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Introduction: Home-based maternal records were first designed for better monitoring during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. There are various studies that reported on the benefits of paper handheld record for mothers in across regions. However, majority of the studies on paper handheld record or home-based record were mainly addressing the benefit and very scare on the challenges faced by the users. This study aims to evaluate the benefits and challenges of the maternal paper handheld to users particularly to mothers and healthcare providers in Southeast Asia (SEA) region. Methods: Articles were searched from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed using relevant keywords based on the review topic. Based on PRISMA guidelines, the search results were then screened based on inclusion criteria: published between 2012 and 2021in English language, available in full text, open access, and conducted in Southeast Asia. Six articles were included in the final analysis, which were also appraised for their quality. Results: There are six articles included in this review. Majority of the studies highlighted the benefits of paper handheld records to mothers. Upon further analysis, there are three major themes emerged from the outcome namely mother's knowledge, maternal health service utilization and breastfeeding practice. Only one study reported on the challenges faced by mothers and care provider while utilising the paper handheld record. Conclusions: The paper handheld maternal record implementation in SEA exhibited great positive impact to the mothers in terms of knowledge, maternal health service utilization and breastfeeding practice. Nonetheless, it is quite difficult to find studies that addressed the challenges faced by the users in SEA region. It would be best to understand the challenges faced regionally or even locally to make improvement of the maternal health service as it needs to be comprehensive and suited with the local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The South and Southeast Asia region has the second‐highest number of people living with HIV globally. Despite progress in reducing HIV incidence and AIDS‐related deaths, the region still has a long way to go in achieving the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 95‐95‐95 HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression targets. HIV self‐testing (HIVST) is recommended by the World Health Organization as an additional approach to HIV testing. This paper provides a commentary on the implementation status, benefits, barriers and recommendations for HIVST implementation in South and Southeast Asia. Additionally, it presents perspectives from HIV testing service experts from 11 countries in the region to put forth recommendations to accelerate the implementation of HIVST in South and Southeast Asia. Discussion: There is uneven progress in national HIVST policy development and implementation across the region. HIVST, as an additional testing approach, can help to enhance testing coverage, frequency and demand for follow‐up HIV services among key populations. Key factors influencing the implementation and scale‐up of HIVST include the degree of awareness of HIVST among general and key populations, the development and implementation of supportive national HIVST policies and the availability of public funding for HIVST. To address barriers and leverage enablers to HIVST implementation, generating evidence on cost‐effectiveness and budget impact, developing multisectoral partnerships for market shaping, promoting differentiated and decentralized delivery models, and optimizing linkage to further testing and care are recommended. Conclusions: It is crucial to accelerate the implementation and scale‐up of HIVST to differentiate and decentralize the delivery of HIV testing services in South and Southeast Asian countries. Sharing experiences among country experts is vital to foster the adoption of best practices and facilitate the trial‐and‐error process of HIVST implementation. Such collaborative approaches can help South and Southeast Asian countries attain the UNAIDS 95‐95‐95 targets, especially the first 95 on HIV diagnosis, and play a significant role in ending the global AIDS epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Some universal accessibility practitioners have voiced that they experience a mismatch in the research focus and the need for knowledge within specialized problem domains. This study thus set out to identify the balance of research into the main areas of accessibility, the impact of this research, and how the research profile varies over time and across geographical regions. Method: All UAIS papers indexed in Scopus were analysed using bibliometric methods. The WCAG taxonomy of accessibility was used for the analysis, namely perceivable, operable, and understandable. Results: The results confirm the expectation that research into visual impairment has received more attention than papers addressing operable and understandable. Although papers focussing on understandable made up the smallest group, papers in this group attracted more citations. Funded research attracted fewer citations than research without funding. The breakdown of research efforts appears consistent over time and across different geographical regions. Researchers in Europe and North America have been active throughout the last two decades, while Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Middle East became active in during the last five years. There is also seemingly a growing trend of out-of-scope papers. Conclusions: Based on the findings, several recommendations are proposed to the UAIS editorial board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunger and malnutrition in all forms continues to rise in Africa and Asia. Urban and rural communities' diets in Southeast Asia (SEA) are increasingly unhealthy, with consumption influenced by affordability and convenience. The cost of a healthy diet is a major barrier to accessing healthy foods in SEA. Wet markets are key places in food environments where people buy and sell a variety of foods. They are especially important for food and nutrition insecure communities. This mini narrative review explores the role that wet markets, in SEA food environments, play in providing local communities with access to healthy foods. Fourteen peer-review papers, published in English between 2017 and 2022, were identified during screening and analysed according to six food environment domains. Findings highlight that convenient access to wet markets facilitates access to fruits and vegetables in peri urban and urban areas. Fresh foods, most notably fruits, were viewed as being more expensive than processed foods which in turn influenced purchasing behavior. Divergent findings were presented in the identified papers regarding affordability of food in wet markets. Concerns about food quality and the use of chemicals and pesticides were raised. This review was constrained by several factors including the lack of consistent and meaningful definitions and typologies of the varied forms of wet markets. Looking ahead, better defined interpretations of wet markets can enhance the development and refinement of appropriate policies and actions and comparison of wet markets, in respect of access to diverse, healthy foods, vendor practices and consumer food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although international efforts toward vehicle electrification in Southeast Asia have primarily focused on four-wheeled vehicles, greater emphasis must be directed toward two-wheeled vehicles (2 W). Southeast Asia has the world's highest rate of 2 W penetration, particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These vehicles are popular in this region mainly due to the limited public transportation, their agility on narrow roads, and their ability to maneuver through heavy traffic. Additionally, 2Ws provide a flexible and affordable transportation option, significantly enhancing accessibility and last-mile connectivity to existing public transit networks. However, the vast majority of 2Ws in the region still rely on internal combustion engine (ICE), contributing significantly to urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the significant role of 2Ws in transporting people and goods throughout Southeast Asia, electrifying this sector offers a substantial potential to mitigate climate impact. This paper advocates for collaborative initiatives across digital platforms, financial mechanisms, and supportive government policies to accelerate the adoption of electric 2Ws (E2Ws) by promoting local production, fostering innovative business models, and establishing conducive regulatory frameworks. A robust E2Ws ecosystem, local E2Ws in the region will require increased cooperation among local E2W and charging equipment manufacturers within the global supply chain, ensuring the development and distribution of environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, and competitively priced products. Furthermore, E2Ws producers must develop and implement various innovative business models, particularly around battery reuse and recycling, developed in partnership with market stakeholders, including digital platform companies with high growth potential. The financial sector can play a crucial role by creating advanced financing solutions to ease consumer access to E2Ws. Lastly, the governments must support this transition through both financial and non-financial policies, including technical standards, offer preferential policies for E2Ws and charging equipment, and facilitating rapid development. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buddhist cosmology is prominently reflected in artistic expressions across various regions, particularly through its extensive representation in Buddhist art. From the 12th century onward, depictions of Buddhist cosmology became increasingly significant in Theravāda Buddhist nations in Southeast Asia, underscoring the enduring appeal of these cosmological concepts within local cultures. This paper examines the formation, evolution, and iconography of Buddhist cosmological paintings, with a specific focus on Traiphum representations in central Siam. By drawing on visual and textual evidence from key Theravāda Buddhist centers, including Pagan, Ayutthaya, Thonburi, and Bangkok, the study analyzes the graphic characteristics and symbolic nuances of cosmological imagery through a comparative investigation of murals, illustrated manuscripts, and related texts. Situating Traiphum paintings within the broader framework of religious art and sociopolitical structures, this research highlights their role as both doctrinal expressions and mediums of cultural and ideological integration. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how Buddhist cosmological theories were visually articulated, transmitted, and localized in pre-modern Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of neoliberalism affecting the higher education sector, critical research in marketing and management remains dominated by Western Eurocentric theories. As a result, non-Western researchers are expected to socialise with the Western theoretical discourse to succeed and progress in Western academia. In this paper, we reflected on our personal experiences as early career researchers from Southeast Asia who have studied and are currently working in the UK as we navigate around the structural expectations, challenges, and strategies in pursuing our research. We merged our voices with those of other doctoral students from non-Western backgrounds in the discipline to present some coping mechanisms that researchers like us adopt to avoid failure in academia. We argue that the conformity to Western academia and its hidden struggles produce risk-averse junior researchers; thus, limiting creativity, diversity, and potential growth in the discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The paper presents novel findings of little-known species of rodents, the blind tree mice Typhlomys in Son La Province, Vietnam, with the first morphological and genetic characterisation and taxonomical description of the new species, T. taxuansis. The study also summarises all the data available on this genus species distribution, museum collections and notes on its taxonomy, which are important to establish the proper conservation status of the species. An exhaustive map of the findings is provided, along with a refined taxonomic key for all six currently morphologically characterised species of the genus. It is shown that, based on the data available to date, the genus is still far from complete. Most species, apparently, do not need a special conservation measure; their status may be established as Least Concerns and Near Threatened (B1a+2a) and the current population trend is stable (IUCN). New information: The paper introduced innovative findings regarding lesser-known rodents, the blind tree mice Typhlomys in Son La Province, Vietnam, along with the primary morphological and genetic identification and taxonomic explanation of the novel species T. taxuansis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is gaining prominence as a serious public health challenge in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region, with an alarming rate of increase in its prevalence. Countries in the region have shown commitment to curbing the rise of obesity by establishing policies, strategies, and action plans. This paper summarises the current situation and strategies undertaken to combat obesity and related chronic diseases. Although a range of policies and strategies have been developed, including national nutrition action plans, community intervention programmes, fiscal measures, nutrition labelling to promote healthier choices, countries in the region are struggling to make significant progress toward halting the scourge of obesity. It is imperative to strengthen existing health systems with a paradigm shift from a focus on "sick care" to and enhancing nutrition initiatives to support obesity prevention. A comprehensive and coordinated approach is essential, one that emphasises high-level coordination across all levels of government and multiple sectors, and a unified plan rather than fragmented initiatives. For strategies to be effective and sustainable, they must address the fundamental environmental determinants of poor dietary choices and nutritional inequalities. A more holistic approach is clearly needed to improve the entire food environment, which in SEA countries must include the multitude of eating places where large segments of the population "eat out" everyday to meet their energy and nutrient needs. There is a recognised need for more comprehensive measures to promote healthy eating among school children and ensure a supportive environment for lifelong healthy habits. This paper calls for a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach that combines changes to the fundamental food environment and accompanied by systematic monitoring and surveillance systems to achieve long-lasting health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1990, global forest area has been reducing; tropical forests have suffered from different anthropogenic and natural factors that account for forest loss. Tropical deforestation is the second driver of anthropogenic emissions; increasing demand and investments in tropical forests drive these emissions. These forests attract significant foreign direct investments, but the effects of these investments on carbon emissions from land use, land-use change, and forestry are not well enshrined in the literature for the countries under study. This paper seeks to analyse the impact of foreign direct investments on carbon emissions from land use, land-use change, and forestry amongst 30 tropical forest countries from 1996 to 2019. The sampled countries were disaggregated by tropical blocs: Amazon, Congo basin, Australasia, and Southeast Asia, and by income levels; low-income, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income. The findings reveal a U-shape structure of the impact of FDI on carbon emissions from LULUCF within Congo basin and Amazon countries; at higher levels of FDI, emissions from LULUCF will increase while Australasia and Southeast Asian countries show an inverted U-shape impact, thus at higher levels of FDI, there will be a negative and significant impact on carbon emissions from LULUCF. The income levels reveal an inverted U-shape for low-income and high-income countries and a U-shape for upper-middle-income countries; the impact for lower-middle-income countries is not significant. Overall, for the whole sample, the impact depicts a U-shape. This paper proposes high-level development of environmental conditions for FDI for different sectors that align with country and regional green growth plans. Enhancing national and regional governance systems to enforce decisions and fight corruption effectively can significantly promote green FDI for green growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nguyen, O. T. H., Aksenov, I., Phan, N. T., & Sakulyeva, T. (2021). Russia's foreign policy priorities in the Asia‐Pacific region. Journal of Public Affairs, e2745. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2745. The above article, published online on 17 August 2021 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) has been retracted by agreement between the journal's Editor‐in‐Chief, Laura Corazza and Shaista Wasiuzzaman and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed following concerns regarding manipulation of the peer review and publishing process. Concerns were originally raised by a third party (1). Further investigation by the publisher has found manipulation of the peer review process, and overlapping text with other publications. The retraction has been agreed because the peer review of the article was compromised and there is unattributed overlap between this article and several other articles (2)(3). Abalkina, A. (2022). Publication and collaboration anomalies in academic papers originating from a paper mill: evidence from a Russia‐based paper mill https://arxiv.org/abs/2112.13322 Burdzik, T. (2019). Slowly but Surely: Russia's Foreign Policy in Southeast Asia https://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics‐and‐comments/columns/asian‐kaleidoscope/slowly‐but‐surely‐russia‐s‐foreign‐policy‐in‐southeast‐asia/?sphrase%5fid=34631795 Rumer, E., Sokolsky, R., Vladicic, A. (2020). Russia in the Asia‐Pacific: Less Than Meets the Eye https://carnegieendowment.org/publications/82614 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper complements the limited scholarly interest in the case of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s consistent practice of word–deed gaps, or “hypocrisy” according to some scholars, by employing the insights of organisational sociology. Specifically, it introduces a claim that the gap between ASEAN’s words and deeds can be understood as an