarcoma ( OR = 2.845 ), larger tumor size (5–8 cm: OR = 3.403 ; >8 cm: OR = 5.562 ), tumor extension beyond the periosteum ( OR = 2.477 ), and regional lymph node metastasis ( OR = 2.900 ) were associated with a higher risk of BM at the initial diagnosis of PMBNs. Five independent prognostic factors were found in the survival analysis: pathological type (chondrosarcoma vs. osteosarcoma: hazard ratio, HR = 0.342 ; Ewing sarcoma vs. osteosarcoma: HR = 0.592 ; and chordoma vs. osteosarcoma: HR = 0.015 ), marital status ( HR = 2.457 ), pulmonary metastasis ( HR = 1.934 ), surgery at the primary site ( HR = 0.164 ), and chemotherapy ( HR = 0.084 ). A nomogram based on these prognostic factors could be a good predictor of cancer-specific survival. Conclusions. We identified the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic factors correlated with BM in PMBNs patients. The related nomogram could be a practical tool for therapeutic decision-making and individual counseling.

Background. Laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) can be used to estimate optic nerve blood flow. This study used LSFG to evaluate optic nerve microcirculation in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods. This was a retrospective review of patients with active TED who underwent LSFG between October 2020 and June 2021. The mean blur rate (MBR) for different severities of active TED was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results. A total of 30 patients (60 eyes) with a diagnosis of active TED who underwent LSFG were included. The mean age was 49 (range, 33–74) years. Mean best-corrected visual acuity was the worst in the group with sight-threatening active TED ( 0.29 ± 0.33 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, p = 0.01 ). The MBR-overall was the highest in the group with mild active TED ( 28.5 ± 2.7 ), followed by that in the moderate to severe ( 23.6 ± 3.2 ), and in the sight-threatening ( 20.2 ± 4.3 ) active TED groups ( p < 0.001 ). The MBR-vessel was 57.1, 47.0, and 39.3 in the mild, moderate to severe, and sight-threatening active TED groups, respectively ( p < 0.001 ). The MBR-tissue was 16.9, 14.4, and 12.0 in the mild, moderate to severe, and sight-threatening active TED groups, respectively ( p < 0.001 ). Conclusions. This study demonstrates that optic nerve blood flow is lower with more severe active TED. In addition, LSFG is an effective, objective, and noninvasive method for evaluating the severity of TED.

Background/Objectives The purpose of this study was to present an association among different morphologic subtypes of diabetic macular edema (DME) and their response and changes in morphological features of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) over time after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections. Subjects/Methods This retrospective study included 228 eyes of 150 subjects received IVR for DME and were observed for at least 2 years. Medical charts and SD-OCT image of consecutive patients were reviewed at designated time points after first IVR treatment. Results For a total of 228 eyes, 42 eyes (18.4%) were classified as group 1 (with OCT morphological changes) and 186 eyes (81.6%) classified as group 2 (without OCT morphological changes). The baseline best-corrected visual acuity and 2nd year central macula thickness were significantly different between two groups (p=0.035, p=0.001), with group 1 a poor BCVA (log MAR) 0.84±0.39 and greater CMT at 2nd year (354.21±89.02). Vitreomacular interface abnormalities (VIMA) was the most common type of change and developed in 14.9% of patients with DME who received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab treatment during a follow-up period of 24 months. Stroke was found as a risk factor for developing into another DME subtypes with odds ratio 6.381 (p= 0.038). Conclusions Macula edema disappeared rapidly after IVR treatment and might recur or even evolve to other subtypes over time, which may indicate a disease progression with poor outcome. VIMA was the most common type of change and presented in all eyes with DME irrespective of the type of macular edema as classified by SD-OCT.

To propose a modified Quickert procedure combined with prolapsed fat and preseptal orbicularis muscle removal which corrects involutional lower eyelid entropion, and to validate the procedure as an adequate surgical management according to anatomical deformities and pathogenesis of Asian patients.Ninety-five patients (45 men, 50 women; 108 eyelids [55 right eyes, 53 left eyes]) who underwent this modified surgical procedure with a minimum follow-up period of 2 months were examined. All pre- and post-operative evaluations and surgical procedure were performed exclusively from the same oculoplastic surgeon. Postoperative results, recurrence rate, and complications were assessed.The mean follow-up period was 13.33 months (range, 2-67 months). Of the 108 eyelids, 4 developed recurrent entropion with trichiasis, corresponding to an overall recurrence rate of 3.70%. No major complications, such as overcorrection (ectropion), symblepharon, infection, or wound dehiscence, occurred during the follow-up period after surgery. Of these 4 eyelids exhibiting recurrence, 3 occurred within 10 months and 1 occurred 49 months after surgery. Three recurrent patients received secondary surgery for re-correction with successful results.The modified Quickert procedure combined with prolapsed fat and preseptal orbicularis muscle removal not only demonstrated safety and effectiveness, but also led to low rate of recurrence and complications. It could be a strategy for correction of involutional entropion in Asian patients.

