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.

The use of alendronate to prevent early collapse of the femoral head in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis. A randomized clinical study.

Abstract: Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is the most common diagnosis leading to total hip arthroplasty in young adults. Joint-preserving treatment options have been mainly surgical, with inconsistent results. Alendronate (a bisphosphonate agent) has been shown to lower the prevalence of vertebral compression fractures and could potentially retard the collapse of an osteonecrotic femoral head. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of alendronate in preventing early collapse of the femoral head in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis. Methods: Forty patients with Steinberg stage-II or III nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and a necrotic area of >30% (class C) were randomly divided into alendronate and control groups of twenty patients each. Patients in the alendronate group took 70 mg of alendronate orally per week for twenty-five weeks, while the patients in the control group did not receive this medication or a placebo. The patients were observed for a minimum of twenty-four months. Harris hip scores, plain radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained. Results: During the study period, only two of twenty-nine femoral heads in the alendronate group collapsed, whereas nineteen of twenty-five femoral heads in the control group collapsed (p < 0.001). One hip in the alendronate group underwent total hip arthroplasty, whereas sixteen hips in the control group underwent total hip arthroplasty (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Alendronate appeared to prevent early collapse of the femoral head in the hips with Steinberg stage-II or IIIC nontraumatic osteonecrosis. A longer duration of follow-up is needed to confirm whether alendronate prevents or only retards collapse. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of SnO2 Nanoparticles and Their Gas-Sensing of Alcohol

Abstract: A hydrothermal method was used to synthesize nanocrystalline SnO2 particles with an average particle size of 3.0 ± 0.5 nm. Thermally treated SnO2 with an average diameter of 3.3 ± 0.6 nm was obtain...

Synthesis and characterization of nano-sized LiFePO4 cathode materials prepared by a citric acid-based sol–gel route

Abstract: LiFePO4/carbon composite cathode materials were synthesized by a sol–gel process. The citric acid in the developed sol–gel process plays the role not only as a complexing agent but also as a carbon source, which improves the conductivity of the composites and hinders the growth of LiFePO4 particles. Nano-sized LiFePO4 particles without the impurity phase were successfully synthesized. The grain size of LiFePO4 particles in the range of 20–30 nm is obtained at calcined temperatures from 450 to 850 °C. Increasing the calcination temperature leads to a decrease in the carbon content but an increase in the conductivity of the composites in the range of 400–850 °C. However, the conductivity slightly decreases if the calcination temperature further increases to 950 °C. The LiFePO4/carbon composite synthesized at 850 °C shows the highest conductivity (10−3 S cm−1), the highest specific capacity, and the best rate capability among the synthesized materials. It is worthy to note that the cell performance of the LiFePO4 depends on the electrochemical cycling procedure employed.

An empirical investigation of students' behavioural intentions to use the online learning course websites

Abstract: With the development of the Internet in the era of knowledge-driven economy, e-learning is experiencing rapid growth. The online learning course websites are drawing more attention as well. This research combines the innovation diffusion theory and the technology acceptance model, and adds two research variables, perceived system quality and computer self-efficacy to propose a new hybrid technology acceptance model to study students' behavioural intentions to use the online learning course websites. This research finds that compatibility, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived system quality and computer self-efficacy were critical factors for students' behavioural intentions to use the online learning course websites. By explaining students' behavioural intentions from a user's perspective, the findings of this research help to develop more user-friendly websites and also provide insight into the best way to promote new e-learning tools for students.