Fluorescent nanodiamond scintillators for beam diagnostics of EUV and soft X-ray in photolithographic applications.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is a cutting-edge technology in contemporary semiconductor chip manufacturing. Monitoring the EUV beam profiles is critical to ensuring consistent quality and precision in the manufacturing process. This study uncovers the practical use of fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) coated on optical image sensors for profiling EUV and soft X-ray (SXR) radiation beams.

A Wireless Multimodal Physiological Monitoring ASIC for Animal Health Monitoring Injectable Devices.

Utilizing injectable devices for monitoring animal health offers several advantages over traditional wearable devices, including improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhanced immunity to motion artifacts. We present a wireless application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for injectable devices. The ASIC has multiple physiological sensing modalities including body temperature monitoring, electrocardiography (ECG), and photoplethysmography (PPG).

Far-UV spectroscopy of mono- and multilayer hexagonal boron nitrides.

Hexagonal boron nitrides (hBNs) have a very high luminescence efficiency and are promising materials for deep-UV emitters. Although intense deep-UV emissions have been recorded in various forms of hBN excited by photons or energetic electrons, information on the electronic structure of the conduction band has been derived mainly from theoretical works. Therefore, there is a lack of high-resolution absorption data in the far-UV region.

Formation and IR spectrum of monobridged SiH isolated in solid argon.

The infrared (IR) spectrum of monobridged SiH (denoted as mbr-SiH) isolated in solid Ar was recorded, and a set of lines (in the major matrix site) observed at 858.3 cm, 971.5 cm, 999.

Infrared Spectra of the 1-Methylvinoxide Radical and Anion Isolated in Solid Argon.

The 1-methylvinoxy radical (1-MVO) is an important intermediate in the combustion and tropospheric reaction of OH. However, the vibrational structures of this species and its anionic form, 1-methylvinoxide anion (1-MVO), are not fully known. Thus, in this study, we obtained the infrared (IR) absorption spectra of 1-MVO and 1-MVO trapped in a solid Ar matrix.

Direct IR Absorption Spectra of Propargyl Cation Isolated in Solid Argon.

The direct infrared (IR) absorption spectra of propargyl cations were recorded. These cations were generated via the electron bombardment of a propyne/Ar matrix sample during matrix deposition. Secondary photolysis with selected ultraviolet (UV) light was used for grouping the observed bands of various products.

Formation and identification of borane radical anions isolated in solid argon.

The infrared (IR) spectrum of borane(3) anions (BH) isolated in solid Ar was recorded; two vibrational modes were observed at 2259.4 and 606.6 cm, which were assigned to the BH stretching (ν) and out-of-plane large-amplitude (ν) modes, respectively.

UV absorption spectrum of allene radical cations in solid argon.

Electron bombardment during deposition of an Ar matrix containing a small proportion of allene generated allene cations. Further irradiation of the matrix sample at 385 nm destroyed the allene cations and formed propyne cations in solid Ar. Both cations were identified according to previously reported IR absorption bands.

Direct infrared observation of hydrogen chloride anions in solid argon.

To facilitate direct spectroscopic observation of hydrogen chloride anions (HCl), electron bombardment of CHCl diluted in excess Ar during matrix deposition was used to generate this anion. Subsequent characterization were performed by IR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Moreover the band intensity of HCl decays slowly when the matrix sample is maintained in the dark for a prolonged time.

Identification of a Simplest Hypervalent Hydrogen Fluoride Anion in Solid Argon.

Hypervalent molecules are one of the exceptions to the octet rule. Bonding in most hypervalent molecules is well rationalized by the Rundle-Pimentel model (three-center four-electron bond), and high ionic bonding between the ligands and the central atom is essential for stabilizing hypervalent molecules. Here, we produced one of the simplest hypervalent anions, HF, which is known to deviate from the Rundle-Pimentel model, and identified its ro-vibrational features.

Interfacial Solvation and Surface pH of Phenol and Dihydroxybenzene Aqueous Nanoaerosols Unveiled by Aerosol VUV Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Although the significance of aqueous interfaces has been recognized in numerous important fields, it can be even more prominent for nanoscaled aqueous aerosols because of their large surface-to-volume ratios and prevalent existence in nature. Also, considering that organic species are often mixed with aqueous aerosols in nature, a fundamental understanding of the electronic and structural properties of organic species in aqueous nanoaerosols is essential to learn the interplay between water and organic solutes under the nanoscaled size regime. Here, we report for the first time the vacuum ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of phenol and three dihydroxybenzene (DHB) isomers including catechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone in the aqueous nanoaerosol form.

Molecular Basis of the Antioxidant Capability of Glutathione Unraveled via Aerosol VUV Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Glutathione (GSH), the most abundant nonenzymatic antioxidant in living systems, actively scavenges various exogenous/endogenous oxidizing species, defending important biomolecules against oxidative damages. Although it is well established that the antioxidant activity of GSH originates from the cysteinyl thiol (-SH) group, the molecular origin that makes the thiol group of GSH a stronger reducing agent than other thiol-containing proteins is unclear. To gain insights into the molecular basis underlying GSH's superior antioxidant capability, here we report, for the first time, the valence electronic structures of solvated GSH in the aqueous aerosol form via the aerosol vacuum ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy technique.

Photochemistry and infrared spectrum of single-bridged diborane(5) anion isolated in solid argon.

Three-center two-electron bonds are important for understanding electron-deficient molecules. To examine such a molecule, we produced a diborane(5) anion with a single-bridged structure upon electron bombardment during matrix deposition of Ar containing a small proportion of diborane(6). The diborane(5) anion was destroyed upon photolysis at 180, 220, 385, and 450 nm, but not at 532 nm.

Prescription patterns of Chinese herbal products for patients with uterine fibroid in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Uterine fibroid (myoma) is one of the most common diseases in women. Although there are several studies on the efficacy of Chinese herbs, there is a lack of large-scale survey on the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of uterine fibroid. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of Chinese herbal products for patients with uterine fibroid, prescribed by licensed TCM doctors in Taiwan.

Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine use for children with allergic rhinitis: a nationwide population-based study.

Objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disorder in children, some of whom seek complementary treatments, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Little, however, is known about the treatment of pediatric AR with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). To characterize TCM use in pediatric AR, we conducted a nationwide population-based study.

A nationwide population-based study of traditional Chinese medicine usage in children in Taiwan.

Objectives: To characterize the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among pediatric patients.

Design And Setting: This study examined data sets from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Two cohorts, each with one million patients who were randomly sampled from the beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Program from January 1 to December 31 in 2005 or 2010, were chosen for analysis.

A novel model for exploring the correlation between patterns and prescriptions in clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Traditional Chinese medicines in treating systemic lupus erythematosus are not uncommon. However, logic of pattern diagnosis and consensus on treating this disease is lacking. This study aimed to explore the correlation between the pattern diagnosis of and its corresponding prescription in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Traditional Chinese medicine for idiopathic precocious puberty: A hospital-based retrospective observational study.

Objectives: To characterize the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among children with idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP).

Design And Setting: This study examined data sets from patients diagnosed with IPP at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2010 and 2012. The patients were allocated into three groups according their voluntary choice of treatment modalities: TCM users (received TCM treatment only), Western medicine (WM) users (received WM treatment only), and "no treatment" group (received no medical treatment at all).

Characteristics and prescription patterns of traditional Chinese medicine in atopic dermatitis patients: ten-year experiences at a medical center in Taiwan.

Objectives: Complementary and alternative therapies in treating atopic dermatitis are not uncommon. However, substantial evidence and consensus on treating atopic dermatitis is lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Alternative therapy for persistent childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin.

Objective: Presentation of a case illustrating the benefits of traditional Chinese herbal granules for treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children.

Clinical Features: A 4-year-old girl presented with persistent immune thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to the first-line conventional treatment of steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin over 7 months. She was brought to the traditional Chinese medical clinic at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in 2011 for alternative therapy.

Dietary α-lipoic acid prevents UVB-induced corneal and conjunctival degeneration through multiple effects.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of dietary α-lipoic acid (α-LA) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced corneal and conjunctival degeneration in a mouse model.

Methods: Female CBA mice were randomly divided into five study groups, including blank control, UVB without α-LA, and UVB with dietary α-LA at 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg body weight. Following UVB exposure, corneal surfaces were assessed along with immunohistochemistry for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and P63⁺ basal cell distribution.

Assessment of ultraviolet B-blocking effects of weekly disposable contact lenses on corneal surface in a mouse model.

Purpose: Weekly disposable soft contact lenses have been widely used recently, but their shield effects against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation remain to be evaluated. This study investigated the bioprotective effects of several weekly soft contact lenses against UVB irradiation on the corneal surface in a mouse model.

Methods: Fifty ICR mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) blank control, (2) exposed to UVB without contact lens protection, (3) exposed to UVB and protected with Vifilcon A contact lenses, (4) exposed to UVB and protected with Etafilcon A contact lenses, and (5) exposed to UVB and protected with HEMA+MA contact lenses.

Molecular epidemiology of Echovirus 30 in Taiwan, 1988-2008.

To investigate the molecular epidemiology of Taiwanese Echovirus 30 (E-30) strains, we analyzed the 876 bp sequence of the VP1 gene from 32 Taiwanese strains isolated in 1988-2008, 498 reference sequences, and one Echovirus 21 strain as the out-group. Phylogenetic analysis detected six E-30 genotypes (designated GI-GVI) that had circulated globally during the past five decades. The genotypes varied widely in geographic distribution and circulation half-life.

Ion dissociation of hydrazoic acid investigated by synchrotron-radiation-based photoionization mass spectrometry.

We report mass resolved photoionization yield spectra of a molecular-beam cooled sample of HN(3) using photoionization mass spectrometry based on high-resolution monochromatized synchrotron radiation. Spectra are reported at mass-to-charge ratios of 14(N(+)), 15(NH(+)), 29(N(2)H(+)), 42(N(3)(+)), and 43(HN(3)(+)) in the region of each ionization threshold. The thresholds observed here are all lower than the previously reported ones obtained with electron impact ionization, which were the only ones available in the literature prior to this work.

Spectra of atomic sulfur 1D in transitions to autoionizing Rydberg states in the region of 75,800-89,500 cm(-1).

We recorded photoionization spectra of sulfur atoms in transitions from state (1)D in the range of 75,800-89,500 cm(-1). Dissociation of CS(2) after photolysis at 193 nm produced these sulfur atoms in a singlet excited state; they were then ionized with synchrotron radiation (NSRRC, beamline U9CGM) at resolution of up to 3 cm(-1) and detected with a quadruple mass filter. Rydberg series 3s(2)3p(3)((2)D(3/2)(0))nd[3/2] and 3s(2)3p(3)((2)D(5/2)(0))ns[5/2] with n extending to 16 and 32, respectively, to limit (2)D(0) are assigned.