organisational response to its material and political vulnerability in relation to its major external stakeholders, aiming to ensure its survival and adaptability. Accommodating multiple, or sometimes even conflicting, demands from various external actors, ASEAN may be able to secure its material and diplomatic engagement in developmental and political regionalism within Southeast Asia. However, ASEAN also wants to protect its local identity and practices; or it may want to avoid forced internal reforms at an undesirable scale and pace. In this context, organised hypocrisy would likely become a vital consideration for the complex institution. For ASEAN, this paper notes, these word–deed gaps reflect the way it wants to manage conflicting external demands as an international social agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores student and school level factors associated with 15-year-old students' reading performance in five Southeast Asian (SEA) countries. It investigates predictors of reading performance, including student gender, economic, social, and cultural status (ESCS), social well-being, and experiences of bullying at the student level. It also explores the school sector, school climate and the proportion of socioeconomically disadvantaged students at the school. Using Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM), this study identifies significant relationships between these student-level factors and learning outcomes, illustrating the complex associations that shape academic success. The findings align with prior research, highlighting disparities in reading skills between genders and the negative association of bullying with academic performance. Additionally, the study emphasizes the positive association of ESCS and social well-being on reading achievements, underlining the importance of socioeconomic status and socio-emotional wellbeing in students' learning success. The associations with school level factors vary across Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palliative care is a comprehensive approach aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with serious illness and their families. Nevertheless, there exists a dearth of systematically synthesized empirical evidence regarding the key elements that contribute to good home palliative care (HPC) from a familial standpoint in the context of South and Southeast Asia. This paper aims to describe family perspectives on key elements of good home palliative care in both regions. We conducted a scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. The search was done in 6 electronic databases: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, and APA PsycArticles Full Text. Inclusion criteria were (1) exploring family experiences of palliative care, (2) home setting, and (3) South and Southeast Asian countries. Twenty-four studies were included from Bangladesh (n = 1), India (n = 6), Indonesia (n = 7), Malaysia (n = 2), Singapore (n = 2), and Thailand (n = 6). Five key elements of HPC from family perspectives were comprehensive moral and psychological support; religious and spiritual activities with religious figures involvement; empathetic, responsive, and continued home palliative care; adequate access to information and skills training; and facilitation in dealing with systemic barriers. The crucial role of religious and spiritual activities and the need for facilitation in facing systemic barriers were specific to South and Southeast Asia. HPC teams should be able to provide holistic support for patients and their families, which is influential for the quality of care. Improving care on a systemic level in these regions should be a policy priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asia has recently seen a number of developments and transformations that requires one to adjust to as the region's skill requirements are evolving. For some these new changes brings new opportunities, however, for some greater levels of career adaptability is need to manage these new developments and transformations. The necessity of systematically reviewing articles on career adaptability in Southeast Asian nations is made apparent by this particular instance. A systematic review of career adaptability in Southeast Asia was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. About 22 eligible studies were identified. The findings indicated that the most prevalent groups in career adaptability studies were students, followed by working adults. Antecedents such as role modeling and cultural intelligence were identified. Four categories of predictors were identified such as personal, educational, career behavior, and environmental factor. Two categories were identified for the outcomes of career adaptability, namely, personal and career outcomes. Findings revealed that career adaptability offers several beneficial outcomes such as improved employability skills and life satisfaction. Discussion includes conditions faced in Southeast Asian countries and cultural differences. The dearth of studies within multicultural settings calls for further research in exploring career adaptability, as this broaden cultural understanding and awareness of educational and career behaviors pertaining to one's career adaptability. This study offers important practical implications and recommendations for career counseling practices and policymakers in Southeast Asia that would potentially benefit students and working adults. Plain language summary: Career adaptability across Southeast Asia: A systematic review Trends and changes have recently emerged in Southeast Asia that necessitates individuals to adapt to these as skill requirements are changing. Emerging trends such as globalization, technological advancement, changes in demographics, migration, climate changes, and the recent pandemic have impacted the skills an individual needs. This systematic review article is conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criterions were chosen which were used to carry out the search strategy. Articles went through various levels of screening before being included. There were 22 eligible studies identified and synthesized. Since career adaptability is a learning process that starts early in life, intervention strategies to encourage career adaptability should be developed for young people as early as possible before they step into the working world. One limitation noticed is that almost all the studies in this review, except for one study, are quantitative studies that employed the cross-sectional approach. This paper provides an overview of career adaptability in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Area Development & Policy is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Given the chronic lack of qualified professionals in the cybersecurity industry, the present paper seeks to evaluate the current interest in cybersecurity across Southeast Asia nations and then compare it with the available educational offerings of related degrees in each country to identify eventual gaps in the market. The goal is to assess whether there is a need for additional degree programs in cybersecurity and to evaluate the potential for future growth in the industry by providing a solid educational foundation for aspiring professionals. To estimate current interest from prospective students and profesionals in cybersecurity across each country, leaderboards from the popular TryHackMe gamified cybersecurity training platform are referenced. We further discuss issues by considering the related formal education programmes offered by the top universities in each country, identified by their presence in the QS world university rankings. The data are then used to propose two new metrics: the 'Cybersecurity Education Prospects Index' (CEPI) and the 'Cybersecurity Industry Prospects Index' (CIPI), which show how most of the eleven countries in Southeast Asia do have an unmet demand for cybersecurity education and only a few of them have already developed an educational infrastructure that is ready to support the growing needs of the local and international industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the broader misalignment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs by multi-national corporations in Southeast Asia, particularly in the agricultural sector. It explains the likely causes of such impact through the lens of the Stakeholder Theory. The paper aims to illustrate how corporations present and strategize their CSR initiatives, emphasizing that the proposed solutions may only sometimes align with the actual needs of the recipients. Using Freeman's perspective/This paper argues that an intrinsic disparity exists between the intentions and execution of CSR programs, particularly those initiated by multi-national companies, and the divergence of expectations between corporations acting as implementers and the recipients of these programs. Despite the clear articulation of these requests by most affected locals, multi-national corporations often need help to meet these demands. As a result, the lack of accessible information and limited consumer literacy, coupled with political and commercial branding by ASEAN, creates a conducive environment for CSR misalignments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic & Regional Studies/Studia Ekonomiczne i Regionalne is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article investigates the contribution of Islamic banks to enhancing access to financial services by looking at their unique method of offering Shariacompliant