The Promotion of English in East Asia at the Turn of the 21st Century: A Politico-Economic and Socio-Cultural Review

( Han-yi Lin ) 범태평양 응용언어학회 2018 범태평양응용언어학회지 Vol.22 No.1

This research provides an interdisciplinary and contextual study on the phenomenon of English promotion at the turn of the 21st century. Through documentary research and semi-structured interviews, it examines the politicoeconomic and socio-cultural dimensions of English promotion in the context of East Asian countries, including China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. It is suggested that in East Asian societies where economic development, education, and cultivation of manpower are emphasized, English as an acquirable competence is given high socio-cultural value due to its strong association with economic well-being. English is considered the resolution of national competitiveness and a prerequisite of individual economic achievement, and it not only leads to a series of economics-driven language and education policies but also boosts the economy of English-related industries in these non-Englishspeaking East Asian countries. Overall, English promotion in East Asia is an economics-and-politics-driven, self-justifying mechanism which illustrates how the value of English and the social and individual investment on English teaching and learning are legitimated and how English as commodity is marketed through a synthesis of discourses, presuppositions, and national policies.

The Ideological Construction of English: A Critical Review on the Discourse of English in East Asia

( Han Yi Lin ) 범태평양응용언어학회 2014 범태평양응용언어학회지 Vol.18 No.1

This research investigates the ideological character of the English language in East Asia. It focuses on the prevailing beliefs, values and propositions relating to English as a global language and the spread of English in the non-English East Asian countries, namely China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. By analyzing how English is presented in governmental and educational documents, news reports and advertisement, it examines the presentation and construction of discourses and explores public assumptions on the English language. First, in the second section, it reviews the development of English in East Asia in the late 20th and early 21st century. The third section discusses the relations between language, ideology and discourse. Section Four illustrates the research questions and the rationale and hypothesis of this study. In the fifth section, the construction of discourses concerning English and ideological assumptions regarding the English language in these East Asian countries is investigated. Finally, discourses and presuppositions identified in the texts and their implications are discussed. This study suggests that discourses concerning English in East Asia are conditioned by the external global structure and the local socio-cultural context. Concepts such as globalization, internationalization, economic development, national competitiveness and individual competitiveness influence the discourses on English. In the context of East Asia, the ideology of English consequently functions as part of the mechanisms involved in the global spread of English.

Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers, Especially Fibrinogen to Albumin Ratio, Predict Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Lin Fang,Fei-Hu Yan,Chao Liu,Jing Chen,Dan Wang,Chun-Hui Zhang,Chang-Jie Lou,Jie Lian,Yang Yao,Bo-Jun Wang,Rui-Yang Li,Shu-Ling Han,Yi-Bing Bai,Jia-Ni Yang,Zhi-Wei Li,Yan-Qiao Zhang 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.1

Purpose Systemic inflammatory response is a critical factor that promotes the initiation and metastasis of malignancies including pancreatic cancer (PC). This study was designed to determine and compare the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC. Materials and Methods Three hundred fifty-three patients with resectable PC and 807 patients with locally advan-ced or metastatic PC were recruited in this study. These patients were classified into a training set (n=758) and a validation set (n=402). Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze prognosis. Results Overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients with resectable PC with low preoperative PLR (p=0.048) and MLR (p=0.027). Low FAR, MLR, NLR (p < 0.001), and PLR (p=0.003) were significantly associated with decreased risk of death for locally advanced or metastatic PC patients. FAR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.522; 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.261 to 1.837; p < 0.001) and MLR (HR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.017 to 1.532; p=0.034) were independent prognostic factors for locally advanced or metastatic PC. Conclusion The prognostic roles of FAR, MLR, NLR, and PLR in resectable PC and locally advanced or metastatic PC were different. FAR showed the most prognostic power in locally advanced or metastatic PC. Low FAR was positively correlated with OS in locally advanced or metastatic PC, which could be used to predict the prognosis.

