Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are there any long–run benefits from international equity diversification for Taiwan investors diversifying in the equity markets of its major trading partners, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the USA

This note provides evidence that there exist long-run benefits for Taiwan investors from diversifying in the equity markets of the Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the USA over the period of 6 January 1997 to 30 December 1998. The evidence is based on tests for pairwise cointegration between the Taiwan national stock price index and the stock price indexes for the Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the US markets, using three cointegrating tests, namely the Multivariate Trace statistic P z, Harris-Inder approach, and the Johansen method. The results from these three tests are robust and consistent in suggesting that the Taiwan stock market is not pairwise cointegrated with the Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the US stock markets. These findings could be valuable to Taiwan individual investors and financial institutions holding long-un investment portfolios in the Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the US equity markets.
National Model of Technological Catching Up and Innovation: Comparing Patents of Taiwan and South Korea

Abstract This paper discusses different patterns of innovation and their institutional roots in Taiwan and South Korea. By using USPTO patent data as indicators of innovation, this paper finds that while individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still account for a significant proportion of the patents in Taiwan, the large conglomerates are the major contributors of patents in South Korea. Moreover, although electronics is the sector that has gained most of the patents in both countries, Taiwan's patents are more dispersed while those of its South Korean counterparts are more concentrated. These differences come mainly from the institutional roots in their economic catching-up era.
Effects of heat on workers' health and productivity in Taiwan

Background : The impact of global warming on population health is a growing concern and has been widely discussed. The issue of heat stress disorders and consequent productivity reduction among workers has not yet been widely addressed. Taiwan is an island straddling the Tropic of Cancer in the West Pacific and has both subtropical and tropical climates. As of 2008, the economy of Taiwan accounts for 1.1% of the world gross domestic product at purchasing power parity and is listed as 19th in the world and eighth in Asia, according to International Monetary Fund data. Objective : The aim of this paper is to identify occupations at risk and the potential health impacts of heat on workers in Taiwan. Design : Historical data relating to meteorology, population, the labour force and economy were obtained from publicly available databases from the Taiwanese government. Results : Hot seasons with an average maximum temperature above 30°C and relative humidity above 74%, lasting for four to six months from May to October, pose health threats to construction, farming and fishery workers. In particular, populations of ageing farmers and physically overloaded construction workers are the two most vulnerable worker categories in which high temperature impacts on health and productivity. Conclusions : Currently, regulations and preventive actions for heat relief are difficult to enforce for several reasons, including lack of equipment for measuring environmental conditions, lack of awareness of potential hazards and strict time constraints imposed on workers. There is an urgent need to systematically and comprehensively assess the impact of a warming climate on workers’ health and productivity to provide effective prevention strategies for a better working and living environment in Taiwan.
Taiwan as an Emerging Foreign Aid Donor: Developments, Problems, and Prospects

T AIWAN IS FINANCIALLY RICH BUT DIPLOMATICALLY POOR. It has one of the world's largest foreign exchange reserves. It is the thirteenth largest trading nation, accumulating trade surpluses almost every year since 1970. Its economy has been growing at an average annual rate of nearly 9 percent for the past forty years. Its gross national product reached $304 billion (measured by purchasing power parity) in September 1996, which was among the top twenty in the world. (All currencies quoted in this paper are in U.S.$ unless otherwise specified.) Table 1 summarizes the rise of Taiwan's position in the global economy. In sharp contrast Taiwan is diplomatically isolated, with only thirty countries recognizing it as a sovereign state as of September 1996. It is a member of only about ten intergovernmental organizations, the most notable one being the Asian Development Bank. Can Taiwan utilize its economic strength to break out of its present diplomatic isolation? As perceived by some Taiwanese leaders, one way to do this is by extending economic assistance or foreign aid to developing countries so as to gain their friend-
The urbanization of poverty in India: Spatio‐temporal disparities in consumption expenditures

