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The author responds to comments by Monica Das Gupta on a research paper previously circulated by the author. In the paper the author attempted to link gender imbalance in Asia to the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus. The author argues that women who are carriers of the virus give birth to more male children than those who do are not. She also argues that 45 percent of the gender imbalance can be attributed to hepatitis B. Das Gupta argues that the hepatitis B explanation is unlikely to be significant, since sex ratios in China differ over time, and among families in ways that evidence the couple's preferences.

Whether tectonic strain from the early stage India‐Asia collision has synchronously affected the far‐field margin of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for understanding plateau deformation and growth processes. However, direct evidence for early far‐field deformation remains scarce. Utilizing illite K‐Ar dating of three fault gouge samples, we established the faulting history of the Leibo fault zone (LFZ) at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP). Consistent authigenic illite ages of 52 ± 2, 54 ± 12 and 55 ± 6 Ma suggest the reactivated thrust faulting of the LFZ in the Early Cenozoic. Positioned ∼700 km east of the collisional boundary and at the intersection of three blocks with distinct lithospheric rheology in strength/viscosity, this event suggests a quasi‐synchronous far‐field tectonic response in the SEMTP to the India‐Asia collision. Plain Language Summary: Understanding how tectonic strain resulting from the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates in the Early Cenozoic can spread to the edges of the Tibetan Plateau is crucial for comprehending the plateau's tectonic development. To investigate this question, we used fault gouge, which resulted from the sliding of brittle faults, to directly reveal faulting information. By conducting illite K‐Ar dating on three samples from the Leibo fault zone (LFZ) at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP), we found consistent ages of newly formed illite, 52 ± 2, 54 ± 12, and 55 ± 6 million years ago. Since this type of minerals form simultaneously with faulting, these ages reveal a reactivated thrust faulting event of the LFZ, suggesting a nearly simultaneous response of faulting in the SEMTP to the early stage of the India‐Asia collision. Key Points: Fault gouge illite K‐Ar dating is used to establish the faulting history of the Leibo fault zone, SE margin of the Tibetan PlateauThree consistent authigenic illite ages of ∼55, ∼54, and ∼52 Ma suggest a reactivated thrust faulting event of the Leibo fault zoneThis event indicates a quasi‐synchronous far‐field response of the SE margin of the Tibetan Plateau to the India‐Asia collision [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cretaceous‐Miocene sedimentary rocks in the Nepalese Lesser Himalaya provide an opportunity to decipher the timing of India‐Asia collision and unroofing history of the Himalayan orogen, which are significant for understanding the growth processes of the Himalayan‐Tibetan orogen. Our new data indicate that detrital zircon ages and whole‐rock Sr‐Nd isotopes in Cretaceous‐Miocene Lesser Himalayan sedimentary rocks underwent two significant changes. First, from the Upper Cretaceous‐Palaeocene Amile Formation to the Eocene Bhainskati Formation, the proportion of late Proterozoic‐early Palaeozoic zircons (quantified by an index of 500–1200 Ma/1600–2800 Ma) increased from nearly 0 to 0.7–1.4, and the percentage of Mesozoic zircons decreased from ca. 14% to 5–12%. The whole‐rock 87Sr/86Sr and εNd(t = 0) values changed markedly from 0.732139 and −17.2 for the Amile Formation to 0.718106 and −11.4 for the Bhainskati Formation. Second, from the Bhainskati Formation to the lower‐middle Miocene Dumri Formation, the index of 500–1200 Ma/1600–2800 Ma increased to 2.2–3.7 and the percentage of Mesozoic zircons abruptly decreased to nearly 0. The whole‐rock 87Sr/86Sr and εNd(t = 0) values changed significantly to 0.750124 and −15.8 for the Dumri Formation. The εHf(t) values of Early Cretaceous zircons in the Taltung Formation and Amile Formation plot in the U‐Pb‐εHf(t) field of Indian derivation, whereas εHf(t) values of Triassic‐Palaeocene zircons in the Bhainskati Formation demonstrate the arrival of Asian‐derived detritus in the Himalayan foreland basin in the Eocene based on available datasets. Our data indicate that (1) the timing of terminal India‐Asia collision was no later than the early‐middle Eocene in the central Himalaya, and (2) the Greater Himalaya served as a source for the Himalayan foreland basin by the early Miocene. When coupled with previous Palaeocene‐early Eocene provenance records of the Tethyan Himalaya, our new data challenge dual‐stage India‐Asia collision models, such as the Greater India Basin hypothesis and its variants and the arc–continent collision model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an important pest of cucurbits throughout India, South‐East Asia and Pacific islands. Attractants of female