Junior High Schools In Taipei Research Articles

Energy performance evaluation for benchmarking school buildings using dynamic clustering analysis and particle swarm optimization

Benchmarking the energy performance of buildings has received increasing attention as striving for energy efficiency through more effective energy management has become a major concern of governments. Various methods for classifying building energy performance have been developed, and the clustering technique is considered one of the best approaches. This paper proposes a method utilizing dynamic clustering to analyze the electricity consumption patterns of buildings to decide the optimal cluster number and allocate the buildings to corresponding clusters for energy benchmarking. For the evaluation of number of clusters, this article has employed the inter–intra clustering method with particle swarm optimization algorithm. The electricity consumption data were collected through an energy survey performed in 30 junior high schools in Taipei, Taiwan. In a traditional method, the 30 schools would be grouped into one same cluster and the energy benchmarking report an average value of 541.4 kWh/year per student. The proposed method that took different electricity consumption patterns of the schools into consideration produced more detailed results as follows: the optimal cluster number was 3 with an inter–intra index value of 0.708, and the energy benchmarking index of these three clusters read, respectively, 362, 512, and 851 kWh/year per student. Practical application: The study proposed an innovative dynamic clustering technique to decide the optimal cluster number and allocate the assessed buildings. The results showed that compared to a traditional approach that tended to group assessed buildings into one cluster, the proposed method was able to classify the buildings into three clusters for further benchmarking. This method can be used by governments and large corporations. For example, in Hong Kong, primary schools are grouped into one cluster for energy benchmarking. Using the proposed method can further classify primary schools into more clusters; benchmarking index can then be developed for each cluster.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Performance in Healthy Adolescents: A Twin/Sibling Study

This study aimed to estimate the relative contributions from genetic and environmental factors to the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance, a widely used measurement for assessing frontal lobe function. Participants included 350 pairs of twins (257 MZ and 93 DZ) and 47 same-sex sib-pairs, aged 12-16 years, systematically recruited from junior high schools in Taipei. A computerized version of the WCST was administered for each participant and its nine indexes were used for subsequent analysis. Univariate analysis in structural equation modeling was performed for each WCST index using Mx program. The ACE model for each WCST index indicated no significant genetic influence, whereas the shared environmental influence ranged from 30 to 38% for four indexes (Perseverative Errors, Perseverative Responses, Categories Achieved, and Conceptual Level Responses). We concluded that WCST performance might be an indicator more for environmental insult than for genetic influences on frontal lobe function.

An Evaluation of a Weight-Loss Program Incorporating E-Learning for Obese Junior High School Students

Obesity in adolescents is continuing to rise at an alarming rate and is becoming an important public health problem in Taiwan. Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of a Weight-loss E-learning Program (WEP) on obese Chinese adolescents and (2) to gauge this group's satisfaction with the WEP. The design was quasi-experimental, using purposive samples from two junior high schools in Taipei, Taiwan. Obese adolescents between 12 and 14 years of age with body mass indexes (BMI) over 25 kg/m2 were recruited. A 14-week WEP was developed to expedite weight loss for the selected adolescents. Data such as BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold, blood pressure, and physical fitness were collected through standardized instruments and methods before and after the WEP. The satisfaction of the subjects and four psychosocial variables were evaluated and taken into account by authoritative scales and questionnaires. In total, 37 adolescents participated in this study. After the WEP, we found significant decreases in BMI (p < 0.05), waist circumference (p < 0.05), and triceps skinfold (p < 0.001) in the sample population. Improvements were found in three of four tests of physical fitness (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively). All psychosocial variables showed significant favorable changes (p < 0.01 for self-esteem scores, p < 0.001 for the other three variables) and satisfaction levels for the WEP ranged from 56.6% to 83.8% in four different criteria. The WEP was effective in helping obese Chinese adolescents lose weight. However, there is still room for improvement.

