The simple and easy way to manufacture counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Jo-Lin Lan,Yung-Yun Wang,Chi-Chao Wan,Tzu-Chien Wei,Hsien-Ping Feng,Chao Peng,Hai-Peng Cheng,Ya-Huei Chang,Wen-Chi Hsu 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.2

We previously developed poly-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (PVP)-capped Pt nanoclusters on ITO glass via a simple ‘‘2-step dip coating process” as counter electrode for DSSC. This new counter electrode was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and current–voltage curve (I–V curve). The TEM results revealed that PVP-capped Pt nanoclusters’ size is about 3 nm, and the amount of Pt deposited on ITO glass is about 5 ㎍/㎠. Comparing with sputtered Pt and Solaronix thermal cluster Pt-catalyst T/SP, the PVP-capped Pt counter electrode has lower amount of Pt deposited on TCO glass,more positive potential of tri-iodide reduction, and better performance for the charge-transfer resistance (RCT) and the cell efficiency (g).

Controlled Release of Clenbuterol from a Hydroxyapatite Carrier for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Yi-Wen Lin,Chih-Hsiang Fang,Ya-Jyun Liang,Ching-Yun Yang,Wei-Ting Kuo,Feng-Huei Lin 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Background Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, and Aβ aggregation is considered to be the central process implicated in its pathogenesis. Current treatments are faced by challenges such as serious side effects and reduced drug bioavailability. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system for intramuscular injection that uses cellular activity to achieve constant and long-term drug release. Methods Synthesized mesoporous hydroxyapatite (SHAP) was prepared via co-precipitation, and hydrophobic surface modification using stearic acid was then used to load clenbuterol by physical absorption, thus creating the drug delivery system. Clenbuterol release was achieved through cellular activity, with macrophage uptake triggering lysosome/endosome disruption, cytoplasmic release, extracellular exocytosis, and subsequent systemic circulation. Results We found that clenbuterol-loaded SHAP enabled sustained release for more than 2 weeks and effectively modulated inflammation, reduced Aβ oligomer-induced toxicity, and prevented Aβ aggregation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that treatment with clenbuterol loaded in this SHAP delivery system could be a promising strategy for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

On the direct insulator-quantum Hall transition in two-dimensional electron systems in the vicinity of nanoscaled scatterers

Liang, Chi-Te,Lin, Li-Hung,Kuang Yoa, Chen,Lo, Shun-Tsung,Wang, Yi-Ting,Lou, Dong-Sheng,Kim, Gil-Ho,Yuan-Huei, Chang,Ochiai, Yuichi,Aoki, Nobuyuki,Chen, Jeng-Chung,Lin, Yiping,Chun-Feng, Huang,Lin, Sh Springer 2011 Nanoscale research letters Vol.6 No.1

<P>A direct insulator-quantum Hall (I-QH) transition corresponds to a crossover/transition from the insulating regime to a high Landau level filling factor ν > 2 QH state. Such a transition has been attracting a great deal of both experimental and theoretical interests. In this study, we present three different two-dimensional electron systems (2DESs) which are in the vicinity of nanoscaled scatterers. All these three devices exhibit a direct I-QH transition, and the transport properties under different nanaoscaled scatterers are discussed.</P>

다수제적 혼합선거제도 하에서의 투표행태에 대한 다차원 분석

( Chia Hung Tsai ),( Lu Huei Chen ),( Chao Chi Lin ),( Su Feng Cheng ) 한국선거학회 2011 선거연구 Vol.1 No.2

혼합선거제도는 영국의 전통적 소선거구제와 비례제 양자 모두의 좋은 점을 제공한다고 언급된다. 학자들은 후보자와 정당들이 이러한 선거 규칙에 어떻게 반응하는지 고찰해 왔으며, 이 제도 하에서는 상이한 유인 요인이 존재한다고 주장해 왔다. 두 개의 서로 다른 층 간의 상호작용 또한 연구의 대상이 되어 왔다. 본 논문은 소선거구제에서의 투표 행태가 정당의 명성에 의해 영향 받는 정도를 평가해 보고자 하는데, 이는 소선거구 선거 결과와 비례대표 선거 결과 간의 차이에 의해서 측정된다. 대부분의 유권자가 비례대표 표를 던질 때 자신들의 선호를 따르며, 소선거구 표를 던질 때는 현직자를 고려할 것이라고 우리는 가정한다. 한국, 대만, 그리고 일본에서의 투표 행태를 비교함으로써, 사회적 배경, 정치적 태도, 쟁점에 대한 의견 등이 투표 행태에 미치는 상대적 영향력을 이들 세 국가에 걸쳐서 평가할 수 있다. 분석에 사용되는 자료는 선거제도 비교연구(CSES) 2차조사 (2001-2006), 21세기 전국적 장기 설문조사 자료 (JES 3차), 대만의 선거 및 민주화 연구 자료 (TEDS 2008L)이며, 이를 통해 각기 한국의 2004년 총선, 대만의 2008년 의회선거, 그리고 일본의 총선을 고찰한다. It is said that mixed-member systems offer the best of both the traditional British single-member district system (SMD) and proportional representation systems (PR). Scholars have examined how candidates and parties respond to the electoral rule, arguing that there are different incentives for them. The interaction between the two tiers is also investigated. This paper attempts to assess the extent to which voting behavior in the SMD districts would be influenced by party reputation measured by the difference between the SMD and PR voting results. We assume that most voters follow their preferences when they cast their PR votes, but that they consider the incumbents when they cast their SMD ballots. Comparing voting behavior in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, we are able to assess the relative effect of social backgrounds, political predispositions, and issue opinions on voting behavior across three countries. We use CSES Module 2 (2001-2006) data, the Nation-wide Longitudinal Survey Study on Voting Behavior in the 21st Century (JES III) data, and Taiwan`s Election and Democratization Study (TEDS 2008L) data to examine voting behavior in the 2004 National Assembly election of Korea, the 2008 legislative election of Taiwan, and the 2005 general election of Japan respectively.

