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With the growing demand for aquatic products, aquaculture has become a prominent means of meeting this demand. However, the selection of suitable sites for aquaculture remains a key factor in the success of any aquaculture operation. While various methods exist for site selection, geographic information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) methods have emerged as the most widely utilized approach to identifying potential aquaculture sites. Following the guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), this paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of GIS-based MCE methods used in aquaculture sites selection. The objective of this study is to offer a comprehensive overview of existing research in this field and develop a general model for selecting sites for fish and shellfish aquaculture. The main findings indicate a growing number of studies utilizing GIS-based MCE in aquaculture site selection in recent years, with Asia being the leading continent in terms of publications in this domain. Among the journals publishing in this field, the Aquaculture journal stands out as the top publisher. Using consistent criteria across the reviewed studies, two models have been generated, each consisting of four sub-models: water quality, soil quality, infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors; and topography, environment, and physical parameters. These models can aid future researchers and assist decision-makers in identifying optimal locations for aquaculture development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 735 research papers on geomorphological mapping published in English between 2000 and 2021 using the Web of Science database. The analysis focuses on key metrics such as annual publication rates, journal distribution, common keywords, and frequently cited papers. The results demonstrate sustained investment in geomorphological mapping research over the past two decades, driven by advancements in data analysis, GIS technologies, and cross-institutional and cross-country collaboration. While European universities and research centers lead the field, researchers from Latin America and Asia are also making noteworthy contributions. However, research concentration remains largely in Europe, particularly at low altitudes. The study highlights the vital importance of investment in geomorphological mapping research and the benefits of collaboration to advance understanding and knowledge production. It also emphasizes the need for greater geographic and cultural diversity among researchers to ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sugar apple (Annona squamosa) is valued for its taste, nutritional richness, and versatility, making it suitable for fresh consumption and medicinal use with significant commercial potential. Widely found in the tropical Americas and Asia's tropical or subtropical regions, it faces challenges in post-harvest ripeness assessment, predominantly reliant on manual inspection, leading to inefficiency and high labor costs. This paper explores the application of computer vision techniques in detecting ripeness levels of harvested sugar apples and proposes an improved deep learning model (ECD-DeepLabv3+) specifically designed for ripeness detection tasks. Firstly, the proposed model adopts a lightweight backbone (MobileNetV2), reducing complexity while maintaining performance through MobileNetV2′s unique design. Secondly, it incorporates the efficient channel attention (ECA) module to enhance focus on the input image and capture crucial feature information. Additionally, a Dense ASPP module is introduced, which enhances the model's perceptual ability and expands the receptive field by stacking feature maps processed with different dilation rates. Lastly, the proposed model emphasizes the spatial information of sugar apples at different ripeness levels by the coordinate attention (CA) module. Model performance is validated using a self-made dataset of harvested optical images categorized into three ripeness levels. The proposed model (ECD-DeepLabv3+) achieves values of 89.95% for MIoU, 94.58% for MPA, 96.60% for PA, and 94.61% for MF1, respectively. Compared to the original DeepLabv3+, it greatly reduces the number of model parameters (Params) and floating-point operations (Flops) by 89.20% and 69.09%, respectively. Moreover, the proposed method could be directly applied to optical images obtained from the surface of the sugar apple, which provides a potential solution for the detection of post-harvest fruit ripeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant in the aquatic environment, and this has gradually been recognized in the Asian region. This systematic review study, using the Scopus database, provides an insightful understanding of the spatial distribution of scientific studies on MPs in freshwater conducted across the Asian region, utilized sampling methods, and a detailed assessment of the effects of MPs on different biotic components in freshwater ecosystems, with special focus on its potential risks on human health. The results of this review indicate that research on microplastics in Asia has gained attention since 2014, with a significant increase in the number of studies in 2018, and the number of scientific studies quadrupled in 2021 compared to 2018. Results indicated that despite a significant amount of research has been conducted in many Asian countries, they were not distributed evenly, as multiple studies selected specific rivers and lakes. Additionally, around two-thirds of all the papers focused their studies in China, followed by India and South Korea. It was also found that most of the studies focused primarily on reporting the occurrence levels of MPs in freshwater systems, such as water and sediments, and aquatic organisms, with a lack of studies investigating the human intake of MPs and their potential risks to human health. Notably, comparing the results is a challenge because diverse sampling, separation, and identification methods were applied to estimate MPs. This review study suggests that further research on the dynamics and transport of microplastics in biota and humans is needed, as Asia is a major consumer of seafood products and contributes significantly to the generation of plastic litter in the marine environment. Moreover, this review study revealed that only a few studies extended their discussions to policies and governance aspects of MPs. This implies the need for further research on policy and governance frameworks to address this emerging water pollutant more holistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the Special Issue "Systematic Approach to Agroforestry Policies and Practices in Asia". This Special Issue contains eleven papers on agroforestry at national, regional, and global levels. These papers discuss research trends; dominant services and functions of agroforestry; multiple case studies from Asian countries including Nepal, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Timor-Leste; and the benefits of agroforestry including income generation and carbon sequestration. They also interpret the goals, challenges, and social and cultural norms in agroforestry policies in national and local contexts. The research results can support policy design for the systematization and stabilization of agroforestry. This Special Issue provides us with scientific evidence and practical lessons on agroforestry policies and practices in Asia. It contributes to expanding the knowledge base for agroforestry and towards establishing and implementing agroforestry policies and practices in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost overrun has remained a key risk of construction projects that can be prevented by utilizing new technologies. This paper aims to identify the gap in the literature, which can potentially be addressed by using digital tools and technologies, by reviewing the current and state of the art practices. The paper presents the results of a systematic and critical content reviews on cost overruns, to address the question of what factors are affecting the cost overrun. This paper also reviews how building information modeling (BIM) in conjunction with other tools, such as the common tools in the Asia and Asia Pacific regions, are used for cost estimation and monitoring. The paper presents the results of the content review, including their contributions and limitations, which are also used to set key directions for future investigations. A total of 176 papers was identified to develop the construction cost management (CCM) dataset. The method was a mix of systematic reviews, including co-authorship network analyses, co-occurrence analytical map development covering 5671 keywords, and content analysis including theme identification and a critical review of selected papers. The paper critically reviewed 63 selected papers from CCM, which are divided into four clusters based on their scopes: BIM adoption for cost estimation and quantity surveying; BIM implementation for a bill of quantity, risk paths, and cost overruns; cost control and management; and, finally, BIM, virtual design, and value management. A trend analysis using a set of 16 themes (e.g., 3D model, BIM, Decision, Energy, and Life Cycle) for all the papers over the past ten years was developed. The content of each cluster of papers was reviewed based on the frequency of the selected themes in each cluster. The content of each cluster of papers was also reviewed critically and gaps were identified, so a set of directions for future investigations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The height of the F2 peak electron density (hmF2) is an essential parameter in studying ionospheric electrodynamics and high-frequency wireless communication. Based on ionosphere ray propagation theory, the physical relationship between M3000F2 and hmF2 is derived and visualized. Furthermore, based on the above physical theory and the machine learning method, this paper proposes