bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN INTEGRATED ECG COMPRESSION AND ERROR PROTECTION SCHEME FOR BLUETOOTH TRANSMISSION IN HOME TELE-CARE APPLICATIONS
Authors: MIAOU SHAOU-GANG , LIN ZONG-HANG
Published: December 2008

Recently, using a wireless technology to transmit physiological signals, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), for a home tele-care system has received great attention. Although wireless transmission can provide the mobility advantage, it has to cope with the potential problem in limited bandwidth and induced interference. In this study, we propose an integration design in which a state-of-the-art compression algorithm called SPIHT (set partitioning in hierarchical trees) is combined with an unequal error protection scheme, to solve the problem for the ECG signals transmitted in Bluetooth packets. In this design, part of the SPIHT bit stream behaves like a fragile variable length code and needs a stronger protection with the forward error correction (FEC) code; the rest of the bit stream is lightly protected by the code. The simulation results show that the 2/3-rate FEC code in DM packets works effectively without the proposed scheme when the interference is fairly small. However, with the proposed scheme, the quality of received ECG signals is usually much better than that without the scheme when stronger interferences from fading channels and wireless LAN are encountered in an indoor environment. Consequently, the important features of an ECG waveform, such as P wave, QRS complex, and T wave, could be well preserved at a receiver site with clinically acceptable reconstruction quality. In addition, the data compression method in the proposed scheme can save total transmission power and time, and therefore reduce its potential interferences to other wireless devices.
POTENTIAL USAGE OF LIPOSOME-ENCAPSULATED PHOSPHOR FOR IN VIVO IMAGING OF TISSUE OXYGENATION
Authors: LO LEU-WEI , HO JA-AN A. , CHANG YEN-HSIUNG , CHANG CHIA-HUA , YANG CHUNG-SHI
Published: December 2008

Oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence can provide a quantitative measurement with high temporal resolution of tissue oxygenation in vivo. It is a real-time optical means for prognosis of diseases where the oxygen concentration is essential. Phosphorescence quenching is a noninvasive methodology, otherwise no more than minimally invasive as the phosphor is necessarily introduced into vasculature prior to the measurement. Oxyphor R2, a dendritic phosphor with twolayer of glutamates, is a suitable phosphor for oxygen measurements owing to its high water solubility. We used a frequency-domain, phase modulation based instrument to calibrate Oxyphor R2. The acquired quenching constant (kQ) and lifetime at zero oxygen (τ°) were consistent with those calibrated from conventional time-domain instrument. Administered with Oxygen R2, the rat hepatic oxygen distributions were imaged throughout the course of ischemia and reperfusion. After 5 min ischemia and subsequent 20 min reperfusion, distinct ischemic areas on the hepatic tissue were observed. In order to extend the application of in vivo oxygen imaging using phosphorescence quenching by minimizing the possible immunoresponse induced by phosphor, we are the first to co-synthesize the dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG)-rich liposome with Oxyphor R2 to generate the liposome-encapsulated Oxyphor R2. Its calibration using the frequency domain measurement displayed higher quenching constant and shorter lifetime at zero oxygen (kQ= 1186 mmHg−1sec−1; τ° = 150 μsec) comparing to original Oxyphor R2 (kQ= 438 mmHg−1sec−1; τ° = 630 μsec). It implicated that the liposome-encapsulated Oxyphor R2 designed to neutralize the immunoresponse could be further applied to measure the tissue oxygenation in vivo, especially those with low oxygen concentration such as tumor.
THE HUMAN HIP STRESS ANALYSIS: A BALL-SOCKET ELASTIC CONTACT MODELLING
Authors: WANG XISHI , WANG TIANYING , JIANG FUCHUAN , DUAN YIXIANG
Published: December 2008

The peak stress, the weight bearing area and the stress distribution of the articular contact at the human hip joint is the most important factors, which determine the location of the degenerative foci that later result in degenerative damage and in the development of osteoarthritis. In the paper, a ball-socket articular elastic contact modelling of the human hip joint is successfully established. This modelling can be used to predict the peak stress, the weight bearing area and the stress distributions of the articular contact at the human hip joint. In order to verify the validation of current modelling, an example is examined. The results show that the predictions from the current modelling are basically agreement with those reported in literatures. This shows the validity of the current modelling.
OVERLAPPING FORE AND OSEM FOR 3D PET IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: JENG WEI-MIN , CHIANG MING-CHUNG
Published: December 2008

Positron emission tomography (PET) images can be used to judge whether or not a person's bodily tissue is showing abnormal metabolism, providing a tool for early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. Contemporary PET scanners have retracted their septa in order to increase the collected coincidental events. Thus, the protocol either needs to undergo three-dimensional image reconstruction, or use rebinning formulas to perform the less expensive two-dimensional image reconstruction for final images. Reconstruction using the second method saves image reconstruction time. The main goal of the paper is to further improve the performance by overlapping the rebinning and two-dimensional reconstruction operations, so as to early start in reconstruction, and to be able to undergo image reconstruction based on the pipelined direct sinograms. Frequency distance relations are analyzed in detail to generate the Fourier transformed sinograms in order for subsequent pipelined stages of reconstruction. The two-dimensional reconstruction operation does not have to wait until the completion of all sinogram generations, therefore it can hide most of the time spent in rebinning operations. The associated parameters can be pre-calculated indiscriminately beforehand for best performance.
EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE IMPACTABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF RUBBER TILES FOR THE PLAYGROUND
Authors: CHANG LI-TUNG , TSAI KUEN-HORNG , SHIAU JIN-SHAN
Published: December 2008

