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Yang CC, Hou KY. A CNN-based denoising method trained with images acquired with electron density phantoms for thin-sliced coronary artery calcium scans. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2024; 25:e14287. [PMID: 38346094 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This work proposed a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method trained with images acquired with electron density phantoms to reduce quantum noise for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans reconstructed with slice thickness less than 3 mm. METHODS A DenseNet model was used to estimate quantum noise for CAC scans reconstructed with slice thickness of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm. Training data was acquired using electron density phantoms in three different sizes. The label images of the CNN model were real noise maps, while the input images of the CNN model were pseudo noise maps. Image denoising was conducted by subtracting the CNN output images from thin-sliced CAC scans. The efficacy of the proposed method was verified through both phantom study and patient study. RESULTS By means of phantom study, the proposed method was proven effective in reducing quantum noise in CAC scans reconstructed with 1.5-mm slice thickness without causing significant texture change or variation in HU values. With regard to patient study, calcifications were more clear on the denoised CAC scans reconstructed with slice thickness of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm than on 3-mm slice images, while over-smooth changes were not observed in the denoised CAC scans reconstructed with 1.5-mm slice thickness. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the electron density phantoms can be used to generate training data for the proposed CNN-based denoising method to reduce quantum noise for CAC scans reconstructed with 1.5-mm slice thickness. Because anthropomorphic phantom is not a necessity, our method could make image denoising more practical in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Yuan Hou
- Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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He R, Mobit P, Yang CC. Radiobiological Insights of Staged Brachytherapy Using Eye Plaque for Large Uveal Melanoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e671-e672. [PMID: 37785982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.2119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) I-125 radioactive seeds embedded in an eye plaque is used to deliver the radiation dose of 85Gy to the apex of the tumor. However, it is challenging to treat a lesion in height (>10 mm) because of a high dose (> 500 Gy) to sclera. A staged radiotherapy (SRT) has been implemented successfully in stereotactic radiosurgery when a single dose is risky for a bigger sized lesion. The hypothesis of this work is that the SRT works for eye plaque brachytherapy of uveal melanoma to break the single fraction into two. To apply the concept of SRT, the following questions need to be answered: What are the two fraction doses? What is the time interval between the two fractions? In this work, the two split fraction doses and time interval are calculated using the "incomplete-repair' model. MATERIALS/METHODS Equation (1) is the linear-quadratic (LQ) model. f(x) is the cell survival curve (SC). Equation (2) and (3) are radiobiological model developed dealing with the split doses by considering the incomplete repair. Ln(f(x)) = -αx - βx2 (1) Ln(fn(x, Ɵ)) = nLn(f(x))-nβx2hn(Ɵ) (2) hn(Ɵ) = (2/n)[ Ɵ/(1- Ɵ)][n-(1- Ɵn)/(1- Ɵ)] (3) Ɵ = exp(-µΔt) (4) x represents the fraction dose, Ɵx is the initial segment of the survival curve, Ɵ determines the rate at which repair proceeds. n is fraction number and µ represent repair constant which equals to ln2/T1/2. T1/2 is the half-life of I-125. For continuous dose vt delivered at dose rate v for time t, with repair constant µ, the LQ model is modified as Ln (f(vt, µ)) = -α(vt) -β(vt)2g(µt) (5) g(µt) = 2[µt-1+exp(-µt)]/(µt)2 (6) Assuming biological effective dose (BED) is the same for the single fraction and split two fractions, SC when n = 1 should be same as when n = 2. Therefore, the equation (7) is derived. Ɵ = [(α/β)x1 - 2(α/β)(x2)2 + (x1)2]/2(x2)2 - 1 (7) x1 is single fraction dose of 85Gy, x2 is the split dose to two fractions. α/β ratio of 10 Gy is used. By fitting the equation (7), the ranges of doses and time intervals were determined. RESULTS The fraction doses and time interval to get the same BED as single fraction of 85 Gy are determined from 45 Gy to 50 Gy with time interval of 22 days to 76 days for staged brachytherapy eye plaque (SBEP). Our result is matched the treatment protocol for SBEP reported, e.g., 1st fraction dose of 40Gy and 50 Gy of 2nd fraction with 73 days of time interval are used. The max. dose of scleral dose is 328 Gy compared to the single fraction scleral dose of 543Gy. CONCLUSION This work could provide guidelines in SBEP in dosage and time interval. The height of tumor matters the most in the SBEP since the taller the tumor, the higher dose to the sclera is. Reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- R He
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - P Mobit
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - C C Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
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Tsai CJ, Ho HW, Yang CC. Difference in Radiotherapeutic Plan of HyperArc-Based and CyberKnife-Based Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) Techniques for Multiple Brain Metastases. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e728-e729. [PMID: 37786119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.2245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) The purpose of this study is to compare the dosimetric quality and dose to surrounding normal tissue of HyperArc-based stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) technique with a frameless robotic radiosurgery system for patients with multiple brain metastases. MATERIALS/METHODS Nineteen patients with multiple brain metastases (2-5 lesions) treated in our center were enrolled. The prescribed dose was 2100 cGy to 3250 cGy in three to five fractions. In order to determine the dosimetric quality, we compared the conformity index (CI), Gradient radius (GR), homogeneity index (HI), dose distribution in planning target volume, and dose to several organs at risk (OARs). All of the data were compared using pair-T test. RESULTS Both planning systems have prescribed dose coverage to GTV and PTV with no significant difference (P = 0.243; P = 0.312). The conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI) were 1.27 ±0.022, and 1.08 ±0.006, respectively, for HyperArc plan and 1.76 ±0.065 and 1.22 ±0.009, respectively, for the CK plan (both, P< 0.001). The Gradient radius (GR) was 0.732 ±0.056 cm for HyperArc plan and 0.847 ±0.762 cm for CK plan (P = 0.002). These indicated that HyperArc plan had better CI, HI, and GR when compared to CK plan. Maximum dose to brainstem for HyperArc and CK plans were 485.1 ±128.65 and 723.6 ±126.93 cGy, respectively (P < 0.001). Moreover, HyperArc plan had less mean dose to optic chiasm, bilateral eyes, bilateral lens, and bilateral optic nerves (all, P < 0.05). Brain V5, V12, V24 were all much smaller in HyperArc plan (all, P < 0.05), indicating that HyperArc plan delivered less dose to normal brain tissue. CONCLUSION For patients with two to five brain metastases, HyperArc-based SRT provide excellent dosimetric quality and less dose to normal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan Taiwan, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - H W Ho
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan Taiwan, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - C C Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan Taiwan, Tainan, Taiwan
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Hou KY, Yang CC. Investigating the Feasibility of Using DenseNet to Improve Coronary Calcification Detection in CT. Acad Radiol 2023; 30:1600-1613. [PMID: 36396585 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interscan reproducibility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring can be improved by using a smaller slice thickness but at the cost of higher image noise. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using densely connected convolutional network (DenseNet) to reduce the image noise in CAC scans reconstructed with slice thickness < 3 mm for improving coronary calcification detection in CT. METHODS Phantom data acquired with QRM and CIRS phantoms were used for model training and testing, where the DenseNet model adopted in this work was a convolutional neural network (CNN) designed for super resolution recovery. After phantom study, the proposed method was evaluated in terms of its ability to improve calcification detection using patient data. The CNN input images (IMGinput) were CAC scans reconstructed with 0.5-, 1.0- and 1.5-mm slice thickness, while CNN label images were CAC scans reconstructed with 3-mm slice thickness (IMG3mm). Region of interest (ROI) analysis was carried out on IMG3mm, IMGinput and CNN output images (IMGoutput). Two-sample t test was used to compare the difference in Hounsfield Unit (HU) values within ROI between IMG3mm and IMGoutput. RESULTS For the calcifications in QRM phantoms, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing the HU values of 400- and 800-HA calcifications identified on IMG3mm to those on IMGoutput with slice thickness of 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mm. On the other hand, statistically significant difference was found when comparing the HU values of 200-HA calcifications identified on IMG3mm to those on IMGoutput with a slice thickness of 0.5 and 1.0 mm. Meanwhile, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing the HU values of 200-HA calcifications identified on IMG3mm to those on IMGoutput with a slice thickness of 1.5 mm. As for the rod inserts in CIRS phantoms simulating 9 different tissue types in human body, there was no statistically significant difference between IMG3mm and IMGoutput with slice thickness of 1.5 mm, and all the p values were larger than 0.10. With regards to patient study, more calcification pixels were detected on IMGoutput with a slice thickness of 1.5 mm than on IMG3mm, so calcifications were more clear on the denoised images. CONCLUSION According to our results, the CNN-based denoising method could reduce statistical noise in IMGinput with a slice thickness of 1.5 mm without causing significant texture change or variation in HU values. The proposed method could improve cardiovascular risk prediction by detecting small and soft calcifications that are barely identified on 3-mm slice images used in conventional CAC scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Yuan Hou
- Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC (K.Y.H); Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, No.100, Shin-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80708, ROC (C.C.Y.); Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC (C.C.Y.); Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC (K.Y.H)
| | - Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC (K.Y.H); Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, No.100, Shin-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 80708, ROC (C.C.Y.); Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC (C.C.Y.); Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC (K.Y.H).
