Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2017-10-03"

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Communication-Growth of <111> Nanotwinned Nickel Films on <111> Nanotwinned Cu Substrates
(2017-10-03)
Chu, Yi-Cheng
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Chen, Chih
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材料科學與工程學系
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Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Nickel has a high twinning energy of 110 MJ/m(2), and it is thus difficult to fabricate nanotwinned Ni (nt-Ni) films. In this study, we adopt <111>-oriented nanotwinned Cu films as a substrate for the growth of nt-Ni films, and successfully electroplate <111>-oriented Ni films with densely-packed nanotwins. The average twin spacing is only 22 nm, while the grain size is over 1 mu m. The nt-Ni film can be grown to a thickness of approximately 2.6 mu m; beyond that, the Ni film becomes nanocrystalline. This approach provides a promising method to fabricate <111>-oriented nt-Ni films with controlled microstructures. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
Kruppel-Like Factor 4 Regulation of Cholesterol-25-Hydroxylase and Liver X Receptor Mitigates Atherosclerosis Susceptibility
(2017-10-03)
Li, Zhao
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Martin, Marcy
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Zhang, Jin
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Huang, Hsi-Yuan
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Bai, Liang
BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a multifaceted inflammatory disease involving cells in the vascular wall (eg, endothelial cells [ECs]), as well as circulating and resident immunogenic cells (eg, monocytes/macrophages). Acting as a ligand for liver X receptor (LXR), but an inhibitor of SREBP2 (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2), 25-hydroxycholesterol, and its catalyzing enzyme cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (Ch25h) are important in regulating cellular inflammatory status and cholesterol biosynthesis in both ECs and monocytes/macrophages. METHODS: Bioinformatic analyses were used to investigate RNA-sequencing data to identify cholesterol oxidation and efflux genes regulated by Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). In vitro experiments involving cultured ECs and macrophages and in vivo methods involving mice with Ch25h ablation were then used to explore the atheroprotective role of KLF4-Ch25h/LXR. RESULTS: Vasoprotective stimuli increased the expression of Ch25h and LXR via KLF4. The KLF4-Ch25h/LXR homeostatic axis functions through suppressing inflammation, evidenced by the reduction of inflammasome activity in ECs and the promotion of M1 to M2 phenotypic transition in macrophages. The increased atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-/-/Ch25h(-/-)mice further demonstrates the beneficial role of the KLF4-Ch25h/LXR axis in vascular function and disease. CONCLUSIONS: KLF4 transactivates Ch25h and LXR, thereby promoting the synergistic effects between ECs and macrophages to protect against atherosclerosis susceptibility.
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in patients with phakic intraocular lenses and low endothelial cell counts: a case report
(2017-10-03)
Lee, Chia-Yi
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Chao, Shih-Chun
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Sun, Chi-Chin
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Lin, Hung-Yu
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電機工程學系
Background: Phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation has been used to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism, although corneal decompensation can occur after implantation. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) has gained in popularity due to its lower postoperative astigmatism and endothelial loss. Herein, we report the use of FLACS in patients who previously received PIOL implantation and have a low corneal endothelial cell count. Case presentation: Two patients with a previous iris-claw PIOL implantation were enrolled. The preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and diopter sphere (DS) were 20/32 and -0.25 D in patient 1 and 20/32 and -3.00 D in patient 2. Specular microscope examination revealed an endothelial cell density (ECD) of 1532/mm(2) in patient 1 and 1620/mm(2) in patient 2. Capsulotomy was performed smoothly using a femtosecond laser. Postoperative CDVA improved in both eyes, with a difference of DS less than 1 D from the preoperative estimation. Specular microscope examination revealed a decreased endothelial cell density (ECD) in patient 2, but no signs of corneal decompensation were detected. Conclusions: The influence of using PIOL on capsulotomies performed via FLACS, in combination with preoperative refraction calculation, is minimal. A mild decrease in ECD may occur, but there is a low probability of severe corneal decompensation, even in patients with a low endothelial cell count.
