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Exploring the Effect of Tourist's Outbound Tourism Attitudes to the Marketing Strategy of Overseas Travel Products and Purchase Intention in the COVID-19 Period
No full textWithin the ferocity of COVID-19, the attitudes of overseas traveling commonly would affect the marketing strategies of tourism companies, leading the changes of travel types and the intentions of traveling overseas. Tourism companies therefore should formulate good marketing strategies to satisfy with the traveling attitudes of tourist, to increase the intentions of purchasing overseas traveling product. Basing upon the arguments, the study is to discuss whether the attitudes of traveling overseas would affect the marketing strategies of tourism companies and the intentions of purchasing overseas traveling product, and as well as discuss whether the marketing strategies would mediate the relationships between tourism marketing strategies and the intentions of purchasing overseas traveling product.
Questionnaire survey, which was referred from relevant studies is adopted in the study to investigate the examinees who are natives between 20y and 50y with experiences of traveling overseas independently. There are 484 shares of returned online questionnaires, and with 447 shares of effectively returned questionnaires, the ratios of effectively returned questionnaires are 92.36%. The hypotheses are tested by 447 shares of questionnaire and the results are as follows: 1. There are significant differences between sexes, ages, education, average monthly income, major traveling types, attitudes toward planning overseas traveling, the marketing strategies of overseas traveling products, and intentions of purchasing overseas traveling products. 2. The marketing strategies of tourism companies are significantly positively affected by the attitudes of traveling overseas. 3. The intentions of purchasing overseas traveling products are significantly positively affected by the attitude of traveling overseas. 4. The intentions of purchasing overseas traveling products are significantly positively affected by the marketing strategies of tourism companies. 5. The effect of the attitudes of traveling overseas on the intentions of purchasing overseas traveling products is significantly mediated by tourism companies' marketing strategies
Exploring the effects of ozone exposure on inducing lung inflammation and exacerbation of lung cancer in a murine model and development of phyto-based aerosol medicine
No full textAccording to the statistics of the World Health Organization, the global morbidity and mortality have been increasing in recent years due to serious environmental pollution. Chronic exposure to environmental pollutants may impair airway epithelial barrier function and subsequently lead to excessive inflammatory responses and airway remodeling. The thesis aims to the mechanisms involved in barrier disruption induced by major airborne pollutants, thereby we simulate exposure to ambient air pollutants, such as ozone, via an inhalation exposure murine model system in the development of the mechanisms upon exposure to inhaled gaseous pollutants will investigate with the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of these diseases.
The first part of this study established a novel fluorescent nanodiamond-based (FND) murine model, with many unique features including simple labeling because of excellent biocompatibility, we have been able to observe the pathway of FND labeling aerosol particles in vivo to investigate its distribution in various organs of the body after being inhaled by mice. The second part of the thesis, model of an ozone-induced COPD on lung inflammation in mice, understanding the mechanisms underlying lung oxidant stress and the potential role of glutathione (GSH) in the pathogenesis of COPD, and the immune system triggers the activation of various immune cells, such as HMGB1, IL-1\uce\ub2, TNF-\uce\ub1, IFN-\uce\ub3, and IL-17. We analyzed mouse hemoglobin (Hb) by UV-Vis spectroscopy to explore the effect of ozone exposure on the oxygen-carrying and oxygen-releasing capacity of Hb. The third part of this thesis, we use a metastatic model, B16 melanoma cells of ozone-induced lung inflammation create the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and its impact on lung cancer development, to investigate the effect of exposure to ozone on the lung and its pathogenic mechanism, they initiate or promote cancer via the signaling pathways utilized in inflammation, aid in the proliferation and survival of malignant cells, and promotes angiogenesis and metastasis. The effects of ozone exposure and tumor growth in an A549 lung cancer xenograft model, we discuss glutathione levels as important biomarkers in lung cancer. This thesis also found that signal transduction pathways, TNF-\uce\ub1, and IL-10 do not play key roles in the initiation of ozone exposure and tumor growth.
