THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG LMX, PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT, MOTIVATIONAL ORIENTATIONS AND INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOR

ABSTRACT In the past study, many researchers believed that leader-member exchange (LMX) had a significant influence on employee innovative behavior. This study extends previous research by examining the mediating role played by employee perceived psychological empowerment. This study also explores whether employees" motivational orientations have significant moderating effects on the relationship between employees" psychological empowerment and their innovative behaviors. Finally, this study examines whether the mediating effect of employees" psychological empowerment on the relation between LMX and innovative behaviors is, in turn, moderated by motivational orientations. Data were collected from 359 employees and their immediate supervisors in 46 companies in Taiwan. We tested the proposed relationships with robust data analytic techniques. Results were consistent with the hypothesized conceptual scheme, in that psychological empowerment mediated the relationship between LMX and innovative behavior when intrinsic or extrinsic motivation was high, but not when intrinsic or extrinsic motivation was low. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the connection between LMX and innovative behavior in situations is more complex than was previously believed -there-by yielding a pattern of moderated mediation. JEL Classifications: M12, C12, L2

Levels and values of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, soluble angiogenic factors, and mononuclear cell apoptosis in liver cirrhosis patients

BACKGROUND: The roles of circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and mononuclear cell apoptosis (MCA) in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients are unknown. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α are powerful endogenous substances enhancing EPC migration into circulation. We assessed the level and function of EPCs [CD31/CD34 (E(1)), KDR/CD34 (E(2)), CXCR4/CD34 (E(3))], levels of MCA, VEGF and SDF-1α in circulation of LC patients. METHODS: Blood sample was prospectively collected once for assessing EPC level and function, MCA, and plasma levels of VEGF and SDF-1α using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, in 78 LC patients and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Number of EPCs (E(1), E(2), E(3)) was lower (all p < 0.0001), whereas SDF-1α level and MCA were higher (p < 0.001) in study patients compared with healthy controls. Number of EPCs (E(2), E(3)) was higher but MCA was lower (all p < 0.05) in Child's class A compared with Child's class B and C patients, although no difference in VEGF and SDF-1α levels were noted among these patients. Chronic hepatitis B and esophageal varices bleeding were independently, whereas chronic hepatitis C, elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and decompensated LC were inversely and independently correlated with circulating EPC level (all p < 0.03). Additionally, angiogenesis and transwell migratory ability of EPCs were reduced in LC patients than in controls (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that level, angiogenic capacity, and function of circulating EPCs were significantly reduced, whereas plasma levels of SDF-1α and circulating MCA were substantially enhanced in cirrhotic patients

Management of ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system. Since the inception of the guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has acknowledged the need for ongoing revisions to incorporate emerging therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. This updated guideline aims to align UC management with local contexts, ensuring comprehensive and context-specific recommendations, thereby raising the standard of care for UC patients in Taiwan. By adapting and optimizing international protocols for local relevance, these efforts seek to enhance health outcomes for patients with UC

Management of Crohn’s disease in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, fluctuating inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Although the incidence of CD in Taiwan is lower than that in Western countries, the severity of CD presentation appears to be similar between Asia and the West. This observation indicates the urgency for devising revised guidelines tailored to the unique reimbursement system, and patient requirements in Taiwan. The core objectives of these updated guidelines include the updated treatment choices and the integration of the treat-to-target strategy into CD management, promoting the achievement of deep remission to mitigate complications and enhance the overall quality of life. Given the diversity in disease prevalence, severity, insurance policies, and access to medical treatments in Taiwan, a customized approach is imperative for formulating these guidelines. Such tailored strategies ensure that international standards are not only adapted but also optimized to local contexts. Since the inception of its initial guidelines in 2017, the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (TSIBD) has acknowledged the importance of continuous revisions for incorporating new therapeutic options and evolving disease management practices. The latest update leverages international standards and recent research findings focused on practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system

The relationship between home ownership and fall-related outcomes: The National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Although many studies have tried to explore the association between fall incidents and fear of falling (FOF)/worry about fall-limited activities and various risk factors, few studies have recognized the relationship between house ownership and fall-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess whether house ownership will affect an older adult's experience of falling or lead to fear of falling. The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) collected data that would provide an understanding of basic trends in people aged 65 years and older living in the United States of America. This study conducted round one of the NHATS and did logistic regression to examine the relationship between house ownership and fall-related outcomes among 7,090 persons aged 65 or older. Twenty five percent of the sampled population who lacked house ownership. All fall-related outcomes (fall last month, fall last year, fear of falling, and worry about fall-limited activities) were statistically significant in the bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that house ownership (OR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.65-0.86) was significantly associated with fear of falling after adjusting for other covariates. The findings underscore the association between the lack of house ownership and fall-related outcomes

Trade agreements and tobacco control policy: analysis of the impact of FCTC on regulatory contents of trade agreements from 2001 to 2019

