Your search

This study explores the changes in the parent-child interaction experience of different types of parents (single parents and two parents) before, during and after the epidemic. The study adopted qualitative research methods and conducted in-depth interviews with 10 families (5 single-parent families and 5 two-parent families), and analyzed from three levels: educational support, interaction model and emotional support.Research has found that the epidemic has not only changed families' lifestyles, but also affected the pattern and quality of parent-child interaction.Especially during the shutdown of work and school, the time parents spend with their children has increased sharply from the original 2-3 hours to 12-14 hours.This abnormal lifestyle has brought unprecedented challenges and opportunities to the parent-child relationship. The research results show that 14 important themes emerged from the interviews, and there are significant differences between single-parent parents and dual-parent parents in facing the impact of the epidemic.In terms of educational support, two-parent families can provide more comprehensive educational support through the division of labor and cooperation between parents.The father is mostly responsible for tutoring in math and science subjects, while the mother focuses on tutoring in Chinese subjects.In contrast, although single parents face resource constraints, they are often able to develop more innovative educational strategies, such as making good use of community resources and establishing mutual aid networks.In terms of interaction patterns, two-parent families tend to optimize the quality of interaction through role division, while single-parent families focus more on improving the effect of a single interaction.At the level of emotional support, the support methods of two-parent families have experienced a transformation from division of labor and collaboration to overall integration, while single-parent families have developed more direct and in-depth emotional connection strategies. Research has found that both single-parent and two-parent families can maintain the development of parent-child relationships through different strategies and adaptations. Some good interactive habits formed during the epidemic, such as regular in-depth conversations and joint participation in housework, are still retained and developed by many families after the epidemic.This suggests that crises may also be an opportunity to promote the optimization of family relationships.The research results not only help understand the unique needs of different types of families, but also provide an empirical basis for formulating differentiated family support policies.Based on the research findings, it is recommended that the government and social service agencies should pay more attention to the diversity of families when formulating policies and provide more targeted support services for different types of families. 本研究探討疫情前中後不同類型家長（單親及雙親）的親子互動體驗變化。研究採用質性研究方法，通過深度訪談10個家庭（5個單親家庭和5個雙親家庭），從教育支援、互動模式和情感支援三個層面進行分析。研究發現，疫情不僅改變了家庭的生活方式，更影響了親子互動的模式和品質。尢其是在停工停學期間，家長和子女的相處時間從原來的2-3小時急增至12-14小時，這種非常態的生活方式為親子關係帶來了前所未有的挑戰和機遇。 研究結果顯示，在訪談中得出14個重要主題，單親家長和雙親家長在面對疫情衝擊時呈現出顯著差異。在教育支援方面，雙親家庭能夠通過父母分工合作的方式提供更全面的教育支援，父親多負責數理科目輔導，母親則專注於語文學科輔導。相比之下，單親家長雖然面臨資源限制，但往往能發展出更具創新性的教育策略，如善用社區資源、建立互助網絡等。在互動模式方面，雙親家庭傾向於通過角色分工來優化互動質量，而單親家庭則更注重提升單次互動的效果。在情感支援層面，雙親家庭的支援方式經歷了從分工協作到整體融合的轉變，而單親家庭則發展出更直接和深入的情感連結策略。 研究發現，無論是單親還是雙親家庭，都能通過不同的策略和適應方式維持親子關係的發展。疫情期間形成的一些良好互動習慣，如定期深度對話、共同參與家務等，在疫情後仍被許多家庭保留和發展。這表明危機也可能成為推動家庭關係優化的契機。研究結果不僅有助於理解不同類型家庭的獨特需求，也為制定差異化的家庭支援政策提供了實證基礎。基於研究發現，建議政府和社會服務機構在制定政策時應更加注重家庭的多樣性，為不同類型的家庭提供更有針對性的支援服務。

Language delay is an important issue that affects the early communication and learning abilities of young children. In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in the family-centered intervention model, which emphasizes the teaching of Responsive Interaction Strategies to parents in order to optimize the family language environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of this model of intervention for children with language delays and to understand the factors that contribute to their language progress. This study adopted a Mixed Methods Research Design, which combined quantitative experiments with qualitative interviews to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention and parents' perceptions of the family-centered model. The study was conducted with 10 children with speech and language delays aged between 2 and 3 years old. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, and received the family-centered ""responsive interaction"" technique and the clinician-directed approach ""direct instruction"" respectively. The 12-week study consisted of a pre-test, an intervention period and a post-test. The quantitative study was conducted using the long version of the Macao contonese language screening scale for preschool children (MacCLASS-P), together with the Chinese Child Development Inventory(Cantonese version) to standardize the children's language comprehension and expression skills. Both the experimental and control groups received weekly 45-minute interventions during the intervention period, with the experimental group receiving a family-centered “responsive interaction” technique, where the therapist taught the parents the relevant skills and provided them with opportunities for practice, and the control group receiving clinician-directed approach ""direct instruction"". The control group received the clinician-directed approach ""direct instruction"". The qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with the parents of the experimental group to investigate the experience of using the techniques and the changes in their children's language. The quantitative results showed that the experimental group made significantly more progress than the control group in overall language comprehension and expressive skills, but did not achieve significant differences in grammatical comprehension and pragmatics. The qualitative data further reflected that parents generally recognized the usefulness of the “responsive interaction” skills in facilitating children's progress from single words to complete sentences. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the family-centered “responsive interaction” intervention model was effective in improving the language comprehension and expression of children with language delays, and that parental involvement strengthened the children's categorization and motivation in language learning. 語言發展遲緩是影響幼兒早期溝通與學習能力的重要議題，近年來，以家庭為中心的介入模式備受關注，強調透過教導家長「回應式互動」技巧（Responsive Interaction Strategies）來優化家庭語言環境。本研究旨在探討此模式對語言遲緩幼兒的介入成效，並了解造成其語言能力進步的因素。 本研究採用混合方法研究設計（Mixed Methods Research Design），將量化實驗與質性訪談相結合，以分析介入效果及家長對以家庭為中心模式的看法。本次研究對象為十名年齡介乎2至3歲的語言遲緩幼兒。受試者隨機分為實驗組及控制組，分別接受以家庭為中心的「回應式互動」技巧和以治療師主導的「直接教學法」介入。共十二週的研究包含前測、介入期與後測三部分。 量化研究採用《澳門粵語學前語言篩查測驗》長版，並配合《漢語溝通發展量表（廣東話版）》對幼兒語言理解和表達能力作標準化測量。實驗組及控制組幼兒在介入期均接受每週45分鐘介入，其中實驗組接受以治療師為主導的「直接教學法」並結合以家庭為中心的「回應式互動」技巧介入，治療師在堂上教授家長相關技巧和給予實踐機會；而控制組則接受以治療師為主導的「直接教學法」。質性研究則針對實驗組家長進行半結構式訪談，探討技巧應用經驗與幼兒語言變化。 從量化結果顯示，實驗組在整體的語言理解和表達能力的進步幅度皆顯著優於控制組，惟語法理解和語用並未達至顯著差異。質性資料則進一步反映家長普遍認同技巧實用性，促進幼兒從單詞進階至完整句子表達。 綜合而言，本研究證實以家庭為中心的「回應式互動」介入模式能有效提升語言遲緩幼兒的語言理解和表達能力，且家長參與強化了幼兒在語言學習的類化與積極性。

This study took 14 students with mild intellectual disabilities from a special education class in a Macao school as the research objects. Using the comparative method of experimental group and control group, it explored the influence of adaptive physical education fitness courses on the motor skills of special education students. The experimental group received a 12-week adaptive physical education fitness course, while the control group carried out traditional physical education teaching. The study adopted the motor skills assessment scale compiled by Liu Yijun to conduct pre-tests and post-tests on the two groups of students, and used SPSS software for statistical analysis. The results showed that the adaptive physical education fitness course had significant effects on improving most physical fitness and motor ability indicators of special education students. The experimental group showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the pre-test and post-test scores of 11 indicators, including BMI, sit-and-reach, one-minute knee flexion sit-ups, two-minute step test, etc. The traditional course only showed significant effects in the standing long jump project, and the differences in other indicators between the pre-test and post-test did not reach the statistical significance level. In addition, the experimental group was significantly better than the control group in the total manipulative movements and throwing indicators (p<0.05). The study indicates that adaptive physical education fitness courses can effectively improve the physical fitness and motor skills of special education students. Based on this, it is suggested to increase the class hours of healthy physical fitness, expand opportunities for diversified sports participation, integrate technological elements into innovative teaching methods, and incorporate interdisciplinary integration into daily teaching, providing new ideas and practical directions for physical education teaching in special education. 本研究以澳門某學校特殊教育班的 14 名輕度智能障礙學生為研究對象，採用實驗組與控制組對比的研究方法，探討適應體育體適能課程對特殊教育學生動作技能的影響。實驗組接受為期 12 週的適應體育體適能課程，控制組則進行傳統體育教學。研究採用劉怡君編制的動作技能評估量表，對兩組學生進行前測與後測，並運用 SPSS 軟體進行統計分析。 結果顯示：適應體育體適能課程在改善特殊教育學生的多數體適能和動作能力指標上具有顯著成效。實驗組在 BMI、坐姿體前屈、一分鐘屈膝仰臥起坐、兩分鐘登台階等 11 項指標上前後測分數差異顯著（p<0.05）。而傳統課程僅在立定跳遠項目上呈現顯著效果，其餘指標前後測差異均未達統計學顯著水準。此外，實驗組在操縱性動作總量與投擲指標上明顯優於對照組（p<0.05）。 研究表明，適應體育體適能課程能夠有效提升特殊教育學生的身體素質和動作技能。據此建議：增加健康體適能課時、拓展多元運動參與機會、創新教學方法融入科技元素以及跨學科融合滲透日常教學，為特殊教育體育教學提供了新的思路和實踐方向。

In Macau, inclusive students refer to students with special educational needs who can receive education alongside their peers in regular classes with minimal special education support. With the advancement of inclusive education policies, an increasing number of students with special educational needs are placed in regular classrooms. However, whether parents are willing to transition their children from regular students to inclusive students plays a key role in the practice of inclusive education. This study aims to explore the experiences and feelings of parents at a Catholic primary school in Macau during the process of their children transitioning from regular to inclusive students. The research questions include: What is the psychological journey of parents during the transition of their children from regular to inclusive students? What factors facilitate or hinder parental decision-making? What are parents’ feelings and thoughts after their children became inclusive students? The researcher employed a qualitative research method using semi-structured one-on-one interviews with six parents (all mothers) and analyzed the interview data using grounded theory. The findings reveal that parents' psychological journey involves a dynamic shift from recognizing their children's difficulties, experiencing doubt and resistance, to accepting assessment and identity confirmation. The decision-making process is influenced by multiple factors, including family support, support from teachers or professionals, the ‘inclusive student’ label, and public information about inclusive education. The study also found that parents generally found that their children's academic performance improved after becoming inclusive students, and that the family atmosphere became more harmonious than before. However, they also had concerns about their children's social skills and future transition to secondary school after becoming inclusive students. They hope that schools and educational authorities can provide more publicity, resources, and support to better implement inclusive education, such as enhancing teacher professional training, offering educational resources, and improving public understanding of inclusive education and inclusive students. Overall, despite the challenges of the transition process, parents demonstrate their own adaptation and growth throughout this journey. 在澳門融合生是指只需要小量的特殊教育支持就能在普通班與同班同學一 起接受教育的有特殊教育需要的學生。隨著融合教育政策的推進，越來越多有特 殊教育需要的學生被安置於普通班中。然而，家長是否願意讓子女由普通生轉為 融合生，是融合教育實踐中的關鍵環節。本研究旨在探討澳門某天主教小學家長 在子女由普通生轉為融合生過程中的經歷與感受。研究問題包括：將子女從普通 生轉為融合生的過程中，家長的心理歷程是怎樣的？有哪些因素會促進或阻礙家 長的決策？將子女從普通生轉為融合生之後，家長的感受和想法是怎樣的？研究 者採用半結構化一對一訪談的質性研究方法對六位家長（均為母親）進行深入訪 談，並採用扎根理論進行訪談數據分析。研究發現家長的心理歷程經歷了從覺察 子女的困難、懷疑與抗拒，到接受評估與身份確認的動態轉變。決策過程受多重 因素影響，包括家庭支持、教師或專業人員的支持、“融合生”標籤、融合教育 的公共資訊等。研究也發現，家長在子女成為融合生後普遍認為子女的成績有所 進步，家庭氣氛比以往更加和諧，但同時對子女的社交能力和未來升中學的問題 有擔憂。她們普遍希望學校及教育當局能提供更多宣傳、資源和支持，以更好地 實施融合教育，例如提升教師專業培訓、加強輔助教學資源、提升公眾對融合教 育和融合生的正確認識。整體而言，儘管轉變過程充滿挑戰，但家長在這個過程 中呈現了自身的適應與成長。

Objectives: Appropriate support services have an important impact on inclusive students. If there is sufficient and appropriate support in school, it will help improve the learning, social interaction and social adaptation of inclusive students. The Macau SAR government has proposed to promote school-based therapy services in the future. This policy will help improve the appropriateness of school support for inclusive students. Language is the basis of learning, so the implementation of school-based speech language therapy services will inevitably help support the learning needs of inclusive students with language disorders in school. However, a deeper understanding of the current situation is needed in order to formulate an appropriate implementation plan. This study aims to understand the current front-line primary school teachers' understanding of the work of speech language therapists, characteristics of related impairments, difficulties in implementation, suggestions for school-based speech language therapy, so as to serve as reference information for future implementation plans. Method: This study conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 current primary school teachers from inclusive schools with different backgrounds. The interviews were recorded in the form of audio recordings, transcribed verbatim, and then coded and organized according to the research questions. Combined with the support of literature review, implementation suggestions were given for the school-based speech language therapy. Conclusion and limitations: The results show that teachers who studied special education and educational psychology have a higher understanding of the scope of speech language therapy than teachers who studied general education. Most teachers believe that the work scope of speech language therapists is mainly in oral expression, communication skills, and articulation correction. The interviewees all pointed out that there is currently no communication channel and direct contact point between teachers and speech therapists. The current difficulties related to speech language therapy include multiple aspects: teachers, parents and policies, such as teachers' lack of understanding of related impairments, low social acceptance, and lack of transparency of school information. The study also summarized government policies, school resources, environment and other factors that affect the effectiveness of speech language therapy, including evaluation process and waiting time for the evaluation, school support for government policies, parents and teachers' understanding and acceptance of speech language therapy, etc. The interviewees all agreed that there is a need to provide school-based speech language therapy services to solve the current difficulties in implementation, and also provided a number of implementation suggestions as a reference for the Macau SAR government in implementing relevant policies. However, the number of respondents was small, and it is suggested that a larger-scale study should be conducted. In addition to considering the number of samples, different stakeholders should also be included as respondents to formulate a well-balanced implementation guideline for promoting school-based treatment services from a more neutral perspective, so as to improve the teaching quality of students with special learning needs. 目的：合適的支援服務對融合生有著重要的影響，若在校內有足夠且適宜的支援，有助提升融合生的學習、社交、以及其適應社會的能力；澳門特區政府提出未來致力於推行校本治療服務，此政策有助提升在校支援對融合生的適切性；其中語言為學習的基礎，故校本語言治療服務的推行必然有助支援伴隨語言障礙融合生校內之學習需要。然而，在推行前需要對現況有更深入的了解，以便制定合宜的落實方案，是次研究旨在了解目前前線教師對語言治療師工作的認識、對相關障礙的了解、與語言治療相關的支援及溝通、實行上面對的困境、對校本語言治療的想法及推行建議，以作為日後推行計劃的參考資訊。 方法：是次研究透過與 8位不同背景現職融合學校小學教師進行半結構性訪談，訪談以錄音形式記錄，以逐字稿形式轉錄後，再根據探研究問題進行編碼及整理，結合了文獻回顧的支持，為日後落實校本語言治療給予落實建議。 結論及限制：結果顯示修讀特殊教育系、教育心理學系的教師對語言治療工作範疇的認識較修讀一般教育系的教師為高；大部分教師認為語言治療師的工作範疇主要在口語表達、溝通能力，以及構音糾正等面向，可見對語言治療師工作了解不透徹；受訪者均指出現時教師與語言治療師處於零溝通、零接觸的狀況，現時與語言治療相關的困境包括多個面向：教師、家長及政策，例如教師對相關的障礙認識不足、社會接納度低、校內資訊不透明等；研究亦歸納了政府政策、校內資源、環境等多項影響語言治療成效的因素，包括評估流程及輪候時長、校方對政府政策的支持度、家長及教師對語言治療的認識及接受程度等；受訪教師均一致認為有需要提供校本語言治療服務，以解決現時實行上的困境，亦對推行校本語言治療服務提供多項落實建議，以作為澳門特區政府在推行相關政策的參考資料；然而是次受訪人數太少，建議進行更大型的研究，除了人數的考量，亦可加入不同持份者作為受訪對象，以更中立的角度研判並平衡各持份者對推行校本治療服務的實施方針，以提升有特殊學習需要學生的教學品質。

本研究採用質性研究法，旨在探討澳門教育碩士二年級學生的學習體驗、影響學習體驗的主要因素、學習過程中所面對的挑戰與困難，以及學生對課程優化的建議與期望。研究透過半結構式深度訪談十位教育碩士生，並加以整理與分析，以深入回應研究問題並歸納研究結論。研究結果顯示： （一）受訪學生普遍肯定課程對其專業知識和實務能力的提升作用，但指出理論與實踐之間存在明顯落差，特別是在統計分析與研究方法教學方面的支援不足。此外，積極的師生互動與同儕合作有助提升學習動機與成效，惟小組合作中常見的角色衝突、任務分配不均及教師指導不足等情況亦對學習體驗造成負面影響。 （二）影響學生學習體驗的關鍵因素包括：師資專業素質、院校資源配套、同儕互動質量及時間管理壓力。教師教學策略與專業水準對學習成效有直接影響，學生偏好案例導向與互動性強的教學形式。而院校資源方面，如數據庫使用受限、設施老化等問題亦限制了學生的學術發展。在職學生則面臨工作與學業角色衝突，影響學習的持續性與專注度。 （三）受訪學生普遍面臨理論與實踐銜接困難、學術能力落差、時間壓力與團隊協作挑戰等問題。跨專業學生對學術論文與與研究設計的掌握不足，需要更有系統的研究方法訓練。隨機分組亦導致成員能力不均，降低了合作效率。部份學生在資源使用與情緒管理方面亦顯得較為薄弱，進一步削弱其學習投入。課程定位與職業發展期望之間的落差對學習動機構成不利影響。 （四）學生建議課程可加強案例教學與實踐機會，增設研究方法進階訓練，並優化評價設計。採用更多元的評估形式。同時，應明確學術型與專業型課程的培訓目標，建立清晰的課程命名與專業認證制度，以提高學歷認受性及學生未來的就業競爭力。 最後，根據研究結果，本文提出若干針對澳門教育碩士課程之優化建議。並指出未來可延伸之研究方向，以持續深化對本澳教育碩士學習體驗的理解與關注。 This study adopted a qualitative research approach to explore the learning experiences of second-year Master of Education students in Macao. It investigated the factors that influenced their learning experiences, the challenges and difficulties encountered during their studies, and their expectations for curriculum improvement. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with ten Master of Education students, the collected data was organized and analyzed to thoroughly address the research questions and summarize the research findings. The results indicate that: 1. Findings indicated that while participants generally affirmed the programme’s contribution to enhancing their professional knowledge and practical skills, they also identified a clear imbalance between theoretical instruction and practical application, particularly in the area of statistical analysis and research methodology. Positive student-teacher interactions and peer collaboration were seen to support motivation and learning outcomes. However, issues such as role conflict in group works, unequal task distribution, and insufficient teacher guidance negatively impacted their overall experience. 2. Key factors influencing students’ learning experiences included teacher quality, institutional support, peer relationships, and stress related to time management. Teaching strategies and educator’s expertise were found to directly affect course quality, with participants favouring case-based and interactive teaching approaches. However, limited access to databases and outdated facilities were seen as barriers to academic development. Working students also faced a conflict of roles between their professional responsibilities and academic commitments, which hindered their ability to maintain engagement. 3. Challenges commonly reported included difficulties bridging theory and practice, gaps in academic preparedness, time pressures, and team collaboration issues. Cross-disciplinary students often lacked a strong foundation in academic writing and research design and expressed a need for more structured research training. Random group allocation was seen to reduce group effectiveness. Additionally, some participants demonstrated limited capacity for resource use and emotional regulation, and this affected their learning engagement. Misalignment between course orientation and career expectations was also a factor in the decline in motivation. 4. Participants recommended increasing opportunities for case-based learning and hands-on experience, as well as enhancing research training and diversifying assessment methods. They also suggested clearer distinctions between academic and professional degree pathways and the establishment of a standardised course naming and a professional accreditation framework to improve recognition and employment competitiveness. Based on the findings, this study proposed several recommendations for improving the Master of Education curriculum in Macao. Future research directions are also suggested that may deepen an understanding of and support the development of postgraduate learning experiences within the local context.

This study aims to investigate the current status of teaching difficulties and professional competencies among secondary school teachers working with students with special educational needs (SEN) in inclusive classrooms in Macao. It examines differences in teachers' teaching difficulties and professional competencies across various demographic variables. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between teachers' professional competencies and their teaching difficulties, as well as identifying the predictive factors influencing both aspects. A questionnaire survey method was employed, collecting 171 valid responses. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis. Key findings include: • Teachers reported a moderately low level of teaching difficulties related to inclusive education. • Teachers reported a moderately high level of professional competencies in inclusive education. • Significant differences in teaching difficulties were observed based on teachers' gender and participation in inclusive education training courses. • Significant differences in professional competencies were observed based on teachers' years of experience in inclusive education and their participation in inclusive education training courses, seminars and workshops. • A low negative correlation was found between teachers' teaching difficulties and their professional competencies. • Teachers' professional competencies significantly predict their teaching difficulties. • Gender significantly predicted teaching difficulties in inclusive education contexts. Based on these findings, relevant recommendations are provided. 本研究旨在瞭解澳⾨融合教育學校中學教師⾯對融合學⽣的教學困擾及融 合教育專業知能的現況與相關性，並分析不同背景變項下澳⾨中學教師的教學困 擾及融合教育專業知能之差異、融合教育專業知能對教學困擾的預測⼒，以及背 景因素對教學困擾的預測⼒。 本研究採⽤問卷調查法，回收有效問卷171份。問卷數據以描述性統計、獨 ⽴樣本T檢驗、單因⼦變異數分析、⽪爾遜積差相關、線性迴歸分析進⾏分析。 研究結果歸納如下： ⼀、 澳⾨中學教師融合教育教學困擾屬「中等偏低」程度。 ⼆、 澳⾨中學教師融合教育專業知能屬「中等偏⾼」程度。 三、 不同性別及融合教育課程進修的澳⾨中學教師融合教育教學困擾有顯著差 異。 四、 不同融合教育年資、融合教育課程進修及講座、⼯作坊參與的澳⾨中學教師 融合教育專業知能有顯著差異。 五、 澳⾨中學教師融合教育教學困擾與專業知能呈「低度負相關」。 六、 澳⾨中學教師的整體融合教育專業知能對融合教育教學困擾具微弱預測⼒。 七、 「性別」對融合教育教學困擾具微弱預測⼒。 本研究最後根據研究結果提出相關建議。

Background: Maternal infections are linked to neurodevelopmental impairments, highlighting the need to investigate SARS-CoV-2-induced immune activation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal infection on neurodevelopment and investigate whether cytokine and chemokine profiles predict delays at 24 months. Methods: Conducted in Brazil (January 2021–March 2022), this follow-up study included 18 SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women at 35–37 weeks’ gestation, 15 umbilical cord blood samples, and blood samples from 15 children at 6 months and 14 at 24 months. Developmental delay was defined using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, with scores below 90 in cognitive, communication, or motor domains. Results: At 6 months, 33.3% of infants exhibited cognitive delays, 20% communication delays, and 40% motor delays, increasing to 35.71%, 64.29%, and 57.14% at 24 months, respectively. Elevated interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cord blood correlated with cognitive delays, while interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, and IL-1β were associated with motor delays. Increased C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 and other cytokines were associated with communication delays. Conclusion: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 may impact infant neurodevelopment, as early cytokine elevations correlate with delays, highlighting the importance of early monitoring and interventions to reduce long-term effects. Impact: Prenatal SARS-COV-2 infection in pregnant women is linked to developmental delays in toddlers, with cytokine and chemokine changes associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months. This study shows the long-term impact of maternal SARS-COV-2 infection on child development, highlighting inflammatory markers like IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-1β, and CXCL10. Identifying specific cytokines correlating with cognitive, communication, and motor delays suggests potential biomarkers for early intervention. Conducted in Fortaleza, Brazil, the study emphasizes understanding local epidemiological impacts on child development, especially in regions with high infection rates. (Figure presented.)

The ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict has had significant repercussions for businesses, with many scaling back operations in Russia due to international sanctions. However, some companies continue operating there while making superficial gestures to appear supportive of the oppressed side (a practice known as ‘warwashing’). These actions conflict with profit motives and contribute to consumer skepticism and potential boycotts. This study examines how Portuguese and Danish consumers respond to warwashing, aiming to assess if cultural differences influence reactions. A quantitative survey, including nine questions based on literature and key differences between the two countries, was conducted using a deductive approach. Results were analyzed via JMP statistical software, with paired t-tests applied. Findings reveal a significant difference in reactions between Portuguese and Danish consumers, with Danish consumers showing a heightened response, engaging more frequently in impactful actions. This aligns with Hofstede’s cultural model, which portrays Danes as more open to change and expecting transparency. Boycott theory is also supported, suggesting that Danes are more inclined to boycott products and services, while Portuguese consumers show less faith in the effectiveness of such actions. This cross-country comparison reaffirms Hofstede’s Cultural Value Dimensions, providing insight into real-world cultural differences. Additionally, the study highlights the concept of collective action, where individuals avoid certain products or services as a form of protest, revealing variations in the prevalence of this behaviour across different societies.

The study of Catholic churches in Macau is of significant importance for both architectural heritage conservation and the transmission of cultural values. As religious structures, these churches serve as tangible representations of religious ideology and spiritual essence, thereby embodying the core principles of cultural expression. This paper aims to critically examine the Catholic churches of Macau, exploring their intrinsic values through an architectural research framework that emphasizes three key morphological elements: spatial characteristics, stylistic features, and structural composition. By contextualizing the historical background and architectural attributes, this study sheds light on the multifaceted significance of Catholic church construction in modern Macau, while offering a comprehensive analysis of the intersection, fusion, and coexistence of Eastern and Western cultural influences in this unique locale. Through this investigation, the paper uncovers a range of compelling cultural phenomena, providing insights that may serve as valuable reference points for future practices in architectural heritage conservation in Macau.

This dissertation examines the implementation of smart policing in Macau, focusing on the adoption and challenges of facial recognition technology within the Macau Urban Electronic Surveillance System. As Macau pursues its smart city ambitions, the integration of advanced technologies into law enforcement has become a central strategy for enhancing public safety and operational efficiency. However, the actual acceptance and use of these technologies by frontline police officers remain underexplored. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach. documentary analysis of government policies and strategic documents provides an overview of Macau’s smart policing initiatives and the legal and infrastructural frameworks supporting them. The core of the research is a quantitative survey of Macau police officers who have direct experience with the facial recognition system. The survey is structured around the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), with additional attention to compatibility and perceived legal knowledge. The results reveal that performance expectancy and perceived legal knowledge are the strongest factors influencing officers’ adoption of facial recognition while effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and compatibility are less influential. Practical challenges were discovered through the Macau police officers.

This study examines consumer perceptions of all-electric vehicles in Macau, focusing on Tesla owners. As the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) pursues its long-term carbon reduction strategy, adopting BEV is a key step towards sustainable urban mobility. However, consumer attitudes and behavioral responses to BEV in Macau's unique high-density urban environment remain underexplored. This study adopts the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT-2) model with the addition of the “technological show-off” (TS) dimension to explore how Tesla owners perceive the challenges and opportunities of adopting BEV. This study used a qualitative methodology to conduct in-depth interviews with ten Tesla owners in Macau through semi-structured interviews and unstructured quantitative assessments. Data were analyzed across multiple UTAUT-2 dimensions, including Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, Price Value, Habit, and the added factor of Technology Show-Off. The findings suggest that Tesla owners in Macau value their vehicles' convenience, efficiency, and technological sophistication, with a particular focus on Autopilot, acceleration, and low maintenance costs. However, issues such as limited charging infrastructure, service accessibility, and technology learning curve remain. Social status and identity are influential factors, especially in a compact and socially connected urban environment like Macau. By examining the experiences of EV users, this study fills a gap in the existing literature. It provides practical insights for policymakers and manufacturers aiming to accelerate the diffusion of BEVs. The study concludes that consumer perceptions are critical for practical benefits and emotional fulfillment for the continued growth of the electric vehicle market in Macau and similar regions.

This research focuses on the design of the in-vehicle interactive interface of L4 autonomous driving vehicles, aiming to explore how to improve the passengers experience by optimizing the interface interaction mode. With the development of autonomous driving technology, the shortcomings of existing interface design in transparent feedback, emotional adaptation and multi-modal interaction support have become the main obstacles affecting user trust and satisfaction. Based on user research and prototype design, the study proposed an interface design scheme that combines transparent feedback with emotional perception, focusing on real-time display of vehicle behaviour logic and dynamic adaptation to passenger emotional state. In user testing, the system showed some improvements in trust enhancement and ease of use, especially in response to complex road conditions and emergencies. Although this research has provided some preliminary results through innovative design, there are still limitations in technical implementation and scope of application. Future research will focus on sample diversification and accuracy improvement of emotional perception technology to further improve the design scheme and expand its application scenarios.

Legalizing gambling has brought numerous advantages to Macau, including employment opportunities, economic growth, improved quality of life, and accelerated urban development. While these macro-level benefits are evident, the industry has also significantly impacted local families and communities. In particular, the initial discovery of a family member's gambling problem inflicts immeasurable harm on the household, and the coping strategies adopted by affected family members critically influence their relationships with the gambler and the overall trajectory of the family unit. This qualitative study, conducted in collaboration between the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) and SKH 24-hour online gambling counseling service (SKH-24H), employed semi-structured interviews to explore the coping strategies of family members of problem gamblers. Nine participants were interviewed, and thematic analysis revealed eight key coping strategies: (1) Bailing out The Problem Gambler, (2) Maintaining Status Quo of the Family, (3) Help Seeking in Macau Community, (4) Coping by Self-Regulation, (5) Coping by Engagement, (6) Coping by Withdrawal, (7) Tolerance and (8) Seeking Psychiatric Consultations. The study aims to enhance the understanding of local gambling counseling professionals regarding the coping strategy employed by Macau families dealing with problem gamblers. By aligning intervention strategies with the lived experiences of these families, the findings can inform more effective, family-focused approaches to service delivery. Furthermore, the research provides insights for government agencies into the real-world challenges faced by families affected by problem gambling, offering evidence-based recommendations for evaluating and revising existing regulations to mitigate the adverse effects of the gambling industry on Macau's households. "

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games established themselves as a unique worldwide sports event, which took place in 2021 without spectators after a year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The media became the sole information distributor about the Games because there were no live spectators present at the events. Academic research about the Paralympic movement showed substantial growth since the London 2012 as media attention alongside public interest expanded. Research about the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics faces limited availability because of immigration and infection control measures combined with spectator restrictions. There is insufficient research about the social consequences of the Paralympic media coverage especially from the viewpoint of people with disabilities. This study analysed the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics through qualitative methods to understand media communication effects on Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture residents with disabilities. Four main themes emerged through reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interview dataset which included: 1) the duality of the media, 2) the suspension between the medical and social models, 3) Japanese culture and the human rights movement, and 4) Paralympian decoded. By comparing with previous research on media perception among Japanese non-disabled people, this study revealed that people with disabilities viewed the Paralympic media coverage with both critical and objective perspectives by acknowledging its benefits and challenges. People with disabilities demonstrated little optimism regarding how the media could improve public disability awareness. The study also revealed that Paralympians carry diverse and widely recognised social meanings within disability communities and that a fundamental mismatch exists between disability goals and mainstream media representations, which tend to simplify disability into one-dimensional categories. This study established a social framework that recognised and respected the diverse differences within the disability population, rather than using reductionist classification systems.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a sustainable approach to mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss while delivering socio-economic benefits. This study examines mangroves as a key NbS in Macao, assessing their ecosystem services and economic valuation through a hedonic pricing model. Despite their limited spatial coverage, Macao's mangroves provide critical services, including coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision, yet face threats from invasive species and urbanization. The research employs a hedonic pricing model to analyze the relationship between property prices and proximity to mangrove ecosystems in Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. Results demonstrate a statistically significant negative correlation, indicating that residential properties closer to mangrove areas command higher prices, reflecting the premium placed on ecological amenities. The model explains 65.0% of price variation, underscoring mangroves' influence on real estate values. This study contributes a novel valuation framework for mangrove ecosystem services in high-density coastal cities, integrating ecological and economic perspectives. The findings support evidence-based policy recommendations for mangrove conservation and sustainable urban development. Future research should expand the model to incorporate additional variables and longitudinal data to enhance predictive accuracy and applicability across diverse coastal regions. Biodiversity assessment and conservation planning in highly urbanized environments. 基于自然的解决方案（NbS）为缓解气候变化和生物多样性丧失提供了一种可持续的方法，同时还能带来社会经济利益。本研究以澳门的红树林为例，探讨其作为关键的基于自然的解决方案的作用，通过享乐定价模型评估其生态系统服务和经济价值。尽管澳门红树林的分布面积有限，但它们提供了重要的服务，包括海岸保护、碳封存和栖息地提供，然而却面临着外来物种入侵和城市化的威胁。 研究采用享乐定价模型，分析澳门半岛、氹仔和路环地区房产价格与红树林生态系统距离之间的关系。结果表明，两者之间存在显著的负相关关系，即靠近红树林区域的住宅价格更高，这反映了人们对生态设施的重视。该模型解释了 65.0%的价格差异，突显了红树林对房地产价值的影响。 本研究为高密度沿海城市的红树林生态系统服务提供了一种新的估值框架，将生态和经济视角相结合。这些发现为红树林保护和可持续城市发展提供了基于证据的政策建议。未来的研究应扩展该模型，纳入更多变量和纵向数据，以提高预测的准确性和在不同沿海地区的适用性。在高度城市化环境中进行生物多样性评估和保护规划。

The suicide rate has been increasing these decades. A good mental health could prevent people from committing suicide. Parents are the ones whom we spend most of the time with. How parents treat us does have an impact on both our development and mental health. However, some people can always see the positive side of things and expect things to turn out well. Therefore, the present study aims to examine if resilience would mediate the relationship between parenting styles and mental health in bachelor students. A cross-sectional research method was used in this study. Data were collected through Google Forms. The sample consists of 110 Bachelor students in Macau, with 46 males (42%) and 64 females (58%). According to the findings of the study, the mediating role of resilience in the relationships between parenting styles and mental health were found to be not significant. However, bachelor students who perceived their mothers as authoritative parenting style were found to have better mental health. While higher resilience was found to have less impact on the mental health of bachelor students. This study has pointed out the importance of different parenting styles on bachelor students' mental health and further proves the positive influence of resilience towards mental health. There is a need to cultivate the resilience of bachelor students to help them better equip themselves for stressful situations and cope with crises. Workshops or interventions are also needed for parents to teach them better parenting skills and knowledge, so that the mental health of their children could be enhanced by that.

Marriott International, Inc. (Marriott) is a worldwide company that operates, franchises, and licenses a diverse portfolio of hotels, residential properties, timeshares, and other lodging options across various brands, catering to multiple price levels and service standards. Currently, Marriott operates in the U.S. & Canada segment and the international segment, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The major business segment is the U.S. & Canada, representing 80% of the consolidated net sales in 2023. To pioneer the development in the industry, Marriott has to expand its international operations to diversify geographic revenue streams and reduce dependence on the U.S. & Canada markets. Maintaining its competitive advantage is a constant challenge due to the intense competition in the global hospitality industry and the sector’s sensitivity to economic, political, and social changes. Understanding how these factors affect both the industry and Marriott is crucial for accurately assessing Marriott’s intrinsic value and its future positioning. Comparing the intrinsic value derived from three valuation models with Marriott’s market share price as of December 31, 2023, will offer valuable insights for investors.

This dissertation investigates the effectiveness and shortcomings of employee incentive mechanisms at GF Advertising Company, with a specific focus on the motivation of staff. Amid rapid changes in the advertising and printing materials industry, employee satisfaction and retention have become increasingly critical. However, the company’s current incentive system—characterized by an overreliance on material rewards and lack of development opportunities—has struggled to meet employees’ evolving needs. To explore this issue, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey of 115 employees with qualitative interviews of 7 selected staff members. The research draws upon Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory to analyze employee motivation and satisfaction. The findings reveal key challenges in four areas: insufficient economic incentives, weak organizational environment support, underdeveloped career growth mechanisms, and ineffective work-related motivation. Based on the results, the dissertation proposes a multi-layered, localized incentive model that incorporates both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Recommendations include optimizing communication platforms, strengthening team culture, refining promotion pathways, and diversifying reward structures to better align with employee expectations. The study concludes that a strategic and human-centered incentive mechanism not only improves employee engagement but also enhances organizational performance. Future research could further expand the sample scope and explore long-term impacts of different incentive models across companies and regions.