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The typhoon boundary layer within the two super typhoons Dujuan and Soudelor is observed using ground-based Doppler lidar up to a height of 240 m, and primarily in the outer rain-bands. The mean wind-speed profiles are analyzed over 1-h intervals and two longer intervals, representing the stages of the typhoons’ approach and departure, respectively. In agreement with surface-layer parametrizations related to finite mixing-length theory, the hourly mean wind-speed profiles demonstrate that the scaling parameter $$u_{*o}$$ /fc, where $$u_{*o}$$ denotes the surface friction velocity, and fc denotes the Coriolis parameter, determines the depth the surface layer, and governs the boundary-layer formation in the mixed layer. With large values of $$u_{*o}$$ /fc, the dominance of surface friction extends the logarithmic layer to the uppermost level of the present observations. In contrast, with small $$u_{*o}$$ /fc values, the effect of the Coriolis parameter increases the wind speed with respect to the logarithmic profile above the surface layer. That the averaged wind-speed profiles may be described by finite mixing-length theory, the empirical Deaves and Harris model, as well as the power-law profile, suggest these approaches are appropriate for simulations of the typhoon boundary layer.

For supporting the dynamic routing plan more efficiently, this study has been established by integrating PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) −based dynamic routing algorithm, self-tuning fuzzy controller, a stereo-vision detection technique and 6-DOF mathematical model into the inspection system of AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle). Specifically, the PSO-based dynamic routing algorithm is modified by adopting the concept of Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO), which is able to handle different weights of objectives in parallel. Therefore, a modular structure is applied to program design of the system by using the graphical language, LabVIEW®, which is composed of 6-DOF motion module, a self-tuning fuzzy control module, a stereo-vision detection module, and a dynamic routing module. Performances resulted from the MOPSO-based dynamic routing algorithm would be discussed by conducting a series of inspection tasks in the imitated offshore wind farm. Additionally, selections of fixed weight and dynamic weight of MOPSO-based dynamic routing algorithm would be compared via Pareto frontiers for feasible solutions of both sailing time and energy consumption. Eventually, it is verified that the MOPSO-based dynamic routing algorithm in our system is not only able to estimate the feasible routes intelligently, but also identify features of underwater structures for the purpose of positioning.

The general characteristics of wind waves and drag coefficient are studied using the data from the buoy observation near shore in Taiwan Strait. An algorithm of the bulk aerodynamic method using 10-minute mean wind speed and the temperature difference between the air and sea surface was developed to calculate the equivalent wind speed at 10 m in height and the surface friction velocity. The observation shows that the sea states contains a wide range of wave ages driven by the synoptic wind systems, i.e. the strong northeast monsoon in winter and southwest monsoon in summer, mixed with the thermally diurnal variation across the sea-land boundaries. The large-scale winds generate a number of swells with long fetch and the mesoscale circulation perpendicular to the main streams causing wind and wave misalignments. The drag coefficients display considerable scattering around the linear growth formulation along with the increase of neutral wind speed. This is attributed to the dependence of surface roughness on wave ages. The present observation confirms that the drag coefficients are sensitive to the sea state described using the Charnock constant and hence the wave ages.

// Jianxin Jiang 1,* , Yi Zhang 2,* , Yuting Guo 1 , Chao Yu 1 , Meiyuan Chen 1 , Zhu Li 1 , Se Tian 1 and Chengyi Sun 1 1 Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, China 2 Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Wuhan, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Chengyi Sun, email: // Keywords : Hepatocellular carcinoma, miR-3127, PI3K/AKT pathway, PHLPP, INPP4A Received : November 09, 2014 Accepted : January 21, 2015 Published : January 31, 2015 Abstract Recent studies have shown that multiple phosphatases deactivate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Here we demonstrated that, by suppressing multiple phosphatases, miR-3127 promotes growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study also reveals clinical significance of miR-3127 expression in HCC patients. MiR-3127 expression was markedly upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. Furthermore, high miR-3127 expression was associated with an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. MiR-3127 overexpression promoted HCC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo . Also, miR-3127 accelerated G1-S transition by activating AKT/ FOXO1 signaling, by directly targeting the 3′ untranslated regions (3`UTR) of pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1/2 (PHLPP1/2), inositol polyphosphate phosphatase 4A (INPP4A), and inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase J (INPP5J) mRNA, repressing their expression. In agreement, the miRNA antagonist antagomir-3127 suppressed HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth by inhibiting the AKT/FOXO1 signaling. Taken together, these findings suggest that silencing miR-3127 might be a potential therapeutic strategy.

