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Municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) are considered essential to protect human health and aquatic systems. However, several studies in the scientific field have identified adverse environmental effects in these treatment units that involve challenges in the water industry. Therefore, this work has the following objectives: (1) to understand the global context in which MWWTPs operate and (2) to determine the thematic and geographic trend in scientific research. Through the "Publish or Perish" software, scientific articles indexed in the Scopus and Google Scholar databases during the period 2000 to 2020 were obtained. Specific terms were used: "Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants"; "Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants," so that all terms must be contained in the title of the document. Categorization was defined according to key concepts considered as adverse effects indicated in the literature and that involve common problems in the water industry at the municipal level. As a result, 1844 documents (papers, reviews, books, book chapters, citations, letters, theses, and conference papers) were retrieved and subjected to a process of refinement (discrimination) where only articles, chapters, conference papers, and reviews were considered. Finally, 800 articles were selected for further content analysis, identifying seven categories and 30 subcategories. The category of "Emerging contaminants" was the most relevant within the research topics, and the category with the least available research was "Air quality." The articles were also analyzed by economic region, identifying Asia with the largest number of studies on various topics. In conclusion, future research should be oriented towards management, energy, and air quality issues, because they are subjects of little research involving process efficiency, energy savings, and impacts on the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alternative energy source such as solar is one of the most important renewable resources. A reliable solar radiation prediction is essential for various applications in agriculture, industry, transport, and the environment because they reduce greenhouse gases and are environmentally friendly. Solar radiation data series have embedded fluctuations and noise signals due to complexity, stochasticity, non-stationarity, and nonlinearity with uncertain and time-varying nature. Aside from being highly nonlinear, solar radiation is highly influenced by the environment and environmental parameters such as air temperature, cloud cover, surface reflectivity, and aerosols. In addition, the spatial measurements of these variables are not readily available. To tackle these challenges, it is necessary to consider data preprocessing techniques and to develop and test precise solar radiation predicting models at different forecast horizons. There is, however, controversy regarding the performance of such models in various studies. Comparisons are not conducted systematically among the different studies. Using a critical literature review, the authors hope to answer these questions and believe that further investigation of solar radiation can benefit researchers and practitioners alike. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of solar radiation modeling using artificial intelligence in the last 15 years and provides a novel detailed analysis of the available models. The studies conducted in different climates of the world that were published in distinguished journals were considered (i.e., 90 papers in total) for this purpose. Newly discovered procedures for optimizing forecasts, data cleaning, feature selection, classification methods, and stand-alone or hybrid data-driven models for solar radiation prediction and modeling were evaluated. The results strikingly showed that the most used artificial intelligence methods were artificial neural network, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and decision tree family of models. In addition, the extreme learning machine, support vector machine, and particle swarm optimization were the most used optimization techniques in solar radiation modeling. In terms of forecast horizons, the most common forecast horizon found in papers was on the daily scale (51% of studies), followed by the hourly scale (26%), and the least common was the monthly scale (18%). Based on the regional studies, the highest number of solar radiation papers originated from Asia, with Europe in second place and African countries in third place. An increasing trend in the number of papers from 2011 to 2015 was noted, and the second peak started from 2018 till the present. Under each section, a summary of findings is provided. The paper concludes with future thoughts and directions on solar radiation modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danmaku, a real-time comment function covering the top of the video, appears from the right of the video like a bullet and slides out horizontally from the left, which is gaining popularity in Asia. In recent years, the research on the analysis of massive danmaku data has mushroomed. The danmaku data contains a host of valuable information, such as the emotional expressions, attitudes, and opinions of the people watching the video, which helps people quickly get the content and effect of the video. The information is more representative and comprehensive with the ever-increasing amount of danmaku data over time. However, extracting valuable danmaku from huge amounts of data is a challenging task. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce VisDmk, an interactive visual analysis system, to help to analyze video content and effect. VisDmk incorporates five views: the projection view to exhibit emotion distribution, the detail view to analyze specific danmaku information, the individual view to illustrate the difference between viewers, the theme-aware view to identify themes in different periods, and the video view to ascertain some inference within a video. Case studies and user observation were conducted to evaluate this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to plan and evaluate the cost of the logistics in manufacturing tetra duplex board using prime grade and recycled materials. The real-world data for this study is obtained from one of the largest paper and board industries in Asia. The bi-objective problem is formulated by developing a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model considering the constraints related to raw material supplies, processing, and storage. The metaheuristic optimization techniques are applied based on the concept of epsilon dominance to balance the conflicting objectives to counter the complex problem in the real world of transportation for the ease of the decision-makers to make the best-informed decisions in the selection of raw material. The investigation results indicate that the cost of prime-grade material in the tetra duplex board supply chain is 71 percent higher than recycled fiber. Furthermore, this study can be extended by evaluating the environmental aspects of prime and recycled-grade transportation. Moreover, the logistics of the prime grade can further be narrowed down by investigating it in various modes of transportation such as highways, waterways, rail, and air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminologists have witnessed the significant growth of Asian Criminology since the establishment of the Asian Criminological Society. This paper reviews the development of Asian Criminology to answer key conceptual questions and clarify confusion and misunderstandings and their associated mistaken implications. The paper elaborates on the key concepts, mission, approach, and paradigm of Asian Criminology to further point out special opportunities provided by diverse contexts in Asia to enhance the discipline of criminology. It also discusses the approach for the future growth of criminology in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of trade routes between Asia and Europe will require substantial investments in energy and transport infrastructure in Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Their results suggest that transportation infrastructure investment tends to significantly reduce interregional trade costs, which will result in significant growth of GDP, employment, and economic welfare. [Extracted from the article]

