Search

Glyptotermes Froggatt, 1897 (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae) is represented by two recorded species in Taiwan, namely G. fuscus Oshima, 1912, and G. satsumensis (Matsumura, 1907). However, there has been a lack of comprehensively survey taxonomic reviews on Glyptotermes in Taiwan for nearly a century. In order to address this gap and update the taxonomy of Glyptotermes species in Taiwan, we examined 281 colony specimens collected from Taiwan Island and its offshore islands. Morphological and molecular analyses based on 16S rDNA and COI were conducted, resulting in three distinct species: G. fuscus, G. satsumensis, and a new species named Glyptotermes albofemoralis sp. nov. The winged imago and soldier castes of the three species are described. A male winged imago of G. fuscus collected from the type locality is designated as the neotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neotermes koshunensis (Shiraki, 1909) (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae) has been recorded in Taiwan, China, and Ryukyu Islands (Japan). However, Yashiro et al. clarified all Neotermes samples from Ryukyu Islands was a cryptic species in the Neotermes koshunensis species complex and hence further described it as a new species, N. sugioi Yashiro, 2019. To revise the identity and taxonomy of Neotermes spp. in Taiwan, this study examines 370 specimens which were collected from Taiwan Island and its offshore islands from 2006 to 2022. According to phylogenetic results reconstructed by using nucleotide sequences of two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA and COI) and one nuclear gene (ITS2), three lineages were recognized. The three lineages represent N. koshunensis, N. sugioi as a new record species to Taiwan, and a new species Neotermes ludaoensis sp. nov. The winged imago and soldier castes of the three Neotermes species are described. A male winged imago of N. koshunensis collected from its type locality is designated as neotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: When examining the nexus of physician mental health disorders and healthcare quality from the empirical perspective, mental health disorders are frequently associated with cyclical patterns corresponding to cyclic seasonality, mood swings, emission of air pollution and business cycles, the potential asymmetric effects of physician mental health disorders on healthcare quality have not received adequate attention from researchers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the asymmetric relationship between physician mental health disorders and healthcare quality during the pandemic outbreak in Taiwan.Methods: Daily data for care quality indicators and physician mental health disorders were collected from the National Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, and the quantile-on-quantile regression model was applied to proceed with our analyses.Results: Our results indicated that the overall aggregate effects of each quantile of physician mental health disorders on the cumulative quantiles of healthcare quality are negative (positive) for the 14-day readmission rate (preventable hospitalization rate and non-urgent ED-visit rate). Positively (negatively) cumulative effects of each quantile of physician mental health disorders were detected in the middle (low and high) quantiles of the preventable hospitalization rate. The cumulative effects of each quantile of physician mental health disorders on the high (low and middle) quantiles of the 14-day readmission rate are negative (positive), but the cumulative effects on various quantiles of the non-urgent ED-visit rate exhibit the opposite pattern.Conclusion: The observed variation in the relationship between physician mental health disorders and different quantiles of healthcare quality suggests the need for tailored strategic interventions based on distinct levels of healthcare quality when addressing the higher risk of physician mental health disorders during the pandemic outbreak conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. We aimed to identify prognostic biomarkers of upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes which account for only 5% to 10% of all urothelial carcinomas (UCs). In Taiwan, this figure is markedly higher, where it can reach up to 30% of UC cases. Materials and Methods. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we analyzed two pairs of renal pelvis tumors and adjacent normal urothelial tissues to screen miRNAs and messenger RNAs. By combining bioinformatics analysis from miRmap, Gene ExpressionOmnibus (GEO), andOncomine and Ingenuity R Pathway Analysis databases, we identified candidate genes. To search for upstream miRNAs with exact target binding sites, we used miRmap, TargetScan, and miRDB to enforce evidence. Then, we clarified gene and protein expression through an in vitro study using western blot analysis and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Results. Interactions between selected target genes obtained using the NGS and miRmap methods were assessed through a Venn diagram analysis. Six potential genes, namely, PDE5A, RECK, ZEB2, NCALD, PLCXD3 and CYBRD1 showed significant differences. Further analysis of gene expression from the GEO dataset indicated lower expression of