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Chi TT, Wu CT, Liao CC, Tu YC, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Two-reference swept-source optical coherence tomography of high operation flexibility. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:28418-28430. [PMID: 23263077 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.028418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The significantly less stringent operation of a two-reference swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for suppressing the mirror image is demonstrated based on the spatially localized image processing method. With this method, the phase difference between the two reference signals is not limited to 90 degrees. Based on the current experimental operation, the mirror image can be effectively suppressed as long as the phase difference is larger than 20 degrees. In other words, the adjustment of the beam splitter orientation for controlling the phase difference becomes much more flexible. Also, based on a phantom experiment, the combination the spatially localized mirror image suppression method with the two-reference OCT operation leads to the implementation of full-range optical Doppler tomography.
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Ting SY, Yao YF, Chung WL, Chang WM, Chen CY, Chen HT, Liao CH, Chen HS, Hsieh C, Yang CC. Comparison of emission characteristics between the CdZnO/ZnO quantum wells on ZnO and GaN templates. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:21860-21874. [PMID: 23037336 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.021860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
CdZnO/ZnO quantum well (QW) samples are grown on GaN and ZnO templates with plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy under different conditions of substrate temperature, Cd effusion cell temperature, and O(2) flow rate for emission characteristics comparison. It is found that the Cd incorporation on the ZnO template is generally lower, when compared with that on the GaN template, such that the O(2) flow rate needs to be reduced for stoichiometric CdZnO/ZnO QW growth on the ZnO template. Besides the wurtzite (wt) CdZnO structure, the rock-salt (rs) CdZnO structure exists in the CdZnO well layers when the total Cd content is high. The rs structure may dominate over the wt structure in photoluminescence intensity when the total Cd content is high. In either group of samples on the GaN and ZnO templates, the emission efficiency first increases and then decreases with increasing total Cd content. The low emission efficiency at low (high) Cd content is attributed to the weaker quantum confinement (the poorer crystal quality) of the QWs. The emission efficiencies of the QW samples on the GaN template are generally higher than those on the ZnO template. The carrier localization behavior in a CdZnO/ZnO QW, grown on either GaN or ZnO template, is significantly weaker than that in an InGaN/GaN QW. The strength of the quantum-confined Stark effect generally increases with increasing Cd content in either group of samples on the GaN and ZnO templates.
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Chen AM, Yang CC, Marsano J, Liu T, Purdy JA. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: improvement of the therapeutic ratio with helical tomotherapy vs segmental multileaf collimator-based techniques. Br J Radiol 2012; 85:e537-43. [PMID: 22253350 PMCID: PMC3587075 DOI: 10.1259/bjr/23807619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to compare differences in dosimetric, clinical and quality-of-life end points among patients treated with helical tomotherapy (HT) and segmental multileaf collimator (SMLC)-based intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS From June 2005 to August 2009, 30 consecutive patients were treated with IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma to a dose of 70 Gy. 14 patients (47%) were treated using HT and 16 (53%) were treated using SMLC-based IMRT. 28 patients (93%) received concurrent chemotherapy. The patients were evenly balanced between the two radiotherapy groups with respect to clinical and pathological characteristics. Median follow-up was 30 months (range, 6-62 months). RESULTS The 2-year estimates of overall survival, local-regional control and progression-free survival were 81%, 87% and 82%, respectively. There were no significant differences in any of these end points with respect to IMRT technique (p>0.05 for all). Dosimetric analysis revealed that patients treated by HT had significantly improved salivary sparing with respect to mean dose (27.3 vs 34.1 Gy, p=0.03) and volume receiving greater than or equal to 30 Gy (31.7% vs 47.3%, p=0.01) to the contralateral (spared) parotid gland. The incidence of Grade 3+ late xerostomia was 13 and 7% among patients treated with SMLC-based IMRT and HT, respectively (p=0.62). The corresponding proportion of patients who subjectively reported "too little" or "no" saliva at final follow-up was 38% and 7%, respectively (p=0.04). CONCLUSION The superior dosimetric outcome observed with HT appeared to translate into moderately improved clinical outcomes with respect to salivary sparing. Prospective trials are needed to validate this gain in the therapeutic ratio.