Folk music is a special cultural value for different countries and civilizations. However, the interest in folk music wanes against the background of globalization, both in Europe and in Asia. This paper examines the possibility of using Chinese folk music to improve the mental health and academic motivation of college students without involving a qualified music therapist. The study involved 200 volunteers from [Xi'an Shiyou] University who were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. The researchers developed a 30-week program titled National Music in the Service of Mental Health. It provides for regular group listening to folk music with the option of motor improvisation regulated by the recipient. The authors tested the effectiveness of the program by comparing the results of pre-testing and post-testing through the Wilcoxon rank sum test for related samples. They found that external motivation dominated internal motivation in first-year students from [Xi'an Shiyou] University. In addition, most of the difficulties concerned such areas as peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms related to the mental health of the respondents. The researchers found that the developed program proved effective in increasing aspects of internal motivation related to new life experiences (p = 0.00). The program also reduced the severity of negative emotional symptoms related to mental health (p = 0.00). The main scientific value of this paper is its aim to actualize the scientific discussion about the potential and limitations of Chinese folk music therapy without involving a qualified expert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the regulatory requirements are converged or harmonized, the country-specific variance of countries is often reduced or omitted, and this facilitates the possibility of preparing a core dossier that caters to multiple countries. When such options of a core dossier are acceptable to multiple countries, the resource required to prepare the dossier and the time taken to prepare it is also reduced, thus eliminating resource constraints in supporting dossier planning and preparation and indirectly facilitating earlier submission in countries. In this paper, the authors have illustrated a process applied to standardize the dossier requirements amongst selected countries in Asia, producing an output of a core dossier that applies to four submission types amongst these countries. The core dossier adopts the International Council for Harmonization—Common Technical Dossier format as a reference. Main focus is the standardization of format and requirements within the Module 3 or Chemistry Manufacturing Controls sections of the dossier, which from the authors' organizational experience usually notes a higher variances and country-specific elements. Development of the dossier standardization process is due to an internal hurdle within the authors' organization, where global resource constraints and prioritizations of dossier preparation and compliance review process needed to be improved to facilitate earlier or near-simultaneously submissions in the majority of the Asia countries. The paper demonstrates an assessment of the dossier components and standardization to assemble a fit-for-purpose core dossier termed 'Asia Core Dossier' (ACD). ACD has been successfully implemented within the authors' organization to reduce country-specific requirements and facilitate earlier (fit for strategy) submissions in the selected Asia countries. The paper also discusses the tangible benefits of the authors' experiences from utilizing the ACD. Regulatory professionals in different organizations could reference the ACD as a template for preparing a simplified and efficient dossier and as a relevant component of Good Submission Practice (GSubP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are a class of insecticides that have high insecticidal activity and are extensively used worldwide. However, increasing evidence suggests their long-term residues in the environment and toxic effects on nontarget organisms. NEO residues are frequently detected in water and consequently have created increasing levels of pollution and pose significant risks to humans. Many studies have focused on NEO concentrations in water; however, few studies have focused on global systematic reviews or meta-analyses of NEO concentrations in water. The purpose of this review is to conduct a meta-analysis on the concentration of NEOs in global waters based on published detections from several countries to extend knowledge on the application of NEOs. In the present study, 43 published papers from 10 countries were indexed for a meta-analysis of the global NEO distribution in water. Most of these studies focus on the intensive agricultural area, such as eastern Asia and North America. The order of mean concentrations is identified as imidacloprid (119.542 ± 15.656 ng L−1) > nitenpyram (88.076 ± 27.144 ng L−1) > thiamethoxam (59.752 ± 9.068 ng L−1) > dinotefuran (31.086 ± 9.275 ng L−1) > imidaclothiz (24.542 ± 2.906 ng L−1) > acetamiprid (23.360 ± 4.015 ng L−1) > thiacloprid (11.493 ± 5.095 ng L−1). Moreover, the relationships between NEO concentrations and some environmental factors are analyzed. NEO concentrations increase with temperature, oxidation–reduction potential, and the percentage of cultivated crops but decrease with stream discharge, pH, dissolved oxygen, and precipitation. NEO concentrations show no significant relations to turbidity and conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sacred natural sites (SNS) have gained recognition from conservationists, and are regarded as the oldest form of habitat protection in human history. Many case studies and literature reviews have been published on the subject. However, an updated and global-level synthesis on the effect of SNS on biodiversity conservation is still lacking. Here, we provide the first systematic review on SNS and biodiversity conservation, aiming to evaluate the effect of SNS across different: (i) continents; (ii) taxa; (iii) metrics. We checked 2750 papers and by applying inclusion criteria we selected 27 relevant papers. From these, we extracted descriptive data and 131 comparisons between SNS and Reference Sites. We applied vote-counting, multinomial and binomial post-hoc tests to the 131 comparisons. We found strong evidence that SNS have a positive effect on biodiversity, but also strong geographical and taxonomical biases, with most research focusing on Asia and Africa and on plants. We found that SNS have mainly positive effects on taxonomical diversity, vegetation structure and cultural uses of biodiversity. Our results strongly support the view that SNS have positive effects on biodiversity across continents and geographical settings, as found in a number of local studies and earlier overviews. These effects should be given official recognition in appropriate conservation frameworks, together with the specific forms of governance and management that characterize SNS. At the same time, further efforts are also required to fill the geographical and taxonomical gaps here highlighted, and to advancing our knowledge of SNS through more systematic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inequitable response to it has created a space for rethinking the knowledge translation that informs current health policy formulation and planning. Wide recognition of the failure of global health governance and national health systems has led to calls for reviving the Primary Health Care (PHC) agenda for post-COVID health systems development. Despite the joint international declaration on PHC made four decades ago, it has had limited application. This paper argues that the recent attempts to rethink PHC will prove inadequate without analysing and learning from the politics of knowledge (PoK) underlying global health policy and planning. Even with the growing relevance of the spirit of the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) and its operationalisation as detailed in the report of conference proceedings, reassessment of reasons for its limited implementation continues to be located largely in the political economy of the medical establishment, the international economic order or in national governance flaws. Failure to address the dominant knowledge paradigm in the Alma Ata articulation of PHC has contributed to its limited application. This calls for expansion in the analysis from knowledge translation to generation and hierarchisation of knowledge. The paper discusses how the application of PoK as an analytical lens helps understand the power equations underlying the process of knowledge generation and its translation into policy and practice. Beneath the techno-centric and commodified health system is the dominant 'knowledge' system whose foundations and assumptions ought to be interrogated. By following a PoK approach, a reorientation of thinking about the relationship between various forms of knowledge and knowledge holders is anticipated. A new health service system design is outlined—translating the spirit of PHC of 1978 into a 'PHC Version 2.0'—that addresses the PoK gap in operational terms, with an approach to guide all levels of healthcare. It suggests how the world can be empowered to respond better by engaging with diverse ontologies and epistemologies to conceptualise knowledge and frame policies. Further, in the contexts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, it can contribute to the development of self-reliance to democratise general health policy and planning in the post-pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asia hosts several mega-cities with great economic power, which are often in a mutual competitive relationship. Despite smart specialisation and heterogeneity on national and global markets, they are often in pursuit of the highest possible socio-economic outcome so as to outperform their peers in this dynamic region. The present study seeks to present an operational comparative framework for judging the complex performance of several (12) large urban agglomerations in Asia. In the framework of this paper, these cities are called 'stellar cities'. Two particular research challenges are addressed: (i) the development and application of a new Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach, culminating—after a cascade of sequential analytical steps—in an Autoconfiguration Target Model which serves as a quantitative statistical tool for evaluating the (relative) multidimensional goal-oriented performance of the cities concerned; and (ii) a new functional interpretation of the DEA slack space for the possible improvement