Using a hybrid model to evaluate development strategies for digital content

Digital content (DC) is one of the most important areas of growth within the global creative and knowledge-based economy. The paper aims to propose a systematic approach to evaluating strategies to develop DC industry and how it should be effectively implemented. Our analysis employs a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) approach by using the interpretive structural modelling (ISM) method to deal with the interrelationship among criteria, and the analytic network process (ANP) method is employed to determine the relative weights of each criterion. Finally, in order to choose the alternative for the ideal solution of this problem, a technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is used. To demonstrate the validity of this method, the Taiwan’s DC industry is used as an illustrative case. The study generates results that can serve as a reference for decision-makers in the formulation of their development strategies for DC. Moreover, the evaluation model constructed in this study goes beyond existing measures and may serve as a reference for a decision-maker. First published online: 02 Nov 201

Extreme Rainfall Mechanisms Exhibited by Typhoon Morakot (2009)

Moderate Typhoon Morakot (2009) became the most catastrophic typhoon in Taiwan on record. The MM5 numerical experiments with and without bogus data assimilation (BDA) were used to investigate the extreme rainfall mechanisms in Taiwan associated with the westbound typhoon. The BDA, based on 4DVAR, helps MM5 to maintain a more consolidated typhoon vortex and better predict the observed track after landfall, thus producing realistic extreme rainfall (about 2400 mm) at the southern and Central Mountain Range (CMR) of Taiwan. Severe rainfall in Taiwan is dominated by the CMR that hence modulates rainfall predictability

Supplier selection using a hybrid model for 3C industry

Supplier selection is a good strategy for firms that can reduce operating costs and improve competitiveness for computer, communication and consumer electronics (3C) industry. The major aim of this research is to build a systematic approach for establishing a supplier selection model, and then prioritize improvement criteria in order to best supply chain management. The study proposed a hybrid approach by using the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) method to deal with the interrelationship among criteria, and the analytic network process (ANP) method is employed to recognize the criteria of supplier selection and evaluate with respect to environmental competency for the case of Taiwan's 3C industry. The study shows that the proposed model could be an effective and efficient decision-making tool that can be easily extended to other contexts. Especially, it has provided decision-makers and researchers with better understanding of the differences in supplier selection activity needs and specific management interventions by examining these criteria

Critical success factors in digital publishing technology using an ANP approach

Digital publishing technology (DPT) has been recognized as one of the most important technologies for economic development. The purpose of the study is to develop an evaluation model based on analytic network process (ANP) approach to explore the critical success factors (CSFs) for the successful implementation of DPT. It can objectively identify related criteria of DPT, and then prioritize improvement criteria to the success of promoting DPT for government. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach, the Taiwan’s DPT is conducted. The results of this study could serve as a new method and offer insights to policy makers to indentify and prioritize CSFs for DPT implementations systematically. First published online: 03 Nov 201

Drosophila eyes absent is a Novel mRNA Target of the Tristetraprolin (TTP) Protein DTIS11

The Tristetraprolin (TTP) protein family includes four mammalian members (TTP, TIS11b, TIS11d, and ZFP36L3), but only one in Drosophila melanogaster (DTIS11). These proteins bind target mRNAs with AU-rich elements (AREs) via two C3H zinc finger domains and destabilize the mRNAs. We found that overexpression of mouse TIS11b or DTIS11 in the Drosophila retina dramatically reduced eye size, similar to the phenotype of eyes absent (eya) mutants. The eya transcript is one of many ARE-containing mRNAs in Drosophila. We showed that TIS11b reduced levels of eya mRNA in vivo. In addition, overexpression of Eya rescued the TIS11b overexpression phenotype. RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter analyses demonstrated that the DTIS11 RNA-binding domain is required for DTIS11 to bind the eya 3′ UTR and reduce levels of eya mRNA. Moreover, ectopic expression of DTIS11 in Drosophila S2 cells decreased levels of eya mRNA and reduced cell viability. Consistent with these results, TTP proteins overexpressed in MCF7 human breast cancer cells were associated with eya homologue 2 (EYA2) mRNA, and caused a decrease in EYA2 mRNA stability and cell viability. Our results suggest that eya mRNA is a target of TTP proteins, and that downregulation of EYA by TTP may lead to reduced cell viability in Drosophila and human cells

