Effect of a Carbon Additive on the TbCu7-type Melt-spun Sm(Co, M)7 (M=Ti, Zr, Hf, V and Ge) Ribbons

Chih-Chieh Hsieh,Shih-Teng Huang,Jin-Sheng Guo,Chih-Wei Shih,Wen-Cheng Chang,Huang-Wei Chang,Chun-Chung Shaw 한국물리학회 2013 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.63 No.3

The effect of a carbon additive on the microstructure and the magnetic properties of melt-spunSmCo7−xMxCy (M=Ti, Zr, Hf, V and Ge; x = 0 - 0.3 and y = 0 - 0.1) ribbons was studied. Based on the XRD and the TEM analyses, a pure 1:7 phase could be formed for the C-containingribbons with M= Ti and Ge. However, carbide phases, i.e., Sm2C3 for M=Zr and Hf, and SmCoC2for M=V, respectively, were found. Nevertheless, a slight C addition may effectively refine themicrostructure and improve both the intrinsic coercvity and the magnetic energy product in all thestudied ribbons. Among them, the SmCo6.9V0.1C0.1 ribbons with r = 58.7 emu/g, iHc = 13.5kOe and (BH)max = 9.3 MGOe, and the SmCo6.9Hf0.1C0.1 ribbons with r = 61.6 emu/g, iHc =11.8 kOe and (BH)max = 10.3 MGOe are most suitable for the bonded magnet applications.

Diagnostic Role of Serum Free-to-Total Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Ratio in Prostate Cancer with Serum Total Concentration of PSA below 4 ng/mL

Chang, Chih-Chun,Lee, Yi-Chen,Tsai, Huang-Wen,Yii, Shyi-Chun,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Chu, Fang-Yeh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.13

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of serum free-to-total prostate specific antigen ratio (%fPSA) for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in men with different serum total PSA (tPSA) categories. Materials and Methods: From January 2010 to December 2013, a total of 225 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) underwent tPSA and %fPSA measurements. Histological examination with calculation of Gleason score and whole body bone scans were performed in identified cases of PCa. Results: PCa was diagnosed in 44 (19.6%) patients and the remaining 181 patients had benign prostate disease. PCa was detected in 5 (23.8%), 13 (8.7%) and 26 (47.3%) cases with tPSA level ranges ${\leq}4ng/ml$, 4 to 10 ng/ml and >10 ng/ml, respectively. The average Gleason score was $7.2{\pm}0.2$. Some 6 (13.6%) out of 44 PCa patients had bone metastases. The sensitivity was 80% and specificity was 81.3% at the cut-off %fPSA of 15% in PCa patients with a tPSA level below 4 ng/mL. A lower %fPSA was associated with PCa patients with Gleason score ${\geq}7$ than those with Gleason score ${\leq}6$ ($11.7{\pm}0.98$ vs. $16.5{\pm}2.25%$, P=0.029). No obvious relation of %fPSA to the incidence of bone metastasis was apparent in this study. Conclusions: The clinical application of %fPSA could help to discriminate PCa from benign prostate disease in men with a tPSA concentration below 4 ng/mL.

Letter: cervicocerebral atherosclerosis and its hepatic and coronary risk factors in patients with liver cirrhosis

Yi-Chun Huang,Chih-Wei Chen,James Chun-Chung Wei 대한간학회 2022 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.28 No.2

Health Care Utilization and Expenditures of Patients with Diabetes Comorbid with Depression Disorder: A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Chun-Jen Huang,Hui-Min Hsieh,Herng-Chia Chiu,Peng-Wei Wang,Mei-Hsuan Lee,Chih-Yi Li,Ching-Hua Lin 대한신경정신의학회 2017 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.14 No.6

Objective: The study investigated to compare health care utilization and expenditures between diabetic patients with and without depression in Taiwan. Methods: Health care utilization and expenditure among diabetic patients with and without depression disorder during 2000 and 2004 were examined using Taiwan’s population-based National Health Insurance claims database. Health care utilization included outpatient visits and the use of inpatient services, and health expenditures were outpatient, inpatient, and total medical expenditures. Moreover, general estimation equation models were used for analyzing the factors associated with outpatient visits and expenditures. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied for identifying the factors associated with hospitalization. Results: The average annual outpatient visits and annual total medical expenditures in the study period were 44.23–52.20; NT$87,496–133,077 and 30.75–32.92; NT$64,411–80,955 for diabetic patients with and without depression. After adjustment for covariates, our results revealed that gender and complication were associated with out-patient visits. Moreover, the time factor was associated with the total medical expenditure, and residential urbanization and complication factors were associated with hospitalization. Conclusion: Health care utilization and expenditures for diabetic patients with depression were significantly higher than those without depression. Sex, complications, time, and urbanization are the factors associated with health care utilization and expenditures.

Design Customization of Respiratory Mask based on 3D Face Anthropometric Data

Chih-Hsing Chu,Szu-Hao Huang,Chih-Kai Yang,Chun-Yang Tseng 한국정밀공학회 2015 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol. No.

