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A methodology for analyzing accidents with radioactive material release with EPZDose code was established. This code assesses doses and it is designed and developed by NTHU (National Tsing Hua University). To confirm the capacity of EPZDose, three postulated accident scenarios Taiwanese NPPs Chinshan (BWR/4) and Maanshan (PWR) are analyzed. All these scenarios are SBO (station blackout) transients because it is assumed that they result in a release of radioactive material. In this study, the source term data for EPZDose are taken from MELCOR or RASCAL calculations. In addition, calculated results of RASCAL code are compared with the results of EPZDose for these scenarios. The comparison show that the EPZDose predictions are consistent with the data of RASCAL. This indicates that the EPZDose has a respectable accuracy in the analysis of radioactive material release accidents.

The method for the evaluation of the control room habitability is presented in this paper with focus on Maanshan PWR nuclear power plant (NPP) using the codes RADTRAD, HABIT, and ALOHA. Therefore, this paper is divided into two parts: The first part is the evaluation of the cumulative dose at the control room, the exclusion area boundary (EAB) and the low population zone (LPZ) in case of an design basis loss of coolant accident (DBA/LOCA). For this first part, the Maanshan NPP models of the code RADTRAD/SNAP were used for the analysis. The second part is the evaluation of the control room habitability under the assumption of CO2storage burst. For this part, the HABIT and ALOHA codes were used. As result it was seen that the RADTRAD calculation results are below the failure criteria of standard review plan (SRP) and 10 CFR 100.11. The HABIT and ALOHA results are below the R.G. 1.78 failure criteria. These results indicate that Maanshan NPP’ habitability can be maintained under the above conditions.

Protein disulfide isomerase a4 (PDIA4) is implicated in the growth and death of tumor cells; however, its molecular mechanism and therapeutic potential in cancer are unclear. Here, we found that PDIA4 expression was upregulated in a variety of tumor cell lines and human lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Knockdown and overexpression of PDIA4 in tumor cells showed that PDIA4 facilitated cell growth via the reduction of caspases 3 and 7 activity. Consistently, Lewis lung carcinoma cells overexpressing PDIA4 grew faster than did parental cells in tumor-bearing mice, as shown by a reduced survival rate, increased tumor size and metastasis, and decreased cell death and caspases 3 and 7 activity. PDIA4 knockdown resulted in opposite outcomes. Moreover, results obtained in mice with spontaneous hepatoma indicated that PDIA4 deficiency significantly reduced hepatic tumorigenesis and cyst formation and increased mouse survival, tumor death, and caspases 3 and 7 activity. Mechanistic studies illustrated that PDIA4 negatively regulated tumor cell death by inhibiting degradation and activation of procaspases 3 and 7 via their mutual interaction in a CGHC-dependent manner. Finally, we found that 1,2-dihydroxytrideca-5,7,9,11-tetrayne, a PDIA4 inhibitor, reduced tumor development via enhancement of caspase-mediated cell death in TSA tumor-bearing mice. These findings characterize PDIA4 as a negative regulator of cancer cell apoptosis and suggest that PDIA4 is a potential therapeutic target for cancer.

T cell–dependent germinal center (GC) responses require coordinated interactions of T cells with two antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations, B cells and dendritic cells (DCs), in the presence of B7- and CD40-dependent co-stimulatory pathways. Contrary to the prevailing paradigm, we found unique cellular requirements for B7 and CD40 expression in primary GC responses to vaccine immunization with protein antigen and adjuvant: B7 was required on DCs but was not required on B cells, whereas CD40 was required on B cells but not on DCs in the generation of antigen-specific follicular helper T cells, antigen-specific GC B cells, and high-affinity class-switched antibody production. There was, in fact, no requirement for coexpression of B7 and CD40 on the same cell in these responses. Our findings support a substantially revised model for co-stimulatory function in the primary GC response, with crucial and distinct contributions of B7- and CD40-dependent pathways expressed by different APC populations and with important implications for understanding how to optimize vaccine responses or limit autoimmunity.

