Development of novel microsatellite markers to analyze the genetic structure of dog populations in Taiwan

Lai Fang-Yu,Lin Yu-Chen,Ding Shih-Torng,Chang Chi-Sheng,Chao Wi-Lin,Wang Pei-Hwa 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.9

Objective: Alongside the rise of animal-protection awareness in Taiwan, the public has been paying more attention to dog genetic deficiencies due to inbreeding in the pet market. The goal of this study was to isolate novel microsatellite markers for monitoring the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 113 DNA samples from three dog breeds—beagles (BEs), bichons (BIs), and schnauzers (SCs)—were used in subsequent polymorphic tests applying the 14 novel microsatellite markers that were isolated in this study. Results: The results showed that the high level of genetic diversity observed in these novel microsatellite markers provided strong discriminatory power. The estimated probability of identity (P(ID)) and the probability of identity among sibs (P(ID)sib) for the 14 novel microsatellite markers were 1.7×10–12 and 1.6×10–5, respectively. Furthermore, the power of exclusion for the 14 novel microsatellite markers was 99.98%. The neighbor-joining trees constructed among the three breeds indicated that the 14 sets of novel microsatellite markers were sufficient to correctly cluster the BEs, BIs, and SCs. The principal coordinate analysis plot showed that the dogs could be accurately separated by these 14 loci based on different breeds; moreover, the Beagles from different sources were also distinguished. The first, the second, and the third principal coordinates could be used to explain 44.15%, 26.35%, and 19.97% of the genetic variation. Conclusion: The results of this study could enable powerful monitoring of the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan. Objective: Alongside the rise of animal-protection awareness in Taiwan, the public has been paying more attention to dog genetic deficiencies due to inbreeding in the pet market. The goal of this study was to isolate novel microsatellite markers for monitoring the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan.Methods: A total of 113 DNA samples from three dog breeds—beagles (BEs), bichons (BIs), and schnauzers (SCs)—were used in subsequent polymorphic tests applying the 14 novel microsatellite markers that were isolated in this study.Results: The results showed that the high level of genetic diversity observed in these novel microsatellite markers provided strong discriminatory power. The estimated probability of identity (P(ID)) and the probability of identity among sibs (P(ID)sib) for the 14 novel microsatellite markers were 1.7×10–12 and 1.6×10–5, respectively. Furthermore, the power of exclusion for the 14 novel microsatellite markers was 99.98%. The neighbor-joining trees constructed among the three breeds indicated that the 14 sets of novel microsatellite markers were sufficient to correctly cluster the BEs, BIs, and SCs. The principal coordinate analysis plot showed that the dogs could be accurately separated by these 14 loci based on different breeds; moreover, the Beagles from different sources were also distinguished. The first, the second, and the third principal coordinates could be used to explain 44.15%, 26.35%, and 19.97% of the genetic variation.Conclusion: The results of this study could enable powerful monitoring of the genetic structure of domestic dog populations in Taiwan.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Interbody Debridement and Fusion for Pyogenic Lumbar Spondylodiskitis: Surgical Technique and the Comparison With Percutaneous Endoscopic Drainage and Debridement

Po-Ju Lai,Sheng-Fen Wang,Tsung-Ting Tsai,Yun-Da Li,Ping-Yeh Chiu,Ming-Kai Hsieh,Fu-Cheng Kao 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.4

Objective: Surgical treatment of severe infectious spondylodiskitis remains challenging. Although minimally invasive percutaneous endoscopic drainage and debridement (PEDD) may yield good results in complicated cases, outcomes of patients with extensive structural damage and mechanical instability may be unsatisfactory. To address severe infectious spondylodiskitis, we have developed a surgical technique called percutaneous endoscopic interbody debridement and fusion (PEIDF), which comprises endoscopic debridement, bone-graft interbody fusion, and percutaneous posterior instrumentation. Methods: Outcomes of PEIDF in 12 patients and PEDD in 15 patients with infectious spondylodiskitis from April 2014 to July 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Outcome were compared between 2 kinds of surgical procedures. Results: Patients in PEIDF group had significantly lower rate of revision surgery (8.3% vs. 58.3%), better kyphosis angle (-5.73°±8.74 vs. 1.07°±2.70 in postoperative; 7.09°±7.23 vs. 0.79°±4.08 in kyphosis correction at 1 year), and higher fusion rate (83.3% vs. 46.7%) than those who received PEDD. Conclusion: PEIDF is an effective approach for treating infectious spondylodiskitis, especially in patients with spinal instability and multiple medical comorbidities.

