Prevention of Natural Flowering in Pineapple (Ananas comosus) by Shading and Urea Application

Meng-Tzu Lin,Alfred Ming Chen1,Tzong-Shyan Lin,Ching-San Kuan,Ching-Lung Lee,Wen-Ju Yang 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.1

The year-round production of pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus) is often interrupted by natural flowering during winter in Taiwan. A stable and promising technique for preventing natural flowering is required. In this study, we have tested the effect of shading and urea application on the flowering of pineapple. Shading 90% of sun light(s) before mid-November delayed the natural flowering of pineapple and the delay was affected by the plant age. For pineapples planted less than 11 month before mid-November, applying 1% urea plus shading treatment (SN) completely inhibited natural flowering. All the flowering-inhibited plants could be forced to flower by applying calcium carbide. Long-term shading might result in a decreased number of fruitlets within a fruit. However, 6 weeks of recovery before forcing flowering was sufficient for plants to produce fruits with quality equal to that of the control plants. In winter, pineapple plants that were prone to flowering tended to accumulate more leaf starch and increase their C/N ratio. The SN treatment increased the leaf nitrogen concentration and thus effectively maintained a low leaf C/N ratio. Furthermore, flowering-inhibited plants exhibited a constantly low level of leaf starch during the winter and their flowering forced by calcium carbide did not accompany with leaf starch accumulation.

Identifying Optimal Inbound Market Mixes of the US Tourism Industry

Ming-Hsiang Chen,Yi-Wen Chen 한국관광학회 2012 International Journal of Tourism Sciences Vol.12 No.1

This paper applies a financial portfolio theory to identify the optimal market mixes of foreign tourist arrivals. The international tourism industry often has large fluctuations in demand due to unexpected events, economic situations, and political relations among nations. Targeting the minimization of these fluctuations, this study can shed some light on diversification in the tourism markets and offer tourism authorities explicit guidelines for long-term development of the US tourism industry. For example, to achieve the goal of foreign tourist arrivals to the US, US tourism authorities should shift available resources to the UK, Mexico and Canada. If they pursue the highest reward ratio, they have to focus on UK, Asian (excluding Japan), and Mexican markets. Further implications in this paper are provided to guide tourism authorities and marketers.

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.

Enhanced conversion efficiency of crystalline Si solar cells via luminescent down-shifting using Ba2SiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor

Wen Bin Hung,Juyn Ye Chen,Kien Wen Sung,Teng Ming Chen 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2014 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.15 No.3

The colloidal submicron needle-like Ba2SiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor coated on microtextured silicon surface has been used as a luminescent down-shifting (LDS) material for enhancing the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. Under a simulated onesun illumination, upon phosphor coating the solar cells showed an enhancement of the short-circuit current density (Jsc) increased from 34.00 to 34.48 mA/cm2 , meanwhile the power conversion efficiency (PCE) was enhanced from 15.13% to 15.36%. The related underlying mechanism for these enhancements can be attributed to photon down-shifting and light scattering effect through the investigation of PLE spectrum, reflectance, and external quantum efficiency. Our results indicate that the colloidal submicron needle-like Ba2SiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor not only act as LDS centers in the UV region but also serve as an antireflection coating for enhancing the light absorption in the visible regime.

Plantar Soft-tissue Stress states in standing: a Three-Dimensional Finite Element Foot Modeling Study

Chen, Wen-Ming,Lee, Peter Vee-Sin,Lee, Tae-Yong Korean Society of Sport Biomechanics 2009 한국운동역학회지 Vol.19 No.2

It bas been hypothesized that foot ulceration might be internally initiated. Current instruments which merely allow superficial estimate of plantar loading acting on the foot, severely limit the scope of many biomechanical/clinical studies on this issue. Recent studies have suggested that peak plantar pressure may be only 65% specific for the development of ulceration. These limitations are at least partially due to surface pressures not being representative of the complex mechanical stress developed inside the subcutaneous plantar soft-tissue, which are potentially more relevant for tissue breakdown. This study established a three-dimensional and nonlinear finite element model of a human foot complex with comprehensive skeletal and soft-tissue components capable of predicting both the external and internal stresses and deformations of the foot. The model was validated by experimental data of subject-specific plantar foot pressure measures. The stress analysis indicated the internal stresses doses were site-dependent and the observation found a change between 1.5 to 4.5 times the external stresses on the foot plantar surface. The results yielded insights into the internal loading conditions of the plantar soft-tissue, which is important in enhancing our knowledge on the causes of foot ulceration and related stress-induced tissue breakdown in diabetic foot.

