Registry-based stroke research in Taiwan: past and future

Cheng-Yang Hsieh,Darren Philbert Wu3,,Sheng-Feng Sung 한국역학회 2018 Epidemiology and Health Vol.40 No.-

Stroke registries are observational databases focusing on the clinical information and outcomes of stroke patients. They play an important role in the cycle of quality improvement. Registry data are collected from real-world experiences of stroke care and are suitable for measuring quality of care. By exposing inadequacies in performance measures of stroke care, research from stroke registries has changed how we manage stroke patients in Taiwan. With the success of various quality improvement campaigns, mortality from stroke and recurrence of stroke have decreased in the past decade. After the implementation of a nationwide stroke registry, researchers have been creatively expanding how they use and collect registry data for research. Through the use of the nationwide stroke registry as a common data model, researchers from many hospitals have built their own stroke registries with extended data elements to meet the needs of research. In collaboration with information technology professionals, stroke registry systems have changed from web-based, manual submission systems to automated fill-in systems in some hospitals. Furthermore, record linkage between stroke registries and administrative claims databases or other existing databases has widened the utility of registry data in research. Using stroke registry data as the reference standard, researchers have validated several algorithms for ascertaining the diagnosis of stroke and its risk factors from claims data, and have also developed a claims-based index to estimate stroke severity. By making better use of registry data, we believe that we will provide better care to patients with stroke.

아시아 횡단철도의 경제적 효과 분석 : 중국 동북 3성을 중심으로

구종순,여희정,동무성 한국관세학회 2009 관세학회지 Vol.10 No.1

The paper explores economic effects of the Trans-Asian Railway North Corridor(TAR-NC) in the Northeast regions of China. The 3 Northeast regions, called Dongbeisan Sheng(3 provinces composed of Liaoning Sheng, Helongjiang Sheng, Jilin Sheng) possess natural resources and form a large regional economic block. In the 2000's the Chinese government has led a development policy of land transport via TAR-NC. Volumes transported by rail from origin/destination stations such as Erlianhaote, Suifenhe, Arasankou, Manzhouli are significantly increasing. Furthermore, by the fact that the Russian government plans to reduce railway tariffs and the Chinese government reforms laws related to container transport to increase competitiveness of the TAR-NC as an international railway route, the TAR-NC will offer a better package of services such as transit times, tariffs to attract shippers and compete against well-established shipping lines. Europe is the second export/import trade partner for the 3 Northeast regions. The reduced transit times and tariffs offered by the railway route for land movements of containers will enhance the competitiveness of products of the regions in the European market.

From an Authoritarian Party-State to a Democratic and Competitive Party System

Wu, Wen Cheng 서강대학교 동아연구소 1988 東亞 硏究 Vol.- No.15

Design tables and charts for uniform and non-uniform tuned liquid column dampers in harmonic pitching motion

Wu, Jong-Cheng,Wang, Yen-Po,Chen, Yi-Hsuan Techno-Press 2012 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.9 No.2

In the first part of the paper, the optimal design parameters for tuned liquid column dampers (TLCD) in harmonic pitching motion were investigated. The configurations in design tables include uniform and non-uniform TLCDs with cross-sectional ratios of 0.3, 0.6, 1, 2 and 3 for the design in different situations. A closed-form solution of the structural response was used for performing numerical optimization. The results from optimization indicate that the optimal structural response always occurs when the two resonant peaks along the frequency axis are equal. The optimal frequency tuning ratio, optimal head loss coefficient, the corresponding response and other useful quantities are constructed in design tables as a guideline for practitioners. As the value of the head loss coefficient is only available through experiments, in the second part of the paper, the prediction of head loss coefficients in the form of a design chart are proposed based on a series of large scale tests in pitching base motions, aiming to ease the predicament of lacking the information of head loss for those who wishes to make designs without going through experimentation. A large extent of TLCDs with cross-sectional ratios of 0.3, 0.6, 1, 2 and 3 and orifice blocking ratios ranging from 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% to 80% were inspected by means of a closed-form solution under harmonic base motion for identification. For the convenience of practical use, the corresponding empirical formulas for predicting head loss coefficients of TLCDs in relation to the cross-sectional ratio and the orifice blocking ratio were also proposed. For supplemental information to horizontal base motion, the relation of head loss values versus blocking ratios and the corresponding empirical formulas were also presented in the end.

Non-linear FEA of mechanical properties of modular prefabricated steel-concrete composite joints

Wu Cheng Long,Kan Jian Cheng,Liu Ji Ming,Mou Ben 국제구조공학회 2021 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.40 No.4

This paper study the seismic performance of modular prefabricated SRC column to steel beam composite joint (MPCJ) under static loading. Numerical modeling of MPCJs with three different beam-end connections was carried out in ABAQUS. Results of the numerical calculation were compared with existing quasi-static test results to verify the feasibility of the numerical model. The model was then used to analyze changes in the moment-rotation relation, failure mode, ductility, stiffness, and bolt stress in the joint between the column and joint module. Besides, stress distributions in the joints were analyzed along different stress paths. Under monotonic loading, the mechanical performance of the MPCJ is significantly affected by the beam end connection mode. Failure of the MPCJ mainly occurs at the beam end connection, thus, the aim of keeping the plastic hinge away from the joint core and preventing shear failure is achieved. Furthermore, the maximum story drift ratio is 3.9–5 times greater than the recommended limit, which indicates good ductility and deformation performance. The MPCJ of the three-beam end connection methods is all semi-rigid connections. The beam end structure will have a large influence on the bolt tension and stress distribution. According to the test research results, a nonlinear model with three parameters including joint cover plate cantilever section length, flange connecting plate thickness and flange connecting plate weld length was established. The theoretical calculation results was consistent with the results of the numerical simulation. MPCJs can be designed based on the proposed theoretical calculation formula.

A BP Neural Network Based on Improved PSO for Increasing Current Efficiency of Copper Electrowinning

Wu Jing,Cheng Yan-Ming,Liu Cheng,Lee Il-Kyoo,Cha Jae-Sang,Huang Wen-Lin 대한전기학회 2021 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.16 No.3

In this paper, to improve the current effi ciency in the copper electrowinning process is taken as the research objective. In the traditional production process, sulfate ion concentration, copper ion concentration and current density are carried out according to the empirical value, which cannot ensure the current effi ciency to reach the optimal level. Therefore, fi rstly, this paper proposes a BP neural network model to improve the current effi ciency according to the relationships between sulfate ion concentration, copper ion concentration, current density and the established BP neural network model is trained by using real data from the enterprise. The simulation results indicate that there is a defi nite error between the predicted current effi ciency and corresponding to the current effi ciency measured at the production site. It is proposed that the BP neural network improved by the improved PSO to further improve the prediction accuracy of the BP neural network. Simulation results indicate that the prediction error of the current effi ciency is greatly reduced that meets the accuracy requirements. On the premise of guaranteeing the quality of copper electrowinning, the current density, sulfate ion concentration and copper ion concentration corresponding to the maximum current effi ciency accurately predicted by this method can be respectively adjusted in real-time in the copper electrowinning process, which realizes the optimization of current effi ciency in the process of copper electrowinning under the background of low carbon and environmental protection.

SEARCH FOR PULSED γ-RAY EMISSION FROM GLOBULAR CLUSTER M28

Wu, J. H. K.,Hui, C. Y.,Wu, E. M. H.,Kong, A. K. H.,Huang, R. H. H.,Tam, P. H. T.,Takata, J.,Cheng, K. S. IOP Publishing 2013 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.765 No.2

