Nanoscale Helical Optical Force for Determining Crystal Chirality.

The deterministic control of material chirality has been a sought-after goal. As light possesses intrinsic chirality, light-matter interactions offer promising avenues for achieving non-contact, enantioselective optical induction, assembly, or sorting of chiral entities. However, experimental validations are confined to the microscale due to the limited strength of asymmetrical interactions within sub-diffraction limit ranges.

Enantioselective control in chiral crystallization of ethylenediamine sulfate using optical trapping with circularly polarized laser beams.

In this study, we conducted successful experiments on ethylenediamine sulfate (EDS), an organic compound, to investigate its enantioselectivity in chiral crystallization. We employed optical trapping with circularly polarized laser beams, using a continuous wave laser at 1064 nm. By focusing the laser at the air-solution interface of a heavy water-saturated EDS solution, the formation of sub-micrometer-sized chiral EDS crystals was verified.

Investigating the role of undercoordinated Pt sites at the surface of layered PtTe for methanol decomposition.

Transition metal dichalcogenides, by virtue of their two-dimensional structures, could provide the largest active surface for reactions with minimal materials consumed, which has long been pursued in the design of ideal catalysts. Nevertheless, their structurally perfect basal planes are typically inert; their surface defects, such as under-coordinated atoms at the surfaces or edges, can instead serve as catalytically active centers. Here we show a reaction probability > 90 % for adsorbed methanol (CHOH) on under-coordinated Pt sites at surface Te vacancies, produced with Ar bombardment, on layered PtTe - approximately 60 % of the methanol decompose to surface intermediates CHO (x = 2, 3) and 35 % to CH (x = 1, 2), and an ultimate production of gaseous molecular hydrogen, methane, water and formaldehyde.

Rapid skin biomarker discovery using hydrogel-phase sampling followed by semi-automated liquid-phase re-extraction high-resolution mass spectrometry.

A facile and rapid skin metabolomics protocol is proposed. The liquid microjunction-surface sampling probe system has been partly automated, and used in conjunction with hydrogel probes for skin metabolite analysis. A control device was built to precisely control the segmented solvent flow and analyte re-extraction into the liquid microjunction.

Factors associated with positive aspects of caregiving experiences among family caregivers of persons living with dementia in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study.

This study examined the associated factors of positive aspects of caregiving experience among family caregivers of persons living with dementia in Taiwan. This cross-sectional correlational study recruited dyads of primary family caregivers of persons living with dementia by convenience sampling from dementia care centers in northern Taiwan from September 9, 2020, to June 20, 2021. A total of 100 dyads who met inclusions criteria agreed to participate in the study.

Exploring Google Translate-friendly strategies for optimizing the quality of Google Translate in academic writing contexts.

The present study explored the types of errors found in Google Translate (GT) Chinese-to-English translations and, based on those error types, proposes strategies for optimizing the performance of GT. Seven abstracts written in both Chinese and English from seven articles published in in 2017 were selected as the materials. The researchers compared the GT translations to the English abstracts written by the original author(s) and analyzed the problems in the translations.

Widen the Applicability of a Convolutional Neural-Network-Assisted Glaucoma Detection Algorithm of Limited Training Images across Different Datasets.

Automated glaucoma detection using deep learning may increase the diagnostic rate of glaucoma to prevent blindness, but generalizable models are currently unavailable despite the use of huge training datasets. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier trained with a limited number of high-quality fundus images in detecting glaucoma and methods to improve its performance across different datasets. A CNN classifier was constructed using EfficientNet B3 and 944 images collected from one medical center (core model) and externally validated using three datasets.

Fine Tuning Alkyl Substituents on Dithienoquinoxaline-Based Wide-Bandgap Polymer Donors for Organic Photovoltaics.

The molecular design of wide-bandgap conjugated polymer donors (WB-CPDs) is a promising strategy for tuning the bulk heterojunction blend film morphologies to achieve high-performance organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Herein, we synthesize two WB-CPDs, namely, PBQ-H and PBQ-M, with and without methyl groups on the fused-dithieno[3,2-:2',3'-]quinoxaline (DTQx) moiety. We systematically investigate their structure-property relationship and OPV performances.

