Data-Driven Smart Living Lab to Promote Participation in Rehabilitation Exercises and Sports Programs for People with Disabilities in Local Communities.

Patients discharged from hospitals after an inpatient course of medical treatment for any ailment or traumatic injury that results in disabling conditions and are rendered mobility impaired require ongoing systematic sports and exercise programs to maintain healthy lifestyles. Under such circumstances, a rehabilitation exercise and sports center, accessible throughout local communities, is critical for promoting beneficial living and community participation for these individuals with disabilities. An innovative data-driven system equipped with state-of-the-art smart and digital equipment, set up in architecturally barrier-free infrastructures, is essential for these individuals to promote health maintenance and overcome secondary medical complications following an acute inpatient hospitalization or suboptimal rehabilitation. A federally funded collaborative research and development (R&D) program proposes to build a multi-ministerial data-driven system of exercise programs using a smart digital living lab as a platform to provide pilot services in physical education and counseling with exercise and sports programs for this patient population. We describe the social and critical aspects of rehabilitating such a population of patients by presenting a full study protocol. A modified sub-dataset of the previously generated 280-item full dataset is applied using a data-collecting system-"The Elephant"-as an example of how data acquisition will be achieved to assess the effects of lifestyle rehabilitative exercise programs for people with disabilities.

Single-step acid-catalyzed synthesis of luminescent colloidal organosilica nanobeads.

We present a single-step, room-temperature synthesis of fluorescent organosilica nanobeads (FOS NBs). The FOS NBs were synthesized under aqueous conditions using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) as the silicon source in the presence of L-ascorbic acid (L-AA). In the APTES/L-AA/water ternary phase, the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of APTES occurred under acidic conditions to form spherical FOS NBs with an average diameter of 426.8 nm. FOS NBs exhibit excellent colloidal stability in aqueous media. The formation of FOS NBs was complete within a 10 min reaction time, which indicates potential for large-scale mass-production synthesis of luminescent colloidal NBs. The FOS NBs exhibited blue photoluminescence (PL) under UV excitation in the absence of an additional high temperature calcination process or with the incorporation of any fluorophores. This phenomenon is attributed to the presence of carbon-containing defects, which act as luminescent centers formed by the reaction between amino groups in the APTES and L-ascorbic acid reductant. Finally, the results of a cytotoxicity test and cellular uptake experiments revealed that the FOS NBs showed potential as optical contrast agents for bioimaging.

Hesperetin Inhibits Expression of Virulence Factors and Growth of Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium known to infect the human stomach. It can cause various gastrointestinal diseases including gastritis and gastric cancer. Hesperetin is a major flavanone component contained in citrus fruits. It has been reported to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. However, the antibacterial mechanism of hesperetin against H. pylori has not been reported yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the inhibitory effects of hesperetin on H. pylori growth and its inhibitory mechanisms. The results of this study showed that hesperetin inhibits the growth of H. pylori reference strains and clinical isolates. Hesperetin inhibits the expression of genes in replication (dnaE, dnaN, dnaQ, and holB) and transcription (rpoA, rpoB, rpoD, and rpoN) machineries of H. pylori. Hesperetin also inhibits the expression of genes related to H. pylori motility (flhA, flaA, and flgE) and adhesion (sabA, alpA, alpB, hpaA, and hopZ). It also inhibits the expression of urease. Hespereti n downregulates major virulence factors such as cytotoxin-associated antigen A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) and decreases the translocation of CagA and VacA proteins into gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. These results might be due to decreased expression of the type IV secretion system (T4SS) and type V secretion system (T5SS) involved in translocation of CagA and VacA, respectively. The results of this study indicate that hesperetin has antibacterial effects against H. pylori. Thus, hesperetin might be an effective natural product for the eradication of H. pylori.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-Assisted Shape Evolution of Highly Uniform and Shape-Pure Colloidal Copper Nanocrystals.

