Analysis of a Behavior Based Nonholonomic Wheeled Mobile Robot ControlWith Hybrid System Approach

Chih-Fu Chang,Li-Chen Fu 제어로봇시스템학회 2006 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2006 No.10

Vibration control for serviceability enhancement of offshore platforms against environmental loadings

Chih-Shiuan Lin,Feifei Liu,Jigang Zhang,Jer-Fu Wang,Chi-Chang Lin 국제구조공학회 2019 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.24 No.3

Offshore drilling has become a key process for obtaining oil. Offshore platforms have many applications, including oil exploration and production, navigation, ship loading and unloading, and bridge and causeway support. However, vibration problems caused by severe environmental loads, such as ice, wave, wind, and seismic loads, threaten the functionality of platform facilities and the comfort of workers. These concerns may result in piping failures, unsatisfactory equipment reliability, and safety concerns. Therefore, the vibration control of offshore platforms is essential for assuring structural safety, equipment functionality, and human comfort. In this study, an optimal multiple tuned mass damper (MTMD) system was proposed to mitigate the excessive vibration of a three-dimensional offshore platform under ice and earthquake loadings. The MTMD system was designed to control the first few dominant coupled modes. The optimal placement and system parameters of the MTMD are determined based on controlled modal properties. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed MTMD system can effectively reduce the displacement and acceleration responses of the offshore platform, thus improving safety and serviceability. Moreover, this study proposes an optimal design procedure for the MTMD system to determine the optimal location, moving direction, and system parameters of each unit of the tuned mass damper.

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.

Clinical Significance of Smudge Cells in Peripheral Blood Smears in Hematological Malignancies and Other Diseases

Chang, Chih-Chun,Sun, Jen-Tang,Liou, Tse-Hsuan,Kuo, Chin-Fu,Bei, Chia-Hao,Lin, Sheng-Jun,Tsai, Wei-Ting,Tan, N-Chi,Liou, Ching-Biau,Su, Ming-Jang,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Chu, Fang-Yeh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.4

Background: It is reported that the percentage of smudge cells in the blood smear could be a prognostic indicator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, the clinical significance of smudge cells in other hematological malignancies, solid tumors or non-malignant diseases is less clear. Hence, this study was conducted to survey the clinical significance of smudge cells in hematological cancers and other disorders. Materials and Methods: From January to November, 2015, the clinical data of patients who received blood examination with differential counts for clinical purpose and were found to have smudge cells in the peripheral blood film in Far Eastern Memorial Hospital were selected. The percentage of smudge cells and patient outcomes were evaluated for further univariate and survival analyses. Results: A total of 102 patients with smudge cells in their blood smears were included. Smudge cells were frequently presented in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA; n=30), infections (n=23), hematological cancers (n=23) and solid cancers (n=10). There was no relationship between the percentage of smudge cells and the patient mortality in all diseases (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.47-2.48, P=1.000) as well as the OHCA group (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 0.38-9.60, P=0.694). It was observed that in patients with all cancers with the percentage of smudge cells less than 50% had a lower mortality rate in comparison with those who had the percentage of smudge cells of 50% or more (OR: 22.29, 95% CI: 2.38-208.80, P<0.001). Additionally, it was seemingly that patients with smudge cells of 50% or more had a lower survival rate than those with smudge cells less than 50% in all cancers with follow-up at 2-month intervals, but without statistical significance (P=0.064). Conclusions: Our survey indicated that in all cancers, those who had higher percentage of smudge cells were prone to have poor outcomes when compared with the subjects with lower percentage of smudge cells. This finding was quite different from the results of previous studies in which the race-ethnicity of most study populations was non-Asian; hence, further investigations are required. Besides, there was no apparent association of the percentage of smudge cells with patient outcomes in all diseases, including OHCA.

Damage identification of isolators in base-isolated torsionally coupled buildings

Jer-Fu Wang,Chi-Chang Lin,Ming-Chih Huang,Tzu-Kang Lin 국제구조공학회 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.11 No.4

This paper deals with the damage assessment for isolators of base-isolated building systems considering the torsion-coupling (TC) effect by establishing damage indices. The damage indices can indicate the reduction in lateral stiffness of the isolator story as explicit formulas in terms of modal parameters. In addition, the damage location, expressed in terms of the estimated damage index and eccentricities before and after damage, is also presented. Numerical analysis shows that the proposed algorithms are applicable for general base-isolated multi-story TC buildings. A procedure from the analysis of seismic response to the implementation of damage indices is demonstrated by using a numerical case. A system identification technique is employed to extract modal parameters from seismic responses of a building. Results show that the proposed indices are capable of detecting the occurrence of damage and preliminarily estimating the location of damaged isolator.

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.

Damage identification of isolators in base-isolated torsionally coupled buildings

Wang, Jer-Fu,Huang, Ming-Chih,Lin, Chi-Chang,Lin, Tzu-Kang Techno-Press 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.11 No.4

This paper deals with the damage assessment for isolators of base-isolated building systems considering the torsion-coupling (TC) effect by establishing damage indices. The damage indices can indicate the reduction in lateral stiffness of the isolator story as explicit formulas in terms of modal parameters. In addition, the damage location, expressed in terms of the estimated damage index and eccentricities before and after damage, is also presented. Numerical analysis shows that the proposed algorithms are applicable for general base-isolated multi-story TC buildings. A procedure from the analysis of seismic response to the implementation of damage indices is demonstrated by using a numerical case. A system identification technique is employed to extract modal parameters from seismic responses of a building. Results show that the proposed indices are capable of detecting the occurrence of damage and preliminarily estimating the location of damaged isolator.

