Doctors in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps in Taiwan in the Second World War and their personal accounts of captivity.

Taiwan became a Japanese colony in 1895 and in the Second World War was geographically central in Japan's wartime possessions and strategically important, with military airfields, ports, and a copper mine. Its sixteen prisoner-of-war camps included four labour camps. Taiwan was also the first place to which senior officers and colonial officials were dispersed after the Allied surrenders in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Deforestation-induced Hybridization in Philippine Frogs Creates a Distinct Phenotype With an Inviable Genotype.

Hybridization plays a major role in the evolutionary history of many taxa and can generate confounding patterns affecting many downstream applications. In this study, we empirically demonstrate how hybridization obfuscates phylogenetic inference (via the artefactual branch effect), species boundaries, and taxonomy in an adaptive radiation of frogs. Philippine narrow-mouthed frogs of the genus Kaloula exhibit a wide range of phenotypic and ecological adaptations but their evolutionary history and taxonomy remain poorly understood.

Optimization of biocomposite taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) starch and Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis (L.) Burm.f.) gel based film-using response surface methodology.

This study aimed to develop and optimize a biocomposite film using taro starch and aloe vera gel blends. A Single factor experiment followed by a three-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the film based on water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tensile strength (TS), and thickness as response factors. Results showed that increasing taro starch content generally increased tensile strength but also increased WVTR.

Applying the technology acceptance model - Theory of planned behavior (TAM-TPB) model to study the acceptance of building information modeling (BIM) in green building in China.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative tool in addressing sustainability challenges in the construction industry. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative technology for advancing sustainability, its adoption in China faces significant challenges. This study integrated the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to analyze the factors influencing BIM adoption in green building projects in China.

Influence of thickness profile and bracing pattern in the radiation patterns of archtop guitars.

In this study, we investigate the influence of the thickness profile of the top plate and bracing pattern on the vibrational and acoustic properties of archtop guitars through finite element simulations. Starting from a laser scan of a real archtop guitar, we develop a fully parametric three-dimensional model of the guitar body. The thickness profile is parametrically controlled by adjusting the lower surface while maintaining the fixed upper surface.

Amplifying Silenced Voices: A Critical Reflection on Challenges Facing Occupational Therapy Academics With Multiple Minoritized Identities.

The issues faced by racialized; female; immigrant; and two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/agender + (2SLGBTQIA+) occupational therapy academics and practitioners highlight the overlapping systems of oppression due to their multiple minoritized identities (MMIs). Through critical reflection, the authors bring to light how oppressive occupational therapy structures and processes continue to sustain Othering within the profession, including the paradox of occupational justice. The authors caution that ignoring issues faced by occupational therapy academics with MMIs might end in tragic intersectionality.

Individuals' positive gains from the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study across 30 countries.

Background: Given the limited understanding of individuals' positive gains, this study aimed to identify these gains that could be leveraged by policymakers to enhance future health and societal resilience.

Methods: We used a global qualitative approach to survey adults over 18 from 30 countries across six World Health Organization (WHO) regions, who detailed up to three personal positive gains from COVID-19 pandemic via an open-ended question. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to identify main themes, and quantitative methods were used for demographic and regional comparisons based on the percentage of responses for each theme.

Improved Crop-specific NOx Emissions from Croplands in Southeast Asia over 1980-2019.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) play an important role in the formation of tropospheric ozone and fine particulate matter. Although regulatory policies in Southeast Asia have successfully limited combustion sources of NOx emissions, fertilized cropland NOx emissions have become increasingly prominent. However, the amount and geographic distribution of NOx emissions from fertilized croplands over Southeast Asia remain largely uncertain.

The PAZ domain of Aedes aegypti Dicer 2 is critical for accurate and high-fidelity size determination of virus-derived small interfering RNAs.

The exogenous siRNA (exo-siRNA) pathway is a critical RNA interference response involved in controlling arbovirus replication in mosquito cells. It is initiated by the detection of viral long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) by the RNase III enzyme Dicer 2 (Dcr2), which is processed into predominantly 21 nucleotide (nt) virus-derived small interfering RNAs, or vsiRNAs that are taken up by the Argonaute 2 (Ago2) protein to target viral single-stranded RNAs. The detailed understanding of Dicer structure, function and domains owes much to studies outside the context of viral infection and studies in model organisms, and as such how Dcr2 domains contribute to detecting viral dsRNA to mount antiviral responses in infected mosquito cells remains less well understood.

Effects of Mental Health First Aid Training in Hospital and Community Pharmacists: A Systematic Review.

Background: Mental health is essential for overall well-being but is often overlooked or stigmatized. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) provides initial support to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and guide individuals toward appropriate care. While MHFA equips healthcare providers to address rising mental health needs, its impact on pharmacists remains underexplored, warranting this systematic review.

Questionnaire Survey on the Diagnosis and Treatments of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases in Asia.

Introduction: Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) is divided into eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and non-eosinophilic esophagitis eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (non-EoE-EGID), based on the involved gastrointestinal organs. The present survey was performed to provide an overview of the current status of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of EGID in Asia.

