Host life stage- and temperature-dependent density of the symbiont Buchnera aphidicola in a subtropical pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) population

Wei-Nung Lu,Ming-Chih Chiu,Mei-Hwa Kuo 한국응용곤충학회 2014 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.17 No.3

The function of the pea aphid's primary symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, has been well studied. However, the factorsaffecting the dynamics of Buchnera density are seldom studied simultaneously. A better understanding ofthese factors could provide insights into its symbiosis with aphids. This study evaluated the effects of host lifestage and rearing temperature on Buchnera density. We measured Buchnera density in seven life stages of peaaphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) reared at six constant temperatures. Both host life stage and temperature significantlyaffected Buchnera density, which tended to decrease as aphid age and rearing temperature increased.

Child Care Friendly Policies and Integration of ECEC in Taiwan

Chih-Peng Chiu,Suechun Wei 육아정책연구소 2011 International Journal of Child Care and Education Vol.5 No.2

The aims of this article are fourfold. Firstly, the article outlines the development of the ECEC policy in Taiwan, with a principle focus on female labor force participation rates and birth rates. Secondly, it describes the different types of ECEC services in Taiwan, discussing the process of their evolution and related statistics from a historical perspective. Thirdly, it introduces two important policy initiatives undertaken in the last decade, both of which are suggestive of either a) a political paradigm shift or, b) a transformation of the role of government in Taiwan. One is “woman/family friendly policies” or policies reconciling work and family, which also include maternity and paternity leaves, parental leave, flexible working hours as well as family leave; and the other are a number of “child care friendly policies”, comprising subsidies for infant care, an early childhood education voucher program, and the Free Tuition Education Project for 5 year old Children. Finally, the authors provide a general introduction of the ECEC integration policy in Taiwan together with an analysis of possible implications resulting from the implementation of the ECEC Act.

The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Implementation for Laser Marking Process Improvement: A Case Study

( Wei Jaw Deng ),( Chung Ching Chiu ),( Chih Hung Tsai ) 한국품질경영학회 2007 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.8 No.1

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a preventive technique in reliability management field. The successful implementation of FMEA technique can avoid or reduce the probability of system failure and achieve good product quality. The FMEA technique had applied in vest scopes which include aerospace, automatic, electronic, mechanic and service industry. The marking process is one of the back ends testing process that is the final process in semiconductor process. The marking process failure can cause bad final product quality and return although is not a primary process. So, how to improve the quality of marking process is one of important production job for semiconductor testing factory. This research firstly implements FMEA technique in laser marking process improvement on semiconductor testing factory and finds out which subsystem has priority failure risk. Secondly, a CCD position solution for priority failure risk subsystem is provided and evaluated. According analysis result, FMEA and CCD position implementation solution for laser marking process improvement can increase yield rate and reduce production cost. Implementation method of this research can provide semiconductor testing factory for reference in laser marking process improvement.

The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Implementation for Laser Marking Process Improvement: A Case Study

Deng, Wei-Jaw,Chiu, Chung-Ching,Tsai, Chih-Hung The Korean Society for Quality Management 2007 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.8 No.1

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a preventive technique in reliability management field. The successful implementation of FMEA technique can avoid or reduce the probability of system failure and achieve good product quality. The FMEA technique had applied in vest scopes which include aerospace, automatic, electronic, mechanic and service industry. The marking process is one of the back ends testing process that is the final process in semiconductor process. The marking process failure can cause bad final product quality and return although is not a primary process. So, how to improve the quality of marking process is one of important production job for semiconductor testing factory. This research firstly implements FMEA technique in laser marking process improvement on semiconductor testing factory and finds out which subsystem has priority failure risk. Secondly, a CCD position solution for priority failure risk subsystem is provided and evaluated. According analysis result, FMEA and CCD position implementation solution for laser marking process improvement can increase yield rate and reduce production cost. Implementation method of this research can provide semiconductor testing factory for reference in laser marking process improvement.

A King Stifling Voices of Dissent? Popular Protests and State Responses in Xi's China

Wang Hsin‐Hsien,Tzeng Wei‐Feng,Wang Shinn‐Shyr,Chiu Wei‐Chih 인하대학교 국제관계연구소 2021 Pacific Focus Vol.36 No.1

To deal with the increases in the frequency of popular protests, China's leader, Xi Jinping, has called for “innovative social governance” as a new concept to resolve social conflicts. In this study, we collect and analyze a unique dataset to compare state responses to popular protests during Xi's term and Hu's term. We find that, under Xi's rule, state repression is more frequently employed to handle social disturbances. Violent protests are significantly more likely to be repressed than nonviolent protests during both the rule of Hu and Xi, while protests that involved a population of the middle and upper classes experienced more state crackdown under Xi's rule rather than under Hu's governance. Our empirical analysis suggests that the approaches by which the Chinese government deals with social unrest have not yet been “innovative.” Instead, China still relies heavily on despotic power in the Xi era.