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Lai YC, Yang S, Feng HY, Lee YC, Li ZH, Wu SH, Lin YS, Hsieh HY, Chu CJ, Chen WC, Huang YY, Kuo Y, Yang CC. Surface plasmon coupling effects on the photon color conversion behaviors of colloidal quantum dots in a GaN nanoscale hole with a nearby quantum-well structure. Opt Express 2023; 31:16010-16024. [PMID: 37157689 DOI: 10.1364/oe.486434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
To improve color conversion performance for color display application, we study the near-field-induced nanoscale-cavity effects on the emission efficiency and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) under the condition of surface plasmon (SP) coupling by inserting colloidal quantum dots (QDs) and synthesized Ag nanoparticles (NPs) into surface nano-holes fabricated on a GaN template and an InGaN/GaN quantum-well (QW) template. In the QW template, the inserted Ag NPs are close to either QWs or QDs for producing three-body SP coupling to enhance color conversion. Time-resolved and continuous-wave photoluminescence (PL) behaviors of the QW- and QD-emitting lights are investigated. The comparison between the nano-hole samples and the reference samples of surface QD/Ag NP shows that the nanoscale-cavity effect of the nano-hole leads to the enhancements of QD emission, FRET between QDs, and FRET from QW into QD. The SP coupling induced by the inserted Ag NPs can enhance the QD emission and FRET from QW into QD. Its result is further enhanced through the nanoscale-cavity effect. The relative continuous-wave PL intensities among different color components also show the similar behaviors. By introducing SP coupling to a color conversion device with the FRET process in a nanoscale cavity structure, we can significantly improve the color conversion efficiency. Simulation results confirm the basic observations in experiment.
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Chen CH, Kuo SY, Feng HY, Li ZH, Yang S, Wu SH, Hsieh HY, Lin YS, Lee YC, Chen WC, Wu PH, Chen JC, Huang YY, Lu YJ, Kuo Y, Lin CF, Yang CC. Photon color conversion enhancement of colloidal quantum dots inserted into a subsurface laterally-extended GaN nano-porous structure in an InGaN/GaN quantum-well template. Opt Express 2023; 31:6327-6341. [PMID: 36823892 DOI: 10.1364/oe.478250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To improve the color conversion performance, we study the nanoscale-cavity effects on the emission efficiency of a colloidal quantum dot (QD) and the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from quantum well (QW) into QD in a GaN porous structure (PS). For this study, we insert green-emitting QD (GQD) and red-emitting QD (RQD) into the fabricated PSs in a GaN template and a blue-emitting QW template, and investigate the behaviors of the photoluminescence (PL) decay times and the intensity ratios of blue, green, and red lights. In the PS samples fabricated on the GaN template, we observe the efficiency enhancements of QD emission and the FRET from GQD into RQD, when compared with the samples of surface QDs, which is attributed to the nanoscale-cavity effect. In the PS samples fabricated on the QW template, the FRET from QW into QD is also enhanced. The enhanced FRET and QD emission efficiencies in a PS result in an improved color conversion performance. Because of the anisotropic PS in the sample surface plane, the polarization dependencies of QD emission and FRET are observed.
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Tsai HY, Lin YH, Huang KC, Yang CC, Chou CH, Chao LC. Reduction of Viral and Bacterial Activity by Using a Self-Powered Variable-Frequency Electrical Stimulation Device. Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:282. [PMID: 36837982 PMCID: PMC9965244 DOI: 10.3390/mi14020282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Viruses and bacteria, which can rapidly spread through droplets and saliva, can have serious effects on people's health. Viral activity is traditionally inhibited using chemical substances, such as alcohol or bleach, or physical methods, such as thermal energy or ultraviolet-light irradiation. However, such methods cannot be used in many applications because they have certain disadvantages, such as causing eye or skin injuries. Therefore, in the present study, the electrical stimulation method is used to stimulate a virus, namely, coronavirus 229E, and two types of bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, to efficiently reduce their infectivity of healthy cells (such as the Vero E6 cell in a viral activity-inhibition experiment). The infectivity effects of the aforementioned virus and bacteria were examined under varying values of different electrical stimulation parameters, such as the stimulation current, frequency, and total stimulation time. The experimental results indicate that the activity of coronavirus 229E is considerably inhibited through direct-current pulse stimulation with a current of 25 mA and a frequency of 2 or 20 Hz. In addition, E. coli activity was reduced by nearly 80% in 10 s through alternating-current pulse stimulation with a current of 50 mA and a frequency of 25 Hz. Moreover, a self-powered electrical stimulation device was constructed in this study. This device consists of a solar panel and battery to generate small currents with variable frequencies, which has advantages of self-powered and variable frequencies, and the device can be utilized on desks, chairs, or elevator buttons for the inhibition of viral and bacterial activities.
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Lin PY, Jhan KJ, Ko KY, Yang CC. Investigating the lesion detectability of Tc-99m planar scintigraphy acquired with LEHRS collimator for patients with different body sizes: A phantom study. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 23:e13744. [PMID: 35946828 PMCID: PMC9588265 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this work was to investigate the lesion detectability of Tc‐99m planar scintigraphy acquired with a low‐energy high‐resolution and sensitivity (LEHRS) collimator and processed by Clarity 2D for patients with different body sizes through phantom study. Methods A NEMA IEC body phantom set was covered by two layers of 25‐mm‐thick bolus to construct phantom in three different sizes. All image data were performed on a Discovery NM/CT 870 DR with an LEHRS collimator and processed by Clarity 2D with blend ratio a of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. The lesion detectability in gamma scintigraphy was evaluated by calculating the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR). Multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze the impact of body size, target size, and Clarity 2D blending weight on the lesion detectability of Tc‐99m planar scintigraphy. Results It was found that changing the blend ratio could improve CNR, and this phenomenon was more significant in anterior view than in posterior view. Our results also suggested that the blend ratio should be selected according to patient body size in order to maintain consistent CNR. Hence, when a blend ratio of 60% was used for a patient before cancer treatment, a lower blend ratio should be used for the same patient experiencing treatment‐related weight loss to achieve consistent lesion detectability in Tc‐99m planar scintigraphy acquired with LEHRS and processed by Clarity 2D. Conclusion The magnitude of photon attenuation and scattering is higher in patients with larger body size, so Tc‐99m planar scintigraphy usually has lower lesion detectability in obese patients. Although photon attenuation and scattering are inevitable during image formation, their impacts on image quality can be eased by employing appropriate image protocol parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yao Lin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kai-Jie Jhan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuan-Yin Ko
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. ROC
| | - Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
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Lu S, Jiang X, Wang Y, Huang K, Gao N, Cai D, Zhou Y, Yang CC, Kang J, Zhang R. Enhancing deep-UV emission at 234 nm by introducing a truncated pyramid AlN/GaN nanostructure with fine-tuned multiple facets. Nanoscale 2022; 14:653-662. [PMID: 35018953 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr06188g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The external quantum efficiency of a high-Al content (>0.6) AlGaN deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diode is typically below 1% in the sub-250 nm wavelength range. One of the main reasons for this low efficiency is the fundamental properties of high-Al content AlGaN comprising the transverse-magnetic (TM)-dominant emission and low light extraction due to the total internal reflection (TIR). This work demonstrates a truncated pyramid nanostructure with fine-tuned multiple facets in an (AlN)8/(GaN)2 digital alloy to achieve highly efficient DUV emission at 234 nm. By applying nanoimprint lithography, dry and wet etching, a hexagonal truncated pyramid nanohole structure is fabricated featuring multiple crystal facets of (0001), (10-13), and (20-21) planes. These fine-tuned multiple facets act as reflecting mirrors that can effectively modulate the light propagation and extraction patterns to overcome the TIR via multiple reflections and enhanced scattering. Consequently, significant light extraction enhancements of 5.6 times and 1.1 times for TM and transverse-electric emissions are achieved in the truncated pyramid nanohole structure, respectively. The total luminous intensity of this unique nanostructure is greatly increased by 191% compared to that of a conventional planar structure. The truncated pyramid AlN/GaN nanostructure with fine-tuned multiple facets used in this work provides a promising approach for realizing highly efficient sub-250 nm DUV light-emitting devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqiang Lu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Xinjun Jiang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yaozeng Wang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Kai Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Na Gao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Duanjun Cai
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Yinghui Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - C C Yang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Junyong Kang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Rong Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials and Applications, CI Center for OSED, Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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Yang CC, Zhang JX, Wei Q, Jiang T. [Role of inducible costimulatory molecules (ICOS) and related cytokines in immune regulation of Echinococcus granulosus infections in mice]. Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2022; 33:575-582. [PMID: 35128887 DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2021034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the roles of inducible costimulatory molecules (ICOS) and related cytokines in the immune regulation of Echinococcus granulosus infections in mice. METHODS Eighty BALB/c mice (weight 18-22 g) were divided into the control and infection groups, of 40 animals in each group. E. granulosus infection was modeled in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10 000 protoscoleces per mouse. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and peripheral interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 levels were measured 2, 8, 30, 60, 180 days post-infection. Mouse liver specimens were excised for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunostaining, and ICOS expression was quantified in mouse liver specimens using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. RESULTS There were no significant differences in serum ALT (F = 12.082, P < 0.05), AST (F = 6.347, P < 0.05) or ALP levels (F = 52.186, P < 0.05) in mice 2, 8, 30, 60 and 180 days post-infection with E. granulosus. The serum ALT levels were significantly higher in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(61.72 ± 9.89) vs. (50.65 ± 4.67)U/L, P < 0.05] and 30 days post-infection [(80.61 ± 23.71)vs.