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Analysis of Educational Efficacy, Teaching Environment and Professional Empowerment Based on Regularized Structural Equation Modeling
No full textIn the modern teaching environment, educators play multiple roles, not only as knowledge transmitters but also in handling administrative tasks, participating in professional workshops, and actively engaging in academic exchanges. This study is based on data available from Survey Research Data Archive, Academia Sinica. The questionnaire is categorized into 21 dimensions based on relevant literature, and a regularized structural equation model is employed for in-depth analysis to understand the actual situation of educators in school organizations.
The analysis of this study is divided into three levels. Firstly, a comparison is made between the ideal and actual situations, revealing that on the ideal level, teachers' professional competence and principal leadership show synergistic effects. However, in actual situations, educators may place more emphasis on students' academic performance. Secondly, a comparison is made across different educational stages, showing that the differences between elementary and junior high schools mainly manifest in principal leadership, while the distinctions between junior and senior high schools lie in teachers' philosophies, and the disparities between high schools and vocational high schools concentrate on teachers' affiliations. Finally, in the questionnaire for primary and secondary school teachers' professional competence, respondents provided data for both ideal and actual dimensions. After transforming the data into angle data, we conducted a regularized structural equation modeling analysis, revealing that the observed variables of angle data are the result of intersecting the observed variables of ideal and actual dimensions. This study, by focusing on different aspects of educators, provides an in- depth analysis of the diverse roles and expectations of educators in the modern educational environment, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the education system
Development of Deep Eutectic Solvent Based Ionic Gel Dressing for Accelerating Wound Healing with Electrical Stimulation
No full textInjuries such as cuts and burns typically heal naturally, restoring skin tissue integrity. However, chronic wounds, particularly in diabetic foot patients, often heal slowly with high risks of complications and infections. Ideal wound dressings should offer good antimicrobial properties and biocompatibility.
Traditional gauze dressings, prone to drying and adhering to new capillaries, can cause secondary damage and pain during replacement. Hydrogels are wet dressing that have excellent biochemical stability, mechanical properties and provide a moisture environment for healing while being comfortable for the patient. However, hydrogels suffer from poor conductive and low water retention ability. The hydrogel as an electrical stimulated wound dressing is still a great challenge. therefore, It is an important goal to develop a dressing with high environmental stability and effective promotion of chronic wound healing.
This study introduces a one-pot process for creating ionic gels with Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES), doubling as both solvent and conductive source. Using hydrophilic N-Hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAA) as a base, the gels exhibit excellent swelling and electrical stability due to optimized cross-linking. Enhanced with zinc chloride, these gels show strong antibacterial properties and biocompatibility. When used in electrical stimulation therapy (5 volts, 20 Hertz), the results exhibit cell growth and wound healing, showing great promise for treating chronic wounds, particularly in diabetic foot patients
The identification of potential biomarkers for head and neck cancer through multi-omic approach
No full textHead neck cancer (HNC) ranks as the seventh most prevalent cancer globally, with nearly 890,000 new cases and 450,000 deaths annually, comprising 4.6% of total cancer deaths. Main risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing, and notably, HPV infection, which has recently surged, particularly in the oropharynx. HPV-related HNCs generally respond better to treatment because of their unique clinicopathologic and molecular features. However, the majority of HNC cases are unrelated to HPV, and the predominant genetic event involves mutations in tumor suppressor genes rather than druggable oncogenes, contributing to stagnant general survival rates. The advent of high-throughput and high-dimensional technologies has yielded extensive data, illuminating the omics event within tumors down to the single-cell level. The advancement in oncological research is also pivotal, particularly in understanding how cancer cells interact with the tumor microenvironment (TME) to modulate anti-tumor immune responses, thus influencing cancer development, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. The introduction of immuno-oncotherapy has opened new avenues for HNC treatment. Nevertheless, clinical trials have shown that immune checkpoint blockade has limited success, thus underscoring the urgent need for new prognostic biomarkers.
