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This study reveals an association of NNMT with microRNA-1291-altered pancreatic cell metabolome and tumorigenesis in xenograft tumor mouse models.The cell metabolome comprises abundant information that may be predictive of cell functions in response to epigenetic or genetic changes at different stages of cell proliferation and metastasis. An unbiased ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabolomics study revealed a significantly altered metabolome for human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells with gain-of-function non-coding microRNA-1291 (miR-1291), which led to a lower migration and invasion capacity as well as suppressed tumorigenesis in a xenograft tumor mouse model. A number of metabolites, including N-methylnicotinamide, involved in nicotinamide metabolism, and l-carnitine, isobutyryl-carnitine and isovaleryl-carnitine, involved in fatty acid metabolism, were elevated in miR-1291-expressing PANC-1. Notably, N-methylnicotinamide was elevated to the greatest extent, and this was associated with a sharp increase in nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) mRNA level in miR-1291-expressing PANC-1 cells. In addition, expression of NNMT mRNA was inversely correlated with pancreatic tumor size in the xenograft mouse model. These results indicate that miR-1291-altered PANC-1 cell function is associated with the increase in N-methylnicotinamide level and NNMT expression, and in turn NNMT may be indicative of the extent of pancreatic carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new drug delivery system for vitamin C (VC), Ca/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH), is demonstrated in this work. VC anions were intercalated successfully in the Ca/Al LDH gallery by a coprecipitation method. The interlayer space of 9.8Å suggests that VC anions are vertical to the LDH layers in the form of interdigitated bilayer. The loading of VC in LDH is 36.4wt.%. The thermal stability of VC is significantly enhanced after intercalation. In vitro VC release results show that the release time of VC in a phosphate buffer at pH7.4 was significantly extended, and the maximal percentage of VC released is 80% of the total. The Avrami–Erofe'ev equation most satisfactorily explains the release kinetics of VC, which is that the release of VC is mainly dominated by the ion-exchange reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Wafer-level underfill technology enhances the assembly of a chip-on-chip package. [•] Assembly and strain effect is estimated by process-oriented finite element simulation. [•] Material property effects of WLUF on microbumps assembly are performed. [•] Design effects of dummy microbumps on the assembly are studied. [•] Increasing the number of dummy joints reduces warping on real microbumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Serious warpage of IGBT power module is induced from assembly processes. [•] A pre-bending substrate with a curve opposite the warp is proposed. [•] Design is validated by FEA and related actual measurements. [•] Increasing DBC thickness of Al2O3 layer reduces warps and bonded solder stresses. [•] A thicker base plate is suggested to reduce warping of the entire packaging structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Taiwan orogen sitting at the pre-rifted Eurasian margin and bracketed by two sub-orthogonal subduction systems is subject to complicated geotectonics, motivating numerous seismic tomographic studies in local and regional scale. Most of them obtained P-wave velocities (Vp), or with Vp/Vs ratio jointly, but few were for S-wave velocities (Vs). With unprecedented amount of S-wave data, in this study a new set of well-tuned Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs models were determined by an elaborate joint-inversion scheme, integrating the data of P- and S-wave travel times, S–P times, and the borehole logging data (for near-surface correction) into one system. This allowed us to revisit the subduction-collision process in detail by comparing Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs ratio simultaneously. With enhanced slab imaging of Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) under northeast Taiwan, we are able to discriminate the plausible missing Luzon forearc basement along the plate boundary and propose a “skateboarding” edge model, in which the westernmost PSP rides on the east-subducted forearc basement and subducts northward underneath the Eurasian lithosphere. The underlain forearc basement along with the PSP subduction then results in the anomalous shallow double seismic zone observed only near Taiwan Island. Meanwhile, at around 121°E the north-subducting PSP seems dipping west to collide with the deep Eurasian lithosphere, shaping an irregular corner wedge structure. In addition, we evaluate our model with previous ones by waveform modeling approach and show the current performance of travel-time tomography in Taiwan region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effects of cold rolling deformation on the microstructure, hardness, and creep behavior of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel (HNASS) are investigated. Microstructure characterization shows that 70% cold rolling deformation results in significant refinement of the microstructure of this steel, with its average twin thickness reducing from 6.4 μm to 14 nm. Nanoindentation tests at different strain rates demonstrate that the hardness of the steel with nano-scale twins (nt-HNASS) is about 2 times as high as that of steel with micro-scale twins (mt-HNASS). The hardness of nt-HNASS exhibits a pronounced strain rate dependence with a strain rate sensitivity (m value) of 0.0319, which is far higher than that of mt-HNASS (m = 0.0029). nt-HNASS shows more significant load plateaus and a higher creep rate than mt-HNASS. Analysis reveals that higher hardness and larger m value of nt-HNASS arise from stronger strain hardening role, which is caused by the higher storage rate of dislocations and the interactions between dislocations and high density twins. The more significant load plateaus and higher creep rates of nt-HNASS are due to the rapid relaxation of the dislocation structures generated during loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two drug-inorganic composites involving vitamin C (VC) intercalated in Mg–Al and Mg–Fe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been synthesized by the calcination–rehydration (reconstruction) method. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy indicate a successful intercalation of VC into the interlayer galleries of the LDH host. Studies of VC release from the LDHs in deionised water and in aqueous CO3 2− solutions imply that Mg3Al–VC LDH is a better controlled release system than Mg3Fe–VC LDH. Analysis of the release profiles using a number of kinetic models suggests a solution-dependent release mechanism, and a diffusion-controlled deintercalation mechanism in deionised water, but an ion exchange process in CO3 2− solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study extracted some P-wave features from the first few seconds of vertical ground acceleration of a single station. These features include the predominant period, peak acceleration amplitude, peak velocity amplitude, peak displacement amplitude, cumulative absolute velocity and integral of the squared velocity. The support vector regression was employed to establish a regression model which can predict the peak ground acceleration according to these features. Some representative earthquake records of the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program from 1992 to 2006 were used to train and validate the support vector regression model. Then the constructed model was tested using the whole earthquake records of the same period as well as the 2010 Kaohsiung earthquake with 6.4 M L . The effects on the performance of the regression models using different P-wave features and different length of time window to extract these features are studied. The results illustrated that, if the first 3s of the vertical ground acceleration was used, the standard deviation of the predicted peak ground acceleration error of the whole tested 15-years earthquake records is 20.89gal.The length of time window could be shortened, e.g. 1s, and the prediction error is slightly sacrificed, in order to prolong the lead-time before destructive S-waves reaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model is devised to calculate the unsteady flow field around star-shaped artificial reefs. The model is based on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations embedded within a renormalization group (RNG) k–ε turbulence model. The RANS equations are solved using the finite volume method (FVM) with an unstructured tetrahedral mesh. The pressure and velocity coupling is solved at each time step with the SIMPLEC algorithm. Non-invasive particle image velocimetry (PIV) laboratory measurements are employed to verify the simulation results. Good agreement is found between the simulation and experimental results with respect to the major flow fields. Based on the flow-field verification, the influence of arrangement and spacing on the flow field of one and two artificial reefs are discussed in light of the numerical method. A large-scale slow flow region is obtained when the reef is arranged in the second form. In the parallel combination, a slight mutual effect exists between the two reefs when the spacing is larger than 3.0L. In the streamwise combination, the interaction of two reefs is at its strongest at spacings of 3.0L to 4.0L. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model is established to simulate the flow field around fishing plane nets in a current. The realizable k–ε turbulence model was chosen to describe the flow, and the governing equations are solved by using the finite volume method. In this model, the net is modeled using the porous media model. The unknown porous coefficients are determined from the hydrodynamic forces on the net and from the flow velocities and the attack angles using the least squares method. In order to validate the numerical model, the numerical results were compared with the data obtained from two physical model tests. The comparisons show that the numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data. This numerical model is applicable for the simulation of the flow field around a fishing net. Using the proposed method, this paper presents the flow field around a plane net with different plane net inclination angles, plane net heights, spacing distances between two plane nets and plane net numbers. This study provides information about the flow field around the fishing net cage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this research, thousands of 20-\mum pitch microbumps with a diameter of 10 \mum and a structure of a pure Sn cap on a Cu pillar were electroplated on 8-inch wafers, and those wafers were then respectively singularized as a top chip and bottom Si interposer for stacking. Two methods, namely conventional reflow and solid–liquid interdiffusion (SLID) bonding, were adopted to interconnect the microbumps. In the former case, the as-plated Sn caps were fluxed, and the chip was then placed on the Si interposer. Afterward, the Sn caps on the chip and on the Si interposer were melted and interconnected at a peak temperature of 250^\circC. The flux residues were cleaned after reflow, and the microgap between the chip and the Si interposer was fully sealed by a capillary underfill. In the SLID bonding process, the oxides on the as-plated Sn caps were removed by a plasma etcher first, and then the chip was placed on the interposer with a bonder as well, subsequently, the Sn caps were heated to 260^\circC to react with the Cu pillar to form Cu6Sn5. In the final step, the intermetallic microjoints were protected by the same capillary underfill. After assembly, the Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council preconditioning test was used to screen the test vehicles for reliability assessment, and then a temperature cycling test was performed to predict the lifespan of the microjoints. The test results showed that the microjoints formed by SLID bonding provided a superior reliability performance to those assembled by reflow. The fracture of the microjoints was caused by the volume contraction induced by the growth of Cu6Sn5, but the failure mechanisms of those two microjoints were quite different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All plants synthesize multiple families of small heat shock proteins (sHSP). A cDNA clone, Oshsp18.0-CII, encoding an 18.0 kDa class II sHSP was isolated from rice previously. The function of the rice class II sHSP was studied by overproduction of the Oshsp18.0-CII fusion protein in transformed Escherichia coli cells. The results suggest that heterologous expression of the Oshsp18.0-CII fusion protein increases thermotolerance of E. coli cells in vivo and provided thermoprotection to E. coli soluble proteins in vitro. The survival rate of Oshsp 18.0-CII fusion protein-accumulating cells treated at 50°C for 1 h was almost 1000- fold higher than that of the control cells transformed with pET32a expression vector. Overproduction of the Oshsp18.0-CII fusion protein in E. coli also confers tolerance of E. coli cells to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The post-UV survival of the Oshsp18.0-CII fusion protein-accumulating cells is about 7.29-fold over that of the control cells transformed with pET32a expression vector when exposed to 1700 μJ of UV. There is almost no post-UV survival (≦0.4%) in the untransformed cells after exposing to 900 μJ UV light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Engineering Geological Database for TSMIP (EGDT), the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program, has been under construction by the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering and the Central Weather Bureau in Taiwan since 2000. Site characterization, comprising surface investigations and logging measurements, was carried out throughout the project. We provide a set of specifications and a description to help users understand the subject matter of the database. EGDT contains 469 surveyed stations, 439 of which were drilled and the logging measurements completed. Of these, 385 had logging data reaching at least 30m, and we used these to examine and determine the most accurate extrapolation of Vs30 (the average S-wave velocity of the top 30m of strata) for the other 54 stations with velocity profiles less than 30m. The chosen method assumed that the bottom velocity is identical from the actual depth of the hole to a distance of 30m, that is, the Bottom Constant Velocity (BCV) method. In order to utilize other existing boreholes which have only N values but no velocities in the future, the empirical S-wave velocity equations for seven different regions and the whole of Taiwan were evaluated by a multivariable analysis. Henceforth, for those existing boreholes which have an N profile less than 30m, the S-wave velocity profile can first be calculated by empirical S-wave velocity equations, and then Vs30 can be estimated by reliable extrapolation. Some other studies of site classifications of TSMIP stations were compared with our results to demonstrate the necessity of reclassification. Ultimately, the Vs30 values of the 439 drilled free-field TSMIP stations were derived and the new site classification was achieved according to the Vs30-based provisions of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), a recently recognized mediator of immune response might contribute to immune suppression when released extracellularly. The present study was performed to clarify effects of HMGB1 on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the involvement of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling. Methods: CD4+CD25+Tregs, isolated from spleens of normal mice and treated with HMGB1 in vitro, and those isolated from HMGB1-treated C3H/HeN (wild type) or C3H/HeJ (TLR4 mutant type) mice, were analyzed for expressions of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA)4, forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3 (Foxp3) and interleukin (IL)-10 secretion. Results: HMGB1-treatment was found to markedly decrease the expressions of CTLA4 and Foxp3, as well as IL-10 secretion. Administration of TLR4 neutralizing antibody abolished the phenotypic and functional changes in Tregs induced by HMGB1. Tregs from HMGB1-treated normal mice showed lower expression of CTLA4, Foxp3, and IL-10 secretion when compared with non-treated mice. Yet opposite results were observed in that of C3H/HeJ mice. Moreover, HMGB1 stimulation could down-regulate the expression of TLR4 on Tregs. Conclusion: Our data suggest that HMGB1 has the ability to directly modulate the suppressive capacity of CD4+CD25+Tregs, and TLR4 might be a potential receptor essential for the negative effect of HMGB1 on CD4+CD25+Tregs activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The shear wave velocity of shallow sediments is very important in seismic wave amplification and thus Vs30 is a well-known parameter for site classification. Based on the relationship between Vs and soil indexes, the empirical regression equations were evaluated using more than 600 data sets from the Ilan area and the Taipei Basin. Multivariable analysis, which can increase the accuracy of regression equations, was used in this study. Three extrapolations were compared, and then the most accurate bottom-constant extrapolation was adopted to estimate Vs30 at 16 boreholes, none of which reached a depth of 30m. Ultimately Vs30 was derived for 110 free-field strong motion stations, and the stations in northeastern Taiwan were reclassified according to the Vs30-based NEHRP provisions. Regression equations of Vs and the extrapolation of Vs30 were also applied to boreholes with only N-values and corresponding depths of less than 30m for assessing the Vs30 and NEHRP class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) and