Rubber tiles are popular in playgrounds as protective surfacing to reduce the incidence of head injuries caused by children falling from equipment. However, Taiwan has not yet established a test code for assessment of the shock-absorption properties of such surfacing. For this study, an experimental model was established to evaluate the behavior of various rubber tiles. A hemispherical headform was dropped from a set height to strike the center of the specimen tile. The peak acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) were measured to assess the impact absorption of and critical height for a given rubber tile. The results show that utilization of the HIC index provides a more conservative assessment of the shock absorption and, ultimately, protection from head injuries than peak acceleration. The maximum critical heights of the rubber tiles used in this study for tile thicknesses of 45, 60 and 80 mm were 1.6, 2.0 and 2.2 m, respectively. Two-part rubber tiles with a base structure consisting of a box-like core offer superior protection from head injuries relative to analogous cylindrical, square pillar and solid structures. The maximum differences in peakacceleration and HIC values comparing the box-like core and solid structures at a thickness of 45 mm were 21% and 44%, respectively. The results of this study suggest a minimum of rubber thickness of 60 mm, based on probable maximum fall heights of more than 1.6 m. Moreover, incorporation of an appropriate cushioning structure in the base of the rubber tile could further improve protection.
AN ADAPTIVE ALGORITHM FOR CANCELING POWER-LINE INTERFERENCE IN BIOPOTENTIAL MEASUREMENT
Authors: LIU YUN-LI , CHANG NIN-CHUN , HSU SHENG-FENG , LIN DONG-LONG , LIN YUE-DER
Published: December 2008

Biopotential measurements are very important in clinical diagnosis. However, the signal amplitude of biopotenials is very small and there usually exists stray capacitance between the electrode leads (or the human body) and the power lines, biopotential measurements are easily contaminated by 60-Hz (or 50-Hz) power-line interference.

Analog or digital notch filter has been the most popular technique used for power-line interference removal. However, the notch filter performs well only when the power frequency is kept exactly at the stop band of the notch filter. The adaptive filtering technique provides another promising approach, yet there needs another reference channel for interference recording. The price of signal measurement is thus increased.

The authors present a simple LMS-style algorithm for canceling the power-line interference in biopotential measurement. No reference channel is needed for adaptive filtration in this proposed algorithm. Compared with another technique serving for the same purpose, the proposed algorithm can remove practical power-line interference more effectively, and can be a post-acquisition processing remedy for biosignals having corrupted by power-line interference.
A NOVEL BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS TOOL SOFTWARE
Authors: CHUANG LI-YEH , YANG CHENG-HONG
Published: December 2008

In the research category of bio-informatics, gene interaction and biochemical reactions constitute a rather complicated sub-category. This area of research presents a big challenge for biologists. Determining biological pathways, and the complex chemical reactions involved, is very difficult. Nevertheless these research results are very valuable. Harnessing the calculating power of computer networks and freely circulating information, computer-drawn graphs can be used to express biological pathways, and thus provide biologists with a powerful tool to present their research. In this paper, JAVA programming language combined with extendable markup language is used to develop a bio-pathway drawing software tool that is connected to a gene database and gene expression analysis. Two currently available genetic pathway software tools, PathwayEdit and GenMAPP, were compared to the newly developed software. The participants involved in testing the software expressed a highly affirmative response to the new system.
NOVEL BIOREACTORS FOR OSTEOCHONDRAL TISSUE ENGINEERING
Authors: CHANG CHIH-HUNG , LIN CHIEN-CHENG , CHOU CHENG-HUNG , LIN FENG-HUEI , LIU HWA-CHANG
Published: December 2008

Tissue engineering is a new approach for articular cartilage repair, but the integration of engineered cartilage into the host subchondral bone is a major problem. One approach for solving this problem is to make osteochondral tissue engineering instead of cartilage tissue engineering only. The aim of the present paper was to describe two patented newly designed bioreactors for tissue-engineered osteochondral graft. The first bioreactor is double-chamber bioreactor, which is made of glass and is completely transparent. The whole system consists of one chamber for culture of chondrocytes and the other chamber for osteoblast culture. One important role for this bioreactor is to co-culture osteoblasts and chondrocytes at the same time in a biphasic scaffold. The bioreactor is modified from spinner flasks. The stirring of the magnetic bars provides medium mixing and mechanical stimulations for the cells. The second bioreactor is modified from perfusion chamber. The driven force of the medium flow is produced by siphon phenomenon. The bioreactor is composed with two parts. The first part is a modified siphon tube which can hold the biphasic scaffold for osteochondral tissue engineering. The second part is a medium reservoir bottle, which contains large amount of medium and can connect to multiple siphon tubes at the same time. The medium reservoir bottle is placed higher than the siphon tubes. The gravity will drive medium into the siphon tubes. The siphon phenomenon will make the cell-seeded scaffold covered with the medium. When the height of medium reach the height of outflow tube of the siphon tube, the medium will drain out, and the scaffold will be exposed to the air in incubator, which provides oxygen exposure. Then the gravity will make the medium refill again, the scaffold will be immersed in medium until next cycle of medium drainage out. The curve shape of the siphon tube will prevent backward bacteria contamination. The flow of the medium from reservoir through the siphon tube will produce an effect like traditional perfusion chamber bioreactor; however no power supply is necessary in this system.
TOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF MONTMORILLONITE AS A DRUG CARRIER FOR PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS: YEAST AND RATS MODEL
Authors: LEE YUAN-HAUN , KUO TZONG-FU , CHEN BOR-YANN , FENG YI-KAI , WEN YU- REN , LIN WU-CHING , LIN F. H.
Published: December 2008

