Why Differentiation Strategy Fails?

Differentiation strategy has been considered critical for securing a competitive advantage. However, not all firms can create competitive advantages through differentiation. In this paper, we draw on a Taiwanese hotel, restaurant, and TV program provider to show why differentiation strategy fails. On the basis of these three cases, three failed differentiation strategies are proposed and a framework for implementing a differentiation strategy is provided. Finally, we present the discussion and conclusions for the theory and practice of differentiation strategy

Interferometry Using Generalized Lock-in Amplifier (G-LIA): A Versatile Approach for Phase-Sensitive Sensing and Imaging

A large number of interferometric setups make use of non-linear phase modulators. In the past, specific extraction methods have been proposed mostly to cover the important case of sinusoidal phase modulation with certain limits in term of signal-to-noise ratio. Recently, a detection method based on “Generalized Lock-in Amplifier” (G-LIA) was proposed to extract optimally amplitude and phase information in two-arm interferometers when nearly arbitrary phase modulations are used such as triangular or sinusoidal phase modulations. This method offers the opportunity to develop highly sensitive interferometers with simple-phase modulators such as piezo-actuated mirrors, piezo stretchers, or power-modulated laser diodes in unbalanced interferometers. Here we present the basics of the approach and we give application examples for monitoring displacement, sensing, and digital holography. The case where an amplitude modulation is also present is also detailed and discussed in the context of unbalanced interferometry and near-field nanoscopy

Pengembangan Suplemen Pembelajaran Fisika Gelombang Elektromagnetik Cahaya Sebagai Partikel Memanfaatkan Virtual Laboratorium

This research has been done to make a supplement for physics learning about light electromagnetic wave as a particle using virtual laboratory. The population of this research was the second year science-students at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Metro. This development is begun by needs analysis, then identification of resource which is the background of this developmental research. The next step is, identifying the product specification then developing products which contained a tutorial book for teacher and a work sheet for student (LKS). The material and design expert test result is that those products were approved. The external test resulted by users show that the LKS was attractive, very easy to use, and useful. It also was effective to be used as a learning resource because 80% of students reached the passing grade.Telah dilakukan penelitian untuk mengembangkan suplemen pembelajaran fisika gelombang elektromagnetik cahaya sebagai partikel dengan memanfaatkan virtual laboratorium. Populasi penelitian pengembangan ini adalah siswa kelas XI IPA di SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Metro. Pengembangan ini diawali dengan analisis kebutuhan, kemudian identifikasi sumber daya yang melatar belakangi pengembangan. Langkah selanjutnya identifikasi spesifikasi produk yang dilanjutkan dengan mengembangkan produk berupa LKS untuk siswa dan buku panduan untuk guru. Hasil uji internal oleh ahli materi dan ahli desain menyatakan produk yang dikembangkan layak digunakan sebagai media pembelajaran. Hasil uji eksternal oleh pengguna menunjukkan kualitas media pembelajaran menarik, sangat mudah digunakan, dan bermanfaat serta efektif digunakan sebagai media pembelajaran dengan presentase hasil belajar sebesar 80% siswa telah memenuhi KKM

Location of the Mandibular Canal and Thickness of the Occlusal Cortical Bone at Dental Implant Sites in the Lower Second Premolar and First Molar

The objective of this study was to evaluate the location of the mandibular canal and the thickness of the occlusal cortical bone at dental implant sites in the lower second premolar and lower first molar by using dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Seventy-nine sites (47 second premolar and 32 first molar sites) were identified in the dental CBCT examinations of 47 patients. In this study, 4 parameters were measured: (1) MC—the distance from the mandibular canal to the upper border of the mandible; (2) CD—the distance from the mandibular canal to the buccal border of the mandible; (3) MD—the distance from the mandibular canal to the lingual border of the mandible; (4) TC—the thickness of the cortical bone at the occlusal side. A statistical analysis was employed to compare the size and differences between these 4 parameters at the lower second premolar and lower first molar. Regarding the MC and MD, the experimental results showed no statistical difference between the first molar and second premolar. However, the TC for the second premolar was greater than that of the first molar. Thus, careful consideration is necessary in choosing the size of and operation type for dental implants

Acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19 compared to those with influenza: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCOVID-19 and influenza can both lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) as a common complication. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted to directly compare the incidence of AKI between hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza. The objective of our study aims to investigate the incidence and outcomes of AKI among hospitalized patients between these two groups.Materials and methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was conducted from December 2019 to August 2023 to identify studies examining AKI and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of AKI, while secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, recovery from AKI, hospital and ICU stay duration. The quality of evidence was evaluated using Cochrane and GRADE methods.ResultsTwelve retrospective cohort studies, involving 17,618 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza, were analyzed. COVID-19 patients showed higher AKI incidence (29.37% vs. 20.98%, OR: 1.67, 95% CI 1.56–1.80, p < 0.01, I2 = 92.42%), and in-hospital mortality (30.95% vs. 5.51%, OR: 8.16, 95% CI 6.17–10.80, p < 0.01, I2 = 84.92%) compared to influenza patients with AKI. Recovery from AKI was lower in COVID-19 patients (57.02% vs., 80.23%, OR: 0.33, 95% CI 0.27–0.40, p < 0.01, I2 = 85.17%). COVID-19 patients also had a longer hospital stay (SMD: 0.69, 95% CI 0.65–0.72, p < 0.01, I2 = 98.94%) and longer ICU stay (SMD: 0.61, 95% CI 0.50–0.73, p < 0.01, I2 = 94.80%) than influenza patients. In our study, evidence quality was high (NOS score 7–9), with low certainty for AKI incidence and moderate certainty for recovery form AKI by GRADE assessment.ConclusionCOVID-19 patients had higher risk of developing AKI, experiencing in-hospital mortality, and enduring prolonged hospital/ICU stays in comparison to influenza patients. Additionally, the likelihood of AKI recovery was lower among COVID-19 patients

Bio-détection plasmonique à ADN sur laboratoire sur puce

In this thesis, we investigate the possibility and potential for integration of portable optical biosensor for diagnostic purposes. To this end, we propose two “smart” biosensor systems. In the first part of this thesis, a DNA biosensor combining single-wavelength colorimetry and digital Lock-in Amplifier within a smartphone is proposed. Utilizing full advantage of audio channel and digital signal processing capacity of a smartphone, we have built a handheld DNA AuNp colorimetry biosensor. Based on the results, the diagnostic process takes only 15 minutes of reaction time while offering a limit of detection around 0.77 nM which is 6 times better than a desktop UV-Vis spectrometer.In second part of the thesis, a Shearing interferometer based Surface Plasmon Resonance (SiSPR) biosensor is proposed. SiSPR allows for phase sensitive detection on conventional Kretschmann configuration. Its monolithic design reduces optical parts, costs and allows portable application. The essence of SiSPR is a reflective layer in addition to plasmonic layer. To extract phase information from SiSPR, a sinusoidal phase modulation is achieved by modulation of the laser injection current. For a 100 ms measurement and a standard optical chip, the sensitivity of the SiSPR is around 2.3x10-6 RIU with a dynamic range of 7.0x10-3 RIU, which is better than amplitude SPR devices. Finally, Tro4 DNA surface modification on the SiSPR chip is demonstrated for future cardiac Troponin I diagnosticDans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à la problématique de l’intégration de capteurs plasmoniques performants et bas coût sur des dispositifs de type smartphone, en vue d’applications de diagnostic biomédical. A cette fin, nous proposons deux biocapteurs « smart ». Premièrement, un système de détection colorimétrique à base de nanoparticules d’or est mis en œuvre pour détecter de l’ADN. Le système intègre une détection synchrone logicielle mise en œuvre au sein du smartphone, où les signaux physiques transitent par la voie audio. Le processus de diagnostic prend moins de 15 minutes pour une limite de détection de 0.77 nM, approximativement 6 fois meilleure que la sensibilité usuelle d’un spectromètre UV-Vis conventionnel, à temps de mesure identique. Dans une seconde partie, un capteur à résonance plasmon de surface en configuration de Kretschmann, se distinguant par une sensibilité à la phase optique, est développé. Le design monolithique et compact repose sur un interféromètre à dédoublement latéral et une modulation de phase. Le contrôle et la lecture du prototype s’effectue également par smartphone. La modulation de phase est de type sinusoïdale et une sensibilité importante est obtenue, autour de 2,3 10-6 RIU avec une dynamique de 7 10-3 RIU, chiffres obtenus pour une puce optique standard et un temps d’intégration de 100 ms. Ce second dispositif est ensuite testé pour la détection de protéines (Troponine I cardiaque), en fonctionnalisant la surface par ADN Tro

無閥門壓電微幫浦與微混合器之整合設計

本研究利用微機電製程技術，成功製作出本身具有推動流體功能的微混合器，而不需要外加驅動流體的動力源，此微混合器的工作原理主要是利用微流道壁上所貼附的壓電片上下反覆震動作為流體驅動源及主動式混合元件，並於壓電片的上下游處各放置一個梯形擋體，或是前後不對稱擋體作為流體導向裝置及被動式混合元件，再利用微流道中凸塊的放置，增加流體的擾動，達成推動流體及混合的功能。在製作過程首先以矽晶圓為基材，利用乾蝕刻方式製作出微流道、擋體與凸塊，再將已開好流體注入孔的玻璃利用陽極鍵合方式封裝，最後再貼附上壓電片作為驅動源，即可完成微混合器的製作。利用螢光染料與食用色素做為觀察混合效果的工作流體，經由影像分析軟體，將CCD擷取到的混合影像灰階化，分析其混合效能。所製作出的微混合器在驅動電壓為40V時具有最佳的混合效果，其能產生的最大體積流率為43.31μl/min。本研究僅以一道光罩，完成具有多功能的晶片，相信將會對生醫檢測方面的應用有實質上之助益。摘要 .i 目錄 .ii 表目錄 .v 圖目錄 .vi 符號說明 .ix 第一章 緒論 1 1-1 前言 1 1-2 研究動機 2 1-3 文獻回顧 3 1-4 研究目的 ....6 第二章　微混合器原理與設計 ..8 2-1 微幫浦工作原理 ..8 2-2 混合原理 ..9 2-3 微混合器的設計 .10 2-4 驅動方式 .10 2-5 基本壓電原理 .11 2-6 製程選擇 .13 2-6-1微流道製程 .13 2-6-2微流道封裝接合製程 .14 2-7 流道、凸塊及擋體尺寸設計……………………………….....15 2-8 夾持系統………….……………………………………………15 第三章　元件製作 .17 3-1 光罩製作 .17 3-2 基材清潔 .17 3-3 矽晶圓微流道製作 .19 3-3-1黃光室微影製程 .19 3-3-2光阻的選擇 .19 3-3-3微影製作流程 .20 3-3-4矽晶圓微流道乾蝕刻製程 .22 3-3-5電感耦合電漿蝕刻機(ICP)工作原理 .22 3-3-6乾蝕刻流程 .23 3-4 矽晶圓微流道之封裝 .23 3-4-1 7740玻璃開孔 .23 3-4-2 7740玻璃與矽晶圓微流道之接合 .24 3-4-3壓電片的選用與貼附 .25 3-5 實驗儀器與設備架設.............................................................26 第四章　實驗結果與討論 .27 4-1 微流道的製作結果 .27 4-2 元件封裝結果 .27 4-3 實驗分析方法 .28 4-4 微混合器測試結果.................................................................30 4-5 測試結果分析與討論 .34 第五章 結論與未來展望 .36 5-1 結論 .36 5-2 未來展望 .37 參考文獻 .39 附表 .42 附圖 .44 表目錄 表 1 混合區域尺寸 42 表 2 最佳工作頻率 42 表 3 體積流率實驗資料………………………………………….…42 表 4 混合指標……………………………………………………….42 圖目錄 圖 1-1 Gerlach et al. 