An exploration of the solution of direct methanol fuel cell cost effectiveness.

The work in this paper incorporated printed circuit board (PCB) technology into micro-direct methanol fuel cells (µDMFCs) and conjectured and verified the performance degradation factors of PCB current collectors in µDMFCs by testing different designed configuration µDMFCs. The experiment results showed that all kinds of PCB coating can benefit from the porous stainless-steel plates covering to a great extent. At the end of 48 h discharging, µDMFCs with porous stainless-steel plates between MEA and PCB coating achieved higher performance than those of the direct contacting series.

The Roles of Electronic Health Records for Clinical Trials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Scoping Review.

Background: Clinical trials are a crucial element in advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments by establishing the evidence base for safety and therapeutic efficacy. However, the success of these trials depends on various factors, including trial design, project planning, research staff training, and adequate sample size. It is also crucial to recruit participants efficiently and retain them throughout the trial to ensure timely completion.

Cost-Effectiveness of Population Screening Programs for Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Almost all low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have instated a program to control and manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Population screening is an integral component of this strategy and requires a substantial chunk of investment. Therefore, testing the screening program for economic along with clinical effectiveness is essential.

Flexible or Robust Amorphous Photonic Crystals from Network-Forming Block Copolymers for Sensing Solvent Vapors.

Large-area and flexible amorphous photonic crystals (APCs) featuring interconnected network microstructures are fabricated using high-molecular-weight polystyrene- block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-PMMA) block copolymers. Kinetically controlled microphase separation combining with synergistic weak incompatibility gives rise to short-range-order network microstructures, exhibiting noniridescent optical properties. Solubility-dependent solvatochromism with distinct responses to various organic solvent vapors is observed in the network-forming APC film.

Endothelial Cell Sensitization by Death Receptor Fractions of an Anti-Dengue Nonstructural Protein 1 Antibody Induced Plasma Leakage, Coagulopathy, and Mortality in Mice.

The mechanisms leading to the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) remain elusive. DHF preferentially occurs during secondary dengue infections, suggesting that aberrant immune responses are involved in its development. We previously demonstrated that the autoantibodies elicited by dengue virus (DENV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1; anti-NS1 Igs) induce plasma leakage and mortality in mice with warfarinized anticoagulant suppression.

Effect of different treatment plans on irradiated small-bowel volume in gynecologic patients undergoing whole-pelvic irradiation.

To evaluate the effect of different treatment plans for whole-pelvic irradiation on small-bowel volumes (SBVs) in patients with gynecologic malignancies, 40 patients were enrolled in this study. Computed tomography (CT) simulations were performed, and the small bowel of each patient was outlined manually. Treatment plans with equal-weighted (EW) and non-equal-weighted (NEW) (70% in bilateral directions) techniques of four-field and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were performed.

Patterned fabrication of single ZnO nanorods and measurement of their optoelectrical characteristics.

This work develops a new process of growing well ordered ZnO nanorods in large scale on the Si(111) substrate. Nanosphere lithography (NSL) was adopted to produce a matrix in an extensive area. A pattern with a controlled amount of gold was formed through the nanosphere mask.

Immediate pars plana vitrectomy improves outcome in retained intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features, visual acuity outcomes and the most appropriate intervention time in patients with retained lens fragments managed by pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of the records of 78 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens fragments at the Tri-Service General Hospital from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2006.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 70 years (range, 24-92 years).

Optic disc hemorrhages in a patient with hemophilia A.

To report a hemophilia patient complicated with optic disc hemorrhages. A 13-year-old boy presented to our emergency room with a black shadow in the left eye for 1 day. The best-corrected visual acuity was 6/6 in both eyes.

Long-term corneal retention of trichomes from bamboo shoots.

Purpose: To describe a rare case of corneal injury by trichomes of bamboo shoots.

Methods: A 58-year-old woman rubbed her right eye after touching a bamboo shoot, not knowing that there were many trichomes adherent to her hands. Severe conjunctival congestion and chemosis developed immediately but subsided the next day without visual impairment.

Clinical outcomes of combined sutureless vitrectomy with triamcinolone stain to manage vitreous loss resulting from posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of sutureless pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with intracameral triamcinolone stain in the management of vitreous loss associated with phacoemulsification.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Methods: This retrospective review comprised the charts of 21 patients who had sutureless PPV combined with intracameral triamcinolone stain to manage vitreous loss resulting from posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification.