Curcuma alismatifolia, is an Asian crop from Zingiberaceae family, popularly used as ornamental plant in floriculture industry of Thailand and Cambodia. Different varieties with a wide range of colors can be found in species. Until now, few breeding programs have been done on this species and most commercially important cultivars are hybrids that are propagated vegetatively. In spite of other flowering plants, there is still lack of transcriptomic-based data on the functions of genes related to flower color in C. alismatifolia. The raw data presented in this article provides information on new original transcriptome data of two cultivars of C. alismatifolia by Illumina Hiseq. 4000 RNA-Seq technology which is the first ever report about this plant. The data is accessible via European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) under project number PRJEB18956.
We report the first draft genome sequence of a Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain (VpAHPND), which causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in Penaeus monodon. The strain has a pVA1-like plasmid carrying pirAvp and pirBvp genes. Whole-genome comparisons revealed >98% similarity to VpAHPND isolates from Thailand, Mexico, and Vietnam.
Baccaurea motleyana Müll. Arg. (rambai) is one of the underutilized fruit natives to Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaya Peninsula and it is mostly cultivated in Java island (Lim, 2012) [1]. The edible part of fruits is white and reddish arillodes in which having sweet to acid-sweet tastes. However, nucleotide as well as transcriptome information of this species is still scarce, no information has been deposited in GenBank. In this data article, we performed for the first time of de novo assembly of transcriptome using paired-end Illumina technology. The assembled contigs were constructed using Trinity and after filtering and clustering, produced 37,077 contigs. The contig ranged 201-4972 bp and N50 has 696 bp. The contig was annotated with several database such as SwissProt, TrEMBL, nr and nt NCBI databases. The raw reads were deposited in DDBJ with DRA numbers, DRA007358. The assembled contigs of transcriptome are deposited in the DDBJ TSA with accession number, IADP01000001-IADP01037077 and also can be accessed at http://rujakbase.id.
Tropidolaemus wagleri is a species of Asian pitviper with a geographic range including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Bruniei, parts of Indonesia, and the Philippines. Tropidolaemus is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily, within Viperidae. The genus Tropidolaemus includes five species, and was once included within the genus Trimeresurus. While some osteologic characteristics have been noted a comprehensive description of cranial elements has not been produced for T. wagleri. An in-depth description of the cranial skeleton of Tropidolaemus wagleri lays the foundation for future projects to compare and contrast other taxa within Crotalinae and Viperidae. The chosen reference specimen was compared to the presumed younger specimens to note any variation in ontogeny. The study here provides a comprehensive description of isolated cranial elements as well as a description of ontogenetic change within the specimens observed. This study contributes to the knowledge of osteological characters in T. wagleri and provides a foundation for a long term project to identify isolated elements in the fossil record.
A new species of black fly, Simulium (Simulium) luculentum, is described from specimens collected in Thailand, and is assigned to the Simulium variegatum species-group of the subgenus Simulium Latreille. This new species is distinguished from most members of this species group in the female by the mid femur and tibia entirely yellowish; and in the pupa by the gill with six filaments, which are somewhat inflated basally. This species represents the fifth member of the S. variegatum species-group recorded from Thailand.
The genus Systaria Simon 1897 is reviewed in Southeast Asia and eight new species are described: S. lannops spec. nov. from Thailand (female), S. longinqua spec. nov. (male, female) and S. luangprabang spec. nov. (female) from Laos, S. procera spec. nov. (male, female) and S. bregibec spec. nov. (male) from Cambodia, S. bifidops spec. nov. from Malaysia (male), S. panay spec. nov. (female) and S. princesa spec. nov. (male, female) from Philippines. S. elberti (Strand 1913) is illustrated and partly re-described. Informal groups of species are proposed for the first time. Distribution ranges and habitat preferences are mapped.
