Controlled Morphological Structure of Ceria Nanoparticles Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis

AbstractCeria based materials have been widely used as catalyst supporters and electrolytes. Different applications require different morphologies, and the microstructural control during the synthesis is crucial. In the study, ceria particles were prepared from various precursors using a spray pyrolysis (SP). Comparing to the hollow and porous particles, the formation mechanism with solid spherical structure is not clarified readily. The ceria particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This experimental result suggests that the morphology is controlled by the precursors and could be related to their decomposed behavior during the heating process in SP

Wisdom, cultural synergy, and social change: A Taiwanese perspective

This study examined the relationships among wisdom, cultural synergy (i.e., incorporating lessons learned from different cultures), and social change by re-analyzing 220 “wisdom incidents” (i.e., real-life displays of wisdom) collected from 1997 to 2003 from 66 Taiwanese adults nominated as wise individuals (Yang, 2008a). We addressed these questions empirically with a mixed-methods approach: (a) “What are the features of cultural synergy involved in the Taiwanese wisdom nominees’ narratives about their displays of wisdom?”; and (b) “How are real-life displays of wisdom related to cultural synergy and social change?” Wisdom is defined as a real-life process that entails three components: (a) cognitive integration—an individual incorporates separate or conflicting ideas to form an integrated idea; (b) embodying actions—the individual acts to implement the unified idea; and (c) positive effects for oneself and others—the individual\u27s actions generate positive effects for the self and others. The 220 wisdom incidents were re-analyzed qualitatively by young Taiwanese for themes related to cultural synergy and lessons learned from culture; the incidents were re-evaluated quantitatively by young Taiwanese for indications of wisdom, cultural synergy, and social change. A model proposing relationships among wisdom, cultural synergy, and social change was then evaluated using path analysis. Results, which may be generalized to young Taiwanese, show that displays of wisdom had (a) a direct relationship with cultural synergy and social change; and (b) an indirect relationship with social change through cultural synergy. Findings suggest that what the Taiwanese wisdom nominees learned from both their own culture and other cultures is significantly related to cultural synergy which, in turn, is significantly related to promoting social change

The influences of cognition of institutional logics and triple helix relations on innovation performance: An empirical study of firms in industrial park in Taiwan

Abstract. The present study set out to investigate into the influences of cognition of institutional logics and triple helix relationships (i.e., the industry-university-government linkages) on firm innovation performance in the context of Taiwan industrial parks. The data from 131 organizational-level questionnaires collected from firms located in different industrial parks were analyzed. The results showed that cognition of institutional logics is positively associated with firms’ innovation performance. Furthermore, such positive relationship is strengthened by the number of triple helix relationships in the form of mediation but not moderation effect. Theoretical and practical implications were elaborated. Keywords. Cognition of institutional logics, Triple helix, Innovation performance, Industrial park.JEL. M10, M14

The influences of perceived organizational slacks on firms’ satisfaction in industrial park service: Moderation effect of park attributes and administrative supports

Abstract. This study examines the effect of perceived organizational slack on firms’ satisfaction in services offered by industrial park. Survey questionnaires were collected from 131 firms located in various industrial parks in Taiwan. Results supports that, first, perceived organizational slack is negatively related to firms’ satisfaction in industrial park’s services. Moreover, the strengths of such negative relationships were differentiated due to the moderation effect of different park attributes and administrative supports. Policy and theoretical implications were discussed.Keywords. Perceived organizational slacks, Service satisfaction, Park attributes and administrative supports.JEL. M10, M11, M14

Two-dimensional photonic crystals with anisotropic unit cells imprinted from poly(dimethylsiloxane) membranes under elastic deformation

We study structural symmetries of two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystals with anisotropic unit cells, including square- and rectangular-lattices with orientationally modulated elliptic motifs, and a compound structure consisting of circles with sixfold rotational symmetry and elliptical lines with twofold symmetry, which are created through elastic deformation of a single elastomeric membrane with circular pores. We then investigate the photonic bandgap (PBG) properties of the corresponding 2D Si posts and their tolerance to the structural deviation. We find that in the compound structure the overall PBGs are dominated by the sublattice with a higher symmetry, while the total symmetry is determined by the one with a lower symmetry

Gallic Acid Induces a Reactive Oxygen Species-Provoked c-Jun NH 2

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disorder characterized by fibroblasts proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation. Induction of fibroblast apoptosis therefore plays a crucial role in the resolution of this disease. Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), a common botanic phenolic compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in tumor cell lines and renal fibroblasts. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lung fibroblasts apoptosis induced by gallic acid. We found that treatment with gallic acid resulted in activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and protein kinase B (PKB, Akt), but not p38MAPK, in mouse lung fibroblasts. Inhibition of JNK using pharmacologic inhibitor (SP600125) and genetic knockdown (JNK specific siRNA) significantly inhibited p53 accumulation, reduced PUMA and Fas expression, and abolished apoptosis induced by gallic acid. Moreover, treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, N-acetyl cysteine, and catalase) effectively diminished gallic acid-induced hydrogen peroxide production, JNK and p53 activation, and cell death. These observations imply that gallic acid-mediated hydrogen peroxide formation acts as an initiator of JNK signaling pathways, leading to p53 activation and apoptosis in mouse lung fibroblasts

Interactions between Amyloid-β and Hemoglobin: Implications for Amyloid Plaque Formation in Alzheimer's Disease

Accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the brain is one of the central pathogenic events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, why and how Aβ aggregates within the brain of AD patients remains elusive. Previously, we demonstrated hemoglobin (Hb) binds to Aβ and co-localizes with the plaque and vascular amyloid deposits in post-mortem AD brains. In this study, we further characterize the interactions between Hb and Aβ in vitro and in vivo and report the following observations: 1) the binding of Hb to Aβ required iron-containing heme; 2) other heme-containing proteins, such as myoglobin and cytochrome C, also bound to Aβ; 3) hemin-induced cytotoxicity was reduced in neuroblastoma cells by low levels of Aβ; 4) Hb was detected in neurons and glial cells of post-mortem AD brains and was up-regulated in aging and APP/PS1 transgenic mice; 5) microinjection of human Hb into the dorsal hippocampi of the APP/PS1 transgenic mice induced the formation of an envelope-like structure composed of Aβ surrounding the Hb droplets. Our results reveal an enhanced endogenous expression of Hb in aging brain cells, probably serving as a compensatory mechanism against hypoxia. In addition, Aβ binds to Hb and other hemoproteins via the iron-containing heme moiety, thereby reducing Hb/heme/iron-induced cytotoxicity. As some of the brain Hb could be derived from the peripheral circulation due to a compromised blood-brain barrier frequently observed in aged and AD brains, our work also suggests the genesis of some plaques may be a consequence of sustained amyloid accretion at sites of vascular injury