In this thesis, the last section focuses on developing phyto-based aerosol medicine as medicine for preventing or treating COPD, and we use Houttuynia Cordata extracts with the main active ingredients are flavonoids as antioxidant aerosol medicine, regulating immunity, and reducing the release of inflammatory factors to alleviate lung injury. We applied SMPS (Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer ) and LC-ESI-MS/MS to analyze the aerodynamic diameter and chemical properties of aerosol medicine, used the International Commission on Radiological Protection human respiratory model to estimate pulmonary medicine deposition, and explored the efficacy of phyto-based aerosol medicine through murine models. This study investigated the oxidative damage caused by ozone exposure in vivo by analyzing the concentration of GSH, cytokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of mice, and the possible effects of the above herbal aerosol drugs on anti-oxidative damage
Cross-Country Evidence on the Influence of Social Trust and Civic Cooperation to Corporate Bond Maturity
No full textWhile prior research almost investigates only the impact of trust or conducts with only a particular one or some certain countries, we examine the impact of country-level generalized societal trust and civic cooperation on corporate debt maturity under cross-country background. Empirical evidence finds that firms in counties higher societal trust countries are usually associated with lower levels of agency problems and yield a positive influence on their bond maturities. Furthermore, we also test how investor protection affect the relation between social trust/civic cooperation and debt maturity. Consequently, we find that a positive connection between trust and debt maturity is stronger under countries with stronger investor protection, however the significant negative impact of civic cooperation on debt maturity in countries with poor legal protection. These results show that different aspects of informal culture (trust, civic cooperation) have distinguishing impact on firm\ue2s debt maturity
China's Foreign Policy towards the United States (2012-2022): The Perspective of Neoclassical Realism
No full textThe purpose of this dissertation is to explore the reasons that attribute to Xi Jinping's policy to handle China\ue2s relations with the United States from 2012 to 2022. This study uses the methodology of literature review and examines factors affecting Xi\ue2s policy making from the perspective of neoclassical realism. It examines factors affecting Xi\ue2s policy towards the United States in the three different levels of analysis.
This dissertation has six chapters including conclusion. Chapter one designs a research framework for the study and defines variables after a comprehensive review of related literature and theories. Chapter two reviews China\ue2s policy towards the United States before Xi Jinping took power and examines Xi\ue2s US policy, in particular his six major policies to cope with the US balancing and containment, namely \ue2the Belt and Road Initiative,\ue2 wolf diplomacy, Asia security concept, the militarization of the South China Sea, the PRC-USA new type of major power relationship, and the efforts to weaken US global economic leadership. Chapters three, four and five analyze Xi\ue2s policy from three different levels, namely international system, state, and the decision-maker respectively. After exploring the factors in these three levels and the correlation between those factors and the six major polices mentioned before, this study concludes fifteen factors which shape Xi\ue2s policy towards the United States. It finds that all of the three levels affect Xi\ue2s US policy.
In Xi\ue2s first two terms as China\ue2s paramount leader from 2012 to 2022, China\ue2s relations with the United States seriously turned sour. It is still too early to say that Xi\ue2s US policy failed. But it is a fact that conflict or even tension between the two countries increased dramatically during that decade.
To conclude, this dissertation comprehensively investigates all of the factors affecting Xi Jinping's foreign policy towards the United States in the past decade and hopes to make contribution to help understand Xi decision-making and his US policy
Innovative hydrogen lawn mower engine
No full textNowadays internal combustion engine fuel is dominated by fossil fuels, and its main pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and suspended particulates (PM), which have a great impact on the environment. In order to cope with climate change, Reducing carbon emissions in a short period of time is a major challenge. Hydrogen is regarded as the most potential zero-carbon emission fuel, which is clean and renewable. Compared with traditional gasoline and diesel fuel, hydrogen has faster laminar flame velocity and better diffusion coefficient.
At present, fossil fuel-based engines are mostly used in Taiwan. Gasoline and diesel engines have relatively high carbon emissions, while hydrogen engines can achieve the goal of zero emissions. Therefore, this study uses hydrogen fuel to solve the problem of carbon emissions. Analyze the hydrogen engine.
