350 research outputs found
Kinematic Model for Coseismic Mud Diapirism with the 2016 Mw 6.4 MeiNong Earthquake in Taiwan
No full textThis is a package prepared for a journal paper submission.
Copyright 2020, Geng-Pei Lin ([email protected])
Title:
Kinematic Model for Coseismic Mud Diapirism with the 2016 Mw 6.4 MeiNong Earthquake in Taiwan
Authors:
Geng-Pei Lin, Wu-Lung Chang1 and Chi-Yu Chiu
Corresponding author: Geng-Pei Lin ([email protected])
Files:
Currently this package contains a .inp file and two .mat files for GBIS (Bagnardi & Hooper, 2018). Which is used in our work
Effects of hyperglycemia and caffeine on early embryogenesis in whole rat embryo culture.
No full textby Chiu Pui Yu.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-118).Abstracts in English and Chinese.Title Page --- p.iAbstract --- p.ii-ivAcknowledgement --- p.vTable of Contents --- p.vi-viiiList of Tables --- p.ixList of Figures --- p.x-xiiList of Abbreviations --- p.xiiiChapter Section I: --- IntroductionChapter Chapter 1: --- Overview --- p.1-2Chapter Chapter 2: --- Teratogenic Effects of HyperglycemiaChapter 2.1 --- What is Hyperglycemia --- p.3Chapter 2.2 --- Teratogenic Effects of Hyperglycemia --- p.4-6Chapter 2.2.1 --- Human StudiesChapter 2.2.2 --- Animal StudiesChapter 2.3 --- Timetables for Embryogenesis: Rats versus Humans --- p.7Chapter 2.4 --- Mechanisms of Hyperglycemia Induced Teratogenesis --- p.8-12Chapter 2.4.1 --- What are Free Radicals?Chapter 2.4.2 --- Major Free Radical Species Involvedin Hyperglycemic TeratogenesisChapter 2.4.3 --- Molecular Damage Induced by Reactive Oxygen SpeciesChapter 2.4.4 --- Supporting Evidence of Reactive Oxygen Species Causing AnomaliesChapter 2.4.5. --- Hyperglycemia and Formation of Free RadicalsChapter Chapter 3: --- Caffeine as Teratogen and AntioxidantChapter 3.1 --- Popularity of Caffeine --- p.13Chapter 3.2 --- Basic Metabolism of Caffeine --- p.14Chapter 3.3 --- Biological Actions of Caffeine --- p.15Chapter 3.4 --- Teratogenicity of Caffeine --- p.16-20Chapter 3.4.1 --- Animal StudiesChapter 3.4.1.1 --- Teratogenic Effects of Caffeine in AnimalsChapter 3.4.1.2 --- Teratogenic Dose of CaffeineChapter 3.4.1.3 --- Interspecies SensitivityChapter 3.4.2 --- Human StudiesChapter 3.5 --- Possible Mechanisms for the Teratogenic Actions of Caffeine --- p.21Chapter 3.6 --- Caffeine as an Antioxidant --- p.22Chapter 3.7 --- Combined Effects of Caffeine with Other Substances --- p.23Chapter Chapter 4: --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Early Embryogenesis- A Question to be AnsweredChapter 4.1 --- Possible Links between Hyperglycemia and Caffeine --- p.24Chapter 4.2 --- Objectives of the Present Study --- p.25Chapter 4.3 --- Hypothesis --- p.26Chapter Section II: --- Research Designs and MethodsChapter Chapter 5: --- Materials and MethodsChapter 5.1 --- Licenses --- p.27Chapter 5.2 --- Overall Study Design --- p.28-40Chapter 5.2.1 --- Whole Embryo Culture ModelChapter 5.2.1.1 --- AnimalsChapter 5.2.1.2 --- Explantation of Embryos and Serum CollectionChapter 5.2.1.3 --- Preparation of SerumChapter 5.2.1.4 --- Culture MediaChapter 5.2.1.5 --- Embryo CultureChapter 5.2.2 --- Experimental GroupsChapter 5.2.3 --- Morphological AssessmentChapter 5.2.4 --- Quantitation of Oxidative StressChapter 5.2.5 --- Protein AssayChapter 5.3 --- Statistical Evaluation --- p.41Chapter Chapter 6: --- Laboratory ConsiderationsChapter 6.1 --- Whole Embryo Culture Model --- p.42-43Chapter 6.1.1 --- SubjectsChapter 6.1.2 --- Time MatingChapter 6.1.3 --- Culture MediumChapter 6.1.4 --- Gas Phase and Rotating Bottle Culture MethodChapter 6.2 --- Quantification of Oxidative Stress --- p.47-49Chapter 6.2.1 --- 8-Isoprostaglandins F2a as a MarkerChapter 6.2.2 --- Assay for 8-Isoprostaglandins F2aChapter 6.2.2.1 --- Enzyme Immunoassay versus Gas Chromatography/ Mass SpectrometryChapter Section III: --- ResultsChapter Chapter 7: --- ResultsChapter 7.1 --- Justifications of Methods of Statistical Analysis --- p.50Chapter 7.2 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Early Embryogenesis --- p.51-56Chapter 7.2.1 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Morphological DevelopmentChapter 7.2.2 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Production