Analysis on Thermal Hazard of Foam Decoration Materials

The occurrence and spread of fire often result from the flammables in interior decoration materials, which mostly contain fireproof foam to avoid fire damage. In this study, the foams with reportedly fire resistance, such as general foam, PU foam, melamine foam, and rubber foam, are compared via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis to build a thermal parameter database of decoration materials of fireproof foams and provide green building materials, technologies, and fire preventive measures to the industry or consumers

Assessment of In-Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning System Performed in a Virtual Cluster

This paper introduces a high-performed high-availability in-cloud enterprise resources planning (in-cloud ERP) which has deployed in the virtual machine cluster. The proposed approach can resolve the crucial problems of ERP failure due to unexpected downtime and failover between physical hosts in enterprises, causing operation termination and hence data loss. Besides, the proposed one together with the access control authentication and network security is capable of preventing intrusion hacked and/or malicious attack via internet. Regarding system assessment, cost-performance (C-P) ratio, a remarkable cost effectiveness evaluation, has been applied to several remarkable ERP systems. As a result, C-P ratio evaluated from the experiments shows that the proposed approach outperforms two well-known benchmark ERP systems, namely, in-house ECC 6.0 and in-cloud ByDesign

Inhibition of gap junctional Intercellular communication in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by triphenyltin chloride through MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Organotin compounds (OTCs) have been widely used as stabilizers in the production of plastic, agricultural pesticides, antifoulant plaints and wood preservation. The toxicity of triphenyltin (TPT) compounds was known for their embryotoxic, neurotoxic, genotoxic and immunotoxic effects in mammals. The carcinogenicity of TPT was not well understood and few studies had discussed the effects of OTCs on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of cells.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>In the present study, the effects of triphenyltin chloride (TPTC) on GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells were evaluated, using the scrape-loading dye transfer technique.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TPTC inhibited GJIC after a 30-min exposure in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor did not modify the response, but the specific MEK 1 inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 decreased substantially the inhibition of GJIC by TPTC. After WB-F344 cells were exposed to TPTC, phosphorylation of Cx43 increased as seen in Western blot analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results show that TPTC inhibits GJIC in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells by altering the Cx43 protein expression through both MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways.</p

Ample Pairs

We show that the ample degree of a stable theory with trivial forking is preserved when we consider the corresponding theory of belles paires, if it exists. This result also applies to the theory of $H$-structures of a trivial theory of rank $1$.Comment: Research partially supported by the program MTM2014-59178-P. The second author conducted research with support of the programme ANR-13-BS01-0006 Valcomo. The third author would like to thank the European Research Council grant 33882

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Taiwan

We found a virulent closely related clone (Panton-Valentine leukocidin–positive, SCCmec V:ST59) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in inpatients and outpatients in Taiwan. The isolates were found mostly in wounds but were also detected in blood, ear, respiratory, and other specimens; all were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Sex Differential Genetic Effect of Chromosome 9p21 on Subclinical Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Chromosome 9p21 has recently been shown to be a risk region for a broad range of vascular diseases. Since carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque are independent predictors for vascular diseases, the association between 9p21 and these two phenotypes was investigated. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Carotid segment-specific IMT and plaques were obtained in 1083 stroke- and myocardial infarction-free volunteers. We tested the genotypes and haplotypes of key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 9p21 for the associations with carotid IMT and plaque. Multivariate permutation analyses demonstrated that carriers of the T allele of SNP rs1333040 were significantly associated with thicker common carotid artery (CCA) IMT (p=0.021) and internal carotid artery (ICA) IMT (p=0.033). The risk G allele of SNP rs2383207 was associated with ICA IMT (p=0.007). Carriers of the C allele of SNP rs1333049 were found to be significantly associated with thicker ICA IMT (p=0.010) and the greater risk for the presence of carotid plaque (OR=1.57 for heterozygous carriers; OR=1.75 for homozygous carriers). Haplotype analysis showed a global p value of 0.031 for ICA IMT and 0.115 for the presence of carotid plaque. Comparing with the other haplotypes, the risk TGC haplotype yielded an adjusted p value of 0.011 and 0.017 for thicker ICA IMT and the presence of carotid plaque respectively. Further analyzing the data separated by sex, the results were significant only in men but not in women. CONCLUSIONS: Chromosome 9p21 had a significant association with carotid atherosclerosis, especially ICA IMT. Furthermore, such genetic effect was in a gender-specific manner in the Han Chinese population

