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Abstract In northeast Taiwan, many areas are affected by various tectonic forcings. Some areas appear to have a subsidence tendency, whereas others reflect uplift activities on the surface, due to tectonic northward compressive forcing growth and decline. Owing to the presence of widespread mountain areas, limited geodetic surveys in the field have made data scarce in the study area in the past decades. The distribution of the geomorphic indices, which were calculated along the river channels, were used to analyze the activities on a regional scale in this study. The long-term landscape evolution of drainage basins can record topographic changes through the river channels. By calculating the location and drop height of knickpoint in the river longitudinal profile, as well as the spatial distribution of the normalized steepness index ( $${K}_{sn}$$ K sn ) value, it is possible to comprehensively discuss the perturbations that were caused by possible factors in river channels. Our results from the geomorphic indices synthetically suggest that the river channel of drainage basins is mainly influenced by the perturbations such as geological structures, tectonic activity, various lithologies, potential ruptures. In the study area, tectonic forcing act on a large area from north to south, which is reflected in the long-term incision of the river into the bedrock. Moreover, the potential ruptures on the surface may also induce displacement in the local area.

Abstract Numerical groundwater flow simulation involves manual and tedious pre-processing and post-processing procedures. Hence, this study developed a systematic and efficient workflow to alleviate model buildup and data-processing burdens, allowing researchers to focus on the application aspects of simulation results. This highly automatic workflow allows researchers to execute three-dimensional groundwater flow simulations in sites with complex hydrogeological conditions. Processes in the workflow are formed as a trilogy: building a hydrogeological conceptual model, generating a site-specific unstructured mesh and specifying simulation conditions, and executing the simulation and post-processing results. The workflow feasibility has been demonstrated by simulating the three-component (water, brine, and air) fluid flow in Huayu Islet, the only andesitic island of the basaltic Penghu archipelago, using TOUGH3 (Transport of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat version 3) and its EOS7 (Equation of State #7) fluid module. Our self-developed mesh generator can produce a locally refined unstructured mesh with millions of grid cells that can capture the essential geological features of Huayu. It was found that, of the three scenarios considered, only the one using a fine mesh coupled with a two-phase Dirichlet boundary condition at the top surface could obtain a physically meaningful bowl-shaped fresh water and brine interface and reasonable transport pathway characteristics. In summary, the developed workflow serves as a practical methodology to authentically characterize the hydrogeologic mechanisms of a site with complicated geology.

BackgroundThis meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) against osteoarthritis-associated symptoms in patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis.MethodsMedline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to July 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of CBT with other treatment approaches in adults with confirmed knee/hip osteoarthritis. The pain intensity (primary outcome) and the secondary outcomes including insomnia severity, sleep efficiency, physical function as well as the severity of depression and fatigue were assessed at two time points (i.e., immediately after treatment and during the follow-up period). The effect size is expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with SMDs of < 0.2, 0.2–0.5, and 0.5–0.8, and > 0.8 representing negligible, small, medium, and large effect sizes, respectively.ResultsFifteen RCTs were included for analysis. Immediately after CBT intervention, meta-analysis showed similar treatment effect in pain severity [SMD = –0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): –0.95 to 0.04, 11 studies, 1557 participants] and other symptoms including depression (SMD = –0.26, 95% CI: –0.58 to 0.06, five studies, 735 participants), fatigue (SMD = –2.44, 95% CI:–6.53 to 1.65, two RCTs, 511 participants), and physical function (SMD = –0.11, 95% CI:–0.25 to 0.02, five RCTs, 720 participants) between CBT and control groups, while there was an improvement in insomnia severity (SMD = –0.65, 95% CI: –1.06 to –0.24, four RCTs, 639 participants, medium treatment effect) and sleep efficiency (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.59, three RCTs, 352 patients, small treatment effect). During follow-up, CBT improved pain severity (SMD = –0.52, 95% CI: –1.03 to –0.01, eight studies, 1447 participants, medium treatment effect), insomnia (SMD = –0.43, 95% CI: –0.85 to –0.01, three RCTs, 571 participants, small treatment effect), and depression (SMD = –0.39, 95% CI: –0.59 to –0.18, four RCTs, 791 participants, small treatment effect). Nevertheless, sleep efficiency, fatigue, and physical function were not improved in the follow-up period.ConclusionOur results may suggest the durability of CBT-associated treatment benefits, supporting its role as a potential promising alternative or complementary intervention for patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis, especially against pain and insomnia. Future large-scale investigations are warranted to verify our findings.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022331165].

The northeast region of Taiwan has experienced a stress transition from the compressive collision to the extension induced from the Ryukyu subduction system in a post-collisional orogenic belt. In order to clarify when the extensional stage began and how the cooling and exhumation history varied with the transition of tectonic stress, apatite and zircon fission-track ages on the granitic gneiss in northern Tananao Complex were collected from a ~2700 m high sub-vertical profile. The exhumation rate was estimated as ~4 mm yr-1 since 4.1 - 3.0 Ma using previous biotite 40Ar-39Ar ages with an assumed uniform geothermal gradient. During the period of 1.5 - 0.2 Ma, the exhumation rate remained at 2.3 - 1.6 mm yr-1, evidenced by the similar slopes for apatite and zircon in the age-elevation relationship (AER). The decrease in exhumation occurred in between 3.0 and 1.5 Ma is interpreted as the onset of the extensional impact into NE Taiwan from the Ryukyu subduction zone. After ~0.2 Ma, the intercepts of apatite AER suggest that exhumation accelerated to ~5 mm yr-1 at the mountain range but was steady at the valley bottom. The offset in ages of the vertical profile is supportive of the normal faulting at the shallow crust. The accelerating cooling with the steady exhumation from 1.5 - 0.2 Ma implies the increase in paleogeothermal gradient with time. The paleogeothermal gradients are estimated to be over 100°C km-1 after 1.5 Ma, suggesting that the Hoping area possesses heat sources induced from the complex tectonic configuration. However, the modern geotherm is relatively low and may be influenced by the water circulation near surface.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with progressive impairment of motor and non-motor functions in aging people. Overwhelming evidence indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction is a central factor in PD pathophysiology, which impairs energy metabolism. While, several other studies have shown probiotic supplementations to improve host energy metabolism, alleviate the disease progression, prevent gut microbiota dysbiosis and alter commensal bacterial metabolites. But, whether probiotic and/or prebiotic supplementation can affect energy metabolism and cause the impediment of PD progression remains poorly characterized. Therefore, we investigated 8-weeks supplementation effects of probiotic [Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 (AP-32)], residual medium (RM) obtained from the AP-32 culture medium, and combination of AP-32 and RM (A-RM) on unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rats. We found that AP-32, RM and A-RM supplementation induced neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons along with improved motor functions in PD rats. These effects were accompanied by significant increases in mitochondrial activities in the brain and muscle, antioxidative enzymes level in serum, and altered SCFAs profile in fecal samples. Importantly, the AP-32 supplement restored muscle mass along with improved motor function in PD rats, and produced the best results among the supplements. Our results demonstrate that probiotic AP-32 and A-RM supplementations can recover energy metabolism via increasing SCFAs producing and mitochondria function. This restoring of mitochondrial function in the brain and muscles with improved energy metabolism might additionally be potentiated by ROS suppression by the elevated generation of antioxidants, and which finally leads to facilitated recovery of 6-OHDA-induced motor deficit. Taken together, this work demonstrates that probiotic AP-32 supplementation could be a potential candidate for alternate treatment strategy to avert PD progression.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether probiotic administration could slow declining renal function. C57BL/6 mice (6–8 weeks of age, male) were fed a diet supplemented with adenine to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD). The experimental groups were additionally supplemented with 109 colony-forming units (CFU)/day (high-dose) and 107 CFU/day (low-dose) probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (TYCA06), Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (BLI-02), and B. bifidum (VDD088). Renal function and histology were examined. Patients with stage 3–5 CKD and not on dialysis were recruited from July 2017 to January 2019. Two capsules of probiotics containing 2.5 × 109 CFU with the same composition were administered twice daily for 6 months. The decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured before and after the intervention. In addition, changes in the serum endotoxin and cytokine levels, gastrointestinal symptom scores, and the stool microbiota were measured. Probiotics could attenuate renal fibrosis and improve renal function in CKD mice. Thirty-eight patients completed the 6-month study. The mean baseline eGFR was 30.16 ± 16.52 ml/min/1.73 m2. The rate of decline in the eGFR was significantly slower, from −0.54 (−0.18, −0.91) to 0.00 (0.48, −0.36) ml/min/1.73 m2/month (P = 0.001) after 6 months of treatment. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, and endotoxin were significantly decreased after probiotic administration. Borborygmus and flatulence scores, as well as stool formation improved significantly. The abundance of B. bifidum and B. breve in the stool microbiota increased significantly. In conclusion, a combination of probiotics might attenuate renal function deterioration in CKD mice and human patients.

Probiotics are health beneficial bacterial populations colonizing the human gut and skin. Probiotics are believed to be involved in immune system regulation, gut microbiota stabilization, prevention of infectious diseases, and adjustments of host metabolic activities. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium affect glycemic levels, blood lipids, and protein metabolism. However, the interactions between probiotics and metabolic diseases as well as the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We used streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animal models to study the effect of ProbiogluTM, a multi-strain probiotic supplement including Lactobaccilus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32, L. johnsonii MH-68, L. reuteri GL-104, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, on the regulation of physiochemical parameters related to type-2 diabetes. Experimental rats were randomly assigned into five groups, control group, streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats (STZ group), STZ + 1× ProbiogluTM group, STZ + 5× ProbiogluTM group, and STZ + 10× ProbiogluTM group, and physiological data were measured at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Our results indicate that supplementation with ProbiogluTM significantly improved glucose tolerance, glycemic levels, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Furthermore, we observed reduction in urea and blood lipid levels, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC). ProbiogluTM administration increased the β-cell mass in STZ-induced diabetic animal models, whereas it reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. In addition, the enhancement of oxidative stress biomarkers and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was associated with a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. We conclude that ProbiogluTM attenuates STZ-induced type-2 diabetes by protecting β-cells, stabilizing glycemic levels, and reducing inflammation. Among all probiotic treating groups, the 10×ProbiogluTM treatment revealed the best results. However, these experimental results still need to be validated by different animal models of type-2 diabetes and human clinical trials in the future.

Objectives Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit strong insulin resistance or abnormal insulin production. Probiotics, which are beneficial live micro-organisms residing naturally in the intestinal tract, play indispensable roles in the regulation of host metabolism. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the mechanisms by which probiotic strains mediate glycemic regulation in the host. The findings should enable the development of a safe and natural treatment for patients with T2DM.Research designs and methods Sugar consumption by more than 20 strains of Lactobacillus species was first evaluated. The probiotic strains that exhibited high efficiency of sugar consumption were further coincubated with Caco-2 cells to evaluate the regulation of sugar absorption in gut epithelial cells. Finally, potential probiotic strains were selected and introduced into a T2DM animal model to study their therapeutic efficacy.Results Among the tested strains, Lactobacillus salivarius AP-32 and L. reuteri GL-104 had higher monosaccharide consumption rates and regulated the expression of monosaccharide transporters. Glucose transporter type-5 and Na+-coupled glucose transporter mRNAs were downregulated in Caco-2 cells after AP-32 and GL-104 treatment, resulting in the modulation of intestinal hexose uptake. Animal studies revealed that diabetic mice treated with AP-32, GL-104, or both showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance and blood lipid profiles, and attenuated diabetes-mediated liver and kidney injury.Conclusion Our data elucidate a novel role for probiotics in glycemic regulation in the host. L. salivarius AP-32 and L. reuteri GL-104 directly reduce monosaccharide transporter expression in gut cells and have potential as therapeutic probiotics for patients with T2DM.

In recent years, probiotics of human origin have shown superior results and performance compared to probiotics from plant or dairy sources, in both in vitro and animal studies. Towards this end, the current study was conducted to explore the ergogenic properties of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum OLP-01 isolated from the intestinal microbiome of the gold medalist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics women’s 48 kg weightlifting competition. Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) and orally administered OLP-01 for 4 weeks at 0 (vehicle), 2.05 × 109 (OLP-01-1X), 4.10 × 109 (OLP-01-2X), and 1.03 × 1010 (OLP-01-5X) CFU/kg/day. Physical performance tests including grip strength and endurance time were measured, with OLP-01 supplementation dose-dependently elevating grip strength and endurance. The anti-fatigue activity levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase (CK) were measured after an acute exercise challenge, and OLP-01 was found to significantly decrease lactate, ammonia, and CK levels. OLP-01 treatment was also found to significantly increase the resting levels of both hepatic and muscular glycogen, an indicator of energy storage. Supplementation by OLP-01 showed no subchronic toxic effects while supporting many health-promoting, performance-improving, and fatigue-ameliorating functions.

Cretaceous Late Yanshanian (LY) magmatism produced large amounts of I-type granitoids in the Southeast Coast Mag matic Belt (SCMB). I-type granitoids from Xiaojiang-Liangnong complexes (N Zhejiang) in the northern part of this belt are characterized by containing abundant mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs). On the basis of petrography and mineralogy, two types of MMEs are recognized. One (Type 1), enclosed in the granodiorite, is composed of amphibole, high-Ti tabularbiotite, plagioclase, K-feld spar, and quartz. Us ing the Al-in-am phibole geobarometer, a shallow origin (4 - 8 km) of am phiboles is suggested. The other (Type 2), enclosed in al kali feld spargranite, is amphibole-free and composed of low-Ti acicular biotite, plagioclase, K-feld spar, and quartz. Geo chemistry of major and traceel ements seems to re flect two different evolving trends for these host granitoids. The Sr-Nd isotopic features indicate that all the studied samples vary in a narrow range of Isr (0.7078 to 0.7082) and eNd(T) (-5.6 to -8.3), except the Type 2 enclaves and hosts that show slightly morede pleted compositions (Isr = 0.7073 to 0.7075 and eNd(T) = -5.0 to -6.0). U-Pb zir con ages obtained are 109.6 ¡_ 0.9 Ma for the granodiorite and 113.5 ¡_ 1.1 Ma for the alkalifeld spargran ite, with 103.2 ¡_ 0.9 Ma for the Type 2 MMEs. In her ited ages of 117.0 ¡_ 2.0 Ma and 119.8 ¡_ 1.1 Ma seem to presentin the former two samples. Similarities of mineral chemistry and isotopic composition among the MMEs-host pairs as well as the youn ger age of MMEs suggest that MMEs of Xiaojiang-Liangnong complexes most likely represent mixing/mingling products formed as a consequence of the in tru sion of ba saltic magma into the host granitoids un der dif fer ent cool ing con di tions. Judg ing from the pres ence of in her ited zir con ages, the com po si tion gap be tween high-Ti and low-Ti bi o tite in granodiorite and al kali feld spar gran ite, and lower zirconsaturation temperatures for the host granitoids (cal cu lated as 787°C and 763°C, re spec tively, for these two rock types), or i gin of the LY I-type granitoids in the Xiaojiang-Liangnong com plexes is re lated to par tial melt ing of dif fer ent sources, with the preceding alkali feldspar granite derived from more quartzofeldspathic and later granodiorite, from more mafic sources.

This case report described the nursing experience of end-of-life care for a female patient with terminal lung cancer with physical and mental distress. During the nursing period, authors collected data through physical examination, observation, interviews, medical records, and Gordon's 11 functional health patterns to assess the patient's nursing needs. Authors confirmed that the patient presented the major health problems as following: ineffective breathing pattern, body fluid overload, and anticipatory grief. The medical team adjusted the patient's medication of morphine and sedatives, and assisted the patient to maintain a comfortable lying position, and gave the patient lymphatic massage with essential oils and the far-infrared therapy to improve the patient's health problems of the inefficient breathing pattern and body fluid overload. In addition, by using life review, authors helped the patient face the end of life and guided her and her families to express their feelings as well as expectations and also accompanied the patient and her families to review life and re-examine the meaning of life. The process of working together to fulfill the patient's dying wishes not only left precious memories to the patient and families, but also re-strengthened the connection among them to affirm the meaning of life that made the patient and families can carry out "the Four Principles of Life" to each other, including: gratitude, forgiveness, love and saying goodbye. We hope take this special nursing experience to share with everyone and provide an example of caring similar cases in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-aligned Si/Ge T-gate poly-Si thin-film transistors with a thick gate oxide at the gate edges near the source and drain is developed and fabricated. Results have shown that the Si/Ge T-gate TFTs have low OFF-state leakage currents, improved ON/OFF current ratio, and more saturated output characteristics compared with conventional TFTs.