A number of patient-specific and leukemia-associated factors are related to the poor outcome in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, comprehensive studies regarding the impact of genetic alterations in this group of patients are limited. In this study, we compared relevant mutations in 21 genes between AML patients aged 60 years or older and those younger and exposed their prognostic implications. Compared with the younger patients, the elderly had significantly higher incidences of PTPN11, NPM1, RUNX1, ASXL1, TET2, DNMT3Aand TP53mutations but a lower frequency of WT1mutations. The older patients more frequently harbored one or more adverse genetic alterations. Multivariate analysis showed that DNMT3Aand TP53mutations were independent poor prognostic factors among the elderly, while NPM1mutation in the absence of FLT3/ITD was an independent favorable prognostic factor. Furthermore, the status of mutations could well stratify older patients with intermediate-risk cytogenetics into three risk groups. In conclusion, older AML patients showed distinct genetic alterations from the younger group. Integration of cytogenetics and molecular mutations can better risk-stratify older AML patients. Development of novel therapies is needed to improve the outcome of older patients with poor prognosis under current treatment modalities.

Ovarian cancer is a gynecologic malignancy with a high mortality rate. In the present study, we developed a novel cell-based vaccine, Meso-VAX, to generate mesothelin antigen-specific immune responses and immunotherapy against ovarian cancer. Mesothelin, a secreted protein anchored at the cell membrane, has recently been identified as a potential new tumor antigen for ovarian cancer. In this study, mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-IL-12 exhibited dramatic increases in the number of mesothelin-specific CD4+helper and CD8+cytotoxic T-cell precursors, higher titers of anti-mesothelin Abs and in vitrotumor killing activity, and all of these mice were tumor-free after 60 days of tumor challenge. In addition, a significant reduction in peritoneal tumors and longer survival were noted in the mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX combined with AAV-IL-12. CD4+helper and CD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes were essential for the antitumor effect generated by Meso-VAX combined with AAV-IL-12. The post-vaccination sera of the mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX and AAV-IL-12 also showed mesothelin-specific complement-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that a Meso-VAX cell-based vaccine combined with AAV-IL-12 can generate antigen-specific immunological responses and antitumor effects on ovarian cancer.

E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b has emerged as a gatekeeper that controls the activation threshold of the T cell antigen receptor and maintains the balance between tolerance and autoimmunity. Here, we report that the loss of Cbl-b facilitates T helper 2 (Th2) and Th9 cell differentiation in vitro. In a mouse model of asthma, the absence of Cbl-b results in severe airway inflammation and stronger Th2 and Th9 responses. Mechanistically, Cbl-b selectively associates with Stat6 upon IL-4 ligation and targets Stat6 for ubiquitination and degradation. These processes are heightened in the presence of T cell receptor (TCR)/CD28 costimulation. Furthermore, we identify K108 and K398 as Stat6 ubiquitination sites. Intriguingly, introducing Stat6 deficiency into Cblb−/−mice abrogates hyper-Th2 responses but only partially attenuates Th9 responses. Therefore, our data reveal a function for Cbl-b in the regulation of Th2 and Th9 cell differentiation.

We propose a high-transmission dualband terahertz bandpass filter by exciting multiple resonances of a composite metamaterial. The filter is composed a single layer of metal-dielectric-metal artificial structure and possesses two pronounced passbands centered at 0.97 THz and 1.37 THz, respectively. Both the passbands show high transmissions up to 90 % and also excellent band-edge transitions in the special terahertz-gap regime based on the simulations. In addition, we promise an effective approach to manipulate such electromagnetic properties of the metamaterial through realizing all the mechanisms for each resonant mode of the metamaterial. A potential terahertz device, broadband terahertz bandpass filter with almost 0.5-THz bandwidth, after structural modulation from the same composite metamaterial is also delivered in this work.

To clarify the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of small vessel disease of the brain, we investigated the association between common variation in the C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 genes, plasma CRP and IL6 levels, and presence of MRI-defined white matter lesions (WML) and brain infarcts (BI) in elderly participants of the Cardiovascular Health Study.

High energy lithium‐ion batteries have improved performance in a wide variety of mobile electronic devices. A new goal in portable power is the achievement of safe and durable high‐power batteries for applications such as power tools and electric vehicles. Towards this end, olivine‐based positive electrodes are amongst the most important and technologically enabling materials. While certain lithium metal phosphate olivines have been shown to be promising, not all olivines demonstrate beneficial properties. The mechanisms allowing high power in these compounds have been extensively debated. Here we show that certain high rate capability olivines are distinguished by having extended lithium nonstoichiometry (up to ca. 20 %), with which is correlated a reduced lattice misfit as the material undergoes an electrochemically driven, reversible, first‐order phase transformation. The rate capability in several other intercalation oxides can also be correlated with lattice strain, and suggests that nanomechanics plays an important and previously unrecognized role in determining battery performance.

