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A solvent-free lift-off method has been introduced to fabricate the aluminum nano-hole array with diameter down to 80 nm as the base electrode for a vertical organic transistor. The imprinted vertical organic transistor exhibited base leakage current density as low as 5 × 10 −5 mA/cm 2 and high ON/OFF current ratio as high as 10 5 .

High-resolution image processing is crucial for emerging applications in virtual reality. The trade-off between robustness/accuracy and speed pose a challenge to high-resolution image stitching. This paper accelerates the state-of-the-art image stitching algorithm by using the CUDA toolkit. We also use the mesh coordinates as an initial guess for solving warping function for an additional increase in speed. Experimental results show that our implementation achieves comparable quality to the state-of-the-art work, while our implementation is almost 2x faster on high-resolution images (3264×2448).

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, The aim of this study was to investigate cancer risk in patients with a history of urolithiasis and to determine whether intervention for calculi attenuated the risk of subsequent urinary tract cancer (UTC). Using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, we performed a nationwide cohort study enrolling participants (n = 42,732) aged > 30 years who were diagnosed with urinary tract calculi between 2000 and 2009. Age- and gender-matched insured individuals (n = 213,660) found in the health service records over the same period were recruited as the control group. The Cox proportional hazards model and competing risks regression model were used to examine the relationship between urolithiasis and UTC, as well as whether early intervention for urolithiasis decreased the subsequent cancer risk relative to late intervention. Participants with a previous diagnosis of urolithiasis (n = 695) had a 1.82-fold (95% CI: 1.66–1.99, P

Objectives The effect of agmatine on bladder contractility and the diabetes-induced alteration of this action were studied in the rat. Methods Bladder strips were isolated from 9-week-old streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats and control Wistar rats. Strips were hung in an organ bath for measurement of isometric tension and pre-contracted with either 1 µmol/L acetylcholine (ACh) or 50 mmol/L KCl. Dose-dependent relaxation of the bladder strips was studied by cumulative administration of agmatine 1–100 µmol/L into the organ bath. Effects of specific imidazoline receptor (IR) antagonists on the agmatine-induced relaxation were studied. Western blotting analysis was used to measure bladder IR, sulphonylurea receptor (SUR) and inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit 6.2 (Kir 6.2) protein levels. Results Agmatine reduced ACh and KCl pre-contracted bladder strip tension in a dose-dependent fashion. Relaxation was significantly increased in STZ-diabetic rats. The relaxation was inhibited by BU224, a selective I2 IR antagonist; but not by efaroxan (I1 IR antagonist) or KU14R (I3 IR antagonist). Moreover, the agmatine-induced relaxation was attenuated by glibenclamide (inhibitor of KATP channel) and H-89 (inhibitor of protein kinase A), but enhanced by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, inhibitor of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase). Western blotting showed increased expression of bladder IR but not SUR or Kir 6.2 in the STZ-diabetic rat. Conclusion Agmatine causes rat bladder relaxation by activation of the I2 IR, which opens KATP channels through the cyclic AMP/protein kinase A pathway. Agmatine-induced bladder relaxation in STZ-diabetic rats is increased due to a higher expression of IR.

Objectives: The effect of agmatine on prostate contractility as well as the roles of imidazoline receptors and potassium channels in this action were studied using isolated Wistar rat prostate tissue. Methods: Rat prostate strips were pre-contracted with 1 µmol/L phenylephrine or 50 mmol/L KCl. The relaxation response to agmatine (1–100 µmol/L) was measured. The effects of imidazoline receptor blockers: efaroxan, BU224, KU14R; ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) channel inhibitor: glibenclamide; cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase inhibitor: IBMX; or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor: H-89 on the agmatine-induced relaxation were studied. Results: Agmatine produced relaxation in prostate strips pre-contracted with phenylephrine or KCl in a dose-dependent manner. This relaxation was significantly reduced by BU224, a selective I2 imidazoline receptor (IR) blocker, but not by I1 or I3 IR blockers (efaroxan, KU14R respectively). Moreover, the agmatine-induced relaxation was attenuated by glibenclamide and H-89, but enhanced by IBMX. Conclusion: The results suggest that agmatine causes rat prostate relaxation by activation of the I2 IR, which opens KATP channels through cAMP/PKA pathway.

