The Presence of Borrelia valaisiana-Related Genospecies in Ticks and a Rodent in Taiwan

Chun-Man Huang,Hsi-Chieh Wang,Ying-Chun Lin,Shih-Hui Chiu,Ying-Shun Kao,Pei-Lung Lee,Hsiu-I Wang,Ruei-Chen Hung,Huang-I Chan,Ho-Sheng Wu,Chuen-Sheue Chiang,Jung-Jung Mu 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.6

A field survey was conducted to investigate the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in six counties of Taiwan. Spirochetes were successfully isolated from one rodent ear sample out of 485 rodent ears and 53live, fed tick (Ixodes granulatus) samples. The spirochetes were confirmed to be B. burgdorferi s.l. by real-time PCR. In addition, 23 of 113 tick samples were tested positive for Borrelia DNA according to real-time PCR. The Borrelia isolate from the rodent and the 23 Borrelia DNA samples from the ticks were identified as B. valaisiana-related genospecies by phylogenetic analysis based on flagellin gene sequences. These findings suggest that the Borrelia valaisiana-related strains are maintained in a zoonotic cycle between tick vectors and reservoir hosts in Taiwan.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib activates SHP-1 and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Chun-Yu Liu,Tzu-Ting Huang,Pei-Yi Chu,Chun-Teng Huang,Chia-Han Lee,Wan-Lun Wang,Ka-Yi Lau,Wen-Chun Tsai,Tzu-I Chao,Jung-Chen Su,Ming-Huang Chen,Chung-Wai Shiau,Ling-Ming Tseng,Kuen-Feng Chen 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains difficult to treat and urgently needs new therapeutic options. Nintedanib, a multikinase inhibitor, has exhibited efficacy in early clinical trials for HER2-negative breast cancer. In this study, we examined a new molecular mechanism of nintedanib in TNBC. The results demonstrated that nintedanib enhanced TNBC cell apoptosis, which was accompanied by a reduction of p-STAT3 and its downstream proteins. STAT3 overexpression suppressed nintedanib-mediated apoptosis and further increased the activity of purified SHP-1 protein. Moreover, treatment with either a specific inhibitor of SHP-1 or SHP-1-targeted siRNA reduced the apoptotic effects of nintedanib, which validates the role of SHP-1 in nintedanib-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, nintedanib-induced apoptosis was attenuated in TNBC cells expressing SHP-1 mutants with constantly open conformations, suggesting that the autoinhibitory mechanism of SHP-1 attenuated the effects of nintedanib. Importantly, nintedanib significantly inhibited tumor growth via the SHP-1/p-STAT3 pathway. Clinically, SHP-1 levels were downregulated, whereas p-STAT3 was upregulated in tumor tissues, and SHP-1 transcripts were associated with improved disease-free survival in TNBC patients. Our findings revealed that nintedanib induces TNBC apoptosis by acting as a SHP-1 agonist, suggesting that targeting STAT3 by enhancing SHP-1 expression could be a viable therapeutic strategy against TNBC.

Performance Analysis of a Two-hop Wireless Relay Network with CSMA / CA and Network Coding

Chun-Hsiang Huang,Daisuke Umehara,Satoshi Denno,Masahiro Morikura,Takatoshi Sugiyama 대한전자공학회 2009 ITC-CSCC :International Technical Conference on Ci Vol.2009 No.7

In this paper, we provide an analytical model to compute the approximate throughput of a two-hop wireless relay network in which stations employ carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol and network coding on the MAC layer. In addition, this model can be applied to the conventional CSMA/CA wireless relay network without network coding. Network coding is a highly regarded technology that is able to enhance the system capacity of multiple unicast and multisource multicast networks. Based on the assumption of no hidden terminals, we show that the proposed analytical model works well with the parameters of IEEE 802.11a and the difference in throughput between theoretical analysis and computer simulation is at most 2 percent.

Thalidomide Combined with Chemotherapy in Treating Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Huang, Xin-En,Yan, Xiao-Chun,Wang, Lin,Ji, Zhu-Qing,Li, Li,Liu, Meng-Yan,Qian, Ting,Shen, Hui-Ling,Gu, Han-Gang,Liu, Yong,Gu, Ming,Deng, Li-Chun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of thalidomide (produced by CHANGZHOU PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORY CO.LTD) combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Method: A consecutive cohort of pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with thalidomide combined with chemotherapy. And chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer were administered according to the condition of patients. Thalidomide was orally administered at a dosage of 50mg/day to 150mg/day before sleeping for at least 14 days. After at least 14 days of treatment, safety and side effects were evaluated. Results: There were 12 female and 3 male patients with advanced cancer recruited into this study, including 9 patients with colon, 6 patients with rectal cancer. The median age of patients was 57(41-82) years. Partial response was observed in 2 patients (2/15), and stable disease in 3 patients(3/15). Incidences of Grade 1 to 2 myelosuppression was observed in 1/15 patients, and Grade 1 to 2 elevation of hepatic enzyme was recorded in 1/15 patients. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were documented in 1/15 patients, and were Grade 1. No Grade 3-4 toxicities were diagnosed. No treatment related death was found. Conclusions: Thalidomide combined with chemotherapy was safe and mildly effective in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer. However, further study should be conducted to clarify the effectiveness of this combination.

Design of a hydraulic anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a motorcycle

Chun-Kuei Huang,Ming-Chang Shih 대한기계학회 2010 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.24 No.5

This work presents a hydraulic anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a motorcycle. The ABS has a hydraulic modulator and an intelligent controller. The hydraulic modulator is analyzed, and then equipped on a scooter for road tests. The intelligent controller controls the hydraulic modulator by estimated vehicle velocity to calculate the slip ratio of the wheels in real time. The performance of the hydraulic modulator and intelligent controller are assessed by the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations and road tests. In HIL simulation, the ABS is tested for different initial braking velocities on roads with different adhesive coefficients. Furthermore, both HIL simulations and road tests are conducted on a one-phase pavement road and three-phase pavement road.