The behaviour of many financial time series cannot be modeled solely by linear time series model. Phenomena such as mean reversion, volatility of stock markets and structural breaks cannot be modelled implicitly using simple linear time series model. Thus, to overcome this problem, nonlinear time series models are typically designed to accommodate these nonlinear features in the data. In this paper, we use portmanteau test and structural change test to detect nonlinear feature in three ASEAN countries exchange rates (Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand). It is found that the null hypothesis of linearity is rejected and there is evidence of structural breaks in the exchange rates series. Therefore, the decision of using regime switching model in this study is justified. Using model selection criteria (AIC, SBC, HQC), we compare the in-sample fitting between two types of regime switching model. The two regime switching models we considered were the Self-Exciting Threshold Autoregressive (SETAR) model and the Markov switching Autoregressive (MS-AR) model where these models can explain the abrupt changes in a time series but differ as how they model the movement between regimes. From the AIC, SBC and HQC values, it is found that the MS -AR model is the best fitted model for all the return series. In addition, the regime switching model also found to perform better than simple autoregressive model in in-sample fitting. This result justified that nonlinear model give better in-sample fitting than linear model.
Linear time series models are not able to capture the behaviour of many financial time series, as in the cases of exchange rates and stock market data. Some phenomena, such as volatility and structural breaks in time series data, cannot be modelled implicitly using linear time series models. Therefore, nonlinear time series models are typically designed to accommodate for such nonlinear features. In the present study, a nonlinearity test and a structural change test are used to detect the nonlinearity and the break date in three ASEAN currencies, namely the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and the Thai Baht (THB). The study finds that the null hypothesis of linearity is rejected and evidence of structural breaks exist in the exchange rates series. Therefore, the decision to use the self-exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) model in the present study is justified. The results showed that the SETAR model, as a regime switching model, can explain abrupt changes in a time series. To evaluate the prediction performance of SETAR model, an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model used as a benchmark. In order to increase the accuracy of prediction, both models are combined with an exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) model. The prediction results showed that the construct model of SETAR-EGARCH performs better than that of the ARIMA model and the combined ARIMA and EGARCH model. The results indicated that nonlinear models give better fitting than linear models.
The glandulariine genus Siamites is amongst the rarest Oriental ant-like stone beetles. To date, only three species have been known, distributed in Thailand and Vietnam. A new species, S. sarawakensis sp. n. is described here, based on a male specimen collected in Sarawak, East Malaysia. This finding extends the known range of Siamites over 1200 km southeastward.
The present study aimed to examine and compare results from two questionnaire pretesting methods (i.e., behavioral coding and cognitive interviewing) in order to assess systematic measurement bias in survey questions for adult smokers across six countries (USA, Australia, Uruguay, Mexico, Malaysia and Thailand). Protocol development and translation involved multiple bilingual partners in each linguistic/cultural group. The study was conducted with convenience samples of 20 adult smokers in each country. Behavioral coding and cognitive interviewing methods produced similar conclusions regarding measurement bias for some questions; however, cognitive interviewing was more likely to identify potential response errors than behavioral coding. Coordinated survey qualitative pretesting (or post-survey evaluation) is feasible across cultural groups, and can provide important information on comprehension and comparability. Cognitive interviewing appears a more robust technique than behavioral coding, although combinations of the two might be even better.
Facial anthropometric data has significant ethnic variation. East Asia, comprised of fourteen countries, represents a significant proportion of the global population. This systematic review presents the facial anthropometric data collected from these countries. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search of the MEDLINE database returned 3054 articles. Twenty articles were considered eligible for inclusion. Nine studies were conducted in China, 1 in Indonesia, 2 in Japan,3 in Korea, 4 in Malaysia, and 1 was a multicentre study conducted in China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Qualitative and quantitative parameters were extracted from the20 studies. No data was found for the other East Asian countries. There is a paucity of facial anthropometric data for East Asian countries despite their high burden of craniofacial anomalies and a strong demand for cosmetic facial surgery, both of which would benefit from the collection of robust craniofacial norms. It is in the interest of both the craniofacial surgeon and the East Asian patient to collect baseline facial anthropometric data for this population.
