An Automatic Environmental Monitoring and Cooling System to Reduce Heat Stress in Dairy Cows

( Yu-chi Tsai ),( Chen-yu Cheng ),( Jih-tay Hsu ),( Shih-torng Dnig ),( Ta-te Lin ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

In tropical and subtropical regions with high temperature and humidity conditions, one of the problems in dairy farm management is the effect of heat stress on animal productivity. Due to this problem, the utilization of an automatic environmental monitoring system for cooling, labor-saving and heat stress reduction is necessary. In this study, an environmental monitoring and automatic cooling system based on an embedded system for dairy farms was designed. The system aims to regulate the environmental condition by means of direct feedback depending on the monitoring of heat stress index (HSI) augmented by dairy cow drinking behavior. The system is composed of two sub-systems: data acquisition and environmental control. The data acquisition module collects images, temperature and humidity data. The cooling system is controlled based on the real-time environmental data, and the historical data are recorded and uploaded to the server for display and analysis. The data are analyzed on the environmental monitoring panel on the farm and on the website, which can be remotely accessed. The control parameters are adjusted using the image results from the dairy cow drinking behavior with a fixed time interval. The results of the conducted experiments show that there is labor saving improvement and an increment in milk production compared to the same period in the previous year when the system was not installed. The automatic environmental monitoring cooling system exhibits high efficiency and can perform real-time control and self-adjustment. The system can be used for fully automated dairy cow system application, as well as dairy cow behavior analysis through both environmental and image information.

Preparation of Carotenoids and Chlorophylls from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino and Their Antiproliferation Effect on Hepatoma Cell

Yu-Chian Tsai,Wen-Bin Wu,Bing-Huei Chen 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.6

A preparative column chromatographic method for isolation of carotenoids and chlorophylls from Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a traditional Chinese herb, was developed to evaluate their antiproliferative effects on the hepatoma cell Hep3B. An open column containing 70g of magnesium oxide–diatomaceous earth (1:2.5, wt/wt) was used to elute carotenoid with 2% ethanol in ethyl acetate and chlorophyll with 50% ethanol in acetone. After high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, the carotenoid fraction was composed of all-trans- and cis-isomers of lutein, α-carotene, and β-carotene as well as epoxy-containing carotenoids, while the chlorophyll fraction consisted of chlorophylls a and b and their derivatives. Both carotenoid and chlorophyll fractions as well as lutein and chlorophyll a standards at 50–100μg/mL were effective against Hep3B cells with a dose-dependent response with the following order: carotenoid fraction>chlorophyll fraction>lutein>chlorophyll a. For all treatments, the cell cycle was arrested in the G0/G1 phase, with Hep3B cells undergoing necrosis or apoptosis.

Legit Move

Yu-Hsiu Hung,Hsuan-Lin Lu,Han-Yu Tsai,Shi Wei Tan 한국디자인학회 2016 한국디자인학회 국제초대전도록 Vol.2016 No.12

The seasonal detection of AcSBV (Apis cerana sacbrood virus) prevalence in Taiwan

Yu-Shin Nai,Chong-Yu Ko,Pei-Shou Hsu,Wen-Shi Tsai,Yue-Wen Chen,Meng-Hao Hsu,I-Hsin Sung 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.1

The epizootic disease caused by Apis cerana sacbrood virus (AcSBV) occurred in Eastern hive bee, A. cerana, since2015 in Taiwan. A large-scale survey of this disease from September and December 2016 in Taiwan was performedincluding symptom check and molecular identification in honey bees of A. cerana hives and several A. mellifera hives, which were co-cultured with A. cerana. Based on the nucleotide sequences of partial VP1, thephylogenetic analysis with those of the known AcSBV isolates revealed that most of AcSBV isolates from Taiwanwere closely relative to SBV-FZ and -JL isolates from China, whereas only one sample (N15-5-1) was in a distinctcluster, which was closely relative to SBV-LN from China too. The AcSBV prevalence was occurring in A. ceranahives in most areas of Taiwan except for those in Hualien and Pingtung Counties in Taiwan. Notably, the AcSBVprevalence rate showed the temporal increase from 47.1% to 69.6% within 4 months. In addition, 37.5% ofAcSBV prevalence rate was found in A. mellifera hives. It showed that A. mellifera was also susceptible to AcSBVinfection. The present results would provide the information on the epidemiology and for prospective research.

Determining the risk factors associated with the development of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with hematological diseases

Yu Ling Lee-Tsai,Rodrigo Luna-Santiago,Roberta Demichelis-Gómez,Alfredo Ponce-de-León,Eric Ochoa-Hein,Karla María Tamez-Torres,María T Bourlon,Christianne Bourlon 대한혈액학회 2019 Blood Research Vol.54 No.2

BackgroundClostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a nosocomial condition prevalent in patients with hematological disorders. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the devel-opment of CDI and assess the mortality rate at 15 and 30 days among hematologic patients admitted to a tertiary care center.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case-control study from January 2010 to December 2015. Forty-two patients with hematologic malignancy and CDI, and 84 with hematologic dis-ease and without history of CDI were included in the case and control groups, respectively.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that episodes of febrile neutropenia [odds ratio (OR), 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3‒12.9; P<0.001], admission to intensive care unit (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4‒10.2; P=0.009), gastrointestinal surgery (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1‒1.4; P<0.001), use of therapeutic (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 2.5‒15.9; P<0.001) and prophylactic antibiotics (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.6‒10.7; P=0.003) in the last 3 months, and >1 hospital-ization (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.5‒12.6; P<0.001) were significant risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed that use of therapeutic antibiotics in the last 3 months (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.1‒18.8; P=0.001) and >1 hospitalization (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.7‒11.0; P=0.002) were independent risk factors. Three (7.1%) and 6 (14.2%) case patients died at 15 and 30 days, respectively.ConclusionThe risk factors for developing CDI were exposure to therapeutic antibiotics and previous hospitalization. Hematological patients who developed CDI had higher early mortality rates, suggesting that new approaches for prevention and treatment are needed.