a new model for determining hmF2 using propagation factor at a distance of 3000 km from the ionospheric F2 layer, time, and season. This proposed model is easy to understand and has the characteristics of clear principles, simple structure, and easy application. Furthermore, we used six stations in east Asia to verify this model and compare it with the other three models of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model. The results show that the proposed model (PRO) has minor error and higher accuracy. Specifically the RMSE of the BSE, AMTB, SHU, and the PRO models were 20.35 km, 31.51 km, 13.59 km, and 5.68 km, respectively, and the RRMSE of the BSE, AMTB, SHU, and PRO models were 8.17%, 11.88%, 4.96%, and 2.12%, respectively. In addition, the experimental results show that the PRO model can better predict the trend of the hmF2 inflection point. This method can be further extended to add data sources and provide new ideas for studying the hmF2 over global regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The No.4 tailings pond of the Dexing Copper Mine is the second largest in Asia. The tailing pond is a dangerous source of man-made debris flow with high potential energy. In view of the lack of effective and low-cost global safety monitoring means in this region, in this paper, the time-series InSAR technology is innovatively introduced to monitor the deformation of tailings dam and significant key findings are obtained. First, the surface deformation information of the tailings pond and its surrounding areas was extracted by using SBAS-InSAR technology and Sentinel-1A data. Second, the cause of deformation is explored by analyzing the deformation rate, deformation accumulation, and three typical deformation rate profiles of the representative observation points on the dam body. Finally, the power function model is used to predict the typical deformation observation points. The results of this paper indicated that: (1) the surface deformation of the tailings dam can be categorized into two directions: the upper portion of the dam moving away from the satellite along the Line of Sight (LOS) at a rate of −40 mm/yr, whereas the bottom portion approaching the satellite along the LOS at a rate of 8 mm/yr; (2) the deformation of the dam body is mainly affected by the inventory deposits and the construction materials of the dam body; (3) according to the current trend, deformation of two typical observation points in the LOS direction will reach the cumulative deformation of 80 mm and −360 mm respectively. The research results can provide data support for safety management of No.4 tailings dam in the Dexing Copper Mine, and provide a method reference for monitoring other similar tailings dams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change impacts occur at varying spatial scales requiring appropriately scaled responses. In impoverished rural areas, adapting to or mitigating the effects of climate change is challenging, with any short-term impairment to precarious livelihoods likely triggering negative community responses even if people are aware of long-term benefits. The paper will discuss a community-based carbon sequestration project in eastern Iran. It started in 2003 and since then has been expanded widely. It was nominated by UNDP as one of 10 transformative projects in Asia/Pacific in 2016. Over the past 20 years, the project has targeted improving the livelihood of the local communities while addressing local measures to adapt to/mitigate climate change. The paper elaborates on the formation of village development groups as pivotal drivers of success by highlighting local income-generating schemes and project documentation. Key lessons for climate change adaptation can be learnt and are applicable to other developing countries. Extreme poverty in rural areas facing climate change could be tackled through implementing bottom-up approaches in which local communities can be respected and engaged in co-leadership and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, online marketplaces such as Nifty and Opensea gained popularity, and digital art creations, including Beeple's pieces, made headlines worldwide. This attracted traditional fine art practitioners, artists, dealers, digital content creators, and crypto entrepreneurs who wanted to participate in this trend. Several significant investment and token-funded projects took place in Asia, fueling high hopes of revolutionizing the art market with nonfungible token (NFT) technology. However, the numbers suggest a different story, as NFT transactions have reached a historical low. Critics from both sides challenge the value of NFTs, and there is minimal empirical research on the topic of blockchain technologies in the art market. This paper explores the challenges and misunderstandings in the art market through the lens of the researcher's insight as an art tech entrepreneur. Its aim is to provide an explorative account of the use cases of NFT and blockchain technology vis-a-vis the traditional art market. The paper discusses the current work in progress at the Art ID Standard consortium, covering decentralized identity, blockchain, and use cases, and provides insights into the implications of these challenges for artists, collectors, and the broader art ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A region's population growth inevitably results in higher water consumption. This persistent rise in water use increases the region's wastewater production. Consequently, due to this increase in wastewater (influent), Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are required to run effectively in order to handle the huge demand for treated/processed water (effluent). Knowing in advance the influent and effluent parameters increases the operational efficiency and enables cost-effective utilization of diverse resources at wastewater treatment plants. This paper is based on a prediction/forecasting of an influent quality parameter, namely total MLD, as well as effluent quality parameters, namely MPN, BOD, DO, COD and pH for the real-time data collected pre-, during and post-COVID-19 at the Bharwara WWTP in Lucknow, India. It is the largest UASB-based wastewater treatment facility in Uttar Pradesh and the second largest in Asia. In this paper, we propose a novel model namely, wPred comprising extensions of SARIMA with seasonal order and ANN-based ML models to estimate the influent and effluent quality parameters, respectively, and compare it with the existing machine learning models. The lowest sMAPE error for the influent parameters using wPred is 2.59%. The findings of the paper show a strong correlation (R-value), up to 0.99, between the effluent parameters actually measured and predicted. As a result, the model designed in this paper has an acceptable level of accuracy and generalizability which efficiently predicts/forecasts the performance of Bharwara WWTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate snow depth estimation is of significant importance, particularly for preventing avalanche disasters and predicting flood seasons. The predominant approaches for such snow depth estimation, based on deep learning methods, typically rely on passive microwave remote sensing data. However, due to the low resolution of passive microwave remote sensing data, it often results in low-accuracy outcomes, posing considerable limitations in application. To further improve the accuracy of snow depth estimation, in this paper, we used active microwave remote sensing data. We fused multi-spectral optical satellite images, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and land cover distribution images to generate a snow remote sensing dataset (SRSD). It is a first-of-its-kind dataset that includes active microwave remote sensing images in high-latitude regions of Asia. Using these novel data, we proposed a multi-scale feature perception and aggregation neural network (MFPANet) that focuses on improving feature extraction from multi-source images. Our systematic analysis reveals that the proposed approach is not only robust but also achieves high accuracy in snow depth estimation compared to existing state-of-the-art methods, with RMSE of 0.360 and with MAE of 0.128. Finally, we selected several representative areas in our study region and applied our method to map snow depth distribution, demonstrating its broad application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan exports sophisticated capital goods. Since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Japanese companies have offshored the production of lower-end goods and parts and components to Asian countries. Because of this, several researchers argued that a weaker yen no longer stimulates machinery exports much because an increase in Japanese exports increases parts and components imports from overseas Asian subsidiaries. This paper finds that, after the GFC, a weaker yen no longer increases Japanese machinery exports to Asia but continues to stimulate exports outside of Asia. Thus, the weaker yen since 2020 does not help Asian firms to import vital Japanese capital goods but does increase the profitability of Japanese manufacturers and their exports to non-Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument, BIOMASS, is scheduled for launch in 2024. This satellite will enhance the estimation of subcanopy topography, owing to its strong penetration and fully polarimetric observation capability. In order to conduct global-scale mapping of the subcanopy topography, it is crucial to calibrate systematic errors of different strips through interferometric SAR (InSAR) DEM (digital elevation model) block adjustment. Furthermore, the BIOMASS mission will operate in repeat-pass interferometric mode, facing the atmospheric delay errors introduced by changes in atmospheric conditions. However, the existing block adjustment methods aim to calibrate systematic errors in bistatic mode, which can avoid possible errors from atmospheric effects through interferometry. Therefore, there is still a