Health Care Utilization and Expenditures of Patients with Diabetes Comorbid with Depression Disorder: A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Chun-Jen Huang,Hui-Min Hsieh,Herng-Chia Chiu,Peng-Wei Wang,Mei-Hsuan Lee,Chih-Yi Li,Ching-Hua Lin 대한신경정신의학회 2017 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.14 No.6

Objective: The study investigated to compare health care utilization and expenditures between diabetic patients with and without depression in Taiwan. Methods: Health care utilization and expenditure among diabetic patients with and without depression disorder during 2000 and 2004 were examined using Taiwan’s population-based National Health Insurance claims database. Health care utilization included outpatient visits and the use of inpatient services, and health expenditures were outpatient, inpatient, and total medical expenditures. Moreover, general estimation equation models were used for analyzing the factors associated with outpatient visits and expenditures. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied for identifying the factors associated with hospitalization. Results: The average annual outpatient visits and annual total medical expenditures in the study period were 44.23–52.20; NT$87,496–133,077 and 30.75–32.92; NT$64,411–80,955 for diabetic patients with and without depression. After adjustment for covariates, our results revealed that gender and complication were associated with out-patient visits. Moreover, the time factor was associated with the total medical expenditure, and residential urbanization and complication factors were associated with hospitalization. Conclusion: Health care utilization and expenditures for diabetic patients with depression were significantly higher than those without depression. Sex, complications, time, and urbanization are the factors associated with health care utilization and expenditures.

Magnolol induces apoptosis via caspase-independent pathways in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Jong-Rung Tsai,Inn-Wen Chong,Yung-Hsiang Chen,Jhi-Jhu Hwang,Wei-Hsian Yin,Hsiu-Lin Chen,Shah-Hwa Chou,Chien-Chih Chiu,Po-Len Liu 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.4

Magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl agent isolatedfrom herbal planet Magnolia officinalis, is a componentof traditional Asian herbal teas. It has been reported tohave anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-canceractivity. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines(A549, H441 and H520) and normal human bronchialepithelial cells (HBECs) were used to evaluate the cytotoxiceffect of magnolol. We show that magnolol inhibitedcellular proliferation, increased DNA fragmentation, anddecreased mitochondrial membrane potential in all NSCLCcells, but had no cytotoxic effect on HBECs. Magnololtriggered the release of pro-apoptotic proteins: Bid, Bax and cytochrome c from mitochondria, but did not activatethe caspase-3, -8, and -9, suggesting that magnolol inducesapoptosis of NSCLC cell lines via a caspase-independentpathway. The caspase-independent pathway is mediatedthrough the activation of nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, endonuclease G and cleaved poly(-ADP-ribose) polymerase, which played important roles inmediating cell death. Furthermore, magnolol inhibitedPI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 activity, but up-regulated p38 andJNK activity in A549 cell lines. The results of this studyprovided a basis for understanding and developing magnololas a novel treatment of NSCLC.

Magnolol induces apoptosis via caspase-independent pathways in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Tsai, Jong-Rung,Chong, Inn-Wen,Chen, Yung-Hsiang,Hwang, Jhi-Jhu,Yin, Wei-Hsian,Chen, Hsiu-Lin,Chou, Shah-Hwa,Chiu, Chien-Chih,Liu, Po-Len 대한약학회 2014 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.37 No.4

Magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl agent isolated from herbal planet Magnolia officinalis, is a component of traditional Asian herbal teas. It has been reported to have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549, H441 and H520) and normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of magnolol. We show that magnolol inhibited cellular proliferation, increased DNA fragmentation, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in all NSCLC cells, but had no cytotoxic effect on HBECs. Magnolol triggered the release of pro-apoptotic proteins: Bid, Bax and cytochrome c from mitochondria, but did not activate the caspase-3, -8, and -9, suggesting that magnolol induces apoptosis of NSCLC cell lines via a caspase-independent pathway. The caspase-independent pathway is mediated through the activation of nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, endonuclease G and cleaved poly(-ADP-ribose) polymerase, which played important roles in mediating cell death. Furthermore, magnolol inhibited PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 activity, but up-regulated p38 and JNK activity in A549 cell lines. The results of this study provided a basis for understanding and developing magnolol as a novel treatment of NSCLC.