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The purpose of civic education is to prepare students to become 'good citizens' aligned with the policies and political purposes of the regime to which they belong. This exploratory study employed a mixed methods design to construct a typology of 'good citizens' to understand university students' perceptions of citizenship in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China. It found that the university students' perceptions of 'good citizens' is constructed from two components: internal political efficacy and the connection between 'good citizens' and the regime. Students in these societies share a similar understanding of the first component but have significant divergences in the second component. These findings demonstrate a correlation between regime type and the perceptions of 'good citizens' and our typology could provide a conceptual framework to guide researchers in organising and conducting further comparative studies.

Analogies and modelling have been developed and applied in learning and teaching science to facilitate students' understanding of abstract concepts, such as atomic structure. Considering few studies focus on comparing the effects of two teaching strategies--analogy-based teaching (ABT) and modelling-based teaching (MBT)--this study aims to compare the effects of ABT and MBT on high school students' content understanding and transferability of atomic concepts in science. Implementing a quasi-experimental design with pre-post-delayed tests, the study compared learning outcomes achieved by the MBT group (N = 68) and the ABT group (N = 69). The results showed both MBT and ABT could improve students' content understanding and promote transferability. However, the MBT group significantly outperformed the ABT group in terms of generating initial models and overall transferability. Although there was no difference in content understanding, or near or far transferability, at post-test between the two groups, the MBT group maintained more extended memory of atomic structure on the delayed post-test. Moreover, qualitative analysis of students' drawings of atomic models revealed that both groups were able to develop and transfer their models, but inadequate scientific knowledge affected the quality of the transfer product. These findings have implications for designing and implementing instructional approaches that leverage analogy and modelling in the science class.

This study investigated the factorial invariance of the Taiwan Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) across age and gender. A higher order five-factor model was tested on a nationally representative sample of 1,034 children aged 6-16 years. The results demonstrated full factorial invariance for Taiwan children of different ages and gender. The WISC-V subtests demonstrated the same underlying theoretical latent constructs, strength of relations among factors and subtests, validity of each first-order factor, and communalities, regardless of age and gender, which supported the same interpretive approach of the WISC-V. These results accord with findings in the United States, indicating a full factorial invariance of the WISC-V five-factor structure across ages and gender.

In recent years, research on students' scientific competencies has generated much discussion. According to the PISA 2015 Assessment and Analytical Framework, both scientific competencies and attitudes towards science -- interest in science, valuing scientific approaches to enquiry (or epistemological beliefs about science), and environmental awareness -- are integral aspects of scientific literacy. However, few studies have focused on the relationships between them. This article examines how students' scientific competencies are affected by their attitudes. Based on a theoretical analysis, the present study argues that the three attitudinal factors have a direct impact on scientific competencies, interest has an immediate influence on the other two attitudes, and epistemological beliefs are directly affected by environmental awareness. To test this hypothesis, a model was constructed to verify such relationships. PISA 2015 assessment instruments were used for data collection. The participants were 25,658 students from different parts of China, containing Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed for data analysis. The results confirmed our hypothesis. The way in which Chinese students' attitudes affected their scientific competencies did not differ (to a statistically significant level) by gender or district. The limitations and implications of this research are discussed below.

Although researchers tend to agree that Internet is a good source for learning and research, little empirical data has substantiated this claim by specifically linking time and effort spent on the Internet for school related information seeking to academic performances. This research investigates the relationship between vocational high school students' information seeking activities on the Internet, academic self-efficacy, and academic performance. We propose that academic self-efficacy both mediates and moderates the relationship between Internet information seeking and academic performance. Using survey data from 295 vocational high school students in Taiwan, we found that the positive effect of Internet information seeking to students' academic performance is mediated through academic self-efficacy. Academic self-efficacy, at the same time, moderates the relationship between Internet information seeking to academic performance such that students' with low academic self-efficacy benefit more from Internet information seeking in regard to their academic performance. We discussed the implications of our findings and provided future directions for research. (Contains 5 figures and 3 tables.)