lack of systematic error calibration methods under the interference of atmospheric effects. To address this issue, we propose a block adjustment model considering atmospheric effects. Our model begins by employing the sub-aperture decomposition technique to form forward-looking and backward-looking interferograms, then multi-resolution weighted correlation analysis based on sub-aperture interferograms (SA-MRWCA) is utilized to detect atmospheric delay errors. Subsequently, the block adjustment model considering atmospheric effects can be established based on the SA-MRWCA. Finally, we use robust Helmert variance component estimation (RHVCE) to build the posterior stochastic model to improve parameter estimation accuracy. Due to the lack of spaceborne P-band data, this paper utilized L-band Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)-1 PALSAR data, which is also long-wavelength, to emulate systematic error calibration of the BIOMASS mission. We chose climatically diverse inland regions of Asia and the coastal regions of South America to assess the model's effectiveness. The results show that the proposed block adjustment model considering atmospheric effects improved accuracy by 72.2% in the inland test site, with root mean square error (RMSE) decreasing from 10.85 m to 3.02 m. Moreover, the accuracy in the coastal test site improved by 80.2%, with RMSE decreasing from 16.19 m to 3.22 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shuangjianzishan silver polymetallic deposit is located in the copper–tin–lead–zinc–silver polymetallic metallogenic belt in the Southern Great Xing'an Range, with silver resources of more than 18,000 t, which is the largest silver polymetallic deposit in Asia. Early studies concluded that the Shuangjianzishan deposit is typically an epithermal Ag-Pb-Zn deposit that lacks a high-temperature mineralization stage. In recent years, with the deepening of research, a large amount of Cu-Sn mineralization has been found in the deep part of the Shuangjianzishan deposit, but it is less studied. The laser-ablation inductively coupled mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) technique is used to investigate the distribution and substitution of trace elements in chalcopyrite and cassiterite. In this paper, the trace element study of chalcopyrite and cassiterite from the Shuangjianzishan deposit reveals that Sn, In, As, Se, Sb, and Tl mainly exist in chalcopyrite in isomorphic form, while Pb, Bi, and Ni mainly exist in chalcopyrite in the form of mineral inclusions. The enrichment of the high-temperature elements Sn and Se in chalcopyrite, and the deficit of the middle- and low-temperature elements Ga, Sb, etc., reflect that the chalcopyrite in the Shuangjianzishan deposit was formed in a middle- and high-temperature environment, and it also indicates that the early ore-forming hydrothermal solution may be rich in Sn. Fe, In, Co, and Ni mainly exist in cassiterite in isomorphic form, and the content of W in cassiterite is high. There are two main forms, one is isomorphic and the other is wolframite inclusion. Cassiterite has Fe-rich and W-U-poor characteristics, indicating that cassiterite from the Shuangjianzishan deposit was formed under relatively oxidized conditions, and the relative enrichment of elements such as Fe, W, Zr, and Hf indicates that the temperature of cassiterite formation was high. The elemental content and inter-ionic coupling relationships suggest that the cassiterite from the Shuangjianzishan deposit may have an elemental replacement mechanism of W6+ + Fe2+ ↔ 2Sn4+ or Fe3+ + OH− ↔ Sn4+ + O2−. The trace elements in cassiterite of the Shuangjianzishan deposit are rich in Fe and Mn and depleted in Nb and Ta, according to the Fe-W diagram, and the tin mineralization of the Shuangjianzishan deposit belongs to cassiterite–sulfide-type tin mineralization. Chalcopyrite Co/Ni ratios >1 are consistent with the characteristics of chalcopyrite genesis in hydrothermal deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-time delivery of documentation and contracts has been recognized as a crucial requirement for the successful delivery of projects. However, the construction industry still depends on time-consuming traditional contract processes, which negatively affect the overall productivity of projects in the industry. The use of Smart Contracts (SCs) is highlighted as a suitable novel technology to expedite the contract processes and establish a reliable payment environment in the construction industry. Whilst there has been an increase in the debate about the use of SCs in construction in recent years, their use in practice still seems to be in its infancy. As such, the topic will benefit from a thorough review of benefits, drivers, barriers and strategies that can enhance the implementation of SCs in construction. This article presents the key findings from a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on SCs in the construction industry, critically assessing existing studies on the topic. The study initially involved 171 research papers for the SLR process, and out of that 49 research papers were filtered for further analysis after reading their abstracts. A total of 30 papers were finally filtered after the full-text reading for the SLR. Descriptive and content analysis were used to analyse the full-text findings. The study graphically mapped the bibliographic materials by using the Visualization of Similarities (VoS) Viewer software. As per the findings, the topic has mostly been researched in Asia and the Pacific as a region and China as a country. It was noted that there were more empirical articles than theoretical studies related to SCs, evidencing the industry relevance of the issue. A total of 55% of the articles reviewed have been published in journals with a Q1 ranking. All the articles were written by multiple authors, with 30% of the journal articles having international co-authors and benefitting from the collaboration between authors. Key advantages identified in the literature go beyond contract and payment provisions and include aspects such as logistic handling, decentralized applications, business process management, automated payments, etc. Key drivers for adoption are supply chain pressure, competitive pressure, top management support, simple layout, reduction in risks of clients, clarity in responsibility and risk allocation, whereas the key barriers include insecurity, limited observability, incompatibility, inactive government collaboration and limited storage capacity. Key strategies to enhance the application of SC in construction include integrating theorems proving symbolic execution, using the selective transparency method and lock fund system, testing the integration of SCs with other systems at the initial stage, incorporating semi-automated consensus mechanisms for payments, constructing a mechanism to actively engage with government bodies, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning the conditional probability table (CPT) parameters of Bayesian networks (BNs) is a key challenge in real-world decision support applications, especially when there are limited data available. The traditional approach to this challenge is introducing domain knowledge/expert judgments that are encoded as qualitative parameter constraints. In this paper, we focus on multiplicative synergistic constraints. The negative multiplicative synergy constraint and positive multiplicative synergy constraint in this paper are symmetric. In order to integrate multiplicative synergistic constraints into the learning process of Bayesian Network parameters, we propose four methods to deal with the multiplicative synergistic constraints based on the idea of classical isotonic regression algorithm. The four methods are simulated by using the lawn moist model and Asia network, and we compared them with the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed methods are superior to the MLE algorithm in the accuracy of parameter learning, which can improve the results of the MLE algorithm to obtain more accurate estimators of the parameters. The proposed methods can reduce the dependence of parameter learning on expert experiences. Combining these constraint methods with Bayesian estimation can improve the accuracy of parameter learning under small sample conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilisation of box girders with corrugated steel webs (CSWs) represents an innovative approach to bridge superstructure design that has garnered substantial popularity worldwide, with a notable prevalence in both Asia and Europe. Compared with traditional box girders, they avoid web cracking, improving the prestressing efficiency and bridge spanning ability. As an innovative box girder, a corrugated web can increase the cantilever length and transverse stiffness, and at the same time, it reduces the dead weight of the bridge deck. However, little research has been conducted on the mechanical properties of this novel spine-like box girder with CSWs, especially its transverse performance, although it has been used in many applications. In this paper, the effect of the web form on the behaviour of box girders is introduced. Therefore, three representative three-dimensional (3D) finite-element models (i.e., corrugated web box girder, flat web box girder, and ordinary equivalent concrete web box girder) have been established to quantitatively investigate the influence of corrugated web stiffness on transverse stress under the action of gravity and vehicle loads. Generally, significant differences in the mechanical performance of box girders with CSWs have been observed compared with conventional box girders with concrete webs. Additionally, parametric studies to investigate the influences of the corrugation dimensions (in term of the corrugation height, web thickness, panel width, web height and elastic modulus) on the transverse stiffness of such bridges are analyzed. The results show that a new stiffness formula can be put forward to consider the effect of web height, and a