(67.75 ± 9.79)U/L, P < 0.05], and the serum ALT levels were significantly higher in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(181.06 ± 60.61) vs.(115.58 ± 17.66)U/L, P < 0.05] and 180 days post-infection [(137.84 ± 29.01) vs. (108.05 ± 10.33) U/L, P < 0.05], while greater serum ALP levels were measured in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(162.90 ± 21.04)vs.(64.54 ± 5.99)U/L, P < 0.05], 8[(176.36 ± 24.56) vs. (62.70 ± 9.21)U/L, P < 0.05] and 30 days post-infection [(138.86 ± 13.59) vs. (58.60 ± 5.28) U/L, P < 0.05]. A few inflammatory cells were seen in mouse liver in the infection group 30 days post-infection, and no apparent changes were found in the mouse hepatic structure 60 days post-infection. On day 180 post-infection, a large number of epithelium-like cells presented fibrotic growth in mouse liver in the cyst-infiltrating regions, with cuticula formation seen, and plenty of red cells were present in lesions and hepatocyte space. Positive ICOS expression was detected in mouse liver in the infection group, with ICOS-positive cells predominantly seen in the cytoplasm of the hepatocyte, and the ICOS expression increased over time. The relative ICOS mRNA expression was 2.732 ± 0.094 on day 180 post-infection, which was significantly greater than that on day 2 postinfection (0.746 ± 0.049). There were no significant differences in serum IL-4 or IL-10 levels at different time points after E. granulosus infections, while the serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels peaked in the infection group 180 days and 60 days post-infection, respectively. Higher serum IL-4 levels were measured in the infection group than in the control group 8 [(22.50 ± 3.24) vs. (5.82 ± 0.49) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 30 [(15.49 ± 4.73) vs. (5.10 ± 1.38) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 60 [(36.93 ± 6.14) vs. (4.13 ± 1.19) pg/mL, P < 0.05] and 180 days post-infection [(198.35 ± 0.70) vs. (4.19 ± 0.98) pg/mL, P < 0.05], and higher IL-10 levels were measured in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(4.84 ± 1.91) vs. (2.11 ± 1.03) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 8 [(44.72 ± 14.63) vs. (3.16 ± 0.60) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 30 [(25.47 ± 8.00) vs. (3.83 ± 1.87) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 60 [(187.16 ± 60.44) vs. (3.69 ± 1.05) pg/mL, P < 0.05] and 180 days post-infection [(85.40 ± 7.15) vs. (3.25 ± 0.93) pg/mL, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS High ICOS expression is present in the liver of mice with E. granulosus infections. The positive ICOS expression and immune activation levels increase with the time of E. granulosus infections, leading to aggravation of hepatocyte injury caused by inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Healthy and Nursing, Wuxi Taihu University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214064, China
| | - J X Zhang
- Changji Vocational and Technical College, China
| | - Q Wei
- Center for Laboratory Animals, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China
| | - T Jiang
- Center for Laboratory Animals, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China
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Chen JW, Yang S, Li CH, Huang YY, Chen CH, Yang CC. Mesh size control in forming an Ag/AgO nano-network structure for transparent conducting application. Nanotechnology 2022; 33:135201. [PMID: 34905734 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac4305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The variation behaviors of the morphology, transmission, and sheet resistance of the surface Ag/AgO nano-network (NNW) structures fabricated under different illumination conditions and with different Ag deposition thicknesses and thermal annealing temperatures in forming initial Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are studied. Generally, an NNW structure with a smaller mesh size or a denser branch distribution has a lower transmission and a lower sheet resistance level. Under the fabrication condition of a broader illumination spectrum, a lower thermal annealing temperature, or a thicker Ag deposition, we can obtain an NNW structure of a smaller mesh size. The mesh size of an NNW structure is basically controlled by the seed density of Brownian tree (BT) at the beginning of light illumination. A BT seed can be formed through a stronger local localized surface plasmon resonance for accelerating Ag oxidation in a certain region. Once an Ag/AgO BT seed is formed, the surrounding Ag NPs are reorganized to form the branches of a BT. Multiple BTs are connected to form a large-area NNW structure, which can serve as a transparent conductor. Under the fabrication conditions of a broader illumination spectrum, 3 nm Ag deposition, and 100 °C thermal annealing, we can implement an NNW structure to achieve ∼1.15μm in mesh size, ∼90 Ω sq-1in sheet resistance, and 93%-77% in transmittance within the wavelength range between 370 and 700 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shaobo Yang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Li
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Yi Huang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hua Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - C C Yang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Hou KY, Lu HY, Yang CC. Applying MRI Intensity Normalization on Non-Bone Tissues to Facilitate Pseudo-CT Synthesis from MRI. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11050816. [PMID: 33946436 PMCID: PMC8147160 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to facilitate pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI by normalizing MRI intensity of the same tissue type to a similar intensity level. MRI intensity normalization was conducted through dividing MRI by a shading map, which is a smoothed ratio image between MRI and a three-intensity mask. Regarding pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI, a conversion model based on a three-layer convolutional neural network was trained and validated. Before MRI intensity normalization, the mean value ± standard deviation of fat tissue in 0.35 T chest MRI was 297 ± 73 (coefficient of variation (CV) = 24.58%), which was 533 ± 91 (CV = 17.07%) in 1.5 T abdominal MRI. The corresponding results were 149 ± 32 (CV = 21.48%) and 148 ± 28 (CV = 18.92%) after intensity normalization. With regards to pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI, the differences in mean values between pseudo-CT and real CT were 3, 15, and 12 HU for soft tissue, fat, and lung/air in 0.35 T chest imaging, respectively, while the corresponding results were 3, 14, and 15 HU in 1.5 T abdominal imaging. Overall, the proposed workflow is reliable in pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI and is more practicable in clinical routine practice compared with deep learning methods, which demand a high level of resources for building a conversion model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Yuan Hou
- Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei 711, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Yuan Lu
- Institute of Radiological Sciences, Tzu-Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Chen CY, Ni CC, Wu RN, Kuo SY, Li CH, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Surface plasmon coupling effects on the förster resonance energy transfer from quantum dot into rhodamine 6G. Nanotechnology 2021; 32:295202. [PMID: 33848997 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/abf775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules linked CdZnSeS/ZnS green-emitting quantum dots (QDs) are self-assembled onto Ag nanoparticles (NPs) for studying the surface plasmon (SP) coupling effect on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process from QD into R6G. SP coupling can enhance the emission efficiency of QD such that FRET has to compete with QD emission for transferring energy into R6G. It is found that FRET efficiency is reduced under the SP coupling condition. Although R6G emission efficiency can also be enhanced through SP coupling when it is directly linked onto Ag NP, the enhancement decreases when R6G is linked onto QD and then the QD-R6G complex is self-assembled onto Ag NP. In particular, R6G emission efficiency can be reduced through SP coupling when the number of R6G molecules linked onto a QD is high. A rate-equation model is built for resembling the measured photoluminescence decay profiles and providing us with more detailed explanations for the observed FRET and SP coupling behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chun Ni
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Nan Wu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yang Kuo
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Li
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yean-Woei Kiang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - C C Yang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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Chen YP, Ni CC, Wu RN, Kuo SY, Su YC, Huang YY, Chen JW, Hsu YC, Wu SH, Chen CY, Wu PH, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Combined effects of surface plasmon coupling and Förster resonance energy transfer on the light color conversion behaviors of colloidal quantum dots on an InGaN/GaN quantum-well nanodisk structure. Nanotechnology 2021; 32:135206. [PMID: 33271517 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/abd05e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
By forming nanodisk (ND) structures on a blue-emitting InGaN/GaN quantum-well (QW) template, the QWs become close to the red-emitting quantum dots (QDs) and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) attached onto the sidewalls of the NDs such that Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and surface plasmon (SP) coupling can occur to enhance the efficiency of blue-to-red color conversion. With a larger ND height, more QWs are exposed to open air on the sidewall for more QD/Ag NP attachment through QD self-assembly and Ag NP drop casting such that the FRET and SP coupling effects, and hence the color conversion efficiency can be enhanced. A stronger FRET process leads to a longer QD photoluminescence (PL) decay time and a shorter QW PL decay time. It is shown that SP coupling can enhance the FRET efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Po Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chun Ni
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Nan Wu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yang Kuo
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Su
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Yi Huang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Wei Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chiao Hsu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shung-Hsiang Wu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Hsiu Wu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yean-Woei Kiang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - C C Yang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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Ni CC, Kuo SY, Li ZH, Wu SH, Wu RN, Chen CY, Yang CC. Förster resonance energy transfer in surface plasmon coupled color conversion processes of colloidal quantum dots. Opt Express 2021; 29:4067-4081. [PMID: 33770994 DOI: 10.1364/oe.415679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a green-emitting quantum dot (GQD) into a red-emitting quantum dot (RQD) is an important mechanism in a multiple-color conversion process, particularly under the surface plasmon (SP) coupling condition for enhancing color conversion efficiency. Here, the dependencies of FRET efficiency on the relative concentrations of GQD and RQD in their mixtures and their surface molecule coatings for controlling surface charges are studied. Also, the SP coupling effects induced by two kinds of Ag nanoparticles on the emission behaviors of GQD and RQD are demonstrated, particularly when FRET is involved in the coupling process. FRET efficiency is reduced under the SP coupling condition. SP coupling can enhance the color conversion efficiency of either GQD or RQD. The combination of SP coupling and FRET can be used for controlling the relative converted light intensities in a multiple-color conversion process.