Interplay of hot electrons from localized and propagating plasmons
(2017-10-03)
Chung V. Hoang
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Hayashi, Koki
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Ito, Yasuo
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Gorai, Naoki
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Allison, Giles
Plasmon-induced hot-electron generation has recently received considerable interest and has been studied to develop novel applications in optoelectronics, photovoltaics and green chemistry. Such hot electrons are typically generated from either localized plasmons in metal nanoparticles or propagating plasmons in patterned metal nanostructures. Here we simultaneously generate these heterogeneous plasmon-induced hot electrons and exploit their cooperative interplay in a single metal-semiconductor device to demonstrate, as an example, wavelength-controlled polarity-switchable photoconductivity. Specifically, the dual-plasmon device produces a net photocurrent whose polarity is determined by the balance in population and directionality between the hot electrons from localized and propagating plasmons. The current responsivity and polarity-switching wavelength of the device can be varied over the entire visible spectrum by tailoring the hot-electron interplay in various ways. This phenomenon may provide flexibility to manipulate the electrical output from light-matter interaction and offer opportunities for biosensors, long-distance communications, and photoconversion applications.
Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of 1,2-Fused Indole-Diazepines via [5+2] Annulation of o-Indoloanilines with Alkynes
(2017-10-04)
Thikekar, Tushar Ulhas
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Sun, Chung-Ming
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應用化學系
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Department of Applied Chemistry
An efficient and regioselective palladium(II)-catalyzed [5+2] annulation of unprotected o-indoloanilines with internal alkynes under microwave irradiation has been explored. The diverse imine-containing 1,2-fused indole[1,7-a]diazepines are constructed in moderate to excellent yields. The mechanistic pathway shows pivalic acid and molecular oxygen to play crucial roles for the regeneration of highly active electrophilic palladium species in the catalytic cycle.
Low-Temperature Growth of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbide Solar Cell by Inductively Coupled Plasma Deposition Toward High Conversion Efficiency in Indoor Lighting
(2017-10-05)
Kao, Ming-Hsuan
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Shen, Chang-Hong
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Yu, Pei-chen
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Huang, Wen-Hsien
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Chueh, Yu-Lun
A p-a-SiC:H window layer was used in amorphous Si thin film solar cells to boost the conversion efficiency in an indoor lighting of 500 lx. The p-a-SiC: H window layer/p-a-Si:H buffer layer scheme moderates the abrupt band bending across the p/i interface for the enhancement of V-OC, J(SC) and FF in the solar spectra of short wavelengths. The optimized thickness of i-a-Si:H absorber layer is 400 nm to achieve the conversion efficiency of similar to 9.58% in an AM1.5 G solar spectrum. However, the optimized thickness of the absorber layer can be changed from 400 to 600 nm in the indoor lighting of 500 lx, exhibiting the maximum output power of 25.56 mu W/cm(2). Furthermore, various durability tests with excellent performance were investigated, which are significantly beneficial to harvest the indoor lights for applications in the self-powered internet of thing (IoT).
IN VIVO AMELIORATION OF ENDOGENOUS ANTI-TUMOR AUTOANTIBODIES TARGETING SURFACE TUMOR ANTIGENS VIA LOW-DOSE P4N
(2017-10-05)
HUANG, Ru Chih C.
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MOLD, David
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JACKSON, Tiffany
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LIN, Yu-Ling
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LIAO, Kuang-Wen
In accordance with the present invention, the immunoregulatory activity of low doses of P4N was investigated. Unlike previously described antitumor drugs, low dose P4N, in doses of about 1 to 10 mg/kg, or at concentrations of about 10 to 100 nM, was surprisingly found to contribute to humoral immunity by raising the titers and activities of autoantibodies against GRP78 and F1F0 ATP synthase on the surface of CT26 cells, and inducing B cell proliferation and differentiation of plasma cells. Methods for inducing endogenous antitumor autoantibodies (EAA) in a subject having a neoplasia comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) derivative P4N, or salts, solvates and stereoisomers thereof, as well as methods for inducing B cell proliferation, inducing BAFF stimulated B cell proliferation, and suppressing or inhibition growth of a neoplasia are also provided.
