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<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>As intensive aquaculture continues to develop, substantial investments have been made in equipment to sustain high‐density farming. However, this has resulted in elevated noise levels within these aquaculture environments, particularly below 2000 Hz, matching the hearing range of most cultured fish species. Fish under noise conditions may experience hearing loss and physiological stress, which can negatively affect their growth, foraging efficiency, reproductive success, and increase their susceptibility to diseases. These adverse effects compromise the welfare of cultured fish, potentially decreasing production quality and increasing mortality rates. Despite these notable effects, the understanding and management of noise conditions in aquaculture systems lag behind other environmental parameters in terms of recognition and control. In this review, we cover the fundamentals of fish auditory systems, the hearing range of key cultured fish species, and the most common noise sources and levels prevalent in current intensive aquaculture systems. Additionally, we examine recent discoveries on the effects of anthropogenic noise on fish hearing, physiological responses, and behavior. Finally, we provide strategies for noise monitoring and management in the aquaculture industry, while also highlighting open questions for future research. Our goal is to assist researchers and practitioners in comprehending underwater noise and its effects on cultured fish species, providing a valuable resource for promoting the healthy and sustainable development of intensive aquaculture.</jats:p>

Amazon is a global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing that has continually proven that it can diversify its business model well beyond being just one of the world's largest online retailers. Study its financial results, strategic initiatives by SWOT Analysis, and access its market positioning in industry by using PESTEL Analysis and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis. In order to ascertain the intrinsic value and assess the future prospects of Amazon, the study then utilizes several financial models, Enterprise Discounted Cash Flow (EDCF), Adjusted Present Value (APV) and Discounted Economic Profit (DEP). The study presents Amazon is potentially overvalued (December 31, 2024).

This qualitative study explores parental perspectives and decision-making processes regarding young children's engagement with electronic devices in Macao. Data was collected through semi- structured, in-depth interviews with 15 parents of young children. The researcher analysed the interview contents and synthesized the findings with relevant literature and theoretical support, resulting in the following key insights: 1. Parental attitudes towards children's use of electronic devices were found to be distinctly polarised. Parents with a more open attitude viewed electronic devices as an inevitable part of modern life, suggesting that excessive restrictions might hinder children's development. In contrast, parents with a more conservative perspective emphasised the developmental risks of early exposure. Three primary factors influenced parental attitudes; the parents’ level of professional knowledge in education, their own usage habits, and their sense of parental self-efficacy. Additionally, parental behaviours had a modelling effect on children's usage patterns, directly correlating with the stringency of their management strategies. 2. Regarding child development, parents generally recognised the educational value of electronic devices, particularly the ability of multimedia interactivity to enhance learning engagement and facilitate knowledge acquisition. However, they also expressed concerns about the potential risks in three developmental domains: physiological development (e.g., visual eye strain, sedentary behaviour), psychological development (e.g., addiction, reduced social interaction), and cognitive development (e.g., diminished attention span, fewer opportunities for practical learning). Parents with professional knowledge of child development tended to adopt more comprehensive assessment perspectives and balanced usage strategies. 3. The study identified three primary contexts in which parents provided electronic devices to their children: first, as a response to parenting stress, where parents used devices to gain brief respite or manage household tasks; second, as behavioural management tools, using devices for reward and punishment mechanisms, such as encouraging good behaviour, boosting learning motivation, or soothing children in specific situations (e.g., during illness or mealtime); and third, as influenced by external environmental factors, including caregiving differences (e.g., grandparents, domestic helpers), the technological emphasis in educational settings, and peer influence on children's social interactions. III 4. In terms of management strategies, parents predominantly employed three approaches: restrictive mediation, focusing on controlling screen time and filtering content; technical mediation, involving the use of device security settings and application restrictions; and alternative activity planning, such as encouraging children to engage in constructive play and artistic activities. However, the study revealed that parents less frequently utilised active educational mediation (e.g., discussing content, sharing experiences) and co-viewing strategies (e.g., joint parent-child usage, interactive learning). Based on these findings, the researcher provides recommendations for parents, schools, educators, and government agencies to establish a more comprehensive and supportive framework for young children's use of electronic devices and related services. 本研究採用質性研究方法，探討澳門家長對幼兒使用電子產品的觀點及決策因由，透過半 結構式深度訪談，收集 15 位育有幼兒之家長的經驗與看法。研究者根據訪談內容進行分析 討論，並輔以相關文獻和理論支持，歸納出以下研究結果: (一) 家長對幼兒使用電子產品的態度呈現明顯的兩極分化:持開放態度的家長視其為時代 趨勢，認為過度限制可能阻礙幼兒發展;持保守態度的家長則強調提早接觸電子產品可能帶 來發展風險。研究發現，家長的態度主要受三個因素影響:教育專業知識水平、個人使用習 慣，以及親職效能感。此外，家長的行為會通過示範效應影響幼兒的使用模式，並直接關係 到其管理策略的嚴格程度。 (二) 在幼兒發展方面，家長普遍認同電子產品的教育價值，尤其是其多媒體互動特性能提 升學習投入度及知識獲取。然而，家長同時關注其潛在風險，這些風險主要集中在三個層 面:生理發展(如視力損害、久坐問題)、心理發展(如沉迷、社交互動)、認知發展(如 專注力、實踐機會)。研究發現，具備幼兒發展專業知識的家長更傾向採取全面的評估視角 和均衡的使用策略。 (三) 家長提供電子產品予幼兒的三個主要情境包括:首先是因應育兒壓力，家長表示會透 過電子產品獲得短暫休息及處理家務的時間。其次是行為管理工具，家長運用電子產品進行 獎懲，包括鼓勵良好行為、提升學習動機，以及在特定情境下(如幼兒不適或進食)作為安 撫工具。第三是受外在環境因素的影響，主要來自三方面:替代照顧者(如祖父母、家傭) 的管教差異、教育環境的科技化趨勢，以及同儕使用經驗對幼兒社交需求的影響。 (四) 在管理策略方面，家長主要採取三種調解方式:限制性調解，著重於使用時間管控與 內容篩選;技術性調解，運用設備安全管理功能與應用程式限制;替代活動規劃，包括引導 幼兒參與建構性遊戲與藝術創作等。研究發現，家長較少採用具教育意義的指導性調解(如 內容討論、經驗分享)和社交共賞(如親子共同使用、互動學習)策略。 基於上述研究發現，研究者分別對家長，學校及教師、以及政府部門提出建議，期望建立 更適切且全面的幼兒電子產品使用框架及相關支援服務。