melon fly are of relevance as they could enhance the efficacy of current pest management practices. Previous studies have revealed several host fruits to be attractive to gravid female melon flies. However, studies on the chemical compounds responsible for their attraction are meagre. As an initial part of our study, we evaluated the response of gravid female melon flies to headspace volatiles of four different cucurbit fruits, namely bitter gourd, cucumber, ridge gourd and snake gourd. Electrophysiological and multiple‐choice olfactometer assays revealed that gravid melon flies significantly preferred ridge gourd volatiles over volatiles of other cucurbit fruits. Coupled gas chromatography‐electroantennogram detection (GC‐EAG) analysis of headspace volatiles of ridge gourd to gravid melon flies identified six EAG‐active compounds, namely α‐pinene, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, p‐cymene, p‐ethyl‐benzaldehyde, methyl salicylate and p‐cymen‐7‐ol. Individual EAG‐active compounds, except α‐pinene, were significantly attractive to gravid female flies. Moreover, a synthetic blend with the concentration and ratio of compounds as in the ridge gourd headspace samples was attractive to flies. Though, in a dual‐choice test, the preference of gravid melon flies to a synthetic blend was not significantly different from preference to ridge gourd volatile samples. Taken together, our results show that the synthetic blend of ridge gourd volatiles may be used to develop a potential lure for female melon fly, Z. cucurbitae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐distance lateral magma propagation may reflect the complex interaction between regional tectonics and crustal uplift. Here, we report observations on the Taxkorgan intrusive complex (TIC) of the Central Pamir. TIC is a 70 km long, 10–18 km wide, north‐northwest–elongated body intruded into mid‐upper crust in parallel with, and close to, the Kongur Shan Extensional System. New zircon U‐Pb dating shows that syenite samples exhibit a clear younging pattern from south to north along the pluton axis within an interval between 11.5 and 10.3 Ma, which is interpreted as lateral magma propagation from a single feeder zone at its northwestern margin. The lateral magma propagation was caused by a combination of crustal rigidity differences, and a topography‐induced pressure gradient that is nearly orthogonal to the least compressive stress. We propose that long‐distance lateral magma propagation plays an important role in plateau expansion, restraining the thickness and elevation of the Pamir Plateau. Plain Language Summary: Long‐distance lateral magma propagation within the crust has been documented for diverse magmatic systems. The Miocene Taxkorgan intrusive complex was formed during India‐Asia collision in the Central Pamir Plateau, and it consists of a syenite pluton and several discrete lobes of monzogranites. New SIMS zircon U‐Pb dating results shows that monzogranites across TIC have overlapping ages between 12.4 and 12.2 Ma, indicating they were emplaced from a series of synchronous and independent magma feeder zones. In contrast, syenite samples exhibit a clear younging pattern from south to north within an interval between 11.5 and 10.3 Ma. The pattern of decreasing ages along the pluton axis is interpreted as lateral magma propagation from a single feeder zone at its northwestern margin. It is inferred that long‐distance lateral magma propagation, such as documented for the Taxkorgan intrusive complex, played a key role in plateau expansion, restraining the thickness and elevation of the Pamir Plateau. Key Points: Taxkorgan intrusive complex (TIC) syenite pluton shows a clear younging pattern from south to north within an interval between 11.5 and 10.3 MaTIC syenite pluton formed by lateral magma propagation from a single feeder zone at its northwestern marginLong‐distance lateral magma propagation plays an important role in plateau expansion, restraining the thickness and elevation of Plateau [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization recommends salt reduction as a cost-effective intervention to prevent noncommunicable diseases. Salt-reduction interventions are best tailored to the local context, taking into consideration the varying baseline salt-intake levels, population's knowledge, attitude, and behaviors. Fundamental to reduction programs is the source of dietary salt-intake. In South Asian countries, there is a paucity of such baseline evidence around factors that contribute to community salt intake. Upon reviewing the electronic literature databases and government websites through March 31, 2021, we summarized dietary salt intake levels and aimed to identify major sources of sodium in the diet. Information on the current salt reduction strategies in eight South Asian countries were summarized, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. One hundred twelve publications (out of identified 640) met our inclusion-exclusion criteria for full text review. Twenty-one studies were included in the review. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute assessment tool. The primary result revealed that mean salt intake of South Asian countries was approximately twice (10 g/day) compared to WHO recommended intake (< 5 g/day). The significant proportion of salt intake is derived from salt additions during cooking and/or discretionary use at table. In most South Asian countries, there is limited data on population sodium intake based on 24-h urinary methods and sources of dietary salt in diet. While salt reduction initiatives have been proposed in these countries, they are yet to be fully implemented and evaluated. Proven salt reduction strategies in high-income countries could possibly be replicated in South Asian countries; however, further community-health promotion studies are necessary to test the effectiveness and scalability of those strategies in the local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper Cretaceous to Eocene marine sedimentary sequences of the Yarlung‐Tsangpo Suture Zone (YTSZ) provide critical constraints on the initial process of the India–Asia continental collision and the closure time of the Neo‐Tethyan Ocean. New sedimentological, petrographic, biochronological and detrital zircon age data of Cretaceous–Palaeogene strata from the southern margin of the YTSZ are reported in this study. Detrital zircons from the Lower Cretaceous Gyabula Formation are dominated by Archean to Cambrian U–Pb ages, indicating a likely source originating from the Indian continent. In contrast, zircon ages from the Palaeogene Jiachala Formation are predominantly younger than 200 Ma, with a major peak of ca. 76–187 Ma, which is consistent with a source from either an intra‐oceanic island arc system or the Asian continent. Sixty species of radiolarian fossils obtained from the Gyabula, Zongzhuo and Jiachala Formations provide a regional correlation with the Cretaceous Tethyan realm and Palaeogene low‐latitude biozonation schemes based on the Unitary Association method. The Palaeogene radiolarian zonation UAZ JP10 identified in the Jiachala Formation, when combined with existing absolute age models derived from the Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program, indicates an age of ca. 61.8–61.1 Ma. Integration of the biochronological and detrital zircon age data suggests that major changes in provenance occurred at the Indian continental margin, allowing an important timing constraint on the onset of collision to be placed no later than the Danian at ca, 61.8 Ma. This study highlights the significance of focusing on distinct sedimentary sequences in collisional orogens to reconstruct the timing and processes of continental collision events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleocene lavas of the Dianzhong Formation preserved in the Linzhou Basin of South Tibet provide a unique opportunity to constrain the initial geometry of the India‐Asia collision; however, earlier studies argued a complex magnetic signature resulting from thermal and/or chemical remagnetizations. To better characterize the remanences obtained from the Dianzhong lavas, we carried out an intraformational conglomerate test on a previously‐studied section in the Linzhou Basin. The positive conglomerate test suggests that the characteristic remanences reported from the Dianzhong Formation are primary. The updated Paleocene pole confirms a paleolatitude of 6.7° ± 4.4°N for the Lhasa terrane and positions the southern margin of Asia in the equatorial humid belt. An initial collision, between India, Asia and an intra‐oceanic arc in the equatorial humid belt, may have intensified silicate weathering and resulted in an extra consummation of carbon dioxide, which contributes to a long‐term cooling of the Earth during the Cenozoic. Plain Language Summary: The locus of the initial India‐Asia collision can be constrained using paleomagnetic studies on the Paleocene volcanics from the Linzhou Basin, South Tibet. However, the primary nature of the magnetic signature previously reported from the Dianzhong Formation was questioned. This study carries out an intraformational conglomerate test collected from the middle part of the Dianzhong Formation. The stable remanences isolated from a layer of intercalated lava cobbles yield a random distribution in contrast to the well‐grouped directions obtained from the over‐ and underlying lava layers resulting in a positive conglomerate test. We therefore argue for a primary nature for the characteristic remanence recorded by the Dianzhong lavas from the Linzhou Basin. Our study confirms a low latitude of ∼7°N, that is, within the equatorial humid belt, for the southern margin of Asia during ∼64–60 Ma. An initial low‐latitude collision between India and Asia is critical for understanding the tectonic and climatic significance of the India‐Asia collision. Key Points: Characteristic remanences reported from the Dianzhong lavas in the Linzhou Basin are primary in originThe updated Paleocene pole confirms a low latitude of ∼7°N for the Lhasa terraneAn initial collision between India, Asia and an oceanic arc in the equatorial humid belt may contribute to the Cenozoic cooling of the Earth [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The