Our previous study indicated that montmorillonite (MMT for short) was pharmaceutically feasible to be used as a carrier of an anticancer drug 5-FU. Emphasis of this study is thus placed on the toxicity of MMT to address whether it is clinically safe for practical use. Hematological data of rats model showed that the rats administered with oral MMT had significant increases in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, Hamatocrit and RBC count than those of oral PBS buffer (p<0.05). However, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC Count and WBC were not statistically significant different between experimental and control group (p>0.05). Hematological analysis for intravenous injection also showed no statistically significant differences between experimental and control group (p>0.05).

Biochemical analysis pointed out that compared to oral PBS there was not only a significant decrease of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) ion (p<0.05) in plasma for oral MMT, but also an extremely significant decrease in the plasma calcium (Ca2+)(p<0.01). On the other hand, after intravenous injection of MMT compared to control group, a significant increase (p<0.05) in ALT (SGPT), and an extremely significant decease (p<0.01) in plasma potassium (K+) were observed. It is deserved to mention here that histochemical examinations were all normal, suggesting that montmorillonite may be considered non-toxic. Regarding histopathological sections of rats, there were all in normal ranges irrespective of experimental or control group.

For bacterial model, a generally considered safe and non-pathological microorganism Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as the model yeast to be administrated with various extracellular doses of MMT, montmorillonite-K6Fe(CN)3 (MMTK), or montmorillonite-K6Fe(CN)3-sodium alginate (MMTK-SA) for toxicological assessments. Dose-response analysis indicated that the toxicity ranking as Lannate ≫ MMTK > MMTK-SA ≫ MMT-SA > MMT according to EC0 or EC50 line. These all suggested that MMT alone is much less toxic than Lannate and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). Apparently, it was concluded that MMT alone could be considered non-toxic to S. cerevisiae and Wistar rat for myriads of applications.
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING METHODS AS POTENTIAL TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION
Authors: YANG SHU-HUA , LIN FENG-HUEI
Published: December 2008

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and associated spinal disorders are a leading cause of morbidity resulting in substantial pain and increased health cost. Current treatment options may relieve some clinical symptoms but will never stop further degeneration in the IVD. In recent years, several investigations have been carried out trying to regenerate IVD tissue. These biomedical engineering methods aim to retard or even reverse the degenerative process and possibly regain a healthy IVD. In this review, recent progresses on each category of biomedical engineering approaches will be briefly introduced.
THE EVALUATION OF THERMAL PROPERTIES AND IN VITRO TEST OF CARBODIIMIDE OR GLUTARALDEHYDE CROSS-LINKED GELATIN FOR PC 12 CELLS CULTURE
Authors: CHEN PEI-RU , KANG PEI-LEUN , SU WEN-YU , LIN FENG-HUEI , CHEN MING-HONG
Published: December 2008

The thermal and degradable properties of carbodiimide (EDC) or glutaraldehyde (GTA) cross-linked gelatin membranes have been investigated in order to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of two kinds of cross-linking reagent on the stability of membranes. In the thermogram recorded from a gelatin membrane cross-linked with EDC solution, the endothermic peak of 0.8% EDC cross-linking gelatin was centered at about 61°C that was higher than other samples treated with EDC solutions. Denaturation temperature (Td) of gelatin samples increased on increasing EDC concentration (0.2% to 0.8%), in agreement with the simultaneous increased of the extent of cross-linking. But increasing GTA concentration from 0.05% to 0.6%, the Td values of gelatin samples were decreased from 66.2°C to 56.3°C . In addition, two endothermic peaks were observed in 0.4% and 0.6% GTA cross-linking groups because of the GTA concentration was too high to complete cross-linking reaction. Therefore, partial of gelatin membrane was cross-linked completely but others were not. In the thermogravimetric analysis, the proportion of cracking endothermic peak of 0.6% GTA cross-linking gelatin (g15G0.6) was higher than the peak of 0.6% EDC cross-linking gelatin (g15C0.6). Therefore, g15G0.6 cracked to smaller molecules has to absorb more calorific capacity than g15C0.6. The increase in the strength of covalent binding on increasing the proportion of endothermic peak was evident. The results of degradable rate were in agreement with the lower concentration of cross-linked reagent the faster degraded rate of gelatin membrane. The MTT assay showed that 15% gelatin cross-linked by 0.8% EDC has the least cytotoxicity, and cell activity of this group was similar to control group (blank dish). As the concentration of GTA in gelatin membranes was down to 0.05% or 0.1% the cell viability was returned to approach the value of control group.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF SPAN LENGTHS AFFECTING MECHANICAL RESPONSES IN ANTERIOR RESIN-BONDED FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE
Authors: LIN CHUN-LI , CHEN JIAN-JIA
Published: December 2008