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Liao CH, Chang WM, Chen HS, Chen CY, Yao YF, Chen HT, Su CY, Ting SY, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Geometry and composition comparisons between c-plane disc-like and m-plane core-shell InGaN/GaN quantum wells in a nitride nanorod. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:15859-15871. [PMID: 22772276 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.015859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
With the nano-imprint lithography and the pulsed growth mode of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, a regularly-patterned, c-axis nitride nanorod (NR) array of quite uniform geometry with simultaneous depositions of top-face, c-plane disc-like and sidewall, m-plane core-shell InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW) structures is formed. The differences of geometry and composition between these two groups of QW are studied with scanning electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In particular, the strain state analysis results in TEM observations provide us with the information about the QW width and composition. It is found that the QW widths are narrower and the indium contents are higher in the sidewall m-plane QWs, when compared with the top-face c-plane QWs. Also, in the sidewall m-plane QWs, the QW width (indium content) decreases (increases) with the height on the sidewall. The observed results can be interpreted with the migration behaviors of the constituent atoms along the NR sidewall from the bottom.
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FitzGerald MP, Payne CK, Lukacz ES, Yang CC, Peters KM, Chai TC, Nickel JC, Hanno PM, Kreder KJ, Burks DA, Mayer R, Kotarinos R, Fortman C, Allen TM, Fraser L, Mason-Cover M, Furey C, Odabachian L, Sanfield A, Chu J, Huestis K, Tata GE, Dugan N, Sheth H, Bewyer K, Anaeme A, Newton K, Featherstone W, Halle-Podell R, Cen L, Landis JR, Propert KJ, Foster HE, Kusek JW, Nyberg LM. Randomized multicenter clinical trial of myofascial physical therapy in women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and pelvic floor tenderness. J Urol 2012; 187:2113-8. [PMID: 22503015 PMCID: PMC3351550 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.01.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We determined the efficacy and safety of pelvic floor myofascial physical therapy compared to global therapeutic massage in women with newly symptomatic interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized controlled trial of 10 scheduled treatments of myofascial physical therapy vs global therapeutic massage was performed at 11 clinical centers in North America. We recruited women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with demonstrable pelvic floor tenderness on physical examination and a limitation of no more than 3 years' symptom duration. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders defined as moderately improved or markedly improved in overall symptoms compared to baseline on a 7-point global response assessment scale. Secondary outcomes included ratings for pain, urgency and frequency, the O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem Index, and reports of adverse events. We compared response rates between treatment arms using the exact conditional version of the Mantel-Haenszel test to control for clustering by clinical center. For secondary efficacy outcomes cross-sectional descriptive statistics and changes from baseline were calculated. RESULTS A total of 81 women randomized to the 2 treatment groups had similar symptoms at baseline. The global response assessment response rate was 26% in the global therapeutic massage group and 59% in the myofascial physical therapy group (p=0.0012). Pain, urgency and frequency ratings, and O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem Index decreased in both groups during followup, and were not significantly different between the groups. Pain was the most common adverse event, occurring at similar rates in both groups. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS A significantly higher proportion of women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome responded to treatment with myofascial physical therapy than to global therapeutic massage. Myofascial physical therapy may be a beneficial therapy in women with this syndrome.
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Wu CT, Chi TT, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Computation time-saving mirror image suppression method in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:8270-8283. [PMID: 22513539 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.008270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The theory and experimental results of a computation time-saving mirror image suppression method in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography, which utilizes the property of reversed system phase shift between the real and mirror images, for differentiating one from the other are demonstrated. By solving a set of two equations based on a reasonable approximation, the real image signal can be obtained. The theoretical backgrounds and the improved real image quality of the average and iteration procedures in this method are particularly illustrated. Also, the mirror image suppression ratios under various process conditions, including different process iteration numbers and different system phase shifts between two neighboring A-mode scans, are evaluated. Meanwhile, the mirror image suppression results based on our method are compared with those obtained from the widely used BM-scan technique. It is found that when a process procedure of two iterations is used, the mirror image suppression quality based on our method can be higher than that obtained from the BM-scan technique. The computation time of our method is significantly shorter than that of the BM-scan technique.