of 8-isoprostaglandins F2aChapter 7.2.3 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Total Protein ContentChapter 7.3 --- Effects of Caffeine on Early Embryogenesis --- p.57-61Chapter 7.3.1 --- Effects of Caffeine on Morphological DevelopmentChapter 7.3.2 --- Effects of Caffeine on Total Protein ContentChapter 7.4 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Early Embryogenesis --- p.62-66Chapter 7.4.1 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Morphological DevelopmentChapter 7.4.2 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Production of 8-isoprostaglandins F2aChapter 7.4.3 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Total Protein ContentChapter Section IV: --- Discussion and ConclusionsChapter Chapter 8: --- Discussion --- p.67-83Chapter Chapter 9: --- Conclusions and Future Directions --- p.84Appendices --- p.85References --- p.86-11
The Relationship Between Pretend Play and Playfulness in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
No full textAbstract
Date Presented 3/30/2017
This study explored the relationship between pretend play and playfulness in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our findings suggest that it is important to assist children with ASD to engage in pretend play, for doing so could promote their internal experience of playfulness.
Primary Author and Speaker: Hsiu-Man Chiu
Additional Authors and Speakers: Kuan-Lin Chen
Contributing Authors: Ya-Chen Lee, Cheng-Te Chen, Chien-Ho Lin, Yu-Ching Lin</jats:p
Shi yong jia yong qing jie chan pin yu nian qing de xue tong hu xi xi tong jian kang de ying xiang: qian zhan xing dui lie yan jiu
No full textWong, Chiu Yi.Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2015.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-115).Abstracts also in Chinese; some appendixes in Chinese.Title from PDF title page (viewed on 03, November, 2016).Wong, Chiu Yi
Control of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater by monitored natural attenuation
No full textSoil and groundwater at many industrial areas and disposal sites is contaminated by hydrocarbons that were released into the environment. Anthropogenic hydrocarbon contamination of soil is a global issue throughout the industrialised world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and mechanisms of natural attenuation (NA) on the remediation of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater caused by gasoline and diesel fuel leakage. The industrial petroleum hydrocarbons (e.g., methyl tertiary-butyl ether, MTBE and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, BTEX) are among the most ubiquitous organic compounds found in subsurface contaminated environment. Among the cost-effective approach for the remediation of the petroleum technologies, NA has become an effective alternative to the remediation methods for the in situ treatment of contaminated subsurface environments. Natural attenuation occurs at most polluted sites. Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) works best where the source of pollution has been removed. For instance, buried waste must be dug up and disposed of properly. Or it can be removed using other available cleanup methods. After the source is removed, the natural processes get rid of the small amount of pollution that remains in the soil and groundwater. The main objectives of this research was to examine the possibility of adopting monitored natural attenuation as a remediation technique for the contaminated groundwater aquifer. During the effectiveness investigation, site groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for the variations in geochemical indicators, microbial diversity, dominant bacteria, biodegradation rates, biodegradation capacity, and trend of contaminant degradation. Results show that more than 70% of the total BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) removal (dropped from 6.2 mg/L at the source zone to 1.2 mg/L at a 120-m downgradient line) was observed through the NA processes. The calculated biodegradation capacity (23 mg/L) is much higher than the detected concentrations of benzene (6.2 mg/L) within the most contaminated area. Results from Mann-Kendall