The geometric shape and mechanical structure of RBFPD compared to conventional FPD are relatively complex and unstable. The low retention rate between the retainer and abutment affects the prosthesis/abutment interface de-bonding, and closely relates to the design of the prosthesis and varied occlusion status. This study used reverse engineering (RE) and computer-assisted design (CAD) to construct two solid models of anterior RBFPD with different span lengths. After mesh generation, biomechanical interactions of span length in RB prosthesis with two loading conditions (axial and lateral) were performed by FE analysis. The simulated results indicated that lateral occlusal force increased significantly 2-3 times maximum stress than that of axial occlusal force. For different span lengths simulation, the analysis on static movement finds that longer pontic would lead to high stress to the prosthesis. Thus, the length of the pontic has significant effect on the overall intensity of the prosthesis under static clenching loading, and the effect of lateral loading exceeds that of axial loading.
DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND CLINICAL EVALUATION OF A NEW TMJ EXERCISER
Authors: LIN CHUN-LI , KUO YU-CHAN , LO LUN-JOU
Published: December 2008

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis or hypomobility is a major clinical problem that affects many patients suffering from facial trauma, infection, TMJ dysfunction, inflammatory diseases and tumors. Postoperative physiotherapy is recognized as essential for the prevention or treatment of TMJ hypomobility or ankylosis. Traditional methods using stacked tongue depressors and the reported TMJ opening exercisers all have disadvantages and cannot achieve clinical requires. This study employed CAD/CAM techniques to develop a new TMJ exerciser that would be user-friendly and performed clinical trails to test the efficacy of the device. A power screw was used to overcome the small force control difficulty, allowing gradually increased TMJ opening performance. The front end of the device was designed as U-shape platform that could be inserted into the patient's mouth to allow easy TMJ exercise performance. A streamlined handle also designed to be held by the patients to decrease the mouth loading. This device is convenient for long-term physiotherapy. The clinical trail results indicated that the improvements of the incisor opening range could increase from 108% to 258% within one mouth after postoperative physiotherapy. The developed TMJ exerciser is effective, convenient, easy to use, light weight and has long-term durability for postoperative physiotherapy.
POLAR COORDINATE MAPPING METHOD FOR AN IMPROVED INFRARED EYE-TRACKING SYSTEM
Authors: LIN CHERN-SHENG , CHEN HSIEN-TSE , LIN CHIA-HAU , YEH MAU-SHIUN , LIN SHYAN-LUNG
Published: December 2008

In this paper a polar coordinate mapping method for an improved infrared eye-tracking system is described. In the proposed control system for an eye-tracking device, users do not need to wear any equipment. Rather they just ware an infrared light source and an infrared CCD camera to extract the eye images for the computer to analyze, record the information of the moving traces and pupil diameters, control the mouse's cursor and operate many kinds of applied programs. The advantage of this system lies in solving non-contact requirement problems for which the measured system would require whole eye monitoring and a quick response. We also improve the feasibility and the safety of this eye-tracking device by using infrared rays and new coordinate mapping method.
HEAT TRANSFER MODEL FOR PREDICTING SURVIVAL TIME IN COLD WATER IMMERSION
Authors: TARLOCHAN F. , RAMESH S.
Published: December 2008

In the present paper a heat transfer (HT) model to estimate survival time of individual stranded in cold water such as at sea is proposed. The HT model was derived based on the assumption that the body specific heat capacity and thermal conductance are not time dependent. The solution to the HT model simulates expected survival time as a function of water temperature, metabolism rate, skin, muscle and fat thickness, insulation thermal conductivity and thickness, height and weight of the subject. Although, these predictions must be considered approximate due to the complex nature of the variables involved, the proposed HT model can be employed to determine supplemental body insulation such as personal protective clothing to meet a predefined survival time in any given water temperature. In particular, the results obtained are useful as a decision aid in search and rescue mission in predicting survival time for shipwreck victims at sea.
MEDITATION EEG INTERPRETATION BASED ON NOVEL FUZZY-MERGING STRATEGIES AND WAVELET FEATURES
Authors: CHANG KANG-MING , LO PEI-CHEN
Published: December 2008

As the advantages of meditation have been outlined literally, scientific exploration of the meditation phenomena becomes significant. Meditation EEG may provide an access to the mental states beyond normal consciousness. It is the first attempt to score the meditation course by EEG. Wavelet analysis and fuzzy c-means (FCM) are applied in the automatic interpretation algorithm. However, FCM applied straightforward to quantitative feature vectors often results in an over-trifling interpretation. As a consequence, this paper presents novel cluster-managing strategies for achieving an interpretation closer to the result of naked-eye examination. The running gray-scale chart, derived by extracting, clustering, and coding the EEG features, reveals five different meditation scenarios differing from those of the controlled subjects.
A SIMPLE MECHANICAL MEASUREMENT FOR PRESSURE DISTRIBUTIONS AND FLOW RATES OF THORACIC AORTA
Authors: NIU YANG-YAO , KAN NANG-PING
Published: December 2008

