National Cheng Kung University

About: National Cheng Kung University is a education organization based out in Tainan City, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 49723 authors who have published 69799 publications receiving 1437420 citations. The organization is also known as: NCKU.

Near-Infrared Light Photocontrolled Targeting, Bioimaging, and Chemotherapy with Caged Upconversion Nanoparticles in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract: The major challenge in current chemotherapy is to increase local effective therapeutic concentration of drugs as well as to minimize toxicity and side effects for patients. The targeted delivery of drugs to their desired site of action in a controlled manner plays an essential role in the development of drug formulations. A photocage refers to a caged molecule rendered biologically inert by a photolabile protecting group. Molecules are illuminated with light to liberate the caged group and then become active forms. In this study, we formulate upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as the NIR-triggered targeting and drug delivery vehicles that successfully deliver in vitro and in vivo for near-infrared light photocontrolled targeting, bioimaging, and chemotherapy. It is noted that there has been no report on the systemic administration UCNP-based drug delivery agents for evaluation of bioimaging and chemotherapy. To achieve phototargeting, the tumor-homing agent (i.e., folic acid) has been constructed as a photoresponsive molecule. For the chemotherapeutic effect, the antitumor drug doxorubicin is thiolated on the surface of UCNPs, forming a disulfide bond that can be cleaved by lysosomal enzymes within the cells. The caged UNCPs can serve as a platform for the improvement of selective targeting and possible reduction of adverse side effects from chemotherapy.

Effects of firm resources on growth in multinationality

Abstract: Multinationality refers to the extent to which firms' business activities span across national borders. Moving beyond prior emphasis on the consequences of multinational expansion, this study sheds light on the antecedents by analyzing how firm resources influence changes in multinationality. Building on the resource-based view of the firm, we propose a framework that consists of resource determinants in two categories: knowledge-based and property-based resources. Empirical results obtained from a sample of publicly held US manufacturing companies show that knowledge-based resources generate faster and longer-lasting influences on international growth than property-based resources. Specifically, resources related to technological and marketing knowledge, and property-based resources related to organizational slack and internally generated profits, are found to be significant driving forces behind growth in multinationality. This study not only advances our understanding of the antecedents of multinational expansion, but also provides implications and avenues for future research.

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017

Abstract: This assessment, by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP), one of three Panels informing the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, provides an update, since our previous extensive assessment (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2019, 18, 595-828), of recent findings of current and projected interactive environmental effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, stratospheric ozone, and climate change. These effects include those on human health, air quality, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and materials used in construction and other services. The present update evaluates further evidence of the consequences of human activity on climate change that are altering the exposure of organisms and ecosystems to UV radiation. This in turn reveals the interactive effects of many climate change factors with UV radiation that have implications for the atmosphere, feedbacks, contaminant fate and transport, organismal responses, and many outdoor materials including plastics, wood, and fabrics. The universal ratification of the Montreal Protocol, signed by 197 countries, has led to the regulation and phase-out of chemicals that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. Although this treaty has had unprecedented success in protecting the ozone layer, and hence all life on Earth from damaging UV radiation, it is also making a substantial contribution to reducing climate warming because many of the chemicals under this treaty are greenhouse gases.

Universal primers for amplification and sequencing a noncoding spacer between the atpB and rbcL genes of chloroplast DNA

Abstract: Universal primers for amplifying and sequencing a noncoding spacer between the atpB and rbcL genes of the chloroplast DNA were constructed from the published sequences of Marchantia (a liverwort), tobacco, and rice. Our results indicate an evolutionary trend of increasing spacer size from liverworts, through mosses, to vascular plants. This atpB-rbcL spacer is AT-rich, consistent with other chloroplast noncoding spacers. Due to weak functional constraints, the spacer is evolving rapidly. A sequence identity of 92.2% was observed between spacers of two closely related moss species, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and R. triquestrus. Insertion/deletion events are common in the evolution of this spacer. A 23 bp deletion occurrs in R. loreus. Variation is found between two populations of Amorphophallus henryi (Araceae) and between individuals in a populations of Pasania formosana (Fagaceae). We suggest that this spacer will be useful for molecular systematics at the subspecific, specific, and generic levels and, in some species, for population genetics studies.