A neural-based predictive model of the compressive strength of waste LCD glass concrete

Chih-Han Kao,Chien-Chih Wang,Her-Yung Wang 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.19 No.5

The Taiwanese liquid crystal display (LCD) industry has traditionally produced a huge amount of waste glass that is placed in landfills. Waste glass recycling can reduce the material costs of concrete and promote sustainable environmental protection activities. Concrete is always utilized as structural material; thus, the concrete compressive strength with a variety of mixtures must be studied using predictive models to achieve more precise results. To create an efficient waste LCD glass concrete (WLGC) design proportion, the related studies utilized a multivariable regression analysis to develop a compressive strength waste LCD glass concrete equation. The mix design proportion for waste LCD glass and the compressive strength relationship is complex and nonlinear. This results in a prediction weakness for the multivariable regression model during the initial growing phase of the compressive strength of waste LCD glass concrete. Thus, the R ratio for the predictive multivariable regression model is 0.96. Neural networks (NN) have a superior ability to handle nonlinear relationships between multiple variables by incorporating supervised learning. This study developed a multivariable prediction model for the determination of waste LCD glass concrete compressive strength by analyzing a series of laboratory test results and utilizing a neural network algorithm that was obtained in a related prior study. The current study also trained the prediction model for the compressive strength of waste LCD glass by calculating the effects of several types of factor combinations, such as the different number of input variables and the relevant filter for input variables. These types of factor combinations have been adjusted to enhance the predictive ability based on the training mechanism of the NN and the characteristics of waste LCD glass concrete. The selection priority of the input variable strategy is that evaluating relevance is better than adding dimensions for the NN prediction of the compressive strength of WLGC. The prediction ability of the model is examined using test results from the same data pool. The R ratio was determined to be approximately 0.996. Using the appropriate input variables from neural networks, the model validation results indicated that the model prediction attains greater accuracy than the multivariable regression model during the initial growing phase of compressive strength. Therefore, the neural-based predictive model for compressive strength promotes the application of waste LCD glass concrete.

Infusion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Regenerative Niche in Thioacetamide-Injured Mouse Liver

Kao Ying-Hsien,Lin Yu-Chun,Lee Po-Huang,Lin Chia-Wei,Chen Po-Han,Tai Tzong-Shyuan,Chang Yo-Chen,Chou Ming-Huei,Chang Chih-Yang,Sun Cheuk-Kwan 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2020 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.17 No.5

Background: This study investigated whether xenotransplantation of human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) reduces thioacetamide (TAA)-induced mouse liver fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: Recipient NOD/SCID mice were injected intraperitoneally with TAA twice weekly for 6 weeks before initial administration of WJ-MSCs. Expression of regenerative and pro-fibrogenic markers in mouse fibrotic livers were monitored post cytotherapy. A hepatic stallate cell line HSC-T6 and isolated WJ-MSCs were used for in vitro adhesion, migration and mechanistic studies. Results: WJ-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cords by an explant method and characterized by flow cytometry. A single infusion of WJ-MSCs to TAA-treated mice significantly reduced collagen deposition and ameliorated liver fibrosis after 2-week therapy. In addition to enhanced expression of hepatic regenerative factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and PCNA proliferative marker, WJ-MSC therapy significantly blunted pro-fibrogenic signals, including Smad2, RhoA, ERK. Intriguingly, reduction of plasma fibronectin (pFN) in fibrotic livers was noted in MSC-treated mice. In vitro studies further demonstrated that suspending MSCs triggered pFN degradation, soluble pFN conversely retarded adhesion of suspending MSCs onto type I collagen-coated surface, whereas pFN coating enhanced WJ-MSC migration across mimicked wound bed. Moreover, pretreatment with soluble pFN and conditioned medium from MSCs with pFN strikingly attenuated the response of HSC-T6 cells to TGF-β1-stimulation in Smad2 phosphorylation and RhoA upregulation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that cytotherapy using WJ-MSCs may modulate hepatic pFN deposition for a better regenerative niche in the fibrotic livers and may constitute a useful anti-fibrogenic intervention in chronic liver diseases.