The aim of this research is to design a simple three-dimensional aortic model to measure the relation of aortic pressure distributions and blood flow rate at the outlets of the aorta. The current experiment considers an area-varying curved tube with one branch to mimic an aortic arch. The measurement utilizes a water pump to substitute for the heart pumping task and collects data for the distributions of the pressure and flow rate relied on a PC-controlled pressure sensor. Various pressures as 160, 140, 110 and 90 mm Hg are chosen as aortic entrance blood pressure conditions for the test cases. The pressure distributions from the current measurement will be used for the numerical boundary condition which can not be obtained from the current image technology.
THE AXIAL ROTATION RHYTHM OF UPPER EXTREMITY
Authors: CHANG WEI-NING , WU HONG-WEN , CHANG YI-WEN , SU FONG-CHIN , LU YI-CHAO , HSU CHIEN-JEN , WONG CHI-YING
Published: December 2008

To determine the dynamic axial rotation movement of human upper extremity, we developed a combined skin- and scapula-based marker system in which the scapula motion was detected with a marker set attached to an intracortical pin on the acromion. The subject performed axial rotation with the arm in 5 different positions. The total rotation range varied greatly if the arm was in different position. The pattern of axial rotation of each segment also changed. The upper extremity rotates total 376° at 90° abduction and only 257° at full abduction. The forearm usually contributed about 140°, so the differences mainly came from the scapulothoracic and the glenohumeral joints. The scapulothoracic joint axially rotated 66° with the arm in backward extension while only rotated 19° with the arm in 90° forward flexion. The glenohumeral joint rotated maximally, 143° with the arm at 90° abduction, while minimally, 69° with the arm at maximal abduction.
CLASSIFICATION OF MULTIPLE CANCER TYPES USING FUZZY SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES AND OUTLIER DETECTION METHODS
Authors: CHUANG LI-YEH , YANG CHENG-HONG , JIN LI-CHENG
Published: December 2008

The support vector machine (SVM) is a new learning method and has shown comparable or better results than the neural networks on some applications. In this paper, we applied SVM to classify multiple cancer types by gene expression profiles and exploit some strategies of the SVM method, including fuzzy logic and statistical theories. Using the proposed strategies and outlier detection methods, the FSVM (fuzzy support vector machine) can achieve a comparable or better performance than other methods, and provide a more flexible architecture to discriminate against SRBCT and non-SRBCT samples.
F-VEP AND ALPHA-SUPPRESSED EEG-PHYSIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF INNER-LIGHT PERCEPTION DURING ZEN MEDITATION
Authors: CHANG KANG-MING , LO PEI-CHEN
Published: December 2008

This paper firstly reports the visual response to the inner light (a form of qi) and the outside stimulus during Zen meditation. It has been reported literally that inner light perception is the common experience for prayers or Zen-meditation practitioners. In this paper, we propose a method to quantify the EEG (electroencephalograph) and F-VEP (flash visual evoked potential) that characterize this experience.

Based on wavelet analysis, we derived a set of parameters that effectively signify the alpha-suppressed EEG pattern. Furthermore, this paper presents our new results of analyzing the F-VEP data, mainly the peak amplitude. The observation of little variation in amplitude during Zen meditation reflects a more stable visual perceptive system during Zen meditation that is contrary to the visual response of the control subjects under eye-closed relaxation.
DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A SHOCK WAVE GENERATOR FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Authors: LIANG SHEN-MIN , CHOW KIET-HOUNG , MANOUSAKAS IOANNIS , PU YONG-REN , CHANG CHIEN-CHEN
Published: December 2008

In the past ten years, extracorporeal shock waves have been successfully used in orthopedics. The idea of shock wave therapy is the stimulation of a healing process. Electrohydraulic shock wave therapy provides higher energy density flux than electromagnetic and piezoelectric types. But electrohydraulic shock wave generators are less stable than the other two types because of electrode erosion. In this study, a shock wave generator with a controllable spark gap system has been designed in order to give steady output pressures by automatic adjustment of the electrode gap. An ellipsoidal shock wave reflector is equipped with two AC servo motors with drivers. The motor driver actuates the associated motor which is connected to an electrode base by a belt. On a designed image feedback system, a CCD camera is used as the image detection tool to measure the electrode gap. Experimental results show the coincidence of the second focus of the shock wave reflector with the gas-dynamic focus. Moreover, measurements of focused pressure and energy intensity with PCB and PVDF pressure sensors and tests of stone fragmentation efficiency have been carried out to evaluate the performance of the newly designed shock wave generator with a gap-adjusted system and an image feedback system. It is found that the designed electrohydraulic shock wave generator is stable and efficient in pressure output with a low cost of electrodes.
EFFECT OF CALCIUM ION CONCENTRATION ON KERATINOCYTE BEHAVIORS IN THE DEFINED MEDIA
Authors: HUANG YI-CHAU , WANG TZU-WEI , SUN JUI-SHENG , LIN FENG-HUEI
Published: December 2008

Calcium ion concentration is proposed to be involved in the regulation of the proliferative capacity of keratinocytes, based on its significant actions in the skin. These actions are mediated by Ca2+ influx and inhibition of cell proliferation. To define Ca2+ action in the keratinocyte we investigated its effects on the proliferation and differentiation using the primary keratinocytes model. Primary keratinocytes were incubated in DMEM (containing 1.2mM calcium ion concentration) or DK11 medium (containing 0.4 mM calcium ion concentration) or K medium (containing 0.03mM calcium ion concentration). Cell viability was assessed with the MTT assay. Crystal violet assay was evaluated the proliferation rate and colony formation size of keratinocyte. Real-time PCR used to determine the terminal differentiated keratinocyte which expressed Caspase-14. Proliferation assays and real°Vtime PCR were correlated with either proliferation or differentiation in cultured human skin epidermal keratinocytes.

