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Byline: T.C. Hsia, S.H. Hsu, W.Y. Huang, M.C. Wu The classification of workpieces according to their shape can enhance the efficiency of workpiece design and production. The lean clustering method employs only a small number of workpieces to perform the similarity comparison and the data obtained will be used to infer the similarity data of other workpieces in order to form a workpiece similarity matrix. With the aid of such a similarity matrix, one can perform the workpiece classification. To enhance the effectiveness of the lean clustering method and to extend its applicability, the study investigated this issue with regards to the following three aspects: 1. add the hypothesis of skew-to-left, centralised, and skew-to-right workpiece distribution patterns in addition to the uniform distribution of workpiece similarity; 2. beside the most commonly used max-min method, apply the Hamming method, interval average method, and weighting method to the workpiece similarity inference; 3. compare the effectiveness of rough classification and fine classification in lean clustering method. The results revealed that there is no significant difference among the four similarity distribution patterns and among the four similarity inference methods. However, the degree of consistency can reach up to 89% when the rough classification is used for workpiece classification. The authors, therefore, suggest that there is no need to test the similarity distribution in advance, in application of lean clustering method when the rough classification will be used for the classification task of a large number of workpieces so as to reduce the cost.

Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (Satb2) is a transcriptional regulator and people with SATB2 mutation or duplication could display epilepsy. However, whether Satb2 is related with epilepsy and its mechanisms are largely unexplored . Here we found that the expression of Satb2 was decreased following the neuronal hyperactivities. Ablation of Satb2 in mice would decrease incidence and stage of seizure induced by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). At cellular levels, we found pyramidal neuronal excitability and excitatory synaptic inputs in CA1 were decreased in Satb2 mutant mice. Taking together, we proved that deletion of Satb2 in mice increased PTZ seizure threshold probably by modulating neuronal excitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface exfoliation was observed on single-crystal silicon surface under the action of compressed plasma flow (CPF). This phenomenon is mainly attributed to the strong transient thermal stress impact induced by CPF. To gain a better understanding of the mechanism, a micro scale model combined with thermal conduction and linear elastic fracture mechanics was built to analyze the thermal stress distribution after energy deposition. After computation with finite element method, J integral parameter was applied as the criterion for fracture initiation evaluation. It was demonstrated that the formation of surface exfoliation calls for specific material, crack depth, and CPF parameter. The results are potentially valuable for plasma/matter interaction understanding and CPF parameter optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has been associated with increased risk for colorectal cancer. We investigated the association of body mass index with risk for colorectal adenoma, a neoplastic precursor. This cross-sectional cohort study analyzed data from 43,737 men and women who participated in the multicenter Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial from September 1993 to September 1999. All completed sigmoidoscopic screening (aged 55-74 y at screening) and a risk factor questionnaire and did not have a self-reported history of cancer (except basal cell skin carcinoma), colorectal polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, familial polyposis or Gardner's syndrome. There were 3467 cases of left-sided adenomas (descending or sigmoid colon or rectum) of whom 1368 were advanced and 34,132 participants who screened negative for abnormalities. Table 1 shows the prevalence odds ratio for adenomas according to current body mass index adjusted for age, gender, race, center, dietary fat intake, red meat consumption, exercise and smoking. Among participants, being overweight or obese was associated with increased risk for colon adenomas; risk was 20-40% greater than that for normal-weight individuals, depending on the site or aggressiveness of the adenoma. Obesity may increase risk for colorectal cancer.

