Effects of nitrogen and carbon doping on properties and photocatalytic activity of TiO2-In2O3 composite

Chung-Hsin Wu,Chao-Yin Kuo,Jui-Tai Wu,Pui-Kwan Andy Hong,Chih-Hao Lai,Wei-Yang Chung 한국화학공학회 2015 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.32 No.5

TiO2-In2O3 (Ti-In) was synthesized by the sol-gel method and the composite was further doped with nitrogen and carbon to create Ti-In-N and Ti-In-C, respectively. The dye C.I. Reactive Red 2 (RR2) was used a model compound to be subjected to various composites and measured for removal by photocatalytic degradation and adsorption. Ti-In-N possessed a larger mean diameter than Ti-In-C, while the latter possessed a greater anatase content and surface area than the former. After N or C doping, the spectra of corresponding Ti-In-N and Ti-In-C showed absorption edges at longer wavelengths than the parent Ti-In. Ti-N-O and Ti-O-C bonds were found in Ti-In-N and Ti-In-C composites, respectively. Ti-In-N was more effective for RR2 photodegradation than Ti-In-C, and the Ti-In-C removed more RR2 by adsorption than Ti-In-N.

Electromagnetic Modeling of OLEDs and Its Applications to Advanced OLEDs

Wu, Chung-Chih,Lin, Chun-Liang,Cho, Ting-Yi,Yang, Chih-Jen,Lu, Yin-Jui The Korean Infomation Display Society 2006 Journal of information display Vol.7 No.4

The optical structures and rigorous electromagnetic modeling of OLEDs will be discussed of first and then their applications in analyses and designs of various advanced OLED structures, e.g. microcavity OLEDs, tandem OLEDs and top-emitting OLEDs etc., will be reported.

70 Years after WW2: The Dynamics of the Northeast Asian Security Environment : The 70th Anniversary of the End of World War 2 and the Diplomatic Security Strategy of Taiwan

( Chih-chung Wu ),( Sy-chi Doong ) 한국국방연구원 2015 The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis Vol.27 No.2

In the closing stages of the Second World War, the world was divided into the capitalist side led by the United States and the communist side commanded by the USSR. A new bipolar structure called the “Cold War” was gradually established in the second part of the twentieth century. Basically this “cold” war structure was maintained between the two superpowers in the major areas of the world like Europe, but neither in the Korean peninsula nor in Vietnam, nor in Taiwan Strait since several “hot” wars took place in these regions.1 During that period, South Korea, South Vietnam and Taiwan all had the support of the United States to resist the military threat of the other side supported by the communist USSR and China. Later, the capitalist South Vietnam was unable to resist the invasion of the North and collapsed. On the other hand, South Korea succeeded in developing the strength of the country and became a major middle power in the world. For strategic reasons, Taiwan lost formal political recognition of the world to the profit of Communist China, but continues to flourish until now. The two Vietnams and the two Koreas all have similar sizes in term of territory and population. By contrast, China is 268 times larger than Taiwan calculated by territorial size, 60 times bigger by population power, and is actually the second largest global economic power after the United States. Without diplomatic allies, besides some smaller states, Taiwan still continues to prosper with its special security strategy. Seventy years after the end of the Second World War, this article aims to provide an understanding of the geopolitical strategy of Taiwan that continues to guarantee its future.

Quercetin-mediated Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis Involving Activation of a Caspase Cascade through the Mitochondrial Pathway in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Chu-Chung Chou,Jai-Sing Yang,Hsu-Feng Lu,Siu-Wan Ip,Chyi Lo,Chih-Chung Wu,Jing-Pin Lin,Nou-Ying Tang,Jing-Gung Chung,Ming-Jen Chou,Ying-Hock Teng,Dar-Ren Chen 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.8

