Phenome-wide analysis of Taiwan Biobank reveals novel glycemia-related loci and genetic risks for diabetes

To explore the complex genetic architecture of common diseases and traits, we conducted comprehensive PheWAS of ten diseases and 34 quantitative traits in the community-based Taiwan Biobank (TWB). We identified 995 significantly associated loci with 135 novel loci specific to Taiwanese population. Further analyses highlighted the genetic pleiotropy of loci related to complex disease and associated quantitative traits. Extensive analysis on glycaemic phenotypes (T2D, fasting glucose and Hb

Detection of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Current methods for diagnosing early stage osteoarthritis (OA) based on the magnetic resonance imaging and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods are specific, but require specialized laboratory facilities and highly trained personal to obtain a definitive result. In this work, a user friendly and non-invasive quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor method has been developed to detect Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) for early stage OA diagnosis. This QCM immunosensor was fabricated to immobilize COMP antibodies utilizing the self-assembled monolayer technique. The surface properties of the immunosensor were characterized by its FTIR and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The feasibility study was based on urine samples obtained from 41 volunteers. Experiments were carried out in a flow system and the reproducibility of the electrodes was evaluated by the impedance measured by EIS. Its potential dynamically monitored the immunoreaction processes and could increase the efficiency and sensitivity of COMP detection in laboratory-cultured preparations and clinical samples. The frequency responses of the QCM immunosensor changed from 6 kHz when testing 50 ng/mL COMP concentration. The linear regression equation of frequency shift and COMP concentration was determined as: y = 0.0872 x + 1.2138 (R2 = 0.9957). The COMP in urine was also determined by both QCM and EIS for comparison. A highly sensitive, user friendly and cost effective analytical method for the early stage OA diagnosis has thus been successfully developed

Scarcity, Brand Image And Perceived Value of The Study on Purchase Intention - Take Mercedes Benz Car as an Example

[[abstract]]According to the 2008 import car sales, Mercedes-Benz sales in 6549 were bright eye ranked second.From the past to explore literature, automotive industry, although there are a lot of people analyzed studies comparing the differences are proposed specific brand values and characteristics, from 2007 several literature to 2013, and more emphasis on: a scarcity effect on consumer purchase; two boutique luxury brands on consumer purchase decision analysis; three limited edition co-branded with a physical store to buy the impact on consumers, rarely .. made between the effects of scarcity of Mercedes-Benz, this study hoping to get motivated and to buy scarce factors, as well as brand image and perceived value can not be changed from the entry, will consumers buy produce different purchase intention affected. Cheng said before, should have known scarcity single brand case study topic has slowly become the future trend, regardless of the brand or product, all want to limit the number of heart to stimulate consumer desire to buy. Scarcity is currently being studied with the car brand and its relevance to both types rarely been inked. Therefore, the object of the consumer to purchase a Mercedes car as a research population, after the recovery of the questionnaire respondents to SPSS, AMOS statistical analysis tools test reliability and validity analysis, this study found the following: 1.the supply of scarce of the uniqueness has significant impact. 2 brand has significant influence on the perceived value. 3. Perceived price has significant impact on the perceived value. 4 unique needs have significant influence on purchase intention. 5. Perceived value has significant influence on purchase intention. The above view has proved this paper echoes, hoping to follow the car industry as a marketing strategy with reference to research data

[[alternative]]Study on the Construction of Leadership Behavior Evaluation Indicators of Private Preschool Directors--In New Taipei City and Hsinchu City

[[abstract]]　　本研究的結論發現如下：本研究旨在探討私立幼兒園園長領導行為對評鑑指標的建構之研究，探討新北市及新竹市私立幼兒園園長領導行為之差異性。首先了解新北市及新竹市私立幼兒園園長領導行為之現況分析；其次根據向度建構指標，進行向度的分析；接著分析不同背景變項對於私立幼兒園園長領導行為之差異；最後則是探討兩者之相關。　　本研究調查採抽樣調查有效問卷為178份，新北市147份、新竹市31份。依據樣本 t 檢定、獨立樣本 t 檢定、皮爾森(Pearson)相關分析相關進行統計分析。　　本研究的結論發現如下：一、新北市及新竹市私立幼兒園園長領導行為得分程度高，其中以「激勵」向度得分最高，由此可知「激勵」對於新北市及新竹市私立幼兒園園長領導行為是有顯著的相關。二、在不同個人背景變項對於新北市及新竹市私立幼兒園園長領導行為並無明顯差異，表示新北市及新竹市私立幼兒園園長不會因為員工的性別、年齡、服務年資、教育程度、職務類別而有著差別對待皆能一視同仁。三、在不同園所變項中，以園長年齡的差異性最為明顯，並以園長年齡30歲以下之私立幼兒園園長最為顯著。　　最後依據上述研究結果所提出之建議，可供給於幼兒教育主管機關，並舉辦相關之研習活動，持續提供私立幼兒園園長能夠更持續提升幼兒教育的品質。[[abstract]]　　This study aims to explore the construction of evaluation indicators for the leadership behavior of private kindergarten directors. Exploring the differences in leadership behavior between the heads of private kindergartens in New Taipei City and Hsinchu City . First, understand the current situation of the leadership behavior of the heads of private kindergartens in New Taipei City and Hsinchu City. Secondly, according to the degree of construction index, the degree of analysis. Then analyze the difference of different background variables for the leadership behavior of private kindergarten directors. The last is to explore the relationship between the two.　　This study investigated 178 valid questionnaires, 147 in New Taipei City and 31 in Hsinchu City. Statistical analysis based on sample t-test, independent sample t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis.　　The findings of this study were found as follows: 1. The leadership of New Taipei City and Hsinchu City Private preschools has a high score. Among them, the highest score is the ＂incentive＂ dimension. It can be seen that ＂incentives＂ have a significant correlation with the leadership behavior of private kindergarten directors in New Taipei City and Hsinchu City. 2, There is no significant difference in the leadership behavior of the private kindergartens in New Taipei City and Hsinchu City in different personal background variables. It is said that the heads of private kindergartens in New Taipei City and Hsinchu City will not be treated differently because of their gender, age, length of service, education level and job type. 3. Among the changes in different gardens, the difference in age of the director is the most obvious, and the head of the private kindergarten with the age of 30 is the most prominent and hold related research activities.　　Finally, based on the recommendations of the above research results. Can be supplied to the child care authority. The continuous provision of private kindergarten directors will continue to enhance the quality of early childhood education

不同排水條件/滑移速度條件下高嶺土之摩擦特性探討

This study aims at exploring the influences of shear velocity and drainage conditions on the strength of kaolin clay. A low to high velocity rotary shear apparatus was used to measure the apparent friction coefficient of wet kaolin clay under a normal stress of 1 MPa. The shear velocity ranged from 10-6 to 1 m/s. The drainage conditions include radial, single and double drainage conditions. The results show a lower strength for the radial drainage condition (close to the undrain condition) than the ones measured under single drainage test conditions covering the whole velocity spectrum. Notably, the friction coefficient dropped rapidly in the early stage (<200 s) of radial drainage condition but increased gradually, which can be related to the excess pore pressure dissipation. The results of this study are relevant to the study of large landslides, from creeping tuning to catastrophic failure.本研究探討滑移速度和排水條件對高嶺土摩擦係數之影響。使用高速旋剪試驗儀，以正向應力 1 MPa、 滑移速度 10-6~1 m/s 進行旋剪試驗，量測浸水高嶺土視摩擦係數，排水條件可分徑向排水與單、雙向排水。結 果顯示徑向排水 (較接近不排水) 試驗在任何滑移速度下，穩態摩擦係數較單、雙向排水試驗結果為低，且徑 向排水試驗於試驗前期 (<200 秒)，摩擦係數將先降至一低點後再逐漸上升。當剪動速度達 1 m/s 時，三種排 水條件之試體均由較低速情況下之位移強化轉化為位移弱化。本研究推論這些現象與不同排水條件、不同剪 動速度造成之不同超額孔隙水壓累積有關，本研究結果顯示潛移邊坡轉化為加速滑移可能會與滑動面排水條 件有關，邊坡位移速率監測管理值之訂定可能也有必要考慮滑動面排水條件