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Lin HY, Kuo Y, Liao CY, Yang CC, Kiang YW. Surface plasmon effects in the absorption enhancements of amorphous silicon solar cells with periodical metal nanowall and nanopillar structures. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:A104-A118. [PMID: 22379680 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.00a104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The authors numerically investigate the absorption enhancement of an amorphous Si solar cell, in which a periodical one-dimensional nanowall or two-dimensional nanopillar structure of the Ag back-reflector is fabricated such that a dome-shaped grating geometry is formed after Si deposition and indium-tin-oxide coating. In this investigation, the effects of surface plasmon (SP) interaction in such a metal nanostructure are of major concern. Absorption enhancement in most of the solar spectral range of significant amorphous Si absorption (320-800 nm) is observed in a grating solar cell. In the short-wavelength range of high amorphous Si absorption, the weakly wavelength-dependent absorption enhancement is mainly caused by the broadband anti-reflection effect, which is produced through the surface nano-grating structures. In the long-wavelength range of diminishing amorphous Si absorption, the highly wavelength-sensitive absorption enhancement is mainly caused by Fabry-Perot resonance and SP interaction. The SP interaction includes the contributions of surface plasmon polariton and localized surface plasmon.
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Huang CW, Tseng HY, Chen CY, Liao CH, Hsieh C, Chen KY, Lin HY, Chen HS, Jung YL, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Fabrication of surface metal nanoparticles and their induced surface plasmon coupling with subsurface InGaN/GaN quantum wells. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 22:475201. [PMID: 22049151 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/47/475201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Based on the fabrication of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled geometry and surface density on an InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW) epitaxial structure, which contains indium-rich nano-clusters for producing localized states and free-carrier (delocalized) states in the QWs, and the characterization of their localized surface plasmon (LSP) coupling behavior with the carriers in the QWs, the interplay behavior of LSP coupling with carrier delocalization in the QWs is demonstrated. By using the polystyrene nanosphere lithography technique with an appropriate nanosphere size and adjusting the post-fabrication thermal annealing condition, the induced LSP resonance wavelength of the fabricated Ag NPs on the QW sample can match the QW emission wavelength for generating the coherent coupling between the carriers in the QWs and the induced LSP. The coupling leads to the enhancement of radiative recombination rate in the QWs and results in increased photoluminescence (PL) intensity, red-shifted PL spectrum, reduced PL decay time, and enhanced internal quantum efficiency. It is found that the observed effects are mainly due to the LSP coupling with the delocalized carriers in the QWs.
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Tsai MT, Chang FY, Lee CK, Chi TT, Yang KM, Lin LY, Wu JT, Yang CC. Observations of cardiac beating behaviors of wild-type and mutant Drosophilae with optical coherence tomography. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2011; 4:610-618. [PMID: 21538996 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201100009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2011] [Revised: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Time-resolved optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning images of wild-type and mutant fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), illustrating the heartbeat patterns for evaluating their cardiac functions, are demonstrated. Based on the heartbeat patterns, the beat rate and the relative phase between the first two heart segments can be evaluated. The OCT scanning results of mutant flies with impaired proteasome function in cardiac muscles show irregular heartbeat patterns and systematically decreased average beat rates, when compared with the regular patterns of ~4.97 beats/s in average beat rate of the wild-type. In both wild-type and proteasome mutant flies, the beatings at different locations in the same heart segment are essentially synchronized. However, between different heart segments, although the beating in the second segment shows a lag in phase behind that of the first segment in a wild-type, in a proteasome mutant, the beating in the second segment becomes significantly leading that of the first segment. Besides the comparison between the wild-type and proteasomal mutant flies, the influences of using different methods for immobilizing flies during OCT scanning on the heart functions are demonstrated.
