Electrochemical Behavior and Protective Property of Al-containing Zinc-Rich Paints

Chen, Wen-Ben,Chen, Peter,Chen, Hunz-Yin,Wu, Chung-Min,Tsai, Wen-Ta 한국부식방식학회 2002 Corrosion Science and Technology Vol.31 No.3

The effect of Al addition on the corrosion performance of zinc-rich paints (ZRP) was investigated. Both electrochemical measurement and salt spray test were employed to evaluate the corrosion performance of ZRP with or without Al addition. The Al content as percentage of the total metallic components in the ZRP, investigated in this study, varied from 0 to 75wt%. The experimental results showed that protective nature of ZRP altered from cathodic protection to barrier former as the Al content was increased beyond 20wt%. The results from salt spray tests also revealed that the corrosion products were modified with the presence of aluminum oxide in the Al-containing ZRP. The amount of zinc white on the painted steel decreased as the Al content in the ZRP increased. The protectiveness, in terms of the time of red rust formation and cathodic protection, was reduced as the Al content was higher than 20wt%.

Effect of Caecectomy on Body Weight Gain, Intestinal Characteristics and Enteric Gas Production in Goslings

Chen, Yieng-How,Wang, Shu-Yin,Hsu, Jenn-Chung Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.7

Two experiments of four-week duration were conducted to investigate the effect of caecectomy on the intestinal characteristics, body weight gain and gas production in the caeca of White Roman goslings. In experiment I, forty eight 2-wk-old female goslings with similar body weight were randomly divided into four treatments: sham (SHAM), left side caecum removed (LSCR), right side caecum removed (RSCR) and both caeca removed (CAECECTOMY). Smimilarly, experiment II was conducted with twelve 5-wkold male goslings in two treatments: SHAM and CAECECTOMY. Free choice water with ad libitum feed was provided during experiment. At the end of experiment I, goslings were sacrificed and gut length and weight were determined. At 7 and 9 wks of age, birds in experiment II were subjected to respiration calorimetry studies. In both experiments, final body weights were not affected by caecectomy. Results of experiment I indicated that caecectomy did not significantly affect the relative weight (g/100 g BW) of gizzard, small intestine, rectum and colon (p>0.05); however, the relative length of colon and rectum did increase (p<0.05). The remaining caecum did not show compensatory growth in both LSCR and RSCR treatments. In experiment II, results indicated that the average enteric methane production from the caecetomised goslings was significantly lower than that from the bird in SHAM goslings (p<0.05). In comparison with SHAM goslings, calorific loss from entric methane in caecetomised birds was lower (p<0.05). There was no effect of age on methane production. The enteric nitrous oxide production in caeca of goslings was very low with no significantly different between two treatments.

In vivo Methane Production from Formic and Acetic Acids in the Gastrointestinal Tract of White Roman Geese

Chen, Yieng-How,Wang, Shu-Yin,Hsu, Jenn-Chung Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.7

Three experiments were conducted to determine the conversion rate of formic and acetic acids into methane in the gastrointestinal tracts of geese. In experiment I, two sets of two 4-month-old male White Roman geese were allocated to one of two treatment groups. Each set of geese was inoculated either with formic acid or with phosphate buffer solution (PBS). After the acid or the PBS was inoculated into the esophagi of the geese, two birds from each treatment were placed in a respiratory chamber as a measurement unit for 4 h in order to determine methane production rate. In experiment II and III, 6- and 7-wk-old male White Roman goslings were used, respectively. Birds were allocated to receive either formic acid or PBS solution injected into the ceca in experiment II. Acetic acid or PBS solution injected into the cecum were used for experiment III. After either the acids or the PBS solution were injected into the cecum, two birds from each treatment were placed in a respiratory chamber as a measurement unit for 3 h; each treatment was repeated 3 times. The results indicated that formic acid inoculated into the oesophagi of geese was quickly converted into methane. Compared with the PBS-injected group, methane production increased by 5.02 times in the formic acid injected group (4.32 vs. 0.86 mg/kg BW/d; p<0.05). Acetic acid injected into the ceca did not increase methane production; conversely, it tended to decrease methane production. The present study suggests that formic acid may be converted to methane in the ceca, and that acetic acid may not be a precursor of methane in the ceca of geese.