A new general approach to the direct formation of bipolar devices from heterogeneous colloids is suggested. By using surface‐force theory and direct measurements, combinations of conductive device materials between which short‐range repulsive forces exist in the presence of an intervening liquid, and use these interactions to self‐form electrochemical junctions are identified. The inclusion of Lifshitz–van der Waals (LW) and acid–base (AB) interactions appears to be generally sufficient for the prediction of short‐range interactions. Device concepts using repulsive and attractive short‐range interactions to produce self‐organizing colloidal‐scale devices are proposed and demonstrated. A prototype self‐organizing lithium rechargeable battery is demonstrated using lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and graphite as the active electrode materials.

The aim of this study is to present our institutional experience in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) as a treatment for end-stage liver disease in children with biliary atresia (BA). A retrospective review of transplant records was performed. One hundred BA patients (52 males and 48 females) underwent LDLT. The mean follow-up period was 85.5 months. The mean age was 2.4 years. The mean preoperative weight, height, and computed GFR were 12.2 kg, 82.5 cm, and 116.4 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Twenty-seven patients were below 1 year of age, and 49 patients were below 10 kg at the time of transplantation. Ninety-six had had previous Kasai operation prior to transplant. The mean recipient operative time was 628 min. The mean recipient intraoperative blood loss was 176 ml. Thirty-five did not require blood or blood component transfusion. The left lateral segment (64) was the most common type of graft used. There were 27 operative complications which included 3 reoperations for postoperative bleeding, 9 portal vein, 4 hepatic vein, 4 hepatic artery, and 7 biliary complications. There was one in-hospital mortality and one retransplantation. The overall rejection rate was 20%. The overall mortality rate was 3%. The 6-month, 1-year and 5-year actual recipient survival rates were 99%, 98% and 98%, respectively.

High‐strain, high‐force mechanical actuation technologies are desirable for numerous applications ranging from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to large‐scale “smart structures” that are able to change shape to optimize performance. Here we show that electrochemical intercalation of inorganic compounds of high elastic modulus offers a low‐voltage mechanism (less than 5 V) with intrinsic energy density approaching that of hydraulics and more than a hundred times greater than that of existing field‐operated mechanisms, such as piezostriction and magnetostriction. Exploitation of the reversible crystallographic strains (several percent) of intercalation compounds while under high stress is key to realization of the available energy. Using a micromachined actuator design, we test the strain capability of oriented graphite due to electrochemical lithiation under stresses up to 200 MPa. We further demonstrate that simultaneous electrochemical expansion of the LiCoO2/graphite cathode/anode couple can be exploited for actuation under stresses up to ∼ 20 MPa in laminated macroscopic composite actuators of similar design to current lithium‐ion batteries. While the transport‐limited actuation mechanism of these devices results in intrinsically slower actuation compared to most ferroic materials, we demonstrate up to 6.7 mHz (150 s) cyclic actuation in a laminated actuator designed for a high charge/discharge rate. The potential for a new class of high‐strain, high‐force, moderate‐frequency actuators suitable for a broad range of applications is suggested.

Abstract: In this report, we focus on the microfabrication and cell seeding issues of artificial blood capillaries for tissue engineering. Two different fabrication methods (stainless steel electroforming and silicon electroforming) and a number of materials (PC, Polycarbonate and biocompatible material PLGA, poly lactide-co-glycolides) are implemented to build the vascular network. The vascular network is then used as the scaffold to cultivate the bovine endothelial cell (BEC). During the period of cell cultivation, oxygen and nutrient need to be continuously delivered by a circular pressurizing system. In cell culture, encouraging results are obtained through the dynamical seeding of the BEC on the scaffolds. A systematic cell culture process has been developed after repeated experiments. Successful seeding efficiencies are obtained by using the developed systematic cell culture process.