Characteristics of Twin-Fluid Micro-Atomizer with Internal Mixing Mechanisms

( Muh Rong Wang ),( K. H. Yang ),( J. S. Chiu ),( Deng Sang Lai ),( T. S. Leu ),( Sheng Chih Shen ) 한국액체미립화학회 2005 한국액체미립화학회 학술강연회 논문집 Vol.2005 No.-

The twin-fluid atomizer has three micro channels fabricated via MEMS bulk micro-machining processes, one for the liquid supply and two for introducing the atomization gas. The effects of the length scale of the micro-channels on the atomization performance are investigated. The orifice hydraulic diameter (dH) of the micro atomizer is 45μm. Malvern Insitec RT-Sizer is used to measure the particle size. Results show that the twin-fluid micro-atomizer with internal mixing mechanisms can produce fine spray with Sauter Mean Diameter of 5μm under the gas pressure of 5kg/cm2 and liquid flow rate of 0.1ml/min, a performance better than the micro atomizers reported in the literature. Flow visualization through a microscope shows that the micro-spray is unstable when the two impinging gas flows are staggered inside the atomizer. The micro-spray began to twist by these two impinging gas flows when the gas pressure goes up to 2 kg/cm2. The twisting angle and the cone angle of the spray remain constant when the gas pressure is more than 3 kg/cm2. Significant decrease in the particle size takes place when the gas pressure is more than 4kg/cm2. The atomization efficiency of the twin-fluid micro-atomizer with internal mixing mechanism is several times higher than other type of twin-fluid atomizers.

Mode identifiability of a cable-stayed bridge under different excitation conditions assessed with an improved algorithm based on stochastic subspace identification

Wen-Hwa Wu,Sheng-Wei Wang,Chien-Chou Chen,Gwolong Lai 국제구조공학회 2016 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.17 No.3

Deficient modes that cannot be always identified from different sets of measurement data may exist in the application of operational modal analysis such as the stochastic subspace identification techniques in large-scale civil structures. Based on a recent work using the long-term ambient vibration measurements from an instrumented cable-stayed bridge under different wind excitation conditions, a benchmark problem is launched by taking the same bridge as a test bed to further intensify the exploration of mode identifiability. For systematically assessing this benchmark problem, a recently developed SSI algorithm based on an alternative stabilization diagram and a hierarchical sifting process is extended and applied in this research to investigate several sets of known and blind monitoring data. The evaluation of delicately selected cases clearly distinguishes the effect of traffic excitation on the identifiability of the targeted deficient mode from the effect of wind excitation. An additional upper limit for the vertical acceleration amplitude at deck, mainly induced by the passing traffic, is subsequently suggested to supplement the previously determined lower limit for the wind speed. Careful inspection on the shape vector of the deficient mode under different excitation conditions leads to the postulation that this mode is actually induced by the motion of the central tower. The analysis incorporating the tower measurements solidly verifies this postulation by yielding the prevailing components at the tower locations in the extended mode shape vector. Moreover, it is also confirmed that this mode can be stably identified under all the circumstances with the addition of tower measurements. An important lesson learned from this discovery is that the problem of mode identifiability usually comes from the lack of proper measurements at the right locations.

Stable modal identification for civil structures based on a stochastic subspace algorithm with appropriate selection of time lag parameter

Wu, Wen-Hwa,Wang, Sheng-Wei,Chen, Chien-Chou,Lai, Gwolong Techno-Press 2017 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.4 No.4

Based on the alternative stabilization diagram by varying the time lag parameter in the stochastic subspace identification analysis, this study aims to investigate the measurements from several cases of civil structures for extending the applicability of a recently noticed criterion to ensure stable identification results. Such a criterion demands the time lag parameter to be no less than a critical threshold determined by the ratio of the sampling rate to the fundamental system frequency and is firstly validated for its applications with single measurements from stay cables, bridge decks, and buildings. As for multiple measurements, it is found that the predicted threshold works well for the cases of stay cables and buildings, but makes an evident overestimation for the case of bridge decks. This discrepancy is further explained by the fact that the deck vibrations are induced by multiple excitations independently coming from the passing traffic. The cable vibration signals covering the sensor locations close to both the deck and pylon ends of a cable-stayed bridge provide convincing evidences to testify this important discovery.

Use of Acupressure to Improve Gastrointestinal Motility in Women after Trans-abdominal Hysterectomy

Chen, Li-Li,Hsu, Sheng-Feng,Wang, Min-Hung,Chen, Chao-Ling,Lai, Jim-Shoung 경희대학교 2001 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON EAST-WEST MEDICINE Vol.2001 No.1

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on the gastrointestinal motility (GI) in women after trans-abdominal hysterectomy(TAH). Methods : Forty-one women undergoing trans-abdominal hysterectomy were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Twenty-one patients were assigned to the experimental group while remaining 20 patients were assigned as controls. A single blinded test was used for this study. Patients were not informed as to the tripe of treatment they would receive. The experimental group received twice daily acupressure for 3 minutes at three meridian points, Neiguan(PC-6), Zusanli(ST-36) and Sanyinjiao(SP-6), beginning 4 hours after surgery and continuing for 3 days. Control group received 3 minutes acupressure on non-meridian points on the tibia or radial bone surface approximately 3 to 4 cm from the corresponding three meridian points. Acupressure was performed twice a day, one at 10 Am and another at 2 Pm. GI contractions was measured by stethoscope prior to and after afternoon acupressure during 2- minute observational period. Results : Results show that acupressure of these three meridian points significantly (p<0.05) increased GI motility in the experimental groups, but not in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusions : Results showed that non-invasive acupressure of these meridian points could significantly improve the GI motility and could be incorporated into the technical curriculum and clinical education program of nursing schools. Family members of the patient could be taught to continue this procedure at home to enhance GI motility in patients undergoing trans-abdominal hysterectomy.