Lattice Ti Structures with Low Rigidity But Compatible Mechanical Strength: Design of Implant Materials for Trabecular Bone

Wen-Ming Chen,Yi Min Xie,Gabriele Imbalzano,Jianhu Shen,Shanqing Xu,이성재,Peter Vee Sin Lee 한국정밀공학회 2016 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.17 No.6

The development of porous metals to alleviate the effects of stress shielding in bone will help improve the function of metallic biomaterials in orthopaedic applications. A critical step in advancing this technology is to design metallic structures with low rigidity that is comparable with bone tissue, but with good mechanical strength. In this study, porous titanium (Ti) structures with periodic cell topologies were designed to achieve tunable mechanical properties. The versatility of the design scheme was demonstrated by examining lattice designs with different stiffness properties achieved by using the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. The fabricated porous Ti exhibited a low modulus of 1.05 GPa but a high compressive strength of 55 MPa. Large deformation analysis using digital image correlation (DIC) technique indicated uniform strain patterns at micro-trusses, suggesting the overall high quality of the structure with absence of local flaws. A functionally-graded stiffness design was further investigated by varying the diameters of micro-trusses within the structure. A stiffness graded material may be favourable for anatomical site that has strong depthdependent variations, such as in trabecular bone microstructures.

Optimization of the Growth Rate of Probiotics in Fermented Milk Using Genetic Algorithms and Sequential Quadratic Programming Techniques

Chen, Ming-Ju,Chen, Kun-Nan,Lin, Chin-Wen Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.6

Prebiotics (peptides, N-acetyglucoamine, fructo-oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides) were added to skim milk in order to improve the growth rate of contained Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The purpose of this research was to study the potential synergy between probiotics and prebiotics when present in milk, and to apply modern optimization techniques to obtain optimal design and performance for the growth rate of the probiotics using a response surface-modeling technique. To carry out response surface modeling, the regression method was performed on experimental results to build mathematical models. The models were then formulated as an objective function in an optimization problem that was consequently optimized using a genetic algorithm and sequential quadratic programming approach to obtain the maximum growth rate of the probiotics. The results showed that the quadratic models appeared to have the most accurate response surface fit. Both SQP and GA were able to identify the optimal combination of prebiotics to stimulate the growth of probiotics in milk. Comparing both methods, SQP appeared to be more efficient than GA at such a task.

Prodisc Artificial Disc Replacement

Wen-Ming Chen,Hui-Sung Lee,Kwon-Yong Lee,Chun-Kun Park,Sung-Jae Lee 대한기계학회 2006 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2006 No.6

The artificial disc replacement (ADR) technique for the lumbar spine, with the “joint motion preservation” concept, aims to replicate the natural disc dynamics and load transfer through the lumbar motion segments. However, ADR designs vary greatly in their approaches to restore the normal disc function. In this study, Prodisc II, a most-widely used ADR type in Korea, was chosen. A validated three-dimensional intact osteoligamentous L2-L4 FE model was modified to simulate the ADR by Prodisc II, via anterior approach at L3-L4 level. The models were loaded with a combination of compressive preload 400N and 10Nm flexion/extension moments. The lumbar range of motion and facet loads, contact area (CAREA) and total contact forces (TCF) across the implant articulation surfaces was evaluated. We found that the flexion motions across surgical level L3-L4 and its adjacent level L2-L3 remain unchanged. In extension, at surgical level, the Prodisc model had a 91.4% increase and L2-L3 a decrease of 6.8%. The facet loads through L3-L4 increased by 33.2% in flexion and 36.3% in extension. CAREA/TCF was 41.47㎜2/723N for flexion and 11.68㎜2/324.6N for extension. The major CAREA was located posteriorly in extension and more evenly distributed in flexion. The lumbar segment mobility in flexion was retained after Prodisc replacement, but extension motion at the surgical level became more flexible and more stresses was imposed to the facet joint. The CAREA/TCF can be used as an indicator for the prediction of the wearing properties of the Prodisc in clinical service.

Development and Verification of an Optimum Composition Model for a Synbiotic Fermented Milk Using Sequential Quadratic Programming Techniques

Chen, Ming-Ju,Chen, Kun-Nan,Lin, Chin-Wen Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.10

The purpose of this research was to develop an optimum composition model for a new synbiotic fermented dairy product with high probiotic cell counts, and to experimentally verify this model. The optimum composition model indicated the growth promoter ratio that could provide the highest growth rate for probiotics in this fermented product. Different levels of growth promoters were first blended with milk to improve the growth rates of probiotics, and the optimum composition model was determined. The probiotic viabilities and chemical properties were analyzed for the samples made using the optimal formula. The optimal combination of the growth promoters for the synbiotic fermented milk product was 1.12% peptides, 3% fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and 1.87% isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO). A product manufactured according to the formula of the optimum model was analyzed, showing that the model was effective in improving the viability of both Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.

Current state of research about acupuncture for the treatment of COVID-19: A scoping review

Chen Chen,Jie Zhan,Hao Wen,Xiaojing Wei,Lu Ding,Chenyang Tao,Cui Li,Peiming Zhang,Yuyuan Tang,Jing-chun Zeng,Li-ming Lu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles. Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles.