Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First European record of Sinotaia quadrata (Benson, 1842), an alien invasive freshwater species: accidental or voluntary introduction?: (Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae)

EnglishThe Asian snail Sinotaia quadrata (Benson, 1842) (Caenogastropoda, Viviparidae) is reported for the first time in Central Italy (Tuscany). This species, native to China, Taiwan and Korea, has never been collected in any European country before. The morphological identification is confirmed by genetic analysis, even if the specific taxonomy of genus Sinotaia is still unclear. Preliminary results from this survey raise concerns about the threat to biodiversity, economic activities and human health eventually posed by this alien species. Moreover, we highlight that cultural traditions, and traditional cuisine in particular, could act as main driver of introduction and spread of the species in Italy as in other European countries. Finally, the updated checklist of the alien aquatic freshwater molluscs from Tuscany is given. italianoSinotaia quadrata (Benson, 1842) (Caenogastropoda, Viviparidae), e un mollusco originario dell’Asia (Cina, Taiwan, Corea), che non e stato ancora citato in Europa; viene segnalato per la prima volta in Italia, in Toscana. L’identificazione, effettuata in base ai caratteri morfologici, e stata confermata dalle analisi genetiche, anche se la tassonomia delle specie di questo genere e ancora incerta. I risultati preliminari di questa indagine suggeriscono come la specie possa rappresentare una minaccia alla biodiversita, alla salute umana e possa interferire nelle attivita economiche. Si sottolinea come le tradizioni culturali, e in particolare la cucina tradizionale, potrebbero agire come fattore principale per l’introduzione, forse volontaria, e la diffusione di questa specie in Italia ed, eventualmente, in altri paesi europei. Infine viene aggiornata la lista dei molluschi acquatici alloctoni presenti in Toscana.
Public sector innovation, e‐government, and anticorruption in China and India: Insights from civil servants

Both China and India are adopting information and communication technologies to facilitate openness and transparency in their governments, and hence reduce corruption. Distinctive from their traditional anticorruption approaches, is the innovative e‐government approach an effective solution to corruption in these two large developing countries? This paper addresses the question through comparative in‐depth interviews with 44 mid‐ or senior‐level officials in the public sector in these two countries. The first study of its kind, our research shows that civil servants in both countries overall think positively about transparency and technology in reducing corruption. However, to what extent these innovative measures will be effective is conditional on various factors, such as political willingness, income inequality, and infrastructure readiness. What is worth noting is that the Chinese respondents were more positive regarding the role of transparency, whereas the Indian respondents were more positive about the role of technology, which may reflect the different facilitators of corruption and the constraints of anticorruption in China and India.
Exploring the Motivation Behind Discrimination and Stigmatization Related to COVID-19: A Social Psychological Discussion Based on the Main Theoretical Explanations

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), was first detected in Wuhan province in China during late December 2019 and was designated as being highly infectious. The World Health Organization (WHO) labeled it a “pandemic” on March 11, 2020. Throughout human history, experience has shown that prejudices and viruses spread simultaneously during a viral pandemic. Outgroup members have been associated with various diseases and non-human vectors of diseases. Some epidemics have been named according to various outgroups, just as the novel coronavirus has been referred to by some as the “Wuhan virus” or the “Chinese virus. ” Associating a virus with a sociodemographic group builds a false illusionary correlation, which can lead to stigmatization and discrimination. Pandemics can also stimulate violent xenophobic reactions. Besides the obvious harmful consequences for the individuals targeted, pandemic-related discrimination also affects the spread of the virus through its effect on public attitudes toward prevention and restriction, health service procurement, and in the establishment of health-related policies. It is important to first understand the relevant concepts and processes, and also to understand the underlying causes of discrimination in order to fight it. Social psychology offers multidimensional and comprehensive explanations of prejudice and discrimination. This review’s primary aim was to examine the motivations behind COVID-19-related discrimination based on social psychological perspectives. In line with this aim, the review first defines discrimination in detail, plus the related concepts and main social psychological theories on prejudice and discrimination. Then, pandemic-related discrimination in light of past experiences is discussed and explanations put forward for the theoretical perspectives and inferences specific to COVID-19. Finally, recommendations are made in order to prevent and combat discrimination related to infectious diseases.
Visitors' Cognitions on Forest Functions and Nature Environmental Issues-A Case Study of Hsin-Hua Forest Station