In order to investigate the effect of lanthanum on the electrochemical properties of CoB amorphous alloy, Co-Lax-B alloys (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1) were prepared by chemical reduction method. As negative electrodes in alkaline rechargeable batteries, Co-Lax-B alloys exhibit superior electrochemical properties. For Co-La0.1-B alloy, at the discharge current density of 100 mA/g, the initial discharge capacity is 830.6 mAh/g and the discharge capacity has remained around 317.3 mAh/g even after 100 cycles. Moreover, the high-rate discharge ability (HRD) of Co-La0.1-B alloy electrode at the discharge current density of 300 mA/g, 600 mA/g, and 900 mA/g is 98.16%, 95.17%, and 91.86%, respectively. The anodic polarization (AP) and the electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) measurements indicate that the kinetics of electrochemical performance of the alloys is remarkably improved with the addition of lanthanum.

Purpose To determine whether delayed repair of traumatic canalicular laceration affects the final outcome. Design Retrospective case series. Methods The medical records of 334 patients who underwent primary traumatic canalicular laceration repair were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical timing within 48 hours (early) or after 48 hours (delayed). The anatomic results were compared between these 2 groups. The causes of delayed repair and the mean operation time were also analyzed. Results There were 23 failed cases among 301 patients (7.6%) who had a repair within 48 hours and 3 failed cases among 33 patients (9.1%) who had a repair after 48 hours ( P = .732). The mean operation time was 62 minutes in the early group and 66.3 minutes in the delayed group, which showed no significant difference ( P = .371). The major cause of delayed surgery was traumatic brain injury, followed by facial or orbital fracture, long bone fracture, and chest injury. Conclusions Delayed canalicular repair in unstable patients did not lead to poor results. An elective scheduling surgery, instead of an urgent repair, is feasible for an experienced surgeon.

Reduction of the time and cost during the research and development stage of a new product is an important issue. Rapid tooling techniques can reduce the time to market compared to conventional machining approaches. In general, reduction in cooling time plays an important role on cycle time in manufacturing time. Wax injection mold fabricated from aluminum-filled epoxy resin can be employed for small-batch productions of wax patterns. However, the cooling time is much longer compared to metallic wax injection molds due to poorer thermal conductivity. In this study, three kinds of cooling-channel layouts were employed to fabricate wax injection molds for low-pressure wax injection molding using rapid prototyping and rapid tooling techniques. The effects of three kinds of wax injection molds on the cooling time during the low-pressure wax injection molding were investigated. It was found that the reduction in cooling time about 87% can be obtained when a wax injection mold with conformal cooling channels is compared to a conventional wax injection mold fabricated by Al-filled epoxy resin. The manufacturing cost reduction for a wax injection mold with high cooling efficiency about 63% can be obtained using the method proposed in this work.