A Study of Optical Properties of InGaAs/GaAs Quantum Dots

Gwo-Jen Jan,Chih-Ming Lai,Fu-Yu Chang,Hao-Hsing Lin 한국물리학회 2003 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.42 No.III

The optical properties of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) were investigated by temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and photoreflectance (PR) spectroscopies. The surface morphology and structure analysis of InGaAs QDs were also examined and characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM). The In$_{0.5}$Ga$_{0.5}$As/GaAs self-assembled QDs specimens were grown with gas-source molecular beam epitaxy and migration enhanced techniques. The area density of the QDs is on an order of magnitude about 1 $\times$ 10$^{10}$ dots/cm$^2$. The measured PL results exhibited 5 major energy peaks, two of which are attributed to InGaAs QDs, one is attributed to the InGaAs wetting layer and the other two are attributed to GaAs band-gap transitions. Two of the low energy features are identified to the optical transitions of the ground state. They were originated from the two kinds of InGaAs QDs which might be formed with slight change of the indium composition. An inverted ``S curve'' shape of the temperature-dependent PL peak energies was observed. This abnormal behavior of the line-shape is attributed to carrier localization. The results of PR measurement which reveal energy features on the high energy side contributed by GaAs is also reported.

Clinical Practice of Blood Transfusion in Orthotopic Organ Transplantation: A Single Institution Experience

Tsai, Huang-Wen,Hsieh, Fu-Chien,Chang, Chih-Chun,Su, Ming-Jang,Chu, Fang-Yeh,Chen, Kuo-Hsin,Jeng, Kuo-Shyang,Chen, Yun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Background: Orthotopic organ transplantation, a treatment option for irreversible organ dysfunction according to organ failure, severe damaged organ or malignancy in situ, was usually accompanied with massive blood loss thus transfusion was required. We aimed to evaluate the adverse impact of blood transfusion on solid organ transplantation. Materials and Methods: From January, 2009 to December, 2014, patients who received orthotopic organ transplantation at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital medical center were enrolled. Clinical data regarding anemia status and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion before, during and after operation, as well as patient outcomes were collected for further univariate analysis. Results: A total of 105 patients who underwent orthotopic transplantation, including liver, kidney and small intestine were registered. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) level upon admission and before operation were $11.6{\pm}1.8g/dL$ and $11.7{\pm}1.7g/dL$, respectively; and the nadir Hb level post operation and the final Hb level before discharge were $8.3{\pm}1.6g/dL$ and $10.2{\pm}1.6g/dL$, respectively. The median units (interquartile range) of RBC transfusion in pre-operative, peri-operative and post-operative periods were 0 (0-0), 2 (0-12), and 2 (0-6) units, respectively. Furthermore, the median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay (LHS) from admission to discharge and from operation to discharge were 28 (17-44) and 24 (16-37) days, respectively. Both peri-operative and post-operative RBC transfusion were associated with longer LHS from admission to discharge and from operation to discharge. Furthermore, it increased the risk of post-operative septicemia. While peri-operative RBC transfusion elevated the risk of acute graft rejection in patients who received orthotopic transplantation. Conclusions: Worse outcome could be anticipated in those who had received massive RBC transfusion in transplantation operation. Hence, peri-operative RBC transfusion should be avoided as much as possible.

The Effects of Environmental Toxins on Allergic Inflammation

San-Nan Yang,Chong-Chao Hsieh,Hsuan-Fu Kuo,Min-Sheng Lee,Ming-Yii Huang,Chang-Hung Kuo,Chih-Hsing Hung 대한천식알레르기학회 2014 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.6 No.6

The prevalence of asthma and allergic disease has increased worldwide over the last few decades. Many common environmental factors are associated with this increase. Several theories have been proposed to account for this trend, especially those concerning the impact of environmental toxicants. The development of the immune system, particularly in the prenatal period, has far-reaching consequences for health during early childhood, and throughout adult life. One underlying mechanism for the increased levels of allergic responses, secondary to exposure, appears to be an imbalance in the T-helper function caused by exposure to the toxicants. Exposure to environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals can result in dramatic changes in cytokine production, the activity of the immune system, the overall Th1 and Th2 balance, and in mediators of type 1 hypersensitivity mediators, such as IgE. Passive exposure to tobacco smoke is a common risk factor for wheezing and asthma in children. People living in urban areas and close to roads with a high volume of traffic, and high levels of diesel exhaust fumes, have the highest exposure to environmental compounds, and these people are strongly linked with type 1 hypersensitivity disorders and enhanced Th2 responses. These data are consistent with epidemiological research that has consistently detected increased incidences of allergies and asthma in people living in these locations. During recent decades more than 100,000 new chemicals have been used in common consumer products and are released into the everyday environment. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the environmental effects on allergies of indoor and outside exposure.