Showing papers by "Fu Jen Catholic University published in 2001"

Family Control and Corporate Governance: Evidence from Taiwan

Abstract: A recent stream of literature shows that family control is central in most countries of the world, but little research exists regarding family control and corporate governance. This paper analyses family control and corporate governance using a sample of Taiwanese firms. The results suggest that family control is even more prevalent than previously suggested and that a non-linear relation exists between family control and relative firm performance. Family-controlled firms that have low levels of control have lower relative performance than both family-controlled firms with high levels of control and widely held firms. This is consistent with the conflict of interest between majority and minority shareholders being the greatest when the majority shareholder’s level of control is high enough to influence a firm’s decision-making process but ownership is low enough that the benefits of expropriation outweigh the costs. Furthermore, a positive valuation effect exists when controlling families hold less than 50% of a firm’s board seats. Taken together, the results in this paper suggest that when family control is central, high levels of family ownership and low levels of family board representation are effective ways of mitigating the separation of cash flow rights and control and, thus, decreasing the conflict of interest between majority and minority shareholders.

Folate Depletion and Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Promote Oxidative Stress in Rat Livers

Abstract: This study was designed to determine whether nutritional folate depletion exerts hepatic oxidative stress in relation to elevated plasma homocysteine. To mimic various extents of folate depletion status in vivo, male Wistar rats were fed an amino acid-defined diet containing either 8 (control), 2, 0.5, or 0 mg folic acid/kg diet. After a 4-wk feeding period, the plasma and hepatic folate concentrations of the rats decreased significantly with each decrement of dietary folate. Folate depletion did not significantly affect two major liver antioxidants: reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol. Conversely, folate depletion decreased Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, but had no effect on catalase activity in liver homogenates. Lipid peroxidation products, as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, were significantly higher in livers of folate-depleted rats than in those of the controls. This occurrence of hepatic oxidative stress in folate-depleted rats was confirmed by demonstrating an increased susceptibility of livers of folate-depleted rats to lipid peroxidation induced by additional H2O2 or Fe(2+) treatments compared with the controls. Decreasing dietary folate intake resulted in graded increases in plasma homocysteine concentrations of folate-depleted rats. Elevated plasma homocysteine and decreased plasma and hepatic folate concentrations in folate-depleted rats were all strongly and significantly correlated with increased liver lipid peroxidation (/r/ > or = 0.58, P < 0.0003). These data demonstrate that folate depletion and elevated plasma homocysteine promote oxidative stress in rat livers.

Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the smoke from heated model lipids and food lipids.

Abstract: The contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the smoke from model lipids and food lipids during heating were determined and the mechanism of PAH formation was studied. A Rancimat oil stability analyzer was used as a model system for heating model lipids and food lipids at 220 degrees C for 2 h and for adsorption of smoke. The various lipid degradation products and PAHs in the smoke were identified and quantified by a GC/MS technique. Results showed that model lipids were more susceptible to smoke formation than food lipids during heating, but the PAH levels were lower for the former than latter. Methyl linolenate produced the highest amount of PAHs, followed by methyl linoleate, methyl oleate, and methyl stearate. Also, soybean oil generated a larger amount of PAHs than canola oil or sunflower oil. Benzene-like compounds were found to be possible precursors for PAHs formation. Several PAH derivatives were also present in heated model lipids and food lipids.

Regulation of cell proliferation, inflammatory cytokine production and calcium mobilization in primary human T lymphocytes by emodin from Polygonum hypoleucum Ohwi.

Abstract: Objective and Design: This study was designed to elucidate action mechanisms of four anthraquinones identified from Polygonum hypoleucum Ohwi (P. hypoleucum Ohwi) on primary human T lymphocytes.¶Material and methods: The cells were isolated from peripheral blood.¶Treatment: T cells were treated with 5 to 60 μM of four anthraquinones with or without phytohemagglutinin (PHA; 5 μg/ml) for 3 days. Effects of 4 anthraquinones on T lymphocyte proliferation, production and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were determined. Data were assessed with Student's t-test.¶Results: On a percentage basis, emodin had the highest suppressing activity on T lymphocyte proliferation with an IC50 of 11.2 ± 0.6 μM. Emodin decreased cytokine production, IL-2 mRNA expression, and [Ca2+]i in activated T cells.¶Conclusions: We hypothesize that the inhibitory mechanisms of emodin on activated T cells proliferation are related to the impairment of cytokine production, IL-2 mRNA level and [Ca2+]i in the cells.¶

Postnatal depression -- biological or cultural? A comparative study of postnatal women in the UK and Taiwan.

