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This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival rate of Boer x Central Highland goats. Data collected under field condition were utilized for this study. The overall least squares mean for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3MWT), six-month weight (6MWT), weight gain from birth to weaning (ADG1) and weight gain from weaning to six months of age (ADG2) for Boer crossbred goats were 2.73 kg, 10.4 kg, 14.5 kg, 84.4 g day-1 and 49.4 g day-1 , respectively. Whereas the overall least squares mean BWT, 3MWT, 6MWT, ADG1 and ADG2 for Central Highland goats were 1.79 kg, 6.77 kg, 10.6 kg, 54.1 g day-1 and 50.4 g day-1 , respectively. Sex, birth type and year of birth were the major determinants for growth traits. The pre-weaning survival rate of crossbred goats was 81.7%. The overall mean litter size at birth, litter size at weaning and weaning rate for Central Highland does were 1.48 kids, 1.21 kids, 81.7%, respectively. The pre-weaning growth performance of Boer crossbreds was superior to the indigenous Central Highland goats. However, the post-weaning growth rate was found to be similar for both genotypes. Central Highland goat had a moderate prolificacy and mothering ability.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD; EC 1.1.1.49) deficiency is one of the most common X-linked hereditary disorders worldwide. G6PD deficiency provides resistance against severe malaria, but paradoxically, G6PD deficiency is also a stumbling block in fighting against malaria. Primaquine (PQ), a drug for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax , can cause lethal acute hemolytic anemia in malaria patients with inherited G6PD deficiency. In this study, we analyzed the phenotypic and genotypic G6PD deficiency status in 1721 individuals (963 males and 758 females) residing in three malaria-endemic areas within the Gia Lai province, Vietnam. The G6PD activity in individuals ranged from 3.04 to 47.82 U/g Hb, with the adjusted male median (AMM) of 7.89 U/g Hb. Based on the G6PD activity assay results, no phenotypic G6PD deficiency was detected. However, the multiplex polymerase chain reaction to detect G6PD variations in the gene level revealed that 26 individuals (7 males, 19 females) had Viangchan mutations (871 G > A). Sequencing analyses suggested that all the males were hemizygous Viangchan, whereas one was homozygous, and 18 were heterozygous Viangchan in females. These results suggested a relatively low prevalence of G6PD deficiency mutation rate (1.51%) in the minor ethnic populations residing in the Gia Lai province, Vietnam. However, considering these areas are high-risk malaria endemic, concern for proper and safe use of PQ as a radical cure of malaria is needed by combining a G6PD deficiency test before PQ prescription. [Display omitted] • Low prevalence of G6PD deficiency was detected in individuals in Gia Lai, Vietnam. • Only the Viangchan variant was found in the population. • Consistent surveillance of G6PD deficiency in the area is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival rate of Boer x Central Highland goats. Data collected under field condition were utilized for this study. The overall least squares mean for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3MWT), six-month weight (6MWT), weight gain from birth to weaning (ADG1) and weight gain from weaning to six months of age (ADG2) for Boer crossbred goats were 2.73 kg, 10.4 kg, 14.5 kg, 84.4 g day-1 and 49.4 g day-1, respectively. Whereas the overall least squares mean BWT, 3MWT, 6MWT, ADG1 and ADG2 for Central Highland goats were 1.79 kg, 6.77 kg, 10.6 kg, 54.1 g day-1 and 50.4 g day-1, respectively. Sex, birth type and year of birth were the major determinants for growth traits. The pre-weaning survival rate of crossbred goats was 81.7%. The overall mean litter size at birth, litter size at weaning and weaning rate for Central Highland does were 1.48 kids, 1.21 kids, 81.7%, respectively. The pre-weaning growth performance of Boer crossbreds was superior to the indigenous Central Highland goats. However, the post-weaning growth rate was found to be similar for both genotypes. Central Highland goat had a moderate prolificacy and mothering ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection and related factors among adult population in Central Highland, 2018. Methods: The study applied the cross-sectional descriptive design with the combination of structured interview and serological blood tests. There were 2428 respondents in 03 provinces, namely Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Nong included in the study which was conducted from September to December 2018. Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection among adults in Central Highland was 11.2% with the positive uniformity among provinces in the region. The findings also showed that male adults, farmers and those who have relatives with liver disease and experienced the kidney dialysis possessed a higher rate of hepatitis B virus infection than the one of other groups. The findings also showed that the respondents had a low uptake of the vaccine among infected group (6.3%). Study subjects with vaccination were less affected by hepatitis B virus infection rate than the ones without vaccination. Conclusions: The high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in the Central Highland indicates that it needs much more attention of Ministry of Health and local authorities for prevention of infection through mother-to-child transmission and early infection due to late immunization and more rescue investment for diagnostic, evaluation, follow up and treatment of people with chronic HBV infection. The consideration regarding occupations, family history of liver diseases is also required for during the intervention implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide policy implication for improving household welfare, one should understand which characteristics of households in a specific location they live, enable them to raise their welfare levels. This paper uses micro-econometric models for investigating the determinants of household welfare in the Central Highland, Vietnam using the recent data from the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey in 2016. Despite the relative simplicity, rich information is obtained from its use on cross-sectional survey data. Both descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed in the study. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and a Logit estimators were used to examine factors affecting household income and poverty incidence, respectively. Results specific to the region include: a substantial contribution of nonfarm self-employment and education to household income and poverty eradication; wage employment is positively associated with poverty alleviation but not per capita income; and only some types of land were positively related to income and poverty reduction. The findings suggest that policies for poverty reduction should aim at improving the access of the poor to education and nonfarm employment.

