Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Composition, Endemism and Phytogeographical Affinities of the Taiwan Flora

The Taiwan vascular flora is exceptionally interesting not only because it is rich and diversified, but because it is of great phytogeographic significance owing to its geographic location. The flora of Taiwan, including naturalized plants, comprises 233 families and 1389 genera with 4216 species. In terms of major growth forms, there are 588 trees, 426 shrubs, 249 lianas, 177 vines, and 2776 herbs or ferns. Approximately 234 species are exotics typically associated with pastures, road clearings and other human disturbances. An extremely large percentage of these naturalized plants are of tropical New World origin. Among the native flora, the Orchidaceae (331 species), Gramineae (249), Compositae (194), Leguminosae (176), Cyperaceae (174), Rosaceae (105), Rubiaceae (93) and Euphorbiaceae (76) rank highest in numbers of species. Clearly, the greatest part of Taiwan's floristics richness comes from a wealth of species in primarily lowland (0–600 m asl.) taxa. A total of 2571 species were recorded in the lowlands, whereas only about 251 species occur between 3100-3950 m. Endemic genera are extremely scarce in Taiwan, with only four, namely Sinopanax (Araliaceae), Hayatella (Rubiaceae), Kudoacanthus (Acanthaceae), and Haraella (Orchidaceae). In contrast to the low percentage of generic endemism, there is a remarkably higher specific endemism. About 1041 species (26.1% of indigenous plants) are known only from Taiwan. A detailed examination of these species shows that there is a distinct trend of increasing endemism with increasing altitude (r^²=0.99). A survey of indigenous non-endemic species on the basis of their geographical distribution outside Taiwan shows that they can be classified into 6 major categories: 1. pantropical and palaeotropical species (1029 species); 2. species distributed in eastern Asia, from Himalayas through southern & eastern China to Taiwan, with some extending to the Ryukyus and Japan (1075 species); 3. widespread species extending from tropical Asia to eastern Asia (232 species); 4. species distributed in Japan and the Ryukyus (189 species); 5. species distributed in temperate and subboreal regions (221 species); and 6. cosmopolitan species (72 species). The main theme of western affinity of Taiwan flora is clearly indicated by almost 52% of the total flora (2069 species) which are also represented in China. The alliances of the flora are also pronounced with the Ryukyus and southern Japan (1618 species in common). However, the close relationship between Taiwan and Japan is through their mutual relation to the lowland flora of southern and eastern China. The tropical elements, mostly ranging from Malaysia to the Philippines, are well represented in the lowlands of Taiwan and particularly in the southernmost Hengchun Peninsula and the Lanyu Island off the southeast coast of Taiwan.
Sexual Behaviour and Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: An Irish Perspective

