Design Customization of Respiratory Mask based on 3D Face Anthropometric Data

Chih-Hsing Chu,Szu-Hao Huang,Chih-Kai Yang,Chun-Yang Tseng 한국정밀공학회 2015 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol. No.

This study presents a machine learning based method for design customization of a 3D respiratory mask. A parametric model of a3D human face was constructed from an anthropometric database consisting of 495 facial models. An AdaBoost.R algorithm wasapplied to identify a set of measurable parameters most related to the facial geometry. The correlation between parameters wasestimated using principal component analysis and linear regression. With those parameter values as input, the parametric modelgenerates 3D meshes of a human face that serve as a design reference for the construction of a customized respiratory mask of agood fit. We conducted a series of experiments with 10-fold cross-validation to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

The Clinical Observation of Inflammation Theory for Depression: The Initiative of the Formosa Long COVID Multicenter Study (FOCuS)

Shu-Tsen Liu(Shu-Tsen Liu),Sheng-Che Lin(Sheng-Che Lin),Jane Pei-Chen Chang(Jane Pei-Chen Chang),Kai-Jie Yang(Kai-Jie Yang),Che-Sheng Chu(Che-Sheng Chu),Chia-Chun Yang(Chia-Chun Yang),Chih-Sung Liang( 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.1

There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with increased risks of psychiatric sequelae. Depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, sleep disturbance, and fatigue during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 are prevalent, long-lasting, and exerting negative consequences on well-being and imposing a huge burden on healthcare systems and society. This current review presented timely updates of clinical research findings, particularly focusing on the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the neuropsychiatric sequelae, and identified potential key targets for developing effective treatment strategies for long COVID. In addition, we introduced the Formosa Long COVID Multicenter Study (FOCuS), which aims to apply the inflammation theory to the pathogenesis and the psychosocial and nutrition treatments of post-COVID depression and anxiety.

Flow and Learning Emotions in Computer Education

Chih-Chien Wang,Kai-Li Wang,Chien-Chang Chen,Yann-Jy Yang 한국데이타베이스학회 2014 Journal of information technology applications & m Vol.21 No.3

It is important to keep learners’ feeling positive during learning to enhance learning performance. According to flow theory,challenge-skill balance is a precondition for flow experience: Learnersfeel anxietywhen the challenge of learning is higher than their ability, feel boredom when the challenge of learning is lower than learners’ ability, and engage in flow status when the challenge of learning matches the learners’ ability. However, the current empirical study reveals that emotions related to enjoyment may appear when the learners’ skill is equal to or higher than the learning challenge. Nevertheless, boredom emotion may appear when learners perceive the courses are difficult but unimportant. These empirical survey results revealed the necessary of rethinking the appearance of boredom and enjoyment emotions in computer education.

Turning Dynamics and Equilibrium of Two-Wheeled Vehicles

Chih-Keng Chen,Thanh-Son Dao,Chih-Kai Yang 대한기계학회 2005 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.19 No.1S

The equations of motion of two-wheeled vehicles, e g bicycles or motorcycles, are developed by using Lagrange's equations for quasi-coordinates The pure rolling constraints between the ground and the two wheels ale considered m the dynamical equations of the system For each wheel, two nonholonomic and two holonomic constraints are introduced in a set of differentials algebraic equations (DAE) The constraint Jacobian matrix is obtained by collecting all the constraint equations and converting them into the velocity form Equilibrium, an algorithm for searching for equilibrium points of two-wheeled vehicles and the associated problems are discussed Formulae for calculating the radii of curvatures of ground-wheel contact paths and the reference point are also given<br/>

Flow and Learning Emotions in Computer Education: An Empirical Survey

Wang, Chih-Chien,Wang, Kai-Li,Chen, Chien-Chang,Yang, Yann-Jy Korea Data Strategy Society 2014 Journal of information technology applications & m Vol.21 No.3

It is important to keep learners' feeling positive during learning to enhance learning performance. According to flow theory,challenge-skill balance is a precondition for flow experience: Learners feel anxiety when the challenge of learning is higher than their ability, feel boredom when the challenge of learning is lower than learners' ability, and engage in flow status when the challenge of learning matches the learners' ability. However, the current empirical study reveals that emotions related to enjoyment may appear when the learners' skill is equal to or higher than the learning challenge. Nevertheless, boredom emotion may appear when learners perceive the courses are difficult but unimportant. These empirical survey results revealed the necessary of rethinking the appearance of boredom and enjoyment emotions in computer education.