Abstract This paper identifies the spatial patterns of urban poverty and their change over time using state‐level data on consumer expenditures for the 61st (2004–05), 66th (2009–10), and 68th (2011–12) rounds and a class of decomposable poverty measures (Foster‐Greer‐Thorbecke Index). Further, state‐specific new urban poverty lines (Tendulkar Methodology) based on consumption expenditures for both food and nonfood items have been employed to measure the incidence of urban poverty in each of the twenty‐nine states. The analysis reveals that while urban poverty has declined considerably over the study periods both at national and state levels, there are distinct spatial concentrations, reflecting the phenomenon of urbanization of poverty and large spatial differences in consumption expenditures. There is clearly a heavy concentration of urban poverty in central and north‐eastern states of India, such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. Only the relatively prosperous north and north‐western states have low urban‐poverty levels in all periods. In the regression results, access to housing and sanitation emerge as the most important variables in explaining urban poverty in India over all study periods.
Rheumatoid factor positivity rather than anti-CCP positivity, a lower disability and a lower number of anti-TNF agents failed are associated with response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES We explored clinical factors associated with a major response to rituximab (RTX) (e.g. ACR >/=50, and European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) moderate to good response) in patients with active long-standing RA and inadequate response to anti-TNF agents or traditional DMARDs. METHODS RTX was used in 110 RA patients in six different Italian centres. The mean disease activity score on 28 joints (DAS28) was 6.4 +/- 0.99 and the mean HAQ was 1.63 +/- 0.68 at baseline. Thirty-two patients (29.1%) underwent RTX after the failure of DMARD therapy, 37 (33.6%) had failed or were intolerant to at least two anti-TNF agents, and 41 (37.3%) had failed or were intolerant to one anti-TNF agent. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS The number of previous anti-TNF agents (P = 0.043), HAQ (P = 0.023), RF positivity (P < 0.0001) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positivity (P = 0.003) were associated with ACR response >or=50 between month +4 and month +6 after starting RTX by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that a lower HAQ, a lower number of anti-TNF agents failed before RTX and RF positivity, but not anti-CCP positivity, were the selected variables associated with an ACR response >or=50, with an accuracy of 84% of the model. Only RF positivity correlated with EULAR moderate to good response both in the univariate and in the multivariate analysis, with an accuracy of 79% of the model. CONCLUSION RF-positive rather than anti-CCP-positive RA patients with lower baseline disability and a lower number of previously failed TNF blockers may be the best candidates to RTX.
Agents for the Decolonization of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria are a common cause of hospital‐ and community‐acquired infections. Persons may have asymptomatic colonization with MRSA in the nares, axillae, perineum, or groin. Since MRSA colonization often precedes infection, and infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, there is great interest in preventing the transmission of MRSA and decolonizing persons who harbor these bacteria. We provide an evidence‐based review of MRSA decolonization agents. Our search strategy included the databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (1962‐May 2008), and EMBASE (1980‐May 2008). To identify unpublished trials, abstract books from appropriate major scientific meetings were hand searched, manufacturers were contacted, and pharmacology references were researched for available commercial products, formulations, adverse events, and dosing. The most extensive research in MRSA decolonization has been conducted with mupirocin, which is applied to the anterior nares 2–3 times/day for 5 days. Increased use is correlated to resistance development; therefore, routine decolonization is not prudent unless MRSA colonization is confirmed in the nares or other site. Retapamulin is under investigation for use in nares decolonization. If total body decolonization is necessary, bathing or showering with an antiseptic agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate is recommended in combination with mupirocin applied to the nares to improve the likelihood of eradication. Oral antibiotics have been evaluated for use in decolonization of the skin and nares but should be considered only in conjunction with topical agents and when all other decolonization attempts and environmental controls have been exhausted. Homeopathic and investigational agents may also be effective. Although mupirocin is the standard of care for decolonization of MRSA, several agents demonstrate efficacy and many merit further investigation.
Rebalancing Trade in East Asia: Evidence from the Electronics Industry

ABSTRACT China’s trade surplus remains huge. Researchers reported that China’s exports decimate manufacturing job abroad and stoke protectionist pressures. China’s surplus is concentrated in the electronics sector. Much of the value-added of China’s exports of smartphones, tablet computers, and consumer electronics goods comes from processors, sensors, and other parts and components (p&c) produced in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and ASEAN. This article finds that the exchange rates in countries supplying p&c are crucial for understanding China’s electronics exports. A concerted appreciation of East Asian currencies is needed to rebalance the region’s exports. However, because of underdeveloped financial markets, the U.S. dollar remains the most important currency in the currency baskets of many East Asian economies. Countries resist appreciation against the dollar to maintain competitiveness vis-à-vis neighboring economies. This article considers ways to overcome this coordination failure and develop stronger consumption-oriented economies in the region.
CELEBRITY AND AUDIENCE CHARACTERISTICS ON SATISFACTION, AND REPEAT WATCH INTENTION ON KOREAN TV DRAMA

The prevailing trend of Korean Pop culture, Hallyu, has spread rapidly to Asian countries such Malaysia, Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan. The influenced of such culture has further reached to other countries such as the Middle East, Europe and America. As the result, the Korean dramas, fashions, and music becoming a hot trend and culture in Asian nations. The study examines the relationship between celebrity and audience characteristics on TV drama satisfaction and repeats watch intention. A total of 596 young Malaysian consumers participated in this study. Attractiveness, credibility, commitment, and connectedness were found to effect the satisfaction of watching Korean drama. In addition, consumer satisfaction toward Korean TV drama does influence their repeat watch intention. However, an involvement of audience was not found to affect TV drama satisfaction. Recommendation and suggestion for future research were also discussed to improve audience satisfaction and ultimately increased the repeat watch intention towards Korean TV drama.
Clinical aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in HIV infection

