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The impact of COVID-19 measures on airport performance is obvious, and there have been numerous studies on this topic. However, most of these studies discuss prevention measures, the effects on airport operations, forecasts of economic impacts, changes in service quality, etc. There is a lack of research on the effects of various prevention measures on airport operations and the interrelationships between these measures. This study focuses on addressing this gap. In this study, an integrated approach is devised that combines the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method and interpretive structural modeling (ISM). This integrated method is useful for exploring the relationship between pandemic measures and airport performance as well as the complex relationship between them, and the combination of methods improves upon the shortcomings of the original models. This study reveals that mandating vaccination certificates for entry into a country is the most significant measure affecting airport performance. Additionally, aircraft movement at the airport has the greatest overall impact and can be considered the most crucial factor influencing airport performance from an operational standpoint. The findings show that both factors directly influence financial performance, as reflected in the net income. Some management implications are provided to mitigate the consequences of the measures taken to counter the pandemic crisis. This integrated approach should also assist authorities and policy-makers in planning cautious action for future crises.

Abstract To compare the frequency and clinical significance of familial and de novo chromosomal inversions during prenatal diagnosis. This was a retrospective study of inversions diagnosed prenatally in an Asian population by applying conventional GTG-banding to amniocyte cultures. Data from 2005 to 2019 were extracted from a single-center laboratory database. The types, frequencies, and inheritance patterns of multiple inversions were analyzed. Pericentric variant inversions of chromosome 9 or Y were excluded. In total, 56 (0.27%) fetuses with inversions were identified in the 15-year database of 21,120 confirmative diagnostic procedures. Pericentric and paracentric inversions accounted for 62.5% (35/56) and 37.5% of the inversions, respectively. Familial inversions accounted for nearly 90% of cases, and de novo mutation was identified in two pericentric and two paracentric cases. Inversions were most frequently identified on chromosomes 1 and 2 (16.1% of all inversions), followed by chromosomes 6, 7, and 10 (8.9% of all cases). The indications for invasive testing were as follows: advanced maternal age (67.3%), abnormal ultrasound findings (2.1%), abnormal serum aneuploidy screening (20.4%), and other indications (10.2%). The mode of inheritance was available for 67.9% of cases (38/56), with 89.5% of inversions being inherited (34/38). A slight preponderance of inheritance in female fetuses was observed. Three patients with inherited inversions opted for termination (two had severe central nervous system lesions and one had thalassemia major). Gestation continued for 53 fetuses, who exhibited no structural defects at birth or significant developmental problems a year after birth. Our study indicates that approximately 90% of prenatally diagnosed inversions involve familial inheritance, are spreading, and behave like founder effect mutations in this isolated population on an island. This finding can help to alleviate anxiety during prenatal counseling, which further underscores the importance of parental chromosomal analysis, further genetic studies, and appropriate counseling in cases where a nonfamilial inversion is diagnosed.

Objective: We report a case of diffuse large B-cell urethral lymphoma initial presenting with non-healing urethra ulcer. Case Report: A 68-year-old woman presented with a non-healing urethral ulcer accompanied with vulvar pruritus, which failed to medical treatment. Her medical history was unremarkable, lacking fever, weight loss or unexplained fatigue. There were no enlarged lymph nodes or palpable liver or spleen upon physical examination. Pelvic examination revealed an ulcerative lesion arising from the posterior wall of the urethral meatus. Cystourethroscopy showed no bladder involvement. Surgical excision of the urethral ulcer was done and immunohistochemical report showed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Bone marrow needle biopsy and computed tomography were done and the diagnosis of primary diffuse large B-cell urethral lymphoma stage IEA was made. She underwent six cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab and was free of disease for 51 months. Conclusion: This report of urethral lymphoma was presented as a non-healing ulcer initially, which was totally different previous reports, presenting with bleeding, either vaginal or urinary, urinary frequency, dysuria, urine retention and self-perceived mass, suggesting that unhealed ulcer on the perineal area should be promptly evaluated and avoidance of unnecessary delayed therapy for possible curable disease.