timing of the India‐Asia collision onset, essential to understanding the evolution of the Himalayan‐Tibetan orogen, has been widely investigated through multidisciplinary approaches. Among these, the India to Asia provenance reversal (IAPR) documented in the Indian passive margin successions has proved to be most effective. We present integrated stratigraphic, sedimentological, and provenance data on Upper Cretaceous‐Paleogene strata from the newly investigated Mubala section exposed south of the Yarlung‐Zangbo suture zone (YZSZ) in southern Tibet, which preserves continuous deep‐marine turbiditic and biogenic sedimentation on the distal Indian passive margin. Sandstone petrography, heavy minerals, detrital zircon geochronology and Hf isotopes, and detrital Cr‐spinel geochemistry constrain the IAPR to later than 62.7 Ma (youngest zircon ages from the earliest Asian‐derived sandstone) and by 61.0 ± 0.3 Ma (SIMS age of a tuffaceous layer ∼30 m above this bed). The onset of intercontinental collision along the YZSZ began by 61 Ma. Plain Language Summary: The India‐Asia collision, ultimately leading to uplift of the Himalayan Mountains and Tibetan Plateau, has greatly influenced global climate and oceanic circulation. The timing of collision is essential to reconstruct the growth history of the Himalayan‐Tibetan orogen and its environmental and paleogeographic effects. The change in sediment provenance documented along the Indian continental margin has proved to be a most effective method to constrain the timing of initial collision. We here report a newly‐discovered sedimentary succession deposited onto the deep‐marine edge of India, in which strata composed of detritus derived entirely from India are overlain by strata composed of detritus derived instead from Asia. This provenance change took place later than 62.7 million years ago (Ma; which is the age of the youngest group of zircons contained in the oldest sandstone derived from Asia) and 61.0 ± 0.3 Ma (which is the age of zircon crystals contained in a volcanic tuff found 30 m above the oldest Asian‐derived sandstone). The Indian and Asian continents thus first came into direct contact by 61 Ma. Key Points: Sandstones derived first from India and next from Asia constrain India‐Asia collision onsetThe India‐Asia provenance reversal is bracketed between 62.7 and 61 Ma in the Mubala sectionSubduction of the Indian continental margin beneath Asia began by 61 Ma [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When and how the TP underwent uplift and deformation are still under heated debate. We present paleomagnetic evidence for the NB in the northeastern central TP to help decipher the potential plateau deformation mechanism. Magnetostratigraphy with zircon U‐Pb age of volcanic rock demonstrates that the NB basin deposited during 52.5–35.0 Ma. Paleomagnetic declinations indicate that the basin experienced counterclockwise rotation of 25.9 ± 7.2° during 52–46 Ma and clockwise rotation of 24.4 ± 9.7° during 41–35 Ma, which coexisted with the intrusion and explosion of volcanic rocks at 51–46 and 39–35 Ma. We proposed a stepwise compression and extrusion model to interpret the basin deposition, rotation, and volcanism by northward compression and eastward extrusion of the eastern Lhasa and Qiangtang Blocks (Proto‐TP) in relation to the Sichuan Basin as early response to the India‐Asia collision. Plain Language Summary: How the Tibetan Plateau (TP) adjusted its inner crustal thickening and tectonic deformation during the India‐Asia collision is still in hot debate, for example, through lateral extrusion or continuous distribution. The Nangqian Basin (NB) is located in the bending (transitional) part from an east‐west tectonic area in the central TP to a north‐south tectonic area in the eastern and southeastern TP. It is an ideal location to provide abundant tectonic evidences for the plateau deformation and uplift models. We report a detailed paleomagnetic dating of the Paleogene sedimentary sequence from the NB with a complete paleomagnetic rotation analysis. Radiometric and magnetostratigraphic dating suggested that the NB commenced its deposition at 52.5 Ma and ended at 35.0 Ma. Paleomagnetic declination data reveal a change of rotation sense of the NB, from a counterclockwise rotation of 25.9° at 52–46 Ma to a clockwise rotation of 24.4° at 41–35 Ma. Integrated with other lines of geological evidence, we believe that the Eocene deformation, rotation, and uplift of the south and east central TP in response to the early India‐Asia collision can be explained by stepwise compressions and eastward extrusions. Key Points: Magnetostratigraphic results demonstrate that the Early Cenozoic sedimentary sequence of the Nangqian Basin yields ages of 52.5–35.0 MaDeclination data indicate change of rotation in the Nangqian Basin from counterclockwise during 52–46 Ma to clockwise during 41–35 MaThe Eocene deformation, rotation, and uplift of the east central Tibetan Plateau favor the compression and extrusion model [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L) is a perennial, glabrous and strongly scented herb belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is