Precession and atmospheric CO₂ modulated variability of sea ice in the central Okhotsk Sea since 130,000 years ago

Lo, Li,Belt, Simon T.,Lattaud, Julie,Friedrich, Tobias,Zeeden, Christian,Schouten, Stefan,Smik, Lukas,Timmermann, Axel,Cabedo-Sanz, Patricia,Huang, Jyh-Jaan,Zhou, Liping,Ou, Tsong-Hua,Chang, Yuan-Pin Elsevier 2018 Earth and planetary science letters Vol.488 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Recent reduction in high-latitude sea ice extent demonstrates that sea ice is highly sensitive to external and internal radiative forcings. In order to better understand sea ice system responses to external orbital forcing and internal oscillations on orbital timescales, here we reconstruct changes in sea ice extent and summer sea surface temperature (SSST) over the past 130,000 yrs in the central Okhotsk Sea. We applied novel organic geochemical proxies of sea ice (IP<SUB>25</SUB>), SSST ( TEX L 86 ) and open water marine productivity (a tri-unsaturated highly branched isoprenoid and biogenic opal) to marine sediment core MD01-2414 (53°11.77′N, 149°34.80′E, water depth 1123 m). To complement the proxy data, we also carried out transient Earth system model simulations and sensitivity tests to identify contributions of different climatic forcing factors. Our results show that the central Okhotsk Sea was ice-free during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e and the early-mid Holocene, but experienced variable sea ice cover during MIS 2–4, consistent with intervals of relatively high and low SSST, respectively. Our data also show that the sea ice extent was governed by precession-dominated insolation changes during intervals of atmospheric CO<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations ranging from 190 to 260 ppm. However, the proxy record and the model simulation data show that the central Okhotsk Sea was near ice-free regardless of insolation forcing throughout the penultimate interglacial, and during the Holocene, when atmospheric CO<SUB>2</SUB> was above ∼260 ppm. Past sea ice conditions in the central Okhotsk Sea were therefore strongly modulated by both orbital-driven insolation and CO<SUB>2</SUB>-induced radiative forcing during the past glacial/interglacial cycle.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The first orbital timescale proxy-model sea ice-sea surface temperature records from the northwestern subarctic Pacific Ocean. </LI> <LI> Strong precession forcing controlled and sea ice variations are modulated by greenhouse gas radiative forcing. </LI> <LI> Sea ice remained free in the central Okhotsk Sea during MIS 5e due to high greenhouse gas radiative forcing. </LI> </UL> </P>

A Genetic Algorithm for Directed Graph-based Supply Network Planning in Memory Module Industry

Li-Chih Wang,Chen-Yang Cheng,Li-Pin Huang 대한산업공학회 2010 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.9 No.3

A memory module industry"s supply chain usually consists of multiple manufacturing sites and multiple distribution centers. In order to fulfill the variety of demands from downstream customers, production planners need not only to decide the order allocation among multiple manufacturing sites but also to consider memory module industrial characteristics and supply chain constraints, such as multiple material substitution relationships, capacity, and transportation lead time, fluctuation of component purchasing prices and available supply quantities of critical materials (e.g., DRAM, chip), based on human experience. In this research, a directed graph-based supply network planning (DGSNP) model is developed for memory module industry. In addition to multi-site order allocation, the DGSNP model explicitly considers production planning for each manufacturing site, and purchasing planning from each supplier. First, the research formulates the supply network"s structure and constraints in a directed-graph form. Then, a proposed genetic algorithm (GA) solves the matrix form which is transformed from the directed-graph model. Finally, the final matrix, with a calculated maximum profit, can be transformed back to a directed-graph based supply network plan as a reference for planners. The results of the illustrative experiments show that the DGSNP model, compared to current memory module industry practices, determines a convincing supply network planning solution, as measured by total profit.

A Genetic Algorithm for Directed Graph-based Supply Network Planning in Memory Module Industry

Wang, Li-Chih,Cheng, Chen-Yang,Huang, Li-Pin Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers 2010 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.9 No.3

A memory module industry's supply chain usually consists of multiple manufacturing sites and multiple distribution centers. In order to fulfill the variety of demands from downstream customers, production planners need not only to decide the order allocation among multiple manufacturing sites but also to consider memory module industrial characteristics and supply chain constraints, such as multiple material substitution relationships, capacity, and transportation lead time, fluctuation of component purchasing prices and available supply quantities of critical materials (e.g., DRAM, chip), based on human experience. In this research, a directed graph-based supply network planning (DGSNP) model is developed for memory module industry. In addition to multi-site order allocation, the DGSNP model explicitly considers production planning for each manufacturing site, and purchasing planning from each supplier. First, the research formulates the supply network's structure and constraints in a directed-graph form. Then, a proposed genetic algorithm (GA) solves the matrix form which is transformed from the directed-graph model. Finally, the final matrix, with a calculated maximum profit, can be transformed back to a directed-graph based supply network plan as a reference for planners. The results of the illustrative experiments show that the DGSNP model, compared to current memory module industry practices, determines a convincing supply network planning solution, as measured by total profit.