Let (X, Z) be the space of continuous linear mappings between topological vector spaces, where Z is Hausdorff and preordered by a closed convex cone C. In this paper, we introduce a notion of semicontinuity to any function from a topological space into X. A notion of semicontinuity is also introduced to any function from a topological space into (X, Z). These two notions of semicontinuity are related by the embedding of X into (X, Z). Their basic properties are given. As an application, we derive some existence results for the mixed vector variational-like inequality.

Stable, nanometer-thick films are observed to form at the {11&twomacr;0} facets of Bi2O3-doped ZnO in several bulk-phase stability fields. Electron microscopy shows these surficial films to exhibit some degree of partial order in quenched samples. The equilibrium film thickness, corresponding to the Gibbs excess solute, decreases monotonically with decreasing temperature until vanishing at a dewetting temperature, well below the eutectic. Assuming that perfect wetting occurs at some higher temperature above the eutectic, as is observed on polycrystal surfaces and at grain boundaries in the same system, the adsorption and wetting events in this system illustrate temperature- and composition-dependent prewetting. The observation of a second class of thicker films coexisting with nanodroplets and a numerical evaluation of thickness versus temperature elucidate the critical role of volumetric thermodynamic terms in determining film stability and thickness. Analogous temperature-dependent surface films involving adsorbed MoO3 on Al2O3 were also observed.

The crystallization and melting behavior of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) in a physically confined system, self-assembly blends of poly(ε-caprolactone)/polystyrene-b-poly(ethylenepropylene) (PCL/PS−PEP), were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glassy PS-rich phases effectively confine the PCL crystallization due to the localization behavior of PCL where the PCL component appears to be localized in between the lamellae-like microdomains of PS block. Macrophase-separated and microphase-separated morphology were both identified in the self-assembly blends. The crystallization rate of PCL is strongly affected by the phase-separated morphology. The effective confinement on crystallization occurs while the size of lamellae-like confinement goes below submicrometer. Under effective confinement, the crystalline chains of PCL appear in random orientation at low crystallization temperature and in parallel orientation at high crystallization temperature as evidenced by simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments. Furthermore, the PCL crystals form multilayer-like crystalline morphology under confinement as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. On the basis of Avrami treatment, the crystallization kinetics of PCL in a physically confined system and of PCL homopolymer were both studied for comparison. Similar to the PCL homopolymers, the crystallization of localized PCL chains under confinement exhibits a heterogeneous nucleation process. Recognizable melting depression was identified for PCL under confinement whereas significant decrease on relative crystallinity was observed for PCL chains crystallized at higher temperature. As a result, the changes of the crystallization and melting behavior are indeed attributed to the effect of confinement that is strongly dependent upon the spatial size of confinement. Contrary to typical microphase-separated morphology of crystallizable block copolymers (designated as chemically confined system for crystallizing blocks), the unique phase-separated morphology as a physically confined system for the crystallization of PCL provides a representative system for understanding the behavior of crystallization under spatial confinement from tens of nanometers to submicrometers.

Several studies indicate that microsurgical modified one-layer vasovasostomy is comparable to the two-layer anastomosis with respect to patency and pregnancy rates. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and result of modified one-layer vasovasostomy under loupe magnification only. Thirty-two patients aged 28 to 64 years (mean 41.3±6 years) underwent vasovasostomy at CGMH from July 1997 to June 2002, with all operations being a modified one-layer anastomosis created with the aid of a 3 × loupe. The estimated duration of vasectomy ranged from 4 months to 27 years, with a mean of 9.2±4.8 years. Postoperative semen analysis and pregnancy were examined. Each patient was followed up at 1,4, and 12 weeks postoperatively. The total operation time ranged from 118 to 228 minutes (average 150±35 minutes). There was no operation-related complication such as hematoma or wound infection. The patency rate was 89% (25/28), and the pregnancy rate at 2 years or more of follow-up was 39% (11/28). The patency and pregnancy rates were similar to those obtained in most studies of microsurgical vasovasostomy. For uncomplicated vasectomy reversal, this simple loupe-assisted modified one-layer vasovasostomy seems to provide an adequate anastomosis.

