This target paper builds on previous literature in Budai Rukai to develop a nuanced framework for examining the syllable structure and the impact of Chinese language education on speakers' judgments. It demonstrates new dimensions of overarching corroboration of intonational phonology and is a worthwhile endeavor. In this commentary, I address the issues of elicitation tasks and language contact by illustrating that the syllable structure of Budai Rukai is still undergoing age-related changes and remains to be discussed.

In this paper, I explore multilingual preventative public health messages against the spread of COVID-19 in Taiwan between January and April 2020. Based on empirical data, the symbolic and substantive content of multilingual top-down and bottom-up public health strategies was analyzed and discussed. Findings suggest that the voices of indigenous people have largely been excluded from top-down efforts and strategies in public health communications. Top-down communication did not address the actual concerns of indigenous populations who relied on tourism to bolster their economy. Bottom-up efforts emerged from social exclusion and the inaccessibility of public health information to indigenous populations; such efforts were over-communicated, and the problems of indigenous populations remained unaddressed. I conclude by relating multilingualism and the needs of minority groups, and suggest an inclusive approach to social challenges and solutions for future pandemic preparedness.

The telecommunications industry has undergone significant evolvement from fixed to mobile substitution (FMS) to fixed mobile convergence (FMC) and now to over-the-top (OTT) services due to the huge rise in data usage. This paper explores efficiency variation during the period 2012–2017 for the top 41 global telecom operators in Forbes Global, 2000. Based on the data envelopment analysis (DEA) meta-frontier approach to reflect differences in production functions, the empirical results herein show that the number of operators achieving technical efficiency with respect to the meta-frontier fell from 13 firms in 2012 to 10 firms in 2013 to 8 firms in 2014 to 8 firms in 2015 and then to 7 firms in 2016, but then rose to 11 firms in 2017, displaying the impact from rise in OTT. For the mobile-only group, the average technical efficiency with respect to the meta-frontier is 0.841, which is superior to the fixed-mobile group's 0.774 and the fixed-only group's 0.714, and the group difference is significant among the three facilities-based groups. The meta-frontier estimation suggests that the fixed-mobile group has the highest meta-technology ratio (MTR) of 0.901 versus the mobile-only group's 0.886 and fixed-only group's 0.718. The empirical results offer policy implications for regulators to encourage telecom operators to have fixed-mobile operations. We further suggest that telecom operators cooperate with OTT service providers and invest in them in order to take advantage of people's more personalized digital life.

A new silica adsorbent, C7C6CalixSi, was prepared by intermolecular hybridization. It was achieved by introducing and immobilizing a macrocyclic C7C6Calix into the pores of the hybrid silica carrier specially developed. FT-IR, SME, TG-DSC, BET, and XAR were utilized to characterize the structure of the adsorbent. C7C6Calix was successfully introduced into the macroporous silica carrier by self-assembly. The adsorption of Cs and other typical metals toward C7C6CalixSi was investigated in the range of 0.4 to 5.0 M HNO3 center dot C7C6CalixSi had an excellent adsorption ability and selectivity for Cs over others, except for Rb. The adsorption capacity of Cs was 0.1233 mM/g at the optimal adsorption conditions of 1.0 M HNO3, 298 K, and a contact time of 120 min. The experimental results fitted well with the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic parameters Delta H degrees, Delta G degrees, and Delta S degrees of Cs uptake were obtained. The stability of C7C6CalixSi was evaluated by TOC content. Some valuable adsorption data of the silica adsorbent in the chemical engineering were obtained. The results revealed that C7C6CalixSi is promising for Cs removal.

