InGaN Microring Light-Emitting Diodes

The fabrication and performance of an InGaN light-emitting diode (LED) array based on a microring device geometry is reported. This design has been adopted in order to increase the surface area for light extraction and to minimize losses due to internal reflections and reabsorption. Electrical characteristics of these devices are similar to those of a conventional large-area LED, while the directed light extraction proves to be superior. In fact, these devices are found to be more efficient when operated at higher currents. This may be attributed to improved heat sinking due to the large surface area to volume ratio. The potential applications of these devices are also discussed.published_or_final_versio

Why do battered women abuse their children? Explore and discussion

Congress Theme: New Directions in Child Protection and WellbeingOBJECTIVES: A strong association between the occurrences of imitate partner violence and child abuse is confirmed in studies. This study therefore aims to explore the associated factors of battered women being violent towards their children and its implication on the service development for the family at risk. The different characteristics among abused women without and with children at different ages will be examined. This study can enrich knowledge on child protection, especially in families with multiple types ...postprin

Growth and nutrient uptake responses of ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry to various ratios of ammonium to nitrate nitrogen in nutrient solution culture using inert media

The effect of the variation of NH4+:NO3− ratios (meq/l: 0:100, 40:60, 50:50, 65:35 and 100:0) in the nutrient solution on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var Seolhyang) growth was evaluated. A mixture of large particle size (2 to 5 mm) and small particle size (smaller than 1 mm) of perlite was used as growing substrate and the nutrient solutions were applied once a week to the root substrate. The growth responses were determined 120 days after transplanting. The use of NO3− as the sole source of nitrogen in the nutrient solution resulted in the highest vegetative growth among the treatments tested. On the contrary, the exclusive use of NH4+ in the nutrient solution suppressed plant growth severely. The initial symptoms of ammonium toxicity appeared on the lower leaves, with the curling down of the old leaves. The margins turned brown and finally died. The introduction of the two nitrogen forms as the treatment ratio 60:40 (NH4+:NO3−) resulted in the optimal growth performance and nutrient uptake of this variety. The rate K/Ca+Mg=0.57, which was close to the best rate 0.67, allowed the optimal uptake of all nutrients. The data of the growth characteristics, nutrient content and electrical conductivity (EC) and pH were subjected to a polynomial regression analysis. The results show a high correlation between these data and the variation of NH4+:NO3− ratios. The values of the fresh and dry weight and N content of above-ground plant tissue to this variation were linear, with R2 coefficients of 0.95***, 0.94**, and 0.71*. The changes in the NO3− concentration in the petiole sap, EC and pH of the root substrate were quadratic, with a coefficients of R2= 0.99***, 0.98***, and 0.73*.Key words: Growth characteristics, NH4+: NO3− ratios, nutrient content, strawberry

Global Pattern of Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Correlation of Outcome With Access to Radiation Therapy

Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the treatment outcome of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) across the world and its correlation with access to radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials: The age-standardized mortality (ASM) and age-standardized incidence (ASI) rates of NPC from GLOBOCAN (2012) were summarized, and [1−(ASM/ASI)] was computed to give the proxy relative survival (RS). Data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Bank were used to assess the availability of RT in surrogate terms: the number of RT equipment units and radiation oncologists per million population. Results: A total of 112 countries with complete valid data were analyzed, and the proxy RS varied widely from 0% to 83% (median, 50%). Countries were categorized into Good, Median, and Poor outcome groups on the basis of their proxy RS (55%). Eighty percent of new cases occurred in the Poor outcome group. Univariable linear regression showed a significant correlation between outcome and the availability of RT: proxy RS increased at 3.4% (P<.001) and 1.5% (P=.001) per unit increase in RT equipment and oncologist per million population, respectively. The median number of RT equipment units per million population increased significantly from 0.5 in the Poor, to 1.5 in the Median, to 4.6 in the Good outcome groups, and the corresponding number of oncologists increased from 1.1 to 3.3 to 7.1 (P<.001). Conclusions: Nasopharyngeal cancer is a highly treatable disease, but the outcome varies widely across the world. The current study shows a significant correlation between survival and access to RT based on available surrogate indicators. However, the possible reasons for poor outcome are likely to be multifactorial and complex. Concerted international efforts are needed not only to address the fundamental requirement for adequate RT access but also to obtain more comprehensive and accurate data for research to improve cancer outcome.postprin

