TRANSNATIONAL LEISURE INVOLVEMENT AND TRAVEL MOTIVATION OF CONTEMPORARY MIGRANTS

Wei-Jue Huang,Chun-Chu Chen 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

Introduction Globalization not only increases human mobility, but changes the relationship between international migrants and their country of origin. With improved transportation systems and new technologies, migrants can stay connected to their homeland in multiple ways. In the past, it was costly and time-consuming for migrants to keep in touch with their homeland. Thus, the ability to assimilate into the culture and lifestyle of the mainstream society was important (Alba & Nee, 2003; Portes & Zhou, 1993). At the same time, migrants and minority groups also form ethnic enclaves (e.g., Chinatown, Little Italy) where they can maintain the culture and traditions of home and preserve a part of their cultural identity (Portes & Manning, 1986). Contemporary migrants, however, live in a transnational social field (Louie, 2006). They can easily communicate with their friends and family back home. Even if they reside in rural areas, most goods from the old country can be found in the new country. Migrants can shop online for the groceries, books, fashion, beauty products, kitchenware, etc. from their homeland. They can listen to hit songs in their native language, keep up with the major news events, follow the newest TV series, cheer for their favorite sports teams, watch live election results, and more—almost as if they have never left. Traveling back to the homeland is one important way for migrants to main transnational ties (Haller & Landolt, 2005). This type of travel is commonly known as diaspora tourism (Coles & Timothy, 2004), VFR tourism (Uriely, 2010), and roots tourism (Maruyama & Stronza, 2010). Migrants may visit the homeland for various reasons, including: leisure, business, local food, culture and heritage, quest, retain ties, finding oneself, roots-seeking, personal identity, connection with place, obligation to ancestors, recovery of social identity, and family togetherness (Kluin & Lehtom, 2012; Li & McKercher, 2016; Murdy, Alexander, & Bryce, 2018; Ray & McCain, 2012). Given that contemporary migrants can engage in transnational practices in the host society, and take part in various types of leisure activities that are related to the culture and lifestyle of home, the question is: do migrants still feel the need to visit the homeland in person? Or since everything is readily available, they do not need to go back as often as before. On one hand, participating in transnational leisure activities may strengthen their attachment to the homeland and increase their longing to return. On the other hand, the accessibility of homeland goods, services, culture, and relationships through global networks may decrease the desire and frequency of traveling back to the homeland. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between transnational leisure activities and motivation to visit the homeland. Specifically, do migrants‘ transnational leisure participation and involvement influence their diaspora tourism motivation? Literature Review Transnationalism refers to the interconnected lifestyle and social experience of immigrants maintaining multiple ties with their home and host societies (Basch, Glick-Schiller, & Blanc, 1994). Transnationalism could be sustained through different types of activities, including economic, political, social, familial, religious, and cultural activities. Although leisure activities have not been a focus of transnationalism research, some cultural transnational practices overlap with leisure activities. The Immigration and Intergenerational Mobility in Metropolitan Los Angeles study (IIMMLA) found that 8.1% of second-generation immigrants participated in organizations associated with their parents‘ country of birth, and 48.7% watched TV or listened to the radio in their parents‘ language at least once a week or more (Rumbaut et al., 2008). The Immigrant Second Generation in New York study (ISGNY) revealed that ethnic music is very important to West Indian immigrants, and they listened to more ethnic music. Chinese-Americans, however, might listen to some Cantonese pop, but usually not traditional Chinese music (Kasinitz et al., 2008). Within leisure research, most studies on the leisure activities of immigrants employ the theory of acculturation. The focus was not on transnational leisure, but on immigrants‘ leisure participation within the mainstream culture of the host society. Many studies examined the effect of acculturation on immigrant leisure, be it participation, perceived benefits, motivations, or constraints. Floyd and Gramann (1993) compared Mexican- and Anglo-Americans to determine if the former‘s outdoor activity patterns and site visitation would be similar to the latter, based on different levels of structural assimilation. Shaull and Gramann (1998) also examined Hispanic- and Anglo-Americans to determine the impact of cultural assimilation on one‘s perceived benefits of outdoor recreation. They found a strong Anglo-conformity pattern in Hispanic-Americans‘ perception of nature-related benefits, while family-related benefits were less prone to the impact of cultural assimilation. Another study by Walker, Deng, and Dieser (2001) compared the motivations of Chinese-Canadians and Euro-North Americans for outdoor recreation. Their findings indicated that acculturation influenced the recreation motivation of Chinese-Canadians, both directly and indirectly through self-construal. The relationship between acculturation and leisure was also examined in Yu and Berryman‘s study (1996) on immigrant adolescents, which revealed a positive relationship between acculturation and recreational activities, and a negative relationship between acculturation and perceived barriers. A similar relationship was found in Scott, Lee, Lee and Kim‘s (2006) study of Korean migrants. They identified some constraints (i.e., lack of English proficiency and fear of discrimination) that varied by one‘s level of acculturation, while the biggest constraint, time, was not influenced by acculturation. Stodolska and Santos (2006) were the first to propose the concept of transnational leisure, and they defined it as leisure that is maintained by transnational migrants to foster