Exploring candidate biological functions by Boolean Function Networks for Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(2017-10-05)
Simak, Maria
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Yeang, Chen-Hsiang
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Lu, Henry Horng-Shing
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統計學研究所
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Institute of Statistics
The great amount of gene expression data has brought a big challenge for the discovery of Gene Regulatory Network (GRN). For network reconstruction and the investigation of regulatory relations, it is desirable to ensure directness of links between genes on a map, infer their directionality and explore candidate biological functions from high-throughput transcriptomic data. To address these problems, we introduce a Boolean Function Network (BFN) model based on techniques of hidden Markov model (HMM), likelihood ratio test and Boolean logic functions. BFN consists of two consecutive tests to establish links between pairs of genes and check their directness. We evaluate the performance of BFN through the application to S. cerevisiae time course data. BFN produces regulatory relations which show consistency with succession of cell cycle phases. Furthermore, it also improves sensitivity and specificity when compared with alternative methods of genetic network reverse engineering. Moreover, we demonstrate that BFN can provide proper resolution for GO enrichment of gene sets. Finally, the Boolean functions discovered by BFN can provide useful insights for the identification of control mechanisms of regulatory processes, which is the special advantage of the proposed approach. In combination with low computational complexity, BFN can serve as an efficient screening tool to reconstruct genes relations on the whole genome level. In addition, the BFN approach is also feasible to a wide range of time course datasets.
Exploring the Near-Field of Strongly Coupled Waveguide-Plasmon Modes by Plasmon-Induced Photocurrent Generation Using a Gold Nanograting-Loaded Titanium Dioxide Photoelectrode
(2017-10-05)
Guo, Jingchun
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Ueno, Kosei
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Yang, Jinghuan
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Shi, Xu
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Li, Jie
Near-field spectrum measurement techniques, including near-field scanning optical microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and multiphoton photoemission electron microscopy, are powerful means to investigate near-field interactions directly on closely spaced metallic nanoparticles or a metallic nanostructure coupled with optical modes, such as whispering gallery mode and waveguide mode, which are called coupled plasmonic systems. In the present study, we have successfully measured the near-field spectra of coupled plasmonic systems using a simple photoelectrochemical measurement based on plasmon-induced water oxidation. Coupling was explored between the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR.) mode and waveguide mode of periodic gold nanogratings patterned on a thin titanium dioxide waveguide film. It is known that the far-field reflection spectrum of this waveguide-LSPR coupling system shows a complicated shape with multiple peaks, and the coupling has been explored by numerical electromagnetic simulations so far. However, in this study, it was clearly elucidated that an internal quantum efficiency (IQE) spectrum observed in the plasmon-induced photocurrent generation has successfully reproduced the near-field spectrum predicted by electromagnetic simulations under the coupling conditions. The photocurrent generation based on the plasmon-induced charge separation is due to the near-field effect, and it can be considered that the IQE spectrum corresponds to the near-field spectrum. This study paves a new way to indirectly measure the near-field spectrum of plasmonic systems.
