Prevention of Natural Flowering in Pineapple (Ananas comosus) by Shading and Urea Application

Meng-Tzu Lin,Alfred Ming Chen1,Tzong-Shyan Lin,Ching-San Kuan,Ching-Lung Lee,Wen-Ju Yang 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.1

The year-round production of pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus) is often interrupted by natural flowering during winter in Taiwan. A stable and promising technique for preventing natural flowering is required. In this study, we have tested the effect of shading and urea application on the flowering of pineapple. Shading 90% of sun light(s) before mid-November delayed the natural flowering of pineapple and the delay was affected by the plant age. For pineapples planted less than 11 month before mid-November, applying 1% urea plus shading treatment (SN) completely inhibited natural flowering. All the flowering-inhibited plants could be forced to flower by applying calcium carbide. Long-term shading might result in a decreased number of fruitlets within a fruit. However, 6 weeks of recovery before forcing flowering was sufficient for plants to produce fruits with quality equal to that of the control plants. In winter, pineapple plants that were prone to flowering tended to accumulate more leaf starch and increase their C/N ratio. The SN treatment increased the leaf nitrogen concentration and thus effectively maintained a low leaf C/N ratio. Furthermore, flowering-inhibited plants exhibited a constantly low level of leaf starch during the winter and their flowering forced by calcium carbide did not accompany with leaf starch accumulation.

Enhanced conversion efficiency of crystalline Si solar cells via luminescent down-shifting using Ba2SiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor

Wen Bin Hung,Juyn Ye Chen,Kien Wen Sung,Teng Ming Chen 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2014 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.15 No.3

The colloidal submicron needle-like Ba2SiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor coated on microtextured silicon surface has been used as a luminescent down-shifting (LDS) material for enhancing the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. Under a simulated onesun illumination, upon phosphor coating the solar cells showed an enhancement of the short-circuit current density (Jsc) increased from 34.00 to 34.48 mA/cm2 , meanwhile the power conversion efficiency (PCE) was enhanced from 15.13% to 15.36%. The related underlying mechanism for these enhancements can be attributed to photon down-shifting and light scattering effect through the investigation of PLE spectrum, reflectance, and external quantum efficiency. Our results indicate that the colloidal submicron needle-like Ba2SiO4 : Eu2+ phosphor not only act as LDS centers in the UV region but also serve as an antireflection coating for enhancing the light absorption in the visible regime.

Rheinheimera aquatica sp. nov., Antimicrobial Activity-Producing Bacterium Isolated from Freshwater Culture Pond

( Wen Ming Chen ),( Yi Lin Chang ),( Chung Young Chiu ),( Yi Sheu Shih ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2010 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.20 No.10

A bacterial strain designated GR5T, previously isolated from a freshwater culture pond in Taiwan while screening for bacteria for antimicrobial compounds, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain GR5T was found to be Gram-negative, aerobic, greenish-yellow colored, rod-shaped, and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 10-40oC (optimum, 35oC), pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum pH 8.0), and with 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum, 0.5-1.0%). The major fatty acids were C16:1ω7c (36.3%), C16:0 (16.6%), C12:0 3-OH (12.5%), and C18:1ω7c (9.1%). The major respiratory quinone was Q-8, and the DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 51.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GR5T belongs to the genus Rheinheimera, where its most closely related neighbors are Rheinheimera texasensis A62-14BT and Rheinheimera tangshanensis JA3-B52T with sequence similarities of 98.1% and 97.5%, respectively, and the sequence similarities to any other recognized species within Gammaproteobacteria are less than 96.5%. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain GR5 T and R. texasensis A62-14BT, the strain most closely related to the isolate, was 26.5±7.6%. Therefore, based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain GR5T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Rheinheimera aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GR5T (=BCRC 80081T= LMG 25379T).