Our study employed a comprehensive multi-omic approach, utilizing platforms that integrate various high-throughput databases. Initially, we screened the TCGA/HNC cohort for genes with significant prognostic value in both overall and disease-free survival, and from these, identify those with differential expression between tumor and normal tissues. Further exploration through literature search and various databases identified genes related to immune regulation. Fc gamma binding protein (FCGBP) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) emerged as potential biomarkers. Our multi-omic analyses include genetic variations, gene expression regulation mechanisms, and their associations with genetic and clinical pathological characteristics in HNC patients. Furthermore, we delve into the immune properties of FCGBP and ALDH2 using gene/protein interaction networks and gene set enrichment analysis. Further results from various omics platforms verified that these two molecules significantly affect anti-tumor immunity within the tumor immune microenvironment. Subsequent in vitro experiments and further analysis confirmed our findings, establishing FCGBP and ALDH2 as valuable biomarkers that modulate HNC's biological behavior and therapeutic response predictability. Our study highlights the potential of this multi-omic analysis approach in aiding researchers to identify biomarkers, thereby elaborating on their mechanisms and significance behind cancer biological events, and as a reference for diagnosis and treatment
Balancing Against a Big Neighbour: The Cases of Taiwan and Ukraine through the Lens of Power Asymmetry Theory
No full textAfter the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many observers have drawn parallels between the situation of Ukraine and that of Taiwan, since both struggle with pressure and even possible military action from a larger and more powerful neighbour. In this situation, one usually has to choose between balancing (military build-up and seeking outside help to resist pressure) and bandwagoning (giving into the pressure to avoid further conflict). This kind of relationship is described by Wu Yu-shan\ue2s power asymmetry theory, which considers economic development and support from western countries the most important variables that decide if the smaller country balances or not. This thesis reapplies those two variables to the cases of Taiwan and Ukraine in the years 2014-2021 and adds the variable of the ruling party\ue2s ideology to account for the domestic factor which has previously been largely ignored. The results of a QCA with these variables show that no factor is necessary to make a smaller country adopt a balancing strategy, but a high amount of support from the west in combination with the presence of a ruling party with a confrontational attitude towards the bigger neighbour significantly raises the likeliness of balancing behaviour, making it a sufficient combination
Anti-gonorrhea activities of Bacillus velezensis M4019 isolated from a local aquaculture pond
No full textNeisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) is a human pathogen causing sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. GC possesses a growing health concern due to emerging antibiotic resistance. Therefore, discovering new treatments is needed. This study isolated Bacillus velezensis M4019 from an aquaculture pond in Kaohsiung and displayed specific antimicrobial activity against GC. We then investigated the antimicrobial potential from the secretion of this isolate. The results revealed reduced GC growth via agar dilution assay, encompassing antimicrobial activity as evidenced by time-kill curve analysis. We also observed biofilm inhibition in vitro, reduced infectivity on ME180 cells, and conducted mechanistic exploration through transmission electron on microscope observations. Furthermore, the responsible compound extracted suggests that the unknown compound may be a molecule under 1kDa with medium polarity and temperature resistant property. Our findings highlight M4019's anti-gonococcal property, potentially through secreting GC-targeting antimicrobials, which has not been reported
A Preliminary Study on the Establishment of an Automated Water Depth Monitoring System for Smart Port
No full textTaiwan's ports have historically driven the island's economic growth, particularly through maritime trade, especially container shipping. However, the emergence of smart technologies like 5G, IoT, and AI is transforming port operations towards automation and digitalization.
This study merges spatial data from diverse sensors and employs RPA-driven software robots to automate data processing, analyzed using tools like ArcGIS. It combines data from AIS, Kaohsiung Port depth measurements, and dredging operations to understand vessel impacts on seabed topography and depth. The study validates siltation trends at Port of Kaohsiung No.110 Berth from 109/08/03 to 109/08/11. Results closely match pronounced siltation changes but reveal slight differences in specific locations.
Moreover, Taiwanese companies explore Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for surveying. In port, USVs prioritize advanced collision avoidance over extended endurance, a feature efficiently provided by Exail DriX USV. Leveraging RPA technology and CARIS Mira AI, this study fully automates port seabed depth data acquisition.