This study presents a machine learning based method for design customization of a 3D respiratory mask. A parametric model of a3D human face was constructed from an anthropometric database consisting of 495 facial models. An AdaBoost.R algorithm wasapplied to identify a set of measurable parameters most related to the facial geometry. The correlation between parameters wasestimated using principal component analysis and linear regression. With those parameter values as input, the parametric modelgenerates 3D meshes of a human face that serve as a design reference for the construction of a customized respiratory mask of agood fit. We conducted a series of experiments with 10-fold cross-validation to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Dielectric properties of Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramic modified by Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 at microwave frequencies

Chun-Hsu Shen,Cheng-Liang Huang,Chuan-Feng Shih,Chih-Ming Huang 한국물리학회 2009 Current Applied Physics Vol.9 No.5

The effect of Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 addition on the microwave dielectric properties of Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramics was investigated. The Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content plays a significant role in improving the dielectric properties. Microwave dielectric measurements show an increase in the dielectric constant (εr) and temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf) and a decrease in the quality factor (Q × f value) with increasing Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content. By properly adjusting the Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content, a zero τf value can also be obtained, which make Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 a promising material in wireless systems. At 1300 ℃, the 0.81Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3–0.19Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics possess excellent microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (εr) of 25.61, a Q × f value of 69,100 GHz, and a τf value of -6 ppm/℃. The effect of Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 addition on the microwave dielectric properties of Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramics was investigated. The Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content plays a significant role in improving the dielectric properties. Microwave dielectric measurements show an increase in the dielectric constant (εr) and temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf) and a decrease in the quality factor (Q × f value) with increasing Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content. By properly adjusting the Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 content, a zero τf value can also be obtained, which make Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 a promising material in wireless systems. At 1300 ℃, the 0.81Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3–0.19Nd0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics possess excellent microwave dielectric properties: a dielectric constant (εr) of 25.61, a Q × f value of 69,100 GHz, and a τf value of -6 ppm/℃.

Echocardiographic parameters and indices in 23 healthy Maltese dogs

Chih-Hung Tsai,Chao-Chun Huang,Chia Chi Ho,Marta Claretti 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.5

Background: Echocardiography is a primary tool used by veterinarians to evaluate heart diseases. In recent years, various studies have targeted standard echocardiographic values for different breeds. Reference data are currently lacking in Maltese dogs and it is important to fill this gap as this breed is predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, which is a volume overload disease. Objectives: To establish the normal echocardiographic parameters for Maltese dogs. Methods: In total, 23 healthy Maltese dogs were involved in this study. Blood pressure measurements, thoracic radiography, and complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed. The effects of body weight, age and sex were evaluated, and the correlations between weight and linear and volumetric dimensions were calculated by regression analysis. Results: The mean vertebral heart size was 9.1 ± 0.4. Aside from the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and the left atrial to aorta root ratio, all the other echocardiographic parameters were significantly correlated with weight. Conclusion: This study describes normal echocardiographic parameters that may be useful in the echocardiographic evaluation of Maltese dogs.

Equifield line simulation and ion migration prediction for concrete under 2-D electric field

Chih-Chien Liu,Chun-Yao Huang,Wen-Ten Kuo 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2013 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.12 No.4

This study attempted to find a proper method applicable to simulating practical equifield lines of two-dimensional Accelerate Lithium Migration Technique (ALMT), and evaluate the feasibility of using the theoretical ion migration model of one-dimensional ALMT to predict the ion migration behavior of two-dimensional ALMT. The result showed that the electrolyte or carbon plate can be used as matrix to draw equifield line graph similar to that by using mortar as matrix. Using electrolyte electrode module for simulation has advantages of simple production, easy measurement, rapidness, and economy. The electrolyte module can be used to simulate the equifield line distribution diagram in practical two-dimensional electrode configuration firstly. Then, several equifield line zones were marked, and several subzones under one-dimensional ALMT were separated from various equifield line zones. The theoretical free content distribution of alkali in concrete under two-dimensional electric field effect could be obtained from duration analysis.

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.

Searching for transcription factor binding sites in vector spaces

Lee, Chih,Huang, Chun-Hsi BioMed Central 2012 BMC bioinformatics Vol.13 No.suppl17

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Computational approaches to transcription factor binding site identification have been actively researched in the past decade. Learning from known binding sites, new binding sites of a transcription factor in unannotated sequences can be identified. A number of search methods have been introduced over the years. However, one can rarely find one single method that performs the best on all the transcription factors. Instead, to identify the best method for a particular transcription factor, one usually has to compare a handful of methods. Hence, it is highly desirable for a method to perform automatic optimization for individual transcription factors.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>We proposed to search for transcription factor binding sites in vector spaces. This framework allows us to identify the best method for each individual transcription factor. We further introduced two novel methods, the negative-to-positive vector (NPV) and optimal discriminating vector (ODV) methods, to construct query vectors to search for binding sites in vector spaces. Extensive cross-validation experiments showed that the proposed methods significantly outperformed the ungapped likelihood under positional background method, a state-of-the-art method, and the widely-used position-specific scoring matrix method. We further demonstrated that motif subtypes of a TF can be readily identified in this framework and two variants called the <I>k</I> NPV and <I>k</I> ODV methods benefited significantly from motif subtype identification. Finally, independent validation on ChIP-seq data showed that the ODV and NPV methods significantly outperformed the other compared methods.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>We conclude that the proposed framework is highly flexible. It enables the two novel methods to automatically identify a TF-specific subspace to search for binding sites. Implementations are available as source code at: http://biogrid.engr.uconn.edu/tfbs_search/.</P>