In this paper, we study the existence of strong and weak solutions of the generalized vector equilibrium problems for trifunctions. Two special classes of vector-valued trifunctions are introdcued, called the classes of (SPM) and (GPM), respectively. Some existence results for strong solutions associated to functions of these classes are given.

c-Cbl is an adaptor protein that negatively regulates signal transduction events involved in thymic-positive selection. To further characterize the function of c-Cbl in T cell development, we analyzed the effect of c-Cbl inactivation in mice deficient in the scaffolding molecule SLP-76. SLP-76–deficient mice show a high frequency of neonatal lethality; and in surviving mice, T cell development is blocked at the DN3 stage. Inactivation of c-cbl completely reversed the neonatal lethality seen in SLP-76–deficient mice and partially reversed the T cell development arrest in these mice. SLP-76−/− Cbl−/− mice exhibited marked expansion of polarized T helper type (Th)1 and Th2 cell peripheral CD4+ T cells, lymphoid infiltrates of parenchymal organs, and premature death. This rescue of T cell development is T cell receptor dependent because it does not occur in recombination activating gene 2−/− SLP-76−/− Cbl−/− triple knockout mice. Analysis of the signal transduction properties of SLP-76−/− Cbl−/− T cells reveals a novel SLP-76– and linker for activation of T cells–independent pathway of extracellular signal–regulated kinase activation, which is normally down-regulated by c-Cbl.

Two new xanthone derivatives, garcinianones A (1) and B (2), two new benzophenone derivatives, 4,6,4‘-trihydroxy-2,3‘-dimethoxy-3-prenylbenzophenone (3) and 4,6,3‘,4‘-tetrahydroxy-2-methoxybenzophenone (4), and a new inseparable mixture of (1E,22Z)-1,22-diferuloyloxydocosane and (1E,24Z)-1,24-diferuloyloxyteracosane (5), together with the previously known 3,8-dihydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxyxanthone, 6,3‘-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethoxybenzophenone, maclurin (6), 2,4,6,3‘-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (7), and naringenin, were isolated from the stems of Garcinia multiflora. The structures of 1−5 were elucidated by extensive analysis of their spectral data. Compounds were evaluated in the brine shrimp lethality test and in the DPPH antioxidant assay.

Flash photolysis of methyl 2-hydroxyphenyldiazoacetate (8) in dilute aqueous perchloric acid solution and acetic acid and biphosphate ion buffers produced a transient species that was identified as o-quinone α-carbomethoxymethide (9). This structural assignment is based upon solvent isotope effects, the form of buffer catalysis, UV absorption maxima, and the identity of decay rate constants with those determined for the transient obtained by flash photolysis of other, more conventional, quinone methide precursors, namely the benzyl alcohol methyl 2-hydroxy mandelate (10) and its acetate, 2'-acetoxy-2-hydroxyphenylacetate (11).

Dunnia sinensis, a monotypic genus of theRubiaceae endemic to the southeast mainlandChina, is an endangered species due to habitatdestruction over the past decades. Informationon levels and apportionment of geneticvariation across populations and geographicalregions is fundamental to conservation. In thepresent study, we used organelle DNA variationand nested phylogeographic analyses to test theisolation-by-distance model in this specieswith wind-mediated seed-dispersal and todistinguish ongoing gene flow from historicalprocesses. As expected, low levels of geneticvariation were detected at the ribosomal ITSregion of mtDNA (θ= 0.0019± 0.0002) and the atpB-rbcLintergenic spacer of cpDNA (θ=0.0022 ± 0.0009) in the rare species. Sixand seven haplotypes of mt- and cpDNA wereidentified from 125 individuals, respectively,according to the reconstructed neighbor-joiningtrees. Both data sets suggested consistentphylogenies that recovered two differentiatedlineages corresponding to western (Yangchun)and eastern (four others populations) portionsof the range. Hierarchical analyses of themolecular variance (AMOVA) of mt- and cpDNAindicated that molecular variance wasattributable to the difference between regions(Φct = 0.911 and 0.771 for mt- and cpDNA,respectively) in D. sinensis. Based ongeographic distributions of haplotypes in thehaplotype networks, significant geneticdifferentiation between the two geographicregions, which can be seen as evolutionarilyconservation units, was associated withhistorical fragmentation. In contrast, limitedgene flow with occasional long-range dispersalshaped the apportionment of organelle DNAalleles among populations of the easternregion, within which two incompletely isolatedphylogeographic groups can be recognized asconservation units for management.

