This paper describes the behavior of top-gated transistors fabricated using carbon, specifically epitaxial graphene on SiC, as the active material. Although graphene devices have been built before, ...in this paper, we provide the first demonstration and systematic evaluation of arrays of a large number of transistors produced using standard microelectronics methods. The graphene devices presented feature high-k dielectric, mobilities up to 5000 cm 2 /Vldr s, and I on /I off ratios of up to seven, and are methodically analyzed to provide insight into the substrate properties. Typical of graphene, these micrometer-scale devices have negligible band gaps and, therefore, large leakage currents.
Graphene transistors are made by transferring a thin graphene film grown on Ni onto an insulating SiO 2 substrate. The properties and integration of these graphene-on-insulator transistors are ...presented and compared to the characteristics of devices made from graphitized SiC and exfoliated graphene flakes.
Since April 2022, waves of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant cases have surfaced in Taiwan and spread throughout the island. Using high-throughput sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, we analyzed 2,405 ...PCR-positive swab samples from 2,339 persons and identified the Omicron BA.2.3.7 variant as a major lineage within recent community outbreaks in Taiwan.
Pastes containing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and LiCl-Mn(NO3)2·4H2O are screen-printed on a carbon cloth substrate and then calcined using a nitrogen atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) for ...conversion into rGO-LiMnOx nanocomposites. The APPJ processing time is within 300 s. RGO-LiMnOx on carbon cloth is used to sandwich H2SO4, LiCl, or Li2SO4 gel electrolytes to form hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs). The areal capacitance, energy density, and cycling stability of the HSCs are evaluated using electrochemical measurement. The HSC utilizing the Li2SO4 gel electrolyte exhibits enhanced electrode–electrolyte interface reactions and increased effective surface area due to its high pseudocapacitance (PC) ratio and lithium ion migration rate. As a result, it demonstrates the highest areal capacitance and energy density. The coupling of charges generated by embedded lithium ions with the electric double-layer capacitance (EDLC) further contributed to the significant overall capacitance enhancement. Conversely, the HSC with the H2SO4 gel electrolyte exhibits better cycling stability. Our findings shed light on the interplay between gel electrolytes and electrode materials, offering insights into the design and optimization of high-performance HSCs.
In 2011, a large community outbreak of human adenovirus (HAdV) in Taiwan was detected by a nationwide surveillance system. The epidemic lasted from week 11 through week 41 of 2011 (March 14-October ...16, 2011). Although HAdV-3 was the predominant strain detected (74%), an abrupt increase in the percentage of infections caused by HAdV-7 occurred, from 0.3% in 2008-2010 to 10% in 2011. Clinical information was collected for 202 inpatients infected with HAdV; 31 (15.2%) had severe infection that required intensive care, and 7 of those patients died. HAdV-7 accounted for 10%, 12%, and 41% of infections among outpatients, inpatients with nonsevere infection, and inpatients with severe infection, respectively (p<0.01). The HAdV-7 strain detected in this outbreak is identical to a strain recently reported in the People's Republic of China (HAdV7-HZ/SHX/CHN/2009). Absence of circulating HAdV-7 in previous years and introduction of an emerging strain are 2 factors that caused this outbreak.
This study aimed to investigate the in vitro susceptibilities of carbapenem-non-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CNSPA) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CNSAB) isolates to cefiderocol, novel ...β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) combinations, new tetracycline analogues, and other comparative antibiotics.
In total, 405 non-duplicate bacteremic CNSPA (n = 150) and CNSAB (n = 255) isolates were collected from 16 hospitals in Taiwan between 2018 and 2020. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the broth microdilution method, and susceptibilities were interpreted according to the relevant guidelines or in accordance with results of previous studies and non-species-related pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data.
Among the isolates tested, cefiderocol demonstrated potent in vitro activity against CNSPA (MIC50/90, 0.25/1 mg/L; 100% of isolates were inhibited at ≤4 mg/L) and CNSAB (MIC50/90, 0.5/2 mg/L; 94.9% of isolates were inhibited at ≤4 mg/L) isolates. More than 80% of CNSPA isolates were susceptible to cefiderocol, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, and amikacin, based on breakpoints established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Activities of new BLI combinations varied significantly. Tetracycline analogues, including tigecycline (MIC50/90, 1/2 mg/L; 92.5% of CNSAB isolates were inhibited at ≤2 mg/L) and eravacycline (MIC50/90, 0.5/1 mg/L; 99.6% of CNSAB isolates were inhibited at ≤2 mg/L) exhibited more potent in vitro activity against CNSAB than omadacycline (MIC50/90, 4/8 mg/L).
The spread of CNSPA and CNSAB poses a major challenge to global health. Significant resistance be developed even before a novel agent becomes commercially available. The development of on-site antimicrobial susceptibility tests for these novel agents is of great clinical importance.
This study aimed to compare the effects of triple continuous jumping snatch (TCJS) intervention training on the technique and performance of novice lifters. Males (n = 22; age = 19.7 ± 0.9 years; ...height = 173.7 ± 6.1 cm; body mass = 76.3 ± 11.8 kg) who had no training experience in weightlifting were randomly assigned to a control (CG; n = 11) or an experimental (EG; n = 11) group, and trained three times a week for 8 weeks. The CG was trained in the snatch, and EG intervened with TCJS. In the initial state, t-tests and Hedges’ effect sizes revealed significant and very large-to-nearly perfect differences (p < 0.001, g = 6.39) for barbell velocity while the barbell made contact with the body and the maximal barbell acceleration after contact (p < 0.001, g = 3.79) between CG and EG. Moreover, differences in the angle between the barbell and the shoulder prior to the turnover phase exhibited significant and moderate decreases in weeks 2, 6, and 8 (all p < 0.05, g = 0.63–0.98) by performing the snatch with the TCJS intervention. The TCJS not only impacts barbell velocity and acceleration immediately, but also reduces horizontal movement between the barbell and body. The results of this study demonstrated that the TCJS constitutes a superior training method for novice lifters to enhance the stability of techniques when compared with snatch.
•Multicentre surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility among clinically important Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in Taiwan.•Increasing carbapenem resistance among clinically important GNB, ...especially among nosocomial isolates.•blaKPC, especially the blaKPC-2 variant, was detected in 48.4% of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.•Low prevalence of the mcr-1 gene.•mcr-1 was detected in different Enterobacteriaceae species, raising concern of potential dissemination.
Multicentre surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of clinically important Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from 16 Taiwanese hospitals was performed. Escherichia coli (n = 398), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 346), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 252) and Acinetobacter baumannii complex (ABC) (n = 188) bloodstream isolates, non-typhoidal Salmonella (n = 230) and Shigella flexneri (n = 18) from various sources were collected. Antimicrobial MICs were determined using broth microdilution. Genes encoding K. pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDMs), Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM), OXA-48-like carbapenemase (OXA-48) as well as mcr-1–5 genes were detected by molecular methods. Rates of carbapenem non-susceptibility were 2.8%, 9.0%, 0.4%, 0%, 10.3% and 48.8% for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Salmonella, Shigella, P. aeruginosa and ABC, respectively. For carbapenemases, one (0.3%) E. coli harboured blaNDM-1. Fifteen (4.3%), two (0.6%) and two (0.6%) K. pneumoniae contained blaKPC, blaOXA-48 and blaVIM, respectively. Two (0.5%) E. coli and fourteen (4.0%) K. pneumoniae were non-wild-type according to the colistin MIC. Among Enterobacteriaceae with a colistin MIC ≥ 2 mg/L, mcr-1 was detected in one E. coli, two K. pneumoniae and three Salmonella spp. All three mcr-1-positive Salmonella isolates were collected from community-acquired infections; none of the six mcr-1-positive Enterobacteriaceae were carbapenem-resistant. Carbapenem resistance has increased among clinically important GNB, especially among hospital-acquired infections. blaKPC, especially the blaKPC-2 variant, was detected in approximately one-half of the carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates in this study. Although resistance rates to colistin remained low among Enterobacteriaceae, the finding of mcr-1 from different species raises concern of potential dissemination.
Nationwide newborn screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been implemented in Taiwan since 1987 and the G6PD enzyme activity levels were applied for diagnosis ...confirmation. As the reference value of G6PD enzyme activity was not available for infants aged 7–90 days, this study was performed to determine the enzyme level in different genotypes.
Between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, 410 term infants aged 7–90 days old visiting National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu branch were enrolled. The comparisons of G6PD enzyme activities among genotype groups were performed.
G6PD enzyme activity was negatively correlated with age (R = −0.212, p = 0.01). For infants under 30 days of age, the G6PD enzyme activity levels were 1.4 ± 0.9 U/g Hb in hemizygotes (n = 76), 6.5 ± 2.0 U/g Hb in heterozygotes (n = 47), and 13.6 ± 3.7 U/g Hb in those without G6PD mutations (n = 70). Among infants more than 30 days old, G6PD enzyme activity levels were 0.9 ± 0.5 U/g Hb in hemizygotes (n = 46), 6.0 ± 2.7 U/g Hb in heterozygotes (n = 23), and 11.7 ± 3.4 U/g Hb in those without G6PD mutations (n = 148). G6PD levels differed significantly among the groups defined by genotypes.
We determined G6PD enzyme activity levels in infants aged between 7 and 90 days in Taiwan. Completing the reference data and determining the cutoff values for different G6PD deficiency disease statuses will help pediatricians to make accurate diagnoses.
A multicenter collection of bacteremic isolates of
(
= 423),
(
= 372),
(
= 300), and
complex (
= 199) was analyzed for susceptibility. Xpert Carba-R assay and sequencing for
genes were performed for ...carbapenem- or colistin-resistant isolates. Nineteen (67.8%) carbapenem-resistant
(
= 28) and one (20%) carbapenem-resistant
(
= 5) isolate harbored
(
= 17),
(
= 2), and
(
= 1) genes.
PDF