Background To better understand population-specific tumor characteristics and behavior of conjunctival melanoma in Asian. Methods A retrospective cohort enrolled patients with primary conjunctival melanoma treated and followed up at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Taiwan between 1995 and 2015. Basic characteristics such as age, gender, tumor size, cell type, location, and TNM stage were recorded. Prognostic parameters included disease free interval, local recurrence, distant metastasis, and survival were analyzed. Results There were 20 patients enrolled in the study hospital between 1995 and 2015. All were histological proved by pathologists. Their mean age at diagnosis was 57.8 ± 15.9 years. The mean follow-up time was 68.7 ± 55.8 months. Mean tumor thickness was 6.5 ± 5.9 mm. Six patients developed local recurrence. Twelve patients had distant metastasis. Ten patients died from conjunctival melanoma. The 10 patients had greater mean tumor thickness (8.4 ± 7.5 mm) and shorter mean survival time (40.2 ± 24.1 months). Tumor thickness was found as a prognostic factor for survival time (HR = 1.15, P = 0.01). Age, gender, T stage, and tumor location were not significantly associated with survival. Conclusion Different tumor characteristics were found in this cohort. Higher metastasis and mortality rate could suggest a more aggressive disease pattern. Tumor thickness was indicated as a prognostic factor for survival time and was greater in size in cases with distant metastasis. Early and more invasive intervention with closely follow-up may be indicated in these cases.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the use of artificial immune systems (AISs) to solve constrained design optimization problems for active magnetic bearings (AMBs). Design/methodology/approach This research applies the AIS approach, more specifically, a representative clonal selection-based AIS called CLONALG, to the single-objective structural design optimization of AMBs. In addition, when compared with a genetic algorithm (GA) developed in the previous work, the CLONALG fails to produce best solutions when a nearly zero feasible ratio occurs in an AMB design problem. Therefore, an AIS called ARISCO (AIS for constrained optimization) is proposed to address the above issue. Findings A total of six AMB design cases are solved by the GA, CLONALG, and ARISCO. Based on the simulation results, in terms of solution quality, the ARISCO is shown to have better overall performance than the CLONALG and GA. In particular, when solving a problem with a nearly zero feasible ratio, the ARISCO and GA perform equally and both outperform the CLONALG. Originality/value In summary, the contributions of this paper include: this research applies the AIS approach, more precisely, the CLONALG, to the single-objective structural design optimization of AMBs; the ARISCO overall produces better AMB designs than the CLONALG and a GA developed in the previous work; in situations where a nearly zero feasible ratio occurs, the ARISCO and GA perform equally, and they both outperform the CLONALG.

The article describes a new auto-charging system designed to enhance successful docking rates for mobile robots while at the same time monitoring the status of the charging current between the mobile robot and the docking station. The communication interface of the mobile robot and the docking station uses a wireless RF interface. The docking station is designed with one active degree of freedom and two passive degrees of freedom. Users tune the location of the charging pins on the docking station to make it possible for the mobile robot to execute an auto-recharging process. The auto-recharging process uses multiple sensors and a laser range finder located on the mobile robot. The laser range finder searches for a landmark to guide the mobile robot towards the docking station. In the experiment, the power of the mobile robot is under its threshold value. The mobile robot transmits a charging command to the docking station via a wireless RF interface. The docking station transmits a location command back to the mobile robot via this wireless RF interface. The mobile robot uses its laser range finder to search for the landmark of the assigned docking station and programs a motion trajectory to move forward to the docking station. The docking station supplies a charging current to the mobile robot by means of a charger. The power detection module simultaneously detects the charging current and the voltage values of the charging process in both the docking station and the mobile robot. The system can monitor the status of the charging process between the docking station and the mobile robot at any time. The power of the mobile robot is enough to be detected by the power detection module. When the charging process is complete, the docking station turns off the charging current and triggers the mobile robot to leave the docking station via the wireless RF interface.

The paper develops gas detection modules for the intelligent building. The modules use many gas sensors to detect environment of the home and building. The gas sensors of the detection modules are classified two types. One is competitiveness gas detection module, and uses the same sensors to detect gas leakage. The other is complementation gas detection module, and uses variety sensors to classify multiple gases. The paper uses Bayesian estimation algorithm to be applied in competitiveness gas detection module and complementation gas detection module, and implement the proposed algorithm to be nice for variety gas sensor combination method. In the competitiveness gas detection module, we use two gas sensors to improve the proposed algorithm to be right. In the complementation gas detection module, we use a NH3 sensor, an air pollution sensor, an alcohol sensor, a HS sensor, a smoke sensor, a CO sensor, a LPG sensor and a nature gas sensor, and can classify variety gases using Bayesian estimation algorithm. The controller of the two gas detection modules is HOLTEK microchip. The modules can communicate with the supervised computer via wire series interface or wireless RF interface, and cautions the user by the voice module. Finally, we present some experimental results to measure know and unknown gas using the two gas detection modules on the security system of the intelligent building.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a low-cost and efficient ECG measurement system integrated with mobile devices to measure ECG signal by non-invasive sensors. The method of non-invasive sensor is effective but easily received noise. The characteristic waveform PQRS contained in ECG signal waveform interferes with NI-LabVIEW program make judgments, so wavelet transform algorithm, baseline drift and other methods are used to improve the accuracy of features judgment. Real-time analysis of massive data and simultaneously monitoring and database access are to improve efficiency and achieve real-time operation. Using LabSQL database toolkit combined with MySQL database and mobile devices, it realizes instant signal measurement and remote monitoring.

Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) are prepared by coprecipitation of Mg(NO3)2 and Al(NO3)3 and subsequently incorporated with poly(oxypropylene)-bis-amidocarboxylic acid (POP). When characterized by X-ray diffraction, the interlayer spacing of the synthesized POP/LDH hybrids were found to be spatially expanded, with basal spacing ranging from 33–94 A, proportionately correlated to the POP molecular weight of 400–4000 g/mol. With increasing POP molecular weight incorporation, a critical d-spacing is reached when the POP/LDH hybrids become hydrophobic. The organo-LDH units possessed an amphiphilic property and ability of dispersing in water, ethanol, and toluene. Furthermore, the hybrid was actually stable under basic conditions but structurally disintegrating at pH 2 through the release of POP organics into aqueous solution. The understanding of the mechanism involving basal spacing shrinkage and structure disintegration allows the future development of utilizing the POP-modified clay as pH-sensitive a...

A passive magnetic thrust bearing for a small vertical wind generator system is considered in this paper. The passive magnetic bearing is designed to reduce the axial load of the rotor system. The load capacity of the passive magnetic bearing is analyzed by finite element analysis software. From the simulation results, a suitable solution for the passive magnets of the test wind generator system is verified to be 225.6N with about a 2mm air gap. The experiment results show that a wind generator system with the additional passive magnetic bearing can start at a lower wind speed and transfers more power to the generator. The proposed hybrid bearing system can increase efficiency by 20%~50%, as compared with a traditional system supported by roller bearings at the same wind speed.

The article develops a vision based auto-recharging system for mobile robots, and programs a new docking processing to enhance successful rate. The system contains a docking station and a mobile robot. The docking station contains a docking structure, a control device, a charger and a detection device and a wireless RF interface. The mobile robot contains a power detection module (voltage and current), an auto-switch, a wireless RF interface, a control system and a camera. The docking structure is designed with one active degree of freedom and two passive degrees of freedom. The active degree of freedom can move forward to contact the recharging connect points that are arranged in the mobile robot. The two passive degrees of freedom can rotation in the Z-axis and use compression spring moving on various docking condition. In image processing, the mobile robot uses a webcam to capture the real-time image; and transmits the image signal to the computer via USB interface, and uses Otsu algorithm to recognize the position of the docking station. In the experiment results, the system had been successfully guided the mobile robot moving to the docking station using the proposed method.

A novel optical displacement encoder was proposed in this paper. An optical mechanism was designed by the equations of thick lens to change and modify the paths of light, and then to get a more visible position change in the optical detector to improve the measurement accuracy. The simulation results indicated that the optical mechanism with 5 mm stroke, which the lens radii of curvature of the incident and the exit surface on the lens were -0.625 cm and 1.25 cm, respectively, and the magnification was 50 times in imaging distance of 38 cm, could make the 1 nm movement intervals of light source to be about 50 nm movement intervals in the detecting surface. Thus we can combine the optical mechanism and a photo-detector array with 50 nm resolution and 25 cm total detecting length to form the optical displacement encoder with 1 nm measuring accuracy.

The same poly(oxyalkylene)−amidoacids (POA−amidoacid) were incorporated into two different types of ionic clays, anionic layered-double-hydroxides (Mg−Al LDH), and cationic montmorillonite (MMT). Conventionally, the intercalation is an ionic exchange reaction, i.e. anionic organic salts for LDH and cationic salts for MMT. The successful intercalation using the neutral species of POA−amidoacid implies the existence of a new mechanism for clay intercalation. We prepared the POA−amidoacid from the reaction of maleic anhydride and poly(oxyalkylene)−diamine (POA−amine) with different hydrophobic and hydrophilic POA-backbones of 600−4200 molecular weight. The intercalation has resulted in the expansion of the clay basal spacing from 7.8 to 63 A for LDH and from 12.4 to 51 A for MMT, with a high Bragg’s regularity of XRD analyses. It appears that the driving force for the intercalation and organic incorporation into the silicate interlayer galleries is dissimilar to the counterion exchange but involving noncoval...

