Chung Yuan Christian University

About: Chung Yuan Christian University is a education organization based out in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Membrane & Fuzzy logic. The organization has 9819 authors who have published 11623 publications receiving 213139 citations. The organization is also known as: Tiong-gôan-tāi-ha̍k & CYCU.

Targeted delivery of doxorubicin to human breast cancers by folate-decorated star-shaped PEG–PCL micelle

Abstract: Conventional nanocarriers are associated with systemic toxicity and poor bioavailability of the anti-tumor drugs due to undesired specificity. The objective of this study is to introduce a folic targeting ligand on the surface of a polymeric nanocarrier to enhance the delivery of the doxorubicin (DOX) via ligand-mediated endocytosis. Hence, the folate decorated-micelle based on the star-shape FOL–PEG–PCL copolymer was synthesized. The chemical structure of the copolymer was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. A generalized biocompatibility test of the micelle was evaluated using MTT assay, in vitro hemolytic test, nitric oxide production and reactive oxygen species generation, respectively. When DOX was encapsulated in the micelle, the drug loading efficiency and drug loading content were found to be 90% and 13%, respectively. The average particle size of the DOX-loaded micelle, determined by dynamic light scattering was 148.2 nm. The intracellular uptake experiments showed that human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) could uptake a similar amount of DOX from two dosage forms: free DOX and DOX-loaded FOL–PEG–PCL micelle. The uptake of DOX-loaded FOL–PEG–PCL micelle was higher than that of free DOX in MCF-7/adr cells, adriamycin-resistant cell line. The uptake of the micelle in MCF-7 was found to be time-dependent; e.g.caveolae/lipid-raft mediated endocytosis and then folate receptor-mediated endocytosis was observed. This study demonstrates that the FOL–PEG–PCL micelle was non-toxic and the DOX-loaded FOL–PEG–PCL micelle could be a potential carrier for cancer treatments.

Experiencing the Analects of Confucius

Abstract: The Analects of Confucius is an important course in the curriculum of Asian Studies in the Chinese community and around the world. Students have to learn a collection of the thoughts of Confucius which have shaped world history and the soul of China. However, educators have indicated that most students fail to understand its abstract thoughts, or even realize its spirit in their daily life experience. Meanwhile, with the advancements of technology, learning with computer games is currently a rapidly developing area of interest for researchers, teachers, material writers and application developers in the educational field. Several studies have shown that by properly incorporating learning contents into game scenarios, an experiential game-based learning approach might foster students' motivation to learn through experience. In addition, the experiential game-based approach is a learning method with great potential for motivating students and stimulating their willingness to engage in continuous and constant learning. Thus, in this study, an experiential digital game has been developed and presented to a fifth grade class learning the Analects of Confucius at an elementary school in Taipei city. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach by situating the experimental group in an experiential game-based learning scenario, while the control group learned with a conventional technology-enhanced learning system. The experimental results showed that the proposed approach effectively enhanced the students' learning effects in terms of their learning motivation, deep learning strategy and acceptance of the technology. As a consequence, it is concluded that an experiential digital game-based learning approach can help students understand the conception and meaning of learning, which is important for them to become life-long learners with positive learning attitudes. An experiential game-based learning approach is proposed.A digital game is developed to enable students to experience the Analects of Confucius.An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of the new approach.The approach improved the students' learning motivation and deep learning strategy.The students highly accepted the new approach.

Universal capacitor-grounded voltage-mode filter with three inputs and a single output

Abstract: For the first time, a universal voltage-mode filter with three inputs and a single output has been realized by employing two 'grounded' capacitors in addition to two active current conveyors and two resistors. The proposed circuit offers the following advantageous features: simultaneous realization of voltage-mode low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, notch and all-pass filter responses from the same configuration; no requirement of critical component matching conditions; no requirement of inverting-type voltage input signal; employment of two grounded capacitors ideal for integration; and low active and passive sensitivity performance. H-SPICE simulation results confirm the theoretical analysis.