The authors develop and test theoretical extensions of the relationships of task conflict, relationship conflict, and 2 dimensions of team effectiveness (performance and team-member satisfaction) among 2 samples of work teams in Taiwan and Indonesia. Findings show that relationship conflict moderates the task conflict-team performance relationship. Specifically, the relationship is curvilinear in the shape of an inverted U when relationship conflict is low, but the relationship is linear and negative when relationship conflict is high. The results for team-member satisfaction are more equivocal, but the findings provide some evidence that relationship conflict exacerbates the negative relationship between task conflict and team-member satisfaction. (Contains 4 tables and 4 figures.)

Preschooler Gross Motor Quality Scale (PGMQ) was recently developed to evaluate motor skill quality of preschoolers. The purpose of this study was to establish the concurrent validity of PGMQ using Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) as the gold standard. One hundred and thirty five preschool children aged from three to six years were recruited from three kindergartens in central Taiwan. Two independent evaluators who were unaware of each other's results evaluated all the children separately in their kindergartens using standardized setting and procedures. Concurrent validity was examined using correlation analysis with Pearson-Production Moment correlation coefficient. The results show that the total scores (r = 0.86, p less than 0.001) and subscale total scores (r = 0.82 for locomotion, r = 0.76 for object manipulation, p less than 0.001) of the two tests correlated well. Analysis of similar items in the locomotion subscale found significant but weak correlations in the running, jumping and galloping items of the two tests (r = 0.23-0.25, p less than 0.001). There were moderate to high correlations in hopping, sliding and leaping between the two tests (r = 0.52-0.70, p less than 0.001). Low to moderate correlations (r = 0.37-0.54, p less than 0.001) were found between the similar items in the object manipulation subscale of PGMQ and TGMD-2. Total scores of TGMD-2 also showed a high relation between the sum of the locomotion and object manipulation scores of PGMQ (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001). The total scores of similar items in the locomotion subscale of PGMQ and TGMD-2 showed a similar high relation (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001) likewise in the object manipulation subscale (r = 0.75, p less than 0.001) The PGMQ proved to have adequate concurrent validity with TGMD-2.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between obesity and motor coordination ability in Taiwanese children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). 2029 children (1078 boys, 951 girls) aged nine to ten years were chosen randomly from 14 elementary schools across Taiwan. We used bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure percentage of body fat (PBF) and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children test (MABC test) to evaluate the motor coordination ability. Using cut-off points based on PBF from past studies, boys and girls were divided into obese, overweight and normal-weight groups, respectively. In boys, total impairment scores and scores on balance subtest in the MABC were significantly higher in the obese and overweight groups when compared against the normal-weight group. Girls in the obese and the overweight groups had higher balance impairment scores than those of the normal-weight group. Among boys, the prevalence of obesity was highest in the DCD group, when compared to the borderline DCD and TD boys. A higher percentage of DCD girls were overweight and obese than TD girls. Obesity may be associated with poor motor coordination ability among boys and girls, and particularly in relation to balance ability. Children with DCD may have a higher risk to be overweight or obese in Taiwan. (Contains 4 tables.)

Finds that the societal factor has the strongest impact on journalists' views about media roles, the organizational factor has a significant but weak impact, and individual factor has virtually no impact. Contrasts two competing models within the societal factor (political determinism vs. cultural determinism) and provides clear-cut evidence in favor of the former. (SR)