Successful Resection for Huge Combined Hepatocellular- Cholangiocarcinoma after Portal Vein Embolization - A Case Report

( Po-chih Yang ),( Hsin-chieh Huang ),( Kai-wen Huang ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare primary hepatic cancer with poor prognosis. Aggressive surgical planning with complete resection of cHCC-CC plays an important role in treatment. We presented one case of successful resection of huge cHCC-CC after portal vein embolization (PVE). Methods: This is a 46-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. CT scan showed one 10cm infiltrative tumor in right liver with right anterior portal venous tumor thrombosis enhanced in arterial phase and washed out in portal venous phase. Regional enlarged lymph nodes is also noted. Under the preoperative diagnosis of HCC, right hepatectomy is planned. CT volumetry showed future liver remnant(FLR) is 480ml, 38.5% of standard liver volume. The ideal percentage of FLR in cirrhotic liver is more than 40% in our institution. Because of tumor thrombosis with total occlusion in right anterior portal pedicle, we performed PVE to right posterior portal vein for inadequate FLR. Two weeks after PVE, left liver enlarged from 480ml(38.5%) to 620ml(49.7%). There was no complication during PVE. Results: Right hepatectomy and regional lymph node dissection were performed two weeks after PVE. The post-operative course was smooth without any evidence of hepatic insufficiency. Pathology reported combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma but no malignant lymph nodes. There is no evidence of recurrence in follow-up CT scan 17 months after the operation until now. Conclusions: Aggressive surgical planning with PVE is effective for patient with cHCC-CC without adequate FLR even in cirrhotic liver. Complete resection may provide longer overall survival in this disease with dismal prognosis.

Comparison of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 and Lovastatin on Differentiating Mesenchymal Stem Cells toward Nucleus Pulposus-like Phenotype: An In Vitro Cell Culture Study

Shu-Hua Yang,Kai-Chiang Yang,Chih-Wei Chen,Ting-Chun Huang,Yuanhui Sun,Ming-Hsiao Hu 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.5

Study Design: In vitro cell culture study. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and lovastatin on differentiating human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) toward nucleus pulposus (NP)-like phenotype. Overview of Literature: MSCs offer a cell source to the cell-based therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration. TGF-β1 is used to induce MSCs to differentiate into NP-like cells; however, an undesired expression of collagen type I has been reported. Statins reportedly stimulate expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and promote the chondrogenic phenotype to NP cells. However, the effects of statins with or without TGF-β1 on the differentiation of MSCs into NP-like cells remain unclear. Methods: Human MSCs were treated with TGF-β1 alone, lovastatin alone, and simultaneous or sequential treatment with TGF-β1 and lovastatin. After the proposed stimulation, the total RNA was extracted to assess the expression profile of NP cells-specific genes. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was used for examining the microscopic morphology. Furthermore, we detected the syntheses of S-100 protein, aggrecan , and collagen type II in the extracellular matrix using immunohistochemical staining. Results: Simultaneous or sequential treatment of TGF-β1 and lovastatin could further augment the BMP-2 overexpression compared with lovastatin-alone treatment. However, the mRNA expression of aggrecan and collagen type II was not compatible with the expression level of BMP-2 . Immunohistochemical studies revealed compatible production of aggrecan, collagen type II , and S-100 protein in all three groups treated with lovastatin. Cells in groups treated with lovastatin were less populated than that in the group treated with TGF-β1 alone. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a promising role of lovastatin in inducing human MSCs into NP-like cells. However, further optimization of cell density before lovastatin treatment, treatment duration, and combination with TGF-β1 are warranted to attain better stimulatory effects.