A constrained filtering method is proposed to deal with the filtering problems for nonlinear systems with constraints. The problem is converted to a sequence of recursive estimation problems in which the system equations and constraint conditions are treated as pseudo-measurements. To resolve the singularity problem arising from the constraints, a modified maximum-likelihood method for nonlinear systems is developed. The simulation results from the application of the proposed scheme to the target tracking problem shows that the constrained filtering method can enhance the performance of filter design significantly.

To reduce the highly hydrophilic property of chondroitin sulfate (ChS), a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) of chondroitin sulfate/polyacrylic acid (PAA) was prepared as a drug carrier by crosslinking acrylic acid with diethyleneglycol diacrylate. The swelling properties of the semi-IPNs with different concentrations of crosslinking agent were correlated. The moisture sorption profiles were evaluated using differential thermal analysis. Ketoprofen was used as a drug probe to evaluate the performance of the drug released from the semi-IPN matrices. The prepared semi-IPNs demonstrated significant swelling reduction properties with both gastric and intestinal fluids compared with those of both the pure ChS and the ChSAA blend without the crosslinking agent. The amount of accumulated drug released from the semi-IPNs was less than 30 wt % at pH 1.2 and up to 80 wt % at pH 7.4. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 114–122, 2002

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a member of the transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) superfamily, has been shown to have trophic activity on dopaminergic neurons. Recent studies indicate that GDNF can protect the cerebral hemispheres from damage induced by middle cerebral arterial ligation. We found that such neuroprotective effects are mediated through specific GDNF receptor alpha-1 (GFR?1). Animals with a deficiency in GFR?-1 have less GDNF-induced neuroprotection. Ischemia also enhances nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, which can be attenuated by GDNF. These.data suggest that GDNF can protect against ischemic injury through a GFR?-1NOS mechanism. We also found that the receptor for GDNF, GFR?1, and its signaling moiety c-Ret were upregulated, starting immediately after ischemia. This upregulation suggests that activation of an endogenous neuroprotective mechanism occurs so that responsiveness of GDNF can be enhanced at very early stages during ischemia.

Two mechanism-based activity probes, adopting a cassette-like design, for protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) were synthesized. Both probes carry a phosphate group that serves as the recognition head for the target PTPs but differ in their reporter groups; probe LCL-1 uses a dansyl fluorophore, while LCL-2 has a biotin reporter group. LCL-1 and LCL-2 are specifically activated by phosphatase, leading to its covalent labeling, as exemplified with PTP-1B. However, they show no activation with other classes of hydrolases, including trypsin and β-galactosidase. LCL-1 and LCL-2 thus represent the first example of class-selective probes for phosphatases. Keywords: activity probe • labeling • protein tyrosine phosphatase • PTP1B • proteomics • quinone methide • signaling

An interesting way to obtain compatible blends of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylenepropylene) (PS−PEP) has been achieved. The intrinsically immiscible blends such as PCL/PS and PCL/PEP become compatible while the PS and PEP components form a diblock copolymer to melt blending with PCL. The morphology of PCL/PS−PEP blends was examined by polarized light microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PCL/PS−PEP blends were found to self-assemble as lamellar microstructure with tens of nanometers dimension. Their compatibilities were investigated in terms of differential scanning calorimetry. No significant change on the Tg of PEP-rich phase in the blends has been found whereas the Tg of PS-rich phase gradually decreases with decreasing the molecular weight of PCL in blends. However, the changes on the Tg of PS are insignificant as compared to the expected glass transition temperature predicted by the Fox equation. Taking advantage of the driving force of self-assembly for block copolymers, the PCL component appears to be localized in between the lamellar microdomains of PS block. The behavior of localization for PCL was further confirmed by the TEM phase contrast imaging. Contrary to typical microphase-separated morphology of crystallizable block copolymers (designated as chemically confined environment for crystallizing blocks), we name this unique phase-separated morphology as a physically confined environment for the crystallization of PCL.

