Effect of crosslinking agents on the dispersive behaviour of polymer particles in seed swelling polymerisation

Yu-Chen Kao,Wha-Tzong Whang,Yi-Chun Chen,Kai-Chi Chen 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.51 No.-

This study focused on the effect of crosslinker structure between PMMA on the dispersity of crosslinkedparticles in seed swelling polymerisation. We usedfive different crosslinking agents in an assessment ofthe dispersity of crosslinking monodisperse particles using PMMA seed particles in seed swellingpolymerisation. These results show that the structure of the crosslinking agent affects the dispersityduring the swelling stage. According to the solubility parameter theory of computation, the departure ofsimilar solubility parameter causes the swollen particles to segregate into more dispersity.

An Inverted U-shaped Relationship between Information Transparency and Idiosyncratic Risk

Yi Chang Chen,Mao Feng Kao,Hui Cheng Yu,Yuwen Yang,Yixuan Fu 한국유통과학회 2017 KODISA ICBE (International Conference on Business Vol.2017 No.-

Prior literature indicates that the endogeneity problem exists between information transparency and idiosyncratic risk, and that the results of the impact of transparency on risk are still inconclusive. This study attempts to employ a simultaneous equation model to investigate the non-linear relationship between information transparency and idiosyncratic risk. The variables of firm’s information transparency are drawn from the “Annual Report on China’s Companies’ Public Transparency” published by the China Social Science Academic Press. The finding indicates that an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between information transparency and idiosyncratic risk. The empirical result of the non-linear relation not only confirms the disclosure theory that the relationship between information transparency and idiosyncratic risk is negative, but also explains the inconsistent evidence in previous research.

Effect of Sn Grain Orientation and Strain Distribution in 20-μm-Diameter Microbumps on Crack Formation Under Thermal Cycling Tests

Yi-Cheng Chu,Chih Chen,Nicholas Kao,Don Son Jiang 대한금속·재료학회 2017 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.13 No.6

The thermo-mechanical properties of microbumps serving as interconnects betweenSi chips in three-dimensional integrated circuits were examined in this study. Arraysof SnAg microbumps were subjected to temperature cycling tests up to 2500 cycles. Extensive cracks formed in the microbumps, and some of them propagated across theentire microbump. A microstructural analysis by electron back scattering diffractionindicated that the cracks propagated along two paths: Sn grain boundaries with highmisorientation angles and SnAg/Ni3Sn4 interfaces. The average Sn grain size was only7.4 μm, implying a large proportion of grain boundaries per unit volume, whichfacilitated crack propagation across the microbump of 20 μm in diameter.

Feline mammary carcinoma-derived extracellular vesicle promotes liver metastasis via sphingosine kinase-1-mediated premetastatic niche formation

Yi-Chih Chang,Hao-Ping Liu,Hsiao-Li Chuang,Jiunn-Wang Liao,Pei-Ling Kao,Hsun-Lung Chan,Ter-Hsin Chen,Yu-Chih Wang 한국실험동물학회 2023 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.39 No.4

Background: Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies of female cats. FMC is highly metastatic and thus leads to poor disease outcomes. Among all metastases, liver metastasis occurs in about 25% of FMC patients. However, the mechanism underlying hepatic metastasis of FMC remains largely uncharacterized. Results: Herein, we demonstrate that FMC-derived extracellular vesicles (FMC-EVs) promotes the liver metastasis of FMC by activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to prime a hepatic premetastatic niche (PMN). Moreover, we provide evidence that sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) delivered by FMC-EV was pivotal for the activation of HSC and the formation of hepatic PMN. Depletion of SK1 impaired cargo sorting in FMC-EV and the EV-potentiated HSC activation, and abolished hepatic colonization of FMC cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings uncover a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying liver-metastasis of FMC and provide new insights into prognosis and treatment of this feline malignancy.

FDG PET or PET/CT in Evaluation of Renal Angiomyolipoma

Chun-Yi Lin,Hui-Yi Chen,Hueisch-Jy Ding,Kuo-Yang Yen,Chia-Hung Kao 대한영상의학회 2013 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.14 No.2