Weight Gain in Pregnancy, Maternal Age and Gestational Age in Relation to Fetal Macrosomia

( Yi Li ),( Qi-fei Liu ),( Dan Zhang ),( Ying Shen ),( Kui Ye ),( Han-lin Lai ),( Hai-qing Wang ),( Chuan-lai Hu ),( Qi-hong Zhao ),( Li Li ) 한국임상영양학회 2015 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.4 No.2

To investigate the possible risk factors related to macrosomia. Pregnant women and their newborns (n = 1041) were recruited from a cohort study in Maternal and Child Care Center of Hefei from January 2011 to July 2012. Questionnaires were applied to collect the demographic data besides the medical records. Detailed health records of the entire pregnancy were obtained using retrospective study. Meanwhile the data of neonatal outcomes was prospectively tracked. Associations between exposure risk factors and macrosomia were analyzed using Pearson’s chi squared test. Logistic regression models were used to assess the independent association between these potential predictors and macrosomia. The incidence of macrosomia of this cohort was 11.24% of which male: female = 2.55:1. Male incidence (8.07%) of macrosomia was higher than female (3.17%), p < 0.001. Body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy (pre-BMI), maternal height, parity were not independently associated with macrosomia; multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that macrosomia was mainly independently associated with weight gain in pregnancy (OR=1.14,95% CI [1.10-1.19]), maternal age (OR = 1.09,95% CI [1.03-1.15]) and gestational age (OR = 1.62,95% CI [1.31-1.99]), respectively. Our findings indicate that weight gain in pregnancy, maternal age and gestational age should be considered as independent risk factors for macrosomia.

Factors Influencing Intention to Receive Examination of Diabetes Complications

Yi-Lin Hsieh,Fang-Hsin Lee,Chien-Liang Chen,Ming-Fong Chang,Pei-Hsuan Han 한국간호과학회 2016 Asian Nursing Research Vol.10 No.4

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the situation of diabetes patients receiving examinations for diabetes complications and to explore the factors influencing their intention to receive examinations for diabetes complications. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed that included 251 diabetes patients who visited outpatient clinics in Southern Taiwan. A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from October 2015 to January 2016. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, perceived susceptibility to diabetes complications, perceived seriousness of diabetes complications, perceived benefits of taking action to receive diabetes complication examinations, perceived barriers to taking action to receive diabetes complication examinations, and the intention to receive diabetes complication examinations. The data were analyzed using regression analysis. Results: The percentage of participants who received fundus, foot, and kidney examinations was 67.7%, 61.4%, and 73.3%, respectively. Every point increase on the perceived barriers to taking action to receive diabetes complication examinations scale increased the intention to receive a foot examination in the following year by 0.91 times (p = .002), and every point increase on the perceived susceptibility to diabetes complications scale increased the intention to receive a kidney examination in the following year by 1.19 times (p = .045). Conclusions: Nurses should shoulder the responsibility to increase patients' intention to receive examination of diabetes complications. The results of this study can be used to promote nurses' care efficacy in preventing diabetes complications. They can also provide medical institutions with information to establish prevention and control policies for diabetes complications.

Appraise and analysis of dynamical stability of cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation training robot

Yan-lin Wang,Ke-yi Wang,Wan-li Wang,Peng-cheng Yin,Zhuang Han 대한기계학회 2019 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.33 No.11

This paper presents a problem that traditional methods cannot evaluate the dynamical stability of the under-constraint cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation training robot (CLLRTR). An analytical method is presented to evaluate the dynamical stability of CLLRTR. Firstly, position performance factor, posture performance factor and cable tension performance factor are defined based on the kinematics and dynamics of CLLRTR. An appraisal index and method of the dynamical stability for CLLRTR with the hybrid force-position-pose approach is proposed by using the weighted average method among three performance factors. Secondly, the stable workspace and robustness workspace with the external forces are defined according to the stability margin. Finally, the simulation analysis and the experimental study are used to illustrate the distribution of the dynamical stability in the whole workspace of CLLRTR. The results show that the experimental results are the same as the theoretical simulation analysis results. So the appraisal index of the dynamical stability can be used to evaluate the dynamical stability of CLLRTR. It will provide a foundation for the trajectory planning and control strategy of CLLRTR training pattern.

