2022 Taiwan clinical multicenter expert consensus and recommendations for thyroid radiofrequency ablation

Wei-Che Lin,Wen-Chieh Chen,Pei-Wen Wang,Yi-Chia Chan,Yen-Hsiang Chang,Harn-Shen Chen,Szu-Tah Chen,Wei-Chih Chen,Kai-Lun Cheng,Shun-Yu Chi,Pi-Ling Chiang,Chen-Kai Chou,Feng-Fu Chou,Shun-Chen Huang,Feng 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.3

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive management strategy that has been widely applied for benign and recurrent malignant thyroid lesions as an alternative to surgery in Taiwan. Members of academic societies for specialists in interventional radiology, endocrinology, and endocrine surgery collaborated to develop the first consensus regarding thyroid RFA in Taiwan. The modified Delphi method was used to reach a consensus. Based on a comprehensive review of recent and valuable literature and expert opinions, the recommendations included indications, pre-procedural evaluations, procedural techniques, post-procedural monitoring, efficacy, and safety, providing a comprehensive review of the application of RFA. The consensus effectively consolidates advice regarding thyroid RFA in clinical practice for local experts.

A Micro-energy w-EDM Power Source Based on High-frequency Spark Erosion for Making Diamond Heat-Sink Arrays

Shun-Tong Chen,Li-Wen Huang 한국정밀공학회 2022 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.9 No.5

Diamond is a typical super-hard material with very high thermal conductivity. This makes is highly suited to heat dissipation from electronic microchips. The stability of its chemical lattice structure, however, means it has no free-electrons and a high melting point, making machining of diamond difficult. In this study, a micro-energy w-EDM (wire-Electric Discharge Machining) power source with dual-capacitance is designed for using high-frequency spark erosion to precisely cut borondoped nano-polycrystalline diamond (B-NPD) material. The power source design consists of a dual-capacitance circuit, a programmable logic circuit (PLC), and a metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). By utilizing a high-frequency switching dual-capacitance circuit, each capacitor has enough charge/discharge time to create a micro-energy pulse train of uniform iso-pulse on-time (τ on ) and iso-pulse peak current (I p ). Material removal occurs rapidly so that microquantities of diamond are readily removed to reduce the probability of thermal damage and graphitization. The technique allowed successful machining of a highly consistent plate-finned diamond heat-sink array and trapezoid-pillar diamond heat-sink array. Furthermore, manufacturing using the designed low-energy power-source is highly efficient. To estimate machining efficiency in terms of the content of charge per unit volume per unit of time in diamond cutting, “Charge Density (CD)” is proposed and examined as an evaluation criterion. The following are all discussed in detail: work frequency, work capacitance, wire-electrode number and short-circuiting percentage, heat-erosion on fi ns of different thicknesses, and fi n efficiency.

Development of a Cost-effective High-precision Bench Machine Tool for Multi-level Micro Aspheric Lightinglens Mold Machining

Shun-Tong Chen,Kuo-En Chang,Wei-Ping Huang,Hong-Ye Yang,Xiu-Mao Lee 한국정밀공학회 2012 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol. No.

This study presents the development of a cost-effective high-precision bench machine tool prototype for machining multi-level micro aspheric lighting-lens molds. To achieve high-precision over a long lifetime of micromachining, the bench machine tool is designed using a small C-shaped framework to strengthen static rigidity and vibration resistance. The primary structures of the machine tool are constructed with tempered nodular graphite cast iron to obtain a high damping coefficient and high inherent resonant frequency. A multi-level aspheric curve generator is designed according to the multi-level aspheric curve equation to easily create an aspheric curve and then rotated into an aspheric surface form with a symmetrical optical axis. The verifications of the designed bench machine tool’s functions were conducted by machining the micro aspheric lighting-lens molds using highspeed micro milling. Experimental results demonstrate that form accuracy and surface roughness for the micro aspheric lightinglens mold of Rt 2.937 μm and Ra equal to 0.032 μm respectively could be simultaneously achieved. The developed cost-effective bench machine tool can supply high-quality and fast machining in the fabrication of micro optoelectronic molds such as those used for micro aspheric lighting-lenses.

A snapback‑free reverse‑conducting IGBT with multiple extraction channels

Weizhong Chen,Xuwei Lin,Shun Li,Yao Huang,Yi Huang,Zhengsheng Han 전력전자학회 2022 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.22 No.2

A novel Reverse-Conducting Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (RC-IGBT) with Multiple Extraction Channels (MEC) is proposed and investigated. The MEC is characterized by two transistors NPN1 (Nbuffer/Pbarrier/Ncollector), NPN2 (Nbuffer/Pfloat/Npoly) and short Rgap in the collector. The P-Collector, N-Collector, polysilicon and Rgap are shorted together, thus the NPN1, NPN2 and Rgap are parallel with the PNP transistor (Pbody/Nbuffer/Pcollector). At the forward conduction, the unipolar mode is effectively suppressed by the electron barriers P-barrier (the base of the NPN1) and P-float (the base of the NPN2), thus the snapback effect can be completely eliminated. At the turn-off, the electrons are quickly extracted by three channels of the NPN1, NPN2 and Rgap, thus the Eoff can be remarkably decreased. Results show at the same Von of 2.8 V, the Eoff of the MEC RC-IGBT is reduced by 20%, 37%, 45% and 59% compared to AB, FPL, DFS and TOC RC-IGBT, respectively. Therefore the excellent trade-off characteristics with snapback free are achieved.

