Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical relevance of hepatitis B viral genotypes: A case of déjà vu?

ing adw are found in genotypes A–C, F, and G, while the genomes encoding both adr and ayr occur in genotype C alongside with adw. Most of the HBV subtypes or genotypes have distinct geographic distributions. Similarly, genotypic classification of other hepatotropic viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) is also well documented. However, the relationship between HCV or HDV genotypes and severity of liver disease remains controversial. HCV genotype 1b and HDV genotype I have been reported to be more pathogenic than other genotypes. By contrast, the influence of HCV genotypes on the response to treatment with interferon alone or in combination with ribavirin is clearly established; sustained response to antiviral therapy is significantly lower in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. Although serological and genotypic classifications of HBV have been confirmed, the clinical relevance of HBV subtypes or genotypes in terms of clinical outcomes and therapeutic response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic HBV infection is infrequently mentioned, until very recently. Several studies, most from Taiwan and Japan, have shown that HBV genotype C is associated with the development of HCC, and has a lower response rate to interferon therapy as compared to genotype B. Whether these interesting observations hold true in other parts of the world, particularly the countries where HBV genotypes A and D prevail, awaits further studies. In this issue of the Journal,Thakur et al. prospectively studied the prevalence and clinical significance of HBV genotypes in 130 histologically proven chronic HBV infected Indian patients. Their results showed that HBV genotypes A and D were prevalent in Indian patients with HBV-related chronic liver disease; however, genotype D was more common in incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg-positive subjects (IDAHS) with See article on page 165
Comparison of time trends in lung cancer mortality (1990-2006) in the world, from the WHO Mortality Database.

Mortality data, abstracted from the World Health Organization (WHO) database, are available for various countries. We used lung cancer mortality (ICD-10: C33–C34) in 11 countries during the period 1990–2006. These countries were Japan, China (Hong Kong) and the Republic of Korea (Asian countries); the United States of America (USA); Australia; the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, Spain, France and Germany (European countries). For the USA, Spain and France, data were available only for 1990–2005; and for Australia and Italy, for 1990–2003. The world population was used for age standardization. Age-standardized rates for lung cancer mortality (ICD-10: C33–C34) in the 11 selected countries between 1990 and 2006 are shown for males (Fig. 1) and for females (Fig. 2). Lung cancer mortality rates were higher for males than for females (note that Figure 1 and 2 use different vertical scales). For males, mortality rates in eight countries [China (Hong Kong), USA, Australia, Russian Federation, UK, Italy, France and Germany] decreased throughout the period, whereas in other three countries, a downward trend started in the mid-1990s in Japan and Spain and in 2000 in Republic of Korea. The mortality rate in Japan was the lowest in the 11 countries and that in Russian Federation was the highest. Time trends in mortality rates for females were different from those for males. Out of 11 countries, only 2 [China (Hong Kong) and the Russian Federation] showed decreasing trends in mortality rates throughout the period. Mortality rates in five
Health state utilities in non–small cell lung cancer: An international study

Quality of life weights (utilities) are an important input in economic evaluation and evidence suggests that there can be important differences between countries. This study was designed to capture utilities for metastatic non–small cell lung cancer and common grade III/IV toxicities associated with treatment from local populations in the United Kingdom, Australia, France, China, Taiwan, and Korea. Toxicities included neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, rash, bleeding, hypertension, and hair loss.
Monosyllabic Mandarin tone productions by 3-year-olds growing up in Taiwan and in the United States: interjudge reliability and perceptual results.

PURPOSE The author compared monosyllabic Mandarin lexical tones produced by 3-year-old Mandarin-speaking children growing up in Taiwan and in the United States. METHOD Following the procedures in Wong, Schwartz, and Jenkins (2005), the author collected monosyllabic tone productions from 3-year-old Mandarin-speaking children in Taiwan and low-pass filtered them to eliminate lexical information but retain tone information. Five Mandarin-speaking adults residing in Taiwan categorized these filtered tones and those produced by the Mandarin-speaking children growing up in the United States, the latter of which was reported in Wong et al. (2005). Agreements on tone categorization by judges residing in Taiwan and in the United States were evaluated. Tone accuracy of children growing up in Taiwan and the United States were examined and compared. RESULTS The Mandarin-speaking judges residing in the United States and in Taiwan showed high agreements on tone categorization. None of the 4 tones produced by the Mandarin-speaking children growing up in the United States and in Taiwan was adultlike.Children in Taiwan made more errors in Tone 2 and Tone 4 than did Mandarin-speaking children growing up in the United States. Accuracy rates of Tone 1 and Tone 3 were comparable in the 2 groups of children. CONCLUSION Mandarin tone acquisition is a protracted process. Three-year-old Mandarin-speaking children growing up in Taiwan and the United States show similar developmental patterns and have not yet produced monosyllabic tones with adultlike accuracy.
Rearrangement of bcl‐2 genes in malignant lymphomas in chinese patients

