Thermal conductivity of micro hot-pressed AlN ceramics fabricated using a conventional MoSi2 heating element furnace

Chih-Peng Lin,Chih-Hung Chu,Shaw-Bing Wen,Yun-Hwei Shen 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2011 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.12 No.5

AlN samples doped with sub-micron Y2O3 and CaO powders as sintering additives obtained using the micro hot-pressed (MHPed) sintering method in a MoSi2 heating element furnace were investigated. The minor amounts of secondary phases were identified as Al5Y3O12, CaYAl3O7, and CaAl4O7, which are related to the low sintering temperature as well as the removal of oxygen-related defects in the system. Relative densities of over 96% of the theoretical value were obtained after sintering at 1600 oC for 8 h, indicating that an adequate amount of additives and the use of the micro hot-pressed (MHPed) sintering process help improve the densification and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics. The high thermal conductivity of 130Wm−1K−1was attributed to the purification of the AlN lattice, the elimination of some secondary phases, and the grain boundary phase distribution.

Atypical Pulmonary Metastases from a True Malignant Mixed Tumor of the Parotid Gland

Wen-Chiung Lin,Chao-Shiang Li,Chih-Kung Lin,Tsun-Hou Chang,Tom, Yun-Cheng Chen,Hsian-He Hsu,Guo-Shu Huang 대한영상의학회 2009 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.10 No.2

A 58-year-old male patient presented with a recurrent true malignant mixed tumor of the parotid gland. Patchy pulmonary opacities were identified with a chest radiograph. Subsequently, a CT scan of the chest showed pulmonary parenchymal consolidation with amorphous calcifications. This abnormality was confirmed to be the result of a metastatic true malignant mixed tumor by using CT-guided biopsy. The current case demonstrated an extremely rare example of atypical pulmonary metastases from a true malignant mixed tumor of the parotid gland showing an air-space pattern and calcification.

Development and Application of Telephone Counseling Services for Care of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Lin, Wen-Li,Sun, Jia-Ling,Chang, Shu-Chan,Wu, Pei-Hua,Tsai, Tsung-Chih,Huang, Wen-Tsung,Tsao, Chao-Jung Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Background: The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Taiwan has increased in recent years; therefore, the effective dissemination of information related to symptom care has become especially important. Previous studies indicated that the physical and psychological status of cancer patients can be effectively improved by telephone counseling services (TCS). Thus, determining the most effective means of establishing a TCS to support the clinical practice of oncology has become a crucial goal for nursing. The purposes of this study were to analysis the content of the TCS for CRC and explore stratification of the TCS. Materials and Methods: The study design was retrospective. A total of 850 calls were made to CRC patients in the cancer center of Southern Taiwan during the period of January 2007- December 2011. A structure questionnaire was adopted to analysis satisfaction. Results: Responses provided by the TCS included information regarding nutrition, side effects resulting from chemotherapy and pain. Moreover, 28.7% of CRC patients needed advanced treatment. More than 90% satisfaction with all aspects of the calls was found. Conclusions: The TCS coulkd be shown to provide an effective means by which to expand the reach of nursing care to different times, places and patients, allowing for greater cost efficiency and more rapid service.

Controlled Release of Clenbuterol from a Hydroxyapatite Carrier for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Yi-Wen Lin,Chih-Hsiang Fang,Ya-Jyun Liang,Ching-Yun Yang,Wei-Ting Kuo,Feng-Huei Lin 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Background Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, and Aβ aggregation is considered to be the central process implicated in its pathogenesis. Current treatments are faced by challenges such as serious side effects and reduced drug bioavailability. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system for intramuscular injection that uses cellular activity to achieve constant and long-term drug release. Methods Synthesized mesoporous hydroxyapatite (SHAP) was prepared via co-precipitation, and hydrophobic surface modification using stearic acid was then used to load clenbuterol by physical absorption, thus creating the drug delivery system. Clenbuterol release was achieved through cellular activity, with macrophage uptake triggering lysosome/endosome disruption, cytoplasmic release, extracellular exocytosis, and subsequent systemic circulation. Results We found that clenbuterol-loaded SHAP enabled sustained release for more than 2 weeks and effectively modulated inflammation, reduced Aβ oligomer-induced toxicity, and prevented Aβ aggregation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that treatment with clenbuterol loaded in this SHAP delivery system could be a promising strategy for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment Retention Rates of 3-monthly Paliperidone Palmitate and Risk Factors Associated with Discontinuation: A Population-based Cohort Study

Chien-Heng Lin,Huang-Li Lin,Chih-Lin Chiang,Yi-Wen Chen,Yan-Fang Liu,Yen Kuang Yang,Chao-Hsiun Tang 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.3