The Efficacy and Clinical Safety of Various Analgesic Combinations for Post-Operative Pain after Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives To run a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials aiming to answer the clinical question "which analgesic combination and dosage is potentially the most effective and safe for acute post-operative pain control after third molar surgery?". Materials and Methods A systematic search of computer databases and journals was performed. The search and the evaluations of articles were performed by 2 independent reviewers in 3 rounds. Randomized clinical trials related to analgesic combinations for acute post-operative pain control after lower third molar surgery that matched the selection criteria were evaluated to enter in the final review. Results Fourteen studies with 3521 subjects, with 10 groups (17 dosages) of analgesic combinations were included in the final review. The analgesic efficacy were presented by the objective pain measurements including sum of pain intensity at 6 hours (SPID6) and total pain relief at 6 hours (TOTPAR6). The SPID6 scores and TOTPAR6 scores of the reported analgesic combinations were ranged from 1.46 to 6.44 and 3.24 - 10.3, respectively. Ibuprofen 400mg with oxycodone HCL 5mg had superior efficacy (SPID6: 6.44, TOTPAR6: 9.31). Nausea was the most common adverse effect, with prevalence ranging from 0-55%. Ibuprofen 200mg with caffeine 100mg or 200mg had a reasonable analgesic effect with fewer side effects. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis may help clinicians in their choices of prescribing an analgesic combination for acute post-operative pain control after lower third molar surgery. It was found in this systematic review Ibuprofen 400mg combined with oxycodone HCL 5mg has superior analgesic efficacy when compared to the other analgesic combinations included in this study.published_or_final_versio

Efficacy of Pregabalin in Acute Postoperative Pain Under Different Surgical Categories: a meta-analysis

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Family violence accounts for 25% of homicides in Hong Kong

Letters to the editorpublished_or_final_versio

Should young age be a contra-indication to breast conservation treatment in Chinese women? Twelve-year experience from a public cancer centre in Hong Kong

Objective: It has been proposed that young women should not be treated by breast conservation treatment because of a higher risk of local recurrences and worse survival. We therefore examined whether breast conservation treatment in young Chinese women yielded inferior clinical outcomes compared to modified radical mastectomy. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Clinical oncology department in a public hospital in Hong Kong. Patients: A total of 258 Chinese women with invasive breast cancer, aged below 40 years, and referred between January 1994 and July 2006. Results: A total of 124 (48%) and 134 (52%) patients were treated by breast conservation treatment and modified radical mastectomy, respectively. Mastectomy patients tended to have larger primary tumours (P<0.001) and more nodal involvement (P<0.001). At a median follow-up of 6.5 years, there was no significant difference in the local failure-free survival rate (92% vs 93%, P=0.324) and loco-regional failure-free survival rate (89% vs 88%, P=0.721) in patients having breast conservation treatment and mastectomy. Probably due to their earlier presentation with disease, the former actually had better 6-year distant failure-free survival (88% vs 71%, P=0.002) and overall survival (92% vs 81%, P=0.173) rates. Multivariate analyses showed that both the resection margin status (hazard ratio=2.77, P=0.050) and the presence of peritumoural vascular invasion (hazard ratio=3.01, P=0.038) were independent predictors of local recurrence; the nodal status (hazard ratio=3.91, P<0.001) was the only predictive factor for overall survival. The choice of breast conservation treatment (vs modified radical mastectomy) had no apparent adverse impact on all the clinical outcome parameters analysed. Conclusion: Breast conservation treatment is a reasonable option for many suitably selected young Chinese women.published_or_final_versio

Evolving frontiers in severe polytrauma management: refining the essential principles

This editorial aims to refine the severe polytrauma management principles. While keeping ABCDE priorities, the termination of futile resuscitation and the early use of tourniquet to stop exsanguinating limb bleeding are crucial. Difficult-airway-management (DAM) is by a structured 5-level approach. The computerised tomography (CT) scanner is the tunnel to death for hemodynamically unstable patients. Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma-Ultrasonography (FAST USG) has replaced diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and is expanding to USG life support. Direct whole-body multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) expedites diagnosis & treatment. Non-operative management is a viable option in rapid responders in shock. Damage control resuscitation comprising of permissive hypotension, hemostatic resuscitation & damage control surgery (DCS) help prevent the lethal triad of trauma. Massive transfusion protocol reduces mortality and decreases the blood requirement. DCS attains rapid correction of the deranged physiology. Mortality reduction in major pelvic disruption requires a multi-disciplinary protocol, the novel pre-peritoneal pelvic packing and the angio-embolization. When operation is the definitive treatment for injury, prevention is best therapy. © Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2013.published_or_final_versio

Surface Oxide Formation during Rapid Heating of Zn-coated Press Hardening Steel

During the conventional die-quenching processing of a galvanized PHS steel, a thick ZnO layer is formed at the surface. When the heating rate is increased, the oxide at the surface is a thin Al2O3 layer. This remarkable change in surface oxide during rapid heating is due to the partial melting of the coating instead of the solidification of the coating and the formation of Fe-Zn intermetallics. In the present study, the characterization of the surface oxide formation at different heating rates is presented.X1184Ysciescopu