Researches Related to Seismic Hazard Mitigation in Taiwan

Loh Chin Hsiung,Yeh Chin Hsun 한국지진공학회 1998 한국지진공학회논문집 Vol.2 No.3

In view of the rapid development of economics and technology, perilous meteorological and geological conditions often cause natural disasters and result in severe loss of lives and properties in Taiwan. To promote multi-hazard mitigation strategies in an integrated a, pp.oach, the National Science Council established a National Science and Technology Program for Disaster Mitigation in January 1998. This program emphasizes on the implementation of research results in the National Disaster Management System. This paper describes the earthquake loss estimation methodology that is currently developed in Taiwan. Topics of potential earth science hazards (PESH) and building vulnerability analysis are described in detail.

Investigation of Interleukin-10 Promoter Polymorphisms and Interleukin-10 Levels in Children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

( Man Chin Hua ),( Hsun Chin Chao ),( Tsung Chieh Yao ),( Ming Wei Lai ),( Jing Long Huang ),( The Patch Study Group ) 대한소화기학회 2013 Gut and Liver Vol.7 No.4

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic variations at positions -1082, -819, and 592 in the interleukin (IL)-10 promoter affect IL-10 production in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: Ninety-four children with IBS and 102 children as healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted, and IL-10 -1082, -819, and -592 polymorphisms were detected by direct sequencing from all participants. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 46 IBS children and 38 HCs were isolated and cultured with and without 5 ng/mL Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL-10 levels in the culture supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: There were no significant differences in the distribution of IL-10 -1082, -819, and -592 polymorphisms or in the allele and haplotype frequencies between IBS children and HCs. PBMCs from children with IBS had significantly lower IL-10 levels after LPS stimulation than PBMCs from HCs (p=0.011); however, LPS-induced IL-10 levels in PBMCs with different genotypes of -819 and 592 polymorphisms were not significantly different between IBS patients and HCs. Conclusions: Although significantly lower LPS-induced IL-10 production by PBMCs was noted, it is unlikely that IL-10 production was fully genetically determined in our IBS children. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01131442. (Gut Liver 2013; 7:430-436)

Discriminant Metric Learning Approach for Face Verification

( Ju-chin Chen ),( Pei-hsun Wu ),( Jenn-jier James Lien ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2015 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.9 No.2

In this study, we propose a distance metric learning approach called discriminant metric learning (DML) for face verification, which addresses a binary-class problem for classifying whether or not two input images are of the same subject. The critical issue for solving this problem is determining the method to be used for measuring the distance between two images. Among various methods, the large margin nearest neighbor (LMNN) method is a state-of-the-art algorithm. However, to compensate the LMNN`s entangled data distribution due to high levels of appearance variations in unconstrained environments, DML`s goal is to penalize violations of the negative pair distance relationship, i.e., the images with different labels, while being integrated with LMNN to model the distance relation between positive pairs, i.e., the images with the same label. The likelihoods of the input images, estimated using DML and LMNN metrics, are then weighted and combined for further analysis. Additionally, rather than using the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) classification mechanism, we propose a verification mechanism that measures the correlation of the class label distribution of neighbors to reduce the false negative rate of positive pairs. From the experimental results, we see that DML can modify the relation of negative pairs in the original LMNN space and compensate for LMNN`s performance on faces with large variances, such as pose and expression.

JNM : Original Article ; Relevance of Ultrastructural Alterations of Intercellular Junction Morphology in Inflamed Human Esophagus

( Chia Chin Liu ),( Jeng Woei Lee ),( Tso Tsai Liu ),( Chih Hsun Yi ),( Chien Lin Chen ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2013 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.19 No.3

Background/Aims Detailed characterization of the ultrastructural morphology of intercellular space in gastroesophageal reflux disease has not been fully studied. We aimed to investigate whether subtle alteration in intercellular space structure and tight junction proteins might differ among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods Esophageal biopsies at 5 cm above the gastroesophageal junction were obtained from 6 asymptomatic controls, 10 patients with reflux symptoms but without erosions, and 18 patients with erosions. The biopsies were morphologically evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, and by using immunohistochemistry for tight junction proteins (claudin-1 and claudin-2 proteins). Results The expressions of tight junction proteins did not differ between asymptomatic controls and gastroesophageal reflux disease patients. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, altered desmosomal junction morphology was only found in upper stratified squamous epithelium. Dilated intercellular space occurred only in upper stratified squamous epithelium and in patients with erosive esophagitis.Conclusions This study suggests that dilated intercellular space may not be uniformly present inside the esophageal mucosa and predom - inantly it is located in upper squamous epithelium. Presence of desmosomal junction alterations is associated with increased severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Besides dilated intercellular space, subtle changes in ultrastructural morphology of intercellular space allow better identification of inflamed esophageal mucosa relevant to acid reflux. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2013; 19:324-331)