The Taipei Adolescent Twin/Sibling Family Study I: Behavioral Problems, Personality Features, and Neuropsychological Performance

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate genetic and environmental influences on behavioral problems, personality features, and neuropsycho-logical performance among adolescents in Taipei, Taiwan. Between 1996 and 1998, with the assistance of the Twin Association and junior high schools in Taipei City, we solicited a list of twins from 51 junior high schools in Taipei. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the twins enrolled in these schools were obtained. The vast majority of the recruited twins were between 12 and 16 years old. The recruited twins received assessments for behavioral problems, general and schizotypal personality, and cognitive functions. Their parents rated their children on behavioral/ emotional problems and were assessed on their own general and specific personality. Same-sex sibling pairs (ages vary within 2 years) and their parents from three schools were also recruited to increase sample size for the group with a kinship coefficient of .50. Twins' zygosity was determined by a combination of DNA typing and physical similarity. The Mx program was used to estimate parameters for the full model and its reduced models. The recruitment, measurements, data managements, and published results are described in this article.

The Taipei Adolescent Twin/Sibling Family Study I: Behavioral Problems, Personality Features, and Neuropsychological Performance

The present study aimed to investigate genetic and environmental influences on behavioral problems, personality features, and neuropsychological performance among adolescents in Taipei, Taiwan. Between 1996 and 1998, with the assistance of the Twin Association and junior high schools in Taipei City, we solicited a list of twins from 51 junior high schools in Taipei. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the twins enrolled in these schools were obtained. The vast majority of the recruited twins were between 12 and 16 years old. The recruited twins received assessments for behavioral problems, general and schizotypal personality, and cognitive functions. Their parents rated their children on behavioral/ emotional problems and were assessed on their own general and specific personality. Same-sex sibling pairs (ages vary within 2 years) and their parents from three schools were also recruited to increase sample size for the group with a kinship coefficient of .50. Twins' zygosity was determined by a combination of DNA typing and physical similarity. The Mx program was used to estimate parameters for the full model and its reduced models. The recruitment, measurements, data managements, and published results are described in this article.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Schizotypy among Adolescents in Taiwan: A Multivariate Twin/sibling Analysis

This study aimed to examine the relative contribution of genes and environment to psychometrically measured schizotypy and the causes for the covariation between different dimensions of schizotypy in a total of 330 pairs of twins and 36 same-sex sib-pairs aged 12-16 and systematically recruited from junior high schools in Taipei. Twins' zygosity was determined by a combination of DNA typing and physical similarity. Schizotypy was measured using the Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS) as well as the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and its three factors (Cognitive-perceptual Dysfunction, Disorganization, and Interpersonal Dysfunction). Univariate analyses of structural equation modeling using Mx program showed that scores on these schizotypal measures were substantially heritable (h (2) ranging from 41 to 49%), with some genetic effects being non-additive. Multivariate analyses revealed common genetic factors linking between various traits of schizotypy, with bivariate heritability ranging from 50 to 65%. The proportion of the genetic contributions not shared with the other measures of schizotypy ranged from 24% for the Disorganization to 49% for the PAS scores. We concluded that there exist both common and specific genetic factors between the various dimensions of schizotypy, and at least half of their correlations were genetic in nature.

A School-based Twin Study of Handedness among Adolescents in Taiwan

This study aimed to evaluate whether twinning might influence handedness and the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to handedness in a total of 321 pairs of twins, 36 same-sex sib-pairs, and 1020 singletons, aged 12-16 and systematically recruited from the junior high schools in Taipei. Twins' zygosity was determined by a combination of DNA typing and physical similarity. The direction and consistency of handedness in twins did not differ from that seen in singletons. Compared with the full model containing additive genes (A), shared (C), and non-shared (E) environment, both AE and CE models had equivalently acceptable fit. The contribution from additive genes in the AE model was estimated to be 16% (directional) to 13% (consistent) for the continuous handedness and 34-10% for the categorical one, whereas the corresponding contribution from shared environment in the CE model was 14-14% and 32-11%, respectively. Handedness in adolescents appears to be not influenced by twinning and not substantially heritable, whereas environmental factors, especially those not shared between siblings, are the most important ones for explaining individual variations.