Hungry bone syndrome in peritoneal dialysis patients after parathyroid surgery

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) occurs frequently in patients on maintenance dialysis receiving parathyroidectomy for refractory SHPT. However, there is scanty study investigating the clinical risk factors that predict postoperative HBS, and its outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective study to analyze 66 PD patients who had undergone parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2009 and 2019. The patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence ( n=47) or absence (n=19) of HBS after parathyroidectomy. Subtotal parathyroidectomy was the most common surgery performed (74.2%), followed by total parathyroidectomy with autoimplantation (25.8%). Pathological examination of all surgical specimens revealed parathyroid hyperplasia (100%). Patients with HBS had lower levels of postoperative nadir corrected calcium, higher alkaline phosphate (ALP), and higher potassium levels compared with patients without HBS (all P<0.05). A multivariate logistic regression model confirmed that lower preoperative serum calcium level (OR 0.354, 95% CI 0.133–0.940, P=0.037), higher ALP (OR 1.026, 95% CI 1.008–1.044, P=0.004), and higher potassium level (OR 6.894, 95% CI 1.806–26.317, P=0.005) were associated with HBS after parathyroidectomy. Patients were followed for 58.2±30.8 months after the surgery. There was no significant difference between HBS and non-HBS groups in persistence (P=0.496) or recurrence (P=1.000) of hyperparathyroidism. The overall mortality rate was 10.6% with no significant difference found between both groups (P=0.099). We concluded that HBS is a common complication (71.2%) of parathyroidectomy for SHPT and should be managed appropriately

A Method of Upgrading a Hydrostatic Model to a Nonhydrostatic Model

As the sigma-p coordinate under hydrostatic approximation can be interpreted as the mass coordinate with out the hydro static approximation, we propose a method that up grades a hydro static model to a nonhydrostatic model with relatively less effort. The method adds to the primitive equations the extra terms omitted by the hydro static approximation and two prognostic equations for vertical speed w and nonhydrostatic part pres sure p'. With properly formulated governing equations, at each time step, the dynamic part of the model is first integrated as that for the original hydro static model and then nonhydrostatic contributions are added as corrections to the hydro static solutions. In applying physical parameterizations after the dynamic part integration, all physics pack ages of the original hydro static model can be directly used in the nonhydrostatic model, since the up graded nonhydrostatic model shares the same vertical coordinates with the original hydro static model. In this way, the majority codes of the nonhydrostatic model come from the original hydro static model. The extra codes are only needed for the calculation additional to the primitive equations. In order to handle sound waves, we use smaller time steps in the nonhydrostatic part dynamic time integration with a split-explicit scheme for horizontal momentum and temperature and a semi-implicit scheme for w and p'. Simulations of 2-dimensional mountain waves and density flows associated with a cold bubble have been used to test the method. The idealized case tests demonstrate that the pro posed method realistically simulates the nonhydrostatic effects on different atmospheric circulations that are revealed in the oretical solutions and simulations from other nonhydrostatic models. This method can be used in upgrading any global or mesoscale models from a hydrostatic to nonhydrostatic model

Detection of SARS-associated Coronavirus in Throat Wash and Saliva in Early Diagnosis

Early detection of SARS-CoV in throat wash and saliva suggests that these specimens are ideal for SARS diagnosis

The association between subjective memory complaint and objective cognitive function in older people with previous major depression

The goal of this study is to investigate associations between subjective memory complaint and objective cognitive performance in older people with previous major depression-a high-risk sample for cognitive impairment and later dementia. A cross-sectional study was carried out in people aged 60 or over with previous major depression but not fulfilling current major depression criteria according to DSM-IV-TR. People with dementia or Mini-Mental State Examination score less than 17 were excluded. Subjective memory complaint was defined on the basis of a score ≧4 on the subscale of Geriatric Mental State schedule, a maximum score of 8. Older people aged equal or over 60 without any psychiatric diagnosis were enrolled as healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using a series of cognitive tests assessing verbal memory, attention/speed, visuospatial function, verbal fluency, and cognitive flexibility in all participants. One hundred and thirteen older people with previous major depression and forty-six healthy controls were enrolled. Subjective memory complaint was present in more than half of the participants with depression history (55.8%). Among those with major depression history, subjective memory complaint was associated with lower total immediate recall and delayed verbal recall scores after adjustment. The associations between subjective memory complaint and worse memory performance were stronger in participants with lower depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score<7). The results suggest subjective memory complaint may be a valid appraisal of memory performance in older people with previous major depression and consideration should be given to more proactive assessment and follow-up in these clinical samples