This dissertation focuses on the novel Rouge by the Hong Kong-based writer Lilian Lee, which is a fantasy novel that proclaims feminism by deploying a love tragedy, describing the social context and atmosphere of Hong Kong in the 1930s and 1980s, and the living and afterlife experiences of the courtesan Fleur. Rouge was first published in 1984 and subsequently adapted into a film in 1988, which won several awards at film festivals. The novel Rouge can be regarded as Lilian Lee’s most representative work and a significant cultural symbol of Hong Kong in the 1990s. Love is a universal human experience that has a significant impact on our lives, relationships, and our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Consequently, philosophers have long sought to gain insight into its nature, origins and role in human existence, which makes the exploration of love a core focus of philosophical inquiry. This research will examine how the novel Rouge explores the interplay between authentic love and ego love, and will also investigate the causes that led to Fleur’s tragedy.

Today, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls have become one of the sustainable development goals jointly regarded by the international community. As society's understanding of gender gradually becomes more diverse and open, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to men's needs. Although society generally recognizes gender equality and pays attention to the development of women, relatively little attention is paid to the development and needs of men. Men also have needs and expectations, and are influenced by society's traditional expectations in their willingness to participate in associations. This study outlines the phenomenon that men’s participation in community services is generally lower than that of women, and cites data from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and other places to support this view. Although gender equality is a global concern, there are relatively few protection policies and services specifically for men in Macau and surrounding areas. In the context of pursuing gender equality, men's rights and needs should not be ignored. Therefore, this study aims to explore men's motivations for participating in women's group social services. It uses qualitative research and a phenomenological approach to 15 invited respondents. Interview samples were collected through in-depth interviews. Different findings were obtained from the research results through the use of description and inductive analysis through the life stories of the interviewees. The research concluded that service can not only meet their personal needs and experience the achievement of development tasks, but also found the key experience factors, that is, the four major motivations for men to participate in clubs, including personal service spirit, personal life needs, maintenance Social relationships and personal interests and preferences and six elements of continuous participation, including contrast in values, tangible experience, feeling changed, having challenges and growth, improving horizons and knowledge, and feeling a sense of belonging. The study also obtained four suggestions from the interviewees for social services and their expected experiences. This study also inspired social workers to formulate comprehensive and targeted men's policies, not only to respond to the diverse needs of the men's group, but also to It is the key to promoting comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development of society. 現今性別平等與增強婦女和女童的權能，已成為國際社會共同視為持續發展目標之一。隨著社會對兩性的認知逐漸變得多元及開放，越來越多人士開始關注男士的需要。儘管社會普遍認同性別平等並關注婦女發展情況，但對男士的發展和需求關注相對不足。男士同樣有需求和期望，並且受社會傳統的期望影響參與社團的意願。 本研究概述了社團服務中男性參與度普遍低於女性的現象，並引用了香港、臺灣及澳門等地的數據來支撐這一觀點。儘管性別平等是全球關注的議題，但在澳門及周邊地區，專門針對男性的保護政策和服務相對較少。在追求性別平等的背景下，男士的權益和需求不應被忽視，因此本研究旨在探討男士參與婦女團體社會服務的動機，採用質性研究，以現象學方式，向受邀的 15 位受訪樣本，透過深度訪談蒐集資料。藉著受訪者闡述生活故事，運用描述及歸納分析，從研究結果中得到不同的發現。研究結論得出，服務既滿足到他們的個人需要，以及體 驗到發展任務的達成，另外找到了關鍵體驗的因素，即男士參與社團的四個動機，包括個人服務精神、個人生活需要、維繫社會關係、個人興趣與喜好以及六個持續參與元素，包括 價值觀的反差、切實之體驗、感受到改變、.有挑戰和成長、提升視野知識以及感覺歸屬感。 研究也得到了受訪者對社會服務的四個建議，以及他們期望的體驗，這樣研究同時啟發了社會工作者如何制定全面且有針對性的男士政策，不僅是回應男士群體多元化需求，更是推動社會全面、協調、可持續發展的關鍵所在。

Macao is a small city, and most businesses operating in Macao are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With personal data protection gaining increasing global attention, what impact does personal data protection law have on the operations of SMEs in Macao? What is the perception of the impact of the Personal Data Protection Law on the operation of Macao's SMEs? This thesis aims to make a corresponding analysis. The article examines Macao's current business environment and enterprise models, integrates data collected from SME surveys, and considers Macao's economic development trajectory before and after its return to China. It analyzes Macao's connections with Portuguese-speaking countries, the European Union, and the cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which the Chinese government is actively developing. By studying the characteristics of personal data protection legal systems in various countries and regions and their influence on Macao, the paper provides recommendations for enhancing SMEs' awareness of personal data protection and leveraging personal data protection laws to improve business operations in Macao. 澳門是一個細小的城市，在澳門做生意的企業大多是中小企業，個人資料保護在全球日益受到重視，究竟個人資料保護法對澳門中小企營運又帶來甚麼影響 ? 澳門中小企營運過程中，對個人資料保護法影響認知有多少? 本篇論文將會作出相應分析，文章透過分析澳門現時具體營商環境及企業模式，結合透過中小企問卷調查搜集獲得之資料，以及澳門在回歸後，前後經濟發展歷程中與葡語系國家、歐盟、以及與現時中國政府大力發展之大灣區城市之聯系，分析各國家及地區的個人資料保護法律制度之特色以及對澳門之影響，最後就澳門中小企未來就加強中小企個人資料保護意識以及善用個人資料保護法律營商作出建議。

Management of people” and “enhancement of the system” are the focused aspects for improvement of the business operations in this thesis. A case study was carried out in the Facility Management department of a five-star hotel. A list of questionnaire was delivered to about 50% employees of the FM department for the purpose of identifying the awareness of the Organizational Culture. The result indicate that the “Work Process” and “Organization Climate” are the higher score elements than the “Leadership Style” and “Organization Value”. The results tell the management that people are reluctant to change the present work process and the leadership is not effective in the organization. The above issues represent the employees’ behavior and attitude which can affect the employees’ performance as well as the company’s operational efficiency. Suitable management techniques are applied to analyze the employees’ needs and group the people into passive and active attitude, then the appropriate motivation schemes are proposed aiming to improve the overall performance of different groups of employees. The latest technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G mobile communications are proposed for enhancement of the current FM systems aiming for the improvement on fast response, operational cost saving , carbon neutralization and comfort to customers. The proposed system enhancement also considers the minimal investment, so the system enhancement is mainly executed by software upgrade on the core system and replacement of the Smart Sensing devices. The hardware of core equipment can be re-used. AI technology is the future trend of operational improvement, it will be considered as the next step when AI become mature and standardized.

This study investigates the regulatory-operational dynamics of the premium market in Macau casinos using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 participants from three stakeholder groups. The grounded theory analysis identifies seven core categories illustrating the impact of the new regulatory system on the premium direct and premium mass segments in casinos. These categories include regulatory changes and operational challenges, decline of gaming promoters, premiumization of the gaming market, new player retention strategies, cross-border player acquisition risks, presence of unauthorized agents in casinos, and non-gaming development amid international competition. These insights highlight four major regulatory impacts on the industry themes and operational trends, i.e., industry regularization, market premiumization, product diversification, and criminal fragmentation. This study also identifies specific regulatory mechanisms and operational management in premium gaming, such as premium player identification, enhanced operational procedures, multi-tiered market segmentation, and the provision of personalized services. Additionally, stakeholder perceptions of the new gaming regulatory system are explored, with casino and expert groups considering it necessary and junket participants finding it restrictive. From these findings, a conceptual model structured around regulatory functions, compliance, and improvement is developed to provide a theoretical regulatory framework that aligns with the characteristics of the gaming industry in Macau and possibly other gaming jurisdictions.

Caterpillar, one of the world's most recognised industrial brands, is a leading global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, as well as diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. Currently, Caterpillar operates in North America, Asia Pacific, EAME region and Latin America, with operations in North America accounting for approximately 47% of the company's net revenue in 2022. Caterpillar has been able to win customers' trust and achieve stable business growth through reliable products, advanced technology, user-friendly services and differentiated service solutions. Post-coronavirus, it can be seen that the industry in which Caterpillar operates is vulnerable to changes in the economic and social environment. In addition, the industry is becoming increasingly competitive, especially with the rise of emerging players, such as construction equipment manufacturers in China, who are entering the markets of developing countries with cost-effective products. In addition to that, such as the traditional machinery manufacturing companies in Europe and Japan, their products are not only highly intelligent, but also motorised equipment technology is quite reliable. It is a tough challenge to maintain a competitive edge. Understanding the impact of these changes on the industry and the company helps in assessing the intrinsic value of Caterpillar and its future positioning. Comparing the intrinsic value derived from the three valuation models to the company's market share price as of 31 December 2022 will provide valuable information to investors.

This thesis explores the nature of holistic consciousness in Hermetic philosophy, drawing on the classical text of The Emerald Tablet and The Corpus Hermeticum attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Central to this ancient philosophy from Hellenistic Alexandria is the “as above, so below” principle, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things. Hermetic philosophy views harmony as the balance and interconnection of all elements in the universe. Sound, tied to the divine word, is vital for this harmony and understanding of creation and divine wisdom. This thesis focuses on the relationship between human, cosmic, and divine consciousness. Through divinization, humans can align with cosmic consciousness, realizing their divine nature by transcending physical limitations. Furthermore, we will review Hermetic philosophy in light of contemporary challenges, such as materialism which has caused environmental, social and mental health crises. Hermetic philosophy’s holistic approach and emphasis on interconnectedness can counteract social atomization caused by digital technology. Hermetic philosophy having a scientific-rational basis, can be aligned with contemporary ideas like the holographic universe theory. Self-reflection, meditation, nature engagement, and inner dialogue are all proven methods for cultivating holistic consciousness, as advocated in Hermetic philosophy. We can better understand the universe by integrating Hermetic wisdom with science. 這篇論文探討赫爾墨斯哲學中整體意識的性質，參考了赫爾墨斯·特里斯梅吉斯圖斯所屬的古典文本《翡翠石板》和《赫爾墨斯文集》。這一源自希臘化亞歷山大的古老哲學的核心原則是「上如是下」，強調所有事物之間的相互連結。 赫爾墨斯哲學視和諧為宇宙中所有元素的平衡與相互關聯。聲音與神聖之語相連，對於這種和諧及對創造與神聖智慧的理解至關重要。這篇論文專注於人類、宇宙與神聖意識之間的關係。透過神化，人類能夠與宇宙意識對齊，超越身體的限制，實現其神聖本質。 此外，我們將審視赫爾墨斯哲學在當代挑戰下的意義，例如物質主義所導致的環境、社會和心理健康危機。赫爾墨斯哲學的整體方法和對相互連結的強調，可以對抗數位科技所造成的社會原子化現象。 赫爾墨斯哲學具科學理性基礎，能與當代觀念如全息宇宙理論相結合。自我反思、冥想、與自然的互動及內心對話，都是培養整體意識的有效方法，正如赫爾墨斯哲學所提倡的。我們可以通過將赫爾墨斯智慧與科學相結合，更深入地理解宇宙。