their ties with their countries and communities of origin (p. 162). Huang, Norman, Ramshaw, and Haller (2015) identified different types of transnational leisure activities by second-generation Chinese-Americans, and categorized them into four types: ethnic events and festivals, ethnic social clubs and organizations, ethnic media and pop culture, and Internet-based activities. As these previous studies were qualitative in nature, there is a need for more quantitative research so as to compare and identify different patterns of transnational leisure (e.g., level of involvement, frequency of participation) and examine how transnational leisure relate to other variables. Methods This study aims to examine the transnational leisure involvement and travel motivation of diaspora tourists. Specifically, overseas Chinese residing in North America (i.e., the USA and Canada) was selected as the target population. The service of a reputable and reliable international online survey company was obtained to reach out to this specific population of interest. Data collection took place from December 2016 to January 2017. A total of 808 responses were gathered. A questionnaire was developed based on previous literature. A list of transnational leisure activities with 19 items was developed based on the work of Huang et al. (2015). The transnational leisure involvement scale was adapted from the works of Kyle, Graefe, Manning, and Bacon (2003) and Kyle, Bricker, Graefe, and Wickham (2004). The scale consists of 14 items and three dimensions: Attraction, Centrality, and Self-expression. As there are many types of transnational leisure activities, respondents were first asked to go through the list and indicate their frequency of participation in each activity. Next, they were asked to think about these activities as they answered the leisure involvement scale. The measures for diaspora tourism motivation was developed based on Poria and colleagues‘ scale for heritage tourism motivation (2004; 2006a; 2006b), Kluin and Lehto‘s (2012) scale for family reunion travel motivations, and Li and McKercher‘s (2016) qualitative study on diaspora tourists. The last section of the questionnaire will be used to collect demographic information. Findings EFA was conducted to explore if transnational leisure activities can be categorized into different types. Three items were removed due to double loading (i.e., Sing Chinese songs in the karaoke, Online shopping for Chinese/Asian items, and Connect with friends and relatives in China through social media). Factor 1 consisted of 3 items that are basic common activities in migrant life, and was labeled Basic transnational leisure (i.e., Eat Chinese food, Shop for Chinese/Asian groceries, and Celebrate Chinese holidays). Factor 2 consisted of 7 items that are related to pop culture and internet-based leisure activities, and was labeled Media-based transnational leisure (e.g., Listen to Chinese songs and music, Watch Chinese drama, Visit websites related to Chinese or Chinese-American culture, and Read/watch the news related to China). Contrary to the individualistic nature of the activities in Factor 2, Factor 3 consisted of 6 items that are more likely to be group activities, and related to social clubs events and activities (e.g., Attend events hosted by Chinese ethnic organizations, Participate in Chinese cultural activities, Play Chinese board or card games, Attend Chinese concerts/performances, and Follow Chinese/Chinese-American sports players or teams). Thus, Factor 3 was labeled Event-based transnational leisure. Respondents‘ participation in these activities was measured on a 5-point scale of frequency, from 1=Never to 5=Always/Everyday. Overall, Basic transnational leisure received the highest mean score (M=3.82), while the means for Media-based (M=2.86) and Event-based activities (M=2.62) were lower. Although the mean scores in Factor 2 and 3 were not high, it should be noted that the nature of these activities are different. Chinese migrants can Eat Chinese food every day, but they cannot Attending Chinese concerts every day. Therefore, the mean scores for Event-based activities were the lowest. Moreover, ANOVA was conducted to compare five migrant generation groups (e.g., first-generation migrants who were born in the old country and relocated to a new country and second-generation migrants are native-born in the new country). The second generation had the lowest level of participation, while the first generation and 4+ generation had the highest level of participation in most types of transnational leisure activities. Correlation analyses further revealed that the frequency of Media-based activities and Event-based activities were positively correlated to the number of homeland trips, while the relationship between Basic transnational leisure and number of homeland trips was not statistically significant. Lastly, CFA was conducted to confirm the underlying dimensions of Transnational Leisure Involvement: Attraction (6 items), Centrality (4 items), and Self-expression (4 items). EFA was conducted to identify the dimensions of diaspora tourism motivation. The 11 items loaded on one of two factors: Chinese Culture (6 items) and Family Heritage (5 items). Multiple regression analyses were conducted, with the three dimensions of transnational leisure involvement as independent variables, and the two dimensions of diaspora tourism motivation as dependent variables. It was found that Attraction and Centrality would influence respondents‘ motivation for Chinese Culture, while Attraction, Centrality, and Self-expression would influence respondents‘ motivation for Personal Heritage. Discussion Results showed that transnational leisure involvement is useful in understanding the activity patterns of different migrant generations. Specifically, the relationships between transnational involvement and diaspora tourism motivation were consistently positive, which provides an effective means of segmenting diaspora tourists. Transnational leisure activities are good opportunities for homeland destinations to connect with diaspora tourists prior to their travel. Other than direct promotional activities, transnational leisure provides an alternative way to increase diaspora tourists‘ level of engagement and frequency of travel to the homeland.