Objectives: Some symptoms of overactive bladder overlap with those of interstitial cystitis. This study was conducted to compare the urodynamic results and quality of life of patients with the two conditions. Materials and Methods: Urodynamic data were retrospectively analyzed in 55 females with interstitial cystitis and 171 females with overactive bladder between 2012 and 2016. Females with overactive bladder were divided into detrusor overactivity group and non-detursor overactivity group based on urodynamic results. All recruited patients completed validated questionnaires including incontinence impact questionnaire (IIQ-7), urogenital distress inventory (UDI-6), and short form 12 health survey (SF-12). Patient demographics, total scores of questionnaires, and urodynamic results were compared among interstitial cystitis, detrusor overactivity, and non-detrusor overactivity groups. Results: The age and body mass index of interstitial cystitis patients were significantly lower than that of overactive bladder patients. The severity of urinary symptoms was higher in interstitial cystitis group than in non-detrusor overactivity group from questionnaire, but similar as detrusor overactivity group. Interstitial cystitis group had lower maximum flow rate, lower residual urine volume, lower maximum cystometric capacity, and higher maximal urethral closure pressure compared with non-detrusor overactivity group. However, there was no significant difference in urodynamic parameters between interstitial cystitis and detrusor overactivity groups. Conclusion: Interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder have a negative impact on quality of life, but urodynamic studies are not effective in distinguishing between interstitial cystitis and detrusor overactivity. Keywords: Interstitial cystitis, Overactive bladder, Overactive detrusor, Urodynamic

We are reporting an umbilical cyst detected at early trimester which mimicking bladder exstrophy occulta. A 3-cm umbilical cord cyst and a slight ventrally located urinary bladder beneath the cord insertion site was detected at 14th gestational weeks, which decreased in size and disappeared at 28th week. A term female neonate born with a 2-cm defect over the base of the umbilical cord, revealed a patent urachal fistula, and a part of the herniated urinary bladder. Detection of a vanished umbilical cord cyst has to keep aware of, making an immediate definite diagnosis and management of urachal anomaly.

Cold-seep carbonate concretions were preserved in the Chiahsien paleoseep remnant within the Pliocene Yenshuiken Formation of southwestern Taiwan foreland sequence. Compared to the non-seep controls in the Yenshuiken Formation, muddy host rocks that were < 30 cm from massive authigenic carbonate concretions (ACCs) have low CaCO3 contents (~1%), high percentages of agglutinated foraminifera (~90%), and almost no calcareous foraminifera (both benthic and planktonic). However, host rocks that were > 30 cm away from such ACCs have normal marine assemblages (low agglutinated foraminifera percentages, < 6.6%; fair CaCO3 content, 3.5 - 7.9%). Host rocks that were < 80 cm from chimney-shaped ACCs also have abnormal assemblages, whereas those > 80 cm away from the chimneys have normal assemblages. Host rocks between pipe-shaped ACCs have similar characteristics to mudstone samples from control sites. Low percentages of calcareous foraminiferal fossils in the paleoseep remnant are due to pore water acidification within the taphonomically active zone (TAZ), which is triggered and accelerated by oxidation of sulfide [HS-, the product of anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM)] in the methane seep environments. We suggest that foraminiferal assemblages can be influenced by methane seep activities taphonomically and that, therefore, ratios between calcareous and agglutinated foraminifera can reflect and record geochemical interface [e.g., TAZ; sulfate-methane interface (SMI) where AOM occurs] shifts on a subtler scale (only few decimeters) in paleoseep remnants.

Can a robot think like a human being? Scientists in recent years have been trying to achieve this dream, and we are also committed to this same goal. In this paper, we use an example of throwing the ball into the basket to make the robots process with human-like thinking behavior. Such thinking behavior adopted in this paper is divided into two modes: fast and slow. The fast mode belongs to the intuitional reaction, and the slow mode represents the complicated cogitation in human brain. This fascinating human thinking concept is inspired by the book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, which explains the process of the human brain. In addition, the psychology theories proposed in this book are also adopted to realize the thinking algorithms, and our experiments verify that the thinking mode of human beings is reasonable and effective in robots.

“Tropone” is a non-benzenoid aromatic skeleton that can be found in a variety of natural products. This cyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one skeleton appears simple, but there have been no straightforward ways to construct this molecular architecture. It is conceivable that this molecule can be constructed via a higher order cycloaddition of three acetylene units and CO, but such process was not known until we have discovered that the carbonylative [2+2+2+1] cycloaddition of triynes can take place in the presence of a Rh complex catalyst and CO. However, this highly challenging process is naturally accompanied by ordinary [2+2+2] cyclotrimization products, i.e., benzenes, as side products. A mechanistic study led to two competing processes wherein the critical CO insertion occurs either to a rhodacyclopentadiene intermediate (Path A) or a rhodacycloheptatriene intermediate (Path B). The DFT analysis of those two pathways disclosed that the Path A should be the one that yields the carbonylative [2+2+2+1] cycloaddition products, i.e., fused tricyclic tropones. A further substrate design, inspired by colchicine structure, led to the almost exclusive formation of a fused tetracyclic tropone from a triyne bearing 1,2-disubstituted benzene moiety in a single step and excellent yield.

