Process nano scale mechanical properties measurement of thin metal films using a novel paddle cantilever test structure

A new technique was developed for studying the mechanical behavior of nano-scale thin metal films on substrate is presented. The test structure was designed on a novel "paddle" cantilever beam specimens with dimensions as few hundred nanometers to less than 10 nanometers. This beam is in triangle shape in order to provide uniform plane strain distribution. Standard clean room processing was used to prepare the paddle sample. The experiment can be operated by using the electrostatic deflection on the paddle uniform distributed stress cantilever beam and then measure the deposited thin metal film materials on top of it. A capacitance technique was used to measurement on the other side of the deflected plate to measure its deflection with respect to the force. The measured strain was converted through the capacitance measurement for the deflection of the cantilever. System performance on the residual stress measurement of thin films are calculated with three different forces on the "paddle" cantilever beam, including the force due to the film, compliance force and electrostatic force.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/handle/2042/16838

Design and Development of Novel Electroplating Spring Frame Mems Structure Specimens for the Microtensile Testing of Thin Film Materials

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies are developing rapidly with increasing study of the design, fabrication and commercialization of microscale systems and devices. Accurate mechanical properties are important for successful design and development of MEMS. We have demonstrated here a novel electroplating spring frame MEMS Structure Specimen integrates pin-pin align holes, misalignment compensate spring structure frame, load sensor beam and freestanding thin film. The specimen can be fit into a specially designed microtensile apparatus which is capable of carrying out a series of tests on sub-micro scale freestanding thin films.Comment: Submitted on behalf of TIMA Editions (http://irevues.inist.fr/tima-editions

Apply Information System of Maritime Energy for Improving Performance in Taiwan’s Coast Guard

Taiwan is not a member of the International Maritime Organization country, and the domestic business is also a multi-horse carriage. There is no integration and a single government department is responsible. Therefore, it is relatively difficult to check the relevant statistical inquiries, and the definition objects are also different. The information must be subject to the announcement of the International Maritime Organization. However, the data may be subject to statistical errors due to the construction of errors and omissions. The motivation of this paper is to roughly guess Coast Guard’s information system and maritime energy to discuss how to improve the work performance. Materials use and cost estimates are resolved for both developmental and implementation activities. In addition, enhanced services costs are resolved to with total and average costs of standard EAP services. These findings provide point of reference cost estimates for other EAPs that may be considering offering enhanced services

Stat3 regulates microtubules by antagonizing the depolymerization activity of stathmin

Stat3 is a member of the signal transducer and activator of transcription family, which is important in cytokine signaling. Gene ablation studies have revealed a requirement for Stat3 in diverse biological processes (Akira, S. 2000. Oncogene. 19: 2607–2611; Levy, D.E., and C.K. Lee. 2002. J. Clin. Invest. 109:1143–1148). Previously, the function of Stat3 had been attributed exclusively to its transcriptional activity in the nucleus. In this study, we reveal an interaction between Stat3 and the microtubule (MT)-destabilizing protein stathmin. Stathmin did not overtly affect ligand-stimulated Stat3 activation. In contrast, the expression of Stat3 is required for the stabilization of MTs and cell migration. We further demonstrate that Stat3-containing cells are resistant to the MT-destabilizing effect of stathmin overexpression. In addition, down-regulation of stathmin protein levels in Stat3-deficient cells partially reversed the MT and migration deficiencies. Recombinant Stat3 was also capable of reversing stathmin inhibition of tubulin polymerization in vitro. Our results indicate that Stat3 modulates the MT network by binding to the COOH-terminal tubulin-interacting domain of stathmin and antagonizing its MT destabilization activity

An expert consensus for the management of chronic hepatitis B in Asian Americans.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is common with major clinical consequences. In Asian Americans, the HBsAg carrier rate ranges from 2% to 16% which approximates the rates from their countries of origin. Similarly, HBV is the most important cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver related deaths in HBsAg positive Asians worldwide. AIM: To generate recommendations for the management of Asian Americans infected with HBV. METHODS: These guidelines are based on relevant data derived from medical reports on HBV from Asian countries as well as from studies in the HBsAg positive Asian Americans. The guidelines herein differ from other recommendations in the treatment of both HBeAg positive and negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB), in the approach to HCC surveillance, and in the management of HBV in pregnant women. RESULTS: Asian American patients, HBeAg positive or negative, with HBV DNA levels \u3e2000 IU/mL (\u3e10 CONCLUSIONS: Application of the recommendations made based on a review of the relevant literature and the opinion of a panel of Asian American physicians with expertise in HBV treatment will inform physicians and improve patient outcomes