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Kuo Y, Ting SY, Liao CH, Huang JJ, Chen CY, Hsieh C, Lu YC, Chen CY, Shen KC, Lu CF, Yeh DM, Wang JY, Chuang WH, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Surface plasmon coupling with radiating dipole for enhancing the emission efficiency of a light-emitting diode. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19 Suppl 4:A914-A929. [PMID: 21747562 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.00a914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The experimental demonstrations of light-emitting diode (LED) fabrication with surface plasmon (SP) coupling with the radiating dipoles in its quantum wells are first reviewed. The SP coupling with a radiating dipole can create an alternative emission channel through SP radiation for enhancing the effective internal quantum efficiency when the intrinsic non-radiative recombination rate is high, reducing the external quantum efficiency droop effect at high current injection levels, and producing partially polarized LED output by inducing polarization-sensitive SP for coupling. Then, we report the theoretical and numerical study results of SP-dipole coupling based on a simple coupling model between a radiating dipole and the SP induced on a nearby Ag nanoparticle (NP). To include the dipole strength variation effect caused by the field distribution built in the coupling system (the feedback effect), the radiating dipole is represented by a saturable two-level system. The spectral and dipole-NP distance dependencies of dipole strength variation and total radiated power enhancement of the coupling system are demonstrated and interpreted. The results show that the dipole-SP coupling can enhance the total radiated power. The enhancement is particularly effective when the feedback effect is included and hence the dipole strength is increased.
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Hsu CC, Lin EC, Chen SC, Huang SC, Liu BH, Yu YH, Chen CC, Yang CC, Lien CY, Wang YH, Liu CW, Mersmann HJ, Cheng WTK, Ding ST. Differential gene expression between the porcine morula and blastocyst. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 47:69-81. [PMID: 21599764 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01803.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The survival and development of pre-implantation embryos are determinant factors affecting the outcome of animal reproduction. It is essential to transfer the expression of the genetic material from maternal sources, that is the ovum to the zygote before implantation to ensure successful development. Differentiation and transformation of blastomeres initiated during the morula and blastocyst stages is an important step of the embryonic development prior to implantation. We collected morula and early blastocyst samples from pure-bred Landrace pigs in vivo to study the differential gene expression patterns at these two stages. Total RNA was extracted from individual embryos and two rounds of amplification were employed. Two micrograms of antisense RNA, targets, were prepared and hybridized with each of four custom made oligo microarrays representing 24,000 porcine genes. The analyses of replicate hybridizations showed that among the 24,000 genes, 162 genes were expressed fivefold or greater in the morula compared to early blastocysts and 2126 genes were expressed fivefold or greater in early blastocysts compared to the morula. Of these differentially expressed genes, 1429 genes were functionally annotated with related human Gene Ontology terms. In addition to basic metabolic processes, genes related to signal transduction, transportation and cell differentiation were found in both stages and were up-regulated as embryo development proceeded. Real time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to quantify 12 genes differentially expressed in the 2 embryonic stages and validated the reliability of major evidences shown in microarrays. In conclusion, we have obtained a preliminary landscape of genes differentially expressed during the transition from morula to early blastocysts in pigs and showed a generally increased transcriptional activity, perhaps in preparation for implantation. Our results provide an opportunity to study the functions of these genes in relation to the development and survival of pre-implantation porcine embryos.