Objective: Angiomyolipoma is the most common benign kidney tumor. However, literature describing FDG PET findings on renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is limited. This study reports the FDG PET and PET/CT findings of 21 cases of renal AML. Materials and Methods: The study reviews FDG PET and PET/CT images of 21 patients diagnosed with renal AML. The diagnosis is based on the classical appearance of an AML on CT scan with active surveillance for 6 months. The study is focused on the observation of clinical and radiographic features. Results: Six men and 15 women were included in our study. The mean age of the patients was 57.14 ± 9.67 years old. The mean diameter of 21 renal AML on CT scans was 1.76 ± 1.00 cm (Min: 0.6 cm; Max: 4.4 cm). CT scans illustrated renal masses typical of AMLs, and the corresponding FDG PET scans showed minimal FDG activities in the area of the tumors. None of the 21 AMLs showed a maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) greater than 1.98. No statistically significant correlation was present between SUVmax and tumor size. Conclusion: Renal AMLs demonstrate very low to low uptake on FDG PET and PET/CT imaging in this study. When a fatcontaining tumor in the kidney is found on a CT scan, it is critical to differentiate an AML from a malignant tumor including an RCC, liposarcoma, and Wilms tumor. This study suggests that FDG PET or PET/CT imaging is useful for differentiating a renal AML from a fat-containing malignant tumor.

Validation of Pharyngeal Acid Reflux Episodes Using Hypopharyngeal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH

Yen-Yang Chen,Chen-Chi Wang,Ying-Cheng Lin,John Y Kao,Chun-Yi Chuang,Yung-An Tsou,Ja-Chih Fu,Sheng-Shun Yang,Chi-Sen Chang,Han-Chung Lien 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.1

Background/AimsHypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (HMII-pH) technology incorporating 2 trans-upper esophageal sphincter impedance channels has been developed to detect pharyngeal reflux. We used the HMII-pH technique to validate the candidate pharyngeal acid reflux (PAR) episodes based on the dual-pH tracings and determined the interobserver reproducibility. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in tertiary centers in Taiwan. Ninety patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux and 28 healthy volunteers underwent HMII-pH test when off acid suppressants. Candidate PAR episodes were characterized by pharyngeal pH drops of at least 2 units and reaching a nadir pH of 5 within 30 seconds during esophageal acidification. Two experts manually independently identified candidate PAR episodes based on the dual-pH tracings. By reviewing the HMII-pH tracings, HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes were subsequently confirmed. The consensus reviews of HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes were considered to be the reference standard diagnosis. The interobserver reproducibility was assessed. ResultsA total of 105 candidate PAR episodes were identified. Among them 84 (80.0%; 95% CI, 71.0-87.0%) were HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes (82 in 16 patients and 2 in 1 healthy subject). Patients tended to have more HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes than healthy controls (median and percentile values [25th, 75th, and 95th percentiles]: 0 [0, 0, 3] vs 0 [0, 0, 0], P = 0.067). The concordance rate in diagnosing HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes between 2 independent observers was 92.2%. ConclusionOur preliminary data showed that 80.0% (71.0-87.0%) of the proposed candidate PAR episodes were HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes, among which the interobserver reproducibility was good.

Application of Block Diagonal Technique to a Hamiltonian Matrix in Performing Spin-splitting Calculations for GaN Wurtzite Materials

Chun-Nan Chen,Sheng-Hsiung Chang,Wei-Long Su,Wan-Tsang Wang,Hsiu-Fen Kao,Jen-Yi Jen,Yiming Li 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.60 No.3

The bulk inversion asymmetry (Dresselhaus) terms (i.e., B2, B1, and B01 terms) of wurtzite materials are determined. The 2 × 2 conduction band, 2 × 2 heavy-hole band, 2 × 2 light-hole band,and 2 × 2 crystal-field split-off hole band matrices of wurtzite semiconductors are developed and decoupled by using a block diagonal technique. Importantly, those 2 × 2 block diagonal matrices incorporate not only the interband coupling effect but also the bulk inversion asymmetry effect. Analytical expressions for the conduction and the valence band spin-splitting parameters and energies of GaN wurtzite materials are formulated by solving the block diagonal matrices. The presence of these terms is shown to include the spin-splitting phenomenon. The bulk inversion asymmetry (Dresselhaus) terms (i.e., B2, B1, and B01 terms) of wurtzite materials are determined. The 2 × 2 conduction band, 2 × 2 heavy-hole band, 2 × 2 light-hole band,and 2 × 2 crystal-field split-off hole band matrices of wurtzite semiconductors are developed and decoupled by using a block diagonal technique. Importantly, those 2 × 2 block diagonal matrices incorporate not only the interband coupling effect but also the bulk inversion asymmetry effect. Analytical expressions for the conduction and the valence band spin-splitting parameters and energies of GaN wurtzite materials are formulated by solving the block diagonal matrices. The presence of these terms is shown to include the spin-splitting phenomenon.

