Effects of Mold Growth on Building Materials by Different Environments in Taiwan

An Cheng,Yu Hsin,Wei-Ting Lin 대한토목학회 2014 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.18 No.4

The main of study is to investigate the effect of moisture variation and micro-structure on the growth mold at surface of buildingmaterials. The two different water-cement ratio of mortars (w/c = 0.4, 0.6), brick and tiles were used in this study. The mercuryIntrusion Porosity-Meter (MIP) was used to determine the pore distribution of building materials. The moisture variation of materialswas recorded in constant climate chamber (25oC, relative humidity 80%), general indoor environment (28oC, relative humidity 55%)and water damage simulation environment. The results indicated that the pore size and distribution will affect the surface water ratioand moisture content of materials. The surface water ratio of specimen was affected by different environment seriously. The surfacewater ratio was an important factor in mold growth.

Ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100) from Antrodia camphorata Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Liver Injury In Vitro and In Vivo

Ting-Yu Chao,Cheng-Chu Hsieh,Shih-Min Hsu,Cho-Hua Wan,Guan-Ting Lian,Yi-Han Tseng,Yueh-Hsiung Kuo,Shu-Chen Hsieh 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.26 No.1

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is a complication that occurs during liver surgery, whereby hepatic tissue is injured by oxygen deficiency during ischemia, then further damaged by a cascade of inflammatory and oxidative insults when blood is resupplied during reperfusion. Antrodia camphorata is an indigenous fungus in Taiwan and an esteemed Chinese herbal medicine with various bioactivities. This study examined the effect of ergostatrien-3β-ol (EK100), an active compound found in both the fruiting body and mycelia of A. camphorata, on IR injury pathologies in rats and cell models of oxidative and inflammatory stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive a vehicle or 5 mg/kg EK100 prior to hepatic IR injury induced by 1 h ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion, or a sham operation. RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and HepG2 hepatocytes were pretreated with EK100, then inflammation was induced with lipopolysaccharides in the former and oxidative stress was induced with hydrogen peroxide in the latter. EK100 decreased IR-induced elevation in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and lowered levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. In addition, EK100 significantly reduced hepatic mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2, as well as nitrite production and iNOS gene expression in both hepatocyte and macrophage cell lines. We demonstrated that EK100 exhibits potent protection against hepatic IR injury, which may be used to design strategies to ameliorate liver damage during liver surgery.

A Simple Partial Discharge Detector for Low-Voltage Rotating Electrical Machines

Cheng-Chi Tai,Ting-Cheng Huang,Ching-Chau Su,Chien-Yi Chen,Ju-Chu Hsieh,Yu-Shiun Lin,Chung-Tzong Wang,Jeng-Hung Lai 전력전자학회 2007 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.- No.-

A new, simple partial discharge (PD) detector for low-voltage rotating electrical machines using acoustical emission (AE) technique is dseveloped in this study. Common electric components were used in the detector, which reduces the cost of inspection, comparing with the traditional PD detection methods that use expensive equipment costing from tens of thousands to several millions dollars. Experimental results by resonant type AE sensors (150 ㎑) which utilize power line-cycle in a microcontroller unit (MCU) as reference to measure the PDs generated in a low-voltage motor are presented. The AE signals are then amplified by a pre-amplifier (30 ㎑ ~ 300 ㎑, 34 ㏈). Since the resonant frequency of the sensor is much lower than that of the electromagnetic (EM) interferences around the motor, the effects of noise is substantially reduced by this method. In the mean time, the use of 150-㎑ resonant type AE sensor also avoids the disturbance of mechanical vibration noise. According to the experiment results, the measurement system developed in this study can be used to detect the PDs’ AE signals correctly. The AE measurement scheme proposed in this study provides an effective, low-cost method for PD measurements.

Structure and Thermal-enhanced Magnetic Properties of Mn4C Melt-spun Ribbons with Varied Stoichiometry

Ting-Ting Qi,Ping-Zhan Si,Fang Cheng,Zhi-Rui Wang,Hong-Liang Ge,Qiong Wu,Jihoon Park,Chul-Jin Choi 한국자기학회 2023 Journal of Magnetics Vol.28 No.1

Cubic perovskite-type Mn4C is difficult to prepare for its metastable characteristics. In this work, we have obtained high-purity Mn4C successfully by using melt-spinning method. The effects of stoichiometry on the structure and magnetic properties of the samples were studied systematically. We found that x = -0.1 is the optimum composition for the formation of the cubic perovskite phase in Mn4+xC during rapid quenching. Most Mn4+xC melt-spun ribbons with x other than -0.1 are composed of Mn23C6, α-Mn, and Mn4C, while the fraction of different phase in Mn4+xC ribbons varies with x. The Curie temperature of Mn4+xC ribbons increases slightly with decreasing x, which may affect the lattice parameters of cubic Mn4C and thus the Mn-Mn exchange interactions. The magnetization of Mn4+xC (x = -0.1 and 0) increases with increasing temperature in high-temperature region while the onset temperature for such behavior is dependent on the fraction of Mn4C in the samples.