National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) launched a project to build an engineering geological database for strong-motion stations in Taiwan in 2000. The project measures shear-wave velocity using the suspension PS-logging method. In this study, we conduct array measurements of microtremors and apply the stress wave propagation method (SWPM) at seven free-field strong-motion stations in Ilan County to estimate shallow shear-wave velocity structures. We focus on the sediment layers of the top 100m to compare the shear-wave velocity structures of the three different methods. There are some misfits among the results of the three different methods; so we calculate the values of Vs30, Vs100 and plot S-wave travel-time curves of these methods for each site to analyze the misfits effectively. This analysis helped us to prove the efficiency of the microtremor array method in investigating shear-wave velocity structures in the shallow subsurface. Moreover, the horizontal-to-vertical ratios of microtremors for each survey point show the existence of divergence at the same site. We considered this as evidence that misfits are caused by the heterogeneous nature of sediments and also due to the nature of the methods as being one-, two- and three-dimensional. Furthermore, the average shear-wave velocity structure of microtremor arrays may be more representative of the whole site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A critical issue in bioelectrochemical applications that use electrodes modified by Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) is to ensure high activity of the catalytic site of an immobilized enzyme protein interacting with nanomaterials. Since Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD), a coenzyme of glucose oxidase (GOx), is the active center of the catalytic site, conformation of which could determine the activity of enzyme, it is important to understand the dynamic mechanism of its conformational mobility while GOx is adsorbed on SWCNTs with multiple orientations. However, this dynamic mechanism still remains unclear at the atomic level due to the coenzyme being embedded in the apo- GOx and the limitations of appropriate experimental methods. In this study, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to investigate the conformational mobility mechanism of the coenzyme. The trajectory and the interaction energy clearly indicate that the adsorption of GOx onto SWCNTs plays an important role in the conformational mobility of the coenzyme, and its mobility is greatly affected by the distribution of water molecules due to it being hydrophobic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A flip chip package was assembled by using 6-layer laminated polyimide coreless substrate, eutectic Sn37Pb solder bump, two kinds of underfill materials and Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder balls. Regarding to the yield, the peripheral solder joints were often found not to connect with the substrate due to the warpage at high temperature, modification of reflow profile was benefit to improve this issue. All the samples passed the moisture sensitive level test with a peak temperature of 260°C and no delamination at the interface of underfill and substrate was found. In order to know the reliability of coreless flip chip package, five test items including temperature cycle test (TCT), thermal shock test (TST), highly accelerated stress test (HAST), high temperature storage test (HTST) and thermal humidity storage test (THST) were done. Both of the two underfill materials could make the samples pass the HTST and THST, however, in the case of TCT, TST and HAST, the reliability of coreless flip chip package was dominated by underfill material. A higher Young’s modules of underfill, the more die crack failures were found. Choosing a correct underfill material was the key factor for volume production of coreless flip chip package. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The influence of high pressure on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Cu–(Ge)–(Mg) alloys was investigated. With the increased solidification pressure, the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) of Al decreases, and the eutectic Si undergoes a transformation from the coarse acicular morphology to the coral-like morphology. The well-refined microstructure is attributed to the accelerated nucleation rate and the restrained crystal growth rate under high pressure. The morphological transformation of eutectic Si is ascribed to the synergetic effect of the high undercooling and Cu segregation at the outer surfaces of Si. Besides, the study shows that multiple nano-sized particles emerge in the alloys solidified under high pressure due to the high solid solubility of elements and increased nuclei. These nano-sized particles act as dominating strengthening phases leading to enhanced hardness and compressive strength compared with alloys solidified under atmospheric pressure. The as-cast alloy MG solidified under 4 GPa has the highest mechanical properties with a hardness of 135.2 HV and compressive stress of 721 MPa. The strengthening contribution of variable nano-sized particles was discussed. These results indicate that high pressure can be used as an effective method to introduce structural refinement and nano-sized strengthening phases, thus providing a potential way to improve mechanical properties of Al–Si–Cu-based alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new method combining the porous media and rigid wall is applied to analyze the flow field. • The blocking effect of the semi-submersible aquaculture platform on water flow is analyzed. • A phenomenon including low flow velocity region and vortex generation are studied. The study of flow velocity distribution inside and around a semi-submersible aquaculture platform is extremely important for the living environment of marine fish, especially in the open sea. Therefore, a method combining porous media and rigid walls is