This board game is designed around China's major traditional festivals (such as the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.) and their customs, with the aim of allowing players to experience and learn about China's rich cultural traditions through gameplay. The goal of the game is to earn points by completing festival tasks, answering questions about customs, and collecting festival items, with the highest scorer ultimately winning. The gameplay design includes elements like festival task cards, customs quizzes, and festival item collection to enhance interactivity and fun. Players will assume different roles in the game, using cards, maps, and festival-themed objects to gain a deeper understanding of the history and customs of each festival. Educational Value: This board game is not only entertaining but also helps players learn about traditional Chinese culture in a relaxed setting, enhancing cultural identity. It is suitable for family gatherings, friends' meetups, and educational settings, particularly for players interested in Chinese culture.

<jats:p>PM10 emissions have been a significant concern in rock crushing and quarry operations (study site #1) and iron ore mining projects (study site #2) in certain regions of Malaysia, posing fears to the health and well-being of nearby communities with severe air pollution. To address this issue, it is crucial to develop effective mitigation strategies to reduce dust particle emissions like PM10 in the ambient air. The AERMOD model was applied to predict PM10 emissions during quarry operations and iron ore mining projects, both with and without control measures. The results indicated that PM10 emissions were reduced when control measures were implemented. The modeling result shows the mean PM10 concentration with and without control measures in study site #1 is 74.85 µg/m3 and 20,557.69 µg/m3, respectively. In comparison, the average PM10 concentration with and without control measures in study site #2 is 53.95 µg/m3 and 135.69 µg/m3. Therefore, the control measure has successfully reduced the PM10 concentrations by 99.90% and 60.24% in study sites #1 and #2, respectively, and ensures the air quality complies with the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (MAAQG) 24 h threshold limits at 100 µg/m3. In addition, the AERMOD modeling results showed that mitigation measures performed better in rock crushing and quarry operations than in iron ore mining projects in this case study.</jats:p>

Nickel–cobalt-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) has received considerable attention in the field of supercapacitor; however, the low conductivity and structural instability limit its practical applications. In this paper, a facile strategy for the fabrication of NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) coating on nitrogen/oxygen co-doped carbon nanocages (NOCN) was proposed in this paper. This multicomponent nanocomposite, NiCo-LDH@NOCN, has a high specific capacitance of 1842 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, a remarkable rate capability of 68.1% increasing the current density to 30 A g−1, and excellent cycling stability of 72.1% after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) composed of NiCo-LDH@NOCN as a positive electrode and NOCN as a negative electrode was fabricated. The ASC shows a superior energy density of 31.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 700 W kg−1, which suggests the great practical application potential of supercapacitor.

<jats:p>Electric vehicles (EVs) must be used as the primary mode of transportation as part of the gradual transition to more environmentally friendly clean energy technology and cleaner power sources. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has the potential to improve electricity demand, control load variability, and improve the sustainability of smart grids. The operation and principles of V2G and its varieties, the present classifications and types of EVs sold on the market, applicable policies for V2G and business strategy, implementation challenges, and current problem-solving techniques have not been thoroughly examined. This paper exposes the research gap in the V2G area and more accurately portrays the present difficulties and future potential in V2G deployment globally. The investigation starts by discussing the advantages of the V2G system and the necessary regulations and commercial representations implemented in the last decade, followed by a description of the V2G technology, charging communication standards, issues related to V2G and EV batteries, and potential solutions. A few major issues were brought to light by this investigation, including the lack of a transparent business model for V2G, the absence of stakeholder involvement and government subsidies, the excessive strain that V2G places on EV batteries, the lack of adequate bidirectional charging and standards, the introduction of harmonic voltage and current into the grid, and the potential for unethical and unscheduled V2G practices. The results of recent studies and publications from international organizations were altered to offer potential answers to these research constraints and, in some cases, to highlight the need for further investigation. V2G holds enormous potential, but the plan first needs a lot of financing, teamwork, and technological development.</jats:p>

<jats:p xml:lang="en">Over the last few years, brands have increasingly looked to influencer marketing to promote their products. More recently, a new approach has emerged, leveraging artificial intelligence to create virtual influencers. Despite the growing importance of virtual brand ambassadors, academic research on virtual influencers remains fragmented, with limited discussion regarding the ideal characteristics of such agents. This paper addresses this gap in the literature and identifies the conditions necessary for virtual influencers to deliver positive outcomes. Based on existing literature, we identify eight essential attributes that significantly influence the effectiveness of virtual influencers. We also propose an agenda for future research and present a conceptual model to elucidate virtual influencer dynamics. This research enhances our understanding of virtual influencers’ role and impact in contemporary brand promotion, providing valuable insights for scholars and practitioners.</jats:p>

ARTeFACTo is a transdisciplinary studies journal and conference centered around the concept of digital media and computer artifacts, which were the genesis of its name. It aims to give visibility to all digital media and technology-based artifacts, creators, or contributors from a transdisciplinary, humanistic, and holistic perspective of integration and composition. The main objective is constructing and disseminating knowledge through descriptions of artistic practice, authorship or co-authorship (including the narration and description of other works), and graphic data (images, diagrams, animations, drawings, sketches). The Journal is open to international contributions from all those studying digital media/computer artifacts, embracing their conceptualization, design, creative and research processes, computational implementation, exhibition and fruition, and role in today’s information and knowledge society. Also welcomed are articles fostering the establishment of the conceptual foundations of an artifact theory in the digital media world. Accepted articles shall be original (in compliance with the standards of conduct of the COPE – Code of Conduct and Good Practices) in Portuguese and English, with a mandatory abstract in English. The Conference has the same goals as the Journal but provides a specific floor for the concrete exhibition of artifacts along with their presentation and discussion. All submissions will be evaluated by peer review, including two advisors from the Scientific Council. All feedback will be sent to the authors, indicating their approval, refusal of publication, or requests for correction or recast. The authors will be notified of the publication once the entire selection process has been completed. ARTeFACTo is a joint project between Artech International and Universidade Aberta.

As an important part of the global economy, family business have made a lot of contributions to the world economy. With the deepening of China's reform and opening up, the scale and volume of family business have increased dramatically in the national economy. In recent years, more and more family-owned enterprises have entered the list of “Top 500 Chinese Enterprises” and become an important part of the national economy. As a special enterprise organization, family business has certain characteristics. Most of the Chinese family business were founded in the early stage of China's reform and opening up, and now more and more family business are facing the problem that the founders need to leave the family business due to their advanced age. How to ensure the smooth succession of family business and avoid conflicts and contradictions in the process of succession is an important challenge faced by many family business. How to ensure that family business can continue to develop and maintain a high performance status is of great significance to the founders and their successors, as well as to the Chinese economy. Therefore, this research examines how the characteristics of successors affect enterprise performance based on the context of intergenerational succession in family business. This research is based on a multi-case study in which in-depth interviews were conducted with the founders and successors of five cases, which led to the conclusion that five successor characteristics have an impact on enterprise performance. They are inclusiveness, forward thinking, sociable and good communication, sense of social responsibility and sense of family mission. This finding has significant implications for the training of successors and the management of the succession process in Chinese family business. This study is conducive to the discovery of the mechanism of successor characteristics on enterprise performance as well as to make a realistic contribution to the research on the outcomes of family business in China.