Previous studies have addressed customer satisfaction as a post-purchase phenomenon. However, examining solely post-purchase satisfaction when investigating consumer satisfaction is incomplete because multiple stages are involved in the purchase decision making process. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to assess customer satisfaction in the pre-purchase stage using procedures for developing a reliable and valid scale, as proposed by Churchill [1979. A paradigm of developing better measures of marketing constructs. Journal of Marketing Research, 16(1), 64–73.] and DeVellis [2003. Scale development: Theory and applications (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.]. Two sets of data were collected to carry out two stages of scale purification – 98 subjects participated in the first stage and 443 subjects participated in the second stage. The factor structures, reliability, and construct validity were tested to assess the properties of the final scale. Findings revealed a 21-item, 6-dimension scale measuring customers' pre-purchase satisfaction. Discussion of the results, managerial implications, study limitations, and suggestions for future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ultra-short (12 days) metformin pretreatment in clomiphene-citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Method: Eighty women with CC-resistant PCOS were randomly allocated to metformin pretreatment or usual treatment. Forty women received 1500 mg metformin daily for 12 days, followed by clomiphene 150 mg daily for 5 days along with metformin. Forty women (control group) received the same dose of clomiphene but no metformin pretreatment.Results: In the metformin group, 17 (42.5%) women ovulated, and 6 (15%) conceived. In the control group, 5 (12.5%) women ovulated but none conceived. Compared with the control group, the metformin group had significantly higher ovulation (P = 0.03) and pregnancy rates (P = 0.026).Conclusion: Twelve days of metformin pretreatment improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with CC-resistant PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolates of Fasciola (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenea) from different host species and geographical locations in Mainland China were characterised genetically. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified from individual trematodes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the representative amplicons were cloned and sequenced. The length of the ITS-2 sequences was 361–362 bp for all Chinese Fasciola specimens sequenced. While there was no variation in length or composition of the ITS-2 sequences among multiple specimens from France, Sichuan and Guangxi, sequence difference of 1.7% (6/362) was detected between specimens from France and Sichuan, and those from Guangxi. Based on ITS-2 sequence data, it was concluded that the Fasciola from Sichuan represented Fasciola hepatica, the one from Guangxi represented Fasciola gigantica and the one from sheep from Heilongjiang may represent an “intermediate genotype”, as its ITS-2 sequences were unique in that two different ITS-2 sequences exist in the rDNA array within a single Fasciola worm. One of the sequences is identical to that of F. hepatica, and the other is almost identical to that of F. gigantica in that nucleotides at five of the six polymorphic positions represent F. gigantica. This microheterogeneity is possibly due to sequence polymorphism among copies of the ITS-2 array within the same worm. Based on the sequence differences, a PCR-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was established for the unequivocal delineation of the Fasciola spp. from Mainland China using restriction endonuclease Hsp92II or RcaI. This assay should provide a valuable tool for the molecular identification and for studying the ecology and population genetic structures of Fasciola spp. from Mainland China and elsewhere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of the carbon and nitrogen sources, initial pH and incubation temperature on laccase production by the endophytic fungus Monotospora sp. were evaluated. The optimal temperature and initial pH for laccase production by Monotospora sp. in submerged culture were found to be 30°C and 8.5, respectively. Maltose (2gl−1) and ammonium tartrate (10gl−1) were the most suitable carbon and nitrogen source for laccase production. Under optimal culture medium, the maximum laccase activity was determined to be 13.55Uml−1, which was approximately four times higher than that in basal medium. This is the first report on laccase production by an endophytic fungus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple and cost-effective approach is proposed as an alternative to conventional oxygen plasma treatment to modify surface property of Indium tin oxide (ITO) anode of a fluorescent organic light-emitting diode (OLED). This was achieved by treating the ITO anode in supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) fluids with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The SCCO2/H2O2 treatment yielded an ITO work function of 5.35eV after 15min treatment at 85°C and 4000psi, which was significant higher than 4.8eV of the as-cleaned ITO surface and was slightly less than 5.5eV of the ITO surface treated by oxygen plasma. The highest work function achieved was 5.55eV after 45min SCCO2/H2O2 treatment. The SCCO2/H2O2 treatment can be used to tailor the ITO work function through changing the operation pressure of the treatment. In addition, the correlated dependence of OLED performance on the ITO anodes with and without the treatments was investigated. The maximum power efficiency of 1.94lm/W was obtained at 17.3mA/cm2 for the device with 15min SCCO2/H2O2 treatment at 4000psi. This power efficiency was 19.3% and 33.8% higher than those of the oxygen plasma treatment and as-clean, respectively. The improvement in device efficiency by the SCCO2/H2O2 treatments can be attributed to enhanced hole injection and balance in charge carriers due to increased work function and surface energy of the ITO anodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cellular responses to Fasciola gigantica and to Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep were compared. Eosinophil numbers increased more quickly and strongly in F. gigantica-infected sheep than in F. hepatica-infected sheep. In both groups, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in response to the parasitic excretory–secretory products (ESP) showed similar kinetics. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production by ESP-stimulated PBMC was early and showed similar kinetics in both groups. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) production by FhESP-stimulated PBMC was very high throughout infection even at 0 weeks post-infection (WPI) in F. hepatica-infected sheep, while in F. gigantica-infected sheep, IL-10 production by FgESP-stimulated PBMC increased between 1 and 4 WPI. IL-10 production in F. gigantica-infected sheep was significantly lower than in F. hepatica-infected sheep during infection. The lower susceptibility to F. gigantica infection in sheep could be explained by the more intense cellular response induced by the parasite and the weaker capacity of F. gigantica to evade the immune response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]