Evaluation of Survey Data Quality Based on Interviewers' Assessments: An Example from Taiwan's Election and Democratization Study

Tsai, Chi-lin,Liu, Tsung-Wei,Chen, Yi-ju Center for Asian Public Opinion ResearchCollaborat 2019 Asian journal for public opinion research Vol.7 No.1

Researchers usually examine the quality of survey data by several conventional measures of reliability and validity. However, those measures are mainly designed to examine the quality of an individual measurement, rather than the quality of a data set as a whole. There is a relative lack of methods for evaluation of the overall data quality. This paper attempts to fill this gap. We propose using interviewers' assessments as one of criteria for evaluating the overall data quality. Interviewers are the ones who literally conduct and thus directly observe interviews. Taiwan's Election and Democratization Studies (TEDS) have required interviewers to assess how trustworthy the responses of each of their interviewees are, and to provide several descriptions about the process and environment of the interviews. We use this information to evaluate the data quality of TEDS surveys and compare it with the results from the conventional test-retest method. The findings are that the interviewer assessment is a fair indicator of the overall reliability of attitudinal questions but not a good indicator when factual questions are examined. Regarding the evaluation of data validity, more data is required to see whether or not interviewers' assessment is informative in terms of data quality.

Evaluation of Survey Data Quality Based on Interviewers’ Assessments: An Example from Taiwan’s Election and Democratization Study

Chi-lin Tsai,Tsung-Wei Liu,Yi-ju Chen 충남대학교 아시아여론연구소 2019 Asian journal for public opinion research Vol.7 No.1

Researchers usually examine the quality of survey data by several conventional measures of reliability and validity. However, those measures are mainly designed to examine the quality of an individual measurement, rather than the quality of a data set as a whole. There is a relative lack of methods for evaluation of the overall data quality. This paper attempts to fill this gap. We propose using interviewers’ assessments as one of criteria for evaluating the overall data quality. Interviewers are the ones who literally conduct and thus directly observe interviews. Taiwan’s Election and Democratization Studies (TEDS) have required interviewers to assess how trustworthy the responses of each of their interviewees are, and to provide several descriptions about the process and environment of the interviews. We use this information to evaluate the data quality of TEDS surveys and compare it with the results from the conventional test-retest method. The findings are that the interviewer assessment is a fair indicator of the overall reliability of attitudinal questions but not a good indicator when factual questions are examined. Regarding the evaluation of data validity, more data is required to see whether or not interviewers’ assessment is informative in terms of data quality.

A retrospective analysis of 20-year data of the surgical management of ulcerative colitis patients in Taiwan: a study of Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

( Chun-chi Lin ),( Shu-chen Wei ),( Been-ren Lin ),( Wen-sy-tsai ),( Jinn-shiun Chen ),( Tzu-chi Hsu ),( Wei-chen Lin ),( Tien-yu Huang ),( Te-hsin Chao ),( Hung-hsin Lin ),( Jau-min Wong ),( Jen-kou 대한장연구학회 2016 Intestinal Research Vol.14 No.3

Background/Aims: With the recent progress in medical treatment, surgery still plays a necessary and important role in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. In this study, we analyzed the surgical results and outcomes of UC in Taiwan in the recent 20 years, via a multi-center study through the collaboration of Taiwan Society of IBD. Methods: A retrospective analysis of surgery data of UC patients from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2014, in 6 Taiwan major medical centers was conducted. The patients’ demographic data, indications for surgery, and outcome details were recorded and analyzed. Results: The data of 87 UC patients who received surgical treatment were recorded. The median post-operative follow-up duration was 51.1 months and ranged from 0.4 to 300 months. The mean age at UC diagnosis was 45.3±16.0 years and that at operation was 48.5±15.2 years. The 3 leading indications for surgical intervention were uncontrolled bleeding (16.1%), perforation (13.8%), and intractability (12.6%). In total, 27.6% of surgeries were performed in an emergency setting. Total or subtotal colectomy with rectal preservation (41.4%) was the most common operation. There were 6 mortalities, all due to sepsis. Emergency operation and low pre-operative albumin level were significantly associated with poor survival (P =0.013 and 0.034, respectively). Conclusions: In the past 20 years, there was no significant change in the indications for surgery in UC patients. Emergency surgeries and low pre-operative albumin level were associated with poor survival. Therefore, an optimal timing of elective surgery for people with poorly controlled UC is paramount.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-α Subunit Targeting Suppresses Metastasis in Advanced Thyroid Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

