Scenario- and discussion-based approach for teaching preclinical medical students the socio-philosophical aspects of psychiatry.

Background: This study used a scenario- and discussion-based approach to teach preclinical medical students the socio-philosophical aspects of psychiatry and qualitatively evaluated the learning outcomes in a medical humanities course in Taiwan.

Methods: The seminar session focused on three hypothetical psychiatry cases. Students discussed the cases in groups and were guided by facilitators from multiple disciplines and professions.

Evaluating shared decision making for dialysis initiation: A qualitative study on patient refusal of long-term dialysis in Taiwan.

Rationale: Previous studies have explored shared decision making (SDM) implementation to determine the renal replacement therapy modality; however, the SDM approach for dialysis initiation, especially when patients refuse physician suggestions for long-term dialysis, remains unclear.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to explore physicians' responses towards patients' refusal of long-term dialysis during the SDM process and the thinking processes of both physicians and patients regarding dialysis refusal.

Method: We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, each of whom refused long-term dialysis after physicians employed the SDM framework, and nine nephrologists at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from March to May 2020.

Flexible high-temperature dielectric materials from polymer nanocomposites.

Dielectric materials, which store energy electrostatically, are ubiquitous in advanced electronics and electric power systems. Compared to their ceramic counterparts, polymer dielectrics have higher breakdown strengths and greater reliability, are scalable, lightweight and can be shaped into intricate configurations, and are therefore an ideal choice for many power electronics, power conditioning, and pulsed power applications. However, polymer dielectrics are limited to relatively low working temperatures, and thus fail to meet the rising demand for electricity under the extreme conditions present in applications such as hybrid and electric vehicles, aerospace power electronics, and underground oil and gas exploration.

Preparation of anti-NYD-SP8 rabbit polyclonal antibody and its application in the analysis of NYD-SP8 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines and clinical tissues.

Aims And Background: NYD-SP8 is a recently identified protein, the biological characteristics of which are still unclear. The aim of this study was to prepare an anti-NYD-SP8 rabbit polyclonal antibody and investigate the expression of NYD-SP8 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines and nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues.

Methods: The anti-NYD-SP8 rabbit polyclonal antibody was prepared and ELISA was performed to assess the antibody titer.

Radicular cyst with actinomycotic infection in an upper anterior tooth.

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by filamentous, branching, Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. It rarely infects the jawbone. This case report describes a patient with a left maxillary central incisor with an apical lesion and actinomycotic infection.

Micro-XRD and temperature-modulated DSC investigation of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments.

Objectives: Employ Micro-X-ray diffraction and temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry to investigate microstructural phases, phase transformations, and effects of heat treatment for rotary nickel-titanium instruments.

Methods: Representative as-received and clinically used ProFile GT and ProTaper instruments were principally studied. Micro-XRD analyses (Cu Kalpha X-rays) were performed at 25 degrees C on areas of approximately 50 microm diameter near the tip and up to 9 mm from the tip.

Horizontal/oblique root fractures in the palatal root of maxillary molars with associated periodontal destruction: case reports.

Aim: To report two cases of palatal root fracture in maxillary molars that were successfully managed in the short term by root canal treatment and root amputation.

Summary: In the first case, a 48-year-old woman with bony destruction and a deep periodontal pocket on the palatal root of tooth 26 (FDI) underwent root canal treatment. Bleeding into the palatal canal and radiolucent lines over the root suggested a fracture.

Application of plasma immersion ion implantation for surface modification of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

By means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), this study set out to investigate the application of plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) for the surface modification of ProTaper NiTi rotary instruments. This study was undertaken because the PIII method was perceived to have the potential of developing into a standard surface modification technique that improves clinical quality and outcome. Specimens received nitrogen ion or nitrogen plus argon ion implantation.

Application of nondestructive testing in cyclic fatigue evaluation of endodontic Ni-Ti rotary instruments.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of nondestructive testing in cyclic fatigue evaluation of endodontic ProFile nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. As-received ProFile instruments were made to rotate freely in sloped metal blocks by a contra-angle handpiece mounted on a testing machine. Rotation was interrupted periodically, and the instrument removed and engaged onto a device to monitor its stiffness by using two strain gauges in four different directions.

Effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the hardness and elastic modulus of human dentin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of hardness and elastic modulus of human dentin after Nd:YAG laser irradiation.

Background Data: The application of Nd:YAG laser in dental hard tissues has been widely studied. However, little information is available about the mechanical properties of teeth after Nd:YAG laser irradiation.

Cyclic fatigue of endodontic nickel titanium rotary instruments: static and dynamic tests.

Endodontic instruments upon rotation are subjected to both tensile and compressive stress in curved canals. This stress is localized at the point of curvature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue of 0.