Effect of Scarification and Stratification on Seed Germination of Pasania konishii

Chun-Wei Wang,I-Ching Huang,Sheng-You Lu,Wei-Jing Chen,Iou-Zen Chen 한국원예학회 2008 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Letter: cervicocerebral atherosclerosis and its hepatic and coronary risk factors in patients with liver cirrhosis

Yi-Chun Huang,Chih-Wei Chen,James Chun-Chung Wei 대한간학회 2022 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.28 No.2

Health Care Utilization and Expenditures of Patients with Diabetes Comorbid with Depression Disorder: A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Chun-Jen Huang,Hui-Min Hsieh,Herng-Chia Chiu,Peng-Wei Wang,Mei-Hsuan Lee,Chih-Yi Li,Ching-Hua Lin 대한신경정신의학회 2017 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.14 No.6

Objective: The study investigated to compare health care utilization and expenditures between diabetic patients with and without depression in Taiwan. Methods: Health care utilization and expenditure among diabetic patients with and without depression disorder during 2000 and 2004 were examined using Taiwan’s population-based National Health Insurance claims database. Health care utilization included outpatient visits and the use of inpatient services, and health expenditures were outpatient, inpatient, and total medical expenditures. Moreover, general estimation equation models were used for analyzing the factors associated with outpatient visits and expenditures. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied for identifying the factors associated with hospitalization. Results: The average annual outpatient visits and annual total medical expenditures in the study period were 44.23–52.20; NT$87,496–133,077 and 30.75–32.92; NT$64,411–80,955 for diabetic patients with and without depression. After adjustment for covariates, our results revealed that gender and complication were associated with out-patient visits. Moreover, the time factor was associated with the total medical expenditure, and residential urbanization and complication factors were associated with hospitalization. Conclusion: Health care utilization and expenditures for diabetic patients with depression were significantly higher than those without depression. Sex, complications, time, and urbanization are the factors associated with health care utilization and expenditures.

Oxaliplatin Sensitizes OS Cells to TRAIL-induced Apoptosis Via Down-regulation of Mcl1

Huang, Tao,Gong, Wei-Hua,Li, Xiu-Cheng,Zou, Chun-Ping,Jiang, Guang-Jian,Li, Xu-Hui,Qian, Hao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Purpose: To investigate the killing effect on OS cells of a combination of oxaliplatin and TRAIL and related molecular mechanisms. Methods: TRAIL and oxaliplatin were applied to OS732 cells singly or jointly and survival inhibition rates were measured by MTT assay, changes of cellular shape being assessed with inverted phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptotic rates were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) and immunocytochemistry was used to examine Mcl1 expression of OS732 cells. Results: The survival inhibition rate of combined application of $100{\mu}g/ml$ TRAIL and $1{\mu}g/ml$ oxaliplatin on OS-732 cells was significantly higher than that of either agent singly (p<0.01). Changes of cellular shape and apoptotic rates also indicated apoptosis-inducing effects of combined application to be much stronger than those of individual application. Oxaliplatin had the effect of down-regulating Mcl1 expression and sensitizing OS cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: A combination of TRAIL and oxaliplatin exerts strong killing effects on OS-732 cells which might be related to down-regulation of Mcl1 expression.

Image Tracking of Laparoscopic Instrument Using Spiking Neural Networks

Chun-Ju Chen,Wayne Shin-Wei Huang,Kai-Tai Song 제어로봇시스템학회 2013 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2013 No.10

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has become more and more popular in recent years. An endoscopic image tracking system will assist surgeons to adjust the field of view autonomously in MIS. In this paper, we propose a novel image tracking algorithm based on natural features of surgical instruments. We suggest to use texture and geometric features in laparoscopic instrument imagery and to adopt a spiking neural network approach for object detection; considering color will be affected by lighting and the white balance conditions in the endoscope imagery. To enhance tracking performance, we further design a Kalman filter to combine with the neuro-based tracker. The instrument can be detected more robustly despite of deformation of the instrument image during surgery. A laparoscopic video has been tested to verify the developed methods. Experimental results show that two instruments can be distinguished and tracked simultaneously in the surgical video.