Background/Aim: The effects of cinnamaldehyde on glioma are still unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on the viability and expression of chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 in temozolomide (TMZ)-treated glioma cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability and CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression were measured by western blotting at 72 h after treatment with various concentrations of cinnamaldehyde and TMZ. Results: Cell viability was significantly lower after treatment with 300 μM TMZ, 50 μM cinnamaldehyde, 75 μM cinnamaldehyde, or combined treatment with 300 μM TMZ plus 50 μM or 75 μM cinnamaldehyde than after no treatment (i.e., without TMZ or cinnamaldehyde); and significantly lower after combined treatment with 300 μM TMZ plus 75 μM cinnamaldehyde but not 50 μM cinnamaldehyde, than treatment with 300 μM TMZ alone. Western blotting showed that either single treatments or combined treatments had lower CXCR4 expression (compared to the no-treatment control). Compared to 300 μM TMZ alone, both combined treatment of 300 μM TMZ plus 50 μM cinnamaldehyde or 75 μM cinnamaldehyde had significantly lowered CXCR4 expression. However, CXCR7 expression was not significantly different in all groups. Conclusion: Cinnamaldehyde, acting with TMZ, reduces glioma cell viability possibly via decreasing CXCR4 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

學生學習預警資訊系統被認為是評量學生學習成效、預測學習困擾、輔導高危險群學生的有力機制，尤其近年來新興資訊技術的進步，使學習預警資訊系統在規模和作法上都有所突破。國內各大學發展學習預警資訊系統已超過 10 年，普及率也相當高，但是相較於國外既有的深入性和檢討性研究，目前針對國內現有學習預警機制與系統運作的著述仍然頗為零散，而該系統在功能上的敏感性及資料上的隱密性，也讓各校之間缺乏相關資訊交流。因此，本研究主要透過文獻探討、訪察和訪談等方法，針對國內目前 56 所公私立一般大學學習預警資訊系統的現行運作情況進行概括性調查。研究發現，目前各校多已建立了學期間、即時和特殊預警等不同機制，系統使用率在許多大學也都達到半數課程以上，但在實際使用上常面 臨教師反彈和後續追蹤不易等問題。建議未來各校應以加強跨單位合作、提升系統使用成效評估，以及提供更多元的預警指標為方向，進一步落實學習預警資訊系統之功能及使用效益。 The development of students’ early alert systems (EAS), or students’ learning alarm systems, has long been discussed by administrators and researchers in higher education. They are considered a powerful mechanism for evaluating students’ learning effectiveness, predicting potential learning difficulties, and identifying academically at-risk students. The rapid growth of information technology has made the EAS advanced in scale and practice. However, although most universities in Taiwan have established similar preventive systems or mechanisms, few studies have focused on exploring actual uses of and possible restrictions on existing EAS. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to outline the current situation of EAS in Taiwanese universities. We explored the following questions: (1) What types of EAS have been established in universities in Taiwan? (2) What are the main functions and mechanisms of the current EAS? (3) What are the actual uses of EAS in universities? (4) What are the possible restrictions on and solutions for using EAS? Data were gathered from 56 public and private universities in Taiwan. Experts familiar with or in charge of EAS design, development, and use in these universities were interviewed by telephone or face-to-face. We found that although the utility rate of EAS in most universities tended to be high, faculty resistance and difficulty in follow-up assessments on EAS utilization were the two common restrictions that occurred across campuses. To enhance the use effectiveness of EAS, faculty and administrators from both departmental and institutional levels should be involved. In addition, this study suggested that in the future, universities must attempt to strengthen collaboration among units related to EAS, improve the evaluation of EAS effectiveness, and provide additional early alert indicators of students’ academic performance.