Clinical Features and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Non-Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscesses in Elderly (>65 Years) and Nonelderly Patients

Chih-Weim Hsiang,Wei-Chou Chang,Chang-Hsien Liu,Hsiu-Lung Fan,Kai-Hsiung Ko,Chih-Yung Yu,Hong-Hau Wang,Wen-I Liao,Hsian-He Hsu 연세대학교의과대학 2015 Yonsei medical journal Vol.56 No.2

Purpose: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and dividedinto two age groups: elderly (age ≥65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. Results: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associatedwith a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were relatedto the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. Conclusion:In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.

Simulation of Poultry House Ventilation using Computational Fluid Dynamics

( Chih-hsiang Hsu ),( Sumingchen ),( Kuang-wen Hsieh ),( Chao-yin Tsai ),( Rou-yan Peng ),( Jin-ming Tsai ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

Poultry output value in Taiwan takes a large proportion of whole livestock production. However, in 2014, it was suffered from a serious bird flu invasion in Taiwan, culling a large number of poultries. Take geese as an example, almost 90% of the geese were culled in 2014. As a result, it caused serious losses to livestock industry. In order to prevent outbreak of bird flu, the government has stipulated that poultry houses must be rebuilt as non-open poultry houses and rehabilitated. Therefore, the development of the design in closed poultry houses is important. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate a 30 m ^* 8.5 m ^* 3.6 m closed poultry house. There are two suction fans used for longitudinal ventilation. Through the different circulation fan setups to evaluate for the growth conditions of poultry and improve the ventilation of closed poultry houses, and reduce the possibility of invasion of pathogenic sources at the same time. The results showed when a circulation fan was not placed, there was a phenomenon of non-uniform airflow distribution within 6 m near water-cooled wall. When a circulation fan was placed 3 m away from the water-cooled wall, some parts of the airflow concentrated near the fan and caused non-uniform airflow distribution within 9 m near the water-cooled wall, which may be unsuitable for poultries living. The study showed that simulation of flow field facilitates designs of non-open poultry houses.

An investigation on dicing 28-nm node Cu/low-k wafer with a Picosecond Pulse Laser

Hsu, Hsiang-Chen,Chu, Li-Ming,Liu, Baojun,Fu, Chih-Chiang The Korean Microelectronics and Packaging Society 2014 마이크로전자 및 패키징학회지 Vol.21 No.4

For a nanoscale Cu/low-k wafer, inter-layer dielectric (ILD) and metal layers peelings, cracks, chipping, and delamination are the most common dicing defects by traditional diamond blade saw process. Sidewall void in sawing street is one of the key factors to bring about cracks and chipping. The aim of this research is to evaluate laser grooving & mechanical sawing parameters to eliminate sidewall void and avoid top-side chipping as well as peeling. An ultra-fast pico-second (ps) laser is applied to groove/singulate the 28-nanometer node wafer with Cu/low-k dielectric. A series of comprehensive parametric study on the recipes of input laser power, repetition rate, grooving speed, defocus amount and street index has been conducted to improve the quality of dicing process. The effects of the laser kerf geometry, grooving edge quality and defects are evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused ion beam (FIB). Experimental results have shown that the laser grooving technique is capable to improve the quality and yield issues on Cu/low-k wafer dicing process.

Preparation and characterization of Y-TZP powders coated with alumina

Chih-Cheng Chen,Shu-Wei Hsu,Hsing-I Hsiang 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.2

In this study, alumina was coated onto yttria tetragonally stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP)core powder using aluminum nitrate with urea in an aqueous solution. Boehmite coating onto the surface of Y-TZP powders was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. The sintering behaviors of Y-TZP powders with and without an alumina coating were investigated using a dilatometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Boehmite coating onto the surface of Y-TZP powders significantly improved the densification of the resulting ceramic bodies. The relative density of the Y-TZP with a boehmite coating sintered at 1350oC can reach 97.3%. In this study, alumina was coated onto yttria tetragonally stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP)core powder using aluminum nitrate with urea in an aqueous solution. Boehmite coating onto the surface of Y-TZP powders was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. The sintering behaviors of Y-TZP powders with and without an alumina coating were investigated using a dilatometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Boehmite coating onto the surface of Y-TZP powders significantly improved the densification of the resulting ceramic bodies. The relative density of the Y-TZP with a boehmite coating sintered at 1350oC can reach 97.3%.