Background Characterization of the sexual behaviours and lifestyle factors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is crucial to optimal counselling. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between sexual behaviours, lifestyle factors and HPV-positive OPSCC in an Irish population. Methods We performed a case-control study of 60 patients with newly diagnosed HPV-positive and HPV-negative oral cavity and OPSCC. Results Oral sexual activity was more common in the HPV-positive tumour subgroup; however, this association was insignificant on multivariate analysis. No association between age of onset of sexual activity, number of sexual partners or practicing anal sex and HPV-positivity was found. The HPV-positive tumour subgroup had significantly less tobacco use than their HPV-negative counterparts (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.97). Conclusion The emergence of HPV-positive OPSCC means head and neck surgeons must adopt new roles as counsellors of sexually transmitted disease, in addition to their previous role of delivering a cancer diagnosis.
Higher colorectal tissue HIV infectivity in cisgender women compared with MSM before and during oral preexposure prophylaxis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: The objective of this study was to compare HIV-negative cisgender women (CGW) with MSM for mucosal tissue differences in pharmacokinetics, HIV infectivity and cell phenotype. Design: A substudy of HPTN 069/ACTG A5305, 48-week study of three oral candidate preexposure prophylaxis regimens: maraviroc, maraviroc/emtricitabine and maraviroc/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) compared with a TDF/emtricitabine control group. Methods: Plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cervical and colorectal tissue biopsies were collected at Baseline (no drug), Week 24 and 48 (on drug), and Week 49 (1-week postdrug). Drug concentrations were assessed in all matrices. HIV infectivity was assessed using tissue biopsy ‘explants’ challenged with HIV ex vivo followed by HIV p24 measurement. Flow cytometry evaluated colorectal cell phenotype. Results: Thirty-seven CGW and 54 MSM participated. CGW's colorectal explant p24 was higher than MSM before (0.31 log10, P = 0.046), during (1.01-1.19 log10, P = 0.016) and one week after (0.61 log10, P = 0.011) study drug dosing. Pooling regimens, cervical explant p24 did not differ among visits. CGW had higher plasma maraviroc and colorectal tissue tenofovir diphosphate and lower colorectal tissue emtricitabine (all P < 0.005) compared with MSM. Each study drug's cervical tissue concentrations were more than 10-fold below paired colorectal concentrations (P < 0.001). Cell phenotype sex differences included 4% higher CD38+/CD8+ cells at baseline and 3–7% higher CD69+/CD8+ cells throughout Weeks 24–49 in CGW compared with MSM (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Colorectal explants in CGW demonstrated greater HIV infectivity than MSM with and without study drugs. Small differences in adherence, drug concentration and colorectal tissue flow cytometry cannot fully explain this difference.
Measuring the Valence and Intensity of Residents’ Behaviors in Host–Tourist Interactions: Implications for Destination Image and Destination Competitiveness

While studies have documented the valence (e.g., facilitation and harm) of residents’ behaviors toward tourists, research into the intensity (i.e., activeness or passiveness) for such behaviors and the corresponding matrix that could be generated by considering both of these dimensions in the context of tourism remains unexplored. This research offers a more holistic conceptualization of residents’ behaviors by generating a matrix that constitutes the framework of the Behaviours from Intergroup Affect and Stereotype (BIAS) Map. Twelve behaviors were measured and cross-culturally validated via samples from Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States: Active Facilitation (i.e., socializing, interacting, and starting a conversation with tourists); Passive Facilitation (i.e., tolerating, accepting, and enduring tourists’ behaviors); Active Harm (i.e., mocking, threatening, and being unfriendly to tourists); and Passive Harm (i.e., resisting, refraining, and being reluctant to help tourists). This research provides implications for tourism policy makers to manage host–guest relations that could influence destination image and destination competitiveness.
Longer length of post-acute care stay causes greater functional improvements in poststroke patients

Abstract Post-acute care (PAC) is a type of transitional care for poststroke patients after the acute medical stage; it offers a relatively intensive rehabilitative program. Under Taiwan's National Health Insurance guidelines, the only patients who can transfer to PAC institutions are those who have had an acute stroke in the previous month, are in a relatively stable medical condition, and have the potential for improvement after aggressive rehabilitation. Poststroke patients receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy in PAC facility. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of PAC in poststroke patients since PAC's initiation in Taiwan. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether the length of stay in a PAC institution correlates with patients’ improvements. This retrospective and single-center study in Taiwan enrolled 193 poststroke patients who had received acute care at Chi-Mei Medical Center, Taiwan, at any period between 2014 and 2017. Data on their length of stay in the PAC institution were collected. Poststroke patients’ functional ability—such as activities of daily living (ADL) function and swallowing ability—as well as their corresponding scales were assessed on the first and last day of PAC stay. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS version 21.0 . The average duration of PAC stay was 35.01 ± 16.373 days. Duration of PAC stay was significantly positively correlated with the Barthel index (P < .001), Berg balance test score (P < .001), gait speed (P = .002), and upper sensory function and upper motor function within the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (both P < .001). Poststroke patients with longer stay in a PAC institution had superior ADL function, balance and coordination, walking speed, and upper-limb dexterity and sensory function.
Do same-sex unions dissolve more often than different-sex unions? Methodological insights from Colombian data on sexual behavior