Selective-area growth of single-crystal wurtzite GaN nanorods on SiOx/Si(001) substrates by reactive magnetron sputter epitaxy exhibiting single-mode lasing
(2017-10-05)
Serban, Elena Alexandra
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Palisaitis, Justinas
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Yeh, Chia-Cheng
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Hsu, Hsu-Cheng
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Tsai, Yu-Lin
Selective-area growth (SAG) of single-crystal wurtzite GaN nanorods (NRs) directly onto Si(001) substrates with un-etched native SiOx amorphous layer, assisted by a patterning TiNx mask fabricated by nanosphere lithography (NSL), has been realized by reactive magnetron sputter epitaxy (MSE). The GaN NRs were grown vertically to the substrate surface with the growth direction along c-axis in the well-defined nano-opening areas. A 5-step structural and morphological evolution of the SAG NRs observed at different sputtering times depicts a comprehensive growth model, listed in sequence as: formation of a polycrystalline wetting layer, predominating c-axis oriented nucleation, coarsening and coalescence of multi-islands, single NR evolution, and finally quasi-equilibrium crystal shape formation. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence spectroscopy shows a strong GaN bandedge emission with a uniform luminescence across the NRs, indicating that the SAG NRs are grown with high quality and purity. In addition, single-longitudinal-mode lasing, attributed to well-faceted NR geometry forming a Fabry-Perot cavity, was achieved by optical pumping, paving a way for fabricating high-performance laser optoelectronics using MSE.
交大e-News第241期-張懋中校長榮膺英國工程與科技學會(IET)之最高榮譽 J J Thomson獎章
(2017-10-05)
國立交通大學秘書室
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Secretariat
Bromoallylation of Alkenes Leading to 4-Alkenyl Bromides Based on Trapping of beta-Bromoalkyl Radicals
(2017-10-06)
Kippo, Takashi
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Hamaoka, Kanako
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Ueda, Mitsuhiro
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Fukuyama, Takahide
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Ryu, Ilhyong
A radical-chain addition of allyl bromides to aryl alkenes, vinyl ester, and vinyl phthalimide was studied in which elusive beta-bromodkyl radicals were trapped efficiently to give 5-bromo-1-pentenes in good to high yields (16 examples). A subsequent carbonylative radical cyclization with AIBN/Bu3SnH/CO was successful in giving the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted cyclohexanone derivatives in moderate yields. Synthesis of a piperidine ring was also successful by subsequent reaction with primary amine.
Influence of transition metal (Fe, Co, and Ag) doping on the MnOx-CeO2/Ti-bearing blast furnace slag catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 at low temperature
(2017-10-07)
Liu, Rong
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Xu, Yifan
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Ye, Fei
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Jia, Feng
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Xu, Rui
Ti-Bearing blast furnace slag has been found to be suitable as the support of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts. Mn-Ce-M (M = Fe, Co, Ag)/Slag catalysts prepared using a solution impregnation method for the low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 under the influence of transition metals were investigated in this study. The experiments suggested that the addition of Co can greatly enhance the SCR activity and the addition of Fe can broaden the SCR temperature range (NO conversion > 90%), while the addition of Ag reduced the SCR activity. The XRD and SEM analyses revealed that for the Co and Fe doped catalysts, the active components were well dispersed, while the Ag doped catalyst had agglomeration and sintering. The XPS results revealed that the Fe and Co doped catalysts had relatively higher ratios of Mn4+/Mn3+, Ce3+/Ce4+ and O-alpha/O-alpha + O-beta. TPR results showed that the redox properties were enhanced after adding Co and Fe. NH3-TPD was also studied to investigate the acid sites over the surface of the catalysts. And the addition of Co and Fe increased strong acid sites on the surface of the catalyst. However, the strength of acid sites over the surface of the Ag doped catalyst was too high to cause the desorption of NH3.
The role of indoxyl sulfate in renal anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease
(2017-10-10)
Wu, Chih-Jen
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Chen, Cheng-Yi
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Lai, Thung-S.
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Wu, Pei-Chen
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Chuang, Chih-Kuang
Renal anemia is a common complication in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. In vitro studies have shown that indoxyl sulfate decreases erythropoietin production. Whether this effect is seen in vivo remains unclear. Our goal was to explore the role of indoxyl sulfate in renal anemia. We found serum indoxyl sulfate levels are significantly and negatively associated with erythropoietin levels in human. A multiple stepwise linear regression analyses after adjustment for other independent parameters revealed that free indoxyl sulfate, and total indoxyl sulfate were significantly associated with erythropoietin levels. In animal studies, erythropoietin gene and protein expression were markedly inhibited in rats with chronic kidney disease; however, this effect was significantly reversed by lowering serum indoxyl sulfate with AST-120. Indoxyl sulfate may also inhibit erythropoietin expression in animal models with chronic kidney disease. These findings further support the role of indoxyl sulfate in the development of renal anemia.