Dietary polyphenols have been correlated with a reduced risk of developing cancer. Quercetin (a natural polyphenolic compound) induced apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines, including breast cancer MCF-7 cells. However, the involvement of possible signaling pathways and the roles of quercetin in apoptosis are still undefined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on the induction of the apoptotic pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. When MCF-7 cells were treated with quercetin for 24 and 48 h and at various doses (10-175 μM), cell viability decreased significantly in time- and dose-dependent manners. Exposure of MCF-7 cells to 10-175 μM quercetin resulted in an approximate 90.25% decrease in viable cells. To explicate the mechanism underlying the antiproliferative effect of quercetin, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was investigated after exposure to 150 μM quercetin for 6-48 h. Quercetin caused a remarkable increase in the number of S phase (14.56%to 61.35%) and sub-G1 phase cells (0.1% to 8.32%) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Quercetin caused S phase arrest by decreasing the protein expression of CDK2, cyclins A and B while increasing the p53 and p57 proteins. Following incubation with quercetin for 48 h, MCF-7 cells showed apoptotic cell death by the decreased levels of Bcl-2 protein and ΔΨ m and increased activations of caspase-6, -8 and -9. Moreover, quercetin increased the AIF protein released from mitochondria to nuclei and the GADD153 protein translocation from endoplasmic reticulum to the nuclei. These data suggested that quercetin may induce apoptosis by direct activation of the caspase cascade through the mitochondrial pathway in MCF-7 cells.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced Autophagy Increases SOX2-positive Astrocytes While Decreasing Neuronal Differentiation in the Adult Hippocampus

Liu Wen-Chung,Wu Chih-Wei,Fu Mu-Hui,Tain You-Lin,Liang Chih-Kuang,Chen I-Chun,Hung Chun-Ying,Lee Yu-Chi,Wu Kay L.H. 한국뇌신경과학회 2022 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.31 No.5

Inflammation alters the neural stem cell (NSC) lineage from neuronal to astrogliogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism is elusive. Autophagy contributes to the decline in adult hippocampal neurogenesis under E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. SRY-box transcription Factor 2 (SOX2) is critical for NSC self-renewal and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the role of SOX2 in induced autophagy and hippocampal adult neurogenesis under LPS stimulation. LPS (5 ng•100 g-1•hour-1 for 7 days) was intraperitoneally infused into male Sprague–Dawley rats (8 weeks old) to induce mild systemic inflammation. Beclin 1 and autophagy protein 12 (Atg12) were significantly upregulated concurrent with decreased numbers of Ki67- and doublecortin (DCX)-positive cells in the dentate gyrus. Synchronically, the levels of phospho(p)-mTOR, the p-mTOR/mTOR ratio, p-P85s6k, and the p-P85s6k/P85s6k ratio were suppressed. In contrast, SOX2 expression was increased. The fluorescence micrographs indicated that the colocalization of Beclin 1 and SOX2 was increased in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus. Moreover, increased S100β-positive astrocytes were colocalized with SOX2 in the SGZ. Intracerebroventricular infusion of 3-methyladenine (an autophagy inhibitor) effectively prevented the increases in Beclin 1, Atg12, and SOX2. The SOX2+-Beclin 1+ and SOX2+-S100β+ cells were reduced. The levels of p-mTOR and p-P85s6k were enhanced. Most importantly, the number of DCX-positive cells was preserved. Altogether, these data suggest that LPS induced autophagy to inactivate the mTOR/P85s6k pathway, resulting in a decline in neural differentiation. SOX2 was upregulated to facilitate the NSC lineage, while the autophagy milieu could switch the SOX2-induced NSC lineage from neurogenesis to astrogliogenesis.

LEARNING TO RECOGNIZE DRIVING PATTERNS FOR COLLECTIVELY CHARACTERIZING ELECTRIC VEHICLE DRIVING BEHAVIORS

Chung-Hong Lee,Chih-Hung Wu 한국자동차공학회 2019 International journal of automotive technology Vol.20 No.6

As electric vehicle (EV) emerges, it is important to understand how driver’s driving behavior is influencing power consumption in an electric vehicle. Driver’s personal driving behavior is usually quite distinctive and can be recognized by means of driving patterns after some driving cycles. This paper presents a method combining several machine learning approaches to characterize driving behaviors of electric vehicles. The driving patterns are modeled according to power consumption monitored by the battery management system (BMS), in aspects of individual driver’s personal and EV-fleet operations. First, we apply an unsupervised clustering approach to characterize a driver's behaviors by formulating driving patterns. Subsequently, the resulting clustered datasets were used to train machine-learning based classifiers for classification of dataset of EV and EV-fleet driving patterns. The work aims to provide a robust solution to help identify the characteristics of specific types of EVs and their driver behaviors, in order to allow automakers and EV-subsystem providers to gather valuable driving information for product improvement.