In this paper, the N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-assisted shape evolution of highly uniform and shape-pure copper nanocrystals (Cu NCs) is presented for the first time. Colloidal Cu NCs are synthesized via the disproportionation reaction of copper (I) bromide in the presence of a non-polar solvent mixture. It is observed that the shape of Cu NCs is systematically controlled by the addition of different amounts of DMF to the reaction mixture in high-temperature reaction conditions while maintaining a high size uniformity and shape purity. With increasing amount of DMF in the reaction mixture, the morphology of the Cu NCs change from a cube enclosed by six {100} facets, to a sphere with mixed surface facets, and finally, to an octahedron enclosed by eight {111} facets. The origin of this shape evolution is understood via first-principles density functional theory calculations, which allows the study of the change in the relative surface stability according to surface-coordinating adsorbates. Further, the shape-dependent plasmonic properties are systematically investigated with highly uniform and ligand-exchanged colloidal Cu NCs dispersed in acetonitrile. Finally, the facet-dependent electrocatalytic activities of the shape-controlled Cu NCs are investigated to reveal the activities of the highly uniform and shape-pure Cu NCs in the methanol oxidation reaction.

Zerumbone Inhibits Helicobacter pylori Urease Activity.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) produces urease in order to improve its settlement and growth in the human gastric epithelium. Urease inhibitors likely represent potentially powerful therapeutics for treating H. pylori; however, their instability and toxicity have proven problematic in human clinical trials. In this study, we investigate the ability of a natural compound extracted from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, zerumbone, to inhibit the urease activity of H. pylori by formation of urease dimers, trimers, or tetramers. As an oxygen atom possesses stronger electronegativity than the first carbon atom bonded to it, in the zerumbone structure, the neighboring second carbon atom shows a relatively negative charge (δ-) and the next carbon atom shows a positive charge (δ+), sequentially. Due to this electrical gradient, it is possible that H. pylori urease with its negative charges (such as thiol radicals) might bind to the ß-position carbon of zerumbone. Our results show that zerumbone dimerized, trimerized, or tetramerized with both H. pylori urease A and urease B molecules, and that this formation of complex inhibited H. pylori urease activity. Although zerumbone did not affect either gene transcription or the protein expression of urease A and urease B, our study demonstrated that zerumbone could effectively dimerize with both urease molecules and caused significant functional inhibition of urease activity. In short, our findings suggest that zerumbone may be an effective H. pylori urease inhibitor that may be suitable for therapeutic use in humans.

Antidiabetic effects of betulinic acid mediated by the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway.

Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally arising pentacyclic triterpenoid that has anti-malarial, anti-retroviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer biological effects. More recently, it has been reported to possess anti-obesity activity mediated by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). We further investigated antidiabetic activity of BA in mouse tissues at the cellular and systemic levels. We found that BA stimulated AMPK in a similar fashion to the known AMPK activators, such as 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-ß-D-ribofuranoside and metformin. Notably, the level of glucose uptake by BA was not altered by wortmannin, suggesting that this activation did not depend on phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Furthermore, BA diminished blood glucose levels in alloxane-treated ICR mice and in untreated mice during the glucose tolerance test. BA also stimulated mRNA expression of glucose transporter 4, which could partly explain increased glucose uptake. BA also increased AS160 phosphorylation by insulin-independent mechanisms in the extensor digitorum longus muscle. These results indicate that BA may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for diabetes by activating AMPK, like metformin. Notably, BA also enhanced mouse endurance capacity, indicating that it also affects metabolic regulation in addition to its antidiabetic activity.