of inefficiently operating cities on the basis of Amartya Sen's capability theory. In the paper, we use an extensive database on 12 Asian stellar cities, extracted from the annual Global Power City Index (GPCI) system which contains more than 60 urban performance indicators, which has been constructed by the Institute of Urban Strategies (Tokyo). We find that the performance ranking of these Asian mega-cities shows the 'winners', but also a high variability, with several positive and negative outliers. We conclude that there is clearly scope ('capability') for further improvement of the efficiency of most Asian cities in various specific policy domains, as shown by the DEA results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For rapidly urbanizing countries in Asia, entrepreneurial activity is a critical source of employment and economic development. This paper uses a panel dataset of 20 countries in Asia to examine the role of urbanization in moderating the process of knowledge spillovers leading to firm creation. It is one of the pioneering studies to examine whether the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship (KSTE)—a prominent and empirically valid theory in Western economies—is also valid in Asian economies. Empirical analysis reveals that the extent and quality of urbanization plays an important moderating role that can enhance or retard the exploitation of knowledge by urban entrepreneurs. The paper has important policy implications for Asian countries to take advantage of rapid urbanization and make investments in research and development to create knowledge spillovers that promote firm creation. Plain English Summary: This study finds that a confluence of investment in research and development and the quality of urbanization in Asian countries boost firm creation. Moreover, employment in financial and business services helps in the creation and exchange of useful knowledge for entrepreneurial activities. This workforce acquires and generates knowledge to resolve challenges in business through interactions with multiple firms. It is important to understand the factors leading to a higher level of firm creation because the entry of new firms is one of the key sources of job creation and innovation. The principal implication of this study is that the countries should make investments in research and development and improve the quality and extent of urbanization to spur entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While it is rare to label a lawfully convicted case a wrongful conviction in the USA short of acknowledgment of official errors, academics and organizations sometimes label lawfully convicted cases with doubt from other countries wrongful convictions. Wrongful convictions and exonerations have gained growing attention among scholars and legal practitioners worldwide in recent decades. Bibi et al.'s paper, titled "Public and Professionals' Perceptions of Wrongful Convictions in Pakistan: Scale Development and Validation", explored wrongful conviction in Pakistan with an attempt to develop a reliable wrongful conviction perception scale. Grounded in the existing literature, Bibi et al. conducted surveys of relevant stakeholders of wrongful convictions including the police, prosecutors, judges, attorneys, forensic experts, and wrongful conviction victims, and constructed a measurement scale for wrongful convictions. [Extracted from the article]

Studies that consider all dimensions of sustainable development (well-being of communities, protection of natural environment, and the competitive economy) are scarce. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate relationships between socio-eco-financial inputs and outputs and investigate high-tech companies' dynamic efficiency. Relationships were assessed by estimating Spearman as well as canonical correlations. Changes in socio-eco-efficiency through 2010–2016 were calculated using the panel data variant of data envelopment analysis – Malmquist index. High-tech companies were split into manufacturing (HTM) and knowledge-intensive services (HTKIS) sectors and, for additional insights, into Europe, North America, Asia & Pacific, and other regions. Findings indicate tight interrelatedness of socio-eco aspects and their weak relationship to the financial situation, where undesirable socio-eco situation reduces sales and return on assets only in HTM sector. Technological changes reveal post-crisis market recovery with increasing competition bringing fluctuating socio-eco-efficiency changes during the period analyzed. Pharmaceuticals in HTM and renewable energy in HTKIS had the highest efficiency changes of 0.73% and 0.81% on average, respectively, but these changes were not statistically significant. Meanwhile, for a few NACE categories significantly negative changes were found. North America featured a non-significantly positive socio-eco-efficiency change on average (only in HTM), whereas the Asia & Pacific region featured the most stable efficiency dynamics. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first research that recognizes all three dimensions of sustainable development to investigate high-tech companies' correlation patterns and dynamic efficiency throughout different sectors and world regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronaviruses (CoV) are ubiquitous pathogens found in wide variety of hosts that constantly pose a threat to human and animal health as a result of their enormous capacity to generate genetic changes. Constant monitoring of virus reservoirs can constitute an early-warning tool and control the spread and evolution of the virus. Coronaviruses are common in wild birds, globally, and birds of the Charadriiformes in particular have been demonstrated to be carriers of delta- (dCoV) and gammacoronaviruses (gCoV). In this paper, we present the genetic characterisation of five CoV strains from black-headed (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and common (Larus canus) gulls. Whole genome sequence analysis showed high similarity of detected dCoV in gulls to previously identified strains from falcon, houbara, pigeon and gulls from Asia (UAE, China). However, phylogenetic analysis revealed bifurcation within a common branch. Furthermore, the accumulation of numerous amino acid changes within the S-protein was demonstrated, indicating further evolution of dCoV within a single gull host. In turn, phylogenetic analysis for the most of the structural and non-structural genes of identified gCoV confirmed that the strain belongs to the duck coronavirus 2714 (DuCoV2714) species within Igacovirus subgenera, while for the spike protein it forms a separate branch not closely related to any gCoV species known to date. The current study provides new and significant insights into the evolution and diversification of circulating coronaviruses in members of Laridae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper enters the ongoing volatility forecasting debate by examining the ability of a wide range of Machine Learning methods (ML), and specifically Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models. The ANN models are compared against traditional econometric models for ten Asian markets using daily data for the time period from 12 September 1994 to 05 March 2018. The empirical results indicate that ML algorithms, across the range of countries, can better approximate dependencies compared to traditional benchmark models. Notably, the predictive performance of such deep learning models is superior perhaps due to its ability in capturing long-range dependencies. For example, the Neuro Fuzzy models of ANFIS and CANFIS, which outperform the EGARCH model, are more flexible in modelling both asymmetry and long memory properties. This offers new insights for Asian markets. In addition to standard statistics forecast metrics, we also consider risk management measures including the value-at-risk (VaR) average failure rate, the Kupiec LR test, the Christoffersen independence test, the expected shortfall (ES) and the dynamic quantile test. The study concludes that ML algorithms provide improving volatility forecasts in the stock markets of Asia and suggest that this may be a fruitful approach for risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with the recent shift of R&D internationalization towards developing Asia, this Perspective paper reviews, contextualises, and evaluates the evolving patterns of creation, transfer, and assimilation of knowledge in multinational enterprises (MNEs). A typology is proposed consisting of four stylized nodes: West (industrialized mature economies), East One (emerging industrializing economies of developing Asia), East Two (Asian economies at an earlier stage of industrialization), and East Three (Asian economies with limited visible signs of industrialization). Within these nodes, this paper applies an institution-based view to discuss their diverse national innovation environment (with particular attention paid to governments, indigenous firms, and institutional conditions), and the network perspective to propose an intra-regional knowledge hierarchy, reflecting dynamic knowledge links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that thousands of students from four Asian countries are to be barred from taking part in the Graduate Record Examination general test online after their compatriots were found cheating. Examination test skills administered by the Educational Testing Service to graduate school entrants in the U.S.; Administration of paper versions of the test to the graduates.