Lattice Ti Structures with Low Rigidity But Compatible Mechanical Strength: Design of Implant Materials for Trabecular Bone

Wen-Ming Chen,Yi Min Xie,Gabriele Imbalzano,Jianhu Shen,Shanqing Xu,이성재,Peter Vee Sin Lee 한국정밀공학회 2016 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.17 No.6

The development of porous metals to alleviate the effects of stress shielding in bone will help improve the function of metallic biomaterials in orthopaedic applications. A critical step in advancing this technology is to design metallic structures with low rigidity that is comparable with bone tissue, but with good mechanical strength. In this study, porous titanium (Ti) structures with periodic cell topologies were designed to achieve tunable mechanical properties. The versatility of the design scheme was demonstrated by examining lattice designs with different stiffness properties achieved by using the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. The fabricated porous Ti exhibited a low modulus of 1.05 GPa but a high compressive strength of 55 MPa. Large deformation analysis using digital image correlation (DIC) technique indicated uniform strain patterns at micro-trusses, suggesting the overall high quality of the structure with absence of local flaws. A functionally-graded stiffness design was further investigated by varying the diameters of micro-trusses within the structure. A stiffness graded material may be favourable for anatomical site that has strong depthdependent variations, such as in trabecular bone microstructures.

Identifying Optimal Inbound Market Mixes of the US Tourism Industry

Ming-Hsiang Chen,Yi-Wen Chen 한국관광학회 2012 International Journal of Tourism Sciences Vol.12 No.1

This paper applies a financial portfolio theory to identify the optimal market mixes of foreign tourist arrivals. The international tourism industry often has large fluctuations in demand due to unexpected events, economic situations, and political relations among nations. Targeting the minimization of these fluctuations, this study can shed some light on diversification in the tourism markets and offer tourism authorities explicit guidelines for long-term development of the US tourism industry. For example, to achieve the goal of foreign tourist arrivals to the US, US tourism authorities should shift available resources to the UK, Mexico and Canada. If they pursue the highest reward ratio, they have to focus on UK, Asian (excluding Japan), and Mexican markets. Further implications in this paper are provided to guide tourism authorities and marketers.

Optimization of the Growth Rate of Probiotics in Fermented Milk Using Genetic Algorithms and Sequential Quadratic Programming Techniques

Chen, Ming-Ju,Chen, Kun-Nan,Lin, Chin-Wen Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.6

Prebiotics (peptides, N-acetyglucoamine, fructo-oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides) were added to skim milk in order to improve the growth rate of contained Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The purpose of this research was to study the potential synergy between probiotics and prebiotics when present in milk, and to apply modern optimization techniques to obtain optimal design and performance for the growth rate of the probiotics using a response surface-modeling technique. To carry out response surface modeling, the regression method was performed on experimental results to build mathematical models. The models were then formulated as an objective function in an optimization problem that was consequently optimized using a genetic algorithm and sequential quadratic programming approach to obtain the maximum growth rate of the probiotics. The results showed that the quadratic models appeared to have the most accurate response surface fit. Both SQP and GA were able to identify the optimal combination of prebiotics to stimulate the growth of probiotics in milk. Comparing both methods, SQP appeared to be more efficient than GA at such a task.

Prodisc Artificial Disc Replacement

Wen-Ming Chen,Hui-Sung Lee,Kwon-Yong Lee,Chun-Kun Park,Sung-Jae Lee 대한기계학회 2006 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2006 No.6

The artificial disc replacement (ADR) technique for the lumbar spine, with the “joint motion preservation” concept, aims to replicate the natural disc dynamics and load transfer through the lumbar motion segments. However, ADR designs vary greatly in their approaches to restore the normal disc function. In this study, Prodisc II, a most-widely used ADR type in Korea, was chosen. A validated three-dimensional intact osteoligamentous L2-L4 FE model was modified to simulate the ADR by Prodisc II, via anterior approach at L3-L4 level. The models were loaded with a combination of compressive preload 400N and 10Nm flexion/extension moments. The lumbar range of motion and facet loads, contact area (CAREA) and total contact forces (TCF) across the implant articulation surfaces was evaluated. We found that the flexion motions across surgical level L3-L4 and its adjacent level L2-L3 remain unchanged. In extension, at surgical level, the Prodisc model had a 91.4% increase and L2-L3 a decrease of 6.8%. The facet loads through L3-L4 increased by 33.2% in flexion and 36.3% in extension. CAREA/TCF was 41.47㎜2/723N for flexion and 11.68㎜2/324.6N for extension. The major CAREA was located posteriorly in extension and more evenly distributed in flexion. The lumbar segment mobility in flexion was retained after Prodisc replacement, but extension motion at the surgical level became more flexible and more stresses was imposed to the facet joint. The CAREA/TCF can be used as an indicator for the prediction of the wearing properties of the Prodisc in clinical service.

