Investigating Effects of Perceived Technology-enhanced Environment on Self-regulated Learning: Beyond P-values

This study examined the effects of a technology-enhanced intervention on the self-regulation of 262 eighth-grade students, employing information and communication technology (ICT) and web-based self-assessment tools set against science learning. The data were analyzed using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian structural equation modeling to unravel the intricate relationships between self-regulation, self-efficacy, perceptions of ICT, and self-assessment tools. Our research findings underscored the direct and indirect impacts of self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, and perceived use of technology on self-regulation. The results revealed the predictive power of self-assessment tools in determining self-regulation outcomes, underlining the potential of technology-enhanced self-regulated learning environments. The study posited the necessity to transcend mere technology incorporation and to emphasize the inclusion of monitoring strategies explicitly designed to augment self-regulation. Interestingly, self-efficacy appeared to indirectly influence self-regulation outcomes through perceived the use of technology rather than direct influence. Analytically, this research indicated that Bayesian estimation could offer a more comprehensive insight into structural equation modeling by more accurately assessing our estimates' uncertainty. This research substantially contributes to comprehending the influence of technology-enhanced environments on students' self-regulated learning, stressing the importance of constructing practical tools explicitly designed to cultivate self-regulation

Multi-satellite altimetry and GOCE geoid based surface and subsurface currents in the Mediterranean Sea

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Down-regulation of Survivin enhances sensitivity to BPR0L075 in human cancer cells via caspase-independent mechanisms

Background: BPR0L075 [6-methoxy-3-(3',4',5'-trimethoxy-benzoyl)-1H-indole] is a novel anti-cancer compound. It inhibits tubulin polymerization and induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in various human cancer cells with different multi-drug resistance (MDR) status. Over-expression of an anti-apoptotic molecule, survivin, causes drug-resistance in various cancers. Survivin inhibits apoptosis by interfering caspase-3 and promotes cell growth by stabilizing microtubule networks. Here, we determined the effects of down-regulation of survivin in BPR0L075 (L075) treatment. Methods: Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression level of survivin in L075-untreated/-treated human oral carcinoma KB and nasopharyngeal carcinoma HONE-1 cancer cells. siRNA was used to down-regulate endogenous survivin. MTT cell viability assay, real-time caspase-3 activity assay and immuno-fluorescence microscopy were used to analyze downstream effects. Results: Survivin expression was up-regulated in both KB and HONE-1 cells in response to L075 treatment. Down-regulation of survivin induced hyper-sensitivity to L075 in KB and re-stored sensitivity to L075 in KB-derived L075-resistant KB-L30 cancer cells. At the molecular level, down-regulation of survivin induced changes in microtubule dynamics in both KB and KB-L30 cells. Surprisingly, down-regulation of survivin did not enhance the activity of caspase-3 in L075 therapy. Instead, down-regulation of survivin induced translocation of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from cytoplasm to nucleus. Conclusion: Down-regulation of survivin improved drug sensitivity to L075 in both KB and L075-resistant KB-L30 cancer cells, possibly through a tubulin-dependent and caspase-independent mechanism. We suggest that combining BPR0L075 and survivin inhibitor may give better clinical outcome than the use of BPR0L075 monotherapy in future clinical trials

Profit Maximization by Forming Federations of Geo-Distributed MEC Platforms

This paper has been presented at: Seventh International Workshop on Cloud Technologies and Energy Efficiency in Mobile Communication Networks (CLEEN 2019). How cloudy and green will mobile network and services be? 15 April 2019 - Marrakech, MoroccoIn press / En prensaMulti-access edge computing (MEC) as an emerging technology which provides cloud service in the edge of multi-radio access networks aims to reduce the service latency experienced by end devices. When individual MEC systems do not have adequate resource capacity to fulfill service requests, forming MEC federations for resource sharing could provide economic incentive to MEC operators. To this end, we need to maximize social welfare in each federation, which involves efficient federation structure generations, federation profit maximization by resource provisioning configuration, and fair profit distribution among participants. We model the problem as a coalition game with difference from prior work in the assumption of latency and locality constraints and also in the consideration of various service policies/demand preferences. Simulation results show that the proposed approach always increases profits. If local requests are served with local resource with priority, federation improves profits without sacrificing request acceptance rates.This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, under grant numbers 106-2221-E-009-004 and by the H2020 collaborative Europe/Taiwan research project 5G-CORAL (grant number 761586)