BACKGROUND Conclusions about differences in union dissolution rates between same-sex couples and different-sex couples vary across studies and countries. Previous research identifies same-sex couples solely using information on the sex of partners. OBJECTIVE To investigate how the measures used to identify same-sex couples affect conclusions regarding differences in dissolution rates between different-sex and same-sex unions in the stigmatized context of Colombia. METHODS We use rich retrospective data from the Colombian DHS 2015 on the duration of 63,462 unions, including 1,051 same-sex unions. An important feature of this survey is that respondents are also asked about their sexual behavior. RESULTS Similar to previous studies on the United States, estimates solely based on the reported sex of partners show that cohabiting same-sex couples are as likely to separate as cohabiting different-sex couples in Colombia. However, excluding same-sex unions of persons who reported never having had sex with someone of the same sex, same-sex unions are considerably more likely to end in separation than different-sex unions. CONCLUSIONS The same-sex unions of persons who report having had sex with someone of the same sex are more likely to end in separation than different-sex unions in Colombia. 1 Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia. Email: hf.ruiz@javeriana.edu. co 2 Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics, Barcelona, Spain. Email: dboertien@ced.uab. es Ruiz-Vallejo & Boertien: Do same-sex unions dissolve more often than different-sex unions? 1150 https://www.demographic-research.org CONTRIBUTION We show how substantive conclusions about the relative stability of same-sex unions depend on how same-sex unions are identified. To reduce the influence of possible miscoding on conclusions we recommend combining various measures to identify samesex unions.
PRBM_A_245226 373..381

Yi-Hsin Lin 1 Di-An Chen Chemin Lin 3 Hsuan Huang 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.); 2Department of Clinic Psychology, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.); 3Department of Psychiatry, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan (R.O.C.); 4Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Purpose: Type D personality (TDP) has been recognized as a risk factor for many diseases. The aims of our study were to estimate the prevalence of TDP and glycemic control on the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to assess their relationship between TDP and socio-psychological factors, such as perceived stress, self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, and psychological distress. Patients and Methods: A total of 198 T2DM patients (male 62.6%, mean age 51.2±11.0, mean HbA1c 7.3±1.8%) were recruited consecutively from the Department of Endocrinology of a regional hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, from December 2017 to April 2018. They completed questionnaires that contain questions about sociodemographic characteristics, TDP, illnessrelated stress, self-efficacy, execution of diabetes management and emotional distress. Their medical records were reviewed for biomedical data. Results: Of the 198 patients, 82 (41.4%) had TDP. Controlling for sociodemographic factors, patients with TDP were reported significantly poorer on glycemic control than those without TDP (mean HbA1c (%) 7.6±1.9 vs 7.1±1.8, P<0.05). Compared to those without TDP, the results showed significantly higher levels of perceived stress (P<0.001) and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) (P<0.001), as well as significantly lower levels of self-efficacy (P<0.001) and self-care behaviors (P<0.001) on patients with TDP. TDP was positively correlated with perceived stress and psychological distress and negatively correlated with self-efficacy and self-care behaviors scores. Discussion: This study provides the evidence linking TDP with poor glycemic control, low levels of self-efficacy and self-care behaviors, as well as high levels of perceived stress and psychological distress, which highlights the screening of TDP and the tailored needs for the care among T2DM patients with TDP.
Identification of Multivesicular Bodies as Prevacuolar Compartments inNicotiana tabacum BY-2 Cells

Yu Chung Tse,ab Beixin Mo,a Stefan Hillmer,c Min Zhao,a Sze Wan Lo,ab David G. Robinson,c and Liwen Jiangab1 a Department of Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China b Molecular Biotechnology Program, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China c Department of Cell Biology, Heidelberg Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Physician Suicide in Taiwan: A Nationwide Retrospective Study from 2000-2013

