Microstructural Characterization of Al/Mg Alloy Interdiffusion Mechanism during Accumulative Roll Bonding

( Ming-Che Chen ),( Chih-Chun Hsieh ),( Weite Wu ) 대한금속재료학회 ( 구 대한금속학회 ) 2007 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.13 No.3

In this study, the Accumulative Roll Bonding (ARB) process was used with a snap-stack procedure to reduplicate an Al (1100)/Mg (AZ31) alloy. Samples underwent four rolling and stacking cycles four times, which produced a 24-layer structure. The ARB process creates a multilayer compound between Al/Mg layers with excellent bonding characteristics. The excellent bonding characteristics were due to atomic diffusion. Diffusion couples between Al and Mg were investigated to study the composition of the formation in the Al-Mg system. Layers of intermetallic compound (IMC) Al3Mg2 and Al12Mg17 were observed. The composition-depth curves of the diffusion zone were determined by electron microprobe analyses of the IMCs.

Evolution of Multi-temporal Landslides at Luhu, Miaoli County, Taiwan

( Che-ming Yang ),( Keng-hao Kang ),( Kuo-wei Li ),( Hui-jung Wang ),( Ching-ping Hsiao ),( Jyh-jong Liao ),( Yii-wen Pan ) 대한지질공학회 2019 대한지질공학회 학술발표회논문집 Vol.2019 No.2

A deep-seated landslide took place in Luhu, Miao-Li, Taiwan during intermittent rainfall in April 2018; initially, there were successive rock falls and gully erosion then leaded to a deep-seated landslide failure eventually. This study aims to understand the failure mechanism and the process of deep-seated failure. The study site is a steep anaclinal slope consisting of the Miocence Shihti Formation with thick sandstone, interbedded of sandstone and shale. We collected multi-temporal ortho-images and digital elevation (surface) models from 1980 to 2019 for geological investigation, geomorphological interpretation and numerical simulation. The images reveal several slope failures at 1998, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2017 and 2018 with various volume and failure types. The study area contains three sub-regions: the north, the northwest and the southwest slopes. The slope failure occurred repeatedly inside the north and the northwest slopes in the early stage. Gully erosion in the southwest slope progressed to a landslide on April 5, 2018 first and expanded to cover the deep-seated landslide failure in the northwest slope eventually; the slope failure resulted in a natural dam. After the landslide, several open cracks appeared near to the crown. The estimated maximum thickness, area and volume of the deep-seated landslide are ~60 m, 65,000 m2 and ~2 Mm3, respectively. Based on these results, we also performed a series of numerical simulation using the software RAMMS to interpret the run out and the deposition of this landslide case.

Cryobanking of Semen, Embryo and Oocytes for Animal Industry

Ming-Che Wu,Yung-Yu Lai,Ing-Haur Hwang 한국동물생명공학회(구 한국동물번식학회) 2011 발생공학 국제심포지엄 및 학술대회 Vol.2011 No.1

Genetic resources of buffalo, cattle, goat, sheep, deer, rabbit, pig, chicken, duck, goose, turkey and swan in Taiwan are conserved in living form or frozen genetic materials. Preserving farm animals in living form must conserve a considerable number of mature individuals with reproductive potential, and continued funding and breeding space are necessary. Based on the afore‐mentioned restraints and consideration of risk diversification, living animals are preserved in Taiwan Livestock Research Institute (TLRI) branches and breeding stock reproduction grounds throughout Taiwan. Genetic materials preserved in frozen form include germ cell (sperm, egg and embryo), tissue, somatic cell, cell line, DNA and gene pool. Those preserved for long term more than 10 years are conserved in liquid nitrogen storage tank at ‒185 to ‒196℃. Animal industry on utilization of farm animal genetics emphasizes the importance of in situ conservation and considers ex situ conservation as an essential complementary activity to in situ. In situ and ex situ utilization are complementary, not mutually exclusive. The exact strategy of germplasm cryobanking will clearly depend on the conservation objectives of TLRI. In situ and ex situ strategies differ in their capacity to achieve the different bio‐utilization objectives. Based on the objectives for bio‐utilization and conservation, the existing national technical capacity and infrastructure for cryoconservation, and amount of capital to invest in developing and maintaining a gene bank for food animal genetic resources (FAnGR), each country should determine for which FAnGR, if any, national cryobanking program should be undertaken. The health and sanitary issues of animals that must be considered when establishing and operating gene banks for animal genetic resources to help prevent the conservation of potentially dangerous pathogens along with the valuable genetic material in the ultra‐low temperature cell repository. Bio‐utilization of material stored in the bio‐bank must eventually be thawed and used to create new animals and therefore, national organization and annotation of the stored material is critical to ensure its proper utilization. Stock animals are the source of semen, embryo and oocytes are usually privately owned. This ownership may or may not change during the gene banking process, but the terms of agreements between bio‐banks and donors must be explicitly defined. Taiwan Animal Germplasm Center now conserves genetic resources of 77 livestock breeds and strains, including 19 native and 38 foreign species as well as 20 new breeds produced by inbreeding in poultry or breed‐crossing with the artificial insemination in livestock. Cryobanking of semen of native animals is for genetic diversity but also for risk management to long‐term global food security. Ex situ conservation program involving in vitro storage of germplasm cryobanking can contribute to ensure that it will be available to allow livestock keepers and animal breeders to confront future changes in animal production and economic environments.

