Wavelength-Conversion-Material-Mediated Semiconductor Wafer Bonding for Smart Optoelectronic Interconnects

A new concept of semiconductor wafer bonding, mediated by optical wavelength conversion materials, is proposed and demonstrated. The fabrication scheme provides simultaneous bond formation and interfacial function generation, leading to efficient device production. Wavelength-converting functionalized semiconductor interfacial engineering is realized by utilizing an adhesive viscous organic matrix with embedded fluorescent particles. The bonding is carried out in ambient air at room temperature and therefore provides a cost advantage with regard to device manufacturing. Distinct wavelength conversion, from ultraviolet into visible, and high mechanical stabilities and electrical conductivities in the bonded interfaces are verified, demonstrating their versatility for practical applications. This bonding and interfacial scheme can improve the performance and structural flexibility of optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, by allowing the spectral light incidence suitable for each photovoltaic material, and photonic integrated circuits, by delivering the respective preferred frequencies to the optical amplifier, modulator, waveguide, and detector materials

Endoscopic and clinical evaluation of treatment and prognosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: a Japanese nationwide survey.

BackgroundFirst reported in 1955, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS), a rare syndrome characterized by ectodermal abnormalities and inflammatory changes of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa, has been associated with a poor prognosis and life-threatening malignant complications. In a large population survey, we endeavored to characterize the course and treatment outcome of CCS through clinical and endoscopic assessment, and to explore its optimal treatment and surveillance strategy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 210 patients with CCS was conducted via a questionnaire-based nationwide survey of 983 teaching hospitals located throughout Japan. We assessed clinical features, endoscopic findings, treatments used, and short- and long-term outcomes.ResultsThe average age at diagnosis was 63.5 years. In all cases, upper or lower gastrointestinal tract polyposis was confirmed, accompanied by characteristic ectodermal abnormalities. Of the treatments used, oral corticosteroids (30-49 mg/day) were the most effective treatment for active disease, with adjunctive nutritional support considered beneficial. With corticosteroid treatment, abdominal symptoms were relieved within a few months, whereas polyp regression often required more than 6 months. Maintenance of endoscopic remission with or without steroids for 3 years significantly lowered the development of CCS-related cancer, compared with relapsers or nonresponders, underscoring the importance of sustained endoscopic remission for cancer prevention.ConclusionsThe prognosis of CCS has greatly improved through the use of improved medical treatment. Although CCS continues to be relentlessly progressive, carrying a high cancer risk, a sufficient dose and duration of corticosteroid therapy accompanied by nutritional support and periodic endoscopic surveillance appears to improve its natural history

Up-regulation of microRNA-21 correlates with lower kidney cancer survival.

BackgroundMicroRNA-21 is up-regulated in a variety of cancers like, breast, colorectal, lung, head and neck etc. However, the regulation of miR-21 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not yet been studied systematically.Methods and resultsWe measured miR-21 levels in 54 pairs of kidney cancers and their normal matched tissues by real-time PCR. The expression level of miR-21 was correlated with 5 year survival and the pathological stage. Functional studies were done after inhibiting miR-21 in RCC cell lines. We studied in vitro and in vivo effects of the chemo preventive agent genistein on miR-21 expression. In 48 cases (90%), miR-21 was increased. All patients with low miR-21 expression survived 5 years, while with high miR-21 expression, only 50% survived. Higher expression of miR-21 is associated with an increase in the stage of renal cancer. Functional studies after inhibiting miRNA-21 in RCC cell lines show cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and reduced invasive and migratory capabilities. Western blot analysis showed an increase in the expression of p21 and p38 MAP kinase genes and a reduction in cyclin E2. Genistein inhibited the expression of miR-21 in A-498 cells and in the tumors formed after injecting genistein treated A-498 cells in nude mice besides inhibiting tumor formation.ConclusionsThe current study shows a clear correlation between miR-21 expression and clinical characteristics of renal cancer. Thus we believe that miR-21 can be used as a tumor marker and its inhibition may prove to be useful in controlling cancers with up-regulated miR-21

Low intensity pulsed ultrasound exposure increases prostaglandin E_2 release in human dermal fibroblasts