Abstract Postoperative biliary and vascular complications contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation. Interventional radiologists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team necessary for optimizing the management of these complications. During a 15‐year period, 39 cadaveric and 25 living related liver transplantations were performed at the Chang Gung Memorial hospital, Taiwan. Of 64 liver transplant recipients, 9 (3 adult and 6 pediatric) underwent 13 interventional radiological procedures for the treatment of biliary sludge‐casts (n= 2), bile duct occlusion or stenosis (n= 2), hepatic veins thrombosis (n= 1), hepatic veins stenosis (n= 1), portal vein stenosis with splenorenal shunting (n= 1), biloma (n= 1), and infected fluid collection or ascites (n= 4). Antegrade or retrograde interventional approach was used to successfully treat all biliary complications, and all percutaneous drainage procedures were effective in the control of intra‐abdominal fluid collections. Portal vein stenosis was treated by balloon dilatation, and the associated splenorenal shunt was closed by metallic coil embolization via transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein. Hepatic vein stenosis was effectively treated by balloon dilatation and expandable metallic stent deployment via transfemoral and jugular venous approaches, respectively. Hepatic vein thrombosis was only partially lysed by transvenous streptokinase administration, and surgical thrombectomy was needed to achieve complete recanalization. The total success rate of the interventional procedures was 92% with no procedure‐related complications. The overall survival rate in this series is 89 %, and all patients who underwent living related liver transplantation maintain to date a 100% survival rate. We can conclude that interventional radiological procedures are very useful for managing biliary and vascular complications after liver transplantation. These techniques provide a cure in most situations, thus obviating the need for further surgical intervention or re‐transplantation.

A method based on the thermochemical reduction of mixed oxides is demonstrated for creating ultrafine metal−ceramic composites for lithium storage. Mixed oxides containing a more noble metal, selected to be capable of alloying with lithium at potentials useful as a Li-ion battery anode, are partially reduced to form electrochemically active composites of the dispersed metal in a conductive oxide matrix. The starting oxides SbVO4 rutile and Sb2Mn2O7 distorted fluorite are discussed as examples. Materials are characterized using XRD, SEM, and TEM, and electrochemical tests are presented. Reversible charge capacities of 300−400 mAh/g (1800−2500 mAh/cm³) are shown to be possible in these systems.

Under the effect of a constant current for a long time, a water channel of infinitely long and constant depth interacting with a uniform sandbed of infinite thickness is used to simulate the formation of dunes, antidunes and rapidly damping waves in alluvial channels. The theory of potential flow is applied to the channel flow, while Biot's theory of poroelasticity is adopted to deal with erodible bed material. The governing equations, together with free surface, bed surface, and far field boundary conditions, form a complete boundary‐value problem without applying empirical sediment discharge formulas as in conventional researches. The comparison of the present result with Kennedy's (Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1963; 16: 521–544) instability analysis not only indicates the appropriateness of the present work, but also reveals the advantage of the present study due to its ability to find all kinds of bed forms (including the rapidly damping waves that Kennedy could not find) and of solving for the unclear lagged distance δintroduced in Kennedy's work. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Six new triterpenes, 3β-acetoxy-12β,13β-epoxy-11α-hydroperoxyursane (1), 3β-acetoxy-11α-hydroperoxy-13αH-ursan-12-one (2), 3β-acetoxy-1β,11α-epidioxy-12-ursene (3), (20S)-3β-acetoxylupan-29-oic acid (4), (20S)-3β-acetoxy-20-hydroperoxy-30-norlupane (5), and 3β-acetoxy-18α-hydroperoxy-12-oleanen-11-one (6), together with 3β-acetoxy-12-oleanen-11-one (7), were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Compounds 1−3, 5, and 6 were characterized as new peroxytriterpenes. The structures of 3 and 6 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) is the primary viral etiologic agent in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). However, individuals dually infected with both HHV8 and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) show an enhanced prevalence of KS when compared with those singularly infected with HHV8. Host immune suppression conferred by HIV infection cannot wholly explain this increased presentation of KS. To better understand how HHV8 and HIV-1 might interact directly in the pathogenesis of KS, we queried for potential regulatory interactions between the two viruses. Here, we report that HHV8 and HIV-1 reciprocally up-regulate the gene expression of each other. We found that the KIE2 immediate-early gene product of HHV8 interacted synergistically with Tat in activating expression from the HIV-1 long terminal repeat. On the other hand, HIV-1 encoded Tat and Vpr proteins increased intracellular HHV8-specific expression. These results provide molecular insights correlating coinfection with HHV8 and HIV-1 with an unusually high incidence of KS.

