Understanding Taiwanese Adolescents’ English Learning Selves through Parental Expectations

Hung–Tzu Huang 아시아영어교육학회 2017 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.14 No.2

This paper explores the interplay of Taiwanese adolescent English learners’ motivational selves and their parents’ expectations, with a special focus the identified perceptions of both teenage leaners and their parents towards English learning as a duty and obligation. Using the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS, Dörnyei, 2009), the qualitative study foregrounds the cultural and relational aspects of the self system in understanding language learning motivation. Results from semi-structured interviews suggest that parental expectations of children’s English learning exhibit a duality characterized by the hope that their children will become successful members of the globalized world and a belief that English learning is a basic responsibility for their children. Adolescent language learners’ and their parents’ actual selves, including their identification with societal roles and social obligations, mediate between parents’ investments in their children’s English education and teenage learners’ perceived obligations to meet parental expectations. The paper concludes by suggesting further research on parental expectations and the development of global selves, and on the synergized effect of language learners’ actual selves and future self-guides in motivating language learning.

Direct comparison of biopsy techniques for hepatic malignancies

( Shang-chin Huang ),( Ja-der Liang ),( Shih-jer Hsu ),( Tzu-chan Hong ),( Hung-chih Yang ),( Jia-horng Kao ) 대한간학회 2021 Clinical and Molecular Hepatology(대한간학회지) Vol.27 No.2

Background/Aims: The core needle biopsy (CNB), fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and touch imprint cytology (TIC) are commonly used tools for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies. However, little is known about the benefits and criteria for selecting appropriate technique among them in clinical practice. We aimed to compare the sensitivity of ultrasound-guided CNB, FNAC, TIC as well as combinations for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies, and to determine the factors associated with better sensitivity in each technique. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2019, a total of 634 consecutive patients who received ultrasound-guided liver biopsies at the National Taiwan University Hospital was collected, of whom 235 with confirmed malignant hepatic lesions receiving CNB, FNAC and TIC simultaneously were enrolled for analysis. The clinical and procedural data were compared. Results: The sensitivity of CNB, FNAC and TIC for the diagnosis of malignant hepatic lesions were 93.6%, 71.9%, and 85.1%, respectively. Add-on use of FNAC or TIC to CNB provided additional sensitivity of 2.1% and 0.4%, respectively. FNAC exhibited a significantly higher diagnostic rate in the metastatic cancers (P=0.011), hyperechoic lesions on ultrasound (P=0.028), and those with depth less than 4.5 cm from the site of needle insertion (P=0.036). Conclusions: The sensitivity of CNB is superior to that of FNAC and TIC for the diagnosis of hepatic malignancies. Nevertheless, for shallow (depth <4.5 cm) and hyperechoic lesions not typical for primary liver cancers, FNAC alone provides excellent sensitivity. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2021;27:305-312)

Visual Servoing of a Micro Quadrotor Landing on a Ground Platform

Cheng-Ming Huang,Ming-Li Chiang,Tzu-Shun Hung 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2017 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.15 No.6

This paper presents a visual servoing methodology for landing a quadrotor-type micro aerial vehicle(MAV) on a ground platform in an indoor environment. Since space in an indoor environment is usually limited, thesizes of the MAV and the landing platform employed here have to be small. Thus, visual servoing based on two pinholecameras mounted on the front and bottom of a MAV is suitable for such a scenario. A powerful computationalprocessing unit for image or control processing and a high capacity battery for charging the MAV are equipped onthe ground platform. The captured images and the flying control commands are transmitted between the groundplatform and the MAV through a wireless network. Visual feature extraction of the landing platform is proposedto detect a specific image pattern on the landing platform. Flying control strategies, with the cameras switching,are developed to search for and approach the landing platform. Alignment control during the landing procedure isdesigned using multi-level fuzzy logic control with the target position error on the image. The overall performanceof the landing algorithm is validated by several online experiments with a commercialized MAV.

The relationships of learning strategy instruction, autonomy, and motivation in L2 vocabulary learning

Jee Hyun Ma,Hung-Tzu Huang 한국영어어문교육학회 2013 영어어문교육 Vol.19 No.1

Research on motivation and autonomy in language learning has suggested that learning contexts emphasizing autonomy will likely foster learners' motivation (Dickinson, 1995; Noels et al., 2001). To encourage autonomy, instructions on learning strategies have been presumed to facilitate autonomous learning and thus lead to high motivation (Dornyei, 2003, 2005). This study explored the effects of learning strategy instruction on learners' autonomy, motivation, and also the relationships between autonomy and motivation in L2 vocabulary learning. 44 adult learners of English participated in this study. One-semester vocabulary learning strategy instructions with an emphasis on autonomous learning were implemented in the experimental group. A questionnaire including learners' perception on motivation, autonomy, and usefulness of vocabulary learning strategies was administrated. The results support that there is a close relationship between intrinsic motivation and self-assessed ability to use L2 learning strategies. The learners in the experimental group assessed themselves as being more capable of applying various learning strategies than those in the control group. However, the learners seem to have fixed ideas concerning their own and their teachers' responsibilities. This calls into question the widespread assumption that strategy instruction necessarily increases learner autonomy in the sense of taking responsibility for the aspects of one's own learning.

