Relationship of Forecast Encompassing to Composite Forecasts with Simulations and an Application

Kuo-yuan Liang,Keunkwan Ryu 서울대학교 경제연구소 2003 Seoul journal of economics Vol.16 No.3

This paper examines the role of forecast-encompassing principles in model-specification searches through the use of linear composite forecasts. Based on the results of the pairwise forecast-encompassing test, this paper outlines a conceptual framework to provide some useful insights on cross-model evaluations in econometrics and the selection of predictors in composite forecasts. Second, it offers three different ways of performing the encompassing test and compares their finite sample performance through a Monte Carlo simulation study. Test results guide researchers to choose component forecasts and thus to avoid blind pooling in the combining regression.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Scale for Breast Cancer Related to Chemotherapy

Shu-Yuan Liang,Wei-Wen Wu,Chiu-Ya Kuo,Yu-Ying Lu 한국간호과학회 2015 Asian Nursing Research Vol.9 No.4

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and preliminarily evaluate the reliability and validity of the Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy ScaleeBreast Cancer (SMSES-BC) related to chemotherapy. Methods: The study included three stages. This paper presents the results of stage 2 and stage 3. In total, 34 items in the SMSES-BC were found during stage 1 from qualitative findings, a literature review, and expert suggestions; the 34 items were used for the psychometric properties test. Test-retest reliability and Cronbach a were assessed in the first sample, which included 45 participants for the pilot test (stage 2). The second sample, which included 152 patients, was used to assess the construct validity and concurrent validity (stage 3). Results: The pilot test results revealed a test-retest reliability of .73 (p < .001) and Cronbach a coefficient of .96 for the total scale. Three factors (managing chemotherapy-related symptoms, acquiring problem solving, and managing emotional and interpersonal disturbances) were identified from exploratory factor analysis. Correlation coefficient r was .40 (p < .001), which supported the association between SMSES-BC and the General Self-Efficacy Scale for concurrent validity. Conclusions: The study results demonstrate acceptable reliability and validity for the SMSES-BC that was developed for measuring symptom-management self-efficacy related to chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer. This study suggests further research to validate the construct of the SMSES-BC.

Angelica dahurica attenuates melanogenesis in B16F0 cells by repressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Fang Chien-Liang,Goswami Debakshee,Kuo Chia-Hua,Day Cecilia Hsuan,Lin Mei-Yi,Ho Tsung-Jung,Yang Liang-Yo,Hsieh Dennis Jine-Yuan,Lin Tzu-Kai,Huang Chih-Yang 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2023 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.19 No.1

Background Melanogenesis is a complex process which is tightly regulated by several enzymes. However, abnormal melanogenesis can cause severe dermatological problems. Roots of Angelica dahurica have been used for skin care as a part of traditional Chinese medicine for many generations. However, the role of A. dahurica in melanogenesis remains unclear. Objective Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that NK-1R exerts positive effects in melanogenesis via the Wnt/βcatenin signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the effects of A. dahurica ethanol extract (ADE) on NK-1R and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and evaluated the effect of NK-1R on melanogenesis in B16F0 cells. Results Angelica dahurica ethanol extract efficiently downregulated Neurokinin-1 receptor and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by decreasing the expression of β-catenin, MITF, LEF-1, TYR, TRP1, and TRP2 and increasing the expression of GSK3β, which resulted from the weakened expression of the Neurokinin-1 receptor inhibitor [Sar9,Met(O2 )11]-Substance P (SMSP). Furthermore, the intracellular melanin assay and cellular tyrosinase activity confirmed these findings. Conclusion This study suggests that ADE has potential to downregulate Neurokinin-1 receptor in SMSP-induced B16F0 cells, thereby repressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and reduces melanin production.

A Single-Stage LED Tube Lamp Driver with Input-Current Shaping for Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Applications

Chun-An Cheng,Chien-Hsuan Chang,Hung-Liang Cheng,Tsung-Yuan Chung,Ching-Hsien Tseng,Kuo-Ching Tseng 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.4

This study proposes a single-stage light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp driver with input-current shaping for T8/T10-type fluorescent lamp replacements. The proposed AC–DC LED driver integrates a dual-boost converter with coupled inductors and a half-bridge series-resonant converter with a bridge rectifier into a single-stage power conversion topology. This paper presents the operational principles and design considerations for one T8-type 18 W-rated LED tube lamp with line input voltages ranging from 100 V rms to 120 V rms. Experimental results for the prototype driver show that the highest power factor (PF = 0.988), lowest input current total harmonic distortion (THD = 7.22%), and highest circuit efficiency (η = 92.42%) are obtained at an input voltage of 120 V. Hence, the proposed driver is feasible for use in energy-efficient indoor lighting applications.

8q24 rs4242382 Polymorphism is a Risk Factor for Prostate Cancer among Multi-Ethnic Populations: Evidence from Clinical Detection in China and a Meta-analysis

Zhao, Cheng-Xiao,Liu, Ming,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Wei, Dong,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Yang, Fan,Zhang, Yao-Guang,Wang, Xin,Liang, Si-Ying,Zhao, Fan,Zhang, Yu-Rong,Wang, Na-Na,Chen, Xin,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: Evidence supporting an association between the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) risk has been reported in North American and Europe populations, though data from Asian populations remain limited. We therefore investigated this association by clinical detection in China, and meta-analysis in Asian, Caucasian and African-American populations. Materials and Methods: Blood samples and clinical information were collected from ethnically Chinese men from Northern China with histologically-confirmed PCa (n=335) and from age-matched normal controls (n=347). The 8q24 (rs4242382) gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-high-resolution melting analysis. We initially analyzed the associations between the risk allele and PCa and clinical covariates. A meta-analysis was then performed using genotyping data from a total of 1,793 PCa cases and 1,864 controls from our study and previously published studies in American and European populations, to determine the association between PCa and risk genotype. Results: The incidence of the risk allele was higher in PCa cases than controls (0.222 vs 0.140, $P=7.3{\times}10^{-5}$), suggesting that the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism was associated with PCa risk in Chinese men. The genotypes in subjects were in accordance with a dominant genetic model (ORadj=2.03, 95%CI: 1.42-2.91, $Padj=1.1{\times}10^{-4}$). Presence of the risk allele rs4242382-A at 8q24 was also associated with clinical covariates including age at diagnosis ${\geq}65$ years, prostate specific antigen >10 ng/ml, Gleason score <8, tumor stage and aggressive PCa, compared with the non-risk genotype ($P=4.6{\times}10^{-5}-3.0{\times}10^{-2}$). Meta-analysis confirmed the association between 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and PCa risk (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.39-1.88, $P=1.0{\times}10^{-5}$) across Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. Conclusions: The replicated data suggest that the 8q24 rs4242382-A variation might be associated with increased PCa susceptibility in Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. These results imply that this polymorphism may be a useful risk biomarker for PCa in multi-ethnic populations.

A Single-Stage LED Tube Lamp Driver with Input-Current Shaping for Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Applications

Cheng, Chun-An,Chang, Chien-Hsuan,Cheng, Hung-Liang,Chung, Tsung-Yuan,Tseng, Ching-Hsien,Tseng, Kuo-Ching The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.4

This study proposes a single-stage light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp driver with input-current shaping for T8/T10-type fluorescent lamp replacements. The proposed AC-DC LED driver integrates a dual-boost converter with coupled inductors and a half-bridge series-resonant converter with a bridge rectifier into a single-stage power conversion topology. This paper presents the operational principles and design considerations for one T8-type 18 W-rated LED tube lamp with line input voltages ranging from 100 V rms to 120 V rms. Experimental results for the prototype driver show that the highest power factor (PF = 0.988), lowest input current total harmonic distortion (THD = 7.22%), and highest circuit efficiency (η = 92.42%) are obtained at an input voltage of 120 V. Hence, the proposed driver is feasible for use in energy-efficient indoor lighting applications.