Amine substitution of hexachlorocyclophosphazene (HCP) with poly(oxypropylene)diamines (POP) afforded HCP-POP adducts which were subsequently intercalated into a layered silicate clay. The relative thermal stabilities of the epoxies cured with the phosphazene-amines and the intercalated clays were studied. The organoclays, with the confined HCP-POP from 400 and 2000 g/mol M(w) amines, are nongelled products when using 1/6 M ratio of HCP/POP starting materials in tetrahydrofuran solvent. The intercalation of HCP-POP polyamine salts into sodium montmorillonite afforded the HCP-POP-embedded organoclays with an expanded interlayer silicate spacing (2.4-5.1 nm) from the original 1.2 nm spacing (X-ray diffraction). The effect of silicate clays was evaluated by blending the HCP-POP/clay hybrids into a two-component epoxy system (diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (BPA) and a diamine) and fully cured to form solid materials. The distribution of the exfoliated silicate platelets in the matrix was analyzed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated an enhanced thermal stability for the HCP/clay epoxy nanocomposites, with a delayed weight-loss pattern (temperature of weight loss at 10% (T(10 wt.%)) from 360 to 385 degrees C and temperature of weight loss at 85% (T(85 wt.%)) from 598 to 696 degrees C), compared to the pristine epoxies. By comparing these epoxies with different amounts of phosphazene and/or silicates, the TGA revealed a synergistic effect for the presence of both phosphorous and silicate components. Furthermore, the epoxies had improved physical properties such as hardness (from 3H to 5H) and surface adhesion (observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) on fracture surface).

An anionic clay, magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide (Mg2Al–NO3–LDH), was prepared by a co-precipitation method and intercalated with poly(oxypropylene)–amindocarboxylic acid (POP–amido acid). Depending on the POP-intercalating agents with molecular weight at 2000 or 400 g/mol, the intercalated LDHs were analyzed to have d spacing of 6.8 or 2.7 nm and organic incorporation of 80 and 55 wt%, respectively. Two comparative POP/LDH hybrids were allowed to initiate the self-polymerization of the epoxy resin, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA). The curing rate was significantly increased by using the hybrids as initiators for epoxy curing, demonstrated by DSC thermal analysis that the exothermic peak shifted from 182 to 152 °C by increasing organoclay addition. The resultant nanocomposites prepared from the anionic LDH initiated epoxy self-polymerization have the improved thermal and physical properties, evidenced by TGA, XRD, TEM, and SEM analyses.

The cotton-like Co(OH)2 (S-Co(OH)2) was successfully synthesized and its electrochemical performance was systematically investigated. S-Co(OH)2 was prepared through the "destruction" of the newly formed colloid Co(OH)2 by the reduction using sodium borohydride. The crystal structure and surface morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Used as an anode material for alkaline secondary batteries, S-Co(OH)2 sample exhibited better cycle stability, higher electrochemical capacity, and higher rate performance than those of conventional β-Co(OH)2. At a discharge current density of 100 mA/g, the initial discharge capacity of S-Co(OH)2 is 549.3 mAh/g and the discharge capacity is still sustained to be 329.2 mAh/g after 100 charge-discharge cycles with a capacity retention of 59.9%.

The article develops a multi-docking system with a mobile robot and three docking stations. The docking structure is designed with one active degree of freedom and two passive degrees of freedom. The controller of the power detection devices is HOLTEK microchip, and acquires measurement values of the real-time current and voltage of the mobile robot and the docking stations. The power detection devices contain three power detection systems and one power detection module. The power detection system is embedded in the docking station and monitors the real-time information for the charging process. The controller of the mobile robot receives these measurement values from the power detection module via RS232 interface. The article focuses on the searching process using multiple sensors and a laser range finder for the mobile robot. The laser range finder searches the landmark of each docking station, and guides the mobile robot moving to the assigned docking station. In the experimental results, the power of the mobile robot is under the threshold value. The mobile robot selects the free and nearest docking station according to the received information from each docking station via wireless RF interfaces. The laser range finder guides the mobile robot moving approach to the assigned docking station. The power of the mobile robot is enough to be detected by the power detection module. The docking station turns off the charging current, and trigs the mobile robot leaving the docking station via wireless RF interface.