Peace, Not War: Adolescents’ Management of Intergenerational Conflicts in Taiwan

Adolescence has been characterized by G. Stanley Hall, the first psychologist to advance a scientific theory of adolescence, as a period of storm and stress (Muuss, 1996: 16-17). Studies in the west indicate that adolescence is a time when conflict with parents increases sharply (Paikoff and Brooks-Gunn, 1991; Arnett, 1999). Several studies of adolescents' violent reactions towards their peers and elders in Taiwan also support this observation. A survey of junior high school students showed that 44% of adolescents regularly argued with their siblings (Kao, 1990). A study of adolescents' violent behaviors at junior high schools in Taipei reported that about 64% of male students had fights with their schoolmates and a study done in Kaoshiung indicated that 22% of students had verbally abused their teachers, while 5% had actually attacked or physically assaulted their teachers (reviewed in Wu and Hung, 1996). A Taiwan central government investigation of 44 cases of serious violence arising in students' interpersonal conflicts found that rather trivial matters such as pranks or quarrels in competitive games precipitated most of the violent acts among adolescents (Disciplinary Committee, 1994,1995).Obviously, employing violence in handling interpersonal conflicts is not the only way to maintain social order in the world of adolescents. It may not even be the normal or most prevalent means adopted by adolescents. What are the conditions that influence adolescents to adopt one strategy of conflict management rather than another? The present study addresses this question, with focus on Taiwan adolescents' conflicts with their elders.In order to answer this question, the present study draws from the theoretical insights and empirical findings of two disciplines: sociology and developmental psychology. Developmental psychologists interested in adolescents' interpersonal conflicts have researched & wide range of topics, including conflict issues, initiation, rate, intensity, resolution, and outcomes (reviewed in Collins and Laursen, 1992; Laursen and Collins, 1994). Most of the theoretical attention in developmental studies has been given to the impact of biological factors such as pubertal status or timing (Steinberg, 1987; Paikoff and Brooks-Gunn, 1991), or cognitive factors (Selman, 1980; Smetana, 1988, 1989), without much attention to the impact of sociological variables. This can be attributed in part to the small sample sizes and fairly homogenous backgrounds of subjects in most psychological studies (Laursen et al,, 1998). And psychologists tend to study adolescents' dyadic conflicts in experimental settings or in micro-level social settings. Hence, the research focus and methodology of developmental psychology often preclude examining factors of sociological concern.Even though sociologists are very much interested in issues of social conflict and conflict management, they have generally left research on adolescents' interpersonal conflicts to the psychologists. The present study applies a particular sociological approach, developed by Donald Black (1976, 1993).and Allan Horwitz (1990), to study social conditions that affect adolescents' conflict management. Those studies, however, included no psychological factors and provided no psychological explanation. The present study enlarges the approach of Black and Horwitz to include developmental factors of interest to psychologists, to discover whether the developmental factors are mediated by, or rather complement, sociological factors in their impact on adolescents' conflict management. Specifically, a research model organizing insights from both sociological and psychological perspectives is used in this study to examine factors that lead adolescents in Taiwan to manage their intergenerational conflicts by non-confrontational means.SOCIAL RELATIONALAPPROACHES TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENTWhile both sociological and psychological studies on forms and means employed in conflict management have developed approaches emphasizing the impact of social relationships between disputants, these two approaches have been formulated independently and are here reviewed separately, beginning with the sociological approach. …

Plasma C-reactive protein levels and their relationship to anthropometric and lipid characteristics among children

C-reactive protein (CRP), a nonspecific marker of inflammatory status, is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and the late occurrence of heart disease in adults. However, few studies assess the plasma CRP levels in healthy children. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between plasma CRP levels and anthropometric and lipid characteristics among children in Taiwan. After a multi-stage sampling of 85 junior high schools in Taipei, we randomly selected 835 children (410 boys and 425 girls) aged 12 to 16 years. Anthropometric and lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and lipoprotein (a) were measured. We also calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the total cholesterol-to-HDL-C ratio as shown on the atherosclerotic index. In both genders, plasma CRP levels were significantly positively correlated with anthropometrics measures and inversely correlated with HDL-C levels. After adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, heart rate, and puberty development, children in the fourth quartile CRP subgroups were heavier and had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and lower HDL-C levels than children with nondetected CRP. In multivariate regression models, CRP was significantly negatively associated with HDL-C levels even after adjusting for BMI in both genders. In this study, anthropometrics measures, especially BMI, were positively associated with plasma CRP levels. Furthermore, elevated CRP levels were associated with adverse lipids profiles. These data suggest that elevated plasma CRP levels might be associated with CVD risk factors that may be related to the late development of CVD in some Taiwanese children.

