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Search Results: 1 - 10 of 55256 matches for " Chin-Wei Yen "
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A Particle Swarm Optimization with Random Particles and Fine-Tuning Mechanism for Nonconvex Economic Dispatch
Ming-Tang Tsai,Chin-Wei Yen
International Journal of Electrical and Power Engineering , 2012, DOI: 10.3923/ijepe.2011.35.41
Abstract: This study presents a new approach to the economic dispatch problems with valve-point effects. The practical economic dispatch problem has a nonconvex cost function with equality and inequality constraints that it is difficult to find the optimal solutions using any mathematical approaches. A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) with Random Particles and Fine-tuning mechanism (PSO-RPFT) is proposed to solve economic dispatch problem. The proposed developed in such a way that PSO with Constriction Factor (PSO-CF) is applied as a based level search which can give a good direction to the optimal global region. Random particles and fine-tuning mechanism is used as a fine tuning to determine the optimal solutions at the final. Effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on 3 example systems and compared to that of SA, GA, EP. Results show that the proposed method is more effective in solving economic dispatch problem.
Spin Polarization and Quantum Spins in Au Nanoparticles
Chi-Yen Li,Sunil K. Karna,Chin-Wei Wang,Wen-Hsien Li
International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 2013, DOI: 10.3390/ijms140917618
Abstract: The present study focuses on investigating the magnetic properties and the critical particle size for developing sizable spontaneous magnetic moment of bare Au nanoparticles. Seven sets of bare Au nanoparticle assemblies, with diameters from 3.5 to 17.5 nm, were fabricated with the gas condensation method. Line profiles of the X-ray diffraction peaks were used to determine the mean particle diameters and size distributions of the nanoparticle assemblies. The magnetization curves M( H a) reveal Langevin field profiles. Magnetic hysteresis was clearly revealed in the low field regime even at 300 K. Contributions to the magnetization from different size particles in the nanoparticle assemblies were considered when analyzing the M( H a) curves. The results show that the maximum particle moment will appear in 2.4 nm Au particles. A similar result of the maximum saturation magnetization appearing in 2.3 nm Au particles is also concluded through analysis of the dependency of the saturation magnetization M P on particle size. The M P( d) curve departs significantly from the 1/ d dependence, but can be described by a log-normal function. Magnetization can be barely detected for Au particles larger than 27 nm. Magnetic field induced Zeeman magnetization from the quantum confined Kubo gap opening appears in Au nanoparticles smaller than 9.5 nm in diameter.
Multiobjective Optimization Approaches in Image Segmentation – The Directions and Challenges
Bong Chin-Wei,Mandava Rajeswari
International Journal of Advances in Soft Computing and Its Applications , 2010,
Abstract: A new trend of problem formulation for image segmentation is touse multiobjective optimization approach in its decision makingprocess. Multiobjective formulations are realistic models for manycomplex optimization problems. In many real-life problems,objectives under consideration conflict with each other, andoptimizing a particular solution with respect to a single objective canresult in unacceptable results with respect to the other objectives.The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review ofmultiobjective optimization in image segmentation problem. Themodels are classified according to relevant features, such as thevarious aspects of the optimization approaches used, various possibleproblem formulations, type of datasets modelled and the scope of theapplications. Through our analysis of the current state of theresearch, we diagnose some of the directions and challenges formodelling the image segmentation problem with multiple objectivescriteria. In this review, we consolidate the selected material in theliterature, including more than 80 studies dated 1990 or later.