Fabrication of Flexible White Light-Emitting Diodes from Photoluminescent Polymer Materials with Excellent Color Quality
(2017-10-11)
Lin, Huang-Yu
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Sher, Chin-Wei
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Lin, Chih-Hao
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Tu, Hsien-Hao
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Chen, Xin Yin
This study developed flexible light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with warm white and neutral white light. A simple ultraviolet flip-chip sticking process was adopted for the pumping source and combined with polymer and quantum dot (QD) films technology to yield white light. The polymer-blended flexible LEDs exhibited higher luminous efficiency than the QD-blended flexible LEDs. Moreover, the polymer-blended LEDs, achieved excellent color-rendering index (CRI) values (Ra = 96 and R9 = 96), with high reliability, demonstrating high suitability for special applications like accent, down, or retrofit lights in the future. In places such as a museum, kitchen, or surgery room, its high R9 and high CRI characteristics can provide high-quality services.
Epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of candidemia isolates of non-albicans Candida species from cancer patients
(2017-10-11)
Wu, Ping-Feng
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Liu, Wei-Lun
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Hsieh, Min-Han
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Hii, Ing-Moi
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Lee, Yu-Lin
Candidemia is a growing concern worldwide, and its species distribution has shifted toward non-albicans Candida in recent decades, especially in patients with malignancy. This study aimed to update the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of non-albicans candidemia isolates from the cancer patients. Adult cancer patients with non-albicans candidemia were recruited, and clinical data were retrospectively collected from five medical centers in Taiwan from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2014. In vitro susceptibility was determined by the broth dilution method using a Sensititre YeastOne system and interpreted according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. A total of 346 episodes of non-albicans candidemia were identified in cancer patients. Candida tropicalis was the most common species (n=145, 41.9%) and had the highest resistance rate to fluconazole (n=17, 13.9%) among all the preserved isolates, including C. tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis. A higher Charlson comorbidity index, non-albicans candidemia due to C. tropicalis, neutropenia and septic shock were independent predictors of 28-day mortality. In conclusion, the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of non-albicans candidemia isolates in our study differed from those in Western countries, providing useful information about local epidemiology for the selection of empirical antifungal agents for cancer patients.
Evidence of indirect gap in monolayer WSe2
(2017-10-13)
Hsu, Wei-Ting
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Lu, Li-Syuan
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Wang, Dean
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Huang, Jing-Kai
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Li, Ming-Yang
Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2 and WSe2, have been known as direct gap semiconductors and emerged as new optically active materials for novel device applications. Here we reexamine their direct gap properties by investigating the strain effects on the photoluminescence of monolayer MoS2 and WSe2. Instead of applying stress, we investigate the strain effects by imaging the direct exciton populations in monolayer WSe2-MoS2 and MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterojunctions with inherent strain inhomogeneity. We find that unstrained monolayer WSe2 is actually an indirect gap material, as manifested in the observed photoluminescence intensity-energy correlation, from which the difference between the direct and indirect optical gaps can be extracted by analyzing the exciton thermal populations. Our findings combined with the estimated exciton binding energy further indicate that monolayer WSe2 exhibits an indirect quasiparticle gap, which has to be reconsidered in further studies for its fundamental properties and device applications.
Effect of bound electron wave packet displacement on the multiphoton ionization of a lithium atom
(2017-10-14)
Jheng, Shih-Da
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Jiang, T. F.