Evodiamine Inhibits Helicobacter pylori Growth and Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammation.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) classified as a class I carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) plays an important role in the progression of chronic gastritis and the development of gastric cancer. A major bioactive component of Evodia rutaecarpa, evodiamine, has been known for its anti-bacterial effect and anti-cancer effects. However, the inhibitory effect of evodiamine against H. pylori is not yet known and the inhibitory mechanisms of evodiamine against gastric cancer cells are yet to be elucidated concretely. In this study, therefore, anti-bacterial effect of evodiamine on H. pylori growth and its inhibitory mechanisms as well as anti-inflammatory effects and its mechanisms of evodiamine on H. pylori-induced inflammation were investigated in vitr. Results of this study showed the growth of the H. pylori reference strains and clinical isolates were inhibited by evodiamine. It was considered one of the inhibitory mechanisms that evodiamine downregulated both gene expressions of replication and transcription machineries of H. pylori. Treatment of evodiamine also induced downregulation of urease and diminished translocation of cytotoxin-associated antigen A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) proteins into gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. This may be resulted from the reduction of CagA and VacA expressions as well as the type IV secretion system (T4SS) components and secretion system subunit protein A (SecA) protein which are involved in translocation of CagA and VacA into host cells, respectively. In particular, evodiamine inhibited the activation of signaling proteins such as the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway induced by H. pylori infection. It consequently might contribute to reduction of interleukin (IL)-8 production in AGS cells. Collectively, these results suggest anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of evodiamine against H. pylori.

Effects of occupational balance on subjective health, quality of life, and health-related variables in community-dwelling older adults: A structural equation modeling approach.

Occupational balance is an important variable associated with health and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the influence of occupational balance on health, quality of life, and other health-related variables using structural equation modeling. We analyzed data from 208 adults over 55 years old. Mean age of the participants was 70.21 years (SD 7.22). The research model for analysis was based on the results of previous studies addressing occupational balance and related variables such as stress, leisure satisfaction, life satisfaction, subjective health, quality of life, and participation. General fit indices of the final model were acceptable (x2/df = 1.708, p < .001, RMSEA = .058, TLI = .923, CFI = .929, and SRMR = .067). Although the size of effect was small to medium (.157-.249), occupational balance was identified as an independent variable directly or indirectly affecting subjective health, quality of life, and health-related variables in the final model. Our results showed that it is possible to improve subjective health and quality of life by promoting better occupational balance. Further studies developing an intervention program based on occupational balance are required to confirm the feasibility of the intervention and its effect on older adults' health and quality of life in real-life circumstances.

Sub-100-nm Nearly Monodisperse n-Paraffin/PMMA Phase Change Nanobeads.

In this study, we demonstrate the colloidal synthesis of nearly monodisperse, sub-100-nm phase change material (PCM) nanobeads with an organic n-paraffin core and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) shell. PCM nanobeads are synthesized via emulsion polymerization using ammonium persulfate as an initiator and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate as a surfactant. The highly uniform n-paraffin/PMMA PCM nanobeads are sub-100 nm in size and exhibit superior colloidal stability. Furthermore, the n-paraffin/PMMA PCM nanobeads exhibit reversible phase transition behaviors during the n-paraffin melting and solidification processes. During the solidification process, multiple peaks with relatively reduced phase change temperatures are observed, which are related to the phase transition of n-paraffin in the confined structure of the PMMA nanobeads. The phase change temperatures are further tailored by changing the carbon length of n-paraffin while maintaining the size uniformity of the PCM nanobeads. Sub-100-nm-sized and nearly monodisperse PCM nanobeads can be potentially utilized in thermal energy storage and drug delivery because of their high colloidal stability and solution processability.

Stakeholder perspectives on research and development priorities for mobility assistive-technology: a literature review.