Building the scene of a fire case through soundproof foam analysis experiment and FDS simulation software

台中ALA夜店火災發生時，火花引燃牆壁及天花板之隔音泡棉導致火勢迅速擴散及大量濃煙肇致重大人員傷亡，為了避免類似的情況再度發生，本研究材料篩選較具代表性的四種隔音泡棉，包含一般泡棉、PU泡棉、美耐皿白色泡棉及 CR 25度橡膠類泡棉，利用熱重分析儀 (Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer, TGA)、紅外線光譜儀 (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, FTIR)、掃描式電子顯微鏡 (Scanning Electron Microscope , SEM)、能量線譜 (Energy Dispersive Spectrometer, EDS)、微差掃描熱卡計 (Differential Scanning Calormetry, DSC) 等儀器對四種泡棉進行材料分析，探討其熱重損失、泡棉組成之分子構造、化學成分分析及材料燃燒之能量變化等熱力學、熱反應及相關材料性質; 再以台灣台中阿拉夜店火災為案例，蒐集火災現場調查資料和官方的火災鑑定報告等資料，針對室內裝修隔音泡棉材料，利用熱分析實驗儀器，獲得隔音泡棉受熱燃燒後之各項熱反應参數，並以美國國家標準局(National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST)所開發之火災動態模擬器 (Fire Dynamics Simulator, FDS) 與Smokeview後處裡工作，建構台中市阿拉夜店火災案例模型，重建火災情境，並詳細探討有關火災危害因子溫度、氧氣、一氧化碳、二氧化碳、能見度及煙層高度等之變化情形探討，對人員避難逃生之影響，以了解造成人員重大傷亡之主因，並提供未來類似場所消防安全工程改善方針與對策。模擬結果顯示出隔音泡棉燃燒後會產生大量之濃煙，嚴重阻礙人員避難逃生之視線，在整個避難路徑上，煙毒危害程度大於熱危害程度，故導致避難人員多為吸入性嗆傷，也是致命之原因，亦符合本案例官方鑑定報告書判定結果，故做好事前的防範，應將火災可能產生的災害降至最低。In the fire case of Taichung ALA pub, fire spread to the soundproof foam on walls and ceiling and then it escalated. Heavy smoke filled the house, which caused heavy casualties. In order to avoid similar situations, four typical soundproof foams, namely ordinary foam, PU foam, melamine white foam and CR25 rubber foam, were selected in this study. Four instruments, namely Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer, Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive Spectrometer, Differential Scanning Calormetry, were used to analyze these four foams. The thermodynamic and thermoreactive properties such as thermal weight loss, composition molecular structure, chemical constituent analysis and the energy change during burning were investigated. The Taichung ALA pub case was used as an example. Fire investigation results and official appraisal report were collected. The thermal reaction parameters for the indoor decoration soundproof foams were obtained using thermal analysis experiment instruments. The Fire Dynamics Simulator developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology was then used to rebuild the model of ALA pub fire case. The changes of the dangerous factors such as temperature, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, visibility, and smoke layer height, were investigated. The effect of the dangerous factors on escape of people from fire was also studied to understand the major causes for heavy casualties. In addition, the fire engineering improvement and measures for similar situations were proposed. The simulation results show that soundproof foam will belch out heavy smoke as it is burned. The smoke reduced the visibility severely and blocked the way of escaping. The smoke is more life-threatening than heat. No wonder most persons escaping from fire suffered from smoke inhalation, which is also the major life-threatening cause. The result of this study matches that in the official fire appraisal report