<P>Using the data from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, we have searched for gamma-ray pulsations from the direction of the globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626). We report the discovery of a signal with a frequency consistent with that of the energetic millisecond pulsar (MSP) PSR B1821-24 in M28. A weighted H-test test statistic of 28.8 is attained, which corresponds to a chance probability of similar to 10(-5) (4.3 sigma detection). With a phase-resolved analysis, the pulsed component is found to contribute similar to 25% of the total observed gamma-ray emission from the cluster. However, the unpulsed level provides a constraint for the underlying MSP population and the fundamental plane relations for the scenario of inverse Compton scattering. Follow-up timing observations in radio/X-ray are encouraged to further investigate this periodic signal candidate.</P>

DISCOVERY OF GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT Kes 17 WITH <i>FERMI</i> LARGE AREA TELESCOPE

Wu, J. H. K.,Wu, E. M. H.,Hui, C. Y.,Tam, P. H. T.,Huang, R. H. H.,Kong, A. K. H.,Cheng, K. S. IOP Publishing 2011 ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS - Vol.740 No.1

<P>We report the discovery of GeV emission at the position of supernova remnant Kes 17 by using the data from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Kes 17 can be clearly detected with a significance of similar to 12 sigma in the 1-20 GeV range. Moreover, a number of gamma-ray sources were detected in its vicinity. The gamma-ray spectrum of Kes 17 can be described well by a simple power law with a photon index of Gamma similar to 2.4. Together with the multiwavelength evidence for its interactions with the nearby molecular cloud, the gamma-ray detection suggests that Kes 17 is a candidate acceleration site for cosmic rays.</P>

The influence of serial passage on the stability of an exogenous gene expression in recombinant baculovirus

Wu Carol P.,Chang Chia‐Jung,Li Cheng‐Hsun,Wu Yueh‐Lung 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.4

The baculovirus expression system has been widely used for industrial-scale production of recombinant proteins. These recombinant proteins are expressed from recombinant baculoviruses carrying an expression cassette for a particular protein. Even though the baculovirus genome can accommodate large fragments of foreign genetic material, it has been shown that defective interfering particles (DIs) are generated over many passages of the recombinant virus. Defective interfering particles can affect the stability of the inserted gene, which can result in sub-optimal expression of the recombinant protein; this can, therefore, have a significant impact on production. The stability of exogenous genes in recombinant viruses over serial passage has not yet been investigated. As such, the present study set out to assess the effect of serial passage on the stability of the expression of an exogenous gene inserted into a recombinant baculovirus and its subsequent recombinant protein yield. To achieve this, a recombinant baculovirus carrying the classical swine fever virus E2 gene was serially passaged up to 20 times. The results showed that the E2 gene expression by the recombinant baculovirus was stable for up to 10 passages without any effect on recombinant E2 production in insect cells.

Intravenous Flurbiprofen Axetil Enhances Analgesic Effect of Opioids in Patients with Refractory Cancer Pain by Increasing Plasma β-Endorphin

Wu, Ting-Ting,Wang, Zhi-Gang,Ou, Wu-Ling,Wang, Jun,Yao, Guo-Qing,Yang, Bo,Rao, Zhi-Guo,Gao, Jian-Fei,Zhang, Bi-Cheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Background: The study aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of a combination of intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioids, and evaluate the relationship between refractory pain relief and plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 cancer patients was randomly divided into two groups, 60 patients took orally morphine sulfate sustained-release tablets in group A, and another 60 patients receiving the combination treatment of intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioid drugs in group B. After 7 days, pain relief, quality of life improvement and side effects were evaluated. Furthermore, plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: With the combination treatment of intravenous intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioids, the total effective rate of pain relief rose to 91.4%, as compared to 82.1% when morphine sulfate sustained-release tablet was used alone. Compared with that of group A, the analgesic effect increased in group B (p=0.031). Moreover, satisfactory pain relief was associated with a significant increase in plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels. After the treatment, plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin level in group B was $62.4{\pm}13.5pg/ml$, which was higher than that in group A ($45.8{\pm}11.2pg/ml$) (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest the combination of intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and opioids can enhance the analgesic effect of opioid drugs by increasing plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels, which would offer a selected and reliable strategy for refractory cancer pain treatment.