Transcription regulatory pathways associated with hypoxia in Arabidopsis

Ming-Che Shih 한국육종학회 2014 한국육종학회 심포지엄 Vol.2014 No.07

Transcriptional control plays an important role in regulating submergence responses in plants. Although numerous genes are highly induced during hypoxia, their individual roles in hypoxic responses are still poorly understood. Through microarray studies, we identified a number of transcription factors (TF) that are induced in different stages of hypoxia. We have chosen two TFs, AtHRE1, which was specifically induced during hypoxia but not by cold, drought or dehydration, and WRKY22, which was rapidly and strongly induced upon submergence in Arabidopsis, for further studies. Our results suggest that in addition to ethylene an ethylene-independent signal is also required to mediate hypoxia induction of HRE1. Through a series of genetic and molecular analyses, we found that hypoxia-inducible genes could be affected by AtHRE1-RNAi lines in two different ways: hypoxic induction of glycolytic and fermentative genes was reduced, whereas induction of a number of peroxidase and cytochrome P450 genes was increased. Taken together, our results show that AtERF73/HRE1 is involved in modulating ethylene responses under both normoxia and hypoxia. We found that many genes in the WRKY transcription factor (TF) family were rapidly and strongly induced upon submergence in Arabidopsis. Notably, a large proportion of innate immunity marker genes were co-induced with WRKYs under submergence and other stresses. Compared to wild-type, WRKY22 T-DNA insertion mutants, wrky22-ko1 and wrky22-ko2, have lower submergence-acclimatized disease resistance. Submergence induction of innate immunity markers, such as FRK1 and WRKY53, were lower in these WRKY22 mutants. These results provide evidence that submergence triggers Arabidopsis immunity through WRKY22, allowing plants to defend simultaneous or sequential infection upon floods.

史學 : 晩淸中國的衝突與調和-以李鴻章爲中心的探討

양명철 ( Ming Che Yang ) 한국중국학회 2006 國際中國學硏究 Vol.9 No.-

Comprehensive profiles and diagnostic value of menopausal-specific gut microbiota in premenopausal breast cancer

Hou Ming-Feng,Ou-Yang Fu,Li Chung-Liang,Chen Fang-Ming,Chuang Chieh-Han,Kan Jung-Yu,Wu Cheng-Che,Shih Shen-Liang,Shiau Jun-Ping,Kao Li-Chun,Kao Chieh-Ni,Lee Yi-Chen,Moi Sin-Hua,Yeh Yao-Tsung,Cheng Chi 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

In Western countries, breast cancer tends to occur in older postmenopausal women. However, in Asian countries, the proportion of younger premenopausal breast cancer patients is increasing. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in breast cancer. However, studies on the gut microbiota in the context of breast cancer have mainly focused on postmenopausal breast cancer. Little is known about the gut microbiota in the context of premenopausal breast cancer. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the gut microbial profiles, diagnostic value, and functional pathways in premenopausal breast cancer patients. Here, we analyzed 267 breast cancer patients with different menopausal statuses and age-matched female controls. The α-diversity was significantly reduced in premenopausal breast cancer patients, and the β-diversity differed significantly between breast cancer patients and controls. By performing multiple analyses and classification, 14 microbial markers were identified in the different menopausal statuses of breast cancer. Bacteroides fragilis was specifically found in young women of premenopausal statuses and Klebsiella pneumoniae in older women of postmenopausal statuses. In addition, menopausal-specific microbial markers could exhibit excellent discriminatory ability in distinguishing breast cancer patients from controls. Finally, the functional pathways differed between breast cancer patients and controls. Our findings provide the first evidence that the gut microbiota in premenopausal breast cancer patients differs from that in postmenopausal breast cancer patients and shed light on menopausal-specific microbial markers for diagnosis and investigation, ultimately providing a noninvasive approach for breast cancer detection and a novel strategy for preventing premenopausal breast cancer.