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Huang WH, Jhan KJ, Yang CC. Investigating the feasibility of generating dual-energy CT from one 120-kVp CT scan: a phantom study. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2020; 22:126-137. [PMID: 33426800 PMCID: PMC7882117 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of generating pseudo dual‐energy CT (DECT) from one 120‐kVp CT by using convolutional neural network (CNN) to derive additional information for quantitative image analysis through phantom study. Methods Dual‐energy scans (80/140 kVp) and single‐energy scans (120 kVp) were performed for five calibration phantoms and two evaluation phantoms on a dual‐source DECT scanner. The calibration phantoms were used to generate training dataset for CNN optimization, while the evaluation phantoms were used to generate testing dataset. A CNN model which takes 120‐kVp images as input and creates 80/140‐kVp images as output was built, trained, and tested by using Caffe CNN platform. An in‐house software to quantify contrast enhancement and synthesize virtual monochromatic CT (VMCT) for CNN‐generated pseudo DECT was implemented and evaluated. Results The CT numbers in 80‐kVp pseudo images generated by CNN are differed from the truth by 11.57, 16.67, 13.92, 12.23, 10.69 HU for syringes filled with iodine concentration of 2.19, 4.38, 8.75, 17.5, 35 mg/ml, respectively. The corresponding results for 140‐kVp CT are 3.09, 9.10, 7.08, 9.81, 7.59 HU. The estimates of iodine concentration calculated based on the proposed method are differed from the truth by 0.104, 0.603, 0.478, 0.698, 0.795 mg/ml for syringes filled with iodine concentration of 2.19, 4.38, 8.75, 17.5, 35 mg/ml, respectively. With regards to image quality enhancement, VMCT synthesized by using pseudo DECT shows the best contrast‐to‐noise ratio at 40 keV. Conclusion In conclusion, the proposed method should be a practicable strategy for iodine quantification in contrast enhanced 120‐kVp CT without using specific scanner or scanning procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Huang
- Department of Radiology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Jie Jhan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Yang CC. Evaluation of Impact of Factors Affecting CT Radiation Dose for Optimizing Patient Dose Levels. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:E787. [PMID: 33028021 PMCID: PMC7600150 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The dose metrics and factors influencing radiation exposure for patients undergoing head, chest, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans were investigated for optimization of patient dose levels. The local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) of adult CT scans performed in our hospital were established based on 28,147 consecutive examinations, including 5510 head scans, 9091 chest scans, and 13,526 abdominal scans. Among the six CT scanners used in our hospital, four of them are 64-slice multi-detector CT units (MDCT64), and the other two have detector slices higher than 64 (MDCTH). Multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of body size, kVp, mAs, and pitch on volume CT dose index (CTDIvol). The local DRLs expressed in terms of the 75th percentile of CTDIvol for the head, chest, and abdominal scans performed on MDCT64 were 59.32, 9.24, and 10.64 mGy, respectively. The corresponding results for MDCTH were 57.90, 7.67, and 9.86 mGy. In regard to multivariate analysis, CTDIvol showed various dependence on the predictors investigated in this study. All regression relationships have coefficient of determination (R2) larger than 0.75, indicating a good fit to the data. Overall, the research results obtained through our workflow could facilitate the modification of CT imaging procedures once the local DRLs are unusually high compared to the national DRLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
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Tse WF, Wu RN, Lu CC, Hsu YC, Chen YP, Kuo SY, Su YC, Wu PH, Kuo Y, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Spatial range of the plasmonic Dicke effect in an InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well structure. Nanotechnology 2020; 31:295001. [PMID: 32268310 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab87cc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The plasmonic Dicke effect means a cooperative emission mechanism of multiple light emitters when they are simultaneously coupled with the same surface plasmon (SP) mode of a metal nanostructure to achieve a higher collective emission efficiency. Here, we compare the enhancements of emission efficiency among a series of SP-coupled InGaN/GaN quantum-well (QW) structures of different QW period numbers to show an emission behavior consistent with the plasmonic Dicke effect. The relative enhancement of overall emission efficiency increases with QW period number until it reaches a critical value, beyond which the enhancement starts to decrease. This critical QW period number corresponds to the effective depth range of the plasmonic Dicke effect in a multiple-QW system. It also represents an optimized QW structure for maximizing the SP coupling effect. Internal quantum efficiency and time-resolved photoluminescence are measured for comparing the enhanced emission efficiencies of blue and green QW structures with different QW period numbers through SP coupling induced by surface Ag nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Fong Tse
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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Wang YT, Wu RN, Ni CC, Lu CC, Cai CJ, Tse WF, Chang WY, Kuo Y, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Important role of surface plasmon coupling with the quantum wells in a surface plasmon enhanced color-converting structure of colloidal quantum dots on quantum wells. Opt Express 2020; 28:13352-13367. [PMID: 32403812 DOI: 10.1364/oe.390478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To improve the color-conversion efficiency based on a quantum-well (QW) light-emitting diode (LED), a more energy-saving strategy is needed to increase the energy transfer efficiency from the electrical input power of the LED into the emission of over-coated color-converter, not just from LED emission into converted light. In this regard, the efficiency of energy transfer of any mechanism from LED QW into the color-converter is an important issue. By overlaying blue-emitting QW structures and GaN templates with both deposited metal nanoparticles (DMNPs) and color-converting quantum dot (QD) linked synthesized metal nanoparticles (SMNPs) of different localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance wavelengths for producing multiple surface plasmon (SP) coupling mechanisms with the QW and QD, we study the enhancement variations of their internal quantum efficiencies and photoluminescence decay times. By comparing the QD emission efficiencies between the samples with and without QW, one can observe the advantageous effect of QW coupling with LSP resonances on QD emission efficiency. Also, with the LSP resonance wavelengths of both DMNPs and SMNPs close to the QW emission wavelength for producing strong SP coupling with the QW and hence QD absorption, a higher QD emission or color-conversion efficiency can be obtained.
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Ji J, Zhang G, Yang S, Feng X, Zhang X, Yang CC. Theoretical analysis of a white-light LED array based on a GaN nanorod structure. Appl Opt 2020; 59:2345-2351. [PMID: 32225766 DOI: 10.1364/ao.387059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Based on the experimentally demonstrated In content distribution in the InGaN/GaN quantum wells on a two-section GaN nanorod (NR) sidewall, a white-light light-emitting diode (LED) without phosphor is designed and simulated. Following the dependencies of the In diffusion length and incorporation ratio on NR geometric variables of a theoretical model, the height, radius, and tapering section geometry of the GaN NR are designed for controlling the relative intensities of a blue and a yellow emission component to mix into white light. The higher-In upper section of the NR is first excited to emit a relatively stronger yellow component when injection current is low. As the injection current increases, more current spreads into the lower-In lower section, eventually leading to a stronger blue emission component. The proposed NR LED structure provides an alternative solution for phosphor-free white-light generation.
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Cai CJ, Wang YT, Ni CC, Wu RN, Chen CY, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Emission behaviors of colloidal quantum dots linked onto synthesized metal nanoparticles. Nanotechnology 2020; 31:095201. [PMID: 31731282 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab5826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
With two different residual surfactants, four different metal nanoparticles (NPs), including two Au NPs and two Ag NPs are synthesized for linking with red-emitting CdZnSeS/ZnS colloidal quantum dots (QDs) to enhance QD emission efficiency. Those metal NPs are first connected with amino polyethylene glycol thiol of different molecular weights to avoid aggregation and make them positively charged. They can attract negatively charged QDs for inducing surface plasmon (SP) coupling such that either QD absorption or emission and hence overall color conversion efficiency can be enhanced. The enhancement of QD emission efficiency is evaluated through the comparison of time-resolved photoluminescence behaviors under different QD linkage conditions. Such results are confirmed by the measurement of the emission quantum efficiency of QD. It is found that by linking QDs onto Ag NPs, the QD emission efficiency is more enhanced, when compared with Au NPs. Also, depending on the synthesis process, the residual surfactant of citrate leads to a relatively large increment in QD emission efficiency, when compared to the surfactant of cetrimonium chloride. A more enhanced QD emission efficiency is caused by a higher QD linkage capability and a stronger SP coupling effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Jin Cai
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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Yang DD, Zhao M, Zhang RD, Zhang Y, Yang CC, Jiang Q. NiS 2 nanoparticles anchored on open carbon nanohelmets as an advanced anode for lithium-ion batteries. Nanoscale Adv 2020; 2:512-519. [PMID: 36134007 PMCID: PMC9416909 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00661c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Low intrinsic conductivity and large volume expansion seriously restrict the efficient lithium storage performance of metal sulfides. Here, we fabricate a hybrid material of NiS2 nanoparticles/carbon nanohelmets (NiS2/CNHs) to address the above issues. As an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, NiS2/CNHs exhibit excellent cycling stability (490 mA h g-1 after 3000 cycles at 5 A g-1) and rate properties (412 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1), outperforming other NiS x -based anode materials. These remarkable performances originate from the three-dimensional helmet-like integrated architecture of NiS2/CNHs, which reduces the electrode resistance due to the tight combination between NiS2 and CNHs, provides efficient diffusion paths for the electrolyte and Li+ owing to the amorphous nanoporous carbon structure, and significantly mitigates the aggregation and buffers the large volumetric expansion of NiS2 nanoparticles upon long-term cycling thanks to the open three-dimensional architecture and well-dispersed NiS2 nanoparticles on it.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Yang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University Changchun 130022 China +86-431-85095876 +86-431-85095371
| | - M Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University Changchun 130022 China +86-431-85095876 +86-431-85095371
| | - R D Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University Changchun 130022 China +86-431-85095876 +86-431-85095371
| | - Y Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University Changchun 130022 China +86-431-85095876 +86-431-85095371
| | - C C Yang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University Changchun 130022 China +86-431-85095876 +86-431-85095371
| | - Q Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University Changchun 130022 China +86-431-85095876 +86-431-85095371
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Hou KY, Tsujioka K, Yang CC. Optimization of HU threshold for coronary artery calcium scans reconstructed at 0.5-mm slice thickness using iterative reconstruction. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2020; 21:111-120. [PMID: 31889419 PMCID: PMC7021007 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.12806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This work investigated the simultaneous influence of tube voltage, tube current, body size, and HU threshold on calcium scoring reconstructed at 0.5-mm slice thickness using iterative reconstruction (IR) through multivariate analysis. Regression results were used to optimize the HU threshold to calibrate the resulting Agatston scores to be consistent with those obtained from the conventional protocol. METHODS A thorax phantom set simulating three different body sizes was used in this study. A total of 14 coronary artery calcium (CAC) protocols were studied, including 1 conventional protocol reconstructed at 3-mm slice thickness, 1 FBP protocol, and 12 statistical IR protocols (3 kVp values*4 SD values) reconstructed at 0.5-mm slice thickness. Three HU thresholds were applied for calcium identification, including 130, 150, and 170 HU. A multiple linear regression method was used to analyze the impact of kVp, SD, body size, and HU threshold on the Agatston scores of three calcification densities for IR-reconstructed CAC scans acquired with 0.5-mm slice thickness. RESULTS Each regression relationship has R2 larger than 0.80, indicating a good fit to the data. Based on the regression models, the HU thresholds as a function of SD estimated to ensure the quantification accuracy of calcium scores for 120-, 100-, and 80-kVp CAC scans reconstructed at 0.5-mm slice thickness using IR for three different body sizes were proposed. Our results indicate that the HU threshold should be adjusted according to the imaging condition, whereas a 130-HU threshold is appropriate for 120-kVp CAC scans acquired with SD = 55 for body size of 24.5 cm. CONCLUSION The optimized HU thresholds were proposed for CAC scans reconstructed at 0.5-mm slice thickness using IR. Our study results may provide a potential strategy to improve the reliability of calcium scoring by reducing partial volume effect while keeping radiation dose as low as reasonably achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Yuan Hou
- Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Katsumi Tsujioka
- Faculty of Radiological Technology, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Wang YT, Liu CW, Chen PY, Wu RN, Ni CC, Cai CJ, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Color conversion efficiency enhancement of colloidal quantum dot through its linkage with synthesized metal nanoparticle on a blue light-emitting diode. Opt Lett 2019; 44:5691-5694. [PMID: 31774755 DOI: 10.1364/ol.44.005691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Four surface-modified and, hence, positively charged metal nanoparticles (NPs) of different localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance wavelengths are synthesized for linking with negatively charged, red-emitting colloidal CdZnSeS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) on the top surface of a blue-emitting InGaN/GaN quantum well (QW) light-emitting diode (LED) through electro-static force. The metal NP-QD linkage leads to a short distance between them for producing their strong surface plasmon (SP) coupling, such that QD absorption and emission can be enhanced. Meanwhile, the small p-GaN thickness in the LED results in strong SP coupling between the LSP resonance of metal NP and the QWs of the LED, leading to enhanced QW emission and, hence, stronger QD excitation. All those factors together result in the increase of the color conversion efficiency of the QD.