goods and services. Islamic banking principles, the study claims, encourage profit-and-loss sharing and forbid riba (interest), which increases access to financial services, particularly for devout Muslims. In particular, this paper looks at how Islamic banks affect financial inclusion in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. This is accomplished by assessing academic literature, industry reports, and statistical data. It looks at potential substitutes, including mobile banking and microfinance, to reach those who need access to traditional banking services and delves into the difficulties Islamic banks have, such as a lack of knowledge about money and location. Data indicate that Islamic banks support economic development and stability by establishing trust via Sharia governance structures. In its last part, the report offers some suggestions on how governments may utilize Islamic banking to increase public access to financial services and promote social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public parks are vital for community well-being, yet often fail to cater to the needs of people with disabilities, restricting their safe and independent use. This paper details a pragmatic study aimed at crafting the design for an inclusive park on the outskirts of Bangkok, addressing these limitations. Through a comprehensive mixed-methods approach—encompassing literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, and surveys with stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities—this research gathered diverse perspectives on inclusive design. Participants underscored the importance of social and recreational activities in universally accessible spaces, providing valuable spatial insights. This research aims to employ pragmatic research methods to develop the design of an inclusive park for people with disabilities at the Thammasat University Rangsit Campus Water Sport Center. This study seeks to integrate the perspectives and needs of people with disabilities into the park design, ensuring that the space is accessible and meets a wide range of needs. The research aims to bridge socio-environmental considerations with practical design applications, creating a model that can serve as a template for similar developments in other urban settings. This study's findings informed the creation of a design that harmoniously integrates green spaces with the specific requirements of disabled users, promoting inclusivity and accessibility within the fast-growing urban areas of Southeast Asia. This research not only offers a template for addressing the gaps in public space provision for people with disabilities but also illustrates how designers can interpret and meet socio-environmental and health-related needs through inclusive planning. It extends the discussion on overcoming WHO-identified inequalities in urban settings and lays the groundwork for interdisciplinary studies aimed at enriching the fabric of urban life through research processes and scientific inquiry. This paper asserts the pivotal role of inclusive design in enhancing urban livability, advocating for a design methodology that responds to the nuanced demands of inclusivity, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on equality, accessibility, and the right to the city for people with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, extreme rainfall and related disasters, including floods and landslides, have led to significant property damage and loss of life globally. Southeast Asia (SEA) is particularly impacted by these rainfall-driven events. This study reviews research development and approaches to understand the current status of monsoonal extreme rainfall in SEA, with the importance of the impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors. Natural factors, including the individual and combined effects of various climatic phenomena, such as Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and cold surges (CSs), have significant impacts on rainfall patterns. Anthropogenic factors, including emissions and changes in land use, also play a crucial role in producing extremes. This review identifies key challenges, such as the uncertainty in both available rainfall datasets and climate models, emphasising the needs for climate model improvement and better adaptation to complex regional climatic and geographical environments. The findings enhance understanding and response strategies to extreme rainfall events and mitigate the associated negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC predicts that hot seasons will get even hotter due to global climate change. There exists a critical dependence of human metabolic processes on temperature. Changes in thermal balance therefore, have an adverse effect on health because they raise body temperature, cause excessive sweating, and accelerate the rate of dehydration. Different nations and professional groups use different techniques to measure heat strain. This paper aims to review previous research conducted in the area of heat strain due to heat exposure among workers in Southeast Asia and also to profile mitigation strategies in North East India. Studies conducted between the years 2011 to 2023 in the evaluation of the health impacts of occupational heat stress were searched systematically using several sources of databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, etc. It was noted that a greater proportion of previous research on evaluating physiological effects was carried out in controlled environments as opposed to real-world field settings. While such studies give us valuable insights into the relationship, applying the same methodology in the workplace may not be feasible. In India, very few research has been carried out on workplace heat stress, and even fewer have been done in North East India using physiological indicators. North East India is also affected by global climate change leading top more hotter days than before. The region of Northeast India, particularly Guwahati (Assam), has recently seen extreme heat waves during the sweltering summer months. With less literature available in this geographical location, studies with actual field-based settings are much needed to understand the occupational health impacts in this region. This review can formulate a suitable methodology for assessing the health impacts in working environment. This can also help the local health professionals to recognize the heat strain parameters that are acceptable worldwide, and use as pertinent indicators to scrutinize worker's health and develop preventive agendas as climate change advances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) remains endemic in many areas of continental Southeast Asia (SEA). It is responsible for substantial economic losses in the smallholder sector and threatens livelihoods. In recent years, novel diagnostic tests have been developed which reportedly detect FMD virus more effectively and efficiently. This critically appraised topic (CAT) aimed to evaluate the feasibility of these diagnostic tests for FMD in SEA compared to conventional tests. Relevant studies that evaluate diagnostic tests are identified and critically assessed, and recommendations are made on suitable potential diagnostic tests for use in the smallholder sector in SEA. A systematic search of electronic databases (CABI: CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collections) was carried out to identify relevant studies that compared novel and conventional diagnostic tests. The search strategy initially identified 12 papers, of which six fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and were selected for this review. Most of the selected studies had limitations in design and comparability, making it difficult to validly compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the relevant diagnostic tests. These limitations include variation in sample characteristics, methodology, measurable outcomes and the different aspects of the diagnostic tests that each study focused on. Most studies concluded that novel diagnostic tests were more effective and efficient than conventional tests: had greater analytical sensitivity and specificity, were more robust, had a wider range of processable sample types and serotypes, could detect various diseases, had faster testing speeds and provided greater value for money. However, strong recommendations on which specific diagnostic test to rely on could not be made, since there was conflicting evidence and multiple confounding factors. Overall, the evidence found did not entirely apply to the target scenario, being SEA smallholder farms. Recommendations for the target scenario were also made based on the study findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its establishment in 2000, the South East Asia Association for Institution Research (SEAAIR) has organized the SEAAIR Annual Conference in different countries in South East Asia (SEA), including the extension of SEA, which was China (2002), Taiwan (2019) and Korea (2022). Each year, the Conference focuses on different themes based on the country's institutional research and current educational and socio-economic development. The paper reviews the development of SEAAIR conference themes and subthemes to reveal the relatedness of the theme based on the country's contemporary educational or socio-economic development. The analysis of the paper submission based on the country for 2001 – 2021 is presented to provide an analysis of the trend and active participation level of