Red Bean Extract Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Wen-Wan Chao,Yun-Chin Chung,I-Ping Shih,Hsun-Yen Wang,Su-Tze Chou,Cheng-Kuang Hsu 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.7

Red bean (Phaseolus radiatus L. var. Aurea) is a leguminous seed and mainly used as one of the popular ingredients in oriental desserts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of 50 g/kg ethanolic extract of red bean (RBE) by measuring lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expressions of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. On the other hand, the antioxidant activity of RBE was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method and comet assay using H2O2-induced macrophages. The results showed that RBE at the concentrations of 50–200 μg/mL can significantly suppress the inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated macrophages through the reduction of cellular NO and downregulation of the gene expressions of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, RBE can diminish H2O2-induced oxidative damage in RAW 264.7 macrophage. Phenolic compounds and cyanidin-3-Oglucoside from BRE may have efficacy as overall in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Red bean exerts an antiinflammatory response and has potential as a health-promoting ingredient.

Decellularized Human Umbilical Artery Exhibits Adequate Endothelialization in Xenogenic Transplantation

Kai Hsia,Tien-Shiang Wang,Chin-Su Liu,Chih-Kuan Su,Chien-Chin Chen,Chang-Ching Yeh,Hsinyu Lee,Chao-Ling Yao,Tsung-Yu Tseng,Shih-Hwa Chiou,Hsu Ma,Chih-Hsun Lin,Jen-Her Lu 한국생물공학회 2023 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.28 No.3

Decellularized human umbilical arteries (dHUA) is an off-the-shelf graft that can potentially serve as vascular scaffolds in tissue engineering of small-diameter vascular grafts. This research aimed to investigate that dHUA could exhibit adequate endothelialization for a long term in xenogenic transplantation. 13 dHUAs were implanted in rat abdominal aortas up to 90 days. Rats were divided into three groups in terms of survival period: Group 1, one to seven days (n = 6); Group 2, 14 to 30 days (n = 4) and Group 3, 90 days (n = 3). The explants were analyzed by histological, immunohistochemistry and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examination. Allograft implantation of 12 decellularized rat abdominal aortas` were processed the same way as the rat in order to make a comparison for survival rates (Group 1, n = 5; Group 2, n = 4; Group 3, n = 3). The results demonstrated that the survival rates of xenograft and allograft implantation were estimated to be 59.2% vs. 58.3% in Group 1, 50.7% vs. 58.3% in Group 2 and 3. Grafts harvested from Group 2 were showed CD31, endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression at intima, and α-smooth muscle actin, CD45, CD68 and CD168 expression at the tunica externa. A layer structure with obvious endothelialization and fiber regeneration/orientation could be inspected from the explants of Group 3. MRA demonstrated the patency of dHUA on day 30 and 90. In conclusion, more than 50% dHUA maintained patency in the xenogenic model till 90 days after surgery. A mature vessel-like functional structure with intact endothelial layer was observed then. This warrants further study in the reinforcement of decellularized vascular scaffolds.

Impact Assessments of High Oil Prices on the Agro-Food System and the Role of Bioenergy Crops

Lee, Duu-Hwa,Lin, Hsin-Chun,Chang, Ching-Cheng,Hsu, Shih-Hsun,Chen, Chi-Chun,Sun, Jenny Chin-Hwa Korean Resource Economics Association 2007 자원·환경경제연구 Vol.16 No.3

In this study, multi-sectoral partial equilibrium and computable general equilibrium models of Taiwan are used to investigate the direct and indirect effects of energy price increases on overall economies and agro-food sector in Taiwan. The results suggest that agricultural prices, production cost would increase between 0.27% to 1.88%, and a reduction in GDP around 0.39% to 0.54 %. The negative impact on livestock sector is slightly higher than that on the crop sector. Negative impacts are also observed in the employment and wages. The rising oil price has the potential to discourage production of energy-intensive activity because of the possibility of substitution and adaptations. The growth rate of real GDP will shrink by 0.64% to 1.06% and CPI will increase by 1.17% to 1,95%. Both the agriculture and non-agricultural sector also respond by raising output prices by 0.80% to 1.33%. The rising international oil price has urged the government to take policy actions like using alternative fuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, and adopting measures to cut down on energy consumptions mainly in transportation sectors in response to public concern over economic shocks.

