Synthesis of CuInSe2 thin films from electrodeposited Cu11In9 precursors by two-step annealing

In this study, copper indium selenide (CIS) films were synthesized from electrodeposited Cu-In-Se precursors by two-step annealing. The agglomeration phenomenon of the electrodeposited In layer usually occurred on the Cu surface. A thermal process was adopted to turn Cu-In precursors into uniform Cu11In9 binary compounds. After deposition of the Se layer, annealing was employed to form chalcopyrite CIS. However, synthesis of CIS from Cu11In9 requires sufficient thermal energy. Annealing temperature and time were investigated to grow high quality CIS film. Various electrodeposition conditions were investigated to achieve the proper atomic ratio of CIS. The properties of the CIS films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectra

Critical Factors of Adopting Enterprise Application Integration Technology: An Empirical Study on Larger Hospitals

As hospitals extend their service scope, they adopt more information systems. These systems are implemented in different timelines and the interfaces of databases become varied. Frequently, the exchange of information between various systems requires additional coordination or even manual input for unifying data. To embrace automation, the solution is to adopt enterprise application integration (EAI) technology, the middleware, to convert data from among various information systems to enable an efficient flow of data in the hospital. In this paper, we discuss and verify the impact factors on the integration levels of EAI by surveying larger hospitals above the regional level in Taiwan and testing a proposed research model. The findings of this study show that information technology infrastructure, hospital size, external pressure, internal pressure, and external support significantly affect the EAI level

Elderly Patients with Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer Undergoing Total Pharyngolaryngectomy with a Radial Forearm, Free Flap-reconstructed Phonation Tube

SummaryBackgroundThe radial forearm, free-flap (RFFF)-reconstructed phonation tube was developed for functional restoration of voice after total pharyngolaryngectomy. We aimed to report the efficacy of RFFF phonation tube after pharyngolaryngectomy with radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for elderly.Materials and methodsTen patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy and one-stage reconstruction with an RFFF-accompanied phonation tube, followed by RT or CCRT. Voice restoration was achieved with the RFFF-reconstructed phonation tube. Functional outcomes of phonation and speech were evaluated and scored.ResultsPercentages of stage III and stage IV patients among all participants were 10% and 90%, respectively. The median follow-up time was 31 months (range, 4–67 months). Almost 9 out of 10 (90%) patients experienced phonation efficacy greater than 80%. The maximal phonation time per breath was 70% longer than 3 sec. The graded as mild of wet voice was 90%. Percentage of mild decreased loudness was 60% and that of low and high pitch was 80%. Of the 10 patients, 40% could count more than 10 and 70% could pronounce more than 1 to 5 words per breath. After RT or CCRT, of patients had moderately good to excellent speech intelligibility.ConclusionThe RFFF phonation tube that was used after pharyngolaryngectomy with RT or CCRT with IMRT provided acceptable complications and functional restoration of voice for elderly patients

Sustainabilitas Arsitektur Masjid: Evaluasi Konsep “Simple Architecture” sebagai Implementasi Desain Arsitektur Berkelanjutan suatu Kawasan

Makalah ini membahas aspek-aspek “kesederhanaan” (simplicity) sebagai konsep desain bangunan masjid secara berkelanjutan (sustainable) sesuai konteks dengan mengambil studi kasus masjid kawasan Al-Irsyad Satya Kota Baru Parahyangan, Bandung. Masjid sebagai subyek arsitektur dan pusat ibadah menjadi ruang publik yang didesain dari elemen-elemen yang secara ideal mengandung nilai-nilai Islam dan bertujuan mendukung fungsinya. Desain masjid berkonsep simple atau “sederhana” digunakan sebagai alternatif kontemporer untuk mengoptimalisasi fungsi tersebut, meliputi struktur bangunan hingga biaya pemeliharaan (maintenance) sesuai prinsip keberlanjutan. Keterkaitan erat bangunan masjid dengan aktivitas masyarakat berpotensi melibatkan partisipasi masyarakat dan pengelola dalam menerapkan program sustainabilitas sesuai konteks lingkungannya. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini berbasis pendekatan Grounded Theory secara kualitatif melalui pengumpulan data dari kegiatan observasi, interview dan analisis program keberlanjutan kawasan. Penelitian menemukan keterkaitan konsep “sederhana” yang mendukung sustainabilitas desain sekaligus menggarisbawahi evaluasi konsep desain “sederhana” yang hadir serta faktor pemeliharaan/pengembangan masjid dan kawasan

