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Computer simulations provide virtual hands-on experience when actual hands-on experience is not possible. To use these simulations in medical science, they need to be able to predict the behavior of actual processes with actual patient-specific geometries. Many uncertainties enter in the process of developing these simulations, starting with creating the geometry. The actual patient-specific geometry is often complex and hard to process. Usually, simplifications to the geometry are introduced in exchange for faster results. However, when simplified, these simulations can no longer be considered patient-specific as they do not represent the actual patient they come from. The ultimate goal is to keep the geometries truly patient-specific without any simplification. However, even without simplifications, the patient-specific geometries are based on medical imaging modalities and consequent use of numerical algorithms to create and process the 3D surface. Multiple users are asked to process medical images of a complex geometry. Their resulting geometries are used to assess how the user's choices determine the resulting dimensions of the 3D model. It is shown that the resulting geometry heavily depends on user's choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a first principles theoretical investigation of spin polarized quantum transport in Mn2Ga/MgO/Mn2Ga and Mn3Ga/MgO/Mn3Ga magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) with the consideration of metal(Mg, Co, Cr) insertion layer effect. By changing the concentration of Mn, our calculation shows a considerable disparity in transport properties: A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio of 852% was obtained for Mn2Ga-based MTJs, however, only a 5% TMR ratio for Mn3Ga-based MTJs. In addition, the influence of insertion layer has been considered in our calculation. We found the Co insertion layer can increase the TMR of Mn2Ga-based MTJ to 904%, however, the Cr insertion layer can decrease the TMR by 668%, A negative TMR ratio can be obtained with Mg insertion layer. Our work gives a comprehensive understanding of the influence of different insertion layer in Mn-Ga based MTJs. It is proved that, due to the transmission can be modulated by the interfacial electronic structure of insertion, the magnetoresistance ratio of Mn2Ga/MgO/Mn2Ga MTJ can be improved by inserting Co layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research summary: This study examines the impact of financial analysts on a firm's corporate social performance (CSP). We integrate research on time horizons with stakeholder theory and argue that, in response to short-term pressure from financial analysts, firms and their managers become more short-term focused and limit investment in socially responsible activities. Using broker mergers and closures in the United States as exogenous shocks to analyst coverage and a difference-in-differences research design, we find that an exogenous decrease in analyst coverage leads to better CSP, establishing a causal relationship between analyst coverage and the level of a firm's CSP. The impact of financial analysts on a firm's CSP is exacerbated if the terminated analyst works for a large brokerage house and has more general- and firm-specific experiences. Managerial summary: This study looks at the relationship between financial analysts, a key stakeholder group of the capital market, and a firm's socially responsible activities. Using a sample of U.S. publicly listed firms during the period of 2001–2013, our study finds novel evidence that the pressure to meet earnings target set by financial analysts hinders a firm's socially responsible performance. In addition, this pressure is more salient for firms with analysts that work for large brokerage houses and have more experiences. This study provides new insights to corporate social responsibility research by evaluating the impact of financial analysts on firms' social engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses expressions for long range corrections to configurational energy, normal pressure, surface tension and chemical potential of an inhomogeneous system with two planar interfaces. Application of the Euler forward difference scheme; Correlation of density at any height to the central local density; Adoption of the Lennard-Jones potential function.

Objective: Advanced age is associated with impaired angiogenesis in part because of mitochondrial dysfunction. We have recently reported that leonurine exerts protective effects in neuron via regulation of mitochondrial function. The aim of this study was to explore whether leonurine is able to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction and to enhance angiogenesis in old rats with hindlimb ischemia. Methods and Results: At day 14 after surgery, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was decreased in the ischemic muscle of aged animals, which was accompanied by enhanced oxidative stress, increased mitochondrial damage, decreased capillary density, and reduced limb perfusion compared with young mice. Importantly, these effects were inhibited by leonurine treatment in old animals. In vitro, we showed that the functional activities (migration and tube formation) of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were significantly impaired in senescent compared to young. However, leonurine rescued HUVECs functional activities in senescent HUVECs. Mechanistically, we found that leonurine restored the age-dependent reduction in HIF activity and subsequent reduced VEGF expression in senescent HUVECs. Moreover, the mitochondrial oxidative stress was significantly augmented in senescent HUVECs, in association with reduced mitochondrial function. However, leonurine significantly reduced the mitochondrial oxidative stress