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.

Extensional midline framework built with porous polyethylene implant (Medpor) in rhinoplasty

Chen Zhang,Xiao-Li Jiang,Chun-Ying Ge,Li-Nan Song 대한미용의학회 2017 대한미용의학회지 Vol.1 No.1

Background: In East Asians, the main steps of rhinoplasty include the regulation of the nasal tip projection along with dorsal augmentation. A complete septal extension graft and columella strut graft are effective tools for the correction of unprojected tips and short noses. However, autologous cartilages cannot provide enough cartilage for the graft. Moreover, use of rib cartilages will leave an additional scar on the patient’s chest, and these are not considered a common source of cartilage. Therefore, the authors used porous high-density polyethylene (Medpor) sheets to rebuild extensional midline framework in rhinoplasty. Objective: To study the possibility and the method of porous high-density polyethylene (Medpor) sheets used as extensional midline framework in rhinoplasty. Methods: From May 2012 to May 2016, 78 patients underwent primary rhinoplasty with a midline framework built with Medpor. The patients’ ages ranged from 22 to 48 years (mean±SD, 26±5.2 years). Seventy-five patients were women, and three were men. The patients selected Medpor because of a lack of adequate autogenous septal cartilage and refusal to use rib cartilage. Results: The patients were followed up for 6 months to 4 years, with a mean follow-up period of 18 months, in 3-month intervals, and examined for extrusion, infection, and aesthetic outcomes. In the 78 patients, 156 pieces of Medpor graft were used with 78 extensional septal grafts and 78 columella strut grafts. Nasal tip projection and columella-labial angle were changed significantly after the surgery in 67 of the 78 patients. Complications occurred in 11 patients, of whom one had two minor complications of deviated tip and columella. Conclusion: The porous high-density polyethylene sheets are easier to handle and effective as materials to build an extensional midline framework in rhinoplasty. However, the size of the porous high-density polyethylene sheets should be tailored carefully based on the preoperative assessment; otherwise, severe complications will occur.

Efficacy and Safety Profile of Combining Sorafenib with Chemotherapy in Patients with HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Jie Chen,Chun-Xiang Tian,Miao Yu,Qing Lv,Nan-Sheng Cheng,Zu Wang,Xi Wu 한국유방암학회 2014 Journal of breast cancer Vol.17 No.1

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy andsafety of combining sorafenib with chemotherapy in patients withhuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advancedbreast cancer. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CochraneCentral Register of Controlled Trials, American Society for ClinicalOncology abstracts, and European Society for Medical Oncologyabstracts were searched. Randomized clinical trials that comparedthe efficacy and safety of sorafenib plus chemotherapy inpatients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with placeboplus chemotherapy were eligible. The endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), time to progression(TTP), duration of response (DOR), overall response rate(ORR), clinical benefits, and adverse effects. The meta-analysiswas performed using Review Manager 5.2.6 (The Nordic CochraneCentre), and the fixed-effect model weighted by the Mantel-Haenszel method was used. When considerable heterogeneitywas found (p<0.1), further analysis (subgroup analysis, sensitivityanalysis, or random-effect model) was performed to identifythe potential cause. The results are expressed as hazard ratios orrisk ratios, with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results: The final analysis included four trials comprising 844 patients. The results revealed longer PFS and TTP, and higher ORRand clinical benefit rates in patients receiving sorafenib combinedwith chemotherapy compared to those receiving chemotherapyand placebo. OS and DOR were similar in the two groups. Meanwhile,the incidence of some adverse effects, including hand-footskin reaction/hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, rash, and hypertension,were significantly higher in the sorafenib arm. Conclusion:Sorafenib combined with chemotherapy may prolong PFS andTTP. This treatment was associated with manageable toxicities,but frequent dose interruptions and reductions were required.