ATP synthase is present on the plasma membrane of several types of cancer cells. Citreoviridin, an ATP synthase inhibitor, selectively suppresses the proliferation and growth of lung cancer without affecting normal cells. However, the global effects of targeting ectopic ATP synthase in vivo have not been well defined. In this study, we performed quantitative proteomic analysis using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and provided a comprehensive insight into the complicated regulation by citreoviridin in a lung cancer xenograft model. With high reproducibility of the quantitation, we obtained quantitative proteomic profiling with 2,659 proteins identified. Bioinformatics analysis of the 141 differentially expressed proteins selected by their relative abundance revealed that citreoviridin induces alterations in the expression of glucose metabolism-related enzymes in lung cancer. The up-regulation of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis and storage of glucose indicated that citreoviridin may reduce the glycolytic intermediates for macromolecule synthesis and inhibit cell proliferation. Using comprehensive proteomics, the results identify metabolic aspects that help explain the antitumorigenic effect of citreoviridin in lung cancer, which may lead to a better understanding of the links between metabolism and tumorigenesis in cancer therapy.

Several dolomitic authigenic carbonate concretions (ACCs) are preserved in the Pliocene foreland sequence in southwestern Taiwan. Carbon isotopic signatures and the morphology of these carbonates and associated chemosymbiotic bivalve fossils reveal their methane seep origin. There are three types of ACCs: (1) massive brecciated blocks (MBBs; £_13C = -49.57 ~ -38.20‰; £_18O = 1.59 ~ 4.25‰); (2) giant chimneys (GCs; £_13C = -43.14 ~ -17.73‰; £_18O = -7.64 ~ 3.36‰); and (3) slender pipe networks (SPNs; £_13C = -43.51 ~ 5.91‰; £_18O = -6.90 ~ -3.57‰). Different shapes, sizes, stratigraphic positions, and carbon isotopic compositions are due to different flux/intensities and flow pattern of discharging methane. MBBs were derived from diffusion of methane and formed in deeper positions, whereas GCs mark the locations of feeder faults and main outlets of methane emission. SPNs formed along fractures or bedding planes; they were (1) accessories of MBBs and GCs, or (2) products of minor releases of residual geofluids. We compared ACCs of the Chiahsien Paleoseep to two previously studied cold seep carbonates within the same foredeep in southwestern Taiwan, which represent similar occurrences and stable carbon isotopic compositions. However, the older ACCs in the Chiahsien Paleoseep have undergone longer diagenesis and weathering processes and have more complicated and lower £_18O signatures. These asynchronous cold seep carbonates can indicate hydrocarbon migrations and fault activities within the orogenic belt of Taiwan.

Pogonophoran tube worms, elongated pyrite tubes and authigenic carbonate nodules are used to evaluate the occurrence of potential cold seeps in the syn-collision accretionary prism Kaoping Slope off SW Taiwan. At least two species of pogonophoran tubeworms were found in surface and core sediments. Pyrites occur in three different forms: fillings inside foraminiferal chambers, cements between calcareous microfossils, and elongated tubes. The bottom water off SW Taiwan is aerobic, but authigenic pyrites are found in the surface sediments at several sites, suggesting the existence of local reducing environments enabling the formation of pyrites. These environments are most likely caused by the occurrence of active cold seeps where methane expulses. Authigenic carbonates with highly depleted carbon isotope values (-54 to -43â°) were found at more than 5 locations, in agreement with a methane-derived source for the carbon.