The T lineage glycoprotein CD6 is generally considered to be a costimulator of T-cell activation. Here, we demonstrate that CD6 significantly reduces early and late T-cell responses upon superantigen stimulation or TCR triggering by Abs. Measuring calcium mobilization in single cells responding to superantigen, we found that human T cells expressing rat CD6 react significantly less well compared with T cells not expressing the exogenous receptor. When the cytoplasmic domain of rat CD6 was removed, calcium responses were recovered, indicating that the inhibitory properties of CD6 are attributable to its cytoplasmic domain. Calcium responses, and also late indicators of T-cell activation such as IL-2 release, were also diminished in TCR-activated Jurkat cells expressing human CD6, compared with CD6-deficient cells or cells expressing a cytoplasmic deletion mutant of human CD6. Similarly, calcium signals triggered by anti-CD3 were enhanced in human T lymphocytes following morpholino-mediated suppression of CD6 expression. Finally, the proliferation of T lymphocytes was increased when the CD6–CD166 interaction was blocked with anti-CD166 Abs, but inhibited when anti-CD6 Abs were used. Our data suggest that CD6 is a signaling attenuator whose expression alone, i.e. in the absence of ligand engagement, is sufficient to restrain signaling in T cells.

The present study investigated and compared the physicochemical properties as well as the hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects between plant cellulose and biocellulose. Biocellulose had higher water-holding and cation-exchange capacities than plant cellulose ( approximately 2- and 6-fold, respectively). The results showed that the administration of plant cellulose and biocellulose to hamsters effectively ( P0.05) decreased the concentrations of serum triglyceride (by 13.9-55.5%), serum total cholesterol (by 17.4-27.9%), serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (by 41.9-47.9%), liver total lipids (by 6.4-10.3%), and liver cholesterol (by 11.8-16.3%). Feeding plant cellulose and biocellulose also enhanced the excretion of total lipids (144-182%), cholesterol (136-203%), and bile acids (259-479%) in feces. The efficacy of biocellulose in lowering serum lipids and cholesterol in hamsters was significantly higher than that of plant cellulose. These results suggested that biocellulose could be a promising low-calorie bulking ingredient for the development of novel fiber-rich functional foods of different forms such as powder, gelatinous, or shred forms.

Underwater data collection by using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) is increasing within the oceanographic research community. AUVs are remarkable machines that processed data for gathering local bathymetric information, which have been developed, investigated and utilized for various purposes. In this study, the Iver2 AUV is examined to accomplish location mapping by well-planned trajectory while executing missions. The goal is to collect a large-scale Xingda harbor side-scan data. Therefore, in this study, the Iver2 AUV configured by Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) and built by OceanServer is discussed. The Iver2 performs routine operations at sea surface; all the components are rated to 100 meters.

Oceans cover most of the earth’s surface, and average depth more than 3800 m. It is rich in biological resources and mineral resources. With the depletion of land resources, marine resources development and utilization is increasingly apparent. However, accompanied by the development of marine resources such as oil, natural gas from offshore extension to the deep ocean, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for its safety, high efficiency, large range of operating depths, work long hours, is increasingly becoming the development of marine resources important tool. Accordingly, in this study, the exploring ocean results in open-water for science/work-class ROV which configuration by Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) and built by Forum is discussed.

In the recent decades, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are remarkable machines that revolutionized the process of gathering ocean data. AUV systems have been developed, operated, marketed, produced, sold and utilized in water for various purposes. Accordingly, in this study, the IVER2 AUV which configuration by Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI) and built by OceanServer is discussed. The IVER2 performs routine operations sea surface; all the components are rated to 100 m.

In this paper, a robust sliding mode control is used to control an autonomous underwater vehicle. The modeling of the autonomous underwater vehicle with structure uncertainties is conducted. Sliding mode control (SMC) has robustness property in the environmental disturbances and uncertain parameters. The asymptotic tracking performance can be verified by the Lyapunov stability. The proposed control theory is demonstrated by actual tracking simulations using the autonomous underwater vehicle system. The simulations results showed promising tracking performance for the proposed method.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) and bacterial cellulose–chitosan (BC–Ch) membranes were successfully produced in large scale. BC was synthesized by Acetobacter xylinum. BC–Ch was prepared by immersing BC in chitosan followed by freeze-drying. The surface morphology of BC and BC–Ch membranes were examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM images showed that BC–Ch possessed a denser fibril network with smaller pores than BC. Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the incorporation of chitosan in BC–Ch. The swelling behavior, water retention capacity, and mechanical properties of BC and BC–Ch were further evaluated. Results indicated that both membranes maintained proper moisture contents for an extensive period without dehydration. The tensile strength and elongation at break for BC–Ch were slightly lower while the Young's modulus was higher. Cell culture studies demonstrated that BC and BC–Ch had no cytotoxicity. In the antibacterial test, the addition of chitosan in BC showed significant growth inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The effects of BC and BC–Ch on skin wound healing were assessed by rat models. Histological examinations revealed that wounds treated with BC–Ch epithelialized and regenerated faster than those treated with BC or Tegaderm. Therefore, BC–Ch was considered as a potential candidate for wound dressing materials.

A food processor with recognition ability of emotion-related information and emotional signals is disclosed, which comprises: an emotion recognition module and a food processing module. The emotion recognition module is capable of receiving sound signals so as to identify an emotion containing in the received sound signals. The food processing module is capable of producing food products with a taste corresponding to the emotion recognition result of the emotion recognition module.