Abstract: Postnatal depression – biological or cultural? A comparative study of postnatal women in the UK and Taiwan Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the factors which are associated with postnatal depression in the UK (United Kingdom) and Taiwan. Background/Rationale. A comparative study of postnatal women in the UK and Taiwan was undertaken to investigate postnatal care and the prevalence of postnatal depression. Design/Methods. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to determine the prevalence of postnatal depression. A semistructured interview and validated questionnaire were used to collect data on maternal satisfaction with postnatal care and the factors associated with postnatal depression. A one in three random sample of women from two community midwife teams in Sheffield, UK and three public health stations in Keelung, Taiwan took part in the study. Results/Findings. Fifty (94% response rate) women from Sheffield and 101 (83% response rate) women from Keelung, who were at low risk for maternal or foetal problems during labour and the postnatal period, agreed to participate. The prevalence of postnatal depression in the British and Taiwanese women was almost equal; 18% in the UK and 19% in Taiwan. In Taiwan, the prevalence of postnatal depression had a negative association with relationship with partner (Spearman correlation=–0·34, P < 0·001) and self-confidence (Spearman correlation=–0·28, P < 0·01, Spearman correlation). In addition Taiwanese women who felt more anxious after birth (10·9 ± 7·9, P < 0·001, t-test) had a higher chance of postnatal depression. In the UK, there was a significant negative association between adaptation to the new role of motherhood and score on the EPDS (Spearman correlation=–0·47, P < 0·001). The overall scores for maternal satisfaction were 28·1 and 24·3 in the UK and Taiwan, respectively (P < 0·001, t-test). British women reported a better quality of care during the postnatal period in terms of emotional support and physical care. Conclusions. The findings of this study suggest that further cross cultural investigation could shed light on the relative balance of biological and cultural factors which may be associated with the onset of postnatal depression. As the prevalence of postnatal depression is similar in both cultures despite large differences in culture and postnatal care systems, some support is given to a hypothesis that postnatal depression has at least some biological determinants as well as cultural/social ones.

A graph-based approach for discovering various types of association rules

Abstract: Mining association rules is an important task for knowledge discovery. We can analyze past transaction data to discover customer behaviors such that the quality of business decisions can be improved. Various types of association rules may exist in a large database of customer transactions. The strategy of mining association rules focuses on discovering large item sets, which are groups of items which appear together in a sufficient number of transactions. We propose a graph-based approach to generate various types of association rules from a large database of customer transactions. This approach scans the database once to construct an association graph and then traverses the graph to generate all large item sets. Empirical evaluations show that our algorithms outperform other algorithms which need to make multiple passes over the database.

Formats and prior knowledge on learning in a computer-based lesson

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of presentation format (animation, still graphics, text) and the students' prior knowledge on learning a computer-based physics lesson. A total of 357 eighth-grade (novice learners) and ninth-grade students (experienced learners) were randomly assigned to different treatments on a class basis. A 3 x 2 ancova (Animation/Still graphics/Text x Novice/Experienced) (control-led by covariants, physics and mathematics scores) was used to determine the effect of these two variables. The significant interaction effect found between presentation format and prior knowledge in both descriptive and procedural learning (p 0.05).

Separation of lycopene and its cis isomers by liquid chromatography

Abstract: Lycopene is an important biological compound that is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables. Epidemiological study has shown that the dietary intake of lycopene may reduce the risk of certain types of cancers such as prostate cancer. However, the formation ofcis-isomers of lycopene during food processing and storage may decrease its biological activity. Thus, it is important to learn about the content of lycopene and itscis isomers in foods. In this study we compared two types of columns (C18 and C30) and various solvent systems for the separation of lycopene and itscis isomers by HPLC. Results showed that all-trans-lycopene and its ninecis isomers could be resolved by employing a C30 column with a mobile phase of n-butanol-acetonitrile-methylene chloride (30:70:10,v/v/v) and detection at 476 nm within 35 min. A C30 column was found to provide more powerful resolution of lycopene and itscis isomers, but the retention time was drastically increased compared to that of a C18 column. Thecis-isomers of lycopene were tentatively identified as 5-cis, 9-cis, 13-cis, 15-cis-lycopene, and possibly as four lycopene di-cis isomers, based on spectral characteristics and Q ratios as reported in the literature. The method developed in this study could be applied to determine the lycopene content in tomatoes.

Structure and elastic properties of low-temperature sealing phosphate glasses

Abstract: The structure of 56P2O5–10B2O3–4Al2O3–15Li2O–15Na2O glasses doped with alkaline earth oxides is investigated by infrared reflectivity measurements and polarized Raman scattering. Vibrational modes are assigned to different types of atomic motion in the glass network. These glasses exhibit a distribution of chains of PO4 tetrahedra which are held together by bonding between the non-bridging oxygens of the tetrahedra and the metal cations. Room temperature ultrasonic velocities (both longitudinal and transverse) in these glasses are determined by the pulse-echo technique. The experimental results are used to obtain elastic constants. The measured values of Young's, shear and bulk moduli for our glasses show a good agreement with the theoretically calculated results based on the Makishima and Mackenzie model. A correlation between glass structure and elastic property is discussed in terms of a chain entanglement mechanism of PO2 groups.

