Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plenary lecture 4: engineering employability skills required by employers in Asia

Employers nowadays place main concern on and give emphasis to employability skills in potential engineers which caused a significant increase in unemployment among engineering graduates in Malaysia. There are several discussions and studies on "What types of skills and abilities are needed in the workplace? " How the government and higher education overcomes this rising phenomenon? This study attempts to look into engineering employability skills that have been required for their new engineers by other countries in Asia such as Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. This paper will put forward a list comprised of the skills needed by these four countries, and compare the existing similarities and differences of these enlisted skills. Information was gathered from articles, journals, papers and reports. The findings indicate that these countries have published reports on the necessary frameworks of employability skills to prepare engineering graduates for the employment today and in the future. Overall, the studies suggest that the engineering graduates should acquire and demonstrate a set of generic skills such as communication skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
Development of 21 novel polynucleotide microsatellite markers in a Clithon retropictum (Gastropoda: Neritidae), using next-generation sequencing

The neritid species Clithon retropictum (Gastropoda), an oviparous snail, is distributed in freshwater and brackish water in southern Korea, south-east Japan, southern China and Taiwan. This species is listed as a class II endangered species in Korea because of its decreasing population size. It has led to an increase in the need for genetic information about this species. For this aim, in this study, we developed microsatellite markers for C. retropictum by using nextgeneration sequencing. A total of 185,972 sequences containing motifs with a minimum of five repeats motifs were identified from 3,392,119 reads. Of the 46 loci screened among 49 individuals, 36 were successfully amplified and 21 were polymorphic among 49 individuals, with 14 tri-nucleotide repeats and 7 tetra-nucleotide repeats. All loci exhibited relatively high genetic variability except one locus (CR08), with an average of 10.33 alleles per locus, and the mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.661 and 0.758, respectively. Our results demonstrated the utility of next-generation sequencing as a method for the rapid and cost-effective identification of microsatellites. These 21 newly developed microsatellite markers will be informative tools for investigating the genetic structure and diversity among populations of this endangered species and will help facilitate effective strategies for its conservation.
Virus Detection from Local Banana Cultivars and the First Molecular Characterization of Banana bunchy top virus in Indonesia

For banana plants (Musa spp.), occurrence of viruses is serious threat not only for production but also in conservation of banana species/cultivars as genetic resources. In this study, we collected 02 samples of -2 banana cultivars during years of survey and carried out the detection of viruses by serological and/or molecular methods in a banana germplasm garden of central Java, Indonesia. Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were confirmed from ,+ samples and samples, respectively, though Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV) was not detected in this survey. Thus it was made clear that the major constraint virus is BBTV in this germplasm garden where it should be free from any virus infection. The occurrences of BBTV were confirmed in +, cultivars and of CMV were confirmed in cultivars among -2 cultivars along with viral symptoms though all of tested cultivars were grown under the same condition for long time. Based upon this results, it was supposed that these +, and cultivars are more sensitive to BBTV and CMV infection, respectively. Two BBTV isolates (BBTV-IG-and IG0.) in this germplasm garden and one isolate of BBTV (BBTV-IJs++) from a village nearby the germplasm garden were sequenced for their DNA-+ and DNA-and shown to have high homologies among them in full-length of each component (32 to 33 and 33 to +** , respectively). In major common region (CR-M) of DNA-+, the Indonesian isolates showed higher homology obviously with isolates from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, China and Vietnam than with isolates from Australia and Fiji (3to 3/ and 0to 0/ , respectively). Therefore, molecular characters of these Indonesian BBTV isolates, which were classified into the Asian group (KARAN et al., +33.), were firstly reported and analyzed in this study.
Effectiveness of Japanese SHARE model in improving Taiwanese healthcare personnel's preference for cancer truth telling

