Heuristic Algorithms for Constructing Interference-Free and Delay-Constrained Multicast Trees for Wireless Mesh Networks

( Wen-lin Yang ),( Chi-chou Kao ),( Cheng-huang Tung ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2011 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.5 No.2

In this paper, we study a problem that is concerning how to construct a delay-constrained multicast tree on a wireless mesh network (WMN) such that the number of serviced clients is maximized. In order to support high-quality and concurrent interference-free transmission streams, multiple radios are implemented in each mesh node in the WMNs. Instead of only orthogonal channels used for the multicast in the previous works, both orthogonal and partially overlapping channels are considered in this study. As a result, the number of links successfully allocated channels can be expected to be much larger than that of the approaches in which only orthogonal channels are considered. The number of serviced subscribers is then increased dramatically. Hence, the goal of this study is to find interference-free and delay-constrained multicast trees that can lead to the maximal number of serviced subscribers. This problem is referred as the MRDCM problem. Two heuristics, load-based greedy algorithm and load-based MCM algorithm, are developed for constructing multicast trees. Furthermore, two load-based channel assignment procedures are provided to allocate interference-free channels to the multicast trees. A set of experiments is designed to do performance, delay and efficiency comparisons for the multicast trees generated by all the approximation algorithms proposed in this study.

Quality of Life for Patients with Esophageal/Gastric Cardia Precursor Lesions or Cancer: A One-year Prospective Study

Wen, Ying,Pan, Xiong-Fei,Huang, Wen-Zhi,Zhao, Zhi-Mei,Wei, Wen-Qiang,Chen, Feng,Lan, Hui,Huang, He,Yang, Chun-Xia,Qiao, You-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.1

Background: The current study examined health-related quality of life (QoL) for patients with esophageal/gastric cardia precursor lesions or cancer before and after treatment to facilitate improved prevention and treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients with different stages of esophageal/gastric cardia lesions completed two QoL questionnaires, EORTC QLQ-C30 and supplemental QLQ-OES 18, before primary treatment, and at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results: Fifty-nine patients with precursor lesions, 57 with early stage cancer, and 43 with advanced cancer responded to our survey. Patients with precursor lesions or early stage cancer reported better QoL overall than those with advanced cancer before treatment (p<0.01). Global QoL scores before treatment and at 1 month after treatment were $71{\pm}9$ versus $69{\pm}9$ (p>0.01), $71{\pm}8$ versus $61{\pm}11$ (p<0.01), $67{\pm}11$ versus $62{\pm}9$ (p<0.01) for three stages of lesions. At 6 months after treatment, some QoL measures recovered gradually in precursor lesion and early cancer patients, while some continuously deteriorated in advanced cancer patients. At 12 months, all QoL scores were comparable to baseline for patients with precursor lesions (p>0.01), while global QoL, social, pain, and insomnia scores for early stage and advanced cancer were inferior to corresponding baseline levels (difference between means>5, p<0.01). At this time point, compared with patients with early stage cancer, those with advanced cancer showed worse QoL with all function and most symptom measures (p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with precursor lesions or early stage esophageal/gastric cardia cancer show better QoL than those with advanced cancer. This indicates that screening, early diagnosis and treatment may improve the QoL for esophageal/gastric cardia cancer patients. Target intervention and counseling should be given by health care providers during treatment and follow-up to facilitate QoL improvement.

Photocatalytic study of Zinc Oxide with bismuth doping prepared by spray pyrolysis

Lin, Tzu-Yang,Hsu, Yu-Ting,Lan, Wen-How,Huang, Chien-Jung,Chen, Lung-Chien,Huang, Yu-Hsuan,Lin, Jia-Ching,Chang, Kuo-Jen,Lin, Wen-Jen,Huang, Kai-Feng Techno-Press 2015 Advances in nano research Vol.3 No.3