Aim: In this study, we conduct a systematic review of literature to understand the effectiveness of interventions on continuum of maternal and child healthcare services, the inter-linkages across different levels of continuum of care and the impact of continuum of care on child mortality in South Asian countries from 2000 to 2017. Methods: The Electronic databases like, Popline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO and Google Scholar were systematically scrutinised to obtain relevant papers. A total of 19 papers were shortlisted for the final analysis. As per our knowledge, this is the first study which conceptualises the continuum of maternal health care framework through demand-based and supply-based interventions. In addition to this, we also present pathway models collating the evidence of continuum of maternal health care services in improving maternal and child health. Furthermore, both narrative synthesis approach and theme-wise categorisation approach is adopted to analyse the selected studies. Results: Our findings reveal a strong relationship between Demand-based & Supply-based interventions and continuum of maternal and child healthcare. Demand-based intervention (i.e. training health workers, spreading awareness through flip-charts, and folk dance) is effective in improving the CoC, while, Supply-based interventions (i.e. building hospitals, providing medicines and other equipment) strengthens the CoC in the context of South Asian countries. It also divulges strong inter-linkages across the CoC interventions. Conclusion: Hence, the policy makers and public agencies should emphasize more on strengthening Demand-based & Supply-based interventions that would strengthen the interlinkages across CoC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reality of global climate change demands novel approaches to science that are reflective of the scales at which changes are likely to occur, and of the new forms of knowledge required to positively influence policy to support vulnerable populations. We examine some of the opportunities and challenges presented by a collaborative, transdisciplinary research project on climate change adaptation in Africa and Asia that utilized a hotspot approach. A large-scale effort to develop appropriate baselines was a key challenge at the outset of the program, as was the need to develop innovative methodologies to enable researchers to work at appropriate spatial scales. Efforts to match research to the biophysical scales at which change occurs need to be aware of the mismatch that can develop between these regional scales and the governance scales at which decisions are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is one of the worst agricultural weeds and invasive species in the world, being widely established in many countries. Despite its impact on agriculture and the growing awareness of authorities and consumers about the consequences of synthetic herbicides, alternative control methods for this weed have been poorly reviewed. A systematic review of the literature published over the last 50 years was used to assess the most studied control methods of C. dactylon (excluding synthetic herbicides) and to summarize the trends and knowledge gaps. The major findings are as follows: (1) the number of publications that studied alternative methods to synthetic chemical control in C. dactylon management has been increasing exponentially since 1972; (2) most of the studies were made under controlled conditions (57%) and lack observations under real production conditions; (3) most of the field experiments were carried out in Asia (42%), under temperate subtropical and arid climates; (4) the publication of articles studying allelopathy stands out significantly (50% of the papers found), with two species from the Poaceae family, rice (Oryza sativa L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), showing very high allelopathic inhibitory effects (often above 80%), especially under open field conditions; and (5) preventive soil tillage is the most studied treatment among indirect weed control treatments, and although there is a high risk of propagation, the results indicate that tillage can significantly contribute to control C. dactylon, when compared to no-tillage treatments. Further research is needed to optimize treatments and methods so that they can be applied by farmers under real production conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an increasing number of patients following hernia surgery with implanted mesh reporting symptoms that could indicate autoimmune or allergic reactions to mesh. 'Allergy' to metals, various drugs, and chemicals is well recognised. However, hypersensitivity, allergy or autoimmunity caused by surgical mesh has not been proven by a scientific method to date. The aim of this study was twofold: to describe the pathophysiology of autoimmunity and foreign body reaction and to undertake a systematic review of surgical mesh implanted at the time of hernia repair and the subsequent development of autoimmune disease. Methods: A systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines was undertaken. Pubmed (Medline), Google Scholar and Cochrane databases were searched for all English-written peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2021. The search was performed using the keywords "hernia", "mesh", "autoimmunity", "ASIA", "immune response", "autoimmune response". Results: Seven papers were included in the final analysis—three systematic reviews, three cohort studies and one case report. Much of the current data regarding the association of hernia mesh and autoimmunity relies on retrospective cohort studies and/or case reports with limited availability of cofounding factor data linked to autoimmune disease such as smoking status or indeed a detailed medical history of patients. Three systematic reviews have discussed this topic, each with a slightly different approach and none of them has identified causality between the use of mesh and the subsequent development of autoimmune disease. Conclusion: There is little evidence that the use of polypropylene mesh can lead to autoimmunity. A large number of potential triggers of autoimmunity along with the genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease and the commonality of hernia, make a cause and effect difficult to unravel at present. Biomaterials cause foreign body reactions, but a chronic foreign body reaction does not indicate autoimmunity, a common misunderstanding in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palatalization is a common phenomenon in the Laomian language of South-east Asia. This paper compares the phonetic bilabial, velar, and coronal consonants of Laomian and their counterparts in related languages. A phonological analysis of the evolution of palatalization in Laomian is provided from a feature geometry perspective using the frameworks of nonlinear phonology and Optimality Theory. The results show that bilabials in Laomian, like those in related languages, include only the simple palatalized form 'bilabial + glide j' without evolving into affricates. Velars, based on different functions of [i], evolve into prepalatals and 'velar + glide j' respectively. Alveolars turn into prepalatals before vowels with the [-back] feature. A limited set of words in Laomian can still be pronounced in two ways with consonants belonging to two categories, reflecting different evolutionary stages of phonetic chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papers in this Special Issue focus on real and financial integration in Asia. The papers were presented at a workshop organized by the FernUniversität Hagen. We discuss core results and discuss potential policy implications related to monetary policy in China and the integration of Asia in the world economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some biological therapies for psoriasis can cause the reactivation of viral infections. Although recent studies suggest no increased rate of reactivation with biological therapies, some life-threatening cases have been reported. Therefore, this meta-analysis examined the rate of virus reactivation in patients with psoriasis with biological therapies and concurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for available papers from inception to December 2021. The outcome was the number of patients with virus reactivation after using biological therapies. The random-effect model