test reveal that BTEX concentrations were decreasing in most of the monitor wells range from -1.48 to -1.74 in source area, and the calculated first-order NA rates for BTEX were in the range from 3.1\uc310-4 to 5.9\uc310-3 1/d. Results from BIOSCREEN simulation suggest that biodegradation was responsible for 91% of BTEX mass reduction at this site. Results show the calculated cumulative benzene cancer risk for groundwater and air in off site is 4.1\uc310-103 and 2.0\uc310-8 which is not exceeds the acceptable risk-based carcinogenic risk 1.0\uc310-6, because the occurrence of NA at the site, the harmful levels of health risks to the residents could be reduced and thus, the risk index for cancer risk was decreased. Results from polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and nucleotide sequence analysis reveal that the petroleum-hydrocarbon plume caused the bacterial variation in microbial communities, and more than 36 different petroleum-hydrocarbon degrading bacteria under aerobic and anaerobic conditions were observed (including Alcaligenes sp., Aquincola sp., Beggiatoa sp., Bosea sp., Brachymonas petroleovorans CHX, Comamonas sp., Dechloromonas sp., Gallionellaceae sp., Hydrogenophaga sp., Methylibium sp., Mycobacterium sp., Pseudomonas sp., Rhodoferax sp., Rhodocyclaceae sp., Thalassolituus sp., Thiobacillus sp., Variovorax sp.) Result indicating that BTEX could be biodegraded by the intrinsic bacterial consortium. Results also reveal that the occurrence of intrinsic biodegradation was the major cause of the limited spreading of the BETX plume and decreased contaminant removal through the plume cross section along the transport path. The observed natural attenuation processes there is strong circumstantial evidence within the plume included the following: (1) depletion of electron acceptors (e.g., dissolved oxygen, sulfate), (2) production of the degradation products (e.g., ferrous iron, sulfide, methane, CO2), (3) decreased BTEX concentrations along the transport path, (4) decreased trend of BTEX concentrations in monitor wells, (5) increased alkalinity, (6) increased microbial populations, (7) decreased pH in the spill source area, and (8) preferential removal of certain BTEX components along the transport path. Results indicate that NA can effectively contain the plume, and intrinsic biodegradation mechanisms were the major causes for contaminant removal. Results will be useful in applying NA as an alternative option for the management of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated sites
Abstract 4520: Hepatitis B virus X protein regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
No full textAbstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, is a fatal malignancy and is prevalent in HBV-endemic geographical areas. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major etiologic factor of HCC. HBV is a double-stranded DNA virus and encodes for a viral onco-protein called transactivator protein X (HBx) which interacts with the host proteins to enhance proliferative potential of the host cells. Here, using Tet-ON and Tet-OFF HBx inducible systems in HBV-negative HCC cell lines, we showed that induced expression of HBx stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein under hypoxia. Reversely, knockdown of HBx in HBV-positive HCC cell lines reduced HIF-1α protein stabilization under hypoxia. More intriguingly, we found that induced HBx expression up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression a known HIF-1α transcriptional target, lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) in HCC. Our previous study showed that LOXL2 cross-linked collagen in the extracellular matrix to promote HCC metastasis. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that knockdown of HBx in HCC cell lines markedly reduced formation of collagen fibers in vitro. Transwell invasion assay showed that knockdown of HBx reduced HCC invasive ability. Picrosirius red staining further showed that knockdown of HBx reduced collagen cross-linking in vivo and repressed HCC growth and metastasis. Taken together, our study unprecedentedly show the HBx remodels the ECM through HIF-1α/LOXL2 pathway to promote HCC metastasis.