MADS-Box Gene Classification in Angiosperms by Clustering and Machine Learning Approaches

The MADS-box gene family is an important transcription factor family involved in floral organogenesis. The previously proposed ABCDE model suggests that different floral organ identities are controlled by various combinations of classes of MADS-box genes. The five-class ABCDE model cannot cover all the species of angiosperms, especially the orchid. Thus, we developed a two-stage approach for MADS-box gene classification to advance the study of floral organogenesis of angiosperms. First, eight classes of reference datasets (A, AGL6, B12, B34, BPI, C, D, and E) were curated and clustered by phylogenetic analysis and unsupervised learning, and they were confirmed by the literature. Second, feature selection and multiple prediction models were curated according to sequence similarity and the characteristics of the MADS-box gene domain using support vector machines. Compared with the BindN and COILS features, the local BLAST model yielded the best accuracy. For performance evaluation, the accuracy of Phalaenopsis aphrodite MADS-box gene classification was 93.3%, which is higher than 86.7% of our previous classification prediction tool, iMADS. Phylogenetic tree construction – the most common method for gene classification yields classification errors and is time-consuming for analysis of massive, multi-species, or incomplete sequences. In this regard, our new system can also confirm the classification errors of all the random selection that were incorrectly classified by phylogenetic tree analysis. Our model constitutes a reliable and efficient MADS-box gene classification system for angiosperms

Interaction-induced first order correlation between spatially-separated 1D dipolar fermions

We calculate the ground-state properties of fermionic dipolar atoms or molecules in a one-dimensional double-tube potential by using the Luttinger liquid theory and the density matrix renormalization-group calculation. When the external field is applied near a magic angle with respect to the double-tube plane, the long-ranged dipolar interaction can generate a spontaneous correlation between fermions in different tubes, even when the bare intertube tunneling rate is negligibly small. Such interaction-induced correlation strongly enhances the contrast of the interference fringes and therefore can be easily observed in the standard time-of-flight experiment.Comment: Same as the published versio

Development of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) System with PV Ceramic Tile and its Application for Building Façade

AbstractIn this paper, the single-crystal silicon-based solar cells laminated between tempered glass and ceramic tile is developed to be utilized in the building's façade. Firstly, the electrical, optical, and thermal properties of the proposed PV module are evaluated. Then, the wind-resistance test is implanted to evaluate the installation feasibility in Taiwan where have typhoon frequently. The electrical and deflection characteristics of the proposed PV module have no obviously changed after a 50 thermal cycling test and a 200hour humidity-freeze test, based on IEC 61215, and a wind-resistance test, respectively. Finally, electrical power generation of the proposed BIPV system with 1 kWp electrical power capacity installed in a demonstration house is performed. The experimental results indicate that accumulative power generation is 185 kWh during 6-month monitoring period. And that, the exterior temperature of the demonstration house is lower than that on the surface of the BIPV system about 10°C. The proposed BIPV system not only provides the passive energy for its power loading, but also improves the indoor thermal environment by fluent natural ventilation

Metastatic carcinoma of the urinary bladder in a 67-year-old female with underlying triple primary cancers

AbstractDue to progressive ageing of our population and increasing cancer incidence rates, more and more patients are presenting with multiple primary cancers. Here we describe a case of metastatic carcinoma involving the urinary bladder with underlying triple primary adenocarcinoma in a female adult.A 67-year-old Taiwanese female presented to our institution in November 1997 with gastric signet ring cell carcinoma, pT2N0M0, status post subtotal gastrectomy. In February 2003 she was diagnosed with left breast invasive lobular carcinoma status post modified radical mastectomy, pT2N2M0. Further examination in January 2005 revealed proximal transverse colon cancer, Dukes' C2, with status post right hemicolectomy. She achieved disease-free status from all three malignancies after surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy for breast and colon cancers sequentially. In November 2011, she complained about sudden onset of gross hematuria for several days. Diagnostic cystoscopy showed a mass lesion over her urinary bladder. Cystoscope-assisted biopsy showed metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring appearance. Herein we have discussed the pathologic role in the diagnosis of metastatic tumor involving a patient with multiple primary cancers. We also explored the epidemiologic risk and potential causal mechanism of patients with multiple primary cancers

Different immune responses to three different vaccines following H6N1 low pathogenic avian influenza virus challenge in Taiwanese local chicken breeds.

BACKGROUND: H6N1 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) are frequently isolated in Taiwan and lead to significant economic losses, either directly or indirectly through association with other infectious diseases. This study investigates immune responses to three different vaccines following a H6N1 challenge in different local breeds. METHODS: Experimental animals were sampled from six local chicken breeds maintained at the National Chung-Hsing University, namely Hsin-Yi, Ju-Chi, Hua-Tung (Taiwan), Quemoy (Quemoy Island), Shek-Ki (China), Nagoya (Japan) and a specific pathogen free (SPF) White Leghorn line. A total number of 338 chickens have been distributed between a control and a challenge group, H6N1 challenge was performed at 7 weeks of age; vaccination against Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and Infectious Bronchitis (IB) was performed at 11 weeks. The anti-H6N1 LPAIV antibody titers were measured by ELISA at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 after challenge, and the anti-ND, anti-IBD and anti-IB antibody titers were measured by inhibition of hemagglutination test and ELISA at days 0, 14, 28 after vaccination. RESULTS: There was no effect of the H6N1 LPAIV challenge at 7 weeks of age on the subsequent responses to ND and IBD vaccine at 11 weeks of age, but, surprisingly, the H6N1 LPAIV challenge significantly affected antibody levels to IB vaccine in some breeds, since IB0 and IB14 antibody titers were lower in the challenge groups. However, there was no significant difference in IB28 antibody titers among the experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: Local breeds have different immune response to H6N1 LPAIV challenge and subsequent vaccines. Differences dealt mainly with kinetics of response and with peak values. Quemoy exhibited higher antibody levels to H6N1, ND and IBD. The negative effect of the H6N1 LPAIV challenge on IB vaccine response may be related to the fact that both viruses target the lung tissues, and the type of local immune response induced by LPAIV challenge may not be favourable for birds to make optimum IB-specific antibody response.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Impact of Afternoon Thunderstorms on the Land–Sea Breeze in the Taipei Basin during Summer: An Experiment

Environmental conditions for the roughly three million people living in the Taipei basin of Taiwan are greatly affected by the land–sea breeze and afternoon thunderstorm activities. A new perspective on the land–sea breeze life cycle and how it is affected by afternoon thunderstorm activity in the Taipei basin during the dry season is provided. During the summer monsoon break–revival phase, about 75% of rainfall in the Taipei basin is produced by afternoon thunderstorms triggered by sea-breeze interactions with the mountains to the south of this basin. Because the basic characteristics of the land–sea breeze and the changes it undergoes through the influence of afternoon thunderstorms have not been comprehensively analyzed/documented, a mini–field experiment was conducted during the summers of 2004 and 2005 to explore these aspects of the land–sea breeze in this basin. Thunderstorm rainfall is found to change not only the basin’s land–sea-breeze life cycle, but also its ventilation mechanism. On the nonthunderstorm day, the sea breeze supplies the open-sea fresh air for about 8 h during the daytime, but the land breeze persists on the thunderstorm day from afternoon to the next morning, acting to sweep polluted urban air out of the basin