A study of the development of contemporary monasteries in Taiwan

This study investigates the modernization of Buddhist Monasteries, as illustrated by three famous monasteries in Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan, Ten Directions Monastery, and Chung Tai Chan Temple. With these three case studies, on one hand we can compare them with traditional Buddhist architecture; on the other hand, we can also observe whether the space form and building style of Buddhist architecture had adjusted, transformed or even changed accordingly as a whole, while the Buddhist monasteries in Taiwan were, at that time, facing the modernization of Buddhism.     

Effects of hydraulic pressure on cardiomyoblasts in a microfluidic device

We employed a microfluidic device to study the effects of hydraulic pressure on cardiomyoblast H9c2. The 170 mm Hg pressure increased the cellular area and the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide. With the same device, we demonstrated that the effects of hydraulic pressure on the cardiomyoblast could be reduced by the inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase. This mechanical–chemical antagonism could lead to a potential therapeutic strategy of hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy.     

Microwells support high-resolution time-lapse imaging and development of preimplanted mouse embryos

A vital aspect affecting the success rate of in vitro fertilization is the culture environment of the embryo. However, what is not yet comprehensively understood is the affect the biochemical, physical, and genetic requirements have over the dynamic development of human or mouse preimplantation embryos. The conventional microdrop technique often cultures embryos in groups, which limits the investigation of the microenvironment of embryos. We report an open microwell platform, which enables micropipette manipulation and culture of embryos in defined sub-microliter volumes without valves. The fluidic environment of each microwell is secluded from others by layering oil on top, allowing for non-invasive, high-resolution time-lapse microscopy, and data collection from each individual embryo without confounding factors. We have successfully cultured mouse embryos from the two-cell stage to completely hatched blastocysts inside microwells with an 89% success rate (n = 64), which is comparable to the success rate of the contemporary practice. Development timings of mouse embryos that developed into blastocysts are statistically different to those of embryos that failed to form blastocysts (p–value < 10⁻¹⁰, two-tailed Student''s t-test) and are robust indicators of the competence of the embryo to form a blastocyst in vitro with 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Embryos at the cleavage- or blastocyst-stage following the normal development timings were selected and transferred to the uteri of surrogate female mice. Fifteen of twenty-two (68%) blastocysts and four of ten (40%) embryos successfully developed into normal baby mice following embryo transfer. This microwell platform, which supports the development of preimplanted embryos and is low-cost, easy to fabricate and operate, we believe, opens opportunities for a wide range of applications in reproductive medicine and cell biology.     

Development of an instrument for assessing senior high school students’ preferred and perceived laboratory classroom environment

This study aimed to develop an instrument, named the inquiry-based laboratory classroom environment instrument (ILEI), for assessing senior high-school science students’ preferred and perceived laboratory environment. A total of 262 second-year students, from a senior-high school in Taiwan, were recruited for this study. Four stages were included in the development of the ILEI: (1) item formulation, (2) content validation, (3) construct validation and (4) reliability calculation. The study revealed that the ILEI was valid and reliable. Most students showed a preference for a student-directed and teacher-guided hybrid learning environment. The development of the ILEI is likely to help researchers and teachers to more effectively understand student views of the laboratory classroom environment. Our profound hope is to utilise ILEI to improve teachers’ assessment and students’ learning in inquiry-based laboratory classroom environments.     

Cognitive load and knowledge sharing in Learning Networks

Learning Networks (LNs) are online social networks designed to support nonformal learning; they are therefore particularly suitable for self-directed learners. In LNs, learners need to construct knowledge through knowledge sharing with other participants. However, without support, learners have to organize knowledge sharing themselves and this could induce extraneous cognitive load. When working on complex learning tasks, this organizing process could have a detrimental effect on knowledge construction. To optimize cognitive load, we propose using a peer support system that applies the mechanisms of peer tutoring to support knowledge sharing. Its mechanisms reduce, we argue, the extraneous load imposed by having to organize knowledge sharing as well as induce germane load by directing the freed-up cognitive capacity to processes that contribute to knowledge construction.     

A walsh series direct method for solving variational problems

This paper establishes a clear procedure for the variational problem solution via the Walsh functions.technique. First the Walsh functions are introduced and their properties briefly summarized. Then an operational matrix is derived for integration use. The variational problems are solved by means of the direct method using the Walsh series. An illustrative example and a practical application to a heat conduction problem are included.     

自媒体时代的企业网络舆情应对策略研究 ——基于上市公司百度指数的研究

【目的/意义】本文重点考察50 家上市公司对舆情事件的干预措施对百度指数变化的影响。【方法/过程】以 百度指数和“东方财富”网的“股吧”模块作为数据搜集平台,利用stata 固定效应模型将舆情指数的变化与干预方 式、干预时机、干预频率合在一起的回归分析。【结果/结论】研究发现,越及早、越主动频繁的干预,舆情变化指数越 小,也就是舆情所带来的冲击对公司的影响越小。     

Weather observers: a manipulative augmented reality system for weather simulations at home,in the classroom,and at a museum

This study focused on how to enhance the interactivity and usefulness of augmented reality (AR) by integrating manipulative interactive tools with a real-world environment. A manipulative AR (MAR) system, which included 3D interactive models and manipulative aids, was designed and developed to teach the unit “Understanding Weather” in a natural science course, and to bridge a formal learning environment (i.e. school), non-formal (i.e. at a museum), and informal learning environments (i.e. home). Sixty-four sixth-grade students (12–13 years old) from four classes in Taipei City were enrolled in a seven-week general studies course entitled “Natural and Life Science and Technology”, and they were divided into an experimental group (31 students who used the MAR system) and a control group (33 students who used multimedia teaching resources). After seven weeks of experiments, the results revealed that integrating the MAR system into inquiry-based field study made a greater positive impact on the students' academic achievement and motivation compared to the multimedia teaching resources installed on a tablet PC. Additionally, there were two interesting findings: (1) the MAR system offered effective learning materials relative to the multimedia teaching resources and (2) manipulative aids were an effective learning tool for interactivity and usefulness of AR. Besides, there were two meaningful suggestions associated with designing and developing the AR educational system for future researchers and designers, namely make it easy to use and include manipulative aids.