Unpacking identities: performing diasporic space in contemporary Taiwanese theatre

My thesis interrogates the complex and indeterminate nature of Taiwanese identity as it is articulated in post- I 980s Taiwanese theatre productions. I argue that Taiwanese identity is negotiated in a 'diasporic space' that has manifestations through cultural hybridity, spatio-temporal disruption and homing in travelling. Initially, I establish the conceptual framework of diasporic space through critical investigations of the sociality of modem diaspora, post-dolonial notions of cultural difference and hybridity (Homi Bhabha) and space-time dynamics as elaborated in Foucault's conception of heterotopias. The subsequent chapters consist of performance analyses and provide dramatic illustrations of these theories as they are imbricated in diasporic space. Subsequently, I examine the appropriation of Beijing Opera aesthetics in a Taiwanese context, and argue that it engenders a hybrid identity by defying the totalising force of Chineseness. I also consider how national space and its attendant essentialist identity is attempted via a sacralised home of homogeneous constitution, thus arguing for the impossibility of identifying a stable national cultural identity due to infracultural differences in the diasporic community of. Taiwan. To fully account for the lived experience of the Taiwanese, I then explore the dialectic force of history that shapes the cultural imaginary of home and identity in ten theatrical productions. I argue that, rather than being bound to a fixed home/land, Taiwanese identity is mediated in the spatio-temporal difference between the homes in the past in China and the present in Taiwan. In addition, I examine the internal conflicts in present-day Taiwan that are unfolded through stories depicting everyday life. The Taiwanese constantly travel in and out of the present locality, and each journey in its own particularity touches upon broader cultural politics of locating home identity. Probing the various manners in which these chosen performances locate Taiwanese identity, I evaluate their achievement in presenting a multiplicity of theatrical possibilities and alternative perspectives of cultural reality that helps envision a 'new' 'diasporic' understanding of homing through travelling, inhabiting shifting moments and movements when/where identity is always being re-configured

Unpacking identities : performing diasporic space in contemporary Taiwanese theatre

My thesis interrogates the complex and indeterminate nature of Taiwanese identity as it is articulated in post- I 980s Taiwanese theatre productions. I argue that Taiwanese identity is negotiated in a 'diasporic space' that has manifestations through cultural hybridity, spatio-temporal disruption and homing in travelling. Initially, I establish the conceptual framework of diasporic space through critical investigations of the sociality of modem diaspora, post-dolonial notions of cultural difference and hybridity (Homi Bhabha) and space-time dynamics as elaborated in Foucault's conception of heterotopias. The subsequent chapters consist of performance analyses and provide dramatic illustrations of these theories as they are imbricated in diasporic space. Subsequently, I examine the appropriation of Beijing Opera aesthetics in a Taiwanese context, and argue that it engenders a hybrid identity by defying the totalising force of Chineseness. I also consider how national space and its attendant essentialist identity is attempted via a sacralised home of homogeneous constitution, thus arguing for the impossibility of identifying a stable national cultural identity due to infracultural differences in the diasporic community of. Taiwan. To fully account for the lived experience of the Taiwanese, I then explore the dialectic force of history that shapes the cultural imaginary of home and identity in ten theatrical productions. I argue that, rather than being bound to a fixed home/land, Taiwanese identity is mediated in the spatio-temporal difference between the homes in the past in China and the present in Taiwan. In addition, I examine the internal conflicts in present-day Taiwan that are unfolded through stories depicting everyday life. The Taiwanese constantly travel in and out of the present locality, and each journey in its own particularity touches upon broader cultural politics of locating home identity. Probing the various manners in which these chosen performances locate Taiwanese identity, I evaluate their achievement in presenting a multiplicity of theatrical possibilities and alternative perspectives of cultural reality that helps envision a 'new' 'diasporic' understanding of homing through travelling, inhabiting shifting moments and movements when/where identity is always being re-configured.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceChiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange (CCFISE)GBUnited Kingdo

Economic Evaluation of Treating Herpes Zoster with Various Methods of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the cost effect of surrounding acupuncture plus electric acupuncture, cotton-sheet moxibustion, puncturing with red-hot needles, tapping plus cupping on herpes zoster.MethodsFive hundred patients with herpes zoster were randomly divided into group A (surrounding acupuncture plus electric acupuncture), group B (cotton-sheet moxibustion), group C (puncturing with red-hot needles), group D (tapping plus cupping), and group E (Western medicine). The treatment was carried out twice a day in group E and once a day in the other four groups. The curative effect was observed on the 10th day of treatment; the cost was calculated for the five therapies, and the cost-effect ratio (C/E) and increment ratio (ΔC/ΔE) were analyzed.ResultsAfter the 10-day treatment, there was no statistical difference (P>0.05) in the curative effect among the five groups. Pain being alleviated one day faster than in group E amounted to a saving of RMB 21.90 yuan in group A, a saving of RMB 21.87 yuan in group B, a saving of RMB 26.00 yuan in group C, and a saving of RMB 20.23 yuan in group D. Compared with group C, the values of ΔC/ΔE were RMB 1.55, 2.81, and 0.21 yuan in groups A, B, and D, respectively.ConclusionsThe curative effect in groups A, B, C, and D was similar to that in group E, but the C/E was better than in group E