s / Urological Science 26 (2015) 301e310 303 * Abbreviations: LN, lymph node; Lt, left; Rt, right; OPN, open partial nephrectomy; ORN, open radical nephrectomy; lapa., laparoscopic ; NED, no evidence of disease; AML, angiomyolipoma; RSG, radical subtotal gastrectomy Conclusion: Among these 9 cases, 2 cases (22.2%) had distant metastases and ominent outcome. 3 cases with symptoms (flank pain, palpable mass, body weight loss) were all diagnosed as malignant epithelioid AML, indicating symptomatic renal tumor may need to be managed more cautiously as potential malignancies. NDP03: EXPLORE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BLADDER FUNCTION OF THE PATIENTS WITH PELVIC ORGAN MALIGNANCY Chian-Shiung Lin , Chih-Cheng Lu , Chia-Ho Lin , Eric W. Fan , Tse-Chou Cheng . Divisions of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan City, Taiwan; Min-Hwei Junior College of Health Care Management, Tainan City, Taiwan Purpose: The primary function of urinary bladder is for urine storage and voiding. Pelvic organ malignancy may deteriorate the originally normal bladder function via either neurogenic or myogenic way. The aim of this study is to compare urodynamic bladder dysfunction among the patients with different pelvic organ malignancies. Materials and Methods: From January 2010 to June 2015, there were 640 patients eligible for urodynamic analysis. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on cancer origins (prostate, bladder, and colorectum). The data including gender, age, clinical tumor staging, lower urinary tract symptoms or acute urinary retention, and the parameter values of urodynamic studies were compared among groups. SPSS 17.0.1 for Windows and Microsoft Office Excel 2007 were used for all statistical analysis. Results: Pelvic organ malignancies included prostatic (40.9%), bladder (33.5%), and colorectal (25.6%) origin. Age ranged from 39 to 95 years (mean 72.93± 9.08 years). In uroflowmetry (525 cases), the mean± standard deviation of maximal urine flow rate was significant lower in prostatic group (11.49± 5.53 ml/sec). In cystometrogram (115 cases), the first desire was more sensitive in bladder group (85.52± 49.78 ml); the cystometric capacity was obvious decreased in prostatic group (161.50± 94.29 ml); the maximum voiding pressure and compliance were significant lower in colorectal group (64.58± 50.09 cmH2O). Conclusions: Patients having pelvic organ malignancies may suffer from urination dysfunction. Urinary flow rate obvious decreased in prostate group, more hypersensitive bladder was found in bladder group and bladder dysfunction was poor in colorectal group. The physicians are encouraged to be aware of these urinary complications in patient with pelvic organ oncology. NDP04: THE PATTERN OF CALCIFICATION CAN PREDICT THE TYPE OF MALIGNANCY IN UPPER URINARY TRACT Li-Hua Huang , Chuan-Shu Chen , Yen-Chuan Ou . Divisions of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Divisions of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan Purpose: In upper urinary tract (UUT), squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) are twodifferent disease in its etiology, incidence and prognosis. I contrast to UC, the development SCC is believed to bemore related to chronic inflammation of urothelial epithelium secondary to renal calculi. In this study, we investigated the relationship between calcification patternandsquamousneoplasminupperurinarytract. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by institutional review board. From 2000 to 2007, there are 373 patients with localized upper urinary tract malignancy receiving radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (RNU) at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Only patients having UC, UC with squamous differentiation (SqD) and SCC were enrolled. These patients' clinical and pathologic data were retrospectively reviewed. The calcification pattern in tumors was analyzed by computer tomography(CT). Among these, 62 patients' preoperative CT films were lost and they were excluded from the study. Finally, there were 232 pure UC, 24 UC with SqD and 9 pure SCC(2.7%) patients. The differences of calcification pattern were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and chisquare test (Categorical variables). Continuous variables were asscssed by MannWhitney-U (two categories) and Kruskal-Wallis tests (three categories) Results: Computer tomography shows the rates of calcification change are 7.8% (18/232), 25.0% (6/24) and 55.6% (5/9) in UC, SqD and SCC, respectively. In SCC, the calcification tends to be bigger, and more numerous. In addition, all SCC patients had multifocal distribution of calcification while SqD and UC patients often had single calcification. Conclusions: We can predict the type of tumor in upper urinary tract according to the calcification pattern at CT. When CT revealed multiple, dispersive and bigger calcification in the tumor, squamous cell carcinoma should be considered and the surgical field should be more extended. NDP05: VARIATIONS OF CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN IN ROBOT-ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY Chih-Cheng Lu, Wen-Chou Fan. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan Purpose: To explore the role of robot-assisted Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) from the documented clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) between China and Taiwan. Materials andMethods: The printed and onlinematerials in guidelines for PCa from China and Taiwan were analyzed. We focused on the RALP treatment for PCa. Results: The online guidelines for PCa by Chinese Urological Association (CUA)were available in 2011(since 2007 as the first version). Taiwanese first version was available by Taiwan Cooperation Oncology Group (TCOG) PCa practice guidelines in 1999, the second edition in 2003, and the third edition in 2010. Normal range of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is defined from Chinese people datawith age specific consideration in CUA, but not inTCOG. PCa Staging by AJCC 2002 is noted in CUA but by AJCC 2010 (the seventh edition) in TCOG. In treatment, RALP takes the advantage of less blood loss and blood transfusion rate compared with traditional approach in both CPGs. Some significant improvement in postoperative urinary control compared with traditional approach in TCOG but no conclusions in CUA. Better outcome in sexual function from RALP in TCOG but not in CUA. High installment cost is mentioned in both CPGs. No Definite evidence-based level of evidence or grade of recommendation is mentioned in both CPGs. Conclusion: There are differences in staging system, merits of RALP treatment between China and Taiwan in CPGs. Also this limited study could do some help for the revision of the CPG in Taiwan. Asian urologists and oncologists are suggested to realize the differences at managing prostate cancer patients. NDP06: INFLAMMATORY MYOFIBROBLASTIC TUMOR OF URINARY BLADDER IN A PATIENT WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS e A RARE CASE REPORT AND LITERATUR REVIEW Wei-Jen Chen , Chih-Chieh Lin , Alex T.L. Lin , Kuang-Kuo Chen . Department of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Urology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan; 3 Shu-Tien Urological Science Research Center, Taiwan Purpose: Inflammatorymyofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare tumor with a generally indolent, but sometimes aggressive behavior. It had been described inmajor organs. The first case of IMTof the bladder was reported in 1980. Until recent 15 years, IMT have gained a distinct entity with established characteristic features in pathological diagnosis. Reported literatures are limited in case report and case series. A systemic review article published in 2014 presented a total of 182 patients with IMT in urinary bladder. However, there is no related literature in patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here, we report a HIV patient with IMT of the urinary bladder and discuss its clinical presentation, diagnosis and management. Materials and Methods: A 45 year-old HIV infected man, came to our outpatient department due to painless gross hematuria with repeated