Development of human IgE biosensor using Sezawa-mode SAW devices

Ying-Chung Chen,Wei-Tsai Chang,Chien-Chuan Cheng,Jing-Yi Shen,Kuo-Sheng Kao 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.4

This paper reports Sezawa-mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices with via-isolated cavity to construct the allergy biosensor. To fabricate Sezawa-mode SAW devices, the RF magnetron sputtering method for the growth of piezoelectric ZnO thin films are adopted and influences of the sputtering parameters are investigated. The optimal substrate temperature of 300 C, RF power of 120 W and sputtering pressure of 2 Pa were used to deposit piezoelectric ZnO films with a smooth surface, uniform grain size and strongly c-axis-orientated crystallization. A back-etched SAW resonator is used in this study. The wet etching of (100)-oriented silicon wafers is used to form a back-side cavity which is critical to the formation of a hopper cavity for holding bio-analytes. The remaining membrane structure silicon thickness was 25 mm. In this report, the chrome (Cr, 12 nm)/gold (Au, 66 nm) layer was initially deposited onto the sensing area of SAW devices as the binding layer for biochemical sensor. The resonance frequency of the Sezawa-mode SAW device is 1.497 GHz. The maximum sensitivity of the Sezawa-mode is calculated to be 4.44 106 cm2/g for human immunoglobulin-E (IgE) detection. The stability for human IgE detection is calculated to be 80% and the variation of the stability 3% was obtained after several tests.

Validation of a Palliative Prognostic Index to Predict Life Expectancy for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients in a Hospice Consultation Setting in Taiwan

Cheng, Wei-Hong,Kao, Chen-Yi,Hung, Yu-Shin,Su, Po-Jung,Hsieh, Chia-Hsun,Chen, Jen-Shi,Wang, Hung-Ming,Chou, Wen-Chi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the practical utility of the palliative prognostic index (PPI) as a prognostic tool used by nurse specialists in a hospice consultation setting in Taiwan. Methods: In total, 623 terminal cancer patients under hospice consultation care from one medical center in northern Taiwan were enrolled between January 1 and June 30, 2011. PPI was assessed by a nurse specialist at first hospice consultation and patients categorized into groups by prognosis (good, intermediate, poor). Patient survival was analyzed retrospectively to determine significance of between-group differences. Results: By PPI sum score, 37.2% of patients were in the good prognosis group, 18% in the intermediate prognosis group and 44.8% in the poor prognosis group. The death rates were 56%, 81.2% and 89.6% and median survivals were 76, 18 and 7 days, respectively. The hazard ratio was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.24, p<0.001) for the poor versus good prognosis group and 0.54 (95% CI 0.43-0.69, p<0.001) for the poor versus intermediate prognosis group. The sensitivity and specificity for the poor prognosis group was 66% and 71%; the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 81% and 52%, respectively, to predict patient death within 21 days (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.68). Conclusions: Assessment by PPI can accurately predict survival of terminal cancer patients receiving hospice consultation care. PPI is a simple tool and can be administered by nurse members of hospice consultation teams.

Magnetic Properties and Microscopic Structures of Ultrathin Co/p3 × p3 − R30˚-Ag/Si(111) Films

Jyh-Shen Tsay,Tsu-Yi Fu,Chih-Kuei Kao,Xiao-Lan Huang,Jyh-Ron Shue,Wei-Hsiang Chen,Yeong-Der Yao,구현주 한국물리학회 2013 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.62 No.12

Combined scanning tunneling microscopy and surface magneto-optic Kerr effect studies were employedto study the relation between magnetic properties and the microscopic interfacial structuresof ultrathin Co/p3×p3−R30˚-Ag/Si(111) films. On the top of p3×p3−R30˚-Ag/Si(111), pureCo clusters formed without disrupting the p3 × p3 − R30˚ structure of the Ag buffer layer. Thegreat strain due to the large mismatch between Co and the substrate influenced the nucleation ofCo atoms to form large clusters. No magnetic hysteresis in the polar configuration was observed forfilms thinner than 10 monolayers. The easy axis of magnetization was in the surface plane. Cappingp3 × p3 − R30˚-Ag on top of the Si(111) surface before the deposition of the Co overlayerscan efficiently reduce the nonferromagnetic Co-Si compound to zero thickness. For Co coveragebetween 2.9 and 4.2 monolayers, a lower Curie temperature was observed in ultrathin films. Due tothe existence of a smooth interface between Co and the p3 × p3 − R30˚-Ag buffer, the coercivityfor Co/p3 × p3 − R30˚-Ag/Si(111) is smaller than that for Co/Si(111).