high-strength steel web needs to be developed urgently for box girders with CSWs in the near future. Overall, the results of this investigation can be used as a reference for transverse designing and segmental construction of similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past half a century many countries have witnessed a rapid fall in total fertility rates, particularly in the world's most advanced economies including the industrial powerhouses of Eastern Asia and Europe. Such nations have now passed through the first and second demographic transitions and are currently exhibiting fertility rates well below the replacement threshold of 2.1, with no sign of recovery. This paper examines the factors responsible for driving these demographic transitions and considers their impact on both fertility and fecundity (our fundamental capacity to reproduce). I argue that because the first demographic transition was extremely rapid and largely driven by socioeconomic factors, it has had no lasting impact on the genetic/epigenetic underpinnings of human fecundity. However, the second demographic transition will be different. A series of conditions associated with low fertility societies, including relaxed selection pressure for high-fertility genotypes, the indiscriminate use of assisted reproductive technologies to treat human infertility, and environmental contamination with reproductive toxicants, may impact our genetic constitution in ways that compromise the future fecundity of our species. Since any fundamental change in the genetic foundations of human reproduction will be difficult to reverse, we should actively pursue methods to monitor human fecundity, as sub-replacement fertility levels become established across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlations between exchange rates are valuable for illuminating the dynamics of international trade and the financial dynamics of countries. This paper explores the changing interactions of the US foreign exchange market based on detrended cross-correlation analysis. First, we propose an objective way to choose a time scale parameter appropriate for comparing different samples by maximizing the summed magnitude of all DCCA coefficients. We then build weighted signed networks under this optimized time scale, which can clearly display the complex relationships between different exchange rates. Our study shows negative cross-correlations have become pyramidally rare in the past three decades. Both the number and strength of positive cross-correlations have grown, paralleling the increase in global interconnectivity. The balanced strong triads are identified subsequently after the network centrality analysis. Generally, while the strong development links revealed by foreign exchange have begun to spread to Asia since 2010, Europe is still the center of world finance, with the euro and Danish krone consistently maintaining the closest balanced development relationship. Finally, we propose a fluctuation propagation algorithm to investigate the propagation pattern of fluctuations in the inferred exchange rate networks. The results show that, over time, fluctuation propagation patterns have become simpler and more predictable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to examine the psychotropic prescription practices in schizophrenia, as it can inform regarding changing treatment choices and related patient profiles. No recent reviews have evaluated the global neuropsychopharmacological prescription patterns in adults with schizophrenia. A systematic search of the literature published from 2002 to 2023 found 88 empirical papers pertinent to the utilization of psychotropic agents. Globally, there were wide inter-country and inter-regional variations in the prescription of psychotropic agents. Overall, over time there was an absolute increase in the prescription rate of second-generation antipsychotics (up to 50%), mood stabilizers (up to 15%), and antidepressants (up to 17%), with an observed absolute decrease in the rate of antipsychotic polypharmacy (up to 15%), use of high dose antipsychotic (up to 12% in Asia), clozapine (up to 9%) and antipsychotic long-acting injectables (up to 10%). Prescription patterns were mainly associated with specific socio-demographic (such as age), illness (such as illness duration), and treatment factors (such as adherence). Further work, including more evidence in adjunctive neuropsychopharmacological treatments, pharmaco-economic considerations, and examination of cohorts in prospective studies, can proffer insights into changing prescription trends relevant to different treatment settings and predictors of such trends for enhancement of clinical management in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents and investigates the properties of concrete in which a portion of the cement is substituted with non-sintered Hwangto (NSH), a readily available building material in Asia. Given the inactive nature of NSH, this study aimed to determine the optimal cement replacement ratio and quantitative strength of the material. The unit weight, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and stress–strain of the NSH concrete (NSHC) were evaluated. Additionally, we developed a predictive model for determining compressive strength based on the regression analysis of compressive strength and UPV. The water-to-binder ratio was set to 0.41, 0.33, and 0.28, and the NSH replacement rates in the cement were set to 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% for evaluating various strength ranges. The mechanical property measurements indicated reductions of 5.35% in unit weight, 35.62% in compressive strength, and 6.34% in UPV as the NSH was replaced. Notably, the smallest deviation from plain concrete was observed at a replacement rate of 15%. The scanning electron microscopy analysis results showed that the plain concrete exhibited a crystalloid structure; however, as the NSH replacement rate increased, the amorphous structure and pores increased while unreacted NSH particles were also observed. The X-ray diffraction analysis results demonstrate that the peak intensities for kaolinite and mullite increased as the NSH replacement rate increased, while those of C–S–H gel and CaO showed low peak intensities. Furthermore, the regression analysis concluded that an exponential function was suitable. Consequently, a compressive strength prediction model was developed, and in the error test, the NSHC model demonstrated an average error of <10%, with fewer errors at the lower compressive strength boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domestication of vines started in Asia 11,000 years ago, although it was not until the 19th century that oenology was established as a scientific discipline thanks to the research of Louis Pasteur on the role of microorganisms in wine fermentation. At the present time, the progression in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies is helping to facilitate the identification of microbial dynamics during winemaking. These advancements have aided winemakers in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the role of microbiota in the fermentation process, which, in turn, is ultimately responsible for the delivery of provisioning (wine features and its production), regulating (such as carbon storage by vineyards, regulation of soil quality, and biocontrol of pests and diseases) or cultural (such as aesthetic values of vineyard landscapes, scholarly enjoyment of wine, and a sense of belonging in wine-growing regions) ecosystem services. To our knowledge, this is the first review of the state of knowledge on the role of microbiota in the delivery of ecosystem services in the wine sector, as well as the possibility of valuing them in monetary terms by operating logic chains, such as those suggested by the SEEA-EA framework. This paper concludes with a review of management practices that may enhance the value of microbiota ecosystem services and the role of smart farming in this task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is a proven essential water conservation region in Asia. However, various factors, such as anthropogenic activities, climate, and vegetation significantly affect its water conservation. Along these lines, a deep understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns of water conservation for this plateau and relevant influencing elements is considered of great importance. This paper calculates the water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau based on the InVEST model, and given that the evapotranspiration data are an important parameter of the InVEST model, this study selects the mainstream evapotranspiration data to compare the accuracy of the simulated water yield, and also selects the most accurate remote sensing evapotranspiration data examined in the study to carry out the study of water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Due to the large area of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the various types of climate and ecological zones, this paper analyzes the spatial and temporal variations of water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in each ecological zone and climate zone division and detects the factors affecting water conservation on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau by using the geo-detector method. From our analysis, the following outcomes are proven: on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, (1) the overall water conservation decreased from southeast to northwest; (2) the water conservation of the studied plateau in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 was 656.56, 590.85, 597.4, and 651.85 mm, respectively; (3) precipitation, evapotranspiration, and NDVI exhibited a positive relationship with water conservation; (4) the precipitation factor had the biggest impact on the spatial distinctions of the water resource governance; (5) the above factors are combined with the slope factor and the interaction of each factor to improve water