Occupational health in medical professionals is an emerging issue in Taiwan; however, little research has specifically focused on suicide among doctors. In this study, we examined 1780 death records in a nationwide insurance registry covering all deceased physicians from 2000-2013, defined the probability of suicide for each record, and investigated the associated risk factors. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that being male, born in China, and having a non-medical school background (special exam certified) were associated with a lower risk of suicide. A younger age at death, being born in countries other than Taiwan or China, and specialties including surgery, pathology or medical imaging, emergency, psychiatry and anesthesiology, increased the risk of suicide. After adjusting for confounders, only a young age at death was associated with a significant risk of suicide. The proportionate mortality ratios for doctors aged 25-44 years were 2.18 for males and 1.88 for females. Gas poisoning, hanging, and jumping were the most common forms of suicide among young physicians, while poisoning was most common in middle age. Our findings indicate that physicians may be more vulnerable in their early career years. Supportive interventions focusing on young physicians may promote the mental health of doctors.
Who will be Asia’s Next Unicorn? Comparing Marriage Equality in Taiwan with Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea

ABSTRACT In May 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to introduce same-sex marriage. This article compares the path to same-sex marriage in Taiwan with the situation in three of its neighbours – Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea – where similar debates have proceeded without yet achieving marriage equality. Advocates for marriage equality in Taiwan’s neighbours can learn some lessons from the experience of the island democracy. First, the struggle for marriage equality is a long-term effort that is built on progress in LGBTQ rights in general and on a broad coalition of supporters from civil society and political parties. Taiwan was already home to Asia’s most vibrant LGBTQ community and movement, and has enacted anti-discrimination legislation. Second, the island has introduced gender education in schools, and this shaped the younger generation’s positive attitude towards marriage equality. Third, discourses on rights need to be adapted to a country’s culture and values. Taiwanese advocates for marriage equality not only talked about marriage equality as a fundamental human right but also stressed values such as mutual respect and a stable partnership and family.
What We Talk About When We Talk About US-Russia Strategic Stability

ABSTRACT Bilateral strategic stability between the United States and Russia is not a new concept, but it is one that is both evolving and contested. It faces two interrelated challenges that make its operationalization difficult today. First, as Michael Gerson has observed, it has “no single, universally accepted definition”, and there is little agreement on “which factors contribute to and detract from it”. Second, efforts to negotiate US-Russia bilateral arms control and risk reduction measures designed to advance strategic stability can become stymied as a result because negotiators lack a common goal. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine represents an inflection point for strategic stability on several levels. Against the backdrop of the impending expiration of New START and the arrival of what Andrew Futter and Benjamin Zala call a third nuclear age, policymakers in Washington and Moscow should seek to reach a shared understanding of what strategic stability is and does as a means to its operationalization. Recognizing the challenges to doing so, particularly in the current environment, this article outlines two-phased approach to strategic stability dialogue that is informed by a philosophy of Pragmatism and translated into policy through mechanisms like backcasting and threatcasting. Its objective is to aid both sides in disambiguating their conceptualization of strategic stability while prioritizing approaches that can strengthen its most desirable outcomes.
An Empirical Comparative Study Between the Theory of Planned Behavior and Psychological Capital in Predicting Entrepreneurial Intention

Entrepreneurship is seen as a key part of economic growth in any country. Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) is thought to be the most important factor in predicting entrepreneurship. so, it is very important to know the factors that affect EI. The goal of this study is to find out how well the theory of planned behavior (TPB) can predict EI compared to psychological capital (PsyCap). Most studies use one of these models or a version of them to predict EI. Data was collected from 261(214 male,47 female) polytechnic students of Arunachal Pradesh, INDIA, through a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was used to compare two structural models. The TPB was found stronger than that of PsyCap in predicting the EI of Arunachal Pradesh's polytechnic students. The results of our research suggest that encouraging polytechnic students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by stressing the importance of attitude, perceived behavioural control, and psychological capital may improve their chances of becoming successful entrepreneurs. This paper offers suggestions for factors that practitioners in vocational and entrepreneurship education should take into account when they prepare students.
The incidences and clinical outcomes of cryptococcosis in Taiwan: A nationwide, population-based study, 2002–2015