A miniature independent dual-band hybrid dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW) inductive slot is proposed. In this configuration, the CPW inductive slot performs the functions of an effective radiator and the feeding structure of the DR. By optimizing the structure parameters, the hybrid structure resonates at two different frequencies independently. One is from the DRA with the broadside patterns and the other from the inductive slot with the dipole-like patterns. In order to determine the performance of varying design parameters on bandwidth and resonance frequency, parametric study is carried out using simulation software HFSS and experimental results. The measured and simulated results show excellent agreement.

A miniature dielectric loaded monopole antenna fed by coplanar waveguide (CPW) is proposed for WLAN applications in the 2.4/5-GHz bands. The dielectric material is a cylindrical block of ceramic with a 22 permittivity. The back side of the ceramic material with a simplified open-end tuning stub is also proposed. The prototype has been designed and fabricated and found to have bandwidths of 8% and 35.3% at the resonant frequencies of 2.48 and 5.60GHz, respectively, and the radiation patterns measured at resonance frequencies are very close to omnidirectional in the H-plane. The characteristics of the proposed antenna has been investigated using simulation software HFSS and experimental results. The measured and simulated results show excellent agreement

Treating forgotten indwelling ureteral stents is difficult because forgotten stents become encrusted and fragmented. Therefore, we developed a silk loop with which to loop the lower end of a forgotten ureteral stent during ureterorenoscopy to supply a counterforce, which fixed the stent while separating encrusted stones from the forgotten stent. We evaluated the success of the silk loop method.Nine patients were enrolled in this study from 1997 to 2003. Each patient had a forgotten ureteral stent with renal stones on the tip of the proximal end. All consented to the procedure of silk loop assisted ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL) with a Lithoclast (Microvasive, Natick, Massachusetts) lithotriptor.We successfully removed the forgotten indwelling stent from all 9 patients with the silk loop assisted URSL method.Silk loop assisted URSL makes the removal of forgotten stents easier. While percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and open surgery produce successful results, the silk loop method is less invasive and expensive, and it minimizes hospital recovery time.

A miniature independent dual-band hybrid dielectric resonator antenna fed by a coplanar waveguide inductive slot is proposed. In this configuration, the CPW inductive slot performs the functions of an effective radiator and the feeding structure of the DR. By optimizing the structure parameters, the hybrid structure resonates at two different frequencies independently. One is from the DRA with the broadside patterns and the other from the inductive slot with the dipole-like patterns.

This paper deals with performance evaluation of IT (information technology) products. We adopt the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach to explore the relative efficiencies among IT products. Notebook computers are used as our study vehicle. According to the usage and applications of notebook computers, we consider four types of scenarios: commuter, home user, student user, as well as traveler. Experiment designs for 26 notebook computers are then conducted to evaluate the technical efficiencies accordingly. Our experiment results indicate that price of a notebook computer is not directly related to its performance. With the help of slack analysis, suggestions are made to improve the inefficiencies of poor notebook computers.

In this paper, a new CPW-fed monopole antenna is demonstrated and loaded with a cylindrical ceramic dielectric piece. With this ceramic dielectric piece loaded on the radiator of the monopole, a dual-band operation is generated in a single antenna. The proposed antenna can easily be excited by a 50-/spl Omega/ CPW line and a tuning metal strips etched on the back side of the dielectric piece, good impedance matching can be obtained for operating frequencies within both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.