The weak and variable binding affinities exhibited by lectin-carbohydrate interactions have often compromised the practical utility of lectin in capturing glycoproteins for glycoproteomic applications. We report here the development and applications of a new type of hybrid biomaterial, namely a boronic acid-decorated lectin (BAD-lectin), for efficient bifunctional glycoprotein labeling and enrichment. Our binding studies showed an enhanced affinity by BAD-lectin, likely to be mediated via the formation of boronate ester linkages between the lectin and glycan subsequent to the initial recognition process and thus preserving its glycan-specificity. Moreover, when attached to magnetic nanoparticles (BAD-lectin@MNPs), 2 to 60-fold improvement on detection sensitivity and enrichment efficiency for specific glycoproteins was observed over the independent use of either lectin or BA. Tested at the level of whole cell lysates for glycoproteomic applications, three different types of BAD-lectin@MNPs exhibited excellent specificities with only 6% overlapping among the 295 N-linked glycopeptides identified. As many as 236 N-linked glycopeptides (80%) were uniquely identified by one of the BAD-lectin@MNPs. These results indicated that the enhanced glycan-selective recognition and binding affinity of BAD-lectin@MNPs will facilitate a complementary identification of the under-explored glycoproteome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have successfully employed femtosecond laser to craft microstructures on polymeric substrate to imbed micro-mixiers. Since the laser pulse is ultra-short, the heat affected zone is not significant. Therefore the thermal melting damage is not as severe as that using continuous carbon dioxide laser. As a result, using femtosecond laser the fabrications of reproducible and defined micro-structures are able to accomplish. These structures can be used to generate micro-vortices using the mechanisms of induced electro-osmosis, one unique technique developed in our laboratory. The dimensional reproducibility of microstructures was observed with scanning electron microscopy. In addition, using attenuation total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to inspect the laser fabricated surface of polymeric substrate, we have acquired the spectrum of polymer moieties showing that photothermal effects are also more pronounced than photochemical effects in the fabrication processes to avoid surface reactions. An example of a micro-mixer with three dimensional microstructures about 800 μm x 400 μm x 65 μm on the last slide for transparent glycerol and glycerol with red dyes mixing is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to uncover the membrane protein profile differences between colorectal carcinoma and neighboring normal mucosa from colorectal cancer patients. Information from cellular membrane proteomes can be used not only to study the roles of membrane proteins in fundamental biological processes, but also to discover novel targets for improving the management of colorectal cancer patients. We used solvent extraction and a gel-assisted digestion method, together with isobaric tags with related and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) reagents to label tumoral and adjacent normal tissues in a pairwise manner ( n = 8). For high-throughput quantification, these digested labeled peptides were combined and simultaneously analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Using the shotgun approach, we identified a total of 438 distinct proteins from membrane fractions of all eight patients. After comparing protein expression between cancerous and corresponding normal tissue, we identified 34 upregulated and eight downregulated proteins with expression changes greater than twofold (Student’s t-test, P < 0.05). Among these, the overexpression of well-established biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigens (CEACAM5, CEACAM6), as well as claudin-3, HLA class I histocompatibility antigen A-1, tapasin and mitochondrial solute carrier family 25A4 were confirmed by western blotting. We conclude that gel-assisted digestion and iTRAQ labeling MS is a potential approach for uncovering and comparing membrane protein profiles of tissue samples that has the potential to identify novel biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric-pressure plasma cyclone with argon as the carrier gas was employed to modify the polysulfone membrane to increase its surface hydrophilicity. The variation of the polysulfone surface hydrophilicity was evaluated by static contact angle measurement and it became highly hydrophilic when exposed to cyclonic plasma. The substantial rise in the surface energy of the treated polysulfone membranes as a result of surface etching and bond cleavage effect in the plasma surface modification was also observed. The chemical composition and surface morphological alteration of cyclonic plasma-treated polysulfone membranes were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The major findings in this study showed considerably higher surface concentrations of polar functional groups for cyclonic plasma-activated polysulfone membrane surfaces. This was more than for original pristine polysulfone membrane surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the enhancement by its steep mesoscale topography, the overall rainfall amount and distribution in Taiwan from typhoons, to a first degree, are determined by the storm track relative to the island. Therefore, the quality of typhoon quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) from numerical models is often controlled by track errors, with better quality from those with smaller track errors. However, the present work demonstrates that in daily QPFs over Taiwan made by a cloud-resolving model during five seasons of 2012–2016, targeted for 84 days during 27 typhoons and at ranges of day one (0–24 h) to day eight (168–192 h), the control of track errors on QPF quality is reduced for typhoons associated with southwesterly flow, compared to those without, and decent QPFs could still be obtained with large track errors in some cases. Subsequently, the circumstances and reasons for good (or bad) QPFs in selected examples are further investigated to deepen our understanding of typhoon QPFs in Taiwan. Some common ingredients are found in three cases where good QPFs were produced at a longer range (day 7 or 8) without a good track: these typhoons passed near northern Taiwan and the southwesterly flow prevailed over much of the island during the accumulation period. Responsible for much of the rainfall in Taiwan, the southwesterly flow was reasonably captured, resulting in good QPFs. In another example where the typhoon moved across southern Taiwan, on the contrary, the rainfall was produced by the storm’s circulation, and the QPF was degraded without a good enough track prediction.

We have synthesized a novel molecule, 3,6-bis(1-methyl4-vinylpyridium)carbazole diiodide (BMVC), for recognizing specific quadruplex structures, particularly the quadruplex of human telomeric sequence d(T[SUB2]AG[SUB3])[SUB4]. The fluorescence intensity of the BMVC molecule increases from 1 to almost 2 orders of magnitude upon interacting with various DNAs. At a concentration of BMVC of 10μM, fluorescence bands with different colors of BMVC in electrophoresis gels of various DNAs can be observed. The fluorescence of BMVC can be used to discriminate between duplex and quadruplex DNAs. At the low concentration of 0.1 μM BMVC in prestained gels, the fluorescence is observed in the presence of quadruplexes with anti-anti-anti-anti and anti-anti-syn-syn arrangements. However, no fluorescence band is detected upon interacting with duplexes and quadruplexes with antisyn-anti-syn arrangement. Moreover, the sensitivity assays show that as little as 0.2 pmol of quadruplex of d(T[SUB2]AG[SUB3])[SUB4] can be revealed by BMVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]