Electrocardiographic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are associated with immune-related adverse events including myocarditis, whilst improving cancer-related outcomes. There is thus a clinical need to identify electrocardiographic manifestations of ICI-related myocarditis to guide clinical management. PubMed was searched for clinical studies and case reports describing electrocardiographic changes in patients with ICI-related myocarditis. A total of six clinical studies and 79 case reports were included. This revealed a range of presentations for patients on ICIs, including supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias and heart block, and new changes of ST-T segment unrelated to coronary artery disease, ST-segment elevation or depression and T-wave abnormalities. Several patients showed low voltages in multiple leads and new onset Q-wave development. Patients with ICI-related myocarditis may develop new arrhythmia and ST-T changes, and infrequently low voltages in multiple leads. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Long Non-Coding MALAT1 Functions as a Competing Endogenous RNA to Regulate Vimentin Expression by Sponging miR-30a-5p in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high morbidity as well as mortality and is believed to be one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. The long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is involved in numerous cancers, including HCC. This study aimed to explore the role of MALAT1 in HCC progression. Methods: The expression levels of MALAT1 and Vimentin in HCC tissues and relative pair-matched adjacent normal liver tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Using bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay, we examined the correlation between MALAT1 and miR-30a-5p. Dual-luciferase assay and western blotting suggested that Vimentin was a target of miR-30a-5p. A wound healing assay and transwell assays were employed to determine the effect of MALAT1 and miR-30a-5p on cell migration and invasion in HCC. Results: Our data demonstrated that the levels of MALAT1 and Vimentin were upregulated in HCC tissues and that miR-30a-5p was a direct target of MALAT1. Silenced MALAT1 and overexpressed miR-30a-5p each inhibited cell migration and invasion. Additionally, dual-luciferase assay and western blotting demonstrated that MALAT1 could competitively sponge miR-30a-5p and thereby regulate Vimentin. Conclusion: Our data suggest that MALAT1 acts as an oncogenic lncRNA that promotes HCC migration and invasion. Therefore, the MALAT1-miR-30a-5p-Vimentin axis is a potential therapeutic target and molecular biomarker in HCC

Bis-tridentate Ir(III) Metal Phosphors for Efficient Deep-Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

Emissive Ir(III) metal complexes possessing two tridentate chelates (bis-tridentate) are known to be more robust compared to those with three bidentate chelates (tris-bidentate). Here, the deep-blue-emitting, bis-tridentate Ir(III) metal phosphors bearing both the dicarbene pincer ancillary such as 2,6-diimidazolylidene benzene and the 6-pyrazolyl-2-phenoxylpyridine chromophoric chelate are synthesized. A deep-blue organic light-emitting diode from one phosphor exhibits Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE(x,y)) coordinates of (0.15, 0.17) with maximum external quantum efficiency (max. EQE) of 20.7% and EQE = 14.6% at the practical brightness of 100 cd m−2

Electrocardiographic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are associated with immune-related adverse events including myocarditis, whilst improving cancer-related outcomes. There is thus a clinical need to identify electrocardiographic manifestations of ICI-related myocarditis to guide clinical management. PubMed was searched for clinical studies and case reports describing electrocardiographic changes in patients with ICI-related myocarditis. A total of six clinical studies and 79 case reports were included. This revealed a range of presentations for patients on ICIs, including supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias and heart block, and new changes of ST-T segment unrelated to coronary artery disease, ST-segment elevation or depression and T-wave abnormalities. Several patients showed low voltages in multiple leads and new onset Q-wave development. Patients with ICI-related myocarditis may develop new arrhythmia and ST-T changes, and infrequently low voltages in multiple leads