Tainan University of Technology

About: Tainan University of Technology is a education organization based out in Tainan City, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Password & Authentication. The organization has 311 authors who have published 641 publications receiving 10826 citations.

Price Expectation and the Pricing of Stock Index Futures: Evidence from Developed and Emerging Markets

Abstract: This study examines how well the pricing model of Hsu and Wang (2004) explains the behavior of stock index futures prices for the developed markets (such as the S&P 500 index futures market) and the emerging markets (such as the Taiwan Futures Exchange (TAIFEX) Taiwan stock index futures market). It also compares the pricing performance of three alternative pricing models of stock index futures: the cost of carry model, the Hemler and Longstaff (1991) model, and the Hsu–Wang model. Overall, the Hsu–Wang model provides significantly better pricing performance than that of the cost of carry model in emerging markets with high degrees of imperfection. Moreover, this study also observes that the Hemler and Longstaff (1991) model performs better than the cost of carry model in estimating prices of the TAIFEX futures, suggesting that the incorporation of stochastic market volatility is beneficial to predict the TAIFEX futures prices.

Sustainable Development for Solar Heating Systems in Taiwan

Abstract: In response to the impact of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, developing and using renewable energy sources and technologies have become vital for managing energy supply and demand in Taiwan. The long-term subsidy programs (1986–1991, 2000–present) for solar water heaters (SWHs) launched by the Taiwanese government constitute the main driving force for market expansion. By the end of 2013, the cumulative area of installed solar collectors was 2.27 million m2. Approximately 0.3 million systems (or 1.545 million m2) are in operation. This corresponds to an annual collector yield of 0.92 TWh, which is equivalent to savings of 98.7 thousand tons of oil and 319 thousand tons of CO2,eq. The market-driven mechanism is associated with cost-to-benefit ratios, construction businesses, types of building architecture, degree of urbanization and household composition. The strong wind load of typhoons is another major concern. For sustaining the solar thermal industry in Taiwan, the dominant factor for disseminating SWHs in metropolitan areas involves developing building-integrated solar thermal systems. Alternative financial incentives are required for industrial heating processes in the commercial sector.

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of a subcutaneous injection of sesame oil against iron-induced acute renal injury in mice.

Abstract: Background: Iron intoxication causes acute nephrotoxicity in animals and humans. Sesame oil, a healthful food, increases resistance to lipid peroxidation and protects against multiple organ injury in various animal models. The authors examined the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of a subcutaneous injection of sesame oil against iron-induced acute renal injury in mice. Methods: Iron intoxication in mice was induced with an intraperitoneal injection (2 mg/kg) of ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA). Various doses of sesame oil (0, 1, 2, and 4 mL/kg, subcutaneously) were given immediately after (prophylactic) or 30 minutes after (therapeutic) the Fe-NTA injection. Renal injury was assessed by the rise in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE) levels 3 hours after the Fe-NTA injection. Results: One hour after the Fe-NTA injection, serum BUN and CRE levels were significantly higher in Fe-NTA-treated mice than in saline-treated controls; 3 and 6 hours after the Fe-NTA injection, they were dose-d...

Fuzzy finish time modeling for project scheduling

Abstract: This research aims at developing a new fuzzy activity finish time estimation model for project scheduling management. With the application of the fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) methods, the degree of fuzziness for every project activity is calculated in accordance with considerations of project uncertainties. These uncertainties are measured by the risk level of such project-related characteristics as time limit, activity start time, budget, manpower, technological difficulty, and facility requirements. In this paper, rather than applying the de-fuzzification technique to obtain the crisp activity duration for project scheduling, the fuzzy finish time estimation method for every activity is proposed based on the degree of fuzziness. The corresponding fuzzy activity duration time plot is also developed in a new fuzzy Gantt chart. The proposed model can provide a reasonable fuzzy finish time estimation for every activity, while most scheduling methods only provide the finish time of the entire project. Compared to existing models, this time estimation model and its corresponding Gantt chart are predicted to have higher reliability and practical application in project management and scheduling.

Undergraduates' Intentions to Take a Second Language Proficiency Test: A Comparison of Predictions from the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory

Abstract: English competency has become essential for obtaining a better job or succeeding in higher education in Taiwan. Thus, passing the General English Proficiency Test is important for college students in Taiwan. The current study applied Ajzen's theory of planned behavior and the notions of outcome expectancy and self-efficacy from Bandura's social cognitive theory to investigate college students' intentions to take the General English Proficiency Test. The formal sample consisted of 425 undergraduates (217 women, 208 men; M age = 19.5 yr., SD = 1.3). The theory of planned behavior showed greater predictive ability (R2 = 33%) of intention than the social cognitive theory (R2 = 7%) in regression analysis and made a unique contribution to prediction of actual test-taking behavior one year later in logistic regression. Within-model analyses indicated that subjective norm in theory of planned behavior and outcome expectancy in social cognitive theory are crucial factors in predicting intention. Implications for enhancing undergraduates' intentions to take the English proficiency test are discussed.