Type In Taiwan Research Articles

Performance-based assessment of roadway maintenance and rehabilitation activities from user’s perception in Taiwan

In Taiwan, even though the highway agencies have been making effort to improve the overall serviceability of the road system, more often than not, road users were not satisfied with the performance of the maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) activities. This paper focuses on the performance of M&R activities in Taiwan from the road users’ perspective. Surveys were conducted to collect the users’ perception (serving as the performance) of the M&R activities. The Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) are jointly used to quantify the performance of M&R activities. DEMATEL is employed to understand the influence among the criteria/elements, and ANP is used to determine the relative weights of the elements. It is found that the respondents were most concerned about unsafe conditions due to manhole covers, damaged manhole covers, insufficient street lighting, potholes and bumps on pavements, and uneven pavements. Furthermore, the performance of M&R activities implemented on six major road types in Taiwan is analysed using the Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) method. Based on the concept lattice and association rules derived from FCA, directions for the improvement of M&R activities are proposed.

Frequency of Low Clouds in Taiwan Retrieved from MODIS Data and Its Relation to Cloud Forest Occurrence

The relationship between satellite-derived low cloud frequency and the occurrence of tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) in Taiwan was investigated. From daily MODIS cloud mask products between 2003 and 2012 the low cloud class was extracted and mean low cloud frequency was calculated for Taiwan. This low cloud frequency map was blended with an existing plot-based vegetation classification for Taiwan to analyze the relationship between low cloud frequency and TMCF occurrence. Receiver operating characteristics curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to analyze if a relationship exists. No relationship was found for all four TMCF types taken together (AUC = 0.61) and for the dominant TMCF type, Quercus montane evergreen broad-leaved cloud forest (AUC = 0.5). Strong relationships were found for the two spatially-restricted TMCF types, Fagus montane deciduous broad-leaved cloud forest (AUC = 0.91) and Pasania-Elaeocarpus montane evergreen broad-leaved forest (AUC = 0.84), as well as for the second dominant type Chamaecyparis montane mixed cloud forest (AUC = 0.74). The results show that low cloud frequency thresholds might be associated with specific cloud forest types in Taiwan. Further studies should incorporate information about cloud base height, cloud density, and cloud immersion time as well as satellite-based cloud frequency information with a higher temporal resolution. Combination with satellite-based land cover classifications for Taiwan would allow quasi-continuous observation of TMCF changes. Such knowledge would be the precondition for effective protective actions concerning this exceptional but threatened ecosystem.

Corrigendum to: “Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type in Taiwan: A Relatively Higher Frequency of T-Cell Lineage and Poor Survival for Extranasal Tumors” [Human Pathology 2015;46:313-21

Corrigendum to: “Extranodal Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type in Taiwan: A Relatively Higher Frequency of T-Cell Lineage and Poor Survival for Extranasal Tumors” [Human Pathology 2015;46:313-21

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type in Taiwan: a relatively higher frequency of T-cell lineage and poor survival for extranasal tumors.

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, is a predominantly extranodal lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus occurring most frequently in the upper aerodigestive tract. There are limited reports on cellular origin and prognostic factors. We retrospectively investigated 73 cases with a median age of 54 years and a male-female ratio of 2.0:1. The upper aerodigestive tract (nasal group) was the most common site of involvement (51 cases; 70%). The other organs (n = 22; extranasal group) included the skin (12 cases; 16%) and gastrointestinal tract (5; 7%). Of the 70 cases with complete staging, 71% had stage I/II disease. All cases were positive for Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization. Using immunohistochemistry and clonality assay for T-cell receptor gene rearrangement, these tumors were classified into NK (n = 39; 53%), T (n = 13; 18%), and indeterminate lineage (n = 21; 29%). The only clinicopathological difference among these 3 groups was rare CD5 expression in the NK-cell group. Nasal tumors were more frequently of NK-cell origin, and extranasal tumors were equally of either T- or NK-cell origin. The 5-year overall survival rate was 35.6%. The overall survival time was shorter in the extranasal group, although there was no statistical difference in age, sex, and histologic or immunophenotypic features between the 2 groups. Excluding the cases with indeterminate lineage, 75% of cases were of NK lineage; and 25%, T lineage. Extranasal tumors were more aggressive than their nasal counterparts. A prospective national study is warranted for a better understanding of the clinicopathological and genetic features of this uncommon tumor and the prognostic factors.