Adaptor protein Shc acts as an immune-regulator for the LPS-stimulated maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells
Kuang-Den Chen, Li-Wen Hsu, Shigeru Goto, Chin-Wei Yeh, Toshiaki Nakano, Chia-Yun Lai, Yen-Chen Chang, Chiung-Hui Hou, Chih-Chi Wang, Yu-Fan Cheng, King-Wah Chiu, Chih-Che Lin, Chao-Long Chen
BMC Immunology , 2011, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-12-32
Abstract: We found that, in response to LPS, expression of Shc proteins was induced and that neutralization of Shc inhibited the LPS-induced transient phosphorylation of p52Shc on pTyr239/240 in DCs of Lewis (LEW; RT1l) rats. Moreover, the significantly enhanced expression of IL-10 and the surface level of costimulatory molecule CD80, as well as suppressed expression of IL-6 and IL-12 in the Shc-silenced DCs were also observed. Similar IκB phosphorylation occurred in Shc-silenced DCs primed by LPS, indicating Shc is not associated with NF-κB pathway. We further demonstrate that Shc blockade on LPS-treated DCs results in significant increase of the overall STAT3 phosphorylation and the relative levels of phospho-STAT3 in the nuclear fraction. STAT3 activation by LPS with or without Shc blockade was totally abolished by SU6656, a selective Src family kinases inhibitor, underscoring the critical role of Src-mediated activation.We conclude that Shc blockade in LPS-primed DC leads to the development of tolerogenic DC via Src-dependent STAT3 activation and that adaptor protein Shc might play a pivotal role in mediating immunogenic and tolerogenic properties of DCs.Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important APC that play a crucial role in bridging innate resistance and adaptive immunity [1,2]. Immature DCs reside in peripheral tissues, where they release soluble mediators (cytokines, chemokines and IFNs) that participate in innate inflammatory responses during infection [2,3]. Upon capturing antigens, DCs migrate to the lymph nodes and present processed antigenic epitopes to T cells, resulting in their activation and further expansion [4,5]. A variety of signals induce DC maturation. Mature DCs express high levels of antigen presenting and co-stimulatory molecules and certain cytokines critical for the nature of the T cell response. For instance, Th1-type T cell responses need inflammatory IL-12 produced by DCs. Conversely, DCs can also produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as
Histamine metabolism influences blood vessel branching in zebrafish reg6 mutants
Cheng-chen Huang, Chin-Wei Huang, Yih-Shyun E Cheng, John Yu
BMC Developmental Biology , 2008, DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-8-31
Abstract: We performed a screening for chemical suppressors of reg6 and identified SKF91488, an inhibitor of histamine methyltransferase (HMT), that can rescue the reg6 vessel branching defects in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of HMT by SKF91488 presumably blocks histamine degradation, thus causing histamine accumulation. Consistent with this idea, we found that a high level of histamine also showed significant suppression of reg6 vessel phenotypes. Interestingly, when reg6 adults that had already developed swollen vessel lumina in regenerating fins were treated with histamine or SKF91488, either treatment significantly reduced the number of swollen vessels within 12 h, suggesting a rapid and constant influence of histamine on blood vessel branching. Furthermore, the expression of HMT was significantly elevated in reg6 regenerating fins. Conversely, lowering histamine by administering urocanic acid, a histidine decarboxylase inhibitor, enhanced the reg6 phenotypes. Finally, we identified that the transcription factor, egr-1 (early growth response factor 1), was closely associated with the reg6 phenotype and chemical treatments.Taken together, our results suggest that blood vessel branching is influenced by histamine metabolism, possibly through regulating the expression of the egr-1 transcription factor.Blood vessels are important for transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells for survival and proper functioning. In early embryos, the pioneer trunk vessels, the dorsal aorta and cardinal vein, develop from vascular endothelial cells derived from the lateral plate mesoderm through a process called vasculogenesis. Subsequently, blood vessels grow from existing vessels, through a process referred to as angiogenesis, into peripheral tissues and developing organs [1]. In developing embryos, increasing evidence has revealed that blood vessels also provide signals for the proper morphogenesis of developing organs [2]. In the adult form of organisms, angiogenesis and/or vasculog
Turkey: gaining market share in the U.S. ready-to-wear clothing market
Victoria Seitz,M.B Neace,Esin Keyfli,Chin-Wei Tung
Review of Economic and Business Studies (REBS) , 2008,
Abstract: Although many believe the global textile industry is mature it is still a growing market with predictions the world textile and clothing industries are expected to grow at a three to four percent rate per year fr some time to come. Moreover, it is predicted that by 2010 this industry will be a $500 billion market (Gorvett, December 6, 2006). Although China is a source for many of U.S. products, particularly apparel, the recent product recalls and the need for quality suppliers provides opportunities for Turkish goods. Hence, the overall purpose of this study was to determine the criteria needed by Turkish suppliers to gain market share in the U.S. apparel industry. Five owners of Turkish textile manufacturing firms well established in Europe and recently in the U.S. were surveyed. Results showed that entering the U.S. market as a wholesaler or distributor and gaining experience was the ‘safest’ way to start. Opening stores may be a next step but must be based on matching brand image with appropriate target markets. Population and culture are so diverse and fragmented in the U.S. most textile products can find a niche in the marketplace, subject to strategic positioning.