Revascularization of Concurrent Renal and Cerebral Artery Stenosis in a 14-Year-Old Girl with Takayasu Arteritis and Moyamoya Syndrome

Meng-Luen Lee,Ming-Yuh Chang,Tung-Ming Chang,Rei-Cheng Yang,Ming-Che Chang,Albert D. Yang 대한의학회 2018 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.33 No.10

Concurrent involvement of bilateral renal and cerebral arteries, usually incurred as stenosis is rare in childhood-onset Takayasu arteritis (c-TA). We report the case of a 14-year-old girl, with c-TA, presenting with transient ischemic attack after endovascular revascularization for renal artery stenosis and cerebrovascular stroke after surgical revascularization for cerebral artery stenosis associated with childhood-onset moyamoya syndrome. We deem th decrease of blood pressure by endovascular revascularization and improvement of cerebral perfusion by surgical revascularization may have jeopardized the cerebral deep watershed zone to cerebral ischemia followed by cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome and caused transient ischemic attack and cerebrovascular stroke in our patient. Revascularization could be a double-edge sword for c-TA patients presenting with concomitant renal artery stenosis and cerebral artery stenosis, and should be performed with caution. Quantitative analysis of cerebral blood flow by brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography should be performed within 48 hours after surgical revascularization in c-TA.

Lack of Association between Pre-Operative Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and the Risk of Post-Operative Delirium in Elderly Chinese Patients

Che-Sheng Chu,Chih-Kuang Liang,Ming-Yueh Chou,Yu-Te Lin,Chien-Jen Hsu,Chin-Liang Chu,Po-Han Chou 대한신경정신의학회 2016 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.13 No.3

ObjectiveaaPostoperative delirium (POD) is a highly prevalent complex neuropsychiatric syndrome in elderly patients. However, its pathophysiology is currently unknown. Early detection and prevention of POD is important; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the link between preoperative insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in the serum and POD in the Chinese elderly patients. MethodsaaOne hundred and three patients who were undergoing an orthopedic operation took part in the study. Preoperative serum IGF-1 levels were measured. POD was determined daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and DSM-IV TR. Baseline serum IGF-1 levels were compared between patients who did and did not develop POD. Correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate relationship between baseline characteristics and serum IGF-1 levels. The relationship between baseline biomarkers and delirium status was investigated using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounding variables. ResultsaaTwenty-three patients developed POD. The POD group had lower MMSE scores and higher CCI scores and proportions of acute admission. Preoperative serum IGF-1 levels were correlated with MMSE scores and age (MMSE: r=0.230, p<0.05; age: r=-0.419, p<0.001). Baseline serum IGF-1 levels did not differ between patients who did and did not develop POD, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors, MMSE score, and age. ConclusionaaNo association was found between preoperative IGF-1 levels and POD, suggesting that they are not direct biomarkers of the incidence of POD among the Chinese elderly population. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to clarify the relationship.

A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study of Cultural Characteristics and Informa tion Search Behaviours of Business Travellers

Che-Chao Chiang,Min-chi Chang,Po-Tsang Chen,Fu-Ming Chiang 세계문화관광학회 2010 Conference Proceedings Vol.11 No.0

This study examines the information searching of business travelers and their behavior based on the cultural differences. Despite growing academic interest in business travel i n recent years, there has been little investigation of the information search behaviors of business travelers in a cross-culture context. The above themes are rational assumed that information search behaviour are necessary to understand. To address the identified gap s in the literature, the proposed relationships are examined and presented through using chi-square method with a survey sample. The research sample included Japanese, English and Chinese business travellers. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 211 business travelers attending international conventions in Taipei. The research findings reveal that information preferences of business travelers are significantly differed from the three recognized groups in the case of Taiwan. Some significant differences in information search behaviors were recognized amongst the three recognized respondent groups. Marketing implications were also proposed and presented.

The Effect of Monetary Policies on the Relationship between Advertising and Mutual Fund Flows

Ming-Hung Wu,Wei-Che Tsai,Miao-Ling Chen 한국증권학회 2016 Asia-Pacific Journal of Financial Studies Vol.45 No.5

This paper investigates the effect of monetary policies, mainly proxied by interest rate changes, on the relationship between advertising and subsequent net cash flows for Taiwan’s mutual fund industry. Based on a comprehensive mutual fund dataset and allowing for a precise estimation of fund inflows and outflows, we find that there is a positive advertising–cash flow relation under different macroeconomic conditions. Taking into account a change in the interest rate, we document that the positive relationship between the two only exists when the interest rate is at a relatively low level regardless of restrictive and expansionary periods. Our empirical findings shed new light on marketing strategies whereby mutual fund advertising works well during relatively low interest rate environments, which are generally interpreted as exhibiting low cost of capital and a good signal of future economic conditions.