PURPOSE: Over one billion people with disabilities (PWDs) and older adults with mobility impairment are currently in need of assistive technology devices (ATDs) and only 10% of those population have ordinarily access to them. The need for advancement in mobility-assistive technology is growing to address the gap in ATDs provision globally. The purpose of this review is to identify potential future areas of development and research in mobility-assistive technology. METHOD: Publications were identified using scientific and medical electronic databases. Also, a limited grey literature search was conducted to muster a variety of sources. A combination of keyword search terms was used, corresponding to the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms. RESULTS: A total of 392 articles were identified, of which 75 were selected for detailed review. Twenty-eight articles were identified that met the review's inclusion criteria. Future areas of research for mobility-assistive technology were identified by grouping the publications into four main categories. The findings of this review identified several areas of research and development in ATDs in general and mobility-assistive technology, in particular, with special attention to the importance of engaging users and stakeholders in the process of research and design. CONCLUSIONS: It is apparent that users' needs and priorities vary between regions within countries. The majority of studies were noted to mainly identify consumers' perspectives on a national basis. The authors, therefore, suggest that further research should be conducted on a global level to determine the knowledge and perspectives concerning future research and development needs and priorities in mobility-assistive technologies.Implication for RehabilitationDespite the benefits derived from the use of ATDs, only 10% of people with disabilities have access to them.Increasing access, quality and affordable ATDs in all countries is global demand.Identifying mobility consumers' needs and priorities would help in enhancing their quality of life by translating research into new technologies that meet their environment and culture needs.Users' involvement in research and design process is a crucial approach to re-shape the future research agenda.

Development and application of PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Accessibility Manual.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the process of development, application, and evaluation of the PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games(POCOG) Accessibility Manual was introduced and the basic data for accessing venues and ways to improve accessible sporting event management were suggested. METHODS: Analysing and comparing the IPC Guide and Korean accessibility laws with eight advisory meetings were held to develop "POCOG Accessibility Manual". To verify the Manual standards, accessibility assessment of the Paralympic Test-event, Olympic and Paralympic Games was conducted. RESULTS: POCOG Accessibility Manual was developed based on the best practice of accessibility standards and feedback from various experts. Throughout the three-step verifications, many findings have resulted in the final recommendations for the improvements in the operation of the Olympic and Paralympic Games accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided fundamental data to develop an inclusive game operation manual for future international sports competitions, and it could ultimately serve as a cornerstone for integration and inclusion through sports.Implications for RehabilitationEnsuring accessibility can secure equal opportunities to participate and enjoy the events for everyone in mega-sporting events including persons with disabilities.However, the current Korean construction law does not adequately address the accessibility requirements for the Paralympic Games. Therefore, the study of the development of the 2018 Pyeongchang Accessibility Manual based on IPC guidelines was important.In this study, the 2018 Pyeongchang Accessibility Manual was applied and evaluated according to the planning stage of the 2017 Paralympic test-events, PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic and paralympic Games.The result derived from our study will provide a strategy to ensure the accessibility for persons with disabilities to countries hosting future sports events.

ICT-Based Health Care Services for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Feasibility Study.

In the Republic of Korea, 90.5% of those living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are faced with medical complications that require chronic care. Some of the more common ones include urinary tract infections, pressure sores, and pain symptomatology. These and other morbidities have been recognized to deteriorate the individual's health, eventually restricting their community participation. Telerehabilitation, using information and communication technology, has propelled a modern-day movement in providing comprehensive medical services to patients who have difficulty in mobilizing themselves to medical care facilities. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of health care and management in the SCI population by providing ICT-based health care services. We visited eight individuals living with chronic SCI in the community, and provided ICT-based health management services. After using respiratory and urinary care devices with the provision of home visit occupational therapy, data acquisition was achieved and subsequently entered into a smart device. The entered information was readily accessible to the necessary clinicians and researchers. The clients were notified if there were any concerning results from the acquired data. Subsequently, they were advised to follow up with their providers for any immediate medical care requirements. Digital hand-bike ergometers and specialized seating system cushions are currently in development. The ICT-based health care management service for individuals with SCI resulted in a favorable expected level of outcome. Based on the results of this study, we have proposed and are now in preparation for a randomized clinical trial.

