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A mechanically coupled array technique to enable a fully differential operation of single-crystal silicon thermal-piezoresistive resonators (TPRs) has been demonstrated to alleviate resistive feedthrough issues often seen in TPRs, therefore, featuring clear resonance behavior with decent signal-to-feedthrough ratio. The proposed thermal-piezoresistive dual-II-BARs exhibits feedthrough reduction of more than 67 dB, and no spurious mode, is found within a wide frequency span. The resonator array together with board-level sustaining circuitry also works as a thermal-piezoresistive oscillator (TPO) and demonstrated its performances for real-time mass sensing. Finally, the proposed TPO mass sensor possesses several key features, including real-time monitoring, fast response time, and most importantly, excellent mass resolution of only 83 fg extracted from the measured TPO’s Allan deviation. [2017-0085]

Three new dimeric abietane-type diterpenoids, abieta-6,8,11,13-tetraen-12-yl 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7&alpha, yl peroxide (1), abieta-6,8,11,13-tetraen-12-yl 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7&beta, yl peroxide (2), and 12-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7&beta, yl 7-oxoabieta-5,8,11,13-tetraen-12-yl peroxide (3), together with four known abietane-type diterpenoids (4&ndash, 7) were isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. At a concentration of 50 &mu, M, compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed 26.2%, 23.6%, and 35.7% inhibition towards xanthine oxidase enzyme, respectively. In addition, compound 3 also showed 24.9% inhibition toward angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).

Active compounds from natural products have been widely studied. The anti-tumor effects of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide isolated from Formosan soft coral Sarcophyton crassocaule on bladder cancer cells were examined in this study. An MTT assay showed that 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide was cytotoxic to bladder female transitional cancer (BFTC) cells. We determined that the BFTC cells underwent cell death through apoptosis by flow cytometry. Due to the highly-migratory nature of the BFTC cells, the ability of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide to stop their migration was assessed by a wound healing assay. To determine which proteins were affected in the BFTC cells upon treatment, a comparative proteomic analysis was performed. By LC-MS/MS analysis, we identified that 19 proteins were up-regulated and eight were down-regulated. Seven of the proteins were confirmed by western blotting analysis. This study reveals clues to the potential mechanism of the cytotoxic effects of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide on BFTC cells. Moreover, it suggests that PPT1 and hnRNP F could be new biomarkers for bladder cancer. The results of this study are also helpful for the diagnosis, progression monitoring and therapeutic strategies of transitional cell tumors.

Two new abietane-type diterpenoids, 15-hydroxy-12- O-methylsugiol (1) and 2a-hydroxy-12- O-methylsugiol (2) were isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of NMR data with those of known analogues. Compounds 2 showed 13.5% inhibition towards xanthine oxidase enzyme at the concentration of 75 μM

A novel C(35)-terpene, designated as cryptotrione (1), with an unprecedented skeleton possessing an abietane diterpene with a unique bicyclic sesquiterpene, is identified from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica. The carbon skeleton of 1 represents a new structural entity, and this is an intriguing addition to the structurally diverse diterpene-sesquiterpene class. A unique biosynthetic pathway is proposed to support the production of this phytocompound. Notably, 1 exhibits anticancer activity with an IC(50) value of 6.44 +/- 2.23 microM.

The wound dressing of acrylic acid-grafted and gamma-polyglutamic acid/chitosan-immobilized polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP-AAg-PGCi) was produced in this study. Gamma-polyglutamic acid (gamma-PGA) was first applied in this field to composed with chitosan. The PP-AAg-PGCi wound dressings were expected to enhance the water absorbing, water permeating and wound healing properties. The results showed that the immobilizing percentage, water absorbing value and water diffusion coefficient for PP-AAg-PGCi samples increased with the increase of the gamma-PGA in the immobilizing bath; whereas, decreased with the increase of the chitosan in the immobilizing bath. The immobilized chitosan was aggregating with the state of discontinuous and uneven mass materials on the surface of the immobilized gamma-PGA. The water absorbing, water permeating, and anti-bacterial properties of the PP-AAg-PGCi samples were much better than that of AA grafted and collagen/chitosan immobilized PP non-woven sample (PP-AAg-CCi) in our previous study. Anti-bacterial property for PP-AAg-PGCi samples was excellent. The effect on accelerating wound healing for PP-AAg-PGCi samples was strong. The product of the multi-layer material of PP-AAg-PGCi was expected to bestow better services for wound dressing.

