“
“The measurement of

dielectric spectroscopy over a broad frequency range of 0.01-10(7) Hz has been conducted to examine the segmental motions in poly[3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate] (PHBV) biopolymers. The ac conductivity at either low temperatures or high frequencies is almost temperature independent, indicating clearly that the nearly constant loss (NCL) phenomenon also takes place in polymers. The respective data were analyzed by adding a NCL term to the Jonscher relation. NCL in PHBV is discussed to be originated from the vibrational motion model. PHBV may have potential application as a biodegradable dielectric material. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3125271]“
“Purpose: Fatty liver infiltrations and fatty sparing impair diagnostic performance of grey-scale ultrasonography in differentiating malignant and benign focal liver lesions.

In the study, we present SC79 supplier our experience in diagnosing focal fatty liver infiltrations and focal fatty sparing with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in comparison to grey-scale ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

Material and selleck compound Method: The retrospective study group (n=82 patients), included 44 (53.7%) men, 38 (46.3%) women (aged 29-81 years, mean 55.8 years) with 48 focal fatty liver infiltrations and 34 focal fatty sparing. All patients underwent grey-scale ultrasonography

(US), CEUS using SonoVue (R) and CECT executed within the ON-01910 inhibitor 7 days.

Results: With US, CEUS and CECT focal fatty liver infiltrations were diagnosed in 22, 46 and 44 cases, respectively. The following values were obtained: sensitivity – 45.8%, 95.8% and 91.7%, specificity – 100% for all, accuracy – 95.2%, 99.6% and 99.3%, respectively. Focal fatty sparing was diagnosed in 16, 31 and 30 cases, respectively. The following values were obtained: sensitivity – 47.1%, 91.2% and 88.2%, specificity

– 99.8%, 100% and 100%, accuracy – 95.6%, 99.4% and 99.3%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in sensitivity of diagnosing focal fatty liver infiltrations and focal fatty liver sparing between CEUS and CECT. Sensitivity of grey-scale ultrasonography was significantly lower when compared to those of CEUS and CECT (p<0.001).

Conclusion: CEUS is as sensitive as CECT in focal fatty infiltrations and focal fatty sparing diagnosing. However, CEUS provides more information than CECT about the vasculature and enhancement pattern of focal fatty liver infiltrations.”
“We have investigated the details of phase separation in the electron-doped manganites Sm1-xCaxMnO3 (0.8 <= x <= 0.92) by using temperature dependent x-ray diffraction. The lattice of the low-temperature orthorhombic phase is distorted to various extents according to the strength of the coexisting monoclinic phase. Meanwhile, the room-temperature lattice becomes more distorted due to the increasing Jahn-Teller active Mn3+ ions by Sm3+ doping.

A retrospective chart review of uterine prolapse patients after USH or VH with concomitant procedures as indicated was conducted, analyzing Baden-Walker grading of apex, anterior, and posterior compartments (Kaplan-Meier analysis) Baden et al. (Tex Med 64(5):56-58, 1968).

A total of 200 charts met criteria. USH women weighed less, were younger, and more constipated with larger rectoceles. Levator parameters did not differ Romanzi et al. (Neurourol

Urodyn 18(6):603-612, 1999). Baden-Walker data were entered at recurrence or minimum of 6 months (2.4 months-10 years; median, 1.5 years). All-apex durability was 96.4%, with no difference between hysteropexy and cuff suspension (96.0% vs. 96.8%, p = 0.90), cystocele (86.8% vs. 93.8%, p = 0.31), or rectocele (97.8% vs. 100%, p = 0.16) at 2 years.

In uterine prolapse patients, technically similar selleck chemical uterosacral hysteropexy durability did not differ from find more hysterectomy-based cuff suspension nor between cohorts for cystocele or rectocele.”
“Purpose: The objective of this study was to carry out a comparative evaluation of the mechanical resistance of 2 rigid internal fixation techniques for fractures of the mandibular condyle using miniplates.

