Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Increases Peritonsillar Abscess Susceptibility: Real-World Evidence

Ching-Lung Wu,Ming-Shao Tsai,Ta-Jen Lee,Yun-Ting Wang,Chia-Yen Liu,Yao-Hsu Yang,Yao-Te Tsai,Cheng-Ming Hsu,Ching-Yuan Wu,Pey-Jium Chang,Geng-He Chang 대한이비인후과학회 2021 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.14 No.3

Objectives. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for deep neck infection (DNI) and leads to complications and poor outcomes. Our study aimed to investigate the risk, prognosis, and complications of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in patients with T2DM. Methods. We extracted data of patients newly diagnosed as having T2DM between January 2000 and December 2011 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. These patients were matched with patients without T2DM, and PTA incidence was compared between both cohorts. Results. In total, 67,852 patients with and 135,704 patients without T2DM were enrolled. PTA incidence was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (incidence rate ratio, 1.91; P<0.001); moreover, PTA incidence was higher at 1 to 5 years after T2DM diagnosis than at <1 and >5 years after T2DM diagnosis. Cox regression analysis showed that patients with T2DM had an approximately 2-fold higher PTA risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.89, P<0.001). Patients with a higher adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) had higher PTA risk than those with a lower aDCSI (aHRs: 2.17 for aDCSI ≥1, P=0.006 and 1.81 for aDCSI=0, P=0.002). T2DM patients with a high aDCSI (≥1) had a nonsignificantly longer hospitalization duration and a higher rate of DNI complications than did those with a low aDCSI (=0). Conclusion. In patients with T2DM, PTA incidence was relatively high, and it increased with T2DM severity. Moreover, T2DM patients should be particularly careful about PTA within 1 to 5 years after the diagnosis, and physicians should keep in mind that the prognosis of PTA was correlated with T2DM severity.

Robust design on the arrangement of a sail and control planes for improvement of underwater Vehicle's maneuverability

Wu, Sheng-Ju,Lin, Chun-Cheng,Liu, Tsung-Lung,Su, I-Hsuan The Society of Naval Architects of Korea 2020 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.12 No.1

The purpose of this study is to discuss how to improve the maneuverability of lifting and diving for underwater vehicle's vertical motion. Therefore, to solve these problems, applied the 3-D numerical simulation, Taguchi's Design of Experiment (DOE), and intelligent parameter design methods, etc. We planned four steps as follows: firstly, we applied the 2-D flow simulation with NACA series, and then through the Taguchi's dynamic method to analyze the sensitivity (β). Secondly, take the data of pitching torque and total resistance from the Taguchi orthogonal array (L9), the ignal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and analysis each factorial contribution by ANOVA. Thirdly, used Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) method to train the non-linear meta-modeling and found out the best factorial combination by Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Weighted Percentage Reduction of Quality Loss (WPRQL). Finally, the application of the above methods gives the global optimum for multi-quality characteristics and the robust design configuration, including L/D is 9.4:1, the foreplane on the hull (Bow-2), and position of the sail is 0.25 Ls from the bow. The result shows that the total quality is improved by 86.03% in comparison with the original design.

Robust design on the arrangement of a sail and control planes for improvement of underwater Vehicle's maneuverability

Wu, Sheng-Ju,Lin, Chun-Cheng,Liu, Tsung-Lung,Su, I-Hsuan The Society of Naval Architects of Korea 2020 International Journal of Naval Architecture and Oc Vol.12 No.-

The purpose of this study is to discuss how to improve the maneuverability of lifting and diving for underwater vehicle's vertical motion. Therefore, to solve these problems, applied the 3-D numerical simulation, Taguchi's Design of Experiment (DOE), and intelligent parameter design methods, etc. We planned four steps as follows: firstly, we applied the 2-D flow simulation with NACA series, and then through the Taguchi's dynamic method to analyze the sensitivity (β). Secondly, take the data of pitching torque and total resistance from the Taguchi orthogonal array (L9), the ignal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and analysis each factorial contribution by ANOVA. Thirdly, used Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) method to train the non-linear meta-modeling and found out the best factorial combination by Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Weighted Percentage Reduction of Quality Loss (WPRQL). Finally, the application of the above methods gives the global optimum for multi-quality characteristics and the robust design configuration, including L/D is 9.4:1, the foreplane on the hull (Bow-2), and position of the sail is 0.25 Ls from the bow. The result shows that the total quality is improved by 86.03% in comparison with the original design.