and restored the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that leonurine protects against age-dependent impairment of angiogenesis possibly through attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent VEGF up-regulation impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate an electrical control of an interfacial trapping effect for hot electrons injected in silicon by studying a magnetic tunnel transistor on wafer bonded Si substrate. Below 25 K, hot electrons are trapped at the Cu/Si interface, resulting in collector current suppression through scattering in both parallel and antiparallel magnetic configurations. Consequently, the magneto-current ratio strongly decreases from 300% at 27K to 30% at 22 K. The application of a relatively small electric field (∼333 V/cm) across the Cu/Si interface is enough to strip the trapped electrons and restore the magneto-current ratio at low temperature. We also present a model taking into account the effects of both electric field and temperature that closely reproduces the experimental results and allows extraction of the trapping binding energy (∼1.6meV) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the metro emergency response system and reduce the loss resulting from accidents, a multi-functional emergency rescue station planning and siting model is proposed based upon the current metro operation network. The proposed solution aims at optimal site identification, taking into consideration minimum emergency stations, quick response and cost effectiveness synthetically. In addition to a theoretical analysis, an empirical research is also carried out with the metro system in Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu province in China as an example. As concluded by the research above, feasible is a formal description of the application of complex network theory to metro operation systems; The topological characteristic of a metro system is describable, and it is reasonable to achieve the description with indexes such as degree and betweenness, so as to distinct one station from another; By substantiation, a multi-objective optimization model can be verified to obtain a scheme that to the largest extent meets emergency rescue station selections for Nanjing metro system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical trials have shown that antioxidant supplementation increased the risk of lung and skin cancers, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as an exemplary antioxidant induced significant death and DNA damage in human lung and skin normal cells through a reductive mechanism. Our results show direct evidence of reductive DNAdamage in the cells. We found that EGCG was much more toxic against normal cells than H2O2 and cisplatin as toxic and cancer-causing agents, while EGCG at low concentrations (⩽100 μM) increased slightly the lung cancer cell viability. EGCG induced DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in normal cells and enhanced the mutation frequency. These results provide a compelling explanation for the clinical results and unravel a new reductive damaging mechanism in cellular processes. This study therefore provides a fresh understanding of aging and diseases, and may lead to effective prevention and therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the spectral structure of the kinetic Alfvén turbulence in the low-beta plasmas.We consider a strong turbulence resulting from collisions between counterpropagating wavepackets with equal energy. Our results show that (1) the spectra of the magnetic and electric field fluctuations display a transition at the electron inertial length scale, (2) the turbulence cascades mainly toward the magnetic field direction as the cascade scale is smaller than the electron inertial length, and (3) the parallel electric field increases as the turbulent scale decreases.We also show that the parallel electric field in the solar flare loops can be 102-104 times the Dreicer field as the turbulence reaches the electron inertial length scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microplasma generated between a stainless-steel capillary and water surface in ambient air with flowing argon as working gas appears as a bright spot at the tube orifice and expands to form a larger footprint on the water surface, and the dimensions of the bell-shaped microplasma are all below 1 mm. The electron density of the microplasma is estimated to be ranging from 5.32 x 109 cm-3 to 2.02 x 1014 cm-3 for the different operating conditions, which is desirable for generating abundant amounts of reactive species. A computational technique is adopted to fit the experimental emission from the N2 second positive system with simulation results. It is concluded that the vibrational temperature (more than 2000 K) is more than twice the gas temperature (more than 800 K), which indicates the non-equilibrium state of the microplasma. Both temperatures showed dependence on the discharge parameters (i.e., gas flow and discharge current). Such a plasma device could be arranged in arrays for applications utilizing plasma-induced liquid chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric-pressure microplasma-assisted electrochemistry was used to synthesize Ag nanoparticles (NPs) for plasmonic applications. It is shown that the size and dispersion of the nanoparticles can be controlled by variation of the microplasma-assisted electrochemical process parameters such as electrolyte concentration and temperature. Moreover, Ag NP synthesis is also achieved in the absence of a stabilizer, with additional control over the dispersion and NP formation possible. As the microplasma directly reduces Ag ions in solution, the incorporation of toxic reducing agents into the electrolytic solution is unnecessary, making this an environmentally friendly fabrication technique