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Earth‐tide stresses often have been considered to be incapable of directly triggering large earthquakes, but they do play a role in earthquake modulation. Despite its relatively minor role, tidal stress analysis is valuable for understanding earthquake generation. In this study, we used the matched‐filter technique to detect approximately three times more early aftershocks (EAs) following the 2010 ML 6.4 Jiashian and 2012 ML 6.4 Wutai mainshocks than are listed in the Central Weather Bureau catalog in southern Taiwan. We examined the influence of tidal stresses on the occurrence of EAs and identified that small EAs frequently occurred near or at negative Coulomb and shear stress changes induced by Earth tide. Statistical tests indicated a very low likelihood for the EAs to be randomly distributed across a single day. It is likely that Earth‐tide stresses can modulate these small EA occurrences. We proposed that tidal stresses can affect fluid diffusion and pore pressure of crustal cracks around the mainshock source regions when the regions are under a critically stressed circumstance. Our results were inconclusive regarding a causal relationship between tidal stresses and EA occurrences in the first few hours after the mainshocks.

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to provide a variety of viewpoints to illustrate the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure.Design/methodology/approach– Based on the smooth and convergent bridge shapes obtained by the initial shape analysis, the one-element cable system (OECS) and multi-element cable system (MECS) models of the symmetric harp cable-stayed bridge are developed to verify the applicability of the analytical model and numerical formulation from the field observations in the authors’ previous work. For this purpose, the modal analyses of the two finite element models are conducted to calculate the natural frequency and normalized mode shape of the individual modes of the bridge. The modal coupling assessment is also performed to obtain the generalized mass ratios among the structural components for each mode of the bridge.Findings– The findings indicate that the coupled modes are attributed to the frequency loci veering and mode localization when the “pure” deck-tower frequency and the “pure” stay cable frequency approach one another, implying that the mode shapes of such coupled modes are simply different from those of the deck-tower system or stay cables alone. The distribution of the generalized mass ratios between the deck-tower system and stay cables are useful indices for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode. For each identical group of stay cables in the MECS model, the local modes with similar natural frequencies and normalized mode shapes consist of the participation of one or more stay cables. These results are demonstrated to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges.Originality/value– It is important to investigate the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shape of a cable-stayed bridge. This is because such initial shape not only reasonably provides the geometric configuration as well as the prestress distribution of the bridge under the weight of the deck-tower system and the pretension forces in the stay cables, but also definitely ensures the satisfaction of the relations for the equilibrium conditions, boundary conditions and architectural design requirements. However, few researchers have studied the deck-stay interaction considering the initial shape effect. The objective of this paper is to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure. The modal coupling assessment is also performed for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode of the bridge.

The purpose of this study is to explore recognition of the importance of later-life planning and practice of later-life preparation by individuals from different generations. The study utilizes the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) method, in combination with a later-life planning questionnaire, to investigate adults (over 20 years old) across 25 counties and cities in Taiwan. The research design employed proportional stratified random sampling, and it received 1071 valid samples. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. Five findings stand out: First, later-life planning can be categorized into five domains: physical health, psychological adjustment, social relationships, financial management, and leisure life. Second, the subjects showed their recognition of the importance of later-life planning, especially with respect to physical health. Third, their preparations primarily took the form of following a balanced diet, maintaining a good mood,...

This paper provides a variety of viewpoints to illustrate the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges. Based on the smooth and convergent bridge shapes obtained by the initial shape analysis, the one-element cable system (OECS) and multi-element cable system (MECS) models of the Kao Ping Hsi Bridge in Taiwan are developed to verify the applicability of the analytical model and numerical formulation from the field observations in the authors` previous work. For this purpose, the modal analysis of the two finite element models are conducted to calculate the natural frequency and normalized mode shape of the individual modes of the bridge. The modal coupling assessment is also performed to obtain the generalized mass ratios among the structural components for each mode of the bridge. The findings indicate that the coupled modes are attributed to the frequency loci veering and mode localization when the "pure" deck-tower frequency and the "pure" stay cable frequency approach one another, implying that the mode shapes of such coupled modes are simply different from those of the deck-tower system or stay cables alone. The distribution of the generalized mass ratios between the deck-tower system and stay cables are useful indices for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode. These results are demonstrated to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges.

The objective of this study is to thoroughly investigate the dynamic characteristics of the Kao Ping Hsi Bridge located in southern Taiwan. A one-element cable system (OECS) and a multi-element cable system (MECS) are presented for simulating the dynamic properties of the cables of the bridge. By a finite element computation procedure, the initial shape, modal, and seismic analyses are conducted for the bridge using either the OECS or MECS model. A hybrid method combining both the two-loop iteration and the catenary function is proposed to determine the initial shapes using the MECS model. Convergent and smooth initial shapes can be obtained using such a method. The results indicate that the OECS model can yield solution in an efficient way, whereas the MECS model should be used if solutions of greater accuracy are desired.