From the perspective of data science, this study aims to investigate an emerging phenomenon called "transitivization" in Mandarin Chinese. It is a syntactic change that turns a preverbal applicative argument into a postverbal direct object. This process can be viewed as a "renaissance" wei dong shi 'beneficiary verb form' in Classical Chinese. It may either die out after a short period of time, or have an explosive growth in its popularity just like the so-called "language cancer" recently observed in Taiwan. Therefore, we need to address the issues by combining data science and syntactic analyses. This move enables us not only to give a comprehensive review of the current status of this syntactic change, but also to make a plausible prediction about its future development. Finally, it is instructive to note that transitivization is found only in certain stylistic registers like news headlines, which in turn allows us to look deeper into the pragmatic considerations and underlying mechanism of the whole process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition was reviewed and approved by the National Medical Products Administration and the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China in July 2020. The current edition was officially implemented on December 30, 2020. The general chapters of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia discuss the general testing methods and guidelines, which are the common requirements and basis for the implementation of drug standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Owing to adherence to the principles of scientificity, versatility, operability, and sustainable development, there is an improvement in the general chapters of the 2020 edition over those of the previous editions. Further, the application of advanced and mature analytical techniques has expanded, the development of testing methods for exogenous pollutants in traditional Chinese medicines has been strengthened, and technical requirements are now better harmonized with international standards. The updated edition provides technical and methodological support to ensure safety, effectiveness, and control of pharmaceuticals in China and will play an important and active role in encouraging the application of advanced technologies, improving the quality control of medicines, and strengthening the means of drug regulation in China. This review provides a comprehensive introduction of the main features of and changes to the general chapters in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition and aims to provide reference for its correct understanding and accurate implementation. [Display omitted] • The additions and revisions of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition general chapters are introduced. • The applications of advanced techniques have been expanded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition. • The technical requirements will be better harmonized with ICH in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 edition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in children from Taiwan, 225 Taiwanese children aged 12–15 years were recruited from 2009 to 2010. Linear and logistic regression models were employed to examine the influence of PFASs on serum uric acid levels. Findings revealed that eight of ten PFASs analyses were detected in >94% of the participants' serum samples. Multivariate linear regression models revealed that perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA) was positively associated with serum uric acid levels ( β = 0.1463, p < 0.05). Of all the PFASs analyses, only PFOA showed a significant effect on elevated levels of hyperuricemia (aOR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.29–3.61). When stratified by gender, the association between serum PFOA and uric acid levels was only evident among boys (aOR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.37–5.56). In conclusion, PFOA was found to be associated with elevated serum levels of uric acid in Taiwanese children, especially boys. Further research is needed to elucidate these links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niu-chang-chih, a medicinal polypore restricted to Taiwan on the endemic tree species Cinnamomum kanehirae, cur-rently goes by the names Antrodia cinnamomea T.T. Chang &W.N. Chou, A. camphorata (M. Zang & C.H. Su) Sheng H. Wu & al, and Taiwanofiingus camphoratus (M. Zang & C.H. Su) Sheng H. Wu & al, the latter two based on Ganoderma camphora-tum M. Zang & C.H. Su. The basidiocarps on the holotypes for the two basionyms/4n/rot//a cinnamomea and Ganoderma cam-phoratum are of niu-chang-chih. The first validly published name that was applied to this species was G. camphoratum M. Zang & C.H. Su published in 1990. However, the original type of G. camphoratum consisted of mixed material, consisting chiefly of a basidiocarp of niu-chang-chih but also of the spores of another unrelated fungus. The two elements are represented in the original description and accompanying illustrations. Later Chang & Chou (2004) lectotypifed G. camphoratum limiting it to the spores described and illustrated by Zang and Su, the only portion of the original type that Chang and Chou believed to belong in Ganoderma, and applied the name Antrodia cinnamomea Chang & Chou (1995) to niu-chang-chih. Many, however, reject Chang and Chou's conclusions and continue to apply the name Ganoderma camphoratum, and combinations based on it (i.e., Antrodia camphoratum, Taiwanofungus camphoratus), to niu-chang-chih, relegating Antrodia cinnamomea to synonymy. Based on careful examination of the type of G. camphoratum, it is concluded that the spores upon which Chang and Chou's lectotype is based are a minor admixture with the original gathering of the niu-chang-chih specimen and thus cannot serve as the lectotype for the name Ganoderma camphoratum. Ganoderma camphoratum is lectotypified here so as to exclude the spores present in the original holotype that are not from niu-chang-chih. Furthermore, since this conclusion could be subject to challenge and the species is exceptionally important medicinally and economically, we also propose to conserve the name with a conserved type that is consistent with the lectotype effected herein. An overview of the taxonomy of niu-chang-chih is also provided and a new combination, Taiwanofungus salmoneus, for a related species is effected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that reviewed the distribution and conservation status of Old World fruit bats (Pteropodidae) in tropical and subtropical China between 1999 and 2008 spanning almost the entire range of pteropodids within China over nine provinces. It evaluates the reliability of some of the earlier Chinese literature on fruit bats. More than ten species of fruit bats have been reputed to occur in China, including one species restricted to Taiwan. The reasons why the condition of fruit bats in China is still little known include the late initiation of a scientific approach to mammalogy, including bat research.