with strong potential for the design and growth of plasmonic nanostructures for a variety of applications. These experiments therefore link microplasma-assisted electrochemical synthesis parameters with plasmonic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Frontal lobe atrophy (FLA) is associated with late life depression. However, the role that FLA plays in the development of depression after stroke (DAS) remains unknown. This study thus examined the association between FLA and DAS. Methods. A convenience sample of 705 Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong participated in the study. A psychiatrist administered the Structural Clinical Interview for DSMIV to all patients and made a diagnosis of DAS three months after the index stroke. Results. Eighty-five (12.1%) patients were diagnosed with DAS. In univariate analysis, the DAS patients were more likely to have severe FLA (14.1% versus 5.6%). Severe FLA remained an independent predictor of DAS in multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 2.6 (95% confidence intervals = 1.2-5.9). Conclusions. The results suggest that FLA may play a role in the pathogenesis of DAS, which supports the hypothesis that cumulative vascular burden may be important in predicting DAS. Further investigations are needed to clarify the impact of FLA on the clinical presentation, treatment response, and outcome of DAS in stroke survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its ability in providing long distance, distributed sensing, the optical fiber sensing technique based on a Brillouin optical time domain reflectometer (BOTDR) has a unique advantage in monitoring the stability and safety of linear structures. This paper describes the application of a BOTDR-based technique to measure the stress within precast piles. The principle behind the BOTDR and the embedding technique for the sensing optical fiber in precast piles is first introduced, and then the analysis method and deformation and stress calculation based on distributed strain data are given. Finally, a methodology for using a BOTDR-based monitoring workflow for in situ monitoring of precast piles, combined with a practical example, is introduced. The methodology requires implantation of optical fibers prior to pile placement. Field experimental results show that the optical fiber implantation method with slotting, embedding, pasting and jointing is feasible, and have accurately measured the axial force, side friction, end-bearing resistance and bearing feature of the precast pile according to the strain measuring data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of the simultaneous occurrence of salt stress and tidal sea-level rise on mangroves, potted Kandelia candel seedlings were treated under deep flooding (flooded 40 cm above the soil surface for 16 h per day, inundating the entire plant) and shallow flooding (flooded just above the soil surface for 8 h per day) at salinity levels of 5, 15, and 25 ppt over 14 months. Deep flooding enhanced stem elongations at all salinity levels but increased stem biomass only at 5 ppt. Deep flooding increased both leaf production and leaf fall; leaf biomass increased at 5 ppt, but decreased at 15 and 25 ppt. Biomass ratios of root/shoot (R/S) of deep flooding treatments were significantly lower than those of shallow flooding treatments. Under deep flooding, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities did not show significant change between 5 and 15 ppt, but increased at 25 ppt. With increasing salinity level, peroxidase (POD) activities increased, and the difference between shallow and deep flooding was enhanced. Malonaldehyde (MDA) content significantly decreased at 25 ppt with 40 cm flooding, but was not affected by other treatments. These results demonstrated that the growth and physiological responses of K. candel seedlings under deep flooding conditions varied with salinity level; growth was enhanced at low salinity level but inhibited at high salinity level. It is therefore probable that K. candel will shift from downstream to upstream, where the influence of fresher river water resources will ameliorate the effects of increased salinities that accompany deeper tidal flooding in these mangrove ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Polymer matrix composites used in high temperature applications experience material property degradation due to thermal oxidation. In the present paper, the oxidation profiles of the isothermally aged PMR-15 specimens are studied using an optical microscope. Results show that the oxidized specimen exhibits distinguished heterogeneous structure. In addition, the spatial dependent elastic and viscoelastic properties of PMR-15 specimens isothermally aged at various environmental conditions are probed through nanoindentation tests. Results indicate that both elastic modulus and creep strain rate sensitivity of the oxidized surfaces are higher than those of the unoxidized interiors. These results are the consequences of chemical and physical changes that occur during oxidation including chemical bond breakage and outgassing of low-molecular weight species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of myo-inositol (MI) to give D-glucuronic acid, a committed step in MI catabolism. Previous studies have shown that increased mRNA and protein levels of MIOX in the cortex of the kidney in diabetic mice. The implication of MIOX expression in diabetic nephropathy, however, has not been revealed. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that the expression of MIOX was increased at both the mRNA and protein levels in the kidney of rats with diabetic nephropathy. In addition, ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) and fibronectin levels were increased and E-cadherin levels decreased in the same diabetic kidneys. In vitro, studies have shown that high concentrations of glucose significantly increased MIOX secretion in rat renal tubular epithelial cells NRK-52E in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that hyperglycemia is a direct cause of the MIOX increase in the kidney. With respect to the function of MIOX, we have shown that overexpression of MIOX induces greater levels of ?