The influence of serial passage on the stability of an exogenous gene expression in recombinant baculovirus

Wu Carol P.,Chang Chia‐Jung,Li Cheng‐Hsun,Wu Yueh‐Lung 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.4

The baculovirus expression system has been widely used for industrial-scale production of recombinant proteins. These recombinant proteins are expressed from recombinant baculoviruses carrying an expression cassette for a particular protein. Even though the baculovirus genome can accommodate large fragments of foreign genetic material, it has been shown that defective interfering particles (DIs) are generated over many passages of the recombinant virus. Defective interfering particles can affect the stability of the inserted gene, which can result in sub-optimal expression of the recombinant protein; this can, therefore, have a significant impact on production. The stability of exogenous genes in recombinant viruses over serial passage has not yet been investigated. As such, the present study set out to assess the effect of serial passage on the stability of the expression of an exogenous gene inserted into a recombinant baculovirus and its subsequent recombinant protein yield. To achieve this, a recombinant baculovirus carrying the classical swine fever virus E2 gene was serially passaged up to 20 times. The results showed that the E2 gene expression by the recombinant baculovirus was stable for up to 10 passages without any effect on recombinant E2 production in insect cells.

Construction of the Operating Limits Diagram for a Ship-Based Helicopter Using the Design of Experiments with Computational Intelligence Techniques

Lin Hsin-Hung,Wu Sheng-Ju,Liu Tsung-Lung,Pan Kuan-Cheng 한국항공우주학회 2021 International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sc Vol.22 No.1

Compared with land-based helicopters, ship-based helicopters are required to land in a more challenging working environment as the airwakes generated by the wind field flowing through the superstructure of the ship changes the wind field structure. This complicates the wind field structure and affects the safety of flight control. The flight safety of the helicopter pilot can be significantly improved with prior understanding of the relevant information in the ship-based helicopter operating limits (SHOL) diagram. In previous studies, the SHOL diagram of ship-based helicopters has been obtained using numerical simulations in conjunction with a flight simulator. However, the flight simulator equipment is expensive and difficult to maintain. This study references the aforementioned studies by initially employing a numerical simulation method to obtain the flow field information of the interaction between the airwakes of the ship’s superstructure and the downwash flow of the helicopter. Then, the flight simulator is replaced by computational intelligence methods involving artificial intelligence. This significantly reduces the research cost for envelope construction. This study integrates design of experiments (DOE) and computational intelligence techniques (soft computing) to establish a recommended range for the SHOL diagram of ship-based helicopters. This study utilizes the DOE and computational intelligence techniques to construct the SHOL diagram of ship-based helicopters, provide suggestions, and serve as a reference for helicopter pilots and engineering designers to improve the safety during flight.

Sequential pattern load modeling and warning-system plan in modular falsework

Peng, Jui-Lin,Wu, Cheng-Lung,Chan, Siu-Lai Techno-Press 2003 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.16 No.4

This paper investigates the structural behavior of modular falsework system under sequential pattern loads. Based on the studies of 25 construction sites, the pattern load sequence modeling is defined as models R (rectangle), L and U. The study focuses on the system critical loads, regions of largest reaction forces, discrepancy between the pattern load and the uniform load, and the warning-system plan. The analysis results show that the critical loads of modular falsework systems with sequential pattern loads are very close to those with the uniform load used in design. The regions of largest reaction forces are smaller than those calculated by the uniform load. However, the regions of largest reaction forces of three models under sequential pattern loads can be considered as the crucial positions of warning-system based on the measured index of loading. The positions of the sensors for the warning-system for these three different models are not identical.

