Improving the p-Type CuCrO Thin Film's Electrical and Optical Properties.

In this research, we studied the functional properties of CuCrO, which is the most promising p-type transparent conductive oxide (TCO). The thin films were fabricated using a spin coating technique. The diffraction patterns were obtained with the help of X-ray diffractions, and the optical properties of absorption characteristics were studied using UV-visible absorption.

Fabrication of CuYO Nanofibers by Electrospinning and Applied to Hydrogen Harvest.

Hydrogen can be employed as an alternative renewable energy source in response to climate change, global warming, and the energy problem. Methanol gas steam reforming (SRM) is the major method used in industry to produce hydrogen. In the SRM process, the catalyst nature offers benefits such as low cost, simplicity, and quickness.

Modification of Electrospun CeO Nanofibers with CuCrO Particles Applied to Hydrogen Harvest from Steam Reforming of Methanol.

Hydrogen is the alternative renewable energy source for addressing the energy crisis, global warming, and climate change. Hydrogen is mostly obtained in the industrial process by steam reforming of natural gas. In the present work, CuCrO particles were attached to the surfaces of electrospun CeO nanofibers to form CeO-CuCrO nanofibers.

Investigation of T site variation in spinel aluminates TAl2O4 (T= Mg, Zn & Cu), and formation of electrocatalyst CuAl2O4/carbon for efficient sensing application.

Spinel structured aluminates TAlO (T = Mg, Zn, and Cu) were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The resultant enhancement in the electrochemical behavior was achieved due to the covalent synergism among the elements coexisting together. Structural and morphological characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy.

Assessment of image quality and dose in contrast-enhanced head and neck CT angiography of New Zealand rabbit.

Background: Although computed tomography (CT) is a powerful diagnostic imaging modality for diagnosing vascular diseases, it is some what risky to human health due to the high radiation dosage. Thus, CT vendors have developed low dose computed tomography (LDCT) aiming to solve this problem. Nowadays, LDCT has gradually become a main stream of CT examination.

Longitudinal investigation of ischemic stroke using magnetic resonance imaging: Animal model.

Background: Arterial embolism is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Currently, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard in clinical arterial embolization examinations. However, it is invasive and risky.

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of carbogen challenge on awake rabbit brain at 1.5T.

Background: Anesthesia may alter the cellular components contributing to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensities. Developing awake animal models to evaluate cerebral function has grown in importance.

Objective: To investigate a noninvasive strategy for dynamic MRI (dMRI) of awake rabbits during carbogen challenge.

Effects of Homocysteine on white matter diffusion parameters in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The clinical features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are related to brain network degeneration, and hyperhomocysteinemia is related to greater white matter hyperintensities. We investigated the changes in four diffusion tensor imaging parameters in the white matter of patients with early stage AD, examined their associations with homocysteine level, and tested the clinical significance of the diffusion tensor imaging parameters and homocysteine level in correlation analysis with cognitive test scores.

Methods: We enrolled 132 patients with AD and analyzed white matter (WM) macrostructural changes using diffusion tensor neuroimaging parameters including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusion (MD), axial diffusivity (axial-D) and radial diffusivity (RD).

Synthesis of (±)-Aphanorphine Using Rh-Catalyzed Cyclohydrocarbonylation.

A facile formal synthesis to aphanorphine and its analogue is described, featuring Rh-catalyzed cyclohydrocarbonylation of 2-aminodihydronaphthalene to the bridged benzazepine core. Subsequent introduction of the methyl group and functional group transformation complete the synthesis of aphanorphine and its analogue over eight steps.

Effectiveness of a Tailored Anterior Saturation Band in the Improvement of the Image Quality of Pelvic Magnetic Resonance for Assessing Rectal Cancer.

Purpose: We sought to test the effectiveness of the application of a tailored anterior saturation band (ASB) to improve the image quality of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing rectal cancer.

Methods: A total of 165 patients with MRI assessment of rectal cancer between 2013 and 2015 were included. The image quality scores (4-point scale: 1, nondiagnostic through 4, excellent) of MRI without and with tailored ASBs were compared.

Noninvasive Shock Wave Treatment for Capsular Contractures After Breast Augmentation: A Rabbit Study.

Background: Capsular contracture is the most common complication of breast augmentation. Although numerous procedures are intended to prevent capsular contracture, their efficacy does not satisfy surgeons or patients. In the present study, we used shock waves to develop innovative protocols to treat capsular contracture in rabbits.

Hybrid Energy Harvester Consisting of Piezoelectric Fibers with Largely Enhanced 20 V for Wearable and Muscle-Driven Applications.

We present a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanogenerator (NG) with advantages of direct writing and in situ poling via near-field electrospinning (NFES), which is completely location addressable and substrate independent. The maximum output voltage reached 20 V from the three layers piled NGs with serial connections, and the maximum output current can exceed 390 nA with the parallel integration setup. Linear superposition and switching polarity of current and voltage tests were validated by the authentic piezoelectric output.

The Impact of Flip Angle and TR on the Enhancement Ratio of Dynamic Gadobutrol-enhanced MR Imaging: In Vivo VX2 Tumor Model and Computer Simulation.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is widely used to diagnose cancer and monitor therapy. The maximum enhancement ratio (ERmax) obtained from the curve of signal intensity over time could be a biomarker to distinguish cancer from normal tissue or benign tumors. We evaluated the impact of flip angle (FA) and repetition time (TR) on the ERmax values of dynamic gadobutrol-enhanced MR imaging, obtaining T1-weighted (T1W) MR imaging of VX2 tumors using 2-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo (2D FSPGR) with various FAs (30°, 60° and 90°) at 1.

Does low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment repair articular cartilage injury? A rabbit model study.

Background: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) regiment has been used to treat fractures with non-union and to promote bone union in general. The effect of LIPUS on articular cartilage metabolism has been characterized. Yet, the effect of LIPUS to repair articular cartilage injury remains unclear in vivo.

Preliminary study of non-invasive shock wave treatment of capsular contracture after breast implant: animal model.

The incidence rate of capsular contracture after breast implant is about 8% to 12%. Patients would feel extremely uncomfortable after scar formation. Administering oral medications (such as vitamin E and Zafirlukast tablets, etc.

Quantifying liver cirrhosis by extracting significant features from MRI T2 image.

Most patients with liver cirrhosis must undergo a series of clinical examinations, including ultrasound imaging, liver biopsy, and blood tests. However, the quantification of liver cirrhosis by extracting significant features from a T2-weighted magnetic resonance image (MRI) provides useful diagnostic information in clinical tests. Sixty-two subjects were randomly selected to participate in this retrospective analysis with assigned to experimental and control groups.

Color separation system with angularly positioned light source module for pixelized backlighting.

A color-separation system that angularly positions color LEDs to produce color separation and a lens array to focus this light onto the pixels is proposed. The LED rays from different incident angles are mapped into corresponding sub-pixel positions to efficiently display color image, which can be used to replace the absorbing color filter in the conventional liquid crystal layer. In this paper, the prototype backlight has been designed, fabricated and characterized.

The Characterization and Imaging Behavior of a New Developed Paramagnetic Contrast Agent NMG2[Gd(TTDA-BOM)].

[Gd(TTDA-BOM)]is a newly developed paramagnetic contrast agent.The ligand,TTDA-BOM,bears a benzyloxymethyl group so that the lipophilicity is increased. The water exchange rate for [Gd(TTDA-BOM)]is significantly higher than that of [Gd(DTPA)]and [Gd(BOPTA)].