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Hsieh CC, Lin TH, Chang HW, Chang CW, Chang WC, Yang CC. Effect of dopants on the soft magnetic properties and high frequency characteristics of FeCoBM (M = Ti, Nb, Hf, and Ta) thin films. JOURNAL OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 11:2752-2755. [PMID: 21449469 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2011.2726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Effect of dopants on the soft magnetic properties and high frequency characteristics of FeCoBM thin films (M = Ti, Nb, Hf, and Ta) have been studied. For (Fe0.55Co0.45)(100-x)B(x) (x = 5-15) thin films, with the increase of B content, the resistivity was increased because B could decrease the crystallinity of the films. The (Fe0.55Co0.45)90B10 thin film showed the optimum properties, where 4piM(s) = 16.1 kG, H(ce) = 64.2 Oe, H(ch) = 13.5 Oe, H(k) = 310 Oe and p = 338 microomega-cm. To reduce the coercivity of the film, the elements M, including Ti, Nb, Hf, and Ta, were selected to substitute for B in the FeCoB films. It was found that (Fe0.55Co0.45)90B6Ti2Nb2 thin film after annealing at a temperature of 200 degrees C for 30 min showed the optimal properties, where 4piM(s) = 15.8 kG, H(ce) = 4.8 Oe, H(ch) = 3.6 Oe, H(k) = 224 Oe and p = 290 microomega-cm. The theoretically calculated ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the developed films can be higher than 5 GHz.
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Lin CH, Wang JY, Chen CY, Shen KC, Yeh DM, Kiang YW, Yang CC. A GaN photonic crystal membrane laser. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 22:025201. [PMID: 21135479 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/2/025201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of a series of optically pumped GaN photonic crystal (PhC) membrane lasers is demonstrated at room temperature. The photonic crystal is composed of a scalene-triangular arrangement of circular holes in GaN. Three defect structures are fabricated for comparing their lasing characteristics with those of perfect PhC. It is observed that all the lasing defect modes have lasing wavelengths very close to the band-edge modes in the perfect PhC structure. Although those lasing modes, including band-edge and defect modes, have different optical pump thresholds, different lasing spectral widths, different quality factors (Q factors), and different polarization ratios, all their polarization distributions show maxima in the directions around one of the hole arrangement axes. The similar lasing characteristics between the band-edge and defect modes are attributed to the existence of extremely narrow partial band gaps for forming the defect modes. Also, the oriented polarization properties are due to the scalene-triangle PhC structure. In one of the defect lasing modes, the lasing threshold is as low as 0.82 mJ cm(-2), the cavity Q factor is as large as 1743, and the polarization ratio is as large as 25.4. Such output parameters represent generally superior lasing behaviors when compared with previously reported implementations of similar laser structures.
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Tseng HY, Lee CK, Wu SY, Chi TT, Yang KM, Wang JY, Kiang YW, Yang CC, Tsai MT, Wu YC, Chou HYE, Chiang CP. Au nanorings for enhancing absorption and backscattering monitored with optical coherence tomography. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2010; 21:295102. [PMID: 20601768 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/29/295102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Preparation of a high-concentration Au nanoring (NR) water solution and its applications to the enhancement of image contrast in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the generation of the photothermal effect in a bio-sample through localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance are demonstrated. Au NRs are first fabricated on a sapphire substrate with colloidal lithography and secondary sputtering of Au, and then transferred into a water solution through a liftoff process. By controlling the NR geometry, the LSP dipole resonance wavelength in tissue can cover a spectral range of 1300 nm for OCT scanning of deep tissue penetration. The extinction cross sections of the fabricated Au NRs in water are estimated to give levels of 10(-10)-10(-9) cm(2) near their LSP resonance wavelengths. The fabricated Au NRs are then delivered into pig adipose samples for OCT scanning. It is observed that, when resonant Au NRs are delivered into such a sample, LSP resonance-induced Au NR absorption results in a photothermal effect, making the opaque pig adipose cells transparent. Also, the delivered Au NRs in the intercellular substance enhance the image contrast of OCT scanning through LSP resonance-enhanced scattering. By continuously OCT scanning a sample, both photothermal and image contrast enhancement effects are observed. However, by continually scanning a sample with a low scan frequency, only the image contrast enhancement effect is observed.