Materials and Methods: Fort), polyurethane resin replicas of human hemimandibles were used. The hemimandibles were sectioned to simulate a high subcondylar fracture and then stabilized

with 2 fixing techniques using 2.0-mm system plates and screws. The fixation techniques were 2 separate 4-hole plates with 8 screws, and 2 overlaid 4-hole plates with 4 screws. Each system was submitted to load

tests, with the application of the load in mediolateral and anteroposterior directions in an Instron 4411 universal assay machine (Instron, Norwood, MA).

Results: Load values and peak displacement were measured. Means and standard drug discovery deviations were evaluated by analysis of variance (P < .05) and Tukey tests, in which it was verified that the anteroposterior peak load value was affected by the arrangement of the plates on the models, although no differences were observed between the groups for the mediolateral peak load. The arrangement of the plates did not have any influence on peak displacement. Similarly, the final value of the mediolateral load was not affected by the arrangement of the plates on the model.

Conclusion: The experimental model with 2 separate plates was statistically superior to the model with 2 overlaid plates only in relation to anteroposterior peak load. Despite showing superiority in mediolateral peak load and peak displacement, there was no statistical difference between the groups for these parameters. (C) 2009 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons”
“Background: Dietary salt is related to blood pressure (BP), and cardiovascular disease and increased sodium intakes have been shown to impair vascular function.

A dose-reduction protocol was included for subjects who did not tolerate the 1500-mg dose of NA. A pharmacokinetic substudy was conducted on subjects from the WMER (n = 5) and IHN (n = 5) groups.

RESULTS: WMER demonstrated significant improvements in total cholesterol = -11%, low-density lipoprotein = -18%, high-density lipoprotein = +12%, and non high-density lipoprotein = -15% (P < .001), whereas IHN and placebo showed no significant improvement in lipids. All groups had good medication compliance and treatment tolerance with only one dropout in the WMER group as the result of flushing. Blood chemistries showed small (24%-27%) mean increases

in hepatic transaminases; six subjects completed the study at reduced dosage protocol with good lipid results. Pharmacokinetics demonstrated an

intermediate release and absorption rate for WMER over 6 hours and IHN showed no evidence of bioavailability.

CONCLUSION: this website WMER check details demonstrated good tolerance and efficacy and extended-release kinetics. IHN was well tolerated but was no better than placebo in lipid improvement and showed no evidence of bioavailability. (C) 2013 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved.”
“Background and objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors associated with COPD in a rural setting in the Philippines.

Methods: The study was conducted in two municipalities in Nueva Ecija province in the Philippines. Using the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) protocol and study design, non-hospitalized men or women, aged 40 years or older, were recruited by multi-stage random sampling procedures. Participants completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms and exposure to potential risk factors for COPD, including smoking, occupation and exposure to burning of biomass fuel. Spirometry was performed according to American Thoracic Society criteria.

Results: Of the 1188 individuals selected for recruitment, 722 had acceptable post-bronchodilator spirometry

and were classified according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage. The overall prevalence of COPD for all stages was 20.8%. The prevalence of COPD at GOLD Stage I or higher was greater in men compared with women (26.5% vs 15.3%), and increased between the ages of ERK animal study 40 to >70 years. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between all stages of COPD and farming for >40 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-4.30), use of firewood for cooking for >60 years (OR 3.48, 95% CI: 1.57-7.71), a smoking history of >= 20 pack-years (OR 2.86; 95% CI: 1.78-4.60), and a history of tuberculosis (OR 6.31, 95% CI: 2.67-15.0).

Conclusions: The prevalence COPD in a rural community in Nueva Ecija, Philippines was 20.8% for GOLD Stage I or higher, and 16.7% for GOLD Stage II or higher.

This study explores the receptivity of hospitalized women to inpatient mammography as a novel approach to enhance breast cancer screening.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted Selleck INCB018424 among 210 hospitalized women, aged 50-75 years, admitted to the medicine services at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in early 2012. Unpaired t-test

and Chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics, barriers, and receptivity to inpatient mammography among women adherent and non-adherent to screening guidelines.