The Study on Relationship Verification of e-wom and Hotel Operation Performance by Data Mining Technique

The power of e-word-of-mouth are impact Hotel industry dramatically in the recent years. The Ambassador Hotel Group is a five-star rated business hotel type in Taiwan. Quantitative and qualitative data are retrieved from internet respectively based on data mining technique. Descriptive and regression analysis approach are used for quantitative data, meanwhile, text analysis and words meaning assortment are used for qualitative data. Result demonstrated that higher internet exposure rate will impact hotel’s operating performance positively. ‘Services’ is most important factor toward reviewer’s perspective regarding hotel impression. Otherwise, ‘Services’ is most comment word appeared in the reviews. Some suggestions are mentioned base on research findings.

Long‐term seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridges under steel reinforcement corrosion due to chloride attack

SUMMARYThis work presents a new seismic evaluation methodology for corroded reinforced concrete bridges on the basis of nonlinear static pushover analysis. Corrosion of steel reinforcement by chloride attack is considered. At the material level, the effects of corrosion are considered by modeling the degradation of the mechanical properties of steel reinforcement, softening of cover concrete under compression, degradation of core concrete due to confinement steel corrosion, and reduction of bond strength between concrete and steel reinforcement. At the structural level, the effects of corrosion on both flexural behavior and shear behavior, and their interaction are considered. Eleven bridges of various structural types in Taiwan that are located within 6.5 km of their nearest coastline are analyzed to identify their long‐term seismic performance. Relationships between the yield and collapse peak ground accelerations (PGAs), and service time and corrosion level are established for each bridge. Analysis results show that chloride corrosion starts in 2–32 years. The transverse steel reinforcement typically starts corroding before the longitudinal steel reinforcement, as the former has a thicker cover. Research results show that collapse PGA reduces by 0.94% or 1.23% per 10 years when the mean value plus 1 or 2 standard deviation of the collapse PGA values are considered, respectively. Therefore, we suggest increasing the design PGA from 4.70% to 6.15% for a bridge adjacent to a coastline to ensure adequate long‐term seismic performance for 50 years, the typical design life span of a regular bridge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cell-type specificity of lung cancer associated with low-dose soil heavy metal contamination in Taiwan: An ecological study

BackgroundNumerous studies have examined the association between heavy metal contamination (including arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], mercury [Hg], nickel [Ni], lead [Pb], and zinc [Zn]) and lung cancer. However, data from previous studies on pathological cell types are limited, particularly regarding exposure to low-dose soil heavy metal contamination. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between soil heavy metal contamination and lung cancer incidence by specific cell type in Taiwan.MethodsWe conducted an ecological study and calculated the annual averages of eight soil heavy metals (i.e., As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) by using data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration from1982 to 1986. The age-standardized incidence rates of lung cancer according to two major pathological types (adenocarcinoma [AC] and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]) were obtained from the National Cancer Registry Program conducted in Taiwan from 2001 to 2005. A geographical information system was used to plot the maps of soil heavy metal concentration and lung cancer incidence rates. Poisson regression models were used to obtain the adjusted relative ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the lung cancer incidence associated with soil heavy metals.ResultsFor males, the trend test for lung SCC incidence caused by exposure to Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn showed a statistically significant dose–response relationship. However, for lung AC, only Cu and Ni had a significant dose–response relationship. As for females, those achieving a statistically significant dose–response relationship for the trend test were Cr (P = 0.02), Ni (P = 0.02), and Zn (P= 0.02) for lung SCC, and Cu (P < 0.01) and Zn (P = 0.02) for lung AC.ConclusionThe current study suggests that a dose–response relationship exists between low-dose soil heavy metal concentration and lung cancer occurrence by specific cell-type; however, the relevant mechanism should be explored further.