Currently, most discussions on smart ports center around logistics and energy, neglecting the exploration of smart infrastructure upgrades. In this context, our research focuses on innovative measures for water depth monitoring, differentiating from current smart port optimization policies. Our goal is to provide forward-thinking policy recommendations to drive the development of smart ports as a whole. Thus, this research suggests an automated depth monitoring system for port infrastructure. Once implemented, unmanned surface vessels can measure depths and instantly transmit data. AI-driven processing minimizes human involvement in data screening, requiring minimal human intervention for final data checks. This aims to optimize operational efficiency within ports
Managerial Coaching and Employee Work-Related Well-being: The Mediating Effect of Meaning of Work
No full textOrganizations have come to realize the significance of human capital and are increasingly valuing employee dedication and job satisfaction. This is seen as an indicator of intrinsic psychological motivation and a sense of job happiness. It's also regarded as one of the best driving factors for employee performance outcomes and is viewed as one of the essential internal predictive metrics. Additionally, past studies by scholars have found that the leadership model of managerial coaching not only promotes employee growth but also encourages employees to be proactive, express themselves, and enhance productivity, thereby achieving organizational goals and results. As a result, the leadership model of managerial coaching has become an integral part of organizations. This study examines the relationship between the managerial coaching leadership model and employee job happiness, using job dedication and satisfaction as indicators of happiness. The study also attempts to clarify the direct impact of the managerial coaching leadership model, and whether there is an effect when job significance is used as a mediator. The research focuses on full-time workers in Taiwan and is conducted through a one-time paper questionnaire survey. Ultimately, the results demonstrate a direct positive influence of the managerial coaching leadership model on employee dedication and job satisfaction. Furthermore, job significance, when used as a mediating factor, also indeed has a positive effect. Finally, the study will delve into the theoretical implications and practical implications of the results, and provide recommendations for future research
Research on Supercritical Fluid Technology Applied to Resistive Memory and Study of Physical Mechanisms in Gallium Nitride High Electron Mobility Transistors
No full textIn recent years, rapid advancements have been witnessed in various technologies such as 5G communication, Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), and automotive electronics. The demand for high storage capacity, high-speed computing, and high-power operation has become increasingly significant, making high-performance memory components and power transistors a vital focus.
In the realm of memory, as we enter the AIoT era, microcontrollers (MCUs) are expected to play a critical role. MCUs require substantial embedded memory with low operating power, high operating speed, and seamless integration into semiconductor processes. Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) emerges as a promising choice in next-generation memory technology.
On the other hand, in the field of power transistors, traditional silicon-based designs and technology development have undergone multiple structural and process optimizations, nearing the limits of silicon material. Gallium Nitride (GaN), representing wide-bandgap semiconductor materials, offers advantages like a wide bandgap, high critical electric field, and high electron saturation velocity compared to silicon. These characteristics make GaN particularly advantageous in applications like electric vehicles and 5G communication. GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors (GaN HEMTs) based on GaN are gaining increasing attention, highlighting the importance and future potential of GaN in the commercial market.
However, as semiconductor component miniaturization approaches technical bottlenecks, there is a need to develop disruptive innovations in semiconductor processing to address the challenges posed by emerging technology nodes. The first part of this paper focuses on exploring the application of supercritical fluid defect passivation technology (SCF-DPT) in next-generation RRAM, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving device performance and reliability. This results shows SCF-DPT has the potential to improve RRAM reliability, and SCF-DPT is compared with the commonly used semiconductor processing technique, Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), to assess its impact on electrical performance.
Understanding the advantages of supercritical defect passivation technology, the second part involves the application of supercritical passivation-ammoniation to RRAM with a ZnO switching layer rich in intrinsic defects. This treatment enhances the performance and reliability of ZnO-based RRAM. By introducing -NHx chemical bonds through supercritical passivation, this technique can repair oxygen vacancies and zinc vacancies in the intermediate layer ZnO material, reducing the loss of controllable oxygen ions during resistive switching. The introduction of -NHx creates new conduction pathways during device operation, resulting in lower forming voltage, lower operating power consumption, and improved reliability, which proves that ZnO:NHx-based RRAM emerges as a promising next-generation non-volatile memory.
