A TQM case of Centralized Sequential Decision-making Problem

Chang, Cheng-Chang,Chu, Yun-Feng 한국품질경영학회 2003 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.4 No.1

This paper considers that a public department under specialized TQM manpower constraints have to implement multiple total quality management (TQM) policies to promote its service performance (fundamental goal) by adopting a centralized sequential advancement strategy (CSAS). Under CSAS, the decision-makers (DMs) start off by focusing specialized TQM manpower on a single policy, then transfer the specialized TQM manpower to the next policy when the first policy reaches the predetermined implementation time limit (in terms of education and training). Suppose that each TQM policy has a different desirous education and training goal. When the desirous goals for all TQM policies are achieved, we say that the fundamental goal will be satisfied. Within the limitation of total implementation period of time for all policies, assume the desirous goals for all TQM policies cannot be achieved completely. Under this premise, the optimal implementation sequence for all TQM policies must be calculated to maximize the weighted achievement of the desirous goal. We call this optimization problem a TQM case of “centralized sequential decision-making problem(CSDMP)”. The achievement of the desirous goal for each TQM policy is usually affected by the experience in prior implemented policies, which makes solving CSDMP quite difficult. As a result, this paper introduces the concepts of sequential effectiveness and path effectiveness. The structural properties are then studied to propose theoretical methods for solving CSDMP. Finally, a numerical example is proposed to demonstrate CSDMP’s usability.

Changes in prostate-specific antigen kinetics during androgen-deprivation therapy as a predictor of response to abiraterone in chemonaïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Chung-Lin Lee,Ying-Hsu Chang,Chung-Yi Liu,Ming-Li Hsieh,Liang-Kang Huang,Yuan-Cheng Chu,Hung-Cheng Kan,Po-Hung Lin,Kai-Jie Yu,Cheng-Keng Chuang,Chun-Te Wu,See-Tong Pang,I-Hung Shao 대한비뇨의학회 2022 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.63 No.5

Purpose: Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has a poor prognosis. Abiraterone acetate (AA), enzalutamide, and chemotherapy are first-line treatments for patients with mCRPC. This study examined prognostic factors for AA response in the form of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics throughout androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in chemonaïve patients with mCRPC. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively included data from 34 chemonaïve patients with mCRPC who had received AA at some point between January 2017 and December 2018. We separated patients into two study arms according to the decrease in PSA percentages after use of AA for 3 months. We correlated PSA kinetics parameters with response and compared the two study groups with respect to PSA kinetics. Results: The patients’ median age was 77 years. In the total group of patients, 64% had a response to AA, whereas 35% did not. The ratio of the PSA level at nadir to the level during ADT was significantly higher in the AA-sensitive group (19.78 vs. 1.03, p=0.019). Conclusions: Patients who experienced a dramatic change in PSA level during ADT were more likely to be resistant to AA after progression to mCRPC. Chemotherapy rather than AA might be more suitable as a first-line treatment for these patients.

Comparison of Cortical Bone Trajectory to Pedicle-Based Dynamic Stabilization: An Analysis of 291 Patients

Chih-Chang Chang,Hsuan-Kan Chang,Chin-Chu Ko,Ching-Lan Wu,Yi-Hsuan Kuo,Tsung-Hsi Tu,Wen-Cheng Huang,Jau-Ching Wu 대한척추신경외과학회 2023 Neurospine Vol.20 No.1

Objective: Pedicle-based dynamic stabilization (DS) has gained popularity outside of America. Although pedicle screw (PS) loosening has always been a concern, it is reportedly innocuous. Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw is an emerging option with less invasiveness and similar effectiveness to PS in short-segment lumbar fusion. This study aimed to verify the use of CBT for DS by comparing the outcomes between pedicle- and CBT-based DS. Methods: Consecutive patients with lumbar spondylosis or low-grade spondylolisthesis who underwent 1- or 2-level DS between L3–5 with a minimum follow-up of 24 months were reviewed. Screw loosening was determined by computed tomography and the incidences were compared. Results: A total of 291 patients who underwent Dynesys DS (235 pedicle- and 56 CBT-based, respectively) were compared. The demographics and preoperative conditions were similar. All the clinical outcomes improved at 24-month postoperation, while the CBT-based group had less operation time and blood loss than the pedicle-based group. The rates of screw loosening were lower in the CBT-based (5.4% per screw and 12.5% per patient) than the pedicle-based group (9% per screw and 26.4% per patient). Furthermore, there were no differences in the clinical outcomes and complication profiles. Conclusion: The CBT-based DS for 1- or 2-level lumbar degeneration demonstrated equivalent clinical improvement as the pedicle-based DS. The adaption of CBT-based screws for DS could be a less invasive approach (shorter operation time and less blood loss), with lower chances of screw loosening than the conventional PS-based DS.