Prequalification of VDSL2 copper customers for G.fast services with artificial intelligence technology

Pang-Chen Liu,Shun-Kai Yang,Lung-Chin Huang,Huai-Eu Tseng,Fei-Hua Kuo,Tai-Chueh Shih 한국통신학회 2020 한국통신학회 APNOMS Vol.2020 No.09

In recent years, due to customers have higher requirements for 4K/8K video and high-speed internet, telecom operators have begun to deploy FTTH network , but found that it is generally difficult to deploy fiber to the home, so G.fast technology has been favored by most telecom operators around the world and have begun to actively deploy. For the most widely deploy VDSL2 line with maximum rate that can only provide 100M internet service, a intelligent and accurate G.fast 300M high speed service prequalification technology, is a major research topic for telecom operators to promote 300M high-speed internet service. This paper proposes to use AI machine learning to estimate the G.fast line rate by using VDSL2 line attenuation to meet the real-site provision needs of telecommunications operators.

Association Between Metabolic Risk Factors and Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia Based on Sex

Hongna Huang,Lizhao Du,Zhengping Pu,Yuan Shi,Zifan Xiao,Xi Chen,Shun Yao,Lijun Wang,Zezhi Li,Ting Xue,Donghong Cui 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.10

Objective Sex differences have been observed in many aspects of schizophrenia, including cognitive deficits. Despite extensive research into the relationship between metabolic factors and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, few studies have explored the potential sex difference in their association. Methods We recruited 358 schizophrenia patients and 231 healthy controls. The participants underwent measurements of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Metabolic risk factors included abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. A collection of these metabolic risk factors has been defined as metabolic syndrome. These diagnoses were based on the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III. Cognitive performance was measured using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). A descriptive analysis, difference analysis, and linear regression model were used to identify the metabolic risk factors for cognitive function in schizophrenia. Results Our findings revealed sex differences in the rate of abdominal obesity and hypertension in schizophrenic patients. Additionally, we observed sex differences in the association between metabolic risk factors and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Specifically, hyperglycemia was associated with the immediate memory index score of RBANS in male patients, while dyslipidemia was associated with language, attention, delayed memory index scores, and RBANS total score in female patients. Conclusion Our results suggest that sex should be considered when evaluating the impact of metabolic disorders on the cognitive function of schizophrenic patients. Moreover, our study identifies hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia as potential targets for precise treatment by sex stratification, which could benefit the improvement of cognitive impairment in schizophrenic patients.

Comparative Analysis of Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine and Artificial Neural Network for the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Solid Breast Tumors by the Use of Three-Dimensional Power Doppler Imaging

Shou-Tung Chen,Yi-Hsuan Hsiao,Yu-Len Huang,Shou-Jen Kuo,Hsin-Shun Tseng,Hwa-Koon Wu,Dar-Ren Chen 대한영상의학회 2009 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.10 No.5

Objective: Logistic regression analysis (LRA), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a neural network (NN) are commonly used statistical models in computeraided diagnostic (CAD) systems for breast ultrasonography (US). The aim of this study was to clarify the diagnostic ability of the use of these statistical models for future applications of CAD systems, such as three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler imaging, vascularity evaluation and the differentiation of a solid mass. Materials and Methods: A database that contained 3D power Doppler imaging pairs of non-harmonic and tissue harmonic images for 97 benign and 86 malignant solid tumors was utilized. The virtual organ computer-aided analysis-imaging program was used to analyze the stored volumes of the 183 solid breast tumors. LRA, an SVM and NN were employed in comparative analyses for the characterization of benign and malignant solid breast masses from the database. Results: The values of area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, referred to as Az values for the use of non-harmonic 3D power Doppler US with LRA, SVM and NN were 0.9341, 0.9185 and 0.9086, respectively. The Az values for the use of harmonic 3D power Doppler US with LRA, SVM and NN were 0.9286, 0.8979 and 0.9009, respectively. The Az values of six ROC curves for the use of LRA, SVM and NN for non-harmonic or harmonic 3D power Doppler imaging were similar. Conclusion: The diagnostic performances of these three models (LRA, SVM and NN) are not different as demonstrated by ROC curve analysis. Depending on user emphasis for the use of ROC curve findings, the use of LRA appears to provide better sensitivity as compared to the other statistical models. Objective: Logistic regression analysis (LRA), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a neural network (NN) are commonly used statistical models in computeraided diagnostic (CAD) systems for breast ultrasonography (US). The aim of this study was to clarify the diagnostic ability of the use of these statistical models for future applications of CAD systems, such as three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler imaging, vascularity evaluation and the differentiation of a solid mass. Materials and Methods: A database that contained 3D power Doppler imaging pairs of non-harmonic and tissue harmonic images for 97 benign and 86 malignant solid tumors was utilized. The virtual organ computer-aided analysis-imaging program was used to analyze the stored volumes of the 183 solid breast tumors. LRA, an SVM and NN were employed in comparative analyses for the characterization of benign and malignant solid breast masses from the database. Results: The values of area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, referred to as Az values for the use of non-harmonic 3D power Doppler US with LRA, SVM and NN were 0.9341, 0.9185 and 0.9086, respectively. The Az values for the use of harmonic 3D power Doppler US with LRA, SVM and NN were 0.9286, 0.8979 and 0.9009, respectively. The Az values of six ROC curves for the use of LRA, SVM and NN for non-harmonic or harmonic 3D power Doppler imaging were similar. Conclusion: The diagnostic performances of these three models (LRA, SVM and NN) are not different as demonstrated by ROC curve analysis. Depending on user emphasis for the use of ROC curve findings, the use of LRA appears to provide better sensitivity as compared to the other statistical models.