Dielectric properties of Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramic modified by Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 at microwave frequencies

Chun-Hsu Shen,Cheng-Liang Huang,Chuan-Feng Shih,Chih-Ming Huang 한국물리학회 2009 Current Applied Physics Vol.9 No.5

The effect of Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 addition on the microwave dielectric properties of Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramics was investigated. The Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content plays a significant role in improving the dielectric properties. Microwave dielectric measurements show an increase in the dielectric constant (εr) and temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf) and a decrease in the quality factor (Q × f value) with increasing Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content. By properly adjusting the Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content, a zero τf value can also be obtained, which make Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 a promising material in wireless systems. At 1300 ℃, the 0.81Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3–0.19Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics possess excellent microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (εr) of 25.61, a Q × f value of 69,100 GHz, and a τf value of -6 ppm/℃. The effect of Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 addition on the microwave dielectric properties of Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramics was investigated. The Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content plays a significant role in improving the dielectric properties. Microwave dielectric measurements show an increase in the dielectric constant (εr) and temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf) and a decrease in the quality factor (Q × f value) with increasing Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content. By properly adjusting the Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content, a zero τf value can also be obtained, which make Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 a promising material in wireless systems. At 1300 ℃, the 0.81Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3–0.19Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics possess excellent microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (εr) of 25.61, a Q × f value of 69,100 GHz, and a τf value of -6 ppm/℃.

Multiscale Engineered Si/SiO<i>_x</i> Nanocomposite Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Layer-by-Layer Spray Deposition

Huang, Chun,Kim, Ayoung,Chung, Dong Jae,Park, Eunjun,Young, Neil P.,Jurkschat, Kerstin,Kim, Hansu,Grant, Patrick S. American Chemical Society 2018 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.10 No.18

<P>Si-based high-capacity materials have gained much attention as an alternative to graphite in Li-ion battery anodes. Although Si additions to graphite anodes are now commercialized, the fraction of Si that can be usefully exploited is restricted due to its poor cyclability arising from the large volume changes during charge/discharge. Si/SiO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> nanocomposites have also shown promising behavior, such as better capacity retention than Si alone because the amorphous SiO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> helps to accommodate the volume changes of the Si. Here, we demonstrate a new electrode architecture for further advancing the performance of Si/SiO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> nanocomposite anodes using a scalable layer-by-layer atomization spray deposition technique. We show that particulate C interlayers between the current collector and the Si/SiO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> layer and between the separator and the Si/SiO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> layer improved electrical contact and reduced irreversible pulverization of the Si/SiO<I><SUB>x</SUB></I> significantly. Overall, the multiscale approach based on microstructuring at the electrode level combined with nanoengineering at the material level improved the capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability compared to that of an anode comprising a random mixture of the same materials.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

The Status of Taiwan Disaster Support Organizations(NGO)

Chun Yuan Huang 위기관리 이론과 실천 2017 위기관리 이론과 실천 세미나발표논문집 Vol.2018 No.-

Mechanical Alloying of ODS Tungsten Heavy Alloys and Microstructure Development of Intermetallic Compounds

Chun-Liang Chen,Chun-Lin Huang 대한금속·재료학회 2013 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.19 No.5

Oxide dispersion strengthened tungsten heavy alloys have been used in a wide variety of industrial and military applications due to their high density, strength and stiffness. These alloys have been produced by mechanical alloying, which can provide uniform distribution of nano-oxide particles and an extremely fine grain structure, resulting in the reduction of the sintering temperature. However, the high-energy ball-milling process could introduce iron contamination from the vial and milling media during the procedure. In this study, the W-Ni-Y2O3 alloy was investigated as a function of milling time. The results show that the increase of the Fe/Ni ratio has a significant influence on the microstructural development and material properties. The XRD data reveal considerable solid solubility extension in these powders. The tungsten carbide and iron rich intermetallic compounds were formed after long milling times, which can change the relative density and hardness of the alloy. It is essential that we understand the role of intermetallic phases in the ODS tungsten heavy alloy which determine the material properties and the control of microstructural development.

DIFFERENCES IN ONLINE RATINGS: CROSS-PLATFORM AND LONGITUDINAL ANALYSES

Chun-Yao Huang,Ping-Yu Liu 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

Since more and more consumers rely on online consumer reviews in their purchase decision making, we have observed the emergence of empirical studies on online reviews in different contexts. Such studies look at various dimensions surrounding online reviews; nevertheless, none of them actually gives a more comprehensive picture as to the rating differences across online rating platforms and/or across time, let alone explains such differences. This study aims to address these understudied but managerially relevant issues. In our empirical study, we focus on hotel ratings across platforms and across time (i.e., across identified change point in time), and explain such differences by review text associating with the ratings. We investigated San Francisco hotels that were rated on both Tripadvisor and Expedia, and utilized the General Inquirer dictionary to identify the categories of words in a review. Regressions analyses were then conducted for the explanation of rating differences. We found that rating differences, in both the cross-platform and the longitudinal cases, are substantially associated with the number of words (in a negative relationship). Furthermore, word tags identified from the review text associated with ratings also explain the rating differences. To conclude, the research reveals that for a specific service provider, online ratings may vary significantly in both the cross-platform and the longitudinal senses. It demonstrates that adopting a systematic approach and utilizing an established semantic dictionary, information extracted from review text can substantially explain such differences.