The Effects of Adenoviral Transfection of the Keratinocyte Growth Factor Gene on Epidermal Stem Cells: an In Vitro Study

Xinping Li,Mingsheng Zhang,Ling Liang,Pin Zhao,Kenzo Uchida,Hisatoshi Baba,Hong Huang,Wenfang Bai,Liming Bai 한국분자세포생물학회 2013 Molecules and cells Vol.36 No.4

Epidermal stem cells (ESCs) are characterized as slow-cycling, multi-potent, and self-renewing cells that not only maintain somatic homeostasis but also participate in tissue regeneration and repair. To examine the feasibility of adenoviral vector-mediated keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) gene transfer into in vitro-expanded ESCs, ESCs were isolated from samples of human skin, cultured in vitro, and then transfected with recombinant adenovirus (Ad) carrying the human KGF gene (AdKGF) or green fluorescent protein gene (AdGFP). The effects of KGF gene transfer on cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, cell surface antigen phenotype, and -catenin expression were investigated. Compared to ESCs transfected with AdGFP, AdKGF-transfected ESCs grew well, maintained a high proliferative capacity in keratinocyte serum-free medium, and expressed high levels of -catenin. AdKGF infection increa-sed the number of ESCs in the G0/G1 phase and promoted ESCs entry into the G2/M phase, but had no effect on cell surface antigen phenotype (CD49f+/CD71-). The results suggest that KGF gene transfer can stimulate ESCs to grow and undergo cell division, which can be applied to enhance cutaneous wound healing.

中国侨乡留守儿童的关爱服务机制的个案研究 ―基于行动者网络理论的视角

李子涵 ( Li¸ Zi Han ),黄益品 ( Huang¸ Yi Pin ),金会洙 ( Kim¸ Hoi Soo ) 한국외국어대학교 중국연구소 2021 中國硏究 Vol.88 No.-

The establishment of social welfare policies for the care and protection of left-behind children has received attention from various countries, and it is an essential issue for the Chinese government and scholars to be set to offer the caring service for left-behind children according to local conditions. Actor Network Theory (ANT) is a sociological analysis method to study the interaction and formation of heterogeneous networks among actors. It presents the network construction process centred on this focal actor by following the operation of the focal actor. Through a case study of the hometown of overseas Chinese in Zhejiang Province, this paper finds that left-behind children's caring service mechanisms mainly include the focal actor, obligatory points of passage, and heterogeneous actors. These mechanisms mainly guide the expansion of the project through the focal actor, assign roles and responsibilities to actors according to the obligatory points of passage, dynamically recruit heterogeneous actors based on the benefits conferred, and actively mobilize actors to participate in the operation of the network for its sustainable development. In the operation of the caring service mechanisms for left-behind children in the hometown of overseas Chinese, first, it is necessary to establish the focal actor to offer both basic protection and precise caring service; second, it is necessary to build a reasonable obligatory point of passage to form a common vision for project development; third, it is necessary to deepen interessement, recruit multiple heterogeneous actors and mobilize their participation; fourth, it is necessary to ensure the efficient operation of the network to form the synergy of meticulous care.

Assessing impact of Natural Disasters on Tourist Arrivals: The Case of Xitou Nature Education Area (XNEA), Taiwan

Chyi-Rong Chiou,Ming-Yuan Huang,Wei-Lun Tsai,Li-Chen Lin,Chia-Pin (Simon) Yu 한국관광학회 2013 International Journal of Tourism Sciences Vol.13 No.1

Tourist arrivals represent popularity of a recreation site. However it could be changed due to accessibility, weather, and natural disaster. These factors are complex and their effects on tourist arrival are mixed. This study applies switching regression approach to assess impact of natural disasters on tourist arrivals in the popular forest recreation and education site, Xitou Nature Education Area (XNEA), Taiwan. Natural disaster in a tourist destination cause environmental changes which impact short- and long-term changes on tourist arrivals. Precisely estimating the impacts on tourist arrivals could therefore provide an insight to management. The results show that (1) Typhoon Herb reduced tourist arrivals by an estimated 530 thousand over three years; (2) the Chichi earthquake caused a 2.59 million loss in tourist arrivals over seven years; (3) Typhoons Toraji and Nari resulted in a 360 thousand reduction in tourist arrivals over three years; and (4) Typhoon Mindulle reduced tourist arrivals by 80 thousand over a one-year period.