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.

Maintenance of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin/carboplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer: randomized study of an Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group

Chyong-Huey Lai,Elizabeth Vallikad,Hao Lin,Lan-Yan Yang,Shih-Ming Jung,Hsueh-Erh Liu,Yu-Che Ou,Hung-Hsueh Chou,Cheng-Tao Lin,Huei-Jean Huang,Kuan-Gen Huang,Jiantai Qiu,Yao-Ching Hung,Tzu-I Wu,Wei-Yang 대한부인종양학회 2020 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.31 No.1

Objectives: An Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group phase III randomized trial was conducted to determine whether maintenance chemotherapy could improve progression-free survival (PFS) in stages III/IV ovarian cancer. Methods: Between 2007 and 2014, 45 newly-diagnosed ovarian cancer patients were enrolled after complete remission and randomized (1:1) to arm A (4-weekly carboplatin area under the curve 4 and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin [PLD] 30 mg/m2, n=24) for 6 cycles or arm B (observation, n=21). The primary end-point was PFS. A post hoc translational study was conducted to deep sequence BRCA/homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) genes, because BRCA/HRD mutations (BRCA/HRDm) are known to be associated with better prognosis. Results: Enrollment was slow, accrual was closed when 7+ years had passed. With a median follow-up of 88.9 months, the median PFS was significantly better in arm A (55.5 months) than arm B (9.2 months) (hazard ratio [HR]=0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.19–0.87; p=0.020), yet the median overall survival was not significantly different in arm A (not reached) than arm B (95.1 months) (p=0.148). Overall grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent in arm A than arm B (60.9% vs 0.0%) (p<0.001). Quality of life was generally not significantly different. Distribution of BRCA1/2m or BRCA/HRDm was not significantly biased between the two arms. Wild-type BRCA/non-HRD subgroup seemed to fare better with maintenance therapy (HR=0.35; 95% CI=0.11–1.18; p=0.091). Conclusions: Despite limitations in small sample size, it suggests that maintenance carboplatin-PLD chemotherapy could improve PFS in advanced ovarian cancer.

Management of ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

( Shu-Chen Wei ),( Ting-An Chang ),( Te-Hsin Chao ),( Jinn-Shiun Chen ),( Jen-Wei Chou ),( Yenn-Hwei Chou ),( Chiao-Hsiung Chuang ),( Wen-Hung Hsu ),( Tien-Yu Huang ),( Tzu-Chi Hsu ),( Chun-Chi Lin ) 대한장연구학회 2017 Intestinal Research Vol.15 No.3

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic mucosal inflammation of the colon, and the prevalence and incidence of UC have been steadily increasing in Taiwan. A steering committee was established by the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease to formulate statements on the diagnosis and management of UC taking into account currently available evidence and the expert opinion of the committee. Accurate diagnosis of UC requires thorough clinical, endoscopic, and histological assessment and careful exclusion of differential diagnoses, particularly infectious colitis. The goals of UC therapy are to induce and maintain remission, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life. As outlined in the recommended treatment algorithm, choice of treatment is dictated by severity, extent, and course of disease. Patients should be evaluated for hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis infection prior to immunosuppressive treatment, especially with steroids and biologic agents, and should be regularly monitored for reactivation of latent infection. These consensus statements are also based on current local evidence with consideration of factors, and could be serve as concise and practical guidelines for supporting clinicians in the management of UC in Taiwan. (Intest Res 2017;15:266-284)

Management of Crohn`s disease in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

( Shu-Chen Wei ),( Ting-An Chang ),( Te-Hsin Chao ),( Jinn-Shiun Chen ),( Jen-Wei Chou ),( Yenn-Hwei Chou ),( Chiao-Hsiung Chuang ),( Wen-Hung Hsu ),( Tien-Yu Huang ),( Tzu-Chi Hsu ),( Chun-Chi Lin ) 대한장연구학회 2017 Intestinal Research Vol.15 No.3

Crohn`s disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. CD is rare in Taiwan and other Asian countries, but its prevalence and incidence have been steadily increasing. A steering committee was established by the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease to formulate statements on the diagnosis and management of CD taking into account currently available evidence and the expert opinion of the committee. Thorough clinical, endoscopic, and histological assessments are required for accurate diagnosis of CD. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are complementary to endoscopic evaluation for disease staging and detecting complications. The goals of CD management are to induce and maintain remission, reduce the risk of complications, and improve quality of life. Corticosteroids are the mainstay for inducing re-mission. Immunomodulating and biologic therapies should be used to maintain remission. Patients should be evaluated for hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis infection prior to treatment and receive regular surveillance for cancer. These consensus statements are based on current local evidence with consideration of factors, and could be serve as concise and practical guidelines for supporting clinicians in the management of patients with CD in Taiwan. (Intest Res 2017;15:285-310)