-SMA, increased fibronectin expression, and lower levels of E-cadherin expression relative to normal NRK-52E cells. The blockade of MIOX by antisense oligonucleotide (ODN) inhibits high glucose-induced production of ?-SMA and fibronectin in normal NRK-52E cells. This suggests that increased expression of MIOX in diabetic kidneys may contribute to tubulointerstitial injury and the development of diabetic nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  In this paper, a calibration technique for Noise Transfer Function (NTF) optimization of Continuous-Time Bandpass Sigma Delta (CT BP ΣΔ) modulators is presented. The proposed technique employs a test tone applied at the input of the quantizer to evaluate the noise transfer function of the Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) using the capabilities of the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) platform usually available in mixed-mode systems. Once the ADC output bit stream is captured, necessary information to generate the control signals to tune the ADC parameters for best Signal-to-Quantization Noise Ratio (SQNR) performance is extracted via an LMS software-based algorithm. Simulation results show that notch frequency of the NTF due to process variations and temperature tolerances can be tuned using the proposed methodology. The proposed global calibration approach can be used during the system start-up and the idle system time. The proposed approach uses a single in-band calibration tone, but it can be expanded using out-of band test tones for background calibration schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system from leaves of Ophiorrhiza japonica Blume was established for the first time. Callus formation rate was more than 90.4 % from leaf segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with either α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) alone or in combination with 6-benzyladenine (BA). The highest shoot regeneration (78.9 %) was achieved on MS medium containing 2.0 mg dm−3 BA and 0.2 mg dm−3 NAA, with an average of 9.4 shoots developed per leaf segment. Shoot regeneration was also improved when the leaf explants were cultured in MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 % (m/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The leaf explants from seedlings with age of about 18–27 d showed the highest shoot regeneration. The regenerated shoots were rooted on half-strength basal MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm−3 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which averagely produced 24.8 roots per shoot. The plantlets were transferred to soil, where 100 % survived after 1 month of acclimatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKROUND: Macrovascular disease is a common complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Study of renal artery endothelium may serve as a surrogate for cardiovascular and renal vascular disease. OBJECT: This study is to elucidate (1) how about the changes of renal endothelial ultrastructures it is in different time of diabetes animals? (2) Whether PPARgamma ligand (such as rosiglitazone: ROS) could improve endothelium destruction in diabetes? METHODS: Streptozoticin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were stratified by age groups from 6 to 10 weeks of age and were paired with age-matched control non-diabetic rats. Further, another group of diabetic rats were treated with ROS and matched with non-treated diabetic rats. RESULT: The renal artery endothelium of diabetic rats was partially coarse, distended, cracked and destroyed. The Vascular Endothelial Structure Score (VESS) was 34.5 in diabetic rats compared with non-diabetic control male rats (P=0.001). The older rats demonstrated more endothelial wall damage, more pronounced in male rats. Compared with non-treated control diabetic rats, ROS prevented diabetic endothelial damage (VESS=4.6, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Renal artery endothelium damage in STZ induced diabetic rats was significantly attenuated by rosiglitazone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the features of rpoB gene mutations associated with Rifampin (RIF) resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( M. tuberculosis) in eastern China. Methods and Results: The mutations of rpoB gene in 56 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis resisted to one to four first-line drugs (rifampin, isonicotinyl hydrazide, ethambutol and streptomycin) were analysed by polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. The results of PCR-SSCP showed 52 isolates were positive (existing rpoB mutation) including 47 isolates resisted to RIF. Subsequent results of DNA sequencing showed that 54 isolates had rpoB gene mutation including 49 isolates resisted to RIF. The most frequently mutated sites were at codons 526 (73·2%), 513 (10·7%) and 531 (3·5%). Conclusions: The rpoB codon 526 was the most frequently mutated site of RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis strains in eastern China and its frequency is significantly higher ( P < 0·0001) compared with that in other areas of China and in other geographic regions worldwide. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results reveal that geographic variation is responsible for rpoB mutations in M. tuberculosis and the resulting information will be helpful to improve a novel rapid molecular drug resistance screening approach for MDR TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Objective:  To determine the effects of triptolide (TP) on the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and its receptor in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASF). Materials and Methods:  RASF were obtained from the synovial tissue of patients with RA. RASF were pretreated with TP (0~100 ng/ml) for 2 h before stimulation with PMA (50 ng/ml). The bioactivity of IL-18 in the supernatant was detected based on IFN-γ secretion from IL-18-responding human myelomonocytic KG-1 cells. IL-18 level was analyzed by ELISA. In situ expression of IL-18Rα was determined by immunofluorescence assay. To estimate the protein and mRNA expression of IL-18 and IL-18Rα in RASF, western blot and quantitative RT-PCR were performed. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity in the whole-cell extract of treated RASF was also measured using an ELISA-based method. Results:  TP effectively inhibited the bioactivity of IL-18 in PMA-stimulated RASF. The expression of IL-18 and IL-18R at protein and gene levels was reduced by TP. NF-κB activity in PMA-stimulated RASF was profoundly suppressed by TP. These effects showed a high correlation with TP concentration (0~100 ng/ml). Conclusion:  TP effectively inhibited the expression of IL-18 and its receptor in PMA-stimulated RASF. These results suggest a mechanism of TP in RA therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTest kinetic simulation results are presented for perpendicular collisionless shocks in magnetized plasmas that are representative of the Earth's bow shock. In this approach, particle kinetics are described by tracing particle trajectories in prescribed electromagnetic fields obtained in the MHD approximation, and applying Liouville's theorem. This provides a first-order description of particle dynamics in complex systems, given approximate fields obtained with a low-level description of the plasma. The method also provides a useful consistency check in assessing the validity of approximate solutions such as those obtained in the ideal MHD approximation. Compared with the more familiar test particle approach, in which trajectories of randomly injected particles are followed in time, the present approach has the advantage of being numerically more efficient, and producing results without statistical errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The creep–fatigue crack-growth tests of HASTELLOY® X alloy were carried out at the temperatures of 649°C, 816°C, and 927°C in laboratory air. The experiments were conducted under a constant stress-intensity-factor-range (ΔK) control mode with a R-ratio of 0.05. In the constant ΔK tests, a ΔK of 27.5 MPa and a triangular waveform with a frequency of 0.333 Hz were used. Various tensile hold times at the maximum load were imposed to study fatigue and creep–fatigue interactions. Crack lengths were measured by a direct current potential drop method. In this paper, effects of hold time and temperature on the crack-growth rates are discussed. Furthermore, the crack-growth rates of the HASTELLOY® X alloy are compared to those of the HAYNES® 188 and HAYNES® 230® superalloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary.  The regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) function by taurine has been a subject of increasing interest and investigation, and taurine is taken up into cells through a specific transporter system, the taurine transporter (TAUT). In the present study, we examined the expression of TAUT in VSMCs and the kinetic parameters of the uptake process of TAUT in VSMCs. RT-PCR and western blot demonstrated that the mRNA and protein of TAUT was expressed in VSMCs in vitro. Immunohistochemistry using antibody for TAUT revealed the expression of this protein in rat thoracic aorta. The maximal [3H]taurine uptake rate in VSMCs was 37.75 � 3.13 pmol/min per mg of protein, with a K m value of 5.42 � 0.81 �M. Thus, VSMCs are able to express a functional taurine transporter. The regulation and detailed function of taurine and TAUT in VSMCs remain unclear, but our findings suggest a functional role for them in VSMCs metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally obtained compressive stress–strain response of a low-density epoxy foam at various strain rates. In particular, compressive stress–strain behavior at intermediate strain rates that has not been previously well understood were characterized by using a modified MTS and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Strain rate effects on the modulus of elasticity and cell-collapse stress for this low-density epoxy foam were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The objective of the current experiment was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities in piglets. Sixty crossbred (DurocLandranceYorkshire) piglets at an average weight of 8.62 kg were randomly allotted to two treatments and fed diets containing soybean meal (SBM) and FSBM, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, six piglets of each treatment were slaughtered humanly to collect the contents and tissue samples at three different locations in small intestine. Light microscopy and scanning electron indicated that piglets fed FSBM had a higher (PPPP [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the effects of BCl3additive gas on physical damage and the prevention against damage in oxide hard-mask-based Al etching. The BCl3addition in the TiN/Ti break-through step effectively passivated the sidewall against the upper TiN/Ti notching damage; however, the TiN/Ti profile was easily distorted under excessive BCl3added. The Al bottom notching depth decreased with decreasing BCl3/Cl2ratio in the Al over-etch step. As the BCl3/Cl2ratio is less than or equal to 0.625, the Al bottom notching was eliminated. Nevertheless, the low BCl3addition in the Al over-etch