INTRA-INDUSTRY TRADE BETWEEN TAIWAN AND ASEAN-5 IN THE AGRO-FOOD SECTOR: PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS

This paper attempts to identify the patterns and determinants of the levels of IIT between Taiwan and ASEAN-5 during the past three decades. Our empirical results confirm the belief that IIT between Taiwan and ASEAN-5 in the agro-food sector has been growing over time. Although industry-specific factors like market size and product differentiation have desirable impacts on IIT, taste overlaps do not. No deterministic conclusion can be drawn from the effect of trade liberalization as implied by removing trade barriers when shaping the future development of IIT. However, the indirect effect arising from income and consumer preferences' convergence may be the main determinant in promoting intra-industry agro-food trade among the Asian countries.International Relations/Trade,

Unpacking the Network Pictures of the ICT industry in Taiwan

This study analyzes how a developmental state fosters its ICT industries through the network alliances among a boundary organization and ICT industries. The cooperative networks of ICT industries play a strategic role for the national development in a global networked economy. We argue that different network pictures lead to different managerial strategies and capabilities. Drawing on studies of network pictures, this study details an interpretive case study in a major semi-government sponsored ICT marketing research institute in Taiwan. We explore the relationships between this boundary organization, ICT businesses and their dynamic networking relationship. The findings highlight how the inertia of network pictures stabilizes value creation activities and capabilities in the boundary organization, thus limiting it opening to a more radical future-oriented strategic network

Fabrication and characteristics of a GaInP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor using a selective buried sub-collector

A C-doped GaInP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) with a selective buried sub-collector has been fabricated by two growth steps. The active HBT region was made on the selective buried sub-collector layer with minimum overlap of the extrinsic base and the sub-collector region resulting in substantial reduction of the base-collector capacitance. The experiment shows that the base-collector capacitance is reduced to about half of that of a conventional HBT while the base resistance remains unchanged resulting in a 40-50% increase in the maximum oscillation frequency. Both DC and RF characteristics are investigated and compared with a conventional HBT. A current gain of 40 cutoff frequency of 50 GHz and maximum oscillation frequency of 140 GHz were obtained for the GaInP/GaAs HBT. It is demonstrated that the selective buried sub-collector provides an effective means for enhancing RF performance of an HBT. © 1997 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

A Model of Optimal Capital Sucture with Stochastic Interest Rates

This paper develops a model of optimal capital structure with stochastic interest rate which is assumed to follow a mean-reverting process. Closed-form solutions are obtained for both the value of the firm and the value of its risky debt. The paper finds that the current level and the long-run mean of the interest rate process play distinctive roles in our integrated model. The current level of the interest rate is critical in the pricing of risky bonds, while the long-run mean plays a key role in the determination of a firm’s optimal capital sucture such as the optimal coupon rate and leverage ratio. Our findings demonsate that a model of optimal capital sucture with a constant interest rate cannot price risky bonds and determine the optimal capital sucture simultaneously in a satisfactory manner. Furthermore, our numerical results indicate that the correlation between the stochastic interest rate and the asset return of a firm has little impact on the firm’s optimal capital structure

Floating solar power loss due to motions induced by ocean waves: An experimental study

Whilst there is an interest in floating solar energy systems in coastal and offshore regions to utilise available sea space, they are subject to ocean waves that introduce constant momentum. Consequently, solar panels undergo periodic motions with the waves, causing a continuous change in tilt angle. The tilt angle variation is a sub-optimal process and leads to a loss of energy harnessing efficiency. To investigate this phenomenon, the present study innovatively installed a solar simulator on top of a wave tank. The solar simulator was used to generate high-strength light beams, under which, a floating solar unit was subject to periodic incident waves. Wave-induced motions to the solar system as well as the output power were measured. A systematic analysis of the results indicated that a floating solar unit can have significantly lower power output in waves, compared to its calm-water counterpart. An evident link was established between the wave-induced power loss and the wave-induced rotational movement of the panel. An empirical equation was derived which shows the power loss is predictable through the rotational amplitude. The results also highlight the importance of implementing wave attenuation technologies such as breakwaters to minimise wave-induced motions to floating solar systems. Overall, this research presents a novel experimental approach to assess the difference of floating solar power in ocean-wave versus calm-water scenarios, providing valuable insights for future solar projects on the ocean

Bis[2-(2-pyridylmethyl­eneamino)benzene­sulfonato-κ3 N,N′,O]cobalt(II) dihydrate

The title complex, [Co(C12H9N2O3S)2]·2H2O, has site symmetry 2 with the CoII cation located on a twofold rotation axis. Two tridentate 2-(2-pyridylmethyl­eneamino)benzene­sulfonate (paba) ligands chelate to the CoII cation in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The pyridine and benzene rings in the paba ligand are oriented at a dihedral angle of 42.86 (13)°. Inter­molecular O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure

Clinical value of M1 macrophage-related genes identification in bladder urothelial carcinoma and in vitro validation

Background: Tumor microenvironment (TME) takes a non-negligible role in the progression and metastasis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) and tumor development could be inhibited by macrophage M1 in TME. The role of macrophage M1-related genes in BLCA adjuvant therapy has not been studied well. Methods: CIBERSOR algorithm was applied for identification tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) subtypes of subjects from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets. We identified potential modules of M1 macrophages by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Nomogram was determined by one-way Cox regression and lasso regression analysis for M1 macrophage genes. The data from GEO are taken to verify the models externally. Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves validated prognostic value of M1 macrophage genes. Finally, we divided patients into the low-risk group (LRG) and the high-risk group (HRG) based on the median risk score (RS), and the predictive value of RS in patients with BLCA immunotherapy and chemotherapy was investigated. Bladder cancer (T24, 5637, and BIU-87) and bladder uroepithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1) were used for in vitro validation. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to validate the associated genes mRNA level. Results: 111 macrophage M1-related genes were identified using WGCNA. RS model containing three prognostically significant M1 macrophage-associated genes (FBXO6, OAS1, and TMEM229B) was formed by multiple Cox analysis, and a polygenic risk model and a comprehensive prognostic line plot was developed. The calibration curve clarified RS was a good predictor of prognosis. Patients in the LRG were more suitable for programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associate protein-4 (CTLA4) combination immunotherapy. Finally, chemotherapeutic drug models showed patients in the LRG were more sensitive to gemcitabine and mitomycin. RT-qPCR result elucidated the upregulation of FBXO6, TMEM229B, and downregulation of OAS1 in BLCA cell lines. Conclusion: A predictive model based on M1 macrophage-related genes can help guide us in the treatment of BLCA

Bis[2-(2-pyridylmethyl­eneamino)benzene­sulfonato]-κ3 N,N′,O;κ2 N,N′-copper(II)

In the mononuclear title compound, [Cu(C12H9N2O3S)2], the copper(II) salt of 2-(2-pyridylmethyl­eneamino)benzene­sulfonic acid, the CuII atom is coordinated by one O and two N atoms from a monoanion as well as by two N atoms from another monoanion in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal environment