A postcard from Taiwan

AbstractWhile attending the International Conference on Electronic Materials (ICEM '94) held on the campus of the National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, December 19–22, 1994 (which was reported in the last issue), I took the opportunity to visit a number of laboratories. I shall describe first those in the Hsinchu area, home of the Science-based Industrial Park, then the Chung-Li area, which is half way between Hsinchu and Taipei, and finally the Taipei area. Contact information is included

Ultra narrow AuPd and Al wires

In this letter we discuss a novel and versatile template technique aimed to the fabrication of sub-10 nm wide wires. Using this technique, we have successfully measured AuPd wires, 12 nm wide and as long as 20 $\mu$m. Even materials that form a strong superficial oxide, and thus not suited to be used in combination with other techniques, can be successfully employed. In particular we have measured Al wires, with lateral width smaller or comparable to 10 nm, and length exceeding 10 $\mu$m.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Pubblished in APL 86, 172501 (2005). Added erratum and revised Fig.

Sputtered NiO_x Films for Stabilization of p^+n-lnP Photoanodes for Solar-Driven Water Oxidation

A photoanode protection strategy using a multifunctional NiO_x coating is presented. The ransparency/antireflectivity, low electrochromism, conduction of holes, corrosion protection, and active electrocatalysis for water-oxidation half-reaction are described

GaP/GaNP Heterojunctions for Efficient Solar‐Driven Water Oxidation

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137529/1/smll201603574_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137529/2/smll201603574.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137529/3/smll201603574-sup-0001-S1.pd

Dynamical age of solar wind turbulence in the outer heliosphere

In an evolving turbulent medium, a natural timescale can be defined in terms of the energy decay time. The time evolution may be complicated by other effects such as energy supply due to driving, and spatial inhomogeneity. In the solar wind the turbulence appears not to be simply engaging in free decay, but rather the energy level observed at a particular position in the heliosphere is affected by expansion, “mixing,” and driving by stream shear. Here we discuss a new approach for estimating the “age” of solar wind turbulence as a function of heliocentric distance, using the local turbulent decay rate as the natural clock, but taking into account expansion and driving effects. The simplified formalism presented here is appropriate to low cross helicity (non-Alfvénic) turbulence in the outer heliosphere especially at low helio-latitudes. We employ Voyager data to illustrate our method, which improves upon the familiar estimates in terms of local eddy turnover times

Designing an automated clinical decision support system to match clinical practice guidelines for opioid therapy for chronic pain

Abstract Background Opioid prescribing for chronic pain is common and controversial, but recommended clinical practices are followed inconsistently in many clinical settings. Strategies for increasing adherence to clinical practice guideline recommendations are needed to increase effectiveness and reduce negative consequences of opioid prescribing in chronic pain patients. Methods Here we describe the process and outcomes of a project to operationalize the 2003 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Therapy for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain into a computerized decision support system (DSS) to encourage good opioid prescribing practices during primary care visits. We based the DSS on the existing ATHENA-DSS. We used an iterative process of design, testing, and revision of the DSS by a diverse team including guideline authors, medical informatics experts, clinical content experts, and end-users to convert the written clinical practice guideline into a computable algorithm to generate patient-specific recommendations for care based upon existing information in the electronic medical record (EMR), and a set of clinical tools. Results The iterative revision process identified numerous and varied problems with the initially designed system despite diverse expert participation in the design process. The process of operationalizing the guideline identified areas in which the guideline was vague, left decisions to clinical judgment, or required clarification of detail to insure safe clinical implementation. The revisions led to workable solutions to problems, defined the limits of the DSS and its utility in clinical practice, improved integration into clinical workflow, and improved the clarity and accuracy of system recommendations and tools. Conclusions Use of this iterative process led to development of a multifunctional DSS that met the approval of the clinical practice guideline authors, content experts, and clinicians involved in testing. The process and experiences described provide a model for development of other DSSs that translate written guidelines into actionable, real-time clinical recommendations.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78267/1/1748-5908-5-26.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78267/2/1748-5908-5-26.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78267/3/1748-5908-5-26-S3.TIFFhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78267/4/1748-5908-5-26-S2.TIFFhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78267/5/1748-5908-5-26-S1.TIFFPeer Reviewe

Прогностическая ценность уровней общего белка и альбумина у пациентов в абдоминальной хирургии