Interleukin-20 targets podocytes and is upregulated in experimental murine diabetic nephropathy

Yu-Hsiang Hsu,Hsing-Hui Li,Junne-Ming Sung,Wei-Yu Chen,Ya-Chin Hou,Yun-Han Weng,Wei-Ting Lai,Chih-Hsing Wu,Ming-Shi Chang 생화학분자생물학회 2017 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.49 No.-

Interleukin (IL)-20, a proinflammatory cytokine of the IL-10 family, is involved in acute and chronic renal failure. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of IL-20 during diabetic nephropathy development. We found that IL-20 and its receptor IL-20R1 were upregulated in the kidneys of mice and rats with STZ-induced diabetes. In vitro, IL-20 induced MMP-9, MCP-1, TGF-β1 and VEGF expression in podocytes. IL-20 was upregulated by hydrogen peroxide, high-dose glucose and TGF-β1. In addition, IL-20 induced apoptosis in podocytes by activating caspase-8. In STZ-induced early diabetic nephropathy, IL-20R1-deficient mice had lower blood glucose and serum BUN levels and a smaller glomerular area than did wild-type controls. Anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody (7E) treatment reduced blood glucose and the glomerular area and improved renal functions in mice in the early stage of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy. ELISA showed that the serum IL-20 level was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls. The findings of this study suggest that IL-20 induces cell apoptosis of podocytes and plays a role in the pathogenesis of early diabetic nephropathy.

How Are Migrants Viewed in the Eyes of Employers? Double Exclusion among Immigrants in Taiwan

김혜나,Yun Hsiang Hsu,Chih-Yu Chen,Kuo-Jung Lin 숙명여자대학교 아시아여성연구원 2020 OMNES: The Journal of Multicultural Society Vol.10 No.2

While many countries are open to those born elsewhere being part of their nation, surveys find that this acceptance comes with a certain prerequisite—that it is important to speak the dominant language. This prerequisite has been continuously observed and studied in the field of labor market performance. This study surveys 1,043 employers in Taiwan for their willingness to hire foreign brides from Southeast Asia or Mainland China. The link between the proficiency of the use of language among immigrants and direct job discrimination in Taiwanese workplaces is confirmed. Results show that vocational trainings provided by the government to immigrants are not positively associated with a willingness to hire among employers. Policy recommendations are provided with regard to the establishment of language courses.

ANALYZING ISUAL SPECTROPHOTOMETER DATA USING A TWO-COLOR DIAGRAM METHOD

CHEN ALFRED BING-CHIH,CHIANG PO-SHIH,HUANG TIAN-HSIANG,KUO CHENG-LING,WANG SHI-CHUN,SU HAN-TZONG,HSU RUE-RoN,CHANG MING-HUI,CHANG YEOU-SHIN,LIU TIE-YUE,MENDE STEPHEN B.,FREY HARALD U.,FUKUNISHI HIROSH The Korean Astronomical Society 2005 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.38 No.2

Transient luminous events (TLEs; sprites, elves, jets and etc.) are lightning-related optical flashes occurring above thunderstorms. Since the first discovery of sprites in 1989, scientists have learned a great deal about the morphological, spectroscopic and electromagnetic characteristics of TLEs through ground and spacecraft campaigns. However, most of the TLE studies were based on events recorded over US High Plains. To elucidate the possible biasing effects, space-borne observations are needed and have their merits. Imager of sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) on the FORMOSAT-2 satellite is the first instrument to carry out a true global measurement of TLEs from a low- earth orbit. In this short paper, we apply a common astronomical data analysis technique, two-color diagram, on the ISUAL spectrophotometer (SP) data. By choosing appropriated bandpasses and converting the measured flux of TLEs into the unit of magnitude, two-color diagrams of TLEs can be constructed. We demonstrate that two-color diagrams, which were constructed from the narrow-band spectrophotometer data, can be used to classify different types of TLEs and trace their temporal evolution. The amount of reddening due to Earth's atmosphere can also be estimated from two-color diagrams assembled from the broad-band spectrophotometer data.