Structural and optical properties of ZnO nanorods dependence on the molar ratio of zinc acetate dihydrate to hexamethylenetetramine

Chang Chun Chen,Nan Ye,ChuanFu YU,Ting FAN 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2014 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.15 No.2

ZnO nanorods were grown on glass substrates coated by an Al-doped ZnO seed layer via a simple solvothermal method using zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2 • 2H2O) and Hexamethylenetetramine (C6H12N4) reagent. The structure, morphology and optical properties of these ZnO nanorods dependence on the molar ratio of Zn(CH3COO)2 • 2H2O to C6H12N4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometry, respectively. The XRD patterns indicated that all the ZnO nanorods were well-faceted hexagonal structures and preferentially grown along the c-axis. As the molar ratio of Zn(CH3COO)2 • 2H2O to C6H12N4 decreasing from 2.5 to 0.25, the crystallinity of ZnO nanorods synthesized gradually became inferior and the width of ZnO nanorods also decreased. The blue-shifts of UV emission excited from ZnO nanorods probably arised from the decreased size of ZnO nanorods.

OXIDATION OF CHLOROPHENOLS WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOETHITE

( Ming Chun Lu,Jong Nan Chen,Yi Chin Chan,Hwa Hsin Suh ) 한국물환경학회 1997 제6차 국제수질보전학회 아시아 태평양지역 학술회의 Vol.2 No.-

Original Article : The Risk of Cellulitis in Cirrhotic Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan

( Ming Nan Lin ),( Chen Chi Tsai ),( Tsung Hsing Hung ),( Chih Chun Tsai ) The Editorial Office of Gut and Liver 2012 Gut and Liver Vol.6 No.4

Background/Aims: Cellulitis is a common infectious disease. However, the risk of cellulitis in cirrhotic patients is not well established, and whether liver cirrhosis is a risk factor for cellulitis remains unknown. This study evaluated the relationship between cellulitis and liver cirrhosis. Methods: The National Health Insurance Database, which was derived from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program, was used to identify patients. The study group consisted of 39,966 patients with liver cirrhosis, and the comparison group consisted of 39,701 randomly selected age- and sex-matched patients. Results: During the 3-year follow-up period, 2,674 (6.7%) patients with liver cirrhosis developed cellulitis, and 1,587 (4.0%) patients without liver cirrhosis developed cellulitis (p<0.001). Following a Cox`s regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and underlying medical disorders, the cirrhotic patients demonstrated a greater risk for the occurrence of cellulitis than the non-cirrhotic patients during the 3-year period (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 1.77; p<0.001). Additionally, cirrhotic patients with complications also had a greater risk for the occurrence of cellulitis than those patients without complications (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.33; p<0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that cirrhotic patients have a greater risk of cellulitis than non-cirrhotic patients. (Gut Liver 2012;6:482-485)

The long-term anatomical and visual effect of intravitreal triamcinolone injection during vitrectomy for the treatment of idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane

Lai, Chi-Chun,Wang, Nan-Kai,Wu, Wei-Chi,Yeung, Ling,Hwang, Yih-Shiou,Chen, Kuan-Jen,Chen, Tun-Lu,Chuang, Lan-Hsin Informa Healthcare 2011 Cutaneous and ocular toxicology Vol.30 No.4