the countries at the SEAAIR Annual Conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of research is to ascertain the existing situation of STEAM education research over three decades based on the Scopus database. The entire documents are 256 findings globally data shorted by year, region, and highest cited to 100 documents. The analysis technique used VOSViewer, Microsoft Excel and word cloud generator. The result of document type articel is ranks first in Global and conference paper rank first in South East Asia. The sources that have published the top cited papers are "Journal of Small Business Management" in global and the "Education Sciences" in South East Asia. Meanwhile, the author with the most citations is Jeon M from the U.S.A. Specifically, the country with the most publications is US with 31 articles and 2553 citations. Whereas the majority of Southeast Asian countries have 9 articles and 10 citations. Supported the visualization analysis, VOSViewer's global region is divided into 4 clusters and 62 keywords to assist with the visualization analysis. A pair of clusters containing 14 keywords each for the South Asia region. The terms program, project, environment, model, and implication are frequently used in STEAM throughout the world. The keyword STEAM education appears in analyses conducted in South-East Asia. The outcome of this research can serve as a resource for scholars interested in STEAM and education. Further research into STEAM education trends can be conducted by focusing on a single region or on more specific issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice paper prepared from non-glutinous rice commonly found in Southeast Asia is used very often in the making spring rolls. Moringa oleifera is one of the most important herbs having high antioxidant and pharmacological properties. In order to improve the functional properties of rice paper, it’s necessary to enrich rice paper with moringa. This research was conducted during 2020 at Soc Trang Nanotech laboratory, Soc Trang province, Vietnam to examine the feasibility of Moringa oleifera extract in different enrichments (2.5, 4.0, 5.5, 7.0, 8.5%) to the rice paper quality in respect of firmness (N), total phenolic content (TPC, µg/mL), total flavonoid content (TFC, µg/mL), free radical scavenging activity (% DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP, µg/mL) and sensory characteristic (score). Results revealed that there was a reduction of firmness (from 27.23±0.02 N to 11.75±0.00 N) but increment of antioxidant activities such as TPC (from 64.75±0.00 µg/ mL to 79.54±0.01 µg/mL), TFC (from 11.63±0.01 µg/mL to 18.66±0.03 µg/mL), % DPPH (from 26.11±0.02 % to 32.45±0.01 %), FRAP (68.47±0.00 µg/mL 76.14±0.02 µg/mL) and enrichment of organoleptic property (from 6.85±0.03 to 8.29±0.00) by adding Moringa oleifera extract. Firmness, TPC, TFC, % DPPH, FRAP and sensory score were shown the acceptable values at 7.0% Moringa oleifera extract supplementation. Rice paper enriched with Moringa oleifera extract showed promising antioxidant potential. Moringa oleifera extract could be applied as a phytochemical source suitable in rice paper preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified global social inequalities and disrupted socio-economic stability, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study uses Marxist and critical theoretical frameworks to analyze how the pandemic has exacerbated class struggles and socio-economic disparities, focusing on the working and lower-middle classes in Southeast Asia. Through case studies of Indonesia and Malaysia, the research evaluates national policy responses designed to protect these groups. Employing a descriptive and qualitative methodology, including analysis of official data and media discourse, the study highlights how the pandemic has amplified existing contradictions within capitalist systems, leading to increased job losses and widening labor market inequalities. Despite the introduction of economic stimulus packages, these measures often fail to address the underlying systemic issues of capitalism that perpetuate class exploitation and inequality. The paper critiques the capitalist framework for exacerbating the challenges faced by the working class during the pandemic, arguing that these policies offer only temporary relief without tackling the root causes of socioeconomic disparities. This analysis underscores the need for a more transformative approach to understanding and addressing capitalist dynamics in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ticks, as critical vectors of a variety of pathogens, pose a significant public health challenge globally. In Southeast Asia (SEA), ticks are responsible for transmitting a diverse array of pathogens affecting humans and animals. The geographical and ecological diversity of SEA provides a unique environment that supports a wide range of tick species, which complicates the management and study of tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Methodology/principal findings: This article synthesizes findings from the first international symposium on ticks and TBDs in Southeast Asia, held in Phnom Penh on June 22 and 23, 2023. It highlights regional efforts to understand tick ecology and pathogen transmission. This paper proposes to present a summary of the various presentations given during the symposium following 3 main parts. The first one is devoted to the state of knowledge regarding ticks and TBDs in SEA countries, with presentations from 6 different countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The second part focuses on the development of new research approaches on tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and TBDs. The last part is a summary of the round table discussion held on the final day, with the aim of defining the most important challenges and recommendations for researches on TBP and TBD in the SEA region. Conclusions/Significance: Key topics discussed include advancements in diagnostic tools, such as MALDI-TOF MS and proteomics, and the development of sustainable strategies for tick management and disease prevention. The symposium facilitated the exchange of knowledge and collaborative networks among experts from various disciplines, promoting a unified approach to tackling TBDs in the region. The symposium underscored the need for enhanced surveillance, diagnostics, and inter-regional cooperation to manage the threat of TBDs effectively. Recommendations include the establishment of a regional database for tick identification and the expansion of vector competence studies. These initiatives are crucial for developing targeted interventions and understanding the broader implications of climate change and urbanization on the prevalence of TBDs. Author summary: Ticks are arthropods that can transmit pathogens affecting both animals and people. In Southeast Asia, the diversity of tick species and the tick-borne pathogens is particularly high due to the region's varied climates and ecosystems. Our research, discussed during an international symposium, focuses on understanding these ticks and finding better ways to detect and manage the associated diseases. This symposium highlighted knowledge on ticks and tick-borne pathogens in the different countries, new technologies such as perspectives in research. This work is important because it helps in developing strategies to prevent these diseases, which is crucial for the health of people and animals in Southeast Asia and beyond. This work not only advances scientific knowledge but also supports efforts to improve public health in response to the challenges posed by environmental changes, such as climate and land-use changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study centres on the discussion of the special mission visit of the United States of America to Malaya during national state of emergency in the year from 1948 until 1960. The Judd Mission visit took place in Malaya and other countries in Southeast Asia on 1953. To meet the objective of this study, the Judd Mission visit was assessed in terms of the benefit it has on Malaya as well as its importance at Southeast Asian level. The chronology of the discussion is then followed by its geostrategic importance which includes the distribution of economic aid for Malaya. To fulfil the aim of the study, a qualitative research approach was employed. An analysis on primary documents obtained from an archive was utilised to form a more informative and authoritative discussion of the research topic. The primary documents analysed in this study were published papers such as documents from Foreign Relation of the United States (FRUS) and Pentagon Papers as well as other related primary documents available online. Besides that, this study also employed sources from The Department of State Bulletin, Hathi Trust Digital Library and Public Papers of the President of the United States. All of the sources were analysed, translated, organised and processed to form the chronology of discussion of the Judd Mission in Malaya. Secondary sources such as books, articles, journals and doctoral thesis were also utilised to build a more systematic narrative of the discussion. Lastly, this study concluded that the Judd Mission visit from the United States to Malaya during the national state of emergency brought forth geostrategic and economic importance for both parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The bureaucratization of religion represents a significant and often underexplored dimension of governance in Southeast