The aim of this paper concerns with the nonlinear analysis of cable-stayed bridges including the vibration effect of cable stays. Two models for the cable stay system are built up in the study. One is the OECS (one element cable system) model in which one single element per cable stay is used and the other is MECS (multi-elements cable system) model, where multi-elements per cable stay are used. A finite element computation procedure has been set up for the nonlinear analysis of such kind of structures. For shape finding of the cable-stayed bridge with MECS model, an efficient computation procedure is presented by using the two-loop iteration method (equilibrium iteration and shape iteration) with help of the catenary function method to discretize each single cable stay. After the convergent initial shape of the bridge is found, further analysis can then be performed. The structural behaviors of cable-stayed bridges influenced by the cable lateral motion will be examined here detailedly, such as the static deflection, the natural frequencies and modes, and the dynamic responses induced by seismic loading. The results show that the MECS model offers the real shape of cable stays in the initial shape, and all the natural frequencies and modes of the bridge including global modes and local modes. The global mode of the bridge consists of coupled girder, tower and cable stays motion and is a coupled mode, while the local mode exhibits only the motion of cable stays and is uncoupled with girder and tower. The OECS model can only offers global mode of tower and girder without any motion of cable stays, because each cable stay is represented by a single straight cable (or truss) element. In the nonlinear seismic analysis, only the MECS model can offer the lateral displacement response of cable stays and the axial force variation in cable stays. The responses of towers and girders of the bridge determined by both OECS- and MECSmodels have no great difference.

Surfactant-based technologies are promising remediation alternatives. The information on sorption and desorption kinetics of surfactants on soils is important in the successful application of surfactant-based technologies. In this study, the sorption and desorption rates of nonionic surfactant TX-100 and cationic DPC were correlated to the surfactant concentration, soil organic matters (SOM), and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). The results indicated that at higher initial surfactant concentrations, sorption rates of surfactants increased linearly with SOM and soil CEC for TX-100 and DPC, respectively. The sorption rates and initial surfactant concentrations followed the first order relation for TX-100 and second order for DPC. A linear relationship between the sorption rates of surfactants and soil characteristics was developed. The desorption rates of TX-100 and DPC increased linearly with the increased surfactant levels sorbed on soils but were irrelevant to soil characteristics and the contact time of surfactant sorption. The rate of surfactant desorption was similar as the amount of surfactants sorbed on soils was in the same range. The cationic DPC sorbed and desorbed at two orders of magnitude faster than the nonionic TX-100, suggesting that both sorption and desorption have to be considered in the remediation process.

An improved HPLC method using a silica gel column with fluorescence detection (excitation at 300 nm and emission at 365 nm) was developed for the determination of sulpiride concentrations in plasma. Analysis of sulpiride in plasma samples was simplified by a one-step liquid-liquid extraction after alkaline treatment of only 1 ml of plasma. The low limit of quantitation was 20 ng/ml with a coefficient of variation of less than 20%. A linear range was found from 20 to 1500 ng/ml. This HPLC method was validated with the precision for inter-day and intra-day runs being 0.36-8.01% and 0.29-5.25%, respectively, and the accuracy (standard deviation of mean, SD) for inter-day and intra-day runs being -1.58 to 5.02% and -2.14 to 5.21%, respectively. Bioequivalence of the two products was evaluated in 12 normal healthy male volunteers in a single-dose, two-period, two-sequence, two-treatment cross-over study. Sulpiride plasma concentrations were analyzed with this validated HPLC method. Results demonstrated that the two tablet formulations of sulpiride appear to be bioequivalent.

Background: Response inhibition has been proposed as a core element of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD has two subtypes: the hyperactivity and combined subtype (ADHDcom) was considered to have more inhibition deficit, while the inattentive subtype (ADHDin) was not (Barkley, 1997). The stochastic resonance model proposed that noise exerts a positive effect on cognitive performance for ADHD (Söderlund et al., 2007). The current study addressed the issue of the facilitation / interference effect of noise on patients with ADHD by adopting a cross-modality stop-signal task. Method: The cross-modality stop signal task contained a visual discrimination task and an auditory stop signal. Participants were asked to respond to the visual stimuli, and they were asked to withhold their response when the stop signal was presented (25% of trials). The stop signal was a pure tone embedded background noise with various sound levels (no noise, 35 dB, 55 dB). The stop signal reaction time (SSRT) was estimated following Logan et al. (1984) as an index for inhibition function. Result: The result revealed that the SSRTs for ADHDcom were significantly longer than those of ADHDin. The noise did not improve inhibition performance; rather, an interference effect was evident for both subtypes of ADHD. Our result failed to support the finding of Söderlund et al. (2007).

AIM: To investigate whether American ginseng (AG, Panax quinquefolium) supplementation was able to improve endurance exercise performance. METHODS: Thirteen physically active male college students were divided into two groups (AG or placebo) and received supplementation for 4 wk, before the exhaustive running exercise. Treadmill speed was increased to a pace equivalent to 80% VO2max of the subject. A 4-wk washout period followed before the subjects crossed over and received the alternate supplement for the next 4 wk. They then completed a second exhaustive running exercise. The physiological variables that were examined included time to exhaustion and oxygen pulse. Moreover, the plasma creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured prior to the exercise, at 15 and 30 min during exercise, immediately after exercise, and 20, 40, 60, and 120 min after exercise. RESULTS: The major finding of this investigation was that the production plasma CK during the exercise significantly decreased for group AG than for group P. Secondary physiological finding was that 80% VO2max running was not improved over a 4-wk AG supplementation regimen. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with AG for 4 wk prior to an exhaustive aerobic treadmill running reduced the leakage of CK during exercise, but did not enhance aerobic work capacity. The reduction of plasma CK may be due to the fact that AG is effective for the decrease of skeletal muscle cell membrane damage, induced by exercise during the high-intensity treadmill run.

The black gang element Tung Pien has for a long time in the past usurped the propaganda front of Chinese Women [Chung-kuo Fu-nu], hanging out "red banners" to oppose red banners, and engaging in criminal deeds against the party, against socialism, and against the thought of Mao Tse-tung. "What Do Women Live For?" and "What Are the Norms in Selecting a Lover?" form the great conspiracy of spurious discussion but bona fide poisoning that she has meticulously planned. Let us now expose and criticize these two huge poisonous weeds.