The unintentionally doped and bismuth (Bi) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) films were prepared by spray pyrolysis at $450^{\circ}C$ with zinc acetate and bismuth nitrate precursor. The n-type conduction with concentration $6.13{\times}10^{16}cm^{-3}$ can be observed for the unintentionally doped ZnO. With the increasing of bismuth nitrate concentration in precursor, the p-type conduction can be observed. The p-type concentration $4.44{\times}10^{17}cm^{-3}$ can be achieved for the film with the Bi/Zn atomic ratio 5% in the precursor. The photoluminescence spectroscopy with HeCd laser light source was studied for films with different Bi doping. The photocatalytic activity for the unintentionally doped and Bi-doped ZnO films was studied through the photodegradation of Congo red under UV light illumination. The effects of different Bi contents on photocatalytic activity are studied and discussed. Results show that appropriate Bi doping in ZnO can increase photocatalytic activity.

Differential Impacts on Bacterial Composition and Abundance in Rhizosphere Compartments between Al-Tolerant and Al-Sensitive Soybean Genotypes in Acidic Soil

Wen Zhong-Ling,Yang Min-Kai,Fazal Aliya,Liao Yong-Hui,Cheng Lin-Run,Hua Xiao-Mei,Hu Dong-Qing,Shi Ji-Sen,Yang Rong-Wu,Lu Gui-Hua,Qi Jin-Liang,Zhi Hong,Qian Qiu-Ping,Yang Yong-Hua 한국미생물·생명공학회 2020 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.30 No.8

In this study, two soybean genotypes, i.e., aluminum-tolerant Baxi 10 (BX10) and aluminumsensitive Bendi 2 (BD2), were used as plant materials and acidic red soil was used as growth medium. The soil layers from the inside to the outside of the root are: rhizospheric soil after washing (WRH), rhizospheric soil after brushing (BRH) and rhizospheric soil at two sides (SRH), respectively. The rhizosphere bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA gene amplicons via Illumina MiSeq. The results of alpha diversity analysis showed that the BRH and SRH of BX10 were significantly lower in community richness than that of BD2, while the WRH exhibited no significant difference between BX10 and BD2. Among the three sampling compartments of the same soybean genotype, WRH had the lowest community richness and diversity while showing the highest coverage. Beta diversity analysis results displayed no significant difference for any compartment between the two genotypes, or among the three different sampling compartments for any same soybean genotype. However, the relative abundance of major bacterial taxa, specifically nitrogen-fixing and/or aluminum-tolerant bacteria, was significantly different in the compartments of the BRH and/or SRH at phylum and genus levels, indicating genotype-dependent variations in rhizosphere bacterial communities. Strikingly, as compared with BRH and SRH, the WRH within the same genotype (BX10 or BD2) always had an enrichment effect on rhizosphere bacteria associated with nitrogen fixation

Channel Allocation Strategies for Interference-Free Multicast in Multi-Channel Multi-Radio Wireless Mesh Networks

( Wen-lin Yang ),( Wan-ting Hong ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2012 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.6 No.2

Given a video stream delivering system deployed on a multicast tree, which is embedded in a multi-channel multi-radio wireless mesh network, our problem is concerned about how to allocate interference-free channels to tree links and maximize the number of serviced mesh clients at the same time. In this paper, we propose a channel allocation heuristic algorithm based on best-first search and backtracking techniques. The experimental results show that our BFB based CA algorithm outperforms previous methods such as DFS and BFS based CA methods. This superiority is due to the backtracking technique used in BFB approach. It allows previous channel-allocated links to have feasibility to select the other eligible channels when no conflict-free channel can be found for the current link during the CA process. In addition to that, we also propose a tree refinement method to enhance the quality of channel-allocated trees by adding uncovered destinations at the cost of deletion of some covered destinations. Our aim of this refinement is to increase the number of serviced mesh clients. According to our simulation results, it is proved to be an effective method for improving multicast trees produced by BFB, BFS and DFS CA algorithms.