PDE5A, RECK, ZEB2, and CYBRD1 in bladder cancer tissue than in normal bladder mucosa, which indicated that PDE5A, RECK, ZEB2, and CYBRD1 may act as tumor suppressors in UTUC. In addition, we compared the expression of these genes in various UC cell lines (RT4, BFTC905, J82, T24, UMUC3, 5637, BFTC 909, UMUC14) and found decreased expression of PDE5A in muscle-invasive UC cells compared with the RT4 cell line. Furthermore, by using paired UTUC and normal tissues from 20 patients, lower PDE5A expression was also demonstrated in tumor specimens. Conclusions. Our findings suggest these candidate genes may play some roles in UTUC progression. We propose that these markers may be potential targets clarified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. PDE5A also potentially presents tumor suppressor genes, as identified by comparing the expression between normal and tumor specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between satellite-derived low cloud frequency and the occurrence of tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) in Taiwan was investigated. From daily MODIS cloud mask products between 2003 and 2012 the low cloud class was extracted and mean low cloud frequency was calculated for Taiwan. This low cloud frequency map was blended with an existing plot-based vegetation classification for Taiwan to analyze the relationship between low cloud frequency and TMCF occurrence. Receiver operating characteristics curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to analyze if a relationship exists. No relationship was found for all four TMCF types taken together (AUC = 0.61) and for the dominant TMCF type, Quercus montane evergreen broad-leaved cloud forest (AUC = 0.5). Strong relationships were found for the two spatially-restricted TMCF types, Fagus montane deciduous broad-leaved cloud forest (AUC = 0.91) and Pasania- Elaeocarpus montane evergreen broad-leaved forest (AUC = 0.84), as well as for the second dominant type Chamaecyparis montane mixed cloud forest (AUC = 0.74). The results show that low cloud frequency thresholds might be associated with specific cloud forest types in Taiwan. Further studies should incorporate information about cloud base height, cloud density, and cloud immersion time as well as satellite-based cloud frequency information with a higher temporal resolution. Combination with satellite-based land cover classifications for Taiwan would allow quasi-continuous observation of TMCF changes. Such knowledge would be the precondition for effective protective actions concerning this exceptional but threatened ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation based on the vigorous tourism industry and open up the gaming industry in the future to promote and construct the nation competition strength in Taiwan. Tourism destination image is an important factor which tourist chooses and plans their tourism schedule. But the concept of image includes inner psychology motivation, external environment factor or these two factors interaction to develop and integrate model. Therefore, this investigation aimed to construct the destination image formation model of Macao and take the Taiwan visitors to Macao for example. According to the findings, Taiwan tourists who actually visited Macao generally report positive tourist image in overall. Furthermore, the overall image of tourists visiting Macao can be enhanced if consumers' return on investment and service superiority are conducted through experiential value perspective in terms of value/environment variables of Taiwan tourists' perception or cognition perspective. Finally, a tourism image of Macao perceived by Taiwan tourists is built upon an experience in integrated industry surrounded by luxury atmosphere. To feel about the casino culture of mirage among Asian cities, and a national image of sense and sensibility after combining Eastern and Western culture are primary tourism motives of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, 1909 (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), is a well-known pest of wood structures. Its native range has been widely investigated for potential implications for pest control strategies. Termitophilous staphylinid species of the genera Japanophilus Maruyama & Iwata, 2002 and Sinophilus Kistner, 1985 found in nests of C. formosanus have been used to infer the native range of their host termite. Herein, we extend the range of these two genera to include Taiwan, the type locality of C. formosanus. Taiwanese specimens were identifi ed as J. hojoi Maruyama & Iwata, 2002 and S. yukoae Maruyama & Iwata, 2002 based on morphological and molecular data. The fi rst-instar larva of J. hojoi is described, the fi rst known immature stage of the tribe Termitohospitini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the result of a field survey of termites in Lanyu Island, Taiwan. Researchers collected 24 termite colony samples from various locations in the island. They were able to record 6 species in 6 genera and 3 families. The species include Cryptotermes domesticus, Neotermes koshunensis, Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flaviceps. They explain that the survey of the termites of the island resulted in confirmation of the island's fauna to 6 species in 6 genera and 3 families.