Myrrh has been used as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, effect of myrrh on peritoneal macrophages and clinically relevant models of septic shock, such as cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), is not well understood. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect and mechanism(s) of myrrh on inflammatory responses. Myrrh inhibited LPS-induced productions of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-α but not of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in peritoneal macrophages. In addition, Myrrh inhibited LPS-induced activation of c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and nuclear factor-κB. Administration of Myrrh reduced the CLP-induced mortality and bacterial counts and inhibited inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, administration of Myrrh attenuated CLP-induced liver damages, which were mainly evidenced by decreased infiltration of leukocytes and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase level. Taken together, these results provide the evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential of Myrrh in sepsis.

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Abstract. Flexible display has been attracting attention in the research field of next generation display in recent years. And polymer is a candidate material for flexible displays as it takes advantages including transparency, light weight, flexibility and so on. Rolling process is suitable and competitive process for the high throughput of flexible substrate such as polymer. In this paper, we developed a prototype of roll-to-flat (R2F) thermal imprint system for large area micro pattern replication process, which is one the key process in the fabrication of flexible displays. Tests were conducted to evaluate the system feasibility and process parameters effect, such as flat mold temperature, loading pressure and rolling speed. 100 mm × 100 mm stainless steel flat mold and commercially available polycarbonate sheets were used for tests and results showed that the developed R2F system is suitable for fabrication of various micro devices with micro pattern replication on large area.

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This paper presents a warm-forging process for the manufacture of an aluminium alloy differential case in an automobile, which has usually been produced from ductile cast iron. In order to replace the conventional ductile cast iron with a lightweight material in the differential case, aluminium alloy 6082 is utilized in the proposed warm-forging process, which is then analysed by numerical simulations using DEFORM-3D. Experimental warm forging using aluminium alloy 6082 was conducted in a 1600 tonf press shop to evaluate the proposed design in the die and the punch as well as the forgeability of the aluminium alloy differential case. The as-forged aluminium alloy differential case not only provides a net shape but also has a crack-free volume internally, while reducing the total weight by about 40% based on the proposed design.

Wafer-level packaging (WLP) is a next-generation semiconductor packaging technology that is important for realizing high-performance and ultra-thin semiconductor devices. However, the molding process, which is a part of the WLP process, has various problems such as a high defect rate and low predictability. Among the various defect factors, the die shift primarily determines the quality of the final product; therefore, predicting the die shift is necessary to achieve high-yield production in WLP. In this study, the die shift caused by the flow drag force of the epoxy molding compound (EMC) is evaluated from the die shift of a debonded molding wafer. Experimental and analytical methods were employed to evaluate the die shift occurring during each stage of the molding process and that resulting from the geometrical changes after the debonding process. The die shift caused by the EMC flow drag force is evaluated from the data on die movements due to thermal contraction/expansion and warpage. The relationship between the die shift and variation in the die gap is determined through regression analysis in order to predict the die shift due to the flow drag force. The results can be used for die realignment by predicting and compensating for the die shift.

This study was performed to evaluate the use of vibrating microneedles for the transdermal delivery of vitamin C. The microneedles were designed to vibrate at three levels of intensity. In vitro permeation by vitamin C was evaluated according to the specific conditions such as vibration intensity (levels 1, 2 and 3), application time (1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 min), and application power (500, 700 and 1,000 g). The highest permeation of vitamin C was observed at level 3 of vibration intensity, 5 min of application, and 1,000 g of application power. Vitamin C gel showed no cytotoxic effect against Pam212 cells or skin irritation effects. A pharmacokinetic study of the gel in rats was conducted under optimized conditions. The AUC 0 -∞ and C max increased 1.35-fold and 1.44-fold, respectively, compared with those after vitamin C gel without application with vibrating microneedles. The present study suggests that vibrating microneedles can be used to facilitate the skin permeability of vitamin C under optimal conditions.