was used in all analyses. Fourteen reports (1033 patients) were included. The pooled overall rate of virus reactivation was 0.04 (95%CI 0.01–0.09; I2 = 67.7%, P < 0.001). The pooled rates of HBV, HCV, and HIV reactivation were 0.04 (95%CI 0.00–0.10; I2 = 79.9%, P < 0.001), 0.07 (95%CI 0.02–0.14; I2 = 23.7%, P = 0.24), and 0.12 (95%CI 0.00–0.40), respectively. The pooled rates of HBV and HCV reactivation were 0.10 (95%CI 0.03–0.19) and 0.08 (95%CI 0.03–0.15) in Asia, but 0.00 (95%CI 0.00–0.01) and 0.04 (95%CI 0.00–0.21) in Europe. The publication type also influenced the results. The use of biological therapy in patients with psoriasis and HBV, HCV, or HIV infection might be associated with the rate of viral reactivation, but this meta-analysis had limitations, and the evidence might be weak. Nevertheless, it might suggest that at least a consultation with an infection specialist might be warranted in patients with psoriasis in whom biological therapies are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common histological types of esophageal cancers. It can seriously affect public health, particularly in Eastern Asia. Early diagnosis and effective therapy of ESCC can significantly help improve patient prognoses. The visualization of intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCLs) under magnification endoscopy (ME) can greatly support the identification of ESCC occurrences by endoscopists. This paper proposes an artificial-intelligence-assisted endoscopic diagnosis approach using deep learning for localizing and identifying IPCLs to diagnose early-stage ESCC. An improved Faster region-based convolutional network (R-CNN) with a polarized self-attention (PSA)-HRNetV2p backbone was employed to automatically detect IPCLs in ME images. In our study, 2887 ME with blue laser imaging (ME-BLI) images of 246 patients and 493 ME with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) images of 81 patients were collected from multiple hospitals and used to train and test our detection model. The ME-NBI images were used as the external testing set to verify the generalizability of the model. The experimental evaluation revealed that the proposed method achieved a recall of 79.25%, precision of 75.54%, F1-score of 0.764 and mean average precision (mAP) of 74.95%. Our method outperformed other existing approaches in our evaluation. It can effectively improve the accuracy of ESCC detection and provide a useful adjunct to the assessment of early-stage ESCC for endoscopists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on what will happen if a flu pandemic arose in Asia according to Neil Ferguson. Research conducted by Ferguson; Model simulating an outbreak.

Quantum computing holds the potential to deliver great economic prosperity to the European Union (EU). However, the creation of successful business in the field is challenging owing to the required extensive investments into postdoctoral-level workforce and sophisticated infrastructure without an existing market that can financially support these operations. This commentary paper reviews the recent efforts taken in the EU to foster the quantum-computing ecosystem together with its current status. Importantly, we propose concrete actions for the EU to take to enable future growth of this field towards the desired goals. In particular, we suggest ways to enable the creation of EU-based quantum-computing unicorns which may act as key crystallization points of quantum technology and its commercialization. These unicorns may provide stability to the otherwise scattered ecosystem, thus pushing forward global policies enabling the global spread of EU innovations and technologies. The unicorns may act as a conduit, through which the EU-based quantum ecosystem can stand out from similar ecosystems based in Asia and the United States. Such strong companies are required because of the level of investment currently required in the marketplace. This paper suggests methodologies and best practices that can enhance the probability of the creation of the unicorns. Furthermore, we explore future scenarios, in which the unicorns can operate from the EU and to support the EU quantum ecosystem. This exploration is conducted focusing on the steps to be taken and on the impact the companies may have in our opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews development research and policies on freshwater fish in South and Southeast Asia. We conduct a systematic review of academic literature from three major science-based policy institutions to analyze development research and policies that have accompanied the ongoing transition from freshwater capture fisheries to aquaculture in the region. Using a 'food fish system' framework allows for the identification and systematic comparison of assumptions underpinning dominant development policies. We analyze the interrelations between the production, provisioning, and consumption of wild and farmed fish and demonstrate a shift toward food fish systems thinking in the sampled literature. We discuss gaps and weaknesses in the literature, as identified through the application of the food fish systems framework and present an agenda for future research aimed at securing the potential of fish as food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that most of the resilient literature tends to focus on Western contexts, and the western-based research may have limited applications for policy and preventions in Asia, this issue attempts to examine educational resilience in Asian or Eastern societies to complement the wealth of research in the western-based research. In Asia, a large number of children live in challenging family environments such as poverty, increasing labor migration, increased divorced and associated factors. Investigating the pathways to educational resilience, particularly focusing on the protective factors that can buffer the negative effects of low socio-economic status or dysfunctional family environments or migrant family environments on Asian children's educational outcomes has significant implications. In this research, we found that, in Asia, education is a key vehicle for individual's social mobility, and factors from the school, home, and community may increase students' chances of success by buffering the effect of some of the stressors from family on academic and personal success. This issue adds an empirical support from the East to Ungar's (2012) social ecology framing of resilience. This paper also provides evidence that suggests efforts by educators to promote resilience should be tailored to the unique risks to which a sub-population of children and youth is exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Silk Road initiative is both exciting and controversial, as it may bring environmental degradation and water resources concerns, and at the same time it promotes swift economic growth in poverty-stricken areas along the Silk Road. Finding a balance between environmental protection and economic growth is the motivation for publishing this thematic issue. The Guest Editors introduce the background of the Silk Road in this editorial and the papers included in this thematic issue. These studies represent only some preliminary efforts toward establishing the harmonious relationships required to address these issues and to encourage further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Head and neck sarcomas (HNS) constitute a rare and heterogeneous cancer entity. Management remains a challenge due their rarity and different biological behaviour among tens of subtypes. This systematic review aimed to describe HNS global frequency and distribution in adulthood. Methods: A systematic review was performed using PICOTS search strategies for qualitative question and it was written in accordance with PRISMA 2020 Statement. 70,653 publications were identified, and 15 variables were evaluated for a total of 2428 patients. Results: We identified 47 studies from 21 different countries from 5 different continents. Most of studies (83.3%) were performed in single institutions and America and Asia overruled for number of papers included (21 and 10, respectivelly). Osteosarcoma was more frequent, followed by chondrosarcoma, angiosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Early stage accounted for almost 80% of cases; advanced stage prevailed in developing countries. 1783 patients (90.1%) underwent surgery and 780 (39.4%) had adjuvant therapy. 