Effects of Mold Growth on Building Materials by Different Environments in Taiwan

An Cheng,Yu Hsin,Wei-Ting Lin 대한토목학회 2014 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.18 No.4

The main of study is to investigate the effect of moisture variation and micro-structure on the growth mold at surface of buildingmaterials. The two different water-cement ratio of mortars (w/c = 0.4, 0.6), brick and tiles were used in this study. The mercuryIntrusion Porosity-Meter (MIP) was used to determine the pore distribution of building materials. The moisture variation of materialswas recorded in constant climate chamber (25oC, relative humidity 80%), general indoor environment (28oC, relative humidity 55%)and water damage simulation environment. The results indicated that the pore size and distribution will affect the surface water ratioand moisture content of materials. The surface water ratio of specimen was affected by different environment seriously. The surfacewater ratio was an important factor in mold growth.

Identification of candidate odorant‐degrading enzyme genes in the antennal transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis

Kang Zhi‐Wei,Liu Fang‐Hua,Xu Yong‐Yu,Cheng Jia‐Hui,Lin Xiao‐Li,Jing Xiang‐Feng,Tian Hong‐Gang,Liu Tong‐Xian 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.1

Odorant‐degrading enzymes (ODEs) have been found in insect antennae and play a critical role in signal chemical degradation once the message is conveyed. Significant progress has been made in characterizing ODEs in a variety of pests but very little is known in their natural enemies. We have carried out an antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis, a natural enemy of aphid, to identify the candidate ODEs. Based on the antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome, a total of 100 putative ODEs were identified including one aldehyde oxidase (AOX), four alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs), eight UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), 45 cytochrome P450 (P450s), nine glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and 40 carboxylesterases (CCEs or CXEs). Additionally, we used RT‐qPCR to determine the expression profiles of these genes in tissues of both sexes. Based on the phylogenic analysis and tissue‐expression patterns, AgifEstE4, AgifCXE3, AgifCCE4, AgifCCE7, and AgifCCE18 were suggested as key ODEs in A. gifuensis. In addition, the female or male specifically enriched genes, such as AgifCCE17, AgifEstB1, AgifCYP18a1, AgifUGT2C2, were also considered to involve in the chemosensory processing in A. gifuensis. This study not only identified the candidate ODEs in A. gifuensis but also provided source for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of chemical signal transductions in A. gifuensis, as well as other hymenopteran species.

Full-space Cloud of Random Points with a Scrambling Metasurface

Li, Zile,Dai, Qi,Mehmood, Muhammad Q.,Hu, Guangwei,yanchuk, Boris Luk’,Tao, Jin,Hao, Chenglong,Kim, Inki,Jeong, Heonyeong,Zheng, Guoxing,Yu, Shaohua,Alù,, Andrea,Rho, Junsuk,Qiu, Cheng-Wei Nature Publishing Group UK 2018 Light, science & applications Vol.7 No.1

<▼1><P>With the rapid progress in computer science, including artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing, full-space spot generation can be pivotal to many practical applications, such as facial recognition, motion detection, augmented reality, etc. These opportunities may be achieved by using diffractive optical elements (DOEs) or light detection and ranging (LIDAR). However, DOEs suffer from intrinsic limitations, such as demanding depth-controlled fabrication techniques, large thicknesses (more than the wavelength), Lambertian operation only in half space, etc. LIDAR nevertheless relies on complex and bulky scanning systems, which hinders the miniaturization of the spot generator. Here, inspired by a Lambertian scatterer, we report a Hermitian-conjugate metasurface scrambling the incident light to a cloud of random points in full space with compressed information density, functioning in both transmission and reflection spaces. Over 4044 random spots are experimentally observed in the entire space, covering angles at nearly 90°. Our scrambling metasurface is made of amorphous silicon with a uniform subwavelength height, a nearly continuous phase coverage, a lightweight, flexible design, and low-heat dissipation. Thus, it may be mass produced by and integrated into existing semiconductor foundry designs. Our work opens important directions for emerging 3D recognition sensors, such as motion sensing, facial recognition, and other applications.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Metasurfaces: scrambling light for 3D detection and recognition</B></P><P>Firing light at a manufactured 'metasurface'—one carrying patterns at a smaller scale than the wavelength of the light—fills large volumes of space with defined points of light, potentially improving 3-D recognition and sensor applications. Cheng-Wei Qui and colleagues at the National University of Singapore, with co-workers across Asia and in the USA, created their unique metasurface from amorphous silicon. Light is scattered from and transmitted through the material to generate a cloud of data points in the surrounding space in which the structure and motion of objects under study can be analyzed. The initial development work with this “scrambling metasurface” suggests it could improve pattern recognition, including face recognition, motion detection and augmented reality applications. The researchers describe how their innovation overcomes significant limitations of existing methods in these fields.</P></▼2>

