Academic procrastination and self-efficacy among a group of dental undergraduate students in Malaysia.

Background: Undergraduate dental students have to do multiple tasks as part of their extensive curriculum in order to achieve the proficiencies expected of them. During the course of their study, a tendency to procrastinate and question their self-efficacy is detrimental for the students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of procrastination and self-efficacy and its related factors among dental undergraduate students.

A comparison of test-retest reliability and random measurement error of the Barthel Index and modified Barthel Index in patients with chronic stroke.

Objective: To compare the test-retest reliability and random measurement errors of the Barthel Index (BI) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) in patients with chronic stroke.

Method: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the minimal detectable change (MDC) were applied respectively to examine the test-retest reliability (about 2 weeks apart) and the random measurement errors. The MDC% was used to adjust the cut-off score for determining whether a real change had been achieved, if heteroscedasticity existed.

Seroprevalence of Zika and Dengue Virus Antibodies among Migrant Workers, Taiwan, 2017.

A serosurvey of 600 workers newly arrived in Taiwan from 4 Southeast Asia countries showed that 18 (3%) were positive for Zika virus IgM; 6 (1%) fulfilled the World Health Organization criteria for laboratory-confirmed recent Zika virus infection. The incidence of Zika virus infection in Southeast Asia might be underestimated.

Boosted photocatalytic efficiency through plasmonic field confinement with bowtie and diabolo nanostructures under LED irradiation.

Photoresist and electron beam lithography techniques were used to fabricate embedded Ag bowtie and diabolo nanostructures with various apex angles on the surface of a TiO film. The reinforced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and electric field generated at both the Ag/TiO and air/TiO interfaces enabled high light absorbance in the TiO nanostructure. Results for both the bowtie and diabolo nanostructures showed that a reduction in the apex angle enhances both LSPR and Raman intensity.

1-Arylsulfonyl-5-(N-hydroxyacrylamide)tetrahydroquinolines as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors suppressing the growth of prostate cancer cells.

This study describes the development of a series of 1-arylsulfonyl-6-(N-hydroxyacrylamide)tetrahydroquinolines, potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors which are cytotoxic to PC-3 cells. (E)-N-hydroxy-3-(1-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl)acrylamide (11) exhibits marked anti-HDAC and antiproliferative activity, and is slightly more effective than N(1)-hydroxy-N(8)-phenyloctanediamide (SAHA, Vorinostat, 1). In a xenograft tumor model, 11, at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg orally, suppresses the growth of PC-3 cells and leads to tumor growth inhibition of 38.

Affinity flow fractionation of cells via transient interactions with asymmetric molecular patterns.

Flow fractionation of cells using physical fields to achieve lateral displacement finds wide applications, but its extension to surface molecule-specific separation requires labeling. Here we demonstrate affinity flow fractionation (AFF) where weak, short-range interactions with asymmetric molecular patterns laterally displace cells in a continuous, label-free process. We show that AFF can directly draw neutrophils out of a continuously flowing stream of blood with an unprecedented 400,000-fold depletion of red blood cells, with the sorted cells being highly viable, unactivated, and functionally intact.

Optimization of dye adsorption time and film thickness for efficient ZnO dye-sensitized solar cells with high at-rest stability.

Photoelectrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated using commercially available zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and sensitized with the dye N719. This study systematically investigates the effects of two fabrication factors: the ZnO film thickness and the dye adsorption time. Results show that these two fabrication factors must be optimized simultaneously to obtain efficient ZnO/N719-based cells.

Enhancing performance of ZnO dye-sensitized solar cells by incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

A low-temperature, direct blending procedure was used to prepare composite films consisting of zinc oxide [ZnO] nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes [MWNTs]. The mesoporous ZnO/MWNT films were fabricated into the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs]. The pristine MWNTs were modified by an air oxidation or a mixed acid oxidation treatment before use.

Studying cell rolling trajectories on asymmetric receptor patterns.

Lateral displacement of cells orthogonal to a flow stream by rolling on asymmetric receptor patterns presents an opportunity for development of new devices for label-free separation and analysis of cells. Such devices may use lateral displacement for continuous-flow separation, or receptor patterns that modulate adhesion to distinguish between different cell phenotypes or levels of receptor expression. Understanding the nature of cell rolling trajectories on receptor-patterned substrates is necessary for engineering of the substrates and design of such devices.

Examining the lateral displacement of HL60 cells rolling on asymmetric P-selectin patterns.

The lateral displacement of cells orthogonal to a flow stream by rolling on asymmetrical receptor patterns presents a new opportunity for the label-free separation and analysis of cells. Understanding the nature of cell rolling trajectories on such substrates is necessary to the engineering of substrates and the design of devices for cell separation and analysis. Here, we investigate the statistical nature of cell rolling and the effect of pattern geometry and flow shear stress on cell rolling trajectories using micrometer-scale patterns of biomolecular receptors with well-defined edges.

Factors predicting the hospital mortality of patients with corrosive gastrointestinal injuries receiving esophagogastrectomy in the acute stage.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the preoperative factors that affect the survival of patients who undergo esophagogastrectomy after corrosive ingestion, using analysis of their physiological condition, associated diseases, physical examination, and laboratory data.

Methods: Between January 1995 and December 2005, 71 consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastrectomy for corrosive ingestion injuries were retrospectively reviewed. Of them, 41 survived and 30 (42.

Radical resection or chemoradiotherapy for cervical esophageal cancer?

Background: The prognosis and quality of life (QOL) for those with cervical esophageal cancer is extremely poor, and chemoradiotherapy remains the mainstay treatment. During the past few years, our surgical teams has implemented a more aggressive and radical resection: total laryngopharyngectomy with neck dissection, total esophagectomy, and reconstruction with stomach. This study compares the results of chemoradiotherapy and that of the aforementioned surgical approach.

A prospective comparison of transthoracic and transhiatal resection for esophageal carcinoma in Asians.

Background/aims: Transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy are two common procedures for esophageal cancer resection. Prospective studies comparing the two methods in Asian people are few. In addition, the data comparing their effects on the quality of life are lacking.

Interfacial energy levels and related properties of atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 films on nanoporous TiO2 electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Low-temperature (approximately 150 degrees C), atomic-layer-deposited Al(2)O(3) films on nanoporous TiO2 electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated using electron spectroscopy. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSSCs was increased from 5.7% to 6.

A conformal nano-adhesive via initiated chemical vapor deposition for microfluidic devices.

A novel high-strength nano-adhesive is demonstrated for fabricating nano- and microfluidic devices. While the traditional plasma sealing methods are specific for sealing glass to poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), the new method is compatible with a wide variety of polymeric and inorganic materials, including flexible substrates. Additionally, the traditional method requires that sealing occur within minutes after the plasma treatment.