High Ca2+ concentration was inhibited the cell viability and proliferation rate of keratinocyte. Ca2+ also increased caspases-14 expression, and inhibited cell viability, and cell colony forming efficiency. These results are consistent with Ca2+ induction of the keratinocyte differentiation. Thus, the overall Ca2+ actions connote protective functions for the epidermis that appear to include the triggering or acceleration of the differentiation.
GELATIN-TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE MEMBRANE MODIFIED WITH NGF AND CULTURED SCHWANN CELLS FOR PERIPHERAL NERVE REPAIR: A TISSUE ENGINEERING APPROACH
Authors: CHEN MING-HONG , CHEN PEI-RU , CHEN MEI-HSIU , HSIEH SUNG-TSANG , HUANG JING-SHAN , LIN FENG-HUEI
Published: December 2008

This study attempted to enhance the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration using our previously developed gelatin-tricalcium phosphate (GTG) conduits by incorporating them with nerve growth factors and cultured Schwann cells. The nerve growth factors were covalently immobilized onto the GTG conduits (GEN) using carbodiimide. Schwann cells were harvested from neonatal Lewis rats, cultured for seven days and injected into the GEN conduits. The experiment was performed in three groups: GTG conduits, GEN conduits and GEN conduits with Schwann cells injected (GEN+Sc). The effects of different conduits (GTG, GEN and GEN with Schwann cells) on the peripheral nerve regeneration were evaluated in rat sciatic nerve repair model. 24 weeks after implantation of conduits, degradation of the conduits in all groups was illustrated by the fragmentation of the conduits. All conduits were well tolerated by the host tissue. Under microscopic evaluations, regenerated nerve tissue with myelinated and unmyelinated axons presented in all groups. Histomorphometrically, the total nerve area of GEN+Sc group was significantly higher than GTG group. Conversely, the autotomy score evaluated 12 weeks after nerve repair showed better results for GTG group. Besides, GEN+Sc group had the highest average recovery index of compound muscle action potential, but the difference among each group did not reach statistical significance. Although the electrophysiological recovery of nerve was not significantly improved with GEN+Sc conduit, nerve repair using tissue engineered conduits still provided better histological results. However, it should be noticed that autotomy may be the price paid for enhanced peripheral nerve.
DETRENDED FLUCTUATION ANALYSES OF SHORT-TERM HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS
Authors: YEH RONG-GUAN , SHIEH JIANN-SHING , HAN YIN-YI , WANG YU-JUNG , TSENG SHIH-CHUN
Published: December 2008

We examine the dynamics of complex physiologic fluctuations using methods developed very recently in statistical physics. The method based on detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) has been used to investigate the profile of different types of physiologic states under long term (i.e., 24 hr) analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). In this paper, this method to investigate the output of central physiologic control system under short term (i.e., 1 hr) of HRV in surgical intensive care units (SICU). Electrocardiograph (ECG) signals lasting around 1 hr were collected from ten college student volunteers as group A. Ten computes-generates white noise signals as group B also provided ECG signals lasting around 1 hr. Finally, seventeen patients representing 37 cases undergoing different types of neurosurgery were studied as group C. From this group, 25 cases were selected from 15 patients with brain injury and 12 cases were selected from 2 patients with septicemia. Group A and B were used as high and low limits of baseline for comparison with pathologic states in the SICU. The a values of DFA of groups A, B, and C were 0.958 ± 0.034, 0.521 ± 0.010, and 0.815 ± 0.183, respectively. It was found that the α value of patients in the SICU was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of healthy volunteers and significantly higher (P < 0.05) than white noise signals. Hence, it can be concluded that α values based on the DFA statistical concept can clearly distinguish pathologic states in SICU patients from the healthy group and from white noise signals.
TISSUE ENGINEERING FOR NERVE REPAIR
Authors: HUANG YI-CHENG , HUANG YI-YOU
Published: December 2008

Nerve regeneration is a complex biological phenomenon. Once the nervous system is impaired, its recovery is difficult and malfunctions in other parts of the body may occur because mature neurons don't undergo cell division. To increase the prospects of axonal regeneration and functional recovery, researches have focused on designing “nerve guidance channels” or “nerve conduits”. For developing tissue engineered nerve conduits, four components come to mind, including a scaffold for axonal proliferation, supporting cells such as Schwann cells, growth factors, and extracelluar matrix. This article reviews the nervous system physiology, the factors that are critical for nerve repair, and the advanced technologies that are explored to fabricate nerve conduits. Furthermore, we also introduce a new method we developed to create longitudinally oriented channels within biodegradable polymers, Chitosan and PLGA, using a combined lyophilizing and wire-heating process. This innovative method using Ni-Cr wires as mandrels to create nerve guidance channels. The process is easy, straightforward, highly reproducible, and could easily be tailored to other polymer and solvent systems. These scaffolds could be useful for guided regeneration after transection injury in either the peripheral nerve or spinal cord.
THE COMPARISON OF SSD ALGORITHM WITH OTHER ECG SAMPLING ALGORITHMS
Authors: CHOU HSIAO-HSUAN , SHIAU YU-CHIEN , KUO TE-SON
Published: December 2008