conservation. Our work provides valuable insights for the further implementation of ecological projects with a view to enhancing water resource management methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various papers have introduced the use of positron emission tomography (PET) with [68Ga]Ga-radiolabeled fibroblast-activation protein inhibitor (FAPi) radiopharmaceuticals in different subtypes of gastric cancer (GC). Our aim was to assess the diagnostic performance of this novel molecular imaging technique in GC with a systematic review and meta-analysis. A straightforward literature search of papers concerning the diagnostic performance of FAP-targeted PET imaging was performed. Original articles evaluating this novel molecular imaging examination in both newly diagnosed GC patients and GC patients with disease relapse were included. The systematic review included nine original studies, and eight of them were also eligible for meta-analysis. The quantitative synthesis provided pooled detection rates of 95% and 97% for the assessment of primary tumor and distant metastases, respectively, and a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 74% and 89%, respectively, for regional lymph node metastases. Significant statistical heterogeneity among the included studies was found only in the analysis of the primary tumor detection rate (I2 = 64%). Conclusions: Beyond the limitations of this systematic review and meta-analysis (i.e., all the included studies were conducted in Asia, and using [18F]FDG PET/CT as a comparator of the index test), the quantitative data provided demonstrate the promising diagnostic performance of FAP-targeted PET imaging in GC. Nevertheless, more prospective multicentric studies are needed to confirm the excellent performances of FAP-targeted PET in this cluster of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The conditions afforded to zoo animals across the globe remain diverse and disparate. This paper brings two forms of animal commodification into dialogue: (1) the management of civets in global zoos and (2) the rising trend in civet coffee production and tourism in Asia. By qualitatively analysing the entanglements between colonialism, animal welfare, and conservation in civet tourism, this paper calls for enhanced reflexivity and decolonisation of animal-based tourism. Suggestions are made on how zoos may answer this call. Civets belong to the family Viverridae, an ancient line of 'cat-like' animals. Despite their large geographic distribution across southeast Asia and parts of Africa, little scientific attention has been attributed to Viverrids or Viverrid–human relations. This paper applies the lens of civets to explore the tensive intersection between animal welfare, conservation, and colonialism within the tourism landscape. Through thinking with civets, this paper brings two forms of animal commodification into dialogue: (1) the management of civets in zoos around the globe and (2) the rising trend in civet coffee production and tourism in Asia. By qualitatively analysing the entanglements between colonialism, animal welfare, and conservation and how each impacts the lives and treatment of civets in tourism, this paper calls for enhanced reflexivity and thus the decolonisation of animal-based tourism. Suggestions are made on how zoos may progress towards the decolonisation of animal tourism, and the argument is made that zoos are well positioned and morally obligated to answer this call. By doing so, greater attention can be given to the animals whose lives are most affected by the global tourism landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic macular edema (DME)'s therapeutic approach can frequently be challenging. The purpose of the review is to propose evidence-based recommendations on the employment of intravitreal dexamethasone implants (DEX) when approaching patients suffering from DME. Seven national consensuses redacted by different groups of retina specialists from Europe and Asia were examined and confronted. Each consensus was redacted utilizing a Delphi approach, in person meetings, or by reviewing the literature. DEX can be studied as a first-line strategy in individuals suffering from DME with inflammatory OCT biomarkers, in vitrectomized eyes, in patients with recent cardiovascular events, in pregnant women, in patients scheduled to undergo cataract surgery or with poor compliance. The other parameters considered were the indications to the DME treatment, when to switch to DEX, the definition of non-responder to anti-VEGFs agents and to the DEX implant, whether to combine DEX with laser photocoagulation, the association between glaucoma and DEX, and the management of DEX and the cataract. Although several years have passed since the introduction of DEX implants in the DME treatment, there is still not a unified agreement among retina specialists. This paper compares the approach in the DME treatment between countries from different continents and provides a broader and worldwide perspective of the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a scoping review to collect current literature on the knowledge, awareness, and perception (KAP) of sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs) among women in Asia. Methodology: The PRISMA-Scoping methodology was used in this study to extract papers from four databases published between 2018 and 2022. Sixty-eight articles were included after screening and elimination. Results: The studies on KAP of STIs/STDs among women were largely undertaken in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh). Regardless of the specific cohort of women studied, research indicates consistently low levels of knowledge and awareness across Asia. This trend seems to be more prevalent among female commercial sex workers, women with lower educational levels, and those in poorer socioeconomic positions. In South Asia, cultural, sociological, economic, and gender inequalities, particularly male domination, all have a significant impact on KAP levels. Conclusion: As education is a major factor that influences health behaviour, this review underscores the need to allocate more resources to educational initiatives, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as sex workers, transgender women, pregnant women, and rural housewives. This strategic focus may contribute significantly to preventing STIs/STDs, particularly in less developed regions/countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we analyzed the history and the past and present trends in photocatalysis research, trying to outline possible scenarios for the future in the medium term. The in-depth analysis of the literature reported here—from a mere bibliometric point of view—allowed us to divide the history of photocatalysis into four different periods characterized by different maturity of the topic and different bibliometric features. The turn of the 20th century saw an explosion in scientific production, which is still continuing now and has reached more than 15,000 papers published each year. Research interest is still growing significantly, and the analysis of different keywords suggests that such growth is substantial and not merely due to "publish or perish" behavior. The analysis of the most-investigated topics in the field of photocatalysis highlighted that, during its history, the focus of the research moved from inorganic oxides to carbon and hybrid materials. Concomitantly, the investigation of the "geography" of photocatalysis allowed us to underline its evolution over the years, with the repositioning of its center of mass from the Atlantic Ocean (USA and Europe) to Asia (China and India). Photocatalysis is active as never before but still awaiting major breakthroughs, which would allow a much broader technological and commercial output. Without such breakthroughs in this decade, the growth in scientific interest could level out or even decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether small Islamic firms' returns stochastically dominate (outperform) the returns of large Islamic firms using Ascending and Descending Stochastic Dominance (ASD and DSD) approaches. In other words, we investigate the size anomaly in Islamic equity indices. We use global, European, Asian/Pacific, and US Islamic equity indices from 1996 to 2019. For risk-averse investors, we find that small-size portfolios of Islamic indices ASD outperform large-sized portfolios in Asia/Pacific and Europe, while the opposite is true in the Dow Jones and the US. For risk-seeking investors, we find that small-sized portfolios of Islamic indices DSD outperform large-sized portfolios in the Dow Jones and the US, while the opposite is true in Asia/Pacific and Europe. We conclude that a size anomaly is present, and Islamic stock indices are inefficient in the semi-strong form. The results of this study should assist those who are interested in investing in Islamic equity markets in building their investment portfolios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Based on the investigation of altitudinal distribution data with identification by using both molecular and morphological classifications of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae, this paper determines the altitudinal gradient pattern for these two subfamilies on the north slope of Mount Taibai of the Qinling Mountains, and provides a test of the universality of Rapoport's rule in Lepidoptera by using four methods. Our results show that alpha diversity of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae both decrease with rising altitude. By contrast, the species distribution ranges increase with rising altitude. Three of the four methods used to test Rapoport's rule yielded positive results, while Rohde's results show a unimodal distribution model and do not support Rapoport's rule. Rapoport's rule proposes that a species' range size increases with the increase in a gradient (such as latitude, altitude or water depth). However, altitudinal distributions and Rapoport's rule have rarely been tested for Asian Lepidoptera. Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are extremely diverse in temperate Asia, including on Mount Taibai, which is considered a hotspot area for studying the vertical distribution patterns of insect species. Based on the investigation of altitudinal distribution data with identification by using both DNA barcoding and the morphological classification of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae, this paper determines the altitudinal gradient pattern for these two subfamilies on the north slope of Mount Taibai, and provides a test of the universality of Rapoport's rule in Lepidoptera by using four methods, including Stevens' method, Pagel's method, Rohde's method, and the cross-species method. Our results show that the alpha diversity of Pyraustinae and Spilomelinae both decrease with rising altitude. By contrast, the species' ranges increase with rising altitude. Three of the four methods used to test Rapoport's rule yielded positive results, while Rohde's results show a unimodal distribution model and do not support Rapoport's rule. Our findings fill the research gap on the elevational diversity of Lepidoptera in temperate Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable performance of the intermodal transport chain has gained popularity in recent decades, especially due to climate change and numerous European laws aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of transport. In this paper, we have developed a novel three-phase, two-stage approach that is a combination of distance-based analytic hierarchy process/data envelopment analysis (AHP-DEA). The added value of this multi-criteria approach is in evaluating a sustainable intermodal transport chain, with prioritization of the most efficient combinations of transport in accordance with the weights derived from its users. Instead of the classic pairwise comparison, the weights of the criteria were determined using a new distance-based AHP method in which respondents were asked to sort the criteria (transportation time, price, emissions, and variability) pre-selected from the literature in order of greatest importance. Therefore, the approach determines the most efficient transport chain in the transportation corridor. Since a transportation corridor was previously defined, the settings for this corridor were set to constant initial variables. In this way, the above criteria were chosen as inputs, with DEA aimed at minimizing these variables and presenting the results in ranks from highest to lowest efficiency. The potential of our approach was presented in a case study, where the most efficient of the selected transport chains between Asia and the northern Adriatic were chosen. The results show that there are different intermodal transport chains, each of which consists of either maritime and rail transport or maritime and road transport. The paper concludes that the presented multicriteria approach has greater discriminatory power than the current DEA, as well as greater flexibility, since the weights can be derived faster and more effortlessly than is typical. Therefore, this method can help transportation organizers to determine which intermodal transportation chain is the most efficient or sustainable in any given situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leek (Allium fistulosum L.), a common and widely used food ingredient, is a traditional medicine used in Asia to treat a variety of diseases. Leeks contain a variety of bioactive substances, including sulfur compounds, dietary fiber, steroid compounds and flavonoid compounds. Many studies have shown that these active ingredients produce the following effects: promotion of blood circulation, lowering of cholesterol, relief of fatigue, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, regulation of cell metabolism, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and the lowering of fat and blood sugar levels. In this paper, the main bioactive components and biological functions of leeks were systemically reviewed, and the action mechanisms of bioactive components were discussed. As a common food, the health benefits of leeks are not well known, and there is no systematic summary of leek investigations. In light of this, it is valuable to review the recent progress and provide reference to investigators in the field, which will promote future applications and investigations of leeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest pests and diseases have been seriously threatening ecological security. Effective prevention and control of such threats can extend the growth cycle of forest trees and increase the amount of forest carbon sink, which makes a contribution to achieving China's goal of "emission peak and carbon neutrality". In this paper, based on the insect-vector populations (this refers to Monochamus alternatus, which is the main vector in Asia) in pine wilt disease, we establish a two-dimensional delay differential equation model to investigate disease control and the impact of time delay on the effectiveness of it. Then, we analyze the existence and stability of the equilibrium of the system and the existence of Hopf bifurcation, derive the normal form of Hopf bifurcation by using a multiple time scales method, and conduct numerical simulations with realistic parameters to verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis. Eventually, according to theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, some specific suggestions are put forward for prevention and control of pine wilt disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, the melting of Arctic ice due to global warming has provided opportunities for commercial shipping between Asia and Europe. Given the vulnerability of the Arctic environment, especially due to emissions of short-lived pollutants from shipping activities, a more effective propulsion system with a comprehensive control strategy is required to reduce fuel consumption, thus potentially mitigating the impacts of shipping activities on the northern sea route (NSR). In this paper, a shipboard DC hybrid system powered by a combination of diesel generator sets and batteries is proposed and analysed in terms of its application on a ship in the NSR. The specific fuel consumption and various losses in the power sources were analysed to develop an efficiency-optimisation control strategy for the proposed DC hybrid power system. To evaluate the performance of the hybrid power system with the proposed optimisation control strategy, lab-scale experiments have been conducted in the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute to compare the proposed system with a conventional hybrid system. The experimental results indicate that the proposed DC hybrid power plant with the energy optimisation control contributes a 5.35% fuel saving compared with the DC fixed-speed diesel electric configuration during a scaled-down NSR scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid economic and industrial growth experienced in the Asian region has significantly increased waste production, particularly single-use plastic. This surge in waste poses a significant challenge for these countries' municipal solid waste management systems. Consequently, there is a pressing need for progressive and effective solutions to address the plastic waste issue. One promising initiative involves utilizing used plastic to produce components for asphalt pavement. The concept of plastic road technology has gained traction in Asia, with 32 countries displaying varying levels of interest, ranging from small-scale laboratory experiments to large-scale construction projects. However, as a relatively new technology, plastic road implementation requires continuous and comprehensive environmental and health risk assessments to ascertain its viability as a reliable green technology. This review paper presents the current findings and potential implementation of plastic-modified asphalt in Asian countries, with particular attention given to its environmental and human health impacts. While plastic asphalt roads hold promise in waste reduction, improved asphalt properties, and cost savings, it is imperative to thoroughly consider the environmental and health impacts, quality control measures, recycling limitations, and long-term performance of this road construction material. Further research and evaluation are needed to fully understand the viability and sustainability of plastic asphalt roads. This will enable a comprehensive assessment of its potential benefits and drawbacks, aiding in developing robust guidelines and standards for its implementation. By addressing these considerations, it will be possible to optimize the utilization of plastic waste in road construction and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space-based measurements, such as the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) and the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) aboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite, provide global observations of the column-averaged CH4 concentration (XCH4). Due to the irregular observations and data gaps in the retrievals, studies on the spatial and temporal variations of regional atmospheric CH4 concentrations are limited. In this paper, we mapped XCH4 data over monsoon Asia using GOSAT and TROPOMI observations from April 2009 to December 2021 and analyzed the spatial and temporal pattern of atmospheric CH4 variations and emissions. The results show that atmospheric CH4 concentrations over monsoon Asia have long-term increases with an annual growth rate of roughly 8.4 ppb. The spatial and temporal trends of XCH4 data are significantly correlated with anthropogenic CH4 emissions from the bottom-up emission inventory of EDGAR. The spatial pattern of gridded XCH4 temporal variations in China presents a basically consistent distribution with the Heihe–Tengchong Line, which is mainly related to the difference in anthropogenic emissions in the eastern and western areas. Using the mapping