Purpose of review HIV infection profoundly impairs the immune mechanisms needed to control and clear Leishmania infection, and outcomes in patients with HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis are poor. This review summarizes recent work describing the epidemiology, presentation and outcomes of HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis and discusses advances in diagnosis and management. Recent findings Studies have shown that serological tests can effectively diagnose HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis, with a sensitivity of 98% if direct agglutination test and rK39 assays are used in combination. Few data exist to guide treatment recommendations. Observational data show high rates of toxicity and treatment failure with pentavalent antimonials, and their use is no longer recommended. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) is better tolerated, but outcomes are suboptimal, with mortality rates of 7–12%, and parasitological failure rates of up to 32%. Initial reports suggest that L-AmB and miltefosine in combination may be effective in HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis; however, clinical trial data are lacking. Secondary prophylaxis reduces the rate of relapse, but optimal regimens have not been defined, and optimal timing of antiretroviral therapy initiation in patients with visceral leishmaniasis is unknown. Summary Recent studies have demonstrated the inadequacy of current treatments for HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis. Clinical trials are needed to improve early diagnosis, develop combination therapies and define effective secondary prophylaxis regimens.
A review on biological activities and conservation of endangered medicinal herb Nardostachys jatamansi.

Nardostachys jatamansiDC also known as Indian Spikenard or Indian Valerian, is a valued medicinal plant of family Valerianaceae. This rhizome bearing plant is native of the Himalayas of India and Nepal and preferably found from 2200 m to 5000 m asl in random forms. The extract of rhizome is widely used in the formulation of traditional Ayurvedic medicines as well as modern herbal preparations for curing several ailments. In some parts of their range o w- ing to overharvest for medicinal use and trade, habitat degradation and other biotic interferences lead s plant into threat category. In India the observed population of jatamansi declines of 75 -80% and classified as Endangered in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh and Critically Endangered in Uttarakhand. Realizing the high level of threat CITES has notified N. jatamansi for its schedule care to ensure the conservation. Hence, emphasis should be given on proper conservation and apply biotechnological tools for sustainable use which in turn help to save it from extinction. In view of immense importance in the present review an attempt has been made to focus on the distribution, medicinal value and conservation aspects of this valuable plant .
Variations in the persistence of health expenditures and the implications for the design of capitation payments in Taiwan

Objectives The National Health Insurance (NHI) system in Taiwan launched a trial capitation provider payment programme in 2011, with the capitation formula based on patients' average NHI expenditure in the previous year. This study seeks to examine the concentration and persistence of health care expenditure among the elderly, and to assess the performance of the current capitation formula in predicting future high-cost users. Methods This study analysed NHI expenditures for a nationally representative sample of people aged 65 years and over who took part in Taiwan's National Health Interview Survey, 2005. Expenditure concentration was assessed by the proportion of NHI expenditures attributable to four groups by expenditure percentile. Four transition probability matrixes examined changes in a person's position in the expenditure percentiles and generalized estimation equation models were estimated to identify significant predictors of a patient being in the top 10% of users. Results Between 2005 and 2009, the top 10% of users on average accounted for 55% of total NHI expenditures. Of the top 10% in 2005, 39% retained this position in 2006. However, expenditure persistence was the highest (77%) among the bottom 50% of users. NHI expenditure percentiles in both the baseline year and the prior year, and chronic conditions all significantly predicted future high expenditures. The model including chronic conditions performed better in predicting the top 10% of users (c-statistics increased from 0.772 to 0.904) than the model without. Conclusions Given the increase in predictive ability, adding chronic conditions and baseline health care use data to Taiwan's capitation payment formula would correctly identify more high users.
[New diagnostic tests for rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid factor(RF) is one item in the classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis(RA), with a tolerable sensitivity of 69.3% for RA but low specificity against other rheumatic diseases(76.4%). Anti-agalactosyl IgG antibody(CARF) showed a slightly higher sensitivity(72.0%) but the specificity was even lower(67.9%). Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(anti-CCP), a new diagnostic test for RA, demonstrated higher sensitivity(76.0%) and specificity(91.5%), and the ROC analysis revealed the marked superiority of anti-CCP to other markers(i.e. RF, CARF, and IgG-RF). Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) showed a significantly positive correlation with CRP, suggesting it might be more useful for evaluation of RA activity and prediction of the prognosis of joint destruction. On the contrary, two combination assays, "MMP-3 or CARF" and "MMP-3 or anti-CCP", showed the highest sensitivity(86.7%) for RA. Similarly, in early RA the sensitivities of CARF, MMP-3 and anti-CCP were lower than in RA(66.7%, 66.7% and 58.3%, respectively), but the sensitivities of combination assays "MMP-3 or CARF" and "MMP-3 or anti-CCP" were 91.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Thus, we concluded that these combination assays are useful in the diagnosis of RA and detection of early RA.
Work Motivation, Work Stress, and Job Satisfaction in between Taiwan and China - An Empitical Study