Asia. This study delves into the administrative regulation of religious practices and institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as highlighted in the September 2023 United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report. By focusing on these countries, the paper aims to elucidate the broader implications of bureaucratization on freedom of religion and belief (FoRB). Methods: A qualitative research methodology was employed, involving a critical review of the September 2023 USCIRF report and other relevant literature. The study analyzed governmental policies, administrative measures, and their impact on religious practices and FoRB. Comparative analysis across the four countries was conducted to identify common patterns and unique deviations in the bureaucratization process. Results: The study found that the bureaucratization of religion in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand is characterized by intricate administrative controls over religious institutions and practices. Key features include registration requirements, restrictions on religious gatherings, and monitoring of religious discourse. These measures, while varying in form and intensity across the countries, collectively impose significant limitations on FoRB. The analysis revealed that these administrative controls are strategically employed by governments to regulate religious expression and maintain socio-political stability. Discussion: The findings underscore a substantial threat posed by the bureaucratization of religion to FoRB and related human rights. The nuanced use of administrative measures enables governments to subtly control and restrict religious practices without overtly violating international norms. This regulatory approach not only curtails individual freedoms but also affects the overall religious landscape, influencing cultural diversity and inter-religious relations. The study enhances the understanding of the complex interplay between religion and state, highlighting the need for more robust mechanisms to protect FoRB in the region. Conclusion: The bureaucratization of religion in Southeast Asia presents a profound challenge to FoRB. By critically examining the practices in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, this study provides valuable insights into the administrative strategies used to control religious discourse. The research underscores the importance of addressing these issues to safeguard religious freedoms and promote a more inclusive and respectful religious landscape in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive utilization of tropical inland water bodies for multiple and sometimes competing activities underlines the necessity for their integrated and holistic co-management. This paper presents our synthesis on lake and reservoir fisheries in South and Southeast Asia as social–ecological systems, based on a synopsis of our research findings from a previous EU-funded research programme in Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines (FISHSTRAT project). The paper attempts to merge our results with recent developments in research, policy and practice. We explore the effects of the main external and internal control mechanisms of the trophic state and pinpoint to the high production potential of traditionally unexploited small indigenous fish species. The limitations of conventional centralized management systems highlight the importance of introducing transdisciplinary approaches which integrate limnology, fish ecology and fisheries with the interests of other resource using stakeholders and decision makers in order to develop locally appropriate co-management strategies for sustainable aquatic resource use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, the United Nations (UN) promulgated the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration which charts the UN's global migration policy strategy, affording central importance to safety in migration. This ascendant focus on safe migration is echoed in a range of national and regional policy initiatives. Despite the policy enthusiasm for safe migration, to date, there is a dearth of critical scholarly attention to this policy shift. This paper builds on 7 years of ethnographic research on safe migration interventions in mainland Southeast Asia. Centring on the Mekong region, this paper examines two interlocking effects of safe migration policy instrumentalisation. On the one hand, safe migration discourse' spatio‐temporal underpinnings dispositions programmes to gravitate towards policy abstractions. Yet, in practice, safe migration interventions heavily depend on informal constellations of sociality, where migrants become re‐embedded as both objects and instruments of policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses Confidence Security Building Measures (CSBMs) in Southeast Asia as an important tool and mechanism to create stability and build mutual understanding between ASEAN member states and countries outside the region. Using relevant primary and secondary data such as official government documents, books and journals, the study shows that CSBM mechanisms in the Southeast Asia region encourage surrounding countries to strengthen shared responsibilities and goals sustainably. The dialogue through CSBM's mechanism emphasises cooperation and mutual understanding, which will further play an essential role in building a resilient and harmonious Southeast Asia. The study results show that the complexity of issues in the post-COVID-19 era requires strengthening CSBM through ASEAN with a focus on inclusivity and consensus building, constituting a mechanism of meaningful dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music is an integral part of culture and human societies, which anthropologists study. What makes music so potent is its ability to contain values, reflect perspectives, and fill niches of societal needs. In this paper, I will discuss how ethnomusicology aids scholars in a deeper understanding of contexts, perspectives, and values in music and the experiences of the people who created it. I will analyze the relationships between music and technique, ritual, and religion in seven case studies. Drawing from examples from "right" singing in Estonia, the choral works of Stravinsky, Ambonwari rituals, ritual wailing in Amerindian Brazil, the maqam, syncretism in Southeast Asia, and Tamil Christian religious music, I will show how ethnomusicology uncovers understanding of the cosmology, values, and socio-cultural interactions of a people and their culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International success of Turkish television (TV) dramas first reached its peak in 2014. Since then, Turkish productions have reached second place in world market distribution, after American ones. What are the reasons for this success, in particular in Southeast Europe? This is the main research question that this paper addresses. The research is based on a study of the fan communities on social media and on the analysis of cinematic qualities of a sample of all film material broadcast so far. Turkish serials reinforce the effects of world popular culture known as 'seduction', in terms of Baudrillard, through a politics of imagery that involves both appealing images of their native country and 'seducing' the audience through the pull of visual suggestion. Visual appeal is an important factor in viewers' interest. Turkish series show continuity with examples of literary and cinema classics that viewers expect and recognize. The viewer appreciates the archetypal narrative patterns (the fairy tale; melodrama) contained in television. By adapting Western models of soap operas, Turkish TV production has 'glocalized' this model and created its local version. In this sense, globalization should not be understood as merely synonymous with Americanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although kratom use has been part of life for centuries in Southeast Asia, the availability and use of kratom in the United States (US) increased substantially since the early 2000s when there was little information on kratom pharmacology, use patterns, and effects, all critical to guiding regulation and policy. Here we provide a synthesis of research with several hundred English-language papers published in the past 5 years drawing from basic research, epidemiological and surveillance data, and recent clinical research. This review of available literature aims to provide an integrated update regarding our current understanding of kratom's benefits, risks, pharmacology, and epidemiology, which may inform United States-based kratom regulation. Recent surveillance indicates there are likely several million past-year kratom consumers, though estimates vary widely. Even without precise prevalence data, kratom use is no longer a niche, with millions of United States adults using it for myriad reasons. Despite its botanical origins in the coffee tree family and its polypharmacy, kratom is popularly characterized as an opioid with presumed opioid-system-based risks for addiction or overdose. Neuropharmacology, toxicology, and epidemiology studies show that kratom is more accurately characterized as a substance with diverse and complex pharmacology. Taken together the work reviewed here provides a foundation for future scientific studies, as well as a guide for ongoing efforts to regulate kratom. This work also informs much-needed federal oversight, including by the United States Food and Drug Administration. We conclude with