A new species of the genus Hymenagaricus (Agaricaceae) collected from Taiwan, H. taiwanensis, is described and illustrated with line drawings. It is characterized by the yellow-brown pileus covered with fuscous black squamules, the white membranous annulus, ellipsoid basidiospores, and the pseudoparenchymatous elements in the pileal squamules which are often encrusted with brownish pigments. The analyses of internal transcribed spacer and large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences suggest that Hymenagaricus has a close relationship with Micropsalliota and Allopsalliota (Agaricus clade) in the tribe Agariceae, and represents an independent line of evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are common phytotoxins. We performed the first comprehensive investigation on PA contamination in Chinese honeys. LC-MS analysis revealed that 58% of 255 honey samples purchased from 17 regions across Mainland China and Taiwan contained PAs with total content ranging over 0.2–281.1 μg/kg. Monocrotaline (from Crotalaria spp), a PA never found in honey in other regions, together with echimidine (Echium plantagineum) and lycopsamine (from Senecio spp.), were three predominant PAs in PA-contaminated Chinese honeys. Further, PAs present in honeys were found to have geographically distinct pattern, indicating possible control of such contamination in future honey production. Moreover, we proposed a new risk estimation approach, which considered both content and toxic potency of individual PAs in honeys, and found that 12% of the PA-contaminated Chinese honeys tested might pose potential health risk. This study revealed a high prevalence and potential health risk of PA contamination in Chinese honeys. Image 1 • Over half (58%) of Chinese retail honeys tested are contaminated with PAs. • Lycopsamine, echimidine, and monocrotaline are main PAs in Chinese honeys tested. • Crotalaria spp., Senecio spp., and Echium plantagineum are the plant origins of PAs. • PAs in Chinese honeys tested present geographically distinct patterns. • About 12% of PA-contaminated Chinese honeys may pose potential health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the proposed nomenclature of the polypore fungus Niu-chang-chih which is endemic to Taiwan. It informs that the fungi bears dual nomenclature, one with the basionym Ganoderma camphoratum and the other based on Antrodia cinnamomea. The article discusses the proposed conservation of the name Ganoderma camphoratum for Niu-chang-chih.

Based on RSCU method and by analyzing the preference of codon usage in VP1 nucleotide sequences of EV71 isolated in Chinese mainland and Taiwan region from 1998 to 2008, it is clear that there is an obvious time discrimination in RSCU calculated from EV71 VP1 strain between two different regions of China and it is more obvious in Taiwan region, therefore, according to the diversity of RSCU, the years can be divided into 2 intervals in Chinese mainland and 4 intervals in Taiwan region, especially, the number of intervals in one region have a positive co-relation with the activity of variation of the EV71 in the same region. The change of the preference of codon usage in VP1 nucleotide sequences of EV71 can significantly embody the Variation of the EV71, so we can make use of the analysis on preference of codon usage in VP1 nucleotide sequences of EV71 to predict the possible variation trend of the EV71.