To provide policy implication for improving household welfare, one should understand which characteristics of households in a specific location they live, enable them to raise their welfare levels. This paper uses micro-econometric models for investigating the determinants of household welfare in the Central Highland, Vietnam using the recent data from the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey in 2016. Despite the relative simplicity, rich information is obtained from its use on cross-sectional survey data. Both descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed in the study. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and a Logit estimators were used to examine factors affecting household income and poverty incidence, respectively. Results specific to the region include: a substantial contribution of nonfarm self-employment and education to household income and poverty eradication; wage employment is positively associated with poverty alleviation but not per capita income; and only some types of land were positively related to income and poverty reduction. The findings suggest that policies for poverty reduction should aim at improving the access of the poor to education and nonfarm employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Far Eastern daces, genus Tribolodon (Cyprinidae), are thought to have diversified and developed unique diadromous life histories under changing conditions in the Sea of Japan and the surrounding environment. To examine the relationships between life history traits, distribution, and genetic population structures, we conducted a comparative phylogeographic analysis using partial mtDNA sequence data from samples collected over almost the full ranges of all four Tribolodon species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed several intraspecific haplotype groups that differentiated in the early Pleistocene to the Pliocene with or without geographic overlaps. A time-calibrated phylogeny suggested that the relatively smaller geographic ranges of the strictly freshwater species, T. sachalinensis and T. nakamurai, were explained not by the recent origins of these species, but by their limited dispersal abilities and smaller historical population sizes. The wider-ranging diadromous species, T. brandtii and T. hakonensis, exhibited similar major phylogeographic structures in their distributions, but the chronological order and timing of formation of this structure largely differed between the two species. In addition to those differences, the overlapping patterns of the differentiated intraspecific lineages in these species suggest dynamic, but somewhat restricted dispersal during the Plio-Pleistocene. Tribolodon hakonensis, one of the most widespread species of East Asian freshwater fishes, included both common and unique phylogeographic patterns compared to other fish species; the unique patterns (i.e., its wide range across freshwater biogeographic boundaries like the sea and mountains) would reflect its ecological features as a remarkable generalist inhabiting lakes, upper and lower reaches of rivers, and even coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study provides an extensive set of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences for the salamander genus Pseudobranchus of the southeastern United States. These sequences were analysed by multiple phylogenetic methods that support a single set of major phylogeographic divisions for its two corroborated species (P. axanthus and P. striatus). These phylogeographic divisions overlap with the geographic breakpoints of other freshwater and terrestrial taxa in this region. Collectively, these overlapping patterns highlight the Central Highland and Tifton/Vidalia uplands as a significant barrier to Atlantic vs. Gulf coast groups, while reconfirming the phylogeographic significance of the Altamaha and Apalachicola river drainages. Despite their distinct phylogeographic split, P. striatus from west and east of these uplands are not currently recognizable as separate species according to the concordance principles for species definition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Kirigamine area is one of the major obsidian sources in the Chubu-kanto region of central Japan, and is regarded as an important archaeological study area for improving the understanding of historical changes in human–environment interactions related to obsidian procurement activities during the Upper Paleolithic. Previous studies have presented a model for the relationship between human activities and the paleoenvironment, but there is a need for further understanding based on data related to the sourcing of obsidian in the Kirigamine area. This study aimed to establish a method for provenance analysis of obsidian artefacts based on chemical compositions. The chemical compositions of 13 groups of obsidian sources in the Kirigamine area were determined by WDXRF and LA–ICP–MS analyses, and discrimination diagrams proposed. For verification purposes, provenance analyses of obsidian artefacts excavated at the Hiroppara prehistoric site were undertaken using these discrimination diagrams. We yielded the same results of provenance analysis among the WDXRF and LA–ICP–MS methods, and the discrimination methods described may be applied to further provenance analysis of obsidian artefacts using nondestructive EDXRF and pXRF, and micro-destructive LA–ICP–MS analyses. • The Kirigamine source has many significant archaeological features related to Paleolithic human activities. • Thirteen chemical groups of obsidian sources are exposed in the Kirigamine area, central Japan. • WDXRF and LA–ICP–MS are useful in precise provenance determination for obsidian artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]