The myeloid-specific transcription factor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein epsilon (C/EBPε) is a critical mediator of myelopoiesis. Mutation of this gene is responsible for neutrophil-specific granule deficiency in humans, a condition that confers susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus infection. We found that C/EBPε-deficient mice are severely affected by infection with S. aureus, and C/EBPε...
This dissertation consists of three essays that evaluate various types of health care policies from the social welfare perspective. Chapter 1 introduces the main ideas and framework of this dissertation. Chapter 2 evaluates the new co-payment policy, enacted on July 15, 2005 under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI). We show...
Power transient boiling has been studied for decades, however, the mechanistic understanding of phenomena which occur during such an event remains incomplete. Due to a dearth of systematic researches, the information of studied phenomenon, detailed physics and applicable hypothesis are very limited. Transient critical heat flux (CHF) is paramount in...
The virion protein patterns of 72 isolates of infectious
hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) were analyzed by sodium dodecyl
sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of S-methionine
labeled virus. This analysis led to the classification of these virus
isolates into 4 or more types. Type 1 virus is characterized by a
nucleocapsid protein...
The glycoprotein, G, of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus, IHNV,
was shown to be the viral protein which elicits and reacts with neutralizing
antibodies. The G protein also confers protective immunity on immunized
susceptible salmonid hosts to IHNV. The other three structural proteins of
IHNV, N, Ml, and M2, do not...
An innovative silver nano-dimple arrays (Ag DAs)-integrated microfluidic device was developed to achieve highly sensitive fluorescence-based nucleic acid detection. The Ag DAs were utilized to produce surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for strong fluorescence enhancement. We systematically investigated the plasmon-enhanced fluorescence by controlling the nanostructure dimension of the Ag DA substrate....
With the expansion of transport, increasing car ownership, rapid increase in outbound travel and new interests in nature based eco-tourism, and the adoption of 5 work days, marine eco-tourism is expected to have a very promising future and need more detailed preparation and planning. While marine eco-tourism occupies 30% of...
For the past decades, around 20% of the natural coral reefs were lost and > 20% more is currently deteriorating. Due to the recognition of positive impact to fishery resources enhancement by artificial
reefs (ARs) deployment, Taiwanese government has started deploying ARs as a measure to improve the environment of...