Inverse active wind load inputs estimation of the multilayer shearing stress structure

Tsung-Chien Chen,Ming-Hui Lee 한국풍공학회 2008 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.11 No.1

This research investigates the adaptive input estimation method applied to the multilayer shearing stress structure. This method is to estimate the values of wind load inputs by analyzing the active reaction of the system. The Kalman filter without the input term and the adaptive weighted recursive least square estimator are two main portions of this method. The innovation vector can be produced by the Kalman filter, and be applied to the adaptive weighted recursive least square estimator to estimate the wind load input over time. This combined method can effectively estimate the wind loads to the structure system to enhance the reliability of the system active performance analysis. The forms of the simulated inputs (loads) in this paper include the periodic sinusoidal wave, the decaying exponent, the random combination of the sinusoidal wave and the decaying exponent, etc. The active reaction computed plus the simulation error is regard as the simulated measurement and is applied to the input estimation algorithm to implement the numerical simulation of the inverse input estimation process. The availability and the precision of the input estimation method proposed in this research can be verified by comparing the actual value and the one obtained by numerical simulation.

Inverse active wind load inputs estimation of the multilayer shearing stress structure

Chen, Tsung-Chien,Lee, Ming-Hui Techno-Press 2008 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.11 No.1

This research investigates the adaptive input estimation method applied to the multilayer shearing stress structure. This method is to estimate the values of wind load inputs by analyzing the active reaction of the system. The Kalman filter without the input term and the adaptive weighted recursive least square estimator are two main portions of this method. The innovation vector can be produced by the Kalman filter, and be applied to the adaptive weighted recursive least square estimator to estimate the wind load input over time. This combined method can effectively estimate the wind loads to the structure system to enhance the reliability of the system active performance analysis. The forms of the simulated inputs (loads) in this paper include the periodic sinusoidal wave, the decaying exponent, the random combination of the sinusoidal wave and the decaying exponent, etc. The active reaction computed plus the simulation error is regard as the simulated measurement and is applied to the input estimation algorithm to implement the numerical simulation of the inverse input estimation process. The availability and the precision of the input estimation method proposed in this research can be verified by comparing the actual value and the one obtained by numerical simulation.

Telbivudine-Induced Myopathy: Clinical Features, Histopathological Characteristics, and Risk Factors

Min-Yu Lan,Hui-Chen Lin,Tsung-Hui Hu,Shu-Fang Chen,Chien-Hung Chen,Yung-Yee Chang,King-Wah Chiu,Tsu-Kung Lin,Shun-Sheng Chen 대한신경과학회 2023 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.19 No.1

Background and Purpose Oral nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are the mainstay treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Myotoxicity is an important extrahepatic effect related to NA treatment. Telbivudine is the NA for CHB that is frequently associated with muscle-related side effects. The risk factors for telbivudine-induced myopathy (TIM) are not yet clear. Methods This study characterized the clinical, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and pathological features of 12 TIM cases. A group of telbivudine-tolerant (TT) patients with CHB who received regular telbivudine treatment during the same period without the occurrence of myopathy was collected. Demographic and clinical factors were compared between the patients with TIM and the TT controls. Factors independently associated with TIM were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results The patients with TIM (males/females: 7/5, mean age: 57 years) developed myopathy after using telbivudine for a median period of 19.5 months. Muscle histopathology revealed abnormal proliferation, subsarcolemmal or sarcoplasmic accumulations, and ultrastructural defects of mitochondria. When compared with TT cases, patients with TIM had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and were more frequently positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Conclusions Mitochondrial abnormalities are characteristic histopathological features, and impaired renal function and HBeAg positivity are risk factors for TIM. Telbivudine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and immune activation related to mitochondrial damage and HBeAg serostatus changes may underlie TIM. Constant clinical surveillance of myopathy during telbivudine treatment is needed due to the significant latency of its development. Dose adjustment for impaired renal function does not eliminate the risk of TIM occurrence.

An Aligned Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Scaffold Fixed with Fibronectin to Enhance the Attachment and Growth of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Chien-Ning Hsu,Ya-Ting Lin,Yu-Hsu Chen,Tsung-Yu Tseng,Hsing-Fen Tsai,Shinn-Gwo Hong,Chao-Ling Yao 한국생물공학회 2023 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.28 No.3

Repair and regeneration of vascular tissue is a crucial current research focus in the fields of biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine. Numerous studies revealed that cells are required to grow on an appropriate extracellular matrix to maintain or enhance functionality. In the present study, various surface modification methods were evaluated to fix fibronectin on the surface of a bio-based and aligned poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) film for vascular tissue engineering. After chemical modification, the properties of the fibronectin-fixed PHBV films were examined and compared with the original films, including -NH2 group expression, contact angle, mechanical properties, and fibronectin binding amount. Then, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility were measured by culture with L929 cells and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) of the fibronectinfixed PHBV films. In addition, cell morphology, cell growth kinetics, acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake ability, lectin binding ability and specific gene expressions of cultured EPCs on fibronectin-fixed PHBV films were also analyzed. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the surface of the aligned PHBV films could be successfully modified to immobilize fibronectin. Importantly, EPCs cultured on the fibronectin-fixed PHBV films showed excellent cell biocompatibility, a rapid proliferation rate, an aligned growth direction and correct cell functions. We believed that fibronectin-fixed PHBV films can serve as a potential scaffold for vascular tissue engineering.