Order Promising Rolling Planning with ATP/CTP Reallocation Mechanism

Juin-Han Chen,James T. Lin,Yi-Sheng Wu 대한산업공학회 2008 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.7 No.1

Available-to-promise (ATP) exhibiting availability of manufacturing resources can be used to support customer order promising. Recently, one advanced function called Capable-to-promise (CTP) is provided by several modern APS (advanced planning system) that checks available capacity for placing new production orders or increasing already scheduled production orders. At the customer enquiry stage while considering the order delivery date and quantity to quote, both ATP and CTP are allocated to support order promising. In particular, current trends of mass customization and multi-side production chain derive several new constraints that should be considered when ATP/CTP allocation planning for order promising - such as customer’s preference plants or material vendors, material compatibility, etc. Moreover, ATP/CTP allocation planning would be executed over a rolling time horizon. To utilize capacity and material manufacturing resource flexibly and fulfill more customer orders, ATP/CTP rolling planning should possess resource reallocation mechanism under the constraints of order quantities and delivery dates for all previous order promising. Therefore, to enhance order promising with reliability and flexibility to reallocate manufacturing resource, the ATP/CTP reallocation planning mechanism is needed in order to reallocate material and capacity resource for fulfilling all previous promised and new customer orders beneficially with considering new derived material and capacity constraints.

Nuclear Theranostics in Taiwan

Ko-Han Lin,Yi-Wei Chen,Rheun-Chuan Lee,Ling-Wei Wang,Fong-In Chou,Chi-Wei Chang,Sang-Hue Yen,Wen-Sheng Huang 대한핵의학회 2019 핵의학 분자영상 Vol.53 No.2

Boron neutron capture therapy and Y-90 radioembolization are emerging therapeutic methods for uncontrolled brain cancers and hepatic cancers, respectively. These advanced radiation therapies are heavily relied on theranostic nuclear medicine imaging before the therapy for the eligibility of patients and the prescribed-dose simulation, as well as the post-therapy scanning for assessing the treatment efficacy. In Taiwan, the Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the only institute performing the BNCT and also the leading institute performing Y-90 radioembolization. In this article, we present our single institute experiences and associated theranostic nuclear medicine approaches for these therapies.

Modified Procedures for ALPPS Based on a Risk-Reduced Strategy: Paralleled Clinical Evaluation at Multiple Institutions

Ya-Lin Kong,Ying Xing,Jie Li,Cheng-Li Liu,Xiao-Jun He,Cheng Wang,Jiang-Min Chen,Ling-Hong Kong,Xu Han,Hong-Yi Zhang 연세대학교의과대학 2021 Yonsei medical journal Vol.62 No.10

Purpose: We compared the clinical outcomes of modified procedures for associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) based on a risk-reduced strategy with those of classic ALPPS procedures in treating large liver carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Short-term outcomes, increases in future liver remnant (FLR) and functional FLR (FFLR), and overall survival (OS) were compared between 45 consecutive patients treated with modified ALPPS procedures and 34 patients treated with classic ALPPS procedures. Results: Clinical outcomes after the 1st-stage operation markedly improved with the modified procedures. Although the proportions of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were higher in the modified group, the mortality and incidence of severe complications did not increase. FLR and FFLR hypertrophy at 1 week after the 1st-stage operation were similar in both groups; however, kinetic growth rates in the modified group were lower. OS rates were similar. Conclusion: Modified ALPPS procedures could be safely applied to provide long-term survival for patients with liver cirrhosis without sufficient FLR.

Analysis of dynamical stability of rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot

Yan-lin Wang,Ke-yi Wang,Zi-xing Zhang,Zhuang Han,Wan-li Wang 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.4

The research of the safety problem of the cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation robots (CDLR) is not considered in the related report. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to study the dynamical stability evaluation method of a rigid-flexible hybrid-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot system (RFHDLR) to meet the training requirements of different patients in different rehabilitation stages. In order to improve the flexibility and operational performance of the robot system, one rigid motion chain is introduced into the cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) to form a RFHDLR. Secondly, the motion planning strategy of the rigid motion chain is analyzed. Then, based on the kinematics and dynamics of the robot system, the cable tension performance factor and the system stiffness performance factor of the robot system are defined, and the static stability evaluation method and index of RFHDLR are obtained by the weighting method. Considering the patient's ability to withstand the motion velocity and the effect of the volatility of slide motion velocity of the rigid motion chain on the safety of the robot system, the velocity performance factor of the robot system is proposed. The dynamical stability evaluation method and index of RFHDLR are discussed based on the static stability evaluation method and the velocity influence function. Finally, for the two planning strategies of the rigid motion chain, the experimental study of the planned training trajectory of the lower limb traction point is performed based on simulation analysis. The experimental results verify the correctness of the stability evaluation method and provide a reference for further studying the training task planning and the control strategy.