Using a visual support package to facilitate independent leisure engagement and choice-making for individuals with moderate to severe autism in Taiwan.

Self-determination encompasses various components, including decision-making and independence, making it a complex process. While the importance of self-determination for individuals with autism spectrum disorder has been explored in previous studies, there is limited research focusing on individuals with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder. Evidence-based practices such as visual activity schedules and video modeling have shown effectiveness in promoting independence among individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Theoretical investigation on action mechanism and mollifying efficacy of propellant stabilizers.

Context: This project performed quantum chemical computation, through kinetic and thermodynamic analyses to compare relative reactivity, reaction rate, and equilibrium composition from the possible pathways in connection with stabilizer-nitrodioxide reactions to determine the stability of the materials for practical application. Corresponding achievements have promoted the use of N-methyl-p-nitroaniline (MNA) and dinitrophenyl malonamide series (M3, M4, and M5) stabilizers as high priorities for selection.

Methods: The Gaussian 09 program (G09) (Frisch et al 2009) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) function were performed to obtain related geometric and thermodynamic energy data for the molecular systems in this study.

Comparative Study of the Orientation and Order Effects on the Thermoelectric Performance of 2D and 3D Perovskites.

Calcium titanium oxide has emerged as a highly promising material for optoelectronic devices, with recent studies suggesting its potential for favorable thermoelectric properties. However, current experimental observations indicate a low thermoelectric performance, with a significant gap between these observations and theoretical predictions. Therefore, this study employs a combined approach of experiments and simulations to thoroughly investigate the impact of structural and directional differences on the thermoelectric properties of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) metal halide perovskites.

Effects of Dispatcher-Assisted Public-Access Defibrillation Programs on the Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Before-and-After Study.

Background: Public access defibrillation (PAD) programs have been implemented globally over the past decade. Although PAD can substantially increase the survival of cardiac arrest, PAD use remains low. This study aimed to evaluate whether drawing upon the successful experiences of dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation programs would increase the use of PAD in dispatcher-assisted PAD programs.

The association between the workload of emergency physicians and the outcomes of acute myocardial infarction: a population-based study.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the second leading cause of mortality in Taiwan. The correlation between the workload of emergency physicians and the outcome of AMI remains unknown. To determine the effects of the workload of emergency physicians on the outcomes of AMI.

Fluorination on cyclopentadithiophene-based hole-transport materials for high-performance perovskite solar cells.

A new class of fluorinated cyclopenta[2,1-:3,4-']dithiophene (CPDT)-based small molecules, namely YC-oF, YC-mF, and YC-H, are demonstrated as hole-transporting materials (HTMs) for high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). PSCs employing YC-oF as the HTM delivered an excellent efficiency of 22.41% with encouraging long-term stability.

Induction of neutralizing antibodies and mucosal IgA through intranasal immunization with the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with the type IIb E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin A subunit.

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infections had led to the COVID-19 pandemic which has a significant impact on global public health and the economy. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains the receptor binding domain (RBD) which binds to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. Numerous RBD-based vaccines have been developed and recently focused on the induction of neutralizing antibodies against the immune evasive Omicron BQ.

Inhibitory Perturbations of Fluvastatin on Afterhyperpolarization Current, Erg-mediated K Current, and Hyperpolarization-activated Cation Current in Both Pituitary GH Cells and Primary Embryonic Mouse Cortical Neurons.

Fluvastatin (FLV), the first synthetically derived 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis. While its primary mechanism of action is to reduce cholesterol levels, there is some evidence suggesting that it may also have effects on K channels. However, the overall effects of fluvastatin on ionic currents are not yet well understood.

Solidification and Liquation Cracking in Welds of High Entropy CoCrFeNiCu Alloys.

High entropy CoCrFeNiCu alloys with a Cu molar ratio of x ≈ 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 were arc welded.

24-h PCI model does affect the outcome of STEMI patients: a population-based study.

Acute myocardial infarction has been the second leading cause of death in Taiwan. It's a novel issue to evaluate the relationship between the 24-h PCI service model and the outcome of STEMI patients. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 24-h PCI service model in STEMI patients to improving survival rate.

To PCR or not? The impact of shifting policy from PCR to rapid antigen tests to diagnose COVID-19 during the omicron epidemic: a nationwide surveillance study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had caused huge impacts worldwide. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the mainstay diagnostic modality. In most hospitals in Taiwan, samples for PCR are collected at emergency department (ER) or outdoor clinics to avoid virus spread inside hospitals.

Effects of bamlanivimab alone or in combination with etesevimab on subsequent hospitalization and mortality in outpatients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an enormous loss of life worldwide. The spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the cause of its virulence. Bamlanivimab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody, has been used alone or in combination with etesevimab to provide passive immunity and improve clinical outcomes.

The Mealtime Behavior Problems of Children with Developmental Disabilities and the Teacher's Stress in Inclusive Preschools.

With an increasing number of children with developmental disabilities entering inclusive preschools, preschool teachers face more behavioral problems in class. Preschool teachers typically attempt to address mealtime behavior problems of children with and without developmental disabilities simultaneously in class. This study used qualitative research to identify the stress triggers of preschool teachers addressing the mealtime behavior problems of children with developmental disabilities.

Slower tempo makes worse performance? The effect of musical tempo on cognitive processing speed.

The effects of musical tempo on cognitive processing speed were investigated, and the mediating effect of arousal was empirically tested. In an experiment, participants were divided into fast tempo, slow tempo, and no-music groups and completed three cognitive processing speed tests measuring motor speed, visuospatial processing speed, and linguistic processing speed. The results indicated a significant effect of musical tempo on processing speed and task performance in all three tasks.