An unusual cause of pneumonia: Strongyloides stercoralis infection

( Chun-jing Lu ),( Jin-yan Zhang ),( Wei-feng Huang ) 대한내과학회 2023 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.38 No.5

Induction of Apoptosis by a Combination of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in the Presence of Hyperthermia

Huang, Tao,Gong, Wei-Hua,Li, Xiu-Cheng,Zou, Chun-Ping,Jiang, Guang-Jian,Li, Xu-Hui,Feng, Dian-Peng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Purpose: To study enhancing effects of paclitaxel in the thermochemotherapy of osteosarcoma cell lines and related mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Paclitaxel and carboplatin were used alone or jointly on OS732 cell lines in the presence of hyperthermia. Inhibition of proliferation was measured by MTT assay and cellular changes were assessed with inverted phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy. Apoptosis was analyzed with flow cytometry (FCM) and Fas expression by immunocytochemistry. Results: At $43^{\circ}C$, one hour after the application of 10ug/ml paclitaxel and $5{\mu}g/ml$ carboplatin on OS732 cells jointly, the survival rate was 15.8% which was significantly lower than with $10{\mu}g/ml$ paclitaxel (45.8%) and $5{\mu}g/ml$ carboplatin (47.7%) respectively (P<0.01). Moreover, changes of morphology and apoptotic rates indicated that the apoptosis-inducing effect of combined application was also much enhanced, as evident also regarding Fas expression. Conclusion: Paclitaxel is conducive to thermochemotherapy of osteosarcoma cell lines, possibly accomplished by up-regulation of Fas expression with induction of apoptosis.

Efficient Killing Effect of Osteosarcoma Cells by Cinobufacini and Cisplatin in Combination

Huang, Tao,Gong, Wei-Hua,Li, Xiu-Cheng,Zou, Chun-Ping,Jiang, Guang-Jian,Li, Xu-Hui,Qian, Hao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Purpose: To study the killing effects on osteosarcoma cells of cinobufacini and cisplatin in combination and the related mechanisms so as to explore the chemotherapeutic method with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicines. Methods: Cinobufacini and cisplatin were applied to OS732 cells singly or jointly and survival rates were measured by MTT assay. Changes in cellular shape were observed with inverted phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy and apoptosis rates were analyzed with flow cytometry (FCM). Immunocytochemistry were used to examine the Fas expression of OS732 cells. Results: The combination of cinobufacini and cisplatin had the effect of up-regulating Fas expression and inducing apoptosis. The survival rate of combined application of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ cinobufacini and 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ cisplatin on OS-732 cells was significantly lower than with either of the agents alone (p<0.01). Changes in cellular shape and apoptotic rates also indicated the apoptosis-inducing effects of combined application were much enhanced. Conclusion: The combination of cinobufacini and cisplatin demonstrated strong killing effects on OS-732 cells which might be related to up-regulation of Fas expression.

Trends in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Mortality in China, 1973-2005

Huang, Tian-Ren,Zhang, Si-Wei,Chen, Wan-Qing,Deng, Wei,Zhang, Chun-Yan,Zhou, Xin-Juan,Zhai, Ri-Hong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a disease with distinct ethnic and geographic distribution. The incidence of NPC in Chinese residing in Asia has declined over the last few decades, but NPC mortality trends in the entire Chinese population over time have not been systematically evaluated. In this study, we examined NPC mortality at the national level in China between 1973-2005. Mortality rates were derived from the databases of national retrospective surveys on cancer mortality conducted in the periods of 1973-1975, 1990-1992, and 2004-2005, respectively. NPC was classified according to the International classification of diseases. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated by direct standardization according to the world standard population. Trends in rates were evaluated by age, gender, geographic areas, and socioeconomic status. From 1973 to 2005, there was a general trend of decrease in NPC mortality in China, with higher rates in the south on a downward trend in the north. The age-standardized NPC mortality rates were 2.60 per 100,000 in 1973-1975, 1.94 per 100,000 in 1990-1992, and 1.30 per 100,000 in 2004-2005, respectively. The trend was similar in both men and women, in both urban and rural areas, but the declining rates in females were more remarkable than in males. The mortality rates were higher for the age groups above 50 years than those less than 50 years of age, both showing downward trend over 30-year period. In summary, the overall NPC mortality has consistently decreased in China over the past three decades, particularly in women and in old adults.