Positive Association of TEAD1 With Schizophrenia in a Northeast Chinese Han Population

Yang Sun,Lin Wen,Yi-Yang Luo,Wen-Juan Hu,Hui-Wen Ren,Ye Lv,Cong Zhang,Ping Gao,Li-Na Xuan,Guan-Yu Wang,Cheng-Jie Li,Zhi-Xin Xiang,Zhi-Lin Luan 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.12

Objective Schizophrenia is a complex and devastating psychiatric disorder with a strong genetic background. However, much uncertainty still exists about the role of genetic susceptibility in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. TEA domain transcription factor 1 (TEAD1) is a transcription factor associated with neurodevelopment and has modulating effects on various nervous system diseases. In the current study, we performed a case–control association study in a Northeast Chinese Han population to explore the characteristics of pathogenic <i>TEAD1</i> polymorphisms and potential association with schizophrenia.Methods We recruited a total of 721 schizophrenia patients and 1,195 healthy controls in this study. The 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene region of <i>TEAD1</i> were selected and genotyped.Results The genetic association analyses showed that five SNPs (rs12289262, rs6485989, rs4415740, rs7113256, and rs1866709) were significantly different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in allele or/and genotype frequencies. After Bonferroni correction, the association of three SNPs (rs4415740, rs7113256, and rs1866709) with schizophrenia were still evident. Haplotype analysis revealed that two strong linkage disequilibrium blocks (rs6485989-rs4415740-rs7113256 and rs16911710-rs12364619-rs1866709) were globally associated with schizophrenia. Four haplotypes (C-C-C and T-T-T, rs6485989-rs4415740-rs7113256; G-T-A and G-T-G, rs16911710-rs12364619-rs1866709) were significantly different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.Conclusion The current findings indicated that the human <i>TEAD1</i> gene has a genetic association with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population and may act as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.

Controlled Release of Clenbuterol from a Hydroxyapatite Carrier for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Yi-Wen Lin,Chih-Hsiang Fang,Ya-Jyun Liang,Ching-Yun Yang,Wei-Ting Kuo,Feng-Huei Lin 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Background Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, and Aβ aggregation is considered to be the central process implicated in its pathogenesis. Current treatments are faced by challenges such as serious side effects and reduced drug bioavailability. In this study, we developed a drug delivery system for intramuscular injection that uses cellular activity to achieve constant and long-term drug release. Methods Synthesized mesoporous hydroxyapatite (SHAP) was prepared via co-precipitation, and hydrophobic surface modification using stearic acid was then used to load clenbuterol by physical absorption, thus creating the drug delivery system. Clenbuterol release was achieved through cellular activity, with macrophage uptake triggering lysosome/endosome disruption, cytoplasmic release, extracellular exocytosis, and subsequent systemic circulation. Results We found that clenbuterol-loaded SHAP enabled sustained release for more than 2 weeks and effectively modulated inflammation, reduced Aβ oligomer-induced toxicity, and prevented Aβ aggregation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that treatment with clenbuterol loaded in this SHAP delivery system could be a promising strategy for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment Retention Rates of 3-monthly Paliperidone Palmitate and Risk Factors Associated with Discontinuation: A Population-based Cohort Study

Chien-Heng Lin,Huang-Li Lin,Chih-Lin Chiang,Yi-Wen Chen,Yan-Fang Liu,Yen Kuang Yang,Chao-Hsiun Tang 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.3

Objective: Limited evidence exists regarding real-world 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP3M) treatment retention and associated factors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, nationwide cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between October 2017 and December 2019. Adult patients with schizophrenia initiated on PP3M were enrolled. The primary outcomes were time to PP3M discontinuation, time to psychiatric hospitalization, and the proportions of patients receiving the next PP3M dose within 120 days among first-, second-, and third-dose completers. Key covariates included prior PP1M duration and adequate PP3M initiation. Results: The PP3M treatment retention rates were 79.7%, 66.3%, and 52.5% after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, with 86.4%, 90.6%, and 90.0% of respective first-, second-, and third-dose completers receiving the next PP3M dose. Adequate PP3M initiation and prior PP1M treatment duration > 180 days were associated with favorable PP3M treatment retention. In multivariate analyses, PP1M durations of 180−360 days (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.76) or < 180 days (aRR, 2.79) were associated with PP3M discontinuation at the second dose. Inadequate PP3M initiation was associated with discontinuation at the third dose (aRR, 2.18). Patients fully adherent to PP3M treatment in the first year had a higher probability of being free from psychiatric hospitalization (86.7% at 2 years), compared with those partially adherent or non-adherent to PP3M in the first year. Conclusion: Prior PP1M duration and adequate PP3M initiation are major factors affecting PP3M treatment retention. Higher PP3M treatment retention is associated with a lower risk of psychiatric hospitalization.

