Search

Kengting National Park, located in southern Taiwan and surrounded by the sea on three sides, is the only national park that covers both land and sea. The summer is 9 months long, and its yearly average temperature is 24.5 °C, which is very suitable for many different water activities. There were 7 million visitors in 2013, a sign of booming tourism. Unfortunately, the park has experienced as many as 2.4 typhoons yearly, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau statistics. In addition, its geography is also unique, with steep hillsides and fragile geology. It is very close to the Hengchun fault, the Bashi Channel, and a nuclear power plant. This tourist site has a very high potential for complex disasters. There is only one main road. If a strong earthquake occurred, it would easily result in traffic disruption. Based on these concerns, this research studied the allocation of current evacuation/refuge shelters and their service areas to determine whether these shelters are sufficient for overall disaster demands, including the number of people each evacuation/refuge shelter can accommodate, service area, and space allocation. The study integrated a multi-decision making model with a Geographic Information System to establish the most optimal allocation of disaster evacuation/refuge shelters for disaster prevention in Kengting National Park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Transglutaminase-2 (TGM-2) protein is involved in the cross-linking of matrix proteins resulting in several fibrotic disorders and can be induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Little is known about its role in the development of oral submucocal fibrosis (OSF). Hence, we hypothesize that TGM-2 may have a role in the pathogenesis of areca quid chewing-associated OSF and arecoline, a major areca nut alkaloid, could regulate TGM-2 via ROS generation. Materials: Forty OSF specimens from areca quid chewing-associated OSF and ten normal buccal mucosa biopsy samples without areca quid chewing were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of TGM-2 from fibroblasts cultured from OSF and normal buccal mucosa was evaluated by Western blot. The effect of arecoline on normal buccal mucosa fibroblasts (BMFs) was used to elucidate whether TGM-2 expression could be affected by arecoline by using 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay and Western blot. In addition, glutathione precursor N-acetyl- l-cysteine (NAC) and epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) were added to find the possible regulatory mechanisms. Results: TGM-2 expression was significantly higher in OSF specimens than normal specimens ( p < 0.05). Fibroblasts derived from OSF were found to exhibit higher TGM-2 expression than BMFs in protein levels ( p < 0.05). Arecoline significantly upregulated the intracellular ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner ( p < 0.05). TGM-2 protein induced by arecoline was found in BMFs in a dose-dependent manner ( p < 0.05). Treatment with NAC and EGCG markedly inhibited TGM-2 expression induced by arecoline ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that TGM-2 expression is significantly upregulated in OSF tissues from areca quid chewers. Arecoline-upregulated TGM-2 expression may be mediated by ROS generation. Clinical relevance: TGM-2 protein is upregulated in areca quid chewing-associated OSF. Using this in vitro model, antioxidants could inhibit arecoline-upregulated TGM-2 expression. NAC and EGCG may serve as a useful agent in controlling OSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and may progress internally over time. MF is clinically categorized as poorly defined areas of erythema, flat patches, thin plaques, and tumors. The diagnosis of early stage of MF (patch and early plaque mycosis fungoides) has been a major diagnostic challenge in dermatology because of the lack of highly characteristic immunophenotypical markers and the heterogeneity of clinical presentations of MF. In this study, the spectrum of each picture element of the patient's skin image was obtained by multi-spectral imaging technology (MSI). Spectra of normal or pathological skin were collected from 30 patients (10 early stage MF, 10 psoriasis vulgaris, and 10 atopic dermatitis). An algorithm combined with multi-spectral imaging and color reproduction technique is applied to find the best enhancement of the difference between normal and abnormal skin regions. Accordingly, an illuminant with specific intensity ratio of red, green, and blue LEDs is proposed, which has optimal color enhancement for MF detection. Compared with the fluorescent lighting commonly in the use now, the color difference between normal and inflamed skin can be improved from 11.8414 to 17.4002 with a 47 % increase, 8.7671 to 12.8544 with a 26.3 % increase, and 11.0735 to 17.2634 with a 34.3 % increase for MF, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis patients, respectively, thus making medical diagnosis more efficient, so helping patients receive early treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early-life sleep deprivation (ESD) is a serious condition with severe metabolic sequelae. The pineal hormone melatonin plays an important role in homeostatic regulation of metabolic function. Considering norepinephrine-mediated Ca influx and subsequent protein kinase A (PKA) activation is responsible for downstream cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and melatonin biosynthesis, the present study