The Effects of Sulglycotide on the Adhesion and the Inflammation of Helicobacter Pylori.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a primary etiologic factor in gastric diseases. Sulglycotide is a glycopeptide derived from pig duodenal mucin. Esterification of its carbohydrate chains with sulfate groups creates a potent gastroprotective agent used to treat various gastric diseases. We investigated the inhibitory effects of sulglycotide on adhesion and inflammation after H. pylori infection in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS cells). H. pylori reference strain 60190 (ATCC 49503) was cultured on Brucella agar supplemented with 10% bovine serum. Sulgylcotide-mediated growth inhibition of H. pylori was evaluated using the broth dilution method. Inhibition of H. pylori adhesion to AGS cells by sulglycotide was assessed using a urease assay. Effects of sulglycotide on the translocation of virulence factors was measured using western blot to detect cytotoxin-associated protein A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) proteins. Inhibition of IL-8 secretion was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the effects of sulglycotide on inflammation. Sulglycotide did not inhibit the growth of H. pylori, however, after six and 12 hours of infection on AGS cells, H. pylori adhesion was significantly inhibited by approximately 60% by various concentrations of sulglycotide. Sulglycotide decreased H. pylori virulence factor (CagA and VacA) translocation to AGS cells and inhibited IL-8 secretion. Sulglycotide inhibited H. pylori adhesion and inflammation after infection of AGS cells in vitro. These results support the use of sulglycotide to treat H. pylori infections.

Inhibitory Effects of ß-Caryophyllene on Helicobacter pylori Infection In Vitro and In Vivo.

The human specific bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with severe gastric diseases, including gastric cancer. Recently, the increasing resistance makes the usage of antibiotics less effectively. Therefore, development of a new antimicrobial agent is required to control H. pylori infection. In the current study, the inhibitory effect of ß-caryophyllene on H. pylori growth, as well as the antibacterial therapeutic effect, has been demonstrated. ß-caryophyllene inhibited H. pylori growth via the downregulation of dnaE, dnaN, holB, and gyrA and also downregulated virulence factors such as CagA, VacA, and SecA proteins. ß-caryophyllene inhibited expression of several T4SS components, so that CagA translocation into H. pylori-infected AGS gastric cancer cells was decreased by ß-caryophyllene treatment. ß-caryophyllene also inhibited VacA entry through the downregulation of T5aSS. After ß-caryophyllene administration on Mongolian gerbils, the immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Hematoxylin&Eosin stains showed therapeutic effects in the treated groups. Hematological data, which was consistent with histological data, support the therapeutic effect of ß-caryophyllene administration. Such a positive effect of ß-caryophyllene on H. pylori infection potently substantiates the natural compound as being capable of being used as a new antimicrobial agent or functional health food to help patients who are suffering from gastroduodenal diseases due to H. pylori infection.

The Development of Leisure Participation Assessment Tool for the Elderly.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at developing multidimensional leisure participation assessment tool for the elderly to achieve quantitative and qualitative assessment of leisure participation and leisure exploration. METHODS: This study collected preliminary items through literature review, statistical office data, and survey of the elderly's leisure activities and considered the list of leisure activities as assessment items by conducting a Delphi survey. Reliability was verified through internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The assessment tool was finally confirmed using content validity and discriminant validity. RESULTS: A total of 81 leisure items classified into 8 categories and 22 subcategories were obtained through data collection and Delphi survey. Cronbach's α value was 0.939, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.941. A content validity test was confirmed by validating that I-CVI was 0.78 or more and the S-CVI was 0.95. According to the result of discriminant validity, there was a difference in the number of participating leisure activities and leisure activities with participation intention by age. CONCLUSION: The leisure participation assessment tool for the elderly developed in this study can obtain information on the overall view of the leisure of the elderly by measuring leisure exploration, leisure participation, and interference factor affecting leisure participation.

Computerized Adaptive Tests for Rapid and Accurate Assessment of Psychopathology Dimensions in Youth.