所提出的無閥門微幫浦 .44 圖 1-2 平面型無閥門微幫浦 .44 圖 1-3 由等向性濕蝕刻技術製作的雙槽式（double-chamber）無閥門型幫浦照片 .45 圖 1-4 由DRIE 蝕刻技術製作的雙槽式（double-chamber），由圓形壓電薄膜驅動的無閥門微型幫浦照 .45 圖 1-5 Y型流道接上漸縮管之示意圖 .46 圖 1-6 氣壓式混合器 .46 圖 1-7 超音波微混合器結構圖 .47 圖 1-8 超音波微混合器實體圖 .47 圖 1-9 Y型流道與方波流道之結合示意圖 .48 圖 2-1 無閥門微幫浦的作動原理 .48 圖 2-2 本研究新式無閥微幫浦元件完成示意圖 .49 圖 2-3 壓電效應示意圖 .49 圖 2-4 蝕刻特性圖 .50 圖 2-5 靜電鍵合示意圖 .50 圖 2-6 無閥門微幫浦設計尺寸示意圖 .51 圖 2-7 擴散器角度與壓力損失係數關係圖 .51 圖 2-8 擴散器幾何尺寸 .52 圖 2-9 擴散器穩定圖 .52 圖 2-10 微混合器示意圖 .53 圖 2-11 混合區域圖 .53 圖 2-12 壓克力夾具 .53 圖 3-1 矽晶圓微流道製作流程圖 .54 圖 3-2 玻璃開孔與接合製程示意圖 .55 圖 3-3 鑽床搭配鑽石鑽頭進行玻璃開孔 .56 圖 3-4 陽極鍵合實驗設備 .56 圖 3-5 晶圓切割機 .57 圖 3-6 實驗量測設備架設示意圖 .57 圖 4-1 蝕刻成功之微流道 .58 圖 4-2 微流道高度測量圖 .58 圖 4-3 微混合器實體圖 .59 圖 4-4 背壓量測示意圖 .59 圖 4-5 體積流率量測示意圖 .60 圖 4-6 食用色素灰階強度分佈圖 .60 圖 4-7 食用色素混合現象圖 .61 圖 4-8 流道截面之灰階分佈圖 .61 圖 4-9 染料混合濃度與灰階強度關係圖(1) .62 圖 4-10 染料混合濃度與灰階強度關係圖(2) .62 圖 4-11 Type I驅動電壓30V∼50V之混合影像 .63 圖 4-12 Type I驅動電壓30V∼50V微流道中灰階強度分佈圖 .64 圖 4-13 Type I混合指標分佈圖 .65 圖 4-14 Type II驅動電壓30V∼50V之混合影像 .66 圖 4-15 Type II驅動電壓30V∼50V微流道中灰階強度分佈圖 .67 圖 4-16 Type II混合指標分佈圖 .68 圖 4-17 Type III驅動電壓30V∼50V之混合影像 .69 圖 4-18 Type III驅動電壓30V∼50V微流道中灰階強度分佈圖 .70 圖 4-19 Type III混合指標分佈圖 .71 圖 4-20 Type IV驅動電壓30V∼50V之混合影像 .72 圖 4-21 Type IV驅動電壓30V∼50V微流道中灰階強度分佈圖 .73 圖 4-22 Type IV混合指標分佈圖 .74 圖 4-23 流量與驅動電壓關係圖 .7

Application of silicon nanowire field-effect transistor biosensor on biochemical study: 1. Ultra-highly sensitive and reusable H5N2 influenza virus sensor 2.Interfacing neurons with a transistor

