Taguchi Optimization of Wetting, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Sn-1.0wt.%Ag-0.5wt.%Cu Alloys Modified with Bi and Sb.

This study was conducted on SAC105 (Sn-1wt.%Ag-0.5wt.

Advanced 3D Through-Si-Via and Solder Bumping Technology: A Review.

Three-dimensional (3D) packaging using through-Si-via (TSV) is a key technique for achieving high-density integration, high-speed connectivity, and for downsizing of electronic devices. This paper describes recent developments in TSV fabrication and bonding methods in advanced 3D electronic packaging. In particular, the authors have overviewed the recent progress in the fabrication of TSV, various etching and functional layers, and conductive filling of TSVs, as well as bonding materials such as low-temperature nano-modified solders, transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding, Cu pillars, composite hybrids, and bump-free bonding, as well as the role of emerging high entropy alloy (HEA) solders in 3D microelectronic packaging.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Dispersion of ZnO Nanoparticles to Sn-Bi Solder: A Study on Microstructure, Spreading, and Mechanical Properties.

Nanocomposite Sn-Bi solders received noticeable attention for flexible electronics due to their improved mechanical properties. The main limitation is the dispersion of nanoparticles in the solder alloy. Accordingly, in this work, varying additions of ZnO nanoparticles were successfully dispersed into Sn57Bi solder via the liquid-state ultrasonic treatment.

Predictors of Disease Progression or Performance Status Decline in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Therapy for Localized Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is a growing strategy in localized head pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDC). However, a significant portion of NT patients do not reach resection due to disease progression or performance status decline. We sought to identify predictors of disease progression or performance status decline during NT.

Correction to: Serum CA19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Tumor Size Reduction and Survival in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

In the original article, Caroline J. Rieser's last name is spelled wrong. It is correct as reflected here.

Serum CA19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Tumor Size Reduction and Survival in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Background: The optimal cutoffs for carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) response after neoadjuvant therapy (NT) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are not well characterized. This study aimed to analyze the relationship of serum CA19-9 to other markers of response and to identify thresholds correlating to outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of resected PDAC patients from 2010 to 2017 at an academic tertiary referral center was conducted.

Effect of ZrO₂ Nanomaterials on Wettability and Interfacial Characteristics of Al-19Cu-11Si-2Sn Filler Metal for Low Temperature Al to Cu Dissimilar Brazing.

Dissimilar Al 3003 and Cu tubular components were successfully brazed without interface cracking using ZrO₂ nanomaterials reinforced with Al-19Cu-11Si-2Sn filler. The filler was initially cast using an induction furnace and processed into ring form for brazing. Al-19Cu-11Si-2Sn filler with coarse CuAl₂ and Si phases (43 and 20 μm) were refined to 8 and 4 μm, respectively, after the addition of 0.

Use of Video Review to Investigate Technical Factors That May Be Associated With Delayed Gastric Emptying After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Importance: Technical proficiency at robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) and video assessment are promising tools for understanding postoperative outcomes. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) remains a major driver of cost and morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective: To determine if technical variables during RPD are associated with postoperative DGE.

Application of Surface Protective Coating to Enhance Environment-Withstanding Property of the MEMS 2D Wind Direction and Wind Speed Sensor.

In this study, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) two-dimensional (2D) wind direction and wind speed sensor consisting of a square heating source and four thermopiles was manufactured using the heat detection method. The heating source and thermopiles of the manufactured sensor must be exposed to air to detect wind speed and wind direction. Therefore, there are concerns that the sensor could be contaminated by deposition or adhesion of dust, sandy dust, snow, rain, and so forth, in the air, and that the membrane may be damaged by physical shock.

Low incidence of KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations in adenocarcinomas of the ampulla of Vater and their prognostic value.

Ampullary adenocarcinomas (A-ACs) are rare malignancies with considerable importance because of their high curable resection rate and improved survival rate among periampullary cancers. The RAS-RAF-MAPK pathway is involved in the development of A-ACs and is a potential therapeutic target. However, molecular profiles of A-ACs and their prognostic impact are poorly understood.

Electroplating characteristics of eutectic Sn-Cu ions for micro-solder bump on a Si chip.

The fabrication of fine bumps on a Si chip is an important issue due to the trend of smaller sized and multi-functioning electronics. In this study, a Sn-Cu near eutectic solder bump was fabricated by electroplating. A Si wafer was used as a substrate, while layers of the Under Bump Metallization (UBM) of Al/Cu/Ni/Au (400/300/400/20 nm in each) were coated onto the Si wafer by electron beam evaporation.