Citation Format: Cerise Yuen-Ki Chan, Aki Pui-Wah Tse, Elley Yong-Tuen Chiu, Karen Man-Fong Sze, Hui-Yu Koh, Irene Oi-Lin Ng, Carmen Chak-Lui Wong. Hepatitis B virus X protein regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4520. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4520</jats:p
Election Fraud and Misinformation on Twitter: Author, Cluster, and Message Antecedents
No full textThis study determined the antecedents of diffusion scope (total audience), speed (number of adopters/time), and shape (broadcast vs. person-to-person transmission) for true vs. fake news about a falsely claimed stolen 2020 US Presidential election across clusters of users that responded to one another’s tweets (“user clusters”). We examined 31,128 tweets with links to fake vs. true news by 20,179 users to identify 1,069 user clusters via clustering analysis. We tested whether attributes of authors (experience, followers, following, total tweets), time (date), or tweets (link to fake [vs. true] news, retweets) affected diffusion scope, speed, or shape, across user clusters via multilevel diffusion analysis. These tweets showed no overall diffusion pattern; instead, specific explanatory variables determined their scope, speed, and shape. Compared to true news tweets, fake news tweets started earlier and showed greater broadcast influence (greater diffusion speed), scope, and person-to-person influence. Authors with more experience and smaller user clusters both showed greater speed but less scope and less person-to-person influence. Likewise, later tweets showed slightly more broadcast influence, less scope, and more person-to-person influence. By contrast, users with more followers showed less broadcast influence but greater scope and slightly more person-to-person influence. These results highlight the earlier instances of fake news and the greater diffusion speed of fake news in smaller user clusters and by users with fewer followers, so they suggest that monitors can detect fake news earlier by focusing on earlier tweets, smaller user clusters, and users with fewer followers.Ye
Factor Affecting College Students\ue2 Preference for Fair Trade Coffee
No full textThe objective of this study is to explore possible factors affecting college students\ue2 preference for fair trade coffee. The investigated factors included four of the values listed in Sheth, Newman and Gross's (1991a) theory of consumption values, as well as price, convenience (of buying fair trade coffee), and demographic variables. The values were functional value, social value, emotional value, and epistemic value. This study further divided emotional value into caring value and mood value; the formal reflected caring about farmers, child labor and the environment/ecology, and the latter focused on the possibility of having a good mood from consuming fair trade coffee. A convenience sample of 198 college students studying in Kaohsiung who often drank coffee were interviewed. Results from regression analysis suggest that college students would be more intended to buy fair trade coffee if they believed it had high caring value or high mood value. Furthermore, respondents spending less than 200 NTD per month on coffee were less intended to buy fair trade coffee than those spending between 200 NTD and 499 NTD per month on coffee were. Finally, functional value, social value, epistemic value, prices, and convenience\ue2all assessed by respondents' perceptions\ue2did not have significant impact on the respondents\ue2 preference for fair trade coffee. Based on these findings, several recommendations were made to the government, schools, and organizations interested in promoting fair trade coffee
The location Decision of Taiwanese Investment in Vietnam: A Preliminary Study Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
No full textThis study quantitatively explores which characteristics of Vietnamese provinces attract Taiwanese outward investment by a spatial autoregressive model. The author also uses a qualitative approach to further understand the logic behind my finding in the quantitative analysis. This study finds that industrial park is the most important factor to attract Taiwanese investors. Yet, it seems not come from only the agglomeration effect. In Vietnam, Taiwanese investment tends to locate in industrial parks, because the industrial park can provide a safer investment environment, where the regulations can make Taiwanese small and medium enterprises feel more guaranteed
On the Emancipation of the Lower Orders by the Yung-chêng Emperor
No full textIn the early period of the Ch'ing (清) dynasty, there lived several kinds of persons of inferior social status, called Yueh-hu (樂戶), To-min (墮民), Kai-hu (丐戶), Chiu-hsing-yu-hu (九姓漁戶), Tan-hu (蜑戶), Liao-min (寮民), P'eng-min (棚民), Pang-tang (伴儅) and Shih-p'u (世僕). One of the most important policies of the Yung-cheng emperor was their emancipation. The author tries to uncover the details of these reforms
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