Negative effects on medical students’ scores for clinical performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan: a comparative study

Eunice Jia-Shiow Yuan,Shiau-Shian Huang,Chia-An Hsu,Jiing-Feng Lirng,Tzu-Hao Li,Chia-Chang Huang,Ying-Ying Yang,Chung-Pin Li,Chen-Huan Chen 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2023 보건의료교육평가 Vol.20 No.-

Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has heavily impacted medical clinical education in Taiwan. Medical curricula have been altered to minimize exposure and limit transmission. This study investigated the effect of COVID-19 on Taiwanese medical students’ clinical performance using online standardized evaluation systems and explored the factors influencing medical education during the pandemic. Methods Medical students were scored from 0 to 100 based on their clinical performance from 1/1/2018 to 6/31/2021. The students were placed into pre-COVID-19 (before 2/1/2020) and midst-COVID-19 (on and after 2/1/2020) groups. Each group was further categorized into COVID-19-affected specialties (pulmonary, infectious, and emergency medicine) and other specialties. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to compare and examine the effects of relevant variables on student performance. Results In total, 16,944 clinical scores were obtained for COVID-19-affected specialties and other specialties. For the COVID-19-affected specialties, the midst-COVID-19 score (88.51–3.52) was significantly lower than the pre-COVID-19 score (90.14–3.55) (P<0.0001). For the other specialties, the midst-COVID-19 score (88.32–3.68) was also significantly lower than the pre-COVID-19 score (90.06–3.58) (P<0.0001). There were 1,322 students (837 males and 485 females). Male students had significantly lower scores than female students (89.33–3.68 vs. 89.99–3.66, P=0.0017). GEE analysis revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic (unstandardized beta coefficient=-1.99, standard error [SE]=0.13, P<0.0001), COVID-19-affected specialties (B=0.26, SE=0.11, P=0.0184), female students (B=1.10, SE=0.20, P<0.0001), and female attending physicians (B=-0.19, SE=0.08, P=0.0145) were independently associated with students’ scores. Conclusion COVID-19 negatively impacted medical students' clinical performance, regardless of their specialty. Female students outperformed male students, irrespective of the pandemic.

Predictors of Positive Bone Metastasis in Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer Patients

Chien, Tsu-Ming,Lu, Yen-Man,Geng, Jiun-Hung,Huang, Tsung-Yi,Ke, Hung-Lung,Huang, Chun-Nung,Li, Ching-Chia,Chou, Yii-Her,Wu, Wen-Jeng,Huang, Shu-Pin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.3

Background: The prevalence of prostate cancer (PCa) has been increasing in recent years. Treatment strategies are largely based on the results of bone scan screening. Therefore, our aim was to investigate predictors of positive bone metastasis in newly diagnosed PCa patients. Materials and Methods: After extensive review, 336 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with PCa between April 2010 and November 2013 at our institution were enlisted in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to bone scan results. Univariate analyses (Chi-square test for discrete variables and independent t-test for continuous variables) were applied to determine the potentially significant risk factors associated with distant bone metastasis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to further investigate the influence of these factors on bone metastasis. Results: The patient mean age was $71.9{\pm}8.6years$ (range: 48 to 94 years). The mean prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and biopsy Gleason score were $260.2{\pm}1107.8ng/mL$ and $7.4{\pm}1.5$, respectively. The body mass index (BMI) for the series was $24.5{\pm}3.4kg/m^2$. Sixty-four patients (19.0%) had a positive bone scan result. Patients with positive bone scan results had a significantly lower BMI ($23.3{\pm}3.5$ vs. $24.8{\pm}3.3$; p=0.003), a higher Gleason score ($8.5{\pm}1.1$ vs. $7.1{\pm}1.5$; p < 0.001), and a higher PSA level ($1071.3{\pm}2337.1$ vs. $69.4{\pm}235.5$; p < 0.001) than those without bone metastasis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis employing the above independent predictors demonstrated that a Gleason score of ${\geq}7$, clinical stage ${\geq}T3$, $BMI{\leq}22kg/m^2$, and an initial PSA level of ${\geq}20ng/mL$ were all independent predictors of bone metastasis. Conclusions: A bone scan might be necessary in newly diagnosed PCa patients with any of the following criteria: clinical stage T3 or higher, a Gleason score of 7 or higher, BMI equal to or less than 22, and a PSA level of 20 or higher.

Glutathione S-Transferase Expression in Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinomas: a Taiwan Study

Chen, Szu-Han,Wu, Wen-Jeng,Tu, Hung-Pin,Li, Wei-Ming,Huang, Chun-Nung,Li, Ching-Chia,Lin, Hui-Hui,Ke, Hung-Lung Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Objectives: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes play important roles in resistance to cell apoptosis and carcinogenesis. We aimed to establish the relationship between GST expression and the prognosis of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTT-UC) in Taiwan. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 46 patients with pathologically confirmed UUT-UC at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. In each patient, expression of GSTT1 and GSTP1 was compared between urothelial carcinoma and normal urothelial cells by Western blotting. Results: GSTP1 expression in the UUT-UC cells was significantly higher than that in normal urothelial cells (1.6 fold, p<0.001). Expression of GSTT1 was significantly associated with the invasiveness of the carcinoma (p=0.006). Conclusions: In UUT-UC, GSTP1 might be a potential tumor marker, whereas high GSTT1 expression could be used as an indicator of cancer progression. This study is the first to demonstrate potential applications of different GST isoenzymes for biomolecular analysis of UUT-UCs in Taiwan.