established to analyze the flow patterns inside and around a semi-submersible aquaculture platform. In the present study, the shear stress transport k–omega turbulence model is chosen to describe the flow, and the governing equations are solved by using the finite volume method. The fish nets and main frame, including pontoons, columns, and braces, are modeled by porous media and rigid wall conditions, respectively. The accuracy of the numerical model is verified, and the results show that the experimental values agree with the calculated values. By comparing the flow field of aquaculture platforms with and without fish nets, it can be concluded that fish nets play a vital role in the attenuation of flow velocity. In addition, vortices exist near the wall of the aquaculture platform. The risk of resonance will increase when the frequency of the vortex shedding is close to the natural frequency of the structure, which should be avoided in practical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The water-acetone system had obvious advantages in extracting phenolic substances. • The TFC and TPC of CM was significantly higher than that of CE. • Ultrasound-Homogenization-Assisted Extraction was more conducive to phenolic release. • PPO activity increases with the extension of homogenization time. Coconut pericarp (shell fiber (mesocarp) and shell (endocarp)), the main by-product of coconut production, is often discarded and causing serious environmental pollution. To make better use of coconut pericarp, the extraction process of polyphenols from coconut mesocarp (CM) carefully studied by screening seven solvent systems, optimizing the assisted ultrasonic process by response surface methodology, and comparing the four processes of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), Homogenization-Assisted Extraction (HAE), Homogenization-Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (HUAE), and Ultrasound-Homogenization-Assisted Extraction (UHAE). The UAE and HAE are considered to be the main methods for efficient extraction of natural active ingredients. The former effectively destroys the cell wall structure and promotes the intermolecular diffusion based on the cavitation, thermal and mechanical effect of ultrasonic, while the latter breaks the material based on strong shear force between the rotor and stator. Their combinations (HUAE and UHAE) enhance the damage to the cell wall of raw materials and improve the extraction efficiency by the synergistic effect. The results showed that using 60% acetone (V : V) as extraction solvent, solid-liquid ratio of 1:5 g mL−1, ultrasonic temperature of 80 ℃, ultrasonic time of 80 min, ultrasonic power of 225 W, and then homogenizing at 10,000 rpm for 10 min, the total flavonoid content of CM reached the maximum value of 551.99 ± 12.69 mg Rutin g−1 dry weight (dw), while the total phenolic content reached the maximum value of 289.48 ± 4.41 mg GAE g−1 dw at 10,000 rpm for 5 min, which may be related to the oxidative degradation of polyphenols caused by the increase of polyphenol oxidase with the extension of homogenization time. This study provides a technical guarantee for the further utilization of phenolic substances in CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New suites of sulfonic acid-functionalized microporous ionic polymers (PIPs) catalysts were synthesized with polymer, alkyl bromides, and 1, 3-propane sultone via a two-step procedure. The synthesized microporous PIP catalysts were characterized using FT-IR, SEM-Mapping, XPS, N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, solid NMR spectroscopy, and element analysis. Esterification of several fatty acids with ethanol, which was used as a model reaction in the stabilization of Jatropha curcas seed oil, was checked over functionalized PIP. We tested the catalytic performance of PIP-C 8 on the synthesis of fatty acid esters via the transesterification of J. curcas seed oil with a mixture of short-chain alcohols such as ethanol, ethanol–to–diethyl carbonate (1;1 molar ratio), and ethanol–to–dimethyl carbonate (1:1 molar ratio) with 170 mg of PIP-C 8 at reflux temperature with agitation. The PIP-C 8 catalyst was particularly effective, having achieved yields of 85%, 94%, and 70% for J. curcas seed oil with ethanol, J. curcas seed oil with ethanol–to–DEC, and J. curcas seed oil with ethanol–to–DMC, respectively, under the optimized reaction conditions. The catalyst could be recycled more than five times without significant deactivation. Kinetic studies performed at different temperatures revealed that the conversion of oleic acid to an ethyl ester follows a first-order reaction. The best catalysts with microporous structure (average pore diameter: 1.7–1.9 nm, pore volume: 0.23–0.33 cm3 g–1) and –SO 3 H density (0.70–0.84 mmol/g cat) were obtained by 1, 3-propane sultone of the chemically activated. The results indicate that the site activity of functionalized microporous ionic polymer materials shows promising approach for the development of environmentally friendly technology. [Display omitted] • A novel, efficient and recyclable microporous ionic polymer (PIPs) catalyst was synthesized. • The catalytic activity, stability, and recyclability of synthesized microporous PIP was examined. • Microporous PIP catalyst yield excellent FFA tolerance level. • Microporous PIP catalyst exhibit promising results for FFAs esterification and Jatropha curcas oil transesterification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of titanium complexes of the general formula [N-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-2-alkyl-sulfanylanilinato]Ti(IV)Cl3 (5a, b, e and f) exhibited very high catalytic activities in ethylene homo- and copolymerization with various α-olefins in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). The results showed that steric hindrance of the alkylthio groups in 5a–f strongly influenced the polymerization behavior. An increase in the steric hindrance of these alkyl units led to the decrease in both catalytic activity and comonomer incorporation ratio. On the other hand, the amount of α-olefin incorporated into the copolymer chain depended on the molar ratio of the monomers in the polymerization reaction and was slightly influenced by the chain length of α-olefin. Comparisons between alkylthio and arylthio substituents on catalyst performance were also discussed in this article. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several chiral BINADCo(III)X (BINAD=Bis(1,1′-2-hydroxy-2′-alkoxy-3-naphthylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, X=OAc, CF3CO2, CCl3CO2, OTs, p-NO2PhCO2) complexes were synthesized and used to catalyze the asymmetric cycloaddition of carbon dioxide with epoxides under mild condition to afford chiral cyclic carbonates. The best catalyst of (S,S,S,S)-BINADCo(III)(OAc) 9b and phenyltrimethylammonium tribromide (PTAT) can provide propylene carbonate with the highest ee being 95% at −20°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two kinds of lead-free solders, Sn–8Zn–3Bi and Sn–9Zn–lAl, were used to mount passive components onto printed circuit boards via a re-flow soldering process. The samples were stored at 150°C for 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1100h. The microstructures of the samples after aged at 150°C for various times were characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and the analyzed of solder joint shear strengths. The joint strength between Sn–8Zn–3Bi and Cu pad was about 4.0±0.3kg, while the strength between Sn–9Zn–lAl and Cu pad had values of 2.6±0.1kg. Both kinds of solder joints exhibited reduced strengths with increasing aging times. After aging at 150°C for 1100h, the joints strengths of Sn-8Zn-3Bi and Sn–9Zn–lAl were 1.8±0.3 and 1.7±0.3kg, respectively. Both the Sn–8Zn–3Bi and Sn–9Zn–lAl joints showed brittle fracture behaviors. A flat layer of Cu5Zn8 intermetallic compound (IMC) was formed between Sn–8Zn–3Bi solder and Cu pad after reflow. When the aging time was increased to 400h, Zn-depletion and formation of Cu6Sn5 IMC were observed in the solders due to the interaction between the tin and zinc compounds. The interaction between Sn–9Zn–lAl solder and Cu pad had similar behavior, however, Cu6Sn5 IMC formed in Sn–9Zn–lAl solder when after aging at 150°C for 600h. As the aging time increased, both types of solders generated clear IMC spalling layers with large and continuous voids. Those voids substantially decreased the joint strength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several phenyl ethers were prepared under solvent-free condition at room temperature with good to excellent yields by simply grinding the mixture of relevant phenol, alkyl bromide, anhydrous potassium carbonate and organic base as catalyst in a mortar. This method is easy to handle and provides also a convenient procedure for protecting phenols in organic synthesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The microstructures of double-clad Cr4+:YAG crystal fibers grown using a co-drawing laser-heated pedestal growth method were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The core is single-crystalline garnet elongated in [111] direction, whereas inner cladding a composite of Cr3+:γ-Al2O3 nanocrystals in Cr4+: silicate glass due to YAG/SiO2 inter-diffusion and a high crystal-field-stabilization energy of Cr3+ attained in close packed oxide. Cr4+ fluorescence intensity decreases and shifts to lower wavelength for the inner cladding in comparison with the core. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Yb(OTf)3 catalyzed efficient Hantzsch reaction via four-component coupling reactions of aldehydes, dimedone, ethyl acetoacetate and ammonium acetate at ambient temperature was described as the preparation of polyhydroquinoline derivatives. The process presented here is operationally simple, environmentally benign and has excellent yield. Furthermore, the catalyst can be recovered conveniently and reused efficiently. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims to confirm the hypothesis that human hepatoma cell line G2ins/g cells respond to glucose via signaling pathways that depend on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels. Techniques used in the process; Motive for engineering the cells; Measurement of the sensitivity of the channels to ATP.

In the development of semiconductor packaging technology from planar to three-dimensional vertical integration, chip interconnection density has increased, and the distance of signal transmission has dropped to improve overall device performance. In this research, an architecture composed of through‑silicon via (TSV) and solder microbump (μbump) is utilized to assemble an ultra thin-type chip into a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D-IC) package. To explore the influence of residual thermomechanical residual stress induced during the manufacture of the 3D-IC package on the subsequent reliability of the thermal cycling test (TCT), this study establishes a nonlinear simulation methodology for investigating the coupling effect of the manufacturing process and the TCT. The plastic and creep behaviors of the solder μbump are considered in the finite element modeling. The concerned geometric dimensions and underfill materials are also parametrically analyzed. Furthermore, the inelastic strain accumulated in the crucial SnAg solder μbump is examined. Results indicate that the residual strain in the manufacturing process causes an obvious packaging warpage and converges at the subsequent TCT stage. The creep of the solder μbump increases up to 50% in thermal cycling, thereby highlighting the importance of considering the creep model. Moreover, the parameterization of chip thickness can minimize the inelastic strain increment of the solder μbump, and the low Young's modulus of the underfill materials exerts a significant effect on the warpage of the packaging module and the stress compliance of the μbumps. [Display omitted] • An ultra-thin chip into a three-dimensional integrated circuit package is proposed. • Coupling effect of the