Communication skills training (CST) based on the Japanese SHARE model of family‐centered truth telling in Asian countries has been adopted in Taiwan. However, its effectiveness in Taiwan has only been preliminarily verified. This study aimed to test the effect of SHARE model‐centered CST on Taiwanese healthcare providers' truth‐telling preference, to determine the effect size, and to compare the effect of 1‐day and 2‐day CST programs on participants' truth‐telling preference.
Antibodies to mutated citrullinated vimentin and antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract Background: The goal of the study was to assess the presence of antibodies to mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) and cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared with patients with other juvenile onset rheumatic diseases. Methods: The study included 56 patients who fulfilled the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) classification criteria for JIA, and 17 control patients with other juvenile onset rheumatic diseases. Data on six core outcome variables and the Sharp score were collected for patients with JIA. Sera and synovial fluid, if available, were tested for anti-CCP and anti-MCV antibodies using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Anti-MCV antibodies were positive in 3/56 (5.4%) and anti-CCP in 1/56 (1.8%) of patients with JIA. Two out of three anti-MCV positive patients (one of them also anti-CCP positive) were found to be rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive with polyarticular disease. Within the control group, anti-MCV was positive in 4/17 (23.5%) patients, while anti-CCP positivity was not observed. No correlation between anti-MCV with anti-CCP antibody levels was found for any of the six core outcome variables or for the adapted Sharp score. Conclusions: Our results show that antibodies targeting citrullinated proteins are not a useful diagnostic marker for JIA, but can indicate severe patterns of disease in JIA. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:1525–30.
Is there a Friday the 13th effect in ermerging Asian stock markets?

In this article, we revisit the Friday the 13th eﬀect discussed by Kolb and Rodriguez (1987) that has received increased interest in recent research. Using a dummy-augmented GARCH model, we investigate whether the occurrence of this superstitious calendar day has signiﬁcant impact on the conditional means and variances of returns in the seven emerging Asian stock markets India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Results obtained for the period from July 1996 to August 2013 indicate no systematic pattern across countries. We can detect a signiﬁcant Friday the 13th eﬀect only for mean returns in the Philippines and an inverse Friday the 13th eﬀect for South Korea. Volatilities are signiﬁcantly aﬀected only in Indonesia and the Philippines. They tend to be reduced by the occurrence of Friday the 13th.
CAN Camellia japonica GROW IN VIETNAM? SEED GERMINATION AND INITIAL GROWTH

Camellia japonica L. is an evergreen tree, belonging to family Theaceae. The species naturally distributes in China, Taiwan, Korea, and southern Japan. It has been widely planted for ornamenting purpose. Also, C. japonica oil has been extracted and used for healthcare. In this study, seed germination and initial seedling growth of C. japonica were experimented in Hanoi, Vietnam.Seeds were collected in January in Kyoto, Japan and transported to Vietnam. Seeds were stored in normal room conditions until the experiment in February. Pre-sowing treatment was conducted by soaking in 50-55oC ordinary water until reaching normal temperature. Treated seeds were then sown in wet sandy bed for germination. Germinated seeds were then transplanted to forested-soil pots and tended normally by watering twice a day without fertilization and pest/disease control. The results indicated that the first seed germinated was recorded 3 weeks after experimenting, and germination ended in 2 weeks from the first germination. Most seeds germinated in the duration of 5th day to 10th day after the first germination. The germination rate was 62.5% and seedling survival rate was 96.8% at 4 months of growth. Seedlings of 4 months old had an average height of 15.9 cm, diameter at the stump of 2.1 mm, the taproot of 11.4 cm long, and average 10.6 leaves/seedling. It is possible to grow C. japonica in Vietnam. However, further study should be conducted in the field conditions.
Professional blood donors blood banks and risk of STDs and HIV / AIDS: a study in selected areas in Bangladesh.