The purpose of this paper tries to explore what are the key factors to influence customers to choose an airline. The research assesses the service quality, brand image, perceived value and customer loyalty on Taiwan-based airlines. The study analyzes the data by applying structure equation modeling (SEM) from valid 560 questionnaires surveyed in the airports. To validate the measurement model, this study checks scale reliability, overall model fit, and validity using the CFA technology. Moreover, the two major indicators including convergence validity and discriminate validity were employed to assess scale validity. Many prior studies had proved that brand image has a positive influence on perceived value, this study had validated that perceived value has also a positive influence on brand image. The brand image assists in the relation between service quality and loyalty, and perceived value strengthens their relationship. Furthermore, brand image and perceived value mediate the effect of service quality on customer loyalty to display a distal effect. The strategic implications for the effects of service quality lead to repurchase intention and loyalty inclination, which are contributed to both scholarly advancement of knowledge and the state of managerial practice.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships among customer satisfaction of the 7Ps marketing mix, loyalty, customer retention, and market competitive status. This paper applies structural equation modelling to measure the satisfaction level of service quality by analysing the 7Ps service marketing mix to include the variables of product, pricing, place, promotion, physical evidence, process, and people in the Taiwan mobile market. The data are assessed and analysed based on 620 valid questionnaires via face-to-face interviews with subscribers of five operators. The results indicate that customer loyalty mediates the relationship between customer satisfaction and retention. The competitive status of market first-movers or followers moderates the relationships among customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention. A firm's competitive status moderates the direct effect of customer satisfaction on retention, and the first-mover group is superior to the follower group for this effect. A firm's competitive status moderates the indirect effect between customer satisfaction and retention through loyalty, and the follower group is superior to the first-mover group for this effect. The findings provide management insights about the effects of satisfaction on retention and the effects of a customer's cognitive framework on the firm's competitive strategies.

This study was conducted to explore how smartphone addicts decide to adopt a smartphone brand with the related variables of product attributes, brand image, customer perceived value and purchase intension, and find out whether there exists a mediation and moderated mediation effect. The factors to influence the purchase decision of smartphone brands were investigated in order to measure the satisfaction levels of eight product attributes and to verify the indirect and moderated mediation effects by path analytic methods. This research collected 600 valid questionnaires through face-to-face market surveys with a total of 420 usable responded data. The empirical results proved that the satisfaction of product attributes is positively related to purchase intention, and brand image positively mediates the relationship between the satisfaction of product attributes and purchase intention. The perceived value positively moderates the relationship between the satisfaction of product attributes and purchase intention through brand image. Moreover, when the value of the perceived value is higher, the positive relevance between product attributes and brand image will be strengthened. The findings for strategic implications and how to enhance the purchase intention are provided for the addicts, mobile operators, smartphone manufacturers and the academia for further study.

Exploring the Mediated and Moderated Effects of Operator Service Quality on Customer Retention: Evidence from Taiwan’s Mobile Market

This study was conducted by integrating the data envelopment analysis efficiencies of the leading smartphone brands of Apple, Samsung and HTC in the period 2008-2013 with customer importance-satisfaction analysis in Taiwan's mobile market. This study collected 450 valid questionnaires with 150 questionnaires covering each company to measure the 7P's marketing mix of service quality levels in the Greater Taipei metropolitan regions. Samsung was the top ranking performer in customer satisfaction, verifying its achievement of capturing the world's number one smartphone market share. Apple revealed the highest customer loyalty and enjoyed high stickiness. The attribute of ease of use' with customer high importance-high satisfaction is the common key driver for Apple, Samsung and HTC in keeping up good work. Regression analysis is applied to test the five hypotheses which are all supported to link the integrated relationship between efficiency, satisfaction and loyalty. When the consumer loyalty level is higher, then the higher is the manufacturer's efficiency. When the consumer satisfaction level of the product is higher, then the higher is the manufacturer's efficiency. When the consumer satisfaction is higher, then the higher is the loyalty as well. The findings for management implications and how to improve their business excellence in this sector are provided.

25,27-Bis(1-hexyloxy)-calix[4]arene-26,28-crown-6 (HexylCalix[4]C6) was synthesized. A new macroporous silica-based composite material, HexylCalix[4]C6@SiO2, was prepared through impregnation and immobilization of HexylCalix[4]C6 into the SiO2-P particles. The adsorption of 17 species of typical metals onto HexylCalix[4]C6@SiO2 in the range of 0.3-5.0 M HNO3 was investigated. The material exhibited strong adsorption ability and excellent selectivity for Cs(I) over all the tested metals except for Rb(I) and Pd(II). The optimum HNO3 concentration and the adsorption mechanism of Cs(I) onto the material were discussed. The solubility of HexylCalix[4]C6@SiO2 in aqueous phase was evaluated by total organic carbon (TOC). The technical feasibility of application of Hexyl Calix[4]C6@SiO2 in Cs(I) separation was confirmed.