Scaling up the in-hospital hepatitis C virus care cascade in Taiwan

( Chung-feng Huang ),( Pey-fang Wu ),( Ming-lun Yeh ),( Ching-i Huang ),( Po-cheng Liang ),( Cheng-ting Hsu ),( Po-yao Hsu ),( Hung-yin Liu ),( Ying-chou Huang ),( Zu-yau Lin ),( Shinn-cherng Chen ),( 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims: Obstacles exist in facilitating hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade. To increase timely and accurate diagnosis, disease awareness and accessibility, in-hospital HCV reflex testing followed by automatic appointments and a late call-back strategy (R.N.A. model) was applied. We aimed to compare the HCV treatment rate of patients treated with this strategy compared to those without. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five anti-HCV seropositive patients who adopted the R.N.A. model in 2020 and another 1,396 controls treated in 2019 were enrolled to compare the gaps in accurate HCV RNA diagnosis to final treatment allocation. Results: The HCV RNA testing rate was significantly higher in patients who received reflex testing than in those without reflex testing (100% vs. 84.8%, P<0.001). When patients were stratified according to the referring outpatient department, a significant improvement in the HCV RNA testing rate was particularly noted in patients from non-hepatology departments (100% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001). The treatment rate in HCV RNA seropositive patients was 83% (83/100) after the adoption of the R.N.A. model, among whom 96.1% and 73.9% of patients were from the hepatology and non-hepatology departments, respectively. Compared to subjects without R.N.A. model application, a significant improvement in the treatment rate was observed for patients from non-hepatology departments (73.9% vs. 27.8%, P=0.001). The application of the R.N.A. model significantly increased the in-hospital HCV treatment uptake from 6.4% to 73.9% for patients from non-hepatology departments (P<0.001). Conclusions: The care cascade increased the treatment uptake and set up a model for enhancing in-hospital HCV elimination. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:136-143)

Construction of a Wireless Sensor Networking Platform with Vibration Sensing and GPS Positioning

Chau-Chung Song,Yin-Chieh Hsu,Chen-Fu Feng,Yu-Kai Chen 제어로봇시스템학회 2009 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2009 No.8

In this paper, the networking architectures and information middleware of wireless sensor networks are developed to construct the heterogeneous information system platform for the real-time structural health monitoring application. The design and implementation of sensor firmware and networking middleware are the key study topics for WSN-based intelligent system platform. The networking gateway of system platform must be developed the independent and highly interoperability to integrate the heterogeneous networks. The application study combined with vibration sensing and GPS positioning is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the developed system platform. The middleware technology is implemented to filter and pre-process the received data from the Zigbee sensor node and extract the available information to transfer to and record in the system database. Moreover, the GPRS and GSM modules are used to be responsible for the long-distance and alarm message transmission on the information network, respectively. Furthermore, the integration system platform is constructed by integrating Zigbee sensor network, GPRS/GSM communication and LAN internet to illustrate and evaluate the feasibility and performance of the proposed architecture for wireless sensor systems. In conclusion, the intelligent system platform of WSN-based monitoring system is developed and integrated to demonstrate and speed up the practical applications of wireless sensor networks in this paper.

Dynamic Route Choice Behaviour and Simulation-Based Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model for Mixed Traffic Flows

Ta-Yin Hu,Chee-Chung Tong,Tsai-Yun Liao,Li-Wen Chen 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.2

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) focus on increasing the efficiency of existing surface transportation systems through the use of advanced computers, electronics, and communication technologies. In order to perform advanced traffic management and provide travel information, dynamic traffic assignment models need to be developed to provide time-dependent estimates of traffic flows on networks in order to efficiently utilize possible advanced traffic information as well as traffic control measures. Traffic assignment distributes Origin-Destination (OD) trips in a network and determines the flow patterns in a traffic network. This research aims at developing simulation-based algorithm for dynamic traffic assignment problems under mixed traffic flow considerations. Four different physical vehicle types are explicitly considered and modeled, including car, bus, motorcycle, and truck. Four different behavioral rules, pre-specified-path driver, user-equilibrium driver, system-optimization driver, and real-time information driver, are considered in the solution procedure. The DTA algorithm consists of an inner loop that incorporates a direction finding mechanism for the search process for System Optimization (SO) and User Equilibrium (UE) classes based on the simulation results of the current iteration, including experienced vehicular trip times and marginal trip times. In order to understand tripmaker acceptance toward route guidance, a survey is conducted to explore possible behavioral classifications and associated percentages. Numerical experiments are conducted in a test network and a real city network to illustrate the capabilities of the simulation-based DTA procedures, and to observe how system performs under multiple user class’s conditions, including multiple user behavior rules and multiple physical vehicle classes.

A review of rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developments and applications in civil engineering

Liu, Peter,Chen, Albert Y.,Huang, Yin-Nan,Han, Jen-Yu,Lai, Jihn-Sung,Kang, Shih-Chung,Wu, Tzong-Hann,Wen, Ming-Chang,Tsai, Meng-Han Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.6

Civil engineers always face the challenge of uncertainty in planning, building, and maintaining infrastructure. These works rely heavily on a variety of surveying and monitoring techniques. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an effective approach to obtain information from an additional view, and potentially bring significant benefits to civil engineering. This paper gives an overview of the state of UAV developments and their possible applications in civil engineering. The paper begins with an introduction to UAV hardware, software, and control methodologies. It also reviews the latest developments in technologies related to UAVs, such as control theories, navigation methods, and image processing. Finally, the paper concludes with a summary of the potential applications of UAV to seismic risk assessment, transportation, disaster response, construction management, surveying and mapping, and flood monitoring and assessment.