Abstract Background This study aims to analyze the impact of Framework of Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC) on regulatory contents of trade agreements from 2001 to 2019. Methods A search of trade agreements from‘WTO Regional Free Trade Agreement Database’ using keywords including “tobacco”, “cigarette”, “smoking” and “FCTC” from May to August 2020 resulted in a total sample of 268 trade agreements, from which 69 trade agreements were coded and analyzed. Provisions in trade agreements, identified via the aforementioned keywords, were categorized into 6 trade measures. The word counts of the provisions containing; FCTC; were calculated. Chi-square tests were applied to analyze the differences of regulatory patterns between different time frames. The import and export values (USD) of tobacco products under trade agreements containing the term “FCTC” were further collected from the “International Trade Statistics 2001–2020” for understanding the impact of the provision on the trade flow. Results Among 69 agreements, the percentage of trade agreements containing keyword as “FCTC” increased significantly from 0% to 2011 to 12% after 2011. A significant decrease of using trade measures as “the exclusion list” was found after 2011 (from 10% to 0). The word counts of provisions containing; FCTC; increased from 24 words in 2011 to 164 words in 2018, and the content of the provisions became more concrete over time. There are six trade agreements containing “FCTC”, and all these 6 agreements were ratified by European Union (EU). Despite EU ratified trade agreements with “FCTC”, the import and export values of tobacco products between EU and the other party countries increased with time. But the gap of average trade values between trade agreements with and without “FCTC” being widened with time. Conclusions As a first study evaluated the impact of FCTC on regulatory contents of trade agreements, our study results showed that after countries signed trade agreements containing keyword FCTC, the regulatory contents changed significantly. Further studies are recommended to understand the reason and criteria for incorporating FCTC provisions into trade agreements, especially in the EU

Optimal structural analysis with associated passive heat removal for AP1000 shield building

The shield building of AP1000 was designed to protect the steel containment vessel (CV) of nuclear power plants. When the reactor is shutdown, the tank mounted above the shield building sprays water, and the intake of ambient air cools down the temperature of CV through buoyancy driven circulation. The result of heat transfer analysis indicates that the location of air intake at lower altitude is more effective than that in the original design. However, pursuing superior heat transfer may cause a conflict with the structural strength, particularly under the threat of an earthquake. Therefore, this study identified the optimal design for stress analysis to improve passive cooling. The results of structural analyses indicated that the maximal stresses developed under various water levels were in the acceptable range of yield stress limits for concrete. The water level does not pose considerable danger to the structure. In addition, the simulation result also indicated that an optimal parametric design for air intake must be implemented around the middle of the shield building, with 16 circular or oval shaped air intake

The relationship between falling and fear of falling among community-dwelling elderly

[[abstract]]Researchers have repeatedly examined the relationship between a previous experience of a fall and subsequent fear of falling (FOF); however, few studies have investigated the effects of falling along various timelines among older adults. The objective of this study was to determine whether experiencing a fall in the previous month or the previous year led to FOF among the elderly.The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) in the U.S. collected information indicative of basic trends in the behavior of individuals aged 65 years and older. In the current study, we applied multiple logistic regression analysis of results from round 7 of the NHATS with the aim of identifying the risk factors associated with FOF among 5559 participants aged 65 years or older.FOF was reported by 48.8% of those who experienced a fall in the previous year and 46.8% experienced a fall in the previous month. The results of regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for sex, age, related chronic disease, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living, FOF was significantly associated with experiencing a fall during the previous month (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.78-2.95) or during the previous year (OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 2.16-3.14).Our results indicate that experiences of falling during the previous month or the previous year were both significantly associated with a fear of falling, and caregivers should keep this in mind when dealing with community-living elderly individuals

The Carbon Impact of International Tourists to an Island Country

Taiwan, located in the East Asia, is an island country with limited natural resources. To increase economic growth and reduce CO2 emission levels, the Taiwanese government is promoting a sustainable low-carbon tourism industry. This study investigated the CO2 emission coefficient of tourist activities and identified the CO2 emissions (CE) patterns of international visitors to Taiwan. The total CO2 emission per visitor without considering international transportation was estimated using a questionnaire. The total CO2 emission comprises the CO2 emission of transportation, the CO2 emission of accommodation, and the CO2 emission of tourist activities. The results suggest that more convenient public transportation might help to reduce the total CO2 emission. Without considering CO2 emission from international air travel, in contrast to many non-island countries where CO2 emission of transportation is the main contributor to total CO2 emission, the CO2 emission of accommodation was the main contributor to total CO2 emission in Taiwan. To reduce the CO2 emission of accommodation, the Taiwanese government should improve the energy-use efficiency of devices in tourist hotels and promote bed-and-breakfast accommodations with low CO2 emission coefficients. Visitors enjoyed culinary journeys and shopping, both of which are activities that contribute highly to the CO2 emission of tourist activities because of their high CO2 emission coefficients