【摘要】本研究旨在探討遊客對於森林功能認知及環境議題的看法,研究區域位於臺灣南部之新化 林場,屬於國立中興大學所轄。 問卷主要包括三個部份,即森林功能認知、環境議題及遊客背景資 料,其中環境議題則直接引用Dunlap et al.(2000)所提出之新生態典範(New ecological paradigm, NEP)量表。 由分析結果顯示:遊客在森林功能認知部分,前三名分別是「森林環境可提供民眾參 與生態旅遊的好去處」、「森林具有國土保安、涵養水源以及預防土石流失等功能」以及「森林火 災是危害森林環境的重要原因,因此防範森林火災發生是很重要的」;而較不被重視後三名分別是 「森林的林下可允許種植山蘇、山葵以及咖啡等農業經濟作物」以及「森林可生產木材,以滿足民 眾生活上的各種需求」、「當森林內林木遭受到病蟲害時,可將受害林木先行伐除,以防止病蟲害 的蔓延,然後再重新造林」,顯示遊客對於森林功能的認知大多著重於公益性功能,反之對於經濟 性功能則較不重視。 在環境議題部分,本研究對於新化林場遊客測試環境議題認知結果和前人相關 文獻進行比較,所得之結果較其他文獻稍低,但在是否修習過環境相關課程部分,於新生態典範量 表之「反對人類中心主義」及「反對人類免責主義」兩面向則呈現顯著性差異。 【關鍵字】森林功能、環境議題、新化林場
Vector development and vitellogenin determine the transovarial transmission of begomoviruses

Significance The majority of plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors. Transovarial transmission of virus from female vectors to offspring can be very important in maintaining a source of infection and therefore has great epidemiological relevance. Identification of vector and virus components involved in transovarial transmission can lead to new strategies to combat virus spread. Here, we found that the specific interaction between viral coat protein and vector vitellogenin determines transovarial transmissibility of begomoviruses, which have caused great damage to agricultural production and are generally believed not to be transovarially transmitted by insect vectors. Our study gives valuable clues for designing strategies to block begomovirus transmission and provides insights into the evolution and global spread of begomoviruses. The majority of plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors between hosts, and transovarial transmission of viruses from vector parents to offspring has great significance to their epidemiology. Begomoviruses are transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci in a circulative manner and are maintained through a plant–insect–plant cycle. Other routes of begomovirus transmission are not clearly known. Here, we report that transovarial transmission from female whiteflies to offspring often happens for one begomovirus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), and may have contributed significantly to its global spread. We found that TYLCV entry of the reproductive organ of its vector mainly depended on the developmental stage of the whitefly ovary, and the transovarial transmission of TYLCV to offspring increased with whitefly adult age. The specific interaction between virus coat protein (CP) and whitefly vitellogenin (Vg) was vital for virus entry into whitefly ovary. When knocking down the expression of Vg, the entry of TYLCV into ovary was inhibited and the transovarial transmission efficiency decreased. In contrast, another begomovirus, Papaya leaf curl China virus (PaLCuCNV), CP did not interact with whitefly Vg, and PaLCuCNV could not be transovarially transmitted by whiteflies. We further showed that TYLCV could be maintained for at least two generations in the absence of virus-infected plants, and the adult progenies were able to infect healthy plants in both the laboratory and field. This study reports the transovarial transmission mechanism of begomoviruses, and it may help to explain the evolution and global spread of some begomoviruses.
Understanding the unprotected sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: an empirical test of the cognitive-environmental model.

The cognitive-environmental model (CEM; M. Fishbein et al., 1991) was used to understand the unprotected sexual behaviors of 156 gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths. Unprotected anal sex among the males was associated directly with poor protection skills (e.g., incorrect use of barrier methods, such as condoms), poor intentions to use barrier methods, and poor norms by sexual partners concerning barrier methods. Furthermore, the association between low self-efficacy and increasing unprotected anal sex was attributed to poor intentions. Direct associations of unprotected oral sex with poor intentions and poor partner norms also emerged, as did an indirect relation between unprotected oral sex and low self-efficacy via poor intentions. These last 3 findings were replicated when examining unprotected oral or vaginal-digital sex among the females. Relations among the CEM factors supported some CEM-theoretical propositions.
International and Domestic University Students’ Leisure Behaviour: A comparative analysis

Abstract This paper assesses whether, in an age of social and cultural globalisation, place‐specific cultural differences continue to exist between domestic Australian and international Asian university students, resulting in divergent leisure patterns among these populations. The paper is based on a survey of the leisure behaviour of Australian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Korean, and Singaporean students enrolled at the University of Queensland, Australia. A total of 126 domestic students and 191 international students took part in the study. Analysis of the data shows there are some significant differences and similarities in the leisure behaviour of the students from the seven nationalities selected. These results indicate the existence of place‐specific, nationally based cultures that influence leisure behaviour even when people are away from their home country. In addition, a student culture that cuts across national boundaries, creating behavioural similarities between different nationalities in the process, appears to exist.
The combination of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil is less effective than cyclosporine and methotrexate in the prevention of acute graft‐versus host disease after stem‐cell transplantation from unrelated donors

Acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is the major treatment‐related complication after stem‐cell transplantation (SCT) from unrelated‐donors. Several GVHD prophylaxis regimens have been explored, but no regimen has shown superiority. We analyzed transplantation outcomes in 472 consecutive unrelated‐donor SCT recipients, using cyclosporine/methotrexate (MTX, n = 314) or cyclosporine/mycophenolate‐mofetil (MMF, n = 158) for GVHD prophylaxis. Neutrophil engraftment was faster after MMF, days 11 and 14, respectively (P = .001). Acute GVHD grade II‐IV and III‐IV occurred in 47% and 28% after MMF compared to 27% and 12% after MTX, respectively (P < .001). Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 44% and 24%, respectively (P < .001). Death associated with GVHD occurred in 25% and 8% (P < .0001), while other NRM causes occurred in 19% and 16%, respectively (P = .39). Relapse mortality was similar. Overall survival was better after MTX, 40% and 29%, respectively (P = .006). However, this difference had only borderline significance when adjusting for differences in patient characteristics (HR, 1.3, P = .08). To minimize potential selection bias we analyzed outcomes on the basis of an intention‐to‐treat like analysis. During the years 2008‐2009, the leading GVHD prophylaxis regimen for unrelated‐donor SCT included MMF (89% of transplants). During the other periods, MTX was used predominantly (82% of transplants). The two periods were otherwise well‐matched. Acute GVHD occurred more often in 2008‐2009. Death associated with GVHD occurred more often, while other NRM causes occurred less often resulting in similar NRM and overall survival. In conclusion, cyclosporine/MMF is associated with faster engraftment and possibly with less organ toxicity than cyclosporine/MTX. However, it is associated with increased rates of acute GVHD and GVHD‐associated deaths.
The role of public sector in economic performance : theoretical analyses of the effect of fiscal policies on long-run growth with a self-interested government & empirical study of the economic relationship between the government and non-government sectors in China

This thesis responds to the development policy debate on whether the popular Beijing Consensus is an alternative, especially for developing countries, to the Washington Consensus of market-friendly policies. The advocates of the Beijing Consensus have overlooked the facts that China’s development model has much in common with the Washington Consensus, China has profited from the globalisation, and the reform for establishing a market-oriented economy is the key factor of the rapid development and outstanding achievements in China. The critics have reluctantly acknowledged the successful strategies employed by the policy makers in Beijing, however, they branded China as an authoritarian country, and are wilfully or unintentionally blind to the diversity, inclusiveness and competitiveness in the ‘quasi-nonpartisan’ Chinese political system. This thesis explain how a farsighted government can increase long-run growth by fiscal policies, why free market and the ambitious government are not contradictory in China, and why so many ‘democratic’ countries violate the first two prescriptions of the Washington Consensus: fiscal discipline, and public expenditure priority to pro-growth investment. The theoretical analyses show that the strategy of a farsighted government is to sacrifice the first several generations but benefit all future generations through cutting nonproductive public spending and giving expenditure priority to productivity-enhancing expenditure, so that a higher growth rate leads to a ‘quasi-Pareto improvement’ among generations. Nevertheless, farsighted fiscal policy together with ‘hedonistic citizens’ has a side effect, the welfare loss for both the government and the citizens. The Barro model is an exception in which a farsighted government has no place to increase the growth rate because welfare maximisation equals growth maximisation. The empirical results reveal the strong substitution relationship between the government and nongovernment capital, and thus the general CES technology rather than the Cobb-Douglas technology is the suitable structure containing the two types of capital in the production function. However, the government capital has become more complementary to the nongovernment capital due to the deepening reforms of SOEs and fiscal policies since 1992.
Needs Assessment for Food and Food Services and Behavioral Intention of Chinese Group Tourists Who Visited Taiwan