The wound dressing of acrylic acid-grafted and chitosan/collagen-immobilized polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP–AAg–CCi) were produced. In this study, two kinds of chitosan obtained from the nourishment of Mucor (m-chitosan) and from commerce (c-chitosan) were used for comparison. It was found that the values of water absorbing and water diffusion coefficient for m-chitosan sample (PP–AAg–CmCi) were significantly higher than that for c-chitosan sample (PP–AAg–CcCi). The enhanced percentage on water absorbing value and water diffusion coefficient for PP–AAg–CmCi sample increased with the increasing of chitosan contained in the mixture of chitosan/collagen. The surface of the PP–AAg–CcCi sample was smooth; however, the surface of the PP–AAg–CmCi sample was rough and cracky/loose. The higher water adsorption and water diffusion properties were caused by the nature of agent for the PP–AAg–CmCi sample. The hydroxyl group contained on m-chitosan, which was prepared in this study, was higher than that contained on c-chitosan. The anti-bacterial properties of the PP–AAg–CmCi and PP–AAg–CcCi samples were all excellent. The products of the multi-layer material of PP–AAg–CmCi were expected to provide better services for wound dressing.

Defect concentrations in SiCOH low-k dielectrics deposited on high-resistivity silicon substrates were measured with Electron Spin Resonance (ESR). CP4 and HF treatmentswere used in order to eliminate dangling bonds from the backside of the silicon substrate as well as the sample edges. Two kinds of defects with characteristic g = 2.0054–2.0050 and g=2.0018–2.0020were detected in pristine samples and quantified using Lorentzian fitting. The defect with the g factor of 2.0054–2.0050 is likely to be fromthe silicon-dangling bonds. The defect with the g factor of 2.0018–2.0020 is most likely from carbon-related centers. Upon exposure to VUV synchrotron radiation (hν = 12 eV), the concentration of the silicon-dangling bonds is found to increase significantly. ispartof: Thin Solid Films vol:616 pages:23-26 status: published

This paper describes a scheme utilizing a set of low-cost and compact Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors for upgrading the optical system of the Taiwan Inelastic X-ray Scattering beamline at SPring-8 for high-pressure experiments using diamond-anvil cells. The scheme as implemented improves the focus to 13 µm × 16 µm with transmission of up to 72%., Inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) is a powerful technique capable of probing the dynamic behavior and electronic structure of materials. For IXS experiments under high pressure up to the megabar range using state-of-the-art diamond-anvil-cell technology, the sample volume is limited to the order of 1 × 10−3 mm3 for which a beam focus of the same order and less is often required. In this paper a scheme utilizing a set of low-cost and compact Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors for upgrading the existing optical system of the Taiwan IXS beamline at SPring-8 is described. The scheme as implemented improves the focus to 13 µm × 16 µm (horizontal × vertical) with a transmission of up to 72% and a flux density gain of over 30 times, which has enhanced substantially the efficiency of the beamline for high-pressure research.