We had proposed a novel and fast Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal compression algorithm for non-uniform sampling in time domain [1]. It meets the real-time requirement for clinical application. Moreover, the compression performance is stable and uniform even for abnormal ECG signals. A criterion called sum square difference (SSD) is defined as an error test equation. The algorithm using SSD to calculate error tolerance is applied to the records in MIT-BIH database (with 11-bit resolution and 360 Hz sampling rate). It belongs to the threshold-limited algorithm but [1] does not mention much about this kind of algorithm. In this paper we provide more comparisons among SSD, Fan, scan-along polygonal approximation (SAPA), maximum enclosed area (MEA), and optimization algorithm (OPT) using the two measures called sample compression ratio (SCR) and percent root mean squared difference (PRD) with proper mean offset that [1] does not adopt. The results show SSD outperforms the mentioned algorithms with the same computational complexity O(n). Moreover, the comparison with the best but time-consuming coder OPT (O (n3)) shows how much the algorithm can be improved.
WHEEZE RECOGNITION BASED ON 2D BILATERAL FILTERING OF SPECTROGRAM
Authors: LIN BOR-SHING , LIN BOR-SHYH , WU HUEY-DONG , CHONG FOK-CHING , CHEN SAO-JIE
Published: December 2008

This paper describes the design of a low-cost and high performance wheeze recognition system. First, respiratory sounds are captured, amplified and filtered by an analog circuit; then digitized through a PC soundcard, and recorded in accordance with the Computerized Respiratory Sound Analysis (CORSA) standards. Since the proposed wheeze detection algorithm is based on the spectrogram processing of respiratory sounds, spectrograms generated from recorded sounds have to pass through a 2D bilateral filter for edge-preserving smoothing. Finally, the processed spectra go through an edge detection procedure to recognize wheeze sounds.

Experiment results show a high sensitivity of 0.967 and a specificity of 0.909 in qualitative analysis of wheeze recognition. Due to its high efficiency, great performance and easy-to-implement features, this wheeze recognition system could be of interest in the clinical monitoring of asthma patients and the study of physiological mechanisms in the respiratory airways.
PREPARATION OF PLLA MEMBRANES WITH DIFFERENT MORPHOLOGIES FOR CULTURE OF LIGAMENT CELLS
Authors: LEE I-CHI , YOUNG TAI-HORNG
Published: December 2008

Poly (lactic acid) is a biodegradable biomedical material that has been used for connective tissue reconstruction. In this work, poly-L-lactide (PLLA) membranes with different morphologies were prepared by phase separation method. Otherwise, biomaterials coated with various extracellular matrix (ECM) have been shown to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, the in vitro interaction of medial collateral ligament cells (MCLs) and PLLA membranes with dense, porous and particulate morphologies and with ECM coating was investigated. It was found that the cell compatibility of three types of PLLA membranes almost the same before coating ECM. The results also revealed that collagen type I could improve ligament cells adhesion and fibronectin could improve ligament cells growth, and this effect was most obvious in particulate membrane. Therefore, because the PLLA materials with particulate structure could adsorb more ECM which in turn influenced the cell adhesion and cell growth. The PLLA membrane with the particulate morphology satisfies the biomaterial requirement necessary for temporary scaffold to transplanted ligament cells and provides a means for the architectural design of more complex tissue-engineered systems.
THERMOSENSITIVE NANOPARTICLES CONJUGATING WITH CD34 ANTIBODY AND ITS SOLUTION PEROPERTIES
Authors: TAO CHUN-TE , YOUNG TAI-HORNG
Published: December 2008

Poly N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAAm) is a well-known temperature-sensitive polymer. When the temperature is higher than the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PNIPAAm aquous solution is cloudy (phase separation occurred). In contrast, when the temperature is lower than the LCST, PNIPAAm is soluble in water (a homogeneous solution). The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solution of PNIPAAm was about 32~33°C. We prepared nano-scaled PNIPAAm particles containing carboxylic group on their surfaces by introducing acrylic acid monomer. The carboxylic groups were applied to conjugate with the amino group of the CD34 antibody. This immuno-conjugate can be applied on targeting the human CD34 positive cells, peripheral blood progenitor cells included, for cell purification and drug controlled release. In order to the active responding of controlled release of the conjugate in the body influenced by temperature, we hope to estimate the shifting of the gel-collapse temperature or cloud point of the immuno-conjugates by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV absorption. The results show that the gel-collapse temperature of the nano-particle was not significantly affected by the content of AA between 1.5~5 mol%. However, cloud point of the solution was elevated by the conjugation of CD34 antibody to 37°C. When CD34-conjugated particle was subsequently incorporated with recombinant FLT3-ligand, which is a smaller molecule compare to CD34 antibody, cloud point of the solution was not affected.
AN IMPROVED 3DRP PET IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD WITH REBINNED DIRECT IMAGE ESTIMATE
Authors: JENG WEI-MIN , WANG HSUAN-HUI
Published: December 2008