Design and Analysis of a High-Precision Horizontal Machine Tools

Abstract: The horizontal machine tool has an automatic exchange table, which can be combined with a flexible manufacturing system for automatic processing and production. Therefore, it requires higher performance stability than other machines. This study analyzes the static and dynamic characteristics of a horizontal machine tool structure. The finite element analysis (FEA) method is generally used to analyze the whole machine structure and improve the deformation and resonance of the horizontal machine tool. In this study, FEA was applied to the design process of the machine tool, including static deformation analysis, modal analysis, transient analysis, and harmonic analysis of the machine. The deformation of the whole machine due to acceleration of gravity and cutting force was analyzed. The modal shapes generated by the first and third modes directly affected the machining process of the machine tool. To further analyze the influence of vibration signal processing on processing quality, transient response analysis was carried out on the effect of axial cutting force during machining. Spectrum analysis of the machine was also carried out. This study is expected to help the structural design of a horizontal machine tool to improve the dynamic characteristics and stability of the horizontal machining system

Initiation, movement, and run-out of the giant Tsaoling landslide — What can we learn from a simple rigid block model and a velocity–displacement dependent friction law?

AbstractTsaoling landslide is the largest and best documented landslide among several large landslides induced by the 1999 Taiwan Chi-Chi earthquake. Pliocene sedimentary rocks of about 125Mm3 in volume slid along very flat bedding planes dipping by 14° with an average speed of 35–40m/s for about 1650m, before hitting the bank of the Chinshui River during the landslide. Detailed analysis of DTMs before and after the earthquake using a GIS software leads to an accurate determination of the locations of the centroids of landslide mass, revealing the horizontal and vertical displacements of the 2524m and 524m, respectively. Those displacements and landslide mass give an apparent friction coefficient of 0.21 and the release of the potential energy of 1.6×1015J. We conducted rotary-shear high-velocity friction experiments on fault gouge from bedding-parallel faults under semi-wet conditions and at 3MPa normal stress corresponding to the overburden pressure of the landslide mass. We also compiled reported data on the frictional properties on shale powders and fault gouge from the landslide site under both dry and wet conditions, and proposed a velocity–displacement dependent friction law that can describe most experimental data. Newmark analysis of landslide motion with six scenarios for different landslide materials and conditions, assuming a simple rigid block sliding and using measured frictional parameters, revealed that the landslide did not occur with dry frictional properties, and that the landslide occurred at 38–39s with accumulated displacements of 0.62m–1.09m and reached at the river bank at 82–87s after the generation of Chi-Chi earthquake at its epicenter. Those timings are consistent with high-frequency signals at 32–40s and at 76s recorded at a nearby seismic station and with a survivor's witness that the landslide initiated 10s after he felt strong ground motion, possible S wave arrival at 25.2s. Slip-weakening is essential in initiating the landslide and low friction coefficient (0.08–0.1) allowed high-speed of the landslide possible. The landslide was caused by a few peaks of northeast-oriented strong accelerations of the ground motion. Frictional work during the sliding of the landslide mass was estimated to be of about 23% of potential energy, and the rest of the released energy is likely to have been consumed during the stopping phase of the landslide after hitting the river bank in complex processes such as fragmentation, heat dissipation, and spreading of the landslide deposits