Research, Teaching and Extension Training Programs on Food Safety and Security at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA

Cheng-i Wei 한국식품영양과학회 2013 한국식품영양과학회 학술대회발표집 Vol.2013 No.11

Models of High Technology Development in the East Asian and Latin American NICs

( Wei Cheng Wang ) 인하대학교 국제관계연구소 1994 Pacific Focus Vol.9 No.2

Validation of a Palliative Prognostic Index to Predict Life Expectancy for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients in a Hospice Consultation Setting in Taiwan

Cheng, Wei-Hong,Kao, Chen-Yi,Hung, Yu-Shin,Su, Po-Jung,Hsieh, Chia-Hsun,Chen, Jen-Shi,Wang, Hung-Ming,Chou, Wen-Chi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the practical utility of the palliative prognostic index (PPI) as a prognostic tool used by nurse specialists in a hospice consultation setting in Taiwan. Methods: In total, 623 terminal cancer patients under hospice consultation care from one medical center in northern Taiwan were enrolled between January 1 and June 30, 2011. PPI was assessed by a nurse specialist at first hospice consultation and patients categorized into groups by prognosis (good, intermediate, poor). Patient survival was analyzed retrospectively to determine significance of between-group differences. Results: By PPI sum score, 37.2% of patients were in the good prognosis group, 18% in the intermediate prognosis group and 44.8% in the poor prognosis group. The death rates were 56%, 81.2% and 89.6% and median survivals were 76, 18 and 7 days, respectively. The hazard ratio was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10-0.24, p<0.001) for the poor versus good prognosis group and 0.54 (95% CI 0.43-0.69, p<0.001) for the poor versus intermediate prognosis group. The sensitivity and specificity for the poor prognosis group was 66% and 71%; the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 81% and 52%, respectively, to predict patient death within 21 days (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic was 0.68). Conclusions: Assessment by PPI can accurately predict survival of terminal cancer patients receiving hospice consultation care. PPI is a simple tool and can be administered by nurse members of hospice consultation teams.

Aberrant Th2 Immune Responses Are Associated With a Reduced Frequency of IL-35-Induced Regulatory T Cells After Allergen Exposure in Patients With Allergic Asthma

Wei Wang,Chaojie Wei,Zhenshun Cheng,Jiong Yang 대한천식알레르기학회 2020 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.12 No.6