Objective: Limited evidence exists regarding real-world 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP3M) treatment retention and associated factors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, nationwide cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between October 2017 and December 2019. Adult patients with schizophrenia initiated on PP3M were enrolled. The primary outcomes were time to PP3M discontinuation, time to psychiatric hospitalization, and the proportions of patients receiving the next PP3M dose within 120 days among first-, second-, and third-dose completers. Key covariates included prior PP1M duration and adequate PP3M initiation. Results: The PP3M treatment retention rates were 79.7%, 66.3%, and 52.5% after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, with 86.4%, 90.6%, and 90.0% of respective first-, second-, and third-dose completers receiving the next PP3M dose. Adequate PP3M initiation and prior PP1M treatment duration > 180 days were associated with favorable PP3M treatment retention. In multivariate analyses, PP1M durations of 180−360 days (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.76) or < 180 days (aRR, 2.79) were associated with PP3M discontinuation at the second dose. Inadequate PP3M initiation was associated with discontinuation at the third dose (aRR, 2.18). Patients fully adherent to PP3M treatment in the first year had a higher probability of being free from psychiatric hospitalization (86.7% at 2 years), compared with those partially adherent or non-adherent to PP3M in the first year. Conclusion: Prior PP1M duration and adequate PP3M initiation are major factors affecting PP3M treatment retention. Higher PP3M treatment retention is associated with a lower risk of psychiatric hospitalization.

Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C - A Subgroup Analysis from A Nationwide Real-World HCV Registry Program (TACR) in Taiwan

( Ming-Lung Yu ),( Chi-Yi Chen ),( Kuo-Chih Tseng ),( Ching-Chu Lo ),( Pin-Nan Cheng ),( Cheng-Yuan Peng ),( Ming-Jong Bair ),( Chih-Lang Lin ),( Chi-Ming Tai ),( Chi-Chieh Yang ),( Chih-Wen Lin ),( C 대한간학회 2020 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2020 No.1

Aims: TASL HCV Registry (TACR) is a nationwide registry program organized and supervised by Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), which aims to setup the database and biobank of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Taiwan. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcome of sofosbuvir (SOF)/ledipasvir (LDV) in Taiwanese CHC patients in TACR. Methods: By May 2020, 19 tertiary hospitals, 23 community hospitals and one primary care clinic join the TACR program. The baseline characteristics, prior liver and non-liver related medical history, DAA regimens, laboratory results, treatment course and outcome were recorded. The primary objective was sustained virological response, defined as undetectable HCV RNA 3 months after end-of-treatment (SVR12). Results: A total of 4742 SOF/LDV+ ribavirin treated CHC patients with available SVR12 data from 39 sites were enrolled in the current analysis. The mean age was 61.3 years, and female accounted for 54.8% of the population. The dominant viral genotypes were GT1b (52.6%) and GT2 (35.6%). 1354 (28.6%) patients had liver cirrhosis, including 156 (3.3%) with liver decompensation, 552 (11.6%) had preexisting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before DAAs treatment and 413 (8.7%) had hepatitis B virus dual infections. The overall SVR12 rate was 98.5%, with 98.5%, 98.2%, 99.7% and 98.6% in treatment- naïve non-cirrhotics, treatment-naïve cirrhotics, treatment- experienced non-cirrhotics and treatment-experienced cirrhotics patients, respectively. While patients were stratified by HCV genotype, the SVR12 was 98.5%, 98.4% and 98.5% among those with GT1, GT2 and GT6 infection, respectively. The strongest factor independent associated with treatment failure was DAA adherence < 60% (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence intervals [CI]: 125.4/25.7-612.4, P<0.0001), followed by active HCC (OR/CI: 6.20/2.57-14.97, P<0.0001), HIV co-infection (OR/CI: 3.01/1.14-7.92, P=0.026), and male gender (OR/ CI: 1.85/1.09-3.13, P=0.023). The eGFR decreased significantly at the end of treatment (EOT) (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡ vs. 93.2 ml/min/1.73㎡, P< 0.001) and remained stable 3 months after EOT (89.3 ml/min/1.73㎡). However, the decreased eGFR was observed only in patients whose baseline eGFR > 90 ml/ min/1.73㎡. Instead, patients with chronic kidney diseases whose pretreatment eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73㎡ had improved eGFR after SOF/LDV. Conclusions: SOF/LDV is highly effective in treating CHC patients in real-world setting of Taiwan. The satisfactory result could be explicitly generalized to patients with different viral genotypes and liver disease severities.