The Usefulness of Fast-Spin-Echo T2-Weighted MR Imaging in Nutcracker Syndrome: a Case Report

Heong-Leng Wong,Matt Chiung-Yu Chen,Cgek-Siung Wu,Kuo-An Fu,Cheng-Hao Lin,Mei-Jui Weng,Huei-Lung Liang,Huay-Ben Pan 대한영상의학회 2010 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.11 No.3

Nutcracker syndrome occurs when the left renal vein (LRV) is compressed between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta, and this syndrome is often characterized by venous hypertension and related pathologies. However, invasive studies such as phlebography and measuring the reno-caval pressure gradient should be performed to identify venous hypertension. Here we present a case of Nutcracker syndrome where the LRV and intra-renal varicosities appeared homogeneously hyperintense on magnetic resonance (MR) fast-spin-echo T2- weighted imaging, which suggested markedly stagnant intravenous blood flow and the presence of venous hypertension. The patient was diagnosed and treated without obtaining the reno-caval pressure gradient. The discomfort of the patient lessened after treatment. Furthermore, on follow-up evaluation, the LRV displayed a signal void, and this was suggestive of a restoration of the normal LRV flow and a decrease in LRV pressure.

Effects of post anneal for the INZO films prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Lan, Wen-How,Li, Yue-Lin,Chung, Yu-Chieh,Yu, Cheng-Chang,Chou, Yi-Chun,Wu, Yi-Da,Huang, Kai-Feng,Chen, Lung-Chien Techno-Press 2014 Advances in nano research Vol.2 No.4

Indium-nitrogen co-doped zinc oxide thin films (INZO) were prepared on glass substrates in the atmosphere by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The aqueous solution of zinc acetate, ammonium acetate and different indium sources: indium (III) chloride and indium (III) nitrate were used as the precursors. After film deposition, different anneal temperature treatment as 350, 450, $550^{\circ}C$ were applied. Electrical properties as concentration and mobility were characterized by Hall measurement. The surface morphology and crystalline quality were characterized by SEM and XRD. With the activation energy analysis for both films, the concentration variation of the films at different heat treatment temperature was realized. Donors correspond to zinc related states dominate the conduction mechanism for these INZO films after $550^{\circ}C$ high temperature heat treatment process.

A Multi-Inlet Microfluidic Nozzle Head with Shape Memory Alloy-Based Switching for Biomaterial Printing with Precise Flow Control

Karthick Mani,Wei-Chen Lin,Chun-Fang Wang,Bivas Panigrahi,Yong-Jin Wu,Cheng-Lung Wu,Chia-Yuan Chen 한국바이오칩학회 2020 BioChip Journal Vol.14 No.4

3D bioprinting is one of the rapidly evolving fields of tissue engineering where microengineering meets cells biology within an unprecedented precision to construct tissue structures of various forms with complexity. However, enabling simultaneous printing of heterogeneous biomaterial along with scaffold components through the currently available printers is still considered as a major challenge due to the lack of instrumentation. Flow control is one of the major issues associated with the process. In this aspect, a microfluidic nozzle head equipped with two shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuators was proposed and integrated with a commercially available 3D printer to assist the biomaterial printing in a more systematic manner. The SMA actuator restrains the amount of flows for fabricating the desired scaffold components. Experimental results illustrated that the use of SMA actuator ensued a rapid and precise flow control of biomaterial and can further facilitate to maintain the width of any printed structures. As a proof of concept for the profound biomedical applications with the present manufacturing configuration, a 3D printed hydrogel platform was fabricated with demonstrated characters for later cell seeding after the printing further opens a new chapter in terms of biomaterial printing.