cultivated in a temperate region of Europe, Asia, United States, India and Mediterranean countries due to their commercial value and distinct aroma. In addition to traditional food flavouring uses, M. × piperita is well recognized for their traditional use to treat fever, cold, digestive, anti-viral, anti-fungal and oral mucosa and throat inflammation. The scientific studies provide awareness on the use of M. × piperita for biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, biopesticidal, larvicidal, anticancer, radioprotective effect, genotoxicity and anti-diabetic activity have been ascribed. A wide spectrum of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics lignans and stilbenes and essential oils are expected to be responsible for the aroma effects. In this sense, this present review provides an extensive overview of the traditional medicinal, phytochemical and multiple biological activities of this "Peppermint." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the lithosphere mantle collision tectonics between the India plate and Asia plate, we determine three dimensional P wave velocity structure beneath western Tibet using 27,439 arrival times from 2,174 teleseismic events recorded by 182 stations of Hi‐CLIMB Project and 16 stations in the north of Hi‐CLMB. Our tomographic images show the velocity structure significantly difference beneath northern and southern Qiangtang, which can further prove that the Longmu Co‐Shuanghu ophiolitic belt is a significant tectonic boundary fault zone. There are two prominent high velocity anomalies and two prominent low velocity anomalies in our images. One obvious high velocity anomalies subduct beneath the Tibet at the long distance near 34°N, whereas it is broke off by an obvious low velocity anomaly under the IYS. We interpret them as northward subducting Indian lithosphere mantle and the low velocity anomanly under IYS likely reflects mantle material upwelling triggered by tearing of the northward subduction Indian lithosphere. The other prominent high velocity anomaly was imaged at a depth from 50 km to 200 km horizontal and up to the northern Qiangtang with its southern edge extending to about 34°N through Hoh Xil block. We infer it as the southward subducting Asia lithosphere mantle. The other widely low velocity anomaly beneath the Qiangtang block lies in the gap between the frontier of India plate and Asia plate, where is the channel of mantle material upwelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is widely consumed in Asia either as turmeric directly or as one of the culinary ingredients in food recipes. The benefits of curcumin in different organ systems have been reported extensively in several neurological diseases and cancer. Curcumin has got its global recognition because of its strong antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer, and antimicrobial activities. Additionally, it is used in diabetes and arthritis as well as in hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, there is growing attention on usage of curcumin to prevent or delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes available data from several recent studies on curcumin in various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Prions disease, stroke, Down's syndrome, autism, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and aging. Recent advancements toward increasing the therapeutic efficacy of curcuma/curcumin formulation and the novel delivery strategies employed to overcome its minimal bioavailability and toxicity studies have also been discussed. This review also summarizes the ongoing clinical trials on curcumin for different neurodegenerative diseases and patent details of curcuma/curcumin in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India fell behind during colonial rule. The absolute and relative decline of Indian GDP per capita with respect to Britain began before colonization and coincided with the rise of the textile trade with Europe. However, the fortunes of the traditional textile industry cannot explain the decline in the eighteenth century and stagnation in the nineteenth century as India integrated into the global economy of the British Empire. Inadequate investment in agriculture and consequent decline in yield per acre stalled economic growth. Modern industries emerged and grew relatively fast. The reversal began after independence. Policies of industrialization and a green revolution in agriculture increased productivity in agriculture and industry. However, India's growth in the closing decades of the twentieth century has been led by services. A concentration of human capital in the service sector has origins in colonial policy. Expenditure on education prioritized higher education, creating an advantage for the service sector. At the same time, the slow expansion of primary education lowered the accumulation of human capital and put India at a disadvantage in comparison with the fast‐growing economies of East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural irrigation has significant potential for altering local climate by reducing soil