In the third and fourth sections, this dissertation primarily investigates the performance and reliability of devices between Si3N4\ue2MIS HEMTs and Al2O3/Si3N4\ue2MIS HEMTs, and explore degradation mechanisms. It is known that increasing the oxide layer effectively reduces gate leakage in GaN HEMTs. However, the insulator-semiconductor interface tends to generate a significant number of interface defects. Therefore, modern processes often choose high lattice-matched oxide layers like Si3N4 for MIS GaN HEMTs as the insulating oxide layer, which has a low interface Dit. This helps reduce electron trapping opportunities and enhance device reliability. Another candidate material for the oxide layer in devices is aluminum oxide (Al2O3), which compared to Si3N4, has a wider bandgap, further lowering gate leakage and reducing trap state current. Additionally, Al2O3 offers advantages such as high breakdown voltage, high thermal stability, high chemical stability, and a high dielectric constant. However, while Al2O3 as an insulating layer has many material advantages, its degradation mechanisms in terms of reliability are not yet fully understood. This study analyzes the impact of Al2O3 insulating layers on MIS-HEMTs and compares the electrical measurement results with Si3N4-MIS HEMTs to comprehensively understand the degradation mechanisms affecting both electrical performance and reliability in MIS-HEMTs
Intention and factors that influence vaccination against emerging infectious diseases for firefighters and ambulance personnel in the Pingtung County Government Fire Department: Take COVID-19 as an example
No full textFacing the spread of emerging infectious diseases under globalization, firefighters who are on the front line of disaster relief and rescue operations can hardly protect themselves by avoiding close contact with patients or rescuees due to the nature of their duties. Each mission that involves close contacts increases firefighters\ue2 risks of contracting the epidemic. However, studies on the intention of firefighters and ambulance personnel to be vaccinated against an emerging infectious disease, COVID-19 for instance, remain limited.
This study looks into the case of firefighters and ambulance personnel in the Pingtung County Government Fire Department. An adapted health belief model is established to evaluate the associated factors of the firefighters\ue2 and the ambulance personnel\ue2s intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In order to verify the aforementioned hypothesis, this study uses tools such as descriptive statistics, chi-square test, single-factor analysis of variation, multiple regression analysis and structural equation model to explore the relationship between the various aspects of the new coronavirus vaccination intention model.
The analysis results show that attitudes represent the primary driver of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19, followed by expectations, and interpersonal relationships, in that order. The impact of the rest four constructs, namely action clues, and organization did not reach a significant level. It can be seen that the attitudes and expectations of fire fighters and ambulance personnel towards COVID-19 vaccination, as well as their interpersonal relationships with their bosses, colleagues, and family members, will all affect individual COVID-19. Intention to vaccinate against pneumonia; we also explored the relationship between demographic variables and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19, and found variables such as age, education level, whether you have a first-aid certificate, whether you have a chronic medical history, whether you have ever been infected with COVID-19, and the number of vaccination doses. , will affect an individual's intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the rest include gender, service years, service unit location, job attributes, service unit, main responsibility for daily duties, whether he holds a supervisory position, and whether previous vaccinations violated the individual's wishes. variables, the impact is not significant. Finally, we hope that the results obtained from this study can be used as a reference for future firefighting agencies to formulate vaccination plans to improve the health and well-being of firefighters and ambulance personnel
The Paradox of Human Condition in Doris Lessing's Fiction
No full textAbstract
Doris Lessing was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and is one of the most influential, contemporary writers. Her prophecy-like language and rejection of binary observation of human conditions showcases her skepticism, passion, and visionary power to scrutinize the clashed civilization after World War II. Claire Sprague, the renowned scholar studying Lessing, contends that Lessing's use of doubling and repetition narrative techniques in her works adeptly illustrates the inherent contradictions within the authenticity of textual representation and the uncertainty the protagonists confront with in the paradoxical life conditions. It goes beyond a simplistic black-and-white dichotomy, presenting instead a dialectic relationship of light and dark elements. Consequently, the protagonists in these narratives consistently grapple with contradictions in their pursuit of subjective agency and freedom as women. This thesis will also approach the paradox of human condition through contours of Lacanian psychoanalysis, encompassing the feminism and gender studies not only in the individual but also the collective spheres. It concerns the fictitious nature of human self-awareness and limit of knowledge and supposed, ideal love-relationships. Moreover, Slavoj \uc5\ubdi\uc5\ubeek, a Slovenian intellectual whose philosophical insight on subjectivity and social issues will also be drawn into dialogues with Doris Lessing\ue2s fictions