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物理研究所
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Institute of Physics
We study numerically the strong-field single ionization of a Li atom over a wide range of wavelengths (400 nm-1600 nm) in the multiphoton regime. By observing the behavior of the ionization probabilities and the occupation of excited states, we found that the occupied 2p state in different wavelength regimes exhibit different bound electron wave packet motion. The motion is in phase in the long-wavelength regime, out of phase in the short-wavelength regime and lagged when the wavelength is close to resonance with the 2p state. We then demonstrate how these different motions of the bound electron wave packet affect the ionization probability.
Monomeric and aggregation emissions of tetraphenylethene in a photo-switchable polymer controlled by cyclization of diarylethene and solvent conditions
(2017-10-14)
Singh, Ravinder
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Wu, Hsin-Yen
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Dwivedi, Atul Kumar
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Singh, Ashutosh
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Lin, Chien-Min
A novel photo-switchable polymer P-PHT containing diarylethene (DAE) and tetraphenylethene (TPE) moieties and a triazole linker in the repeating unit was synthesized to study the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behaviour of TPE with both the open and closed forms of DAE in P-PHT with high water contents. The photo-switching phenomena of DAE (from open to closed forms under UV-irradiation) in P-PHT were prominent in organic solvent (THF), high water contents (at 90% H2O) and acidic conditions. Upon UV-irradiation of P-PHT at 90% water content, the AIE of TPE was completely quenched via an energy transfer event from TPE to cyclized DAE. Interestingly, the rare monomeric emission of TPE was first discovered by the photo-cyclization of DAE in P-PHT compared with the AIE behaviour of TPE with the open form of DAE in P-PHT with AIE favourable conditions of high water content (90% H2O) and acidic conditions.
The water extract of Liuwei dihuang possesses multi-protective properties on neurons and muscle tissue against deficiency of survival motor neuron protein
(2017-10-15)
Tseng, Yu-Ting
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Jong, Yuh-Jyh
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Liang, Wei-Fang
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Chang, Fang-Rong
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Lo, Yi-Ching
Background: Deficiency of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is encoded by the SMN1 and SMN2 genes, induces widespread splicing defects mainly in spinal motor neurons, and leads to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Currently, there is no effective treatment for SMA. Liuwei dihuang (LWDH), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, possesses multiple therapeutic benefits against various diseases via modulation of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. Previously, we demonstrated water extract of LWDH (LWDH-WE) protects dopaminergic neurons and improves motor activity in models of Parkinson's disease. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potential protection of LWDH-WE on SMN deficiency-induced neurodegeneration and muscle weakness. Study design: The effects of LWDH-WE on SMN deficiency-induced neurotoxicity and muscle atrophy were examined by using SMN-deficient NSC34 motor neuron-like cells and SMA-like mice, respectively. Methods: Inducible SMN-knockdown NSC34 motor neuron-like cells were used to mimic SMN-deficient condition. Doxycycline (1 mu g/ml) was used to induce SMN deficiency in stable NSC34 cell line carrying SMN-specific shRNA. SMA.7 mice were used as a severe type of SMA mouse model. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Apoptotic cells and neurite length were observed by inverted microscope. Protein expressions were examined by western blots. Muscle strength of animals was evaluated by hind-limb suspension test. Results: LWDH-WE significantly increased SMN protein level, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell viability of SMN-deficient NSC34 cells. LWDH-WE attenuated SMN deficiency-induced down-regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and up-regulation of cytosolic cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, LWDH-WE prevented SMN deficiency-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth and activation of Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK2)/phospho-LIM kinase (p-LIMK)/phospho-cofilin (pcofilin) pathway. Furthermore, in SMA-like mice, LWDH-WE improved muscle strength and body weight accompanied with up-regulation of SMN protein in spinal cord, brain, and gastrocnemius muscle tissues. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that LWDH-WE protects motor neurons against SMN deficiencyinduced neurodegeneration, and it also improves the muscle strength of SMA-like mice, suggesting the potential benefits of LWDH-WE as a complementary prescription for SMN deficiency-related diseases.