albedo, increasing evapotranspiration, and enabling greater leaf area. Numerous studies using regional or global climate models have demonstrated the cooling effects of irrigation on mean and extreme temperature, especially over regions where irrigation is extensive. However, these model‐based results have not been well validated due to the limitations of observational data sets. In this study, multiple satellite‐based products, including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) data sets, are used to isolate and quantify the local impacts of irrigation on surface climate over irrigated regions, which are derived from the Global Map of Irrigation Areas (GMIA). The relationships among soil moisture, albedo, evapotranspiration, and surface temperature are explored. Strong evaporative cooling by irrigation lowers daytime surface temperature over arid and semi‐arid regions, such as California's Central Valley, the Great Plains, central Asia, and northwestern India. However, the cooling effects are less evident in areas of eastern China and the Lower Mississippi River Basin despite extensive irrigation over these regions. Results are also compared with irrigation experiments using the Community Earth System Model (CESM) to assess the model's ability to represent land–atmosphere interactions in regards to irrigation. CESM greatly underestimates the surface temperature response to irrigation. The comparison between the offline and coupled simulations suggests that the irrigation‐induced cooling can be regulated by the interactions between land surface and atmosphere, and amplified signals are found over the "hot spot" regions. Meanwhile, model resolution can also influence the magnitude of the local cooling by irrigation. This study, for the first time, thoroughly investigated the observed local impacts of irrigation on surface climate based on multiple satellite‐based products at the global scale. Strong evaporative cooling of irrigation on daytime surface temperature is found over arid and semi‐arid regions, such as California's Central Valley, the Great Plains, central Asia, and northwestern India. However, the cooling effects are less evident in areas of eastern China and the Lower Mississippi River Basin despite extensive irrigation over these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although the influence of the type of institutional setting on the risk of cesarean birth is well documented, less is known about the regional variations in institution-specific cesarean rates within countries. Our purpose was to examine regional variations in cesarean rates across public and private facilities in five Asian countries with a sizeable private sector: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Methods Demographic Health Survey data and a hierarchical model were used to assess regional variations in the mode of delivery while controlling for a wide range of socioeconomic, demographic, and maternal risk factors. Results The risk of cesarean birth was greater in a private facility than in a government hospital by 36-48 percent in India and Indonesia and by 130 percent in Bangladesh. Regional gradients in cesarean birth were found to be steeper for deliveries in private facilities than in government hospitals in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The residents of India's high-use states were 55 percent more likely to undergo a cesarean delivery in a government hospital and 83 percent more likely in a private facility than their counterparts in the medium-use states. Similarly, compared to the residents of the Philippines's medium-use provinces, giving birth in a government facility increased the likelihood of a cesarean delivery by 84 percent and by 173 percent in a private facility. Conclusions Large regional variations in cesarean rates suggest the need for more informed clinical decision making with respect to the selection of cases for cesarean delivery and the establishment of well-developed guidelines and standards at the provincial or state levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA barcodes were obtained for 81 butterfly species belonging to 52 genera from sites in north-central Pakistan to test the utility of barcoding for their identification and to gain a better understanding of regional barcode variation. These species represent 25% of the butterfly fauna of Pakistan and belong to five families, although the Nymphalidae were dominant, comprising 38% of the total specimens. Barcode analysis showed that maximum conspecific divergence was 1.6%, while there was 1.7-14.3% divergence from the nearest neighbour species. Barcode records for 55 species showed <2% sequence divergence to records in the Barcode of Life Data Systems ( BOLD), but only 26 of these cases involved specimens from neighbouring India and Central Asia. Analysis revealed that most species showed little incremental sequence variation when specimens from other regions were considered, but a threefold increase was noted in a few cases. There was a clear gap between maximum intraspecific and minimum nearest neighbour distance for all 81 species. Neighbour-joining cluster analysis