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Tsai FJ, Wang JY, Huang JJ, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Absorption enhancement of an amorphous Si solar cell through surface plasmon-induced scattering with metal nanoparticles. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18 Suppl 2:A207-A220. [PMID: 20588590 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.00a207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The simulation results of absorption enhancement in an amorphous-Si (a-Si) solar cell by depositing metal nanoparticles (NPs) on the device top and embedding metal NPs in a layer above the Al back-reflector are demonstrated. The absorption increase results from the near-field constructive interference of electromagnetic waves in the forward direction such that an increased amount of sunlight energy is distributed in the a-Si absorption layer. Among the three used metals of Al, Ag, and Au, Al NPs show the most efficient absorption enhancement. Between the two used NP geometries, Al nanocylinder (NC) are more effective in absorption enhancement than Al nanosphere (NS). Also, a random distribution of isolated metal NCs can lead to higher absorption enhancement, when compared with the cases of periodical metal NC distributions. Meanwhile, the fabrication of both top and bottom Al NCs in a solar cell results in further absorption enhancement. Misalignments between the top and bottom Al NCs do not significantly reduce the enhancement percentage. With a structure of vertically aligned top and bottom Al NCs, solar cell absorption can be increased by 52%.
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Yang CC, Deng SJ, Hsu CC, Liu BH, Lin EC, Cheng WTK, Wang PH, Ding ST. Visfatin regulates genes related to lipid metabolism in porcine adipocytes. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:3233-41. [PMID: 20562354 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2010-2799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visfatin is a visceral adipose tissue-specific adipocytokine that plays a positive role in attenuating insulin resistance by binding to the insulin receptor. Visfatin has been suggested to play a role in the regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammation; however, the mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the effects of visfatin on the regulation of gene expression in cultured porcine preadipocytes and differentiated adipocytes. In preadipocytes, the mRNA abundance of lipoprotein lipase and PPARgamma were significantly increased by visfatin or insulin treatment after 8 d (all P < 0.05). In the presence of insulin, the mRNA abundance of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein was 24.7-fold greater than in the untreated group (P < 0.05), whereas visfatin alone had no effect on adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein mRNA abundance. Adipocyte differentiation was induced by insulin treatment for 8 d. In differentiated porcine adipocytes, exposure to insulin or visfatin for 24 h increased (P < 0.05) fatty acid synthase mRNA abundance but had no effect on the expression of sterol regulatory element binding-protein 1c mRNA. We also found a 5.8-fold upregulation of IL-6 expression in porcine adipocytes after 24 h of treatment with visfatin (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that visfatin upregulated lipoprotein lipase expression in preadipocytes, potentially facilitating lipid uptake, and increased the gene expression of fatty acid synthase in differentiated adipocytes to potentially enhance lipogenic activity. Furthermore, visfatin can upregulate IL-6 expression in differentiated porcine adipocytes. The information presented in this study provides insights into the roles of visfatin in lipid metabolism in pigs.
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Wang JY, Tsai FJ, Huang JJ, Chen CY, Li N, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Enhancing InGaN-based solar cell efficiency through localized surface plasmon interaction by embedding Ag nanoparticles in the absorbing layer. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18:2682-2694. [PMID: 20174098 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.002682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The use of localized surface plasmon (LSP) interaction for significantly enhancing InGaN absorption near its band edge and the overall efficiency of an InGaN-based solar cell by embedding Ag nanoparticles (NPs) in the InGaN absorbing layer is numerically demonstrated. The generation of LSP resonance on the embedded Ag NPs and the NP scattering can produce a field distribution in the InGaN layer for enhancing absorption. It is shown that the embedded Ag NPs do not significantly affect the transport of the photo-generated carriers. The distortion of static electrical stream lines in the solar cell due to the embedded Ag NP leads to a decrease of photocurrent by only a few percents. Based on the material parameter values we use, unless the surface recombination velocity at the interface between the Ag NP and surrounding InGaN is extremely high, Ag NP embedment in the absorbing layer of an InGaN-based solar cell can enhance its efficiency by up to 27%. Such an increase is significantly larger than that achieved by depositing metal NP on the top surface of a solar cell.
