Improving discharge uniformity of industrial-scale very high frequency plasma sources by launching a traveling wave

Hsin-Liang Chen,Yen-Cheng Tu,Cheng-Chang Hsieh,Deng-Lain Lin,Chin-Jung Chang,Keh-Chyang Leou 한국물리학회 2016 Current Applied Physics Vol.16 No.7

Very high frequency (VHF) PECVD has been demonstrated to be able to significantly increase the deposition rate without compromising the film quality for the manufacture of silicon heterojunction and silicon thin film solar cells. To further reduce the production costs by enhancing the throughput, larger electrode and higher frequency are often required at the same time. Nevertheless, raising frequency in large-area PECVD results in non-uniform discharge caused by the standing wave effect and deteriorates the processing uniformity. In this study, a technique that generates a traveling wave via superposing two specific standing waves launched simultaneously is proposed to resolve this issue. An industrial-scale linear plasma reactor with length and width of 125 and 10 cm, respectively, is adopted for experimental tests and two 80 MHz power supplies are utilized to separately control the standing waves. The experimental results show that the discharge gap is only partially covered by plasma discharge when only one standing wave is applied. However, as both standing waves are launched, the non-uniformity of plasma discharge can be effectively reduced to <±5%. In addition, numerical simulation is also conducted in this study to clarify whether the proposed technique can be applied to large-area rectangular PECVD (substrate size: 1.4 m 1.1 m). By arranging multiple feeding points on opposite sides of the powered electrode, the simulation results indicate the non-uniformity of electric field can be maintained within ±10%.

One-Piece Micropumps from Liquid Crystal Elastomer Core-Shell Particles

Hsin-Ling Liang,Eva-Kristina Fleischmann,Rudolf Zentel,Nadia Kapernaum,Frank Giesselmann,Jan Lagerwall 한국고분자학회 2012 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2012 No.10

Tuning the defect configurations in nematic and smectic liquid crystalline shells

Liang, Hsin-Ling,Noh, JungHyun,Zentel, Rudolf,Rudquist, Per,Lagerwall, Jan P.F. Royal Society 2013 Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical Vol.371 No.1988

<P>Thin liquid crystalline shells surrounding and surrounded by aqueous phases can be conveniently produced using a nested capillary microfluidic system, as was first demonstrated by Fernandez-Nieves <I>et al.</I> in 2007. By choosing particular combinations of stabilizers in the internal and external phases, different types of alignment, uniform or hybrid, can be ensured within the shell. Here, we investigate shells in the nematic and smectic phases under varying boundary conditions, focusing in particular on textural transformations during phase transitions, on the interaction between topological defects in the director field and inclusions in the liquid crystal (LC), and on the possibility to relocate defects within the shell by rotating the shell in the gravitational field. We demonstrate that inclusions in a shell can seed defects that cannot form in a pristine shell, adding a further means of tuning the defect configuration, and that shells in which the internal aqueous phase is not density matched with the LC will gently rearrange the internal structure upon a rotation that changes the influence of gravity. Because the defects can act as anchor points for added linker molecules, allowing self-assembly of adjacent shells, the various arrangements of defects developing in these shells and the possibility of tuning the result by modifying boundary conditions, LC phase, thickness and diameter of the shell or applying external forces make this new LC configuration very attractive.</P>

Influence of doping and annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of Mg2SiO4:Eu3þ synthesized by combustion method

Hsin-Liang Chen,Yen-Cheng Tu,Cheng-Chang Hsieh 한국물리학회 2016 Current Applied Physics Vol.16 No.7

This paper presents the structural and optical properties of europium doped magnesium orthosilicate nanophosphor prepared by combustion method and further annealed at varying temperatures. The structural and optical properties were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), High resolution Transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (DRS) and Photoluminescence spectra (PL) together with decay time. The XRD results confirmed the phase formation of Mg2SiO4. FESEM and TEM results indicated spherical particles in nanometer size. Photoluminescence spectra of Mg2SiO4:Eu3þ nanophosphors exhibited five groups of peaks 5D0 / 7FJ (J ¼ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions. Intensity parameters (U2 U4) and other radiative properties such as radiative transition probability, total radiative transition probability, radiative life time, branching ratio and stimulated emission cross-section were calculated using Judd- Ofelt theory. The lifetime measurement indicates a decreasing trend up to 5 mol% of Eu3þ concentration.