A Vision-Based Collision Warning System by Surrounding Vehicles Detection

( Bing-fei Wu ),( Ying-han Chen ),( Chih-chun Kao ),( Yen-feng Li ),( Chao-jung Chen ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2012 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.6 No.4

To provide active notification and enhance drivers` awareness of their surroundings, a vision-based collision warning system that detects and monitors surrounding vehicles is proposed in this paper. The main objective is to prevent possible vehicle collisions by monitoring the status of surrounding vehicles, including the distance to the other vehicles in front, behind, to the left and to the right sides. In addition, the proposed system collects and integrates this information to provide advisory warnings to drivers. To offer the correct notification, an algorithm based on features of edge and morphology to detect vehicles is also presented. The proposed system has been implemented in embedded systems and evaluated on real roads in various lighting and weather conditions. The experimental results indicate that the vehicle detection ratios were higher than 97% in the daytime, and appropriate for real road applications.

GROUND OBSERVATIONS OF SPRITES AND OTHER TLES IN TAIWAN

WANG YUN-CHING,HSU RUE-RON,SU HAN-TZONG,CHEN ALFRED BING-CHIH,LEE YI-JEN,KUO CHENG-LING,TSAY WEAN-SHUN,CHANG CHAN-KAO,WANG SHI-CHUN,LEE LOU-CHUANG,LIU TIE-YUE The Korean Astronomical Society 2005 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.38 No.2

Sprites, elves and blue jets are collectively denominated as the upper atmospheric transient luminous events (TLEs). They are recently discovered optical flashes between active thunderstorms and the ionosphere. In this report, a brief introduction to the most important characteristics of TLEs is given. Since 2001, scientists from the National Cheng Kung University have been performing yearly summer campaigns from various locations in Taiwan. The main achievements of their yearly campaign are presented.

Validation of Pharyngeal Acid Reflux Episodes Using Hypopharyngeal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH

Yen-Yang Chen,Chen-Chi Wang,Ying-Cheng Lin,John Y Kao,Chun-Yi Chuang,Yung-An Tsou,Ja-Chih Fu,Sheng-Shun Yang,Chi-Sen Chang,Han-Chung Lien 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.1

Background/AimsHypopharyngeal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (HMII-pH) technology incorporating 2 trans-upper esophageal sphincter impedance channels has been developed to detect pharyngeal reflux. We used the HMII-pH technique to validate the candidate pharyngeal acid reflux (PAR) episodes based on the dual-pH tracings and determined the interobserver reproducibility. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in tertiary centers in Taiwan. Ninety patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux and 28 healthy volunteers underwent HMII-pH test when off acid suppressants. Candidate PAR episodes were characterized by pharyngeal pH drops of at least 2 units and reaching a nadir pH of 5 within 30 seconds during esophageal acidification. Two experts manually independently identified candidate PAR episodes based on the dual-pH tracings. By reviewing the HMII-pH tracings, HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes were subsequently confirmed. The consensus reviews of HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes were considered to be the reference standard diagnosis. The interobserver reproducibility was assessed. ResultsA total of 105 candidate PAR episodes were identified. Among them 84 (80.0%; 95% CI, 71.0-87.0%) were HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes (82 in 16 patients and 2 in 1 healthy subject). Patients tended to have more HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes than healthy controls (median and percentile values [25th, 75th, and 95th percentiles]: 0 [0, 0, 3] vs 0 [0, 0, 0], P = 0.067). The concordance rate in diagnosing HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes between 2 independent observers was 92.2%. ConclusionOur preliminary data showed that 80.0% (71.0-87.0%) of the proposed candidate PAR episodes were HMII-pH-proven PAR episodes, among which the interobserver reproducibility was good.