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It is useful to increase the sharpness in medical images. This improvement can help medical diagnoses and treatment outcomes for patients. Noise overshoot and oversharpening effects are common artifacts of conventional sharpening algorithms. In this work, we propose an adaptive sharpness algorithm that achieves better sharpening effects than standard methods. As the pixel value changes abruptly at an edge, a method that adequately emphasized sudden variations in pixel values is effective for use in the sharpening process. Measurement of the gradient norm value of each pixel is calculated and compared to a threshold value to produce a curve. The curve quickly drops at the initial stage and then decreased more slowly for higher norm values. To distinguish the edge, an inflection point is determined by taking the second derivative of the curve and identifying the turnover point (where the curvature changes sign). Norm values higher than the inflection point are identified as belonging to the edge, and a simple sharpness filter is adaptively applied to these points. The proposed approach yielded better results than global filtering and a conventional unsharp masking approach when evaluated using Pratt's figure of merit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore the social outcomes of older adult learning in Taiwan. In light of our society's aging population structure, the task of establishing evaluation framework and indicators for the social outcomes of learning (SOL) as applied to older adults is urgent. In order to construct evaluation indicators for older adult SOL based on the framework provided by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD; 2007), the focus group method and Delphi Technique were adopted. Five findings stand out: First, the evaluation framework of older adult SOL includes two domains, seven dimensions, 21 subdimensions, and 58 evaluation indicators. Second, the evaluation indicators were ranged betweenimportantandvery important. Third, there are 26 evaluation indicators identified as primary indicators. Fourth, the evaluation framework of older adult SOL extends from individual to the external worlds. Fifth, the community and social dimensions of older adult SOL need to be reinforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore recognition of the importance of later-life planning and practice of later-life preparation by individuals from different generations. The study utilizes the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) method, in combination with a later-life planning questionnaire, to investigate adults (over 20 years old) across 25 counties and cities in Taiwan. The research design employed proportional stratified random sampling, and it received 1071 valid samples. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. Five findings stand out: First, later-life planning can be categorized into five domains: physical health, psychological adjustment, social relationships, financial management, and leisure life. Second, the subjects showed their recognition of the importance of later-life planning, especially with respect to physical health. Third, their preparations primarily took the form of following a balanced diet, maintaining a good mood, saving money, maintaining good relationships with family, and planning adequate leisure activities. Fourth, the results show intergenerational differences in recognition of the importance of later-life planning. Fifth, recognition of the importance of later-life planning effectively predicts one's practice of later-life preparation. Policy suggestions are offered for governmental and educational institutions dealing with older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2008, Taiwan's Ministry of Education has sponsored a number of short-term residential educational programs aimed at senior citizens and administered by local colleges and universities. In 2009, the Ministry of Education named a project the Elderhostel Program (notwithstanding the lack of involvement by the United States organization, which owns the English name as a trademark), and commissioned 28 colleges and universities to provide five-day residential educational programs to senior citizens age 55 or over. The present study analyzes the results of the 2009 Elderhostel Program. A total of 560 questionnaires were sent to the 28 schools, each of which randomly selected 20 participants to be respondents. A total of 380 of the questionnaires were returned, and 365 (or 65%) were selected. Three conclusions were drawn from the present study: (a) in general, participants were satisfied with the programs they had attended; (b) most were willing to participate in similar programs in the future; and (c) most report being happier after the programs. Based on these findings, suggestions for the Ministry of Education, colleges and universities, educators, organizers, and policy-makers who work with senior citizens are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We established a novel gene expression analysis platform, Multiplex Competitive RT-PCR Using Fluorescent Universal Primers (MCF-PCR), to study multi-gene expression patterns simultaneously. This platform combines fluorescent universal primers, multiplex competitive RT-PCR, and capillary electrophoretic separation, which ensures MCF-PCR a reliable, medium-throughput, cost-effective technology for gene expression profiling. With cloned standard DNAs, the detection limits, precision, and sensitivity of MCF-PCR were evaluated and compared with that of the assay without adding competitive templates and real-time PCR, respectively. The results showed that detection limit was 3.125 × 10 to 3.2 × 10 copies, and 10 % copy differences between two samples can be detected by MCF-PCR. To validate MCF-PCR, we analyzed expression profile of five genes in interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 pathway in peripheral blood of 20 healthy adults and 20 allergic dermatitis patients; three genes including IL-4, IL-13, and STAT6 were found differentially expressed in the two sample groups, which maybe key players in IL-4/IL-13 immunological signaling pathway and need further function analysis. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a central role in allergy diseases. Previous studies have reported the association of variants in the proximal promoter of FCER1A with IgE levels as well as allergy disorders. Another promoter gene polymorphism that is located upstream of exon 1 has not been investigated. We investigated the association of variants in the promoter located upstream of FCER1A exon 1 with serum IgE levels and allergy diseases in a Han Chinese population. A total of 97 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), 123 patients with chronic urticaria (CU), 286 children with asthma, and control groups were screened for polymorphisms in the promoter region located upstream of FCER1A exon 1 by the polymerase chain reaction–ligation detection reaction method. Total serum IgE levels were tested in groups. The rare allele A of the rs2427837 A/G polymorphism was significantly different in the AD group compared with the controls. No association with the polymorphism was observed in the CU group. In asthmatic patients, IgE levels were higher in the mutation genotypes GA of rs2427837 and TC of rs2251746 compared with normal genotype individuals. The minor allele of rs2427837 and rs2251746 in FCER1A is a genetic risk factor of high IgE levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Culture influences personal health habits and behavior, and healthcare personnel possess different views of cultural perspectives. Currently, an appropriate instrument to assess cultural competence in clinical practice is limited. The present study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Nursing Cultural Competence Scale (NCCS) for clinical nurses. Methods: Developing and assessing the scale was carried out in two phases: Phase I involved a qualitative research to explore the themes of nurses’ cultural competence and instrument development; Phase II established construct validity of the scale using a sample of 246 nurses in Taiwan. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Analysis results were used to determine the reliability and validity of the developed scale. Results: The results showed four factors including cultural awareness ability, cultural action ability, cultural resources application ability, and self-learning cultural ability were generated by exploratory factor analysis, and these factors explained 62.0% of total variance. Cronbach’s α of the Nursing Cultural Competence Scale was .88, and test-retest reliability correlation was .70. Conclusions: The establishment of the tool will facilitate accurate monitoring of the cultural competence among nurses and nursing managers, which can inform the construction of nursing policies aimed at pledge cultural competence expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: Administration of high-dose gentamicin for intractable Meniere's disease appears to be effective in achieving long-term control of vertigo. However, the safety of this route of administration with respect to the patient's hearing has not yet been sufficiently established. Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the long-term results of patients receiving high-dose intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) instillation for refractory Meniere's disease. Patients and methods: Fourteen patients with Meniere's disease according to 1995 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guidelines who had failed medical (12 subjects) or surgical (2 subjects) treatment were included. Intratympanic injections of 27 mg/ml gentamicin were performed three times daily for 4 days. Vertigo control, the patients’ functional level, and their hearing threshold were all analyzed. Criteria described in 1995 by AAO-HNS were used. Results: The overall successful vertigo control rate was 92.9% over the 2-year follow-up and 85.7% at long-term follow-up (average 10 years). Hearing level as pure-tone average was worse in four patients (28.5%) after 2 years follow-up and in six patients (42.8%) after long-term follow-up, respectively. Profound sensorineural hearing loss occurred as a result of gentamicin injection in one patient (7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]