The prevalence of ocular diseases in primary and junior high school students on Orchid Island

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of refractive error and ocular diseases in primary and junior high school students on Orchid Island.Materials and MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study of all students in the primary and junior high schools on Orchid Island conducted within 1 week in 2008. Each student received a visual acuity examination without correction with the Landolt-C chart. An experienced ophthalmologist performed associated assessments through retinoscopy, slit lamp, and fundoscopy.ResultsOf the 403 student residents, 260 were primary school students (139 boys and 121 girls) and 143 were junior high school students (74 boys and 69 girls). Visual acuity in two eyes was < 0.1, in 14 eyes was between 0.1 and 0.3, in 34 eyes was between 0.4 and 0.7, in 225 eyes was between 0.8 and 1.0, and in 531 eyes was between 1.2 and 2.0. Myopia was found in 21 students (21/403, 5.21%; 9 primary school students and 12 junior high school students). Four students (4/403, 0.99%) had amblyopia, of whom two had anisometropia (unilateral high hyperopia), one had high astigmatism in both eyes, and the other had unilateral esotropia. Lens dislocation was found in one student (0.25%) with Marfan syndrome. Retinal vasculitis and optic atrophy were found in one student (0.25%) with systemic lupus erythematosus.ConclusionBecause it is a small, isolated island, Orchid Island still has a unique traditional culture and life style. Therefore the prevalence of myopia in primary school and junior high school students on Orchid Island is low, and 94% of all the students had uncorrected visual acuity above 0.8

Autologous serum therapy in recalcitrant laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy

AbstractBackground/PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of autologous serum eye drops for patients with recalcitrant laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy (LINE) unresponsive to conventional treatment, and to determine the possible predisposing risk factors of these patients.MethodsWe enrolled 10 consecutive patients (20 eyes) undergoing femtosecond-assisted myopic LASIK surgery presenting with recalcitrant LINE for > 1 year. Another 340 patients (713 eyes) receiving femtosecond-assisted myopic LASIK without recalcitrant LINE were set as controls. Possible risk factors associated with recalcitrant LINE were investigated. Twenty percent autologous serum treatment was prescribed to 20 eyes. The efficacy of autologous serum was assessed with ocular surface conditions, tear function, and the change of best-corrected visual acuity.ResultsAge older than 30 years [odds ratio (OR) = 7.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.74–34.50], flap thickness < 110 μm (OR = 3.47; 95% CI, 1.22–9.73), and a flap diameter < 8.5 mm (OR = 5.38; 95% CI, 1.95–14.85) pose higher risks in femtosecond laser-assisted myopic LASIK. All eyes (100%) achieved remission after autologous serum treatment. The visual acuity before treatment was 0.49 ± 0.41 in LogMAR, and the visual acuity after treatment was 0.14 ± 0.22 in LogMAR. Time to achieve remission was 8.26 ± 11.87 weeks. Mean relapse-free survival after discontinuing autologous serum was 47 weeks.ConclusionRisk factors of recalcitrant LINE in femtosecond laser-assisted myopic LASIK were identified as older age, a thinner flap (<110 μm), and a small flap diameter (<8.5 mm). Autologous serum eye drops can effectively improve corneal surface conditions and postoperative visual acuity

Performance of Routine Helicobacter pylori Invasive Tests in Patients with Dyspepsia