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Yang CC, Law WY, Lu KM, Wu TH. Relationship between heart rate and optimal reconstruction phase in coronary CT angiography performed on a 256-slice multidetector CT. Br J Radiol 2019; 92:20180945. [PMID: 31322906 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20180945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between heart rate (HR) and optimal reconstruction phase in prospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered coronary CT angiography (CCTA) performed on a newly introduced 256-slice multidetector CT (MDCT). METHODS All the cases were selected retrospectively from the patients scheduled for CCTA in our department between January and April 2017. The scanner selected the optimal exposure phase based on 10 s ECG recordings. To ensure the success of CCTA, the operator also checked patient's age, breathing control, emotional status and past medical history to decide whether the automatically selected scan phase needs manual adjustment or not. Images were reconstructed in 1% steps of the R-R interval to determine the cardiac phase with least coronary motion. If CCTA images showed moderate motion blurring or discontinuity in the course of coronary segments, a cardiac motion correction algorithm was applied to the reconstructed images. Subjective diagnostic image quality was evaluated with 4-point grading scale. RESULTS A total of 87 consecutive CCTA examinations were investigated in this study. Diastolic reconstruction was applied to all vessel segments in patients with HR <63 bpm, where 36.5 and 77.8% of vessel segments were reconstructed with the use of motion correction in HR ≤57 and 58-62 bpm, respectively. As for patients with HR ≥63 bpm, 89.3 and 71.7% of vessel segments were reconstructed in diastole in HR 63-67 and ≥68 bpm, respectively, while 81 and 100% of vessel segments were reconstructed with the use of motion correction in the same HR groups. CONCLUSION Based on our results, a HR less than 67 bpm can be used to identify appropriate patients for diastolic reconstruction. Although the motion correction algorithm is an effective approach to reduce the impact of cardiac motion in CCTA, HR control is still important to optimize the image quality of CCTA. The relationship between HR and optimal reconstruction phase established in this study could be further used to tailor the ECG pulsing window for dose reduction in patients undergoing CCTA performed on the 256-slice MDCT. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE The HR thresholds to identify patients who are the best suitable candidates for diastolic or systolic reconstruction are scanner specific. This study investigated the relationship between HR and optimal reconstruction phase in prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA for a newly introduced 256-slice MDCT. Once the relationship is established, it could be used to tailor the ECG pulsing window for radiation dose reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ching Yang
- 1Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yip Law
- 2Department of Radiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Mu Lu
- 2Department of Radiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hsin Wu
- 3Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Chang WY, Kuo Y, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Simulation study on light color conversion enhancement through surface plasmon coupling. Opt Express 2019; 27:A629-A642. [PMID: 31252843 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.00a629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A theoretical model together with a numerical algorithm of surface plasmon (SP) coupling are built for simulating SP-enhanced light color conversion from a shorter-wavelength radiating dipole (representing a quantum well - QW) into a longer-wavelength one (representing a quantum dot - QD) through QD absorption at the shorter wavelength. An Ag nanoparticle (NP) located between the two dipoles is designed for producing strong SP couplings simultaneously at the two wavelengths. At the QW emission wavelength, SP couplings with the QW and QD dipoles lead to the energy transfer from the QW into the QD and hence the absorption enhancement of the QD. At the QD emission wavelength, SP coupling with the excited QD dipole results in the enhancement of QD emission efficiency. The combination of the SP-induced effects at the two wavelengths leads to the increase of overall color conversion efficiency. The color conversion efficiencies in using Ag NPs of different geometries or SP resonance behaviors for producing different QD absorption and emission enhancement levels are compared.
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Xiao H, Yi Z, Yang CC, Zeng N, Xu Y, Deng P, Wang HP, Wu YP, Wu M. [Regulation mechanism of E2F1 transcription factor on M2 macrophages in full-thickness skin defect wounds of mice]. Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi 2019; 35:104-109. [PMID: 30798576 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1009-2587.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To explore the regulatory mechanism of E2F1 transcription factor on M2 macrophages in full-thickness skin defect wounds of mice. Methods: E2F1 gene knockout heterozygotes C57BL/6 mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were introduced and self-reproduced. Two weeks after birth, E2F1 gene knockout homozygotes mice and wild-type mice were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twelve identified 6-8 weeks old male E2F1 gene knockout homozygotes C57BL/6 mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were selected respectively according to the random number table and set as E2F1 gene knockout group and wild-type group. A full-thickness skin defect wound was made on the back of each mouse. On post injury day (PID) 2 and 7, 6 mice in each group were selected according to the random number table and sacrificed, and the wound tissue was excised. The expression of CD68 and CD206 double positive M2 macrophages was observed by immunofluorescence method, and the percentage of CD206 positive cells was calculated. The protein expression of CD206 was detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of arginase 1 was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Wound tissue specimens of the two groups on PID 7 were obtained, and the protein and mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were detected by Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR respectively. The above-mentioned experiments were repeated four times. Three specimens of wound tissue of mice in wild-type group on PID 7 were obtained to detect the relationship between E2F1 and PPAR-γ by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, and this experiment was repeated two times. Data were processed with unpaired t test. Results: The size of PCR products of E2F1 gene knockout homozygotes C57BL/6 mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were 227 and 172 bp respectively, which were the same as those of the designed DNA fragments. On PID 2 and 7, the number of CD68 and CD206 double positive M2 macrophages in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group was more than that of wild-type group, and the percentages of CD206 positive cells in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were (0.234±0.032)% and (0.584±0.023)% respectively, which were significantly higher than (0.129±0.017)% and (0.282±0.071)% of wild-type group (t=3.29, 3.54, P<0.05). On PID 2 and 7, the protein expression of CD206 in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were 1.00±0.23 and 1.63±0.26 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.43±0.06 and 0.97±0.08 of wild-type group (t=2.41, 2.45, P<0.05). On PID 2 and 7, the mRNA expressions of arginase 1 in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were 0.482±0.105 and 0.195±0.031 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.163±0.026 and 0.108±0.017 of wild-type group (t=3.04, 2.86, P<0.05). On PID 7, the protein and mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were 0.61±0.12 and 0.51±0.13 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.20±0.04 and 0.20±0.04 of wild-type group (t=3.36, 2.86, P<0.05). On PID 7, detection of the wound tissue of mice in wild-type group showed that PPAR-γ had unidirectional effect on E2F1. Conclusions: E2F1 transcription factor affects the polarization of M2 macrophages by inhibiting the expression of PPAR-γ, thereby inhibiting the healing process of full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Xiao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China (Xiao Hui is now working at the Department of Breast Surgery, Henan Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 463100, China)
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Hua WH, Cai CJ, Chou KP, Tsai YH, Low MC, Tu CG, Chen CY, Ni CC, Kiang YW, Yang CC, Hsu YC. Control of pore structure in a porous gold nanoparticle for effective cancer cell damage. Nanotechnology 2019; 30:025101. [PMID: 30378566 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aae8c4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
For tumor treatment, compared with gold nanoparticles (NPs) of other geometries, a porous gold NP (PGNP) has the advantages of stronger localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) due to the pore nanostructures and a larger surface area to link with more drug or photosensitizer (PS) molecules for more effective delivery into cancer cells. Different from the chemical synthesis methods, in this paper we demonstrate the fabrication procedures of PGNP based on shaped Au/Ag deposition on a Si substrate and elucidate the advantageous features. PGNPs fabricated under different conditions, including different deposited Au/Ag content ratios and different alloying annealing temperatures, are compared for optimizing the fabrication condition in terms of LSPR wavelength, PS linkage capability, and cancer cell damage efficiency. It is found that within the feasible fabrication parameter ranges, the Au/Ag content ratio of 3:7 and alloying annealing temperature at 600 °C are the optimized conditions. In comparing with widely used gold NPs of other geometries, PGNP fabricated under the optimized conditions can be used for achieving a significantly higher linked PS molecule number per unit gold weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsiang Hua
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan
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Yao YF, Chou KP, Lin HH, Chen CC, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Polarity Control in Growing Highly Ga-Doped ZnO Nanowires with the Vapor-Liquid-Solid Process. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018; 10:40764-40772. [PMID: 30398848 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b13859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Surface behavior modification by forming surface-transparent conductive nanowires (NWs) is an important technique for many applications, particularly when the polarities of the NWs can be controlled. The polarities of Ga-doped ZnO (GaZnO) NWs grown on templates of different polarities under different growth conditions are studied for exploring a polarity control growth technique. The NWs are formed on Ga- and N-face GaN through the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process using Ag nanoparticles as growth catalyst. The NWs grown on templates of different polarities under the Zn- (O-) rich conditions are always Zn (O) polar. During the early stage of NW growth, because the lattice sizes among different nucleation islands formed at the triple-phase line are quite different, high-density planar defects are produced when lateral growths from multiple nucleation islands form a GaZnO double bilayer. In this situation, frequent domain inversions occur, and GaZnO polarity is unstable. Under the Zn- (O-) rich conditions, because the lateral growth rate of GaZnO in the Zn- (O-) polar structure is higher due to more available dangling bonds, the growth of the Zn- (O-) polar structure dominates NW formation such that the NW eventually becomes Zn (O) polar irrespective of the polarity of the growth template. Therefore, the polarity of a doped-ZnO NW can be controlled simply by the relative supply rates of Zn and O during VLS growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Yao
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering , National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road , Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Keng-Ping Chou
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering , National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road , Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Huang-Hui Lin
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering , National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road , Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chung Chen
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering , National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road , Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Yean-Woei Kiang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering , National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road , Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - C C Yang
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics and Department of Electrical Engineering , National Taiwan University , No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road , Taipei 10617 Taiwan
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Lin CH, Su CY, Yao YF, Su MY, Chiang HC, Tsai MC, Liu WH, Tu CG, Kiang YW, Yang CC, Huang FW, Lee CL, Hsu TC. Further emission efficiency improvement of a commercial-quality light-emitting diode through surface plasmon coupling. Opt Lett 2018; 43:5631-5634. [PMID: 30439912 DOI: 10.1364/ol.43.005631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It is usually believed that surface plasmon (SP) coupling is practically useful only for improving the performance of a light-emitting diode (LED) with a low intrinsic internal quantum efficiency (IQE). In this Letter, we demonstrate that the performance of a commercial-quality blue LED with a high IQE (>80%) can still be significantly improved through SP coupling based on a surface Ag nanoparticle (NP) structure. The performance improvement of such an LED is achieved by increasing the Mg doping concentration in its p-AlGaN electron blocking layer to enhance the hole injection efficiency such that the p-GaN layer thickness can be significantly reduced without sacrificing its electrical property. In this situation, the distance between surface Ag NPs and quantum wells is decreased and hence SP coupling strength is increased. By reducing the distance between the surface Ag NPs and the top quantum well to 66 nm, the IQE can be increased to almost 90% (an ∼11% enhancement) and the electroluminescence intensity can be enhanced by ∼24%.
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Lin CH, Chiang HC, Wang YT, Yao YF, Chen CC, Tse WF, Wu RN, Chang WY, Kuo Y, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Efficiency enhancement of light color conversion through surface plasmon coupling. Opt Express 2018; 26:23629-23640. [PMID: 30184861 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.023629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency enhancement of light color conversion from blue quantum well (QW) emission into red quantum dot (QD) emission through surface plasmon (SP) coupling by coating CdSe/ZnS QDs on the top of an InGaN/GaN QW light-emitting diode (LED) is demonstrated. Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated within a transparent conductive Ga-doped ZnO interlayer to induce localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance for simultaneously coupling with the QWs and QDs. Such a coupling process generates three enhancement effects, including QW emission, QD absorption at the QW emission wavelength, and QD emission, leading to an overall enhancement effect of QD emission intensity. An Ag NP geometry for inducing an LSP resonance peak around the middle between the QW and QD emission wavelengths results in the optimized condition for maximizing QD emission enhancement. Internal quantum efficiency and photoluminescence (PL) decay time measurements are performed to show consistent results with LED performance characterizations, even though the QD absorption of PL excitation laser may mix with the SP-induced QD absorption enhancement effect in PL measurement.
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He Y, Hua WH, Low MC, Tsai YH, Cai CJ, Chiang HC, Yu JH, Hsiao JH, Tseng PH, Kiang YW, Yang CC, Zhang Z. Exocytosis of gold nanoparticle and photosensitizer from cancer cells and their effects on photodynamic and photothermal processes. Nanotechnology 2018; 29:235101. [PMID: 29570098 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aab933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We first illustrate the faster decrease of the photothermal (PT) effect with the delay time of laser treatment, in which the illumination of a 1064 nm laser effectively excites the localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance of cell-up-taken gold nanoring (NRI) linked with a photosensitizer (PS), when compared with the photodynamic (PD) effect produced by the illumination of a 660 nm laser for effective PS excitation. The measurement results of the metal contents of Au NRI and PS based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and the PS fluorescence intensity based on flow cytometry show that the linkage of NRI and PS is rapidly broken for releasing PS through the effect of glutathione in lysosome after cell uptake. Meanwhile, NRI escapes from a cell with a high rate such that the PT effect decays fast while the released PS can stay inside a cell longer for producing a prolonged PD effect. The effective delivery of PS through the linkage with Au NRI for cell uptake and the advantageous effect of LSP resonance at a PS absorption wavelength on the PD process are also demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu He
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Education Ministry, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049 People's Republic of China. Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt, Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan
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Yao YF, Lin CH, Chao CY, Chang WY, Su CY, Tu CG, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Coupling of a light-emitting diode with surface plasmon polariton or localized surface plasmon induced on surface silver gratings of different geometries. Opt Express 2018; 26:9205-9219. [PMID: 29715875 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.009205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A metal grating on top of a light-emitting diode (LED) with a designed grating period for compensating the momentum mismatch can enhance the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) coupling effect with the quantum wells (QWs) to improve LED performance. Here, we demonstrate the experimental results showing that the induced localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance on such a metal grating can dominate the QW coupling effect for improving LED performance, particularly when grating ridge height is large. The finding is illustrated by fabricating Ag gratings on single-QW, green-emitting LEDs of different p-type thicknesses with varied grating ridge height and width such that the distance between the grating ridge tip and the QW can be controlled. Reflection spectra of the Ag grating structures are measured and simulated to identify the SPP or LSP resonance behaviors at the QW emission wavelength. The measured results of LED performances show that in the LED samples under study, both SPP and LSP couplings can lead to significant enhancements of internal quantum efficiency and electroluminescence intensity. At the designated QW emission wavelength, with a grating period theoretically designed for momentum matching, the LSP coupling effect is stronger, when compared with SPP coupling.
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Chang WY, Kuo Y, Yao YF, Yang CC, Wu YR, Kiang YW. Different surface plasmon coupling behaviors of a surface Al nanoparticle between TE and TM polarizations in a deep-UV light-emitting diode. Opt Express 2018; 26:8340-8355. [PMID: 29715802 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.008340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The formulations and numerical algorithms of a three-level model for studying the Purcell effect produced by the scattering of an air/AlGaN interface and the surface plasmon (SP) coupling effect induced by a surface Al nanoparticle in a two-polarization emission system to simulate the transverse-electric- (TE-) and transverse-magnetic- (TM-) polarized emissions in an AlxGa1-xN/AlyGa1-yN (y > x) quantum well (QW) are built. In reasonably selected ranges of Al content for an AlGaN QW to emit deep-ultraviolet (UV) light, the enhancement (suppression) of TE- (TM-) polarized emission is mainly caused by the SP-coupling (interface-scattering) effect. Different from a two two-level model, in the three-level model the TE- and TM-polarized emissions compete for electron in the shared upper state, which is used for simulating the conduction band, such that either interface-scattering or SP-coupling effect becomes weaker. In a quite large range of emission wavelength, in which the intrinsic emission is dominated by TM polarization, with the interface-scattering and SP-coupling effects, the TE-polarized emission becomes dominant for enhancing the light extraction efficiency of a deep-UV light-emitting diode.