Plasma Haptoglobin Concentrations Are Elevated in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Chin-Wei Lee, Tsai-Mu Cheng, Chih-Pei Lin, Ju-Pin Pan
PLOS ONE , 2013, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076817
Abstract: Inflammation underlies the development and progression of coronary artery plaques. Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein, the synthesis of which is increased during inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma Hp concentrations and phenotype in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We recruited 359 patients with fixed luminal stenosis ≥50% in at least one coronary artery (CAD group) and 83 patients with luminal stenosis ≤40%, normal ejection fraction, and normal regional wall motion (control group). Plasma Hp concentrations were measured using a phenotype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hp phenotype was determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Plasma lipid concentrations were measured. Plasma Hp concentrations were significantly higher in the CAD compared with the control group (262.4±144.2 vs 176.0±86.7 ng/mL, P<0.001); however, there was no between group difference in the distribution of Hp phenotype (1-1 = 7.5% vs 7.2%; 2-1 = 40.4% vs 42.2%; 2-2 = 52.1% vs 50.6%). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression revealed that high Hp concentrations (odds ratio [OR] = 5.865), male sex (OR = 3.689), hypertension (OR = 2.632), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.300), and low-density lipoprotein concentrations (OR = 1.480) were independently associated with CAD (all P<0.05). Hp phenotype was not associated with CAD. Plasma Hp concentrations were significantly correlated with the severity of luminal stenosis (r = 0.236, P<0.001). Our findings suggest that plasma Hp concentrations may be elevated in patients with CAD. There does not appear to be any relationship between Hp phenotype and CAD.
Subjective Memory Evaluation before and after Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery
Chin-Wei Huang, Brent Hayman-Abello, Susan Hayman-Abello, Paul Derry, Richard S. McLachlan
PLOS ONE , 2014, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093382
Abstract: Subjective memory (SM), a self-evaluation of memory, in contrast to objective memory (OM) measured by neuropsychological testing, is less well studied in patients with epilepsy. We assessed SM before and after temporal lobectomy. The Frequency of Forgetting 10 scale (FOF-10), developed to evaluate SM in dementia, was given before and one year after temporal lobectomy. Reliability and validity for use in epilepsy were first assessed. Measures of depression (CES-D) and neuroticism (PANAS) were done before and after surgery as well as complete neuropsychological assessment of OM. Correlation analysis between FOF-10 results and all the other variables was implemented. In 48 patients the FOF-10 was reliable and valid showing high internal consistency in all items (Cronbach's alpha >0.82) and high reproducibility (p<0.01). The FOF-10 also correlated with the memory assessment clinics self rating scale (MAC-S) (p<0.01). FOF-10 scores improved or were unchanged postoperatively in 28 patients (58%) and worsened in 20 (42%). The FOF-10 did not significantly correlate with memory scores from neuropsychological testing but did correlate with perceived word finding difficulty (p<0.001) and postoperative depression (p<0.05). A reduction in number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) after surgery distinguished those with improved postoperative SM. No correlation was found between SM and neuroticism, side of surgery or number of seizures. The FOF-10 is a brief and reliable measure of subjective memory in patients with epilepsy. Perceived memory impairment reflects more emotional state, language problems and quantity of AEDs than actual defects in memory function. These results would potentially be useful in presurgical counselling and management of memory issues after temporal lobe surgery.
