Effects of Ox-LDL on Macrophages NAD(P)H Autofluorescence Changes by Two-photon Microscopy

Ox-LDL uptakes by macrophage play a critical role in the happening of atherosclerosis. Because of its low damage on observed cells and better signal-to- background ratio, two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy is used to observe NAD(P)H autofluorescence of macrophage under difference cultured conditions- bare cover glass, coated with fibronectin or poly-D-lysine. The results show that the optimal condition is fibronectin coated surface, on which, macrophages profile can be clearly identified on NAD(P)H autofluorescence images collected by two-photon microscopy. Moreover, different morphology and intensities of autofluorescence under different conditions were observed as well. In the future, effects of ox-LDL on macrophages will be investigated by purposed system to research etiology of atherosclerosis.Comment: Submitted on behalf of TIMA Editions (http://irevues.inist.fr/tima-editions

A Study of the Job Stress and its Effect of the Information Systems Professional in Taiwan

This study conducts a survey to investigate the information systems professional\u27s job stress and its outcomes in Taiwan\u27s companies. The analysis is based on an organizational stress model. The results of this study indicate that (1) statistically significant difference exists between most of the job stressor and some items of the outcomes, (2) some moderating variables, such as type A personality and SDLC stage, are statistically significant in affecting the job stressor and the outcomes, and (3) statistically significant positive correlation exists between job satisfaction and psychological effects of the job stress

Development and Validations of a 3-D Numerical Wave Model in Cartesian Grid System Using Level Set Method

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchive

A New Combined Boost Converter with Improved Voltage Gain as a Battery-Powered Front-End Interface for Automotive Audio Amplifiers

High boost DC/DC voltage conversion is always indispensable in a power electronic interface of certain battery-powered electrical equipment. However, a conventional boost converter works for a wide duty cycle for such high voltage gain, which increases power consumption and has low reliability problems. In order to solve this issue, a new battery-powered combined boost converter with an interleaved structure consisting of two phases used in automotive audio amplifier is presented. The first phase uses a conventional boost converter; the second phase employs the inverted type. With this architecture, a higher boost voltage gain is able to be achieved. A derivation of the operating principles of the converter, analyses of its topology, as well as a closed-loop control designs are performed in this study. Furthermore, simulations and experiments are also performed using input voltage of 12 V for a 120Wcircuit. A reasonable duty cycle is selected to reach output voltage of 60 V, which corresponds to static voltage gain of five. The converter achieves a maximum measured conversion efficiency of 98.7% and the full load efficiency of 89.1%

Extending the Technology Acceptance Model to Investigate Impact of Embodied Games on Learning of Xiao-zhuan()

AbstractThis research focuses on topic of e-learning of Xiao-zhuan through digital Embodied games as a brand new way of creative learning method for Xiao-zhuan. TAM, Technology Acceptance Model, is the methodology in this research. Theory of perceived playfulness is also adopted to analyze the learning of Xiao-zhuan. Subjects in this research are 45 sophomores of the Department of Chinese Literature in National Taiwan Normal University. This research adopts questionnaire survey method, then refers to students’ paper scores on the test. The results of this research are as follows: Firstly, “Perceived Usefulness” has the significant influence on “Learning Effectiveness” and “Attitude toward Using the Embodied games”. Secondly, “Perceived Ease of Use” has the influence on “Perceived Playfulness”. Thirdly, “Perceived Playfulness” has the significant influence on “Attitude toward Using the Embodied games”

The impact of revised CLSI cefazolin breakpoints on the clinical outcomes of Escherichia coli bacteremia

AbstractBackground/PurposeThe susceptibility breakpoints of cephalosporins for Enterobacteriaceae were revised by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) in 2010 and 2011. The clinical outcome and susceptibility data were analyzed to evaluate the impact of revised CLSI cefazolin breakpoints on the treatment of Escherichia coli bacteremia.MethodsForty-three bacteremic Escherichia coli isolates from Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, during the period from January 2013 to December 2013, were selected to analyze the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions of cefazolin and the correlated clinical responses to cefazolin therapy.ResultsThe modal cefazolin MIC among the 43 isolates was 1 μg/mL and accounted for 18 (42%) isolates. The cumulative percentage for MICs ≤ 2 μg/mL was 79%. The conventional dosing regimens achieved clinical cure in 33 (97%) of 34 patients with bacteremia due to E. coli with a cefazolin MIC ≤ 2 μg/mL, in all of the six patients with a cefazolin MIC of 4 μg/mL, and all of the three patients with a cefazolin MIC of 8 μg/mL.ConclusionThe microbiological data support the revised CLSI breakpoints of cefazolin. The conventional cefazolin dosing regimens can still achieve satisfactory clinical cure rates for bacteremia of E. coli with a cefazolin MIC ≤ 2 μg/mL in patients without severe septic shock. Before the approval of the efficacy of cefazolin for the treatment of E. coli isolates with a cefazolin MIC of 4 μg/mL, it is prudent to use cefazolin only when a high drug level can be achieved in the infection site, such as the urinary tract

Erratum to: Architectural Growth of Cu Nanoparticles Through Electrodeposition

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