Classification of Taiwan forest vegetation

AbstractAimWe identify the main forest vegetation types in Taiwan, provide their formal definitions and describe their species composition, habitat affinities and distribution.LocationTaiwan.MethodsA data set of 9822 vegetation plots with environmental characteristics recorded in the field or derived from digital maps in GIS was compiled from historical literature and an extensive field survey. Using expert knowledge, 6574 of these plots were used to build a classification into broad vegetation types. The units of the resulting classification were formally defined using a Cocktail determination key, which can be used for the automatic assignment of new vegetation plots to these vegetation types.ResultsTwelve vegetation types of zonal forests and nine types of azonal forests were distinguished. Zonal types in the subtropical region, from high mountains to foothills, are Juniperus subalpine coniferous woodland, Abies–Tsuga upper‐montane coniferous forest, Chamaecyparis montane mixed cloud forest, Fagus montane deciduous broad‐leaved cloud forest, Quercus montane evergreen broad‐leaved cloud forest, Machilus–Castanopsis sub‐montane evergreen broad‐leaved forest, Phoebe–Machilus sub‐montane evergreen broad‐leaved forest and Ficus–Machilus semi‐evergreen foothill forest. Zonal types in the tropical region, from high mountains to foothills, are Pasania–Elaeocarpus montane evergreen broad‐leaved cloud forest, Drypetes–Helicia sub‐montane evergreen broad‐leaved forest, Dysoxylum–Machilus foothill evergreen broad‐leaved forest and Aglaia–Ficus foothill evergreen broad‐leaved forest. Azonal types are Illicium–Cyclobalanopsis tropical winter monsoon forest, Pyrenaria–Machilus subtropical winter monsoon forest, Diospyros–Champereia tropical rock‐outcrop forest, Zelkova–Quercus subtropical rock‐outcrop forest, Pinus successional woodland, Alnus successional woodland, Trema–Mallotus successional woodland, Scaevola–Hibiscus seashore woodland and Kandelia mangrove.ConclusionsThe diversity of forest vegetation in Taiwan is strongly structured by the temperature and moisture gradient. Along the temperature gradient, five altitudinal zones can be recognized. Azonal forest types develop at sites affected by the winter monsoon, on steep slopes, rocky soils, in seashore saline habitats and in places disturbed by fire, landslides and human activities. Zonal vegetation contains a higher ratio of endemic and Pacific species and occurs in wetter habitats, whereas azonal vegetation contains co‐existing species from different regions and usually occurs in drier habitats.

Investigation of the Effects of Different Land Use and Land Cover Patterns on Mesoscale Meteorological Simulations in the Taiwan Area

AbstractThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) land use (LU) data employed in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model classify most LU types in Taiwan as mixtures of irrigated cropland and forest, which is not an accurate representation of current conditions. The WRF model released after version 3.1 provides an alternative LU dataset retrieved from 2001 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite products. The MODIS data correctly identify most LU-type distributions, except that they represent western Taiwan as being extremely urbanized. A new LU dataset, obtained using 2007 Système Probatoire d’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) satellite imagery [from the National Central University of Taiwan (NCU)], accurately shows the major metropolitan cities as well as other land types. Three WRF simulations were performed, each with a different LU dataset. Owing to the overestimation of urban area in the MODIS data, WRF-MODIS overpredicts daytime temperatures in western Taiwan. Conversely, WRF-USGS underpredicts daytime temperatures. The temperature variation estimated by WRF-NCU falls between those estimated by the other two simulations. Over the ocean, WRF-MODIS predicts the strongest onshore sea breezes, owing to the enhanced temperature gradient between land and sea, while WRF-USGS predicts the weakest onshore flow. The intensity of the onshore breeze predicted by WRF-NCU is between those predicted by WRF-MODIS and WRF-USGS. Over Taiwan, roughness length is the key parameter influencing wind speed. WRF-USGS significantly overpredicts the surface wind speed owing to the shorter roughness length of its elements, while the surface wind speeds estimated by WRF-NCU and WRF-MODIS are in better agreement with the observed data.

Detecting Soil Water Content of Red Soil and Younger Alluvial Soil Using a Spectrometer

To provide a simple and fast alternative in measuring soil water content (SWC), a spectrometer was used to detect SWC because of different soil water contents, leading to different reflectance spectrums. Two commonly seen soil types in Taiwan are red soil and younger alluvial soil, which were used as test materials in this study. Fifty red soil samples and 50 younger alluvial soil samples were used as testing samples for comparative study. The root mean square error of SWC estimation of red soil and younger alluvial soil is 3.65 and 7.26, respectively. The results show that the estimation accuracy of red soil is higher than that of younger alluvial soil. The estimation error is random for red soil, and decreases exponentially for younger alluvial soil. Spectrometers have the potential to detect soil water content, especially in red soil. After full development of this technology, remote sensing will be applied to detect soil water content or even water-induced landslides.

Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hetero-resistant vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in a Taiwan Medical Center

Hetero-resistant vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) emerges worldwide in recent decade. The purpose of this study was to investigate the glycopeptide usage trend, the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with reduced vancomycin susceptibility, the susceptible rates to newer antimicrobials, molecular epidemiology, clinical characteristics, as well as patient outcome among S. aureus bacteremia cases in a Taiwanese medical center. From March to December 2009, among 118 S. aureus blood isolates in a Taiwanese medical center, 62 MRSA isolates were screened for hVISA by Etest macromethod and further confirmed with modified population analysis profiling method. Molecular typing of hVISA isolates was performed. Five (4.2%) isolates were hVISA. Compared with non-hVISA MRSA, hVISA isolates had higher resistant rates to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. Among the MRSA infected, patients infected with hVISA had a higher in-hospital mortality rate than non-hVISA group (60% vs. 17.5%, p=0.025). All hVISA isolates were nosocomial and had different pulsed field gel electrophoresis pulsotype. Four hVISA isolates carried type III staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and the remaining isolate carried SCCmec type II. Three of the 5 hVISA isolates belonged to sequence type 239, which is the most common type in Taiwan. Glycopeptide usage increased in the study hospital; however, these hVISA-infected patients did not receive glycopeptide treatment in the recent 6 months. Our results suggested hVISA might have disseminated in the hospital before we observed this highest hVISA rate in Taiwan and increasing glycopeptide usage might serve as selection pressure. Measures to prevent the transmission of MRSA with reduced vancomycin susceptibility and to treat such infection were urgently needed.

