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A self-adaptive bit-level color image encryption algorithm based on generalized Arnold map is proposed. The red, green, blue components of the plain-image with height H and width W are decomposed into 8-bit planes and one three-dimensional bit matrix with size ze H×W×24 is obtained. The generalized Arnold map is used to generate pseudo-random sequences to scramble the resulted three-dimensional bit matrix by sort-based approach. The scrambled 3D bit matrix is then rearranged to be one scrambled color image. Chaotic sequences produced by another generalized Arnold map are used to diffuse the resulted red, green, blue components in a cross way to get more encryption effects. Self-adaptive strategy is adopted in both the scrambling stage and diffusion stage, meaning that the key streams are all related to the content of the plain-image and therefore the encryption algorithm show strong robustness against known/chosen plaintext attacks. Some other performances are carried out, including key space, key sensitivity, histogram, correlation coefficients between adjacent pixels, information entropy and difference attack analysis, etc. All the experimental results show that the proposed image encryption algorithm is secure and effective for practical application.

This study explored the challenges faced by shelter workers. A qualitative survey was tape-recorded and featured 19 focus groups comprising 6 representatives of the Department of Protective Services, 43 local government representatives and 84 shelter workers from 26 women's shelters in Taiwan. The verbatim transcriptions were subsequently analysed. Finally, two themes were identified: resource challenges and regulations governing shelters. Understanding shelter workers' voices is key to ensuring that the authorities and the public pay attention to the challenges faced by shelters. In addition, future implications were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As no empirical research in Taiwan has investigated elected representatives' interventions in protective social work, this research explores protective social workers' experiences of elected representatives' involvement in protective cases. Quantitative and qualitative research was conducted with 313 Taiwanese protective social workers. Data were collected with an anonymous open-ended questionnaire from both public and private sectors. Findings revealed that elected representatives become comprehensively involved in some protective cases, stressing protective social workers to the point of burnout and resignation. However, no effective methods to limit or stop political interruption exist. Therefore, this study proposes that central and local governments should pay more attention to this phenomenon by restricting interference and arranging training and seminars for both protective social workers and elected representatives. In the near future, quantitative or qualitative studies should be conducted using a larger population and face-to-face interviews to acquire an in-depth understanding of the representation of the perspectives of protective social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses women who have experienced intimate partner violence and have suffered multiple health effects. For this case study, quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted to identify the types of physical, mental and spiritual services that abused women can use and to illustrate the experiences of a woman who used these services in Taiwan. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, and the interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The case study revealed that women can benefit from using an integrated body–mind–spirit approach. However, women who lack an integrated approach can lose the potential to empower themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively enhance teaching quality at universities, the Ministry of Education in Taiwan established a programme for promoting teaching excellence and adopted a teaching assistant (TA) system in 2004. Although studies of TA systems have covered various topics, empirical research investigating student perspectives of TA systems in the group work curriculum are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore students’ perspective on the effectiveness of TAs in classroom instruction and practical group training. To evaluate second-year university students’ perceptions, a two-part questionnaire consisting of eight Likert-type statements and four free-response questions was utilised. The majority of responses to Likert-type statements were 5 or 4; three conceptual themes indicated that students were highly concerned with the quality of TAs. The study provides a preliminary step in addressing the necessity of TAs in group work; long-term goals should be to invite more TAs into practical social work courses. In this paper, the study’s findings, their possible implications for group work education, and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]