Results: One-third of women enrolled were African American, and 60% of study participants reported an annual household income of <$20,000. Thirty-nine percent were overdue for screening, of which, 13% never had a mammogram and 28% were at high risk for breast cancer (Gail score >= 1.7%). The commonly reported barriers to screening mammograms were failure to remember appointments and lack of transportation. Most women (91%)

believed that it is important for healthcare providers to discuss breast cancer screening while patients are in the hospital. Sixty-eight percent of non-adherent women would agree to have an inpatient screening mammogram if it was due and offered.

Conclusions: A significant number of hospitalized women from lower socioeconomic class are at high SNS-032 nmr risk of developing breast cancer and non-adherent to mammographic screening. Inpatient hospital stay may be a feasible time for screening and education to ensure adequate breast care and promote screening among these women.”
“Background: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is increasingly used to measure blood pressure (BP) in research studies. We examined ease of use, comfort, degree of disturbance, reported adverse effects, factors associated with poor tolerability, find more and association of poor tolerability with data acquisition of 24-hour ABPM using the Oscar 2 monitor in the research setting.

Methods: Sixty adults participating in a research study of people with a history of borderline clinic BP reported on their experience with ABPM on two occasions one week apart. Poor tolerability was operationalized as an overall score at or above the

75th percentile using responses to questions adapted from a previously developed questionnaire. In addition to descriptive statistics (means for responses to Likert-scaled “”0 to 10″” questions and proportions for Yes/No questions), we examined reproducibility of poor tolerability as well as associations with poor tolerability and whether poor tolerability was associated with removal of the monitor or inadequate number of BP measurements.

Results: The mean ambulatory BP of participants by an initial ABPM session was 148/87 mm Hg. After wearing the monitor the first time, the degree to which the monitor was felt to be cumbersome ranged from a mean of 3.0 to 3.8, depending on whether at work, home, driving, or other times. The most bother was interference with normal sleeping pattern (mean 4.2).

However, samples with intercalate state from XRD presented very well dispersed multilayer stacks about 10 nm thick. Finally, those samples with both collapsed and intercalate morphologies presented tactoid and immiscible structures together with well dispersed multilayer stacks in the corresponding HR-TEM images. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1278-1286, 2009″
“Objectives: Ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access (USG-PIVA) presents many advantages over CP-868596 solubility dmso the reference blind technique in both adults and children in emergency situations. Aim: To compare USG-PIVA with the blind technique in

children < 3 years undergoing general anesthesia. Methods: After obtaining the approval of the ethics committee and informed consent from the parents, we included all children < 3 years scheduled to undergo general anesthesia [ surgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], who presented difficult venous access. The children were randomized into two groups: the US group (USG-PIVA) and the B group (blind). The primary endpoint was time to cannulation (from tourniquet placement to successful IV cannulation), compared between USG-PIVA group and B group by Androgen Receptor Antagonists high throughput screening intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary outcomes were success rate at the first

puncture, number of punctures, and diameter of the catheters. Cannulations requiring > 15 min were considered as failures. In case of failure in group B, USG-PIVA was attempted for a further 15 min. Results: Twenty children were included in each group. Groups were comparable for sex, age, and BMI. Significant differences were observed in median time to cannulation (63.5 s vs 420.5 s, USG-PIVA vs B respectively, P < 0.001); median number of punctures (1 vs 2.5, USG-PIVA vs B, P = 0.004); and success rate at first cannulation (85% vs 35%, USGPIVA vs B, P = 0.0012). In contrast, ON-01910 solubility dmso overall success rate

did not differ significantly between groups (90% vs 85%, USG-PIVA vs B, P = 0.63). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access leads to faster peripheral IV access and should therefore be recommended in children presenting with difficult venous access.”
“Gluten enteropathy or celiac disease (CD) is treated by strict adherence to gluten-free diet for life. Trace amounts of wheat in food from farm to table manifests as a major risk to these individuals. A qualitative polymerase chain reaction method was developed by selectively amplifying a 135 bp fragment of the glutenin gene to detect wheat DNA in a plethora of raw and heat processed foods. The limit of detection was 21.5 pg of DNA. The absence of amplification in other cereals such as oat, rye, barley and maize renders this method exclusive for detection of wheat.