The Publication Date given in the PDF version and expressed in the Citation and Footer in the PDF version of the article is incorrect. The correct publication date is September 25, 2013. The correct Citation is: Chu H-Y, Liao Y-L, Tsai Y-J, Chu Y-C, Wu S-Y, et al. (2013) Use of Extraocular Muscle Flaps in the Correction of Orbital Implant Exposure. PLoS ONE 8(9): e72223. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0072223. The Footer in the bottom right corner of each page of the PDF should read: 2013 | Volume 8 | Issue 9 | e72223.

The paper adopted optic property and advanced Encryption method to apply in general lock system. By using of optic media, we developed three stages to integrate this system. The first one is filter coating. The second is AES algorithm in receiver side. Finally, the proper distance will be detected the signal to effect the lock system.

The article developed a path planning method for mobile robots moving to the target position on the unknown environment, and uses the dynamic programming algorithm to solve the minimum displacement techniques. The mobile robot has the shape of cylinder and its diameter, height and weight is 8cm, 15cm and 1.5kg. The controller of the mobile robot is MCS-51 microchip. The mobile robot contains a controller module (including DC motor driver), an obstacle detection module, a voice module, a wireless RF module, an encoder module, and a compass module. Mobile robots can modify the error of the orientation using the compass module, and use encoder module to calculate displacement. We design the grid platform to implement the proposed method using the mobile robot. In the experimental results, the supervised computer controlled the mobile robot moving to the target position on the unknown environment, and receives the pulse numbers from the mobile robots via wireless RF interface. The supervised computer fined out the minimum displacement, and compared to the previous trajectories, and controlled the mobile robot moving to the start position according to the minimum displacement.

To reduce the cost of LCD backlight unit (BLU) and raise efficiency, a direct LED BLU consisted of double-triangular structures was proposed to control the light from RGB side emitting LEDs. A genetic algorithm was used to search the optimal parameters of the shape of the double-triangular structures and the layout of the LEDs. A switch mode constant current control driver with a PWM controlled converter switch was used to maintaining the constant current output for the variable numbers of the LEDs in this paper. From the simulation results showed that without the diffuser, the brightness uniformity on the 25-point test was 93.44% for a 22" direct LED backlight unit with a thickness of 30mm with the optimized double-triangular structure. And the experiment result showed that the brightness uniformity and color uniformity were 85.61% and 0.021 for a small size test unit.

A large size direct LED BLU consisted of double-triangular structures to control the light from RGB side emitting LEDs without the indispensable optical elements for the conventional direct LED BLU, such as the brightness enhancement film, diffuser sheet, and diffuser plate was proposed. A genetic algorithm was used in this paper to search the optimal parameters of the shape of the double-triangular structures and the layout of the LEDs to obtain optimum optical performances. Without diffuser and BEF, brightness uniformity of 91.87%, color uniformity of 0.042 and on-axis brightness increase of 50.23% for 22" direct LED backlight unit with a thickness of 30 mm with optimized double-triangular structure was obtained.

Purpose To elucidate the manifestations of ocular injuries in the colored corn starch dust explosion at a Taiwan water park. Methods This is a retrospective, non-comparative, consecutive-interventional case series. Fifty explosion-injury patients on 27 June 2015 treated at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, were included. Thorough ophthalmic examinations were based on emergent triage and consecutive ophthalmological consultations. Multiple ocular and systemic parameters were assessed. Results Of the 100 eyes in the 50 cases reviewed, 22 cases were male and 28 cases were female. The mean age was 22.08 ± 4.64 years, and the mean burn total body surface area (TBSA) of patients was 45.92 ± 20.30%. Of the 50 patients, 20 had Grade 1 ocular burns, and the others were without ocular involvement. Two of the 20 cases that presented Grade 1 ocular burns died within 1 month due to other systemic complications. The most common ocular manifestations among those with ocular injuries included periocular swelling (75%), followed by conjunctival chemosis (65%), conjunctival hyperemia (50%), singed eyelashes (20%), cornea epithelial defects (10%), and punctate keratopathy (5%). It is worth mentioning that one patient developed herpes simplex keratitis due to stress 3 weeks after being burned. Half of the 50 patients had facial burns. Specifically, the patients with a greater TBSA presented more significant ocular-burn manifestations than those patients with lower TBSA. Conclusion Prompt ophthalmologic consultations are particularly necessary for mass burn-casualty patients with facial burns, inhalation injuries, and greater TBSA. The inspection and control of all ignition sources and the manipulation of dust with low concentrations and in an open space are crucial factors to prevent future dust explosions.