Enhancing antimicrobial activity of mastoparan-B by amino acid substitutions

Mars J. Yang,Wen-Yuh Lin,Chun-Hsien Lin,Ching-Lin Shyu,Roger F. Hou,Wu-Chun Tu 한국응용곤충학회 2013 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.16 No.4

This study evaluated antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of mastoparan-B (MP-B) isolated fromthe venomof the hornet, Vespa basalis, and its analogs after substituting certain amino acid (aa) residues.MP-B exhibited significantly different antimicrobial activities against bacteria species/strains tested, especially two Escherichia coli strains, Staphylococcus xylosus and Citrobacter koseri at low dosages, and was non-specific against certain Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. Our results indicated that hydrophobicitymodification by single aa substitution may enhance their antimicrobial activities. An aa substituted MP-B, viz., MP-B-1, inwhich Trp substituted for Leu3, became more effective than the original peptide at inhibiting or killing the bacterial species tested, especially Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhimurium, and Salmonella Cholerasuis, and even up to 8 timesmore effective in some cases. However, MP-B-2 was virtually similar to MP-B against each bacterial species assayed,while MP-B-3 reduced its effectiveness greatly compared to others. On the other hand, MP-B and its analogs were not effective against the beneficial probiotics and they were not hemolytic to erythrocytes at the dosages tested. Our results suggested that MP-B becomes more potent against specific pathogenic bacteria and safe to the probiotics after undergoing appropriate amino acid substitutions.

BRCA1/2 mutation status in patients with metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies: clues towards the implementation of genetic counseling

Angel Chao,Yi-Hao Lin,Lan-Yan Yang,Ren-Chin Wu,Wei-Yang Chang,Pi-Yueh Chang,Shih-Cheng Chang,Chiao-Yun Lin,Huei-Jean Huang,Cheng-Tao Lin,Hung-Hsueh Chou,Kuan-Gen Huang,Wen-Ling Kuo,Ting-Chang Chang,Ch 대한부인종양학회 2020 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.31 No.3

Objective: The characteristics of patients with metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies and the pathogenic role of BRCA1/2 mutations remain poorly understood. We investigated these issues through a review of hospital records and nationwide Taiwanese registry data, followed by BRCA1/2 mutation analysis in hospital-based cases. Methods: We retrospectively retrieved consecutive clinical records of Taiwanese patients who presented with these malignancies to our hospital between 2001 and 2017. We also collected information from the Data Science Center of the Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR) between 2007 and 2015. Next-generation sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification were used to identify BRCA1/2 mutations and large genomic rearrangements, respectively. When BRCA1/2 mutations were identified in index cases, pedigrees were reconstructed and genetic testing was offered to family members. Results: A total of 12,769 patients with breast cancer and 1,537 with ovarian cancer were retrieved from our hospital records. Of them, 28 had metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies. We also identified 113 cases from the TCR dataset. Eighteen hospital-based cases underwent BRCA1/2 sequencing and germline pathogenic mutations were detected in 7 patients (38.9%, 5 in BRCA1 and 2 in BRCA2). All BRCA1/2 mutation carriers had ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. Of the 12 patients who were alive at the time of analysis, 5 were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. All of them had family members with BRCA1/2-associated malignancies. Conclusions: Our results provide pilot evidence that BRCA1/2 mutations are common in Taiwanese patients with metachronous breast and ovarian malignancies, supporting the clinical utility of genetic counseling.