of XCH4 data from 2019 to 2021, this study further revealed the response of atmospheric CH4 concentrations to anthropogenic emissions in different urban agglomerations. For the urban agglomerations, the triangle of Central China (TCC), the Chengdu–Chongqing City Group (CCG), and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) show higher CH4 concentrations and emissions than the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and nearby areas (BTH). The results reveal the spatial and temporal distribution of CH4 concentrations and quantify the differences between urban agglomerations, which will support further studies on the drivers of methane emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food preservation is one of the strategies taken to maintain the level of public health. Oxidation activity and microbial contamination are the primary causes of food spoilage. For health reasons, people prefer natural preservatives over synthetic ones. Syzygnium polyanthum is widely spread throughout Asia and is utilized as a spice by the community. S. polyanthum has been found to be rich in phenols, hydroquinones, tannins, and flavonoids, which are potential antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. Consequently, S. polyanthum presents a tremendous opportunity as a natural preservative. This paper reviews recent articles about S. polyanthum dating back to the year 2000. This review summarizes the findings of natural compounds presented in S. polyanthum and their functional properties as antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, and natural preservatives in various types of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a widely used model for runoff, non-point source pollution, and other complex hydrological processes under changing environments (groundwater flow, evapotranspiration, snow melting, etc.). This paper reviews the key characteristics and applications of SWAT. Since its inception in the 1990s, there has been a significant increase in the number of articles related to the SWAT model. In the last 10 years, the number of articles almost reached 4000. The range of applications varies between small and large scales; however, large watershed modelling dominates in North America and Asia. Moreover, the prevailing modelling is related to hydrological impacts in a changing environment, which is a global problem. The significant shortcoming of the SWAT model is the vast quantity of data necessary to run the model to generate accurate and reliable results, which is not accessible in some regions of the world. Apart from its accessibility, it has several advantages, including continuous development, which results in a slew of new interfaces and tools supporting the model. Additionally, it can simulate human activity and agricultural measures and adapt to new circumstances and situations. This article emphasizes weaknesses and strengths of SWAT model application on modelling of hydrological processes in changing climate and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety is a common mental health issue that affects a significant portion of the global population and can lead to severe physical and psychological consequences. The proposed system aims to provide an objective and reliable method for the early detection of anxiety levels by using patients' physical symptoms as input variables. This paper introduces an expert system utilizing a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to predict anxiety levels. The system is designed to address anxiety's complex and uncertain nature by utilizing a comprehensive set of input variables and fuzzy logic techniques. It is based on a set of rules that represent medical knowledge of anxiety disorders, making it a valuable tool for clinicians in diagnosing and treating these disorders. The system was tested on real datasets, demonstrating high accuracy in the prediction of anxiety levels. The FIS-based expert system offers a powerful approach to cope with imprecision and uncertainty and can potentially assist in addressing the lack of effective remedies for anxiety disorders. The research primarily focused on Asian countries, such as Pakistan, and the system achieved an accuracy of 87%, which is noteworthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is the most cost-effective way to maintain population health. However, it can only be effective if widespread acceptance is held. The efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines depends on their favor. When countries start to vaccinate their citizens, there is a certain level of skepticism about the effectiveness of the vaccines. The hesitancy study on vaccines has gained momentum following the pandemic. However, few studies have examined the link between the psychological and sociodemographic factors influencing the fit. This paper proposes integrating the concepts of the information systems success and stimulus–organism–response into a cognitive fit theory framework to explore the integration of psychological and sociodemographic factors in the receivers' reactions (n = 1510). This study analyses the factors that influence the hesitancy of vaccines and the public's refusal in Asia and Europe. Receivers' reactions were assessed to various stimuli and we explored the link between psychological and sociodemographic elements and the concept of fit. Two surveys were conducted following the scale development of Mackenzie. The first was to develop the fit scale, while the second was to validate the fit scale. The results of the second survey were analyzed using structural equation modelling. The results indicate that the scale's fit development is valid and reliable. The quality of the vaccine information, the psychological characteristics of the vaccine system, and vaccine receivers' satisfaction are also beneficial factors for emotional and cognitive fit. Maintaining the vaccines' quality and efficiency can help improve the fit between sociodemographic and psychological characteristics. It can also enhance receivers' satisfaction and encourage continued vaccine administration. This study is regarded as one of the first to examine and develop an emotional and cognitive fit scale for practitioners and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having highly accurate and reliable Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of the Earth's surface is critical to orthorectify Landsat imagery. Without such accuracy, pixel locations reported in the data are difficult to assure as accurate, especially in more mountainous landscapes, where the orthorectification process is the most challenging. To this end, the Landsat Calibration and Validation Team (Cal/Val) compared the Copernicus DEM (CopDEM) to the DEM that is currently used in Collection-2 processing (called "Collection-2 DEM"). NGS ground-surveyed and lidar-based ICESat-2 points were used, and the CopDEM shows improvement to be less than 1 m globally, except in Asia where the accuracy and resolution of the DEM were greater for the CopDEM compared to the Collection-2 DEM. Along with slightly improved accuracy, the CopDEM showed more consistent results globally due to its virtually seamless source and consistent creation methods throughout the dataset. While CopDEM is virtually seamless, having greater than 99% of their data coming from a single source (Tandem-X), there are significantly more voids in the higher elevations which were mostly filled with SRTM derivatives. The accuracy of the CopDEM fill imagery was also compared to the Collection-2 DEM and the results were very similar, showing that the choice of fill imagery used by CopDEM was appropriate. A qualitative assessment using terrain-corrected products processed with different DEMs and viewing them as anaglyphs to evaluate the DEMs proved useful for assessing orbital path co-registration. While the superiority of the CopDEM was not shown to be definitive by the qualitative method for many of the regions assessed, the CopDEM showed a clear advantage in Northern Russia, where the Collection-2 DEM uses some of the oldest and least accurate datasets in the compilation of the Collection-2 DEM. This paper presents results from the comparison study, along with the justification for proceeding with using the Copernicus DEM in future Landsat processing. As of this writing, the Copernicus DEM is planned to be used in Collection-3 processing, which is anticipated to be released no earlier than 2025. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, sarcoidosis remains one of the diseases with unknown etiology, which significantly complicates its diagnosis and treatment. Various causes of sarcoidosis have been studied for many years. Both organic and inorganic trigger factors, provoking the development of granulomatous inflammation are considered. However, the most promising and evidence-based hypothesis is the development of sarcoidosis as an autoimmune disease, provoked by various adjuvants in genetic predisposed individuals. This concept fits into the structure of the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome, induced by adjuvants (ASIA) that was proposed in 2011 by Professor Shoenfeld Y. In this paper, the authors reveal the presence of major and minor ASIA criteria for sarcoidosis, propose a new concept of the course of sarcoidosis within the framework of ASIA, and point out the difficulties in creating a model of the disease and the selection of therapy. It is obvious that the data obtained not only bring us closer to understanding the nature of sarcoidosis, but also potentiate new studies confirming this hypothesis by obtaining a model of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lansium domesticum Corr. is a member of the Meliaceae family that is widely spread in tropical and subtropical region of Asia and America. Traditionally, the fruit of this plant has been consumed because of its sweet taste. However, the fruit peels and the seeds of this plant have been rarely utilized. The previous chemical investigation of this plant showed the presence