Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the impact of external shocks on the economic performance index of the European Union countries: The case of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

This study will use secondary data to assess the economic performance of European Union (EU) countries over the last two decades, from 2000 to 2022. The Economic Performance Index (EPI) is produced using numerous critical factors, including unemployment, inflation, public debt, and economic growth. This study will first examine the influence of COVID-19 on the performance of these countries before going on to examine the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The war has had a direct impact on the world economy, notably in Asian countries (Umoru et al., 2023). Furthermore, the pandemic has harmed all economic sectors in EU countries (Su et al., 2022). The use of graphs and the interpretation of descriptive statistics will be used to investigate the influence of the aforementioned exogenous shocks. Furthermore, panel data regression analysis between EPI and average earnings in the public and private sectors will be used to examine whether economic performance transfers into the real economy. The findings appear to indicate that both external shocks have had a negative impact on the economic performance of all 27 EU member countries, but in the case of COVID-19, economies reliant on tourism have suffered the most, while the Russian invasion of Ukraine has put more pressure on Hungary, the Czech Republic, and the Republic of Ireland. This research will add to the growing body of post-Russian invasion literature.
China-India Relations in Economic Forums: Examining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

This paper examines China and India’s economic engagements at the bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral levels. The evaluation is made in the context of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the mega-regional trade agreement in the east in which both nations are parties. The paper argues that irrespective of the nature of the two countries’ relationship, at its core is not cooperation, but mutual mistrust aggravated by China’s perceived “market imperialistic” predatory behaviour and India’s “protectionism”. The paper ponders the likelihood of India entering into a regional trade agreement such as the RCEP. ABSTRACT
Characterization of Small Interfering RNAs Derived from the Geminivirus/Betasatellite Complex Using Deep Sequencing

Background Small RNA (sRNA)-guided RNA silencing is a critical antiviral defense mechanism employed by a variety of eukaryotic organisms. Although the induction of RNA silencing by bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses has been described in plants, the nature of begomovirus/betasatellite complexes remains undefined. Methodology/Principal Findings Solanum lycopersicum plant leaves systemically infected with Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) alone or together with its associated betasatellite (TYLCCNB), and Nicotiana benthamiana plant leaves systemically infected with TYLCCNV alone, or together with TYLCCNB or with mutant TYLCCNB were harvested for RNA extraction; sRNA cDNA libraries were then constructed and submitted to Solexa-based deep sequencing. Both sense and anti-sense TYLCCNV and TYLCCNB-derived sRNAs (V-sRNAs and S-sRNAs) accumulated preferentially as 22 nucleotide species in infected S. lycopersicum and N. benthamiana plants. High resolution mapping of V-sRNAs and S-sRNAs revealed heterogeneous distribution of V-sRNA and S-sRNA sequences across the TYLCCNV and TYLCCNB genomes. In TYLCCNV-infected S. lycopersicum or N. benthamiana and TYLCCNV and βC1-mutant TYLCCNB co-infected N. benthamiana plants, the primary TYLCCNV targets were AV2 and the 5′ terminus of AV1. In TYLCCNV and betasatellite-infected plants, the number of V-sRNAs targeting this region decreased and the production of V-sRNAs increased corresponding to the overlapping regions of AC2 and AC3, as well as the 3′ terminal of AC1. βC1 is the primary determinant mediating symptom induction and also the primary silencing target of the TYLCCNB genome even in its mutated form. Conclusions/Significance We report the first high-resolution sRNA map for a monopartite begomovirus and its associated betasatellite using Solexa-based deep sequencing. Our results suggest that viral transcript might act as RDR substrates resulting in dsRNA and secondary siRNA production. In addition, the betasatellite affected the amount of V-sRNAs detected in S. lycopersicum and N. benthamiana plants.
PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT FOR EXPATRIATE MALAYSIAN PROJECT EXECUTIVES IN HOST COUNTRY