Effect of Working Pressure on the Flow Rate and Droplet Size of Spraying Nozzles and the Simulation of Drift Distances

( Chung-kee Yeh ),( Renardi ),( Chih-kai Yang ),( Wu-huan Hsu ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

Suitable nozzle use and appropriate operation are the key factors that considerably influence the effectiveness of pest control. If the nozzle produces too high of a flow rate or droplet size that is too small is chosen, although the characteristics enable the nozzle to have the desired pest control effect, these characteristics can also lead to higher amounts of pesticide residue and relatively far spray drift distance. The longer the spray drift distance is the higher the possibility that toxic chemicals will harm the users’ health and pollute the neighboring rivers and air. In addition, if the spray drifts towards other neighboring farmlands, the crops within these farmlands will have higher pesticide residues and contain additional chemical compositions that should not be there. The purpose of this study is to analyze the important parameters of domestic agricultural nozzles in Taiwan, including flow rate, particle diameter (DV50) and drift distance, and finally to identify an appropriate way to classify the nozzles. The research was conducted using four different working pressures (5, 10, 15, and 20 kgf/cm2) to measure the actual flow rate and particle diameter (DV50) of each nozzle. The data of the flow rate was obtained by reading the lines printed on the side of the graduated cylinder, and the measurement of the particle diameter (DV50) was carried out using the Spraytec Malvern 2000 Particle Analyzer. After collecting the data as well as the distribution of the particle diameter, a simulation using DRIFTSIM software was run to find out the drift distance of different nozzles, and this simulation was carried out according to the actual ambient conditions in different cities in Taiwan so that the size of the buffer zone needed in different areas can be identified. The results showed that the particle diameters (DV50) of the nozzles were between 53.19 μm and 103.47 μm. When the ASABE S572.1’s method was utilized to classify the nozzles, all of the nozzles belonged to the range of extremely fine or very fine droplets. Since all of the nozzles generate DV50 of similar sizes, classification of domestic agricultural nozzles using this method is entirely improper. As a viable alternative, nozzles can be sorted according to the magnitude of the flow rate that contains DV50 of less than 100 μm.

Concomitant Acromioclavicular and Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction with a Duo-Figure-8 Autogenic Graft Wrapping Technique for Treating Chronic Acromioclavicular Separation

Fu-Ting Huang,Kai-Cheng Lin,Chih-Yang Lin,Wei-Ning Chang 대한정형외과학회 2021 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.13 No.3

Background: Coracoacromial ligament transfer is the traditional procedure for treating chronic acromioclavicular separation, but it is significantly inferior to ligament reconstruction according to biomechanical and clinical studies. However, ligament reconstruction carries the risk of complications of graft loosening and peri-tunnel fractures. Currently, there is no ligament reconstruction procedure optimal for preventing such complications. The purpose of this study was to describe and retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of a “duo-figure-8” autogenic graft wrapping technique, which was used to concomitantly reconstruct the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments. Methods: Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up oputcomes were evaluated in 10 enrolled patients. Radiographic outcomes were indicated by the bilateral difference of the coracoclavicular distance (CCD) and overlapping length of the acromioclavicular joint (OLac). Quality of reduction was classified into 4 grades according to bilateral CCD difference into overreduction (< 0 mm), anatomic reduction (0–4 mm), partial loss of reduction (4–8 mm), and recurrent dislocation (> 8 mm). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant scores. Results: The mean side-to-side differences for CCD were 11.9 mm (preoperative), −0.1 mm (immediate postoperative), and 3.4 mm (final follow-up); those for OLac were 9.4 mm (preoperative) and 2.7 mm (final follow-up). CCD and OLac outcomes significantly improved at final follow-up (p < 0.05). At the immediate postoperative stage, 6 and 4 patients had overreduction and anatomic reduction, respectively. At final follow-up, 7 and 3 patients had anatomic reduction and partial loss of reduction, respectively. The magnitude of improvement of ASES scores for patients with anatomic reduction and partial loss of reduction (p = 0.20) was 18.1 and 20.0, respectively. The magnitude of improvement of Constant scores in patients with anatomic reduction and partial loss of reduction (p = 0.25) was 19.9 and 22.3, respectively. Conclusions: The technique yielded acceptable functional outcomes in patients with anatomic reduction or partial loss of reduction. The “duo-figure-8” wrapping method—a single autogenic tendon graft passing beneath the coracoid process with a tendonknot fixation over the distal clavicle and looping around the acromion intramedullary—did not increase the risk of peri-tunnel fractures over the clavicle, coracoid process, or acromion.

Animal Exposure Study to Investigate the Impact of Electronic Cigarette Aerosols on Atherosclerosis

Tsai-Ling Chen,Shih-Hsin Cheng,Kai-Chien Yang,Ta-Chih Hsiao 대한환경공학회 2019 대한환경공학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2019 No.-