A Methodology to Build a Groutability Formula via a Heuristic Algorithm

Chien-Lin Huang,Jen-Chen Fan,Kuo-Wei Liao,Tsung-Hsun Lien 대한토목학회 2013 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.17 No.1

The goal of this study is to provide a methodology to develop a groutability (N) formula of sandy silt soils using microfine cement grouts in a permeation grouting. Because the Fines Content (FC) of the sandy silt soils studied is relatively high, and the size of the grouts used is significantly smaller than the Portland cement, the existing empirical formulas cannot deliver a promising prediction of N. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) is an alternative tool used to predict N. However, SVMs do not provide an explicit formula,which creates an obstacle for practical engineers. Thus, a heuristic algorithm (the Tabu search, TS) was used to build the prediction formula. A total of 240 in-situ data samples were analyzed to ensure the accuracy of the proposed formula. The format of the existing empirical formula was adopted in the proposed TS-based formula. Four parameters were considered in our TS models: the effective soil particle size (D10), the soil particle size (D15), the water-to-cement ratio (w/c) and the FC. The prediction accuracy of the TSbased formula was approximately 94.17%, indicating that the proposed formula is a suitable tool. Because the proposed formula has a similar format to that of formulas that are typically used, the proposed approach can be implemented readily in practical engineering settings. Note that the proposed formula was only verified by the collected data samples, the suitability of applying the built formula to other conditions needs more investigation.

Melatonin acts synergistically with pazopanib against renal cell carcinoma cells through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated mitochondrial and autophagic apoptosis

( Chien-pin Lai ),( Yong-syuan Chen ),( Tsung-ho Ying ),( Cheng-yen Kao ),( Hui-ling Chiou ),( Shao-hsuan Kao ),( Yi-hsien Hsieh ) 대한신장학회 2023 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.42 No.4

Background: Mounting evidence indicates that melatonin has possible activity against different tumors. Pazopanib is an anticancer drug used to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study tested the anticancer activity of melatonin combined with pazopanib on RCC cells and explored the underlying mechanistic pathways of its action. Methods: The 786-O and A-498 human RCC cell lines were used as cell models. Cell viability and tumorigenesis were detected with the MTT and colony formation assays, respectively. Apoptosis and autophagy were assessed using TUNEL, annexin V/propidium iodide, and acridine orange staining with flow cytometry. The expression of cellular signaling proteins was investigated with western blotting. The in vivo growth of tumors derived from RCC cells was evaluated using a xenograft mouse model. Results: Together, melatonin and pazopanib reduced cell viability and colony formation and promoted the apoptosis of RCC cells. Furthermore, the combination of melatonin and pazopanib triggered more mitochondrial, caspase-mediated, and LC3-II-mediated autophagic apoptosis than melatonin or pazopanib alone. The combination also induced higher activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in the promotion of autophagy and apoptosis by RCC cells than melatonin or pazopanib alone. Finally, tumor xenograft experiments confirmed that melatonin and pazopanib cooperatively inhibited RCC growth in vivo and predicted a possible interaction between melatonin/pazopanib and LC3-II. Conclusion: The combination of melatonin and pazopanib inhibits the growth of RCC cells by inducing p38MAPK-mediated mitochondrial and autophagic apoptosis. Therefore, melatonin might be a potential adjuvant that could act synergistically with pazopanib for RCC treatment.

Intelligent fuzzy weighted input estimation method for the input force on the plate structure

Ming-Hui Lee,Tsung-Chien Chen 국제구조공학회 2010 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.34 No.1

The innovative intelligent fuzzy weighted input estimation method which efficiently and robustly estimates the unknown time-varying input force in on-line is presented in this paper. The algorithm includes the Kalman Filter (KF) and the recursive least square estimator (RLSE), which is weighted by the fuzzy weighting factor proposed based on the fuzzy logic inference system. To directly synthesize the Kalman filter with the estimator, this work presents an efficient robust forgetting zone, which is capable of providing a reasonable compromise between the tracking capability and the flexibility against noises. The capability of this inverse method are demonstrated in the input force estimation cases of the plate structure system. The proposed algorithm is further compared by alternating bwtween the constant and adaptive weighting factors. The results show that this method has the properties of faster convergence in the initial response, better target tracking capability, and more effective noise and measurement bias reduction.