From simulating gasoline manifold injection (Port fuel injection, PFI) and hydrogen in-cylinder direct injection (Direct injection, DI) engines, the simulation is carried out at 4200rpm. Although the hydrogen engine is poor in IMEP and volumetric efficiency, it is in terms of fuel economy and thermal efficiency. From the data comparison, it can be seen that hydrogen fuel is 4-8% better than gasoline fuel. It can be found in the velocity field that hydrogen engines and gasoline engines have turbulence and eddy currents, and high tumble flow is helpful for single-cylinder engine combustion, fuel economy and emission. The fuel mass flow rate of the hydrogen PFI engine is lower than that of the indicated specific fuel consumption and the gasoline engine, and the ignition delay is reduced by 63% and 55% in the combustion part compared to the gasoline engine, and the hydrogen DI model is reduced by about 84% and 81%. , and the combustion velocity of the hydrogen DI model increases significantly, and its combustion duration decreases by about 36% and 46%. It can improve the reliability of the model and optimize the feasibility, which can analyze the trend benefit, save the test development time, effectively improve the development work, and save the design space and time. It can be seen that the hydrogen engine model has certain advantages
Human Capital Theory and Its Role in Assessing Damages for Loss of Earning Capacity: A Judicial Review
No full textAccording to Article 193(1) of the Civil Code in Taiwan, "Anyone who wrongfully damages the body or health of another, causing the injured person to lose or decrease their earning capacity (referred to as 'earning capacity' in foreign laws), or increase their living expenses, shall be held responsible for any resulting injury and provide compensation to the injured person." However, there are different legal theories on how to characterize the loss or reduction of earning capacity, and currently, Taiwan's judicial practice adopts the "devaluation of human capital" view. Under this view, earning capacity is considered a type of property or asset in reality. When it is fully or partially lost, the decrease in its value is calculated to determine the actual compensation amount. This enables the concept of "reduction of earning capacity" to be implemented as a concept of property damage. Nevertheless, although the judicial practice mostly uses a formula (the actual income of the individual multiplied by the Hoffman coefficient of the original calculable working years multiplied by the percentage of the loss or reduction of earning capacity) to determine the compensation amount, how the formula is derived, how the actual income of the individual is evaluated, and what factors are considered in determining the percentage of "loss or reduction of earning capacity" have yet to be fully analyzed and quantitatively studied.
In addition to analyzing the formula for calculating compensation for loss of earning capacity, this study selected a total of 297 civil first-instance judgments from the Legal Information Retrieval System of the Judicial Yuan in Taiwan between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014, to explore the hidden meanings in the data and statistics presented in these judgments through statistical methods. The purpose was to organize, present, analyze, and interpret the data and statistics in these judgments. The research findings indicate that using the above formula to predict the future income changes resulting from the loss or reduction of earning capacity due to personal injury is an unavoidable practice in practice. However, the multiplier (i.e., the actual income of the individual) is often estimated based on the claim of legal relations of the lawsuit and is usually the "basic wage" of the victim. This results in an excessively low actual income of the victim, which is unfavorable to their claim for compensation for loss of earning capacity. Moreover, the historical practice of using the "Attachment of the Labor Insurance Disability Benefit Payment Standards" to estimate the degree of loss or reduction of earning capacity further undermines the accuracy of the compensation amount calculated using the above formula to reflect the actual situation of the victim's injury-related loss or reduction of earning capacity. Therefore, after weighing and comparing the current evaluation methods used by the first-instance courts regarding this degree (as a percentage from 0% to 100%), this study suggests using the American Medical Association Guidelines (AMA Guides), specifically the California Workers' Compensation, as a basis to determine the percentage of loss or reduction of earning capacity. This may be a better approach to address the discrepancy between the compensation amount for loss or reduction of earning capacity and the actual loss or reduction of earning capacity in practice
Impacts of Disease Cues on the Consumption of Sweets
No full textThe current research intends to explore the impact of disease cues on subsequent consumption of sweets. The research further examines whether the affects of disease cue on consumption of sweets are subject to metaphor type and cognitive reappraisal. Three experiments are conducted. Study 1 investigates the consumption of sweets under the conditions of disease cues and no disease cues by reading a series of newspaper columns with disease cues or no disease cues, and observes participants' responses to subsequent consumption of sweets. It also explores the underlying mechanisms. Study 2 further examines how consumers with different metaphor types moderate the effect of disease cues on consumption of sweets. Study 3 tests the moderating effects of cognitive reappraisal on consumption of sweets.