recommendations for kratom regulation and research priorities needed to address current policy and knowledge gaps around this increasingly used botanical product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordinated development of agriculture and tourism is very important. On the basis of the index system of the predecessors, the development effect index after the integration of the subsystems is added, so as to construct the evaluation index system of the integrated development of agriculture and tourism in Inner Mongolia. The entropy weight method is used to set the weight value for each index, and the panel data from 2001 to 2019 collected from the Inner Mongolia Statistical Yearbook and the China Yearbook are analyzed with the coupled coordination degree model. The research results show that the development of agriculture and tourism in Inner Mongolia has been highly coupled since 2004; it has been reluctantly coordinated from 2007 until 2019 to achieve high-quality coordination; from 2001 to 2011, the development of tourism lagged behind the development of agriculture, while after 2012, the development of agriculture has been lagging behind the tourism industry. Wang (Asia Pac J Tour Res 24(6):550–562, 2019), Li and Du (Sustainability 13(10), 2021) had got similar conclusions. The article puts forward suggestions from two aspects. On the one hand, using the tourism as the trigger for the development of agriculture tourism by developing more agricultural-related tourism products so as to fully tap the tourism attributes of agriculture. The marketing of tourism products should be consciously inclined to agriculture; on the other hand, the promoting the development of tourism can be realized by adopting modern agriculture, which includes cultivating new types of large agricultural households, supporting the development of large and medium-sized farms, promoting the development of green agriculture and industrialized and three-dimensional agriculture. The modern agriculture can be deeply integrated with the tourism industry, thereby promoting the development of tourism. The research results and suggestions put forward in this paper have certain reference significance for the coordinated development of agriculture and tourism in Inner Mongolia and Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To improve port productivity, safety, and sustainability, the use of information and communication technology is being promoted as a smart port. The utilization of a terminal operation system (TOS) is important for advanced port operations, and it is necessary to organize the issues and characteristics of the TOS. Methods: The characteristics of TOSs introduced in Japan and those widely introduced in Europe and Southeast Asia will be investigated and discussed according to the port management system in Japan. Results: Japanese TOSs are characterized by a lack of automated functions, such as ship loading plans, and by the fact that they are designed to allow the crane driver to select the order of operations, which may be attributed to a system wherein stakeholders are segmented and on-site decisions are emphasized. The promotion of smart ports in Japanese-style ports requires a system for information linkage between stakeholders. Conclusions: TOS capabilities for smart ports should be implemented according to the characteristics of port management in each region, and the studies conducted in this paper are useful in examining port system implementation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asian states are frequently viewed as jealously guarding their sovereignty and unwilling to delegate authority to multilateral organisations or private actors. In the contemporary response to regional piracy and armed robbery at sea (PAR), however, insurers and shippers have come to occupy a central governance role while the fortunes of private security actors (PSAs) have declined. Why? This paper conducts a qualitative case study analysis examining the evolving role of shipping and insurance companies and PSAs in the development and implementation of anti-PAR policies in Southeast Asia today. It argues that while the role of PSAs has diminished due to growing regional governance capacities, regional countries and multilateral regulatory frameworks have enlisted insurers and shippers as governance stakeholders, elevating them from beneficiaries of good order at sea to active shapers of this maritime order. The diverging experiences of PSAs and insurers/shippers demonstrate that the regulatory power relationship between states and private actors is not necessarily zero-sum as the role of insurers and shippers has grown even as state capacities have expanded. Ultimately, the paper illustrates the need to go beyond state- and PSA-centric analyses of maritime governance mechanisms in contemporary Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid a war in Southeast Asia, fomenting campus radicalism, and a looming energy crisis, a number of physicists shifted from the big science endeavors of post-war physics toward a new and little science of energy efficiency. These moves were actively supported by the American Physical Society, which took various ongoing crises as an opportunity to create employment opportunities and harness enthusiasm for more socially engaged physics. The Society's 1974 Summer School on efficient energy use was illustrative. Participants came from universities, national laboratories, industry organizations, and utility companies. Together, they estimated efficiency savings believed achievable at certain points in the US energy system. The summer school attendees argued energy efficiency should be redefined according to the second law of thermodynamics rather than the first. This approach allowed energy-using appliances to be reconceived of as sources of energy supply as well as demand. Rigorous estimates of potential savings were made. However, to the ire of more radical physicists, the school placed the onus to conserve on the consumer, ignored industrial energy use, and had avoided drastic measures. In revisiting these events, their lead-up and afterlife, this paper historicizes a now-central tenet of energy policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the interaction between bank capital and explicit deposit insurance scheme (DIS) on the financial stability of Islamic and conventional banks. Design/methodology/approach: The author's sample covers 52 Islamic and 108 conventional banks operating in 12 countries over the period 2000–2021 using the random-effects generalized least squares (RE-GLS) regression technique. Findings: The author's results reveal that bank capital negatively mediates the relationship between explicit DIS and the financial stability of both Islamic and conventional banks. Additionally, explicit DIS has a positive impact on the financial stability of conventional banks. However, the results are mixed for Islamic banks, as the effect of explicit DIS is positive for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region but negative for the South and Southeast Asia (SSA) region. Finally, the interaction between explicit DIS and the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative effect on conventional banks operating in the MENA region, while it has a positive effect on Islamic banks operating in the SSA region. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this paper have important implications for regulators in evaluating DIS policies and in anticipating any potential adverse consequences that might arise for both Islamic and conventional banks in normal and crisis times. Policymakers should strive to preserve the benefits of DIS while mitigating the destabilizing effects of its interaction with capital ratios. Originality/value: This study introduces a novel aspect by examining the mediating role of capital in the relationship between explicit DIS and the financial stability of Islamic and conventional banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper analyzes and compares segments disclosure practices of listed companies of Pakistan and Bangladesh under International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 8 with companies from India under Accounting Standard 17 over three-year period from 2013 to 2015. Furthermore, the purpose of this paper was to investigate that how the selection of chief operating decision-maker (CODM) by management, industry type, governance and firm characteristics affects segments disclosure practices in South East Asia. Finally, how the relationship among segment disclosure, firm characteristics and corporate governance is moderated through the big 4 audit firm. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve these objectives, data were collected from annual reports of the top 100 companies of each country and selected based on market capitalization for three years period 2013–2015. Findings: Results state that majority of companies in South East Asia are using business class for defining operating/primary segments. Regarding reporting of operating/primary segments and geographic/secondary segments along with geographic fineness score, Indian companies are continuously on the lower side as compared to companies from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Furthermore, it was found that industry type and selection of CODM have a highly significant effect on segments disclosure practices. Finally, results of regression analysis found that the application of IFRS 8 in Pakistan and Bangladesh has a significant positive effect on disclosure of operating/primary as well as geographic/secondary segments as compared to India. Further, the role of corporate governance mechanism in influencing segments disclosure was found as least in South East Asia. Further appointment of big 4 audit firm as external auditor has only significant positive effect on disclosure of segments items. Finally, based on additional analysis, it was found that big 4 auditor moderates the relationship only in the case of reporting of operating/primary segments. Research limitations/implications: Based on these results, the performance of Indian companies regarding disclosure of operating/primary segments, geographic/secondary segments along geographic fineness score is quite low despite the fastest growing economy in the world. This raises concerns about the quality of segment reporting in India, the world's fastest expanding economy. Originality/value: These results imply that there is a need of an effective role by the external auditor to improve the quality of segment reporting in developing countries, which is principle based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether non-monotonic patterns exist between forest coverage and conflict processes in Myanmar. Specifically, the paper finds that forest coverage and civil conflict follow an inverted U-shaped relationship: conflict decreases at extremely low and high densities of forest coverage but increases at medium and somewhat high forest densities. Following the logic of the variability of rugged terrain, we argue that this pattern reflects the dual mechanisms of refuge and tactical advantages for rebel groups, who intentionally use such terrain to maximize logistical advantage while minimizing the military advantages enjoyed by better equipped government forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the phenomenon of tonogenesis is well represented in the literature, diachronic tone change in already-tonal languages has received less attention. This paper considers two types of tonal morphology used to mark the "potential" inflectional category on verbs in Coatec Zapotec (aka Di′zhke′). Some verbs are marked with upstep. Coatec upstepped tones are emergent tonal contrasts that are developing out of high register allotones which assimilated to a historical high tone on a now-deleted preceding syllable. Other verbs display patterns of tone ablaut such that a verb with underlying low or falling tone surfaces with high or rising in the potential. Both upstep and tone ablaut in Coatec can be traced to an earlier floating high tone that could dock onto different syllables according to a set of ranked constraints. Using a combination of internal and comparative reconstruction, details of the earlier tonal system are revealed. This is the first published treatment of Proto-Zapotec tone since Swadesh (1947) and the first paper to address tone in Proto-Zapotecan and Proto Core Zapotec. *ʔ is revealed to have been a consonant through the Core Zapotec period, suggesting that the complex systems of phonation contrasts found in some Central Zapotec languages are a recent development. Cases of tonal contrasts developing out of phonation contrasts are known from Southeast Asia, but Zapotec phonation contrasts arose out of interaction between the glottal consonant and pre-existing tonal contrasts. An exploration of the morphological environments conducive to upstep leads to new discoveries about Zapotecan derivational voice prefixes and reveals the origins of perfective allomorphy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is one of the basic necessities for human life. Nutritious food is essential for human health and helps oneself live up to our best potential as productive members of society. In spite of this, 3 billion people are estimated to have limited access to nutrient-rich food, and there are 768 million undernourished people in the globe today. There are still concerns with food systems and food security, despite the fast economic transformation of low-and middle-income nations in Maritime Southeast Asia and Oceania over the past 10 years. These issues include dwindling agricultural land, deforestation, ineffective food supply networks, environmental degradation, changing and unhealthy diets, non-communicable diseases, disappearing cultural legacy, and ineffective policies. These problems are exacerbated by climate change, natural hazards, and pandemic shocks. This review explores the perspectives of food systems that relates to all the elements and activities in transforming agri-food industry. In this paper, we discuss the challenges and solutions to transforming food systems in this region to achieve a sustainable and healthy diet for all, with the perspective of bringing the region closer toward the UN sustainable development goals. This paper is an outcome of the deliberations that took place during the Food Security in Small Islands and Developing States workshop in 2020. It also includes insights from subsequent expert group sessions that focused on the following topics: Agriculture and Food Systems; Nutrition, Health, and Culture; Innovations and Digitalization in Food Systems; as well as Policies Coordination and Future Shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper reviews existing literature on South Asian ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) and identifies how community participation can be used to plan and implement ecosystem-based DRR approaches. Design/methodology/approach: The literature review methodology involved several stages. Firstly, the research objective was determined. Secondly keywords for the literature search were determined. Scopus, Google Scholar, JSTOR and AUT online library were utilized for the literature search. After the search, the literature was screened. The study design, methodology, results and limitations were identified and documented. After data extraction, the literature was analyzed. The patterns, trends and inconsistencies in the literature were identified based on the research question. Later the gaps, controversies and future research needs were identified. Then, a comprehensive and structured literature review that summarizes the relevant literature, synthesizes the findings and provides a critical evaluation of the literature was documented. After writing the document, it was reviewed and edited to ensure its clarity, accuracy and coherence. Findings: The paper identifies four different themes recurrently emerging in literature on the importance of community participation in ecosystem-based DRR in South Asia. The themes are local community participation in ecosystem-based DRR governance, knowledge production, livelihood enhancement and increased public acceptance. Originality/value: The paper also illustrates the challenges in integrating community participation with the dominant physical scientific approaches ecosystem-based DRR and proposes a five-element framework to facilitate the integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the potential for international human rights law to further articulation of indigenous rights to environment. The paper does so by using the case of sea peoples struggling against marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia as an illustration clarifying how provisions in international human rights instruments can advance indigenous interests against environmental harms. The term "sea peoples" references the Bajau, Moken, and Orang Laut peoples, whose communities span multiple countries in the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN) and whose cultures are tied closely to the marine environment. The paper applies international human rights instruments to identify legal rights covering substantive, procedural, and legal personality issues relevant to the concerns of sea peoples contending with marine plastic pollution. In doing so, the analysis demonstrates an international human rights law approach to the delineation of indigenous rights to environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemoglobin (Hb) disorders are among the most common monogenic diseases affecting nearly 7% of the world population. Among various Hb disorders, approximately 1.5% of the world population carries β-thalassemia (β-Thal), affecting 40,000 newborns every year. Early screening and a timely diagnosis are essential for β-thalassemia patients for the prevention and management of later clinical complications. However, in Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where β-thalassemia is most prevalent, the diagnosis and screening for β-thalassemia are still challenging due to the cost and logistical burden of laboratory diagnostic tests. Here, we present Gazelle, which is a paper-based microchip electrophoresis platform that enables the first point-of-care diagnostic test for β-thalassemia. We evaluated the accuracy of Gazelle for the β-Thal screening across 372 subjects in the age range of 4–63 years at Apple Diagnostics lab in Mumbai, India. Additionally, 30 blood samples were prepared to mimic β-Thal intermediate and β-Thal major samples. Gazelle-detected levels of Hb A, Hb F, and Hb A2 demonstrated high levels of correlation with the results reported through laboratory gold standard high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), yielding a Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.99. This ability to obtain rapid and accurate results suggests that Gazelle may be suitable for the large-scale screening and diagnosis of β-Thal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]