Background. Only a small percentage of Asian patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma may have follicular type disease. According to molecular analysis done recently, the incidence of rearrangement of bcl‐2 gene in patients with follicular lymphoma was lower in Japan than in the United States, suggesting possible geographic or racial differences between Asian and Western populations. The current study was undertaken to obtain data from Taiwan to compare with data from Japan, Hong Kong, and Western countries.
Clinical characteristics and distribution of genotypes of TT virus infection in a hepatitis C virus‐hyperendemic township of a hepatitis B virus‐endemic country (Taiwan)

Background: The prevalence of TT virus (TTV) viremia, without definite clinical significance, has been reported to be higher among chronic hepatitis C patients. The status and clinical characteristics of TT virus (TTV) infection and distribution of TTV genotypes in a hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyperendemic township (Masago community) in a hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic country (Taiwan) were investigated.
A Comparison of Actual and Perceived Sexual Risk Among Older Adults

Sexual risk among older adults (OAs) is prevalent, though little is known about the accuracy of sexual risk perceptions. Thus, the aim was to determine the accuracy of sexual risk perceptions among OAs by examining concordance between self-reported sexual risk behaviors and perceived risk. Data on OAs aged 50 to 92 were collected via Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk. Frequency of sexual risk behaviors (past six months) were reported along with perceived risk, namely, sexually transmitted infection (STI) susceptibility. Accuracy categories (accurate, underestimated, overestimated) were established based on dis/concordance between risk levels (low, moderate, high) and perceived risk (not susceptible, somewhat susceptible, very susceptible). Approximately half of the sample reported engaging in vaginal (49%) and/or oral sex (43%) without a condom in the past six months. However, approximately two-thirds of the sample indicated they were “not susceptible” to STIs. No relationship was found between risk behaviors and risk perceptions, and approximately half (48.1%) of OAs in the sample underestimated their risk. Accuracy was found to decrease as sexual risk level increased, with 93.1% of high-risk OAs underestimating their risk. Several sexual risk behaviors are prevalent among OAs, particularly men. However, perception of risk is often inaccurate and warrants attention.
Eating disorders are becoming more common in the East too

EDITOR—I support the urge for a more responsible media attitude on body image,1 not only in the United Kingdom but in Asian countries as well. A decade ago anorexia nervosa was rare outside the developed West. Now, however, it is becoming a common clinical problem among young women in Hong Kong and other high income Asian societies, such as …
Quantity-Quality and the One Child Policy : The postive e ff ect of family size on education in China

There is a negative correlation between quantity and quality of children across countries and across households within a country. However, because parents simultaneously choose the quantity and quality of their children, the observed correlation between family size and child outcomes cannot be interpreted as causal. This paper exploits exogenous changes in family size caused by relaxations in China’s One Child Policy to estimate the effect of family size on school enrollment. Specifically, it uses the relaxation which allows a rural household to have a second child if the first is a girl. First, it shows that the “1-son-2-child” rule increased family size for first born girls. Second, it uses this exogenous increase in family size to find that an additional sibling increases school enrollment of the first child by 8-17%.
On the Tyranny of Numbers: East Asian Miracles in World Perspective

In a widely cited paper, Young (1995) showed that the East Asian miracles (Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan) grew mostly through input accumulation during the period 1966-1990. Using data for 83 countries taken from the Penn World Table, version 6.1, and Barro and Lee (2000), we use a common methodology in order to compare the growth performance of the East Asian miracles with the rest of the world. We find that, even though the TFP growth rates of the four East Asian miracles were not remarkable in absolute values, they were very high in relative terms. We argue that, since Young (1995) focused only on the four East Asian miracles, he did not notice that 1966-1990 was a period of particularly low TFP growth and particularly high factor accumulation in the world. Despite the fact that they had high rates of physical capital accumulation, the distinguishing feature of these miracles was their relative productivity growth performance.
The Impact of Firm Age and Size on the Relationship Among Organizational Innovation, Learning, and Performance: A Moderation Analysis in Asian Food Manufacturing Companies