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.

Influence of Residential Environment and Lifestyle on Multiple Primary Malignancies in Taiwan

Chang, Chih-Chun,Chung, Yi-Hua,Liou, Ching-Biau,Lee, Yi-Chen,Weng, Wei-Ling,Yu, Yun-Chieh,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Wu, Jiann-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Multiple primary malignancies (MPM) have become increasingly prevalent worldwide. This investigation was aimed at establishing the clinicopathological characteristics of MPM patients and evaluating the impact of the living environment on MPM in the Taiwanese population. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to December 2013, a total of 8,268 cancer patients were identified in our institutional center. Of these, 125 were diagnosed as MPM and thus enrolled. Data for clinicopathological features and treatment approaches for these MPM patients living in urban or suburb zone were obtained. Findings for the air pollution status in Taiwan were also collected. Results: The most common cancer match of MPM was esophageal cancer with hypopharyngeal cancer (12.8%), followed by colorectal cancer with gastric cancer (6.4%) and colorectal cancer with breast cancer (5.6%). The air quality was significantly worse in the urban than in the suburban zone and there was a remarkably higher portion of MPM patients in the urban zone suffering from grade III and IV post-chemotherapeutic neutropenia (30.8% vs 15.1%, P=0.036). Conclusions: The tumor frequency and site distribution should be taken into the clinical evaluation because there is a relatively high risk of developing MPM. This study also highlighted the potential influence of environmental factors on post-chemotherapeutic neutropenia for patients with MPM.

Study molded part quality of plastic injection process by melt viscosity evaluation

Lin, Chung-Chih,Wu, Chieh-Liang Techno-Press 2014 Advances in materials research Vol.3 No.2

A study that demonstrates how to investigate the molded part quality and the consistency of injection process based on the rheological concept is proposed. It is important for plastic material whose melt viscosity is variable with respect to the processing condition. The formulations to couple the melt viscosity with injection pressure and fill time are derived first. Taking calculations of the measured pressure and the time by using these formulations, the melt viscosity in injection process can be determined on machine. As the relation between the injection speed and the melt viscosity is constructed, the influences of the setting parameter of injection machine on the molded part quality can be investigated through evaluating the state of the melt viscosity. In addition, a pressure sensor bushing (PSB) designed with a quick installation feature is also provided and validated. The results show that a higher injection speed improves the tensile strength of the molded part but also the consistency of the molded part quality. This work provides an alternative to evaluate the molding quality scientifically.

Application of physical vapor deposition process to modify activated carbon fibers for ozone reduction

Yu-Chih Lin,Chung-Liang Chang,Tser-Sheng Lin,Hsunling Bai,Ming-Gu Yan,Fu-Hsiang Ko,Chia-Tien Wu,Cheng-Hsiung Huang 한국화학공학회 2008 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.25 No.3

This study utilized the activated carbon fiber (ACF) modified with metal catalyst via physical vapor deposition (PVD) process (ACF/PVD) to diminish ozone. Furthermore, the ozone removal efficiency of ACF/PVD was compared with that of original ACF and ACF modified with metal catalyst via impregnation process (ACF/impregnation). In addition to the kinds of coated metal and the inlet ozone concentrations, the effects of the coating thickness and the reaction temperature on ACF/PVD for ozone removal were also examined. The results indicate that the ozone removal efficiency of ACF/PVD is better than that of original ACF and ACF/impregnation. The ozone removal efficiency of different metal-coated ACF/PVD in the superior order is gold (Au), and manganese (Mn). The increase of Au-coated thickness (3 nm to 80 nm) on ACF/PVD will enhance the ozone removal. However, when the Mn-coated thickness on ACF/PVD is larger than 15 nm, the ozone removal efficiency displays a declining trend. Furthermore, a higher reaction temperature will result in a better ozone removal of ACF/PVD and the original ACF.