Evaluation of Antiobesity Activity of Soybean Meal Products Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum FPS 2520 and Bacillus subtilis N1 in Rats Fed with High-Fat Diet

Chung-Hsiung Huang,Chun-Lung Chen,Shun-Hsien Chang,Guo-Jane Tsai 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.6

Single strain or mixed strains of Lactobacillus plantarum FPS 2520 and Bacillus subtilis N1 were used to ferment soybean meal (SBM), and the antiobesity activity of the fermented SBM product was investigated in rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). After fermentation, free amino nitrogen, total peptide, and isoflavone contents were markedly raised, and genistein and daidzein were the major isoflavones in the fermented SBM. After fed with HFD for 10 weeks, obese Sprague-Dawley rats were orally treated with various fermented products for 6 weeks. The body weight gains, as well as weights of abdominal fat and epididymis fat, of rats fed with fermented SBM products were significantly downregulated. The treatment with the mixed-strains fermented SBM product significantly decreased plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, but increased the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Moreover, the levels of TG, TC, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in liver were diminished, and the activities of hormone-sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue were augmented. Taken together, these data demonstrated the antiobesity activity of fermented SBM products, among which the product fermented by the mixed strains being the most effective one. Therefore, these fermented SBM products are potential to be developed as functional foods or additives for treatment of obesity and prevention against obesity-induced complications.

The Presence of Borrelia valaisiana-Related Genospecies in Ticks and a Rodent in Taiwan

Chun-Man Huang,Hsi-Chieh Wang,Ying-Chun Lin,Shih-Hui Chiu,Ying-Shun Kao,Pei-Lung Lee,Hsiu-I Wang,Ruei-Chen Hung,Huang-I Chan,Ho-Sheng Wu,Chuen-Sheue Chiang,Jung-Jung Mu 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.6

A field survey was conducted to investigate the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in six counties of Taiwan. Spirochetes were successfully isolated from one rodent ear sample out of 485 rodent ears and 53live, fed tick (Ixodes granulatus) samples. The spirochetes were confirmed to be B. burgdorferi s.l. by real-time PCR. In addition, 23 of 113 tick samples were tested positive for Borrelia DNA according to real-time PCR. The Borrelia isolate from the rodent and the 23 Borrelia DNA samples from the ticks were identified as B. valaisiana-related genospecies by phylogenetic analysis based on flagellin gene sequences. These findings suggest that the Borrelia valaisiana-related strains are maintained in a zoonotic cycle between tick vectors and reservoir hosts in Taiwan.

Electrical Measurements of an AlGaN/GaN High-electron-mobility Transistor Structure Grown on Si

Zhi-Yao Zhang,Shun-Tsung Lo,Li-Hung Lin,Kuang Yao Chen,J. Z. Huang,Zhi-Hao Sun,C.-T. Liang,N. C. Chen,Chin-An Chang,P. H. Chang 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.61 No.9

We report on magnetotransport results for an Al_0.15Ga_0.85N/GaN high-electron-mobility-transistor structure grown on a p-type Si (111) substrate. Our results show that there exists an approximately temperature (<i>T</i>)-independent point, which could be ascribed to a direct transition from a weak insulator to a high Landau level filling factor quantum Hall state, exists in the longitudinal resistivity ρ_xx. The Hall resistivity decreases with increasing <i>T</i>, compelling experimental evidence for electron-electron interaction effects in a weakly-disordered two-dimensional (2D) system. We find that electron-electron interaction effects can be estimated and eliminated, giving rise to a corrected nominally temperature-independent Hall slope. By fitting the low-field magnetotransport data to conventional 2D weak localization theory, we find that the dephasing rate 1/τ_φ is proportional to <i>T</i>. Moreover, 1/τ_φ is finite as <i>T</i> → 0, evidence for zero-temperature dephasing in our system.