Prevalence and trends of obesity among school children in Taiwan--the Taipei Children Heart Study.

In Taiwan, the availability of a high-fat and high-energy diet has steadily risen over the past 30 y, while people have become increasingly sedentary. This lifestyle of poor diet and little physical activity has caused the prevalence of obesity to increase among adults and children. Obesity and associated chronic disease risk factors are becoming important public health issues. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and secular trends of being overweight and obese among school children in Taiwan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among junior high school students in Taipei in 1994 to ascertain a representative distribution of demographic, lifestyle and biochemical characteristics, including several cardiovascular disease risk factors. After multistage sampling of 85 junior high schools in Taipei, we randomly selected 1500 children for this survey. We defined being overweight and obese based on ideal body weight (IBW) criteria. Children are considered to be overweight if their body weight is 110-120% of IBW, and obese if their body weight is greater than 120% of IBW within age- and gender-specific strata. In general, obese children have higher blood pressure, plasma glucose and triglyceride levels and lower high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels than normal-weight children. From 1980 to 1994, the mean value of body weight increased significantly over increases in body height (especially among boys). Although the percentage of overweight children remained steady from 1980 to 1994 in both genders, the prevalence and trends of obesity increased significantly, especially among boys and older girls. From this survey we find that in Taiwan from 1980 to 1994 body weight increased dramatically over body height among school children. The prevalence of obesity also increased significantly, especially among boys, while the percentage of overweight children did not vary. Overall, this study indicates that obesity and the adverse effects of being over the ideal body weight is no longer just a problem of Western countries.

Relationship between plasma leptin levels and lipid profiles among school children in Taiwan--the Taipei Children Heart Study.

Leptin, an adipose tissue-derived of gene product, is important in energy metabolism. However, the role of leptin in the metabolism of lipids is still not clear in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma leptin concentrations and lipid profiles among school children in Taiwan. After multistage sampling of 85 junior high schools in Taipei, we randomly selected 1264 children (617 boys and 647 girls) aged 12-16 years for this study. We measured the anthropometric variables, lifestyle factors and biochemical parameters among these children. Anthropometric measurements included body height (BH) and weight (BW) and we calculated body mass index (BMI) as the ratio of the BW to the square of the BH, expressed in kg/m2. Plasma leptin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. We also measured lipid profiles including serum total cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1), apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels, and calculated low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and CHOL to HDL-C ratio (TCHR). Girls had higher leptin, CHOL, TG, HDL-C, (LDL-C), Apo-A1, Apo-B, and Lp(a) levels and lower BMI than boys did. Plasma leptin concentrations were significantly positively correlated with TG, LDL-C, and Apo-B, but negatively with HDL-C and Apo-A1 in both the genders. Children with higher plasma leptin levels (>75th percentiles) have significantly higher TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, TCHR, and Apo-B than those with relatively lower leptin levels. In multivariate regression analyses, the association between plasma leptin level and lipid profiles (such as CHOL, TG, and Apo-B) were still significant (p < 0.05) even after adjusting for BMI among boys. However, this association became attenuated and insignificant among girls. Finally, in the model that included the standard covariates, plasma leptin was the most predictive of CHOL, TG and Apo-B levels among those school children in Taiwan. Our results suggest that plasma leptin and BMI were independently associated with the lipids and lipoprotein profiles among Taiwanese Children. In both genders, children in the top 25% of the leptin distribution have more adverse lipid and lipoprotein profiles.

Plasma leptin concentrations and obesity in relation to insulin resistance syndrome components among school children in Taiwan--The Taipei Children Heart Study.

