Refinement of the Primary Si Particles in Hypereutectic Aluminum Alloy

Chang-Chuan Hsu,Jian-Yih Wang,Jian-Jia Huang,Shyong Lee 대한금속·재료학회 2012 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.18 No.4

Al-Si alloys, with such excellent properties as low weight, low thermal expansion coefficient, and high wear-resistance, are ideal materials for the automobile and aerospace industries. However, their applications have been hampered by the coarsening of the primary-Si particles in Al-Si alloys. In this study, simple plastic deformation was used to reduce primary-Si particles and to improve the wear-resistance and mechanical strength of Al-Si alloys. Experimental results showed that mechanical rolling decreased the grain size of primary-Si particles in Al-Si alloys and reduced the variation in silicon particle size. After 60%-roll-reduction, the alloy showed an improved tensile strength of 340 MPa, which is attributed to the work hardening of the aluminum matrix and the dispersion strengthening of the primary-Si particles. Data from wear-resistance testing showed that rolling led to a reduction in wear loss. This improvement in wear resistance is due to the particle size refinement of silicon at a high percentage-roll-reduction.

Deubiquitination and Stabilization of PD-L1 by CSN5

Lim, Seung-Oe,Li, Chia-Wei,Xia, Weiya,Cha, Jong-Ho,Chan, Li-Chuan,Wu, Yun,Chang, Shih-Shin,Lin, Wan-Chi,Hsu, Jung-Mao,Hsu, Yi-Hsin,Kim, Taewan,Chang, Wei-Chao,Hsu, Jennifer L.,Yamaguchi, Hirohito,Ding Elsevier 2016 Cancer cell Vol.30 No.6

<P><B>Summary</B></P> <P>Pro-inflammatory cytokines produced in the tumor microenvironment lead to eradication of anti-tumor immunity and enhanced tumor cell survival. In the current study, we identified tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as a major factor triggering cancer cell immunosuppression against T cell surveillance via stabilization of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). We demonstrated that COP9 signalosome 5 (CSN5), induced by NF-κB p65, is required for TNF-α-mediated PD-L1 stabilization in cancer cells. CSN5 inhibits the ubiquitination and degradation of PD-L1. Inhibition of CSN5 by curcumin diminished cancer cell PD-L1 expression and sensitized cancer cells to anti-CTLA4 therapy.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> TNF-α stabilizes cancer cell PD-L1 in response to chronic inflammation </LI> <LI> Activation of NF-κB by TNF-α induces CSN5 expression leading to PD-L1 stabilization </LI> <LI> CSN5 enzyme activity controls T cell suppression via PD-L1 deubiquitination </LI> <LI> Destabilization of PD-L1 by CSN5 inhibitor curcumin benefits anti-CTLA4 therapy </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effective Fragile Watermarking for Image Authentication with High-quality Recovery Capability

( Chuan Qin ),( Chin-chen Chang ),( Tai-jung Hsu ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2013 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.7 No.11

In this paper, we propose an effective fragile image watermarking scheme for tampering detection and content recovery. Cover image is divided into a series of non-overlapping blocks and a block mapping relationship is constructed by the secret key. Several DCT coefficients with direct current and lower frequencies of the MSBs for each block are used to generate the reference bits, and different coefficients are assigned with different bit numbers for representation according to their importance. To enhance recovery performance, authentication bits are generated by the MSBs and the reference bits, respectively. After LSB substitution hiding, the embedded watermark bits in each block consist of the information of itself and its mapping blocks. On the receiver side, all blocks with tampered MSBs can be detected and recovered using the valid extracted reference bits. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

Impact of Different Wind Representations on Resonant Ocean Near-inertial Motions in the Gulf of Mexico

Chuan-Yuan Hsu,Jongsun Kim,Ping Chang,Steven F. DiMarco 한국해양과학기술원 2022 Ocean science journal Vol.57 No.1

This study investigates the resonated diurnal impact of the surface wind forcing from several atmospheric wind products, including CCMP (Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform), ERA Interim, NCEP-2 (NCEP-DOE AMIP-II Reanalysis), MERRA (Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Application), NARR (Northern American Regional Reanalysis) and NAM (North American Mesoscale Forecast System), on the wind-driven near-inertial ocean motions in the northern Gulf of Mexico by numerical simulation, and in comparison, with NDBC buoy surface observed winds. Our analyses show that the near-inertial wind power input, which can affect vertical mixing in the water column, is closely associated with the variability of land-sea breeze by various wind products. In comparison with buoy observations in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the MERRA has the worst land-sea breeze representation, while the NCEP2 and CCMP, which are chosen to represent the coarsest and medium–high horizontal resolution, have the best performance. We further show that by comparison of the buoy data, that the near-inertial wind power input derived from all the wind products is underestimated by 30–50% approximately.

