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Baeus senus Kozlov and Lê from Vietnam and B. primitus Rajmohana from India are the only two species of the genus known from the Oriental region. Thirty eight new species of Baeus are here described from India: B. acuminatus sp. n., B. agniparvathus sp. n., B. airavata sp. n., B. arachnophagus sp. n., B. bagheera sp. n., B. bharathiae sp. n., B. chakora sp. n., B. chitrasena sp. n., B. ciprianii sp. n., B. densipilosus sp. n., B. flaviscapus sp. n., B. gajakarna sp. n., B. giganteus sp. n., B. himalayanus sp. n., B. krishnareddyi sp. n., B. krumbiegeli sp. n., B. kubera sp. n., B. longiabdominalis sp. n., B. mahanetra sp. n., B. mareecha sp. n., B. menaka sp. n., B. nbairus sp. n., B. nicobarensis sp. n., B. pygmaeus sp. n., B. rachanae sp. n., B. rambha sp. n., B. ravana sp. n., B. reticulatus sp. n., B. sreedeviae sp. n., B. striatus sp. n., B. takshaka sp. n., B. tejaswii sp. n., B. tilottama sp. n., B. tripurasundari sp. n., B. tumburu sp. n., B. urvashi sp. n., B. vichitra sp. n. and B. xanthoclavatus sp. n. A key to the Indian species of Baeus is provided along with illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel fuel usage in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, but most of it is imported from overseas. In this study, we investigated the possibility of popularizing bio-diesel fuel (BDF) made from Vietnamese origin resources as a sustainable energy solution. The world's energy cost fluctuates significantly depending on economic or political movements, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. This caused energy prices soar, attacking the global economy in a short period and requiring a wide range of energy supply sources. We aim to promote commercial BDF production in Vietnam for future energy security and contribution to the Vietnamese economy. Eight necessary factors were investigated to choose suitable material for BDF production. The factors are as follows: 1) material with Vietnamese origin, 2) sufficient and continuous supply volume, 3) sufficient quality to run diesel engines, including common-rail diesel engines, 4) inedibility, 5) low enough freezing point, 6) ease of collection, 7) affordability, and 8) availability of valuable elements in the material. If a suitable material candidate is not stable, it may be changed over time. In this study, the focus material was rubber seed oil. Because rubber production in Vietnam is quite stable with over 900,000 ha plantation area, and there is a potentiality to collect seeds and produce about 50,000 tons of BDF annually. In addition, the quality of rubber seeds based BDF is very high, such as low enough freezing point, etc. However, most of those rubber seeds are currently not collected and used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth and continue exclusively to 6 months of age. In Vietnam, as in many other countries, breastfeeding is decreasing because of modern lifestyles and the promotion of infant formula. It is important to provide mothers, family members, and the community with the knowledge and strategies to improve breastfeeding rates. Smartphones are almost ubiquitous in Vietnam and of the potential to provide information about breastfeeding. This study aimed to document the process of designing and developing a mobile app to increase breastfeeding rates in Vietnamese women. Methods: We used a four-step mixed methods approach with a literature review, formative research (22 in-depth interviews and 49 self-administered online questionnaires), and testing of prototype apps (3 focus groups discussion and external experts). Formative research and focus group discussion involved 99 participants. Finally, the revisions of the app were tested. All of the formative research was undertaken in Hanoi in 2019–2020. Target behaviors followed by key determinants, to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy were studied and this information was then applied in developing the messages and library content. Barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding were identified from literature reviews and qualitative research. The messages were targeted at not only mothers but also included fathers, mothers-in-law, or families. Results: Mothers were mostly concerned about the initiation of breastfeeding, preventing and reducing difficulties encountered during breastfeeding, and nutrition for breastfeeding mothers. Mental health and well-being in the postnatal period are also concerns. Three key features to be included in the app were identified from the formative research: (1) notifications; (2) an information library; and (3) a searching function. The research found that the app should be installed during pregnancy rather than after delivery (81% vs 17%, respectively). Notifications that convey breastfeeding messages should be sent 2–3 times per week. Conclusion: The development of the app followed a best practice approach, including the involvement of stakeholders and grounding in behavior change theory. The next step is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BeBo mobile app in a well-conducted randomized controlled trial. Trial registration: ACTRN12619000531112. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish maw, or swim bladder, has long been used as food and medicine in Asia, particularly in southern China. Considering its history as luxury and nutritious seafood, surprisingly little information on volumes, values, source of maw or species composition involved in the trade is available. In 2015, Hong Kong, the global trade hub for maw, introduced a 'maw' commodity code enabling a first global look at its trade. This study finds that 3144–3882 t of dried fish maw was imported annually to Hong Kong from 2015 to 2018, coming from about 110 countries/territories, with a declared import value of 264–394 million USD. These volumes and values, similar to those of the better-known sea cucumber and shark fin trades, highlight the growing importance of maw. Prices can involve massive mark-ups, with investment speculation associated with the most valuable maw categories. Similar volumes to those imported are re-exported annually, mostly to Vietnam. By volume, 50% of maw came from Uganda, Brazil, Tanzania, India and Vietnam. Species composition was dominated by croakers (Sciaenidae), with Lates perch (Latidae), pufferfish (Tetraodontidae), various catfish (Siluriformes) and pike conger (Muraenesocidae) also traded, among other species. This lucrative trade has two components, high value maw and cheaper maw for regular consumption, and is expanding into new markets, such as shark fin substitution. There is loose association between trade category and species which can lead to confusion for consumers. Considering possible threats to biodiversity and evidence of illegal and secretive trade, management is called for to harness benefits and reduce risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapid expansion of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) services has significantly improved health status and quality of life of patients. However, little is known about its impacts on addiction-related stigma and associated factors.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2013 in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, and Nam Dinh province among 1016 methadone maintenance patients; 26.6 % at provincial AIDS centers (PAC) and 73.4 % at district health centers (DHC), respectively. Drug addiction history and related stigma, health status, MMT-related covariates, and sociodemographic characteristics were interviewed.Results: More than one-sixth of the sample reported experiencing felt or enacted stigma, including Blame or Judgement (17.2 %), Shame (19.9 %), or Others' fear of HIV transmission (17.1 %). These proportions were higher in PACs than in DHCs, which are integrated with other HIV or general health care services. Very few patients reported being discriminated at the workplace (2.5 %) or at health care services (1.7 %); however, 15.6 % of patients at PACs and 10.6 % of patients at DHCs reported discrimination in their communities. Drug users taking MMT for longer periods were less likely to report felt stigma. Other factors associated with stigma against MMT patients included the lack of comprehensive services, higher education, presence of pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, self-reported HIV positive, and number of previous drug rehabilitation episodes.Conclusion: The study shows a high level of stigma against MMT patients and emphasizes the necessity to integrate MMT with comprehensive health and support services. Mass communication campaigns to reduce stigma against people with drug addiction and HIV/AIDS, as well as vocational trainings and jobs referrals for MMT patients, are needed to maximize the benefits of MMT programs in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]