The Relationship Between Night Shift Work and the Risk of Abnormal Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone: A Hospital-Based Nine-Year Follow-up Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan

Chen, Hsin-Hao,Chiu, Hsiao-Hui,Yeh, Tzu-Lin,Lin, Chi-Min,Huang, Hsin-Yi,Wu, Shang-Liang Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2021 Safety and health at work Vol.12 No.3

Background: Health-care providers typically undergo shift work and are subjected to increased stress. Night shift work may induce disturbed sleep cycles and circadian rhythm. The objective of this study was to explore if night shift workers (NSWs) show an increased risk of abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 574 employees without thyroid disease and abnormal TSH at baseline who underwent annual check-ups between 2007 and 2016 in a medical center. NSWs were defined as those with working time schedules other than daytime hours. We calculated the incidence rate and estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for incident abnormal TSH and subclinical hypothyroidism compared with non-NSWs using a Cox regression model. Results: A total of 56 incident abnormal TSH cases and 39 subclinical hypothyroidism cases in NSWs were identified during 3000 person-years of follow-up. In models adjusted for age, sex, obesity, and working departments, we found no increased relative risk for incident abnormal TSH (HR: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.33-1.60) or subclinical hypothyroidism (HR: 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-1.45) when comparing NSWs to non-NSWs; nor were incidence rates significantly different among exclusively medical employees after excluding administrative staff. Conclusion: In this hospital-based nine-year follow-up retrospective cohort study, NSWs were not associated with increased relative risk of incident abnormal TSH and subclinical hypothyroidism, in contrast to previous cross-sectional studies.

Gender Differences Associated with Pain Characteristics and Treatment in Taiwanese Oncology Outpatients

Liang, Shu-Yuan,Wang, Tsae-Jyy,Wu, Shu-Fang,Chao, Ta-Chung,Chuang, Yeu-Hui,Tsay, Shiow-Luan,Tung, Heng-Hsin,Lee, Ming-Der Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

The purpose of this descriptive and comparative study was to examine gender differences relevant to pain intensity, opioid prescription patterns and opioid consumption in Taiwanese oncology outpatients. The 92 participants had been prescribed opioid analgesics for cancer-related pain at least once in the past week and were asked to complete the Brief Pain Inventory - Chinese questionnaire and to recall the dosage of each opioid analgesic that they had ingested within the previous 24 hours. For opioid prescriptions and consumption, all analgesics were converted to morphine equivalents. The results revealed a significant difference between males and female minimum pain thresholds (t = 2.38, p = 0.02) and current pain thresholds (t = 2.12, p = 0.04), with males reporting a higher intensity of pain than females. In addition, this study found that males tended to use prescribed opioid analgesics more frequently than females on the bases of both around the clock (ATC) (t = 1.90, p = 0.06) and ATC plus as needed (ATC + PRN) (t = 2.33, p = 0.02). However, there was no difference between males and females in opioid prescriptions on an ATC basis (t = 0.52, p = 0.60) or at an ATC + PRN basis (t = 0.40, p = 0.69). The results suggest that there may be a gender bias in the treatment of cancer pain, supporting the proposal of routine examination of the effect of gender on cancer pain management. These findings suggest that clinicians should be particularly aware of potential gender differences during pain monitoring and the consumption of prescribed opioid analgesics.

Biosequestration of Carbon Dioxide Using a Silicified Carbonic Anhydrase Catalyst

Liang-Jung Chien,수레쉬쿠마,Hsiao-Hsin Hsieh,Jui-Lung Wang 한국생물공학회 2013 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.18 No.3

Using recombinant DNA technology, we constructed a dual fusion gene expression plasmid,pRCAH-30, encoding carbonic anhydrase (CA) from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, an R5 peptide sequence, and an affinity (His)6 tag, to allow the simultaneous purification and immobilization of the encoded fusion enzyme, termed RCAH. The expressed fusion protein was approximately 30 kDa, and could be rapidly purified using affinity resins. To enhance enzyme activity,the R5 peptide facilitated immobilization by means of silicification with tetramethoxysilane; the aggregated particles were approximately 300 nm in diameter. Activity tests revealed that the enzyme functioned optimally between pH 7.0 and 7.5; maximum stability was achieved between 25and 45oC, at pH 6.0 ~ 8.0. Activity of the fusion enzyme persisted, even after encapsulation by biomimetic silicification. In fact, silicone embedding stabilized the enzyme structure, thereby increasing its stability and reusability rate under different environmental conditions. In addition, the silicified enzyme reduced waste CO2 gas from 800 to 42 ppm, resulting in a gas capture rate of 94.7% after conversion. Thus, the construct developed in this study can be effectively utilized for the sequestration of industrial waste CO2 gas.