<P><I>Purpose</I>: To compare the long-term anatomical and visual outcomes of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) removed by vitrectomy and membrane peeling with or without the use of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA).</P><P><I>Methods</I>: A retrospective chart review was performed. Subjects who underwent vitrectomy and who were followed over 12 months were included. The study included two groups of patients. In group 1 (71 eyes), the patients underwent vitrectomy and membrane peeling without the use of IVTA. In group 2 (27 eyes), 2 mg of IVTA was given at the end of the surgery. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), the number of cataract surgeries, and the use of anti-glaucomatous drugs during the follow-up period.</P><P><I>Results</I>: This study included 98 eyes with ERM from 98 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to age, gender, pre- and postoperative lens status, BCVA, CFT, or length of the follow-up period. The mean age for all of the patients was 62.45 ± 10.01 (mean ± SD) years, and the mean follow-up length was 20.58 ± 9.64 (mean ± SD) months. In all cases, the mean best-corrected logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) acuity improved from a preoperative value of 0.91 ± 0.32 [Snellen equivalent (SE), 0.16 ± 0.14] to a postoperative value of 0.46 ± 0.36 (SE, 0.46 ± 0.29) (<I>P</I> < 0.0001). The CFT was reduced from a preoperative value of 473.46 ± 96.91 μm to a postoperative value of 302.44 ± 69.80 μm (<I>P</I> < 0.0001). Six patients (22.2%) in group 2 required anti-glaucomatous drugs to control intraocular pressure (IOP) during the follow-up period, and three patients (4.2%) in group 1 required drugs to control IOP (<I>P</I> == 0.012).</P><P><I>Conclusions</I>: The postoperative visual outcomes for patients with idiopathic ERM were favorable, but CFT did not return to a normal level, even in eyes in which 2 mg IVTA was used. The IVTA use after ERM removal produced no significant benefits during long-term follow-up, but IVTA did increase the risk of increased IOP.</P>

PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF 2- CHLOROPHENOL IN THE PRESENCE OF MANGANESE ION

( Yi Chin Chan,Ming Chun Lu,Jong Nan Chen ) 한국물환경학회 1997 제6차 국제수질보전학회 아시아 태평양지역 학술회의 Vol.2 No.-

Triangular No-arbitrage Estimation through Bitcoin: An Application in Venezuelan Bolivars

Yuan-Teng Hsu,Jying-Nan Wang,Chih-Chun Chen 한국증권학회 2018 Asia-Pacific Journal of Financial Studies Vol.47 No.4

In this study, we apply the Bitcoin to estimate the price of the Venezuelan bolivar, due to the unreliability of this currency’s official exchange rate. Our approach is based on the triangular no-arbitrage condition and takes the Bitcoin as an intermediate currency. To verify its validity, in addition to bolivars, six currencies are first considered in the empirical study. We find that trading through the Bitcoin market produces higher transaction costs or requires higher risk compensation than trading through the conventional exchange market. Then, we explore the Venezuelan case. Comparing the estimates of the black market bolivars, which are generated from several popular media sources and the Web site Dolartoday.com, using Bitcoin can produce reliable bolivar exchange rates quickly and easily. To sum up, we verify the feasibility of using the triangular no-arbitrage condition in foreign exchange markets to estimate exchange rates through the Bitcoin. This is especially useful when capital controls exist such as they do in Venezuela.

Management of Gallstones and Acute Cholecystitis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: What Should We Consider When Performing Surgery?

( Shang Yu Wang ),( Chun Nan Yeh ),( Yi Yin Jan ),( Miin Fu Chen ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2021 Gut and Liver Vol.15 No.4

Acute cholecystitis and several gallbladder stone-related conditions, such as impacted common bile duct stones, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis, are common medical conditions in daily practice. An early cholecystectomy or drainage procedure with delayed cholecystectomy is the current standard of treatment based on published clinical guidelines. Cirrhosis is not only a condition of chronically impaired hepatic function but also has systemic effects in patients. In cirrhotic individuals, several predisposing factors, including changes in the bile acid composition, increased nucleation of bile, and decreased motility of the gallbladder, contribute to the formation of biliary stones and the possibility of symptomatic cholelithiasis, which is an indication for surgical treatment. In addition to these predisposing factors for cholelithiasis, systemic effects and local anatomic consequences related to cirrhosis lead to anesthesiologic risks and perioperative complications in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, the treatment of the aforementioned biliary conditions in cirrhotic patients has become a challenging issue. In this review, we focus on cholecystectomy for cirrhotic patients and summarize the surgical indications, risk stratification, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes specific to cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis. (Gut Liver 2021;15:517-527)