STRESS AND STRAIN ANALYSIS OF THE END-PLATE OF THE LUMBAR SPINE WITH DEGENERATED DISC AND OSTEOPOROSIS UNDER COMPRESSION LOADING

Chen Wen-Ming,Ahn Yoon-Ho(안윤호),Lee Hui-Sung(이희성),Moon Soo-Jung(문수정),Lee Kwon-Yong(이권용),Lee Sung-Jae(이성재) 대한기계학회 2005 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2005 No.11

The endplate that lies between the vertebral body and intervertebral disc is a structure of significant physiological importance. However, mechanically the end-plate appears to be a “weak link” and its fracture pattern presents an age-related phenomenon. In current study, the effects of simulated degenerative changes in the lumbar disc and vertebral body on the endplate were examined using finite element (FE) analysis. For this purpose, an intact lumbar functional spinal unit (FSU) of L3-4 FE model was constructed and another three degenerative models were made by modifying the intact one. A mildly degenerated disc was simulated by removing the hydrostatic capacities of the nucleus and making the disc stiffer than a normal one. The severe degenerated disc, made by “nuclotomy”, was assumed to be void of nucleus. The possible alterations in bone quality due to osteoporosis were simulated by adjusting the corresponding material properties of bony structures. Under axial compression of 2000N, compared to the intact case, the model with “stiffer” disc showed an 82.4% decrease in tensile stress in posterior region, a 22.5% increase in compression in the mid region of the endplate respectively; while compressive stress generated anteriorly. The “nucleotomy” case showed reversed stress states in all regions of the endplate correspondingly. As to the “osteoporosis” model, there were 32% and 50.6% increases in the tensile stress in posterior and anterior regions of the endplate respectively. Based on these results, the failure patterns could be predicted. We concluded that the stress and strain distributions in endplate under axial loading were highly dominated by its adjacent structures. Both the degenerated disc and osteoporosis may have a pronounced impact on the structural failure of the endplate, and the possible fracture patterns predicted by FE model might be used as references for the clinical assessment of the failure mechanism of the endplate.

Optimization of the Viability of Probiotics in a Fermented Milk Drink by the Response Surface Method

Chen, Ming-Ju,Chen, Kun-Nan,Lin, Chin-Wen Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.5

Growth promoters were added to skim milk to retain the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum to help the product meet the "therapeutic minimum" at the time of consumption. The experiments were divided into two parts. The first part of the study used chicory inulin, isomalto-oligosaccharides and sucrose to investigate the effects of sugars on the activity of L. acidophilus and B. longum. The results indicated that the addition of isomalto-oligosaccharides stimulated growth of L. acidophilus and B. longum, resulting in a higher level of the probiotics after one month storage and yielded better $\beta$-galactosidase activity during fermentation. The second part studied the effects of three growth promoters on the viability of the probiotic cultures and the response surface method was employed to find the optimal ratio for addition of the growth promoters. The optimal ratio for added calcium gluconate, sodium gluconate and N-acetylglucosamine in fermented milk drinks were established. The response surface method proved to be a very effective way of optimizing the activity of probiotic cultures when developing a new fermented milk drink.

Current state of research about acupuncture for the treatment of COVID-19: A scoping review

Chen Chen,Jie Zhan,Hao Wen,Xiaojing Wei,Lu Ding,Chenyang Tao,Cui Li,Peiming Zhang,Yuyuan Tang,Jing-chun Zeng,Li-ming Lu 한국한의학연구원 2021 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.10 No.-

Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles. Background Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), acupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of COVID-19. The research community has responded rapidly and has already published many research articles about this topic. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library as well as CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The dates of publication, language of publication, methodological characteristics and the key findings were analyzed separately. The data are presented as bar graphs, structured tables and figures. Results In this scoping review, 16 research articles were included: 7 case reports, 6 observational studies, 1 review, 1 RCT and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. The majority of the articles (81.3%) were published by Chinese scholars, 12.5% articles were by scholars in the United States, and 6.3% articles were by scholars in Iran. The included studies reported that acupuncture could alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 patients, shorten their hospitalization days, and is effective for the elderly. There were no side effects reported. The most frequent acupoints used were LI4, PC6, ST36 and KI3. They reported many obstacles in implementing acupuncture therapy for treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Acupuncture has a good effect for the treatment of COVID-19, but high-quality evidence support is still lacking. Coupled with the difficulties that acupuncturists experienced during the process of treatment, the promotion of acupuncture treatment for COVID-19 faces many obstacles.