Measurement of Deformity at the Craniovertebral Junction: Correlation of Triangular Area and Myelopathy

Chih-Chang Chang,Jau-Ching Wu,Chin-Chu Ko,Hsuan-Kan Chang,Yi-Hsuan Kuo,Chao-Hung Kuo,Tsung-Hsi Tu,Wen-Cheng Huang 대한척추신경외과학회 2022 Neurospine Vol.19 No.4

Objective: Diseases of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) are commonly associated with deformity, malalignment, and subsequent myelopathy. The misaligned CVJ might cause compression of neuronal tissues and subsequently clinical symptoms. The triangular area (TA), measured by magnetic resonance imaging/images (MRI/s), is a novel measurement for quantification of the severity of compression to the brain stem. This study aimed to assess the normal and pathological values of TA by a comparison of patients with CVJ disease to age- and sex-matched controls. Moreover, postoperative TAs were correlated with outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for CVJ disease were included for comparison to an age- and sex-matched cohort of normal CVJ persons as controls. The demographics, perioperative information, and pre- and postoperative 2-year cervical MRIs were collected for analysis. Cervical TAs were measured and compared. Results: A total of 201 patients, all of whom had pre- or postoperative MRI, were analyzed. The TA of the CVJ deformity group was larger than the healthy control group (1.62 ± 0.57 cm2 vs. 1.01 ± 0.18 cm2 , p < 0.001). Moreover, patients who had combined anterior odontoidectomy and posterior laminectomy with fixation had the greatest reduction in the TA (1.18 ± 0.58 cm2 ). Conclusion: In CVJ deformity, the measurement of the cervical TA could indicate the severity of brain stem compression. After surgery, the TA had a varying degree of improvement, which could represent the efficacy of surgery.

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.

Morphology control of mesoporous Cu₂O by reductants and its photocatalytic activity

Chu, Xiao-Zhong,Cheng, Zhi-Peng,Zhao, Yi-Jiang,Xu, Ji-Ming,Li, Mei-Sheng,Hu, Lei,Zhou, Shou-Yong,Wu, Fei-Yue,Lee, Chang-Ha Elsevier 2017 CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL Vol.43 No.11

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Mesoporous Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O particles with different morphologies were synthesized via simple one-pot reactions. Effects of reducing agents, dispersant, template, and temperature on the <B>structure</B> of the prepared materials were investigated. Mesoporous flower-shaped Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O materials were obtained at 70℃ using glucose <B>as a reductant</B>. Different hollow microsphere shapes of Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O could be prepared at 40℃ using <B>another type of reductant, ascorbic acid</B>. The results indicated that the uniform morphology of synthesized Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O with mesopores presented a maximum specific surface area of 45.3m<SUP>2</SUP>/g. Furthermore, the as-prepared Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O particles showed good photodegradation efficiencies of methyl orange in the range of 86.0–93.7%, depending on their morphologies.</P>

Novel application of Influenza A virus-inoculated chorioallantoic membrane to characterize a NP-specific monoclonal antibody for immunohistochemistry assaying

Yang-Chang Tu,Kuang-Yu Chen,Chung-Kung Chen,Ming-Chu Cheng,Shu-Hwae Lee,Ivan-Chen Cheng 대한수의학회 2019 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.20 No.1

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are widely applied in disease diagnoses. Herein, we report a MAb, WF-4, against Influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP), its broad response with Influenza A virus, and its application in an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. WF-4 was screened by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The results showed that its reactivity with baculovirus-expressed full-length recombinant NP (rNP) in Western blot (WB), indicating its IHC applicability. Fifteen Influenza A virus (reference subtypes H1 to H15) infected chicken embryonated chorioallantoic membranes (CAM), fixed by formalin, were all detectable in the WF-4-based IHC assay. Also, the reactivity of the IHC test with NP from experimentally inoculated H6N1 and from all recent outbreaks of H5 subtype avian Influenza A virus (AIV) field cases in Taiwan showed positive results. Our data indicate that CAM, a by-product of Influenza A virus preparation, is helpful for Influenza A virus-specific MAb characterization, and that the WF-4 MAb recognizes conserved and linear epitopes of Influenza A virus NP. Therefore, WF-4 is capable of detecting NP antigens via IHC and may be suitable for developing various tests for diagnosis of Influenza A virus and, especially, AIV infection.

The association of ambient air pollution with airway inflammation in schoolchildren.