UV/chlorinated cyanurates as an emerging advanced oxidation process for drinking water and potable reuse treatments.

Chlorinated cyanurates, prepared by application of hypochlorite to cyanuric acid at different ratios, have been commonly employed for disinfection. Combining UV with chlorinated cyanurates (UV/Cl-cyanurates) can be a novel and effective advanced oxidation process (AOP) because (1) Cl-cyanurates structurally resemble chlorinated amides that feature low reactivity with radicals, and (2) Cl-cyanurates, which bear multiple -Cl, may exhibit high molar absorptivity at 254 nm due to red-shifting absorption. Those chemiphysical properties of Cl-cyanurates may facilitate oxidant photolysis rate and lower radical scavenging rates in an AOP, thereby increasing steady-state concentrations of radicals.

Photolysis of Chlorine Dioxide under UVA Irradiation: Radical Formation, Application in Treating Micropollutants, Formation of Disinfection Byproducts, and Toxicity under Scenarios Relevant to Potable Reuse and Drinking Water.

Conversion of potable reuse water utilities and drinking water utilities from a low-pressure UV/HO (LPUV/HO) advanced oxidation process (AOP) to alternative AOPs in which oxidants can effectively absorb photons and rapidly generate radicals has attracted great interest. Herein, we propose a novel UVA/ClO AOP for different water treatment scenarios because of reduced photon absorption by the background matrix and high molar absorptivity for ClO at UVA wavelengths. While the photolysis of ClO produces Cl + O or ClO + O(P) via distinct product channels, we determined the parameters needed to accurately model the loss of oxidants and the formation of byproducts and combined a kinetic model with experimental data to determine quantum yields (Φ).

The Relationships Among Maternal Meta-emotion Philosophy, Maternal Video-Mediated Cognitions, and Adolescent Behavior Adjustment in Taiwan.

This study examines the relationships among maternal meta-emotion philosophy, maternal video-mediated cognitions, and adolescent behavior adjustment. We adopt video-mediated recall methods to obtain mothers' perceptions of their interaction with their children. In total, 121 pairs of mothers (age, M = 42.

Simultaneous Improvement of Efficiency and Stability of Organic Photovoltaic Cells by using a Cross-Linkable Fullerene Derivative.

Improving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and stability are two main tasks for organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. In the past few years, although the PCE of the OPV cells has been considerably improved, the research on device stability is limited. Herein, a cross-linkable material, cross-linked [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric styryl dendron ester (c-PCBSD), is applied as an interfacial modification layer on the surface of zinc oxide and as the third component into the PBDB-TF:Y6-based OPV cells to enhance photovoltaic performance and long-term stability.

Adaptive molecular quaternary clips made with pyrene functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane.

Evolving synthetic molecules toward complex structures is a major goal in supramolecular chemistry. Increasing the number of clips in a unimolecular multi-clip (UMC), although vital to elevate the complexity of supramolecular architectures, often prevents the UMC from forming host-guest complexes in the bulk phase. To overcome this difficulty, adaptive chemistry was applied to develop a novel adaptive unimolecular quaternary clip (Q-clip).

Removal of an abluminal lining improves decellularization of human umbilical arteries.

The decellularization of long segments of tubular tissues such as blood vessels may be improved by perfusing decellularization solution into their lumen. Particularly, transmural flow that may be introduced by the perfusion, if any, is beneficial to removing immunogenic cellular components in the vessel wall. When human umbilical arteries (HUAs) were perfused at a transmural pressure, however, very little transmural flow was observed.

Assessment and determinants of global outcomes among 445 mass-casualty burn survivors: A 2-year retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

Purpose: To study outcomes among survivors of the mass-casualty powder explosion on 27 June 2015, at Formosa Fun Coast Waterpark, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Methods: Using retrospective data on Taiwanese survivors, we analyzed prehospital management, burns assessment and prognosis, functional recovery, and medical costs, followed-up through 30 June 2017. We related outcomes to burn extent, categorized according to the percentages of total body surface area with second/third-degree burns (%TBSA) or autologous split-thickness skin grafts (%STSG), and an investigational scale: f{SASG} = (%TBSA + %STSG)/2, stratified by %STSG.