The study aimed to analyze teachers' perceptions of co-teaching within an inclusive educational environment, focusing on the challenges they face, the tools and resources available, and how these factors contribute to promoting inclusion. Conducted with 16 primary and secondary school teachers from an inclusive school in Macau, the research utilized in-depth semi- structured interviews to gather qualitative data on their experiences and perceptions. Overall, the findings highlight co-teaching as a powerful strategy in educational settings, particularly for enhancing students’ learning outcomes. Teachers reported positive views on co-teaching, recognizing its potential to promote collaboration and support diverse learners effectively. Nevertheless, cultural factors significantly influenced teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion. The study revealed that teachers varied cultural and professional backgrounds lead to different perspectives on inclusive practices. This complexity highlights the need for culturally responsive approaches in teacher training and professional development. Despite the positive perceptions of co-teaching, teachers encountered several challenges, namely inconsistent school practices, lack of institutional support from school administration and leadership and inadequate training opportunities. This study suggests that addressing these challenges is crucial for the successful implementation of co-teaching approaches, namely policy adjustments by stakeholders to support co-teaching initiatives, effective allocation of resources for teachers, professional development for school leaders to enhance their ability to foster a collaborative environment, and ongoing training focused on co-teaching methodologies for teachers.

With the rapid development of Internet technology and the acceleration of globalization, cross-border cybercrime has become a global challenge, and its complexity and severity are increasingly prominent. Cyberspace is unbounded, anonymous and real-time, which provides unprecedented convenience for criminals, enabling them to easily cross-national borders and commit a series of criminal acts that seriously endanger national security, social stability and citizens' rights and interests, including online fraud, online gambling, online money laundering and infringement of intellectual property rights. These crimes not only destroy the order of cyberspace, but also pose new challenges to the legal system and jurisdiction of the real world. As two closely linked economies, Macao and China enjoy the convenience brought by the Internet, but they are also deeply troubled by cross-border cybercrimes. Although the two places belong to the same sovereign country, there are significant differences in legal systems, judicial systems and law enforcement practice, which may lead to conflicts and differences in the jurisdiction, investigation, prosecution and trial of cases. These legal conflicts not only affect the fairness of cases, but also hinder the effective cooperation between Macao and China in combating cross-border cybercrimes, posing a serious threat to maintain social stability and protecting citizens' rights and interests in the two places. Therefore, it is not only of great theoretical significance, but also of far-reaching practical significance to study the criminal jurisdiction over cross-border cybercrimes between Macao and China. From a theoretical point of view, the criminal jurisdiction of cross-border cybercrime involves many disciplines such as constitutional law, criminal law, criminal procedure law, and also the application of the Basic Law of Macao, which is a complex research topic. With the continuous innovation of Internet technology, the applicability of the traditional criminal jurisdiction principle in cross-border cybercrimes is seriously challenged. How to re-examine and define the criminal jurisdiction of cross-border cybercrimes in the new era and how to coordinate the jurisdiction conflicts between different jurisdictions have become urgent problems in current legal research. From a practical point of view, cross-border cybercrime has seriously endangered the social stability and economic development of Macao and China. Criminals use the Internet to engage in cross-border gambling, cross-border fraud, spread network viruses and other criminal activities, which not only bring huge economic losses and psychological trauma to the victims, but also seriously undermine the social atmosphere and market order. Therefore, it is of great significance to strengthen the crackdown on cross-border cybercrimes and improve the criminal jurisdiction system of cross-border cybercrimes for maintaining the stability of the society and promoting healthy economic development in both places.

This dissertation investigates the key factors influencing citizens to adopt e-government services in Macao, focusing on the Macao One Account platform. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, the study examines factors such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions, with additional factors including Trust and Perceived Risk. This study is essential to provide a guideline for adopting e-government services effectively, helping policymakers and government entities optimize digital platforms for improved service delivery and user engagement. The research employed a quantitative methodology. The survey data was collected through an online survey in Google Forms distributed to Macao residents who use the Macao One Account platform. The responses of the 126 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods to identify trends and relationships between the key constructs. The findings reflect that performance expectations, effort expectations, trust, and facilitating conditions are the most influential drivers, with social influence playing a more moderate role. Perceived risk is low, indicating minimal concerns about security or privacy. Usability is an important driver, as most respondents find the platform easy to learn and use. Additionally, the users’ attitudes to the e-government platform could be affected by their trust in the government; reducing risk and increasing confidence can improve the platform's reliability to users. This study shows the need to improve the e-government platform by focusing on users. It includes making it easier to use, building trust with strong data protection, and making it accessible to all citizens. These results give ideas for adopting e-government in Macao and offer simple steps for policymakers to create more inclusive digital services.