Clinical and Histologic Features of Patients with Biopsy-Proven Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Background/Aims: Fatty liver disease is defined as a cluster of diseases with heterogeneous etiologies, and its definition continues to evolve. The novel conceptional criteria for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) were proposed in 2020 to avoid the exclusion of a certain subpopulation, but their evaluations have been limited. We aimed to examine and compare the clinical as well as histologic features of MAFLD versus nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with biopsy-proven hepatic steatosis. Methods: From January 2009 to December 2019, 175 patients with histology-proven hepatic steatosis and 10 with cryptogenic cirrhosis who were treated at National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, were enrolled. Patients were classified into different groups according to the diagnostic criteria of MAFLD and NAFLD. The clinical and histologic features were then analyzed and compared. Results: In total, 76 patients (41.1%) were diagnosed with both MAFLD and NAFLD, 81 patients (43.8%) were diagnosed with MAFLD alone, nine patients (4.9%) were diagnosed with NAFLD alone, and 19 patients (10.3%) were diagnosed with neither. Those with MAFLD alone exhibited a higher degree of disease severity regarding histology and laboratory data than those with NAFLD alone. Advanced fibrosis was associated with the presences of hepatitis B virus infection and metabolic diseases. Conclusions: The novel diagnostic criteria for MAFLD include an additional 38.9% of patients with hepatic steatosis and can better help identify those with a high degree of disease severity for early intervention than can the previous NAFLD criteria

To Synthesize Hydroxyapatite by Modified Low Temperature Method Loaded with Bletilla striata Polysaccharide as Antioxidant for the Prevention of Sarcopenia by Intramuscular Administration

Oxidative stress has been suggested as an important factor in the progress of sarcopenia. The current treatments for sarcopenia have the disadvantages of insufficient effect or daily administration. Therefore, an alternative for effective, safety and long-term treatment may be a solution for unmet needs. Bletilla striata polysaccharide has been reported to have anti­oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we used Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) combined with hydroxyapatite, a carrier. We hypothesized that the resulting combination (BSP-HAP) is a good formula for the controlled release of BSP via intramuscular (IM) administration, so as to prevent the worsening of presarcopenia or even recover from the early stage of the illness. In this research, BSP-HAP was synthesized by a modified low temperature co-precipitation process that would be beneficial for BSP loading. By conducting DCFDA, WST-1 and the Live/Dead assay, BSP-HAP is shown to be a biocompatible material which may release BSP by cells through the endocytosis pathway. Animal studies revealed that the rats treated with BSP-HAP could effectively recover muscle endurance, grip strength or fat/lean mass ratio from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sarcopenia. This study shows BSP delivered by BSP-HAP system has potential for application in the treatment and prevention of sarcopenia in the future

Significance of Hypermethylation of Tumor-Suppressor Genes PTGER4 and ZNF43 at CpG Sites in the Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer

The status of DNA methylation in primary tumor tissue and adjacent tumor-free tissue is associated with the occurrence of aggressive colorectal cancer (CRC) and can aid personalized cancer treatments at early stages. Tumor tissue and matched adjacent nontumorous tissue were extracted from 208 patients with CRC, and the correlation between the methylation levels of PTGER4 and ZNF43 at certain CpG loci and the prognostic factors of CRC was determined using the MassARRAY System testing platform. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a Chi-square test, and McNemar&rsquo;s test were used for group comparisons, and Kaplan&ndash;Meier curves and a log-rank test were used for prediction. The hypermethylation of PTGER4 at the CpG_4, CpG_5, CpG_15, and CpG_17 tumor tissue sites was strongly correlated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.38&ndash;7.73 for RFS, HR = 2.35 and 95% CI = 1.17&ndash;4.71 for PFS, HR = 4.32 and 95% CI = 1.8&ndash;10.5 for OS]. By contrast, RFS and PFS were significantly longer in the case of increased methylation of ZNF43 at the CpG_5 site of normal tissue [HR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.07&ndash;5.08 for RFS, HR = 2.42 and 95% CI = 1.19&ndash;4.91 for PFS]. Aberrant methylation at specific CpG sites indicates tissue with aggressive behavior. Therefore, the differential methylation of PTGER4 and ZNF43 at specific loci can be employed for the prognosis of patients with CRC