Factors affecting peritoneal dialysis selection in Taiwanese patients with chronic kidney disease

Taiwan has the highest incidence and prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world with 55,499 ESRD patients on long-term dialysis. Nevertheless, 90.96% of these patients are managed on maintenance haemodialysis (HD), with only 9.03% enrolled in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) programme. The study aim was to identify the factors affecting Taiwanese patient's selection of PD in preference to HD for chronic kidney disease. A cross-sectional research design was utilized with 130 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients purposively selected from outpatient nephrology clinics at four separate Taiwan hospitals. Logistic regression was used to identify the main factors affecting the patient's choice of dialysis type. Single-factor logistic regression found significant differences in opinion related to age, education level, occupation type, disease characteristics, lifestyle modifications, self-care ability, know-how of dialysis modality, security considerations and findings related to the decisions made by medical personnel (P < 0.05). Moreover, multinomial logistic regression after adjustment for interfering variables found that self-care ability and dialysis modality know-how were the two main factors affecting the person's selection of dialysis type. Self-care ability and the person's knowledge of the different types of dialysis modality and how they function were the major determinants for selection of dialysis type in Taiwan based on the results from this study. The results indicate that the education of CRF patients about the types of dialysis available is essential to enable them to understand the benefits or limitations of both types of dialysis.

A water isotope approach to assessing moisture recycling in the island‐based precipitation of Taiwan: A case study in the western Pacific

This study employs a dual‐isotope ( and ), three‐end‐member linear mixing model to semiquantitatively assess vapor contributions of advection, transpiration, and evaporation to precipitation, and to compare the extent of moisture recycling (including transpiration and evaporation) among areas of various topographic types in Taiwan, an island located in the western Pacific. The three topographic types examined are the mountainous regions, foothill regions (as represented by two reservoir stations), and coastal plains. Results indicate that the moisture fractions from advection and evapotranspiration in mountain precipitations are about 63% and 37%, respectively, and those in precipitation of plain and foothill regions are about 69% and 31%, respectively. Moreover, transpiration accounts for most of the recycling moisture while evaporation offers minor contribution. Since the transpiration fraction of recycling moisture is higher in forest mountain area than in plain/foothill region, topographic type is the major factor affecting the extent of transpiration. Nevertheless, the two reservoirs examined in this study do not offer significant contribution of recycling moisture to local precipitation. In addition to topographic type, temperature and rainfall may be two other factors controlling the extent of transpiration; transpiration would be promoted in greater rainfall regions but reduced in higher temperature areas. Additionally, about 25% of precipitation in plain/foothill region is of relocated moisture from evapotranspiration induced from forest mountains. It should be noted that this isotope‐based approach has its limitations and should be applied with caution.

Developing an Estimation Model for Resort Type Selection

This study attempted to optimize resort hotel location type in Taiwan by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Questionnaires were completed by 17 experts directly involved in tourism development projects. Analytical results indicated that while industry professionals, government authorities and resort investors considered all five dimensions of Porter's Diamond Model (that is factor endowments; demand conditions; firm strategy, structure and rivalry; related and supporting industries and government) important, each group ranked their relative importance differently. Finally, a recommended solution was presented and analyzed based on the business strategic plan.

Influence of Opening Ratio on the Energy Conservation of Residential Building

This study aims to simplify the calculation steps as a reference for architects to check if the estimated value of ratio of equivalent transparency (Req) can meet the basic requirement of code. This study uses simulation tool to analyze the variations on energy conservation of residential buildings by two general residential building types in Taiwan. Basing the analysis data, this study finds out the 16-orientation minima and maxima energy conservation values and then establishes a guideline. The findings reveal if we control the ratio of opening of building envelop not exceeding 24% on terraced houses and not exceeding 38% on retail shops, the design can meet the basic requirement of code in all orientations.