АБДОМИНАЛЬНАЯ ХИРУРГИЯМУЛЬТИОРГАННАЯ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬОРГАННАЯ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬ МНОЖЕСТВЕННАЯПОЛИОРГАННОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТИ СИНДРОМСМЕРТЕЛЬНЫЙ ИСХОДЛЕТАЛЬНЫЙ ИСХОДПРОГНОСТИЧЕСКАЯ ЦЕННОСТЬ ТЕСТОВОБЩИЙ БЕЛОКАЛЬБУМИНЫРЕГРЕССИОННЫЙ АНАЛИЗРЕГРЕССИОНАЯ ДИАГНОСТИКАСТАТИСТИЧЕСКАЯ РЕГРЕССИЯЦель. Изучить динамику уровней общего белка и альбумина у пациентов в абдоминальной хирургии, определить их прогностическую значимость, чувствительность и специфичность в отношении развития синдрома полиорганной недостаточности и летального исхода. Материал и методы. В проспективное когортное исследование включено 459 пациентов, которым проводились оперативные вмешательства в абдоминальной хирургии за период с 2014 по 2018 годы. Группу 1 составили пациенты без полиорганной недостаточности (n=280), группу 2 – пациенты с наличием полиорганной недостаточности (n=179). Из них в группе 2 умерло 23 пациента (12,8%). Ежедневно оценивали уровень общего белка и альбумина. Выполняли логистический регрессионный анализ, производили построение характеристических кривых (ROC-кривых), а также определяли площадь под кривой (AUC). Результаты. У пациентов после абдоминальных хирургических вмешательств отмечалось статистически значимое снижение уровней общего белка и альбумина. Установлено, что данные маркеры на ранних стадиях обладают прогностической значимостью в отношении синдрома полиорганной недостаточности. Общий белок в 1-е и 2-е сутки после операции – AUC 0,633 и 0,641 соответственно (p<0,05). Альбумин в 1-е, 2-е и 3-и сутки после операции – AUC 0,673; 0,743 и 0,664 соответственно (p<0,05). Уровень альбумина является также предиктором летального исхода: AUC 0,639; 95% доверительный интервал 0,584-0,695 (p<0,05). Общий белок не обладает прогностической значимостью в отношении летального исхода. Заключение. Изученные показатели общего белка и альбумина являются прогностическими маркерами средней диагностической эффективности, их оценка должна проводиться в комплексе с другими клиническими и лабораторными параметрами. Уровень альбумина в качестве предиктора имеет преимущества, поскольку, при похожей с общим белком диагностической ценности в отношении прогноза синдрома полиорганной недостаточности, является в свою очередь прогностическим маркером летального исхода.Objective. To study the dynamics of total protein and albumin levels in abdominal surgery patients, to determine their prognostic significance, sensitivity and specificity for the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and mortality. Methods. The prospective cohort study included patients with (n=459) previous surgical interventions in the abdominal surgery for the period from 2014 up to 2018. The 1st group consisted of patients without multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n=280), the 2nd group – patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (n=179). Of these patients, 23 died in the group 2 (12.8%). The levels of total protein and albumin were assessed daily. Logistic regression analysis was performed, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves) were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was also determined. Results. Patients after the abdominal surgical interventions showed a statistically significant decrease in total protein and albumin. It is established that these markers in the early stages have a prognostic value in relation to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Total protein on the 1st and 2nd day after surgery AUC was 0.633 and 0.641, respectively (p<0.05). Albumin on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after surgery AUC was 0.673; 0.743 and 0.664, respectively (p<0.05). Albumin level is also a predictor of mortality: AUC – 0.639; 95% confidence interval – 0.584-0.695 (p<0.05). Total protein does not have a prognostic value in relation to mortality. Conclusions. The studied parameters of total protein and albumin are prognostic markers of average diagnostic efficacy; their evaluation should be carried out in combination with other clinical and laboratory parameters. The level of albumin as a predictor has advantages, since, with a diagnostic value similar to that of a total protein, with respect to the prediction of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, it is a prognostic marker of mortality

Utilisation of dried shiitake, black ear and silver ear mushrooms into sorghum biscuits manipulates the predictive glycaemic response in relation to variations in biscuit physical characteristics

The nutritional quality of gluten-free products is important to the health of individuals with coeliac disease. Mushrooms are good sources of vitamins, dietary fibres and proteins, and are a low-calorie option that can be used in gluten-free diets to improve their nutritional value. The effects of incorporating dried mushrooms on the hydration and pasting properties of sorghum flour, as well as the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro glycaemic response of sorghum biscuits were studied. Sorghum flour enriched with mushroom powders exhibited higher water absorption capacity and swelling power compared with the control (P < 0.05). The addition of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushroom significantly decreased the pasting viscosities, while the addition of black ear (Auricularia auricula) and silver ear (Tremella fuciformis) mushroom increased viscosity values (P < 0.05). Biscuit diameter, thickness and weight loss were reduced with increasing mushroom powder addition, and the colour parameters of biscuits were affected significantly. Enrichment with shiitake and black ear mushroom increased the hardness of biscuits (P < 0.05). Inclusion of mushroom powders significantly reduced the predicted glycaemic response of sorghum biscuits (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis was conducted to illustrate that hydration dynamics (such as water absorption capacity and swelling power) were negatively correlated with glycaemic response (P < 0.001)

Delivery of phenolic compounds, peptides and β-glucan to the gastrointestinal tract by incorporating dietary fibre-rich mushrooms into sorghum biscuits

Sorghum biscuits were enriched with mushroom powders (Lentinula edodes, Auricularia auricula and Tremella fuciformis) at 5%, 10% and 15% substitution levels. An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was used to evaluate the effect of this enrichment on the phenolic content and soluble peptide content as well as antioxidant activities of the gastric or intestinal supernatants (bio-accessible fractions), and the remaining portions of phenolic compounds, antioxidants and β-glucan in the undigested residue (non-digestible fraction). The phenolic content of the gastric and intestinal supernatants obtained from digested mushroom-enriched biscuits was found to be higher than that of control biscuit, and the phenolic content was positively correlated to the antioxidant activities in each fraction (p < 0.001). L. edodes and T. fuciformis enrichment increased the soluble protein content (small peptide) of sorghum biscuits after in vitro digestion. All mushroom enrichment increased the total phenolic content and β-glucan content of the undigested residue and they were positively correlated (p < 0.001). The insoluble dietary fibre of biscuits was positively correlated with β-glucan content (p < 0.001) of undigested residue. These findings suggested that enriching food with mushroom derived dietary fibre increases the bioavailability of the non-digestible β-glucan and phenolic compounds