step would result in increasing Al residues because insufficient passivation at low BCl3flow cannot effectively protect the semi-iso Al sidewall from attack of Cl atoms, and insufficient ion bombardment at this low BCl3cannot remove those residues around the damaged sidewall. An optimized condition achieves both notching-free and residue-free profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  In this paper, we present novel micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices for unique probe recording technology, where the 1-D cantilever probe array approach requires a small number of cantilever probe tips for a large media platform and hence has higher reliability. The probe storage system is composed of three key MEMS devices: MEMS XY-stage, linear motor and 1-D cantilever probe array with integrated heater. The design and fabrication process of three MEMS devices are given with prototypes. Their performances are discussed with the experimental results. The compact MEMS XY-stage device can be driven with �20 μm movement, in X- and Y-directions. The miniature linear motor is smoothly driven to move back and forth at the speed of 20 mm/s and step of 150 μm by 150 mA pulse driving current. The indented (writing) bit size of 100 nm on polymer media is achieved by the prototyped cantilever probe tip with integrated heater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The sol-gel wet chemical synthesis of dielectric thin films of perovskite Ca1−x Sr x ZrO3 has been studied in detail using different techniques. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time in the literature to systemically study the properties of Ca1−x Sr x ZrO3 dielectric thin films in the whole solid solution composition range. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), Flourier transform infrared (FT-IR) reflectivity spectroscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM) data, the mechanisms of Ca1−x Sr x ZrO3 phase transformation and crystallinity have been investigated. The results show that the film annealed at 550 C is amorphous with existing of carbonates, while the carbonates and other organics are decomposed at 600 C and above, and the film is crystallized into the perovskite phase with increasing annealing temperature. The values of dielectric constant in a range of 16–30 for Ca1−x Sr x ZrO3 thin films have been obtained. Measured dielectric properties show that those films exhibit stable dielectric properties nearly independent on the applied electrical field and frequency at room temperature. Based on above data, it can be concluded that Ca1−x Sr x ZrO3 thin films are a promising candidate system for the high-k microelectronic devices application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary.  Taurine is found in bone tissue, but its function in skeletal tissue is not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to investigate regulation of gene expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in murine osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells treated with taurine. Western blot analysis showed taurine stimulated CTGF protein secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Taurine induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but not p38 and c-jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), in osteoblasts. Furthermore, pretreatment of osteoblasts with the ERK inhibitor PD98059 abolished the taurine-induced CTGF production. These data indicate that taurine induces CTGF secretion in MC3T3-E1 cells mediated by the ERK pathway, and suggest that osteoblasts are direct targets of taurine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis is suppressed by p21 (waf1/cip1/sdi1), a cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor. Here we show that exogenous expression of p21 before, but not after, the DOX-treatment protected p21-deficient human colorectal cancer cell line DLD1 from DOX-induced apoptosis. In previous work, we demonstrated that p21 inhibits DOX-induced apoptosis via its CDK-binding and CDK-inhibitory activity. Here we report that pre-existing p21 can associate with pro-caspase-3 and inhibit caspase-3 activation in the cells, which was at least in part responsible for enhancing survival of DOX-treated cells. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain of p21 was found to interact with pro-caspase-3 in DLD1 cells. Thus, we propose that pre-existing p21 is required to prevent DOX-induced apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The HfO2 gate dielectric films were fabricated by the laser molecular beam epitaxy (LMBE) technique. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observation showed that under optimized condition, there is no detectable SiO2 interfacial layer in the as-deposited film and a SiO2 interfacial layer of about 0.4 nm was formed at the Si interface due to the post deposition annealing. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurement of the film revealed that the equivalent oxide thickness was about 1.3 nm. Such a film showed very low leakage current density of 1.5 × 10−2 A cm−2 at 1 V gate bias from the current–voltage (I–V) analysis. The conduction mechanisms as a function of temperature T and electric field E were also systematically studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary.  