Intelligent fuzzy weighted input estimation method for the input force on the plate structure

Lee, Ming-Hui,Chen, Tsung-Chien Techno-Press 2010 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.34 No.1

The innovative intelligent fuzzy weighted input estimation method which efficiently and robustly estimates the unknown time-varying input force in on-line is presented in this paper. The algorithm includes the Kalman Filter (KF) and the recursive least square estimator (RLSE), which is weighted by the fuzzy weighting factor proposed based on the fuzzy logic inference system. To directly synthesize the Kalman filter with the estimator, this work presents an efficient robust forgetting zone, which is capable of providing a reasonable compromise between the tracking capability and the flexibility against noises. The capability of this inverse method are demonstrated in the input force estimation cases of the plate structure system. The proposed algorithm is further compared by alternating between the constant and adaptive weighting factors. The results show that this method has the properties of faster convergence in the initial response, better target tracking capability, and more effective noise and measurement bias reduction.

Differential Influences in Sizes and Cell Cycle Stages of Donor Blastomeres on the Development of Cloned Rabbit Embryos

Ju, Jyh-Cherng,Yang, Jyh-Shyu,Liu, Chien-Tsung,Chen, Chien-Hong,Tseng, Jung-Kai,Chou, Po-Chien,Cheng, San-Pao Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.1

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of blastomere diameters and cell cycle stages on the subsequent development of nuclear transplant rabbit embryos (NT-embryos) using nuclei derived from the 16- or 32-cell stage embryos. All blastomeres and NT-embryos were cultured individually in modified Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with 10% rabbit serum (RS) at $38^{\circ}C$ and 5% $CO_2$ in air. The diameter of blastomeres from 16-cell stage embryos was found twice of those from 32-cell stage (51 vs 27 ${\mu}m$). Significant differences were observed in cleavage rates ($\geq$3 divisions) in the isolated single blastomeres (54 vs 48 for 16-cell; 28 vs 14 for 32-cell, p<0.05), but the fusion rates of oocytes with transferred nuclei were similar between small and large single blastomeres derived from either 16-cell or 32-cell stage embryos. When 16-cell stage blastomeres were used as nuclear donors, cleavage rates ($\geq$3 divisions) of the NT-embryos were greater in the small nuclear donors than in the large donors (73 vs 55%, p<0.05). On the contrary, significantly higher cleavage (43 vs 6%, p<0.05) and developmental rates (14 vs 0%, p<0.05) were observed in the large blastomere nuclear donor group of the 32-cell stage embryos. When the cell cycle stages were controlled by a microtubule polymerization inhibitor (Demicolcine, DEM) or the combined treatment of DEM and Aphidicolin (APH), a DNA polymerase inhibitor, fusion rates were 88-96% for the 16-cell donor group (without DEM treatment), which were greater than the 32-cell donor group (54-58%). Cleavage rates were also greater in the transplants derived from G1 nuclear donor group (93-95%) than those from the DEM and APH combined treatment (73%) for the 16-cell donor group (p<0.05). No significant difference was detected in the morula/blastocyst rates in either donor cell stage (p>0.05). In conclusion, it appeared that no difference in the developmental competence between large and small isolated blastomeres was observed. When smaller 16-cell stage blastomeres were used as nuclear donor, the cleavage rate or development of NT-embryos was improved and was compromised when 32-cell stage blastomeres were used. Therefore, control nuclear stage of the donor cell at $G_1$ phase in preactivated nuclear recipients seemed to be beneficial for the cleavage rate of the reconstructed embryo in the 16-cell transplant, but not for subsequent morula or blastocyst development.

Enhanced x-ray irradiation-induced cancer cell damage by gold nanoparticles treated by a new synthesis method of polyethylene glycol modification

Liu, Chi-Jen,Wang, Chang-Hai,Chien, Chia-Chi,Yang, Tsung-Yeh,Chen, Shin-Tai,Leng, Wei-Hua,Lee, Cheng-Feng,Lee, Kuen-Ho,Hwu, Y,Lee, Yao-Chang,Cheng, Chia-Liang,Yang, Chung-Shi,Chen, Y J,Je, J H,Margari IOP Pub 2008 Nanotechnology Vol.19 No.29

<P>We explored a very interesting gold nanoparticle system—pegylated gold in colloidal solution—and analyzed its uptake by mice colorectal adenocarcinoma CT26 tumor cells and the impact on the cell’s response to x-ray irradiation. We found that exposure to polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified (‘pegylated’) 4.7 ± 2.6 nm gold nanoparticles synthesized by a novel synchrotron-based method enhances the response of CT26 cells to x-ray irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy revealed that substantial amounts of such nanoparticles are taken up and absorbed by the cells and this conclusion is supported by quantitative induced coupled plasma (ICP) results. Standard tests indicated that the internalized particles are highly biocompatible but strongly enhance the cell damage induced by x-ray irradiation. Synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) spectromicroscopy analyzed the chemical aspects of this phenomenon: the appearance of C = O stretching bond spectral features could be used as a marker for cell damage and confirmed the enhancement of the radiation-induced toxicity for cells.</P>