The results indicate that, compared with no disease cues with no emotion, no disease cues with fear emotion, and no disease cues with sad emotion being provided, consumers provided with disease cues show more consumption of sweets. Anxiety and depression are the underlying mechanisms behind consumption of sweets. The research also shows that metaphor type and cognitive reappraisal affect the relationship between disease cues and consumption of sweets. Consumers view non-metaphor with sweets show stronger preferences for consumption of sweets under disease cues. However, no such preferences are found on consumers viewing romantic-metaphor and unhealthy-metaphor. For consumers without cognitive appraisal, those who are evoked with disease cues show more consumption of sweets than the counterparts without disease cues evoked. No such differences are found on individuals with cognitive reappraisal. The research provides implications and warnings for marketers who promote sweets
Exploring the fandom phenomenon of VTuber
No full textThe discussion and popularity of the virtual field have been rapidly growing in recent years, the trendy technological term "metaverse" bringing virtual spaces into the mainstream consciousness. Live steaming can also use virtual characters for more diversified development. Virtual YouTubers (VTubers) have emerged as a new and intriguing topic in the live streaming domain. The characteristic of VTuber's virtual real interleaving is particularly special, and it is explained in the academic field in 2.5- dimensions(2.5D).
This research aims to explore the phenomenon of fandom surrounding VTubers, with a focus on how the 2.5D nature of VTubers influences the psychology of their fans. Furthermore, the study seeks to understand the parasocial relationships effects formed between VTubers and their audiences within the live streaming environment. The research methods employed include in-depth interviews and Netnography, allowing for an exploration of the reasons behind fans' support for VTubers and how fans perceive VTubers, forming emotional connections with them. Additionally, this study emphasizes investigating fans\ue2 emotional involvement with VTubers, delving into how VTuber outward appearances and inner qualities affect fans' emotional experiences. Through this study, we try to understand the diversity of VTuber fans culture and the key role of VTuber's personal style in attracting fans. The research findings reveal various facets of VTuber fandom and underscore the significance of VTuber personal styles in uniting fans. Furthermore, the study delves into the mutual nurturing behaviors between VTubers and fans, deepening the exploration of parasocial relationships in the live streaming domain. The study extends the concept of parasocial relationships to encompass states such as "parasocial attachment" and "parasocial breakup" within different fan group patterns, reinterpreting the novel significance of 2.5D VTubers for their fans
Design of an MobileNet Hardware Accelerator Based on Logarithmic Operations
No full textNowadays, deep neural network (DNN) architecture has been widely used in various fields, especially in image and voice recognition with great success. It is also applied to resource-limited edge devices. But due to the huge amount of calculations and data in DNN, various light-weight models have been developed recently, and floating-point representations are converted into fixed-point formats through linear quantization. The focus of this thesis is to perform logarithmic quantization for the popular light-weight models MobileNets. MobileNets mainly adopt depthwise separable convolution, composed of depthwise convolution and 1*1 pointwise convolution. The potential benefit of logarithmic quantization is requirement of smaller bit-width compared with linear quantization without retraining and too much sacrifice of inference accuracy. Another advantage is that the hardware-costly multiplication operations in the linear-quantized domain are changed to simple shift-addition operations with reduced delay. According to our experiments for MobileNets, 8-bit input data (activation) and 10-bit weight data achieve inference accuracy within 1% degradation compared with the 16-bit linearly quantized models
Effect of Additive PS and PPO in PS-b-P2VP on Trapping of Structural Coloration
No full textPhotonic crystals prepared from self-assembled diblock copolymers (BCPs) have many advantages, such as flexibility, light weight, and facile fabrication process. Many applications in optical delivery systems are proposed, such as thermal sensing and anti-counterfeiting labels. In this study, polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-P2VP) was employed to examine the controlling factors of trapping of structural coloration (TOSC). The ability to capture structural color in blend films was investigated by blending homopolymer PS with different molecular weights. The entanglement density, craze stress, craze strain and osmotic pressure are also discussed. By blending PPO to PS-P2VP with different PS/PPO weight ratios, the change of mechanical properties (Young's modulus) can significantly affect the optical property of the films. Moreover, heat resistance of the TOSC-featured film is enhanced with the increase of the PPO content. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricate phenomena involved, in-situ spectroscopic measurements were carried out. These measurements were instrumental in comprehending the response of PS-P2VP systems with varying molecular compositions to the swelling behavior induced by ethanol. Consequently, the intricate interplay of factors influencing the formation of the crazed microlayer of TOSC is investigated, enabling the creation of photonic crystal materials with tailor-made optical and thermal properties for potential applications in fields such as thermal sensing and anti-counterfeiting labels within optical delivery systems