Prediction of Sugar and Acidity Contents in Pineapple using Near Infrared Spectroscopy

( Bo-an Shang Kuan ),( Suming Chen ),( Chao-yin Tsai ),( Chih-hsiang Hsu ),( Ha-chun Hsu ),( Yung-huei Chang ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

Pineapples are not only nutritious, but also have significant economic importance in Taiwan. Traditional technique used to determine the fruit’s quality is by hitting the fruit with palm. However, such method requires experience and is highly dependent on the condition of the fruit. More importantly, decisions made are often subjective. This research used near infrared spectroscopy to develop a fast and non-destructive method to measure the quality of pineapples. Tai-Nung No. 17 pineapple was used in this research to construct the calibration equation. During the experiments, pineapple samples are separated into three sections: top, middle, and bottom. Optical measurements are taken around each section in 90 degree increments, with a total of 131 samples. A multivariate model was then established by mathematical pre-treatments and modified partial least squared regression. Results showed strong correlation between constituents and optical spectrum, with a coefficient of determination r_c²=0.78,r_p²=0.747,SEP=1.142°Brix,RPD=1.803. Future experiment aims to increase the predictability of spectrum model by enhancing experimental methods, increasing sample size as well as minimizing experimental error.

Screening of Nitrosamine Impurities in Sartan Pharmaceuticals by GC-MS/MS

( Shu-Han Chang ),( Hui-Yu Ho ),( Chi-Zong Zang ),( Ya-Hui Hsu ),( Mei-Chih Lin ),( Su-Hsiang Tseng ),( Der-Yuan Wang ) 한국질량분석학회 2021 Mass spectrometry letters Vol.12 No.2

Probable human carcinogenic compounds nitrosamines, have been detected as by-product impurities in sartan pharmaceuticals in recent years which has drawn worries for medication safety. To provide a sensitive and effective method for the quality control of sartan pharmaceuticals, this study established a feasible gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of 13 nitrosamines. The target analytes were separated on a DB-WAX Ultra Inert column (30 m × 0.25 mm; i.d., 0.25 μm) and were then subjected to electron impact ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The established method was validated and further employed to analyze authentic samples. Limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of the 13 nitrosamines were 15-250 ng/g and 50-250 ng/g, respectively, which also exhibited intra-day and inter-day accuracies of 91.4-104.8%, thereby satisfying validation criteria. Five nitrosamines, viz., Nnitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, N-nitrosomorpholine, and N-nitrosopiperidine were detected at concentrations above their LODs in 68 positive samples out of 594 authentic samples from seven sartans.

Study on a Wireless Environmental Monitoring System for Duck Incubator

( Rou-yan Peng ),( Suming Chen ),( Kuang-wen Hsieh ),( Chao-yin Tsai ),( Chih-hsiang Hsu ),( Jin-ming Tsai ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

Taiwan's domestic development of incubators are in simple structure, at low prices, and generally used by the industry. However, high number of regional dead eggs, the inability to understand the environmental conditions of incubator and other issues occurred frequently, resulting in operation and production difficulties. This research developed a wireless environmental monitoring system to collect data and upload to the cloud. A variety of environmental sensors and Raspberry Pi 3 were used in the establishment of wireless sensing module and environmental information detection platform. The environmental information was displayed in real-time and uploaded to the cloud. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was also used to simulate the internal flow field inside the incubator to determine the environmental control features, and control heating and humidification equipment with a PID controller. In this study, the establishment of wireless environmental monitoring system was completed. The wireless sensing module and the environment information detection platform have also been developed and tested. The stability of wireless sensing module was 98.5%, and the CFD simulation error was under 20%, which was low enough to predict the actual field temperature changes, and can be applied to the regulation of the incubator environment.