Secular trend of genome types of respiratory adenovirus type 3 during 1983–2005: a study from Taiwan

Genome type analysis of adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) in Taiwan identified four types (Ad3a, Ad3a2, Ad3a1, Ad3-7) during 1983-2005. Ad3a was the major type during 1983-1999, while Ad3a2 was the predominant type from 2001 to 2005. Phylogenetic analysis of the hexon gene of 23 isolates revealed that most Ad3a2 and Ad3-7 isolates belonged to one cluster, and most Ad3a isolates to the other cluster. The clinical manifestations included respiratory tract infections, acute gastroenteritis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, febrile convulsion and pharyngoconjunctival fever. In conclusion, Ad3a2 has replaced Ad3a as the most common genome type in Taiwan since 2001.

Issues and proposed improvements regarding condominium management in Taiwan

Condominiums are a very significant housing type in Taiwan, and the number of condominiums being constructed is increasing each year. Whether or not the condominiums are managed appropriately will significantly influence the sustainable development of Taiwan's living environment. Therefore, this study aims to identify the issues of condominium management in Taiwan and suggest some improvements. First, the current status of condominium management in Taiwan is clarified. Next, the major issues of condominium management are identified based on a questionnaire survey and interviews with experts. Furthermore, the results of this study are compared with the corresponding data in Japan. This study identified three characteristics of the current status of condominium management in Taiwan, namely, safe usage, limited facility management and unprofessional condominium management. In addition, this study identified the following major issues of condominium management: imperfect condominium bylaws and associated regulations, unplanned condominium operations, limited type of community activities, inappropriate maintenance of buildings, insufficient reserves of renovation funds, poor management of documents, differences in the level of satisfaction with the condominium management between the management committees and occupants, and weak government assistance toward the condominium management. Finally, this study proposed measures that can be adopted by both organizations of condominium management and the Taiwanese government to improve the condominium management.

Hospital ownership and performance: Evidence from stroke and cardiac treatment in Taiwan

This paper compares program expenditure and treatment quality of stroke and cardiac patients between 1997 and 2000 across hospitals of various ownership types in Taiwan. Because Taiwan implemented national health insurance in 1995, the analysis is immune from problems arising from the complex setting of the U.S. health care market, such as segmentation of insurance status or multiple payers. Because patients may select admitted hospitals based on their observed and unobserved characteristics, we employ instrument variable (IV) estimation to account for the endogeneity of ownership status. Results of IV estimation find that patients admitted to non-profit hospitals receive better quality care, either measured by 1- or 12-month mortality rates. In terms of treatment expenditure, our results indicate no difference between non-profits and for-profits index admission expenditures, and at most 10% higher long-term expenditure for patients admitted to non-profits than to for-profits.

Relational benefits, switching barriers and loyalty: A study of airline customers in Taiwan

A model of looking at switching barriers and customer loyalty stemming from customer relational benefits is developed. In-depth interviews with airline customers revealed that, in addition to confidence, social, and special treatment benefits originally identified in the Western cultural context, ‘respect benefits’ surfaced as an additional relational benefit type in Taiwan. The hypotheses were tested using data collected from airline relational customers. Results showed that social benefits and confidence benefits had significant and positive influences on switching barriers and certain relational benefits had a larger effect on switching barriers and customer loyalty than others.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Canine Parvovirus VP2 Gene in Taiwan

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a non-enveloped virus with a single-stranded DNA genome and causes infectious enteritis in dog. In this study, 36 isolates of CPV infection were obtained in Taichung, Taiwan from 2003 to 2004. Using primers that can distinguish subtypes of CPV, we amplified part of viral VP2 gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PCR product was sequenced; results demonstrated that two isolates could be classified as type 2a of CPV and the others were type 2b. The complete coding region of VP2 gene of type 2b was also sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis of these DNA sequences revealed that our Taichung isolate was close to the V-120, FPV-314, 97-008, Taiwan 9, LCPV-T1, and T4 isolates; however, because of the degeneracy of codons, the amino acid sequences of Taichung isolate was similar to that of the 97-008 isolate from Japan. It is known that two important amino acid residues (Asn-426 in type 2a and Asp-426 in type 2b; Ile-555 in type 2a and Val-555 in type 2b) are the determinants for the discrimination of type 2a or type 2b. After scrutinizing the complete VP2 gene of our Taichung isolate, we found the VP2 protein of the Taichung isolate did possess this molecular feature of type 2b virus. Previous studies reported that type 2a virus was the major type in Taiwan; our finding showed that CPV type 2b was the predominant type in the middle part of Taiwan. Moreover, a unique Ala-489 in VP2 of our Taichung isolate was found, contrasting to a Val-489 in the VP2 of other strains.