Can We Measure Galaxy Environments with Photometric Redshifts?
Chuan-Chin Lai,Lihwai Lin,Hung-Yu Jian,Tzi-Hong Chiueh,Alex Merson,Carlton Baugh,Sebastien Foucaud,Chin-Wei Chen,Wen-Ping Chen
Physics , 2015,
Abstract: A variety of methods have been proposed to define and to quantify galaxy environments. While these techniques work well in general with spectroscopic redshift samples, their application to photometric redshift surveys remains uncertain. To investigate whether galaxy environments can be robustly measured with photo-z samples, we quantify how the density measured with the nearest neighbor approach is affected by photo-z uncertainties by using the Durham mock catalogs in which the 3D real-space environments and the properties of galaxies are exactly known. Furthermore, we present an optimization scheme in the choice of parameters used in the 2D projected measurements which yields the tightest correlation with respect to the 3D real-space environments. By adopting the parameters in the density measurements, we show that the correlation between the 2D projected optimized density and real-space density can still be revealed, and the color-density relation is also visible even for a photo-z uncertainty ($\sigma_{\Delta_{z}/(1+z)}$) up to 0.06. We find that a deep ($i \sim 25$) photometric redshift survey with $\sigma_{\Delta_{z}/(1+z)} = 0.02$ yields a comparable performance of density measurement to a shallower $i \sim$ 22.5 (24.1) spectroscopic sample with 40\% (20\%) sampling rate. Finally, we discuss the application of the local density measurements to the Pan-STARRS Medium Deep survey, one of the largest on-going deep imaging surveys. Using data from $\sim 5 \rm deg^2$ of survey area, our results show that it is possible to measure local density and to probe the color-density relation in the PS-MDS, confirming the simulation results. The color-density relation, however, quickly degrades for data covering smaller areas.
Pregabalin Attenuates Excitotoxicity in Diabetes
Chin-Wei Huang, Ming-Chi Lai, Juei-Tang Cheng, Jing-Jane Tsai, Chao-Ching Huang, Sheng-Nan Wu
PLOS ONE , 2013, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065154
Abstract: Diabetes can exacerbate seizures and worsen seizure-related brain damage. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the standard antiepileptic drug pregabalin (PGB) protects against pilocarpine-induced seizures and excitotoxicity in diabetes. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into either a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes group or a normal saline (NS) group. Both groups were further divided into subgroups that were treated intravenously with either PGB (15 mg/kg) or a vehicle; all groups were treated with subcutaneous pilocarpine (60 mg/kg) to induce seizures. To evaluate spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), PGB-pretreated rats were fed rat chow containing oral PGB (450 mg) for 28 consecutive days; vehicle-pretreated rats were fed regular chow. SRS frequency was monitored for 2 weeks from post-status epilepticus day 15. We evaluated both acute neuronal loss and chronic mossy fiber sprouting in the CA3 area. In addition, we performed patch clamp recordings to study evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) in hippocampal CA1 neurons for both vehicle-treated rats with SRS. Finally, we used an RNA interference knockdown method for Kir6.2 in a hippocampal cell line to evaluate PGB's effects in the presence of high-dose ATP. We found that compared to vehicle-treated rats, PGB-treated rats showed less severe acute seizure activity, reduced acute neuronal loss, and chronic mossy fiber sprouting. In the vehicle-treated STZ rats, eEPSC amplitude was significantly lower after PGB administration, but glibenclamide reversed this effect. The RNA interference study confirmed that PGB could counteract the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP)-closing effect of high-dose ATP. By opening KATP, PGB protects against neuronal excitotoxicity, and is therefore a potential antiepileptogenic in diabetes. These findings might help develop a clinical algorithm for treating patients with epilepsy and comorbid metabolic disorders.
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