showed that members of each species formed a monophyletic cluster with strong bootstrap support. The barcode results revealed two provisional species that could not be clearly linked to known taxa, while 24 other species gained their first coverage. Future work should extend the barcode reference library to include all butterfly species from Pakistan as well as neighbouring countries to gain a better understanding of regional variation in barcode sequences in this topographically and climatically complex region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Twelve Articles of Faith, written by Western Presbyterian and Reformed missionaries in India around 1900, have arguably been the most important ecumenical confession of faith of many Asian Protestant churches (Indian, Korean and Chinese Protestant churches and beyond). The articles by and large adopt the spirit and content of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, and have some apparently Calvinistic elements. But they also have some new Arminian, universalistic and ecumenical elements that include the unique historical and theological implications of the epochal Western missions in Asia of the 19th and the early 20th centuries: both Christ's atonement for all people and a non-predestinarian order of salvation. These elements, however, seem to entail a weak, individualistic ecclesiology along with a Biblicist or fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. Nonetheless, having influenced millions of Asian Christians, the articles have been and continue to be an important ecumenical confession of faith, and in this way can contribute to uniting Asian-and world-Christian churches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Class relationships are amongst the fundamental drivers of development, and it is argued here that over the next 30 years a major influence on the pattern and path of development will be exerted by the rise of the ‘new middle classes’ of Asia. At the same time, in the context of the blocked transition of the present, it seems unlikely that those who are marginalised and excluded will be able adequately to organise resistance, much less change structures of power, but poverty will be managed through welfare interventions like India's National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in the Asia-Pacific region as of May 1, 2003. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (MSK); Definitions of rheumatology and rheumatologist; Burden of MSK diseases; Incidence of the disease in India; Imbalance between rheumatologist demand and supply; Challenges posed by the management of MSK diseases.

Focuses on books and articles that addressed various issues related to South Asia. History; Ancient, medieval, and mughal India; Trade, banking and commerce; Imperialism and nationalism; Land, labor and economy.

Promoting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a highly feasible and cost‐effective means of improving child health. Regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitutes is critical to protecting EBF. In 1981, the World Health Assembly adopted the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code), prohibiting the unethical advertising and promotion of breastmilk substitutes. This comparative study aimed to (a) explore the relationships among Code enforcement and legislation, infant formula sales, and EBF in India, Vietnam, and China; (b) identify best practices for Code operationalization; and (c) identify pathways by which Code implementation may influence EBF. We conducted secondary descriptive analysis of available national‐level data and seven high level key informant interviews. Findings indicate that the implementation of the Code is a necessary but insufficient step alone to improve breastfeeding outcomes. Other enabling factors, such as adequate maternity leave, training on breastfeeding for health professionals, health systems strengthening through the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, and breastfeeding counselling for mothers, are needed. Several infant formula industry strategies with strong conflict of interest were identified as harmful to EBF. Transitioning breastfeeding programmes from donor‐led to government‐owned is essential for long‐term sustainability of Code implementation and enforcement. We conclude that the relationships among the Code, infant formula sales, and EBF in India, Vietnam, and China are dependent on countries' engagement with implementation strategies and the presence of other enabling factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, over 17 million people, are infected with HIV/AIDS from 14 million in 1993. And the scenario is expected to worsen, particularly in Asia where the epidemic is growing at an alarming rate. For example, estimated infections in Thailand have risen ten fold since early 1990. In India, they have tripled since 1992. "Fear, indifference and denial are the main enemies to prevention," said WHO Director-General Hiroshima Nakajima at the opening of the 10th International Conference on AIDS which gathered over 11,000 people from 128 countries in Yokohama, Japan.