Estimating the Stochastic Sickness Effect on Employment, Worktime and Saving Decisions

This paper aims to study labor supply and saving decisions as a result of health uncertainty. O’Donnell (1995) suggested a theoretical positive relationship between working hours (or saving rate) and the perceived health uncertainty. That is, for risk-averse individuals, there exists a precaution motion to work harder and save more when facing the uncertainty for the health condition. We test this hypothetical relationship by applying the 2003-2005 data from the Panel Study of Family Dynamics (PSFD) in Taiwan. Following Hughes and Maguire’s approach (2003), our estimation result indicates that a stochastic sickness has positive effects on the decisions of working time and saving rate.Health, Uncertainty, Labor Supply, Saving

Eye-of-the-Tiger sign is not Pathognomonic of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration in Adult Cases

An eye-of-the-tiger sign is previously known to have one-to-one correlation with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Reviewing the literature on this subject, the correlation between eye-of-the-tiger sign and PKAN seems to show an interesting hypothesis that differs from conventional conclusion. We analyze the published papers in an attempt to reflect this trend and illustrate our points with findings in a 39-year-old man. His brain magnetic resonance imaging study shows typical eye-of-the-tiger sign suggestive of PKAN. Genetic analyses revealed no mutations in pantothenate kinase 2

Topology monitoring implementation of network management system in TWAREN hybrid network

TWAREN (TaiWan Advanced Research and Education Network)is a hybrid network composed of several types of networkservices including Layer1 (Light-path), Layer2 (VLAN, MPLSVPNand VPLS-VPN), Layer3 (research networks peering andtransit) and Layer7 (SSL VPN). To develop a networkmanagement system for such kind of hybrid networks, we mustfirstly be able to construct the physical network topology,therefore the logical network services can then be mapped and anaccurate monitoring and alarming system can be possible.However the automatic physical topology discovery is extremelyhard and complicated in the hybrid network. In this paper, wepropose our preliminary design on automatically detecting thehybrid network physical topology in TWAREN

Development of a Multisensor-Based Bio-Botanic Robot and Its Implementation Using a Self-Designed Embedded Board

This paper presents the design concept of a bio-botanic robot which demonstrates its behavior based on plant growth. Besides, it can reflect the different phases of plant growth depending on the proportional amounts of light, temperature and water. The mechanism design is made up of a processed aluminum base, spring, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and actuator to constitute the plant base and plant body. The control system consists of two micro-controllers and a self-designed embedded development board where the main controller transmits the values of the environmental sensing module within the embedded board to a sub-controller. The sub-controller determines the growth stage, growth height, and time and transmits its decision value to the main controller. Finally, based on the data transmitted by the sub-controller, the main controller controls the growth phase of the bio-botanic robot using a servo motor and leaf actuator. The research result not only helps children realize the variation of plant growth but also is entertainment-educational through its demonstration of the growth process of the bio-botanic robot in a short time