Competitive Strategies of the Lithium Battery Industry in Taiwan:A Case Study

Lithium batteries possess advantages over other batteries in terms of safety, life, amplification of electricity, and environmental protection. Numerous countries have put substantial efforts on developing the technique of the lithium battery. In addition to 3Cs' products (i.e., computer, communications, and consumer electronics), lithium batteries are gradually applied to hand tools, wheelchairs, golf cars, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, and energy saving systems. The battery industry seems to have significant breakthrough in the near future. LFP (LiFePO4) batteries emerge due to technical innovations, relative costs, and new demand. However, the defects of emerging industries include lack of solid competitive foundation, vague game rules, small size, and immature technology. Under uncertainty, the LFP industry contains high risk as well as many opportunities. Confronted with competition from international companies, small-medium companies of Taiwan need to use valid competitive strategies to survive. This study attempts to provide clinical profiles and find out useful strategies for a battery company of Taiwan. The analytical results provide insights to industry practitioners and references to future related studies.鋰鐵電池具備安全性、壽命長、可大電流充放電、環保等性能，明顯優於其他電池，為世界各國正積極開發之電池技術，電池除廣泛應用於三C 產品外，因高功率電池之開發，逐漸擴大應用至手動工具、醫療輪椅、高爾夫球車、自行車、機車、汽車等，甚至太陽能電池、家用儲能等，多年來未有顯著突破的電池產業，在未來幾年將出現革命性發展！鋰鐵電池因技術創新、相對成本關係轉變、消費出現新需求，而轉型成為新興產業。新興產業的基本特色就是缺乏穩固的競爭基礎、缺乏其他遊戲規則、發展初期規模太小、技術太新，在充滿不確定性的情形下，既是風險也是機會。 面對國際級競爭廠商，台灣中小型企業如何運用競爭策略，是組織學習成長及永續經營的關鍵因素。是故擬對國內鋰電池產業的發展現況作進一步的瞭解與剖析，並以個案公司的角度，找出鋰鐵電池產業的未來較佳的經營策略，研究結果可供相關產業制訂競爭策略上的參考，並進一步探討其管理上的策略涵義，亦可作後續研究鋰鐵電池產業發展的參考依據。目 次 第一章 緒論 1 第一節 研究動機 1 第二節 研究目的 2 第二章 文獻探討 3 第一節 策略管理的相關文獻 3 第二節 鋰電池產業發展的相關文獻 5 第三章 研究方法 9 第一節 研究設計及架構 9 第二節 資料來源 10 第四章 鋰電池產業分析 12 第一節 電池產業 12 第二節 二次電池市場 14 第三節 鋰電池市場 17 第四節 鋰鐵電池市場 22 第五章 個案分析 29 第一節 個案公司簡介 29 第二節 同業競爭者分析 29 第三節 個案公司SWOT分析 37 第四節 個案公司競爭策略 39 第五節 個案公司展望 44 第六章 結論及建議 48 第一節 結論 48 第二節 建議 49 參考文獻 51 中文部份 51 英文部份 52 網站部份 52 表目次 表2- 1 三種一般競爭策略之內涵 5 表4- 1 一次電池特性比較表 12 表4- 2 二次電池特性比較表 13 表4- 3 各種鋰電池特性比較 18 表4- 4 台灣NB模組市佔率 20 表4- 5 各類動力電池比較 22 表4- 6 全球HEV預估數量 25 表4- 7 全球EBIKE出貨量 25 表4- 8 全球電動代步車及電動輪椅車市場需求量 26 表4- 9 中國LED路燈市場規模 28 表5- 1 鋰鐵材料主要競爭者分析 30 表5- 2 SWOT分析 38 表5- 3 個案公司的經營策略建議 45 圖目次 圖2- 1 供應鏈波特五力模型架構圖 3 圖2- 2 PORTER之一般性策略 4 圖3- 1 研究流程圖 10 圖4- 1 電池簡介 12 圖4- 2 全球二次電池市場規模 14 圖4- 3 全球小型二次電池市場規模 15 圖4- 4 全球小型二次電池應用領域 15 圖4- 5 全球小型二次電池主要生產國 16 圖4- 6 電池種類與能量密度/起始電壓比較 16 圖4- 7 二次電池發展趨勢 17 圖4- 8 鋰電池產業關聯圖 17 圖4- 9 NB／PC成本分析 18 圖4- 10 鋰電池銷售量圖 19 圖4- 11 全世界HEV混成電動車的生產量預測圖 21 圖4- 12 鋰鐵電池適用產品種類圖 24 圖4- 13 全世界HEV市場電池產值 25 圖4- 14 全球EBIKE市場電池產值 26 圖4- 15 全球電動代步車及電動輪椅車市場電池產值 26 圖4- 16 電動手工具機市場 27 圖4- 17 中國太陽能LED路燈市場電池產值 28 圖4- 18 鋰鐵電池潛在市場商機 28 圖5- 1 鋰鐵電池產業五力分析圖 36 圖5- 2 個案公司競爭策略及累積超額報酬率（未扣除大盤） 42 圖5- 3 個案公司競爭策略及累積超額報酬率（已扣除大盤） 4