A Novel All-trans Retinoid Acid Derivative N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-Retinamide Inhibits Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cell Migration through Down-regulating Expression of Myosin Light Chain Kinase

Fan, Ting-Ting,Cheng, Ying,Wang, Yin-Feng,Gui, Shu-Yu,Chen, Fei-Hu,Zhou, Qing,Wang, Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Aim: To observe the effects of a novel all-trans retinoid acid (ATRA) derivative, N-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-retinamide (ATPR), on lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and to explore the potential mechanism of ATPR inhibiting of A549 cell migration. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of ATRA and ATPR on A549 cells was assessed using MTT assay. Wound healing assays were used to analyze the influences of ATRA, ATPR, ML-7 (a highly selective inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)), PMA (an activator of MAPKs) and PD98059 (a selective inhibitor of ERK1/2) on the migration of A549 cells. Expression of MLCK and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) were assessed by Western blotting. Results: ATRA and ATPR inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the effect of ATPR was much more remarkable compared with ATRA. Relative migration rate and migration distance of A549 cells both decreased significantly after treatment with ATPR or ML-7. The effect on cell migration of PD98059 combining ATPR treatment was more notable than that of ATPR alone. Moreover, compared with control groups, the expression levels of MLCK and phosphorylated MLC in A549 cells were both clearly reduced in ATRA and ATPR groups. Conclusions: ATPR could suppress the migration and invasion of A549 cells, and the mechanism might be concerned with down-regulating the expression of MLCK in the ERK-MAPK signaling pathway, pointing to therapeutic prospects in lung cancer.

THE INFLUENCES OF COOLNESS AND AFFINITY OF SERVICE ROBOTS ON CUSTOMERS’ BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS

Sue-Ting Chang,Sheng-Hshiung Tsaur,Chu-Cheng Chang,Tien-Cheng Han 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2023 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2023 No.07

The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought significant changes to today’s life. Human contact is regarded as a source of risk. Thus, the low-contact services provided by service robots have gained more attention in the hospitality industry. However, a relatively smaller proportion of empirical research exists about service robots on the consumer side. Moreover, technology acceptance theories were mostly used in the adoption of new technology products, but the psychological aspects of consumers were rarely explored. Therefore, the stimulus- organism-response model (SOR model) was applied to explore consumers’ acceptance of adopting service robots and to understand what factors will successfully stimulate consumers’ subsequent value and behavioral responses. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship among stimulus (coolness and affinity), organism (utilitarian value and hedonic value) and response (intention to use and word-of-mouth recommendation). This study used convenience sampling and tested the hypotheses with SPSS and Smart PLS.

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.

Risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation in HBsAg-Negative, Anti-HBc-Negative Patients Receiving Rituximab for Autoimmune Diseases in HBV Endemic Areas

Lan Ting-Yuan,Lin Yen-Chun,Tseng Tai-Chung,Yang Hung-Chih,Kao Jui-Hung,Cheng Chiao-Feng,Lee Tai-Ju,Huang Shang-Chin,Lu Cheng-Hsun,Li Ko-Jen,Hsieh Song-Chou 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2023 Gut and Liver Vol.17 No.2

Background/Aims: Rituximab is known to be associated with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation rate in patients with resolved HBV infection and hematologic malignancy. However, data regarding HBV reactivation (HBVr) in rheumatic patients receiving rituximab is limited. To assess the HBVr rate in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients receiving rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a large real-world cohort. Methods: From March 2006 to December 2019, 900 patients with negative HBsAg receiving at least one cycle of rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcome and factors associated with HBVr were analyzed. Results: After a median follow-up period of 3.3 years, 21 patients developed HBVr, among whom 17 patients were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and four were negative. Thirteen patients had clinical hepatitis flare, while eight patients had HBsAg seroreversion without hepatitis. Old age, anti-HBc positivity, undetectable serum hepatitis B surface antibody level at rituximab initiation and a higher average rituximab dose were associated with a higher HBVr rate. There was no significant difference in the HBVr risk between rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Among anti-HBc-negative patients, subjects without HBV vaccination at birth had an increased risk of HBVr (4/368, 1.1%) compared with those who received vaccination (0/126, 0%). Conclusions: In HBV endemic areas where occult HBV is prevalent, anti-HBc-negative patients, may still be at risk for HBVr after rituximab exposure. HBVr may still be considered in HBsAgnegative patients developing abnormal liver function after rituximab exposure, even in patients with negative anti-HBc.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Gene Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Luo, Ting,Chen, Long,He, Ping,Hu, Qian-Cheng,Zhong, Xiao-Rong,Sun, Yu,Yang, Yuan-Fu,Tian, Ting-Lun,Zheng, Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator of angiogenesis and thereby involved in the development and progression of solid tumours. Associations between three VEGF gene polymorphisms (-634 G/C, +936 C/T, and +1612 G/A) and breast cancer risk have been extensively studied, but the currently available results are inconclusive. Our aim was to investigate associations between three VEGF gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk in Chinese Han patients. We performed a hospital-based case-control study including 680 female incident breast cancer patients and 680 female age-matched healthy control subjects. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was performed to detect the three VEGF gene polymorphisms. We observed that women carriers of +936 TT genotypes [odds ratio (OR) =0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28, 0.76; P=0.002] or 936 T-allele (OR=0.81, 95% CI= 0.68, 0.98; P=0.03) had a protective effect concerning the disease. Our study suggested that the +1612G/A polymorphism was unlikely to be associated with breast cancer risk. The -634CC genotype was significantly associated with high tumor aggressiveness [large tumor size (OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.15, 6.02; P=0.02) and high histologic grade (OR=1.47, 95% CI= 1.06, 2.03; P=0.02)]. The genotypes were not related with other tumor characteristics such as regional or distant metastasis, stage at diagnosis, or estrogen or progesterone receptor status. Our study revealed that the VEGF -634 G/C and +936 C/T gene polymorphisms may be associated with breast cancer in Chinese Han patients.

Nurses’ Acceptance of Laboratory Barcode Technology

Hui-Ping Cheng,Ting-Ting Lee 한국간호과학회 2015 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.10