This study investigates the relationships between Work Motivation, Work Stress, and Job Satisfaction toward cross-strait employees. The target subjects are three manufacturing firms in Mainland China and Taiwan. Out of 450 distributed surveys, 352 valid surveys were obtained with the response rate of 78.22%. The findings have addressed three main pull factors toward cross-strait employees in choosing jobs, which are (1) high level of firm stability, (2) good firm image, and (3) good employee benefits. In addition, various employee attributes exert different impacts on Work Motivation, Work Stress, and Job Satisfaction. The comparison between expected and actual perceived Job Satisfaction toward cross-strait employees shows that “salary” ranks highest regarding expected Job Satisfaction whereas “co-worker relationship” ranks highest regarding actual perceived Job Satisfaction, which implies actual perceived Job Satisfaction do not match employee expectations. Therefore, this research further concludes that there exists differences between employees’ expected and actual perceived Job Satisfaction. Keyword—Cross-strait, job satisfaction, work motivation, work stress
Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Aflibercept for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in the PLANET Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is common in Asian populations, but an optimal treatment approach remains to be confirmed. Objective To evaluate intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) in participants with PCV and compare IAI monotherapy with IAI plus rescue photodynamic therapy (PDT). Design, Setting, and Participants This 96-week, double-masked, sham-controlled phase 3b/4 randomized clinical trial was conducted at multiple centers in Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan from May 2014 to August 2016, and included adults 50 years or older with symptomatic macular PCV and a best-corrected visual acuity of 73 to 24 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (20/40-20/320 Snellen equivalent). Interventions Participants received 2 mg of IAI at weeks 0, 4, and 8. At week 12, participants with a suboptimal response were randomized 1:1 to receive IAI plus sham PDT (IAI monotherapy) or a “rescue” of IAI plus rescue PDT (IAI/PDT). Participants who did not qualify for rescue received IAI every 8 weeks; those qualifying for rescue received IAI every 4 weeks plus sham/active PDT. When the rescue criteria were no longer met, injection intervals were gradually extended to 8 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures Noninferiority of IAI monotherapy to IAI/PDT for mean change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline to week 52 (95% CI of the difference entirely above −5 letters). Results Of the 318 participants, the mean (SD) age was 70.6 (8.2) years, 96 (30.2%) were women, and 152 (47.8%) were Japanese. Monotherapy with IAI was noninferior to IAI/PDT for the primary end point (+10.7 vs +10.8 letters, respectively; 95% CI, −2.9 to 1.6; P = .55), with few participants requiring rescue therapy (19 [12.1%] vs 23 [14.3%], respectively). Participants in both treatment groups had similar reductions in central subfield thickness from baseline to week 52 (−137.7 [IAI monotherapy] vs −143.5 &mgr;m [IAI/PDT]). At week 52, 49 (38.9%) and 60 participants (44.8%) had no polypoidal lesions observed on indocyanine green angiography in the IAI monotherapy and IAI/PDT groups, respectively. Furthermore, 116 (81.7%) and 136 (88.9%), respectively, had no polypoidal lesions with leakage. The most frequent ocular adverse events were conjunctival hemorrhage (IAI monotherapy, 8 [5.1%]) and dry eye (IAI/PDT, 9 [5.6%]). Conclusions and Relevance Improvement in visual and/or functional outcomes was achieved in more than 85% of participants who were treated with IAI monotherapy, with no signs of leakage from polypoidal lesions in more than 80%. As fewer than 15% met the criteria of a suboptimal response to receive PDT, the potential benefit of adding PDT cannot be determined. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02120950
Workplace context and its effect on individual competencies and performance in work teams

The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of workplace context on competencies and performance in work (project) teams. This study was conducted at seven technology-based companies in Hong Kong and China. The results of the study provide companies with important knowledge on how to encourage the right competencies to achieve high performance in a workplace. This paper attempts to propose a holistic approach on improving individual and team performance in companies. The empirical evidence obtained confirms the importance of the contextual factors as predictors of individual competencies and performance level of team members. Specifically, the study conducted for industry integrated the concepts of organisational culture, team climate and managing skills into one model that allowed the prediction of the level of competencies and the performance of team members in work teams.