Background. This study was designed to compare the accuracy of three different invasive methods for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients with dyspepsia. These tests included culture, histology, and the rapid urease test (CLO test). Methods. H. pylori infection was diagnosed prospectively in 246 untreated dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The gold standard for H. pylori infection was based on a positive culture or both a positive histological examination and a CLO test. Results. H. pylori was diagnosed in 33.3% of the patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were as follows: histology from the antrum (95.12; 95.12; 90.7; 97.5; 95.12%); histology from the antrum and corpus (95.12; 95.12; 90.7; 97.5; 95.12%); histology from the corpus (76.83; 96.95; 92.65; 89.33; 90.24%); culture (91.46; 100; 100; 95.91; 97.15%); a CLO test from the antrum and corpus (85.59; 100; 100; 93.71; 95.52%); a CLO test from the antrum (64.63; 100; 100; 84.97; 88.21%); a CLO test from the corpus (69.51; 100; 100; 96.77; 89.83%), respectively. Conclusions. Antral biopsy histology and culture are the best methods for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in our cohort of patients with dyspepsia

Caffeic acid phenethyl amide ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has been shown to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by various mechanisms including its antioxidant effect. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of a CAPE analog with more structural stability in plasma, caffeic acid phenethyl amide (CAPA), on I/R injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats. METHODS: Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by a single intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg STZ. To produce the I/R injury, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 45 minutes, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. CAPA was pretreated intraperitoneally 30 minutes before reperfusion. An analog devoid of the antioxidant property of CAPA, dimethoxyl CAPA (dmCAPA), and a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester [l-NAME]) were used to evaluate the mechanism involved in the reduction of the infarct size following CAPA-treatment. Finally, the cardioprotective effect of chronic treatment of CAPA was analyzed in diabetic rats. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, CAPA administration (3 and 15 mg/kg) significantly reduced the myocardial infarct size after I/R, while dmCAPA (15 mg/kg) had no cardioprotective effect. Interestingly, pretreatment with a NOS inhibitor, (l-NAME, 3 mg/kg) eliminated the effect of CAPA on myocardial infarction. Additionally, a 4-week CAPA treatment (1 mg/kg, orally, once daily) started 4 weeks after STZ-induction could effectively decrease the infarct size and ameliorate the cardiac dysfunction by pressure-volume loop analysis in STZ-induced diabetic animals. CONCLUSIONS: CAPA, which is structurally similar to CAPE, exerts cardioprotective activity in I/R injury through its antioxidant property and by preserving nitric oxide levels. On the other hand, chronic CAPA treatment could also ameliorate cardiac dysfunction in diabetic animals

Construction of Fuzzy Map for Autonomous Mobile Robots Based on Fuzzy Confidence Model

This paper presents the use of fuzzy models to explicitly consider sensor uncertainty and finite resolution in solving the SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) problem for autonomous mobile robots. The approach establishes fuzzy confidence models in describing occupied obstacles and available space. The problem is transformed into an optimization task of minimizing the alignment error between newly scanned local fuzzy maps and selected parts of a developing global fuzzy map. In aligning local fuzzy maps into a global fuzzy map, we developed a prediction strategy to crop the most potential part from the sensed local fuzzy maps to be overlapped with the global fuzzy map. A mobile vehicle equipped with a laser range finder, the Hokuyo URG-04LX, is used to demonstrate the procedure of fuzzy map building. Experimental results show that the proposed architecture is effective in generating a comprehensive global fuzzy map, which is suitable for both human comprehension and path design during real-time navigation

Acute Q Fever and Scrub Typhus, Southern Taiwan

Acute Q fever and scrub typhus are zoonoses endemic to southern Taiwan. Among the 137 patients with acute Q fever (89, 65.0%) or scrub typhus (43, 31.4%), we identified 5 patients (3.6%) who were co-infected with Coxiella burnetii and Orientia tsutsugamushi