Impact Assessments of High Oil Prices on the Agro-Food System and the Role of Bioenergy Crops

Duu-Hw Leea,Hsin-Chun Lin,Ching-Cheng Chang,Shih-Hsun Hsu,Chi-Chun Chen,Jenny Chin-Hwa Sun 한국환경경제학회 2007 자원·환경경제연구 Vol.16 No.3

In this study, multi-sectoral partial equilibrium and computable general equilibrium models of Taiwan are used to investigate the direct and indirect effects of energy price increases on overall economies and agro-food sector in Taiwan. The results suggest that agricultural prices, production cost would increase between 0.27% to 1.88%, and a reduction in GDP around 0.39% to 0.54%. The negative impact on livestock sector is slightly higher than that on the crop sector. Negative impacts are also observed in the employment and wages. The rising oil price has the potential to discourage production of energy-intensive activity because of the possibility of substitution and adaptations. The growth rate of real GDP will shrink by 0.64% to 1.06% and CPI will increase by 1.17% to 1.95%. Both the agriculture and non-agricultural sector also respond by raising output prices by 0.80% to 1.33%. The rising international oil price has urged the government to take policy actions like using alternative fuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, and adopting measures to cut down on energy consumptions mainly in transportation sectors in response to public concern over economic shocks.

Analysis and Construction of a Quality Prediction System for Needle-Punched Non-woven Fabrics

Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey,Su Te-Li,Chiu Chin-Hsun,Tsai Cheng-Ping The Korean Fiber Society 2007 Fibers and polymers Vol.8 No.1

In this study, polyester and polypropylene staple fibers were selected as the raw material, and then processed through roller-carder, cross-lapper and needle-punching machine to produce needle-punched non-woven fabrics. First, the experiment was planned using the Taguchi method to select processing parameters that affect the quality of the needle-punched non-woven fabric to act as the control factors for this experiment. The quality characteristics were the longitudinal and transverse tensile strength of the non-woven fabric as well as longitudinal and transverse tear strength. The $L_{18}(2^1{\times}3^7)$ orthogonal array was selected for the experiment as it offered an improvement on the traditional method that wastes a lot of time, effort and cost. By using the analysis of variance(ANOVA) technique at the same time, the effect of significant factors on the production process of needle-punched non-woven fabrics could be determined. Finally, the processing parameters were set as the input parameters of a back-propagation neural network(BPNN). The BPNN consists of an input layer, a hidden layer and an output layer where the longitudinal/transverse tensile and tear strength of the non-woven fabric were set as the output parameters. This was used to construct a quality prediction system for needle-punched non-woven fabrics. The experimental results indicated that the prediction system implemented in this study provided accurate predictions.

Adjusting optical resonance thickness to increase the conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells

Yu Sheng Tsai,Jian-Shian Lin,Wei-Ping Chu,Po-Hsun Wang,Fuh-Shyang Juang,Ming-Hua Chung,Chin-Ming Chen,Mark O. Liu 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.3

The derivatives of C60, [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT)were dissolved in DCB solvent, then spin coated into an active layer for polymer solar cells. The experimental parameters were studied carefully to obtain the optimum power conversion efficiency (PCE). The primary process for generation of photocurrent in an organic photovoltaic device is the generation of bound electron–hole pairs (excitons) by absorption of energy (photons) from the optical electric field. Modeling was based on the assumption that the photocurrent generation process is the result of the creation and diffusion of photogenerated species (excitons), which are dissociated by charge transfer at the active layer. Improve organic optics absorb by insert organic layer (CuPc or C60) at the active layer/Al interface. This research is divided into two components. First part, we use n-type C60 as transmission layer. When an optimum thickness of C60 is 5 nm, the Jsc of polymer solar cell can be increased from 7.26 mA/㎠ to 7.7 mA/㎠. The Voc decrease is because the energy level of C60 LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) at 4.5 eV is higher than the 3.7 eV of PCBM. Second part, we use p-type CuPc as transmission layer. When an optimum thickness of CuPc is 3 nm, the short circuit photo-current density (Jsc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) of polymer solar cell can be increased from 7.26 mA/㎠ to 8.0 mA/㎠ and 0.56–0.58 V, respectively. The reason is the same as C60. The Voc increase is because the energy level of CuPc LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) at 3.1 eV is lower than the 3.7 eV of PCBM. The Jsc increase is because the 3 nm of CuPc leads to a constructive interference happened in the active layer and thus optical absorption increases. In this study we used 3 nm of CuPc at the active layer/Al interface to enhance the short circuit current density, and the efficiency was increased to 2.94%.