Electrochemical cycling of lithium intercalation compounds used as energy storage electrodes often results in phase transformations that have a critical impact on charge capacity and cycle life. In this paper, the role of cation disorder and transformation microstructures on electrochemical performance is examined theoretically and experimentally. The crystallographically allowable domain formation processes for transformations in ordered-rock salt and spinel structure lithium transition metal oxides are discussed. Experimental results from orthorhombic and monoclinic phase LiMnO2 and Li(Al,Mn)O2 materials, the exemplar of compounds that exhibit improved high capacity and stable cycling after electrochemical transformation, are presented. Electron diffraction is used to show that the transformed spinels possess ≈25% cation inversion after extensive cycling. High-resolution electron microscopy reveals that the cycling-induced spinel transformation concurrently creates antiphase domains of ≈6-nm size, which then transform to tetragonal ferroelastic domains upon further lithiation. The respective roles of cation inversion and ferroelastic accommodation in providing cycling stability are discussed. A domain wall sliding mechanism is proposed for the ferroelastic accommodation of transformation strains in this system.

Disordered films of 1–2 nm thickness have been observed on the surfaces of binary oxide systems in liquid–solid and solid–state equilibrium. The systems Bi2O3–ZnO, Bi2O3–Fe2O3, WO3–TiO2and MoO3–Al2O3have been examined. Sufficient data now exist to interpret the observed films as surface phases of thermodynamically determined thickness and composition, coexisting at equilibrium with one or more bulk phases. Phenomenological comparisons to the formation of equilibrium-thickness intergranular films, multilayer adsorption, prewetting and surface melting are made. A thermodynamic model that allows the prediction of systems likely to form stable films is proposed, in which key variables are the relative surface energies, the sign and strength of the dispersion interaction, the extent of ordering (epitaxy) at the crystal–film interface, and the free energy of amorphization and mixing. It is suggested that the relative interfacial energies and volume thermodynamic terms are always important contributions, while the dispersion interaction is relatively unimportant well below the solidus temperature, but may be critical close to and above the solidus temperature.

Flash photolysis of 4‐diazoisochroman‐3‐one in aqueous solution resulted in loss of nitrogen and transient production of the α‐carbonylcarbene 3‐ketoisochroman‐4‐ylidene, the hydration of which generated a short‐lived species that was identified as the enol isomer of the lactone, 4‐hydroxyisochroman‐3‐one. This assignment is supported by x‐ray crystallographic determination of the structure of the final lactone product, by the shape of the rate profile for ketonization of the enol intermediate to the lactone, and by solvent isotope effects on, and the form of acid–base catalysis of, the ketonization reaction. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Additional material for this paper is available from the epoc website at http://www.wiley.com/epoc

Seven new taraxastane-type triterpenes&sbd;20-taraxastene-3β,22α-diol (1), 3β-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22α-ol (2), 3β-acetoxy-22α-methoxy-20-taraxastene (3), 3β-acetoxy-20α,21α-epoxytaraxastan-22α-ol (4), 3β-acetoxy-19α-methoxy-20-taraxastene (5), 3β-acetoxy-19α-hydroperoxy-20-taraxastene (6), 3β-acetoxy-20α,21α-epoxytaraxastane (7)&sbd;were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Quinone methides were produced in aqueous solution by photochemical dehydration of o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols (o-HOC6H4CHROH; R = H, C6H5, 4-CH3OC6H4), and flash photolytic techniques were used to examine their rehydration back to starting substrate as well as their interaction with bromide and thiocyanate ions. These reactions are acid-catalyzed and show inverse isotope effects (kH+/kD+< 1), indicating that they occur through preequilibrium protonation of the quinone methide on its carbonyl carbon atom followed by rate-determining capture of the benzyl carbocations so formed by H2O, Br-, or SCN-. With some quinone methides (R = C6H5and 4-CH3OC6H4) this acid catalysis could be saturated, and analysis of the data obtained in the region of saturation for the example with R = 4-CH3OC6H4produced both the equilibrium constant for the substrate protonation step and the rate constant for the rate-determining step. Energy relationships comparing the quinone methides with their benzyl alcohol precursors are derived.