Relationship Between Belief about Analgesics, Analgesic Adherence and Pain Experience in Taiwanese Cancer Outpatients

Liang, Shu-Yuan,Chen, Kang-Pan,Tsay, Shiow-Luan,Wu, Shu-Fang,Chuang, Yeu-Hui,Wang, Tsae-Jyy,Tung, Heng-Hsin,Cheng, Su-Fen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Social and behavioral scientists have proposed that a person's belief system crucially influences his or her behaviour, and therefore may affect outcomes of pain management. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between analgesic beliefs, analgesic adherence and pain experience amongst Taiwanese cancer outpatients. The cross-sectional study included 92 oncology outpatients in two teaching hospitals in the Taipei area of Taiwan. The research instruments included the Pain Opioid Analgesic Beliefs Scale-Cancer (POABS-CA), opioid adherence, and the Brief Pain Inventory-Chinese (BPI-Chinese). Beliefs about pain and opioids demonstrated a significant relationship with patients' opioid adherence (r = -0.30, p < 0.01). The more negative beliefs regarding opioids and pain the patient had, the worse their adherence to around the clock (ATC) analgesic regimen. However, there was no significant correlation between opioid belief and pain experience. As well, there were no significant relationships between adherence to opioid regimen and any of the measures of pain experience. The study highlights the potential importance of a patient's pain and opioid beliefs in adherence to pain medication.

Light-Emitting Diode-Assisted Narrow Band Imaging Video Endoscopy System in Head and Neck Cancer

Hsin-Jen Chang,Wen-Hung Wang,Yen-Liang Chang,Tzuan-Ren Jeng,Chun-Te Wu,Ludovic Angot,Chun-Hsing Lee,Pa-Chun Wang 대한소화기내시경학회 2015 Clinical Endoscopy Vol.48 No.2

Background/Aims: To validate the effectiveness of a newly developed light-emitting diode (LED)-narrow band imaging (NBI) system for detecting early malignant tumors in the oral cavity. Methods: Six men (mean age, 51.5 years) with early oral mucosa lesions were screened using both the conventional white light and LED-NBI systems. Results: Small elevated or ulcerative lesions were found under the white light view, and typical scattered brown spots were identified after shifting to the LED-NBI view for all six patients. Histopathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical stage was early malignant lesions (T1), and the patients underwent wide excision for primary cancer. This is the pilot study documenting the utility of a new LED-NBI system as an adjunctive technique to detect early oral cancer using the diagnostic criterion of the presence of typical scattered brown spots in six high-risk patients. Conclusions: Although large-scale screening programs should be established to further verify the accuracy of this technology, its lower power consumption, lower heat emission, and higher luminous efficiency appear promising for future clinical applications.

Accumulation of Lipid Production in Chlorella minutissima by Triacylglycerol Biosynthesis-Related Genes Cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica

Hsin-Ju Hsieh,Chia-Hung Su,Liang-Jung Chien 한국미생물학회 2012 The journal of microbiology Vol.50 No.3

Discovery of an alternative fuel is now an urgent matter because of the impending issue of oil depletion. Lipids synthesized in algal cells called triacylglycerols (TAGs) are thought to be of the most value as a potential biofuel source because they can use transesterification to manufacture biodiesel. Biodiesel is deemed as a good solution to overcoming the problem of oil depletion since it is capable of providing good performance similar to that of petroleum. Expression of several genomic sequences, including glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, phosphatidic acid phosphatase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase, can be useful for manipulating metabolic pathways for biofuel production. In this study, we found this approach indeed increased the storage lipid content of C. minutissima UTEX 2219 up to 2-fold over that of wild type. Thus, we conclude this approach can be used with the biodiesel production platform of C. minutissima UTEX 2219 for high lipid production that will, in turn, enhance productivity.