Evaluating people's concern about their health information privacy based on power-responsibility equilibrium model: A case of Taiwan.

To address the issue of rising expenditure of healthcare service and to fulfill the skyrocketing demand for quality healthcare, the electronic medical records (EMR) exchange has become a vital and indispensable solution for healthcare facilities in terms of being able to share medical information among healthcare providers. Hence, EMR exchange was expected to improve the quality of healthcare and reduce the cost of repetitive medical check-ups and unnecessary treatments. However, recent reports affirming EMR data leaks and compromises have ignited major worldwide privacy concerns over the security of the EMR systems.

Progress in Polymeric Nano-Medicines for Theranostic Cancer Treatment.

Cancer is a life-threatening disease killing millions of people globally. Among various medical treatments, nano-medicines are gaining importance continuously. Many nanocarriers have been developed for treatment, but polymerically-based ones are acquiring importance due to their targeting capabilities, biodegradability, biocompatibility, capacity for drug loading and long blood circulation time.

Novel Siloxane-Modified Epoxy Resins as Promising Encapsulant for LEDs.

This study investigated a new category of transparent encapsulant materials for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It comprised a phenyl group that contained siloxane-modified epoxy (SEP-Ph) hybridized with a cyclic tetrafunctional siloxane-modified epoxy (SEP-D4) with methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) as a curing agent. The SEP-Ph/SEP-D4 = 0.

Automation of mass spectrometric detection of analytes and related workflows: A review.

The developments in mass spectrometry (MS) in the past few decades reveal the power and versatility of this technology. MS methods are utilized in routine analyses as well as research activities involving a broad range of analytes (elements and molecules) and countless matrices. However, manual MS analysis is gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Oxidative steam reforming of ethanol over M La CeRuO (M = Mg, Ca) catalysts: effect of alkaline earth metal substitution and support on stability and activity.

Alkaline earth metal substitutions on the A-site of pyrochlore oxide M La CeRuO (M = Mg, Ca) were studied as catalyst materials for oxidative/autothermal steam reforming of ethanol (OSRE/ATR). The as-prepared oxides were synthesized by a combustion method and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy (XPS and XAS). PXRD Rietveld analysis and elemental analysis (ICP-AES) support the formation of a pyrochlore-type structure (space group 3̄) with a distorted coordination environment.

Highly Transparent and Surface-Plasmon-Enhanced Visible-Photodetector Based on Zinc Oxide Thin-Film Transistors with Heterojunction Structure.

Highly transparent zinc oxide (ZnO)-based thin-film transistors (TFTs) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capable of detecting visible light were fabricated through spray pyrolysis on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate. The spray-deposited channel layer of ZnO had a thickness of approximately 15 nm, and the thickness exhibited a linear increase with an increasing number of sprays. Furthermore, the ZnO thin-film exhibited a markedly smoother channel layer with a significantly lower surface roughness of 1.

Correcting long-range electrostatics in DFTB.

We demonstrate that the atom-based charge model implemented in the current versions of the density functional tight binding (DFTB) method fails to reproduce the correct charge distribution of a range of systems, including homonuclear molecules, graphene, and nanotubes, resulting in serious distortions in the electrostatic interactions for such systems caused by the missing quadrupole moments. In particular, this failure seriously impacts the long- and medium-range interaction energies of the DFTB plus dispersion (DFTB-D) model, leading to incorrect predictions of translational or rotational barriers in such systems. We show explicitly on examples of H and N that correct quadrupole moments-and consequently correct electrostatic interactions-can be restored in such systems by adding additional bond (ghost) sites to the homonuclear molecules.

Automation of fizzy extraction enabled by inexpensive open-source modules.

The implementation of most instrumental analysis methods requires a considerable amount of human effort at every step, including sample preparation, detection, and data processing. Automated analytical workflows decrease the amount of required work. However, commercial automated platforms are mainly available for well-established sample processing methods.

NO gas sensor based on ZnGaO epilayer grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition.

A gas sensor based on a ZnGaO(ZGO) thin film grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition operated under the different temperature from 25 °C to 300 °C is investigated in this study. This sensor shows great sensing properties at 300 °C. The sensitivity of this sensor is 22.