OBJECTIVE: At least half of youths with mental disorders are unrecognized and untreated. Rapid, accurate assessment of child mental disorders could facilitate identification and referral and potentially reduce the occurrence of functional disability that stems from early-onset mental disorders. METHOD: Computerized adaptive tests (CATs) based on multidimensional item response theory were developed for depression, anxiety, mania/hypomania, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and suicidality, based on parent and child ratings of 1,060 items each. In phase 1, CATs were developed from 801 participants. In phase 2, predictive, discriminant, and convergent validity were tested against semi-structured research interviews for diagnoses and suicidality in 497 patients and 104 healthy controls. Overall strength of association was determined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: The child and parent independently completed the Kiddie-Computerized Adaptive Tests (K-CATs) in a median time of 7.56 and 5.03 minutes, respectively, with an average of 7 items per domain. The K-CATs accurately captured the presence of diagnoses (AUCs from 0.83 for generalized anxiety disorder to 0.92 for major depressive disorder) and suicidal ideation (AUC = 0.996). Strong correlations with extant measures were found (r ≥ 0.60). Test-retest reliability averaged r = 0.80. CONCLUSION: These K-CATs provide a new approach to child psychopathology screening and measurement. Testing can be completed by child and parent in less than 8 minutes and yields results that are highly convergent with much more time-consuming structured clinical interviews and dimensional severity assessment and measurement. Testing of the implementation of the K-CAT is now indicated.

Associating Psychotic Symptoms with Altered Brain Anatomy in Psychotic Disorders Using Multidimensional Item Response Theory Models.

Reduced cortical thickness has been demonstrated in psychotic disorders, but its relationship to clinical symptoms has not been established. We aimed to identify the regions throughout neocortex where clinical psychosis manifestations correlate with cortical thickness. Rather than perform a traditional correlation analysis using total scores on psychiatric rating scales, we applied multidimensional item response theory to identify a profile of psychotic symptoms that was related to a region where cortical thickness was reduced. This analysis was performed using a large population of probands with psychotic disorders (N = 865), their family members (N = 678) and healthy volunteers (N = 347), from the 5-site Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network for Intermediate Phenotypes. Regional cortical thickness from structural magnetic resonance scans was measured using FreeSurfer; individual symptoms were rated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale. A cluster of cortical regions whose thickness was inversely related to severity of psychosis symptoms was identified. The regions turned out to be located contiguously in a large region of heteromodal association cortex including temporal, parietal and frontal lobe regions, suggesting a cluster of contiguous neocortical regions important to psychosis expression. When we tested the relationship between reduced cortical surface area and high psychotic symptoms we found no linked regions describing a related cortical set.

Inhibitory Effects of Menadione on Helicobacter pylori Growth and Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammation via NF-κB Inhibition.

H. pylori is classified as a group I carcinogen by WHO because of its involvement in gastric cancer development. Several reports have suggested anti-bacterial effects of menadione, although the effect of menadione on major virulence factors of H. pylori and H. pylori-induced inflammation is yet to be elucidated. In this study, therefore, we demonstrated that menadione has anti-H. pylori and anti-inflammatory effects. Menadione inhibited growth of H. pylori reference strains and clinical isolates. Menadione reduced expression of vacA in H. pylori, and translocation of VacA protein into AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma cell) was also decreased by menadione treatment. This result was concordant with decreased apoptosis in AGS cells infected with H. pylori. Moreover, cytotoxin-associated protein A (CagA) translocation into H. pylori-infected AGS cells was also decreased by menadione. Menadione inhibited expression of several type IV secretion system (T4SS) components, including virB2, virB7, virB8, and virB10, that are responsible for translocation of CagA into host cells. In particular, menadione inhibited nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) activation and thereby reduced expression of the proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in AGS as well as in THP-1 (monocytic leukemia cell) cell lines. Collectively, these results suggest the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of menadione against H. pylori.

Thermoelectric Properties of Cu-Doped Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 Fabricated by Hot Pressing.

Owing to the energy and environmental issues, energy recovery technologies attract an increasing interest. Thermoelectric power generation is a recycling technology, which directly converts heat energy into electric energy by reusing waste heat. In this study, n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 thermoelectric materials doped with Cu were fabricated by hot pressing. The Bi-Te system has excellent thermoelectric properties in the middle- and low-temperature ranges; when a certain amount of Cu dopant is added, the thermoelectric properties are improved. The thermoelectric properties of the samples doped with Cu were compared with those of the intrinsic Bi-Te-based sample without Cu doping. In addition, the effects of the Cu concentration on the thermoelectric-material structures were investigated.