determined whether Ca expression, together with the molecular machinery participated in melatonin production would significantly alter after ESD. Weaning rats subjected to chronic ESD and maintained naturally (light:dark cycle = 12:12) to adulthood were processed for time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry together with spectrometric assay to detect the Ca signaling, adrenoreceptors, PKA, phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) as well as the serum level of melatonin, respectively. Pineal bio-energetics and metabolic function were determined by measuring the cytochrome oxidase activity and serum level of glucose, triglyceride, insulin, high- and low-density lipoproteins, respectively. Results indicated that in normal rats, strong Ca signaling along with intense adrenoreceptors, PKA, and pCREB activities were all detected in pinealocytes. Enhanced Ca imaging and signaling pathway corresponded well with intact bio-energetics, normal melatonin production and metabolic activity. However, following ESD, not only Ca but also pineal signaling activities were all significantly decreased. Blood analysis showed reduced melatonin level and impaired metabolic function after ESD. As depressed Ca-mediated signaling pathway and melatonin biosynthesis are positively correlated with the development of metabolic dysfunction, supplementary use of melatonin in childhood may thus serve as a practical way to prevent or counteract the ESD-induced metabolic deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A debris flow is a serious natural disaster which can occur anywhere whether in a valley or on a mountain slope, destroying everything it passes through. Debris flows can occur suddenly and cause residents in the path to suffer casualties and property loss. An early warning system is necessary to reduce the damage in order to protect human life and personal property. However, most debris flow detection systems, like wireless sensors, satellite images and radar, are not suitable for general public use. Vision surveillance systems are generally erected in Taiwan as public devices for security. Therefore, we propose a novel debris early warning system that uses a computer vision technique and build a simulation environment to prove the feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the construction classification of the existing engineering covers in Taiwan. The exposure profile and variable vulnerability during different construction phases are established for some kinds of classes of construction. Finally, we present a method and framework to estimate the probable maximum loss of engineering insurance portfolio during an earthquake with consideration of the dynamic nature of structural changes and exposure values during a construction project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns of each IgG-specific subclass for hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (anti-HBc) are remarkably different among individuals with different infection status, i.e., completely recovered or chronic carrier. Each of the IgG-specific subclasses of HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) was tested for ELISA sensitivity using four commercially available hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kits and one self-prepared plate. The specificity in 18 serum samples obtained from chronic HBV carriers, recovered individuals, vaccinees and non-infected individuals was investigated. Differences in absorbance values were obtained by comparing results from these different plates. Data on the absorbance values of anti-HBs IgG subclasses obtained indicated that one to four subjects had a false-negative or false-positive result using the four commercial plates. Only the self-prepared plate demonstrated 100% specificity and sensitivity for anti-HBs subclasses. Moreover, the results indicate that anti-HBs subclass IgG1 was predominant in cured patients, chronic carriers and vaccinees. The samples from both chronic carriers and vaccinees exhibited a significantly higher concentration of total IgG and IgG1 than samples in recovered individuals (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns of each IgG-specific subclass for hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (anti-HBc) are remarkably different among individuals with different infection status, i.e., completely recovered or chronic carrier. Each of the IgG-specific subclasses of HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) was tested for ELISA sensitivity using four commercially available hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kits and one self-prepared plate. The specificity in 18 serum samples obtained from chronic HBV carriers, recovered individuals, vaccinees and non-infected individuals was investigated. Differences in absorbance values were obtained by comparing results from these different plates. Data on the absorbance values of anti-HBs IgG subclasses obtained indicated that one to four subjects had a false-negative or false-positive result using the four commercial plates. Only the self-prepared plate demonstrated 100% specificity and sensitivity for anti-HBs subclasses. Moreover, the results indicate that anti-HBs subclass IgG1 was predominant in cured patients, chronic carriers and vaccinees. The samples from both chronic carriers and vaccinees exhibited a significantly higher concentration of total IgG and IgG1 than samples in recovered individuals (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]