本論文的核心目標為以奈米矽線場效電晶體 (Silicon nanowire field-effect transistor, SiNW-FET)研究並解決重要的生物議題。內文包含兩個部份: 第一部份，我們以可重複使用的奈米矽線場效電晶體偵測器成功的偵測10-12 M到10-17 M 等極稀的禽流感病毒樣品。透過一系列的實驗，包括以免疫螢光實驗以及電訊號控制實驗，我們證明以雙硫鍵進行交聯抗體的方式，不僅可以固定H5N2單株抗體，更可以使元件具重複使用性。利用原子力顯微鏡的掃描實驗則顯示，元件最低可測到單一顆病毒貼附於奈米矽線之訊號，並可和過往文獻測得之最低極限比較。我們也將元件置於未純化的尿囊液病毒樣品中進行偵測，結果顯示元件可以在複雜環境下工作，大大提昇了元件的實際醫療意義。對於元件能夠在複雜環境下工作，我們認為與單株抗體的專一性以及抗體在表面的排列方式有很大關係。另外，由於元件偵測飛莫耳 (Femtomolar, fM)以及阿托莫耳 (attomolar, aM)濃度的訊號收集時間 (Signal Collection Time, SCT)過短，我們在傳統對流、擴散項外再加入電動力來計算元件的質量傳輸過程。結果顯示，縮短的SCT可能與病毒所帶高價電數有關。經過模型計算，病毒約帶有-970的價電數與許多文獻所提之數值相當接近。 論文的第二部分，則是展示神經定位實驗的初步成果。在這個部分，我們希望以電漿搭配化學改質使得二甲基氧基矽烷 (Poly(dimethyl)siloxane, PDMS)成為親水材料，並在PDMS基材上進行神經細胞的養殖。透過自行架設的接觸角量測儀，我們發現在0.2 mtorr之10 W氧氣電漿處理下，PDMS可以成功的被改質為親水性基材。而在0.2 mtorr到2 mtorr的區間內，氧氣壓力對於改質效果沒有影響。接觸角量測也顯示，3-胺丙基三甲氧基矽烷 (3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, APTMS)的化學改質更進一步的降低了改質後的疏水還原 (Hydrophobic recovery)的速率，使得基材更適合長期的神經細胞培養。最後，利用X光光電子能譜儀的分析結果，我們探討了修飾參數之改善方向並且展示了一些細胞養殖的結果。The bulk of this master thesis is dedicated in studying various biological issues by silicon nanowire field-effect transistor. This study can be divided into two major part: In the first part, we aim to establish a reusable and highly sensitive H5N2 avian influenza virus sensor by disulfide bond based surface modification method. Currently, we are able to detect virus sample of concentration ranging from picomolar to attomolar. The sensitivity and reusability is proven to be genuine through many control experiments, including fluorescence imaging, atomic force microscopy and electrical measurement from silicon nanowire field-effect transistor device. From experimental observation we found that device can detect virus sample even under relatively short debye length condition. We attribute the reason for such sensitivity to the random orientation of surface modified antibody. We also find that signal collection time of measured data is apparently much faster than predicted by convection diffusion mass transfer model. Electrophretic migration is proposed here to account for the enhanced mass transfer effect. As for the second part of the thesis, we aim to develop a technique that can precisely interface the neuron cells with silicon nanowire field-effect transistor active sensor area. Physical and chemical surface modification is applied to increase the hydrophilicity of poly(dimethyl)siloxane (PDMS). PDMS is first treated with 10W, 42 seconds of oxygen plasma, and then react with 3-amino(propyl)trimethoxysilane. The increase in PDMS hydrophilicity is measured by contact angle measurement and X-ray photoelectron microscopy. According to the results, surface modified PDMS possess moderate hydrophilicity which is suitable for subsequent cell culturing

Fabrication of thick metallic microstructures using microfluidic technique and Tollens’ reaction for microfluidic components