The quality of traditional two-dimensional image reconstruction for PET has been efficiently improved by three-dimensional image reconstruction, but the sensitivity of the data and the quality of the image are restricted by the limit of modality physics. In analytical image reconstruction algorithm, 3DRP method compensates the unmeasured events by forward projection based on the initial direct image estimate. However, the original 3DRP method merely depends on the parallel projections without taking into account the oblique projections. In our proposed 3DRP-SSRB method, we improve the first image estimate by incorporating the rebinned oblique data. SSRB method was used to perform the rebinning operation to make uses of the oblique projection data to improve the sensitivity information. And then project the improved image estimate forward and reconstruct the final image. Conflicting parameters of reconstructed image quality of 3DRP are experimented by simulated three-dimensional phantom study with regard to both system sensitivity and image quality factors. PET simulation software package was used to conduct the experiment along with the MATLAB software to evaluate the effectiveness of two-dimensional FBP, 3DRP, and our proposed 3DRP-SSRB methods. The result demonstrated its better image quality by having better mean squared error numbers in most of output image slices.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF WIRELESS MULTI-CHANNEL EEG RECORDING SYSTEM AND STUDY OF EEG CLUSTERING METHOD
Authors: LIN ROBERT , LEE REN-GUEY , TSENG CHWAN-LU , WU YAN-FA , JIANG JOE-AIR
Published: December 2008

A multi-channel wireless EEG (electroencephalogram) acquisition and recording system is developed in this work. The system includes an EEG sensing and transmission unit and a digital processing circuit. The former is composed of pre-amplifiers, filters, and gain amplifiers. The kernel of the later digital processing circuit is a micro-controller unit (MCU, TI-MSP430), which is utilized to convert the EEG signals into digital signals and fulfill the digital filtering. By means of Bluetooth communication module, the digitized signals are sent to the back-end such as PC or PDA. Thus, the patient's EEG signal can be observed and stored without any long cables such that the analogue distortion caused by long distance transmission can be reduced significantly. Furthermore, an integrated classification method, consisting of non-linear energy operator (NLEO), autoregressive (AR) model, and bisecting k-means algorithm, is also proposed to perform EEG off-line clustering at the back-end. First, the NLEO algorithm is utilized to divide the EEG signals into many small signal segments according to the features of the amplitude and frequency of EEG signals. The AR model is then applied to extract two characteristic values, i.e., frequency and amplitude (peak to peak value), of each segment and to form characteristic matrix for each segment of EEG signal. Finally, the improved modified k-means algorithm is utilized to assort similar EEG segments into better data classification, which allows accessing the long-term EEG signals more quickly.
DENATURING HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY: AN EFFICIENT SCREENING APPROACH IN THE GENETIC DIAGNOSIS OF HEMOGLOBIN HAMMERSMITH
Authors: HUNG CHIA-CHENG , CHIEN SHU-CHIN , SU YI-NING , CHERN JIMMY PS , LIN KAI-HSIN , LIN WIN-LI
Published: December 2008

In this study we here present the first report of the detection of the rare beta-thalassemia mutation in the Taiwanese population: Hemoglobin Hammersmith (Hb Hammersmith). The mutation was detected by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) screening followed by automated direct sequencing. The mutation was found in an affected woman and her immature female fetus in the heterozygous state. Molecular abnormality of Hb Hammersmith results from an abnormal beta chain with an amino acid substitution (condon 42, TTT→TCT, Phe→Ser) in the beta-globin (HBB) gene with the clinical presentation of hemolytic anemia. Given known wide spectrum of beta-thalassemia alleles in the Taiwanese population, the present report further confirmed the high heterogeneity rate. This result indicated that the importance of the efficient screening approach by DHPLC for genetic diagnosis in beta-thalassemia.
BOSENTAN, A NON-SPECIFIC ENDOTHELIN ANTAGONIST, STIMULATES FRACTURE HEALING
Authors: Muratli Hasan H. , Korkusuz Feza , Korkusuz Petek , Bicimoglu Ali , Sevim Ercan Z.
Published: December 2008

It is assumed that bosentan, a non-selective ET-1 receptor antagonist, will enhance fracture healing. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous bosentan administration into diaphyseal bone fractures using radiology, histology, prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and leukotrien C4(LTC4) activity measurements.

A closed diaphyseal fracture was created in the hind limbs following intramedullary rod fixation of Guinea pigs. Bosentan was administred by repetitive weekly 0.1 μg transcutaneous injections into the fracture site. The effects of bosentan were evaluated by radiology and histology on weeks 1, 2 and 4, whereas prostaglandin E2(PGE2)-like and leukotrien C4(LTC4)-like activity was assessed on weeks 1 and 2.

The radiological degree of union (p = 0.001) at the fracture site and cortex-callus ratio (p = 0.02) was significantly better in the bosentan administered site at week 1 when compared to the control. Histology presented an initial stimulation of bone formation on weeks 1 and 2 in the experimental group. PGE2-like activity was significantly higher (p = 0.002) on week 1 and 2 in the bosentan-administered side. LTC4-like activity remained constant on week one and decreased on week two.

Transcutaneous repetitive bosentan administration into the fracture site initially stimulated periosteal bone healing that resulted with extracellular matrix mineralization. The inflammatory mediators PGE2/LTC4played a significant role in this process.