( Ching-ling Lin ),( Ming-lin Tsai ),( Yu-hsin Chen ),( Wei-ni Liu ),( Chun-yu Lin ),( Kai-wen Hsu ),( Chien-yu Huang ),( Yu-jia Chang ),( Po-li Wei ),( Shu-huey Chen ),( Li-chi Huang ),( Chia-hwa Lee 한국응용약물학회 2021 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.29 No.5

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancers, such as papillary and follicular cancers, have a favorable prognosis. However, poorly differentiated thyroid cancers, such as medullary, squamous and anaplastic advanced thyroid cancers, are very aggressive and insensitive to radioiodine treatment. Thus, novel therapies that attenuate metastasis are urgently needed. We found that both PDGFC and PDGFRA are predominantly expressed in thyroid cancers and that the survival rate is significantly lower in patients with high PDGFRA expression. This finding indicates the important role of PDGF/PDGFR signaling in thyroid cancer development. Next, we established a SW579 squamous thyroid cancer cell line with 95.6% PDGFRA gene insertion and deletions (indels) through CRISPR/Cas9. Protein and invasion analysis showed a dramatic loss in EMT marker expression and metastatic ability. Furthermore, xenograft tumors derived from PDGFRA geneedited SW579 cells exhibited a minor decrease in tumor growth. However, distant lung metastasis was completely abolished upon PDGFRA gene editing, implying that PDGFRA could be an effective target to inhibit distant metastasis in advanced thyroid cancers. To translate this finding to the clinic, we used the most relevant multikinase inhibitor, imatinib, to inhibit PDGFRA signaling. The results showed that imatinib significantly suppressed cell growth, induced cell cycle arrest and cell death in SW579 cells. Our developed noninvasive apoptosis detection sensor (NIADS) indicated that imatinib induced cell apoptosis through caspase-3 activation. In conclusion, we believe that developing a specific and selective targeted therapy for PDGFRA would effectively suppress PDGFRA-mediated cancer aggressiveness in advanced thyroid cancers.

To Prevent Crack for Thin-wall Workpieces during Milling Process by Torque Feedback

Mu-Ping Tsai,Nan-Chyuan Tsai,Chun-Chi Lin,Hsin-Lin Chiu 제어로봇시스템학회 2015 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2015 No.10

Thin-wall tubular-geometry workpieces have been widely applied in aircraft and medical industries. Though numerous research reports are available that the tool path can be planned on the basis of preset surface profile before actual milling operation is performed, it is still difficult to predict the real-time surface profile errors for peripheral milling of thin-wall tubular workpieces. This research is focused on how to real-time formulate the appropriate applied cutting torque via feedback of spindle motor current. A few suitable cutting conditions which are able to prevent potential break/crack of thin-wall workpieces and enhance productivity but almost retain the same cutting quality is proposed. To achieve this goal, estimated surface profile error on machined parts due to deflections caused by both tool and workpiece is studied. The torque estimation approach by spindle motor current feedback and the corresponding fuzzy logic controller are employed. Compared with constant cutting torque during milling operation in tradition manner, it is observed that the time consumption of milling cycle by aid of the aforesaid fuzzy logic controller is greatly shortened while the resulted cutting accuracy upon finish of workpiece can be almost retained.

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Increased Autonomic Activation and Improved Symptoms of Depression and Insomnia among Patients with Major Depression Disorder

I-Mei Lin,Sheng-Yu Fan,Cheng-Fang Yen,Yi-Chun Yeh,Tze‐Chun Tang,Mei-Feng Huang,Tai-Ling Liu,Peng-Wei Wang,Huang-Chi Lin,Hsin-Yi Tsai,Yu-Che Tsai 대한정신약물학회 2019 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Autonomic imbalance is considered a psychopathological mechanism underlying major depressive disorder (MDD). Heart rate variability (HRV) is an index for autonomic activation. Poor sleep quality is common among patients with MDD. HRV biofeedback (BF) has been used for regulating autonomic balance among patients with physical illness and mental disorders. The purpose of present study was to examine the effects of HRV-BF on depressive symptoms, sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, and HRV indices, in patients with MDD and insomnia. Methods: In this case-controlled study, patients with MDD and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score higher than 6 were recruited. The HRV-BF group received weekly 60-minute protocol for 6 weeks, and the control group who have matched the age and sex received medical care only. All participants were assessed on Beck Depression Inventory-II, Back Anxiety Inventory, PSQI, and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale. Breathing rates and electrocardiography were also performed under resting state at pre-testing, and post-testing conditions and for the HRV-BF group, also at 1-month follow-up. Results: In the HRV-BF group, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep quality, and pre-sleep arousal were significantly improved, and increased HRV indices, compared with the control group. Moreover, in the HRV-BF group, significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, decreased breathing rates, and increased HRV indices were detected at post-testing and at 1-month follow-up, compared with pre-testing values. Conclusion: This study confirmed that HRV-BF is a useful psychosocial intervention for improving autonomic balance, baroreflex, and symptoms of depression and insomnia in MDD patients.