of secondary metabolites with many biological activities, including cytotoxic triterpenoid. Triterpenoids is a class of secondary metabolites which contain thirty carbon atoms in the main skeleton. The high modification of this type of compound, including the ring opening, highly oxygenated carbons, and the degradation of its carbon chain to give the nor-triterpenoid structure, is responsible for its cytotoxic activity. In this paper, we isolated and elucidated the chemical structure of two new onoceranoid triterpenes, kokosanolides E (1) and F (2), from the fruit peels of L. domesticum Corr., along with a new tetranortriterpenoid, kokosanolide G (3), from the seeds of L. domesticum Corr. The structural determination of compounds 1–3 was undertaken through FTIR spectroscopic analysis, 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, as well as through a comparison of the chemical shifts of the partial structures of compounds 1–3 with the literature data. The cytotoxic properties of compounds 1–3 were tested against MCF-7 breast cancer cells using the MTT assay. Moderate activity was shown by compounds 1 and 3, with IC50 values of 45.90 and 18.41 μg/mL, respectively, while compound 2 showed no activity (IC50 168.20 μg/mL). For the onoceranoid-type triterpene, the high symmetrical structure of compound 1 is presumably the reason for its better cytotoxic activity compared with that of compound 2. Compound 3 showed moderate activity, mainly because of the presence of the furan ring, which, based on the literature, gives better cytotoxic activity in a tetranortriterpenoid-type structure. The findings of three new triterpenoid compounds from L. domesticum indicate the significant value of this plant as a source of new compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease primarily affecting the small intestine that is caused by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The development of celiac disease is based on a complex immune response to gluten proteins. The global average prevalence in the general population is about 1%. In recent years, it has become clear that celiac disease is not less common in Asian countries than in Western countries but often remains undiagnosed. Although the number of patients with celiac disease in Asia is expected to increase with improving disease recognition and advances in diagnostic techniques, there remain few reports of celiac disease in the Far East region of Asia, especially in Japan. In this paper, we outline the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of celiac disease. In addition, we summarize the reported Japanese cases of celiac disease with an overview in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since vaccines are in fact manufactured chemical compounds such as drugs, the appearance of side effects following their use is not surprising. Similarly, as the main goal of vaccines is to stimulate the immune system bringing out the production of protective antibodies, autoimmune-related side effects as a consequence of increased immune activity do not seem irrational. Fortunately, the rate of such side effects is low; however, the importance of reporting adverse events following vaccinations, understanding the mechanisms behind their appearance, making early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment cannot be overemphasized. In fact, autoimmune-related side effects of vaccines, particularly those based on adjuvants, were reported long before the introduction of the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). Nevertheless, ASIA gathered and united the side effects of vaccines under one title, a step which helped organize the research and call for better immune stimulators than adjuvants. New technologies and methods of making vaccines were clearly noticed during the pandemic of COVID-19 after the introduction of mRNA-based vaccines. In our current paper, we introduce the notion of side effects to vaccines, particularly those of autoimmune nature, the mechanisms of ASIA, and the main vaccines linked with the syndrome including the recent COVID-19 vaccines. The transition from side effects to ASIA is the main idea behind our work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disporopsis longifolia Craib is an Asian medicinal plant belonging to the Asparagaceae family. The plants are well known for their steroidal saponins and phenolic compounds and are traditionally used as tonics for back pain, bellyache, cough, diabetes, asthma, pneumonia and rheumatism. However, they are challenging to identify to species level using morphology. This raises a serious concern for their medicinal applications where botanical quality control is essential. The most appropriate morphological, anatomical and pollen characters for species diagnosis were therefore determined. Synonyms were identified and lectotypification provided. The morphological characters were described from 76 fresh and dried specimens to include a broad range of materials from differing habitats and locations. Paraffin and peeling methods were applied for anatomical studies of leaves and stems and a modified acetolysis method was undertaken for pollen morphology. This paper compares the new character data to published data from other species in the genus, namely D. aspersa, D. fuscopicta, D. jinfushanensis, D. pernyi and D. undulata. This is the first report of such anatomical and pollen morphology characters for D. longifolia. The results provide accurate morphological, anatomical and palynological characters for quality control and are best applied in combination with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida parapsilosis is the second most common Candida species isolated in Asia, Southern Europe, and Latin America and is often involved in invasive infections that seriously impact human health. This pathogen is part of the psilosis complex, which also includes Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis. C. parapsilosis infections are particularly prevalent among neonates with low birth weights, individuals who are immunocompromised, and patients who require prolonged use of a central venous catheter or other indwelling devices, whose surfaces C. parapsilosis exhibits an enhanced capacity to adhere to and form biofilms. Despite this well-acknowledged prevalence, the biology of C. parapsilosis has not been as extensively explored as that of Candida albicans. In this paper, we describe the molecular mechanistic pathways of virulence in C. parapsilosis and show how they differ from those of C. albicans. We also describe the mode of action of antifungal drugs used for the treatment of Candida infections, namely, polyenes, echinocandins, and azoles, as well as the resistance mechanisms developed by C. parapsilosis to overcome them. Finally, we stress the importance of the ongoing search for species-specific features that may aid the development of effective control strategies and thus reduce the burden on patients and healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia accounts for over 70% of total global aquatic food consumption, but aquatic food consumption behaviours and attitudes among Asian consumers are poorly documented and understood. This paper synthesises literature on factors influencing aquatic food consumption behaviour in Asia and the potential to support transitions toward more sustainable food consumption patterns. We identified 113 studies for inclusion in a scoping review, and identified five clusters of publications: (1) product attributes, availability, and accessibility (24% of publications); (2) willingness to pay for aquatic foods (25%); (3) psychosocial factors (e.g., attitudes and subjective norms) (17%); (4) sociodemographic and lifestyle factors (21%); and (5) miscellaneous factors, including food safety and social status (13%). This study indicates that multiple interacting factors influence aquatic food consumption behaviours among Asian consumers, among which price is central. Knowledge of, and attitudes toward, the perceived quality and safety of aquatic foods were identified as important but were mediated by household characteristics. Sustainable production practices, country of origin, and ecolabels were found to be less influential on consumption behaviour. We found that improving consumers' knowledge and attitudes about the quality and safety of aquatic foods might positively influence aquatic food consumption behaviour. Future multidisciplinary research is required to better understand interactions among the multiple factors that influence Asian consumers' aquatic food consumption behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation in arid central Asia (ACA) has been experiencing significant changes due to substantial warming and humidification since the 1980s. These changes are inhomogeneous due to the ecological vulnerability and topographic complexity of ACA. However, the heterogeneity of vegetation changes has received limited attention in the literature, which has focused more on the region's overall general features. Thus, this paper analyzes the regional heterogeneity of vegetation changes during the growing season in ACA and further explores their underlying drivers. The results reveal an antiphase trend of vegetation, with an increase in eastern ACA and a decrease in western ACA. This antiphase pattern is primarily constrained by the divergent hydrothermal and climatic contexts of different elevation gradients. At elevations higher than 300 m (in the eastern ACA), increased growing season precipitation dominates vegetation greening. Conversely, vegetation at elevations lower than 300 m (in western ACA) is influenced by growing season soil water, which is driven by winter precipitation (pre-growing season precipitation). Additionally, the temperature could indirectly impact vegetation trends by altering precipitation, soil water, glaciers, snow cover, and runoff. Our findings have implications for restoring the ecosystem and sustainable development in ACA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]