Journal Article Atomic Resolution Tomography of Magnetically Anisotropic FePt Nanoparticles Get access Mary Scott, Mary Scott Department of Physics & Astronomy and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar C-C Chen, C-C Chen Department of Physics & Astronomy and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Hao Zeng, Hao Zeng Department of Physics, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Peter Ercius, Peter Ercius National Center for Electron Microscopy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar John Miao John Miao Department of Physics & Astronomy and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Microscopy and Microanalysis, Volume 20, Issue S3, 1 August 2014, Pages 804–805, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927614005741 Published: 27 August 2014

In this study, molybdenum doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Mo, MZO) transparent conductive films were prepared by using pulsed DC magnetron sputtering on glass substrates. The mechanical properties of MZO films under various film preparation parameters were investigated. Experimental results show that the amount of Mo doping with 1.81 wt % has the highest elastic modulus and hardness. The hardness of MZO film increased in conjunction with the deposition power, film thickness, and substrate temperature. The elastic modulus of MZO film increased in conjunction only with the deposition power and film thickness. The elastic modulus or hardness of MZO film is a function of the tilt angle of the crystal deposited. The values of the elastic modulus of the MZO films are in the range 110 ~ 130 GPa.

Two different repair mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are suggested to participate in the repair of acute lung injury (ALI): (i) Cell engraftment mechanism, (ii) Paracrine/endocrine mechanism. However, the exact roles they play in the repair remain unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of paracrine/endocrine mechanism using a novel intrapleural delivery method of MSCs. Either 1 x 106 MSCs in 300 mu l of PBS or 300 mu l PBS alone were intrapleurally injected into rats with endotoxin-induced ALI. On days 1, 3 or 7 after injections, samples of lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected from each rat for assessment of lung injury, biochemical analysis and histology. The distribution of MSCs was also traced by labelling the cells with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI). MSCs intrapleural injection significantly improved LPS-induced lung histopathology compared with PBS-treated group at day 3. There was also a significant decrease in total cell counts and protein concentration in BALF at day 7 in the MSCs -treated rats compared to PBS control group. Tracking the DAPI-marked MSCs showed that there were no exotic MSCs in the lung parenchyma. MSCs administration resulted in a down-regulation of pro-inflammatory response to endotoxin by reducing TNF-a both in the BALF and in the lung, while up-regulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the lung. In conclusion, treatment with intrapleural MSCs administration markedly attenuates the severity of endotoxin-induced ALI. This role is mediated by paracrine/endocrine repair mechanism of MSCs rather than by the cell engraftment mechanism.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) have therapeutic potential in acute lung injury (ALI). Hypoxia‐induced mitogenic factor (HIMF) is a lung‐specific growth factor that participates in a variety of lung diseases. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic role of BM‐MSC transplantation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ induced ALI and assessed the importance of HIMF in MSC transplantation. MSCs were isolated and identified, and untransduced MSCs, MSCs transduced with null vector or MSCs transduced with a vector encoding HIMF were transplanted into mice with LPS‐induced ALI. Histopathological changes, cytokine expression and indices of lung inflammation and lung injury were assessed in the various experimental groups. Lentiviral transduction did not influence the biological features of MSCs. In addition, transplantation of BM‐MSCs alone had significant therapeutic effects on LPS‐induced ALI, although BM‐MSCs expressing HIMF failed to improve the histopathological changes observed with lung injury. Unexpectedly, tumour necrosis factor α levels in lung tissues, lung oedema and leucocyte infiltration into lungs were even higher after the transplantation of MSCs expressing HIMF, followed by a significant increase in lung hydroxyproline content and α‐smooth muscle actin expression on day 14, as compared to treatment with untransduced MSCs. BM‐MSC transplantation improved LPS‐induced lung injury independent of HIMF.

In this study, Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films were deposited onto bi-layer Mo coated soda-lime glass by sputtering a chalcopyrite CIGS quaternary alloy target. The influence of sputtering power and substrate temperature on the characterization of CIGS precursor films was investigated. Experimental results demonstrate that the CIGS quaternary target has the characteristics of chalcopyrite structures. The samples deposited at a sputter power of 1.5 W/cm(2) (both as-deposited and after annealing) exhibited superior uniformity, and the phenomenon of composition loss resulting from annealing was not drastic. The composition distribution of as-deposited film produced at a substrate temperature 373 K approached that of ideal stoichiometry.