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Lee CK, Tsai MT, Lee HC, Chen HM, Chiang CP, Wang YM, Yang CC. Diagnosis of oral submucous fibrosis with optical coherence tomography. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2009; 14:054008. [PMID: 19895110 DOI: 10.1117/1.3233653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The epithelium (EP) thickness and the standard deviation (SD) of A-mode scan intensity in the laminar propria (LP) layer are used as effective indicators for the diagnosis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) based on the noninvasive clinical scanning of a swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system of approximately 6 mum in axial resolution (in tissue) and 103 dB in sensitivity. Compared with the corresponding parameters in healthy oral mucosal mucosa, in OSF mucosa, the EP thickness becomes smaller and the SD of A-mode scan intensity in the LP layer (LP SD) also becomes smaller. The LP SD can also be used for effectively differentiating OSF (small LP SD) from lesion (large LP SD). This application is particularly useful in the case of a lesion without a clear surface feature. Meanwhile, the use of the SD of A-mode scan intensity in the EP layer (EP SD) can further help in differentiating OSF (medium EP SD) from healthy oral mucosal (small EP SD) and lesion (large EP SD) conditions. Compared with the conventional method of maximum mouth opening measurement, the use of the proposed OCT scanning results can be a more effective technique for OSF diagnosis.
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Chen CY, Wang JY, Tsai FJ, Lu YC, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Fabrication of sphere-like Au nanoparticles on substrate with laser irradiation and their polarized localized surface plasmon behaviors. OPTICS EXPRESS 2009; 17:14186-14198. [PMID: 19654830 DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.014186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The fabrications of sphere-like Au nanoparticles (NPs) on sapphire, GaN, and SiO(2) substrates through the irradiation of a few pulses of 266-nm laser onto Au thin films deposited on the substrates are demonstrated. The top-view diameter, contact angle on substrate, surface population density, and surface coverage percentage of the NPs can be controlled by the Au thin film thickness, laser energy density, substrate choice, and the gas or liquid, in which the Au thin film is immersed during laser irradiation. Optical transmission measurements show clear in-plane and out-of-plane localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features, including the air resonance feature dictated by the gas or liquid immersing the NPs during transmission measurement, the in-plane substrate resonance feature controlled by the substrate material and the contact angle, and the out-of-plane resonance feature, which is strongly influenced also by the substrate material and the contact angle. Numerical simulations based on the finite-element method using the experimental parameters show highly consistent LSPR spectral positions and their variation trends. From the simulation results, one can also observe the relative importance between NP absorption and scattering in contributing to the extinction. This simple laser-irradiation method for fabricating sphere-like Au NPs of no aggregation and of strong adhesion to the substrate is useful for developing polarization-sensitive LSPR bio-sensing.
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95
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Lai LC, Hua KH, Yang CC, Huang RN, Wu WJ. Secretion profiles of venom alkaloids in Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2009; 38:879-884. [PMID: 19508799 DOI: 10.1603/022.038.0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Solenopsis geminata (F.) was introduced into southern Taiwan decades ago and has continued to threaten the residents. Although the venom compositions of various fire ant species have been studied, the effects of environmental cues on the secretion pattern have received relatively little attention in an area with subtropical climate and high humidity, such as Taiwan. This study characterizes the effects of temperature and season on the venom compositions of S. geminata in Taiwan. Pure venom was sampled by using a microcapillary pipette and immersing the whole ant in hexane and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The results showed that the ratio of cis C(11) to trans C(11) alkaloids in major workers was significantly higher than that in minor workers. No significant differences could be found in either the relative alkaloids content or the ratio of cis C(11) to trans C(11) alkaloids in venom of minor workers while rearing at four temperature conditions. Nevertheless, the ratio of cis C(11) to trans C(11) alkaloids in the venom of minor workers was the highest in spring and the lowest in winter. The results also showed that the body length, abdomen length, head length, head width, and venom volume differed significantly between major workers and minor workers of S. geminata. The venom volumes of these two castes were positively correlated with their body sizes.