Though ultrasound is applied to the treatment of pressure ulcers, there was little evidence of benefit associated with the use of it in the treatment of pressure ulcers. Therefore, in order to augment the therapeutic evidence of ultrasound exposure in wound healing, the effect of low intensity pulsed-ultrasound on the release of prostaglandin E_2 (PGE_2) in human dermal fibroblasts was investigated. Human dermal fibroblasts obtained from skin samples were exposed to a low intensity pulsed-ultrasound by specifically designed apparatus. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined the release of PGE_2 in the medium. A low intensity pulsed-ultrasound increases the PGE_2 release of dermal fibroblasts in a time-de-pendent fashion. PGE_2 release by 30 mW/cm^2 ultrasound exposure reached maximum 1.24-fold at 1 hour. In terms of the intensities of ultrasound, the weaker intensity of ultrasound was exposed, the more effect of PGE_2 release was observed. Finally, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1, resveratrol partly reduced PGE_2 release of dermal fibroblasts by ultrasound exposure. Thus, our results identify the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound to explain the potential mechanism by which it may augment the healing of skin ulcer. Further studies are required to ascertain the functional relevance of the production of PGE_2 in angiogenesis, which is required for the tissue development and regeneration

The usefulness of a new gait symmetry parameter derived from Lissajous figures of tri-axial acceleration signals of the trunk

textabstractThis cross-country study adopts a competing theories approach in which both a value perspective and a social capital perspective are used to understand the relation between religion and a country’s business ownership rate. We distinguish among four dimensions of religion: belonging to a religious denomination, believing certain religious propositions, bonding to religious practices, and behaving in a religious manner. An empirical analysis of data from 30 OECD countries with multiple data points per country covering the period 1984–2010 suggests a positive relationship between religion and business ownership based on those dimensions that reflect the internal aspects of religiosity (i.e., believing and behaving). We do not observe a significant association for those dimensions that reflect more external aspects of religion (i.e., belonging and bonding). These results suggest that the social capital perspective prevails the value perspective, at least when internal aspects of religiosity are concerned. More generally, our study demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between different dimensions of religion when investigating the link between religion and entrepreneurship

Topographic variability of the left atrium and pulmonary veins assessed by 3D-CT predicts the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

AbstractBackgroundCatheter ablation (CA) is an established therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the assessment of anatomical information and predictors of AF recurrence remain unclear. We investigated the relationship between anatomical information on the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) from three-dimensional computed tomography images and the recurrence of AF after CA.MethodsSixty-seven consecutive AF patients (mean age: 62±10 years, median AF history: 42 (12; 60) months, mean LA size: 41±7mm, paroxysmal: 56%) underwent CA and were followed for 19±10 months. The segmented surface areas (antral, posterior, septal, and lateral) and dimensions (between the anterior and posterior walls, the right inferior PV and mitral annulus [MA], the right superior PV and MA, the left superior PV and MA, and the mitral isthmus) of the LA were evaluated three dimensionally using the NavX system. The cross-sectional areas of the PVs were also evaluated.ResultsAfter the follow-up period, 49 patients (73%) remained free from AF. A multivariate analysis showed that the diameter of the mitral isthmus and cross-sectional area of the right upper PV were associated with AF recurrence (odds ratio: 1.070, CI: 1.02–1.12, p=0.001; odds ratio: 0.41, CI: 0.21–0.77, p=0.006).ConclusionEnlargement of the mitral isthmus and a smaller right superior PV cross-sectional area were associated with AF recurrence

Kantis: A new Australopithecus site on the shoulders of the Rift Valley near Nairobi, Kenya

ケニア・ナイロビ郊外で初めて発見されたアウストラロピテクス. 京都大学プレスりリス. 2016-03-24.Most Plio-Pleistocene sites in the Gregory Rift Valley that have yielded abundant fossil hominins lie on the Rift Valley floor. Here we report a new Pliocene site, Kantis, on the shoulder of the Gregory Rift Valley, which extends the geographical range of Australopithecus afarensis to the highlands of Kenya. This species, known from sites in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and possibly Kenya, is believed to be adapted to a wide spectrum of habitats, from open grassland to woodland. The Kantis fauna is generally similar to that reported from other contemporaneous A. afarensis sites on the Rift Valley floor. However, its faunal composition and stable carbon isotopic data from dental enamel suggest a stronger C4 environment than that present at those sites. Although the Gregory Rift Valley has been the focus of paleontologists' attention for many years, surveys of the Rift shoulder may provide new perspective on African Pliocene mammal and hominin evolutio