Taurine influences bone metabolism and is taken up by cells via a specific transport system, the taurine transporter (TAUT). We report a link between taurine and bone homeostasis by demonstrating transcription and translation of TAUT in bone-forming cells. TAUT was expressed in human primary osteoblasts, the human osteosarcoma osteoblast-like cell line MG63, and the mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. Immunostaining with polyclonal antibodies also demonstrated the presence of TAUT in both human and murine osteoblasts. TAUT mRNA expression and [3H]taurine uptake increased during differentiation of MG63 cells in culture. Supplementation of culture medium with taurine enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin secretion. The regulation and detailed function of taurine and TAUT in bone remain unclear, but our findings suggest a functional role for them in bone homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of crocetin on the cardiac hypertrophy induced by long-term treatment with norepinephrine (NE) in rats have been investigated. The activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) have been assayed by gelatin SDS-PAGE zymography. The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by RT-PCR. ATPase activity and hydroxyproline contents were measured with a commercial kit. The results show that crocetin blocked the development of left ventricular hypertrophy induced by NE, decreased the level of collagen in myocardium, enhanced both the Na+-K+ ATPase activity in cardiac tissue and the Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase activity in mitochondria and inhibited significantly the activity of MMP-2 and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results suggest that crocetin may prevent cardiac hypertrophy induced by NE in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thalassemias are a heterogeneous group of inherited hypochromic anemias of varying severity. The mainstay of supportive treatment is regular blood transfusion accompanied by iron-chelating therapy. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) provides an alternative option when curative therapy is considered. More than 400 patients in Taiwan have β-thalassemia major or other transfusion-dependent thalassemias, and their treatment costs account for a considerable percentage of the National Health Insurance expenditure. In this report, we estimated the treatment costs of conventional therapy (regular blood transfusion accompanied by iron-chelating agents) and HSCT. The undiscounted medical cost of 20 years of follow-up (20 years from diagnosis) and the undiscounted total lifetime cost were NT$ 4 739 888 (NT$ means New Taiwan Dollars)/US$ 149 288 and NT$ 11 529 990/US$ 363 149, respectively, for patients undergoing conventional therapy, and NT$ 2 639 982/US$ 83 149 and NT$ 3 511 172/US$ 110 588, respectively, for those undergoing successful HSCT. Comparisons of treatment costs and other parameters between these two modalities can add to the information base on which policy is made by health authorities or clinicians.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2006) 37, 569–574. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705287; published online 6 February 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is one of the most threatening malignant tumors in females due to the frequent occurrence of metastasis that precedes diagnosis. The present study explored the possibility of preventing ovarian cancer metastasis by promoting nm23H1 expression through adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer. A cell line of high metastatic potential, SW626-M4, was derived by in vivo selection and used to establish an ovarian cancer metastasis model in the mouse. Liver metastasis and animal survival time were measured after transfer of a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector expressing nm23H1 (AAV-nm23H1) into the aforementioned model. Intraperitoneal injection of AAV-nm23H1 into this orthotopic implantation model of ovarian cancer resulted in (1) expression of the exogenous gene in more than 95% of tumor cells in situ in nude mice; (2) a 60% reduction in the number of animals developing liver metastases; and (3) a 35-day prolongation of median survival time compared with the untreated host group. In conclusion, the results support the feasibility of induction of nm23H1 expression through gene transfer as a therapeutic strategy for preventing metastases and prolonging host survival time, and indicate that AAV vectors deserve attention in the design of future gene therapy approaches to achieving long-term expression of curative genes in vivo.Cancer Gene Therapy (2006) 13, 266–272. doi:10.1038/sj.cgt.7700899; published online 23 September 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve treatment results for children with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we introduced a novel protocol, Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group-AML-97A, for AML other than acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), for which modified conventional protocols were used. From January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2002, 141 children younger than 17 years old with de novo AML were enrolled. In total, 117 patients with non-APL AML were treated with induction therapy of idarubicin and cytarabine (Ara-C), postremission therapy with high-dose Ara-C – containing regimens for four monthly courses, and moderate-dose therapy with idarubicin and Ara-C for four monthly courses. The first 19 patients with APL were treated with all-trans retinoic acid, idarubicin and Ara-C, with the remaining five patients receiving all-trans retinoic acid and idarubicin, followed by maintenance therapy for 2 years. Stem cell transplantation was performed in 29 patients in first remission with a similar outcome as chemotherapy alone. The remission rate in the AML-97A study was 90%, the 5-year survival 51±5.3% (s.e.) and the 5-year event-free survival 50±4.8%; for APL, these were 100%, 86±7.0, and 75±9.8%. For the whole group, the 5-year survival was 57±4.7% and the 5-year event-free survival 54±4.4%. The AML-97A regimen was well tolerated.Leukemia (2006) 20, 136–141. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403979; published online 10 November 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]