Process and product innovarions in vertically differentiated markets with network externalities

Ming-qing Xing,Lai-sheng Wang,Rui-ting Zhang 인하대학교 정석물류통상연구원 2009 인하대학교 정석물류통상연구원 학술대회 Vol.2009 No.10

We analyze product and process innovations in a vertically differentiated duopoly in market with externalities. Through assuming process innovation reduces marginal cost and product innovation improves product quality, we find that;(i) product and process innovations are complements (resp.substitutes) for the firm with low (resp. high) quality when the intensity of network externality is small; (ii) process innovation affects product innovation more intensely when exists network externality than not;(iii) network externality makes process R&D (resp. aggregate process R&D) outcome affected by the parameter of product innovation cost ;(iv) aggregate process R&D outcome in industry increases with network intensity; (v) the firm with higher initial efficiency invests more in process innovation and will obtain more demand and profit than the rival in equilibrium.

Study on stability and design guidelines for the combined system of scaffolds and shores

Jui-Lin Peng,Chung-Sheng Wang,Shu-Hong Wang,Siu-Lai Chan 국제구조공학회 2020 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.35 No.3

Since the scaffold is composed of modular members, the total height of multi-story scaffolds does not often meet with the headroom of construction buildings. At this time, other supporting members need to be set up on the top of scaffolds. However, the mechanical behaviors of the combined system of scaffolds and other supporting members have seldom been discussed. This study explores the stability of the combined system of scaffolds and shores. The loading tests conducted in the laboratory show that the critical load of the combined system of two-story scaffolds and wooden shores is about half that of the three-story scaffold system with the same height. In the failure of both the “scaffold system” and the “combined system of scaffolds and shores’ after loading, the deformation mainly occurs in the in-plane direction of the scaffold. The outdoor loading test shows that no failure occurs on any members when the combined system fails. Instead, the whole system buckles and then collapses. In addition, the top formwork of the combined system can achieve the effect of lateral support reinforcement with small lateral support forces in the outdoor loading test. This study proposes the preliminary design guidelines for the scaffolding structural design.

Correlation Between Fiber Orientation and Geometrical Shrinkage of Injected Parts Under the Influence of Flow-Fiber Coupling Effect

Chao-Tsai Huang,Jun-Zheng Wang,Cheng-Hong Lai,Sheng-Jye Hwang,Po-Wei Huang,Hsin-Shu Peng 한국정밀공학회 2023 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.10 No.4

Fiber reinforced thermoplastics (FRP) have been widely used in automotive industry. However, how does the flow-fiber coupling effect influence the micro fiber orientation and further affect the geometrical shrinkage of the final part that is not fully understood yet. In this study, a complex center-gated plate has been applied to study the influence of the flow-fiber coupling effect on the fiber orientation variation and the geometrical change through numerical simulation. Then the practical verification through the micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and image processing technology was carried out. Results show that in the presence of the flow-fiber coupling the required spruce pressure will be higher compared to no coupling case. In addition, the melt flow front pattern will be changed from “convex-flat” to “convex-concave” under the influence of this coupling. Moreover, in the presence of the flow-fiber coupling effect, the wider core width for fiber orientation tensor in the flow direction (A11) can be obtained from upstream to downstream regions for the same model. However, in the downstream region (i.e. in the FR), the flow-fiber coupling effect is more significantly due to the action of less shear rate in that region. Finally, through the measurement of the left–right asymmetrical shape of the FR for Model I (or Model II), the reason is that the flow-fiber coupling effect will switch the fiber orientation from the flow direction (A11) dominate to the cross-flow direction (A22) dominate. This asymmetrical fiber orientation distribution will further create that asymmetrical shrinkage shape of final part. The correlation between fiber orientation and geometrical shrinkage can be achieved.

Arm Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robot with Assistive System for Patient after Stroke

Guan De Lee,Wei-Wen Wang,Kai-Wen Lee,Sheng-Yen Lin,Li-Chen Fu,Jin-Shin Lai,Wen-Shiang Chen,Jer-Junn Luh 제어로봇시스템학회 2012 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2012 No.10

Exercise dosage is proven to be an important factor in the physical treatment. Robot assistive approach can improve the rehabilitation quality and evaluate patient’s recovery quantitatively. This paper presents kinematic structure, assistive control system, and integrated F/T sensor for an upper limb rehabilitation robot. By using the human arm dynamic, there are three rehabilitation modes presented in this paper: active mode, assistive mode, and passive mode. In assistive mode, we have two strategies to implement it. One is to amplify interactive torque, and the other is to apply assist-as-needed concept. The goal of this mode is to assist patients to finish motion tasks. The rehabilitation robot under investigation has 7 degree of freedom (DOF) actuated by DC motors, which are programmed to drive the robot arm in the 3D space. To validate our control design, some realistic experiments are conducted and its satisfactory performance is demonstrated. This work is approved clinical testing by the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, R.O.C. So far, we are demonstrating the effect of our controller.