A strategic multilateral dialogue related to biosecurity risks in Southeast Asia, established in 2014, now includes participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and the United States. This dialogue is conducted at the nonministerial level, enabling participants to engage without the constraints of operating in their official capacities. Participants reflect on mechanisms to detect, mitigate, and respond to biosecurity risks and highlight biosecurity issues for national leadership. Participants have also identified factors to improve regional and global biosecurity, including improved engagement and collaboration across relevant ministries and agencies, sustainable funding for biosecurity programs, enhanced information sharing for communicable diseases, and increased engagement in international biosecurity forums.
Phenotypic selection of individuals is the first step in a selective breeding program for elite hybrid seed production. In
this study, a total of 295 Jatropha curcas individuals raised from cuttings representing 21 accessions, collected from eight
different countries were evaluated for growth performance. The evaluation was done at the Biodiesel Research Station
of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Pilah from December 2012 to December 2013. Individual plants from each
accession were observed on several agronomic and yield related traits and all the data were recorded periodically.
Performance of each accession was analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 9.4. Four traits which were plant
height (PH), number of flowers per inflorescence (NFI), number of female flowers per inflorescence (NFFPI) and hundred
seed weight (HSW) showed significant differences among the accessions after one year of planting. Maximum values for
each trait were 115.5 cm for PH, 6 for number of branches per plant (BPP), 9 for number of inflorescences per plant
(NIPP), 25 for number of fruits per plant (NFPP), 5 for number of fruits per inflorescence (NFPI), 191 for NFI, 10 for
NFFPI, 81.0 g for HSW and 70 for number of seeds per plant (NSPP). Accession number 1 from Thailand showed the best
performance for most traits. A highly significant and positive correlation was found between NFPP and NSPP. Based on
superior trait values for NIPP, NFPP, NFPI, NFI, NFFPI and HSW, five plants from accession UKMJC 01, 04, 05, 13 and 14
have been selected for generating elite intraspecific hybrids.
Microsatellite DYS385 is a highly polymorphic marker in the Y chromosome. It has been used for investigating population genetic structure and personal identification in various ethnic groups of the world. This research aimed to analyze the microsatellite DYS385 polymorphism among 9 Tai and 11 Mon-Khmer speaking populations of northern Thailand. Fiftysix different haplotypes were found in 453 samples from 20 populations. Haplotype diversities and discrimination powers of populations belonging to the Tai linguistic family was higher than those of the Mon-Khmer group. Genetic affinities based on DYS385 variation do not conform to linguistic classification but a fraction of genetic divergence patterns can be explained by geographic distances.
Over the years, maximum likelihood estimation and Bayesian method became popular statistical tools in which applied to fit finite mixture model. These trends begin with the advent of computer technology during the last decades. Moreover, the asymptotic properties for both statistical methods also act as one of the main reasons that boost the popularity of the methods. The difference between these two approaches is that the parameters for maximum likelihood estimation are fixed, but unknown meanwhile the parameters for Bayesian method act as random variables with known prior distributions. In the present paper, both the maximum likelihood estimation and Bayesian method are applied to investigate the relationship between exchange rate and the rubber price for Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. In order to identify the most plausible method between Bayesian method and maximum likelihood estimation of time series data, Akaike Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion are adopted in this paper. The result depicts that the Bayesian method performs better than maximum likelihood estimation on financial data.
The biological aspects of Channa limbata were studied between November 2013 and October 2014. A total of 346 fish specimens, 185 male and 161 female, were collected from Ta Bo, Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary, Phetchabun Province, Thailand. Specimens range from 7.3-17.2 cm in length with body weight 8-31 g; sex ratio between males and females was 1: 0.7. The length (L), weight (W) relationship for mixed sexes was W = 0.2064 L1.85 (R2=0.90). Gonadosomatic indices for males and females were measured monthly and varied from 0.21-0.65% and 1.96-3.74%, respectively. Condition factors for males and females ranged between 0.54 - 2.20 and 0.58 - 2.72, respectively, with fecundity range 956 to 4,652 eggs in females. Fecundity (F) to weight relationship was F = 189.53 W0.59 (R2 = 0.71) and fecundity to length relationship was F = 68.82 L1.15 (R2 = 0.77). The ratio between the intestine length and total length was 1:2, indicating that C. limbata was a carnivorous feeder. Analysis of the stomach contents gave 84% insects and 16% aquatic weed. These results can be applied to conserve efforts to prevent the extinction of C. limbata in protected areas.