MDA, taurine, cysteine, arginine, ADMA, and SDMA were Selleckchem Cilengitide not different. CS decreased global DNA methylation more in women and increased the platelet, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts and the homocysteine, arginine, and ADMA levels only in women, whereas increased the neutrophil and eosinophil counts only in men. Additionally, CS reduced the sex-gender differences in total bilirubin, basal and LPS-induced TNF-alpha release,

total glutathione, and glutamylcysteine, leaving unchanged cysteinylglycine, taurine, SDMA, MDA, and cysteine. These data suggest that cardiovascular risk factors seem to come earlier in young healthy female smokers than in young healthy male smokers, supporting the greater alarmism regarding the effects of CS in women and providing a basis for understanding the sex-gender differences. These results also suggest that cessation programs targeting women are needed.”
“Recently, a relationship between recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphisms has been proposed. In order to investigate the real association between Apo E polymorphisms and RPL, our meta-analysis was carried out.

We estimated the association with RPL risk under dominant and recessive

models, in combination with the OR and RR with a 95 VX-770 % confidence interval (CI), which was used to assess the association between RPL and Apo E polymorphisms.

According to our criterion, there were 6 studies included. The dominant model used the E4/E3 group and the OR was 1.919 (95 %CI: 1.016-3.625, I-2 = 53.8 %), the RR was 1.308 (95 %Cl: 1.071-1.598) suggesting that carriers of the E4 allele would have a higher risk of causing spontaneous miscarriages. In addition, the OR was 0.727 (95 %CI: 0.566-0.932, I-2 = 0.0 %) and RR was 0.923 (95 %CI: 0.867-0.982) in a fixed model for E3/E3 homozygotes versus other genotypes, suggesting that the Apo E3

polymorphism AZD5582 mouse could be a protective factor. The OR was 1.365 (95 % CI: 1.029-1.811, I-2 = 0 .0 %) in a fixed model comparing the E2 allele with the E3 allele, suggesting that Apo E2 polymorphisms may contribute to RPL as a risk factor. Furthermore, after conducting sensitivity analysis in the E4/E3 group, the results showed this to be consistent and the OR was 2.249 (95 %CI: 1.474-3.431).

There is a close association between RPL and Apo E gene polymorphisms. For RPL, the Apo E4 polymorphism could be a risk factor, the Apo E3 polymorphism may be a protective factor and the Apo E2 polymorphism may be another potential risk factor.”
“A 45-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a solitary pruritic nodule on the abdomen that suddenly appeared 3 weeks before. She was healthy without a significant medical history, travel history, exposures, medications, or pets. She reported that she consumed sushi at least weekly in the city of San Francisco. A punch biopsy revealed a superficial and deep perivascular and interstitial infiltrates consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and many eosinophils.

Methods: Anti-oxidant activities were tested by measuring free radical scavenging activity (DPPH, NO) and lipid peroxidation levels. The mechanism of anti-oxidant action of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli extract was determined by Western blot analysis for iNOS

and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Results: Pericarpium Zanthoxyli extract contained anti-oxidant components including phenolics (2.456 mg/g), flavonoids (0.127 mg/g) and anthocyanins (20.34 mg/g). The extract exerted significant radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. It Staurosporine ic50 also inhibited lipid peroxidation and exerted dramatic reducing power (28.9-fold compared with control at a concentration of 1 mg/ml). Production of iNOS induced by LPS was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by the extract, suggesting that the extract inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production by suppressing iNOS expression. Strikingly, COX-2 induced by LPS was also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by the extract.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the methanol extract of Pericarpium Zanthoxyli exerts significant anti-oxidant activity via inhibiting free radicals, iNOS and lipid peroxidation as well as by inhibition of COX-2 enzyme.”
“Objective: The purpose of this Selonsertib in vivo meta-analysis is to compare clinical outcomes between endovascular treatment and conservative treatment for cervicocranial artery dissection. Methods: Medline,

Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies comparing endovascular treatment versus conservative treatment for cervicocranial artery dissection patients. The period searched

was from November 1994 to March 2013. Fifteen observational studies involving 442 cervicocranial artery dissection patients were found. Evaluated outcomes included rate selleck chemicals of mortality, disability, and good recovery. The rebleeding rate in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients was also recorded and compared. Results: In general, patients who received endovascular treatment enjoyed a lower mortality rate than those who received conservative treatment (P = .02, odds ratio [OR]:.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]:.27-.90), especially patients having ruptured cervicocranial artery dissection (P = .002, OR: .32, 95% CI .15-.66) and dissecting aneurysms (P = .006, OR: .31, 95% CI .14-.71). Among SAH patients with a Hunt-Hess score of 3 or more, endovascular treatment decreased mortality significantly (P = .006, OR: .22, 95% CI .08-.65), whereas no significant differences between these 2 treatments occurred in patients having a Hunt-Hess score less than 3. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment yields a better outcome, with greater benefit in patients with ruptured cervicocranial artery dissection, dissecting aneurysms, and a Hunt-Hess score of 3 or more. Randomized controlled trials comparing these 2 therapeutic strategies are needed.

We assessed the effect of these guidelines on antibiotic use associated with AOM in an Israeli health maintenance organization.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective Cell Cycle inhibitor study of pharmacy purchasing and physician visit data between the years 2002 and 2007. The study population included children aged 6 months to 5 years who were diagnosed with a first episode of AOM and had not been treated with antibiotics within the proceeding month. For each calendar year data we analyzed the following: (1)

annual incidence of first episode of AOM, (2) rate of antibiotic treatment, and (3) rate of topical treatment for pain relief. Comparisons were made among the years for the total population and for age groups 0.5 to

1, 1 to 2, and 2 to 5 years.

Results: The eligible study population ranged from 154,961 children in 2002 to 158,971 in 2007. Between 2002 and 2004, the rate of antibiotic treatment for first documented AOM increased from 53% to 61% in children aged 6 months to 1 year, 56% to 63% among children aged 1 to 2 years, and 51% to 56% of children aged 2 to 5 years (P < 0.001). Between 2004 and 2007, treatment rates decreased from 61% to 54%, 63% to 54%, and 56% to 47%, respectively (P < 0.001). Proportions of cases treated exclusively with topical therapy increased between 2004 and 2007 from 5% to 9%, 4% to 8%, and 8 to 14% for the respective categories (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Implementation of the delayed antibiotic

treatment approach selleck compound was associated with a significant reduction in use of antibiotics associated with first documented AOM in children aged 6 months to 5 years, reversing an upward trend that occurred previously.”
“Fe-x(CoNi)(1-x) (x = 0.14, 0.20, 0.25) ternary alloy nanoparticles were fabricated by a self-catalyzed reduction method CDK inhibitor at a low temperature. The investigation of static magnetic properties revealed both saturation magnetization and coercive force enhanced with increasing Fe content. By dispersing alloy nanoparticles into paraffin matrix homogeneously, the electromagnetic properties of them were investigated experimentally and the electromagnetic absorption performances were calculated according to transmission line theory. Significant dielectric relaxation was found in the low Fe content sample, which is dominant in dielectric loss. The magnetic loss was attributed to natural resonance and the resonance peaks’ shift to high frequency region with increasing Fe content. The enhanced electromagnetic absorption performances were obtained by adjusting Fe content to balance electromagnetic parameters, because the electromagnetic parameters can be varied by structural and magnetic properties. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3556762]“
“Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection occurs in patients who fail to mount an effective T-cell response against the virus.

We propose a new mathematical representation of surfaces, called-maps, such Elacridar that L(2) distances between such maps are invariant to re-parameterizations.

This property allows for removing the parameterization variability by optimizing over the re-parameterization group, resulting in a proper parameterization-invariant distance between shapes of surfaces. We demonstrate this method in shape analysis of multiple brain structures, for 34 subjects in the Detroit Fetal Alcohol and Drug Exposure Cohort study, which results in a 91% classification rate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cases and controls. This method outperforms some existing techniques such as spherical harmonic point distribution model (SPHARM-PDM) or iterative closest point (ICP).”
“Tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy is a life-threatening situation. However, it is difficult to predict postoperative tracheal obstruction with certainty.