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96
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Shen CW, Wang JY, Chuang WH, Chen HL, Lu YC, Kiang YW, Yang CC, Yang YJ. Effective energy coupling and preservation in a surface plasmon-light emitter coupling system on a metal nanostructure. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2009; 20:135202. [PMID: 19420488 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/13/135202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The simulation results of the coupling of a radiation dipole with a surface plasmon (SP), which is induced on a metal/dielectric interface of a single groove (SG) plus a grating structure, are demonstrated. With the SG structure, the dipole can effectively couple energy into an SP feature, which has a mixed nature of localized surface plasmon (LSP) and surface plasmon polariton (SPP). The SPP energy is confined by a grating structure with a well designed grating period and position. With such a cavity configuration, the SPP energy can be well preserved. Both the dipole-SP coupling behaviors in the frequency and time domains are numerically illustrated. The results are useful for designing a metal/dielectric interface nanostructure for implementing a SPASER (surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) system.
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97
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Wu MY, Hong JB, Yang CC, Hu SL, Liao YH. Scleromyxedema with myopathy was successfully treated by thalidomide. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2009; 23:189-90. [PMID: 18435730 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02766.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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98
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Wang SS, Yang CC, Kulesha ID, Sonenberg M, Merrifield RB. Solid phase synthesis of bovine pituitary growth hormone-(123-131) nonapeptide. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE AND PROTEIN RESEARCH 2009; 6:103-9. [PMID: 4415807 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3011.1974.tb02367.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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99
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Chuang WH, Wang JY, Yang CC, Kiang YW. Study on the decay mechanisms of surface plasmon coupling features with a light emitter through time-resolved simulations. OPTICS EXPRESS 2009; 17:104-116. [PMID: 19129878 DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The transient behaviors of the dipole coupling with surface plasmon (SP) features in an Ag/dielectric-interface grating structure in order to understand the characteristics of those dipole-coupling features are demonstrated. In particular, the major decay mechanisms of those coupling features can be identified. For comparison, the time-resolved behaviors of the resonant surface plasmon polariton (SPP) coupling feature on a flat interface are also illustrated. Among the three major grating-induced SP-dipole coupling features, two of them are identified to be localized surface plasmons (LSPs). The third one is a grating-assisted SPP, which shows two decay components, corresponding to the first stage of SPP in-plane propagation and the second stage of coupling system decay. In all the dipole coupling features, metal dissipation can dominate the energy relaxation process, depending on the assumption of damping factor. All the dissipation rates are proportional to the assumed damping factor in the Drude model of the metal. The dissipation rates of the LSP and resonant SPP features are about the same as the damping rate, implying their local electron oscillation natures. The dissipation rate of the grating-assisted SSP feature is consistent with theoretical calculation. In the LSP features under study, dielectric-side emission is prominent. The coupled energy in the grating-assisted SPP feature can be efficiently stored in the coupling system due to its low emission efficiency and effective energy confinement through grating diffraction.
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100
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Tsai MT, Lee HC, Lee CK, Yu CH, Chen HM, Chiang CP, Chang CC, Wang YM, Yang CC. Effective indicators for diagnosis of oral cancer using optical coherence tomography. OPTICS EXPRESS 2008; 16:15847-15862. [PMID: 18825221 DOI: 10.1364/cleo.2009.cmr2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A swept-source optical coherence tomography system is used to clinically scan oral precancer and cancer patients for statistically analyzing the effective indicators of diagnosis. Three indicators are considered, including the standard deviation (SD) of an A-mode scan signal profile, the exponential decay constant (alpha) of an A-mode-scan spatial-frequency spectrum, and the epithelium thickness (T) when the boundary between epithelium and lamina propria can still be identified. Generally, in abnormal mucosa, the standard deviation becomes larger, the decay constant of the spatial-frequency spectrum becomes smaller, and epithelium becomes thicker. The sensitivity and specificity of the three indicators are discussed based on universal and individual relative criteria. It is found that SD and alpha are good diagnosis indicators for moderate dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. On the other hand, T is a good diagnosis indicator for epithelia hyperplasia and moderate dysplasia.
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