This study aims to investigate Chinese outbound tourists' needs for and attitudes toward food and food services and to assess the relationships between Chinese tourists' attitudes toward food and food services and travel behavioral intentions. Results revealed that most Chinese tourists were satisfied with the way their physiological and safety needs were met and that the fulfillment of their needs in terms of belonging and self-esteem was important to them. Moreover, Chinese tourists preferred to have opportunities to participate in local food-related activities to interact with local people and to become acquainted with the local food. Findings indicated that Chinese tourists with more positive attitudes toward the fulfillment of their food and food service needs are more likely to revisit Taiwan and recommend Taiwanese food to others. Implications of tourist needs for attention to food and food services on the part of the tourism and hospitality industry are discussed.
Does pre‐deal research reduce IPO underpricing?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in underpricing for initial public offerings (IPOs) brought to market in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. It intends to determine whether IPO pricing accuracy in Hong Kong is facilitated by the development and dissemination of pre‐deal research.Design/methodology/approach – The study examines a broad sample of initial public offerings made between 2000 and 2004. The author conducts univariate and multivariate tests to assess the relationship between IPO underpricing and the dissemination of pre‐deal research.Findings – The author finds that Hong Kong issues experience significantly less underpricing than issues listed in Singapore and the United States. The underpricing of Singapore IPOs, on average, is not significantly different from that of US new listings. Furthermore, the author finds underpricing experienced by Hong Kong issues after adoption of the 40‐day post‐IPO quiet period is significantly higher than underpricing in the .
Choice of Exchange Rate Regime: Currency Board (Hong Kong) or Monitoring Band (Singapore)?

Following the East Asian crisis, a number of observers have advocated that small and open economies in Asia adopt an irrevocably fixed regime. Such a hard peg, it is argued, signals greater commitment to rule out arbitrary exchange rate adjustments as well as the authorities' willingness to subordinate domestic policy objectives such as output and employment growth to the maintenance of the pegged exchange rate. But is this a reasonable position to adopt? In order to answer this question, we consider and contrast the experiences of Hong Kong and Singapore. While both of these economies share a number of broad similarities, the former operates a US dollar-linked currency board arrangement and the latter maintains an adjustable peg in the form of a monitoring band arrangement with the central parity based on an undisclosed trade-weighted currency basket. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd/University of Adelaide and Flinders University of South Australia 2002.
Foreigners and Civil Society in Japan

Introduction Migrant labour is increasingly widespread in East Asia, as the lure of economic growth and diversification in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore attracts workers from across the continent, as far away as Pakistan and Iran. Although Japan has one of the most controlled borders in the industrialized world, the number of resident foreigners rose to over two million by the end of 2005. While many foreigners are old immigrants from Korea and China who were born in Japan (zainichi), over half are new immigrants from China, Brazil, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Peru, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Iran.1 Zainichi, who work mostly in the service sector, get higher pay and better jobs and working conditions than other foreign workers. New foreign migrants come to work for Japanese small-medium manufacturers. Newcomers also include another
The Social Presence of Active Learners across Five Countries through MOOCs: From Single to Super Postings

Learning in massive open online courses (MOOCs) embraces an unexpected learning outcome that educators have not fathomed, enriched learning experiences through social interactions with learners with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Active learners were studied in the MOOC, ‘Making Sense of News’, which was offered in 2015. The methodology of the study included descriptive analysis of the MOOC’s entry survey and qualitative discourse analysis of the MOOC’s forum discussions. NVivo 11 Plus was used to analyse forum postings. Global participants made 783 postings. This paper analyses how active learners from the top five countries—Canada, China, Hong Kong, India and the United States of America— participated in forum discussions. Among the superposters, those who made six or more postings, Chinese active learners had the highest percentage of super-posters among the five countries. The MOOC active learners gained insights from other global learners, particularly the super-posters.
Survey on Medical Records and EHR in Asia-Pacific Region

Summary Objectives: To clarify health record background information in the Asia-Pacific region, for planning and evaluation of medical information systems. Methods: The survey was carried out in the summer of 2009. Of the 14 APAMI (Asia-Pacific Association for Medical Informatics) delegates 12 responded which were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. Results: English is used for records and education in Australia, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Most of the countries/regions are British Commonwealth. Nine out of 12 delegates responded that the second purpose of medical records was for the billing of medical services. Seven out of nine responders to this question answered that the second purpose of EHR (Electronic Health Records) was healthcare cost cutting. In Singapore, a versatile resident ID is used which can be applied to a variety of uses. Seven other regions have resident IDs which are used for a varying range of purposes. Regarding healthcare ID, resident ID is simply used as healthcare ID in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. In most cases, disclosure of medical data with patient’s name identified is allowed only for the purpose of disease control within a legal framework and for disclosure to the patient and referred doctors. Secondary use of medical information with the patient’s identification anonymized is usually allowed in particular cases for specific purposes. Conclusion: This survey on the health record background information has yielded the above mentioned results. This information contributes to the planning and evaluation of medical information systems in the Asia-Pacific region.