The number of construction multinationals from Malaysia has increased from year to year. This is due to the development of Malaysia’s economy and also globalization which give the opportunities to Malaysian companies to operate overseas. In 2009, 432 projects were completed in 24 countries in the global market worth MYR 29,322 million (USD 8,307 million) and 126 projects were still on-going (MYR 69,053 million) (USD 19,564 million)(CIDB, 2009). Middle Eastern countries contribute 46 percent of the total overseas projects, followed by Asean countries (19%), South Asean Continent (18%), Africa (8%) and other countries such as Japan, Taiwan and Korea (9%). Secondary data show that Malaysian contractors are establishing themselves in overseas projects, and more projects are likely to be secured in the near future. A study was conducted to look into expatriate management of Malaysian construction multinationals. Data were collected from postal questionnaire survey. The results reveal that Malaysian executives face non-technical challenges when abroad. This paper looks into the personal factors that influence their adjustment during expatriation. Suggestions and recommendations are given to help Malaysian companies to improve personal adjustments that influence the expatriates during assignment in host country.
Defence spending, economic growth and temporal causality: evidence from Taiwan and mainland China, 1952-1995

This paper uses a cointegration analysis and a vector autoregressive model (VAR) to examine the causal relationship between defence spending and economic growth for Taiwan and Mainland China over the period 1952–1995. It is found that these two variables are not cointegrated for both countries studied. The results of the Granger causality tests suggest bidirectional Granger causality (feedback) between defence spending and economic growth for Taiwan, unidirectional Granger causality running from economic growth to defence spending for Mainland China, and unidirectional Granger causality running from Taiwan's defence spending to Mainland China's defence spending for cross-country studied. These results further indicate that there exists no arms race between two countries from both sides of Taiwan strait. Furthermore, impulse responses and variance decompositions are incorporated into the analysis. The results from the impulse responses and variance decompositions tell a similar story.
Rheumatoid factor and antibodies to cyclic citrullinated Peptide differentiate rheumatoid arthritis from undifferentiated polyarthritis in patients with early arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To study the diagnostic value of IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), IgA-RF, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and combinations of these antibodies, measured at baseline, to discriminate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from undifferentiated polyarthritis (uPA) in patients with recent onset arthritis. METHODS Patients with early arthritis with peripheral arthritis of 2 or more joints and symptom duration less than 3 years were clinically diagnosed as having RA or uPA by an experienced rheumatologist during the first year. Patients with bacterial, psoriatic, or crystal induced arthritis or spondyloarthropathy were excluded. Optimal cutoff values for serum IgM RF, IgA RF, and anti-CCP were deduced from receiver operating characteristics curves in order to predict the diagnosis of RA in early arthritis. RESULTS A total of 379 patients (69% female, median age 57 yrs, range 17-86 yrs) were studied; 258 patients were clinically diagnosed as RA and 121 as uPA. Both IgM-RF > 40 IU/ml and anti-CCP > 50 AU/ml showed high specificity, but the sensitivity of these tests was low. In many RA patients the occurrence of IgM-RF and anti-CCP antibodies was independent. Thus the optimal criterion proved to be the combination of IgM-RF > 40 or anti-CCP > 50, which yielded sensitivity of 55.4% and specificity of 96.7%. CONCLUSION The criterion IgM-RF > 40 or anti-CCP > 50 is able to predict the diagnosis of RA in early arthritis patients with high specificity and acceptable sensitivity. Anti-CCP testing combined with IgM-RF testing has additional value over IgM-RF testing alone in patients with early undifferentiated oligo and polyarthritis.
The Difference of Teachers’ Beliefs Related to Students’ Practice of Confucian Analects: A Comparison among Three Chinese Fujian Ethnic Regions

Confucian culture is an important shared cultural characteristic in Chinese soci-eties. The transmissions under different historical effects lead to differences of perceiving students ’ practice of the Confucian Analects in society. The behaviors and beliefs of teachers represent their beliefs in observing students ’ moral practices. The present study examined students ’ practice of Confucian Analects observed by Chinese teachers in Fujian region of China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Based on praxis approach, the present study contracted eight major constituents of Analects for explorative analysis. Seven hundred sixty questionnaires are returned and validated for explorative and comparative analyses. The results indicated that the constituents were correlated, and the teachers in the Fujian region thought that their students had the highest practice of the Confucian Analects, than Taiwan and Malaysia. The implication of this study suggested that cultural difference affects the perception of Chinese teachers in students ’ practice of Confucian Analects and can be deployed in educational settings to increase the life fulfillment of Confucian philosophy.
The Asian financial crisis and the ordeal of Hong Kong

Preface The Asian Financial Crisis The Outbreak and Consequences of the Asian Financial Crisis The Nature and Causes of the Asian Financial Crisis The Impact on Hong Kong Hong Kong on the Eve of the Asian Financial Crisis Speculation Against the Hong Kong Dollar Impact on Asset Markets Impact on the Financial Sector Impact on the Real Economy Two Puzzles Why Was Hong Kong's Economic Downturn So Severe? Why Was Hong Kong a Laggard in Economic Recovery? The Role of China Hong Kong's Money and Finance Under Chinese Sovereignty China and the Asian Financial Crisis Epilogue Lessons and Reflections References Index
Why Issue Bonds Offshore?

This paper asks why Asia-Pacific residents issue debt in offshore markets and considers the implications for domestic debt markets. We use unit record data for bond issuance by non-government residents of Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and Singapore to link the decision to issue offshore to potential benefits. The results suggest that residents of smaller markets issue bonds offshore to arbitrage price differentials; to access foreign investors; and to issue larger, lower-rated or longer-maturity bonds. These bond characteristics tend to be correlated with offshore bond market size. The results support the notions that (i) deviations from covered interest parity are actively arbitraged by residents of minor currency areas, as well as by internationally active borrowers, as established in the literature; and (ii) issuers benefit from the liquidity and diversification of larger "complete" offshore markets. Against the potential benefits to borrowers, we consider the risks for both borrowers and the domestic market, and lessons from the ongoing financial crisis such as the benefits of funding diversification.
Isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from retail meats in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES The presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on meat purchased from retail outlets may allow its spread to households and represents a risk for colonization and possibly infection of consumers. Improved isolation methods have indicated that more than 10% of samples are positive. We aimed to determine rates of MRSA contamination of meat samples, including comparison of fresh and frozen samples. We characterized isolates and determined their antibiotic susceptibility. METHODS Samples of raw meats commonly consumed in Hong Kong were investigated for MRSA contamination using a double-enrichment isolation method. Isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, presence of mecA, SCCmec type, staphylococcal enterotoxins, Panton-Valentin leukocidin (PVL), and spa type. Differences in rates of MRSA contamination between meat types, rearing method, locations, sources, and fresh or frozen storage were compared. RESULTS MRSA was recovered from 21.9% of pork samples (78/355), 6.8% chicken (31/455), and 4.4% of beef (17/380). Isolation was considerably higher from fresh pork (47%) than frozen (0.6%), whereas contamination rates in fresh (6%) and frozen (7%) chicken were similar. All strains were multidrug resistant. All contaminated fresh pork and most frozen chicken originated from China. Most isolates belonged to CC9, being SCCmec IVb and spa type t899 or closely related spa types, but one chicken sample yielded ST398. Five strains carried spa types associated with human isolates. The egc enterotoxin group was present in the majority of isolates, but PVL in only three from chicken. CONCLUSIONS The predominance of t899 in isolates indicates that the primary source of contamination may be pig carcasses, previously demonstrated to frequently harbor CC9-positive MRSA in Hong Kong and China. The high rates of meat contamination suggest that improvements in food safety and personal hygiene guidelines may be advisable to reduce risk of spread of these MRSA strains in the community.
A research on fire automatic recognition using MODIS data

Fire automatic recognition is the key of increasing the response-speed in fire detection using Remote Sensing. Daxinganling region in China lies in the transition zone from the forest to the meadow-steppe, in which fires happen frequently. In this study, Daxinganling was selected as the experiment region and a fire automatic recognition model applicable to regions in China was developed based on the fire algorithm proposed by the MODIS fire team. The fire automatic recognition model and the results of its applications were discussed in this paper.
Ketamine Users Have High Rates of Psychosis and/or Depression

AbstractKetamine has been linked to psychosis and used in the treatment of depression. However, no study has examined the prevalence of psychotic and depressive disorders in dependent ketamine users. This study aimed to examine the frequency of various psychopathologies among a series of patients seeking treatment for ketamine use in Hong Kong, China. The case records of 129 patients with a history of ketamine use receiving treatment at three substance use clinics between January 2008 and August 2012 were retrieved for data collection. Patients’ demographic data, patterns of substance misuse, and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were recorded and entered into analyses. The mean age of onset and length of ketamine use were 17.7 ± 4.4 and 8.7 ± 5.7 years, respectively. All patients were dependent on ketamine at the time of data collection. Multiple substance misuse was common. Eighty-four of the 129 (65.1%) patients were found to have comorbid psychiatric disorders, most commonly substance-induced psychotic disorder (31.8%) followed by depressive disorder (27.9%). Psychosis and/or depression were common in ketamine-dependent patients referred to a psychiatric substance use clinic. The findings provide evidence of an association between chronic ketamine use and the presence of psychosis and/or depression. The results raise the issue of safety when using ketamine in the long-term treatment of depression.
Use of the Fuzzy AHP Method to Evaluate Key Factors Influencing New Cross-Strait Shuttle Shipping Routes

Since the volume of trade between second- and third-line cities and ports in China and Taiwan is growing steadily, ensuring the availability of shuttle shipping service within the current hub-and-spoke system has become the shared goal of government, carriers, and cargo owners. In the form of an increasingly competitive cross-strait shipping market, what key factors should carriers consider when developing a new shuttle shipping route? Hence, the main purpose of this paper was to apply the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) approach to evaluate key factors influencing new cross-strait shuttle shipping routes. Based on the literature and experts’ opinions, a hierarchical structure with 4 assessment aspects and 15 assessment factors was first constructed, and a FAHP algorithm model was then proposed. Finally, based on the AHP experts’ questionnaires, we used the FAHP approach to evaluate the key factors. The results showed that (1) competitive port features is the most important aspect influencing new cross-strait shuttle shipping routes for ocean carriers and (2) in order of relative importance, the top five key factors influencing new cross-strait shuttle shipping routes for ocean carriers are wharf service facilities, convenient customs clearance and administrative procedures, superior natural geographical location, computer software and hardware facilities, and adequate hinterland and cargo sources, respectively. Furthermore, some discussions and recommendations are provided in this article.
The Effects of Using a Low-Cost and Easily Accessible Exercise Toolkit Incorporated to the Governmental Health Program on Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study

The Community Care Station (CCS) service was initiated by the Taiwanese government as a part of its elderly social services programs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using an inexpensive exercise toolkit, containing a stick, theraband, sandbag and a small ball, led by a physical therapist among community-dwelling older adults participating in CCS. A total of 90 participants (aged 77.0 ± 6.8 years) were recruited and divided into an intervention group (n = 45) and a comparison group (n = 45). The intervention group regularly participated in a health promotion program with the exercise toolkit for approximately 90 min per twice-weekly session for 3 months, and the comparison group maintained their usual CCS activity program. Both groups were assessed before and after the 3-month intervention period. Outcome measures included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), one-leg stance, functional reach (FR), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 10 m walk tests; 83 participants completed the study. No significant between-group differences were found at baseline in general characteristics or outcome variables. After 3 months, the intervention group showed the significant group x time interaction effects in SPPB, one-leg stance, FR, TUG and 10 m walk tests compared to the comparison group (p < 0.05). ; A structured group-based health promotion program using a low-cost exercise toolkit could be effective in improving the physical performances, balance, and walking ability of community-dwelling older adults receiving CCS program services. Furthermore, the comparison group maintained most of their physical performances, even showing significant progress on FR.
Challenges facing distance learning during martial law: results of a survey of Ukrainian students

Cataclysms such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the Russian invasion of Ukraine have had an irreversible impact on all spheres of human life. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the needs of participants in specific processes to be able to respond to them dynamically. In this regard, a survey was conducted with 331 respondents from 13 institutions of higher education in Ukraine. The questionnaire consisted of four blocks: general questions (age, gender, educational institution, year of study, location, etc.), technical block (availability of technical means, access to the Internet, etc.), psychological block (respondents’ state), and educational block (availability of opportunities to continue educational activities). To answer some questions, a sample was made by regions of Ukraine to understand whether there is a significant difference between regions where active hostilities are taking place and regions that are conditionally safer.The article aims to present the results and analysis of the answers and offer suggestions for teachers on implementing educational activities based on the obtained results. The survey showed that teachers of higher education institutions take into account the peculiarities of the current situation in Ukraine. Most institutions implemented blended/distance learning to ensure all participants' safety in the educational process. Among the recommendations are the introduction of video recording of online classes and increased use of non-formal education opportunities, particularly MOOC courses.
Origin of the Tsushima Warm Current in a high resolution ocean circulation model

ABSTRACT Park, Y. -G. , Yeh, S. -W. , Hwang, J. and Kim, T. , 2013, East China Sea circulation from a high resolution ocean circulation model. Using the results from a high-resolution global ocean circulation model, the present study describes the circulation over the East China Sea and the origin of the Tsushima Warm Current. We focus on the interaction between the Taiwan Warm Current, the Tsushima Warm Current, and the Kuroshio intrusion north of Taiwan and east of Kyushu by comparing mass fluxes. Although the modeled transport of the Tsushima Warm Current is weaker than observed values by about 30 %, that of the Taiwan Warm Current is within the known range. The transport of the latter is large enough to supply the former. Thus, in this model, the net intrusion of the Kuroshio towards the shelf between Taiwan and Kyushu would not make a significant contribution to the Tsushima Warm Current. Conversely, the flows northeast of Taiwan and west of Kyushu show a strong presence of branch currents toward the inner shelf from the Kuroshio. To resolve this apparent contradiction, we estimated mass budgets for the areas around Taiwan and west of Kyushu. The Taiwan–Tsushima Current System and the Kuroshio are located very closely to each other along the shelf break, and if they are not differentiated properly using high-resolution data, one could overestimate the strength of the branch currents or the onshore intrusion of the Kuroshio. Considering the similarity between the apparent branch currents from this model and the previously reported results, the branch currents, especially west of Kyushu, may not be as strong as previously suggested.
Anti-CCP is Associated with Greater Disease Burden in Kashmiri Population with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Aim: To analyse the diagnostic value of anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) and to associate it with disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Kashmiri population. Methods: The serum levels of anti-CCP levels were measured in 150 RA patients and 30 healthy controls by ELISA technique. Result: 118 (78.66%) patients were positive for anti-CCP while none of the healthy controls were positive for the test. The mean ± SD serum anti-CCP levels were significantly (p 20 mm/h (p = 0.01), RF positivity (p = 0.0001) and High DAS28 Score (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Serum anti-CCP is a very accurate marker for RA diagnosis and the patients with higher levels of anti-CCP have more aggressive form of disease. Therefore, its early detection may help clinicians in early diagnosis and appropriate management of the disease.