manufacture and subsequent thermal cycling test is conducted. • The plastic and creep behaviors of the solder μbump are considered in simulations. • Residual strain in manufacturing process causes an obvious packaging warpage before reliability test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-power packaging device composed of 600 V/450 A insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module is presented. Thermal dissipation is improved, and the temperature of junction declines after Ag paste sintering is applied instead of conventional soldering. A 100 μm-thick sintered Ag preform is utilized to assemble two IGBTs and two diodes on Al 2 O 3 direct bonded copper (DBC) substrate during reflow in a vacuum oven. Three DBCs are attached on a copper baseplate to construct a power module. After a thermal cycling test is conducted for up to 2000 cycles, the die shear strength of the sintered Ag is as high as 24.8 MPa. Lowering the induced stress to fracture failure by using finite element simulation is carefully suggested. Furthermore, the measured thermal resistance is reduced by approximately 22%, and the noise during the electrical performance is eliminated by using Ag sintering. This research reveals the successful application of Ag paste sintering in 600 V/450 A IGBT module. • A 600 V/450 A insulated gate bipolar transistor module is presented. • Thermal and electrical properties of silver paste sintering are measured. • Die shear strength of the sintered Ag is as high as 24.8 MPa is acquired. • Scaling diode and preform thicknesses has a good advantage in releasing thermal stress. • Lowering fracture failure is suggested using finite element simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the presence of silica gel and ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate (CAN), various substituted aromatic aldehydes are efficiently brominated by bromine at room temperature in tetrachloromethane. The proposed mechanism of bromination reaction involving the electrophilic addition of bromine cation is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As an effective means to ensure extended producer responsibility, deposit-refund system can effective transfer waste streams from final disposal to reuse or recycling. Compared with other collection systems, it has better treatment effect on scattered and hard-to-regulate solid waste. Beverage packaging has become a key application area in deposit-refund system because of its large quantity, dispersed consumption and high pollution intensity. In order to better promote the application of the beverage packaging deposit-refund system, the operation mode, key parameters and development trend of beverage packaging deposit-refund system are summarized through investigation and research. Firstly, this paper analyses the operation mechanism of deposit-refund system from the principle of circulation, and classifies the deposit-refund system according to the difference of material flow and deposit flow. Then the paper studies the deposit-refund system of beverage packaging in 40 countries or regions, and describes and compares three typical deposit-refund systems of beverage packaging in Germany, Sweden and South Australia. The key parameters of deposit-refund system are analyzed, including management institutions, deposit amount, unredeemed deposit, material owner, etc. The result shows that although the operation mechanism of beverage packaging deposit-refund system varies greatly in different countries, there are also some common problems in the integration with intelligent collection, promote ecological design and develop a multi-profitable circular business model. Then the development trends of deposit recovery system are prospected: (1) Increasing the application of Internet communication technology and Internet of Things technology to make the whole process controllable and verifiable. (2) Promoting the coupling application of deposit-refund system and ecological design. (3) Focusing on the development of information value and build a diversified profit model. (4) Pay attention to the integration and application of informal recycling enterprises in the implementation process. • An overview of beverage bottle deposit-refund systems was provided. • Unredeemed deposits, funding mechanism, etc. are the key parameters of the beverage packaging deposit-refund system. • The development directions of beverage packaging deposit-refund system were analyzed. • The application of intelligent collection can promote the development of beverage packaging deposit-refund system. • More attention should be devoted to build a circular business model of beverage packaging deposit-refund system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report electromigration induced failure on lead-free micro bumps in three-dimensional integrated circuits samples with chip on chip configuration. Compared to flip chip solder joints, micro bumps of chip-on-chip samples exhibit better electromigration resistance and are able to withstand a higher current density. No exhibited electromigration-induced failure was observed when current density was below 2 × 104 A/cm2. A threshold current density to trigger electromigration in chip-on-chip samples was found to be 3.43 × 104 A/cm2. When current density was higher than 7.5 × 104 A/cm2 at an ambient temperature of 150 °C, no void propagation through whole bump opening was found; instead, electromigration induced voids were observed at the cathode side of Al trace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Current surgical therapies for spontaneous intracerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) include suboccipital craniotomy (SC), stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis (SAT), and endoscopic surgery (ES). Evidence comparing the therapeutic effects of these 3 methods is scarce. The safety and efficacy of SC, SAT, and ES for SCH are still uncertain. Methods 75 patients with SCH who received SC, SAT, or ES were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline parameters before the operation, evacuation rate, perihematoma edema, postoperative complications, and cumulative case fatalities were collected. Also, 12 months after ictus, the long-term functional outcomes in patients with regard to fourth ventricle compression and age were judged, respectively, by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results The SAT was less effective in evacuating hematoma than were SC and ES. The perihematoma edema on postoperative day 7 and surgical complications were highest in the SC group. The functional outcome represented by mRS was better in the SAT group than in the SC and ES groups for patients with fourth ventricle compression grade 1. For patients with fourth ventricle compression grades 2 and 3, the ES group achieved the best functional outcome. Patients older than 60 years benefited less from SC than from ES and SAT. Conclusions SAT may be suitable for SCH patients with fourth ventricle compression grade 1, and ES may be suitable for SCH patients with fourth ventricle compression grades 2 and 3. Aged patients benefit less from SC than from SAT and ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The calcineurin B-like protein (CBL)-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) signaling pathway responds to various abiotic stresses in plants. Results: Wheat CIPK23, isolated from wheat drought transcriptome data set, was induced by multiple abiotic stresses, including drought, salt, and abscisic acid (ABA). Compared with wild-type plants, TaCIPK23-overexpression wheat and Arabidopsis showed an higher survival rate under drought conditions with enhanced germination rate, developed root system, increased accumulation of osmolytes, and reduced water loss rate. Over-expression of TaCIPK23 rendered transgenic plants ABA sensitivity, as evidenced by delayed seed germination and the induction of stomatal closure. Consistent with the ABA-sensitive phenotype, the expression level of drought- and ABA-responsive genes were increased under drought conditions in the transgenic plants. In addition, using yeast two-hybrid system, pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFc) assays, TaCIPK23 was found to interact with TaCBL1 on the plasma membrane. Conclusions: These results suggest that TaCIPK23 plays important roles in ABA and drought stress responses, and mediates crosstalk between the ABA signaling pathway and drought stress responses in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Hydrophilic phase transfer catalyst based on the sulfoacid group and polyoxometalate for the selective oxidation of sulfides in water with hydrogen peroxide’ by Wei Zhao et al., New J. Chem., 2017, DOI: URL10.1039/c6nj03218d/URL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of a sub-diffraction longitudinally polarized spot is of great interest in various applications, such as optical tweezers, super-resolution microscopy, high-resolution Raman spectroscopy, and high-density optical data storage. Many theoretical investigations have been conducted into the tight focusing of a longitudinally polarized spot with high-numerical-aperture aplanatic lenses in combination with optical filters. Optical super-oscillation provides a new approach to focusing light beyond the diffraction limit. Here, we propose a planar binary phase lens and experimentally demonstrate the generation of a longitudinally polarized sub-diffraction focal spot by focusing radially polarized light. The lens has a numerical aperture of 0.93 and a long focal length of 200λ for wavelength λ = 632.8 nm, and the generated focal spot has a full-width-at-half-maximum of about 0.456λ, which is smaller than the diffraction limit, 0.54λ. A 5λ-long longitudinally polarized optical needle with sub-diffraction size is also observed near the designed focal point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of a sub-diffraction optical hollow ring is of great interest in various applications, such as optical microscopy, optical tweezers, and nanolithography. Azimuthally polarized light is a good candidate for creating an optical hollow ring structure. Various of methods have been proposed theoretically for generation of sub-wavelength hollow ring by focusing azimuthally polarized light, but without experimental demonstrations, especially for sub-diffraction focusing. Super-oscillation is a promising approach for shaping sub-diffraction optical focusing. In this paper, a planar sub-diffraction diffractive lens is proposed, which has an ultra-long focal length of 600 λ and small numerical aperture of 0.64. A sub-diffraction hollow ring is experimentally created by shaping an azimuthally polarized wave. The full-width-at-half-maximum of the hollow ring is 0.61 λ, which is smaller than the lens diffraction limit 0.78 λ, and the observed largest sidelobe intensity is only 10% of the peak intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 142 premenopausal women with symptomatic adenomyosis underwent ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. This study aimed to evaluate changes in serum pituitary, gonadal hormone and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels after US-guided PMWA. Therefore, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and CA125 levels were evaluated before ablation and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after ablation. No significant differences were observed in the E2 and FSH levels pre-ablation and during follow-up (E2: p = 0.933, p = 0.987, p = 0.106, p = 0.936; FSH: p = 0.552, p = 0.295, p = 0.414, p = 0.760). The mean absolute values of serum CA125 and PRL were significantly decreased at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after ablation (CA125: p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.003; PRL: p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). A significant correlation between changes in CA125 levels and uterine volume was found (p < 0.001). No evidence of a decline in ovarian function was observed after US-guided PMWA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]