50.8% of patients experienced tumour recurrence and the lowest mortality rate was reported in Europe (29.9%). Conclusions: HNS holds a relative poor prognosis possibly explained by the heterogeneity of the disease. Treatment of HNS has shown to be highly diverse among different countries, underlining the importance of uniformed treatment guidelines to achieve better patient management and to improve survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-fossorial Sorex unguiculatus is a common shrew species in the central part of Northeast Asia, and this paper is devoted to elucidating its status in shrew taxocenes within the entire specified range. The configuration of the modern range of the long-clawed shrew differs from the generally accepted one, and its formation occurred through distribution from two Late Pleistocene refugiums—mainland and island. According to the status of the long-clawed shrew in the taxocenes, three areas were distinguished: this species is a dominant in low-species insular taxocenes, a subdominant in multispecies taxocenes of coniferous–broad-leaved forests of the Ussuri Territory, and a minor one in the zone of interpenetration of nemoral and taiga vegetation of the left-bank part of the Lower Amur Region. The further northwestern expansion of the long-clawed shrew is unlikely due to the specific requirements of this species for the type and structure of soils, which change significantly under the conditions of the appearance of permafrost, and coexistence with an ecologically similar species—the flat-skulled shrew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The share of solar energy in the energy mix has become a major concern, and the global effort is to increase its contribution. Photovoltaic technology is an environment-friendly way of electricity production compared to fossil fuels. Currently, third generation of solar cells with a maximum average conversion efficiency of 20% has been achieved. Asia is an emerging market for photovoltaic technology, and it has recorded the highest installation capacity for 2018 (280 MW), 2030 (1860 MW), and 2050 (4837 MW). Meanwhile, Asia is estimated to be the highest producer of PV waste by 2040, with 5,580,000 metric tons of waste volume. Solid waste management is already a big environmental issue in South Asian countries, and untested landfilling of solar cells can further increase the burden. This review emphasizes the end-of-life scenario of solar cells in developing South Asian countries. Solar cell waste is hazardous e-waste that can lead to environmental and health impacts if not managed properly. It consists of metals with market value, which can be waste or gold, depending on its management. The study finds that recycling is the economically and environmentally effective waste management option for solar cells in South Asia. This paper reviews the deficiencies in the existing solar cell waste management framework in South Asian countries. Moreover, practical implications are presented for designing an effective waste management plan for solar cells in South Asian countries. Strong legislation, sufficient recycling infrastructure, and high stakeholders' interests are required to resolve this environmental concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize understanding on farmers' perception on climate change. Farmers' perception of climate change is conceptualized as comprising of three dimensions—first, as farmers' "awareness"; second, "conceptual understanding"; and third, the "experience" of climate change. The review included 162 papers published during the period January 2000 to July 2019. The highest number of studies was conducted in Africa, followed by Asia. A large majority of farmers report being aware of climate change. However, only a few studies elicit the difference between climate variability and climate change from farmers. A negligible number of studies attempt to identify the role of agricultural activities in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Furthermore, authors compare farmers' perception with meteorological evidence, which is more aligned in terms of change in "temperature" rather than "precipitation." The insights from the review provide guidance on conceptualization and operationalization of the variable "farmers' perception of climate change" for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pan Lumbar Arthodesis (PLA) are often required for Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) correction, reducing significantly the compensatory capacity in case of postoperative sagittal malalignment. Few papers have investigated outcomes and complications in this vulnerable subset of patients. The objective of this study was to assess revision surgery rate for PLA in ASD, its risk factors and impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: Retrospective multicenter review of prospective ASD data from 7 hospitals covering Europe and Asia. ASD patients included in two prospective databases having a posterior instrumentation spanning the whole lumbar region with more than 2-years of follow-up were reviewed. Demographic, surgical, radiographic parameters and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression models analyzed risk factors for revision surgery as well as surgical outcomes. Patients with Early versus Late and PJK versus Non-PJK mechanical complications were also compared. Results: Out of 1359 ASD patients included in the database 589 (43%) had a PLA and 357 reached 2-years mark. They were analyzed and compared to non-PLA patients. Average age was 67 and 82% were females. 100 Patients (28.1%) needed 114 revision surgeries (75.4% for mechanical failures). Revised patients were more likely to have a nerve system disorder, higher BMI and worst immediate postoperative alignment (as measured by GAP Parameters). These risk factors were also associated with earlier mechanical complications and PJK. Deformity and HRQoL parameters were comparable at baseline. Non-revised patients had significantly better clinical outcomes at 2-years (SRS 22 scores, ODI, Back pain). Multivariate analysis could identify nerve system disorder (OR 4.8; CI 1.8–12.6; p = 0.001), postoperative sagittal alignment (GAP Score) and high BMI (OR 1.07; CI 1.01–1.13; p = 0.004) as independent risk factors for revisions. Conclusions: Revision surgery due to mechanical failures is relatively common after PLA leading to worse clinical outcomes. Prevention strategies should focus on individualized restoration of sagittal alignment and better weight control to decrease stress on these rigid constructs in non-compliant spines. Nerve system disorders independently increase revision risk in PLA. Level of evidence II: Prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing involvement of the Asian market in the global context plays a fundamental role in spreading shocks across the financial system. This paper examines the extent of vulnerability across Asian equity markets and the United States (US) equity market by distinguishing between spillovers and contagion. Spillovers are detected using a generalised historical decomposition method, while contagion is identified using a portfolio mimicking factor framework using moment conditions. The transmission of spillovers is assessed to capture the direction, strength and signs of the spillovers. The findings show evidence of changing vulnerability in Asia and the US. This is as a result of increased spillovers during crisis events and the presence of contagion. Stronger connections during crisis periods are evident as well as a general deepening of the global network. These connections may result in reduced opportunities for emerging markets. The findings suggest that caution is needed when developing regulations or methods to create a stable financial system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have focused on modern hydroclimate and the modulated mechanisms in the Tianshan Mountains (TMs), arid central Asia. However, the detailed information of hydroclimatic processes beyond the instrumental period is still scarce. This paper reconstructed a hydrology history from core sediments of the Dalongchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains. The comparability between end-members (EMs) of grain size and ICP-AES based geochemical elements in the lake sediments highlighted their availability for hydrological reconstructions. Hydrodynamic forces (EM1, EM4, Ti/Al and Li/Al), chemical