Antioxidant properties of porcine liver proteins hydrolyzed using Monascus purpureus

Hui-Chuan Yu,Jue-Liang Hsu,Chi-I. Chang,Fa-Jui Tan 한국식품과학회 2017 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.26 No.5

In this study, the antioxidant activities of porcine liver proteins, hydrolyzed using Alcalase®, papain, pepsin, or a microbial suspension of Monascus purpureus (APLH, PaPLH, PePLH, and MPLH, respectively), were investigated. The results indicated that the yield and degree of hydrolysis (DH) of hydrolysates increased with hydrolysis time. The highest yield and peptide content were obtained from APLH, whereas the DH of PaPLH was higher than that of the others. MPLH exhibited the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power, whereas APLH and PaPLH exhibited the higher ferrous ion-chelating ability than that of the MPLH. The molecular weights of all the hydrolysates were <10 kDa. The PaPLH exhibited the highest contents of total amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids. Fifteen antioxidant fractions obtained from MPLH contained one or more of the following amino acids in their sequences: Tyr, Trp, Ala, Pro, Met, Lys, Asp, Cys, Val, Leu, and His.

Using Multidetector-Row CT for the Diagnosis of Afferent Loop Syndrome Following Gastroenterostomy Reconstruction

Yu-Hsiu Juan,Wei-Chou Chang,Chih-Yung Yu,Hsian-He Hsu,Guo-Shu Huang,De-Chuan Chan,Chang-Hsien Liu,Ho-Jui Tung 연세대학교의과대학 2011 Yonsei medical journal Vol.52 No.4

Purpose: To assess the clinical manifestations and multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) findings of afferent loop syndrome (ALS) and to determine the role of MDCT on treatment decisions. Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to December 2008, 1,100 patients had undergone gastroenterostomy reconstruction in our institution. Of these, 22 (2%) patients were diagnosed as ALS after surgery that included Roux-en-Y gastroenterotomy (n=9), Billroth-II gastrojejunostomy (n=7), and Whipple’s operation (n=6). Clinical manifestations and MDCT features of these patients were recorded and statistically analyzed. The presumed etiologies of obstruction shown on the MDCT were correlated with clinical information and confirmed by surgery or endoscopic biopsy. Results: The most common clinical symptom was acute abdominal pain, presenting in 18 patients (82%). We found that a fluid-filled C-shaped afferent loop in combination with valvulae conniventes projecting into the lumen was the most common MDCT features of ALS. Malignant causes of ALS, such as local recurrence and carcinomatosis, are the most common etiologies of obstruction. These etiologies and associated complications can be predicted 100% by MDCT. Conclusion: Our results suggest that MDCT is a reliable modality for assessing the etiologies of ALS and guiding treatment decisions.

Life table of cycad scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), reared on Cycas in Taiwan

Rafique Bailey,Po-Yung Lai,Ti- Chuan Hsu,Niann-Tai Chang 한국응용곤충학회 2010 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.13 No.3

Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an invasive scale insect, attacks different species of Cycas (Cycadales: Cycadaceae) in Taiwan. Development, survival and fecundity of A. yasumatsui were studied on Cycas taitungensis at 24 °C, 70±10% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h under laboratory conditions. Data on the life history of A. yasumatsui were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table, to address variable development rates among individuals and between sexes. The egg incubation time was 7.26 days for both females and males and female nymphal development duration was 28.65 days. The development duration of male nymphal stages+pupal stage was 19 days. The total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) was 35.92 days. The maximum longevity of female adults was 67 days and 1 day for males. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.100 day-1, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.11 day-1, the net reproduction rate (Ro) was 111.51 offspring /individual, and the mean generation time (T) was 47.24 day. Life table data can be used to project population growth, to design mass rearing programs and to establish management tactics to control insect pests.

Combined Assessment of Serum Alpha-Synuclein and Rab35 is a Better Biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease

Hung-Li Wang,Chin-Song Lu,Tu-Hsueh Yeh,Yu-Ming Shen,Yi-Hsin Weng,Ying-Zu Huang,Rou-Shayn Chen,Yu-Chuan Liu,Yi-Chuan Cheng,Hsiu-Chen Chang,Ying-Ling Chen,Yu-Jie Chen,Yan-Wei Lin,Chia Chen Hsu,Huang-Li 대한신경과학회 2019 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.15 No.4

Background and Purpose It is essential to develop a reliable predictive serum biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Te accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and up-regulated expression of Rab35 participate in the etiology of PD. Te purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a useful predictive biomarker for PD. Methods Serum levels of αSyn or Rab35 were determined in serum samples from 59 sporadic PD patients, 19 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, 20 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, and 60 normal controls (NC). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of αSyn or/and Rab35 in discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients. Results The levels of αSyn and Rab35 were increased in PD patients. The serum level of Rab35 was positively correlated with that of αSyn in PD patients. Compared to analyzing αSyn or Rab35 alone, the combined analysis of αSyn and Rab35 produced a larger area under the ROC curve and performed better in discriminating PD patients from NC, MSA patients, or PSP patients. When age was dichotomized at 55, 60, 65, or 70 years, the combined assessment of αSyn and Rab35 for classifying PD was better in the group below the cutof age than in the group above the cutof age. Conclusions Combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a better biomarker for discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients, and is a useful predictive biomarker for younger sporadic PD patients.