Magnetic and optical properties of Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ nanoparticle ferrofluids prepared by coprecipitation technique

Abstract: Nanometer size Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ particles were fabricated by chemical coprecipitation technique. The particle shape and size are affected by the PH value of the reactive solutions. The ferrofluids were fabricated with the Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ particles as magnetic particles, ammonium oleate as surfactant, and de-ionized water as solvent. Optical transmission of Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ nanoparticle ferrofluids was investigated as a function of incident optical wavelengths between 450 and 750 nm and applied magnetic fields up to 150 Oe. In general, for samples with lower PH value, the particles are small and agglomerate together, however, for samples with higher PH value, the particles are larger and distributed uniformly. Samples precipitated with higher PH value show larger variation of the transmittance (/spl Delta/T). This can be understood by our transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction pattern studies. The behavior of agglomeration for samples with lower PH value relates to the smaller variation of the optical transmission to the magnetic field.

Job stress and dissatisfaction in association with non-fatal injuries on the job in a cross-sectional sample of petrochemical workers.

Abstract: This cross-sectional study analysed the frequency and severity of work stressors and job satisfaction at workplaces in relation to work-related non-fatal injuries amongst a sample of petrochemical workers in Taiwan. The study participants consisted of 568 cases injured on the job between 1991 and 1997, and 954 injury-free controls matched to cases on frequencies of age, sex and work site. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that cases were more likely than controls to report stressors with a higher frequency [odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9-2.0] and a more severe reaction (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.9-1.8). The dose-response analyses further indicated that the OR of injury was monotonically associated with stress reaction only (P for test for trend of ORs = 0.02). Job satisfaction, though, was unrelated to non-fatal injury. Although the cross-sectional nature of our study precludes a causal inference between stress reaction to stressors and risk of developing non-fatal injuries, our results tend to suggest that the severity of stress reaction is more associated with occupational non-fatal injury than is the frequency of stress or job dissatisfaction.

Empirical validation of a teaching course on spiritual care in Taiwan.

Abstract: Empirical validation of a teaching course on spiritual care in Taiwan Aim(s) of study. The aims of this study were threefold: (a) to develop the first spiritual care program for master of science in nursing degree students (MSNDS) in Taiwan, since most of these students are or will be nursing leaders in clinical practice, education, administration, or research; (b) to facilitate the MSNDS in applying the contents of this program to care of their clients; and (c) to understand the MSNDS’ appraisals of the usefulness of the program in helping them provide spiritual care in clinical settings. Background. The World Health Organization (WHO) (1998) proclaimed that health needs should include spiritual well-being in addition to physical, mental, and social domains. Nevertheless, many dominant medical educational systems have not yet encompassed spiritual care as part of their comprehensive or core curricula. Design/methods. The methodological triangulation research design used in this project included various strategies of developing a novice course entitled ‘Spirituality in Nursing Practice’ which was given to the subjects over 18 weeks from September 1998 to February 1999. The course included classroom lectures, field trips, clinical implications, and presentation-appraisal. A convenience sample of 22 female MSNDS who were or had the potential to be nursing leaders from two schools of nursing in northern Taiwan was obtained. Results. Four types of help were identified: (a) help in clarifying the theoretical concepts of spiritual care (100%); (b) help in providing a culturally bonded spiritual care plan (100%); (c) help in self-disclosure of the nurse’s personal value systems and spiritual needs (91%); and (d) help in clarifying the symbolic meaning and the impact of religious rituals (86%). The explicit spiritual care plans and an empirical example of spiritual care were provided. Conclusions. This study presented the first spiritual care program for MSNDS in Taiwan. All subjects considered the course helpful in providing spiritual care for their clients in various clinical settings. The concept of spirituality is arousing great interest in the world, and this is evident in the spiritual care courses appearing in nursing curricula for nursing leaders in Taiwan.

Validation of the Chinese Version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: Detecting Postnatal Depression in Taiwanese Women

Abstract: The Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was revalidated among Chinese women in Taiwan during the fourth week postpartum. One hundred and twenty primiparas completed the EPDS and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) four weeks after giving birth. The concurrent validity of the EPDS evaluated against the BDI scores was r = 0.79. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the EPDS was 0.87. Results showed that the Chinese version of the EPDS has appropriate reliability and validity and a cut-off score of 9/10 is recommended for screening postnatal depression among Taiwanese women.