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Yang CC, Yu PC, Ruan JM, Chen YC. Optimizing the target detectability of cone beam CT performed in image-guided radiation therapy for patients of different body sizes. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2018. [PMID: 29516610 PMCID: PMC5978665 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.12306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The target detectability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) performed in image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT) was investigated to achieve sufficient image quality for patient positioning over a course of treatment session while maintaining radiation exposure from CBCT imaging as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Methods Body CBCT scans operated in half‐fan mode were acquired with three different protocols: CBCTlowD, CBCTmidD, and CBCThighD, which resulted in weighted CT dose index (CTDIw) of 0.36, 1.43, and 2.78 cGy, respectively. An electron density phantom that is 18 cm in diameter was covered by four layers of 2.5‐cm‐thick bolus to simulate patients of different body sizes. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the impact of body size, radiation exposure, and tissue type on the target detectability of CBCT imaging, quantified as contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR). Results CBCTmidD allows sufficient target detection of adipose, breast, muscle, liver in a background of water for normal‐weight adults with cross‐sectional diameter less than 28 cm, while CBCThighD is suitable for adult patients with larger body sizes or body mass index over 25 kg/m2. Once the cross‐sectional diameter of adult patients is larger than 35 cm, the CTDIw of CBCT scans should be higher than 2.78 cGy to achieve required CNR. As for pediatric and adolescent patients with cross‐sectional diameter less than 25 cm, CBCTlowD is able to produce images with sufficient target detection. Conclusion The target detectability of soft tissues in default CBCT scans may not be sufficient for overweight or obese adults. Contrary, pediatric and adolescent patients would receive unnecessarily high radiation exposure from default CBCT scans. Therefore, the selection of acquisition parameters for CBCT scans optimized according to patient body size was proposed to ensure sufficient image quality for daily patient positioning in radiation therapy while achieving the ALARA principle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Tzu-Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chieh Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Ming Ruan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Su CY, Tsai MC, Chou KP, Chiang HC, Lin HH, Su MY, Wu YR, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Method for enhancing the favored transverse-electric-polarized emission of an AlGaN deep-ultraviolet quantum well. Opt Express 2017; 25:26365-26377. [PMID: 29092128 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.026365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An AlGaN quantum well (QW) structure of a deep-ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) needs to be well designed for controlling its band structure such that the heavy-hole (HH) band edge becomes lower than the split-off (SO) band edge and hence the transverse-electric (TE) polarization dominates the emission for achieving a higher light extraction efficiency. Here, we report the discovery of un-intentionally formed high-Al AlGaN nano-layers right above and below such a QW and their effects on the QW for changing the relative energy levels of the HH and SO bands. The comparison between the results of simulation study and polarization-resolved photoluminescence measurement confirms that the high-Al layers (HALs) represent the key to the observation of the dominating TE-polarized emission. By applying a stress onto a sample along its c-axis to produce a tensile strain in the c-plane for counteracting the HAL effects in changing the band structure, we can further understand the effectiveness of the HALs. The formation of the HALs is attributed to the hydrogen back-etching of Ga atoms during the temperature transition from quantum barrier growth into QW growth and vice versa. The Al filling in the etched vacancies results in the formation of an HAL. This discovery brings us with a simple method for enhancing the favored TE-polarized emission in an AlGaN deep-UV QW LED.
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Su CY, Lin CH, Yao YF, Liu WH, Su MY, Chiang HC, Tsai MC, Tu CG, Chen HT, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Dependencies of surface plasmon coupling effects on the p-GaN thickness of a thin-p-type light-emitting diode. Opt Express 2017; 25:21526-21536. [PMID: 29041450 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.021526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The high performance of a light-emitting diode (LED) with the total p-type thickness as small as 38 nm is demonstrated. By increasing the Mg doping concentration in the p-AlGaN electron blocking layer through an Mg pre-flow process, the hole injection efficiency can be significantly enhanced. Based on this technique, the high LED performance can be maintained when the p-type layer thickness is significantly reduced. Then, the surface plasmon coupling effects, including the enhancement of internal quantum efficiency, increase in output intensity, reduction of efficiency droop, and increase of modulation bandwidth, among the thin p-type LED samples of different p-type thicknesses that are compared. These advantageous effects are stronger as the p-type layer becomes thinner. However, the dependencies of these effects on p-type layer thickness are different. With a circular mesa size of 10 μm in radius, through surface plasmon coupling, we achieve the record-high modulation bandwidth of 625.6 MHz among c-plane GaN-based LEDs.
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Yang CC, Wang WY, Wang B. [Enhanced recovery after surgery in bariatric and metabolic procedure]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2017; 97:2481-2482. [PMID: 28835052 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0376-2491.2017.32.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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He Y, Hsiao JH, Yu JH, Tseng PH, Hua WH, Low MC, Tsai YH, Cai CJ, Hsieh CC, Kiang YW, Yang CC, Zhang Z. Cancer cell death pathways caused by photothermal and photodynamic effects through gold nanoring induced surface plasmon resonance. Nanotechnology 2017; 28:275101. [PMID: 28557805 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa75ad] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The different death pathways of cancer cells under the conditions of the photothermal (PT), effect, photodynamic (PD) effect, and their combination are evaluated. By incubating cells with Au nanoring (NRI) either linked with the photosensitizer, AlPcS, or not, the illumination of a visible continuous laser for exciting the photosensitizer or an infrared femtosecond laser for exciting the localized surface plasmon resonance of Au NRI, leads to various PT and PD conditions for study. Three different staining dyes are used for identifying the cell areas of different damage conditions at different temporal points of observation. The cell death pathways and apoptotic evolution speeds under different cell treatment conditions are evaluated based on the calibration of the threshold laser fluences for causing early-apoptosis (EA) and necrosis (NE) or late-apoptosis (LA). It is found that with the PT effect only, strong cell NE is generated and the transition from EA into LA is faster than that caused by the PD effect when the EA stage is reached within 0.5 h after laser illumination. By combining the PT and PD effects, in the first few hours, the transition speed becomes lower, compared to the case of the PT effect only, when both Au NRIs internalized into cells and adsorbed on cell membrane exist. When the Au NRIs on cell membrane is removed, in the first few hours, the transition speed becomes higher, compared to the case of the PD effect only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu He
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Education Ministry, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No.28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049 People's Republic of China. Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan
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Chen YH, Chen YC, Kuo WJ, Kan K, Yang CC, Yen NS. Strategic Motives Drive Proposers to Offer Fairly in Ultimatum Games: An fMRI Study. Sci Rep 2017; 7:527. [PMID: 28373714 PMCID: PMC5428836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00608-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis of strategic motives postulates that offering fairly in the Ultimatum Game (UG) is to avoid rejection and receive money. In this fMRI study, we used a modified UG to elucidate how proposers reached decisions of offering fairly and to what extent they considered offering selfishly with different stakes. We had proposers choose between a fair and a selfish offer with different degrees of selfishness and stake sizes. Proposers were less likely and spent more time choosing the fair offer over a slightly-selfish offer than a very selfish offer independent of stakes. Such choices evoked greater activation in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortices that typically involve in allocation of cognitive control for cost/benefit decision making. Choosing a fair offer in higher stakes evoked greater activation in the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACCg) and the areas that previously have been implicated in reward and theory of mind. Furthermore, choosing a slightly selfish offer over a fair offer evoked greater activation in the anterior cingulate sulcus, ACCg, ventral tegmental area (or substantia nigra) and anterior insular cortex signalling the higher gain and implying higher rejection risk. In conclusion, our findings favoured the hypothesis that proposers offer fairly based on the strategic motives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Hua Chen
- Research Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, National Chengchi University, Taiwan, No. 64, ZhiNan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chun Chen
- Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taiwan, No. 64, ZhiNan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Jui Kuo
- Research Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, National Chengchi University, Taiwan, No. 64, ZhiNan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan.,Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan, No. 155, Sec. 2, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Kamhon Kan
- Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - C C Yang
- Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.,Department of Public Finance, National Chengchi University, Taiwan, No. 64, ZhiNan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan.,Department of Public Finance, Feng Chia University, Taiwan, No. 100, Wenhwa Road, Seatwen, Taichung, 407, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Shing Yen
- Research Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, National Chengchi University, Taiwan, No. 64, ZhiNan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan. .,Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taiwan, No. 64, ZhiNan Road, Sec. 2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan.
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Zhang X, Tu CG, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Structure variation of a sidewall quantum well on a GaN nanorod. Nanotechnology 2017; 28:045203. [PMID: 27981946 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/28/4/045203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A theoretical model for evaluating the height-dependent variations of quantum well (QW) thickness and In concentration in a sidewall QW of a single- or two-section GaN nanorod (NR) is proposed. By reasonably choosing modeling parameter values, the obtained numerical results are quite consistent with the available experimental data. In particular, the model clearly demonstrates the increasing trends of QW thickness and In concentration with height on a sidewall of a single-section NR. Also, it successfully explains the larger QW thickness and higher In concentration in the upper uniform section, when compared with the lower uniform section, in a two-section NR. In this model, three III-group adatom supply sources are considered for sidewall deposition on a single-section NR, including the downward diffusion of adatoms collected on the slant facets at the NR top, the upward diffusion of adatoms collected on the NR base, and the direct adsorption of atoms on the sidewall from the vapor phase. For a two-section NR, the upward and downward diffusions of adatoms collected on the slant facets of the tapering section between the two uniform sections serve as extra adatom supply sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Laser and Opto-electric Information Technology, School of Information Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China. Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, and Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan
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Yang CC. Optimization of CT Scanning Protocols for Small Animal PET/CT Studies: A Monte Carlo Simulation Study. J Med Imaging Hlth Inform 2016. [DOI: 10.1166/jmihi.2016.1789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Yang CC, Chen FL, Lo YC. Improving Image Quality of On-Board Cone-Beam CT in Radiation Therapy Using Image Information Provided by Planning Multi-Detector CT: A Phantom Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157072. [PMID: 27280593 PMCID: PMC4900643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to improve the image quality of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) mounted on the gantry of a linear accelerator used in radiation therapy based on the image information provided by planning multi-detector CT (MDCT). Methods MDCT-based shading correction for CBCT and virtual monochromatic CT (VMCT) synthesized using the dual-energy method were performed. In VMCT, the high-energy data were obtained from CBCT, while the low-energy data were obtained from MDCT. An electron density phantom was used to investigate the efficacy of shading correction and VMCT on improving the target detectability, Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracy and variation, which were quantified by calculating the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), the percent difference (%Diff) and the standard deviation of the CT numbers for tissue equivalent background material, respectively. Treatment plan studies for a chest phantom were conducted to investigate the effects of image quality improvement on dose planning. Results For the electron density phantom, the mean value of CNR was 17.84, 26.78 and 34.31 in CBCT, shading-corrected CBCT and VMCT, respectively. The mean value of %Diff was 152.67%, 11.93% and 7.66% in CBCT, shading-corrected CBCT and VMCT, respectively. The standard deviation within a uniform background of CBCT, shading-corrected CBCT and VMCT was 85, 23 and 15 HU, respectively. With regards to the chest phantom, the monitor unit (MU) difference between the treatment plan calculated using MDCT and those based on CBCT, shading corrected CBCT and VMCT was 6.32%, 1.05% and 0.94%, respectively. Conclusions Enhancement of image quality in on-board CBCT can contribute to daily patient setup and adaptive dose delivery, thus enabling higher confidence in patient treatment accuracy in radiation therapy. Based on our results, VMCT has the highest image quality, followed by the shading corrected CBCT and the original CBCT. The research results presented in this study should be able to provide a route to reach a high level of image quality for CBCT imaging in radiation oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Tzu-Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Fong-Lin Chen
- Department of Medical Physics, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yeh-Chi Lo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai Medical School, New York, New York, United States of America
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Li MM, Yang CC, Wang CC, Wen Z, Zhu YF, Zhao M, Li JC, Zheng WT, Lian JS, Jiang Q. Design of Hydrogen Storage Alloys/Nanoporous Metals Hybrid Electrodes for Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27601. [PMID: 27270184 PMCID: PMC4895169 DOI: 10.1038/srep27601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries have demonstrated key technology advantages for applications in new-energy vehicles, which play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the world's dependence on fossil fuels. However, the poor high-rate dischargeability of the negative electrode materials-hydrogen storage alloys (HSAs) limits applications of Ni-MH batteries in high-power fields due to large polarization. Here we design a hybrid electrode by integrating HSAs with a current collector of three-dimensional bicontinuous nanoporous Ni. The electrode shows enhanced high-rate dischargeability with the capacity retention rate reaching 44.6% at a discharge current density of 3000 mA g(-1), which is 2.4 times that of bare HSAs (18.8%). Such a unique hybrid architecture not only enhances charge transfer between nanoporous Ni and HSAs, but also facilitates rapid diffusion of hydrogen atoms in HSAs. The developed HSAs/nanoporous metals hybrid structures exhibit great potential to be candidates as electrodes in high-performance Ni-MH batteries towards applications in new-energy vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Li
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - C C Yang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - C C Wang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Z Wen
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Y F Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - M Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - J C Li
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - W T Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - J S Lian
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Q Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials (Jilin University), Ministry of Education, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
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Yang CC, Wang WY, Wang B. [Effect of bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome with obesity in China]. Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2016; 30:434-437. [PMID: 29871032 DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.1001-1781.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity has become one of the greatest public health concerns especially in China and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is prevalent among morbidly obese patients. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has been proved to be a typical multidisciplinary strategy for obese patients with OSAHS but no related bariatric surgical guideline for OSAHS was found by now. In this paper, we extend to share our preliminary single-center experiences in the multidisciplinary treatment of severe obese with OSAHS.