The nanometer titanium dioxide (TiO2), succinic acid (SUA), and the mixture of nano- TiO2 and SUA were dispersed or dissolved in pure water, then irradiated with UV at the wavelength of 254 nm under stirring for different time periods respectively. The pH and conductivity values and UV-vis spectra of those solutions were recorded immediately. The powders obtained from the filtrated and vacuum dried from those solutions were examined with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction meter. It shows that the crystalline structure and IR and UV-vis spectra of SUA adsorbed on nano-TiO2 particles are changed. The photo-reduced succinic acid in the presence of nanometer titanium dioxide under UV irradiation can create aldehyde group on SUA and free radical of SUA to improve the catalytic effects of crosslinking reaction between SUA and cotton cellulose.

Four different carboxylic acids (1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), maleic acid (MA), succinic acid (SUA), and citric acid (CA)) were used as crosslinking agents for finished cotton fabrics in the presence of nanometer titanium dioxide catalyst under the irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light and/or an electronic field (EF). We find that the dry crease recovery angle, wet crease recovery angle, and softness improvement percentages of the treated fabrics for all the crosslinking agents are gradually increased with the increasing of irradiation time period, but the TSR values decreased in all cases. The crease recovery and softness properties for the various crosslinking agents are ranked as BTCA > MA > CA > SUA at a given UV irradiation time period. The addition of EF treatment on the UV-irradiated fabrics improves the catalytic effects significantly. The spectra of Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry reveal the crosslinking reaction between the carboxylic acid group of citric acid and the hydroxyl group of methylcellulose; this reaction could form ester and ether groups in the presence of nanometer TiO 2 catalyst under UV irradiation and UV irradiation and EF treatment. The pictures of scanning electron microscopy and the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis survey spectra show the surface deposition of acid crosslinking agents on the finished fibers and the crosslinking reaction between citric acid and cellulose molecule catalyzed with nanometer titanium dioxide under the irradiation of UV only and under the irradiation of UV and the treatment of EF separately.

Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica has led to the isolation of two new abietane-type diterpenoids, 7a-(2’-butoxyethoxy)deoxocryptojaponol (1) and 7p-(2’-butoxyethoxy)deoxocryptojaponol (2). Their structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-EI-MS, as well as on comparison with the reported data.

In this work, the effect of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon irradiation on the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of low-k organosilicate thin films was investigated, with particular emphasis on extrinsic TDDB (includes Cu migration effects). State-of-the-art low-k a-SiOC:H thin films were utilized because of their relevance as both an interlayer dielectric and as a candidate Cu capping-layer material. Synchrotron radiation was used to mimic VUV photon irradiation from processing plasmas without the presence of charged particles. TDDB characteristic lifetimes of the low-k a-SiOC:H dielectrics, before and after VUV photon exposure, were measured based on a Ti/a-SiOC:H/Cu metal-insulator-metal structure. The deterioration of extrinsic TDDB was observed in the film after exposure to VUV photons with 9 eV energy. The most notable degradation of the dielectric characteristic lifetime was found when the Cu electrode was used as an anode in the sample after 9.0 eV VUV photon exposure (photon fluence is 4...

Three new compounds, 19-hydroxylabda-8(17)-en-16,15-olide (1), 3beta,19-dihydroxylabda-8(17),11E-dien-16,15-olide (2), and 13-epi-3beta,19-dihydroxylabda-8(17),11E-dien-16,15-olide (3), together with four known compounds, 19-hydroxylabda-8(17),13-dien-16,15-olide (4), 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (5), 14-deoxyandrographolide, and pinusolidic acid, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Antrodia camphorata. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated by the analysis of their spectroscopic data. The in vitro neuroprotective activity of all compounds was evaluated, and compounds 1-5 protected neurons from Abeta damage by 39.2, 35.0, 36.7, 30.6, and 27.0%, respectively, at concentrations between 5 and 20 microM.

Avoiding the on-focus photodamage and phototoxicity problem of two-photon-fluorescence excitation, harmonic generation biopsy based on a /spl sim/1300 nm light source provides a truly noninvasive and highly penetrative optical sectioning of skin.