The impact of Organizational innovation (OL) and Organizational learning (OI) on organizational performance (OP) are examined. By integrating congruence and organizational lifecycle literature, the authors hypothesized that the impacts of both values are moderated by organizational age and size, such that collectivism exerts stronger beneficial effect in order and larger companies, whereas novelty exerts stronger beneficial effects in younger and smaller companies. This research explores those linkages using structural equation modelling (SEM) and moderation analysis with data from 168 manufacturing companies in food industry was selected from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. The research model includes three latent variable including OL, OI, OP, and two measurement variables contain age and size of the company. The finding of this paper support that firm age and size are two moderators which are control the relationship among OL, OI, and OP.
Social media, political expression, and participation in Confucian Asia

This study reviews and analyzes the published empirical research on the role of social media in promoting political expression and participation in Confucian Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. In addition to providing a narrative review of the literature, our analyses show clear numerical estimates of the relationships among different types of social media use (i.e., informational, expressive, relational, and recreational), political expression, and participation in Confucian states. The findings reiterate the importance of the expressive use of social media, showing its moderately strong relationship with participation. The findings also show weak positive relationships with informational and relational uses. We also examine the role of political systems in these relationships and conclude that the strongest relationships are in democratic states, followed by hybrid and authoritarian systems.
Lending facilities versus banking service: unbalanced bank lending to SMEs in China

This paper examines gaps in bank lending and services to SMEs in China, the problem of productive SME-bank relationships and the reasons behind these gaps. Specifically, it distinguishes between lending facilities and lending services in order to highlight an imbalance in the current banking context for Chinese SMEs. It combines data from Berry (2006) with own matching data in China, drawing on Berger and Udell's (2006) conceptual framework of credit availability. This study adopts stylised comparisons with Germany, the UK and the USA, and Hong Kong. The results reveal that China has developed a banking infrastructure which is equivalent to comparable developed countries. However, China is deficient with regard to the quality of bank services. The results are discussed in the context of government policies, the financial infrastructure, SME credit availability, and the intricacies of the SME-bank relationship in China.
Development and evaluation of seed dispersal functions in the Kenting forest dynamics plot.

1) Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei 10617, Taiwan. 國立台灣大學生態學與演化生物學研究所,10617台北市羅斯福路四段1號。 2) Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, 181 Taichung Harbor Rd., Sec. 3, Taichung 40704, Taiwan. 東海大學生命科學系,40704台中市台中港路三段181號。 3) Taroko National Park, 291 Fushi, Fushi Vil . , Xiulin Township, Hualien 97253, Taiwan. 太魯閣國家 公園,97253花蓮縣秀林鄉富世村富世291號。 4) Fushan Research Center, Taiwan Forestry Research Insti tute, Taiwan. 1 Fushan, Shuangpi Rd., Huxi Vil . , Yuanshan Township, Yilan 26445, Taiwan. 林業試驗所福山研究中心,26445宜蘭縣員山鄉湖西 村雙埤路福山1號。 5) Correspondence author, e-mail: l inyc127@thu.edu. tw 通訊作者。 Received August 2009, Accepted February 2010. 2009年8月送審 2010年2月通過。 Development and Evaluation of Seed Dispersal Functions in the Kenting Forest Dynamics Plot Chia-Yu Lin, Yi-Ching Lin, Pei-Jung Lin, Hsiang-Hua Wang, I-Fang Sun
Comparing national systems of innovation in Asia and Europe: theory and comparative framework

This chapter is structured as follows. In the introductory section, the objectives of the “Small Country Innovation Systems” book project are outlined and the methodological and theoretical foundations of the book are ddressed. This is followed by an extended conceptual and theoretical discussion. Using the traditional systems of innovation approaches as the point of departure, we specify the most important concepts used in the book. Subsequently, we outline an activities-based framework for studying and comparing NSIs. Then we discuss the characteristics of the ten countries selected for study (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea). Finally we outline the common structure of each of the country studies, including the presentation of a model table of contents. The chapter ends with abstracts of the ten case studies.
The Chlamydomonas Sourcebook: A Comprehensive Guide to Biology and Laboratory Use