Smart monitoring system with multi-criteria decision using a feature based computer vision technique

Chih-Wei Lin,Wen-Ko Hsu,Dung-Jiang Chiou,Cheng-Wu Chen,Wei-Ling Chiang 국제구조공학회 2015 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.15 No.6

When natural disasters occur, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and debris flows, they are often accompanied by various types of damages such as the collapse of buildings, broken bridges and roads, and the destruction of natural scenery. Natural disaster detection and warning is an important issue which could help to reduce the incidence of serious damage to life and property as well as provide information for search and rescue afterwards. In this study, we propose a novel computer vision technique for debris flow detection which is feature-based that can be used to construct a debris flow event warning system. The landscape is composed of various elements, including trees, rocks, and buildings which are characterized by their features, shapes, positions, and colors. Unlike the traditional methods, our analysis relies on changes in the natural scenery which influence changes to the features. The “background module” and “monitoring module” procedures are designed and used to detect debris flows and construct an event warning system. The multi-criteria decision-making method used to construct an event warring system includes gradient information and the percentage of variation of the features. To prove the feasibility of the proposed method for detecting debris flows, some real cases of debris flows are analyzed. The natural environment is simulated and an event warning system is constructed to warn of debris flows. Debris flows are successfully detected using these two procedures, by analyzing the variation in the detected features and the matched feature. The feasibility of the event warning system is proven using the simulation method. Therefore, the feature based method is found to be useful for detecting debris flows and the event warning system is triggered when debris flows occur.

Developing a Data Model of Product Manufacturing Flow for an IC Packaging WIP System

Lin, Long-Chin,Chen, Wen-Chin,Sun, Chin-Huang,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2005 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.6 No.3

The IC packaging industry heavily relies on shop floor information, necessitating the development of a model to flexibly define shop floor information and timely handle manufacturing data. This study presents a novel data model of product manufacturing flow to define shop floor information to effectively respond to accelerated developments in IC package industry. The proposed data model consists of four modules: operation template setup, general process setup, enhanced bill of manufacture (EBOMfr) setup, and work-order process setup. The data model can flexibly define the required shop floor information and decision rules for shop floor product manufacturing flow, allowing one to easily adopt changes of the product and on the shop floor. However, to handle floor dynamics of the IC packaging industry, this work also proposes a WIP (i.e. work-in-process) system for monitoring and controlling the product manufacturing flow on the shop floor. The WIP system integrates the data model with a WIP execution module. Furthermore, an illustrative example, the MIRL WIP System, developed by Mechanical Industrial Research Laboratories of Industrial Technology Research Institute, demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed model.

A Group Decision Model for Selecting Facility Layout Alternatives

Lin, Shui-Shun,Chiou, Wen-Chih,Lee, Ron-Hua,Perng, Chyung,Tsai, Jen-Teng Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers 2005 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.4 No.1

Facility layout problems (FLP) are usually treated as design problems. Lack of systematic and objective tools to compare design alternatives results in decision-making to be dominated by the experiences or preferences of designers or managers. To increase objectivity and effectiveness of decision-making in facility layout selections, a decision support model is necessary. We proposed a decision model, which regards the FLP as a multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problem. We identify sets of attributes crucial to layout selections, quantitative indices for attributes, and methods of ranking alternatives. For a requested facility layout design, many alternatives could be developed. The enormous alternatives, various attributes, and comparison of assigned qualitative values to each attribute, form a complicated decision problem. To treat facility layout selection problems as a MADM problem, we used the linear assignment method to rank before selecting those high ranks as candidates. We modelled the application of the Nemawashi process to simulate the group decision-making procedure and help efficiently achieve agreement. The electronics manufacturing service (EMS) industry has frequent and costly facility layout modifications. Our models are helpful to them. We use an electronics manufacturing service company to illustrate the decision-making process of our models.

Fair Peer Assignment Scheme for Peer-to-Peer File Sharing

( Chih-lin Hu ),( Da-you Chen ),( Yi-hsun Chang ),( Yu-wen Chen ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2010 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.4 No.5

The reciprocal virtue of peer-to-peer networking has stimulated an explosion of peer population and service capacity, ensuring rapid content distribution in peer-to-peer networks. Critical issues such as peer churn, free riding, and skewed workload significantly affect performance results such as service agility, fairness, and resource utilization. To resolve these problems systematically, this study proposes a peer assignment scheme that supports fair peer-to-peer file sharing applications. The proposed scheme exploits the peer duality of both server-oriented peer capacity and client-oriented peer contribution. Accordingly, the system server can prioritize download requests and appropriately assign server peers to uploading file objects. Several functional extensions, including peer substitution and elimination, bandwidth adjustment, and distributed modification, help cope with subtle situations of service starvation and download blocking, and hence make the system design robust and amenable. Simulation results show this design is examined under both centralized and distributed peer-to-peer environments. Performance results confirm that the proposed mechanisms are simple but effective in maintaining service agility and fairness, without loss of overall service capacity in peer-to-peer files sharing systems.