Mixed-initiative synthesized learning approach for web-based CRM

Abstract: The issue of customer relationship management has emerged rapidly. Customers have become one of the most important considerations to new companies being built. Accordingly, customer retention is a very important topic. In this paper, we present a mixed-initiative synthesized learning approach for better understanding of customers and the provision of clues for improving customer relationships based on different sources of web customer data. The approach is a combination of hierarchical automatic labeling SOM, decision tree, cross-class analysis, and human tacit experience. The objective of this approach is to hierarchically segment data sources into clusters, automatically label the features of the clusters, discover the characteristics of normal, defected and possibly defected clusters of customers, and provide clues for gaining customer retention.

Robust adaptive fuzzy-neural control of nonlinear dynamical systems using generalized projection update law and variable structure controller

Abstract: In this paper, a robust adaptive fuzzy-neural control scheme for nonlinear dynamical systems is proposed to attenuate the effects caused by unmodeled dynamics, disturbance, and modeling errors. A generalized projection update law, which generalizes the projection algorithm modification and the switching-/spl sigma/ adaptive law, is used to tune the adjustable parameters for preventing parameter drift and confining states of the system to the specified regions. Moreover, a variable structure control method is incorporated into the control law so that the derived controller is robust with respect to unmodeled dynamics, disturbances, and modeling errors. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, several examples are illustrated in this paper.

Structuring requirement specifications with goals

Abstract: One of the foci of the recent development in requirements engineering has been the study of conflicts and vagueness encountered in requirements. However, there is no systematic way in the existing approaches for handling the interactions among nonfunctional requirements and their impacts on the structuring of requirement specifications. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to formulate the requirement specifications based on the notion of goals along three aspects: (1) to extend use cases with goals to guide the derivation of use cases; (2) to analyze the interactions among nonfunctional requirements; and (3) to structure fuzzy object-oriented models based on the interactions found. The proposed approach is illustrated using the problem domain of a meeting scheduler system.

Mean Reversion of Interest Rates in the Eurocurrency Market

Abstract: One stylised fact to emerge from the empirical analysis of interest rates is that the unit‐root hypothesis in nominal interest rates cannot be rejected. However, using the panel date unit‐root test IM, Pesaran and Shin (1997), we find support for the mean‐reverting property of Eurocurrency rates. Thus, neither a vector‐error‐correction model nor a vector autoregressive model in differences is appropriate for modelling Eurocurrency rates. Instead, conventional modelling strategies with level data are appropriate. Furthermore, the finding of stationary interest rates supports uncovered interest parity, and hence the convergence hypothesis of interest rates. This in turn suggests a limited role for a monetary authority to affect domestic interest rates.

Mechanistic study of trans?cis isomerization of the substituted azobenzene moiety bound on a liquid-crystalline polymer

Abstract: A mechanistic study of the trans⇆cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety in a side-chain liquid-crystal polymer system was carried out with six liquid-crystalline polymethacrylates in which different electron-withdrawing substituents were attached to the para-positions of the azobenzene chromophores. Compared to the non-nitro-substituted azo polymers, the nitro-substituted azo polymers exhibited two quite different behaviors: an extraordinarily high reaction rate of the thermal cis–trans isomerization and an unexpected composition of cis–trans isomers obtained from the photochemical trans–cis isomerization process. A potential energy profile for the isomerization process was established on basis of the structures of the proposed transition states and was employed to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The results confirmed that the nitro-substituted azo polymer system proceeded via a rotation mechanism in either direction of the trans⇆cis isomerization reaction, whereas the non-nitro-substituted species were more likely to follow an inversion mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2296–2307, 2001

Traditional Chinese Site Selection-Feng Shui: An Evolutionary/Ecological Perspective

Abstract: Feng Shui has endured as an art of site selection in East Asia for more than 3,000 years and still remains popular in Chinese societies. It may have positive values for human welfare. This paper argues that Feng Shui has evolutionary and ecological values for selecting optimal human habitations. Certain landscape features signal a suitable habitat that can offer the necessities of life with low risks. Information encouraging exploration identified by evolutionary theory can also be found in an ideal Feng Shui location. Feng Shui integrates both natural and cultural considerations to pursue a harmony and balance between people and nature as well as among people. It not only promotes a close understanding of, and interdependence between, the environment and people but also enforces prudent behavior in terms of resource utilization and cultural values. Feng Slmi has been profoundly interwoven with many aspects of Chinese life and has significantly contributed to a stable and sustainable agricultural civiliza...

A note on current approaches to extending fuzzy logic to object‐oriented modeling

Abstract: In this study, we have attempted a survey of current approaches carried out in the confluence of the two technologies, fuzzy set theory and object-oriented technology, that could provide a powerful tool for enhancing database management systems, software modeling, and knowledge representation in artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Possible types of fuzziness are discussed and key features related to different kinds of fuzzy software systems are also pinpointed. In a nutshell, fuzzy theory, as a modeling mechanism, is especially useful in tackling real world applications whose complexity demands are growing intensively. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.