Chen, Bing-Yu,Chan, Chang-Chuan,Lee, Chung-Te,Cheng, Tsun-Jen,Huang, Wen-Chuan,Jhou, Ji-Ci,Han, Yueh-Ying,Chen, Chu-Chih,Guo, Yue Leon School of Hygiene and Public Health of the Johns H 2012 American Journal of Epidemiology Vol.175 No.8

<P>The biologic mechanisms involved in airway inflammatory response to air pollution are not clearly understood. The authors conducted a longitudinal study to investigate whether exposure to ambient air pollutants affected inflammatory cells and mediators from nasal lavage in schoolchildren. Study participants were 100 elementary and middle-school students in New Taipei City, Taiwan. A structured respiratory health questionnaire was administered in September 2007, followed by monthly measurement of nasal inflammation from October 2007 to November 2009. During the study period, daily concentrations of air pollutants were obtained from the Environmental Protection Administration monitoring station and the Aerosol Supersite. Mixed-effects models were applied to examine the association between air pollution and nasal inflammatory cells and mediators, including percentages of neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in lavaged cells and interleukin-8. A total of 824 measurements were obtained from 100 participants over a period of 10 months. The level of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM(2.5)) was found to be associated with percentage of neutrophils (β = 3.45%, 95% confidence interval: 0.89, 6.01) and interleukin-8 level (β = 29.98 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval: 3.26, 56.69) in the nasal lavage on the day of exposure. In this longitudinal cohort study of schoolchildren, results indicated that exposure to PM(2.5) might induce nasal inflammation.</P>

Online Experts Screening the Worst Slicing Machine to Control Wafer Yield via the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Lin, Chin-Tsai,Chang, Che-Wei,Wu, Cheng-Ru,Chen, Huang-Chu The Korean Society for Quality Management 2006 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.7 No.2

This study describes a novel algorithm for optimizing the quality yield of silicon wafer slicing. 12 inch wafer slicing is the most difficult in terms of semiconductor manufacturing yield. As silicon wafer slicing directly impacts production costs, semiconductor manufacturers are especially concerned with increasing and maintaining the yield, as well as identifying why yields decline. The criteria for establishing the proposed algorithm are derived from a literature review and interviews with a group of experts in semiconductor manufacturing. The modified Delphi method is then adopted to analyze those results. The proposed algorithm also incorporates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the weights of evaluation. Additionally, the proposed algorithm can select the evaluation outcomes to identify the worst machine of precision. Finally, results of the exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed AHP-based algorithm in effectively selecting the evaluation outcomes and evaluating the precision of the worst performing machines. So, through collect data (the quality and quantity) to judge the result by AHP, it is the key to help the engineer can find out the manufacturing process yield quickly effectively.

ONYX-II: Efficacy of Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir + Dasabuvir + Ribavirin in HCV Genotype 1b-Infected Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis from South Korea and Taiwan

( Seung Woon Paik ),( Chi-jen Chu ),( Yan Luo ),( Kwang-hyub Han ),( Jia-horng Kao ),( Jeong Heo ),( Cheng-yuan Peng ),( Yoon Jun Kim ),( Ting-tsung Chang ),( Young-suk Lim ),( Ming Lung Yu ),( Linda 대한간학회 2016 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2016 No.1

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with development of complications including hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure and cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis are historically more difficult to cure. In southeastern Asia, the most prevalent HCV genotype (GT) is GT1b. In western populations, the 3 direct-acting antiviral (3-DAA) regimen of ombitasvir (OBV), ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir (PTV/r; identified by AbbVie and Enanta) and dasabuvir (DSV) ± ribavirin (RBV) demonstrated sustained virologic response (SVR) at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12) rates of 99% in patients with GT1b infection and compensated cirrhosis regardless of prior treatment experience. The regimen, however, has not been investigated in southeastern Asian populations. The ONYX-II study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of this regimen in Asian patients with HCV GT1b infection and compensated cirrhosis. Methods: Treatment-naive and interferon-based therapy-experienced patients with HCV GT1b-infection and compensated cirrhosis were enrolled in South Korea, Taiwan, and China, and received 12 weeks of OBV/PTV/r (25 mg/150 mg/100 mg once daily) and DSV (250 mg twice daily) with RBV (weight-based). Patients will be followed for 48 weeks after the last dose of study drugs. The primary objectives are to compare the SVR12 rate to the known SVR rate of telaprevir + peg-interferon (IFN) + RBV therapy, and to assess the safety of OBV/PTV/r + DSV + RBV. Results: Twenty-one and 20 subjects were enrolled in South Korea and Taiwan, respectively. Of South Korean patients, 52% were male and 71% were treatment-experienced; of Taiwanese patients, 45% were male and 65% were treatment-experienced. Safety data and SVR at post-treatment week 4 (SVR4) will be available for presentation. Conclusions: The ONYX-II study evaluates the 3-DAA regimen of OBV/PTV/r + DSV with RBV for Asian patients with compensated cirrhosis and HCV GT1b infection. Resultant data may provide evidence for treatment guidelines for HCV GT1b in this population.