本研究透過簡易的微機電製程，僅須一道光罩即可完成高效率微型氣相萃取裝置 (Micropreconcentrator)製作，並整合於氣相層析 (Gas Chromatography) 系統，進行揮發性有機氣體 (Volatile organic compounds, VOCs) 之量測與分析。結合微流體操控技術及化學還原反應(多倫反應，Tollens’reaction)，發展快速之金屬沉積及高精準度之圖形轉印 (Pattern transfer)技術，將用來製作具有高加熱面積之金屬微結構，做為微型氣相萃取裝置所需之加熱電極。本文中將此技術用來發展兩種不同形式之微型氣相萃取裝置，並完成其特性測試。 相較於利用傳統微機電製程進行金屬蒸鍍，例如:電子束蒸鍍及熱蒸鍍，本研究利用微流體操控及多倫反應所發展之金屬沉積技術，具有簡易及較快速的沉積速度，能沉積厚度約為200 微米之銀微結構作為微型氣相萃取裝置之加熱元件。第一種設計是透過微流體操控技術及化學還原反應，在晶片內部形成四道液體介面，完成四條加熱電極之沉積。並透過熱裂解(Pyrolysis)方式，將碳膜包覆於銀電極表面，作為吸附氣體樣本之材料，完成本微型氣相萃取裝置之製作。當輸入功率為5 W時，具有23℃/s 之加熱速度，到達熱脫附之溫度需23秒。實驗中以濃度為10 PPM之Acetone、Benzene、Toluene及Xylene做為待測樣本，脫附之氣體樣本將經過長度為17公尺之石英管柱進行分離，最後再經由火焰離子感測器偵測分離後氣體之訊號並加以分析。由所量測之層析圖中可計算出其半高寬皆小於6秒，證明具有良好的脫附效果。 第二種設計則是利用乾蝕刻，於晶片內部製作具有高深寬比之柱狀陣列，藉此提升晶片內部表面積。同樣利用化學反應將內部沉積一層銀薄膜做微加熱電極。當輸入功率為5 W時，具有60℃/s 之加熱速度，到達熱脫附之溫度需5秒。經實驗證實，可將半高寬縮小至4秒，有效提高氣相層析分析之準確率。 此金屬沉積技術所製作之垂直電極，也應用於介電泳晶片之開發並進行奈米碳管純化之測試。相較於傳統平面電極僅在微流道底部才具有較高效能，垂直電極能在流道內不同深度的情況下，提供更均勻之電場，透過拉曼光譜分析純化前後之ID/IG，證實垂直電極能提供較高之純化效能。A simple micromachined process based on one photomask is developed for a novel micropreconcentrator (μPCT) used in a micro gas chromatograph (μGC). Unique thick silver heating microstructures with a high surface area for microheaters of μPCT are fabricated by combining the microfluidic technique and the Tollens’ reaction within a microchannel. In this study, two types of micropreconcentrator were developed and tested. Silver deposition using this laminar flow patterning technique provides a higher deposition rate and easier microfabrication compared to conventional micromachined technologies for thick metal microstructures (> 200 μm). An amorphous and porous carbon film that functions as an adsorbent is grown conformally on microheaters inside the microchannel. The μPCT can be heated to >300℃ rapidly by applying a constant electrical power of ~5 W with a heating rate of 23℃/s. Four volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acetone, benzene, toluene, and xylene, are collected through the proposed novel μPCTs and separated successfully using a 17-m-long gas chromatography (GC) column. The peak widths at half height (PWHH) of the four compounds are relatively narrow (38 000 for benzene and toluene. The second type of μPCT with high-aspect-ratio pillar array at the adsorption region was designed and fabricated. The silver thin film heater was formed by injecting Tollens’ solutions alternately. Numerous micropreconcentrators were arranged in series to complete the silver deposition for mass production. A heating rate of 60 ℃/s could be obtained with an applied power of 5W. The peak widths at half height (PWHH) of 2.76 s, 3.24 s, 2.88 s, and 3.48 s were examined for acetone, benzene, toluene, and xylene, respectively. A high-throughput micro/nanoparticle separation device with 3D electrodes was manufactured using laminar flow patterning. The 3D electrodes were manufactured to provide dielectrophoresis (DEP) force. Only one photomask was required during the fabrication process without additional vacuum-based metal deposition processes. The optimal deposition condition was tested and two parallel 3D electrodes were successfully formed at the liquid–liquid interfaces. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were purified using DEP force according to the electrical characteristics. Raman spectroscopy, ID/IG ratio, and current-voltage measurements were employed to compare the purification performance between 3D electrodes and planar electrodes. The ID/IG ratio of conducting MWCNTs could be reduced to 0.71. This indicates that 3D electrodes can provide greater purification