Impacts of Topography on Airflow and Precipitation in the Pyeongchang Area Seen from Multiple-Doppler Radar Observations

Tsai, Chia-Lun,Kim, Kwonil,Liou, Yu-Chieng,Lee, Gyuwon,Yu, Cheng-Ku AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY 2018 Monthly weather review Vol.146 No.10

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secreted-Extracellular Vesicles are Involved in Chondrocyte Production and Reduce Adipogenesis during Stem Cell Differentiation

Tsai Yu-Chen,Cheng Tai-Shan,Liao Hsiu-Jung,Chuang Ming-Hsi,Chen Hui-Ting,Chen Chun-Hung,Zhang Kai-Ling,Chang Chih-Hung,Lin Po-Cheng,Huang Chi-Ying F. 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2022 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.19 No.6

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are derived from internal cellular compartments, and have potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in degenerative disease associated with aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising tool for functional EVs production. This study investigated the efficacy of EVs and its effect on differentiation capacity. METHODS: The characteristics of MSCs were evaluated by flow cytometry and stem cell differentiation analysis, and a production mode of functional EVs was scaled from MSCs. The concentration and size of EVs were quantitated by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). Western blot analysis was used to assess the protein expression of exosomespecific markers. The effects of MSC-derived EVs were assessed by chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation analyses and histological observation. RESULTS: The range of the particle size of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)- and Wharton’s jelly -MSCs-derived EVs were from 130 to 150 nm as measured by NTA, which showed positive expression of exosomal markers. The chondrogenic induction ability was weakened in the absence of EVs in vitro. Interestingly, after EV administration, type II collagen, a major component in the cartilage extracellular matrix, was upregulated compared to the EV-free condition. Moreover, EVs decreased the lipid accumulation rate during adipogenic induction. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the production model could facilitate production of effective EVs and further demonstrated the role of MSC-derived EVs in cell differentiation. MSC-derived EVs could be successfully used in cell-free therapy to guide chondrogenic differentiation of ADSC for future clinical applications in cartilage regeneration.

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%.

Initial Factors Influencing Duration of Hospital Stay in Adult Patients With Peritonsillar Abscess

Yu-Hsi Liu,Hsing-Hao Su,Yi-Wen Tsai,Yu-Yi Hou,Kuo-Ping Chang,Chao-Chuan Chi,Ming-Yee Lin,Pi-Hsiung Wu 대한이비인후과학회 2017 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.10 No.1

Objectives. To review cases of peritonsillar abscess and investigate the initial clinical factors that may influence the duration of hospitalization. To determine the predictive factors of prolonged hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess. Methods. Subjects were adults hospitalized with peritonsillar abscess. We retrospectively reviewed 377 medical records from 1990 to 2013 in a tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan. The association between clinical characteristics and the length of hospital stay was analyzed with independent t-test, univariate linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis. Results. The mean duration of hospitalization was 6.2±6.0 days. With univariate linear regression, a prolonged hospital stay was associated with several variables, including female gender, older ages, nonsmoking status, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, band forms in white blood cell (WBC) counts, and lower hemoglobin levels. With multiple linear regression analysis, four independent predictors of hospital stay were noted: years of age (P<0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (P<0.001), ratio of band form WBC (P<0.001), and hemoglobin levels (P<0.001). Conclusion. In adult patients with peritonsillar abscess, older ages, history of diabetes mellitus, band forms in WBC counts and lower hemoglobin levels were independent predictors of longer hospitalization.

The Photosynthesis Analysis in Different Wavelength LED Lighting Source on Plant Growth

( Chun-yu Tsai ),( Yi-yi Chen ),( Yung-fu Yen ),( Chyung Ay ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

The advancement in agriculture technology and stable environment control in plant factory. The demand of plant growth on the light is a major factor in addition to the nutrient solution. The different plant growth is also different for light wavelength. In this study, NFT (nutrient film technology) cultivation system was used in combination with plant factory, planting two varieties of Boston lettuce and Ziyan lettuce. The light source is the use of different wavelength include red、blue、green and yellow color to plant cultivation. Plant growth observed during plant analysis experiments and the use of photosynthesis analyzer with different CO2 concentrations and light intensity to observe the photosynthesis efficiency analysis. The preliminary experimental results show that the red wavelength of the photosynthetic efficiency had the highest efficiency under the single-source color LED planting. The analysis of the growth of single color LED light sources will be a relatively important reference for the mixing of different wavelength light and increasing the photosynthetic growth of plants.