Methods: Responses to the questionnaire were obtained from 228 doctors at various institutions in eight Asian countries.

Production and Utilization of Fermented Rice Bran as Animal Feed.

Rice bran, a byproduct of milling rice (Oryza sativa), is widely used in Asian preserved foods and the feed industry. Rich in carbohydrates, protein, fat, and various bioactive compounds, it offers significant growth and health benefits. It is commonly used as a replacement for cereals and grains as an energy source in the diet.

Media Trust and Perceived Media Stress Among Filipino, Hungarian, and Iranian LGBTQ+ People: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study.

This cross-cultural comparative study sought to estimate levels of media trust and perceived media stress and model the associations of these perceptions with coping self-efficacy, positive thinking, and negativity toward heterosexual individuals and society. A total of 1,153 self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals from three countries (Philippines, Hungary, Iran) where LGBTQ+ rights are restricted by governmental actions completed an online survey. Media trust was higher among Filipinos compared to Hungarians and Iranians.

Examining the flavor descriptors of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches in the Philippines: Regulatory challenges and opportunities.

In the Philippines, the regulation of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and nicotine pouches under Republic Act 11900 or the Vape Law is crucial as their use continues to rise. As e-cigarettes are rapidly gaining popularity due to their social appeal, perceived novelty, ever-changing flavors, and sensations that are attractive to consumers, HTPs and nicotine pouches are continuously developing as well. This study aims to characterize e-cigarette, HTP, and nicotine pouch flavor descriptors in the Philippines and to assess the regulatory implications of existing policies regulating these products.

Implementing Online Training for 'Animal Disease Detectives' in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Focus Group Study.

There is an identified need to strengthen the field epidemiology workforce training in the Asia Pacific region. In response, the Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) developed an online training program consisting of 36 modules delivered asynchronously and synchronously across 6 months in 2022. We sought to explore the effectiveness of the program based on participant perception and knowledge acquisition.

Unveiling genetic basis of seedling emergence from deep soil depth under dry direct- seeded conditions in rice ( L.).

Water scarcity and labor shortage pose significant challenges in rice farming. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is an efficient method that conserves water, reduces labor costs, and allows for full mechanization of cultivation. However, variable planting depth in undulated field leading to deep/shallow sowing of rice seeds during mechanical sowing presents a major hurdle, as existing varieties lack tolerance to deep sowing.

A mixed media approach using locally available neutralizing materials for the passive treatment of acid mine drainage.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is generally managed via active or passive treatment strategies. Between the two, passive treatment is explored as a more sustainable alternative, especially for abandoned and legacy mines due to their low energy, manpower and material requirements. Recent studies of the authors have explored the use of limestone and waste materials like low-grade ores (LGO), fly ash (FA), and concrete wastes (CW) for AMD treatment and found that although these materials generated alkalinity individually, they could only partially remove sulfate (SO ) and some heavy metals.

Enhancing Viability of GG and Total Polyphenol Content in Fermented Black Goji Berry Beverage Through Calcium-Alginate Encapsulation with Hydrocolloids.

Encapsulation techniques play a crucial role in enhancing the stability and viability of probiotics in functional foods. This study investigates the efficacy of calcium-alginate encapsulation, combined with hydrocolloids such as carrageenan, agar, and gelatin, in improving the survival of GG (LGG) and stabilizing the total phenolic content (TPC) in fermented black goji berry beverages. The results revealed that 1.

Analysis of 26 Studies of the Impact of Coconut Oil on Lipid Parameters: Beyond Total and LDL Cholesterol.

Coconut oil (CNO) is often characterized as an "artery-clogging fat" because it is a predominantly saturated fat that ostensibly raises total cholesterol (TChol) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Whereas previous analyses assessed CNO based on the relative effects on lipid parameters against other fats and oils, this analysis focuses on the effects of CNO itself. Here, we review the literature on CNO and analyze 984 lipid profile data sets from 26 CNO studies conducted over the past 40 years.

Chromosome-level assembly and gene annotation of Kappaphycus striatus genome.

Kappaphycus striatus is one of the carrageenan-producing red algae, and found primarily in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. Its global distribution is mainly in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, among other locations. Here, through the high-quality chromosome-level genome sequences and assembly with PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing data, we assembled one genome with a total of 211.

Identifying vaccine-hesitant subgroups in the Western Pacific using latent class analysis.

Vaccine hesitancy seriously compromised the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out across the Western Pacific with limited evidence-based recommendations for diverse populations across the region. This study investigates the profile of the vaccine-hesitant populations by using fixed-effect latent class analysis and multi-country survey data collected in 12 countries in 2021 and 2022: Cambodia, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Mongolia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The analysis identified 9 latent classes: Stay-at-home mothers, High-school-educated employees, High-school-educated older adults, High-school-educated young adults, University-educated employees, University-educated older adults, University-educated young adults, Unemployed, Non-compliant employees.