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Chu CK, Tu YC, Hsiao JH, Yu JH, Yu CK, Chen SY, Tseng PH, Chen S, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Combination of photothermal and photodynamic inactivation of cancer cells through surface plasmon resonance of a gold nanoring. Nanotechnology 2016; 27:115102. [PMID: 26878331 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/11/115102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate effective inactivation of oral cancer cells SAS through a combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) around 1064 nm in wavelength of a Au nanoring (NRI) under femtosecond (fs) laser illumination. The PTT effect is caused by the LSPR-enhanced absorption of the Au NRI. The PDT effect is generated by linking the Au NRI with the photosensitizer of sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanines (AlPcS) for producing singlet oxygen through the LSPR-enhanced two-photon absorption (TPA) excitation of AlPcS. The laser threshold intensity for cancer cell inactivation with the applied Au NRI linked with AlPcS is significantly lower when compared to that with the Au NRI not linked with AlPcS. The comparison of inactivation threshold intensity between the cases of fs and continuous laser illuminations at the same wavelength and with the same average power confirms the crucial factor of TPA under fs laser illumination for producing the PDT effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ken Chu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan
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Abstract
Purpose Scatter is a very important artifact causing factor in dental cone-beam CT (CBCT), which has a major influence on the detectability of details within images. This work aimed to improve the image quality of dental CBCT through scatter correction. Methods Scatter was estimated in the projection domain from the low frequency component of the difference between the raw CBCT projection and the projection obtained by extrapolating the model fitted to the raw projections acquired with 2 different sizes of axial field-of-view (FOV). The function for curve fitting was optimized by using Monte Carlo simulation. To validate the proposed method, an anthropomorphic phantom and a water-filled cylindrical phantom with rod inserts simulating different tissue materials were scanned using 120 kVp, 5 mA and 9-second scanning time covering an axial FOV of 4 cm and 13 cm. The detectability of the CT image was evaluated by calculating the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Results Beam hardening and cupping artifacts were observed in CBCT images without scatter correction, especially in those acquired with 13 cm FOV. These artifacts were reduced in CBCT images corrected by the proposed method, demonstrating its efficacy on scatter correction. After scatter correction, the image quality of CBCT was improved in terms of target detectability which was quantified as the CNR for rod inserts in the cylindrical phantom. Conclusions Hopefully the calculations performed in this work can provide a route to reach a high level of diagnostic image quality for CBCT imaging used in oral and maxillofacial structures whilst ensuring patient dose as low as reasonably achievable, which may ultimately make CBCT scan a reliable and safe tool in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ching Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Tzu-Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Chang HH, Cao RX, Yang CC, Wei WL, Pang XY, Qiao Y. Interactions of acylated methylglucoside derivatives with CO2: simulation and calculations. J Mol Model 2016; 22:39. [PMID: 26781667 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-015-2903-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Carbohydrates have drawn considerable interest from researchers recently due to their affinity for CO2. However, most of the research in this field has focused on peracetylated derivatives. Compared with acetylated carbohydrates, which have already been studied in depth, methyl D-glucopyranoside derivatives are more stable and could have additional applications. Thus, in the present work, ab initio calculations were performed to elucidate the characteristics of the interactions of methylglucoside derivatives with CO2, and to investigate how the binding energy (ΔE) is affected by isomerization or the introduction of various acyl groups. Four methyl D-glucopyranosides (each with two anomers) bearing acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, and isobutyryl moieties, respectively, were designed as substrates, and the 1:1 complexes of a CO2 molecule with each of these sugar substrates were modeled. The results indicate that ΔE is mainly influenced by interaction distance and the number of negatively charged donors or interacting pairs in the complex; the structure of the acyl group present in the substrate is a secondary influence. Except in the case of methyl 2-O-acetyl-D-glucopyranose, the ΔE values of the α- and β-anomers of each methylglucoside were found to be almost the same. Therefore, we would expect the CO2 affinities of the four derivatives studied here to be as strong as or even stronger than that of peracetylated D-glucopyranose. Graphical Abstract The binding energy between methyl D-glucopyranoside derivatives with various substituted acyl groups and CO2 are evaluated by ab initio calculations. The strong interaction between these methyl dglucopyranoside derivatives and CO2 showed the potential of their application for CO2 capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Chang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
| | - R X Cao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
| | - C C Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
| | - W L Wei
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
| | - X Y Pang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China.
| | - Y Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China.
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Tu CG, Su CY, Liao CH, Hsieh C, Yao YF, Chen HT, Lin CH, Weng CM, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Regularly patterned multi-section GaN nanorod arrays grown with a pulsed growth technique. Nanotechnology 2016; 27:025303. [PMID: 26630269 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/2/025303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The growth of regularly patterned multi-section GaN nanorod (NR) arrays based on a pulsed growth technique with metalorganic chemical vapor deposition is demonstrated. Such an NR with multiple sections of different cross-sectional sizes is formed by tapering a uniform cross section to another through stepwise decreasing of the Ga supply duration to reduce the size of the catalytic Ga droplet. Contrast line structures are observed in either a scanning electron microscopy or transmission electron microscopy image of an NR. Such a contrast line-marker corresponds to a thin Ga-rich layer formed at the beginning of GaN precipitation of a pulsed growth cycle and illustrates the boundary between two successive growth cycles in pulsed growth. By analyzing the geometry variation of the contrast line-markers, the morphology evolution in the growth of a multi-section NR, including a tapering process, can be traced. Such a morphology variation is controlled by the size of the catalytic Ga droplet and its coverage range on the slant facets at the top of an NR. The comparison of emission spectra between single-, two-, and three-section GaN NRs with sidewall InGaN/GaN quantum wells indicates that a multi-section NR can lead to a significantly broader sidewall emission spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charng-Gan Tu
- Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan
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Yao YF, Lin CH, Hsieh C, Su CY, Zhu E, Yang S, Weng CM, Su MY, Tsai MC, Wu SS, Chen SH, Tu CG, Chen HT, Kiang YW, Yang CC. Multi-mechanism efficiency enhancement in growing Ga-doped ZnO as the transparent conductor on a light-emitting diode. Opt Express 2015; 23:32274-32288. [PMID: 26699018 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.032274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The combined effects of a few mechanisms for emission efficiency enhancement produced in the overgrowth of the transparent conductor layer of Ga-doped ZnO (GaZnO) on a surface Ag-nanoparticle (NP) coated light-emitting diode (LED), including surface plasmon (SP) coupling, current spreading, light extraction, and contact resistivity reduction, are demonstrated. With a relatively higher GaZnO growth temperature (350 °C), melted Ag NPs can be used as catalyst for forming GaZnO nanoneedles (NNs) through the vapor-liquid-solid growth mode such that light extraction efficiency can be increased. Meanwhile, residual Ag NPs are buried in a simultaneously grown GaZnO layer for inducing SP coupling. With a relatively lower GaZnO growth temperature (250 °C), all the Ag NPs are preserved for generating a stronger SP coupling effect. By using a thin annealed GaZnO interlayer on p-GaN before Ag NP fabrication, the contact resistivity at the GaZnO/p-GaN interface and hence the overall device resistance can be reduced. Although the use of this interlayer blue-shifts the localized surface plasmon resonance peak of the fabricated Ag NPs from the quantum well emission wavelength of the current study (535 nm) such that the SP coupling effect becomes weaker, it is useful for enhancing the SP coupling effect in an LED with a shorter emission wavelength.
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