Population genetic structure of Varuna litterata living along the coast of Thailand were examined in this study. The samples were collected from 3 coastal regions: The Andaman sea (Satun, Trang, Phang Nga), the lower Gulf of Thailand (Pattani, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat) and the upper Gulf of Thailand (Petchburi, Samut Songkram, Rayong, Trat). Intraspecific variation was determined based on partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunits I gene. A total of 182 samples were collected but only 32 haplotypes were obtained from these samples. An excess of rare haplotypes indicated that the female effective population size of V. litterata living along the coast of Thailand is large. Estimated values of haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.790 and 0.003, respectively. The AMOVA (analysis of molecular variance) and phylogenetic analysis results showed that based on genetic variation, the population of this organism was found to have 2 genetically different populations: The Andaman sea population and the Gulf of Thailand population. Genetic exchange of V. litterata among populations inhabiting along the coast of Thailand could be described by the stepping stone model. The results of neutrality tests, both Tajima's D and Fu's Fs statistics, yielded negative values (-1.992 and -26.877, respectively) and statistically significant deviation from the neutrality, indicating that the V. litterata living along the Thailand coast had experienced population expansion. Mismatch distribution analysis indicated that a possible expansion occurred 211,428 years ago during the Pleistocene glaciations period.
A series of check dams (or small dams in shallow streams) have been placed on many streams throughout Thailand and
the number of them continue to increase. Check dam construction activities have been emphasized by the government
and private sector entities over the last decade to prevent severe flood or drought due to changes in rainfall patterns. This
study evaluated distribution of functional feeding groups (FFG) in a stream with a high density of check dams. Twelve
sampling sites at three altitudes (500, 900 and 1500 m asl) included undammed and nearby dammed sections (above
and below check dams) were used. Aquatic insects were collected monthly at each site for a year and categorized into
FFG. Aquatic insect composition of undammed and above dam sites was different. Abundance within each FFG at above
dam sites significantly differed from undammed sites. Taxonomic richness at 1500 and 900 m altitudes was decreased
at above dam sites compared with the corresponding undammed sites, whereas above dam sites of 500 m altitude had
higher richness than undammed site. High abundance of predators and collector-gatherers associated with reservoirs
and fine sediment accumulation above dams, where filter-feeders were scarce. Shredder abundance varied among sites
and was highest where leaf packs were most abundant. Scrapers were least abundant group and inconsistent with the
dams. Distribution of FFG was similar to changes in other regulated streams. The composition of FFG reflected the
stream ecosystem conditions through adaptation of communities to stream habitat and food resources, including those
associated with check dam construction.
This paper explores whether middle-income Asian countries are reorienting their health services in response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were selected as case studies of Asian societies experiencing rapid increases both in NCDs and an aging population. While NCD programs, especially those related to diabetes and stroke, are well-established in Thailand, health services struggle to respond to increasing numbers of people with chronic health problems. Health services at all levels must plan ahead for more patients with chronic and often multiple conditions who require better integrated health care.
This review focuses on the studies and opinions around issues of transition from the BPharm to the PharmD degree in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Pakistan and Thailand. The transition to the clinically orientated PharmD degree in many countries was seen to be a means of developing the profession. However, some countries have both clinically-oriented and pharmaceutical sciences-oriented PharmD programme that are designed to meet the needs of their countries. Each country created a different process to handle the transition to an all-PharmD programme, but mostly had the process of school accreditation mandated by the regulatory bodies. The main barrier to the transition in most of the countries was the issue of educational quality. A set of indicators is needed to measure and monitor the impact/outcome of the PharmD degree. Each country has different needs due to the different contexts of health care systems and the scope of pharmacy practice. In order to increase their chances of benefiting from the new programme, academic leaders should critically assess their countries' needs before deciding to adopt a PharmD programme.