Traditional Chinese medicine attenuates hospitalization and mortality risks in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ in Taiwan

Tsai Li-Jen,Chung Chi-Hsiang,Lin Chien-Jung,Su Sheng-Chiang,Kuo Feng-Chih,Liu Jhih-Syuan,Chen Kuan-Chan,Ho Li-Ju,Kuo Chih-Chun,Chang Chun-Yung,Lin Ming-Hsun,Chu Nain-Feng,Lee Chien-Hsing,Hsieh Chang-H 한국한의학연구원 2022 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.11 No.2

Background: Diabetic patients are at high risk of developing cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become increasingly popular as an adjuvant treatment for patients with chronic diseases, and some studies have identified its beneficial effect in diabetic patients with cancer. The purpoes of this study was to outline the potential of TCM to attenuate hospitalization and mortality rates in diabetic patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS). Methods: A total of 6,987 diabetic subjects with CIS under TCM therapy were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, along with 38,800 of 1:1 sex-, age-, and index year-matched controls without TCM therapy. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted to compare hospitalization and mortality rates during an average of 15 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 3,999/1,393 enrolled-subjects (28.62%/9.97%) had hospitalization/mortality, including 1,777/661 in the TCM group (25.43%/9.46%) and 2,222/732 in the control group (31.80%/10.48%). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed a lower rate of hospitalization and mortality for subjects in the TCM group (adjusted HR=0.536; 95% CI=0.367–0.780, P<0.001; adjusted HR=0.783; 95% CI=0.574– 0.974, P = 0.022). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative risk of hospitalization and mortality in the case and control groups was significantly different (log rank, P<0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with CIS under TCM therapy were associated with lower hospitalization and mortality rates compared to those without TCM therapy. Thus, TCM application may reduce the burden of national medical resources.

Application of Data Quality Indicator of Carbon Footprint and Water Footprint

Tsai Chi Kuo,Miao-Ling Huang,Chia Wei Hsu,Chiuhsiang Joe Lin,Chih-Chun Hsieh,Chih-Hsing Chu 한국정밀공학회 2015 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.2 No.1

To mitigate the impact of global warming on the environment, many governments, non-profit organizations, and enterprises have formulated relevant standards to assist enterprises in promoting carbon management, and to encourage the design and popularization of low-carbon products. These standards include: PAS 2050, ISO/TS 14067 and so on. Under these initiatives, enterprises try to disclose the carbon and water footprints of the products based on the life cycle. Some enterprises argue and debate that there exists uncertainty of the footprints calculation since the data collection is not systematically. To solve this problem, in this research, the calculation of carbon footprint and water footprint are evaluated with the data quality indicator (DQI) management system. The collected data is evaluated based on the footprint calculation methods. Also the pedigree matrix is constructed as an aide to solve the data uncertainty that included reliability, completeness, times, geography, and technologies differences. Through the DQI, the carbon footprint and water footprint are not only calculated simultaneously, but also correctly. The results could be the reference for products’ environmental improvement.

A Review of Finite Element Modeling for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Lin Maohua,Paul Rudy,Dhar Utpal Kanti,Doulgeris James,O’Connor Timothy E.,Tsai Chi-Tay,Vrionis Frank D. 대한척추외과학회 2023 Asian Spine Journal Vol.17 No.5

The cervical spine poses many complex challenges that require complex solutions. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been one such technique often employed to address such issues. In order to address the problems with ACDF and assess the modifications that have been made to the technique over time, finite element analyses (FEA) have proven to be an effective tool. The variations of cervical spine FEA models that have been produced over the past couple of decades, particularly more recent representations of more complex geometries, have not yet been identified and characterized in any literature. Our objective was to present material property models and cervical spine models for various simulation purposes. The outlining and refinement of the FEA process will yield more reliable outcomes and provide a stable basis for the modeling protocols of the cervical spine.

Description of a new species of the genus Anochetus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Orchid Island, Taiwan

Chi-Man Leong,Wei-Huang Tsai,Mamoru Terayama,Shiuh-Feng Shiao,Chung-Chi Lin 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.1

A trap-jaw ant Anochetus lanyuensis sp. nov., belonging to the graeffei species group Brown, 1978, is described onthe basis of worker and gyne castes from Orchid Island (Lanyu), Taiwan. A. lanyuensis sp. nov. is easily distinguishablefrom the other species in the graeffei species group by the large size of its eye, longitudinal striae onthe pronotal disc, and concave dorsal margin of the petiolar node in the frontal view.