Outcome of transilluminated powered phlebectomy for varicose vein: review of 299 patients (447 limbs).

Purpose: Varicose vein incompetence in the legs is very prevalent in the Korean population. New technologies and improvements in established methods have changed the treatment of varicose veins. Transilluminated powered phlebectomy is an alternative surgical technique that combines endoscopic powered vein resection and ablation of superficial varicosities with tumescent anesthesia and irrigated illumination.

Relationship between the risk of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the types of preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatiocography (MRCP).

Backgrounds/aims: Bile duct injury is one of the potential severe complications that can occur during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which can be cause by anatomic variations in the confluence of the bile duct. Recently magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatiocography (MRCP) has become a helpful tool to detect bile duct variation on a preoperative basis and to prevent bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as well other hepatic surgeries. This study aimed to clarify the types of bile duct on MRCP and to search for a method of avoiding injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage changes emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy to an elective operation in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Many surgeons have found it difficult to decide whether to apply percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) in patients with acute cholecystitis that is not responsive to initial medical management (IMMx), because the indications of PTGBD are ambiguous. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriate treatment for acute cholecystitis that is not responsive to IMMx. Specifically, we focused on differences in surgical outcomes between elective and emergency laparoscopic surgeries.

Synchronous double primary malignant tumor of the gallbladder and liver: a case report.

We report a case of synchronous double primary tumor of gallbladder and liver. A 63-year-old male was admitted to the hospital complaining of abdominal discomfort. Enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed acute cholecystitis with tiny gallbladder stones and a 2.

Cavo-caval intervention stent insertion after deceased-donor liver transplantation using side-to-side piggyback technique: report of a case.

Liver transplantation with preservation of the recipient vena cava (piggyback technique) has been performed as an alternative to the conventional method. Outflow disturbance or obstruction of the vena cava in the early period after liver transplantation is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We used side-to-side cavo-caval anastomosis (modified piggyback technique) in a deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) for venous outflow reconstruction.

Totally laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using ventral hilum exposure (VHE) for intrahepatic bile duct stone.

The unique technique of ventral hilum exposure (VHE) was reported that it had excellent surgical outcomes in patients with intrahepatic bile duct stone. The basis of this surgical technique is that all the openings of the 2nd-order bile duct branches are exposed fully. In this article, we describe laparoscopic hemihepatectomy from using the VHE method in a patient with intrahepatic bile duct stone.

Imaging findings of primary well-differentiated liposarcoma of the liver: a case report.

Primary liposarcoma of the liver is extremely rare. We report here on a case of primary well-differentiated liposarcoma in the left hepatic lobe of a 63-year-old woman. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a well-defined, echogenic, round mass.

Feasibility assessment for tailoring preservation of segment VIII hepatic vein during left liver graft procurement.

Background/aims: Procurement of left lobe (LL) graft occasionally induces large-sized hepatic venous congestion (HVC) at the remnant right liver. Isolated preservation of segment VIII vein (V8) could reduce this HVC, but it has been applied to only a small number of living donor operations to date.

Methodology: We investigated the indication of tailoring V8 preservation through the anatomical analyses and computer simulation in a large-volume donor pool.

Tailoring transection of segment V vein for optimal sharing of middle hepatic vein in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation.

Background/aims: Separate reconstruction of multiple V5s (segment V hepatic vein) often resulted in incomplete resolution of hepatic venous congestion (HVC) in the right lobe (RL) grafts. This study intended to obtain single large V5 orifice suitable for middle hepatic vein (MHV) reconstruction.

Methodology: We tried tailoring V5 transection in 3 of 39 RL donors, in whom MHV anatomy would reveal multiple sizable V5 orifices along the classical transection plane.

Lessons learned from 1,000 living donor liver transplantations in a single center: how to make living donations safe.

Serious complications have occurred in a considerable proportion of living donors of liver transplants, but data from a single high-volume center has rarely been available. We analyzed the medical records of donors and recipients of the first 1,000 living donor liver transplants, performed at Asan Medical Center from December 1994 to June 2005, with a focus on donor safety. There were 107 pediatric and 893 adult transplants.

Long-term incidence, risk factors, and management of biliary complications after adult living donor liver transplantation.

A considerable proportion of adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients experience biliary complication (BC), but there are few reports regarding BC based on long-term studies of a large LDLT population. The present study examined BC incidence, risk factors and management using single-center data from 259 adult patients (225 right liver and 34 left liver grafts) between 2000 and 2002. The mean follow-up period was 46 +/- 14 months.