weathering intensity [(Mg+Ca+K)/Al], salinity proxy (Mg/Ca) and redox-sensitive proxy (Fe/Mn) highly correlated with the first principal component (P<0.01), whereas paleoproductivity proxies (TN, TOC, Ba/Al, Zn/Al and Cu/Al) and C/N showed high loadings on the second principal component (P<0.05). The inferred hydrology progress was nonlinearly responded to temperature, precipitation and climate-dictated glaciers. Specifically, the water level didn't always covary with the humidity because of glaciers. The maximum water level was the comprehensive result of glaciers melting and high humidity around 1830 CE. Thereafter, water level continually decreased with declining moisture at high temperature, implying a limited buffering capacity of glaciers in the Dalongchi Lake basin. EM3-indicated eolian activity intensity was caused by the behaviors of Siberian High because the latter intensified surface wind and the dust transportation. The hydrothermal patterns were characterized by warm/dry and cold/wet alternations in a long run although warm/wet pattern was identified from a short-term view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedesalbopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) is a mosquito from Asia that can transmit a variety of diseases. This paper aimed to explore the effects of temperature, relative humidity, and illumination on the entomological parameters related to the population growth of Aedes albopictus, and provide specific parameters for developing dynamic models of mosquito-borne infectious disease. We used artificial simulation lab experiments, and set 27 different meteorological conditions to observe and record mosquito's hatching time, emergence time, longevity of adult females, and oviposition amount. We then applied generalized additive model (GAM) and polynomial regression to formulate the effects of temperature, relative humidity, and illumination on the biological characteristics of Aedes albopictus. Our results showed that hatchability closely related to temperature and illumination. The immature stage and the survival time of adult female mosquitoes were associated with temperature and relative humidity. The oviposition rate related to temperature, relative humidity, and illumination. Under the control of relative humidity and illumination, ecological characteristics of mosquitoes such as hatching rate, transition rate, longevity, and oviposition rate had an inverted J shape with temperature, and the thresholds were 31.2 °C, 32.1 °C, 17.7 °C, and 25.7 °C, respectively. The parameter expressions of Aedes albopictus using meteorological factors as predictors under different stages were established. Meteorological factors especially temperature significantly influence the development of Aedes albopictus under different physiological stages. The established formulas of ecological parameters can provide important information for modeling mosquito-borne infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The education pathways and opportunities of schoolgirls in Asia are facing different challenges. The empirical studies have implemented Information and Communication Technology-enabled learning to expand such pathways and opportunities and promote education inclusiveness and equity. Through the Gender Analysis Framework, this review paper focuses on exploring and discussing how ICT-enabled learning may expand schoolgirls' education pathways and opportunities in Asia for inclusive and equitable education. This review covers 30 studies that adopted ICT-enabled learning, synthesizes, and presents four key ICT-enabled learning approaches: Emerging technologies-enabled learning, Digital game-based learning, Mobile-enabled learning, and Computer-assisted learning. Our result discusses about how different approaches in this review (in)directly impact on schoolgirls' access to assets, their practice and participation in learning activities, belief and perception of their own and other stakeholders', and how policies accommodate these approaches. The review further suggests several guidelines to develop an inclusive learning environment enabled by ICT to education pathways and opportunities of schoolgirls, thereby enhancing education inclusiveness and equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cortical deafness is an unusual occurrence caused by injury to the central auditory pathway but not to the hearing organ. This paper reports the first case of cortical deafness as a sequel of recurrent stroke in a patient with prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation in Asia. Case presentation: A 40-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease comes with weakness on the right side of the body and slurred speech. Examination showed hemiplegia with increased d-dimer and activated partial thromboplastin time. (APTT). Brain MRI showed multiple subacute infarctions in the temporal lobe. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) tractography showed no visible auditory tract. Pure tone audiogram and brainstem auditory evoked potential test was normal, but speech reception threshold test was very poor. The patient has been diagnosed with recurrent ischemic stroke with sequel cortical deafness and received anticoagulant therapy and speech therapy. The patient reported minimal subjective impairment 1 month later with no further neurological deterioration. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary clinical approach is needed in patients with cortical deafness, especially distinguishing it from other central hearing losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The Uyandina–Yasachnaya volcano-plutonic belt (UYVB) is one of the largest structures of this type in Northeast Asia. It strikes in the north-west direction for 900 km from the upper reaches of the Kolyma River to the upper reaches of the Selenyakh River. The belt is characterized by the strong facies variability and zoning, which is expressed in a change from mafic volcanic rocks (Ilin'-Tass zone) in the northeast to felsic volcanic rocks (Darpir zone) in the southwest. Poor knowledge of the UYVB results in an ambiguous interpretation of its geodynamic nature and volcanic evolution. The paper presents new detailed geochemical, isotopic, and geochronological data on the volcanic rocks of the Indigirka section of the Darpir zone of the UYVB. The U-Th-Pb SIMS zircon dating showed that volcanic rocks of the section previously attributed to the Oxfordian–Tithonian stages have the younger age within 150 ± 2–152 ± 2 Ma, which corresponds to the Tithonian. Andesites from the section base show Ta–Nb depletion, indicator element ratios Th/Nbpm, La/Nbpm, and La/Smpm > 1, and extremely low εNd = (–8), which may indicate a crustal contamination of mantle sources. Felsic volcanic rocks overlying the andesites have the postcollisional signatures. They are also characterized by the wide variations of εNd from –2.4 to –6.5 and model ages. The systematic position of the rocks in the section as well as upward increase of alkalinity and silica content from basaltic andesites to rhyolites in the upper parts of the section, which is typical of island-arc buildups, suggest that suprasubduction melts were generated beneath the collisional crust. Source of these melts could be a mantle domain that was enriched in fluid during previous subduction event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high mountain regions of Asia contain more glacial ice than anywhere on the planet outside of the polar regions. Because of the large population living in the Indus watershed region who are reliant on melt from these glaciers for fresh water, understanding the factors that affect glacial melt along with the impacts of climate change on the region is important for managing these natural resources. While there are multiple climate data products (e.g., reanalysis and global climate models) available to study the impact of climate change on this region, each product will have a different amount of skill in projecting a given climate variable, such as precipitation. In this research, we develop a spatially varying mixture model to compare the distribution of precipitation in the High Mountain Asia region as produced by climate models with the corresponding distribution from in situ observations from the Asian Precipitation—Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation (APHRODITE) data product. Parameter estimation is carried out via a computationally efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Each of the estimated climate distributions from each climate data product is then validated against APHRODITE using a spatially varying Kullback–Leibler divergence measure. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic development may have distinct implications for the environment based on gender-differentiated employment in various sectors of the economy. This is the first major attempt to incorporate gender in environmental modeling using sector-wise female employment status and gender parity index. In this study, we investigate the environment-gender nexus through the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in 36 Asian countries for the period 1991–2017 by panel data estimations. We find in all estimations through panel FMOLS that (a) per capita GDP positively affects CO2 emissions and (b) per capita CO2 is affected by per capita GDP squared negatively, thus confirming EKC for panel Asian data with 971 observations. The estimations of the paper also confirm the EKC hypothesis through panel data models in which GDP and GDP squared variables. Our findings suggest male and female labor market participation impacts the environment differently, particularly in the agricultural sectors. We also find that an increased schooling ratio (gender parity index) negatively impacts environmental degradation. The findings of the present study are expected to give insights into policymakers for understanding the theoretical and statistical association between environmental quality and male/female labor force in agricultural and industrial sectors for 36 Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) is an entity in re-evolution in relation to the development of its human rights strategy. This paper will examine the EU's human rights advocacy in external relations in the context of normative power Europe (NPE), particularly in relation to the notion of the EU becoming a 'norm entrepreneur' with its revised human rights 'toolbox'. The promotion and protection of human rights is cited as being at the core of European values, together with democracy and the rule of law, having both an internal and external focus in rights promotion and protection. This paper endeavours to present an analysis of the EU as norm entrepreneur in the context of human rights advocate. In so doing, it will examine the question of EU visibility in terms of human rights promotion. In its external action, the EU has a number of 'tools' in its human rights toolbox. By applying a rights inclusion analysis to the tool of digital diplomacy in an Asian context, the question of EU as norm entrepreneur is seen to be driven by strategic interests and partnerships. This paper argues that the EU is an 'inadvertent' norm entrepreneur through its programmatic pursuit of being an entrepreneur for social good in its external action rather than norm diffusion as experienced in a European context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is argued in this paper that agriculture plays a here-to-for unrecognized role in the process of structural change. In very poor countries agriculture is the key sector in the economy and agricultural prices greatly influence the overall price level in such an economy. It is hypothesized that if agricultural productivity grows faster than manufacturing productivity this will, under certain conditions, cause the price of the former to fall relative to the latter which in turn implies that the overall price level in the economy should fall, ceteris paribus. This results in a fall in the real effective exchange rate, ceteris paribus. This decline increases the competitiveness of producing tradable goods, in particular manufactured goods. Thus the process of structural change (shifting employment and resources out of agriculture) becomes easier. These hypotheses are empirically analyzed utilizing a data set for twelve Asian countries for an extended time period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee is one of the most important globally traded commodities and substantially contributes to the livelihoods of millions of smallholders worldwide. As a climate-sensitive perennial crop, coffee is likely to be highly susceptible to changes in climate. Using a systematic approach, we explore evidence from the published academic literature of the influence of climate change and variability, specifically drought, on coffee production. A number of mostly negative impacts were reported in the current literature, including declines in coffee yield, loss of coffee-optimal areas with significant impacts on major global coffee-producing countries and growth in the distribution of pest and disease that indirectly influence coffee cultivation. Current research also identified positive effects of climate change such as increases in coffee-producing niche, particularly in areas at higher altitudes; however, whether these gains might offset losses from other production areas requires further investigation. Other advantages include increases in pollination services and the beneficial effects of elevated carbon concentration, leading to potential yield improvements. Future priorities should focus on major coffee-growing regions projected to be adversely affected by climate change, with specific attention given to potential adaptation strategies tailored to particular farming conditions such as relocation of coffee plantations to more climatically suitable areas, irrigation and agroforestry. The majority of studies were based in the Americas and concentrated on Arabica coffee. A broader spread of research is therefore required, especially for the large growing regions in Asia and for Robusta coffee, to support sustainable production of the global coffee industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small proportion of the thousands of pesticides on the market today are associated with a disproportionately high incidence of severe acute pesticide poisoning and suicide. Paraquat stands out as one of the most lethal pesticides in common use, frequently involved in fatal incidents due to suicides or accidental exposure. Even though paraquat has been banned in over 67 countries, it is still widely used in many others, particularly in Asia and Latin America. Based on a literature review and consultations, this paper identifies options for replacing paraquat and distils practical lessons from numerous successes around the world. Our aim is to support regulators, policymakers, agronomists and the supply chain sector with practical information related to phasing out paraquat. Production data consistently failed to show any negative effects of banning paraquat on agricultural productivity. A wide range of alternative approaches to weed management and crop defoliation are available, many of which do not rely on herbicides. Over 1.25 million farmers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) successfully produce a range of crops for private voluntary standards (PVS) in food and fiber supply chains which prohibit paraquat use. We conclude from the findings of this study that eliminating paraquat will save lives without reducing agricultural productivity. Less hazardous and more sustainable alternatives exist. To enhance successful adoption and uptake of these methods on a wide scale, farmers require training and support within an enabling policy environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After adopting the Paris Agreement, many countries (including developing countries) have started to develop targets aimed at achieving net-zero emissions to realize a "decarbonized society" in response to the 1.5 °C target. Effective plans and actions need to be urgently developed on how to achieve the ambitious targets associated with these targets, but not many countries have developed long-term strategies to achieve net zero emissions. The Asia–Pacific Integrated Model (AIM) team has been working with researchers and policymakers in Japan and other Asian countries to develop a long-term strategy toward a decarbonized society. Asia is a region with diverse countries, and there are many different pathways to achieve decarbonized societies. This paper presents the process of developing a long-term strategy for several Asian countries based on our experiences to date and discusses challenges and solutions, including how to use the AIM models in the policy-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]