A case of a 74-year-old woman with a long-standing adenomatous goiter (98 g) is reported. She had undergone partial right lobe thyroidectomy 54 years earlier. After total thyroidectomy, she was reintubated and required a tracheostomy because of tracheomalacia. The right residual thyroid tumor weighed only 5 g, but it extended to the retrotracheal space. Because the right lobe had stretched the membranous wall of the trachea over a long period of time, the tracheal lumen was thought to have collapsed because of loss of the foundation of the tracheal buy KPT-8602 cartilage (the residual right lobe) along with the supportive surrounding

tissue (the left lobe) after surgery. The present case suggests that the occurrence of tracheomalacia could be attributed to reoperation and retrotracheal extension. Thus far, six preoperative predictive factors for the development of severe postoperative respiratory obstruction have been reported: goiter for more than 5 years, preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, significant tracheal narrowing and/or deviation, retrosternal extension, difficult endotracheal intubation, and thyroid cancer. Two more factors, reoperation and retrotracheal extension of tumor, selleck products may also be risks for airway obstruction after thyroidectomy.”
“To review lumbar epidural drug injection routes in relation to current practice and the reported criteria used for selecting a given approach.

This was a HIPPA-compliant study. Employing a systematic search strategy, the MEDLINE and EMBASE databank as well as the Cochrane Library were searched for studies on epidural drug injections. The following data were noted: access route, level of injection, use of image guidance, and types and doses of injected drugs. Justifications for the use of a particular route were also noted. Data were presented using descriptive statistics.

A total of 1,211 scientific studies were identified, of which 91 were finally included (7.5 %). The interlaminar access route was used in 44 of 91 studies (48.

and STX11 genes were also investigated.

Results: Thirty-two patients (16 male) were evaluated during the 15-year period. The underlying

diseases were acute lymphoblastic ARS-1620 mouse leukemia, systemic lupus etythematosus, natural killer malignancy, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated HLH was present in 12 patients, 6 of whom died, while 12 of 20 non-EBV-associated patients died despite aggressive polychemotherapy. Extreme immunoglobulin values occurred in 3 fatal cases. There was decreasing percentage of CD4(+), CD16(+)56(+), and B-memory cells and increasing CD8(+), activated lymphocyte, and T-memory cells among the patients. Cytotoxicity in 14 patients and intracellular perform expression in 13 were diminished but restored to borderline normal see more range during the convalescent stage. None of the mutations of SH2D1A, PFR1, Mun13-4, and STX11 genes were found.

Conclusions: In the treatment of Taiwanese HLH

patients, aggressive chemotherapy in EBV-associated patients and stem cell transplantation in non-EBV-associated patients are recommended to improve survival. Individualized immune dysregulation instead of the well-known candidate genetic mutations can explain the genetic variation in our cohort.”
“Aluminum (Al)-doped ZnO (AZO) films with embedded Al nanoclusters were proposed and utilized to enhance the light output power and maximum operation current of GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The AZO films were sputtered using ZnO and Al targets in a magnetron cosputtering system. With Al dc power of 7 W and ZnO 100 W ac power, the electron concentration of 4.1×10(20) Akt inhibitor cm(-3), electron mobility of 16.2 cm(2)/V s, and resistivity of 7.2×10(-4) cm were obtained for the deposited AZO film annealed at 600 degrees C for 1 min in a N(2) ambient. As verified by a high resolution transmission electron microscopy, the deposited AZO films with embedded Al nanoclusters were clearly observed. A 35% increase

in light output power of the GaN-based LEDs with Al nanoclusters-embedded AZO films was realized compared with the conventional LEDs operated at 500 mA. It was verified experimentally that the various characteristics of GaN-based LEDs including the antireflection, light scattering, current spreading, and the light extraction efficiency in light emission could be significantly enhanced with the use of Al nanoclusters-embedded AZO films.”
“Purpose Estimate quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) loss due to smoking and examine trends and state differences in smoking-related QALE loss in the U. S.

Methods Population health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were estimated from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This study constructed life tables based on U. S.