This paper explores the system dynamics competition of Taiwan's mobile service industry for the period: from 1998 to 2009. By using the system dynamics approach, the purpose is to construct Taiwan's mobile operating model based on six subsystems of operators' numbers, subscribers, costs, price, revenue and profit. The principal findings conclude that the system behavior patterns of operators' numbers and price are 'eroding goals' archetypes, subscribers and costs are 'limits to growth' archetypes, revenue is a 'shifting the burden' archetype, while profit is a 'growth and underinvestment' archetype. From the Taiwan's developed experience of PHS and 2G technologies, it is predicting that the operator numbers are very likely to be minimized to a certain goal level irrespective of 3G and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks from the long-term viewpoint of market dynamic competition. Facing the current status of mobile market saturations, whether or not there is still space for new entrants to achieve profit deserves regulators to reconsider the effects of a telecommunications policy. Since Taiwan's mobile market has gone to the saturation level, if the operators strengthen the reinforcing loops to invest a large amount of money and mental effort in order to grow subscribers, this may lead to limited improvement for any substantial profit. Furthermore, Taiwan's three leading precursors should facilitate to achieve their 3G-coverage rate and seriously consider termination of their 2G network service in order to reduce the costs in the near future.

The trend to integrate fixed-line and mobile service is emerging in the telecom industry. This paper compares the efficiency of fixed-mobile telcos which off er both fixed-line and mobile services with fixed-only and mobile-only telcos for the period 2000-2007. The DEA (data envelopment analysis) method is employed to measure the relative efficiency of the three carrier groups. These sample operators are leading companies in the telecom industry based upon their rankings in Forbes global 2000 and are divided into the three operating models of mobile-only, fixed-only, and fixed-mobile service. The empirical results show that there are significant differences among the three groups and for each year across the 8-year period. The strategic decision not to spin-off the mobile business from fixed-mobile operations was correct. In the future, it is anticipated that a single operating license will authorize the provision of the integrated services of fixed-line, data, mobile, and broadcasting. Therefore, from the long-term perspective the future for fixed-mobile service carriers is promising.

To develop a method to deliver mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the pleural cavity for the treatment of pleural diseases. MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow of rats and labeled with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) using a lentiviral vector. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were inoculated intrapleurally with 1×106 MSCs-DAPI. The distribution of the fluorescent cells was observed using fluorescent microscopy for the following 30 d. Another 12 rats inoculated intrapleurally with 1×106 MSCs-GFP were observed for 14 d. The isolated cells were typical MSC phenotypes and could differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts in vitro. Microscopic analysis revealed that the labeled cells adhered to the surface of the pleural cavity. The highest number of the labeled cells was found to be adhered to all specimens from the mediastinal pleura, but no labeled cells were detected in the lung parenchyma or other tissues/organs, such as the liver, kidney, spleen, and mesenterium. Incidentally, stomas were found in the mediastinal pleura. The recovered MSCs-GFP from the pleural cavity retained their ability to adhere and proliferate. We have established a novel method for intrapleural delivery of MSCs. The distribution of intrapleurally delivered MSCs was found to be limited to the pleurae and the pleural cavity, thereby providing us with a new approach to further investigation of the therapeutic roles of MSCs in pleural diseases.

This paper investigates the contact-induced prosody in Budai Rukai, an Austronesian language spoken in Taiwan. By providing phonetic representations of word stress shift in Budai Rukai, the contact-induced prosody has been further verified. The contrastive stress in the Budai dialect is in the process of developing predictable penultimate stress resulting in innovations in new settlements. Budai Rukai speakers who have frequent contact with Paiwan speakers tend to produce the Paiwan stress patterns. The prosodic change has applied an optional rule of extrametricality, and echo vowels have been treated as proper vowels in the varieties. Antepenultimate stress becomes penultimate stress in trisyllabic or longer prosodic words, with a release from extrametricality. Results also suggest that speaker variability affected the stress shift in Budai Rukai.