Abstract Large-scale epidemiological data on cryptococcosis other than cryptococcal meningitis (CM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- or solid organ transplantation (SOT)-associated cryptococcosis are limited. This study investigated the disease burden of cryptococcosis in Taiwan over 14 years. Incident episodes of cryptococcosis, comorbidities, treatment, and outcomes were captured from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database and National Death Registry between 2002 and 2015. Of 6647 episodes analyzed, the crude incidence rate per 100 000 population increased from 1.48 in 2002 to 2.76 in 2015, which was driven by the growing trend in the non-CM group (0.86–2.12) but not in the CM group (0.62–0.64). The leading three comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (23.62%), malignancy (22.81%), and liver disease (17.42%). HIV accounted for 6.14% of all episodes and was associated with the highest disease-specific incidence rate (269/100 000 population), but the value dropped 16.20% biennially. Within 90 days prior to cohort entry, 30.22% of episodes had systemic corticosteroid use. The in-hospital mortality of all episodes was 10.80%, which varied from 32.64% for cirrhosis and 13.22% for HIV to 6.90% for SOT. CM was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality rate than non-CM (19.15% vs. 6.33%). At diagnosis, only 48.53% of CM episodes were prescribed an amphotericin-based regimen. The incidence rate of cryptococcosis was increasing, especially that other than meningitis and in the non-HIV population. A high index of clinical suspicion is paramount to promptly diagnose, treat, and improve cryptococcosis-related mortality in populations other than those with HIV infection or SOT.
Serum calprotectin correlates stronger with inflammation and disease activity in ACPA positive than ACPA negative rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of serum and SF levels of the granulocyte protein calprotectin as an inﬂammatory biomarker in RA patients with knee synovitis. Methods: Seventy-six RA patients with ongoing knee synovitis were included. Data on DAS with 28 joints and their subcomponents and radiological destruction of the affected knee were collected. White blood cell count, CRP, ACPA against cyclic citrullinated peptide version 2 (anti-CCP2), IgM RF and calprotectin were analysed in parallel in circulation and in SF. Counts of polynuclear and mononuclear cells were measured in SF. Results: Serum (S)-calprotectin correlated more strongly than SF-calprotectin with inﬂammatory markers and disease activity. Instead, SF-calprotectin showed a strong correlation to SF counts of white blood cells, and especially to polymorphonuclear cell counts (Spearman’s q ¼ 0.72, P < 0.001). S-calprotectin showed markedly stronger correlation with inﬂammatory markers and disease activity in ACPA positive as compared with ACPA negative RA patients; a similar difference was observed for patients with and without IgM RF. Conclusion: The particularly strong association between circulating calprotectin and inﬂammation in ACPA positive RA is a new argument for a speciﬁc role for polymorphonuclear granulocytes/neutrophils in this RA subset. Measurement of calprotectin in SF does not convey any additional beneﬁt compared with measurement in the circulation in RA patients with knee synovitis.
Hard or soft?: institutional reforms and infrastructure spending as determinants of foreign direct investment in China

In this paper, we examine empirically whether hard infrastructure, in the form of more highways and railroads, or soft infrastructure, in the form of more market oriented institutions through deeper reform, lead to more foreign direct investment (FDI) in China. We use data of outward FDI from the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea to various regions of China from 1990 to 2002. We control for the standard determinants of FDI, namely regional market size, wage rates, human capital and tax policies. We add indices of hard and soft infrastructure and find that soft infrastructure, in the form of more market oriented institutions through deeper structural reform, consistently outperforms hard infrastructure as a determinant of FDI.