Proton Pump Inhibitor-unresponsive Laryngeal Symptoms Are Associated With Psychological Comorbidities and Sleep Disturbance: A Manometry and Impedance-pH Monitoring Study

Wen-Hsuan Tseng,Wei-Chung Hsu,Tsung-Lin Yang,Tzu-Yu Hsiao,Jia-Feng Wu,Hui-Chuan Lee,Hsiu-Po Wang,Ming-Shiang Wu,Ming-Shiang Wu,Ping-Huei Tseng 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.3

Background/AimsLaryngeal symptoms are largely treated with empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy if no apparent pathology shown on ear, nose, and throat evaluation and reflux-related etiologies are suspected. However, treatment response remains unsatisfactory. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and physiological characteristics of patients with PPI-refractory laryngeal symptoms. MethodsPatients with persistent laryngeal symptoms despite PPI treatment for ≥ 8 weeks were recruited. A multidisciplinary evaluation comprising validated questionnaires for laryngeal symptoms (reflux symptom index [RSI]), gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, psychological comorbidity (5-item brief symptom rating scale [BSRS-5]) and sleep disturbance (Pittsburgh sleep quality index [PSQI]), esophagogastroduodenoscopy, ambulatory impedance-pH monitoring, and high-resolution impedance manometry were performed. Healthy asymptomatic individuals were also recruited for comparison of psychological morbidity and sleep disturbances. ResultsNinety-seven adult patients and 48 healthy volunteers were analyzed. The patients had markedly higher prevalence of psychological distress (52.6% vs 2.1%, P < 0.001) and sleep disturbance (82.5% vs 37.5%, P < 0.001) than the healthy volunteers. There were significant correlations between RSI and BSRS-5 scores, and between RSI and PSQI scores (r = 0.26, P = 0.010, and r = 0.29, P = 0.004, respectively). Fifty-eight patients had concurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. They had more prominent sleep disturbances (89.7% vs 71.8%, P < 0.001) than those with laryngeal symptoms alone but similar reflux profiles and esophageal motility. ConclusionsPPI-refractory laryngeal symptoms are mostly associated with psychological comorbidities and sleep disturbances. Recognition of these psychosocial comorbidities may help optimize management in these patients.

Therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles and routes of administration

Dhrisya Chenthamara,Sadhasivam Subramaniam,Sankar Ganesh Ramakrishnan,Swaminathan Krishnaswamy,Musthafa Mohamed Essa,Feng-Huei Lin,M. Walid Qoronfleh 한국생체재료학회 2019 생체재료학회지 Vol.23 No.4

In modern-day medicine, nanotechnology and nanoparticles are some of the indispensable tools in disease monitoring and therapy. The term “nanomaterials” describes materials with nanoscale dimensions (< 100 nm) and are broadly classified into natural and synthetic nanomaterials. However, “engineered” nanomaterials have received significant attention due to their versatility. Although enormous strides have been made in research and development in the field of nanotechnology, it is often confusing for beginners to make an informed choice regarding the nanocarrier system and its potential applications. Hence, in this review, we have endeavored to briefly explain the most commonly used nanomaterials, their core properties and how surface functionalization would facilitate competent delivery of drugs or therapeutic molecules. Similarly, the suitability of carbon-based nanomaterials like CNT and QD has been discussed for targeted drug delivery and siRNA therapy. One of the biggest challenges in the formulation of drug delivery systems is fulfilling targeted/specific drug delivery, controlling drug release and preventing opsonization. Thus, a different mechanism of drug targeting, the role of suitable drug-laden nanocarrier fabrication and methods to augment drug solubility and bioavailability are discussed. Additionally, different routes of nanocarrier administration are discussed to provide greater understanding of the biological and other barriers and their impact on drug transport. The overall aim of this article is to facilitate straightforward perception of nanocarrier design, routes of various nanoparticle administration and the challenges associated with each drug delivery method.