Magnetic phase transitions in the triangular-lattice spin-1 dimer compound K2Ni2(SeO3)3

In our study, we conduct magnetization and heat capacity measurements to investigate field-induced magnetic phase transitions within the newly synthesized compound K2Ni2(SeO3)3, a spin-1 dimer system arranged on a triangular lattice. The Ni-Ni dimers exhibit a ferromagnetic intra-dimer interaction, effectively behaving as an ensemble with a total spin of S=2. In contrast, antiferromagnetic interactions manifest between these dimers on the triangular lattice. The trigonal distortion of the NiO6 octahedra introduces easy-axis magnetic anisotropy, accounting for the distinct magnetic phase diagrams observed when applying c-axis directional and in-plnae magnetic fields. Notably, our investigation unveils a two-step phase transition with the magnetic field aligned with the c direction. We propose that the system at the first transition is from a paramagnetic state to an up-up-down state, characterized by the Z3 lattice-symmetry breaking. Subsequently, a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, involving the breaking of the c-axis spin-rotation symmetry, leads to the formation of the "Y state" at low temperatures. These findings yield valuable insights into the magnetic phase transitions inherent to geometrically frustrated magnetic systems featuring dimer structures.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

The Physiology Constant Database of Teen-Agers in Beijing

Physiology constants of adolescents are important to understand growing living systems and are a useful reference in clinical and epidemiological research. Until recently, physiology constants were not available in China and therefore most physiologists, physicians, and nutritionists had to use data from abroad for reference. However, the very difference between the Eastern and Western races casts doubt on the usefulness of overseas data. We have therefore created a database system to provide a repository for the storage of physiology constants of teen-agers in Beijing. The several thousands of pieces of data are now divided into hematological biochemistry, lung function, and cardiac function with all data manually checked before being transferred into the database. The database was accomplished through the development of a web interface, scripts, and a relational database. The physiology data were integrated into the relational database system to provide flexible facilities by using combinations of various terms and parameters. A web browser interface was designed for the users to facilitate their searching. The database is available on the web. The statistical table, scatter diagram, and histogram of the data are available for both anonym and user according to queries, while only the user can achieve detail, including download data and advanced search

Determinants of pro-environmental behavior among excessive smartphone usage children and moderate smartphone usage children in Taiwan

Introduction Although there is evidence linking the relationships between smartphone usage with health, stress, and academic performance, there is still inadequate knowledge about the influence on pro-environmental behaviors. This study seeks to bridge this gap by adapting the theory of attribution framework to examine the effects of personal norms, social norms, perceived behavioral control on pro-environmental behavior of smartphone usage in children. Methods A total of 225 children aged between 11 to 12 from eight selected public primary schools at the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park in Taiwan were surveyed. Two distinct groups (excessive versus moderate usage) were purposefully selected for comparison, of which 96 participants were excessive smartphone users while the remaining 129 were moderate smartphone users. Results Findings revealed significant differences between excessive and moderate smartphone usage children groups in personal norms (p  0.05), as well as social norms and pro-environmental behavior for moderate smartphone usage children (β = 0.181, t = 1.924, p > 0.05), but such a relationship could be developed through the mediating effect of perceived behavioral control (β = 0.497, t = 4.471***, p < 0.001). Discussion The results suggested that excessive smartphone usage children lack positive perceived behavioral control, and their pro-environmental behavior could only be predicted through explicit social norms, whereas pro-environmental behavior of moderate smartphone usage children was implicitly influenced by personal norms through perceived behavioral control

Antibacterial Activity and Mode of Action of Mentha arvensis Ethanol Extract against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of ethanol extract of Mentha arvensis against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS).Methods: Disc diffusion and microdilution assays were used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of the extract by measuring the zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and and minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) of the extract against the test bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to evaluate the morphological changes induced by the extract in cellular membrane of the bacteria. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and protein leakage from the bacterial cells induced by the extract were also evaluated.Results: The extract showed dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects against A. baumannii with MIC and MBC of 23.5 and 72.1 μg/mL, respectively. The extract also induced potent ROS generation and protein leakage in A. baumannii bacterial cells. SEM findings revealed that the extract induced potential cellular damage which increased with increasing extract concentration.Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Mentha arvensis is a potent antibacterial agent against A. baumannii and acts by inducing lethal cellular damage to the bacterium.Keywords: Mentha arvensis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Reactive oxygen species, Antibacterial activity, Cellular membrane damag