This study examined high-risk behaviors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS among professional blood donors (PBDs) in Bangladesh. Included in the study were also their sociodemographic characteristics and the prevailing system for blood donations. 288 PBDs were selected for in-depth one-on-one interviews. The study revealed that almost all of the PBDs were of very low socioeconomic status and the majority were illiterate. Surprisingly one-seventh and over one-fifth of the PBDs had been selling blood knowing that their blood was positive for syphilis and hepatitis B respectively. Nearly three-fourths of the PBDs had engaged in pre-marital sex and over 10% had engaged in homosexual sex oral sex anal sex with women or had a bisexual relationship. As there was lack of awareness about the role of condoms in preventing STD transmission most of the sexual encounters reported by the PBDs were unprotected. In addition blood banks do not routinely screen blood for diseases. Given their sexual behaviors unsafe sex practices and the unreliability of the care sought for STD this study concluded that there is a high chance of PBDs acquiring STDs and HIV/AIDS. As blood is not screened recipients of blood are thus at high risk for acquiring transfusion-transmissible infections like syphilis hepatitis B hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. This situation needs urgent intervention and information and education on safe sex practices provided to donors.
The Impact of Child Autistic Symptoms on Parental Marital Relationship: Parenting and Coparenting Processes as Mediating Mechanisms

Research shows that parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love. Less is known, however, about the potential mechanism underlying these associations. The present study tested a family process model linking child autism to parental marriage. We hypothesized that child autistic symptoms would be associated with increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love among parents of children with ASD, and that these associations would be mediated by parenting stress and coparenting conflicts. A total of 382 parents of children with ASD from Hong Kong, China completed questionnaire measures of child autistic symptoms, parenting stress, coparenting conflicts, marital conflicts, and marital love. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and Bootstrap analyses were conducted to analyze the relations among the variables. SEM showed that child autistic symptoms were related to higher levels of parenting stress and coparenting conflicts, which were, in turn, related to increased marital conflicts and reduced marital love among parents of children with ASD. Bootstrap analyses further demonstrated that child autistic symptoms had significant indirect effects on marital conflicts and marital love via parenting stress and coparenting conflicts. Theoretically, this study revealed the potential pathways through which child autism symptomatology may adversely impact the family processes and compromise the marital relationships of parents of children with ASD. Practically, this study pointed to the utility of helping parents of children with ASD to manage child autistic symptoms, alleviate parenting stress, and reduce coparenting conflicts in improving their marital qualities.
Reproductive biology of the southern rough shrimp Trachysalambria curvirostris (Penaeidae) in Kagoshima Bay, southern Japan

Abstract The southern rough shrimp Trachysalambria curvirostris is a small-sized penaeid shrimp inhabiting coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific and eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is commercially important as a target species mainly for small-scale bottom seiners and trawlers in Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan. In Kagoshima Bay, southern Japan, this species is one of the most dominant species in the benthic community. The reproductive biology of T. curvirostris including ovarian maturation, size at sexual maturity, and spawning season was investigated in Kagoshima Bay. A total of 5,681 female specimens were collected during June 2002 through December 2005. Ovarian maturity stages were divided into three categories (undeveloped, developing, and early ripe or ripe) based on the visual observation of ovaries fixed with 10% formalin and oöcyte diameter. The size at sexual maturity was estimated to be 17.3 mm in carapace length. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed a significant increase with progressing ovarian maturity stage and most of the females with GSI ≥ 6% were found to be matured. Percentage occurrence of mature females and inseminated females showed similar seasonal trends and the spawning season was estimated to last from May to November, with a peak during June and July.
Genetic diversity in fruiting and flower-ornamental Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) germplasms assessed by SSR markers

The genetic diversity and relationships among 127 Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Siebold et Zucc.) germplasms, including 56 fruiting and 55 flower-ornamental cultivars derived from Japan, 8 germplasms from China, 7 germplasms from Taiwan and 1 germplasm from Thailand were assessed by SSR markers. Thirty-nine out of 58 SSR markers developed from peach and apricot could produce one or two amplified fragments in Japanese apricot, suggesting transferability across species. Fourteen SSR markers showing clear amplification and high polymorphisms were chosen for further analysis. A total of 155 putative alleles were observed in Japanese apricot for 14 SSR loci with an average value of 11.1. The values of observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.29 to 0.88 (mean value of 0.61) and 0.32 to 0.92 (mean value of 0.68), respectively. A phenogram for 127 Japanese apricot and 3 apricot germplasms showed 3 major clusters, 1) Bungo group of Japanese apricot and apricot, 2) germplasms from Taiwan and Thailand, 3) fruiting and flower-ornamental germplasms derived from Japan and China. In the present study, definite genetic differences were not found between fruiting and flower-ornamental groups, which supported the hypothesis that fruiting cultivars have been selected from flower-ornamentals.
Sexual Maturity and Early Life History of the Mudskipper Scartelaos gigas (Pisces, Gobiidae): Implications for Conservation

Scartelaos gigas is an amphibious mudskipper species that inhabits mud flats in Korea, China, and Taiwan. This fish is at risk of extinction because of its very restricted habitat and overexploitation. Information about this fish’s reproductive characteristics is needed for species conservation. The sexual maturity and early life history of S. gigas were investigated through histological methods and direct observation of eggs in the wild, respectively. In total, 560 individuals of S. gigas were collected with the aid of fishermen from March 2003 to October 2003 at Jung-do Island, southwest Korea. Through microscopic observations of gonadal development, it was determined that S. gigas of both sexes were immature in April, but began to reach maturity in May, and were then fully mature by June, which was maintained until July. In August, some female fish developed early oocytes, but by September oocytes were observed to have degenerated and had been absorbed. Spawned eggs were elliptical and had an average size of 1.37 mm (long axis) by 0.69 mm (short axis). The newly hatched larvae (3.03 mm total length, TL) had an open mouth and anus, two melanophores near the anus, and one large melanophore between the 18th and 19th myomeres. The larvae (3.18 mm TL) showed absorption of the yolk and oil globule within 5 days after hatching and became prelarvae. This species should be considered vulnerable or conservation-dependent, and thus parental fish need to be protected from fishermen during the main spawning season (June).
Effect of season, soil and land use pattern on soil N-mineralization, Ammonification and Nitrification: A study in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya

Net N-mineralization, ammonification and nitrification as influenced by climatic factors, soil characteristics and land use patterns were studied soils of two different land use patterns prevalent in East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. Ammonification and nitrification rate varies significantly (p<0.001) between the land use pattern and seasons. The greater amount of N-mineralization was recorded during the rainy season in both the land use patterns while during the spring season (Paddy AES) and rainy season (Homegarden). Ammonification rate is positively correlated with soil pH, SOC, NH4-N and NO3-N. Conversely, nitrification rate is negatively correlated to ammonium and nitrate concentration which suggests that available nitrogen concentration was not saturated in these agricultural systems. Lesser nitrification rate compared to the ammonification rate would be helpful in conserving the soil nitrogen.
Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of Prophylaxis and Treatment of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Patients with Renal Dysfunction After Renal Transplantation

Background Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe lung infections after renal transplantation. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has been recognized as a first-line treatment for chemoprophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). This study aimed to establish a personalized chemoprophylaxis prescription specifically for those recipients with renal insufficiency. Material/Methods This retrospective study included 68 patients with confirmed PCP after renal transplantation. Patients were divided into 2 groups: an abnormal renal function (ARF) group (creatinine ≥1.5 ng/dl; n=37) and a normal renal function (NRF) group (creatinine <1.5 ng/dl; n=31). Clinical characteristics and prognosis of PCP in both groups were compared and analyzed. Results Patients in the ARF group had more prophylaxis after transplantation (15 [40.5%] vs. 2 [6.5%], p=0.047), had more biopsy-proven rejections (10 [27%] vs. 1 [3.2%], p=0.008), and had lower lymphocyte counts (0.6 [05–0.9] vs. 1.1 [0.7–1.6], p<0.01). Renal function after treatment was obviously improved in the ARF group, which had a significant decrease rate in creatinine (−13.2% [−22~4.8%] vs. −4.4% [−12.6~20.9%], p=0.043). Conclusions PCP prophylaxis regimens for recipients after renal transplantation are still needed regardless of whether the renal functions were normal or abnormal, especially for recipients with persistent lymphopenia or rejection after transplantation.
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Economic Behaviours and Preferences: Experimental Evidence from Wuhan

We examine how the emergence of Covid-19 in Wuhan, and the ramifications of associated events, influence pro-sociality, trust and attitudes towards risk and ambiguity. We assess these influences using an experiment consisting of financially incentivized economic tasks. We establish causality via the comparison of a baseline sample collected pre-epidemic with five sampling waves starting from the imposition of a stringent lock- down in Wuhan and completed six weeks later. We find significant long-term increases - measured as the difference between the baseline and final wave average responses - in altruism, cooperation, trust and risk tolerance. Participants who remained in Wuhan during the lockdown exhibit lower trust and cooperation relative to other participants. We identify transitory effects from two events that permeated the public psyche. First, in the immediate aftermath of the Wuhan lockdown, there is a decrease in trust and an increase in ambiguity aversion. Second, the news of a high-profile whistleblower's death also decreases trust while heightening risk aversion.
Sweetpotato leaf curl virus and related geminiviruses in sweetpotato

Sweetpotato leaf curl diseases have been reported in Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. The causal agent is the whitefly transmitted geminivirus, Sweetpotato leaf curl virus (SPLCV). Viral DNA can be detected in plant samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with SPLCV-specific primers. Of 152 samples of sweetpotato and other Ipomoea species collected from various locations in the USA, only 14 were infected with SPLCV. The virus also was detected in total DNA extracted from I. setosa grafted with sweetpotato genotypes from Brazil, China, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Taiwan. Selected PCR-amplified viral DNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. Based on the partial AC1 ORF sequences, the phylogenetic relationships among SPLCV-like isolates was determined. The results indicated that SPLCV-like isolates clustered into three groups, and all of them might have evolved from the same common ancestor possibly from the Old World. This study suggests that there might be several other geminiviruses of sweet potato yet to be described.
Evaluation of Nutritional Potential of Five Unexplored Wild Edible Plants Consumed by the Tribal People of Arunachal Pradesh State in India

The nutritional potential of five wild edible plants e.g. fruits of Melodinus khasianus, leaves of Solanum nigrum, Phytolacca acinosa, Piper pedicellatum and Pouzolzia hirta collected from Arunachal Pradesh in India, were assessed by determining their proximate and mineral's composition. These undomesticated eatable plants form an important constituent of traditional subsistences in Arunachal Pradesh. The present study divulged that for different plant species, the crude fat content ranged between 0.60±0.05 - 6.39±0.03 %. The crude protein content was determined high among the leaves of P. acinosa (21.90±0.02%), P. pedicellatum (21.22±0.03%) and S. nigrum (21.18±0.01 %) while the carbohydrate content was highest in the fruits of M. khasianus (80.88±0.13 %). The energy content ranged from 325.83±2.40 – 409.90 ±0.66 kcal/100g in the various wild edible plants. Among the various macronutrients estimated in the plants under study, potassium was present in the highest quantity (13.74±0.24- 75.72±0.45 mg/g) followed by calcium (12.07±0.32-25.73±0.07 mg/g) and sodium (0.21±0.01-0.42±0.002 mg/g). The micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese and magnesium were analyzed. The result indicates that nutritional values and mineral contents of these plants under investigation were richer than that of the commercial vegetables and could be used for the nutritional purpose. The present study also gives an account of ethnobotanies significance of the wild plants under investigation.