Understanding Breast Cancer Screening Practices in Taiwan: a Country with Universal Health Care

Wu, Tsu-Yin,Chung, Scott,Yeh, Ming-Chen,Chang, Shu-Chen,Hsieh, Hsing-Fang,Ha, Soo Ji Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

While the incidence of breast cancer (BC) has been relatively low in Asian countries, it has been rising rapidly in Taiwan. Within the last decade, it has replaced cervical cancer as the most diagnosed cancer site for women. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies reporting the attitudes and practices of breast cancer screening among Chinese women. The aim of this study is to assess Taiwanese women's knowledge of and attitudes toward BC screening and to identify potential factors that may influence screening behavior. The study population consisted of a sample of 434 Taiwanese women aged 40 and older. Despite access to universal health care for Taiwanese women and the fact that a majority of the women had heard of the breast cancer screening (mammogram, clinical breast exams, etc.), the actual utilization of these screening modalities was relatively low. In the current study, the majority of women had never had mammograms or ultrasound in the past 5 years. The number one most reported barriers were "no time," "forgetfulness," "too cumbersome," and "laziness," followed by the perception of no need to get screened. In addition, the results revealed several areas of misconceptions or incorrect information perceived by study participants. Based on the results from the regression analysis, significant predictors of obtaining repeated screening modalities included age, coverage for screening, barriers, self-efficacy, intention, family/friends diagnosed with breast cancer. The findings from the current study provide the potential to build evidence-based programs to effectively plan and implement policies in order to raise awareness in breast cancer and promote BC screening in order to optimize health outcomes for women affected by this disease.

Impact of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Elderly Breast Patients in Taiwan, A Hospital-Based Study

Lee, Hsiu Chuan,Chen, Wei Yu,Huang, Wen Tsung,Cheng, Kuo Chen,Tian, Yu Feng,Ho, Chung Han,Tsao, Chao Jung,Feng, Yin Hsun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.10

Purpose: Decisions as to whether to provide adjuvant treatment in older breast cancer patients remains challenging. Side effects of chemotherapy have to be weighed against life expectancy, comorbidities, functional status, and frailty. To aid decision-making, we retrospectively analyzed 110 women with breast cancer treated with a curative intention from 2006 to 2012. Survival data with clinical and pathological parameters were evaluated to address the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in this study population. Method: A total of 110 elderly (>70 years) patients that received mastectomy at two hospitals in Taiwan were observed retrospectively for a medium of 51 months. After mastectomy, patients received conservative treatment or adjuvant chemotherapy, or hormone therapy following clinical guidelines or physician's preference. Data were collected from the cancer registry system. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 75.7 years. Thirty-five percent of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, these having a significantly younger age ($mean=74.0{\pm}5.3$ vs $77.5{\pm}5.3$, p<0.001) and higher tumor staging (p=0.003) compared with their non-chemotherapy counterparts.Five-year overall survival was non-significantly higher in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (with chemotherapy 64.2% vs without chemotherapy 62.6%, p=0.635), while five-year recurrence free survival was non-significantly lower (with chemotherapy 64.1% vs without chemotherapy 90.5%, p=0.80). Conclusions: In this analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy tended to be given to patients with a younger age and higher tumor staging at our institute. It was not associated with any statistically significant improvement in survival and recurrence rate. Until age specific recommendations are available, physicians must use their clinical judgment and assess the tumor biology with the patient's comorbidities to make the best choice. Clinical trials focusing on this critical issue are warranted.

A review of rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developments and applications in civil engineering

Peter Liu,Albert Y. Chen,Yin-Nan Huang,Jen-Yu Han,Jihn-Sung Lai,Tzong-Hann Wu,Ming-Chang Wen,Meng-Han Tsai,Shih-Chung Kang 국제구조공학회 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.6

Civil engineers always face the challenge of uncertainty in planning, building, and maintaininginfrastructure. These works rely heavily on a variety of surveying and monitoring techniques. Unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs) are an effective approach to obtain information from an additional view, andpotentially bring significant benefits to civil engineering. This paper gives an overview of the state of UAVdevelopments and their possible applications in civil engineering. The paper begins with an introduction toUAV hardware, software, and control methodologies. It also reviews the latest developments in technologiesrelated to UAVs, such as control theories, navigation methods, and image processing. Finally, the paperconcludes with a summary of the potential applications of UAV to seismic risk assessment, transportation,disaster response, construction management, surveying and mapping, and flood monitoring and assessment.