Summary form only given.The wide bandgap III-V nitrides have been long recognized as a material system of outstanding opto-electronic properties compared with those of group IV and II-VI materials. Although much attention has been emphasized on the device application, little has been devoted to the issues of surface passivation on GaN. We report a UV-enhanced, reaction-rate limited wet oxidation process on GaN at room temperature. A high peak oxidation rate can be achieved.

We present a use of deep UV irradiation to enhance the oxidative-dissolution process in the photoelectrochemical etching of gallium nitride (GaN). Our study indicates that the hydration effect plays an important role in establishing a peak etch rate as high as 90 nm/min. and 120 nm/min. in aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH) and phosphorus acid (H/sub 3/PO/sub 4/) solutions at pH=14.25 and 0.75, respectively.

In this report, we illustrate the design concept of the small-offset(1 mm) virtual channel-cut monochromator. The monochromator is specially designed for Sub-micron X-ray Diffraction Beamline at Taiwan Photon Source. It can offer a monochromatic beam with the resolving power better than 5000 in the range of 7keV-25 keV and allows the beamline to cycle between the polychromatic and monochromatic modes with a fixed spot of 100 nm at the sample position. Its adjustments and the thermal deformation are reduced as possible to increase the stability of the focal point. The finite element analysis of the thermal deformation shows rather simple cooling techniques can be used. Base on above design, we expect the positional stability of the focus can be kept in around 10nm.

Background Low-abundance proteins are difficultly observed on the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) maps of urine proteome, because they are usually obscured by high-abundance proteins such as albumin and immunoglobulin. In this study, a novel fractionation method was developed for enriching low-abundance proteins by removing high-abundance proteins and progressive elution with salts of various concentrations. Results Stepwise weak anion exchange (WAX) chromatography, which applied DEAE-Sephacel resin with non-fixed volume elution, was used to fractionate urine proteome prior to performing 2-DE. Urine proteome was separated into four fractions by progressively eluting the column with 0 M, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 1 M NaCl solutions. Most of the heavy and light immunoglobulin chains appeared in the eluent. After the high-abundance proteins were removed, various low-abundance proteins were enriched and could be easily identified. The potential of this method for obtaining diversified fractionations was demonstrated by eluting the column separately with Na2SO4 and MgCl2 solutions. The 2-DE maps of the fractions eluted with these different salt solutions of identical ionic strength revealed markedly different stain patterns. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that this fractionation method could be applied for purposes of enriching low-abundance proteins and obtaining diversified fractionations of urine, and potentially other proteomes.

Because it avoids the in-focus photodamage and phototoxicity problem of two-photon-fluorescence excitation, multiharmonic-generation biopsy based on a 1200-1300-nm light source could provide a truly noninvasive and highly penetrative optical sectioning of skin. We study multiharmonic-generation biopsy of fixed mouse skin. Our preliminary study suggests that this technique could provide submicrometer-resolution deep-tissue noninvasive biopsy images in skin without the use of fluorescence and exogenous markers.

The effect of the predrying conditions on the physical properties and the crosslinking structure of cotton fabrics treated with dimethylolethyleneurea was studied. The physical properties and crosslinking structure of treated fabrics are obviously affected by the predrying conditions. At the same predrying temperature, a higher moisture content in the predried fabrics results in an obvious agent migration, promoting the hydrogen-bond protective effect, which improves the dry crease recovery angle (DCRA) of treated fabrics; therefore, the linear relation between the DCRA and the product of the root of the crosslinking length, the number of crosslinks and the degree of completion of the crosslinkage (r√nα) is affected. For the same 4-5% moisture content in the predried fabrics, a lower predrying temperature results in an obvious penetration of the crosslinking agent in lamella, promoting the swelling property of fiber, which improves the wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) of treated fabrics; therefore, the relation between the WCRA and the product of the crosslinking length, the number of crosslinks, and the degree of completion of the crosslinkage (rnα) is affected, and this phenomenon is more obviously observed in the presence of methanol in the padding solution.