Leptin, an adipose tissue-derived product of the obesity (OB) gene, is an important regulator of energy metabolism and may be associated with the occurrence of insulin resistance and diabetes in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma leptin concentration with obesity and the components of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) among school children in Taiwan. After multistage sampling of 85 junior high schools in Taipei, we randomly selected 1,264 children (617 boys and 647 girls) aged 12-16y. Obesity measurements included body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR). We calculated an IRS summary score for each individual by adding the quartile ranks from the distribution of systolic blood pressure (BP), serum triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol (inverse), and insulin levels. Boys had a higher BMI and WHR, BP and IRS score and lower leptin, insulin, TG and HDL-C levels than girls. BMI, WHR and plasma leptin levels were significantly associated with the IRS summary score and each of its components in both genders. Children with higher plasma leptin levels (> 75th percentiles) have significantly higher BP, TG, insulin levels and IRS score than children with low leptin levels. The associations between plasma leptin level and the IRS components and score were still significant after adjusting for BMI in boys, but less so in girls. In both genders, after adjusting for WHR, plasma leptin levels were still significantly associated with the IRS components and summary score (P< 0.001). The final model that included the standard covariates, BMI and leptin, but not WHR, was the most predictive of the IRS summary score among school children. Insulin resistance syndrome in childhood, characterized by high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia, may be an early marker of cardiovascular risk. From the present BMI and leptin in combination are the most predictive markers of insulin resistance syndrome among school children in Taiwan.

Neuroticism and Sleep-related Problems in Adolescence

To examine the relationship between neurotic personality characteristics and sleep habits/problems. A population-based cross-sectional study. NA. Nine hundred sixty five students from two junior high schools in Taipei and their parents were randomly selected in December 1993 for inclusion in the study. The response rate was 96.4% (930) for students and 88.6% (855) for parents. NA. Students were administered a sleep habit questionnaire and the Junior Eysenck Personality Inventory (JEPI) at both junior high schools in Taipei. For the JEPI, high and low neuroticism was operationally defined as scores that were one or more standard deviation above or below the sample mean, respectively. This yielded two extreme groups: high neuroticism group (n=183) and low neuroticism group (n=163). The high neuroticism group went to bed later and slept less than did the low neuroticism group. Using logistic regression, adjusting for sex and years at junior high school, the high neuroticism group had significantly different sleep habits and school performance from the low neuroticism group. Subjects in the high neuroticism group had significant risk of feelings of sleep insufficiency, tiredness, moodiness, and difficulty waking up in the morning; they also had more daytime sleepiness than did those in the low neuroticism group. The high neuroticism group also suffered from more sleep-related problems than did the low neuroticism group. The findings support the hypothesis that a high neuroticism score is associated with going to bed late on school days, short sleep duration, different sleep habits, sleep problems, and impaired daytime function in comparison with a low neuroticism score.

Clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors among obese schoolchildren: the Taipei Children Heart Study

Childhood obesity increases the risk of obesity in adulthood and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. We evaluated the clustering of CVD risk factors among obese schoolchildren in Taiwan. After multistage sampling of 85 junior high schools in Taipei, we randomly selected 1366 children (681 boys and 685 girls) aged 13.3 y (range: 12-16 y). Anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), and biochemical CVD risk factors (including blood glucose, lipid, and lipoprotein concentrations) were measured. Boys had a higher body mass index, systolic BP, and glucose concentrations than girls and girls had higher lipid and lipoprotein concentrations than boys. After adjustment for age, obese boys had a significantly higher BP, ratio of total to HDL cholesterol, and glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, and apolipoprotein B concentrations than nonobese boys. BP, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and ratio of total to HDL cholesterol were significantly different between nonobese and obese girls. Approximately 70% of obese boys had one and 25% had two or more CVD risk factors other than obesity. Obese girls had a significantly higher prevalence of high BP and a higher prevalence of CVD risk factor clustering than nonobese girls. Boys had higher glucose concentrations and BP and lower lipid concentrations than girls. We found an association between obesity and higher BP and between obesity and blood glucose and lipid concentrations for both sexes. Clustering of CVD risk factors was especially apparent among the obese children. A clustering of CVD risk factors may begin during early adolescence among the obese.