The green alga Chlamydomonas is widely used as an experimental model system for studies in cellular and molecular biology, and in particular plant molecular biology. This book is the only single modern compendium of information on its biology and in particular its molecular biology and genetics. Included in addition to much information on the basic biology is material of a very practical nature, namely, methods for culture, preservation of cultures, preparation of media, lists of inhibitors and other additives to culture media, help with common laboratory problems such as contamination, student demonstrations, and properties of particular strains and mutants. Casual users as well as specialists will find the book to be useful in many ways. Key Features * Provides access to previously unpublished data from genetic analysis * Provides descriptions of mutant strains * Depicts summary tables comparing properties of different species and their mutant strains * Explains detailed methods for laboratory procedures of general utility * Furnishes comparisons of culture media * Presents lists of inhibitors, mutagens, and other additives to culture media * Assists with common laboratory problems such as contamination and storage of strains * Demonstrates protocols for laboratory demonstrations available for undergraduate teaching.
Prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary Chlamydia trachomatis infection among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in northern Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) globally. However, data on its prevalence and risk factors in Malaysia is still scarce. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection among patients attending STD clinics in northern Peninsular Malaysia. METHODS A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in STD clinics of Hospital Pulau Pinang and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah from January to November 2014. Participants were individually interviewed using a structured data collection form followed by a physical examination and laboratory tests. Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) was used to detect C.trachomatis infection. Analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 15. RESULTS Eighty-three sexually active patients were enrolled, consisting of 51 males and 32 females. The median age was 28.0 years. In general, 32.5% patients were asymptomatic, the remaining presented with genital discharge (41.0%), genital warty lesion (25.3%), genital ulcer (13.3%), dysuria (13.3%), dyspareunia (2.4%), urine hesistancy (1.2%) and genital swelling (1.2%). The prevalence of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection was 21.7% in the study population; 17.6% in males and 28.1% in females. Among the infected females, 44.4% were pregnant. Of those infected 56.6% did not show any symptoms of genital infection, and 77.8% were aged between 18 and 30 years, of which most were females. Among newly diagnosed HIV patients, the prevalence was 14.3%. From multivariable logistic regression analysis, age under 28 years, being married and engagement in oral sex had significantly increased odds of C.trachomatis infection. CONCLUSIONS C.trachomatis infection was common among patients attending STD clinics in northern Penisular Malaysia especially in the younger age groups. Majority of the infected patients were asymptomatic.
RELATION BETWEEN ATTACK BY XYLOSANDRUS GERMANUS (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE) AND DISEASE SYMPTOMS IN BLACK WALNUT

Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is an ambrosia beetle that occurs in Japan, Korea, the Kuril Islands, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Central Europe, and the United States (Nobuchi 1981). Unlike most ambrosia beetles, it will attack apparently healthy trees and those that are dying or recently dead (Weber 1982). It has been associated with plants infected with pathogenic fungi, including black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) infected with species of Fusarium (Anderson and Hoffard 1978; Kessler 1974); reported symptoms include cankers, wilting and dieback, and sprouts. We found black walnut with wilting and dieback symptoms in southern Illinois in spring 1978 and central Tennessee in spring 1980. Subsequent examinations showed that X. germanus was present and apparently closely associated with the disease symptoms because of the number of diseased trees that also contained X. germanus pinholes. Therefore, we decided to study the relation between X. germanus attack and disease symptoms in black walnut.
Habitat Preference and Management of a Chinese Pond Turtle Population Protected by the Demilitarized Kinmen Islands

Abstract Demilitarized zones may aid in the protection of endangered wildlife. We compared relative abundance of the endangered Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii) among water bodies on the Kinmen Islands, a recently demilitarized zone between Taiwan and China. Vegetation and wildlife on the two islands, located 2 km from the Chinese coastline, were degraded by bombardment and military occupation between 1958 and early 2000s. However, natural habitats gradually recovered after military forces withdrew. More than 100 ponds, mostly produced during the occupation to provide freshwater for the soldiers, are now abandoned and provide habitat for aquatic turtles. We sampled 41 ponds and found that presence of M. reevesii was tightly associated with vegetation coverage around the pond, whereas its relative abundance was associated with aquatic vegetation and distance from roads. Comprehensive protection and management of this species should consider both vegetation coverage and road effects in certain vulnerable areas where establishment of a natural reserve might be considered.