Purpose: Allergen exposure induces aberrant T helper (Th) 2 immune responses in patients with allergic asthma, but not in sensitized asymptomatic and nonallergic subjects. Interleukin (IL)-35-induced regulatory T (iTr35) cells are a new subset of regulatory T cells with immunoregulatory properties. These cells can significantly suppress Th2 responses in seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, it remains unknown whether iTr35 cells are involved in the immunoregulation of allergic asthmatic individuals after specific allergen exposure. Methods: The iTr35 cell frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured in patients with allergic asthma as well as in asymptomatic and healthy subjects. The difference in naïve CD4+ T cell conversion to iTr35 cells in vitro during allergen stimulation was also investigated. The effects of iTr35 cells on naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th2 cells, CD4+CD25− T (Teff) cell proliferation and Th2 cytokine production in vitro were assessed. Results: Significantly reduced iTr35 cell frequencies and IL-35 expression levels were found in asthmatic patients with Derp1 allergy compared with asymptomatic and healthy subjects. Moreover, the circulating iTr35 cell proportion and IL-35 expression level in asthmatic patients gradually decreased with disease severity. Patients with allergic asthma had reduced transformation of naïve CD4+ T cells into iTr35 cells and IL-35 production after allergen exposure compared with asymptomatic and healthy subjects. Most importantly, iTr35 cells inhibited allergen-driven differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into Th2 cells, Teff cell proliferation and Th2 cytokine production in an IL-35-dependent manner. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that iTr35 cells may play an important role in preventing Th2 responses to allergens by secreting IL-35 and that iTr35 cells may be a potential new immune regulator of allergic asthma.

In vitro Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Methanolic Extract of Euphorbia humifusa

Wei Cheng Hu,Seong Il Heo,Myeong Hyeon Wang 한국응용생명화학회 2008 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.51 No.5

Metagenomics analysis of the gut microbiome in healthy and bacterial pneumonia forest musk deer

Wei Zhao,Ziwei Ren,Yan Luo,Jianguo Cheng,Jie Wang,Yin Wang,Zexiao Yang,Xueping Yao,Zhijun Zhong,Wei Yang,Xi Wu 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.1

Background The forest musk deer (FMD, Moschus berezovskii) is an threatened species in China. Bacterial pneumonia was found to seriously restrict the development of FMD captive breeding. Historical evidence has demonstrated the relationship between immune system and intestinal Lactobacillus in FMD. Objective We sought to elucidate the diferences in the gut microbiota of healthy and bacterial pneumonia FMD. Methods The bacterial pneumonia FMD was demonstrated by bacterial and pathological diagnosis, and the gut microbiome of healthy and bacterial pneumonia FMD was sequenced and analysed. Results There are three pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus equinus and Trueperella pyogenes) isolated from the bacterial pneumonia FMD individuals. Compared with the healthy group, the abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the pneumonia group was changed, and a high level of Proteobacteria was found in the pneumonia group. In addition, a higher abundance of Acinetobacter (p=0.01) was observed in the population of the pneumonia group compared with the healthy group. Several potentially harmful bacteria and disease-related KEGG subsystems were only found in the gut of the bacterial pneumonia group. Analysis of KEGG revealed that many genes related to type IV secretion system, type IV pilus, lipopolysaccharide export system, HTH-type transcriptional regulator/antitoxin MqsA, and ArsR family transcriptional regulator were signifcantly enriched in the metagenome of the bacterial pneumonia FMD. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that the gut microbiome was signifcantly altered in the bacterial pneumonia group. Overall, our research improves the understanding of the potential role of the gut microbiota in the FMD bacterial pneumonia.

Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Aralia elata Seeds

( Wei Cheng Hu ),( Mee Jung Jung ),( Seong Il Heo ),( Myeong Hyeon Wang ) 한국응용생명화학회 2007 Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry (J. Appl. Vol.50 No.3

Aralia elata seeds were successively extracted with water, methanol, ethanol, acetone and chloroform. The crude extracts were investigated for antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The antioxidant properties of various extracts were evaluated by antioxidant tests, such as DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay, metal-chelating activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition activity and reducing power assay. The 70% methanol extract exhibited the highest activity in the in vitro models of DPPH free radical-scavenging activity, metal-chelating activity, and reducing power assay. Acetone extract showed good effects on lipid peroxidation inhibition and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay at a low concentration. In addition, the α- glucosidase inhibition assay showed that 70% methanol extract had the highest activity. These results indicate the high possibility of using A. elata seeds for medical application due to their efficient antioxidant properties.